vermaajay1968@gmail.com Ramakrishna Upadhya Bengaluru, January 28 A war of words has erupted between ruling coalition partners in Karnataka with Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy today threatening to quit if snide comments against him and his family members continued. After Congress MLA and chairman of Bangalore Development Authority ST Somashekar remarked at a public meeting that more than concentrating on administration one family was only interested in the welfare of their sons and daughter-in-law, Congress minister MTB Nagaraj praised former CM Siddaramaiah saying as far as he was concerned Siddaramaiah continues to be our Chief Minister. Another Congress minister Puttaranga Shetty also endorsed Nagarajs views. Angry Kumaraswamy said, If this continues, Im ready to step down. Congress high commands trouble shooter KC Venugopal immediately issued a notice to Somashekar and also forced him to apologise for his statement. Siddaramaiah said he had no intention of returning as the CM and that he would try to pacify Kumaraswamy. Congress legislators and ministers have expressed displeasure at the style of functioning of Kumaraswamy, accusing him of interfering in their portfolios and not releasing sufficient funds for their constituencies. Home Minister MB Patil took exception to the CM unilaterally effecting some changes in the police department. Tension is building up between the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) as the Lok Sabha elections are nearing and there are serious differences between the two parties over sharing of 28 seats. JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda has already pitched his claim for 12 seats, though the JD(S) currently holds only two Lok Sabha seats. Through informal sources, the JD(S) has staked claim for Tumukuru and Chikkaballapur seats, currently held by Congress MPs, including former CM Veerappa Moily, on the grounds that the party had done well in these constituencies during the May 2018 Assembly poll. Deve Gowda himself wants to contest from Bangalore North, which has long been a Congress bastion, as he is keen on putting up his two grandsons, Prajwal Revanna and Nikhil Kumaraswamy, from Hassan and Mandya constituencies, respectively. Local Congress leaders are in no mood to yield more than five-six seats to the JD(S). They are totally opposed to conceding the seats held by them. The coordination committee meeting of the two parties is scheduled to be held in the next few days to work out the seat-sharing modalities. vermaajay1968@gmail.com New Delhi, January 28 The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to provide details of functional detention centres in Assam and foreigners detained there in the past 10 years, saying they cant be kept in detention centres indefinitely. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said foreigners could not be kept in detention centres after being declared so by tribunals if the Centre had been unable to arrive at a settlement with the countries to which they were to be deported. You can ask the neighbouring countries to accept their natives, but you cannot keep them in detention centres for all times, the Bench, also comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna, said. We would like to know as to how many detention centres are there in Assam. We also want to know as to how many persons are lodged there and since when, it said. The Bench also sought to know the period for which inmates had been detained, if all of them were declared foreigners and how many declared foreigners had been deported to their countries of origin. Asking for year-wise details in three weeks, the Bench posted the matter for further hearing on February 19. The directions came on a PIL by activist Harsh Mander, highlighting the plight of foreigners in Assam's detention centres. "The foreigners have been kept in detention indefinitely just because they are not Indians and are treated as illegal aliens", he submitted. Petitioners counsel Prashant Bhushan said they should be treated as refugees and released, after imposing certain conditions. He cited a US Supreme Court judgment which held the government could not keep foreign nationals in detention indefinitely. On September 12, the SC had expressed displeasure over foreign nationals kept in Assam detention centres being "separated" from their families and had asked the state government to look into it. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court there were six functional detention centres in Assam. TNS rchopra@tribunemail.com KV Prasad Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 29 George Fernandes should be best remembered as a trade union leader whose resistance ahead of the 1975 Emergency launched the political career of this stormy petrel from jail. Incarcerated for trying to carry out subversion activities against the state, it was his call as trade union leader of the railways that literally brought the railways to a halt in 1974. And then came the infamous Baroda dynamite case which led to Fernandes and others being put behind bars for trying to use explosives. Read: Former defence minister George Fernandes dies at 88 His election from Muzzafarpur while in jail led to his release and he was inducted in the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party government in 1977 as the industries minister. He forced multinationals like Coca Cola and IBM to leave India. The Janata government then launched its own version of soft-drink called Double Seven (77), symbolising the advent of the first non-Congress government at the Centre. The government didnt last and for two decades Fernandes spent time in and outside Parliament. The Janata Party itself split into several parties till Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which eventual joined hands with the BJP to form the National Democratic Alliance coalition government under Atal Behari Vajpayee. Fernandes was rewarded by Vajpayee and LK Advani and appointed the convenor of the multi-party coalition. He was given the important portfolio of defence while his follower Nitish Kumar was given the Railways. The Samata leader had a run-in with the Election Commission over the internal party election leading to the appointment of Jaya Jaitley as his successor. As Defence Minister Fernandes was more hands-on making most trips to Siachen Glacier and bringing a turnaround of mindset of the bureaucracy, especially for those serving in harsh terrains. His tenure saw the unprecedented sacking of Navy chief Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat but ended in the minister himself facing ignominy of boycott in Parliament for alleged irregularities in procuring coffins and later the Tehelka scandal. Ironically, the first call of boycott against the socialist leaders was heralded in the Rajya Sabha by industrialist KK Birla. His political career went downward and after the exit of the Vajpayee government in 2004, his health also deteriorated as he was afflicted with Alzheimers. In the last decade and a half, Fernandes was taken care of by wife Leila Kabir and like Vajpayee spent the last few years away from public gaze. rchopra@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 29 Former defence minister George Fernandes passed away here on Tuesday morning after a long spell of Alzheimers disease. He was 88. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise saying Fernandes never deviated from his political ideology and remained steadfast. Fernandes was a key member of the Janata Dal and also founder of the Samata Party. He was defence minister in the NDA hovernment led by Atal Behari Vajpayee from 1998 to 2004, when India went to war with Pakistan in Kargil. India also conducted the nuclear tests at Pokhran when he was defence minister. Modi tweeted, George Sahab represented the best of Indias political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. The PM said he was saddened by his passing away. When we think of Mr George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace, the PM said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also condoled the death, saying Im sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, January 29 Parents should not treat the "report cards" of children as their "visiting cards" or expect them to fulfil their unfulfilled dreams, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he interacted Tuesday with around 2,000 students, teachers and parents. He encouraged parents to be a factor of motivation and encouragement for their children. "I would request parents, do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths...It is important to understand these positives of every child. Parents often treat the report cards of their children as their visiting cards and that adds extra pressure on them which is very unreal and unhealthy," he said in the second edition of "pariksha pe charcha". "Only when you take it in spirit and encourage your child, a 60 percent holder move towards 70 or 80 per cent. If you only criticise and scold your child for not getting 90 per cent, you will demotivate your child to start believing that they are incapable. This will take their grades further down towards 40 per cent. "If parents start comparing their child with achievement of others, it disappoints the child. Parents should encourage their children for every small improvement," the prime minister added. Modi said at present, the education system has become rank-bound and rather than running behind ranks, parents and teachers should teach the students to learn from things around them. "Live freely, observe and be curious to know new things rather than focusing on achieving only ranks. These days the meaning of education has narrowed down to getting ranks in exam for many," he said. With less than a month to go for the class 10 and class 12 examinations, Modi discussed ways to handle the exam stress in the interactive session at the Talkatora Stadium where students from across the country got a chance to participate. "Our learning cannot be reduced to exams only. Our education must equip us to face various challenges of life as well. I sincerely believe that anything that challenges us, polishes us too. If there is nothing to test us, then we become complacent. There must always be something to challenge us," he said. Jairpeet Singh, a student based in Tehran, asked the prime minister about the need to encourage school children constantly and how it makes them happy. "Compare yourself with your old records, you are your own competition, you break your records, you will never have the chance to drown in a trough of despair if you break your records yourself," the prime minister replied. "Exams are important in life, but one should not be stressed by it. Ask yourselves if this is an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like class 10 or 12. Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce," he added. The prime minister advised the students to aim big in life, but do not get carried away in the process of realising them. "While aiming big in life is good, but don't get so carried away by it that your dreams remain dreams and you become too old just thinking about it. We must understand ourselves. We must be true to ourselves, question ourselves frequently to see how we stand periodically as compared to our ambitions and dreams in life. "If you see yourself far from it, then you know what to do. You must break your dreams into phases and give it a time frame to achieve. You must cross one milestone at a time. Climb from a smaller peak to a larger one," Modi said. The prime minister said technology should lead to expansion of the mind and be seen as a means to innovate, but, he also asked students not to forget the playing field. Responding to a question about how he manages to work continuously for over 17 hours a day, he said, "We work hard, but we all go through some setbacks in life. You work 17 hours a day, how do you keep yourself motivated?" "What keeps a mother motivated and energised through the day, doing so many things tirelessly? She does it for her family and their well-being. Similarly, I truly consider all my fellow countrymen as my family. That is what keeps me encouraged and motivated." Talking about depression Modi said ,"Students living in hostel can also find some senior or a person with whom they can share their feelings. Parents should try to connect their child with someone who can help their child in the time of crisis or need. A get-together once in a weekend will also help". When a student asked how they should convince their parents that they want to follow a passion of their own choice, he said, "Analyse your passion and figure out if you have the ability and a plan to follow it. Take guidance from your teachers. Then convince your parents and assure them that you can do it." - PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Lucknow, January 28 A police constable and a dreaded criminal died during an encounter in Amroha on Sunday. This is the fourth death of a policeman on duty in the state in the past two months. A police team comprising Constable Harsh Chaudhary left from Bachrayun police station for Indrapur village in Amroha late on Sunday night to ascertain the presence of history-sheeter Shiv Avtar alias Shivia. In a gun battle that ensued, Chaudhary and Shivia were seriously injured and referred to the Moradabad district hospital where both of them succumbed to injuries. CM Yogi Adityanath announced a compensation of Rs 40 lakh for Chaudharys wife and Rs 10 lakh for his parents. He also announced extraordinary pension to his wife and a government job for one dependent in the family. This is the fourth death of a policeman on duty in the state since December 3 when in Bulandshahrs Siyana station officer inspector Subodh Kumar was shot dead by protesters. On December 27, head constable Hari Narain Trivedi posted in the Pratapgarh jail was shot by two criminals near the jail premises. On December 29, head constable Suresh Vats succumbed to his injuries in Ghazipur. He had been wounded during brick-batting while trying to lift a roadblock. TNS uttara@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, January 29 The national capital will witness a three-cornered contest involving the Congress, the BJP and the AAP in the upcoming parliamentary polls, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit said on Tuesday, while asserting that her party would try to bag all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. "We believe in working together and in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, we will target all the seven seats," she told reporters here. The former Delhi Chief Minister welcomed the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East. She also lauded party chief Rahul Gandhi's announcement at a farmers' rally in Chhattisgarh that after the Congress comes to power at the Centre, its government will guarantee a "minimum income" to every individual in the country. "This will be an unprecedented step, which has never been taken in any other country to the best of my knowledge and we are going to do it in India after the Congress party comes to power at the Centre in 2019," Dikshit said. She added that it would be a revolutionary step to change the lives of the poor people in the country. The party would explain the details of the minimum income guarantee plan in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election, Dikshit said. Gandhi's announcement would have a long-term effect in the uplift of the poor as the time had come to deal a final blow to hunger and poverty, she added. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Jaipur, January 28 Around 79 per cent of 2.34 lakh voters on Monday exercised their franchise in the Ramgarh Assembly polls that ended on a peaceful note at 5 pm. It was an incident-free and fair poll in Ramgarh, Additional Director General of Police (law & order) ML Lather told The Tribune. The fate of 20 contestants, including Congress Safia Khan, relative of former MLA Juber Khan, BJPs Sukhawant Singh, and BSPs Jagat Singh, two-time MLA and son of tainted former external affairs minister Natwar Singh, was sealed in the VVPAT EVMs. The results would be announced on January 31. The seat had recorded 79.92 per cent voting in the last 2013 Assembly polls. The Election Commission had to postpone the poll in Ramgarh following the death of BSP candidate Laxman Choudhary on November 29, 2018. The elections in 199 Assembly constituencies were held on December 7 and the Congress had won 99, BJP 73, BSP 6, RLP 3, CPM 2, RLD 1 and others 15. OC harinder@tribunemail.com Amol Singh On January 17, three years ago, Rohith left a suicide note. A part of the letter, in which he expressed disillusionment with Ambedkar Students Association and Student Federation of India, and their ambitions to change the world, was struck out. He had been a part of both. What stands out is the despondency about the political situation the hopelessness of our times. None of the present politics provides us with real utopia; something to believe in and fight for. On the one hand, there is recognition-based Dalit politics, limited to issues concerned with middle and upper middle-class people. Their despise for the green snakes hidden in green grass (Kanshi Rams phrase for communists) is detrimental to the 90 per cent Dalits living in conditions created by neoliberal capitalism. Dalit politics without an anti-capitalist stance is the politics of the particular class of Dalits. Along with caste-based oppression, Dalits are being exploited by the present production paradigm more than anyone else. Moreover, the same class position makes them the worst sufferer of the state expenditure cuts on health, education and other basic facilities. On the other hand, we have orthodox Left parties still stuck in the 1930s. Their theoretical framework has become redundant to make sense of contemporary neoliberal capitalism. They have been unable to move beyond the obsolete theoretical questions of the past 50 years: American road or Prussian road? New democratic revolution or socialist revolution? Chinese path or the Russian route? Since the Vemula struggle, many mass assertions have emerged on the political horizon. Jignesh Mavani tried to deal with material issues of Dalits, but with a narrow vision and an almost no organisational structure, he failed to have an impact. Chandrashekhar Azad of the Bhim Army seems to follow in Kanshi Rams footsteps, ignoring structural inequalities. These movements might play a crucial role in the BJPs defeat, but so far, they have failed to create alternative politics. The third kind of politics, which focused on material wellbeing, was the mass procession of Adivasis to Mumbai for their land rights and the gathering of lakhs of peasants in Delhi. These movements were backed by local organisations, most of them Left. However, the baffled Left fails to strategise and make something of these rare opportunities. We have to first shed the attitude of political correctness. The stifling political culture created by the Left and identity politics all have their own pantheons of gods. If you question these gods, you will be declared a Brahmanwadi, Manuwandi, postmodernist or Trotskyite by the missionaries of the great causes. This culture of political correctness is deadening in these depressing times. The culture that impedes us from having a political debate without fear and shame should be discarded. The creation of hope demands a political culture where ideas are exchanged, applauded, criticised, and denigrated without apprehension. shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Mumbai, January 29 The makers of the upcoming biopic "PM Narendra Modi" have announced the final cast which includes names like Zarina Wahab, Manoj Joshi, Prashant Narayanan and Barkha Bisht Sengupta. Other talents who are part of the project are Boman Irani, Darshan Kumar, Akshat R. Saluja, Anjan Shrivastav, Rajendra Gupta and Yatin Karyekar. Actor Vivek Anand Oberoi will be playing the title role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A solid star cast with talented actors is the base of an effective cinematic experience. With 'PM Narendra Modi' we have got actors who are not just experienced but are also the right mix for a prestigious project like a biopic on Mr Narendra Modi. I am excited at the prospect of having such a talented cast and to work with them along with Omung," Producer Sandip Ssingh said in a statement. "PM Narendra Modi" will traverse the journey of Narendra Damodardas Modi from his humble beginnings to his years as Chief Minister onto his landmark win at the 2014 election and finally being nominated as the Prime Minister of India. The biopic will be shot extensively in Gujarat and across locations within the country. IANS NEM THUONG, BAC NINH, Vietnam Animal welfare campaigners are urging global companies such as Samsung and Canon to take a strong stand against a gruesome Lunar New Year festival in Vietnam in which live pigs are tied up and paraded around the streets before being chopped in half with machetes. Provincial authorities are set to allow the Nem Thuong Pig Chopping Festival to take place in Bac Ninh province on February 10 despite condemnation from local and international charities, as well as the central Vietnamese government and the general public in the country. The Asia for Animals coalition of 18 international and Asian animal protection groups has written to leading corporate investors in Bac Ninh province urging them to apply economic pressure to help end the bloody tradition. Industry is a mainstay of the Bac Ninh economy with scores of multinational corporations investing in the provinces many industrial parks. Samsung and Canon are two of the biggest players with Foxconn, PepsiCo and Nokia also present. This month, the capital city of Hanoi announced it will set up a 24-hour hotline for the general public to report offensive or violent Lunar New Year festivals in a move which may bring more pressure to bear on rogue events such as the Nem Thuong Pig Chopping ritual. Animals Asia Animal Welfare Officer Nguyen Tam Thanh said: The public, the media and the central government want this violent ritual to end, but the Bac Ninh authorities are refusing to take action. Now were asking the provinces leading commercial players to apply economic pressure and help them see sense. Continuing this barbaric ritual is totally at odds with Vietnamese culture and the tradition of New Year. It negatively impacts society, animal welfare and the countrys image abroad. Animal cruelty cannot be part of modern Vietnamese culture. The gory spectacle has been decried by the central Vietnamese government with the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism enacting a regulation in 2016 that all outdated and uncivilised festivals should end. So far this mandate has resulted in halting numerous buffalo stabbing and buffalo fighting festivals across the country. Yet the Bac Ninh provincial government, which has the authority to end the extreme animal cruelty which takes place in Nem Thuong village, has remained defiant and allowed the gory spectacle to continue. The letters from the Asia for Animals coalition, sent on January 10, ask both Samsung and Canon to speak with both the Bac Ninh Peoples Committee and the Bac Ninh Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism to finally end the bloody spectacle. Phuong Tham, Humane Society Internationals Vietnam Director said: Most people in Vietnam dont want to see this type of animal cruelty spectacle go ahead, particularly the younger Vietnamese who share the global concern for animal welfare and believe that cruelty has no place in a modern Vietnam. The pig chopping festival is brutal and unnecessary, subjecting pigs to a terrifying ordeal and cruel slaughter. Our message is clear, go ahead with a New Year festival but replace the animal suffering with a cruelty-free ritual that everyone can enjoy. Lets have a new culture of compassion for animals. Samsungs Global Sustainability Strategy claims it aims to take on a stronger responsibility as a global citizen to create social values, a claim Asia for Animals believes means it has a responsibility to oppose the cruel Nem Thuong pig chopping ritual. The coalition also highlights Canon Vietnams philosophy of Kyosey, in which All people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously live and work together into the future. Asia for Animals has called on Canon Vietnam to expand this philosophy to all non-human animals and to help develop positive social values which benefit both people and animals. To date, neither company has responded to the letters. Download images from last years festival here. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Viet Nam: Mai Nguyen maitn@hsi.org Humane Society International/Vietnam United Kingdom: Wendy Higgins Director of International Media, Humane Society International +44 (0)7989 972 423 whiggins@hsi.org United States: Lisa Agabian Head of Communications, Animals Asia Foundation +1 (310) 422 -6106 lagabian@animalsasia.org Notes to editors: The Asia for Animals (AfA) Coalition is an alliance of 21 well -known and respected animal Protection organisations with a shared focus on improving the welfare of animals in Asia. The coalition works with 600 supporting organisations to raise awareness of the issues which impact upon the welfare of animals across Asia and advocate for campaigns aimed at improving animal welfare or ending the exploitation and suffering of animals. editorial@tribune.com Sanjay Pathak Kathua, January 28 District Hospital, Kathua, has been facing an acute shortage of anti-rabies vaccine for the past over five months, forcing the patients to buy it from the market. At District Hospital, Kathua, six to eight dog bite cases are reported on a daily basis. Attendants of patients complain that they are forced to purchase the anti-rabies vaccine from the market. Recently, my niece was bitten by a stray dog when she was returning from school. We immediately took her to District Hospital, Kathua, but paramedics on duty in the emergency ward asked us to buy the anti-rabies vaccine from the market as the hospital is short of supply, said Sunit Singh, a resident of Ward No. 6 of Kathua town. The government has initiated several health schemes for the welfare of the people such as the Ayushman Bharat Yojana but the shortage of vaccines exposes its claims, Sunit Singh said. Giano Devi (55), who was bitten by a stray dog, said doctors had asked her to get six shots of anti-rabies vaccine. I fall under the BPL category. The cost of one injection is Rs 330. I had to borrow money from a neighbour to buy the vaccine, Giano Devi said. Giano Devi said the government was providing no help to the poor people, who she said had to take loan for basic treatments. The anti-rabies injections are out of stock for the last five months. I have written to the higher authorities for supply of vaccine, said Dr Ashok Choudhary, Kathua Chief Medical Officer. District president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Prem Nath Dogra said as there was an increase in dog bite cases, the hospitals must have a vaccine stock. The Adviser to the Governor and the Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, must take cognisance of the matter and ensure supply of medicines, Dogra said. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Mandi, January 28 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, are making rapid strides in finding a drug to treat those affected by Zika virus. So far, more than a million people across the world have fallen prey to the infection. A team, led by Dr Rajanish Giri, Assistant Professor, Biotechnology, II- Mandi, is working on the subject. Following an earlier finding by Prof Indira Mysorekar from Washington University at St Louis, USA, that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a drug commonly prescribed for treating malaria, reduces Zika virus transmission from mother to foetus. Professor Giris lab has identified the target viral protein on which HCQ acts. He has collaborated with Prof Mysorekar and Prof Sanjeev Kumar Singh from Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu, and their findings were recently published in ACS Omega, an open access journal of the American Chemical Society. Professor Giri said: Our work has identified a viral protein on which HCQ acts. This finding is important as development of drugs against Zika hinges on understanding the interactions between the potential drug and the target components of the virus. Viral proteases are enzyme in viruses and are good targets for drug action. To block Zika virus activity, we targeted an important enzyme called protease. This enzyme governs the polyprotein maturation, leading to survival and pathogenesis of the virus. In the case of the Zika virus, the NS2B-NS3 protease is important for viral multiplication in the host. In order to find molecules that can inhibit the action of NS2B-NS3 protease, Professor Giris team first did virtual screening of an FDA-approved drug library and identified five compounds that showed promising affinity towards Zika virus protease. One of the five compounds was the HCQ. The research team designed and cloned the protease gene construct of the Zika virus and expressed and purified its NS2B-NS3 protease enzyme. The HCQ inhibited the enzyme activity, showing that it was a promising drug for ZIKV infection. He said in the next step, the research team treated trophoblast cells infected with Zika with the HCQ and noticed that there was a significant reduction in the viral burden. In vitro enzyme inhibition and computational simulation, studies showed that the HCQ bonded with the NS2B-NS3 protease complex, thus competitively inhibiting its ability to contribute to viral multiplication. The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne emerging global pathogen belonging to the flavivirus genus. Other members of this genus include dengue virus, yellow fever virus, and Japanese Encephalitis virus. Its infection leads to fever, headaches, lethargy, conjunctivitis-like symptoms and may even be associated with neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome. More seriously, it is associated with devastating foetal diseases such as microcephaly. editorial@tribune.com Bijendra Ahlawat Tribune News Service Faridabad, January 28 The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has rolled out the facility of solar-powered tube wells for farmers across the state. It will be 40 per cent cheaper than that connected with the traditional grid. Since 1,703 applications for new connections up to 10 BHP are pending in the district, the authorities are now issuing letters to these farmers seeking their choice between off-grid solar connections from the Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) and grid connections (regular electrical powered) from the discoms. The Chief Engineer (Commercial), DHBVN, has asked the respective circle offices to sent consent letters through all mediums, including text messages and Whatsapp, to the applicants. Superintending Engineer, Faridabad, Pradeep Kumar Chauhan said it was for the first time that such an option had been given to farmers. He said the applicants had been asked to submit their choice as soon as possible. However, no deadline for the same had been announced by the authorities so far. According to information, 75 per cent cost of the solar connection will be borne by the government in form of subsidy. The applicant will have to pay only Rs 1,52,500 for a 10 BHP connection against the total cost of Rs 6.10 lakh. On the other hand, the cost of a 10 BHP connection from the traditional grid is Rs 2.50 lakh. Similarly, those opting for three and five BHP connections will have to pay Rs 58,750 and Rs 83,250, respectively. For a 7.5 BHP solar connection, the applicant will have to pay Rs 1,19,500 against the total cost of Rs 3,58,500. The minimum cost of a grid connection is Rs 1,25,000. While the supply from solar connection will be free, it is 10 paise per unit for the grid one. editorial@tribune.com Parveen Arora Tribune News Service Karnal, January 28 Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday reiterated that the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would not be held simultaneously. As of now, we are not going to hold simultaneous elections, he told the media after the closing ceremony of the two-day mega job fair at Government PG College here. The Chief Minister had on several occasions in the past said the state government would not go for simultaneous elections. But in the run-up to the Jind Assembly byelection, rumour spread that parliamentary and Assembly elections would be held at the same time. Khattar laid to rest such rumours on Monday. On the Jind byelection, the CM said the BJP would definitely win. About 6,300 job aspirants participated in the job fair. Of them, 2,300 youths, including 690 from Karnal district, were given job letters by 100 private companies. The Chief Minister handed over appointment letters to four youths Shikha, Rubal, Anu and Shubham. Khattar hailed his government for providing five marks to candidates, who were the first ones in their families to seek government service. The initiative has bore fruit as about 12,000 youths selected in the Group-D test are first in their family to get government jobs. Khattar asked job aspirants to develop skills so that they became job-providers, and not job-seekers. The construction of Shri Vishwakarma Skill Development University in Palwal has started. About 12,000 students will get admission in 800 skill development courses, he said. He admitted unemployment was a big challenge, but added his government was making efforts to overcome it. To drive home the enormity of the situation, he said: About 5 lakh children are born in the state every year, but only 15,000 jobs are offered. He thanked the private companies for providing energetic youth of the state with jobs. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Karnal, January 28 The police have booked 27 persons on the charge of cheating IDBI Bank to the tune of Rs2.61 crore by producing fake documents for agricultural loans. The police said each of them had applied for individual agricultural loans in 2017 and did not pay their instalments on time. The police started investigation into how the loans were approved by the Sector 12 branch of the bank despite forged documents. In preliminary investigation, it came to light that the accused had got red ink removed from their land documents. The red line indicated that the owner had already taken loan on land, said SHO Mohan Lal. He said an FIR had been registered on the basis of the complaint of the bank manager under Sections 406, 420 and 120-B of the IPC against 27 persons from the district. He said the involvement of advocates could not be ruled out as the documents which had been produced in the bank were prepared by lawyers. The accused cheated the bank by hiding the fact that they had taken loans on the same land from other banks. They had produced their land documents by making changes, said the SHO. harinder@tribunemail.com The Punjab and Haryana High Courts green signal to Punjab Police to probe the killing of two civilians at Behbal Kalan has predictably set the force in high gear. The first to be netted was Charanjit Sharma, the senior-most official on the spot when the police fired at protesters on October 14, 2015, killing two persons. Sharmas arrest by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is aimed at unravelling the chain of command of officers who used force against those protesting police inaction in cases of sacrilege. There are bound to be questions about a fair, impartial and speedy investigation undaunted by political pressure as it is undertaken on the eve of the General Election. But it has to be noted that it was only a few days back that the High Court cleared the decks by dismissing petitions against the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report submitted last June. The Punjab Government had to also cool its heels because of a petition seeking the involvement of the CBI. This, too, was rejected on the grounds that the CBI had hardly made any headway in the case. And accepting the plea would have amounted to the accused seeking investigation by an agency of choice a right which he does not have (Romila Thapar vs Union of India). Now that the court has ensured that the investigation will not be partially handled by two separate agencies, it is incumbent on the Punjab Police to heed the High Courts observations asking it not to be swayed by the observations of commissions since these were only meant to instruct the government to prevent such incidents in future. The Behbal Kalan SIT has only to take the cue from another SIT that has made progress and arrested the accused in sacrilege cases. Admittedly those in the sights of the Behbal Kalan SIT are much bigger fish and its exertions will have a direct impact on the states politics since the chain of command may have stretched to Chandigarh. It is incumbent on Punjab Police to achieve closure on those unholy incidents as well as book those guilty for the deaths, keeping in mind that its professionalism is on the line. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Washington, January 29 The Sikh community of Indiana State in the US distributed Indian food and gift cards to the employees of the federal Transportation and Security Administration who have not received their pay checks due to the partial government shutdown lasting for a record over 35 days. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security that has authority over the security of the travelling public in America. It was created as a response to the September 11 attacks in 2001. The federal government re-opened on Monday, but the employees are still a few days away from receiving their pay checks. "We are grateful for the support and selfless service of the Sikh community in Fishers," said Aaron Batt, Federal Security Director of the Indiana TSA. "The men and women at TSA have been in a very difficult situation, not knowing when they will be paid, but yet they have not allowed that uncertainty to get in the way of fulfilling our mission to protect the nation's transportation systems," he said on Monday. Led by community leader Gurinder Singh Khalsa, the Sikh community from the local Fishers city donated gift and grocery cards worth more than USD 6,000 to the more than 250 TSA employees at Indianapolis airport. Indian food and pizza were also served to TSA agents. "Their commitment and drive to protect the community are motivating when people like (Singh and the Sikh community) recognise their sacrifices and offer assistance," Batt said. Batt presented Singh with the TSA Indiana Challenge Coin which recognises those who exhibit core values of integrity, respect and commitment. One of the core principles of the Sikh community is selfless service to the needy by sharing our abundance with love and compassion, Singh told TSA employees. "Even though the government is temporarily open for the next several weeks, the TSA employees have already gone without a pay check for more than a month and will still be awaiting back pay," he said. "We need to put ourselves in their position and understand their struggles. The Sikhs may be small in number, but are very fortunate. Each one of us needs to incorporate the American values and step up our part in selfless service to our neighbours in need. We hope this will inspire others to come forward for humanitarian causes," Singh said. The Sikh community of Fishers has grown from five families to more than 500 families and have recently launched a USD 3 million building project. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Varinder Singh Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 29 More than one million NRIs based in the USA and the UK will be able to visit Pakistan more freely and easily for the government of that country has decided to extend visa-on-arrival facility to British and US citizens of Indian origin under its new and what was described as a 'revolutionary visa regime facility' to project soft image of the country. The number of countries for business visa facility would also be extended from the existing 68 to 96 countries. The best part of the new visa policy announced by Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain was that those visiting Pakistan on a tourist visa would now be allowed to visit all parts of the country, including the earlier restricted areas like POK and Gilgit-Balistan, sans any No Objection Certificate. The maximum benefit of the visa on arrival facility would be for those close to one million Sikhs and Hindus of Indian origin who were citizens of the USA and the UK for they will be able to visit Sikh and Hindu shrines more easily. Earlier, it took a long one to two months' period for them for obtaining visas for Pakistan. The American Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Sikh Coordination Committee of East Coast have hailed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government's initiative. "It will be a major relief for Sikhs and Hindus who have been yearning to pay obeisance at different shrines in Pakistan. We welcome the initiative. At the same time, we demand that the visa on arrival facility should also be extended to people of India, particularly the Sikhs, so that they will be able to visit holy places in Pakistan with ease," said Pritpal Singh, coordinator of the American Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, while talking to The Tribune from the US. Visa policy for journalists was also being relaxed as Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would be processing the visa applications of journalists. The existing restriction of visiting only a few cities would also be waived alongwith issuance of long-term visas. Under the new policy, citizens from 175 countries would have e-visa facility while citizens of 50 countries would enjoy visa on arrival facility. The IATA registered tour operators would be authorised to arrange visits of tourists groups in Pakistan as the government of Pakistan intended to develop tourism in the countries on Malaysian and Turkey models to attract maximium revenue from tourism sector. Neerja Chowdhury Neerja Chowdhury Senior political commentator RAHUL Gandhi faces a long term versus short run dilemma, which has often dogged political leaders. Should he focus only on defeating Narendra Modi in 2019, which would mean giving primacy to alliances, and may entail more of give than of take, in the interest of the larger goal? Or should he concentrate on reviving the Congress at the grassroots? A judicious mix of both is easier said than done. As the Congress chief found out in Uttar Pradesh, when the party was left out of the SP-BSP alliance, barring the seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli. Sensing the possibility of revival after its win in three states, it had sought 20 seats, but the SP-BSP was willing to give it no more than eight. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati announced their pact unilaterally, taking 38 seats each, and leaving two for the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). That two is expected to be increased to four, under a new formula that two SP leaders would fight under the RLD banner. Rahul Gandhis decision to bring Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into active politics at this stage shows that the Congress now wants to go into a revival mode, while striking alliances in states, wherever possible. It is not as if there is a national alliance against the Modi-led NDA in the offing, or being pursued seriously. Chandrababu Naidu flagged the idea, but he seems to have given up on it. K Chandrashekhar Rao has talked about forging a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front, but it is really geared to weaken the Congress in the opposition space. There is an acceptance that a national mahagathbandhan is possible only after the elections, if the numbers are there to favour its creation. For now, it is nothing but a photo-op, of the kind seen in Bengaluru when HD Kumaraswamy took over as Chief Minister, or more recently in Kolkata, when 20 parties shared the stage with Mamata Banerjee at a rally organised by the Trinamool Congress. It is possible for opposition leaders to address rallies together in different parts of the country to create a mahaul (environment) against Modi and the BJP that would help all of them in their individual fiefdoms. But to fashion a country-wide alliance, working out a division of seats among them, is an impossible task. An alliance without a leader is meaningless and the question of leadership cannot be settled before the elections. The Congress is too weak at the moment for its leader to be accepted by all regional satraps, even though, interestingly enough, it is the southern chieftains MK Stalin, Chandrababu Naidu and HD Kumaraswamy who have projected Rahul Gandhi for the PMs chair. This, however, is not the case with Mayawati or Mamata Banerjee. Mamatas mega rally positioned her as a possible prime ministerial candidate, and it was calculated to fuel regional sentiment in her favour to enable her to consolidate her hold on West Bengal. Mayawati talked about the desirability of the next Prime Minister being from Uttar Pradesh, if nothing else, to bring more Dalits to her side. It is gathbandhans at the state level which are more critical and could pose a problem for the BJP. The Congress has already tied up with the NCP in Maharashtra, giving sleepless nights to the BJP, given the Shiv Senas hostility towards it. In Karnataka, the Congress and the JD(S) are partners in the government and are expected to sew up an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls, even though the clouds over the beleaguered Kumaraswamy dispensation have not yet lifted. In Jharkhand, the Congress has an alliance already in the works with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and smaller parties. So is the case in Bihar, with the RJD, RLSP and others. It is UP that has proved to be tricky, and it is here that the mother of all battles is going to be fought. Hence Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. She has been given the charge of eastern UP, is expected to take on Modi in his territory, and try and shift the national narrative in the Congress favour. If she clicks, it is not inconceivable that Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav may decide to fashion an informal understanding with the Congress on a number of seats so that it can become a win-win situation for both. Many suspect that Mayawati was trying to play hardball in the first place in the hope that the Congress would leave seats for it in states outside UP in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab which would help her acquire a national profile. The Congress may damage the BJPs prospects on some seats with upper-caste concentrations. Even in 2014, it had got over one lakh votes in 11 Lok Sabha constituencies, most of them in east UP. However, without an understanding, it would also hurt the SP-BSP gathbandhan (triangular contests would confuse the minorities), which could help the BJP. And yet the Congress has decided on a strategy to rebuild its organisation and maximise its numbers to be able to wield post-poll clout. Priyankas mission goes beyond 2019, and Rahul Gandhi made this clear that he had brought her, and Jyotirditya Scindia, to look after UP not just for two months. The Congress, it goes without saying, cannot become a national player without winning back UP. Her entry, if she evokes a response, is also likely to redefine the contours of the Congress relationship with the regional parties in the weeks to come. After its victory in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, people are undoubtedly looking at Indias grand old party with new eyes and the Congress senses this subtle change of mood. The trouble is that while the Congress has to revive itself to become a player again, any signs of its revival will trigger off insecurities in the regional parties, with whom it has to align to be able to defeat the BJP. MK Bhadrakumar MK Bhadrakumar Former Ambassador The South Block has issued a wishy-washy statement, counselling that it is for the people of Venezuela to find a political solution to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and discussion without resorting to violence. The statement went on to state an obvious fact, namely, We believe democracy, peace and security in Venezuela are of paramount importance for the progress and prosperity of the people of Venezuela. Pray, who are we propitiating with such pious homilies? This waffly statement fudges the real issues involved in the crisis brewing in Venezuela. India may very soon have no option but to pop its head above the parapet and stare at what is so patently obvious to most countries on the planet that a slow motion US-sponsored coup attempt is under way to grab power in Caracas and make Venezuela a vassal state. Of course, America First is the motivation Venezuela has the biggest known oil reserves and gold deposits. Like watching a black-and-white talkie, the mind wanders back restlessly to the era of gunboat diplomacy and Jallianwala Bagh. It is exactly four years since PM Modi and then US President Barack Obama issued on the margins of Republic Day celebrations in 2015 the infamous Joint Strategic Vision Statement on the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region. Among other things, Modi and Obama called on all parties to avoid the threat or use of force and pursue resolution of territorial and maritime disputes through all peaceful means, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and sought to work together to promote the shared values that have made our countries great. What the US is doing in Venezuela is the exact opposite of what Obama and Modi agreed to do. It is patently obvious that a US plot to undermine and overthrow the present government led by President Nicolas Maduro has been afoot for quite a while. The US has lately gone to the extraordinary extent of inciting an opposition politician to usurp power. What it is doing is in direct contravention of international law and the UN Charter. Indeed, such unilateralism has become a characteristic of US foreign policy in the post-Cold War era starting with the dismemberment of the former Yugoslavia. The US went on to invade Afghanistan and landed troops at the Bagram air base, ignoring the feeble protest of then Foreign Minister in Kabul, Abdullah Abdullah. Two years later, it invaded Iraq on the basis of what turned out to be a pack of lies and destroyed that country, committing war crimes of horrific proportions. Today, it is in occupation of a third of Syrian territory and has grabbed that countrys oil fields and principal water resources. India would know that a leopard cannot change its spots. But the new mantra is that the US-India relationship has gone from being a bilateral relationship to a global partnership. Venezuela shows the grotesqueness of any pretensions of India having global partnership with the US. Actually, by consorting with the US, the Modi government may also have acquired some of the leopards spots. India, too, has begun selectively preaching democracy in its neighbourhood. Curiously, the US and India also collaborate in such ventures be it Sri Lanka or the Maldives and, ironically, even choose to pardon the one South Asian country where there has been a glaring retrogression of democratic values, Bangladesh. Who is the jury and the judge to pass verdict on democratic practices? Democracy is a many-splendoured thing. Its Indian mutation has hardly anything in common with Germanys. At any rate, Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev asked a very pertinent question: How would the American people respond, for example, to the Speaker of the US House of Representatives declaring herself the new President against the backdrop of the government shutdown? Arguably, President Trump should not even be holding office, having failed to secure majority in popular votes. Our own government has ruled on the basis of a mandate from less than one-third of votes cast in the 2014 poll. Yet, Maduro won with over two-thirds votes in an election last May, where despite the oppositions decision to boycott it, 48 per cent of the electorate had cast votes. Indeed, some big issues are arising. The US diplomats have incited the Venezuelan military to revolt. A flashpoint is reaching because the US embassy in Caracas is now notionally accredited to the illegal government led by the opposition figure Juan Guaido (who declared himself President following a call from US Vice President Mike Pence), whom Trump promptly gave diplomatic recognition. Washington has threatened to punish Caracas if it expelled US diplomats. Meanwhile, all assets of the state of Venezuela in the US are being frozen. True to British history, Bank of England leads the pack of predators by refusing to hand back gold bars worth $1.2 billion, which belong to Venezuela. According to Bloomberg, the Bank of Englands decision to deny Maduro officials withdrawal request comes after top US officials, including Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, lobbied their UK counterparts to help cut off the regime from its overseas assets. Are things any different from the era of the East India Company? That is precisely what makes the Modi governments supine statement on Venezuela humiliating. There are times when a proud nation must be able to remember its own cruel colonial past. editorial@tribune.com Bhartesh Singh Thakur Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 28 Transgenders in Chandigarh face sexual abuse, police harassment, transphobic attacks and find difficulty in getting jobs, says a Panjab University (PU) study. Squadron Leader Mandeep Kaur Chawla (retd) of University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), PU, conducted the study, Socio-legal Concerns of Transgenders : An Analytical Study With Special Reference to Chandigarh. Prof Rattan Singh and Dr Gulshan Kumar of UILS supervised the first such study on transgenders in Chandigarh. The study covered 52 transgenders. According to the 2011 Census, there is a population of 142 transgenders in the city. According to the study, 96.2%, which implies 50 out of 52 respondents, have told that they are victims of sexual abuse and 98.1% said sexual abuse was rampant against the transgender community in society. The research concludes that the transgender community is harassed by the police. About 88% of transgenders said police harassment was a matter of fact. They were judgemental in their approach in times of need. The findings revealed that over 98% of transgenders claimed that they had faced discrimination because of being transgenders. An overwhelming majority, 92.3%, responded that they felt unsafe in their part of the city, whereas only 7.7% felt safe in their neighbourhood. Also, 92.3% of respondents faced transphobic attacks. It was also found that 63% of the respondents considered urban areas safe. Difficult to find jobs The study revealed that transgenders were forced to take menial or non mainstream occupations as employers were transphobic. Even jobs like sweeping and cleaning were not available. The study said 38.5% were engaged in the work of extending wishes (badhai) to newly married couples and to families where a boy was born. While 21.2% were engaged in sex work, 17.3% were into begging, 7.7% into dancing and singing, 7.7% had independent work and 5.8 % were not working, the findings revealed. Among the surveyed transgenders, 38.5 % are drawing less than Rs 5,000, while 48.1% have income between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000, said Squadron Leader Chawla. She said, Even in few cases where transgenders are recruited, they complain of ill treatment. Many a times, they are subjected to sexual harassment. Cross-dressing is not considered acceptable in the working environment. Sex re-assignment surgery Sex re-assignment surgery (SRS) is performed on transgenders with gender dysphoria to their desired gender. Gender dysphoria is the feeling that one is born in the wrong gender wherein a biological male identifies more as a female or vice-versa. The surgery costs between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 7 lakh. According to the findings, 34.7% of the surveyed trangenders have gone ahead with SRS, while 54% wants to undergo the surgery. Psychological problems editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Panchkula, January 28 A 15-year-old boy died on the spot after being hit by a Swift car in Raipur Rani block today. The victim, Monu, a native of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, was sitting on a tractor with his relative Harbans Singh, a resident of Kakkarmajra village in Ambala. Harbans Singh is into the business of transporting construction material in his tractor-trailer. Both were going from the Mouli bus stand to Kakraali road. Around 2 pm, Monu asked Harbans Singh to stop the tractor as he wanted to buy sweets from a shop. According to the FIR, as he got down from the tractor, a Swift car (HR 03V 0902), which was coming from Mouli, hit him and sped away. Monu died on the spot due to head injuries. We have registered a case for causing death by negligence and rash driving. The car driver is absconding, said Sub-Inspector Jaswinder Singh, in-charge of the Mouli police post. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 28 Facing disruption in supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical manufacturers from the region have requested the Centre to set up an API Monitoring Cell to check the prices and quality of imported and domestic manufactured ingredients. According to the industry, this will prevent black marketing and overcharging of the APIs, at the same time ensuring genuine products to the manufacturers. APIs are the key ingredients that give a drug its medicinal effects and India is largely dependent on China. With the disruption in supply of APIs from China, which accounts for 80% of APIs import to India, the prices of API have seen huge fluctuations in the past two years from 10% to 300%. Recently, we have sent our representation to the Centre to set up a monitoring cell. Currently, there is no such framework to check the prices of the raw material on the lines of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) that controls the prices of pharmaceutical drugs in India. The cell will not only ensure genuineness of the raw material but also keep a check on the prices, said Himachal Drug Manufacturers Association (HDMA) president Rajesh Gupta. HDMA represents 650 out of 750 pharma companies in the state. The total turnover of the industry in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh belt is around Rs 40,000 crore and has a significant share in the Rs 1.10 lakh-crore domestic market. The manufacturers added that government should make mandatory usage of bar codes on every container carrying raw material. This will help the government track and authenticate them at each stage of their journey from API manufacturing facility to formulation unit. The setting up of API monitory cell will ensure that genuine APIs reach formulation units. We have asked the ministry that every container carrying APIs should be bar coded so that its shipment can be tracked. Many a times it happens that once the container of APIs is disposed by the formulation unit, it is again filled by unscrupulous elements and sold to the manufacturers, said HDMA chief adviser Satish Singhal. The manufacturers also stressed that stringent and regular inspections are required to monitor import as well as manufacturing of APIs in India through various testing specifications in order to avoid NSQ (Not Standard Quality) in India. Industry executives said the anomalies in the current regulatory framework were destroying the indigenous manufacturing sector. Bar coding the containers will also help in improving response time during shortage of drugs due to reduction in the API supply, said a manufacturer. It could also help create better policies to promote the domestic industry. A senior official in Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India suggested as far pricing is concerned, the government can keep a tab on the price by monitoring the price of the APIs at which it is imported and sold to the manufacturers. Many a times, bulk importers book a huge profit due to raw material shortage. Total domestic market: Rs 1.30 lakh crore (approx) Industrys demand: Setting up of APIs monitoring cell Purpose: To regulate prices and quality of APIs Benefits: Price stability, boost to indigenous manufacturing editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 28 For the past one and a half years, Baljinder Singh has been unaware of the whereabouts of his son Navjot Singh who went to Italy in search of greener pastures. He gave Rs 9.5 lakh to a Moga-based travel agent, Gursewak Singh, for sending him to Italy. Along with him, the police have booked Jagjit Singh of Fatehgarh Shukar Chak village who currently resides in Turkey on charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy. They were booked following a six-month probe by an SP-rank official of Amritsar rural police. Talking to this correspondent, Baljinder Singh, a farmer, said his son Navjot, along with five others, left for Turkey in September 2017. Two to them hailed from Nawashehr, one of Haryana and one from Ludhiana. He said he talked to his son last time in November 2017. He told him that the accused took his passport and around 6,000 Euros through Jagjit Singh and assured to take him to Italy through a taxi or airplane. Since then, he is not aware of his whereabouts. We did not receive a call from him since then. We are worried about him, said Baljinder. He said Gursewak fled after shutting his office. He said they had come in contact with him through a relative whose ward was sent to the USA. They dont know about his address. He told him that he lives in Verka. Gursewak took money from them in Amritsar in September 2017. He provided Turkey visa to him and assured that Navjot would be taken to Italy from there. The police located his address through a bank account number to which Baljinder transferred the money. The police have registered a case under Sections 420 and 120-B against the two. Baljinder urged the police officials to arrest the accused soon and so that the family could knew about the whereabouts and well being of his son. The complainant has urged the police to trace his son. Mark Bennett has reported and analyzed news from the Wabash Valley and beyond since Larry Bird wore Sycamore blue. That role with the Tribune-Star has taken him from Rome to Alaska and many points in between, but Terre Haute suits him best. Follow Mark Bennett 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 Los efectos secundarios de una segunda inyeccion de la vacuna COVID-19 son una senal de que esta proporcionando una proteccion mas vigorosa y duradera contra el coronavirus. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Sponsored By: Dorsett Automotive Johnstown, PA (15901) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. US National Security Adviser John Bolton warned in a tweet on Sunday that the White House would provide a significant response if any violence is perpetrated against US diplomats amid the chaos in Venezuela or opposition-controlled National Assembly president - and now self-proclaimed interim president of the South American country - Juan Guaido. The Donald Trump administration and more than a dozen other countries have recognized Guaido as Venezuelas leader in place of elected President Nicolas Maduro . Any violence and intimidation against U.S. diplomatic personnel, Venezuelas democratic leader, Juan Guiado, or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response, Bolton wrote on Twitter, going on to note Cubas well known support for the Maduro regime The United States is helping to recover a bright future for Venezuela. Were here to urge all nations to support the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people as they try to free themselves from former president Maduros illegitimate mafia state, said Bolton in another tweet. A State Department spokesman, requesting anonymity, said that the US had no plans to close its embassy in Caracas, although it has ordered non-essential personnel to leave the country. Maduro had announced last Wednesday that he was breaking relations with the US and gave its diplomatic personnel 72 hours to leave the country, but the spokesman said that Guaido had invited US personnel to remain in Venezuela. The State Department announced Sunday that it had accepted Carlos Vecchio as Venezuelas new charge daffaires in Washington after he was designated by Guaido. The new envoy reportedly has already met with several top US officials this weekend. Trump, since he came into office, has maintained a hard line against Maduro and in 2017 said that that military options were on the table, if needed, to deal with the situation. The US president was the first international leader to recognize Guaido as the countrys legitimate president. US Vice President Mike Pence had telephoned Guaido the night before the opposition figure proclaimed himself president to promise him Washingtons immediate support and recognition, and the White House contacted other countries both in and outside the region to try and convince them to follow its lead. Meanwhile, on Jan. 23, just hours after lawmaker Juan Guaido declared himself Venezuelas interim president, the entrance to Petare, a poor neighborhood in Caracas and the largest shantytown in Latin America, was engulfed by flames, a sign that residents are no longer backing the government. The district was one of the areas where the socialist movement launched by late President Hugo Chavez , popularly known as Chavismo, took root quickly. Venezuelas economic and political crisis, however, is starting to resonate among Petares nearly 800,000 residents, rocking the leftist movement started by Chavez and continued by his successor, Maduro, who is struggling to remain in power amid massive street protests and the rupture of relations with numerous countries. A total of 26 people, according to the non-governmental Venezuelan Social Conflict Observatory, died in this South American country in the protests that occurred that night. Residents, for their part, say they had to endure the situation after the protests, when riot police combed the streets, firing tear gas canisters into peoples houses. Elsewhere, in wrapping up his visit to Panama, after celebrating a huge and public Mass there on Sunday morning, Pope Francis called for a fair and peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela that respects human rights and provides for the well-being of all that countrys citizens. He issued that call after the Angelus prayer, speaking extemporaneously but once again refusing to say whether The Vatican will recognize Guaido. Saying that he had felt especially close to Venezuela and its people during recent days on his visit to Panama, Francis asked the Lord to seek and find a just and peaceful solution to overcome the crisis that respects human rights and exclusively seeks the good of all people. He asked people to pray for the protection of Our Lady of Coromoto, the patron saint of Venezuela. To date, the Vatican has said only - in a brief statement - that it would continue to closely follow the evolving situation in Venezuela and to pray for the victims and all Venezuelans. Got something you want to get off your chest? To contribute to Back Talk, call Ed at 609-358-0861 or email him at EdNote@Trentonian.com. @IsaacAvilucea on Twitter Isaac Avilucea is The Trentonians main municipal scribe. A two-time prior restraint winner and testicular cancer survivor, he relishes his reputation as the "Mean Girls" reporter that followed his 18-day stay at the now-defunct North Adams Transcript. Theater Lots to talk about as 'The Niceties' continues run It's gross, but it's not dangerous. I think every parent has been in this situation when you squeeze out a bath toy that's full of water, only to squirt bits of black mold everywhere. It's always a bit shocking, and definitely disgusting, and has resulted in more than a few toys going straight into the trash in my household. But according to Jenny Marder, writing for the Washington Post, there is less cause for concern than most parents may think. Sure, mold isn't great, and we should all try to minimize our exposure to it, but as Michael David, professor in the University of Pennsylvania's Division of Infectious Diseases, told Marder, he's never once seen a healthy person infected by mold that has come from bath toys or other children's products. "The reason I think the subject hasnt been explored much is that it hasnt come up as a problem. People almost never come in with an infection caused by the types of mold that grow on a household item." David's opinion is backed by Susan Huang, a medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at the University of California. She has two kids herself and says that healthy children's immune systems can handle breathing or even accidentally eating mold spores. "Nothing really happens other than people being somewhat disgusted." That's not to say you should just let the mold run rampant. It's still smart to take steps to keep it in check. Marder suggests boiling toys to sterilize them or filling in the hole in the bottom of plastic squeeze toys with a hot glue gun to prevent water from entering. You could also cut it larger to be able to scrub out the inside. At my house, we've given up on soft plastic toys for reasons other than mold. They contain toxic, hormone-disrupting chemicals like PVC, phthalates, and BPA, and I'd prefer my kids not to handle that. Instead, they take hard plastic toys into the tub, like Playmobil, LEGO, wind-up animals, and drinking cups, which dry quickly on a towel once they're done their bath and aren't as prone to mold growth. If it weren't so subsidized, it would be a lot more expensive, and people might fly a lot less. When you fill your car at a gas pump, a big portion of the price goes to taxes. There are state taxes that are as high as 58 cents per gallon in Pennsylvania and federal taxes of 18.4 cents per gallon. But airlines do not pay a penny of tax on jet fuel, thanks to a treaty signed in 1944 that the airlines have fought to preserve. If it was taxed like other fuels, it would add about a hundred bucks to the price of a transatlantic flight. HOK/ LaGuardia Airport renovation If you fly that plane into La Guardia, you are landing at an airport going through a $4 billion renovation, half of which is being paid for by the taxpayer through the Port Authority. If you are flying in a Boeing jet, you are in a plane that was built on subsidies. According to Erica Alini of Global News, "The company received $457 million in federal grants, which are typically non-repayable, between 2000 and 2014. In addition to that, there was a whopping $64 billion in federal loans and loan guarantees." The company also got $13 billion in state and local subsidies. Meanwhile, Boeing complains to the World Trade Organization that Airbus got $22 billion in illegal subsidies from the European Union. Airplanes now drink five million barrels of oil every day and are the cause of 2.5 percent of global CO2 emissions, but the effects of those emissions might be much higher. John Gibbons of the Irish Times calls aviation "the red meat in the greenhouse gas sandwich", noting that there are 10,000 passenger aircraft in the sky carrying over a million people every day. No other discrete human activity is more intensely polluting than flying. Yet rather than being hammered, the aviation industry instead benefits from tax breaks and subsidies other sectors could only dream of.... Rather than being penalised for their massive carbon footprint, frequent flyers are instead pampered by airlines with upgrades and incentives. Gibbons thinks that raising the prices just penalizes people with lower incomes, so that flying should be rationed. Rationing Poster/Public Domain During its ten year tenure on the market, Toyota celebrated a number of anniversaries and important dates with the Land Cruiser 200. In 2013, Toyota said that the Land Cruiser is the Luxurious Descendant of A Proud 50-Year Off-Road Heritage In 2014 Toyota said that the Land Cruiser Luxury SUV Doesnt Look A Day Over 50 In 2016 Toyota mentioned that the Land Cruiser Celebrates 60th Year in America with Ultimate Capability and Luxury And, finally, in 2019 - Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Celebrates 60+ Years as SUV Icon Toyota simply loves to celebrate important dates with heritage editions of its cars. Especially ones involving the almighty Land Cruiser (per my humble opinion the best vehicle on Earth, like ever). Revealed ahead of the official live debut at the Chicago Motor Show next month, the Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition celebrates 60+ years of the Land Cruiser in the US. Although the Land Cruiser 200 is a decade old, it is still very much at the pinnacle of luxurious world of off-roaders. The Heritage Edition did gain a few interesting differentiating touches, but in essence, it is still very much the same body-on-frame truck with a two-speed transfer case and selectable low gear that it was a decade ago. Luxurious Off-Roader Toyota Land Cruiser Celebrates Its 60+ Years In The US 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Exterior It is a dark edition (so it is cooler) Still feels fresh after more than a decade on the market It projects power First of all, dont expect any major changes. This is, after all, a car that debuted all the way back in September 2007. On the Canary Islands, no less. My close friend was actually at that presentation, and he said that Toyota test drivers drove those Land Cruisers like theres no tomorrow. Those Land Cruisers doughtily crossed all the volcanic Basalt rocks that were under their tires. Actually, heres a picture from that very presentation. Enjoy! The new Land Cruiser, scheduled to appear in Chicago, is a bit different compared to the ones from the Canary Islands. Toyota integrated a number of special touches to the Heritage Edition LC, including the: Midnight Black Metallic or Blizzard Pearl paint jobs options Blacked out grille Bronze-colored BBS 18 x 8.0-inch forged aluminum wheels Tinted headlight housings Fog lights with dark chrome surrounds Side mirrors with darkened chrome. A badass car, isnt it? 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Interior Loaded up Luxurious and available with all the modern amenities Split-Screen capability Moving inside, Toyota used the same tricks. The Land Cruiser Heritage Edition has: Black leather-trimmed upholstery, Contrast bronze stitching (steering wheel, door trim, center stack, console, and seats) All-weather floor mats All-weather cargo liner As this is a special edition car with production capped at 1,200 units, Toyota really loaded it up with all the gizmos imaginable, including ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a moonroof, and a four-zone automatic climate control with 28 cabin vents (I am not joking - 28 vents inside this car). As far as modern connectivity tech goes, the Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition includes: Nine-inch touchscreen Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation 14 JBL speakers Split-screen capability Voice recognition Siri Eyes Free mode Qi wireless phone charging 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition Drivetrain Naturally Asipirated V-8 381 horsepower More than 400 pound-feet of torque CRAWL Control locking diff and a 2-speed transfer case Obviously, a proper power source is needed, and that job falls on the shoulders of the trusty Toyota V-8 thats also more than a decade old. The 5.7-liter, V-8 engine produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. It is linked with the eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, a full-time 4WD with a TORSEN limited-slip locking center diff and, of course, a 2-speed transfer case. Other off-road worthy touches come in the shape of Downhill Assist Control, Hill Start Assist, CRAWL Control, and Off-Road Turn Assist. Amazing really! Pricing Pricing will be announced at a later date, but the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser starts at $86,060. The Heritige Edition will be considerably more expensive. Final Thoughts Toyota celebrated a lot of stuff with its heritage edition cars. Three years ago Toyota celebrated the 50th anniversary with the Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary edition car. In 2011, Toyota revealed Heritage Editions of the Corolla, the Hilux, and the Fortuner in South Africa. These vehicles have been created to pay homage to Toyotas 50 years in South Africa. And, most interestingly, in 2013 Toyota revealed the 1794 Edition Toyota Tundra - a truck that celebrated the oldest working ranch in Texas - the JLC ranch. Obviously, the ranch was founded in 1794. Toyota will make 1,200 units of the 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition available. Go, order it right now and you may get the first one in late summer 2019. Further reading Read our full review on the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser. Read our full review on the previous generation Toyota Land Cruiser. Updated 03/14/2019: Weve updated this review with fresh images of the Renault Clio that we took during the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Check them out in the gallery below! The much anticipated new 2019 Renault Clio city car finally showed its face. In an effort to move towards the premium spectrum of the city car segment (you know, where the A1 and the Mini reside), the new Renault Clio gained many of the design traits from the latest line of Renault vehicles such as the Talisman sedan and the Megane hatch. It showed its face before the imminent reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year and it is a fundamentally better car than before. Yet, with the new platform, new engines, new interior, and new dimensions come new thinking as well. The new Clio is actually shorter compared to the predecessor. Lower too. But roomier inside. Somehow, Renault engineers achieved the Tardis effect with the new Cio and I will tell you how. First things first. Why the hell does it look so similar to its predecessor? 2019 Renault Clio Exterior The new, fifth-generation Clio is the first Renault built on top of the CMF-B platform. That platform enabled the engineers to prepare a hybrid, lower the weight and tweak the design in a way that simply could not be achieved previously. I know that the new car looks a lot like the old one, but that is for a very good reason. Sales for The Renault Clio IV grew every year since its introduction in 2012. Renault did not actually have any incentive to change it much, but even if the exterior design of the new model seems similar to that of the outgoing model, I looked closely and noted some striking differences. First of all, the new 2019 Renault Clio V is half of an inch shorter than before, and depending on the trim, more than an inch lower. And, on top of that, Renault managed to shorten the wheelbase by exactly 0.23 inches. Kind of strange, dont you think? Well, city cars have grown at an exponential rate since the Nineties, and I am actually fully behind the Renault designers and engineers that managed to keep the length of the Clio in check. The design obviously leans toward the new Talisman and the Megane. Actually, the new Clio looks a bit like the baby version of the Megane. Thats a good thing as it also kept the basic shape from the beloved Clio IVs handleless rear doors and classic French charm. Especially with the Initiale Paris trim. Thats like Denali within GMC or the Luxury line within the BMW world. Ok, I know, I reached too far with this comparison, but I did it on purpose. Renault really wants to move the Clio into the higher echelons. It has to do it as the car attracts ever wealthier peeps in the showrooms. The RS Line and the Initiale Paris proves its intentions. The top reason buyers give for choosing Clio is always design, said Vincent Dubroca, Clios Product Manager. Way more than in other market segments, but also against its direct competitors. This is why it has to look as posh as it does. The main, clearly visible changes include the integration of new headlights and taillights in line with the rest of Renaults lineup. Two different versions - the R.S. Line and the Initiale Paris - represent the most that Renault can offer with the Clio for now, and they do look the business. All with special 17-inch wheels and unique style details - chrome details for the Initiale Paris or carbon-inspired inlays for the R.S. Line. Another exterior fact that had me spin my head in disbelief: All-LED headlights are available across the range! I like that a lot! Length 4,048mm Width 1,798mm Height 1,440 mm 2019 Renault Clio Interior The Clio 4 instrument cluster was rich on decoration but not information, Laurens Van den Acker, Renault CEO said. He added that the designers like the idea of getting rid of buttons because Apple takes buttons away. But in a smartphone, youre concentrating, and in a car, youre doing 120km/h. This is, ladies and gentlemen, the single best sentence Ive read in a press release for a long, long time. Actually, Ive shared this over at LinkedIn with a hash #bringbackbuttons. Only to find out later that the hash is used more for phones, but what the heck? The reason I write all this gibberish is a simple one - the 2019 Renault Clios interior is completely redesigned compared to its predecessor. The most important novelty, for me, at least, is the return of proper air conditioning buttons under the massive central screen. And they do feel big enough for no-look-operation. I like that a lot. Toyota did the same with the new RAV4 air-con controls. Apart from this simple, yet awesome change, the new Clio received the biggest centrally positioned screen ever installed in a Renault car. The 9.3-inch screen is the centerpiece of the so-called Smart Cockpit in the new Clio. Its tilted towards the driver and installed in a portrait position. Coupled with the massive 7-inch or 10-inch digital display behind the steering wheel, the Clio offers biggest displays in the segment. Its no wonder that Renault equipped it with the newest Easy Link connected systems. This is a new Renault technology revealed in 2017 with 5 pillars of innovation: Creating a seamless smartphone-car connection, to easily access online content & services on the big screen Facilitating the interaction between the driver, his car and Renault with MY Renault application Creating smarter interactions between the connected car and the connected home Connecting the car to the road and city for smarter journey experiences Bridging everyones connected car with leading car sharing and ride sharing providers The new Clio enjoys all these improvements that were actually polished up previously with Easy Link installation in the Talisman and the Megane. Now, apart from the important new technology, Renault considerably improved the ergonomics as a whole. And that comes despite the fact that the car has a shorter wheelbase and is shorter in length. The thinner front seat, as well as the completely redesigned dashboard, freed up enough space in the cabin for the integration of the front seats with longer seat base. Passengers on the rear bench now have a centimeter or two more for their knees compared to the Clio IV. All inside, however, enjoy a far greater sense of luxury. Hard dashboard plastic (the main shortfall of the Clio IV) has been completely replaced by soft-touch materials. The door panels enjoy the soft coat as well, but only as an option. With my extensive experience with the Renault Clio, I can tell you right away that the difference between the entry-level models and upscaled ones will be considerable. Personalization is also a big deal with the Clio. Renault designers thought about it hard, as the new car offers serious customization options for the central console, dashboard, door panels, steering wheel, and armrests. Plus, you can choose between a few different ambient light colors, eight different design schemes for the cabin, and even the color of the decoration on the vents. I told you. Renault will try to go upscale with the new 2019 Clio. 2019 Renault Clio Drivetrain and Performance One glance at the new Clio will not reveal the scope of the changes Renault did to it. While it does look really similar to its predecessor, this is a fundamentally different car. Its a car that is lower, almost 50 pounds lighter, and one that will sport a freaking hybrid propulsion system by 2020. I challenge you to find another small city car with hybrid propulsion. Save for the Yaris Hybrid, of course. Maybe that Suzuki Swift Hybrid can compete with it although that one has a mild-hybrid setup only. The hybrid, however, isnt available right now. The backbone of the Clio hybrid setup is a small gasoline engine with 89 horsepower and an electric motor that produces additional 40 horsepower. Fed by a 1.2-kWh battery, the hybrid setup will actually behave like an EVnmost of time. Thats exactly what Renault officials suggest, although I cannot actually see how such a small battery can provide enough electrons for the Clio to act as an EV. Previous reports suggested that the Clio will have an all-EV range of a bit more than 3 miles. That isnt its main forte though. The electric motor is there to cut the fuel consumption by 40 percent. Fuel consumption of what, you may ask. By all chances - of a Nissan-developed, 1.6-liter naturally aspirated, gasoline engine. Combined, the 40-horsepower electric motor and the 1.6-liter will develop 128 horsepower. Despite the hybrid, that is a nice addition, but definitely wont be as big a seller as the ICE-powered Clio. For the start, Renault offered six different engine options for the new 2019 Clio: 1.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 65 horsepower 1.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with 75 horsepower 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 99 horsepower 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 129 horsepower 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine with 84 horsepower 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine with 114 horsepower I know you want to know more about the Clio GT and the Clio R.S. Nothing is official as of yet, but I do think that this will be all the jazz about them: 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 150 horsepower for the Clio GT 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 225 horsepower for the Clio R.S. That makes a lot of sense actually! Engine Horsepower Gasoline 1.0-liter naturally aspirated 65 HP 1.0-liter naturally aspirated 75 HP 1.0-liter turbocharged 99 HP 1.0-liter turbocharged 129 HP 1.3-liter turbocharged 150 HP 1.8-liter turbocharged 225 HP Diesel 1.5-liter turbodiesel 84 HP 1.5-liter turbodiesel 114 HP 2019 Renault Clio Competition The Ford Fiesta may well be the inspiration behind the Renault Clio upscale move. The new Fiesta feels far more grown up and posh compared with the previous generation. Yet, it lacks some features compared to the new Clio. Honestly, I did not expect the new Clio to be so tech savvy, but it is. Nevertheless, the Fiesta is still its main competitor regardless of all of its somewhat questionable modernity! Engine Size and Type 1.6-liter Turbocharged 16-valve I-4 With DOHC, Direct Injection And TI-VCT Bore x stroke 3.11 x 3.20 in./79.0 x 81.4 mm Displacement 97.4 cu. in./1,596 cc Compression ratio 10.0:1 Peak power (Horsepower) 197 HP @ 6,000 RPM Peak torque (Pound-feet) 202 LB-FT @ 5,000 RPM Transmission 6-Speed Manual 0-to-60 mph 6.8 seconds Top Speed (mph) 130 Limited, Est EPA Fuel Economy MPG (City/Highway/Combined) 26/35/29 Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Fiesta. The Clio may be Renaults biggest seller, but in Europe, it is in an everlasting chase after the no-nonsense Volkswagen Polo. The latest Polo isnt as good-looking as some may want it to be, but it does come with a modern turbocharged engine, it can be had with a fantastic DSG transmission, and, in its top form, it comes with a 2.0-liter TSI engine with 200 horsepower. Along with the Skoda Fabia, and the Peugeot 208, it is the most direct and the most honest competitor to the new Clio. Engine Horsepower Transmission Natural gas 1.0 TGI 90 PS 5-speed gearbox Petrol 1.0 MPI 65 PS 5-speed gearbox 1.0 MPI 75 PS 5-speed gearbox 1.0 TSI 95 PS 5-speed gearbox / 7-speed DSG 1.0 TSI 115 PS 6-speed gearbox / 7-speed DSG 1.5 TSI 150 PS 6-speed gearbox / 7-speed DSG 2.0 TSI 200 PS 6-speed gearbox / 7-speed DSG Diesel 1.6 TDI 80 PS 5-speed gearbox 1.6 TDI 95 PS 5-speed gearbox / 7-speed DSG Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Polo Ok, the Clio and the A1 still cannot fall under the same roof. One is an expensive Audi with clear premium heritage and some ridiculous options like the S1, but I list it here intentionally. You see, if the 2019 Renault Clio really wants to move past the conventionality of the City car segment, this is what it needs to beat. Or at least it needs to reach the market stature of the Audi A1. And this one is, I am sorry to say, a long way ahead. Engine Horsepower Transmission 1.0-liter, turbocharged, three-cylinder 94 HP six-speed manual or an S-Tronic dual clutch 1.0-liter, turbocharged, three-cylinder 114 HP six-speed manual or an S-Tronic dual clutch 1.5-liter, four-cylinder 148 HP six-speed manual or an S-Tronic dual clutch 2.0-liter four-cylinder 197 HP S-Tronic dual clutch Read our full review on the 2019 Audi A1 Final Thoughts With 15 million units sold since the introduction of the first Clio in the early Nineties, Renault definitely moved to the premium side of things over the years. Especially with the new one that boasts features like: Hybrid option Largest digital display and infotainment screens in the business Numerous personalization options Standard All-LED headlights Posh exterior design of the high-end models such as the Initiale Paris and the R.S. Line All in all, the new Clio maybe does not feel to be completely re-engineered, but it really is and only a peek inside, or a test drive can reveal to what extent. Love it It is full of new tech Powerful engines Looks familiarly well Leave it It will be more expensive than before Entry-level models wont look as dashing Id like it to be a bit more differentiated compared with the Clio IV Further reading Read our full review on the 2017 Renault Clio. Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Renault Clio SUV. Justin Rey lawyer: Case 'spooky' but not criminal OLATHE, Kan. - The lawyer for a man found living in a Lenexa storage unit with his young children and his wife's dismembered body told a jury Monday that the case is "weird," "abnormal" and "spooky" but not criminal. Justin Rey faces charges of aggravated endangerment of a child, sexual exploitation of a minor and child misconduct. Not quite a strong denial but a worthwhile rebuttal of a case that features a JoCo family abandoned by the rest ofsociety until it was too late. Read more: Kerri Rawson, BTK's daughter, will release memoir Tuesday | The Wichita Eagle Kerri Rawson, the daughter of BTK serial killer Dennis Rader, will release her memoir on Tuesday. Several documentaries, television interviews and magazine cover stories also are scheduled. Special report on this horrific Kansas series of murders and their impact which still haunts families to this day. Read more: Smithville police say 17-year-old killed in apparent accidental shooting Police are investigating. SOURCE: KMBC The Smithville Police Department in Missouri is investigating after a teenager was killed in a shooting Friday night. Police said officers were dispatched to a shots-fired call in the 400 block of Highland Avenue around 11 p.m. Friday. A glimpse at rampant local gunfire from people who don't how to use firearms . . . Here's one example out of many about why gun safety should/might be part of a more complete curriculum. Checkit: KCMO Anti-Crime Talk Today Anti-violence group wants to get ahead of crime in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Following a violent weekend in KCMO featuring multiple shootings and two deaths, a member of a local anti-violence group called on neighbors and other community organizations to come together and promote peace. The city saw two separate triple shootings in a matter of hours over the weekend, one of which killed a teenage boy. Highway Tragedy Aftermath 6-year-old girl dies from injuries 5 weeks after being hit by car on 40 Highway The Kansas City Police Department said a 6-year-old girl has died five weeks after she was hit by a car on 40 Highway. Police said 6-year-old Naveyah Hayes died Friday, 34 days after she suffered life-threatening injuries when she was struck around 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Help Solve This Cold Case $5,000 reward now offered for information in 2017 Raytown homicide KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Authorities continue to seek help in regard to a 2017 murder of Dominique Byers. Police say while a number of tips have been received, additional information is requested to assist in the investigation. Monday marks the two-year anniversary since Byers was found dead from an apparent gun shot in a parking lot near 6600 Blue Ridge Boulevard. Harsh Times Until Fed Worker Payback Harvesters giving food to federal employees KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Harvesters is distributing food to federal workers impacted by the government shutdown. For five days, starting Jan. 29, the food bank will give out food at five locations spread throughout the Kansas City metro and Topeka. Celebrate Kansas City Junk Art Recycled Art is set to unfold on Friday A special exhibit featuring recycled materials that have been reborn as art will go on display Friday at The Box Gallery, 1000 Walnut St. in the Commerce Bank Arcade. The exhibit, Allan Winkler: Recycled Art opens Friday and will remain on display through Feb. 22. Meth Town History Reopened Empty Truman historic sites reopen Two of the area's top attractions reopen today with the end of the partial shutdown of the federal government."We are very happy to be back," Carol Dage, supervisor of the Harry S. Truman Historic Site, part of the National Park Service, said Monday. Kansas City Joined In Defeat 13.9 percent of KC households tuned in to see Patrick Mahomes in Pro Bowl Patrick Mahomes is changing professional football in Kansas City, and the proof lies in the numbers. The percentage of Pro Bowl viewers in Kansas City was ridiculous. 13.9 percent of homes in Kansas City were tuned into the Pro Bowl, followed by Pittsburgh (8.6 percent), Norfolk (8.2 percent), West Palm Beach (8.1 percent) and Cleveland (8.1 percent). As if awakened from a dream, we start the early morning with this peek at inclusive hottie pop culture goodness . . .Closer to home, here are the news links that matter right now . . .is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . . For a premium ultrabook, the Huawei MateBook 13 gives you a lot of performance for the money. For just $1,299 in the U.S. ($999 to start, UK pricing TBD), you get a super-light, aluminum laptop with a Core i7 Whiskey Lake Processor, Nvidia MX150 graphics, a higher-than-HD screen and a 512GB PCIe SSD. That's significantly cheaper than similarly configured competitors, but you pay a very big price in terms of reduced battery life, making this ultraportable not quite as portable as it looks. Design and Ports The Matebook 13 has a premium look and feel that is very reminiscent of an Apple MacBook. Its aluminum body is even available in the same colors as many Macs, Space Gray, which we saw on the model we reviewed, and silver (called "Mystic Silver"). However, it pulls off the look really well with attractive chambered edges and a nice indentation on the front lip that provides space for your finger to open the lid. Image 1 of 4 Image 2 of 4 Image 3 of 4 Image 4 of 4 At 11.3 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches (287 x 210.8 x 15.2 mm) and 2.86 pounds (1.3 kg), the MateBook 13 is more compact but heavier than the latest Apple MacBook Air and Huawei MateBook X Pro. However, Dell's XPS 13 is much thinner (0.5 inches / 11.6 mm) and has a slightly smaller footprint while weighing only 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg). Like the MacBook Air, the MateBook 13 has two main ports, plus a 3.5 mm audio jack. But unlike Apple's notebook, which provides high-speed Thunderbolt 3 connections, both of the MateBook's ports are slower USB Type-C only (it also charges over Type-C). If you want to use Windows Hello to log in, the power button doubles as a touch fingerprint sensor. Huawei throws in a free adapter, the Huawei MateDock 2, which has HDMI, USB Type-A, VGA and Type-C outputs. Huawei Matebook 13 Specs Display 13-inch, 2160 x 1440 touchscreen CPU Intel Core i7-8565U Graphics Nvidia MX150 with 2GB Memory 8GB SSD 512GB M.2 PCIe-NVMe Networking 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 Ports 2x USB Type-C3.5mm audio Webcam 1MP Battery 41.7 Wh Power Adapter 65-watt USB Type-C Operating System Windows 10 Home Dimensions (WxDxH) 11.3 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches (287 x 210.8 x 15.2 mm) Weight 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg) Price (as configured) $1,299 U.S. (UK TBD) Performance With its Core i7-8565U Whiskey Lake CPU, Nvidia MX150 graphics, a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD and 8GB of RAM, our review configuration of the Huawei MateBook 13 handled everything we threw at it with aplomb. The laptop aced our benchmarks and didn't stutter at all during regular use. Even with over a dozen sites open in Chrome and a 4K video playing, I was able to switch tabs without a hint of lag. On Geekbench 4.1, a test that measures overall performance, the MateBook 13 scored a strong 17,136, which is about 31 percent better than the premium laptop category average and 15 percent faster than the Dell XPS 13 9380 with the same exact Core i7-8565U CPU. Huawei's notebook took just 18 minutes and 30 seconds to transcode a 4K video into 1080p using HandBrake. That's over three minutes faster than the category average and 50 seconds quicker than the XPS 13. The Huawei MateBook X Pro (Core i7-8550U) and MacBook Air (Core i5-8210Y) could barely compete. The MateBook 13 completed our Excel Macro Test, in which we match 65,000 names with their addresses, in 1 minute and 5 seconds. That's 29 percent better than the category average but only 5 seconds quicker than the XPS 13. The 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD in the MateBook 13 is blazing fast, copying 4.97GB of files in just 8 seconds during our tests. That's a rate of 636 MBps, about 21 percent better than the category average and 13 percent quicker than the XPS 13. The MateBook 13 does a good job of maintaining its performance, even during long tasks. We ran Cinebench R15 10 times in a row and got an average score of 471.6, with a high score of 476.39 on the fifth run and a low score of 453.26 on the fourth run. The average CPU clock speed was 2.5 GHz on a Core i7-8565U chip that has a base clock of 1.8 GHz and a top turbo rate of 4.6 GHz. The average CPU temp was 71.7 degrees Celsius (161.1 degrees Fahrenheit). Graphics The MateBook 13's Nvidia MX150 discrete GPU isn't powerful enough for serious gaming but makes light gaming possible and helps with video and photo editing. When we tested with the fairly lightweight Dirt 3 benchmark, the Matebook 13 returned a butter-smooth frame rate of 166 frames per second (fps), which is more than double the category average and nearly doubly the XPS 13's rate of 88 fps. Display The MateBook's 13-inch, 2160 x 1440 touchscreen is sharp with good color and decent brightness. When I watched a trailer for John Wick 3, colors like the neon green lights during a fight scene or Anjelica Houston's red jacket really popped, and fine details like the beads in a rosary were well-defined. At 318 nits on our light meter, the MateBook 13's screen is nearly identical to the premium laptop category average, but much dimmer than the Dell XPS 13 9380 and Huawei's own MateBook X Pro. The glossy surface of the screen is very reflective, which means that any overhead lights while shine back at you, and, at 45 degrees or wider viewing angles, you can see a lot of reflections. According to our colorimeter, the MateBook 13 can reproduce 122 percent of the sRGB gamut, which is also about on par with the average premium laptop and within a few points of all of its direct competitors. Keyboard and Touchpad The MateBook 13 is a pleasure to type on, thanks to its springy, large keys. Even though they have a shallow 1 mm of travel, the Matebook 13's keys have a fantastic feel and plenty of feedback with 79 grams of actuation force. Despite the narrow chassis, Huawei packs in large, well-placed keys and wastes no space. The keyboard extends across the entire the width of the deck and has large right shift and enter keys, something we rarely see on notebooks this compact. I scored a strong 98 words per minute (wpm) on the 10FastFingers typing test, which is on the high-end of my usual 95 to 100 wpm rate. More importantly, I felt great doing it and never bottomed out. The generous, 4.6 x 2.4-inch Windows precision touchpad offers decent navigation and provides solid support for multi-touch gestures. However, sometimes I had to pinch a few times before it zoomed. Audio The laptop has a 3.5mm headphone jack, and you should use it. The MateBook 13's bottom-facing speakers are quiet and somewhat tinny but tolerable as long as you aren't holding the laptop on your lap. When I listened to AC/DC's "Back in Black," the output was just a little distorted when I put it flat on a wooden table but annoyingly muffled when I placed it on either a soft couch or my legs. At full volume, the MateBook was barely loud enough to fill a small dining room. Huawei's laptop comes with Dolby Atmos software you can use to switch between audio profiles for music, movies, voice and gaming. All of the profiles sounded fine, so it may not be necessary to switch between them. Upgradeability If you were thinking about adding more RAM or storage to the Huawei MateBook 13, think again. The bottom is secured by six Torx screws, which were easy enough to remove; however, we simply couldn't pry the bottom off after removing them. Perhaps someone else who is willing to risk breaking the chassis would have better luck. Battery Life The MateBook 13, at least in our review configuration, has really weak battery lifea near-fatal flaw for an ultraportable laptop. Huawei's laptop lasted a mere 6 hours and 15 minutes on our battery test, which involves continuous surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. That's 2 hours and 17 minutes below the average laptop in this range. It's also over 3 hours behind the MacBook Air and the MateBook X Pro. The XPS 13, which has a higher-resolution, 4K display, lasted a full 7 hours and 50 minutes on this test. It's possible that the lower-end configuration of the MateBook 13, which has integrated graphics and a Core i5 CPU, uses less power and lasts longer on a charge. But without testing one of those models, we can't say. The good news is that the MateBook 13 uses standard USB Type-C charging, so there's a huge ecosystem of third-party batteries you can carry with you. Heat Depending on what you are doing, the right side of the MateBook 13 can get a little toasty. At various times during my testing, the right palm rest felt noticeably warm, though not painfully hot. After we streamed a video for over 15 minutes, the right palm rest reached 95.4 degrees Fahrenheit (35.3 degrees Celsius), but the area above that on the right side of the keyboard hovered between 102 and 105 degrees (41 degrees Celsius). The left wrist rest, middle of the keyboard and touchpad stayed cool with temperatures between 30.9 and 32.7 degrees Celsius (87 and 90.9 degrees Fahrenheit). The bottom ranged between 36 to 41 degrees Celsius (96 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit), though the warmest parts were near the hinge where most wouldn't feel it. Webcam The 720p webcam captures decent but unremarkable images. When I shot pictures of my face at home, colors like the dark red in the couch behind me or the blue in my shirt seemed somewhat muted. However, the photos were sharp, detailed and fairly bright, even in somewhat shadowy areas of my house. Software and Warranty The MateBook 13 comes with a free, one-year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 Personal Edition. After that, Huawei puts a bare minimum of preloaded software onto its laptop. The only first-party app is PC Manager, a utility that does hardware scans and downloads the latest drivers for you. Other than that, Huawei has the Dolby Atmos audio software, Realtek Audio software, which just lets you set recording and playback volumes, and Microsoft Translator. Windows 10 normally has a ton of preloaded crapware that Microsoft piles on, and our review unit had no less than a dozen free-to-play games, ranging from Asphalt 8 to Bubble Witch 3 Saga. Plan to spend some a minute or two uninstalling the ones you don't want. Huawei backs the MateBook 13 with a standard one-year manufacturer's warranty. Configuration Options In the U.S., the MateBook 13 is available in two configurations. The $1,299 config we reviewed features a 13-inch, 2160 x 1440 display, an Intel Core i7-8565U CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and Nvidia MX150 graphics. There's also a $999 base configuration, which has the same screen but instead uses a Core i5-8265U CPU, a 256GB SSD and Intel integrated graphics. Bottom Line The whole point of a lightweight laptop is that you use it unplugged for an extended period of time. Even if you rarely take your system out of the house, it's nice to be able to sit on the couch or at the kitchen table without being tethered to an outlet. At least with the configuration we reviewed, the Huawei MateBook 13 has really poor battery life, which, for a lot of people, is rightfully a deal breaker. However, if you take battery life out of the equation, the MateBook 13 gets so much right. It has great performance, high-end features, premium looks and even a surprisingly good keyboard. And it's a far better deal than its chief competitors: the Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Air. A MacBook Air starts at $999, but when configured with the same amount of storage (and only a Core i5 CPU), Apple's laptop goes for $1,599, $300 more than the MateBook. Dell's laptop, when somewhat-similarly configured (Core i7 / 8GB / 512GB, but a 1080p screen) is $1,609. If battery life matters to you, we recommend either spending an extra few hundred dollars to get one of these competitors, getting a lesser-specced competitor for around the same price or trying your luck with the $999 model of the MateBook 13. However, if you're comfortable with its limited endurance, the MateBook 13 is a great deal. MORE: Best Gaming Laptops MORE: Gaming Laptop Reviews MORE: All Laptop Content Photo Credit: Tom's Hardware (Image credit: astudio/Shutterstock) The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets from U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile, as well as committing wire fraud and obstructing justice. The U.S. government had already orchestrated the December arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada. Huaweis Indictment by Grand Jury This week, the DOJ unsealed a 10-count indictment of Huawei, charging the company with theft of trade secrets conspiracy, attempted theft of trade secrets, seven counts of wire fraud and one count of obstruction of justice. The indictment was approved by a Grand Jury on January 16. According to the indictment, Huawei was offering T-Mobile employees bonuses to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile between 2012 and 2014. T-Mobile threatened to sue the company; however, Huawei "produced a report falsely claiming that the theft was the work of rogue actors within the company and not a concerted effort by Huawei corporate entities in the United States and China," thereby obstructing justice, according to the DOJ's announcement this week. FBI Director Christopher Wray said Huawei was trying to gain an unfair economic advantage by breaking U.S. laws. He added that the FBI will not tolerate corrupt businesses that violate the laws that allow American companies and the United States to thrive. Huawei Trying to Get Ahead According to the FBI, Huawei has been trying to get ahead by offering employees of various companies around the world bonuses based on the value of information they stole. The employees would then send this information to Huawei via encrypted email. Huawei faces a fine of up to $500,000 for wire fraud and obstruction of justice and up to $5 million for conspiracy and attempt to commit trade secret theft, if found guilty in the court of law. Canadas authorities, in cooperation with the U.S. DOJ, arrested Huaweis CFO Meng Wanzhou late last year. Wanzhou is both a Huawei deputy chairwoman and the daughter of Huaweis founder, Ren Zhengfei. The arrest was linked to charges that Huawei violated U.S. sanctions against Iran. At the time of the arrest, U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) said that China has been working to creatively undermine our national security interests. Windows Mixed Reality may finally be making its way to Google Chrome. The folks over at Windows Latest today spotted a few snippets of new code in Chromiumthe open-source browser project at the heart of the Chrome web browserthat explicitly mentions upcoming support for Microsofts mixed reality platform. The relevant code was found in two commits (changes made to files managed via the Git version control system often used in software development) to the Chromium project made on January 22 and 29. They give away their purpose in their names: the first one is Add a flag for Windows Mixed Reality support and the second one is Add MixedRealityDevice to support Windows Mixed Reality. Its not hard to guess why Chromium is finally adding Windows Mixed Reality support more than a year after the platforms introduction. Microsoft is reportedly planning to use the rendering engine from Chromium, rather than its own EdgeHTML technology, in a future version of its Edge browser. Itd probably leave a sour taste in Windows Mixed Reality users mouths if the move stopped them from being able to browse the web. But its also not hard to guess why adding Windows Mixed Reality support wasnt a priority for Chromium before. Prior to January 9, the most recent mention of mixed reality on the Windows Developer Blog was from October 2018. Thats also when the Windows Experience Blog last brought up the platform. It hasnt even been mentioned on the Microsoft Devices Blog since July 2018 or, tellingly, the Microsoft Edge Blog since October 2017. That follows the general arc of Windows Mixed Realitys popularity. The platform debuted with several headsets from the likes of Acer, Asus and more. But the Microsoft Store currently lists just seven headsets, three of which are out of stock and two of which are on sale. We at Toms Hardware haven't gone deep into the platform ourselves since our July 2018 review of the HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset. There could be some good news on the horizon: Microsoft is rumored to be announcing HoloLens 2, codenamed Sydney, at Mobile World Congress on February 24. The device is expected to be improved on nearly every way, which might finally convince the company to release it to the general public. The original versions development kit which costs a whopping $3,000is currently out of stock. That could mean Microsoft is making room for a HoloLens 2 developer kit to debut sometime in the near future. Windows Latest noticed several other changes that Windows users might enjoy as well, including Chromium support for Windows 10s Dark Mode and a new feature meant to help block unintended downloads. Otherwise, let Windows Mixed Reality users rejoice in knowing that Chromium is finally going to support the platform, even if it may only be to placate Edge users. Contrary to some speculation, AMD will likely continue to work with ASMedia Technology to build its chipsets, upcoming 500-series included, Taiwanese media Digitimes reported today. (Image credit: Anatolii Mazhora / Shutterstock.com) According to the Taiwanese publication, the integrated-circuit design company owned by Asus is "expected to land contract design orders for all mainstream PCIe chips from AMD even after the U.S. chipmaker rolls out X570 motherboard chipsets that support PCIe 4.0". Our own motherboard sources have told us that AMD could continue to incorporate ASMedia elements into parts of the chipset, such as USB 3.1 support. ASMedia is a pretty well-known name in the motherboard field. The company is mostly responsible for providing third-party USB, PCIe and SATA controllers for both AMD and Intel motherboards. As a matter of fact, ASMedia was the one who designed and produced AMD's Promontory chipsets, such as the 300-series and 400-series for the chipmaker's Zen processor microarchitecture. So when word of AMD designing the X570 chipset in-house got out, many thought AMD would ditch ASMedia. AMD processors have been exposed to a few vulnerabilities in the past through ASMedia's chipsets. Correcting the issues takes a while as AMD has to go through ASMedia to do so. Therefore, having a more direct control over the design process could be a reason for AMD to go with an in-house design. However, there's just one inconsistency with Digitimes' report: the time frame. The article says ASMedia will not complete the tape-out for PCIe 4.0 until the end of the year. However, the penultimate paragraph claims ASMedia will roll out tape-outs for PCIe 4.0 by the end of of the year. AMD is expected to launch its Ryzen 3000-series processors roughly around Q3. One of the new chips' selling point is support for the PCIe 4.0 interface, so naturally AMD will want X570 motherboards available to customers to house them, one way or another. The long-simmering dispute between the U.S. government and Huawei reached a boil today (Jan. 28), as federal prosecutors filed charges against the Chinese phone maker alleging fraud and trade secret theft. (Image credit: Shutterstock) The charges come from separate cases filed in U.S. District Courts in New York and Washington, respectively. The 13-count filing in Brooklyn against Huawei and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou accuses the company of committing bank and wire fraud to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran that prohibit the export of goods and technologies originating from the U.S. The 10-count indictment in Seattle alleges that Huawei stole trade secrets from T-Mobile related to a smartphone-testing robot developed the carrier. Today's indictments come following reports that federal prosecutors had been investigating Huawei on allegations of trade secret theft from American companies. MORE: Best Smartphones - Here Are the 10 Best Phones Available Tensions have been on the rise between Huawei and the U.S. government for some time, with government officials citing concerns that Huawei equipment could be used by the Chinese government for spying. AT&T and Verizon reportedly dropped plans to offer Huawei's Mate 10 smartphone last year after being pressured by the U.S. government. And that proved to be a big blow to Huawei's plans to expand its phone business in the U.S., as the majority of smartphones bought in this country are sold through wireless carriers. Huawei has released a couple of high-end flagships since then, include the Huawei P20 and Mate 20, but none of those have been offered to U.S. consumers. The two court cases against Huawei come as the Trump administration has pushed a trade war against China, imposing tariffs on a number of goods. China has retaliated with tariffs of its own. Meng was arrested in December in Canada at the behest of the U.S., which is attempting to extradite her. The best Wi-Fi 6 routers offer speedier, smarter networking for every device in your home. If you've been putting off buying a new router, it's time to stop waiting. Wi-Fi 6 offers a genuine upgrade to your home network, offering better wireless speeds and more capable device handling than the older 802.11ac (or, retroactively, Wi-Fi 5) standard it replaces. And the latest twist on the new standard is Wi-Fi 6e, which adds an additional 6GHz band for truly unbeaten performance. Wi-Fi 6 has really coming into its own as the current standard, as dozens of devices arrive in homes to work with the new standard and make the most of its improvements. Check out the best Wi-Fi extenders we've reviewed Secure every device you own with the best router VPN What internet speed do I need? Here's how much bandwidth you should pay for To help you keep up with all of the new products, we've rounded up some of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers and Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems you can buy. We've selected from among the top selling, top performing, and most innovative products available. Here we highlight routers made for homes small and large, for gaming and media streaming, both standalone units and expandable mesh systems. What are the best Wi-Fi 6 routers? Of the many Wi-Fi 6 routers on the market, a few stand out as the most promising, offering better performance, better prices and more functionality. The best Wi-Fi 6 router overall is the Asus RT-AX86U, a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that will leave you satisfied whether you need connectivity for a house full of gadgets or gaming performance that rivals dedicated gaming routers. For unbeatable performance, the hands down leader is the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500, which uses the new Wi-Fi 6e standard to offer incredible speeds of nearly 2.5Gbps. You'll pay a lot for that performance, but if you want the undisputed performance champ, this is it. The Netgear Orbi with Wi-Fi 6 (RBK852) is the best mesh system to get the new standard, combining the well-loved Orbi's ease of use with even better performance. When we tested it, we were seriously impressed with the performance it offered. Prime Day 2021 Wi-Fi 6 router deals Amazon Prime Day is June 21 and 22, and we've got our fingers crossed for some compelling Wi-Fi 6 router sales from all the major brands, including TP-Link, Netgear, Asus and Linksys. Be sure to bookmark our Prime Day deals page to get the biggest savings. The best Wi-Fi 6 routers right now (Image credit: Asus) 1. Asus RT-AX86U The best Wi-Fi 6 router overall Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 3/Yes Ports: 1 WAN/1 Multi-Gig WAN/ 4 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0 Peak Throughput: 929.7Mbps Size: 9.0 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $249.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Excellent throughput + Security software with lifetime updates + Multi-Gig input and port aggregation + 2-year warranty Reasons to avoid - Lacks gamers tools like geofencing and ping heat map The Asus RT-AX86U is a Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse that delivers great speeds and killer gaming features, as well as awesome customization options. With high-end performance and lifetime protection against intrusions and malware, it's also a great option for securing your entire home network, providing long term protection without a subscription fee, and carrying a two-year warranty. But the real draw of the Asus RT-AX86U is the performance, which approaches the the magical 1Gbps mark to provide speedy and effortless connectivity for all of your devices. With excellent range and great performance even through walls and between floors the RT-AX86U is equal parts general-use router and elite gaming router, and the collection of features and ports it offers are a steal compared to some of the top-performing gaming gear. If you want the best Wi-Fi 6 router for the whole household, the Asus RT-AX86U is it. Read our full Asus RT-AX86U review . (Image credit: Netgear) 2. Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 The Wi-Fi 6e speed demon Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6e/Tri-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0 Throughput: 2.396Gbps Size: 12.0 x 8.6 x 3.3 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $599.99 View at Amazon $599.99 View at Best Buy $599.99 View at Crutchfield Reasons to buy + Top speed with 6GHz band + Customizability + Security software Reasons to avoid - Expensive - Throughput declines quickly with distance The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is the first Wi-Fi 6e router to hit the market, and the results are mind-blowing. By adding a 6GHz band to the already impressive capabilities of Wi-Fi 6, the Nighthawk RAXE500 delivers category-leading performance. With an AXE11000 rating, the tri-band device more than lives up to the hype by delivering nearly 2.5Gbps of real-world data. Add this to the slick design and highly customizable configuration options, and the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 becomes one of the best routers we've ever reviewed. By adding access to a slew of new data-delivering channels in the 6GHz spectrum, the tri-band Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 takes the lead as the first high-performance Wi-Fi 6e router. While its best at close quarters and is one of the most expensive routers you can buy, the RAXE500 is worth every penny if you have the need for speed. Read our full Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 review. (Image credit: Netgear) 3. Netgear Orbi with Wi-Fi 6 (RBK852) Best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Tri-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No Ports: 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN port (on base unit), 4x LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports (per unit) Throughput: 1200 Mbps (2.4GHz)/2400Mbps (5GHz) + 2400Mbps (5Ghz) Size: 10 x 2.8 x 7.5 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $299.99 View at Amazon $631.91 View at Walmart $999.99 View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Speedy tri-band performance + Expandable up to 10,000 square feet Reasons to avoid - Big devices are hard to hide - Expensive The Netgear Orbi RBK852 updates a long-time leader in mesh Wi-Fi with the speed and capability of Wi-Fi 6. The faster standard and whole-home coverage of Orbi's mesh networking combine with the easy setup and stellar performance that the Orbi name is known for. With tri-band coverage that can handle 5,000 square feet with only a two-pack consisting of a base unit and satellite extension, the Wi-Fi 6 Netgear Orbi looks like it's the best mesh system yet. In addition to massively improved speeds and handling of multiple devices, the Orbi also works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for seamless voice control throughout the house. And every Orbi extension that we've loved in the past works with the new Wi-Fi 6 models as well, whether it's the outdoor extensions or the Orbi Voice that has a built-in smart speaker. Read our full Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) review. (Image credit: Netgear) 4. Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 Best Wi-Fi 6 gaming router Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 4/Yes Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN gigabit per second, USB 3.0 Peak Throughput: 860.7Mbps Size: 11.6 x 7.9 x 2.5 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $299.99 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Top Wi-Fi 6 performance at mid-range distances + Top gamers tools and interface + Includes malware protection Reasons to avoid - No Multi-Gig input or port aggregation - 90-day support policy and extra charge for security updates The Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 is a powerful gaming router with Wi-Fi 6 speeds that goes above and beyond other gaming routers with excellent speeds and top-shelf gaming enhancements. The Netgear's high-throughput, low latency design is packed with customization options and built-in security, providing protection against hackers along with superb Wi-Fi 6 performance. It's also great for slightly larger homes, with a range of 105 feet, easily covering that extra room that other routers can't quite reach. If your current router isn't keeping up with your gaming abilities, the XR1000 is one of the best gaming routers we've ever seen. With an entire dashboard of customization tools, you can optimize the router's performance in a dizzying number of ways, from CPU usage monitoring to stats that identify what apps and devices are using the most data and connection tools that let you adjust connections by ping rates and location. Read our full Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 review. (Image credit: Eero) 5. Eero Pro 6 Mesh Wi-Fi 6 with unbeatable convenience Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Tri-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 7/No Ports: 2 Ethernet on each unit Throughput: 438.2Mbps Size: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.9 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $229 View at Amazon Reasons to buy + Great range + Dynamic tri-band operation + Easy fast setup Reasons to avoid - Devices have only two Ethernet ports - Moderate throughput close up - No USB ports The Eero Pro 6 combines tri-band Wi-Fi 6 networking with a mesh setup that's quicker and easier than pretty much any mesh system we've reviewed, making it the best way to get great performance throughout your home without much hassle. With a single unit covering 2,000 square feet with reasonably fast Wi-Fi, the three-pack Eero Pro 6 will blanket up to 6,000 square feet with ease - and we set up the three-piece system in about 11 minutes. It may not have the highest throughput, but the Eero Pro 6 mesh kit does well at mid-range distances where others peter out, is quick to set up and automatically adjusts just about everything. If you want granular customization, then tools like band steering, local DNS caching and home automation tools, it's got those, too. But the Eero Pro 6 does it's best when it lets you set it and forget it, giving you speedy Wi-Fi 6 without the hassles. Read our full Eero Pro 6 review . See the best PS5 external hard drives (Image credit: Netgear) With the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 router, top performance and enhanced security go hand in hand, combining throughput that smashes through the gigabit per second barrier with malware protection and Disneys Circle app for blocking inappropriate content and managing family network use. And with excellent performance through walls and floors, the Nighthawk AX8 will work just as well in the real world as in the lab. It may be expensive most Wi-Fi 6 routers are but the RAX80 offers easy setup and lets you configure the router exactly the way you want it. It's also got a 90-foot range, but delivers better performance at distances of 50 feet, making it better suited to medium-sized homes. By almost any measure, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) is a great Wi-Fi-6 router to get if you dont want to compromise on speed and safety. Read our full Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) review . (Image credit: TP-Link) 7. TP-Link Deco X20 Best value mesh Wi-Fi system Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 4/No Ports: 1 WAN Gigabit Ethernet, 1 LAN Gigabit Ethernet Throughput: 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz)/1201 Mbps (5 GHz) Size: 4.33 x 4.33 x 4.49 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $249.99 View at Amazon $336.87 View at Walmart $429.80 View at Walmart Reasons to buy + Compact design + Affordable price Reasons to avoid - No dedicated data backchannel Inexpensive, small and easy to set up, TP-Links Deco X20 mesh networking kit is a cheap thrill that can help fill a home with Wi-Fi 6 data while protecting a familys identities with an extra layer of online security. If you want mesh capability and Wi-Fi 6, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the best budget option for covering larger homes with better speed and capability than any older 802.11ac system can match. Selling in a 3-pack of matching units, the Deco X20 covers up to 5,800 square feet, and can manage up to 150 separate connected devices. With dual-band connectivity and two gigabit wired connections on each node, the Deco X20 offers great coverage and connectivity with easy setup and management. TP-Link gives you all the tools you need in the accompanying Deco app, which lets you set up your network quickly and control the individual features of the network with illustrated, easy-to-navigate menus. It also protects, with WPA3 encryption and a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare security and antivirus included with the set. Read our full TP-Link Deco X20 review . (Image credit: Linksys) Affordable Wi-Fi 6 for bigger homes Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Tri-Band Number of Antennas/Removable: 8/No Ports: 1 WAN/3 LAN, USB 3.0 (per unit) Peak Throughput: 507.7Mbps Size: 9.6 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $499.99 View at Amazon $499.99 View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Inexpensive mesh kit + Good throughput with dynamic tri-band operation + Three-year warranty Reasons to avoid - No security software - Slow set up The Linksys Velop AX4200 mesh kit offers tri-band Wi-Fi 6 that can cover a large home in Wi-Fi signal without the higher prices of many Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems. With decent throughput and great range the three-pack we reviewed can fill an 8,0000 square feet, and is easily expanded with additional units this affordable mesh system offers simple configuration tools and a generous three-year warranty. It also has USB connectivity, a small touch, but one that some users will hugely appreciate. But it's not the fastest mesh kit on the block, lagging behind more expensive competitors and offering none of the extra security and customization options you'd get from other manufacturers. That said, the three-pack Linksys Velop AX4200 is one of the best bargains in mesh networking at the moment, offering a relatively cheap way to set up a wide-ranging Wi-Fi network in a big house. Read our full Linksys Velop AX4200 review. (Image credit: Linksys) A streamlined Wi-Fi 6 router Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 4/No Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN gigabit per second, 2 USB 3.0 Throughput: 822.0 Mbps Size: 11.0 x 6.8 x 5.6 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $279.97 View at Amazon $279.99 View at Best Buy $429.99 View at Dell Reasons to buy + Can create mesh network with other Linksys equipment + Small and easy to hide Reasons to avoid - Mediocre performance - Lacks port aggregation The Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that is among the smallest and least obtrusive Wi-Fi 6 models you can buy. The small size makes it easy to fit onto a shelf or desk, but the streamlined design does leave little room for ports with only a WAN port, four LAN ports and two USB 3.0 connectors, the rear panel of the Linksys Max Stream MR9600 is uncluttered, but we wish it offered the two-line aggregation seen on many competing Wi-Fi 6 models. Able to work either as a standalone router or to create a mesh network by linking it with other Linksys networking gear, the MR9600 offers the choice of a single unit for smaller homes and apartments, or it can be incorporated into a mesh setup with other Linksys networking devices, giving you the unique ability to expand coverage for larger homes. Read our full Linksys Max Stream MR9600 review. (Image credit: TP-Link) For a standalone router with Wi-Fi 6 capability, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 is the best choice for optimal connectivity. The dual-band router promises great speeds and the eight high-gain antennas offer some of the best wireless coverage this side of a mesh Wi-Fi system. But for pure connectivity, it also has something most other routers do not a wealth of ports and wired connections. A 2.5Gbps WAN port will work with even the fastest internet connections while a total of eight Ethernet ports give you connectivity for a huge number of wired devices. On the side of the router you'll also find both USB 3.0 Type-A and Type-C connectors, giving you speedy connectivity for other peripherals, like NAS and home media servers. The Archer AX6000 is powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, making it more than capable enough for the dozens of devices you likely have in your home, and TP-Link protects them all with a free lifetime subscription to HomeCare, which includes parental controls and threat blocking for the entire network. Read our full TP-Link Archer AX6000 review. (Image credit: Asus) When it comes to Wi-Fi 6 routers that we've tested and reviewed, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 stands out as one of the best, delivering excellent performance and packaging that expanded capability alongside gaming-oriented features that will delight both the gamers and non-gamers in your house. The GT-AX11000 has a larger design, bristling with eight swiveling antennas. But inside that larger footprint, the router offers plenty of connectivity, with four downstream Gigabit LAN ports, a single 2.5G Base T Ethernet connection, and two USB 3.0 ports. Wireless capability is even better, with performance that actually improved at longer distances, super low latency and massive 10.8Gbps of maximum throughput. Combine all of this with customization tools and gaming optimizations, and it's still one of the best gaming devices we've seen in the new breed of Wi-Fi 6 routers. Read our full Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 review . (Image credit: Asus) 12. Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) A great whole-home solution Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Tri-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 6/No Ports: 1 WAN (2.5Gbps)/3 LAN (Gbps), USB 3.0 Throughput: 701.0Mbps Size: 6.6 x 6.3 x 2.9 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $249.99 View at Amazon $356.02 View at Amazon $449.99 View at Best Buy Reasons to buy + Good Wi-Fi 6 performance + Protects against malware + Tri-band design + Two-year warranty Reasons to avoid - Can take long time to reconnect satellites - Short range The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) puts Wi-Fi 6 mesh networking into an easy-to-use package that's excellent for all sorts of mid-range homes. With its tri-band design and Wi-Fi 6 performance, the Asus ZenWiFi AX comes through with the ability to fill a moderate-sized home with wireless data. It may not be the fastest mesh kit, but the ZenWiFi AXs two-year warranty and built-in security can give a family network administrator the peace of mind that the data will get through. The sleek-looking design isn't festooned with antennas, nor is it blinking with an array of lights. Instead the ZenWiFi keeps things sedate with a design that could be used as bookend on a shelf, and a size that makes competing mesh systems look downright bulky. Plus, if you already have an Asus router at home, chances are pretty good that you can add it to the ZenWiFi's mesh network for even more coverage area, making it a great way to expand the coverage without giving up current hardware that you love. Read our full Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) review. (Image credit: Linksys) For Wi-Fi 6 on a budget Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 2/No Ports: 1 WAN/4 LAN gigabit per second, USB 3.0 Throughput: 478.3Mbps Size: 8.5 x 6.1 x 2.2 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $99.99 View at Amazon $99.99 View at Best Buy $99.99 View at Crutchfield Reasons to buy + Budget-friendly price + Low power use + Can set up mesh network Reasons to avoid - Short range - Limited customization options Our favorite cheap Wi-FI 6 router is the Linksys MR7350, which proves that the capabilities and features of Wi-Fi 6 aren't limited to high-priced units. The simple-looking router is a stripped down model, sporting two simple antennas instead of the spider-like antenna arrays of other routers, and it drops niceties like built-in security and port aggregation. But that streamlined router still delivers solid performance and Wi-Fi 6 speeds, all for an economical price. Capable of covering 1,700 square feet, it's perfect for apartments and smaller homes, but the Linksys MR7350 also has a trick up its sleeve. The router can work with other recent Linksys products to create a mesh network from scratch. While it's a far cry from the speed-demon performance of more premium Wi-Fi 6 routers, it's a great basic model that provides Wi-Fi 6 capability for much, much less. If you've been waiting to upgrade from an older Wireless-N or AC router, this is a great low-cost option to get. Read our full Linksys MR7350 review. (Image credit: Netgear) 14. Netgear AX1800 4-Stream Mesh Extender (EAX20) A Wi-Fi 6 extender with mesh capability Specifications Wi-Fi Spec: Wi-Fi 6/Dual-band Number of Antennas/Removable: 4 internal/No Ports: 4 gigabit Ethernet Throughput: 375.4Mbps Size: 9.5 x 6.7 x 2.5 inches TODAY'S BEST DEALS Prime $99.99 View at Amazon $129.99 View at Best Buy $149.99 View at Dell Reasons to buy + Wi-Fi 6 support with 802.11ax operations + Customization and built-in security + Offers mesh compatibility with other devices Reasons to avoid - Large - No USB ports With Wi-Fi 6 speeds and even mesh capability built right in, the Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (EAX20) was already a contender for the best Wi-Fi extender you can get. While not everyone will be excited about it's large desktop design without a plug-in design, there's no hiding this extender behind the couch or in the corner and a price that's more expensive than some routers, the proof is in the performance. And boy, does the Netgear EAX20 deliver, with category-leading speeds and an awesome 95-foot range. The Netgear EAX20 does one thing and does well: it extends networks that are faster and have a longer range than the competition. Throw in a handful of customization options, and add a layer of online security to help protect your home network, and it's not hard to say that this admittedly pricey extender is worth every penny. Read our full Netgear AX1800 Mesh Extender (EAX20) review. How to choose the best Wi-Fi 6 router for you Choosing the best Wi-Fi 6 router isn't terribly different from shopping for any other networking product. While complicated jargon can be confusing, there are really only two significant questions that need to be answered. First, what speed do you need for your internet use and devices? Second, what sort of coverage do you need for your home? Speed: Wi-Fi 6 is good for high-speed connections, since the newer standard offers much higher throughput than the previous 802.11ac standard. It's especially well-suited to gigabit-speed internet plans, which may be available in your area. However, even average broadband speeds will benefit from Wi-Fi 6, as the standard offers better efficiency for sharing your bandwidth among many devices. Compatibility: Similarly, you'll get the most out of Wi-Fi 6 by using Wi-Fi 6-equipped devices, from laptops to smartphones. While the new standard is backwards compatible it should work with every older Wi-Fi-connected device you already own some of the features, like improved battery life for connected devices, will only work when both the router and the connected device have Wi-Fi 6 capability. Everything will connect, but the best performance will also require devices that are on the same standard, and that's still slowly proliferating out to various product categories. There are a handful of Wi-Fi 6-ready phones, Samsung is including Wi-Fi 6 in its new 8K TVs and some laptops are offered with the newer standard, but it's still relatively rare. That said, the number of Wi-Fi 6 devices is growing steadily, making a Wi-Fi 6 router the best way to futureproof your home network. Coverage: The other question is coverage area, or how far and wide your Wi-Fi signal will travel. A basic standalone router is usually sufficient for an apartment or smaller home, with ranges of 50 to 100 feet being common. Larger homes, usually those with 3,000 square feet of space or more, would benefit from a mesh system, which pairs a base unit with satellite extensions that can be placed throughout the house. These extension units stretch the reach of your Wi-Fi signal to cover even the largest of homes, and can be expanded as needed with additional units. Gaming: One other consideration is gaming. The last thing you want when raiding an enemy base or playing with friends in a battle royale is to be slowed down or interrupted by your network connection. Gaming routers offer all of the capabilities of a standard router, but are optimized specifically for gaming. They reduce interruptions, help eliminate lag time, and usually offer advanced controls for customizing how data is used in your home among different devices. Price: Finally, the biggest factor in many people's shopping decisions isn't capability or specific features, but price. While Wi-Fi 6 products are still notably more expensive than older standards, there are a handful of budget-friendly options available. Though many Wi-Fi 6 products cost for $300 or more, there are options in both standalone and mesh devices with more affordable prices. While these do offer many of the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, they will often do so with more modest device handling and less impressive coverage. However, a solid Wi-Fi 6 standalone router can be had for under $150, and a mesh system can be found for under $300. Nvidias hot new RTX graphics cards are finally hitting gaming laptops, and it just so happens that our sister site, Laptop Mag, got its hands on the Alienware Area-51m with Nvidia's RTX 2080 GPU. Based on our testing, this is the fastest gaming laptop ever. And both the CPU and GPU are upgradeable, which is a first for laptops. This baby is equipped with the most powerful GPU currently available for a laptop, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 GPU with 8GB of VRAM, and its paired with a 3.6-GHz Intel Core i9-9900K desktop processor, 64GB of RAM and a pair of 1TB PCIe M.2 SSDs in RAID 0 configuration. How much does a monster like that cost? Oh, just $5,099, but dont worry, youll get exactly what you paid for. (And the starting price is a more palatable $2,549. Overall Performance On the Geekbench 4 synthetic benchmark, which measures the overall performance of a laptops processor, the Area-51m scored 29,989, crushing the 21,118 premium gaming laptop average. Its competition, the Aorus X9 (Core i9-8950HK, 25,915), MSI GT75 Titan (Core i9-8950HK, 22,765) and Origin PC Eon 17-X (Core i7-8700K, 21,273), all trailed behind with their less powerful CPUs. MORE: Alienware Area-51m - Full Review Rise of the Tomb Raider On the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark on Very High at 1080p, the Area-51m achieved 92 frames per second, which washed away the 63-fps premium gaming laptop average and even the GT75 Titans RTX 2080 (76 fps). Despite being armed with previous generation GTX 1080 GPUs, the Aorus X9 (73 fps) and Eon 17-X (69 fps) scored solid marks. Hitman The Area 51-m blasted through the Hitman benchmark (Ultra, 1080p) at 143 fps with the GT75 Titan nipping at its heels, at 140 fps. The RTX laptops crushed the Eon 17-X, Aorus X9 and category average, which all landed at 96 fps. Grand Theft Auto V Despite the GT75 Titans persistence to keep up, the Area-51m was the only laptop to reach triple digits on the Grand Theft Auto V benchmark (Very High, 1080p), averaging 105 fps compared to the Titans 91 fps. The Aorus X9 (86 fps) as well as the RTX laptops surpassed the 75-fps category average, but the Eon 17-X (55 fps) fell far behind. Middle-earth: Shadow of War The Area-51m continued to wreck shop with a whopping 132 fps on the Middle-earth: Shadow of War benchmark (Ultra, 1080p), which blows away the 86-fps category average as well as the GT75 Titan (112 fps) and Aorus X9 (99 fps). Metro: Last Night On the Metro: Last Light benchmark (Ultra, 1080p), one of our most taxing tests, the Area-51m dominated again with 103 fps, leaving the GT75 Titan (95 fps), Aorus X9 (85 fps) and Eon17-X (82 fps) all in the dirt. Despite that, they all easily tore through the 64 fps category average. Bottom Line The Alienware Area-51m is the king of monsters. Nearly each laptop that weve compared it to can easily run taxing games at over 60 fps, but the Area-51m aimed higher and performed in the triple digits on multiple benchmarks. For $5,099 (starting at $2,549), you not only get a massive performance boost with a desktop CPU and killer GPU, but also the Area-51ms gorgeous design, upgradable components, deep-travel keyboard and smooth 17.3-inch, 144Hz display. While the Area-51m comes at a high price, you simply cant beat all of that power. Credit: Tom's Guide [January 29, 2019] North America Wireless Headsets Market By Type (On-Ear Headsets & Earbuds), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket/Supermarket, Multi-Branded Stores, Exclusive Stores & Online), By Country, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 - 2023 NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- North America Wireless Headsets Market By Type (On-Ear Headsets & Earbuds), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket/Supermarket, Multi-Branded Stores, Exclusive Stores & Online), By Country, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 2023 Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05724299 According to "North America Wireless Headsets Market By Type, By Distribution Channel, By Country, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 2023" wireless headsets market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of over 16% during 2018-2023.Changing preferences of consumers towards wireless headsets equipped with additional features coupled with growing use of wireless headsets with multiple electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops and television audio devices are expected to fuel the wireless headsets market in North America during forecast period. Increasing sophistication of headphones & earphones, emergence of bone conduction technology for earphones and headphones, and rising organized retail and e-commerce industry would positively influence the region's wireless headsets market during forecast period. Some of the major players operating in North America wireless headsets market are Apple Inc., Beats Electronics LLC, Bose Corporation, Plantronics, Inc., Jaybird, LLC, Skullcandy Inc. and Harman International Industries, Inc. "North America Wireles Headsets Market By Type, By Distribution Channel, By Country, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 2023" discusses the following aspects of Wireless Headsets market in North America: Segmental Analysis By Type (On-Ear Headsets & Earbuds), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket/Supermarket, Multi-Branded Stores, Exclusive Stores & Online), By Country Competitive Analysis Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities Why You Should Buy This Report? To gain an in-depth understanding of Wireless Headsets in North America To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years To help industry consultants, Wireless Headsets distributors and other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies To obtain research-based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players To avail 10% customization in the report without any extra charges and get the research data or trends added in the report as per the buyer's specific needs Report Methodology The information contained in this report is based upon both primary and secondary research.Primary research included interaction with Wireless Headsets distributors and industry experts. Secondary research included an exhaustive search of relevant publications like company annual reports, financial reports and proprietary databases. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05724299 About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-america-wireless-headsets-market-by-type-on-ear-headsets--earbuds-by-distribution-channel-hypermarketsupermarket-multi-branded-stores-exclusive-stores--online-by-country-competition-forecast--opportunities-201-300785866.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Government of Canada Invests in Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in British Columbia VANCOUVER, Jan. 29, 2019 /CNW/ - A changing climate is among the great global challenges of our time. The Government of Canada recognizes the significant impacts of climate change and continues to support research on adaptation and climate resilience. Paul Lefebvre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced more than $1 million in support of six climate change projects in British Columbia. Funded through Natural Resources Canada's Climate Change Adaptation Program, the projects support the development of tools and knowledge needed to help Canadians, regions and economic sectors become more resilient to a changing climate. These include: examining the most cost-effective strategies for managing wildfires; deploying new approaches to icrease the resilience of our shorelines; using data to analyze the impact of climate change on vital infrastructure such as roads, water, power and telecommunications; developing a standardized approach for municipalities to evaluate their coastal assets; scaling up new approaches to better measure and manage municipal natural assets; and creating new tools to mitigate coastal erosion. Quotes "Action on climate change is something we simply cannot defer. That is why our government is supporting projects that will expand our understanding of the impacts of climate change and better prepare us to adapt to those impacts." Paul Lefebvre Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources Related Information Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Bittrex International Joins Universal Protocol Alliance to Support Next 100M Users of Crypto Assets Bittrex International has joined a coalition of leading blockchain organizations, including Uphold, Cred, Blockchain at Berkeley, Brave in support of a universal transparent reserve and custody standard that mints and burns Proxy tokens via the Universal Protocol Platform (UP Platform). The UP Platform, which plans to introduce the Universal Dollar and Universal Euro later this month, serves as the hub for the creation and management of 'proxy' tokens and user features that will drive mass user adoption of cryptocurrencies. "We're thrilled to join an Alliance of like-minded blockchain companies dedicated to incubating blockchain-based technologies and helping projects go mainstream," said Bill Shihara, Bittrex International. "The blockchain industry needs technology that can build trust and transparency, and the platform the Alliance has built should help drive mass utility and adoption." The founding members include: Uphold - Founded in 2014, Uphold has over 1 million users around the world and has traded over $4 billion on its digital money platform and reserve ledger. Cred - Founded by a group of former PayPal (News - Alert) executives with over $300 million in lending capital, Cred has introduced a revolutionary lending and earning platform for digital assets. Brave - From the creator of JavaScript and co-founder of Mozilla (News - Alert) and Firefox, Brave radically improves internet browsing and leadership in the realms of privacy and digital advertising with the Basic Attention Token. Blockchain at Berkeley - An academic organization at University of California, Berkeley, that provides educational resources, consultancy, and R&D to some of the biggest blockchain projects in the world. For everyday users, the platform introduces groundbreaking new types of safeguards that render cryptocurrencies significantly more practical and convenient to own, such as private key recovery and inheritability. Currently, digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum exist on separate blockchain platforms and cannot interact with one another. This results in significant inefficiencies as separate blockchain projects are unable to collaborate in any meaningful way, without complex and often costly work-around solutions. To date, this has greatly hindered innovation in blockchain and the realization of its vast potential to fundamentally disrupt a wide array of economic, social and industrial sectors. The UP Platform looks to solve this issue and allow all cryptocurrencies to become accessible on a single network through the introduction of Proxy Tokens. Proxy Tokens are digital representations of their underlying assets and can exist on other blockchains. Using these Proxy Tokens, the UP Platform creates a common universal language that allows distinct blockchains and token-based projects to interact freely and frictionlessly with each other. This technology enables Proxy Bitcoin, for example, to exist on Ethereum and be reasoned with directly by Ethereum's preponderance of decentralized applications, decentralized exchanges and smart contracts. "The early days of the internet were very similar to the world of blockchain today, with many different technology platforms fragmented and incapable of communicating with one other," said JP Thieriot, President of the UP Alliance and Co-founder of Uphold. "We believe that the Universal Protocol Platform is a technology that has the potential to connect blockchain technologies, much like the breakthrough of the TCP and IP protocols that drove the internet towards mass adoption." The platform will enable a new world of tokenized digital assets - ranging from Proxy blockchains such as Bitcoin, to Proxy securities and Proxy private equity - and will facilitate the instant and seamless conversion of different forms of value. In doing so, the UP Platform will unlock the vast and untapped full potential of blockchain to transform how individuals and businesses store and transfer value, with Proxy Tokens representing the next generation of digital money. "The Universal Protocol Alliance is coalition of companies promoting a new technology that gets stronger as the network of members and use cases gets bigger," said Dan Schatt, Chairman of the UP Alliance and Cofounder of Cred. "We are actively seeking partners that would like to benefit from this new technology that we believe will set the standard for transparency, convenience, and make an unprecedented amount of liquidity available for the ecosystem." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005781/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] PriceSpider Wraps 2018 With Impressive Company Milestones IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PriceSpider an advanced data and retail technology provider to some of the worlds largest brand manufacturers, is celebrating 2018 as another year of outstanding achievement. In 2018, PriceSpider entered into a strategic partnership with Frontier Capital, a Charlotte-based growth equity firm focused on software and tech-enabled business services. The partnership combined PriceSpiders market-leading technology platform with Frontiers excellent track record of helping Software as a Service (Saas) companies optimize growth. Frontier Capital is providing strategic expertise, resources and growth capital to enhance the companys innovative technology offerings, maintain client satisfaction and position the company for rapid market expansion and growth acceleration. To support its growth, PriceSpider also expanded its physical footprint to include a second headquarters in Kansas City, as well as a presence in Ohio. With this expansion, the company accelerated hiring at the end of Q3 and is continuing to grow and bring in new talent including key leadership roles. Further expanding its lead position in retail technology, PriceSpider now offers in-depth studies including cross-category insights and trends to all clients. Led by PriceSpiders growing team of data scientists, these actionable insights provide another layer of value to brand manufacturers by identifying specific areas of opportunity to enhance their brands and increase sales. Growth was also seen in the innovation department, which is responsible for PriceSpiders Brand Monitor offering. Brand Monitor uses PriceSpiders proprietary spidering technology to help brand manufacturers see how their products are represented online and how they compare against their competitors. ith this tool and other platform offerings, brand manufacturers can see how their content along with the retailers content influence what the shopper ultimately purchases. The tremendous successes of 2018, and our consistent year-over-year expansion are a testament to our never-ending drive and desire to be at the top of our game by providing streamlined solutions to meet the needs of the e-commerce community, said Anthony Ferry, CEO of PriceSpider. Our conversion optimization platform continues to make strides in the retail technology space, and we are constantly pushing the envelope to bring the best solutions to our customers. In the year ahead, I look forward to seeing our data and technology solutions continue to position our clients at the forefront of the next generation of digital retail. In Q4, PriceSpider launched its podcast, PriceSpider E-Commerce Connected , hosted by global sales executive, Anthony Capozzoli. The podcast takes a feet-on-the-street approach to e-commerce, providing tactical insights and best practices on topics such as how to protect your brand online. It airs twice a month on all podcast networks, including iTunes and Google Play . Finally, the company was also included on the Inc. 5000 list of Americas fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row. Backed by industry experts with a passion for developing innovative approaches to navigating the ever-expanding digital marketplace, the company is now trusted by over 500 world-renowned brands in a wide range of industries. Its been a full year full of milestones and I couldnt be more proud of our entire team, concluded Ferry. Im also thrilled to be starting 2019 in partnership with Frontier Capital. Developing the relationship with them is an integral part of our 2019 trajectory. With our combined expertise, were looking for this year to be one of unsurpassed development and growth for PriceSpider. About PriceSpider: PriceSpider is an advanced retail data technology company that provides insights about consumer purchasing behavior for the worlds largest brand manufacturers. Powered by proprietary spidering technology that collects immense data sets from thousands of e-commerce sites, PriceSpider helps brands discover with precision what, where, when and how people purchase. From enabling brand manufacturers to maintain brand consistency across online channels to giving shoppers easy access to authorized retailers, PriceSpider connects the dots between brands, retailers and shoppers delivering the ultimate conversion optimization platform and helping manufacturers know more to sell more. Connect with PriceSpider on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more by visiting www.pricespider.com . MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Licano Beyond Fifteen Communications, Inc. 949.733.8679 leslie@beyondfifteen.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Bespoke Bancard Solutions Officially Approved to Board Cannabis Businesses: Added to Leafbuyer.com Dispensary Finder Website MOORPARK, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bespoke Bancard Solutions (BBS https://www.bespokebancardsolutions.com/) recently announced its inclusion on the Leafbuyer.com website as a recognized payment processing service for cannabis, CBD and other medical marijuana (MMJ) products. Founded in 2018, BBS offers a wide range of services designed to securely increase sales and bolster consumer confidence. BBS now officially provides its financial services to the heavily regulated cannabis industry. "We are delighted to be added to the Leafbuyer.com website as a trusted payment processing service for cannabis, CBD and other MMJ vendors. Those vendors need stability, transparency and consistency when working with a payment provider. And that's exactly what we offer. Our expertise in this area will be leveraged for their financial success," said CEO Steve Walsh. BBS Services Offered: Merchant : Multi-platform boarding, including First Data, TSYS and Merrick that utilizes the most stable and innovative banking and technology relationships in both North American and Canada . : Multi-platform boarding, including First Data, TSYS and Merrick that utilizes the most stable and innovative banking and technology relationships in both North American and . Equipment and Tecnology : Multiple programs to suit a variety of business models. All gateways are PCI compliant with secure processing ensured. : Multiple programs to suit a variety of business models. All gateways are PCI compliant with secure processing ensured. PCI Compliance : All credit cards brands and processing businesses compliant. : All credit cards brands and processing businesses compliant. CBD and MMJ Payment Processing : Relationships with banking partners helps approve all new and existing merchants without a rolling reserve. : Relationships with banking partners helps approve all new and existing merchants without a rolling reserve. BBS Sales Academy : Expert Steve Walsh provides supplemental classes with proven sales techniques and strategies that increase revenue. All classes are money-back guaranteed. : Expert Steve Walsh provides supplemental classes with proven sales techniques and strategies that increase revenue. All classes are money-back guaranteed. Referrals and Association Affiliations: Increase revenue streams and become a multidimensional business, partnered with BBS. here . Reviews concerning BBS services for the cannabis industry have already been overwhelmingly positive: "Working in the Cannabis Industry possesses many challenges for our company, especially merchant services. I used to receive multiple calls a day from other providers promising me guaranteed approval and low rates, only to be disappointed time and time again When I met Stephen at Bespoke Bancard Solutions, I was skeptical, until he had me approved in three days with a great rate," Mark Breen, COO-Co-Founder, Leafbuyer Technologies Inc. About Bespoke Bancard Solutions (BBS) BBS specializes in Tier 1 and 2 business, High Risk Solutions and CBD/MMJ payment processing. BBS offers numerous payment processing services including credit card processing, check processing, cash discount solutions, gift/loyalty, ATM, merchant cash advances, mobile applications, Level 3 Data, Merchant Level Sales Consulting and other payment processing and financial services. Learn more at: www.BespokeBancardSolutions.com. Contact: Stephen Walsh, CEO 805-358-8587 208254@email4pr.com Benita Betancourt, COO 805-222-6620 208254@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bespoke-bancard-solutions-officially-approved-to-board-cannabis-businesses-added-to-leafbuyercom-dispensary-finder-website-300786104.html SOURCE Bespoke Bancard Solutions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Puppet Names Yvonne Wassenaar as Next CEO PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puppet , the standard for automating the delivery and operation of the software that powers everything around us, today announced Yvonne Wassenaar as its CEO. Wassenaar brings deep experience in cloud computing and enterprise go-to market acceleration, having held key leadership positions at Airware, New Relic and VMware. Under Wassenaars leadership, Puppet will continue to grow its market share worldwide and expand its product portfolio to deliver on its promise of pervasive automation in an increasingly hybrid world. In today's world companies need to be digitally relevant or die. Easier said than done if you are an enterprise with a complex existing IT environment, resource challenges, and security concerns. Puppet is the trusted enterprise partner for companies who need to securely and efficiently manage today's hybrid environments, while future proofing their business for the changes yet to come," said Yvonne Wassenaar, CEO of Puppet. "With the DevOps movement and cloud native technologies on the rise, the opportunities for Puppet have never been greater. Im thrilled to join this amazing team and work with such a strong, dedicated group of industry leaders, customers, partners and open source community. Yvonne is a seasoned C-level executive, having led numerous company transformations focused on unleashing new areas of organc and inorganic growth, said Kevin Compton, co-founder and partner at Radar Partners and Puppet board member. As I think about Puppets next chapter, I know that Yvonne has the unique expertise to build on Puppets credibility as an IT automation leader and guide enterprises as they transition to cloud-native architectures. Were thrilled to have Yvonne at the helm and look forward to working with her as she oversees the next phase of Puppets growth. Most recently, Wassenaar served as the CEO of Airware, a leading enterprise drone analytics company. Prior to joining Airware, Wassenaar served as the CIO of New Relic, where she was instrumental in guiding the companys growth strategy pre/post IPO and scaled the companys internal technology and data platform through a period of hypergrowth. Wassenaar also spent four years at VMware where she was a key driver in helping scale the business from $2 billion to $6 billion. Wassenaar started her career at Accenture where she spent 17 years, rising in the organization from a computer programmer to Partner in the high tech business unit. Wassenaar has also been recognized as a Woman of Influence in Silicon Valley, a member of the Boardlists Top 20, a SF Business Times Public Company CIO Award Winner and a WSJ Woman of Note. Meanwhile, Sanjay Mirchandani is stepping down as the CEO of Puppet on January 31 to embark on a new opportunity. Added Compton, We are truly indebted to Sanjay for the incredible impact hes had on Puppet. Under his leadership, Puppet acquired two companies and opened five new offices in Seattle, Singapore, Sydney, Timisoara, and Tokyo. Sanjay also oversaw a $42 million fundraise and took Puppet from a single product company to a multi-product portfolio company. Were incredibly grateful for his leadership, and at the same time, we are excited to work with Yvonne on everything to come. Additional Resources Learn more about Puppet Subscribe to the Puppet blog Follow Puppet on Twitter @puppetize About Puppet Puppet is driving the movement to a world of unconstrained software change. Its revolutionary platform is the industry standard for automating the delivery and operation of the software that powers everything around us. More than 40,000 companies including 75 percent of the Fortune 100 use Puppets open source and commercial solutions to adopt DevOps practices, achieve situational awareness and drive software change with confidence. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Puppet is a privately held company with more than 500 employees around the world. Learn more at puppet.com. PR Contact Zibby Keaton pr@puppet.com 208-290-4853 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Several Premium .NYC (dot-nyc) Domain Names Are For Sale NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Streambank, a leading advisory firm specializing in the sale of intellectual property assets, is marketing for sale multiple premium domain names ending in ".NYC" (dot-nyc), including nightclub.nyc, concerttickets.nyc, apartmentlistings.nyc, carpark.nyc, sublets.nyc and hoteldeals.nyc. A .NYC (dot-nyc) web address represents the attitude, mindset, and behavior possessed by New Yorkers. It offers a unique opportunity to brand the owner's online identity and showcases the valuable New York City location. The premium domain names offered for sale provide companies with the chance to brand themselves utilizing the imprimatur of the biggest city in the U.S. According to Hilco Streambank Associate Ben Kaplan, "The .NYC (dot-nyc) domain name opportunity can help any business or brand stand out from the crowded '.COM' (dot-com) space. It is a great way to showcase your New York City pride." Parties interested in the domain name or learning more about the sale process should CLICK HERE or contact Hilco Streambank directly using the contact information provided below. Richelle Kalnit Senior Vice President rkalnit@hilcoglobal.com 212.993.7214 Ben Kaplan Associate bkaplan@hilcoglobal.com 646.651.1978 About Hilco Streambank: Hilco Streambank is a market leading advisory firm specializing in intellectual property disposition and valuation. Having completed numerous transactions including sales in publicly reported Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, private transactions, and online sales through IPv4Auctions.com, Hilco Streambank has established itself as the premier intermediary in the consumer brand, internet and telecom communities. Hilco Streambank is part of Northbrook, Illinois based Hilco Global, the world's leading authority on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization and advisory solutions to an international marketplace. Hilco Global operates more than twenty specialized business units offering services that include asset valuation and appraisal, retail and industrial inventory acquisition and disposition, real estate and strategic capital equity investments. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/several-premium-nyc-dot-nyc-domain-names-are-for-sale-300786058.html SOURCE Hilco Streambank [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] National Partnership Launches Training Initiative for Law Enforcement Executives & Managers Exploring, Evaluating and Implementing Advanced Technologies At the conclusion of a two-day Regional Information Sharing Summit hosted by the New Jersey State Police, the New York Police Department and many other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies spanning the I-95 Corridor, law enforcement leaders concluded that existing information technology continues to provide public safety advantages while emerging technologies hold incredible promise for future capabilities to prevent and effectively intervene against violent and serious crime and the networks that perpetrate such crime. During the Summit, a new national partnership among the IJIS Institute, the National Police Foundation, and the Center on Policing at Rutgers University was announced, offering a unique and customized training program for federal, state and local law enforcement executives, managers and staff who are seeking or implementing emerging and enhanced technologies in their agencies. The public safety community is often overwhelmed by the amount and sophistication of new technologies available to agencies, with developers and marketers promising the best and most advanced technologies available. Yet no formal training program to prepare executives for the process of sorting through the available technologies, selecting the most appropriate solutions, and effectively implementing the solution within the agency's existing environment and consistent with community norms and expectations is available specifically for law enforcement and public safety. "The exploding introduction of new technologies in policing makes it very difficult for police executives to know what a given technology can do to improve operations and what pitfalls should be avoided," said Ashwini Jarral, Executive Director of the IJIS institute. "This training program offers practical advice on selecting and managing technology implementation." The partnership will launch with an inaugural seminar entitled "The Promises & Perils of Law Enforcement Information Technologies." The two-day executive seminar offers case-studies on current and emerging information technologies and the benefits and challenges that such technologies may bring. The seminar will emphasize lessons learned in harnessing the benefits of such technologies and mitigating the risks through proven strategies and strong project management and planning. "Police executives and other staff overseeing the selection and implementation of new technologies in law enforcement can learn from the valuable lessons of others, including their successes and failures," said Tom O'Reilly of th Center on Policing at Rutgers University. Seminar topics include the discussion of justifying the adoption of new technologies, developing community support and acceptance, privacy concerns and safeguarding strategies, managing the acquisition of technology, measuring benefits, risk management, developing policies on the use of data, and more. Participants will also learn about the current and coming state of the art of police information technology. The sponsoring partners will also be offering a course for senior managers responsible for implementing information technologies in law enforcement concentrating on best practices for managing implementation of advanced technologies. A third course will be offered for project managers. Additional courses on related topics are being considered. Technologies discussed include CAD & RMS Systems, Predictive Policing Solutions, Body Worn Cameras, License Plate Readers, Gunshot Detection and other Sensor Technologies, Early Intervention Systems, Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence, Communications technologies including NG911 and FirstNet-related capabilities. The seminar aims to enhance skills among law enforcement decision makers and planners that will enable them to independently consider what technology is actually needed versus desired, understanding solution and project scope and rightsizing and the implications this may have for cost, complexity and the likelihood of success, understanding basic information technologies and concepts and thinking forward about how the solutions may impact agency operations and the community perceptions, including privacy and civil liberty impacts. "As has been said before, we cannot allow technology to happen to us and this is particularly true in policing and public safety where the needs are great, but the risks may in some cases be even greater," said Jim Burch, Interim President of the National Police Foundation. "Selecting and implementing new technology in law enforcement deserves and requires unique considerations, not the least of which is the impact on officers and the community." Additional courses in Emerging Law Enforcement Information Technology and Law Enforcement Technology Project Management will be offered in 2019. Those completing the courses will receive a certificate and continuing education credits from Rutgers. Agencies interested in receiving more information on this training initiative can sign up here. Background: The IJIS Institute is a nonprofit alliance working to promote and enable technology in the public sector and expand the use of information to maximize safety, efficiency, and productivity. IJIS has members and associates working within and across several major public-sector domains as our areas of focus: Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement, Corrections, Courts), Public Safety (Fire, EMS, Emergency Management), Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. The IJIS Institute brings together the innovative thinking of the private sector and the practitioners, national practice associations, and academic organizations that are working to solve public sector information and technology challenges. Founded in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the IJIS Institute includes member companies and individual associates from government, nonprofit, and educational institutions from across the United States. For more information, visit our website at: http://www.ijis.org/ and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @ijisinstitute. The Center on Policing (COP), formerly known as the Police Institute, was founded by Dr. George Kelling in 2001. Our Center is composed of individuals with a broad range of experience in the public safety arena. The COP's mission is to integrate research and evidence-based best practices into police operations, violence reduction, problem-solving, community policing, education, training, and the development of criminal justice policy and practice. The center will achieve its goals by focusing on the following three areas: Research, Technology, and Education & Technical Assistance. The National Police Foundation is a U.S.-based, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policing through innovation and science. For nearly 50 years, the Police Foundation has conducted research, provided training and technical assistance, and has led the way in promoting and sharing evidence-based practices and innovation among law enforcement in the U.S. and internationally. The National Police Foundation is conducting research on the perceptions of police officers regarding available and needed technologies and their impacts and has recently completed a study on law enforcement units and operations related to unmanned aerial systems. In recent years, the National Police Foundation has initiated efforts to engage law enforcement agencies in assessing the privacy impacts of surveillance systems, promoted the use of open data and transparency in law enforcement, and examined the potential impacts of autonomous vehicles and robotics in policing. For more information on the National Police Foundation, please visit www.policefoundation.org or contact the Foundation at info@policefoundation.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005707/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Eversheds Sutherland (US) deploys HighQ's collaboration software to provide attorneys, clients with industry-leading tech tools LONDON, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HighQ is pleased to announce that Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP has adopted the HighQ platform to enhance the way they deliver legal services to clients around the globe. Eversheds Sutherland is equipping attorneys, staff and clients with the HighQ platform to improve collaboration, productivity and communication firmwide. Eversheds Sutherland was recognised by BTI Consulting Group as one of the top 20 law firms in the United States for technology in its 2019 Legal Innovation and Technology Outlook report. We want to be the legal practice that comes to mind when clients think about leveraging technology to the fullest extent, said Jeff Kirksey, director of legal technology for Eversheds Sutherland (US). As we build a technology roadmap that aligns with our clients needs, HighQ stood out as a highly recommended industry leader with exceptional expertise in security and support. In building its technology roadmap, Eversheds Sutherland evaluated a number of platforms but landed on the HighQ platform because it meets a variety of its objectives and represents a cost savings. Theres no reason to deploy multiple specialty products to handle a complex project when HighQ delivers the same high-level services in one platform, Kirksey said. We can take full advantage of HighQs capabilities to produce a cost-effective method to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the business and our clients in terms of collaboration, data visualisation, docment automation and more. Eversheds Sutherlands partnership with HighQ is part of the organisations broader commitment to provide quality, innovative and consistent legal services around the globe from its 68 offices in 34 countries. We are proud to partner with Eversheds Sutherland for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the fact that they are recognised as one of the worlds leaders in innovating the way in which legal services are delivered in todays technology-driven business environment, Don Fuchs, vice president of legal sales North America at HighQ said. We continue to be impressed by their creativity and commitment to integrating new technologies that not only meet but set the standard in our industry. About Eversheds Sutherland As a global top 15 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal services to a global client base ranging from small and mid-sized businesses to the largest multinationals, acting for 72 of the Fortune 100, 61 of the FTSE 100 and 120 of the Fortune 200. With more than 2,800 lawyers, Eversheds Sutherland operates in 68 offices in 34 jurisdictions across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. In addition, a network of more than 200 related law firms, including formalised alliances in Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa, provide support around the globe. Eversheds Sutherland provides the full range of legal services, including corporate and M&A; dispute resolution and litigation; energy and infrastructure; finance; human capital and labor law; intellectual property; real estate and construction; and tax. Eversheds Sutherland comprises two separate legal entities: Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (headquartered in the UK) and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP (headquartered in the US), and their respective controlled, managed, affiliated and member firms. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland is for description purposes only and does not imply that the member firms or their controlled, managed or affiliated entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. For more information, visit eversheds-sutherland.com. About HighQ HighQ empowers leading law firms and corporate legal teams to transform the way they work and deliver legal services. We unite internal and external teams with social collaboration, secure file sharing, project management, powerful integrations and more, improving data security, efficiency and productivity. Our platform is flexible and user-friendly; by continually offering innovative solutions for all areas of law, we keep our clients ahead in the evolving legal market. For more information, visit highq.com. Beau Wysong HighQ 913.998.6216 beau.wysong@highq.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] GTreasury Awarded Best Customer Experience in Treasury Technology GTreasury won Best Customer Experience in the 2018 Awards for Innovation and Excellence, hosted in London last week by Treasury Management International (TMI) magazine. The award recognizes GTreasury's superior customer service and the usability of its single SaaS (News - Alert) solution for treasury and risk management. "This award highlights the powerful experience that comes from GTreasury's long-standing commitment to both service and technology innovation," says Renaat Ver Eecke, GTreasury's Chief Executive Officer. "It underscores GTreasury's tenet of keeping clients at the center of our business. We are honored that the industry has recognized GTreasury's continuous delivery on this core principle." As TMI reports, "The judges praised the fact that GTreasury acts as a digital backbone for treasury, connecting different parts of the enterprise for the free ?ow of data and intelligence. The system's modular design and the GTreasury team's deep expertise were additional deciding factors." "We ere delighted to award GTreasury with Best Customer Experience in the Technology awards category, thanks to its service and its innovative integration with Visual Risk, which it acquired in April 2018," says TMI publisher Robin Page. "We were very impressed by the flexibility of its offering, which allows corporates to implement any combination of cash, payments and risk in one SaaS solution." TMI reported a record number of nominations and submissions for the TMI Awards for Innovation and Excellence across both bank, supplier and corporate categories. To find out more about GTreasury, please visit www.GTreasury.com or email Marketing@GTreasury.com. About GTreasury GTreasury is the leading innovator of integrated SaaS treasury and risk management solutions for the digital treasury organization. Using GTreasury's modern technology platform, treasury organizations can configure any combination of Cash Management, Payments, Financial Instruments, Accounting, Banking, Risk Management, and Hedge Accounting, in one, integrated SaaS solution. Having acquired Sydney-based Visual Risk, GTreasury's global footprint now spans North America, EMEA and APAC, with headquarters in Chicago. GTreasury is backed by San Francisco-based growth equity firm, Mainsail Partners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005688/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Pacific Sky Aviation Chooses Britannica's Fox Training Management System CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 29, 2019 /CNW/ -- Pacific Sky Aviation Inc. has purchased the Fox Training Management System by Britannica Knowledge Systems as its new cloud-based training management platform. Pacific Sky is a Transport Canada and EASA-approved provider of new pilot initial licensing and ratings as well as Multi-Engine, IFR and Twin Otter pilot training. Fox will help oversee pilot training at the Pacific Sky Flight Training Center in Calgary near the International Airport, Alberta, Canada for the Twin Otter and CL Water Bomber programs. "Pacific Sky is excited to introduce the Fox Training Management System into our operations," said Mauro Pezzetta, General Manager for Training & Simulation. "We were looking for one system to cover all our needs. The Fox Training Management System covers all of our operational requirements ranging from resource scheduling, scheduling management, pilot training records, qualification management and learning management systems. We look forward to working with the service excellence and professionalism that Britannica provides." Fox is recognized as the leading solution for large traiing operations, including American Airlines, ANA, Boeing, LATAM and United Airlines. Pacific Sky has access to the same comprehensive award-winning tools as these larger organizations, while capitalizing on Britannica's approach for smaller companies with scalable pricing, easy onboarding tools, and preconfigured, structured business process solutions. With Fox, Pacific Sky will be able to adeptly manage planning and scheduling, instructional devices and other training resources, instructors, qualifications, recordkeeping, training development, learning and testing, performance evaluation, and analytics. Pacific Sky instructors and evaluators will use the Fox Grading app to ensure training quality and maintain standards by capturing performance data, in real-time on mobile devices, both online and offline. About Britannica Knowledge Systems (www.britannica-ks.com) Britannica Knowledge Systems proactively develops visionary solutions to optimize training operations. The sophisticated algorithm-based Fox Training Management System, helps small to large and complex training organizations systemize processes, reduce costs, and improve throughput. About Pacific Sky Aviation (http://www.pacificsky.ca/) Pacific Sky Aviation is a privately held B.C. company with headquarters in Victoria and operations in Calgary, Alberta. For over 25 years, Pacific Sky has been a Transport Canada-approved provider of flight training, including initial licensing and ratings for new pilots, Multi-Engine and IFR Training. It now also provides advanced Twin Otter training for pilots throughout the world. SOURCE Britannica Knowledge Systems [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Project Onramp to Boost Diversity in Biotech and Tap New Talent With 50 Well-Paid Summer Positions For Students From Low-Income Backgrounds The leading life sciences organizations in Massachusetts today announced the start of Project Onramp, a new program that matches talented, first-generation students from low-income backgrounds with well-paid summer internships. The internships are intended to serve as a stepping-stone to a rewarding career for a talent pool that has typically had difficulty gaining access to the burgeoning life science industry. It will also help growing Massachusetts biotechnology companies fill the additional 12,000 positions estimated to be created by 2023. "Project Onramp is a prime example of how we can find innovative solutions to problems when industry and government come together," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "This program will build on our goal of promoting workforce training and investing in the skills of Massachusetts works and I look forward to seeing its progress." Project Onramp is sponsored by four organizations that work to build the industry in Massachusetts and maximize its positive impact on the community: MassBio, MassBioEd, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and Life Science Cares. David Lucchino, chairman of MassBio and CEO of Frequency Therapeutics, said, "For students seeking a career in the life sciences, there is nothing as effective as an internship at a local biotech company. But at many companies, internships go unpublicized and are reserved for those with personal connections. Project Onramp will break down those barriers and enable a new, diverse group of young people to contribute to the important work we're doing in Massachusetts." The press conference was held at Framingham State University, a leading member of the state's university system with a growing life sciences program. Framingham State sophomore Cristina Foster of Dorchester, a 19-year-old majoring in biology and the first in her family to attend college, has been accepted into the program and will be matched with an internship for this summer. "I'm thrilled to be working in a Project Onramp internship this summer," said Foster. "This real-world experience will help me reach my goal of becoming a pediatrician." Bottom Line, a nonprofit that helps first-generation-to-college students from low-income backgrounds get into college, successfully graduate and find meaningful careers, will match students who are attending four-year colleges with summer internships of up to 12 weeks created by local biotechnology companies. The paid internships will include lab and scientific positions as well as business disciplines such as finance, human resources and marketing. Life sciences companies that want to participate in this transformative program can get more information and commitinternships to Project Onramp by visiting www.ProjectOnrampMA.com. "We've committed four internship slots for Summer 2019 to Project Onramp students," said Julie Campbell, Head of Diversity & Inclusion for North America at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which has several business units in Massachusetts. "We are eager to engage with passionate, talented young people who can contribute to our success while building their own futures in life sciences." About MassBio MassBio is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 that represents and provides services and support for the world's leading life sciences supercluster. MassBio is committed to advancing Massachusetts' leadership in the life sciences to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system and improve patient lives. Representing 1,100+ biotechnology companies, academic institutions, disease foundations and other organizations involved in life sciences and healthcare, MassBio leverages its unparalleled network of innovative companies and industry thought leaders to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs, events, industry information, and services. Learn more at https://www.massbio.org/. About MassBioEd MassBioEd's mission is to build a sustainable life sciences workforce in the region through educational programs that inspire and propel students, engage and excite teachers, and illuminate the pathway from the classroom to careers. MassBioEd serves the region through programs focused on training high school educators, exposing students to the college and career opportunities within the life sciences, providing industry and higher education with job trends analysis, and advancing the discussion between community colleges, universities, and employers. Learn more at https://www.massbioed.org/. About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development and investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world. Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research & development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics, and digital health. Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed more than $677 million in Massachusetts. More at http://www.masslifesciences.com/. About Life Science Cares Life Science Cares SM is a collective effort of the life science industry to eliminate the impact of poverty on our neighbors in the greater Boston area. Through uniting the human and financial resources of life science companies and industry leaders, we support service organizations that do the best work in fighting poverty in our community. Learn more at http://lifesciencecares.org/. About Bottom Line Bottom Line helps low-income and first-generation-to-college students get to and through college. This nationally recognized nonprofit is committed to building strong connections with our students, providing them with individual support, and ensuring they have the guidance they need to persist and earn a college degree. Learn more at http://www.bottomline.org/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005220/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] FogHorn and Saudi Aramco to Present Industrial Edge Condition Monitoring Using Video-based Analytics and Machine Learning at the ARC Industry Forum SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FogHorn , a leading developer of edge intelligence software for industrial and commercial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, today announced that CTO Sastry Malladi, will be a panelist for the session Machine Learning in the Real World, joining Eyad Buhulaiga, head of the Jazan Refinery Complex Integrated Manufacturing Operations Management System (imoms) Project team at Saudi Aramco, at the 23rd Annual ARC Industry Forum on Tuesday, February 5 at 4:00 p.m. in Orlando, FL. Sastry Maladi, CTO at FogHorn, will present a panel, Machine Learning in the Real World, at the ARC Forum with Saudi Aramco to showcase insights into the drivers, solution and benefits of real-time edge intelligence for flare stack monitoring. Saudi Aramco, a leading producer of the energy and chemicals that drive global comerce and enhance the daily lives of people around the globe, and FogHorn will discuss how edge computing, real-time analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are driving enhanced industrial performance in expected and unexpected ways for a variety of real-world, industrial use cases. The panel will be moderated by Valentijn de Leeuw, Vice President, ARC Advisory Group, and will include other speakers on real world machine learning use cases in industrial organizations. During the panel, Saudi Aramco and FogHorn will discuss the use case of flare stack monitoring in a gas refinery. The discussion will break down the challenges Saudi Aramco faces with flare stack monitoring, including the number of stacks monitored, limited communications and compute resources, environmental and regulatory compliance and maintenance costs. The session will also share lessons learned to date, and the potential benefits edge-based analytics, AI and ML technologies offer to improve operational efficiencies, lower maintenance costs, enhance compliance-related activities and improve safety. Last year a significant number of industrial organizations moved their Industrial IoT pilots into full-scale production, and we experienced a remarkable year for edge computing analytics and machine learning deployments, said FogHorn CTO Sastry Malladi. I look forward to joining Saudi Aramco and fellow experts to discuss the tremendous potential real-time edge intelligence offers industrial organizations to tap into the power of their data and unlock its true potential for significant business results. More information about FogHorns participation at the ARC Industry Forum is available at https://www.arcweb.com/events/arc-industry-forum-orlando . To learn more about FogHorn, visit www.foghorn.io . About FogHorn FogHorn is a leading developer of edge intelligence software for industrial and commercial IoT application solutions. FogHorns software platform brings the power of advanced analytics and machine learning to the on-premises edge environment enabling a new class of applications for advanced monitoring and diagnostics, machine performance optimization, proactive maintenance and operational intelligence use cases. FogHorns technology is ideally suited for OEMs, systems integrators and end customers in manufacturing, power and water, oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, transportation, healthcare, retail, as well as Smart Grid, Smart City, Smart Building and connected vehicle applications. FogHorn and Lightning are trademarks of FogHorn Systems. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Media Contact Kyra Tillmans ktillmans@10fold.com +1 925-271-8214 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31bd2693-c77f-4326-9d98-ac27793f2b4d [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] 12 ReTech Corporation Signs Agreement With Jelmoli, Switzerland's Leading Premium Department Store To Use 12Sconti. Las Vegas, NV, Hong Kong & Zurich, CH, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 12 ReTech Corporation (OTC: RETC) announced that Jelmoli, (House of Brands) of Zurich, Switzerland will become the newest merchant to be added to the 12Sconti APP network. Jelmoli premium department store - Switzerland The 12Sconti APP helps to solve a major problem for food and grocery merchants. The waste of perishable goods is a continuous problem for merchants in the developed world. The 12Sconti APP advances the dialogue on how to deal with it by allowing retailers to discount, on an hour by hour basis, foodstuffs and other perishable products like flowers, which otherwise would need to be disposed of as waste or recycled as agricultural compost. Using the mobile-app, a merchant will be able to attract a wide social-economic demographic of consumers who might want to purchase soon to expire products at a substantial discount. In the long term, the APP could also be used as a tool for pre-orders, which will help merchants customize their supply chain resulting in more efficient resource management. Jelmoli is the largest premium department store in Switzerland, founded in Zurich 185 years in ago. It is known as the House of Brands in its luxury goods department store business. Located at the Bahnhofstrasse, a world famous up-scale shopping area in Zurich, Jelmolis Food Market is well known for its high-quality products and excellent services. Angelo Ponzetta, CEO of 12 ReTech commented, We are very excited that one of Zurichs most prestigious retailers and Switzerlands biggest premium department store is joining the growing ranks of 12 ReTech merchant clients. Their participation is a major breakthrough for our 12Sconti APP network. Up until now, the merchants using 12Sconti have enjoyed mixed success in getting their clients to download the APP to their mobile phones. A major retailer such as Jelmoli, with millions of consumers in their database, is a huge win for us. Jelmoli will use the 12Sonti APP to communicate time-sensitive marketing messages to their clientele to stimulate sales of perishable products in their Food Market and restaurant. Franco Savastano, CEO of Jelmoli commented, Jelmoli is constantly working to develop its premium position and to optimize the high-quality environment. Collaborating with 12Sconti APP is part of our strategy to address new consumers in order to meet our sustainability goals. I believe that our customers will find the 12Sconti APP intuitively easy to use and a valuable and convenient tool to find offers on products and services that we will update on a regular basis. We look forward to reaching out to our existing as well as new customers and to be able to sell perishable goods in a timely manner. Thierry Bromberger, Head of the Food Market & Gastronomie within Jelmoli commented "Mit dem 12Sconti App konnen wir ein nachhaltig orientiertes und preisaffines Publikum ansprechen und gleichzeitig Food Waste reduzieren. Dies ist ganz im Sinne von Jelmolis Nachhaltigkeits-Strategie. Jelmoli freut sich, als erster Retailer an Board dieser innovativen App zu sein. Mr. Brombergers comments translated into English: With the 12Sconti App, we can appeal to a sustainability- oriented and price-conscious clientele while reducing food waste. This is in the spirit of Jelmoli's sustainability strategy. Jelmoli is pleased to be the first retailer on board this innovative app. Mr. Ponzetta concluded, "The launch of the 12Sconti APP is the first step in our plans to help retailers increase the number of shoppers in their stores while solving various problems faced by perishable goods vendors around the globe. We also think that Jelmoli will take a close look at our 12 Technology Suite in the future as we can provide a positive value proposition for their luxury goods business." About Jelmoli: With a history dating back to 1833, Switzerlands leading premium department store offers exclusive international and Swiss brands on six floors. Over 2 million items from more than 1?000 brands are displayed for a diverse and demanding clientele on around 24 000 square meters of space divided across the six stories. Over 1?000 qualified employees create an atmosphere of well-being, high-quality advice and a positive shopping experience. About 12 ReTech Corporation: At our core, we are a software company whose technology allows retailers to combat the dual threats of Walmart and Amazon both online and in physical stores. Our microbrand rollup acquisition strategy allows us to demonstrate the effectiveness of our software, devise and test new products, while providing shareholder value through immediate revenue and earnings growth. The Company operates through our subsidiaries on three continents: 12 Hong Kong, Ltd., 12 Japan, Ltd., 12 Europe A.G., 12 Retail Corporation (and its subsidiary in North America, E-Motion Apparel, Inc.). For more information please visit our website at www.12ReTech.com. 12 ReTech Corporation is publicly listed on the OTC Markets under the symbol RETC. Safe Harbor: This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its turnaround strategy, changes in costs of raw materials, labor, and employee benefits, as well as general market conditions, competition and pricing. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this letter will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. In assessing forward-looking statements included herein, readers are urged to carefully read those statements. When used in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words "estimate," "anticipate," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions are intended to be forward-looking statements. Investor Relations Contacts: Mark Gilbert Magellan FIN, LLC mgilbert@magellanfin.com 317-361-2392 (USA) Attachment 12 Retech Corporation agreement with Jelmoli [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Record-breaking Acumatica Summit Features 2019 R1 Release and Futuristic Demos HOUSTON, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Acumatica, the world's fastest-growing cloud ERP company, today announced the beta release of its newest product, Acumatica 2019 R1, on the second day of its record-breaking Acumatica Summit. Chief Product Officer Ali Jani delivered the keynote, outlining the Acumatica product roadmap and user feedback mechanisms that guide development priorities. The company then unveiled a multitude of 2019 R1 demos highlighting product advances in usability, order management & inventory, financials, project accounting, and CRM. Industry-specific features and improvements were announced for Construction Edition, Manufacturing Edition, and Field Service Edition. Finally, the morning was rounded out by demonstrations of natural language search, machine learning, and workflow automation. "We've continued to listen to feedback from our customers and partners since the release of 2018 R2 last fall, resulting in continuous refinement and improvement of Acumatica's cloud ERP offerings," said Jon Roskill, CEO, Acumatica. "This product release of 2019 R1 continues our independently-recognized industry leadership in usability and custome satisfaction across multiple business sectors." The announcement of the Acumatica Alexa for Business skill was among the day's highlights. Acumatica VP of Platform & Technology, Ajoy Krishnamoorthy, demonstrated the usefulness of voice activated scenarios in business that Alexa for Business can fulfill, from looking up inventory, opportunities, and contacts to approving expense claims. It was clear from the audience response that Natural Language input to retrieve or insert data into an ERP system could improve end-user productivity. Another announcement of interest was The Acumatica Cloud ERP Connector for Microsoft Flow. It allows employees to create and automate workflows and tasks across their favorite applications and services, sync files, get notifications, collect data, and much more, all without the assistance of developers. A preview of Acumatica work in the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence fields was demonstrated that utilized Google Cloud Vision Product Search to lookup common items (in this case a pair of shoes) through a smartphone camera. Particularly in manufacturing and field service scenarios, this functionality holds great promise when searching for the right ingredient, component, or replacement part. This year's annual Acumatica Summit realized a record attendance of more than 1,500 customer, partner, media and analyst participants. About Acumatica Acumatica's cloud-based business management software provides the best path for transforming your business to thrive in the new digital economy. Built on cloud and mobile technology and a unique customer-centric licensing model, Acumatica delivers a suite of fully integrated business management applications, such as Financials, Distribution, CRM, Project Accounting, and Construction Edition on a robust and flexible platform. For more information, visit www.acumatica.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/record-breaking-acumatica-summit-features-2019-r1-release-and-futuristic-demos-300785820.html SOURCE Acumatica [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Market Trend Analysis: Identifying Potential Opportunities by Predicting Upcoming Trends in the Telecommunications Industry - a Report by Infiniti Research A renowned customer intelligence solutions provider, Infiniti Research, has recently announced the completion of their new market trend analysis engagement for a company in the telecommunications industry. The study highlights how understanding past market behavior and expected future innovations through market trend analysis can help companies to collect relevant market data and predict the upcoming trends for 2019. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005627/en/ Market trend analysis engagement for a company in the telecommunications industry. (Graphic: Business Wire) With the rising opportunities for companies operating in the telecommunications industry and related market segments, the need to identify telecommunications industry trends has also increased significantly. Companies of today must capitalize on upcoming opportunities to sustain profitability. This compels them to leverage trend analysis methods and formulate an effective market trend analysis template. At present, companies in the telecom industry are required to make crucial decisions, possess in-depth knowledge of market trends, and key developments to stay competitive in the market. Get in touch with our experts and know how our market trend analysis template can help you address all such issues. The business challenge: The client is among the top five privately-held telecommunication companies in Berlin. The intensifying market competition was creating the need for the company to develop a market trend analysis report and predict the upcoming trends and opportunities for 2019. However, the company was facing difficulties in analyzing the past and current market behavior and dominant patterns of the market and consumers. The lack of relevant data regarding telecommunication industry trends and the adoption of technology was declining revenues for the company. They were not able to predict the future of telecommunications and adapt quickly to them. According to the experts at Infiniti Research, "Businesses are required to gain in-depth insights into- the current trends in the telecommunication industry, preferences of consumers, and the macroeconomic environment to predict the efficacy of their current business operations." Insufficient data and market knowledge can decline revenues of companies, significantly. Request a free proposal and know how trend analysis can help you access relevant market data. The solution offered: The experts at Infiniti Research helped the client to identify the dominant patterns of the market over time and devise an effective strategy that can analyze customer behavior. They evaluated the strategies of their competitors and determined possible areas that can help the client differentiate themselves by offering products and services that fill gaps that their competitors have not addressed. The market trend analysis template helped the company to reduce costs by implementing a flexible resource ramp-up or ramp-down strategies based on future business plans. It also helped the client to analyze their key performing areas that were underperforming and make well-informed decisions. Infiniti Research's market trend analysis template helped the client to: Determine consistent trends by comparing the company's current market behavior and dominant patterns of the market. Analyze key performing areas that were underperforming. Wondering how your business can adapt itself to the rapidly evolving telecom industry trends? Request more information from our experts! Infiniti Research's market trend analysis template offered predictive insights on: Gauging the future market potential and the company's market position. Mitigating challenges and devising effective strategies. Interested in achieving high growth for your business? Request a free proposal to know how market trend analysis can help you with the necessary insights. About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. To know more, visit:https://www.infinitiresearch.com/about-us View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005627/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] CipherTrace Research Shows $1.7 Billion in Cryptocurrency from 2018 Thefts and Exit Scams Needs Laundering New research released today in the CipherTrace 2018 Q4 Cryptocurrency Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Report reveals that $1.7 billion in cryptocurrency was stolen and scammed in 2018 - a dramatic rise in criminal activity despite a slump in the market. Criminals need to launder all these funds in order to cash out before a wave of regulations go into effect in 2019. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005618/en/ Theft from cryptocurrency exchanges accounted for the majority of the criminal activity: more than $950 million was stolen by hackers in 2018, representing 3.6 times more than in 2017. On top of these thefts, the research found investors and exchange users lost at least $725 million in cryptocurrency in 2018 to exit scams such as fraudulent ICOs, phony exchange hacks, and Ponzi schemes. A cryptocurrency exit scam is a confidence game where the promoters of a cryptocurrency ICO or other venture fails to execute - or executives of exchanges say they cannot return users' assets - and then abscond with the money. This finding indicates that a new breed of cybercriminals are shifting their techniques from hacking to insider jobs. Interestingly, even with the downturn in the prices of many cryptocurrencies, the total dollar value of tokens stolen and scammed was much higher in 2018 than 2017, which further points to the increase in security threats against exchanges and sophistication of online criminals. The report, which provides the industry's most in-depth state-of-the-market look at cryptocurrency crime and AML regulations by jurisdiction, outlines the impacts of the coming wave of global regulatory enforcement and emerging money laundering schemes. By 2020 most modern economies - including the US, EU and G20 as well as Gibraltar, Bermuda and Malta - will have deployed strict cryptocurrency AML and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. Cryptocurrency money laundering services are getting around these regulations by obscuring the original source of funds with new and innovative money mixers, unregulated crypto-to-exchanges, and privacy coins. "Cryptocurrency criminal activity continues to evolve and accelerate. Fortunately, pending lobal legislation will hamstring many criminals, global gangs, and terrorist groups by greatly reducing their opportunities to launder," commented Dave Jevans, CEO of CipherTrace and co-chair of the Cryptocurrency Working Group at the APWG.org. "These tough new laws will drive bad actors to not only innovate but also flock to jurisdictions with weak regulatory oversight, as we have shown in earlier research. CipherTrace's blockchain intelligence and anti-money laundering technology helps exchanges, financial services firms, regulators, and law enforcement work together to create trust in the crypto ecosystem." For the first time, CipherTrace has also identified the Top 10 Trending Crypto Threats, providing actionable threat intelligence for anyone dealing with cryptocurrency: SIM swapping: An identity theft technique that takes over a victim's mobile device to steal credentials and break into wallets or exchange accounts to steal cryptocurrency. Crypto dusting: A new form of blockchain spam that erodes the recipient's reputation by sending cryptocurrency from known money mixers. Sanction evasion: Nation states that use cryptocurrencies to circumvent sanctions and that has been promoted by the Iranian and Venezuelan governments. Next-generation crypto mixers: Money laundering services that promise to exchange tainted tokens for freshly mined crypto, but, in reality, cleanse cryptocurrency through exchanges. Shadow money service businesses (MSBs): Unlicensed MSBs that bank cryptocurrency without the knowledge of host financial institutions, thus exposing banks to unknown risk. Datacenter-scale cryptojacking: Takeover attacks that mine for cryptocurrency at a massive scale and that have been discovered in datacenters, including AWS. Lightning Network transactions: Enabling anonymous bitcoin transactions by going "off-chain" and now scaling to $2,150,000. Decentralized stable coins: Stabilized tokens that can be designed for use as hard-to-trace private coins. Email extortion and bomb threats: Mass-customized phishing email campaigns by cyber-extortionists using old passwords and spouse names and that demand bitcoin. Bomb threat extortion scams spiked in December. Crypto robbing ransomware: New malware distributed by cyber-extortionists that empties cryptocurrency wallets and steals private keys while holding user data hostage. To download the report, visit https://ciphertrace.com/crypto-aml-report-2018q4. About CipherTrace CipherTrace develops cryptocurrency Anti-Money Laundering, cryptocurrency forensics, and blockchain threat intelligence solutions. Leading exchanges, banks, investigators, regulators, and digital asset businesses use CipherTrace to trace transaction flows and comply with regulatory anti-money laundering requirements, fostering trust in the cryptocurrency economy. Its quarterly CipherTrace Cryptocurrency Anti-Money Laundering Report has become an authoritative industry data source. CipherTrace was founded in 2015 by experienced Silicon Valley entrepreneurs with deep expertise in cybersecurity, eCrime, payments, banking, encryption, and virtual currencies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology ( S&T (News - Alert) ) and DARPA initially funded CipherTrace, and it is backed by leading Silicon Valley venture capital investors. Visit www.ciphertrace.com for more information or follow the company on Twitter: @CipherTrace and LinkedIn (News - Alert) : /company/CipherTrace View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005618/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Q-SYS Core 110f Processor is Now Certified for Google Hangouts Meet Hardware Peripheral Qualification Program QSC is excited to announce a collaboration with Google (News - Alert) Cloud that allows Hangouts Meet hardware users to easily extend their video conference experience to larger, more complex meeting environments by taking advantage of the audio processing from the award-winning Q- SYS (News - Alert) Ecosystem. As part of this collaboration, the Q-SYS Core 110f processor is now certified for Hangouts Meet hardware solutions. This allows installers to integrate audio from Q-SYS Core 110f to Hangouts Meet hardware via a simple USB connection, giving it access to class-leading I/O count, software-based acoustic echo cancelation, room combining, and advanced EQ capabilities. "The flexibility of the Q-SYS Ecosystem is unlike anything on the market, and its IT-based design allows it to easily integrate with just about any of the latest meeting room technology, including popular web conference applications like Hangouts Meet," says Greg Mattson, QSC Product Manager for Q-SYS Control. "Our work with Q-SYS and Hangout Meet hardware is helping enterprises translate the ease and reliability of soft codec conferencing into these larger, challenging spaces like in open spaces for tech talks and extra-large meeting spaces. In addition, we are actively working on additional collaborations with Google Cloud to certify additional components of the Q-SYS audio, video, and control ecosystem that would further enrich the collaboration experience for Hangouts Meet in the future." At ISE 2019 in Amsterdam, QSC will showcase how Hangouts Meet hardware audio integrates with the Q-SYS Ecosystem at its stand 7-R200. For more information on QSC events at ISE, please visit: www.qsc.com/ise2019. To learn more about how Q-SYS enables Hangouts Meet hardware in larger spaces, please visit: www.qsc.com/google. High Resolution Images http://bit.ly/2DG4oPR About QSC Founded over five decades ago, QSC is a globally recognized leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of award-winning high-performance loudspeakers, digital mixers, power amplifiers, audio processors, digital cinema solutions, and the Q-SYS software-based audio, video, and control platform. Offering reliable, scalable, and flexible solutions for professional installed, portable, production, corporate, and cinema applications, QSC puts customers first with its highly acclaimed sales, service, and support networks worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005225/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Toshiba America Energy Systems Corporation Secures Long-Term Service Agreement for High Desert Power Project Toshiba (News - Alert) America Energy Systems Corporation (TAES) recently secured a Long-Term Service Agreement (LTSA) for work at the High Desert Power Project (HDPP), a combined-cycle power plant located in Southern California and owned by Middle River Power. "We are fully committed to ongoing support of the entire Toshiba fleet, and thrilled to have negotiated this mutually beneficial agreement at High Desert," said TAES Vice President of Thermal Services Lee Hietpas. "We look forward to continuing to partner with the customer to optimize the performance of the unit." "There are many benefits to entering into this arrangement with Toshiba," said Vice President of Operations Claude Couvillion, Middle River Power. "They have the technical expertise needed to help us ensure plant reliability and efficiency, and as the OEM for the unit can also respond quickly to eergent needs including the manufacturing and procurement of replacement parts." The twelve (12) year LTSA went into effect in January of 2019. The Agreement provides for turnkey support of planned maintenance outages, engineering support, plant optimization, parts, and scheduled and emergent technical support for High Desert's 323MW Toshiba Steam Turbine and Generator. About Toshiba America Energy Systems Corporation Toshiba America Energy Systems Corporation (TAES), headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a large manufacturing and service shop near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, provides turbine/generator equipment and services for the energy industry in the Americas, including thermal, hydro and nuclear power plants. Part of the Energy Systems & Solutions Company within Toshiba Corporation, TAES is proud to provide high-quality, reliable and cost-effective products and services that address current and future power generation needs. For more information, please visit http://www.toshiba.com/taes. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005620/en/ [January 29, 2019] Arch Insurance Names Eric Boquist EVP, Retail Energy Arch Insurance North America ("Arch") today announced that Eric Boquist has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Retail Energy, based in Houston, Texas. In this role, Mr. Boquist will lead a newly created business unit focused on providing comprehensive admitted middle market insurance solutions to energy companies in North America. The team will also bring together additional Arch specialty products to seamlessly meet the needs of energy clients and brokers. This unit will complement Arch's current energy offerings underwritten in the U.S., Bermuda and London and demonstrates the company's commitment to the energy sector. Mr. Boquist will report to Rich Stock, Chief Underriting Officer of Large Account Casualty and Surety. "Eric brings unparalleled industry knowledge and the experience necessary to forge this role at Arch," Mr. Stock said. "Under his leadership, we will continue to enhance our customer and producer value proposition in the energy market by leveraging Arch's broad suite of specialty line capabilities to expand our product." Mr. Boquist stated, "I'm excited to join the Arch team and look forward to leveraging Arch's capacity and broad capabilities to bring a dynamic range of products and ideas to an industry of critical importance to North America." Mr. Boquist joins Arch from Travelers, where he most recently served as President of Travelers' Oil & Gas unit in Houston. Prior to his time at Travelers, he held a number of senior insurance roles focused on the energy sector in the U.S. and European markets. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005548/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Hoivakoti Ulrika, a nursing home operated by the privately owned social and health care service provider in Kristiinankaupunki, Western Finland, was shut down temporarily due to a number of serious discrepancies and negligences on Thursday by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira). PRIME MINISTER Juha Sipila (Centre) has raised eyebrows with his remarks about newly publicised problems in the operations of Esperi Care. Sipila on Sunday told YLE that the fact that the supervisory authority intervened in the operations is an indication that supervision works in Finland. Ive also been informed that the company in question has admitted its mistakes and the pieces are therefore there for it to rectify its operations, he stated. Weve had quite a few [private] companies providing nursing and care services for decades in Finland. We have good experiences of them, [but] there are also bad experiences. Its clear that shortcomings must be addressed. Many opposition members and social and health care professionals have expressed their dismay at the remarks of the prime minister. Related posts: Valvira orders shutdown of a nursing home in Kristiinankaupunki (29 January, 2019) Hanna Jokinen, a member of the Finnish Union of Practical Nurses (Super), asked how can supervision work if there have been numerous complaints and a several-year wrangle over staffing requirements between Esperi Care and Valvira. How many more elderly people have to die before you understand the reality? she asked Sipila on Twitter. Several serious negligences are believed to have led to a death in Kristiinankaupunki. But Juha Sipila says the case shows that supervision is working. What on earth? commented Lauri Finer, a tax policy advisor for the Social Democrats. I wonder if its time to fess up about the problems of privatising social and health care services, added Finer. Tehy-lehti, the member publication of the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland (Tehy), reported last year that over half of the respondents to its member survey said understaffing is compromising patient safety at units operated by Esperi Care. Ghost employees, medicinal anomalies and violations of employment conditions were an everyday occurrence at the elderly care units of Esperi, it reported in early 2018. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi [January 29, 2019] A&W Restaurants Campaigns to Return Ampersand to Alphabet A&W Restaurants is only asking for one thing as it turns 100 this year: return the ampersand to the alphabet. The chain, with nearly 1,000 locations worldwide, is inviting people to sign a change.org petition asking major dictionaries, social media decision makers and whomever will listen to restore the ampersand to the alphabet, resulting in more practical digital usage. "The Internet has not been kind to this centuries-old symbol of unity," said Sarah Mueller, vice resident of Marketing, who noted the ampersand dates to 45 A.D. and once was the 27th letter of the alphabet. "Have you ever tried to use one in a hash tag (News - Alert) ? Or a URL? It doesn't work, which has become problematic for many brands." A&W identified thousands of other companies and organizations that likely experience ampersand dysfunction and would benefit from change. "We're doing this for everyone that loves the ampersand and all of the companies like ours that proudly display it in their names and logos," Mueller said. "Its exclusion has made all of our lives a little harder. 'AandW.com' is clunky and ugly. The Twitter (News - Alert) handle '@aandwrestaurants' looks ridiculous. '#A&W' is read by computers as just one lonely #A. Sometimes using an '&' just makes a lot more sense." To protest, A&W recently unveiled a new logo without the ampersand. Fans were quick to call out the change on social media, reacting with both intrigue and confusion. "It's time to restore the ampersand to the alphabet and practical use, and the change.org petition is our way of signaling this to the powers that be," Mueller added. "Our website home page will remain ampersand-free until we reach our goal of 10,000 petition signatures, until some dictionary somewhere hears our plea or until National Root Beer Float Day, August 6." The brand is promoting the campaign on social media using #BringBackThe&, which, obviously doesn't work (yet). America's first and oldest restaurant chain, A&W still makes Root Beer fresh in each restaurant from real cane sugar, water and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices and berries that are served in a frosty mug alongside burgers, fries, chicken tenders and other All American Food favorites. There are nearly 1,000 locations worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005308/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Convey Reports Record Revenue for Delivery Experience Management Solutions in 2018 Convey, the leading provider of delivery experience management software, today announced record results for 2018, including a 300 percent increase in year-over-year revenue. The company closed the year with 120 brands that used its software platform to manage more than 116 million shopper experiences, representing 4x growth in delivery exceptions resolved year-over-year. "The retail industry is undergoing seismic change around what it means to provide a positive last mile delivery experience in the Amazon era," said Rob Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Convey, Inc. "It takes a talented and dedicated group of people to recognize this challenge as an opportunity, and to help customers convert it into a powerful competitive advantage. I'm extremely proud of our achievements in 2018, paving the way for continued growth and momentum in 2019." Other Convey milestones for the year ending December 31, 2018 included: Revenues: 317 percent increase in year-over-year revenue. 317 percent increase in year-over-year revenue. Funding: $10 million in funding bringing Convey's total funding to $25.75 million. $10 million in funding bringing Convey's total funding to $25.75 million. Customers: 43 percent increase in customers, totaling 120 brands including 5 of the top 10 online US retailers; new wins include Eddie Bauer, Grove Collaborative, Brandless and Brooklinen. 43 percent increase in customers, totaling 120 brands including 5 of the top 10 online US retailers; new wins include Eddie Bauer, Grove Collaborative, Brandless and Brooklinen. Ecosystem: new partner program to help brands perfect last mile delivery and expand Convey's ecosystem of delivery experience management providers in order management, transportation management, flexible warehousing, distributed commerce and more; inaugural members include leading carriers (EFW, Metropolitan), systems integrators and supply chain consultants (Sedlak), and best-in-class technology providers (Manhattan, Magento, FLEXE, ShipHawk). new partner program to help brands perfect last mile delivery and expand Convey's ecosystem of delivery experience management providers in order management, transportation management, flexible warehousing, distributed commerce and more; inaugural members include leading carriers (EFW, Metropolitan), systems integrators and supply chain consultants (Sedlak), and best-in-class technology providers (Manhattan, Magento, FLEXE, ShipHawk). Products: continuous improvements to Convey's delivery experience management platform, including: Delivery appointment scheduling that simplifies and improves the experience of scheduling large-item delivery for eCommerce shoppers while reducing operational costs. Early adopters have seen upwards of 47% improvement in transit time and 2.6x improvement in appointment booking speed, directly impacting customer satisfaction and retention. Case Management for improved retailer and carrier collaboration resulting in more customer promises met or exceeded. Beta users have seen 4x faster issue resolution, improving outcomes and reducing costs. Integration of customer data to fuel personalized delivery experiences, such as when a brand might choose to expedite delivery of VIP orders or tailor in-transit messaging based on Convey segmentation data. Continued investment in insights and business intelligence to help fuel clients' strategic decisions around network design and the delivery experience. Support for global customers including language localization and the addition of new international carriers. continuous improvements to Convey's delivery experience management platform, including: Accolades: recognition in two leading industry analyst reports including: IDC Innovators: Geospatial Traceability and Analytics in Supply Chain; and Gartner's Market Guide for Real-Time Visibility Providers. recognition in two leading industry analyst reports including: IDC Innovators: Geospatial Traceability and Analytics in Supply Chain; and Gartner's Market Guide for Real-Time Visibility Providers. Awards: industry awards for several Convey customers and their projects, including: SDCE 100 (Uncommon Goods); SDCE Pros to Know (Family Leisure), and Retail Information Systems' IT Pacesetters (Icon Fitness). industry awards for several Convey customers and their projects, including: (Uncommon Goods); (Family Leisure), and (Icon Fitness). Team Growth: 90 percent growth across US and European operations, including key leadership hires in marketing, business development and human resources, and the addition of tech industry powerhouse Lynn Atchison to Convey's board of directors, where she will leverage her deep experience as past CFO of Spredfast, Vice Chair/Board Member of the Austin Technology Council, CFO of HomeAway and CFO of Hoovers, among others. getconvey.com/about-convey/careers/. About Convey With delivery expectations skyrocketing, brands cannot leave the critical last mile to chance. Convey's Delivery Experience Management platform combines real-time visibility, post-purchase experiences, and advanced insights and analytics to create a solution uniquely capable of perfecting last mile delivery. Supply chain and customer experience leaders including Neiman Marcus, Jet.com and Eddie Bauer rely on Convey's software and expertise to take action to ensure shoppers get their orders how and when they want, resulting in happier, loyal customers and a lower cost to serve. Founded in 2013, Convey is backed by Silverton Partners, Techstars Venture Group, RPM Ventures and based in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Convey at: www.getconvey.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005247/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Instem Reports Strong Demand for SEND Data Visualization Software in Preclinical Market Instem, a leading provider of IT solutions to the global life sciences market, is pleased to announce increased demand for its SEND Explorer software solution. SEND Explorer is an intuitive, web-based application that provides advanced single and multi-study visualization and analysis capabilities for nonclinical study data in SEND (Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data) format. As organizations look to realize additional value, beyond regulatory compliance, from their SEND data, the ability to produce informative visualizations that support study and submission level decisions becomes vital. Standardized data allows customers to easily compare data originating from different sources, be it studies, systems or organizations. Previously, this was only possible in the realms of very expensive data warehousing and associated data mining tools, or through time consuming, manual efforts. Now, using SEND Explorer, scientists and collaborators are realizing significant time and quality-related benefits when searching for patterns and trends across a study or entire program, easing the process to prepare for NDA and IND filings, mergers and acquisitions, and responding to inquiries from regulatory agencies. Instem additionally offers SEND Explorer Warehouse, a variant that extends the capabilities, allowing data sources other than SEND to be integrated and available for querying and analysis. "As the industry generates higher volumes of SEND datasets, we are seeing a significant demand for SEND Explorer from a wide variety of organizations across the globe," comments Gary Mitchell, Vice President Global Marketing at Instem. "Scientists using SEND Explorer are excited to see their data presented using new and insightful visualizations generated within minutes, which previously took days or weeks to create. We're very pleased to provide our customers with new and quicker ways of identifying relationships and trends in their toxicology data." For additional information and to learn how SEND Explorer can help your organization capitalize on your SEND datasets, download the SEND Explorer Factsheet or contact Instem to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation conference call and/or demo. About Instem Instem is a global provider of leading software solutions and services that are helping over 500 clients bring their life enhancing products to market faster. We enable clients in the life sciences to more efficiently collect, analyze, report and submit high quality regulatory data, while maintaining compliance for their products around the world. Instem solutions are in use by customers worldwide, meeting the rapidly expanding needs of life science and healthcare organizations for data-driven decision making, leading to safer, more effective products. Instem supports its global roster of clients through offices in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, China and India. http://www.linkedin.com/company/instem/ https://www.facebook.com/Instem.software https://twitter.com/Instemsoftware View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005068/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Madison Reed Secures $51 Million in Series D Financing SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Reed , a prestige hair color brand, today announced a growth capital raise of $51 million spearheaded by existing investors: Norwest Venture Partners and True Partners led the round, with participation from Comcast Ventures. New investor Meaningful Partners also joined the Series D funding. The investment will enable Madison Reed recipient of a 2018 Allure Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award to accelerate the expansion of its omnichannel strategy: Online: Madison Reed plans to expand its suite of proprietary hair colors, introduce new products, utilize television advertising as a new customer acquisition channel, and build upon its reputation as a beauty innovator by unveiling new technology. Madison Reed plans to expand its suite of proprietary hair colors, introduce new products, utilize television advertising as a new customer acquisition channel, and build upon its reputation as a beauty innovator by unveiling new technology. Retail : Madison Reed Color Bars are a brick-and-mortar manifestation of the company's online experience, where professionals apply the company's formula in a fast and affordable setting. Currently, six Color Bars are open in New York City and San Francisco . That number will grow to 40 locations nationwide by the end of 2020. : are a brick-and-mortar manifestation of the company's online experience, where professionals apply the company's formula in a fast and affordable setting. Currently, six Color Bars are open in and . That number will grow to 40 locations nationwide by the end of 2020. Wholesale: After two years of successful collaboration, Madison Reed is pleased to announce that it now has an exclusive partnership with Ulta Beauty, both online and in stores. To join her at the helm, Madison Reed CEO and Founder Amy Errett has chosen two veteran executives with expertise at rapid expansion and strategic growth initiatives: Brian Bouma is Madison Reed's first-ever Chief Operating Officer. Over the course of his career, Bouma has operated companies that sold for a combined $1.9 billion . While serving as president of 24-Hour Fitness, the fitness chain opened or acquired more than 00 locations nationwide and grew to 15,000 employees. He also served on the board of One Medical for six years. is Madison Reed's first-ever Chief Operating Officer. Over the course of his career, Bouma has operated companies that sold for a combined . While serving as president of 24-Hour Fitness, the fitness chain opened or acquired more than 00 locations nationwide and grew to 15,000 employees. He also served on the board of One Medical for six years. Carrie Kalinowski is Madison Reed's new Chief Financial Officer. Previously Kalinowski was CFO of NatureBox, where she played a critical role in scaling operations and achieving more than 100% annual revenue growth. During her earlier tenure at Silver Spring Networks, Kalinowski was instrumental in growing the networking company from early stage through a successful initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. Amy Errett . "Our goal is to meet the needs of our customers wherever it is most convenient for them, be that at home, in our Color Bars or at a top beauty retailer such as Ulta. We are truly channel agnostic, which is a first for the hair color industry, as is our creation of a prestige hair color sold directly to consumers." "Madison Reed's omnichannel strategy makes them one of the most exciting brands in beauty, and we are proud to be their partner," said Jeff Crowe, managing partner at Norwest Venture Partners. "Amy has turned her vision for Madison Reed into a nationwide phenomenon and now leads the hair color sector in innovation and growth." "It's our pleasure to continue to support the Madison Reed team, Amy, and her world-class leadership team as they expand the brand's offerings and open the doors to additional Color Bars across the country," said Jon Callaghan, co-founder of True Ventures. "Next-generation brands like Madison Reed inspire a new kind of relationship between consumer and brand, and are redefining what is possible in large categories like beauty. We're thrilled for Amy and the entire crew at Madison Reed as they uplevel, yet again." About Madison Reed: Madison Reed is a beauty company revolutionizing the way women color their hair. The fast-growing startup has created a luxurious, prestige, hair color formula made with ingredients you can feel good about. For those who prefer to color their hair at home, Madison Reed uses proprietary color-matching technology and a team of professional, on-call colorists to help women choose the perfect shade of hair color, which is delivered to their door for under $25. For women who prefer to have Madison Reed color applied with the help of a professional, Madison Reed Color Bars are open in six locations in New York City and San Francisco with more coming soon. Products can be found online at www.madison-reed.com and www.ulta.com , or in store at Ulta Beauty and Madison Reed Color Bars. Click here for digital assets including video and photography. Media Contact: Nora Murray 419.250.0016 208469@email4pr.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/madison-reed-secures-51-million-in-series-d-financing-300785731.html SOURCE Madison Reed [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Orlando Health increases efforts to combat opioid abuse with Collective Medical's "EDie" ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Orlando Health is rolling out a new weapon in the war on opioid abuse. Its name is EDie, a software application that uses risk analytics, data feeds, shared care guidelines and real-time notifications to help care teams identify and support patients at risk of opioid use disorder and those exhibiting opioid seeking behavior. "Orlando Health is committed to doing all we can to combat the opioid epidemic in our region and throughout the state," said Joshua G. Briscoe, MD, FACEP, Medical Director of IT Innovation, Virtual care, and Clinical Informatics for Orlando Health and a practicing emergency medicine physician. "In the emergency department, we regularly witness the devastation to patients and their families caused by opioid abuse. We believe the EDie program will be instrumental in helping all clinicians recognize patients who may be addicted to opioids, thereby enabling us to better assist them in getting the help they need." The EDie application was created by Collective Medical, a technology company that provides a collaborative care management platform for healthcare organizations throughout the U.S. In addition to helping identify patients at risk of opioid abuse, the platform can also help clinicians recognize patients with behavioral health concerns, those who are potential readmissions, and connect hospitals directly to post-acute providers such as skilled nursing facilities facilitating seamless transitions of care between acute and post-acute settings. Using the consolidated details provided by Collective regarding the patient's treatment plan, prescription history, relevant health history, and social determinants, healthcare providers will have the ability to use this data to make more informed real time decisions, ultimately leading to better patient care and outcomes. The Collective Platform has been recognized by the American College of Emergency Physicians as a best practice. It has also been endorsed by the Florida Hospital Association, which is actively promoting a membershipwide quality initiative predicated on the adoption of the Collective Medical platform. "We're so excited to partner with Orlando Health as the first of many leading health systems across Florida actively working to join the Collective Network and collaborate with one another," said Chris Klomp, CEO of Collective Medical. "Collective enables care teams to identify and collaborate on the most complex patients as they move across the care continuum and between different facilities, supporting improved outcomes such as reduced avoidable readmissions. We're excited for Orlando Health to become a part of this movement, joining the tens of thousands of providers nationally across hospitals, accountable care organizations, post-acute facilities, physician practices and behavioral health providers on the Collective Network." The Collective Platform and EDie application can be integrated with the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), a state-wide initiative created to encourage safer prescribing of controlled medications in an effort to curb drug misuse and abuse. Orlando Health expects to officially launch EDie in early spring 2019. About Orlando Health Orlando Health is a $3.4 billion not-for-profit healthcare organization and a community-based network of hospitals, physician practices and outpatient care centers across Central Florida. The organization is home to the area's only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics, and is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals. More than 2,900 physicians have privileges across the system, which is also one of the area's largest employers with more than 20,000 employees who serve more than 112,000 inpatients, more than 2.4 million outpatients, and more than 10,000 international patients each year. Additionally, Orlando Health provides more than $450 million in total value to the community in the form of charity care, community benefit programs and services, community building activities and more. Additional information can be found at www.orlandohealth.com. About Collective Medical Collective Medical empowers care teams to improve patient outcomes by closing the communication gaps that undermine patient care. With a nationwide network engaged with every national health plan in the country, hundreds of hospitals and health systems, and tens of thousands of providers, Collective's system-agnostic platform is trusted by care teams to identify at-risk and complex patients and facilitate actionable collaboration to make better care decisions and improve outcomes. Based in Salt Lake City, Collective is proven to streamline transitions of care, improve coordination across diverse care teams, and reduce medically unnecessary hospital admissions. Learn more at www.collectivemedical.com and Twitter , Facebook , and LinkedIn . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orlando-health-increases-efforts-to-combat-opioid-abuse-with-collective-medicals-edie-300785805.html SOURCE Orlando Health [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Prince William County Congratulates Woodbridge-based TechAnax on 2018 Achievements Prince William County Department of Economic Development congratulates TechAnax LLC, a Serviced Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) professional services firm, on its business innovation and achievements in 2018. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005029/en/ Prince William County-based TechAnax LLC's focus on delivering quality solutions and building customer relationships propelled the company into the Top #25 Inc. 5000 and achieved recognition as one of Washington Technology's Fast 50 and Washington Business Journal's 2nd Fastest Growing Company in Greater Washington in 2018. (Photo: Business Wire) For the second year in a row, TechAnax was recognized by Inc 5000. The company climbed to the #22 spot in the Top 25 Inc 5000 businesses in America, edging up from #29 in 2017, with a 4-year growth rate of 9,508%. TechAnax was also ranked 2nd out of the 290 Virginia companies that made the list. "We applaud innovators of business and congratulate all those involved in the company's success," said Chris Price, Prince William County Deputy County Executive and Interim Executive Director, Department of Economic Development. "National recognition, as well as recognition right here in Greater Washington, is a testament to successful enterprise growth in Prince William County and underscores the advantages of doing business here." "In short, 2018 can be summed up as unbelievable for TechAnax," share Byron Athan, Chief Executive Officer, TechAnax. "We have seen tremendous growth and fantastic numbers, which have occurred thanks to our dedicated Prince William County-based workforce delivering quality solutions and building customer relationships." TechAnax, was also recognized as the 2nd Fastest Growing Company in Greater Washington in 2018, by the Washington Business Journal. In order to qualify, each company had to be headquartered in Greater Washington, as well as be privately and independently owned. Companies also had to achieve revenue growth each year between 2015 and 2017, with revenue of at least $2 million in 2015, and at least $10 million in 2017. Seventy-five businesses were ranked by the average percentage growth in revenue over the three-year period, according to the Washington Business Journal. Prior to this, TechAnax achieved 4th place as one of the Washington Technology Fast 50 in which, Washington Technology ranked the fastest-growing small businesses in the government market, according to compound annual growth rate from 2013 through 2017. To locate or expand your business in Prince William County visit www.pwcecondev.org or connect with us via 1-703-792-5500, Email, E-Newsletter, Twitter and Facebook. About TechAnax TechAnax, a SDVOSB, provides customers with services and solutions from a company with core values and work ethics reflecting integrity, trust, respect and accountability. It prides itself as a professional services company delivering customized information technology and management solutions. TechAnax is ISO 9001:2015 certified, ISO/ IEC (News - Alert) 20000-1:2011 certified, ISO/IEC 20243:2015 certified, and appraised for CMMI-DEV ML3 and CMMI-SVC ML3. Member of Project Management Institute (PMI) and partnered with a variety of strategic manufacturers. Our solutions and core competencies include; Program Management, System Engineering, Software Development, DevOps, Network Design and Engineering, Information Assurance, Service Desk Operations, Unified Communications (News - Alert) , Secure Audio/Video Solutions, Data Center Hosting/Consolidation, Cloud Migration Planning, Cloud Hosting, FedRAMP, FISMA, Acquisition Support, Quality Assurance, Independent Verification and Validation, IT Solutions and Product Sales. To learn more visit: www.techanax.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005029/en/ [January 29, 2019] As Consumer Demand for Accounts Grows, Kasasa Now Ranks as the 4th Largest Banking Branch Network Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announced it is now the fourth largest banking branch network in the nation, with 907 community financial institutions (CFIs) currently partnered with Kasasa. As demand for the company's rewards accounts and the Kasasa Loan strengthens, Kasasa continues to be the preferred choice for consumers. The 907 CFIs partnered with Kasasa represent 3,408 branches across all 50 states and 1,749,065 accounts. Combining all CFIs and branches, Kasasa would be the fourth largest branch network with only three having broader retail distribution. Larger in reach than even U.S. Bank, Kasasa-carrying community bank and credit union branches are poised to overtake Bank of America's branch count within the next year. Known for reinventing checking, Kasasa is committed to helping CFIs meet consumer needs through innovative products that deliver disruptively good value. Its free, rewards-based checking and savings accounts require no minimum balance and enable CFIs to increase noninterest income, reduce overall expenses and compete with megabanks. Compared to standard free checking, Kasasa accounts deliver 50 percent more accounts in the first year, up to two times annual profit per account and 45 percent more non-interest income. Kasasa client Thad Angelle of MCT Credit Union said, "I have been CEO since 2010. We were at $160 million in assets. We're now $316 million in assets and that's all organic growth. I attribute that growth to the Kasasa products." "Offering Kasasa to our members has been phenomenal," said Jerry King, President and CEO of DEXSTA Federal Credit Union. "Members tell us how much they like their Kasasa account and have certainly made us aware of how satisfied they are with their Kasasa rewards." In addition to reinventing checking, Kasasa has reinvented lending. Most people want to get out of debt and know that the fastest route to financial freedom is paying ahead, but few do so because it will deplete their savings or rainy day fund. Launched last year, the Kasasa Loan is transforming the way people think about borrowing money by introducing a new concept called take-backs. It is the only loan that lets the borrower pay ahead to reduce debt, but take that extra back if they need it, making it the most people-friendly loan available on the market today. "We created Kasasa to help community financial institutions shout more loudly than any one of them could individually," said Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. "With one, big, collective voice now representing the fourth largest network of branches in the country, we are letting consumers know they have a choice. They can get world class financial products from local institutions that live in and love the same communities they do. Becoming the fourth largest banking branch validates that consumers and community institutions alike value what we're doing." Krajicek added for the mega banks, "Bank of America, standing at #3, we'll pass you in a year. And Wells Fargo (News - Alert) at #1, we're coming for you. Stay tuned - the good guys are going to win." To increase consumer satisfaction, Kasasa works with CFIs to provide the rewards that customers expect. In addition to providing ATM fee refunds, Kasasa accounts also issue rewards by way of interest, cash back, and Amazon, iTunes and Google (News - Alert) Play credits, with total rewards to date reaching over $505 million. About Kasasa Kasasa is an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider. Based in Austin, Texas, with more than 400 employees, Kasasa helps approximately 907 community financial institutions establish long lasting relationships with consumers residing in their local markets through its branded retail products, world class marketing capabilities, and expert consulting. The company reinvented checking and is now reinventing lending through its latest patent-pending offering, Kasasa LoansTM. Learn more about Kasasa's innovative products and services: Reward Checking Accounts Kasasa LoanTM - The only loan with take-backs Marketing & Technology Websites That Sell Consulting & Insights For more information, please visit www.Kasasa.com, follow our blog at Kasasa.com/blog, or share with us on Twitter (News - Alert) @Kasasa, Facebook, or LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005148/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Diamond CBD Presents Its Popular CBD Products to CVS Health FT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE - Diamond CBD Inc.,wholly owned subsidiary of PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. (USOTC: POTN) announced Tuesday that it has presented its popular line of Diamond CBD oils, edibles, and creams to pharmacy giant CVS Health at an industry gathering of retailers in Chicago. Recently passed federal legislation that legalizes industrial hemp production in the United States has generated increased mainstream acceptance of CBD-based products and drawn interest from retailers looking to capitalize on the public's desire for products that reduce stress and anxiety. CVS Health is the largest retail pharmacy in the nation with more than 9,800 locations in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Nearly 5 million customers are served by CVS Pharmacy each day. "Our array of CBD products already play an active role in the wellness routine of thousands of Americans," said Kevin Hagen, CEO of Diamond CBD parent company PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. "That's why we are happy to present the benefits of CBD and our popular oils, edibles and beauty products to a respected pharmac chain like CVS Health." Experts have estimated the hemp-CBD market to hit 22 billion by 2022, as consumers around the world increasingly looking to CBD oils, edibles, and other products to help treat chronic pain conditions and as a potential preventative measure for muscle soreness and inflammation. A growing body of research evidence also shows that CBD may offer therapeutic advantages for a whole host of conditions from autism to Alzheimer's. About Diamond CBD, Inc. : Diamond CBD focuses on the research, development, and multinational marketing of premium hemp extracts that contain a broad range of cannabinoids and natural hemp derivatives. Diamond CBD's team consists of hemp industry pioneers and natural product experts, chemists, doctors and scientists, dedicated to producing the finest and purest cannabidiol (CBD) oils. The result is a robust selection considered among the most powerful natural CBD oils, tinctures, edibles, and vape liquids found anywhere. For more information, please visit its website at www.DiamondCBD.com . About PotNetwork Holdings, Inc .: PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. (USOTC: POTN) is a publicly traded company that acts as a holding company for its principal subsidiaries, First Capital Venture Co., the owner of Diamond CBD, Inc., the maker of Diamond CBD products. For more information, please visit the website at www.Potnetworkholding.com. Safe Harbor: 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 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 forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: PotNetwork Holdings, Inc. Investor Relations: Marisol Elwell 1-800-915-3060 investor@PotNetworkHolding.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Rick Ringenwald Named Divisional Vice President at Great American Insurance Group Great American Insurance Group is pleased to announce the hiring of Rick Ringenwald as Divisional Vice President of its Environmental Division. In his role, Mr. Ringenwald will serve as a member of the Executive Underwriting team where he will work with and support the overall strategic business of the Division. Mr. Ringenwald joins Great American from Willis Tower Watson, where he served as Executive Vice President and Regional Team Leader in its Environmental Practice Group. Mr. Ringenwald earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Environmental Health from Temple University. He brings over 20 years of environmental experience to Great American. "With his wealth of industry knowledge and professional experience, Rick brings valuable skills and a unique perspective on the environmental insurance market that will be a welcomed addition to the Division," said Barry Geisler, Divisional Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer. About Great American's Environmental Division Great American Insurance Group's Environmental Division provides a comprehensive portfolio of environmental insurance products to a broad array of industries. All products can be customized to address the specific risks and exposures of he client. Products include: Premises Environmental Liability Insurance, Indoor Air Quality and Mold Liability Insurance, Contracting Services Environmental Liability Insurance, Contracting Services Project Specific Environmental Liability Insurance, Professional and Contracting Services Environmental Liability Insurance, Excess Environmental Liability Insurance, and Closure and Post-Closure Financial Assurance. Environmental insurance products are written by one of Great American Insurance Group's surplus lines insurance subsidiaries. Surplus lines insurance may not be available in all jurisdictions. This is not intended as a solicitation or offer to sell an insurance product in a jurisdiction in which the solicitation, offer, sale or purchase thereof would be unlawful. Coverage description is summarized. Refer to the actual policy for a full description of applicable terms, limits and exclusions. About Great American Insurance Group Great American Insurance Group's roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the operations of Great American Insurance Group are engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialty commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of traditional fixed and fixed-indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions, registered investment advisors and education markets. Great American Insurance Company has received an "A" (Excellent) or higher rating from the A.M. Best Company for more than 100 years (most recent rating evaluation of "A+" (Superior) affirmed August 17, 2018). The members of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG), also based in Cincinnati, Ohio. AFG's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFG. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005103/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] UnitedHealthcare Donates $50,000 to North Carolina Nonprofits to Support Ongoing Needs for People Recovering from Hurricane Florence UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina has donated $50,000 to Legal Aid of North Carolina and the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness as part of the company's efforts to support Hurricane Florence recovery. Each organization received $25,000 to aid continued recovery efforts to help low-income North Carolinians who were affected by the devastating storm. "The destruction of Hurricane Florence creates a long and difficult journey for many," said Anita Bachmann, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina. "UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to support these organizations that help North Carolinians restore normalcy to their lives." The North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness received $25,000 for its Back@Home program. The initiative provides services and housing assistance to people at risk of homelessness who do not qualify for FEMA aid. With the goal to ensure homelessness is rare, brief and one-time only, the coalition is working to minimize the long-term impacts of Hurricane Florence on housing. The funds donated by UnitedHealthcare will help purchase and deliver essential items - such as mattresses, bedding, towels, kitchenware and more - as people move into new homes, and to increase awareness of the program. "These are people who have lost everything; they don't need just a roof over their heads, they need a place to sleep that isn't just the bare floor underneath them," said Denise Neunaber, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness. "The funds will help us design a sustainable system to provide move-in essentials on the very day a family moves into a ne home. We will also be able to use social media and other formats to help the underserved in our communities." Legal Aid of North Carolina received $25,000 to help cover the costs of maintaining a presence in the disaster zone, and protecting the rights of the poor and survivors who require legal services for the next 6-8 months. Most of the organization's initial cases from Hurricane Florence involved complex housing or landlord-tenant issues, and total personnel costs are to spike through mid-2019. "The needs of Florence survivors will persist long after the public's memory fades and the initial broad base of support has waned," said Lesley Albritton, Legal Aid of North Carolina's leading disaster relief attorney. "For years to come, our advocates will travel to still-struggling communities to help survivors with disaster benefits, insurance claims, economic development and more." UnitedHealthcare and Optum, the health benefits and services companies of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), donated $1 million to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund in September 2018 to aid hurricane recovery. The company also matched employee donations dollar for dollar to charities supporting recovery efforts and organized clinical care through deployment of mobile clinics, and emergency kit and prescription drug donations. About UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.2 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter (News - Alert) . Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005142/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] (HedgeCo.Net) A federal court in Florida has ordered Woodbridge Group of Companies LLC and its former owner to pay $1 billion in penalties and disgorgement for operating a Ponzi scheme that targeted retail investors. The Honorable Judge Marcia G. Cooke of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida approved judgments against Woodbridge and its 281 related companies ordering them to pay $892 million in disgorgement. The court ordered former owner and CEO Robert H. Shapiro to pay a $100 million civil penalty and to disgorge $18.5 million in ill-gotten gains plus $2.1 million in prejudgment interest. In December 2017, the SEC filed an emergency action charging the company and other defendants with operating a massive $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme that defrauded 8,400 retail investors nationwide, many of them seniors who had invested retirement funds. The SECs complaint alleged that Shapiro made Ponzi payments to investors and used a web of shell companies to conceal the scheme. This resolution accomplishes one of the SECs core missions to protect retail investors, said Stephanie Avakian, Co-Director of the SECs Division of Enforcement. Mr. Shapiro and other defendants will be held accountable and required to pay substantial penalties for their misconduct. Our complaint charged that when Woodbridges fictitious business model collapsed, the company stopped paying investors and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SECs Miami Regional Office. The settlement provides for the return of significant funds to investors. The courts disgorgement order against Woodbridge and related corporate defendants will be deemed satisfied by a Liquidation Trust being formed under a plan in the Woodbridge Chapter 11 case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 17-12560-KJC). The Liquidation Trust will be obligated to make distributions of net proceeds from the disposition of the defendants assets in bankruptcy. The amount to be distributed will depend upon the amounts collected by the Liquidation Trust. All defendants and relief defendants, without admitting or denying the SECs allegations, consented to the entry of final judgments which also permanently prohibit the defendants from violating the antifraud and other provisions of the federal securities laws. RS Protection Trust and several relief defendants were collectively ordered to pay $5.3 million in ill-gotten gains and interest. Shapiro also consented to the entry of an SEC administrative order, without admitting or denying the SECs findings, permanently barring Shapiro from association with any broker, dealer, investment adviser, municipal securities dealer, municipal advisor, transfer agent, or nationally recognized statistical rating organization, and from participating in any offering of a penny stock. [January 29, 2019] Pramata Launches B2B Telecommunications Solutions that Tame MACD Revenue Risks, Optimize Profit and Ensure Billing Accuracy BRISBANE, Calif. and MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- METRO CONNECT USA Pramata , the leading commercial relationship operations company, today announced Pramata for Telecommunications, industry-optimized solutions for telecom companies selling business-to-business (B2B) services. The new solutions offer powerful technology to help capture all entitled revenue and ensure billing accuracy related to MACD (Move, Add, Change, Disconnect) events. Pramata for Telecommunications easily integrates with CRM and enterprise systems. Pramata for Telecommunications specifically addresses billing and sales actions in complex B2B accounts that can lead to revenue leakage, including: Eliminating billing errors by automatically auditing bills against contracted terms, taking into account all MACD events, including when new services are negotiated, sites and locations are moved, or services are terminated early. Enabling sales executives and sales operations teams with access to the full commercial relationship history of an account with one click from their CRMallowing them to construct accurate account plans and effective engagement strategies. Pricing and copliance teams have access to all current inherited commercial details terms, conditions, and negotiated pricing so that deals can be renegotiated and approved with speed and precision. terms, conditions, and negotiated pricing so that deals can be renegotiated and approved with speed and precision. Eliminating compliance risks (e.g. E-Rate and Lowest Common Price) by automatically ensuring deals do not violate any government pricing requirements or negotiated price protection. "Telecom market competition is fierce, and companies have no time to piece together a complete understanding of customer relationship terms and associated revenue potential, said Justin Schweisberger, Chief Product Officer, Pramata. Without reliable revenue leakage solutions, telecommunications companies can lose tens to hundreds of millions of dollars per year. The Pramata platform enables our customers to capture leaking revenue and maximize customer lifetime value." Pramata for Telecommunications is available now. Visit booth 8 at Metro Connect USA in Miami from Jan. 29-31 for a demo. For more information, please visit: https://www.pramata.com/solutions/telecom . About Pramata Pramata helps large B2B enterprises eliminate revenue leakage. Pramata has created millions of dollars in value for some of the largest companies in the world including Allergan, CenturyLink, Comcast Business, Cyxtera, FICO, NCR, Micro Focus, Novelis, Rackspace and Vertafore. Headquartered in Brisbane, CA, Pramata also has offices in Kansas City, MO, and Bangalore, India. For more information, visit www.pramata.com . Media Contact: Marie-Louise Clark Activa PR for Pramata 415.608.2209 marie@activapr.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Receives Purchase Order From Global Pharmaceutical Company Reno, Nev., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (AITX: OTCPK) is pleased to announce that Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD), its wholly owned subsidiary, has received a purchase order from a major global pharmaceutical company. This first deployment for this Fortune 50 company could be their first of many, said Steve Reinharz, President and CEO of RAD. This is a new major vertical for the company as we continue to penetrate the market. The ability of RAD to be able to consistently attract these major corporate clients is a sign of the value that RADs technology offers to the market, said Garett Parsons, President and CEO of AITX. Each of these large clients has the potential for numerous deployments so each time RAD closes on a large client, it is also closing on the potential for numerous re-orders for years to come. This unit will be added to the growing number of paid deployments in the greater San Francisco Bay area. RAD currently has paid deployments in 11 states and growing. Adoption of this solution could save the client 75% of the expense of alternative solutions while providing superior performance. The company is finalizing contract details with the potential client and expects to get final contract documents this month. The company may post important information about its subsidiary RAD on its website at www.RoboticAssistanceDevices.com and through twets from RAD President and CEO Steve Reinharz (https://twitter.com/SteveReinharz). CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 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. Statements in this news release other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the ability of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions to provide for its obligations, to provide working capital needs from operating revenues, to obtain additional financing needed for any future acquisitions, to meet competitive challenges and technological changes, and other risks. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement(s) and/or to confirm the statement(s) to actual results or changes in Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions expectations. About RAD Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, RAD can help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI and strengthen business. RAD robotics technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services, and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. RAD robotic solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.roboticassistancedevices.com or follow us on Twitter @RADbotsecurity. Everest Corporate Advisors Inc. 702-902-2361 www.everestcorp.net [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] TriNet Launches Updated HR Solutions Mobile App DUBLIN, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TriNet (NYSE: TNET), a leading provider of full-service HR solutions for small and medium size businesses (SMBs), today announced the release of its latest version of the TriNet Mobile app, which further enables SMBs and their employees to access their HR dataanytime, anywhere. Access to benefits coverage information and member identification cards from certain medical insurance providers Redesigned TriNet Mobile app Ability to submit time-off requests from TriNet Mobile app In-app messaging for team members to communicate The updated TriNet Mobile app helps SMBs streamline HR processes, improve employee engagement and offer real-time access to HR information. It also includes easy access to HR functions, such as submitting time-off requests, retrieving information on health benefits and accessing a detailed view of payroll data. Additionally, employees can access a company directory and communicate directly with their teams through the app. For 30 years, TriNet has worked with small and medium size businesses and entrepreneurs to understand their unique HR challenges and provide the right solutions so they can focus on what theyre passionate aboutgrowing their businesses. Today, were again meeting a challenge that SMBs have been grappling withproviding 24/7 access to valuable HR data on mobile devices by launching the improved TriNet Mobile app, said TriNet Chief Technology Officer Craig Flower. The freedom to manage HR on the go can help businesses attract and retain key employees, while operating in a more effective and efficient manner. TriNet Mobile Features Key features of the redesigned TriNet Mobile app include: A redesigned user interface and navigation for an improved user experience. Detailed pay history, with in-depth paycheck comparisons. Access to benefits coverage information and member identification cards from certain medical insurance providers. Flexible spending account overview with last four digits of active card information, a current balance summary and a list of covered family members. 1 Detailed company directory with colleague contact details. In-app messaging for team members to communicate. Summary and approval status for recent expense reports. TriNet Mobile is available for download on iOS and Android . About TriNet TriNet (NYSE: TNET) provides small and medium size businesses (SMBs) with full-service HR solutions tailored by industry. To free SMBs from HR complexities, TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation and compliance, payroll and real-time technology. From Main Street to Wall Street, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters mostgrowing their business. TriNet, incredible starts here. For more information, visit TriNet.com or follow us on Twitter . Media: Fatima Afzal TriNet Fatima.Afzal@TriNet.com (510) 875-7265 PR@TriNet.com TriNet and the TriNet logo are registered trademarks of TriNet. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. 1 Available for most users. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04ac7c96-a0df-49b7-8160-5f49447440a1 //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/510da62e-4b1c-4bd3-b8a6-be5d53b900b2 //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be8d99e0-45e8-4b69-9737-54f458334beb //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c7a0318-93d1-469e-90a1-fecd606ac19f [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Kona Brewing Company Celebrates 25th Anniversary by Sharing the Spirit of Aloha Kona Brewing Company, Hawaii's longest-running and favorite craft brewer, celebrates a 25-year Liquid Aloha legacy this year. Founded by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa, the company broke ground on its original brewery and pub in Kailua-Kona in February 1994 with a focus on creating uniquely tropical brews that reflect the Hawaiian culture and spirit of Aloha. Kona Brewing Co. has remained steadfastly committed to its founders' vision as it's grown to become the #1 selling craft beer in Hawaii and expanded into all 50 states nationally and 30 countries worldwide. This year, Kona Brewing Co. will commemorate its 25th anniversary milestone with a year-long celebration to share the spirit of Aloha with more consumers than ever before. As part of the celebrations, Kona will be expanding on its giving program to increase support with long-time local philanthropic partners in Hawaii and begin new partnerships with community organizations across the U.S. Additionally, Kona will open its brand new brewery just steps away from its current Big Island location this year, increasing production 10-fold and making Kona one of the most sustainable breweries in the world. And finally, to mark its 25-year milestone, Kona will release a special Hibiscus Brut IPA, initially as an exclusive anniversary beer in Hawaii and then later on the U.S. mainland. "Kona Brewing Co. has always been committed to family, or Ohana," said Kona Brewing Co. Senior Director of Brand Marketing Cindy Wang. "We were welcomed with open arms to the Kailua-Kona region 25 years ago when we had nothing but a vision and a deep love of the Islands. Throughout our growth, giving back to our home market has always been integral to our DNA, and now, after 25 years, we are proud to expand on that legacy and share the spirit of Aloha with more people than ever before." Kona Brewing Co.'s 25th anniversary celebrations include: 25 Years of Giving Back Kona Brewing Co. supports hundreds of Hawaii-based causes each year and contributes over $120,000 annually to non-profit organizations that work to protect the local culture and environment. As part of its silver anniversary celebrations this year, the company will make an additional $25,000 contribution to its long-time partner, Ke Kai Ala Foundation, a Hawaii-based charity that supports youth, the environment, and cultural programs. Additionally, this year, Kona Brewing Co. will expand its giving program to support newcommunities across the U.S. mainland, including a nationwide Meals on Wheels Van Tour. The New Kona Brewery: Kona Brewing Co.'s largest undertaking, both in size and scale, is a new state-of-the-art 30,000 square-foot brewery, located just steps away from the original brewery in Kailua-Kona. Kona Brewing Co. invested more than $20 million to ensure it is one of the most efficient and sustainable breweries in the world. The new brewery will boost Kona's production capacity to 100,000 barrels per year, while innovative water-saving technology and solar-plus-battery power will dramatically reduce the environmental impact of brewing beer on an Island with limited resources. When open, the new brewery will create additional employment opportunities and allow Kona Brewing Co. to begin expanding its current brewpub to serve more visitors. Hibiscus Brut IPA: Kona Brewing Co. will launch a special Hibiscus Brut IPA to toast its silver anniversary - an 8.2% ABV dry IPA with hibiscus and hop-based hints of gooseberry and melon. The fruit-forward anniversary beer will be available in draught throughout Hawaii, beginning with Kona's anniversary in February and will launch nationwide in September 2019. "In making our anniversary brew, we wanted to create something as special and distinctive as our Island home," said Ryan McVeigh, Innovation Brewmaster at Kona Brewing Co. "With our Hibiscus Brut IPA we've accomplished just that. Gorgeous with a light rose hue, the brew is clean and dry with added Nelson Sauvin and Hallertau Blanc hops that complement the vinous character of the style. It's the perfect beer to celebrate not only our anniversary, but any occasion!" National Celebrations: Kona will be bringing its 25th anniversary celebrations to the mainland and reaching more consumers than ever this year, launching limited-edition gear, artwork and merchandise that reflect the brand's commitment to the Aloha Spirit. Additionally, the company will launch its first-ever on-package sweepstakes program, giving fans an opportunity to win a chance to visit Kona's home in Hawaii. "Some of our greatest memories over the past 25 years have been when consumers, who may or may not have had the opportunity to visit Hawaii, are introduced to the Aloha Spirit through our beer," said Wang. "Being able to share the spirit of Hawaii and remind more people of the countless reasons we love our home is why we continue to do what we do. We can't wait for another 25 years of brewing Liquid Aloha and celebrating what matters most with our ever-expanding Ohana." To learn more about Kona Brewing Company, visit konabrewingco.com, follow @konabrewingco on Twitter (News - Alert) and Instagram and check out youtube.com/konabrewingco. About Kona Brewing Company Celebrating its 25th year, Kona Brewing Company was started in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii in the spring of 1994 by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa, who had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. Today, Kona is Hawaii's longest-running and favorite craft brewery, known for top-selling flagship beers Big Wave Golden Ale and Longboard Island Lager and innovative small-batch beers brewed exclusively on and for the Islands. From the beginning, Kona has remained committed to brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality closest to market, which helps to minimize its carbon footprint by reducing shipping of raw materials, finished beer and packaging materials. In 2019, Kona Brewing Co. will open a brand new 100,000-square foot brewery steps away from its original brewery and pub. Built with the latest innovations in technology and resource efficiency, the new brewery will be one of the most environmentally sustainable brewers in the world. Kona Brewing Co. has become one of the top craft beer brands in the world, while remaining steadfastly committed to its home through ongoing investments in environmental sustainability and its Makana community giving programs. As part of Craft Brew Alliance, an independent craft brewing company that brews and distributes a variety of award-winning craft beer and cider brands, Kona is available in all 50 U.S. states and 30 countries worldwide. For more information call 808-334-BREW (2739) or visit www.KonaBrewingCo.com. Talk with us via Facebook (News - Alert) , Instagram, and Twitter: @KonaBrewingCo. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005518/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Bantek Hires Jeffrey L. Garon as CFO of Bantek and as a member of its Board of Directors Bantek, Inc. (OTCPINK: DRUS) ("Bantek" or the "Company"), a service provider and reseller of drones, insulation jackets and distributor of products to the U.S. Government, today announced that it has selected Jeffrey L. Garon to be its new CFO and to join its board of directors. Michael Bannon, Bantek's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are delighted to have Jeff join our team. Jeff brings a wealth of entrepreneurial and managerial experience with him. He is a proven leader and will prove to be a tremendous asset as we move towards our phase - up listing." Jeff Garon, Bantek's new Chief Financial Officer and Board Member, said "I am thrilled to be joining Mike and the Bantek team. This a great opportunity. I see tremendous opportunity and a wonderful future." About Jeffrey L. Garon For the past 30 years, Jeff led the development, implementation and execution of companies' annual operating plans, financing and business development strategies, transparency, and controls. His experience includes startups, turnarounds, resarts, acquisitions, technology sales, IPOs and reverse mergers. Jeff successful performed the roles of founder, CFO, COO and CEO and board member. As an investment banker, Jeff possesses both sell and buy side experience. Jeff held senior positions in the following companies: Mota Group, CVA Partners, Etelos, Kaufman Bros., Tripath Technology, Silicon Storage Technology (News - Alert) , Monster Cable Products, Oracle, Ashton-Tate, and Teledyne Microelectronics. Jeff graduated from CSU Northridge and holds an MBA from Loyola Marymount University. About Bantek, Inc. Bantek, Inc. (OTCPINK: DRUS), headquartered in Pine Brook, NJ., consists of three separate divisions. First, through Howco Distributing Co., we sell products primarily to U.S. Department of Defense. Second, through Drone USA we sell drone programs, which consists of drones, training, COA's and waivers and other drone-related services, to law enforcement, firefighters, security companies, local, state and our US government. Third, we sell insulation jackets, slates, and insulation services to hospitals, universities, and manufacturers. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include projections of matters that affect revenue, operating expenses or net earnings; projections of growth; and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Such forward-looking statements are generally qualified by terms such as: "plans, "anticipates," "expects," "believes" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or qualified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. These factors are discussed in greater detail in our Form 10 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005386/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] New Wrike Survey Finds 88 Percent of Full-Time Employees Are Happy at Work; Diversity, Company Mission, and Management Are Key Factors Wrike, the collaborative work management platform for high performance teams, today released the first data set from the company's inaugural Happiness Index. The survey found that the majority of full-time employees in the United States are happy at work with 71 percent of respondents reporting that they are "mostly happy" and 17 percent describing themselves as "elated." This initial selection of findings explores the impact company culture has on employee happiness and indicates a significant correlation between happiness and greater diversity, belief in company mission and vision, and strong relationships with managers. The Happiness Index also suggests that collaborative work management (CWM) software can have a positive impact on employee happiness with CWM users 85 percent more likely to identify as being happy. "Fostering workplace happiness and understanding what really drives employee engagement is evolving - it's not just about paying the highest salary and providing lunch," says Wrike Vice President of People Operations Megan Barbier. "In today's competitive talent market, it is important that companies consider emerging factors, like diversity and technology, that are playing an increasingly important role in employee happiness. Our hope is that the Wrike Happiness Index will help us, and other leaders, identify new trends in the workplace and which factors, like deploying CWM technology, have the greatest impact on happiness so we can invest our resources in the things that matter most to our talent." The Wrike Happiness Index reveals that CWM users are 91 percent more likely than non-CWM users to describe their relationship with their manager as "very good." This could be attributed to the real-time visibility CWMs provide, which fosters honest communication between employees and managers, as well as amongst team members. CWM software also helps employees understand how their work fits into greater company objectives, which may be why 70 percent of CWM users say their company's mission and vision strongly resonate wih them; compared to only 41 percent of non CWM-users. "CWM software was initially developed to improve collaboration and project management practices, but this data shows it can also support key factors that increase workplace happiness from transparency to building trust and helping employees understand that they are part of something bigger," Barbier added. Among the Key Findings: Happier employees are 55 percent more likely to say their workplace is above average in diversity than those that identify as "mostly unhappy" or "miserable." Seventy percent of happier employees report a strong connection with their company mission and vision, while 32 percent of unhappy or miserable employees either feel no affinity for their company mission and vision (17 percent) or don't know even know what they are (15 percent). Sixty-three percent of CWM users identify as either mostly happy or elated compared to only 34 percent of non-CWM users. Happy employees are nearly three times more likely to attend after-work events, 25 percent more likely to eat lunch with their colleagues, and nearly three times more likely to describe their relationships with their managers as very good. Happier employees are 70 percent more likely to take at least a 30-minute lunch break or eat lunch with friends, while less happy workers are 57 percent more likely to spend their lunch breaks on social media. CWM users are 70 percent more likely than non-CWM users to enjoy participating in team events and over three times more likely to work remotely at least three times per week. Wrike commissioned Atomik Research, an independent creative market research agency, to conduct this survey. Respondents consisted of adults who work full-time for an organization with more than 200 employees. This survey was conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, and resulted in at least 1,000 respondents in each country. Respondents were evenly split between male and female. The margin of error fell within +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence interval of 95 percent. Additional U.S. findings from the Culture data set in the Wrike Happiness Index are available for free here: https://cdn.wrike.com/ebook/US_Happiness_index.pdf. The complete Wrike Happiness Index will be available in May 2019. About Wrike Wrike is the collaborative work management platform for market leaders. The Wrike platform helps organizations align work with the most important business objectives, create new efficiencies, and drive results. It brings out the best in teams by giving them a single digital workplace with all the tools, features, and integrations needed to manage, automate, and complete work at scale. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, Wrike is the partner of choice for more than 18,000 organizations, including Google, Tiffany & Co., and Edelman (News - Alert) , and two million users across 140 countries. For more information, visit: www.wrike.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005080/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] eSilicon Announces Technical Advisory Board SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eSilicon, a leading provider of FinFET ASICs, market-specific IP platforms and advanced 2.5D packaging solutions, announced today the formation of a technical advisory board (TAB) focused on guiding the companys development work associated with artificial intelligence ASICS. Members of the TAB include Dr. Dileep Bhandarkar, Dr. Michael Orshansky and Dr. Mattan Erez. The TAB will be led internally by Patrick Soheili. Dr. Dileep Bhandarkar is an independent datacenter technologies and neural network consultant and is the TAB chairperson. Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Dr. Bhandarkar was the vice president of technology at Qualcomm. Prior to Qualcomm, he was a distinguished engineer at Microsoft and director of architecture at Intel. He has also held positions at Digital Equipment Corporation and Texas Instruments. Dr. Bhandarkar holds a B. Tech. in EE from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and a PhD in EE/Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University. He is an IEEE fellow. Dr. Michael Orshansky is a professor and John E. Kasch faculty fellow at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Orshansky received his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. His recent research is on approximate computing for on-chip machine learning acceleration. Prior to joining UT Austin, he was a research scientist and lecturer with the Department of EECS at UC Berkeley. Prior to moving into academic research, Dr. Orshansky was an early employee at eSilicon. He is an IEEE fellow. Dr. Mattan Erez is a professor and a Temple Foundation faculty fellow at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on improving the performance, efficiency, and scalability of computing systems through advances in memory systems, hardware architecture, software systems, and programming models. His current focus areas are architectures for machine learning, large-scale and high-performance computing, and memory systems. Mattan received a BSc in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Physics from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology and his MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Patrick Soheili is vice president, business and corporate development at eSilicon orporation. He is responsible for eSilicons worldwide business and corporate development activities, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence. Mr. Soheili has been president and CEO of On Demand Microelectronics, Cradle Technologies and Softcoin. He was a founding partner of Barrington Partners, a technology-focused venture capital firm. He has also held positions at Invox Technology, Altera Corporation, AMD and TRW. Mr. Soheili holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters of Business Administration from Purdue University. The artificial intelligence field is rapidly evolving. Deploying ASIC technology to support AI accelerator development presents many challenges, said Patrick Soheili. The eSilicon neuASIC platform provides AI-specific IP and an architecture to address these challenges. I welcome the addition of our world-class TAB to help ensure we hit the mark for the dynamic and growing AI field. To learn more about eSilicons 7nm neuASIC IP platform or to inquire about access to the platform for design, visit eSilicons neuASIC web page or contact your eSilicon sales representative directly or via sales@esilicon.com . About eSilicon eSilicon provides complex FinFET ASICs, market-specific IP platforms and advanced 2.5D packaging solutions. Our ASIC-proven, differentiating IP includes highly configurable 7nm 56G/112G SerDes plus networking-optimized 16/14/7nm FinFET IP platforms featuring HBM2 PHY, TCAM, specialized memory compilers and I/O libraries. Our neuASIC platform provides AI-specific IP and a modular design methodology to create adaptable, highly efficient AI ASICs. eSilicon serves the high-bandwidth networking, high-performance computing, AI and 5G infrastructure markets. www.esilicon.com Collaborate. Differentiate. Win. eSilicon is a registered trademark, and the eSilicon logo, neuASIC and Collaborate. Differentiate. Win. are trademarks, of eSilicon Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Contacts: Sally Slemons Nanette Collins eSilicon Corporation Public Relations for eSilicon 408-635-6409 617-437-1822 sslemons@esilicon.com nanette@nvc.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Vakrangee Appoints Blue Dart Veteran Anil Khanna as its New Managing Director and Group CEO MUMBAI, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vakrangee Limited (VL), has announced that it has appointed the Blue Dart veteran Mr. Anil Khanna as its new Managing Director & Group CEO effective January 25, 2019. Prior to Vakrangee he was the Managing Director of Blue Dart Express Limited since 2007. Mr. Dinesh Nandwana, the founder promoter has been elevated to the role of Executive Chairman and remains 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 four decades of proven business track record, 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 added, "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 our corporate governance standards while protecting our values and ethics at all times." Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Anil Khanna, Managing Director & Group CEO of Vakrangee Ltd. said, "I am excited to join Vakrangee, a company that has built an overwhelming reputation for being the pioneer for 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's best years lie ahead. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences ad 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 this 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 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. In his tenure as the Managing Director at Blue Dart, he has been awarded various leadership awards, amongst others these include:- 'Outstanding Entrepreneur Award' by the Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 'CEO with HR Orientation Award' by Global HR Excellence Awards at the World HRD Congress Meet 'Glory of India Award' by the Institute of Economic Studies 'Responsible Business Leader' by the Responsible Business Awards 'CEO of the Year' by CMO Asia Awards for Excellence in Branding & Marketing 'CEO of the Year' by the National Quality Excellence Awards 'Exemplary CEO of the Year' by the Global HR Excellence Awards He was also ranked as one of India's Best CEOs by Business Today He is a graduate from St Stephen's College, Delhi and holds an MBA degree in Marketing and Finance from UBS, Chandigarh. About Vakrangee Limited (BSE: 511431) (NSE: 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: Sanjay Kharat Concept PR Email: sanjay.kharat@conceptpr.com Mobile: +91-9820317454 Concept Public Relations [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc. Welcomes Skilled Professionals: Alexander Bonello, Gregory Faranello, and Jason Hardzewicz Roberts and Ryan Investments Inc., a registered FINRA broker-dealer and certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVO) business, is pleased to welcome aboard Alexander Bonello, Gregory Faranello, and Jason Hardzewicz to their team of skilled professionals. Alexander Bonello, Senior Director of Institutional Sales and Trading, has over 23 years of expertise in sell-side program trading and sales trading. He has served as a Vice and Senior Vice President at WJB Capital Group, Cuttone and Co., Pulse (News - Alert) Trading, and Knight Securities. He was last with Ladenberg Thalmann as a Managing Director on their Institutional Equity Trading desk. Formerly in the New York area, Mr. Bonello will oversee the Dallas, Texas office. Gregory Faranello, CFA, Senior Director and Head of the Rates Group, brings 25 years of experience in fixed income rates trading. Mr. Faranello's career began as a fixed income derivative analyst at Credit Suisse, Merrill Lynch, and Goldman Sachs. Following Goldman, Mr. Faranello moved to the buy side as an assistant portfolio manager on the international bond desk with Deutsche Bank Asset Management. Moving back to the sell side, he was a Managing Director and FICC management member for RBS Greenwich Capital, WestLB, Espirito Santo, and RBC serving as head trader and risk manager. He recently was a Principal at Sionic Advisors LP, a gloal consulting firm focused on banks and broker dealers. Mr. Faranello was accepted to, and for a time attended, the United States Military Academy. Later, he earned a BBA and MBA from Hofstra University in Banking, Finance, and International Business and is a CFA Charterholder. Greg is a member of the CFA Institute, the NYSSA and serves on the Dean's Advisory Board of Hofstra University's Zarb School of Business. Jason Hardzewicz, Senior Vice President of Business Development, began at the NYSE and became a member of the exchange in 2001. As a trading specialist on the NYSE trading floor he handled trading IPOs, company spinoffs, and mergers. He was named as a team leader in 2004, managing a trading team in risk, performance, and compliance. He became a trading floor official in 2009 and was named co-chairman of the Security and Safety Committee in 2013. Mr. Hardzewicz has extensive experience with corporate leaders as a primary NYSE point of contact. He is a frequent market structure panelist, discussing equity market evolution. Mr. Hardzewicz is a graduate of Rutgers School of Business earning a BS in finance. "I am honored and excited to have Al, Greg, and Jason join our team. Their passion for serving clients is surpassed only by the passion of Roberts & Ryan in its mission to support American veterans - veterans who have selflessly served in our nation's armed forces," commented Brian Rathjen, President. About Roberts and Ryan Investments, Inc. Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc. is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVO) broker dealer. The firm was founded in 1987 by a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. It is America's first Service Disabled Veteran Owned Broker Dealer. Roberts & Ryan engages in underwriting and trading of corporate municipal and agency mortgage debt. The firm conducts equity agency trade execution, stock buybacks, and equity underwriting. The majority of the firm's employees is veterans. The firm is active in donating to charitable foundations that make significant positive impacts in the lives of veterans and their families. Roberts & Ryan will directly support veteran-focused charitable organizations that are best positioned to aid the veteran community. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005168/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Bridgepoint Education's Corporate Responsibility Program Turns 10 SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI) celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its corporate responsibility program this week. Initiated in 2009, the program focuses on education, youth, and military as its philanthropic aims. "We are incredibly proud of the impact we've made in the communities we serve, not just in San Diego, but Denver, Clinton, and Phoenix," said Andrew Clark, Bridgepoint CEO. "We could not have made it to this milestone without the generosity of our employees and partners." Accomplishments through the program over the last decade include: More than $12.3 million total community contributions, including employee donations total community contributions, including employee donations 140,000 volunteer hours, worth an estimated $3.2 million (per independentsector.org) For more informatio on the program, and to view Bridgepoint's annual community report, visit http://bridgepointeducation.com/socialresponsibility/community-report.htm. About Bridgepoint Education Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:BPI) harnesses the latest technology to reimagine the modern student experience through programs, technologies, and resources representing a unique model for advancing education in the 21st century. Bridgepoint stands for greater access, social learning, and exposure to leading minds. For more information, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or www.facebook.com/BridgepointEducation. Contact: Lauren Coartney 858.513.9240 x11636 lauren.coartney@bpiedu.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridgepoint-educations-corporate-responsibility-program-turns-10-300785485.html SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc. [January 29, 2019] Nisos Secures $6M to Grow "Active Defense" Cybersecurity Business Founded by former US Intelligence officers, Nisos combines a proprietary technology platform with decades of experience analyzing, assessing, and combating advanced threat actors to help companies detect and track IP theft, protect clients corporate brand and information, and mitigate risk to their financial posture. ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nisos , a technology-enabled cyber services and investigations firm, raised just over $6 million in funding from Columbia Capital. Jason Booma, a Partner at Columbia, joined Nisos Board of Directors, along with David Northington, who was most recently Managing Director at Accenture after their acquisition of Cloud Sherpas in 2015, where he was CEO. Our investment in Nisos represents our belief that there is a real need to proactively address enterprise organizations security posture beyond investing in the best commercial tools. Nisos bridges this gap by fusing teams of elite operators and analysts from the public and private sectors, and furtherenhancing their services through their proprietary technology platform, says Booma. When headline-grabbing security issues confront large companies, many of them call Nisos. Formed in 2015, Nisos is an industry leader in the practice of Active Defense, an approach which includes advanced threat hunting and attack methodologies, the use of deception technologies to confuse attackers, and elite intelligence collection and analysis techniques. While Nisos does not identify its clients, they are typically Fortune 1000 companies who recognize the ever-growing risk presented by sophisticated malicious actors operating unchecked against the private sector. Over the last two years, Nisos has architected a scalable and secure technology platform through which we deliver our services and build capabilities, says Justin Zeefe, Executive Director and Co-founder of Nisos. This investment will allow Nisos to develop technology and scale our expertise at a faster pace, thus providing ever increasing levels of threat protection and adaptation to the evolving threat landscape. Cyber risk is no longer just a problem for the IT department, says Sean Weppner, Chief Strategy Officer at Nisos. Given our unique backgrounds and skill sets, we are able to help companies detect, navigate and mitigate existential threats that teams across their organizations face, from cyber M&A diligence to Insider Threat. About Nisos Nisos is a mission-driven organization of elite network operators and analysts who share a common purpose of protecting organizations from the sophisticated threats they face. For the past 3 years, Nisos has gathered and created elite capabilities to support this mission and protect their clients business, brand, and reputational value. Nisos partners with leaders and teams across an organization, including information security, intelligence, asset protection, physical security, mergers and acquisitions, insider threat, and general counsel. More information can be found at www.nisos.com . Media contact: Kevin Wolf TGPR (650) 483-1552 kevin@tgprllc.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Premier Private Equity Lawyer Gregor Klenk to Join Goodwin in Frankfurt Global law firm Goodwin announced today that Gregor Klenk will join the firm's Private Equity practice as a partner in the Frankfurt office. Klenk will join Goodwin from Latham & Watkins, where he is a partner. The firm also announced today the appointment of private equity partner Joshua Soszynski in its New York office. Klenk's practice spans mergers and acquisitions, private equity, growth equity, venture capital and corporate law. He brings special expertise in cross-border transactions, in particular involving U.S. and French clients and targets. "Goodwin's global strategy is to be a dominant player across the financial, life sciences, private equity, real estate and technology industries," said Stephan Kock, Chair of Goodwin's Frankfurt office. "In Frankfurt, we have successfully focused on building out our real estate and private equity practices as part of the firm's market-leading international offering. We are thrilled to continue building our German practice with a renowned partner like Gregor." Klenk joins Goodwin's private equity partner Lars Jessen, who was among the founding partners of the Frankfurt office. "Goodwin's depth and breadth of experience at the intersection of the global private equity and technology sectors provide a perfect platform for my practice," said Klenk. "After spending a great 15 years with Latham & Watkins, I look forward to partnering with Lars as we expand Goodwin's private equity and venture capital offering in the German market." Goodwin's Frankfurt office opened in early 2016 with a group of four partners. Today, the office has nearly 30 lawyers across the Private Equity, Real Estate Industry and Tax practices. Clients include Capital D, Gramercy Europe and Castlelake, among others. Last year, the office advised on the 1.6 billion joint venture between Medical Properties Trust and Primonial Group. The Frankfurt office is core to Goodwin's European network, which today includes 100 lawyers in London and approximately 50 in Paris. "Every company, even one not selling 'technology', is now significantly technology-enabled and dependent," said A.J. Weidhaas, Co-Chair of Goodwin's Private Equity practice. "From an investor perspective, it is no longer good enough to just understand how to execute a venture or a private equity deal. Rather, investors are looking for lawyers who understand technology and how it impacts the viability of a target investment. This is the kind of a lawyer that Gregor is, and we are pleased that he has chosen to join our firm." Goodwin has more than 500 lawyers focused solely on the technology, life sciences, and private equity verticals globally. The firm consistently ranks at the top of the private equity and technology league tables, including its current first place ranking for technology M&A transactions in North America, as reported by Bloomberg (News - Alert), and full-year 2018 Mergermarket rankings among the top three global buyouts and exits firms. About Goodwin At Goodwin, we partner with our clients to practice law with integrity, ingenuity, agility and ambition. Our 1,000-plus lawyers across the United States, Europe and Asia excel at complex transactions, high-stakes litigation and world-class advisory services in the technology, life sciences, real estate, private equity, and financial industries. Our unique combination of deep experience serving both the innovators and the investors in a rapidly-changing, technology-driven economy sets us apart. To learn more, visit us at www.goodwinlaw.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005244/en/ [January 29, 2019] GSMA Announces 2019 Asia Mobile Awards Open for Entry The GSMA (News - Alert) today announced that the Asia Mobile Awards (AMO Awards) at MWC19 Shanghai are open for entry. Judged by a panel of leading independent industry experts, the AMO Awards honour the greatest achievements and innovations across the Asian mobile industry. Comprising 10 awards over six categories, the 2019 AMO Awards will be presented during MWC19 Shanghai, which will be held 26 - 28 June at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). Entries for the AMO Awards will be accepted until Wednesday,10 April 2019. "Asia is a leading centre of innovation, driving new developments across the broad mobile ecosystem," said John Hoffman (News - Alert) , CEO, GSMA Ltd. "The AMO Awards will recognise the companies and individuals that are leading this innovation on a global basis and we look forward to a wide range of exciting entries for 2019." The AMO Awards reflect the constant evolution of the mobile industry in Asia and put a spotlight on the latest trends shaping the industry. The 2019 AMO Awards will include 10 awards presented within the following six categories: Mobile Technology: This award category will recognise the companies that are revolutionising the capabilities and reach of mobile and digital technologies. This year, the category will include a new award recognising the pioneers pushing the boundaries of innovation in the emerging 5G era: Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough in Asia Best IoT Innovation for Mobile Networks in Asia Best Smartphone in 2019 Asia 5G Innovation Award (new in 2019) Consumer: As consumers migrate to the connected age, this category will honour companies that have redefined the business-to-consumer relationship to enhance everyday life. Best Mobile Service for Connected Living in Asia Fourth Industrial Revolution (News - Alert) : This award category will distinguish key companies at the forefront of the digital shift, across seven market verticals. Best Mobile Innovation for Smart Cities in Asia 4YFN Award Shanghai 2019: The innovation platform for MWC, 4YFN (4 Years From Now) enables startups, investors, corporations and public institutions to create and launch new ventures, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This category recognises organisations that are accelerating business development and investment within the start-up community. 4YFN Award Shanghai 2019 Social Good: This category honours mobile innovations in the Asia region that contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a 17-point plan focused on ending poverty, protecting the planet and fighting injustice and inequality. Outstanding Mobile Contribution to the UN SDGs in Asia Outstanding Achievement: This category celebrates individuals and organisations that have made a remarkable contribution to the digital community across the following areas: Outstanding Contribution to the Asia Mobile Industry (not open for entry) Women4Tech - Asian Industry Leadership Award Details on Entering the AMO Awards The AMO Awards 2019 are open to companies and individuals across the broad mobile ecosystem. The awards will be judged by independent experts, analysts, journalists, academics and, in some cases, mobile operator representatives. Select awards will be nominated by judges or by an independent panel of experts and will not be open for online entry. The submission of video to support entries is strongly encouraged by the awards judges. Complete information on the AMO Awards, including the full list of categories, award criteria and deadlines, can be found at www.mwcshanghai.com/conference-programmes/asia-mobile-awards/. Entries for the AMO Awards close on Wednesday, 10 April 2019 and the GSMA will announce the shortlist of nominations for each category by the end of May. Get Involved at MWC19 Shanghai For more information on MWC19 Shanghai, including how to attend, exhibit, partner or sponsor, visit www.mwcshanghai.com. Follow developments and updates on MWC19 Shanghai through our social media channels - follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at @GSMA and use #MWC19, get regular updates through our LinkedIn Showcase Page at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mwcshanghai/, and follow us on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/mwcshanghai. In China, you can follow us on Sina Weibo http://weibo.com/mwcshanghai or search "GSMA_MWCS" in WeChat. -ENDS- About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005049/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Hengtong Aberdare Recommits to Assisting Students in South Africa IMBALI, South Africa, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hengtong Aberdare (Aberdare), a subsidiary of Hengtong Group, an innovation leader in China that focuses on fiber optic, electrical and technical network construction and operations, has pledged to donate a hi-tech computer center ("the Center") to the Siqongweni Secondary School in Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The announcement came during a visit to the school by Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, along with a high-level delegation. Dr. Haiyan Song, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Aberdare, was part of the delegation and said, "Aberdare is committed to improving the lives of the people in the areas that we operate. The donation of the Center is a expression of our wish to see young people from these communities thriving in their studies, particularly in the critical STEM subjects. In addition to helping students, our partnership with the local government will also serve to help further the professional development of the teachers there." Aberdare launched its "Aber-school Project" in April 2017 in cooperation with the Siqongweni Secondary School with the goal of helping to address the low mathematics and science pass rates in the country, as well as encouraging more students to take these subjects. In the nearly 2 years since it began, the Project has helped 85 students including 25 in Grade 10, 30 in Grade 11 and 25 in Grade 12, achieve excellent results in this year's college entrance examination, with 12 of them being admitted to universities. As part of this initiative, in August 2018, Aberdare donated e-learning tablets to several schools in Pietermaritzburg including Siqongweni Secondary School. President Ramaphosa accepted Aberdare's pledge and acknowledged and expressed his gratitude to the company for the work that they are doing to support local schools and youth through the Aber-school Project, and further encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the Project and the new Center to improve their performance. Website: http://www.hengtonggroup.com/en/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hengtong-aberdare-recommits-to-assisting-students-in-south-africa-300785732.html SOURCE Hengtong Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] HK Digital Advertising Start-ups X Publishing (Writers) Promotion Support Scheme Officially Launched 12 Teams with Untraditional Marketing Thinking to Create Innovative Digital Advertisements HONG KONG, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With the rapid changes in information and communication technologies, smart phones and tablets are now becoming the mainstream mobile devices for consumers to receive messages, thus, driving more industries to use digital advertising for product promotion. It presents excellent opportunities for the publishing industry to explore new promotional strategy in the advent of the digital age. To keeping abreast of the times, publishers are striving to bring digital advertising into the promotion of their publications as an essential element of their future development. In light of the latest trend, the Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing ("HKAIM"), with the support of Create Hong Kong ("CreateHK") of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR") as the lead sponsor, launches the Hong Kong Digital Advertising Start-ups X Publishing (Writers) Promotion Support Scheme ("the Support Scheme") to support 12 pairs of local digital advertising start-ups and local new and emerging writers by providing subsidy and professional guidance for them to design, produce and execute digital advertising campaigns for the promotion of designated books. A launching ceremony was held on Jan 28 to announce the 12 pairs of digital advertising start-ups and new and emerging writers to be nurtured under the Support Scheme. To commemorate this special occasion, the HKAIM is pleased to have Ms. Fiona LAM, Assistant Head of CreateHK as the Guest of Honor, who was accompanied by Mr. Ralph SZETO, Chairman of the HKAIM, and Dr. Elvin LEE, Chairman of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation, to officiate at the ceremony to kick off the Support Scheme. Representatives of the other lead supporting organizations of the Support Sheme, namely Ms. Anita Wan, Chairlady of the Hong Kong Publishing Professionals Society, and Ms. Anna Cheung, Senior Exhibition Manager of Hong Kong Trade Development Council, also participated in the ceremony. The Support Scheme aims to nurture local digital creative talent by providing subsidy and professional guidance for them to tailor-make digital advertising campaigns for local new and emerging writers and their designated books, while promoting the reading culture in the community by creating more exposure for the writers and their designated books. A total of 12 local digital advertising start-ups with less than 5 years of history are selected to team up with 12 groups of local new and emerging writers who have published their first works within the recent 6 years. The Support Scheme will provide a maximum of HK$198,000 subsidy to each team, to design, produce and execute a digital advertising campaign for the writer's designated book. Apart from the subsidy, the Support Scheme will provide professional guidance for the participating digital advertising start-ups to refine their digital advertising campaigns. The digital advertising campaigns produced by these 12 teams, the writers and their designated books will be further promoted under the Support Scheme's various promotional channels, such as the official website, the Internet, social media platforms, etc. These publicity activities aim to create more exposure for the participating digital advertising start-ups, writers and their designated books. In addition, a Digital Advertising Design (for Publishing) Awards Competition will be held to recognize the outstanding digital advertising campaigns developed under the Support Scheme. Public will also be invited to vote for the "My Favourite Digital Advertising Design (for Publishing) Award". The awardees of Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit and "My Favourite Digital Advertising Design (for Publishing)" Awards will be announced and presented with prizes at the Awards Presentation Ceremony scheduled for July 2019. A promotional booth will also be set up at the Hong Kong Book Fair 2019 to display and promote the digital advertising campaigns developed under the Support Scheme, the participating writers and their designated books. Winning teams of the Digital Advertising Design (for Publishing) Awards Competition will share their creative works and achievements under the Support Scheme on the same occasion. The HKAIM believes that the Support Scheme could maximize the strengths of the publishing and digital advertising industries when they join hands to achieve a win-win result. For more details about the Support Scheme, please visit: http://publish.digiad.hk/ Organizer: Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing Lead Sponsor: Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organizers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Communications and Creative Industries Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee. SOURCE Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Fintech NBFC Vivifi Appoints Narayanan Ramamurthy as CFO HYDERABAD, India, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Plans to expand FlexSalary through strategic financial partnerships Vivifi India Finance Private Limited (Vivifi), a Fintech NBFC (non-banking finance company), has announced the appointment of Narayanan Ramamurthy as the company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining Vivifi, Narayanan helped Bank Bazaar, as its CFO, with financial partnerships including equity partnerships from Amazon. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/779617/VivifiLogo.jpg ) (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/779616/FlexsalaryLogo.jpg ) A chartered accountant by profession, Narayanan has over two decades experience and has worked with global organizations such as Deloitte, Accenture, Citibank and KPMG. He has also provided consulting services to various start-ups and SMEs in the Fintech vertical. Speaking on the appointment, Anil Pinapala, Founder & CEO, Vivifi India, said, "I extend a warm welcome to Narayanan who will be a significant addition to Vivifi's growing team. Besides his rich experience in global consulting firms, Narayanan has demonstrated strong capabilities in estabishing strategic financial partnerships with banks & non-banking institutions. This appointment is the first step of a comprehensive plan to add experienced resources in leadership roles who will expand and strengthen Vivifi's growth trajectory. Vivifi has been funding its own loans and operations until now and is looking for financial partnerships for debt as well as equity to help fuel its growth." He further added, "We are expanding Vivifi's customer base across regions, income and credit spectrums. We want to help consumers who, being non-prime, new-to-prime and new-to-credit, don't normally have access to credit whenever and wherever they need. As we embark on this exponential growth phase, Narayanan will lead the initiative to establishing strategic funding partnerships with investors, banks & other large NBFCs." Commenting on his new role, Narayanan said, "Vivifi has achieved good penetration in a short span of time. My role will be of adding fuel to this growth by bringing in the right strategic long-term partnerships that are required for a new-age Fintech NBFC to rapidly capture market share. We will be looking at a right mix of equity and debt to optimize the growth opportunities." About Vivifi India Finance Private Limited Vivifi India Finance Private Limited (Vivifi), a Fintech NBFC (non-banking finance company), offers innovative financial products to customers across the credit spectrum with focus on the Under-Served / Unserved Customers. Vivifi's flagship product, FlexSalary, is an emergency line of credit that provides unsecured personal loans to under-prime and near-prime salaried individuals. Users can access FlexSalary through an app and website or through their employers who have tied up with Vivifi. Using its proprietary machine learning based credit decision model and loan management system, Vivifi goes beyond the traditional credit score to provide credit. Founded by technocrats with an experience of building a successful Fintech company in the U.S., Vivifi aims to expand the financial inclusion agenda. To know more, visit http://www.flexsalary.com. For more information, please contact: Vivifi India Finance Private Limited Anil Pinapala +91-9502004040 anil@vivifin.com Dickenson World Mehul Mehta President Dickenson World +91-98202-80325 mehul.mehta@dickensonir.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Wirecard Expands Collaboration With Google Pay in Europe ASCHHEIM, Germany, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Users of the boon App can now add their digital boon Mastercard to Google Pay in Ireland , Spain and the UK and pay just with a tap Wirecard, the global innovation leader in digital financial technology, is expanding its cooperation with Google Pay and is making its mobile payment app boon available for the wallet solution in Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. With boon, users not only benefit from a real-time overview of all transactions, peer-to-peer and online payments, they can also easily add their digital boon Mastercard to Google Pay. As a result, users enjoy paying in an even more convenient way - they just hold their smartphone on the terminal and approve the transaction, for example, with their fingerprint. The latest expansion of boon means that Wirecard's mobile payment solution will be available in Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom on four digital payment platforms: Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, and as of now, Google Pay. boon users will benefit from fully digitized mobile and wearable payment possibilities, regardless of which bank or mobile provider they use. "We are delighted to further bring boon into Google Pay, the fast and simple way to pay in millions of places," commented Florence Diss, Head of EMEA Commerce Partnerships at Google. "Google Pay users in Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom will benefit from having all oftheir cards, including boon, in a single digital wallet that is secure and convenient." "Our bank-independent mobile payment solution boon has already seen great success across Europe, and we expect to keep this momentum going with the latest expansion," added Georg von Waldenfels, Executive Vice President Consumer Solutions at Wirecard. "At Wirecard, we are constantly seeking to drive the digitization of payments forward, and bring the most innovative solutions to the hands of consumers. With this expansion, we are simplifying digital payments even more and meeting the demands of consumers who seek fast and convenient payments on the go." The success of contactless payments, whether by mobile, wearable, or card, can be felt across Europe, and especially in the United Kingdom where, according to Mastercard, nearly one in two in-store transactions are now contactless. Across Europe, Mastercard found that contactless spending on Mastercard and Maestro grew 145% in 2017. The same study found that overall, one quarter of Europeans expect to start using contactless payments with wearables in the future. The expansion of boon for Google Pay into three major European markets comes at a time of fast growth and high consumer demand for digital payment methods. boon is the industry's first fully digitized mobile payment solution which is also bank and mobile provider independent. The app is already available in France, Germany and Italy for Google Pay. On iOS, boon is available in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Further details can be found at http://www.beboon.com. To download boon, please click here. About Wirecard: Wirecard (GER: WDI) is one of the world's fastest growing digital platforms in the area of financial commerce. We provide both business customers and consumers with a constantly expanding ecosystem of real-time value-added services built around innovative digital payments by using an integrated B2B2C approach. This ecosystem concentrates on the areas payment & risk, retail & transaction banking, loyalty & couponing, data analytics & conversion rate enhancement in all sales channels (online, mobile, ePOS). Wirecard operates regulated financial institutions in several key markets, holds issuing and acquiring licenses from all major payment and card networks. Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (DAX and TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060). Visit us on http://www.wirecard.com, follow us on Twitter @wirecard and on Facebook @wirecardgroup. Wirecard media contact: Wirecard AG Jana Tilz Tel.: +49(0)89-4424-1363 Email: jana.tilz@wirecard.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] TrueMoney Chooses Qualtrics to Revolutionise Customer Experience and Deliver Products that Matter E-payment platform to leverage Qualtrics to enhance the customer experience of more than 21 million people across all six countries. With Qualtrics, TrueMoney can now obtain real-time insights, empowering them to take meaningful action BANGKOK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualtrics , the leader in experience management (XM), announced that it has been chosen by TrueMoney , Asia's leading e-payment platform, to consolidate their research & insights programme onto a single system of action. Leveraging the Qualtrics XM Platform , TrueMoney can effectively collect, understand and take action on customer, product and brand experience data across all its operating markets, which will improve their decision-making process. Part of Ascend Money, TrueMoney has over 21 million users across six countries in Southeast Asia. With the rising popularity of e-payment platforms, TrueMoney is instituting data-driven research programmes to improve the customer experience, product experience and brand experience. TrueMoney will utilise the Qualtrics Research Core to power its research & insights programme to identify customer pain points while gathering real-time insights. These insights will guide actions designed to improve the overall customer experience, better determine market opportunities to launch new products and services, and evaluate post-launch campaigns and promotional effectiveness. TrueMoney can now easily and more effectively monitor overall brand health, track brand awareness and perception, and evaluate heir service offerings. Additionally, TrueMoney is able to launch PhD-grade research projects with confidence and avoid pitfalls with Qualtrics ExpertReview, which uses built-in artificial intelligence to monitor survey health in real time and offer recommendations to improve survey quality. "Consumers are at the core to our business and hold the keys to our success. We chose Qualtrics because it is a one-stop experience management platform that allows us to understand not just what our customers want, but also how they perceive their experience with us and our brand as a whole. With Qualtrics, we are empowered to make informed decisions that are data-driven. That makes it possible for us to constantly improve our product and brand experience," said Ms Thi Thom Pham, CMO, Ascend Money. "Every market is unique and every customer is unique. By adopting a robust, holistic approach to customer experience, e-payment platforms will be able to optimise their marketing strategy and make informed decisions that results in a higher rate of success. Building a positive customer, employee, product and brand experience makes a difference and will create brand affinity among consumers. We are delighted to be part of TrueMoney's efforts to power their research and insights programme as Qualtrics continues to transform the way how companies close experience gaps," said Mr Foo Mao Gen, Head of Southeast Asia, Qualtrics. With Qualtrics, TrueMoney will expand its research programme at its own pace and can grow its program over time due to the flexibility and scalability of Qualtrics Research Core. Qualtrics powers experience management for over 9,500 customers over 90 countries. In Southeast Asia, Qualtrics powers brands like: OCBC Bank, Singtel, Thai Airways International, Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific, Nestle, Singapore Post, and educational establishments such as United World College Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). About Ascend Money Ascend is a regional online company from Southeast Asia, for Southeast Asians. We operate various businesses through our affiliated companies in fintech, e-commerce, e-procurement, data centres, cloud services, fulfilment, and digital marketing services, to harness the synergy from our ecosystem. About TrueMoney TrueMoney is an award-winning regional payment platform for the underserved and digital consumers in Southeast Asia across six countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. It serves over 21 million people through its e-wallet app and 50,000 agent networks. For more information, please visit www.truemoney.com . About Qualtrics Qualtrics is the technology platform that organizations use to collect, manage, and act on experience data, also called X-data. The Qualtrics XM Platform is a system of action, used by teams, departments, and entire organizations to manage the four core experiences of business -- customer, product, employee and brand -- on one platform. Over 9,500 enterprises worldwide, including more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100 and 99 of the top 100 U.S. business schools, rely on Qualtrics to consistently build products that people love, create more loyal customers, develop a phenomenal employee culture, and build iconic brands. To learn more, and for a free account, please visit www.qualtrics.com . SOURCE Qualtrics [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Transportation and Logistics Companies Must Intensify Collaboration to Reap the Benefits of Blockchain BOSTON, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain adoption by the transportation and logistics (T&L) industry has been slower than one might expect given the magnitude of the potential benefits. To promote adoption, industry participants must collaborate to develop an ecosystem that forges trust and creates mutual benefits across the value chain, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report, titled Resolving the Blockchain Paradox in Transportation and Logistics, is being released today. The report discusses the results of a recent BCG survey of executives from more than 100 T&L companies. Among the key findings: The vast majority of respondents (88%) believe that blockchain will disrupt the industry at least somewhat. And most (59%) believe that the disruptions will take place within the next two to five years. But nearly three-quarters (74%) say that they are exploring opportunities only superficially or haven't thought about blockchain at all. 60% of respondents believe that a lack of coordination among industry players and the absence of an ecosystem are major barriers to blockchain adoption. Only 16% of respondents feel that they have a clear understanding of blockchain technology and itsimplications for their industry. In line with this, only about 20% of respondents said that blockchain is among their company's top ten strategic priorities. Andrew Schmahl , a BCG partner and coauthor of the report. "By increasing transparency, blockchain can mitigate the mistrust that often exists within the T&L industry's multiparty transactions. Yet this same mistrust makes it hard to bring together the industry's diverse participants into a common blockchain ecosystem." The report finds that it would be worthwhile for T&L companies to resolve the paradox. The benefits include improvements to speed, traceability, cargo safety, and invoicing and payment processes. Such benefits can drive substantial cost reductions, helping to relieve the intense margin pressure experienced by many industry players. Companies may also be able to use blockchain to develop entirely new business models. The report identifies 15 use cases for blockchain in T&L, outlines the success factors for forming an industry-wide ecosystem, and discusses the steps each company must take to promote adoption. "To promote industry-wide adoption, each player needs to see how blockchain can create value by relieving the points of friction in its own operations," says Camille Egloff, a BCG senior partner and coauthor of the report. "Then, by working with suppliers, customers, and even competitors, a company can understand and implement solutions that address its specific business needs." A copy of the report can be downloaded here. To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or gregoire.eric@bcg.com. About Boston Consulting Group Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with offices in more than 90 cities in 50 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com. Boston Consulting Group Eric Gregoire Global Media Relations Senior Manager Tel +1 617-850-3783 gregoire.eric@bcg.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transportation-and-logistics-companies-must-intensify-collaboration-to-reap-the-benefits-of-blockchain-300785339.html SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 28, 2019] Yokogawa Wins a Control System Order for the Provisur Seawater Desalination Project in Peru Yokogawa Electric (News - Alert) Corporation (TOKYO:6841) announces that the Peru branch of Yokogawa America do Sul (a Yokogawa Electric Corporation subsidiary) has received a control system order from Tecnicas de Desalinizacion de Aguas, S.A. (Tedagua)*1 for a water desalination plant and associated facilities that it is building for Servicio de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado de Lima S.A. (SEDAPAL) in the Santa Maria district of Lima, the capital of Peru. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005006/en/ Provisur Seawater Desalination Plant architectural drawing (Graphic: Business Wire) With the Provisur seawater desalination project, Peru's first reverse osmosis*2 desalination plant is being constructed to supply 35,000 m3 of potable water per day to the 100,000 residents of the Santa Maria district. Water distribution and sewer pipelines (total length: 260 km), a sewage treatment plant (daily capacity: 15,500 m3), and an undersea pipeline (780 m) for the discharge of treated water are also being built. Part of the treated water will be used for watering plants in the local area. Expectations are high for this project because Lima and other coastal areas in Peru have a desert climate that gets very little rain throughout the year. Yokogawa will deliver the CENTUMTM VP integrated production control system, STARDOMTM FCN-500 network-based control system, and other solutions for monitoring and controlling the project's desalination plant, sewage treatment plant, water distribution pipelines, sewer pipelines, and undersea pipeline. Both CENTUM VP and STARDOM FCN-500 are solutions in Yokogawa's OpeXTM Control and Safety System family. The Peru branch of Yokogawa America do Sul will have overall responsibility for executing the systems side of this project, including engineering and commissioning. Delivery is scheduled for April and the plant is to start operation in June 2019. To "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all" is one of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the year 2030 that were adopted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit. There are urgent needs around the world to achieve high availability for water supply and water treatment systems. Yokogawa will leverage its know-how and solid track record in executing water supply and water treatment projects in Japan and desalination projects outside Japan to provide solutions that will ensure a stable supply of water and protect the environment in South America and other regions. *1: A major engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company specializing in desalination plants. They are a group company of ACS (News - Alert) , a major construction company in Spain. *2: A method by which seawater is passed through a special membrane to remove salinity and produce fresh water For more information Industries -Water & Wastewater- https://www.yokogawa.com/industries/water-wastewater/ Our Approach to Sustainability https://www.yokogawa.com/about/sustainability/policy/ Yokogawa Joins Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index https://www.yokogawa.com/pr/news/2019/pr-news-2019-0123-en.htm About Yokogawa Founded in 1915, Yokogawa engages in broad-ranging activities in the areas of measurement, control, and information. The industrial automation business provides vital products, services, and solutions to a diverse range of process industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, and pulp and paper. With the life innovation business the company aims to radically improve productivity across the pharmaceutical and food industry value chains. The test & measurement, aviation, and other businesses continue to provide essential instruments and equipment with industry-leading precision and reliability. Yokogawa co-innovates with its customers through a global network of 113 companies spanning 61 countries, generating US$3.8 billion in sales in FY2017. For more information, please visit www.yokogawa.com The names of corporations, organizations, products, services and logos herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Yokogawa Electric Corporation or their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005006/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 28, 2019] Dynex Capital, Inc. Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Common Stock Dynex Capital, Inc. (NYSE: DX) (the "Company") announced today that it priced its public offering of 7,000,000 shares of common stock for total expected gross proceeds of $41.3 million before underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses. The Company has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,050,000 shares of its common stock. The offering is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on January 31, 2019. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to acquire additional investments, consistent with its investment policy, and for general corporate purposes, that may include, among other things, repayment of maturing obligations, capital expenditures and working capital. J.P. Morgan is the book-running manager for the offering. The offering will be made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) "). The offering of these securities will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering may be obtained, when available, by contacting J.P. organ Securities LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at (866) 803-9204, or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other 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 other jurisdiction. Dynex Capital, Inc. is an internally managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, which invests in mortgage assets on a leveraged basis. The Company invests in Agency and non-Agency RMBS, CMBS, and CMBS IO. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements relating to the proposed offering, the expected gross proceeds from the offering, the Company's intended use of proceeds from the offering and other statements that use words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "will," "would," "potential" and similar terms, are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the SEC. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005778/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP Announces Investigation on Behalf of Vale S.A. Investors (VALE) National Shareholder Rights Law Firm Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") announces an investigation on behalf of Vale S.A. investors ("Vale" or the "Company") (NYSE: VALE) 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 false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. On January 25, 2019, Reuters (News - Alert) reported that a tailings dam burst at Vale's Feijao iron ore mine in Brazil, leaving hundreds of people missing. According to the article, the mine was in the process of being decommissioned. On this news, Vale's stock fell over 15% during intraday trading on January 28, 2019, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Vale securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005679/en/ [January 28, 2019] VPN.com Brokers Crete.com Domain for $105,000 ATLANTA and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates and LAS VEGAS, Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a vision of selling $25 million of domains over the next year, VPN.com aims to be the exclusive exact-match domain brokerage firm for premium domain buyers and sellers. That journey started with Crete.com as VPN.com brokered the name for $105,000 making it the 3rd largest published domain transaction of 2019, at the moment. Congratulations to the buyer and seller! Sharjil Saleem, now VP of Domains at VPN.com, was behind the Crete.com transaction. Less than two weeks ago, Michael partnered with Sharjil to formally launch VPN Brokers. Sharjil brokered three of the top 100 most expensive domains in 2018 and six of the most expensive domains in 2017. Sharjil has been an incredible partner for our team in a very short period of time. Our deal-ready networks, negotiation skills, domain experience and patience all factored into our decisions to work together. These are exactly the qualities Sharjil and I are looking for as we expand the size of our brokerage team. Nonetheless, I am very excited to have one of the best domain brokers in the world working with us, Gargiulo commented. Selling $25 million in domain names in one year is not an easy task. Gargiulo acquired VPN.com, the 7th most expensive in 2017, for nearly $1 million. After globally disclosing the VPN.com acquisition story, becoming Forbes Featured Domain Name Contributor and referring countless inquiries to other brokerage firms, he recognized the opportunity. Owning VPN.com will attract others needing to broker similar, high-quality exact-match domain names. Very few domain brokerage firms actually use an exact-match domain as their brand when prospecting for clients and deals. As a CEO or domain owner, you immediately take our emails and phones calls more seriously simply because of our name and reputation.We plan to leverage these permanent competitive advantages to sell more than $100 million in domains over the next three years, Gargiulo added. Domain Name Journal, Domain Name Wire and several other outlets have already covered VPN.com expanding into domain brokerage services. According to Gargiulo, VPN.com will expand the number of brokers, premium inventory and exclusive buyers in their network over the next 18 months. VPN.com will be attending NamesCon, the largest domain conference in the world, January 27 through 31 in Las Vegas. Contact us, below. If you or someone you know own premium domains or need help acquiring them, please visit: https://www.vpn.com/broker For our current list of Buy Requests, please visit: https://www.vpn.com/broker/request For our more information about our Domain Acquisitions, please visit: https://www.vpn.com/broker/acquisition For media and interview inquiries, please email: pr@vpn.com or visit: https://www.vpn.com/press About VPN.com VPN.com aims to be the worldwide leader in exact-match domain name acquisitions by brokering $100 million in domains by 2022. The company has acquired and brokered some of the most recognized domains on the internet, helping brands create permanent competitive advantages in their space. In addition to domain brokerage, VPN.com sells VPNs as well, with a mission of helping 1 billion people protect their privacy online by 2025. See More: VPN.com Domain Brokers See More on Forbes: Exact-Match Domain Names And Why Investors Value Them See More on DNW: VPN.com Launches Domain Brokerage [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 28, 2019] Enterprise Holdings Completes Acquisition of Deem ST. LOUIS, Jan. 28, 2019 /CNW/ -- The world's largest car rental provider, Enterprise Holdings, today completed the purchase of Deem, an innovative managed-travel technology platform. The Deem platform includes Deem Work Fource and Deem Ground Work, a suite of online booking and travel technology products for business travelers, travel managers, travel-management companies and suppliers. Since 2011, Deem has provided the technology behind Enterprise Holdings' EHIDirect travel booking platform for small- and medium-sized corporations. Enterprise has been a minority investor in Deem since 2016. Most recently, Enterprise and Deem partnered together to offer National Car and Driver in China through the National Car Rental brand. Earlier this month, Enterprise Holdings announced its intent to acquire Deem. "We recognized Deem as a company that can bring better solutions to the travel industry," said Greg Stubblefield, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Enterprise Holdings, which operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car , National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. Under Enterprise Holdings, Deem now has access to an infusion of capital and resources to help further expand its product roadmap and increase the pace of product development and enhancements. Deem will continue to operate autonomously from its Silicon Valley headquarters and offer its suite of business travel technology including air and hotel as well as ground transportation options across major rental car, black car, ride-hailing and rail service providers. John F. Rizzo will remain in his role as Chief Executive Officer, as will the rest of the Deem executive team. About Enterprise Holdings Enterprise Holdings through its integrated global network of independent regional subsidiaries and franchises operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands at more than 10,000 fully staffed neighborhood and airport locations. Combined, Enterprise Holdings and its affiliate Enterprise Fleet Management accounted for $24.1 billion in revenue and owned 2 million vehicles throughout the world in fiscal year 2018. Enterprise Holdings' regional subsidiaries and Enterprise Fleet Management currently employ 100,000 worldwide. Enterprise Holdings currently is ranked as one of America's Largest Private Companies . Furthermore, if it were publicly traded, Enterprise Holdings would rank on Fortune's list of the 500 largest American public companies. About Deem Deem is designed for the entire business travel ecosystem using machine learning, AI and predictive analytics. Deem's suite of tools range from a dynamic traveler booking platform, travel manager cost controls, travel agency service technology, and supplier revenue opportunities, including the world's largest car service affiliate network and operator solutions. Deem's Work Fource, Ground Work and Emerging platforms service more than 50,000 corporate customers in 61 countries, speaking 14 languages including the world's largest travel management companies. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. with offices in Bangalore, India. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/enterprise-holdings-completes-acquisition-of-deem-300785502.html SOURCE Enterprise Holdings [January 28, 2019] USI Planned to Sign a Contract to Invest in Huizhou Daya Bay New Plant Project SHANGHAI, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- USI (SSE: 601231) announced on January 29, 2019 that the ninth meeting of the fourth board of directors of the Company reviewed and approved that the Company intended to sign the "Project Investment Agreement" with China Merchants Group of Huizhou Daya Bay Economic and Technological Development Zone of Guangdong Province, planning to set up a wholly-owned sub-subsidiary Huanrong Electronics (Huizhou) Co., Ltd. (subject to examination and approval by Administration for Industry and Commerce) in Huizhou Daya Bay Economic and Technological Development Zone, mainly producing video control panels, cash registers, server motherboards, new electronic products and other products, with total planned investment (including land transfer fees) of no less than RMB 1.35 billion, of which fixed assets investment is not less than RMB 1 billion, registered capital is RMB 200 million, and the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Universal Scientific Industrial Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Universal Scientific Industrial Electronics (Shenzhen)") holds 100% equity of the new company. As the only production base of the Company in South China, Universal Scientific Industrial Electronics (Shenzhen) is running near full capacity, and the existing site and space cannot meet thedevelopment needs of the Company's business in South China. The Company's investment in Huizhou Daya Bay New Plant for this time is a key project of the Company's development strategy planning. The implementation of this project is beneficial to the investment of Universal Scientific Industrial Electronics (Shenzhen) in new plant areas to meet the growing needs of its capacity expansion and the development of the Company's business in South China. It is also beneficial to the Company's acceleration of technological transformation and industrial upgrading, vigorous development of industrial automation, significant improvement of the Company's industry competitiveness and rational distribution of production capacity so as to fully leverage the advantages of technology, market and talents accumulated in Shenzhen to consolidate the foundation of the Company's accelerated expansion and long-term development in South China. About USI (SSE: 601231) USI is a leading global D(MS)2 company providing design, miniaturization, material sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and after services of electronic devices/modules for brand owners. USI is a member of ASE Group and has been listed in Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2012. It has many years of experience in the electronics manufacturing services industry and leverages the industry-leading technology of ASE Group, which enables USI to offer customers diversified products in the sectors of wireless communication, computer and storage, consumer, industrial, and automotive electronics worldwide. Through the sales service network in North America, Europe, Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, and manufacturing sites in Mainland China, Taiwan, Mexico and Poland. USI has about 18,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the website www.usish.com. USI IR Contact Sherry Wang Tel: 137-7422-4322 Email: sherry_wang@usiglobal.com Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190128/2358271-1 SOURCE USI [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 28, 2019] Despegar.com Announces Participation at the 2019 Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference Despegar.com, Corp. (NYSE: DESP), ("Despegar" or the "Company") a leading online travel company in Latin America, today announced that Damian Scokin (CEO) and Javier Kelly Grinner (IRO) will participate at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference taking place in San Francisco, California from Tuesday, February 12 through Thursday, February 14, 2019. A copy of the Company's latest investor presentation which provides an overview of the business will be available on the Company's website: www.despegar.com in the Investor Relations section on the day that management will be meting with investors. About Despegar.com Despegar is the leading online travel company in Latin America. Operating across 20 countries, Despegar provides a broad suite of travel products, including airline tickets, travel packages, hotel bookings and other travel products to over 17 million customers. With a mission "to make travel possible", the Company's one-stop marketplace enables millions of users to find, compare, plan and easily purchase travel services and products. Through Despegar's websites and leading mobile apps, it offers products from over 300 airlines, more than 520,000 accommodation options, as well as approximately 1,100 car rental agencies and approximately 240 destination services suppliers with more than 8,700 activities throughout Latin America. The Company owns and operates two well-recognized brands, Despegar, its global brand, and Decolar, its Brazilian brand. Despegar is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DESP). For more information, please visit www.despegar.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005732/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 28, 2019] Speakers at 9th Annual Life Settlement Institutional Investor Conference Point to Significant "Organic Growth" of U.S. Life Settlement Market A confluence of demographic and economic forces are aligning to drive substantial growth of the life settlements asset class, according to featured speakers today at the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA)'s Ninth Annual Life Settlement Institutional Investor Conference. The event, which is the leading professional gathering of institutional investors in the life settlement industry, was held today at The Wagner Hotel in New York City. "Now is the best time ever to invest in life settlements," said Alan H. Buerger, executive chairman and co-founder of Coventry, the pioneer in the life settlement industry. "We are seeing organic growth of this market through the education of consumers and their professional advisors of the life settlement option as an alternative to the lapse or surrender of a life insurance policy. In addition, the demographic trends are very favorable for our industry, with 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day and struggling to fund their retirement income needs." In his keynote address at the conference, Buerger noted that a recent Coventry survey found 8 in 10 seniors who contacted the company to discuss a life settlement were not previously aware that they could sell their life insurance policy. "Life settlements have proven to be an attractive option for consumers who no longer need their life insurance policy, so they are now accepted as self-evident transactions by regulators, financial intermediaries and institutional investors," said Buerger. "The performance of the U.S. financial markets in 2018 really illustrates the value of life settlements to institutional investor portfolios," said Dan Young, senior managing director at ida Capital, in opening remarks at the conference. "Last year, every major investment category was down - stocks, bonds and even supposedly uncorrelated assets such as gold - but life settlements continued to deliver consistent returns for institutional investors who owned them in their funds." A panel discussion ("The Evolution of Life Settlements: From Origination to Portfolio Management") - featuring Steven Shapiro, president and chief executive officer of Q Capital, John Welcom, founder and chief executive officer of Welcome Funds, and Jeffrey Bollerman, managing director of Houlihan Lokey - also walked attendees through changes in the life settlement marketplace that have led to a sharp increase in business volume over the past three years. The panelists agreed that both consumers and institutional investors have grown more comfortable with life settlement transactions, fueled by increased awareness of the life settlement option as an alternative to lapse or surrender of a life insurance policy, as well as a change in federal estate tax law that has many seniors re-evaluating the need to maintain their policies. Other featured sessions at the conference included: "Investor Perspective" - A panel discussion (William Ketterer, chief investment officer for Avmont, Darryl Glatthorn, chief executive officer of RiverRock Funds, Adam Meltzer, managing director at Vida Capital, and moderated by John Dallas, chief executive officer of Berkshire Settlements, Inc.) that evaluated why life settlements are an attractive investment opportunity worth exploring in today's climate and provided an outlook for market acceleration in 2019. "Investment Performance" - A presentation by Corwin Zass, founder of Actuarial Risk Management, Ltd., that addressed various methods of fund performance reporting in the life settlement asset class and potential best practices for institutional investors to consider. "Hot Topics in Life Settlements" - A panel discussion (Jule Rousseau, partner at Arent Fox (News - Alert) , Matthew Sheridan, consultant to QuantRes, Nat Shapo, partner at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, and moderated by Mark Venn, chief executive officer of ClearLife, Ltd.) that provided attendees with important updates on key legal and regulatory issues, such as upcoming court proceedings in Cost of Insurance litigation, new tax reporting requirements created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and developments in return of premium cases. "Investment Structures in Ireland and Luxembourg: Comparison and Contrast" - A panel session (Aiden Small, partner at Arthur Cox (News - Alert) , and Brian Casey, partner at Locke Lord LLP) that reviewed the relevant considerations for institutional investors interested in holding life settlement assets in structures domiciled in two popular non-U.S. jurisdictions. "Considerations in the Evaluation of Actual-to-Expected Underwriting Ratios" - A presentation by Don Solow, president of Vista Life & Casualty Reinsurance Company, that reviewed key factors to consider when evaluating the "actual-to-expected" results of an underwriter in the life settlement space. "The consumer is in need and we can help them," said Darwin M. Bayston, president and chief executive officer of LISA. "LISA's Life Settlement Institutional Investor Conference bridges the gap between consumer policyholders and sources of investment capital by bringing together professionals from pension funds, hedge funds, family offices, foundations and endowments for updates on the latest developments in the life insurance secondary market." About the Life Insurance Settlement Association The Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA) is the nation's oldest and largest organization representing participants in the life settlement Industry, with a current membership of more than 90 companies doing business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The mission of LISA is to promote the development, integrity and reputation of the life settlement industry, to advance the highest standards of practice and professional development for the industry, and to educate consumers and advisors about a life settlement as an alternative to lapse or surrender of a life insurance policy. For more information, visit www.lisa.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005762/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] VelocityEHS' Humantech Hosts Live Webinar on the Business Value of Ergonomics ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VelocityEHS, the global leader in cloud-based environment, health, safety (EHS) and sustainability solutions, is proud to announce its first ergonomics webinar this year. Managing Consultant Blake McGowan will conduct the live, complimentary event, Why Ergonomics? Communicating the Value to Business Stakeholders on Tuesday, February 12th at 2 p.m. Eastern. Value is defined as the worth to the operation. Effectively communicating the value of ergonomics to business stakeholders begins with providing a clear and concise definition of ergonomics: the science of designing the workplace to match peoples capabilities. When ergonomics is done right, and human performance is optimized, two primary positive outcomes are achieved: improved employee well-being and enhanced business performance. To engage in these discussions, both parties must speak the ame language. EHS professionals need to make more of an effort to involve business stakeholders. And, stakeholders need to be educated on the value contributions of ergonomics. Engaging with ergonomics researchers, practitioners, and leaders, Ive learned many positive benefits, says McGowan. The impact of ergonomics on business performance is tremendous. Some of the benefits include: Enhanced product quality. Product defects rates are reduced and less time and money is spent correcting them. Product defects rates are reduced and less time and money is spent correcting them. Increased manufacturing performance. Manufacturing task times are reduced and facility productivity improves. Manufacturing task times are reduced and facility productivity improves. Improved employee engagement. When the workplace is designed using ergonomics design guidelines, employees feel respected because their workspace meets their needs. When the workplace is designed using ergonomics design guidelines, employees feel respected because their workspace meets their needs. Better stock performance and corporate social responsibility. Companies that invest in and build a culture of health by focusing on workforce safety and well-being yield greater value for their investors. To register for this public webinar and to learn more, visit the Humantech website. McGowan will also present this topic at the next NIOSH Musculoskeletal Health Program Webinar on Wednesday, January 30th at 10 a.m. Registration is required. About VelocityEHS | Humantech For 40 years, global companies have relied on VelocityEHS Humantech software and services for workplace ergonomics improvements. By combining experienced, board-certified ergonomists with our proprietary assessment tools and comprehensive software, we deliver integrated solutions that impact safety, quality, and productivity. To learn more about how our Humantech solutions can help you do ergonomics right, visit www.humantech.com. About VelocityEHS Trusted by more than 13,000 customers worldwide, VelocityEHS helps you reach your EHS goals faster with quick implementations, affordable solutions, and unparalleled customer support. We deliver a comprehensive cloud-based environment, health and safety (EHS) software platform. Our easy-to-use software applications are designed based on industry best-practice principles to help you solve complex business challenges in simple ways. Recognized by the EHS industrys top independent analysts, achieving leading scores in the Verdantix 2017 Green Quadrant Analysis and 2017 NAEM EHS & Sustainability Software Ratings Report, VelocityEHS is the global leader in cloud EHS software solutions. VelocityEHS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Oakville, Canada; London, England; and Sydney, Australia. For more information, visit www.EHS.com. Contact: Jennifer Sinkwitts VelocityEHS | Humantech Tel. 734.663.3330 ext. 132 jsinkwitts@humantech.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Twelve Canadian Companies Named to the Global Cleantech 100 List More than half include EDC customers from diverse markets and sectors across Canada OTTAWA, Jan. 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Once again in 2019, Canadian cleantech companies are making their mark on the world stage, with 12 companies being named to the prestigious Global Cleantech 100 list at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco. This year, the list of innovative and promising clean technology companies represents strong diversification of markets and sectors with representation from across Canada. Eight of the 12 companies being recognized are Export Development Canada (EDC) customers, a banner year for Canadian cleantech companies whose locations span across British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia covering many different sectors including energy, biochemicals, extractives and more. "EDC would like to congratulate the Canadian companies who have been selected for this year's Global Cleantech Top 100 list. The innovative solutions offered by Canadian clean technology companies are being used globally to reduce environmental impacts and allow for more efficient use of natural resources," said Carl Burlock, Senior Vice Preident, Financing, Export Development Canada. "Canada's clean technology sector continues to evolve, and EDC is proud to be supporting the international growth of Canadian clean technology companies." Congratulations to our customers: CarbonCure Technologies Inc. Advanced Materials ( Halifax, Nova Scotia ) ) CoolEdge Lighting Inc. Energy Efficiency ( Richmond, British Columbia ) ) Ecobee Inc. Energy Efficiency ( Toronto, Ontario ) ) Enbala Power Networks Inc. Smart Grid ( North Vancouver , British Colombia) , British Colombia) Metamaterial Technologies Inc. Advanced Materials ( Dartmouth, Nova Scotia ) ) Minesense Technologies Ltd. Extractive ( Vancouver, British Columbia ) ) SemiosBios Technologies Inc. Agriculture ( Vancouver, British Columbia ) ) Terramera Inc. Biochemicals ( Vancouver, British Columbia ) Quick Facts EDC is the largest Canadian provider of financial solutions for Canadian cleantech companies looking to export internationally. EDC has a dedicated Cleantech team of professionals with representation across Canada with the sector knowledge and expertise to help facilitate the growth of Canadian Cleantech companies. with the sector knowledge and expertise to help facilitate the growth of Canadian Cleantech companies. In 2018, EDC provided over $2.0 billion in support for clean technology companies a record year. in support for clean technology companies a record year. Since 2012, EDC has quadrupled its cleantech customers, facilitating more than $6 billion in business in 114 countries. in business in 114 countries. The cleantech global market is estimated to be worth US$1 trillion and expected to surpass US $2.5 trillion by 2022. About EDC EDC helps Canadian companies go, grow and succeed in their international business. As a financial Crown corporation, EDC provides financing, insurance, bonding, trade knowledge, and matchmaking connections to help Canadian companies sell and invest abroad. EDC can also provide financial solutions to foreign buyers to facilitate and grow purchases from Canadian companies. SOURCE Export Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Silver Peak Appoints Dean Vaughan Vice President of Sales for Asia Pacific and Japan to Accelerate Business Expansion Across the Region Silver Peak, the global SD-WAN leader, delivering the transformational promise of the cloud with a self-driving wide area network, today announced the appointment of Dean Vaughan as vice president of sales for Asia Pacific and Japan to accelerate business expansion and customer acquisition through the company's enterprise and service provider channels across the region. Recently recognized as a Leader in the Gartner (News - Alert) 2018 Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure, Silver Peak (News - Alert) currently has more than 1,000 global production customer deployments of its business-driven Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN edge platform. Today's executive appointment dovetails a series of executive leadership and channel partner program announcemnts that underscore the company's strategy to recruit the industry's best talent as it pursues market leadership in the hyper-competitive market for SD-WAN edge infrastructure. Silver Peak is now expanding into Japan, hiring seasoned sales teams to work hand in hand with partners to address the unique wide area networking requirements of Japanese enterprise customers. A 22-year industry veteran with a proven track record in building winning sales teams, Dean Vaughan is responsible for Asia Pacific and Japan enterprise sales, including go-to-market and channel strategies to drive partner engagement and customer acquisition. "It's an exciting time to join Silver Peak as geographically distributed enterprises across the Asia Pacific and Japan region turn to SD-WAN as a means to drive cloud and digital transformation initiatives," said Dean Vaughan, vice president of sales for Asia Pacific and Japan at Silver Peak. "My immediate task is to put in place the best go-to-market strategy and team to lead Silver Peak forward, empowering customers across the region with our business-driven Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN edge platform and liberating them from the compromises of router-centric and basic SD-WAN approaches to transform their networks into a business accelerant." Prior to Silver Peak, Vaughan served in various enterprise technology sales leadership positions at Oracle (News - Alert) , most recently as senior director of Cloud Platform Solutions for ASEAN where, in a short period of time, he significantly expanded the public cloud IaaS and PaaS businesses. Vaughan began his career at Oracle in 2009 where he established and scaled the Oracle Virtualization and Linux business units in Australia and New Zealand. By 2012, Vaughan was promoted to oversee the Cloud Infrastructure business unit for Asia Pacific and Japan. During this time, Vaughan delivered consistent double-digit annual growth by expanding the business to India, Korea and Japan and restructuring the business in China, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand. Previously, Vaughan built NCR Corporation's Cisco (News - Alert) Systems Network Integration business across Asia Pacific. "Dean is a strong and seasoned leader who will enable us to capitalize on the unprecedented wave of SD-WAN demand across the Asia Pacific and Japan region," said Ken Laversin, chief revenue officer at Silver Peak. "Dean's demonstrated expertise in growing multiple businesses across Asia Pacific and Japan, and his depth of knowledge of the enterprise and channel market will enable Silver Peak to accelerate business expansion and customer acquisition, further entrenching us as the global SD-WAN leader delivering the transformational promise of the cloud with the industry's first self-driving wide area network." About Silver Peak Silver Peak, the global SD-WAN leader, delivers the transformational promise of the cloud with a business-first networking model. The Unity EdgeConnect self-driving wide area network platform liberates enterprises from conventional WAN approaches to transform the network from a constraint to a business accelerant. Thousands of globally distributed enterprises have deployed Silver Peak WAN solutions across 100 countries. Learn more at silver-peak.com. 2019 Silver Peak Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Silver Peak, the Silver Peak logo, and all Silver Peak product names, logos, and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of Silver Peak Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005048/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Global Payments Expands Integrated Fundraising Software Solutions to Canada Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN), a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, announced today the expansion of its Greater Giving fundraising software solutions to Canada. The suite of integrated software solutions is designed to simplify fundraising events and streamline business processes, including online payments, event management and mobile bidding. Greater Giving provides cloud-based SaaS (News - Alert) fundraising software and payment technology solutions to nonprofits and schools throughout the United States. Its products are used by more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations, helping raise over $6 billion in donations since 2002. With this expansion, organizations across Canada will now benefit from these innovative software driven solutions in their fundraising efforts. "Global Payments is committed to delivering technology enabled solutions that drive unique value for our customers," said Rene Belanger, President of Global Payments Canada. "With the Greater Giving suite of integrated software solutions, we are able to empower nonprofit and charitable organizations across Canada to simplify processes and raise more funds." "Greater Giving is widely established in North America because of its proven success helping nonprofits and schools," said Terry Roberts, President of Education Solutions, Greater Giving & MicroPayments at Global Payments. "Expanding into Canada will provide our solutions to a broaderaudience of fundraisers. We remain committed to providing software and educational resources to those dedicated to the important mission of helping others in the communities where we live and work." About Greater Giving Greater Giving, a Global Payments company, is dedicated to providing technology solutions to the nonprofit community in order to improve their fundraising efforts. Greater Giving offers integrated and stand-alone solutions that include event management software, online registration and donation services, online bidding, on-site payment collection, and credit card processing. Best-in-class customer service is also provided leading up to and for the duration of an event. Since 2002, Greater Giving has processed more than $6B in credit card payments in support of nonprofit causes for thousands of organizations and schools across the United States and Canada. Greater Giving also provides free fundraising education resources throughout the year, including webinars, live seminars, eBooks, guides and blog articles. For more information, visit www.greatergiving.com. About Global Payments Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) is a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions delivering innovative services to our customers globally. Our technologies, services and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of solutions that allow our customers to accept all payment types and operate their businesses more efficiently across a variety of distribution channels in many markets around the world. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with approximately 11,000 employees worldwide, Global Payments is a member of the S&P 500 with customers and partners in 31 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Brazil. For more information about Global Payments, our Service. Driven. Commerce brand and our technologies, please visit www.globalpaymentsinc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005116/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] cleverDome and TD Ameritrade Institutional Team Up to Increase Cybersecurity for RIAs GILBERT, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- cleverDome Inc., a B-Corporation that provides a community-driven solution to protect confidential consumer information by taking that information "Under the Dome" (i.e., secure and off the open internet), today announced that registered investment advisors using certain software solutions can sign up to come "Under the Dome" thanks to a new integration with the TD Ameritrade Institutional Veo One platform. The cleverDome solution combines end-point protection with a secure communication layer under a common due-diligence standard, the foundation for the future of financial networks. The cleverDome network offers military-grade security for all of an advisory firm's computers and devices. cleverDome can replace traditional VPN solutions and enable RIA firms to benefit from lower costs and higher speeds. The Dome is available today to advisors who custody assets with TD Ameritrade Institutional and use technology from vendors that are members of the cleverDome community. Currently, cleverDome can secure an advisor's client information being shared among three Veo One-integrated technology solutions: Redtail, Riskalyze and Orion. cleverDome is in discussions with many more financial technology providers and expects to add more companies over time. As more vendors are added, advisors will be able to "permission" new vendors who join cleverDome. cleverDome's focus for the past 12 months has been on bringing software service vendors, broker/dealers, registered investment advisers and financial advisors "Under the Dome." Participants in the cleverDome cybersecurity cooperative include firms such as Orion Advisor Services, Redtail, Riskalyze, United Planners, Geneos and FCI. "We're always seeking ways to help advisors protect their systems and client data. In an interconnected world, that also means making sure advisor systems are secure when connecting with us and third-party solutions," said Jon Patullo, managing director of technology solutions at TD Ameritrade Institutional. "By taking critical data off the open internet, we can better protect data shared between multiple parties and help RIAs ensure their computers and mobile devices are protected when accessing client data anywhere, anytime." Cybersecurity not surprisingly is top of mind for advisors. In the latest TD Ameritrade Institutional RIA Sentiment Survey, data security was the top technology spending priority among advisors and expected to be a top issue among regulators in 2019. "TD Ameritrade has long been an innovator in meeting the technology needs of independent registered investment advisors and a close collaborator with the organizations that support them, enabling RIA firms to seamlessly integrate solutions into their workflow," said Bridget Gaughan, co-founder and chief risk officer, cleverDome. "Keeping persona data of consumers safe with a fully secure network has been a great challenge across the financial services spectrum. Our integration with Veo One is a crucial first step in bringing client information under the Dome." "cleverDome addresses genuine issues within the wealth management industry's data security and IT supply chain challenges, having created a unique zero-trust, compliance-driven vendor-management system the first of its kind," said Mike Hallett of Net Foundry. "cleverDome is really showing the world we are ready for advancements in cloudware within regulated environments." AVAILABLE TODAY cleverDome is available today to advisors using the Veo One platform and certain technology tools. TD Ameritrade Institutional, with the integration of cleverDome with the Veo One platform, ushers in a new era in industry security as it coordinates with cleverDome to enable integrations with technology providers integrated with Veo One, further enhancing ease of use for advisors. "As a long-time member of the Veo-integrated community, we are thrilled that advisors can now have that extra layer of security for their clients," said Eric Clarke, founder and CEO, Orion Advisor Services. "As a technology provider, I can tell you that we spend countless hours thinking about cybersecurity. It's great that a firm like cleverDome has our back and is working to provide additional security to Veo-integrated vendors." LEARN MORE AT T3 ADVISOR AND TD AMERITRADE LINC CONFERENCES Newly appointed cleverDome staff along with numerous cleverDome co-op and consortium members will be available to speak with attendees at Joel Bruckenstein's T3 Advisor Conference Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2019, in Dallas (www.TechnologyToolsForToday.com). cleverDome will also be participating as a member of the Veo Village at TD Ameritrade Institutional's annual National LINC conference, Feb. 6-8, 2019, in San Diego (www.TDAConferences.com). Attendees interested in finding the cleverDome booth can check the conference materials to determine locations in both the T3 exhibit hall and/or Veo Village at the TD Ameritrade Institutional National LINC conference. Interested others can learn more by visiting the cleverDome website: www.cleverDome.com. ABOUT CLEVERDOME INC. cleverDome Inc. is an Arizona Benefit Corporation (B Corporation) that operates as a co-op. Members include managed security service providers, software service vendors, custodians, broker/dealers, registered investment advisers, financial advisors and ultimately their investor clients. As a B Corporation, its mission is to protect confidential consumer information through safe, reliable and fast internet connections. The cleverDome co-founders established cleverDome as a B Corporation to create a solid and permanent commitment to delivering a community-based solution to protect confidential client information. cleverDome provides a fundamental model for the future of secure trust networks: the unification of end-point protection with a secure communication layer under a common due diligence standard. This revolutionary model is built on a community-driven platform in collaboration with financial services industry thought-leaders. cleverDome was in September 2018 honored as a finalist in the 2018 WealthManagement.com Awards as a "disruptor" in the financial technology category. This 2018 acknowledgment comes on the heels of cleverDome being named by the judges presiding over the fourth annual Fuse Conference held Sept. 7-10, 2017, in Park City, Utah (hosted by Orion Advisor Services), as "most likely to disrupt" the financial services industry. Beginning in 2019, cleverDome will develop an advisor-centric (endpoint) model consisting of advanced tools for software providers (vendors) to deliver the Dome to U.S.-regulated financial advisors, a group that is vulnerable to cyberattacks. Learn more at www.cleverDome.com. Press Contact: Leesy Palmer Impact Communications Inc. 913-649-5009 LeesyPalmer@ImpactCommunications.org View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cleverdome-and-td-ameritrade-institutional-team-up-to-increase-cybersecurity-for-rias-300785714.html SOURCE cleverDome Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Antrica Announces Distribution Partnership With Leading Global Distributor Anixter MAIDENHEAD, England, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Antrica, a leading worldwide supplier of IP Video Encoders and Decoders, have agreed a distribution partnership with Anixter in the USA and Canada. This agreement further expands Antrica's ability to support System Integration customers in this region. In a bright start to 2019, Antrica are delighted to announce a new strategic partnership with Anixter, in order to distribute encoder and decoder solutions across the United States, South America and Canada. By working with this leading supplier of IP and application architecture products, Antrica plan to make their high-quality solutions available to all System Integrators with the ability to purchase locally in the US & Canada. As part of the partnership, Anixter will become the outsourced sales contact for Antrica and will be the region's exclusive distributor of Antrica products. Speaking about the partnership, Director of Antrica Les Litwin said: "Antrica are really pleased to be working with Anixter in North & South America and Canada. Our push to expand salesin this region will be greatly enhanced and supported by this appointment. "As we are the only ONVIF approved HD IP Encoder and specialist Decoder supplier we see tremendous growth for our products to compliment Anixter's existing sales." Anixter are a leading global distributor of Network and Security Solutions, Electric and Electronic Solutions and Utility Power Solutions. Having won numerous accolades and gained acclaim across the Americas for their high-quality and reliable service, Anixter are the perfect company for Antrica to team up with, as many of their core company values overlap. Furthermore, Antrica's partnership with Anixter is part of their long-term goal to become the lead encoder and decoder supplier across the globe and this significant geographical deal follows on from setting up an Oceana distributor in 2017. More information about Antrica's Products and global distributors can be obtained by visiting the Antrica website https://www.antrica.com. About Antrica: Antrica are a UK based manufacturer & supplier of H.264 and H.265 hardware, ONVIF 4K, HD & SD video over IP video encoders, decoders. With over fifteen years of experience and distribution centres across the world, Antrica pride themselves on outstanding levels of technical support and customer service. All products come with a warranty and a number are ONVIF certified for easy installation and integration. Contacts: Les Litwin Sales Director at Antrica UK +44(0)1628-626098 les@antrica.com http://www.antrica.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/antrica-announces-distribution-partnership-with-leading-global-distributor-anixter-300785000.html SOURCE Antrica [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] North Tipperary IFA has met Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan on rural crime and how it can be tackled. The meeting followed on from a major IFA meeting in Nenagh last November on rural crime and its effects on local communities, especially the farming sector. Among the issues discussed were the use of community CCTV and the issues around controlling. The minister said he would like to see more uptake by local communities of the 2m available to set up community CCTV, under which communities contribute 40% of the cost. According to Imelda Walsh, chair, North Tipperary IFA, Minister Flanagan stated that it was the responsibility of the data officer in the local authority to deal with this. Tipperary County Council has previously stated that data protection should the responsibility with the Garda Siochana. The ministers views will come as a disappointment to many local communities, especially around Littleton, which has been hit by roving criminals . Local councillor Sean Ryan has already stated that the CCTV cameras installed in the village over one year ago have yet to be switched on. The data issue has also been cited by the council as the reason why CCTV has not been installed in Borisokane. As regards the bail laws, for which there was new legislation in 2017, Ms Walsh said that they were now seeing the results whereby repeat offenders can be refused bail. We also discussed free legal aid and its an area the minister is looking at whereby if the perpetrator has assets these will be taken into account, she said. Ms Walsh said that the IFA had suggested that, in particular, reoffenders, irrespective of means, should be obliged to contribute towards free legal aid. One of the main issues raised at last Novembers meeting was people trespassing on lands with lurchers for illegal hare coursing and hunting. The minister felt that this is covered by the Public Order Act of 1994 and the Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation Act of 1971 and that they were sufficiently robust, she said. Minister Flanagan told the delegation that resources of 1.76bn were available to an Garda Siochana. He stated also that there was a focus on a more visible Garda presence, with a further 600 gardai in 2019 and, by 2021, there will be a force of 21,000. Clive Clarke, Dunkerrin, spoke of having been broken into seven times and being almost a prisoner in his own home. Stacey Strawderman speaks to the teachers and school personnel present at an emergency meeting of the American Federation of Teachers on Monday at the Knights of Columbus events hall. Strawderman, the Marion County union leader and the vice president of the AFT, called an open forum to disseminate information regarding the legislative session for the omnibus education bill and allow discussion. ALBANY The state Joint Commission on Public Ethics is suddenly undergoing some changes as a contentious vote looms on whether to investigate a former top aide to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Two newly appointed JCOPE members who had previously served as commissioners attended Tuesday's monthly meeting of the panel. The former longtime chairman of JCOPE, Daniel Horwitz, who had a reputation as a staunch Cuomo loyalist, had left the commission in November 2016. But he has been reappointed by the governor to fill a vacant, rank-and-file commissioner's position. Horwitz is a prominent attorney who had represented convicted Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, and is also a commissioner on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The other new appointment is Gary Lavine, an attorney, who recently had not been reappointed by Cuomo and was replaced in January instead by Bill Fisher. Instead, Lavine has been reappointed to JCOPE by the state Senate Republicans an intriguing move politically. The Senate GOP is now in the legislative minority and the opposition party to Cuomo, a Democrat, who had initially appointed Lavine to the panel. Lavine was not re-appointed to JCOPE earlier this year by Cuomo, and had declined to answer questions after he left about how he may have voted on the Percoco matter. JCOPE has 14 commissioners, six of whom are appointed by the governor. By filing a recent appeal, JCOPE avoided at least for now taking a vote that had been ordered by a state Supreme Court justice in a ruling on a petition that challenged whether the panel needs to investigate Percoco's possible violation of the state Public Officer's Law. Initially, that vote had been expected to take place on Tuesday. JCOPE had already avoided a 30-day, court-ordered deadline to take the vote in mid-January by arguing that JCOPE might not be able to organize a meeting of its commissioners until Tuesday, which was its regularly scheduled meeting. In a statement to the Times Union, state GOP chairman Ed Cox, one of the people who petitioned a court to force JCOPE's vote, said he believes the ethics panel's recently filed appeal is an indication that JCOPE was not acting in good faith when it asked to delay the vote until Tuesday. "The ethics commission was, at best, unethical," Cox said. "At worst, they lied." Cox and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Cuomo's 2018 opponent for governor, filed the lawsuit forcing JCOPE to vote on the Percoco matter. In December, state Supreme Court Justice Patrick McGrath had ruled in their favor, although not entirely. From the ruling, it's unclear if McGrath will require JCOPE to disclose the result of the vote to Cox and Molinaro. During Percoco's corruption trial last year, a number of witnesses including JCOPE Executive Director Seth Agata, Cuomo's former counsel testified that Percoco had regularly used an office in Cuomo's government headquarters in Manhattan while managing Cuomo 's 2014 re-election campaign. Percoco's phone records, reviewed by the Times Union, also show he regularly used the government phone to make calls at a time when he was working for the campaign. Cox and Molinaro also have asked JCOPE to investigate whether Cuomo and others knew of Percoco's alleged illegal activities. ALBANY Two Albany residents were indicted on Monday for the alleged murder-for-hire of 22-year-old Ty-son Williams in November, the District Attorney's office said. Sha-mel Rush, 27, and Isis Knight, 23, were both indicted by an Albany County Grand Jury on first- and second-degree murder charges and conspiracy, Albany County District Attorney David Soares said. Rush was also indicted for criminal possession of a weapon. Williams, an Albany resident, was shot multiple times around 11:40 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2018, while sitting in a car near Park Avenue and Philip Street. Williams survived on life support for several days but later died. According to the indictment, Rush and Knight conspired "with one or more persons to assist, aid and participate in the killing of Ty-son Williams in the City of Albany in exchange for money," Soares said. Knight's role in the killing was to "arrange and obtain the payment" as well as "monitor Williams' whereabouts" and report them to Rush, Soares said. Rush's role was to shoot Williams. Police did not release a motive for the shooting. Rush and Knight were arrested Jan. 22. At their first court appearance, Williams' family members and friends gathered in the courtroom, many breaking down in tears. When Knight was led out of the courtroom, several of Williams' family and friends shouted insults and threats at her, including one person who yelled, "I'm gonna kill you." Knight turned to face the court benches and laughed. "You'll be all right," she said. The pair's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 30 at Albany County Court. SARATOGA SPRINGS Saratoga Parents for School Safety, the group that is advocating to rearm the district's grounds monitors, is now urging the district to adopt additional security measures at the city's eight schools. The group has created an eight-point school security plan, modeled after one developed by the advocacy group Americans for Children's Lives and School Safety, that calls for outdoor cameras to monitor areas outside schools, security personnel at entrances, reinforced doors and windows at entrances and converting the grounds monitors to be armed school safety officers who would be trained like school resource officers. School resource officers are active duty police, while most of the district's 14 part-time grounds monitors are retired law enforcement officers. "We wanted to recreate the grounds monitor position to include some of the valid concerns of community members pertaining to ongoing training and development," the group's founder Kara Rosettie said in a press statement. "In our plan, a School Security Officer will be active duty or retired police officers only. They will be tied into the city emergency management system, and complete specialized training through the National Association of School Resource Officers. Additionally, the School Security Officers will be required to complete active shooter training with the local or county police department." In the fall, controversy arose when the school board voted against allowing grounds monitors to continue to be armed. Among the concerns was that only one of the district's 14 grounds monitor was an active duty-police officer; the others were retired. Pat Tuz, the Capital Region coordinator of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, said that was a big worry because "even the National Association of School Resource Officers recommends that only active duty police carry guns at school," Tuz said. "The insurance companies says the same thing." There is also the argument that more guns do not make the school safer, which is the position of Saratogians for Guns Safety. Deidre Ladd, a co-founder of the group, said hardening the school is not the answer, but paying closer attention to students with vulnerabilities is. "It's overkill," Ladd said of the additional measures. "Taxpayer money would be better spent if it was put toward mental health services." Rosettie's group is also asking for an increase in mental health services as well as the development of a network of parents volunteer to watch and alert the school with concerns and the creation a hotline for anonymous tips. "Our plan calls for mandatory training to be conducted regularly for all school personnel and should include crisis intervention, bully prevention, and knowing the signs of someone who is a danger to themselves and/or others" said Rosettie. Saratoga Parents for School Safety formed last October after the Board of Education voted to ended the 30-year practice of allowing its grounds monitors to carry concealed weapons. Superintendent Michael Patton said the district was out of compliance and a board vote was needed to align with state and federal law. At the time of the vote, board member Heather Reynolds cited research that showed the hardening on a school does not make a school safer. Fellow Board member Patricia Morrison surveyed other schools in the area and found that no other area school allows anyone but an SRO to carry a weapon. The district, at the time, had one SRO at the high school. Since its formation, the group fought the board decision. It has submitted petitions demanding the return of the weapons to the grounds monitors, spoken up at Board of Education meetings to voice their displeasure and enticed city officials to agree to pay a portion of the cost of SROs at the district. Patton said he appreciates community support, but that some of the group's recommendations are already in place including a team that meets regularly to review security and emergency protocols. He said the school is following the New York School Insurance Reciprocal's recommendation to hire another SRO who will begin in February. The district is also consulting with New York State Mental Health Association to bolster its services to students. The district is also linking its visitors system to the state sex offender registry. "We are taking a comprehensive approach," Patton said. "We are working hard to ensure security of all of our students and putting best practices in place. We are always looking to enhance our facility security." Regardless of how the district responds to its demands, Saratoga Parents for School Safety also wants a seat at the school board table. Three of the nine seats will be up for a vote on the May 21 ballot. TROY Recruitment for fraternities and sororities at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute would be shifted from the fall to the spring in freshman year and each house would be subject to financial assessments, as well as annual health and safety inspections, according to preliminary recommendations contained in a long-awaited Greek Life task force conducted by the school. The draft report, which was posted online Monday, also calls for training for all fraternity and sorority members on how to prevent sexual harassment and abuse. Greek organizations also would be rated in an overall report card that shows how well they are complying with the new rules. Other recommendations call for the use of alumni and faculty advisers to Greek organizations and the use of third-party vendors with alcohol licenses for parties. We offer this report in the hope that our Greek community will not only grow and thrive, but will become a model to inspire others, reads part of the draft report. The school now has a public comment period through Feb. 8 regarding the suggested changes. The draft report is the culmination of months of study that started in June when RPI President Shirley Jackson said she was contemplating a stand down on recruiting as well as creation of the task force. That came as Greek organizations on campuses nationwide have been under scrutiny, especially for instances of reported sexual and alcohol abuse. The announcement also came days after a television news report on CBS 6, in which a former RPI student said she was raped at a fraternity event in December 2016. The former student, in an interview with the Times Union, said she declined to press criminal charges but was dismayed to learn that her attacker would eventually be allowed back to the school. She stressed, however, that some fraternities tend to have more problems with drinking and sexual abuse than others. The idea of a stand down, though, prompted a backlash by the schools relatively sizable Greek community and its network of alumni. The school later said that freshman rush would be halted from Aug. 18 to October 18 rather than for the full fall semester. The latest proposal would allow returning students and transfers to be rushed or recruited by Greek organizations in the fall. The report does paint a tough picture of Greek life, noting that a disproportionate share of problems with alcohol and sex abuse have come from the houses. At the same time, the authors note that membership in fraternities and sororities hasnt kept up with student enrollment growth at the school. About 1,140 students at RPI were in Greek organizations in 2017, down from 1,160 in 2013. Moreover, half of the houses are at 60 percent or lower occupancy, which raises questions about their financial sustainability. Still, the report stresses that the school doesnt want to ban or give up on Greek life which has been the case at some other colleges including Williams and Ithaca colleges as well as Alfred University. Our aim is in no way punitive, the report concluded. Our goal is to help every house and chapter have the tools to fulfill their stated missions. It is our hope that by implementing these recommendations, we will enable Greek Life to flourish and encourage a renaissance in Greek values at Rensselaer. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU ROTTERDAM - Two stolen tortoises were returned to a pet store Monday evening, just eight hours after the store posted a video of the theft on Facebook and asked for the public's help. Everything Pets, on Altamont Avenue in Rotterdam, released surveillance video of the theft on their Facebook page on Monday morning. The video shows a woman, who is accompanied by a young child, walk into the reptile section of the store. The woman can be seen opening the top of one of the cages, reaching in, grabbing something and shoving it into her purse before walking away. The pet store said the woman stole two baby tortoises, both about 5 inches long. Later that same day, the pet store posted another video on Facebook, where an employee confirmed that the two turtles had been returned. "The Baby Sulcata Tortoises are now back safe and sound," the post read. "They are now receiving the proper care and will be ready for their forever homes in a week or two!" Dana Ward, 32, was later identified by police as the woman in the video. She was arrested Monday and charged with petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors, Rotterdam police said. Ward was arraigned in the Rotterdam Town Court and released on her own recognizance. She will appear in court at a later date. TROY Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnellys first politically charged case has resulted in the naming of a special prosecutor to deal with a misdemeanor drug case involving the son of a top aide and powerful Republican political operative for County Executive Steve McLaughlin. Elected as a Democrat, Donnellys decision to hand off the case avoids an appearance of a conflict of interest. Richard Crist, 22, was arrested Nov. 27, 2018, by Rensselaer police for misdemeanor counts of driving while ability impaired by drugs and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to city and county court records. Richard Crist is the son of 50-year-old Richard Crist, a key aide to McLaughlin. The elder Crist serves as the county executive's spokesman and as the county's director of operations. County Court Judge Jennifer Sober appointed Peter Blanchfield of Albany as special district attorney to prosecute the younger Crist's case. That the defendant in this case is related to an employee of the Rensselaer County Executives office. In order to avoid the inference and appearance of impropriety in the prosecution of this case, your affiant requested he be replaced by a special district attorney, Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf said in the Jan. 15 motion for a substitute. We are not declining to prosecute this case but we are recognizing the potential appearance of conflict regarding the son of a well-known Rensselaer County Republican leader and obvious supporter of the former DA so a special prosecutor was requested and has been assigned, a spokeswoman for Donnelly said Monday. Blanchfield declined to comment on the case Monday as did Crists defense attorney Benjamin Hill of Albany. The case is scheduled to return Wednesday to Rensselaer City Court. The elder Crist, 50, has long been a political force in county politics. Crist is the chairman of the Schodack Republican Committee and actively involved in Republican political decisions across the county. Crist worked first for the County Legislatures Republican majority then emerged as a key worker in McLaughlins successful 2017 run for county executive. Crist said he is not seeking special consideration for his sons case. Crist also said the county executives office is not involved in the case and understands the need for a special prosecutor. We can recognize the appearance of an apparent conflict, said Crist. In Jan. 2015, District Attorney Joel Abelove dropped charges filed in 2014 against the elder Richard Crist. Two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child and a count of harassment, a violation, against Crist were dismissed in Sand Lake Town Court. The charges were set aside at the request of Crist's lawyer, William Dreyer, and Abelove's office did not fight the request. Abelove, a Republican, dismissed the charges during his first two weeks in office. At the time, Abelove said he didn't see a need to recuse his himself from the case as most of the work on the case had been done by Acting District Attorney Arthur Glass, a Democrat. Abelove also said that Crist had not played a major role in his campaign. The charges arose from Crist's July 2014 arrest in Schodack for an alleged physical confrontation with his then 17-year-old son. Rensselaer County Child Protective Services turned the case over to Saratoga County CPS to avoid a conflict of interest. Saratoga County CPS cleared Crist of the allegations. 2019 is a big year for transportation in the Capital Region, with improvements to the connection between the Northway's Exit 4 and the Albany International Airport a high priority. This project includes a long-planned Exit 3 that was previously scrapped. More: What happened to Exit 3? Related: Exit 4, port projects lead list of area transportation improvements While it was voted as America's Most Scenic New Highway by Parade magazine in 1967, not everyone was happy about the new highway connecting Albany to the Canadian border. In some cases, those who owned land where the road was to be built lost their homes and farms, and advocates for the Adirondack Park were concerned about its environmental impact. Related: Northway history: On time, under budget, not without controversy Click through the slideshow for photos from the Northway through the years. ALBANY A legal aid organization is expected to oversee and implement a plan to use grant funding to help immigrants in the Albany County Jail and in the community. The funding will come from federal immigration authorities. Last year, the county received close to $5 million from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for housing hundreds of migrants who were transferred to the Colonie jail after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The detainees came from 27 countries and most sought asylum from violence or persecution at home. In November, the Albany County Legislature announced it would be redirecting $170,000 from ICE funds to hire a full-time attorney at the jail. The grant is for one year. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple on Monday said he would recommend that The Legal Project, which provides legal services for low-income clients and immigrants and already helps in the jail, be authorized to fill the position for an immigration attorney. He said the Albany County Legislature should vote on the grant in February. Apple, who has been vocal about the need to support immigrants at the jail, said the Legal Project was the only application received, he said. "We've had a great partnership with them working in the jail in the immigrants. We basically share the same philosophy of what we're looking to get out of it," Apple said. In addition to giving legal help to detainees, Apple said the attorney will also train jail staff on how to interact with immigrants and provide help to low-income immigrants in the community outside the jail. Lisa Frisch, executive director at the Legal Project, said their organization has been working with detainees for several years. Her attorneys were on the front lines at the jail this past summer when more than 300 migrants arrived in a week. Her staff worked overtime and were able to organize hundreds of volunteers and financial support for detainees. She said applying for the grant was the natural step forward. "We give the sheriff and the county a lot of credit to recognize the need to have a service in place not only to deal with detainees in the jail, but to help prevent deportations going forward, to work with residents who are facing issues around immigration and to give them legal information and advice as appropriate, to avoid them having a life crisis of facing deportation. This funding will allow us to do that in a way that is not just responding to a crisis but is being more thoughtful going forward," Frisch said. Frisch already has a staff attorney in mind for the position who has experience working in the jail and speaks several languages. The attorney would work in the jail on an as-needed basis and spend the rest of the time training staff or giving community presentations to county agencies and residents about immigration. The number of detainees at the jail fluctuates. The New York Immigration Coalition and Albany Law School's Immigration Law Clinic wrote letters of support for the Legal Project. "We regularly support community partners, especially when additional funding becomes available and they are uniquely qualified to do the work," said Sarah Rogerson, Albany Law School professor and Immigration Law Clinic director. I think it's really great to see a locality turn something that could have been a real negative into a positive," said Camille Mackler, director of immigration legal policy at the New York Immigration Coalition. "To see a community take care of itself and expand access to counsel throughout New York state and do advocacy on local and state levels, that's really great." The Legal Project serves people who can't afford legal services. Their immigration program helps clients petition to bring family members to the U.S., and assists crime and domestic violence victims in their efforts to get immigration status. It also helps others apply for asylum, green cards or work permits. At the jail they've been prepping migrants for their "credible fear" interviews with an immigration officer the first step to prove they fled persecution in their home countries before they apply for asylum. Around 85 percent of detainees in the jail have already passed their interviews - more than the national average. After interviews, detainees are transferred to Batavia Federal Detention Center near Buffalo where an immigration judge decides whether they are granted asylum and can stay in the country. TROY A defense attorney wants a special prosecutor appointed to investigate whether a State Police investigator lied while testifying before a grand jury and a criminal trial in a child sex abuse case. Joseph Ahearn, defense attorney for defendant Christopher Downey, asked District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly for the investigation after questioning investigator Thomas Judge about whether he lied during the trial and earlier when he testified before the county grand jury that indicted Downey. Ahearn sent copies of the trial transcript to Donnelly on Friday, pointing out where he alleged Judge perjured himself during cross-examination after testifying on behalf of the prosecution against Downey. Due to the fact that Assistant District Attorney Cheryl McDermott was present in the courtroom and the grand jury proceeding and, as such, is a witness to the alleged criminal conduct, it is respectfully requested that your office petition County Court for the appointment of a Special District Attorney to conduct a grand jury into this matter, Ahearn wrote to the district attorney. Donnelly has received Ahearns letter and is reviewing it, a spokeswoman for the district attorney said Monday. A State Police spokesperson declined to comment, saying it would not be appropriate. During the trial, Ahearns questioning of Judge led to the prosecution offering a plea deal to Downey, which he accepted. The Hoosick Falls man is to be sentenced to 15 years in prison and 10 years of post-release supervision Friday by Judge Debra Young in return for his guilty plea to first-degree sexual course of action with a 6-year-old girl between July 2017 and May 2018. If Downey, 32, had been convicted by the county court jury, he would have faced a prison term of 25 years. The plea deal eliminated the need for the young victim to testify. During his trial appearance Jan. 9, Judge admitted under questioning by Ahearn that he had lied during his earlier county court testimony about whether Downey had made a statement implicating himself. Ahearn asked, How many times have you lied in this courtroom? To which Judge responded, The one time. In addition, Ahearn said, Judge testified before the grand jury that Downey had made a statement that the investigator later admitted during trial cross-examination the defendant had not. Questioned by Ahearn about his grand jury testimony, Judge said, It was not accurate. Young took the unusual step of asking Judge whether he wanted to have an attorney present to consult; Judge declined the offer. But during the trial, State Police supervisory investigators arrived as Judge was questioned by Ahearn. Queensbury Kim Lisinicchia lives down a rutted dirt road in a double-wide mobile home. A broken-down Cadillac is parked out front. She's behind on the $1,100 monthly rent. She carries a heavy heart in need of redemption. She is the wife of Scott Lisinicchia, the driver of the limousine that crashed on Oct. 6 in Schoharie and killed 20 people all 17 passengers, two pedestrians and her husband. In an outpouring of grief at funerals and public memorials, followed by fundraisers for victim's families and widespread community support, almost none of the collective kindness filtered down to her. Her husband is the asterisk in the most devastating U.S. transportation disaster in nearly a decade. His driving record was besmirched. As an employee, he was linked to an unscrupulous limo owner who stands charged with criminally negligent homicide. He often went unnamed in media coverage that attempted to take the measure of the immeasurable grief of victims' families. The driver's wife is the forgotten victim, both benignly overlooked and consciously shunned as a pariah. Kim Lisinicchia has been subjected to caustic comments on social media, as if her loss is any less deep, her suffering any less profound. She has retreated mostly to the shadows, driven there by strangers who have cast her as persona non grata in a terrible tragedy that inflicted incalculable trauma. On Saturday afternoon, inside her cramped mobile home decorated with African masks and batik jungle prints, Kim Lisinicchia poured out her personal story of anguish and distress for the first time. "I just want vindication for my husband," she said. "I want his name to stop being dragged through the dirt. Nobody is going to stick up for him but me." She dabbed at her eyes, paused to compose herself and choked back sobs. "I pray for these families all the time," Kim Lisinicchia said. "I'm feeling their pain. It's not easy for anybody. I lost my husband. He was my everything." She was tending bar at an Elks lodge in Saratoga 11 years ago when a man came in and ordered a Budweiser. He was a trucker and had just come off a long-distance haul. Because she did not have many black customers, he stood out. She was born in Albany and moved to Los Angeles at 12 with her mother, who is of Haitian descent. She married, lived in Georgia and Connecticut and eventually left her first husband because he was abusive. She was a divorced woman in her early 40s, a single mother with two kids who was not looking for romance. "I was done with men at that point," she recalled. "It was slow at the bar and we just started talking. It was so easy, like we had known each other for a long time." Scott Lisinicchia, the son of a Sicilian father and black mother, was born in the Bronx and grew up in Ballston Spa. "We talked about anything and everything," Kim Lisinicchia said. A few days later, he came back to the bar. "I felt my heart fluttering when he walked in," she said. They talked some more and before he left, they exchanged phone numbers. They went on a few dates. She was nervous because she never dated a customer before, but they clicked. They were the same age. He was slim, not quite 6 feet tall, with a goatee and close-cropped hair. She invited him to her place for dinner. "He loved my soul food," she said. "And he never left." The couple was married on April 4, 2008, at the AME Zion Church in Saratoga Springs. They settled into the rhythm of a life built around his frequent absences as a tractor-trailer driver. She eventually gave up her work as an itinerant bartender and a stint as a caterer featuring Caribbean and soul food. She became disabled by a back injury and other health problems. She was a stay-at-home mom for her two children: Cicero, now 27, and Mahogany, 18. Scott was a caring stepfather. "We went to the movies and out to dinner. I'd ride with him on tractor-trailer trips and we'd save up to take vacations," she said. "He loved to drive. He drove the whole way to Florida and back." He became the sole breadwinner in their household and made the most of his commercial driver's license. He drove for several trucking companies. After a hip replacement, he did not want to return to long-haul trucking, so he drove a cab and was an Uber driver in Saratoga Springs. About a year ago, he heard of an opportunity to make some cash as a part-time driver for Prestige Limousine. "It was a side job that brought in some decent money," she said. Her son had attended Saratoga Springs High School with the limo company owner's son, Nauman Hussain, and her husband liked the Hussain family. "Scott thought the company was legit he trusted Nauman and thought he was a good guy," Kim Lisinicchia said. "I think my husband was too trusting sometimes." She began to raise concerns when Hussain occasionally was late in paying her husband. Payments always came in cash. On the Saturday of the crash, Kim Lisinicchia knew something was wrong when her husband did not check in. "No matter where he was on a job, he would always call me," she said. She repeatedly called her husband's cellphone, but got no answer. She eventually reached Nauman Hussain. He was evasive, but told her there had been an accident. She sensed a nervousness in his voice and became alarmed. For hours, she frantically called area hospitals and police departments. Around 2 a.m. Sunday morning, there was a knock at her door. Police informed her that her husband had been killed in the crash. She learned from media reports that her husband was not licensed to drive a large passenger vehicle and that he had continued driving after he was ticketed in August, when a state trooper told him he could no longer drive the limo until he got a proper permit. Media reports also emerged that Lisinicchia was issued three traffic tickets between 2010 and 2015 in Saratoga Springs for failure to signal a turn, having an obstructed view while driving, and failure to wear a seat belt. He was ticketed for using a cell phone while driving in Glens Falls in 2015 and never paid the fine. "People started saying nasty things about him on Facebook, so I stopped looking at social media," she said. "I just shut down." She wants to know the outcome of the investigation, as the other victims' family members do. "I want to see all the evidence and I want answers," she said. "I'm not in the business of blaming or judging. That's God's job." Scott Lisinicchia, 53, was buried in Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs. A year ago, his mother, June Lisinicchia, buried Scott's younger brother, Anthony, who died at 40 of a heroin overdose in Troy. Scott's twin brother, Keith, is the sole survivor of the mother's three sons. Kim Lisinicchia is now 53 and destitute. She has no income and is living on a small disability check. A total of $7,623 raised through a GoFundMe appeal all went to her husband's funeral expenses. "I didn't get a dime," she said. She started a GoFundMe appeal to help pay rent and fix her car. So far, $168 has been donated toward a $4,000 goal. She is behind on her utilities and fears they may be turned off. "I have a hard time asking for help," she said. "People tell me they assumed I was getting some of the money raised for victims' families. I got nothing. It's not about that, though. I just want my husband vindicated. It's hard on my kids to read all this hate." Lisinicchia has hired a lawyer and is part of legal proceedings filed by victims' families against the Hussains and Prestige Limo. "My wish is that one day all the families can come together and hug each other," she said. "We all lost someone dear. I did not lose a child, but I lost a beloved husband and my best friend." Paul Grondahl is the director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany and a former Times Union reporter. He can be reached at grondahlpaul@gmail.com. SCHOHARIE Nauman Hussain, who has already been charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with the Oct. 6 limo crash in Schoharie County that killed 20 people, was served Tuesday with the first civil lawsuit brought by the family of one of the victims. Albany attorney Sal Ferlazzo, who is representing the family of Amanda Rivenburg, said he had a paralegal in his office personally serve Nauman Hussain at the Schoharie County Courthouse on Tuesday morning. Hussain, who goes by Arslan, was at the courthouse as part of a hearing in the criminal case against him that involved attempts by the National Transportation Safety Board to gain access to the stretch 2001 Ford Excursion involved in the crash. Ferlazzo said he had trouble negotiating with Nauman's insurance company to serve the suit, which was originally filed in state Supreme Court in Albany in November. "They were not cooperative," Ferlazzo said. Ferlazzo is now seeking permission from the court to serve Nauman's father, Shahed Hussain, through what is called "service by publication" since the elder Hussain is believed to be in either Pakistan or Dubai and cannot be located. In "service through publication," Shahed Hussain will be notified that he is being sued through a legal notice that will run in local newspapers. Shahed Hussain is the owner of Prestige Limousine, the company that owns the stretch Excursion involved in the crash. A former FBI informant, Hussain was in Pakistan at the time of the disaster. His son Nauman had been operating the limo business on his behalf. Shahed Hussain has not been charged, although he is listed as a defendant in the civil case filed by Rivenburg's family. Amanda Rivenburg was killed along with 16 friends, the limo driver and two bystanders when the vehicle she was riding in to celebrate her friend's 30th birthday crashed near the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie. The 29-year-old graduated from Colonie Central High School, attended SUNY Plattsburgh and worked for Living Resources, an Albany-based organization that serves people with disabilities. SARATOGA SPRINGS Food services provider Centerplate won't be returning to the Saratoga Race Course this summer. The Connecticut-based company and the New York Racing Association are going their separate ways after a quarter-century partnership. Centerplate called the breakup "a joint decision." "After a series of negotiations concerning a future contract, the two were unable to agree on terms moving forward, and have mutually agreed to search out an alternate arrangement for the 2019 racing season and beyond," the company said in a statement. The move comes as NYRA prepares for next summer's opening of the 1863 Club, a new addition to the historic grandstand at Saratoga that will feature dining and banquet facilities, as well as luxury suites. Centerplate's contract will end following the close of the Aqueduct spring meet in April. NYRA, in a statement, said that discussions had gone on for months, and that the decision to end the contract under which Centerplate served as food and beverage vendor for Saratoga and Belmont Park, and merchandise vendor for all three tracks had been mutual. A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing had been submitted to the state Labor Department on Monday, identifying 441 jobs to be terminated. But Centerplate also had a large number of seasonal and temporary workers on its payroll. Typically, when a food services supplier ends its contract, many of the affected workers are recruited by the successor company. "All of those impacted are employed by Centerplate, the vast majority on a seasonal or temporary basis," said NYRA Director of Communications Patrick McKenna. "Additionally, NYRA maintains a strong relationship with Local 6 of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, the union for hotel and gaming workers in New York, and will work with them accordingly on this matter." The end of the partnership came at an awkward time for NYRA. Its CEO, Chris Kay, was forced to step down last week after he allegedly used NYRA employees to perform yard and maintenance work at his Saratoga Springs home over an extended period. Officials at NYRA and Centerplate said the timing of the two events was entirely coincidental. Bethlehem The Monolith Solar headquarters site in Slingerlands, where construction suddenly was stopped back in September after the company started experiencing financial problems, has finally been secured. Robert Leslie, the director of planning for the town of Bethlehem, told the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency board last Friday that BBL Construction had installed the fence, which was required to keep the site secured after construction stopped. Only the steel frame of the $4.9 million building was built before Monolith ordered the construction to stop back in September. "The fence has been installed," Leslie told the board when asked about the progress. Thomas Connolly, executive director and general counsel of the IDA, said that Pioneer Bank, which provided Monolith Solar the construction loan for the project, had informed the town in writing that Monolith had defaulted on the loan. The letter said that the loan had been "accelerated," meaning that Monolith would be required to repay the bank immediately. It is unclear when or if Monolith will be re-starting construction of the headquarters building, which was designed to replace Monolith's current offices in Rensselaer where the company was founded. Back in 2014, the town IDA offered Monolith $680,000 in tax breaks for the project. Monolith's tax breaks have been minimal to date, except for the mortgage recording tax benefit and any sales tax breaks they may be able to claim. Monolith's planning board approval has since expired, so Monolith will have to go back to the planning board for approval again to re-start the project. IDA members have been worried about the site not being secure. After stopping construction, Monolith also furloughed many of its workers. The company builds solar farms and also does residential installation although it is unclear just how much work the company has had amid its financial woes, which have included civil lawsuits by former suppliers and vendors. Monolith founder Steve Erby, who has been updating the IDA on the company's attempts to get new financial backers that would allow the company to resume construction, had been expected at last Friday's meeting but didn't attend. "Erby said he was coming," Connolly said. ALBANY Normally on Mondays at lunch, Kinimo Ngoran would be cooking over a giant skillet in the kitchen at the Capital City Rescue Mission to serve 800 meals to the city's homeless population. This Monday was different: Ngoran, who entered the country illegally from the Ivory Coast and has been trying to legalize his status for more than a decade, was in federal immigration detention near Buffalo. Instead, executive chef Max Ansong filled in for him over a vat of beef chili. "He is my strong guy, he's my second," Ansong said in his chef's garb after lunch. "He had a big heart for helping people. It looks like everyone can do the work that we're doing, but it takes heart to do what we're doing. You are dealing with people who are hurting. Kinimo just loved them." Last Wednesday, Ansong was waiting for Ngoran to come back to work from his twice-yearly routine check-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Latham. Ngoran never came back: ICE arrested and detained him, overnight in the Albany County Jail and now in Batavia Federal Detention Center near Buffalo. "Nobody ever thought that what happened would happen that they would go one day and lock him up," Ansong said. After a Facebook post by Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple on Friday made Ngoran's story go viral, Ngoran's community in Albany and beyond has rallied to support him. Community and family members are organizing a letter-writing campaign to local elected officials and set up a GoFundMe to support him and his wife. Advocacy group ICE-Free Capital District created a petition urging concerned citizens to call the ICE office in Latham and demand Ngoran's release. Ngoran's sister-in-law Julie Harvey, who lives in Florida, has been reaching out to federal agencies and garnering support online. She spent Monday mining Twitter accounts for political activists, Democratic elected officials, and members of the Ivory Coast community in New York state to spread the word. "Use your voice and influence to share the brutality of deporting a man who has been here for 10 years who escaped religious intolerance death squads as a teen in the Ivory Coast," she tweeted on Monday with the hashtag #savekinimo. Harvey said her sister-in-law, who is married to Ngoran, lives alone in Albany. Ngoran's wife's sister from Philadelphia drove her to Buffalo through a snowstorm over the weekend to visit her husband in Batavia Federal Detention Facility. Ngoran entered the country illegally more than a decade ago, allegedly fleeing violence and religious persecution in the Ivory Coast. Since then, he's been trying to legalize his status. ICE spokesman Khalid Walls said Ngoran was previously ordered removed from the U.S. by a federal immigration judge in 2004 and courts subsequently denied his appeals. While Ngoran's attorney at the time worked on his appeal, the Department of Homeland Security issued him a temporary stay of deportation, forbidding his immediate removal. Walls said that Ngoran has been regularly reporting to ICE under an order of supervision issued in 2012 because the agency was previously unable to obtain a travel document from his home country. Ngoran's employer, Capital City Rescue Mission Executive Director Perry Jones, goes with him as a mentor and supervisor for his employment authorization. Jones said Monday that the ICE agent they had been working with for years had changed. He was shocked by the detention because nothing else in his case was different. Jones said he hired Ngoran after he got his work authorization because he saw that he was a special person. More for you News Apple slams ICE detention of Albany mission worker "He's my son," Jones said Monday. Ansong trained and has supervised Ngoran since 2012. He catered at Kinimo's wedding to an American woman in Albany a couple years ago. Ngoran applied for a green card to get immigration status through her: the application has been pending for more than two years. Ansong said Ngoran, a short muscular man with a huge grin, bikes to work from his home near the University at Albany. Ngoran cooks Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners and served chicken wings alongside U.S. Representative Paul Tonko for the annual Super Bowl party. "He's not a bad person. He is a genuine, hardworking, loving man who wants to help people," Ansong said. "I understand the rules and regulations and laws, but I think if they give him a chance, if they let people and get to know him how we know him, they will see that he's actually contributing to this work that we do here." Hundreds of comments on Apple's Facebook post were divided between those sympathetic and wanting to help and others who argued Ngoran's detention was justified. "The key criticism is from those who believe it's black or white, like if he's illegal, he should be removed," Harvey, Ngoran's sister-in-law, told the Times Union. "He's been following the stages that they gave him. They struck a deal with him. They gave him permission and approvals up until Wednesday, he was doing what he was told to have sponsorship and filed for paperwork. There's no indication that they would pull the rug out from under him like they did." Bethany Bump contributed. CRC Music announces the global release of the 'Greater Than All' Deluxe Album, the 3rd and final form of the 'Greater Than All' series that makes up the second live album from the passionate, dynamic and diverse South African worship team of Christian Revival Church. Featuring 13 tracks that were recorded live in CRC Pretoria, South Africa, in front of 7000 multicultural and multigenerational worshippers on a night that can only be described as unforgettable. The Deluxe album also features 2 new studio versions of "A Love Unbroken" and "No Greater Love", as well as 2 new studio songs never released previously. The Deluxe album sums up the entire year of CRC Music, that was appropriately themed GREATER, and what a Great year it was. Both of the Greater Than All EP 1 and 2 released on 02 October 2018 and 11 December 2018 had great success on the Christian music charts. Both EP's soared to the top of the South African iTunes charts and topped the global and gospel charts at #1 for two weeks. Songs like, Letting Go, A Love Unbroken, Recklessly Abandoned, Oh How I Love You, You Are Good and Praise on My Lips quickly became popular requests on Christian radio stations. "The new album by CRC Music truly lives up to its name. It's quite simply Greater Than All worship albums I've ever heard to emerge from South Africa." These songs speak profoundly into our culture appealing to all ages and demographics. The anointing is incredible! Greater Than All, by CRC Music, is a landmark worship album that will make a global impact on worship music for years to come." - Nurden Cross (General Manager of CCFm) Greater Than All, is the product of a collaboration among songwriters across CRC campuses, nationally and internationally. These songs are inspired and birthed from sermons by Ps At Boshoff, with one goal in mind, "to win the lost at any cost". We believe that music is a language that everyone speaks, and this album speaks love, the love of God, that is Greater Than All pain, suffering, challenges or setbacks that we may face. Our heart and our prayers are that these songs will impact and change people lives, not just today or tomorrow but for generations to come. Watch: Encounter LIVE | CRC Music Tags : crc music greater than all deluxe album crc music new album Dorothy Eleanor Mercer passed away on June 9, 2021 at Archbold Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 18, 1932, in Pavo to the late Early Byrd Wood and to the late Nellie Deen Wood. She was married to Eugene Mercer who precedes her in death. Survivors include her children, Leon David Mc remaining of SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. CUMBERLAND Many questions surround a recent vote, by four Allegany County school board members, that will ask Maryland officials to remove Wayne Foote from the panel. To add more mystery as to how the situation could play out theres not a lot of case history on the subject. CUMBERLAND Memorial services for Linda S. Lewis, who died Oct. 20, 2020, is planned for Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 11 a.m. at LaVale Baptist Church, LaVale. The family will receive friends one-half hour before services. Linda was born in 1945 to Jennie and John T. Morris Sr. and was the s This subscription will allow current subscribers of The Tillamook Headlight Herald to access all of our online Subscriber-Only content, including the E Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please call us at 1-(503) 842-7535 or email admin@countrymedia.net. Tifton, GA (31794) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 83F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. 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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. MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, January 28, 2019 Westlaw Edge users now have the ability to access deep analysis of topics, cases and courts judges rely upon when they draft opinions using Precedent Analytics, a new feature on Westlaw Edges Litigation Analytics. Precedent Analytics presents visualization and insights relating to how individual judges cite to prior case law. Built upon Westlaws exclusive attorney-authored summaries of law and leveraging topics classified in the West Key Number System, Westlaw Edge users now have a powerful ability to view detailed analysis of the issues and precedent judges cite to in their opinions. Precedent Analytics allows researchers to derive key insights into a judge based on topics, the cases a judge regularly relies on and other judges he or she frequently cites, said Jeff Arvidson, director, Product Management for Thomson Reuters. Additionally, researchers can discover the specific district, circuit or state courts a judge most often looks to when issuing their opinions. Leveraging the capabilities of the West Key Number System and KeyCite, Precedent Analytics lets users better understand judges via analysis of their experience and their reliance on key judicial rulings, which could be strategically important during litigation. Senior Vice President of Westlaw Product Management Mike Dahn noted the value Precedent Analytics produces through Thomson Reuters unrivaled content. Understanding which cases judges cite to most often by topic can be incredibly important for brief writing and effective advocacy. Only Westlaw Edge enables litigators to see this information by topic with the most sophisticated topical classification of U.S. law, the West Key Number System. Precedent Analytics also will quickly show whether there is a seminal case a judge regularly relies upon for different types of issues. Without the new feature, this insight from traditional research would require a significant amount of time. Precedent Analytics, available immediately to all Westlaw Edge users, is fully integrated with Litigation Analytics on Westlaw Edge providing even more value to legal researchers. At the time of its launch, Litigation Analytics on Westlaw Edge already included almost 8 million federal dockets and 150 million state dockets. Plus, with filtering available by 23 motion types and more than 100 sub-motion types, Litigation Analytics is unmatched in both coverage and capabilities. No other service offers more analytics across more documents, motion types and case types. Learn more about Litigation Analytics on Westlaw Edge, now including Precedent Analytics, here. To view or download screenshots of Precedent Analytics, please visit LegalCurrent.com. Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters is the worlds leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. Our worldwide network of journalists and specialist editors keep customers up to speed on global developments, with a particular focus on legal, regulatory and tax changes. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com. CONTACT Jeff McCoy +1.651.687.4091 jeffrey.mccoy@thomsonreuters.com SOFIA, Jan 29 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- President Rumen Radev criticized the government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and pointed that democratic values and media freedom are on decline. Two years after taking the post Radev said he would set up a council for strategic development to come up with ideas to push Bulgaria out of "the current standstill". (24 Chasa, Trud, Mediapool, Duma, Sega) -- Facebook plans to open a centre in Bulgaria to monitor and review content. The company will work together with Telus International, one of the largest outsourcing companies in Bulgaria and will employ about 150 people. (Capital, Trud) -- Over 9 million tourists have visited Bulgaria last year, some 4.4 percent more than a year ago, statistics office data showed. (24 Chasa, Monitor) More than a million low earners are being deprived of free pension cash handed to better off workers, and that number is predicted to rise significantly next April. The TUC joined two ex-Pensions Ministers, industry experts and a leading charity last year to urge the Government to fix this quirk in the tax system. Paul Nowak, TUC deputy general secretary, explains why ending this tax injustice is so important to low-paid workers, and how women are more likely to be affected. Paul Nowak: 'Pension saving must not have only men in traditional full-time employment in mind' Some of the UK's lowest-paid workers - most of them women are victims of a pensions tax lottery that can slash their take-home pay by several hundreds of pounds a year. And their position will get even worse from April when many savers will see their pension contribution rates hiked. There's around 1.2million workers who don't pay income tax who've been placed by their employers in schemes where they're not getting tax relief. Of these, 860,000 are women, who are more likely than men to be working part-time or in low-paid work. This means they miss out on up to 720 a year that could top up their pay packets. And many workers will see their tax loss rise from April when the minimum pension contribution is hiked from three per cent to five per cent. Trade unions have a straightforward view of pensions. We believe that everyone deserves a decent retirement: free from the fear of poverty and with a lifestyle similar to the one they enjoyed during their working life. Pensions can be both complicated and expensive and so work best as a partnership between individuals, employers and the state. But the Government is failing in its duty for low-paid workers by allowing a pensions lottery. For some, employers put their workers into a pension scheme that operates a net pay arrangement. This means the pension contributions are collected before income tax. This is great news if you are a higher rate tax payer because you automatically get your full tax relief. But if you earn less than 11,850, you do not pay income tax so you're left with no relief. Yet someone on the same wages in the alternative type of scheme relief at source gets the tax top-up. Their pension scheme takes the contribution from after-tax wages then claims the tax relief to add to their savings. This isn't an issue of academic curiosity. Without tax relief, affected savers have less money to spend on their families, or have to save more to get the same pension in old age. Some might want to deny all non-income taxpayers tax relief on pensions. But, as well as hitting their living standards today, this would send a terrible signal to those working hard and scrimping to put money aside for their old age that they shouldn't bother and should just rely entirely on the meagre state pension. We want the Government to act urgently to ensure that all low earners receive tax relief regardless of which type of scheme they are in and without having to ask taxman for it for it. This duty shouldn't be fobbed off on employers. We are very clear that bosses have a duty to support their workers in building savings for their old age. But we can't expect a carpenter who employs a couple of kitchen fitters or the cornershop manager with a few shop assistants to be an expert in pensions tax law. The taxman already has to cope with complexity: after all we now have different income tax rates in Scotland versus the rest of the UK. It is time HM Revenue & Customs put in place a scheme to ensure that low-paid workers get the tax top-up they are entitled to. Pension saving must not have only men in traditional full-time employment in mind. This tax injustice must go. When residents of the brand-new Meadow View estate bought their homes, they assumed the properties would be fit for the 21st century. Yet families there are now struggling with internet speeds slower than some developing countries. Some say their internet is so poor, it can take an hour to send a few emails and an afternoon to download a film. The homeowners in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, are among thousands across the UK to buy new properties, only to later discover that they are lumbered with a terrible broadband connection. One in eight new homes has internet speeds that are slower than the Government's target minimum connection of 10 megabits per second - enough to make a good-quality video call This month, the Daily Mail reported how one in eight new homes has internet speeds that are slower than the Government's target minimum connection of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) enough to make a good-quality video call. Meanwhile, four in ten homes are being built without fibre optic broadband the fastest available connection that delivers speeds up to 300Mbps and which ministers say should be the standard in all homes. Property developer Harron Homes describes Meadow View as a development of 'luxurious' two-bedroom bungalows and three and four-bed homes. 'Each new home . . . showcases the very best that new homes have to offer, from high-end finishes to impressive contemporary kitchens and stylish bathrooms,' it says. But families on the 167-home development have told Money Mail there is nothing contemporary about their broadband speed. Many say it can be as low as 1.2 Mbps slower than the average broadband speed in Papua New Guinea, Sudan and Bangladesh. 'It takes hours to download a film' The average speed in the UK is 18.5 Mbps, compared with 9 Mbps across the world, according to comparison site cable.co.uk. Yet Samantha Ward, 44, who lives on the Meadow View estate says the broadband speed can often be as low as 1.2 Mbps. Samantha and her husband Ian, 51, moved into their new 256,000 four-bedroom home on the development in October. She says that when they lived in an older property in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, they had a broadband speed of more than 100 Mbps. Now, it can take a couple of hours to download one television show. Samantha says: 'I haven't had broadband this slow for 12 years. If I want to watch a movie, I have to start downloading it at lunchtime. If I had known the internet would be this slow, I would probably have thought twice about buying the property.' Samantha, a risk and compliance consultant, who often works from home, and Ian, a vehicle technician, pay 48 a month for a TV, broadband and landline package with Sky. The majority of Britain's broadband infrastructure is owned by Openreach, which service providers such as Sky, BT and TalkTalk use to supply individual households. Then there are other networks such as Virgin and CityFibre, which lay and own their own cables. Fast connection: From next year, providers will be required to provide high-speed broadband of at least 10 Mbps to anyone who requests it regardless of where they are in the country When building new housing estates such as Meadow View, it is up to developers to ask Openreach or another provider to lay a network of either copper or fibre optic cables. Fibre broadband is the fastest internet available. Yet it is understood that Harron Homes directed Openreach to lay the slower, cheaper copper cables when the estate was built in 2014. Openreach says at the time, 'faster, more reliable connections weren't widely available'. 'I'm forced to rely on mobile data' Samantha's neighbour, Alan Apolakiatis, 25, now spends nearly twice as much on his mobile phone bill because the broadband at his new 237,000 home is often unusable. He owns a small recruiting business and sometimes works from home. But he always has to use his smartphone's internet connection as a 'hotspot' for his laptop because his broadband is too slow. He says his home often gets just 2 Mbps meaning it could take him more than an hour to send emails. 'It is 2019 we shouldn't be having these problems,' says Alan. 'To be honest, I don't trust online banking on my laptop with the broadband, so I only do it on my phone, using mobile data. 'Whenever I've tried to log into my account on my laptop, it's taken a long time to load, so I'd worry a transaction wouldn't go through if I did use the broadband.' His monthly mobile phone bill is now 46 a month up from 25. Alan also pays 22 a month to Plusnet for his landline and broadband. Residents who live in developments with bad broadband have found their phone bills have increased significantly as they are forced to use their mobile data to use the internet He moved onto the development with his partner, Alan Jones, 35, in December 2017. He says it doesn't make sense that fibre optic cables weren't installed before building was finished and that roads might need to be dug up for new cables to be installed. 'From a development point of view, it seems the wrong way of going about things,' he adds. The government announced last year that access to fast broadband will be a legal right from 2020. So, from next year, providers will be required to provide high-speed broadband of at least 10 Mbps to anyone who requests it regardless of where they are in the country. This speed is considered the bare minimum needed to cope with a family's modern-day internet needs including downloading films and using video-streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. 700,000 homes missing out Telecoms watchdog Ofcom warns there are nearly 700,000 'forgotten homes' across the UK that are without broadband fast enough to meet a typical family's needs. It says 2 per cent of homes and offices around 677,000 properties cannot access speeds of at least 10 Mbps. Meadow View residents James Marshall, 32, and his fiancee, Angela Brown, 36, say they are stuck with speeds as low as 3.4 Mbps. They now spend 104 a month on phone bills after increasing their internet data allowance to make up for the slow internet, on top of the 11 a month they pay Sky for their broadband connection. James says: 'In today's age, fast internet is everything. People pay good money for these houses and they should have installed fibre optic to begin with if you're going to do a job, do it properly.' Extra bills: Meadow Views James and Angela have to buy additional data on their phones to make up for slow broadband. They say they are stuck with speeds as low as 3.4 Mbps James, a production manager, and Angela, who works for the local council, bought the new-build for 215,000 in 2017 to house their family. James says: 'We didn't ask about the broadband when we moved in because it wasn't something that crossed our minds.' The couple have a daughter aged 13 and a boy and girl, both ten. But the painfully slow broadband speeds mean if the children are playing online games, James and Angela cannot even watch a video on Facebook with their smartphones. In its recent Connected Nations report, Ofcom said rural families were more likely to be left behind, with 73 per cent of those 'forgotten homes' in the countryside. Meadow View lies in the Lundwood area of Barnsley, a former industrial town of around 240,000 people between Leeds and Sheffield. Carly and Neil Mann, 39 and 41, also say their broadband is not fast enough to cope with their family's needs. The couple, who have two sons, aged five and seven, moved to Meadow View from nearby Monk Bretton. Now, when their boys want to download new games on their Xbox, they have to travel a mile to Monk Bretton, where Neil's mother lives and has far faster internet. Carly, who works in social care, says: 'We get around 3 or 4 Mbps. We have never lived anywhere else where the internet has been so bad.' She also says it's not unusual for the internet to suddenly cut off without warning. She spends 40 a month on an online educational service, which her sons use to help further their skills in maths and other school subjects. But the internet is often too slow for them to use it. Alex Neill, managing director of home products and services at consumer group Which?, says: 'It is unacceptable that some property developers don't seem to be treating broadband as a priority, leaving families across the country struggling with sluggish connections after they move into a brand-new home. 'The government should act to ensure that new homes have the necessary infrastructure built in as standard, so all homeowners have access to the good-quality broadband they need to carry out a wide range of important everyday tasks.' 'Our family won't come to visit' Industry experts and MPs have called on the Government to force developers to put fibre optic broadband in every new home to 'future-proof' our internet network. It is already available to 95 per cent of UK properties, and the government recently consulted on plans to make it mandatory in new-builds. But sales manager Bob Atherton, who also lives on Meadow View with his partner, Helen Scott, says the poor internet speed is the talk of the community. Bob says: 'When new people move onto the estate, they sometimes ask on Facebook: 'Is anyone else's broadband down?' Someone says: 'No, that's just the way it is.'' Bob, 52, and Helen bought their new-build for 220,000 because they wanted more space to entertain their two families. He says: 'We get 5.5 Mbps usually, so it's quite low. At Christmas, I tried to download a one hour high-definition show and it took just over 40 minutes. The slow speeds have even put off would-be houseguests: 'Helen's niece is in the IT industry and was planning to come up and stay with us for a week. 'But, when she realised how slow our broadband was, she couldn't because she wouldn't be able to work.' New properties are still being built on the estate yards from Bob's home. He says: 'I've heard they won't do anything about the broadband until the estate is finished. 'You'd have thought they could get at least half way through and think: 'Right, let's get everyone connected up to the internet properly', before building more homes.' Snail-like speeds blighting the UK Meadow View's residents are not alone. New-build homeowners up and down the country have been complaining of poor broadband speeds. Estates affected include some built by major developers Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey. Anthony Guffick, 66, says his broadband speeds reach a maximum of just 4 Mbps. The retired IT worker paid 246,000 for his three-bedroom detached property in Hartlepool, County Durham. He says: 'I thought all new-builds would be built with the latest technology.' Accountant Mark Goodwin, 31, told the Mail this month of speeds of around 2 Mbps in his new 200,000 home in Cannock, Staffordshire. New-build homeowners up and down the country have been complaining of poor broadband speeds. Estates affected include some built by developers Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey The residents of the Taylor Wimpey development campaigned for 18 months to get fibre installed through an Openreach scheme. A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: 'As a responsible housebuilder, it is our priority to deliver excellent standards of customer service. As soon as we became aware of this issue, we contacted BT and are committed to working with them to assist in the provision of faster broadband to all residents on the development. 'BT is now in the process of resolving this issue as soon as possible.' Meanwhile, engineer Kevin Pratley, 54, says only one person can use the internet at a time in his new 185,000 detached Persimmon home and it is 'impossible' to download films. A Government spokesman says: 'Too many homes are built with slow, or no, connections. This needs to change. We've recently consulted on making full fibre mandatory for new-builds and will outline next steps in due course.' Openreach now offers fibre free of charge to developers building sites with more than 30 homes and has reduced rates for smaller sites, too. A BT Openreach spokesman says: 'Meadow View was registered in 2014 when faster, more reliable connections weren't widely available for new-build sites from network providers such as Openreach. Superslow broadband? Have you had problems with broadband in a new-build home? Write to us at broadband@daily mail.co.uk and leave your name and contact number. 'We would be keen to talk to the residents, developer or management company to help find a more future-proof broadband solution through our Community Fibre programme.' Openreach's Community Fibre Partnership allows groups of residents to bring the fastest broadband to their street. The cost is shared between Openreach and the community, but government grants are available. A Plusnet spokesman says: 'All our customers are able to find out the speed they can expect when they sign up and, if they don't receive that speed, they can leave without a fee.' A Home Builders Federation spokesman says: 'House builders recognise fast broadband connection is hugely important when purchasing a home and strive to ensure it is available from move- in day. 'We continue to press the government for an open-access market, which would see broadband connections open to all suppliers and negate the need for more than one set of infrastructure having to be installed.' A Harron Homes spokesman says Openreach was appointed to provide telephone and broadband to the development in 2014. She adds: 'We would kindly advise any customers experiencing issues with their broadband to contact our customer services team, who will be happy to provide assistance.' Additional reporting: Francesca Washtell A dog-eared staple beloved by 1970s and 80s petrolheads, Auto Trader has come a long way since its creation over 40 years ago by entrepreneur Sir John Madejski. Realising early on that the future of publishing was digital it invested heavily online, dropping the print edition in 2013. Today it is one of the world's premier car sites with a market worth of 4.2billion, a valuation that might just stick in the craw of the Guardian Media Group, which netted a 'mere' 600-700million from the sale of its 50.1 per cent stake back in 2007. Autotrader is one of the world's premier car sites with a market worth of 4.2bn. In the last shares have advanced around a quarter in value In the last year, the shares, up 0.3 per cent, or 1.5p, to 454.4p, have advanced around a quarter in value, while those investors lucky enough to buy ahead of the company's float four years ago are sitting on a 94 per cent profit. As of last Friday, Auto Trader was ranked as the UK's 99th largest stock market business. It will be promoted to the FTSE 100 automatically if it can clamber past the likes of Direct Line and Severn Trent. Any chance of that happening? Perhaps, according to a handful of brokers, including Peel Hunt, which values the business at around 500p a share. The only potential threat is Facebook and/or Amazon coming into the market. 'So far we have seen little impact from both companies,' said Peel Hunt in a recent note. The index of blue-chip stocks was on the rebound as it ignored the latest Brexit twists and turns to advance 86.93 points to 6833.93. 'The British equity benchmark has lagged behind its continental counterparts lately, and the stability in the commodity space helped it outperform,' said David Madden of CMC Markets. Stock Watch - CVS Veterinary chain CVS saw nearly 40 per cent wiped off its value after a profit warning amid a shortage of vets. Shares fell after its underlying earnings for the 12 months to the end of June this year are set to be lower than expected as it faces surging costs for locums to cover vet and nurse vacancies. The company is now cutting costs across the group and overhauling its employment tactics for locums. CVS shares tumbled 38.5 per cent, or 251.5p, to 401p. Also bouncing back was British American Tobacco, which led the blue-chip index. The shares advanced 5.7 per cent, or 135p, to 2510p after the broker Piper Jaffray upgraded its call to 'overweight', suggesting the stock had been oversold. A year ago it was changing hands for more than 4700p but tumbled amid worries over a potential ban on menthol cigarettes. Rival cigarette firm Imperial rose 2.1 per cent, or 50p, to 2411.5p in BATS' wake. British Airways owner IAG (up 3 per cent, or 18.4p, at 641.4p) took flight after it looked to have dodged a bullet in its pursuit of Norwegian Air after the latter launched a 270million cash call. Rounding off the profit warnings was Imperial Leather soap maker PZ Cussons, which fell 14.8 per cent, or 31p, to 178.6p as it blamed subdued consumer spending in Nigeria for its woes. Providing an antidote to the gloom was Crimson Tide (up 24.4 per cent, or 0.5p, to 2.55p), which said its profits would be ahead of market expectations. Following its savage sell-off on Monday, after putting itself up for sale, Utilitywise bounced back 27.4 per cent, or 0.44p, up at 2.05p. There was some good news for the struggling drug developer Midatech Pharma which rose 2.4 per cent, or 0.1p, to 4.2p. It has received an 8million cash injection that will give Chinese billionaire Lam Kong a 77 per cent stake. Investors tucked into the shares of JKX Oil & Gas after the company gave an update on a well in Ukraine. The shares rose 28.6 per cent, or 9.6p, to 43.2p. African Oil & Gas gushed 14.3 per cent, or 1.35p, to 10.8p after it found a 56-metre oil column. Finally, Tomco Energy, was friendless after it said work had begun on its Holliday block in Utah. The shares ended the day 25.9 per cent, or 0.7p, down at 2p. Norwegian Air shares plunged after the budget airline asked investors for 270m of emergency funds. It comes days after British Airways owner IAG ruled out another bid for the airline. Norwegian plans to raise the money by issuing discounted shares to investors next month and will redirect its focus from growth to profitability. Budget airline Norwegian plans to raise the money by issuing discounted shares to investors next month and will redirect its focus from growth to profitability This will involve cutting costs, selling aircraft and postponing the delivery of new aircraft it has bought. It has expanded rapidly and aggressively led the charge to lower the cost of long-haul flying but the speed of expansion has put pressure on costs. The terms of the rights issue, including the subscription price and the number of shares that will be issued, will be proposed on or around February 18. Norways richest man, billionaire investor John Fredriksen, is among those who have said they will underwrite the issue. Preliminary results show Norwegian made an operating loss of 340million in 2018. This week, the company lost more than a fifth of its value when IAG said it would sell its 3.93 per cent holding. Shares fell 11 per cent at 125.50 krone. Dixons Carphone is still in bargain-basement territory, according to analysts at Morgan Stanley, notwithstanding the fact the shares have advanced by around a quarter since January 8. The London arm of the US investment bank turned positive on the stock yesterday. Its analysts reckon the owner of the Dixons electrical chain and Carphone Warehouse is worth 240p, which would represent a further advance of more than 60 per cent from the current price of 146.7p, which is up 1.5 per cent, or 2.15p. Given that the Dixons side of the business has performed better than we were forecasting, and the Carphone Warehouse side is now likely to generate strong cash flows, we think this has left the shares looking very oversold, the broker said in a note to clients. Morgan Stanley analysts reckon Dixons Carphone is worth 240p, which would represent a further advance of more than 60 per cent from the current price of 146.7p Morgan Stanley upgraded both Next (up 0.1 per cent, or 4p, to 4781p) and Halfords (down 1.6 per cent, or 3.8p, at 235.8p), while it has a neutral stance on the wider retail sector. A bout of the jitters hit the Square Mile as the US and China geared up for a further round of trade talks, with Brexit adding to the uncertainty. The FTSE 100 fell 0.9 per cent, or 62.12 points, to 6747.1. A drop in the crude oil price hit BP, down 2.4 per cent, or 12p, to 494.9p. While not the most significant percentage fallers on the Footsie, BP and rival Royal Dutch Shell (down 1.8 per cent, or 41.5p, at 2227p) are so large they exert the gravitational pull of a black hole on the index. Stock Watch - Petra Diamonds Shares in Petra Diamonds plunged as prices dropped at its South African mine which produced diamonds for the crown jewels. It made revenue of 157million in the six months ending December 31, up 8 per cent on the previous year but below analysts expectations of 175million. Production grew by 10 per cent year-on-year to 2m carats. But Petra said the prices for stones from its Cullinan mine fell to 73-per-carat from 106 the year before. Shares fell 20.8 per cent, or 9.34p, to 35.6p. The oil field services specialist Wood Group was also dragged lower (falling 2.2 per cent, or 11.8p, to 522.4p) even after banking 21million-worth of unwanted assets. Imperial Brands was on the blue-chip losers list, with British American Tobacco also falling. The whisper presumably interspersed with a smokers cough is that US regulators are getting more agitated about ecigarettes. Imperial ended 2.4pc lower, or 58.5p, at 2361.5p, while BATS fell 0.7 per cent, or 17p, to 2375p. The miners continued their resurgence, led by Rio Tinto (up 1.7 per cent, or 66.5p, at 3944.5p), while Ocado (up 2.1 per cent, or 19.6p, at 966p) topped the risers amid reports it and Marks & Spencer (up 0.1 per cent, or 0.3p, to 290.3p) are attempting to batten down some sort of commercial collaboration. German investment bank Berenberg turned positive on the builders with buys on Barratt Developments, Bellway and Taylor Wimpey. Unfortunately for Berenberg, the market refused to play ball, with the shares off at Barratt by 0.2 per cent, or 1p, at 535.4p; at Bellway by 1.5 per cent, or 44p, at 2844p; and at Taylor Wimpey by 1.3 per cent, or 2.15p, at 163.65p. The Hamburg-based houses analysis echoed that of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which pinned its colours to the mast earlier this month. Funding some of the deal flow in the building sector was Paragon Banking Group, which posted a 41 per cent rise in net lending, driven by demand from professional landlords. We remain confident in the outlook, but will maintain our capital, liquidity and broader risk disciplines in case the external operating environment should deteriorate, chief executive Nigel Terrington said. The shares ended the session up 0.3 per cent, or 1.4p, at 411.8p. Liberum was on the hunt for a bargain, and the City broker reckons that the listed transport companies are arguably at an all-time low. It upgraded National Express (up 0.5 per cent, or 2p, at 381.8p), First Group (flat at 90.1p) and Go-Ahead Group (up 0.5 per cent, or 9p, to 1794p) to buy. US probe: Nissan is facing intense scrutiny in a scandal it has blamed on its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn Nissan has said it is co-operating with an investigation by the US financial regulator. The car maker is facing intense scrutiny in a scandal it has blamed on its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn, who is being held in a Japanese jail. Japanese authorities charged Nissan in December with falsifying financial documents over executive pay. A month before, Ghosn, 64, was arrested on allegations that he had under-reported his income while at Nissan by some 34million between 2010 and 2015, although further charges have since been added. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating whether Nissan accurately disclosed its executive pay in the US and if the company's controls were robust enough to prevent improper payments. The car maker said it is 'co-operating fully' with the SEC's probe, though the watchdog refused to comment. Ghosn's wife Carole has claimed he has received 'harsh treatment' at the hands of the authorities since his arrest. EN+ has cut the Russian tycoon' Oleg Deripaska's stake from 70 per cent to 44.95 per cent The US has lifted sanctions on EN+ after it agreed to reduce Oleg Deripaska's domination. The UK-listed aluminium group has cut the Russian tycoon's stake from 70 per cent to 44.95 per cent. EN+ has also changed its board so it mostly includes independent directors to curb the influence of 51-year-old Deripaska, who has close ties to the Kremlin. Sanctions were imposed on a number of Russian firms after the country was blamed for the attempted assassination of dissident Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury last March. Lord Barker, a former Tory energy minister who joined before EN+ floated a year ago, will still lead the board as chairman. However, Democrats in the US are unhappy about the decision to lift sanctions. Texas congressman Lloyd Doggett called it sordid. But Barker said: 'The lifting of sanctions on the whole group is a turning point.' The publisher of Vogue is launching an online-only magazine focused on fashion as a business. Vogue Business will look into the changes sweeping the high-end market, such as the march of online retailers and the challenges facing traditional brands. Vogue Business will look into the changes sweeping the high-end market, such as the march of online retailers and the challenges facing traditional brands Publisher Conde Nast International, which also owns Vanity Fair, men's magazine GQ and technology publication Wired, said it has been developed after talks with 7,000 industry experts. The launch is part of an industry trend focusing on niche audiences, where demand has held up more strongly than for mass-market magazines. Mark Mulligan, an analyst at Midia Research, said: 'Where more mainstream titles struggle for relevance and readership, niche magazines have proven to have strong, long-term appeal with their respective niches.' Oddbins owner European Food Brokers blamed a downturn on the High Street and Brexit for the retailer's struggles Oddbins is set to fall into administration for the second time in less than ten years. More than 500 jobs are at risk as owner European Food Brokers lines up administrators to explore a sale of the off licence chain, according to Sky News. The group blamed a downturn on the High Street and Brexit-related uncertainty for its struggles. Oddbins operates more than 100 off licences, which include its subsidiaries Wine Cellar Trading and Whittalls Wine Merchants. It comes as Tesco confirmed that up to 9,000 jobs were at risk as it prepares to axe deli counters at 90 of its stores. Oddbins is reported to have made a 4million loss in the 18 months to July 31. European Food Brokers is owned by Walsall-based entrepreneur Raj Chatha. The group confirmed that it was preparing to appoint Duff & Phelps as administrators, which handled the collapse of BHS in 2016. A Duff & Phelps spokesman said: 'The deterioration of the High Street, combined with the continuing economic uncertainty surrounding the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, has resulted in an unsustainable, tough physical retail market. 'We will endeavour to continue to operate all stores as a going concern while options are assessed for the business, including a possible sale. 'All businesses continue to trade until further notice. 'European Food Brokers Limited and its additional businesses continue to trade and are not part of this announcement.' A spokesperson for European Food Brokers Limited, said, 'We have filed a notice of intention to appoint Duff & Phelps as administrators for Wine Cellar Trading Limited, Whittalls Wines Merchants 1 Limited, Whittalls Wines Merchants 2 Limited and EFB Retail Limited. The deterioration of the high street, combined with the continuing economic uncertainty surrounding the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, has resulted in an unsustainable, tough physical retail market. We will endeavour to continue to operate all stores as a going concern while options are assessed for the business, including a possible sale. All businesses continue to trade until further notice. European Food Brokers Limited and its additional businesses continue to trade and are not part of this announcement.' Brexit has wiped up to 1,806 off London landlords' rental income since the historic referendum in 2016, analysis suggests. According to research by buy-to-let lending platform Landbay, rental growth in the capital is now 2.84 per cent lower than the level expected back in June 2016, but the gap between expected rental growth and reality could be as high as 4.15 per cent. This higher estimate would leave renters in London with an extra 1,806 on average than they would have had without the blow to the market delivered by Brexit and other tax changes changes from the government. This is due to subdued rental prices. Even conservative estimates suggest that London's renters have saved 1,217 for the mid-point between the two rental growth projections, the group claims. Tenants in London are potentially 1,806 better off since the vote to leave the EU in June 2016 The capital's property market, which has suffered disproportionately from uncertainty since the referendum, saw average annual rental growth drop from 1.26 per cent in June 2016 to a low of -0.33 per cent in June 2017, before starting a slow recovery up to 0.58 per cent in December 2018. It's also important to note that London has seen more landlords exit the market due to poor yields as a result of higher capital values and falling rents following a range of changes to the tax treatment of buy-to-let. John Goodall, chief executive of Landbay, said: 'It's hard to ignore the impact that the vote to leave the EU has had on property market in London. 'While tenants are better off, without necessarily realising it, uncertainty in the market has caused a conundrum for landlords. 'Many landlords will have been looking to offset the Government's punitive tax regime by raising rents, however the uncertainty surrounding Brexit has forced the vast majority to forfeit this to maintain a steady income.' The rest of the UK has largely stayed in line with expectations for rental growth, with the drop in growth being confined to London, according to the Landbay rental index. The average rent for a property in the UK grew by 0.96 per cent in the year to December 2018. Rental growth in Wales, of 1.57 per cent, and Scotland, of 1.48 per cent, is rising more than 55 per cent faster than the UK as a whole and is nearly twice the rate of growth of Northern Ireland. Rental yields drop but tenant demand is up Across the country, at an average 5.6 per cent, rental yields are at their lowest point for three years and at the joint lowest level recorded in the past eight years, according to BM Solutions. This means that the gap between the rental income a property generates and the property's value has slimmed on average. And while Brexit among other factors has caused the UK housing market to freeze up as fewer people look to move, there's no indication that the same can be said for renters. In fact, landlords in every region in England and Wales say demand increased in the last quarter of 2018. One in four landlords reported an increase in perceived demand in the past three months One in four landlords reported an increase in perceived tenant demand in the past three months, but the picture varied across the country. The East Midlands generated the highest levels of demand, whereas one in three landlords in central London think that demand is decreasing. Average rental yields per region Property location Average yield North East 6% Yorkshire & the Humber 6% London (outer) 6% North West 5.9% South West 5.9% East of England 5.9% East Midlands 5.8% Wales 5.6% West Midlands 5.5% South East (excl. London) 5.2% London (central) 4.7% Source: BVA BDRC Landlords Panel The level of void incidence, meaning any length of time when a property isn't occupied, was the highest recorded over the past five years with variations again across the country. Almost one in four landlords are planning to sell at least one property this year, with landlords owning a portfolio of 11 to 19 properties more than twice as likely to sell. This compares to just one in seven landlords saying they are looking to increase the size of their portfolio. Phil Rickards, head of BM Solutions, said: 'The buy-to-let industry has been through many regulatory changes over the past few years, and the effects of this are clearly being felt. 'However, the landscape is not entirely bleak. The proportion of landlords making a profit from their lettings activity remains at 88 per cent. It is clear that the market is sensitive to the current legislative and macro-economic environment and this has been reflected in the latest findings.' 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. Vote View Results New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Three brothers were brutally assaulted by unidentified assailants in Chandni Chowk area, police said Tuesday. The accused persons attacked them with sharp-edged weapons and rods near Roshanpura area of Nai Sadak at 9 pm on Monday, they said. Mohammad Sadab, who is one of the injured persons, told police that he runs a garment business with his brothers Ikram and Ikrar, a senior police officer said. The three were attacked when they were returning home after closing their shop, he said. No one has been arrested in the case but raids are being conducted on the basis of some clues, the officer said. The reason behind the attack is still not clear but it seems to be a case of personal enmity, he said. A case under relevant sections of the IPC has been lodged at the Hauz Kazi police station and a probe is underway, he added. PTI NIT NIT SNE SNE New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Six men were arrested from Chambal area of Madhya Pradesh for allegedly abducting a truck driver and looting the vehicle in east Delhi's Aksharsdam area, police said Tuesday. The accused were identified as Sanjay alias Sonu (25), Mohan (23), Vipin (27), Dilip Saw (50), Rajesh (28), Lokesh (28), and they are suspected to be members of a gang of highway dacoits, they said. On the intervening night of December 27 and December 28 last year, when the truck driver, Vipin Kumar, was driving with cartons of pan masala, two persons dressed as policemen stopped him near Akshardham Flyover, a senior police officer said. As he got off the truck, they overpowered and abducted him while the other members of the gang fled with the truck. They, later abandoned the driver near Timarpur, he said. A case was registered at Mayur Vihar police station and an investigation was taken up, he added. The victim told police that a GPS tracker was installed in the truck. When police analysed the movement of the truck, they found that it had stopped for a considerable time near Siraspur in Outer North District, the officer said. Police said they identified the spot where the items were unloaded and CCTV footage revealed that the stolen items were transported to several other places using local transporters of Siraspur. During investigation, the kingpins of the gang were revealed to be Sonu and Mahesh alias Monu who were brothers. In spite of searching their hideouts in Sirsapur, Sonia Vihar and Tronica city police could not locate them. Meanwhile one of their associates was arrested from Rohini while Amit and Rohit were arrested by Swaroop Nagar police, the officer said. Raids in Swaroop Nagar revealed that Sonu and Monu were in Chambal district of Madhya Pradesh, he said adding following the arrest of the kingpins, more cartons of pan masala Rs 6 lakh received through sale of the stolen item were recovered. PTI NIT AMP NSD \R New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Ranjita Elangbam, wife of jailed Manipur journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem, said on Tuesday her family was victim of political propaganda and demanded that the government release her husband immediately. Addressing a press conference organised by NGO Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), she said her husband was labelled as a "womaniser, alcoholic and even abusive" as part of the propaganda. "It is unbearable for me and my two daughters," she said. Wangkhem was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) by the Manipur government for criticising it. The district magistrate of Imphal West had ordered detention of Wangkhem, a 39-year-old journalist who works for a local TV channel, on November 27 last year, allegedly after he uploaded videos criticising the BJP-led governments in Manipur and the Centre for observing Rani Jhansi's birth anniversary. PTI SLB GVS Guwahati, Jan 29 (PTI) The video of a mother removing a black jacket of her crying three-year-old child on the instructions of security personnel before entering Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's function in Biswanath district on Tuesday morning has drawn sharp criticism from the public, prompting the CM to order a police inquiry into the episode. The video has gone viral on social media and has also been aired by local TV news channels in Assam. The Citizenship Amendment Bill has triggered widespread protests in Assam. Sonowal is witnessing hostile reactions from citizens over the controversial legislation piloted by the BJP at the Centre. "My three-year-old child was wearing a black coloured jacket. The security personnel didn't allow him to enter the meeting venue in it. The security personnel asked me to remove the black jacket", the mother of the child is heard saying in the video to journalists, who asked her the cause for removing the jacket of her child, leaving him with a cotton shirt in the chilly morning. "There is a phobia among the police personnel against the colour black. They even forced a child to remove his black jacket exposing him to cold fearing the black garment may be a sign of protest," locals said, referring to the black flags being shown to the chief minister, ministers and senior BJP leaders in the last few weeks amid the ongoing protests against the controversial Citizenship Bill. Many adult male visitors at the chief minister's programme to lay foundation stone for an Eri spun silk mill are also seen in the video removing their black jackets and woolen pullovers. They are heard saying, "The security personnel will bar us from entering the meeting venue if we do not remove our black clothes". Meanwhile, Sonowal has directed Assam Director General of Police to investigate the incident of the child being forced by security personnel to remove his black jacket and submit his report at the earliest, said a government release here. During Republic Day celebrations on Saturday security personnel vigorously frisked the public to prevent any of them from carrying any black clothes to the official functions attended by ministers across Assam. At the central Republic Day function in Guwahati, security personnel from Assam Police politely asked each and every one if they were carrying black handkerchiefs. "We have been asked to check if anyone carries any black clothes. They are not allowed to carry any black items inside the ground," an Assam Police Constable had told PTI, showing a pile of black clothes, handkerchiefs, mufflers, shawls and head bands near him, which were confiscated from the public. Protests broke out across the state and other parts of the North East after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in Silchar on January 4 that the contentious bill would be passed as soon as possible in Parliament. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8 seeks to provide Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India even if they do not possess any identity documents. PTI ESB SNS IND IND Washington, Jan 29 (AFP) US President Donald Trump's national security advisor warned Tuesday of "serious consequences" if any harm comes to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. "Let me reiterate -- there will be serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido," Trump advisor John Bolton tweeted. Washington has recognised Guaido as the South American country's acting president and says that strongman President Nicolas Maduro should leave power. Bolton's warning followed a request by the Maduro government's attorney general for the Supreme Court to bar Guaido from leaving the country and to freeze his assets. That followed the United States' decision to hand control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaido, barring Maduro from accessing the funds. Guaido said on Monday that the US maneuver would stop Maduro from emptying the "coffers" if he is removed from office. (AFP) SCY SCY Nicosia, Jan 29 (AFP) French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the Brexit deal is the "best agreement possible and is not renegotiable", as Britain's premier pushed to reopen talks with Brussels. Macron's comments during a summit in Cyprus came as Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to British lawmakers to give her a mandate to renegotiate, after parliament rejected an accord reached with the European Union. Macron urged the British government to "promptly" lay out to EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier "the next steps that will prevent an exit without an agreement, which nobody wants but for which we must all prepare ourselves". With the deadline for Britain's divorce from the bloc just two months away, Brussels has insisted it will not budge on the December deal, which the House of Commons overwhelming rejected on January 15. May's massive defeat heightened fears that Britain could leave the EU on March 29 with no new arrangements in place, prompting economic chaos on both sides of the English Channel. The British premier now backs a proposal to remove a controversial "backstop" clause on Northern Ireland from the agreement, with MPs set to vote from 1900 GMT on the way forward. She has promised that if this passes, she will seek a "significant and legally binding change to the withdrawal agreement" with the EU before Britain leaves the bloc as planned on March 29. Amendments before the British parliament on Tuesday evening include ruling out a "no deal" Brexit, delaying exit day and returning to the negotiating table. Brexit hardliners from May's Conservative party oppose the backstop, which could see Britain indefinitely tied to EU trade rules in order to keep open the border with the Republic of Ireland. Following May's defeat this month, Macron said a transition period would be necessary "because the British cannot afford to no longer have planes taking off or landing at home, and their supermarkets, as much as 70 per cent, are supplied by continental Europe". A presidential source said France was speeding up preparations for a "no deal" Brexit. (AFP) SCY SCY Washington, Jan 29 (AFP) The White House urged Venezuela's military on Monday to accept a "peaceful" transfer of power from Nicolas Maduro to opposition leader Juan Guaido, recognized by the United States as the country's interim president. "We also today call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power," National Security Advisor John Bolton told reporters at the White House. Asked whether Donald Trump would consider getting the US military involved in Venezuela, Bolton replied: "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table." (AFP) RCJ Caracas, Jan 29 (AFP) Venezuela's attorney general asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to bar Juan Guaido, the self-proclaimed acting president and opposition leader, from leaving the country and to freeze his assets. The move comes after the United States earlier said it has handed control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaido, to prevent President Nicolas Maduro from commandeering them in an eventual exit from power. Guaido had said on Monday he was taking control of Venezuela's foreign assets to stop Maduro from emptying the "coffers". Attorney General Tarek William Saab told the Supreme Court he had come to "ask for precautionary measures" against Guaido to prevent him from leaving the country or moving assets, while also freezing his accounts. Saab, a regime loyalist, said the measures were part of the investigation into the National Assembly ordered by the court last week. That was a response to the legislature officially declaring Maduro a "usurper" over his reelection last May in a poll boycotted by the opposition and widely branded a fraud internationally. Guaido responded by saying he wasn't surprised by the measures and described them as part of a chain of "threats" against himself and the opposition-controlled parliament. "More than a new threat against me, against this parliament, against the acting president of this republic, there's nothing new," he said at the entrance to the National Assembly. "I'm not dismissing the threats, the persecution at this time, but we're here, we're continuing to do our jobs." Backed principally by the US, Guaido has been at loggerheads with Maduro and his regime since proclaiming himself the country's acting president January 23. Washington has supported his bid to oust Maduro, who is backed by Venezuela's powerful military, and on Monday slapped sanctions on the state oil company PDVSA, the country's primary source of revenue. (AFP) SCY SCY Washington, Jan 29 (AFP) The Islamic State group maintains a force of thousands of fighters who pose a potent threat in the Middle East as its leaders continue to encourage attacks on the West, a top US intelligence official warned Tuesday. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats added that the jihadists, who once held vast swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq but are now reduced to a shrinking enclave, would exploit any reduction in counter-terror pressure to stage a comeback. President Donald Trump last month announced he was ordering a full withdrawal of the 2,000 US troops from Syria. Senior US officials have since given contradictory statements about US intentions, but the Pentagon said it had begun the withdrawal, although how long it would take remained uncertain. "ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses," Coats said in a new report to Congress, using an alternate name for the group. "The group will exploit any reduction in CT pressure to strengthen its clandestine presence and accelerate rebuilding key capabilities, such as media production and external operations. "ISIS very likely will continue to pursue external attacks from Iraq and Syria against regional and Western adversaries, including the United States." IS proclaimed a "caliphate" in 2014 which at its peak reached the size of Britain. But with support from a US-led military coalition, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are now in the final stages of an assault launched more than four months ago against the jihadists' last bastion: a four-square-kilometre pocket of territory in eastern Syria. Coats' report said IS was focusing on exploiting sectarian tensions in Iraq and Syria, adding it "probably realizes that controlling new territory is not sustainable in the near term." "We assess that ISIS will seek to exploit Sunni grievances, societal instability, and stretched security forces to regain territory in Iraq and Syria in the long term," he added. On the subject of Al-Qaeda, the once mighty terror outfit responsible for the 9/11 attacks, the report said that while the group's leaders were encouraging attacks against the West including the US, most of its affiliates' "attacks to date have been small scale and limited to their regional areas." It added Al-Qaeda's affiliates in East and North Africa, the Sahel, and Yemen "remain the largest and most capable terrorist groups in their regions. "All have maintained a high pace of operations during the past year, despite setbacks in Yemen, and some have expanded their areas of influence." Al-Qaeda elements in Syria were continuing to undermine efforts to resolve that conflict, while its South Asia branch was providing support to the Taliban. (AFP) SCY SCY Washington, Jan 29 (AFP) The United States said Tuesday that it has handed control of Venezuela's bank accounts in the United States to Juan Guaido, the opposition leader whom Washington has recognized as interim president. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed off on the order last week for Guaido to control holdings in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and federally insured banks, the State Department said. "This certification will help Venezuela's legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said in a statement. The United States has been pressing all countries to part ways with President Nicolas Maduro, a leftist firebrand presiding over a crumbling economy and rising street protests, and recognize Guaido, the head of the National Assembly. Palladino called on all nations to "take similar steps to protect Venezuela's patrimony from further theft by Maduro's corrupt regime." Venezuela, which is struggling to provide basic services, has some USD 8 billion in foreign reserves around the world. A major chunk is around USD 1.3 billion in gold held by the Bank of England, which Guaido has asked Britain to put under his control. The United States on Monday announced sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company, further trying to squeeze Maduro's cash-strapped government. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking Tuesday to the Fox Business Network, said that more economic pressure could be coming. "We will always look at additional sanctions to make sure we protect the assets of the country for the people of Venezuela," he said, while adding that the United States wanted to ensure that medicine and other humanitarian goods can still go through. Major Latin American powers including Brazil have backed Guaido but Maduro still enjoys economic and political support of Russia and China. (AFP) SCY SCY New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours: FGN29: CHINA-US-TRADE-LD DELEGATION Beijing: The spectre of Chinese telcom giant Huawei hung large over Wednesday's crucial China-US talks to end the trade war as Beijing has accused Washington of "political intensions and manipulations" in launching criminal proceedings against the firm asked it to withdraw the arrest warrant against its CFO and stop extradition proceedings against her. By K J M Varma FGN30: ISRAEL-INDIA Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be visiting India in February or March, before elections in both the countries, in what would be his second visit to New Delhi coming after just over a year. By Harinder Mishra FGN27: PAK-2NDLD BLASPHEMY Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a review petition against its decision to acquit Christian woman Aasia Bibi who was on death row for eight years on charges of blasphemy, in a major setback to hardline Islamists who had demanded her execution. By Sajjad Hussain FGN22: US-4THLD HUAWEI Washington: The US has charged Chinese telecom giant Huawei with a series of crimes including stealing trade secrets, a move that can escalate hostilities between the world's biggest economic powers and complicate efforts to negotiate an end to their bruising trade war. By Lalit K Jha FGN18: US-VENEZUELA-2NDLD SANCTIONS Washington: The US has slapped sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company that would potentially cost the country USD 11 billion in revenues, a move that seeks to force President Nicolas Maduro to give up power after the opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president. By Lalit K Jha FGN16: US-CHINA-LD TRADE TALKS Washington: Fair and reciprocal trade with China will boost the long-term economic growth not only of the United States, but also globally, the White House said announcing President Donald Trump will welcome an official delegation from China for a series of meetings later this week to discuss the trade relationship between the two countries. By Lalit K Jha FGN24: UN-HOLOCAUST-INDIA United Nations: Poignant tales of compassion of Jews finding refuge in India in the midst of the horror of the Holocaust were recounted as the UN commemorated the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. By Yoshita Singh FGN23: US-ADDRESS Washington: Donald Trump will deliver the State of the Union Address on February 5 after it was delayed due to a government shutdown over the US president's demand for funding for a wall along the border with Mexico. By Lalit K Jha PTI SCY SCY Caracas, Jan 29 (AFP) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged to retaliate against the United States for its new sanctions on state oil company PDVSA. "I have given specific instructions to the head of PDVSA to launch political and legal action, in US and international courts, to defend the property and assets of Citgo," PDVSA's US-based subsidiary, Maduro said on state television Monday. (AFP) RCJ RCJ Chandigarh, Jan 29 (PTI) The 15th Finance Commission headed by its Chairman N K Singh, met with over 25 representatives of various Panchayati Raj Institutions here on Tuesday in its first meeting during the panel's four-day visit to Punjab. The panel members had detailed discussion with the representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and state government officials. They also met representatives of the Urban Local Bodies and various political parties, an official release said. During its meeting, Panchayati Raj Institutions' representatives sought financial aid for total facelift of villages and overall development of rural areas of the state. Principal Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayats Anurag Verma, Director of Rural Development and Panchayats Jaskiran Singh and representatives of villages including panches, sarpanches along with Block Samiti and Zila Parishad members were also present at the meeting. Underlining the need to further upgrade infrastructure in urban areas, representatives of Urban Local Bodies sought funds to provide hi-tech facilities in cities across the state. Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Aman Arora, SAD MLA Parminder Singh Dhindsa, BJP leader Subhash Sharma, were among the representatives of political parties who attended the meeting. Meanwhile, as per revenue sources of PRIs provided by the state, the revenue of Panchayats from its own taxes is almost negligible, around 0.11 per cent of total revenue during 2011-12. This became nil after 2015-16, a separate official statement said. Non-tax revenue of Gram Panchayats also reduced from 26 per cent in 2011-12 to 19 per cent during 2016-17, it said. PTI SUN NSD NSD Chennai, Jan 29 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) March, 2017 regulations and tariff order relating to fixation of charges for free and pay television channels. A division bench comprising justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad also upheld the January 31 deadline fixed by the TRAI for the implementation of the order. Quoting a Supreme Court verdict, the bench said the TRAI's jurisdiction was not only confined to regulating the operations, but also extended to laying terms and conditions for providing services and dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by V Rama Rao. The January 31 deadline was fixed by the TRAI by invoking its powers under section 36 of the TRAI Act and taking into consideration all facts and circumstances. "It cannot be said that TRAI has been acting hastily or implementing its directions in a hurried manner, without taking into account the interest of all the participants. It is not for this court to interfere with the deadline, unless it shows that such a decision is completely perverse," the bench ruled. Referring to the Supreme Court order in BSNL vs TRAI and others, it said the apex court had held that the TRAI exercised a broad jurisdiction. "Its jurisdiction is not only fixed to regulating operations, but also extends to laying terms and conditions for providing services. They can fix norms and the mode and the manner in which consumers would get services," the bench said. The TRAI, in March, 2017, had notified the new regulatory framework for broadcasting and cable services and had re-notified it on July 3, 2018, prescribing the implementation schedule. According to the framework, consumers can choose the channels they want and have "direct control" on their monthly bill for television services. The Supreme Court had, on October 30 last, dismissed a plea challenging the new regulations. Originally, the TRAI had set December 29 last year as the deadline but had subsequently extended it till January 31. The petitioner contended that the analogue system of transmitting signals was in vogue in Tamil Nadu from 1990 and the process of digitalisation had not been completed in the state. As against the 1.11 crore TV viewers in the state, only 46 lakh households had set top boxes that enabled digital reception. If the impugned regulations were implemented, a substantial number of consumers would be left out, it was argued. PTI CORR VS RC New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Two independent members of the National Statistical Commission, P C Mohanan and J V Meenakshi, have resigned over disagreement with the government on certain issues, an official said Tuesday. Mohanan was also the acting chairperson. With the two members quitting, the NSC now has only two members -- Chief Statistician Pravin Srivastava and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. "The two members have resigned from the National Statistical Commission and tendered their resignation on January 28, 2019," an official said. The NSC, under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is to have seven members, as per its website. Already, three posts were vacant. The tenure of Mohanan and Meenakshi was to end in June 2020. They joined as members in June 2017. Reportedly, these two members are said to have resigned over disagreement with the government on some issues, the official said. In November last year, the NITI Aayog had come under fire for announcing the revised GDP data of the UPA years. NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar and Chief Statistician Srivastava had announced the back-series data by the government. PTI KPM MKJ New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) India and Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday vowed to jointly combat the scourge of terrorism and collaborate on deradicalisation, while also stepping up ties in key fields such as defence, development partnership and trade. The two countries also reviewed their cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the UN during talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Kyrgyz counterpart Chingiz Azamatovich Aidarbekov, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The two ministers held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Noting the close cultural and historical ties between India and Kyrgyzstan and reiterating the importance the two countries attach to their bilateral relationship, they agreed to expand India-Kyrgyz cooperation in a number of areas, particularly in the field of development partnership, the statement said. "Acknowledging the threat posed by terrorism and radicalisation to their societies, the two ministers agreed to work together to fight the scourge of terrorism and cooperate in exchanging experience in the field of deradicalisation," it said. During the meeting, Aidarbekov briefed Swaraj on Kyrgyzstan's efforts to liberalise its economy, create business friendly conditions and attract foreign investment including that from Indian companies. Giving an overview of new infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan, including in the fields of railways and hydro-electricity, Aidarbekov invited India to participate in such projects, the statement said. Noting that more than 9,000 Indian students studying in various Kyrgyz educational institutions, it was acknowledged that there was potential to enhance cooperation in the field of education by encouraging collaboration between universities of both the countries. Defence cooperation, capacity building, training, IT and e-governance, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, tourism, movie production and culture were also discussed during the meeting, the MEA said. The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister and Swaraj hailed the initiative of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the level of foreign ministers with the participation of Afghanistan which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from January 12-13, as creating a platform for region-wide cooperation which would bring benefits to all the participating countries in terms of enhanced trade and economic cooperation and connectivity. Foreign Minister Aidarbekov said that he was looking forward to participating in the next edition of the Dialogue which would be hosted by India in 2020. The External Affairs Minister conveyed her support to Kyrgyzstan in its work as the SCO Chair this year and for the success of the SCO Summit which the Kyrgyz Republic will host in June. The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister reiterated the invitation extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for participation in the SCO Summit and paying a bilateral visit to the Kyrgyz Republic. He also invited Swaraj to visit Kyrgyzstan. She had visited Kyrgyzstan in August 2018. Earlier, Foreign Minister Aidarbekov called on Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and also met the Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla. He is scheduled to visit to Taj Mahal before returning to Kyrgyzstan on January 31. On Monday, Aidarbekov had addressed the India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum here and said talks are going on with India over the possibility of creating a joint financial mechanism that will open up new prospects of business between the two countries. PTI ASK ASK SOM SOM New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha Tuesday demanded a probe into alleged diversion of Rs 31,000 crore of loans by DHFL that the company raised from state-owned banks including SBI and Bank of Baroda, a charge the NBFC termed as mischievous with a mala fide intention. According to a Cobrapost expose, Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) through layers of shell companies allegedly siphoned off Rs 31,000 crore out of total bank loans of Rs 97,000 crore. "If the government fails to order an immediate investigation into the allegations into the aspects including political funding, it would raise a question mark on the intent of the government. Therefore, I demand investigation under court supervision by a special investigative team," Sinha said after the details of Cobrapost were revealed. DHFL in a statement said the company is publicly listed housing finance company and is regulated by the National Housing Bank and the Securities and Exchange Board of India, amongst other regulators. "This mischievous misadventure by Cobrapost appears to have been done with a mala fide intent to cause damage to the goodwill and reputation of DHFL and resulting in erosion in shareholder value," the statement said. The real intent of this exercise appears to be to destabilise the company and the market equilibrium besides hampering to meet the on-going obligations, it said. Sinha also said the exposes raise question mark on the claims of the government of nailing down of lakhs of shell companies. All the agencies including regulators of the government have failed to track nefarious deals, he said. Citing exposes, he alleged that political donations were received by a political party. The exposes alleged that the scam has been pulled off mainly by sanctioning and disbursing astronomical amounts in secured and unsecured loans to dubious shell/pass-through companies, related to DHFL's own primary stakeholders Kapil Wadhawan, Aruna Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan through their proxies and associates, which have in turn passed the money on to companies controlled by the Wadhawans. "The money has been used to buy shares/equity and other private assets in India and abroad, including in countries like the UK, Dubai, Sri Lanka and Mauritius," it said. DHFL is a responsible and law-abiding corporate citizen and all loans are disbursed in the normal course of business in accordance with industry best practices and in compliance with all regulatory norms, the company statement said. "The companys financial statements are submitted to the Stock Exchanges and are in the public domain. DHFL and its group companies are confident of meeting any scrutiny on any aspect of our operations and will pursue these frivolous allegations to its logical conclusion," it added. DHFL has a strong corporate governance regime and has received AAA credit rating from leading credit agencies. The company is fully tax-compliant and its books are audited by global auditors, it added. Senior lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan said, "If the banks had done little due diligence, they would have known that the loans given to DHFL have been virtually siphoned out by shell companies. Therefore, it's absolutely clear that various people in many public sector banks are involved in the scam." The exposes claimed that by lending to shell/pass-through companies without due diligence, DHFL has ensured that the recovery of such dubious loans is impossible since the companies or their directors themselves do not own any assets. This way the private assets acquired by the Wadhawans and their associates by using the funds from these dubious loans are completely ring-fenced from any recovery process that may be initiated by authorities under the SARFAESI Act or Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of India, it claimed. "Thus, the only losers in the process would be the public sector banks, such as State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda, with an exposure of over Rs 11,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore, respectively, foreign banks and shareholders from among the public or investors of DHFL," it alleged. PTI DP CS MR MR Over 55 per cent of the foreign journalists working in China believe that the reporting conditions in the country has deteriorated over the last one year, with several of them expressed concern about being followed and facing visa delays, according to a survey published Tuesday. In the report titled "Under Watch: Reporting in China's Surveillance State", the Foreign Correspondent Club of China (FCCC) said its survey of 109 journalists "painted the darkest picture of reporting conditions inside China in recent memory". "Fifty-five per cent of respondents (compared to 40 per cent in 2017) said they believed conditions deteriorated in 2018 -- the largest proportion since 2011, when foreign media coverage of pro-democracy protests prompted an extensive government backlash. Not a single correspondent said conditions improved last year," the report said. Surveillance was a top concern among the foreign journalists, with close to half of the respondents saying that they were being followed or their hotel room searched while they were in the field. Many foreign journalists were also threatened with visa delays. "For the first time in three years, a foreign correspondent was effectively expelled through visa denial. Separately, Chinese authorities also issued severely shortened visas and reporting credentials, one for just 2.5 months, to at least five correspondents," the survey revealed. Some foreign correspondents were denied visas after they reported on the conditions in the volatile Uighur Muslim majority Xinjiang province where China is carrying out a major crackdown on East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). Up to a million Uighurs and members of other mostly Muslim minority groups are held in extrajudicial detention in camps in the region, according to a group of experts cited by the United Nations. China has accused foreign media of sensationalising the issue. "The wider monitoring and pressure on sources stop journalists even before they can reach the news site," FCCC president Hanna Sahlberg said. "There is a risk that even foreign media will shy away from stories that are perceived as too troublesome, or costly, to tell in China. These trends run contrary to the FCCC's hopes for real openness for foreign media to be able to cover China," Sahlberg said. Meanwhile, when asked for his comments on the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang in a media briefing here said the FCCC publishes such report every year. "The content is basically cliche and old-fashioned. I don't think this report can represent the opinions of all foreign correspondents in China. It is not worth refuting," he said. Geng added China is willing to provide the necessary support and assistance to foreign correspondents in China and they can get in touch with the Foreign Ministry if they face any problems. Russian police on Monday arrested a man, who lifted a painting and walked out of the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow the previous day. The man was caught on camera walking out with the painting under his arm. Visitors at the gallery mistook him for an employee and didn't stop him as he walked away with the painting. The painting Ai Petri, Crimea, done by artist Arkhip Kuindzhi in 1908, is worth around USD 1 million. The painting was on loan from the Russian Museum in St Petersburg and was not set up with an alarm. The police detained the suspect, who admitted to hiding the painting in a building site. The painting was found undamaged. The police are currently looking for any possible accomplices the suspect may have had. Stealing an object of cultural value can lead to a jail term of up to 15 years. The gallery has said that the incident went unnoticed because of the rise in the number of visitors and added that all exhibits would now be fitted with electronic alarms. Last year, in another incident, a man damaged one of the most famous paintings in the State Tretyakov Gallery with a metal pole. In a horrific incident, ten children who were kidnapped in Tanzania were found dead with their body parts mutilated. According to Tanzania's Deputy Health Minister Faustine Ndugulile the children were kidnapped in December from Njombe a southwest district in Tanzania. Children as young as seven were kidnapped from their homes. The bodies were found last week when the police conducted a search operation in the area. "So far, we have found 10 bodies, and most of their private parts and teeth had been removed," Ndugulile said. "So far, we have found 10 bodies, and most of their private parts and teeth had been removed," Ndugulile said. "These murders are linked to witchcraft practices because that is the trend for such crimes, where herbalists ask people to get these human parts for money rituals," he added. Parents of the community had reported many children missing since December, the health minister informed. "We want to identify the perpetrators, but our focus is to educate the traditional practitioners in the area quickly and those in surrounding communities on the need to stop these acts," Ndugulile told CNN. The minister also said that these murders are not linked with the albino murders that are prevalent in the country. Tanzania has a high rate of albinism in the world. At least, one in 1,500 people is said to be an albino in Tanzania. Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela joined the Nationalist Congress Party at a function held in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, a few months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Seventy-eight-year-old Vaghela, who began his career in the Jan Sangh, was welcomed to the NCP by party chief Sharad Pawar and senior party leader Praful Patel. He was also made the national general secretary of the party. Alleging that the democracy was under threat in the country, the senior politician pointed towards the problems faced by independent agencies like the CBI. Vaghela said that he was expecting a UPA-3 type anti-BJP government at the Centre. He said he would work for the NCP in Gujarat and the country to defeat the BJP. Vaghela had parted ways with the Congress ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, saying he was not comfortable with the way the party functioned. He had also said that he had taken up the issue with the party high command. During the Gujarat assembly elections in 2017, he formed the Jan Vikalp Morcha. It, however, failed. For the last several months, Vaghela had been giving indications that he was wanting to come back to active politics. Vaghela and Pawar share a good rapport. At the function, Pawar gave indications of a possible tie up with the Congress. Mentioning the mega rally held recently in Kolkata, he said efforts were on to work with the non-BJP parties. The Congress in Gujarat welcomed Vaghela joining the NCP. Congress state president Amit Chavda said that it is good that Bapu as Vaghela is popularly calledhas come back to active politics. In late 1990s, Vaghela had joined the Congress by merging his Rashtriya Janata Party with it. He had formed the RJP after he parted ways with the BJP in mid 1990s. He became the 12th chief minister of Gujarat when the Congress gave support to his RJP. The Congress, however, soon withdrew the support. In-charge of Congress in Gujarat, Rajiv Satav, said that talks about a coalition with the NCP will be done at the national level. He said so far there has been no proposal of a coalition and if it comes, the party leaders would decide. Violent protests broke out across India on April 2 last year when dalit groups protested against a Supreme Court judgement that struck down provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 that governed the arrest of suspects. On the same day, the Ambedkar Mahasabha was formed as a national conglomeration of various organisations representing SC and ST and social and educationally backward groups. After its agitation over the SC/ST Act, the Ambedkar Mahasabha has set its sights on opposing the Narendra Mod government's recent decision to grant quotas to economically backward sections in the general category. Ambedkar Mahasabha was formed for those people whose constitutional values have to be preserved and upheld, says Ashok Bharti, president of the Ambedkar Mahasabha. There is a huge dissatisfaction because of what has been happening for the last four years. There are attacks and attacks, not only physical attacks, assaults and violence on dalits and Adivasis, but also on their constitutional rights. There was only one thing left on our sidethe law. Nobody opposed the Supreme Court judgement on the SC/ST Act, no major dalit leaders or parties. Everybody kept quiet, Bharti declared. Referring to the 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections in the general category, Bharti said, We have no issue if the government wanted to do something good for economically weaker sections, if they are not represented in the government, bureaucracy or anywhere else. We want them to be given preference. However, Bharti argued that the quota for the general category is not aimed at people below the poverty line, noting that it was applicable to people earning less than Rs 8 lakh per annum. The government has not commissioned any study to find out if these weaker sections are represented in the public or private sector. It is cutting our rights also, Bharti added. The Ambedkar Mahasabha, along with other organisations, has called for a burn the bill protest on January 31, where they will burn the copies of the 124th amendment of the Constitution, which paved the way for granting quota along economic lines. The 'burn the bill' protest will take place across the country, including states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab and Bihar. The main motive of the Ambedkar Mahasabha is to make it clear that the Narendra Modi government cannot deceive people in the name of economic backward classes. Bharti affirmed that the protest against the general category quota will be carried out in a decent way. The Ambedkar Mahasabha has planned to approach all political parties including RJD, Samajwadi party and Congress to gain support. Bharti called the 124th amendment a violation of the Constitution itself. We are disrespecting what has disrespected the Constitution. Nowhere in the Constitution is reservation provided on economic basis, Bharti argued. He also added that the same form of protest would be repeated by the Ambedkar Mahasabha on April 2, if the Modi government did not take necessary steps. The Ambedkar Mahasabha is not the only SC/ST umbrella group protesting against the general category quota. Last week, the All India Backward Classes Federation (AIBCF) announced that dharnas would be organised during the budget session of Parliament against the general category quota. Another umbrella organisation of SCs and STs, Samvidhan Bachao Samiti, has called for a Bharat bandh on March 5 against the general category quota. The solidarity that the women and men of Kerala showed by forming one of the longest human walls ever seen in the world in order to protect womens right to pray at Sabarimala temple is not only praiseworthy, but also sets the foundation for the next era of womens rights movement in India. Modern India is on the cusp of breaking century-old patriarchal traditions, and such actions to protect Constitutional rights and freedom, especially after the landmark verdict by the Supreme Court, symbolise our nations collective will to decimate any opposition or their actions that encourage the country to discriminate between men and women on any front. What better place than a temple to start this holy act of creating a gender neutral society and announcing a new dawn where men and women march forward together, shoulder to shoulder, and hand in hand. India and its women have struggled immensely because of deep-rooted discriminatory practices and traditions. Some of these traditions go back to centuries, have no rational basis, and perhaps have no place in todays India. These traditions have consolidated patriarchal systems across the length and breath of the country. They have a debilitating influence on our society when it comes to promoting an inclusive gender-neutral environment. Today, they manifest in the form of lopsided sex ratio, marginalisation of women at workplace, dowry deaths, acid attacks and rapes. We often talk about defeating patriarchy to set the foundation for gender equality in a society that aspires to treat both men and women equally and creates conditions and systems favourable for both. To usthe ones fighting for womens equal rightsthat is the cornerstone of a society that wants to get rid of social menaces such as violence against women, dowry deaths, rape and female foeticide. We have to hit at the very heart of the problem, which are those archaic traditions that degenerate women and womanhood. By calling menstruating women impure and not letting them enter a place of worship, we are planting seeds of inferiority in a womans mind or nurturing the notion of mens superiority, especially in a society that immensely values its tradition, religious faith, diversity and culture. And this is totally unacceptable in this day and time, when India is trying hard to address serious womens issues that have earned it the tag of most dangerous country for women. Let us not forget that India's maternal mortality rate is 130 per 1,00,000 lives; infant mortality rate is 34 per 1,000 live births; and child sex ratio is 919 females per 1,000 males (2011 census). Further, there has been 83 per cent increase in rapes and dowry deaths in the past 10 years according to the NCRB. There is a need to carefully distinguish between traditions that hold us back and plant discriminatory beliefs and those that give us a sense of pride in our heritage. And here, our Supreme Court has done all of us a great favour by pronouncing a judgment that let us understand the difference between the two. No religious institution, be it a temple, a mosque or a church, should be permitted to discriminate against women. Irrational and man-made rituals that profess stopping menstruating women enter a place of worship in the name of sacred tradition has no place in our society. It is no hidden fact that Indian women are mentally stronger and are far more capable of fulfilling rigorous prayer ceremonies and fasting (which the devotees of Ayyappa require to do for 41 continuous days). Most importantly, they have the power to defeat the patriarchal forces that threaten their Constitutional right to freedom. It is very sad to know that Ms Kanakadurga, who dared to enter the temple recently despite all odds, in compliance to the Constitutional rights of women, and who is being praised by people across India for her heroic act, has been manhandled by her own family. It has been reported that she was beaten by her mother-in-law, deserted by her husband and that she has been prevented from entering her matrimonial home, all for daring to enter the temple. This is sheer injustice done to a national brave heart, and this is what we condemn in strongest words. We extend full support to her and encourage more women to enter the temple to break the barriers of patriarchy. The Right to Pray movement is the need of the hour. It is for those who believe in a free and fair country for every citizen, irrespective of their caste, gender, colour and religion. Our Constitution guarantees right to equality and right to freedom, and it is up to us, the citizens of India, to protect what is enshrined in our Constitution. Author is the director, Centre for Social Research. Views are personal BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday dubbed the proposed "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) of opposition parties as "helpless" and asserted that his party would retain power after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as only Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership could thwart any misadventure by Pakistan. In a stinging attack on the Congress, he blamed the four generations of the Gandhi family for poverty still prevailing in the country. "Four generations of Rahul baba's (Congress chief Rahul Gandhi) family were in power, but the country is still fighting against poverty. The BJP government is working for the welfare and development of the poor, tribals and Dalits," Shah told a BJP workers' meeting here in Odisha's Cuttack district. He claimed that the nation's mood was very clear to return Modi to power and appealed to the people of Odisha to be part of this by electing a large number of MPs of the saffron party from the state. Shah hit out at the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the state, saying Odisha remained backward, despite the flow of huge funds from the Centre, because of the inefficiency and inaction on the part of the Naveen Patnaik government. "The mahagathbandhan of opposition parties is devoid of a proper leadership, policies and agenda, but they claim that they can give a strong government. The country needs a majboot (strong) government and not a majboor (helpless) government...only the BJP is capable of providing such a government," he said. Stating that more than 26 political parties were solidly backing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Shah ridiculed the proposed opposition coalition ahead of the Lok Sabha election. The BJP chief asserted that the prime minister was thinking about the country's security round-the-clock and working sincerely to safeguard our frontiers, which the constituents of the proposed "mahagathbandhan" were incapable of doing. When terrorists sent by Pakistan had mounted an assault in Uri, Modi took revenge within 10 days by sending soldiers to carry out surgical strikes in their territory, he said, adding, "Only Narendra Modi is capable of doing it and not the Congress." Stating that Modi successfully elevated the image of India across the globe, Shah said when the prime minister spoke in an Indian language at the United Nations General Assembly, everyone in the country felt proud. He added that during his visits to several states, he had found that people were desperate to re-install Modi as the prime minister. "It makes the mandate of the 2019 polls very clear. The mood of the nation is clear. Narendra Modi will form the government again with an overwhelming majority," Shah said. The BJP chief also appealed to the people of Odisha to be part of the nation's mood and send more number of MPs of the saffron party to further bolster Modi's prospects. "We need the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the people of Odisha in the upcoming election," he said. Highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led government, Shah said more than eight crore toilets were constructed across the country, 13 crore women and infants were covered under the immunisation programme and a large number of poor were provided with houses and LPG connections since the NDA came to power in 2014. For the first time since Independence, the country saw a prime minister in Modi, who gifted the poor tribal people their due share in the earnings from mining operations, he said. While there was no provision for mineral area development during the previous Congress rule, the BJP-led government stopped the entire money from going to industries and ensured that a major share of it was used for development of these areas, Shah said, adding that Odisha received over Rs 4,000 crore under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). Seeking to motivate the party cadre in the state, he said the BJP was different from the other political parties. "It is a party of workers and not leaders. Different analyses have shown that the party performs well when its workers from down below work with dedication," Shah added. Noting that Modi's vision of a new India could only be established by the hard work of the party workers, he appealed to them not to rest until the BJP governments were formed both in Odisha and at the Centre. Shah's meeting covered four Lok Sabha segments -- Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara. The four Lok Sabha seats include 28 Assembly segments. The BJP president's visit was politically significant as it came four days after Rahul Gandhi addressed a public meeting at Tomando, near Bhubaneswar, on January 25. Shah's visit is also considered important as he came to Odisha after three back-to-back visits of Modi on December 24, January 5 and 15. The general election and the Odisha Assembly polls are expected to be held together this year. The BJP has been making serious efforts to bag a large number of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha and also to put an end to Patnaik's uninterrupted rule in the state since 2000. The saffron party had won only one Lok Sabha seat and 10 of the 147 Assembly seats in the state in the 2014 polls. A day after announcing his party would ensure "minimum income guarantee" for the poor if Congress was voted to power at the Centre, party chief Rahul Gandhi Tuesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has provided 'maximum income guarantee' to 15 of his friends. "For the last five years, he has provided a maximum income guarantee to 15 of his friends. We have decided that if Narendra Modi can give maximum income guarantee to 15 rich people, we will give minimum income guarantee to every single citizen," Gandhi said. Like MGNREGA committed right to work, like RTI committed right to information, like Food Security Bill guarantees the right to food, the Congress government is going to guarantee a minimum income to every poor Indian citizen, he told a booth-level party workers meeting. Attacking the policies of the Modi government,he alleged that the prime minister had done nothing for the farmers and assured that a congress government would ensure their welfare. "We have waived off farm loans in the three states where we won elections....[Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh]." We have committed that in 2019, we will have a government that will make up for all the crimes that Narendra Modi has done against farmers in five years," he said. The Congress president said the Women's Bill would be passed on a priority if the party was voted to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "The first thing we will do when we win the 2019 election is to pass the Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament," he said. He was responding to a suggestion from a party worker on the need for more women candidates. "We want to see women in position of leadership," he added. The bill seeking to reserve 33 per cent of seats in Parliament and legislature has been pending for a long time in view of lack of consensus. Refraining from directly commenting on the sensitive Sabarimala temple issue, wherein the Supreme Court had permitted entry of women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple, he merely said the party respects the traditions of Kerala. "Congress party respects women of Kerala and at the same time respects the traditions of Kerala." "We do not agree with the violence carried out by the BJP and CPI(M) in the state," he said. The 69-day annual pilgrimage season in Sabarimala, which ended on January 20, had witnessed widespread protests from devotees and right wing groups. This was over the CPI(M)-led LDF government's decision to implement the September 28 Apex Court verdict, allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine. The Congress president referred to Kerala as not just a state, but an 'idea'. "It is a way of looking at the world that includes compassion, humility, respect. People of Kerala are helping guide the people of India," he said. "Don't think less of yourself. RSS has cadres, CPI(M) has cadres, but India lives in the hearts of Congress workers', he told the gathering. Gandhi alleged that the CPI(M) and BJP work on 'dividing' the people of Kerala and said the real issue of jobs and protection of farmers was put on the back burner. He also flayed the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax. Gandhi told the Congress workers that the party had launched a shakti programme in which all workers could directly talk to the leadership. "Time to tell our side of the story :)", was the expression of journalist Priya Ramani, who was Tuesday summoned as an accused by a Delhi court for allegedly defaming former Union minister M.J. Akbar by levelling allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Ramani, who accused Akbar of sexual misconduct 20 years ago when he was a journalist, took to Twitter to react after the court summoned her for February 25. She was the first among 20-odd female journalists who accused Akbar of sexual misconduct as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. The women claimed to have worked with Akbar in 1990s and included Ghazala Wahab, Shuma Raha, Anju Bharti and Shutapa Paul. In its order, the court said the allegations made by Ramani against Akbar were "prima facie defamatory" and he had denied all the accusations as "false and imaginary". It also said that "at this stage, the court only has the version of the complainant, who has on oath deposed in court that all the allegations made are false and further brought witnesses to vouch for his impeccable and unblemished reputation". Akbar, who resigned as Union Minister on October 17, last year had filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media when he was in Nigeria, claiming that all the allegations against him were false. Veteran politician George Fernandes, who was a key opposition activist during the Emergency and served as minister in the governments of Morarji Desai, V.P. Singh and Atal Behari Vajpayee, passed away early on Tuesday at the age of 88. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Fernandes was born in Mangaluru in 1930 and was training to be a Roman Catholic priest when he got attracted towards trade union politics. Fernandes rose as a prominent socialist leader in Mumbai and made his mark in politics when he defeated veteran Congressman S.K. Patil in the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency in the 1967 elections; the victory bestowed on Fernandes the tag of giant killer. A vehement critic of Indira Gandhi, Fernandes played a key role in organising the nationwide rail workers strike of 1974 and was arrested in 1976 during the Emergency for allegedly attempting to blow up railway bridges. Fernandes served as industries minister in Morarji Desai government (1977-1979), Railways minister in the V.P. Singh government (1989-90) and defence minister in the Vajpayee government (1998-2004). During his tenure in the Vajpayee government, Fernandes oversaw the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 Kargil war, but allegations of corruption were levelled against him over the purchase of coffins, the Barak missile deal and the Tehelka expose. Fernandes resigned as defence minister over the Tehelka expose in early 2001, but returned to the minister later that year. Nagpur constable Pramod Walke faces departmental action after he was caught on camera showering notes at school girls who were performing a dance on occasion of the Republic Day. The incident happened at Nagpur's Nand village, where Walke could be seen walking on to the stage and showering currency notes on the dancers. #WATCH Police constable showers cash on students during Republic Day function at a government school in Nagpur district's Nand. The police constable was suspended following the incident. (26 January) #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/nyTZeRCznO ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 The video, which went viral on Twitter, shocked and outraged many. A police probe is currently underway, and the cop has been removed from the beat. According to news agencies, the cop responded that some people in the crowd, impressed by the girls' performance, had collected cash and requested him to gift on their behalf. "But after stepping on the stage, the constable made the moves which were found objectionable, though his body language did not suggest vulgarity," senior police officers said, NDTV reported. Apart from Chulbul, his brother Makkhi, Rajjo will also be part of animated version The ElectricityRegulatory Authority (ERA) is a statutory body established in 2000 inaccordance with the Electricity Act 1999 to regulate the generation,distribution, transmission, sale, export, import of electrical energy in Ugandaand to guide liberalization of the electricity industry, manage licensing,rates, safety and other matters concerning the industry. Toyota Uganda is themarket leader in Ugandas automotive industry. We are a wholly owned subsidiaryof Toyota Tsusho Corporation in Japan and the sole official distributor ofbrand new Toyota vehicles in Uganda as appointed by Toyota Motor Corporation.Our key business activities include the sale of Toyota motor vehicles, genuineparts and motor vehicle servicing & repair as well as Yamaha motorcycles,Hino trucks and Case tractors. DanChurchAid (DCA)is a faith-based, non-missionary relief and development organization based inCopenhagen, Denmark and founded in 1922. DCA has supported development andhumanitarian programs in Uganda for over 35 years, working in partnership withlocal partners. DCA is a member of the ACT Alliance. Our key competencies inUganda are livelihoods and food security, humanitarian response, and civilsociety development. The InternationalRescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered byconflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Itwas created by Albert Einstein more than 80 years and has been working inUganda since 1998. It has particularly working in the conflict zones where tensof thousands of people have been kills and over 1.6 million displaced.Following a peace agreement in 2006, Ugandans are returning home and looking torebuild their lives. The IRC is there to protect women and children fromviolence and exploitation by fostering a safe environment and encouragingeducation, and is supporting farmers and small businesses, and helpingcommunities promote peace and long-term development. Timothy Seth Bryant Pennington was born on January 30, 1988 in Corbin, Ky. He departed this life on June 3, 2021 to be with his Lord and Savior, whom he accepted as a young boy at his church, West Corbin Baptist. Seth was assured of his salvation and knew where he would spend his eternity. S Between 1820 and 1860, over one-third of all our nations immigrants came from Ireland. They werent exactly met with open arms. It wasnt uncommon to see signs in stores and other businesses that read: Dogs and Irish Keep Out. Nonetheless, immigrant Irishmen demonstrated their love for and loyalty to their new country by serving in the Union military during the Civil War. Yes, some sons of Eire living in New York City rioted in 1863 to protest the Lincoln administrations draft, a tragedy brilliantly depicted in Martin Scorseses film Gangs of New York. But thousands of others rallied to the Union banner. Consider the courage of the Irish Brigade, which was comprised of five regiments of Irish Americans from New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. The Irish Brigade lost 45 percent of its men and fourteen of its fifteen field officers during a suicidal charge against the Confederates at Fredericksburg. Born in Ireland in 1841 (some sources state 1842) just before the Great Famine, Richard Dunphy was living in New York City when he decided that hed rather serve in the navy than the army. He enlisted on December 17, 1863 and was assigned the rank of coal heaver. It was a dirty, grueling job but vitally important in the era of steam-powered vessels with boilers heated by coal. The Union victory on August 5, 1864 in the Battle of Mobile Bay drove yet another nail in the Souths coffin. Mobile Bay was the Confederacys last major port on the Gulf of Mexico east of the Mississippi River. Its harbor was heavily protected with mines, which were then known as torpedoes. Union Admiral David Farragut ordered his fleet to enter the bay. One of the ships struck a torpedo and sank. When the other ships began to retreat, Farragut issued an order that is usually paraphrased as, Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead! Despite heavy fire, the Union triumphed. Dunphy was a coal heaver that day on the USS Hartford, which was Farraguts flagship. During the battle, he incurred horrendous injuries from a shell fired by the Confederate ironclad CSS Tennessee. Dunphy lost both his arms well above the elbows. Irish immigrant Richard Dunphy was approved for the Medal of Honor on New Years Eve 1864. The citation noted that With his ship under terrific enemy shellfire, Dunphy performed his duties with skill and courage. In 1866, however, someone wrote a letter dictated by Dunphy to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles complaining that he had never received his medal. Dunphy also expressed hope that veterans pensions could be increased. The pension is low especially in my case where I have to pay a man to accompany me wherever I go, Dunphy informed Welles. I cannot help myself to anything not even feed myself for my Arms are off above the elbow. Dunphy soon received his Medal of Honor. Dunphy moved to Wisconsin after the war. When that states legislature petitioned Congress to increase his pension, it noted that Dunphy was the only person who served in the navy during the late war who lost both his arms and is living. Despite the heroic wartime service of men such as Dunphy, many native-born Americans continued to resent the Irish. Protestant, old-stock families thought that their Irish birth, strange accent and Catholic religion meant that these women and men could never truly be Americans. Their mere presence in the United States, xenophobes argued, would weaken and eventually destroy a nation that had been founded and settled by Protestants from England and Scotland. If such an argument sounds familiar, its because contemporary xenophobes contend that immigrants from Latin American and Muslim-majority nations can never be real Americans. Intelligent nineteenth-century Americans rejected such fear-mongering. Intelligent twenty-first century Americans should do likewise. John J. Dunphys latest book, Unsung Heroes of the Dachau Trials, includes interviews with veterans of the U.S. Army 7708 War Crimes Group, who apprehended and prosecuted Nazi war criminals after World War II. GODFREY The mother of a child who fell from the barrel train during the annual Great Godfrey Corn Maze festivities in Glazebrook Park on Halloween is suing the village for $50,000, claiming her daughter fell out of a barrel car and was run over. Caitlin Smay of Alton, is suing on behalf of her minor daughter, Harper Smay, who was allegedly injured after the fall on Oct. 31. Harper was bleeding from a deep wound on her left knee and had blood on her head, face and left hand, the suit alleges. The barrel had a seat belt, which was fastened, and the operator began pulling the train away from the starting point. To Caitlin Smays surprise, the barrel train traveled outside of her view. When the barrel train returned, Harpers seat was empty. When she asked the rides operator where her child was, the suit claims he replied, What do you mean? About that time, a woman appeared from the parking lot, which was busy with heavy traffic, holding Harper, the suit continues. Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick said Monday he was aware of the situation, but was surprised about the suit. He said the matter was turned over the the villages insurance company, but the company said it was unable to reach the childs family. He said the village has been operating the barrel train in Glazebrook Park for a number of years in connection with the annual corn maze, but there has never been a problem. The suit states the barrels are pulled by a riding lawn mower. The barrel train was held out to invitees as suitable and appropriate for all ages, including very young children, the suit alleges. Based on accounts from the other riders, during the ride, Harper began to stand up, as if attempting to get off the train. The older children sitting behind her started yelling for the operator, who did not stop the train or turn around to check the riders. Harper fell out of the train onto the gravel parking lot and was run over. The train never stopped for Harper, the suit claims. The suit claims the village failed to do its duty to use reasonable care and caution in the operation of the train and the village is guilty of willful and wanton misconduct. The suit is asking for damages for permanent and disabling injuries to the head, chest, leg, arm and hand and other parts of her body. The girl allegedly will suffer great physical pain and suffering and disfigurement. The plaintiff is represented by Matthew R. Chapman. BELLEVILLE The acting head of the Illinois Air National Guard isnt planning any significant changes as he steps into his new role and he hasnt been asked to send Illinois guardsmen to the southern border. Illinois has around 3,000 air guardsman at its three air guard bases: Scott Air Force Base in Southern Illinois, a wing in Springfield and in a C-130 unit in Peoria. After a swearing-in ceremony at the Military Academy in Springfield where he was elevated to acting Air National Guard director and brigadier general, Peter Nezamis said dont expect much to change. All three of our wings are practically 100 percent if not over, most of them, so we do very well in the state of Illinois with our recruiting, Nezamis said. Theres really no changes at this point until we can sit down to analyze things to see where can make improvements here and there. While his units continue to focus on defending air space, hell work with the Army on cyberspace defense strategies. Our airwings both have different things that they do to support those cyber missions with their trained personnel, Nezamis said. Its a different level of qualification, army and the air, so we kind of partner, thats where we have a joint staff, we kind of partner on both sides. One area that wont be focused on, because they havent been called out, is border security. Right now were more focused readiness toward other mission sets because were ongoing on the airside deployed around the world so we have not been asked to support border security, Nezamis said. That would ultimately be up to the Brigadier General if a request were to come in from the White House, Nezamis said. Nezamis has more than 30 years in the service. He served overseas several times. He replaces the retiring Maj. Gen. Ronald Paul. Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and other statewide issues for INN. Bishop has years of award-winning broadcast experience, and previously hosted The Council Roundup, as well as Bishop On Air, a morning-drive current events talk show. SPRINGFIELD Two lawmakers crafting a bill to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Illinois are promoting their plan at town hall events around the state. State sen. Heather Steans and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy shared some of the details of the recreational marijuana proposal at a town hall Monday evening in Springfield. The measure would allow adults 21 and older to buy up to an ounce from licensed dispensaries and grow up to five plants indoors. The bill also allows local governments to restrict or prohibit use. Steans and Cassidy held a town hall in Chicago last week. Revenue from taxes on recreational sales would be earmarked for law enforcement, public education campaigns, substance abuse treatment and programs to help communities affected by the drug war, the sponsors said. Exactly how the money is divided up is being discussed. Thats still getting negotiated, Steans said. We dont know whether were going to do it by a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the revenue. The taxes on recreational sales also havent been worked out. Cassidy and Steans said they want to keep the tax low to encourage people to use the regulated market rather than the black market. Audience members had plenty of questions, including one about impaired driving. Cassidy said that will still be illegal and said studies people cite about increased danger on roadways in states where it has been legalized are often skewed. Shawn Schollenbruch traveled to Springfield from Decatur in support of cannabis legalization. He said watching the state establish a highly restrictive medical marijuana program years ago was concerning. After learning about proposal Monday, he said he was hopeful that it would lead toward justice. Sometimes its a bumpy, up-and-down road, Schollenbruch said. Cassidy said the measure wasnt designed to solve the states financial problems, but rather to address longstanding criminal justice issues that have taken a greater toll on minorities. The measure would also include a provision to expunge the criminal records of some users. The tax revenue recreational marijuana could generate, an estimated $350 million to $700 million a year, is significant, Cassidy said. While public polls have shown that most Illinois residents favor legalization, concerns remain. Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems Executive Director Anita Bedell said she worried the costs will outweigh the benefits. They will not be able to pay for all of the regulations, the social costs, and the criminal costs, Bedell said. While they say they dont want to have a high tax they wont have enough to pay if theres going to be just like video gambling. Theyll legalize it. More people will get in trouble with it. Then they wont be able to pay for it. Some law enforcement groups have said they are opposed to recreational marijuana plans, especially provisions for growing marijuana at home. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police wrote in a Facebook post on Monday that provisions for home cultivation would effectively eliminate many opportunities for regulating marijuana. Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and other statewide issues for INN. Bishop has years of award-winning broadcast experience, and previously hosted The Council Roundup, as well as Bishop On Air, a morning-drive current events talk show. EDWARDSVILLE About 15 youngsters, ages three to five years old, sat in their pajamas in a circle on the floor as they intently watched their teacher, Abby Paustian, turn a flashlight on and off in the darkened room. The Goshen Elementary School preschoolers were learning about day and night. Paustian began the circle time by singing to each student, Where oh where is my friend and inserting a students name. Each student then approached her, gave her a hug or high five of their choosing and replied with, Here I am right here. The students clearly enjoyed this morning ritual which was designed to have the students practice their language skills. After the morning welcoming was complete, Paustian reminded the youngsters that they had been learning about day and night, and she talked about the difference between the two. She then turned off the overhead lights and handed out flashlights to the students. The students giggled as they enjoyed shining the flashlights on the ceiling, ground, in circles, their own faces and on their friends faces. Paustian discussed the many uses of flashlights as all the students took a turn using a flashlight. Paustian was teaching using a project approach, which refers to a set of teaching strategies that enable teachers to guide students through in-depth studies of real-world topics. Projects have a complex but flexible framework within which teaching and learning are seen as interactive processes, she explained. (With) the project approach, they investigate a topic of interest. You can do all sorts of things with that. You can bring in books, you can do activities, you can have a tie-in from home. I had them bring in flashlights as a connection to home. She further explained that when teachers successfully implement the approach, students feel highly motivated and actively involved in their own learning, leading them to produce high-quality work and to grow as individuals. After the Day and Night Project, Paustian sent the students to areas around the room for play time. One area was set up for pretend camping because the students had also been learning about camping. Other areas where the students could play included an art easel, water table, sandbox, doll house, block center, and library. I do a lot of language activities and building concepts through play, she noted. Its not just play time. Were learning. Paustian, who has taught in District 7 for 10 years, teaches a blended preschool class at Goshen Elementary. This class is half students with IEPs (individualized education plans) and half students who screen into the Illinois Preschool for All Grant Program, she said. Paustian graduated with honors from Sothern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2006 with a bachelors degree in early childhood education. She earned a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from SIUE in 2018. I love teaching preschool because every day is different yet every day is the same, she said. I am able to set up the classroom environment as a second teacher, using materials and activities to scaffold childrens learning in a variety of areas. Three- to five-year-olds have a wide range of skills, especially when you include children with special needs, Paustian added. It is exciting that play-based and inquiry-based learning allows you to teach children at each of their levels in the same room and even in the same activity. As a preschool teacher, Paustians role is somewhat different than a typical K-5 teacher because many of her children stay with her for two to three years. I get to develop a relationship with each of their families and watch them grow and develop and blossom into wonderful little people before they fly from my nest into kindergarten, Paustian said. It was barely a blip on the news, but heres what you may have missed: Hundreds of young people rallied at the legislature Friday against the end of free tuition for lower income students, protesting the heavy debt load being imposed on college and university graduates by Ontarios PC government. Yes, hundreds of students. No, not the hundreds of thousands who powered dramatic student strikes during Quebecs 2012 Maple Spring, forcing that provinces politicians to back down from tuition increases. Why do Quebecs young people seem so much more motivated than their Ontario counterparts, despite enjoying the lowest tuition in Canada while Ontario still has the highest (even after a gimmicky 10 per cent reduction in the sticker price that camouflages the growing debt load)? Its a question I put to some of Canadas most active young activists at this weekends Democracy XChange summit at Ryerson University, and the answers surprised me. Moderating a panel on protest movements, I learned about the challenges of motivating and organizing youth who are buffeted by both mass media whirlwinds and social media blowback. No, there is no Maple Spring taking root amid Ontarios trilliums, nor are yellow jackets massing in the streets. But when push comes to shove, students in this province will sit up, rise up, and walk out just not necessarily on campus. Rayne Fisher-Quann led Canadas biggest-ever high school walkout, persuading more than 40,000 of her fellow students to boycott classes in protest over the rescinding of Ontarios updated sex-education curriculum last year. Armed with passion and a PowerPoint, the 17-year-old Grade 12 student stole the show at Ryerson as she recounted her experiences to the audience of veteran activists and academics. Premier Doug Ford won the Progressive Conservative leadership by promising to rescind the modernized curriculum because he believed parents hadnt been properly consulted. Except that the new governments ambitious plans for a new round of consultations largely overlooked the group most affected by the curriculum controversy. Nobody was really talking to students my generation learned about sex from Pornhub, Fisher-Quann explained. Adults were trying to suppress the voice of young people. What started as a small social media movement mushroomed into an Instagram-led protest that culminated with 120 schools coming together to walk out last September. It was also the exception that proved the rule. Thats something that we dont often see here in Ontario, she recalled. We shame young people for being lazy and for not caring, for being inexperienced. Critics sent direct messages via Twitter with epithets and threats of death or rape, calling her whore, slut, and bigmouth: I didnt deserve to have a voice because I was just a 16-year-old girl (last year). Sixteen-year-old girls are told constantly that were not smart and were not strong. That Twitter hostility was also experienced by fellow panelist Jeremie Bedard-Wien, 26, who was a student leader for Quebecs Maple Spring an echo of the Arab Spring and Persian Spring democracy movements. Now a speech writer for the Quebec Solidaire opposition party, Bedard-Wien stressed the importance of grassroots consultations to build power from the ground up to achieve the scale of protests that rocked Quebec. The audience was clearly inspired by their demands to be heard and heeded. But the political journalist in me couldnt help marvelling at how much we still take the role of organized politics for granted, for without representative democracy imperfect and impervious as it so often seems we would be left to the vagaries and vicissitudes of direct democracy redux. If we fetishize grassroots consultations from parents, protestors, or only online our politicians will be reduced to always listening, not leading. And slavishly hewing to public opinion polling or its algorithmic equivalent. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Whether its on immigration and refugee questions, language rights, LGBTQ issues, religious garb, or even carbon pricing, reconciling opposing views and opposing protests is what democratic politics is all about. Speaking of democratic engagement, Ill be hosting Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell and her predecessor, David Onley, for a Conversation with the Crown at Ryerson University next Tuesday at 4:30 pm. A unique opportunity to ask what they think about sustainable democracy in todays political environment. Speaking of democratic engagement, Ill be hosting Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell and her predecessor, David Onley, for a Conversation with the Crown at Ryerson University next Tuesday at 4:30 pm. A unique opportunity to ask what they think about sustainable democracy in todays political environment. Details online Read more about: OTTAWAThe Trudeau government is weighing whether to name a special envoy to China to handle tense relations as a 30-day clock starts ticking for Canada to respond to a U.S. request to extradite Meng Wanzhou to face criminal charges. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and his ministers of justice, public safety, foreign affairs, innovation and trade diversification all sought to get the governments message about China back on track after former ambassador John McCallum conveyed after mixed messages last week and Trudeau subsequently fired him. In regards to China, we are always going to stand up for the rule of law, Trudeau told reporters. Were going to respect our international obligations. Trudeau commented only briefly on Tuesday, the day after the U.S. sent its formal request, setting a 30-day clock ticking for Canada to decide whether to bring the American extradition request before a Canadian court. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said it is absolutely important for the Liberal government that China understand its concerns about the two detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, and a third man, Robert Schellenberg now suddenly facing the death penalty for drug trafficking. She contrasted their cases with Mengs, emphasized that the government remains focused on China, and disagreed with a suggestion the China file is in disarray. Weve been very clear with China that Ms. Meng has been afforded access to Canadas impartial and objective judicial system, said Freeland. There is absolute urgency. There is a huge focus on this issue by our government and we are energetically and systematically working on it. But no minister would indicate when the Trudeau government would announce its now-freighted policy decision on whether to allow Huawei to participate in Canadas next generation 5G wireless networks. Were a sovereign country and were going to make sure that we do whats in our interest by looking at the information accordingly. Yes, we engage our allies. Yes we work with our Five Eyes countries to make sure we see what theyre doing. Ultimately were going to make a decision in our own domestic interest, said Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains. China has warned both Canada and the U.S. to halt all proceedings against the Huawei executive. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing that China is highly concerned about 23 criminal charges filed Monday against Huawei and Meng, its vice chair and chief financial officer. Read more: U.S. unveils 23 criminal charges against Chinas Huawei as Ottawa fights to free two Canadians detained by Beijing in retaliation China repeats demand for Huawei executives release as Ottawa seeks replacement for McCallum Chinese state media coverage of John McCallums dismissal shows former ambassador was viewed as an ally, says expert He said the U.S. should cease its pursuit of Meng and stop going further down a wrong path, and said Canada was being used by the United States in its campaign of unreasonable bashing against Huawei. Geng urged Canada to take seriously Chinas solemn position demanding Mengs immediate release and stop risking its own interests for the benefits of the U.S. Canadas department of justice received the United States formal documents and request for extradition on Monday, said a departmental spokesman Christian Girouard. The U.S. unveiled 23 charges against Huawei, including several against Meng as an individual, accusing the worlds largest telecommunications company of technology theft, bank fraud, obstruction of justice, and money laundering. The U.S. charged Meng personally with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracies to commit bank and wire fraud for what it says was a deliberate effort to mislead Huaweis major banking partners about the companys operations in Iran to evade U.S. and international sanctions. Meng is the daughter of Huaweis founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei, who is close to Chinas ruling Communist Party and President Xi Jinping. McCallum had said Xi is very angry about her arrest. In fact, the U.S. also took aim at Huaweis founder but it did not name him. The U.S. indictment alleges that in 2007 Huaweis founder falsely stated to FBI agents that Huawei did not have any direct dealings with Iranian companies and that Huawei operated in compliance with all U.S. export laws. The U.S. Justice Department said it did not name all executives in its indictment their names are blacked out because some are not yet apprehended. Canadian officials in the international assistance group of the justice department now have 30 days to review the American request, and to decide whether to issue an authority to proceed to bring it before a Canadian court. Meng was previously arrested on Dec. 1 under a provisional arrest warrant. The charges against her appear to kill the hope as expressed by McCallum last week, and hinted at by U.S. President Donald Trump last month that the U.S. might agree to drop the charges against Meng as part of a trade deal and pave the way for the release of two Canadians detained by China, and the repeal of a death sentence levied on a third. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... On Tuesday, the Chinese government said the U.S. is using national power to tarnish and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations. Behind such practices are deep political intentions and manipulations, said Geng, according to remarks translated and posted on the governments website. We strongly urge the U.S. to stop its unreasonable bashing on Chinese companies including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly. China will also continue to uphold the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. Canadas justice minister David Lametti told reporters that Mengs case will be handled according to Canadas extradition obligations under a treaty with U.S., while respecting her Charter rights and the rule of law. Nonetheless the U.S. charges raise pressure on Canada, which is already bearing the brunt of Beijings wrath over Mengs arrest. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Trudeau should follow whatever court ruling emerges from hearing the extradition request, and not allow political factors to come into play. The law does allow the government to differ with a court committal decision in extradition cases, and allows taking into account international relations and other political factors such as whether a charge is politically motivated. What we should do is assure the global community, the international community that Canada looks at the evidence, that we weigh all the evidence and make a determination that is grounded in the principles of due process and justice, said Singh. But unlike the Conservatives, the NDP leader is not calling on Trudeau to ban Huawei from Canadas 5G development. Singh says a security review should determine the final call. The dispute with China should not change the outcome of the review on either side. Banning or allowing Huawei to use the Canadian 5G network for political motives would be wrong. Our decision should be very clearly framed around or based on the security of Canadian information, the safety and privacy concerns of Canadians. Top Trump administration and justice officials said Monday Huawei breached federal and criminal law and posed a risk to Americas national and economic security. But while they said Chinese companies like Huawei have a pattern of flouting U.S. law, they said the charges do not allege crimes were committed by any Chinese government official. Nevertheless, they said Huawei is a security threat to U.S. interests because state cybersecurity require it to comply with access demands of the Chinese government. Meng, arrested Dec. 1 while in transit through Vancouvers airport, is out on bail, living in her Vancouver home. A full extradition hearing could be months down the road. Many steps along the way may be subject to appeals. With files from Alex Ballingall Read more about: (TNS) Washington lawmakers have introduced a series of bills that would bring European-style privacy and transparency regulations to how personal data is collected, analyzed or sold by companies and the government.Last year, legislators passed a net-neutrality law in the face of the federal governments rollback of rules to protect customers from changes by broadband companies offering internet service. Washington became the first state to approve such a law.But when it comes to the collection and use of personal data, Washington and the United States remains as ungoverned as the Wild West.America, you know, is behind the rest of the world in terms of privacy protections for consumers, said Alex Alben, the states chief privacy officer. Its not a secret that people are really upset when they see their data used in ways they didnt intend.The misuse of data, by one metric at least, is daunting: In a recent 12-month period, breaches in personal data affected nearly 3.4 million Washingtonians, according to a report by the state Attorney Generals Office . Thats more than half the state population.Legislators this week held a hearing on a bill by Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, that would allow citizens to know what data companies are collecting on them. It also would restrict some uses of facial-recognition programs.Meanwhile, a bill by Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton, would require data brokers to register with the state and divulge what type of data they are collecting and whether they have experienced security breaches.Industry organizations have raised concerns about Carlyles proposal, while the ACLU of Washington has argued that it doesnt go far enough.Carlyle, Smith and others say that Washington the land of Amazon and Microsoft could be the best place to lead on regulations that could eventually be adopted around the nation.The European Union last year adopted whats called the General Data Protection Regulation that, among other things, spells out individual rights for citizens whose data is being collected and requires companies to ask permission before gathering such information.That law made news this week when Frances privacy watchdog used it to fine Google $57 million for lack of transparency, inadequate information and lack of valid consent over the way it personalized ads for customers.Only one state California has passed a data-privacy law similar to the European standard, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, although New Jersey, New Mexico and New York are considering proposals.Carlyle described his proposal, Senate Bill 5376 , as a more limited version of General Data Protection Regulation.With it, you have the right as an individual consumer to access, review and modify and question and challenge and act on how companies are using your own data, Carlyle said. Its about action.SB 5376 would apply to organizations that conduct business in the state and process or control the data of 100,000 or more consumers, according to a legislative analysis . Businesses that get 50 percent or more of gross revenue from the sale of personal information, and process or control information on 25,000 or more customers, also would fall under the regulations.Those companies could range from big, well-known firms like Microsoft and Facebook, to largely behind-the-scenes data brokers and retail stores.If asked, the companies and organizations would have to divulge if the requesters data is being used, and provide that data. They would have to correct inaccurate data if asked to, and delete personal information under certain circumstances, such as if it were no longer necessary.The legislation would also regulate the use of facial-recognition programs by companies, such as requiring organizations to get consent from consumers before using the software.Carlyles bill would also block the use of facial-recognition programs by state and local governments in ongoing surveillance of specified individuals in public spaces unless it is used in support of law enforcement due to a court order or an emergency.The regulations would be enforced under the state Consumer Protection Act. It would make a data-gathering entity liable to a civil penalty of up to $2,500 per violation or $7,500 for every intentional violation.Julie Brill, a vice president and deputy general counsel for Microsoft, testified during the hearing in favor of the bill, saying there is an urgent need for new privacy laws that provide strong protections for consumers but also enable innovation to thrive.Mark Johnson of the Washington Retail Association cautioned that the rules could apply to smaller businesses that dont have the staff or capacity to adapt to them.Johnson, who said he doesnt oppose the bill but in the hearing raised issues about it, said he would prefer a federal solution rather than different laws in different states.My members are looking for stability, predictably and consistency, so that they can comply, said Johnson, who described his association as businesses with predominantly 5o or fewer employers.On the other side the divide, Shankar Narayan of the ACLU of Washington said Carlyles bill doesnt go far enough.Large companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook could be helping to enact a law in order to set a less-stringent standard than the European regulations, said Narayan, director of the advocacy organizations Technology and Liberty Project.The five corporations are openly strategizing around proposals that are weaker than Europes or Californias privacy laws, said Narayan, adding: A cynics view would be that this isnt real privacy, but sort of a larger strategy.On facial recognition, Narayan said lawmakers should consider Seattle Democratic Sen. Bob Hasegawas bill, SB 5528 , which would put a moratorium on the use of software by state and local governments.That moratorium would be lifted after a series of conditions are met, such as verifying that the programs are accurate, especially as they apply to people of different ethnicities, races, ages or genders.Smiths bill, HB 1503 , would require data brokers to register with the states chief privacy officer, pay an annual fee of $250 and disclose details about what they are collecting.Smith said her legislation compliments Carlyles and would help Washington residents have a better idea of what information companies are gathering on citizens and whether any are operating unethically.Until we know whos operating in that space, its very difficult to determine what next steps are, Smith said. OTTAWAThe mayors of Canadas big cities have launched an election-year appeal for a new relationship with the federal government in the face of rising tensions between Ottawa and some provinces, a reality that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admits has created challenges. The big city mayors caucus of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities met with Trudeau and three key cabinet ministers Monday in Ottawa to lay out requests for the coming federal budget. On the list was a call for an enhanced relationship meant, in part, as an insurance policy against municipal needs getting lost in provincial-federal tensions, something that Trudeau suggested may already be happening. We all serve the same citizens. We need to be doing it in a smart, strategic way, he said. I think we all know how the political context is changing right now. Were having sometimes certain challenges with the provinces in various ways, Trudeau said at the start of the meeting. Trudeaus Liberals are odds with several provinces, including Ontario, notably on the issue of its climate change strategy. Municipal leaders fear those tensions could impair progress on initiatives, such as refugee settlement, that require discussions among all three levels of government. We need to be also thinking about scenarios where provinces are not co-operating. Unfortunately were seeing more of that than wed like, said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, chair of the mayors caucus. Thats why the mayors want the next federal budget the Liberals last before the October election to announce a clear federal intention and timeline to create an intergovernmental forum for federal-municipal discussions that would also be open to provincial and territorial leaders. The mayors say the forum would recognize that the issues facing cities, such as refugees, opioid addictions, are increasingly complex. When it comes to almost everyone of these issues, transit, community safety, housing, the people who deliver the actual product ... are cities. Theyre just not at these tables where these kind of decisions are being discussed, said Toronto Mayor John Tory, who was at the meeting. The appeal for a new relationship stirs memories of former prime minister Paul Martins new deal for cities, which sought to give cities better funding and a better relationship with Ottawa. Yet federal politicians have generally been reluctant to formalize relations with municipalities, which under the Constitution are the direct responsibility of the provinces, a concern the mayors are trying to put to rest. This does not require a constitutional amendment, Iveson said. This is just common sense and it requires political will, . But the mayors proposal for a new forum got a decidedly cool reception in the private meetings with ministers and later in public. I think we have to be respectful of the provinces and the reality that provinces do work directly with municipalities, Finance Minister Bill Morneau told reporters after his meeting with municipal leaders. And Dominic Leblanc, the minister of intergovernmental affairs, refused to speak to reporters at all about the municipal requests. The mayors might have better luck with their other budget demands. Those include a request to make permanent federal funding for public transit, beyond the existing 10-year, $3.4-billion commitment that began in 2016. The promise of funding would facilitate planning for these long-term projects, the mayors say. In the meeting with Trudeau, Tory said he cited the example of plans for a new relief subway line on accelerated time line, it would be finished in 2029, two years after the current federal funding expires. Also on the wish list is $2 billion more to help municipalities adapt to climate change. Trudeau struck a more hopeful note on the topic of infrastructure spending. From our particular perspective, investing in infrastructure in our big cities is one of the best ways to create jobs in the short term but also meaningful growth and support for our citizens in the long-term, he said. Tory used the session with Trudeau to add another priority to the list federal funding to build new housing across the country to support people with mental illness and addictions. The failure to provide adequate support now is taking a heavy social and financial toll, Tory said, estimating that it costs each Toronto resident $50 a year. That is for the cost of emergency services, policing, homeless shelters that are trying to cope with people, he said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Thats just the monetary side. The other side of it is that these people who are suffering from these illnesses are not getting proper care, Tory told the Star in an interview. A city-led survey of some 2,000 people who have been homeless found that 32 per cent reported a mental health issue and 27 said they had an addiction issue. Last year, Toronto city council asked the federal and provincial governments to fund up to 1,800 new units of supportive housing a year for 10 years. We have to be looking at that kind of ambition on this, Tory said. Read more about: American serial killer Ted Bundy, the murderous incel of his era, still fascinates people and for good reason. Such killers will always roam, but the terrifying thing about Bundy was that he seemed superficially plausible, at least in the minute or two when, wearing a fake cast on his arm, he asked young university students for help and guided them to his car. For our own safety, we need to be reminded of men like him. Some women were repelled by something in his eyes and manner but he persisted, the odds in his favour that women, raised to be polite, would come with him to his Volkswagen Beetle. He murdered at least 37 women though possibly more than 100 across the U.S. in the 1970s. Bundy was dragged by guards to a Florida electric chair on Jan. 24, 1989, terrified of death, having himself described that moment when the light went out in victims eyes as he strangled or beat them to death with a crowbar. The new Netflix documentary, Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, and a just-released movie starring Zac Efron show that Bundys history still has an audience. Bundy found his victims on American campuses, in ski resorts, pleasant neighbourhoods, malls, crowded park beaches, in a sorority house and a school gymnasium. Unlocked doors, open windows, unguarded moments and brief conversations were his modus operandi. We still live that way. Women still trust. Bundy hated women. A working-class kid likely fathered by his own grandfather, Samuel Cowell, he grew up in an average Tacoma, Wash., neighbourhood where family matters like his grandfathers violent rages were hushed up. Enraged to discover he was illegitimate (his older sister was actually his mother), Bundy had aspirations, to be a lawyer, to work in Republican politics, anything to take him into his definition of the upper class. His ticket would be a beautiful girlfriend from a wealthy family. And here he reveals himself as a type we have come to know, the incel, the socially inept loser who believes beautiful women (Stacys) should desire him. He hates them when they choose popular, attractive men (Chads) and erupts into violence. Bundy was not intellectually impaired, as were other mass killers like Elliot Rodger, owned no assault rifles, and in pre-Internet days, didnt live online with other incels encouraging mass misogyny. But he shared Rodgers burning status anxiety. I am reluctant to quote Bundy as he was an inveterate liar hoping to conceal his own failures and inadequacy. He was his own creation, nursing his hatred of dark-haired university-educated women like the one who dumped him, and out for revenge. Bundy is often described as handsome which he might be in serial killer circles and even brilliant, though this mediocre man failed at every university he attended and could rarely keep even menial jobs. The implication is that killers have to be smart to escape police for long, which is patently untrue. He killed in an era when, as he knew, police jurisdictions didnt share information. Even if they did, they used dial telephones and actual mail. There was no DNA knowledge, no FBI data centre tracking murders nationally, and corpses were best identified by dental records. (Bundy was caught by alert street cops.) This is why his body count was so high. The police have plenty of dumped corpses found when Bundy had been nearby but no means of proof. There are even women Bundy confessed to killing he was a keen necrophiliac whose bones have never been found. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... There are so many killers at work in Canada and elsewhere, so many cold cases. Misogyny, American gun laws and a societal glorification of male violence help lead men to murder en masse so often that the slaughter of women five were shot in a Florida bank last week is not major news. Bundy remains of interest because in a way hes still out there. Even if they appear to glorify him, books and films are a good reminder for wary women and their daughters. His fellows are still killing women with rage and pleasure, and we hope never to brush up against them one sunny afternoon at the lake. Read more about: Woman killed in senseless alley accident had difficult past, Jan. 28 On Tuesday, January 15 2019, a woman named Hang Vo died a truly horrific death on the streets of Toronto, in the core of the financial hub of Canada. As covered in Gilbert Ngabos article, we understand that Vo, who came to Canada from Vietnam in 1977, lost her immigration status. As well, we understand she had made applications to a City of Toronto agency to be placed in subsidized housing. However, due to her lack of status, she was put on a waiting list and told nothing could be done until she obtained status. This conscious decision was based on the Housing Services Act 2011 regulations. Turning Vo away of course flies in the face of the Access Without Fear policy passed by City Council on February 20, 2013, which states City Council reaffirm its commitment to ensuring access to services without fear to immigrants without full status or without full status documents (from City Council Decision February 20 and 21st 2013, CD 18.5). People without status are throughout city shelters and respite centres. Immigration counsel spoken to by our organizations visit non status people daily at homeless shelters like Seton House and various Homes First shelters, and at shelters for women survivors of abuse. In a city that has consistently refused to open sufficient shelter space, instead offering empty promises for 40,000 low-income units over the next 14 years. In a city that has seen 4 deaths on the streets in the past few weeks, non-status homeless people are in a situation of double jeopardy: Even if Mayor Tory builds those units, non-status people will never see inside them. This is due to a Toronto commitment to follow a provincial law that ought to rescinded and that flies directly in the face of our own city Access Without Fear policy. People are responsible for Vos death. Not the driver who accidentally hit her. No, the people responsible work at City Hall and at Queens Park and we elected them. Plenty has been said lately about the national security threat of Huaweis 5G solution. One by one, countries are signing on to the campaign to ban Huaweis 5G technology. Even its current 3G and 4G networks, are being pulled out in Britain citing, Chinas 2017 National Intelligence Law, which gives Beijing the power to compel Huaweis support for its intelligence work. The power of geopolitics is forcing the world to choose a sandbox to play in and the ripple effect of these choices is going to have a notable impact on larger trade. Which brings me to the question of economic security and why Western nations, like Canada and others, are not looking inward and placing more focus on this concern. I get it. Huawei doesnt play by Western rules, has grown at an exponential rate by employing unfair trade practices and went as far as using Ciscos intellectual property to build its own products in the early 2000s. I know. I wrote a book about it. But the reality is Huawei is likely not going away any time soon. The train has left the station and has collected too many passengers (Huawei is the No. 2 smartphone provider worldwide and has a significant network footprint globally). The only potential difference now is that the train will be making its stops at specific nations who have not banned it (although tenacity is one of Huaweis core strengths). Having tracked the Huawei concern for 14 years, I wonder why the West is just now mobilizing on this? The Huawei challenge is not new. One reason is the formidable impact that a breach of a 5G network can have it can shut down a nation. The other is the 2017 law, despite Huawei proclaiming that it would not commit such an infraction. And another is President Trumps energetic campaign to change the behaviour of the Chinese on a number of fronts. The question of whether this is also a global competitiveness issue and not just a national security concern, has been passively mentioned. All good reasons, but why did the West wait so long to take collective action? How did Huawei get so big and strong? And how should the West claim some responsibility for it? (Part of) the answer: money and complacency. The West liked the money Huawei was saving them and giving them. Huaweis products have been, and still are, less expensive than alternatives. Customers love that the savings contribute to better margins and happier shareholders. Also, Western universities have gladly accepted billions of dollars in research funding from Huawei to research 5G technology. In Canada, it is said that Huawei is filling a void left by Nortel. Which brings me to the second point on and global competitiveness. The West underestimated Huawei and China as a whole. Why are Canadian (and other Western) academics satisfied with simply researching the leading-edge 5G technology for another nations company and not motivated to commercialize their innovation for Canada? This is where economic security concerns begin. When I brought this up at a national security roundtable, I received chuckles, That was Nortel. So then, why isnt Canada fostering the growth of new Nortels to commercialize its innovation? Why is it enough to research interesting subjects and give it away? Huawei and China have done a great job of learning from Canada and other Western nations. It was a smart strategy by Huawei to tap into the best minds across the world to fuel its R&D. Its time for Canada and other Western nations to start learning from Huawei and China and apply their hustle to a new playbook that will fuel Western global competitiveness. The first lesson is better commercialization of innovation and intellectual property to fuel Canadas economy. The Canadian government has programs in place but there is still progress to be made in execution and internalization with Canadians. Part of the reason is the second lesson we can learn from Chinas success a unified national policy and public-private sector collaboration. Canada lacks a unified policy and position on China academic research on 5G technology included. Universities across Canada say they are still waiting for direction from the Prime Minister on whether to proceed. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Once Canada is done with figuring out its 5G defence strategy and comprehensive China policy, it needs to come up with a good offense to become globally competitive high-technology leaders again. Its time to make economic security a priority and protect and grow its innovation advantage. Its time to accept a new world order in trade and update its global competitiveness playbook. Its time to wake up and smell the tea, Canada. Amy Karam, is the author of The China Factor: Leveraging Emerging Business Strategies to Compete, Grow, and Win in the New Global Economy, a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and an instructor for Stanford and Duke universities. Read more about: SALT LAKE CITY - A Salt Lake City-based company is fulfilling its $100,000 donation to support three national parks in Utah despite the end of the partial government shutdown. KUTV-TV reports the uniform and linen rental company Alsco donated the money last week to fund operations at Zion, Bryce and Arches national parks. The money was split between the non-profit organizations that support the parks. Roxanne Bierman, executive director of Canyonlands Natural History Association, says the organizations will hold the money in case another shutdown occurs. The federal government has been funded for three weeks. She says Arches National Park would identify other projects that could be funded should shutdown fears pass. Lyman Hafen, executive director of Zion Forever Project, says the organization will consult with Alsco for how the money should be used. ___ Information from: KUTV-TV, http://www.kutv.com/ WESTPORT, Conn. - When the 1958 film adaptation of The Old Man and the Sea hit theatres, Ernest Hemingway happened to be in New York City to watch the World Series and invited his close friend A.E. Hotchner to go see the movie with him. About 12 or 13 minutes after we sat down, he turns to me and says, Ready to go? Hotchner said in a recent interview at his Connecticut home. The 101-year-old author and playwright recalls them walking out and taking off down the sidewalk, Hemingway ranting the whole time that the star Spencer Tracy was totally miscast, that he looked like a fat, rich actor trying to play a fisherman. He said, You know, you write a book that you really like and then they do something like that to it, and its like pissing in your fathers beer, Hotchner said. (Hemingway reserved this particular turn of phrase for a handful of hated adaptations of his work, he said.) Later that night, sitting at Toots Shors restaurant a hangout frequented by Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Gleason and Marilyn Monroe Hemingway urged Hotchner to do his own adaptation someday. Hotchner said he promised he would try. More than 60 years later, Hotchner has kept his word. His stage adaptation of The Old Man and the Sea, a brief novel published in 1952 and winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize in Literature, premieres at the newly renovated Point Park Universitys Pittsburgh Playhouse on Feb. 1. It wasnt until I became an old man myself that I really got to a version that could transport itself beyond the book, he said. Hotchner should be the perfect candidate to take the novel to the stage: he fished with Hemingway in Cuba, went to bullfights with him in Spain, hunted with him in Idaho and wrote the 1966 bestselling biography Papa Hemingway. He also helped edit Hemingways bullfighting classic The Dangerous Summer. He often served as his agent and adapted several stories for television, including The Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Killers and The Battler, which led to his first meeting with Paul Newman. (The two became best friends and neighbours and started the Newmans Own food company together. But thats another story). Somehow that pledge to him haunted me, because he died not too long after that. For years I would think about The Old Man and The Sea. But I never could think in my head how you could take this very personal book, because the old man is really Hemingway himself, which is really a literary work, he said. How do you bring that to life on the stage? He tried maybe 10 times over the years to adapt it, starting drafts only to scrap them, until his latest effort. To help reel the project in, he enlisted his son Tim Hotchner to collaborate on it and help transform his draft into what will run in Pittsburgh through Feb. 17. Ive lived with Hemingways ghost for my whole life and there was something very profound about this story, even though its very simple, said Tim Hotchner, 47, a documentary filmmaker and writer. And to have a 101-year-old father whos still going out for his marlin, and hopefully coming back with better results, there are a lot of themes that really resonate. Tim Hotchner also saw the project as a way to re-examine the work with a modern lens: to look at what it means to be a man in the world and to look at the environment. To make The Old Man and the Sea accessible on stage, the Hotchners crafted a kaleidoscope of the tale, and mined the text for a new approach. The boy has a bigger role, and Hemingway himself is a character, as is a cellist who evokes the moods of the play throughout. It stars Tony Award-winning actor Anthony Crivello as Santiago, the aging fisherman, David Cabot as Hemingway and Gabriel Florentino as the boy, Manolin. Cellist Simon Cummings will perform original music for the show. The play is being directed by Ronald Allan-Lindblom. Getting the draft to the stage happened unusually fast, as a result of a collaboration with New York City-based RWS Entertainment Group. The Hotchners agent passed along the script to Joe Christopher, who heads up RWSs theatrical division, who took it with him on vacation in June. I dont know if it was because I literally read it while I was lying on the beach, but I could viscerally see the show working, he said. He told RWS CEO Ryan Stana it would be the chance of a lifetime to work with someone who had been side-by-side with Hemingway. The Pittsburgh Playhouse was looking for a new work to launch its first season in its renovated theatre and Stana, an alumna of Point Park University, floated the idea to the school. In less than 24 hours, they were in, he said. The production is unique in that students at Point Park University are working on the show alongside professionals in all aspects from set design to ticket sales. Its something Stana sees as a circular moment youth helping bring to life the work of a centenarian playwright. The entire show was put together in six months. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... At 101, A.E. Hotchner is sharp, funny and surprisingly energetic. During a four-hour interview at his home, he needed only a 10-minute break to get a glass of water. Last year, his Depression-era detective novel The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom was published and hes still writing daily. His routine: breakfast, write, lunch, write, nightly news, dinner, gin and tonic, and maybe a movie. As for The Old Man and the Sea, hes satisfied with having finally followed through on a half-century-old promise to his friend, and hes pleased with how it turned out. This is going to be a version that Hemingway would never have walked out on, he said. HELENA, Mont. - The Latest on sexual harassment allegations against a former New York City mayoral aide (all times local): 2:15 p.m. Montana Gov. Steve Bullocks spokeswoman says the governor thought a former senior staffer of his wouldnt harass any more women after being fired from the Democratic Governors Association. Bullock spokeswoman Ronja Abel said Tuesday that its clear that Kevin OBriens 2015 firing from the DGA hadnt been enough since OBrien was forced out of his next job with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio amid similar allegations last year. OBrien worked for Bullock as communications director when Bullock was Montanas attorney general in 2009, then as deputy chief of staff when Bullock was elected governor in 2012. OBrien moved to the DGA in Washington in 2015 when Bullock became chairman of the organization. The New York Times reports that OBrien was fired from the DGA after a woman accused him of sexual harassment. ___ 7:05 a.m. A former New York City mayoral aide who was forced out of his job over sexual harassment allegations was fired previously for similar reasons. The Democratic Governors Association in Washington tells The New York Times that Kevin OBrien was fired in December 2015 after an investigation backed up the allegations of a woman who worked there. A spokesman says Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio only learned about the prior situation because of the Times reporting. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Spokesman Eric Phillips says the Department of Investigation received no adverse information during its background checks. When reached for comment on Monday, OBrien issued a statement apologizing and blaming alcohol abuse for making horrible decisions. PORTLAND, Ore. - The two Oregon ranchers whose conviction for intentionally setting fires on public land sparked a weeks-long standoff with anti-federal government protesters at a remote wildlife refuge have had their grazing rights restored. Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, in one of his last actions before resigning, ordered the renewal of a 10-year grazing permit for Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son Steven Hammond, The Oregonian/OregonLive reports . The decision was dated Jan. 2, but it wasnt sent out until this week. Its been awhile in coming, but Im happy to get our permit back, Dwight Hammond Jr. said. It is a relief. The Hammonds case was embraced by critics of federal land policy, who said local communities and states had too little control. But others, including environmentalists, said authorities were too accommodating of ranchers and other interests and urged the federal government to administer public lands for the widest possible uses. Chris Saeger, executive director of Western Values Project, condemned the Hammonds permit renewal. Saeger said it sets a dangerous precedent by conceding to known anti-public land factions that may endanger public lands, managing agencies and employees. By allowing these lawbreaking extremists back on public lands, the Trump administration is sending the message that politics will always trump our American birthright, Saeger said in a statement. Last year President Donald Trump pardoned the Hammonds, whose case had prompted the armed occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in 2016, led by two sons of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy. In February 2014, the federal government had rejected the Hammonds renewal application, citing their criminal convictions for setting fire to public land. Zinke ordered the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to renew the grazing permit through 2024. I find the pardons constitute unique and important changed circumstances since the BLM made its decision, Zinke wrote in the decision. Zinke announced his resignation late last year amid multiple investigations tied to his real estate dealings in Montana and conduct while in office. The Hammonds had been convicted in 2012 of arson on land where they had grazing rights for their cattle. They were ordered back to prison in early 2016 to serve out five-year sentences in a case that incited right-wing militias and inspired the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which abuts the Hammond family ranch. But on July 10, 2018, Trump pardoned the father and son. BATON ROUGE, La. - Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Louisianas chief tourism ambassador, has an idea for where his states residents should vacation: close to home. As part of Tuesdays National Plan for Vacation Day, Nungesser urged Louisianans to book trips around the state. The Republican lieutenant governor says they should see a part of the state they havent seen. He encouraged them to visit LouisianaTravel.com . Nungesser says Louisiana residents earned an estimated 34.7 million vacation days in 2017, but didnt use 8.9 million of those days 25 per cent of them. The lieutenant governors office says National Plan for Vacation Day is a country-wide effort to encourage people to schedule their vacation time. THORNE BAY, Alaska - A 28-year-old man reported missing from the southeast Alaska community of Thorne Bay was found dead near his crashed all-terrain vehicle. Chris Cahoon was found dead Monday outside the community on Prince of Wales Island. Alaska State Troopers say Cahoon left his Thorne Bay home on the ATV. He was reported overdue Sunday afternoon and village public safety officers launched a search on island roads. Cahoon was found dead Monday morning. Troopers say he may have been travelling at a high rate of speed when he crashed. The ATV left the roadway, struck a tree and caught fire. A federal requirement What it means for Frederick (TNS) Speedier wireless service could be coming to Frederick city neighborhoods following the approval of basic regulations to install new telecommunications equipment in public spots.The exact look of the equipment is still unknown, as members of the Board of Aldermen are not finished discussing specific aesthetic requirements, along with other details of installment.The elected officials worked quickly last week through the details of a proposed ordinance that establishes regulations for the installation of the new types of antennas known as small cells and distributed antenna systems in public rights of way.The antennas typically range from boxes attached to existing utility poles, to shorter poles accompanied by structures on the ground similar to mailboxes, and until last Thursday, the citys code did not contain any guidelines for their installation.After about an hour and a half of discussion at a workshop on Jan. 16, followed by roughly 30 minutes at a public hearing the following night, the aldermen unanimously passed the basic code regulations that will allow staff members to process applications for the infrastructure.Assistant City Attorney Rachel Depo said the initial approval was necessary to meet federal requirements that went into effect on Jan. 14.Part of the reason we are bringing this forward now is to make sure we are complying with this now effective federal order, Depo explained to the aldermen last week.She added that officials in other municipalities across the country without regulations in place also scrambled to pass them before or shortly after the effective date. Alderwoman Kelly Russell said she knew of officials in municipalities who called emergency sessions before Jan. 14. Depo also said other municipalities, including Baltimore city and Ocean City in Maryland, already have these types of equipment installed.In September, the Federal Communications Commission passed a ruling to help remove barriers that would prevent the installation of infrastructure necessary to fully transition to 5G wireless service across the nation. That infrastructure comes in the form of what are known as small cells and distributed antenna systems, or DAS, antennas.According to the ruling, supporting the deployment to fifth-generation, or 5G, wireless networking is critical to keep up with the fast pace of wireless communications services. The ruling said that the antennas that support them are typically no larger than a small backpack and will replace the large, 200-foot service towers in existence today. And because of their size and the need to expand service to more areas, the small antennas are set for installation in more spots than the larger towers.The ruling addresses legal standards of installing the antennas, and establishes guidelines for fee and aesthetic requirements. It also establishes two new shot clocks for government action on applications, which were 60 days for collocation of small cells on existing structures and 90 days for attachment to new structures.According to the staff report attached to the citys ordinance, at least three federal lawsuits against the ruling are pending. Members of the Maryland Municipal League have also named preserving local zoning authority and siting of small cellphone towers as its top legislative priority for the current session.The ordinance the aldermen passed last week included the basics for processing applications from service providers to install small cell antennas in the citys rights of way.Further details such as aesthetics, designs and fee requirements, all under the confines of the federal ruling, could come back for review and approval as early as Thursday, Depo said.The aldermen were careful not to pass too many details without more discussion last week, but they agreed they wanted to have something on the books so staff members could process applications that come in.City Engineer Tracy Coleman said she has been working with two wireless infrastructure providers Crown Castle and Mobilitie to install antennas in various spots throughout the city. She said many propose installation in the Frederick Town Historic District, which the elected officials agreed would need further guidelines for design and aesthetics.Depo said she anticipates members of the Historic Preservation Commission will want to review the ordinance and weigh in on the guidelines for the historic district.Kara Norman, executive director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership, also pointed out the importance of establishing design guidelines for the rest of downtown.I do think its a key part of this legislation as proposed that these projects are reviewed by the HPC, I think thats critical. But that does not impact all of downtown Frederick, she said.She referenced research that was performed in 2016 when a similar request was brought to the city. Partnership officials performed a detailed review of 19 different sites downtown and in surrounding corridors that they believed should be highly considered when installing telecommunications infrastructure. The sites included the Square Corner, the entrance to Baker Park, the entry of the proposed downtown hotel and conference center, and the train station where President Abraham Lincoln historically addressed residents on his way to Gettysburg.Were a place of history thats important today as much as it was in the past, and I just dont really want a fridge sitting where Lincoln spoke, Norman said.She added that officials are concerned about the potential for things like visual clutter, inconsistency of design scale and the size of the equipment, and reduction of sidewalk capacity.The aldermen expressed a desire to look further into these types of concerns as they develop more details of the ordinance. LOS ANGELES - The board of the nations second-largest school district gave final approval Tuesday to a contract that ended a six-day teacher strike and provided another concession to Los Angeles educators by asking California to halt new charter schools until their effect can be studied. The votes by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education came just hours after an oversight agency said the contract agreement that includes pay raises and a commitment to reduce class sizes may not be sustainable because of the districts precarious long-term financial outlook. Board member Nick Melvoin acknowledged the difficulties outlined in the report by the Los Angeles County Office of Education but said the deal showed that both sides can work together. Its up to us, collectively, to make it sustainable, he said, adding that the district and the union must work to get more state funding. The 30,000 members of United Teachers Los Angeles already approved the agreement, which runs through June 2022. Teachers returned to work last week after walking picket lines for six days. A few hundred protesters outside the board meeting shouted their opposition to placing limits on the growth of charters, which are privately operated, mostly non-union public schools. Opponents say charters draw away students from traditional public schools and the money that goes with them. The charter resolution, which the union pushed during negotiations, is not part of the contract. LAUSD agreed to put it before the board as a gesture of good faith. It requests an 8-to-10 month hold on new charters while the state examines their fiscal impact on the district. The resolution passed 5-1, with Melvoin the sole dissenting vote, but only the state can put a moratorium in place or change charter laws. Before the meeting, the LA County Office of Education said the new contract would require a detailed fiscal stabilization plan that addresses how the district will pay for increased salaries while keeping up its minimum reserves. Based on the districts own financial analysis, it is unable to meet reserve requirements in 2020-21 indicating the agreement is not sustainable on an ongoing basis, according to the analysis from the office that oversees the budgets of school systems in the county. The school district is projecting a half-billion-dollar deficit this budget year and has billions obligated for pension payments and health coverage for retired teachers. District Superintendent Austin Beutner said every nickel is accounted for and the district will have to rely on promises in the governors budget as well as seek additional sources of funding. It reflects something we can all live with, he said of the contract. The district spans Los Angeles, all or parts of 31 smaller cities, and several unincorporated areas of LA County. In California, county offices of education are required, among other duties, to ensure the fiscal solvency of school districts. The contract approval comes as Denver teachers push to strike after more than a year of negotiations. State officials could intervene if they decide its in the public interest and delay the walkout by up to 180 days. In Oakland, teachers will vote this week on whether to strike amid their contract negotiations, which hinge partly on a demand for smaller class sizes. ___ Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Associated Press reporter John Antczak contributed to this report. ___ Follow Weber at https://twitter.com/WeberCM DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A Florida man has been sentenced to 10 days in jail for attacking another man who was dressed as one of the short yellow characters from the Minions film. In a statement, the State Attorneys Office for Floridas 7th Judicial Circuit said 26-year-old Ryan Nihart of Citrus County pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanour battery and criminal mischief for the July 8 attack. Police said Nihart knocked over and kicked Jamie Roehm on Daytona Beachs boardwalk. Roehm was dressed as one of the Minions characters who are also in the Despicable Me films to promote a local business. Nihart was sentenced to 10 days in jail, followed by a year of probation. The state attorneys office said Nihart also was ordered to pay for damage to Roehms costume and enrol in a moral recognition therapy course. ___ Information from: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, http://www.pbpost.com RADFORD, Va. - A Virginia college student accused of stabbing her classmate has hired the attorney who defended Lorena Bobbitt at trial after she cut off her husbands penis. The Roanoke Times reports that Mondays arraignment of 21-year-old Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting was cancelled after the court was notified that she will be represented by Blair Howard. Cutting is charged with second-degree murder in the Thursday death of her friend, 20-year-old Alexa Cannon. Cuttings next hearing hasnt been scheduled. Howard didnt return the newspapers request for comment. Bobbitt was acquitted by reason of insanity in the 1993 attack on her husband, John Wayne Bobbitt. Howard also defended heiress Susan Cummings, who was charged with murder in the 1997 death of her boyfriend, and ultimately served 57 days for voluntary manslaughter. ___ Information from: The Roanoke Times, http://www.roanoke.com BARRON, Wis. - Wisconsin authorities have examined call logs, photos and videos stored on the cellphone of the man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl and killing her parents, according to court documents filed Tuesday. The search warrant documents filed in Barron County Circuit Court dont reveal the nature of the photos and videos stored on the phone of 21-year-old Jake Patterson , who is charged with killing James and Denise Closs on Oct. 15 and kidnapping their daughter, Jayme Closs. But the documents said evidence on the phone could be used to determine the chronological context of what happened. Jayme escaped from a cabin in Douglas County on Jan. 10 after 88 days in captivity and flagged down a woman for help. She was able to provide a description of the car Patterson was driving, and he was arrested minutes later. According to a search warrant affidavit, the red Ford Taurus Patterson was driving was taped up and taken to a secure evidence garage. The FBIs evidence response team searched the car the next day and found his cellphone on the front seat. The phone was released to the Wisconsin Department of Justice to be analyzed by someone trained in the forensic extraction of data. The documents said authorities were looking for a contact list, a log of incoming and outgoing calls and the dates and times of those calls, texts or other messages and social media communications. They were also seeking emails that were sent to or from the cellphone, evidence that would tell them where the phone was during their months-long investigation, and any pictures or videos on the device. According to the criminal charges , Patterson told investigators he saw Jayme getting on a school bus near her home and decided to abduct her. The complaint said Patterson went to the Closs home Oct. 15 with the intention of abducting Jayme and with plans to kill if necessary. He allegedly told authorities he shot Jaymes father, James Closs, through the front door, then went inside and found Jayme and her mother huddled together in a bathtub. He shot Denise Closs, then dragged Jayme to a car, the complaint said. He took her to his cabin near Gordon, a township of 645 people in thickly forested Douglas County, according to the complaint. His next court date is Feb. 6. ___ For more stories on Jaymes abduction and her parents deaths: https://apnews.com/JaymeCloss WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump learned over the past month a valuable Washington lesson that old-timers like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell learned long ago: Shutdowns never work. After beating a retreat and agreeing last week to end the shutdown on Pelosis terms with no money for his oft-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall its difficult to imagine Trump getting anywhere near his $5.7 billion demand for wall funding in an upcoming round of negotiations. And it would seem unlikely that Trump would attempt another shutdown strategy after the last one blew up in his face. Capitol Hill Republicans, especially in the Senate, have little appetite for a reprise. With the government funded for three weeks, its up to a group of House and Senate negotiators from the powerful Appropriations Committee to try to iron out a deal under the close watch of top leaders including Pelosi, McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Pelosi, D-Calif., was a longtime member of the panel before rising into leadership, and McConnell, R-Ky., still sits on it. Both of them know how to cut a deal. But the talks, set to begin Wednesday, will be centred on the polarizing question of what border security projects should be funded in a package for Homeland Security. For both parties, as well as the hundreds of thousands of federal workers returning Monday from unpaid furloughs, there is no guarantee of an easy resolution. In the past, when the president has stayed out of it, when the president has given Congress room, we have been repeatedly able to forge bipartisan agreements, including two budget agreements. When the president injects maximalist partisan demands into the process, negotiations tend to fall apart, Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday. Trump himself is pessimistic about a deal and says he likely wont accept less than his $5.7 billion demand. Adding a bigger immigration deal such as protection for so-called Dreamer immigrants illegally brought to the U.S. as children is a long shot as well, Trump told The Wall St. Journal in an interview Sunday. If everybody could leave the thing to the appropriators and let them cut the deal ... then yeah, you could end this. At this point, Im not confident that that could happen, said Hazen Marshall, a lobbyist who left McConnells staff last month. I dont think its good enough for the president, and I think it would remain too much for Pelosi. With prospects of a deal so iffy, the White House is considering using emergency powers to declare a national emergency and arbitrarily shift billions of dollars from disaster aid or other accounts into border security. That raises the possibility that Trump might sign a catchall government funding bill that shortchanges his wall request and immediately grab some or all of the funding anyway. The best fix is to be able to do it legislatively, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday. But, she added, If Congress doesnt do their job, then the president will be forced to make up for all their shortcomings. While issuing an emergency declaration would likely draw pushback from Trumps own party, it would bow to the reality about shutdowns: The folks who start them invariably lose. In the 1990s, Pelosi and McConnell watched House Speaker Newt Gingrich take a political beating at the hands of President Bill Clinton after starting two futile shutdowns to try to force Clinton to balance the budget. Almost two decades passed without another shutdown. In 2013, GOP conservative hard-liners tried a futile shutdown strategy to try to defund President Barack Obamas signature health care law, only to come away with nothing. And just last year, Democrats were on the losing side when sparking a brief shutdown over protecting Dreamer immigrants a move easily quashed by Trump and McConnell. The fundamental flaw in a shutdown strategy is simple: Its usually obvious whos responsible, and that side carries less leverage into the fight because the public awards them the blame. Its difficult to shift blame to the other side when ones opponent simply asks to reopen the government. In this case, opinion polls were decisive. Only 34 per cent of Americans approved of Trumps job performance in a survey released last week by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research down from 42 per cent a month earlier. What is also true about shutdowns is that the party that is held responsible for starting them tends to become more splintered and disunified as time passes. Vice-President Mike Pence got an earful at a lunch of unhappy Senate Republicans last Thursday, and several Republicans split from Trump in a vote afterward. Pelosi, meanwhile, did what any congressional leader would have done in her situation. Seeing public opinion solidly behind Democrats and watching Trumps approval rating sink, she held firm, insisting that Trump reopen the government before having talks about border security. Trump could never shake the fact that he had sparked the shutdown, so making demands while suffering among federal workers worsened and problems from the shutdown grew more severe such as Fridays partial closure of New York Citys LaGuardia Airport eventually proved unsustainable. I dont think shutdowns are good leverage, said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. Its a lesson Ive certainly learned in my time here. ___ EDITORS NOTE Andrew Taylor has covered Congress for The Associated Press since 2005. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... ___ Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report. An AP News Analysis RICHMOND, VA.The Virginia House spent just nine minutes in debate Monday before voting overwhelmingly to give Amazon up to $750 million (U.S.) in subsidies over 15 years for the companys planned headquarters facility in Arlington, Virginia. It sent the bill to Gov. Ralph Northam, who has said he will sign it. The House tally was 83 to 16 in favour of a measure that the Senate approved a week earlier on a vote of 35 to 5. Only two delegates spoke against the package, objecting mainly that the arrival of at least 25,000 new, well-paid Amazon employees in northern Virginia would drive up housing costs. Sen. Frank Ruff, the bills sponsor, said it passed so easily largely because the benefit outweighed the cost. Amazon would receive the subsidies only after it creates the new jobs, which are projected to generate several times more in tax revenue than the state is giving to the company. I think we did our homework pretty well in the six months prior to the announcement, so we had a package that was not overly extravagant but was very appealing to the company, said Ruff, who led a bipartisan commission that helped write the package. Read more: Amazon knows what you buy, and its building a huge ad business from it Why Jeff Bezos divorce should worry Amazon investors Amazons IMDb launches ad-supported streaming-video service Amazon announced in November that Arlington, Virginia, and New York would each get half of the much-publicized HQ2 project. (Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Anti-Amazon activists in northern Virginia said they would continue to oppose the deal, both when the Arlington County Board votes on local incentives in February or March, and in the legislature in future years. This is going to be a multi-year fight, said Danny Cendejas, an organizer with La ColectiVa, part of the For Us, Not Amazon coalition. We will have time to build up and oppose giving away money to corporations and invest in our communities instead. The Virginia bill provides for cash grants to Amazon of $22,000 per new full-time job for the first 25,000 jobs, for a maximum of $550 million. After that, grants of $15,564 per new job would be issued for up to 12,850 additional jobs, for a total of $200 million. The jobs must pay an average of $150,00 per year. Del. Alfonso Lopez, whose Arlington, Virginia, district is close to the Amazon site, voted against the package. Folks are worried that they and the other low-income families are going to be priced out of the areas homeowning and rental markets, Lopez said. Im concerned about the impact on my community and our residents now, not on the benefits that we might see in 5, 7 and 10 years. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Del. Lee Carter also voted against the bill. In Arlington, county board members appear to favour approval of local incentives, but are also open to considering proposals for worker protections and a community benefits package from Amazon. The boards Facebook Live events, as well as a handful of community meetings, have attracted a small but passionate number of opponents who question why the county and state should subsidize a wealthy corporation. They also want the county to object to Amazons contracts with federal immigration authorities. Read more about: WASHINGTONThe Trump administration slapped new sanctions Monday against Venezuelans state-owned oil company in its latest effort to push out President Nicolas Maduro and install new leadership under National Assembly chief Juan Guaido. We have continued to expose the corruption of Maduro and his cronies and todays action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people, National Security Adviser John Bolton said. The sanctions prevent any dealings by PDVSA with U.S. companies unless under special conditions. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said any sales to the United States would go into a blocked account that would be inaccessible to the Venezuelan government. Mnuchin said that if Guaido succeeds in forming a government, the money would go to him. Venezuelas oil sector accounts for as much as 70 per cent of the Maduro governments income. The new sanctions cut most of that off, blocking the majority of oil sales to the United States in stages and sales of all oil products back to Venezuela. The sanctions also prohibit the exportation of oil products that Venezuela uses to transport its heavy crude. The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent democratically elected government who is committed to taking concrete and meaningful actions to combat corruption, Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. The announcement comes after months of debate among the White House, National Security Council and departments of State, Commerce and Treasury over what steps to take after last weeks recognition of Guaido as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The sanctions could be seen as a win for the White House, which has long pushed for stronger oil sanctions against resistance from other agencies whose top officials feared a worsening of an already perilous humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. But the White House was bolstered by international support, which gave the Trump administration the cover it needed to take stronger measures against Maduro. Bolton said the United States would be blocking $7 billion in assets and Venezuela would lose $11 billion in exports through the action. The hope is oil sanctions will be the final step needed to finally drive Maduro from office and allow the United States and international allies to help opposition leaders inside Venezuela rebuild the once oil-rich nation and restore democratic institutions. Trump administration officials say they stand ready to provide Guaido financial and humanitarian assistance. On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Elliott Abrams, a State Department and National Security Council veteran who served in the Reagan and George W. Bush administrations would lead the administrations response as the new special envoy for Venezuela. Pompeo said Thursday that the U.S. government is prepared to dispatch more than $20 million in humanitarian aid to help Guaido cope with the severe food and medicine shortages and other dire impacts of their countrys political and economic crisis. Bolton said the United States is investigating how Venezuelan government money and resources in the United States can be seized and transferred to Guaido. The administration has long threatened taking stronger oil measures despite pressure from the U.S. oil industry, which warned that it would mean higher gas prices for American motorists. Administration officials have outlined various options to McClatchy over the last year that range from a full embargo, prohibiting any Venezuelan oil being sold in the United States or a certain amount, sanctioning the state oil company, PDVSA and blocking sale of oil related products to Venezuela. Florida lawmakers applauded the Trump administrations decision to sanction Venezuelas state-run oil company. Maduros criminal family has used PDVSA to buy and maintain the support of many military leaders, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in a statement. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The oil belongs to the Venezuelan people and, therefore, the money that PDVSA obtains from its export will now be returned to the people through its legitimate constitutional government. Rubio, a longtime proponent of sanctions and an embargo on Venezuelan oil until Maduro steps down, said the money for Venezuelan oil from U.S. refiners will eventually end up in the hands of Juan Guaidos nascent government. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., who met with the president last week on Venezuela, said the sanctions will protect the countrys oil from further plundering. These sanctions will cripple the state-owned oil sector, preventing the regime from funding global terrorism, narcotrafficking, and repression against its own people, Diaz-Balart said in a statement. The Chavez-Maduro regime has exploited and illegally stolen the oil-rich countrys resources for far too long, and the sanctions will also protect it from further plundering. I commend the Trump administration once again for todays bold leadership in standing with the people of Venezuela and opposing their oppressors of the Maduro regime. Time is running out for the Chavez-Maduro regime, and those responsible for these crimes will be held accountable. Read more about: SALT LAKE CITY - The Latest on an apparent murder-suicide in Salt Lake City (all times local): 3:35 p.m. The University of Utah says a woman who authorities say was killed by her romantic partner in an apparent murder suicide was a first-year family medical resident from San Francisco. The college said Monday in a news release that Sarah Hawley was focusing on family and preventive medicine. Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer said Monday that investigators believe the 27-year-old Hawley was killed by 30-year-old Travis Geddes Sunday night in Salt Lake City. Geddes then killed himself. University of Utah School of Medicine Dean Michael Good says Hawley was a promising young physician who connected well with her patients. Good says the university mourns her death and offers its sympathies to Hawleys family and friends. Hawleys online bio says she loved hiking and camping in the outdoors and cooking and eating good food. She had graduated from medical school at the University of California, San Francisco. ____ 2:42 p.m. Authorities say they found a man and woman dead in a Salt Lake City home from an apparent murder-suicide. Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer said Monday that 27-year-old Sarah Hawley and 30-year-old Travis Geddes were discovered dead Sunday night after a person who rents the other half of the house called about a disturbance. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Shearer says investigators believe Geddes killed Hawley and then himself. He declined to say how they died. The couple wasnt married but had been living together for some time. Shearer says police had no previous history with either person. LOS ANGELES - The Latest on a judge upholding California protection for grey wolves (all times local): 8 p.m. A California farming group says it will work with the state to reduce the impact of wolves on livestock after a judge upheld their protection. The judge in San Diego ruled Monday that California was right in 2014 to list grey wolves as a state endangered species. There was only one known grey wolf in the state at that time an immigrant from Oregon called OR-7. He was the first grey wolf spotted in California since 1924 but produced offspring before returning north. The California Farm Bureau Federation and a cattle ranchers group sued, arguing the listing was arbitrary but the judge disagreed. Jim Houston, the farm bureaus manager of legal and governmental affairs, says the suit was filed to give ranchers more flexibility in co-existing with wolves but he says it wont be easy. ___ 5:45 p.m. A California judge has upheld protection for grey wolves under the states Endangered Species Act, rejecting a challenge from ranchers and farmers. The judge in San Diego ruled Monday that California was right to list the wolves as endangered in 2014. The California Farm Bureau Federation and the California Cattlemens Association sued, arguing that the listing was arbitrary because there are so few wolves in California. Calls to the groups seeking comment werent immediately returned. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... A wolf known as OR-7 made headlines in 2011 when it travelled from Oregon making it the first known wolf in California since 1924. One of OR-7s offspring has become the breeding male of the only known wolf pack in California. Ranchers and farmers worry that an unchecked wolf population will threaten their livestock. NEW YORK - The Latest on a housekeeping employee stuck for days in the private elevator of a Manhattan townhouse (all times local): 6:40 p.m. Police say a 53-year-old woman was trapped for three days in the elevator of the Manhattan townhouse owned by billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens. She was rescued Monday after authorities responded to a 911 call from the home near Central Park. Firefighters freed the housekeeping employee after forcing entry into the elevator. The Stephens family issued a statement, calling Marites Fortaliza a valued member of the Stephens extended family for 18 years. They said they were relieved and thankful that Fortaliza was doing well at a New York hospital, where she arrived suffering from dehydration. The cause of the elevator mishap is under investigation. Stephens is the chairman, president and CEO of Stephens Inc., an investment bank based in Little Rock, Arkansas. ___ 2 p.m. Police say a woman was rescued after being stuck for three days in the private elevator of a Manhattan townhouse owned by a billionaire investment banker from Arkansas. A police spokesman says the 53-year-old woman was in stable condition Monday at a hospital. The woman is a family employee. Authorities responded to a 911 call at about 10 a.m. from the home on East 65th Street, near Central Park. Firefighters freed the woman after forcing entry into the elevator. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The luxury townhouse is owned by Warren A. Stephens and his wife, Harriet Stephens. He did not immediately respond to a message left with Stephens Inc., his investment bank based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The cause of the elevator mishap is under investigation. (TNS) Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch said his chamber would begin livestreaming its sessions next year on the General Assemblys website, and state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said the Senate would follow suit in 2021.Buschs announcement of the House plan came a day after a bipartisan pair of delegates introduced a bill that would require the streaming.Transparency is key to an open and free government, and I have no doubt that embracing this technology in the House chamber will improve the publics accessibility to the legislature, Busch, an Anne Arundel County Democrat, said in a statement.Busch said Tuesday that the House would partner with Maryland Public Television to stream the sessions. The chamber will be outfitted with several cameras, and an operator will switch between them and add captions identifying who is speaking, said Alexandra Hughes, Buschs chief of staff.For several years, committee hearings from the House and Senate office buildings have been broadcast on the General Assemblys website with video.But broadcasts of meetings of the full bodies, known as floor sessions, have been limited to audio-only feeds on the legislatures website. The House and Senate rules generally forbid lawmakers from using one anothers names. Instead, they refer to one another by their district number or their home county, such as the delegate from Howard County, which can make it difficult for listeners to know who is speaking.The Senate chamber lacks the technological infrastructure to install cameras, said Jake Weissmann, chief of staff to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller. But Miller said Wednesday that his chamber would follow the Houses lead and begin livestreaming in 2021.We are eager to see how the House implements it, and look forward to continuing to move in that direction, Weissmann said.Republican Del. Kathy Szeliga and Democratic Del. David Moon have introduced bills for several years to require a streaming feed of sessions. They introduced their latest effort Monday night. In a statement issued by Buschs office, Moon said he was thrilled to finally make progress in an era when its easier for voters to watch funny cat videos than to watch Marylands legislature in action.Szeliga said Maryland is one of only seven states to lack videos of the legislature, and the states voters deserve to see with their own eyes exactly how and why their representatives are voting.Gov. Larry Hogan also has pressed for livestreaming, sponsoring legislation and putting money in his budget for it . In a statement, Hogan spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said livestreaming should be required by law, so that future House and Senate leaders cant end the practice.It is imperative that legislation is passed this session to ensure that Marylands commitment to openness and transparency is the law of the land and not left to the whims of individual legislators, Chasse said.This article has been updated. SINGAPORE - World markets were mixed Tuesday amid concerns that U.S. criminal charges against Chinas Huawei could complicate trade talks, though European indexes were up on optimism over Brexit. KEEPING SCORE: Germanys DAX was up 0.1 per cent to 11,220 and Frances CAC 40 added 0.7 per cent to 4,920. Britains FTSE 100 rebounded 1.3 per cent to 6,834. Wall Street was set for small losses. The future contract for the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.2 per cent and S&P 500 futures lost 0.1 per cent. ASIAS DAY: Hong Kongs Hang Seng index dropped 0.2 per cent to 27,531.68 and the Shanghai Composite index fell 0.1 per cent to 2,594.25. Japans Nikkei 225 index closed 0.1 per cent higher at 20,664.64 after tumbling earlier in the day. The Kospi in South Korea gained 0.3 per cent to 2,183.36. Australias S&P ASX 200, reopening after a holiday, eased 0.5 per cent to 5,874.20. Stocks fell in Taiwan and throughout Southeast Asia. HUAWEI CHARGES: China called on Washington on Tuesday to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Huawei, warning it would defend its companies after the U.S. escalated pressure on the tech giant by indicting it on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. That followed Mondays indictment by the Justice Department of Huawei and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. The Chinese government also urged the U.S. to drop its request to extradite Meng from Canada, where she was arrested on Dec. 1. US-CHINA TALKS: American and Chinese negotiators will sit down for two days of trade talks starting Wednesday in Washington. According to Bloomberg, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at a briefing Monday that President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. While Trumps presence may indicate that the U.S. is serious about striking a deal, charges against Huawei could cast a cloud over negotiations going forward. ANALYSTS TAKE: Charges against Huawei illustrate the risks attached to the U.S.-China relationship, DBS Group Research strategists Philip Wee and Eugene Leow said in a commentary. The actions by the DOJ show that it would not be enough for China to buy more U.S. goods. America wants China to make structural reforms especially on its intellectual property practices. BREXIT PLAN: Lawmakers will debate and vote Tuesday on Plan B for Britains impending exit from the European Union. They may also try to amend it and send Prime Minister Theresa May down a different path. Analysts note it is likely that lawmakers will also push for a delay to the March 29 Brexit day, giving them more time to find common ground. The current plan, which May concocted after talking to supporters and opposition politicians, looks a lot like the original that was rejected by 432 votes to 202 earlier this month. Britain is set to leave the bloc exactly two months from now, with or without a divorce deal. ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude added 40 cents to $52.39 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It dropped $1.70 to settle at $51.99 per barrel on Monday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, rose 49 cents to $60.42 per barrel. It lost $1.78 to $59.81 per barrel in London. CURRENCIES: The dollar was trading at 109.46 yen, up from 109.35 yen late Monday. The euro strengthened to $1.1432 from $1.1428. The British pound was steady at $1.3153. RENO, Nev. - A 19-year-old Salvadoran man suspected of being in the country illegally was charged Monday with killing four people in Nevada, including a couple who employed him as a landscaper at their Reno home where he fatally shot them with a gun he stole from them earlier, authorities said. Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman told investigators he used a .22-calibre revolver stolen from the property of 81-year-old Gerald David and 80-year-old Sharon David less than two weeks before he killed them on Jan. 16. The lady was coming out. I got scared and shot at her, Martinez-Guzman is quoted telling a Washoe County detective in an affidavit filed in Reno on Monday. It alleged that he first broke into outbuildings or a trailer on the sprawling David property on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 and made off with a cache of rifles and the handgun. Martinez-Guzman had worked for a landscaping company at the Davids property for four months, ending last July. It was not immediately clear if the job linked him to two women he is accused of killing in nearby Gardnerville. The affidavit was used to obtain an arrest warrant for Martinez-Guzman, who was arrested Jan. 19 in Carson City and is jailed there on charges that he possessed weapons and other items stolen from the Davids and sold jewelry belonging to Gerald David and another victim. Martinez-Guzman admitted also killing Gerald David, and the affidavit alleges that his DNA was found on the .22-calibre gun also used to kill Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken in their homes. Koontz was found dead Jan. 10. Renkens body was found Jan. 13. The Davids were prominent Reno Rodeo Association members, and Martinez-Guzman is accused of possessing several Western-style belt buckles bearing their names stolen from their home. Someone using an Apple account belonging to Martinez-Guzmans mother tried to activate an Apple watch stolen from Koontz, the affidavit said. The mother, identified in the affidavit as Sonia Guzman, hasnt been charged with a crime. She was questioned by immigration authorities following her sons arrest and was given a hearing date, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said. Guzman was the registered owner of a 2006 BMW 325i that Martinez-Guzman was driving when he was arrested, and in which authorities say they found the murder weapon. The .22-calibre revolver was recovered from the car, and the affidavit said a .22-calibre bullet with DNA matching Martinez-Guzman was found on the kitchen floor at the David home. Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson told reporters Monday that investigators in Douglas and Washoe counties had a high level of confidence that Martinez-Guzman acted alone in the killings. Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks refused to comment on his immigration status. President Donald Trump tweeted a week ago that the four killings in Nevada showed the need for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, which was at the centre of the federal government shutdown. What someones status is in this country has nothing to do with how we are proceeding in this case, Hicks told reporters Monday. We are looking to hold an alleged murderer accountable for the murders he committed. Thats all. Hicks said it would be more than a month before prosecutors decide whether to pursue the death penalty against Martinez-Guzman. The 30-day clock on that decision deadline doesnt begin until hes formally arraigned in district court on the murder charges along with five burglary charges added in the new criminal complaint. Hicks said they intend to extradite Martinez-Guzman to Washoe County to face those charges as soon as possible and that he will be held without bail in the county jail in Reno but that his initial arraignment in Reno Justice Court has not yet been scheduled. Hes currently being held in the Carson City jail on the theft and burglary charges on $500,000 bail. His appointed public defence attorney there, Karin Kreizenbeck, has declined comment. Furlong said earlier that Martinez-Guzmans only known contact with authorities was a speeding ticket last February. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Each of the district attorneys told reporters during a news conference in Reno on Monday they would co-prosecute the case personally as their highest priority. ___ Ritter reported from Las Vegas. LOS ANGELES - A California judge on Monday upheld protection for grey wolves under the states Endangered Species Act, rejecting a legal challenge from ranchers and farmers who fear the predators will threaten their livestock. The judge in San Diego ruled that California was right to list the wolves as endangered in 2014. A lawsuit on behalf of the California Farm Bureau Federation and the California Cattlemens Association argued the listing was arbitrary because there are so few wolves in the state. The suit was filed to give ranchers more flexibility in co-existing with wolves, said Jim Houston, the farm bureaus manager of legal and governmental affairs. The group is committed to working with the state to reduce the burdens of raising livestock in areas with wolves, but we do not expect it to be easy, Houston said in a statement. A wolf known as OR-7 made headlines in 2011 when it travelled south from Oregon making it the first known wolf in California since 1924. One of OR-7s offspring has become the breeding male of the only known wolf pack in California. Two of OR-7s female pups also ventured into the Golden State, and one has travelled as far south as Lake Tahoe. The California Fish and Game Commission granted the grey wolf protections under the states endangered species act, despite opposition from hunting and livestock groups who worry an unchecked population will kill deer and valuable cattle. Under Californias protections, grey wolves cant be killed or hunted. The lawsuit suit brought by the Pacific Legal Foundation alleged it wasnt known whether the wolves that entered the state are the same subspecies originally native to California and that the commission failed to perform a population analysis of the species natural range. The foundation also didnt respond to a request for comment. OR-7 eventually returned to Oregon in 2014 and the wolf has successfully reproduced each year since. It was so-named because he was the seventh wolf captured and collared in Oregon. ___ Follow Weber at https://twitter.com/WeberCM SEBRING, Fla. - The man who fatally shot five women at a Florida bank last week bought a gun several days before the shooting, authorities said Monday. Zephen Xaver, 21, bought a 9mm handgun and ammunition just days before Wednesdays shooting at a SunTrust branch, Sebring police said in a news release. Testing is underway to determine if that gun was the same one used inside the bank, police said. The shooting left four employees and one customer dead. Xaver shot the women in an apparently random act of violence, police have said. Prosecutors could seek the death penalty for Xaver, who faces five counts of premeditated murder. Xaver was hired as a trainee prison guard at Avon Park Correctional Institution on Nov. 2 and resigned Jan. 9. No disciplinary issues were reported. SunTrust has established a fund to offer financial support to the victims families, the bank announced Monday. Through the SunTrust Foundation and Sebring Strong Survivors Fund, we are committed to supporting the families of the victims as they begin to recover, SunTrust Chairman and CEO Bill Rogers said in a statement. The outpouring of support from the community has demonstrated the best of humanity in a time of tragedy. The Sebring Strong Survivors Fund is a partnership between the SunTrust Foundation and the National Compassion Fund, a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime. DURHAM, N.C. - Duke University moved quickly Monday to offer apologies, launch an investigation and reassure a core group of graduate scholars after a medical school administrator sent an email warning Chinese students to speak in English. The administrators message which suggested students could face consequences came at a time when Duke and other elite U.S. universities are working hard to remain attractive to top international students despite negative rhetoric toward foreigners by President Donald Trump and other politicians. Dukes engagement with China, with Chinese students and with Chinese scholars is broad, deep and longstanding, Duke Vice-President for Public Affairs Michael Schoenfeld said in an interview Monday. We deeply regret that this particular incident might have compromised the very valuable and mutually beneficial relationship that Duke has with its Chinese students. Across all of Dukes graduate and professional programs, 1,300 of about 8,500 students come from China, according to university data. Duke also partners with Wuhan University on Duke Kunshan University in China, which began enrolling students in 2014. Outcry mounted after an email sent Friday by Megan Neely, who teaches in the biostatistics masters degree program and served as its director of graduate studies. Neelys message to an email list for about 50 biostatistics students said two faculty members approached her to complain about students loudly speaking Chinese in a common area. She wrote that both were disappointed the students werent working to improve their English and wanted their names. The email urged international students to keep these unintended consequences in mind when you choose to speak in Chinese in the building. She had also sent an email last February to students saying that many faculty noticed students were speaking other languages in break rooms. As a result they may be more hesitant to hire or work with international students because communication is such an important part of what we do as biostaticians, she said in the email. Since the weekend, screenshots of the emails and stories about them have received wide attention in the U.S. and China. The thousands of comments on Chinese social media included some calls for Chinese universities to ban speaking English. A petition demanding a thorough investigation has drawn more than 2,000 signatures of students, alumni and others, organizers said. The Duke Asian Students Association also issued a statement slamming Neelys emails as discriminatory and harmful. For international students, speaking in their mother tongue is a means of comfort and familiarity with a home and culture that is already oftentimes suppressed within the United States, the association said. Amid the angry response, Neely stepped down as the programs director of graduate studies, according to a letter from Dr. Mary Klotman, the medical school dean. Klotman apologized to students in the program in her letter, saying there was no restriction on using foreign languages in conversations. She said the universitys Office of Institutional Equity would conduct a review of the biostatistics masters program. Its expected to examine which faculty members complained to Neely. Neely, who remains an assistant professor, also apologized in an email to program members, saying: I deeply regret the hurt my email has caused. It was not my intention. Thirty-six of the 55 students in the biostatistics masters degree program are from China, and Chinese scholars represent one-fifth of the programs approximately 50 faculty members, Duke said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... International students are particularly attractive to U.S. graduate programs because many countries abroad place more emphasis on math and science education, and because foreign students with the means to study in the U.S. often can pay full tuition rather than seek financial assistance, said Scott Jaschik, the editor of Inside Higher Ed. He commended Duke for moving quickly to investigate, but said the schools reputation could still suffer. There is a quite a grapevine of information about international students back home, he said in an interview. You can be sure people will hear about this. Chi Liu, whos pursuing a chemistry PhD at Duke, said the university can maintain a good reputation abroad if it shows its taking the situation seriously. Liu, whos from Chinas Hunan Province, believes Duke should fire Neely and the two unnamed faculty members who complained to her. All of us are angry. We feel offended, he said, referring to the reaction among students from China. You have this email to the Chinese students saying ... if you speak Chinese you will be remembered and identified, and that will affect your performance. That is very serious. Diana Sojda, a 27-year-old Duke nursing student, said language used outside of the classroom shouldnt be restricted. Sojda grew up speaking Spanish in her Chicago household with a mother from Mexico and a father from Poland. Its their free time, so they should be able to talk among themselves in whatever language they feel most comfortable with, she said. ___ Associated Press researcher Shanshan Wang in Beijing contributed to this report. ___ Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris defended positions she took as Californias attorney general that are unpopular with some Democrats, saying they reflected her duty as the states top law enforcement officer. During a CNN town hall-style event Monday night at Drake University, Harris was asked about prosecuting death penalty cases as well as legislation in California to require her office to investigate all police-related fatal shootings. Harris, who was attorney general from 2011 until she took office as a U.S. senator in 2017, said she enforced the death penalty despite opposing it. Its a flawed system. It is applied unequally based on race and based on income, she said in answering student Riley Finks question in the schools Sheslow Auditorium in Des Moines. Harris said she chose not to take a public position on the fatal shootings legislation in 2015 because her office would write the law and enforce it. She did say at the time, however, that she did not support the notion of superseding local prosecutors. Fatal shootings by police of unarmed black men have become a rallying point among a swath of Democratic-leaning voters. Harris has faced scrutiny of her background as a prosecutor early in the 2020 presidential discussion. The town hall Monday night was her first public event in Iowa the state will host the first presidential caucuses of the primary season since she declared her candidacy. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who have taken steps toward presidential bids of their own, also have been confronted with questions about potential liabilities during appearances in Iowa this month. NEW ORLEANS - In a story Jan. 24 about the settlement of a lawsuit accusing the Bossier Parish, Louisiana, school board of illegally promoting religion, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the school system admitted no wrongdoing. While the defendants in the suit denied allegations of wrongdoing by the school superintendent and School Board employees, they also admitted in the document that there was a factual basis for the agreement, which states that there were violations of the First Amendment. A corrected version of the story is below: Suit alleging religious coercion of students settled A federal lawsuit alleging that a Louisiana public school system unconstitutionally promoted Christianity to students has been settled By KEVIN McGILL Associated Press A Louisiana public school system has agreed to restrict promotion of religion to settle a lawsuit alleging that some teachers, coaches and school officials tried to coerce students into Christian activities in classes, graduation ceremonies and athletic contests. If a judge approves, the agreement filed Wednesday will resolve a lawsuit brought last year by four parents who said officials in north Louisianas Bossier (BOH-zher) Parish school system unconstitutionally promoted religion. The parents identities were kept secret because, the suit said, they feared their children, who attend Bossier schools, would be ostracized by classmates if their identities were known. Parish school officials denied allegations of wrongdoing by the superintendent or employees of the parish School Board, in the court filings in U.S. District Court in Shreveport. But they also admitted there was a basis for the agreement, which includes findings that the policies and practices of the defendants the board and the superintendent illegally promoted, advanced and coerced religious exercise. The lawsuit said some teachers promoted their religion in classes, praying aloud and requiring students to memorize prayers. It said one choir instructor selected mostly Christian songs for performances, and that student athletes were subjected to extensive religious promotion by school staff. Settlement documents include a detailed eight-page policy, adopted by the Bossier Parish School Board, spelling out what is and isnt allowed in matters involving religion on campus. It specifically prohibits school employees from promoting their personal religious beliefs. It allows student-initiated prayers at school events but prohibits teacher participation. School officials shall not offer a prayer, recite a prayer alongside or with students, kneel, join hands or otherwise posture in a manner that is likely to be perceived as an endorsement of the prayer, the policy states. If, during a prayer a school official chooses to remain still and silent with hands folded, as a sign of respect, such action shall not alone constitute an endorsement. Teaching the role of religion in history, culture or the arts is allowed, but it must be done objectively. Students can participate in religious clubs on campuses the policy states that schools cannot discriminate against students who wish to conduct a meeting on the basis of religion and school officials can be present to maintain order. But those officials cannot participate in the meetings. The agreement allows some school events to be held at a religious venue, but only when suitable school facilities are unavailable, and only with approval from a new monitoring committee that will have representatives from both sides of the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that at least one high school football team required attendance at pre-game meals hosted by local churches. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... This historic settlement is a victory for all Bossier families, and will ensure that children feel welcome and included in their own schools, regardless of what religion they do or dont practice at home, Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, said in a news release. The group supported the parents lawsuit. The Bossier Parish School Board issued a statement saying the agreement preserves students religious freedoms. The settlement allows for the closure of this case without the loss of any student rights, which is of utmost importance to the Board, schools superintendent Scott Smith said in the release. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen, has agreed to talk to the House Intelligence Committee on Feb. 8, opting for closed-door testimony after pulling out of a separate public hearing due to security issues. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said Monday that Cohen will be appearing voluntarily and that the panel will work with law enforcement to make sure he is safe. Cohen last week postponed testimony he was supposed to give the House Oversight and Reform Committee, blaming threats from Trump and the presidents attorney-spokesman, Rudy Giuliani. Cohen has not detailed the threats, nor has his lawyer. But Trump and Giuliani have publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate Cohens 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 thats the one that people want to look at. Trumps fixer-turned-foe is a central figure in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible co-ordination between Russia and Trumps 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 offences connected to the payments, and he is scheduled to begin serving a three-year prison sentence in March. Federal prosecutors have said Trump directed Cohen to make the payments during the campaign. Schiff, D-Calif., said Cohen had relayed legitimate concerns about his safety and the safety of his family. Efforts to intimidate witnesses, scare their family members, or prevent them from testifying before Congress are tactics we expect from organized crime, not the White House, Schiff said. These attacks on Mr. Cohens family must stop. Cohen is also scheduled to talk to the Senate Intelligence Committee next month, in compliance with a subpoena. That interview is scheduled for Feb. 12, according to Lanny Davis, one of Cohens lawyers. Also Monday, Cohens lawyers announced a shake-up on his defence team as he continues to co-operate with Mueller and prepares for the congressional testimony. Cohens legal team announced that two attorneys from Chicago, Michael Monico and his partner Barry Spevack, will represent him, replacing New York-based attorneys Guy Petrillo and Amy Lester. Cohens legal team described Monico as one of the premier criminal defence attorneys in the country. The legal shake-up followed what a person familiar with the matter described as a dispute over unpaid legal fees. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Cohen had not paid proper fees to his legal team. Davis disputed that characterization, saying the shake-up had nothing to do with fees. Cohen did not immediately respond to a text message seeking for comment. Monico and Spevack issued a joint statement Monday saying they looked forward to helping Mr. Cohen fulfil what he has told us is his only mission to tell the truth as he knows it and to turn the corner on his past life and taking ownership for his past mistakes by co-operating as best as he can with all governmental authorities in search of the truth. Monico worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago before entering private practice. He has since become one of Chicagos highest-profile white-collar attorneys dating back to the 1980s, representing those close to the levers of power in Illinois, including powerful aldermen, a confidant of now-imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and several defendants accused of corruption in dealing with the city of Chicago. He also represented an owner of Chicagos E2 nightclub, where a stampede toward a door in 2003 left 21 people dead. Most recently, Monico and Spevack have represented a former Lithuanian parliamentarian and judge fighting extradition from Chicago to face charges in her homeland stemming from her allegations that theres a well-connected ring of pedophiles in the country. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... ___ Mustian reported from New York. AP legal affairs writer Michael Tarm contributed reporting from Chicago. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - NBCs Tom Brokaw drew strong criticism for saying that Hispanics needed to work harder at assimilating and learning English. Megan Neely, a Duke University graduate studies director, also sparked anger for warning international Asian students in an email against speaking Chinese in public. Both later apologized. Beliefs that Hispanics and Asians living in the U.S. wont assimilate or refuse to speak English are based on stereotypes that scholars say are linked to notions of white supremacy. Throughout American history, Hispanics and Asians have been pressured to adopt the customs of the mainstream white population. The pressure came even as some laws forbade them from voting, intermarrying and having access to education and public facilities. Heres a look at how stereotypes have been levied at Latinos and Asians over generations: CULTURE AND LAND Missouri-raised Stephen F. Austin convinced the government of Mexico in 1822 to allow 300 white American families to live in Texas. The area already had Mexican settlers. After American southern whites and Tejanos successful defeated Mexicos Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to gain Texas independence, Tejanos were looked upon with suspicion for using two languages and keeping their Catholic faith and traditions. White settlers violently removed Tejanos from some lands on the beliefs that their refusal to adopt American southern traditions showed remained loyal to Mexico. David Montejanos 1987 book, Anglos and Mexicans in the Making of Texas, 1836-1986, showed that some poor whites married into the remaining Mexican-American elite families. Through marriage, whites took over large ranch holdings while those Hispanic families slowly lost their ethnic identities. Some Latinos in California were subjected to states ban on interracial marriage. ASIAN MIGRANTS According to the Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project at Stanford University, thousands of Chinese migrants came to the U.S. to help build the nations first transcontinental railroad in the mid-1800s. The migrants took agricultural jobs, join factory work and became entrepreneurs. Most sent money back to China or worked to repay merchants who brought them to the U.S. As the migrants number grew, so did anti-Chinese sentiment over their economic successes. California passed a number of measures targeting Chinese migrants from requiring special business licenses and work permits aimed at preventing them from becoming U.S. citizens. Facing the exclusion into American life, Chinese migrants also faced criticism for an alleged lack of desire to adopt white mainstream customs from religion to learning English. Amid the discrimination, the migrants formed tight-knit communities as a means of support. Finally, the U.S. Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, limiting all immigration of Chinese labourers. WORLD WAR II Facing intense discrimination, Mexican Americans and Asian Americans used the war to prove their loyalty to the U.S. by volunteering to serve. They joined the U.S. Army and Marines even as restaurants refused to serve their families and the federal government began detaining Japanese Americans in internment camps. The populations emphasized their desire to speak English and civil rights groups celebrated examples of bravery overseas. When Latino and Asian American soldiers returned home, they found old racial barriers still in place and joined forces to fight discrimination in the court. The 1947 Mendez v. Westminster case, which ruled that segregation of school children in California was unconstitutional, came as a result of Latino and Japanese-American civil rights groups working together. In Texas, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a returning veteran, formed the American G.I. Forum aimed at helping Mexican American veteran fight discrimination and poverty. The group encouraged Latinos to speak English, to remain loyal to the U.S. and sought restrictions against immigrants in the country illegally. Despite his emphasis on assimilation, Garcia received death threats. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... No matter how hard Latinos and Asian Americans go out of their way to assimilate and perfect their Americaness, race always comes up, Anthony C. Ocampo, a Cal Poly Pomona sociology professor, said. ____ Associated Press journalist Russell Contreras is a member of the APs race and ethnicity team. Follow Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras WASHINGTON - The special counsels Russia probe is close to being completed, the acting attorney general said in the first official sign that the investigation may be wrapping up. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitakers comments Monday were a departure for the Justice Department, which rarely comments on the state of the investigation into whether President Donald Trumps campaign co-ordinated with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, Whitaker said Monday at the end of an unrelated news conference in Washington. He said he had been fully briefed on the probe. Whitaker did not elaborate or give any timetable for the end of a nearly two-year investigation that has shadowed Trumps presidency. So far, special counsel Robert Mueller has charged 34 people, including several close to the president. But he has yet to accuse anyone close to the Trump campaign of conspiring with the Kremlin to hurt Democrat Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the election. Whitaker, who is seen as a Trump ally, took over the Justice Department and oversight of the Mueller probe after Jeff Sessions resigned as attorney general in November at Trumps request. Whitaker has drawn criticism for not recusing himself from the Russia investigation, even though he has publicly criticized it in the past. A top Justice Department ethics official advised him to step aside out of an abundance of caution, but Whitaker declined to do so. According to Justice Department regulations, Mueller has to provide a report to the attorney general at the conclusion of his investigation laying out his prosecution decisions. But its unclear what form the report will take or whether it will be released publicly. And depending on when Mueller wraps up, the report may not go to Whitaker. Trump has nominated William Barr to serve as the next attorney general. His confirmation hearing was held this month and hes awaiting a vote in the Senate. Barr told the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month that he wants to release as much information as possible about Muellers findings, but he has hedged on specifics. Trump has slammed the Russia investigation as a witch hunt and says there was no collusion. 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. Those contacts, according to Muellers indictments and U.S. intelligence agencies, occurred while the Russian government carried out a multifaceted effort to influence the 2016 presidential campaign and attempt to sway it Trumps way. On Friday, longtime Trump confidante Roger Stone became the sixth Trump associate to be charged by Mueller. The others are Trumps former national security adviser, his campaign chairman, his former personal lawyer and two other campaign aides. Stone faces a Tuesday morning arraignment in federal court, where he is expected to plead not guilty to charges that he lied to lawmakers, engaged in witness tampering and obstructed a congressional investigation into possible co-ordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. Though most defendants facing charges tend to stay quiet for fear of inflaming prosecutors or a judge, Stone has opted for a different tack since his pre-dawn arrest Friday. Stone staged an impromptu news conference outside a Florida courthouse, made the rounds on weekend television interviews and mocked the probe on Instagram, posting a cartoonish image of Mueller holding a nothingburger just a hamburger bun with no meat. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Also Monday, a judge delayed the sentencing of Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort in Virginia after he was convicted of eight financial crimes last year. The sentencing is being delayed as a judge in Washington decides whether Manafort intentionally lied to investigators. ___ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. Check out this item,It looks to provide some good detail, summary statistics, etc.Then there is this story on the report,The quote below comes from the article:"[Steve] Bowen [a Chicago-based meteorologist and director of global reinsurance firm Aons impact forecasting team] said natural disaster risk is 'evolving,' both in the United States and around the world, and will continue due to complex socioeconomic and demographic factors. But its clear that population and development pressures are increasing in parts of the world that are most vulnerable to catastrophic events, like coastal zones and forested areas."I found it interesting that the reinsurance companies feel that they have the resources ($595B in capital) to meet what I'll call "current demands," but a true catastrophe of "unprecedented" proportions might throw a wrench in the works. Worldwide, there were 42 billion-dollar events.Then there is this quote from the article:"The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said in an insert to the report that the 2018 California wildfires 'put an exclamation point on the frightening lessons' learned from the 2017 fire season, including that 'wildfire risk extends well past the wildland urban interface (WUI) and reaches right into tidy suburban neighborhoods.'"I'll second that notion. See my 2017op-ed on the wildland fire risk in western Washington, that most people would think is immune from wildfire risk because of our "typical" weather. I say there is an "urban forest" in the midst of many suburban communities.Lastly, I head this week that Roy Wright, former FEMA head for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), has moved to be the director/CEO of IBHS.Claire Rubin, Senior Researcher, shared the first two links above. ISTANBUL - A United Nations human rights expert visited the vicinity of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul Tuesday as part of an investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. She has yet to be allowed to enter the premises. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard and her team of experts said they were waiting for permission from Saudi officials to go to the consulate and meet with Saudi authorities in Istanbul. We are respectfully calling on the authorities to give us access at some stage, she said with regard to her weeklong visit to Turkey. She said their request to enter the building had come quite late and that as a result we need to give them a bit more time to process our request. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming wedding. He was killed in what Turkish and U.S. officials have described as an elaborate plot. Also Tuesday, Callamard met with Istanbuls Chief Prosecutor Irfan Fidan who is heading the investigation. The team met with the countrys foreign and justice ministers Monday. Turkish officials have been frustrated over what they say is a lack of co-operation by Riyadh and have called for an international inquiry. In a tweet, the Turkish presidents communications director, Fahrettin Altun, welcomed the visit: We still do not know where Khashoggis body is, who ordered the hit and who the local collaborator was. After denying Khashoggi was killed in the consulate for several weeks, Saudi Arabia indicted 11 people in the killing, including members from the crown princes entourage, and is seeking the death penalty against five of them. Turkey says Saudi Arabia must reveal the identity of a person who is thought to have disposed of the journalists body and hold all involved accountable. The expert on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killing said she would present her report in June to the U.N.s Human Rights Council and the report would be made public ahead of the meeting. TEL AVIV, Israel - The Latest on the lead-up to Israels April elections (all times local): 8:20 p.m. Former Israeli military chief Benny Gantz has launched his long-awaited run to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking to an ecstatic crowd of supporters in Tel Aviv, Gantz accused Netanyahus government of dividing the country. Positioning himself as a centrist, he pledged to unite all Israelis. He also promised a push for regional peace, while also pledging a tough line against Israels many foes across the Middle East. In a jab at Netanyahu, who is facing possible indictment in a series of corruption scandals, Gantz promised to lead a clean, corruption-free government, saying No Israeli leader is a king. ___ 12:35 p.m. Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz is launching his long-awaited political campaign, seeking to position himself as the first serious challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus decade-long rule. Gantz is flaunting a tough military pedigree and emerging in the polls as Netanyahus top rival. This highlights how security rules supreme in the minds of most Israeli voters. The tall, telegenic ex-general with salty hair is still untarnished by partisan politics and has been riding a wave of popularity, even while saying little and presenting a vague ideological platform. But the shine could quickly wear off following his speech later on Tuesday, when he is expected to finally lay out his agenda. Netanyahus allies are sure to brand Gantz as a leftist should he show any signs of moderation. CAIRO - Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in and around Sudans capital on Tuesday, calling for the ouster of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir and marching in memorial for those killed during weeks of protests against him, activists said. In what could be a first concession by the government, the feared state security agency announced it would release people detained during the past month of protests, without giving further details. Hundreds have been arrested since the unrest began on Dec. 19. The demonstrations, called by unions and opposition activists, fell on the anniversary of the 2005 killing of protesters in Port Sudan during an earlier period of demonstrations against al-Bashirs long rule. Protests also took place there. The latest rallies were the largest in several days, as Sudanese have taken to demonstrating in local squares and neighbourhoods sometimes blocked off with cars or makeshift barricades. Police have fired tear gas and live rounds that have killed at least two dozen demonstrators. Organizers announced seven processions in areas of Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman, with demonstrators gathering at intersections shouting just fall, and calling for a peoples revolution. Police fired tear gas in some areas to disperse the crowds, activists said. It may take months, but Im confident we will succeed, said Reem, a 25-year-old housewife facing off against clouds of tear gas in Omdurman. The demonstrations have revived unions and organized us... and mobilized villages as well, she said by telephone, asking that her last name not be used for fear of reprisal. Videos distributed by activists showed festive rallies in Khartoum and more urgent chanting in Omdurman, where they say security forces used tear gas to repulse demonstrators approaching the parliament building. Activists spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. The opposition Umma Party said in a statement that security forces surrounded its building in Omdurman and arrested several employees. It denounced the move but said it would not be dissuaded from working to overthrow the regime and build a new Sudan. The current wave of protests began in opposition to surging prices and a failing economy, but quickly shifted to calls for an end to al-Bashirs nearly three-decade rule. A devaluation of the currency in October pushed up prices, but lifting state subsidies on bread last month proved to be the final stroke, sparking the unrest. A cash crunch also led to long lines at ATMs and limits on cash withdrawals. Similarly, a fuel shortage meant hours-long waits at gas stations. Al-Bashir, who seized power in a military coup in 1989, insists that only elections, which he intends to run in, could bring change. BRUSSELS - A key adviser to the European Unions highest court said Tuesday that a controversial element on dispute settlement in the free trade agreement with Canada complies with EU law. Advocate General Yves Bot said in a legal opinion that the 2016 agreement does not impede the autonomy of EU law or question the exclusive right to interpret EU law. Critics of the law had maintained that the dispute settlement clauses would give too much power to multinationals at the cost of the independence of member states and force through trade practices against the will of nations. The Court said in a statement, however, that Bot considers that the safeguards surrounding the establishment of the dispute settlement mechanism are sufficient. The request for a court ruling was brought by Belgium, where the small region of Wallonia, population 3.6 million, long threatened to hold up the overall trade agreement between over 500 million Europeans and 35 million Canadians. The EU needed unanimity among its 28 nations. As Wallonia grudgingly backed the deal, it did so on the condition that the European Court of Justice would check the legality of dispute settlement between multinationals and governments. The full court will rule on the case later this year and often follows the advice of its advocate general. The agreement does not adversely affect the autonomy of EU law and does not affect the principle that the Court of Justice has exclusive jurisdiction over the definitive interpretation of EU law, the statement on the advice said. The Canadian-EU trade deal, called CETA, provisionally entered into force last year and most of the agreement now applies. The deal eliminates almost all customs duties and increases quotas for certain key products in each others market. The EU said it will save its companies some 600 million euros ($700 million) a year in duties. Implementing the full deal is also important for the EU as it tries to strike trade deals with other global partners and amid broader tensions in trade, particularly with the U.S. BEIJING - The Latest on U.S. allegations against Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies (all times local): 4 p.m.: Chinas foreign ministry has called on Washington to withdraw its request for Canada to extradite a Huawei executive to face charges of lying to banks about possible dealings with Iran. A ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, complained that Washington has shown disregard for the stern representations from Beijing over the case of Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer. Meng was arrested Dec. 1 in Vancouver and faces an extradition hearing Wednesday. Geng said, We urge the U.S. to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests. ___ 2:15 p.m. China has urged Washington to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Huawei and other companies following the U.S. indictment of the Chinese tech giant. A foreign ministry statement read Tuesday on state TV news complained U.S. authorities mobilized state power to blacken some Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations. It said there was a strong political motivation and political manipulation. The statement says, We strongly urge the United States stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei and treat Chinese companies fairly and justly. It says Beijing will firmly defend Chinese companies but did not indicate how it might respond to the U.S. indictment of Huawei. ___ 12:35 p.m. Chinese tech giant Huawei denies committing any of the violations cited in a U.S. indictment that accuses the company of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. Huawei Technologies Ltd. said in a statement Tuesday asked to discuss the investigation with U.S. prosecutors following the arrest of its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada in December but that request was rejected. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The company noted the allegations in the trade secrets charge already were the subject of a U.S. civil lawsuit that was settled. The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments, the company statement said. It said Huawei is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion. BEIJING - Huawei is Chinas first global tech brand and a growing source of tension between Washington and Beijing. Huawei Technologies Ltd. is the biggest supplier of network switching gear used by phone and internet companies. It has spent a decade battling U.S. accusations it is a front for Chinese spying or poses other security risks. Other governments including Australia and Japan are imposing their own curbs on use of Huawei technology. A look at Huawei and controversies surrounding the company: Q: What is Huawei? A: The company founded in 1987 by a former military engineer is a national champion at the head of an industry Beijing is promoting as part of efforts to transform China from a low-wage factory into a technology creator. That makes Huawei a political star in China but puts it at the centre of tensions over the Communist Partys technology ambitions. Washington and other trading partners say those violate its market-opening obligations and might be based on stolen know-how. Huawei passed Swedens LM Ericsson in 2017 to become the No. 1 global seller of network gear. The company says it supplies 45 of the top 50 global phone companies and has signed contracts with 30 carriers to test its next-generation technology. Its smartphone brand, launched in 2010, passed Apple Inc. in mid-2018 as the worlds No. 2 seller behind Samsung Electronics Ltd. And it has kept growing despite weakness in the global smartphone market. Apples Jan. 3 announcement of weaker-than-forecast iPhone sales jolted financial markets, but Huawei said its 2018 sales rose 30 per cent to more than 200 million handsets. The company says 2018 global revenue should exceed $100 billion. This years target is $125 billion. Headquartered on a leafy campus in Shenzhen, adjacent to Hong Kong, Huawei has Chinas biggest corporate research-and-development budget at 89.7 billion yuan ($13 billion) in 2017 10 per cent more than Apple Inc.s. Its foreign customers can draw on a multibillion-dollar line of credit from the official China Development Bank. Huawei is more important to Chinese leaders than ZTE Corp., a smaller rival that was nearly driven out of business after Washington blocked it from buying U.S. technology over exports to Iran and North Korea. President Donald Trump restored access after ZTE paid a $1 billion fine, replaced its executives and hired U.S.-picked compliance officers. ___ Q: What are the controversies surrounding Huawei? A: U.S. warnings about Huawei drew attention when a 2012 congressional report said American phone carriers should avoid doing business with the company and with ZTE. Washington gave no evidence but Huaweis U.S. business vanished. The same year, the Australian government barred Huawei and ZTE from bidding on a planned national broadband internet network. On Tuesday, a telecom company that was planning to build Australias fourth mobile phone network said it would scrap those plans due to a government ban on using technology from Huawei, its main contractor. Japans cybersecurity agency said last month Huawei and suppliers deemed risky are off-limits for government purchases, effective April 1. U.S. charges unsealed Monday accuse Huawei of violating American sanctions by using a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran. The company is also accused of stealing trade secrets, including technology for a robot used by T-Mobile to test smartphones. The company announced plans in 2017 to start selling smartphones for the first time through a U.S. carrier. Those plans were later cancelled, reportedly because of U.S. government pressure on the American partner. Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who is Rens daughter, was arrested Dec. 1 in Canada on U.S. charges that she lied to banks about Huaweis dealings with Iran. A European Union official, Andrus Ansip, expressed concern last year about Chinese rules requiring tech companies to co-operate with intelligence services. Ansip suggested that might lead to mandatory backdoors to allow eavesdropping on computer or telecom systems. Chinas foreign ministry has complained the security accusations are unfounded and are being promoted by other governments to shield their own companies from Chinese competition. ___ Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Q: How is the company responding? A: The company denies accusations it is controlled by Chinas ruling Communist Party, modifies its products to facilitate spying or helps Chinese spies gather information. Huawei, which is privately held and says it is employee-owned, has stepped up efforts to defuse security concerns since Mengs arrest. Ren rarely appears in public. But he spoke to foreign reporters in a 2 1/2-hour-long interview on Jan. 15 at Huawei headquarters. He sought to lay to rest accusations Huawei might help Beijing spy on its customers by saying he would reject any government request to disclose their secrets. One of three executives who take turns as Huaweis rotating chairman, Ken Hu, gave a similar interview in December in which he challenged the United States and other governments to disclose evidence to back up accusations about security risks. Huawei also has allowed foreign reporters and photographers to visit some of its research centres for the first time. Huawei has tried to reassure customers by setting up laboratories in Britain, Canada and Germany for governments there to conduct security tests on its software and hardware. ___ Q: What is Huaweis role in next-generation telecom technology? A: Huawei is one of the biggest global developers of fifth-generation telecoms technology, along with Finlands Nokia Corp. and Swedens LM Ericsson. The 5G technology is meant to vastly expand the reach of networks to support internet-linked medical devices, factory equipment, self-driving cars and other devices. That makes it more politically sensitive and raises the potential cost of security failures and requires more trust in suppliers. Annual sales of 5G network gear are forecast to reach $11 billion by 2022, according to IHS Markit. Huawei has agreements to test 5G equipment with Deutsche Telekom, Bell Canada, Frances Bouygues, Telecom Italia, Indias Bharti Airtel and carriers in Singapore, South Korea and Ireland. The United States, Australia and Taiwan have barred Huawei from working on 5G networks. Industry analysts and some telecom executives warn that will drastically reduce competition and raise prices for consumers. Washington is pressing allies to shun Huawei, but Germany, France and Ireland say they have no plans to ban any 5G network suppliers. ISLAMABAD - Pakistans top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of a Christian woman who spent eight years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy, dealing a blow to radical Islamists who had staged violent mass protests last year calling for her execution. Aasia Bibi watched from a secret location as the decision was announced on television, according to a friend who was on the phone with her at the time. He said Bibis first thought upon hearing the news was that she would soon be able to join her daughters in Canada, where they have been granted asylum. The friend spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety. Bibi, her lawyer and the Supreme Court judges who eventually freed her have all received death threats from radical Islamists, and a small army of police and paramilitary Rangers was on hand to guard the courthouse and surrounding area on Tuesday. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and the mere accusation can spark mob violence and lynchings. A provincial governor who defended Bibi was shot and killed, as was a government minority minister who questioned the blasphemy law. Thousands of Islamists took to the streets and clashed with police after Bibis initial acquittal on Oct. 31, but there were no such protests this time, perhaps because of the heightened security presence and a nationwide police sweep that arrested hundreds of supporters of radical religious parties from their homes on Monday. Since her acquittal, Bibi has lived in hiding at an undisclosed location protected by Pakistani security forces who have kept her confined to her quarters, unable to even open a window. She speaks daily to her daughters in Canada, and worries about her 19-year-old, who has learning challenges, the friend said. I am really grateful to everybody. Now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters, he quoted Bibi as saying after the ruling was announced. Bibis lawyer, Saiful Malook, who returned to Islamabad for the hearing after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistans constitution and rule of law. The three-judge Supreme Court panel had insisted on very strict proofs of blasphemy and found none, Malook said, expressing hope that Bibis acquittal would deter false allegations. This case is a milestone for Pakistan, given that the law is often unkind to religious minorities, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. He cautioned that Pakistans courts are still susceptible to political pressure, but said the Supreme Courts actions represented a legal watershed. The court did not question the blasphemy law itself, which critics say is often used to settle scores or intimidate followers of minority religions, including Shiite Muslims. Bibis ordeal began on a hot day in 2009 when she brought water to fellow farmhands who refused to drink from the same container as a Christian woman. Two of her fellow farmworkers argued with Bibi and later accused her of insulting Islams Prophet Muhammad. Bibi, who has always denied the allegations, was sentenced to death the following year. Pakistans Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, who led the panel that upheld Bibis acquittal, said in court that Bibis accusers were guilty of perjury and that if the case had not been so sensitive, they should have been jailed for life. The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow, Khosa said. Much of the evidence presented against Bibi was suspicious, and some of it appeared to be fabricated, he said, adding that the cleric who lodged the initial charge of blasphemy gave contradictory statements that were unchallenged in the trial. Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer representing the cleric who petitioned for a review of the sentence, denied that any witnesses had given false testimony. Following Bibis initial acquittal, radical religious parties took to the streets in mass protests, calling for the killing of the judges behind the ruling and for the overthrow of Prime Minister Imran Khans government. They also filed the last-minute appeal for a review of the acquittal. The protests were spearheaded by the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik party, whose single point agenda is protection of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. After days of protests, authorities arrested radical clerics Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Mohammad Afzal Qadri, both leaders of the party, and several of their followers for destroying public property during rallies against Bibi and for inciting their followers to violence. The clerics and the others remain in custody. The group called for protests again, but Pakistani media say police arrested hundreds of party activists in Lahore, Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi on Monday in an apparent attempt to prevent a repeat of last years unrest. After the court ruling, Mohammad Shafiq Amini, the acting chief of Tehreek-e-Labbaik, issued a video message rejecting Tuesdays decision as cruel and unjust. He said Muslims should feel ashamed that Bibi was not executed and asked the Prophet Muhammad for forgiveness that we could not do anything, and that blasphemers are alive. He again asked the partys supporters to fill the jails across Pakistan by getting arrested for protesting, but by late Tuesday there were no signs of mass protests. Joseph Francis, a Christian activist who attended Tuesdays hearing, said the decision was good news for Pakistans minority Christian community. I am happy because the judges spoke out strongly against giving false evidence, he said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Human rights activist Tahira Abdullah said religion and politics have become a horrible jumble in Pakistan. Tuesdays decision could have a deterrent effect, she said, but knowing the political mileage to be gained from false charges of blasphemy, I doubt it. ___ Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed. BRUMADINHO, Brazil - The Latest on the deadly collapse of a dam at a Brazil iron ore mining collapse (all times local): 5 p.m. Possible ecological damage from a Brazilian iron ore mine dam that burst last week and killed at least 65 people is visible in an indigenous community about 18 kilometres (11 miles) downstream from the dam. The normally greenish Paraopeba River was dark brown on Tuesday after mud flowed out of the dam last Friday. Dead fish, garbage and refuse like plastic sandals were seen floating on its banks by an Associated Press reporting team. Pataxco Indians living there say they had been told by Brazilian environmental workers not to fish, take baths in the river or use river water to water the plants they cultivate for food. Village chief Hayo says: Now we cant do any of that. Two Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources officials were taking water samples and talking to members of the tribe. The agents said they did not have authorization to speak with the AP team. ___ 2:30 p.m. Authorities say five workers involved with a Brazilian dam that breached and killed at least 65 people will be detained for 30 days while officials investigate suspicions of criminal responsibility. Federal police from the southeastern state of Minas Gerais where the dam is located did not list possible charges in a statement and said that a judge will eventually decide whether the criminal case moves forward. Three of the workers are with Brazils Vale SA, the owner and operator of the dam and the largest global producer of iron ore, the raw ingredient in steel. Two work with Germanys TUEV Sued company, which said in a statement that it had conducted inspections of the dam. The detentions came as the families of mining company workers killed by an inundation of mud and mining waste started to bury the victims. Authorities have said that 279 people are missing and that the death toll from the disaster will rise. ___ 2:15 p.m. At a cemetery in the small Brazilian city of Brumadinho, 15 freshly dug graves await the remains of some of those killed when a nearby iron ore mining dam breached and killed at least 65 people. Wailing in grief at the cemetery was the wife of Edgar Carvalho Santos, one of the mining companys workers whose body has been found. She sobbed that he did not deserve this, he did not deserve it! Friends and family members prevented reporters from approaching the woman. One woman told Santos wife that this was not a tragedy, its a crime. Authorities on Tuesday arrested five people in their investigation of the dams collapse last Friday. Three work for the mining company, Vale SA. Two work for the German TUEV Sued company that had performed inspections of the dam. ____ 1:15 p.m. A German company involved in the inspection of the dam that collapsed in Brazil last week says two of its employees have been arrested in the country. Brazils Vale SA also says three of its employees were also arrested. The Munich-based TUEV Sued company declined to specify Tuesday whether the arrested staff were from its German headquarters or its Brazilian branch. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Vale in a statement provided no details about the company workers who were arrested except to say that it is co-operating with the investigation into the iron ore mine tailings dam breach that killed at least 65 people and left nearly 300 missing. TUEV Sued said Monday that it had conducted a periodic review of dams for Brazilian mining company Vale SA in July 2018 and a regular inspection of dam safety in September last year. The collapse last Friday flooded parts of the small city of Brumadinho with reddish-brown mud and iron ore mining waste. Many more are still missing. ___ 12:50 p.m. Shares of Brazilian mining company Vale are making a muted comeback after they plunged following the collapse of an iron ore mine dam that killed at least 65 people. Vale SAs American depository shares were up 3.5 per cent Tuesday to $11.59 a share on the New York Stock Exchange. The companys shares tanked nearly 18 per cent on Monday, three days after the dam collapsed in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The breach sent rivers of mud inundating Vale company buildings and nearby neighbourhoods in the small city of Brumadinho. Rescuers on Tuesday were spending a fifth day looking for survivors and bodies. Some families began burying dead relatives amid growing outrage directed at Vale. The company is the worlds largest producer of iron ore, the raw ingredient for steel. ___ 12:40 p.m. Brazilian authorities issued arrest warrants Tuesday for five people in connection with a dam collapse that killed at least 65 people as it plastered part of a city with reddish-brown mud and iron ore mining waste. The orders were issued in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais, where the collapse happened. They came as rescue crews began a fifth day searching for survivors or bodies, and some families began burying their dead. Local media reported the warrants included three employees of Vale, the mining company that owned and operated the waste dam that collapsed. In a statement, Vale said it was collaborating with authorities in the investigation. MEXICO CITY - The head of Mexicos immigration agency said Monday that his country wont accept migrants younger than 18 while they await the resolution of their U.S. asylum claims National Immigration Institute Commissioner Tonatiuh Guillen also said Mexico wont extend the policy beyond a single border crossing, the El Chaparral crossing in Tijuana. Mexican officials had previously said the United States expressed interest in extending the remain in Mexico policy to other border crossings. But Guillen said Mexico will accept only asylum seekers aged 18 to 60 at El Chaparral. Mexico will accept migrants only from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, and will give them four-month visas. Guillen said that since Dec. 1, Mexico has given 3,983 transit visas to Central Americans, most of whom hope to reach the United States. Mexico will also extend other work-visa programs to apply to more Mexican states and more Central American countries. The remain in Mexico program had been set to start last week with about 20 migrants returning to Tijuana. U.S. authorities plan 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 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. The new U.S. policy purportedly aims to reduce incentives for migrants to make asylum claims, on the belief they will be released and allowed to spend years in the United States even if their claims are eventually rejected. Migrant activists fear the program will make it harder for asylum seekers to successfully argue their cases. KABUL, AFGHANISTANAmerican and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the framework of a deal in which the insurgents would guarantee Afghan territory is never used by terrorists, which could lead to a full pullout of U.S. troops in return for larger concessions from the Taliban, the chief U.S. negotiator said Monday. The negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, said those concessions must include the Talibans agreement to a ceasefire and to talk directly with the Afghan government, which the insurgents have persistently opposed in the past. We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement, Khalilzad said in an interview in Kabul. The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals. Khalilzad added: We felt enough confidence that we said we need to get this fleshed out, and details need to be worked out. Keeping Afghanistan from reverting to the terrorist haven used by Al Qaeda to plot the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States the catalyst for the nearly two-decade-old war has long been a primary demand by U.S. officials. After nine years of halting efforts to reach a peace deal with the Taliban, the draft framework, though preliminary, is the biggest tangible step toward ending a war that has cost tens of thousands of lives and profoundly changed U.S. foreign policy. A senior American official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations, said the Taliban delegation had asked for time to confer with their leadership about the U.S. requirements for the insurgents agreement to hold direct talks with the Afghan government and to a ceasefire. The official described all those issues as interconnected as part of a package deal that was likened to a Russian nesting doll. The officials account was supported by details that have been leaked by some Taliban and Western officials in recent days. A senior Taliban official with direct knowledge of the talks on Monday confirmed the draft agreement on the issue of foreign troop withdrawal and the Taliban pledge that Afghan soil would not be used against others. He said working groups would iron out details on a timeline of a withdrawal. Although the Taliban have been distancing themselves from Al Qaeda, they have never denounced the group. Taliban fighters still intermingle with international militants in parts of Afghanistan and maintain relationships of coexistence with some of them. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Read more about: (TNS) Trustees raised concerns about School District 2s internet filter Monday, about two weeks after a list of subjects nixed by filters hit social media.The system appears to block sites associated with unsurprising categories like adult content and academic fraud, but also crime/terrorism and alternative sexual lifestyles including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, according to documents posted to counterpunch.com , a left-leaning website.Clara Bentler, a senior at Senior High, spoke about the policy at Mondays board meeting, calling the filter an obstruction to education.It is very unclear how this design came about, she said, expressing concerns that the process of determining what students can access on the internet should be transparent as well as blocked content.Do we want a community where kids are fully able to research events like 9/11? she said.District superintendent Greg Upham said many schools use the filter.I want to dispel any ideas that we have a social engineering of any kind or censorship, he saidBrandon Newpher, the districts technology director, said the exclusions were part of a default group, provided by Content Keeper, a common company used by schools.We cant start with nothing and work our way up, he said.Upham said changes to the filter were made earlier this month, and the move wasn't sparked by any specific incident. He emphasized the importance of "continuing to communicate" with students, staff and the public about the topic.A test of the system by a Gazette reporter showed that the filter blocked a wide spectrum of websites, but not always consistently.Some gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy group websites were accessible, but the site for GLAAD, a leading advocacy group, was blocked.Similarly, some gun rights websites were accessible, but the site for the National Rifle Association was blocked.Trustees raised concerns about the blocked content.Russ Hall said that he arrived at the Lincoln Center for Mondays meeting with nine bookmarked websites, and wasnt able to open three with district filters things that I would be happy to read with my mother looking over my shoulder, he said. This is a concern.Newpher said that the district has received 24 email requests to unblock sites, resulting in 18 sites unblocked. Two sites remained blocked.Trustee Joe Raffiani asked repeatedly about options for students to anonymously request that a site be unblocked.Newpher said the district is relying on email requests and doesnt have a good anonymous option.If they are looking for information of a personal nature, they shouldnt have to come out to anyone to explore that, Raffiani said.Hall echoed that sentiment.Possibly some of the sites that are blocked could be helping kids, he said. WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump said the odds congressional negotiators will craft a deal to end his border wall standoff with Congress are less than 50-50. As hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers prepared to return to work, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he doesnt think the negotiators will strike a deal that hed accept. He pledged to build a wall anyway using his executive powers to declare a national emergency if necessary. I personally think its less than 50-50, but you have a lot of very good people on that board, Trump said in an interview Sunday with the newspaper. The president was referring to a bipartisan committee of House and Senate lawmakers that will consider border spending as part of the legislative process. The presidents standoff with Democrats on Capitol Hill is far from over and the clock is ticking. The spending bill Trump signed on Friday to temporarily end the partial government shutdown funds the shuttered agencies only until Feb. 15. Its unclear if the Democrats will budge. Trump seemed girded for battle over the weekend, sending out a series of online messages that foreshadowed the upcoming fight with lawmakers. BUILD A WALL & CRIME WILL FALL! he tweeted. Is Trump prepared to shut down the government again in three weeks? Yeah, I think he actually is, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said. He doesnt want to shut the government down, lets make that very clear. He doesnt want to declare a national emergency. But Mulvaney said that at the end of the day, the presidents commitment is to defend the nation and he will do it with or without Congress. The linchpin in the standoff is Trumps demand for $5.7 billion (U.S.) for his prized wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, a project Democrats consider an ineffective, wasteful monument to a ridiculous Trump campaign promise. Asked if hed be willing to accept less than $5.7 billion to build a barrier on the southern border, Trump replied: I doubt it. He added: I have to do it right. He also said hed be wary of any proposed deal that exchanged funds for a wall for broad immigration reform. And when asked if he would agree to citizenship for immigrants who were illegally brought into the U.S. as children, he again replied, I doubt it. Kevin McCarthy, the leading Republican in the House, said Democrats have funded border barriers in the past and are refusing this time simply because Trump is asking for it. The president is the only one who has been reasonable in these negotiations, he said. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a member of the Democratic leadership in the House, said his colleagues are looking for evidence-based legislation. Shutdowns are not legitimate negotiating tactics when theres a public policy disagreement between two branches of government, he said. Jeffries said that Democrats are willing to invest in additional infrastructure, especially at legal ports of entry where the majority of drugs come into the country. Were willing to invest in personnel. Were willing to invest in additional technology ... In the past, we have supported enhanced fencing and I think thats something thats reasonable that should be on the table, he said. Trump has asserted there is a crisis at the southern border requiring a wall, blaming previous presidents and Congress for failing to overhaul an immigration system that has allowed millions of people to live in the U.S. illegally. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Last month, he put that number at 35 million, while on Sunday he pegged it at 25.7 million-plus figures offered without evidence. Im not exactly sure where the president got that number this morning, Mulvaney said. Both are higher than government and private estimates. His homeland security chief cited somewhere between 11 million and 22 million last month. In November, the non-partisan Pew Research Center reported 10.7 million in 2016 the lowest in a decade. The president also tweeted Sunday that the cost of illegal immigration so far this year was nearly $19 billion; he didnt cite a source. Compare that with research in 2017 from a conservative group, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for less immigration: $135 billion a year or about $11.25 billion a month a figure that included health care and education, plus money spent on immigration enforcement. Sen. Roy Blunt said that he thinks a compromise is possible. The president went from talking about a wall along the entire southern border at one point during the campaign ... to lets have barriers where they work and lets have something else where barriers wouldnt work as well, Blunt said. The partial federal shutdown ended Friday when Trump gave in to mounting pressure, retreating from his demand that Congress commit to the border wall funding before federal agencies could resume work. The bill he signed did not provide the money Trump wanted for a barrier, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called immoral and has insisted Congress will not finance. Mulvaney said Trump agreed to temporarily end the shutdown because some Democrats have stepped forward, publicly and privately, to say they agree with Trumps plan to better secure the border. Mulvaney said they told Trump they couldnt split with Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and work with the White House if the government remained closed. Everybody wants to look at this and say the president lost, Mulvaney said. Were still in the middle of negotiations. Read more about: A woman is facing charges after a vehicle ended up in the Courtice Community Centre Pool in Clarington, Ont., on Friday. Durham Regional Police were called to the community centre on Courtice Rd. at 8:40 a.m. where officers found a small red vehicle in the childrens pool, police said in a release. Police said officers and emergency personnel removed a 36-year-old woman from the vehicle. She was the lone occupant and wasnt hurt. No one else was in the pool at the time and there were no other injuries, police said. Police said they believed the incident was mental health related. The building sustained extensive damage. The 36-year-old is charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance, mischief and damage to property endangering life and mischief and damage to property over $5,000. She was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and was held for a bail hearing. Clarington fire crews work to remove a car from the pool at the Courtice Community Centre. Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area of the Community Centre Pool, either inside or in the parking lot, at about 8:40 a.m. on Friday. Any witnesses are asked to contact police. On Friday, they offered a potential $2,000 reward for tips. Anyone with new information is asked to contact detective constable Jeff Hilliard of the East Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1657. In a downtown courtroom Tuesday morning, self-employed landscaper Bruce McArthur pleaded guilty to murdering eight men with connections to the Gay Village. Many of his victims family members were in court to witness the plea. McArthurs victims are: Skandaraj (Skanda) Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, Majeed Kayhan, Soroush Mahmudi, Kirushnakumar Kanagaratnam, Dean Lisowick, Selim Esen and Andrew Kinsman. Many of the men had ties to the Church and Wellesley community and were of South Asian or Middle Eastern descent. Here is what we know about the men McArthur, 67, has admitted to killing: Skandaraj (Skanda) Navaratnam McArthurs first victim, Navaratnam, 40, was last seen leaving a bar in Torontos Gay Village with an unknown man in September 2010. Navaratnam moved to Canada from Sri Lanka only a few years before he went missing. Sometime in 2007 or 2008, he told his younger brother, Navaseelan Navaratnam, he was gay the rest of his family didnt know. We told him we accept you for who you are . . . but he never said anything else, and I didnt push him, the younger Navaratnam told the Star last year. Skanda Navaratnams three brothers, who live in Sri Lanka and Dubai, followed the investigation into his disappearance from afar, corresponding with his friends and Toronto police in the hopes of locating him. Friends described him as gregarious and outgoing although tight-lipped about his family. McArthur was charged with Navaratnams murder on Feb. 23, 2018, and on Tuesday admitted to killing him on or about Sept. 6, 2010. According to a brief statement of facts presented in court Tuesday, police found Navaratnams DNA on leather lacing recovered from McArthurs van. He had also kept Navaratnams bracelet. Read more: Anguished family of man missing since 2010 watch news of murders from afar Abdulbasir Faizi Faizi, 42, was an Afghan immigrant and father of two young daughters who lived in Brampton. He was reported missing on Dec. 29, 2010. His car, a 2002 Nissan Sentra, was found abandoned near St. Clair Ave. E. and Mount Pleasant Rd., not far from where McArthur worked as a landscaper. Faizi worked as a press assistant at a Mississauga industrial printing company. Those who knew him described him as quiet about his personal life, but cordial and down-to-earth. Faizi frequented the same bar where Navaratam was last seen alive, according to the bars former owner. McArthur was charged with Faizis murder on April 11, 2018, and on Tuesday admitted to killing him on or about the day he was reported missing. Read more: Missing men from Torontos Gay Village led double lives, friends say Accused serial killer Bruce McArthur has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the deaths of eight men, admitting to killings that began in 2010 and continued until late 2017. Majeed Kayhan Kayhan, 58, an Afghan immigrant to Canada, was reported missing by his adult son on Oct. 25, 2012, after he realized he hadnt seen his father in a week. Kayhans friends described him as a friendly and outgoing member of the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood since the mid-1990s who was, nonetheless, quiet about his personal life. Those who knew him in the Gay Village said he stayed at his partners apartment on Church St. He visited bars throughout the village intermittently, including the same bar where Navaratam was last seen alive where he would sing songs with the bartender. McArthur was charged with Kayhans murder on Jan. 29, 2018. His remains were later found in a ravine behind 53 Mallory Cres. the property where the others remains were also found in July 2018. McArthur on Tuesday admitted to killing Kayhan on or about Oct. 18, 2012. The murder was sexual in nature, according to the brief statement of facts. His disappearance, along with those of Navaratnam and Faizi, prompted Toronto police to launch the Project Houston investigation in November 2012. Read more: Toronto police identify remains of Majeed Kayhan, alleged victim of Bruce McArthur Soroush Mahmudi Mahmudi, 50, who was from Iran, was last seen alive in August 2015 after leaving for work from a Scarborough apartment he shared with his wife and stepson. Fareena Marezook remembered her husband as a beautiful guy with a good heart. Mahmudi loved to cook, she said, and worked hard at his job as a professional painter. The day he disappeared, Mahmudi had woken up early to make breakfast for his stepson before leaving the house, she said. Marezook told the Star she did not know if Mahmudi visited the Gay Village, saying she had held out hope he would come back after his disappearance. It is unclear how McArthur and Mahmudi met. McArthur was charged with Mahmudis murder on Jan 29., 2018, and on Tuesday admitted to killing him on or about Aug. 15, 2015. The murder was sexual in nature, according to the brief statement of facts. Police also found a coat that contained Mahmudis DNA in McArthurs van. The coat was connected to how McArthur staged several of his victims bodies. Read more: Murder victims wife tells of love story turned wrenching tragedy Kirushnakumar Kanagaratnam Kanagaratnam, 37, a Tamil-speaking refugee from Sri Lanka, was never reported missing. According to childhood friend Kajendthiran Shanmuganathan, Kanagaratnam fled his home country during its civil war, joining 491 other asylum-seekers aboard the MV Sun Sea on a roughly 100-day journey to Canada. When he arrived, he was held at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre in British Columbia, before later moving to Ontario. Kanagaratnam worked odd jobs and long hours for a while before his asylum claim was rejected. Fearing persecution at home, where his younger brother was shot and killed during the civil war, Kanagaratnam then went underground. In August 2015, he stopped contacting his friends and family who had thought he was hiding from deportation. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... On March 5, 2018, Toronto police released a photograph of a then-unidentified man they believed to be a victim of McArthur. The man was identified as Kanagaratnam the next month. His family in Sri Lanka found out about his death through cousins living in Toronto. McArthur was charged with Kanagaratnams murder on April 16, 2018, and on Tuesday admitted to killing him on or about Jan. 6, 2016. The murder was sexual in nature, according to the brief statement of facts. Read more: They thought he was hiding: The story behind the Tamil migrant believed to be Bruce McArthurs eighth victim Toronto Police Det. David Dickinson says he hopes Bruce McArthurs guilty plea on Tuesday means closure. McArthur pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of men who went missing from Torontos gay village. Dean Lisowick Lisowick, 47, was last seen on April 21, 2016, walking out the doors of the Scott Mission, a Spadina Ave. shelter he had called home on and off since 2003. Lisowick was born in Canada, but little else is known about his background or family. For part of his childhood he was a crown ward, a detail shared by childhood friend Jeremiah Holmes who was about seven years old when Lisowick came to the foster home they both shared. Holmes said the two became as close as brothers and spent time outdoors, exploring burnt out buildings and chasing bullfrogs. Lisowick was never reported missing. Those who knew Lisowick at the Scott Mission described him as generous, respectful and a hard worker. Shelter staff recalled his patience and gentleness. Although he sometimes lost track of time and missed curfew, he always tried not to make any trouble, shelter staff told the Star. He was in and out of the Scott Mission and the nearby Hope shelter, now closed, for more than a decade, but strove to find work as a cleaner or yard worker whenever he could, they said. McArthur was charged with Lisowicks murder on Jan. 29, 2018, and on Tuesday admitted to killing him on or about April 23, 2016. The murder was sexual in nature, according to the brief statement of facts. Police found Lisowicks jewelry in McArthurs apartment. Read more: Scott Mission was like home for alleged serial killer victim Dean Lisowick Selim Esen Esen, 44, an immigrant from Turkey who frequented the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood, was reported missing in April 2017. According to friend Richard Harrop, Esen lived in Istanbul and followed a former partner to Canada. He briefly went back to Turkey when things didnt work out, but later returned to settle in Toronto, Harrop said. He described his friend as loving, tender-hearted and gentle, the type of person who loved to help others. McArthur was arrested and charged with Esens murder on Jan. 18, 2018, and on Tuesday admitted to killing him on or about April 16, 2017. The murder was sexual in nature, according to the brief statement of facts. Police found evidence Esen had been confined with ropes during the murder. Police also found Esens DNA inside McArthurs van, and on a murder weapon also in the van. McArthur kept Esens notebook in his apartment. Read more: Friend remembers Selim Esen as a kind, loving man Andrew Kinsman Kinsman, 49, went missing from the Gay Village in June 2017 after friends found he did not show up for work at Toronto HIV/AIDS Network. In the months after Kinsman went missing, his friends and family joined together to comb the Gay Village, Cabbagetown and the Don Valley for an explanation for his uncharacteristic disappearance. Within the Church and Wellesley community, his disappearance led to growing concerns that a number of disappearances may have been related. On Jan. 18, 2018, police intervened after observing a young man entering McArthurs apartment. The man is found tied up but unharmed. McArthur was arrested the same day and charged with the murders of Kinsman and Esen. McArthur on Tuesday admitted to killing Kinsman on or about June 26, 2017. The murder was sexual in nature, according to the brief statement of facts. Police found evidence Kinsman had been confined with ropes during the murder. Police also found Kinsmans calendar, which had an entry for Bruce, and Kinsmans DNA and a murder weapon in McArthurs van. Read more: In heat, rain and snow, the tireless search for Andrew Kinsman went on OTTAWACanadas foreign-affairs minister says the federal government is trying to get consular access to a Canadian man arrested in Macau over the weekend on fraud allegations. Chrystia Freeland says the government has no reason to believe that the 61-year-olds arrest is linked with the cases of two other men detained in China in apparent retaliation for Canadas arrest of a top Huawei Technologies executive. The South China Morning Post, citing local media, said the Canadian is accused of trying to defraud an unnamed entertainment company of $375 million. The newspaper says the man, whose full name is not given, allegedly tried to use fake papers to transfer the money from the companys account to an account in Hong Kong. Macaus Judiciary Police say in a statement online that officials arrested the man as he was about to leave the gambling hub. Police say he is charged with falsifying documents and attempted fraud. Read more: U.S. unveils 23 criminal charges against Chinas Huawei as Ottawa fights to free two Canadians detained by Beijing in retaliation China reacts with warnings to Canada and U.S. to drop charges, Meng extradition Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou scheduled for new March court date in extradition The latest arrest comes in the midst of testy diplomatic relations between the two countries. Two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, have been detained in China since December for allegedly endangering national security. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Their arrests came shortly after Canadian authorities in Vancouver arrested Meng Wanzhou, a senior executive with Chinese firm Huawei Technologies, who is wanted by the U.S. on fraud charges. On Saturday, it was announced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had fired John McCallum as Canadas ambassador to China after he twice weighed in on the high-stakes extradition case. Another Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, received a death sentence for a previous drug-smuggling conviction, a harsher penalty than the 15 years of imprisonment hed already been given. Read more about: OTTAWACanadas foreign ministry says it is prepared to do everything it can to ensure the safety of a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy by Pakistans top court. The decision handed down Tuesday by the court upholds an October acquittal of Asia Bibi and clears the final legal obstacle for her to seek asylum. Global Affairs Canada is calling Bibis case a priority and says it is focused on ensuring her and her familys safety. Bibis lawyer, Saiful Malook, said in an op-ed in the Washington Post last month that his clients most likely destination would be Canada if she was able to leave Pakistan. And this fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Agence France-Presse in Paris that Canada was in discussions with the Pakistani government over the case, but declined to comment further, citing a delicate domestic context. Following Bibis October acquittal, radical religious parties in Pakistan protested in the streets, calling for the killing of judges who acquitted Bibi and the overthrow of Prime Minister Imran Khans government. Read more: Pakistan upholds acquittal of woman in blasphemy case Pakistan acquits Christian woman facing death for blasphemy The Latest: Pakistani Christian woman freed over blasphemy They also filed a last-minute appeal for a review of the Supreme Court acquittal. Global Affairs is now urging Pakistans government to take all necessary steps to keep Bibi safe. We are working with like-minded friends and allies on this issue, the department said in a statement. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, and must be fully respected. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Read more about: THUNDER BAYAn Ontario judge has ordered a stay of proceedings in the case of an inmate whose four-year stint in segregation sparked a public debate on the use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities. However, a publication ban prevents the disclosure of all evidence and submissions made in Adam Capays case until late February, when the appeal period will end. Capay, who left the Thunder Bay courthouse accompanied by his family Monday, was held in segregation at a Thunder Bay jail for 52 months while awaiting trial in the 2012 death of another inmate. He was in a Plexiglas cell with the lights on 24 hours a day. His case came to light in 2016 after a guard tipped off Ontarios human rights commissioner when she was visiting the 90-year-old Thunder Bay facility. He was moved to a standard cell shortly afterward, but was still kept separate from the general population. Capays case prompted the provincial government to order a review of the use of segregation in jails. It also announced a 15-consecutive-day limit on inmates being held in disciplinary segregation, down from 30. Read more: Years after landmark case, some Ontario inmates with mental health issues still segregated for months at a time, ministry data dump reveals Murder and segregation: the story of Adam Capay and Sherman Quisses Inmate in solitary for four years alarms rights commission The review, released in 2017, called for an end to indefinite segregation of inmates in the provinces jails, but stopped short of urging an outright ban on the practice. The provinces ombudsman has also urged the government to end indefinite segregation and said no inmate should be kept in isolation for more than 60 days in a year. Joelle Farrows travel-weary body might have preferred a soft hotel bed. But her money-conscious mind had other ideas. So she dropped her backpack on the floor for a pillow and curled up in a corner at one of Tokyos airports to wait out the 11-hour delay of her flight home to Toronto. Sacrificing comfort, she figures, saved her well over $100. Farrow, 23, is a splurgetter, a traveller who follows a tight budget on some aspects of their trip so they can splurge on other things. Its a growing trend that was recently documented in a Canadian survey commissioned by online travel company Skyscanner. Forty-five per cent of travellers in the survey said they had cut corners on holidays, with flying economy ranking as the top practice. But methods got a little unorthodox from there: one in 10 had slept in an airport or train station and almost four in 10 said they skipped drinks or drank water. One in five even trimmed the fat by giving meals a miss. The survey revealed that Canadian travellers are strategic about how and where they spend their budget, Skyscanner spokesperson Marissa Hills says of last falls online poll of 1,510 people, conducted by research firm Maru/Blue. Many are willing to go a long way and be creative to fund their bucket-list adventures, she adds. For Farrow, a globe-trotting influencer, YouTuber, and actress (she appeared in Degrassi: The Next Generation), cost is always the first thing I take into consideration. With passport stamps from seven countries and three continents last year alone, she looks for deals on Skyscanner, a free, all-in-one search engine for flights, hotels and car rentals. But Farrow, a foodie and devotee of other cultures and lifestyles, also flies by the seat of her pants when it comes to pecuniary practices. Take portion sizes on last years surfing vacation in Nicaragua, for example. One order of avocado toast was breakfast for two, says Farrow, whose sister Josslyn spent the week with her. Money saved from splitting meals went toward surfboard and ATV rentals. They also splurgetted by spending five nights in a hostel for $25 or $30 a night then paying twice the price for two nights in a beautiful Airbnb with mountain views and more privacy. Sometimes thrift and luxury intersect, like the day the two women rented a $40 beach hut with hammocks, Wi-Fi and a personal server to fetch drinks. By sharing the space with two others, they only paid $10 each. Saving up for a trip first and sticking to a travel budget are super important to millennial money expert Jessica Moorhouse, who travelled for business and pleasure six or seven times in 2018. But the Toronto blogger and accredited financial counsellor says she cant have a good travel experience without banking on things that will create memories and stories to tell. Im all about the food. Thats where we splurge delicious food and delicious wine, she says of vacations with her husband. Sightseeing also ranks high on her must-do list. A visit to Mexico, for example, wouldnt have measured up without exploring the Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza, Moorhouse says. In Thailand a few years ago, an excursion to a beautiful temple was financed by the money saved sleeping in a hotel room without air conditioning. Even pricey Paris became more budget-friendly when the couple opted to spend six nights in an Airbnb no-frills room with a bed in the heart of the city for $1,000. A hotel room would have cost way more than that, she points out. Moorhouse and Farrow offer other tips for stretching those vacation bucks: Reduce the price of excursions by joining other travellers to go as a group. Walk and use local transit instead of cabs to save money and see places off the beaten tourist path. Save on phone charges by downloading maps and routes in advance. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Use websites that offer real-time cost comparisons or price alerts about the cheapest times to travel. Visit countries that are more affordable. Thailand, for example, is a better budget-stretcher than European countries. Doing business the Canadian way. What does that mean precisely? I posed that question a year ago when the federal government announced the creation of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, or CORE. Ottawas new initiative was broadly welcomed. COREs predecessor, the Office of the Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility, went from having no profile and no powers in its early years, to a period of dormancy, to a brief revival during which it had no budget and administrative support for only three months of the year. In its 2016-17 annual report the office noted it had to request financial support for every event and activity, and that its attempts to open the door to dialogue with industry players in the extractive sector oil and gas and mining had met with limited success. The office was formally wound down in May of last year. Its final report to Parliament has not yet been tabled. So no surprise that the federal government drew plaudits with its CORE announcement last January. This would be a world-leading, first-of-its-kind initiative, Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said at the time. The ombud would be independent and vested with a mandate to investigate allegations of human rights abuses linked to Canadian corporate activity abroad. Twelve months later, where are we? Global Affairs Canada says that progress continues in the selection of the ombudsperson. In the interim, the Supreme Court of Canada is considering whether the case against Vancouver-based Nevsun Resources, accused of human rights violations at the copper-zinc Bisha mine it operates in Eritrea, should be allowed to proceed in a B.C. court. Nevsun denies the allegations. That case is being closely monitored by a mining industry anxious that Canada not become the forum for overseas activities, especially, as is the case here, when Nevsun argues that the practices in question forced labour fell under the control of the Eritrean state. And shoppers in the U.K. are up in arms over Spice Girls T-shirts sewn, according to the Guardian, by women workers in Bangladesh making less than a living wage through 16-hour days. The T-shirts, ironically, were part of a gender justice charity campaign. A number of retailers in the U.K. have since been swept up in the investigation of the same Bangladeshi factory. The issues of subcontracting, transparency and on-the-ground auditing are once again at issue. On the surface, copper mining and harassed young women sewing white #IWANNABEASPICEGIRL T-shirts share no commonalities. But one of the key elements of the new responsible enterprise office was to make it multisectoral, broadening from mining and oil and gas to initially include garment manufacture and, within a year of its inception, other undefined business sectors. Time passes. Canadian consumers have not forgotten the horror of the Rana Plaza collapse, nor those images of bright-orange Joe Fresh labels among the wreckage. Attention to potential violations of human rights and the imperative to reinforce what Ottawa calls responsible business conduct have only been heightened in the sector. Ten days ago, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership entered into force in Vietnam. Much has been made of ongoing labour law reform in the country, and the side letter signed on labour as a result of the trade pact. Yet still, Vietnam has not ratified three fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization: freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and the abolition of forced labour. That casts a long shadow against the Liberals proclamation that progressive trade only succeeds when it works for everyone. What does CORE hope to achieve? The promised independent fact-finding suggests it will push beyond the field trips conducted by its predecessor, where a country tour was frequently contained to international offices removed from actual mine site operations. But accomplishing that will require establishing robust in-country alliances. How such collaborations will work has not been made clear. At the time of Champagnes announcement, there were no details on funding, beyond a broad pledge that the office will operate with a budget sufficient to allow him/her to conduct complex collaborative and independent investigations. The power of the office was similarly opaque, beyond rescinding government support services such as trade advocacy, sanctions that were available to COREs predecessor. And then theres the transparency piece. As I have written previously, in the absence of collaborative resolutions, real-time reports on infractions and remedies should be publicly disclosed. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The government has now had a year to fine-tune its pledge that Canada will lead the charge in the new gold standard for international business operations. We should expect the announcement of the ombudsperson any day now, and a firm outline as to how the office will function. If that doesnt happen, the CORE initiative can be pushed over to the promises-not-kept side of the governments pre-election ledger. Justin Trudeaus brand of liberal diplomacy is finding some success with the global response to Venezuelas crisis, even as it falls flat elsewhere. The Canadian prime ministers top diplomat, Chrystia Freeland, is working behind the scenes to sound the alarm over the authoritarian government of Nicolas Maduro all while she tries to douse other fires abroad. China, for example, bristled at Trudeaus virtue signalling on trade even before the arrest of a Huawei Technologies Co. executive exploded into a crisis. To pressure Maduro, the Canadians hosted meetings of Venezuelas neighbours expressing joint concern, offered early support for National Assembly leader Juan Guaido and rallied other countries to speak up. This is our neighbourhood, Freeland told reporters Monday, in announcing she will reconvene the so-called Lima Group on Feb. 4 in Ottawa. It is a real priority for us to be good partners, good friends, good neighbours for our entire hemisphere. Tentative headway on Venezuela comes amid other foreign policy headaches. Canada now faces an investment freeze in Saudi Arabia, thanks to human rights advocacy; a Trudeau visit to India was roundly mocked; and the U.S. balked at his progressive agenda in renegotiating the North American trade pact. Challenging Maduro While the China and Saudi feuds lay bare the vulnerability of Canadas economy in a multipolar world, the challenge to Maduros leadership is perfectly suited to Trudeaus vision of middle-power diplomacy. It comes without much risk given Venezuelas scant leverage against the northern nation. Canadas energy industry could even benefit from U.S. sanctions against Venezuelas state-owned oil company, as Gulf Coast refiners look north to fill the gap. Read more: Canada to host Venezuela summit to support anti-Maduro forces, says Freeland Quiet Canadian diplomacy helped Guaidos anti-Maduro movement in Venezuela Canada an unlikely ally of U.S. in backing Venezuela coup Canada was a founding member of the Lima Group, struck in 2017 to press for reform in Venezuela, and the only one outside Latin America given the U.S. was excluded. The 12 countries met regularly, including a session in Canada that year after Trudeau sanctioned Maduro and other Venezuelan officials accused of human-rights abuses. Its been important for Canada to work with Venezuelas biggest neighbours, Brazil and Colombia, as well as Chile, Argentina and Peru, so that this is seen as a regional Latin American response and not a gringo response, said Ben Rowswell, ambassador to Venezuela from 2014 to 2017 and now president of the Canadian International Council, a foreign relations advocacy group. Rowswells successor at the embassy in Caracas was kicked out by Maduros government two months after Canadas targeted sanctions. Freeland has been unusually active on the Venezuela file ever since. The foreign minister spoke with Guaido by phone on Jan. 9, privately voicing Canadas support after two prominent opposition figures backed him as the consensus rival to Maduro, according to an official familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity. Freeland didnt specifically offer to back his interim presidency during that conversation, the official said. Freeland also discussed Venezuela with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Jan. 15. Canadas government and other nations anticipated major protests the following week, on the Jan. 23 anniversary of Venezuelas 1958 democratic uprising. When Guaido proclaimed himself interim president that day, the U.S., Canada and others quickly recognized him. The list includes Venezuelas neighbors Brazil and Colombia, and all but one member of the initial Lima Group. Mexico, under new president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, continues to recognize Maduro while calling for dialogue to resolve the situation. Support for Guaido is growing. The European Union has hinted it will back him unless there are new elections. Trudeau has been working the phones to raise the issue speaking this weekend with Pedro Sanchez of Spain and French President Emmanuel Macron. Saudi Spat Rowswell said the Trudeau governments position on Venezuela has been consistent with its message to other countries, including Saudi Arabia. Canada remains at odds with the kingdom, a dispute thats having an economic impact: Shares in Montreal-based SNC Lavalin Group Inc. suffered a record plunge Monday in part because of the spat. In spite of that, the former diplomat sees a moral gain from Trudeaus stand. Its clear that the international community is paying attention to what Canada has to say about human rights and democracy, Rowswell said. I dont think its because were speaking more loudly, but it might be because other countries that would have traditionally voiced those opinions, their voices have wavered the United States in particular. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... China, meanwhile, balked at Trudeaus push for labour, gender and environmental guarantees, and had warned of an investment chill after a blocked takeover of a construction company. That was before Canadas arrest in December of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou. The U.S. filed its full formal extradition request Monday, and Canada is still pushing for the release of two Canadians seized by Chinese state security nine days after Mengs detention in Vancouver. On Venezuela, Trudeau has some support domestically. The Conservative Party, his main opposition, condemned Maduros government as illegitimate. The left-leaning New Democrats, however, say Canada shouldnt simply follow U.S. foreign policy. Against that backdrop, Freeland is preparing to host the Lima Group in the Canadian capital. We now call upon Nicolas Maduro to cede power to the National Assembly, the only remaining democratically elected institution in Venezuela in line with that countrys constitution, she said Monday. Read more about: Toronto-Dominion Bank is seeking to win back customers with home-equity loans even as concerns grow over elevated consumer debt amid a slowing Canadian economy. A push for a greater market share of home-equity lines of credit, or helocs, is part of this years strategy for Teri Currie, group head of Canadian personal banking at the countrys largest lender by assets. She wants Toronto-Dominion to be No. 1 in all areas of banking, and she maintains the companys No. 4 position for these hybrid home loans pitched as mortgage substitutes doesnt cut it. Our goal is to be the undisputed leader in all categories of Canadian banking, Currie, 54, said in an interview last week at the Toronto headquarters. We are below our embedded growth opportunity in that product in particular, so I continue to feel comfortable that on a relative basis well have pretty good growth. Canadas economy is cooling after years of growth fuelled by real estate investment and consumer borrowing, and as higher interest rates and regulations bite into the housing market. Such a backdrop, along with near-record household debt levels, is making policy-makers skittish about borrowing burdens. Government watch The governments Financial Consumer Agency of Canada targeted home-equity credit lines in a report this month, noting that about a quarter of Canadians with such debt are paying only interest. Over the past 15 years, helocs have been the largest contributor to household debt outside of mortgages. Read more: Annual student theatre festival forms partnership with TD Bank TD nabs top spot for stock sales, M&A in a mixed year for deals Toronto-Dominions U.S. lender outshines domestic banking gains That has investor David Baskin worried about government stepping in with more rules, bringing uncertainty to banks that have profited from this lending. Helocs have become something of a hot-button issue with the debt zealots, said Baskin, whose firm Baskin Wealth Management oversees $1.2 billion (Canadian). I personally dont think they are a huge issue in Canada as long as rates are low and the loan-to-value ratios are reasonable, which they usually are. Two approaches Toronto-Dominion has two types of helocs, and while the bank has seen little growth in its non-amortizing product, another offering introduced four years ago as a heloc-mortgage hybrid has seen rapid growth. Those loans jumped 33 per cent last fiscal year to $44.1 billion, surpassing the overall size of the older product. The bank has been playing catch-up to others that have long offered such hybrid loans, and Curries effort is more designed to recapture lost business from customers who turned to rivals for those loans instead of an aggressive push for new clients. In the fourth quarter ended Oct. 31, 90 per cent of new helocs went to existing customers. The growth helped Toronto-Dominion post 10 straight months of market-share growth and post record profit in its Canadian retail business, a 10 per cent jump unmatched by domestic competitors. That outperformance really helped us in 2018, she said. Portfolio growth Toronto-Dominion is likely to increase its home-loans portfolio by mid single digits in 2019, after last years 6 per cent growth rate, according to Currie. Currie said shes comfortable with the risks to the bank and its customers, noting that a large majority of its borrowers make principal repayments regularly in those amortizing loans. Other priorities include gaining more business from business credit cards and mutual funds. Toronto-Dominion has added training for investment advisers in its branches to help them improve customer conversations and the banks No. 2 standing in funds. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Split up The overall strategy under Currie, who has headed Canadian banking for three years, hasnt deviated much as the bank continues to push extended branch hours and convenience. Still, the bar to poach customers remains high. Theyre basically as good as the rest, Baskin said, adding that taking market share is tough. Its very difficult because of the size of the Canadian market for any of the banks to gain a huge advantage over the other banks in Canada: its entrenched customers, the market is pretty split up and theres a lot of inertia. Read more about: (TNS) 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 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 for 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." SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. wont reveal the location of a serious problem in its mining business that fuelled an epic share rout Monday. But analysts are pointing the finger at Chile. AltaCorp Capital, Desjardins Capital Markets, Canaccord Genuity and Raymond James say a copper mine run by Codelco, Chiles state-owned copper producer, is the probable source of SNCs pain. SNC Chief Executive Officer Neil Bruce declined to identify the project in question, saying only that the troubled contract had been awarded in 2016. Based on that date, the contract is likely an engineering, procurement and construction contract for the construction of sulphuric acid plants for Codelco, AltaCorps Chris Murray said Tuesday in a note. The mystery mining fiasco contributed Monday to the biggest decline in more than 25 years for Montreal-based SNC, which also took a hit from a writedown on its business in Saudi Arabia amid a diplomatic tussle with Canada. SNC is working to extricate itself from a pending legal showdown with Canadian prosecutors over past corruption charges. The lack of a settlement with Canada has probably cost SNC more than $5 billion in lost revenue and continues to damage its reputation internationally, Bruce told Bloomberg TV in an interview last month. Daniela Pizzuto, a spokeswoman for SNC in Montreal, declined to comment on whether Codelco was the source of the problems. Codelco also declined to comment. Client satisfaction Part of the reason for the troubled projects cost overruns stemmed from a desire to satisfy the client, which led SNC to forgo its risk-mitigation processes, Bruce told analysts on a conference call Monday. The CEO said the project would be completed by the start of the second quarter. SNC-Lavalin announced two contracts with Codelco in November 2016. One involved the replacement of an effluent treatment plant at the Chuquicamata copper smelter in northern Chile to comply with new environmental regulations. The second was for the construction of two sulphuric acid plants at the same location. The smelter halted operations in December and was expected to resume in February, but now Codelco says it will be offline through March. The work is taking longer than expected in part because the miner first thought it could meet requirements with an upgrade of old plants, but later decided to build new facilities, Codelco Chief Executive Officer Nelson Pizarro has said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Read more about: Peter Nygard has exhausted the patience of a Bahamian Supreme Court judge, who ordered the Canadian retail magnate arrested after he repeatedly failed to show for sentencing. Cheryl Grant-Thompson issued the bench warrant Monday after Nygard failed to show up to be sentenced for contempt, according to Save the Bays, an environmental group his neighbor, hedge fund founder Louis Bacon, helped found. Nygard was found to be in contempt of court last year after allegedly dredging the sea floor near his Bahamas residence in 2015 and 2016, despite a 2013 injunction blocking him from doing so, according to Save the Bays. Grant-Thompson said she had zero tolerance for Nygards failure to follow her orders. Nygard was due to be sentenced on the contempt finding, but failed to show two weeks ago, last week and again on Monday. Save the Bays -- which has been fighting the fashion designer -- has claimed Nygard almost doubled the size of his property, from 3.25 acres in 1984 to 6.1 acres in 2012, by illegally dredging the nearby sea bed and constructing ocean walls to limit water flow and increase beachfront. Jay Prober, a Canadian attorney who represents Nygard, said lawyers for the 77-year-old have already appealed the bench warrant order. It was grossly unfair and totally unnecessary, Prober said in a telephone interview Tuesday. He fully intended to appear in court in the Bahamas. Read more: Nygard falls out of fashion over supply chain transparency: Wells The key to changing Nygards supply chain policy may lie with the consumer: Wells Canadian moguls Bahamian paradise stirs up controversy Nygard was unable to go because of a medical condition, Prober said. He said his client was taken to a hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday after feeling dizzy during a flight and worried he might be having a stroke. More on the Nygard-Bacon feud here A doctor in the Bahamas filed an affidavit indicating that it could be fatal for Nygard to travel at this time. Given the serious condition of Mr. Nygard, he should not travel to expose himself to additional medical dangers," Lynwood Brown wrote in the affadavit, which also included pictures of Nygard being examined in what appeared to be a hospital room. Nygard was willing to appear by video from Winnipeg, Prober said. There was no basis for a warrant to issue in civil proceedings like this, Prober said. This judge didnt even have jurisdiction to do this. Decade-old battle Nygard and Bacon have battled for more than a decade, suing and countersuing in courts in the Bahamas and Manhattan. Nygard has claimed that Bacon wants to drive him off his property. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... A spokesman for Bacon declined to comment on the arrest warrant. Nygards property was seized by the Bahamian court in September for his failure to pay more than $3 million in legal fees to Save the Bays. Prober told the Toronto-based National Post newspaper that Nygard paid the fines in November and the property was returned to him. Nygard, born in Finland, founded Nygard International in 1967. The maker of womens wear has expanded to more than 170 dedicated stores in North America, according to its website. CALGARY - A lack of export pipeline capacity means Canada will not be able to boost shipments to take advantage of U.S. sanctions against Venezuelas national oil company, analysts say. The sanctions announced Monday against PDVSA are designed to interrupt the flow of oil money to the government of President Nicolas Maduro, putting pressure on him to step aside and allow opposition leader Juan Guaido to fill in as interim president. Mexico and Iraq are instead most likely to benefit in the race to replace Venezuela heavy crude imported for processing at refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast, analysts at RBC Capital Markets said in a report. While the general belief is that Canadian heavy barrels should benefit with the demise of Venezuela, the notional degree of market share up for grabs for Canada is not as large as for competing countries, they said. Until the ongoing pipeline issues are addressed, crude-by-rail is simply not as scalable as increased shipments from Mexico or Iraq. More importantly, Canada does not have much of a footprint at key refiners of Venezuelan crudes. Its unclear how much Venezuelan oil will be diverted because, under the sanctions, U.S. refiners will still be able to buy oil from PDVSA but the proceeds from the transactions will be set aside for the use of a new government in Venezuela. The country sends about 40 per cent of its 1.3 million barrels per day of oil exports to the United States, RBC noted. It added those shipments have fallen to about 505,000 barrels per day from over 900,000 bpd earlier this decade and Venezuela now supplies only 13 U.S. refiners, down from 22 seven years ago. Western Canada is the third-largest supplier behind Mexico and Venezuela to the U.S. Gulf Coast region but it is plagued by egress and policy challenges, RBC said. If a shortage of heavy crude develops in the U.S. as expected, it will likely increase prices throughout the North American market, including in Canada, said Kevin Birn, vice-president of North American crude oil markets for IHS Markit. Over the past three or four years, as Venezuelan production has plummeted, weve seen a tightening of the heavy oil market and we think Canadians have benefited in that the price difference between light and heavy globally has tightened, he said. That said, the local differential (due to market access limits) has muted or covered or eroded the majority of that potential benefit to Canadians. The Alberta governments production curtailment program that began Jan. 1 designed to draw down a glut of trapped oil in Western Canada means there is less oil available to increase exports, he said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Even if that program was halted, there wouldnt be enough capacity on pipeline or rail to greatly increase shipments south, he said. Follow @HealingSlowly on Twitter. VANCOUVER - The clock is ticking for Canada to decide whether to proceed with a high-profile extradition case involving a senior executive of Huawei Technologies, which has touched off furor in diplomatic relations with China. A British Columbia court heard Tuesday that the United States has issued a formal extradition request for Meng Wanzhou, the companys chief financial officer and daughter of its founder. Meng was arrested Dec. 1 at Vancouvers airport on a request from U.S. authorities. Canadas Department of Justice now has until March 1 to determine whether to issue an authority to proceed, which authorizes an extradition hearing. If Canada issues that authority, Meng would next appear in court March 6 and hearing dates would be set. B.C. Supreme Court Justice William Ehrcke said proceedings could still take some time. I have no idea whether were looking at months or years, he said. At this point, thats completely unknown. It will become clearer as time progresses. Canada has a treaty with the U.S. that obligates it to co-operate with extradition requests. The treaty requires that the conduct for which extradition is sought be considered criminal in both countries. If an extradition hearing is held and a judge commits Meng for extradition, Justice Minister David Lametti would ultimately determine whether she would be extradited to face charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit both. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Lametti acknowledged legal procedures can be complex. By the time all the individuals rights are exhausted they can take a long time, he added. I only will have to make a decision at the end of the process, if and only if there is an actual extradition order. I would have the final say in executing that order, yes. The U.S. Department of Justice laid out its case Monday against Meng and Huawei. Both Meng and the company have denied any wrongdoing. The indictment, based on 23 grand jury allegations, accuses Huawei and Meng of misrepresenting their ownership of a Hong Kong-based subsidiary between 2007 and 2017 in an effort to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran. The companys U.S. branch is also accused of stealing trade secrets and equipment from cellphone provider T-Mobile USA. Meng, 46, has been free on bail since Dec. 11, living in one of her two multimillion dollar homes in Vancouver while wearing an electronic tracking device and being monitored by a security company. Meng and her husband provided $7.5 million in cash for the $10-million bail and the rest was covered by four sureties, including three people who put up their homes as a deposit and a fourth who brought a $50,000 certified cheque to the court. On Tuesday, Ehrcke agreed to replace the woman who brought the cheque with a couple who have agreed to put up their home and some money as a surety. The court also heard that Meng has beefed up her defence team. In addition to criminal defence lawyer David Martin, she will also be represented by several other attorneys including Vancouver-based Richard Peck and associates from his firm. Peck is known for acting as an independent prosecutor for Ontario in the dangerous driving and negligence case against former attorney general Michael Bryant in the death of a cyclist, in which Crown prosecutors ultimately withdrew the charges. He later worked as a special prosecutor for B.C. in the death of Robert Dziekanski, a Polish immigrant who died after police stunned him with a Taser in Vancouvers airport. Also joining the team is Toronto-based criminal defence lawyer Scott Fenton. He represented David Del Mastro, who was acquitted of running a scheme to funnel money to the political campaign of his cousin, former Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro. Meng did not comment as she rushed from court Tuesday to a black SUV waiting for her in a parkade. Chinas foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the U.S. is using its national power to tarnish the image of and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations. We once again urge the U.S. side to immediately drop its arrest warrant and formal extradition request for Ms. Meng Wanzhou, it said. We also urge the Canadian side to take Chinas solemn position seriously, immediately release Ms. Meng Wanzhou and ensure her lawful and legitimate rights and interests, and stop pulling the chestnuts out of the fire for the U.S. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Members of the U.S. Senate intelligence committee were briefed Tuesday about global counterintelligence perils. The Huawei case was mentioned only indirectly, but intelligence officials described Chinas ongoing quest for global superiority. Chinas pursuit of intellectual property, sensitive research and development plans and U.S. personal data remains a significant threat to the U.S. government and the private sector, said Dan Coats, the U.S. director of national intelligence. With files from Mia Rabson and Mike Blanchfield in Ottawa and James McCarten in Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Justice laid out its case Monday against Canadas most famous corporate detainee, unsealing 13 criminal counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction against Chinese tech juggernaut Huawei Technologies and arrested telecom scion Meng Wanzhou. The indictment, based on 23 grand jury allegations, accuses Huawei and Meng the companys chief financial officer and daughter of its founder of misrepresenting their ownership of a Hong Kong-based subsidiary between 2007 and 2017 to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran. The companys U.S. branch is also accused of stealing trade secrets and equipment from cellphone provider T-Mobile USA. And it was unsealed on the very day that the Trump administration announced new high-level trade talks with China, fuelling questions about whether the two are linked questions the White House batted down. Canadas Department of Justice confirmed late Monday that officials had received the formal request from the United States for Mengs extradition. Her case is scheduled to return to B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Meng, who is free on bail in Vancouver after her arrest Dec. 1 at the behest of U.S. authorities, is charged with bank fraud, wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit both. Huawei and its subsidiary Skycom face charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, as well as of violating the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act the sanctions law. Huawei and Huawei USA are also charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice related to the grand jury investigation. The alleged conduct bore the hallmarks not of rogue actors, but of corporate-sponsored behaviour that was directed as company policy, acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told a news conference. These are very serious actions by a company that appears to be using corporate espionage and sanctions violations to not only enhance, potentially, their bottom line, but also to compete in the world economy, Whitaker said. This is something the United States will not stand for, and were going to continue to investigate and prosecute these types of cases, because ultimately it undermines the national security and economic security of our country. Whitaker confirmed that the department is proceeding with its extradition efforts against Meng in accordance with the existing timetable, which requires that the formal request be registered with the Canadian courts by Wednesday. Both he and FBI Director Christopher Wray proffered thanks to their Canadian counterparts for their help and, in Whitakers words, their steadfast commitment to the rule of law. The indictment alleges that beginning in 2007, Huawei falsely claimed that Skycom was not an affiliate, and denied operating in Iran or violating U.S. sanctions. When news reports in 2013 found that it was, Huawei employees, and in particular Meng, continued to lie to Huaweis banking partners about Huaweis relationship with Skycom, the department says in a brief on the case. They claimed that Huawei had sold its stake in Skycom a sale the U.S. alleges was orchestrated ... to appear as an arms-length transaction between two unrelated parties, when in fact Huawei actually controlled the company that purchased Skycom. Meng, the brief continues, made a presentation in August 2013 to a banking executive in which she repeatedly lied about the links between the two. Both sets of charges expose Huaweis brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace, Wray said. Huawei responded by denying that it or its affiliates have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments. Huawei is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, it said in a statement, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion. Mengs arrest at Vancouver International Airport touched off a political furor marked by days of angry anti-Canada rhetoric from Chinas foreign ministry, culminating Sunday in the firing of John McCallum as Canadas ambassador to China. McCallum, formerly a longtime Liberal MP and cabinet minister, had publicly expressed confidence in Mengs case against any U.S. extradition order. McCallum, who apologized for his original remarks, later seemed to make matters worse by saying publicly that it would be good for Canada if the extradition effort were unsuccessful. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Sunday he had asked for and received McCallums resignation. But McCallum wasnt the only one to raise eyebrows with public remarks. President Donald Trumps own musings fuelled speculation that the U.S. might be planning to use the case as leverage in its trade negotiations with China. Whatevers good for this country, I would do, Trump said in an interview with Reuters just 10 days after Mengs arrest. If I think its good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made, which is a very important thing ... I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary. Less than an hour before the Department of Justice news conference was to begin on Monday, the White House announced that its team of high-level economic advisers would meet a delegation from China on Wednesday for two days of trade talks. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will take part in the discussions, along with the presidents economic adviser Larry Kudlow and trade adviser Peter Navarro. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders insisted, however, that the two developments were unrelated. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Those two things are not linked; theyre a totally separate process, Sanders said. The negotiations on the trade front will continue to be ongoing. The meetings are part of what Trump agreed to with Chinese President Xi Jinping during meetings last year in Argentina, where they hatched a plan to spend 90 days talking about what it would take for the two countries to forge a trade alliance. Trump has made levelling the playing field with China, a notoriously difficult and powerful trading partner, a cornerstone of his presidency. With files from The Associated Press TORONTOBikes, booze and e-scooters are part of Uber Canadas plans for the country in 2019. Managers from the U.S.-based tech giant revealed Monday priorities they have for the Canadian market in the year ahead, that they say are meant to grow the giant ride-hailing and food delivery company and offer a handful of new services to customers. The bulk of the companys 2019 Canada priorities appear to centre on removing cars from roadways. We want the Uber app on your cellphone to provide you with access to each type of transit that is relevant for you, Uber Canadas general manager Rob Khazzam said. That means in the future you are going to open the app and not just see Uber X or an ExpressPool or a Pool in a high-end vehicle. We are going to increasingly be providing you with access to different modes of transportation that better the journey you are going on. He hinted that Canadians could soon see public transit partnerships like the company has arranged with Masabi, a mobile ticketing firm that works with transit systems including New York, Boston and Los Angeles. He also teased that e-scooters and bikes are headed Canadas way, but wouldnt share when or where. There will be some nuance as is always the case for Canada and the wonderful weather we have here, he said, a quip at the snow that was falling outside Ubers office in Toronto. We tend to be nimble in how we expand. We really want to get things right. Particularly for a new mode of transportation, we are going to be really thoughtful in how we test that and demo it. Uber has partnered with New York-based Jump to bring e-scooters and pedal-assisted electric bikes with GPS to a handful of U.S. cities, but has not delivered the offerings to Canadians. California-based rival Lime has been piloting its e-scooters in Waterloo, Ont. and Bird has reportedly been looking at expanding into the Canadian market. Jump, Lime and Bird have all faced flak because most of their offerings are dockless, allowing users to pick up or leave e-scooters and bikes wherever they chose. In some cities, it has meant abandoned e-scooters and bikes littering streets and sidewalks. Social media has also seen posts in recent months featuring people destroying e-scooters by throwing them off buildings, lighting them on fire, dumping them in the ocean and smashing them on concrete. As with all types of business and every part of Uber safety is a major consideration, Khazzam stressed. Expect us, if we do launch those services, to have a point of view on that and be proactive on educating our riders. The company has its sights sets on broadening its Uber Eats offerings. Dan Park, the head of Uber Eats Canada, said his team is exploring expanding alcohol delivery to provinces beyond B.C., where the service was launched last year. Ontario and Quebec, he said, are among the markets his team are eyeing first because of their large size and the potential to partner with the LCBO and SAQ, but he sees rolling the service out across the country. Each province has their own regulatory framework around that, he said. There is a really great (opportunity) around pairing food with wine or beer and we want to focus on that. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Park also indicated that Uber Eats could edge into the territory of Ritual, a Toronto-based app that lets users order restaurant food through their app and pick it up. We have to offer as many options as possible, he said. In-dining solutions, whether it is takeout or even in-restaurant are things we are continuing to look at. Follow @Tara_Deschamps on Twitter. Read more about: Patrick Ryan Watertown Public Opinion PARK CITY, Utah Here's a sentence we never thought we'd be writing in 2019: A new movie has been accused of making Ted Bundy a sex symbol. That's right. When the trailer for "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" debuted online ahead of the drama's Sundance Film Festival premiere late Saturday night, some Twitter users were up in arms over how it appeared to sexualize the serial killer (played by Zac Efron), who confessed to murdering at least 30 women before he was sent to the electric chair in 1979. The two-minute trailer begins with a passionate montage of Bundy and his girlfriend, Liz Kendall (Lily Collins), dancing, kissing and stripping down to their underwear. Later, Bundy grins and winks at the camera in court. "The wink is extremely disturbing and the romanticization of a serial killer is exactly why these sick (expletive) continue to do things like this to women. Notoriety," ex-Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui wrote. "This is appalling." Now that "Extremely Wicked" has been unveiled in its entirety, there are certainly uneasy moments suggesting Bundy is more Casanova than cold-blooded killer. Michael Werwie's script repeatedly comes back to his dream of a quiet family life with the wife, kids and dog and yet his smolder makes even random strangers weak-kneed. Swaths of teenage girls flock to his murder trial, calling him "dreamy" and cheering every time he takes the stand. Director Joe Berlinger also ogles Efron's chiseled, naked body in a few gratuitous shots. The camera lingers on Bundy's six-pack abs and butt as he changes into a prison uniform, and again when he has vigorous sex against a snack machine with Carole Anne Boone (Kaya Scodelario), a former flame. But rather than glorify Bundy, the intended effect is to condemn the insatiable media that made him a celebrity, with one of the first murder trials to air on national TV. While the general public swooned over his handsomeness and charm, those were the very weapons he used to lure his female victims earning their trust before he raped and decapitated them. Berlinger attempts to bring Bundy's story into the #MeToo era by making Liz a living victim, and never depicting any scenes of violence against women until the movie's final minutes. It's an idea that's more noble in its intent than execution, according to mixed early reactions to "Extremely Wicked." "Extremely Wicked" is Berlinger's latest project about Bundy, joining Netflix docuseries "Conversations with A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes," which he also directed. The film is still seeking distribution. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Does Zac Efron movie sexualize serial killer Ted Bundy? Critics are split Description GIS - 29 January, 2019: Two books entitled No Roses Without Thorns by Bima Bappoo and PEICH-O-KHAM by Abeenaaz Janally was launched, yesterday, during a ceremony organised by the Presidents Fund for Creative Writing (PFCW), under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture, at Le Voila Hotel, Bagatelle. Two books entitled No Roses Without Thorns by Bima Bappoo and PEICH-O-KHAM by Abeenaaz Janally was launched, yesterday, during a ceremony organised by The Director of Culture, Mr Islam Bhugan, the Chairperson of the PFCW, Mrs Anita Aujayeb and other personalities were present at the event. In his address, Mr Bhugan highlighted that the Fund finances schemes to encourage and assist deserving Mauritian writers wishing to have their creative writings published as well as promotes creative writing in all languages written and spoken in Mauritius. The setting up of a network among educational institutions in Mauritius in order to promote creative writing in all genres and the compilation and publication of regular anthologies also fall under the purview of the Fund. Furthermore, he laid emphasis on the reading culture which according to him will help raise awareness on social, political, economic and cultural issues, thereby contributing to a better world. To this regard, Mr Bhugan, urged the population to adopt a reading culture as well as instill the reading culture in their children from the very childhood. For her part, Mrs Aujayeb recalled that the PFCW, was set up in year 2000 under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture with the aim to promote creative writing in English language . In July 2010, under the Fund, new regulations were made to propagate and preserve creative writings of other languages written and spoken in Mauritius, she added. Urgent appeal for AB Negative blood An urgent appeal for AB Negative blood donors has been made after a Russian tourist, 69, was admitted to Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday (Jan 28) with coronary heart disease. Tuesday 29 January 2019, 06:43PM The required AB Negative blood donations can be given at two locations in Phuket. The head of Vachira Phuket Hospitals International Department, Ms. Methanee Maneesri said, The patient needs surgery and requires eight units of blood for the operation. This is why we are appealing for donors to come forward. We have also requested the help of the Russian Embassy to find donors, Ms Methanee said. Miss Vathu O-art from the Thai Red Cross Phuket Regional Blood Centre said, AB Negative is a rare blood type and The Red Cross have limited amounts. Currently we have only one unit as we have to distribute blood in Phuket and along the Andaman coast and it cannot be stored for long, Miss Vathu O-art added. Blood donations can be made at the following locations: The Blood Bank on the 4th floor of Vachira Phuket Hospital The centre is open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm. Weekends and holidays 8.30am-3pm. Telephone: 076-361234. Thai Red Cross Phuket Regional Blood Centre, Phuket Town The centre is open : Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am to 8pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 9am to 3pm Telephone: 076-251178 or 081-9588854 Thailand welcomed record 38.27mn tourists in 2018 THAILAND: Thailand saw a record 38.27 million tourists in 2018, up 7.5% from 2017, the Tourism Ministry said today (Jan 28). tourism By Bangkok Post Monday 28 January 2019, 02:07PM Workers prepare plates of mango with sticky rice, a popular local dessert for thousands of Chinese tourists, in an outdoor banquet in Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province outside Bangkok on Jan 20, 2019 as part of a government promotion to attract more Chinese tourists. The huge event aims to set a Guinness World Record for the largest serving of mango sticky rice. Photo: Bangkok Post The countrys December tourist arrivals were 3.85 million, the ministry said in a statement. Chinese tourists are returning after a slowdown sparked by a tour boat tragedy that triggered concerns about safety standards. The number of Chinese holidaymakers rose 2.8% in December from a year earlier, to 838,634. Chinese visitors are the top source of foreign receipts in an industry that makes up about a fifth of the economy. Foreign tourist receipts directly account for about 12% of Thailand's gross domestic product. Tourism is a key engine of growth, but managing the influx is a challenge amid pressure on the environment as well as clogged international airports. Arrivals are projected to climb about 8% from last years 38.3 million, the Tourism Ministry said in a briefing today in Bangkok. To put that in perspective, the flood of arrivals exceeds the population of Canada. For 2019, the ministry expects 41.1 million tourists to spend B2.21 trillion. The number of visitors from China is projected to rise 11% to 11.69 million, it said. The 41 million is a projection from the current trend, Tourism Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said at the briefing. If we actually really reach that level, Ill have a headache. Read original story here. National deputy police chief steps in for Naka Noi land dispute update PHUKET: National deputy police chief Pol Gen Sriwara Rangsipramanakul was in Phuket yesterday to be personally briefed on the ongoing land dispute at Naka Noi Island, off Phukets east coast. landpropertytourismpoliceconstructionenvironmentnatural-resources By The Phuket News Tuesday 29 January 2019, 04:03PM In checking encroachment onto state land, officials must be fair to all parties and proceed according to the evidence, national deputy police chief Pol Gen Sriwara Rangsipramanakul said in Phuket yesterday (Jan 28). Photo: PR Dept In checking encroachment onto state land, officials must be fair to all parties and proceed according to the evidence, national deputy police chief Pol Gen Sriwara Rangsipramanakul said in Phuket yesterday (Jan 28). Photo: PR Dept National deputy police chief Pol Gen Sriwara Rangsipramanakul was in Phuket yesterday to be personally briefed on the ongoing land dispute at Naka Noi Island, off Phukets east coast. Photo: PR Dept In checking encroachment onto state land, officials must be fair to all parties and proceed according to the evidence, national deputy police chief Pol Gen Sriwara Rangsipramanakul said in Phuket yesterday (Jan 28). Photo: PR Dept Present for the briefing at Thalang Police Station yesterday (Jan 28) were Thalang Police Chief Lt Col Theerawat Liamsuwan, Pa Khlok Mayor Panya Sampaorat, officials from the Thalang Land Office, soldiers, Phuket Tourist Police officers and other involved officials, said a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department. According to the report, Gen Sriwara was briefed on the long-standing dispute between Phukhaohokluk (Six Mountains) Co Ltd owner Chanwit Lertkitsiriwattana and the Bangkok-based Hiranprueck family. After many high-profile visits by famous Bangkok actor Puri Hiranprueck, who says his family inherited land on the island through his grandfather, a special investigation by the Land Department later ruled that the Six Mountains claim was based on an illegally issued Flying SorKor 1. Eventually, Land Department Director-General Apinan Suethanuwong on July 14, 2016 gave the order to revoke a NorSor 3 Kor land occupancy document presented by Six Mountains claiming rights to state-owned land. (See story here.) However, Gen Sriwara was also informed that forest officials have filed a formal request to the Public Prosecutors Office to prosecute both parties for construction offenses and for the clearing or burning forests, or doing anything in the way of deforestation or taking possession of forests for themselves or others without permission from the officials. Both parties have been summonsed to face the charges against them, Gen Sriwara was told. Gen Sriwara voiced his support for the advent of applying the law to all transgressors. In checking encroachment onto state land we must be fair to all parties and proceed according to the evidence, he said. However, according to the PR Dept report, there was no mention yesterday of the latest claims against the Hiranprueck family for allegedly refusing representatives from Six Mountains Co Ltd from arriving on public beach area on the island. They did not allow us to go up on the island, and told us that the Hiranprueck family was granted permission to do this by the Phuket Governor and the Phuket Marine Region 5. They claimed that everyone must get permission from the Hiranprueck family to gain access to the island, said Six Mountains lawyer Narongrit Naetikiettiwong when filing the formal complaint with evidence at the Phuket Damrongdhamma Centre (Phuket Provincial Ombudsmans Office) last month. (See story here.) Even Russian women passengers in Phuket jet-ski collision charged PHUKET: Two Russian women who were only passengers on two jet-skis that collided off Kata Noi Beach yesterday have been charged with recklessness causing injury to others the same charge and fine as levied on the two Russian men who were actually driving the jet-skis. tourismtransportaccidentsRussianpolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 29 January 2019, 03:21PM Tatiana Lysova, 23, was taken to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the yet-to-be-complete Chalong Hospital for further examination late yesterday afternoon after she complained and pain to her head and back. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police The amount the Russian tourists will have to pay for damage to the two jet-skis has yet to be negotiated. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police Tatiana Lysova, 23, was taken to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the yet-to-be-complete Chalong Hospital for further examination late yesterday afternoon after she complained and pain to her head and back. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police Tatiana Lysova, 23, was taken to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the yet-to-be-complete Chalong Hospital for further examination late yesterday afternoon after she complained and pain to her head and back. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police The amount the Russian tourists will have to pay for damage to the two jet-skis has yet to be negotiated. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police The women, Tatiana Lysova, 23, and Olga Isaicheva, 30, were sitting on jet-skis being driven by Ivan Smoliagin, 36, and Ivan Fediaey, 31, respectively, when the two jet-skis collided, explained Capt Weerayut Thansirisookworakun of the Karon Police this morning (Jan 29). Ms Lysova was taken to the Accident & Emergency Centre at the yet-to-be-complete Chalong Hospital for further examination late yesterday afternoon after she complained of pain to her head and back. (See story here.) Doctors conducted x-rays and medical examinations and confirmed that her injuries were not serious and she was discharged from medical care, Capt Weerayut confirmed. None of the other three suffered any serious injuries in the collision, he added. The four were on a holiday package provided by Biblio-Globus tour company, Capt Weerayut said. They were staying at The Crib Patong hotel. They came to Kata Noi Beach and rented two jet-skis, he said. Ivan Smoliagin was driving a red jet-ski, owned by Sakun Kaewsakorn, with Ms Lysova sitting behind as passenger, Capt Weerayut explained. Mr Ivan Fediaey was driving a green jet-ski, owned by Prakit Sornin, with Ms Isaicneva riding behind as passenger, he added. Mr Prakit (the owner of one of the jet-skis) said that the four were teasing each other on the jet-skis and in the end they collided and damaged the jet-skis, Capt Weerayut told The Phuket News this morning. All four Russian tourists were charged with recklessness causing injury to others and each were fined B1,000, Capt Weerayut confirmed. However, the amount of compensation for damage to the jet-skis remains to be negotiated, he said. I cant be sure about the compensation for damage to the jet-skis. Thats their business to talk about the cost. I am out of this part, Capt Weerayut said. The amount might depend on the on the jet-skis insurance policies. They will come to talk about it at the police station this afternoon, he said. I will note the cost of the damage in the police report, Capt Weerayut noted. However, Capt Weerayut made no mention of the Russians operating a jet-ski without a Class 2 Helmsmens license, as required by law. Also, there was no mention of any charges against the jet-ski operators for profitting from a business that illegally rents out vehicles to persons who do not have the requisite license. Capt Weerayut also gave no explanation as to why the two Russian women, who were only passengers and not actually operating the jet-skis, were charged for recklessness causing injury to others. Asias yachting playground attracts the big fish PHUKET: Having brought all the disparate, previously competing parties together in a single Phuket boat show, the Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous offered an all-embracing event at the Royal Phuket Marina for yachting enthusiasts and wealthy lifestyle-seekers from around Asia. marine By The Phuket News Monday 28 January 2019, 05:34PM Leading international yacht dealers, brokerage houses, charter agencies and marine suppliers in abundance showcase their brands at this years Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous, complemented by luxury property developers and a collective mix of lavish lifestyle products. With a decisive show of unity, the industrys global players joined Thailands key marine tourism stakeholders including a strong attendance of representatives from national and local government who have all thrown their support behind the Thailand Yacht Shows four-year mission to open up Thai waters to foreign yacht tourism and grow the industry. Despite having only three months to prepare, we have seen excellent support from both the public and private sector. The Thai Government remain unswerving in their determination to support and grow the yachting industry representatives of every key public department came to a forum at the show, and to a second meeting last week. They all understand that this industry can bring much-needed cash into local businesses by changing regulations where necessary to enable foreign superyacht charter tourism. The private sector made it clear they wanted a single show in Phuket. The results speak for themselves, with confirmed yacht sales, lots of business transacted by exhibitors across all sectors, and good visitor numbers over the first three days, said Andy Treadwell, CEO of show organisers Verventia. What will we be able to do with a whole year to prepare the 2020 edition! Richard Allen, General Manager of Simpson Marine, said, As ever, Simpson Marine had the biggest display of new yachts at the show, representing our brands Monte Carlo Yachts, Beneteau, Lagoon, Aquilla and Sanlorenzo. I am pleased to say we made some sales during the show itself and have a number of other negotiations to conclude. Our charter team also saw a big increase in bookings during the show and Phuket still remains the premier charter destination in Asia. With just one show in Phuket, we hope the Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous can grow into a bigger and better event each year in the future." Speaking about the quality of visitors this year, Andrew de Bruin, General Manager of Multihull Solutions said, Multihull Solutions were very pleased to again join the Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous as an exhibitor with three yachts displayed in the marina. The quality of visitors was top rate and our vessels received great exposure. The joining together of all the shows is a definite winner for all involved and we look forward to booking space in next years event at the first opportunity." Phukets position as Asias yachting playground is clear, and as more people experience it, word is spreading globally of the world-class cruising grounds and the onshore support facilities to match. Moored off the stunning island of Koh Rang Noi at the Shows Superyacht Hub were a number of impressive visiting yachts, including the 54m M/Y Talisman Maiton and 73m M/Y Titania. The Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous has been a key industry and government focus for changing local regulations to attract more international superyachts to the country, and results are beginning to show. Bloombergs latest global superyacht tracker recorded movements of superyachts between November 2018 and January 2019, and Thailand placed fourth as a winter destination behind Sint Maarten, St. Barts, and Antigua, welcoming an influx of superyachts during the Christmas and New Year peak season. The single show concept has proved to be a huge success for the industry. We will continue to work closely with the Thai government and the private sector to hopefully get the changes to the tax regulations we need, and will build on this years success to make 2020 even bigger and deliver a strong ROI for all parties, added Treadwell. Arrested in Phuket Russian national bows to US extradition request PHUKET: Russian national Anton P. Bogdanov, arrested at Phuket International Airport at the request of the US Government on Nov 28, has waived his right to fight extradition to the US to face cybercrime hacking charges, says the Russian embassy in Bangkok. Russiancrimetechnology By Anton Makhrov Tuesday 29 January 2019, 04:25PM Anton P. Bogdanov at the time of his arrest at Phuket International Airport in November. Photo: Supplied Mr Bogdanov made decision not to fend off the extradition request in Thai court and agreed to be extradited to the US yesterday (Jan 28), said Vladimir Pronin, Head of Consular Section at the Russian Embassy in Bangkok. He made decision to agree to voluntary accelerated extradition to the USA, refusing to try to fend off the American request in Thai court, Russian news service RIA Novosti quotes Pronin as saying. According to the diplomat, Mr Bogdanov made his statement at the court hearing where the full extradition request was presented for the first time. The document has arrived to Thailand only recently, Mr Pronin said. According to the full extradition request, in the States Mr Bogdanov is wanted on three separate charges of computer crimes (stealing money by means of hacker attacks on US state services processing tax deductions), as well as charges of criminal conspiracy, fraud with identification documents and money laundering. Among these, American authorities believe that Mr Bogdanov with two accomplices successfully hacked the website of a US agency processing tax refunds, some of the refunds then were illegally transferred to a bank account controlled by the group. Another charge is of hacking the website of a US tax agency and faking information about tax refunds, RIA Novosti reports. (See story here.) Mr Bogdanov can face up to 50 years of prison if found guilty, the report adds. Mr Bogdanov, 33 at that time, was arrested while waiting to board a flight at Phuket International Airport on the final day of his holiday in Thailand. I had received a notice from the Phuket Tourist Police to arrest Mr Bogdanov. He was in Phuket on holiday. He has been taken into custody and is now undergoing legal processing (sic), Phuket Airport Immigration Chief Col Supachok Yongstar told The Phuket News after the arrest. (See story here.) He is wanted by the United States Government, and the Royal Thai Police are responding to their request, Col Supachok confirmed. Mr Bogdanov was allowed to notify Russian Embassy and informed diplomats that a FBI representative was there during the arrest. At the first court hearing he declined the voluntary extradition, claimed that he had not committed any computer crimes and assured the judge that he never knew anything about computers beyond the level of an average user. Description GIS - 29 January, 2019: It is universally recognised that effective control of outbreaks of vector-borne diseases should be based on a multi-sectoral approach, including participation of the community. This statement was made today by the Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Dr Anwar Husnoo, at the Inter-sectoral stakeholder meeting on vector-borne diseases held at the seat of the Ministry in Port Louis. The World Health Organisations Representative, Dr Laurent Musango, and several stakeholders from the public and private sectors were present. In his address, while recalling that Mauritius is vulnerable to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases, Dr Husnoo urged all stakeholders to continue cleaning efforts as an effective strategy to control the vector, namely the mosquito Aedes albopictus , which can transmit chikungunya, dengue and malaria. The Minister expressed concern regarding the imported cases of malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya. In 2018, 37 imported cases of malaria were reported, while six imported cases of dengue fever and one imported case of chikungunya were recorded. In addition, Minister Husnoo emphasised the importance of I nter-sectoral collaboration involving all stakeholders in prevention initiatives. He called upon relevant Ministries such as the Ministry of Local Government and Outer Islands, and the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development, to increase surveillance and vigilance to engage in information campaigns targeting passengers arriving from epidemic prone countries, and to sensitise the community and distribute information pamphlets. Dr Husnoo recalled that s everal measures have been initiated by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life and other stakeholders to control vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and maintain Mauritius free from such health issues. Each stakeholder was urged to implement further measures for vector control in their respective sectors. As regards control, the Minister highlighted that entomological surveillance is carried out at points of entry namely the port and the airport, with control of all aircrafts coming from or transiting through risk areas and screening of passengers from endemic regions. These passengers are thereafter followed up at their place of residence. Vector control activities such as regular surveys of mosquito breeding sites, and constant fogging and larviciding operations in regions with high mosquito population density are also undertaken. Moreover, Minister Husnoo pointed out that health education is an essential component of the strategy to control vector-borne diseases. In this context, regular awareness campaigns are held to disseminate information on precautions to be taken to combat mosquito proliferation, reduce the vectors breeding places and limit the risk of mosquito bites. Since several stakeholders are involved in the control of the day-biting vector diseases, the Minister highlighted that it is imperative to define the role and function of each stakeholder through planning and coordination to ensure smooth surveillance and minimise duplication, redundancy or contradictory activities. WASHINGTON>> President Donald Trump is the latest chief executive to deliver a State of the Union address at a time of turmoil. With the bitter cold descending onto Michigan, it's important to keep your pets safe from the elements. Michiganders love winter for ice fishing, snowshoeing and all of the outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. However, extreme drops in temperature can also put people at risk for serious risks and hazards. To combat these potential dangers here are a few prevention points from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor has brought together a task force to review the way bail is determined in Ohio.The task force will review Ohio law and "make recommendations that will ensure public safety and the accused's appearance at future court hearings, while protecting the presumption of innocence," according to the task force guidelines.John J. Russo, administrative judge for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, is among the 24 members named to the task force. The group's first meeting was Wednesday. The task force is expected to make a report in April.Cleveland.com has been advocating for bail reform in Ohio for more than a year as part of its Justice For All series. Russo established a committee to research possible bail reform in Cuyahoga County shortly after the launch of the series.Among the duties of the Supreme Court's task force will be to study bail practices in other states, including the use of pretrial services, and to review legal challenges to the elimination of bail. Also on the agenda will be an examination of risk assessments used to assist with bail decisions.In Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Municipal Court has adopted the Arnold Foundation public safety assessment to help determine whether crime suspects are a risk of not coming back to court or committing a crime if released while awaiting trial.And Russo's newly formed Criminal Justice Coalition is considering a variety of issues related to bail reform, including the expansion of pretrial services.Polls in Ohio have shown residents have a strong interest in bail reform. State legislators in the previous session of the General Assembly were pushing for a law that called for widespread use of risk assessments and less reliance on bail. But the measure met with stiff opposition from bonding companies and failed to move out of the House of Representatives. This subscription will allow curernt subscribers of The News Guard to access all of our online Subscriber-Only content, including the E Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please call us at 1-541-994-2178 or email admin@countrymedia.net. The Tennessee Department of Corrections will open military veterans-only housing units at three prisons in February, state Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Courtney Rogers said Friday.This are Tennessee's first housing units dedicated exclusively to veterans."Veterans will be put together to get into a more common structure. It's veterans, they're going to get through this together," said Rogers, newly appointed by Gov. Bill Lee to lead veteran services.Rogers announced the news at the annual budget hearing for her department. The hearings allow state leaders to present their proposed budgets to the governor. Budget hearings are one of the first steps in crafting the governor's spending proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. 5 Ways to Win at Trading (Ad) More people are trading options... But most are doing it wrong... and LOSING money. Former Chicago Board Options Exchange trader reveals five secrets you MUST know before putting a penny in the market... Get the list of all five now. Fortis Inc. operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 433,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 98,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,233 megawatts (MW), including 59 MW of solar capacity. The company also sells wholesale electricity to other entities in the western United States; owns gas-fired and hydroelectric generating capacity totaling 65 MW; and distributes natural gas to approximately 1,048,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, it owns and operates the electricity distribution system that serves approximately 572,000 customers in southern and central Alberta; owns 4 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 225 MW; and provides operation, maintenance, and management services to five hydroelectric generating facilities. Further, the company distributes electricity in the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador with an installed generating capacity of 143 MW; and on Prince Edward Island with a generating capacity of 130 MW. Additionally, it provides integrated electric utility service to approximately 67,000 customers in Ontario; approximately 270,000 customers in Newfoundland and Labrador; approximately 31,000 customers on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and approximately 15,000 customers on certain islands in Turks and Caicos. The company also holds long-term contracted generation assets in Belize consisting of 3 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 51 MW; and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility. It also owns and operates approximately 91,000 circuit Kilometers (km) of distribution lines; and approximately 49,500 km of natural gas pipelines. Fortis Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada. Read More In Washington state, a freshly implemented ballot initiative and a raft of new bills may produce some of the tightest firearms regulations in the US. But standing in the way is a group of rural law enforcement officers who say point blank that they wont enforce any of it.The Klickitat county sheriff, Bob Songer, is one of them. He told the Guardian that the initiative passed last November is unconstitutional on several grounds. Ive taken the position that as an elected official, I am not going to enforce that law.Songer also cited ongoing litigation by the National Rife Association gun industry lobby and others which aims to demonstrate the laws violate both the second amendment and the states constitution. He also said that if other agencies attempted to seize weapons from county residents under the auspices of the new laws, he would consider preventively standing in their doorway.In November, the states voters handily passed an initiative, I-1639, which mostly targeted semi-automatic rifles. As of 1 January, purchasers of these weapons must now be over 21, undergo an enhanced background check, must have completed a safety course, and need to wait 9 days to take possession of their weapon. Also, gun owners who fail to store their weapons safely risk felony community endangerment charges. Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services to institutional, retail, and high net worth investors. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, balance sheet management, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 1,400 bank branches and 4,800 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. The company was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More Ad Resource Stock Digest 1,572 Interested This Week Could This Be the Biggest US Gold Discovery in Years? See how this tiny, unknown gold company secured a prime land package right next door to the worlds two largest gold producers in Nevadas famed Carlin Trend where 84 Million gold ounces have already been extracted. Best of all, investors can still get in well below US$0.50 per share. Low-cost carrier AirAsia has introduced a chatbot AVA or AirAsia Virtual Allstar as part of an update to its website and mobile apps. AVA will assist on live chat, responding to inquiries instantly, and is available in eight languages: English, Bahasa Malaysia, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. The chatbot was built by the AirAsia software engineering and technology and customer happiness team using technology from Ada, a Toronto based company that specialises in Artificial Intelligence (AI) thats powered by customer experience. AirAsia deputy group CEO (digital, transformation and corporate services) Aireen Omar says the updated website and app work better, faster and more intuitively thanks to the AI. We are always working to enhance our guest experience, and we will be adding more mobile app features in the months to come so it is no longer just a flight booking platform, but your complete travel companion, she said in the press statement. The iOS app has several extra features to simplify choosing a flight, including an interactive map that pinpoints all of AirAsias destinations in a single page and a Combined Station Picker, which lets users select the nearest departure and arrival airports, and then filter by the number of stops and flight duration. Users can also check their upcoming flight status by asking Siri. These features are not yet available for Android users. Read also: AirAsia plans to make Lombok its new hub The update is also meant to integrate AirAsias flight offerings with its digital financial service, BigPay, so its users will get instant discounts when they log in. AirAsia states that its updated homepage is designed for easier and faster navigation and will notify users on upcoming flights it also includes a low-fare calendar, search shortcuts, duty-free shopping and holiday activities. To encourage customers to try out the revamped app, AirAsia is offering users a 19% discount for bookings via the app from now till Feb 3. To get the discount users need to use the promo code MOBILE19, which is applicable for bookings between Aug 1 and Nov 30 this year. AirAsia has also started the enrollment for its Fast Airport Clearance Experience System (Faces) on its mobile app, which helps users clear security and board their flight seamlessly by using facial recognition tech. SPEED READ: In the last month, Republican state lawmakers Brian Maienschein of California, Dawn Marie Addiego of New Jersey, and Dinah Sykes, Stephanie Clayton and Barbara Bollier of Kansas announced that they were switching to the Democratic Party. They all represent suburban districts that have become increasingly Democratic. Where the GOP Is Struggling The Motivations and Consequences of Switching Parties Dawn Marie Addiego has had a long career in Republican politics, serving on the Evesham Township City Council, the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the New Jersey Assembly and, since 2010, the state Senate.On Monday, Addiego switched to the Democratic Party."My core values that originally drew me to the Republican Party have not changed," Addiego wrote on a social media post announcing her switch, "but the party which once echoed the vision of Ronald Reagan no longer exists."Addiego isn't alone. Last week, California Assemblyman Brian Maienschein left the GOP and became a Democrat. Last month, three Kansas legislators made the same move.All these switchers represent suburban districts that have become increasingly Democratic, particularly since the election of Donald Trump as president."There's enough discontent among Republicans, particularly women in the suburbs, that makes a switch to the Democratic Party plausible among Republican legislators," says Timothy Nokken, a Texas Tech University political scientist who has studied party switching.Patrick Miller, a University of Kansas political scientist, echoes that sentiment."In the districts that they occupy, they're going to be electorally safer as Democrats," he says, referring to the switchers in his state. "They're all in districts that have trended hard to the Democratic Party."Maienschein's switch means San Diego's entire delegation in the state Assembly is now Democratic. Republicans lost their last Assembly seat in the San Francisco Bay area during the midterm elections. With Maienschein's defection, Republicans now hold just 19 of the 80 seats in the California Assembly.The party suffered similar wipeouts in suburban districts from Austin to Seattle to Charlotte, N.C. In New Jersey, Addiego's move leaves the GOP with 14 of the 40 seats in the New Jersey Senate -- its lowest total since 1981.Blaming the party for morphing into something they could no longer support -- as Addiego did -- is typical for party switchers. "He didn't leave the Republican Party, the party left him," Chad Mayes, a former GOP leader in the California Assembly, said in defense of Maienschein.Miller, the Kansas professor, says Trump's presidency has accelerated trends that were already taking place, including the movement of college-educated white voters away from the GOP.It's an effect that has already taken place, in reverse, in the South. What was once a solidly Democratic region has turned overwhelmingly Republican in recent decades. Under Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, it became increasingly difficult for conservative Democrats to win in the South. They were unable to separate their own political fortunes from perceptions of their national party."What happens at the top of the ticket has a downstream effect on what it means to be a Democrat or a Republican," says Antoine Yoshinaka, author of. "We can't underestimate the effect of the president on the party brand and what it means to be a Republican or a Democrat."Twenty years ago, it was a common occurrence for the Republican National Committee (RNC) to issue news releases bragging about the latest Southern Democrat to join the GOP."I remember vividly, when I was working at the RNC, we were very alert to every Democrat who came over to the Republican side," says Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College in California.But just as Democrats now have little hope in most of the South, the GOP's chances are weak in certain coastal states, big cities, college towns and, to an increasing extent, affluent suburbs around the country.Until just the other day, California Republicans had pointed to Maienshein's midterm success as an example of how the state party could rebuild. He was able to build a "brand" that was seen as separate from Trump. The reality, however, is that he won in November by just 607 votes, out of nearly 200,000 cast."He is switching parties for self-preservation and political games," says Tony Krvaric, who chairs the San Diego County GOP. Similar complaints have been lodged against the other recent switchers.Politicians willing to switch parties are often welcomed and even wooed by their prospective new party, offered plum committee assignments and financial resources. But it's a risky bet.They are certain to be derided by members of their old party, while often viewed with suspicion by voters, who question their fealty. Already, a Facebook page has been set up in hopes of recalling Sen. Addiego for switching."A lot of switchers do get punished by voters who aren't particularly fond of politicians who switch sides," says Yoshinaka, who is also a political scientist at the University at Buffalo. "As an act of self-preservation, it's not always the most effective one."But if you're an elected official in coastal California, or one of the many other areas that have come under single-party dominance, there may be no other realistic choice if you want to keep winning elections. Republicans not only lost every statewide race last year in California, but they failed to break the 40 percent mark in any of those contests. The GOP held onto just eight of the state's 53 U.S. House seats. The party now occupies zero of the seven House seats from Orange County, a bastion of the conservative movement in Reagan's day."In California, I won't say the Republican Party is dead, but clearly it's a diminished party," Nokken says. "Any hope for Republicans outside of solid GOP constituencies is really tenuous."In New Jersey, Republicans now hold just one of the state's dozen U.S. House seats.Although the Kansas electorate remains solidly Republican, Democrats won 10 of the state House seats from Johnson County, outside of Kansas City, up from just two as recently as 2014. The legislators who defected in Kansas are all from Johnson County."Just as we saw more conservative Democrats die out in rural areas, we're seeing moderate Republicans die out in suburban areas," says Miller, the Kansas professor.Moderate Republicans who represent districts where voters are dubious about Trump have to wonder about the president's potential negative coattails in 2020."I don't think there will be huge numbers of party switchers, if only because there aren't that many moderate Trump skeptics in office," says Pitney, who left the GOP in response to Trump's election. "Some will switch, some will leave office, some will be defeated." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Wonogiri Tue, January 29, 2019 21:58 872 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b08a4eb 2 National sexual-violence,junior-high-schools,Wonogiri,Central-Java Free Hundreds of students at a state junior high school in Wonogiri, Central Java, staged a protest on Monday to demand the ousting of an English teacher, HA, who allegedly harassed a student. The protest was the second one to hit SMPN 1 Slogohimo after they also rallied on Saturday. Martono, the schools acting principal, said after the protest that the schools management would investigate the case, adding that the school would first try to seek clarification from the student and the teacher. HA has been suspended from all activities at the school during the probe. We have yet to clarify the matter but the students have already staged the protest, said Martono. According to a number of students, HA allegedly harassed the student on Saturday. They said they saw him allegedly holding a female students breast in front of others in a classroom as punishment for not doing her homework. There were many students who saw it, prompting students to stage the protest, said a student who requested anonymity. Martono said he would need to investigate the matter carefully before he could decide on anything. It is not clear what transpired, so its impossible for the school to punish [HA]. Martono added that the school had reported the case to the Wonogiri Education and Culture Agency. He said the agency had the authority to decide on the teachers fate, adding that HAs tenure at SMPN 1 Slogohimo was also at the agencys discretion. We will settle the case [internally] at the school first. I will ask for written reports from the accused teacher, students and other teachers, he said. The head of the regencys education and culture agencys teacher division, Retno Puspitorini, said the agency had issued a letter of assignment and at the same time set up a team to investigate the accusations against HA. We will start the investigation on Tuesday, said Retno, adding that HA and the student would be summoned to the agencys office to be questioned. During the investigation, HA will temporarily placed at the agency office. Slogohimo Police chief Adj. Comr. Kukuh Wiyono confirmed that the students had staged a protest at the school but said the police have yet to investigate the case because no report had been filed yet. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sebastian Smith with Maria Isabel Sanchez in Caracas (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Tue, January 29, 2019 09:29 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b064c08 2 Business #USA,#Venezuela,US,sanction,oil,company,PDVSA Free The United States announced sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company Monday in a coordinated effort with the main opposition leader to cripple embattled President Nicolas Maduro's power base. The measures against state-owned PDVSA were presented as a way of preventing the leftist strongman from looting the coffers in his economically ruined country before he is replaced by the man Washington says is the rightful interim president -- opposition leader Juan Guaido. "The purpose of sanctions is to change behavior," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. "So when there is a recognition that the company is the property of, the rightful rulers, the rightful leaders, then indeed that money will be available to Guaido." Guaido, who heads the National Assembly legislature and has named himself acting president, issued his own statement, saying he was taking "orderly control of our republic's assets abroad" to prevent a departing Maduro from trying "to empty the coffers." Venezuela was once a Latin American success story and has the world's largest oil reserves, but has been driven into the ground during years of hardline leftist rule. With millions short of food and other basic resources, there is widespread discontent. However, so far, Maduro has retained the backing of the powerful armed forces, as well as support from Russia and China. Washington has moved decisively to seek the exit of Maduro by recognizing Guaido and urging the military to switch loyalties. President Donald Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton, called for security forces "to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power." "We've seen Venezuelan official and military personnel heeding this call," he added, citing the defection this weekend of the country's military attache to Washington. Bolton also would not rule out the use of US troops. "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he told reporters. - Pope's 'bloodbath' fears - Guaido called for a two-hour strike Wednesday "to demand that the armed forces side with the people" ahead of a "big national and international rally" on Saturday. His remarks came as the death toll in last week's protests rose to 35, according to NGO workers, with the government security forces accused of killing another eight in "extra-judicial executions." Following a trip to Panama, Pope Francis said he was afraid the escalating crisis would become "a bloodbath." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, offered to step in, saying he could provide "good offices to facilitate dialogue and negotiation between the parties." Along with China and Russia, Turkey and leftist regional allies Bolivia, Cuba and Mexico still back Maduro. But a dozen Latin American countries have recognized Guaido and six European nations -- Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain -- have said they would follow suit unless Maduro calls elections by February 3. US: PDVSA must drop Maduro Mnuchin said PDVSA must cut itself off from Maduro in order to see sanctions dropped. "The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent, democratically elected government," he said. PDVSA's US-based subsidiary Citgo will be able to continue operations, as long as its earnings are deposited into a blocked account in the United States. Guaido, who declared himself acting president Wednesday, said he will begin the process of naming new boards for PDVSA and Citgo to "start recovering our industry that is going through a dark time." Lawmakers will be asked to take "the necessary measures to guarantee the greatest transparency and control of the use" of the assets, Guaido added. "We took this decision to ensure that Citgo stays in the hands of Venezuelans." An angry Maduro nevertheless accused the United States of trying to "steal Citgo" and pledged to file legal action over the new sanctions. Since being elected head of the National Assembly legislature last month, Guaido has managed to rally a previously disunited opposition. Maduro has been in charge since 2013 but his re-election in May was branded illegitimate by the European Union, United States and Organization of American States. Several opposition leaders had been forced into exile, jailed or barred from standing in the election, leading the opposition to boycott the poll. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 10:07 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b066a2b 1 Business venture-capital,Go-Jek,Tokopedia,investment,private-equity Free Indonesian ride-hailing company Go-Jek raised US$2 million during its first round of venture capital (VC) financing in mid-2014. Two years later on Aug. 4, 2016, Go-Jek secured $550 million from a VC consortium to become the country's first technology unicorn and inadvertently opened the floodgates to VC financing. The trend of VC [financing] skyrocketed in Indonesia and will certainly continue into 2019, thanks to the proven successes of Go-Jek, Steven Okun, the ASEAN representative of the Emerging Market Private Equity Association (EMPEA), said on Jan. 24 during the Asia PE-VC Summit 2019. In less than a year, Tokopedia, Traveloka and Bukalapak followed Go-Jek as the first generation of Indonesian unicorns, all of which won VC funds in their first few rounds from firms like East Ventures, NSI Venture, Gree Ventures and Sequoia. It was these four success stories that planted confidence among venture capitalists in Indonesian start-ups while also setting a trend among start-ups to seek VC financing. EMPEA's data shows that venture capital investments in Indonesia skyrocketed from $2.3 million in 2014 to $136 million in 2017 at an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 290 percent. In comparison, venture capital investments in Southeast Asia grew at a slower CAGR of 40.9 percent from $180.3 million in 2014 to $504 million in 2017. Venture capitals soaring popularity even prompted two of Indonesia's largest banks, Bank Mandiri and BCA, to form their own venture capital investment arms, respectively Mandiri Capital Indonesia in 2016 and Central Capital Ventura in 2017. The latest EMPEA data shows that Indonesia captured 17.8 percent of the $731 million VC investments in Southeast Asia during the first three quarters of 2018. Reflecting similar investor confidence, a Google-Temasek report found that Indonesian start-ups captured 25 percent ($6 billion) of the region's $24 billion in VC funds from 2015 until the first half of 2018. However, venture capitals popularization also had a detrimental effect on private equity (PE) investments in the country, even though PE investments have greater monetary value. PE investment had a record year in Southeast Asia, but had its worst year in four years in Indonesia, Okun said during a panel discussion at the summit. EMPEA data shows that private equity investments in Southeast Asia reached a 10-year record high of $7.495 billion in January-September 2018. In comparison, only $285 million in PE investments were made in Indonesia during the same period, the lowest since 2014 when the country captured $223 million in PE investments. Nevertheless, representatives from major private equity firms Creador, Emerald Media, TAEL Partners and UOB Venture Management agreed during the panel discussion that they would remain in Indonesia with slight adjustments, motivated by the countrys solid fundamentals. TAEL co-founding partner Ati Sugiharti said that her firm remained enticed by Indonesias 5 percent economic growth, but that it would also invest in more start-ups from Vietnam, which had higher growth of 6.9 percent. The firms also reminded investors, particularly venture capital firms, that they must remain disciplined in vetting businesses to avoid bursting the bubble as Indonesia became an increasingly hot market. Sebastian Togelang, a founding partner of venture capital firm Kejora Group, expressed certainty that investors including venture capitalists would remain disciplined in the years to come since the US unicorn crisis of 2016. Investors have calmed down now, said Sebastian. Okun, who is also a business advisor, added that if private capital investors wanted to succeed in Indonesia, they needed to possess solid local knowledge such as in health care and education, offer operational assistance such as in cross-border expansion and recruiting a chief financial officer, and be oriented toward environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). Sectors [related to] domestic consumption would be the most attractive. Not just in fast-moving consumer goods, but also those related to education and health care, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 15:46 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b07cf47 4 Business Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,Faisal-Basri,government-debt,debate Free Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawarti has responded to criticism of swelling government debt, which reached Rp 4.42 quadrillion (US$313.83 billion) in December, by arguing that people should not only see the debt from its nominal side. Government debt was recorded at Rp 2.61 quadrillion when President Joko Jokowi Widodo took office in 2014. If the debt is only seen from its nominal side, [] it is confusing or it tends to frighten people, Sri Mulyani said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com in response to criticism from senior economist Faisal Bari. Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto also criticized the minister, calling her a debt printing minister. Sri Mulyani called on those who criticized her to see government debt in a broader context, particularly how it was used to guard the countrys economy. Was the debt able to guard Indonesias economic stability while facing the pressure due to the drop of commodity prices and negative exports in 2014 and 2015? Was it used to develop infrastructure? the minister argued. Or was the debt able to narrow the poverty [gap]? Were we able to maintain economic growth? So, if it is seen as debt only, we will miss the context. Sri Mulyani added that the debt to gross domestic product (debt to GDP) ratio was less than 30 percent compared to a number of developed countries whose debt to GDP ratio was higher than 100 percent. Economist Faisal Basri (The Jakarta Post/vny) Faisal said in the period from 2014 to 2018, government debt grew 58.5 percent, while the debt to GDP ratio increased from 24.7 to 29.8 percent. He added that Indonesias debt to GDP ratio was not comparable to the debt to GDP ratio of developed countries like Japan, which was recorded at 253 percent. Faisal argued that Japan was not only a debtor, but also a creditor and the majority of the countrys government debt papers were held by Japanese citizens, while Indonesia was purely a debtor and the majority of government debt papers were held by foreigners. That is why the Indonesian [economy] is not resistant to external fluctuations, he said as published in faisalbasri.com. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 17:53 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b082430 4 City MRT-Jakarta,social-media,influencer,criticism Free He was invited to ride aboard a trial run of the Jakarta MRT to help promote the soon-to-be opened service, but social media celebrity Aqsa Aswar has instead faced criticism for what many consider inappropriate behavior. During the trip, Aqsa and other young celebrities took pictures and videos to upload to social media. However, a photo of Aqsa, a jet ski athlete, standing on a seat while hanging on the handgrips has triggered outrage online. Many condemned Aqsas action, saying his behavior could set a bad example for young commuters. Are these what we call influencers? Please dont copy them, dear Jakartans. Share this picture if you care, Instagram user @claudyatobing said. Responding to the controversy, PT MRT Jakarta Muhamad Kamaludin said that he disapproved of Aqsas actions. We invited these influencers to join a trial run so that they could disseminate good news about our new service to their followers, Kamaludin said on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com. Before heading to the MRT station [in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta], we had outlined procedures for riding the MRT. There are six cars, our staff were mostly in the third car while the picture was taken in the sixth car, he added. Kamaludin also said that a staff member, who saw Aqsa from afar, had approached him and told him not to post the picture on social media. However, the 21-year-old reportedly insisted, sparking the controversy. Aqsa responded by posting an apology to defend his behavior. He wrote, Im writing to explain that there has been a misunderstanding regarding what I did during my visit to the MRT train. The MRT staff did not say such an act was prohibited. However, I apologize if my act was deemed inappropriate. Thank you. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 12:06 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b07105d 4 Business plastic-waste,customs-and-excise,regulation,delay Free The government has targeted Rp 500 billion (US$35.49 million) in revenue from plastic taxes as stated in the 2019 state budget, but the plan to issue a regulation on the issue is still in the early phase despite previous expectations that it would be issued late last year. Customs and Excise Directorate General spokesman Deni Surjantoro said on Monday that the draft regulation was being debated by officials in relevant ministries. The draft is being synchronized and we will also listen to the aspirations of various parties, said Deni on Monday as reported by kontan.co.id. The deliberation needed time because the government needed to seek input from various parties, the official said. Deni could not give a date for when the regulation would be issued but said the government planned to issue it this year. The government argued that the main objective of the regulation would be to reduce plastic waste, not raise revenue. Indonesia, which is among the largest producers of plastic waste, has expressed its commitment to reduce plastic waste by 30 percent as stated in Presidential Regulation No. 97/2017 on the management of household waste. Similarly, Customs and Excise Directorate General technical and facility director Nirwala Dwi Hariyanto also had no idea when the government would issue the regulation, which has been challenged by plastic manufacturers as well as the food and beverage industry. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 19:13 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b086564 1 City baby-deaths,murder,nanny,Depok,violence Free Depok Police in West Java have named nanny Romlah, 66, a suspect in the murder of a 2-month-old baby girl found in the Villa Santika Residency in Pancoran Mas. Depok Police crime unit chief Comr. Deddy Kurniawan said that Romlah allegedly killed the baby on Monday because she would not stop crying. She was upset because the baby kept crying even after she fed her with a bottle of milk, he said on Tuesday as reported by kompas.com. Based on the polices autopsy, Deddy added, the baby was found to have been pinched on her cheek, nose and lips to the point of bleeding. Deddy said that after trying to feed the baby with milk from a bottle, Romlah put the baby on her stomach, which prevented her from breathing. Romlah faces charges under Article 80 of Law No. 35/2014 on child protection and Article 338 on murder, which carry a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hossam Ezzedine (Agence France-Presse) Ramallah, Palestine Tue, January 29, 2019 22:30 872 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b08bd45 2 World #Palestine,#politics,government,resignation,Mahmud-Abbas Free The Palestinian government submitted its resignation Tuesday, a statement said, a move seen as a bid by president Mahmud Abbas to strengthen his position as a decade-old political split deepens. Analysts view replacing prime minister Rami Hamdallah after five years as part of Abbas's efforts to further isolate his political rivals Hamas, who run the Gaza Strip. Hamdallah's government will remain in place while a new administration is formed. "The government of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah submitted on Tuesday its resignation to President Mahmud Abbas," official news agency Wafa said in English following a cabinet meeting. The government "will continue to serve our people wherever they are and shoulder all its responsibilities until a new government is formed," it added. It was unclear how the change of government could impact on policy. Secularist Abbas remains the primary decision maker and interlocutor with the international community. Palestinian politics has essentially been paralysed since 2007, when Islamist group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip from Abbas's forces in a near civil war, a year after winning parliamentary elections. Since then Abbas's governments have maintained limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, while Hamas has led a rival government in the strip. Israel and Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union and others, have since fought three wars in Gaza. The division between the Palestinian parties is seen as a key issue preventing progress in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and improving the situation in the impoverished enclave. -Reconciliation blow- Multiple attempts to reach a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas have failed. It was during one such attempt in 2014 that Hamdallah formed what was labelled a national unity government, with both Fatah and Hamas backing a government made up nominally of technocrats. Since then relations have again worsened and Hamdallah survived an assassination attempt in 2018 when an explosion hit his convoy during a rare visit to Hamas-controlled Gaza. Palestinian government officials accused Hamas of responsibility, claims the Islamist group denied. The new government is expected to be made up only of parties that are members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, which does not include Hamas or its allies Islamic Jihad. Hamas condemned the government's resignation, saying Abbas was seeking to establish a "separatist government" to serve his interests. "Our people need a national unity government," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement. Fatah officials said they had begun consultations regarding forming a new government, though no timeframe was announced. Abbas has taken a series of punitive measures in recent years to try, in vain, to force Hamas to hand over the reins of power in Gaza. Analysts say such measures increase suffering in the strip, which is already under a crippling Israeli blockade. Israel maintains a military occupation of the West Bank, but Hamdallah's government has self rule in key cities. The change in government comes amid an historic breakdown in relations between Abbas and the United States. US President Donald Trump has pledged to propose a peace agreement but Abbas has refused to talk with his administration since he broke with decades of international consensus and moved his country's Israel embassy to Jerusalem in May last year. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang Tue, January 29, 2019 16:48 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b080540 1 National Ganjar-Pranowo,Central-Java,fishermen,bylaws,law,marine-environment-protection Free The administration of Central Java is deliberating a draft for a bylaw aimed at protecting local fishermen by providing access to technology and financial assistance to increase catches. Without elaborating on the details of the draft, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said the bylaw would cover aspects that would empower fishermen to improve their livelihoods. We must improve the lives of fishermen. They should not just go out to sea to hunt fish. We must ensure that they can catch fish [efficiently], he said in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday. Ganjar said fishermen running small-scale operations needed to be equipped with the right technology and additional skills, including on marketing, to boost their productivity and eventually their income. Central Java is home to some 53,000 fishermen, most of whom work with little capital. A fisherman requires between Rp 400,000 (US$28.4) and Rp 500,000 per day to fish. The governor said the bylaw would also give fishermen better access to capital. They need fresh money daily, and they need it quickly. But because its a small amount of money, its very difficult to get a loan from the bank. [The bylaw] will offer a solution or mechanism to allow them to get the capital they need, Ganjar said. He also expressed hope that the provincial council could pass the draft before its term ends in April, when the legislative election will take place. Association of Indonesian Fishermen chairman Riyono welcomed the deliberation of the draft bylaw, saying it was an important tool to protect small-scale fishing operations. The proposed bylaw is based on Law No. 32 of 2014 and Presidential Instruction No.15 of 2011 on fishermans protection. I have been recommending [such a] bylaw for three years. The draft represents our concerns, Riyono said. (swa/swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arya Dipa and Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Bandung and Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 17:38 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b081a65 1 National #Citarum,Citarum-Harum,Citarum-River,environment,#environment,West-Java,#WestJava,river-pollution,#pollution Free In January last year, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said the key to settle all the environmental problems of the Citarum River -- the longest river in West Java -- was integration of efforts by ministries, institutions and all government branches both at the central and local levels. The 270-kilometer river is being heavily polluted, mostly by household garbage and waste from textile factories, despite its importance for the lives of at least 27 million people in West Java and Jakarta. If they can integrate, I predict the rehabilitation of the river can finish well within seven years, Jokowi said at that time. One month later, he officially established an extensive rehabilitation campaign nicknamed Citarum Harum involving, among others, the central government, local administrations, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police. The scheduled deadline, however, may be pushed back because of a lack of cooperation among the stakeholders. West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil was the first to admit that the issue existed. There is no centralized coordination [for the project], he said during a recent one-year evaluation of the Citarum Harum rehabilitation program. His concern was echoed by Col. Yusef Sudrajat, a local military officer assigned to the project who is responsible for the work in one of Citarums 23 zones. He claimed to have never received orders from his superiors about the Citarum program. There has been only one coordination meeting with the task force commander since I was assigned to this project 10 months ago, Yusef said. The commander of the Siliwangi Military Command overseeing West Java and Banten, Maj. Gen. Trie Soewandono, said the TNI had assigned more than 3,000 personnel to contribute to the Citarum program. The lack of communication, Yusef said, has affected the work in the field and left participants with less access to funding. Yusef said that Citarum's budgetary allocation did not include money for fuel for heavy equipment that would be used by the military across Citarums 23 zones to dredge sediment and debris from the river. The dredging is important to prevent heavy flooding in several regions in Bandung, including Baleendah, he said, adding that the dredging was actually a task for regional administrations rather than for military personnel. In order to solve the problem, Ridwan said he would hold a coordination meeting between related stakeholders next month in Bandung, during which they were expected to draft an action plan. A public policy analyst and the executive director of Perkumpulan Prakarsa, Ah Maftuchan, said he suspected the poor coordination started at the central government level and between ministries and relevant institutions, adding that sectoral ego might be the root cause. This should be addressed by the relevant coordinating ministries. However, it seems they have yet to do their task well, he said, adding that Jokowi might have to make an extra effort to monitor the Citarum program. The Citarum River supplies about 80 percent of the raw water to Jakarta and its surrounding areas and irrigates rice farms in Karawang, West Java that produce 5 percent of Indonesias rice. It is also the source of power for three hydroelectric plants that can generate a total of 1,400 megawatts of electricity. Yet, the Citarum's pollution has been an issue for years and textile factories in Bandung and Cimahi are considered to be the major toxic waste contributors. West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Agung Budi Maryoto said the force launched 58 investigations into people and companies suspected of polluting the Citarum last year. However, he said the police would also need assistance from investigators of the Environment and Forestry Ministry to solve more cases and name more suspects. (ipa) Voters that Texas may purge because they may not be U.S. citizens. This is the first of what will be a monthly process by the Secretary of State's office of using new technology to identify potential non-citizens who have registered to vote. Voter advocacy groups argue that the method the state is using is problematic. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Tue, January 29 2019 In light of the recent deaths of a Sumatran tiger and African lion, Taman Rimba Zoo in Jambi said it was open to the idea of employing more professional staff or even privatizing the zoo. These animals need [animal care] specialists who can look after them, Taman Rimba technical management unit (UPTD) head Taufik Bukhori said on Monday. About 50 staff members currently work at the zoo, including a big-cat keeper and veterinarian, according to the zoo. A protected female Sumatran tiger named Ayu and a male African lion named Shiro died due to an illness at the zoo over the past few weeks, leaving it with only one tiger and three female lions. The two incidents raised suspicions about whether mismanagement had led to their deaths, with Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency saying that it was considering evaluating the zoo and its management team. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our content on web and app No advertising, no interruption A bonus subscription to share Bookmark and night mode functions on app Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login TheJakartaPost Please Update your browser Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below. Just click on the icons to get to the download page. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Tue, January 29, 2019 23:11 872 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b08ddbd 2 Business #China,#Huawei,founder,Ren-Zhenfei,daughter,Meng-Wang-Zhou Free Chinese tech giant Huawei overtook Apple to become the second-largest smartphone seller in the world in 2018. It remains a privately held company, and little is known about its reclusive founder Ren Zhengfei, a former Chinese army engineer who rarely speaks to the media. The company was dragged into the spotlight late last year when Ren's daughter and senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States. AFP takes a look at the company's history: Huawei Founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei speaks during a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on January 22, 2015 in Davos. (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini ) Ex-soldier founder Ren founded Huawei in 1987 with a few thousand dollars. In a rare interview with selected foreign media earlier this year, Ren said he only saw his children for one month a year while in the military. After founding Huawei he worked 16-hour days, with barely any time for his family. "Especially my youngest daughter, I was even more distant from her. So all I can say is, as a father, I feel I owe them," according to a transcript of the interview. Number 2 smartphone maker The Shenzhen-based company is one of the world's leading suppliers of telecommunications networks and has a presence in 170 countries. It is the second-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world after Samsung Electronics, having overtaken Apple in 2018, and is ranked 72nd on the Fortune Global 500. The company expects sales revenue of $108.5 billion in 2018, rotating chairman Guo Ping said in a New Year message to staff in December. Government links? Ren remains Huawei's president but there are concerns that his former role could mean close links with the military and government, which Huawei has consistently denied. The arrest of Ren's daughter, Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, has been characterised by Beijing as a means of keeping the company out of world markets. 5G behemoth Fifth-generation mobile communications are the next milestone in the digital revolution, bringing near-instantaneous connectivity and vast data capacity. They will enable the widespread adoption of futuristic technologies such as artificial intelligence and automated cars and factories -- advances China is desperate to lead. Huawei's status as a leading world supplier of the backbone equipment for telecoms systems gives China an inside track for leading this field. This TV image provided by CTV to AFP shows Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou as she exits the court registry following the bail hearing at British Columbia Superior Courts in Vancouver, British Columbia on December 11, 2018. Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei, was released on Can$10 million (US$7.5 million) bail on Tuesday in a case that has rattled relations between China, the United States and Canada. (AFP/CTV) Daughter, executive, heir? Described as the "princess" of Huawei, Meng was a possible heir to the throne. She had quietly risen through the ranks at the firm, sparking speculation that she would one day succeed her father, making her one of the world's top female corporate bosses. Meng, who for unknown reasons took her mother's surname, has been keen to stress her own "humble" beginnings, with Chinese media reporting that one of her first tasks involved secretarial work. Blocked in countries Over the past year, various countries have raised security concerns about Huawei's technology, barring the firm from participating in the 5G network rollouts. This includes the US, Australia and New Zealand. Britain's largest mobile operator BT said it would remove Huawei equipment from existing 3G and 4G network while several European Union countries, Japan and Canada are still examining the risks of using Huawei equipment. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Michael Mathes (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Tue, January 29, 2019 08:48 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b0626b9 2 World #USA,#politics,Kamala-Harris,challenge,Donald-Trump,White-House,run Free Kamala Harris faces questions from US voters Monday as an official White House candidate, a day after the Democratic senator formally declared her 2020 bid to become America's first black female president. By launching her campaign early -- a year before any primary votes are cast -- the California lawmaker leapfrogs several party luminaries waiting in the wings, and a few already in the race, to become the de facto frontrunner. It's a burgeoning field that may ultimately feature dozens of candidates seeking to oust President Donald Trump. Harris immediately took her campaign to Iowa, the state that votes first in the nominating process, holding a televised town hall from Des Moines that airs at 9:00 pm (0300 GMT Tuesday). A crowd of more than 20,000 watched her kick off her campaign Sunday in Oakland, California. But complicating the launch, billionaire former Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz said hours later that he is seriously considering jumping into the race -- as an independent. The self-described "lifelong Democrat" told CBS news show "60 Minutes" that he will run as a "centrist independent outside of the two-party system." Not only is Trump unqualified to be president, Schultz said, but Republicans and Democrats are failing the American people by engaging daily in "revenge politics." Schultz's announcement drew sharp rebukes from Democrats, who warned he would siphon off Democratic votes and clear Trump's path to re-election. "If he ran, it would be the best thing possible for Donald Trump," tweeted Congressman Brendan Boyle. "I urge him, for the good of the country, to reconsider this bad idea." Trump, clearly aware that a Schultz run could help the sitting president, wasted little time in seeking to goad him into the race, declaring the coffee king "doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!" But another billionaire businessman, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, strongly urged Schultz to halt his independent antics. "In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the president," said Bloomberg, who himself considered an independent run three years ago. "That's a risk I refused to run in 2016 and we can't afford to run it now." 'Better than this' Harris, 54, and Schultz, 65, join several candidate already in the race, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, New York's Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, House Democrat Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and Obama-era housing secretary Julian Castro of Texas. The compelling Oakland speech was a show of strength by Harris and most likely a calculated shot across the bow to those still on the 2020 sidelines, notably the four Bs mulling a run: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker and Beto O'Rourke. Harris spoke of the "arrogance of power" demonstrated by Trump and his administration, and warned that "the American dream and our American democracy are under attack and on the line like never before." "We must answer a fundamental question: Who are we?" she said. "America, we are better than this." Harris, whose father is from Jamaica and whose mother is Indian, said that "in the face of powerful forces trying to sow hate and division among us, the truth is that as Americans, we have so much more in common than what separates us." One distinct advantage for Harris is the shift that her home state has made in the primary calendar. For years, California -- the nation's most populous state -- voted near the end of the process, meaning nominees were often decided before a single Californian cast a vote. But the state has moved its primary forward, to so-called "Super Tuesday" on March 3, 2020, which would give the Golden State a dramatically more powerful say in determining the nominee. One prominent Californian, outspoken Congressman Ted Lieu, has already endorsed Harris, describing her as "the person we need to move America forward." Harris is a former state attorney general. She said her platform will include several progressive policies like debt-free college and "Medicare for all," which would allow Americans to opt into government-run health coverage. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29 2019 After months of stalling, the Gerinda Party and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) have finally screened three candidates to fill the Jakarta deputy governor position, which has been vacant for six months. The eight-hour screening of Akhmad Syaikhu, Agung Yulianto and Ahmad Suhaimi all PKS politicians was held behind closed doors at the Aston Priority Simatupang Hotel in South Jakarta on Sunday. [We] apologize that it was closed [to the media]. Moreover, the agenda took a long time, PKS Jakarta spokesperson Zakaria Maulanan Alief said on Sunday as quoted by tempo.co, adding that his team would issue a press statement after the screening was finished to avoid a public uproar. Each candidate was reportedly required to present their ideas on city development and was quizzed on their understanding of the citys midterm plan. During the first phas... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29 2019 The Indonesian Ulema Councils (MUI) Bogor chapter in West Java has urged members of the public not to heed the call from a conservative Muslim group who wants to ban Cap Go Meh celebrations. A circular dated Jan. 23, which was issued by a group identifying itself as the Bogor Muslim Forum, stated that it rejected the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 5 and Cap Go Meh that is celebrated 15 days later. After the circular was widely spread on social media, MUI Bogor regency chairman Mukri Aji said Muslims in the area should remain tolerant and that people of different beliefs do not interfere with one another, as stated in the MUIs fatwa. I dont know of the existence and quality of that forum, but the thing is that the MUIs fatwa is stronger, he told tempo.co on Monday. He was referring to the 2016 fatwa on the use of non-M... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Depok Tue, January 29, 2019 11:15 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b06c6c1 1 City baby-deaths,baby,murder-case,domestic-abuse,Depok,violence-against-children,police Free Residents of Villa Santika Residency in Pancoran Mas, Depok, West Java, discovered the bruised body of a 2-month-old baby in one of the houses in the complex. Pancoran Mas Police chief Comr. Roni Agus Wowor said the baby girl had bruises all over her head. Residents immediately reported their finding to the police, Roni said on Monday as quoted by tribunnews.com. Roni went on to say that some residents said they heard a baby crying at around 6:30 a.m. but it went silent after a while. Some witnesses said they saw a woman carrying the baby. We have questioned three eyewitnesses on the chronology of the finding and to reveal the identity of the woman who carried the baby, he said. The body was taken to the Kramat Jati Police Hospital, East Jakarta. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Sao Paulo, Brazil Tue, January 29, 2019 11:11 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b06a993 2 World #Brazil,#DamCollapse,mining,dam,collapse,hits,indigenous-people,water-supply Free Muddy waste from a ruptured dam at a mine in Brazil's southeast is reaching an indigenous community in the region, contaminating its water supply, a chief told AFP. "We noticed that the river is becoming dirty and later, we started to see dead fish," a leader of the Nao Xoha native community, Hayo Pataxo Ha-ha-hae, said by telephone. He said he had met a representative of the government's indigenous protection agency Funai to discuss the pollution. The muddy change to the Paraopeba river was the result of the dam collapse that occurred last Friday at the mine owned by mining giant Vale, close to the town of Brumadinho. The disaster has killed at least 60 people and left nearly 300 missing, presumed dead. More than $16 billion was wiped off Vale's market capitalization on Monday as investors digested the news, which was compounded by a previous mining dam disaster involving Vale in the same region three years ago. The Nao Xoha community is comprised of 27 families living on the banks of the Paraopeba river in a fishing village, Sao Joaquim de Bicas, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Brumadinho. "They informed us yesterday (Sunday) that they have only small reserves of water," the regional Funai director, Jorge Luiz de Paula, said in a statement. Funai on Monday delivered donations to the Nao Xoha families. Hayo said: "We are in a very serious situation.... We depend on the river and the river is dying. We don't know what to do." Marcelo Laterman, a geographer and spokesman for Greenpeace, called the pollution "worrying." "We are seeing this toxic mud spreading and it looks as if it will go 220 kilometers to another dam where these mining residues can be blocked," he told AFP. He said parts of the river and nearby vegetation "were completely destroyed." Brazilian authorities have ordered that more than $3 billion in Vale assets be frozen with the aim of using it to pay out compensation and fines. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Tue, January 29, 2019 22:26 872 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b08b676 2 National graft,Meikarta Free Bekasi Fire Agency head Sahat Maju Banjarnahor and his counseling and prevention division head Asep Buchori say they received a total of Rp 1 billion (US$70,961) in bribes from the Meikarta megacity project. The claim was made on Monday during a trial at the Bandung Corruption Court in West Java of several defendants including Lippo Group executive Billy Sindoro, consultant Fitra Djaja Purnama and Bekasi regency administration officials, who worked on the licensing process for Meikarta. Speaking as witnesses, Sahat and Asep said they received the money for issuing a recommendation on fire extinguisher installation for the project. The recommendation was needed to propose the building permit (IMB) for Meikarta. Pak Asep told me to help accelerate the recommendation because there was an instruction from the regent, said Sahat. Of the money, Sahat received Rp 610 million, Asep received Rp 270 million, and some Rp 30 million was handed over to Bekasi Regent Neneng Hasanah Yasin. It was unofficial money, Sir, a bribe, Asep told the panel of judges. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutor I Wayan Riyana said the signing date of the recommendation letter was also falsified. It was signed in September but it was written May 2018 to make it in accordance with the other licensing processes for Meikarta, he said. The prosecutor also presented six other witnesses including Yani Firman of the West Java Bina Marga Agency, West Java administration secretary Iwa Karniwa, former West Java Bina Marga Agency head Guntoro, and Investment Agency head Dadang Mohamad. The trial was adjourned for Wednesday to hear more witnesses. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 13:23 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b077789 1 National #landslide,landslide,bali,#Bali,Buleleng,#bad-weather,bad-weather,heavy-rain Free Four people were killed when a landslide buried a house in Bali on Jan. 29, following heavy rains in Mengening village, Buleleng regency. The landslide in Mengening occurred at around 5 a.m. local time on Tuesday, said I Made Rentin of the Bali Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). The disaster buried a house and its occupants Ketut Budikaca, 33, his wife Luh Sentiani, 27, daughter Putu Rikasih, 9, and son Kadek Dodit Wiguna, 5. The landslide was triggered by continuous and heavy downpours, said I Made as quoted by Antara news agency. On Sunday, two people were killed and 12 others injured when a 6-meter hill collapsed following heavy rains in Ban villagem Karangasem regency, and buried the house that stood in front of it. All 14 victims were members of the same family, which was watching television when the disaster struck. The torrential rains in recent days have triggered hydrometeorological disasters like floods and landslides in many regions across the country. Dozens of people have been killed and thousands displaced since last week. Authorities recorded the worst disaster in the past week occurred in South Sulawesi, where floods and landslides hit 12 regencies and one city, killing at least 69 people and displacing 6,700 others. High-intensity rain and strong winds will continue to the end of January 2019. Flooding, landslides, flash floods, strong winds, falling trees and slippery roads are likely. People should be careful and [well-prepared], Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) spokesman Taufan Maulana told The Jakarta Post on Monday. (ggq/ipa) Public administrators in human services are acutely aware that structures of service delivery rarely align smoothly for families with complex challenges. I found during my time with Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare that there were, indeed, families with six or seven county caseworkers, often not communicating as a case team.Despite heroic efforts in many local agencies, too often this continues. The institutional barriers to addressing the needs of such families stem from the very complexity of the families' situations, inadequate training and time for caseworkers, financial limitations, and regulatory restrictions commonly acknowledged as "siloes."And nowhere is it more difficult -- or urgent -- than for families involved in the child-welfare system. Safe reunification of families whose children are in out-of-home placements due to neglect or inadequate housing can be delayed by the family's inability to secure safe and affordable housing. Children and their parents may spend months apart despite being ready to be a family again.Federal, state and local agencies have tackled the problem through a variety of strategies that aim at producing housing subsidies as soon as families are ready to reunite. When Philadelphia's Department of Human Services announced a pilot program called Rapid Rehousing for Reunification last year, I took a closer look at the problem nationally and discovered myriad pitfalls to successful innovation.Ruth White, executive director of the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, probably knows more about this topic than anyone. Her earlier leadership role in advocacy at the Child Welfare League of America led to the creation of the Family Reunification Program, a special set-aside of federal Section 8 vouchers awarded competitively to public housing authorities. Some 330 communities have participated, and more than $100 million has been awarded to support families in the child-welfare system since 2009.Time-limited housing assistance from other sources has also been deployed, but can trigger other risks requiring proactive management at every step. White points to a Washington, D.C., cash rental-assistance program which, under pressure to move more families out of shelters, terminated assistance before families could pay market-rate rents. Only 40 percent of families were able to sustain their rents at the end of the rapid rehousing support. Analysis suggests that time-limited stipends might work for some families, but not for ones with chronic, complex challenges.Generating early cash to support housing assistance for reunification also offers an opportunity for agencies to direct downstream savings to the earlier housing intervention. But this rationale is a hard sell in many public agencies. Connecticut has appropriated directly for cash supports for reunification, and according to White, is "getting it right." New Jersey and Washington state have prioritized rapid rehousing for reunifying families. Informal or direct recognition of the savings from other child-welfare expenditures is an important impetus.It's clear from the successes as well as the failures that tying the pieces together is as much the innovation as the provision of housing assistance itself.Many things have to fall into place. The child-welfare, housing and homeless-assistance leadership must be aligned in their priorities and willing to shape the direction of their sprawling bureaucracies. Reuniting families are still fragile and often require continued support services from overworked caseworkers drawn to more urgent needs. If families have found housing with short-term financial assistance, they risk a "cliff" and a return to crisis if the head of household has not returned to work with sufficient income to pay the rent or a Section 8 voucher is not available. Unrealistic expectations of financial independence or family stability can set hard-won progress back to the crisis point.Back in Philadelphia, the head of human services knows this well. Cynthia Figueroa, who headed a major nonprofit community service agency before becoming commissioner of the city agency, has forged close ties with the director of the city's homeless services, herself a long-term and respected advocate for affordable housing. Figueroa secured philanthropic dollars to pilot the Rapid Rehousing for Reunification program, and is working to ensure family financial success as the pilot continues. Depending on how the families do, she's prepared to make room in her budget to take the program to larger scale.As is often the case in social-service intervention, money may be essential, but is rarely the only key to successful innovation. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29 2019 Hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides and strong winds have hit several areas across Indonesia. Dozens of people have been killed and thousands displaced in the last week. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned that according to rainfall patterns in the last 20 years, January and February were the peak months for hydrometeorological disasters. The rainy season has begun in almost all regions in Indonesia, with a tendency for extreme rain, BMKG spokesman Taufan Maulana told The Jakarta Post on Monday. There are also other factors, such as tropical cyclones, problems with urban spatial planning and the governments readiness to minimize the impact of extreme weather. National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho earlier said deforestation and damage to watersheds had c... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gisela Swaragita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29 2019 Mesmerized: A young girl plays a game on her mobile phone. (Courtesy of Esther Samboh) To allow screen time or not to allow screen time, that is the question. Some parents today may consider rapid growth of technology a frightening element that can pose a risk to their young ones. But for others gadgets may serve as the crucial parenting hacks. A mother of two in Tangerang, Banten, Ruisa Khoriyah, said she allowed her two sons screen time every day. I allow my kids to watch YouTube videos and play educational games for about 15 minutes per day, the 35-year-old private employee told The Jakarta Post over the weekend, adding that the period of time was strictly nonnegotiable. Her permission was inevitable, she said, as her children knew there were many interesting things in gadgets and she and husband needed time to do household chores. ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 09:02 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b0634bd 1 City Python,Bekasi,rain,rainy-season Free A 3.5-meter python made a surprise appearance at the Graha Prima Sentosa housing complex in Kaliabang, Bekasi, West Java, purportedly after getting carried there by floodwaters on Sunday. The wild animal bit a homeowner who was trying to catch it. The homeowner, Maman, 35, first noticed the snake in the kitchen of his house on Sunday morning as surrounding floodwaters were receding after heavy rainfall in the area. With help from neighbors, it took Maman five minutes to capture the snake, but not before it bit him on his right arm. My husband caught the snake barehanded. He was helped by my father-in-law, Pak Minas, and Pak Rosyid. We panicked when we discovered a big snake in our house, Wati, Mamans wife, told kompas.com on Monday. The snake, which they put into a cats cage, is to be sold to raise money for Mamans medical treatment. The wound is one centimeter deep. [Maman] got six stitches because of the bite, Minas said. (fac) Spanish celebrity chef Ferran Adria is to reopen his once world-famous elBulli venture next year - but not serving food. The former three-Michelin-star restaurant on the shores of Catalonia's Costa Brava, once considered the world's best for four years in a row, will instead house a laboratory and museum of culinary innovation, Adria told Reuters on Monday. "The mission of 'elBulli1846' is ... to create quality knowledge of restaurant gastronomy and everything that surrounds it," the 56-year-old Catalan said before going on stage at the Madrid Fusion gastronomic congress. The new number in the name is a tribute to Auguste Escoffier, the Frenchman dubbed the "king of chefs, chef to kings" who was born in 1846 and popularized haute cuisine. Long after, Adria accomplished a similar feat with his molecular gastronomy mixing textures and flavors in the form of edible foams, papers or jellies, helping Spain compete with France in global culinary fame. Read also: World's top chef doesn't want to go back into the kitchen The original elBulli, named for a French bulldog owned by the German-Czech couple that built the place in 1961, shut eight years ago due to heavy losses despite its huge popularity. With an investment of around 10 million euros ($11.4 million ) in 5,000 square meters, elBulli1846 is planned to open in February 2020 at the same cove on the north-eastern coast of Spain as the original restaurant. Professionals will work there on how to innovate efficiently, be it in the big-league restaurant business or on a smaller scale, Adria said. The parallel museum will offer guided tours by prior appointment only. "There'll be people saying that this won't work, but they used to say the same in the mid-1990s," said the fast-speaking Adria, whose recipes have sometimes been criticized as over-eccentric. Indonesian online furniture shops, like Fabelio and iFURNHOLIC, are stealing the limelight with their savvy designs and competitive pricing. However, they face a major challenge in convincing conservative consumers to buy their products. Scrolling through Fabelios website feels like strolling inside a trendy furniture shop. Among the extensive furniture choices is the Taylor Sofa, a three-seater with wooden legs that boasts a simple, yet classy design. At a glance, the sofa and many of Fabelios other products might remind you of those offered by Scandinavian retailer IKEA. This is not a coincidence. Our design approach is Scandinasian, an Asianized version of Scandinavia, said Marshall Utoyo, one of Fabelios cofounder. Marshall, the founder of Jakartas Conclave coworking space, started the online furniture shop in 2015 along with two prominent e-commerce professionals, Khrisnan Menon and Christian Sutardi. Khrisnan previously worked for Lazada and Zalora, while Christian was part of an online food delivery platform, Foodpanda. From what I observed, the next step [of the online retail evolution] in every country is furniture, but why was it not available in Indonesia? Christian said about their decision to establish Fabelio. Indonesia has a long history of making furniture, especially in the field of wood crafting, he added. Christian and his friends made use of Google Analytics data to track furniture trends and develop their products. Fabelio now offers about 6,000 products, ranging from bed bases, dining tables and bedside lamps to curtains. Another online furniture shop that is gaining prominence is iFURNHOLIC, which was founded by Sidoarjo-based businessman Edhi Sutoyo. Like many Indonesian furniture businessmen, including President Joko Jokowi Widodo, Edhi focused on the overseas market when he started out in 1995. In 2015, Edhi tapped into the local market with online furniture brand iFURNHOLIC. The shop sells its products on its own website and through marketplace platforms such as Lazada and Bukalapak. iFURNHOLICs product designs fit to what is popular in the market, particularly the taste of women in Indonesia, he said. For small spaces: Online furniture store iFURNHOLIC develops a range of multipurpose furniture pieces that are suitable for small houses. One of them is the Bernard Bench, a dresser with a seat. (iFURNHOLIC/-) Edhi added that the online nature of iFURNHOLIC had helped his company reduce its operating costs, which in turn led to competitively priced products. Fabelio and iFURNHOLIC are among a handful of Indonesian furniture shops that provide an alternative to major furniture retailers, which are inundated with imported products. While the online startups remain secretive about their sales figures, the latest series of funding they have received indicates that the online furniture business is alive and kicking. In May last year, Fabelio raised US$6.5 million in fresh funds. Meanwhile, home-and-living platform Dekoruma reportedly received a multi-million US dollar investment from Indonesias Global Digital Niaga and AddVentures by SCG, an arm of Thailands Siam Cement Group. These local online shops pride themselves on locally made products and competitive prices. Their online platforms, however, seem to be two-edged swords. Indonesias e-commerce market is growing steadily with more and more Indonesians shopping for clothes, food and electronics online, but it remains to be seen whether they are comfortable about making an online purchase of bulky (and perhaps pricey) furniture. For me, I have to feel the furniture and its material first, said Galuh Prariningrum, a 51-year-old housewife in Jakarta. Galuh prefers to get her furniture directly from furniture stores, although she is aware that online stores may offer similar products at a lower price. Although it may be cheaper online, I believe a higher price means better quality, she said. To boost customer confidence, Fabelio and iFURNHOLIC have set up a number of physical stores to let customers check out the quality of their products. Fabelio goes the extra mile by allowing customers to return the products within 30 days after purchase in addition to offering a 365-day product guarantee and free interior design consultancy. Marshall said they came up with the free interior design idea after noticing that many people did not have a budget to hire an interior designer. In a way, we also help the customers to better buy our products, he added. Indonesias poor infrastructure has also become a hurdle for online furniture shops to expand their markets. Currently, Fabelio ships its products to customers in cities on Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Marshall hopes that his shop would reach all parts of Indonesia in the future. Despite acknowledging some limitations of the online business, Edhi loves the fact that iFURNHOLICs online platform helps him to communicate better with customers. His company often conducts online surveys to understand customers tastes and needs. While the online shops still have a lot of work to do to entice conservative buyers, they have a growing customer base made up mostly of professionals with a limited amount of free time. Buying online allows me to survey the models and prices efficiently, said 52-year-old Prio Anggoro, who has purchased tables, chairs, a bed and a cupboard online. I dont have to go from one store to another, which takes up a lot of time, cost and energy, he added. -The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post. Cultural heritage can transcend the fast cycles of trends to become a true-and-tested classic. When this topic inevitably turns to Indonesian textiles, the wax dying technique of batik normally comes to mind. However, its not the only one. Indonesia also boasts a rich variety of tenun (handwoven fabric). Often seen in both subdued earthy tones and vibrant hues, a single piece of tenun comes with intricate patterns unique to each region and culture across the archipelago. The production process is no less complicated, as each pattern is created with different colored threads woven into one singular cloth. Tenun has a long history in Indonesia, with archaeological sources providing evidence the art form appeared around the Neolithic age at the earliest. However, there is no concrete evidence in Indonesia, although such evidence has been found in mainland Asia. What was found was a small bronze statue called The Bronze Weaver in Flores that dates back to the 6th century. This statue shows a breastfeeding woman seated at a loom, explained Mariah Waworuntu, secretary-general of the Traditional Textile Arts Society of Southeast Asia. The process of creating tenun is also quite complicated, with it possible for a single tenun cloth to take months to complete using traditional weaving devices. Whats more, some tenun cloth plays an important role in the culture they originate from, making their creation much more sacred, and rare. Not wanting Indonesian tenun to be left in the shadows, an initiative is seeking to promote it, with the apparent objective of having a day dedicated to the fabric, just like Batik Day, which is celebrated every Oct. 2. Headed by fashion designer Anna Mariana, the committee behind National Tenun Day proposed that the day be celebrated every Sept. 7. Traditional Indonesian Textile Community chairman Tengku Ryo said the proposed date originated from a story dating back to 1929, in the National Awakening period. In that period, the need for cloth was as important as education and healthcare. As history would have it, discussions on the topic moved from Bandung to Surabaya, where Dr. Sutomo officiated the opening of the first ever weaving school in the city on that day, Tengku said. The impetus for a dedicated day celebrating Indonesian tenun has come from the huge boost National Batik Day has given to popularity of batik clothes and artisans. Anna said this popularity was precisely what was needed to preserve Indonesias tenun tradition. Nearly every region in our 34 provinces has their own variety of tenun. [...] The most basic reason is to save and preserve our beautiful culture and tradition that no other nation possess, said Anna, who showcased designs utilizing Bali and Betawi tenun and songket (gold-threaded woven fabric) at the DC Fashion Week last year. However, a surge in popularity may also bring unwanted risks. Cut Kamaril Wardani of Cita Tenun Indonesia said following UNESCOs listing of batik on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, cheap batik-patterned clothes flooded the market. If youre wearing batik that costs less than Rp 100,000 (US$7.06), its likely a cheap import. This is an issue because consumers are proud to wear imports [over genuine Indonesian products], Cut said, adding that she wanted to avoid the same fate should plans for National Tenun Day go through. (ste) Presenting works by some of the finest emerging Indonesian contemporary artists over a month, Selematan Masa Depan (A Celebration of the Future) closed on Jan. 15 at the ABBC Building, Bali Collection Nusa Dua, Bali. Curators Rifky Effendy and Ignatia Nilu selected 47 artists from Bandung (10 artists), Yogyakarta (17) and Bali (20); who contributed a diverse array of 74 works in 2- and 3-dimensional forms sketches, paintings, prints, sculptures, installations, video art and new media art. In the follow up to the Art Bali Beyond the Myths, the exhibition highlighted some of the talents who are pushing the boundaries of Indonesian contemporary art. While exhibitions that display contemporary artistic talent from Bali side-by-side with counterparts from across Indonesia may be seen in Java, in Bali these occasions are infrequent. Importantly, this allows opportunities for young local artists, students and creatives, who have internet connectivity and can access the "greater art world", yet may not have the chances to travel outside of Bali, to personally witness the developments and future direction of the national scene. Opened by Balis new Governor Wayan Koster on Dec. 15 last year, Selematan Masa Depan is the second of a series of regular events at the ABBC Building, which will help to define the location as one of the islands foremost contemporary art venues, while becoming a new art and creative destination within the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) Nusa Dua tourism precinct. ITDC Nusa Dua is a designated location with tourism facilities and many of the islands largest five-star resorts. Balinese artists contributed some of the strongest works in the exhibition, said well-known art critic Jean Couteau. Especially Satya Cipta, Citra Sasmita and Budi Agung Kuswara. In Balinese Baroque (Discovery Toward Invention) 2018 and Time After Time (Discovery Toward Invention) 2018 by Budi Agung Kuswara, the artist experiments with the cyanotype technique, a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print onto the paper with sunlight, along with archive photos and cultural items to produce aesthetically unique and beautiful images. His works are highlighted by innovative visual framing, kind of pop art, yet visually refreshing and intellectually articulated around the memory theme, said Couteau. Read also: Art Bali: A stepping-stone to a sustainable art ecosystem Budi represents the vanguard of emerging contemporary artists in Bali today. Satya Cipta, who has recently captured the attention of the Balinese art world with her premiere solo exhibition A Budding Talent at Ubuds Puri Lukisan Museum in late 2018, presents four beautifully balanced Chinese ink sketches on paper. Drawing is the basic fundamental of Balinese traditional art, and her combination of drawing techniques with modern gender political themes are an exciting, recent development on the Bali art scene. Satya's wild exploration of a woman's demand for control over her own body is formulated in a revamped, imaginative post-traditional line style similar to Gusti Lempad, said Couteau. Metamorphosis (The Flowers of Carnage) 2018, by Citra Sasmita, in her characteristic style of minimal iconography, also speaks of gender politics, while communicating through an array of symbols. In my new painting I adopt nature and nurturing symbols such as stone, cactus, a knife and scissors, a placenta and cloth with gold rose patterns, Citra said. I want to visualize to the current generation that they should be aware of and protect their roots and traditions, for the benefit of the next generation. The future will mean nothing if the next generation do not have any idea about their past and history, and also the philosophies. Citras painting is a highlight because she explores and denounces macho vocabulary, and for her feminist statement, Couteau said. Selamatan Masa Depan enjoyed increased attendance than the Art Bali 2018 event because of the tourist high season, and more international and domestic visitors and locals visiting the venue, said Army Firmansyah, one of the board members of Art Bali and the ABBC Building, part of the Heri Pemad Art Management Bali Team. Located in the Bali Collection shopping area many visitors see the sculptors and installations outside of the ABBC Building, become curious and come in. Attendance is important to us because the ticketed entry has to support our operational costs. The idea of contemporary art and creative events as a tourism attraction is new to this area and while foreign tourists are happy to pay entry fees, we have to help change the mindset and behavior of domestic visitors to go to alternative ticketed cultural events, rather than recreational venues and movies, for example. The management of the ABBC Building has many challenges to engage in building the brand of this multifaceted creative space inclusive with the Creative Economy Agency vision for the development of the Indonesian creative economy that includes cuisine, design, architecture, and art-themed events. As for upcoming events in 2019, we are now in progress of preparing three shows [including ART BALI 2019 in October] that will be produced by HPAM. Those shows are in addition to one art exhibition that we are still discussing with the organizer, he adds. (kes) The Denpasar Cultural Agency in Bali has proposed four dances to be listed as national intangible cultural heritage (WBTB), a list compiled annually by the Education and Culture Ministry's Culture Directorate General. The local administration has chosen four traditional heritage aspects, or ngaro, to be included in the customs and tradition category. It wants the dances janger kedaton sumerta, pegok and legong binoh to be recognized as cultural heritage in the performing arts and sate renteng to be acknowledged in the subcategory of traditional culinary skills. "In 2018, we registered four elements of culture. The four have been designated as 2018 Indonesian WBTB. We will register four more in 2019; hopefully, all four will be accepted, as was the case in 2018," said Yudhu Wasudewa, a member of the Denpasar Cultural Heritage Team, as quoted by news agency Antara. He said the Denpasar Cultural Agency sought to record and protect regional culture and propose a portion of its traditional culture and arts as Indonesian WBTB. Read also: Tempeh to be proposed as UNESCO cultural heritage Yudhu explained that the process of having an element of art or tradition registered as WBTB encompassed several stages, including the submission of proposals, academic studies as well photo and video documentation. Bali Cultural Agency head I Gusti Ngurah Bagus Mataram said the move to register more of the islands culture was aimed at raising awareness for cultural preservation efforts and avoiding possible claims from other countries. "Hopefully, all four of them can be determined as 2019 National WBTB, and Denpasar can prove itself at the national level, and even in the world," Ngurah said. "As a city with a cultural perspective, of course, we must protect and maintain the cultural heritage of Denpasar," he added. (liz/kes) Apple Inc. customers discovered a software bug on Monday that lets people listen in on other users by way of the companys FaceTime video chat service. The bug allows a user to call someone on FaceTime and automatically begin hearing the other person before they pick up the call. The other person isnt aware that the caller can hear them. The bug, confirmed by Bloomberg News, happens when a user creates a FaceTime conference call, puts in their phone number, and then adds the number of another person. The flaw was discussed on social media and picked up by website 9to5Mac.com. Late on Monday, Apples system status page indicated that group FaceTime is temporarily unavailable. The bug emerged on Data Privacy Day when Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook called for "action and reform for vital privacy protections." Read also: Latest iPhones officially on sale in Indonesia, starting at Rp 15.2m Apple added multi-person FaceTime calling at the end of last year via a software update that was, in part, designed to address previous software bugs. Mobile users can disable FaceTime by going into their devices settings. Apple didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about the flaw. The company is aware of the issue and will fix it with a software update later this week, the Verge reported, citing an unidentified Apple spokesperson. A lone duck named Trevor that lived on the tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has died, officials say, sparking an outpouring of grief from as far away as New Zealand. The celebrity mallard found fame last year after a visiting journalist from New Zealand discovered that his makeshift home, near a puddle, was used for directions. But his 15 seconds of fame were tragically cut short when he was "seen dead in the bush after being attacked by dogs" this weekend, a Facebook page dedicated to Trevor said. The chief executive of the Niue Chamber of Commerce, Rae Findlay, said it was a "sad time for Niue". "He captivated the locals, of which there are only 1,600 in Niue, and the 9,000 visitors to Niue each year," Findlay told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sunday. "He will definitely be missed, he captured many hearts and even the rooster, the chicken and the weka were looking a little forlorn today wandering around the near-dry puddle." Niue, a tiny speck of land, lies around 2,400 kilometres (1,500 miles) northeast of New Zealand. Read also: Bid to find a Valentine for Romeo, world's 'loneliest frog' One of the world's biggest coral islands, Niue does not have natural ponds or wetlands, so when Trevor turned up a year ago he was believed to have blown in from New Zealand with a storm. He quickly settled down in a large puddle near a road that the Niue fire service later topped up with water, the ABC reported. He became so famous locally that when the New Zealand Herald's deputy political editor Claire Trevett visited the island nation, she found he had been incorporated into street directions. "Someone said, 'Turn right past the duck' and then the whole story came out, the only duck on Niue," she told the ABC. He was later dubbed the "world's loneliest duck" for his solitary existence. Trevor Mallard, the speaker of New Zealand's House of Representatives after whom the late duck was named, offered his condolences. "Deepest sympathy to the people of Niue from the Parliament of New Zealand," Mallard wrote on the duck's Facebook death notice. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peter Miles, President and CEO of Sanatana Resources Inc. (Sanatana or the Company) is pleased to welcome Ian Smith to the Companys board of directors. Mr. Smith, FAusIMM, MCIM, is a mining engineering graduate of the University of Queensland, Australia, with 50 years experience in corporate, operations and project management and consulting within the international base and precious metals industries. He has a broad range of underground and open pit operating experience. Most importantly for Sanatana, Mr. Smith was Mine Superintendent and Chief Mining Engineer at the 90,000 tpd Bougainville Copper mine in Papua New Guinea, located to the northwest of Sanatanas recently acquired Tirua project. Peter Miles, President and CEO, states, "Ian's extensive engineering and operational experience in the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island region, and indeed around the world, will be invaluable to Sanatana's board and technical team as we move forward on our Tirua project." Mr. Smith managed the startup of the 72,000tpd La Caridad open pit copper mine in Sonora, Mexico and as president and CEO, engineered and constructed a 2,500 tpd (70,000 opy) CIL gold project in Uruguay. As president and CEO of bcMetals Corp., he engineered the 30,000tpd Red Chris copper/gold porphyry project for development in northwest BC prior to it being acquired by Imperial Metals Corp. As president and CEO of Yellowhead Mining Inc., Mr. Smith took the Harper Creek Project from exploration to development stage with the completion of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for a 70,000 tpd open pit mine in a period of 18 months. Mr. Smith was president and founding partner of Mineral Resources Development Inc., one of North America's most successful mining industry consulting companies until it was purchased by Canadian interests in 1995. He has managed engineering and strategic studies on large scale open pit projects in Zambia, PRC, Chile, Argentina, Siberia and the Philippines. About the Company Sanatana Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced management team and board of directors. Sanatana is based in Vancouver and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V: STA). SANATANA RESOURCES INC. (signed) Peter Miles ______________ Peter Miles President and Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, intends, is expected, potential, suggests or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond Sanatanas control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. It's a crime mystery that has inspired numerous books, films and even a death metal group: now the sensational and still-unsolved murder of a Los Angeles woman known as "The Black Dahlia" is getting the mini-series treatment from the director behind "Wonder Woman" and "Monster." The gruesome elements have become the stuff of legend: the mutilated corpse of dark-haired 22-year-old Elizabeth Short -- supposedly an aspiring actress -- was found by a passerby at L.A.'s Leimert Park on January 18, 1947, her body severed in half at the waist and her face slashed from the corners of her mouth to her ears. In "I Am the Night," coming to TNT on Monday, director Patty Jenkins tells the otherwise well-worn story in a novel fashion -- through the perspective of her late friend Fauna Hodel (played by doe-eyed actress India Eisley), the granddaughter of George Hodel, one of the main suspects. Given away at birth to an adoptive mother and raised with no ties to her biological parents, Fauna Hodel decides at the age of 16 to look for her genetic family -- a path strewn with pitfalls and dark secrets. The plot is based on real life, even if it was necessary, for dramatic purposes, to flesh out what remains an unproven theory, since the Los Angeles Police Department never solved the Black Dahlia murder. A #MeToo era vibe The story revolves around George Hodel -- portrayed by actor Jefferson Mays -- a precocious child who goes on to become a talented surgeon and a great art lover, something granddaughter Fauna takes after. Fauna eventually crosses paths with Jay Singletary (Chris Pine), a fictional journalist who specializes in pursuing the powerful in Los Angeles, a city where money and influence make everything right, especially with the police. Following the success of 2017's "Wonder Woman," director Patty Jenkins has crafted a mini-series that resonates in the #MeToo era. Jenkins, who directed Charlize Theron's Oscar-winning performance as a hooker-turned-killer in "Monster," ventures into the grim story of the Black Dahlia through the eyes of a vulnerable young woman determined to make a life for herself. Read also: Oscar body distances itself from UK controversy on child murder film Scriptwriter Sam Sheridan, Jenkins's husband, deliberately chose a small cast and simple, stripped-down, almost theatrical staging. "Edward Hopper had a visual style that I was in love with," Sheridan told AFP, referring to the 20th century American artist known for his stark and spare realism. "We were interested in sort of a Hopper-esque feel -- that sense of noir L.A. loneliness." Author of the autobiographical "One Day She'll Darken," Fauna Hodel had planned to make a film adaptation after the book was published in 2008. 'Space to breathe' But that was before mini-series were the hot item they are today. "Mini-series have come back into fashion," with shows like "True Detective," "Big Little Lies" and "The People vs. O.J. Simpson," Sheridan said. But Fauna Hodel never saw her project realized. She died in 2017 aged 66, just weeks before filming was to start. In telling her story, Sheridan said, its very richness posed a problem. "There's just way too much story for a feature. And you were going to lose so much of the subtlety and what made the story beautiful, which is Fauna's personal journey, if you got sucked into the pure thriller/true crime aspect." But the mini-series format, with a set and predetermined number of episodes, gives "everything space to breathe," he said. "It doesn't go on forever. You have an ending that you strive for," he said. "The mini-series -- to me as a writer, a creator -- is the absolute perfect length." For what could be his final acting role, Clint Eastwood left audiences of The Mule in awe of the 88-year-olds capacity to pull it off, once again. The Mule is an exhilarating film that draws its audience in with its constant thrills, its somewhat problematic humor and the underlying family values that shine throughout. It was Eastwoods first time in front of the camera since he directed the 2012 film, Trouble With the Curve. The Mules plot is based loosely on the real-life story of Leo Sharp: an infamous case of an 87-year-old drug mule from Michigan who was busted with 104 bricks of cocaine worth nearly US$3 million in his Lincoln pickup truck. The former daylily farmer allegedly delivered more than a ton of cocaine for the Sinaloa Cartel in 2010 alone. Eastwood plays lead role of Earl Stone, a witty old geezer and well-known prizewinning horticulturalist who slowly neglected his family as his work commitments took over. Basically, he depicts a well-rounded, older white man who is subtly problematic and humorous. However, some may beg to differ. During the rise of the internet, Earls flower business was undermined by the new technology, which left him strapped for cash with no back-up plan. His decisions eventually made him lonely, too, and Earl became estranged from his ex-wife Mary (Dianne Wiest) and his daughter Iris (Alison, his real-life daughter) for more than a decade. His relationship with his granddaughter, Ginny (Taissa Farmiga), remained the strongest by far, as she still kept in touch and invited him to family gatherings, despite sneers from her mother and grandmother. Earl makes an unwelcome entrance to Ginnys pre-wedding get-together, after being forced to pack all of his belongings into his pickup truck and leave his foreclosed flower farm. A guest of Ginnys approached the innocent-looking old man with an enticing job offer that could help him to cover the open bar at his granddaughters wedding: "Just drive." Little did innocuous Earl know that this would be his break into the highly lucrative business of delivering cocaine for Mexican drug cartels. His clean driving record and rickety old pickup truck was never going to lead the cops to suspect the lanky old man held was a drug mule. This is the first instance in which the audience can see where Earls priorities lie his family-oriented intentions are present, but he sacrifices the time with his family for work and for money. It seems the old grandfather is still under the impression that money can fill family voids the impression that led him to become estranged from those closest to him. Read also: Eastwood's train attack heroes film takes a beating from critics Now known as "Tata" on the street, Earl falls in love with the long road trips, the strange encounters along the way where we see most of his racist and sexist wit and the attractive lumps of cash that driving drugs brings him. He finds the funds to cover things that he never would have dreamed of, enticing him to continue transporting drugs for a living. The Mexican drug cartel develops an appreciation for their oldest drug mule, despite the many frightening encounters that involve loaded firearms, large tattooed men and death threats. As an 88-year-old director and actor, Eastwood could not have created a more perfect role for himself. The film portrays an iconic plot that combines a horrifying thriller with a heart-warming story that amplifies the love and grace of a family. Youll find yourself with a new-found appreciation for the risk-taking Eastwood and his work-life balance. His good-willed efforts attempt to patch up the wrongdoings of his past, but some people never truly forget. The Mule is a thrilling and timeless take on a real-life story depicted with light-hearted humor and played by an unmistakable legend. For a film that some speculate would be his last, Eastwood has maintained his renowned Oscar-winning qualities and captivated the audience with this easy-to-watch, slow-paced thriller. (geo/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ixora Tri Devi (The Jakarta Post) Evanston, Illinois Tue, January 29, 2019 16:36 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b07eea3 3 Opinion Islam,Indonesia,Muslim,moderate-Islam Free "Before I turned to Islam, I was living in a life of suicide." This what my friend, James (not his real name), said when I asked him about how important Islam was to him. I have been living in the United States, near Chicago in Illinois since 2014. I work in the grocery store while my husband completes his graduate studies. James, an African-American who teaches at a local high school has become one of our close friends. He is calm, kind and interesting to talk to. I have learned a lot about life in America from him. It was some time before I learned, surprisingly, how much Indonesia meant to him. Especially the kind of Indonesian Islam that I grew up with, where inner peace, tolerance and love go together; and where extremism, politicalization and tribalism that grip Islam elsewhere in the world are its enemies. So, why did James say that before he accepted Islam his life was a kind of suicide? As he explained it, he was killing himself slowly with vanity, and with recreational romances that left him more anxious than not. I was slowly going crazy, he told me. James says he has witnessed how the faith changes people. James did not convert to Islam until he met a group of students from Malaysia. He said he admired the way they treated each other, and saw that was deeply influenced by their faith. He then began to study how Islam was practiced in other countries including in Indonesia. He learned that Islamic saints, the Sunans, introduced Islam to Nusantara, in part, through wayang, traditional Indonesian puppetry. James says he admires the Sunans' cultural sensitivity and their creative approach. In James's view, Indonesians have adapted Islam to fit their long traditions. James says he likes how we integrate Islam into our daily lives. We always invite him when we celebrate Islamic holidays and to share Indonesias festive foods. He loves the way we celebrate Idul Fitri rituals, he admires our gatherings or silaturahmi. He says he prefers our style of Islam to many of the Middle-Eastern expressions of Islam that are well-represented in Chicago. My husband and I have a young daughter born in the US. James cautions me that if I want to give them a religious education while in the US, I will have to choose my tribe. The most prevalent Islamic religious schools, he says, are those where Middle Eastern or South Asian clerics or imams set the tone. Naturally, they are influenced heavily by the regional practices they grew up with. In Indonesia, it is easy find Indonesia imams to help with Islamic education, but in the US, they are rare. Therefore, for James, the most convenient way to learn about Indonesian Islam is from YouTube, which has some videos from Indonesian Muslim scholars in English. But he hungers for more because he finds peace in Indonesian Islam. He told me he is also uneasy with much of American Islam, which is prone to a kind of transnational Islam taught by transnational Muslims who commodify and sell their teachings, often tinged with violent messages and hatred for others, including other Muslims and non-Muslims alike. James says while Islam has brought peace into his life, he has to resist the kinds of Islamic practices and teachings that can wreck that peace. Living far away from home inevitably I reminisce and long for the Islam of my youth in Indonesia. Over the past four years in the US, my husband and I have tended not display our religion in public, as we might in Indonesia or when we are among Indonesian friends here. Other than with James, we rarely mention Islam. Interestingly, in talking with James, we have come to think harder about how our religion shapes us. We have also come to cherish more the kind of Islam that surrounded us growing up in Indonesia, which was a tolerant, peaceful kind that coexisted easily with other faiths, and even with practices of Islam which differed from those of our families and regions. Furthermore, even through the eyes of people, like us, who are living far from home, it is now clear that the form of Indonesian Islam that James admires, and we cherish, is at risk. By monitoring the mainstream and social media every day, we can easily find much bad news regarding discrimination and intolerance based on religion. My husband and I worry that we may not return to an Indonesia where our children can learn how to respect, tolerate and value all Indonesians--or all people. But, rather, we will find ourselves in a country where religious teaching focuses on how to demonize others, and encourages demeaning others, and stokes violence against our fellow countrymen, even other Indonesian Muslims. Ironically, this intolerance comes when many Muslims from all over the world are moving to new countries where they will live among a non-Muslim majority. Some of these people move by choice, while others like Muslims in Myanmar, are forced to move by violent intolerance against them, and some come because Muslims are at war with other Muslims and they seek a safer place to live and worship. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, January 29, 2019 08:39 873 ab327006fac3d4a4e8af45a51b061fde 1 Editorial PKI,#Editorial,anti-communist,communism-book-seizures,Attorney-General-Office,communist-purge,communist,history,1965-mass-killing Free There are two reasons why a government anywhere in the world would want to ban books; it is either fear or misunderstanding. The motivation behind the Attorney Generals Offices (AGO) decision to conduct raids on leftist books was a combination of both. People fear what they dont understand and in Indonesia this fear has long been institutionalized. For more than 40 years, the specter of communism continued to haunt Indonesia and there appeared to have been no efforts to exorcise it. Despite the fact the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was decimated in 1965, with its followers executed, sent to gulags and stripped of their political rights, throughout the duration of the New Order regime the population was indoctrinated with the idea that the PKI, communism and Marxism-Leninism continued to pose a latent danger. The demise of the New Order may have dismantled the state surveillance mechanism, but the legal foundation to demonize anything leftist remains. Despite efforts to abolish it, the Provisional Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. XXV/1966 on the disbandment of the PKI and the prohibition of the spread of communism, Leninism and Marxism, is still in place. It is this regulation that has justified crackdowns on anything suspected of being communist-related, from people wearing hammer-and-sickle T-shirts and screenings of documentary films delving into alternative histories of the 1965 tragedy to books, which at times have only marginally been tied to the communist coup. One of the books confiscated by the AGO in its latest round of raids conducted jointly with the Indonesian Military was one titled Islam Sontoloyo (Crazy Islam), a critique of the traditional version of Islam, written by the countrys first president Sukarno. The fact that a text written by one of the countrys founding fathers that opens up a discussion on the interpretation of Islamic texts has been targeted by the authorities could only result from a misunderstanding, a colossal one. If only officials involved in the crackdown bothered to read the contents of the books, they would find out that most of the books on their target list are in fact academic texts that are essential for students to learn about Indonesias history. Even for some of the most incendiary texts like LeninsState and Revolution, a basic understanding of current international affairs could enlighten these officials that communism has reached an impasse. The confiscation of physical copies of leftist books has also exposed government officials lack of understanding about how the internet has revolutionized the distribution of printed materials. Ronny Agustinus of Marjin Kiri (Left Margin) publisher, summed it up best. If the AGO only wants to know what the book is about they can read the reviews on the internet. Raids will be useless anyway in this digital era. So, unless government officials get a proper education, while the provisional MPR decree on which they base their mindless action continues to be in place, we will continue to hear about pointless book raids and book burning in the future. Fifth-grade students present their science projects to first- through fourth-grade students at Trinity Lutheran School Monday afternoon during National Lutheran Schools Week. Lutheran schools throughout the Metro East are celebrating with service projects, special events, and open houses through Saturday, Feb. 2. Fifth-grade students present their science projects to first- through fourth-grade students at Trinity Lutheran School Monday afternoon during National Lutheran Schools Week, which runs through Saturday, Feb. 2. Legislators are reviving bills that would raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, with lawmakers hoping that Gov. J.B. Pritzker will look on the issue more favorably than his predecessor. More than 30 Illinois communities have already enacted Tobacco 21 ordinances, including Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich and Park Ridge. I think that the more local communities that take action will indicate to legislators that this is something communities want, said Democratic Sen. Julie Morrison, who sponsored the Senate bill with Sen. Michael Hastings. Democratic Reps. Camille Lilly and Sonya Harper were sponsoring the House bill. Measures to increase the legal age passed both chambers last year, but former Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed them, citing doubts that the legislation would stop teenagers from acquiring tobacco products, as well as concerns over the effect on businesses. Republican Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer voted against the bill last session and said he will do the same with the new bill. Really, its a philosophical disagreement, Davidsmeyer said. I think that if somebodys 18 years old and legally an adult, they should be able to make their own decisions. Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokeswoman for Pritzker, said he looks forward to reviewing the legislation. The governor believes in order to help build a healthy society, we have to work to prevent young people from smoking, Abudayyeh said in an email. Limiting childrens access to tobacco products will likely help prevent them from getting a number of tobacco-related diseases, including lung cancer and heart disease, said Kathy Drea, vice president of advocacy at the American Lung Association in Illinois. If they havent started smoking using tobacco products by 21, chances are high that they will never start, Drea said. Since no neighboring state has raised the age for purchasing tobacco products, local businesses and the state will see decreased revenue, while public health impacts continue, Rauner wrote. The state collected more than $745 million in cigarette taxes, according to the Illinois Department of Revenues 2018 annual report. The proposed changes would likely cut the states cigarette tax receipts by $40 million a year and sales taxes by $6 million to $8 million, the department estimated. California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, Maine and the District of Columbia have laws that require a person to be 21 before they can purchase tobacco. Godfrey, Illinois Christopher Arnel had a difficult childhood. He found refuge in music and eventually stumbled upon an artist by the name of Prince. I had been raised on country music Waylon, Willie, Conway, Freddy FenderI had never heard any other music before I heard Prince for the first time, Arnel recalled. It was exciting, it was new, it was different and even at five years of age, it was a godsmack. I knew then that this was the guy I was going to follow for as long as his train was on the tracks. And, thirty-eight years later here I am. As a result of his love for Prince, Arnel became an administrator for the Uptown Minneapolis Music Scene Facebook Page, which was originally created by Jimmy Vinson. While moderating that page, he developed a desire to reach out to artists and musicians from Minneapolis, Minnesota, or former employees and/or business people who had worked with Prince, conduct interviews in a Master Class format and publish them on the Uptown Minneapolis Music Scene page. Not only did he want to highlight Prince and his enormous impact on the music community, but he wanted to feature new and upcoming Minneapolis artists. This included those who continue to elevate the electric funk that Prince cultivated in the 70s and 80s, as well as those who were found forging their own sound on the Minneapolis streets. Arnel is a bonafide Prince connoisseur and can recite every detail of his rise to fame. He has seen every video. Hes heard every version of every song except for Princes unreleased music catalog at Paisley Park. He has immersed himself completely into the world of the artist, including dedicating a whole tattoo sleeve on his left arm to artwork, signatures, song lyrics, significant dates and times, etc. Arnels first interview for Uptown Minneapolis Music Scene was with the family of Charles Huntsberry, a k a Big Chick, the famously blonde giant who was Princes bodyguard in the 80s during Purple Rain fame. This interview was published as text on the Facebook Page. From there, the Uptown Minneapolis Music Scene Master Class exploded into a podcast that has grown exponentially into a weekly radio show on the internet-based Real Music Radio at 9 p.m Tuesdays. You can catch his show every Tuesday at realmusicradio.com or right after the broadcast on www.mixcloud.com/umms_master_class. Arnel conducts telephone interviews with most of his featured artists, recording the interview in the home studio of Alphonso Harried, of Alton, Illinois. Harried sends the recorded interview to Jeffrey Luna, who is the owner/operator of Real Music Radio, with a song list that is hand-picked by Arnel, to highlight the featured artists music. He also throws in new Minneapolis artists songs, some Prince, and even the Backstreet Boys for good measure. When selecting talent to be on Real Music Radio, personally, Im very selective, Luna said. Its vital that anyone representing the station respect music and the artist. After listening to Christopher, I knew he was a perfect fit with his creative and professional approach to interviews. With the addition of Master Class, we have now reached over 200,000 listeners world-wide. Arnel treats each artist like the Prince of his heart, regardless of their success or exposure. Some of the up-and-coming artists that Arnel has interviewed include Nooky Jones, Alex Rossi, Tracey Blake, JP Delaire and Joyann Parker, who had the number one album last year on The Roots Music Reports Top Soul Blues Album Chart. He also interviewed Allen Beaulieu, who was the primary photographer and friend of Prince in the 70s-80s. Beaulieu photographed three album covers and toured extensively with the artist before releasing a book of Prince photography, Before the Rain, last November. And, while were on the subject of books, Arnel has been used as a source in two books, The Rise of Prince: 1958-1988, by Alex Hahn, and Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984, by Duane Tudahl. Another legendary artist who Arnel has interviewed, and subsequently become friends with, is Jellybean Johnson. Johnson was the drummer for The Time and produced hit songs for Alexander ONeal, Nona Hendryx and New Edition. In 1990, Johnson co-produced and played guitar on the bombshell track Black Cat with Janet Jackson. Christopher Arnel is THE TRUTH! Christopher Arnel is a bad man! Johnson has said of Arnel. Such words are only bestowed upon the most respected individuals in Johnsons universe. Arnel recently celebrated his birthday on the show with another Time alum, Jeffree JMak Mak, who now lives locally and stopped by the studio to sing and play the keyboard for Arnels special day. Arnel has formed some special friendships and gained family in Minneapolis through his Master Class interviews. It was his long-time dream to see Minneapolis first-hand and visit Paisley Park, where Prince lived and recorded music, visit the various clubs where Prince played including First Avenue, where most of the concert scenes for Purple Rain was filmed, and visit the home where Prince grew up, as well as the house used in the 1984 movie where additional scenes were shot. Arnel keeps in touch with the late Charles Big Chick Huntsberrys family and has been treated like an extended family member by Big Chicks widow and children. The family gave Arnel an autographed poster of Big Chick and some rare photographs of the former bodyguard and Prince during the Purple Rain days. Big Chick towered 6-feet-6-inches tall and weighed more than 350 pounds. Since Arnel shares the same tall stature, Big Chicks family encouraged him to try on Big Chicks Purple Rain tour jacket. It was a perfect fit. Just like Arnel and the Minneapolis music community a perfect fit. Now when Arnel returns to Minneapolis, he is treated like royalty, he said. The artists he has interviewed remember him and are appreciative of his efforts to get their music heard. Many of them have been unknowns outside of the Minneapolis market and are excited to have their music featured on an international radio show. Real Music Radio recently sponsored a birthday party for Jellybean Johnson last November at the Minneapolis Music Cafe in St. Paul, Minnesota. Johnson performed his new song, Put Some Jelly on It, and several other artists performed including Tracey Blake, Alex Rossi, Danny Kusz, Lingo CashCount, Corey Medina & The Brothers, Illism, JMak & The Funksexuals. Former Prince bodyguard Wally Stafford was the emcee for the event. This coming April 25, Real Music Radio is hosting a concert with artists, such as Blake, who are featured on the radio station. Additional artists and the venue are still to be announced. More exciting news for the coming year includes a UK Master Class, which will continue to serve up the funk on the international front. Both Arnel and the new host will be approaching more widely known artists who play other genres of music. But never fear, the consistent focus will be bringing the conspicuous Minneapolis sound to the masses. In the meantime, tune in to Master Class on Real Music Radio at 9 p.m. on Tuesday nights to realmusicradio.com and click on the Play Now link. ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consistent with its capital investment funding strategy, Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX/NYSE: FTS) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Columbia Power Corporation ("CPC") and Columbia Basin Trust ("CBT") to sell its 51% interest in the Waneta Expansion Hydroelectric Project in British Columbia ("Waneta Expansion") for approximately $1 billion. CPC and CBT are currently partners with the Corporation and together own 49% of the Waneta Expansion. As previously disclosed, the Corporation expects to fund its $17.3 billion five-year capital investment plan at its North American regulated utility business with cash from operations, debt raised at its utilities, common equity from the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plan and $1 to $2 billion of proceeds from non-core asset sales. "The sale of our interest in the Waneta Expansion helps finance the substantial growth occurring in our regulated utility business, including growth in British Columbia," said Barry Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fortis. "This transaction completes the asset sale funding component of our five-year capital investment plan." Fortis expects the transaction to close within 90 days. Closing is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature and the receipt of routine approvals. With its partners, Fortis constructed the 335-MW hydroelectric generating facility expansion ahead of time and on budget and, through FortisBC Inc. ("FortisBC"), has operated the facility since it went into production in 2015. CPC and CBT are both 100% owned by the Government of British Columbia. FortisBC will continue to operate the Waneta Expansion facility and purchase its surplus capacity. RBC Capital Markets acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Fortis. Forward-Looking Information Fortis includes "forward-looking information" in this media release within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to as "forward-looking information). Forward-looking information included in this media release reflects expectations of Fortis management regarding future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as "anticipates", "believes", "budgets", "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "intends", "may", "might", "plans", "projects", "schedule", "should", "target", "will", "would" and other similar terminology or expressions have been used to identify the forward-looking information, which includes, without limitation, statements related to the Corporation's forecast capital spending for the five-year period 2019 through 2023 and potential funding sources, the satisfaction of the conditions precedent and the expected timing of the closing of the transaction. Forward-looking information is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Certain material factors or assumptions have been applied in drawing the conclusions contained in the forward-looking information. These factors or assumptions are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, including those identified from time to time in the forward-looking information. Such risk factors or assumptions include but are not limited to: the implementation of the Corporation's five-year capital plan; no material capital project and financing cost overrun related to any of the Corporation's capital projects; and risks relating to failure to complete the transaction and the timing thereof. Fortis cautions readers that a number of factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking information. These factors should be carefully considered and undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information. For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors, reference should be made to the continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time by Fortis with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking information included in this media release is given as of the date of this media release and Fortis disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Fortis Fortis is a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry with 2017 revenue of C$8.3 billion and total assets of approximately C$50 billion as at September 30, 2018. The Corporation's 8,500 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states and three Caribbean countries. Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com , www.sedar.com , or www.sec.gov . A .pdf version of this press release is available at : http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/5f62e6a5-f8a8-41e5-bc97-5a28cd210d92 For more information please contact: The MSB program is Carlsons brainchild. In 2016, Carlson embarked on a mission to bring inspiring messages to inmates. Though somewhat apprehensive at first, Carlson found a receptive audience. It was that first event that sold Carlson on offering speakers gratis to NDCS inmates. I was so impressed by what I saw, Carlson said. I decided I was going to make Nebraska Corrections my cause. MidAmerica Speakers Bureau representatives have visited seven of Nebraskas ten correctional facilities, touching hundreds even thousands of lives. Carlson said that some of his speakers cost tens of thousands of dollars to appear, but thus far MSB speakers have no problem offering free speaking engagements to inmates. [The speakers] love helping change the minds, attitudes and lives of the incarcerated, Carlson said. They all say: I cant wait to go back. Such attitudes seem to have helped MSB speakers truly get their message across, Carlson said. The questions afterwards are unbelievable. To Owens-Nauslar, the value of giving hope and inspiration to those who might need it most pays for itself. Kick Butts Day Rally participants sought No Limits, Nebraskas youth-led tobacco prevention movement, is accepting applications to participate in the 14th annual No Limits Kick Butts Day Rally March 19-20 in Lincoln. The event is open to Nebraska youths ages 12-18 in grades 7-12. Participants will plan and prepare for the March 20 rally during a workshop March 19. The Kick Butts Day event includes a march from downtown to the steps of the Nebraska State Capitol. Participants will meet with state senators prior to the march to discuss how tobacco impacts teens. The rally is free for accepted applicants and includes lodging, food and transportation to and from Lincoln. Groups are encouraged to have an adult sponsor but are not required. Applications must be submitted by Feb.13. More information and application forms are available at NoLimitsNebraska.com or by calling 866-FYI-TEEN (866-394-8336) or emailing info@nolimitsnebraska.com. Multi-agency disaster training set in Hastings The American Red Cross and Adams County Emergency Management Agency who host a Multi-Agency Resources Center (MARC) Training Feb. 18 in Hastings. A Grand Island man is in jail following a traffic stop early Sunday morning. Around 1:40 a.m. Sunday, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped a 2007 Dodge Ram for speeding Highway 6 in Hastings. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected criminal activity and conducted a search of the vehicle, and revealed a small amount of methamphetamine. The driver, Beau Lehn, 30, of Grand Island, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lehn was lodged in the Adams County Jail. NSP made several other arrests across the state this past weekend in which they arrested several people and seized marijuana, hash, and methamphetamine following multiple traffic stops. At approximately 11:50 p.m. Friday, a trooper stopped a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze for a broken taillight. During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected the presence of a controlled substance. Troopers searched the vehicle and found a small bag containing approximately two grams of methamphetamine hidden inside a yogurt container in a bag with groceries. Situated on the waterfront at Palmer Point, this two-bedroom, two-bath condominium has unobstructed water views. The floor plan spans 1,110 square feet of living space, including a living/dining room with a fireplace and built-ins and a kitchen designed with white cabinetry, gray surfaces and black appliances. Two outdoor decks look out to Cos Cob Harbor. The property comes with one reserved parking space in a detached garage and another space thats first come, first served. This condo also has an expansion opportunity to create a second-level loft space. 7 River Road, Unit 304, is within walking distance to the train station, local shopping and restaurants. The assigned public schools for this address are Cos Cob Elementary, Central Middle and Greenwich High. Listing agent: Maria Ruggeberg, William Raveis Real Estate, Greenwich office; (203) 912-7729 cell; maria.ruggeberg@raveis.com Condominium Unit 408 at 9 River Road at the Palmer Point Marina offers year-round water views of Cos Cob Harbor. The 1,069-square-foot residence has a modern, open floor plan. The living room/dining area has a fireplace and sliding doors that open out to a deck that overlooks a courtyard. The kitchen is designed with white cabinets, surfaces and appliances, for a bright aesthetic. The full bath has been recently renovated. This home also has an in-unit stacked washer and dryer, and the closets have been outfitted with organization by California Closets. The property is located within walking distance to the train stop, shopping and the local elementary school. The owner enjoys covered garage parking. The assigned public schools for this address are Cos Cob Elementary, Central Middle and Greenwich High. Listing Agent: Jessica Lane Alsina and Danielle Scialpi-Malloy, Real Living Real Estate, Five Corners Properties; (203) 690-7909 cell; jessica@gclre.com HARTFORD Since 2002, the Connecticut Democratic Party has received a total of about $116,000 from the Sackler family, owners of Stamford-based Purdue Pharma, the opioid-producing company now being sued by Connecticut and many other states. If we knew then what we know now, of course, we never would have taken the money, said Nancy Wyman, who was elected chair of the state party last week, after serving as lieutenant governor for eight years. Eight of the Sacklers were closely involved in false marketing of opioids, contributing to the nations deadly opioid crisis, a lawsuit by Connecticuts attorney general alleges. The lawsuit states They had the authority to stop the deadly misconduct, and they failed to stop it. Purdue Pharma denies the allegations. After reviewing the Sackler contributions and calculating the $116,000 total, the Democratic party, also known as the Democratic State Central Committee, will donate $5,000 to a substance abuse treatment nonprofit in the state, Wyman said Monday. They have not yet selected which one. Wyman insists that the Democratic party received its donations from the Sacklers before their involvement in Purdue Pharma marketing was made clear. The partys last donation from the Sacklers was $10,000 in 2017. It was really only when the Massachusetts case came up [in June 2018] that the familys name was put out there, so we never connected the two, Wyman said. Wyman said the Sackler contributions did not affect Democrats work to combat the opioid crisis. We are proud of what Democrats have done in the House and the Senate on the opioid addiction problem in Connecticut, she said. Were proud to be one of the states with the best treatments available, like the Narcan. Not everybody has that available at police departments and stuff and that was done by the people we spent the money on to help elect them. The Democratic Party cannot give back all the money it received from the Sacklers because it was spent to elect candidates, including Wyman herself. In fact, through numerous contributions to candidates and political action committees, the Sackler family has been boosting Democrats in Connecticut for decades. Outside of contributions to the Democratic State Central Committee, Hearst Connecticut Media located $80,050 in additional Sackler contributions to Connecticut beneficiaries dating back to 2000. For example, former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy received at least $16,425 in direct contributions from the Sacklers, helping him and his running mate Wyman into office. Senate Democrats received at least $11,000 in contributions between two of their PACs. Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz received $1,500 from the Sacklers from 2000 to 2003 when she was Secretary of the State. Former Republican Governors John G. Rowland and M. Jodi Rell also gained contributions from the Sacklers. The Sacklers may have made further donations not reflected in the State Election Enforcement Commissions electronic records. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy received more than $10,400 in contributions from the Sacklers. In 2017, he donated the money to Shatterproof, a national nonprofit group that advocates for improvements in the treatment of addiction, Laura Maloney, a spokeswoman for Murphy confirmed. The Sacklers also donated thousands to federal candidates. Jonathan, Elizabeth and Beverly Sackler gave $16,900 to Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Himes since 2008, Federal Elections Commission data shows. Beverly Sackler contributed $1,000 to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal in 2015 and 2016 and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro in 2016. Jonathan and Beverly Sackler live in Greenwich. Blumenthal made a $1,000 donation to the McCall Center for Behavioral Health in Torrington after realizing he took money from the Sacklers, his spokeswoman Courtney Chandler said Tuesday. Himes has promised not to accept more money from the Sacklers in the future, his Communications Director Patrick Malone said. A spokesman for Purdue Pharma, Bob Josephson, declined to comment directly on these donations. But he provided a lengthy statement, which said in part: Purdue Pharma shares the publics concerns regarding the opioid addiction crisis, and we are committed to working collaboratively with all those affected by this public health crisis on meaningful solutions to help stem the tide of opioid-related overdose deaths. The company has launched initiatives to combat prescription drug abuse and has stopped promoting opioids to doctors, the statement said. Widespread association between the Sackler family and addiction to OxyContin happened as a result of a New Yorker article in October, 2017. Most of the lawsuits followed that story, which documented the familys rise along with the popular painkiller. But long before then, there were many charges against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family - claims that the companys practices were leading to addiction. That New Yorker article, for example, cites a 2001 letter from Richard Blumenthal, then attorney general in Connecticut, now U.S. Senator, to Richard Sackler, the former president and co-chairmen of Purdue Pharma. I have been increasingly dismayed and alarmed about the problems and escalating abuse of OxyContin, Blumenthal said, according to the New Yorker, which said Blumenthal spelled out the differences between OxyContin and other painkillers, and asked Purdue to overhaul and reform its marketing practices. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Update: According to court documents, the case against Peter Mangano was dismissed. NORWALK A Norwalk man was caught with three unregistered rifles and multiple high-capacity magazines as police officers responded to a possible overdose at his home, according to court documents. Police responded to a France Street residence just after midnight Jan.12 on a medical assistance call. At the scene, the homeowner Peter Mangano, 38, led officers to his friend was passed out and turning blue with his eyes rolled into the back of his head, the affidavit said. The responding officer applied Narcan to the man, which revived him, and later had him taken to Norwalk Hospital. During the incident, police reported seeing multiple rifles, pistols and high-capacity magazines lying nearby on table that also held a small amount of marijuana and empty prescription bottles. According to affidavit, Mangano consented to a search of the residence, during which time police seized three semi-automatic rifles that werent registered in Connecticut, one of which had a sawed-off barrel, and multiple illegal high-capacity magazines. In total, police said they recovered 20 illegal magazines, including one drum magazine, seven 30-round rifle magazines and three 20-round rifle magazines. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, police obtained arrest warrants for Mangano. On Monday, Mangano turned himself in to police. He was charged with three counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon and 20 counts of possession of a large capacity magazine. He was held on $25,000 bond and given a court date of Feb. 7. Police said the case was forwarded to State Police for further investigation. Because Manganos two children were home at the time of the initial incident, according to the affidavit, the state Department of Children and Families was also notified. Woman Kicked Off Flight After Saying Shes Sitting Between Two Big Passengers A woman was kicked off a United Airlines flight after criticizing her seatmates weight last week. In a video, which was posted on social media, the woman could be seen sitting in the middle seat, telling a person on her phone that the people in the seats next to her are so big, referring to their weight. Oh my goodness, I dont know how Im going to do this the next four hours. This is just impossible because theyre squishing me, she said in the clip. "At least they'll keep me warm." New York Post 2019129 She added: At least theyll keep me warm. After hanging up her phone, she appears to ask a flight attendant to find her another seat and get me out of here. Then, the woman next to her speaks. Excuse me, can you find her another seat? the woman recording the video asks the flight attendant. Because I will not be verbally abused by this [expletive] or anyone else. I will not be verbally abused by anybody. Im not tolerating it. I am not starting my new year off with this kind of negativity, the woman recording the video then added. The woman in the middle seat was taken to the back of the plane, saying to others, I eat salad. Other passengers criticized her for the comments. She told them: Im not politically correct. The plane was heading from Las Vegas to Newark, New Jersey, reported the New York Post, which also identified the woman recording the video as Norma Rodgers. You should be ashamed of yourself, madam. What youre doing is so terrible, you should be ashamed of yourself, one passenger also told the unidentified woman as she walked to the back. Why dont you try and sit between those two big pigs? she shot back. According to the Post, Rodgers said airline workers eventually booted the woman off the flight. I would like to say thank you to the flight attendants, supervisor and gate agent that handled the situation professionally and calmly, Rodgers wrote on Facebook. Thank you for addressing the issue immediately and not letting it escalate any further. The video of the incident can be viewed below (Warning: Contains foul language): United Failed to Protect Passenger, Says Lawsuit An unrelated lawsuit has claimed United Airlines failed to take appropriate action when a 16-year-old girl called for help after she was sexually assaulted on a flight from Seattle to Newark, New Jersey, according to The Associated Press. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported the lawsuit filed in Washington state last week claims flight staff only moved the teen a few rows ahead and allowed the man off the flight. Vijaykumar Krishnappa received a 90-day sentence last year after pleading guilty to the assault. Prosecutors said the physician intentionally touched the teen near her groin without her consent as she was sitting next to him on the July 2017 flight. The conduct of United in this case is unconscionable from start to finish, attorney Samuel Daheim, who is representing the victim, told the Seattle PI. United said in a statement that the airline cooperated with the criminal investigation and let the victim change seats. The safety and well-being of our customers is our top priority. Our customer was immediately moved to a different seat when the flight attendant was made aware of the issue. We fully cooperated with law enforcements investigation and the perpetrator has been permanently banned from flying United, the company told the newspaper. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Woman Charged for Driving Drunk on Vanilla Extract in Connecticut Officer Christopher Dewey was dispatched to an intersection where a driver was reported to have stopped, blocking the intersection on Jan. 23 in Connecticut. Once there, Dewey looked inside the vehicle to find driver Stefanie Warner-Grise with her eyes shut. After waking her up, the officer smelled her breath but it wasnt beer or hard liquor he detectedit was more like vanilla. And thats what Dewey foundseveral bottles of vanilla extract, empty inside her car, according to the police report. The driver answered the officer with slurred speech, and the extracts alcohol rendered her unable to answer simple questions. The officer gave Warner-Grise several sobriety tests. After she failed them all, Warner-Grise was taken into custody. Later at police headquarters, Warner-Grise refused to blow into a breathalyzer. She was held on a $250 bond until her court date the next day. New Canaan Police Department didnt specify why the 50-year-old driver drank vanilla extract, nor if her intention was to inebriate her or if she was just trying it out. Similar to Vodka This isnt the first time someone has been found inebriated from drinking vanilla extract. Carolyn Kesel from upstate New York, who had also consumed vanilla extract, was reportedly driving erratically around the Macedon Walmart Parking lot on Jan. 5, according to the Wayne Times. The front end of the car and the undercarriage were damaged when officers pulled the 46-year-old over. She said she couldnt find her way out of the parking lot. Kesel, who already had a prior driving while intoxicated (DWI) offence, was charged for a felony DWI and a felony aggravated DWI. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the content of ethyl alcohol is no less than 35 percent by volume in vanilla extract, which is very close to or the same percentage as vodka. The Extract is Exempt Unlike alcohol, vanilla extract and other flavor extracts are exempt by the governments alcohol regulations. According to bon appetit, Vanilla extract falls mostly under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration as a food product. Bon appetit reports that the extract, in order to qualify as an extract and not an alcoholic beverage, must be judged as uninviting and not palatable by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau. Watch Next: Chinese Fentanyl Gang$1B Vancouver laundering scheme Abandoned cars at I-75 headed northbound near the Chattahoochee River overpass are piled up in the median of the ice-covered interstate after a winter snow storm, in Atlanta on Jan. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File) Winter Storm Takes Aim at Super Bowl City 5 Years After Snow Jam ATLANTAFive years after cars, trucks and school buses became marooned on Atlanta freeways in what became known as snow jam, another winter storm is threatening the cityjust as thousands of fans begin pouring into town for Super Bowl 53. A winter storm watch goes into effect Jan. 29 at 4 a.m. local time for Atlanta, a city known for grinding to a halt even in relatively light snowfalls. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Jan. 28 said state offices in more than 30 counties in the northern part of the state would be closed Jan. 29, including those in the Atlanta area. The National Weather Service projects that up to an inch of snow is possible on Jan. 29 in Atlanta, with up to two inches in far northern suburbs. Forecasters warn of the possibility of ice-glazed roads and highways. The potential for ice is what concerns New England Patriots fan Pamela Wales of Quincy, Massachusetts, the most, she says. During her visit to Atlanta this week, local television footage reminded her that the city and ice dont mix well. They were showing all kinds of pictures on TV from 2014 when everyone got stuck, Wales said as she toured Super Bowl exhibits at the Georgia World Congress Center on Jan. 28. The potential for black ice is also the overriding concern among emergency officials, said Homer Bryson, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Temperatures are going to plummet, the governor said at Jan. 28 news conference. Its very similar to what we saw in 2014, where the roadways will not have time to dry off before the moisture or precipitation on them refreezes, Kemp said. And thats when you have black ice, and thats what causes wrecks, which causes gridlock and public-safety issues, injuries. Road crews began treating major interstates, state routes, and overpasses in north Georgia with brinea liquid salt mixturein anticipation of the storm. The routes that both the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams must use to travel to and from practice venues also will be pre-treated, the Georgia Department of Transportation said in a statement. The Super Bowl will be played Feb. 3 in downtown Atlanta in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has a roof. The roof will be open if weather permits, officials have said. Theres a 40 percent chance of showers for game day, but highs will be near 58 degrees (14 Celsius). Thats slightly warmer than average for Feb. 3 in Atlanta, climate records show. But forecasters say the more immediate threat is Jan. 29, when roads could be treacherous. It is often easy to pass judgment on how we in Georgia deal with snow and ice, but for those from the north what you do know is that an ice event is very different than a snow event, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Jan. 28. By Jeff Martin. Associated Press Writer Ben Nadler contributed. Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 25, 2016. Bernie Sanders promotes Democratic Socialism. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Will Democratic Socialism Lead to Communism? Commentary So, whats the difference between democratic socialism and communism? Usually, five to 10 years. Seriously, though, this question comes up a lot in the age of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Many younger people seem to think democratic socialism means all the liberty and prosperity we enjoy today, plus a bunch of free stuff. Indoctrinated young people are led to believe that the only changes in their lives under socialism would be the addition of free college, free health care, lots of public housing, guaranteed pensions, and generous welfare programs. Sweden, Germany, and Norway are the oft-cited examples of a welfare state. Small-government advocates will retort that the amount of taxation and regulation required to maintain this kind of system will stifle innovation and entrepreneurialism, strangle growth and job creation, and drive most of us into povertyVenezuela is currently the fashionable example. The term democratic socialism is often used interchangeably with socialism. The purists, though, will condescendingly explain that the qualifier democratic distinguishes democratic socialism from the admittedly tyrannical MarxistLeninist variety of socialism, popularly known as communism. Some on the left, especially those from Americas largest Marxist organization, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), will tell you that this will never happen on their watch. Well stay democratic, they sayall major decisions will come to a vote. Well introduce widespread workplace democracy. Well never let the United States turn into Venezuela, or Cuba, or Bulgaria, or Hungary, or the Soviet Union, or the Peoples Republic of China, or the Democratic Republic of Germany (East Germany), or the Democratic Republic of Korea (North Korea), they assure us. As an often quoted saying goes, Any country with democratic in its name, isnt. Most young democratic socialists probably sincerely believe they are working toward a freer, prosperous, more equitable society with a mix of public, private, and co-operative ownership. They acknowledge the need for greater taxes (such as Ocasio-Cortezs 70 percent on billionaires) and regulations. Despite the repeated lessons of history, the young socialists dont believe that greater taxes and regulations will damage the economy and drive huge numbers of people into abject poverty. The more hardened (and honest) radicals will tell you: Yes, we will need more taxes and regulations. Yes, that will put businesses out of business. Thats the point! In an article from the Spring 2007 edition of the DSA publication Democratic Left, DSA National Political Committee member David Green of Detroit wrote very candidly about his organizations goals: What distinguishes socialists from other progressives is the theory of surplus value. According to Marx, the secret of surplus value is that workers are a source of more value than they receive in wages. The capitalist is able to capture surplus value through his ownership of the means of production, his right to purchase labor as a commodity, his control over the production process, and his ownership of the final product. Surplus value is the measure of capitals exploitation of labor. Our goal as socialists is to abolish private ownership of the means of production. Notice Green doesnt just want to abolish big business. Theres no qualifier there. He is explicitly advocating for full public ownership of the means of productionin other words, communism. As Karl Marx famously wrote in The Communist Manifesto, The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property. Green was quoted by Reuters in February 2017 as a participant in the Michigan Democratic Partys spring convention. The Michigan Democratic Party did not seem to mind that a high-ranking socialist was in its midst. We need a party thats open to progressive forces, Green was quoted as saying. And thats why we have to elect progressive leadership within the party. Now, according to DSAers and their comrades, the abolition of private property will be done democratically. There will be a vote in Congress to take away your multi-national corporation, your timber mill, your dairy farm, your gas station, or your convenience store. There will be no rampaging proletarian mob to expropriate your business or farm. It will be done in a civilized manner. Incrementally at first. Gradually you will pay more taxes, you will have to deal with more and more regulations, and you will find that hiring and firing has become ever more difficult and onerous. If youre a small business, youll probably eventually be forced to sell out to a bigger business that can afford to hire enough lawyers and accountantsor bribe enough officialsto keep the government at bay, before you are forced to shut your doors. At some point, the slide to socialism and communism may arrive at a temporary equilibrium, where big business will co-exist alongside the all-powerful stateChina in the last three decades is an example. Following the revolution, Marx argued, workers (the proletariat) would take control of the means of production. After a period of transition, the government would magically fade away, leading to a classless society based on common ownership of all wealth: From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Unfortunately, no socialist has ever convincingly explained why revolutionary leaders with control of all the wealth and power would then willingly turn that over to the masses. British historian and statesman Lord Acton understood human nature much better than Marx. His famous dictum, Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, is the ultimate argument against Marxs demonstrably unworkable theories of socialism and communism. Actons dictum holds equally true whether the wealth and power are seized democratically or by naked brute force. Naive young Marxists believe that democratic socialism will lead to socialism and eventually to a benevolent, classless, leaderless utopia called communism. Importantly, more sophisticated and seasoned revolutionaries understand that democratic socialism and then socialism will lead to the centralization of wealth and power into just a few hands. Those revolutionaries intend to be those hands. This is where the communist dream must inevitably end. There are many roads to tyranny. Democratic socialism is but the subtlest and most benign-sounding road to communism. Trevor Loudon is an author, filmmaker, and public speaker from New Zealand. For more than 30 years, he has researched radical left, Marxist, and terrorist movements and their covert influence on mainstream politics. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Micron Technology Inc. Double-Data-Rate Synchronous Random-Access Memory (SDRAM) chips are arranged for a photograph in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty Images) US Sanctions Put Chinese Chipmaker on the Brink of Shutdown WASHINGTONU.S. sanctions on Chinese firms that steal U.S. technology are yielding results. State-owned chipmaker Fujian Jinhua is reportedly poised to cease operations as a result of Washingtons penalties for stealing intellectual property (IP). Financial Times reported Jan. 28 that the Chinese company would go out of business by March as a result of the U.S. crackdown. The company was accused of stealing trade secrets from Micron Technology, the largest U.S. memory-chip maker. Citing sources familiar with the situation, the report said Fujian Jinhua is rapidly running out of imported materials that are crucial for its operations as a result of Washingtons export ban. Last year, the Trump administration started adopting new strategies to curb Chinas unfair practices, including IP theft. In October last year, the U.S. Commerce Department added Jinhua to its entity list, restricting exports to the Chinese semiconductor firm as it posed a national security threat to the United States. The Commerce Department said that the company threatened the long-term economic viability of American firms that supply the U.S. military. Jinhua was accused of flooding the market with cheap chips. In November, the U.S Justice Department filed criminal charges against Jinhua, its business partner Taiwans United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), and three individuals for conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, economic espionage, and related crimes. The defendants were accused of stealing Microns trade secrets related to the production of advanced dynamic random-access memory chips (DRAM). The development of DRAM and other microelectronics technologies has been one of the national economic priorities for the Chinese regime. And Micron is the only U.S. company that manufactures DRAM, a technology not possessed by China until very recently. The Justice Department also filed a civil lawsuit to prevent Jinhua and its partner from exporting to the United States any products made by using the trade secrets at issue. Micron claims that two engineers from its subsidiary left to join UMC, where they shared trade secrets with Jinhua. UMCs spokesperson told The Epoch Times that after the introduction of the U.S. sanctions against Jinhua, UMC suspended the research and development activity that it was conducting for the Chinese partner. UMC is hoping to settle with the U.S. authorities for a large fine in exchange for cooperation, according to the Financial Times article. An Object Lesson The actions of Trump administration made it very difficult for Jinhua to move forward as it heavily depends on U.S. suppliers to run its production plant. The fact that they are shutting down should be an object lesson for other Chinese companies, said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a technology policy think tank based in Washington. Its great news because it shows that crime doesnt pay, that there are still consequences in the world for trying to gain a competitive advantage by illegally harming your competitors. Chinese firms are engaging in intellectual property theft for technologies that they cant make on their own, he said, and hence, they violate the international rules and global norms. The Chinese regime has been deeply committed to aggressive economic policies that include acquiring foreign technology and information, which leads to greater IP theft. In the past decade, through hefty government subsidies, Beijing has managed to create its own national champions in key industries, helping them expand their market share and overtake foreign rivals. These tactics have weakened the competitiveness of U.S. companies such as Micron. To end Chinas economic aggression, the Trump administration imposed tariffs and investment restrictions on China last year. In response, Beijing retaliated with tariffs against U.S. products, which led to the escalation of a trade war. In early December last year, President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared a 90-day ceasefire on tariffs. As part of the deal, China, for the first time, made a firm commitment to delivering structural changes, including ending forced technology transfer and IP theft. If both sides fail to reach an agreement by March 1, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods will be increased to 25 percent from 10 percent. A Chinese trade delegation headed by vice premier Liu He began arriving in Washington for the next round of talks on Jan. 30-31. It would be hard for both sides to a strike a comprehensive deal soon, according to Marie Kasperek, deputy director of global business and economics program at Atlantic Council. However, she expects a small-scale deal that will be sufficient to avoid an escalation of the crisis for now. By March 1, China may commit to opening its market significantly to U.S. products especially in the agricultural sector and pledge to policies with regards to ending forced technology transfer, which is important for the United States, she said. If there is a deal it will be mostly focusing on economic wins for the United States and an agreement to commit to further dialogue. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton arrives to address reporters as the Trump administration announces economic sanctions against Venezuela and the Venezuelan state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela (PdVSA) in Washington on Jan. 28, 2019. (Jim Young/Reuters) Boltons Notes Raise Questions on Military Plans in Venezuela A notepad with the words 5,000 troops to Colombia scribbled on it has raised questions about potential U.S. military actions in Venezuela, after White House national security adviser John Bolton was pictured holding it at a press briefing Jan. 28. Despite mounting international pressure against socialist dictator Nicolas Maduros regime, thousands are still continuing to flee Venezuela into neighboring Colombia. Its unclear whether Boltons notes were a sure indication that the Trump administration was considering sending U.S. troops to Colombia, also uncertain was whether Boltons disclosure of the notes was intentional. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Both President Donald Trump and Bolton have previously said all options are on the table after Washington recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. The sending of U.S. troops to Colombia could escalate tensions further since Russia repeatedly warned the United States not to intervene militarily in the Latin American country. When asked whether the all options remarks included military action, Bolton told reporters in Venezuela on Jan. 24, I think that speaks for itself. Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning said the number of U.S. military personnel in Colombia remained unchanged as part of a pre-existing partnership. One U.S. official on condition of anonymity told Reuters they have seen nothing to support Boltons annotation. Colombias Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo, in a Jan. 28 statement, said: We are not aware of the significance or the reason for Boltons notes. Bolton was pictured with the notepad at a news briefing where he unveiled sanctions against Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA. The Treasury Department said the oil firm has long been a vehicle for corruption for Venezuelan officials and businessmen. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions will help prevent further diverting of Venezuelas assets by Maduro and preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela. In the meantime, the U.S. Department of State Travel issued a level 4 travel advisory to Venezuela on Jan. 29, due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and arbitrary detention of U.S. citizens. On Jan. 24, the Department ordered the departures of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members. #Venezuela Travel Advisory: Level 4 Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and arbitrary detention of US citizens. On Jan 24 the Department ordered departure of non-emergency US govt employees/family members. https://t.co/AWu3LxEjUC pic.twitter.com/Y06i1wUIT6 Travel State Dept (@TravelGov) January 29, 2019 The economic sanctions were the latest step from the United States to pressure Maduro to step down. Russia and China have invested heavily in the oil-rich country for years through loans and energy deals. Tensions between the two countries appeared to lessen somewhat after Maduros regime suspended its demand that U.S. diplomats leave the country within 72 hours late on Jan. 26. The Trump administration had refused Maduros Jan. 23 order, arguing the dictator had no legal authority. In a statement, Venezuelas Foreign Ministry said they would provide a 30-day window for negotiating with U.S. officials about setting up a U.S. interests office in Venezuela and a similar Venezuelan office in the United States. Washington also accepted Guaidos designation of Carlos Alfredo Vecchio as the charge daffaires on Jan. 25. He will serve as the representative of the government of Venezuela to the United States. Guaido again called for Venezuelans to take to the streets on Jan. 27 in order to put pressure on Maduro and his presidency, which is widely perceived as illegitimate. The 35-year-old has called for democratic elections free from corruption. Socialist policies introduced by Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, have crippled the nations economy and driven millions out. US Hits Venezuela State-Owned Oil Company With Sanctions WASHINGTONThe Trump administration imposed sanctions on Monday, Jan. 28, on Venezuelas state-owned oil company, a potentially critical economic move aimed at increasing pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to the opposition. National security adviser John Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the measures against the company. They are also aiming to boost Maduros rival, opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom the administration recognized last week as Venezuelas legitimate leader. The sanctions will include a freeze on any assets the firm may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with it. The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuelas tragic decline, and will continue to use the full suite of its diplomatic and economic tools to support Interim President Juan Guaido, the National Assembly, and the Venezuelan peoples efforts to restore their democracy, Mnuchin said. Todays designation of PDVSA will help prevent further diverting of Venezuelas assets by Maduro and preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela. The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the Interim President or a subsequent, democratically elected government, he said. PDSVA is the acronym for the state-owned oil company. Sen. Marco Rubio, (R-Fla.) a vocal critic of Maduro who has called for such sanctions, welcomed the move even before it was announced. The Maduro crime family has used PDVSA to buy and keep the support of many military leaders, Rubio said. The oil belongs to the Venezuelan people, and therefore the money PDVSA earns from its export will now be returned to the people through their legitimate constitutional government. The sanctions will not likely affect consumer prices at the gas pump but will hit oil refiners, particularly those on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Venezuelan oil exports to the United States have declined steadily over the years, falling particularly sharply over the past decade as its production plummeted amid its long economic and political crisis. The United States imported less than 500,000 barrels a day of Venezuelan crude and petroleum products in 2017, down from more than 1.2 million barrels a day in 2008, according to the Energy Information Administration. Still, Venezuela has consistently been the third- or fourth-largest supplier of crude oil to the United States, and any disruption of imports could be costly for refiners. In 2017, the most recent year that data were available, Venezuela accounted for about 6 percent of U.S. crude imports. Valero and Citgo are among the largest importers of Venezuelan crude. But Venezuela is very reliant on the United States for its oil revenue. The country sends 41 percent of its oil exports to the United States. Critically, U.S. refiners are among the few customers that pay cash to Venezuela for its oil. Thats because Venezuelas oil shipments to China and Russia are usually taken as repayment for billions of dollars of debt. By Matthew Lee And Deb Riechmann A Best Buy store is seen in Los Angeles on March 13, 2017. (Reuters/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo) Update: Best Buy Offers to Rehire Security Guard Who Tackled Criminal Best Buy has offered to rehire a security guard who was fired after tackling a man wanted on a felony warrant, who he saw fleeing from police officers. The security guard, publicly identified by his first name only, tackled Timothy Trujillo, 35, outside a Best Buy in Roseville. Tyler, who is also an Army veteran, said that he was compelled to act after seeing Trujillo knock down a sheriffs deputy. He jumped into action and tackled Trujillo to the ground. He started running past me and I thought I was doing the right thing by stopping him, Tyler told Fox 40. Lt. Andrew Scott, spokesperson for the Placer County Sheriffs Office, confirmed that Tyler stopped the suspect, preventing him from escaping. Obviously, we are very grateful [Tyler] intervened, Lt. Scott added to ABC 10. Luckily no one was hurt. Thats our first and most pressing concern in something like this, but because he intervened we were able to catch this man and take him off the streets. But instead of rewarding Tyler for the heroic deed, Best Buy management decided to fire him. Our policy is clear, employees are not to chase potential criminals outside of the store. Chasing an individual in the parking lot creates a safety risk that isnt worth taking, regardless of how noble an employees intention is, Best Buy stated. The company reversed the stance after a backlash following news reports on Tylers firing. #NEW: A security guard at Best Buy is seen in surveillance tackling a suspect who punched a deputy while resisting arrest at this Roseville shopping center. The man was later arrested but the security guard was fired for violating company policy. @FOX40 pic.twitter.com/U3SHsz9Zbj Charmaine Nero (@CNeroTV) January 27, 2019 We made a decision to terminate our employee for violating our clear policies but have had reason to take another look at what happened, said Best Buy in an emailed statement on Jan. 28 that was obtained by the Sacramento Bee. In the end, we understand he made a split-second decision to do what he thought was right and, while we wish he hadnt put himself or anyone else at risk, we regret our initial decision and will be offering him his job back. Tyler has not responded to the offer. He told the Bee that he knew he was breaking company policy by helping the police but didnt expect to be fired. I stand by it. I think it was the right thing, he said. My supervisors didnt even see it happen. I told them I was probably going to get in some sort of trouble for it. Recently, the Placer County Sheriffs Special Operations team hunted down and arrested 35-year old Timothy Trujillo of Placer County Sheriff's Office 2019121 Drug and Burglary Charges The sheriffs office, meanwhile, said that Trujillo was wanted for numerous burglaries by the time he was caught. Trujillo struck one of the detectives and fled in an attempt to escape. After a short foot pursuit, they were able to get Trujillo under control and handcuffed, the department said in a statement. Trujillo and his car were searched and detectives found methamphetamine, stolen property, and burglary tools. He was booked into the South Placer Jail and faces charges of assaulting and resisting a peace officer, possession of burglary tools, possession of methamphetamine, and burglary. Shepherdsville Best Buy warehouse employee accused of stealing electronics worth $14K https://t.co/plAxs9LDYN pic.twitter.com/5SY6JGQKbF WDRB News (@WDRBNews) January 24, 2019 Kentucky Best Buy Employee Accused of Stealing Also in Best Buy, a warehouse employee was arrested earlier in January for allegedly stealing from the company. Perry Vincent, 20, allegedly stole $14,000 worth of electronics, police in Shepherdsville said. That included 12 cell phones, four video games, and five pairs of headphones. Investigators said he used a unique method. He used totes that they use to move merchandise around the warehouse, Maj. Mike ODonnell told WDRB. He stacked those at his work station to block the view of the cameras. Then, during breaks, Vincent would wrap up the stolen items, take them outside, and drop them on the other side of a fence. Later, before leaving work, hed scoop up the items. Vincent allegedly confessed to selling the items on the street. From NTD News Chinese Embassy Pressured Theater to Cancel Shen Yun Performances in Spain, Investigation Reveals A top-level official from the Chinese Embassy in Spain admitted in a recent phone call that he made a personal visit to the general manager of the Royal Theater in Madrid to pressure him into canceling performances of a popular traditional Chinese dance and music company slated to run there, according to a recent investigation. The New York-based Shen Yun Performing Artswhose 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. Shen Yun performances include pieces that portray contemporary China, including the ongoing persecution of the banned spiritual practice Falun Gonga topic considered taboo by the Chinese regime. Just weeks before the scheduled performances, the theater canceled the shows due to technical difficulties. The Royal Theater confirmed this reasoning in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times. The U.S. branch of the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG), a non-profit organization that investigates human-rights abuses perpetrated against Falun Gong adherents, said it decided to conduct an investigation into the cancellation after seeing media reports about possible Chinese embassy interference to pressure the theater into canceling the show. As part of its undercover investigation, on Jan. 22, WOIPFG made a phone call to the Chinese embassy, posing as a high-level Chinese government official. The person who took the call identified himself as the Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Lu Fan, according to a press release issued by WOIPFG. The organization released an audio recording of the phone call on its website on Jan. 28. The investigation confirmed that the cancellation of the theaters contract with the Shen Yun organizers was entirely the result of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) interferences, WOIPFG said in its statement. Lu Fan personally put pressure on the theater to cancel the contract with Shen Yun Performing Arts. By using the CCPs control of the large Chinese market as an enticement, Lu Fan and the theaters director jointly planned to cancel the Shen Yun performances under the pretext of technical difficulties. During the call, Lu explained how he convinced the Royal Theaters general manager to cancel Shen Yun by warning the general manager that the theater cant afford to lose the Chinese market because of this. Lu added that the theaters general manager, whose name was not identified in the call, was initially reluctant to carry out the embassys request, as he was concerned that it would result in a loss of revenue and was afraid the theaters reputation would be affected. At the time when Shen Yun was canceled, nearly 900 tickets were sold online and the theater had already made a number of preparations for the performances, according to Lus account. But after a meeting with himself, the general manager eventually relented to the embassys request. I told him not to think only about the economic income but also politics. When you work with China by signing the International League of Theaters of the Silk Road, you have a great potential in the Chinese market, Lu said, referring to an agreement the Madrid theater had signed with the Chinese regime in 2016. The International League of Theaters of the Silk Road agreement is a project to promote artistic exchange in the field of performing arts, according to a report by the state-run China Daily newspaper. The league is in turn part of Chinas flagship project for increasing geopolitical influence around the world, the One Belt, One Road initiative. Lu also stated in the call that he worked closely with the general manager to come up with a reason to cancel the showwhich was subsequently used by the theater. We told them to use technical reasons [as their cover], to say that since the show was booked in a hurry, they didnt think through about the technical issues, Lu said in the call, specifically instructing the general manager to inform Shen Yuns presenters that the theater was unable to clear the stage in time for the performing arts company. When the Royal Theater informed the presenters about the cancellation on Jan. 7, they had reasoned that the Das Rheingold opera, which was performing the day before and after Shen Yun, would have difficulties dismantling their sets to accommodate Shen Yuns performances. But the theater did not seem to have the same problem with other shows performing around the Das Rheingold opera show dates. After Shen Yuns performances were canceled in Madrid, a European politician raised concerns about possible Chinese regime pressure. Chinese entities also recently tried to forge deeper ties with the Royal 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. Moreover, Chinese ambassador Lu 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 also recently reported that the theaters general manager was on a trip to China on Jan. 14 and 15 this year, according to sources. CCPs Many Attempts to Thwart Shen Yun Shows This is not the first time the CCP has tried to undermine Shen Yuns performances in Spain using similar tactics. According to reports by El Mundo, the second most widely distributed newspaper in Spain, Chinese diplomats assailed officials at the National Theatre of Catalonia and Spanish Foreign Ministry officials in order to pressure them into canceling Shen Yuns performances in Barcelona in 2014. The regimes representatives went in person to the theater and demanded that the show be canceled because it went against the interests of the Chinese Communist Party. While visiting senior officials at the Foreign Ministry, the Chinese representatives warned that failure to shut down the cultural performance may compromise relations between Spain and China. They also subliminally pointed to Chinas investments in our country and exports of Spanish products, El Mundo reported. More recently in 2017, CCP front groups staged a protest in front of the Liceu Theater in Barcelona while Shen Yun was performing inside. Around 25 to 30 Chinese nationals carried banners and shouted slogans that defamed Shen Yun and Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual discipline practiced by Shen Yun performers. Falun Gong adherents in Spain have launched a defamation lawsuit against the CCP front group. Lawyer Carlos Iglesias, who is representing the plaintiffs, said the front groups conduct constituted hate speech. Shen Yun has faced challenges due to Chinese interference in other cities around the world, including Holland, Denmark, South Korea, Australia, and the United States. In some instances, the communist regime has even sought to coerce government officials not to attend the performances or voice public support for the company. Examples of such incidents have occurred in the Czech Republic. Daniel Herman, the former Czech Republic Minister of Culture, said in a recent interview that he had experienced the CCPs pressure a number of times, 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. Why Is the Chinese Regime Targeting Shen Yun? 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 thus initiated a nationwide campaign in July 1999 to harass, arrest, detain, and torture 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. Shen Yun has performed in more than 100 cities around the world, selling out shows in New York, Barcelona, and other major cities. UK Gangs Target Children as Drug Mules LONDONCriminal gangs that sell drugs across Britain are trafficking more childrensome as young as 11to transport their wares as the illicit trade expands, police bosses said on Jan. 29. Victims of the so-called county lines drug trade are getting younger as gangs target children via social media or across schools, foster homes, and homeless shelters, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA). Thousands of children in Britain are estimated to be used to carry drugs from cities to rural areasmost aged between 15 and 17and many are trapped in the growing trade by debt bondage or threats of kidnapping, violence, and rape, the NCA said. The number of phone numbers linked to the county lines trade and identified by police has more than tripled over the past year to at least 2,000indicating the scale of the problem, according to the NCAs fourth annual report on the issue. Criminal networks use high levels of violence, exploitation, and abuse to ensure compliance from the vulnerable people they employ to do the day-to-day drug supply activity, Nikki Holland, head of investigations at the NCA, said in a statement. What we will continue to do with our law enforcement partners is disrupt their activity and take away their assets, said Holland. Holland told a committee of lawmakers that people involved in transporting drugs were getting younger and more vulnerable. Many young people recruited by gangs dont see themselves as victims but are flattered by the attention and gifts they receive, so are less likely to speak to police, the NCA said. In Britain, 2,118 children suspected of being trafficked were referred to the government in 2017, up 66 percent in 2016, and the highest annual number on record. About a third were British and many were used as drug runners, officials have said. By Kieran Guilbert Toddler Allegedly Killed by Man His Mom Just Met Just Days After Social Workers Visited Her: Reports The mother of a slain 2-year-old boy in Pennsylvania is slated to stand trial for placing the child in danger. Leah Mullinix, 22, of York, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, the York Daily Record reported. Her 2-year-old son, Dante Mullinix, died on Sept. 14 while he was in the care of a man his mother allegedly only knew for a few weeks, according to police, as reported by the York Dispatch. Nancy Grace 2019128 Tyree Marchell Bowie was charged with homicide and child endangerment after the boys death, the report said. Police added she also failed to provide care for her son, saying that staff at the shelter where she was staying had to file a child-abuse report against her with the state, the York Dispatch reported. Officials said Dante was taken to York Hospital with injuries at around 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 6. He died about a week later just one week before his third birthday, officials said. Bowie was the person who left Dante off at the hospital, and he left the facility after that, according to Fox43. He admitted to police that he was the only one caring for the boy when he stopped breathing, the Fox affiliate reported. Thats when he rushed the child to the hospital. Police said the child died of traumatic brain injuries accompanied by strangulation and suffocation, said officials. The boys injuries came just days after social workers with the York County Office of Children, Youth and Families responded to abuse reports regarding Dante, reported PennLive. Officials who interacted with Leah Mullinix on Sept. 2, told her to fill two prescriptions that doctor had already written for the child. Leah Mullinix is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing today.Lynda Weed previewed the story on #FOX43MorningNews: WPMT FOX43 2019124 York City Police Detective Kyle Hower, whos the lead investigator in the case, said the York County Office of Children, Youth and Families is aware that Leah Mullinix is pregnant, reported the York Daily Record. The office, he said, will open a case when the child is born. Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kara Bowser did not oppose the request for supervised bail. If Leah Mullinix stayed locked up awaiting trial, shed likely end up serving more time than if shes convicted. 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. Leah Mullinix is pregnant and required to receive appropriate care while she's out on bail on charges of endangering her 2-year-old son, who died while in the care of a man she knew for a few weeks. York Daily Record/Sunday News 2019124 Of the perpetrators of the abuse, more than four-fifths were between the ages of 18 and 44 and more than 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). China's then vice President Xi Jinping unveils a plaque at the opening of Australia's first Chinese Medicine Confucius Institute at the RMIT University in Melbourne on June 20, 2010. The Confucius Institutes are one method of the Chinese regime exerting influence abroad. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) The Confucius Institute Commentary The Confucius Institute (CI) first came to my attention a few years ago when I was having dinner with a friend who had close ties and past experience with the U.S. intelligence community. My college-aged nephew was about to depart on a semester-long trip to China, and that bothered my friend tremendously. I didnt at first know whether the trip was affiliated with the CII hadnt even heard of the CI at the timebut when we verified that the trip was so affiliated, I learned what the CI was, and my friend explained several problematic consequences to me. He started by asking a simple question: Why do you think the communist government in China is spending money to benefit American schools? Logical answers werent easy to come by. I didnt think he would accept something like to make new friends. It turns out that communist governments never miss a chance to develop, influence, or infiltrate organizations that can be of political use, and the CI program is no exception. Founded in 2004, the CI sets up offices in cooperation with local affiliate colleges and universities around the globe, and they essentially become part of the college curriculum. CIs typically offer a combination of Mandarin language classes, cultural programming, and outreach to local elementary and secondary schools. They are staffed with professors from China (funded by the Chinese government) and by U.S. professors (funded by the university). They often offer interesting opportunities, such as the semester abroad my nephew took. With colleges and universities anxious to offer more choices to their students in times of tight budgets, CIs are attractive to administrators. The CI bills itself as a non-profit public educational organization affiliated with Chinas Ministry of Education, whose stated aim is to promote Chinese language and culture, support Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges. Its programs are overseen by Hanban (the Ministrys Office of Chinese Language Council International), which selects the Chinese teachers and pays their salaries. Less often noted is that wherever they are placed, CIs also promote the interests of the Chinese Communist Party. In 2010, Minister of Propaganda Liu Yunshan said, With regard to key issues that influence our sovereignty and safety, we should actively carry out international propaganda battles against issues such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, human rights, and Falun Gong. We should do well in establishing and operating overseas cultural centers and Confucius Institutes. Li Changchun, the fifth highest-ranking member of the Chinese Politburo Standing Committee, explained that the CIs are an important part of Chinas overseas propaganda set-up. Last March, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) blasted CIs, arguing, These institutes are proxies for the Chinese Communist Party. They offer schools financial benefits, in exchange to set up shop in close proximity to U.S. researchers and students whose views they attempt to influence for what are essentially manipulative propaganda campaignsones that conveniently whitewash over the communist regimes less flattering attributes and their troubling history of human-rights abuses and belligerence in places like the South China Sea. In a February 2018 Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that China was exploiting the United States academic environment, using CIs for non-American interests. Professor Marshall Sahlins of the University of Chicago wrote a book in which he called the CI program academic malware, in that it enters the U.S. higher education system and infects it. Just last April, two Texas congressmen called CIs a threat to our nations security by serving as a platform for Chinas intelligence collection and political agenda. Some observers call the CI program an exercise in soft power in that it expands Chinas economic, cultural, and diplomatic reach while limiting concerns about Chinas threat as an economic and military power. The one-sided classes taught in CIs never include discussions of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Chinas aggression towards Tibet, Taiwans asserted independence, or the persecution of Falun Gong. There is no mention of anything that is embarrassing to the Chinese government or that casts it in a bad light. From the very beginning, CIs drew criticism from professors who felt they were a threat to academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) even issued a report in 2014, which said, Allowing any third-party control of academic matters is inconsistent with principles of academic freedom, shared governance, and the institutional autonomy of colleges and universities. The report went on to recommend that universities cease their involvement in Confucius Institutes unless the agreement between the university and Hanban is renegotiated so as to assure that the university has unilateral control over all academic matters (including recruitment of teachers, determination of curriculum, and choice of texts), academic freedom for CI teachers, and the agreements are made public. Reach and Influence At one time, CIs were established and operating at more than 90 U.S. colleges and universities, but their impact was even greater than that. My nephews college, for instance, didnt host an institute on its campus. There was one, however, on a nearby campus, and it ran programs that were open to students at both schools. (A friend with the FBI later informed me that they had fought off CI efforts to establish a branch on my campus at the University of Mississippi.) My dinner companion spoke about concerns tied directly to the students who visit China, like my nephew. They would be studied, cultivated, and perhaps even placed in compromising situations. After all, the students in programs like this are likely to emerge as leaders of the future. Any of these matters could give China leverage. It was too late to convince my sisters family to cancel my nephews plans, but my friend scheduled a meeting to warn him about what he was getting into. Perhaps because of that warning, my nephew came home from China (and he graduated from college) unpersuaded by communist propaganda from the CI. He recently even qualified as a Ranger in the U.S. Army. That does not mean, however, that we should turn a blind eye to these pro-communist efforts on our college campuses. Last year, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) proposed legislation requiring CIs to register as foreign agents and requiring universities to disclose any substantial donations received from overseas organizations such as the CI. While that bill awaits action, Congress passed a defense bill last summer that bars colleges from using Department of Defense funding for CIs. Over a half-dozen colleges and universities closed their CIs in response to that legislation, but many are trying to hold on. Concerned Americans must be on guard. They need to find out about their local campuses and monitor their students college classes. Even if legislative efforts manage to close all CIs, other programs will spring up. As stated earlier, communist governments never miss a chance to develop, influence, or infiltrate organizations that can be of political use. They will keep doing it as long as unconcerned or unaware citizens let them. Ronald J. Rychlak is the Jamie L. Whitten chair in law and government at the University of Mississippi. He is the author of several books, including Hitler, the War, and the Pope, Disinformation (co-authored with Ion Mihai Pacepa), and The Persecution and Genocide of Christians in the Middle East (co-edited with Jane Adolphe). Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Pedestrians cross an icy Chicago River on Madison St. near the Civic Opera House in Chicago, on Jan. 28, 2019. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Temperatures Plummet to -75 Degrees F in North Dakota as Polar Vortex Starts: Report Weather forecasters on Jan. 29 are warning tens of millions of Americans that the coldest weather in decades is set to hit Tuesday and Wednesday. According to AccuWeather, the freeze began Tuesday morning the Upper Midwest with a temperature of 75 degrees below zero Fahrenheit in Grand Forks, North Dakota. But, according to the weather website, the worst is yet to come as the so-called polar vortex is displaced from around the Arctic Circle and heads south into the lower 48 states. Officials have warned about hypothermia and frostbite, but residents will also have to deal with broken or frozen water pipes, dead car batteries, school closures, and high heating costs. Youre talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center, reported NBC News. Some locations in the Midwest will be below zero continuously for 48-72 hours, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll said on the website. The worst conditions will hit North Dakota to northern Illinois, including Chicago. Arctic blast by-the-numbers: Next 5-days: 250 Million population in Lower 48 will experience a freezing temperature (32F): 73% 90 Million will be 0F or colder! Over 1/4 of all Americans. 25 Million colder than 20 below zero! #PolarVortex pic.twitter.com/tg80Tfk53F Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) January 28, 2019 Historic cold, unprecedented cold, these are all adjectives you could use to describe this, said NBC meteorologist Kathryn Prociv, adding, These are some of the coldest temperatures an entire generation has ever felt, talking about the millennials, Prociv said. A lot of these temperatures will be the coldest since about 1994, when a lot of them were just being born. It appears that Tuesday night to Wednesday morning will see the worst cold, but Wednesday night might also be severe, said forecasters. Low temperatures across the Midwest, after wind sets in, could be anywhere between 40 degrees and 60 degrees below zero, or worse. For many in Chicago, such low temperatures might be a first. I cannot stress how dangerously cold it will be, Doll said. An entire generation has gone by without experiencing this type of cold in the Chicago area. Due to the extreme cold, airlines at Midway have cancelled 270+ flights and are reporting delays of less than 15 min. Check flight status with carrier. Midway Intl. Airport (@fly2midway) January 29, 2019 This storm poses a serious threat to the well-being of people around the state, and we will use every tool at our disposal to keep our residents safe, said Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in a statement on Tuesday, Reuters reported. Forecaster Ryan Maue, of Weathermodels.com, estimated that some 250 million people will experience sub-32 degree Fahrenheit temperatures, 90 million will experience sub-zero F temperatures, and about 25 million will see 20 below zero temperatures. Listen to the people in your area Were taking about what could be a very dangerous situation, especially for those traveling, NWS forecaster Jim Hayes warned on Tuesday. Officials in Chicago, which has the nations third-largest school system, said classes would be canceled for all 360,000 students on Wednesday due to the severe weather. Several thousand flights have been canceled or delayed across the United States amid the cold temperatures, according to Flightaware.com. Chicago, meanwhile, is forecast to be among the worst-affected cities. Temperatures in the Windy City will be below places in Antarctica, Siberia, and Greenland. Colder than Chicago over the next 2-days? Here are the places on Earth that are expected to be colder than -20F: Interior Antarctica, Greenland, Siberia. The Arctic Ocean including North Pole will probably be around -20F but thats normal over the snow covered ice. pic.twitter.com/pCugCcHtWv Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) January 29, 2019 Reuters contributed to this report. Justin Kaneakua, dubbed the "St. Paul Slapper," is seen here in an undated police booking photo. (St. Paul Police Department) St. Paul Slapper Suspect Behind Bars After Spate of Bizarre Attacks A Minnesota man dubbed the St. Paul Slapper has been charged following a spate of random assaults over the past two months including a bizarre thrift store incident in which a man was punched and then nearly struck with a metal pipe. Justin K. Kaneakua, 38, earned the moniker St. Paul Slapper after investigators linked him to a series of alleged assaults that fit a strange profile. It was just bizarre behavior, police spokesman Steve Linders said, according to Fox. Its unclear what his motive was. Kaneakua has in total been connected with five incidents in the St. Paul area that took place between Dec. 12 and Jan. 10, including ones where he is allegedly attacked victims with a wrench and an energy drink bottle. The Minneapolis man is accused of having gone after an innocent bystander at a Savers store in Columbia Heights on Jan. 7, leaving the 61-year-old male victim with chipped and broken teeth, a bloodied mouth, and requiring five stitches. The victim had come to the aid of a female store clerk at whom Kaneakua had allegedly unleashed a torrent of verbal abuse, the Star Tribune reported, after the woman asked Kaneakua to repeat himself when she couldnt understand what he had said. The assault victim called 911 on behalf of the store staffer when Kaneakua allegedly tried to snatch the mans phone away, before chasing him out into the parking lot and punching him four or five times. Kaneakua then reportedly took a swing at the man with a five-foot-long metal pipe, but slipped on some ice and missed. According to a woman working at the store, Kaneakua then threatened to ram the store with his car. At the last moment, however, he seemed to change his mind and fled the scene, according to the Star Tribune. An employee wrote down his license plate number and both she and the victim positively identified Kaneakua from a photograph lineup as the suspect that had carried out the assault. Long Criminal History Court records cited by Fox reveal Kaneakua has an extensive criminal history. His rap sheet includes convictions in Minnesota from 1999 to 2017 for aggravated first-degree robbery, making threats of a terroristic nature, as well as trespassing, disorderly conduct, and theft. Investigators believe that on the same day as the Savers attack, Kaneakua was involved in two other incidents, in which two men were assaulted. Police said that on Dec. 12, Kaneakua was driving a pickup truck with his face concealed with a blue bandanna. At one point he approached a man getting into a car and allegedly hit him in the face with a wrench, striking him just below the eye. A police representative said Kaneakua did not try and steal the victims car in the incident, adding that the suspect never attempted to steal vehicles. About 15 minutes after that attack took place, Kaneakua allegedly assaulted a woman with a Gatorade bottle. Kaneakua is also suspected of slapping a 53-year-old man who told him to exercise caution while driving. In another incident, Kaneakua was accused of ripping off the handle of another mans car and using it to causing damage to the car. On the same day, Kaneakua allegedly slapped a 71-year-old witness. What made the crimes more peculiar is that they were in the middle of the day, said St. Paul police spokesman Steve Linders, according to an earlier report by the Star Tribune. Kaneakua was arrested on Jan. 20, according to Fox, and remains in custody until his scheduled court date. He is expected to appear in Anoka County District Court on Feb. 11 on second-degree and third-degree assault charges regarding the Savers incident. The suspect is being held on a $40,000 bond. A man crosses the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) seal in the lobby of the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on Aug. 14, 2008. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Skepticism of US Intelligence Community Is a Good Thing President Donald Trumps occasional questioning of the U.S. intelligence community isnt dangerous; its exactly the sort of responsible leadership that President Ronald Reagan practiced. Many of the presidents critics claim he doesnt have a good relationship or the support of U.S. intelligence agencies because he has demonstrated that he does not trust them. This narrative is blatantly false. There isnt one shred of evidence that the president doesnt trust the CIA or other intelligence agencies. And as a former military intelligence officer, I can state unequivocally that the overwhelming majority of intelligence analysts believe the president trusts and supports them. They understand that his responsibility as president is to ask as many questions as necessary to make sure the intelligence and information he receives is credible, accurate, and actionable. The presidents questioning of the CIA and other intelligence agency assessments is precisely what a prudent leader should do before making critical decisions affecting our national security. Past presidents have routinely disputed, criticized, and rejected intelligence assessments for various reasons, both privately and publicly. As Reagan knew well, the intelligence community isnt infallible. Try The Epoch Times Newspaper for Only $1 Start My $1 Month Trial In his book, A Pope and a President, Paul Kengor wrote that in 1981, during an investigation by the CIA into the shooting of Pope John Paul II, there was much speculation that the Soviet Union was somehow involved in the assassination attempt. The CIA establishment career investigators, however, assessed that the Soviet Union had no reason to become involved in such a plot. The CIA assessment went even further and claimed that the Soviet government actually embraced the pope as a stabilizing influence in Soviet-bloc countries, especially Poland. It is important to note that both CIA Director William Casey and Reagan disagreed with the CIAs conclusions. In fact, foreign intelligence agencies, especially Italian intelligence, assessed that the Soviets considered Pope John Paul II a very clear danger to the Soviet bloc, in particular, Poland, directly contradicting the CIA. Because of national-security concerns, Reagan and Casey (with the support of the pope) didnt publicly reveal their assessments. Nonetheless, Reagan had to deal with sharp criticism from within the intelligence community, which was upset that he had trusted a foreign agencys evaluation over the CIAs. Now that much time has passed and many experts have thoroughly reviewed the matter, it appears that the CIA was wrong and Reagan was right: The assassination attempt against John Paul II was carried out on orders from Moscow. Like Trump today, Reagan was also baselessly accused of undermining the NATO alliancea charge that sounds downright farcical, as Reagans policies set in motion the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1982, when Reagan banned the use of U.S. equipment for a natural-gas pipeline from Siberia to Western Europe because of Soviet repression in Poland, the Christian Science Monitor reported that critics claimed Reagan had [stirred] up a crisis in the Atlantic alliance (NATO), an outcome that [could] only serve the purposes of the Soviet Union. Similarly, Trumps demand that NATO countries pay their fair share for defense has prompted dire predictions that his actions would stir up trouble in the alliance and result in an outcome that can only serve the interests of Russia. Reagan brought NATO countries to the table, where they reached an agreement that resulted in the dropping of sanctions against U.S. and foreign companies in exchange for stronger action against the Soviets. In much the same way, Trump brought NATO countries to the table to craft an agreement ensuring that everyone would pay their fair share for their mutual defense. No doubt after reviewing intelligence assessments regarding decisions that had the potential of affecting our relationship with NATO countries, both Reagan and Trump did what they thought to be in the best interest of the United Statesand they were right! President Donald Trump at a Make America Great Again rally in Houston on Oct. 22, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Trump faces unjustified criticism over his so-called lack of support for and trust of American intelligence agencies, but, as Reagan became fond of saying later in his presidency, its vital that the president trust, but verifyeven when hes reviewing the assessments of his own intelligence agencies. Our duly-elected president today has the right skepticism and judgment for the job, which serves him well in countering the inherent institutional bias in our intelligence gatheringsomething thats embedded in the very nature of this critical function of government. Try The Epoch Times Newspaper for Only $1 Start My $1 Month Trial Indeed, Trump has been positively Reagan-esque in his cautious evaluation of intelligence reports, and the United States is safer because of it. Steven Rogers is a retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer and a former member of the FBI National Joint Terrorism Task Force. He is presently a member of the Donald J. Trump for President 2020 Campaign Advisory Board. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Shen Yun dancer Kaidi Wu is a lady of few words. She expresses herself through dance, a language she makes so vivid and beautiful that it moves audiences to tears. (Larry Dai/The Epoch Times) Shen Yun Principal Dancer Kaidi Wus Ethereal Grace In a bustling restaurant of excited chatter and shouting toddlers, Kaidi Wu is the opposite of her surroundings. Her voice is like a spring breezegentle and slow, serene and unhurried. She seems to emerge from a different world, a realm of tranquility and grace. Kaidi first saw Shen Yun Performing Arts after she had immigrated from China to Toronto, Canada. Like many in the audience, she thought to herself, Oh, how I wish I could become one of them! Now, Kaidi is a principal dancer with the performing arts company that inspired her dream, and she has come to embody the ethereal beauty that had mesmerized her when she first saw Shen Yun. Inner Beauty of a Shen Yun Dancer Dressed in a flowing white gown adorned with yellow and blue, Kaidi flurries a pink silk cloth and floats across the stage as if carried by a cloud in New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Televisions 2012 International Classical Chinese Dance Competition. Theres a twinkle in her eyes, a smile on her lips. Immersed in Kaidis self-choreographed piece, audiences can almost see the rippling waters in a turquoise lake, feel the gentle breeze of a balmy morning, and hear the chirping swallows in a secluded valley. How does a dancer capture such beauty, we wonder. This kind of beauty should be the natural reflection of your inner self, Kaidi tells us. Its not about outward appearances, but instead about the channeling of inner virtues. Thus, classical Chinese dance cannot be separated from the cultivation of a kind and virtuous character. This past September, in NTD Televisions recent competition, Kaidi chose to perform the role of Wang Baochuan. From an aristocratic family, Wang Baochuan had fallen in love with the commoner Xue Rengui because he was a kind man of excellent character. After they married, he rose up the ranks to become a Tang Dynasty general and was away on the battlefield for many years. Living alone in a crude cave dwelling, Wang Baochuan had to overcome all kinds of hardships. But she was not fearful, and she simply persisted in waiting, Kaidi says. Eighteen years later, she was finally rewarded when she reunited with her beloved husband, who had returned triumphantly from the battlefield. Kaidi says that in Wang Baochuan, she saw loyalty, perseverance, and selflessnessall characteristics she admires. As part of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Kaidi is not only reviving traditional Chinese dance but also showcasing the values of the ancients. Back then, the paragon of a Chinese woman epitomized refinement, grace, and virtue, things swept under by the tides of modernity. A Shen Yun Dancers Tranquil Mind When speaking about the challenges of learning classical Chinese dance, Kaidi reveals that her biggest challenge was mental, not physical. A teacher once told her that she was not steady enough as a dancer, as if holding her breath on the surface. She was like a leaf that drifted about at the whims of the breeze. I easily became nervous, Kaidi says. Over time, she realized the source of the problem. I worried about how others would view me. If I thought about myself, I would become more nervous. She thus had to learn to calm her mind and dispel the insecurities that distracted her. For Kaidi, handkerchief dances have always been especially challenging. One of the most impressive parts of the dance is when a dancer twirls her handkerchief into the air, performs a front aerial, and then successfully catches the handkerchief before it falls to the ground. As she worried about potentially failing to catch the handkerchief, she would do poorly. When we perform, we shouldnt think about ourselves. Just think about what you should do with a steady, unwavering heart, Kaidi says. Beginning in 2012, Kaidi was given lead roles in dances in Shen Yuns world tours. Her new roles brought on more responsibility, and it became more important for her to maintain a steady mindset. You cant stand out by yourself, Kaidi says. Instead, she strives to assimilate to the larger body, to perfect the performance as a whole. We are all doing the same thing. One persons strength cannot match what the group has as a whole, Kaidi says. Over time, she learned to focus less on herself and to adapt to those around her, putting their needs above her own. Only then could her performances truly move audiences. Shen Yun Performing Arts curtain call, at New Yorks Lincoln Center, on March 7, 2019. (Dai Bing/The Epoch Times) Dancing With Shen Yun Helps Fulfill Her Purpose As a dancer, Kaidi evokes not only the grace of celestial fairies and imperial palace maidens but also the dignity of modern-day heroes. In Shen Yuns 2017 world tour, in the piece titled A Childs Choice, she played an orphaned girl who later discovers the truth behind her parents deaths. As practitioners of the Chinese spiritual discipline Falun Dafa, they had been brutally killed by the Chinese communist regime for their faith. The dances storyline draws from real events occurring in China. The spiritual practice of Falun Dafa once had an estimated 100 million adherents in China. But in 1999, the Chinese Communist Party ordered a nationwide persecution, beginning 19 years of brutality and inhumanity that continue to this day. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of the persecution, Kaidis character continues her parents legacy, standing up for what is right. At the end of the piece, she resolutely unfurls a banner with the Chinese characters for truthfulness, compassion, and tolerancethe central tenets of Falun Dafa. Her determination and fearlessness move audiences to tears. Growing up in a family of Falun Dafa practitioners, Kaidi had personally experienced the far-reaching claws of the Chinese Communist Partys persecution. When she was living in China with her grandparents (her parents had immigrated to Canada first), their home was raided by police because they practiced Falun Dafa. At elementary school, Kaidi was discriminated against, forcibly held back one year, and sometimes bullied by her classmates, who once hit her with a water bottle. At the time, young Kaidi was simply bewildered. It wasnt until she was about to leave China that she came to realize she had been treated unfairly because of her familys faith. Kaidi speaks of these past circumstances lightly, and she laughs as she recalls how clueless she was back then. Although her own suffering was relatively minor, she feels for her fellow Falun Dafa practitioners in China who have lost their freedoms, their careers, and even their lives as a result of the persecution. She thus cherishes opportunities to portray these stories on stage. Many people say they cannot believe this is happening in China. Many people also say they were moved to tears, Kaidi says. At these moments, she feels in her heart, We didnt do this for nothing. Everything we do is worth it. As our interview concluded, we set off for a photoshoot in a nearby park. At our last stop on the sandy beach of a lake, we asked Kaidi to perform a few dance poses and leaps. She found a nearby wooden pole to lean on as she stretched, and she pressed on it two or three times to check its sturdiness. In the next second, she had kicked her leg effortlessly behind her head to form a straight line pointing to the heavens. As she took off her sneakers for the photoshoot, we saw that her toes and heels were covered in scars, the battle wounds of a professional dancer. But she seemed not to notice the existence of these wounds. Wearing an unadorned black shirt, she leaped into the air with the brilliant colors of sunset as her backdrop, blossoming in time that seemed to stop. Her silhouette was like an imprint of her many years on stage, a decade of stirring splendor. Through it all, we see the warm smile on her face, gentle and sincere, accompanied by the radiant hues of twilight. Published with permission from Elite Lifestyle Magazine. Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, 19, of El Salvador, is escorted into the courtroom for his initial appearance in Carson City Justice Court in Carson City, Nev., on Jan. 28, 2019. (Scott Sonner/AP Photo) Salvadoran Accused of 4 Nevada Killings Worked for 2 Victims RENO, Nev.A 19-year-old Salvadoran man suspected of being in the country illegally was charged on Jan. 28 with killing four people in Nevada, including a couple who employed him as a landscaper at their Reno home where he fatally shot them with a gun he stole from them earlier, authorities said. Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman told investigators he used a .22-caliber revolver stolen from the property of 81-year-old Gerald David and 80-year-old Sharon David less than two weeks before he killed them on Jan. 16. The lady was coming out. I got scared and shot at her, Martinez-Guzman is quoted telling a Washoe County detective in an affidavit filed in Reno on Monday. It alleged that he first broke into outbuildings or a trailer on the sprawling David property on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 and made off with a cache of rifles and the handgun. Gerald and Sharon David Gerry & Sherry age 81 & 80 pic.twitter.com/kAgpolGgkh Whiskey Politics (@DavidSussman) January 21, 2019 Martinez-Guzman had worked for a landscaping company at the Davids property for four months, ending last July. It was not immediately clear if the job linked him to two women he is accused of killing in nearby Gardnerville. The affidavit was used to obtain an arrest warrant for Martinez-Guzman, who was arrested Jan. 19 in Carson City and is jailed there on charges that he possessed weapons and other items stolen from the Davids and sold jewelry belonging to Gerald David and another victim. Martinez-Guzman admitted also killing Gerald David, and the affidavit alleges that his DNA was found on the .22-caliber gun also used to kill Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken in their homes. Koontz was found dead Jan. 10. Renkens body was found Jan. 13. The Davids were prominent Reno Rodeo Association members, and Martinez-Guzman is accused of possessing several Western-style belt buckles bearing their names stolen from their home. Someone using an Apple account belonging to Martinez-Guzmans mother tried to activate an Apple watch stolen from Koontz, the affidavit said. The mother, identified in the affidavit as Sonia Guzman, hasnt been charged with a crime. She was questioned by immigration authorities following her sons arrest and was given a hearing date, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said. Guzman was the registered owner of a 2006 BMW 325i that Martinez-Guzman was driving when he was arrested, and in which authorities say they found the murder weapon. The .22-caliber revolver was recovered from the car, and the affidavit said a .22-caliber bullet with DNA matching Martinez-Guzman was found on the kitchen floor at the David home. Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson told reporters Monday that investigators in Douglas and Washoe counties had a high level of confidence that Martinez-Guzman acted alone in the killings. Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks refused to comment on his immigration status. President Donald Trump tweeted a week ago that the four killings in Nevada showed the need for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, which was at the center of the federal government shutdown. Four people in Nevada viciously robbed and killed by an illegal immigrant who should not have been in our Country. 26 people killed on the Border in a drug and gang related fight. Two large Caravans from Honduras broke into Mexico and are headed our way. We need a powerful Wall! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2019 What someones status is in this country has nothing to do with how we are proceeding in this case, Hicks told reporters Monday. We are looking to hold an alleged murderer accountable for the murders he committed. Thats all. Hicks said it would be more than a month before prosecutors decide whether to pursue the death penalty against Martinez-Guzman. The 30-day clock on that decision deadline doesnt begin until hes formally arraigned in district court on the murder charges along with five burglary charges added in the new criminal complaint. Hicks said they intend to extradite Martinez-Guzman to Washoe County to face those charges as soon as possible and that he will be held without bail in the county jail in Reno but that his initial arraignment in Reno Justice Court has not yet been scheduled. Hes currently being held in the Carson City jail on the theft and burglary charges on $500,000 bail. His appointed public defense attorney there, Karin Kreizenbeck, has declined comment. Furlong said earlier that Martinez-Guzmans only known contact with authorities was a speeding ticket last February. Each of the district attorneys told reporters during a news conference in Reno on Monday they would co-prosecute the case personally as their highest priority. By Scott Sonner and Ken Ritter A worker controls forming of aluminum ingots on a conveyor belt at the foundry shop of the Rusal Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter in Krasnoyarsk, Russia on Oct. 3, 2018. (Ilya Naymushin/Reuters) Rusal Shares Soar, Aluminum Price Falls as U.S. Lifts Sanctions WASHINGTON/MOSCOWU.S. President Donald Trumps administration lifted sanctions on Jan. 27 on the core empire of Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, including aluminum giant Rusal and its parent En+, despite a Democrat-led push to maintain them. The move, which sent the Russian stock index to an all-time high, has watered down the toughest penalties imposed since Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea, following a lobbying campaign in the United States that lasted almost 10 months. Hong-Kong listed shares in Rusal, the worlds largest aluminum producer outside China, hit their highest since April on Jan. 28, rising 9 percent. Aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) dropped as much as 1.4 percent after the open. The sanctions had sent London aluminum to a seven-year high when they were announced in April last year amid fears of a supply squeeze. On Jan. 28, the LME said it had lifted its suspension on storing Rusal-produced metal in LME-approved warehouses with immediate effect. Members may freely enter into contracts with Rusal and its affiliates, the LME said in a statement. Disputed Decision The decision to lift the sanctions, imposed by the U.S. Treasury in response to what it called Russias malign activities, defied a Democratic-led push in the U.S. Congress to maintain the restrictions. Earlier this month, Democrats were joined by 11 of Trumps fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate in an effort to keep the sanctions on Rusal, En+ Group and power firm JSC EuroSibEnergo. Advocates for keeping the sanctions had argued that Deripaska, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, retained too much control over the companies. But in its statement on Jan. 27, the U.S. Treasury Department said the three companies had reduced Deripaskas direct and indirect shareholding stake and severed his control. That action, it said, ensured that most directors on the En+ and Rusal boards would be independent, including Americans and Europeans who had no business, professional or family ties to Deripaska or any other person designated for sanctions. It added that the companies had agreed to unprecedented transparency for the Treasury into their operations including extensive auditing, certification and reporting requirements. Deripaska himself remains subject to U.S. sanctions. Changes in Rusal, EN+ After the Treasury announcement, Rusal said its chairman, Jean-Pierre Thomas, had resigned as part of the deal to lift the U.S. sanctions. Its parent company, En+ Group, also announced the resignation of several of its board members and the appointment of new directors, a move intended to satisfy U.S. Treasury demands that the boards of both Rusal and En+ Group be made up of independent directors. The new board of directors will take additional actions to demonstrate the boards absolute commitment to transparency, accountability and good corporate governance, En+s board chairman Greg Barker said in a statement. These will include the establishment of a separate board committee for compliance and the retention of an independent expert counsel to advise the board, Barker said. In addition, En+ announced that Swiss company Glencore would swap shares in Rusal for a direct ownership interest in En+. Trump administration officials, and many Republicans who had supported lifting the sanctions, had said they were worried about the effect on the global aluminum industry. Rusal is the worlds largest aluminum producer after Chinas Hongqiao. They also said Deripaskas decision to lower his stakes in the companies so that he no longer controlled them showed that the sanctions had worked. Canada Exempt? The premium for shipping to the United States stands at around $0.19 a lb or $420 a tonne, double the $200 a tonne seen at the start of 2018 and about 20 percent above the levels at the time tariffs were announced in early March 2018. U.S. premium contracts show a decline to $350 a tonne by July 2020, a level producers say is needed to attract aluminum to the United States. The United States is a major consumer of aluminum. It is expected to account for 5 million to 6 million tonnes of demand this year in a market estimated at 68 million tonnes. Rusal supplied only around 10 percent of the U.S. aluminum market in 2017. Canada, with a share of more than 50 percent, is the largest supplier. If, as some expect, tariffs are lifted or Canada is exempted or gets quotas, premiums could fall much further. Any deal with Canada would allow 2.5 million tonnes of primary aluminum to enter the U.S. duty-free and significantly dilute the proportion of U.S. imports from duty-paid countries, Wood Mackenzie analysts said in a note. For European consumers, premiums at $69 a tonne, down nearly 60 percent since early May, are expected to slide due to high stocks of aluminum held by traders in the region. By Patricia Zengerle, Polina Ivanova, and Pratima Desai Roger Stone Pleads Not Guilty to Mueller Charges Political strategist and self-ascribed dirty trickster Roger Stone pleaded not guilty on Jan. 29 to charges brought forth by special counsel Robert Mueller. Stone was arrested Jan. 25 during an early morning raid at his home in Florida and released hours later on $250,000 bond. His lawyer, Robert Buschel, said Stone pleaded not guilty to the charges of making false statements to Congress, obstruction of an official proceeding, and witness tampering. All of the charges against Stone are unrelated to President Donald Trump or his presidential campaign. Mueller is investigating allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. To date, the special counsel hasnt charged anyone with collusion. Stone smiled as he passed through a gauntlet of reporters upon arriving at the courthouse. The indictment said Stone told members of Trumps 2016 presidential campaign that he had advance knowledge of plans by the WikiLeaks website to release damaging emails about Trumps Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. The indictment doesnt allege that Stone had actual knowledge about when the emails would be released. The indictment also didnt indicate whether Stone knew that Russians had stolen the emails by hacking into computers used by Clintons senior campaign adviser, John Podesta, and the Democratic National Committee. Last year, Mueller charged 12 Russians accused in the hacking as part of his investigation of Russias role in the 2016 election. The charging documents in the Stone case said a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had about Clintons campaign. There is no allegation in the indictment that Stone actually communicated with Wikileaks. WikiLeaks, through its official Twitter account, stated that the Stone indictment is further proof that Stone had no back-channel with WikiLeaks. Raid on Stone Home The dawn military-style arrest of Mr. Stone, a 66-year-old political consultant, was wholly unnecessary and served no purpose other than intimidation, Barry Pollack, the lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, said in a statement. The charges against Mr. Stone do not allege that Mr. Stone lied about his [lack of] contacts with Julian Assange, but rather about his contacts with others and about documents reflecting those communications. Pollack also pointed out the Muellers team has never interviewed Assange. Stone said he is innocent. In comments to journalists on Jan. 28 in Florida ahead of his arraignment, Stone accused Mueller of a raw abuse of power. Trump has called the investigation a witch hunt and has denied any collusion. He has also questioned why his allies are being prosecuted while those who oppose him havent been charged with similar crimes. If Roger Stone was indicted for lying to Congress, what about the lying done by Comey, Brennan, Clapper, Lisa Page & lover, Baker, and soooo many others? What about Hillary to FBI and her 33,000 deleted Emails? What about Lisa & Peters deleted texts & Wieners laptop? Much more! Trump wrote on Twitter on Jan. 26. Russia has denied the U.S. intelligence communitys finding that Moscow interfered in the U.S. political arena. Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker on Jan. 28 said Muellers investigation was close to wrapping up and that a report is expected soon. Reuters contributed to this report. Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) attend the funeral of a fellow fighter, who was killed while fighting against ISIS in northeastern Syrian Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli, on Jan. 18, 2019. (Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images) Remaining ISIS Forces in Syria Pinned in Tiny Enclave by US-Backed Force Soldiers from the ISIS terrorist group in eastern Syria have been forced into a tiny pocket with their families after President Donald Trump vowed to destroy the final remnants of the group. Backed by 2,000 U.S. troops, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said they are in a final showdown against ISIS after helping to drive the soldiers from the towns and cities that once formed the groups self-proclaimed caliphate in Eastern Syria. The SDF said Jan. 29 that the presence of the soldiers wives and children meant the U.S.-backed militia could not launch an all-out storm of the enclave and instead would have to use more measured and precise tactics, which has slowed the advance. In the meantime, The International Rescue Committee (IRC) charity said 10,000 civilians had fled the enclave since last week and were arriving hungry and desperate at a camp. SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali said ISIS soldiers were now confined to an area of about two square miles by the Euphrates River. There are thousands of Daesh families there. They are civilians at the end of the day, Bali told Reuters, using an acronym for ISIS. We cannot storm the area or put any childs life in danger. The SDF had refused an offer from the jihadists via mediators to surrender the territory in return for safe passage out, Bali said. Calm prevails on the frontlines but theres a state of caution and waiting, he said. Bali said on Jan. 13 that their forces had ramped up attacks and had cut off an escape route. In December, President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria, citing the defeat of ISIS and that U.S. forces were no longer needed there. A Department of Defense spokesman confirmed on Jan. 11 that the coalition has started the withdrawal process. In a series of tweets in mid-January, Trump said he would continue the pullout while at the same time ensuring the complete destruction of ISIS. He said he did not want the Kurdish forces to provoke Turkey into war. Kurdish leaders also fear a U.S. pullout would give Turkey, which sees the Kurdish militia as a threat on its border, the chance to mount a new assault. The Trump administration has since said it will make sure its allies are protected when it leaves. Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions, Trump said on Jan. 13. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran, and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria natural enemies, Trump said in another post. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS! After Trumps abrupt announcement on the troop pullout, three senior Pentagon officials resigned. They include Defense Secretary Gen. Jim Mattis; Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney, the chief of staff to the secretary of defense; and Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, negotiators for the United States agreed to a draft a peace deal with the Taliban on Jan. 26, according to Taliban officials, drawing closer than ever to ending the United Statess longest war. The deal, which isnt official until agreed to by both sides, calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in 18 months in exchange for a ceasefire from the Taliban, among other items. Taliban sources provided the draft pact to Reuters. Reuters contributed to this report. President Trump to Give State of the Union Address on Feb 5 President Donald Trump has said he will be giving the State of the Union address on Feb. 5, according to an announcement from the White House following a clash during the weekslong partial government shutdown. In accepting House Speaker Nancy Pelosis invitation, Trump said it is my great honor to accept, adding that we have a great story to tell and yet, great goals to achieve! When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this years State of the Union address, Pelosi wrote in a letter posted on her website. In our conversation today, we agreed on February 5th. The annual address was slated for Tuesday, Jan. 29, but was pushed back after Pelosi asked Trump to reschedule the speech amid the partial government shutdown. Earlier, Trump had mulled over moving the address to another location away from the U.S. Capitol but he ultimately decided to wait until the shutdown was over. 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, Trump tweeted at the time. I look forward to giving a great State of the Union Address in the near future! The 35-day-long shutdown ended on Friday. Jan. 25, after Trump made a deal with congressional leaders to reopen the government until Feb. 15. Now, a bipartisan conference among both chambers of Congress will take place to come to an agreement on border security. Trump said he would allow government funding to lapse again or declare a national emergency to bypass Congress if funding for the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was not included. Negotiations with Democrats will start immediately, Trump tweeted, adding that it will not be easy to make a deal, both parties very dug in. The case for National Security has been greatly enhanced by what has been happening at the Border & through dialogue. We will build the Wall! The Constitution states that the president shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, meaning the president can speak anywhere he chooses or give his update in writing. But a joint address in the House chamber in front of lawmakers of both parties, the Supreme Court justices, and invited guests, provides the kind of grand backdrop thats difficult to replicate. Pelosi, a Democrat from California, cited security concerns for not having the State of the Union on the scheduled date, as government workers werent being paid enough due to the shutdown. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen had said that security would be adequate for the event amid the shutdown. The Department of Homeland Security and the US Secret Service are fully prepared to support and secure the State of the Union. We thank the Service for their mission focus and dedication and for all they do each day to secure our homeland, Nielsen said in a statement last week. Several security officials said that theyve been planning for the event for months. Its a no-fail mission, one law enforcement official said. Weve been planning for this for months, as we always do. It didnt start up 29 days ago. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Watch next: The SpyGate Scandal: What We Learned in 2018 2018 proved to be a year of numerous revelations that provided clarity regarding events leading up toand followingthe 2016 presidential election. Amid the so-called polar vortex thats affecting the Midwest, some have noted that Chicago will be colder than Antarctica this week. (NWS) Polar Vortex Hits: Chicago Forecast to Be Colder Than Antarctica This Week Amid the so-called polar vortex thats affecting the Midwest, some have noted that Chicago will be colder than Antarctica this week, namely on Wednesday. It comes as about 250 million people will face temperatures below freezing this week, and about 90 million of those people will endure temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Another 25 million could experience temperatures of 20 degrees below zero, said meteorologist Ryan Maue of Weathermodels.com. NWS has updated their Low Temperature Thursday morning for Chicago. Tie of all-time record low (since 1872) of -27F. Its happening! pic.twitter.com/OKS6vql3tj Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) January 29, 2019 With wind chills factored in, temperatures will feel like 40, 50, or even 60 degrees below zero in some places around the United States, but namely in the Midwest. In a warning on its front page, the National Weather Services website on Jan. 29 said that back to back cold fronts will slice through the eastern two-thirds of the country to deliver one of the coldest arctic air intrusions in recent memory, especially from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. From Tuesday through Thursday, expect frigid temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills, likely leading to widespread record lows and low maximum temperatures, said the website. For much of the Midwest, including Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Des Moines, a wind chill warning was in effect. The extreme cold weather and snow caused schools across the United States to shut down for part of the week. Several thousand flights have also been canceled through Wednesday, CNN reported. The forecasts have prompted reports saying that Chicago will be colder than Mount Everest and Antarctica on Wednesday. The expected high temperature will be about 12 degrees below zero on Wednesday morning and a low of 20 below zero during the night. For example the South Pole is expected to reach a high temperature of 4 below zero on Wednesday. Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost point in the United States, located above the Arctic Circle, will be 7 below zero. Zackenberg Station, Greenland, which is also north of the Arctic Circle, will be 11 below, said CBS Chicago. Minneapolis public schools officials have canceled classes through Wednesday, when the region is expected to experience frigidly low temperatures not seen in a quarter century, The Associated Press reported. Hundreds of Michigan schools were closed Tuesday, including in Detroit, while Chicago Public Schools canceled Wednesday classes because of the anticipated cold snap. Youre talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. The unusually frigid weather is attributed to a sudden warming far above the North Pole. A blast of warm air from misplaced Moroccan heat last month made the normally super chilly air temperatures above the North Pole rapidly increase. That split the polar vortex into pieces, which then started to wander, said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Savannah Leigh Pruitt, 14, disappeared from her house in Madisonville, Tenn. on Jan. 13, 2019. (Monroe County Sheriff's Office) Parents of Missing 14-Year-Old Cant Eat, Cant Sleep as Search Continues The parents of a missing 14-year-old said that theyre struggling to eat or sleep as the search for the girl continues two weeks after she vanished. Savannah Leigh Pruitt disappeared from her house in Madisonville, Tennessee, after she went to bed on Jan. 13. When Savannahs mother went to check on her daughter the next morning, she was gone. Its like having your soul ripped out of your body, Savannahs father Randall Pruitt said at a press conference on Jan. 25, reported WATE. You cant think, you cant eat, you cant sleep, you cant restlife has just ceased for us since she left. Savannahs parents described her as a farm girl who loves horses, her pet raccoon, and other animals on the familys farm. Shes the oldest of four children. Were very heartbroken, Christina Pruitt said. I miss her. I dont understandnone of us understand. The parents said in a message to their daughter that they love her. I love you, and come home, they said, finishing each others sentences. The family moved to Madisonville from Georgia in late December 2018. Savannahs cell phone was tracked to Corbin, Kentucky on Jan. 14, around two-and-a-half hours from her house. Detectives said there are no leads pointing to Savannah planning to run away, or of suspects who may have abducted her. There has been nothing in any of that reporting that led us to believe that she intended to run away or was speaking with anybody that would try to abduct her, Monroe County Sheriffs Office Detective Jason Fillyaw said at the press conference, reported WVLT. A day after the press conference, the sheriffs office appealed to members of the public for information. Sheriffs Office Asks for Public Assistance: Monroe County Sheriffs Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Monroe County Sheriff's Office 2019126 We are asking for public assistance in finding Savannah Leigh Pruitt, Sheriff Tommy Jones said in a statement. If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of Miss Pruitt, please contact the Sheriffs Office at 423-442-3911 (423-442-HELP) or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. We would like to ask the publics help in any way, Fillyaw added. He said its not clear why Savannah would be in Kentucky and that her phone turned off after it pinged there. The office is being assisted by the FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Savannah is described as a white female standing at 5 feet 3 inches, weighing 110 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. 14-year-old girl disappears from home, now missing for two weeks https://t.co/WfZ0WVzQym fox8news (@fox8news) January 29, 2019 Missing Children There were 464,324 missing children reported in the FBIs National Crime Information Center in 2017, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Under federal law, when a child is reported missing to law enforcement they must be entered into the database. In 2016, there were 465,676 entries. This number represents reports of missing children. That means if a child runs away multiple times in a year, each instance would be entered into NCIC separately and counted in the yearly total. Likewise, if an entry is withdrawn and amended or updated, that would also be reflected in the total, the center noted. In 2017, the center said it assisted officers and families with the cases of more than 27,000 missing children. In those cases, 91 percent were endangered runaways, and 5 percent were family abductions. About one in seven children reported missing to the center in 2017 were likely victims of child sex trafficking. Nancy McBride, the executive director of Florida Outreach at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said that most of the runaways involve technology. (Technology) has great benefits and some potential risks, McBride told USA Today in 2017. Its important to stay plugged into their lives. Tech is utilized by online predators, McBride said, who exploit gaps when the childs relationship with their parents isnt strong. From NTD News NYPD Saves Injured Hawk Struck in the Middle of Brooklyn Traffic The content is not available due to expiration. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a break in talks at their historic U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore on June 12, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) North Korea Wants Peace and Relations With US, Top Envoy Says North Koreas ambassador to the United Nations said on Jan. 29 that relations with the United States will develop wonderfully at a fast pace if Washington responds to its efforts on denuclearization with trustworthy measures and practical actions. The ambassador, Han Tae Song, also told the U.N.-sponsored Conference on Disarmament in Geneva that Pyongyang would continue working to establish a permanent and durable peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula. The summit last June between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump had brought about a dramatic turn in relations that had been the most hostile on earth, Han said. The summit contributed to ensuring peace and security on the divided peninsula, he added. Han referred to the two leaders joint statement issued after their meeting in Singapore and Kims New Years address, adding: Accordingly we declared that we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them and we have taken various practical measures. If the U.S. responds to our efforts with trustworthy measures and corresponding practical actions, bilateral relations will develop wonderfully at a fast pace through the process of taking more definite and epoch-making steps, he said. Han told Reuters that he had no information on a possible upcoming second summit between Kim and Trump. South Koreas foreign minister told Reuters at Davos last week that North Korea must make concrete pledges toward curbing its nuclear weapons program, such as dismantling its main nuclear complex and allowing international inspections to confirm the process when Kim meets Trump as soon as next month. Hans comments are a dramatic turnaround from his belligerent attacks and ominous warnings to the United States in late 2017. After North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb in September 2017, Han said the test was a gift package for the United States and warned that more would come if Washington continued its reckless provocations. After the summit between Trump and Kim, Pyongyang did not test any more nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles. Washington is nevertheless maintaining a tough sanctions regime against the communist nation until Pyongyang achieves complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. Trump took a unique approach to tackle the nuclear threat in North Korea, coupling crippling sanctions with public and tough, yet often humorous, messages to Kim. The strategy yielded a historic summit with Kim and an unprecedented lull in North Koreas quest for nuclear weapons. The Fake News Media loves saying so little happened at my first summit with Kim Jong Un. Wrong! Trump wrote on Twitter on Jan. 24. After 40 years of doing nothing with North Korea but being taken to the cleaners, & with a major war ready to start, in a short 15 months, relationships built, hostages & remains back home where they belong, no more Rockets or Ms being fired over Japan or anywhere else and, most importantly, no Nuclear Testing. This is more than has ever been accomplished with North Korea, and the Fake News knows it, he added. I expect another good meeting soon, much potential! Reuters contributed to this report. Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari gives an interview to AFP during the 25th African Summit in Johannesburg on June 14, 2015. (Mujahid Safodien/AFP/Getty Images) Nigeria Adjourns Trial of Top Judge Suspended by President ABUJAA legal case against Nigerias top judge which raised fears of interference in next months presidential election was adjourned indefinitely on Jan. 28, days after President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the chief justice. The European Union and the United States voiced concerns after Buhari suspended Walter Onnoghen from the position where he would have a key say in resolving any disputes after the Feb. 16 election. This case has been adjourned sine die (indefinitely), pending the determination of the matter at the court of appeal, Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) said. The next court of appeal hearing is due to take place on Jan. 30. Protestors gathered outside the courthouse in the capital, Abujasome in support of Onnoghen and others who backed his suspension. A replacement judge, Tanko Mohammed, was sworn in on Jan. 25 to take his place. Lawyers body, the Nigerian Bar Association, said it would boycott the courts for two days from Jan. 29 to protest the suspension. The Code of Conduct Tribunal said on Jan. 12 that Onnoghen would face six counts of alleged non-declaration of assets. The allegations were initially made by Dennis Aghanya, who served as Buharis media aide between 2009 and 2011. Onnoghens lawyers said the tribunal did not have the authority to try him, and an appeal court ordered last week that the trial be halted while it ruled on that. On Jan. 28, the senate brought a case against the government at the supreme court to rule whether the president had acted within the law in suspending the chief justice or whether he had usurped parliaments powers. Buhari said on Jan. 25 his decision to suspend Onnoghen for the duration of the CCT trial was based on an order to do so from the tribunal dated Jan. 23the day before the court of appeal halted the proceedings. The charges are yet to be disclosed. The president, in a series of tweets, said security agencies had traced suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJNs (Chief Justice of Nigerias) personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law. Onnoghen could not be reached to comment. It is not the first time such claims have been leveled at the judiciary since Buhari, a former military ruler who vowed to crack down on corruption, took office in 2015. The Department of State Services, Nigerias security agency, in 2016 said it seized $800,000 in cash during raids on judges from the supreme, appeal and high courts. Senior judges were arrested and released. None were convicted. Nigerias judiciary has long been the subject of corruption allegations amid claims that judges routinely accept bribes in exchange for favorable rulings. By Camillus Eboh Chinese peacekeeping police take part in drills in Langfang, in northern China's Hebei Province, before they leave for a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia, on May 4, 2014. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) New Report Reveals Chinas Scheme to Protect Investments in Africa by Expanding Military Presence China is backing infrastructure projects it has financed in Africa with an ever-increasing military presence on the continentand locals are feeling uneasy about the situation, according to a recent report. African Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), a Pentagon-backed institution funded by the U.S. Congress, published a report titled Chinese Hard Power Supports Its Growing Strategic Interests in Africa on Jan. 17. It details how China has significantly expanded its military presence in Africa since 2015. At the time, China had just passed a new national security law that provided a legal basis for the Chinese regime to deploy security forces abroad in order to protect its foreign interests. The report found that the primary reason behind Chinas military deployment was to safeguard Chinese infrastructure projects and Chinese expatriates who were working at these projects in Africa under Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) initiative. China launched the OBOR initiative in 2013 to build up geopolitical influence around the world, chiefly by partnering with more than 60 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America on massive infrastructure projects. In 2015, China published its second Africa policy paper, stating that China would strength military exchanges and cooperation such as carrying out joint military training and exercises, as well as helping African countries to enhance their capacity building in national defense and peacekeeping. Chinas security concerns with OBOR projects in Africa were outlined in September 2018, when Beijing released an action plan for 2019 to 2021, following the Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The plan called for stepping up Belt and Road Security cooperation with particular focus on railways, industrial parks, and major events, as well as protecting Chinese nationals and Chinese companies. But African citizens are worried about the increased Chinese military activity and are pressuring their leaders to manage their security relationships with China in ways that avoid reinforcing these trends, the ACSS report stated. Military Activities Two years after passing the new national security law, in 2017, Beijing established its first foreign naval base in Djibouti, and Chinas military, called the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), conducted live military exercises with armored vehicles and heavy artillery at the base in November that year. The U.S. military also has a military base in Djibouti, with over 4,000 military personnel stationed there. The base serves as a launching pad for operations in Africa. In March 2018, Joshua Meservey, senior policy analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the U.S. think tank Heritage Foundation, warned about the risks of Chinese proximity, in congressional testimony. Beijing holds Djiboutian debt worth about 60 percent of the countrys gross domestic product, giving it significant leverage over a country critical to U.S. military operations in Africa, Meservey stated. In 2018, Beijing vamped up its influence by holding military drills in several African countries, including Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, and Nigeria, according to the ACSS report. Additionally, Beijing worked with countries like Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Zambia to provide combat casualty care. In Namibia, local media raised concerns that Chinas expansion project at the Port of Walvis Bay could eventually lead to Beijing building naval facilities at the portwhich is what happened in Djibouti, according to the ACSS report. China was first contracted to build a deep-water port at Djibouti. According to a May 2018 article by Chinas state-run media Xinhua, the Port of Walvis Bay project is being helmed by Chinas state-owned China Harbor Engineering Company. The firm will expand the ports throughput capacity to 750,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), in addition to building an oil storage facility and a cruise jetty. Even without any military facilities, the Namibia port would serve as an important hub connecting to southern Africa, as well as other Chinese ports and infrastructure being built in Sao Tome and Principe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, and Guinea. Peacekeeping Beijing is also exerting great influence in Africas security sectors through its peacekeeping efforts with the United Nations, according to the ACSS report. The appearance of goodwill is aimed at helping the Chinese regime pursue OBOR projects in African nations. For instance, in Mali, the PLA sent its 6th Battle Group as part of a U.N.-led peacekeeping operation in the country. According to the ACSS report, Malis geographic location is strategically ideal for Beijings effort to extend the OBOR initiative into the greater West African region, with rail links being built by Chinese companies connecting Mali to ports in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, and Conakry, the capital of Guinea. China has chiefly used two peacekeeping missions to fulfill its foreign policy goals. First, Beijing has supported the African Standby Force (ASF)an international peacekeeping force under the direction of the African Unionsuch as by providing $25 million to ASFs logistics based in Cameroon in February 2018. Second, Beijing has raised its own 8,000-strong standby force of United Nations peacekeepers. Chinas peacekeeping efforts are supplemented by high-level Chinese mediation activities, according to the ACSS report, in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. But the report warned that these mediation attempts are often aimed at maintaining authoritarian leaders with whom Beijing has good relations and through which strategic investments in natural resources and infrastructure can be secured. Paul Preston, president of New California State, addresses the concerns and goals for the event at Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall in Roseville, Calif., on Jan. 26, 2019. (Nancy Han/NTD) New California State Movement Sends Letter to Trump ROSEVILLE, Calif.The New California State movement held its third Constitutional event at Veterans Memorial Hall in Roseville, on Jan. 26. The self-governed legislature is a statewide grassroots effort to free most of Californias rural areas from the current state and form a new one. So far, representatives from 47 of 58 counties in California have joined the movement. About 200 California representatives attended the event. They passed three resolutions and drafted an outline of the New California States Constitution. They also wrote a letter to President Donald Trump. It was signed by Paul Preston, president of the movement. We feel that we are threatened, said Preston. The principles of the Founding Fathers [held that] the rights we have today are God-given rights and that only we can control the government; we are in charge of the government. The New California State held its third Constitutional event at Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall on Jan. 26, 2019. (Ilene Eng/The Epoch Times) The movement claims that the current states mono-party system and sanctuary state policy is causing violence to increase in California; therefore, the state has failed to provide three conditions guaranteed by the Constitution. Article IV Section Four of the U.S. Constitution declares that U.S. states are guaranteed a republican form of government, protection against invasion, and protection against domestic violence. Orange County Sen. David Arnold said: One of the struggles that we have right now with California is we have absolutely no representation in the state. So all the rural counties in California have been completely devoid of representation. Paul Taylor, a former California Senate candidate, said, For some reason, our legislators, the people running this country and this state, have forgotten the oath of their office, which is to uphold the Constitution. Donald Wilson talks about the Constitutions history and traditional American values on Jan. 26, 2019. (Nancy Han/NTD) Donald Wilson, a historian and advisor for the movement, said the founding principals of America have always been against globalism. When you look at the way we did things, you cant be president if you werent born here. Thats in the Constitution, said Wilson. And there were hard borders, and there were things when we even say We the people. Whos we? You know, people quote that line a lot, but whos we? We, those of us who are here, and who are citizens and who make our own country. Thats who the we are. Terrence Bates, an assemblyman of the self-governed legislature from Orange County, said the current government in California has kept the people in bondage. Theres taxation without representation, theres overregulation, the education system is horrible, said Bates. I have four kids and our children do not like what they are learning in schools. They feel like they are always having to explain themselves for being believers in God, and believers in traditional values and traditional family. Terrence Bates is sworn into New California State on Jan. 26, 2019. (Ilene Eng/The Epoch Times) Bates was also excited to be sworn in at the gathering to join the New California State movement. I believe this entire movement is in my DNA because my ancestor was George Read, who was the governor of Delaware and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Preston said the event is significant because everyone is watching what representatives are doing in New California. Illinois, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and upstate New York have also had similar movements. From NTD News Mysterious Great White Shark Death Solved, California Man Convicted A California man was convicted this month of shooting a great white shark to death, officials said in an update on a case that started in 2018 when the shark was found washed up on a beach. Vinh Pham, 41, was fined $5,000 and placed on conditional probation for two years. Pham fired multiple shots from a .22 caliber firearm at the shark, striking it multiple times and killing it, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The court also ordered Phams firearm to be destroyed. A tip led officers to a commercial fishing vessel that employed Pham. First, a regular investigation uncovered multiple violations. Also during the investigation, officers found a fully loaded .22 caliber rifle in the truck that Pham was using to transport the commercial catch to markets. This great white shark washed up dead on an Aptos beach today: http://ksbw.com/article/dead-shark-washes-ashore-on-aptos-beach/21580159(Photo courtesy Giancarlo Thomae) KSBW TV Action News 8 2018617 As the investigation progressed, Pham confessed, claiming he shot the shark after seeing it swimming near the wings of his deployed fishing net, the department stated. On Jan. 14, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including wanton waste of the white shark, possessing a loaded rifle in his vehicle, and possessing undersized halibut. Forensic Work Capt. Todd Tognazzini of the Fish and Wildlifes law enforcement division said that officers used forensic techniques that are used widely in normal criminal cases. Hopefully people get the message that were prosecuting criminals who violate laws that are meant to protect the states wildlife resources, Tognazzini told the San Jose Mercury News. He said that finding the firearm used to shoot the shark was a big break in the case. Were very lucky we found the firearm that was used in the event, Tognazzini said. The officer thought to check the vehicle used to transport the catch to market. Were very fortunate that this person felt like they got away with it and we were able to tie all that together. Initially, he said, Pham told investigators that he did not pull the trigger himself and that he ordered a deckhand to shoot the shark. But the deckhand told them Pham shot the shark, and Pham eventually confessed. He felt it was disturbing his fishing activity, Tognazzini said. He was upset with the shark and decided to shoot it. Smiling Photo Upsets Some One of the photographs taken of the dead shark was a picture showing a marine biologist lying next to it and smiling, which upset some people who saw the picture. Giancarlo Thomae, the biologist, defended the picture, saying he wanted to provide scale while he and a colleague waited for other colleagues who were bringing equipment to the scene. We got down there because the tide was running in, he told the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Local TV station KSBW posted the picture to Facebook and a slew of readers said it was disrespectful. This could not be more messed up. A dead shark is not a photo op. Really wow, just wow to the person who chose this pic and to the person who thought how cool am I taking a pic of someone laying next to the dead shark. I have no words, one user said. Not sure how I feel about this photo It kind of mocks the shark I hate to see any animal die Guess Im just a softy the older I get, added another. Thomae said that the picture, which he took and a colleague posed for, was not taken for fun and that he didnt intend for it to be disrespectful. He didnt say why his colleague was smiling. As a biologist and a nature-lover, it makes me happy that people care so much about wildlife, Thomae said. Im sorry if my photo offended anyone, but we just needed scale for reference. From NTD News Mother Carrying 1-Year-Old Daughter Dies After Falling Down Subway Stairs A 22-year-old woman carrying her 1-year-old daughters stroller down subway stairs in New York City fell and tumbled down the stairs, leaving her dead. Malaysia Goodson of Stamford, Connecticut, was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead after the fall on Jan. 28 just before 8 p.m. Police officials said that she fell down the stairs at the Seventh Avenue B/D station in Midtown Manhattan. The baby survived the fall and was taken to her father and grandfather. The New York Police Department said that its not clear whether Goodson died from the fall or whether she had some sort of medical episode that killed her before the fall, reported NBC NY. Police said that Goodson was carrying the stroller with the girl secured inside when she fell. An autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death. Agent Alerted A Metropolitan Transportation Authority agent told the New York Daily News that she was at work on Monday night when the incident took place. She said that commuters who witnessed the fall rushed up the stairs to tell her about it. She then contacted her supervisors, who called the police. Team, I am horrified to report that this is now the fourth person to die this month while walking between moving subway cars. Please, please dont walk or stand between the cars. Its never worth it. https://t.co/g9MIO0kI7J Sarah Meyer (@SarahMeyerNYC) December 30, 2018 Subway Deaths Deaths happen a variety of ways at subway stations in New York, including from people who fall while walking between the subway cars. Sarah Meyer, chief customer officer of NYC Transit, said on Dec. 29, 2018, that the fourth person in a month died while walking between moving subway cars. She was sharing information from the subway that said a person was fatally struck at the 96th Street station. Please, please dont walk or stand between the cars. Its never worth it, Meyer added. Student Helps Deliver Baby at Subway Station A first-year medical student helped to deliver a newborn babyat a subway station in North London. The student, 21-year-old Hamzah Selim heard screams at Warren Street station as he was walking home from an anatomy lecture. The whole experience was unbelievable. It was such a mad coincidence, he said, according to the Evening Standard. As Selim rushed over to the woman, he realized she was giving birth. It was just instinct, he said. Great work by Hamzah Selim, first-year medical student delivering his first baby at Tube station ???????? https://t.co/2lM17LQw9b Mr Shahid Mohammed Sardar ???? (@Shahid_MoSardar) January 17, 2019 The student had just spent the past few weeks at a neo-natal unit at University College London, the BBC reported. The woman was in a pool of blood, but he said when he saw the babys head and arms side by side, all the blood left me in that moment. The womans sister was there helping to deliver the baby before he arrived. He tried to call someone more qualified to help but found no one was available. I knew a little bit of what to do. I had to lower the woman. I took my jumper off and wrapped the baby in it. I held the baby in horror. It wasnt responding so I immediately went to the worst possible thought, he said. Epoch Times reporter Jane Gray contributed to this report. From NTD News Anna Spiller, 28, started a petition on the White House website, "We The People," in order to ask the federal government for help to overturn a new abortion law in New York. The petition collected over 250,000 signatures in just five days. (Courtesy Anna Spiller) Mom-of-Three Starts White House Petition to Fight New York Abortion Law, Collects Over 250,000 Signatures in 5 Days A petition urging the federal government to ask New York State to overturn a new law that allows for abortions up until birth collected over 250,000 signatures after just five days. Now, the creator of the petition has vowed to not stop until she has collected one signature for every baby aborted last year. New York State resident Anna Spiller, 28, started the petition a day after the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), which was pushed heavily by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, was passed by the Democrat-dominated House and Senate. The mother-of-three said that although she is passionate about standing up against abortion, she had never done anything significant to fight for the cause. But the night after her husband told her the abortion law had passed in New York, she was determined to do something about it. Morally, we have a responsibility to take care of our children. I think that killing them is wrong. I dont see how anybody can think thats okay, Spiller said. For a mother to look at her child and to deny that is just so crazy to me. Spiller started the petition on a section of the White House website: We the People, which allows people to submit petitions and possibly receive a response from the federal government. After a petition meets a certain threshold100,000 signatures in 30 daysit will then be reviewed by relevant policy experts who can issue an official response, according to its website. The new law allows a mother to have an abortion if there is an absence of fetal vitality or the pregnancy is within 24 weeks from the start. It also allows abortion after the 24-week mark if a doctor acting on good faith determines that the abortion is necessary to protect the life or health of the mother. The term health was not defined in the new law. The RHA also permits midwives and nurse practitioners to carry out medical abortions and allows physician assistants to perform some surgical abortions. The 28-year-old mother, whose children are age four, six, and seven, said she managed to collect 100,000 signatures in just over 48 hours. As of Jan. 29, the petition had collected over 263,000 signatures. When it went over 150 signatures my mind was blown, Spiller said. Petitions that have collected 150 or more signatures become publicly searchable, according to the website. Passionate From a Young Age Spiller had taken the pro-life stance since she was age 9. She first learned about abortion through her friend at school and went home to ask her father about it. She recalled her father was gentle with his explanation. At one point of the conversation, she asked her father, is this bad? His response was simpleIs killing babies bad? And I was kind of like this is crazy. It kind of just baffled me but at the time I was so young, Spiller recalled, adding that it left a lasting impression on her for the rest of her childhood and into adulthood. She said she began to fully comprehend the importance of life when she became pregnant with her first child. I started to understand that this is a life from the very first ultrasound I had, she said. He was real and he was alive. She added that she understands the arguments coming from the pro-choice advocates but believes that there is no reason to abort a baby in the third trimestersomething the new law has legalized. It seems like that this law is like a smokescreenan excuse to further abortion rights without any good valid reason, she said. Dr. Omar L. Hamada, an OB/GYN and former army surgeon, told Fox and Friends that there is absolutely no reason to kill a baby before delivery in the third trimester. Not a fetal or maternal indicationwhat we say in medicine. If theres a problem, and there are problems in the third trimester, both with the babies and with the mom that require delivery, just deliver the baby. We dont have to kill it, Hamada said. OB/GYN slams New York abortion law: 'Absolutely no reason to kill a baby' in 3rd trimester Fox & Friends 2019128 Hamada said that the liberal progressive agenda doesnt define the baby as a human being until birth, as they removed the criminal protections for an unborn baby, reported the news website. Their agenda is to have unlimited abortions nationwide, he said. I think New Yorks move here has really opened the door for that, but I know that, down in Tennessee, for example, were resisting that. Were wanting to pass a heartbeat bill here in the next little while, hopefully. In addition, Spiller said shes had conversations with her pro-choice friends and many of them are also against the New York law. I have pro-choice friends that think abortion is okay but crossing into the third trimester is not, she said. Meanwhile, the 28-year-old said after the petition she is going to continue to fight for the cause until abortion becomes illegal in America. I just think that its just like chipping away at an iceberg at this point, she said. For now, her next goal is to get 332,757 signatures for every abortion procedure reported in Planned Parenthoods 2017-18 annual report. She also plans to join the March for life in Albany in June. Joey Long Jr. of Louisiana, in an undated file photo, was diagnosed with a brain tumor after believing he had a sinus infection. His surgery is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2019. (Joeys Fight Against Rare Cancer/GoFundMe) Man Who Thought He Had Sinus Infection Receives Stunning Diagnosis A Louisiana man who thought he had a sinus infection went to the hospital after the symptoms wouldnt go away. Joey Long Jr. was told at Siddell Memorial Hospital that he actually had a rare form of cancer known as esthesioneuroblastomathe headaches and other symptoms stemmed from a brain tumor. They said in three weeks he couldve lost his eyesight, his father, Joey Long Sr., told WWL. According to the Mayo Clinic, the form of cancer is rare and begins in the upper portion of the nasal cavity. Esthesioneuroblastoma, which can occur at any age in adults, generally begins as a tumor in the nasal cavity and may grow or extend into the sinus, eyes, and brain. People with esthesioneuroblastoma can lose their sense of smell, have frequent nosebleeds, and experience difficulty breathing through their nostrils as the tumor grows, it stated. Esthesioneuroblastoma can also spread to the lymph nodes in the neck and the parotid glands. In advanced cases, esthesioneuroblastoma can spread to other parts of the brain and other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, and bones, it added. Less than a week after the diagnosis, Long Jr. was scheduled to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. He thought he had a sinus infection; A week later, doctors will remove a tumor near his brain https://t.co/nhsujwuFM9 WWL-TV (@WWLTV) January 29, 2019 Doctors plan to cut bone on his face to get the tumor out then put plates in to replace the bone during the Jan. 30 procedure. Hell also need radiation treatments and facial reconstruction in the future. Since Long Jr. wont be able to work for the foreseeable future, his family is asking for donations to help with medical expenses. He is no longer allowed to work, so we are asking for everyones help to get Joey through this process and during his long recovery. No donation is too small, Long Jr.s brother-in-law wrote in a description on the GoFundMe fundraising page. On Monday, Long Jr.s sister Heather Jo Meyer added, My family and I would like to thank each and every one of you who kindly donate to help my brother out. She continued, I went to visit him tonight and he was in really great spirits, he has had so many friends and family come by to keep his mind off of things so that has helped out a lot. He will be transferred to New Orleans tomorrow and his surgery is scheduled for Wednesday! According to the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, brain tumors are sometimes cancerous and sometimes noncancerous or benign. More than 9,000 people in the country are diagnosed with primary brain tumors every year and many others are diagnosed with secondary brain tumors. There are an estimated 700,000 people in the United States living with a primary brain tumor, with about 80 percent of the tumors being benign, according to the National Brain Tumor Society. An estimated 79,000 more were going to receive a diagnosis in 2018. Chantal Smits, who diagnosed her own brain tumor, is among those raising awareness of the symptoms. I consider myself lucky that my own tumor was caught early, she said. Looking back, I can see now that I had symptoms for a very long time. I shouldnt have ignored them. Now I hope to help raise awareness of brain tumors and do something positive to help others. From NTD News Lawsuit Filed Against California County Fair Over Gun Show Ban A Southern California county fair is being sued by the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) over its controversial ordinance prohibiting firearm vendors from continuing a gun show that has been held there for 30 years. The lawsuit, which was filed on Jan. 21, argues that a gun show ban passed by the board members of Del Mar Fair in 2018 is unconstitutional and violated the plaintiffs Second Amendment rights and others. The 41-page complaint alleges that the Del Mar action has purposely violated the First Amendment free speech rights of the plaintiffs and constitutes a prior restraint on speech, along with the equal protection of the plaintiffs, said a written statement from the CRPA. Crossroads of the West, one of the plaintiffs, has held gun shows about five times a year at the fairground over the past 30 years, according to Fox 5. In September 2018, the 22nd District Agricultural Association, a nine-member board that operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds on behalf of the state, decided to stop renewing the contract with the Crossroads of the West Gun Show for 2019. Lots of people at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Board of Directors meeting voicing support & opposition for the Crossroads of the West Gun Show. With so many speakers, board went straight to public comment. Next gun show here is May 19-20. Board isnt taking action on this today. pic.twitter.com/Sb3V6M2zC7 Matt Hoffman (@MHoffmam) April 24, 2018 The board voted 81 to put the gun show on hold while the board develops a comprehensive policy, which includes converting the show to one that only serves educational and safety training purposes as well as enhancing its security plan, according to a statement the board released in September 2018. Board President Steve Shewmaker said at a meeting that hes concerned about safety issues after several arrests were made in the fairground as felony offenders sent their wives and girlfriends in to buy ammunition and guns at the gun show. More pics: https://t.co/mLZVqybJ8w As the two-day Crossroads of the West Gun Show was going on inside the Del Mar Fairgrounds, about 80 supporters from NeverAgainCa protested the gun show from outside the fairgrounds. @sdut @sdutPhotography pic.twitter.com/ivjgnByIn0 Howard Lipin (@hlipin) March 18, 2018 The new policy regarding the gun show is expected to be established by December 2019. However, the boards decision didnt convince everyone. It sounds like a nice, here is our olive branch, but its really nothing. It means were going to do whatever we can to make sure you cant do your business model the way you normally operate, Tracy Olcott, president of Crossroads of the West, told Fox 5. Olcott also said the Crossroads shows typically brought the fairgrounds between $500,000 and $700,000 a year. The CRPA indicated in its statement that the ban is one of the campaigns aiming to annihilate gun shows at several state-owned fairgrounds across the state led by anti-gun activists who are trying to eliminate the gun culture. In 2018, then-Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill that would prohibit gun shows at the Cow Palace, which is a state-owned fairground in the Bay Area. Crossroads of the West is also the gun show organizer at the Cow Palace. In fact, the Fairgrounds own head of security noted that the gun shows are operating in full compliance with the law and that there are no safety concerns with the show, the statement read. Nonetheless, the Del Mar Fair Board bowed to the political pressure of anti-gun activists and gave in to those Board members with a particularly strong bias against the tens of thousands of individuals who attend these shows. Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is escorted by her private security detail while arriving at a parole office, in Vancouver, Canada on Dec. 12, 2018. Meng requested an amendment to her bail conditions on Jan. 29, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck) Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou Granted Changes to Bail Conditions, Court Date VANCOUVERHuawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was granted changes to her bail conditions in a Vancouver court on Jan. 29. Meng faces possible extradition to the United States, which has filed a formal extradition request with Canada over fraud charges related to U.S. sanctions against Iran. Through her lawyer, David Martin, Meng requested two changes to her bail: a change of date for her next scheduled court appearance and a change in surety. Justice William Ehrcke granted the request to change the court date. Meng is now scheduled to appear in court on March 6. Meng was originally scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 6, but her lawyer asked that it to be pushed back a month to allow time for her defence counsel to prepare. Martin said the United States only recently filed a record of the case, and that materials wouldnt be released until Canada decides whether to issue an authority to proceed. Canadas Department of Justice confirmed in an email that Canadian officials had received a formal extradition request from the United States on Jan. 28 and that Canada now has until March 1 to issue an authority to proceed. There was also a change in those acting as Mengs sureties. A surety is someone who supervises an accused person who is out on bail and pledges bail money. A couple have pledged their home and money to take the place of another surety. The Crown agreed to these changes. Mengs requests come the day after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed a 13-count indictment against Meng, Huawei, and several of the companys subsidiaries, accusing them of violating sanctions against Iran. Meng herself is charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. It was these charges that led to her arrest in Vancouver in December 2018. The DOJ alleges that, since 2007, Chinese telecom giant Huawei misled global banks and U.S. authorities about the companys relationship with Hong Kong-based Skycom Tech, which prosecutors allege conducted business in Iran on behalf of Huawei. U.S. laws and regulations prohibit banks from processing transactions related to Iran through the United States. Unaware of repeated misrepresentations by Huawei, banks continued to clear transactions from Huawei and Skycomin one instance clearing more than $100 million worth of Skycom-related transactions between 2010 and 2014. Speaking at a press conference where the charges against Huawei and Meng were unsealed, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the Trump administration is taking a tougher stance against those who violate trade sanctions. For years, Chinese firms have broken our export laws and undermined sanctions, often using U.S. financial systems to facilitate their illegal activities, Ross said. This will end. Meng is alleged to have been personally involved in concealing the true nature of the Huawei-Skycom relationship. The indictment says she made a presentation in August 2013 to an executive of one of Huaweis banks in which she repeatedly lied about the relationship between the two companies. In a separate 10-count indictment, U.S. prosecutors accuse Huawei of stealing trade secrets, committing wire fraud, and obstructing justice by allegedly stealing robot technology from T-Mobile to test smartphone durability. Huawei is the second largest smartphone maker in the world. The charges come at a time of increasing global scrutiny and cyberintelligence concerns over Huawei due to allegations that its products could be used by the Chinese communist regime for spyingan allegation the company denies. Huawei is the largest telecom equipment maker in the world and is seen as a security risk due to its close ties with Beijing. The United States has banned Huawei equipment from its national networks on security grounds. These charges lay bare Huaweis alleged blatant disregard for the laws of our country and standard global business practices, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a DOJ press release. Companies like Huawei pose a dual threat to both our economic and national security, and the magnitude of these charges make clear just how seriously the FBI takes this threat. Heavy Snow Hitting Parts of Midwest; Dangerous Cold Coming MILWAUKEEHeavy snow and powerful wind created blizzard-like conditions Jan. 28 across parts of the Midwest, prompting officials to cancel about 1,000 flights at Chicagos airports and close hundreds of schools. But forecasters warned the most dangerous weather is yet to come: frigidly low temperatures that the region hasnt seen in a quarter century. Snowplow drivers had trouble keeping up with the snow in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where some areas got as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters). Chicago-area commuters woke up to heavy snowfall, with more than 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) already on the ground. In Michigan, non-essential government offices were closed, including the Capitol. But the snow is only part one, and maybe even the easier part because temperatures will plummet over the next three days, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. Jan. 30 is expected to be the worst. Wind chills in northern Illinois could fall to negative 55 degrees (negative 48 degrees Celsius), which the National Weather Service called possibly life threatening. Minnesota temperatures could hit minus 30 degrees (negative 34 degrees Celsius) with a wind chill of negative 60 (negative 51 degrees Celsius). Youre talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds, Hurley said. The potentially record-breaking low temperature forecast in Milwaukee is negative 28 degrees (negative 33 degrees Celsius), with a wind chill as low as negative 50 (negative 45 degrees Celsius). The current record of minus 26 degrees (negative 32 degrees Celsius) was set in 1996. Thats 40 degrees below normal, Hurley said. When you think about it in that sense, thats a big whoa.' Cold weather advisories are in effect across a broad swath of the central U.S., from North Dakota to Missouri and spanning into Ohio. Temperatures will be as many as 20 degrees below average in parts of the Upper Great Lakes region and Upper Mississippi Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The unusually frigid weather is attributed to a sudden warming way above the North Pole. A sudden blast of warm air from misplaced Moroccan heat last month made the normally super chilly air temperatures 20 miles (32 kilometers) above the North Pole rapidly rise about 125 degrees (70 degrees Celsius). That split the polar vortex into pieces, which then started to wander, according to Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. One of those polar vortex pieces is responsible for the sub-zero temperatures across the Midwest this week. Homeless shelters were preparing for the onslaught of cold. The Milwaukee Rescue Missions call volume was unusually high, but there should still be enough beds for those who need them, said the missions president, Pat Vanderburgh. We are being especially vigilant during the night, he said. Monitoring our doors, our security are going out on the street, were partnering individuals that go out proactively looking out for homeless individuals and sharing with them winter clothes and food. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel urged residents to check on their neighbors and take safety precautions. He said city agencies are making sure homeless people are in shelters or offered space in warming buses. Hundreds of schools were closed across Michigan as road conditions deteriorated, including Eastern Michigan University. The largest public school districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota also were among those closed, including districts in Milwaukee and St. Paul. Minneapolis Public Schools announced there would be no classes through Jan. 30. The cold also prompted officials to close some schools in eastern Iowa, while Chicago Public Schools officials said they were monitoring the weather ahead of the Jan. 30 cold snap. In eastern North Dakota, officials have issued travel alerts because of blowing snow. The Minnesota State Patrol was responding to scores of spinouts and crashes early Jan. 28 in the Twin Cities metro area because of snow-covered and icy roads. More than 800 flights were cancelled at Chicago OHare International Airport early Jan. 28 and Midway International Airport canceled more than 220. The high temperature forecast at OHare on Jan. 30 is negative 14 degrees (negative 25 degrees Celsius), which would break a record set on Jan. 18, 1994. By Ivan Moreno John Kapoor, the billionaire founder of Insys Therapeutics Inc, arrives at the federal courthouse for the first day of the trial accusing Insys executives of a wide-ranging scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe an addictive opioid medication, in Boston, Mass., on Jan. 28, 2019. (Brian Snyder via Reuters) Greed Fueled Insys Founders Opioid Bribe Scheme: Prosecutor A lawyer for John Kapoor, Insys Therapeutics Inc.s one-time billionaire founder, denied that Kapoor had any role in the U.S. opioid crisis on Jan. 28 as a federal prosecutor told jurors he ran a scheme to bribe doctors to prescribe an addictive fentanyl spray. Kapoor, the drugmakers former chairman, and four colleagues are the first painkiller manufacturer executives to face trial over conduct authorities say contributed to an opioid abuse crisis that has killed tens of thousands of people in 2017 alone. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lazarus told a Boston federal jury at the trials start that Kapoor oversaw the bribing of doctors who were paid to act as speakers at poorly-attended sham events at restaurants ostensibly meant to educate clinicians about its product, Subsys. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only approved Subsys as a treatment for severe cancer pain. Yet Lazarus said doctors who took bribes often prescribed Subsys to patients without cancer, creating higher sales. This is a case about greed, about greed and its consequences, the consequences of putting profits over people, Lazarus said in his opening statement. Lazarus said Insys also defrauded insurers into paying for Subsys. He said from 2012 to 2015 Kapoor had the help of co-defendants, former Insys executives and managers Michael Gurry, Richard Simon, Sunrise Lee, and Joseph Rowan. Kapoors lawyer, Beth Wilkinson, called those charges patently false. She said Kapoor became dedicated to promoting Subsys after observing the pain his wife suffered due to breast cancer. She acknowledged Insys paid doctors but said Kapoor believed doctors really were being paid to talk up the products benefits. He thought the purpose was to educate other doctors, Wilkinson told the court. Kapoors 2017 arrest came the same day U.S. President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. In 2017, a record 47,600 people died of opioid-related overdoses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In her opening statement, Wilkinson stressed that Subsys only makes up 0.03 percent of all U.S. opioid prescriptions. Reporting by Nate Raymond. French Spider-Man Arrested in Manila After Scaling 700-Foot Tower French Spider-Man Alain Robert has been arrested after scaling a 700-foot tower in Manila, shocking office workers inside the building as he clambered over the metal shelves that ring the GT Tower, without a safety rope. Free-climber Alain Robert has summited over a hundred buildings without safety equipment over the last 25 years, wracking up many arrests along the way. He climbed the 47-story GT Tower on Jan. 29, reported the AFP, with shocked onlookers inside and outside the building recording his exploits and posting videos to social media. One video shows the blonde, 105-pound Frenchman apparently resting on a ledge before swinging his legs over the edgeto audible gaspsbefore continuing his descent. This is my path, this is my way of living. It is as important to me as eating, sleeping. I need that. It keeps me alive, he told reporters after completing the climb, reported AFP. The diminutive 56-year-old Frenchman was taken into custody as soon as he finished his two-hour climb. Robert was being held on a charge of public disturbance and was awaiting a decision from prosecutors on bail. He did not quite make the summit of the tower, however, according to CNN, but stopped just a meter short. As he climbed, he said that he told the authorities, Look, Im just climbing a building, Im not killing anybody, its not a bank robbery,' Robert said his motivation is to brighten up peoples day. 66 Percent Disabled I see thousands of people inside the building. I did brighten their day, he said, according to CNN. They will remember that their whole life, he said. I am entertaining people for free in the district. The 5-foot-5-inch-tall Robertwho suffers from vertigoholds the world record for the greatest number of buildings climbed. His official count stands at 121 with his climb of the Cayan Tower in Dubai on April 12, 2015. Robert started climbing towers, monuments, and skyscrapers in 1994. He uses window frames, cables, ledges, pipes, and gaps between brickwork to climb the worlds iconic skyscrapers, including the worlds tallest building. Many of Roberts climbs are not sanctioned, and some break the law. According to CNN, he has been arrested over 120 times. When he scaled the worlds tallest building, Dubais 2,716-foot Burj Khalifa, in 2011, Robert had permission but had to abandon his free-climbing philosophy and wear a safety rope for the whole climb. He got to the top in 6 hours 13 minutes 55 seconds. Robert was arrested in October 2018 when he attempted to climb the 662-feet Heron tower in London. In June last year, security foiled his attempt to climb the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, forcing him to abort halfway up its 123 stories. On his official website, Robert says that accidents have left him 66 percent disabled. He said that some serious accidents had left him nearly dead, and that he had defied doctors who said he would never climb again. I had then decided to handle my destiny and to fight adversity, he said. At no point, have I ever thought about giving up on my childhood dream. I already knew that climbing was for me as important as eating or breathing. Firefighters were credited with shoveling an Iowa womans driveway after she gave birth as extremely cold temperatures inundate much of the United States, namely the Midwest. (Cedar Rapids Fire Department/Facebook ) Firefighters Shovel Driveway for Iowa Mom Who Delivered Baby at Home Amid Frigid Weather Firefighters were credited with shoveling an Iowa womans driveway after she gave birth as extremely cold temperatures inundate much of the United States, namely the Midwest. Des Moines, Iowa, is forecast to see low temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday of about -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind chills will be even lower, forecasters have warned. Scotty Abram and his expectant wife, Cassy, returned home from a hospital in Cedar Rapids after nurses told them she wasnt ready to enter labor. The weather is cold, but this should warm your heart! Firefighters from Fire Station No. 5 helped deliver a baby this Cedar Rapids Fire Department 2019128 But a few minutes later, Scotty found himself delivering the baby, Cassys aunt Larissa Ruffin told CNN on Jan. 29. He called the paramedics first, but the child came out too quickly. EMT arrived about 10 minutes later and they let dad cut the umbilical cord on the living room floor, said Ruffin in the report. Firefighters from the Cedar Rapids Fire Department also responded. When the mother and child were wheeled out of their home to head back to the hospital, they saw firefighters shoveling snow. As mother and baby were being wheeled out of their house to go back to the hospital, they saw a scene they'll never forget CNN 2019129 After they got mom and baby in warm blankets on the stretcher and Dr. Dad was ready to go, we went outside and saw the firemen finishing shoveling their long drive, said Ruffin. She added: I was in such awe of their selflessness! Its amazing what some will do for others without knowing anything about them. It was not their job to come and shovel. The fire department, in a Facebook post, said the firefighters in the photo responded to the birth with their own vehicles. The weather is cold, but this should warm your heart! the department wrote. The child, named Scotty Jr., weighed 6 pounds and was 18 inches long. Everyone is healthy and happy, said Ruffin. Its the little things that touch you in a moment like that. Brutal Cold In a warning on its front page, the National Weather Services website on Jan. 29 said that back to back cold fronts will slice through the eastern two-thirds of the country to deliver one of the coldest arctic air intrusions in recent memory, especially from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. From Tuesday through Thursday, expect frigid temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills, likely leading to widespread record lows and low maximum temperatures, said the website. Minneapolis public schools officials have canceled classes through Wednesday when the region is expected to experience frigidly low temperatures not seen in a quarter century, The Associated Press reported. Hundreds of Michigan schools were closed Tuesday, including in Detroit, while Chicago Public Schools canceled Wednesday classes because of the anticipated cold snap. Youre talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. The unusually frigid weather is attributed to a sudden warming far above the North Pole. A blast of warm air from misplaced Moroccan heat last month made the normally super chilly air temperatures above the North Pole rapidly increase. That split the polar vortex into pieces, which then started to wander, said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research. Reports have said that in some places, frostbite can set in within 5 to 10 minutes. Hypothermia risks are also elevated. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In this undated photo, the FDA has expanded its recall of valsartan which is found in certain drugs for heart and high blood pressure treatment. (NTD TV screenshot) FDA Warning: Popular Blood Pressure Medicine Shortage Due to Recalls The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about a shortage of drugs used by millions of Americans to treat high blood pressure amid recalls of valsartan. The drugs are known as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), said the agency in a warning last week. Valsartan products are in shortage, and we know that other types of products may fall into shortage soon, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb and FDA director of drug evaluation and research Dr. Janet Woodcock said in the joint statement. Valsartan, losartan, and irbesartan drugs have been recalled after impurities were discovered that could pose a cancer risk. Valsartan-containing drugs have been the most impacted by the recalls. In July, the FDA performed lab tests on valsartan-containing medications manufactured by a company in China, finding the presence of NDMA and NDEA, which are environmental carcinogens linked to cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, NDMA is found in rocket fuel, lubricants, and other additives. These two substances are known environmental contaminants and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products and vegetables. But their presence in drug products is not acceptable, the FDA statement said. The FDA has said that patients who take valsartan, losartan, or irbesartan should persist in taking them unless otherwise recommended by a pharmacist or doctor. But, according to Woodcock and Gottlieb, they are both deeply concerned after learning about the presence of NDMA and NDEA. The warning comes as a growing list of the drugs have been recalled from the market for containing an impurity that presents a cancer risk. KCRA 3 2019128 Our analysis of NDMA found that the risk to patients based on the maximum possible exposure appears to be small. That doesnt diminish our concern and our determination to find out how these impurities occurred in the first instance, they said. Meanwhile, the agency is committed to implementing new measures on quality standards so as to prevent such impurities from taking place in the drug manufacturing process in the future. The issue surfaced in the summer of 2018 after the FDA was informed that API manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. in Linhai, China, had NDMA. Woodcock and Gottlieb said the FDA placed Zhejiang on import alert to stop the drugs from entering the United States, according to the FDA statement. We also issued them a warning letter outlining several manufacturing violations, including impurity control, change control and cross-contamination from one manufacturing process line to another, their statement reads. After an investigation into Zhejiangs manufacturing process, the FDA discovered a change that likely led to the cancer-causing chemicals being introduced. The impurity was also not detected by global health agencies, including the FDA, for some time until last summer. Inspectors spotted fraying gaskets, rusted screws, and missing pieces of production equipment inside Zhejiang Huahais factory, according to reports earlier this month. The FDA also found that workers repeatedly failed to address testing anomalies in drug batches. However, operations at the drug plant continued uninterrupted until June. Thats when the NDMA was discovered. We know patients rely on these medicines. Part of our work throughout this process has been to mitigate and prevent shortages, where possible. Currently, valsartan products are in shortage, and we know that other types of products may fall into shortage soon, said the statement. It added: We remind patients taking these medications or any recalled ARB to continue taking their current medicine until their pharmacist provides a replacement or their doctor provides an alternative treatment option. It also is important to know not all ARBs contain NDMA or NDEA, so pharmacists may be able to provide a refill of medication not affected by the recall, or doctors may prescribe a different medication that treats the same condition. FBI agent Peter Strzok during testimony before Congress on July 12, 2018. Strzok oversaw both the FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server and the counterintelligence investigation into Donald Trump's campaign. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) FBI Ignored Major Lead on Clinton Emails, Closed-Door Testimonies Suggest Congressional investigators have gathered enough evidence to suggest that the FBI, under the Obama administration, ignored a major lead in the Clinton-email probe, according to transcripts of closed-door testimonies of several current and former bureau officials. The office of the Intelligence Community Inspector General informed the FBI in 2015 that a forensic review of Hillary Clintons emails unearthed anomalies in the metadata of the messages. The evidence in the metadata suggested that a copy of every email Hillary Clinton sent during her tenure as the secretary of state was forwarded to a foreign third party. The existence of the lead was first revealed during the public testimony of Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz in June last year. Horowitz acknowledged the existence of the specific lead and said he spoke about it to Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) Charles McCullough. Yet, despite the alarming nature of the referral, Horowitzs 568-page report on the FBIs handling the Clinton-email investigation made no mention of the lead or how the bureau handled it. The omission caught the attention of Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), who pressed Horowitz for an explanation. Horowitz said he would get back to the committee with answers. Its unclear if Horowitz ever followed up on that promise. Meadows went on to question several current and former FBI officials about the lead, including Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, Bill Priestap, Jonathan Moffa, John Giacalone, and James Comey. In all of the interviews, transcripts of which were reviewed for this article, the officials claimed to remember nothing about the specific referral from the ICIG, suggesting that the lead was either suppressed or ignored by investigators. During questioning, Meadows repeatedly suggested that Strzok, the former FBI official best known for being fired from the agency last year for his anti-Trump text messages, ignored the lead and never followed up with the ICIG regarding the referral. The bureau also didnt interview anyone from the ICIGs office, including Frank Rucker, the investigator who initially briefed the FBI team about the anomalies, according to the transcripts. An official from the ICIG communications office didnt respond to repeated requests for an interview with Rucker. Meadows summed up what lawmakers have learned about the ICIG lead while questioning Comey on Dec. 17 last year. Comey served as the director of the FBI during the Clinton-email probe. He was one of the last witnesses interviewed by lawmakers shortly before the House judiciary and oversight committees wrapped up their review of actions taken and not taken by the FBI and the DOJ during the 2016 presidential election. Well, just to be clear, Mr. McCullough has indicated to Members of Congress that there was zero followup, Meadows told Comey. There are allegations they believe were largely ignored by the FBI. When contacted for a comment about the allegations, McCullough, now a partner at the Compass Rose Legal Group, said that he didnt expect the FBI to follow up on the referral with his office. McCullough also said he never alleged that the FBI ignored any leads. It was the FBIs investigation. The flow of information was purposely one way from the ICIG to the FBI, McCullough said Jan. 29. I was in no way overseeing what the bureau was doing, and I didnt expect them to inform me of results of their investigation. Having spent 10 years of my life as an FBI special agent, I presumed they would take appropriate action with respect to whatever information I gave them. I did not follow up with them to ensure that was the case, McCullough added. The FBI had no comment on the allegations. Strzok was one of four officials briefed on the anomalies. He was transferred to FBI headquarters from the field office in Washington to work on the Clinton-email probe around two months after it was opened and, eventually, the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. According to Meadows, Strzok called the ICIG office 10 minutes after Comey exonerated Clinton in July 2016 and asked to close out the inspector generals referral. The ICIG referred the Clinton-email case to the FBI on July 6, 2015, pursuant to the Intelligence Authorization Act, which requires agencies to advise the FBI immediately of any information, regardless of its origin, which indicates that classified information is being, or may have been, disclosed in an unauthorized manner to a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power, according to the Justice Department Inspector Generals report on the handling of the email case. The bureau officially opened the investigation on July 10, 2015. Meadows confronted Strzok about the metadata anomalies in Clintons emails during a closed-door interview on June 27 last year. Sir, I am I do not recall a meeting where the IC IG made any reference to changes in the metadata, Strzok said. What I can tell you, Congressman, is that our technical experts, any allegation of intrusion, any review of metadata that might be indicative of an act, was pursued by our technical folks, and I am very confident that they did that thoroughly and well. I am certainly unaware of anything that we did not pursue or had not pursued. McCullough told The Epoch Times that he did not interact with the bureau after the initial meeting when he referred the Clinton-email case. He tasked Rucker to handle day-to-day interactions with the bureau. Rucker would go on to pass information to the FBI in several tranches. Its unclear whether the lead on metadata anomalies was passed along during the initial referral or as part of a separate meeting. According to a version of events put forth by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) during Strzoks public testimony in June last year, Rucker passed on the referral during a meeting with four FBI officials. Jeanette McMillian, the legal counsel for the ICIG, also attended the meeting, according to Gohmert. According to the transcripts, three of the four FBI officials briefed by the ICIG were Strzok, then-Executive Assistant Director John Giacalone, and then-Section Chief Dean Chappell. The identity of the fourth official remains unclear. Moffa, who was a lead analyst on the Clinton-email probe, told lawmakers during a closed-door interview on Aug. 24 last year that he met the ICIG together with Counterespionage Section Chief Charles Kable. Moffa said he and Kable met the ICIG two or three times during the early days of the investigation. Lawmakers asked at least two of the four present at the meeting, Strzok and Giacalone, about their interactions with the ICIG. Both claim to not remember being told anything about anomalies in the metadata of Clintons emails and the possibility that a copy of every message was sent to a foreign actor. Giacalone told lawmakers he remembers a specific country of concern being discussed during either a face-to-face meeting or other communication. Try The Epoch Times Newspaper for Only $1 Start My $1 Month Trial President Donald Trump suggested in August last year that Clintons emails were obtained by China. Hillary Clintons Emails, many of which are Classified Information, got hacked by China. Next move better be by the FBI & DOJ or, after all of their other missteps (Comey, McCabe, Strzok, Page, Ohr, FISA, Dirty Dossier etc.), their credibility will be forever gone! he said. The president was likely responding to a report released days earlier by the Daily Caller, citing two anonymous sources, claiming that a Chinese-owned company operating in the Washington area obtained nearly all of Clintons emails. The firm received Clintons emails in real time using a code embedded on a private, unauthorized email server she used for government work while she was secretary of state, the report alleged. Fox News confirmed the Daily Caller report, citing two anonymous sources. It isnt clear if the Fox sources are different from those used by the Daily Caller. Kable and Chappell served as section chiefs at the bureaus counterintelligence division alongside Strzok during the early days of the Clinton-email investigation. Both Kable and Chappell have expertise in Chinese espionage, a factor which, if the media reports about China are true, may have initially contributed to their selection for the Clinton-email team. Kable led investigations against known and suspected Chinese intelligence officers in the U.S. for a year and five months starting in 2009, according to an FBI promotion notice and his LinkedIn profile. While little is known about Chappells time at the FBI, he was cited among experts on Chinese espionage in a Fox News article published two weeks after the start of the Clinton-email probe. Executive Assistant Director Randall Coleman, the seniormost official overseeing the email probe, is also cited in the article, as well as the related FBI press release. Despite playing a prominent role in the investigation, Kables name isnt mentioned in Horowitzs otherwise voluminous and exhaustive report (pdf) on the handling of the Clinton-email investigation. Chappell, who met the ICIG and worked in counterespionage, also isnt mentioned in the report. The FBI wouldnt confirm whether Chappell still works for the bureau. A Whole New Team With the exception of Comey, every person in the chain of command above Strzok was replaced at different points during the Clinton-email investigation. On Dec. 9, 2015, Comey moved Kable out of FBI headquarters to the Washington field office, ending his term on the Clinton-email probe. Two weeks after Kables departure, Comey appointed Bill Priestap to serve as assistant director of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division, replacing Randall Coleman, who held the same position until Dec. 21, 2015. A month later, Comey appointed Andrew McCabe to replace Mark Giuliano as deputy director, and the following month, Comey appointed Michael Steinbach to replace Giacalone as the executive assistant director for the National Security Branch. If Kable was the fourth person present at the meeting when Rucker told FBI about the email metadata anomalies, Strzok would be the only official who learned of the ICIG lead and remained on the Clinton-email investigation until it was concluded. Priestap, who arrived six months after the ICIG anomaly referral, told lawmakers on June 5 last year that he didnt know Frank Rucker, the ICIG investigator, and that he was never informed of the referral on the anomalies in the metadata in Clintons emails. Strzok reported to Priestap. Meadows: Is this the first time that youve ever heard that there might have been metadata on the Hillary Rodham Clinton server that showed anomalies? Priestap: Yes. I do not recall being told that there were and I say anomalies In an exchange that followed, Priestap clarified his answer, noting that if he was told of anomalies he would have remembered. Meadows: So youre the head of counterintelligence Priestap: Yes. Meadows: and Im a Member from North Carolina, and youre saying that I have better intel than you do? I mean, is this the first time truly that youre hearing that? I want to give you time to reflect on your conversations. Priestap: Sir, there were there was a tremendous amount of work done by the FBI in trying to determine whether a foreign service your words had penetrated Mrs. Clintons server, a tremendous amount of work. Meadows: And I think your comment was there was no evidence. Priestap: I am not aware of any evidence that demonstrated that. Im also not aware of any evidence that my team or anybody reporting to me on this had advised me that there were anomalies that couldnt be accounted for. I dont recall that. I would like to think that had I been told that, that would have stuck in my mind, because, obviously, from a counterintelligence perspective, theres the mishandling end of this and then theres the, did the foreign adversary get access? Those were equally important. Lisa Page, an FBI attorney and Strzoks mistress, told lawmakers on July 16 last year that it was completely baffling to learn of the ICIG anomalies referral during Strzoks testimony in 2017, almost a year after the Clinton-email probe concluded. [My] understanding is that the IC IG did refer the existence of the server to the FBI, but that was because of the existence of classified information on that server, not because of any anomalous activity, not because of potential intrusion activity, Page told Congress on July 16 last year, according to a transcript. Page made the statement during a round of questions with Meadows in which the representative revealed that the ICIG informed the FBI of evidence of intrusion, yet the referral appears to have never reached the broader FBI team working the investigation. Meadows: So what youre telling me, it would surprise you to know today that, if there were anomalies, that the inspector generals forensic team found those before it was referred to the FBI? Page: Thats correct. Im not sure Meadows: Would that if that is indeed the fact, would that be a major concern to you? Page: It would be a concern that we didnt know that or that that wasnt part of what they told us when they made the referral, but less so, sir, honestly because our forensic investigators are so phenomenal that, notwithstanding whatever the IC IG may or may not have conveyed, I know we looked extensively at this question. Because that was a serious question. And to the extent that a foreign government or even a criminal outlet had had access to Secretary Clintons private email server, that would have been something we cared very much about. And its my understanding that there was no evidence that would have supported that kind of conclusion. Pages answer is significant because she acknowledged the seriousness of the lead and the fact that she was never made aware of the evidence. Comey likewise told lawmakers he didnt know Rucker. Asked on Dec. 17 last year if he would be surprised if Rucker was never interviewed during the investigation, Comey said, I dont have a reaction. Comey closed out the Clinton-email investigation with an unprecedented public statement on July 5, 2016, saying that the FBI couldnt find evidence that Clintons emails were hacked by a hostile actor, but given the nature of the system and of the actors potentially involved, we assess that we would be unlikely to see such direct evidence. Comeys statement didnt mention the evidence of the metadata anomalies produced by the ICIG. Comey chose the term hostile actor for the statement, a phrase which may or may not include China or other sophisticated adversaries who are not publicly hostile toward the U.S. Among the thousands of Clinton emails reviewed, the bureau found eight emails containing top-secret information and 37 emails containing secret information, and other classified material. Comey ultimately concluded that no reasonable prosecutor would bring charges against Clinton or her associates. Correction: due to a typographical error, a previous version of this article incorrectly described the sequence of interaction between McCullough and the FBI. McCullough did not interact with the FBI after the initial referral and delegated the duty to Rucker. Try The Epoch Times Newspaper for Only $1 Start My $1 Month Trial Exclusive: 2020 Trump Campaigns Jason Meister Discusses Border-Security Strategy There is a distinct strategy behind President Donald Trumps decision to reopen the government, according to Jason Meister, Trump 2020 Campaign advisory board member. In my interview with Meister, he provides an insight into both the Republican and Democrat deeper-level politics at play in the current border-wall debate. He also reveals the important advantages Trump may well have gained in his move to reopen the government, and gives his view on how the man he describes as a pragmatist and problem-solver stands in his prospects of both building the wall and being re-elected. Jan Jekielek: Lets get a few things out of the way. Its been said that Trump somehow, by reopening the government, has lost the battle on this issue. Would you say thats accurate? Jason Meister: I dont think that there could be anything further from the truth. Trump is a negotiator. He understands how to make deals and this is a very strategic position that hes taken. He has effectively taken the leverage away from the Democrats. They were using furloughed federal employees as leverage, and by reopening the government and paying those employees for the next three weeks, hes effectively taken away the Democrats leverage. Now, its on the Democrats to come to the table in a meaningful way and finally do something that both politicians on both sides of the aisle have yet to do, secure our border and protect Americans; put Americans first. Its a humanitarian crisis and its a national-security crisis. And the president is not going to let it happen. Hes going to protect our border and I think the Democrats are going to have to come to the table. Mr. Jekielek: So you mentioned a national-security crisis, that there is a crisis. Some people have called this a manufactured crisis. What would you say to that? Mr. Meister: Its not a manufactured crisis. Even Democrats have admitted it over the decadesNancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, theyve all articulated at one point or another that they were for a physical barrier at the border. There is no manufactured crisis. Go speak to the mothers and fathers of people whove lost their children to illegal immigrants who murdered them. Talk to the people who have family members that have drug problems because of opioids, and fentanyl, and all sorts of other drugs that have come over the border, to parents of people who have been affected by MS-13the gangs that have been coming over the border. So its not a manufactured issue. Its an issue thats been going on for decades and it has to be dealt with. Mr. Jekielek: Its also been said that the president is somehow isolationist, that hes actually against immigration. How does that work? Mr. Meister: Yeah, this is a common thing that we see in the media today. Its unfortunate. Theres really no reporting anymore of the news. Theyre all activists and theyre all putting out their own narrative. And its very unfortunate because Trump has articulated time and time again that hes talking about illegal immigration. Hes not talking about legal immigration. We are a country founded by legal immigrants and we rely on legal immigrants. Look at the polls; everyone believes in having legal immigration. So when The New York Times or The Washington Post put out reports saying the president is against immigration, its just not true. Hes against illegal immigration, not legal immigration. Mr. Jekielek: So, maybe you can reiterate the presidents position on DACA. How does that work? Mr. Meister: With regards to DACA, its obvious that Trump has made some gestures that hes willing to negotiate with the Democrats so we can finally secure our border. Its something that we have to do. So hes been willing to negotiate with them on DACA in exchange for a border wall. And if you look at places along the border where a physical barrier has been built, it has reduced illegal immigration by nearly 90 percent. Mr. Jekielek: Are there any benefits to illegal immigration? Mr. Meister: There are no benefits. Its actually been a huge burden on the middle class in this country. And I think that from a globalist perspective, I understand why they would want illegal immigration, cheap labor, etc. But the middle-class citizens, the hard-working U.S. citizens that basically elected Trump, those people are the ones that are most negatively affected by illegal immigration. And the president is saying, Look, you are not a country if you dont secure your borders. Its that simple. This isnt brain surgery. This is common sense. And Trump is not going to allow this country to have unsecured borders anymore. Mr. Jekielek: What do you make of [House Speaker] Pelosis and [Senate Minority Leader] Schumers seeming absolute opposition to any border structure and their position in the past as you mentioned earlier, especially Schumers about having some sort of structure. Mr. Meister: Its very obvious from the beginning of this whole negotiation and the government shutdown that the Democrats have decided that they will not allow Trump to have a wall. Why? Because they know that its one of the most important issues that he campaigned on in 2016. They know that if they give away the ability for border security and a wall, its going to be a sure bet that Trump is re-elected in 2020. So its all politics with them. Its all political games and maneuvering. And for Trump, its about the people of the United Statesits about securing the border. Its about doing something that for decades hasnt been done by Democrats or Republicans. Look, Trump is a pragmatist. Hes a problem-solver. Thats who we elected. Hes a businessman from New York City, a real estate developer who understands how to build things and build things on time and under budget, and hes going to build the wall. Mr. Jekielek: Its also been said that there are some technology solutions that dont require a physical structure to reduce illegal immigration, and cross-border crime, and so forth. What about that? Mr. Meister: I think we have to do all of the above. I dont think its one thing or another thing. For sure, we need a physical barrier. Walls work. Look at Israel. Look at the places on the southern border where there is a physical barrier. As I said earlier, walls have cut illegal immigration by nearly 90 percent. So its all of the above. We should be looking at every technology. We need to have secure borders to have legal immigration. Mr. Jekielek: You mentioned there could be a kind of a benefit from the perspective of a globalist. Can you unpack that for us a little bit? Mr. Meister: The way I look at immigration, or any issue for that matter, is how do we make the United States safer. How do we make the United States better? And, unfortunately, on the immigration issue, the Left and the liberals actually ask a different question. They dont ask what makes us safer or what makes us better. They ask whats better for the immigrant or whats better for the immigrants home country. And that is where the problem lies. Mr. Jekielek: Can you outline for me what you see as the costs of having an open or a very porous border? Mr. Meister: For decades, our borders were effectively Swiss cheese holes through the border and it took jobs away from middle-class Americans; it brought drugs over the border, and gangs. You see that crime was up significantly. So I think that those are the issues that we have to think about when were protecting our border. Mr. Jekielek: You wrote a recent op-ed in Town Hall, where you talked about how the furloughed U.S. government workers are being used as a kind of a bargaining chip or as a tool, some sort of political tool. Can you expand on that? Mr. Meister: When this government shutdown began, the Democrats immediately ran to their corner and said that Trump shut the government down and is effectively preventing families from getting paid, and its going to prevent them from paying their mortgages and feeding their children. They basically took the furloughed employees and used it as leverage and pressure against the administration, in an effort to prevent him from getting border security. And by reopening the government last week and paying those employees, Trump has strategically taken away the Democrats leverage for the next three weeks. Its now on them. The ball is in their court. They need to come to the table in a meaningful way. And were going to see if theyre really honest about wanting to protect the border. Mr. Jekielek: So lets say we hit February 15th and theres no deal. What happens? Mr. Meister: If the Democrats actually dont produce any type of bargaining regarding the border security and a physical barrier, the president has said many times that he will do whatever he has to do. And one of the things he can do is declare a national emergency and siphon off funds to build the physical barrier that we so desperately need. Trump isnt going to allow Democrats to obstruct something this important to the American people as securing the border, securing our country. Mr. Jekielek: In your mind what would be the best outcome? We have this three-week period of negotiation that youre describing. What would be the ideal outcome in your mind? Mr. Meister: The ideal outcome is that the Democrats decide they dont want to play the political games that theyve been playing and come to the realization that, just as they did in the past many times, Hillary Clinton, Pelosi, Schumer youve seen the videos, theyre all out there because that stuff doesnt leave the internettheyve said time and time again that we need a physical barrier. So if they put the political gamesmanship aside and come to the table in a meaningful way and they put U.S. citizens first and border security over politics, that would be the best outcome and we get a little bit of what theyre asking for and we put up a wall. We have a safe border and we have legal immigration, not illegal immigration. Mr. Jekielek: You seem pretty passionate about this issue. Why? Mr. Meister: I have children and Im a father and just like the president is trying to put America first, I put my family first. This is an important issue not just today, but its for decades into the future. I want my children to grow up in a safe country, in a country where theres the rule of law, how about that? I mean we have to have laws, were a country of laws, were a country of borders, were a country of laws. Theres no reason to break laws, to have illegal immigration, we can have legal immigration just as weve had for decades, and we need to protect our laws, we need to protect our children for the future. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. American Thought Leaders is a new Epoch Times show available on Facebook and Youtube. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. EU Officials Pledge to Bolster Cyber Defenses as More Nations Call for Unified Stance on Huawei BRUSSELSAmid new calls for a continent-wide response to state-sponsored digital security threats, senior figures in Brussels have vowed to beef up Europes cyber defenses in a coded warning to Chinese telecom giant Huawei. The European Unions security commissioner, Julian King, said regulators wouldnt walk away from the challenge and insisted it was entirely legitimate for the bloc to take action to defend itself. Hungary, meanwhile, often considered the black sheep of the club, called for an all European diplomatic response to China over the deepening security scandal and warned the continent is now lagging behind on technology. The remarks came after Beijings envoy to Brussels, Ambassador Zhang Ming, accused the EU of slander and discrimination and said it had fabricated a security story in an interview with The Financial Times. French European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau also said Jan. 28 that Europe needs to take a unified stance on Huawei. Talking to China, we cant do it each state on its own. we should act as Europe, Loiseau said. On Jan. 28, U.S. prosecutors announced 23 new charges against Huawei, with 13 of the charges also targeting the companys chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou; the charges include bank fraud, obstruction of justice, and theft of technology. The emerging details have jangled nerves in Europe, but so far, the blocs response has been disjointed. France, Germany, and the UK have all issued statements expressing concern but other states are said to be afraid of offending Beijing. Germany has separately said its now actively considering banning Huawei from providing 5G technology in the country over security fears, prompting a furious response from the company. Asked about the arrest of Meng, King said while he doesnt want to comment on individual cases, the issue of digital resilience is very important, he said. Its an entirely legitimate European concern to try and take measures to reinforce our digital resilience because, after all, that digital resilience is crucial for protecting the business of our governments, industrial research, intellectual property, business plans, our elections, democratic institutions, as well as our own personal data, King said. Were not going to walk away from this issue. Concerns The announcement of the U.S. charges against Huawei rocked the government of Malta, which signed a contract with the company last October to provide 5G services across the tiny island of fewer than half a million inhabitants. Does Malta have the means to check on this and keep Huawei in check? said Martin Cauchi Inglott, a member of the European Parliament for the Democratic Party. Is our security, and that of Europe, under threat, considering that this global technology powerhouse has been repeatedly caught as having different intentions from its stated objectives? In a sign of growing concerns on the continent, this week Budapest also called for a rethink on the blocs digital security and said it would push for a more coordinated Europe-wide response to the emerging threat. According to the European Council on Foreign Relations, Huawei has made Hungary its launchpad in Europe, where it has 2,500 employees. Weve been the first among those who have urged that Europe should be building its own capacity to deal with these technological issues, said Zoltan Kovacs, the international spokesman for the Hungarian government. When we talk about future of Europe and how to deal with more integration of information technology, theres a huge need for Europe to stand on its own soil and that its able to establish and then work on its own independence technologically. Poland, where a Huawei employee was arrested in early January on espionage charges, has also called for a unified EU and NATO stance on Huawei. However, despite growing impetus behind calls for actions, the EUs 28 member-states remain divided over those who want to take a tough diplomatic line and others who dont want to upset Beijing. Theres a spectrum of views. Some countries want to be quite hawkish and tough on the Chinese, others are more reluctant to raise malign behaviors, a senior European diplomat said, on condition of anonymity. The EU, to be candid, doesnt have an established policy and we need to discuss whether to frame a tougher message on this or not. With a file from Reuters. A T-shirt of fugitive Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman covers a mannequin representing Jesus Malverde, known in Mexico as the "saint" of drug traffickers, inside the shrine of a faith healer in Mexico City, on Oct. 16, 2015. The government is offering a reward of 60 million pesos (about $3.5 million) for Guzman's recapture after he made his second escape from a maximum security prison through an underground tunnel in 2015. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) El Chapo Says He Will Not Testify in His Own Defense NEW YORKAccused Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman said in court on Jan. 28 that he will not testify in his own defense at his U.S. trial. Guzman announced his decision after prosecutors rested their case against him in federal court in Brooklyn. After excusing the jury, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan asked Guzman directly whether he understood it was his decision, not that of his lawyers, to testify or not. Yes, but they counseled me about it and I agree with them, Guzman answered. Had Guzman, 61, testified, it would have provided a fitting climax to an already dramatic trial. However, Guzmans decision was widely expected, as testifying would have exposed him to cross-examination by prosecutors. Guzman was extradited to the United States in January 2017 to face charges that he trafficked massive quantities of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other drugs into the United States as leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Prosecutors have put more than 50 witnesses on the stand since the trial began in November, many of them former Guzman associates who have pleaded guilty to U.S. charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Their testimony has offered an unprecedented look at the inner workings of the Mexican drug trade. Jeffrey Lichtman, one of Guzmans lawyers, said in his opening argument in November that his client was framed by the cartels true leader, Ismael El Mayo Zambada, with the help of corrupt government officials. Lichtman said on Jan. 28 he planned to call two U.S. law enforcement agents, whom he did not name, as defense witnesses early Jan. 29. Lichtman had said in a court filing on Saturday that he wanted to call the agents to rebut testimony by two of the prosecutions witnesses about their earlier statements to law enforcement. Judge Cogan said prosecutors should expect to begin their closing argument on Jan. 30. The trial has also featured accusations of corruption against Mexican government officials, the most explosive of which was that former Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto took a $100 million bribe from Guzman. A spokesman for Pena Nieto has denied the allegation. Alejandro Edda, the Mexican actor who plays Guzman in the Netflix television drama Narcos, made a surprise appearance in the courtroom gallery Jan. 28. Guzman grinned broadly at Edda after his lawyers told him who he was. Edda later told reporters outside the courthouse that the smile shook him. By Brendan Pierson Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker announces indictments against Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (L), Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen (R), and other officials at the Department of Justice in Washington on Jan. 28, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) US Charges Huawei and CFO With Iran Sanctions Violations, Stealing Trade Secrets The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed two indictments against Chinas Huawei Technologies Co., its chief financial officer (CFO), Meng Wanzhou, and several of the companys subsidiaries, in a pair of legal cases accusing the company of violating sanctions against Iran, and stealing trade secrets from U.S. mobile carrier T-Mobile. In a 13-count indictment, the DOJ said Chinese telecom giant Huawei misled a global bank and U.S. authorities about its relationship with a Hong Kong firm named Skycom Techwhich was, in fact, an unofficial subsidiary of Huawei that conducted business in Iran. Meng, who is currently released on bail in Canada and faces extradition to the United States, is listed as a defendant, alongside parent company Huawei and two of its subsidiaries, Huawei USA and Skycom. In a separate 10-count indictment, the prosecutors accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets, committing wire fraud, and obstructing justice for allegedly stealing robotic technology from T-Mobile to test smartphones durability. Both sets of charges expose Huaweis brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions and threaten the free and fair global marketplace, FBI Director Christopher Wray said at a press conference in Washington on Jan. 28. Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect U.S. law and standard international business practices, Wray added. The charges add heat to the scrutiny Huawei already faces in the West over allegations that its products could be exploited by Beijing for spyingan allegation the company has repeatedly denied. Violation of Iran Sanctions In the first indictment, the DOJ revealed the charges that triggered Mengs arrest in Canada in early December last year. Prosecutors accuse Huawei of a long-running scheme, which started in 2007, to deceive numerous global banks and the U.S. government regarding the companys business activities in Iran, a DOJ press release stated. [Huawei] willfully conducted millions of dollars in transactions that were in direct violation of the [sanctions], Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in the press release. Meng, Huawei, and its subsidiaries are charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, violating trade sanctions, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Mengwho is the daughter of Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfeiis specifically accused of making a presentation in August 2013 to a bank executive, in which she repeatedly lied about Huaweis relationship with Skycom, according to the press release. The CFO was released on bail Dec. 11, 2018, and is due to return to court in Vancouver, Canada, on Jan. 29. Acting Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker confirmed that the DOJ will file an extradition request by the deadline of Jan. 30. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the Trump administration is cracking down on those who violate trade sanctions. For years, Chinese firms have broken our export laws and undermined sanctions, often using U.S. financial systems to facilitate their illegal activities, Ross said. This will end. Trade Theft Prosecutors also accuse Huawei of engaging in a concerted effort from 2012 to steal information about a T-Mobile phone-testing robot nicknamed Tappy. The robot, which mimics human fingers, was developed by the phone carrier to test smartphones. T-Mobile previously sued Huawei for stealing technology related to Tappy. Huawei has said the two companies settled their dispute in 2017. The indictment provides details into how the company sought to get its hands on the technology, including getting Huawei engineers to secretly take photos and measurements of the robot, in violation of confidentiality agreements with T-Mobile. In one case, Huawei tried to steal part of Tappys robotic arm to allow engineers in China to replicate the device. The prosecutors evidence includes numerous emails exchanged between the parent company and Huawei USA over months showing attempts to obtain T-Mobiles technology, said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes of the Western District of Washington. In one instance, Huawei USA allegedly sent an email to its employees acknowledging that its actions would be illegal in the United States. The conspiracy to steal secrets from T-Mobile was a companywide effort involving many engineers and employees within the two charged companies, said Hayes. The company, Hayes said, also allegedly had a bonus program to reward worldwide employees who would steal confidential information from competitors. Huawei also is accused of obstructing justice by providing a false report claiming the attempts at stealing T-Mobile tech were the work of rogue employees, rather the company as a whole. The indictment reveals just how determined Huawei was to steal T-Mobiles trade secrets, how clearly Huawei knew that what it was doing was wrong, and just how far Huawei was willing to go to get the technology it wanted, Hayes said. The charges come just days before U.S. and Chinese delegates are due to resume trade talks in Washington, although Whitaker said the investigations were independent to the negotiations. Milestone Rick Fisher, a China military expert and senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, said the indictments are a milestone in the U.S. defense against Chinas espionage campaign. He referred to security threats posed by Huawei, which were reiterated by Wray during the Jan. 28 press conference. It is public record that under Chinese cybersecurity law, Chinese companies like Huawei are required to provide, essentially, access upon demand with little to no process to challenge that, Wray said. So thats why it creates the national-security implications that were concerned about. All Chinese companies, Fisher said, are required to serve the Chinese Communist Partys espionage and foreign-policy goals. He added that the United States needs to continue its efforts to guard against the national-security threat. Huawei is just one piece of the iceberg, Fisher said in an email interview. The United States now requires policies and regulations, to be fashioned in cooperation with our allies, to create broad protections against the predations of the Chinese military-industrial espionage complex. Cans of spray paint are seen as a graffiti artist creates art on the side of a wall as the Wynwood neighborhood prepares for the annual Art Basel art fair on December 03, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Dog Found Beaten and Spray Painted in Alley, Now Recovering A dog was found severely beaten, spray painted, and tied to an extension cord next to a deceased dog in a Los Angeles alley on Jan. 21. The Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation believes that the incident may have been an initiation ritual by gang members. The dog, now named Avery, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and her picture was published on Facebook by the foundation. In the initial post, Avery could be seen with a pink and blue covered bodythe paint and her injuries were virtually indistinguishablewith abnormal swelling on her face and an electric cord tied tightly around her neck. She was beaten and sprayed with paint. Has strangulation marks around her neck. Was tied to a fence by an extension The Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation 2019121 Avery had open sores on her belly and one of her legs, as well as a large welt on the side of her face, according to the foundation. She was admitted to emergency care on the day of her rescue, where she was X-rayed. Avery also had three seizures, with one lasting over five minutes. From Critical to Stable Condition Her condition was declared stable on Jan. 22, after the foundation spoke with the hospitals owner. According to the second update on the Facebook page, the doctor said that the seizures were most likely the result of injuries to the head. Avery then began to recover from all of her painful conditions: mange, open sores, infections, and lesions across her body. Avery Update:She had three really bad seizures, one lasting for over five minutes. Was discharging from the mouth, The Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation 2019122 Avery spent another night at the hospital, where additional tests were done to ensure that there were no critical issues. Thank you to everyone who donated for her care, and wrote words of encouragement, wrote the foundation. While her rehab will take time, we are thankful she will get the chance to live again. Watts, California An abused dog, Avery, was discovered on Mon with an extension cord tied around her neck tied to a fence & left to die. . They said her windpipe was possibly crushed.Avery was beaten, nearly strangled and sprayed with paint. She is in extremely poor condition. pic.twitter.com/OeXN0VCHa1 Bama Girl (@kayebiggers) January 22, 2019 Suspected Gang Initiation The foundation reported the incident to the authorities, providing pictures of Avery when she was initially found and a video recording of the alley. Its possible that gang members could be responsible for the attack on the dog. Gangs like MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, are known to perform satanic animal sacrifices. Anthropology Professor Thomas Ward, of the University of Southern California has studied the gang and told the Washington Post that an MS-13 gang member once described to him his initiation. It consisted of drinking each others blood and cutting open a cat. Avery has since been recovering and will be put up for adoption when her hair grows back, according to 10TV. The non-profit Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation was founded by Marc Ching in 2011 with the mission of saving abused and neglected animals. The foundation provides the animals full rehabilitation services and helps them find new owners. Rescuing dogs from the Asian meat trade is also a focus for the foundation, saving them from the cruel and barbaric methods practiced to kill dogs in order for their meat to taste better. If you would like to donate to Avery, visit the foundations Facebook page for more information. Third Precinct Detroit Police Cmdr. Johnny Thomas, in a file photo, was arrested for allegedly driving "super drunk" on Jan. 25, 2019. (Detroit Police Department) Detroit Police Officers Arrest Their Own Commander for Allegedly Driving Drunk Detroit police officers arrested their own commander for allegedly driving while drunk, an incident a police official called troubling. Very disappointed, and certainly weve had conversations with him since this tragic incident, Detroit Police Chief James Craig told reporters on Jan. 28. Third Precinct Detroit Police Cmdr. Johnny Thomas has been placed on restricted duty while the internal investigation and external criminal case proceeds. He has not been charged as of yet with what was expected to be a misdemeanor. He has remorse, Craig added. When youre at the rank of commander, youre held to a high standard in this police department. Because the likely charge is a misdemeanor, Craig said he would likely not be suspended but he could be demoted or terminated. Thomas was arrested on Jan. 26 for allegedly driving under the influence and causing a three-vehicle accident near the Detroit Medical Center, reported The Detroit News. Thomas tested for a .18 blood alcohol level (BAC) at the scene, which is more than twice the legal limit and would be considered super drunk per state law. A 2010 bill placed stiffer penalties for people who test .17 or higher, MLive reported. Detroit police seek misdemeanor drunken driving charge against commander. https://t.co/EWe8BBV4K1 pic.twitter.com/FSmtJqwGrw The Detroit News (@detroitnews) January 28, 2019 The stiffer penalties for people with a BAC of .17 or higher include: up to 180 days in jail, increased from 93 days; fine of $200 but not more than $700, increased from $100 but not more than $500 and a one-year license suspension, increased from six months, it stated. Thomas was driving at around 1:30 a.m. when he smashed into a vehicle that was sitting at a red light. Another vehicle somehow became involved in the crash. Craig confirmed to reporters that some of the officers who work under Thomas arrested him and alerted authorities within the police department. We applaud the officers for the courage to do something, it takes a lot of courage, Chief Craig said. Investigators say Detroit Police Commander arrested was super drunk https://t.co/PmXmbjpsSW FOX 2 Detroit (@FOX2News) January 29, 2019 Andrew Hinton, who lives near the site of the crash, told WJBK: Its embarrassing I guess. Youre supposed to be the police commander there is a higher standard to operate by. The 19-year-old driver of the pickup truck that Thomas slammed into was taken to the hospital for treatment and then released. The driver and passengers in the third vehicle escaped the crash uninjured. The Wayne County Prosecutors Office said that it received the recommendation for two misdemeanors from the police department and would file charges soon. Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said in a press release obtained by The Detroit News that the office on Monday received a not-in-custody warrant request relating to allegations of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated. It is currently being reviewed, Miller said, adding no charges would be issued Monday. Driving Drunk According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, almost 30 people die in the United States every day in drunken-driving crashes. In 2017, there were 10,874 deaths from drunken-driving crashes. Alcohol reduces the function of the brain, impairing thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordinationall of which are essential to driving safely, the administration noted. As alcohol levels rise in a persons system, the negative effects on the central nervous system increase, too, it stated. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. At .15 blood alcohol level, typical effects are listed: Far less muscle control than normal, vomiting may occur (unless this level is reached slowly or a person has developed a tolerance for alcohol), major loss of balance. The effects on driving are then listed as follows: Substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving task, and in necessary visual and auditory information processing. From NTD News Paramilitary policemen patrol Tiananmen Square outside the Forbidden City in Beijing, on May 18, 2011. (Feng Li/Getty Images) Chinas Fiscal Problem: Paying Billions of Dollars for Party Officials Salaries An article has recently made the rounds on the Chinese internet, whereby it estimates that there are 48.9 million Chinese Communist Party secretariesa position equivalent to a Party bossin the entire country. According to a June 2018 article by state-run media Xinhua, there are a total of 89.56 Party members in total. That means over half of the cadres are Party bosses. By a conservative average of an annual salary of 50,000 yuan (about $7400)a typical sum for a Chinese citizen with a comfortable standard of livingthat means the total salary payments to Party secretaries alone would equal 2.4 trillion yuan (roughly $353 billion). The articles data comes from research by Jiao Guobiao, a former associate professor of journalism at Peking University. This number, 48.9 million, which counts party secretaries and deputy secretaries at all levels of administration, is equivalent to the population of some major European countries. Jiao arrived at the number based on the following analysis: from the Partys Central Committeea high-level body comprising the Partys 205 most elite membersto the village-level party branches, there are a total of 16.3 million incumbent Party secretaries, accounting for 1.25 percent of Chinas population. The Party permeates all levels of society. Within all levels of government, there are a total of more than 1.07 million secretaries. Within state-owned enterprises, collective enterprises and private firms, there are about 9.67 million Party secretaries. In public institutions such as universities, there are about 4 million Party secretaries. Thus, according to the standard party structurewhereby one secretary has two deputy secretaries working under himthere are a total of 48.9 million party secretaries in the country. But in his analysis, Jiao had written that there are likely even more Party secretary positions within public institutions. He noted that a universities often have dozens, sometimes hundreds, of Party secretaries. At the elite Tsinghua University, there are more than 100 research institutions and schools, such as its medical school and law schoolall of which have Party organizations. At Henan University, there are 62 such institutions. This vast number of Party cadres creates a major problem for Chinas fiscal policy, as most of the government officials and civil servants salaries are paid for by tax revenues. Chinese netizens frequently use the term mouth-feeding finances in reference to how taxes are used to feed the mouths of Party officials and their families. Chinas government system consists of both the Party and the state. Thus, there is often a Party position equivalent to the administrative official positioncreating redundancy. The previous calculation of 2.4 trillion yuan also does not take into account paying the salaries of the staff who work under these secretaries, office space, car rides, and office supplies. Qiao Xinsheng, a professor at the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan City, has written extensively on this subject. In a Jan. 2018 article published on the website of the state-run Securities Times, Qiao wrote that local governments, crushed by the costs of paying salaries to Party and government officials, focus on building infrastructure projects in an effort to increase fiscal revenue. To finance these construction projects, local governments set up companies to obtain financing from state-owned commercial banks. However, these projects do not increase the actual income of residents; to the contrary, the cost of living goes up as a result. Qiao said that it is necessary to turn the fiscal system from the current mouth-feeding mode to actually improving peoples livelihood. He suggested that the government cut down its state institutions to reduce government spending, and at the same time, use public finances to help citizens resolve social problems. Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, are displayed before a press conference regarding a major drug bust in N.Y.C., on Sept. 23, 2016. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) California Nurse Charged With Illegally Selling Thousands of Drugs on Dark Web: Officials Carrie Alaine Markis, 46, was arrested last week and was charged with distributing opioids to customers around the United States, reported the Sacramento Bee newspaper. In all, she sold more than 20,000 prescription pills via a marketplace called Farmacy41. She also used three dark websites, the report stated. Markis, who has a masters degree in nursing and health care leadership from the University of California-Davis, was held without bail and is slated to make a court appearance. She allegedly sent private messages to customers explaining that Farmacy41s name stemmed from the fact that she was 41 The Sacramento Bee 2019125 Her arrest stems from a July 2017 takedown of the dark web AlphaBay marketplace, which was described by the Bee as the largest illegal sales site busted to date. AlphaBays data was seized by investigators, who were then led to Markis. State records show she is a registered nurse whose license was issued in 1996 and expires in August 2020, but shes currently listed as inactive for unknown reasons, the Bee reported. California nurse charged with illegally selling thousands of opioid pills on dark web https://t.co/YUOUY7Mlww #FoxNews FlyTech (@Bass705) January 29, 2019 In online messages, Markis allegedly told buyers that she sourced her narcotics from individuals who supplement their income through diversion, meaning people who sell the prescription drugs a doctor has authorized for them, court records said. She was also active on the Pandora marketplace from December 2013 through August 2014, selling 2,577 hydrocone pills, 2,069 oxycodone pills, 311 morphine pills, and 32 fentanyl patches. She collected some 206 Bitcoin, which was worth about $122,000 at the time, and her Bitcoin would be worth some $730,000 today, the Bee reported. Her cover biz, or business, was selling Nutrivite vitamin products, court records said. Meanwhile, her Farmacy41 website, which operated via AlphaBay in 2015 and in 2016, sold 3,000 pills and 64 fentanyl patches worth about $74,235. User reviews of Farmacy41 are overwhelmingly positive, the affidavit stated. The majority of the users ratings are five out of five stars. Fentanyl Overdoses In August, President Donald Trump urged the Senate to pass a measure to stop synthetic opioid drugs such as fentanyl from being transported into the United States via the U.S. Postal Service system. It is outrageous that Poisonous Synthetic Heroin Fentanyl comes pouring into the U.S. Postal System from China, he wrote on Aug. 20. The shipment of fentanyl from China to the U.S. is almost a form of warfare, Trump said in August. In China, you have some pretty big companies sending that garbage and killing our people, Trump said at the time. More than 71,500 Americans have died of a drug overdose in 2017, according to data released the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majorityor least 68 percentof those deaths could be attributed to opioids such as fentanyl. [Chinese drug makers] have been using the internet to sell fentanyl and fentanyl analogues to drug traffickers and individual customers in the United States, said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in a statement on Oct. 17, 2017. Bruce McArthur, a self-employed landscaper, pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder in Toronto on Jan. 29, 2018. (The Canadian Press) Bruce McArthur Pleads Guilty to 8 Counts of First-Degree Murder TORONTOA serial killer who preyed on men from Torontos gay village has pleaded guilty to eight counts of firstdegree murder. Bruce McArthur, who had been set to stand trial next year, entered the guilty plea during a hearing in a Toronto courtroom. The 67yearold selfemployed landscaper was arrested in January 2018. Police eventually charged him with firstdegree murder in the deaths of Selim Esen, Andrew Kinsman, Majeed Kayhan, Dean Lisowick, Soroush Mahmudi, Skandaraj Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, and Kirushna Kanagaratnam. The victims went missing from the gay village between 2010 and 2017. The LGBTQ community had long said someone was targeting men who were vanishing from the citys gay village. In November 2012, police launched Project Houston to investigate the disappearances of 42yearold Faizi, 40yearold Navaratnam, and 58yearold Kayhan. They closed the probe in April 2014 after being unable to identify a suspect in their disappearances. In the summer of 2017, police launched a separate investigation known as Project Prism into the disappearances of 49yearold Kinsman and 44yearold Esen. Within months, McArthur came on the police radar, according to court documents. On Jan. 17, 2018, investigators uncovered evidence alleging McArthur was responsible for both Kinsman and Esens deaths, along with the deaths of other unidentified people. The next day, police arrested McArthur at his apartment and charged him with the murders of Kinsman and Esen. They brought cadaver dogs the following day to a property nearby where McArthur, a selfemployed landscaper, stored his equipment, court documents said. Over the next three months, investigators made several grisly discoveries at the residential property in midtown Toronto, eventually finding the dismembered remains of seven men in large planters. The remains of an eighth man were found in a large compost pile in a ravine behind the home, police said. Partway through their investigation, police also made the rare decision to release a heavily edited photograph of a dead man in a bid to identify him. A month later they said the man in the photograph was Kanagaratnam. Lead investigator Insp. Hank Idsinga said the McArthur probe was the largest forensic examination in the forces history. Forensic officers spent four months scouring McArthurs apartment they seized 1,800 exhibits and snapped more than 18,000 photographs of the scene. They also searched more than 100 properties where McArthur worked across the Toronto area. The forces cold case squad is currently investigating a series of homicides in the 1970s related to men with ties to the gay village, but Idsinga has said theyve found nothing to link those to McArthur. A construction crew installs new sections of the U.S.-Mexico border barrier replacing smaller fences as seen from Tijuana, Mexico, on Jan. 11, 2019. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Border Patrol Wives Invite Nancy Pelosi to Visit Southern Border in Texas Several wives of border patrol agents have invited House leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to visit the southern border so that she can see first-hand why a wall is necessary between the United States and Mexico. In a letter posted to Facebook, Jill Demanski invited Pelosi to visit McAllen, a border town in Texas, a day before President Donald Trump signed a bill to temporarily end the partial government shutdown. The federal government has three weeks until Feb. 15, for them to negotiate long-term funding for border security. We would like to show you around! You dont need to bring any security detail. Our husbands/boyfriends/fiances/wives/significant others are actually very good at their jobs, thank goodness! And since you see no threat here, Im sure you can just make a quick flight down here alone, Demanski wrote in the letter that was written on behalf of the wives of the Rio Grande Valley. Let's get this to Pelosi!Dear Ms. Pelosi- We the WIVES OF THE RGV (Rio Grande Valley) BP (Border Patrol) would like Jill Christina 2019124 Demanski, whose husband is a border patrol agent, also took the opportunity to comment on how the partial government shutdown had affected her and her family. We will not be grocery shopping, dropping off dry cleaning, taking our cars for oil changes, throwing our children birthday parties, or even jetting off to Puerto Rico for a few days. Heck, some of us didnt even sign our kids back up for activities [because] it appears you are unable or unwilling to negotiate, she wrote. The letter quickly garnered attention on social media. During an interview with Fox & Friends, Demanski said she wanted her leaders to come here and see whats happening first and see whats really going on in order to make informed decisions. Its important to meet with the people who are here on a daily basis, that are witnessing itthe effects of it, that it has on our country, she said in the interview. The president is asking for $5.7 billion in funding for a border walla promise he made during his election campaignto be included in a comprehensive border security package requested by experts from the Department of Homeland Security. The package will fund more border patrol agents, immigration judges, and scanning equipment at ports of entry. Democratic leaders in Congress refused to negotiate to fund for a border wall while the government was closed, calling it expensive and ineffective. Trumps move to reopen the government is a temporary concession that returns the spotlight to Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Trump had previously asked border patrol agents from the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) to speak about the importance of a physical barrier along the Southwest border. NBPC President Brandon Judd, who worked as an agent for 21 years, said a physical barrier is an absolute necessity for Border Patrol agents in securing the border. Demanski told Fox & Friends that border patrol agents have been asking for a barrier at the U.S.-Mexico border for years. She said, now we have a president who has come here and seen first-hand the need and has had our backs. Renea Perez, another Border Patrol wife, said the men and women serving Customs and Border Patrol still need some extra help in high traffic areas. [A wall] will allow them to do their job more efficiently and give them more timeif they are by themselveshave another agent meet them. It is definitely needed, Perez said in the interview with Fox & Friends. We just want them to come down there on the line and actually see where the argument is all about. Almost 400,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol for illegally crossing the U.S.Mexico border in the 2018 fiscal year. In addition, Trump said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 4,000 illegal aliens for homicide; 30,000 for sex crimes; and 100,000 for assault over the past two years. The president said that if lawmakers fail to come up with a legislative compromise that funds the wall during the brief reopening, he will use executive powers to secure the funds needed. Trump previously said the border situation is a humanitarian crisis and a crisis of the heart and a crisis of the soul. Over the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country, and thousands more lives will be lost if we dont act right now, he said. Epoch Times Reporter Ivan Penchoukov contributed to this report. Scrap metal, along with a World War II grenade, snagged by a magnet fisher in Florida on Jan. 26, 2019. (Ocala Police Department) Bomb Squad Called After Man Brings Fishing Catch to Taco Bell A restaurant was evacuated and the bomb squad called in when a Florida magnet fisher accidentally snagged what he believed to be a grenade, put it in his girlfriends trunk and drove to a nearby Taco Bell. The Ocala Police department warned the public to steer clear of the Taco Bell on East Silver Springs Boulevard where Saturday evening diners were beginning to gather. Be advised that the Taco Bell on East Silver Springs Blvd. has been evacuated, following a report of an explosive device located in a vehicle on premises, said the statement on Jan. 26. At 5:01 p.m. a caller informed dispatchers that he had found a hand grenade while magnet fishing in Ocklawaha, put it in his trunk, and drove to Taco Bell in Ocala. A later statement said the rusty object had indeed been verified as an authentic World War II hand grenade. The bomb squad removed the grenade without incident and advised it would be disposed of properly, said the police in an update. Taco Bell has reopened. According to a separate police report, the grenades firing pin mechanism did not appear to be functional, and it was destroyed as a precautionary measure. A man and a woman were fishing for precious metals with a magnet when they picked up the grenade. The man put it into a plastic 5-gallon bucket along with other assorted salvaged scrap metal, and later placed the bucket inside the trunk of his girlfriends vehicle. According to Gizmodo, the report states, Both individuals later drove into the Ocala city limits, parked at the Taco Bell on East Silver Springs Boulevard, and notified law enforcement of their discovery so it could be recovered. It isnt the first time that magnet fishers have stumbled across unexploded ordinances. In the UK, where magnetic fishing has become a growing pastime, army bomb disposal teams are regularly being called out, according to the BBC, when magnet fishers have found artillery at the bottom of canals and river beds. The Ministry of Defense told the BBC that in some cases live ammunitionincluding grenadeshas been found. UPDATE: This has been verified as an authentic WWII hand grenade. The bomb squad removed the grenade without incident Ocala Police Department 2019126 Magnet fishers say that trawling the waterways for metal objects is a fun way to help clean up the environment. Like so many pastimes these days, keen magnet fishers record their finds in YouTube videos, some of which can be shared over a million times. Alex Jacobson is a magnet fisher from Florida. He said that magnet fishing is more rewarding than regular fishing. Youre not just casting a lure out, youre not hoping to get something. With magnet fishing, theres a lot better chance of actually catching something because theres going to be a lot of debris in the water. But among the bikes, benches, and jewelry, the popular magnet fisher websites also list items such as knives and bullets, and antique pistols. With waterways being a popular disposal point for criminal evidence, it isnt surprising that trawling can sometimes uncover a cache of cash registers, money boxes, safes, and even discarded guns. Baby Monkeys Cloned, Given Genetic Disorders One may think of a baby representing new life and possibilities. These five baby macaque monkeys, however, will almost certainly experience anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia in their lifetimes, as a result of gene modificationanother one of Chinas scientific experiments that raises ethical questions on cloning. Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai have not only cloned five macaque monkeys, but also have modified the monkeys genes to give them a sleep disorder called circadian disruption, according to a press release from the Science China Press on Jan. 23. Circadian disruption means that a normal sleep cycle is difficult for an individual to experience. Most creatures follow a circadian rhythm, a cycle of waking and sleeping during certain points of the day and night. A disruption to that rhythm will not only cause abnormal sleep, but other adverse side effects. This disruption can cause metabolic, psychiatric and age-related disorders, according to a summary of one of the reports. To make sleep even more difficult, the baby monkeys are also kept in rooms where the lights are always on. Circadian disruptions can come from external factors, like a person working a night shift but also staying awake to be with family. The scientists used a genetic editing tool to knock out a specific gene from healthy embryos. When a gene is knocked out, it means that it no longer functions. For these monkeys, the BMAL-1 gene was the target of the knockout. These five macaques will likely be the first generations of monkeys to suffer from human-imparted diseases. One of the scientists involved in the experiment, Qiang Sun, said that many monkey models can be used to create different gene-based diseases, including many brain diseases, as well as immune and metabolic disorders and cancer. Unethical Development China allows research that is ethically banned in most countries. Cloning and gene modification has already stirred controversy. John Bergeron, a professor of medicine at McGill University, likened gene-editing to opening Pandoras Box, due to potential commercial uses of gene modification. The first time monkeys were cloned occurred on January 2018. The first two macaques were named, Zhongzhong and Huahua, which mean Chinese nation when combined. Humans have also been involved in gene modification experiments. Chinese scientist He Jiankui was responsible for what he called gene-edited babies. In November 2018, He said that through the same technology used on the monkeys, CRISPR-Cas9, he altered the genes inside two female embryos. On Jan. 21, He was fired from his job. Though He was fired and condemned by Chinese authorities, his application for the project carried official stamps and signatures from members of an ethical committee. Along with massive amounts of funding required for such work, which comes from an unknown benefactor, he was said to be on unpaid leave since February 2018. China has allowed other forms of experiments banned in other countries. In November 2017, an Italian doctor announced that he would perform the first human head transplant in China with the support of the Chinese regime and a team of Chinese surgeons. Dr. Sergio Canavero claimed that his team had already successfully completed the procedure on cadavers. The controversial procedure, which was condemned by the United States and the European Union, raised biomedical ethical concerns over Chinas lack of oversight. 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 Writer Admits He Lied About Previous Detention in China, Begs for Forgiveness A Chinese-Australian novelist who is being detained in Beijing has apologised for lying that he had not been arrested in China eight years earlier. Yang Hengjun is pleading for forgiveness because he kept a March 2011 arrest by the Chinese authorities a secret at the time. In a secret letter that he left with a friend, to be released if he was detained again, Yang asked supporters to not place themselves at risk to free him but just to continue with his work. Yang is known for his writings promoting the democratisation of China, as well as freedom, human rights, and the rule of law and justice. Maintain belief in Chinas democratic future and, when it doesnt put yourself or your family at risk, to use all your means to push Chinas democratic development to happen sooner, Yang said in the secret letter that was released online on Jan. 28, eight days after Yang is thought to have been detained at Guangzhou airport. Read More Chinese-Australian Writer Yang Hengjun Confirmed Detained in China If I can come out, I will continue my work. If I cannot come out or disappear again, remember my articles and let your children read them, Yang wrote. Earlier Detention Raises Espionage Fears After Yang was released by the Chinese authorities in 2011, he told those who had been concerned about him that there had been a misunderstanding and that he had not been detained; his mobile phone had just been turned off. However, his explanation raised suspicions among some Chinese dissidents and critics of the Chinese Communist Party who thought Yang may have been on a visit as a spy for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This has much to do with the Chinese media, because the democracy activists around the world still publish rumours that in 2011 he was not taken away or he actually is a communist spy and went back to China to arrange a new job or got that money to go back again in order to strengthen his position in overseas Chinese secret service, Associate Professor in China Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney, Dr. Feng Chongyi, told The Australian. Yangs letter says that he chose not to reveal that he had been detained at the time in order to be able to return to China and continue writing articles about democratisation in China using his own money. I think that to deal with such a government, everyone must first learn to protect themselves, he said. I choose to lie and let myself be insulted (in order to continue to be) able to do the things which I think right. Can you forgive me? Yangs Secret Letter Feng helped in efforts to free Yang back in 2011, and was instructed by Yang to release the secret letter only if he was ever detained again. He confirmed to local Australian media that the CCP released Yang on the condition that he never spoke about his detention. Feng explained that Yangs decision to write the letter suggests he had expected for more than seven years to be arrested arbitrarily by the CCP again. If I came out and said the truth, the authorities concerned would have been intolerable for a while. However, I can no longer return to China anyway, and can no longer continue to spread the tenets of freedom and democracywhich I was already doing with some scope, Yang wrote. I really believe that in China, spreading the philosophy [of democracy] is a vital task. I will definitely continue to use my methods to contribute to Chinas democracy. The letter is signed: Yours, Yang Hengjun. It has also been widely reported that the Chinese regime is not allowing Yangs second wife, Yuan Rui Juan, to leave the country even though her application for permanent residency in Australia was progressing and required only a health examination. Australias Department of Immigration and Border Protection is understood to have already agreed to approve a family reunion visa that Yuan and her step-daughter applied for, according to Fairfax Media. Mixed Political Views Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee Chair Andrew Hastie recently slammed the CCP for inciting fear of reprisal from the Australian government by detaining Yang. China may hope that the Australian response would be to adopt a softer approach to diplomatic relations with China. Hastie, a Liberal member of federal parliament for Canning in Western Australia, demanded Yangs immediate release and accused the CCP of making an example out of Yang to warn Chinese expatriates they could be arrested for criticising the communist regime. Australias Defence Minister, Christopher Pyne, has not followed the advice of his fellow member of parliament to demand that Chinese authorities immediately release Yang. Instead, he has decided to wait and see how the Chinese legal system handles Yangs case. Mr Yang was picked up when he returned to China in Guangzhou and we need to let the legal system in China play out, Mr. Pyne told Sky News. Hes not the only former Chinese national whos been placed in this position before and we need to make sure all of these people, whether theyre Canadians or Australians, are treated according to international law. Several senior government ministers have also been soft with their choice of words in response to Yangs detention, instead seeking to obtain assurances about Yangs welfare through the existing closed-door bilateral dialogue facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the capital of Canberra. Watch Next: Miss World Canada 2015China has become a Frankenstein Monster Australian Telecom Company Abandons Huawei, Citing Ban From 5G Network An Australian telecommunications and information technology company has become the latest to sever its ties with China-headquartered telco Huawei. TPG Telecom blamed its decision on Huaweis failed bid to supply mobile equipment for Australias new 5G cellular network. The Australian government banned the China-based telco and its rival ZTE from participating in the network altogether due to security concerns back in August 2018. After careful consideration and realising that Huaweis ban was beyond its control, TPG announced that it is ending the A$2 billion ($1.43 billion) rollout of its Huawei-equipped 5G mobile network. The Australian telco said it had tried to find other ways to design and implement its 5G mobile network that is mainly based on small cell architecture since the Huawei ban in August 2018. TPG had selected Huawei to supply the principal equipment for its network because of the simple upgrade path to 5G, using Huawei equipment. But the company says that after investigating other options, it does not make commercial sense to invest further shareholder funds (beyond that which is already committed) in a network that cannot be upgraded to 5G. It is extremely disappointing that the clear strategy the company had to become a mobile network operator at the forefront of 5G has been undone by factors outside of TPGs control, TPG Executive Chairman David Teoh said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange. Over the past two years a huge amount of time and resources has been invested in creating and delivering on a strategy that would have positioned TPG very favourably to exploit the opportunities that the advent of 5G will present. Teoh had told Fairfax in September 2018 that given there were not many suppliers in the marketplace, the ban of Huawei had puts pressure on prices. Wang Shuangyi, Chinese economist with the Institute of Chinese Economy and Culture Study, wrote in a December 2018 article that Huawei has only been able to beat its competition on pricing as it copied, plagiarized, and stole technology from foreign entities, and pushed foreigner suppliers out of China. Huawei then used their profits from the Chinese market and different types of subsidies from China to exercise active domination in overseas markets, Wang said, calling Huawei a Ponzi scheme of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). TPG has already invested about A$100 million ($71.59 million) in its 5G network rollout and purchased equipment for 1,500 sites prior to the Australian government ban. The company has already finished implementing a little over 900 small cell sites to date. TPG, which plans to merge with Vodafone Hutchison Australia in an A$15 billion ($10.74 billion) deal, says it will continue to roll out the equipment it had already ordered from Huawei prior to the governments ban. But it appears the company will halt the ordering of any more equipment from Huawei. TPG and Vodafone also spent A$263 million ($188.28 million) to buy its share in the countrys 5G spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band at a December 2018 auction, and had already committed an additional A$30 million ($21.47 million) on construction costs. The board of TPG has said it is not ready to announce its decision on the future strategy for the companys current spectrum holdings. All the options available will be carefully considered and the market will be updated once a decision is reached, TPG said, according to the statement. While TPG remains committed to the planned merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia, the company must continue to make independent business decisions in the best interests of TPG shareholders pending the outcome of the merger process, Teoh said. Although the Australian government never specifically mentioned which communications companies would be affected, Huawei was informed by the government that it was included in the banned as a supplier likely to be subject to the extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with Australian law, which would leave Australia vulnerable to unauthorised access or interference. Huawei Australia said the ban was an extremely disappointing result for consumers in a Twitter post dated Aug. 23, 2018. We have been informed by the govt that Huawei and ZTE have been banned from providing 5G technology to Australia, the post read. We have been informed by the Govt that Huawei & ZTE have been banned from providing 5G technology to Australia. This is a extremely disappointing result for consumers. Huawei is a world leader in 5G. Has safely & securely delivered wireless technology in Aust for close to 15 yrs Huawei Australia (@HuaweiOZ) August 22, 2018 John Lord, chairman of Huawei Australia, believes banning Huawei will not make the Australian telecom ecosystem safer. However, the companys extensive lobbying has done nothing to ease concerns over the risk of spying by the CCP. According to an statement from Aug. 23, Ministers for Communications Mitch Fifield said that given that 5G requires significantly different network architecture to previous mobile generations, it provides a way to circumvent traditional security controls by exploiting equipment in the edge of the networkexploitation which may affect overall network integrity and availability, as well as the confidentiality of customer data. Huawei has been subject to similar restrictions in other countries including the United States, which criminally charged the telco on Jan. 28 for stealing trade secrets, defrauding banks, obstructing justice, and violating trade sanctions against Iran. In a 13-count indictment, the U.S. Department of Justice accused Huawei, Huaweis chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, and two Huawei subsidiariesHuawei USA and a Hong Kong firm named Skycom Techof misleading a global bank and U.S. authorities about the nature of their business relations under which business was conducted in Iran. In a separate 10-count indictment, U.S. prosecutors accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets, committing wire fraud, and obstructing justice for allegedly stealing robotic technology from T-Mobile to test smartphone durability. Both sets of charges expose Huaweis brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions and threaten the free and fair global marketplace, FBI Director Christopher Wray said at a press conference in Washington, on Jan. 28. Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect U.S. law and standard international business practices. Additional reporting by Epoch Times reporter Cathy He. Watch Next: Huawei Exposed: How the Media is Getting it Wrong Police officers outside the courthouse in Tarascon, southern France, on Jan. 28, 2019. (Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images) Armed Gang Snatches Prisoner in Southern France A prisoner was freed from a police van by an armed gang in southern France. The gang shot at the van and knocked a female guard to the ground in Tarascon, a town in the Provence-Alpes-Cote dAzur region on Jan. 28. The prisoner, 27-year-old Lotfi Boussouak, was being transferred from a jail in Beziers, about 90 miles away, to a courthouse where he was to face charges of armed robbery, prison officials said. The raid took place outside the courthouse, where two armed men fired on the vehicle when it tried to get away with the prisoner, local prosecutor Patrick Desjardins said, according to AFP. None of the guards were hit by the gunfire, Desjardins said, although they were very shaken. The first officer to exit the vehicle to ring the [courthouse] intercom was struck with a rifle butt, Desjardins told AFP, with another guard being hit by shattered glass. The van was hit by several bullets, some in the front windshield, with more than 11 cartridges recovered at the scene. Some were reportedly from an automatic rifle. The prisoner and the gang fled the scene on foot, according to Desjardins. Boussouak had been in prison since September 2017 and had 14 previous convictions, but wasnt regarded as requiring special supervision, Desjardins said. But Karim Terki, a representative of a prison guard union, said Boussouak had previously tried to escape from jail. He accused authorities of being really naive; he played nice for several months in order to try to escape again, Terki said. Its the second high-octane prison escape in France in the past year. In July 2018, Redoine Faid escaped by helicopter from a high-security prison 25 miles southeast of Paris, where he was serving 25 years for armed robbery. Faid was well-known in France as a career criminal and had published a book about his exploits, previously using dynamite to escape another jail in 2013. He was caught after three months on the run as he slept in an apartment not far from the jail he had escaped. Faid had seemingly used various disguises and weapons, with burqas, wigs, and what appeared to be an Uzi submachine gun recovered from the apartment. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan speaks during a Missile Defense Review announcement at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia on Jan. 17, 2019. (Martin H. Simon - Pool/Getty Images) Acting Defense Secretary Expects New Deployment of Thousands to US Border WASHINGTONThe nation got a formal introduction to the man some consider likely to permanently succeed James Mattis at the Pentagon, as acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan held his first press briefing on Jan. 29. In a brief but wide-ranging question-and-answer session with reporters, Shanahan addressed everything from current U.S. military operations, to the presidents use of the military at the U.S.Mexico border, to his job status. On the border, Shanahan expects the deployment of several thousand new troops. On using the military at the U.S.Mexico border, Shanahan framed the Department of Defenses (DoD) role as one of support. He described conversations with new House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.), saying that Smith seeks transparency and oversight and to understand the policy as it relates to U.S. military support at the border and to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Shanahan emphasized the militarys role as providing logistical support, not law enforcement. In response to the possibility of Trump declaring a national emergency regarding the border, Shanahan said that declarations of national emergencies arent unique or unprecedented. In the event of a national emergency, DoD would make a recommendation on how to provide support, he said, pointing out monitoring, surveilling, and detecting as examples of enhanced capability that we provide to DHS. He said current DHS requests to DoD would result in the deployment of several thousand personnel to the border. Regarding the use of military funds for constructing border barriers or walls, Shanahan paraphrased legal authority (10 US Code 2808) that in the case a national emergency is declared to enhance the capability of the military, military construction funds can be utilized. However, Shanahan pointed out that existing military funds for construction were appropriated for specific tasks. He observed that the main change from his previous role as deputy secretary was in his amount of interaction with the rest of President Donald Trumps cabinet, the president himself, and his counterparts in Europe and Asia. No change to priorities, no change to strategy. Its really, go faster on the implementation and the execution, he said, noting specifically the issue of how we balance our time between Russia and China. Addressing the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, Shanahan called it disciplined, coordinated, deliberate. He stated that in Syria ISIS is no longer able to govern no longer has the freedom to mass forces no longer has a safe haven, as the United States has eliminated the majority of its leadership, diminished its financial capabilities, and decimated its once-vaunted social media. Ninety-nine percent of ISIS-controlled territory in Syria has been returned, and that may rise to 100 percent in a couple of weeks, which has led to the risk of terrorism and mass migration being mitigated. He also said that military-to-military conversations were ongoing with regard to northeastern Syria, which he believed hold real promise. Northeastern Syria is an autonomous enclave that includes the Kurds, who have been instrumental in fighting the ISIS terrorist group, but are regarded by Turkey as enemies. Turning to Afghanistan, Shanahan said there was no change to the 4R-plus-S plan (regionalize, realign, reinforce, reconcile, and sustain). Noting the new discussions between Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad (the State Departments special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation) and the Taliban, he saw the present role of U.S. forces as giving diplomats time and space to advance those conversations. He said that a candidate had been selected to lead Space Command, but wasnt ready to release the name. He characterized his discussions about Space Command with Pentagon leadership and members of Congress as how do we go faster with commercially available technology, while not growing bureaucracy and costs. With respect to the Venezuelan leadership crisis, Shanahan noted that the departments of State and Treasury have taken steps to recognize the National Assembly and President Guaido of Venezuela. Responding to reports of national security adviser John Bolton recommending 5,000 U.S. troops be deployed to the region, Shanahan said, I havent discussed that with Secretary [sic] Bolton. Pressed further, he added, Im not commenting on it. He addressed his acting secretary status, saying that it hasnt made a difference in his interactions. In response to any potential bias he may bring as a former Boeing executive, he answered his bias was toward giving the taxpayer their moneys worth. As far as remaining Secretary of Defense (presumably dropping acting from his present title), Shanahan answered, whatever the president or the country would like me to do, thats what Im prepared to do. Raymond Hernandez, 29, is accused of raping a 5-year-old girl, an 11-month-old girl, and molesting his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter. He was arrested on Jan. 28, 2019. (Taos County Adult Detention Center) Accused Child Rapist Was Released Twice, Arrested Again on Rape Charges An accused child rapist was released by a judge twice before being arrested again on Jan. 28 on rape charges. Raymond Hernandez, 29, was charged on Jan. 14 with molesting his girlfriends 13-year-old daughter early on Jan. 12. He also allegedly sexually assaulted another 13-year-old girl, who was spending the night at the residence. According to court documents obtained by Taos News, the New Mexico man gave both girls alcohol before the alleged crimes. Hernandez was charged with criminal sexual contact of a minor, abuse of a child, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and one count of battery. But Taos Magistrate Court Judge Ernest Ortega released the alleged criminal on Jan. 15, ordering him to wear a GPS monitoring unit and saying that he couldnt have any contact with the alleged victims. Two days after he was released, Hernandez was charged with raping a 19-month-old girl who lives at the residence where he allegedly sexually assaulted the two teenage girls. Forensic examination indicated that the child had been raped and investigators also found a witness who said Hernandez raped the child. Hernandez appeared back in the Taos Magistrate Court on Jan. 24 and was released a second time by Judge Ortega on unsecured appearance bond, which was set at $20,000. According to law enforcement officials, later that day he was charged with raping a 5-year-old girl at a neighbors house in Penasco. Accused child rapist released twice, arrested again on rape charges https://t.co/TSsFRJoIll Dolly Loretta Russo (@dolly19631966) January 29, 2019 A sheriffs deputy who responded gathered statements from the childs parents and interviewed the child, although a physical examination didnt produce evidence consistent with the allegations, according to court records obtained by Taos News. Hernandez was found on Jan. 28 and arrested for the third time. He surrendered to New Mexico State Police Officers at a local bail bondsmans office in Taos, reported Taos News. Taos County Undersheriff Steve Miera said that a search warrant will allow officers to obtain a sample of Hernandezs DNA, which he thinks will connect the defendant to the alleged rape of the 5-year-old. The judge who released Hernandez twice has not commented on why the alleged rapist kept getting released despite, according to officers, committing additional crimes. New Mexico State Police arrested Raymond M. Hernandez this morning in Taos on an outstanding warrant for the alleged rape of a 5-year-old girl.https://t.co/odIYJnIYoI pic.twitter.com/WHHacWnRdp The Taos News (@taosnews) January 28, 2019 Ortega, a Democrat, was first appointed to the position of magistrate court judge by former Gov. Bill Richardson in 2006, according to the New Mexico Matters blog. Ernest Ortega is known for his compassion, intelligence, and integrity, Richardson said in his announcement. I am confident that Ernest Ortegas background and work ethic will make him an excellent magistrate judge. He was re-elected later in 2006 and in 2014. Prior to becoming a judge, Ortega was a spokesman for the New Mexico Secretary of State. He has also been the director of pretrial services for John Paternoster of the Eighth Judicial District Attorneys Office. After the third arrest, Hernandez is being held and a first appearance date for the latest case has not been set. 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 half were women. From NTD News A Visit to Phnom Penhs Vibrant Night Market While we were docked in Phnom Penh on our Viking River Cruise, my wife and I decided to check out the Cambodian capitals famous Night Market. After all, it wasnt very far away from the ship and its one of those attractions thats a magnet for tourists. So we disembarked and found a nearby tuk tuk to take us to our destination. Traveling by Tuk Tuk A tuk tuk is a good way to get from one place to another very cheaply and quickly, and these two-wheeled carriages that are attached to a motorcycle seem to be almost everywhere. In fact, several were waiting onshore, hoping for cruise ship passengers to request a ride. We shared our tuk tuk ride to the Night Market with two passengers from the ship. Wed been told to travel as a foursome in order to get the best price per person, and also that its a good idea to work out the price and details beforehand. Well, our driver was very pleasant driver and open to negotiating. He took us to the market, followed us from place to place, and then took us back to the ship after a couple of hours. The total cost was less than $4 per person! When he returned us to the ship and we gave him a nice tip, he was so happy that he asked us to use him again the next day. There are so many tuk tuk drivers in Phnom Penh that theres a lot of competition for customers, and they are grateful for any business they can get. The Night Market When we arrived at the Night Market, located near the river, we found it to be an intriguing mixture of loud music, street vendors, and Cambodian foods and goods. Here, you can see large masses of locals and tourists intermingling as they stroll through the well-lit streets or listen to live pop music, located on a central stage surrounded by banks of monster speakers. Indeed, the music was very loud! And on top of that there was the noise of the tuk tuks and the vendors selling their wares. The wafting aromas of all the various foods, including Cambodian sausages, grilled meats, and spring rolls was very enticing. Its a great place to sample local food from the vast array of food stalls. Theres a nearby open space where you can go eat, with mats provided to sit on and enjoy the food. Its quite crowded, but everyone is very friendly. However, there may be pickpockets on the prowl, so be vigilant about items such as your phone, camera, and purse/wallet. You can also continue strolling around while you eat, while at the same time bartering for the inexpensive clothing items, ornaments, and souvenirs offered at the stalls. There are also numerous bars and massage parlors to be found at the Night Market. Massages tend to be very cheap; a decent foot massage can be had for about $6. Even a full body massage is very reasonably priced. A glass of draught beer at one of the bars will set you back only about $1. Yes, this area of Asia is still a bargain for tourists! Unique Fish Pedicure As we wandered around the Night Market, we were particularly amazed by the plethora of places offering cheap fish massagesand we marveled at the number of people willing to try it, including some of our more daring fellow cruise ship passengers. We watched as people sat on the side of a fish tank, dangled their feet inside, and laughed and shrieked as the tiny doctor fish (garra rufa fish) tickled their feet while nibbling away. A nearby sign read: Please feed our hungry fish your dead skin. These people were essentially getting a pedicure for $5! I thought it was a rather strange way to get a foot exfoliation, but it seemed to be a very popular activity. One person who tried it said, Im not sure that I can say it was relaxing, but it was certainly a unique and enjoyable experience. Other Attractions While in Phnom Penh, Id also recommend taking in such attractions as the Royal Palace, National Museum, Central Market, Wat Phnom, Wat Ounalom, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeung Ek memorial, and Independence Monument. For more information, visit: www.phnom-penh.co ; www.vikingrivercruises.com John M. Smith is a travel writer and photographer who resides in Ontarios Prince Edward County. 5 Narcotics Officers Injured in Houston Shooting, 2 in Critical Condition Houston Police Department has confirmed that five of their narcotics officers were injured around 5 p.m. on Jan. 28 while attempting to serve a search warrant at a Gloverdale residence in the citys southeast. Four officers were shot and one injured while serving as part of a team of about a dozen narcotics officers and half a dozen patrol officers. The officers were visiting the residence as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, police chief Art Acevedo told media outside Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center just after 7:30 p.m. local time. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote in a Twitter post just after the shooting that a suspect in the shooting has been confirmed dead at the scene. Suspect in the HPD shooting is down. st Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) January 28, 2019 Police also confirmed on Twitter that one suspect had died at the scene of the shooting. We can confirm one suspect is DOA at the scene. SWAT is actively working to make sure there is no one else inside the location at 7800 Harding. Continue to avoid [the] area. Houston Police (@houstonpolice) January 29, 2019 Acevedo was able to confirm during the press conference that two shooters had been engaged in the shooting and that both of the suspects had since been found dead at the scene. Acevado said that a SWAT team that was called to entered the residence using robots was able to confirm that the suspects had been struck by return gunfire. All four officers have been confirmed to be in a stable condition, although two of the officers were in critical condition undergoing surgery at the time of the press conference. Acevado emphasised that despite their critical condition, both officers were stable, asking that the community support the officers and their families with their prayers. Police said on Twitter all four officers were being cared for at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. One officer was airlifted to the hospital after the shooting. Houston Police Officers Union President Joe Gamaldi asked separately in a Twitter post that the public to support the officers and their families with their thoughts and prayers. 3 of our officers are currently stable, 2 are still critical please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Please no names on social media at this time. Joe Gamaldi (@JoeGamaldi) January 29, 2019 Praying for the 5 officers have been struck and transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, Medical Center in Houston Texas. They were serving a warrant. Enough is enough! #BackTheBlue ????????????. pic.twitter.com/a5f9qCi6da JamieR {????} Army Girl (@Jamierodr10) January 29, 2019 Police are also urging members of the public not to release the names of the injured officers. Police have confirmed that the SWAT team has already finished sweeping the residence where the shooting occurred for any remaining occupants. They have declared that the surrounding area in the neighborhood is safe for residents to reenter. The location is still an active crime scene but locals are now being allowed to return to the area around 7800 Harding Street, according to local media coverage. This all began because a neighbor had the courage to say, Were not going to put up we think that theyre dealing dope out of this house,' Acevedo said at the press conference. We immediately passed that on to our narcotics division that began this investigation. [They were] able to actually determine that street-level narcotics dealing, black tar heroin, was being dealt out of this, and we know the poison thats killing so many kids, not just here but also around the country. They immediately started an investigation and thats why there were there tonight. What you saw today were these officers showing that they have the courage, the guts, and the perseverance to do what they need to do to keep this community safe, he said. One neighbour told a reporter with local news channel KHOU 11 she had heard multiple gunshots from inside of her home before seeing all the first responders arrived. Its a very close neighbourhood, we take good care of each other, and its been peaceful for the past couple of years nothing like this, she said. From NTD.com Watch Next: Chinese Fentanyl Gang$1B Vancouver laundering scheme 10 Kidnapped Children Found Dead in Tanzania With Missing Body Parts, Officials Say Officials in Tanzania said 10 children who were kidnapped in December were found dead and were missing body parts. Tanzanias deputy health minister Faustine Ndugulile stated that all 10 kids were missing from Njombe in southwestern Tanzania. Their bodies were discovered last week after police searched the area, CNN reported on Jan. 28. "These murders are linked to witchcraft practices because that is the trend for such crimes, where herbalists ask people to get these human parts for money rituals," Tanzania's deputy health minister said CNN International 2019128 These murders are linked to witchcraft practices because that is the trend for such crimes, where herbalists ask people to get these human parts for money rituals, Ndugulile said. The children were kidnapped from homes last month. Ndugulile added that the health ministry is investigating the slew of killings. We want to identify the perpetrators, but our focus is to educate the traditional practitioners in the area quickly and those in surrounding communities on the need to stop these acts, Ndugulile told the news outlet. He said the killings arent linked to the albino ritual murders that are prevalent in East Africa and Tanzania. These murders are not linked to albino killings, he said. But it is very sad because they are children and they dont deserve to be used like this, Ndugulile said. Ten children in Tanzania kidnapped and killed for their body parts, authorities say https://t.co/2HVtQd39zZ #FoxNews Steve Miller (@smillr) January 29, 2019 This is all about superstitious beliefs, and many believe they will get help from witchcraft, Njombe District Commissioner Ruth Msafiri told the BBC. They ranged in age from two to nine years old. Amnesty International said in a 2014 report that in East Africa, Thousands of people with albinism are at severe risk of abduction and killing by individuals and criminal gangs. Graves of people with albinism have also been targeted by criminals who remove bones in order to sell them. The bones are allegedly sold to practitioners of traditional medicine in Malawi and Mozambique for use in charms and magical potions in the belief that they bring wealth and good luck. The macabre trade is also fuelled by a belief that the bones of people with albinism contain gold, according to the human rights organization. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said the body parts market can fetch between $2,000 for a limb and $75,000 for a corpse, Fox News reported. Organ Harvesting in China Update In a bombshell December 2018 report released by the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG), of the 16 doctors who spoke on the record, 11 doctors from nine hospitals immediately admitted that their organs came from Falun Gong practitioners. The calls are the latest research documenting forced organ harvesting in China, which developed as part of the persecution of the spiritual practice of Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa. In China, Falun Gong has been subjected to brutal persecution since July 1999, with widespread reports of torture, brainwashing, forced labor, extrajudicial killings, and organ harvesting in labor camps and hospitals. A transcript from one call said, I have another [question]. You are using Falun Gong practitioners as the donors, that is, those healthy donors, right? Definitely healthy. How can it be acceptable if theyre not healthy?! the doctor responded. The first trailer for Zac Efrons new film, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, has arrived. And there's been a mixture of reactions from fans. The film is premiering at this year's Sundance Film Festival and features Zac as Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers in the US. Bundy was executed in Florida in 1989 following his trial. Despite Republican gerrymandering, the American people elected a Democratic House, which in turn elected Nancy Pelosi speaker. Nobody elected Ann Coulter to anything, but she and other extremist commentators intimidated Trump into backing out of a budget extension he previously had agreed on. If Coulter can set national policy, we are well down the slippery slope to dictatorship. WALTER D. KAMPHOEFNER Bryan Thank you, Rep. Flores, for supporting Alzheimer's patients With everything that's going on in the United States right now, the back and forth between the Democrats and Republicans, tragic shootings of law enforcement, and the current snow storm, I think it's time to share some good news. On June 19, U.S. Rep. Bill Flores co-signed the Build Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure Act. I had been in his office just two hours before, asking for this. On Dec. 19, it passed the House, after being passed in the Senate on Dec. 12. By Dec. 31, President Donald Trump had signed it into law. What a feat for the 1,200 Alzheimer's Advocates who walked the Halls of Congress, dressed in purple, to speak to each of their representatives and senators. 1966 - 2019 Cynthia Joy Coalson, of Houston, beloved daughter, sister, friend, and teacher was called home to her Heavenly Father on January 7, 2019. Cynthia Coalson was 26 years old when she joined the Bryan High School staff in 1992 as the director of the Shy-Annes. On January 10, 1993, Cynthia sustained traumatic brain injuries along with multiple life threatening medical problems. Although she lost the power of speech and became completely disabled, she courageously endured for 26 years. All who came in contact with her were blessed by her presence. GOD used Cynthia's life in a profound way to help the medical community gain knowledge about working with patients in the same condition. This sweet woman will always be greatly loved and greatly missed. Her influence will be eternal. "My precious child, I love you and would never leave you. When you see only one set of footprints in the sand it was then that I carried you." She was preceded in death by her father, brother, sister, and grandparents. She is survived by her mother, Joy Ann Coalson. It's the list lawmakers anxiously await at the start of every legislative session: committee assignments. They not only determine what issues members will be focused on for the rest of the session, but they serve as a guide of who's in good with leadership. House and Senate leaders consider several factors when assigning members to committees, from seniority to personal interests to the geography of the district. In the House, new Speaker Dennis Bonnen survived his maiden attempt at assigning committees largely unscathed. The 150-member chamber celebrated his choices, which included an emphasis on bipartisanship. In the Senate, Kel Seliger learned he was on the outs with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick when he lost his chairmanship on the Senate Higher Education Committee. Patrick instead made Seliger chair of a newly created Agriculture Committee. "As a father, he was always very kind to us, and had high expectations for my brother and I. He was a little bit stern, but he forgave you, too," he said. Henry Dethloff was born on Aug. 10, 1934, in New Orleans to Carl and Camelia Dethloff and was raised in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas in 1956, and his doctorate from the University of Missouri in 1964. From 1962 to 1969, Dethloff worked as an instructor and professor at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, then known as Southwestern Louisiana. Adams said Monday that Dethloff was his most impactful mentor. "I had him for classes, then left and worked and came back to A&M," Adams said. "Over the years, we became great friends. Everything I've written, every book, he read part or all of each one. He taught thousands of students, was well-known in the community and he helped encourage and foster so many people." Adams said Dethloff's two centennial analyses of Texas A&M -- his 1975 book A Pictorial History of Texas A&M: A Tradition in Higher Education in 1975, and his seminal work A Centennial History of Texas A&M University, 1876-1976 -- helped leaders pave A&M's future. Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu Contacts: Andy Crocker, 806-677-5600, abcrocker@ag.tamu.edu Rachel Brauner, 979-458-8871, rbrauner@ag.tamu.edu AMARILLO The Military Families Learning Networks Military Caregiving program will host a free 60-minute TRICARE in 2019: What You Need to Know webinar Feb. 6 in partnership with the Defense Health Agency. This and other webinars are offered through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services Military Program to provide professional development and interactive resources for those unable to leave home for training, said Andrew Crocker, AgriLife Extension program specialist in gerontology and health, Amarillo. The one-hour webinar will begin at 10 a.m. and is open to anyone interested, but registration is required. To join the session or for more information, go to https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/event/29427/. 2019 brings a number of important changes and improvements to the TRICARE benefit as well as the Military Health System, said Rachel Brauner, AgriLife Extension program specialist with the agencys Texas Military Program in College Station. The presentation will review important information about enrollment requirements, current and upcoming changes to the benefit, and changes to the military health system, Brauner said. Capt. Edward Simmer, who currently serves as the chief clinical officer for the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency in Falls Church, Virginia, will be presenting. The MFLN Military Caregiving concentration will provide certificates of completion for participants interested in receiving training hours and one continuing education credit from the Commission for Case Management Certification. -30- Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. Oneonta, NY (13820) Today Sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. This subscription will allow current subscribers of The St. Helens Chronicle to access all of our online Subscriber-Only content, including the E Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please call us at 1-503-397-0116. Delhi: The leader of India's main opposition Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, has promised to provide the poor with a minimum income if Congress wins an upcoming general election, a pledge the ruling party dismissed as an unaffordable gimmick. Congress officials said the proposal would help eliminate poverty and could be fulfilled with funds now spent on food subsidies and other programs that often do not reach the poor. India's main opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi wants to end inequality. Credit:AP "We have decided that every poor person in India would be guaranteed a minimum income after the Congress forms the government in 2019," Gandhi told a farmers rally in the central state of Chhattisgarh. "No one will go hungry in India, no one will remain poor." The Berejiklian government has promised to wipe-out over $1 billion in public school maintenance needs by 2020, but at the same time been forced to defend its calculations over the size of the spend. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government would spend a further $449 million on fixing issues such as carpeting, roof maintenance and painting across the state's 2200 public schools, taking the total maintenance spend to $1.3 billion. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at Central Station, Sydney. Credit:Kate Geraghty In competing education announcements on Tuesday, state Opposition Leader Michael Daley promised to ensure that all new public primary schools had preschool or day care services. Announcing the government's policy at a high school in Heathcote - an "at risk" seat which the Liberal Party holds by 7.6 per cent - Premier Berejiklian said the Coalition had cleared "more than half" of the maintenance jobs since coming to power. The polls are in on the state governments controversial rock lobster plan, but support for the plan depends on who asked the question. WAtoday has obtained the results of internal Labor polling of more than 2000 people from four WA electorates and understands the rock lobster industry has conducted polls of its own. Both industry and Labor have polled voters on the lobster plan. Credit:Geraldton Fisherman's Co-Operative The Labor polling indicates plenty of support for Fisheries Minister Dave Kellys plan to boost local supply of western rock lobster but didnt ask about the specifics of the proposal, which includes expanding the annual allowable catch to 8000 tonnes with the state taking 17 per cent of that for the local market. The industry has mounted a fierce campaign against the proposal, equating it to partial nationalisation and questioning whether the plan would work at all. Victoria's weather will be a 'tale of two states' today, with hot and dry conditions in the west and potential thunderstorms, flash flooding and hail in the east. A total fire ban has been declared in the Mallee, Wimmera and South West districts, where temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees in Swan Hill and Mildura. Authorities are warning hot and dry northwesterly winds will become gusty over these areas before a cooler southwesterly change late on Wednesday, increasing the fire danger rating. The Rainbow Serpent Festival was hijacked by organised crime and marred by blatant drug use, police say, after a horror long weekend that left three revellers fighting for their lives. It comes as the states paramedics throw their support behind pill testing, with a survey of more than 500 ambulance union members revealing almost 92 per cent are in favour of the controversial measure. Seven serious drug overdoses occurred at the festival, amid seizures of ketamine, ecstasy, LSD and cannabis. In whats been described as a crime record for the event, there were also two sexual assaults, 12 arrests for drug trafficking, 54 people found in possession of drugs and 28 people driving under the influence. A Liberal lobbyist and ex-adviser to former prime minister Tony Abbott is being pursued through the courts for allegedly failing to pay for part of her lavish two-day wedding in 2017. Simone Holzapfel worked for Mr Abbott as a media adviser during the Howard government years before returning to the Gold Coast as head of Shac Communications. Lobbyist Simone Holzapfel leaves an April 2017 hearing into the behaviour of local government candidates at the 2016 elections. Credit:AAP/Dan Peled. She married Matthew Karl Robinson on their property at Gleneagle, about an hour's drive west of the Gold Coast, with guests including Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, city planning boss Cameron Caldwell and director of casino developer ASF, Louis Chen, according to reports in the Gold Coast Bulletin. More than 18 months later, a supplier for the June wedding is still fighting to be paid. Trade unions in NSW are expected to roll out joint advertising campaigns targeting the Berejiklian government ahead of the March state election after the High Court struck down laws imposing new caps on pre-election advertising spending by unions and other third-party campaigners, in a win for the NSW Labor Opposition. A coalition of six unions led by Unions NSW brought an urgent High Court challenge to the new laws, passed in May, which slashed the amount of money third-party campaigners such as trade unions could spend on political advertising in the six months before an election, from $1.28 million to $500,000. By contrast, political parties can spend up to $11 million. The Berejiklian government had claimed the laws were necessary to prevent undue influence and corruption in the political process. Credit:AAP The laws also prevented unions and others pooling their resources to exceed the expenditure cap, imposing jail terms of up to 10 years for "act[ing] in concert". The High Court heard the challenge in early December and ruled unanimously on Tuesday that the laws breached the implied freedom of political communication in the Commonwealth Constitution. The court ordered the state of NSW to pay the unions' legal costs. A Sydney pub baron fighting home detention over a series of vicious attacks against his former partner is now disputing the level of force he used in throwing a lighter that caused a bloody wound on her forehead. Phillip De Angelis is vying for one day a week of community service so that he can continue working fulltime, the Downing Centre Local Court has heard. Phillip De Angelis leaves the Downing Centre Local Courts last November. Credit:AAP De Angelis, 38, pleaded guilty in September to assaulting Ms Tilley, 53, on multiple occasions at their eastern suburbs homes in 2015 and 2016, including one incident in which he bashed her bathroom door down after she saw a video on his phone of him having sex with another woman. On another occasion he struck her face and pushed her head down while the pair sat in the back of a taxi, accusing her of embarrassing him in front of his family during his birthday celebrations. A giant asteroid hurtling on a collision course with Earth is a frequent Hollywood trope, but the danger it poses is far from fictional. So far, we've been lucky. The last big asteroid collision was about 65 million years ago, and is widely thought to be responsible for the sad fact we keep dinosaurs in museums, rather than as pets. But one is coming its just a matter of when. So scientists from NASA and the European Space Agency have been busy developing a planetary defence strategy to deal with rogue rocks. In the next couple of years, they hope to test it. By slamming a probe into an asteroid. Its kind of like punching the solar system right in the face. In self-defence, of course. The latest push from the private school lobby to secede from the shared HSC should set off alarm bells for parents, teachers, educational leaders and students in NSW. The Herald revealed on Monday that a coalition of private school groups is placing pressure on policymakers to deregulate the HSC and is calling for the creation of a smorgasbord of credentials and curricula for schools and systems in this state. A shared leaving credential gives local communities control over content and examinations. Credit:Wolter Peeters This would effectively create a market and a hierarchy of school exit credentials that would prove, as it has overseas, to be divisive and corrosive of educational standards. It is almost identical to the Thatcher government's ill-fated radical approach to educational standards and social cohesion. England now has a melange of exit credentials and curricula across its schools that has bedevilled its education system. Schools have a "choose your own adventure" approach and buy in the credential that they fancy at any particular time. The private school coalition here is suggesting that we should similarly allow the International Baccalaureate, the Cambridge Assessment Program or even interstate credentials and curriculum to be let loose upon our schools and systems. A man police say is the president of a new bikie gang in Canberra was arrested at the weekend after an alleged brazen attempt to get a victim of an earlier attack to recant his statement. The Satudarah rocker patch and colours. Police will allege the victim was recuperating in hospital with a broken leg when Dean Stephen Reid, president of a Canberra chapter of the Satudarah bikie gang, visited the ward in broad daylight and under the glare of surveillance cameras. Mr Reid allegedly told the man that if he dropped his police statement he would get his car back. Days earlier on January 10, police allege Mr Reid had gone to the alleged victim's home in Oaks Estate, NSW, with a group of other people and demanded drugs. Richard Bell was walking out of an appointment at a mental health clinic when staff from a jobs training college persuaded him to sign up for a course he had no idea would leave him with an $11,000 debt. "I feel cheated, I think they were targeting vulnerable people and it was really unethical," Mr Bell said. Richard Bell unwittingly signed up to an $11,000 loan for a jobs training course. Credit:Kate Geraghty After getting help from Legal Aid NSW, it took a couple of years and a complicated process to get that debt cancelled. A new law has now been introduced to make it easier for people like Mr Bell who have been targeted by unscrupulous operators, to get their government loans cancelled. The government will extend the small business instant asset write-off until June 2020 and increase it by $5000 to $25,000. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the extension in his first economic speech for the year in Queensland on Tuesday. "We are so serious about small and family business and we have put our money where our mouth is," he said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the extension in a speech at the Brothers Rugby Club in Brisbane on Tuesday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The extension matches Labor's pledge to continue the instant asset write-off and goes further by increasing the amount that can be claimed. A targeted effort to round up "some of the most violent" criminal suspects in New Orleans has resulted in more than 40 arrests, Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson announced Tuesday. Those arrested included two men accused in recent murders, plus a few others wanted in connection with other shootings or attempted murder cases. Eight others were armed robbery suspects, Ferguson said. Fergusons agency held up the roundup dubbed Operation New Year Clean Sweep as the type of policing tactic that helped drive murders in the city to a 47-year low in 2018, when the number of armed robberies and nonfatal shootings also dipped. Ferguson said the city is off to an encouraging start this year in its battle against violent crime, with New Orleans registering nine murders in 2019 as of Tuesday afternoon, compared to 17 at the same time last year. We are making progress and our coordinated efforts are paying off, said Ferguson, who added that the roundup was carried out during the previous two weeks or so. This task force was charged with removing dangerous criminals from the street, and they did just that. Though part of the roundup, the murder arrests of Damyia McInnis and Derrick Groves had already been announced by authorities. After his capture in Gentilly, McInnis, 28, faces counts of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in a deadly Christmas Day shooting in Algiers. The shooting left Leon Bush dead and wounded a woman who has not been identified at Gen. Meyer Avenue and Casimire Street. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Groves, 21, is one of two men facing charges of murder and attempted murder in a Mardi Gras 2018 shooting that left two dead and three others wounded in the Lower 9th Ward. He was arrested in Slidell. Suspects arrested in nondeadly shootings included Steven Grant, 32, who was picked up on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear at his arraignment on charges that he shot into a home in the 9400 block of Dinkins Street in New Orleans East last year, wounding a 31-year-old woman who was sleeping. Grant was also wanted in connection with a drug case in St. Bernard Parish, police said. Another arrestee was Tamyron McClain, 21, accused of attempted second-degree murder and discharging a firearm in a shooting that wounded a man in the 1500 block of Franklin Avenue in St. Roch on Jan. 3, police said. Authorities tracked McClain to Mobile, Alabama. Suspects arrested in armed robberies reported on both sides of the river during the last few weeks were Ceasar Alvarez, Robert Tolbert, Varhan Robinson, Derrick Bowman, Keyon Doby, Antonio Collins, Dion Richard and Darnell Doucet, police said. A number of other people were booked with robberies not involving weapons, as well as rapes, cuttings and beatings, said police, who received assistance on the arrests from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Louisiana State Police. Mayor LaToya Cantrell appeared with Ferguson for Tuesdays briefing, saying, Criminal activity in the city of New Orleans will not be tolerated, and these arrests that we are highlighting this afternoon are really a testament to that. Cantrell appointed Ferguson to lead the New Orleans Police Department after Superintendent Michael Harrison announced his retirement to become the top cop in Baltimore. Ferguson was sworn in as superintendent on Jan. 18. The trial of former Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Chad Scott screeched to a halt Monday after a witness for the prosecution said he had made a deal for a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony, countering the witness's earlier testimony and prompting the defense to ask for a mistrial. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo rejected the motion for a mistrial. But she halted the proceedings just after midday and ordered prosecutors to establish whether any other witnesses had been offered deals similar to the one that Edwin Martinez, a convicted drug trafficker from Houston, said he had been offered. The revelation on the stand temporarily halted a trial that for its first four days has seen a parade of state witnesses detailing alleged crimes by Scott, followed by cross-examinations where defense attorneys questioned the witnesses's credibility. Many of the witnesses against Scott have already pleaded guilty to federal crimes, but as each has testified, prosecutors have attempted to make it clear that no promises of specific lower sentences have been made in return for their testimony. Martinezs statements on the stand, and a document later produced by prosecutors, raised questions about whether that was true. If there are other such documents, it would violate the judges orders regarding what should be turned over to the defense. Scott is charged with seven counts including obstruction of justice, perjury and falsification of government records. His trial is the culmination of a three-year investigation into a task force he led. Two members have already pleaded guilty. A fourth, Rodney Gemar, will stand trial with Scott in October on counts separate from the ones Scott faces in his current trial. In addition to questions about the deals made by prosecutors and their witnesses, Monday's testimony veered back into the mechanics of the Houston drug trade, as prosecutors called Martinez and a former supplier, Jorge Perralta. Perralta told the jury that he had never met another trafficker named Frederick Brown, who was one of Martinez's customers. Whether Perralta and Brown ever met is at the heart of the government's case against Scott, who, they allege, convinced Brown to testify Perralta was present with Brown at two drug transactions. Brown's testimony was part of the case used to convict Perralta in January 2016. The government alleges Brown perjured himself at Scott's behest. Scott is also accused of perjuring himself about Brown and Perralta. Perralta, who sold drugs to Martinez, testified that when he was going to deliver cocaine or heroin, he would pull into the rear of Martinez's auto repair shop in Houston. There, he would enter through the large rolling garage door and wait with his car while Martinez took the drugs to another office in the shop. In the office, Martinez would meet with the buyer then return to Perralta with the money for the drugs. Perralta said he never saw who was buying the drugs he brought. Later Monday morning, Martinez testified to a similar process. He said he would sometimes leave another man with Perralta to make sure that his supplier and his customer never came into contact. "No. one rule: Buyers and sellers cannot know each other," Martinez said. "If my buyers know my source, they would just go straight to them." Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Duree asked Martinez, who has pleaded guilty and could face a life sentence, if prosecutors had ever asked him to lie on the stand. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "You always tell me to tell the truth," Martinez said. "Are you hopeful being here today will help you get a lower sentence?" Duree asked. "Yes," Martinez replied. "Have I promised you a lower sentence?" Duree asked. "No," Martinez said. But later, under cross-examination by Scott's attorney, Stephen Garcia, Martinez said he had signed a deal for a 70-month sentence. Garcia pounced. "You signed a paper?" he asked. "Yes," Martinez replied. "May we approach?" Garcia asked Milazzo. After a brief huddle with counsel for both sides, the judge announced that the trial would recess for lunch. During lunch, she ordered Duree and Charles Miracle to find what document Martinez may have signed. When the two sides returned, Duree said he had produced a two-page, unsigned record of a negotiation between Martinez and prosecutors. He gave it to the defense, he said, and was willing to agree to an afternoon break to allow them to prepare more cross-examination. But for Matt Coman, Scott's other attorney, that wasn't enough. The document, he said, should have been turned over five months ago, as previous court orders stipulated. "We stand on the second week of trial, and for the first time with a pivotal witness, the government produces this document," Coman told Milazzo. "We move for a mistrial." Milazzo rejected his motion but ordered prosecutors to make sure no other similar documents exist for other witnesses. They were told to notify her by late afternoon what they found. Testimony in the trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday. One thing missing from the lengthy forays inside the the Houston drug trade during the first six days of the Chad Scott trial is violence. That changed Tuesday morning, when Edwin Martinez, a convicted trafficker who was also a Chad Scott informant, testified about how he took a man to his Houston auto-repair shop and pistol whipped him after that man lost three kilos of heroin. During the beating, Martinez acknowledged, his four-year old daughter slept inside a nearby car. In another tale, Martinez recounted how he put an AR-15 in a man's face and threatened to kill him. He also detailed how he had wanted to beat the man. "I wanted him to be duct-taped," Martinez said. "I wanted to scare him." Scott's attorney, Stephen Garcia, sought to portray Martinez as remorselessly violent. "You carried the power of life and death in your drug dealing days, did you not?" Garcia asked. "Yes, I did," Martinez said. Martinez offered the accounts under cross examination from Scott's attorney Stephen Garcia on the sixth day of the former Drug Enforcement Agency special agent, who is facing seven counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and falsification of government records. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo is presiding over the trial. Scott is not accused of violent crimes, but the testimony from Martinez shed light on the underworld of narco-traffickers in south Texas, some of whom were sending drugs to Louisiana and points east. Scott and his task force were investigating those traffickers. Martinez also reiterated his testimony from Monday that his "number one rule" was to make sure that his suppliers and his buyers did not meet so that they would never cut him out of the deals. That contention is central to the government's case for perjury and obstruction of justice against Scott who, they allege, convinced Martinez's customer, Frederick Brown, to lie in the trial of one of Martinez's suppliers and say that he knew who he was. Brown and the supplier, Jorge Perralta, never met, Martinez said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Before the jury was brought in for Martinez's continuing testimony, however, Milazzo said she wanted to put some things on the record. She ordered the attorneys and Martinez not to bring up the "deal" he signed with prosecutors in which they agreed to recommend a 70 months prison term for Martinez, who was facing a possible life sentence. When Martinez mentioned the deal Monday, it appeared to contradict his earlier testimony that the prosecutors trying Scott had not offered him any deals in return for his testimony. That revelation prompted the defense to ask Milazzo to declare a mistrial, which she denied. But she recessed the trail at lunchtime Monday gave the government's attorneys Monday afternoon to locate any others and provide them to the defense. Tuesday morning, Milazzo that she believed the document could be harmful to both sides, because it also referenced the wide-ranging investigation into Scott's task force. That information, she implied, could prejudice the jury against Scott. She told the attorneys that if either side brought it up, the entire document would be able to brought in. She suggested that neither side bring it up and she ordered Martinez not to mention it or the phrase "DEA corruption" during his testimony. After Martinez testified, his attorney, Christopher Edwards, took the stand. Edwards said that news of the investigation into Scott's task force had upset Martinez, who believed that Scott was going to help him get his sentence reduced. "He looked at Agent Scott as a big brother," Edwards said. Scott's trial on the seven counts is the first of two trials he will face. His second trial on four other counts is scheduled for November. Mark Verret, a Covington attorney, has announced he will seek the District E seat on the Covington City Council. Verret, 49, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette) and earned his Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College of Law. He has practiced civil litigation law in Covington for more than 20 years and has represented local citizens and businesses, as well as Fortune 500 companies, the St. Tammany Parish School Board and the Covington Police Department. Verret touted his experience providing training to businesses on various litigation and risk management topics, and said that work gives him the insight and experience to better deal with issues facing Covington now and those it may face in the future. He also said infrastructure, drainage and preservation concerns are important issues to Covington and to him. Covington has been blessed with a tremendous amount of resources, starting first with its resilient residents, Verret said. With the ever-increasing amount of growth, it is imperative to have a clear vision towards the future while preserving the very rich cultural and historical past." Verret is married to Kellie Verret and has two sons, Jack and Nick. He previously was president of the Versailles Homeowners Association and currently is a board member of the St. John Fools of Misrule Carnival organization. This will be Verrets first run for public office. Current District E Councilman Rick Smith is term-limited and is running for mayor. Qualifying for the Covington mayor and council races will be held Wednesday through Friday. The primary election will be held March 30 and if run-offs are necessary, they will take place on May 4. St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister officially kicked off her re-election campaign before a full house of supporters gathered Monday evening at Gallaghers on Front St. in Olde Towne Slidell. Brister, who first was elected parish president in 2011, is seeking her third term as St. Tammanys chief executive. She touted her administrations work on infrastructure improvements, including the construction or resurfacing of nearly 1 million feet of linear roadway, as well as significant drainage and flood protection projects. Among Bristers biggest successes is her lobby of federal authorities for assistance in widening a dangerous stretch of Interstate 12 at the Bogue Falaya River overpass near Covington. Four people died there in a fiery wreck last May, and another 10 people were injured, but Gov. John Bel Edwards said there wasnt money in the budget to immediately address the I-12 bottleneck when Brister approached him for help. With the help of local lawmakers on Capitol Hill, she was able to shake free a $25 million grant to widen the interstate, and shes headed back to Washington, D.C., later this week to discuss additional funding that would allow widening I-12 for longer stretches on both sides of the river. Bristers administration also has been lauded for purchasing the former Southeast Louisiana Hospital site near Mandeville from the state and repurposing the property for the Safe Haven behavioral healthcare campus. When complete, Safe Haven is expected to be a one stop shop for mental and behavioral health care for St. Tammany residents. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up There have been obstacles during Brister's two terms as parish president, as well. A 20-year, 1/4 cent sales tax renewal to fund operations at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center failed in both 2016 and 2017, and a trimmed down 10-year, 1/5-cent sales tax was defeated in 2018. As a result, Brister was forced to cut the budget and parish personnel to balance the books as mandated by the parish charter. The 72-year old Brister, who lives in Mandeville, served two terms on the St. Tammany Parish Council and chaired the Louisiana Republican Party before being elected parish president with 73 percent of votes cast in the 2011 election. Brister won 71 percent of the vote in the 2015 election. She would be term-limited if victorious again when primary elections are held Oct. 12. Covington Mayor Mike Cooper, 65, is the only other candidate whos announced plans to challenge the incumbent parish president. Cooper, who is term-limited from seeking another four years as Covingtons mayor, announced Jan. 10 that he was running against Brister. Qualifying for the parish president race will be held Aug. 6-8. Both Brister and Cooper are Republicans. Governors love to tout the jobs they have created, and that explains why Gov. John Bel Edwards invited the press to join him on a tour of DXC Technologys New Orleans office Monday. DXC, a Fortune 200 company based in Virginia, opened an office on Poydras Street in 2018 that state and company officials said would employ 300 people within a year and 2,000 by 2025. As he seeks re-election this year, Edwards mentions at every opportunity that this was one of the biggest economic development "wins" in the nation in 2017, with Louisiana beating out other states to claim the prize. DXC has hired 156 workers so far and expects to hire another 220 full-time employees and contractors by March 31, said Terrell Boynton, who heads the companys office in New Orleans. That would allow the company to meet its initial benchmark. Were excited about what theyre doing, Edwards told reporters after Mondays tour. But, just like his predecessors, Edwards tends not to mention what these deals cost the government. Indeed, he didnt note Monday that the state has agreed to provide up to $115 million in subsidies and tax breaks to DXC through at least 2025. Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who stood next to Edwards, likewise didnt note that the city has agreed to pay DXC another $6.5 million over a decade if it meets its hiring goals. Also unmentioned Monday: Such big economic development deals almost always milked for publicity on the front end often fail to meet their goals down the road, sometimes flopping completely. But by then, the politician who benefited has usually moved on. Kathleen Blanco, who was governor from 2004 to 2008, loved to boast about how she persuaded Union Tank Car to invest in Louisiana, after company executives had written off the state in favor of Texas. Union Tank Car announced plans in 2004 to build a $100 million plant that would create 850 jobs and manufacture up to 14 railroad tank cars a day. "Not since 1981, when the state landed the since-departed Boeing facility in Lake Charles," a political reporter wrote later, "has the state had such a big announcement." The big announcement for Union Tank Car came with a price tag: $62 million in subsidies and tax breaks over 10 years. Blanco was no longer governor in 2008 when Union Tank Car laid off hundreds of workers, or in 2016 when the company announced plans to cut half of its remaining work force of 500-plus, citing the "current market conditions and the industry-wide demand outlook for railroad tank cars." Blanco also promoted her deal with General Motors to build the Hummer H3, a new sport utility vehicle, in Shreveport. But GM stopped production in 2012, and the plant remains abandoned today other than 150 jobs that Glovis America has created to put U.S.-made parts on Kia and Hyundai vehicles manufactured overseas, said Louisiana Economic Development, a state agency. Much-hyped plans for Elio Motors in 2018 to build a three-wheel vehicle at the former GM plant in Shreveport are still 1,499 to 1,498 short of their promised 1,500 jobs, state Rep. Cedric Glover, D-Shreveport, said in a text. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Gov. Bobby Jindal, Edwards predecessor, held repeated press conferences beginning in 2013 to advertise IBMs decision to open an office in downtown Baton Rouge. IBM coming to Baton Rouge would be a game changer for bringing other technology companies to Louisiana, Jindal proclaimed. But in 2017, a year after Jindal left office, IBM defaulted on its pledge to create 800 jobs. The company had only 575 full-time workers as of June 30, 2018. The Edwards administration could have taken back $1.5 million in incentives the state had given to IBM. But officials chose instead to give the company more time to comply with the hiring pledge in exchange for harsher penalties in 2019 if it didnt. In an email Monday, state officials said IBM is meeting its hiring commitments. Following Jindals playbook, Edwards has touted the DXC investment in multiple appearances with company officials. This is what candidates do, said Roy Fletcher, a Baton Rouge-based political consultant. And governors who are candidates are really good at showing up three or four times to talk about a job they created. They always want to be out front if a job is created. They never do talk about money they gave up. Michael Olivier, who headed LED under Blanco, said even the deals that go south are sometimes worth it. The Union Tank Car and GM deals had both paid off for the state by the time those businesses hit hard times, he said. Youre not going to be 100 percent on every project, Olivier said. Youll have some that fail. Its like life. You vet the projects and hope they stay in operation to bring a full benefit over their lifetime. As Edwards and Cantrell heard from employees on Monday, DXC's local operation is dubbed a Digital Transformation Center. The companys workers will develop and deliver ways to make technology work smarter for businesses and government, in such areas as cloud computing, cyber security and data analytics. Edwards said he has every reason to believe DXC will meet its hiring goals, which include an average salary of $63,000 per year. Global demand for their digital transformation services is actually exceeding what they thought, he told reporters. Asked whether taxpayers will get a good deal for their investment, Edwards noted that $25 million of the deal for DXC will pay for the upgrade of computer and science offerings at Delgado Community College, the University of New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. That, in turn, will provide potential workers for DXC, and future taxpayers, officials say. They have to meet their performance objective before the incentive money becomes available, the governor added. Im excited about the way were pursuing these economic development projects, Edwards said. I have no doubt that DXC is going to deliver. If they dont, the incentive money that was on the table wont be delivered. St. Tammany Parish School Board member Sharon Lo Drucker had cash in her purse when she was detained by Walmart employees for shoplifting on July 7. But money wasn't all Drucker was carrying in her handbag. According to a police report, she also had a package of soup mix, a jalapeno, a lime, aluminum foil, shampoo and hair products. Drucker, 53, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor theft in October and entered a year-long diversion program last month. She is scheduled to appear in court in March 2020, and if she successfully completes the program, the charges against her will be dropped. District Attorney Warren Montgomery said earlier this month that Drucker met the criteria for diversion, which is aimed at first-time offenders accused of nonviolent misdemeanors. But what some consider a slap on the wrist has caused a dust-up on social media. The group Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany posted the arrest report on its Facebook page Monday and called for Drucker to resign. "The superintendent and the other School Board members need to ask for Ms. Drucker's resignation, as she needs to take care of her own problems and should not be interfaced with our children," the post said. Another 800 people have signed a petition on the website Change.org seeking to have Drucker removed from the board. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Lacombe resident Cynthia Rester started the petition because she was "appalled" by the charges. She pointed out that the District Attorney's Office prosecuted a former Mandeville police officer for shoplifting, saying police officers should be held to a higher standard. "Should not elected officials also?" Rester asked. Drucker did not immediately return a call for comment and has not spoken publicly about her arrest since it came to light in October. According to the police report, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Walter Eason was working a detail at the Walmart on U.S. 190 in Covington when a store employee told him that a shoplifter had been detained in the store's Loss Prevention Office. The employee told Eason he had seen Drucker taking store merchandise and concealing it in her purse while she was in the women's clothing section. She purchased items that were in her shopping cart, according to the report, but not the items in her purse. In all, the value of the stolen merchandise amounted to $58.25 cents, the report said. The jalapeno was the least costly item at 6 cents while a $19.96 hair treatment product was the most expensive. The deputy found "multiple denominations" of cash in Drucker's purse. When he asked her why she had not paid for the items, Drucker responded, "I was trying to save money," the report said. Drucker qualified to run for a second term on the School Board representing the Madisonville area shortly after she was arrested. She won the Nov. 6 election with 69 percent of the vote. Her only opponent, Meg Good Hackney, had said prior to the election that she would be moving. When Lera Auerbach arrives in New Orleans this week to perform a solo piano recital at Tulane Universitys Dixon Hall, it will be just the beginning of possibly the most comprehensive art residency in the city's history. Auerbach a pianist, composer, poet and painter will be seen with five of the city's top arts organizations during a wide-ranging, multidisciplinary residency at Loyola University. A Russian immigrant now living primarily in New York, Auerbach performs Tuesday under the auspices of New Orleans Friends of Music. But her original works will be performed by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in mid-March and the New Orleans Opera Association in early April. A final recital at Loyola University, with funding support from the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, will be on April 11. At her recital Tuesday, Auerbach will perform Modest Mussorgskys 35-minute Pictures at an Exhibition, and a 40-minute, original piece she composed in 2018, titled Labyrinth. Along with those concerts, Auerbach plans to create a visual art series titled "Music on Canvas: A New Orleans Diary." Auerbachs residency at Loyola came about largely through a series of discussions with Ranney Mize, a high-profile New Orleans arts patron with strong ties to all five organizations for whom Auerbach will be presenting. This much-anticipated project has been in preparation for several years, and everyone is very excited to be working together to celebrate the type of borderless creativity that Lera represents, said Mize, LPO board president and past president of New Orleans Opera and Friends of Music. Following the format established by Mussorgsky in Pictures, in which 10 of the 15 movements correspond to a particular painting on gallery display, the 12 movements in Labyrinth relate to an imaginary creature that a Traumwanderer (Dream-wanderer) encounters as he passes through a maze. School of rap: Loyola launches degree program in urban and electronic music production As a Grambling State University undergraduate, hip-hop producer Lovell U-P Cooper essentially taught himself how to make recordings in his e Mussorgsky not only creates a musical exhibition, he also portrays the power of art and its impact on those who come in contact with it," Auerbach said in an email. "He achieves it by creating a theme and variations Promenades which weave through the piece. It is a work where art and its viewer (listener) become one. In Labyrinth we experience these imaginary beings through the eyes of the Traumwanderer as in Pictures (in which) we experience the gallery through the imaginary observer in his promenades, Auerbach wrote. Our brains and memories are akin to labyrinths, Auerbach said, as is time which, she said, connects all these imaginary beings that are waiting to meet the listener." "Whether we realize it or not, every day we encounter the labyrinth of our own making the labyrinth of our time, our memories, our lives. And perhaps only at the very end, we break free from its illusory enclosures. On March 15, Auerbachs original composition from 2016, The Infant Minstrel and His Peculiar Menagerie, will be performed by the LPO at the Orpheum Theater, featuring guest soloist Vadim Gluzman on violin and the NOVA Masterworks Chorale directed by Meg Frazier. Following that, from April 4-7, New Orleans Opera will give four performances of Auerbachs 12-voice a cappella opera The Blind, in which the audience will have the option of being blindfolded during the performance. The opera will be performed at the Marigny Opera House. The final performance of her residency will take place April 11 with a piano recital at Loyola as part of the Loyola University Recital Music Series. Were honored and flattered to have her perform for us, especially as the first performance of her residency here," said Friends of Music president Benjamin Karp. "We dont get too many performances where the composer is also the performer. ************************* Lera Auerbach in Concert WHAT: A solo piano recital by pianist/composer Lera Auerbach, sponsored by New Orleans Friends of Music WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 WHERE: Dixon Hall, Tulane University TICKETS: $18-$35 INFO: friendsofmusic.org A life-sized Poseidon sitting on his throne atop the bustling underwater city of Atlantis, a spaceship about to blast off, the most famous skyscrapers in the world, a Lady Gaga concert, the French Quarter during Mardi Gras attendees of New Orleans first BrickUniverse LegoConvention will see all of this and much more crafted completely out of Lego bricks Feb. 2 and 3 at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center in Kenner. BrickUniverse LegoConvention WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2 and 3 WHERE: Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner TICKETS: $18 and up. INFO: BrickUniverse.com/neworleans One of the largest Lego fan events in North America, BrickUniverse will span 40,000 square feet and feature live art galleries by six featured artists who will be on hand building and talking to fans, along with multiple building zones (including a Duplo pile of the larger bricks, for the smaller fans) and, of course, plenty of vendors. "Basically, its a Lego-lovers paradise, said event organizer Greyson Beights. Its the ultimate Lego fan experience. Created in 2015, BrickUniverse has hosted more than 25 events all over North America, the U.K., Switzerland, the Netherlands and Canada. According to Beights, New Orleans was a must for the convention. There are so many Lego fans in and around New Orleans, he said, noting the opening of Louisianas first LEGO store at Lakeside Shopping Center in October. And our artists, especially, have been really excited about coming here. Among those artists is award-winning Lego builder Paul Hetherington, of Vancouver. Fifteen years ago, with no artistic training whatsoever, Hetherington picked up some Lego bricks and started building. He has since won five Best in Show awards at BrickCon in Seattle and has been featured on national TV, including the Discovery Channel. His "Batman vs Joker Gotham Theater Showdown" was named the 2016 LegoCreation of the Year by Brothers-Bricks, a website for builders. 5 LEGO FUN FACTS 1. Lego is the largest tire manufacturer in the world. 2. The plural of Lego is Lego. 3. Lego comes from the Danish words "Leg godt," meaning play well. 4. There are 86 Lego bricks for every person on the planet. 5. One Lego brick can sustain 953 pounds of pressure before breaking (which is why theyre so much fun to step on). Batman and the Joker, along with all five of Hetheringtons Best in Show winners, will be on display at his live gallery, along with his Mardi Gras recreation, which he said is causing him some anxiety. Ive never been to New Orleans, but I knew I had to do Mardi Gras, so I grabbed a bunch of books and looked at images and just did a lot of research, he said. But now Im going to be there and all of these people who have seen it for real are going to see my version. Its kinda freaking me out. Hetherington will also be showcasing his latest creation, a piece which he calls Palace in Wonderland. Its a fantasy palace but its surrounded by these dark, menacing microscale factories and pollution, he said. Its a statement on where the world seems to be going. It took me six months to build. On the other side of the emotional spectrum is Hetheringtons Built This Way Ball, starring "Lego Gaga." Hetherington creates three or four models a year, sometimes finding inspiration in popular movies. I dont just build in one style, he said. Theres so many options and so many colors I can use so its really just about narrowing things down. Sometimes its more of an architectural dig where I start building and theres just a surprise around each corner. While Hetherington welcomes questions from fans of all ages, he said kids are typically too awestruck to talk very much. They just cant believe what theyre seeing and I think get a little overwhelmed, he said. But from the adults, the most common questions I get are definitely, Where do you get your ideas? and Are the pieces glued together? The answer to the latter is no, they arent. Every creation is held together with good, old-fashioned Lego engineering that has made the toy a favorite around the world for almost 61 years. ************ 5 LEGO FUN FACTS 1. Lego is the largest tire manufacturer in the world. 2. The plural of Lego is Lego. 3. Lego comes from the Danish words "Leg godt," meaning play well. 4. There are 86 Lego bricks for every person on the planet. 5. One Lego brick can sustain 953 pounds of pressure before breaking (which is why theyre so much fun to step on). A troupe of the countrys most notable up-and-coming comedic talent is descending on the city this weekend when "Comedy Central Stand-up Presents" returns to the Civic Theatre, 510 O'Keefe Ave., for a three-day series of back-to-back stand-up sets. The shows, which run Jan. 31 through Feb. 2, will feature the networks next slate of half-hour stand-up specials from 12 comedians. All free to the public, the shows offer a first glimpse of some of the industrys most promising and emerging talent in comedy, which producers whittled down from a list of over 400 stand-up sets reviewed last year. These are the comedians that were looking to as the future of comedy and stand-up, said Anne Harris, Comedy Centrals senior vice president of Talent and Development for the network. The series, which features comedians presenting half-hour stand-up acts that are aired at a later date this year, is a long-running tradition for the network. Now in its 22nd season, previous versions have included "Comedy Central Presents" and "The Half Hour." New Orleans has been the filming location for the past three tapings of " Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents," all of which were taped at the Civic Theatre. We just cant stay away, Harris said. Its such a great theater and the audiences have just, over the years, been more and more fantastic. Its a great place to bring comics from all over the country. We meet up in New Orleans, and its a big celebration all week. The series has acted as both a launch pad for up-and-coming comedic talent as well as marked a career milestone for more established comedians. Previous acts have included " Saturday Night Live" members Chris Redd and Michael Che, Nikki Glaser host of "You Up w/Nikki Glaser" and Rory Scovel, who co-starred with comedian Amy Schumer in the film "I Feel Pretty" and has a new series, "Robbie," debuting on Comedy Central. This weekends roster includes "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" correspondents Jaboukie Young-White and Dulce Sloan, New York comedian Nore Davis, Los Angeles-based comic, actor and writer David Gborie, Georgia comic Mia Jackson, who is touring with Schumer, and the Los Angeles-based and Emmy award-winning comedian, writer and producer Sara Shaefer. The shows kick off Thursday, Jan. 31, and run through Saturday, Feb. 2. Each show includes two half-hour stand-up acts by two comedians with sets starting at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets, which are free, are available via the New York-based ticket listing service TheBlackListNYC.com, where the full schedule and lineup is available. Those interested must visit the events page and pick a desired show, after which they will be contacted with more ticket information and possible alternative shows, if their chosen slot is already full. During the comedians stay in New Orleans, Harris said her team also will be working with a comedy promoter to scout the scene for local talent. Were curious to see what the scene is up to," Harris said. "Its just such a great week, and the talent has a blast in New Orleans. Its a big part of the experience." That 35-day fiasco our country just endured? Its squarely on President Donald Trump. It was Trump who couldnt get Congress to fund his border wall during two years of Republican control. It was Trump who reneged on an agreement late last year to keep government open into at least the beginning of 2019 without money for the wall, after conservative pundits called him on the carpet. And it was Trump who finally capitulated and agreed to the deal hed previously rejected, when new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to budge. All that said, the president couldnt have done it on his own. Every single Republican member of Congress representing Louisiana helped. For the states GOP House members, the moment of truth came in late December, with the clock ticking down on their majority. The Senate passed a temporary spending measure, without including the wall, by voice vote. Trump indicated at the time that hed sign it, and no senators certainly not Bill Cassidy or John Kennedy caused a fuss. President Trump, lawmakers strike deal to temporarily end shutdown President Donald Trump says he'll sign legislation shortly to reopen shuttered government departments for three weeks until Feb. 15. But then Trump withdrew his support and issued an ultimatum: No wall, no spending bill. Although House members knew it had no chance of winning 60 Senate votes, they included $5.7 billion for the project in their version of the bill, and all five Louisiana Republican House members Steve Scalise, Garret Graves, Ralph Abraham, Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson supported it. That vote is what led to the start of the shutdown. Fast-forward to 2019. The now-Democratic-led House passed the same spending bill that the previous Senate had passed. But this time Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring it to a vote because Trump said he wouldnt sign it. This wasnt his only alternative. He could have held the vote and challenged Trump to veto it. Instead, he delayed until last week, when he finally staged a show vote to show that the presidents position was weakening and told Trump that the line wouldnt hold. Six Republican senators went on record that day on behalf of reopening the government. Neither Cassidy nor Kennedy was among them, although both had clearly been fine with the idea of keeping the government open, wall or no wall, weeks earlier. In the interim, the nation watched public employees seeking help from food and diaper banks, as clueless cabinet officials scratched their heads over the desperation. It saw air traffic and airport security controlled by people forced to work without getting paid. It heard from federal employees who had no idea when they would see paychecks, and low-wage contractors who knew they wouldnt. It witnessed research sidelined, including into hurricane forecasting. Ironically, it saw the backlog of immigration cases grow as judges were furloughed. And it lost $3 billion in economic activity, according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office. Anyone out there up for more of that? +4 As federal workers miss paychecks, Louisiana congressmen split on whether to accept pay WASHINGTON Hundreds of thousands of federal workers weren't paid Friday because of a partial government shutdown, and at least six dozen con Certainly not the people who represent Louisiana, one would hope, even though the last time they adopted the party line, or stayed quiet, or in the case of the ever-quotable Kennedy, threw up his hands. You can have your own opinions about President Trump, but I think most fair-minded people would have to agree hes a smart man, Kennedy said. And hes not going to agree to open it back up and then have Speaker Pelosi say, Thank you very much, you get nothing. Uh-huh. So now were at the point where all of this could happen again, and soon. The government is open again for all of three weeks. Trump still wants his wall, which hes turned into a symbol of ugly exclusion of people fleeing horrible circumstances. That has turned it into a symbol for the other side too, and has made giving in untenable. Besides, theres no way the Democrats are going to cave after they decisively won Round One. So the near-term question is whether there are other, non-wall border policies that both sides can accept. If not, well be right back where we started, or perhaps on new terrain in which a president declares a national emergency as a political ploy. Whatever happens, I hope our representatives are already thinking long and hard about where theyd draw the line or whether theyre willing to enable still more of this foolishness. At the State Capitol these days, theres an outward and visible sign, as the old Baltimore catechism used to put it, of a much deeper problem. Visitors can now see the steel-covered walkway being installed at the State Capitol to protect visitors from getting plunked in the head by mortar chunks falling off the 86-year-old building. Its a vivid testament to the backlog of deferred maintenance plaguing state government. Theres never enough money to fix anything, and politicians looking for attractive legacies often prefer to build new stuff rather than caring for whats already around. +8 Reason for 'temporary' steel-covered walkway at Louisiana Capitol? State doesn't have money for fix A steel-covered walkway is being installed at the State Capitol to protect visitors from getting plunked in the head by mortar chunks falling Its why fixing things not just something as prominent as the State Capitol, but ordinary things like college buildings and roads and sidewalks seems to always take a back seat to other projects. In Baton Rouge, the state doesnt have the $40 million to $60 million necessary to fix the disintegrating mortar and fixtures that hold about 8,500 limestone panels, each weighing more than a ton, to the steel skeleton of the 34-story capitol. The current plan is to erect what officially is called a temporary protective structure that will shelter visitors from falling building bits. The steel shelter will allow the main entrance to reopen in February after being closed nearly three years ago because of safety concerns. Except for a narrow passage to the top of the monumental stairway, the granite steps, each engraved with the name of a U.S. state, will be mostly closed and barricaded. Thats not good news for tourism in Baton Rouge, since the tower that Huey P. Long built is something that visitors to the city want to see. The larger issue of deferred maintenance problem is something that candidates for governor and Legislature should be questioned about this year. +8 Reason for 'temporary' steel-covered walkway at Louisiana Capitol? State doesn't have money for fix A steel-covered walkway is being installed at the State Capitol to protect visitors from getting plunked in the head by mortar chunks falling Is there going to be a willingness to raise money to pay for the deteriorating roads and bridges in the state? The state gasoline tax hasnt been raised in 30 years, and it now pays for about half the work that it did in the 1980s. Thats another obvious case of deferring the pain of a tax increase by increasing the pain of bad roads for motorists. To give credit where it is due, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Legislature have wrestled with these problems in a small way. The states colleges and universities have nearly $2 billion of deferred maintenance projects, such as roofs that need to be replaced, classrooms that need to be cooled, and leaks that need to be stopped in libraries. At the governor's request, there has been more emphasis on college repairs, but not enough money is available. Which is why the State Capitol, erected as a source of pride and progress, is now a case study in shameful neglect. U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham is coming under fire for skipping votes in Washington, while he campaigns for governor in Louisiana facing web ads f Alton Sterling's 18-year-old son, who was accused last month of raping an 8-year-old boy, will be examined by three doctors to determine if he's able to assist his attorneys and is competent to stand trial. State District Judge Don Johnson appointed Drs. John Thompson, Jose Artecona and Donald Hoppe to examine Cameron Sterling in advance of a sanity hearing Feb. 7, according to an order filed into the court record late last week. Cameron Sterling, 18-year-old son of Alton Sterling, accused of raping 8-year-old The 18-year-old son of Alton Sterling is accused of raping an 8-year-old boy while he was babysitting the child last weekend, according to Bat Prosecutor Larry McAlpine and Sterling's attorneys, Ron Haley Jr. and Dedrick Moore, told Johnson last month that Sterling appears to have mental health issues. Sterling, who is being held on $100,000 bail, is booked on first-degree rape but has not been formally charged by a grand jury or prosecutors. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Cameron Sterling has bond set at $100K after accusation he raped 8-year-old A state judge set bail at $100,000 Friday for Alton Sterling's 18-year-old son, who is accused of raping an 8-year-old boy last weekend while His father, Alton Sterling, was shot to death in 2016 while two Baton Rouge police officers tried to arrest the 37-year-old man outside a North Foster Drive convenience store. The fatal shooting, captured on video and shared on social media, sparked protests in Baton Rouge and across the country. Blane Salamoni, the officer who shot Sterling six times during a brief struggle, was later fired. The other officer, Howie Lake II, was suspended for three days. The officers had responded to a complaint that a black man matching Alton Sterling's description was selling CDs outside the store and had threatened someone with a gun. A loaded handgun was found in his pocket. Officials in charge of Louisiana's medical marijuana program on Monday faced questions from increasingly frustrated patients wondering when the drug will be available, more than 2 years after the passage of a landmark bill that set the program in motion. While regulators and growers at a stakeholder meeting explained the many nuances and challenges that have delayed the medicine hitting the pharmacy shelves, they did not have a certain answer to when that will be. LSU AgCenter and GB Sciences, the firm picked to produce the medicine at a former Pepsi warehouse in south Baton Rouge, estimates conservatively that it will have the product ready for patients in the summer. While it could be earlier than that, GB Sciences President John Davis said the company has to go through an involved regulatory process with the state's agriculture department. Southern University, the other authorized grower of marijuana in the state, said its new private partner, Ilera Holistic Healthcare, has signed a lease on a building in Baker and is working on getting approval to begin growing the plant there. Still, the group will not have product ready until "summer or early fall," said Chanda Macias, one of the owners of the firm assuming it receives all of its regulatory approvals on time. Louisiana's medical marijuana testing arrangement causes conflict of interest worries, grower says The medical marijuana grown by Louisianas two approved producers aligned with the LSU Agricultural Center and Southern University is supposed Southern's previous partner, Advanced Biomedics, made little progress before the majority owner sold his stake in the company last fall. Patients and advocates for medical marijuana grilled the panel of officials Monday in a packed committee room at the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry's offices on Florida Boulevard. They asked for more clarity on why the testing is taking so long, as well as when exactly the product will be available. Katie Corkern, who previously urged state lawmakers to pass legislation enacting the medical marijuana program, said her son Connor suffers from intractable epilepsy and other conditions for which medical marijuana could help. He was 8 when the first bill passed the legislation paving the way for the program, and now is 12. "We're waiting," she said. "Connor doesn't deserve this. Neither do the citizens you don't get to see on a daily basis." Dr. Victor Chou, who runs a medical marijuana clinic in Baton Rouge, said he gets 80 calls and messages a day from patients asking about the program and its status. Brian Greer, a member of a group of Louisiana veterans seeking medical marijuana, asked whether state laws could be loosened to get rid of some of the monopolies with production and distribution. The state only authorized two growers and up to 10 pharmacies to distribute medical marijuana. Nine pharmacies have been approved, but only one has received a license so far, said Malcolm Broussard, executive director of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, as they wait on product to be made available from the growers. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry outlined its testing process, which is ongoing and is required before the drug can hit the market. The agency told patients it is moving as quickly as possible. It sent GB Sciences the first test results for the product this week, and the firm said it was not able to review them before the meeting. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Even when testing is done on the first batch, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain noted GB Sciences may not send it to dispensaries out of fear there won't be another batch coming immediately behind it. No one wants to do this quicker than we do, and there's no one under more pressure than the people up here on this dais," Strain said. The testing of the first batch of product has taken longer than expected because it was extracted using a different method than is standard practice, said Amy Hernandez, agriculture environmental specialist and lab supervisor at the agriculture department. That's because GB Sciences was unable to use normal extracting techniques in the smaller, temporary facility where it is working currently. Louisiana medical marijuana delayed after state forced to do product testing, company says The first batch of legal medical marijuana in Louisiana won't be on the shelves until January at the earliest, two months later than hoped, wi "It did take longer than I expected because I wasn't expecting it to be that complicated," Hernandez said, adding it will move more quickly in the future. The agriculture department has said it can't find a third-party lab to test marijuana, and issued a rule allowing the department to undertake testing itself. That raised questions from the industry about what to do if there's a challenge to test results. The agriculture department only received information from GB Sciences needed for Louisiana State Police to conduct a suitability study about a week ago, and received other documents needed for final approval on GB Sciences' full growing facility several days ago, said Tabitha Irvin, director of the agriculture department's medical marijuana division. The agency will do a walk-through of the facility on Wednesday. GB Sciences set out last year to build a temporary pod-type facility to begin growing the drug in an effort to quickly get it to market, while it waits on approval for its full-scale facility. But the firm has blown past multiple self-imposed deadlines, citing regulatory hurdles. Can Louisiana's fledgling medical marijuana industry keep up with expanded demand? A recent expansion of treatable conditions in Louisiana's fledgling medical marijuana program could grow the industry by millions of dollars a Louisiana State Police also has to conduct a suitability study on the growing companies before they can fully move forward. State Police officials declined to specify where that review stands, citing agency policy against discussing ongoing investigations. Regulators with the agriculture department, Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Pharmacy also described a laundry list of tweaks to state rules they have made, or are considering. Medical marijuana will be available to patients suffering from a number of ailments including intractable pain, PTSD, cancer, HIV and others. It will only be allowed in a tincture form, which will be mixed with coconut oil for the final product, Hernandez said. The Baton Rouge region added 4,500 jobs in December compared with the year before, the 10th month in a row the area has posted a year-to-year gain in employment. Seven of Louisiana's nine metro areas added jobs over the year in December. Overall, the state gained 19,100 jobs since December 2017, bringing the total number of nonfarm jobs in Louisiana to just over 2 million, according to figures released Tuesday by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The numbers are not seasonally adjusted. This is the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year employment increases for the state. The capital region's nonfarm employment rose to 412,800 jobs in December. Baton Rouge gained 6,200 construction jobs over the year and 1,100 education and health service jobs. It lost 2,300 leisure and hospitality jobs, and 900 retail trade jobs. +2 BRAC CEO: Despite Zachary-area layoffs, skilled manufacturing workers still in demand The new year got off to a rough start in East Baton Rouge parish, with three Zachary-area employers announcing layoffs that will put 824 manuf The area's unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, was 3.9 percent, up from 3.5 percent in December 2017. That's better than the state unemployment rate of 4.3 percent during December, which was 4 percent a year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in December, down from 3.9 percent a year ago. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up NEW ORLEANS: The Crescent City increased 12,900 jobs over the year to 591,600, the biggest gain of any metro area. The hospital sector added 2,400 jobs; so did leisure and hospitality; construction, 2,200 jobs; transportation, warehousing and utilities, 1,800; and manufacturing, 1,300. Retail trade jobs fell by 800 jobs, while state government lost 500. The New Orleans unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent last year. LAFAYETTE: The Acadiana region increased 2,000 jobs from December 2017 to 203,300. Mining and logging, which includes the oil and gas sector, dropped by 400 jobs. The region added 1,600 service-providing jobs, while manufacturing added 600 jobs in the goods-producing sector. The unemployment rate was up slightly to 4.3 percent from 4.2 percent a year earlier. Bagwell Energy to hire 150 in expansion of Port of Delcambre fabrication site Bagwell Energy Services will spend $2.5 million expanding its Port of Delcambre fabrication center, a move that officials said will add 150 jo OTHER METRO AREAS: Lake Charles added 3,500 jobs over the year to 120,300. It was the 90th consecutive month of over-the-year job gains and the biggest percentage increase of any metro area in the state. Hammond added 900 jobs to 47,900; Monroe, 700 jobs to 79,800; Alexandria, 100 jobs to 62,600. Houma-Thibodaux was down 1,000 jobs to 85,100, while Shreveport-Bossier City lost 200 jobs, falling to 179,500. Louisiana, with a major Citgo refinery in Lake Charles and other refiners' reliance on Venezuelan oil, is disproportionately exposed to sanctions imposed Monday by the Trump administration to put pressure on that country's president to cede power to the opposition. The Trump administration did not directly ban imports of Venezuelan crude oil. Instead, it blocked U.S. companies from entering into financial transactions with the state-owned oil company that's known by its acronym PDVSA. That's for as long as PDVSA remains under the control of President Nicolas Maduro. That means that any payment for Venezuelan crude imports will go to blocked bank accounts, according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, to preserve assets for the Venezuelan people. In response, Maduro's government could seek to redirect its U.S. exports to other countries. Historically, 40 to 50 percent of Venezuelan crude comes to Louisiana to be refined by companies like Citgo and Valero Energy, said Eric Smith, director of the Tulane Energy Institute. And because some of the states refineries are set up to refine the heavy sour crude that comes from the country, Louisiana is disproportionately exposed. Citgo is a Houston-based subsidiary of PDVSA and operates a 425,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lake Charles, employing 1,800 full-time workers and contractors, according to the company's website and published reports. The refinery is one of the largest in the U.S. and the largest operated by Citgo, which boasts a $597.3 million total economic impact on Lake Charles. David Dismukes, head of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, said if the sanctions dont stop the flow of crude oil coming to the U.S., and only put proceeds associated with the refining of the oil into frozen bank accounts until the issue is resolved, it likely wont have a big impact. But that assumes that Venezuela does not just simply halt the exports to begin with, he said. Valero and Citgo did not respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday. If problems arise in the short-term, the U.S. government could release oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to alleviate the pressure on U.S. companies, Smith suggested, and in the long-term, more pipelines could be built to pick up the slack. Louisiana refiners could have to spend more to source oil from further away, he said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The U.S. imports less than 500,000 barrels a day of Venezuelan crude, down from more than 1.2 million barrels a day in 2008, according to the Energy Information Administration. Oil exports to the U.S. have declined sharply in recent years as Venezuela's production plummeted amid an economic collapse. Still, Venezuela is among the top four suppliers of crude to the United States, though it now only supplies about 6 percent of imports. Many companies gradually reduced Venezuelan imports over the past two years, though Gulf Coast refineries still depend on Venezuelan crude for about a quarter of their imports, according to data from the EIA. There's no shortage of oil in the world right now, with global supplies hitting a record last summer, boosted by rising production in the U.S. and several OPEC nations. A report from the American Petroleum Institute last week said that the U.S. has surplus gasoline stockpiles that "could approach burdensome levels" and force gas prices down further. But supply is tighter for heavy crude oil, which is what the U.S. imports from Venezuela. Production of heavy crude in Mexico has been declining, and although there is a strong supply in Canada, there are challenges to getting that crude to the Gulf Coast refineries. Heavy crude production the Middle East also declined with the most recent round of OPEC output cuts. John Auers, executive vice president of the refining consultancy Turner, Mason & Co., said Gulf Coast refineries have been switching to lighter or medium grade crude amid the tight supply of heavy crude. But the tighter market for heavy crude also means that those companies that are most reliant on Venezuelan crude will have a harder time finding alternatives. Auers said they would likely turn to the Middle East, particularly Iraq. He also said that more supply from Colombia and Mexico could be redirected to the U.S. if Venezuela redirects its own exports to Asian customers. DETROIT (AP) The 35-day partial government shutdown stopped the National Transportation Safety Board from dispatching investigators to 22 accidents that killed 32 people, jeopardizing some perishable evidence, the agency said Monday. The NTSB will start investigations, but with some crashes now weeks old, critical lost evidence "potentially could prevent determination of probable cause for the accidents," the agency said in a statement. The agency also did not have personnel to evaluate six other crashes to decide if teams should be sent out, and it didn't gather data on another 69 aviation cases, bringing the total number of delayed investigations to 97. The safety board determines the cause of transportation accidents and makes recommendations to prevent them. It had to furlough 367 of 397 employees during the 35-day shutdown. Although it recalled six investigators, they worked without pay to support probes of three international aircraft crashes, the statement said. +3 Five Louisiana kids, two truck drivers killed in wreck on way to Disney World identified The five children killed in a fiery Florida highway crash on their way to Walt Disney World have been identified along with the two truck driv The accidents with delayed investigations include 15 involving aircraft that caused 21 deaths, two on railroads resulting in two deaths, one marine accident that killed two, and two highway crashes, one of which killed seven people. Work also stopped on more than 1,800 aviation-safety investigations. The highway crash that killed seven people occurred Jan. 3 on Interstate 75 near Gainesville, Florida. A church van packed with children from Louisiana was headed to Walt Disney World when it got caught in the fiery pileup involving two 18-wheelers. Seven people, including five of the youngsters and two truck drivers, died in the crash. The other vehicle crash involved a tractor-trailer and a school bus in New Jersey in which 15 people were hurt, the NTSB said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The NTSB is now deciding whether it should send investigators to the crash scenes, or just go directly to wreckage in storage facilities. "That's going to vary from accident to accident," said spokesman Christopher O'Neil. NTSB investigators will be hampered in their work by not seeing the crash sites, former NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said. "Those are accidents that we really should have looked at and were not able to do that now because it's gone," he said. "Without physically having an opportunity to look at it yourself, you really don't get the exposure to it." Rosenker said during shutdowns while he was on the board from 2003 to 2009, investigators were dispatched without pay. He called the latest delay in sending investigators unusual. Our Views: After crash kills 5 Louisiana kids, a 'national disgrace' hampers investigation Last week, five Louisiana children on their way to Disney World were among seven people killed in a horrific multi-vehicle traffic accident ne ____ This story has been corrected to show that 32 people died in the 22 crashes to which the NTSB did not send investigators due to the shutdown. WARSAW, Va. Dakota Theriot sought familiar surroundings after allegedly killing five people, including his parents and his girlfriend, but following an all-night drive to his grandmothers house he finds himself in a county jail pending extradition to Louisiana. It was another failure for the 21-year-old. Theriot was married briefly in December 2015, but the couple separated after 11 days and divorced the next year. According to court records, his wife said Theriot had choked, punched and slapped her during their three-year relationship, and while drunk, he threw her through a window, breaking her wrist. He did have a lot of family drama, said Kenny Hebert, the owner of Southshore Pools in St. Charles Parish, where Theriot worked for a short period of time cleaning pools. +8 Theriot's escape to Virginia: Alleged killer pulls into grandmother's driveway with officials waiting Dakota Theriot drove almost 16 hours through the night Saturday from Louisiana to Virginia, where he sought refuge with his grandmother after A month later, military records show, Theriot signed up for basic training in the U.S. armed forces. He was out four months later. An Army spokesman said only that Theriot "was separated in May 2016 before completing training." This past weekend, less than a month after being kicked out of his parents' home, sheriffs say, he killed three people near Walker and his parents near Gonzales, then fled for the rural Virginia coastal plains where he lived in his early teens. According to investigators, Theriot killed his girlfriend Summer Ernest, 20; her father, Billy Ernest, 43; and her brother Tanner Ernest, 17; at their home north of Walker in Livingston Parish and then drove to Gonzales in Ascension Parish and killed his parents, Keith and Elizabeth Theriot, both 50. Elizabeth Theriot, after her son was accused of violence against his wife, had testified at a court hearing on whether a St. Charles Parish judge should impose a protective order against him, but court records don't include what she said. Dakota Theriot wasn't charged, and the judge dissolved a temporary order of protection saying the wife had not proven her accusations. He imposed a joint injunction ordering both to have no contact with the other. Can't see video below? Click here. After Saturday's killings, law officers in Virginia were tipped early on that the accused mass murderer was probably heading their way. But there is still no indication why Theriot snapped to the point of taking lives. Cory Flannery, a friend of Theriot's from his time in Warsaw, a small town of about 1,500 in the Northern Neck of Virginia, said he remembers Theriot sitting on his couch eating cereal and smoking marijuana with him. While Flannery said Theriot had a temper, the shooting rampage on Saturday was still out of character for the person he knew. Flannery said Theriot had smoked weed for years and was addicted to cigarettes as a middle-schooler but didn't know him to use hard drugs at the time. Though he was often in trouble, Flannery said, Theriot didn't seem violent or dangerous. "I'm completely shocked," Flannery said Sunday in an interview with The Advocate. "I never thought he'd lose control." Flannery said he wished his friend had reached out to him or anyone else for help. "He knows I would have been there," Flannery said. "It just blows my mind, it doesn't seem real." He last saw Theriot when he visited the area in 2017 and he seemed like his old self. Flannery described him as "clean-cut" and well-dressed, a far cry from the disheveled and wild-eyed mug shot taken Sunday morning. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "I did not recognize him," Flannery said. "It looks like he's out of his mind. I dont know if something snapped in him or if he was on drugs. According to Virginia school records, Theriot transferred as a seventh-grader from the Fifth Ward Elementary School in Reserve, Louisiana, to the Richmond County School District in 2009. In October 2012, early in his sophomore year of high school, he moved back to Louisiana and transferred to Destrehan High School. St. Charles Parish Public Schools spokesperson Stevie Crovetto said Monday that Theriot was a student in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years but did not graduate. Richmond County Superintendent James Greg Smith said Theriot was enrolled in his districts alternative education program, which would indicate some levels of classroom disruption or behavioral issues. Flannery said Theriot was kicked out of high school for cursing at teachers, and then later kicked out of the alternative school for throwing a desk and, again, using foul language. After being notified that Theriot was likely heading back to the Northern Neck region of Virginia, the district began making security arrangements and considering how it would have operated schools Monday if he had not been caught, the superintendent said. Theriots maternal grandparents served as his guardians during his time in Virginia, Smith said, and the accused killer came from a large and close-knit family absolutely devastated by the deaths. A good family, a very solid family, very well-known and respected family in the community. They have been members of this community for many years, Smith said. This was a tragedy, it really was. Hours after the killings, authorities had tracked Theriot onto Interstate 64 in central Virginia. From there, it took just a little bit of time and a little bit of luck to nab Theriot outside the two-story white frame house where his grandmother lives about two hours south of Washington, D.C. Thats him right there, a deputy said while wrapping up a safety check at Theriots grandmothers house outside Warsaw on Sunday morning, according to Richmond County Sheriff Stephan Smith. Theriots grandmother, concerned with her safety, had spent Saturday night in a hotel. "We started taking precautions then as far as keeping an eye on the houses he might be going to, Sheriff Smith said. In Louisiana, Ascension Parish officials also said they checked on Theriot's paternal grandfather, who lives in St. Charles Parish area, and found him safe. Once Theriot pulled into his grandmothers driveway along the History Land Highway on Sunday morning, with a gun in his hand, his run toward freedom ended. Local detectives in Virginia; extradition hearing set Friday for accused killer of 5 Louisiana detectives traveled to Virginia on Monday to interview the man accused of killing five people in two parishes over the weekend, in a The officers engaged him, gave him commands, he dropped the gun, got on his knees and he was arrested at that time, the sheriff said. He said he knew Theriots mother, Elizabeth, just from growing up in the small town just north of the Rappanhannock River but hadnt seen Keith Theriot before and didnt know anything about the son until Saturday. Outside the grandmothers home in Warsaw on Monday, about a half-dozen trucks were parked outside. A red-haired bearded man who appeared to be in his mid-30s opened the door but said the family wont be taking any questions and declined to take a business card. Local court records revealed little about the family: a certification as a notary public for one family member, a bank judgment and a series of child-support judgments worth about $8,600. Louisiana officials planned to question Theriot in Virginia ahead of a Friday extradition hearing. Two large pickup trucks with Louisiana plates were parked near the Richmond County jail on Monday. Advocate staff reporters Ellyn Couvillion and Caroline Grueskin contributed to this report. Grace Toohey and Emma Kennedy reported from Baton Rouge. The council of First United Methodist Church has voted to leave Together Baton Rouge, the senior pastor announced Tuesday. Together Baton Rouge is a coalition of local nonprofits, mostly religious congregations. The group counts 40 member organizations on its website, not including the First United Methodist church downtown. "The Church Council's decision was not based on TBRs merits or whether we agree or disagree with TBRs position on issues in our community, but on our desire to remain focused on our mission," Senior Pastor Brady Whitton wrote in a statement issued Tuesday. +5 Together Baton Rouge celebrates Exxon pulling ITEP applications, commends company's philanthropy ExxonMobil may have withdrawn its application for a local tax break, but advocates with Together Baton Rouge still took an opportunity to weig Together Baton Rouge has championed several causes in the capital area, though recently it has become best known for its work on the state's Industrial Tax Exemption Program. ITEP allows corporations to forgo local taxes on new investments. The nonprofit group successfully lobbied for control of the program to be vested in local taxing authorities rather than run by the state. Since then, they've sought to tighten standards on when tax exemptions are warranted. Recently, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board narrowly voted to deny a pair of exemption applications filed by ExxonMobil, which then pulled a similar pair of proposals set to be considered by the Metro Council. The handling of ITEP has divided the community. Whitton who was said to be traveling Tuesday and unavailable for comment did not mention ITEP by name and said parishioners who back Together Baton Rouge are still welcome to do so. Exxon drops tax break requests after being rejected by EBR school board ExxonMobil on Tuesday said it will drop its pending requests for property tax breaks in Baton Rouge and warned the uncertainty surrounding t "We support much of the work TBR has done in our community and encourage individual congregants who are so led to continue their support of and work with TBR," the pastor wrote. In a brief response, TBR organizer Lee Wesley of Community Bible Church invoked Martin Luther King Jr. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "Dr. King wrote in his Letter from Birmingham Jail of the difference between a negative peace, which is the absence of tension, and a positive peace, which is the presence of justice. A few congregations in our city will feel the tension of this moment in history more than others," Wesley said in a written statement. He added: "My colleagues and I are praying for their clergy, as they struggle to discern which peace is the peace of Christ." The announcement that First United Methodist is pulling out of TBR follows a busy Monday in which Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome invited business, nonprofit and academic leaders to discuss ways ExxonMobil has served the Baton Rouge community. +7 Broome holds pep rally for ExxonMobil after tax break rejection; legislators seeking to redo ITEP In the halls of the legislature and on the steps of City Hall, in advertisements, social media and meetings with the press, Baton Rouge leader Meanwhile, state Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, and state Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, announced Monday their intent to file a bill that would revert control of ITEP to the state. Other leaders have said they are still trying to make local administration of the program work, or that the failure of one suit of applications does not mean Baton Rouge does not support local business expansion. The corporation at the heart of the recent ITEP dust-up had news of its own Tuesday. "ExxonMobil said today that it has reached a final investment decision and started construction on a new unit at its Beaumont, Texas refinery that will increase crude refining capacity by more than 65 percent, or 250,000 barrels per day," the company wrote in a statement. The facility, expected to come online by 2022, is part of Exxon's Growing the Gulf initiative to continue operations expansions throughout the region. Colette's a lucky dog. The golden brown pup is one of Dixon Correctional Institute's newest canine residents, a rescue from South Korea where dog meat remains a common option on some restaurant menus. But instead she found herself eating leftover hamburger patties and exploring her unfamiliar surroundings with cautious excitement Monday morning after a long trip. Ten dogs destined for the dinner table were rescued from a Korean breeding operation and arrived at the prison's Pen Pals animal shelter Monday. They joined more than 50 other dogs housed there waiting to be adopted. Joshua Fleetwood, an inmate who works in the shelter, observed that he and Colette have a few things in common: Both have landed themselves valuable second chances after traumatic past experiences. And being in prison or in an animal shelter isn't the end goal for either. Can't see video below? Click here. The dogs were shipped from Korea to Canada and then quarantined for some time before moving temporarily to a shelter in Delaware. They arrived at Dixon after an overnight drive. Inmates placed the dogs in individual pens and started to assess their health and behavior. Most were timid and unsure but some almost immediately accepted treats and seemed receptive to their new environment. Fleetwood said he was glad to see the dogs in good physical condition but the biggest challenge would be getting them more comfortable with human contact before making them available for adoption. But officials noted that Pen Pals is a no kill shelter, so the dogs can stay forever if they are never adopted. +6 Dixon Correctional's 'Pen Pals' program rehabilitates pets... and inmates, too JACKSON For a handful of inmates at Dixon Correctional Institute, every other week means seeing companions leave the prison, never to return Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up It's unclear exactly what conditions the dogs endured before leaving Korea. But reports indicate most are kept in small cages exposed to the elements with no exercise and little care. Col. John Smith, who oversees the Pen Pals program, said the declining demand for dog meat there has created recent opportunities for animal welfare organizations in this case Humane Society International to step in and rescue some pups. A South Korean court ruling last summer made it illegal to kill dogs for human consumption, but didn't address the act of eating dog meat, which itself remains legal. Smith said the Humane Society of the United States coordinated the trip from Korea to Louisiana and has supported Pen Pals with grant funding over the years including a $600,000 award that financed construction of the shelter in 2008. The program grew out of Hurricane Katrina when the prison set up a temporary shelter to house displaced pets. Fleetwood, 34, has been at Dixon for eight years. He was arrested for drug possession and robbery during what he described as a crippling addiction that started with prescription painkillers after multiple surgeries on a broken finger when he was in high school. He said working in the animal shelter has given him a new sense of purpose. "When you're an addict like that, it encompasses pretty much everything in your life," he said. "And when you move on from that, you need to find something positive to fill that gap. I don't know how this would have ended for me if I hadn't been arrested." The inmate has formed a special bond with a pitbull named Jax who arrived at the shelter nine months ago emaciated and scared of people. Fleetwood said he's looking forward to his release within the next several years. He plans to become a veterinary technician and if Jax hasn't been adopted by then, the two will leave together. Can't see video below? Click here. Officials with Leonardo Helicopters will hold a grand opening Thursday for its 21,000-square-foot maintenance facility in Broussard. The Italian companys Gulf of Mexico Support Center, located at 1036 QCP Park Drive just west of U.S. 90, will offer maintenance and training support to rotorcraft clients in the area. The company will employ 15 people and plans to double that total in five years. We have focused on the past 5 years Ive been with the company exclusively on growing a market presence and improving our response times, delivery performance, etc., said Leonardo vice president Mike Hotze said, who spent 24 years with Bell Helicopter. Were very proud of the team we have put together and the performance we have been able to deliver. We are putting in a significant investments in Louisiana to offer support to our customers in the Gulf of Mexico." The facility will specialize in blade repair but offer other support services from tip to tail, Hotze said, for the more than 110 aircrafts in use in the Gulf of Mexico. It will be one of three facilities for Leonardo in the United States others are in Philadelphia and Las Vegas and will be staffed by technicians, engineers and sales staff, said Troy Penny, general manager for the Broussard facility. Troy and I have been colleagues for many years, and we hatched this plan 3 years ago now, Hotze said. We decided that Lafayettes market presence was rather small in North America. Troy presented me with a business (plan). We looked at it and decided this was absolutely the thing to do. WARSAW, Va. Dakota Theriot sought familiar surroundings after allegedly killing five people, including his parents and his girlfriend, but following an all-night drive to his grandmothers house he finds himself in a county jail pending extradition to Louisiana. It was another failure for the 21-year-old. Theriot was married briefly in December 2015, but the couple separated after 11 days and divorced the next year. According to court records, his wife said Theriot had choked, punched and slapped her during their three-year relationship, and while drunk, he threw her through a window, breaking her wrist. He did have a lot of family drama, said Kenny Hebert, the owner of Southshore Pools in St. Charles Parish, where Theriot worked for a short period of time cleaning pools. +8 Dakota Theriot's escape to Virginia: Alleged killer arrives at grandmother's with officials waiting Dakota Theriot drove almost 16 hours through the night Saturday from Louisiana to Virginia, where he sought refuge with his grandmother after A month later, military records show, Theriot signed up for basic training in the U.S. armed forces. He was out four months later. An Army spokesman said only that Theriot "was separated in May 2016 before completing training." This past weekend, less than a month after being kicked out of his parents' home, sheriffs say, he killed three people near Walker and his parents near Gonzales, then fled for the rural Virginia coastal plains where he lived in his early teens. According to investigators, Theriot killed his girlfriend Summer Ernest, 20; her father, Billy Ernest, 43; and her brother Tanner Ernest, 17; at their home north of Walker in Livingston Parish and then drove to Gonzales in Ascension Parish and killed his parents, Keith and Elizabeth Theriot, both 50. Elizabeth Theriot, after her son was accused of violence against his wife, had testified at a court hearing on whether a St. Charles Parish judge should impose a protective order against him, but court records don't include what she said. Dakota Theriot wasn't charged, and the judge dissolved a temporary order of protection saying the wife had not proven her accusations. He imposed a joint injunction ordering both to have no contact with the other. Can't see video below? Click here. After Saturday's killings, law officers in Virginia were tipped early on that the accused mass murderer was probably heading their way. But there is still no indication why Theriot snapped to the point of taking lives. Cory Flannery, a friend of Theriot's from his time in Warsaw, a small town of about 1,500 in the Northern Neck of Virginia, said he remembers Theriot sitting on his couch eating cereal and smoking marijuana with him. While Flannery said Theriot had a temper, the shooting rampage on Saturday was still out of character for the person he knew. Flannery said Theriot had smoked weed for years and was addicted to cigarettes as a middle-schooler but didn't know him to use hard drugs at the time. Though he was often in trouble, Flannery said, Theriot didn't seem violent or dangerous. "I'm completely shocked," Flannery said Sunday in an interview with The Advocate. "I never thought he'd lose control." Flannery said he wished his friend had reached out to him or anyone else for help. +9 Roommate of Dakota Theriot's parents says suspected killer struggled with drugs, was kicked out GONZALES, La. (AP) A 21-year-old man suspected of killing his parents and three other people including a girl he was dating was arrested "He knows I would have been there," Flannery said. "It just blows my mind, it doesn't seem real." He last saw Theriot when he visited the area in 2017 and he seemed like his old self. Flannery described him as "clean-cut" and well-dressed, a far cry from the disheveled and wild-eyed mug shot taken Sunday morning. Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "I did not recognize him," Flannery said. "It looks like he's out of his mind. I dont know if something snapped in him or if he was on drugs. According to Virginia school records, Theriot transferred as a seventh-grader from the Fifth Ward Elementary School in Reserve, Louisiana, to the Richmond County School District in 2009. In October 2012, early in his sophomore year of high school, he moved back to Louisiana and transferred to Destrehan High School. St. Charles Parish Public Schools spokesperson Stevie Crovetto said Monday that Theriot was a student in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years but did not graduate. Richmond County Superintendent James Greg Smith said Theriot was enrolled in his districts alternative education program, which would indicate some levels of classroom disruption or behavioral issues. +12 Victims were warned about Dakota Theriot but wanted to see good in people, family says The extended Ernest family cried Sunday. They held hands through bleary eyes. They occasionally let themselves laugh as they recounted stories Flannery said Theriot was kicked out of high school for cursing at teachers, and then later kicked out of the alternative school for throwing a desk and, again, using foul language. After being notified that Theriot was likely heading back to the Northern Neck region of Virginia, the district began making security arrangements and considering how it would have operated schools Monday if he had not been caught, the superintendent said. Theriots maternal grandparents served as his guardians during his time in Virginia, Smith said, and the accused killer came from a large and close-knit family absolutely devastated by the deaths. A good family, a very solid family, very well-known and respected family in the community. They have been members of this community for many years, Smith said. This was a tragedy, it really was. Hours after the killings, authorities had tracked Theriot onto Interstate 64 in central Virginia. From there, it took just a little bit of time and a little bit of luck to nab Theriot outside the two-story white frame house where his grandmother lives about two hours south of Washington, D.C. Thats him right there, a deputy said while wrapping up a safety check at Theriots grandmothers house outside Warsaw on Sunday morning, according to Richmond County Sheriff Stephan Smith. Theriots grandmother, concerned with her safety, had spent Saturday night in a hotel. "We started taking precautions then as far as keeping an eye on the houses he might be going to, Sheriff Smith said. In Louisiana, Ascension Parish officials also said they checked on Theriot's paternal grandfather, who lives in St. Charles Parish area, and found him safe. Once Theriot pulled into his grandmothers driveway along the History Land Highway on Sunday morning, with a gun in his hand, his run toward freedom ended. Local detectives in Virginia; extradition hearing set Friday for accused killer of 5 Louisiana detectives traveled to Virginia on Monday to interview the man accused of killing five people in two parishes over the weekend, in a The officers engaged him, gave him commands, he dropped the gun, got on his knees and he was arrested at that time, the sheriff said. He said he knew Theriots mother, Elizabeth, just from growing up in the small town just north of the Rappanhannock River but hadnt seen Keith Theriot before and didnt know anything about the son until Saturday. Outside the grandmothers home in Warsaw on Monday, about a half-dozen trucks were parked outside. A red-haired bearded man who appeared to be in his mid-30s opened the door but said the family wont be taking any questions and declined to take a business card. Local court records revealed little about the family: a certification as a notary public for one family member, a bank judgment and a series of child-support judgments worth about $8,600. Louisiana officials planned to question Theriot in Virginia ahead of a Friday extradition hearing. Two large pickup trucks with Louisiana plates were parked near the Richmond County jail on Monday. Advocate staff reporters Ellyn Couvillion and Caroline Grueskin contributed to this report. Grace Toohey and Emma Kennedy reported from Baton Rouge. Chinese scientist He Jiankui caught the world by surprise when he announced in November his work that led to the birth of the world's first gene-edited babies. Aware Of He Jiankui's Gene-editing Experiment As Early As April Long before this happened, the controversial researcher shared the news with a Nobel Prize winner, who objected to the work but remained an adviser to his biotech company. According to emails obtained by the Associated Press, US Nobel laureate Craig Mello, of the University of Massachusetts, learned about the pregnancy as early as April when He sent him a message titled "Success!" "I'm glad for you, but I'd rather not be kept in the loop on this," Mello replied to the email. "You are risking the health of the child you are editing." Despite his objection to He's work, Mello remained a scientific adviser for He's Direct Genomics company for eight more months until December, after the birth of twin girls Lulu and Nana became public. Mello, along with Andrew Fire, received the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of RNA interference. Mello declined for an interview but provided a statement through his university. He said he had no idea of He's personal interest in human gene editing or had the means to pull off the experiment. He reiterated his disapproval of the project and explained he resigned from the scientific advisory board of Direct Genomics' because he thinks that a company led by He, who now faces serious punishment because of the experiment, could no longer be effective. Investigations by China's National Health Commission found that He's work is illegal. He's colleagues fear he could face the death penalty. Controversial Work He altered the genes of the twin girls so they would be protected from future HIV infection. The scientist faced a backlash from the scientific community because of his controversial work. Scientists and ethicists are concerned over the repercussions of his work since the changes made to the children's DNA could be passed on to their future generations. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United States has filed a slew of criminal charges against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, and the company's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. The US Justice Department on Monday filed nearly two dozen charges against the world's second largest smartphone maker. Trade Secret Theft A 10-count indictment claims Huawei tried to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile and promised bonuses to employees who gathered confidential information about the company's competitors. It claimed that Huawei worked for years to steal ideas from T-Mobile's phone testing robot known as Tappy, which mimicked human fingers to test phones. Huawei supplied phones to T-Mobile and this relationship provided it with access to some information about T-Mobile's proprietary phone testing technology. Huawei was also working on its own phone-testing robot in China and federal prosecutors said the company repeatedly directed its employees to gather information about how Tappy worked, which violated the confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements Huawei had with T-Mobile. One of Huawei's employees was caught stealing one of the robot's arms. Huawei blamed rogue employees for attempts to steal the technology when T-Mobile sued. It nonetheless allegedly launched a formal bonus program that rewarded employees who stole trade secrets from competitors. Violation Of US Sanctions Against Iran A 13-count indictment also claims Huawei and Meng conspired to violate United States sanction on the sale of products featuring American technology to Iran. Huawei allegedly deceived the US and a global bank about its relationship with subsidiaries Huawei Device USA and Skycom Tech so it could conduct business with Iran. "As you can tell from the number and magnitude of charges, Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect the laws of the United States and standard international business practices," said Christopher Wray, the FBI director. Political Motive Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang described the charges as an unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies. He also urged the US to lift its arrest warrant against Meng. "The United States has been using state power to smear and attack specific Chinese enterprises, destroying the legitimate operations of the companies," Geng said. "There is strong political motivation and manipulation behind it. China is determined to protect legitimate rights of Chinese companies." 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It isn't clear how and when feathered dinosaurs, the ancestors of present day birds, started to fly. Analysis of the fossilized remains of a winged dinosaur that lived in China 160 million years ago, however, offered clues on the evolution of flight. The crow-sized dinosaur called Anchiornis lived 10 million years before the Archaeopteryx, the first recognized bird. Keratin Modern vertebrates that walk on land have the protein called keratin. Alpha-keratins (-keratins) are in the 10 nanometer-wide filaments of the hair, skin, and nails of humans and other mammals. In reptiles and birds, beta-keratins (-keratins) form the narrower but more rigid filaments that make up the beaks, claws, and feathers. Study researcher Mary Schweitzer, from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, explained that modern bird feathers are primarily composed of -keratin. Feathers, however, differ from other beta-keratin tissues because the feather protein is modified in a way that made it more flexible and more conducive to flight. "At some point during the evolution of feathers, one of the -keratin genes underwent a deletion event, making the resultant protein slightly smaller. This deletion changed the biophysics of the feather to something more flexible a requirement for flight," Schweitzer said. The researchers said that knowing when and in what organisms the deletion event occurred can provide researchers a better understanding of how flight evolved when dinosaurs transitioned to birds. Anchiornis Feathers Have Both Alpha-keratins And Beta-keratins Using high-resolution electron microscopy, as well as chemical and immunological techniques, researchers took a closer look at the fossilized feathers of the Anchiornis and compared these to those of younger fossil birds and modern birds at the molecular level. The researchers found that the feathers of the Anchiornis is composed of both -keratins and -keratins, which is surprising since -keratin is present in only small amounts in modern feathers. The Anchiornis feathers has also already undergone the deletion event that made feathers different from other tissues. The findings suggest that during the transition to flight, the -keratin gene was duplicated many times in the genomes of some dinosaurs. As these animals evolved, some of the extra copies mutated into the truncated form that made flight possible. This allowed the feathered dinosaurs such as the Archaeopteryx to take flight around 150 million years ago and gave rise to modern-day birds. Researchers said that the Anchiornis feathers were not likely suitable for flight, but represents an intermediate stage in the evolution toward flight feathers. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Intensive treatment to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients may help reduce risk for mild cognitive impairment, which often progresses to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. SPRINT In the study called Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, or SPRINT, researchers looked at the data of more than 9,000 people, who were more than 50 years old and had elevated blood pressure. They found those who lowered their blood pressure to a top reading of 120 instead of 140 were 19 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, a condition marked by loss of memory and brain processing power. Researchers found that lowering blood pressure can help memory and thinking problems, offering hope that it is possible to lower rates of mental decline later in life. Blood Pressure And Health High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for a range of health problems, which include stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. Research also showed it may increase risk for dementia. Intensive lowering of blood pressure has long been known to benefit individuals with increased risk for heart disease. The findings of the new study published in JAMA on Jan. 28 provided evidence that such intervention can also help brain health. The study involved participants with high blood pressure, a condition that affects more than 75 percent of people who are over 65 years old. This means lowering blood pressure levels could benefit a large number of people by slashing their risk not only for heart problems and other physical health issues, but also for cognitive decline. New Blood Pressure Guidelines Last year, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association issued new guidelines that lowered the scale for high blood pressure from 140 to 130. Study researcher Jeff Williamson, from Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, urged individuals whose BP is above 130 systolic to talk to their doctor about lowering blood pressure. "MCI is simply the earliest form of dementia," Williamson said. "For anyone whose blood pressure is over 130 or looking to potentially prevent losing memory or thinking skills this is something you can do." 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Across the United States, more and more mental health centers are offering programs to people who might be suffering from "internet addiction." Internet Addiction As A Mental Health Issue The American Psychiatric Association does not recognize internet addiction as a disorder, but a growing number of medical experts has begun taking the condition seriously. According to psychiatrists, internet addiction is characterized by the person's loss of control over their use of the internet and their electronic devices, including smartphones. An estimated 8 percent of people are believed to be affected by it. The Lindner Center for Hope in Mason, Ohio has started offering an inpatient treatment called "Reboot." The program specifically targets internet addiction in children from 11 to 17 years old. According to Reuters, patients who are enrolled in "Reboot" spend 28 days in the facility where they undergo diagnostic testing and psychotherapy and also learn how to moderately use the internet. The program helps those who have addictions that include online gaming, online gambling, social media, pornography, and sexting often to escape the symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression. Chris Tuell, the clinical director of the center's addiction services, said that he started the program after he had seen an increasing number of young people who were using the internet to "self-medicate" from their mental illnesses. "The brain really doesn't care what it is, whether I pour it down my throat or put it in my nose or see it with my eyes or do it with my hands," explained Tuell to Reuters. "A lot of the same neurochemicals in the brain are occurring." In 2017, researchers revealed that Americans spend an average of 4 hours of their day staring at their mobile phones. Internet Overuse: A Mental Illness? In 2018, the World Health Organization recognized video game addiction as a mental health disorder after years of research from China, South Korea, and Taiwan. It is characterized by impaired control over gaming, increased priority for gaming over other interests and activities, and disregard for negative consequences that come with gaming. However, for internet addiction to receive the same classification, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasaveric said that the subject still needs intensive research. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Something to look forward to: The Gmail app for iOS and Android has a whole new look. The all-white Material Theme has a clinical appearance, which Google has been shooting for with all of its G Suite apps. We reported last July that Google was planning to transition its Gmail app to the minimalist Material Design theme. On Tuesday the company announced it would begin rolling out the change. This update is part of a larger effort to make G Suite look and act like a family of products, designed in the Google Material Theme with ease-of-use in mind, the search giant said. Other Google apps have already undergone similar transformations including Tasks, Photos, Calendar, and the web version of Gmail. I prefer the Dark theme for web Gmail over the default Material Theme. Unfortunately, the phone app does not have a theme switcher. Gmail still functions in pretty much the same way. The compose button is still down in the lower right of the screen, but instead of a red button with a pencil, it has a white icon with a multi-colored plus symbol. The header, which was previously red is now white with the menu button still in the left-hand corner. There are a couple of things that operate differently though. For one, the search icon is gone. Instead, the header is now a search bar. Additionally, the user avatar is now occupying the spot where the search button was before in the upper-right corner. Tapping the avatar allows you to switch mail accounts just like the web version. Previous iterations of the mobile app required opening the menu to do this. Google also brought a few other features to the app that have already been implemented in the web version of Gmail including attachment previews, compact and comfortable viewing options, and the highly visible phishing warnings that you may have noticed in the browser app. The Gmail app redesign began rolling out today and should be available for all devices in the coming weeks. Why it matters: Razer got lots of positive feedback from its first Quartz Pink run - so much so that the company is adding nearly 10 additional products to the limited edition family. Pink may not be everyone's cup of tea but for those that like the colorway, it's nice that the option now exists. Razer has been a frontrunner in the RGB LED movement for years. Its fitting, then, that the gaming peripheral maker is expanding its Razer Quartz family to include even more hardware and just in time for Valentines Day. On Tuesday, Razer gave eight additional products the Quartz Pink treatment including the Razer Basilisk mouse, the Razer Goliathus Extended Chroma mouse mat, the Razer Huntsman keyboard, the Razer Kraken headset, the Razer Raiju Tournament Edition controller for PS4, the Razer Seiren X microphone, the Razer Base Station Chroma headset stand and the Quartz case for Razer Phone 2. The limited edition colorway was first introduced last year with four products: the Razer Lancehead Tournament Edition mouse, the BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 keyboard, the Kraken Pro V2 headset and the Razer Invicta mouse pad. Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan said fans told them they could not get enough of their Quartz Pink editions. We listened and we have given the stunning pink treatment to our latest gaming gear, giving you the unfair advantage in both performance and looks Tan said. Razer also announced a Quartz Pink edition of its Blade Stealth 13 laptop for US, Canadian and Chinese markets. It goes on sale January 29 starting at $1,599.99. Forward-looking: Over the last few years, weve seen the quality of smartphone cameras continue to rise. Not surprisingly, the worldwide popularity of handsets has affected the digital camera market, and according to the CEO of Canon, the situation is going to get a lot worse over the next couple of years. Speaking to the Nikkei (via Mirrorless Rumors) Fujio Mitarai, boss of the Japanese giant, warned that the digital camera industry would keep declining. He said that by around 2021, it will have reached its lowest point, having shrunk by almost 50 percent. "People usually shoot with smartphones. The digital camera market will keep falling for about two years, but professional and [advanced] amateurs use about 5 to 6 million units. Finally [the market] will hit the bottom," he said. While more traditional camera companies are turning to full-frame mirrorless products, Mitarai says these are simply replacing DSLRs, rather than expanding the industry and attracting new digital camera users. "In our company cameras have declined at around 10% a year in the past few years. The world market for interchangeable lens cameras is around 10 million. The mirrorless product is growing, but it is a replacement [for] single lens reflex, it is not adding to the market as a whole," he explained. To try and compensate for this market decline, Canon plans to focus on its corporate and industrial customers in fields such as surveillance and medical care. Smartphones have made a number of things almost obsolete. Simple calculators, maps, digital music players, voice recorders, alarm clocks, answer machines, payphones, etc. have all been affected to varying degrees. But while professionals and enthusiasts are likely always to want high-end digital cameras, the effect phones are having on the industry cant be underestimated. Seminole, FL (33772) Today Mostly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 79F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Albany, N.Y. Some Catholic leaders have called for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be excommunicated from the church over a new law he signed strengthening abortion rights in New York. Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger said during a Fox News interview over the weekend that excommunication is a last resort, according to the New York Daily News. But he added that as the governor continues to distance himself from our communion, it may unfortunately result in that. Bishop Rick Stika of Tennessee tweeted last week that if it were up to him, he'd excommunicate the governor. Other Catholics, including some bishops, agreed, the News said. Cuomo has also drawn Catholic ire for calling out church leaders over their opposition to the Child Victims Act, which passed the Legislature Monday. The law loosens New Yorks statutes of limitations on molestation and gives victims more time to seek criminal charges or file lawsuits, according to The Associated Press. The governor has said he agrees with Pope Francis' desire for a crackdown on pedophile priests and noted his father, the late former Gov. Mario Cuomo, faced similar criticism over his position on abortion. To the Catholic Church, I am sorry about the situation, said Cuomo, a former altar boy, according to the News. Im not sorry about my position. Im sorry they have taken the position theyve taken. A part of New Yorks new abortion law allows for the procedure to be done later in pregnancies at the discretion of a health-care practitioner based on the viability of a fetus or if a womans life or health is in danger, according to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. That has angered some Catholics. "The kind of procedures that are now possible in New York state, we wouldn't even do to a dog or cat in a similar situation," Scharfenberger on Fox, according to the D&C. "It's torture." New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan has also criticized Cuomo over the abortion bill. But he said Monday on Fox News that taking action against the governor would provide "ammo" for the church's enemies and wouldn't accomplish much, according to the D&C. We have a governor that brags about it, Dolan said, according to the News. We have a governor that uses his dissent from church teachings as applause lines. We have a governor that takes quotes from Pope Francis out of context to draw lines between bishops of New York and the Holy Father himself. Hes not going to be moved by this. So what would be the use? Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 WASHINGTON The U.S. Army said Tuesday it has awarded SRC Inc. of Cicero a $108 million contract to help it defeat enemy drones on the battlefield, marking one of the companys single largest orders for the technology. SRC and Pentagon officials said the contract is for mobile systems that counter small, slow and low-flying drones that are an emerging threat to U.S. forces around the world. SRC, with about 1,300 employees nationwide, including 900 at its Central New York headquarters, has quickly emerged as a leader in the counter-drone industry. The Army initially ordered 15 sets of the counter-drone systems as part of a $65 million contract in 2017. The Air Force followed with a $57 million contract for the systems in April 2018. The Pentagon said SRC was the lone bidder for the new Army contract for additional systems that use radar and other electronic sensors to detect, track, identify and defeat hostile drones. Low-flying small drones, including off-the-shelf quadcopters, are the hardest to detect and can evade radar. An unclassified Army report on small drones noted the increasing threat posed by such unmanned aerial systems (UAS), with more than 600 types in use in more than 80 countries. Small drones have been used by the Islamic State in battles in Iraq and Syria. SRC officials said the new contract will help sustain a growing workforce in Central New York. The company plans to hire 300 new employees this year. About 200 of the openings are in the Syracuse area for offices in Cicero, North Syracuse and East Syracuse. The not-for-profit research and development firm announced plans in 2017 to double its workforce by hiring about 1,000 new employees over five years. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 To the Editor: The events over these last 35 days have brought to our attention what it means to be a civil servant. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has performed in magnificent style with a bullying president of the United States who lacks sympathy, empathy or compassion for the people he governs. His shutdown affected 40 million people, not just the 800,000 people that were on the shutdown. Ancillary targets, like families of the furloughed workers, small business owners, all kinds of service workers who were without calls to provide that service, were also severely affected. We all know that. Nancy DAlesandro Pelosi examined first her moral principles underlying what it means to be a public servant; things she learned about humanitarian governing from her years in the Congress and many years before that from her family. Then she examined the harm that was coming to the country as a whole. She then scoured her years of experience to map out a strategy that would bring the 800,000 workers back online and have them receive their paychecks and back pay, if qualified. This would give the Senate and the House time to work out a compromise concerning expenditures for an ineffectual, racist barrier on our Southern border. All this time she was aware of how this was harming our country and our democracy: that one unthinking and uncaring individual could wreak this much havoc in a democratic country. With this in mind, the steel rod went up in her backbone, her voice became quieter, her language became more precise. It was a great performance! Kudos to her experience and her persistence. My only caution is that she put on her to-do-list the education and tutoring of a replacement for her in the future. She will not be here forever and we cannot have her empathy and moral principles escape with her. They must be instilled in another brave, thinking individual or our democracy is in trouble. Rosemarie Pagano Bundy Syracuse SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse attorney Gary Lavine, who was removed as a JCOPE commissioner earlier this month by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has been reappointed to the state ethics board by Senate Republicans. Lavine was tapped to serve out the remaining two years on the term of Gerald McAuliffe, of Fulton County, who resigned after he was elected a family court judge. State Sen. Bob Antonacci, R-Onondaga, said he recommended Lavine to Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan, who gets to make a single appointment to the 14-member Joint Commission on Public Ethics, or JCOPE. "I recommended Gary for that selection,'' Antonacci said. "I think its good for New York state. I think hes a quality man.'' Lavine, 68, was one of the original 14 commissioners when JCOPE was created in 2011. At the time, he was among six commissioners appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Earlier this month, after Lavines term expired in December, Cuomo appointed former Deputy Onondaga County Executive Bill Fisher to replace him on JCOPE. Three weeks later, Lavine was asked to replace McAuliffe on the board. The commission regulates lobbying in New York. It also has authority to investigate ethics complaints against public officials and to take enforcement action if misconduct is found. Critics have attacked JCOPE for not being more aggressive in pursuing investigations. Six of the JCOPE members are appointed by the governor, three by the president of the Senate, three by the speaker of the Assembly, one by the minority leader of the Senate, and one appointed by the minority leader of the Assembly. CAZENOVIA, NY -- For Ben Reilley, its been a wild five-year ride: He started a vodka distillery near Cazenovia, created New Yorks first cocktail in a can, landed outlets from the Carrier Dome to Yankee Stadium and saw his market reach into six states. But all that took a personal toll on Reilley and his family. So, in the past few months, hes negotiated the sale of his canned cocktail brand, Disco Lemonade, to a Kentucky-based drinks business. He also closed the Life of Reilley Distilling Co. on Route 20 just outside Cazenovia. Now, he works from home as a small business consultant. We had a lot of success, but that was part of the problem, Reilley said. We were too small to get big, and too big to stay small. And it took a lot of time and effort to keep it going at that level." Reilley would not identify the buyer, except to say its a new beverage-oriented business based in Bowling Green, Ky. He did not disclose terms of the sale. Its not clear when Disco Lemonade, which hasnt been produced since late spring 2018, will return to the market. Reilley opened Life of Reilley Distilling Co. in the Trush Business Park just east of Cazenovia in 2014, making both straight and flavored vodkas from New York state corn. In 2016, he launched Disco Lemonade, a pre-made mix of Life of Reilley Raspberry Vodka, lemonade and mint packaged in 12-ounce cans. At the time, there were several canned or bottled products on the market that used a malt beverage (similar to beer) as their base. Brands such as Mikes Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice (despite its name) were malt-based beverages and therefore could be licensed like beer and, in New York, could be sold in grocery stores. But Reilley wanted to use his vodka, a distilled spirit, as the base, and that meant he had to work with state and federal regulators to come up with new rules for such a product. (Among other outcomes, that meant Disco Lemonade had to be sold in liquor stores, as well as bars.). The canned spirit-based cocktail market has since exploded -- among other brands made in New York are those produced by Southern Tier Distilling, a sister company to Southern Tier Brewing near Jamestown. Disco was out there, and was gaining popularity in a growing market, and so we began to start hearing offers, Reilley said. That began in 2017, when Disco Lemonades sales were nearing 20,000 cases a year. (Thats also when Disco started being canned for Reilley at the 1911Spirits (Beak & Skiff) facility in LaFayette. In the end, Reilley and his wife, Siobhan, decided to accept the Kentucky offer. That was due to timing more than the size of the offer. The Reilleys' kids are growing and Siobhan is headed back to school. Its really a personal, family decision, said Reilley, who worked as a country club manager and helped open Owera Vineayrds in Cazenovia before launching his own business. People think the beverage industry is great and exciting, and it is, but it takes a lot of time. I wont miss 16-hours days in the distillery or standing behind a tasting table in some place like Ilion every week. Reilley has kept the Life of Reilley name, and will use it for his consulting business. He has 12 clients now, some in beverage and some in other fields, like tech. When youre in the middle of starting up a business, youre learning things all the time but you dont have the time to sit back and think about it. Those are the things I want to share. Although Disco Lemonade will cease to be a Central New York-based business, Reilley is proud of his legacy. I think well always be proud that we were the first in the state, he said. Its definitely the most rewarding and frustrating thing Ive ever done. In the end, creating the infrastucture for that product was more rewarding than the product itself. Thats something we leave behind. Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. A new indie movie filmed in Central New York is coming to theaters nationwide this summer. The Hollywood Reporter reports Kino Lorber has acquired North American rights to The Mountain, starring Jeff Goldblum. A summer theatrical release is planned, with an exact date to be announced soon. The Mountain" follows Goldblum as a 1950s doctor promoting a controversial lobotomy procedure on tour with an introverted photographer (Ready Player One and X-Men actor Tye Sheridan). The Rick Alverson-directed drama premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August and had its U.S. premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday. According to Vulture, Goldlbums character Dr. Wallace Fiennes is based on Dr. Walter Freeman, the real-life father of the lobotomy who figured out how to perform the procedure quickly by going through the eye socket rather than the skull. Freeman was accused of leaving hundreds of patients dead or disabled, including President John F. Kennedys sister Rosemary, over the course of 4,000 lobotomies from the 1930s to 60s. 'The Mountain' is a peak cinematic experience, and thats no pun," Kino Lorber president Richard Lorber said in a statement. "Rick Alverson, a transcendent indie auteur weve wanted to work with for a long time, crystallizes his visionary script onscreen with surgical direction and an exceptional cast. Jeff Goldblum is brilliantly attuned to Ricks mischievous mission and is guaranteed to cast a spell on viewers. (L-R) Rick Alverson, Jeff Goldblum, and Tye Sheridan of 'The Mountain' attend The IMDb Studio at Acura Festival Village on location at The 2019 Sundance Film Festival - Day 4 on January 28, 2019 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb)Getty Images for IMDb Goldlbum, best known for roles in Jurassic Park, Thor: Ragnarok and Independence Day, filmed scenes in Syracuse, Utica, Clinton, and Albany in 2017. He was spotted out and about at Syracuse University and a New Hartford restaurant. Goldlbum will return to Upstate New York this summer for a June 26 performance at the 2019 CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival. The actor, who released his first jazz album in November, will perform with The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre in Rochester. Syracuse, NY -- A 37-year-old Syracuse man was murdered after intervening in a fight over $25, lawyers say. But other circumstances surrounding the May 2018 death are hotly contested in a trial this week. Vladimir Brown, 36, is accused of shooting Charles Nichols to death inside a Lawrence Street residence on the citys North Side. Hes then accused of helping a co-defendant conceal Nichols' body. But co-defendant Nicholas Costello has already pleaded guilty to moving Nichols' corpse twice in the two days after the murder. His sentencing was memorable due to his lack of remorse. You know, things happen, Costello said before beginning his 7-year prison sentence. That man should have never have did, the victim indicates Charles Nichols should never have done what he did, and he wouldnt be in the situation hes in right now, you know? I shouldnt never have did what I did. I wouldnt be in the situation Im in right now. Browns lawyer, Paul Carey, during opening statements today blamed Costello for the murder. In contrast, prosecutor Jarrett Woodfork cast Brown as an angry aggressor who lured Nichols into the house for a fair fistfight, only to pull out a gun and kill him. Brown then fled the scene, returning later to help move Nichols' naked body into the yard of a vacant house, littered with trash and debris, Woodfork said. Days after Mr. Brown took life of victim, he along with couple of friends dumped Nichols behind an abandoned house, Woodfork told the jury. Nichols is naked among trash and debris on hot spring day. Carey said Nichols was the initial aggressor. He described the victim as a man with a reputation for violence who terrorized the neighborhood. Nichols' nickname was Khadafi, a reference to the former Libyan dictator, Carey said. Hes a terrorist who walks through the neighborhood with a reputation of shooting people, Carey said, adding later: Hes a big, bad, dangerous guy. Both sides agree that Nichols arrived at the scene following a heated dispute between a woman and Brown over $25. A simple $25 is what spiraled this whole thing, the prosecutor said. $25 turned into something no one could have imagined. Woodfork says the evidence will show that Brown leaned out a window and taunted Nichols to come inside. Brown was already holding the gun at that point, Woodfork alleged. But Carey says Brown leaned out the window simply to tell Nichols to leave him alone. Even how Nichols entered the house is in dispute. Carey says evidence shows Nichols threw a woman to the ground who stood in his way. What happened inside is also in dispute. Woodfork portrayed a scene in which Brown pulls the gun and shoots Nichols in the chest. Carey described a fight between Nichols, Brown and Costello for control of the gun. Carey suggested that either Costello -- or the victim -- pulled the trigger during that struggle. Afterward, Brown fled the scene for a house in Solvay. Costello was left with Nichols' body. Carey suggested that Costello was responsible because he then took the effort to hide the body. Woodfork said that Brown returned at some point and helped conceal the corpse. Much of the conflicting version of events arises from the varying stories from different witnesses who are expected to testify at this weeks trial. If convicted, Brown faces up to 25 years to life in prison for murder. KIRKWOOD, N. Y. -- A New York State trooper shot and killed a person on State Route 17 in the town of Kirkwood on Monday evening, according to police. A trooper pulled over a vehicle wanted in connection with a case involving the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle around 6:20 p.m. The vehicles driver took evasive action and eventually stopped on State Route 17 in Kirkwood, State Police said in a news release. After stopping, the driver shot a firearm and exchanged gunshots with the trooper, police said. The suspect suffered fatal gunshot wounds. The trooper was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said. The suspects name has not been released as police work to notify the suspects family. Police also said they will release more information later. KIRKWOOD, N.Y. -- A 30-year-old man was shot and killed by a New York State trooper after the suspect opened fire with a military style rifle, according to New York State police. Police in Binghamton got a report that Nicholas P. Philhower, 30, took his moms car without her permission, and she asked police to stop and arrest him, state police said in a news release. At around 6:20 p.m., Trooper Timothy S. Conklin, a 28-year veteran of the department, saw the vehicle heading west on State Route 17 in Kirkwood, police said. As the trooper approached in his vehicle, Philhower drove his car across the median of State Route 17 where it meets Interstate 81 and then on to eastbound State Route 17. He stopped his car shortly after. Just after he stopped, Philhower shot at the trooper through the rear window of his vehicle. He was armed with what police said was a military style semi-automatic rifle," according to the news release. Nicholas Philhower, 30 Conklin, the trooper, returned fire through the windshield of his police vehicle. Philhower exited his car and walked toward the trooper, still firing his rifle. Conklin reloaded his weapon, left his car and continued firing at Philhower. Thats when he hit the suspect several times. Philhower died at the scene, according to the news release. Conklin suffered a minor shrapnel injury to his upper right arm. He was treated and released today from Wilson Hospital in Johnson City. State police released a photo showing Conklins car with bullet holes in the windshield. Philhowers body was taken to Lourdes Hospital for an autopsy, police said. State police are still investigating, conducting witnesses interviews and will search the suspects car and home when they get a warrant, police said. Syracuse, NY -- A fired Rochester City Court judge stood quietly in a Syracuse courtroom this morning as a presiding judge set a trial date for her illegal weapons charge. Leticia Astacio left court with her trademark smile. Her case was moved to Onondaga County after an appeals court ruled the public nature of her crime made a fair trial in Rochester impossible. Astacio, whose out-of-control behavior made statewide headlines, is facing a felony for attempting to purchase a shotgun in April while on DWI probation. Her other transgressions, including a DWI, trying to drive after being told not to and going on vacation to Thailand during her case, as well as her own courtroom antics, led to her dismissal by the states highest court. But its her attempt to purchase a shotgun at a suburban Rochester Dicks Sporting Goods that led to her indictment. Her lawyer, Mark Foti, is asking Onondaga County Supreme Court Justice Gordon Cuffy to dismiss the charge. He argued that the fine print of her probation rules didnt prohibit her from possessing an unloaded shotgun. He also suggested that the grand jury who indicted her could have been impacted by Astacios public notoriety. He noted that all 23 grand jurors acknowledged knowing who Astacio was by the time they voted to indict in September 2018. Cuffy gave the state Attorney Generals Office, which is prosecuting the case, time to respond. Assuming the charge stands, Astacio is tentatively scheduled to stand trial April 1. Meanwhile, she has opened a law office in Rochester after her removal last fall from the bench. CLAY, N.Y. -- A town of Clay woman was burned Monday afternoon while trying to save her snowblower, neighbors said. Mariya Panchak, 71, ran to her shed and pulled the burning snowblower outside after a neighbor alerted her and her 73-year-old husband, Ivan, of the fire, witnesses said. She went inside the shed and I screamed, get out, get out, " said Susan Alizadeh, the neighbor who alerted the Panchaks of the fire. Alizadeh, 42, said she called 911 and ran to the Panchaks' home at 7583 Aster Drive at about 3:45 p.m. after she saw heavy smoke coming from their shed. It looked like a dream, she said of all the smoke. I screamed and just ran. Another neighbor, Jaylin Carey, also called 911 and ran to help after she heard Alizadehs screams, looked out her window and saw the smoke. Fire, fire," Alizadeh yelled, as she slipped and fell -- scraping her hand and elbow -- while running to the Panchaks' house. "Mariya. Carey, 18, and her brother, Kainien Carey, 23, both called 911. At first, they told dispatchers just the shed was on fire. Then, flames spread to the house. At first, Mariya Panchak ran into the shed, where there was also a two-gallon container of gasoline, a lawn mower and other items stored. I was scared to take her out, Alizadeh said. When she came out with the burning snowblower, neighbors said they noticed the top of Mariyas hair and the end of her ponytail burned. Her face also was red, they said. Both Mariya and Ivan Panchak then went back inside their house. She went to get her car keys and a coat, but he appeared confused, neighbors said. They both kept trying to go inside, Kainien Carey said. We literally had to grab them and pull them back out of the house. Carey said he and his co-worker, Dallas Wilson, 23, had just arrived in the neighborhood and ran over to help. Wilson said he gave Ivan Panchak his coat and Carey gave the man his hat so he wouldnt be so cold in the freezing temperatures outside. The Panchaks eventually went inside a fire truck to warm up, but Mariya Panchak needed medical attention. While about 30 volunteer firefighters from Moyers Corners, Liverpool and North Syracuse fire departments battled the smokey fire, an Onondaga County sheriffs deputy and two members of Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance (NOVA) walked Mariya Panchak to an ambulance waiting nearby. NOVA took Mariya to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where she was being treated for minor burns, Onondaga County sheriffs spokesman Sgt. Jon Seeber said. Onondaga County fire investigators are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, however firefighters say the fire started in the shed. The fire spread from the shed to the top of the house closest to the shed while firefighters were on their way to the fire, Moyers Corners Fire Chief Ed Wisnowski said. The fire extended into the attic of the house, he said. As firefighters battled the fire, the ceiling collapsed over a bedroom, Wisnowski said. He thought that may have happened from the weight of the water. Because of the ceiling collapse, the couple cannot immediately return home, the chief said. Fire police shut down several streets in the Clearview Heights neighborhood, near Bear and Buckley roads, while firefighters battled the blaze on Aster Drive. Firefighters could not access one frozen fire hydrant, but two others worked, Wisnowski said. Firefighters extinguished the fire in about 15 to 20 minutes, but remained on the scene for more than two hours. The side of the house facing the shed, as well as the shed, had water, smoke, fire and heat damage from the fire, Wisnowski said. The fire chief credited the neighbors for helping the couple. If there is a good thing to come from this, it was the fire was during the day because there were a lot of people out, he said. Thanks to funding from the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program, the students can be part of a program to help document existence of the frog. The Mountain Chorus Frog is considered a Tier II (very high conservation need) species threatened by habitat loss. Students will be aiding in the search of an amphibian species that only has 15-20 documented regional sightings in the last 100-plus years, said Hamed, a VHCC professor of biology, who authored the grant. The goal of the grant is to aid in research and get young people outside, Hamed said. The whole fascination of the Pokemon GO phenomena was that students were on a mission outdoors searching for fictitious digital things. With this pursuit, they now have something real to find. The soldier Bill called me about was Albert Mason Keen Jr. He was born on Aug. 8, 1946, in Chilhowie, the son of Albert Keen Sr. and Annie McCready Keen. According to Bills information, he began his tour of duty on Feb. 7, 1966, and was killed on March 24, 1966, in the Binh Duong Province of South Vietnam, as the result of multiple metal fragment wounds received in hostile ground action. He was 19 years old. Bill was missing a location of burial and needed help tracking that down, so the database could be updated. I, immediately, consulted Mack and Kenny Sturgills Smyth County Cemeteries books. The work they did so many years ago proved to be key in locating this information. It made this research puzzle easy to solve. A week after I spoke with Bill, I had the opportunity to visit the cemetery and reflect for just a moment on the life of this young Smyth County soldier. I thought of his sacrifice and the sacrifice of so many who fought in Vietnam. I am grateful to people like Bill Davis who have taken it upon themselves to honor those who never returned home to the outstretched arms of family and friends. Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. If you are having trouble or want to confirm what email address and phone number is listed on your subscription account, please call 952-345-6682 or email circulation@swpub.com and we'll be happy to assist. Click the image above to watch the video In todays weather forecast we are expecting a sunny day, but with some morning and evening cloud. Also northerly breezes. Its a one-clothing layer day today with a high of 26 and an overnight low of 19 degrees. Humidity is 76 per cent. Low tide is at 9am and high tide at 3.20pm (Tay St). Theres a sea swell of 0.4m and sea temperature is 21 degrees. Sunset tonight is at 8.27pm. If youre going fishing the next best fish bite time is between 8 and 10pm. On this day in NZ history in 1911 bookies took the last bets on New Zealand racecourses. A 1910 amendment to the Gaming Act banned bookmakers from New Zealand racecourses, other public places and hotels. On this day in world history in 1649 Charles I of England was beheaded at Whitehall by the executioner Richard Brandon. In 1901 women Prohibitionists smashed 12 saloons in Kansas. In 1931 the United States awarded civil government to the Virgin Islands. In 1933 Adolf Hitler was named Chancellor by President Paul Hindenburg. In 1949 in India,100,000 people prayed at the site of Gandhis assassination on the first anniversary of his death. In 1964 the Ranger spacecraft, equipped with six TV cameras, was launched to the moon from Cape Canaveral. In 1972 British troops shot dead 14 Irish civilians in Derry, Ireland. The day was forever remembered in Ireland as Bloody Sunday. Today is the birthday of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States. Born in 1882, he once said We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. To get involved in activities around the Bay of Plenty, please check out our Whats on page. Have a great day! The New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) inspected about 30 vessels this week during patrols over the east coast of the North Island, which is known to be fertile ground for rock lobster. The two-day patrols, involving a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 medium utility helicopter and an MPI vessel monitored fishing activity from Poverty Bay to East Cape. MPIs Fisheries Chief Compliance Officer Richard Ratapu says there was a high level of compliance with regulatory requirements, a marked improvement on similar patrols conducted in previous years. Flight Lieutenant George McInnes, an aircraft captain from the RNZAFs No.3 Squadron, says the use of the NH90 helicopter for the patrols enabled MPIs compliance officers to cover about 1000km in two days. The aerial patrol provided MPI an immediate snapshot of the level of fishing activity within a wider targeted area than would be possible from a patrol using surface vessels. The NZDF supports other government agencies in protecting our resources and our borders, and this is another example of such inter-agency collaboration. Last year Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash reduced by more than half the total allowable catch (TAC) for rock lobster in Hauraki Gulf-Bay of Plenty, following reports that stocks in the area were at critically low levels. As part of efforts to rebuild the crayfish stock,Stuart also asked MPI to work with scientists and the industry to further improve monitoring and management of rock lobster stocks. Although these patrols were conducted in a different area, they are meant to ensure compliance with fisheries regulations and are part of efforts to help keep rock lobster stocks sustainable for future generations," says Richard. Cyclists will soon be able to bike between Omokoroa to Tauranga. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has given the go ahead for the construction of a $5.2 million cycleway on the Wairoa River bridge crossing. Councils Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Gary Allis, says its the final connection point into Tauranga City and gives cyclists safe access across the bridge away from traffic. State Highway 2 is a busy road with more than 30,000 vehicles per day on this section. Its currently an unattractive and risky route for cyclists. The bridge is 177m long plus approaches, has a clear width between handrails of 2.15m and will span the Wairoa River as a clip-on to the existing bridge. The engineering has been future-proofed in the event a similar clip-on is put on the other side of the bridge at a later date. The bridge clip-on will be in conjunction with work on State Highway 2 from the bridge to Carmichael Road. That includes a 3.0m wide concrete cycle/walking trail beside the road, kerb and channel and major road reconstruction. These two sections will be the final part of the Omokoroa to Tauranga cycle trail to be constructed with completion around the end of the year. The successful contractor will be announced shortly. Gary says the clip-on was decided after it became clear their original plan of building a separate bridge to the existing Wairoa Bridge would be too costly. The original budget for that was $6.5m, but the final estimate was over $15m. The total cost of the Omokoroa to Tauranga cycleway project is estimate around $13.4M. Gary says its a 19km cycleway expected to attract around 200 commuter cyclists a day. Bay of Plenty Do you want the opportunity to work on one of the busiest ports in New Zealand? Then read on! We have an exciting role for... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz TICKERS: CSL Source: Thibaut Lepouttre for Streetwise Reports (1/28/19) Thibaut Lepouttre of Caesars Report profiles a company that has branched out to battery metals, in addition to its gold project. Introduction 2018 was an interesting year for Canada-based Comstock Metals Ltd. (CSL:TSX.V) as it appointed Steven Goldman as interim CEO, completed an equity investment (and joint venture agreement) with E3 Metals (ETMC.V),while it also completed a drill program at the Preview SW gold project in Saskatchewan, where assay results are still pending. A recap of 2018 Last year, Comstock started to focus on battery metals (specifically lithium and cobalt) in its corporate strategy, instead of solely focusing on its gold projects at QV (Yukon) and Preview SW (Saskatchewan) in Canada. It entered into an option agreement in April to acquire 100% of the Rawhide cobalt-silver property in Ontario's Cobalt camp, which has a total historical production of in excess of half a billion ounces of silver, as well as almost 30 million pounds of cobalt. While the amount of cobalt found in the camp may at first glance appear to be low, it's important to know the miners were mainly looking for the silver and not for cobalt. The Rawhide property is an early stage exploration project, but the property has already been the subject of sampling and trenching programs. Previous operators completed 650 meters of drilling in the 1950s and 1960s in relatively shallow holes (the average depth was less than 50 meters), and encountered some high-grade silver, copper and cobalt assays. Interesting enough for Comstock Metals to follow up on these historical drill results with a surface exploration program, which returned interesting values for cobalt, copper and silver. In July, Comstock closed a CA$0.6 million private placement after issuing 12.15 million units priced at CA$0.05 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share in Comstock as well as a full warrant allowing a warrant holder to buy an additional share of Comstock at CA$0.10 by July 3, 2020. $400,000 of the proceeds of this placement was immediately re-invested in E3 Metals whereby Comstock acquired 1 million units at CA$0.40. Each unit in E3 Metals consisted of 1 common share and a full warrant with a current exercise price of CA$0.60 and expiring in August 2019. As part of the arrangement with E3 Metals, Steven Goldman joined E3 as a strategic advisor. We will discuss the investment rationale for Comstock's investment later in this report. And finally, on December 3, Comstock announced that it sold two non-core properties. The Old Cabin gold project in Ontario was sold for almost CA$100,000 in cash, while Fresnillo PLC (FRES.L) exercised its option to purchase the Corona project in Mexico in which Comstock had an interest. Comstock received approximately CA$215,000 in cash for selling its 50% stake in the Mexican Corona property. On top of that, Comstock retains a 0.5% Net Smelter Royalty at Corona. Reducing the amount of properties to focus on the core properties usually is a good move. One of those Tier 1 assets is the Preview SW gold project in Saskatchewan. Last month Comstock completed a drill program at the north zone of Preview SW, where it was planning to follow up on its exploration program conducted in 2017 on the northern end of the mineralization. Last month's drill program was designed to test the down-plunge extension of the gold-bearing veins in the northeast structural trend North Zone, which was explored during the summer and fall of 2017. The results from the fall 2017 drilling program included 17.98 g/t Au over 5.71m starting at 10m below surface, 5.96 g/t Au over 5.66m starting at 19m below surface and, 1.88 g/t Au over 21.26m starting at 29m below surface. The North Zone is located just a couple of kilometers north of the current resource at Preview SW (158,300 ounces at 1.89 g/t in the indicated resource and 270,800 ounces at 1.48 g/t in the inferred category). Drilling in North Zone has been completed, and the assay results should be out soon. The recent sale of the QV property to White Gold The company has also signed a definitive agreement with Yukon-focused White Gold Corp (WGO.V) to sell its QV gold property. White Gold will pay CA$375,000 in cash and issue 1.5 million new shares to Comstock Metals, which gives this deal a total value of approximately CA$2.6 million using a share price of CA$1.5 per share for White Gold. On top of the cash and stock payment, Comstock Metals will also receive 375,000 warrants with an exercise price of CA$1.50, which could be exercised during three years. Completing the sale of QV means this is the third asset Comstock has been selling in the past few weeks and months. The company is now solely focusing on its Preview SW gold project in Saskatchewan (where we hope to see some assay results in the next few weeks), and the early-stage Rawhide Cobalt-Silver project in Ontario. The CA$375,000 cash inflow will help Comstock to fund its potential work programs on both Preview and Rawhide, while the 1.5 million shares of White Gold still give it some exposure to exploration successes in the greater White Gold District, as this will undoubtedly remain one of the hotter districts in the Territory. The CA$2.6 million the project has been valued at what seems to be a fair price for an early-stage gold exploration project with a current resource estimate of 230,000 ounces. Some were disappointed to see the Yukon project go as the entire region seems to attract new attention every once in a while, but we think Comstock's management felt it would be getting the best returns per exploration dollar spent on the more southern projects where the exploration costs are lower. Comstock's plans for 2019 Comstock Metals hasn't determined a final exploration budget for 2019 yet as it's waiting for a few updates (and the results from the Preview SW winter drill program) before deciding on its work programs in 2019. Now the QV project has been sold, Comstock's management team now has to allocate exploration funding to just two projects. At Preview SW, the drill results from the December 2018 drill program should come in later this month or early February, and will help decide Comstock Metals' next steps. On December 23, Comstock received a three-year exploration permit for the Rawhideproject. Comstock has also been in discussions with the local First Nations to make sure they are being kept in the loop and to discuss any potential concerns to make sure both First Nations are on board. Comstock could design additional exploration programs and perhaps a maiden drill program at Rawhide to be conducted later in 2019. Any potential drill program obviously depends on the company having enough cash on hand, but after the recent sales of the non-core properties and the QV Gold project, Comstock Metals is in a pretty good shape. Investee E3 Metals is making good progress on its petrolithium project We were a bit surprised to see Comstock Metals making an equity investment in E3 Metals last summer as it's a bit unconventional for a pure exploration company to spend money on stock positions in other companies. That being said, we interpret this move to be a part of Comstock's push into battery metals. It owns a cobalt project (Rawhide) and the equity stake in E3 Metals now also gives it exposure to the lithium sector. E3 Metals has been advancing its large petrolithium project in Alberta's Leduc Reservoir where it has outlined a total lithium carbonate equivalent resource of 6.7 million tonnes based on three separate NI 43-101 reports, making it one of the largest lithium projects out there. In December, E3 Metals released an important update on its proprietary petrolithium extraction and concentration technology after completing four test runs at its laboratory testing facility. The average grade of the petrolithium brine in the Leduc Reservoir is usually very low (72 mg/L for the brine used in E3's test work, which is substantially lower than lithium-bearing brines in, for instance, Argentina or Chile) so increasing the average grade was a vital part of the plan to end up with a viable petrolithium project in Alberta as an evaporation pond is totally out of the question. E3's lab test results actually exceeded our initial expectations considering the average lithium recoveries were 90%, while the lithium content increased by an average of 1700% (!) to 1308 mg/L. These were just the averages, and E3 Metals has also been able to demonstrate a recovery of up to 99% while reducing the volumes by 20 times to end up with a final grade of 1498 mg/L, indicating the average outcome could still be improved after additional testing. And in the process, the ion-exchange sorbent removed 99% of the impurities, which also is an important factor for potential offtake parties. This is a major step forward for E3 Metals (and Comstock Metals) as increasing the lithium grade is a key component of defining the economic viability of the project. The higher the grade, the cheaper the potential extraction and the lower production cost per tonne of LCE. We discussed these test results with Comstock's interim CEO Steven Goldman, who sounded very optimistic about the future prospects of E3 Metals: "As a result of E3 Metals' significant potential in Lithium carbonate and Lithium hydroxide and its technology, we believe there will be serious interest in E3 Metals' petrolithium asset and technology potential. Assuming E3 Metals continues to prove out its proprietary petrolithium technology (including building a prototype plant), 2019 or 2020 could see E3 Metals find a strategic partner or enter into an off-take agreement to supply lithium carbonate or hydroxide." And although the share price of E3 Metals has dropped by approximately 20% since Comstock Metals acquired its 1 million shares, we do feel E3 has been making major steps forward. Conclusion Comstock Metals has now streamlined its asset portfolio and monetized two non-core exploration properties as well as the QV gold project in Canada's Yukon Territory. This allowed CSL to increase its cash position and to focus on its two remaining core mining projects: Rawhide (cobalt/silver) in Ontario and Preview SW (gold) in Saskatchewan. It also still has its joint venture with and investment in E3 Metals (petrolithium). Comstock is now waiting for the drilling results from last month's drilling program at its Preview SW gold project in Saskatchewan, and those assay results should be out soon. Seeing a small exploration-stage company like Comstock making an investment in another junior in the lithium space was an interesting move. We admit that at first, we weren't fully convinced about this decision, but the potential upside available on E3's potential enormous petrolithium resource, together with the recently published lab results of its proprietary extraction and concentration technology process to "upgrade" the average lithium grade in the petrolithium-brine have reduced our concerns a bit. Now it's up to E3 Metals to advance its proprietary technology to ensure the Alberta-based petrolithium brines can compete with the low-cost brine production in Argentina and Chile. 2019 should be an exciting year for both E3 Metals and Comstock. Thibaut Lepouttre is the editor of the Caesars Report, a newsletter and mining portal based in Belgium that covers several junior mining companies with a special focus on precious metals and base metals. Lepouttre has a Bachelor of Law degree and two economics masters degrees that have forged his analytical approach to the mining sector. Considered a number cruncher, Lepouttre focuses on the valuations of companies and is consistently on the lookout for the next undervalued mining company. [NLINSERT] Disclosure: 1) Thibaut Lepouttre: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own securities of the following companies mentioned in this article: a long position in Comstock Metals. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies referred to in this article: Comstock Metals. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector. Additional disclosures are available here. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. 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MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES 01.25.2019 - Airmen and aircraft from the 75th Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., return from supporting Operation Freedoms Sentinel, Jan. 25, 2019. The A-10C Thunderbolt II, which has an increased loiter time and weapons capabilities, deployed to southwest Asia in support of ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo By Airman First Class Eugene Oliver) X 0 20 Help Keep Us Soaring We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month. Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways: Although Israel was not technically at war in 2018 the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) saw a lot of action because of continued attacks from Syria, in the West Bank and Gaza. Casualties were low, with 16 Israelis killed (nine civilians and nine soldiers or police). In 2017 20 Israelis died, compared to 16 in 2016 and 28 in 2015, Most of these deaths were in or near the West Bank as a result of the Palestinian call for individuals to attack using rocks, firebombs, knives or vehicles. These attacks usually failed and resulted in about five Palestinians killed for every Israeli. The Palestinian government considered this a victory but most Palestinians lost enthusiasm for this sort of thing. There was also a decline in less-lethal attacks with 2,057 incidents of rock-throwing attacks in 2018 compared to 5,082 in 2017. In both years there were about the same number of attacks (800-900) using firebombs. The Palestinian attacks also resulted in a lot of arrests (3,173 in 2018 and 3,627 in 2017). Many of these arrests were during raids on suspected terrorist locations, which resulted in 404 weapons seized in 2018 and 475 in 2017. In 2018 over half a million dollars in cash was seized, money to be spent for terror attacks. In Gaza, the 2014 ceasefire was broken in March 2019 with a new Hamas offensive against the barrier fence using thousands of civilians recruited to rush the fence as cover for armed Hamas men seeking to throw grenades or firebombs at Israeli troops. In addition, Hamas and other Islamic terror groups in Gaza fired over a thousand rockets and mortar shells into Israel. About a quarter of these projectiles that were going to land in inhabited areas were intercepted by Iron Dome missiles while another 45 landed but caused property damage and few casualties. In retaliation, Israel carried out 865 airstrikes against Hamas and other Islamic terrorist locations in Gaza. Israeli forces also detected and destroyed 15 Hamas tunnels near, and some just across, the Israeli border. Israel also built another 27 kilometers of their new anti-tunnel barrier which made it easier to detect tunnel construction activity. In the north, Israel discovered five Hezbollah tunnels and destroyed the four that were near or slightly across the Israeli border. To counter growing Iranian operations in Syria Israeli warplanes flew over 2,000 fighter sorties and over 600 by armed helicopters. Much of the reconnaissance was carried out UAVs, which spent over 32,000 hours in the air. This high level of air activity was costly because the jet aircraft cost over $30,000 per flight hour with helicopters and UAVs costing several thousand dollars per hour (varying according to aircraft size and crew size, UAVs are the cheapest). Iron Dome fired over 400 missiles, costing $90,000 each and nearly a thousand missiles and smart bombs were used during airstrikes in Syria and Gaza. These weapons cost from $30,000 (smart bombs) to over $100,000 (for missiles). There was a lot of activity by armored and self-propelled artillery but the active forces maintained a 90 percent readiness rate. This was at the expense of less vehicle maintenance for armored vehicles in reserve units. One of the most serious losses for the Palestinians was widespread awareness among foreign donors that much of the aid money provided was spent on encouraging Palestinians to engage in terrorist acts. Terrorists who died in the act had their families rewarded according to how many Israelis were killed in the attack. Terrorists imprisoned were paid a monthly amount that varied with how much damage the imprisoned terrorist had inflicted. Some foreign donors had known about how their donations were diverted to supporting terrorism. That is illegal in many of the donor countries and now the Palestinians are seeing a lot of donors diverting their efforts to other charities. When German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a new Franco-German Treaty last week in the historic city of Aachen it had pomp and gravitas as background setting. But in the foreground, figuratively speaking, the two leaders are beset by jarring political problems in both their respective countries, as well as across the entire European Union and on the international level. If the location of the 9th century Charlesmagne empire centered on German border city of Aachen was meant to inspire unity, it could equally also inspire doom. All empires are destined to fall. Why should the supranational EU not also succumb to demise? The Franco-German accord signed by Macron and Merkel appeared to be more a PR gesture than a substantive development. For a start, there already exists an accord between the two countries. The Elysee Treaty signed in 1963 was signed by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer and is viewed as an historic postwar reconciliation between the two major European powers which helped paved the way for the modern European Union. Some observers questioned the need for Macron and Merkel to sign a new treaty. It was like an old couple renewing their marriage vows, commented historian Marion Gaillard to France 24. The treaty last week aims to bring closer cooperation between Germany and France in the fields of foreign policy, defense, security, economic policy, and to reinforce the wider EU project. Importantly, another aim is to strengthen the ability of Europe to act independently. The day after signing, Angela Merkel addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she said the new Franco-German pact was a real step towards the creation of a European army. Striving to give Europe independence in foreign policy and defense is obviously a response to the growing tensions between the United States and the EU, tensions that have rudely emerged since Donald Trump became president. Trumps berating of European governments, in particular Germanys, over trade, foreign policy and NATO military spending has inevitably pushed the two main EU powers Berlin and Paris to close ranks and perhaps to try to salvage some respect for their images as not being mere vassals of Washington. However, the outlook is not auspicious. European governments continue to slavishly follow the line from Washington on adopting hostile sanctions against Russia. Also last week, it was shameful how the EU meekly went along with Washingtons blatant coup attempt in Venezuela. So much for being independent! Merkel and Macron also had their eyes on mounting pressures from within the European bloc. The two leaders lamented the rise of populism and nationalism as negative forces undermining and fracturing the 28-member EU project. Thus by signing the accord last week, the German and French leaders were aiming to inspire unity and cohesion. Again, their effort seems more pomp and PR than anything of substantive progress. While Macron poured tea for Merkel and shared niceties in Aachen, both their countries are reeling from social unrest over economic grievances and uncontrolled immigration. Both leaders have seriously lost political authority. They are weakened figures in the eyes of their respective public, unlike the 1963 signatories De Gaulle and Adenauer who at the time were revered as statesmen. Frances Macron is particularly despised by growing numbers of his citizens. The Yellow Vest protests, which have been gripping France for nearly three months, are demanding his resignation, mocking Macron as president of the very rich. Merkel is also a shadow of the former Iron Chancellor she once was seen as. In her final term of office, she is due to step down with her reputation sullied by growing economic grievances among Germans and the rise of the anti-immigration and Eurosceptic party, Alternative for Germany. Merkels former open door policy on immigration has rebounded to damage the electoral strength of her center-right Christian Democrat party. The signing of the Franco-German accord last week is seen as a hollow attempt by both leaders to give themselves an aura of gravitas in the face of growing criticism and rancor among voters. If anything, the exercise in Aachen will further incite popular contempt. As for Macron and Merkel inspiring unity for the rest of Europe: their pomp and ceremony collides with the reality of visceral anger across the EU over what many citizens see as an aloof, unresponsive European establishment whose neoliberal capitalist policies relentlessly rack up social misery. Macron deprecates so-called populism as a nasty scourge on a presumed pristine Europe. He has even referred to populist politics as a form of leprosy corroding the body politic of the EU. His snide comments were seen as an attack on the governing parties of Italy and Hungary. Italys deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini has become a thorn in Macrons side. Salvini lambasted the French leader for all talk and no action, adding that he hoped French voters will soon get rid of terrible Macron. Italys second deputy prime minister Luigi Di Maio also gave a verbal kicking to French pretensions last week. He slammed France for exploiting Africa through its economic policies towards former colonies, and in that way, claimed Di Maio, French governments are fueling migration to Europe. Considering that Italy is one of the founding members of the EU along with France and Germany the increasingly bitter rhetoric demonstrates just how fractured the bloc has become. It must be deeply alarming to Europhiles like Macron and Merkel that so many parties across the EU have endorsed Britains decision for Brexit, despite the mess that the Brits have made of that departure. What Macron and Merkel, and other pro-EU establishment politicians, dont seem to understand is that populism is simply a democratic revolt against the orthodoxy of running economies to satisfy big banks and big business, while ordinary people are expected to endure poverty, low wages, unemployment, rising living costs, unaffordable housing, and deteriorating public services. In other words, the likes of Macron and Merkel have created their own challenges, opposition, and failures from pursuing bankrupt capitalist policies. At the Davos conference of business elites last week, Italian premier Giuseppe Conte castigated EU economic policies for sowing despair and discontent across Europe. He added: We are radical because we want to bring the power back to the people. The Franco-German Treaty signed last week is a useless sticking plaster for covering up a fracturing Europe. What is required is to rebuild Europe with an economic, political system that is genuinely democratic in addressing the needs of ordinary people. And to create a Europe that is truly independent from Washingtons warmongering and Cold War obsession towards Russia. A tri-partisan group of lawmakers wants to push back the deadline on forced school district mergers under Act 46 to give the courts more time to weigh in. Three lawsuits have been filed challenging the state-mandated consolidations, which are set to go into effect July 1. A group of legislators gathered for a press conference at the Statehouse Thursday to say theyd like to see that date pushed back at least a year, or long enough for a judge to rule on the matter. Theres no easy solutions. And its going to take time. And thats what were asking for, said Rep. Mike Mrowicki, D-Putney. Legislators in the group mostly hailed from the 50 or so districts facing forced mergers under the law, and they criticized the impact of consolidation on their communities. They emphasized that their only request was a temporary moratorium on forced mergers. Were not re-legislating or re-debating Act 46 at this press conference. Were simply asking for an extension, said Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe. Scheuermann said the group would be advancing two pieces of legislation for leaderships consideration H.39, which would simply delay implementation by a year, and H.42, which would delay implementation by a year or delay implementation until a judge had adjudicated the lawsuits. Parallel legislation will be introduced in the Senate, she said. At a meeting of the Stowe School Board Monday, Scheuermann said she would like to see the delay bill placed in a must-pass budget adjustment bill, as early as mid-February. Its a fast-moving thing, and were gonna keep with it, keep it moving, Scheuermann said. She said that, despite the roller coaster of a new session with dozens of new lawmakers, the working group has all political parties represented, and in many ways this is rural versus urban. She said that the tri-partisan group has gained traction with leadership, including the governor. School board member Tiffany Donza asked if one of those people is Education Secretary Dan French. Scheuermann said he hasnt weighed in. Dan is just holed up, Donza said. Scheuermann also said that, while the Vermont Superintendents Association has come out in opposition to the proposed delay bills, Tracy Wrend, superintendent for Stowe, Morristown and Elmore, has come down staunchly in favor of delaying. Wrend said Monday that other superintendents around the state have the perspective that it would be better to get it over with if its inevitable. She said some superintendents have scenarios where some of their school districts are merging and some arent. We are familiar with our context and our story, and there is a different story and different context in other parts of the state, Wrend said. Timeline gets chaotic Legislative leaders have until recently indicated little desire to change the consolidation law originally passed in 2015. About two-thirds of school districts took tax incentives to merge voluntarily under the law, or were already large enough to be exempt. But on Thursday, they suggested they would consider simply postponing implementation. House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero, said she was open to exploring that and hearing what they have to say. But she added she was making no promises. Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who had previously indicated he was reluctant to revisit Act 46, said Thursday the Legislature should consider moving the deadline back a year, to July 1, 2020. Over the last four years, a majority of school districts have done incredibly difficult work and merged, voluntarily, under the law, Scott said in a statement. However, districts forced to merge under the State Board of Education statewide plan effective November 30, 2018 have not had a long runway to accomplish complicated work. Senate Education chair Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden, said there is a concern that given extra time, some school districts still wont prepare for consolidation. But he said the Senate was open to postponing the deadline given the existing uncertainty. Budgets are now being written. If these communities dont write a merged budget, and we dont extend the timeline, it gets chaotic, he said. Theres a real need to clarify the situation. There are a couple ways to do it, but one way would be us passing a very simple and limited date change. Many legislative leaders, including House Education chair Kate Webb, D-Shelburne, have expressed concern about whether lawmakers could legislate on matters of ongoing litigation against the state. In a letter to Webb and Baruth, Scheuermann and 25 other legislators tried to address that concern, noting that lawmakers had changed the implementation date of a 2014 GMO labeling law from 2016 to 2017 after industry groups sued. If lawmakers do decide to weigh in, theyll have to act fast. To meet Town Meeting Day deadlines, many communities usually go to press with their budgets around the end of January. Still, March is a soft deadline school districts are legally allowed to hold their annual meetings, when budgets are voted on by the electorate, as late as June 15. Tommy Gardner of the Stowe Reporter contributed to this report. See the original article on VTDigger.org (Legislators ask to push back deadline on forced mergers) Early deadlines are in effect for advertising and editorial submissions; submit materials by Thursday, July 1 (for the July 8th issue). Please call for details. Our offices will be closed Friday, July 2, to observe the holiday. Last year, Missouri Republicans credited President Donald Trump for helping preserve jobs at the former Noranda aluminum plant in the Bootheel region, which had fallen victim to the dumping of cheap imported aluminum. Trump imposed steep aluminum tariffs to stop China and Canada from undercutting U.S. producers. But now Trumps administration is offering special treatment to another major producer of cheap aluminum: Russian oligarch and alleged criminal Oleg Deripaska, an ally of President Vladimir Putin. Over the objections of even many congressional Republicans, Trumps Treasury Department has lifted sanctions against aluminum companies Deripaska appears to control. So after all that lip service about protecting American-made aluminum from foreign dumping, Trump is protecting a foreign producer of cheap aluminum, potentially at the expense of the successor to Noranda, the Magnitude 7 Metals plant. Go figure. And yet Bill 93 stayed alive. That is, until Jan. 17, when 21st Ward Alderman John Collins-Muhammad withdrew his support as a key co-sponsor. Curiously, Muhammad, 21st Ward, tells us he supports the idea of an airport referendum. But he also wants aldermen to support a citywide revote of a 2012 referendum that approved reducing the number of aldermanic wards from 28 to 14. Whats important to one community is not important to the other, Muhammad wrote us in response to an email query about his decision. Casual readers can be excused for scratching their heads and asking: What, exactly, does ward reduction have to do with airport privatization? The answer is: nothing. In December, Muhammad was forced to withdraw a bill for a new ward-reduction referendum when he couldnt muster enough support. Spencer didnt back it, instead choosing to respect the will of the people. As I said, Schultz cant actually win as an independent. Even Trump was smart enough to figure that out. Remember how coy Trump was early in the Republican primary campaign, reserving the option of an independent candidacy if the GOP did not treat him fairly? Trump used the threat as leverage to get his way on debate logistics and ballot access. But then he suddenly reversed course, signing a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee. A person familiar with Trumps thinking told me why. Trump understood that the most likely outcome, if he ran on his own, would be to guarantee Hillary Clintons election by taking votes away from the GOP candidate. In his wildest dreams, he might hope to win enough electoral votes to keep either major-party candidate from reaching a majority. But in that case, the election would be thrown to the House of Representatives which would surely choose the Republican or the Democrat, not Trump. Leave aside the fact that Trump, a proven cheapskate, would never seriously consider spending the money it would take to run a nationwide independent campaign. His reasoning about the inevitable outcome was sound and remains so today. Schultz may follow through on his pledge to spend whatever it takes to compete in all 50 states. But he cant win. Such efforts began almost as soon as Trump was inaugurated, when he called the acting director of the National Park Service for photographic evidence supporting his false claim that attendance for his inauguration had set a record. It continued with his forming of a since-disbanded presidential commission to substantiate his false claim that there is widespread voter fraud in the United States. In October, Philip Rucker and Ashley Parker detailed several instances of the federal government scrambling to reverse-engineer policies to meet Trumps sudden public promises or to search for evidence buttressing his conspiracy theories and falsehoods. Officials retroactively tried to find supporting evidence for Trumps dubious claims that voters would receive a 10 percent tax cut before the midterm elections, and that unknown Middle Easterners were part of a migrant caravan, among other things. Similarly, after CNNs Jim Acosta annoyed Trump in November with aggressive questioning at a news conference, the White House justified revoking Acostas press credentials by saying he placed his hands on a young woman at the news conference and then, to support the dubious allegation, shared a doctored, high-speed video. From the start of his presidential campaign he was a front-runner -- forcing his rivals to react to his antics and unpredictable shifts that tore up the playbook of conventional politics. Even as his presidency has lurched from crisis to crisis and he has failed to command majority support in the country, Trump has always dictated events -- with unexpected moves such as his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un or with tweets that put the nation and the world on edge. But in the aftermath of the shutdown and a midterm election rout, Trump is under scrutiny to see if he can stage the kind of political comeback that is crucial to every successful president. While it is far too early to write off Trump's political acumen, he has work to do. After all, he risked his standing with his conservative base by ending the shutdown without forcing Pelosi to fund the border wall. And he cemented Democrats behind their leader after handing her victory. That left him needing to wrest back control of the political agenda from rivals who are becoming increasingly successful at pegging him back. It will be a test of political skill on which his presidency may depend. Sharing the spotlight Like many tech companies, Apple has a bug bounty program that offers financial rewards for some discoveries. The program, launched in 2016, pays up to $200,000 for detecting bugs, but some third-party companies will offer more. Bug reports go through Apple's developer site, but the company told Thompson non-developers can use it. However, most companies don't have a public-facing way to report these types of bugs. "Apple has a clear reporting channel, and even pays rewards for certain bugs -- a.k.a. bug bounties -- but these channels are likely only obvious if you're in the security industry and already know where to go to report. [It's] not so clear for consumers," Katie Moussouris, the CEO of Luta Security, which helps companies and governments work with hackers, said in an email. "Except in this case, the customer support team and the social media team (and whoever got that fax) didn't quite know how to remove obstacles and friction from the reporting process." It's important for companies and government agencies to have a public-facing way to report bugs, according to Marten Mickos, CEO of HackerOne, a cybersecurity firm that connects security researchers with companies. On Monday afternoon, acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker gave us a surprising window into special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. "I've been fully briefed on the investigation and, you know, I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report," said Whitaker. "But right now, you know, the investigation is -- I think, close to being completed. And I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as we -- as possible." OK, there's definitely some wiggle room there -- "I think" and "I hope" -- but the big takeaway is this: The top law enforcement officer in the country just said that he has been "fully briefed" on Mueller's investigation and that he thinks it is "close to being completed." It's not definitive, of course, but it's the clearest sign yet we've had from someone in a position to know that Mueller is in the final stages of the probe. Given that there's every reason to think that Whitaker is in a position to know where the Mueller investigation stands, it's worth trying to game out -- as best as we can -- when the report could drop. Before we do that, here's where we've been on this whole thing. Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill enter the next chapter in the fight over President Donald Trump's border wall skeptical that a broad immigration deal can be reached and with a mission: Keep negotiations narrow and avoid another shutdown. "I am not ruling anything out at this point. It's just an effort to pass a (Department of Homeland Security) appropriations bill and put an end to recurring presidential threats of a shutdown," said Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat in the chamber. "I go into this to solve the problem as best I can, but I don't go in with any high expectations when it comes to the immigration side. ... I don't go in with any high hopes that will be successful on immigration issues and I am not walking in there with an immigration agenda." After the longest government shutdown in history, lawmakers returned Monday to Washington sober to the realities that the next three weeks will entail grueling negotiations between two sides that have spent the last month engaged in raw, partisan posturing. If an immigration deal has eluded Congress for decades, members are keen to the fact that the environment over the next three weeks isn't likely to produce one. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing an amendment to a Middle East policy bill that would acknowledge "al Qaeda, ISIS and their affiliates in Syria and Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to us here at home," a move seen as a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump's push to withdraw US troops from Syria. "It would recognize the dangers of a precipitous withdrawal from either conflict and highlight the need for diplomatic engagement and political solutions to the underlying conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan," McConnell said Tuesday from the Senate floor, announcing the amendment to the bill, which is currently being debated. Exact timing for the final vote on the bill, which at this point enjoys bipartisan support, has not yet been determined. McConnell added that, "while it is tempting to retreat to the comfort and security of our own shores, there is still a great deal of work to be done.....we're not the world's policemen, but we are the leaders of the free world." Trump ordered a rapid withdrawal of troops from Syria on December 19, a move that was widely criticized by lawmakers from both parties. INDIAN WELLS, Calif. They boosted the tea party movement and spent millions to elect Republicans across the country. But at a weekend gathering, members of the conservative Koch network signaled that they were turning away from partisan politics in an effort to focus more on policy priorities that cut across ideologies. At their biannual meeting at a luxury resort here, officials with the network founded by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch emphasized new investments in anti-poverty initiatives and re-entry programs for former prisoners. They also announced a new education initiative. But unlike in previous election cycles, there was little talk of politics, and leaders declined to reveal their projected budget on politics and policy for 2019 and 2020 as the presidential election approaches. The shift comes as the Koch network aims to rebrand itself as a group of bipartisan, philanthropic collaborators as opposed to a political organization and as it seeks to distance itself from President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. "One of the big lessons we've taken as we looked at where we can be most effective is that uniting broad coalitions works much better than partisan politics," Brian Hooks, the network's chairman, told reporters in a briefing Saturday. What we DO NOT like to do is throw away our votes on someone who looks like they have no chance at winning. Time and time again in politics, we've seen a third-party candidate in a race polling in the mid-teens or even low 20s a few months before an election. But as the election gets closer -- and it becomes more and more clear that third-party candidate isn't going to win -- support for the candidate starts to ebb away. Most people don't want to make a protest vote. If they are taking time out of their day and waiting in a line to cast a ballot, they want to feel like it means something. Like they were on the winning side. 5. The 'Spoiler' problem, part 2 It's not just that the voters who might be for you in the early going desert you when it's clear that you aren't going to win. It's that the base voters in at least one -- and sometimes both -- of the two major parties h-a-t-e you. One Florida man wound up with a much different finish than he expected after police said he was caught on camera stealing prescription pills or so he thought. Peter Hans Emery, 56, faces a felony charge of petit theft after he was recorded on a surveillance video taking a pill bottle from a victim's lock box at a Pinellas Park home, police said. According to a police report, the label on the bottle showed it contained hydrocodone, but actually had generic laxative pills inside, The Smoking Gun reported. Police report records note Emery and the victim share the same address, but any relation between the two is not known. Emery took two of the laxative pills before realizing they weren't powerful prescription drugs and throwing away the rest of the pills. Emery, who has more than two prior theft convictions, was booked into Pinellas County Jail on four charges on Thursday and was still behind bars Tuesday afternoon. JEFFERSON CITY More than a year after former Gov. Eric Greitens torpedoed state funding for low-income housing tax credits, Missouri lawmakers are taking steps to resuscitate the program. With Gov. Mike Parson urging the Legislature to reform the oft-criticized program, a Senate panel heard testimony Tuesday on a plan to cap state funding for the program at about $70 million annually, down from an estimated $150 million. The sponsor, Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, tried a similar approach last year with an unsuccessful measure that would have capped state funds at about $90 million. Hegeman, who chairs the Senates budget-writing committee, wants to reduce the amount of credits available to a level that is 50 percent of the federal credits Missouri receives. The particularly low temperatures, expected to linger through Wednesday morning, are a result of a shifting of what meteorologists call the polar vortex. The polar vortex is the very cold air that hangs in the atmosphere 20 miles above the Earths poles. Sometimes the vortex shifts and pieces of bone-chilling air can be pushed down to other parts of the Earth, in this case the U.S. Midwest. This time it started with misplaced Moroccan heat. Last month, the normally super chilly air temperatures above the North Pole rapidly rose by about 125 degrees thanks to air flowing in from the south. Its called sudden stratospheric warming. That warmth split the polar vortex, leaving the pieces to wander, said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. Where the polar vortex goes, so goes the cold air, Cohen said. By Wednesday morning, one of those pieces will be over the Lower 48 states for the first time in years. The forecast calls for a low of minus 21 degrees in Chicago and wind chills flirting with minus 65 degrees in parts of Minnesota, according to the NWS. Better Together spokesman Ed Rhode said the organization had not read the proposed legislation and could not comment on it. But the group already has a squadron of registered lobbyists patrolling the Capitol hallways guarding against legislative action that could make it tougher to get the question on the ballot or to raise the threshold for passage. Its roster includes former House Speaker Steven Tilley and former Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey. Some officials in the capital city have expressed wariness at the idea of a statewide vote, questioning why someone in Rolla or Springfield should have a say in how the city and county operate. Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, whose district includes a piece of St. Louis County, said most of his constituents believe the merger is an issue that should be resolved by the people who reside in St. Louis County. Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, earlier filed a resolution opposing a statewide vote or legislative action on a reorganization of government in the region. WASHINGTON Rep. William Lacy Clay, backed by his former congressman father, says he will ask the Congressional Black Caucus to come out against historically black Hampton University honoring the late President George H. W. Bush with a sculpture on campus. The Virginia university on Sunday unveiled its new Legacy Park that honored Bush, along with civil rights figures Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. former President Barack Obama, and others. It noted that Bush gave the commencement address in 1991 at the university, and that in the 1940s Bush founded a United Negro College Fund chapter at Yale while he was a student there. But the younger Clay, a Democrat from St. Louis, said Bush's appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court and the late president's resistance to civil rights laws, should disqualify him from a place of honor on an historically black campus. "When you think about the legacy of President George H. W. Bush it is not one that you can hold up as someone who believed in equal justice for all," the younger Clay said in an interview. BELLEVILLE Belleville attorney James A. Gomric was sworn in Monday to replace former St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly, who resigned last week to lead the Illinois State Police. St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern, a Democrat, named Gomric to the post during the county board meeting Monday. Gomric, 49, of Belleville, said he plans to run for election to the position in 2020. Gomric worked in the states attorneys office from 1995 until 1998. He has worked as a criminal defense attorney representing clients in state and federal courts. I hope to maintain the fine work thats been done for a number of years in this office," Gomric said Monday morning. "There's already an outstanding group of attorneys and support staff." Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker picked Kelly to be the new head of the Illinois State Police. Kelly, 42, of Swansea, has been the top prosecutor in St. Clair County since 2010. He ran as a Democrat for Illinois' 12th Congressional District seat in the 2018 midterm election, but lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JEFFERSON CITY A Cole County judge on Monday sided with Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway's office in an open records dispute that had stretched on for a year and a half. Circuit Judge Jon Beetem said in a 24-page ruling that Galloway's office did not break the state's Sunshine Law when it processed an open records request from the group Missouri Alliance for Freedom, a GOP-allied non-profit that does not have to reveal its donors. The Alliance for Freedom originally sought in May 2017 emails and documents connected to the auditors probe of the Department of Revenue and its slow processing of tax refunds, among other things, including all communications from Galloway since she took office in 2015. The group later sued the auditor's office, alleging the office knowingly and purposefully violated the law as it processed the requests. Beetem disagreed. He said the group asked for native communications data, which the office did not possess, Beetem wrote. Hawley pointed out that at 39, he is the youngest member of the Senate, and that Ocasio-Cortez, 28, is the youngest person to ever serve in the House, and that both grew up less in awe of social media and information technology than many of their older colleagues. Ocasio-Cortez became a controversial figure in St. Louis last summer when she endorsed Cori Bushs failed Democratic primary challenge of Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis. At the time, Clay dismissed Ocasio-Cortezs impact on the race, saying that St. Louis is not the Bronx. Clay, asked Tuesday about the irony of Hawley and Ocasio-Cortez arriving on similar ground on an issue, attributed it to the optimism of change-the-world congressional newcomers. They are both freshman members and they both came here with the same intent, which was to get things done, Clay said. Any kind of bipartisan resolution, any kind of two parties working together, I am for. Hawley and Ocasio-Cortez are facing resistance from online industry players, including NetChoice, the trade association representing e-commerce companies. CLAYTON A former Velda City police officer has been charged with third-degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon after being accused of shoving and threatening his wife. Taylor Jacobson, 28, was charged Monday in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Charging documents claim his wife returned to their home in Overland on Saturday, found him intoxicated and asked him to leave. He shoved her, causing her to hit her head, and then pulled out a Glock 23 pistol when she tried to flee, the charges say. Jacobson is being held in jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. Velda City police Chief Daniel Paulino said he fired Jacobson Thursday for repeatedly being late to work and refusing to do some paperwork. He said he was unsure whether the Glock was a department weapon. He worked as a fill-in five or six days a month, Paulino said, and had another job. ST. LOUIS COUNTY Two teenagers were charged Monday with murdering a man in a drug deal Saturday night in north St. Louis County. St. Louis County prosecutors charged Aaron Walters and William Westbrook, both 18, with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts each of armed criminal action. They are accused in the shooting death of Derion Hamilton, 26, on Saturday night. Hamilton was found dead in the front passenger seat of a vehicle near the intersection of Shepley and Hobkirk drives, in the Glasgow Village area of north St. Louis County. St. Louis County police handled the homicide investigation. Police said in court papers that Walters admitted setting up a deal to buy marijuana within the vehicle. Walters unlocked the back passenger door, allowing Westbrook to get into the car. Westbrook allegedly then shot and killed Hamilton, police say. After the killing, the marijuana was taken from the vehicle. Hamilton lived in the 10400 block of Gardo Court, a few blocks from where he died. Gardner also said she wanted to sit down with both men to discuss "other issues" concerning the investigation, and Edwards on Tuesday said he'd already accepted. The existence of the letter was first reported by KMOV. On Monday, an attorney for Hendren said some are spreading rumors and "unsupported theories" about what happened. "We are aware of the rumors, innuendo, and salacious gossip surrounding the accidental death of Officer Katlyn Alix," Talmage Newton IV said in a statement. "There is no evidence, nor will there ever be, that this was anything more than a tragic accident. Nate Hendren is devastated by the loss of Katlyn Alix. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Officer Alixs family during this difficult time." After Gardner's letter surfaced, Newton released a second statement that said Gardner "ignored the seasoned professionals on the scene, who are experienced and entrusted with investigations, when she filed these uninformed and unsustainable charges." Newton also said the letter made clear that Gardner was "willing to break the law and violate the Constitution to prosecute Officer Hendren for a situation that was a tragic accident." ST. LOUIS Police identified the man gunned down Monday afternoon in the Walnut Park East neighborhood as Harry Gabriel Young of north St. Louis County. Young, 20, was shot just before 2 p.m. Monday in the 5200 block of Davison Avenue. He was found dead inside a home on Davison. He lived in the 11000 block of Jerries Lane in north St. Louis County. The shooting marks the third homicide in or bordering Walnut Park East since Jan. 1. Last year, there were six homicides in the neighborhood, according to police data compiled by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ST. LOUIS A former FBI agent pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal charge and admitted falsifying information on time sheets. Nizam Hasheem Alexander, 39, resigned Monday. In U.S. District Court in St. Louis Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft or embezzlement of government funds and admitted that he had falsified time sheets while working at FBI headquarters in Washington and the field office there. More recently, Alexander had been working in Little Rock, Ark. The case was handled in St. Louis because the U.S. Attorney's office in the Eastern District of Arkansas was recused from the case. In 2016 and 2017, Alexander falsely claimed to have worked 373.75 hours, for which he was paid $24,629.87. At his sentencing in April, Alexander faces six to 12 months in prison under recommended sentencing guidelines. A message from David Nicklaus Want to stay smart about what's happening in St. Louis? Make a modest investment in a Post-Dispatch subscription and I'll tell you how developments around the world affect local businesses big and small. Intro subscription rate: Just $1 for 6 months Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS Carjackers approached a man moving car seats between two vehicles in the city's DeBaliviere Place neighborhood Sunday night and ended up taking both cars at once. The 29-year-old man was transferring the children's car seats from a 2013 Nissan Altima into a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu in the 5600 block of Waterman Boulevard about 10 p.m., police said. As he worked, two men in hooded sweatshirts approached and demanded the keys to the Malibu and then the Altima at gunpoint. The owner handed over the keys before running into his home and calling police. He was not injured. The Malibu was found a short time later in the 5600 block of Hiller Place, about six miles from where it was taken. 2. US and China China accused the US of trying to "kill" Chinese businesses after US prosecutors indicted telecom giant Huawei . The charges against Huawei include conspiring to steal trade secrets and dodge American sanctions on Iran. Charges were also filed against Meng Wanzhou , Huawei's chief financial officer. She was arrested in December in Canada, and the US is looking to extradite her. China lashed out, saying the US is using "its state power to smear and crack down on targeted Chinese companies." The indictments will no doubt work wonders on trade talks between the two countries. They're trying to cut a deal before March 1, when US tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods will rise from 10% to 25%. 3. Cold weather About 250 million people -- 77% of the continental US population -- face below-freezing temperatures this week. But this isn't just a typical January cold snap. These are some of the coldest temperatures we've seen in a generation, caused by the polar vortex paying us a visit. If you're 25 or younger, "you've never felt this cold before," CNN meteorologist Tom Sater said. In the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, temps will plunge to 20-40 degrees below zero. Wind chills will be even worse: 35-60 below (here's how to protect yourself). There will be blizzard conditions in some places, too. Snow is even forecast for Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. More than 3,400 flights have been cancelled. The weather has already killed two people, in Minnesota and Illinois. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters ratified a five year agreement with workers at Anheuser-Busch breweries across the United States. Eighty-eight percent of employees voted in favor of the contract and 12 percent voted against, with 63 percent of members voting, the union said Tuesday. The contract covers more than 4,400 workers at 12 facilities across the U.S., including St. Louis, the brewer's North American headquarters. Workers get increases of $2.50 per hour, improvements to retirement security and a $4,000 bonus. This contract provides our members at Anheuser-Busch with the solid wages, excellent benefits and job security they deserve, Teamsters general president Jim Hoffa said in a statement. Our members work hard to make this company successful, and this contract recognizes their hard work. A message from David Nicklaus Want to stay smart about what's happening in St. Louis? Make a modest investment in a Post-Dispatch subscription and I'll tell you how developments around the world affect local businesses big and small. Intro subscription rate: Just $1 for 6 months As we have consistently stated, we firmly stand behind the safety and purity of our talc, which has been confirmed by thousands of independent tests by regulators worldwide, including the U.S. FDA and many of the worlds leading independent laboratories," the company statement said. Murray, the top Democrat on the Republican-controlled Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, referred to the Reuters report in her letter. It began, "I am troubled by recent reports of an alleged decades-long effort by Johnson & Johnson to potentially mislead regulators and consumers about the safety of one of its products, which may have resulted in long-term harm for men, women, and children who used Johnson & Johnson baby powder." Johnson & Johnson is facing more than 11,000 lawsuits alleging that use of its talc products, including baby powder, caused cancer. Murray asked for documents to support the company's claim that its current talc products do not contain any level of asbestos, documents on the testing of its talc products and communications with the Food and Drug Administration about the safety of its baby powder dating from 1966 to present. A message from David Nicklaus Want to stay smart about what's happening in St. Louis? Make a modest investment in a Post-Dispatch subscription and I'll tell you how developments around the world affect local businesses big and small. Intro subscription rate: Just $1 for 6 months Hes made it clear that his firm intends to enhance Chaifetz Groups presence in the St. Louis region, targeting early- and mid-stage companies for investments. He told a reporter hed just closed a real estate deal here, but declined to say more. Though hes involved in philanthropic and business development efforts in Chicago, he said the larger city already has the startup infrastructure to provide mid-stage growth capital to young companies. Offering and inspiring others in St. Louis to make these levels of investments, he hopes, can have a quick and big impact. Im partial to St. Louis, Chaifetz said. Theres a bigger need in St. Louis for this mid-stage capital. He told the crowd that he too often hears startups on the coasts talk about exit strategies and how quickly they can sell the business. A good business will always find a buyer if it wants one, Chaifetz said, and businesses built just to flip and cash out tend to be failures in his experience. The Midwest is a little different in that regard, and I think thats a positive, he said. Dunlap's rise was halted suddenly in 1998, amid news reports that he had inflated sales figures through tactics such as buy and hold, in which products such as outdoor grills were "sold" in the winter but not paid for until spring. When Dunlap was confronted by a skeptical financial analyst at an investors meeting that May, according to one Businessweek account, he responded by grabbing the man by his shoulder, placing a hand over his mouth and saying: "You son of a b----. If you want to come after me, I'll come after you twice as hard." The Sunbeam board fired Dunlap that June, declaring that he had misled investors. In 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy, struggling under $2 billion in debt; the SEC charged Dunlap with accounting fraud that same year, saying he "orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to create the illusion of a successful restructuring of Sunbeam and facilitate the sale of the company at an inflated price." In addition to the SEC settlement, Dunlap paid $15 million to resolve a shareholder suit. Sunbeam's accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, which was later charged in the Enron scandal, settled a separate shareholder lawsuit for $110 million, after signing off on an audit that allegedly included false profits. For starters, its constitutionality would surely be challenged. The Supreme Court would have to decide whether its a direct tax, which the Constitution prohibits. In the early 20th century, Congress and the states passed the 16th Amendment to resolve a similar challenge to the income tax. I think todays U.S. Supreme Court would have a lot of problems with a wealth tax, says Steven Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center in Washington. The argument for taxing wealth is that its a better measure than income of ones ability to pay. Some billionaires have relatively little taxable income because their wealth is tied up in tax-exempt bonds, houses, art and non-dividend-paying stock. In a letter supporting Warrens proposal, University of California economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman say the wealthiest 0.1 percent of Americans pay taxes equal to just 3.2 percent of their wealth, while the comparable figure for the rest of us is 7.6 percent. President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that Romania has a strong case for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council. "I reiterate Romania's support for multilateralism, support to the UN included. This lasting commitment to peace, justice and sustainable development is the essence of Romania's message in its campaign for securing a position as a non-permanent member of the Security Council at the elections this year. I consider Romania's candidacy to be a strong one, and I express my hope that the states you represent will invest their confidence in Romania on the occasion of the elections this June," Iohannis said at the annual meeting with the heads of the foreign diplomatic missions to Bucharest. The President also reiterated Romania's goal of becoming an OECD member. President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that during its term at the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Romania will make efforts to facilitate the adoption of the measures proposed by the European Commission regarding the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. "With regard to Brexit, the already endorsed agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU27 is the best tool to limit the negative consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, for ensuring legal certainty for the business environment and for guaranteeing the rights of the citizens. Following the first rejection of this agreement in the British Parliament, in our capacity as the Presidency of the Council of the EU, we will take the necessary action - in every possible scenario - in coordination with the European institutions and the other member states. Thus, we will put in efforts to facilitate the adoption of the measures proposed by the European Commission, to make sure that the Union is properly prepared for the withdrawal of the UK, in any scenario. Protecting the rights of European citizens in the United Kingdom is the priority we have been pursuing in negotiations with London and we will further pursue this so that we reduce as much as possible the potential negative effects on the lives of European citizens, including, of course, Romanian citizens," Iohannis said at his annual meeting with heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest. He specified that as the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Romania will make every effort to advance negotiations on migration. "The safety of the citizens is a crucial element and, as the rotating Presidency, we will continue to work consistently towards strengthening the Union's external borders and towards a rapid implementation of security instruments," Klaus Iohannis said. The President also emphasized that the exercise of the Presidency of the Council of the UE is also an opportunity for Romania to contribute to shaping the future of the European project, in order to promote a more cohesive and stronger Europe. "The May 9 Sibiu Summit will be a key moment. In Sibiu we want to put forth a clear vision of the European Union's priority lines of action, so as to make a significant contribution to defining the Strategic Agenda 2020 - 2024. We are also set to adopt a Political Declaration to reaffirm the member states' solidarity and commitment to building an internally and globally stronger Union. It is essential that the priority agenda that will be discussed in Sibiu meets the citizens' agenda, their legitimate expectations to benefit from concrete results," Iohannis said. According to the President, the reinforcement of the European project must be based on a unitary, inclusive and open approach for all EU Member States, while avoiding divisions. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila met on Tuesday with Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania Andrew Noble, context in which the issue of UK's withdrawal from the EU was especially addressed, especially in view of the Presidency of the EU Council, which is currently exercised by Romania. According to a release of the Government, the discussion highlighted the very good stage of the strategic relation between Romania and the UK. Also reviewed was the common role in Europe's security and defence, both inside NATO and within the political dialogue between the two countries, as well as the increasingly more tight economic and social ties. The Romanian PM reiterated the importance that Romania pays to the necessity to protect the rights of the Romanian citizens residing in the UK and provided the guarantee that Romania will carry out all the internal demarches so that the rights of the British citizens in Romania be observed, regardless of the scenario that will materialise in the upcoming period. At the same time, it was underscored that the UK's withdrawal from the EU will necessarily impose the recalibration of the Strategic Partnership, last time revised in 2011. According to the Gov't release, it was voiced the confidence that the revised Strategic Partnership will become the expression of a new strengthened and comprehensive cooperation stage. Thursday, 03 January 2019 16:20:17 (GMT+3) | Istanbul The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has announced that it has started a five-year sunset review on the antidumping duties against the imports of certain hot rolled steel plate from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Romania to determine whether the expiry of the order is likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the subject goods. The CBSA will make a determination no later than May 24, 2019. The duties were first introduced in 2003 and renewed every five years, with dumping margins determined as 74.6 percent for Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, and between 39.3-74.6 percent for Romania. The products under review currently fall under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification numbers 7208.51.00.10, 7208.51.00.91, 7208.51.00.92, 7208.51.00.93, 7208.51.00.94, 7208.51.00.95, 7208.52.00.10, 7208.52.00.91, 7208.52.00.92, 7208.52.00.93, 7208.52.00.94 and 7208.52.00.95. These are people with an external locus of control. They buy into the notion that they are powerless yet are easily aroused to anger by that fact. They feel they can be empowered vicariously by adhering to a strong individual who is a master impresario in the harsh wielding of power one who can define an alternative world with a few pithy slogans directed at a real or imaginary them, created as a foil to define the us which True Believers need. In a ripe dictatorship, the Right Stuff of power is the showmanship of fright. Their horror is real and it limits their actions and options. But its the horror they know not that horror the others might impose so its tolerated. Fairly soon after assuming the throne of North Korea, Kim Jong Un needed to show his minions that he had this Right Stuff. He picked five of his security officials and had them executed publicly. Kim did not hang them or dispatch them with a bullet to the back of the head; he had them shot with an anti-aircraft gun to maximize the publics sense of horror. In making subordinates the spectacular victims of his ruthlessness, Kim followed in the steps of Josef Stalin, whose continual purges kept Russia in line and in terror. Rowan County authorities said Tuesday a Statesville man drove a woman who had been shot to a store near Salisbury, where her body was later discovered. The Rowan County Sheriffs Office said it has identified Jason Donald Cranfill, 41, as the person who drove Lakyn Jade Bailey to the Country Cupboard store on Statesville Boulevard early Sunday morning. Authorities said in a release on Tuesday that Baileys death appears to be the result of a methamphetamine drug deal that became violent, resulting in her being shot. Cranfill, 41, lives in Statesville, according to the press release. He has been charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and was given a $5,000 secured bond. The release did not say if the charges were linked to the investigation of Baileys death. Salisbury Police responded to a report of a shooting victim at the Country Cupboard Store on Statesville Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, according to a previous news release. Authorities said that they discovered a woman shot to death in a car outside of the store. Bailey, 25, was identified as the victim in a press release Sunday. She would have turned 26 on Monday. The Rowan County Sheriffs Office said they had to defuse a homemade pipe bomb found in a Salisburys mans jacket after they arrested him in connection to breaking into and stealing from a fire station. A press release said detectives began investigating in January a pair of break-ins that occurred at the Apple Baking Company and Franklin Fire Department, both off of Statesville Boulevard west of Salisbury. Items taken include lawn care equipment and Fire Department tools and equipment. The sheriffs office said detectives located stolen property in the 100 block of Burmac Circle in Salisbury through the course of the investigation. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the location in order to seek more stolen property and discovered an additional $15,000-worth of stolen goods, according to the release. David Cole Boardman, of Cleveland, was arrested on outstanding warrants for felony possession of stolen property, according to authorities. While searching Boardman, deputies discovered a homemade pipe bomb threaded on both sides with a fuse inside Boardmans jacket pocket. Countries & Areas Search for country or area A Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan B Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burma Burundi C Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia D Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic E Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia F Fiji Finland France G Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana H Haiti Holy See Honduras Hungary I Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy J Jamaica Japan Jordan K Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan L Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg M Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique N Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway O Oman P Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Q Qatar R Republic of the Congo Romania Russia Rwanda S Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria T Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu U Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan V Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Y Yemen Z Zambia Zimbabwe Nebraskans understand that federal government regulation affects our lives in almost every way. If you talk to anyone a county commissioner, a farmer, or a small business owner they will tell you the impact firsthand. More so, theyll tell you how overregulation has wasted time and hurt wallets. For nearly 70 years, an outdated construction contract loan with the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) anchored the Northport Irrigation District in an older era. Northport received a long-term infrastructure loan from the BoR in the early 1950s. Under the contract, individual landowners in the district were restricted to a 960-acre limit until the debt was paid. This came in addition to the mountains of complicated paperwork that was required in order to obtain their water each year. The contract prevented members in the district from making payments on their overall debt. This forced people to abide by unnecessary, burdensome reporting and certification requirements. Producers near Bridgeport were stymied, as their ability to expand farms and local businesses was severely limited. Many families in western Nebraska told me they sacrificed precious time and resources due to this obsolete regulation. In some cases, it directly impacted their ability to pass their land on to the next generation. Gettysburg, PA (17325) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. SCOTTSBLUFF Nebraska Cattlemens Board of Directors have considered and taken positions on more than 90 bills this legislative session; however, three of those bills have arisen as priorities. We had a great discussion this year on numerous bills and issues that we face as an industry, Ken Herz, chairman of Nebraska Cattlemens Legislative Committee said in a press release. As in years past, property tax relief is at the top of the list and something our organization continues to be passionate about. We will continue to work diligently with the legislature and Gov. Pete Ricketts to help fix this issue for all Nebraskans and encourage action to implementing a definitive plan, he said. The first bill on NCs list, LB 497, or the School District Property Tax Authority Act, was introduced by State Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson. It contains many provisions to address inequity in school funding statewide and the over-reliance on property tax dollars. Born to Rein is the story of Minatare native John Nerud and the father-son team of Marion and Jack Van Berg of Columbus, men that made a huge impact on the evolution of modern thoroughbred horse racing. Lamp and partner Melody Dobson plan to screen the film locally this fall. Before then, it will be submitted to several film festivals. Many of those festivals wont consider films that have previously been screened to a paying audience. Were in the final editing phase of the film, Lamp said. In addition to the film, were creating programming that will be housed at Legacy of the Plains Museum. The temporary exhibit, which could become permanent, includes memorabilia and pictures of John Neruds career in horse racing. In the thoroughbred horse racing circuit, Nerud is revered as one of the best trainers and breeders in the sport. He helped found the breeding operation empire Tartan Farm in Ocala, Florida. And through his influence, the Breeders Cup race became a reality. Bloodlines developed by Nerud have consistently run to the winners circle during the Triple Crown races, now observing 100 years. 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 I n 2019, your smartphone is more likely to be made by a Chinese company, than it is by Apple or Samsung. Back in 2017, only 2.7 per cent of UK smartphones were made by Huawei. By July last year, that figure had grown to 13.7 per cent. As well as Huawei, another Chinese company, Xiaomi, entered the UK market with the MI 8 Pro, and from today another company is joining the ranks: Oppo. Heres what you need to know about Oppo, the fifth-biggest smartphone maker in the world. Oppo started in 2004 Oppo was first registered as a brand in 2001, but the company officially launched in 2004, initially in the MP3/MP4 space. Two years later in Shenzhen, commonly known as Chinas Silicon Valley, the company started exploring phones and the soon-to-explode smartphone scene. Oppos founder, Tony Chen, was in relentless pursuit of a mobile device that satisfied him, Alen Wu, VP of Oppo, told the Standard. The market was dominated by other global brands at the time, making it almost impossible for a smaller brand to breakthrough. The industry shifted in 2011 and thats when Oppo marked its arrival in the smartphone category. The Oppo devices you need to know Oppo Find X A beautifully-designed full-screen phone, the Oppo Find X gets around the notch problem with a pop-up selfie camera via a slide up back, not unlike the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3. The device has two rear cameras: 20-megapixel and 16-megapixel, with a 25-megapixel front-facing camera. Inside, the Find X has Qualcomms Snapdragon 845 processor, and it has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Price: 799 Oppo is into R&D Oppo says the big focus with its phones is their design and the cameras. It was the first company to introduce smartphones with dual front cameras, as well as Ultra HD and 5x dual camera zoom technology. It's well-known for its super charging technology, named SuperVOOC. On one of Oppos phones, the RX17 Pro, the battery can go from 0 per cent to 40 per cent in only 10 minutes. Wu says this is down to the investments Oppo puts into research and development, with over 32,000 tech patents across the globe. We strive to bring new designs and ideas that create real value for our customers, the wider industry and also society thats why we focus on features that matter every day, like super-fast charging, robust damage-resistant screens and outstanding cameras, said Wu. Oppo Find X / Oppo Why is Oppo coming to the UK now? Even without being in the UK, Oppo has managed to become one of the top five smartphone companies across the world. The company first entered Europe last year, in countries such as France, Italy and Spain, and Wu says the success in these markets means Oppo is now ready to grow in the UK. As part of Oppos arrival in the UK, the company will be opening an International Design Centre in London later this year, to add to the already six research centres it has worldwide. The UK is a competitive market though, with Wu describing the UK consumer as a tech-savvy, sophisticated buyer. The way the smartphone market share has changed in the UK demonstrates that when brands bring technology to people that makes their lives better and easier, they will succeed, added Wu. In the UK, the company is partnering with the Carphone Warehouse and youll be able to start pre-ordering Oppo devices online from tonight. The Oppo devices you need to know Oppo RX17 Pro Similar in design to the OnePlus 6T, the Oppo RX17 Pro, has three cameras on the back of the phone and boasts 50W fast charging. The glass back of the device displays an S-shaped swirl of colour when it catches the light in just the right way too. It also has a fingerprint scanner under the front screen, just like the OnePlus 6T. Price: 549 Whats next for smartphones in 2019? We expect more from our phones than ever before, whether it's features like reverse wireless charging or a unique design. Wu believes that the big trends for this year will focus on 5G and artificial intelligence (AI). Oppo is hoping to be the first brand to commercially launch a 5G phone in 2019, a race that will see it compete against Samsung, Huawei and OnePlus (OnePluss CEO Pete Lau used to work for Oppo). Were stepping into a new era for 5G and Oppo is ready for that, said Wu. Were doing our best to deliver our commitment to the UK as this development comes to this country. This isnt all Oppo is working on. Wu hinted that we could see some other products come from the company in the next few years, namely in the internet of things (IoT) space, which will see it directly challenge the likes of Xiaomi. In the future, mobile phones will continue to be the core and centre of our business but we will also look to develop the IoT roadmap, including smart home appliances, he said. Stay tuned. K atie Price has been criticised for setting up an Instagram account for her son Harvey, who has been the target of cruel online trolling. Price revealed last weekend that she had made her disabled 16-year-old son a page on the social media site. The 40-year-old posted a video of Harvey on her own page, which she captioned: My beautiful baby boy wants to learn to post on his own page his drawings playing the keyboard and everything else @mrharveyprice. Despite many positive comments, others hit out at Price for setting her son up an account and leaving the comments open. One wrote: It's not Harvey making a conscious decision to have his own Instagram account. He can't do that. It's KP doing it in his name. I have no problem with Harvey or any young person being on social media but it should be a private account. Another said: Surprised this is s public account giving the trolling @officialkatieprice has had. It cant be healthy for Harvey to see/ read some of these comments. And yes people shouldnt be saying them, but sometimes the healthiest way to live is to stay private and dont give them a chance. @officialkatieprice Why are you doing this to your child?? It's like your using him to prove you point about bullying! When in fact you should be protecting him from all this drama. I hope and pray that Harvey can't read all the vile comments on here? Do the right thing @officialkatieprice take this down your doing him more harm than good, blasted somebody else. Price defended her decision to create the Instagram account, with representatives telling MailOnline that his friends and family all have a page on the site and Harvey can too. Katie Price reveals she's adopting a Nigerian orphan They said: Harvey is a 16-year-old boy who wants his own Instagram. Why should he be stopped by all the haters and trolls? This is exactly why Katie is battling for Harveys Law- to stop this! Able-bodied 16-year-old boys have Instagram so what is the exception for Harvey? His friends at school, his family and his brother [Junior Andre] are all on Instagram and he wants his own account to post things he loves. Why should he be stopped? She told Loose Women: I cannot believe its happened and we won it and thats called Harveys Law. How amazing is that? I would say that out of my whole career that, 100 per cent, this is the best thing Ive ever done. And to make it a law that online abuse will be a criminal offence is just amazing. A woman has been rescued after spending the entire weekend trapped in her billionaire employers lift. Marites Fortaliza was stuck for three days in the elevator of a townhouse owned by investment banker in Manhattan. The 53-year-old became trapped on Friday evening and was not freed by emergency services until Monday morning. She was rescued after authorities responded to a 911 call from the home, near Central Park, on Monday. The woman, a housekeeping employee, was rushed to hospital after being freed by firefighters. Her family said in statement that she was recovering in hospital after suffering dehydration. The townhouse is owned by her employer, billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens. He is president and CEO of Stephens Inc, an investment bank based in Little Rock, Arkansas. T he US has filed charges against Huawei and its chief financial Meng Wanzhou. Americas Justice Department unsealed a number of criminal charges against the technology giant, two of its subsidiaries and a senior executive. The company has also been charges in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on December 1 in Canada. US prosecutors say Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions. Meng misled US banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. Prosecutors also allege that Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device T-Mobile used to test smartphones, prosecutors said. A jury in Seattle ruled that Huawei had misappropriated the robotic technology from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state. The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the US and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China, and said in December that he would "intervene if I thought it was necessary". Fukong Interactive, a Chinese company and current owner of RuneScape developer Jagex, is looking to restructure and, as a result, could be selling some or all of its stake in the studio. The sale isnt set in stone, however. In a statement to PCGamesInsider, a Jagex representative said that its parent company had informed the Chinese financial market that Fukong Interactive is considering selling off some of its assets and is planning a major reorganization. The studio, which was purchased by Fukong Interactive for $300 million back in 2016, is potentially one of those assets up for either partial or full sale. A sale of assets is one of multiple routes Fukong Interactive has available as it restructures, said the statement. And, by making this initial statement to the market, Fukong can now begin exploring such options. While its parent company seems to be in a bit of a downturn, Jagex has had a strong couple of years thanks to its efforts with RuneScape. As of last summer, the online game had generated a total over $1 billion in lifetime revenue since it got its start in 2001. PCGamesInsider notes that the company reported a 51 percent year-on-year increase in profit in 2018, recording a record $56.7 million for the year. Whatever the outcome of Fukongs restructure, Jagex continues to execute on our short-term and long-term strategies for the RuneScape franchise, reads the companys statement. Jagex has never been in better shape and the year ahead will see further investment in the organization as we expand our talent base to create and deliver significant new content for our players, build on our Jagex Partners third-party publishing initiative, in addition to increasing our presence in [the] mobile sector with RuneScape itself. A row erupted on a United Airlines flight after a woman appeared to fat shame two passengers sitting next to her and call them big pigs. In a now widely shared video, an unnamed passenger on board a United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark can be seen complaining about her seat because she claimed her two neighbouring travellers were overweight. The woman can be seen on the phone to someone moaning about the two people and said: I dont know how Im going to do this for the next few hours. This is just impossible because theyre squishing me. Like, just unbelievable. I cant even sit here because theyre both so big on left and right, I cant even sit here. The woman added: At least theyll keep me warm. The video of the January 2 flight was filmed by Norma Rodgers, who was sitting next to the woman and appeared to be one of the people targeted. United Airlines said it cares about the safety of all its passengers and tried to find another seat for the woman. After complaining loudly to someone on the phone, one of the passengers interuppted her saying b**** please, ok?, before the woman continued to speak on the phone. In the video, the woman tried to appeal to airline staff to be moved adding: I eat salad. Ms Rodgers also tried to catch staffs attention and said: Excuse me, can you find her another seat? Because I will not be verbally abused by this b**** or anyone else. Im not tolerating it. The row led to other passengers sticking up for the two people she had appeared to fat shame, as one added: You should be ashamed of yourself, madam. What youre doing is terrible, you should be ashamed of yourself. The woman replied: Im not politically correct. Why dont you try and sit between those two big pigs? Ms Rodgers said the woman was removed from the flight in a Facebook post. She said: As I finished typing they took her off the plane. Still p*****. I have been flying regularly for work since April 2002 and this was a first for me. In a statement, United Airlines said: "United flight attendants care about the safety and well being of all of our customers which is why they acted quickly to find a different seat for the disruptive customer. R obert Muellers investigation into possible Russian meddling in the 2016 US election is almost complete, the acting attorney general has said. Matthew Whitaker said he hopes a final report from Mr Mueller would arrive as soon as possible as he briefed reporters on the latest developments on Monday. "I've been fully briefed on the investigation and I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report," Mr Whitaker said at a press conference earlier. "Right now the investigation is I think close to being completed and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible." Acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker: the probe is almost complete / REUTERS Special Counsel Mr Mueller has so far been tight-lipped about when the months of closed-door grand jury sessions and plea deals will conclude. This has left questions over how far into the White House his probe will reach and what will happen to his findings. The probe most recently ensnared long-time confidant of Donald Trump, political operative Roger Stone, and led to the conviction of the presidents former campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Mueller is investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election, and whether Mr Trumps campaign members coordinated with Moscow officials. The Kremlin denies election meddling and the now-US leader denies any collusion with Russia and has often referred to the probe as a "witch hunt. Reports that the investigation is almost finished came as it was revealed Mr Manaforts sentencing set for Feburary 8 in Virginia was postponed by a federal judge. A school in China has threatened its pupils with forced exercise if they put on too much weight over the New Year holidays. Pupils aged 13-14 at a school in Hangzhou were weighed on Monday as they prepared for the Lunar New Year holidays. If they put on more than two kilograms, they will be made to go out for a run every day during the new term, the Qianjiang Evening News reported. Chen Kexiang, a student at the school said that most people used the holiday to eat a lot therefore it was going to be hard to avoid putting on weight, the South China Mornig Post reported. Chinese New Year - The year of the pig Chen Kexiang pointed out that most people used the holiday period to eat a lot and took little exercise so it was going to be hard to avoid putting on weight. The class teacher said: I wanted the students weighing themselves before the holidays in order to give them awareness of the risk of putting on weight. File photo: Students complete exercise on their first day back to school after the summer holidays / Getty Images The Lunar New Year is an important holiday in China and is a time with food one of the main elements. It comes as China faces a growing obesity problem. The move comes as students prepare for the Chinese New Year holidays / EPA According to the Telegraph, one in four children are expected to be overweight by 2030. A report from Peking Universitys School of Public Health found that 28 percent of seven to 18-year-olds will be classified as obese or overweight within the next 11 years. The figure is a 43 percent increase from 2014 when 35 million children were classed as overweight. A battle of epic proportions has broken out between two cities competing over the size of their moose statue. For three decades, the people of the Canadian city Moose Jaw, took pride in their 10-metre tall moose statue - Mac the Moose - named in 2013 as the citys most popular celebrity and which carried the title of the worlds largest moose figure. But, in 2015, Norway bucked the title from the town, creating its own moose sculpture - Storelegen, or Big Elk - a stainless steel giant created explicitly to become the new record holder. But, now, Mac the Moose, who has weathered brutal winters, graffiti and the loss of his jaw, is to be restored to his former glory. In a video posted to Facebook comedians Justin Reves and Greg More have appealed to the people of Moose Jaw to stick it to Oslo by helping them add an extra 31cm to Mac, overtaking the size of Norways statue by one centimetre. Calling Norways glitzy moose an egregious offence, the pair said: You are a city famous around the world for the glorious name of Moose Jaw and everyone that comes by, knows that this should be the worlds tallest moose. Reves and Moore have set up a GoFundMe page to help hire an engineer to increase Macs size, hoping to raise $50,000. So far, ideas to help reach the target include increasing the size of his antlers or putting a helmet on him. Norway's moose statue was created explicitly to steal the title of the world's tallest moose statue from Mac the Moose. / Ljusetitunneln/Pixabay The citys mayor, Fraser Tolmie, answered the call to arms in a Facebook video in which he revealed the moose was named after his wifes great uncle. Mac the Moose was the tallest in the world, and the people of Norway have taken that from us. Im not going to stand for it. The Norwegian moose Stands midway between Oslo and Trondheim in Stor-Elvdal. Their deputy mayor has made it clear they will not back down from a fight. A national park in the US could take hundreds of years to recover following the longest government shutdown in Americas history. A short-term agreement has reopened the federal government until February 15, but the 35-day lapse in funding has taken a toll on parks around the country. Former superintendent of Joshua Tree national park in California, Curt Sauer, told local paper the Desert Sun that the damage caused by vandalism to the park will take centuries to repair. Whats happened to our park in the last 34 days is irreparable for the next 200 to 300 years, he said. Signs placed by staff at a closed campground in the Joshua Tree National Park. / AFP/Getty Images Park workers have returned to a state of chaos at the parks, including damaged trees, graffiti and ruined trails. The government shutdown left hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed, forcing many national parks to operate without rangers. While volunteers cleaned the parks of rubbish and even cleaned out toilets, the damage done to the 1,235 square mile park was extensive. The current superintendent at Joshua Tree, David Smith, told National Parks Traveler the consequences of the shutdown have been devastating. Volunteer Alexandra Degen cleans a restroom at Joshua Tree National Park. / Getty Images There are about a dozen instances of extensive vehicle traffic off roads and in some cases into wilderness, he said. We have two new roads that were created inside the park. We had destruction of government property with the cutting of chains and locks for people to access campgrounds. Weve never seen this level of out-of-bounds camping. Everyday use area was occupied every evening. He added: Joshua trees were actually cut down in order to make new roads. F BI investigators have found no motive for the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. FBI agents looking into the Las Vegas massacre said they cannot determine why gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, killed 58 people and injured nearly 900 others in October 2017. Aaron Rouse, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Las Vegas office, said Paddock acted alone when he carried out the horrendous attack and there was no motivation other than his own "infamy." Mr Rouse said the reason for Paddock's rampage remains a mystery after months of study by agents and behavioural specialists. Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock / AP Las Vegas police closed their investigation in August, also without a motive. Paddock shot himself dead in his hotel room after carrying out the attack, leaving no note. Revellers fled in terror during the 2017 attack at a music festival, as the killer fired from a room on the 32nd floor of a hotel and casino overlooking the famous strip. The shooting took place in October, 2017 AFP/Getty Images) / AFP/Getty Images Paddock, who acted alone, opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel casino in Las Vegas. US Officials previously said in the days and months before the shooting, Paddock booked hotel rooms overlooking other music festivals. T he diplomatic row over the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei escalated today when Beijing angrily condemned unfair and immoral criminal charges levelled against the company by US prosecutors. Chinas first global tech brand and the worlds second biggest smartphone maker was indicted yesterday on a total of 23 charges of industrial espionage and violating sanctions on Iran. Chinas foreign ministry last night expressed grave concern over the move and accused the US authorities of using state power to blacken the reputation of Chinese companies. It added that the charges were the result of strong political motivation and political manipulation. Separately Wen Ku, a senior official at the Chinese ministry of industry and information technology, told reporters in Beijing that the indictments were unfair and immoral. A foreign ministry statement read out on state-run TV news warned that Beijing will firmly defend its companies. It did not indicate when or whether there would be any direct retaliation. The charges will overshadow a two-day meeting between Chinese and US officials aimed at resolving the long-running trade war between the worlds economic superpowers. The US accused Huawei of trying to steal technology including part of a robot known as Tappy from a T-Mobile lab used to test smartphones. Huawei and the companys chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, are also accused of using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in breach of sanctions laws. Ms Meng, 47, daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Vancouver last month at the request of the US authorities. She was freed on bail and was due in court today as part of extradition proceedings. In a statement Huawei said: The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of US law. A doctor who prescribed cannabis cookies to a four-year-old is battling to keep his registration. Dr William Eidelman, of California, prescribed the cannabis in a bid to control the childs temper tantrums. He had misdiagnosed the boy as having bipolar and attention deficit disorders which led to the prescription, the BBC reports. It was ruled by the Medical Board of California his licence be revoked due to him being negligent in his care and treatment not for prescribing the drug but for not consulting a psychiatrist before doing so. Medical cannabis usage has been legal in the state of California since 1996. Dr Eidelman is appealing against the ruling made on January 4 and says he will continue to practice having recently won a suspension of the revocation pending a future hearing. The boy in questions father consulted the doctor in September 2012 due to the childs bad behaviour at school. Dr Eidelman recommended small quantities of cannabis which a school nurse discovered when she was asked to give the child the drug infused cookies at lunchtime. The father of the child had ADHD and bipolar disorder himself and stated negative experiences with prescribed medication previously, ahead of turning to cannabis which he said helped to calm him, A British woman freed after being jailed in Egypt arrived back in the UK this afternoon in floods of tears. Laura Plummer, 34, from Hull was released after a 14-month term in a Cairo prison for taking 290 Tramadol tablets into the country for her partner. Her flight touched down at Heathrow Airport at on Tuesday where she was seen in tears alongside her two sisters. Breaking down in tears as she arrived, Ms Plummer said: "I would like to thank everyone for supporting me through this, especially my family. "Words cannot describe how I feel - I thought this would never end." Her sisters described their reunion as the happiest day of their lives. Tearful arrival: Laura Plummer / PA As she boarded her flight on Monday night, Ms Plummer said she had been marched into the airport by police and was not allowed to say goodbye to her Egyptian husband Omar Saad, 34, for whom she had brought the tablets. Laura Plummer with her partner Omar / Facebook Her local MP, Karl Turner said: It was a terrible experience for Laura. She did not know what she was doing was illegal but she made a mistake and paid the price. T ensions between the United States and Venezuela rose today after Washingtons national security adviser was spotted carrying a note pad with 5,000 troops to Colombia written on it. John Boltons notes were flagged up by reporters on social media following a press briefing on new sanctions against Venezuela. The words will fuel speculation that the US is preparing to use at least the threat of a military invasion to force embattled president Nicolas Maduro from power. Colombia is a US ally and shares a 1,300-mile border with Venezuela. The White House has not ruled out the use of force if Mr Maduro refuses to cede power to opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognised by the US as the crisis-hit countrys rightful leader. Asked to comment on Mr Boltons note, a White House spokesman replied: As the president has said, all options are on the table. John Bolton holds the pad of note paper as he waits to address reporters / REUTERS However, a US official was quoted as saying that there were no plans for a troop deployment to the region. It comes after Mr Bolton warned Maduro on Sunday that violence against US diplomatic personnel or Mr Guaido would prompt a significant response from America. In a bid to turn the heat up on Maduro, the White House moved to block all US revenue to the crisis-torn South American countrys state-owned oil company, PDVSA. Revenue from Citgo, the US-based subsidiary of PDVSA which imports Venezuelas heavy crude oil and refines and distributes it in America, provides much of the cash income currently available to Maduro. The sanctions effectively freeze $7 billion in Venezuelan assets and blocks more than $11 billion in revenue over the next year. Venezuela Protests: January 2019 - In pictures 1 /23 Venezuela Protests: January 2019 - In pictures Opposition demonstrators clash with security forces in a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Security forces look on after clashing with opposition supporters participating in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government and to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the end of the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez in Tachira, Venezuela Reuters A demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister Reuters Members of the Bolivarian National Police clash with protesters EPA Venezuelans opposed to President Nicolas Maduro hold a demonstration in Bogota, Colombia in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido's self-proclamation as acting president of Venezuela AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira Getty Images Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (C) speaks to a crowd of supporters flanked by his wife Cilia Flores (L) and Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez during a rally in Caracas AFP/Getty Images An anti-government protester wears a makeshift gas mask to protect himself from tear gas, during clashes with security forces after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, AP Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard soldiers detain an anti-government protester AP Venezuelans based in Mexico gather to show their support for the leader of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself president of Venezuela, in the Plaza de Armas of the city of Saltillo, Mexico EPA Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guardsmen look for anti-government protesters after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela AP An anti-government protester who was overcome by tear gas is aided by a paramedic during clashes after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro AP A protester burns a motorcycle during clashes AFP/Getty Images National Police officers confront opposition supporters AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators ride in a back of a truck during a protest of opposition supporters against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela Reuters National Police officers confront opposition supporters protesting against the government of President Nicolas Maduro AFP/Getty Images A vehicle is overturned as oppositors demonstrators block a freeway during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas AFP/Getty Images A person participates in a demonstration against the Government of the Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela EPA People help a young woman who fainted after inhaling tear gas during a demonstration against the Government of the Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela EPA A person participates in a demonstration against the Government of the Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela EPA Thousands of Venezuelans living in Argentina, opposed to President Nicolas Maduro, hold a demonstration in Buenos Aires in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido's self-proclamation as acting president of Venezuela AFP/Getty Images A vehicle of the Bolivarian National Police Venezuelan is burning as thousands take to the streets during a protest against President Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela EPA Opposition demonstrators clash with security forces during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro AFP/Getty Images Mr Bolton also urged Venezuelas military to accept a peaceful transfer of power and switch allegiance to Mr Guaido, the leader of Venezuelas National Assembly. We have continued to expose the corruption of Maduro and his cronies, and todays action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people, said Mr Bolton. US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said proceeds from Americas oil imports from Venezuela would be withheld from the disputed Maduro regime in blocked accounts, but the company could avoid the crippling sanctions if it recognised Mr Guaido. He said the oil was a valuable asset that we are protecting for the Venezuelan people. The US efforts to squeeze Mr Maduro were attacked by the Venezuelan leader as an attempted coup. Never before was there an open coup attempt led from Washington. Today John Bolton asked for a coup, a desperate blow, he said in Caracas. John Bolton is offending Venezuelan soldiers. He offends international rights. Theres no limit to the extremist group that took over the White House. Theyre like the Ku Klux Klan, he added. The Maduro government is now likely to look towards backers like Russia, China and Turkey to buy more of its oil. Mr Guaido insisted in an interview with CNN that the US sanctions were made to protect Venezuelas assets abroad. He said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump and other leaders in the region. He said the sanctions were intended to ensure that Maduros government doesnt continue robbing the people of Venezuela. The move came after the Bank of England faced demands that it should refuse to release 1 billion of gold to Mr Maduro. Anyone who has read the works of Elie Weisel or Anne Frank knows that the most powerful way to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust is to hear about it firsthand from a survivor. Visitors to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center get an unprecedented chance to do just that, thanks to the work of Cleveland-based company Eventworks 4D (also known as EW4D). In late 2017, the museum debuted the Take a Stand Centerwhere 3D holograms created by EW4D take the stage to share their experiences and answer audience questions. "We create a realistic visual perspective that creates the illusion that the audience is talking to a real person onstage," says EW4D president Joel Solloway. "It's a new approach for documenting history in a real-life scenario." An EW4D hologram addresses audiences at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.The first of its kind, the permanent immersive installation has sparked serious interest from other museums around the country, including the Dallas Holocaust Museum (which is building a dedicated hologram theatre set to debut in late 2019). The Smithsonian named it "one of 12 must-see fall exhibits around the world," and British Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed it as "unlike anything [he'd] ever seen." And as EW4D founder Joel Solloway sees it, this is just the beginning, as he believes the applications for this type of historical documentation are endless. This is a technology for living history, says Solloway. For instance, we could film Barack Obama and move this into a presidential library. 100 years from now, people could still have a conversation with him and ask about policy or what it was like to live in the White House; it would be like you or I sitting down with the real Abraham Lincoln. This changes the course of the way history will be forever documented. In the near future, Solloway can also see this type of hologram translating to so many other disciplines. Picture lifelike holographic assistants giving directions in airports, medical centers, and convention center lobbies; holographic librarians helping track down books; or holographic astronauts captivating crowds at planetariums. Thanks to an option called telepresence, holograms can even be beamed from one location to another, so Solloway envisions CEOs giving global onstage presentations to multiple locations from the solitary comforts of EW4Ds Cleveland filming room. "There really are no limitations to how you can customize this technology," says Solloway. Right now, Solloway is also energized by possibilities in the music industry. Rock-and-roll icons are aging and dying, but by profiling them as living legends, they are always with usnot just as something we see on a 2D screen or video documentary, says Solloway. So how does it work? Solloway says the holograms utilize an artificial intelligence method called natural language processing to essentially program the hologram to converse in a natural and spontaneous manner. In the case of the Holocaust exhibit, the sponsoring Shoah Foundation interviewed 13 real-life survivors (one of whom is from Northeast Ohio, but most from Skokie, IL) to gather stories, voice patterns, and intelligence. As a result, each individual hologram in the exhibit can answer approximately 2,000 questions in conversation. Along with what Solloway calls defining questions (such as How old were you when you were interred at Auschwitz?), the cloud-based algorithm ensures that holograms can also answer questions like, How does it feel to be a hologram? or "Where do you live now?" We want to make sure they can answer humorous questions or questions that address what happened in their life timeline beyond their years in concentration camps, explains Solloway. Solloway says this type of organic dialogue is what sets apart EW4Ds work from other companies in the virtual and augmented reality spaces. Holographic illusion is the visual backbone of what we do, but when you make it interactive, it changes the dimension, he says. With our technology, you dont need [lenticular] glasses or screensits just you in the real world. According to Solloway, EW4D is one of just a few companies in the country currently specializing this type of technology with very limited competition. Small and mighty with just five employees, EW4D does work all over the globe, but has worked locally with clients like Dealer Tire, Cleveland Clinic, and MetroHealth. Though the company has been around since 1994, EW4D made the transition into what Solloway calls the holographic world in 2007. As they work to expand the technology's reach, Solloway says one of the biggest challenges will be convincing "living legends" to be immortalized in holographic form for historical preservation. "Once they pass on, their stories can't be told in first personit makes little sense to do a digital resurrection to bring back someone from the dead," says Solloway. "We have to confront the living and get them to embrace this technology so future generations can truly enjoy the significance they have given to our world." A widow has won a bitter court battle with her stepson over a 450,000 home, despite admitting faking her late husbands will at a drunken party. Diane De Marzo, 57, used 150,000 of inheritance money from her property investor husband Michael Ball to buy a house in Abbey Wood, Kent, with stepson Sonny Ball. However the arrangement turned sour when Sonny, 33, and his wife Leahann claimed the money was actually a gift to them and she had no right to a share of the property. Mrs De Marzo said she was ordered out of the property like a dog, sparking a legal battle over ownership and an investigation into the inheritance payment. Judge Simon Monty found Ms De Marzo had a legitimate stake in the house, but he also reported her to the Attorney General after she admitted forging her husbands will. Central London county court heard that Mr Ball owned a large family villa, a rental house and two beachside apartments in southern Spain, plus a flat in Kent, when he died without making a will in 2013. Mrs De Marzo said she was left with mounting debts and no prospect of releasing the money from her late husbands property portfolio. The judge said: Diane took advice from an unidentified financial adviser, who told her that the only thing she could do was to get an English will. When she said she didnt have one, the reply was: Well, find one. Mrs De Marzo therefore drafted a will in the name of her late husband, using as a precedent her own home-made will, inserting his name in place of hers and naming herself as sole beneficiary. At a drunken party she produced the will and said words to the effect of: Who wants to sign it? The judge said her behaviour was dishonest, using the forged will to obtain a grant of probate in her name and then selling the properties in Spain. He said the case should be referred to the Attorney General to consider whether any criminal proceedings should be brought against Diane or others; and to consider whether to bring proceedings for contempt of court. Judge Monty said the forgery issue did not invalidate her claim to a share of the disputed property. Sonny and Leahann have wrongly denied the existence of the house purchase agreement, he said. I do not think that the agreement between the parties, recorded in the house purchase agreement, should be defeated by Dianes dishonesty in relation to the will. The court heard Mrs De Marzo moved in with Sonny and Leahann after the purchase of the Abbey Wood property in 2015, but she was asked to leave when the house became crowded. The judge found that a document Sonny and Leahann signed in a pub did represent an agreement over home ownership. P iers Morgan became embroiled in a furious TV bust-up with Scottish politician Ross Greer over his views on Winston Churchill. The Good Morning Britain presenter invited Green Party MSP Mr Greer onto the show for a debate after he labelled Mr Churchill a white supremacist mass murderer in a tweet. He was responding to a Conservative party tweet marking the anniversary of the wartime Prime Minister's death, labelling him "the greatest Briton to have ever lived." His post sparked a backlash including from Mr Morgan who ended up calling Mr Greer a "ginger turd". Today, the TV host accused him of offering no balance, perspective or any sense that what Winston Churchill did for this country was good. He also said if it was not for Mr Churchill, the 24-year-old MSP would be goose-stepping his way to Holyrood." But the 24-year-old MSP said the presenter's version of events were wildly ahistorical and that it was time to consider different perspectives on the former PM. Defending his controversial tweet, he added: Churchill was a man who declared, in his view, the Aryan race would triumph, he described Indians as a beastly people with a beastly religion - and when a mass famine broke out in India, for which he was significantly to blame, the Bengal famine, he said it was their own fault because they bred like rabbits." He also called Mr Morgan a snowflake a term often used by the GMB host and honey glazed gammon. Mr Morgan had previously called Mr Greer a thick ginger turd and grotesquely insulting in their Twitter spat. N HS Blood donation sessions have been cancelled in Dover and Folkestone for eight weeks over fears stocks could be ruined in traffic jams caused by Brexit. Donations will be cancelled for a two week period before and a six week period after Britains exit from the EU, NHS Give Blood said. The blood service announced the move on Tuesday after donors reported having their appointments cancelled. In a statement on social, media it said: We have taken the decision to cancel blood donation sessions in Dover and Folkestone for a 2 week period before and a 6 week period after Britains exit from the EU. This is because in the event of issues in Calais and other freight ports, this could lead to significant traffic in Kent and may prevent donation teams from reaching or leaving venues in the area. We will hold replacement sessions at other locations and we will still be in a position to provide the necessary blood to hospitals. Labour's Virendra Sharma, a Best for Britain supporter, said: "It is an absolute disgrace that the Government's no-deal contingency planning is interrupting life-saving blood donations. "The Government's reckless behaviour could cost lives. "The Prime Minister must put a stop to this madness and rule out a disastrous no-deal immediately." However, later on Tuesday, Sky reported that a Department of Health source told it the blood donations would continue in contrast to the previous announcement. Last year, a report warned that chaos at British ports is a real prospect if the UK crashes out of the European Union without a deal. A Commons committee said that there is a real risk the Department for Transport (DfT) will not be ready for a no-deal scenario. In its report, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee said the risks are severe and that time is running out to plan. The committee accused DfT officials of having a complacent approach to Brexit preparations. M edicine will be prioritised over food if a no-deal Brexit disrupts supply chains, according to the Health Secretary. Very significant planning is under way to curb any potential impact of no deal on medical supplies," Matt Hancock said. Speaking at Parliaments health and social care committee, he said of course medicines should get priority over food. Mr Hancock said: "We have been through detailed, line-by-line analysis of the 12,000 medicines that are licensed in the UK... in order to ensure that there is a plan for the continuity of supply for all medicines in the event of a no-deal Brexit. "The pharmaceutical industry have, I would say, risen to this challenge and done their duty thus far. "There's a lot more work that still needs to be done in the remaining time but we do have the time necessary to do what we need to do." He said the proportion of food imported into Britain is "much smaller" than medicine, of which half has "some touch point" with the EU. Jonathan Ashworth accused the Government of "playing Russian roulette with the national interest and putting people's health at risk" / Getty Images The admission was criticised by the Labour shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth who accused the Government of "playing Russian roulette with the national interest and putting people's health at risk". Mr Ashworth said: "The fact that the Health Secretary is forced to make decisions over whether to prioritise medicine over food in the event of a Tory no-deal Brexit is simply astonishing. "And it's all the more irresponsible that Theresa May stubbornly refuses to rule out no deal." Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, who was also quizzed by the committee on Monday, said no-deal contingency plans have been "activated". He said: "They involve in the first instance the work that the Department of Health and Social Care is leading with the medicines and devices supply chain, to size buffer stocks and then to ensure that the Department for Transport (DfT) knows the requirements that the NHS has." The NHS supply chain is "completely reliant" on DfT infrastructure, Mr Stevens added. Labour MP Ben Bradshaw asked Mr Hancock about his interview on Sunday with the BBC's Andrew Marr. He said: "Why did you say to Andrew Marr yesterday that you may have to consider curfews and martial law and emergency legislation to deal with some of these contingencies?" Mr Hancock said: "There is no such thing as martial law in the UK, there is a Civil Contingencies Act (CCA). "In the health department we look at the CCA. It is an option all the time for all sorts of considerations. We're always planning for things we don't want to happen." Asked by Mr Bradshaw "what on earth" his department will do if a no-deal Brexit interrupts services, he added: "If everybody does what they need to do then the continuity of supply of medicines will be in place no matter what the Brexit scenario." Earlier this month the chief executive of the NHS Confederation, Niall Dickson, told the committee a no-deal Brexit would be a "real disaster" for the NHS. The committee is looking at the NHS long-term plan which aims to save up to 500,000 lives through a focus on prevention and new technology. T he Duke and Duchess of Cambridge delighted eager crowds as they arrived in Dundee to open its new V&A museum. William arrived in an understated navy suit and dark paisley tie while Kate wore a navy and green tartan dress. The Duchess beamed as she waved at well-wishers on Tuesday. The royal pair, known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn when in Scotland, were met by V&A Dundee director Philip Long before entering 80million landmark building for a tour. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Dundee / PA The duchess, a patron of the V&A, will make a short speech celebrating the addition of the centre to Scotland and the UK. Little girl strokes Kate's hair on Scotland visit V&A Dundee is the first V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London. It has been designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and sits on the banks of the River Tay as the centrepiece of an ongoing 1 billion regeneration of Dundee's waterfront. T heresa May sought to unite Tory right wingers today by pledging to demand legally binding changes to the unpopular EU backstop. The Prime Minister asked MPs for the clearest possible mandate to insist that Brussels reopen the withdreawal deal that she agreed to in November. She also promised to engage sincerely and positively with a new Plan C unexpectedly put forward by an alliance of Tory Brexiteers and former Remain campaigners, including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nicky Morgan. Mrs Mays words were calibrated to win a two-week breathing space and avoid a defeat in a series of cliff-hanger votes in the Commons tonight. The Prime Minister told the Commons: We have the chance to show the European Union what it will take to get a deal through this House of Commons. Mrs May speaks in the Commons today / AFP/Getty Images Mrs May tried to postpone a rebellion by Tories desperate to rule out a no-deal Brexit by saying that a showdown could take place in two weeks. She argued that tonights voting ought to be about her attempt to reopen negotiations. I want to go back to Brussels with the clearest possible mandate, she said, adding that the message had not be not what this House doesnt want but what we do want. TODO: define component type apester She reassured remain-backing MPs there would be a vote as soon as we possibly can on a revised deal if it was struck. Failing that there would be a motion allowing MPs to put down amendments to prevent a no-deal departure. The pledge was a concession designed to persuade potential rebels on the Tory side to give her another fortnight to try to change the deal. Corbyn's shadow cabinet is backing a plan that could delay Brexit beyone March 29 / AFP/Getty Images The House will have a further opportunity to revisit this questions of exiting without a deal, she said. At the start of the debate, Speaker John Bercow announced that he would allow debate on seven amendments, with voting due to begin from 7pm. Speaker John Bercow selected seven amendments for votes later Mr Bercow confirmed that MPs will vote on Sir Graham Bradys amendment - which is backed by No 10 - that is designed to test whether Mrs Mays withdrawal agreement could command a majority if the backstop was removed or neutralised. The shadow cabinet agreed to back a controversial plan piloted by ex-minister Yvette Cooper for the Commons to seize control of business in order to pass a short Bill delaying Brexit. Shadow Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer said the plan would fill the void of leadership left by the Prime Minister. At the same time, several Conservative ministers indicated privately they may defy a strict three-line whip by abstaining in two of tonights key votes. If no new agreement is reached with the EU, Mrs May will bring forward a motion on February 13 for voting on the following day, St Valentines Day. The twists and turns left tonights critical votes in the Commons too close to call. MPs are due to vote on a number of amendments designed to stop no-deal and to test opinion on the controversial Irish border backstop. In the latest sign of Government disunity, Business Minister Richard Harrington even issued a public ultimatum to the Prime Minister, declaring on live radio that his support depended on her giving an irrevocable undertaking that MPs will be allowed to prevent Britain crashing out of the EU without an agreement. A Tory minister said a number of ministers were considering abstaining in the Cooper amendment, and on another amendment put down by former Tory chair Dame Caroline Spelman, aimed at simply asking the Government to rule out no-deal. Mrs May launched strong attacks on amendments from Ms Cooper and Tory MP Dominic Grieve that both seek to let MPs take control of the Commons timetable. They were deeply misguided and allow parliament to usurp the role of the executive, declared Mrs May. In punchy exchanges, the PM was challenged by MPs. Ms Cooper demanded if Mrs May would respect a vote to extend Article 50 and avoid no-deal. But Mrs May hit back by warning: Extending A50 does not rule out no deal. Former Attorney General Mr Grieve accused her of asking MPs to suddenly adopt a measure the Government has signed up to at the last moment to stop MPs voting on alternative plans. T heresa May was dealt a major blow hours before tonights Brexit showdown in the Commons when Jeremy Corbyn swung behind moves to kill off a no-deal Brexit. The shadow cabinet agreed to back a controversial plan for the Commons to seize control, delaying Britains departure from the European Union in order to seek a new deal. At the same time, several Conservative ministers indicated privately they may defy a strict three-line whip by abstaining in two of tonights key votes. Launching a fightback at Cabinet, the Prime Minister announced that she will open the debate herself, and revealed she is now willing to demand that the EU reopen the withdrawal agreement itself to make legally binding changes to the Irish border backstop, designed to maintain an open border in Ireland. Mrs Mays official spokesman said the PM hoped to come back to the Commons as soon as possible with a revised deal which will be subject to a meaningful vote. Labour support: Yvette Coopers amendment asks for Brexit to be delayed / EPA Crucially, Mrs May told ministers that amendments would be allowed a commitment designed to persuade Remain-backing ministers to cancel a rebellion tonight and give her two weeks grace. If no new agreement is reached with the EU by February 13, Mrs May will allow MPs to vote on alternative arrangements. The twists and turns of the morning left tonights critical votes in the Commons too close to call. TODO: define component type apester MPs are due to vote on a number of amendments designed to stop no deal and to test opinion on the fraught backstop issue. In the latest sign of Government disunity, one minister issued a public ultimatum to the Prime Minister, declaring on live radio that his support depended on her giving an irrevocable undertaking that MPs will be allowed to prevent Britain crashing out of the EU without an agreement. Labour announced it will formally support an amendment tabled by Yvette Cooper that would take control of the Commons timetable to push through a Bill delaying Brexit, probably by three months. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the plan would fill the void of leadership left by the Prime Minister. A Tory minister said a number of ministers were considering abstaining on the Cooper amendment, and on another put down by former Tory chairwoman Dame Caroline Spelman aimed at asking the Government to simply rule out no-deal. In an interview on Radio 4s Today programme, business minister Richard Harrington indicated he was ready to lose his job. He said: If she is prepared to give that irrevocable undertaking which means at the despatch box or a similar instrument many of us feel Well, okay, for the sake of everything, we will give her two weeks. But that is it. Downing Street gave no indication of whether or not Mr Harrington would be disciplined for his candid remarks, leaving an impression that Mrs May was being buffeted by factions in her divided party. In other key developments: International Trade Secretary Liam Fox claimed that Mrs May is ready to demand that the European Union reopens the withdrawal agreement to change the backstop. His words went further than No 10 has been willing to go. Ireland pre-empted Mrs Mays efforts to get a mandate in the Commons for a renegotiation by calling for realism and saying: There can be no change to the backstop. Mrs Mays Northern Irish DUP allies called for her to give a clearer commitment to neutralise the backstop in the Commons today as the price of their support. They oppose the backstop that would keep Northern Ireland aligned to some EU single market rules so the border with Ireland could stay open. An eleventh hour Plan C unveiled by a surprising alliance between Brexiteers headed by Jacob Rees-Mogg and leading former Remain campaigner Nicky Morgan drew mockery in Brussels and was branded a fantasy at Westminster. But the DUP said they may back it. Fears of no-deal chaos grew amid reports of 1,000 defence workers being redeployed to deal with potential turmoil and that travel insurance would be rendered invalid for thousands of families. Mrs May had hoped that Conservatives would rally behind an amendment put down by Sir Graham Brady, which backs her deal providing the backstop is removed or neutralised. But hardline Brexiteers said they would oppose it, with former Cabinet minister John Redwood calling it vague. C hancellor Philip Hammond will hold a slimmed-down spring statement in March, shortly before Britain is due to leave the EU. However if the UK crashes out without a deal it would be followed by an emergency mini-Budget in April designed to boost spending and confidence in the economy. Whitehall insiders were playing down the significance of the spring statement, which is when the latest economic forecasts are published, saying it would be a low-profile event that would not involve key decisions. Among the dates being considered are March 11 or 13. It is basically fulfilling a legal requirement to issue the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility before the end of March, said an expert. L abour chiefs are being flooded with demands for the party to move towards backing a second referendum. Party members are piling pressure on Jeremy Corbyn and the ruling National Executive Committee, which was meeting this morning, to support another public say on Brexit. The issue may be raised, though was not on the agenda. So far, the Labour leader has refused to adopt such a stance amid fears that it could alienate Leave voters. A startling 13,000 submissions have now reportedly been made to the party urging it to shift to backing another referendum and a delay to Brexit so it no longer happens on March 29. Labour MP Yvette Cooper has put down an amendment that would extend Article 50, thereby delaying leaving the EU. Yvette Cooper on her way to Westminster this morning / Jeremy Selwyn They include dozens of motions passed by constituency Labour parties (CLPs), calling for these steps. CLPs which have agreed such motions include: Holborn & St Pancras, represented by shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer; Mitcham and Morden, which is urging all Labour MPs to support a public vote at the earliest opportunity and calls for a half-day special conference on such a move; Finchley and Golders Green which is calling for party chiefs and all MPs to vote in Parliament for an immediate extension to Article 50 and for a public vote on the result of the UKs negotiations for EU withdrawal. TODO: define component type apester Mr Corbyn has been pushing for a general election as part of the partys policy to consider other options, including another public vote, if the country does not go to the polls. A Labour candidate standing in an east London by-election apologised today after he was accused of endorsing hate preachers on social media. Asik Rahman liked the pages of Dr Zakir Naik who was barred from the UK in 2010 for praising Osama Bin Laden and saying all Muslims should be terrorists on his Facebook account. Naik has said homosexuality is unnatural and should not be legal. Mr Rahman also followed and shared posts by Mufti Ismail Menk, who called gay people worse than animals. The Labour candidate for Shadwell ward is running in a Tower Hamlets council by-election on February 7. He unliked both pages after the Standard contacted him. He has since increased his privacy so the contents of his profile cannot be viewed. I am wholeheartedly sorry for liking these individuals pages, he said. I was unaware of the extreme and nasty nature of their views. This was a genuine mistake and these people do not represent my views. Dr Zakir Naik was barred from the UK in 2010 for praising Osama Bin Laden and saying all Muslims should be terrorists on his Facebook account. / Getty Images Isle of Dogs Conservative councillor Peter Golds said: By liking these pages he is endorsing these people and the terrible views they represent. Its unbelievable that he didnt know about the absolutely abhorrent things these men believe. This borough has a reputation and its disgraceful that we see it happening again and again. The vetting [of candidates] is just not being done. He should not be standing. Four schoolgirls from Tower Hamlets were radicalised into going to Syria in 2014 and 2015. A leaked draft of the Home Offices 2015 counter-extremism strategy said the borough was a place where allegations of extremism, homophobia and anti-Semitism had been allowed to fester. Labour declined to comment beyond Mr Rahmans apology, saying it had not received an official complaint. Tower Hamlets mayor John Biggs said: As a councillor [Mr Rahman] will of course be bound by our rules on behaviour and conduct. Elections are taking place in Shadwell and Lansbury wards after two Labour councillors quit over Christmas. Muhammed Harun resigned after he was accused of housing fraud. It was alleged that he owned two properties while living in social housing. Mr Harun has denied the claims. The councils monitoring officer is investigating; police are not investigating. Ruhul Amin resigned his seat in Shadwell for personal reasons. The resignations follow councillor Mohammed Pappus suspension from the Labour party after he shared anti-Semitic memes on social media. 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. T heresa May is expected to struggle to get her Brexit deal through Parliament for a second time this evening, with her own Attorney General dealing her a major blow with his legal advice. Geoffrey Cox admitted the Irish backstop, which has generated much of the opposition to the PM's deal, could still see locked forever into EU rules. He concluded the legal risk remains unchanged and unless the UK could prove the EU was acting in bad faith in future, there was no internationally lawful means of exiting the Protocols arrangements, save by agreement. Last night, Mrs May claimed to have secured new "legally binding" assurances on the backstop and urged MPs to back her "improved deal" in tonight's meaningful vote. The backstop, which is aimed at preventing a hard border in Ireland, has seen MPs voicing their dissaproval on two main issues. Some fear the UK could become trapped indefinitely in the backstop while others dislike the fact that Northern Ireland would be operating under different regulations to the rest of the UK. The DUP, which props up Mrs May's government, has also displayed fierce opposition to it. Below, the Standard answers some key questions on the backstop within Mrs Mays deal. Brexit pressures: Theresa May / REUTERS What has the PM achieved? Three new documents were agreed with Mr Juncker. The first is a "joint instrument" that relates to the Withdrawal Agreement. The PM said it reduces the risk that the UK could be "deliberately held in the Northern Ireland backstop indefinitely". The second is a "unilateral declaration" by the UK which sets out "the sovereign action the UK would take to provide assurance that the backstop would only be applied temporarily". The third is a supplement to the Political Declaration "setting out commitments by the UK and the EU to expedite the negotiation and bringing into force of their future relationship". What does all that mean? The joint instrument gives Britain the ability to suspend the backstop if the EU is deemed to have deliberately applied it indefinitely, but the UK would have to win the backing of an independent arbitration body to do so. The unilateral declaration is a statement on the record that the UK can "instigate measures" to remove itself from the backstop if talks break down. This could carry legal weight if it is lodged with the UN without formal objection by the EU. The supplement to the declaration states the intention that both sides will set about finding an alternative to the backstop as soon as possible. Countdown to Brexit: 17 days to go What was planned for the Irish border? A backstop solution aims to prevent the establishment of a hard border, and the reintroduction of border checks, between Northern Ireland and the Republic. It would mean the UK will remain in a customs union with the EU "unless and until" "alternative arrangements" are found to avoid a hard border if future trade talks between the two parties fail once a transition period ends. But it also means some extra regulations relating to Northern Ireland remain aligned with the rest of the EU to ensure the order remains open. It is an insurance policy if no answer can be found through a permanent trade deal after a transitional period from next March but unionists fear it could create regulatory disparity between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The EU says it has no plans to change its negotiating stance and the UK Government has also said it would not accept a hard border in place after Brexit. But both sides have been reluctant to concede too much ground over the issue. What exactly does the backstop propose? The Prime Minister says she will negotiate a special customs and trade arrangement with the EU once the Brexit transition period ends in December 2020. But the Irish government, along with the rest of the EU, insisted on an insurance policy in case those talks fail. This backstop, which was agreed on as part of the Withdrawal Agreement struck in November will apply only until such a time as a subsequent agreement is in place. This would create a single EU-UK customs territory avoiding the need for tariffs, quotas or checks on rules of origin between the EU and the UK. Northern Irish businesses would not face restrictions when placing products on the EU's Single Market. But there will be separate regulations for Northern Ireland on some extra rules of the single market, to avoid a return to a hard border on the island. What has been the Irish Government's reaction? Dublin is keen to ensure a free-flowing border to protect the peace process and north-south trade links and wants this insurance policy to protect it. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is not possible to renegotiate the backstop without reopening all aspects of the draft withdrawal treaty. Mr Varadkar pledged to defend the backstop, but said it was important to remember it was an insurance mechanism and a way of avoiding the return of a hard customs border on the island. Brexit: Meaningful Vote Front Pages - In Pictures 1 /9 Brexit: Meaningful Vote Front Pages - In Pictures What has been the DUP's reaction? Party leader Arlene Foster said the Prime Minister must get rid of the backstop and backed calls for alternative arrangements to be made. The DUP is concerned remaining aligned to Europe would create a regulatory divergence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, requiring extra checks on east-west trade and threatening the integrity of the UK as a whole. MP Sammy Wilson told the BBC that Theresa May's Commons defeat reaffirmed his party's concerns over the backstop and that the Prime Minister must renogotiate with Brussels. Other opposition to the backstop Many MPs dislike the prospect of being bound to EU rules and customs duties that would prevent Britain doing its own trade deals and leave it overseen by EU judges. Mrs May has pushed the EU to put a time limit on the backstop, possibly in 2021. Some EU governments have considered such a deadline - perhaps more like 2025 - but Ireland and all other EU leaders have rejected that. Staunch Brexiteer Boris Johnson has previously said the EU would use the backstop to "blackmail" the UK. He told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show last year: The real problem with the backstop arrangement, it gives the power to Brussels and all the other EU states effectively to blackmail us and to get what they want out of the future trade negotiations. It is a diabolical negotiating position to be in. Mr Johnson insisted that there could be a withdrawal agreement without the Irish backstop. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his Brexit deal would not include a backstop and that the DUP clearly disliked it "for very good and sensible reasons". What have Remain voices in Northern Ireland said about the backstop? Four pro-Remain parties in Northern Ireland including Sinn Fein and the nationalist SDLP declared it should be "banked" rather than discarded to protect the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. J eremy Corbyn this afternoon backed a three-month delay to Brexit to avoid crashing out of the European Union without a deal. "The first duty we have is to block a disastrous no deal," he told the Commons. But the Labour leader came under fire from remain supporters on his own benches for ignoring their demands for a second referendum. There were noisy scenes as he appeared to turn a blind eye to one of his MPs, Angela Smith, who tried repeatedly to intervene in his speech. Ms Smith is a prominent backer of a second referendum. TODO: define component type apester In a Commons debate ahead of tonights cliff-hanger votes, Mr Corbyn attacked Theresa May for refusing to take no-deal off the table. He then threw his support behind a plan tabled by senior backbencher Yvette Cooper aimed at extending Article 50 to make time for new negotiations. He told the Commons: "The Labour Party will back that amendment tonight because to crash out without a deal would be deeply damaging for industry and economy." He added that he was "backing a short window of three months to allow time for renegotiation". Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the plan "will allow Parliament to fill the void of leadership left by the Prime Minister". The plan would let MPs seize control of the Commons timetable, overturning a cetnrury of convention. Speaking earlier, the Prime Minister said Ms Cooper's plan would "allow Parliament to usurp the proper role of the executive". "Such actions would be unprecedented and could have far-reaching and long-term implications for the way the UK is governed and for the balance of powers and responsibilities in our democratic institutions," she said. Ms Cooper's plan would also not resolve the difficulties faced in getting any solution through Parliament - it "does not rule out no deal, it simply delays the point of decision", she said. M Ps are jostling to make their mark on a super Tuesday of Brexit showdowns. On a crucial day that could carve the shape of Brexit, Theresa May's latest policy stance on leaving the EU will be debated in the Commons' main chamber from 12.30pm. Speaker John Bercow is expected to select up to half a dozen amendments for a vote from 7pm. MPs are then expected to vote on the PM's policy stance on Brexit next steps. With parliamentary tradition upended by the battle for control of Brexit, what would normally have been just a bland neutral motion by the government on the Prime Minister's policy stance now threatens to take on a life of its own. Both sides in the often incendiary debate are hoping for a lightning strike moment to illuminate the way out of the Brexit impasse. As a result of a previous rebellion, MPs have been able to table amendments to the motion, with the handful selected by Mr Bercow set to be voted on and potentially alter the course of the scheduled EU exit. Speaker John Bercow will select the amendments / AP Mr Bercow is expected to choose up to half a dozen of the myriad of amendments put down using a selection process which is believed to include taking into account the backing each one has amassed and the likelihood of it passing. The fact that Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and Justice Secretary David Gauke have both backed the idea of MPs being given a free vote on some aspects of Brexit adds to the air of unpredictability as the Commons clash approaches. Dominic Grieve has tabled one of the most far-reaching amendments / Reuters Dominic Grieve, the Tory former attorney general and one of the sharpest pro-European thorns in Theresa May's side, is the rebel who paved the way for the parliamentary showdown and he has tabled one of the most far reaching amendments. TODO: define component type apester Any successful amendment will not be binding on the Government, but the Prime Minister will find it hard to ignore the declared will of a majority in Parliament. Here are some of the most prominent amendments tabled: Grieve amendment The former attorney general wants the Government to hand over power to the Commons on every Tuesday from February 12 to March 26 so backbenchers can discuss, amend and vote on Brexit. Support: 12 Tories including former minister Justine Greening and Remain campaigners Anna Soubry and Dr Sarah Wollaston. Plus Labour backbenchers, Lib Dems and the SNP. Will it pass? It could be close, and if it passes it could pave the way for a second referendum. Taking Control Labour MP Yvette Cooper talking about her amendment on the BBC's Andrew Marr show / PA Forces Theresa May to extend Article 50 beyond March 29 up until December in order to avoid a no-deal Brexit. Wes Streeting: 'We need to buy ourselves some more time to avoid crashing out of the EU with no-deal' Support: Dozens of Labour backbenchers, the SNP, Lib Dems and nine Tories. Not endorsed by Labour leadership. Will it pass? It will be close but possible with enough Tory rebels, with some estimating it could pass by three votes. Highly dangerous to Mrs May, but a Bill could be vulnerable in the Lords. Brady amendment Helen Whately believes May needs to go back to Brussels and raise concerns over the backstop Removes the backstop from the withdrawal agreement, and asks PM to come up with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. Tabled by Tories friendly to Mrs May. Support: Eight Tories including former Cabinet minister Damian Green. Will it pass? It could, as many Tories friendly to Mrs May likely to be very receptive but will hinge on Right-wing European Research Group and the DUP falling behind it. The ERG mostly ruled out backing this amendment last night. No to no deal Spelman-Dromey amendment Tabled by Tory Dame Caroline Spelman and Labours Jack Dromey and rules out a no-deal Brexit. Jack Dromey: 'The house of commons will not support a no-deal Brexit' Support: 129 MPs have put their names to it, including 10 Tories, among them former minister Nicky Morgan. More than 220 MPs have also written a public letter to say they do not support a no deal. Will it pass? This could be one to watch as so many MPs have indicated support for taking no deal off the table. But less damaging to May, as not legally binding. Labour's twin track approach This calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, such as a customs union with the EU, as well as the possibility of a new Brexit referendum. Jeremy Corbyn has been careful not to commit Labour to officially back such a poll, though. Amendments have been tacked on to the Labour push, with the Liberal Democrats calling for Remain to be on the ballot paper in any referendum, and Labour backbenchers urging Parliament to legislate for a public vote. Indicative votes Commons Exiting the European Union Committee chairman Hilary Benn wants a series of votes on various Brexit options to see where the most support lies. Free votes Former minister Frank Field is seeking free votes on options including the Irish backstop, a no-deal Brexit, Canadian and Norwegian models for relations with the EU, a customs union relationship and a second referendum, to act as a "guide" for the Government in future talks. Liberal Democrat pitch D onald Tusk delivered an immediate blow to Theresa May this evening as he declared the Withdrawal Agreement struck last November "is not open for renegotiation". The European Council president said the Irish backstop "is part of the Withdrawal Agreement" as he responded shortly after the Prime Minister claimed a mandate to return to Brussels to seek "alternative arrangements". It followed a night of high drama in Westminster that will see the PM go back to the EU to try to renegotiate her Brexit deal after MPs gave their backing to proposals to replace the controversial backstop. The Commons voted by 317 to 301 in favour of a proposal backed by Mrs May to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement and replace the backstop with "alternative arrangements" to avoid a hard border in Ireland. Mrs May has leave to go back to Europe and try to renegotiate her Brexit deal / AFP/Getty Images Mrs May said that the result showed there was a means of securing a "substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal" and vowed to seek a new agreement with Brussels. However a spokesman for Mr Tusk said: "The Withdrawal agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. "The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation." Donald Tusk said the Withdrawal Agreement is not open to re-negotiation / AFP/Getty Images Meanwhile one of the PM's strongest negotiating weapons was ripped from her hands by MPs who voted to block a no-deal Brexit. Speaking on behalf of the remaining 27 EU states, Mr Tusk said: "We welcome and share the UK parliament's ambition to avoid a no-deal scenario. We continue to urge the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps as soon as possible. "If the UK's intentions for the future partnership were to evolve, the EU would be prepared to reconsider its offer and adjust the content and the level of ambition of the political declaration... Should there be a UK reasoned request for an extension, the EU27 would stand ready to consider it and decide by unanimity." Theresa May admits renegotiation with the EU 'won't be easy' following amendment votes Mr Tusk added that the EU would press on with contingency preparations as well as the ratification of the existing Withdrawal Agreement that has stalled on the UK side. While the EU says it is open to "alternative arrangements", no workable options were found in two years of negotiations. And earlier today French President Emmanual Macron also said the agreement was "not renegotiable", in comments just moments before MPs vote. Mr Macron insisted that the Brexit divorce deal thrashed out between the EU and Britain is the "best available". French President Emmanuel Macron said the agreement was 'not renegotiable' / AFP/Getty Images Speaking in Cyprus, he said the deal "is the best accord possible. It is not re-negotiable." Following the Commons votes, a spokesman for the French president's office said France will push forward with preparations for a no-deal scenario. It is vital that Britain clarifies its intentions and makes credible proposals, a statement said. The Commons approved a cross-party amendment, tabled by Midlands MPs Caroline Spelman and Jack Dromey, rejecting a no-deal Brexit by 318 to 310. TODO: define component type apester The vote is not legally binding on the Government but will impose massive political pressure on the Prime Minister to delay Brexit from its scheduled date of March 29 if she cannot secure a new deal from Brussels. She told MPs: "I agree that we should not leave without a deal. However, simply opposing no-deal is not enough to stop it. "The Government will now redouble its efforts to get a deal that this House can support." There was uproar in the chamber as she said: "There is limited appetite for such a change in the EU and negotiating it will not be easy. But in contrast to a fortnight ago, this House has made it clear what it needs to approve a withdrawal agreement." Mrs May said she would seek "legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border". And she told MPs: "If this House can come together, we can deliver the decision the British people took in June 2016, restore faith in our democracy and get on with building a country that works for everyone. T heresa May was handed a public ultimatum today by one of her ministers to let MPs rule out a no-deal Brexit within two weeks or face a rebellion. Business minister Richard Harrington indicated he was ready to break a three-line whip if the Prime Minister failed to give such an irrevocable undertaking today in the House of Commons. Speaking on BBC radio ahead of tonights critical votes on Brexit, the minister indicated he was ready to lose his job, and said: If she is prepared to give that irrevocable undertaking which means at the despatch box or a similar instrument many of us feel Well, OK, for the sake of everything, we will give her two weeks. But that is it. Downing Street gave no indication of whether or not Mr Harrington would be disciplined for his candid remarks, leaving an impression that Mrs May was being buffeted by factions in her divided party. TODO: define component type apester In other key developments: International Trade Secretary Liam Fox claimed that Mrs May is ready to demand that the European Union reopens the withdrawal agreement to change the Irish border backstop, designed to prevent a hard border in Ireland. His words went further than No 10 has been willing to go. Ireland pre-empted Mrs Mays efforts to get a mandate in the Commons for a renegotiation by calling for realism and saying: There can be no change to the backstop. An eleventh hour Plan C unveiled by a surprising alliance between Brexiteers headed by Jacob Rees-Mogg and leading former Remain campaigner Nicky Morgan drew mockery in Brussels and was branded a fantasy at Westminster. But the DUP said they may back it. Mrs Mays Northern Irish DUP allies called for her to give a clearer commitment to neutralise the backstop in the Commons today as the price of their support. They oppose the backstop that would keep Northern Ireland aligned to some EU single market rules so the border with Ireland could stay open. Fears of no-deal chaos grew amid reports of 1,000 defence workers being redeployed to deal with potential turmoil and that travel insurance would be rendered invalid for thousands of families. Pressure on Mrs May intensified ahead of tonights votes on Brexit where the Government faced a serious risk of being defeated by cross-party groups dedicated to preventing Britain crashing out of the EU on March 29. Mr Harrington told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that crashing out of the EU would be an absolute catastrophe for jobs and the economy and was a sword aimed at businesses. Four key amendments ahead of Tuesday's Commons showdown Many of us have been to see the Prime Minister and have told her the absolute catastrophe and disaster for jobs and the economy that no deal would be, he said. Richard Harrington / Daily Mail What she has asked us is that we give her another two weeks. The question is in two weeks time will there be an irrevocable undertaking that her deal will be brought back, amendable by exactly the kind of amendments there are today, to rule out no Brexit, or, if a deal is not brought back, there is the same platform? Asked if he would resign, he added: If I had to, if I had to break a Government whip, then presumably the Government would say Well, we dont want you to be business minister. Brexit: Meaningful Vote - In Pictures 1 /29 Brexit: Meaningful Vote - In Pictures A Leaver and a pro-European demonstrator argue during protests opposite the Houses of Parliament in London AP A police officer extinguishes a flag that was set alight by pro-Brexit protestors outside the Houses of Parliament PA An anti-Brexit protester dressed in a Theresa May costume recreates a scene from the 1997 film 'Titanic, EPA Pro Brexit supporters outside the Houses of Parliament, London, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal PA PA John Bercow speaks in the House of Commons Sky News Pro-Brexit protestors outside the Houses of Parliament, London PA Prime Minister Theresa May listens to the Attorney-General Geoffrey Cox, speak in the House of Commons ahead of the Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal PA Pro Brexit supporters outside the Houses of Parliament, London, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal PA Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in London Reuters Effigies of Prime Minister Theresa May, former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, current Environment Secretary Michael Gove and former Brexit secretary David Davis, are driven past the Houses of Parliament, London, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal PA Former Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Dominic Raab, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Arlene Foster, Conservative Peer Lord Lilley and former Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis speak to the media during a press conference to offer an alternative Brexit plan Getty Images Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg speaks to the media outside the Palace of Westminster Getty Images Pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Former leader of UKIP Nigel Farage speaks to the media as Pro-Brexit and Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray outside the Houses of Parliament, London PA Pro EU protesters and Pro Leave protesters demonstrate outside Parliament EPA A man dressed to imitate former foreign secretary Boris Johnson holds a fake bank note for 350 million pounds outside the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images A pro-Brexit 'battle bus' (L) drives past a mix of pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit protesters outside the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) talks with a Brexiteer outside the Houses of Parliament, London, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal PA A pro-European demonstrator sings during a protest opposite the Houses of Parliament AP Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes leaves 10 Downing Street, London, following a cabinet meeting, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal PA Anti-Brexit and Pro-Brexit protesters fly flags outside the Houses of Parliament, London, ahead of the House of Commons vote on the Prime Minister's Brexit deal PA Theresa May leaves a cabinet meeting at Downing Street AP A pro remain supporter wears anti brexit badges on his hat, during protests outside of the Parliament EPA Anti and pro Brexit placards are displayed outside of the Parliament EPA Anti-Brexit supporters hold up placards outside Parliament AFP/Getty Images Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold up placards outside Parliament AFP/Getty Images Pro-Brexit supporters hold up placards outside Parliament AFP/Getty Images Mrs May had hoped that Conservatives would rally behind an amendment put down by Sir Graham Brady, which backs her deal providing the backstop is removed or neutralised. However, hardline Brexiteers said they would oppose it, with former Cabinet minister John Redwood calling it vague. Mr Fox used a round of interviews to bolster support for Mrs Mays plan by signalling she would seek to reopen the wording of the agreement which the EU regards as set in stone if given a strong mandate by MPs. I think we should send the Prime Minister back to Brussels with a strong mandate to be able to say, If you compromise with us on this one issue, on the backstop, we would be able to a get an agreement an agreement that is almost there, he told Today. But Irelands European affairs minister Helen McEntee called for realism from the UK, insisting: There can be no change to the backstop. It was negotiated over 18 months with the UK and by the UK. A bit of realism is needed at this stage. L abour has been forced into a U-turn on the governments Brexit immigration bill after a decision to abstain from the vote was met with anger from MPs. Diane Abbott, the Shadow Home Secretary, sparked a backlash among Labour MPs and members when she confirmed the frontbench would not vote against the legislation. But less than two hours later, amid growing outrage over the decision, the party dramatically shifted its position and said it would whip its MPs to vote against it. Several Labour MPs had already said they would be voting against the bill, regardless of their leaderships position, including former Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna. TODO: define component type apester Labour MP Chris Leslie said the frontbench had thrown away the chance to defeat the government on the bill, describing the situation as an utter shambles. After the partys position shifted, Mr Leslie wrote on Twitter: Its is still on a one-line whip - which means Labour frontbench have just thrown away the chance to defeat the Government on flagship #ImmigrationBill. An utter shambles and no point trying to deny it. Mr Umunna wrote: Just been informed that we are now being 1 line whipped to vote against the Immigration Bill this evening. This is welcome and overdue. Totally agree with all those saying it should be a 3 line whip to vote against. As I said earlier, I was voting against regardless of the whip. Ms Abbott had previously called the Bill "one of the flimsiest pieces of legislation" she had ever. She added: "However, we reserve the right to reconsider our position on this legislation when it comes out of committee." She said the initial decision was due to Labour's 2017 election manifesto, which promised that the UK would leave the EU single market and therefore means an end to freedom of movement too. T heresa May tonight claimed a mandate to renegotiate Brexit after uniting the Conservatives behind a Commons vote to get rid of the Irish border backstop. The victory put her on a collision course with the European Union whose president Donald Tusk promptly cut out any attempt to reopen negotiations. MPs voted by 317 to 301 a healthy majority of 16 on an amendment saying they would support the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change. In reality, the victory was owed partly to members of the European Research Group who said outside the chamber that they were against the withdrawal blueprint but just wanted rid of the backstop. MPs announce the result of a vote on Sir Graham Brady's amendment to the Prime Minister's Brexit deal / PA And Mrs May was defeated in another division, when the House of Commons voted to oppose a no-deal Brexit. A cross-party group of MPs passed an amendment tabled by Dame Caroline Spelman, the former Conservative chair, by a margin of eight votes. The defeat puts pressure on Mrs May to make compromises to avoid a disorderly Brexit if her own blueprint fails, but it is not legally binding on her. Overall, Mrs May appeared to have won an extra fortnight in which to attempt her renegotiation and kick the Brexit can further down the road towards Brexit Day on March 29. Responding to the cliff-hanger series of votes, she told the House the vote showed a "substantial and sustainable" majority in the Commons for leaving the European Union with a deal. Brexit withdrawal agreement: amendment results She admitted renegotiation "will not be easy" as there was limited appetite for such a change in the EU. Mrs May has leave to go back to Europe and try to renegotiate her Brexit deal / AFP/Getty Images Mrs Mays success was sweetened when Jeremy Corbyn finally agreed to take part in cross-party talks, having previous refused unless the PM took her implkied threat of no-deal off the table. It did not take long for the EU to formally reject Mrs Mays demands. A spokesman for Donald Tusk, the European council president, stated: The backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement and the withdrawal agreement is not open for re-negotiation. Earlier, Tory whips saw off two amendments designed to legally oblige the PM to delay Brexit for the sake of a deal. Jeremy Corbyn's motion was voted down by 296 votes to 327 / PA But several Conservative ministers privately indicated to the Standard that although they had stayed loyal tonight in the binding votes, they would change sides if Mrs May failed to rescue her own withdrawal deal when the next meaningful vote is staged in Parliament on February 13. If Mrs May loses that vote, then tonights votes on delaying Brexit are set to be repeated, possibly with a different result, on St Valentines Day. There were bitter recriminations in Labour after a dozen or so MPs in Leave-supporting areas voted with the Government against amendments designed to allow alternatives such as a new referendum. Others abstained. Labour ex-minister MP Ben Bradshaw fumed on Twitter: "So disappointing that vital cross-party amendment led by Dominic Grieve was defeated because more than ten Labour colleagues voted with the Tories. In a night of Commons drama, Speaker John Bercow called seven key amendments for voting. In the first key vote, MPs rejected Jeremy Corbyns motion calling for a debate on Labours Brexit plans by 296 votes to 327. Next an amendment tabled by the Scottish National Party, which called on the Government to rule out no-deal and extend the two-year Article 50 negotiation process, was crushed by 39 votes to 327, with Labour abstaining. Then it came to the first of the major cross-party challenges to Mrs May an amendment drafted by former Attorney General Dominic Grieve that would let MPs seize control of the parliamentary timetable on six dates to debate and vote on alternatives like a second referendum. The amendment was voted down 301 to 321. The next vote was on Yvette Coopers cross-party amendment which was reckoned by many to be the most incendiary if Mrs May lost. The amendment would have hijacked Commons business to allow a legally-binding Act to be passed by backbenchers delaying Brexit and forcing the PM to strike a different deal. However, it was lost by a bigger-than-expected margin of 298 to 321. An amendment tabled by Labour ex-minister Rachel Reeves which called on the PM to delay Brexit if she could not get any deal past Parliament by February 26 was then defeated by 322 to 290. Former Conservative chair Dame Caroline Spelmans amendment, which simply rejects the UK leaving the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement and a [trade] Framework was next up. It was won by a bigger than expected margin of 318 to 310. However, although the motion puts pressure on Mrs May to seek an extension to Article 50 if she does not have a deal, it is not legally binding. Finally the amendment put down by the Conservative grandee Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, was passed by 317 to 301, requiring the backstop to be replaced by mysterious alternative arrangements and stating that the House would support the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change. Around 17 Conservatives rebelled on the Cooper amendment designed to block no-deal, which was a substantial revolt. But the Pound fell around half a point during the voting as investors grew nervous that Parliament had failed to prevent a no-deal Brexit. It did not recover when Mrs May claimed her mandate to renegotiate, indicating little faith in her chances of success. Mrs May stood up on a point of order after the vote and told MPs: "I agree that we should not leave without a deal. However, simply opposing no-deal is not enough to stop it. "The Government will now redouble its efforts to get a deal that this House can support." There was uproar in the chamber as she said: "There is limited appetite for such a change in the EU and negotiating it will not be easy. But in contrast to a fortnight ago, this House has made it clear what it needs to approve a withdrawal agreement." Mrs May said she would seek "legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border". And she told MPs: "If this House can come together, we can deliver the decision the British people took in June 2016, restore faith in our democracy and get on with building a country that works for everyone. "As Prime Minister I will work with members across the House to do just that." Conservative MP Nick Boles, who masterminded the plan to prevent a no-deal Brexit by law, issued a joint statement with Ms Cooper stating: "Tonight MPs have voted to stop no-deal Brexit. We did not get enough support to ensure there could be a binding vote to avert No Deal or require an extension of Article 50 if needed. They added: "We remain committed to ensuring that we don't reach the cliff edge on 29 March without a deal." Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson told Sky that Mrs May had received a mandate from Parliament with a "clear, unambiguous" message that the backstop had to be removed from the Withdrawal Agreement. He said: "I hope that our friends in Brussels will listen and that they will make that change. No 10 sources said they were pleased with the overall results. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "After months of refusing to take the chaos of no deal off the table, the Prime Minister must now face the reality that no deal is not an option. "I will meet the Prime Minister and others from across Parliament to find a sensible Brexit solution that works for the whole country. "That solution should be based around Labour's alternative plan of a customs union with a UK say, a strong single market relationship and a cast-iron guarantee on workers' rights, consumer standards and environmental protections." The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, thought a no-deal Brexit now looked more likely. "Parliament has contradicted itself tonight, he said. In reality this makes the possibility of a no-deal Brexit more likely. He called for a new referendum to take this out of politicians hands. But business leaders were anxious and urged Mrs May to spell out her position on a disorderly Brexit. Stephen Martin, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said: While it is something that MPs have managed to form a majority in any vote, the path ahead is still far from clear. The Prime Minister clearly faces a difficult task in winning a compromise on the backstop. He hoped the EU would prove to be flexible and welcomed the PMs promise to let MPs vote again in a fortnight. But he demanded: The PM must go one step further, however, and set out now in clear terms what would happen if this second vote is lost. Business leaders need to know whether that would mark the point of no return for leaving without a deal. Mr Tusks spokesman said: "We welcome and share the UK Parliament's ambition to avoid a no-deal scenario. We continue to urge the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps as soon as possible. "The Withdrawal Agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. "The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation." The Irish Government said the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. In a statement issued following the outcome of tonight's Westminster votes the government said: "The EU position on the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, is set out in the conclusions of the December meeting of the European Council. It has not changed." "The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation." "The agreement is a carefully negotiated compromise, which balances the UK position on customs and the single market with avoiding a hard border and protecting the integrity of the EU customs union and single market. "The best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify this agreement." Just before voting started, French president Emmanuel Macron said there could be no renegotiation of the backstop. Speaking in Cyprus, he said the withdrawal agreement that was defeated by 230 votes a fortnight ago is the best accord possible. It is not re-negotiable. He said a no-deal exit was one that no one wants but we should all prepare for. TODO: define component type apester Mrs Mays hopes of winning a vote on the amendment put down by grandee Sir Graham Brady were boosted at the last moment when core members of the pro-Brexit European Research Group held a meeting where they decided to back it. Theresa May's declaration after night of voting "A fortnight ago, this House clearly rejected the proposed Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration with just 202 members voting in favour. Tonight a majority of Honourable Members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop. Combined with measures to address concerns over Parliaments role in the negotiation of the future relationship and commitments on workers rights, in law where need be, it is now clear that there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. My colleagues and I will talk to the EU about how we address the Houses views. As I said this afternoon, there is limited appetite for such a change in the EU and negotiating it will not be easy. But in contrast to a fortnight ago, this House has made it clear what it needs to approve a Withdrawal Agreement. Many Honourable Members have said that the continuing protection of workers rights after Brexit is something that needs to be strengthened, and my Right Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Business will intensify our work with honourable members from across the House and the trade unions this week. And my Right Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union will do the same on how we engage this House further in our approach to negotiating our future partnership with the EU. As well as making clear what changes it needs to approve the Withdrawal agreement, the House has also reconfirmed its view that it does not want to leave the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement and Future Framework. I agree that we should not leave without a deal. However, simply opposing no deal is not enough to stop it. The Government will now redouble its efforts to get a deal that this House can support and to that end I want to invite my Right Honourable Friend the Member for Meriden, the Honourable Member for Birmingham Erdington, and all those that tabled amendments in opposition to No Deal to discuss how we can deliver that by securing a deal. In light of the defeat of the Right Honourable Member the Leader of the Oppositions amendment I again invite him to take up my offer of the meeting to see if we can find a way forward. Mr Speaker, if this House can come together we can deliver the decision the British people took in June 2016, restore faith in our democracy and get on with building a country that works for everyone. And as Prime Minister I will work with Members across this House to do just that." However, some of the ERG leaders made clear that while they supported her efforts to get rid of the backstop, they would still vote against Mrs Mays withdrawal blueprint in a future vote even if she succeeded in neutralising the backstop. Irish leader Leo Varadkar said he would speak to the Prime Minister to see "what the next steps are". He suggested he was ready to deal with a no-deal exit, saying: "We could find ourselves in 10 or 12 weeks' time needing to find a lot of money to save people's jobs." T wo suspects are dead after five police officers were injured as they were shot at during a drugs raid in Houston, Texas. The officers faced gunfire as they forced open the front door of a home to they carried out a search warrant on Monday. A group of about a dozen narcotics police stormed the house before being shot at in the shocking scenes. It was not immediately known how many officers returned fire but the two suspects were later found dead. SWAT officers used two robots to go into the home and determine that it was safe to enter after the gunfire stopped. Of the five officers injured, two were shot in the neck and were rushed to hospital. They were in a critical but stable condition. Police Chief Art Acevedo said officers had been responding to a tip off that black tar heroin was being sold from the house. "Once the officers breached the door and the gunfire began from the suspects, one of the suspects actually retreated momentarily to the back of the room and then that suspect came back and again engaged the officers in gunfire," Acevedo said. All the officers were taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, with two of them transported by helicopter. Police did not immediately have additional information about the suspects. L awyers for speedboat killer Jack Shepherd have announced an emergency hearing that could see him brought back to the UK. His legal team say the Briton is due to appear in court in Tbilisi later today in the latest stage of the bid to extradite him. Writing on Facebook, Tariel Kakabadze said: "Prosecutor requested Jack Shepherd's urgent extradition according to simplified rules. "We, Jack Shepherd's defense team are going to fight the request!" The 31-year-old web designer handed himself in to Georgian authorities after months on the run following his conviction for killing Charlotte Brown. Shepherd's lawyer: Mariam Kublashvili / Sven Hoffman /Martini via Getty Images Shepherd, 31, was found guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Charlotte Brown, 24, when the pair were thrown overboard in December 2015 on the Thames. He did not attend his Old Bailey trial, instead going on the run for 10 months, and was sentenced in his absence to six years in jail. Web designer Shepherd finally handed himself in to police in Tbilisi last week and is in custody before a judge hears Britains request to bring him back to the UK. Today his lawyer in Georgia, Mariam Kublashvili, claimed the crime he was convicted of did not apply under Georgian law. She told the BBC: What happened, in the river of Thames is not a crime by Georgian law. Jack Shepherd in court last week / Reuters If their behaviour... is not in Georgian law a crime, the person must be not be extradited. He prefers to serve his sentence in Georgia. For him, it is better to stay here if it is possible. Justice Secretary David Gauke today condemned a death threat sent to Shepherds British lawyer as completely unacceptable. The letter to Richard Egan told him to remember Jo Cox, the Labour MP murdered by far-Right extremist Thomas Mair. It references stabbing and bombing, and features a swastika and the words Heil Hitler. Mr Egan, who has reported the letter to police, said: It threatens my family. It suggests that I have been followed and that the writer knows where I live and where I work. There is a specific threat to firebomb my firm, endangering the lives of my colleagues. A judge has ruled speedboat killer Jack Shepherd will not face a fast-tracked extradition from Georgia back to the UK. Shepherd, 31, appeared in court on Tuesday when a judge decided against accelerating the process for his return to Britain, according to reports. He could remain in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, for several more months. Attempts were made by prosecutors in Georgia to return Shepherd "urgently". Tariel Kakabadze, a defence lawyer for Shepherd / AP Before the hearing, a defence lawyer for Shepherd, Tariel Kakabadze, wrote on Facebook: "Prosecutor requested Jack Shepherd's urgent extradition according to simplified rules. "We, Jack Shepherd's defense team are going to fight the request!" Shepherd was convicted in his absence last year of killing Charlotte Brown, 24, on a first date in December 2015, when the speedboat they were in overturned in the Thames. He handed himself into Georgian authorities last Wednesday after months on the run. Shepherd in court last week / Reuters Shepherd, 31, was found guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Charlotte Brown, 24, when the pair were thrown overboard in December 2015 on the Thames. He did not attend his Old Bailey trial, instead going on the run for 10 months, and was sentenced in his absence to six years in jail. Web designer Shepherd finally handed himself in to police in Tbilisi last week and is in custody before a judge hears Britains request to bring him back to the UK. Today his lawyer in Georgia, Mariam Kublashvili, claimed the crime he was convicted of did not apply under Georgian law. She told the BBC: What happened, in the river of Thames is not a crime by Georgian law. If their behaviour... is not in Georgian law a crime, the person must be not be extradited. He prefers to serve his sentence in Georgia. For him, it is better to stay here if it is possible. Justice Secretary David Gauke today condemned a death threat sent to Shepherds British lawyer as completely unacceptable. The letter to Richard Egan told him to remember Jo Cox, the Labour MP murdered by far-Right extremist Thomas Mair. It references stabbing and bombing, and features a swastika and the words Heil Hitler. Mr Egan, who has reported the letter to police, said: It threatens my family. It suggests that I have been followed and that the writer knows where I live and where I work. There is a specific threat to firebomb my firm, endangering the lives of my colleagues. T hree men have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a doorman at a New Years Eve party in Park Lane. The men, aged 25, 20, and 23 were arrested separately in the past 12 hours, police said. Security guard Tudor Simionov, 33, was allegedly knifed in the chest as he tried to stop a group of men gatecrashing the 12.5 million Fountain House in London's West End in the early hours of New Years Day. Police are hunting Nor Aden Hamada, left, and Ossama Hamed / Met Police Police arrested a 25-year-old man on Monday night after he presented himself at a central London police station. A 20-year-old man was arrested after police visited his home at 6am on Tuesday. Officers said he tried to flee by jumping out of a window, but he was detained by a police dog. A 23-year-old man was arrested in Hammersmith for murder and violent disorder. The 20-year-old and 23-year-old are now in custody. Victim: Security guard Tudor Simionov A 26-year-old woman has previously been charged with perverting the course of justice in relation to the case, while a 25-year-old man has been charged with violent disorder. A sixth man, Imran MN=ostafa Kamel, 26, appeared in court on January 3 charged with two counts of possession of a firearm. It is understood the charges related to the incident involving Mr Simionov. Violence: images from a mobile phone show the fight outside the party Three men and a woman also received knife injuries during the attack. They have since been released from hospital. Detective Inspector Garry Moncrieff of the Homicide and Major Crime Command said he was unwilling to speculate on the whereabouts of Ossama Hamed and Nor Aden Hamada. I would urge anyone who has seen them, or knows of their whereabouts, to contact police immediately, he said. A death threat sent to the lawyer of speedboat killer Jack Shepherd has been slammed as completely unacceptable by Justice Secretary. A letter written to Richard Egan, Shepherds British lawyer, has been passed to police. It tells Mr Egan to remember Jo Cox, the Labour MP murdered by far right extremist Thomas Mair, and talks of stabbing, bombing, features a swastika and the words Heil Hitler. Conservative MP David Gauke tweeted he was very concerned about the death threats, adding: such behaviour is completely unacceptable. Former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas, says the letter represents an attack on the rule of law. The BBC reports Mr Egan, a defence solicitor representing Shepherd, has received a steady stream of abusive and threatening letters, emails and texts, which include accusing him of having blood on his hands. The most recent letter, which was sent to his office, gave him 48 hours to state the he was no longer supporting or providing legal aid to Shepherd. You have been followed - nice house, the letter read. Now accidents happen, people get stabbed in London, pets get poisoned, children run over. Jack Shepherd, who has been in hiding in Georgia handed himself into police last week. / Reuters Be warned we (EDF) will petrol bomb your nice office. The letter is signed "Heil Hitler" alongside an image of a swastika. Mr Egan told the BBC this letter was of a "different order" to others he has received. "It threatens my family. It suggests that I have been followed and that the writer knows where I live and where I work. "There is a specific threat to firebomb my firm, endangering the lives of my colleagues." Charlotte Brown who was killed in a speedboat crash on the River Thames whilst on a date with Jack Shepherd. / Metropolitan Police/PA Wire In a statement, police said: "An allegation of malicious communication was raised to Met Police on Friday, 25 January. "The victim received threats to his life through post. "Officers from Central North CID are currently investigating." She died while on a date with Shepherd on the River Thames in December 2015 after the speedboat they were in crashed. Mr Egan told the BBC that in his 25-years of acting in some of the most high-profile cases before the criminal courts, he had never known a reaction as fevered as the one in this case. Shepherd had been in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi since March and was absent throughout his trial. F ive men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of missing Luke Jobson. The 22-year-olds body was found in the river at Yarm, Teesside on Monday after he had been missing since the early hours of Saturday. It is believed that Mr Jobson could have been involved in an altercation outside the Keys pub, and police have appealed for any dashcam footage from the night. He was last seen near Yarm School at 2.15am on Saturday. Five men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after Mr Jobson's body was found / Owen Humphreys/PA Wire Four other teenagers have also been released under investigation, with an 18-year-old remaining in custody for questioning. A Cleveland Police spokesman said: A body recovered in the river at Yarm by officers who had been searching for missing Luke Jobson has sadly been confirmed as being that of the 22 year old. Our thoughts are with Lukes family and friends at this very difficult time and specially trained officers will continue to support them. Five males who came forward (after police appeals for information on the circumstances leading up to the discovery of Lukes body) have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Two 18 year olds and two 16 year olds have now been released under investigation, while an 18 year old remains in custody facing questioning. T hree teenagers have been arrested after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in north London. Police and paramedics scrambled to the scene in Caledonian Road, Islington, on Tuesday night. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Images from the scene showed a forensic tent erected in the street next to a Ladbrokes betting shop. A forensic tent was seen in the street and a police cordon remained in place on Tuesday night A Section 60 stop and search order, which allows police to search anyone in a given area, was put in place until 3am on Wednesday. The order covered much of Islington, Clerkenwell, Finsbury Park and Bloomsbury. Police were called shortly before 7pm to a report of an assault in Caledonian Road near the junction with Tilloch Street. Two boys, aged 17 and 16, were arrested near to the scene. An 18-year-old man was later arrested at a residential address in Islington. All three were arrested on suspicion of murder. They have been taken into custody at a north London police station. In statement, Scotland Yard said: Although we await formal identification officers are confident they know the identity of the deceased. Next of kin have been informed. Police tape: the man was found on Caledonian Road "A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be arranged in due course. "Detectives from the Central North Command Unit are investigating alongside colleagues from the Homicide and Major Crime Command." A woman has been rushed to hospital after she was knifed while trying to save a man from being stabbed in an attack in south east London. Police and the London Ambulance Service rushed to Baring Road, in Bromley, at about 4.40pm, to reports of a stabbing. Once there, officers said they found a woman suffering from stab injuries after she tried to intervene in the assault. The man who was attacked fled the scene and has not been traced, police added. A spokeswoman from the Metropolitan Police said: Officers attended and found a woman suffering from stab injuries. She informed officers that she was injured as she attempted to intervene in the assault. She was taken by the London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Enquiries continue to trace the victim of the original assault. Officers remain in the area. There have been no arrests and enquiries continue. O ne in four Londoners has witnessed or experienced extremist views in the last 12 months, City Hall research revealed today. A total of 61 per cent of the 2,000-plus responses also thought the threat from extremism was increasing. Mayor Sadiq Khan used the results to call for improved efforts to divert vulnerable people away from terrorism. The Governments deradicalisation programme Prevent has been criticised for failing to prevent incidents such as the Parsons Green Tube bomb in September 2017, in which 30 passengers were injured. Ahmed Hassan, 18, who was jailed for life for attempted murder last March for the attack, had been involved with the Prevent programme in Surrey for more than a year. Mayor Sadiq Khan used the results to call for improved efforts to divert vulnerable people away from terrorism / PA Last week the Government announced an independent review of the programme in response to concerns over its negative impact on some communities, particularly Muslims. Todays research also found almost two-thirds of Londoners would not know how to obtain help if they were worried about an individual displaying extremist characteristics. F ormer Labour whip Fiona Onasanya has been jailed for three months for telling a disastrous lie to police in a bid to avoid a speeding prosecution. The 35-year-old, who once dreamed of being Britains first black female Prime Minister, claimed one of her former tenants had been behind the wheel of her Nissan Micra when it was caught speeding. However the lie began to unravel when detectives discovered the driver had been at home with his parents in Russia on the day of the offence. Onasanyas chancer brother Festus had first volunteered the bogus information after the MP was caught doing 41mph in a 30mph zone on a road in her Peterborough constituency. Fiona Onasanya was jailed for three months / PA But when challenged by police and Onasanya realised what her brother had done, she stuck to the story instead of coming clean. She was convicted of perverting the course of justice at trial, and stood alongside her brother in the Old Bailey dock as they were both jailed by Mr Justice Stuart-Smith. Sentencing the MP to three months behind bars and Festus to ten months in prison, he said: It is a tragedy you find yourself here and in this predicament, but its a tragedy you have brought upon yourself. Fiona Onasanya, right, arrives at the Old Bailey, London for sentencing / PA He said Onasanya had a clean driving licence at the time of the speeding offence, and had no reason to lie to the police about being behind the wheel. You had a choice, whether to tell the truth or attempt to pervert the course of justice. You made the wrong choice with disastrous consequences. The judge added that Onasanya had strong personal mitigation but her case was not exceptional enough to warrant a suspended prison sentence. I make it plain I wont treat you more severely because of your position as an MP and as a solicitor. But it cant be one law for those in a position of power and responsibility and another for those who are not. Fiona Onasanya's brother Festus was jailed for 10 months / PA Onasanya, a former Labour whip and key Corbyn ally, was kicked out of the party after her conviction in December, but has continued to sit as an independent MP. She compared herself to Jesus in a message to her Labour colleagues after the trial ended. Her barrister, Christine Agnew QC, said Onasanya had continued to sit in Parliament because this is her only source of income. But she accepted Onasanyas fall from grace will now lead to her losing her Westminster seat and also being struck off the professional register of solicitors. Onasanya will not automatically be stripped of her Parliamentary seat, which would only come after a prison sentence of longer than a year. However, the three-month prison term has triggered a recall petition for her Peterborough seat. Onasanya, a qualified property solicitor, was fast-tracked on to Cambridgeshire county council after being overheard talking about the London riots in a pub in 2011. She claimed the Peterborough seat in June 2017 from the Tories with a slender 607 majority, declaring afterwards: I would like one day in the future to become the first black, female Prime Minister of this country. But just seven weeks into her Parliamentary career, the speeding incident that would bring her down had occurred. Onasanya was sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution over the speeding incident, in The Causeway in the Cambridgeshire village of Thorney just after 10pm on July 24 last year. When the form was returned, the name of Aleks Antipow was given as the driver in an attempt to absolve Onasanya of blame. But detectives discovered that Mr Antipow was actually at home with his parents in Russia that day. The judge today said Festus was to blame for the false information being put on the form, and he accepted that the MP was too busy with her fledgling Parliamentary career to know what he had done. But she backed the bogus story in a phone call to a police officer in November 2017, and at trial claimed she had made no effort to find out who was driving the car when it was caught speeding. Police already knew Onasanyas phone had been in use in the area at the time of the speeding offence, but landed a major breakthrough when two of the Labour MPs former aides came forward to give evidence against her. Dr Christian DeFeo, who had been communication manager on Onasanyas election campaign, said he and his wife had seen the MP drive to their home, off The Causeway, on July 24. I never dreamed in my darkest dreams I would have to be sitting here, he said, revealing they had decided to come forward after reading about the case in the local media. "It is with the greatest reluctance that I have had to do this, but to do otherwise I can't, it's morally and legally unacceptable. During her trial, Onasanya branded her brother as a dishonest chancer, as he had already admitted three counts of perverting the course of justice by lying to avoid speeding tickets. But a jury convicted her of also lying, after the prosecution argued that she must have known the information was false when she spoke to the police to support the bogus story. T he winning images for this year's British Photography Awards have been announced. The successful entries were named at a ceremony held at The Savoy Hotel on January 28. Over 3,700 British photographers submitted their work to be considered for the awards, which span a range of categories including: Best Portrait Photographer, Best Drone Photographer, Best Documentary Photographer and Best Selfie Photographer. For each category a Peoples Choice winner was also announced, for which the competition received some 74,000 votes in total. Reaching for Heaven by Konrad Paruch won 'Best Drone' in the British Photography Awards 2019 / Konrad Paruch Several industry contribution awards were also given out at the ceremony, world-renowned portrait and fashion photographer Rankin received a Fellowship Award, while celebrity photographer Richard Young scooped the British Photographic Associateship accolade. Frans Lanting was named International Photographer for 2019. Hugo Donnithorne-Tait, awards director of the British Photography Awards, said: "These awards are pivotal in celebrating the rich heritage of our photographic culture. They inspire new practitioners and influence established artists. We are very fortunate in having such a distinguished Fellow to award in 2019, someone who has been a great source of inspiration to so many photographers the world over." People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} Reese Witherspoon has an instantly recognizable sense of style - equal parts preppy, Southern, and sophisticated. In recent years, the Hollywood star has become a production mogul as well as an award-winning actress. Her company Hello Sunshine works to tell womens stories in TV, film, and online - including the critical smash Big Little Lies, which made its triumphant return to HBO for a second season. Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde Some of Reese's most iconic fashion moments have taken place onscreen. Who can forget her bubblegum pink turn as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde? Her Audrey Hepburn moment in Breakfast at Tiffanys during the Big Little Lies season one finale spurred a whole season of Halloween costumes. Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} But her best onscreen looks might just be her most underrated ones. Sweet Home Alabama hasn't exactly aged well (there are Confederate role-playing soldiers), but the looks still transfer to 2019. Many of her dresses, paired with cowboy boots (because of course), could easily be mistaken for Reformation sundresses - or her own brand, Draper James. Draper James Today, Reese's Southern spirit is stronger than ever thanks to her lifestyle brand, Draper James, which Sweet Home Alabama inspired her to create. Being in Sweet Home Alabama was a huge turning point in my life. It was when the world realized that I was a Southern girl through and through, and that I was proud of where I came from, she said in an interview celebrating the movies 15 year anniversary. Getty Images The films colorful, quirkly looks are Alabama inspired - a style Reese says reflects her Nashville roots. People wear black to funerals. I didnt wear black at all when I was young and was only allowed to buy my first pair of black pants when I was 15, she told the Wall Street Journal when she launched Draper James in 2015. Our black is navy." Getty Images Today, when it comes to her personal style, shes all about returning to classic Southern looks, which includes matching shoes to handbags and using colorful prints inspired by her upbringing. On Big Little Lies as the tightly strung Madeline Martha Mackenzie, she's almost as preppy as she is on Instagram. Scroll through our gallery above to see our favorite Reese looks - including a few little black dresses. The new co-host of Kiss FMs breakfast show said she went from being a geography nerd to presenting one of radios most coveted slots in a year. Daisy Maskell also insisted that if she was able to launch her career from her bedroom, so could any youngster. The 21-year-old, pictured right with co-host Tom Green, 24, who is the former presenter of Kiss FMs evening show, began their tenure at the beginning of the month. The duo replaced Rickie, Melvin and Charlie, who moved to Radio 1. Maskell, from north London, told A List: It has been a very, very quick turnaround for me. Up until a year ago I was pretty much fresh out of school, figuring out what to do. Seeing stars: Daisy Maskell with the cast of The Voice Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson, Olly Murs and will.i.am / Tabatha Fireman/Getty People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} I was a geography nerd and probably would have spent my life in waders in a river studying the sediment. But I decided not to go to uni and that I would try my hand at this presenting business. You have to realise at a young age that you are capable of anything. Congrats to Amy Schumer, who has given birth to her son. Growing a baby is tough work, and while some wax lyrical about that pregnancy glow, for many women the reality is very different. There's also the added pressures of unwanted advice offered up everywhere you turn, and all those picture-perfect pregnancy yoga shots on Instagram. Enter Schumer - who was having none of it over the course of her pregnancy. The Trainwreck star has confirmed the arrival of her son with husband chef Chris Fischer. But leading up to the big day, Schumer was the pregnancy truth-teller we all needed in our lives. Here's some of her best pregnancy observations - including that cake... She was totally real about her pregnancy cravings People. Fashion. Power. Delivered weekly. Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} Pregnancy cravings take no prisoners and luckily for Amy Schumer, she happened to be in exactly the right city to sate them. While travelling through New Orleans, she posted a video of herself diving right into a bag of beignets from renowned beignet experts Cafe Du Monde. Her face was entirely caked in powdered sugar as she deadpanned to camera, You never know when a cravings going to come on and theres no better city than New Orleans. She had the best-worst pregnancy cake ever Schumer's sister-in-law Molly Fischer is the one responsible for this terrifying/hilarious mess, realised in graphic detail with chocolate sprinkle public hair, the saddest cabbage patch doll weve ever seen and a tiny pink... When she was real about her baby shower Evidently, Amy Schumers been watching the Fyre Festival documentaries as she posted an image of the events infamous geodesic domes. As for her baby shower gifts? Plastic wrapped mattresses and wet cardboard boxes. That time her exercise routine fell through the floor Amy shared a screenshot of a fitness app, which tracked her step count, how many calories shed burned and how much time shed spent exercising. Even though her projected goal was 10,000 steps - she burned all of two calories and walked just 138, which makes sense given that swollen ankles and pregnancy-related back pain is not your friend. Our favourite detail? Level: sedentary. That time she didnt let her pregnancy keep her from getting sh*t done Getty Images She told InStyle Magazine that being pregnant (and being very sick with it) hasn't made her put her life on hold. True to her word, Schumer has continued to tour and even launch a fashion line called Le Cloud. She said, You're supposed to be this puritan, this saint. It's really Handmaid's Tale, like no, I'm still gonna do me. You don't stop being who you are just because you have a baby in you. You're still an artist, a writer, an activist, a dumb bitch. When she was very honest about the difficulties of pregnancy The comedian had a difficult second trimester and struggles with hyperemesis gravidarum - the same severe nausea Kate Middleton has experienced in her pregnancies - and ended up cancelling her shows as a result of it. She shared a picture from hospital on Instagram and wrote, I have to reschedule [my shows in Texas]. I am in the hospital. Im fine. Babys fine but everyone who says the 2nd trimester is better is not telling the full story. I have been even more ill this trimester. I have hyperemesis and it blows. Very lucky to be pregnant but this is some bullsh*t!" Amy also had a pretty rough Christmas, as she posted a video of herself in the countryside... leaning over a path and throwing up. The gallery also included her curled up on the floor and cuddling dogs for support and her husband staring at her in mock horror. That time she debunked the pregnancy glow myth Posting an image of herself sprawled out on a couch with an IV in her hand, she wrote, "Am I glowing?" That time her maternity wardrobe was glam AF Amy Schumer posted her own take on the 10 year challenge, with a shot of Charlize Theron playing serial killer Aileen Carol Wuornos in Monster. Of her spanx outfit Jessica Alba wrote underneath, I lived in those when I was preggers. That time she was #soblessed This one might be too graphic to share (see Schumer's Instagram for further details) but Amy recreated a horrifying image from the film Se7en - one in which a man is forced to overeat until he dies. She wrote, first trimester had me like #soblessed. When her pregnancy announcement got political Instead of staging an elaborate pregnancy photo shoot, Amy used her platform to endorse a list of 20 democratic candidates for Congress. To ensure that people read to the end of that list? She wrote four little words at the end, Im pregnant-Amy Schumer. When she was upfront about the support of other women In a New Year photograph posted to Instagram, Amys sister can be seen on the floor tying Amys shoelace so that she wouldnt have to bend down. Amy wrote, What would we be without our friends? Nothing. Here is my sister tying my dumb shoe. Women, we are so amazing and our love for each other is so deep. Lets continue to link arms this year and move forward. All of us. All the times Meghan Markle was her pregnancy nemesis Getty Images In an interview with InStyle Magazine, Amy Schumer revealed in a video that Meghan Markle is her nemesis. Not because the pair have any bad blood between them, but rather because the Duchess of Sussex has the gall to be pregnant at the same time as her. She said, So say someone like, I dont know, my nemesis Meghan Markle. Why is she my nemesis? Because shes pregnant at the same time as me and Im not letting her get away with that. She continued, Maybe Im feeling competitive, like, Oh, Meghan looks better than me and she has a tiny small bump and shes wearing high heels. And I already look 10 months pregnant and Ive been wearing flats for the last four years. Getty Images For her pregnancy announcement Schumer photoshopped her and husband Chris Fischers faces onto an image of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on tour in Australia. About to announce some exciting news she wrote. Since then, shes taken to posting photoshopped or strategically cropped images of the Duchess on social media, including one of Meghan Markle at the Fashion Awards - where she wore a stunning one shouldered Givenchy dress - and cropped out her face, captioning it, Loved my outfit during my set tonight! To tie everything together, the Duchess of Sussex gave birth just hours after Schumer. In one last pregnancy hurrah, Schumer took to Instagram to compare her birth to the Duchess' one more time, dubbing their son a "royal baby" as well. How's that for a full circle moment? T he line-up for Electric Soul Festival has been revealed, with the likes of Kool & The Gang, Level 42, Heather Smalls and The Brand New Heavies all performing at the O2. Trevor Nelson will host the new event on September 7, which marks one of the biggest funk and soul celebrations in the capital. As well as live music, the event will include food stalls and live DJs, as well as a host of pop-up record shops. Kool & The Gang who are also headlining El Dorado Festival this year are one of the most influential funk and soul bands ever, having sold more than 70 million records since the mid 60s. Level 42, meanwhile, are one of the most successful British jazz-funk groups of all time, best known for 1986 hit Lessons in Love. Speaking about the festival, Nelson said: Im unbelievably excited to host the first ever Electric Soul Festival. We have massive day festivals for every other type of genre, so its about time we had one for funk and soul the most influential and, obviously, my personal favourite kind of music! Its an amazing line-up of acts that have sold millions across the globe, not to mention all the extra things thatll be going on around The O2 across the day I cant wait! How to get tickets for Electric Soul Festival Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday, February 1. They are available to purchase here. Tickets are priced from 65, with VIP tickets available for 145. Gottwood (June 6-9) Celebrating its 10th year in 2019, Gottwood is a hedonistic retreat in the lush woodland of north Wales. It consistently pulls in the very best DJs around. Jake Davis for Here & Now F ashion is all about the aesthetic so a museum is the perfect place to pay homage to different fashion eras and designers. London is home to many museums with exhibitions covering all areas of fashion, from historic designs and contemporary trends to the future of the industry. The V&As 2019 Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition has sent the capital into a fashion frenzy, so now more than ever is the time to see what other venues have to offer. These are the ones to look out for if you know your Louboutin from your Lagerfeld. Fashion and Textile Museum Throwback: The Glamour of Bellville Sassoon exhibition This Bermondsey site is best known for exploring periods of fashion and their cultural connotations. The contemporary fashion museum was founded by British designer Zandra Rhodes back in 2003. This year it has a number of delights to tickle the fancy of fashion lovers. A four-month exhibition focusing on mini skirt revolutionary Mary Quant and designer Terence Conran will run from February until June, delving into the fashion, design and art of the Swinging Sixties. The show will present clothes, textiles, furniture, lighting, homewares, ceramics exploring both style and the socioeconomic importance of this period. 83 Bermondsey St, SE1 3XF, ftmlondon.org V&A Watteau evening dress: From the 1996 Les Femmes collection / Vivienne Westwood Huge names in the fashion world have graced the interior of the V&A, including Vivienne Westwood and Vera Wang, who both featured in the 2014 Weddings exhibition as well as gowns from Balenciaga, Balmain and Givenchy in the 2007 The Golden Age of Couture show. A much anticipated exhibition celebrating the life and work of the fashion designer Christian Dior opened in February, and will run until July. Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is the largest retrospective on the French designer ever shown in the UK and it showcases a number of exquisite garmets alongside photographs, accessories and personal items. Sneak peek at V&A's Christian Dior: Designer Of Dreams Exhibition Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL, vam.ac.uk Somerset House Fashion forward: The sixth annual International Fashion Showcase / Kirsty O'Connor/PA Archive/PA Images This iconic London landmark is home to the British Fashion Council and regularly hosts fashion exhibitions in its 16th century neoclassical building. In February the popular venue, which hosts London Fashion Week events, will host an International Fashion Showcase presenting work from the best up-and-coming fashion talent from around the world. Likewise a fashion photography exhibition will run for slightly longer, until April, exhibiting the work of Hanna Moon and Joyce NG two industry names to watch out for. Dress and textiles collection at the Museum of London Historical: 18th century court dress worn by Mrs Ann Fanshawe / Museum of London The clue is in the name here expect lots and lots of beautiful fabric and garments in this collection. The impressive offering boasts materials made, sold, bought and worn in London from the 16th century to the present. Theres an eclectic mix with pieces made both at home and in studios of London couturiers, covering all occasions too, from gowns worn at extravagant occasions to pieces worn every day. 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN, museumoflondon.org.uk Saatchi Gallery Contemporary showcase: The Saatchi Gallery / Getty Images Open seven days a week with free admissions to all exhibitions, its hard to resist the Saatchi Gallery. The site focuses on presenting work from unseen young artists, or international artists who are largely unknown, rather than household names. Previous popular shows include Chanels Haute Couture show, titled Mademoiselle Prive, alongside with a selection of London Fashion Week events. Duke of York's HQ, SW3 4RY, saatchigallery.com Fashion Space Gallery This London College of Fashion exhibition space continues to lay on an experimental programme of shows and events. Catering for both established artists and up-and-coming creative talents, the contemporary venue holds regular fashion, design, and art exhibitions alongside tours and talks. It runs a residency programme, supporting designers working in fashion and related fields. This year the gallery is hosting a Mundo Latinx exhibition, bringing together works from visual artists who raise questions around representation and identity. 20 John Prince's St, W1G 0BJ, fashionspacegallery.com Design Museum Leading ladies: The 'Women Fashion Power' exhibition at the Design Museum / Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive/PA Images This Kensington haunt specialises in contemporary design, covering all forms, from fashion and product to graphics and architecture. The venue continues to deliver a vibrant programme of exhibitions. Previous shows include one focusing on "couture's rebellious outsider" Azzedine Alaia and the Women Fashion Power exhibition. 224-238 Kensington High St, W8 6AG, designmuseum.org Photographers Gallery Soho haut: The gallery hosts regular fashion exhibitions / Kate Elliott If fashion photography is more up your alley, this space in Soho hosts regular exhibitions alongside educational activities to promote the snap happy pastime and its impact on culture and society. Previous style exhibitions have covered the portraiture and fashion photography of Edward Steichen, when he was working powerhouse fasion titles at Conde Nast. 16-18 Ramillies St, W1F 7LW, thephotographersgallery.org.uk M an Group, the worlds largest publicly traded hedge fund firm, has announced that it is pulling out from its lavish sponsorship of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, which it has maintained since 2002. It has been spending 1.6 million a year on the prize, it appears, although the winner receives only a crumb, 50,000 suggesting how widely this largesse has been spread on publicity, administration and hospitality. Still, the sum was enough to make last years winner Anna Burns (who thanked a housing charity and a food bank in her acknowledgments) rejoice in feeling solvent at last. Her challenging novel Milkman has sold some 150,000 copies in the UK. You can see it being read intently on the Tube every day. It has been suggested that Man Group chief executive Luke Ellis was stung by disparaging remarks aimed at the company by Sebastian Faulks in a wacky podcast. Faulks said Man Group was not the sort of people who should be sponsoring literary prizes and he wouldnt be happy accepting money from it, not that it would ever happen. Its also been reported that the company was unhappy about the 2014 change in the rules which opened the prize to US writers, which has diminished its cachet. It is widely accepted by publishers and booksellers that this was a damaging mistake which a new sponsor might yet rectify. More to the point, Man Group has announced it will redirect the money to a paving the way campaign to promote and improve diversity and inclusion at the firm and across financial services aims that clearly relate more to its activities than literary fiction. Indeed, it is hard to know what industry has any natural affinity with literary fiction, apart, perhaps, from publishing itself sometimes? Man took over as Booker sponsor from Iceland, which, having inherited this burden as part of a merger with Bookers wholesale foods group, had decided it was not relevant to its business. I remember admiring the firms then boss, Bill Grimsey, for taking the opportunity to lecture us, the assembled diners when Iceland did subsidise the Booker, on the merits of his frozen fish, which we had just consumed. He seemed dans le vrai, as we literary types like to say. Every philanthropic rose has its thorn If we are to concern ourselves with the sources of philanthropy, how can we still honour the endowments among the beneficiaries, the Tate, V&A, Royal Opera House, National Gallery and Serpentine from the Sackler family? The opioid Oxycontin, implicated in an epidemic of addiction in the US, is a foundation of the Sackler fortunes. Do we just shrug? A Mortimer Sackler climbing rose from David Austin is the pride of our side return. Mortimer s wife Theresa bought the right to name this rose at a charity auction. I dont plan to uproot it. Even sober, Grant is the best drunk Richard E Grant has been rejoicing in his first ever Oscars nomination, for best supporting actor alongside Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, a funky low-budget film about the real-life story of couple of alcoholic grifters who fake literary autographs. Richard E Grant / Rex Features So Grant seems destined to be best known for playing two drunks: reeling Withnail more than 30 years ago in Withnail and I, and now sozzled Jack Hock. A speciality turn, almost. Yet Grant is teetotal, famously allergic to alcohol and able to keep a drink down for only minutes before becoming violently ill for 24 hours. Its a little dismaying to realise that even impersonating a lush is best done by the perfectly, even permanently, sober. His tip for the rest of us, by the way, is that it is the very concentration shown by the plastered trying desperately to walk in a straight line and not bump into things thats the giveaway. Forget critics, its a killer Queen movie The film critics are choked up. They could hardly have trashed Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody any more vigorously yet here it is, romping away in the awards, grossing over $800 million, setting box-office records. The indignity! S o here we are. After the division of domestic labour, passive sexism and the glass ceiling, the latest frontier in gender politics is the humble but oh so metaphorical pocket. Men youll be familiar with pockets, they come on either side of almost every lower torso item in your wardrobe. Women not so much. Our trousers, dresses, skirts and blazers often dont have them at all. Even worse is the fake pocket, giving the illusion that youre grown up enough to carry something warranting a pocket, only for it to be a ruse sewn shut. The question is, how can brands, labels, shops and CEOs be so out of touch with what women want from their wardrobes? Er, because women dont actually want to look fat? said one fashion designer friend, who shows his label during London Fashion Week. Joking aside, pockets add bulk to the hips, and women wont pay for clothes which make them look wider than they are; why would they? Fair point. Women already have a range of bumps that men do not but surely there is a way of applying a pocket so that it doesnt ruin the line of a garment or make women feel massive? This weekend a picture of a bride-to-be Eve Paterson went viral as she walked down the aisle with pockets fitted in her wedding gown and her bridesmaids dresses. The pockets were sewn in for storing snacks, says one of the bridesmaids, whose picture has amassed more than 14,000 likes. Condoms, vapes, fags, lipstick, phones: of course bridesmaids need pockets in their dresses. The power of pockets is something to behold in the sartorial semaphore stakes. There is something about shoving your hands in them that adds a certain swagger which feels empowering; and knowing that the world might assume women may indeed have practical possessions on their person, even more so. Not to mention the wanton liberation of not having to carry a handbag its not the most pressing issue in the global female oppression stakes but theres not much cooler than waltzing in somewhere bag-free, hands-free, ready for action; not being weighed down. "Put on a dress with pockets and woah! Suddenly youre Claire Underwood in House of Cards, a badass in control" Theres nothing like a handbag that says, sotto voce, GUYS ... IM STILL A WOMAN! Put on a dress or a suit with pockets and woah! Suddenly its a boardroom and youre Claire Underwood in House of Cards/Jessica Pearson in Suits, a badass in control. The effect is as transformative as shoulder pads are to your presence or tailoring is to the posture. And then theres the pocket economy women peeing on phones that have fallen out of their jean back pockets (the only place they fit) and dropped into the loo. Womens clothing simply doesnt empower women as much as it should, said the bride. So lets go at it from the inside out would a man ever have to add pockets to a pair of trousers? Unlikely. Dear fashion, stop leaving women out of pocket. As dry January ends, hangxiety beckons It was a classic case of amateur drinking: showing off and getting carried away. It involved too little sustenance and too much lubrication, and a mix of an espresso martini, sex on the beach and tequila. It was weeks ago, and I have only just recovered. I dont know who I was trying to kid or impress but it nearly finished me off. I cant remember the last time I drank like that but one thing is for certain it introduced me to hangxiety for the first time in my 30-odd alcohol-consuming years. The morning after the night out with the girls descended into liquid evil I thought I might die. I couldnt stand up in the shower, I was shaking, the tears came as I contemplated how much I had to lose and I felt the world closing in on me and that was just the headache. And then came the pure, gut-wrenching hangxiety. Apparently, hangxiety is a symptom of having too much glutamate flooding the brain. The body registers this and tries to put it right, making you feel out of the status quo. As dry January comes to an end, beware hangxiety. I feel like I lived to tell the tale to save you all from its clutches. As one meme doing the rounds says: Imagine how out of hand it would get if there were no hangovers? *In a display of zenith #couplegoals Emily Blunt reduced her husband John Krasinski to tears at the Screen Actors Guild Awards this week, after bagging her statuette for her role in A Quiet Place. The former ES Magazine cover star paid tribute to John, who directed the film. He wept and they cemented their status as Hollywoods nice partnership. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski / Getty Images I t was best put by John le Carre in The Russia House: When a problem threatens to engulf you, theres nothing like irrelevant detail to keep your head above water. Irrelevant details we have stockpiled whole warehouses of these in the EU-leaving process, as Parliament meanders through the meaningless votes, amendments and sub-amendments to decide whether we Brexit, semi-Brexit or never quite Brexit. From midday today, Speaker John Bercow will use his (fairly arbitrary) powers to decide which one of a welter of amendments to the withdrawal agreement is voted on. The Yvette Cooper/Nick Boles proposal would compel the Government to postpone Brexit rather than risk a no-deal outcome. In essence, it trades the Prime Ministers fragile negotiating position for the insurance policy of avoiding a blunder into a no-deal Brexit by pulling the emergency cord at the end of February and enforcing a delay. Any amendment aimed at uniting opposite poles of opinion will have demerits. The downside of the Cooper-Boles one is that it tells us what its backers do not want without telling us what they do want. Then again, if you really want to avoid exiting the EU without a safe haven, its not so daft an idea to have the means to do so. Indeed, it may be the only option that can get a majority in the Commons. Allies of the PM have scurried around in the past few days, trying to build support for a tweaked version of the May deal on the Irish backstop, while simultaneously reassuring Remain-leaning Tories they will get another chance to vote for the Cooper-Boles plan if Mays arm-twisting fails (again) in Brussels. As one heavily-targeted Tory MP puts it: It was like one of those PPI phone calls where they try to sell you an expensive product, in case the one youve paid too much for wasnt good enough. Anne McElvoy The short-term headache for May is that even the amendment, tabled by Graham Brady solid pro-Leave, grammar-school supporting, well-respected on the Tory benches to tweak the backstop looks doomed by the Eurosceptic ERG machine of destruction. To the frustration of other Leavers, the faction has decided that risking no Brexit is better than a Brexit built on accommodating the narrow nature of the referendum outcome. The EU position on the backstop will be hard to shift but May will battle on, because any major change to her deal would spell the end of her premiership and it is in the nature of politicians to believe in last-minute concessions. Also (to be fair to Number 10s position), European leaders tend to say two contradictory things on the May deal. One is the Donald Tusk/Berlin mantra Britain needs to tell us what you want! (but not with any hope of us saying yes to it), while Brussels, latterly through the intervention of Sabine Weyand, deputy to chief EU negotiator Michael Barnier, yesterday insisted that there is no reasonable chance of the existing deal being reopened at all. She suggested the EU would allow no-deal to happen if the UK was daft enough to sleepwalk that way. But this is not the full story, since no-deal, as well as its impact on the mainland, would mean no backstop of any sort and raise the urgent problem of trade across the Irish border, demanding awkward transitional arrangements of the kind the EU has promised to help Ireland avoid. The more everyone says they can handle no-deal, the less credible the idea sounds. For MPs choosing between whichever amendments Bercow permits to be debated, this is the moment to be clear about the consequences of their votes. "We can predict that todays vote will not magically foment a majority around which MPs will coalesce" The last round of voting on Mays deal allowed for a show of dissatisfaction, stripped of responsibility to commit to any outcome. I saw ERG-ers, peddling tall stories of the ease of no-deal, walking through the same lobby as Remainers seeking a second vote and purveyors of Norwegian-style compromises. We can safely predict that todays vote will not magically foment a majority around which MPs will coalesce. Nonetheless, a telling moment because the amendments act as a sifting mechanism, taking the less credible options off the table and forcing MPs to start making clearer indications of what they will eventually settle for. One thing we do know is that whatever the fate of the Cooper-Boles amendment, it reflects an aversion to no-deal which has been consistent and shared across the parties. Labour MPs complain only that they have more conversations with their Tory counterparts than with Jeremy Corbyn, who claims to be against no-deal while doing little to offset that risk, because his brand of insurgency politics has the greatest chance of success in conditions of chaos. The no-deal showdown engages with what is uppermost on the publics mind, namely weighing up whether to make a run for just get on with it (a poll by ICM puts support for leaving the EU without a transitional agreement as the top choice of a range of Brexit offerings, albeit with just 28 per cent in favour) or plan for a second referendum (the next most popular option, on 24 per cent). A pedant would point out that this provides a push-me-pull-you-majority, lurching in two different directions. Support for other soft Brexit options has fallen, possibly because they are hard to define, or because after two years chasing Brexit unicorns the public has largely decided to call off the search. So we are left with the Commons today doing the job of sorting options that the Government should have done more rigorously in the past two years. And yes, it is within its rights to do so as part of the scrappy but durable fusion of Parliament and executive that Bagehot diagnosed in the 19th century when power is contested. Now that we have arrived at the bonfire of vanities moment, Parliament must play its role. If only to help us figure out which variant of the options were prepared to live with, even if we dont like them. L ets keep it simple and start with what we know for certain. We know that the legal default is that Britain leaves the EU on March 29, whether we have a mutual withdrawal agreement or not. We know that the Government has signed such an agreement but that a huge majority in Parliament rejects it. We also know that there is no majority (yet) in the Commons to replace the Government. And we know that the European Court of Justice has ruled that Britain can unilaterally rescind its Article 50 application to leave the EU. In other words, theres a break-glass-in-emergency way of stopping the country crashing out. These are the known knowns about Brexit, to borrow from Donald Rumsfeld. Now what are the known unknowns? While we know that there is a majority in Parliament that wants to stop a no-deal Brexit, we dont know what form that majority will take. Since leaving the EU without a deal is the legal default, a majority must vote for an alternative course of action. Logically, there are only three: find a majority for a deal that both Parliament and the EU can agree to; revoke Article 50; or ask the EU to delay Brexit. Today Parliament is going to try to work out if any of these options commands a majority. The Prime Minister is pinning her hopes on a deal. Since her own deal has been rejected, she finds herself in the bizarre situation of begging her MPs to back the so-called Brady amendment that lobotomises the agreement she herself negotiated. But there are problems. Some of the hard Brexiteers wont vote for it despite Mrs Mays public pleading yesterday in front of a crowded room of Tory MPs. Anyway, the EU wont accept a deal without an Irish backstop a point they have made clear all along. Thats also likely to be the fatal drawback of the new plan being drawn up by an alliance of Tory moderates such as Nicky Morgan and hardliners such as Jacob Rees-Mogg, details of which emerged overnight. It envisages no withdrawal agreement at all, just a political commitment from the UK to go on paying the EU and following its rules with a vague promise of an Irish safety net, while everyone sorts out something more permanent. Its a valiant effort at a compromise but Mrs May has already rubbished it and its very hard to see why the EU would be prepared to join us on the bridge to nowhere. In any case, theres no prospect of this being agreed in the next eight weeks, so Brexit would have to be delayed. The same applies to more substantial alternative deals mooted, such as a permanent customs union or single market membership. Delay That brings us to the only other courses available to stop a no- deal Brexit. Parliament could revoke Article 50. But even the most ardent supporters of EU membership feel there has to be some democratic process first. The campaign for a referendum is enthusiastic but lacks Labour support, without which it cannot succeed. Mr Corbyn wants an election, which if he won would in turn probably lead to a referendum (as minority parties like the SNP and Lib-Dems would make it a condition of supporting him). But there wont be an election unless a handful of Tory MPs feel that is the only way to stop a no-deal Brexit. That is not the case today. For there is an alternative course delay. This is what the cross-party Cooper-Boles amendment aims to produce, after passing proposed legislation next week. Whether the EU would grant a delay is uncertain but likely the pragmatists usually prevail in Brussels, which is why the EU has a revealed preference (as the Greek crisis showed) for delay. The vote for the Cooper-Boles amendment is likely to be very tight tonight there are Labour opponents as well as Tory backers, and ministers wont resign to support it when there are still some weeks left to play with. The Evening Standard unhesitatingly supports it. For it recognises the reality of the mess Britain finds itself in. We cannot crash out of the EU without a deal and see our supermarket shelves empty and our economy fail. But nor can Parliament assemble in time a majority for any alternative. Delay may not be heroic or settle things, but its the right course. Were in the hole and weve got to keep digging. TODO: define component type apester W est End landlord Shaftesburys largest shareholder, Hong Kong billionaire Samuel Tak Lee, reignited his feud with the property firm on Tuesday in an audacious bid to curb the boards power. In a letter published by the Chinatown and Carnaby Street property owner, 26% shareholder Lee slammed directors for being reluctant to engage with him, and expressed concerns about delays at a new development. The tycoon, who owns the sprawling neighbouring Langham Estate north of Oxford Street, claimed his stake had been diluted by a recent Shaftesbury share placing and called for investors to vote against resolutions at next weeks annual meeting. He plans to oppose votes allowing the board to issue shares or carry out a share placing without consultation. Brian Bickell, chief executive of Shaftesbury, hit back at Lee, saying he has not met the board despite numerous invitations. He told the Standard: A constructive dialogue [face to face] would be much more productive for both parties rather than endless legal letters. The letter comes a year after Lee waged another war, saying he would vote against rules surrounding the ability by Shaftesbury directors to allocate shares. The dispute partly stems from Shaftesbury embarking on a 265 million fundraising to boost its portfolio in December 2017. The placing was priced at 952p, a 5% discount on the previous days closing price. Lee said: As a result of the placing, Shaftesburys pre-existing shareholders collectively suffered a significant and immediate loss in value of their shareholdings by virtue of the direct equity raising costs, the dilutive effect of the issue and Shaftesburys resulting less efficient capital structure. He added: I believe the placing was motivated by a desire to dilute my interest. Any future fundraising could ultimately dilute Lees ownership. He has previously been linked to a takeover of the firm. Part of the fundraising in 2017 was used to buy 90-104 Berwick Street, a site being developed by property tycoon Peter Beckwiths PMB Holdings. The development will include shops and a hotel. Lee claimed Shaftesbury has not kept shareholders fully informed about the project, and added that he has authorised an investigation into the scheme. Shaftesbury said: The highest standards of corporate governance and behaviour are embedded in the companys culture and the day-to-day running of its business. A dvertisings Mad Men and Women are going through one of their occasional bouts of hand-wringing introspection when they fret about whether their business is doomed and how they can save it. Rory Sutherland, the vice-chairman of ad agency Ogilvy, has warned the industry is in crisis because it has become obsessed with digital efficiency, instead of focusing on creativity, persuasion and human insight. David Jones, the founder of You & Mr Jones, a marketing tech group, says that agency holding companies such as WPP risk ending up like Kodak the camera film firm that went bankrupt as its industry evolved because the traditional advertising industry is now a no or low-growth industry. And the Advertising Association will tomorrow unveil research at its annual LEAD conference that shows declining levels of public trust in advertising as Britons feel they are facing a bombardment of ads. All of this reflects the fact that advertising is struggling to cope with technological disruption. Firms are rethinking the role of advertising because digital communications as a whole are becoming central to how they work from search and discovery of products to e-commerce and ongoing customer relationship management. Advertising still has an important role but now companies need to create and manage a huge volume of other brand content and collateral for their websites, apps, social media feeds and so on. Whats more, the speed required to deliver this digital content is increasing and it all needs to be joined up and underpinned by data and technology. At the same time, advertisers know they need to avoid stalking consumers or placing online ads next to inappropriate content. No wonder so many companies such as Unilever, Vodafone, Barclays, TSB and Go Compare are bringing some of these digital marketing services in-house, rather than using so many external agencies. These brands want greater control and to reduce complexity better, faster, cheaper is the mantra. Jones talk of the agency sector facing a Kodak moment may be overly pessimistic but he is right to identify in-housing as a threat. It is also an opportunity as his firm has just taken a majority stake in Islington-based agency Oliver, a pioneer in helping companies to set up their own agency on-site in the clients office. Brands handling basic, digital communications and fast-turnaround content themselves is going to become the norm. But no one should be foolish enough to think that in-house marketing teams, which are sometimes based far from London, are suddenly going to become magnets for all the best creative talent from Soho and Shoreditch. As Sir John Hegarty, the co-founder of ad agency BBH, put it recently when he explained why he couldnt imagine working in-house on one brand: You will spend your whole life working on f***ing baked beans. Companies that want the best ideas and original thinking are always going to need external agencies and talent, particularly for high-level brand positioning and creative magic and to keep up with new technology. A string of recent ads illustrates advertisings enduring power to generate fame and become part of culture. Gillettes The Best Men Can Be highlights toxic masculinity by showing men in a series of positive and negative poses, without a razor in sight, during the two-minute US ad that has gone viral. ITVs Great Characters Make Great Drama campaign features the lead characters from hit shows Endeavour and Vera talking in soaring tones about the power of drama in two epic ads aimed at upmarket viewers. And Barclaycard has shown its support for small businesses by producing a wacky ad featuring a couple in white coats from Kettering who sell crystals complete with new-age soundtrack. In each case, the brand wanted to stand for something, challenge perceptions and communicate in an evocative manner, and advertising was an effective way to do that. All three companies turned to an external agency. Significantly, ITV used new, independent London outfit Uncommon and Barclaycard appointed another independent agency, Droga5 proof that large corporations are willing to try something different in the search for creative edge. These twin forces advertisers taking more control and bringing services in-house while needing the best, external creative talent and tech know-how are two of the key drivers reshaping the ad industry. It is a tricky balancing act for advertisers as they weigh up the relative merits of short-term digital efficiency that drives an immediate sale or response and long-term brand-building that can boost awareness and consideration. Increasingly, this brand versus performance conundrum is about the tension between creativity and technology the magic and the machines as Sarah Golding, the president of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, puts it. As the ad industry wonders how to rebuild trust and stop bombarding consumers, theres an obvious step: invest in creativity. B ritains farmers produce around 50% of the nations food. The rest is imported, mostly from other EU countries. The sector benefits from the Common Agricultural Policy, which is the EU-wide support scheme for farmers. There are about 87,000 businesses in the UK helped by CAP payments, and they account for over 2.1 billion a year in subsidies. Roughly two thirds of farmers rely on subsidies to keep going. Town dwellers have an image of fat-cat farmers turning every subsidy into a goldmine at their expense, but the reality is rather different. The majority scrape by on an average wage; relatively few do well. Partly this is because, although 70% of land is farmed, a fair proportion is of low quality sheep grazing on the fells and Welsh hills for instance, or forestry. To some extent that also explains the poor productivity of the sector. It is 17th in the EU, producing roughly half of what France or Germany does. The leading productive country was the Netherlands, which has nine times the output per hectare of Britain (though the Dutch are unusual in this regard). But among the EU countries, Britain did better only against Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland, Estonia and Bulgaria. Anyway, according to Michael Gove, the environment minister, this is going to change. His plan, unveiled last September, is to use Brexit to phase out CAP payments over seven years and use the money instead for environmental schemes. Farmers will get payments for hedges, water quality, catchment areas, wildlife and so on. The money will be 85% for the environment and such like and roughly 15% for food production. This is a problem for farmers. They may have voted for Brexit but they did not think they would lose their subsidy, accounting for on average 60% of their income, as a result. Not that they mind the green stuff, but they think it should be leavened with policies for food production. Goves paper does not really go into that, perhaps because he did not want to disappoint the farmers. He, or more likely his successor, is, however, highly unlikely to dish out subsidies. So the rural lobby is making its own waves, including a conference last week at Hadlow College outside Tonbridge. And it showed a lot of what was good and much that was bad in trying to boost the sector. For a start, agriculture is only 2% of GDP, so realistically why should Parliament be bothered with it? If the food producers were involved as well that would amount to 10% of GDP, which is more like it. If you get the supermarkets onside then that would be a forceful lobby. But farmers are on their own. Indeed much as the conference might hope farmers would get a break, the food producers and the supermarkets see themselves on the opposite side of the fence, pandering to the consumer, screwing down prices, and taking the lions share of the profit for themselves. Farming is a low-margin industry, and it is hard to see the supermarkets doing anything about that. Farmers also want to produce more and get a better price for it, the conference said. Well, supermarkets may give them a bit of leeway if the EU becomes pricey, but the chances are they will seek to source food from other jurisdictions instead. Some of this will be well sourced, and of good quality; others, one imagines, will be less so. Will UK farmers go for quality? Or, as their subsidies drop, will they go for volume? And if they go for volume, will they get into the race to chlorinated chicken, for GM food and whatever else is on offer? And will the supermarkets care? The conference wants farmers to go upmarket, with the help of technology, plant genetics, robots, and soil science, saving time, cutting costs, no longer having to hire migrants to pick fruit, and increasing sustainability. Farmers are already working with drones and sat nav and being much more efficient as a result, but there is much further to go. But robots are barely there yet. One idea is for a robot to pick strawberries. The problem, apart from cost, is that it cannot easily recognise and handle different varieties, and those it can handle tend to get squashed. Farmers and manufacturers need to talk to each other about making them better, but while they do, and while they wait for a functioning robot, who will replace the migrants? The fact is that the rural sector has been ill served by government. High-speed broadband is still not available in large parts of the country, with BT deciding it is much more profitable instead to do sport. Big data is often collected by researchers but it is not given in bite-sized chunks that farmers could use. Housing is difficult because townies snap up second homes which locals cant afford. Vocational skills for young people have hardly existed since trade schools were abolished 50 years ago. And all this is happening without any vision for climate change. H ealth Secretary Matt Hancock will tomorrow commit to making the UK the first country in the world to have no new cases of HIV. Speaking at the Evening Standards AIDSfree Cities Global Forum, the Secretary of State is to announce the Governments commitment to reaching the target by 2030, and will pledge to direct funding to reduce the risk of people contracting or passing on the virus. Mr Hancock has also committed a further 1.5 million in funding to the Elton John AIDS Foundation through the Standards AIDSfree campaign to help end the HIV epidemic. This is in addition to government support for the appeal through UK Aid Match, which is doubling all donations. UK Aid Match funding is provided by the Department for International Development. HIV and Aids are challenges that we must rise to, Mr Hancock is expected to say. The injustice, the unfairness, and the sadness they have brought must be tackled by us all. My generation grew up knowing Aids was a potential death sentence. That doesnt have to be the case anymore. Thanks to medical breakthroughs, public health campaigns, breaking down stigma and better education, Aids is no longer a death sentence here. I feel proud that Britain has made such progress. But when I think about whats going on elsewhere, I feel anger that our progress is not yet reflected around the world. Were all part of the global solution to this global challenge. What we do locally in London, in Delhi, in Nairobi, in Maputo, in Kiev, in Atlanta, in other cities, has an impact globally. So today were setting a new goal: eradicating HIV transmission in England by 2030. The UK has had huge success in treating the disease. The estimated number of new infections acquired by men who have sex with men has halved from a peak of around 2,700 in 2012 to 1,200 in 2017. Of those diagnosed, 96 per cent are now on treatment and 94 per cent as a result have an undetectable viral load, where levels of the virus are so low it cannot be passed on. To reach the 2030 target, Mr Hancock will direct 600,000 of funding. Officials will form an expert group to develop an action plan by the end of this year detailing how those most at risk as well as hard-to-reach groups can be reached and new infections eliminated. Mr Hancock will join International Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt at the AIDSfree Cities forum. Government ministers and civic representatives from six cities, including London, are to be joined by medical experts to form a plan of action on tackling HIV together to create an Aids-free future. The event, at The Conduit, Mayfair and supported by Johnson & Johnson, will focus on the UNs 90-90-90 targets, which aim to inform at least 90 per cent of people with HIV of their status, get 90 per cent of them on treatment and 90 per cent virally suppressed. It marks the climax of the Evening Standards campaign in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Other than London, the cities the campaign has focused on Delhi in India, Nairobi in Kenya, Maputo in Mozambique, Kiev in Ukraine and Atlanta in the US are all yet to achieve the UNs targets. Mr Hancock said he was delighted that the Government would be supporting the Standards appeal through the 1.5 million of funding, which will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. I hail the extraordinary partnership between the Evening Standard and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, he said. Their campaign will make a real difference to the lives of people across the world, and I am delighted to provide 1.5 million in support of their appeal. TODO: define component type apester More than two decades after the debut of OxyContin, the toll across the nation from the opioids crisis it helped spawn is hard to quantify. Beyond the thousands of lives lost and families torn apart, there are countless bankruptcies, medical emergencies, even the disintegration of entire communities. The response from public officials has taken a variety of forms, including punishment for the people and businesses deemed responsible. To that end, Stamford-based Purdue Pharma and three top executives pleaded guilty in 2007 to charges of misleading doctors and patients about OxyContin and its risk of addiction and potential to be abused. But that was far from the end of the story. In the ensuing years, as the drug crisis continued to mount, dozens of states, cities and other entities have filed new suits against the company, claiming untold harms caused by its products and alleging that it lied about its safety and efficacy. One suit, filed by town and city leaders across Connecticut, was recently tossed out, but hundreds more remain, likely headed for a major settlement. And still, with all that, the companys founding Sackler family has managed to not only escape official opprobrium but somehow remain in the public eye in apparently good standing. Via its philanthropy, the Sackler name is plastered on everything from The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Institute for Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences at Yale University to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution. Then there are the political donations. The Sackler family has been a generous donor over the years to politicians on the left side of the spectrum, with past contributions to Rep. Jim Himes and Sen. Chris Murphy, as well as the state Democratic Party. National figures like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have also seen donations, as well as some Republicans. Revelations in a Massachusetts suit against Purdue are likely to change the public view of the family. In recently filed court documents that cite internal company communications, the state attorney general alleges that family members knew about Oxys destructive potential and devastating human toll, and yet continued to push the drug. Far from bystanders, the family is portrayed as active participants in the mounting disaster. The company responded by claiming the information cited in the suit doesnt tell the whole story. Maybe it doesnt. Regardless, politicians on all sides need to end their association with the company and stop taking the familys money. Murphy, for one, says hes already donated past contributions, and others are said to be considering the same. Any institution that bears its name, including Yale, needs to think seriously about whether the millions of dollars it brings with it balances out the damage to the recipients reputation. The ultimate fate of recent actions against Purdue and the Sackler family is uncertain. But enough is known for anyone offered their money to make a simple choice: Either dont take it, or give it away. The very name and existence of a bill proposing school regionalization is a problem for Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton). I do have, and I know others share, concerns about if not the reality, the appearance of this concept, Lavielle said during an education committee meeting Monday. Many people that I have heard from have been very distressed simply because of the existence of the bill regardless of what it may ultimately say. Sen. Martin Looney proposed a bill last week that would implement regional consolidation of school districts and require such school districts to join a regional school district. POLITICS: Sign up to get the latest on state politics delivered to your inbox, free There was immediate negative reaction to the bill from both Democrats and Republicans, largely from Fairfield County. Senators Will Haskell (D-Westport) and Alex Bergstein (D-Greenwich) sent a letter to Looney expressing their lack of support. School administrators expressed similar feelings. A wholesale leap to regionalization at this time is not only unwise, but imprudent and would likely undermine our high quality system, Weston Superintendent William McKersie said in a letter to parents. Lavielle, in fact, an eight-year veteran of the legislature, said shes never seen such a backlash against a bill. The distress has been so great Ive never quite seen anything like it, she told other members of the committee. The problem, according to Lavielle, is the forced nature of regionalization. The bill, while although ambiguous on many counts does clearly talk of forced regionalization of school districts, she said. The distress is due to the forced character of the hypothetical regionalization the bill is suggesting. Sen. Douglas McCrory, who co-chairs the committee, said he hadnt even read the bill, but saw it as little more than a way to begin a conversation about regionalization. I dont think anyones very supportive of anything being forced, he said. Lavielle said she would feel more comfortable if the title of the concept said it was enabling voluntary regionalization of services, a suggestion McCrory did not consider. Its going to stay that way until further notice, he said. I will not put an idea away because I feel scared. Jordan Fenster is the digital products editor for Hearst Connecticut. jordan.fenster@hearstmediact.com STAMFORD Workers at the Stamford Hilton decided to unionize over a year ago, but after a long and contentious negotiation with hotel administrators, both sides just recently agreed to a new contract. The new contract, which will increase wages, reduce work for certain workers and charge employees less for health insurance, was unanimously ratified by workers at the 484-room hotel by a vote of 96 to zero on Friday. Connie Holt, secretary treasurer for Local 217 of Unite Here, said some employees will see their paychecks increase in two weeks or so when the new contract comes into play, and those employees will get bumps for the next three years, until they reach the union pay established in the contract. For example, the starting pay for a housekeeper is about $10.50 an hour. By the time the union agreement expires in three years, a housekeeper will earn $16. The salary for restaurant servers and banquet servers will increase from $6.38 to $7.95, plus gratuities. Employees above the union pay scales will receive a 5 percent raise each of the three years. In addition, the cost of health care will be cut in half for some workers. In terms of workload, housekeepers have had their work decreased by almost 50 percent in some cases. Prior to organizing, room attendants cleaned 30 rooms or more, according to Unite Here. Now they clean 16 rooms per shift and earn extra pay if they clean extra rooms. They will not be expected to clean more than 12 check-out rooms. Thats a change that was actually implemented before the contract was approved, back when Ted McCallum took over as general manager about 10 months ago, he said. That was an immediate change that I made when I arrived here, he said, calling the previous workload totally unacceptable. Bargaining between employees and management was difficult at times, and employees even called for a boycott of the hotel last year as they were unhappy with the terms offered by the hotel. Now that the contract has been ratified, the boycott has been lifted. When the union is calling for boycotts and contacting clients and asking them to boycott the hotel, it certainly has an effect on us, McCallum said. Were happy that this has concluded. Its been a long process ... it was contentious at times, but also I understand all the needs of the parties involved. While the negotiations may have been combative, McCallum said management and staff get along extremely well. We all share a significant amount of relief that this process has ended, he said. Holt called the negotiation a long hard battle. The biggest challenge was a hotel that did not spend a great deal of money on its workers trying to get to a contract that has a much larger investment in its workforce, she said. Thats hard to get an employer to invest that kind of money in their workers. She said the wage increase will transform the lives of some of the employees. The idea is to take the lower wage range and make them more sustainable living wages, she said, of the new contract. Donald Jean Marie is one of the main organizers for the union. He helped the Hyatt Regency hotel in Greenwich, where he works as a bellman, unionize about five years ago. When you think about all of the hard work that we put in picketing outside when its snowing and when its raining and putting our job at risk, to finally have the contract is very rewarding, he said. He said when he got the news, he was driving on the highway to Stamford and had to pull over, because he was screaming in joy. I didnt want to get into an accident, he said. Late last year, Sheraton Stamford workers voted to unionize and join Local 217. Negotiations between employees and management are expected to begin soon. If ratified, it would become the second hotel in the city to unionize. Unite Here represents 3,000 hotel and food-service workers in the state. The Stamford Hilton is owned and operated by Atrium Hospitality, which manages 82 hotels in 29 states. He may not be back in public life but former Gov. John G. Rowland is on the scene in Fairfield County, preparing to speak to address a Christian mens group on Feb. 8. We havent seen much of the one-time wunderkind Republican since he exited federal custody last May 25, a day after he turned 61. That was his second stint in the slammer after convictions on political corruption in 2004 and election fraud and obstruction of justice in 2014. Rowland is now a development director for Prison Fellowship, a Christian, faith-based group that works to transform people serving time behind bars and ex-prisoners. Thats a nice draw for The New Canaan Society, which is set to host Rowland in Darien. Rowlands criminal history, far from a disincentive, is a big reason the group a self-described mens movement with 65 chapters nationwide wants to hear from the former WTIC-AM radio host. STAY ON TOP with the Hearst CTPolitics daily newsletter, delivered free to your inbox. Because of his journey, he brings the insight and candor of a political leader who has seen great success and has learned exceptional lessons from the challenges faced at the end of his public service career, the group, whose local chapter is known as NCS New Canaan, said in its announcement. At least we think his political career is over, and thats what he told The Wall Street Journal in a June interview. Anything is possible in a state that saw Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim mount a 2015 redemption re-election, with his 7-year prison term barely an issue in his 2019 campaign to keep the office. Rowland has done some interviews but has kept a mostly low profile since last spring unlike his return from prison the first time. Back then, he took the microphones of WTIC for a daily drive-time show; I was a frequent guest in between weather and traffic updates. He was as gifted on the air as he was on the campaign hustings. For a time, Rowland teamed up on a show, dubbed Church and State, with his friend and spiritual adviser, the Rev. Will Marotti. Thats also part of the draw for NCS New Canaan, which said of Rowland, He is extensively involved in community, ministry services, and still lives in Connecticut with his wife Patty. And the group views Rowlands 9 1/2-year tenure as governor, from 1995 to 2004, as a booming success. This from the meeting announcement: His public service career resulted in a renaissance throughout the cities of Connecticut. His vision brought the University of Connecticut and all the public universities to the first rate educational facilities they are today. During his years in office Connecticut experienced record budget surpluses, tax reductions, job growth and economic expansion. His focus on the inner cities and cultural investments in the arts helped rejuvenate our communities. The NCS website continues, Ok, thats the good part, now the bad part, in which it describes Rowlands second conviction. History works different kinds of magic for former governors and U.S. Presidents. Rowland led the state in some very good times but certainly they werent as rosy as that assessment. His up-and-down personal story, like a state economy of the 90s and early 2000s that were still assessing, makes for a picture thats still unfolding. Now Rowlands story is personal and redemption could take any number of forms. He was elected to the state House with youthful charisma in 1980 same year Sen. Martin Looney, D-New Haven, won his first House seat and was the states youngest governor, at 37. Now Looney, president-pro-tem of the Senate, looks back sadly. It really is one of the great political tragedies, Looney said Tuesday. dhaar@hearstmediact.com Shaheed Alhafed, January 26, 2019 (SPS) - The Ministry of occupied territories and Communities has condemned in the strongest terms the violations carried out by Morocco against the rights of the Sahrawis in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, southern Morocco and Sahrawi political detainees in Moroccan prisons. In a communique, it also condemned the Spanish government's complicity with the Moroccan occupation, the last of which was the handover of militant Hussein Ould Bashir Ould Brahim to the Moroccan authorities. The Ministry called on international organisations and associations, especially the Spanish and French to expose the complicity of their governments and their continued support for the Moroccan occupation regime. It also called on all militant men and women of the Polisario Front in the camps of dignity and honour and communities to support and sympathise with besieged Sahrawi people in the occupied territories and southern Morocco. Below is the full text of the communique issued by the Ministry of Occupied Territories and Communities: Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic January 22, 2019 Communique It is expected that the king of Spain will visit Morocco soon, the visit that was postponed more than once because of Moroccan blackmail against Spain on issues related to secret immigration, drugs and terrorism, a Spanish policy based on swapping economic interests and commercial position for law and ethics, its obvious interpretation can be seen today in the close connection between the postponement of the visit of the Spanish King to Morocco, many times, and the latter's desire to actuate pressure papers and exploit them, so as to ensure the continuity of its complicity, silence, and deny its historical responsibility towards its former colony of Western Sahara. Spain, which colonized Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro for more than 100 years, subsequently ceded it to the Moroccan occupation and supported it in all international forums and decision-making positions, even worse while its officials, starting from the king and ending with the government, declare that they support the peaceful process to decolonise their former colony and that they are for the determination of the Sahrawi people, Spain excels in preparation and drawing of malicious plans with its twin of Moroccan colonial regime in order to place obstacles in the way of the struggle of the Sahrawi people, to infiltrate international decision-making positions to thwart any attempt to move the Sahrawi issue towards a just and lasting solution, just as what happened in the signing of the Fishing Agreement between Morocco and the European Union, or rather common theft, which showed the false slogans of democracy and respect for the will of the peoples. Spain, France and Portugal were the major players in all moves of the European Commission, may be the visits of members of the European Parliament as well as the visit of Federica Mogherini to Morocco and praises of new Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to owner of miracles and bribes King VI of Morocco for the Socialist elites, gave a full picture of how the Spanish Governments continue to sell and resell the Sahrawis, land, humans and riches to the Kingdom of Morocco, home to corruption and bribery, and double standards the extreme of political hypocrisy. Spain not only colonized, looted and denied its historical responsibility towards our just cause, but also in a dangerous precedent, it has handed over a peaceful Sahrawi resistant and a human rights defender to the Moroccan authorities, it concerned Hussein Ould Bashir Ould Brahim who was born on 03/01/1991, he arrived on 11/01/2019 in Spain seeking political asylum in the Canary Islands where he was handed over by the Spanish authorities to Morocco in the city of Nador on 17 January 2019, in complete and serious violation of the laws of asylum seekers, which confirms the Spanish-Moroccan shameful complicity, not only it did shameful silence, but it has gone beyond it to place all obstacles in the major historical turning points of our national cause, at the United Nations, the Security Council and the European Union in an attempt to override the legitimacy of our right to freedom and dignity. Further confirmation of the European support, especially Spain and France for the Moroccan occupation is the protection offered by these colonial powers for the regime of invasion and the freedom it enjoys in continuing violations and the confiscation of the rights of Sahrawis, as was the case with the recent delegation of human rights whose members were surrounded from every direction, they were prevented from moving between Sahrawi cities and even towards southern Morocco, they were also trapped inside their homes and not allow to exit or enter them, in the same logic of disregard and spirit of oppression journalists and human rights activists were prevented from travelling, as was the case with two journalists Haddi Embarak Bakna and Sidati Hymad, who were intending to move from occupied Boujadour towards occupied El-Aaiun, the arrest yesterday of journalist Mohammed-Ali Haddi in occupied El-Aaiun, and the summoning for trial sent by the Moroccan authorities to former political prisoner Sidi Babeit to appear before the Court of Appeal, in an attempt may not be the first, to summon the remaining Sahrawi men and women who exceeded 160 detainees on the background of the barbaric dismantling of the Gdeim Izik camp on 08/11/2010. Not to forget the trial tomorrow of human rights activist and journalist Brahim Dehani. In this context, and in light of all these developments, which do not imply the occupier's resort to sit at the table for a serious and fruitful dialogue and a sincere search for a peaceful and just solution that will end the suffering of the Sahrawi people, we in the Ministry of the Occupied Territories and Communities declare the following: -We strongly condemn and denounce the Spanish government's complicity with the Moroccan occupation, the last of which was the handover of militant Hussein Ould Bashir Ould Brahim to the Moroccan authorities on 17/01/2019. -We strongly condemn the violations carried out these days by the Moroccan authorities of repression, torture and siege against our people in the occupied territories and southern Morocco and Sahrawi political detainees in Moroccan prisons. -We call on all international organisations and associations, especially the Spanish and French to expose the complicity of their governments and their continued support for the Moroccan occupation regime. -We call on all militant men and women of the Polisario Front in the camps of dignity and honour and communities to support and sympathise with besieged Sahrawi people in the occupied territories and southern Morocco. Strength, Determination and Will for Imposing Independence and Sovereignty. Ministry of the Occupied Territories and Communities" (SPS) 062/SPS Although it is based on a true story, I will not be reviewing I Am The Night in terms of how it compares to events that inspired it or speculating when real-life details might be worked into the show. This is not a documentary. Directed by Monsters Patty Jenkins and starring Hell or High Waters Chris Pine, I Am The Night is a sleek noir homage peppered by questions of identity. This first episode introduces two searching souls fated to cross paths, thanks to a mutual acquaintance who might just be a serial killer. But perhaps even scarier for the characters are parts of themselves they havent discovered yet. The opening scene sets this tone by following one of the main characters, Pat Lee, from behind, as she prepares to leave for school. Her mother fusses with her hair and cautions her to behave well at school. A joke from her mother about how Pat wont be acting up because shes different, as in smarter, than her classmates prompts this response. I want to be normal. Just like everyone else. Just like you. And actress India Eisley turns to face the camera for the first time. You dont hear a violin screech, but youre meant to feel it. Pat Lees eyes are blue. And the moment is presented with a touch of horrific revelation. It's a bit humorous, in the darkest of ways. Pat herself is more concerned with the fact a strange white man appears to be spying on her now and then. This and her blue eyes are a big deal because Pat lives in an African-American community. She has been told that shes mixed race by her mother, and she is able to mostly ignore comments from other black girls that she is light-skinned. However, two incidents prompt her to start wondering about her other heritage. First, a new girl at school asks to sit at her table. The look of astonishment that unscrolls across Eisleys face is the first of many subtlely devastating moments in the episode. See the new girl is white. Thanks to a little thing called racism she would never in a million years sit down with Pat, except that she thinks Pat is white. A Teenage Blonde Awful corrects the newcomer, and Pat is left unsettled. The second incident is worse. She walks home from her hospital janitorial job with her boyfriend Lewis, and the police pull them over to accost and rough up Lewis for walking with a white girl. Pat has to repeatedly explain shes black too, before they are allowed to go on their way. Combined, both these occurences produce an uneasiness in Pat.When Pat does arrive home, shes greeted by her mother, who is drunk and furious. This pilot episode is anchored by three remarkable performances, and the second of these is Golden Brookss Jimmie Lee. She viciously reprimands Pat the way only a mother can. Her angry denouncement of Pats innocent dreams is especially spiteful. Stars and love and Lewis Ferguson! Brooks spits out these words that could just be mean if not for the heartbreaking tremble that underlines them. But her repeated references to how choosing Pat meant giving up her own dreams cuts deeper than Jimmie intends. That night, Pat sneaks into her mothers room to look for clues to her identity. She finds her birth certificate, except it cant be hers. For one thing, it lists that her father was black and her mother was white. For another, the name on the certificate is Fauna Hodel. The following scene with Pat confronting her mother and learning that she is Fauna (That stupid fairytale name.) is more extraordinary work from Brooks. And Eisley hits the right notes with how dumbfounded Pat/Fauna is at these revelations.As Pats life unravels, we meet Chris Pines Jay Singletary. He was a journalist once, a card-carrying reporter for the LA Times. You wouldnt know it at first, as Singletary is introduced scrambling to capture some seedy paparazzi photos on a beach. Then hes snorting coke in his car. Pine plays this role so that theres a feverish desperation around the edge of his character. Its present when Singletary toys with the idea of not turning in the photos, after only half-listening to his editor gush about the tabloid scandal it will be. His editor reacts with quite the tirade, and Singletary quickly caves. He doesnt have the spirit for a conflict. But the situation sends him to a friend to ask for another kind of story, anything slightly more interesting. Turns out a particularly gruesome corpse was recently discovered. That might be something. It might even be really something.The next scene juxtaposes Fauna searching the hospital in Sparks, Nevada where she works for her birth records and Singletary sneaking into a hospital in Los Angeles to photograph the body. Their separate quests have very different outcomes. Fauna finds her grandparents contact information and makes a phone call. Her mother previously told her that her biological grandfather was an important, rich doctor. Her grandfather Dr. George Hodel is who answers the phone. He is cautiously polite to her, though his warning that she shouldnt contact her birth mother Tamar because it would be distressing has a slightly odd tone to it. He invites her to visit if shes ever in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Singletary finds the corpse in question. We only see a brief awful glimpse, as the scene relies on Pines reactions to sell how disturbing this is. Crime shows like to linger on a mutilated body, so the restraint shown here was tasteful. When some detectives enter the morgue, Singletary is forced to hide in a morgue drawer. He gets locked in, slightly panics, and drops his lighter. At which point, he laughs and laughs, only to be promptly pulled from the drawer and beaten up by the detectives. The joy Chris Pine exudes in this scene is somehow perfect for the situation.That brings us to Fauna receiving very distressing news. A nun hurries up to her and tells her that her mother has died. Its unexpected, upsetting, and a bit overdramatic. Which is why viewers will feel the exact smoldering fury that Fauna does when she rushes home and discovers her mother pranked her. Jimmie Lee laughs and says that she wanted Fauna to know what it was like to have everything taken away from you in a moment. Wanted her to feel that emptiness and grief. In the history book of bad ideas, this one gets at least a paragraph. Fauna packs her suitcase and leaves town. (She only plans to be gone a week.) Faunas departure prompts Jimmie to make a surprising phone call. She calls up Jay Singletary (interrupting him pondering suicide while going through withdrawal) and tells him he was right all those years ago about Dr. Hodel. She tells him to keep looking. A quick flash of some old headlines reveal that Hodel was acquitted of a presumably very awful crime back in the day. That was the story that pushed Jay off the edge. And now hell get a second crack at it.Fauna arrives in Los Angeles and repeatedly telephones Dr. Hodel. A woman takes a message, saying hell call back. Finally, as shes all alone at a dimly lit bus stop, Fauna calls Dr. Hodels wife/her step-grandmother. We dont see this womans face, but she tells Fauna her grandfather is dangerous and that she should stay away. We change scene to a bizarre, gaudy party being held at a strange mansion. At the center of it is the mansions owner, a small mustached man with air of self-importance. This is Dr. Hodel, the key figure in Fauna and Jays mysterious pasts. And so the episode ends with this noisy contrast to the quiet settings the rest of the episode has explored. I declare it to be a sufficiently eerie start to the story.Setting aside any historical knowledge, were left with a number of questions. What were Hodels crimes? Why did he approach Fauna at the bus stop? Who is the man trailing Fauna, and why is he trailing her? What does Hodels wife know? Why didnt Hodel want Fauna to contact Tamar? How will Jay and Faunas paths cross? This pilot episode also sets up some bigger, long-term questions as to what the main characters fates will be? Will Jay find closure and a new beginning in pursuing this story? Will Fauna choose to return home? With a show like this, you can count on the show not being about whether or not justice will be served. Its about what happens to Jay and Fauna. So far, with the superb casting, viewers will care about these characters. And thats the most important part of a pilot, selling the protagonists.Until next week, lets speculate on why the title I Am The Night was chosen. I suspect it wasnt a tribute to Darkwing Duck, but it makes me think of that characters iconic I am the terror speech. NASA's Parker Solar Probe has completed its first loop around the sun and entered the second of 24 planned orbits. The spacecraft launched on Aug. 12, 2018, and survived its first close flyby of the sun on Nov. 5 of last year, when it swooped within 15 million miles (24 million kilometers) of the star. As of Jan. 19, the probe has reached its farthest distance from the sun, called aphelion, before it goes in for another close pass on April 4. The spacecraft has already delivered 17 gigabits of science data from its first orbit, NASA officials said in a statement, and will transmit its full observations from the orbit by April. [NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission in Pictures] "It's been an illuminating and fascinating first orbit," Andy Driesman, Parker Solar Probe project manager and a researcher at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Lab in Maryland, which built and manages the project, said in the statement. "We've learned a lot about how the spacecraft operates and reacts to the solar environment, and I'm proud to say the team's projections have been very accurate." "We've always said that we don't know what to expect until we look at the data," added Nour Raouafi, a project scientist on the probe who's also at APL. "The data we have received hints at many new things that we've not seen before and at potential new discoveries. Parker Solar Probe is delivering on the mission's promise of revealing the mysteries of our sun." The spacecraft's first approach broke distance records; humanity's previous record-holder for a close approach to the sun, Helios 2, dove to about twice Parker Solar Probe's distance from the star in 1976. Parker also busted speed records, blazing by at 213,200 mph (343,112 km/h) relative to the sun. On its second pass, the spacecraft will fly by at a similar distance, but in future orbits, it will break its own records, getting closer and closer to the sun. By its final planned flyby, in late 2025, the spacecraft will dive within just 3.83 million miles (6.16 million km) of the sun, accelerated by the star's gravity to nearly 430,000 mph (690,000 km/h). Data about the Parker Solar Probe as of Jan. 19, 2019, when it completed its first orbit of the sun. (Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL) But for now, preparing for the spacecraft's second flyby, engineers are remotely emptying the probe of data that has already been transmitted to Earth. They're also sending updated position and navigation information, plus about a month's worth of command instructions, NASA officials said in the statement. During Parker Solar Probe's 24 total flybys, its four instruments will help researchers understand the inner workings of the sun and how it accelerates solar material at high speeds, as well as what makes the star's outer atmosphere, called the corona, so much hotter than the solar surface. Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Mostly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Low 72F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Staff reports South Bend Tribune Recently, the University of Notre Dame had the integrity to cover up murals depicting Christopher Columbus, primarily because of his atrocities against Native Americans. Too bad the city of Mishawaka a city named after a Native American cannot demonstrate the same integrity when it comes to its statue of Columbus near Central Park. Defenders of monuments honoring Columbus often cite two arguments: 1) Columbus actions should be viewed in the context of their time and 2) Such monuments honor Italian-American immigrants, who once faced enormous prejudice. But even rudimentary research proves that Columbus atrocities were viewed as crimes, even while he was alive. In addition, numerous groups of immigrants the Irish, the Jews, the Poles, the Chinese to name just a few encountered enormous prejudice as well, as did African-Americans who were forcibly brought to America. In fact, as recently as 2016, an Indiana jury decreed that the Constitutional rights of African-Americans were worth no more than one dollar. Yet no statue in Mishawaka honors these groups, and the one allegedly honoring Princess Mishawaka shares the spotlight with the oppressor of her people. If Mishawaka officials dont have the integrity to remove the Columbus statue, they should, at the very least, apply the solution some other cities have used, and erect additional monuments or plaques that recognize the hardships and sacrifices of all the races, religions and ethnic groups that helped build this country. David Hoffman Mishawaka Thank you I am impressed by the number of businesses and organizations offering their products/services free/discounted to our federal employees who are without paychecks. Thank you. I dont think most people realize the number of people this affects, nor who these people are. There are government workers in so many fields. I think most think only of the Washington type. These people are our neighbors, our friends and folks we know as acquaintances. They are members of our community. Again, thank you to those awesome businesses for recognizing this and the willingness to help them. They set an example for all of us. Jamie Holland South Bend Margaret Fosmoe South Bend Tribune The coldest air temperature ever recorded in South Bend was on Jan. 20, 1943, when the city reached a low of 22 degrees. Mercury Hits Lowest Level in 46 Years. More Snow and Wind Coming; Schools Closed, the South Bend Tribune announced in a front-page headline that afternoon. South Bend may break that record today or Thursday. The 22 reading in 1943 tied an unofficial record low set here on Jan, 25, 1897. (The National Weather Service only considers temperatures recorded after Jan. 1, 1900 to be official.) The thermometer could drop Wednesday into the low minus 20s, said Megan Dodson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in North Webster, Indiana. The unofficial coldest high temperature in South Bend was recorded on Feb. 10, 1899, when the mercury climbed to only 8. The temperature early this morning approximated 20 degrees below zero, but the mercury soon began to rise, and by noon had reached the summer-like altitude of eight below zero, The Tribune lyrically reported in a brief story on that days front page. That record, too, soon may be broken. Wednesdays high temperature in the South Bend area is only expected to reach about 12, Dodson said. The meteorologist emphasized that Michiana in the next few days will be dealing with historically low temperatures, plus winds that will make being outdoors even more dangerous. Area residents are being urged to take precautions if they must go outside even for a brief period of time. And people across Michiana are being encouraged to stay off the roads. Daily records are likely to fall, too. Record low temperatures in South Bend on these dates, according to the National Weather Service: Jan. 29: -12, set in 1899 Jan.30: -13, set in 1966 Jan. 31: -11, set in 1936 Dodson offered the following updated forecast for the rest of the week: Wednesday night, the low temperature is expected to reach - 21. Thursdays high temperature will be about 1 degree above zero. Friday will see a high of about 20 degrees. And by the weekend? A thaw will set in. The high Saturday is expected to be 38 degrees. On Sunday, the high will reach about 45 degrees and on Monday 46 degrees, Dodson said. Yes. I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home. No. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage. I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it. Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time. Vote View Results Secure access control is helping to shape the post-pandemic world With the continued rolling back of COVID restrictions in the UK, there is a palpable sense of relief. A mixture of mass vaccinations, widespread testing, and track and tracing of the infection is helping to enable a healthy bounce back for businesses with secure access control taking an important role in facilitating this. However, rather than just being a reaction to the wake of the pandemic, there is every sign that the economy, and consequently the security sector as well, are both rebuilding and reshaping for the long-term new normal. Prioritising Safety Already deemed an essential service even during the first wave of the pandemic, the security industry has of course taken a vital role in protecting people and property throughout the crisis. Now that venues in the UK are starting to reopen again, our services are key to occupancy management and ensuring that disease transmission is limited as far as possible. Access control is also key in reassuring people that their safety is a priority. Making the upgrade Its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed with a few tweaks Businesses and organisations have a duty of care to their employees and the safety of visitors so controlling access, employing lateral flow testing, and deploying suitable Track & Trace mechanisms are all key components. I think those outside our industry are surprised to learn that most of the technology being deployed and used hasnt just magically developed since COVID appeared its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed albeit with a few development tweaks or adjustments for the situation at hand. This includes using or installing facial recognition readers rather than using fingerprint or contact tokens, it is swapping to automatic request to exit sensors instead of buttons; it is using powered secure doors rather than having people all grab the same handle. Using mobile credentials is also a key technology choice why not use the highly secure, easy to manage, cost-effective, and of course contact-free benefits of this approach? Touchless solutions We have seen a clear shift in organisations looking to protect their staff and visitors. For instance, we have a big utility customer in Southeast Asia that has just replaced close to 200 sites using fingerprint readers with an additional facial recognition capability. We have also seen a big rise in demand for touchless request to exit sensors and Bluetooth Low Energy Readers for use with smartphone authentication. Working together Integration of security systems is of course nothing new, but in the post-pandemic or endemic age, it has perhaps never been more important. Installations need to be simple, straightforward, and rapid to help maintain safe distancing but also to ensure systems can be deployed as soon as they are needed. The world is changing and developing rapidly and there is simply no place for systems that dont work with others or cause the end-user considerable cost and inconvenience to upgrade. This flexible delivery of security solutions perfectly matches the evolving and increasing demands of the market. Its clear that end-users want systems that work well and can easily integrate with their existing systems not only security but all the other business components which work in unison with each other over a shared network. Great opportunities ahead The recent work-from-home trend is also clearly changing the way organisations and businesses interact with the built environment. Lots of companies are downsizing, offices are being split up, there is lots of revitalisation and reuse of existing office space all of which creates considerable opportunities for security providers. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value There are also, in the UK at least, clear signs that the construction industry is rapidly growing again -with a forecast of 8% rebound and growth this year. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value all positive signs for UK-based security providers. Undoubtedly the highly successful UK vaccination rollout has helped considerably, but there are signs that the Eurozone looks set to improve considerably over the next few months as well. Using integrated access control Undoubtedly the pandemic has made security markets around the world more aware of the benefits of integrated access control in managing the needs of the new normal COVID endemic environment. For example, as a business, we have always had keen interest from the UK healthcare sector, but over the last 12 months, we have seen a big growth in previously modest international markets including Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand all of which are very keen to adopt improved access control solutions. Learning the lessons Nobody would deny the last year or so has been unprecedentedly tough on everyone, as a society we have had to make huge changes and sacrifices. Governments, organisations, and businesses all need to be better prepared in the future, to understand the things that went wrong and those that were successful. However, there is a world beyond the immediate pandemic and its effects. Flexible working practices and the changes these will have to the way we live and work will undoubtedly present great opportunities for the security sector in helping the world evolve. The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many organisations with regards to their duty of care to employees particularly when it comes to mental health and providing a sensible work/life balance. Where we work and the safety of these facilities has received far more scrutiny than before. Flexible security systems Integrated security solutions have a vital role to play in not only protecting the safety of people during the post-lockdown return to work but also in the evolution of the built environment and move towards smart cities - which inevitably will now need to consider greater flexibility in securing home working spaces rather than just traditional places of work. Importantly, powerful access control and integrated security systems need to be flexible to the uncertainties ahead. The COVID pandemic has shown that nothing can be considered certain, except the need for greater flexibility and resilience in the way we operate our professional and personal interactions. Thelma Duncan, age 93 of Columbus, OH, formerly of Somerset, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at Kobacker House Hospice Care in Columbus. Services are pending at this time and will be announced on Thursday. Lake Cumberland Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Thelma Duncan. PHILIPSBURG:---National School Counselors week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. The St. Maarten Vocational Training School (SMVTS), will celebrate National School Counselors Week, from February 4th to 8th, 2019. The passing of and the destruction by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 led to the cancellation of SMVTS Career Fair 2018. Therefore, to start the National School Counselors Week on a high note, SMVTS Career Fair 2019 will be the kickoff event on Monday 4th February. The theme is TEAMWORK: Together Everyone Achieves More. The management, counselors, teachers, and staff are actively engaged in finding positive ways to enhance students social/personal, educational and career development in order for our students to recognize their potential and set healthy and realistic aspirations for themselves. During the remainder of the week, special career, as well as social emotional centered workshops and presentations, will be offered to our students by SMVTS Counselors. To host a workshop or presentation that will assist in the career and social-emotional development of our students during the school year, please contact our school via Tel: (721) 548-4894 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . `Clay Montessori Academy to hold Open House.` PHILIPSBURG:--- The Clay Montessori Academy (CMA) will be organizing an open house on Friday, February 1st from 4 pm to 7 pm. CMA invites the community to get to know the school by attending the Open House on Friday, February 1st from 4 pm to 7 pm. The school is located on Grenada Road #25 in Madame Estate. CMA was founded in 2011 and the first school year began August of 2012, starting out with just one student. The school was founded on the foundation and principles of God. The objective is to focus on the whole child, molding them into being the best persons they can be as part of a community. We took a look at our community and saw the need for a facility that offered a program that catered to all children albeit special needs or regular students alike. We created an environment that is safe, warm, allows students to be themselves and, grow independently. Franchi Felix, Vice-Principal Clay Montessori Academy The founder of CMA, Dagma Doncher, always knew she wanted to be a teacher. However, she desired to be the type of teacher that made a real difference in childrens lives. As an adult, she saw the many ways in which she could have personally benefitted from the Montessori method. The extra attention, the comfortable and safe environment and the hands-on approach. Following the Dr. Maria Montessori curriculum and approach, Doncher, in partnership with Franchi Felix, created an environment and a curriculum that was specifically centered around the individual students needs. The goal of the curriculum is to help each child develop mastery of self (both physically and spiritually), their environment, self-discipline, and social competence. CMA offers a variety of programs. A toddler program (18 months to 3 years old), a primary casa program (3 6 years old), lower elementary program (6 9 years old), and lastly the upper elementary program (9 12 years old). This fall CMA will add an infant program (3 months to 18 months) to the schedule. The man charged with murdering his mother, Pyrhia Sarusi, and aunt, Australian academic Professor Lily Pereg, is on a hunger strike in an Argentinian prison. Sources in Mendoza say that Nicolas Gilad Pereg is refusing to eat while he is on remand on charges of homicide and aggravated homicide for the deaths of his mother and aunt. Gilad Pereg, the son of one of two missing sisters found dead in Mendoza, Argentina, is arrested. Credit:AP Mr Pereg was arrested over the weekend in the South American city, two weeks after the sisters disappeared without a trace. Investigators looking into their disappearances allegedly found DNA evidence on a t-shirt and a bag of cement connecting Mr Gilad to the murder of his mother and her sister. Washington: Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is not getting a lot of positive feedback since indicating on Sunday that he was seriously considering a 2020 presidential run. "Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire a---e!" a man screamed Monday night as Schultz discussed the possibility of running. The interruption came as Schultz was being interviewed during the first stop on his tour promoting his new book, From the Ground Up. Former Starbucks CEO and Chairman Howard Schultz looks out at the audience. Credit:AP "Go back to getting ratioed on Twitter. Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world!" added the heckler, who has not been identified. (Getting "ratioed" means getting more replies than retweets in a Twitter post, indicating a negative reaction.) Although most have not used profanity, many political figures and media pundits have echoed the heckler's sentiments. Washington: Russia and China pose the biggest espionage and cyber attack threats to the United States and are more aligned than they have been in decades, the leader of the US intelligence community told US senators on Tuesday. While the two countries seek to expand their global reach, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said, some American allies are pulling away from Washington in reaction to changing US policies on security and trade. "China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea increasingly use cyber operations to threaten both minds and machines in an expanding number of ways - to steal information, to influence our citizens, or to disrupt critical infrastructure," Coats said. "Moscow's relationship with Beijing is closer than it's been in many decades," Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee's annual hearing on worldwide threats, where he testified with the director of the CIA, FBI and other top intelligence officials. We were riding around Doha in a taxi on a Friday morning with C.W. McCalls 1975 trucker anthem Convoy playing on the radio. The driver was called Phillip, a young man from somewhere in Africa who didnt know the way, and was therefore asking us for directions. We arrived at Doha airport luggage-free, but also spare underwear-free. Credit:Shutterstock The traffic lights changed, and so did the song: Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt, 1962, The Ballad of Jed Clampett. Yes, the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies. Theyre both songs Id hoped never to hear again. I am not making any of this up. Our destination was a giant shopping mall that was only open until 11.30am because of Friday prayers, and our aim was to buy some clean socks and underwear. We needed clean socks and underwear because we were making a rather disorderly exit from Europe. Manila: Frenchman Alain Robert dubbed "Spiderman" for his exploits has been arrested in the Philippines after free-climbing one of the country's tallest buildings. The 56-year-old, known for scaling towering structures around the world, was spotted dangling from the GT International Tower in the financial district of Makati City during rush hour. French urban climber Alaine Robert, popularly known as "Spiderman", climbs down after scaling the 47-Storey GT Tower Building. Credit:AP Robert was seen hoisting himself from one floor to another of the 217-metre glass-walled skyscraper. He was arrested for climbing without a permit as soon as he descended. Police said criminal charges were being prepared against Robert, who holds the Guinness World Record for the most number of buildings climbed by a person. The developers who knocked over Carltons Corkman Irish Pub in 2016 without planning or building permission have pleaded guilty to its illegal destruction. Raman Shaqiri and Stefce Kutlesovski appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday. They and their company 160 Leicester each face fines of $388,000 for their demolition of the pub that was built in 1857. The Corkman pub in 2015. Credit:James Bowering The pair admitted on Tuesday to having knocked down without permission the 159-year-old building, which was not heritage listed but that sat within a protected historic area. Despite the opposition saying the number of retiring MPs were a sign the government was "barely limping to the end of its term", Prime Minister Scott Morrison's team is on track to have similar rates of retirement to recent federal elections. While still months out from an election, more Labor MPs have announced they will not seek their spot in Parliament again: eight Labor MPs will voluntarily retire, compared to the Coalition's seven. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Jobs Minister Kelly O'Dwyer, who is retiring at the next election. Credit:AAP Even if more government politicians resign, the number of those calling it quits would need to double to pass the retirement rates of recent federal elections. "In cases where there have been defeats there's been higher numbers of government MPs quitting than opposition MPs," psephologist Kevin Bonham said. The Nature Conservancy and Murdoch University are assessing the ability of new shellfish 'reefs' to help filter pollutants in the Peel-Harvey Estuary. Researchers say shellfish reefs are the country's most threatened ecosystem, greater than coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef. Under new shellfish reefs, a safer ecosystem could be in play, with dolphins, crabs, fish living in cleaner water. Credit:Krista Nicholson And 99 per cent of shellfish reefs flat oyster reefs in the Peel-Harvey Estuary are close to extinction, due to significant land use and historical oyster fishing since European settlement. Murdoch researcher Alan Cottingham and his team will be attaching cages of blue mussels in a bed-like formation to the estuary's current reefs in 30 locations. Organisers of the troubled Rainbow Serpent Festival have denied they are to blame for drug overdoses and related crimes at the event, instead blasting authorities and existing government policies for creating a "very difficult drug landscape". It comes as police reveal there were two sexual assaults at the four-day music festival in central Victoria's Lexton, two other assaults, seven hospitalisations due to drug use, 10 arrests for drug trafficking and 54 drug notices issued, putting the future of the festival in doubt. Punters at Rainbow Serpent Festival last year. Credit:Fairfax Media Sixteen drivers tested positive for drugs - down from more than 40 last year. Three people were also taken to hospital after a truck rolled onto their tent on Thursday afternoon. Whitecap Venture Partners, a Toronto, Canada-based venture capital firm, secured commitments of CDN $110M in the first close of Whitecap IV, its new fund. LPs include returning investors Kensington Capital Partners and Bank of Montreal, as well as Inuvialuit Investment Corporation and other new institutional investors and high-net-worth family offices. The fund, which has a final target of CDN $125MM will continue the firms focus on ICT, Med Tech, and Food/Food Tech. It will primarily invest in Series A funding rounds but the firm has also established a small seed investment program within Whitecap IV. Whitecap also announced that Steve Lau has joined the team as Partner. He was most recently co-CEO of field service management software provider FieldEdge, which was sold to Advent International. In addition, Shayn Diamond and Russell Samuels were both recently promoted to Partner (they joined Whitecap in January 2015). The firm also announced that Andrew Macdonald, Vice President for Uber Americas Operations and Global Business Development, has joined its Advisory Board. Led by Carey Diamond, Managing Partner, Whitecap Venture Partners deployed its first venture funds in the early 1990s. Whitecap III, which launched in April 2015, invested in eight companies, including Real Matters, Qvella, Affinio, Reunion Foods, Clearwater Clinical, ClassCraft, and Irystec. FinSMEs 29/01/2019 Dead bats were dropping from trees in Bairnsdale on Friday due to the extreme heat. Credit:Shelly Nundra More than 2400 flying foxes died from heat stress in Victoria's east during last week's scorching conditions, with conservation groups saying they have never witnessed anything like the "nightmare" event. In East Gippsland on Friday, grey-headed flying foxes struggling to cope with the sweltering conditions began to drop from trees. Local police declared the situation a "natural emergency" on Friday afternoon and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning quickly closed parts of Bairnsdale's Mitchell River Walking Track to the public. Minutes later I heard on the radio that another incident had happened in Bourke Street [the terror attack]. I will do anything now to avoid going to the city. The Supreme Court is expected to hear more than 50 victim impact statements over three days ahead of Gargasoulas sentencing. Written statements were read out by or on behalf of the family of Mr Kanno, Jess Mudie, 22 and Bhavita Patel, 33, who were killed in Bourke Street or died later in hospital. Jess Mudie Credit:Instagram All spoke of living with constant heartache, loss and anger, and grappling with a senseless tragedy leading them to withdraw from their previous lives. Throughout the proceeding, Gargasoulas remained unmoved in the dock. He sat motionless, even when addressed directly. Robyn Davis, Jess Mudies mother, had her statement read out by the prosecutor but addressed her daughters murderer directly. Im not going to detail about all the pain that you have caused myself and my family. No wedding, children, holidays or any dreams will come to fruition for Jess. She was 22 and she had her whole adult life before her, which you so thoughtlessly took away from her and her family. You will never be forgiven, and I hope the justice system prevails. I will always love and miss you my beautiful girl Jessica. Scott Van Bronswijk, who was seriously injured in the attack, spoke in his statement of the pain and fear of seeing his colleagues strewn across the footpath, including Jess Mudie who was killed, seven others who were injured and two who narrowly escaped. Justice Mark Weinberg said to those who had prepared victim impact statements he could "only admire your courage and fortitude". The proceedings will continue on Wednesday. Victims' families in their own words Jessica Mudie, 22. Visiting from NSW, she died at the scene from head injuries. The day after dreams of Jess are always the worst. Jess loved birthdays, Christmases and any family event, and as each of these come there is always that hole where Jess is missing and that taints the happiness. Even though I enjoy them, it is never pure happiness because she is not there. I try to find any chance I can get to talk about Jess twin sister, Emily Mudie. Never in my wildest nightmares did I ever think I would have to bury one of my precious children, let alone write a victim impact statement for one of them. The 20th of January 2017 is a day I will never forget and I relive it every single day since -- mother, Robyn Davis Bhavita Patel, 33. The financial consultant died 10 days later in hospital. Bhavita Patel Credit:Facebook Two years have passed and there are still days that I wake up and feel like it is the day after. Every single piece of my future included her. I had to introduce her to the girl Im going to marry while she was in a coma. I think about the kids Ill have that will never know her. I try and write down stories and organise photos that I will show them but the pain that she will never be able to hold them and tell them herself is intensely crushing. brother Mitesh Patel Why was she taken away from us? We have no answers to these and all the other questions. We are adrift on a path to no destination, ours is now an aimless existence. Everyday is sadness, hurt, pain, grief -- and also anger and hate, which were strangers to me before. father, Ramesh Patel Four cars and a motorcycle crashed on the Pacific Motorway on Tuesday afternoon, reducing traffic to a crawl. Paramedics were called to a multi-vehicle accident on the major motorway, near Underwood Road, about 4pm. Traffic banked up at Daisy Hill after a multi vehicle crash at Underwood. Credit: Department Transport and Main Roads No serious injuries were reported and crews were on scene assessing drivers and passengers. Australian Traffic Network reporter Charleton Hart said both the centre and right lanes, heading north towards Brisbane, were blocked. The rollout of the ieMR project could be comparable with the 2011 payroll debacle, according to an independent consultant hired by Queensland Health in 2014. The 2011 debacle was triggered when a new payroll IT system deployed across the states public hospitals failed, leaving thousands of doctors, nurses and hospital staff unpaid for months. A commission of inquiry into the payroll issue was launched in 2013. Correspondence between senior eHealth Queensland staff in 2011 noted the payroll issue as a lesson to be learnt from in the rollout of ieMR. Hospital staff struggle to use software The integrated electronic medical record project has been pushed under multiple state governments despite repeated warnings and protests from clinicians, health professionals and Queensland Health staff. eHealth Queensland purchased off-the-shelf integrated electronic medical record software from US medical health giant Cerner in 2011. The software is modified as technicians install it in each hospital. But hospital staff say they struggle to use it, finding it contradictory, erratic and poorly designed. Both independent and internal analyses conducted for Queensland Health have warned of critical issues with Cerners software, with at least one report not escalated to the Health Minister. The installation of the medical record software in pathology, anaesthetics, intensive care and other critical hospital sectors, overwriting specially-designed software for each sector, has caused particular angst. Dr Richard Ashby, Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick and Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad speak to reporters as the advanced ieMR system goes live at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Credit:(AAP Image/Queensland Government In one instance in 2014, Queensland Health demanded an independent consultant modify a final report to remove damning warnings about ieMR. The consultant refused. The spokesman for the acting Health Minister said the 2014 report was produced under the Campbell Newman-led LNP government and questions over the report should be directed to that government. In another instance, a shutdown of ieMR in May 2017 at the Princess Alexandra Hospital that forced clinicians to return to paper records-keeping was pinpointed by eHealth Queensland technicians as caused by Cerners software. Cerner disengaged from the investigation and provided incorrect technical logs to the independent investigators hired by Queensland Health, that report said. Cerner was contacted for comment. Then-health minister Cameron Dick is understood to have not seen the report. Nine hospitals so far have ieMR installed, with Queensland Health pushing for 27 hospitals to be online by 2021 after the department signed a five-year contract extension with Cerner in 2016. A 2018 Auditor-General report warned the project was at risk of financial collapse if the state government did not sign off on a third business case this year for another $256 million. Crime watchdog 'making inquiries' relating to eHealth The ieMR project is managed by Queensland Health director-general Michael Walsh and eHealth Queensland chief executive Richard Ashby. Dr Ashby has been in charge of the project since stepping into the role in 2017, and led the rollout of ieMR software at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in 2015. In late 2018, after the Auditor-General's report was released, chief clinical information officer Keith McNeil was given greater oversight of the program. Mr Walsh and Dr Ashby did not respond to questions about the appropriateness of Dr Ashby remaining in his role as eHealth chief executive and chief information officer while the CCC investigation was ongoing. Director-General of Queensland Health Michael Walsh. Credit:AAP Image/Dave Hunt It is understood the current CCC investigation into eHealth Queensland began midway through last year. The CCC can confirm it is making inquiries into allegations relating to eHealth Queensland, a CCC spokesman said. It is not appropriate to comment further. It is important to note all allegations should be treated as unsubstantiated until a final outcome is reached. The Health Department created a clinical excellence board populated by clinicians in an attempt to resolve problems detailed by staff and create stronger communication between the project team and clinicians. Acting Health Minister Mr Baileys spokesman said there was regular consultation with clinicians and staff, audits, reviews and consultation with professional representative groups, including the AMA and relevant unions, and stakeholders. Since the introduction of the ieMR, there has been a notable reduction in medication errors and eHealth and the [Hospital and Health Services] are continuously looking for ways to improve the system and the quality of care they provide as a result, he said. Senior hospital clinicians see need to escalate concerns Clinicians say there is widespread support for an electronic medical record in Queensland hospitals, believing it will improve patient health and make the working day for clinicians easier. However, many clinicians believe the Cerner software and eHealth Queensland rollout is so flawed they are seriously worried for patient safety. Concerned that clinicians fears were being ignored, the Australian Medical Association Queensland in March 2018 set up a separate committee to educate its members of the risks to hospitals and the public. In a statement, the AMAQ said when such large projects were rolled out there were bound to be concerns and it had established the committee to report clinician concerns directly to the AMAQ council. AMAQ set up a committee to report clinicians' concerns directly to it. Credit:Nicolas Walker AMA Queensland president Dr Dilip Dhupelia met with Health Minister Steven Miles late last year and highlighted the need for hospitals, where ieMR is being rolled out, to engage more effectively with clinicians to ensure efficiency in the workplace, the AMAQ statement said. This enables clinicians to be confident that patient safety remains the top priority. AMA Queensland will continue to work closely and collaboratively with Queensland Health as it digitises the states public hospitals and health facilities. AMA Queensland will continue to advocate for clinicians to ensure daily workplace tasks not interfere with delivering world-class patient services. The AMAQ also wrote to Queensland Health director-general Michael Walsh detailing key concerns about several major problems in the system during the projects rollout at Mackay Base Hospital in September 2018. Senior clinicians at hospitals across the state have also detailed their concerns directly to Mr Walsh and Dr Ashby. The Auditor-General in late 2018 noted that clinicians had seen a need to escalate their concerns about the eHealth program. We are aware that some clinicians have raised concerns about the ieMR solution with the director-general of the Department of Health and the Australian Medical Association of Queensland, the Auditor-General found. Rollout cost cannot be stated accurately: Auditor-General Queenslands Hospital and Health Services regions, each managed by an individual board, have been pressured by Queensland Health to accept Cerners software or be left with all costs of maintaining their original software. Several HHS regions that have been implementing the ieMR project have reported major budget deficits, citing greater than expected costs to install and maintain the ieMR. The hospitals have no idea how much they will have to shoulder for maintenance costs when the rollout is complete, and neither does eHealth Queensland, according to the Auditor-General report. Further, the Auditor-General found eHealth Queensland could not accurately state how much the rollout has cost to date, as it did not have the software to maintain accurate accounting logs, and hospitals could not accurately record the money they have spent. A September 2006 Deloitte report commissioned to guide Queensland Health in how to implement the ieMR project recommended an incremental approach, installing the software by integrating information from other systems. That recommendation was initially endorsed by Queensland Health when the contract with Cerner was signed in 2011. But in 2014 the rollout was changed from an incremental rollout to a big bang approach, rolling the entire software out in a live environment at hospitals. The rollout was expanded again in 2017, months after Queensland Health signed a five-year contract extension with Cerner, raising the number of hospitals receiving ieMR from 25 to 27 by 2021. Health Minister Steven Miles at Princess Alexandra Hospital after the Auditor-General's report into digital hospitals was released. Credit:Lucy Stone/Brisbane Times In December 2018, the Auditor-Generals scathing report into the digital hospital program said eHealth Queensland had seriously underestimated the cost of the ieMR rollout. The program is now at a critical junction because it cannot complete implementation ... without more funding, the report said. The Auditor-General also found eHealth Queensland had failed to ensure Cerner was providing value for money and had not bothered to go back to market in 2016 to check for competitive vendors before signing the contract extension. A Queensland Health spokeswoman said an earlier Auditor-General's report in 2013 found the original contract with Cerner was appropriate. The decision to negotiate with Cerner under a closed request for proposal for the ieMR solution was due to Cerner being the only ieMR product provider in Australia which met Queensland Healths functionality and scale requirements, confirmed by an external independent advisory company," she said. As the product was already in wide use at the time in New South Wales and given the move towards a nationally compatible patient record system and favourable pricing, it was adopted by Queensland. The appropriateness of the approach was confirmed by independent reviews and a broad consultation with senior clinical and managerial staff, the clinical senate, clinical networks and health unions and was audited by the Queensland Audit Officer in 2012/13. An attempt to roll out Cerners software in NSW hospitals, which led to clinicians raising concerns about patient data being entered into the wrong medical records, triggered an investigation by the NSW state government in 2011. In Victoria, a multimillion-dollar project to implement Cerners electronic medical record software at eight public hospitals in 2003 was abandoned after a scathing Auditor-General's report in 2013 found that poor planning and inadequate understanding had led to only four hospitals implementing the program at a cost of $145 million. The Victorian Auditor-Generals report also found issues that potentially affect patient safety in the software. Wouldn't Morrison be better off working on his own party's strategies instead of using predictable scare tactics against those of the Opposition? - Margaret Grove, Abbotsford Labor left the best-performing economy in the OECD. The Coalition has dropped our ranking to tenth. That is not a sign of superior economic management. - Graeme Finn, St Peters PM Scott Morrison says Australia risks tumbling into a recession under Labor. Credit:AAP Morrison, and Bill Shorten, both seem to believe our vote can be won by bad mouthing the other side. This is downright pathetic. I prefer NZ PM Jacinda Ardern's recommendation that policies focus more on kindness, empathy and people's well-being rather than just the economy. There's very little about human kindness in the policies of either the Coalition or the ALP. - Samantha McKay, Katoomba Morrison says "it is important to remind all of us that our economy cannot be taken for granted. That the economy is real, its impacts are real it's all about people". Substitute "climate change" for "economy" and there might be a chance I could take our current Prime Minister seriously. - Bill Young, Greenwich Morrison's speech reminds me of comments made by PM Malcolm Fraser in the dying days of his government. He said that if a Labor government was elected, "people would be better off keeping their money under the bed". Bob Hawke's riposte: "But you can't put your money under the bed that's where the commies are." - David Farrell, Erskineville Independence a hindrance to parliamentary process The electorate's dissatisfaction with the two major parties is given as the reason more people are standing as independent candidates ("Independents split on new challenger", January 29). However, a look back over time shows that minor parties and independents usually have a short political lifespan. Of concern is the disruptive effect the crossbench in the present Senate has had on government in recent years. The Senate is supposed to function as a house of review with a concern for state rights; at present it is a dysfunctional chamber and is hindering the parliamentary process. The election of independents might give a sense of satisfaction to people dissatisfied with the major parties but the reality has been a Parliament which has to spend a lot of time trying to negotiate with one or two members. Despite the shortcomings of the major parties, it might in fact be wiser to elect a Parliament where there are few, if any, independents all trying to push their own narrow agendas. - Tony Everett, Wareemba Why would anybody wish to win the seat of Warringah? Labor looks set to win the next election with a comfortable majority, and, if history is any guide, the one after that as well. Should she win, Zali Steggall is giving up a presumably successful practice in the law to sit in some independent wasteland in Parliament for the next eight years. - Ross MacPherson, Seaforth Steggall has come out with her Liberal party uniform on: "I support sensible centrist economic policies for a strong, stable economy and will resist proposed changes to negative gearing, franking credits and capital gains tax". She is the mouthpiece of everything that Tony Abbott would say, apart from moving on from the dinosaur mentality of denying climate change. - John Rome, Mount Lawley What a welcome sight to see Steggall put her hand up for the seat of Warringah. An engaging rational thinker on climate change and other pressing issues (Letters, January 29). A positive change moving forward after 24 years in limbo. - David Goldstein, Balgowlah Your correspondent says Steggall has all the attributes needed by a politician including being a lawyer with an understanding of people. Parliament is full of lawyers, suburban accountants and union hacks. At least Steggall won't be out of place. - Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill As a fellow Warringah resident, your correspondent would surely know that we down-to-earth Northern Beaches folk speak Fair Dinkum Aussie English and simply don't get "piste". - Steve Cornelius, Brookvale Stitched up over jeans In the early days of the torn-jeans craze, the laundry lady at my son's school "mended" the knees of a pupil's jeans that were found in the locker room (Letters, January 29). - Max Petrie, Palm Beach Twenty years ago my then 22-year-old daughter came home with a new pair of jeans. When I mentioned they had tears in the legs she replied that she had paid an extra $25 for the tears. - Susan Lyons, Lithgow Close shave on train This year I have resolved to strike a blow for male equality. Given it appears impossible for women in Sydney to apply their make-up unless they are sitting on a crowded train, I have decided that from tomorrow morning I am going to bring a bucket of hot water, my shaving kit and lather up. What's the point of reading a book, when I can have a shave and simultaneously annoy everyone around me? - Jack Amond, Cabarita Timeless love stories Julie Fewster's delightful article proves it's never too late to fall in love ("The hitch with marriage late in life", January 29). And after 60 years of happy marriage, I can attest to the fact that it is never too late to go on loving. - Andrew Macintosh, Cromer Library does not need new chapter A rooftop restaurant and function centre is being proposed by the state government as part of its plans to revitalise Macquarie Street ("Rooftop restaurant plan sparks 'commercialism' claims ", January 29). Most people walk along Macquarie Street with their eyes straight ahead, not with their head in the clouds, they will not appreciate a glass structure on top of this iconic building. Who thought up this idea? One of the individual or corporate sponsors whose names appear on the walls of the library? There are plenty of glass and steel structures along that end of the city and they already contrast with the sandstone of the State Library. Money will have to be spent reinforcing the roof to take the extra weight and then more on the building of the restaurant and function centre. The government has totally lost its direction in its last days in office. What next? Sunbathing on the roof? - Peter Skrzynecki, Eastwood Parliament House, which already has a roof structure, would be a much better location for a restaurant. - John Ziegler, Bellevue Hill With the opportunity to line their pockets prior to their inevitable expulsion in March, Berejiklian's government is hard at work. - Ian Usman Lewis, Kentucky Just what has good old Sydney sandstone done to deserve such treatment from this state government? The travesty of sell-offs and re-purposing approved for the jewels of the city's architecture beggars belief. Leave the Mitchell Library as it is. Enough is enough. - Bradley Wynne, Croydon I wonder if the NSW government's plan to "revitalise" Macquarie Street should not be placed on the back burner until the people of NSW "revitalise" the occupants of the building next door to the State Library on March 23. - Chris Hornsby, Bayview Moral majority Your correspondent argues that Australia should not try to influence the climate debate (Letters, January 29). He says that it would be costly to change our ways and the rest of the world doesn't care what we do. Since when has the economic argument for doing the wrong thing so easily trumped the moral argument for doing the right thing? - Jill Gordon, Roseville I often wonder if those who say "the argument that our per capita contribution (of greenhouse gases) is one of the highest in the world is meaningless", are also those who throw their cigarette butts out of cars, leave their rubbish on the beach, pee in public pools because "my little bit of pollution doesn't count". The argument is astounding. - Peggy Fisher, Killara Nuclear is an option Your correspondent claims that there is no way of dealing with waste from nuclear power plants (Letters, January 29). This might have been so with older plants but modern nuclear plants reprocess used fuel until only a minuscule amount of low-grade waste remains. This waste can safely be transported and easily disposed of. It cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons. Such plants can be obtained from China or US at a cost comparable to that of other forms of energy production. The operating costs are much lower. The drawback is that we in Australia do not currently have the ability to train technicians to operate these plants. - Brian O'Donnell, Burradoo Ready to read The problems with education results begin in kindergarten ("Bold thinking is needed on what we teach in school", January 29). Children are pushed into trying to read and write before they are mature enough to learn. No consideration is given for maturation and cognitive development. The results is children are missing out on basic skills which contribute to reading, writing and maths. This becomes more obvious as they progress through primary school and for the rest of their school life. Once "readiness for reading" was an important step in a child's development but that has all gone. - Augusta Monro, Dural No fish left to kill Images of the latest fish kill on the Darling River suggest these ex-fish are much smaller ("Third fish kill on the Darling within five weeks", January 29). The big fish are dead; the little fish are dying. That's what I call management. The problem of fish kills will soon be solved and we'll be able to move on to mitigating other environmental disasters. - Cliff Jahnsen, Bowral All that monsoonal rain is wasted as it flows into the Coral Sea. It should be travelling down the multitude of rivers feeding the Murray-Darling. If we had declared the Bradfield scheme the nation's priority infrastructure project 20 years ago, there would be more than enough water to feed into the river system and "massive fish kills" would be a headline never needed. Is it too late? - Steve Johnson, Elizabeth Beach Lonesome publicans Jenna Price is right ("Nothing so loathsome as a pub that exploits, with cheer", January 29). When I was young and drank occasionally in hotels, I soon concluded that few publicans are the kind of people who have real friends. - Norm Neill, Darlinghurst Repay taxpayers for debacle Who was the minister responsible for overseeing the software integration debacle ("$34 million blown in criminal intelligence agency's failed facial recognition project", January 29)? Is he or she still a minister in any portfolio? His or her parliamentary superannuation payouts should be garnished to repay the losses incurred by Australian taxpayers. - David Davies, Callala Beach Celebrate land and species Nominate February 29 as Australia Day. Then we would only have this no-win argument once every four years (Letters, January 29). - Denis Suttling, Newport Beach The body of an Indian national who went missing while he was swimming at Wattamolla Beach, south of Sydney, has been found by police divers. Emergency services were called about 6.15pm on Tuesday, an hour after the 20-year-old was last seen swimming in the lagoon at the beach in the Royal National Park. The man was last seen swimming in the lagoon at Wattamolla Beach. Credit:Chris Lane A land and sea search was launched with officers from Sutherland Police Area Command, the dog squad, police rescue and police divers. Divers found the body about 1.30am on Wednesday near where the man was last seen. The ACT will open its first ever drug and alcohol court in 2019, Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay announced on Tuesday. Speaking at the ceremonial sitting of the ACT Supreme Court to mark the beginning of the legal year, Mr Ramsay also announced the territory would introduce a new law making it an offence to fail to report instances of child abuse. Chief Justice Helen Murrell and Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay in the new ACT Supreme Court building. Credit:Elesa Kurtz Mr Ramsay said the new drug and alcohol court was part of the government's commitment to restorative justice. "It will be focussed on addressing drug and alcohol addiction as a cause of offending and it will embody our focus on ensuring Canberra is a restorative community," Mr Ramsay said. Sphere Fluidics, a Cambridge, England, UK-based company commercializing single cell analysis systems, closed a $2m (circa 1.5m) funding round. Backers included Greenwood Way Capital, Oxford Technology and Innovations EIS Fund and 24Haymarket. The funds raised will be used to accelerate growth in operations and support sales across the UK and USA (opening a new US West Coast Sales Office) of its Cyto-Mine Single Cell Analysis System. Led by Frank F Craig PhD MBA, CEO, Sphere Fluidics provides Cyto-Mine, an automated platform which integrates single cell screening, sorting, dispensing, imaging and clone verification. It can process up to 40 million cells per day, and assesses and isolates those that produce a specific biologic to help streamline workflows and improve throughput in antibody discovery and cell line development. FinSMEs 29/01/2019 However, Telstra shares soared 7.8 per cent to $3.19. This boost came after news on Tuesday that TPG is cancelling its mobile network rollout. TPG was also up 3.02 per cent at $7.17. "That's an interesting one," said Mr Chalmers. "It's unusual because it looks like its a win for both companies. The market likes that TPG isn't going with its 5G rollout, as it would have been a while to earn a return on capital investment on that 5G project." Miners were also strong, with BHP up 2 per cent at $33.74 and Rio Tinto rose 3.8 per cent to $83.50. The spot price for iron ore surged 4.7 per cent to a 10-month high following a second tailings dam disaster at a Vale-owned mine in Brazil in a little more than three years. Resolute Mining gained 4.8 per cent to $1.20 after telling shareholders that quarterly gold production rose 33 per cent. Eclipx fell 16.5 per cent to $2.22 after it told shareholders it will step up a cost-cutting blitz, leaving investors worried that its proposed merger with McMillan Shakespeare might be delayed. Netwealth dropped 8.9 per cent to $6.65 after giving its guidance for the last quarter on Tuesday. "In their update they've flagged 'pricing competition', and although they haven't said it, it's well known in the industry that they mean BT...who've come out and offered a very compelling product at a discounted rate," said Mr Chalmers. Elsewhere, several microcaps picked up following positive earnings updates. Credit Corp rose 5.8 per cent to $22.78. The debt purchasing and collection company told the market its first half 2018-19 net profit after tax was up 13 per cent, with strong growth in the US. SkyCity rose 3.2 per cent to $3.58. The company said it expects normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the first-half of fiscal 2019 at around $189 million, up 10 per cent compared to a year ago. What moved the market Silver Silver could hit $17.50 an ounce in 2019, from its current level of $15.36, Bloomberg reported. The precious metal jumped 9.1 per cent in December as demand from consumers, investors and industrials continued to boom. December's gain was the biggest in almost two years and comes as global physical demand is set to outstrip supply for the seventh straight year, according to Bloomberg. New Zealand dollar The New Zealand dollar was flat at US68.33. New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand completed a review into 16 New Zealand life insurers and said, while they didn't find widespread cases of misconduct, they did find several instances of poor conduct and a small number of cases of potential misconduct. "Some of the issues and themes are similar to those highlighted in the Australia Royal Commission, albeit on a smaller scale. The FMA and RBNZ are not confident that insurers themselves are aware of all the current issues," they said. Japan Japan's Nikkei fell 1 per cent on Tuesday after warnings from US industry bellwethers Caterpillar and Nvidia dragged down shares of construction machinery makers and chip-related companies, according to Reuters. Japanese machinery and electric machinery sectors were the worst performers on the board, falling 2.6 per cent and 2.2 per cent. Komatsu and Hitachi Construction Machinery both plunged more than 5 per cent. Business conditions National Australia Bank's monthly business survey showed the bank's business conditions index fell 9 points in December. The drop in business conditions was the biggest monthly drop since the global financial crisis. The index is an aggregate of three components, trading, employment and profitability. The business confidence index remained unchanged from November at 3 points, below the long-run average of six points. Stock watch TPG Telecom executive chairman David Teoh's revelation he will stop building Australia's fourth mobile network has sent telecommunications companies' share prices soaring, with industry experts believing it will make a planned $15 billion merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia more likely and end a mobile price war. Telstra had one of its strongest trading days in a decade on Tuesday, with a 7.77 per cent jump in its share price to $3.19. TPG jumped 3.02 per cent to $7.17 on the back of Mr Teoh's announcement that the telco was giving up on building a mobile network after more than $100 million in capital expenditure. The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.5 per cent over the day. TPG's share price surged despite revealing the demise of its mobile network. Credit:Nine There has been intensifying competition in the mobile space, causing major headwinds for providers Telstra, Singtel Optus and Vodafone Hutchison Australia which are facing eroding margins as they drop prices and increase data inclusions to hold onto their customers. TPG's aggressive push to provide a fourth network with low-cost $9.99 unlimited plans at launch has been considered a major threat to these already-squeezed providers. When TPG announced the network roll out in 2017, Telstra's share price took a 7 per cent hit. Schultz, 65, whose political ambitions have been widely rumored for years, would be making his first run for public office. Speculation that he would make a bid for the White House ramped up last June after he announced his retirement as the chairman of Starbucks, listing public service as an option for his next chapter. At the time, he also laid out a centrist vision for the US, calling Trump's tax cut reckless and knocking "vitriolic behaviour" from the White House. President Trump and Howard Schultz have a long history of public slanging matches. Credit:Manuel Balce Ceneta Schultz is worth about $US3.5 billion ($4.9 billion), according to data compiled by Bloomberg, giving him the ability to keep a campaign funded as a field of potentially more than a dozen Democrats and the Trump campaign compete for donors over what will be almost two years of campaigning. Schultz said on "60 Minutes" that a price tag of as much as $US500 million to win would not change his mind. Deep pockets Loading "I'll say it this way: We'll be fully resourced to do what's necessary," he said. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the prominent Democrats mounting a campaign, has criticised wealthy presidential hopefuls who might use their personal fortunes to fund campaigns and urged the party's voters to reject such efforts. "We ought to be building a movement [and] not having billionaires buy these campaigns, whether we're talking about super PACs or self-funders," Warren said earlier this month in her initial campaign trip to Iowa, which will hold the first official contest in the nomination race in February 2020. No independent candidate has made a successful run for the White House, and the structure of US elections in terms of getting on ballots in all 50 states and fundraising heavily favors the two major parties. Third parties Third-party or independent candidates typical register only a few percentage points nationally in presidential elections. The last serious independent bid for the presidency was made by another billionaire, H. Ross Perot in 1992. He got almost 19 per cent of the popular vote but won no Electoral College votes as Democrat Bill Clinton defeated incumbent GOP President George H.W. Bush. The Green Party's Ralph Nader received almost 3 per cent of the vote nationwide in 2000, and many people blame his 97,000 votes in Florida for costing Democrat Al Gore the White House. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is planning her own 2020 run, has been critical of deep-pocketed independents eyeing the White House. Credit:AP Many Democrats are already warning that a bid by Schultz as an independent would take votes from the party's nominee and give Trump an easier path to a second term. "It would provide Donald Trump with his best hope of getting re-elected," Julian Castro, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and former San Antonio mayor, said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. Given Trump's approval rating in the low 40 per cent range, "his only hope, if things stay the same -- and that's a big if -- is essentially to get somebody else, a third party, to siphon off those votes," Castro said. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who considered an independent presidential campaign in 2016 but ultimately endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton, said in a statement Monday that the data show "there is no way an independent can win." Bloomberg has said he's considering seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020. Without mentioning Schultz by name, he said an independent candidate would likely would "split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the President. That's a risk I refused to run in 2016 and we can't afford to run it now." Michael Bloomberg is another billionaire mooted to be a 2020 contender. Credit:AP Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News. Siphoning votes Asked on "60 Minutes" whether he's worried about siphoning votes away from the eventual Democrat candidate and ensuring a second term for Trump, Schultz said, "I want to see the American people win." "I don't care if you're a Democrat, independent, Libertarian, Republican," Schultz said. "Bring me your ideas. And I will be an independent person, who will embrace those ideas. Because I am not, in any way, in bed with a party." Schultz said while he's been a lifelong Democrat, the US now has about $US21.5 trillion of debt and both parties are guilty of "a reckless failure of their constitutional responsibility." He said he would "not have given a free ride to business" with the tax cut Trump and Republicans enacted in 2017, and he criticised Democrats for proposing "free healthcare for all." While Starbucks is ubiquitous, Schultz himself is not as well known to voters. His business record, though, could provide him with a way to illustrate his stances. Loading Social debates At Starbucks, Schultz increased benefits, including college tuition and healthcare coverage, for the chain's retail workers -- including part-timers. And while running a coffee chain with locations across the US and around the globe, Schultz was willing to thrust his company into contentious social and political debates over the years. In 2011, he enlisted other business leaders in a pledge to boycott US political campaign donations until Congress could find a solution to growing national debt. More recently, Schultz enlisted baristas to write "Race Together" on cups to spur a national conversation on race, a move that was widely mocked on social media. LOGOS Property has expanded its presence in Asia with the establishment of a new investment partnership to acquire the 25-hectare REC site in Tuas South, Singapore. The new partnership, comprising the Ivanhoe Cambridge and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)-backed LOGOS Singapore Logistics Venture (LSLV) and new investors, Bouwinvest Real Estate Investors and LaSalle Global Partner Solutions (LaSalle GPS), has acquired the $S585 million ($603 million), property via a long-term sale-and-leaseback agreement with the Singapore arm of the global solar firm, REC. LOGOS South East Asia managing director, Stephen Hawkins, said the group is pleased to strengthen the relationship with Ivanhoe Cambridge and CPPIB and welcome Bouwinvest and LaSalle GPS as new capital partners to the LOGOS business. Kmart Distribution Centre in Truganina, Melbourne. LSLV has investments in six projects in Singapore with an expected gross floor area of 596,433 square metes. The acquisition expands LOGOS Singapore portfolio into the renewable energy space. Commodity experts believe the recent surge in iron ore prices will continue in the short term and that the commodity, a huge earner for Australias big miners, could soon be trading at more than $US80 per tonne. A widely accepted industry benchmark price for iron ore has not been above $US80 per tonne since April 2017. The benchmark price jumped 4.4 per cent on Monday to $US78.70 per tonne in the wake of a fatal tailings dam collapse that has stopped production at Vales Feijao iron ore mine in Brazil. The Brazilian miner Vale is the worlds biggest iron ore producer. A home lays in ruins after a tailings dam collapsed at a Vale mine near Brumadinho, Brazil. Credit:AP The human toll from the dam tragedy is both horrifying and mind boggling, with Brazilian firefighters putting the confirmed death toll at 65 by Monday night, Brazilian time. A further 279 people remained unaccounted for. Recharge, a San Francisco, CA-based platform for users to rent hotel rooms by the minute in certain cities, received a strategic investment from Fifth Wall Ventures. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. In conjunction with the deal, Fifth Wall Co-Founder and Managing Partner Brad Greiwe joined the board. Launched in 2016 by chief executive officer Manny Bamfo, Recharge allows users to book time at 4- and 5-star hotels, paying only for what they needed. Now, the company has also announced Recharge Homes, a feature that gives the ability to book short-term spaces to recharge in private homes as well as hotels in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. To date, Recharge has raised $10m in funding from Fifth Wall, JetBlue Technology Ventures, and Binary Capital. FinSMEs 29/01/2019 To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! CITY HALL -- City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has started accepting campaign contributions as he mulls a 2021 mayoral run. Im writing to share some exciting news: I am thinking about running for Mayor of New York City, Johnson said in an email Monday. Its a big decision, I know, but I love this city and am committed to making it a better place for all. As much as I love New York, we are capable of so much more. And New Yorkers are fed up with our pay-to-play political system. They know that real estate developers and lobbyists have had too much sway for too long. In announcing his potential run, Johnson, the first openly gay male City Council speaker, said he would only accept a maximum of $250 in contributions per person. New York City allows people to donate up to $2,000 in campaign contributions. Johnson also pledged to not accept campaign contributions from real estate developers or anyone employed at their firms. Additionally, he said he would not accept contributions from anyone employed at lobbying firms or any money from corporate PACs. Johnson is currently doubling as the acting public advocate until voters head to the polls to choose their next public advocate in a special election Feb. 26. FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Authorities got two for the price of one. A Mariners Harbor resident busted on drug charges stemming from the raid of a Concord mans home in the presence of a young child was sentenced Monday to two years behind bars. Carlise Taylor, 33, was arrested at about 6 a.m. on May 26, 2017, during a police search of Eric Commissiongs residence on the 600 block of Elbe Avenue, said a criminal complaint. Cops found heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, the complaint said. Several people were inside at the time, including Taylor, Commissiong and a 2-year-old child, said the complaint. Commissiong and Taylor were charged with drug crimes. In October of last year, both men pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, the top charge against them. Commissiong, 56, was sentenced in November to three years in prison and two years post-release supervision. Besides prison time, Taylor, who is also known as Carl Taylor, was sentenced Monday to two years post-release supervision. He also received a sentence of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for an aggravated unlicensed operation conviction, arising from an incident in January 2018. In addition, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail for a DWI conviction regarding an episode in September 2017, as well as to a year in jail for violating a sentence of five years probation imposed in January 2015 for a felony drug conviction. All the sentences will run concurrently. Taylor, who was garbed in blue nylon sweatsuit, responded No, when asked if he wished to make a statement at Mondays proceeding. Lawyer Mario F. Gallucci represented the defendant. Assistant District Attorney Antonia Assenso prosecuted the latest case. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Borough President James Oddo announced a sweeping series of recommendations to tackle the Islands opioid crisis on Monday. They were contained in a final report that was released at Borough Hall after a year-long working group with dozens of partners, who collaborated on strategies in policy, treatment, law enforcement, social and economic approaches. You can read the reports recommendations here. In addition to the reports release, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $1 million in New York State funding for the expansion of educational programs in Island schools. The North Star Measures for Tracking the Opioid Epidemic and Accelerating the Response on Staten Island report began with a public comment phase, followed by gathering partners to go over responses and data, and culminated with an opioid data working group that resulted in 15 north star recommendations. The primary objective of our data strategy initiative is to accelerate the boroughs response to the opioid epidemic, by rallying all of the important work being done on the front lines around a set of clear, quantifiable priorities, said Oddo. The Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez acknowledged that Staten Island is one of the areas that has been hit hardest by the opioid crisis and said it highlights the urgency and importance of the community coming together as they formulate solutions. Oddo worked with Gov. Andrew Cuomo to take immediate action on the reports recommendations and they are working to pilot an initial response to the release of the report. RECOMMENDATIONS IN SIX CATEGORIES The final report includes recommendations in the following categories: Monitoring the epidemic, prevention, reversal, treatment, recovery and law enforcement diversion. Key recommendations in those categories include: Real-time tracking of fatal and non-fatal overdoses through data sharing between treatment partners, law enforcement, and hospitals; Responsible opioid prescribing based on evidence that the risk of addiction increases with longer initial prescriptions of opioids; Tracking of co-prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines like Xanax due to the potential dangers of mixing the two drugs and how commonly they are prescribed together; Detailed tracking of naloxone distribution and use in order to track the extent, locations and settings that naloxone is being made available and used on Staten Island; Tracking and increasing the number of patients and physicians using with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to treat addiction in order to break down the stigma that surrounds MAT and connect more people to treatment; Increasing the number of peer counselors to connect with those facing substance abuse to connect with individuals in an addiction cycle who are more likely to listen to people with a shared experience; Continuing law enforcement diversion programs, like the the district attorneys Heroin Overdose Prevention Program, that diverts low-level offenders to treatment for addiction instead of incarceration. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said this reports comprehensive metric-driven approach is critical. We have been doing a whole lot of things here on Staten Island but we do have to measure it and prove success, McMahon said. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said, This is a model that can be used throughout the state of New York and as we know in so many areas, when New York leads, the rest of the nation follows. Youre effecting peoples lives all across America with what youre doing here today. Its that profound, said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. $1 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR SCHOOL PREVENTION PROGRAMS Hochul announced the $1 million in New York State funding for the expansion of Oddos Too Good for Drugs school campaign. The money will be used to implement recommendations made by a Prevention Education Task force that developed the recommendations for prevention education activities in all K 12 public and private schools on Staten Island. Hochul said the boroughs leaders havent waited to see what solutions leaders in Washington or Albany come up with to tackle the crisis, but rather think of innovative solutions that can be implemented in the borough. The curriculum for schools focuses on opioid prevention, resilience, and coping skills. Going forward, the task force will also help educators with the ability to identify at-risk students and refer them to programs and services. $250,0000 FOR EMPIRE STATE OPIOID INNOVATION CHALLENGE Additionally, Oddo also sought additional ideas from the public to help end the opioid crisis on Staten Island through the Empire State Opioid Innovation Challenge. The challenge was sponsored by Oddos and Gov. Andrew Cuomos offices, and lead to a three-day event in September. First round winners were chosen and given funding to expand their ideas. Those ideas include an intranasal patch that can detect respiratory distress and dispense medication; a streamlined kit for prevention, treatment and recovery tools; peer support protocols and new emergency department techniques. New York state invested $250,000 for the challenge. Northwell Health also invested $50,000 for the innovative challenge. Working with the borough president and Staten Island leaders we are building on the progress we have already achieved and working towards a model strategy to combat the opioid epidemic. With this comprehensive approach, we are giving more people in Staten Island the opportunity to access the services they need and setting an example for other communities across the country, said Cuomo. The winners of the Empire State Opioid Epidemic Innovation Challenge will present their winning ideas at Columbia University on Jan. 31. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An NYPD civilian employee and a supervisor have been punished for wrongly closing the case of a 57-year-old woman brutally assaulted on the street in Clifton, as detectives investigate the suspect in that attack as a person of interest in the death of another woman. A civilian mistakenly labeled the job closed, and the supervisor did not catch the error, said an email Tuesday from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information regarding the Jan. 5 attack on Beatrice Kaliku. Both were disciplined. Sources told the Advance that police are probing whether Linden Beaton, previously arrested in the Kaliku attack near Sobel Court Park, also was involved in the death of Johynita Jordan, 69, whose lifeless body was found on Sunday in an abandoned home on Van Duzer Street in Stapleton. Jordan was reported missing on Jan. 18. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to determine a cause of death for Jordan, a spokesman said on Tuesday. Sources told the Advance the womans body had bruising. Beaton and both women resided in separate residences in the vicinity of the Park Hill Apartments. As first reported in the Advance, Kaliku was severely beaten and injured near the park on Bowen Street while she was en route to a prayer meeting. Kaliku and her daughter, Tryphena who goes by the name Anna, said the case was was closed without a police investigation. The case, the mother and daughter said, was reopened at their insistence and the urging of Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore). Beaton, 31, of the 200 block of Park Hill Avenue, was arrested on Friday and charged by police with assault, criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment in connection with the assault against Kaliku. He is not charged in Jordans death at this time. Beaton, who stands about 58 tall and weighs about 180 pounds, currently is being head at the Brooklyn Detention Complex in lieu of $500,000 bond, according to public records. The suspect has prior convictions on Staten Island and he was out on parole for less than a year at the time of the assault, according to state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) on-line records. Beaton was paroled in 2018 after serving about seven years in prison on a charge of attempted rape. His post-release supervision is supposed to last until 2033. The suspect previously served more than two years on drug-sale and weapon convictions, according to the DOCCS. In the initial Advance account of the assault, Kaliku questioned the police response to the terrifying assault where she told the Advance she bit the suspects finger in a desperate attempt to save her own life. She claimed that cops initially closed out her case without interviewing her -- much less conducting a thorough investigation. Kaliku has a foggy recollection that police tried to speak with her at the hospital, but says she was not in good enough condition to talk with them at the time. Anna said that a detective did not contact her mother until more than a week after the attack. "It took a whole week and change before they conducted an investigation of anything, which is really sad," the daughter said. Anna said she went to the precinct on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 to find out what was being done to solve her mother's case, and was told that it had been closed because no statement was obtained from her mother. The family contacted Rose for help in their efforts to have the case reopened and a statement taken from their mother. Our Director of Constituent Services David Hernandez was contacted on Jan. 10, and David immediately called 120 Precinct Community Affairs and spoke to an officer, said a previously published statement from the councilwomans office. When on Friday, the following day, we heard that the family had not been reached out to, David emailed the commanding officer of the Precinct. Within hours of the first Advance story about the attack, police sought tips from the public to locate Beaton. Madison Reed, a San Francisco, CA-based prestige hair color brand, raised $51m in Series D funding. The round was led by existing investors Norwest Venture Partners and True Partners, with participation from Comcast Ventures and new investor Meaningful Partners. The company intends to use the funds to expand its suite of proprietary hair colors, introduce new products, utilize television advertising as a new customer acquisition channel, and to grow from 6 to 40 locations nationwide by the end of 2020. Led by CEO and Founder Amy Errett, and Chief Operating Officer Brian Bouma, and Chief Financial Officer Carrie Kalinowski, Madison Reed is a beauty company that has created a luxurious, prestige, hair color formula using proprietary color-matching technology and a team of professional, on-call colorists who help women choose the perfect shade of hair color, which is delivered to their door for under $25. Madison Reed Color Bars are open in six locations in New York City and San Francisco with more coming soon. FinSMEs 29/01/2019 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With Groundhog Day quickly approaching, we decided to take a look back at the history of everyones favorite weather-predicting rodent, Staten Island Chuck. Last year, Chuck hit the nail on the head when he predicted an early spring. Weather-checking students at PS 45 in West Brighton reported he was right: 32 days were greater than 40 degrees, and 14 were below 40 degrees. Hes been at it since 1981. In recent years, his accuracy has been tracked by the local elementary school students. The students track how many days over the six weeks following Chucks prediction are warmer -- or atypical -- for winter weather. A day when the temperature rises above 40 degrees is considered atypical. At the end of the six-week period, if there are more atypical weather days than typical weather days, it means we had an early spring. If there are more typical weather days than atypical weather days, we had six more weeks of winter. It remains to be seen if Chuck (real name Charles G. Hogg) will see his shadow on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton, signaling six more weeks of winter. We do know he is among the worlds most accurate weather-predicting animals he has a 78 percent accuracy rate, according to Brian Morris, a Staten Island Zoo spokesman. After all, Chuck has been wrong only once since 2010, the zoo reports. This years free Groundhog Day event at the zoo takes place on Saturday. Gates open at 6:30 a.m. and Chucks prediction will happen at 7:30 a.m. Childrens activities will take place throughout the day. In the past, Chucks prediction has attracted as many at 700 visitors. Heres a look back at some of Chucks recent performances: 2018: Chuck searched in vain for his shadow, then predicted an early spring when he popped up from below in his plastic enclosure. Well done, Chuck. PS 45 students supported his prediction, since warmer days prevailed. Deputy Borough President Ed Burke acted as emcee during the annual celebration, while Public Advocate Letitia Lames and NYC Comptroller Scott Springer announced the prediction. 2017: Despite the cold morning, Chuck predicted an early spring. Unfortunately, after six weeks of tracking the temperature, third-graders at PS 45 in West Brighton declared his prediction wrong. For the first time since 2009, Chuck made an inaccurate prediction. 2016: A small crowd gathered at the Staten Island Zoo in hopes of an early spring. Fortunately, Chuck delivered. The little guy searched and searched for his shadow, but couldn't find it, signaling the start of an early spring. This was Chuck's second year in his new clear plastic enclosure. 2015: On a cold, wet February day, Chuck called for another early spring, as he failed to find his shadow in his newly minted clear plastic case. De Blasio stood a safe distance from the groundhog, reading the prediction from a scroll, after the previous year's fiasco. 2014: It was a Groundhog Day full of drama when the mayor said: Chuck and my predecessor didnt always get along, but Im hoping we can start a new day, and then proceeded to drop the poor animal. However, it turns out that the groundhog he dropped was Charlotte, Chucks mate, who had been swapped out before the ceremony. Unfortunately, Charlotte died seven days later, of what the Staten Island Zoo referred to as unknown natural causes. At least Charlotte died a martyr, making another accurate prediction, this time for six more weeks of winter. 2013: Staten Island Chuck doesnt agree with his rival -- Punxsutawny Phil -- very often, but he did that year. Then-City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said that the prediction was because Chuck was having a good day this morning, adding that she had a conference with him about what was going to happen. Her pep talk must have worked, because he predicted an early spring and he was right. 2012: A couple days before the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl for a second time, Chuck gave New Yorkers something else to cheer about. He predicted an early spring, and much to the delight of Emma Boyd, an 11-year-old student at Blessed Sacrament School, West Brighton, he was right. Boyd said, "I'm tired of winter now." 2011: If ever there was a need for an early spring, 2011 would have been it. The weather was icy, slushy and cold while Chuck munched on corn and sweet potatoes and the audience enjoyed a Groundhog Day-themed cake made by Cake Boss Buddy Valastro. Chuck scurried out of his new log cabin home -- with solar panels on the roof -- but couldn't find his shadow, signaling the start of an early spring that everyone so desperately desired. 2010: Chuck reminded us that sometimes you just need to press the snooze button even if you have work in the morning. Chuck overslept and had to be woken by chants of "We want Chuck" from the audience. Even though he was still drowsy, Chuck accurately predicted an early spring and began a streak of correct predictions. 2009: Groundhog Day 2009 is the day that will live on in New York City history as the day Staten Island Chuck bit then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The mayor held out an ear of corn in an attempt to lure Chuck. However, Chuck didnt appear very grateful. He ran over and bit the mayors hand before running off with the corn. To top it off, Chucks prediction was inaccurate. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Lets start the story with the earliest settlers to live on the land in this area, the Raritan Indians, followed in 1692 by Daniel Perrin, a Huguenot originally from New Jersey, who was given 80 acres of land, then known as Smoking Point, by Gov. Benjamin Fletcher. Later, Peter Winant, son of Dutchman, Pieterse Wynant, one of the earliest settlers of Staten Island in 1661, settled in Rossville around the 1700s, according to Wikipedia. During this time, the area was named Blazing Star, after a local establishment. Then there is the Blazing Star Burial Ground, a cemetery dating from the mid-1750s. It can be found today just off Arthur Kill Road, north of Rossville Avenue. Beside this burial ground is a boatyard burial ground, filled with deteriorating ships from the past. In the early days farming flourished and travelers came to take the ferry and stay at a few local hotels, creating a bit of a resort community. The Old Bermuda Inn, built in 1814, still survives. During the early 1800s, Blazing Stars name was changed to Rossville, in honor of landowner Col. William E. Ross. He was known for building a copy of Englands Windsor Castle on the coast. The mansion was first known as the Ross Mansion or Castle, then became the Lyon Mansion or Castle, when the home was sold to Gov. Caleb Lyon. He was a poet, author, and member of the New York State Senate and House of Representatives. The building was demolished 45 years after his death in 1875. In 1827, slavery in New York was abolished. Soon after, freed black slaves began to arrive in Rossville from Virginia and Maryland. They started an oystering village on the Arthur Kill and ended up naming their community Sandy Ground, because of the soil found there, leading to strawberry crops. By 1850, the freed men founded the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, which became a New York City landmark on Feb. 1, 2011, according to Sandy Ground Executive Director Sylvia Moody DAlessandro. It remains there today for all to see and has a vibrant congregation, led by its pastor, the Rev. Janet Jones. The church, at 584 Bloomingdale Road, is known to have been an essential stop on the Underground Railroad. The Sandy Ground Historical Society, which has preserved the history of Sandy Ground, can be visited at 1538 Woodrow Road. The A.M.E. Zion Church and four other entities have been designated as New York City landmarks in Rossville, and they include the church cemetery and three homes in Sandy Ground. Rossville has become largely a suburban community. Almost all original residents have since moved away. Many of their homes were bought under pressure by developers. Most of the unique homes were demolished and replaced with tightly packed condominium developments and semi-detached houses. Standing tall and rusty at the end of Bloomingdale Road are the old LNG tanks. During the mid-1970s, two massive round tanks, built to hold liquefied natural gas, were constructed in Rossville. They were never filled, due to strong community resistance and the fear created by the explosion of an LNG tank on the northern part of the Island that killed 40 workers in 1973. A new fire company, Engine Company 168, was established in June 2005. Engine 168 is located at the corner of Rossville Avenue and Veterans Road East. The Kathleen Grimm School for Leadership and Sustainability at Sandy Ground is also known as P.S. 62. It is the first net-zero-energy school in New York City and one of the first of its kind worldwide. If you drive around Rossville today you may notice many reminders of the old days just hanging around between the closely placed assortment of condominiums, townhomes, single-family and two-family homes. Historic Landmarks to see around Rossville: 1. Blazing Star Burial Ground, on Arthur Kill Rd. near Rossville Ave. 2. Witte Marine Scrap Yard, Boat yard burial ground, in the water off Arthur Kill Road near Rossville Avenue 3. The Old Bermuda Inn, 2512 Arthur Kill Rd. 4. A.M.E. Zion Church and Cemetery, 584 Bloomingdale Rd. 5. Sandy Ground Historical Museum, 1538 Woodrow Rd. 6. Two NYC Landmark houses, The Baymens Cottages, 565 and 569 Bloomingdale Rd. 7. LNG tanks- Bloomingdale Road 8. Big Nose Kates, 2484 Arthur Kill Rd. was part of St. Lukes Church 9. St. Josephs Church, founded 1848, and cemetery, 16 Poplar Ave. Bangalore: To examine the digitization's influence on Indian MSMEs, Indias fourth largest private sector Bank, YES BANK carried an in-depth 5-month survey reaching over 2,700 MSMEs across 20 industries from all over the country. The first extensive survey of its kind titled Impact of Digitization on MSMEs recognises key drivers for digital adoption by MSMEs, as well as bars & prescribed measures for higher adoption of digital tech. According to the survey, while over 60 per cent of MSME respondents is digital users, only five per cent have fully embraced digital technologies. Even though over 50 percent of the digitally-enabled MSMEs highlighted several benefits (increase in profitability, operational efficiency and improved customer engagement), lack of know-how and skilled manpower emerged as key barriers for wider digital adoption. Articulating about the report, Sumit Gupta, Senior Group President Mid Segment, Multinational Corporate Banking, Government Banking, Agri-Business & Knowledge, YES BANK says, The macro business environment that MSMEs are operating under is undergoing a transition. Digitisation is becoming increasingly vital for long term survival and future growth. The need of the hour is for MSMEs to take the lead and make digitalisation an integral part of their business strategies. I strongly believe that the YES BANK study on Impact of Digitisation on MSMEs in India will go a long way in enabling the MSME sector to realise the true potential of digitization. Entrepreneurs who are successful in understanding the power of digitization and harnessing it across their value chain will lead this new wave of inclusive and sustainable growth. To bring together all stakeholders, with the shared intention of assuring that digital penetration within the sector is quickened and watched on a regular basis, the study will be presented to key stakeholders including the Government, technology and other industry leaders, regulators, MSMEs and academia. To give greater impetus to MSME entrepreneurs and business owners, and stimulate the wave of digitization in the sector, it's important that existing strategic initiatives like Digital India, Skill India & Startup India are adequately leveraged. Read more news: B-group vitamins beneficial for psychotic patients: Study Edutech firm Byju's buys US-based Osmo for $120 mn Credit cards permit ample breathing space in your budget so that you dont have to delay making a purchase. With a credit card, you can buy goods and services securely and conveniently, earn reward points that can save you money and even get emergency loans. But, before applying for credit cards in India, be sure to shop around and learn about the various types of cards available in the market. Banks and financial companies offer different types of credit cards that are classified based on the perks they offer, your income and spending patterns, and your eligibility. So, compare the most popular types of credit card to choose the one that is suitable for your needs and gives you access to an array of benefits too. Take a look at some of the common types of credit cards. 1. Fuel credit card When you use a petrol or fuel credit card, you can earn reward points and discounts every time you purchase fuel from partner outlets. This card may also give you cashback offers and reward points on other spends along with fuel surcharge waivers. Choose this card if you commute using your own vehicle regularly and if you get a good offer that keeps your transaction costs low. 2. Travel credit card Travel credit cards offer unlimited benefits on your hotel and airplane bookings.These cards especially allow you to reap huge rewards for every travel-related transaction made in India and overseas. Most travel credit card issuers have tie- ups with airline and travel companies that allow you to enjoy maximum benefits. When you use a travel credit card you may get air miles, free access to airport lounges and more. Some credit cards also let you convert the reward points that you earn on your other transactions into air miles so that you can redeem these points to book flight tickets and also upgrade seats when required. Additionally, travel credit cards offer travel insurance and more points on hotel and holiday bookings. Some may also allow you to convert the cost of travel bookings into EMIs. 3. Credit cards for women Lenders are now offering credit cards designed especially for women. From making utility bill payments easy to shopping online and buying groceries from partner outlets, these cards offer ample perks. Credit cards for women usually offer higher reward points and cashback as compared to ordinary credit cards. Moreover, these cards also let you waive off fuel surcharge fees and offer insurance and travel benefits too. 4. Business credit card Business credit cards are mainly designed keeping corporates, MNCs and business establishments in mind. Employers of such establishments offer business credit cards to their employees, which they can only use for business transactions and other lifestyle needs. A business card offers reward points, cashbacks and discounts on hotel bookings and travel transactions. Some cards also offer insurance, waivers on fuel surcharge, free airport lounge access, cashback on bill payments and other benefits. 5. Cashback credit card A cashback credit card offers cashbacks from 5% to 20% on your transactions. Cashbacks are offered on a broad range of expenditure like utility bill payments, movie ticket purchases, restaurant bills, grocery purchases and more. Along with cashbacks, these cards offer waivers on fuel surcharge, shopping privileges, rewards points on your spending and more. This card is usually very lucrative and rewarding irrespective of your usage. Keeping these credit card varieties in mind, measure your needs and opt for a credit card that suits you the best. Remember to choose the one that charges the lowest interest on your transactions and gives you access to most benefits and rewards. In this regard, you can consider availing a Bajaj Finserv RBL SuperCard for which you can qualify with ease based on simple credit card eligibility criteria. Moreover, you can choose any of the available 7 SuperCard variants based on your needs and pay minimal charges while enjoying maximum benefits. With the SuperCard you will be able to enjoy an array of affordable and convenient features like interest-free emergency loans for up to 90 days, interest-free ATM withdrawal on your credit card limit , offers on movie ticket purchases, airport lounge access, the ability to convert your spends into EMIs, high rewards points that can be redeemed for electronics and other goods, and a lot more. Before you apply for a SuperCard, be sure to check out your pre-approved offers to get instant approval on your credit card application. Utilise this hassle-free application process to make the best of a deal that has been designed keeping you in mind! Read More news: Blockchain & Indian Economy: An Impeccable Marriage that can Propel India's Growth in Every Segment US govt shutdown hurting markets, no agreement in sight yet Services of banks are likely to be affected on Wednesday due to a nationwide strike call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to protest against bank mergers and pay revision. The strike is likely to affect the country's banking sector. It has been called to oppose the amalgamation of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank by the consortium of nine unions in the banking sector which includes the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and the National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW). "10 lakh bank employees and officers of the 21 public sector banks, old generation private banks and foreign banks under the banner of the UFBU will join the one-day strike on December 26 against merger of public sector banks and wage revision of bank employees," NOBW Vice President Ashwani Rana was quoted as saying in a statement issued on Tuesday. On wages, the unions are demanding a hike of 25 per cent, increment for all bank employees under scale 1 to 7 (instead of the IBA's offer to only those employees in junior scale of 1 to 3) and rejection of the proposal to introduce variable pay. Though wage revision in state-run banks happens every five years, it may be difficult for them to raise wages substantially as high NPAs and losses have hurt the sector. "Bank employees wage revision is due since November 1, 2017. So far the IBA (Indian Banks' Association) has offered 8 per cent wage hike which is not acceptable to the United Forum of Bank Unions," he said. According to Rana, the Additional Labour Commissioner had called a conciliation meeting on December 20 to wade off the strike. "The United Forum of Bank Unions served a strike notice to the Indian Bank Association and the MDs of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank on merger of these banks. Since there was no assurance by the IBA on stopping the merger of these three banks and fresh offer on wage revision, the UFBU decided to go ahead with the strike on December 26," Ranan said. Read More News: What the world's top Indian-born CEOs can teach you about leadership The purpose of buying Instagram comments Page Content Citizens of the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia and the Philippines will no longer be eligible to come to the U.S. under certain temporary work visas because those countries are failing to meet program standards, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced. Citizens from Ethiopia and the Philippines will not be eligible for either of the short-term work visas, and individuals from the Dominican Republic will be eligible only for H-2A visas. On the other hand, Mozambique and Samoa will be added to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for agricultural and seasonal low-skilled workers, the DHS said. Paraguay will be added to the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for H-2A visas. There are 84 approved countries eligible to participate in the H-2A program and 81 countries eligible for the H-2B visa in 2019. The eligibility designation expires after one year and must be renewed. The notice does not affect workers currently in H-2A or H-2B status unless they apply to change or extend their status. [SHRM members-only online discussion platform: SHRM Connect] The DHS considers several factors when deciding which countries to put on the list, including the country's cooperation in receiving its citizens who are subject to a final order of removal from the U.S., and the number of orders of removal executed against nationals of that country. Reasons to remove a country from the list include fraud, abuse, visa denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and noncompliance with H-2A and H-2B terms and conditions by nationals of that country, as well as evidence of economic impact on U.S. industries or regions resulting from the inclusion or exclusion of specific countries. Penalized for Overstays, Human Trafficking The DHS estimated that nearly 30 percent of H-2B visa holders from the Dominican Republic overstayed their visas in fiscal year (FY) 2017. In comparison, less than 10 percent of H-2A visa holders from the island nation overstayed their period of authorized stay during that time. "This high H-2B visa overstay rate demonstrates an unacceptable potential for abuse, fraud or other harm to the integrity of the H-2B visa program, and thus continued eligibility for H-2B visas does not serve the U.S. interest," the DHS said. The Philippines also has a high H-2B overstay ratenearly 40 percent in FY 2017. Additionally, the country has a high incidence of H-2B workers trafficked to the U. S. "DHS is concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and the potential that continued H-2B visa issuance may encourage or serve as an avenue for future human trafficking from the Philippines," the agency said. The overstay and human trafficking concerns were severe enough to warrant removal from the H-2A visa program as well. There has been a fourfold increase in the number of H-2A applicants from the Philippines from fiscal years 2015 through 2018. Ethiopia has been removed from eligibility after it was determined that the country's government has failed to sufficiently cooperate with issuing travel documents to its nationals who face a final order of removal from the U.S. Samoa, which was removed from the list in 2018, has since "demonstrated increased cooperation with the United States regarding the return of their nationals with final orders of removal," the DHS said. Mozambique and Paraguay were added for eligibility because of those countries' low overstay rates and because it was determined that workers from the countries will benefit from relevant work experience in the U. S. 2019 List of H-2 Eligible Countries Nationals of the following countries are eligible to participate in both the H-2A and H-2B visa programs through 2019: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nauru, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vanuatu. In addition, the Dominican Republic, Moldova and Paraguay are on only the list of H-2A eligible nations. Fertility Focus, a Warwick, UK-based fertility monitoring technology company, secured $2.7m in Series A funding. The round was led by Foresight Group and Coutts Investment Club. In conjunction with the funding, Foresights Rob Jones joined Fertility Focus board. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate further commercialization of its flaghsip product, OvuSense, in North America and Europe, and conduct additional clinical trials. Led by Robert Milnes, CEO, Fertility Focus provides OvuSense, a product specifically designed for women who are concerned about their fertility or ability to conceive. Using an intravaginal monitor that measures core body temperature, OvuSense detects minute changes in temperature that mirror the rise and fall in progesterone during the cycle, helping women understand their cycle, learn when they are ovulating, diagnose issues with the cycle, and track the effect of any medication they may need or already be taking. Fertility Focus has also marketed the FertiloScope, a minimally invasive instrument for the early diagnosis and immediate corrective surgery of the physical causes of female infertility. The company is continuously developing new technology to support women along all stages of their fertility journeys. FinSMEs 28/01/2019 We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This includes cookies from third party social media websites and ad networks. Such third party cookies may track your use on Sharedots sites for better rendering. Our partners use cookies to ensure we show you advertising that is relevant to you. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on Sharedots website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. Learn more WASHINGTON The State Department said Tuesday it had given Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido the right to control assets and property in the U.S. bank accounts of the government of Venezuela. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave the certification to Guaido last Friday, two days after Guaido declared himself interim president, but the U.S. government had kept it secret until now. The move is part of a campaign by President Trump and his top foreign policy officials to oust President Nicolas Maduro, an authoritarian leader who is serving a second six-year term after elections last year that many have denounced as illegitimate. This certification will help Venezuelas legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people, said Robert Palladino, a State Department spokesman. The department specifically listed accounts of the government of Venezuela or Central Bank of Venezuela that are in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, but the turnover of control applies to similar accounts in any U.S.- insured bank. Last Wednesday, Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela during mass protests against Maduro and called for new elections. The previous day, he had gotten a call from Vice President Mike Pence saying the United States was ready to stand by Guaido. Pence also released a video last Tuesday encouraging Venezuelans to push Maduro from power. Maduro has retaliated by breaking ties with the United States and demanding that all American diplomats leave his country. Although Venezuelan generals appear to be backing Maduro, a handful of Venezuelan diplomats and officials posted to missions in the United States have said they are abandoning the Maduro government to support Guaido. On Monday, Scarlett Salazar, a veteran diplomat based in Miami, where there is a large anti-Maduro Venezuelan population, announced she was siding with Guaido. Most Latin American countries have recognized Guaido and demanded that Maduro acquiesce to the call for new elections. Several European nations also joined the call for elections after Pompeo held a meeting with representatives of the U.N. Security Council in New York on Saturday. The campaign by the Trump administration has gotten a high level of bipartisan support among lawmakers in Washington. In another development Tuesday, Venezuelas Supreme Court barred Guaido from leaving the country, launching a criminal probe into his antigovernment activities. The move comes hours after chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab asked the government-stacked high court to restrict Guaidos movements and freeze any assets. Saab said a criminal probe into Guaidos anti-government activities has been launched but did not announce any specific charges against him. Guaido said outside the National Assembly building that hes aware of personal risks, but added, Venezuela is set on change, and the world is clearly conscious of whats happening. I dont underestimate the threat of persecution at the moment, he added, but here we are. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Edward Wong is a New York Times writer. ISLAMABAD Pakistans top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of a Christian woman who spent eight years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy, dealing a blow to radical Islamists who had staged violent mass protests last year calling for her execution. Asia Bibi watched from a secret location as the decision was announced on television, according to a friend who was on the phone with her at the time. He said Bibis first thought upon hearing the news was that she would soon be able to join her daughters in Canada, where they have been granted asylum. The friend spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety. Bibi, her lawyer and the Supreme Court judges who eventually freed her have all received death threats from radical Islamists, and a small army of police and paramilitary Rangers was on hand to guard the courthouse and surrounding area on Tuesday. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and the mere accusation can spark mob violence and lynchings. A provincial governor who defended Bibi was shot and killed, as was a government minority minister who questioned the blasphemy law. Thousands of Islamists took to the streets and clashed with police after Bibis initial acquittal on Oct. 31, but there were no such protests this time, perhaps because of the heightened security presence and a nationwide police sweep that arrested hundreds of supporters of radical religious parties from their homes on Monday. Since her acquittal, Bibi has lived in hiding at an undisclosed location protected by Pakistani security forces who have kept her confined to her quarters, unable to even open a window. She speaks daily to her daughters in Canada, and worries about her 19-year-old, who has learning challenges, the friend said. I am really grateful to everybody. Now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters, he quoted Bibi as saying after the ruling was announced. Bibis lawyer, Saiful Malook, who returned to Islamabad for the hearing after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistans constitution and rule of law. The three-judge Supreme Court panel had insisted on very strict proofs of blasphemy and found none, Malook said. This case is a milestone for Pakistan, given that the law is often unkind to religious minorities, said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. Bibis ordeal began on a hot day in 2009 when she brought water to fellow farmhands who refused to drink from the same container as a Christian woman. Two of her fellow farmworkers argued with Bibi and later accused her of insulting Islams prophet Muhammad. Bibi, who has always denied the allegations, was sentenced to death the following year. Pakistans Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, who led the panel that upheld Bibis acquittal, said in court that Bibis accusers were guilty of perjury and that if the case had not been so sensitive, they should have been jailed for life. Kathy Gannon is an Associated Press writer. For more stories like this, check out The Chronicles weekly Travel newsletter! Sign up here. 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. During a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa Monday night, California Sen. Kamala Harris said she would not support a spending deal that gives President Trump any money for a border wall, even if that deal ensured permanent protections for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients. "I'm not going to vote for a wall under any circumstances," Harris said. "I do support border security, and if we want to talk about that, let's do that." The senator and presidential candidate went on to list drones and other surveillance methods as forms of border security she would support. "Let's upgrade the technology, let's look at the fact that folks who are working on border security on the ground know that they need upgraded infrastructure around things like drones, and they need cameras," she said. "So yes, I'm all for increased border security where we need it, I'm not for a wall." 2020 BETTING ODDS: Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Michael Bloomberg soar, Bernie Sanders tumbles Harris then discussed her experience as a prosecutor when dealing with transnational criminal organizations. "I'm talking about organizations that for profit, are engaged in the trafficking of guns, drugs and human beings, that wall ain't gonna stop them," Harris said. "I have been to the border, I have seen the tunnels." "The idea that we're going to sell this thing to the American public and require the taxpayers of our country to pay $5 billion to pay for something that will not deliver what he suggests we need is ridiculous and I will not support it," she continued. The current spending deal is set to expire on Feb. 15, and President Trump has said he will shut down the government again or declare a national emergency if the new deal does not include any wall funding. Harris also revealed that if elected president, the first thing she would do is pass the LIFT Act, a bill she introduced in 2018 that would provide a tax credit for middle class and working class families. The bill would allow families making less than $100,000 a year to receive a $6,000 annual tax credit, and for people filing as individuals who make less than $50,000 a year to receive a $3,000 annual tax credit. MORE KAMALA: MSNBC host: Is Kamala Harris 'seen as African American'? In addition, Harris reiterated her support for a "Medicare for All" bill, even though it would mean eliminating private insurance. "The idea is everyone gets access to medical care, and you don't have to go through the process of going through an insurance company," she said. "Having them give you approval, going through the paper work, all of the delay that may require.. let's eliminate all that, let's move on." Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email him at eting@sfchronicle.com and follow him on Twitter Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. The World Bank Tuesday debarred Brazil-based engineering and construction company Construtora Norberto Odebrecht S.A. for three years for fraudulent and collusive practices during a project in Colombia. Also debarred were Odebrecht construction subsidiaries based in Colombia, Chile, Panama, Peru, Barbados, Angola, the United States, Luxembourg, Austria, and the Cayman Islands. Construtora Norberto Odebrecht and the other Odebrecht companies named Tuesday are ineligible to participate in World Bank-financed projects during the debarment. The company a subsidiary of Odebrecht S.A. admitted it committed the underlying sanctionable practices. The project in Colombia was the World Bank-financed Rio Bogota Environmental Recuperation and Flood Control Project. It was designed to improve water quality and reduce flood risks along the Bogota River. In late 2016, Odebrecht S.A. and its petrochemical unit, Braskem S.A., pleaded guilty in the United States to paying bribes around the world. The companies agreed to pay $3.5 billion for a global settlement with authorities in the United States, Brazil, and Switzerland. The DOJ later reduced the U.S. share of Odebrechts global criminal penalty from $260 million to $93 million. Odebrechts ability to pay the criminal penalties was impaired after it lost big contracts for construction projects with the governments of Peru, Colombia, and Panama, the DOJ said. The World Bank said Tuesday that Construtora Norberto Odebrecht engaged in fraudulent practices by failing to disclose fees paid to commercial agents during the tender prequalification and bidding processes. These agents assisted the company in obtaining confidential information, the World Bank said. Constructora Norberto Odebrecht and an agent also tried to improperly influence the tendering package that was part of the project, engaging in collusive practices prohibited by the World Banks procurement guidelines. Under the negotiated settlement, the company agreed to cooperate with the World Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency and meet compliance requirements. Tuesdays Odebrecht debarments qualify for cross-debarment by the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the African Development Bank. A list of all World Bank debarred entities and individuals is here. ____ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. The DOJ announced Monday that it brought thirteen financial fraud-related charges against Chinese telecom company Huawei and three other related defendants, including its CFO Wanzhou Meng. The unsealed indictment charges Meng, Huawei, and two Huawei subsidiaries Huawei Device USA Inc. (Huawei USA) and Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. (Skycom). Meng, 46, whos also known as Sabrina Meng and Cathy Meng, is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei. The charges relate to an alleged long-running plot by Huawei, Meng, and other employees to deceive global financial institutions and the U.S. government regarding Huaweis business activities in Iran. Starting in 2007, Huawei employees allegedly misrepresented the companys relationship to Skycom, an unofficial subsidiary in Iran. Huawei falsely claimed it only had limited operations in Iran and that it did not violate laws related to sanctioned country, the DOJ said. After the press reported in late 2012 and 2013 that Huawei operated Skycom as an unofficial subsidiary in Iran, and that Meng had served on the board of directors of Skycom, she and other Huawei employees lied to Huaweis banking partners about its relationship with Skycom. They falsely claimed that Huawei had sold its interest in Skycom to an unrelated third party in 2007, the DOJ said. The DOJ alleged that Skycom was Huaweis longstanding Iranian subsidiary and Huawei orchestrated the 2007 sale of Skycom to appear more distant from the company. In reality Huawei controlled the company that purchased Skycom. According to the DOJ, in August 2013 Meng made a presentation to an executive of one of Huaweis major banking partners, where she repeatedly lied about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom. Huawei relied on its banking partners to process U.S. dollar transactions through the United States. One bank cleared more than $100 million worth of Skycom-related transactions through the United States between 2010 and 2014. Huawei also repeatedly lied to U.S. government authorities about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom in submissions to the U.S. government, the DOJ said. Huawei and Skycom were charged with bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate and substantive violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and conspiracy to commit money laundering, the DOJ said. Huawei and Huawei USA were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice related to the grand jury investigation in the Eastern District of New York. Meng was charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. The DOJ said Huawei and its subsidiaries engaged in serious fraudulent conduct, including conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, sanctions violations, money laundering with direct and personal involvement of their executives. As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said. In a seperate indictment also unsealed Monday, Huawei was charged with theft of trade secrets conspiracy, attempted theft of trade secrets, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of obstruction of justice. According to the DOJ, Huawei attempted to steal and replicate phone testing technology from T-Mobile. An FBI investigation discovered emails describing bonuses that Huawei offered to employees based on the value of information they stole from other companies and provided to Huawei using an encrypted email address. In December, Meng was arrested in Vancouver, Canada. The DOJ said in Mondays statement it is seeking her extradition to the United States. ____ Harry Cassin is the managing editor of the FCPA Blog. Rosenberg, TX (77471) Today Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High near 90F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 79F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. A San Mateo woman was reported missing Monday and police are asking for help finding her, police said. Despina Sahouria, 40, was last seen around 3 p.m. Friday and reported missing Monday by her family. Sahouria's relatives told police that Sahouria was very despondent when she last spoke with them. Police said Sahouria knows someone in Lakeport and may be in that area. Lakeport police have been notified. Sahouria is 5 feet 4 inches tall, 110 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She may be driving a gray 2013 Lexus RX 350 with California license plate No. 8GRW835. Police said anyone who finds Sahouria is asked to get in touch with their area law enforcement agency so police can check on her. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. No one was injured when a commercial dump truck crashed into a home Tuesday morning in San Francisco's Merced Heights neighborhood, according to police. At 8:17 a.m., officers and firefighters responded to a crash in the 200 block of Monticello Street. According to Officer Robert Rueca, the large truck was traveling on Shields Street at Monticello Street when it somehow struck a fire hydrant, two stops and a light pole before crashing into the house. The damage to the home appeared superficial, Rueca said. However, San Francisco Department of Building Inspection officials responded to the scene to as a precaution. The crash also caused high-voltage wires to fall down and PG&E crews responded to assess the damage. Officers cited the truck's driver for not having the proper license to operate the dump truck, as well as for not being able to provide proof of insurance, and released him at the scene, Rueca said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Pacific Gas and Electric company has officially filed for bankruptcy early Tuesday morning, according to company officials. The utility company filed the motion after a raucous California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco on Monday. "To be clear, we have heard the calls for change and we are determined to take action throughout this process to build the energy system our customers want and deserve," said interim PG&E CEO John R. Simon in a statement. Punctuated by protests, the CPUC voted to allow PG&E Co. to borrow up to $10 billion to pay for operations during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Chapter 11 process enables a company to freeze its debts and continue functioning while developing a financial reorganization plan. The filing will enable the company to continue operating while resolving a potential liability of up to $30 billion for Northern California wildfires. PG&E had asked the CPUC for approval to obtain $6 billion in bank loans during that process. The decision authored by Commission Chairman Michael Picker allows the utility to borrow up to $10 billion without further authorization. Orchestra students from three schools in San Francisco will rehearse Tuesday afternoon and evening ahead of their performance Wednesday evening with the city's Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet. School district officials said dozens of students from the orchestras of Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, Lowell High School and George Washington High School will rehearse from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at George Washington High School at 600 32nd Ave. The concert with the Kronos Quartet starts at 7:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. At the concert, works from "Fifty for the Future: The Kronos Learning Repertoire" will be presented. The repertoire is an education project by the Kronos Performing Arts Association and a project that aims to produce the first learning library of modern repertoire for string quartet. This year is the second year that San Francisco students will collaborate with the Kronos Quartet for a community concert. A San Francisco State University student killed in a hit-and-run collision Saturday night in Southern California has been identified as Angelina Pinedo, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. The 21-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, which occurred around 9:05 p.m. at the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Grant Avenue in Redondo Beach, police said. According to Pinedo's Facebook profile, prior to moving to San Francisco, she attended Rosemead High School in Rosemead. On the night of her death, police said Pinedo was crossing the street when an SUV struck her. The SUV's driver then allegedly fled the scene without stopping. The next day, investigators located the suspect SUV a short distance from the collision site, according to police. At a noisy meeting punctuated by protests, the California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco on Monday voted to allow PG&E Co. to borrow up to $10 billion to pay for operations during its expected Chapter 11 bankruptcy. PG&E has said it plans to file its bankruptcy protection petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court "on or about" Tuessday to enable it to continue operating while resolving a potential liability of up to $30 billion for Northern California wildfires. The Chapter 11 process enables a company to freeze its debts and continue functioning while developing a financial reorganization plan. PG&E had asked the CPUC for approval to obtain $6 billion in bank loans during that process. The decision authored by Commission Chairman Michael Picker allows the utility to borrow up to $10 billion without further authorization. Picker told the meeting audience, "Nothing in this decision allows PG&E to increase rates. It merely authorizes PG&E to borrow money to continue operations." A pedestrian was killed when a car hit him Monday night in Mountain View, police said. Officers responded at 8:49 p.m. to the 100 block of El Camino Real following reports of the collision. Police said a car going west on El Camino Real near Yuba Drive hit the pedestrian, a man in his 60s, when he allegedly stepped off the sidewalk into the road. The man died at the scene. According to police, the driver of the car stopped and cooperated with officers. A man who was arrested at the end of a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash in Oakland on Friday afternoon was wanted for a fatal shooting in Merced early Friday morning, Merced police said. James Martin, 28, was a passenger in a vehicle with two other men who were arrested in Oakland at about 4 p.m. on Friday on charges not connected with the homicide that occurred in the 400 block of Tucolay Court in Merced at 12:17 a.m. on Friday, police said. Authorities said they are looking into whether the other two suspects are connected with the Merced homicide. Police said Martin, who they said is a transient, is being held at the Merced County Jail on suspicion of murder for the fatal shooting of a man in his 30s inside a residence in the 400 block of Tucolay Court. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and police haven't yet released his name. With a federal government shutdown that lasted 35 days now over, officials with the National Park Service said Monday that operations at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the San Francisco Bay Area have resumed. This includes operations at Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site. All areas of those parks are open and visitor services are once again operating. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A truck crashed into a building in San Francisco's Merced Heights neighborhood Tuesday morning, fire officials said. The San Francisco Fire Department wrote on Twitter at 8:50 a.m. about the crash into the building at 201 Monticello St. No injuries were reported, but there is structural damage to the building and high-voltage wires fell down, according to the fire department. PG&E crews are responding as well as San Francisco police, firefighters and city building inspectors, fire officials said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A San Francisco State University student killed in a hit-and-run collision Saturday night in Southern California has been identified as Angelina Pinedo, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. The 21-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, which occurred around 9:05 p.m. at the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Grant Avenue in Redondo Beach, police said. According to Pinedo's Facebook profile, prior to moving to San Francisco, she attended Rosemead High School in Rosemead. On the night of her death, police said Pinedo was crossing the street when an SUV struck her. The SUV's driver then allegedly fled the scene without stopping. The next day, investigators located the suspect SUV a short distance from the collision site, according to police. Then on Monday, officers located a woman believed to be the driver and arrested her on suspicion of hit-and-run resulting in death. She's been identified as 21-year-old Leila Gonzalez of Bell, police said. Although an arrest has been made, the collision remains under investigation and anyone with information is being asked to contact Redondo Beach police Investigator Clint Daniel at (310) 379-2477 ext. 2721 or clint.daniel@redondo.org. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A San Francisco woman was killed by her boyfriend in an apparent murder-suicide in their home in Salt Lake City Sunday night, according to Salt Lake City police. Officers found the bodies of 27-year-old Sarah Hawley and 30-year-old Travis Geddes after a downstairs neighbor called police at 8:28 p.m. to report yelling and screaming, Salt Lake City police said. When the officers arrived, it was clear that Geddes had killed Hawley before killing himself, Detective Greg Wilking said. Police are not releasing the cause of death but said that there was a weapon involved. Police did not say if Geddes had a history of violence. The two had moved to Salt Lake City over the summer where Hawley was a first-year medical resident at the University of Utah, Wilking said. She was a graduate of University of California at Berkeley and University of California at San Francisco. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Pacific Gas and Electric company has officially filed for bankruptcy early Tuesday morning, according to company officials. The utility company filed the motion after a raucous California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco on Monday. "To be clear, we have heard the calls for change and we are determined to take action throughout this process to build the energy system our customers want and deserve," said interim PG&E CEO John R. Simon in a statement. Punctuated by protests, the CPUC voted to allow PG&E Co. to borrow up to $10 billion to pay for operations during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Chapter 11 process enables a company to freeze its debts and continue functioning while developing a financial reorganization plan. The filing will enable the company to continue operating while resolving a potential liability of up to $30 billion for Northern California wildfires. PG&E had asked the CPUC for approval to obtain $6 billion in bank loans during that process. The decision authored by Commission Chairman Michael Picker allows the utility to borrow up to $10 billion without further authorization. Picker told the meeting audience, "Nothing in this decision allows PG&E to increase rates. It merely authorizes PG&E to borrow money to continue operations." The measure was unanimously approved by the four current commission members at an emergency meeting that was announced Monday morning. If allowed to keep operating during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it would become what is known as a debtor in possession. PG&E said in a statement, "The debtor-in-possession financing provides the funds needed to continue operating our business and to continue investing in our systems, infrastructure and wildfire mitigation initiatives throughout the Chapter 11 process. "That process also supports the orderly, fair and expeditious resolution of its liabilities resulting from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires," PG&E said. Both PG&E Co. and its parent holding company, PG&E Corp., are expected to file for bankruptcy. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Insured losses from last fall's devastating California wildfires have risen to $11.4 billion - 25 percent more than reported last month, the state's insurance commissioner said Monday. The state has already assisted more than 5,000 survivors of the November fires, which left 89 people dead and thousands homeless, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said. The $11.4 billion in insured losses is up more than $2.3 billion from the figure the department reported in December. More than 13,000 insured homes and businesses suffered a total loss out of more than 46,000 claims reported by insurers, according to Lara. San Jose police are looking for the driver of a red truck that fatally struck a man and then fled Monday morning. The collision was reported at 6:23 a.m. in the area of Almaden Expressway and Camden Avenue. according to police. The truck was traveling north when it hit the victim, who was subsequently struck by four other vehicles as he lay in the roadway, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his name has not been released. The truck driver stopped initially but then fled without providing identification, according to police. The driver and vehicle remains at large as of Monday morning and no other description of them was immediately available. A man accused of severely beating an 88-year-old woman and then burglarizing her home earlier this month in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley pleaded not guilty in court Monday morning. 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. He's also been charged with robbery, child endangerment and receiving stolen property, among other charges, for three crimes he allegedly committed after the Jan. 8 attack. The elderly victim suffered facial and skull fractures in the attack as well as a brain injury, according to prosecutors. Outside of court, the victim's granddaughter Sassana Yee said her grandmother remains hospitalized. FasTrak customers trying to pay toll violations or invoices have been stymied for the past 36 hours due to a website server problem, transportation officials said Monday morning. The server for the Bay Area FasTrak customer service site, operated by Conduent Inc., has been down since Saturday night, said John Goodwin, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county Bay Area. Both the website and telephone customer service are affected. The site, https://www.bayareafastrak.org, is expected to be down through at least Monday evening, Goodwin said. A grace period will be given to customers unable to make payments, Goodwin said. The California Highway Patrol is seeking witnesses to a fatal two-car head-on collision involving a wrong-way driver early Saturday morning on Interstate Highway 80 in Vacaville. The collision occurred around 1:30 a.m. and involved a Toyota Prius and a Toyota Corolla, CHP Officer Miguel Camarena said Monday morning. CHP investigators said Anthony Morales, 34, of Sacramento, was driving west on eastbound Highway 80 near the Interstate Highway 505 junction in Vacaville. Morales suffered major injuries and he was taken to a hospital. Investigators did not say which vehicle he was driving, but he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. There were no other passengers in either vehicle, Camarena said. The Solano County coroner's office has not released the name of the driver who died at a hospital after the collision. An 18-year-old student who was stabbed Monday morning in downtown Concord managed to drive to nearby Mt. Diablo High School to get help, police said. When he arrived at the campus parking lot, bleeding from a minor stab wound to his abdomen, people at the school called police at 7:56 a.m., authorities said. The student, a resident of Concord, was taken to a hospital for treatment. There appears to be no connection between the stabbing and the school, police said. Police have not released information on what led to the stabbing or whether any suspect is in custody, but said the investigation is ongoing. A sexual assault victim is filing a lawsuit against a San Jose school district on Monday after she was one of two students who were allegedly abused by a former music teacher over a period of several years, according to a spokesman for her lawyers. The suit will seek a court order that the Union School District must implement child protection measures after the district allegedly previously ignored numerous parent complaints that former Dartmouth Middle School music teacher Samuel Neipp was inappropriately and excessively texting female students, said Ed Vasquez, a Corsiglia, McMahon and Allard Law Firm spokesman. The suit will argue the lack of attention ultimately led to Neipp being emboldened to allegedly sexually abuse two of his students. Neipp was arrested on Oct. 6, 2017, after one of the victims came forward with the accusations, including an alleged threat by Neipp to post nude photos/video of a victim online. The dead bodies of two men were found on property at two BART stations in Alameda County only about 11 hours apart on Saturday morning but transit agency officials said foul play isn't suspected in either case and described them as unattended deaths. A man identified by the Alameda County coroner's bureau as 24-year-old Brandon Arzave of Concord was discovered dead inside a men's bathroom at the San Leandro BART station at 12:42 a.m. Saturday, according to BART police. At 11:57 a.m. Saturday, a man who hasn't yet been identified was found dead outside the trackway fencing at the south end of BART property outside the Union City station, BART police said. Authorities said the cases are under investigation and any available station video will be collected. A man who died after his pickup truck collided with a big-rig on eastbound Interstate Highway 580 in eastern Alameda County on Thursday morning has been identified by the Alameda County coroner's office as 59-year-old Tom Morgan of Concord. The crash, which was reported shortly before 5:30 a.m. Thursday, happened near the intersection of Highway 580 and Interstate Highway 205, according to the California Highway Patrol. Morgan, who was driving the pickup, died at the scene after his vehicle rear-ended the semi-tractor trailer, CHP Officer Tyler Hahn said. Morgan didn't have any passengers in his pickup and the big-rig driver wasn't injured, according to Hahn. A 32-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries when a group of suspects knocked him unconscious and stole his belongings near San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf on Saturday night, police said Monday. The robbery and assault was reported at 10:36 p.m. Saturday in the area of Columbus Avenue and Beach Street. Police said six suspects approached the victim from behind and knocked him unconscious, causing a skull fracture that is considered life-threatening. The suspects took his backpack and cellphone and remain at large as of Monday. No detailed descriptions of them were immediately released. A fire damaged a home in Pleasant Hill on Sunday night and was likely caused by smoking materials left outside the home, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District officials said Monday. The fire was reported at 8:29 p.m. Sunday on Saddlebrook Lane and firefighters arrived to find black smoke coming from the garage of a two-story home, according to the fire district. Crews knocked down the fire within 10 minutes and the two adults inside the home were able to get out without any injuries, fire officials said. The blaze was mostly contained to the garage, with minimal damage reported to the interior of the home. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) About 20 supporters of a Richmond man who has been in immigration detention for nearly two years held a rally outside the Federal Building in San Francisco Monday to urge a U.S. magistrate to order a new release hearing for him. Raul Lopez, 46, a Guatemalan immigrant who has lived in the United States for 29 years, is seeking asylum, a process that could take years in the immigration court system. U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim is presiding over a habeas corpus lawsuit in which he is seeking her help in gaining release during that process. Lopez has asked for either an order for a new bond hearing before an immigration judge or a direct order for release. "If he is not given a bond hearing, he could be held for years," said Itzel Calvo, a deportation defense coordinator with California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance. An immigration judge denied Lopez release last fall on the ground he is a danger to the public because of three misdemeanor driving-under-the-influence convictions between 2010 and 2016. Lopez's lawyers contend the immigration judge failed to consider that Lopez has now completed an alcohol treatment program while in detention and has a plan for maintaining sobriety after release. "Our position is that there are new circumstances, he is not dangerous and the government is not justified in his continued detention," attorney Frances Kreimer said. After holding a hearing on Dec. 21, Kim ordered the immigration judge to reconsider holding a bond hearing. Kim wrote, "Based on the facts presented here, the court would find that the change in circumstances is material and would order another bond hearing." Last month, the immigration judge declined to hold a new bond hearing and Lopez's lawyers renewed their request for an order from Kim. Kreimer said she did not know whether Kim will schedule a hearing before issuing a ruling on the request. Lopez has been held in detention since March 22, 2017. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) With a federal government shutdown that lasted 35 days now over, officials with the National Park Service said Monday that operations at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the San Francisco Bay Area have resumed. This includes operations at Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site. All areas of those parks are open and visitor services are once again operating. "The employees of the National Park Service are happy to be back at work, serving the American people, and welcoming visitors to their national parks from all over the world!" NPS spokesman Charles Strickfaden said in a statement. According to Strickfaden, donations from businesses and community partners kept the parks open during the shutdown, as well as did help from the Presidio Trust and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. President Donald Trump brought about the government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, in December over demands to fund a $5 billion-plus border wall with Mexico. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. OAKLAND (BCN) An ex-convict was sentenced Monday to 29 years to life in state prison for fatally shooting a Dublin man during an attempted robbery in West Oakland in 2015. Damion Dupclay, 27, pleaded no contest on Sept. 24 to first-degree murder and a gun charge for the shooting death of software engineer Jonathan Josiah Orbeton, 39, in the 1600 block of 18th Street near Martin Luther King Jr. Way at 2:37 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2015. In return, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office dismissed a special circumstance allegation that he murdered Orbeton during the course of a robbery, an enhancement that could have resulted in Dupclay getting life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Alameda County prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Orbeton went to a bar in West Oakland on the night of Nov. 11, 2015 and consumed a large amount of alcohol there. They said a friend bought a pizza for Orbeton in hopes that he would eat it and sober up, but while he was eating Dupclay approached him at gunpoint. Dupclay, who had been paroled from state prison a few months earlier after serving time for a carjacking conviction, asked Orbeton to turn over his belongings. Prosecutors said Orbeton "refused to comply" so Dupclay shot him with a Glock 27 .40-caliber pistol. They said Orbeton dropped to the sidewalk dead and Dupclay drove away in a black Nissan Sentra. Oakland police said investigators reviewed surveillance video of the crime and saw Dupclay's car fleeing the area. The car was spotted later that day but Dupclay fled, leading police on a pursuit to the corner of 14th and Wood streets in West Oakland. Dupclay got out of the car and ran, but officers caught him quickly. They found a .40-caliber gun in his car that matched the casings found at the crime scene, police said. After Dupclay was arrested he confessed to killing Orbeton, according to police. Prosecutor Alex Hernandez wrote in his sentencing memo that Dupclay and Orbeton didn't know each other and said, "Mr. Orbeton was a working member of society when the defendant gunned him down for refusing to be robbed." A friend of Orbeton who worked with him at a tech firm in San Francisco wrote in a letter to the court that Orbeton "had incredible software security skills and was instrumental in finding and stopping malicious and destructive cyber criminals." The friend said Orbeton "traveled the world to speak at events teaching others his techniques and met with government officials in an effort to reduce this pervasive crime wave." An online obituary for Orbeton said he was born in Westwood, Calif., but grew up in McKenzie Bridge, Ore., "loved the outdoors" and his most recent job had been with the Tesla Motor Car Company in Hayward. The obituary said, "Jon loved dogs, kiteboarding, and the outdoors. He was also passionate about the environment and social justice." Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in San Francisco's Bayview District in October, police said Tuesday. Joshua Robinson, a San Francisco resident, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of the killing of Lionel Clark, also 21, on Oct. 15 in the 5100 block of Third Street, according to police. Officers responded at 6:36 p.m. that day and found Clark, an Antioch resident, critically injured. He was taken to a hospital and succumbed to his injuries there two days later, police said. Investigators eventually linked Robinson to the killing and served search warrants Sunday before arresting him. He was already in San Francisco County Jail on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest for the homicide, police said. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the San Francisco police anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to send a tip by text message to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? Hong Kong: Trade dispute closely monitored The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the trade dispute between the Mainland and the US on Hong Kongs industries, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today. Meeting the media ahead of the Executive Council meeting, Mrs Lam said the Government has stepped up measures to help such industries. The values of Hong Kongs total exports and imports of goods recorded year-on-year decreases of 5.8% and 7% in December, she said, adding that the situation may worsen early this year. Mrs Lam also said the Government will continue to communicate with the affected industries and provide assistance to them when necessary. This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The past few weeks in France, particularly Paris, have produced images of violence not seen since the May 1968 crisis and student protests. The only comparable riots since happened in 2005 centered around the banlieues. The first major test to Macrons presidency has not come from the deprived outer suburbs but from striking long-haul lorry drivers and the broader working class who are upset with his proposed fuel tax. When compared to other EU states, the Netherlands has the highest tax on unleaded petrol at 68% of the cost at the pump, while Bulgaria ranks lowest at 51%. Frances fuel taxes are 64% for unleaded and 59% for diesel, one of the highest rates in the EU but about even when compared to prices in the UK. Those figures coupled with a president who is seen by many as the candidate of the rich is problematic. Macron has already alienated trade unions and other civic groups, which has resulted in a standoff pitching different segments of French society against one another. In response to the devastating images coming out of Paris as a result of the fuel tax increase, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced a postponement of six months in order to find a more sustainable solution. A state of emergency may follow if the protests continue and businesses are unable to open on the Champs Elysee. Who are the yellow-vests? The yellow vest protest movement started with people from rural parts of France who have to drive long distances for work. This initial denunciation of Macrons green tax has turned into a larger movement comprising the working and middle classes. They are upset about the low standards of living. This group is agitated because their incomes are too high to qualify for social welfare benefits but too low to make ends meet in a major city such as Paris. Like most protest movements, the yellow vests lack a central leadership and have grown spontaneously on social media. This is attracting far-right movements and anarchists in addition to non-violent students to the protests. Political impact Emmanuel Macron became the leader of France through his own political movement, La Republique En Marche! Unabashedly centrist, Macron was able to attract voters from both the centre-left Socialist Party and centre-right Les Republicains, which both lost considerable support in the primary process. In the final round of the election, he won against the Front Nationals Marine Le Pen, although she was able to gain a considerable share of the vote. Macrons main challenge since then has been navigating the various constituencies in French politics in order to properly govern. Viewed as the candidate of the rich during the campaign, he has had to toe both the center-left and center-right line in order to lead the nation from the middle. With the exception of far-left support for Jean-Luc Melenchons La France Insoumise, and far-right support for Marine Le Pens Front National, Macron has struggled to win over the support of all voters. At the moment, President Macrons approval rating is at 23%. He ties the record set by his predecessor Francois Hollande, who left office with an approval rating of 8%. There is clearly no support for him among the yellow vest protesters, and it is likely that their protest will continue in various forms until Macron leaves office. Macron is not seen as a man of the people or a representative of working-class rural voters. This is particularly true for those left behind by globalization and dealing with high levels of economic insecurity. The way forward President Macron is unlikely to back down from his commitment to the Paris climate agreement. It is an important global standard for climate change action that has widespread support among many of its signatories. What is more likely to happen is a softening of Macrons image in order to appeal to voters that may not be convinced that a tax on fuel is necessary to combat climate change. Combined with the youth of Paris and other major cities, as well as the working and middle class, there are many French citizens who feel the government still does not support them even after the election of Macron. However, Macron is a skilled politician who knows how to speak to the right audiences at the right time. And it is unlikely that he will back down from this challenge. Given the weekends events of more riots and tear gas on the Champs-Elysees, the yellow vest protests risk causing great economic damage to France as well as a drop in tourist numbers. The French Finance Minister has said that the protests have hit retailers, hotels and stores quite hard, with Paris hotel cancellations surging by 20-50 percent. While the government is unlikely to collapse, confidence certainly has and will continue to do so as long as Paris looks like a warzone that is unsafe to visit. The image of France as a beacon of stability in a continent roiled by populism, migration and illiberalism, coupled with Britains costly divorce from the EU, is something Macron will work hard to maintain. At the height of the May 1968 crisis, France verged on civil war and President de Gaulle fled the country to Germany before returning and finding a solution with other parties to calm tensions. While a repeat of those events is unlikely, France is likely to embark on a more militant, insurrectionist path that will pit trade unions like the CGT, students, and workers against the establishment figures in the Elysee Palace like Macron. As one yellow vest protester told Le Monde, The elites worry about the end of the world while we worry about the end of the month. WASHINGTON Roger Stone, a longtime adviser and confidant of President Trump, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges in the Russia investigation after a publicity-filled few days spent slamming the probe as politically motivated. The political operative and self-described dirty trickster faces charges that he lied to lawmakers, engaged in witness tampering and obstructed a congressional investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. He was uncharacteristically quiet during Tuesdays brief court appearance, rising to his feet to say, Yes, Your Honor, as U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson asked if he would agree to the conditions of his release, including restricted travel. Stone attorney Robert Buschel entered the plea on his clients behalf. Stone, 66, made no public statements as he arrived and departed the courthouse amid dueling chants of Lock Him Up and We Love Roger. Stone waved and smiled to the small crowd, some holding up glowing photos of him, and he largely ignored a group of protesters carrying signs reading Dirty traitor. Stone, who was arrested last week at his Florida home, is the sixth Trump aide charged in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation. The indictment does not accuse Stone of coordinating with Russia or with WikiLeaks on the release of hacked Democratic emails. But it does allege that he misled lawmakers about his pursuit of those communications and interest in them. The anti-secrecy website published emails in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election that the U.S. says were stolen from Democrats by Russian operatives. Mueller continues to be interested in hearing from Stone aide Andrew Miller, who is fighting a grand jury subpoena, indicating the special counsel could be pursuing additional criminal charges against Stone or others related to the release of hacked material during the 2016 election by WikiLeaks, its founder, Julian Assange, and the online persona Guccifer 2.0. Muellers team and lawyers with the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Columbia are jointly prosecuting the case against Stone. He is free on $250,000 bond. Stone, who has alleged without evidence that the FBI used Gestapo tactics in arresting him, has said he did nothing more than exercise his First Amendment rights to drum up interest with voters about the WikiLeaks disclosures. Eric Tucker and Chad Day are Associated Press writers. MIAMI Shark attacks declined dramatically worldwide in 2018, according to the Florida Museum of Natural Historys International Shark Attack File, an annual report released Monday. The steep drop, a statistical anomaly, suggests swimmers may be getting better at heeding warnings, said research director Gavin Naylor. It begs the question of whether were seeing fewer bites because there are fewer sharks that would be the glass half-empty interpretation. Or it could be that the general public is heeding the advice of beach safety officials, he said. Florida usually tops the chart in attacks across the U.S. But last year, the number in the state fell by nearly half, from 31 to 16. Naylor said thats likely linked to decline in blacktip sharks, the species usually linked to attacks in state waters. Blacktips used to amass in huge numbers along the coast of Florida, he said, but numbers have shrunk over the last two to three years. The number of attacks worldwide dropped from 88 to 66, with four fatal attacks, down from an annual average of six. The U.S. continues rank first worldwide, even as the number of attacks fell from 53 to 32, the study found. Despite last years decline, Naylor said globally the number of bites is gradually rising as populations swell and the number of people in the water increases. Fatal attacks, however, have been dropping for decades as beach officials get faster and better at responding, he said. Naylor singled out one hot spot to watch: Cape Cod, where great white sharks attacked swimmers twice last year, including the first fatality in 82 years. Naylor said rebounding seal populations protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act are drawing greater numbers of the predators. Jenny Staletovich is a Miami Herald writer. WASHINGTON Matthew Whitaker, the acting attorney general, announced Monday that special counsel Robert Mueller is wrapping up his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and whether the Trump campaign cooperated with Moscows operation. The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible, Whitaker said. His impromptu remark, at the end of a news conference about an unrelated case, was a highly unusual confirmation of the state of the special counsels investigation. Justice Department policy ordinarily prohibits public comment on open criminal inquiries, and Mueller has refused to publicly discuss the investigation since he was appointed in May 2017 to oversee it. Whitaker, who is considered intensely loyal to President Trump, said that he had been fully briefed on the investigation and that he looked forward to Mueller delivering a report on it. Senior law enforcement officials have previously suggested that the inquiry was nearing its final stages and was expected to wrap up in the coming weeks or months. And it has been widely reported that Muellers prosecutors were drafting a report for the attorney general, as required. Nonetheless, Whitakers comments appeared to take even Justice Department officials by surprise. As soon as he described the special counsels work as nearly over, a spokeswoman shut down the news conference. Prosecutors typically shy away from discussing the progress of investigations to avoid unfairly framing public expectations, partly because new evidence could unexpectedly arise. Whitaker acknowledged that tradition before giving his assessment of Muellers progress. I am really not going to talk about an open and ongoing investigation, he said. Whitaker has been temporarily leading the Justice Department since Trump forced Jeff Sessions to resign as attorney general late last year. Trumps nominee to replace Sessions, William Barr, is widely expected to be confirmed. Under Justice Department regulations, Mueller is required to give the attorney general a confidential report explaining his prosecutorial decisions when he has finished his investigation. The attorney general, in turn, must send a report to Congress explaining why the work has concluded, though that can simply be a brief summary. At his confirmation hearing, Barr said that if confirmed, he would want to make as much of the special counsels report public as possible. But he added that he needed to learn more before making any decisions. On Monday, two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced legislation that would require the special counsel to report his findings directly to Congress when the investigation is complete, or if the special counsel is fired. Sharon LaFraniere and Katie Benner are New York Times writers. BOSTON The wealthy founder of a drug company plotted to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a highly addictive fentanyl spray in order to outshine competitors and line his own pockets, a federal prosecutor told jurors Monday. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lazarus said John Kapoor was so determined to make Insys Therapeutics Inc. a success that he turned it into a criminal enterprise to get the powerful painkiller in the hands of more patients. This is not a complicated case. Its a case about greed about greed and its consequences and what happens when you put profits over people, Lazarus said as the closely-watched trial opened in Boston. Kapoor is the highest-level pharmaceutical figure to face trial amid the opioid epidemic thats claiming thousands of lives every year. His lawyers say Insys is not responsible for the drug crisis, noting that its medication makes up a small fraction of the prescription opioid market. The 75-year-old and four other former employees of the company are accused of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks in order to boost sales for Subsys, which is meant for cancer patients with severe pain. The bribes were paid in the form of fees for sham speaking events that were advertised as educational opportunities for other doctors, prosecutors allege. Kapoors lawyer, Beth Wilkinson, said Kapoor was motivated not by greed but by a desire to help people dealing with excruciating pain. She also sought to discredit the governments key witnesses: two former Insys executives who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors. Former sales executive Alec Burlakoff was the one cutting side deals with doctors and is willing to say anything prosecutors want him to in order to help himself, she told jurors. Kapoor and the other executives are charged with racketeering conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years in prison. The case is being led by longtime federal prosecutor Fred Wyshak, who has won convictions against Boston crime boss James Whitey Bulger and other powerful mobsters. Several Insys employees and doctors already have 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. Patients say in a slew of lawsuits filed against the company that they were given high doses of the potent narcotic even though they didnt have cancer, werent warned of the risks and became addicted. Sarah Fullers family filed one of the suits. She was being treated for fibromyalgia and back pain when an Insys sales representative and her doctor met with her at her doctors New Jersey office to persuade her to begin taking Subsys, according to the lawsuit her parents filed. Sarah didnt 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 dont care. Alanna Durkin Richer is an Associated Press writer. HOUSTON Four undercover narcotics officers in Houston were shot Monday evening and another police officer was also injured during a gunbattle that broke out when they tried to serve a search warrant, the Houston Police Department said. Two suspects were killed. The police officers were part of a team trying to search a home in a working-class, mostly Hispanic neighborhood about 7 miles southeast of downtown Houston. Police believed drugs, including black tar heroin, were being dealt out of the home. At about 5 p.m. Central time, police knocked down the door and were met with gunfire by an unknown number of people. Police officers returned fire, and during the exchange, two suspects were killed. Two officers were shot in the neck and were in critical but stable condition Monday night, Chief Art Acevedo of the Houston police said at a news conference. Two other officers who were shot were being observed at a hospital, but were expected to make full recoveries. A fifth officer was injured in the knee, but further details were not immediately available. Police initially believed that five officers had been shot, but later said four were shot and the other injured in a different way. Those shot included two 50-year-old sergeants and a 54-year-old officer who has been with the department since 1984. Dozens of police officers, some dressed in camouflage and carrying shotguns, scoured the neighborhood on foot. The lights of police cruisers flashed in the darkness near Harding Street, a small road where the shooting occurred that is lined mostly by single-story homes with small yards. Helicopters circled overhead and residents stood outside their homes, talking in groups of three or four. Veronica Bonilla, 45, was watching TV after work when she heard half a dozen gunshots ring out from the house two doors down. Within seconds, she said, the neighborhood sounded like a war zone. At first I thought it was someone working on their house, like with a nail gun, so I thought OK, she said. Then all of a sudden I heard a lot of yelling and a lot of gunfire. I threw myself on the floor and I called 911 and I said, There is a shootout here! Bonilla drew the curtains, locked the door and called her husband, who could not get home from work because the police locked down the neighborhood. Honey, let me tell you, I am locked in the house and I cannot leave, she said. It is so scary. It is crazy. Sofia Franco, 53, a longtime resident, passed out bottles of water. She did not hear any gunshots, but said the shooting left her and her neighbors rattled. Ive never seen this before, she said of the neighborhood. There was a lot of drugs before, maybe 10 years ago. But Ive never seen this. Its sad. Its five police officers. Acevedo said later Monday night that a neighbor had tipped off police that drugs were being dealt out of a home on Harding Street. About a dozen narcotics police officers and a half-dozen patrol officers were part of the team that was executing the search warrant Monday. Manny Fernandez, Mihir Zaveri and Liam Stack are New York Times writers. Even before the federal government reopened Friday, the staff at Joshua Tree National Park was already doing damage control. The 1,200 square miles of desert landscape in Southern California never closed to the public throughout the 34 days of partial government shutdown, but there were fewer rangers patrolling the park. During that time, vandals cut down Joshua trees, left graffiti, lit fires at illegal campsites, and went off-roading through "pristine desert," according to park superintendent David Smith. "What's happened to our park in the last 34 days is irreparable for the next 200 to 300 years," said Curt Sauer, former Joshua Tree superintendent, at a rally Saturday. READ MORE: Joshua trees cut down, desert vandalized at Joshua Tree National Park during government shutdown Since Dec. 22, 2018, off-roaders left a 20-mile path of destruction as they drove through the desert to get around barriers. The current superintendent of Joshua Tree agreed the damage has the potential of a lasting legacy. The problem with off-roading through pristine desert isn't just the tracks that get left behind in the dirt. Park staff already raked over those tracks and tried to cover them with dead plants (a practice called vertical mulching). The real trouble is what's going on just beneath the surface. In places like the desert of Joshua Tree, there's not a lot of organic material in the soil to help plants grow. Instead, a crust forms on the soil where algae, bacteria and fungus work together to fix nitrogen levels so plants can survive. "Once you break through that crust, you no longer have anything fertilizing the soil to help plants grow in it. And it takes a really long time to recover," Smith explained. "A lot of folks don't realize how fragile the desert is." Smith hopes quick work by park staff to mitigate the soil damage, plus some help from well-timed recent rain, could help the desert floor recover much faster than 200 years. Park officials also reported around 120 illegal fires at makeshift campsites where visitors are not allowed to camp. In many cases, nearby juniper and acacia trees had been cut down and sawed up for firewood. ALSO: It's not just Joshua Tree. Damage has been reported at Death Valley National Park, too. Three Joshua trees, the spiky-leaved trees for which the national park is named, were also cut down. "Those trees will be damaged forever, but luckily our plant community is a renewable resource," said Smith. But the recovery will be slow, Smith admits. "Some Joshua trees have been growing for 300 years. If you're visiting a coastal forest, say in the Oakland hills, eucalyptus trees grow extremely quickly. Here in the desert things grow very, very slowly." Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. BEIJING U.S. criminal charges against Chinese electronics giant Huawei have sparked a fresh round of trans-Pacific recriminations, with Beijing demanding Tuesday that Washington back off what it called an unreasonable crackdown on the maker of smartphones and telecom gear. Chinas foreign ministry said it would defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies but gave no details. Huawei is the No. 2 smartphone maker and essential to global communications networks. A day earlier, U.S. prosecutors criminally charged Huawei and several of its officials for allegedly stealing technology secrets and violating Iran sanctions. That followed the detention in Canada of the Huawei founders daughter a top company official who was named in one of the U.S. indictments, and who is now awaiting possible extradition to the U.S. Huawei has denied wrongdoing. All that has further complicated U.S.-China relations amid attempts to defuse a trade war instigated by President Trump and clashes over alleged Chinese theft of trade secrets and other intellectual property from U.S. firms. A new round of trade talks are planned for Wednesday in Washington. The nearly two dozen charges unsealed Monday by the Justice Department accuse Huawei of trying to spirit a robot arm and other technology out of a T-Mobile smartphone testing lab. They also allege that Huawei, two subsidiaries and a top executive misled banks about the companys business and violating U.S. sanctions. The allegations mark a new phase in the dispute between the two countries over global technological dominance. The U.S. has reportedly waged a campaign to discourage other nations from using Huawei telecommunications equipment for next-generation 5G wireless networks, based on concerns that the Huawei gear might compromise national security. U.S. intelligence chiefs who briefed Congress on worldwide threats Tuesday sounded the alarm about Chinas efforts to gain an edge over the United States. Chinas pursuit of intellectual property, sensitive research and development plans ... remain a significant threat to the United States government and the private sector, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee. While we were sleeping in the last decade and a half, China had a remarkable rise in capabilities that are stunning, Coats said. A lot of that was achieved a significant amount was achieved by stealing information from our companies. On Tuesday, Australias TPG Telecom said it has abandoned plans to build what would have been the countrys fourth mobile network because of a government ban on Huawei over security concerns. Last week Vodafone, one of the worlds biggest mobile phone companies, said it would stop using Huawei gear in its core networks. U.S. officials have long harbored suspicions that Huawei could be used by Beijing to eavesdrop on sensitive communications and questioned whether the privately-owned company has ties to Chinas ruling communist party because its founder is a former military engineer. Mondays U.S. charges did not allege that Huawei worked at the Chinese governments direction. A 10-count indictment in Seattle centers on a T-Mobile phone-testing robot dubbed Tappy. The robot, developed in 2006, helped spot problems in phones before they hit the market by mimicking how people actually use them. Prosecutors say Huawei began a scheme to steal Tappy technology for its own phone-testing robot after T-Mobile rejected its request to license the machine for broader use. The indictment detailed efforts by Huawei engineers to sneak into the highly-restricted Tappy lab. One engineer succeeded in taking unauthorized photos of the robot. Another managed to sneak it out of the lab to take measurements and photos to send back to China. He returned it after being questioned by T-Mobile, prosecutors said. Huawei allegedly offered bonuses in 2013 to employees who stole information from other companies around the world, according to the Seattle indictment, citing emails obtained by the FBI. The bonuses were based on the value of information, which was sent to Huawei using an encrypted email address. Brooklyn prosecutors charge Huawei with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. They allege Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, lied to banks about those dealings. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested Dec. 1 in Vancouver, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. China detained two Canadians shortly after Mengs arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to free her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning an earlier 15-year prison term. Huawei overtook Swedens LM Ericsson in 2017 to become the No. 1 global seller of network gear. The company says it supplies 45 of the top 50 global phone companies and has signed contracts with 30 carriers to test its next-generation technology. Its smartphone brand, launched in 2010, surpassed Apple Inc. in two quarters of 2018 to become the worlds No. 2 seller behind Samsung Electronics Ltd. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders denied that the criminal charges were part of a carrot-and-stick approach to the trade talks. Those two things are not linked, she said. They are a totally separate process. Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed Dec. 1 to put off further sanctions against each others exports while they negotiated a new trade pact. If they dont reach an agreement by March 1, U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese products are set to rise from 10 to 25 percent. That prospect has rattled financial markets for months. Kelvin Chan and Joe McDonald are Associated Press writers. In an effort to stem a $30 million budget deficit, Oakland Unified School District officials are considering closing or consolidating a number of schools over the next five years, and the first went on the chopping block Monday night. At a special meeting the school board voted to close Roots International Academy, a small middle school serving East Oakland. Only school board member Rosie Torres voted against closure. The controversial vote was among a several challenges district officials face in the coming days. The board plans to vote soon on possible budget cuts, which could include staff layoffs, and fewer resources for school programs and services. The board had scheduled the vote for Wednesday during its regular meeting, but postponed it until Friday or Monday to have more time to prepare, district spokesman John Sasaki said. A teacher strike could also be imminent, as the Oakland Education Association votes this week on authorizing a strike. Oakland Unified School District has 87 schools for about 37,000 students, and closing or consolidating schools is one way to cut spending. Next year, it could face a $60 million shortfall. We have too many schools for the number of students, and we have our resources pretty thinly spread, Sasaki said. Although school district officials have said closing Roots International came down to distributing resources in the most efficient way, parents and educators said they werent given a chance to weigh in. Roots shares its Havenscourt campus with Coliseum College Prep Academy, a school serving grades 6 to 12. Coliseum will eventually expand into the space that Roots occupies. The district anticipates Coliseum will only have a handful of seats available for seventh and eighth graders next year, which means most Roots students will have to be placed elsewhere. The school district plans for the 163 rising seventh- and eighth-graders to have priority placement at the other 19 schools serving those grades in Oakland, and will provide counselors to help families choose the right school. Quinn Ranahan, in her second year as a Roots math teacher, said, We need more time to be able to continue to grow. We provide a lot of opportunities for students to be empowered. This year, eighth-graders worked on a public speaking project about policing and criminalization, which helped students learn to advocate for themselves, she said. Nonetheless, students test scores are far below standard, and got worse from 2017 to 2018, according to district data. We certainly understand that there are concerns in the community and that some are not happy in this plan, Sasaki said. This is about improving outcomes across the district and ensuring that we have a high quality school in every neighborhood. Its simply hard to do that when you spread your resources so thinly. Silvia Ornelas 13-year-old daughter has attended Roots since sixth grade. Closing the school wont directly impact the girl since shes advancing to high school next year, but Ornelas still been outspoken about the closure. They helped my daughter when she needed help the most academically, she said before the vote. Im fighting for the teachers and the kids that are still there that are basically left in limbo. For Addy Rios, a priority spot at another middle school isnt an adequate solution for her 12-year-old son, a seventh-grader at Roots. I will choose to homeschool my kid if the school closes, she said before the vote Monday. I want him to be in his neighborhood school because thats where hes always been. And if thats not going to happen, then hes going to just stay home. Roots serves a predominantly low-income population, with nearly 93 percent of its 266 students qualifying for free lunch, according to data from the state department of education. The vast majority are students of color: 52 percent of students Latino and 35 percent black. Its about the message that theyre sending the kids, Rios said. Theyre saying, Were closing your schools because theyre not good. What message is that giving the kids? That theyre not good. Chronicle staff writer Jill Tucker contributed to this report. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb The closure of a Starbucks on Union Square, what may be the busiest Frappuccino outpost in San Francisco, has stunned the neighborhood. The location at 201 Powell St. was frequented by locals and tourists before serving its last coffee on Jan. 20. There is no shortage of other Starbucks locations in the city, but the closure of this high-traffic location came as a surprise to some. "I ordered coffee there every day," says Jonathan Chavez, who works at a hotel a block away. "When I came into work and it was closed, I was shocked. It was always busy." "It's pretty weird to see that corner not have Starbucks," says Zaid Farooqui, a daily Starbucks customer who lives downtown. This particular Starbucks is an especially big loss for some because of its central location and its 24 -hour service. (Note: the Laurel Village location is open 24 hours. SFGATE spoke with a handful of regular customers of the former Starbucks location and they all said baristas told them days before the closure the rent was raised. Starbucks chose to not comment on the reason for closing and shared in a statement: "This store is special, to our customers and our partners, and we remain committed to continuing serving the community, offering a warm and welcoming environment for people to connect. Customers in the area will be able to visit our nearby store on Geary & Taylor (4 minute walk from the store at 201 Powell)." SFGATE also reached out to the leasing agent for 201 Powell, who declined to comment. ALSO: North Beach commercial vacancy rate doubles in 3 years The shutdown comes at a time when several storefronts are empty along the Powell Street corridor, a stretch of the city that 30,000-plus pedestrians walk along every day, according to the Union Square Business Improvement District. Blondies Pizza closed at 63 Powell in spring 2016 and the space remains empty, while the former location of fashion retailer BCBG at 331 Powell has been vacant since winter 2017. The same week Starbucks closed, the Bellini Cafe at 235 Powell stopped serving burgers and pizza. "It was always busy," says Chavez. "I could get a slice and a drink for $4." Jon Handlery, who owns several buildings in the area including the space formerly occupied by Bellini, didn't want to comment on the cafe's closure, but he said vacancies are a city-wide problem. "It's not happening in just one area," says Handlery. It's all over town. You look at Sutter, which used to be a vibrant retail area, but what happened there? North Beach...what's going on there? There has to be a variety of things to contributing to this." Handlrey believes one contributing factor might be a reduction in Bay Area residents living outside San Francisco who used to come into the city for a show, to eat at a restaurant and to shop. The city's issue with people living on the streets and traffic have contributed to this decline, he says. "Now it's a hassle to get into the center of the city with the changes in streets, the reductions in lanes," he says. "And the people who get off at the Powell Street BART station...and the homeless issue." Supervisor Aaron Peskin says commercial vacancies are a problem everywhere as people turn toward delivery services and online shopping for everything from coffee to groceries to a new pair of shoes. "We are all experiencing nationally and internationally the impacts of the society of convenience," Peskin says. "People with means have stuff delivered to their doors. And that's a new economy. That economy has put people to work and it has also displaced other people from work. It has led to a number of ground-floor retail vacancies in this city and other cities." He adds that landlords need to shift their rents in accordance with the changing economy. "I think rents are stabilizing and landlords need to realize that," says Peskin. To address this issue of landlords keeping their properties vacant until they can extract higher rents from potential tenants, Peskin has introduced legislation to tax landlords with commercial properties in Neighborhood Commercial Districts areas where stores and services are clustered -- that are vacant for more than six months. MORE: Vacancy glut in SF could spur tax on empty storefronts Peskin says that as far as neighborhoods go in San Francisco, Union Square has a "remarkably healthy vacancy rate" and the number of vacancies is smaller than in other neighborhood commercial districts. Karin Flood, executive director of the Union Square Business Improvement District, concurs and thinks the vacancies will fill with new retails and restaurants quickly. "The city is getting ready to invest a lot into that corridor to improve the street scapes there," Flood says. "At the moment, the situation doesn't look good but I don't expect it to be that way for long." Note: This story was updated at 11:30 a.m. on January 29, 2019. San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera is pursuing a court order to validate Proposition C, the November ballot measure that raised taxes on big businesses to fund housing and homelessness programs. Herreras office filed paperwork in San Francisco Superior Court Monday asserting that the city correctly applied a simple-majority voting threshold to pass Prop. C, rather than a two-thirds supermajority. The measure drew more than 61 percent of the vote. Herrera is seeking a similar court order to validate Proposition G, a $298 parcel tax that raises $50 million annually to boost teachers salaries. We proactively brought this case to uphold the will of the voters and get the certainty that a court order will provide, Herrera said in a statement. We are confident that when voters act through the initiative process, a simple majority vote is required. If the courts agree with Herreras arguments, it would be a huge step toward unlocking the hundreds of millions of dollars Prop. C will raise each year. City officials are waiting to spend that money plus the revenues from two other ballot initiatives until the legal uncertainty surrounding the measures margin of victory gets resolved. Much of that uncertainty steps from a lawsuit challenging the citys use of a simple-majority threshold to pass a June ballot measure that sought to bring in around $146 million annually for child care services and early education by raising taxes on commercial rents. For more than two decades, passing a tax measure for a specific purpose like homelessness or teacher salaries required a two-thirds majority to pass at the ballot. But last year, a memo from Herreras office interpreting a recent state Supreme Court ruling argued that if a proposed tax measure was put on the ballot by citizens and not the government it would require only a simple majority to pass. Dominic Fracassa Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider @dominicfracassa Sen. Kamala Harris checked all the progressive policy boxes in the first week of her presidential campaign. Does she support Medicare-for-all, single-payer health care? Check. Debt-free public college tuition? Shes in. A tax credit for the working class? Yep. Shes not alone. The Democrats already running for president and those expected to announce soon share something in common at this early point of the 2020 race: They cant sprint fast enough to the left. Most generally support the same progressive platform when it comes to health care, taxes, the environment and education. Harris amplified her support for government-paid health care for everyone Monday when she was asked during a televised town hall meeting in Iowa whether people who like their insurance plans could keep them under single payer. The idea is that everyone gets access to medical care, and you dont have to go through the process of going though an insurance company ... going through the paperwork, Harris said. Lets eliminate all of that. Lets move on. That kind of support for a solidly progressive cause would have made Harris an outlier in the 2016 Democratic field. Ask Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who calls himself a democratic socialist. Sanders was the only candidate then to support government-insured universal health care coverage. His main opponent, eventual nominee Hillary Clinton, didnt. She also fell $3 short of Sanders call for a $15-an-hour federal minimum wage. Now much of the Democratic field shares the same views as Sanders on a range of subjects, including health care. But subtle differences are emerging. Medicare for all: Three years ago, Clinton opposed Sanders single-payer health care proposal because she didnt want to see us start over again on overhauling the U.S. health care system with a contentious debate. Since then, Trump and congressional Republicans have weakened the supports for Barack Obamas signature Affordable Care Act, and the climate for Democrats has changed. Sanders led the way, introducing single-payer legislation in the Senate in 2017 and identifying several possible ways to pay for it, including a payroll tax on employers and raising taxes on upper-income people. Harris was the first of the other 2020 presidential hopefuls in the Senate to co-sponsor it, quickly followed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Another probable candidate, former Obama administration official Julian Castro, is also on board. But its not unanimous. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who may run, supports lowering the Medicare minimum age from 65 to 55. He also supports a public option, which could allow younger people to buy into Medicare. Former Vice President Joe Biden, a possible candidate, also has supported lowering the Medicare eligibility age. But neither has backed Sanders single-payer plan. Its possible the bulk of the likely Democratic field is to the left of the country on the issue. More Americans support lowering the Medicare eligibility age (77 percent) than support Medicare for all (56 percent), according to a survey this month from the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. One potential candidate who doesnt support single payer is Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks CEO who is contemplating an independent run. Schultz told 60 Minutes that what the Democrats are proposing is something that is as false as (President Trumps proposed border) wall and that is free health care for all, which the country cannot afford. Reduced public college tuition: Sanders proposed eliminating undergraduate tuition and fees at public universities in a 2017 bill. Price tag: $47 billion. He would have paid for it with a tax on financial transactions involving stocks, bonds and derivatives. Harris, Warren and Gillibrand supported his bill, which, in a GOP-run Senate, went nowhere. Castro found out during his presidential campaign rollout this month that progressives will pounce on candidates who arent all in on this issue. Activists criticized Castro for saying that well work to make the first two years of college ... accessible and affordable instead of all four years. He later clarified that, saying that at least the first two years of college or university or apprenticeship program should be tuition free and preferably four years. Climate change: Sanders supports the Green New Deal, a broad policy proposal backed by more than four dozen House Democrats. It calls for the U.S. to be fully relying on renewable energy within 12 years and to guarantee jobs to people to make the transition happen. There is no price tag or even an identified funding source. Still, Warren, Gillibrand, Harris and Castro have signed on to the idea, said Stephen OHanlon, communications director for the Sunrise Movement, which is organizing the Green New Deal. Taxes: Democrats are showing a renewed vigor about raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans and using the money to pay for progressive-backed projects. Warren introduced a plan last week to levy a 2 percent tax on personal wealth of over $50 million and 3 percent above $1 billion. She would use the revenue to reduce college and health care costs. In October, Harris proposed a $6,000 annual tax credit for families making less than $100,000 a year. She said she would pay for it by rolling back unspecified parts of the 2017 GOP-sponsored tax law and and by taxing banks that have more than $50 billion in assets. The underpinning for such plans is a sense that the Democratic rank-and-file is moving to the left. Markos Moulitsas, founder of the progressive DailyKos blog, says supporting single payer is the price of admission to the Democratic primaries. Green New Deal backer OHanlon says candidates need to back the environmental plan if they want to be taken seriously by young people. But not all Democrats are heading that way. A nonpartisan Pew Research Center survey this month found that 53 percent of registered Democrats want their party to move in a more moderate direction, while 40 percent would rather it moved to the left. Dennis Goldford, co-author of The Iowa Precinct Caucuses: The Making of a Media Event, said, The Democrats have to be careful about McGoverning themselves choosing a candidate who appeals to the partys base like its 1972 nominee George McGovern, but who is too liberal for the rest of the country. Do Democrats want someone who is liberal or extremely liberal? said Goldford, a professor of public policy at Drake University. Do they want someone who can make their heart flutter, or do they want someone who will appeal to their head? Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli John Raby / Associated Press Earlier this month, we wrote that decorated veteran Richard Ojeda was the presidential candidate big-name Democrats should fear. Not because he could win, but because he can hammer on how out of touch they are with rural and working-class America. It appears that Democrats have nothing to fear. The former West Virginia state senator has just become the first Democrat to drop out of the race. The shutdown is over for now, but for five weeks, 800,000 federal employees and 1.5 million federal contract workers were pawns in President Trumps game of brinksmanship, and they may be so again. Trump has also frozen federal workers pay for 2019, stopping the automatic 2.1 percent cost-of-living increase all civilian workers would have received under federal pay laws. Its hardly the first time American workers have been pawns in larger power games. It happens all the time in the private sector. A private-equity firm gains control and eliminates a sizable portion of a companys jobs. A merger generates a frenzy of payroll cuts. New management threatens to ship jobs offshore if workers dont accept wage cuts. American capitalism has become more arbitrary and autocratic than at any time in modern history. Not only have most paychecks stopped rising, but economic security has vanished. Few working people feel any sense of control over their lives. This has happened for several reasons. Capital markets are more demanding. Wall Street is insisting that corporations squeeze out every ounce of profit quarter by quarter. Its easier than ever to outsource jobs to contractors, foreign-based workers or automated machines, all of which will do them more cheaply. Economic power has become more concentrated in a relative handful of large corporations that can keep a lid on wages even in a tight labor market. Meanwhile, labor union membership has declined precipitously. Most workers no longer have a way to fight back. In the 1950s, more than a third of all U.S. private-sector workers were unionized; today, fewer than 7 percent are. Unionization in the public sector is also dropping, from 38.7 percent in 1994 to less than 35 percent today. All of which may explain why, as America begins ramping up to the 2020 presidential election, candidates are talking about empowering workers. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has embarked on a dignity of work tour of key voting states ahead of a potential run for the Democratic presidential nomination along with producing a 77-page economic plan to reverse the declining value of work and make life better for all workers. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who may run again, has introduced new bills encouraging employee ownership. Californias Sen. Kamala Harris, a Democrat who recently declared her candidacy, has demanded that tech giant Amazon be subject to oversight that protects the dignity of workers. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has also declared her candidacy, has come up with the most detailed proposals to date. She wants any corporation with revenue of more than $1 billion to obtain a federal charter of corporate citizenship requiring company directors to consider the interests of all relevant stakeholders including customers, employees and the communities in which the company operates. Warrens Accountable Capitalism Act also requires that 40 percent of the boards of such corporations be elected by employees. As the Democratic race heats up, expect more proposals to give workers greater say including tripartite wage boards, sectoral bargaining, and independent works councils (similar to those that the United States occupying force wrote for Germany in 1946). Candidates will also seek to make it harder for companies to reclassify employees as contract workers, and easier for contract workers to establish associations that can bargain for better pay and improved working conditions (are you listening, Uber?). There will also be proposals to give workers more say over how their retirement savings are invested, and end conflicts of interest by giant asset managers that push companies to buy their own pension products. All told, we may be witnessing a rebirth of the early 20th century movement toward industrial democracy, which held that the best way to rectify the imbalance of power between workers and business was to make corporations more democratic and give workers greater say. Industrial democracy was a direct response to the Gilded Age an era of gross inequality, unparalleled wealth, searing poverty, powerful monopolies and political corruption, in which workers toiled for a pittance within often unsafe workplaces. For a time, the idea of industrial democracy was widely popular. Even conservative Republican Calvin Coolidge, when governor of Massachusetts in 1919, signed a law allowing corporations to nominate and elect employees to their boards of directors. By 1922, employees of the famous Boston clothing store Filenes had chosen four of its 11 board members. But the industrial democracy movement waned in the 1950s and 1960s, as postwar prosperity lifted almost all workers paychecks. Now that America is back to a New Gilded Age of rabid inequality and arbitrary management, it seems fitting that industrial democracy is back on the table. American workers dont only need better wages. They also need to be respected. And they must be heard. 2019 Robert Reich Robert Reich, former U.S. secretary of labor, is professor of public policy at UC Berkeley and the author of Aftershock: The Next Economy and Americas Future. He blogs at www.robertreich.org. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters. Congratulations to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She outfoxed the deal artist in the White House. With President Trump nonetheless continuing to threaten to declare a national emergency, bypass Congress and build his wall, Trumps next deal should be worse for him than the one he rejected previously. Congress next bill should fund the government for the rest of the year contingent on Trump not declaring a national emergency to fund the wall. If Trump declares a national emergency, the funding of the government should stop automatically. Douglas Carlson, San Francisco Odd to wait on building wall If this border wall is so important to our national security, why didnt President Trump and the Republicans vote to erect a wall on our southern border when they had control of both the House and Senate? It seems rather odd to have waited. Is there some dissension in the ranks? Rob Lefkowitz, Danville Keep Trump in office As tantalizing as impeachment may seem to Americans who still value constitutional democracy, it is based on a misunderstanding of the core problem. President Trump is a symptom, not the cause. The root cause can be traced back to former President Richard Nixons dirty tricks (as Roger Stone can confirm), but it became an overt strategy in the early 1990s under former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. Knowing that most Americans would never buy their agenda based on its merits, Republicans instead chose a strategy of fear, division and hate, of which Trump is its ultimate manifestation. More Information Munchery filled a need I loved Munchery and used it several times a week for many years. I started using it when it was brand new in San Francisco. Others in my building also used it. The food was delicious, and I would be using it now if I had not moved to a retirement community where meals are included. I am so sorry to see it dissolve. Very sad. It really filled a need. Carole Cohen, San Francisco See More Collapse Getting rid of Trump will only let the GOP off the hook. Better that Trump remains the albatross around the GOPs neck going in to 2020. We will know we are making progress on the core problem of our political age when Republicans come begging for House Speaker Nancy Pelosis help to remove Trump from office. James Heron, San Francisco Schools in need of funding San Franciscos public schools are treasured institutions in a profound state of crisis. The economic forces at play in our great city have left out many, including teachers. As a San Francisco Unified School District parent for over a decade, Ive seen one budgetary struggle after another hit schools as they bob and weave and somehow manage to avoid a crisis. Affluent parents are asked to fill gaps via PTA fundraising, but that is surely not an equitable solution to inadequate funding. These are creative, smart leaders that are being asked to do the impossible on a daily basis, yet they somehow manage. But the fabric is all too frayed. My daughters middle school lost 10 teachers last year because they could no longer afford to live in the city or keep up a long-distance commute. Just last week, another suddenly resigned. Schools deserve a significant portion of San Franciscos $185 million windfall to fulfill the will of the voters and to provide SFUSD with some measure of financial stability. When a community becomes unaffordable for those who commit their lives to public education and provide them with the tools to be productive, contributing members of society, what are we left with, really? Lena Brook, San Francisco Wind and solar power Concerning PG&E gets reprieve, not pardon (Editorial, Jan. 28): I completely agree with this editorials position that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. should not be given any more state bailouts due to financial problems caused by its repeated safety failures. I also support the suggestion that our state leaders need to provide Californians with more alternative sources for energy. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has advocated for wind and solar power, should help lead the effort to make these options more affordable and accessible for everyone in our state. Sasha Englander, San Rafael Independent authority Regarding State PUC another villain in PG&E saga (Open Forum, Jan. 25): I agree wholeheartedly with Professor Jeffrey Pfeffers opinion that the role of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) should not stay below the radar in assessing the culpability of private utility companies for the recent apocalyptic wildfires in California. But, I fear his recommendation that the current commissioners be replaced, and CPUCs enforcement powers and abilities strengthened does not go far enough. Under the circumstances, we need to consider broader organizational change. Gov. Gavin Newsom should appoint an independent authority to thoroughly investigate the CPUCs oversight of private utilities. Among the many issues the independent authority should specifically address is whether the safety of Californians is best left in the CPUCs hands. An alternative is to vest utility safety oversight in another state agency with the mandate, authority, and expertise to focus exclusively on safety. Daniel Jacobs, clinical associate professor of management, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles Not the best negotiator We now know that the co-author of a book called The Art of The Deal is someone who cant negotiate his way out of a wet paper bag. What a fake! But we also know that another book about someone like him was written by Hans Christian Andersen a long time ago. It was called The Emperors New Clothes. Kristian Nergaard, San Francisco Armando Brown / Associated Press 2011 Californias complaint against housing scofflaw Huntington Beach sends another encouraging signal that Gov. Gavin Newsom intends to take on the local governments driving the states home shortage. Along with his threat to deny revenues to cities that block needed residential development, it suggests the governor wants to end the states long-standing deference to local obstructionism. The lawsuit, filed against the affluent Orange County town by Attorney General Xavier Becerra last week, marks the states first attempt to enforce often-ignored housing requirements under legislation passed as part of a landmark housing package in 2017. The law, by Democratic Assemblymen Miguel Santiago of Los Angeles and David Chiu of San Francisco, allows state housing officials to revoke a citys approved housing plan and notify the attorney general if its not complying. After thousands of deaths, $932 billion in expenditures and nearly 18 years of battle, an end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan is in sight. The United States and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the framework of a deal that could lead to a final U.S. troop pullout. Its the most progress that negotiators from both nations have reported in nine years of effort. The question is whether it will be solid enough for the U.S. to end its longest war with a sense of victory. Probably not. The grim truth is that the Afghanistan conflict has been an expensive lesson about the limits of American power. Most observers believe the U.S. has been fighting an unwinnable battle. President Trump is eager to leave the country, and the public has a sense of profound ambivalence about the U.S. mission there when it remembers the war at all. Even the contours of the deal framework suggest a U.S. rush for the exits. The Afghan government was excluded from the talks, despite the valid concerns of Afghanistans president, Ashraf Ghani, about terms the U.S. may negotiate that his civilian government will find difficult to keep. The Taliban also has yet to denounce al Qaeda, and it remains in contact with other militant groups. Its also hard to imagine a robust future for the Afghan constitution, with its emphasis on civil rights, once the dictatorial Taliban enters the countrys political governance structure, as its expected to do. These are the realities, and they are distressing. Yet, the U.S. has only a limited set of imperfect options. Afghanistans civilian government is weak and fractured; U.S.-led attempts to improve governance have produced middling returns at great cost. The Taliban has proven cannier and stronger than the Afghan security forces. Regional players, including Russia and Iran, have further worsened an uphill security situation. Any peace agreement must honor the U.S.s core objective in Afghanistan, which is to prevent the country from becoming a terrorist sanctuary. Ensuring that objective will require the U.S. to continue its engagement, no matter when the troops finally come home. 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. A state court judge ruled this week that the gray wolf, North Americas most controversial symbol of conservation success, should remain protected under the California Endangered Species Act. The ruling, by San Diego Superior Court Judge Eddie Sturgeon, upheld a 2014 decision by the California Fish and Game Commission to protect the predators, which have expanded their range in the Golden State after the first lonely lobo was spotted eight years ago. This is a great result for the vast majority of Californians who want wolves to recover and who understand their importance to healthy ecosystems, said Amaroq Weiss, the West Coast wolf advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity, one of five conservation groups that fought the effort to delist wolves. Sturgeon rejected a challenge by the Pacific Legal Foundation, which was representing the California Cattlemens Association and California Farm Bureau Federation. The farm groups claimed wolves in California were not the same species that had historically been in the state and that the listing was improper because it was based on a single wolfs presence even though the predators are plentiful elsewhere. The decision to list wolves in California was made after an Oregon wolf named OR-7 made a historic pilgrimage through California in 2011. He was the first wolf seen in California since 1924. Four of OR-7s progeny have since been detected in California, including the leader of the Lassen Pack, which has staked out territory in western Lassen and Plumas counties, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ranchers and hunting groups in California have remained adamantly opposed to protecting wolves, calling them killing machines. . State wildlife officials have documented a few instances of livestock predation by wolves. The ruling was a victory for conservation groups, especially after a controversial decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011 to delist wolves in the northern Rockies. State protections for wolves are critical given the animosity toward the species at the federal level, said Nick Cady, legal director of Cascadia Wildlands. It is a shame that this species, and many others, have been subjected to these political games. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite Emporia, KS (66801) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 100F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. A few storms may be severe. Low 64F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. WASHINGTON Hundreds of thousands of federal employees returned to work Monday with a presidential promise of a paycheck very quickly but no guarantee they will be working in three weeks, when a temporary stopgap of funding expires. President Trump and congressional Democrats arrived at a short-term agreement on Friday, reopening the government after 35 days and the longest government shutdown in history. Lawmakers have until Feb. 15 to reach a compromise on the Republican request for billions of dollars to be allocated for a border wall a wall Democrats have refused to fund. Referring to the odds that a deal could be struck before the next deadline, Trump told the Wall Street Journal, I personally think its less than 50-50. Trump said he would use emergency powers to fund the wall if an agreement could not be reached. In a stark reminder that federal employees were returning to work with the knowledge that they might be forced to go without a paycheck once again next month, one federal agency, the Department of Agriculture, updated its employee information website and said, We will also leave some of the shutdown-related material up for a ... time, should you need to refer back to it. Richard Nagle, a lawyer with the Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, said returning to work after a mandatory furlough required some digging out. Its triage, he said, eyeing his email inbox. Im going to go through the ones that are screaming for attention. I havent been on voice mail yet, but Im sure thats capped out. As employees streamed into the office, managers stood in the lobby, handing out informational papers on things to know: how to apply for back pay, what to do if you forgot your passwords. The morning commute on Monday in the Washington area was once again bustling after an eerily quiet month of little traffic during peak travel hours and open seats on trains and buses. The ambience at a Starbucks at a Metro station in Northern Virginia, home to many federal workers, had returned to its usual bedlam. EPA employees said they were relieved to be back to work yet anxious that the reprieve from the partial government shutdown could be short-lived. Most of us cannot afford to be without pay for a month, said Denise Walker, an agency lawyer. Its very stressful for people. Eileen Sullivan is a New York Times writer. Photo by Porsche C. on Yelp Lucca Ravioli Co., the 94-year-old Italian deli in San Franciscos Mission District, will close on April 20. Business is still brisk at the deli, which specializes in sandwiches, fresh pasta and imported goods. But owner Michael Feno wants to retire, said the delis manager, who gave his name as Jim. Were still busy as hell, the manager said. Lucca joins a number of small businesses that have closed in the area after decades of operations, including 67-year-old La Victoria Bakery, Mission Thrift and Paulines Pizza. Loyal patrons were sad to hear of the news. Its been a longtime business serving Italian products, which is very personal to me, said Santino DeRose, managing broker at real estate firm Maven, who was not involved with the transaction. I am a customer there, and I hope their business moves elsewhere and that a similar authentic Italian spot takes its place. DeRose said rents for commercial real estate in the Mission are around $2.50 to $4 a square foot, but closer to $5 to $7 a square foot on the popular Valencia Street corridor. Last year, Feno sold a nearby parking lot at 1100 Valencia St. for $3.5 million to M3 LLC. The company has proposed 18 residential units. Socketsite first reported the impending closure of Lucca. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Chronicle staff writer Shwanika Narayan contributed to this report. Roland Li is a Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Police arrested a 21-year-old San Francisco jail inmate over the weekend on suspicion of murder in an October shooting in the citys Bayview, officials said Tuesday. Joshua Robinson was already in custody at San Francisco jail on unrelated charges when he was rearrested Sunday after investigators linked him to the Oct. 15 killing of 21-year-old Lionel Clark, police said. Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s 24,000 employees dont know what the company will look like when it emerges from its complex bankruptcy reorganization, a process it started Tuesday, but the largest worker union says it will oppose efforts to break up the business or make it publicly owned. Tom Dalzell, the business manager of IBEW Local 1245, issued a statement after the company filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, saying his union, which represents 12,000 utility workers, will staunchly oppose any sale, break-up, municipalization or change of ownership at PG&E. Parceling out the utility into smaller, weaker segments would unquestionably have a negative impact on the safety and stability of both gas and electric service, it would increase costs, and it would decelerate progress towards Californias ambitious clean energy goals, Dalzell said in the statement. Furthermore, selling or municipalizing some or all of PG&Es gas or electric transmission or distribution systems would not solve the overarching issue of climate change and the strict liability policies that have put PG&E and all other California utilities on an unsustainable trajectory. The union is fully committed to protecting its members jobs, as well as their wages and benefits, during the Chapter 11 process, Dalzell said. PG&E leadership has said employees will remain working and continue to be paid and receive their health care benefits while the company is under bankruptcy protection. In his statement, Dalzell also emphasized that claims from 2017 and 2018 wildfires, combined with the strict liability California imposes on utilities, are the single largest cause of the companys financial woes that have led them to this point. He took aim at the legal doctrine known as inverse condemnation, under which PG&E can be held liable for wildfires caused by its equipment even if it wasnt negligent. If left in place, this policy will continue to put an undue onus on all power utilities in California, regardless of ownership, and we urge state lawmakers to act quickly and decisively to reform inverse condemnation immediately, Dalzell said in his statement. The Engineers and Scientists of California, Local 20, IFPTE a union representing 3,700 professional and technical employees at PG&E also took aim at the states liability laws, which will have to be dealt with as a financial situation, the statement said. ESC Local 20 said the safety work of PG&E employees must continue. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. We all feel terrible for the losses from the wildfires. The employees of PG&E did not start those fires, and we have worked very hard to restore power to the people and communities who were affected, Joel Foster, an Associate Distribution Engineer at PG&E and Secretary-Treasurer of ESC Local 20, said in the statement. While PG&E may have to pay costs, it wouldnt be fair if that comes from the pockets of employees. The union hopes the bankruptcy process provides for a fair settlement of PG&Es liabilities and debts without hurting the employees who keep the lights and heat on. We just want to keep doing our jobs, Foster said in the statement. There is a lot of work to do, and if we do not keep working then risks will increase. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris On the eve of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s likely bankruptcy filing, California regulators on Monday made it easier for the utility to access billions of dollars in financing it says it will need to support its operations, despite a raucous protest from a group of activists. The California Public Utilities Commission held an emergency meeting at its San Francisco offices to hold a pair of votes that allow PG&E to more quickly take advantage of $5.5 billion in credit and loans it has lined up from four major banks. Commissioners unanimously agreed to approve the measures over the cries of protesters who oppose what they see as efforts from state leaders to back a bailout of the utility. Protesters sharply criticized the abrupt timing of the meeting and repeatedly chanted shame as commissioners voted. PG&E has said its agreement with the banks, known as debtor-in-possession financing, should allow the utility to maintain its operations after it files for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The utility and parent company PG&E Corp. have said they plan to take that step on or about Tuesday because of their looming potential liability from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires. Commission officials stressed that their votes did not sanction a PG&E bankruptcy filing but rather allowed the company to get necessary financing in enough time to keep operating safely and reliably. PG&E has said that bankruptcy would not cause an interruption in service and employees would continue to work and be paid. The bank financing would have normally required a much longer approval process from the commission, possibly lasting several more months, according to Edward Randolph, the commissions deputy executive director for energy and climate policy. He told reporters after the meeting that if PG&E could not access the bank financing, that could, for example, threaten the companys ability to purchase natural gas or pay workers involved in safety projects in areas devastated by wildfires. Theres nothing in this decision that allows PG&E to increase rates or collect funds beyond what is already authorized it merely allows them to borrow more money, Randolph said. The action also does not encourage or enable PG&E to seek bankruptcy. Under federal law, that is PG&Es choice. The decision just ensures that they can take the actions necessary to continue providing service in bankruptcy. The protesters, who are now organizing under the moniker No PG&E Bailout Coalition, were incensed. About 20 of them held a news conference ahead of the meeting at which they questioned the need for the votes and for PG&E to file for bankruptcy protection. This is a last-minute, eleventh-hour meeting that the CPUC is calling with intention of bailing out PG&E, and we dont support that, said activist Jessica Tovar at the news conference. What we need is a public agency, a public takeover of these monopoly utilities. Thats the only way were going to have utilities that are accountable to people over profits. During public comments once the meeting got started, protesters directed similar remarks to the commissioners. They also read off the names of people killed in the Camp Fire, the cause of which is still under investigation, though PG&E has told regulators one of its transmission lines and another distribution line in the area had problems just before and after the blaze began. The fire killed 86 people and destroyed more than 18,800 buildings and is the deadliest and most destructive fire in state history. PG&Es stock price has plummeted since the fire started Nov. 8, and the companys potential liability from the disaster has driven it toward a bankruptcy filing. In a statement after the commission vote, PG&E spokesman Paul Doherty acknowledged the people who have lost so much in the Camp Fire and said the company is focused on supporting victims during the recovery. Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available. We understand and recognize the serious concerns raised by customers and wildfire victims and we acknowledge that while we have made progress, we have more work to do, Doherty said in the email. Were open to a range of solutions that will help make the energy system safer. Doherty said the financing will provide necessary funds for PG&E to continue operating and spending on infrastructure and fire prevention projects while its in bankruptcy court. The Chapter 11 process will also ensure the orderly, fair and expeditious resolution of its liabilities resulting from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires, he said in the email. The commission expects to be involved in bankruptcy proceedings if PG&E follows through with a filing, Randolph said. Utility regulators will also have to sign off on any resulting reorganization of the company, he said. Though PG&E was required under state law to notify employees 15 days before a bankruptcy filing, the move is not inevitable. Bloomberg reported Monday that a consortium of investors including Elliott Management Corp. sent the company a $4 billion proposal to keep the utility from filing for bankruptcy. In another email, Doherty declined to comment on what he called market speculation. He said the company still saw a Chapter 11 filing as the best forum for assessing our liability and addressing claims and still expected to start that process on or about Tuesday. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris City Attorney Dennis Herrera has long coveted the mayors office. He ran for the job in 2011, finishing third behind winner Ed Lee and Supervisor John Avalos. A year ago, he pulled papers to try to finish Lees second term after the mayors unexpected death, saying he was seriously considering jumping into last Junes election. He wound up not running. So nobody would have been all that surprised if Herrera tried again this November to unseat Mayor London Breed and he would have been a formidable challenger. But hes not running and instead will be on the November ballot to seek a sixth term representing the city of San Francisco in court. I am not running for mayor, he said during a recording of the San Francisco City Insider podcast. Herreras decision is one fewer hurdle in Breeds quest to claim a full four-year term. And, if city history is any guide, shed have a leg up on claiming a second term for a total of nearly 10 years in Room 200. No name-brand candidates have pulled papers to challenge her. A walk through City Hall Monday morning to see if anybody had heard of any serious contenders pondering a campaign turned up nothing. The progressives, who couldnt even get it together to smoothly elect a board president this month, havent found anybody to challenge her. The deadline to file candidacy papers is June 11. Short of the sky falling Breed will win re-election, said one progressive city insider. But why wont Herrera run? In short, he says, because he really likes the current mayor. Since he won his job in 2001, hes worked with four mayors: Willie Brown, Gavin Newsom, Lee and Breed. The relationship Ive had with London Breed is the best Ive had with any of them, Herrera said. She has been nothing but collaborative. Shes reached out. Shes been a really wonderful partner. ... Weve been mutually supportive in what we want to do. Collaborative? Mutually supportive? Yes, this is the benefit of electing women to higher office. The country should try it sometime! (Herrera would support that hes backing California Sen. Kamala Harris for president, saying, She has the vision to lead, and no one should ever underestimate the toughness behind that smile.) Herrera, 56, addressed his own political future as well as many other hot topics at City Hall in a wide-ranging interview. To hear our whole talk, listen to the podcast at sfchronicle.com/insider. Here are some of the highlights: Proposition C: You know that squeeze City Hall finds itself in? The one in which voters approved three tax initiatives funding child care, teacher raises and homeless services but cant spend the money until court challenges are resolved? Yeah, that one. Thats Herreras fault. Not that hed put it that way. A memo from Herreras office in October 2017 used a somewhat obscure California Supreme Court decision to tell the citys Department of Elections that it is very unlikely that the city ... retains the authority to require a two-thirds vote for initiative tax measures. Herreras argument is that a tax measure placed on the ballot by politicians still needs two-thirds voter approval for passage, but measures that qualify through a voter signature drive only need a simple majority. The logic was so clear based on what the Supreme Court said, Herrera said. We wanted to put out an opinion that was transparent, where our legal reasoning was out there for everybody to see. The matter is expected to take years to settle in court. So is Breed giving Herrera any side-eye for putting her in this awkward position? Herrera laughed and said, We call it like we see it. Pacific Gas and Electric: Herrera has never been shy in sharing his distaste for the utility. As the company approached Tuesdays bankruptcy protection filing, he was even more adamant that City Hall should strongly consider powering the city itself. I think the irresponsibility of PG&E over the last two decades has been astounding, Herrera said. He said the current debate over whether public power is the right way forward is a debate that needs to happen. Breed this month asked the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to take three months to examine what a PG&E bankruptcy would mean for San Francisco. A PG&E spokeswoman said at the time that the company is committed to working together with policymakers, regulators and all stakeholders to provide safe and reliable energy that our customers expect and deserve. Climate change and the opioid crisis: These are two of the biggest issues facing San Francisco and the nation, and Herreras taking them both on in court. In 2017 his office, as well as several other counties around the state, sued some of the worlds biggest oil companies, including ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron, over climate change. They argued that the companies knowingly produced the heat-trapping gases that are raising the worlds temperatures and causing sea level to rise. San Francisco lost its case and is appealing. Similarly, Herreras office in December sued pharmaceutical companies, saying they deliberately misled doctors and the public about their products and are fueling the countrys opioid crisis. Both of these industries have to take responsibility, Herrera said. Mental illness: Less than a month ago, Herreras office took control of civil conservatorship cases for the most seriously mentally ill people in our city. As a supervisor, Breed pushed to move those cases out of the district attorneys office. Herrera thinks San Francisco needs to do far more. Unfortunately, San Franciscans and people around this country always talk about the homeless problem, he said. Homelessness is a symptom. We have a mental health and drug addiction crisis in San Francisco. He said the city should consider opening mental health hospitals to fill the gap left when the state shuttered its own decades ago, casting many severely mentally ill people out on the streets. We as a society have failed them, and we need to step up, he said. His future: While hes committed to seeking a sixth term as city attorney, he wouldnt rule out trying for Room 200 again someday. But for now, hes enjoying life with his wife and teenage son in their Dogpatch neighborhood, frequenting the Japanese restaurant Moshi Moshi and the Dogpatch Saloon. The family recently returned from a vacation in Vietnam and Cambodia. I have a great job, and Im able to do a lot of really good things where I am and still have a life, he said. Ive always said Id like to be mayor, so maybe someday Ill do it again. Maybe I wont. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf The odds of finally restoring the Presidios Fort Scott have just gone up the four teams contending for the project at the historic 30-acre compound instead will team up to tackle it together. The teams, which include well-connected investors and WeWork, have agreed to unite on a single, consolidated proposal, according to a letter sent this month to the Presidio Trust, which manages the former U.S. Army post. The trusts board has agreed to the new approach. If the trust gives a green light to the actual proposal and it then is carried out a campus-like section of the national park would hold institutions devoted to exploring such topics as climate change, artificial intelligence and the changing nature of the world economy. It likely would be managed in the manner of WeWork and other co-working models, with users able to grow or shrink as needs demand. A lot will get fleshed out over the next month, said John Clawson of Equity Community Builders, one of two developers now involved in the bid. The other is the Lela Goren Group of New York. Were still in the process of sorting out roles and responsibilities. For the trust, which manages the Presidio as an autonomous property within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the attraction of such an approach is that the combined team might be better able to take on the estimated $200 million-plus cost of restoring Fort Scotts 22 historic buildings and the distinctive landscape that surrounds them. Weve always thought of Fort Scott as serving a higher purpose, said Josh Bagley, the trusts director of real estate development. We will not go forward if the (unified) proposal does not meet our objectives. Those markers include Fort Scotts restoration and ongoing management into a model of environmental sustainability, along with a subsidy-free development plan and enhanced public access to what now is one of the Presidios least active destinations. An independent command post until World War II, Fort Scott is a remarkable enclave, with austere Spanish-style barracks framing a horseshoe-like green. Theres also an officers club, a gym, even a small former jail, now empty. That sense of a place apart is also why the goal has been to restore it as a unit and why Fort Scott languished while other portions of the Presidio, such as the Main Post, were brought back to life. When the trust in 2017 finally invited organizations to offer concepts for reviving Fort Scott, there were nine formal responses. Four of those teams were invited last September to submit full proposals. One is OpenAI, a think tank focused on artificial intelligence started with the participation of such Silicon Valley heavyweights as Tesla founder Elon Musk. Another, the Epicenter for Climate Solutions, would be a new organization focused on the challenges posed by climate change. The World Economic Forum, which already has a small office at Fort Scott and hosts the annual Davos leadership conference, proposed the Campus for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. WeWork stood out not for any grand purpose, but for financial depth plus experience in developing and managing complex business settings. In September, the trusts board nudged the finalists to think about working with one another, or incorporating elements from the runners-up, as a way to tackle the demanding project. As discussions evolved, we saw there was a real value in bringing the different organizations together, Clawson said Monday. There was a lot of synergy between the concepts. Because of the revised approach, the board has rolled back the deadline to submit the proposal to March 14. The team would make a public presentation the following month. The board would aim to make a decision in May on whether to proceed with restoration efforts at this time. John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron Californias Department of Finance is delaying a request for $40.4 million to reduce wait times and process Real IDs at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The department asked for the money early this month, when Gov. Jerry Brown was still in office. But now that a new governor has stepped in and announced aggressive reforms to the beleaguered DMV finance officials decided it would be prudent to hold off. Well take it up in the spring when we have more information at hand, said department spokesman H.D. Palmer. When Gov. Gavin Newsom took office he created a DMV Reinvention Strike Team to do a top-to-bottom overhaul of the agency, which has struggled with long lines, botched voter registrations and problems with its Real ID rollout. By any metric, California DMV has been chronically mismanaged and failed in its fundamental mission to the state customers it serves and the state workers it employs, Newsom said when he announced the new team. He tapped Government Operations Agency Secretary Marybel Batjer to lead it for six months, and legislators who keep tabs on the DMV are anxiously awaiting the results. At the same time, the Department of Finance is conducting an audit that Brown ordered in September to evaluate the DMVs operations and efforts to upgrade its aging technology systems. Browns request followed reports that glitches in the DMVs software had led to errors in 23,000 voter registration records filed with the secretary of state between April 23 and Aug. 5. Finance officials expect to release a preliminary report in February. With those efforts under way and a new executive branch, we felt it appropriate to say were not going to seek immediate additional funding, Palmer said. The state will now wait until at least the end of April to increase the DMVs budget. Palmer said the department has enough money to sustain its normal operations. A DMV spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan A group of supervisors wants to use $13.5 million of the citys recent windfall money to fund one year of teacher pay raises and will propose the plan at Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting. This is the first proposal on how to divvy up the $185 million windfall that includes the school district, which said it needs help sustaining a teacher salary increase it began last year before the funding source was secured. The sudden influx of cash came from excess property tax revenue in a county education fund. The total amount is $415 million, but the City Charter says that more than half the money must go toward budget reserves and certain city agencies. That leaves Mayor London Breed and the board with $185 million to spend in the general fund. The proposal co-sponsored by Supervisors Sandra Lee Fewer, Aaron Peskin and Rafael Mandelman as of Monday totals about $196 million, with the additional $11 million plucked from budget reserves. While the school district is already getting $26 million of the total windfall for its rainy-day fund, it needs about $39 million to fund a year of the raises. The supervisors are proposing a $13.5 million forgivable loan, which the district will have to pay back if money from Proposition G the June parcel tax that voters approved to fund the raise but which is entangled in a lawsuit is freed up. The proposal also includes $15.6 million to reduce the citys reliance on Pacific Gas and Electric, and $10 million for early child care and education. The rest of the money in the proposal is allocated toward homelessness and housing initiatives. Meanwhile, Breed wants to use the entire $185 million on homelessness and housing initiatives. Official discussions on how to spend the money are set to begin at the supervisors Budget and Finance Committee next week. Trisha Thadani Money for power: Supervisor Hillary Ronen wants to create a fund called the San Francisco Green New Deal that would collect money intended to reduce San Franciscos dependence on Pacific Gas and Electric. Ronens proposal, which she will introduce at Tuesdays supervisors meeting, comes as the city explores creating an independent municipal electricity program. The idea gained significant momentum this month when PG&E announced plans to file for bankruptcy protection following two seasons of devastating California wildfires it may be held accountable for. But gaining full independence from PG&E could cost the city billions of dollars. San Francisco would have to buy PG&E equipment that includes underground transformers, distribution lines and other infrastructure, some of which may be located outside the city. Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle The fund, which would be administered by the Public Utilities Commission, would collect money for the purpose of purchasing or operating an electric power generation or transmission system within the city. Ronen hopes the first contribution to the fund will be scraped from San Franciscos $185 million windfall. Another source of funding would be from Junes Proposition A, which authorizes the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, with approval from the Board of Supervisors, to sell bonds to pay for clean-energy infrastructure. Trisha Thadani Will of the voters: San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera is pursuing a court order to validate Proposition C, the November ballot measure that raised taxes on big businesses to fund housing and homelessness programs. Herreras office filed paperwork in San Francisco Superior Court Monday asserting that the city correctly applied a simple-majority voting threshold to pass Prop. C, rather than a two-thirds supermajority. The measure drew more than 61 percent of the vote. Herrera is seeking a similar court order to validate Proposition G, a $298 parcel tax that raises $50 million annually to boost teachers salaries. We proactively brought this case to uphold the will of the voters and get the certainty that a court order will provide, Herrera said in a statement. We are confident that when voters act through the initiative process, a simple majority vote is required. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle If the courts agree with Herreras arguments, it would be a huge step toward unlocking the hundreds of millions of dollars Prop. C will raise each year. City officials are waiting to spend that money plus the revenue from two other ballot initiatives until the legal uncertainty surrounding the measures margin of victory gets resolved. Much of that uncertainty stems from a lawsuit challenging the citys use of a simple-majority threshold to pass a June ballot measure that sought to bring in around $146 million annually for child care services and early education by raising taxes on commercial rents. For more than two decades, passing a tax measure for a specific purpose like homelessness or teacher salaries required a two-thirds majority to pass at the ballot. But in 2017, a memo from Herreras office interpreting a recent state Supreme Court ruling argued that if a proposed tax measure was put on the ballot by citizens and not the government it would require only a simple majority to pass. Dominic Fracassa Trisha Thadani and Dominic Fracassa are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com, tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani, @DominicFracassa A San Francisco State University student was killed in a hit-and-run on Saturday night in Southern California, just two days before she was due to return to school for the spring semester of her junior year, authorities said. Angelina Pinedo, 21, was walking with her sister back to her home at 9:05 p.m. when an Audi SUV struck her in the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Grant Avenue in Redondo Beach (Los Angeles County), according to police. Her sister, 36-year-old Michelle Pinedo, said she was a few steps ahead of Angelina and ran back to perform CPR. We were walking back to my apartment because she was gonna pack up her bags and head out because she was scheduled to start class today, Michelle Pinedo told The Chronicle Monday. The SUV, which sustained front-end and windshield damage, looped around and took off while she tried to administer first aid, Michelle Pinedo said. Redondo Beach police found the Audi on Sunday night in a neighborhood not far from the intersection. The driver, 21-year-old Leila Gonzalez, was arrested at 1 p.m. Monday on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and admitted she was driving the vehicle at the time, according to a news release. Gonzalez is being held in the Redondo Beach Jail on $50,000 bail. On Monday, Angelina Pinedos family remembered her as a family-oriented person and adventurous young woman passionate about social work. As a child, she often visited her older sister at San Francisco State University, where the elder Pinedo had also attended college. She spent a lot of time in San Francisco and fell in love with the city, said Michelle Pinedo. She was a very caring individual. She was just one year shy of graduating from college, the family said. A vigil is being planned at San Francisco State University for later this week. We extend our deepest sympathies to Ms. Pinedos family and friends for their profound loss, the university said in a statement. Ashley McBride and Gwendolyn Wu are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb @gwendolynawu The developer of the long-delayed housing project at the 16th Street BART Station is prepared to use a ballot measure to gain approval if city officials dont support the latest version of the plan. Maximus Real Estate Partners, which has spent six years trying to build community support for a proposed 330-unit apartment complex at 1979 Mission St., dubbed the Monster in the Mission by its opponents, will present a new affordable-housing plan on Feb. 7 at a community meeting at Mission High School. Maximus calls it its best and final offer. Under the new plan, presented to Supervisor Hillary Ronen in a recent meeting, Maximus would acquire two development sites in the Mission: 2675 Folsom St., which is approved for 117 units, and 2918 Mission St., a coin laundry whose owner successfully got the city to approve a 75-unit development after a long fight that included an appeal and a lawsuit. The sites would be handed over to the city for affordable housing, which Maximus would help finance. Ronen said Maximus laid out the option of a ballot measure to gain approval of the arrangement if the city turned it down. The previous proposal, introduced in November, called for 46 below-market-rate townhomes on the Capp Street portion of the property above the BART station. The homes would have been reserved for families currently living in single-room-occupancy hotels. Rents from the below-market-rate units, roughly $1.15 million per year, would help subsidize rents for low-income Mission residents. A spokesman for the developer, Joe Arellano, said both proposals the one from November and the new one would be unveiled at the Feb. 7 Planning Commission meeting. He declined to discuss the details of the latest plan, nor would he comment on Maximus ballot plan. Ronen said the threat of a ballot measure made her skeptical of the deal. Threatening to go to the ballot that is something I have never heard before, she said. If you are going to make a fabulous offer that is real, why would you do that with a threat of a ballot measure? It throws a lot of skepticism on whether their offer is genuine. It all sounded very fishy to me, Ronen said. I dont buy it for a minute. Adding complexity to the new proposal is that Maximus doesnt own either site. The company has the 2675 Folsom St. property under contract, but has not closed on it. Offers were recently due on the 75-unit laundry property project. Public meeting A special Planning Commission meeting on the development at 1979 Mission St. will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Mission High School auditorium, 3750 18th St. For information: https://bit.ly/2sSvBZq See More Collapse The Mission High meeting will be limited to four hours. The developer and the opponents, the Plaza 16 Coalition, will each have 10 minutes to present their arguments. Public comment will be limited to one minute per person because of the number of community members expected to weigh in. The two neighborhood affordable-housing developers Mission Housing and the Mission Economic Development Agency are working on developing about 1,000 affordable-housing units in the neighborhood. About half of those are either under construction or close to breaking ground. However, the frenzy of affordable construction activity, coupled with a slowdown in new market-rate development, means that the city lacks money for new projects like the two affordable ones Maximus is offering. I think people would be convinced if Maximus is paying to pay for 100 percent of the affordable housing and is willing to put that money in an account up front, said Sam Moss, executive director of Mission Housing. The current construction cost for a unit of affordable housing in San Francisco is more than $600,000, meaning that the two affordable projects would run more than $115 million to construct. Moss said the Plaza 16 Coalition the main group that has fought Maximus over the last six years has a united front. The Mission has banded together, he said. This community is strong, and we understand what it means to build affordable housing and more importantly what it means to finance the construction of affordable housing. Angelica Santiago, a Mission District native who works for the pro-Maximus group Mission for All, said the public hearing will show that plenty of neighborhood residents support the development. She took issue with the characterization of Mission for All as a fake grassroots organization bankrolled by the developer. That has been the biggest thing for us to get past people seeing us as an extension of Maximus, she said. Mission for All is our own people. We are our own segment of the community who believe that this deal can work for the people, that it brings the best community benefits San Francisco has ever seen. J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen Our new restaurant critic, Soleil Ho, has arrived in The Chronicle newsroom and is already busy visiting eateries around the Bay. A writer, cook and host of the podcast Racist Sandwich, Soleil recently moved to the Bay Area from Minneapolis. Shes got a lot to cover, but she sat down with me to talk about her inspirations as a critic and how she approaches the job. What should Chronicle readers know about you? When I was a kid, I was obsessed with reading restaurant reviews. I read Ruth Reichl and Gael Greene and Craig Claiborne. They were really important to my initial formation of why restaurants matter. And then as I got older, I really got into Anthony Bourdain and Jonathan Gold. They also helped shape the way I thought about the place of restaurants in our daily lives and what they can tell us about a city or a region or just a people. One of the things I really love about Ruths and Jonathans work in particular are the ways that they bring themselves into the narrative with a review. It makes it really refreshing and also transparent. Its a portrait of someone of really good taste bringing you on an adventure with them. That to me is more fun to read. What do you hope to learn about the Bay Area food and food culture? Sign up for Bay Briefing Like what you're reading? Subscribe to The Chronicle's Bay Briefing newsletter and get the Bay Area's best journalism in your inbox every weekday. See More Collapse I want to learn about whats outside of San Francisco. Im really curious about the East Bay and also the Peninsula. One of the really overwhelming responses Ive gotten from readers and people who follow my work is Please, leave the city. And so if theyre saying that, there must be some really interesting stuff out there. How do you develop good taste as a restaurant critic? Everybody eats but what does it mean to develop those skills to talk about food in that way? I feel like its curiosity first and foremost. Im not going to be shy about going into a place that is completely unknown to me as far as cuisine goes ... I do a lot of research and try really hard to talk to people about that cuisine if I dont know about it. Also curiosity of your palate being willing to consider the different sorts of parameters with which different cultures create a dish. When you think about Asian cuisine for example Asians are really into texture and we arent so much in the West, as far as like gelatinous or tripey kind of texture. To have that knowledge that (texture) is an important factor to consider requires a looseness in your sensibility and thinking about what constitutes a good dish. Youve done a range of work related to food, including working in kitchens. How does that influence what you bring to being a food critic? One of the criticisms that is leveled against restaurant critics is that we dont actually know how to make the food that were talking about. But for the most part I do. I can think abstractly about what happens to a dish on its journey from the kitchen to the table. Is there a particular dish that youre really interested to try? I really want to try purple sea urchin. Ive never had it before. I know its a really big deal out here because of sustainability issues. This interview has been condensed. Thanks to Soleil and look for her first review soon. Top of the News Its official: PG&E followed through on their plans and filed for bankruptcy early Tuesday morning over the mounting toll of actual and potential liablities from the last two seasons of devastating Northern California wildfires. The Chronicle will be updating this story throughout the day online. More: Our complete coverage of PG&E in crisis. Lighter rain this time: A series of three storms is expected to bring light rain to the Bay but dump snow on the Sierra later this week. Billions in one month: Insurance claims related to wildfires totaled $11.4 billion dollars in November alone, with Camp Fire damages representing three-quarters of that figure. State officials are confident insurers will make people whole but the extent of the damage is prompting some firms to raise rates and even deny coverage to property owners in high-risk areas. Don Q delivers: Dont scoff ballet lovers, San Francisco Ballets production of Don Quixote is good fun and boasts some of the most dead-serious, difficult dancing in the canon, Claudia Bauer writes. Everybody but the kitchen sink: The Munchery fallout continues employees are suing the food delivery start-up for back wages, claiming that its abrupt shutdown last week deprived them of the 60 days notice and wages required by federal and state law. Munchery also faces complaints from vendors who say the firm owes them money and customers worried about outstanding gift certificates. Mutually supportive: San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera tells columnist Heather Knight hes ruled out running for mayor for now. Hell back Mayor London Breed in Novembers election for a full term, and will run for a sixth term in the city attorney spot. Prisoner: Bay Area-native Jason Rezaian spent 18 months in prison in Iran after being arrested on trumped-up charges of spying now he tells The Chronicle why he moved to Iran in the first place and how his imprisonment changed how he views the world. Soul block: Uptown Oaklands soul food renaissance continues. After five years of planning, Gussies Southern Table and Bar is expected to open this summer just down the street from the highly anticipated Brown Sugar Kitchen, Justin Phillips reports. Final offer: A developer who has tried to build a 330-unit apartment complex in the Mission for six years has proposed a best and final offer and says the company is prepared to try to use a ballot measure to gain approval if city officials dont support the latest version. All the IPAs: The upcoming SF Beer Week can feel overwhelming, with hundreds of events happening throughout the Bay. We have an experts guide to finding your way. A changed city and a changed team: Peter Magowan forever changed the fortunes of the San Francisco Giants by taking his time, building connections with the city and staying visible and accountable, unlike the teams current main investor, writes Ann Killion. More: Tributes to Magowan The Kicker Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Want to slowly take in the twisty turns of Lombard Street in your car? Thatll be $10. San Francisco is considering charging tourists as much as $10 to drive the one-block stretch, as well as setting up a reservation system to book a time to do so. The highly specific congestion charge would attempt to ease the gridlock in the neighborhood. Some Russian Hill residents are warming to the idea. 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 Thank you for reading! You have reached your 30-day limit of free access to SentinelSource.com, The Keene Sentinels website. If you would like to read two more articles for free at this time, please register for an account by clicking the sign up button below. We hope you find The Sentinels coverage of the Monadnock Region valuable. We rely on our subscribers to bring you strong local journalism and hope you will consider supporting our work by taking advantage of this special subscription offer here. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit news Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2019 1:02 am This list is a sampling of crime in Sedalia and the surrounding area. Information is taken from official police reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved in each case. Sedalia Police Department Arrests Jan. 22 4:50 p.m.: Timothy Lee Vance, 33, of Salem, was arrested on charges of driving without a valid license, failure to register annually with the Department of Revenue, displaying the license plates of another and failure to maintain financial responsibility. Vance came to the police station claiming people were following him. Officers noticed several vehicle violations, but they took no enforcement action because no one observed him driving the car. They permitted him to leave with another person. About an hour later, officers made contact with Vance at West Second Street and South Osage Avenue, and he was claiming again that unknown people were following him. After investigation, they found Vance might have been experiencing the effects of illegal drug use. They arrested him on several traffic violations. Jan. 24 7:15 p.m.: Charles Edward Ford, 57, of the 400 block of East 17th Street, was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated. An officer stopped Ford near East 17th Street and South Washington Avenue for speeding and failure to maintain a single lane. Investigation reportedly revealed he was driving under the influence of illegal drugs. The officer arrested and obtained a search warrant for blood testing. Jan. 26 1:15 a.m.: Bradley A. Simons, 26, of the 1500 block of Crestview Drive, was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended license. An officer stopped a vehicle with a headlight out and learned the driver, Simons, had a suspended license. 1:50 a.m.: Aaron M. Vincent, 28, of Green Ridge, was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Officers arrested Vincent after stopping him for driving erratically on Broadway Boulevard and for having a broken headlight. 2:55 a.m.: Ciera Catherine Pierce, 28, of the 30000 block of Ball Road, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of identity theft. An officer stopped Pierces vehicle near West 15th Street and South Grand Avenue. She reportedly gave her siblings name because she had an active warrant and an expired drivers license. The officer took her into custody and served a failure to appear warrant from the Sedalia Municipal Court. 5:25 p.m.: Ramon Alejo-Romero, 38, of the 700 block of East 10th Street, was arrested on misdemeanor identity theft. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 700 block of East 10th Street. At the scene, Alejo-Romero gave officers an ID with a different name. They later learned it wasnt his identity and verified his real name. The officers placed Alejo-Romero on 24-hour hold at the Pettis County Jail. 5:40 a.m.: Shaun A. Sims, 18, of the 1600 block of East 15th Street, received a municipal court summons for charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. An officer saw a vehicle operating with malfunctioning headlights and license plate lights. He also noticed the driver was speeding while he tried to catch up to the vehicle. He stopped the car at West Broadway Boulevard and South Warren Avenue and smelled the odor of marijuana coming from it. A probable cause search reportedly revealed drug paraphernalia and marijuana residue inside. 8:50 a.m.: Ronald S. Dollar, 30, of the 2400 block of South Ohio Avenue, was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended license. Officers stopped a car with an expired Virginia license plate. Dispatch reported the driver, Dollar, had a suspended Missouri license. 9:40 p.m. Alfonso D. Kirkwood, 39, of the 3400 block of West Broadway Boulevard, was arrested on a charge of driving with a suspended license. An officer stopped a vehicle with expired registration after seeing it traveling west on West Broadway Boulevard at South Limit Avenue. The driver, Kirkwood, reportedly admitted his license was suspended. A computer check confirmed his suspended license and revealed two failure to appear warrants from the Sedalia Municipal Court and a Pettis County misdemeanor warrant. Incidents Jan. 24 7:35 p.m.: Two officers responded to a business in the 1600 block of South Limit Avenue in reference to a forgery. They spoke with the manager, who said two teenage boys ordered in the drive-thru lane and tried to pay with a counterfeit $100 bill. Afterward, they said it was a joke and paid with a credit card. The officers hadnt identified the suspects at the time of the report. Jan. 25 7 p.m.: An officer took a report in the police station lobby of a vehicle theft. The victim said someone stole her 2001 Ford Expedition sometime within the past two weeks. The incident is under investigation. Pettis County Sheriffs Office Incidents Jan. 21 4:10 a.m.: Deputies located a man in the company of a missing juvenile from Benton County during a vehicle check in the 2400 block of West Broadway Boulevard. They arrested the man on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a controlled substance. They took the juvenile into custody and later released her to her father. 5:35 a.m.: A deputy responded to a location in Smithton in reference to a reported disturbance. During the investigation, he determined an assault had taken place and arrested a male subject on a charge of third-degree domestic assault. Missouri State Highway Patrol Arrests Jan. 25 12:45 p.m.: Keegan R. Webner, 19, of Sedalia, was arrested in Pettis County on charges of felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Jan. 26 2:10 a.m.: Ryan L. Hendrickson, 32, of California, was arrested in Moniteau County on charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding. 3 p.m.: Michael T. Emerick, 43, of Osceola, was arrested in Benton County on charges of driving while intoxicated and careless and imprudent driving. Jan. 27 3:30 p.m.: Cheryl A. Estes, 46, of Atchison, Kansas, was arrested in Pettis County on charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding. Jan. 28 12:10 a.m.: Rigoberto Sapon, 25, of Blythesville, Arkansas, was arrested in Pettis County on charges of driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving involving a crash, and driving without a license. Posted Monday, January 28, 2019 7:52 pm Man hurt in Johnson collision A Johnson County accident sent a man to the hospital at 1:27 p.m. Saturday. Justin J. Pyburn, 27, of Higginsville, attempted to make a left turn from Cooper Boulevard onto Business Route 13, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. He pulled into the path of Barbara A. Green, 58, of Higginsville, who was driving south. Green struck Pyburns vehicle on the passenger side, causing injury to an occupant. Rodney G. Green, 58, of Higginsville, suffered moderate injuries and went with the Johnson County Ambulance District to Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence. All drivers and passengers involved in the accident were wearing seat belts. Johnson crash turns fatal A Kansas City woman died in a rollover crash Saturday in Johnson County. At 4:29 p.m., Amanda R. Sanders, 26, was driving east at a high rate of speed on state Route 58 when she traveled off the roadway a mile west of Southwest 200th Road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Her vehicle overturned multiple times and struck several trees. Sanders wasnt wearing a seat belt and was ejected from her car. Johnson County Coroner Clark Holdren pronounced her dead at the scene at 5:58 p.m. A passenger in the vehicle suffered serious injuries. Danial E. Vanartsdalen, 36, of Kansas City, went in a Life Flight helicopter to Research Medical Center in Kansas City. Vanartsdalen also wasnt wearing a seat belt during the crash. Man killed on Route 131 A single-vehicle crash killed a Holden man at 10:42 p.m. Saturday in Johnson County. Michel V. Evans, 54, was southbound on state Route 131 when he left the roadway and impacted a ditch south of Northwest 100th Road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. The impact caused his vehicle to overturn. Evans suffered fatal injuries. It is unknown whether he was wearing a seat belt. Johnson County Coroner Clark Holdren pronounced him dead on scene at 11:50 p.m. Three teens hurt in crash Three teenagers were injured in a Johnson County crash at 11:40 p.m. Saturday. Zecharias W. Hogan, 18, of Whiteman Air Force Base, was driving west on Northeast 700th Road just past state Route 23, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. He failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the left side of the road, striking a tree. Hogan and two passengers all were wearing seat belts. Paul E. Averbeck, 18, and Brandon L. Jaco, 17, both of Knob Noster, suffered moderate injuries. The Johnson County Ambulance District took them to Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence. Hogan suffered serious injuries. A Staff for Life helicopter flew him to St. Lukes Hospital in Kansas City. Sedalian hurt in Benton accident A Sedalia man was hurt while driving in Benton County on Sunday. Jesse W. Morris, 37, was southbound on Route BB at 8:05 a.m. when vehicle defects caused him to lose control of his car at Feaster Road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Shirley C. Story, 68, of Warsaw, was driving north and struck Morris vehicle. Both drivers suffered moderate injuries. The Warsaw-Lincoln Ambulance District took Morris, who hadnt been wearing a seat belt, to Bothwell Regional Health Center. Story was wearing a seat belt and went in an ambulance to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton. Warsaw woman crashes in Benton County A Warsaw woman was hurt in a Benton County crash at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Angela Liell, 24, was eastbound on Route Z when she traveled off the right side of the highway and struck a ditch just west of Route M, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Liell was wearing a seat belt and had minor injuries. She chose to seek medical treatment on her own. Medical episode causes crash A North Carolina man crashed on Interstate 70 in Saline County on Sunday. Christopher C. Warren, 27, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was eastbound on the interstate at the 66.4 mile marker when he suffered from a medical issue, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. He traveled off the right side of the highway and struck a cable barrier. Warren sustained minor injuries. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. A Sweet Springs ambulance took him to I-70 Community Hospital in Sweet Springs. Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved. The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it filed charges against Texas resident and real estate developer Phillip Michael Carter, two other individuals, and several related entities for conducting a multi-million dollar offering fraud. The SEC's complaint alleges that Carter, along with Bobby Eugene Guess and Richard Tilford, raised almost $45 million from over 270 investors across the United States by selling short-term, high-yield promissory notes issued by a number of shell companies intentionally named to confuse investors. The complaint alleges that Carter, Guess, and Tilford claimed to offer investments in Carter's legitimate real estate development companies, which were purportedly backed by hard assets from actual real estate development projects. Instead, the complaint alleges, the individual defendants sold securities issued by unrelated, but closely-named, entities that had no assets. Carter then misappropriated investor funds to pay $1.2 million towards a personal IRS tax lien, operate a luxury hunting ranch, fund his lifestyle, and make over $3 million in Ponzi payments to investors. The SEC's complaint charges Carter, individually and d/b/a North Forty Development Capital Account, with violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The complaint also charges Guess, Tilford, North Forty Development LLC, Texas Cash Cow, LLC f/k/a Texas Cash Cow Investments, LLC, and Texas First Financial, LLC, with violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5(b) thereunder. The complaint charges all the defendants with violating the registration provisions of Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act. Separately, Guess and Tilford are also charged with violating the broker-dealer registration provisions of Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act. The SEC is seeking relief from the defendants in the form of permanent injunctions and conduct-based injunctions, disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. The SEC is also requesting disgorgement and prejudgment interest from the four relief defendants. The SEC also requested that the Court freeze Carter's assets, order him to give an accounting, and issue him a document preservation order. In related criminal proceedings pursued by the Texas State Securities Board, Carter and Tilford were indicted on November 6, 2018, for, among other things, securities fraud, sales of unregistered securities, and sales of securities by an unregistered agent or dealer. Those charges remain pending. The SEC's investigation was conducted by Jason A. Braun and Michelle Lama, and supervised by Jim Etri, B. David Fraser, and Eric R. Werner. The litigation is being conducted by Matt Gulde. The SEC acknowledges the assistance and cooperation of the Texas State Securities Board. Need a lunch plan? Dick's Drive-In is celebrating 65 years of business with 19-cent burgers on Tuesday. The offer applies to cheeseburgers, hamburgers, plain cheeseburgers and plain hamburgers at all seven Dick's locations, and is valid all day on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Dick's first opened its windows on Jan. 28, 1954, by Portland-born Dick Spady. At the time, burgers cost -- you guessed it -- 19 cents. RELATED: Today in history: The first Dick's location 45th opened for business 65 years ago Tuesday's customers can enjoy the same price. There is a limit of one burger deal per customer. For more information, visit Dick's Facebook event page. Lisa Brown lost a high-profile contest for Congress, but Gov. Jay Inslee has tapped the educator-politician as cabinet material. Brown will become the new director of the state Department of Commerce, Inslee announced Tuesday. "Lisa is a great leader who has a proven record of success with business, education and other community leaders on both sides of the Cascades," the governor said. Brown described the department she will head as playing "a crucial role in the economic health and vitality of the state." RELATED: White House hopeful Inslee to Legislature: 'Be bold' and 'make history' The Department of Commerce has approximately 300 staff at offices in Seattle, Olympia and Spokane. Brown is a former majority leader in the Washington State Senate, and was chancellor of Washington State University-Spokane, until she left to challenge U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who was at the time a member of the Republican House leadership. She lost to McMorris Rodgers in the Republican-leaning 5th District, 54.8 percent to 45.2 percent, in a race where both contestants raised and spent millions of dollars. McMorris Rodgers would subsequently relinquish her Republican leadership post to Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. At WSU, Brown played a pivotal role in securing a new medical school for the university. She will succeed Brian Bonlender, a longtime Inslee confidant who held the commerce portfolio for six years. ALSO FROM CONNELLY: Howard Schultz sold our Sonics, now selling himself as president The state is "lucky to have you," State Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz posted on her Facebook page. Brown holds masters and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Colorado. She has served as an associate professor at both Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University. She served in the State Senate for 16 years until 2012, and did a term in the House of Representatives. She represented the lone Eastern Washington district that still elects Democrats to the Legislature. Decades ago, then-Seattle Police Capt. Jim Pugel was out front incident commander at Sixth & Union during the 1999 World Trade Organization riots, ordering protesters to disperse and clear the intersection. Pugel is stepping back into harm's way on Tuesday morning, announcing he will run for the Seattle City Council seat of retiring incumbent Sally Bagshaw. Curiously, he noted over coffee last week, the boundaries of Council District 7 correspond closely to the SPD's west precinct, of which he was longtime commander. The district includes downtown Seattle, Queen Anne Hill and Magnolia. Pugel would go on to serve as interim Seattle Police Chief in 2013-14. The District 7 contest is shaping up as what voters hope for -- a choice of the greater of goods rather than the lesser of evils. Pugel is not the first credible candidate to enter the race. RELATED: Sawant sets reelection announcement, with challenger Beto Yarce in the field Assistant Seattle City Attorney Andrew Lewis announced soon after the November election, and has been out campaigning and listening ever since. He is a former University of Washington student government officer, and managed a successful reelection campaign for former Councilman Nick Licata. Development consultant Michael George announced earlier this month, and will hopefully make contact with press other than The Stranger. Pugel is deeply rooted in Seattle. He served 35 years as part of Seattle's Finest. He was an architect of the SPD's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, which gave non-violent low level drug dealers the option of rehabilitation over jail. RELATED: Harrell is third City Council incumbent to not seek reelection The candidate's adult children live in Seattle. His parents still reside in a home they purchased during the Eisenhower Administration. Pugel noted, in announcing, that he purchased his first home in Seattle in 1982. "Today a union job, and a police officer's salary, aren't always enough to live in Seattle," he said. "We need Council leadership committed to helping working families -- our teachers, firefighters, nurses and police -- live and work in the same community." As a reform voice, he was elevated to interim chief in 2013 by then-Mayor Mike McGinn. Pugel was demoted and exiled under Mayor Ed Murray, elected in 2013, and replaced as acting chief by Harry Bailey. The Seattle Police Officers Guild supported Murray's election. Bailey was a onetime SPOG officer. He reversed pending misconduct penalties in the department. MORE FROM CONNELLY: Howard Schultz sold our Sonics, now selling himself as president Pugel went to work at the King County Sheriffs Department, from which he retired last year. Pugel was on TV screens last fall urging support for Initiative 940, the measure that requires more training of police officers and revised laws under which police can be charged with homicide. He appeared in a TV spot with Monika Williams, sister of Charleena Lyles, a pregnant woman killed by SPD officers in 2017. Pugel will formally announce his candidacy at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Firefighters Memorial Occidental Square. Detectives in Spokane County believe they have finally solved a 51-year-old cold case involving the murder of a woman in 1967, only to find their suspect died last week in Alabama. Detectives were planning to head to Covington County, Alabama to arrest 85-year-old Duke J. Pierson, only to find he died from natural causes last Tuesday. The victim, Dorothy Fielding, then 31, was reported missing in August of 1967, and her body was found buried in a shallow grave in an off-road park eight months later. Police could never find her killer and the case had remained unsolved for decades. Two other deaths around the same time had police suspicious they might have been connected. Pierson's wife was found dead in what was reported as a suicide in Sept. 1967, while the body of 47-year-old Ruby Lampson who disappeared in June, 1967 was found four years later in a shallow grave in the same off-road park less than two miles away. An autopsy could never determine how she died. The case was reopened last April when detectives received a tip that Fielding had been a part of a local tavern's bowling team, which rang a bell with detectives that Lampson had also frequented the same tavern. Detectives pored over past evidence and discovered the two victims not only frequented the same places, but had known each other. The fact they went missing within a month of each other and were found in the same park added more evidence to a connection. RELATED: Study: Snoqualmie is the safest city in Washington Fielding had a reported affair with Pierson before she went missing. The two worked together at Rosauers and Pierson received hand-written notes and flowers in her car in the days before she went missing. She told friends the cards and note scared her, and detectives learned the flowers had likely come from Pierson's own yard and that of his mother-in-law. Fielding's car was found days later at a grocery store with cigarette butts in the ashtray, even though Fielding didn't smoke, but Pierson did. When her body was found, she was wearing her uniform and name tag, police said. In addition, detectives learned that Pierson's wife at the time of the two other women's disappearances was found dead that September from a reported suicide. Her body was found in her car in their closed garage with a hose extending from the exhaust pipe to inside the rear window with heavy exhaust in the garage. Her children said due to small statue, they always suspected she was too petite to have closed the heavy and possibly malfunctioning garage door on her own. RELATED: Didn't get a delivery expected Sunday in Seattle? It might be in a stolen van recovered in Oregon A woman who dated and later married Pierson told detectives he became extremely jealous of other men being around her, and once they married he became very controlling. And when she wanted out of the relationship, he threatened her often. She moved farther away and got a restraining order and her divorce was final in 1972. During several other interviews with family, friends, co-workers and other women who had dated or married Pierson, detectives confirmed a lot of the information found in the old investigative case files, along with additional information portraying Pierson as a very jealous, controlling person who had been violent and abusive toward others, and mistreated his two children to the point where they stopped having any contact with him. RELATED: Man riding scooter injured after being struck by possible DUI driver in Seattle Investigators had interviewed Pierson in April, 2018 but he denied ever meeting Fielding or Lampson, and denied all involvement in the cases. But detectives were finally able to develop enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant Friday and charge Pierson with first degree murder before finding out Pierson had died three days earlier. Still, detectives are asking for help if anyone who knew Pierson, Fielding, Lampson or Pierson's wife in the 1965-1975 time frame. You can call Detective Kirk Keyser at (509) 477-6611. LAKE CITY, S.C. Family of the late astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair and members of the Lake City community lit candles Monday evening in observance of his death and the Challenger disaster. Thirty-three years ago on Monday, the space shuttle Challenger exploded and crewmembers, including McNair, lost their lives. Gloria Tisdale, president of the Ron McNair Committee, said Monday was the 32nd year that the group has hosted a vigil honoring the Lake City native and recognizing the Challenger disaster. The vigil was held at the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park in Lake City and featured presentations from the Lake City High School JROTC, Dr. Ronald E. McNair School of Digital Communication and Leadership show choir and the Blythewood High School drill team. Eric McNair, Ronald E. McNairs brother, spoke at Mondays vigil. He said after 33 years, everyone is still trying to remember the disaster and make a positive out of this negative. He said he was appreciative for the people who attended the event. When you celebrate the memory of Ron McNair and the accomplishments of Ron McNair, youre also celebrating the memory and the accomplishments of the people of Lake City, South Carolina, he said. So I want to thank you all for being here, and may this continue. FLORENCE, S.C. Francis Marion University accounting students are once again offering free tax return preparation through the Internal Revenue Services Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. From 5 to 9 p.m. each Wednesday night, beginning Jan. 30 and ending on April 10, tax preparation assistance will be offered in room 259C in Founders Hall on the FMU campus. Taxes are, of course, due on April 15. Taxpayers seeking help should bring a picture ID, a social security card (or Military I.D. bearing the social security number) for the taxpayer, his/her spouse and all dependents listed on the tax return. Taxpayers should also bring their W-2s and 1099 forms. The program is open to all residents of the United States. There are no income requirements for the service and the group can prepare both state and federal taxes. The student tax preparers are seniors who are in or have passed the Accounting 428 Federal Tax II course and who have received special certification through the VITA program. Brad Johnson, associate professor of accounting at FMU and supervisor of the VITA program at the university, says the student preparers are well-equipped to complete tax returns of various kinds. This years theme in keeping with the silver anniversary will be Past, Present and Future. The relay will return to a 12-hour event from 6 p.m. on April 12 to 6 a.m. on April 13, and it will be held at Freedom Florence Recreational Complex. The opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. with the survivors/caregivers/team lap starting at 6:20 p.m. The luminaria ceremony will be held at midnight. Boateng said there will be a lot going on after midnight and encouraged teams to make plans to stay the entire night. Our goal is to have someone from every team on the track at all times, Boateng said. The closing ceremony will start at 5:45 a.m. Breakfast will be served to those who remain to 6 a.m. Two new fun events are the wrapping paper outfit fashion show and the Lip Sync Battle. One of their fundraisers in December is wrapping gifts at the mall for Christmas. This past Christmas they collected a little over $11,000 in donations. FLORENCE, S.C Approximately one year after public meetings were first conducted on the project, work is set to begin on improvements to Bentree Lane from West Palmetto Street to David McLeod Boulevard one of several Florence County road projects set to start in the near future. "This will consist of nighttime work with lane closures on Bentree Lane," Lauren Roundtree wrote in a brief South Carolina Department of Transportation release on the project. Roadwork will be ongoing over the next couple of months. Bentree Lane which combines with Dozier Boulevard and Holly Circle to link Hoffmeyer Road, David McLeod Boulevard, West Palmetto Street and Second Loop Road is set for additional turn lanes and improvements to its intersections at either end. This project is funded through the Florence County Transportation Committee and the city of Florence, said Robert Kudelka, SCDOT spokesman, through an email sent out on the project. The project encompasses the road's intersections with David McLeod Boulevard and West Palmetto Streets and includes improvements to Dozier Boulevard from the intersection to Trade Court. She later explained that she believes some type of crisis is needed to get the state to take real action on education. When asked what a crisis was, she said it was a big manufacturer like Boeing or BMW leaving or the teachers of the state walking out to force change. Also on the panel were Florence County School District Three Superintendent Laura Hickson and Dr. Franklin Foster, superintendent of the Colleton County School District. Hickson said more funding is needed to ensure that children get a good start to education. She later added that once a child is in elementary school without the ability to read, the child is in an untenable situation. Foster discussed the need to improve teacher salaries and recruitment efforts in the state. He said he was unable to find enough teachers for his classrooms even while using several alternative teacher certification programs. He added that he was unable to keep his teachers from going to a bigger, better paying school district like Dorchester or Berkeley counties. As Coker grows, the city of Hartsville grows, said Hartsville City Manager Natalie Zeigler, and we look forward to showing even more students why Hartsville is such a special place. Coker is still the same great school, and this name change is simply a natural next step. These are exciting times for Coker and the entire Hartsville community, said Harris DeLoach, executive chairman of Sonoco. Coker has always been a very special place for students from around the globe to obtain their higher education, and the designation of university will be extremely positive, DeLoach said. Murphy Monk, president of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, called the news a very exciting time for both Coker University and all of us in Hartsville. The name change is a very natural progression and shows forward thinking from all involved with the university, she said. Coker University has positioned themselves to grow and strengthen their presence around the world, which only makes us happier to share a home with them. Investigations into what it means to be human have often focused on attempts to uncover the earliest material traces of 'art', 'language', or technological 'complexity'. More recently, however, scholars have begun to argue that more attention should be paid to the ecological uniqueness of our species. A new study, published in Archaeological Research in Asia, reviews the palaeoecological information associated with hominin dispersals into Southeast Asia and Oceania throughout the Pleistocene (1.25 Ma to 12 ka). Our species' ability to specialize in the exploitation of diverse and 'extreme' settings in this part of the world stands in stark contrast to the ecological adaptations of other hominin taxa, and reaffirms the utility of exploring the environmental adaptations of Homo sapiens as an avenue for understanding what it means to be human. The paper, published by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History focuses on hominin movements across the supposed 'Movius Line' a boundary previously argued to separate populations with different cultural and cognitive capacities. While such divisions and assumptions are now clearly outdated, the authors argue that focus on this part of the world may, instead, be used to study the different patterns of colonization of diverse tropical and maritime habitats by different members of our ancestral line. As Noel Amano, co-author on the study states, 'analysis of biogeochemical records, animal assemblages, and fossil plant records associated with hominin arrival can be used to reconstruct the degree to which novel or specialized adaptations were required at a given place and time'. Southeast Asia offers a particularly exciting region in this regard as such records can be linked to a variety of hominins throughout the Pleistocene, including Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis(or 'the Hobbit'), and Homo sapiens. As Patrick Roberts, lead author of the study states the accumulated evidence shows, 'While earlier members of our genus appear to have followed riverine and lacustrine corridors, Homo sapiens specialized in adaptations to tropical rainforests, faunally depauperate island settings, montane environments, and deep-water marine habitats.' The authors hope that, in future, the growth of new methods and records for determining past hominin ecologies will enable similar comparisons to be undertaken in different parts of the world, further testing the unique capacities of our species during its global expansion. An international team of researchers has performed molecular analysis on fossil feathers from a small, feathered dinosaur from the Jurassic. Their research could aid scientists in pinpointing when feathers evolved the capacity for flight during the dinosaur-bird transition. Anchiornis was a small, feathered, four-winged dinosaur that lived in what is now China around 160 million years ago -- almost 10 million years before Archaeopteryx, the first recognized bird. A team of researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, North Carolina State University, and the University of South Carolina analyzed Anchiornis feathers to see how they differed at the molecular level from those of younger fossil birds and modern birds. "Modern bird feathers are composed primarily of beta-keratin (-keratin), a protein also found in skin, claws, and beaks of reptiles and birds. Feathers differ from these other -keratin containing tissues, because the feather protein is modified in a way that makes them more flexible," says Mary Schweitzer, professor of biological sciences at NC State with a joint appointment at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and co-author of a paper describing the research. "At some point during the evolution of feathers, one of the -keratin genes underwent a deletion event, making the resultant protein slightly smaller. This deletion changed the biophysics of the feather to something more flexible -- a requirement for flight. If we can pinpoint when, and in what organisms, that deletion event occurred, we will have a better grasp on when flight evolved during the transition from dinosaurs to birds." The researchers, led by Yanhong Pan, a visiting researcher from the Nanjing Institute, examined fossilized feathers from Anchiornis, using high-resolution electron microscopy, as well as multiple chemical and immunological techniques to determine the molecular composition of the feathers. They did the same to other feathers from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, as well as other -keratin tissues not expected to show this deletion, then compared results with modern bird feathers and tissues. They found that Anchiornis feathers were comprised of both -keratins and alpha-keratins (-keratins), a protein all terrestrial vertebrates have, including mammals. This was surprising because -keratin is present in only small amounts in modern feathers. In addition to co-expressing both keratin proteins, the Anchiornis feathers had already undergone the deletion event that sets feathers apart from other tissues. "Molecular clocks, which scientists use as benchmarks for evolutionary and genetic divergence, predict that the deletion, and thus functional flight feathers, evolved around 145 million years ago," Schweitzer says. "Anchiornis is millions of years older, yet has the shortened protein form. This work shows that we can utilize molecular fossil data to root molecular clocks and improve their accuracy -- we can start to put timing on genetic events in the dinosaur-bird transition via absence or presence of these two keratins. The data also give us more information about how feathers evolved to enable flight." The work appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Pan is lead author. Wenxia Zheng and Elena Schroeter of NC State and Roger Sawyer from the University of South Carolina also contributed to the work, which was supported in part by the National Science Foundation and the Packard Foundation. Antibiotic-Resistant Genes (ARGs) that were first detected in urban India have been found 8,000 miles away in one of the last 'pristine' places on earth, a new study has shown. Soil samples taken in the Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard have now confirmed the spread of blaNDM-1 into the High Arctic -- an ARG originally found in Indian clinical settings, which conditionally provides multidrug resistance (MDR) in microorganisms. Worldwide spread of blaNDM-1 and other MDR genes is a growing concern because they often target "last resort" classes of antibiotics, including Carbapenems. Carried in the gut of animals and people, the research team, led by Newcastle University's Professor David Graham, say that blaNDM-1 and other medically-important ARGs were found in Arctic soils that were likely spread in the faecal matter of birds, other wildlife and human visitors to the area. "Polar regions are among the last presumed pristine ecosystems on Earth, providing a platform for characterizing pre-antibiotic era background resistance against which we could understand rates of progression of AR 'pollution'," says Professor Graham, an environmental engineer at Newcastle University who has spent 15 years studying the environmental transmission of antibiotic resistance around the world. "But less than three years after the first detection of the blaNDM-1 gene in the surface waters of urban India we are finding them thousands of miles away in an area where there has been minimal human impact. advertisement "Encroachment into areas like the Arctic reinforces how rapid and far-reaching the spread of antibiotic resistance has become, confirming solutions to AR must be viewed in global rather than just local terms." Concern over the spread of Antibiotic-Resistant (AR) genes Increasing antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis. An example is NDM-1, which is a protein that can confer resistance in a range of bacteria. NDM-1 was first identified in New Delhi and coded by the resistant gene blaNDM-1. Strains that carry blaNDM-1 were first found in clinical settings in 2008, but by 2010 blaNDM-1 was found in surface waters in Delhi. Since then, the resistant gene has been found in over 100 countries, including new variants. There are currently few antibiotics to combat bacteria that are resistant to Carbapenems -- still a last-resort antibiotic class -- and worldwide spread of blaNDM-1 and related ARGs is a concern. advertisement "What humans have done through excess use of antibiotics on global scales is accelerate the rate of evolution, creating a new world of resistant strains that never existed before," explains Graham. "Through the overuse of antibiotics, faecal releases and contamination of drinking water, we have consequentially speeded-up the rate at which superbugs might evolve. "For example, when a new drug is developed, natural bacteria can rapidly adapt and can become resistant; therefore very few new drugs are in the pipeline because it simply isn't cost-effective to make them." Benchmark for tracking resistance Published today in the academic journal Environmental International, this latest research was carried out by an international team of experts from the Universities of Newcastle, York and Kansas and the Chinese Academy of Science in Xiamen, and was funded by the UK Natural Environmental Research Council and other agencies. Analysing the extracted DNA from forty soil cores at eight locations along Kongsfjorden, a total of 131 ARGs were detected. "The resistance genes detected were associated with nine major antibiotic classes, including aminoglycosides, macrolides and ?-lactams, which are used to treat many infections. As an example, a gene that confers MDR in Tuberculosis was found in all cores, whereas blaNDM-1 was detected in more than 60% of the soil cores in the study. "This finding has huge implications for global AR spread," warns Graham. "A clinically important ARG originating from South Asia is clearly not 'local' to the Arctic." "Identifying an ARG 'gradient' across the study landscape, which varies as a function of human and wildlife impact, shows there are still isolated Polar locations where ARG levels are so low they might provide nature's baseline of antimicrobial resistance," Graham says. "The gradient of resistance genes closely reflects corresponding indicators of wastes in the geochemistry, which suggests a novel basis for identifying sites for further AMR research" adds lead author, Dr Clare McCann, of Newcastle University. "The only way we are going to win this fight is to understand all pathways that lead to antibiotic resistance. Clearly, improved antibiotic stewardship in medicine and agriculture is crucial, but understanding how resistance transmission occurs through water and soils is also critical. We contend that improved waste management and water quality on a global scale is a key step." Day of advocacy Carolina Day Jan. 30 demonstrates support for university Faculty, staff, alumni and students are invited to participate Jan. 30 in Carolina Day, an annual one-day event focused on communicating to legislators the importance of state support for the University of South Carolina. Visit our online messaging toolkit to choose a message to advocate on behalf of Carolina. Following the lead of last years successful event, social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, will be the primary tools for advocating on behalf of the university. Supporters can access an online messaging toolkit to choose a message to share with legislators on social media, using the hashtag #UofSCImpact. The unified voice of our alumni advocating in support of higher education in the state of South Carolina is a really powerful thing, says Elizabeth Muth, interim executive director of the My Carolina Alumni Association. The personal relationships that our alumni have with their legislators are invaluable to our advocacy efforts in support of our alma mater. This year, university leadership is calling for passage of a bipartisan bill called the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which would restore funds to higher education institutions and provide more opportunity for South Carolina students to earn degrees. The bill would use new revenue generated by internet retail sales to reinvest more than $125 million into public colleges, and reward colleges for enrolling more in-state students with additional funding. Lack of state funding in recent years is one reason for the recent increase in out-of-state student enrollment. The bill would also freeze tuition for in-state students for one year and slow tuition growth for Palmetto State students in future years. In addition, the Higher Education Opportunity Act would modernize the states scholarship offerings by ensuring the sustainability of the current merit-based scholarships program while focusing more state resources on assisting students with financial need. The bill would also establish reliable funding to repair aging and crumbling campus facilities, infrastructure and equipment on public college campuses. Duplicative and costly red tape and state regulation of public colleges would be curtailed while still maintaining proper oversight of the states higher education establishment. University President Harris Pastides has hailed the bill as the most significant step forward in higher education policy in more than a decade. Visit the Carolina Day website to learn more about advocating on behalf of the university on Carolina Day. Share this Story! 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Carr Jr. announces his passing on June 9, 2021, after a brief illness. Born in Lynn, MA, on November 10, 1932, he was the son of the late Wesley E Carr and Helen McGann Carr. Wes graduated from Swampscott High School with the class of 1950, and he immedia Local GMC alumni, president talk closure Cameron Paquette / Staff Photo Green Mountain College President Bob Allen answers a question as Vice President of College Advancement Laurie Martin watches during a meeting with college alumni Friday in the Booth Lounge. Cameron Paquette / Staff Photo Green Mountain College alumni sit in Booth Lounge on Friday as President Bob Allen speaks about the decision to close the college. POULTNEY Green Mountain College President Bob Allen met with over 30 faculty and alumni in the Booth Lounge in Withey Hall on Friday to discuss the colleges decision to close its doors after the conclusion of the spring semester. Allen defended the boards decision to delay the decision to close, stating that merger talks were ongoing with other institutions until weeks before the announcement on Wednesday. Candidly, I had three very serious (offers) and came very close to signing a deal with one of the institutions, but in the end, the board of directors would not sign on, Allen said. Green Mountain College is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges until 2025, Allen said, and therefore was never asked to prove its viability. Allen said he was tasked with compiling a budget for the college going forward, but could not produce one that would satisfy the Board of Trustees. It was pretty scary, said Mary Alma, chief financial officer at Green Mountain College. Alma refused to release a copy of the budget rejected by the Board of Trustees. Thats confidential to the college, Alma said. Allen said that in the fall, a faculty-led working group looked at how Green Mountain College could be restructured to operate within their means. The last proposal, which was presented to the board one week ago, Allen said, was modeled after an institution with 300 students and 18 faculty. The budget gap was still somewhere between a million and a half to two million dollars, Allen said. It was still not sustainable ... In the three years Ive been here, weve been about the same, somewhere between 430 and 450 students and its still too quiet. This campus really would be operationally breaking even at about 600 students and described as flourishing at 800 students. We didnt have the time or the money to get to the 600 students and certainly not to get to the 800 students. As a result, Allen said, the United States Department of Agriculture, GMCs primary lender, will take over the college by June 30 and decide what to do with the campus. The financial gap and the inability to create a secure partnership was really the reason, Allen said. Allen said Prescott College in Prescott, Arizona, was a partner with GMC and four other colleges in the Eco League consortium, and was designated as GMCs preferred college in the teach-out initiative aimed at finding placements for faculty and students. Prescott, which Allen said has a mission of promoting sustainability, offered to create a Green Mountain school or institute of sustainability on its campus, accept all of GMCs students and their credits, and committed to duplicating the financial packages students had while at GMC as best they can. Several other colleges, including Paul Smiths College, Sterling College and Castleton University, were offering to take the students in as well, he said. Allen said GMC alumni work on Main Street instead of Wall Street, something he remained immensely proud of, but created financial constraints where alumni donations were concerned. Raising $500,000 when you need $5 million is a huge challenge, and not one I expected to come from alums, Allen said. The alumni in the room werent satisfied with the short notice, and some spoke about how they wished theyd been given the chance to help the college sooner. Class of 2010 alumnus Ian Smith, currently residing in North Carolina, said the news spread like wildfire to alumni around the country, and sparked a grassroots movement to try to save the college. Originally we had a coalition of alumni, Rogue Alumni, because we felt that the school wasnt necessarily reaching out as much as they could to young alumni, Smith said in an online interview. It became apparent that with the news on Wednesday, alumni needed to work together again. Smith said alumni, parents and family are coming together to reach media, companies and programs in the hopes of saving the college. Is it possible to save the school? Smith said. That is really impossible to tell currently with the information we have. But not trying wouldnt be very GMC-ish of us. Jose Galvez-Contreras, class of 2011, is continuing to communicate and help lead the movement from his New York City home. He said the more than 100 members of alumni are having trouble contacting the school and opening a discussion with the administration. There is a lot of energy behind this movement, now we are also dealing on how to channel this energy in the best direction possible, Galvez-Contreras said. We are currently organizing ourselves to show that our commitment has some solid measurements and deliverables. My biggest skepticism is the obvious longstanding mismanagement within the administration, said Lilly Driscoll, class of 2011. Even if we managed to bail out the college for one more year, I dont think it would change the outcome in the long run..But there are big conversations happening and plans are in the works...if it doesnt change the outcome, we cant say we didnt try. For alumna Kirsten Kelley, who was hired as a community director in January 2017 and left in 2018 because she could see hard changes coming, the school is salvageable. Theres a leadership team of eight and probably another 50 people that are actively involved in efforts to save the school, Kelley said. (There are) at least 100 more that are committed to the efforts but are not actively working on anything at this time. Kelley said the bottom line is that they need money. When asked how much fundraising it would take to save the school, Allen replied with multiple answers at Fridays meeting. I talked about a $5 million deficit, I think thats a minimum, Allen said. I think that today, since weve announced closure, I would say that number is on the other side of $10 million dollars. Now, if you all were to raise $20 million, would it be worth a shot at keeping Green Mountain College open? Absolutely. Kelley said the group is currently developing a website and reaching out to legal assistance. What can we do to help? said alumna Nikki Pfeiffer to Allen on Friday. The college has had its ups and downs and struggled, Allen replied. To be totally candid, we have a lot to do between now and June. Our staff is going to start to be reduced. We would have to act very, very quickly Do you think that somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million could be raised in the next couple of months? If anyone in the room, or a group of people in the room is willing to organize that effort and conduct that effort, yes, we will support them in any way we can We wont have the resources to lead that effort. katelyn.barcellos @rutlandherald.com CHANDIGARH, JANUARY 29: The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday approved Annual Administrative Reports for works executed by Soil and Water Conservation Department for the year 2015-2016. The Cabinet also cleared the Annual Administrative Reports of Directorate of Town and Country Planning for the year 2015-2016 and 2016-17. The Annual Administrative Reports of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department for 2016-17 and Department of Cooperation (Audit) for the year 2017-18 were also cleared by the Cabinet. To bring far more efficiency in the functioning of the Revenue Department and to speed up the process of promotions, the Punjab Cabinet has approved the Tehsildars (Group B) Service Rules. These rules have been prepared in response to instructions, dated July 20, 2017, of the Personnel department and Punjab Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2009 of the Department of Finance, according to which pay scales were revised on recommendations of 5th Pay Commission vide notification dated 27.05.2009 and the existing administrative/official requirements of this department. In yet another decision, Punjab Cabinet also gave approval for re-employment of Retd Police Inspector Pritpal Singh in CM Security in the rank equivalent of Deputy SP for a period of one year with effect from March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019 on contractual basis on the same terms and conditions. The re-employment of Inspector Pritpal Singh has been done in view of his excellent past service record. He had been posted in Chief Ministers security since October 2011. Pictured are some of the items donated to the individuals and families impacted by the tornado that struck Watford City on July 10. The storm that rocked Watford City on July 10 ended with the fatality of a young child, critically injured nine people and hurt more than a dozen others. It also left parts of Watford City in shambles, particularly the Prairie View RV Park that suffered the bulk of the damage. More than 200 homes were destroyed and many families were displaced by the EF2 tornado, many of them RVs or trailers lived in by out-of-town oilfield workers. Recovery efforts have been underway since then, and the community has risen to the challenge of caring for those affected. The Roundup spoke with Karolin Jappe, the McKenzie County Emergency Planner, about the end of the financial recovery process and how the efforts to help the unfortunate turned out. According to Jappe, all those who were adversely affected by the tornado and who requested assistance have now received the financial assistance offered them. She also spoke well of the generosity of those who helped in the time of need. Jappe told The Roundup, "Everybody got what they needed. In the end we got from all over the state and also Montana, close to 270 thousand dollars. We didn't really raise it, in terms of effort, it was just freely given." When asked her specific role in the disbursement of funds, Jappe explained, "All I did was get the money from the bank and have them write one check to the North Dakota Community Foundation because I want everything as transparent as can be." For Jappe, it was important that others be involved in the process of fund disbursement, to which they're better suited and so she can focus on other tasks. Jappe added, "What happens is the local Lutheran Social Services gets together with a committee called 'The Unmet Needs Committee,' which are some ladies and pastors from Watford City, and they have to do a case management thing and determine who gets the money. They do case management with Lutheran Social Services because there's just not enough time in my day and I don't want to do case management." She continued, "After about a month, I got to each of the banks and asked them to write a check to the foundation, which in turn has Lutheran Social Services write a grant as a part of the protocol and they're the ones that did the checks and got them to the people." Many people in the community have remarked how impressed they are with the generosity of all those who supported the tornado victims. Jappe concluded, "It's pretty well over, we think we got everybody taken care of and the community was very generous." Daytime Emmy Award nominated TV host, Darley Newman, rolls out the sixth season of her PBS and Amazon Prime series Travels with Darley with an episode based in Watford City and McKenzie County. Kicking off the series that travels to Brittany, France, Californias Central Coast, Culpeper, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas and a special episode dedicated to delectable global foods you must try on your travels, Darley discovers and falls in love with North Dakotas Badlands. Watch as Darley mountain bikes along the beautiful Maah Daah Hey Trail, learns about Native American Culture at the Earth Lodge Village, hikes to surprising ice caves in the Little Missouri National Grassland, celebrates the local flavor at a Watford City festival and learns about presidential history in Theodore Roosevelt National Park on a new half hour PBS episode of Travels with Darley. McKenzie County Tourism and the Watford City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting two viewing parties on January 29 at 5 p.m. (CST) and on January 30 at 12:00 noon (CST) at Six Shooters Showhall. Guests are invited to attend a social, enjoy free popcorn and refreshments and view the shows premier on the big screen. Prairie Public will be airing Travels with Darley featuring Watford City/McKenzie County on Sunday, March 24 at 4:30 pm (CST) your local PBS station. For more information on Travels With Darley and to preview the North Dakota episode, visit travelswithdarley.com For more information about the viewing party contact Doug Bolken at 701-444-5804 or email [email protected] Company Selling Advertising for Library Not Authorized The Sidney-Richland County Library is asking local businesses and organizations to be aware that a Texas-based company, Universal Ad, is soliciting for advertising in support of the library. Despite the fact that we have asked Universal Ad to stop soliciting on our behalf, they have continued to do so. We receive unsolicited boxes filled with magnets advertising local businesses, explains Kelly Reisig, Director. According to the Better Business Bureau, the company has received 101 complaints in the last 3 years, and an additional 52 in just the last 12 months. As a result, their Better Business Bureau page does have an alert that the company has a pattern of disputes alleging customer service issues. We certainly appreciate local support. Without it we would not have a library. This business, however, provides a cautionary tale that it is better to contact the organization directly to provide support, stated Reisig. For questions or to see how you can support your local library, call 433-1917. Sile Sibanda REFUGEE Sile Sabanda performed a poem written specially for this years Holocaust Memorial Day as she joined pupils, the public and civic leaders event to mark the annual event. Now living in Rotherham, Sile, who fled Zimbabwe when she was younger, spoke to those gathered in All Saints Square on Monday. Young people including pupils from St Marys Primary School, St Bernards RC High School and St Anns Junior and Infant School performed songs and gave readings linked to this years national theme Torn from Home, including the song A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman film (below). There were also speeches to the estimated 300 people attending from the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Alan Buckley, Rabbi Yonosan Golomb from the Sheffield Synagogue and Rotherham Borough Council leader Chris Read. Rotherham musician Nic Harding performed an original song titled Torn from Home. Holocaust Memorial Day is an annual event which remembers those lost and affected by the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and in genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Take Five - This is your final free article during this 30 day period. Stay in touch with all of the news. Sign up today for complete digital access to The Daily News-Record. A preview of President Trumps State of the Union address when he finally delivers it? No, a review of President Benjamin Harrisons State of the Union address from 1891. The issue then wasnt immigration from Latin America across the Mexican border; it was illegal immigration from China an issue that roiled American society in that era and exposes an ugly fault line in American history that might be useful in understanding things today. Immigration has always been a controversial topic. We generally have fond memories of Benjamin Franklin, a jovial old man with a penchant for witticisms and eccentric experiments, but Franklin was virulently anti-immigration when it came to one particular group. He hated Germans. Generally, though, our earliest presidents were emphatically in favor of immigration. George Washington used the very first State of the Union Address to call for laws spelling out the terms by which foreigners could become citizens, with the implied idea that naturalization was a good thing. John Adams, who succeeded him, tightened immigration laws, which had the unintended effect of contributing to his unpopularity. When Thomas Jefferson ousted Adams in 1800, Jefferson used his first State of the Union address to call for liberalizing the nations immigration laws. Shall oppressed humanity find no asylum on this globe? he asked. Abraham Lincoln repeatedly called for more immigration, which he called a source of national wealth and strength. In 1873, Ulysses Grant told Congress that a large colony of Russians wanted to immigrate to the United States if they could settle together. Grant was in favor of this: The acquisition of so large an immigration of citizens of a superior class would without doubt be of substantial benefit to the country. Promoting an activity which is known to disproportionately harm those with the least means as the savior of an economically depressed area is dishonest, deluded, and dangerous, Cobb said. Though for those Virginians who have a hankering to let it all ride on red, they could wait for the Pamunkey Indian tribe to get its own casino open for business, possibly in downtown Norfolk. So where is the moon shot in the 2019 session? The closest thing to it is Sen. Bill Stanleys plan to help modernize the commonwealths public school infrastructure. Stanleys plan is broken into two parts. One calls for a statewide advisory referendum asking voters whether the General Assembly should approve upward of $3 billion in bonds to refurbish the states crumbling public school infrastructure. Another establishes a new set of standards for school buildings and facilities, requiring them to be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated in accordance with standards that seek to achieve a high-quality public education for all students. Fixing those schools be they in Southwest Virginia, Richmond, Norfolk or even Fairfax County is one way to help localities keep the human and intellectual capital they need close at hand. Covingtons chief of police announced his resignation Monday after less than one year on the job. Chief Anthony Morgan will be taking another job out of state. His last day in the 5,700-population independent city will be Feb. 8. Morgan took over the department in February after J.B. Broughman, the longtime chief, retired in 2017. City Manager Richard Douglas said Morgan made huge strides in the department since last year, especially in community policing initiatives. Covington police became more visible in the community and worked closely with citizens through events like Shop with a Cop, which Morgan started this past year. The department is also working on becoming accredited through the state, which Douglas said they are close to accomplishing under Morgans direction. He was outstanding, Douglas said. He made a significant impact in his short time and we look to build on that in our next chief. Douglas said the city is still determining how they will find new candidates for the position. The department found Morgan through an extensive recruitment process with the assistance of an outside consultant. During the rally, Virginia Education Association President Jim Livingston announced the House of Delegates had just decided to include a 5 percent raise for teachers in its budget. While some cheered the announcement, many shouted not enough. Tim Summers, Roanoke County Education Association president and Oak Grove Elementary teacher, slapped a drum as he marched. He said the teacher pay gap is burdensome. Roanoke County School Board Chairman Don Butzer also marched, and said the size of the crowd demonstrated how serious an issue school funding has become in Virginia. Teachers shouldnt have to work more than 20 years to make $50,000, he said. A lack of state funding since the recession has put the onus on local governments. Butzer said officials have delayed much-needed school renovation and construction projects as a result a problem far Southwest Virginians know far too well. Laura Bowman, leader of the Roanoke Valley chapter of Parents Across America, said her child has known nothing but austerity in education funding and budget cuts since he entered school nine years ago. She walked with a sign that read my childs education has never been fully funded. Dr Takeshi Kasai being confirmed as the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific by the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, Switzerland. RICHMOND Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, is making another attempt this year at raising the reckless driving threshold, and this time he hopes the bill will go the distance. The state Senate passed his bill that would raise from 80 to 85 mph the threshold for reckless driving in areas of Virginia where a 70 mph limit is posted. SB 1578 passed on a bipartisan vote of 35-5 on Tuesday. Under Virginias driving laws, reckless driving is 20 mph over the speed limit. What Suetterlein is trying to address is more of an issue on the interstates, where speed limits may be set at 70 mph. So going 11 mph over is considered a reckless driving offense. If a police officer clocks a driver going over 80 mph in Virginia, that person faces a misdemeanor charge that can carry up to a year in jail or a $2,500 fine. While offenders may not get thrown behind bars, and judges will reduce the charge, drivers may hire lawyers because of the possible punishment. The bill has now passed the Senate four times in a row. It died last year in a House committee. Childrens ombudsman bill left on table by House panel The search found that a Danville doctor, who was not named in the report, had an unlikely frequency of documenting readings of 139/89. When a reading of 140/90, signaling hypertension, is entered into the system, a reminder alert is triggered and requires the doctor or nurse practitioner to decide whether to change medications, order lab tests, make a referral or turn off the reminder. A reading below 140/90 would not trigger the alert. A physician with the inspector generals office pulled records for 53 of the encounters between the Danville provider and patients known to have elevated blood pressure and found that in the majority of the visits, the provider did not change blood pressure management or recommend follow-up care. Untreated hypertension can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. The inspector general did not look to see if there were unfavorable outcomes for patients with the 139/89 readings. The report said local Valor Healthcare managers were notified in late June of the suspicious records but were slow to act. RADFORD Memorial events for slain Radford University student Alexa Cannon were detailed Monday. And the case against the woman accused of killing her took an initial step into the courts with notice that she had retained a Northern Virginia defense attorney known for his work in the 1990s Lorena Bobbitt case. Cannon, a 20-year-old psychology major from Roanoke, died Thursday. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Second Presbyterian Church, located at 214 Mountain Ave. SW in Roanoke. Also Wednesday, Radford University will hold a vigil at 9:15 p.m., university officials announced. The university event is focused on the campus community and those attending have been asked to wear blue, a favorite color of Cannons, and to bring photos to share memories of her. In a campus email sent Friday, university President Brian Hemphill said Cannon had planned to graduate in May. He called her death an unbelievable tragedy. Accused of killing Cannon is her classmate and friend Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting, 21, of Jeffersonton in Culpeper County, who is charged with second-degree murder. Tech and Carilion founded the medical school and research institute a decade ago as a public-private partnership. Founding dean Dr. Cynda Johnson retired in December after overseeing the process of the school becoming a college of Virginia Tech. Medical students have been required to participate in research. Learman said the opportunities are even better now that the institute is doubling in size in Roanoke and the students will have better access to all of the colleges and departments at Tech. He said during his first six to 12 months he will be learning more about the school and its curriculum and its potential before announcing any changes. One of those changes could be to determine whether the small school will increase its class size, currently 42. Learman was selected by a search committee that included Techs president and provost and Carilions CEO and chief medical officer. Provost Cyril Clarke said a national firm brought the committee a very strong and deep applicant pool, from which they held deep screening interviews and then selected a short list of four candidates who were brought to campus. Learman came in November and gave a public lecture on how changes in health care affect the education of medical students. A Blacksburg bank and its insurance company have resolved a dispute over insurance compensation for the theft of more than $2 million in bank funds by suspected Russian hackers. The case was over how much Everest National Insurance Co., based in New Jersey, would reimburse the National Bank of Blacksburg over intrusions in May 2016 and January 2017 that cost the bank $2.4 million, according to filings in Roanoke federal court. Brad Denardo, president and CEO of the bank, on Tuesday confirmed that a settlement was reached Jan. 23. The terms are confidential, he said. The perpetrators engaged in a coordinated criminal enterprise and bank robbery in which they gained access to bank computers using phishing emails, defeated security controls and withdrew money at hundreds of ATMs in North America, according to the banks lawsuit filed in June 2018. The bank has 25 locations in the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia, but belongs to an ATM network that allows access through other banks equipment. Trio arrested in Cancun for alleged street robbery Cancun, Q.R. Two women and one man have been taken into custody after their alleged participation in a street robbery in Cancun. The three were arrested by municipal police after a passersby in a downtown area of Cancun reported being robbed of her purse. The trio were found on Lopez Portillo Avenue in Supermanzana 66. The victim said that she was physically attacked by the two women who attacked and restrained her while the man took her purse. However, when the man began to flee the scene, municipal police happened to see him. Police report that arrested are 40-year-old Clara N from Tabasco along with 18-year-old Sofia N from Playa del Carmen and their male counterpart, who has been identified as Fabian N, 36, also originally from Tabasco. Playa del Carmen club shut down after federal search Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A club in the citys center has been shut down by the state after two searches of area establishments. The club, La Buena Vida, has been secured by the Fiscalia General de la Republica (Attorney Generals Office) of the state after about a dozen agents searched the premises on Monday. After their search, which involved both municipal and tourist police, security seals of closure were placed on the outside of the building. Photo: Fiscalia General de la Republica La Buena Vida is located just off the citys popular 10th street area, across from Coco Bongo where dozens of clubs, pubs and restaurants are located. Police arrived at La Buena Vida Monday with personnel from la Agencia de Investigacion Criminal to search two clubs, one of which being La Buena Vida. The search came after the arrest of five people was ordered by the government on Saturday. The five were taken into custody by the Navy of Mexico, however, details surrounding their arrest have not been issued. Here is an idea for ending the wall vs. the shutdown fiasco: Provide funds to take down the 500 miles or so of physical barriers in California where they are not wanted. It makes no sense for folks there to have barriers when the everywhere else along border does not. Let California take responsibility for all illegal immigration and provide the funding for them instead of building a wall. Since all immigrants could then legally be processed in California, there would be much less border security required in other states. This could be a huge win for the Democrats. Not only do they not fund new barriers, they get to demolish the terrible looking walls in California. And they would get to allow in all immigrants who want to enter. That is much of what the Democratic Party wants. And housing and processing these folks would be far less expensive than building physical barriers. And, best of all, Californians would get to stick it to the president by taking his wall away. Legislation from Dels. Chris Jones and Mark Sickles and by Sens. Richard Saslaw and Janet Howell will consolidate and improve efforts to expand state support for university-based research and commercialization activities, promote entrepreneurship and business startups, and align the investments with state and regional economic development strategies. Business representation on the authoritys governing board will help ensure that investments target key growth sectors and produce strong economic returns. These three legislative initiatives are strongly supported by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council and its Growth4VA coalition, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, college presidents, and other key stakeholders. While economic growth and diversification benefit everyone, the biggest beneficiaries of these three legislative initiatives will be Virginias young people. They will have more affordable pathways to a college degree or industry credential, a valuable internship experience with a Virginia employer, and ultimately an excellent job and career opportunity without leaving the commonwealth. We encourage our fellow Virginians to speak up and support these measures. To take action or find out more, visit www.growth4VA.com . G. Gilmer Minor III is chairman of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council. and may be contacted at Gil.Minor@outlook.com. Barry E. DuVal is president and chief executive officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and may be contacted at bduval@vachamber.com. 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. Though Cowell said hes happy to have hit the 100,000 target for the first time in decades, he noted that the overall Roanoke metropolitan area has experienced only modest growth. The metropolitan area has experienced a 1.7 percent increase in its population since 2010, according to Weldon Cooper estimates. We have room, and we have reason to believe that we will continue to grow as a community, bringing more jobs in and more residents, Cowell said. Montgomery Countys population has not yet surpassed that of Roanoke, but Lombard said he expects it will in the 2020 census. Montgomery County has an estimated population of 99,433. Since 2010, the locality has added 5,041 people, or grown by 5.3 percent. Though Montgomery County benefits from a great number of college students, Lombard said the birth and death balance has been tightening. Births still outpace deaths, but not in large numbers. With a 10 percent increase in its population, the city of Radford has experienced the most growth of all localities in the Roanoke and New River valleys. It has an estimated population of 18,041. Lombard attributed much of that growth to expansion at the university. As the suit involves respected members of our community, the university does not plan to publicly address any allegations, she said in an emailed statement. We will file a response to the complaint at the appropriate time. The university remains committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive community where all members can thrive. The suit claims the downfall started during a staff meeting on April 4, 2017, when Dumbaugh told Rankine that some faculty members had expressed disappointment with the new dean not participating in a tradition of describing in detail newly tenured professors academic work at a facultywide recognition dinner. That led to an outburst from Rankine, the suit said, and he apologized to Dumbaugh during their next one-on-one meeting, the suit claims. From then on, however, Dean Rankine made a series of cutting comments designed to demean Dr. Dumbaugh in public settings or in the presence of her academic or deans office peers, the complaint reads. The complaint, filed Thursday and first publicly reported Monday by The Collegian, the universitys student newspaper, details other allegations against Rankine, and says he used the power of his position to silence [Dumbaugh]. Michael N. Herring, Richmonds commonwealths attorney and one of the two named defendants, said Tuesday, We use it very infrequently, with a twofold goal of saving the person from an unmanageable, potentially fatal illness and sparing the community from a very problematic nuisance. Colette McEachin, a deputy commonwealths attorney in Richmond, estimates the law is used no more than four times a year in the city and then only against people who present serious problems. They represent a public safety issue, she said. But they are actually more dangerous to themselves because they pass out on the street, or they are so drunk that they cause a ruckus on somebodys property. As we know, you pick the wrong ruckus on the wrong persons property and they come out with a gun and shoot you, she said. The law imposes the same restrictions on interdicted people as are imposed on those under the age of 21. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor punishable by 12 months or less in jail and a fine of not more than $2,500, or both. The Virginia Attorney Generals Office is defending the law. How Richmond Public Schools leaders plan to spend $650 million in future borrowing is a question some on the Richmond City Council still want answered more thoroughly, after the council late Monday night unanimously endorsed a 20-year proposal to devote half of the citys future debt capacity to building and renovating city schools. Im looking forward to a comprehensive plan from schools, said Michael Jones, the 9th District councilman. Are they closing down schools, consolidating, redistricting? I look forward to hearing what theyre going to be doing. Kristen Larson, the 4th District councilwoman, also posed the question of whether the School Board would move to shutter schools as a part of its long-term strategy, something school system leaders have been loath to do. The ball is in the schools court, and they really need to roll their sleeves up and do some of the work, said Larson, a former School Board member. Spending details were not outlined in the nonbinding plan the council affirmed Monday. Instead, the plan lays out how city leaders could use $800 million in the next 20 years to upgrade the school systems 44 buildings. Yet the final decision on how much the City Council will send the school system will be determined each year during budget deliberations. Joan Cowans children grew up frolicking on the banks of the Appomattox River, camping and hiking with friends on three islands owned by family since the 1970s. We used to take the kids down there camping and hiking in the area, Cowan said in an interview, adding that the islands were also a place where she could seclude herself to paint. She said the river is at times knee-deep, allowing people to cross over to the islands by foot. Its like another world when you get down there. Even though youre so close to the city, you think youre in another world, Cowan said. In hopes of preserving those experiences for younger generations, Cowan, 80, donated the islands late last year to the Capital Region Land Conservancy a land trust serving the Richmond region. The islands are in Chesterfield County, downriver from the George F. Brasfield Dam and before the section of the river that divides Colonial Heights and Petersburg. Named Grape Island, Hyde Island and Watson Glenn Island, they total nearly 10 acres. An employer need not accommodate the employee if the burden on the business is more than minimal. Accommodations that violate seniority systems, cause a lack of staffing, jeopardize security or health, or cost the employer more than a minimal amount are not generally reasonable accommodations. For schedule changes in particular that may cause an undue hardship, the EEOC notes that the employer must allow co-workers to voluntarily substitute or swap shifts to accommodate the employees religious belief or practice. If an employee cannot be accommodated in the current position, the EEOC suggests transferring the employee to a vacant open position for which the employee is qualified and can be accommodated. While the employer should not incur significant expense in accommodating an employee, the EEOC notes that infrequent payment of overtime to employees who substitute shifts is not considered an undue hardship. All accommodations require a case-by-case analysis. Employers should fully document every request for accommodations, all communications on its part to demonstrate the reasonableness of its efforts and responses from the employee. Altria Group Inc. has eliminated 900 salaried jobs from its business operations nationwide as the Henrico County-based tobacco giant cuts expenses to help pay for its ventures into alternative products. The job cuts have occurred since the start of the year and have affected salaried employees in the companys operations across the country, including its sales force, Altria spokesman Steve Callahan said late Friday afternoon. Callahan could not say specifically how many of the job reductions are in the Richmond area, where Altria has its headquarters in Henrico, its Philip Morris USA cigarette manufacturing operations in South Richmond and a research center in downtown Richmond. The cuts amount to a little more than 10 percent of Altrias approximately 8,300 employees companywide. Altria had more than 4,300 full- and part-time employees in the Richmond region as of a year ago, according to information the company provided for the Richmond Times-Dispatchs 2018 Top Workplaces program. Most of the job reductions will become effective by the end of February, Callahan said. School Name Status Buckeye Central Schools Closed Bucyrus City Schools Closed Clear Fork Christian Preschool Closed Clear Fork Valley Local Schools Closed Colonel Crawford Schools Closed Crestline Village Schools Closed Crestview School District Closed Discovery School Closed Fairway School Not Reported Foundation Academy of Mansfield Closed Galion City Schools Closed Heartland Academy Closed IMAC Closed Lexington Child Development Center No preschool; open for childcare Lexington Local Schools Closed Lucas Local Schools Closed Madison Adult Education Closed Madison Local Schools Closed Mansfield 1st EPC Preschool Closed Mansfield Christian School Closed Mansfield City Schools Closed Mansfield Seventh-Day Adventist School Closed Northmor Local Schools Closed Ohio Heartland Headstart Closed OSU-Mansfield/NCSC campus Closed Ontario Local Schools Closed Pioneer Career & Technology Center Closed Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools Closed Richland School of Academic Arts Closed Richland Newhope Industries Closed Sacred Heart School - Shelby Closed Shelby City Schools Closed St. Joseph's School - Crestline Closed St. Joseph's School - Galion Closed St. Marys School - Mansfield Closed St. Marys School - Shelby Closed St. Peter's School - Mansfield Closed Sullivan Head Start Closed Temple Christian School Closed Trinity Shining Lights Preschool - Shelby Closed (Jan. 31, too) Valley View Christian Preschool Not Reported School closings in and around Richland and Crawford Counties can be seen here. To view closings and delays in Ashland, visit ashlandsource.com, and if interested in closings and delays in Knox County, visit knoxpages.com. COLUMBUS -- Three people were killed Tuesday morning in a medical helicopter crash in Vinton County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The flight crew has been identified as Pilot Jennifer L. Topper, 34, of Sunbury; flight nurses Bradley J. Haynes, 48, of London, and Rachel L. Cunningham, 33, of Galloway. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. At approximately 7:20 a.m., the Patrol was notified by Survival Flight that communication was lost with one of its helicopters. The helicopter departed Mount Carmel Grove City hospital and was flying to Holzer Meigs hospital in Pomeroy. Troopers from the Jackson Post, the Patrols Special Response Team and Aviation Unit responded to canvas the area using the last known location. At approximately 10:16 a.m., the Patrol located the wreckage of a Bell 407 helicopter east of state Route 278 and south of King Hollow Trail in Brown Township. There were no reported injuries to anyone in the area. The Federal Aviation Administration is on scene. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by Vinton, Meigs and Jackson counties sheriffs offices; Vinton County Emergency Management Agency; Ohio Department of Natural Resources; and the Vinton County Coroners Office. The crash remains under investigation. By Danielle Demetriou 21 January 2019 TOKYO (The Telegraph) Grilled, raw, stewed, dried, fermented, fried: squid has long been consumed with abundance in Japan, appearing in countless everyday dishes. Now, however, Japans long-running love affair with squid is in danger, with growing reports that catches this season have hit a record low, causing prices to soar. A drop in volumes of squid caught by Japanese fisherman has been attributed by experts to a combination of overfishing and rising sea temperatures due to climate change. One region hit particularly hard is Hakodate on Japans northernmost island Hokkaido, a so-called squid town which has long enjoyed nationwide fame as a hub for all things squid, in particular the popular Pacific flying squid. Despite peak squid fishing season normally taking place from June to January, as many as 90 per cent of Hakodates 20-strong fleet of squid fishing vessels have remained in port since October due to record low catches, according to Kyodo news agency. Theres no squid, Toyoji Sato, of Hakodate, who has been fishing squid for more than 50 years, told Kyodo. This is the first time Ive ended fishing this early. Fuel costs are also high, so if I take my boat out I just sink deeper into debt. [] The statistics in Hakodate paint a particularly bleak picture of a squid industry in decline: fishermen reportedly caught 61,000 tonnes of Pacific flying squid in 2017, marking a 13 per cent drop compared to the previous year and less than 30 per cent of the total squid catch 10 years earlier. [] Yasunori Sakurai, professor of Fisheries Sciences at Hokkaido University and chair of the Hakodate Cephalopod Research Centre, has been warning fishermen about the potentially dangerous impact of climate change on Japans squid population for nearly two decades. Speaking to Reuters last year, he blamed the decline of squid on climate change resulting in a cold snap in waters where squid traditional spawn and rising temperatures in the Sea of Japan to where they migrate. [more] Japans squid industry in crisis amid record low catches MANSFIELD -- Families of local military men and women who have lost their lives in combat may soon have a new way to honor those loved ones. The newly-formed Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Committee of Mansfield, Ohio is working to construct just that - a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument honoring the families of servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military. On Jan. 31, the committee will ask the Richland County Commissioners for permission to erect the monument in front of the county courthouse. Pending site approval, the committee will move forward with a fundraising effort to construct the monument. Leading the local effort is honorary board member Jared Smith, a Mansfield native and veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve. "The monument is a place to allow healing, a stunning visual tribute to draw awareness, and a conversation starter to educate those that may not know what a Gold Star Family is," Smith said. Smith is a 2001 graduate from Crestview High School, an Eagle Scout from Troop 214, who also participated in the Criminal Justice program at Pioneer Career and Technology Center. He entered the service from Mansfield, and was inducted in 2010 to the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor. "Mansfield to me represents the heart of Ohio, which is not just geographically evident, but evidence of this can be found all through the city and throughout Richland County with the values and the way we treat others with dignity and respect," Smith said. "I am excited to form and be a part of this amazing team for this great journey to educate and bring awareness to our region of our beloved Gold Star Families, to give back and pay forward to amazing families whose loved one has sacrificed everything for our freedom." The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Committee of Mansfield, Ohio consists of 14 individuals, including two Gold Star parents, two Blue Star parents, and 10 veterans. The committee is working in conjunction with the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation to bring a monument to Mansfield. The Gold Star Family Memorial was created by United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient CWO4 Hershel Woody" Williams to remember those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. "His mission is to ensure they honor Gold Star families, relatives and children by building Gold Star monuments throughout the United States," Smith explained. "Anyone interested in doing one of these can reach out to the foundation." The cost of building a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Mansfield ranges anywhere between $55,000 and $75,000. If the Richland County Commissioners approves the site for the monument, Smith and the rest of the committee will turn their attention to fundraising. Anyone interested in donating to the Mansfield, Ohio Gold Star Families Memorial Monument can visit this link: http://hwwmohf.org/mansfield-oh.html where information can be found on the local monument, the committee, and the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. All monies donated on this page will go directly to the Mansfield, Ohio Monument and monies will be handled through the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. Businesses or individuals that are interested in making a donation can donate directly through the link or contact Jared Smith at 740-398-4584 or email at WCVSO.Commissioner@gmail.com for additional information. "I don't see a better way to be able to honor those men and women who have paid that ultimate sacrifice, as well as honor their families, than being part of building a site for a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument," Smith said. "It will allow the community to learn more about Gold Star families and bring awareness in our community. "It will also be a place where Gold Star families can come and possibly heal." The United States has hit Venezuela's state-owned oil company with new economic sanctions, as Washington turns up the pressure on embattled President Nicolas Maduro. The move, announced January 28, followed the decision by Washington, and a growing number of other countries, to no longer recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader. Venezuela is one of the world's largest oil producers, and the state-owned company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, has been a critical source of hard currency, bolstering Maduro's presidency even as the country has sunk into economic chaos. The new sanctions don't ban U.S. imports of Venezuelan oil -- the U.S. market is Venezuela's largest export market. However, the measures block U.S. companies from doing financial transactions with the company, known by its acronym, PDVSA. That means that any payment for Venezuelan oil imports will go to blocked bank accounts, according to a statement issued by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. In a televised meeting with diplomats, Maduro criticized the U.S. move. "These are illegal, immoral, criminal acts," news agencies quoted him as saying. The move also has implications for Citgo, a U.S.-based company that is a subsidiary of PDVSA. U.S. officials may seek to turn over control of PDVSA to allies of Juan Guaido, Maduro's rival and a prominent opposition figure whom Washington and other nations have recognized as Venezuela's leader. If that happens, Maduro may stop paying back loans to the Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft. That in turn could prompt Rosneft to exercise a contract clause that would give it 49.9 percent control of Citgo. With reporting by AP KYIV -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced he will seek reelection in the March presidential election, and vowed to press for European Union and NATO membership. Speaking to thousands of supporters on January 29, the confectionary magnate said that a "feeling of deep responsibility before the country and...before past and future generations" led him to decide to run for a second five-year term in the March 31 vote. The 53-year-old Poroshenko, one of Ukraine's richest men, came to power in the aftermath of the pro-European Maidan protests that pushed Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych out in February 2014. He has vocally advocated closer integration with the West and criticized Russia following Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea region and amid a continuing war against Russia-backed separatists in the eastern region known as the Donbas. "I would like to ask voters for a mandate to ensure the irreversibility of the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration and our independence, as well as to restore Ukraine's territorial integrity, bring back peace, and complete the construction of a strong state capable of providing prosperity to every Ukrainian," Poroshenko said at a forum in Kyiv. "We will submit a bid to join the European Union in 2024," Poroshenko said, adding that Ukraine would also take further steps to join NATO if he was reelected. "Strengthening our armed forces and modernizing them...will remain our priority over the next five years," Poroshenko said. But with Russia keeping the pressure on, he said, "Only full EU and NATO membership would completely and irreversibly guarantee the independence of our Ukrainian state and Ukrainian national security." Poroshenko, who critics say has failed to tackle pervasive corruption, also vowed that a special court to try corruption cases would be up and running this year. Western officials say graft is a huge hurdle to the prosperity and security of Ukraine. In what was widely seen as an effort to bolster his sagging public support ahead of the election, Poroshenko spearheaded successful efforts to secure the creation of an independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The incumbent president's popularity rating is low but polls suggest he and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who announced her presidential bid on January 22, are the likely front-runners. Tymoshenko, who was a leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution, was defeated by Poroshenko in the 2014 presidential election. With reporting by Reuters, Kommersant, UNIAN, and Interfax Roger Stone, a longtime ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has pleaded not guilty to seven criminal counts connected to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Stone, 66, flashed a victory sign with his hands as he left a federal court in Washington on January 29 after making the not-guilty plea to one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements, and one count of witness tampering. He did not address reporters outside the courthouse. If found guilty of all seven charges, he could face about 50 years in prison. Stone, who served as an informal adviser to the Trump presidential campaign and is free on $250,000 bond, has insisted he has been "falsely accused" of lying to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee and has asserted that any incorrect statements were not intentional. 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. With reporting by Reuters and AP Russian investigators say they are examining allegations that law enforcement officers tortured a Kyrgyz citizen who was detained in the wake of an explosion that brought down part of an apartment building in the city of Magnitogorsk, killing at least 39 people. The chief prosecutor in the Chelyabinsk region, Vitaly Lopin, told reporters on January 29 that police had provided investigators with all the information they have on the allegations that Khusnidin Zainabidinov was tortured while in custody earlier in January. Lopin asserted that Zainabidinov and his wife, Khalimakhon, had "retracted their previous statements and fully deny any violence by police." But Lopin also said that there were traces of violence on Zainabidinov's body, and Khalimakhon Zainabidinova denied she had retracted her initial statement. In comments to the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, she stressed that she had said her husband was tortured by Federal Security Service (FSB) officers, not police, and that she had no communication with the Chelyabinsk regional prosecutor's office. Zainabidinova told the newspaper her husband told her that FSB officers tortured him, using electric shocks, before handing him over to the local police. Zainabidinova told RFE/RL last week that Zainabidinov, 29, was tortured by security officers for six hours on January 16. Russian authorities say the most likely cause of the blast that destroyed a whole section of an apartment block in the city 1,400 kilometers southeast of Moscow on New Year's Eve was a gas leak. After the extremist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the explosion, the federal Investigative Committee said that no traces of explosives had been found in tests of material from the site. But several Russian media reports following the building collapse suggested it could have been a terrorist attack. The allegation that Zainabidinov was tortured added to those suspicions, because his wife said officers had accused him of involvement in the blast and questioned him about it. She said her husband's interrogators demanded he "confess" to involvement into the blast and provide information about unfamiliar "bearded men" whose photos they showed him. In a January 25 statement, the Russian Interior Ministry said that Zainabidinov was detained for possible extradition to Kyrgyzstan, where it said he was wanted for alleged involvement in unrest in June 2010. It said police did not suspect him of involvement in the building collapse. Several deadly apartment-building explosions in Russia in the past 25 years have been blamed on militants from the North Caucasus, where federal forces have fought two devastating wars against Chechen separatists and an Islamist insurgency stemming from the conflicts still simmers. Household gas blasts have also been blamed for many such disasters. With reporting by Znak.com, Ura.ru, and Novaya Gazeta Russian officials have lashed out at the United States over the upheaval in Venezuela, vowing to support embattled President Nicolas Maduro and sharply criticizing Washington for imposing sanctions on the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. In comments on January 29, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Washington of "publicly setting a course for illegal regime change" by recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. "Together with other responsible members of the world community, we will do everything to support the legal government of President Maduro in standing up for the Venezuelan Constitution," Lavrov said. He did not outline any specific steps in support of Maduro's government. In separate but almost simultaneous remarks, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman declined to comment when asked whether Russia would send military aid if the U.S. military gets involved in the crisis in Venezuela. "It is inadmissable to discuss some sort of eventualities," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that the issue was "too sensitive." His remarks came after U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton appeared at a White House briefing on January 28 holding a notepad with the words "5,000 troops to Columbia" scribbled on the page, sparking speculation about U.S. intentions. Two days earlier, Peskov sought to cast doubt on a Reuters news agency report that as many as 400 private Russian military contractors had been sent to bolster security for Maduro. In his comments on January 29, Peskov also said that the U.S. sanctions against PDVSA amounted to illegal interference in Venezuela's internal affairs, and that Russia would use all the legal mechanisms at its disposal to protect its interests there. The sanctions, imposed on January 28, prohibit PDVSA from collecting proceeds from crude oil sales to U.S. refineries, adding to the pressure on Maduro. Bolton said on January 28 that the sanctions would cost Maduro $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year and block him from accessing PDVSA assets worth $7 billion. In a defiant broadcast on national television later the same day, Maduro said he would take legal action to challenge the sanctions and defend Citgo Petroleum, PDVSA's U.S. refining subsidiary, which he accused the United States of trying to steal. Russian state oil giant Rosneft, which operates in Venezuela and has issued loans to PDVSA, said that the company owed it $3.1 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2018. The activity of Rosneft, headed by longtime Putin associate Igor Sechin, is a major element in Moscow's close ties with Venezuela. Russia has poured money into the South American country, whose leaders have been deeply at odds with Washington since Maduro's predecessor, the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, came to power 20 years ago, The Russian government and Rosneft have provided Venezuela with at least $17 billion in loans and credit lines since 2006, and a senior Russian official said on January 29 that Caracas will have trouble servicing its sovereign debt to Moscow. "There will probably be problems. Everything now depends on the army, on the soldiers and how faithful they will be to their duty and oath. It is difficult, impossible to give a different assessment," Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak told reporters. The Venezuelan military has shown little or no sign of abandoning Maduro, but Bolton suggested that could change. "Our assessment...is that the rank and file of the Venezuelan military is acutely aware of the desperate economic conditions in the country and we think they look for ways to support the National Assembly government," he said, referring to Guaido. Guaido has rejected accusations from Maduro and Moscow that the United States is staging a coup, arguing that Venezuelan citizens are simply exercising their constitutional rights. The head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, Guaido proclaimed himself Venezuela's interim president before thousands of supporters last week. He has been recognized as the Latin American country's rightful leader by two dozen nations that say Maduro's May 2018 reelection was illegitimate because his strongest opponents were barred from running. Meanwhile, the UN human rights office said that security forces in Venezuela detained about 850 people last week amid antigovernment protests, including nearly 700 on January 23. Speaking in Geneva on January 29, rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said that more than 40 people are now believed to have been in killed "in different manners" amid the recent protests. With reporting by Interfax, Reuters, TASS, AFP, AP, and USA Today Pakistan's Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to its decision to acquit a Christian woman at the center of a years-long dispute over blasphemy charges that included violent protests by Islamists. "Based on merit, this review petition is dismissed," Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa told a hearing at the country's highest court, which overturned Asia Bibi's conviction and death sentence last year. For Bibi, who has been in protective custody at a secret location since her acquittal in October, the court's latest decision could represent the final legal hurdle to her freedom. Bibi spent more than eight years on death row for blasphemy, a hugely sensitive charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan. She was originally convicted in 2010 after being accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam in a row with her neighbors. Bibi has always maintained her innocence. The Supreme Court's decision in October to overturn her conviction ignited days of violent demonstrations, with radical Islamists calling for her killing as well as mutiny within the powerful military and the assassination of the country's top judges. The government has since launched a crackdown on the Tehrik-e Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party -- the Islamist group driving the violent protests -- charging its leaders with sedition and terrorism. But authorities also agreed to allow a final review of the Supreme Court's judgement. The TLP party said earlier on January 28 that it would not accept any decision in favor of Bibi's release and asked its followers to prepare for more protests. Police stepped up security around the Supreme Court in Islamabad ahead of the judges' decision to cope with possible protests. Bibi has said she will leave the country as soon as her legal battles are over. Her daughters have reportedly taken refuge in Canada. Her lawyer, who fled Pakistan after receiving death threats but returned to the country ahead of the Supreme Courts decision, called the court's decision a victory for Pakistan's constitution and rule of law. "After nine years behind bars for a crime she didnt commit, it is difficult to see this long overdue verdict as justice," Amnesty International said in a January 29 statement. "But she should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice." Approximately 40 people are believed to be on death row or serving a life sentence for blasphemy in Pakistan, according to a 2018 report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters MOSCOW -- An employee of the Anticorruption Foundation run by Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has alleged that a member of the Russian secret services attempted to recruit her and issued threats when she refused to cooperate. In a video posted to Navalny's YouTube channel on January 28, Olga Bulayeva, an office manager at the organization since September 2017, said she was confronted by two uniformed guards inside the Moscow subway as she made her way to the platform on the evening of January 15. The security guards asked for her documents and then led her to a separate room in the vestibule of the station, Bulayeva said. They then confiscated her cell phone and passed it to a man who entered the room after her. He introduced himself only as Dmitry, according to Bulayeva. "He told me, 'We know that your mother is ill and that you find yourself in difficult life circumstances. We want to help you with your mother's treatment and improve your financial situation, in exchange for your cooperation,'" Bulayeva says in the video (below). Her mother is receiving treatment for cancer, she explained. When Bulayeva declined, she said she was told that the Anticorruption Foundation is a corrupt organization and that Bulayeva's colleagues don't have her best interests at heart. The man began threatening her and said unspecified measures would be taken if she revealed details of their conversation to anyone, Bulayeva said. When Bulayeva informed her colleagues at the Anticorruption Foundation of the exchange, she was told by its lawyers that the threats carry no weight and advised her to go on the record about the incident. "It's important to remember that they always try and frighten people in vulnerable positions," Bulayeva said. "And it's enough simply not to give up and to stay true to your principles." The video, which has been watched more than 400,000 times, is more than a simple retelling of the incident by Bulayeva. It opens with a short introduction from Navalny, who comes on again after Bulayeva's appearance to criticize the "crooks and thieves" he alleges run the Russian government, and the measures they take to discredit the political opposition. I want to distance myself from those people as far as possible, so that they understand clearly that they can't frighten me." Neither the Federal Security Service (FSB) nor the Interior Ministry have yet commented publicly on the allegations made by Bulayeva. In an interview with Kommersant, retired FSB General Aleksandr Mikhailov said that an opposition office manager like Bulayeva would be a very useful source for the Russian secret services. "She knows who comes and goes, who whispers what to whom, who influences whom, and who dislikes whom. This is a very useful person," Mikhailov said. In a telephone interview, Bulayeva said she thought for several days about whether to go public about the incident, as she is not used to the spotlight. "I decided that it's better for me to publish a video or post on social media because I think that if I had continued to be silent, then those people would think that they'd managed in some way to scare me or influence me," she told RFE/RL. "But I want to distance myself from those people as far as possible, so that they understand clearly that they can't frighten me." At the time of her questioning on January 15, Bulayeva added, she was concerned about funding for her mother's treatment and her job security. She said she suspects those who confronted her were well aware of her situation. But since the video went online, she said, she has received numerous offers of financial help from supporters. Navalny's foundation has leveraged various social-media platforms in spreading the word about its anticorruption campaign, and its videos are viewed by millions of people. It has sparked nationwide scandals in recent years with detailed probes into the illicit finances of Russia's elite, most recently publishing investigations into Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, National Guard head Viktor Zolotov, and various Duma deputies. In March 2017, a video expose about the lavish lifestyle of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev catalyzed mass protests across Russia and led to a concerted Kremlin campaign to engage Russian youth, who have had a large presence at opposition marches organized by Navalny. NATOs chief and the acting head of the Pentagon said they were encouraged by the progress of peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, after the U.S. special envoy for the conflict-wracked country announced that American and Taliban negotiators had agreed on a draft "framework" for a peace deal seeking to put an end to the 17-year war there. During a visit to Washington on January 28, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg vowed that the Taliban "will not win on the battlefield, so they have to sit down at the negotiating table." "Therefore we are encouraged by what we see now, the progress... and talks with Taliban," he added. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan echoed that, saying "I'd say really the takeaway right now: it's encouraging." Stoltenberg and Shanahan made the comments as Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, said that his five days of talks with Taliban negotiators in Qatar last week were "much better than previous meetings." Khalilzad told Afghan reporters in Kabul that the sides "made progress on vital issues in our discussions and agreed to agreements in principle on a couple of very important issues. "There is a lot more work to be done before we can say we have succeeded in our efforts but I believe for the first time I can say that we have made significant progress," he also said. The Taliban has also said that "progress" had been made in the talks. In an interview with The New York Times published earlier in the day, Khalilzad offered more details on the state of the negotiations with the militant group, saying the sides had agreed in principle to the "framework" of a deal. Troop Withdrawal? Under the framework, the militants would agree to prevent Afghan territory from being used by groups such as Al-Qaeda to stage terrorist attacks, Khalilzad said. That could then lead to a full pullout of U.S. combat troops, but only in return for the Talibans entering talks with the Afghan government and agreeing to a lasting cease-fire. "We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," Khalilzad told the newspaper in Kabul. Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called on the Taliban to enter "serious" negotiations with the Kabul government and "accept Afghans' demand for peace." "Either they join the great nation of Afghanistan with a united voice, or be the tool of foreign objectives," he said in a televised address. Backed by Western nations, Ghanis government has struggled to fend off a resurgent Taliban and other militant groups. The Taliban has so far refused to hold direct negotiations with Afghan government officials, whom they dismiss as U.S. "puppets." The militants have said they will only begin talks with the government once a firm date for the withdrawal of U.S. troops has been agreed. U.S. officials have said President Donald Trump wants to withdraw about half of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Stoltenberg said it was too early to speculate about the number of NATO troops that would remain. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on January 26 that there was "progress" in the peace talks, but he denied earlier reports of an agreement on a cease-fire. Until the withdrawal of international troops was hammered out, "progress on other issues is impossible," he said. Another round of talks between the Taliban and the United States was tentatively set for February 25, the Reuters news agency reported. With reporting by The New York Times, Reuters, and RFE/RLs Radio Free Afghanistan The top U.S. justice official has said that the investigation into alleged Russian election meddling being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller is nearing completion. The comments January 28 by Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker came just days after Mueller's prosecutors indicted another close associate of President Donald Trump. The arrest of that associate, Roger Stone, suggested that Mueller's investigation still had some time to go, according to legal experts. Speaking at a news conference in Washington, D.C., Whitaker said he had been "fully briefed" on Muellers probe. "The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible," Whitaker said. Whitaker was appointed by Trump as head of the U.S. Justice Department in November after Trump's first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, resigned. Sessions normally would have overseen an extraordinary investigation like the one Mueller has been conducting since May 2017. However, Sessions recused himself from the case, due to perceived conflicts, leaving the job to his deputy. Trump criticized Sessions repeatedly for that decision. Whitaker, however, has not recused himself, despite Democrats pointing to past statements that they say showed bias. Whitaker's appointment is temporary; the U.S. Senate is scheduled to soon hold a vote on a permanent attorney general. In all, Mueller's investigation has resulted in charges against 34 people. That includes Trump's former national-security adviser, his former campaign chairman, and his former personal lawyer. With reporting by AP and Reuters By Jim Salinger and James Renwick 29 January 2019 (The Conversation) As the Australian heatwave is spilling across the Tasman and pushing up temperatures in New Zealand, we take a look at the conditions that caused a similar event last year and the impacts it had. Last summers heatwave gave New Zealand its warmest summer and the warmest January on record. It covered an area of four million square kilometres (comparable to the Indian subcontinent), including the land, the eastern Tasman Sea and the Pacific east of New Zealand to the Chatham Islands. In our research, we looked at what happened and why, and found that the heatwave affected many sectors, leading to early grape harvests and killing farmed fish in parts of the country. Drivers of warmer than average conditions We used a combination of land and ocean temperature observations, large-scale analyses of the atmospheric circulation, and ocean modelling to understand the drivers of the 2017/18 summer heatwave. It was memorable for a number of extreme events and statistics. The average air temperature was 2.2C above the 1981-2010 normal of 16.7C, and it was the warmest summer ever recorded in more than 150 years. The number of extreme warm days and warm nights was also the highest recorded, going back several decades. The peak month was January 2018, 3.2C above normal and the warmest month recorded in observations as far back as 1867. Ocean surface temperatures were similarly extreme, with a marine heatwave that lasted about five months, at 2.0C above normal at its peak. [] Impacts and repercussions New Zealand was affected by more than its normal share of ex-tropical cyclones, notably Fehi and Gita. They brought strong winds, storm surges and heavy rainfalls that caused flooding as they passed through. The warm ocean waters around New Zealand would have helped maintain the intensity of the storms and supply moisture to drive the heavy downpours. The warm conditions caused massive ice loss in South Island glaciers, estimated to be the largest annual loss of glacier ice in nearly 60 years of records for the Southern Alps. Satellite data from end-of-summer snowline measurements at the Tasman Glacier suggest that the Southern Alps lost 9% of glacier ice during last summer alone. Warm air temperatures had a marked effect on managed and natural ecosystems. The Marlborough grape harvest was unusually early in 2018, two to three weeks ahead of the normal maturation time. Marine ecosystems were significantly disrupted. Coastal kelp forests struggled to grow in the warm sea. In southern New Zealand, the temperature threshold was breached three times, resulting in substantial losses of kelp canopies. For the first time, Atlantic salmon had to be imported as farmed fish died in salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds. Commercial fishers reported that snapper was spawning approximately six weeks early off the South Island coast, and Queensland groper was reported in northern New Zealand, 3000km out of range. [more] Counting the cost of last summers NZ heatwave MOSCOW -- Moscow emergency medical responders have received unofficial orders to transport fewer patients to the hospital, an ambulance station chief and a paramedic told RFE/RL. The Moscow Health Department on January 29 issued what it called an "official denial" of the assertions, which added to concerns about the efficiency of health care in Moscow. According to the station chief, who is a doctor, several ambulance stations received such an order in December after Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova met with the chief of Moscow's ambulance services center, Nikolai Plavunov. All ambulance stations in Moscow have now been instructed to reduce the number of hospitalizations, said the station chief, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. The station chief added that ambulance crews had been instructed to avoiding insisting on hospitalizing patients in an effort to limit hospitalizations to cases in which it is absolutely necessary. In its statement, the Moscow Health Department denied what it framed as reports of a "ban" or "restrictions" on the hospitalization of patients by ambulance crews. It asserted that a document listing "measures for decrease of patients' hospitalizations," which was provided to RFE/RL by a Moscow ambulance station, was a fake. However, the chairman of the Feldsher.ru labor union, ambulance paramedic Dmitry Belyakov, told RFE/RL that ambulance crews were given an order to offer hospitalization to patients in a way that would lead patients to refuse it. He spoke before the Health Department statement was released. Moscow ambulance doctors who spoke on condition of anonymity said that if the number of hospitalizations they offer increases, they may lose hard-earned benefits. They said a shortage of beds and staff at hospitals in the capital might have led to efforts by the authorities to reduce the number of hospitalizations. BISHKEK -- A woman in Kyrgyzstan has been arrested and charged with inciting ethnic hatred during a protest against Beijing's policies in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang. A court in Kyrgyzstans capital ordered Guljamila Saparalieva to be held in pretrial detention for two months, activist Amanbol Babakulov told RFE/RL on January 29. The Interfax news agency quoted the Bishkek police as saying that the Birinchi Mai district court ordered that Saparalieva be remanded in custody due to the "gravity" of the accusation and the "social danger" that the accused represents. The investigation into the case was continuing, they also said. Babakulov said the 56-year-old Saparalieva was detained on January 23. She was among some 500 demonstrators who gathered on Bishkeks Ala-Too Square on January 17 to protest against what they called the persecution of Muslims in Xinjiang. The protesters also urged authorities to deport what they said were hundreds of thousands of Chinese migrants living illegally in Kyrgyzstan. The Interior Ministry later said that 21 of the protesters were found guilty of disrupting public order next day and fined 3,000 soms ($45) each. Following similar protests in Bishkek in recent months, President Sooronbai Jeenbekov on January 11 warned that "those trying to disrupt the Kyrgyz-Chinese partnership" will face legal prosecution. The United Nations said in August that an estimated 1 million Muslims from indigenous ethnic communities in Xinjiang were being held in "counterextremism centers." The UN also said millions more had been forced into reeducation camps. China denies that the facilities are internment camps. Uyghurs are the largest indigenous community in Xinjiang, followed by Kazakhs. The region is home as well to ethnic Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and Hui, also known as Dungans. Han, China's largest ethnicity, are the second-largest community in Xinjiang. With reporting by Interfax President Hasim Thaci says a deal to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia is "now within reach." In a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump released on January 29, the leader of Kosovo said he was ready to do what is necessary "to reach a comprehensive and balanced settlement that will encompass all outstanding issues, thereby ending the century-old conflict with Serbia, and bringing peace to the whole region." Thaci's letter, dated January 8, comes a day after Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj proposed an international conference to work out a final deal between the two countries. Both the European Union and Washington have pressed Kosovo to repeal a 100 percent tariff on imported Serbian and Bosnian goods that has strained international efforts to broker a deal between the former foes. Kosovo imposed the import tax in November in retaliation for what it called Belgrade's attempts to undermine its statehood. Belgrade has never recognized the independence of its former province, proclaimed in 2008 after a 1998-99 guerrilla war. More than 10,000 were killed in the war, which prompted NATO to launch an air campaign in the spring of 1999 to end the conflict. The possibility that Serbia and Kosovo might end their long-running dispute through a land swap was briefly floated last year. But the proposal was immediately abandoned following a firestorm of criticism from rights groups as well as Haradinaj, who is fiercely against ceding any territory to Serbia. After six days of talks in Qatar with Taliban representatives, the U.S. special envoy on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, announced on January 28 that an agreement had been reached on a "framework" peace process to end the 17-year Afghan war. Khalilzad said the agreement calls for the Taliban to prevent international terrorist groups from basing themselves in Afghanistan and for the United States to withdraw its forces from the country. RFE/RL spoke with Graeme Smith, an Afghanistan analyst for the International Crisis Group, about what the implications of the development are for an Afghan-led peace process. RFE/RL: Despite agreeing to a "framework" for future peace talks, the Taliban has yet to make concessions on two key U.S. demands -- implementing a cease-fire and agreeing to negotiate directly with Afghan government representatives as part of an Afghan-led, intra-Afghan peace process. Can these key issues be resolved? Graeme Smith: The Taliban appears now to be considering whether it is prepared to make such concessions. A major unanswered question is how to structure an intra-Afghan dialogue. It's also unclear what the Taliban will accept on timing and sequencing. Do they see dialogue with the Kabul government starting before a foreign troop withdrawal? Or only later, after a U.S. troop withdrawal is under way that diminishes the leverage of the Afghan government and the United States? There's a lot of anxiety around the peace process. It's completely understandable. So much is happening. So much could go wrong. But this is, in some ways, a hopeful moment. There is an opportunity here to end the largest war in the world and bring to a conclusion America's longest war. RFE/RL: Khalilzad, the U.S. peace envoy, says the Taliban has agreed to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a "platform for international terrorist groups." Would the Taliban be capable of doing that? Smith: If there was a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government, it would be extremely bad news for any other militant groups. There are hundreds of battles on an annual basis between the Taliban and the Islamic State [extremist group]. The Islamic State would be very afraid of a Taliban that wasn't distracted by fighting Americans or Afghan government forces and could focus its attention on slaughtering the Islamic State. RFE/RL: The Taliban's complex and secretive structure is not necessarily a unified hierarchy across the local, provincial, regional, and national levels. Does the Taliban's political office in Qatar have the clout to hold sway over local Taliban commanders in battlefields across Afghanistan? Smith: We got a hint of how the Taliban works in June of 2018 when there was a three-day cease-fire. It was amazing to see the Taliban put out, essentially, a press release -- just a quick statement. It went out over their messaging apps and other channels. Commanders did not know this was coming. Out of the blue, they got instructions from the Taliban leadership for a three-day cessation of violence. Then, all across the country, the guns went silent. It was amazing. From hundreds of kilometers apart, these different Taliban groups all respected their leadership and stopped fighting. Then, at sunset on the third day, when the Taliban leadership said it was time to resume fighting -- boom! It was like a thunderclap. The violence came back. You can argue night and day about how unified the Taliban is. The fact is that their command-and-control works. And the Taliban political commission in Qatar is part of that. So there is an ability to make people follow a cease-fire order if that order comes down. RFE/RL: Is there a risk that less moderate Taliban might continue fighting or even join other militant groups like Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State? Smith: The Islamic State is a very small fraction of the militant presence in Afghanistan. Only 2 percent to 5 percent of the violent incidents in Afghanistan are attributable to Islamic State. In other words, if you're concerned about violence in Afghanistan, you're not that concerned about the Islamic State. The Taliban is responsible for more than 90 percent of the militant activity. Islamic State has a presence in just a handful of districts in the east -- primarily in Nangarhar Province and Kunar Province. And there is just a minor presence of other militant groups. I don't know why we're even talking about it. RFE/RL: The Taliban has been comparing the 1989 Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan to what it calls recent Taliban "military and political" victories against U.S.-led coalition forces. Are there useful lessons in such comparisons? The lesson we can learn from the Soviet withdrawal is that you need a peace agreement that sticks." Smith: Unfortunately, there's not a lot that we can learn from all the comparisons being thrown around to the Soviet withdrawal and to the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam. So much is different now. Things have changed dramatically. The lesson we can learn from the Soviet withdrawal is that you need a peace agreement that sticks. Otherwise, just like we saw in 1992 after the Soviet withdrawal -- after the Afghan government was cut off from its subsidies from Moscow -- the government collapsed and the country was torn apart by multifactional civil warfare. Nobody wants to go back to that. So maybe the only useful lesson from that time is the lingering threat that if this peace process doesn't work, things are going to turn out badly for everybody. RFE/RL: What is significant about the appointment of a new leader for the Taliban's "political commission" in Qatar, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar? Smith: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar co-founded the Taliban. He's from southern Afghanistan and he's part of a tight-knit group of Kandaharis who started the whole movement in the early 1990s. [Like former Afghan President Hamid Karzai,] he is a Popalzai tribesman. So he brings a significant amount of political clout, but also a strong military mind, to the negotiating team. Baradar was appointed last week as the third deputy leader of the Taliban with special responsibilities for the political office in Qatar. That effectively makes him the chief negotiator on behalf of the Taliban. When you see a party to a negotiation appointing more senior people to a negotiating team, it signals that things are escalating and getting to the next level of talks. Pakistan had imprisoned Bardar in 2010, and released him only last October as U.S. negotiating efforts began to gain traction. Pakistan's decision to free Baradar as part of a confidence-building measure and prelude to these talks signals that Pakistan has decided to take a more constructive role in this round of negotiations. A female member of Georgia's parliament is vowing to fight back as another sex-tape scandal rocks the former Soviet republic just as it hoped to shed its chauvinist image following the election of the country's first female president. Eka Beselia, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, became the target of what she called a "moral terror" campaign after video of her personal life, apparently taken without her knowledge, was released over the weekend. Beselia, well-known in Georgia for her recent stance against the appointment of Supreme Court justices for life, says the videos were recorded several years ago when Mikheil Saakashvili and his United National Movement (ENM) party ruled Georgia. She was the head of the Georgian parliament's Legal Affairs Committee until the end of December. "You will not be able to stop me, you will not be able to silence me or make me disappear!!!" she said in a Facebook post late on January 28. "You have awakened a new Eka in me. One who is more and more self-reliant on my beliefs, commitment, and responsibility. Who can protect a woman better than herself?" she added. The leaked videos that spread on social media have sparked an outcry in Georgia, where illicit footage featuring influential politicians and journalists regularly surfaces despite official pledges to stop it. The use of sex espionage is a well-honed tactic dating back to the Soviet era, with covert footage having been used against a number of public figures. In recent years, such tactics have been used in Russia and Azerbaijan. In Georgia, Saakashvili's former government -- which ruled between 2004 and 2012 -- was accused several times of building up a massive collection of compromising videos featuring members of the opposition, 181 hours of which were publicly destroyed, though many worry hundreds of hours more still exist. 'A Message To All Women' The timing also hits just weeks after Salome Zurabishvili, backed by billionaire and Saakashvili rival Bidzina Ivanishvili, broke the gender barrier to become the first female ever elected president of the country. After the leak, parliament Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze called for an immediate investigation of a crime he characterized as "immoral." "I have personally communicated with law enforcement agencies and I call on them once again to investigate this case and to investigate it fully," he told journalists on January 29. Still, sex scandals are usually more damaging for women than for men in Georgia, where male public figures face little public backlash, if any, for their sexual relations. "Such actions are aimed at intimidating not only the targeted recipients, but also those members of society who are critical of officials. These methods of battle are most often used against active women and are a message to all such women," the civil campaign This Affects You -- They Are Still Listening said in a statement. "It is astonishing that the exposure of her private life suspiciously coincides with the recent criticisms Eka Beselia has made regarding the judicial process. It is distressing that...specific people are trying to stop court reforms and try to protect the clans of judges." Like many other rights advocates, Baia Pataraia, a lawyer who runs the Georgian women's rights organization Union Sapari, views the footage release and threats as a brazen attack on women who have defied Georgia's macho culture and successfully pursued a career in a male-dominated profession. Pataraia believes the tapes are a message for women to "think again" before entering politics. "Private recordings are used as a political weapon against women, based on the fact that sexual freedom and a woman's private life are considered taboo," she was quoted as saying by the online news website On.ge. Bad Old Days Live On In the past, the ENM party that ruled Georgia under Saakashvili has pinned the blame squarely on government supporters, in particular Ivanishvili, the influential founder of Georgian Dream. Georgian Dream officials have rejected the oft-made accusations, claiming the videos were recorded during the ENM's time in power. "There is nothing to explain in the content that is being disseminated. The form is disgusting. The depravation of a family's coexistence and the invasion into private space with hidden cameras!!!" Beselia said in her Facebook post. "I demand answers...from law enforcement agencies in the shortest possible time.... What is happening now? Who chose to exact revenge on me with this method? Who had this footage? Who made the illegal recordings and attempted to exert moral pressure on me?" she added. Transparency International says much of Eastern Europe and Central Asia is failing to make progress in lowering the perceived levels of public sector corruption, threatening democracy across the region. More than two-thirds of the 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 released on January 29 by the Berlin-based watchdog scored below 50 on its 0-100 scale. The lower the number, the more corrupt a country is perceived to be. Afghanistan, with 16 points, ranked 172nd in the world, and Pakistan ranked 117th with a score of 33. For the Eastern Europe and Central Asia area, the average score was 35, putting it only above Sub-Saharan Africa, which scored 32, on a regional basis. The grouping for Eastern Europe and Central Asia includes Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Denmark was the highest-ranked country globally with a score of 88, followed by New Zealand with 87. The average score on the index, which ranks countries and territories by their perceived levels of public-sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople, was 43. With nearly every country [in Eastern Europe and Central Asia] scoring 45 or less out of 100, there has been very little progress in combatting corruption, the report said. "A general lack of political will, weak institutions, and few political rights create an environment where corruption flourishes with little opposition," it added. 'Crisis Of Democracy' The report said that the broader picture isn't much better as the continued failure of most countries to significantly control corruption is contributing to "a crisis of democracy" around the world. Turkmenistan scored worst of all countries in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, placing 161st with a score of 20, followed by Uzbekistan (23), which placed 158th. Russia's score fell to 28 from 29 the previous year, leaving it in 138th place out of 180 nations, the same as Iran. Georgia led the way for the entire region with a score of 58, making it 41st on the list. While neighboring Armenia, with a score of 35, was much further down at 105th place, the organization struck an optimistic chord about reforms promised by the government of Nikol Pashinian. A former anticorruption journalist and opposition lawmaker, Pashinian rose to power last year on the back of nonviolent mass protests fueled by outrage over endemic corruption. "Judicial reform should be at the top of the priority list; a proper separation of powers, as well as the appropriate checks and balances, will go a long way to ensuring these reforms are a success," Transparency International said in singling out Armenia. It added that the role of civil society was also crucial. The organization also warned that voter frustration with corruption, which has reshaped the politics of several countries such as Armenia in recent years, must not be forgotten by elected officials. "The leaders riding waves of discontent to positions of power must pay more than lip-service to anti-corruption; it should enter the DNA of their policies and reforms," the watchdog said. European Union members Romania and Bulgaria ranked 61st and 77th in the world, with scores of 47 and 42 respectively. With a score of 71, the United States dropped four points from the previous year, putting it in 22nd place and leaving it out of the top 20 countries on the index for the first time since 2011. The low score comes at a time when the United States "is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balances as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power," the organization said. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) says it didn't raise any concerns over the lifting of sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department on three companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. CIA Director Gina Haspel told a Senate hearing on January 29 that the agency only provided information about Deripaska to the Treasury as it deliberated on what to do. "No, I don't believe we raised any concerns but we provided all the supportive intelligence," Haspel told the hearing. The Treasury said the removal of sanctions was based on the fact that aluminum giant Rusal, its parent company En+, and power firm EuroSibEnergo "have reduced Oleg Deripaska's direct and indirect shareholding stake in these companies and severed his control." The sanctions were initially imposed in April, but they roiled global metals markets, unnerving businesses in the United States and Europe; Rusal is one of the world's largest aluminum producers. The U.S. administration later reached a deal with the Russian firms to end Deripaska's control in return for a lifting of sanctions. Four top U.S. lawmakers in the House said on January 29 that they were considering legislation to ensure aluminum giant Rusal and its parent En+ comply with the agreement. Deripaska, who is widely believed to have close ties to the Kremlin, agreed to dispose of his controlling stakes in the companies. He himself remains subject to U.S. sanctions. Deripaska has reduced his stake in En+ to 44.95 percent from about 70 percent previously, to comply with the lifting of the sanctions. "We are considering additional legislative actions to ensure that [the U.S.] Treasury and these companies comply with the agreement in letter and in spirit," the four Democratic chairs of the House Ways and Means, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Financial Services committees said in a joint statement. U.S. critics have accused President Donald Trump of making too many concessions to Russia for nothing in return, while Trump has insisted he has been tougher on Moscow than previous presidents. Many Democratic lawmakers, and even some Republicans, insist that it was inappropriate to ease the sanctions at a time while Special Counsel Robert Mueller is probing whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Moscow. With reporting by Reuters and AP Prime Minister Boyko Borisov says Bulgaria still aims to adopt the euro by 2022 despite resistance by some local businesses that fear greater scrutiny of the economy. Borisov told a business gathering in Sofia on January 29 that one of the main benefits of joining the euro is that Bulgaria's banking system would become more disciplined. As part of the euro, big banks in Bulgaria would be overseen by the European Central Bank, not national authorities that sometimes tend to be more lenient. European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, who is in charge of the EU common currency, welcomed Sofia's plan. Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov voiced hope that the country would enter the EU banking union this summer and trigger the two-year process to integrate into the common currency. That should allow the country to adopt the euro in January 2022, Goranov said. The euro is currently the official currency of 18 of the EU's 28 member states, known as the eurozone. It was introduced in nonphysical form in 1999. The notes and coins for the old currencies, however, continued to be used as legal tender until new euro notes and coins were introduced on January 1, 2002. Based on reporting by AP and Bta.bg Prison authorities in central Vietnams Quang Binh province have moved a jailed member of the online advocacy group Brotherhood for Democracy to a new prison in Thanh Hoa province seven hours drive to the north, sources said. Nguyen Trung Truc, now serving a 12-year prison term on a charge of subversion, was transferred last week without his familys knowledge, Trucs son Nguyen Quang Trung told RFAs Vietnamese Service on Monday. Yesterday, my aunt called me and said that on Jan. 25, two days earlier, a person who lives near the prison told her that my father had been moved to Thanh Hoa, but the police never told us [about the transfer], he said. Authorities told us that if his sentence had been less than five years, they would have kept him in Quang Binh, but we are very surprised now that they have moved him. Trung said he had last visited his father in Quang Binh on Jan. 16, and found him in bad health with failing eyesight due to poor conditions in the prison. During proceedings on Dec. 26, 2018 that lasted just under three hours, an appeals court in the central coastal city of Da Nang upheld a September decision by a lower court in Quang Binh ordering Truc, 44, to spend 12 years in prison for activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration under Article 79 of Vietnams penal code. Trucs arrest two years earlier followed the round-up of other members of the online Brotherhood for Democracy activist group, many of whom were also handed long prison terms after trials widely condemned as unfair. Prisoner suffers stroke A Vietnamese dissident sentenced in 2013 to 15 years has meanwhile suffered a stroke in prison without notification by authorities to his relatives, and with family members learning of his condition only in a posting on the internet. Ngo Hao, a former soldier now in his 70s, was convicted under Article 79 for his online writings supporting Vietnamese activist groups who had asked him to seek help on their behalf from the U.N. and the international rights group Human Rights Watch, sources told RFA in earlier reports. Now, he is very weak and has trouble walking, Haos wife Nguyen Thi Kim Lam told RFA on Jan. 28, a day after visiting her husband in prison. He has already been in prison for a long time, and his health may not withstand the conditions there, Lam said, adding that prison authorities had not informed her of Haos condition. A person who is in the same prison with Hao and knows us posted information about him on the internet, and we saw it and decided to visit, she said. Prison authorities later turned down Lam's request to take Hao to a doctor for treatment, she said. They told us that they hadnt informed us about his situation because they could take care of things by themselves, she said. Vietnams one-party communist government currently holds more than 200 political prisoners, including rights advocates and bloggers deemed threats to national security, Nguyen Kim Binh of the California-based Vietnam Human Rights Network said in a speech on Dec. 9. It also controls all media, censors the internet, and restricts basic freedoms of expression. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Richard Finney. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) is hwon posing with his son, Hun Manet (R), during a ceremony at a military base in Phnom Penh in this undated file photo. North Korea in 2018 was ranked as the most corrupt country in Asia with the closed communist nation receiving one of the worst scores in Transparency Internationals (TI) corruption index. Despite showing a slight improvement in its corruption score in 2017, North Koreas ranking fell from 17 in 2017 to 14 in 2018. The North ranked 176, tied with Yemen in the survey by the Berlin-based organization. The two countries were beaten out for the most corrupt nation in the index only by South Sudan, Syria and Somalia. This drop in score appeared across the board in Asia, with China, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia dropping between 1 and 3 points from the previous year. Only Laos is able to say it isnt getting worse. The Southeast Asian country scored 29/100 for the second consecutive year. In its analysis of the Asia-Pacific region, TI highlighted Vietnam as a decliner, scoring 33, down 2 points from 2017. Vietnam has taken a strong approach towards prosecution and punishment of corrupt individuals over the last few years, the report said. Strong enforcement efforts are only part of a comprehensive and effective anti-corruption strategy. In addition, weak democratic institutions and few political rights cast serious doubts on the fairness of the arrests and prosecutions in the country, the report added. It cited recent scandals in which Vietnamese government officials were bribed by companies in return for development assistance or government contracts. Corruption is much more likely to flourish where democratic foundations are weak and, as we have seen in many countries, where undemocratic and populist politicians can use it to their advantage, said TIs chair, Delia Ferreira Rubio. Her comments could be applied to the situation in Cambodia, ranked 169th overall, with a score of 20, down one point from the previous three years. In response to the report, the Cambodian Council of Ministers spokesperson Phay Siphan said that it disregarded Cambodias improvements in poverty reduction, economic growth, improved wages for civil servants, and good investment environment. He said Cambodia is working to stamp out corruption according to UN recommendations, not TIs. There are plenty of fake reports. This is a fabricated report, so we dont accept it, he said. As a government, we do not work for a good [ranking on a] report. We work based on our potential to reduce poverty and promote accountability and transparency. Let the people judge us, he said. For the entire Asia Pacific, the report said that with few exceptions like New Zeland and Singapore, most of the countries in the region were failing to effectively fight corruption. The report recommended that a diverse strategy to tackle the problem would be necessary, because no single solution would eliminate it entirely, especially in areas where it is deep rooted. While some countries captured by an undemocratic political elite or institution may make small strides against corruption in the short-term, they cannot fight corruption effectively in the long-term, the report said. The report suggested that in the long term only democracies have the necessary checks and balances to effectively battle corruption, saying only small strides in authoritarian countries are possible. These are dependent on the attitude and mood of dictators, according to the report. SPRINGFIELD Concerned for the health and safety of its many loyal vendors and attendees during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Delaware County News Network (DCNN) has decided to suspend all of its special events for 2020. Events cancelled include Super Sunday in Media, the Penn State Brandywine Craft Show, the Delaware County Community College flea markets, the Delaware County Halloween Parade, and the Media Art and Craft Show. Myanmar military lawmakers leave parliament after a vote to set up a committee to amend the countrys 2008 constitution, in Naypyidaw, Jan. 29, 2019. Myanmars parliament voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to approve the first stage of a proposal to form an ad hoc committee to amend the country's constitution, despite opposition from military lawmakers who control a quarter of the seats in the legislature and whose political power would likely be eroded by changes to the existing charter. Those who voted in favor of the measure totaled 397, with 17 voting against it, three abstentions, and 187 lawmakers including the military MPs and 21 others refusing to vote. Military MPs, who are appointed, not elected, to a quarter of the seats in parliament under the 2008 constitution drafted by a former army junta that ruled the country boycotted the vote by standing in silence during the session. The proposal put forward by the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party said lawmakers from all parties should be included in the committee. Military MP Brigadier General Maung Maung said lawmakers from the armed forces did not agree with the proposal. We are not rejecting amendments, but rather the emergency proposal in question because it is not in line with parliamentary laws, bylaws, and procedures, he said. We'll have to discuss it among ourselves. That's why we abstained. It is imperative that lawmakers carry out their tasks in accordance with the law, he said. Overstepping the law or using deceptive means will not produce positive results. We all should work only in accord with the existing parliamentary procedures. Parliamentary speaker T Khun Myat rejected Maung Maungs complaint and asked lawmakers to vote for further discussions on the proposal. NLD legislator Aung Kyi Nyunt, who submitted the proposal, said that lawmakers from various political parties can serve on the joint committee on constitutional reform. I am not proposing a draft law to amend the constitution, he said during the parliamentary session when the vote was held. This is just to form a joint committee on constitutional reform which can work transparently on a draft law systematically and speedily. Lawmakers attempted to amend the constitution during the previous government of former President Thein Sein, but were only able to make changes to a few items on regional legislation. Military stands to lose Myanmars military would stand to lose some of the political power it wields if certain sections of the charter are changed. Under the current constitution, military MPs hold a crucial veto to block proposed changes to the charter. The constitution also gives the armed forces control of three defense and security ministries. Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank formed by military veteran youths that claims to be independent, pointed out that 75 percent of MPs must support any amendments to the constitution, which then must be approved by a referendum. We still dont know what articles or points they want to make changes to and what they expect from the amendments, he said, adding that it may be easier to amend items that the charter doesnt have restrictions on. For example, with the NLD government working on the peace process, there are several charters included in the constitution that lay out how power and resources should be shared among ethnic states, Thein Tun Oo said. Are we going to amend these, or are we going to amend rules and regulations for elections? he asked. Or are we going to take out unqualified lawmakers from parliament? If we amend these points in the constitution, it would be easier and we would have more benefits than amending other [articles in the constitution], he said. Some lawmakers and political analysts were upbeat about the proposal. I think we can amend the constitution, said Oo Hla Saw, a lawmaker from the Arakan National Party (ANP) who represents Rakhine states Mrauk-U township. We arent going to try to amend the entire constitution, but the problem is which items we will make amendments to, he said. Prominent Myanmar attorney Robert San Aung said if the government has its way, major articles, including 6(d), 436, and 59(f), will be changed. Article 6(d) states that the flourishing of a genuine, disciplined, multiparty democratic system is a consistent objective of the state. Article 436 requires that proposed changes to the constitution be supported by more than 75 percent of legislators, while Article 59(f) bars NLD leader and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president because she has relatives who are foreign nationals. Her late husband was a British citizen, as are her two sons. We have to try to see if its possible to make these amendments, he said. Superficial changes wont improve the rule of law and order. It will be easy to change the parts of constitution which the military lawmakers support, but the changes they oppose will be difficult to push through, he added. The military needs to think about amending the constitution by looking at the interests of the people and the country, Robert San Aung said. Amending the constitution wont hurt the military or its dignity, and people will respect it even more if it supports amending the constitution. The same move Aye Kyaw, executive director of the Open Myanmar Initiative, noted that a proposal for the formation of a commission to study amendments to the constitution was put forward just before the end of the previous parliamentary session, but it didnt take off. Parliament came to a close with the commission unable to do anything, he said. We are now seeing the same move in the current parliamentary session, and we have to wait and see how much they can do before the session ends. The NLD pledged to amend key parts of the constitution, specifically Articles 59(f) and 436, in the run-up to the November 2015 election, which it won by a landslide after more than 50 years of military or military-backed rule. After the party came to power the following year, it failed to get the effort off the ground as its leaders refrained from challenging the countrys powerful military. Nevertheless, the government got around Article 59(f), which prevents Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president, by creating the new post of state counselor to be above the president. Reported by Win Ko Ko Latt and Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. In this Tuesday, July 24, 2018, photo, villagers take refuge on a rooftop above flood waters from a collapsed dam in Attapeu province in southeastern Laos. Relatives of Lao villagers killed or left missing by the July 2018 dam disaster have received compensation from the government, government officials have confirmed. The disaster, described as Laos worst flooding in decades, occurred when a saddle dam at the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy (PNPC) hydropower project collapsed, inundating 12 villages and killing at least 40 people in Champassak and Attapeu provinces, leaving many more missing. Attapeu Province Governor Leth Xayaphone confirmed the payment to RFAs Lao Service on Monday saying, According to law, weve paid a lump sum in compensation to the families who lost their loved ones. The governor added that the PNPC consortium has an insurance policy of about $50 million. Compensation for property losses or damages have meanwhile not been approved yet because an official investigation into the collapse has not been concluded. On Wednesday, the Prime Ministers Office issued a press statement stating that a Special Task National Relief Committee had approved compensation of $10,000 per person to families of those missing or killed during the disaster. The statement also indicated that there were a total of 31 people missing and 40 confirmed deaths. The committee also recommended PNPC, SK E&C, a South Korean company in the consortium, and the insurance company conduct a ceremony to hand over the compensation to the relatives and families of the victims as soon as possible. The ceremony of the payment to the bereaved families was held Saturday in Sanamxay District, Attapeu province. The day before, local authorities and families of the victims also conducted a Buddhist ceremony for the dead by offering alms to monks. Were not very happy about the $10,000 compensation, said Bang Manichanh who lost both her grandparents in the disaster. We have no choice but to accept it. They never talked to us, never asked us how much we wanted. Another victim, Bounnhok Keowai, who lost his 26-year-old son and his 5-year-old grandson also expressed his resentment. They gave us $10,000 each, but its not enough, he said. We cant resist and we cant say anything. Its the same amount whether for the old, the young, the dead or the missing. Thats not right, he said. On August 20 last year, the Lao government paid $180 for funeral costs to the families of each deceased victim. The official death toll when these payments were disbursed was 39. At that time, a staff member of the Sanamxay District confirmed the payment to RFA, saying, Thats the initial compensation. Our government gives 1.5 million kip ($180) for each person dead or missing. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by RFAs Lao Service. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Authorities in the United States on Tuesday indicted China's flagship telecoms giant Huawei on charges of fraud, attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice, as investigators formally placed an extradition request for the company's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. Prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York charged Huawei, two of its affiliates, and Meng with charges related to bank fraud and money laundering, the Department of Justice said in a news release. They were also accused of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) governing sanctions with Iran. Huawei was also charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice related to a grand jury investigation of its activities in the Eastern District of New York. "Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer broke U.S. law and have engaged in a fraudulent financial scheme that is detrimental to the security of the United States," Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. "They willfully conducted millions of dollars in transactions that were in direct violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, and such behavior will not be tolerated," Nielsen said. Wilbur Ross of the U.S. Department of Commerce said the administration of President Donald Trump was "tougher" on those who violate export controls than any previous administration, while FBI Director Christopher Wray said Huawei was accused of showing "blatant disregard" for U.S. law and international business practices. "Companies like Huawei pose a dual threat to both our economic and national security," Wray said. "We will not tolerate businesses that violate our laws, obstruct justice, or jeopardize national and economic well-being." Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker called on China to "hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law." The DOJ said Huawei had hidden behind a linked company, Skycom, to mask its operations in Iran and accused Meng of repeatedly lying to Huaweis banking partners about the relationship with Skycom, which they described as a "partner." "Huawei orchestrated the 2007 sale [of Skycom] to appear as an arms length transaction between two unrelated parties, when in fact Huawei actually controlled the company that purchased Skycom," it said, summarizing the indictment. Trade secrets stolen Meanwhile, a separate indictment unsealed in Washington state after being returned by a grand jury on Jan. 16 accused Huawei of trying to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile USA. It cited an internal offer of bonuses to Huawei employees who succeeded in stealing confidential information from other companies, the Department of Justice said in a statement on its website. "Today we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," Acting Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker said. "The charges unsealed today clearly allege that Huawei intentionally conspired to steal the intellectual property of an American company in an attempt to undermine the free and fair global marketplace," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. "Huawei continually disregarded the laws of the United States in the hopes of gaining an unfair economic advantage," Wray said. "The FBI will not tolerate corrupt businesses that violate the laws that allow American companies and the United States to thrive." Some of the allegations revolve around a robot named "Tappy" developed by T-Mobile to test its new phones. Huawei engineers violated confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with T-Mobile by secretly taking photos of Tappy, taking measurements of parts of the robot, and in one instance, stealing a piece of the robot so that the Huawei engineers in China could try to replicate it, according to the indictment. Huawei then produced a report falsely claiming that the theft was the work of rogue actors within the company, giving rise to the "obstruction of justice" charge, it said. It said email evidence showed that a "conspiracy to steal secrets from T-Mobile [that] was a company-wide effort." 'Dissatisfied, opposed' In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the Chinese government was "deeply dissatisfied and resolutely opposed" to the accusations. "The U.S. is using its national power to discredit and suppress specific Chinese companies in an attempt to stifle their legitimate operations," Geng told a regular news briefing on Tuesday. He said the moves were the result of "political motivation and maneuvering." "We strongly urge the U.S. to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei, and to treat Chinese enterprises fairly and objectively." He repeated Beijing's call for Meng's immediate release. June Teufel Dreyer, political science professor at the University of Miami, said the Huawei indictments were unlikely to be the last of their kind aimed at Chinese technology companies. "It's not just the U.S.: other countries including the U.K., Germany, and Australia are very concerned about the security threat from Huawei and other Chinese companies," Dreyer told RFA. "Western countries are now making rules and decisions that will limit the use of Huawei and ZTE products," she said in comments translated from an interview with RFA's Mandarin Service. Canadians held At least 13 Canadians were detained in China after Chinese officials vowed to retaliate for the arrest of Meng, who is wanted for questioning by investigators in the U.S. over alleged bank fraud linked to the breach of sanctions against Iran. While at least eight have since been released, a court in the northeastern city of Dalian on Dec. 29 handed down the death penalty to Canadian national Robert Schellenberg, who was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug smuggling last November. Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and consultant Michael Spavor remain in detention on suspicion of "endangering national security." The indictments come after national security researchers at George Mason University published a report warning that Huawei should be regarded as a potential security threat as governments around the world begin tendering for next-generation 5G mobile network infrastructure, given a 2017 Chinese law requiring Chinese companies and citizens to comply with spying requests from the government. Huawei has repeatedly insisted that it is a private company with no ties to the state. Reported by Wen Yuqing for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Xi Wang for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Surveillance and official retaliation have become the hallmarks of reporting from China, the foreign correspondents' club said in a new report. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) found in a recent survey of its members that more than half thought conditions had deteriorated in 2018. "Survey results painted the darkest picture of reporting conditions inside China in recent memory," the report, titled "Under Watch," found. "Surveillance, both human and digital, became a key concern," the FCCC said via its Twitter account, adding that 48 of respondents said they were were followed or "were aware that a hotel room was entered without permission." In addition, 91 percent were concerned about the security of their phones, while 22 percent were aware authorities tracked them using public surveillance systems. Overall, 55 percent of respondents said they believed conditions deteriorated in 2018. "Not a single correspondent said conditions improved last year," the FCCC said. Conditions were even tougher in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, where authorities have detained up to 1.1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in a vast network of "re-education" camps since . "Reporting grew much more difficult in Xinjiang," it said. "Twenty-four out of 27 respondents who traveled to the region [said] they experienced interference while there, with 19 being asked or forced to delete data," the FCCC said. "Many of the journalists who traveled there were visibly followed, physically blocked from areas and pressured to delete the contents of their reporting materials. Some were even denied hotel rooms," the report said. Official harassment or retaliation also rendered Chinese nationals working for foreign news organizations vulnerable, the report found, with 37 percent of 91 respondents reporting that their Chinese colleagues were pressured, harassed or intimidated. "The overall climate continues to deteriorate to the point where we are really worried about the safety of contacts and Chinese-national researchers," the FCCC quoted Financial Times Beijing bureau chief Tom Mitchell as saying. "Its by far the worst Ive seen working as a journalist in China or Hong Kong since 2000." Meanwhile, 34 percent said sources had been harassed, detained or called in for questioning at least once. The authorities also retaliated against foreign journalists through the use of the visa and accreditation system, the FCCC said. "BuzzFeed News bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan was effectively expelled from China after she was unable to renew her visa," it said, adding that Australian Broadcasting Corporation correspondent Matthew Carney had been forced to leave China after only receiving a short-term visa. "Both had done reporting in Xinjiang," the FCCC said. Carney told the FCCC survey that he had witnessed files being moved in his laptop and smartphone. "I have actually seen them in my Gmail opening and closing files," the report quoted him as saying. "I had a very high level of surveillance in my home and office, on phone, all communications apps: WeChat, Gmail, ABC email, malware in my phone, etc." The report cited one bureau chief of a U.S.-based news organization as saying: "On a day-to-day basis, its worse now than it has been in the past 20 years ... What were dealing with now is a new normal." FCCC president Hanna Salhberg said the ruling Chinese Communist Party is becoming "more sophisticated" in its use of surveillance to control foreign journalists. "The wider monitoring and pressure on sources stop journalists even before they can reach the news site," Sahlberg said. "There is a risk that even foreign media will shy away from stories that are perceived as too troublesome, or costly, to tell in China," she said, adding that recent reports of Chinese authorities offering, on behalf of Malaysia, to conduct intense surveillance of Hong Kong-based foreign correspondents was a disturbing development that violated both Hong Kong law and international standards. Reported by Lin Ping for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Outspoken Cardinal Joseph Zen received the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom for his work in opposition to communism at a ceremony in Washington on Monday, during which he expressed concern that Hong Kongs promised autonomy from China has all but disappeared. The medal, awarded annually by the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, is given to individuals and institutions that have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to freedom and democracy, while opposing communism and other forms of tyranny, according to the foundations website. In accepting the award, the 87-year-old emeritus bishop of Hong Kong said that while true Marxism is no longer present in China, the atheist persecutor dictatorship remains, and has sought to exert control over all religion in the country, including in his city, which was guaranteed a continuation of existing rights and freedoms for at least 50 years under a 1997 agreement handing it over from Britain. Of the promised high degree of autonomy, very little remains, Zen said, adding that we are soon to become just one of the cities in China. I want to remember many of those heroes who are suffering at this moment in China or Hong Kong for voicing their claim for respect of their dignity, for freedom, and for democracythose well-known and those anonymous heroes. Speaking to RFA after the ceremony, Zen highlighted a provisional agreement between the Vatican and China, which he said indicates that the head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong will need a blessing from Beijing to appoint bishops. This suggests Hong Kongs one country, two systems principle is about to disappear, he said. I hope the Vatican will stand their ground and appoint a bishop who can truly lead our diocese and protect our religious life. When asked if Hong Kongs Liaison Office of Chinas central government had interfered in the appointment of bishops in his city, Zen said he was unsure, but had heard from multiple sources that the candidate is chosen by Beijing. Zen said he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican this month for half an hour, during which time he listened to me attentively, but the Holy See had not replied to repeated letters in which he had expressed concern over the provisional agreement to appoint bishops. Theyre making their own judgement on matters that I disagree with, he said. We Catholics are praying for [the pope]. With Gods blessings, we pray he wont make mistakes. Ahead of Mondays award ceremony, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation executive director Marion Smith told the Union of Catholic Asian News agency that Zen had given voice to those denied religious liberty and has opposed the collusion of the Vatican and Chinese Communist Party on the matter of ecclesiastical appointments. Past recipients of the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom include Pope St. John Paul II, Romania's Bishop Laszlo Tokes, Vietnamese priest Nguyen Van Ly, and Chinese activists Chen Guangcheng, Yang Jianli and Wei Jingsheng. Controversial agreement In September, Chinas Communist Party and the Vatican reached an agreement over the appointment of bishops, drawing mixed reactions from Christians in China who warned that religious repression would likely intensify on unofficial churches in the country. The controversial deal eliminates the division between bishops and churches recognized by the government-backed Catholic Patriotic Association and those appointed by Rome, which will likely result in an expansion of the Catholic Church in China, where followers number around 12 million. But rights groups and leading Catholics have warned that religious persecution continues unabated under the administration of President Xi Jinping amid heavy-handed controls by religious affairs officials. Under the agreement, Rome will now recognize seven bishops appointed by the Chinese state, and the agreement sees the founding of a new Catholic diocese in Chengde, in the northern province of Hebei. In November, authorities in Chinas eastern province of Zhejiang detained Bishop Peter (in Italian, Pietro) Shao of Wenzhou, a Catholic bishop recognized by the Vatican but not by the ruling Chinese Communist Partyweeks after the agreement was reached. Beijing asserts that all religions are subordinate to the Chinese Communist Party within China's borders, and that religious believers must "be subordinate to and serve the overall interests of the nation and the Chinese people ... and support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party." Officially an atheist country, China has an army of officials whose job is to watch over faith-based activities, which have spread rapidly in recent decades. Party officials are put in charge of Catholics, Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims, and Protestants. Judaism isn't recognized, and worship in non-recognized temples, churches, or mosques is against the law. Reported by Shawn Fok and Marlin Ma for RFAs Cantonese Service. Translated by Karen Zhang. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. A court in the central Chinese province of Hubei on Tuesday handed down a five-year jail term to the founder of a human rights website after finding him guilty of subversion. Citizen journalist and rights activist Liu Feiyue, who founded the Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch website, was jailed for five years by the Suizhou Intermediate People's Court, which found him guilty of "incitement to subvert state power." A source close to Liu said he would appeal the sentence. "He got five years," the source said. "He will definitely be appealing." A friend of Liu's surnamed Li said that around 200 supporters had attempted to travel to the court building for the sentencing hearing, but had been confronted by a strong police presence. "There were several police vehicles there, and the police were blocking the gates and all of the intersections, so we couldn't get in," Li said. "A lot of people were prevented from going during the train trip to Hubei." "Some drove there, but they weren't allowed in when they did arrive," she said. A supporter surnamed Ling said the area around the court building had been cordoned off since Monday evening. "There were police at every intersection, so people couldn't get in," she said. "Also, you have to show your ID card to buy a train ticket, so they wouldn't let us travel; there were quite a few of us." Condemnation from US, leading rights groups Rights lawyer Ren Quanniu said he was unsurprised by the sentence. "Looking at it realistically, it is within expectations for this kind of charge," Ren said. "Of course, by its very nature, the sentence should never have been passed." "I don't think he will get the guilty verdict overturned on appeal, but it's still worth doing, because it shows that he is holding firm to his own world view," he said. Liu's sentencing drew immediate condemnation and calls for his release from international human rights groups. "Liu Feiyue set up the website to report on grassroots rights issues," Maya Wang, senior China researcher for the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), told RFA. "The freedom of expression is protected by the Chinese constitution, as well as international human rights conventions." "He should never have been sentenced for engaging in peaceful, reasonable and legal activities," she said. In Washington, the State Department called for Wang's release. "We are troubled that China has subjected Mr. Wang to a three-and-a-half-year period of pre-trial detention, and (that he) has been held incommunicado, has been deprived of legal counsel of his choosing, and that his chosen lawyer has been subjected to reprisals," said a statement by deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino. "We remain concerned by the deteriorating situation for the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in China, and continue to urge China to uphold its international human rights commitments and to respect the rule of law," said the statement. Volunteers at the Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch offices had previously said that Liu also stands accused of receiving overseas funding to run the group. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly warned against "hostile foreign forces" attempting to overthrow the ruling Chinese Communist Party by infiltrating China with "Western" religious practices and ideas like democracy, constitutional government, and human rights. Wang said the ruling Chinese Communist Party has been engaged in a nationwide crackdown on any non-government or civil organization in receipt of international funding. "Chinese rights websites have had a very hard time of it financially since the Foreign NGO Law took effect," Wang said. "There has been a tightening of the regulations around overseas funding in recent years." In a statement on its website, HRW called on the Chinese authorities to "immediately quash the conviction and unconditionally release" Liu. 'Deplorable verdict' It said the prosecution against Liu has been marred by denial of his right to legal counsel and other due process violations. Liu was accused at his trial last year of attacking the current political system, defaming the Chinese government, and spreading information harming state power and the Socialist system through the articles and reports he published. Meanwhile, Patrick Poon, China researcher for London-based Amnesty International, said the sentence was "deplorable." "Todays deplorable verdict against Liu Feiyue has nothing to do with justice," Poon said in a statement. "He is a Prisoner of Conscience who must be immediately and unconditionally released." "Through his website, Liu Feiyue shone a light on the human rights violations faced by many people in China," Poon said. "He should not have been prosecuted nor spent a single day in prison for solely exercising his right to freedom of expression." Liu, 48, has been targeted for police harassment since he founded Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch in 2006, and has been routinely detained or placed under house arrest during politically sensitive events. Liu was initially detained on Nov. 17, 2016, and placed under criminal investigation for "incitement to subvert state power." Liu was among more than 300 lawyers, law firm staff, rights activists, and relatives who were detained, questioned, or placed under surveillance or other restrictions in a nationwide police operation targeting the legal profession and related activists launched in July 2015. Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email please call (208) 542-6777 for help. We get it. You don't want to see the ads. We'd just ask you to understand that those ads help us pay the bills and our reporters. Please, consider white-listing the Standard Journal in your ad-blocker or, even better, purchase a subscription so that you can help support quality local journalism. Swarthmore, PA (19081) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Lebanon, IN (46052) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms overnight. Low 72F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%. This house in Las Vegas will blow your mind. It isn't built to sustain a nuclear attack, but it is built 26 feet underground. And the subterranean structure is designed to make residents feel as if they're in a normal home with a yard, grass, swimming pool, trees, and murals painted to look like landscaping and the horizon. It comes with an equally mind-bending price: $18 million. The price seems a bit aggressive, considering that the property last changed hands in 2015 for $1,150,000. Did the current owners remodel it? Did they add secret spy gear? Or is the price simply a typo? It's nothing of the sort, according to listing agent Stephan LaForge of BHHS Nevada Properties. "The price reflects the price to rebuild," he explains. If an enterprising builder wanted to replicate this one-of-a-kind property in 2019, it would be nearly impossible. LaForge says it would cost at least $18 million to dig a third-of-an-acre hole and reinforce it with a half-mile of solid-steel I-beams. Then you must factor in all the other features and amenities the bunker contains. Lawn realtor.com The property's current owners paid cash for the acre lot a little over four years ago. It has a five-bedroom, six-bathroom house (with pool!) underground, and a small townhouse above ground. They've added some essentials, including repeaters that allow cellphone reception, cable, and internet below ground. They also replaced all eight air-conditioning units (you need to have plenty of fresh air down there!) and added a 1,000-gallon water tank, among other infrastructure improvements. Front entry realtor.com Still, the retreat isn't ideal for a prepper paradiseif the outdoor air is contaminated, the air below ground will be as well. And there isn't much in this world strong enough to protect you from a nuclear bomb, should one land in your vicinity. Watch: We're Crazy for This Detroit Home's Insane Decor Although it isn't completely disaster-proof, what the property does offer is more than 15,000 square feet of underground space. The space is dotted with artificial trees, faux rocks, and hand-painted murals of lifelike scenery. The lights below ground can be adjusted to reflect the sunlight at different times of the day, and there are twinkling stars on the ceiling to approximate the night sky. Kitchen view at "night" realtor.com Lifelike mural realtor.com For fun, there's a four-hole putting green, two hot tubs, a sauna, dance floor, bar, barbecue (should you be bold enough to use it), and the aforementioned swimming pool. Pool realtor.com The main residence has two bedrooms and three bathrooms, and just about everything a typical '70s-era house would have, including a built-in bar and a pink-accented kitchen. Looking from the outside in realtor.com Bar realtor.com Kitchen realtor.com You don't need a garage underground, but there is an additional casita for guests. There's plenty of room to park on the surface, and the underground level is then reached by elevator or stairs. Casita realtor.com Above-ground house and parking realtor.com So who's responsible for this fascinating property? Jerry Henderson, a businessman and philanthropist who was a director of Avon Products, built it in 1979, and since then the period decor of the underground area has been well-preserved. Henderson was a noted underground living enthusiast, and sponsored an Underground Home exhibit at the New York World's Fair. Pool realtor.com When Henderson died in 1983, his wife no longer desired the subterranean life. She had a townhouse built on the property's surface, where she lived until she died in 1989. The property changed hands a time or two and eventually wound up in foreclosure. View of the pink bedroom realtor.com Along came the Society for the Preservation of Near Extinct Species, a secretive group with the goal of promoting human life extension. An underground bunker seemed like a perfect fit for the group. Society President Mark Voelker, who lives above ground in the townhouse, told LaForge the property has become quite the tourist attraction. The property's website, UndergroundHouse.Vegas, also helps to whip up interest. Authentic lighting realtor.com So if the property won't protect against a full-on attack on Vegas, what will a new owner do with the place? LaForge has some ideas. He suggests a new owner could iron out zoning issues, build a parking lot on top, and then use it for a special events location. "You could have a rave down there and no one would hear you," he says. He adds it would be perfect as a home for people who are allergic to sunlight or people who want the ultimate in privacy. Even so, "It's more like a novelty," he says, "an attraction." Overhead view of the lot realtor.com And although Las Vegas is full of attractions, this one, located only about 2.5 miles from the Strip, would certainly be unique. We've never seen anything like it! The post Digging Deeper Into the $18M Underground House in Las Vegas appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Dassault Aviation Conducts Cold Weather Tests at Rovaniemi Air Base (Source: Finnish Air Force Lapland Air Command; issued Jan 28, 2019) A French AF Rafale fighter is spending a week at Rovaniemi in Finland for cold weather trials. Rafale is competing for the Finnish AFs H-X contract to replace its F-18 Hornet fighters, one of which is taking off in the background. (Finnish AF photo) The French defence and aerospace company Dassault Aviation has deployed a Rafale multi-role fighter to Rovaniemi Air Base for a cold weather testing event on Monday 28th January. Scheduled for the coldest time of the winter in Lapland, the testing event lasts for approximately one week. The tests measure the fighters performance in sub-zero temperatures. The cold weather testing event includes engine run-up tests and taxiing on the flight line. However, also a few flights may be included. Lapland Air Command hosts Dassault Aviations cold weather testing event at Rovaniemi Air Base. However, no Finnish Air Force flight operations will be associated with the tests. Carried out by the French defence and aerospace company, the testing event is not a part of the HX fighter programme, designed to find the replacement for Finnish Air Forces current F/A-18 fleet. -ends- TORRINGTON The Department of Energy and & Environmental Protection is hosting its annual No Child Left Inside Winter Festival on Saturday at Burr Pond State Park, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The park at 384 Burr Mountain Road is the site of a day of free family activities Children and adults can try ice fishing (ice dependent), go on a hike, go snowshoeing, play winter games, and view a host of demonstrations from LL Bean, Resources in Search and Rescue rescue dogs, and warm up around fire pits for a good old-fashioned marshmallow roast and enjoy story-time by the bonfire. Along with ice fishing, which is dependent on the weather and safety conditions on the pond, activities at the festival will include hiking with Torrington Trails Network and the Winsted Trails Group, animal tracking, dog demonstrations, Reach Your Summit with Mat Jobin from the White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield; snowshoeing, ice carving demonstrations from 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m.; a game and activity day with the Torrington Park and Recreation Department, and plenty of snow areas in which to play. A fish fry is ongoing. Participating organizations include the CT Horse Council, Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forest, Morsel Munk, CT Valley Siberian Husky Club, LL Bean, Bass Pro, Energize CT, the Torrington Police Department, the Torrington Police Activities League and the Torrington Fire Department. All guests should dress for the weather including warm footwear. Guests should park in the main parking lot at Burr Pond. There will be overflow parking areas in the Burr Pond Boat Launch Ramp parking area as well as at the Litchfield County Regional Fire School, located at 606 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington. The Torrington Police Activities League is providing a shuttle bus to pick-up/drop-off festival attendees at the 3 parking locations mentioned above throughout the day. The shuttle bus will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as needed. For information, visit http://www.ct.gov/ncli/site/default.asp or call 860-424-3200 . The homeowners for Jeanie Richmonds latest project, brought with them only two tables. Richmond said she used the fabric of on the chairs as inspiration to decorate several rooms. (Chris Jackson/The Register-Herald) submitted photoGirl Scouts of Black Diamond Council CEO Beth Casey (left) poses with Linda Pritt from the WV National Guard Foundation (left center), Shirley White from the West Virginia Gold Star Families (second from right), members of Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council (right center and right) and Vietnam Veterans of America (second from left) during the fall product donation. January 29, 2019 16:04 IST 'He could relate to strategic and security issues almost instantly.' 'He had the ability to grasp, absorb and come out with actual rectification.' IMAGE: Then defence minister George Fernandes takes a view through a heavy machine gun, seized from the Pakistan army in Kargil, August 2001. Photograph: PTI Photo We have never had a Raksha Mantri as sharp as George Fernandes. He was well read and knew his history very well. He could relate to strategic and security issues almost instantly. He had the ability to grasp, absorb and come out with actual rectification. That was the amazing thing. Generals get uncomfortable when they have to explain strategic military affairs to politicians who have absolutely no idea. They then have to come down to explaining each terminology, but George Fernandes was proficient in English, Hindi, Hindustani and made officers comfortable with him. He was RM when two very proficient chiefs functioned under him -- General V P Malik and General S Padmanabhan. They understood him well, knew his limitations and how far they could go with him. He was never for personal popularity. A Raksha Mantri who hankers for popularity will pander to the immediate bureaucracy around the ministry of defence and look after their interests -- and not of the armed forces. George Fernnades was not that kind of Raksha Mantri. IMAGE: George Fernandes interacts with jawans at the Gulab outpost during his visit to Siachen in November 2001. Photograph: PTI Photo One of the first things he did was to get the MoD bureaucrats to start visiting Siachen -- and spend a minimum 72 hours to at least a week over there. This happened after he made a visit to Siachen and found that the snow scooters, an essential item for recovery of oil droppings, were not functional. He discovered the spares had not been provided. He went back to Delhi and almost immediately gave the direction that this should be done as the highest priority. He asked the concerned bureaucrats, who had been tardy in decision making, to go up there and have a look at the conditions. He wanted them to see how the lack of snow scooters was actually affecting the Indian Army. We got what we needed for the scooters immediately. He was a regular visitor to Siachen. For a Raksha Mantri to visit the most difficult terrain where the army is deployed sends a very solid message, not only to the army itself, but also to those who are looking after the army and MPs. IMAGE: Interacting with troops during a visit to a garrison at Shariefabad, on the outskirts of Srinagar, August 3, 2002. Photograph: Fayaz Kabli/Reuters A person like George Fernandes was both comfortable with the ceremony of the Indian Army and equally comfortable in a kurta-pyjama culture. Another raksha mantri, A K Antony, was also simple in his ways, but he somehow could not communicate with the army like George Fernandes. George was a communicator. He would put his arm around the jawan and talk to them -- all this made people get along with him. The qualities that we always desired of a RM -- the ability to understand the Indian Army's past, the basic ethos of ceremonies, the importance of dress and events which politicians do not usually understand, he did. George played a very important role in supporting the Indian Army during Kargil. He was popular with the soldiers, junior officers and generals. He was a constant visitor to the field, and Siachen was a symbolic message for that. Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Bar) retired from the Indian Army after 40 years of distinguished service in 2013. He is currently the Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and one of the most astute commentators on military affairs. General Hasnain, who was posted in South Kashmir during Mr Fernandes's tenure as defence minister, spoke to Rediff.com's Archana Masih. Last updated on: February 07, 2019 16:46 IST Balbinder Singh Dhami, who has played an inspector, for over a year, in The Zee Horror Show, took on the role of a witness on Monday. It was a part he had no experience of. Vaihayasi Pande Daniel reports from the Sheena Bora murder trial. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com The witness box in CBI Special Judge Jayendra Chandrasen Jagdale's Courtroom 51 in the Sheena Bora murder trial has been graced, from its start, by witnesses of all professions. A chicken farmer. A police commissioner. A psychiatrist. A body builder. A waiter. A secretary. A chauffeur. A shoe salesman. A hotel receptionist. A luggage seller. A sari store owner. A car dealer. And more. Monday, January 28, 2019, saw at the Mumbai city civil and sessions court, Fort, surprisingly, a Bollywood actor step up into that three foot by three foot stand, which has wooden slatted railings and a backless rudimentary stool placed in it. Balbinder Singh Dhami, 51, who has played bit parts in Jaan Tere Naam (1992), Sainik (1993), Parwane (1993), Lalchee (1996) and an inspector, for over a year, in The Zee Horror Show, took on the role of a witness on Monday. It was a part he had no experience of. When he began his testimony, within a few minutes, it became quickly evident that this witness was Accused No 2 Sanjeev Khanna's friend from Kolkata. Not that he was an actor. The stagey, slightly affected air about him, where every answer he delivered was stilted and more like dialogue, should have given it away. But he did it himself when he consequently announced to the room first that he was a businessman and later, in a not quite off-hand enough tone that he was an actor. In a murder case it would maybe not be astounding at all for the accused to come face to face, once more, with practically everyone and anyone they ever knew in their life, past or present -- be it their barber/hairdresser, their dentist, old pals, their house help, their mechanic, the liquor store owner from whom they bought their weekly quota of say vodka, their pharmacist or an old actor friend. Any of them can be invited to court and called on to verify an accused's character or his life trajectory. For the accused it must almost be like pressing the button for a small life rewind, where, in quick succession, all the faces who ever coloured your life blurringly rush past you. Dhami, a tall man, clean-shaven, dressed in a yellow, red, black and white graph checked shirt that hung untucked over blue jeans and brown slip-ons, spoke in a strong, firm voice, with perfect diction, in English, although he offered to speak in Hindi or Punjabi (and if one heard right Bengali too). He was also sporting a chunky gold watch, a gold ring and stylish, narrow black-and-silver glasses. His wife Kanwaljeet and toweringly tall son Jaikaar came with him to court and took the last bench, exchanging warm greetings with Indrani Mukherjea and Sanjeev Khanna, whom they had probably not met in years. Dhami and Sanjeev met around 1984 or 1985 (he was not sure of the exact year) through mutual friends T P Ray and Manglesh Jalan. He later met "Sanju Khanna's wife," as Dhami referred to her, after Sanjeev married Indrani Bora and they were living in Howrah, perhaps at the flat Sanjeev apparently owned near Shalimar station. Indrani was running an HR/placement agency named INX and a few years after they -- Dhami and the Khannas -- made acquaintance, she was called to Mumbai by the late adman Alyque Padamsee. According to Dhami: "Alyque Padamsee was the main guy who brought Indrani to Mumbai." Dhami, who was in the advertising business and by then had also shifted to Mumbai, agreed to become partners with Indrani who was hoping to open an HR office in Mumbai. He offered her office space on a "50:50 of whatever profit sharing" basis in "just good faith." Where that office was located was not revealed. Indrani moved to Mumbai and in with Dhami's family -- his son, his daughter and wife. The year was 2001 or 2002, he thought. A little later -- a year probably -- Sanjeev and the couple's approximately 2-year-old daughter Vidhie Khanna joined Indrani in Mumbai, as per Dhami's testimony. Around that time there seemed to have been differences building between Sanjeev and Indrani. And the charming Indrani had met Peter, then CEO, Star India Pvt Ltd. CBI Special Prosecutor Kavita Patil, who was conducting the 'testimony in chief' of the witness: "Mr Dhami, from your house where she (Indrani) shifted?" Dhami: "She moved directly to Peters house along with her daughter." Patil: "Mr Dhami, what happened to their (Sanjeev and Indrani's) relationship?" Dhami: "After that they were going for divorce, a mutually agreed for divorce." Patil: "After divorce, what she did?" Dhami, looking utterly baffled at being asked such a strange question: "She got married to Peter! And I attended their marriage." From then onwards Sanjeev was prevented from having access to his little girl. Dhami emphatically, in a serious, sombre tone: "Khanna, (correcting himself) Sanjeev used to love his daughter very much. She (Indrani) never used to allow her to meet Mr Khanna. And he used to cry in front of me. He used to keep (hold) a small doll and cry for Vidhie." Maybe the doll had belonged to Vidhie, but Dhami was not asked to explain. When Dhami was narrating the details of this sorrowful chapter in Sanjeev's life -- of an adoring father losing contact with his toddler daughter -- he (Sanjeev), wearing, Monday, a blue-and-white plaid shirt and jeans, sat pensively, aloof from the others in the accused box, either lost in thought or memories. Or sadness. He was, after all, sharing the enclosure with the man who took his Vidhie and wife over, maybe unknowingly. And with a woman who had abandoned him for whatever reason, even if it was years ago. This was the daughter who remained lost to him, with whom Sanjeev was never again able to establish contact, according to him, in spite of a trip in 2012 to try and see her. This was the daughter to whom Indrani had told that Sanjeev had mistreated her apparently. This was the daughter, now nearly 21, who Peter Mukerjea adopted, with whom hopes of restoring a relationship were scant as Sanjeev continued to be detained in judicial custody in the anda (solitary) cell in Arthur Road jail since his arrest in 2015. Even on the two or three visits to court, Vidhie had not stopped to say even hello to Sanjeev. Were they wounds that would ever heal? What was the other side of the story, Indrani's take? The room, too, in that moment became aware of the tragedy/U-turns of Sanjeev's battered life. Usually only the third wheel in this murder case, whose name comes up after every three or four hearings, Accused 2 once was a happy-go-lucky businessman helping restore and convert a rajbari (old Bengali zamindari mansion) into a heritage hotel at Bawali, about 35 km from Kolkata. Before his implication in Sheena's murder (the stepdaughter who was never a stepdaughter, because he never knew about her or knew of her maybe later as Indrani's sister), Sanjeev, a motor rally enthusiast, was often spotted at some of Kolkata's clubs, as per earlier news reports and his Facebook page, and led, by all accounts, an uncomplicated life. Indrani, in white, her hair loose, looked at him at that point, giving him a shadow of a smile. But he didn't seem to register it. Sanjeev and Dhami remained in touch, even after Indrani speedily exited out of his life. "(After) I shifted to Mumbai, jab bhi Kolkata jaate the bakee dost se milte the aur unse (bhi) milte the (whenever I went back to Kolkata I met all my friends and him too). Can't call it a close friendship. Hi hello ho jatee (a reunion of sorts happened)." Cut to April 2012: Dhami said Sanjeev Khanna called him to say he was coming into Mumbai and requested permission for use of a car. Dhami, who was out of town, obliged and sent his car, and a driver named Imtiyaz, to pick Sanjeev up from the airport and take him to a hotel Dhami remembered named Hiltop in Worli. At this point in his testimony, the actor-businessman pointedly added that that evening his driver, after dropping Sanjeev to the hotel, called to say that Khanna needed the car for a further two hours. Dhami said he refused and asked that the driver bring the car back to his building to its rightful parking spot. It seems Dhami was living in the Tulips cooperative housing society in Oshiwara, north west Mumbai then, and still does. Patil asked Dhami if he could identify Indrani and Sanjeev and if they were in the courtroom on Monday. Dhami said they were and pointed to them. He inserted, "Mr Peter Mukerjea is there too!" There were smiles all around. Dhami's cross examination began with Gunjan Mangla representing Indrani, in absence of trial lawyer Sudeep Ratnamberdutt Pasbola. She had just a few questions. The most important were: Mangla: "Mr Dhami, did you attend the wedding of Sanjeev Khanna and Indrani Mukerjea in Calcutta?" Dhami, disapproving of Mangla's not up-to-date geography: "Kolkata." Mangla obliged: "Kolkata." Later, Dhami himself used Calcutta. Dhami: "No." A few questions later, Mangla: "Mr Dhami, did it ever happen in your presence that Mr Sanjeev Khanna asked to meet the daughter and Mrs Indrani Mukerjea refused?" Dhami, backtracking: "I really don't remember what was going on between them." Similarly when re-questioned in detail by Mangla about a few of the bits of his just-finished testimony, his answer was always that it had all happened very long ago and he could not remember. Sanjeev's trial lawyer Niranjan Mundargi took over, addressing him respectfully as Balbinderji and acknowledged to Dhami that he knew he was an actor. Like Mangla, he also had not much ground to cover given that Dhami had provided a few facts helpful for Sanjeev's defence already, like Indrani's treatment of Sanjeev after she met Peter. His main task was to undo Dhami's statement that Sanjeev asked for a car for an additional two hours in April 2012. The specific date of April 24, the day Sheena was murdered, did not come up specifically but was alluded to all through. That should have been a quick and easy task for the lawyer, except that Dhami had acute and genuine comprehension issues. Most of Mundargi's questions just didn't find their mark, like drunken arrows flying miles wide of the target. Not because they weren't lucid enough, but Dhami, quite similar to a student appearing for a physics exam who didn't understand physics at all, just couldn't get them. And it didn't seem to involve any subterfuge either. Dhami also tended to take back the statements he had just made in his testimony, minutes before, as if the court was hallucinating and he could never have uttered them. Mundargi: "Did it happen that you used to tell Imtiyaz that soon after dropping or picking up any person as per your orders he had to park the car in your garage?" Dhami: "Not in the garage. At my place. So there was no wasting of fuel." Mundargi: "This Imtiyaz used to misuse the car on the pretext of dropping or picking up someone or waste time?" Dhami, taken aback and not grasping the question: "No!" Mundargi reminded him that in his statement to the CBI he had said that. Dhami insisted: "I am not aware!" Mundargi: "Didn't you state that?" Dhami: "Ya, misuse can be for fuel consumption..." Mundargi, giving Dhami an amused, quizzical look, mildly interjected that that was the same kind of misuse he had been referring to all along. Judge Jagdale, in an attempt to untangle the knotted communication lines, took to rephrasing Mundargi's questions in the simplest possible language. He too could often not achieve the necessary results and in mild exasperation simply dictated to the court stenographer that the witness could not recollect, as Dhami's answer to a number of the queries. Along this fractured, hit-and-miss path the Q and A continued and came to the crucial point of understanding the alleged request by Sanjeev to have Dhami's car for two hours extra on the evening of April 24, 2012. Dhami agreed that he never checked with Sanjeev what the further two hours bit was about. Mundargi: "You did not verify this fact with Sanjeev Khanna?" Dhami: "Actually I didn't bother." Mundargi: "I put it to you that you didn't bother to ask Sanjeev Khanna because you didn't believe Imtiyaz." Dhami, lamely: "Won't be able to say." Subsequently, the actor businessman, who handled each question in a sort of unrequired defensive and slightly belligerent manner, could not understand that he had been interrogated by the CBI twice. He denied, first, ever meeting the CBI at all and finally agreed that he had given a statement but just one statement and did not quite comprehend that a statement/s were the result of enquiries by the CBI. Mundargi: "Balbinderji, did the Khar police station (Mumbai north west) officers ever call you for enquiry?" Dhami: "Never." Mundargi: "On how many occasions did the CBI call you?" Dhami said they never called him either. Silence in the courtroom. It was, after all, a CBI courtroom. Mundargi: "The CBI never called you for an enquiry?!" Dhami said they only called him just before this hearing to tell him to come. Mundargi laboured to explain what he meant by enquiry and that it was not an enquiry into anything Dhami had personally done wrong, but an enquiry in the course of the murder investigation. Still, Dhami adamantly: "No, no enquiry. Or I might have said what I am saying now!" Confusion set in. Dhami looking more and more puzzled. Mundargi was at a loss. And the room was in giggles including his wife. Patil gently asked Dhami to listen to each question carefully. Mundargi instead, turned the question around and asked how many times he visited the CBI office, could it have been 2 times or ten. Dhami plaintively stated that he could not remember: "Itni saal purani kahani yaad nahi hai (It is such an old story. I can't remember)." Mundargi, primly: "Kahani nahin hai (It is not a story)." Dhami shrugging: "I can't remember. I am a businessman. I do business." Mundargi showed his statement to the CBI and persisted with his line of questioning. Dhami wearily: "Mera mazzak kar rahe hai? (Are you making fun of me?)?" Judge Jagdale chided Mundargi saying the witness was scared. Dhami: "Ek hi baar statement diya. Kasam se. Lunch karke aaya. Puch le beta se (I gave a statement only once. I promise. I ate lunch and came back. Ask my son)," gesturing to his son at the back. "Kuch yaad nahin (I don't remember anything)." When Dhami left the courtroom after his testimony and cross-examination about 40 minutes later, he didn't look any wiser about the visits he had made to the CBI or what part of the investigative process he had participated in. Nor was anyone else wiser about why Dhami simply could not remember/fathom what all the 28 witnesses before him had no trouble understanding. It is not a role he should volunteer to repeat. Neel Bhatt, a UW assistant professor of otolaryngology, specializes in treating patients with voice problems. Through his work, he began to realize people did not like the sound of their own voices. With the transition to school over Zoom, many students can relate to the discomfort of hearin Source: January 29, 2019 16:14 IST Former Defence Minister George Fernandes first shot into national prominence when he defeated Congress stalwart S K Patil in the 1967 parliamentary elections. He also had a strong Mumbai connection. Recalling the veteran socialists association with the city, Communist Party of India leader Prakash Reddy said that Fernandes had in 1967 emerged as the giant killer by defeating Patil, who was then called the uncrowned king of Bombay and represented the Bombay South Lok Sabha seat. Mumbai at that time had a tradition of strong labour force in the industrial sector, civic body and small businesses known as gumasta. Fernandes stood up for the workers of the civic body, Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport undertaking and the gumasta workers and fought for their rights. He made a name for himself among the labour class in the 1960s, Reddy said. Patil was a very powerful leader. He was invincible. George said S K Patil can be defeated and decided to contest against him. He got the backing of the labour work force, the CPI leader recalled. During the Sanyukta Maharashtra movement in 1950s and 1960s, the mood of people in Mumbai was anti-Congress since the party was perceived to be against the inclusion of Bombay into the state of Maharashtra. All major unions of the civic body, BEST and small businesses in Mumbai were set up by George Fernandes. This helped George defeat S K Patil, who was close to top industrialists, he said. Before contesting the 1967 Lok Sabha poll, Fernandes had led a successful municipal workers strike in Mumbai, he mentioned. The Praja Socialist Party was headed by Madhu Dandawate and Fernandes headed the Sanyukta Socialist rpt Socialist Party. Both the parties merged to form the Socialist Party and supported the Shiv Sena in the 1968 civic polls in Mumbai. The Socialist Party and Shiv Sena alliance won the civic polls that year. Fernandes was so blinded by the anti-Congress and anti-Indira Gandhi sentiment that he compromised on his socialist ideology to support the dual membership of associating with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, resulting in his fallout with trade union leader Sharad Rao, Reddy said. Fernandes had also shared a close relationship with Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray. He was also among the very few to refer the Sena patriarch as Bal, city-based senior journalist Yogesh Trivedi remembered. Fernandes passed away in Delhi Tuesday following a prolonged illness, his family sources said. He was 88. He was suffering from Alzheimers disease and had recently contracted swine flu. January 29, 2019 08:05 IST This year's calendar of the National Security Guard is about the high-level of training the commandos go through. Shot by photographer Pravin Talan, this calendar shows a commando's valour and willingness to take risks and also gives a peek into the intense preparation that a commando does before embarking on a mission. These stunning photos are a tribute to the martyrs and capture the 'men in black' at their combative best. An NSG commando in full combat gear Dropping down to ground zero The cutting edge: Training in extreme situations Living on the edge Tearing into terror: Sniffer dogs of the K9 unit are trained to identify 'hostile intentions' and respond accordingly Forged in fire: Training to tackle all obstacles The Black Sharks: NSG's capability to launch underwater counter terror ops adds a potent dimension to the force NSG commandos with a sniffer dog of K9 unit Menacing apparition NSG demonstrated its ability to launch close-range attacks during the rescue op at Taj Hotel in Mumbai Proximate security Training till it becomes reflex The martyrs January 29, 2019 23:48 IST There is a strong possibility of communal violence in India if the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party stresses on Hindu nationalist themes ahead of the general election in May, America's top spymaster told United States lawmakers on Tuesday. IMAGE: A shop set on fire in Chhapra, Bihar, in the violence. The comment on India's upcoming general election is part of the US intelligence community's assessment of worldwide threats in the year 2019 and was presented in the form of a written document to the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence by Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence. "Parliamentary elections in India increase the possibility of communal violence if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party stresses Hindu nationalist themes," Coats told members of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Coats and heads of other top American intelligence agencies appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to present their worldwide threat assessment. Prominent among them included CIA Director Gina Haspel, who has just returned from a trip to India, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Robert Ashley. "BJP policies during Modi's first term have deepened communal tensions in some BJP-governed states, and Hindu nationalist state leaders might view a Hindu-nationalist campaign as a signal to incite low-level violence to animate their supporters," Coats said in his written statement. "Increasing communal clashes could alienate Indian Muslims and allow Islamist terrorist groups in India to expand their influence, Coats warned ahead of the general election. The five-year term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ends in May. The entire process of election and formation of the new parliament needs to be completed by May. Coats in his written statement also warns of a strained India-Pakistan relationship at least till May. "We judge that cross-border terrorism, firing across the Line of Control, divisive national elections in India, and Islamabad's perception of its position with the United States relative to India will contribute to strained India-Pakistan relations at least through May 2019, the deadline for the Indian election, and probably beyond," he said. Despite limited confidence-building measures -- such as both countries recommitting in May 2018 to the 2003 ceasefire along the disputed Kashmir border - continued terrorist attacks and cross-border firing in Kashmir have hardened each country's position and reduced their political will to seek rapprochement, he said. "Political maneuvering resulting from the Indian national elections probably will further constrain near-term opportunities for improving ties," it said. 'Pak supported militant groups will continue attacks in India' Coats also said that the militant groups supported by Pakistan will continue to conduct terrorist attacks in both India and Afghanistan. Coats said Pakistan's "narrow approach to counterterrorism cooperation-using some groups as policy tools and confronting only the militant groups that directly threaten Pakistan-almost certainly will frustrate US counterterrorism efforts against the Taliban." "Militant groups supported by Pakistan will continue to take advantage of their safe haven in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests," he told the members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The comment on South Asia is part of US intelligence community's assessment of worldwide threats in 2019 and was presented in the form of a written document to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence by Coats. Coats said that the challenges facing South Asian states will grow in 2019 because of Afghanistan's presidential election in mid-July and the Taliban's large-scale attacks, Pakistan's recalcitrance in dealing with militant groups, and Indian elections that risk communal violence. "We assess that neither the Afghan Government nor the Taliban will be able to gain a strategic military advantage in the Afghan war in the coming year if coalition support remains at current levels," he said. Afghan forces generally have secured cities and other government strongholds, but the Taliban has increased large-scale attacks, and Afghan security suffers from a large number of forces being tied down in defensive missions, mobility shortfalls, and a lack of reliable forces to hold recaptured territory, Coats said. Source: January 29, 2019 21:17 IST With the general election round the corner, the BJP believes its show of intent for building the temple could consolidate its core supporters. Weeks before the general elections, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Tuesday sought to present the central government's move to return undisputed land in Ayodhya to its original owners, including Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, as a step towards starting "work" on building a Ram temple in the holy city of Uttar Pradesh. With the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-led Hindutva organisations pushing for a law to build the temple at the disputed site, a BJP leader said the government's plea in the Supreme Court is an attempt to redress the "deep sense of anguish of Ram devotees and the BJP cadres". The comments came hours after the Centre asked the Supreme Court to allow it to return the "non-disputed" surplus land acquired around the disputed structure in Ayodhya to the Nyas and other original owners. The leader recalled that the biggest applaud the BJP president Amit Shah's speech in the party's recent convention had received from thousands of delegates was when he reiterated the party's commitment to the temple construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief mention of the emotive issue had also drawn loud cheers, he said. Amid demands for a law, Modi had said that his government would wait for the apex court's decision on the matter but the "delay" in the matter has been causing consternation among the 'sadhus' and the party's core Hindutva supporters. Underlining the significance of the government's petition, the senior government functionary and the party leader said, "We have to be concerned about their sentiments. People who want a Ram temple have always supported us. There has to be political massaging by the government that we care for their emotions." Separately, BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar held a press conference at the party's headquarters in New Delhi and said the Nyas, a trust which is among the largest original owners of the undisputed land that the government had acquired and has offered to return, wants a Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He indicated that the government's plea in the Supreme Court to return excess land around the disputed site to its original owners could pave the way for construction of the Ram temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a prominent Hindutva face of the party, also hailed the government's move and hoped permission would be granted to start work on the undisputed land. "We welcome this initiative of the Central government. We should get permission to start work on the undisputed piece of land," he said in Prayagraj. Underlining that the government is not touching the disputed land in Ayodhaya, Javadekar said only 0.313 acre of land is disputed for which the title suit is yet to be decided. "Today the government has taken a very important in-principle decision to return the excess land, which was acquired in 1994, to the original land owners. Out of 67 acres of undisputed land, the land owner for 42 acres is the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. The government wants to return the land to its original owners and they want to build the Ram temple there," Javadekar said. He maintained that the BJP has always said a temple should be built in Ayodhya through a legal route and the government's decision is a legal step. "We are confident that the government will get permission from the court at the earliest," Javadekar said. The BJP has in its manifesto always underscored its commitment to building the temple at the site where once stood the Babri mosque, which was razed by right-wing extremists on December 6, 1992. With the general election round the corner, the party believes its show of intent for building the temple could consolidate its core supporters, whose indifference to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2004 was seen by many political watchers as one of the reasons for the BJP's surprise loss. Source: Last updated on: January 29, 2019 19:32 IST Fernandes, who was born to a Christian family in Mangalore, Karnataka, burst into national limelight when as a firebrand trade unionist in Mumbai he organised a railways strike in 1974 that brought the country to a standstill. George Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday. He was 88. Fernandes, who had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years, died peacefully at his home and his body was taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for embalming, his wife, Leila Kabir Fernandes, said in a statement. She said the last rites will be conducted soon "after our son, Sean Fernandes, arrives in India (from the United States). As soon as Sean arrives we will finalise the timing of the last rites and will inform all." Jaya Jaitly, a long-time associate of Fernandes, said Fernandes had recently contracted swine flu. "I used to meet him regularly and I was to meet him tomorrow as well. But, such is life," she said. A call was received at a private hospital from his home and an ambulance was dispatched although doctors had declared him dead at his home already, hospital sources said. "Fernandes was attended to at his home by a Max Healthcare team, which found him unresponsive and declared him dead at 06:42 AM today," the hospital said in a statement. Fernandes, who was born to a Christian family in Mangalore, Karnataka, burst into national limelight when as a firebrand trade unionist in Mumbai he organised a railways strike in 1974 that brought the country to a standstill. Ironically, he became the railways minister in 1989 under V P Singh's National Front coalition government, comprising mostly Left leaning parties. Despite being a staunch critic of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Fernandes joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government under prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and 1999, in which he was appointed the defense minister. Under his stewardship India fought the Kargil war in 1999. It was also during his tenure that India conducted nuclear test at Pokhran in 1998. He was also the industries minister under the Janata Party government which had defeated former prime minster Indira Gandhi in 1977. Soon he was at loggerheads with industrialists and demanded that Coca-Cola and IBM comply with foreign ownership regulations, which forced them to shut down their operations and quit India. He faded away from public consciousness after unsuccessfully fighting the 2009 Parliamentary elections, ending a political career that had begun with him defeating veteran Congress MP S K Patil from Bombay South in the 1967 Lok Sabha elections. He subsequently represented Muzzafarpur and Nalanda constituencies in Bihar, and was also a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010. Tributes poured in for the veteran leader, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology. "A visionary railway minister and a great defence minister who made India safe and strong. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy," the PM said. A wave of sorrow swept across Bihar, which Fernandes had virtually adopted as his second home and political 'karmabhoomi', representing its various constituencies in Parliament for a period spanning over four decades. He also was a Rajya Sabha member from Bihar from 2009 to 2010. Condolences poured in from all quarters, and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar declared a two-day state mourning. "Fernandes was a fearless leader and always full of energy. He had that restlessness to do something for people. And, he did politics for the people," Jaya Jaitly said. "His old colleagues from Muzzafarpur are coming to attend his funeral in Delhi. People in Bihar really loved him and they are mourning his death," she said. Fernandes had played a critical role in the anti-Emergency movement of the opposition parties that ousted Indira Gandhi in 1977. During the 1975-77 Emergency, when civil liberties were severely curatiled and opposition throttled, Fernandes was arrested in the so-called Baroda Dynamite case. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Fernandes' family and friends. "I'm sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji," he said in a Facebook post. Jaitly said Fernandes had earlier wished to be cremated but had said "during his last days" that he wanted to be buried. To fulfil both wishes, his body will be cremated at Lodhi crematorium after the return of his son, and the ashes will be buried, she said. Last updated on: January 29, 2019 15:28 IST Shortly after former Defence Minister George Fernandes died at the age of 88, leaders across the political spectrum paid tribute to the veteran leader. Here is how our leaders reacted to the tragedy. IMAGE: On his visit to Srinagar in August 2002, then Defence Minster George Fernandes ate lunch with the troops at a garrison at Shariefabad, on the outskirts of Srinagar. Photograph: Fayaz Kabli/Reuters George Sahab represented the best of Indias political leadership. Frank & fearless, forthright & farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away. -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi "Distressed to learn of the passing of George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as defence minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him." -- President Ram Nath Kovind "Fernandes was a fearless, forthright and a forceful leader, who started his career as a trade union activist. He always fought for justice, took up the cause for the poor and was a very effective parliamentarian. He was a man of principles, who believed in utmost simplicity. In his demise the country has not only lost a firebrand socialist but also a thorough gentleman." -- Veteran BJP leader LK Advani Deeply saddened by the passing away of Indias former Defence Minister George Fernandes ji. Today we have lost a stalwart of Indias socialist movement. He devoted his entire life for the welfare and uplift of the poor and marginalised. My heartfelt condolences to his family. -- Home Minister Rajnath Singh I offer my deepest condolences on passing away of former defence minister George Fernandes. He was a fiery trade union leader who fought for justice. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family. -- Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar It is very sad news. He was like an elder brother to me. Our association started when I joined Janata party. When I met him I felt I was meeting my hero. He was a simple man. He did a lot of work in the defence ministry. -- Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha #GeorgeFernandes that great warrior is no more! #RIP His courage and integrity was inspirational -- took on mighty and powerful - in politics and business. Im honoured to have known him and worked with him and fortunate that men like him walked this earth during our time. -- BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar Im sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief. -- Congress president Rahul Gandhi I offer condolences at his passing away. He committed his life to the country. He fought for justice for trade unions. I considered him an icon. -- Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari Very saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers. -- West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Rest in peace George Fernandes Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised & for those that needed someone in their corner. You called a spade a spade & did so unabashedly. You were always a friend & well wisher of the people of J&K. God speed. -- NC leader Omar Abdullah "Fernandes was one of those who built the trade union movement in the country. He effectively echoed the working class' voice in Parliament. He also bravely fought the Emergency." -- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu "His political persona left an indelible mark on several significant political events over decades. The most abiding memories of Fernandes ji are those of his fierce opposition to the emergency in 1975. He stood steadfastly to protect India's democratic values." -- BJP president Amit Shah Source: January 29, 2019 22:15 IST Ten political parties of the north-east, most of which are members of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led North East Democratic Alliance, along with the saffron party's key ally in Bihar, the Janata Dal-United, on Tuesday unanimously decided to jointly oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. At a meeting of the parties, it was also decided that a delegation comprising representatives of all the outfits would meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise them of their opposition to the bill that sought to provide Indian citizenship to those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsees and Christians, who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, after six years of residence in the country. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma, on whose initiative the meeting was called, and his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga also attended the meeting. The Asom Gana Parishad, which has pulled out of the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government in Assam over the issue, was also associated with the convening of the meeting. The 10 political parties that participated in the meeting from across the north-east were -- the Mizo National Front, the United Democratic Party, the AGP, the Naga People's Front, the National People's Party, the National Democratic Progressive Party, the Hill State People's Democratic Party, the People's Democratic Front, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura and the Khnam. The Janata Dal-United was represented at the meeting by its north-east in-charge, NSN Lotha. "The meeting was a natural process, considering the opposition of the north-east states to the bill and it was not politically motivated," Sangma told reporters here after the meeting. "Most political parties in the region are protesting against the bill in their respective states and so, we decided to come together and discuss measures to protect our people and the region," he added. On being asked about continuing in the NEDA, Sangma said it was premature to discuss political issues and they would "take a call if the situation arises. As of now, we have not come here to discuss politics but to address a very sentimental issue which concerns the people of the region". He pointed out that NEDA convenor and Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was aware of the meeting, adding, "We are communicating with all as the primary responsibility of political parties is towards the people and the region." Asked whether a new regional alliance was in the offing in the north-east, Sangma said, "We will take a decision at an appropriate time." He also refused to comment on whether the bill would be a defining factor in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, saying, "It is premature to comment on it." "We are here not to make political statements but to discuss the issue and take the voice of the people to the government," the NPP leader added. The eight states of the north-east account for 25 Lok Sabha seats and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is eying to bag those in the Parliamentary election. Referring to the meeting, Sangma said, "We spoke to each other over phone and decided to come together to oppose the bill in one voice and we hope that after today's meeting, the Government of India will understand the sentiments of the people of the north-east." The meeting adopted five resolutions, including one for the unanimous opposition to the bill and another for a delegation comprising representatives of all the parties present to meet the president and the prime minister. In the unfortunate scenario of the Centre failing to respond to the sentiments of the people, it was decided that the parties would continue to oppose the bill and meet again to chalk out the future course of action, Sangma said. It was also decided at the meeting that a committee would be formed to reach out to all the political parties. The meeting thanked all the political parties who "opposed the bill and supported our cause both inside and outside Parliament". "We are here to work with all political parties who are opposed to the bill and will reach out to everybody. This is not about politics but about people," Sangma said, when asked whether they would reach out to the Congress, which is in the opposition in the states represented by the political parties at the meeting. Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, who was also present at the meeting, said a resolution was adopted to unanimously oppose the bill, which was dangerous and harmful for the people of the north-east. AGP president Atul Bora said the meeting was "historic" as the political parties had unanimously decided to oppose the bill and ensure that it was not passed in the Rajya Sabha. He hoped that all regional and other political parties would unitedly fight against the bill. Last updated on: January 29, 2019 16:17 IST 'The government should refrain from 'adventurism' and 'megalomania'.' 'But this should be true of reckless government action against every Indian, whether or not they are wealthy or have access to the finance minister even when he is in hospital,' says Aakar Patel. IMAGE: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case against former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, seen here, her husband Deepak Kochchar, Videocon head Venugopal Dhoot and others in a case linked to alleged irregularities in granting loans. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has offered some very sound advice to officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation which is under the direct management of the prime minister. Jaitley is upset because the CBI's action against ICICI Bank is according to him 'investigative adventurism' and not 'professional investigation'. What is the difference between the two? Jaitley said 'investigative adventurism involves casting the net too wide including people with no mens rea (meaning having criminal intent) or even having a common intention to commit an offence, relying on presumptions and surmises with no legally admissible evidence'. In Jaitley's opinion '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'. The finance minister is concerned that this is happening because of the CBIs recklessness and we must commend his concern. Jaitley is away in America to receive treatment for what is apparently a serious ailment and I wish him good health and a long life and hope he returns soon. I agree with Jaitley, but I don't think he is serious about what he is saying. I will explain what I mean. But first let us understand why he is upset. The fact is that he is right in saying that there is legal adventurism in this government. To give a small example, my organisation was accused by Jaitley's party of sedition and a case was filed, which after two years the courts threw out. It was a waste of time and government money and should not have been filed. Reports say that in the ICICI Bank case, which involves the former head of the bank and her husband and their alleged association with an industrial house, the CBI wants to investigate others. These include the bank's current CEO Sandeep Bakhshi; former ICICI Bank executive director K Ramkumar; Goldman Sachs India Chairman Sonjoy Chatterjee; MD and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life N S Kannan; Standard Chartered Bank CEO Zarin Daruwala; Tata Capital head Rajiv Sabharwal; New Development Bank President K V Kamath and Tata Capital senior advisor Homi Khusrokhan. Of these names, the CBI FIR stated that 'the role of these senior officers of the sanctioning committee may also be investigated'. The banking and CEO community is powerful and has access to the government, which is responding to their concerns through Jaitley's blog so that the bureaucrats stay away and not harass them. This community can harm Modi and Jaitley's 'business-friendly' reputation and that is why Jaitley, though in hospital, feels strongly enough to respond. The rest of his message includes this paragraph: '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.' 'One of the reasons why our conviction rates are poor is that adventurism and megalomania overtakes our investigators and professionalism takes a back seat.' I totally agree. Jaitley's problem is that his own finance ministry violates these Lakshman Rekhas that he is drawing, I can say this on the basis of first hand experience. After that sedition case failing, my organisation has again been attacked by the government, this time by Jaitley's ministry. And everything that he has complained about, including leaks, financial costs, loss of reputation and so on, I can accuse his own ministry of. Either he does not know what is happening in his own ministry (which I doubt) or Jaitley does not practice what he preaches. I recognise that this is the price for working on human rights in India and I am not whining or complaining in any way. This government, and every other government before it, have had and will continue to have antipathy against some of us. That is fine. But it should be pointed out that disrupting and maligning institutions that have won the Nobel Peace Prize is fine with Jaitley. It is his precious ease of doing business index that he is worried about when he warns the CBI on the ICICI Bank case. He should know that investment is attracted to nations that have rule of law and not only rule of law for millionaires. Of course, there must be accountability and responsibility and the government should refrain from 'adventurism' and 'megalomania'. But this should be true of reckless government action against every Indian, whether or not they are wealthy or have access to the finance minister even when he is in hospital. Otherwise it is just hypocrisy. 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 29, 2019 08:26 IST A fresh global skill gap study shows how India can tap opportunities in Germany, New Zealand, Qatar, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE and the UK. Somesh Jha reports. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters . At this point of time, over 500 students are getting intensive training, as part of a government initiative, to make them job ready for Japan across sectors like construction, health care, automobile repair and maintenance, among others. Not just Japan, the initiative targets other countries like the UAE and Germany that have ageing population. The National Skill Development Corporation, under the ministry of skill development and rntrepreneurship, which is leading the initiative, says the ageing society in Japan will result in demand for as many as 380,000 care workers by 2025. Dialogue with Japan to recruit workers from India, after providing them the required training, is gathering pace as officials from the East Asian country's health ministry will be in India for a workshop later this month. In fact, last month, a five-member delegation from Japan met executives of top health care institutions in Delhi, Rajasthan, Manipur and Assam which are keen to send candidates as care workers. Till date, India has sent 17 workers to Japan -- 15 engaged in electrical assembly work and the rest in the agriculture sector -- for on-the-job training for a maximum five years after signing a memorandum of understanding with them in October 2017. Most workers are earning more than Rs 70,000 a month, NSDC executives said. Similarly, the UAE is in talks with India to set up driver training institutes in India as it wants more Indian drivers in the country. At present, most of them are from other Asian countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The training will be done in India based on the UAE-approved training programmes, so they do not have to take a driving test after reaching Arab countries. A draft MoU is expected to be signed by the end of this month. The UAE would need more than 100,000 drivers (both commercial and light vehicles) by 2022, according to NSDC. There's another plan in the works -- to hold a Festival of Skills abroad, starting from Finland. Through this, a skilled worker, let's say in information and communications, will work in the same industry abroad and enhance skills through learning and adpating to their work culture. "The idea is to sub-consciously let them be aware of the skills. We want to showcase India's skill capability across the world. We must create knowledge about the skilled workers in India abroad," says NSDC Managing Director and CEO Manish Kumar. In places like the UAE, where a large number of migration happens from India, there is a demand for labourers who can meet their benchmarks. For this, NSDC is working with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council for mapping assessment and certification protocols for mutual recognition of Indian certification so workers are trained in line with UAE's required certification before they start working there. NSDC is further working on a model of international employer-led skill development training centres in India and has initiated talks with manpower companies in the Middle East, like Transguard and DULSCO, among others, to be a part of this. Benchmarking of skill standards will also be done before sending workers to Australia and the UK, says an NSDC executive. Singapore's National University of Singapore is helping NSDC skill the workforce in emerging technologies such as Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. NSDC is also in talks with the UAE government to design a programme for skill cooperation on new emerging technologies. A fresh global skill gap study, commissioned by NSDC, shows how India can tap opportunities in Germany, New Zealand, Qatar, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE and the UK. The study is at a draft stage and will be made public soon. The study showed how a country like The Netherlands would require 195,638 personal service workers, 118,714 drivers, 446,566 teaching professionals and 304,392 health workers by 2022. Similarly, there will be need of chefs in New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the UAE. In the next three years, Malaysia would need more than 7,500 networking professionals, Saudi Arabia would be short of 250,000 construction workers and 83,896 motorcycle repairers, Singapore would witness huge demand in financial services, Sweden will require more than 100,000 university teachers and Germany will be short of office secretaries, front office professionals, risk, audit and tax compliance officers in a big way. "We don't want our workers to remain outside India forever. We would like them to acquire skills abroad and come back and contribute to the Indian economy after five-seven years," says Kumar. New Red Cross Deployment Office Opening in Romania Washington, D.C., January 29, 2019 As the new year begins, the American Red Cross is expanding support for U.S. military personnel currently serving in Eastern Europe by opening a new office at Mihail Kogaliceanu Airbase, Romania. Red Cross personnel will provide emergency communication services, resiliency programs and morale activities for service members. The men and women whove answered our countrys call to military service deserve the finest support that we can provide, said Koby Langley, senior vice president for Service to the Armed Forces at the Red Cross. We are committed to delivering critical services with a caring touch wherever and whenever it is needed24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for military members and their families at home and around the world. The discussion about opening an office in Eastern Europe began in July 2017, said Deanna Swanier, director of Service to the Armed Forces European Division at the Red Cross. It was clear that we needed to make our support services available in a location thats closer and easier for our troops to access. As a result, we have an office in Poland and are now opening one in Romania. Its so important that our military personnel have someplace to turn to for support services while they are focused on their mission, said LTC Chris Marquez, USA, Garrison Commander, Mihail Kogaliceanu Airbase, Romania. We are grateful that the American Red Cross is there to provide those services - with a touch of home. Antoinette Williams will take on the mission to open and establish the new Red Cross office in Romania. Williams currently serves as the regional director for Service to the Armed Forces at the Greater Chesapeake Region and is 22-year veteran of the United States Air Force. Her skills and experience in Aviation Resource Management and as Master Military Training Instructor make her well suited to tackle this new assignment. "The American Red Cross was literally founded on the battlefield by a woman who only wanted to serve the soldiers and relieve their sufferingthere is no greater honor than to continue that legacy. My focus will be on delivering the best service possible, with a little touch of home, to the warfighters stationed there, said Williams. When asked about being separated from her family for an extended period of time, Williams stated that she and her husband were married on Nov. 21, 1992 and eight days later he departed for Incirlick AB, Turkey for 15 months. It was a challenging way to start a new marriage. Im going to miss my family during this year long deployment, but theres no way I could even consider this deployment without their loving support, said Williams. The Red Cross has been assisting members of the U.S. armed forces, veterans and their families since the early 1900s. Since then, Red Cross personnel have deployed to support U.S. troops in major conflicts including WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Panama, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Red Cross teams have also opened offices in the Persian Gulf, Turkey, Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, Cuba, Bosnia, Hungary, Croatia, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait and Djibouti. 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? Hillel UGA hosts Holocaust survivor, George Rishfeld, on Jan. 28, 2019 in Athens, Ga. as part of their Holocaust Memorial Day event. Rishfeld shared his story of being a Jewish child during Hitlers reign. His closing remarks were I believe that one of the reasons I survived was so that I could tell my story so that people know that the Holocaust wasnt a Hollywood creation. (Photo/Daniela Rico) The first University of Georgia Signature Lecture series of the spring semester, hosted by the College of Engineering and the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems, featured former Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Craig Fugate. He discussed his seven deadly sins of emergency preparedness at the Coverdell Center Friday. Panel members ranged from an ACC commissioner to an immigrant rights activist, and each provided insight based on his or her own experiences with immigration legislation and topics at the local and state level. Traverse City, MI (49684) Today Mostly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 81F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Occasional rain. Low near 60F. E winds shifting to SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Lubbock, TX (79409) Today Mainly sunny. Very hot. High 103F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Styer Arms came out of left field and dropped a revised L9 at SHOT Show. The new L9A2 MF makes the best possible use of the L9's removable chassis by serializing it rather than the plastic grip shell as was done previously. The often overlooked and highly underrated Austrian pistol got a whole new look in the process with a more aggressive grip in addition to the change in serial number placement. Steyr was kind enough to let us take the pistol apart on the show floor to see first hand some of the improvements made to the L9A2 MF. Since we are sure that the question is going to be asked, you will not be able to upgrade your current Steyr L9 to the new modular frame. Why? Because before this pistol the polymer grip shell was always the serialized part. The polymer grip shell has been completely redesigned to not only add replaceable backstraps and side panels but also to add a ton of texture to the grip. Steyr also added some nice detail to the front of the frame. The L9A2 MF also gets a new Picatinny rail instead of the older single slot rail. The rep that we spoke with at Steyr says that the old style magazines still work, they just get an all-new baseplate. In addition to the pyramid sights, there will be a new TruGlo sight option for those that prefer a more traditional sight picture. The revised Steyr M9A2 starts at an MSRP of $675 and should be shipping to dealers now. Find more specs on the Steyr website. We checked out the 6.5 Creedmoor Scout rifle while at the Steyr booth. Ever since the days when CounterStrike reign supreme as the multiplayer first-person shooter of choice, we have lusted for a Scout rifle. The new option is much the same as the existing .308 chambered gun, the only difference being the cartridge the rifle is chambered in. With the ability to pack a second magazine in the stock of the rifle, the Scout in 6.5 Creed might be a good option for a survival rifle. The new 6.5 Creedmoor Scout rifle carries an MSRP of $1,787 and should be in stores now. Learn more on the Steyr website. 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. ADVERTISEMENT 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. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! 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. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Property details: Pine Acres Lodge ~ Pacific Grove, California FREE CLOSING!! Buyers First Year Available: 2020 Usage: Annual Fixed Week 30 Unit: 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Full Kitchen, Sleeps 4 Deeded As Unit # 4, Week # 30 Check In: Sunday Estimated 2020 Maintenance Fee: $787.00 Due Annually January 1st Special Assessments: $0.00 Estimated Property Tax: $16.08 - Owner Is Billed By County Deeded Perpetual Ownership All fees are due in one week from receipt of the purchase contract. GO Properties Services LLC will p... 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Price: $ 3,995 State/Province: California Seller State of Residence: California Zip/Postal Code: 93505 Property Address: Redwood Blvd., near Paine St. Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential City: California City Location: 913**, Granada Hills, California You will be redirected to eBay Nearby California City The rising tide of intolerance against Christians in the U.S. has found a new platform for persecution the spouses of public service officials. Karen Pence, her husband Vice President Mike Pence, and by proxy the current administration, have been accused by the media of making a statement against LGBT people because Mrs. Pence has chosen to teach art at a Christian school. The question was even raised as to whether taxpayers should continue to pay for her Secret Service protection. This is part of a striking and alarming trend a trend that uses a religious litmus test to determine if individuals are fit for public service and demands that those in office deny their conscience and beliefs. Freedom of religion is a First Amendment right set forth by our Founding Fathers, not some new conservative fad adopted since the Trump administration came into office. Using a religious litmus test as a prerequisite to serve in office is unconstitutional, yet the current list of examples of this trend is too long: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D.-Calif.) said of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Catholic dogma lives loudly within you; the Christian views of Russell Vought, the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, were called Islamophobic by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) repeatedly asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his confirmation hearing, Is gay sex a perversion?; and most recently Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) challenged federal judicial nominee Brian Buescher about his ties to the Knights of Columbus, an international Catholic service organization with almost 2 million members. More examples can be cited, especially with regard to our Senate Judiciary Committee. This trend has now spread to accusing the spouses of our public servants of bigotry and hate for their religious beliefs, and it must stop. Immanuel Christian School, where Mrs. Pence works, is an institution that has educated children and served the community in Northern Virginia for 43 years. All people are welcome; however, the school asks that its applicants be followers of Christ and adhere to certain standards of conduct regarding sex and marriage. These are the same standards of conduct that have been part of the teachings of Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam (to name just a few religious faiths) throughout their long histories. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 5.8 million elementary and secondary school children (pre-K through 12th grade) are enrolled in private institutions, making up more than 10 percent of all school enrollment in the U.S. Particularly important to note is that about 67 percent of these have a religious orientation or purpose. The majority of these religious educational organizations are Roman Catholic and African Methodist Episcopal, but the list also includes Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic, Seventh-Day Adventist, and more. Are these 23,000 religious educational institutions, which consist of almost 336,000 teachers, 4 million schoochildren and their parents and families, also bigots, or could it possibly be that they hold and live by their moral and religious beliefs? Should we scrutinize the teachers, students, and standards of conduct of each of these schools as well? In an era of identity politics, I should identify with Howard Schultz and his possible race for the presidency. We are both Brooklyn born, Jewish, the first males in our families to graduate from college, and we both like a good cup of coffee in the morning. But Schultz, if you will forgive my metaphor, is not my cup of tea. He'd effectively wind up as Donald Trump's running mate. Schultz, the man who divined that America needed a Starbucks every 10 paces or so, dismisses that concern with meaningless bromides. To those in the Democratic Party who scream that an independent candidacy by Schultz could throw the election to Trump, he retorts that he wants to "see the American people win." Great. But what does that even mean? Schultz is one of what seems like several hundred people either running for president or threatening to. Yet, he is different in two ways. The others are mostly Democrats and, with one possible exception -- Michael Bloomberg -- are not worth in excess of $3 billion. That amount of wealth changes everything. Bloomberg, with an estimated net worth of $48 billion, has mentioned spending $100 million on a candidacy but could go far higher. Schultz might not be able to match that, but he could still have an impact. On who? On voters who fear Trump only less than they do flesh-eating bacteria but who find the current crop of left-leaning Democrats not to their liking. Schultz is an old-fashioned liberal who ran Starbucks in an exemplary fashion with good benefits. At the same time, he is fiscally prudent. Like the late financier Peter Peterson, he insists that someone has to pay for all the programs that Democrats are proposing, such as free college and free health care. Lamentably, he's right. Normally, independent presidential candidates go from feature stories to asterisks overnight. The one who did best, Ross Perot, yet another billionaire with a presidential bee in his bonnet, got 19 percent of the vote in 1992 but wound up with exactly zero in the Electoral College. 2020 could be different. Trump beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 by winning about 78,000 votes in just three states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. He won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote by almost 3 million. Politics has become a variety of chaos theory. Just as the flapping of a butterfly's wings off Hong Kong could theoretically set off a typhoon in Hawaii, so could the introduction of a candidacy like Schultz's produce an outcome that causes more damage than any mere hurricane: a second term of Trump. All it takes is a county or two -- butterflies that could change everything. Schultz knows the stakes and he knows, too, that he is anathema to Democrats. (Neera Tanden, an influential Democratic activist, tweeted that she was so mad she was willing to forego the occasional macchiato: "If he enters the race, I will start a Starbucks boycott because I'm not giving a penny that will end up in the election coffers of a guy who will help Trump win.") Such naysaying is not likely to matter to Schultz because the difference between the average person and the self-made billionaire is that, at a critical moment, he ignored the braying of the herd and listened to his gut. Schultz did that when he took a risk and left Starbucks to form his own coffeehouse operation after his employers had turned down an idea. Two years later, he bought Starbucks. There's a thin line between rock-solid self-confidence and megalomania. Trump crossed that line years ago, misconstruing a fortunate birth with business acumen. Possibly, Schultz has done the same, although he is certainly a more benign figure than Trump and just plainly a nicer guy. Awkwardly, he has never held elective office, kissed the requisite number of babies or felt the vertigo of not knowing who he's just talked to. Still, he has entrepreneurial and CEO chops. But in making the major decisions of his life, Schultz acted for himself. If he failed, then he alone failed. Sure, he had investors and a family, but the fate of the nation did not hinge on what he did. It does now. Apres Trump, all predictions are foolhardy. Still, it seems to me that Schultz could not be elected. He could, however, manage to re-elect Trump. If that happens, I'll make a further prediction. He'd better stay the hell out of Brooklyn. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group The government shutdown is over -- for now -- but the political ramifications are still being sorted out. The media has been chortling that Donald Trump "caved," and he may well have lost this battle with congressional Democrats. Their "victory," such as it is, is to notify American voters that they are so opposed to a wall and a secure border that they were willing to keep the government shut down for four weeks to ensure it doesn't happen. Trump has thus exposed the Pelosi-Schumer Democrats as being hopelessly soft on illegal immigration. Some Democrats are starting to wonder whether they have dug their own political grave for 2020. This is why in recent days congressional Democrats are screaming from the rafters that they are for border security -- just not the way Trump wants to do it. The reality is far from this spin. At the start of the shutdown, the Pelosi crowd was saying that "there is no border crisis" and that "a wall is immoral." But actions speak louder than words, and every response to illegal immigration over the past decade proves they don't want it stopped. Democrats have instead openly encouraged illegal immigration. Let's start with the 2018 midterm campaigns. The rallying cry of many prominent Democrats running for Congress was to "abolish ICE," the federal border patrol agency. This position wasn't way outside the mainstream of Democratic thinking, and it was embraced by the new darling of the party, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the latest Democratic presidential aspirant, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand from New York. So the party that doesn't want a wall and doesn't want border agents is now trying to convince Americans that they really want border security. Right. And Bill Cosby is a woman's rights advocate. One of the Democrats' objections to the wall, and it is a legitimate point, is that about half of those in this country illegally simply overstay their visas. A wall won't stop that. To stop visa overstayers requires internal enforcement of the immigration laws. Democrats say they favor those measures. Where? When? How? Most Democrats have long been supportive of the policy of "catch and release." This means tens of thousands of illegal immigrants are basically released back on to the streets after apprehension. That's some deterrence. Democrats and left-wing supporters have continually trashed border agents for mistreatment of migrants. There are certainly abuses and those should never be tolerated. But it's a tough and dangerous job working on the border, and why is it that the left always refuses to take the side of the people enforcing the laws? Meanwhile, Democrats routinely resist all attempts to deny illegal immigrants welfare benefits, including food stamps, unemployment benefits, the earned income tax credit, public housing and Medicaid. They also almost universally support subsidized college tuition to illegal immigrants. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has just reported that in 2017, there were about $37 billion in improper or fraudulent Medicaid payments. Many of these payments went to noncitizen households. The Census Bureau reports that more than half of noncitizen households are collecting welfare benefits. Yet the left opposes doing anything about these abuses when welfare reform is debated. Let us just say that all of these policies send a welcoming message to aspiring immigrants looking to enter America illegally. Perhaps worst of all are the sanctuary city policies in 200 cities across America, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Baltimore, Chicago, Portland, Seattle and New York. This announces, like a blaring billboard to illegal immigrants, "If you can get your way to L.A. or Chicago, you've got a permanent home here. The local police aren't allowed to turn you over to the feds or cooperate with ICE agents." I have not heard a single prominent national Democrat attack this pro-illegal immigration maneuver. And the fad is growing each year. What is clear is this: You can be for sanctuary cities or you can be for combating illegal immigration. But sorry, you can't be for both. When I have brought this up on CNN, liberals protest indignantly that sanctuary cities are a red herring. But not one city that I know of has stopped providing safe harbor for illegal immigrants. In other words, Democrats have shown no interest in border enforcement or providing funding to secure the border. They have shown no interest in internal immigration enforcement. But the American voters do want secure borders, and that's one big reason Trump won the presidency. My suspicion is that with the Dems announcing to all of America over the past four weeks that they are the pro-illegal immigration party, Donald Trump's likelihood of being re-elected has gone way up. COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM In Sep 1931 the Mukden Incident led to Japanese troops entering Chinese territory of Manchuria, which subsequently led to the establishment of the puppet state Manchukuo in Feb 1932. The occupation of Manchuria by Japanese troops deeply humiliated the Chinese, leading to mass protests (mostly by students) against Japanese spheres of influence and called for a wide boycott of Japanese goods. Scenes of public burning of Japanese goods were not uncommon. Much of the hatred for the Japanese was also rooted in the First Sino-Japanese War that took place only thirty years earlier. One of such protests turned violent, resulting in the injury of several Japanese officials. Soon after, a group of Chinese soldiers "violated" boundaries forcefully set by the Japanese of where the Chinese military could operate in Shanghai, clashing with Japanese in the city. The Japanese government, which held 7,000 troops outside the city centered around a sizeable naval fleet, demanded apology and monetary compensation from the government in Shanghai, who helplessly complied. Nevertheless, Japanese carrier aircraft bombed the city on 28 Jan 1932; it was the first major aircraft carrier action in the Far East. Following the bombing, 3,000 Japanese troops marched into Shanghai, clashing with the Chinese 19th Route Army. Despite urgings from the United States and Britain to cease aggression even before the violence had broken out, Japan continued fighting. On 30 Jan, Chiang Kaishek met with his advisers in Nanjing and decided to temporarily move the capital from Nanjing to Luoyang as an emergency measure due to Nanjing's proximity to Shanghai. Chiang stressed the importance for the 19th Route Army to hold Shanghai, and assigned the defense of Nanjing to the 61th Division and the German-trained 87th and 88th Divisions. The three divisions in Nanjing was to serve as reserve forces for Shanghai. By mid-Feb, Japanese 24th Mixed Brigade and 9th Division had both arrived in Shanghai as reinforcements. On 14 Feb, at the request of the Chinese 19th Route Army, the 87th and 88th Divisions, support by other independent units, were sent in to Shanghai as the 5th Army. At the time, the 5th Army was considered the best fighting force in China due to its superb German training and modern equipment. In the history of prophecy, only two revelations can be made with perfect accuracy: Winter is coming (not just for Game of Thrones fans in 2019), and New England energy prices will spike when it gets cold. The reason energy prices are so easy to forecast in New England is simple: Hyper-localism and enviro-ideology have blocked construction of several needed natural gas pipelines into the region in the past decade, leaving it the only part of the country that has constrained supplies of natural gas. There are some signs that New Englands governors are finally willing to do something about this. If so, voters should support their efforts to change, because the status quo means depending on perpetually mild winter weather. While the winter so far has been relatively mild, meteorologists are looking at February as a time when severe winter weather will start to hit hard. If and when this happens, demand for heat will spike, and scarcity pricing will ensue for both heating fuel and electricity. Last January, during a weather pattern affectionately known as a winter bomb cyclone, energy prices in parts of New England spiked more than 400 percent. Usually the response from politicians on energy prices has been to complain about price-gouging and capitalist pig-dog oil companies. This year, however, governors from Massachusetts and the other five New England states Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine are trying something different: Theyre asking Congress to grant the region an exemption to a 99-year-old shipping law the Jones Act so that cheap natural gas can be moved by ship from Texas and Louisiana to Boston. If youre saying to yourself, Why cant it be shipped already? then youre asking the right question. It turns out the Jones Act blocks shipments between U.S. ports from ships that arent built in the United States or owned by U.S. citizens. While this wasnt an issue during the mid-20th century, over the past several decades the commercial ship-building industry in the United States has become completely uncompetitive. As a result, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources now complains that there are no Jones Act-qualified carriers to ship gas to the Northeast, and that even if there were, the shipping costs are 3-5 times higher than those of foreign vessels. This unfortunate set of circumstances means that when natural gas supplies run short, New England receives most of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Trinidad and Tobago and sometimes from Russia yes that Russia! Through the first nine months of 2018, the facility at Everett, Massachusetts, was forced to import 48 billion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to power 240,000 homes in the region for a year, from other countries. The Jones Act hurts other economies even worse. Puerto Rico, in particular, has a moribund economy thanks in large part to high shipping costs created by Jones Act rules. Unfortunately for Puerto Ricans, its citizens have to move to Florida or elsewhere to get political representation in Congress. But ignoring the energy security problems of a law that forces Boston and other New England cities to import natural gas from Russia are inexcusable for the six-state region, which has 12 senators and 21 members of Congress to properly represent its citizens interests. Gaining an LNG exemption for New England is a very big lift politically, but at least some lawmakers are focusing on the right issues. A loosening of the Jones Act rules to allow cheap domestic gas from the Gulf Coast would lessen or even eliminate seasonal shortages over time. If this occurred, it would undermine assumptions by snickering red-state residents that New Englands economic future is destined for permanent decline compared to other regions because New England will always have the highest energy prices in the contiguous U.S. William Murray is Federal Energy Manager with the R Street Institute. UK content producer, originator and developer DRG has placed a number of popular and long-running blue-light factual series from British broadcaster UKTV with a range of broadcasters around the globe. The range of programming covers subjects from police and paramedics to helicopter rescue teams. For example, Inside the Ambulance uses rig cameras inside the vehicles to give what is said to be a unique perspective on emergency call out in the UK.Inside the Ambulance is produced by Brown Bob Productions for UKTVs Really channel. Series four, five and six launched simultaneously at MIPCOM 2018 and there are now 60 episodes available. DRG will launch series seven and eight at MIPTV this year. Foxtel (Australia), TV4 (Sweden), S+ (Portugal) and Alliant Content (Latin American and Indian VOD) have all acquired series four, after previously acquiring earlier seasons, while New Zealands SKY TV has acquired all three new series, bringing its total to six.Produced by Air Television for Really, Helicopter ER, with a second 20 x 60 series recently launched, follows the work of flying doctors and paramedics of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service. DRG has struck deals for both series of the title with TV4 (Sweden), SKY TV (New Zealand), Alliant Content (Australian and Indian VOD) and Vitaya (Belgium). Discovery Poland, Alliant Content (US/Canadian VOD), S+ (Portugal) and adRise (US VOD) have recently acquired the first series.Also on the slate are Trauma Rescue Squad (10 x 60), from Air Television for Really; Cops (32 x 60), a Rawcut TV production for W; Cop Car Workshop (10 x 60), produced by Blink Films for UKTVs Dave.Commenting on the commissions, Elin Thomas, DRGs EVP of sales said: UKTV has succeeded in commissioning a slate of incredible shows where unique levels of access and extraordinary characters combine with action and emotion to produce compelling and authentic factual content. It is no surprise that these returnable series are really starting to sell well and we are delighted that we will have more episodes to represent internationally later this year. We already have a service called Movistar Play in Telefonica, an OTT service with so much content, which is already available in other countries, explained Telefonica Mexico president Carlos Morales Paulin. We want to offer it soon in Mexico, probably this year.The company has been ramping up its Latin America content efforts of late. Recently, its Movistar+ TV business signed a strategic multi-year co-production partnership with Telemundo International Studios, to produce premium limited series for the US and international markets.The Spanish-language Telemundo network will have the exclusive rights for the US; Movistar+ will have the exclusive rights for Spain. Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate LeRoi Hill engages in dialogue with President Lawrence Schovanec during the forum in the Red Raider Ballroom, in the Student Union Building on Friday, April 20, 2018. This forum was an open dialogue between the President and students to discuss issues and possible solutions that affect the black student population at Texas Tech University. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Eileen Kladivko, a Purdue University agronomy professor, has been honored for her contributions to the growth and advancement of no-till agricultural practices. Kladivko, who teaches and does research and extension in soil physics, soil biology and soil management, was named a No-Till Innovator in the research and education category during the 27th annual National No-Tillage Conference in Indianapolis. Im honored to be recognized for my contributions, but I wouldnt be able to make those contributions without all these other people and organizations that Ive been working with along the way, Kladivko said. Its been wonderful to have all these progressive, forward-looking, enthusiastic, committed people to work with. Kladivko came to Purdue in 1982 after completing her doctoral degree at the University of Wisconsin, where she studied soil science and first became interested in no-till. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Purdue. "Eileen's career has epitomized our land-grant university mission," said Ronald Turco, professor and head of Purdue's Department of Agronomy. "She has dedicated herself to students through education, to her field through research, and to farmers and industry through engagement. This award was well-deserved and just underscores everything we already knew and appreciated about her." Kladivko's research area has been to identify soil management systems that improve environmental quality and promote agricultural sustainability. Her work has focused on tile drainage and water quality; the interactions of earthworms, soil management and soil physical properties; conservation tillage and cover crops for soil-quality improvement; and preferential flow of chemicals through soils. She is a member of a number of professional organizations and groups, including the Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative and the Midwest Cover Crops Council, of which she is a founding member. She has been a visiting scientist at the USDAs National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Land and Water in Australia, and the Agricultural University in Warsaw, Poland. The No-Till Innovators program, sponsored by Syngenta and No-Till Farmer, honors farmers, researchers, businesses and services, and organizations for their work in facilitating the growth of no-till practices regardless of the types of crops or equipment used. Media contact: Maureen Manier, Purdue Agricultural Communication, mmanier@purdue.edu Source: Eileen Kladivko, 765-494-6372, kladivko@purdue.edu Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415; Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. A newly opened exhibition by Purdue Libraries celebrates international students impact on Purdues 150-year history. The exhibition, Around the World in 150 Years: Purdues International Footprint, is on display through March 8. The exhibition traces the earliest students from other countries who attended Purdue, and highlights some of Purdues major international cooperative efforts in extending education offerings to other countries, such as helping to create or enhance colleges in India and Brazil. The exhibition will feature photographs, articles and publications by or about Purdues earliest international students, many of whom broke barriers by coming to the U.S. to pursue their education. The idea for this exhibition came about in the midst of Purdues Sesquicentennial celebration, 150 Years of Giant Leaps, as educating international students and contributing to international collaborations has been a defining aspect of Purdues history. As we mark Purdues 150th anniversary, we are looking back and celebrating the people who have made the University what it is today, says Adriana Harmeyer, archivist for university history. The international student population has been a presence on campus for a longer period of time than many people realize, and international students have made amazing contributions to the academic and social life of campus. The exhibition was curated by a team of staff and students in the Archives and Special Collections, led by Harmeyer. The exhibition is on display in the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center, which is located on the fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Science and Education Library (commonly known as HSSE) in Stewart Center. Exhibition hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information about Around the World in 150 Years: Purdues International Footprint, contact Harmeyer at harmeyna@purdue.edu. Writer: Jaclyn Lawmaster, jlawmast@purdue.edu Media Contact: Abbey Nickel, 765-496-1325, nickela@purdue.edu Source: Adriana Harmeyer, archivist for university history, 765-494-2263, aharmey@purdue.edu When the phone rang in her Washington, D.C. home on Saturday evening, Elizabeth Acevedo saw that it was from an unfamiliar number, and chose not to pick up. The debut author of The Poet X (HarperTeen) was hosting her in-laws, and the family was preparing to go out to dinner. But the caller persisted, and eventually left a voice mail. The reception was a bit fuzzy, Acevedo recalled, but I did pick up on the words, ALA Midwinter, and I told my family, I have to return this call. Her instincts were spot on. I remember wondering what the caller, whose name I didnt recognize, had to say to me, she said. And when she mentioned I had won the Printz Award, I entirely lost my words. And all I could think was, Here I am a writer, so I should have words, but I have zero words, and she is going to think I am so inarticulate! Acevedo soon found wordsor at least four of them: I just kept repeating, I am so honoredover and over again. I know that award judges read many, many amazing books, and it hit home what it meant to be honored with this award. I could find very little to say, but I do hope my deep humility came through. That wasnt the only surprise call Acevedo received over the weekend. On Sunday night, the phone rang again, and this go-round, the author didnt hesitate. I guess by that time, I had figured out the ropes, and I picked up the phone right away! she said. I heard the words, Pura Belpre, and I thought I heard the word honors, but then realized that Id won the actual award. I called my editor immediately. A strong believer in Acevedo and her novel, v-p and editorial director Rosemary Brosnan was thrilled, but not surprised, to receive the authors call. As soon as I started reading the manuscript for The Poet X, I knew I had to publish it! she said. I found Elizabeths poetry to be exquisite, and the story to be both a universal portrayal of a girl rebelling against what she has been taught by her family, and a tale that is deeply rooted in the main characters experience growing up as the Dominican-American child of immigrants. The roster of accolades that The Poet X has garnered since its publication last March is lengthy and impressive. In addition to the Printz and Pura Belpre wins, this YA novel in verse, told in the voice of a Harlem teenage girl of Dominican descent who discovers slam poetry, was awarded the 2018 National Book Award for Young Peoples Literature and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction and Poetry, received five starred reviews (including one from PW), and appeared on no fewer than a dozen Best Books of the Year lists (including PWs). Though writing a novel was a new experience for Acevedo, who like her heroine is Dominican-American, she sensed that she was on a solid track. I knew I had something special in that I was telling a story that felt true, she said. And I knew the story was something that I needed to read as a teenager. I felt if it helped others who need to feel more seen, that would be very special. I wrote the novel in verse, which I am very comfortable with, yet it took me a long time to finish, since I didnt know anything about plotting. Addressing the inevitable double-edged sword of success, Acevedo acknowledged that receiving what she describes as amazing recognition from such a cross-section of communities of readers and writers brings validation, but also intimidation. When the praise and honors began rolling in for The Poet X, the author observed, Luckily, Id already received the ARC for my second novel, With the Fire on High [HarperTeen, May], so I couldnt snatch it back! Wisely, the author remains confident and forward-thinking. I cant worry that my second novel, or the third, which Im now writing, will be held up against The Poet X. They are all very differentI never want to tell the same story. Acevedo said she is very thankful for the validation she has received, and so grateful to Rosemary and the others in my corner who recognized I might do big things, and who were hoping and wishing, and patiently helped me discover what I could do. But now I have to put blinders on and continue to write what moves me and what is true. I want to become better at my craft and discover how I can grow and where else I can push. Sophie Blackall was literally half a world away from Seattle when she heard from the Caldecott committee that her picture book Hello Lighthouse (Little, Brown) had been selected as the winner of this years Caldecott Medal. She recently finished up a residency working with students in Singapore and was enjoying some downtime with her father and stepmother in Myanmar14 1/2 hours ahead of Seattle timebefore embarking on her journey home to Brooklyn. We had stepped out into the vibrant and hectic streets of Yangon in search of some dinner and ordered something called a fermented tea leaf salad, which had just arrived on the table when my phone rang, Blackall said. I could not have been more surprised. I think I garbled something about fermented tea leaf salad to the committee, and they were probably wondering if they should reconsider giving the award to me. This is quite a surreal place to begin with, and Im not entirely sure any of this is real. Blackall then made her own call to share the exciting news. My partner Ed [Schmidt] is a high school English teacher in Manhattan and he had his phone in his classroom, which he doesnt ever do, just in case, in the very unlikely situation that I might have some news for him on the other side of the world. Schmidt had prepared his students for a contingency plan letting them know that if his phone rang, class would end early. I sent him a text, said Blackall, and one of the students said Mr. Schmidt, your phones buzzing, and he said, Class dismissed. So they got an early mark [dismissal] and I got to talk to him, which was amazing. One of the most extraordinary things about this sequence of events, Blackall said, is that she and Schmidt have been through it before. Blackall is now one of nine illustrators to win multiple Caldecott Medals, having earned the distinction in 2016 for the book Finding Winnie: The True Story of the Worlds Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick. When this happened three years ago, I didnt think it was going to happen, she said. It was quite late, and I said to Ed in the kitchen, We are so lucky, I get to make books, which is all Ive wanted to do, and we get to be together and do this every day. We were counting all our blessings, and the phone rang. And this year, I said to him, essentially exactly the same thing, that I feel as lucky now as I did then. Here we are again, feeling a little too blessed right now; I want to share it with everyone. The first time around the Caldecott block, Blackall said that it wasnt until she had actually received the Medal that it felt real. Even after that, I was so happy when Javaka Steptoe won the following year, because it felt almost like a paperweight had been put on top of it, that my award couldnt be rescinded or blown away, that it was weighed down by the person coming behind me. Asked what it feels like to be a member of the rare multiple winners club, Blackall said, Its such an extraordinary, unbelievable honor to be part of that history and that legacy. I was looking at Barbara Cooneys original artwork last fall at the Kerlan Collection and just marveling at her work and feeling so honored to have a Caldecott book that will be shelved alongside hers. And, of course, she won two as well. If you follow in your heros footsteps, theres nothing better than that. Hello Lighthouse grew from Blackalls passion for her subject. I have always been fascinated by lighthouses, she said. But the moment that made me think I could make a book about them was finding a cutaway print of the Eddystone Lighthouse [located in the U.K.] and it showed all of the round rooms inside the lighthouse with the round furniture and you could see the kitchen and the spiral staircase going up. For the first time ever I imagined what it would be like to live in a lighthouse and I saw the keeper moving up and down through the stages of his life while encircled by time and weather and seasons and change. Theres something incredibly evocative about a vocation like a lighthouse keeper, which doesnt really exist anymore and yet is so profoundly romantic and compelling. Blackall noted that her depiction of a simpler life and times holds great appeal for some readers. Its been amazing how many people have said that this is a fantasy for them to escape somewhere, she said. I think that is part of why this book struck a chord with adults. In our contemporary lives so many people feel bombarded and that theres never enough time in the day. I think we yearn for a little quiet remote place to think and dream and live out a sort of simple routine. I think this book does something about that. She is especially grateful for the enthusiastic reactions that young readers have had. What I was not prepared for was how children have responded to it, she said. That has been the greatest joy, because if I made a book that I loved and a child didnt particularly engage with it I would feel that I had failed. Hello Lighthouse received several starred reviews, and the title landed on PWs Best Books of 2018 list, among other laudatory year-end lists. Next up for Blackall is making her way back to Brooklyn and celebrating with her family and with her fellow illustrators. We have had a tradition in our studio for many years of watching the Caldecott awards together, she explained. I share studio space with Brian Floca, among other fantastic childrens bookmakers. Brian won in 2014. It felt very strange not to be with my studio mates this year, so I look forward to celebrating with them. In a moment of hindsight, just before our conversation ends, Blackall said that there may have been a sign after all that she would be honored this awards season. On my way out last night I was given a gift from the sky, shall we say. A bird flew overhead and its dropping landed on my dress. The people near me crossing the street laughed and sort of gestured that it was good luck. Its as good a sign in Burmese as elsewhere, she said with a laugh. And so it was. PSFK Weekly Debrief PSFKs paid weekly newsletter product. Trends delivered right to your inbox. PSFK iQ PSFKs professional-grade research platform, featuring access to our full-report library and on-demand research services. Help, I have question! + What is my level of access? + Not sure what product is right me + I am having access issues Want to send us an email? We should be in the business of helping attorneys and their support staff with simple solutions that decrease non-billable work and increase billable work. Zero, provider of the industrys most innovative artificial intelligence email management solution, announces technology integrations with timekeeping tools Intapp Time, Bellefield, Carpe Diem, Elite and Aderant. Zero is the only AI-powered technology to automate passive, instant capture of billable interactions with client email on mobile devices, a primary billable activity performed by attorneys away from their desktops. Zero, therefore, helps attorneys capture more of the billable work they already do; Zero also creates efficient and contemporaneous time entries for that billable work while AI eliminates the administrative overhead. Zero will be demonstrating its technology at Legalweek Show in New York on Jan. 30th and 31st. Event information can be found here. Before Zero, billable interactions with client email on mobile devices were disconnected from a seamless time entry process, and attorneys were multiple clicks and interfaces away from capturing time inventory. This disconnect results in substantial time leakage or time entry errors, negatively impacting attorney and firm revenue. Recent studies illustrate that incremental increases in capturing additional billable units have the most impact to firm profitability, and the vast majority of attorneys (94%) utilize mobile devices for client related tasks when away from their desktops. As the importance of billing hygiene and near-100% billable capture increase in urgency, revenue loss resulting from human error or technology disconnect creates an opportunity for firms to review their time capture processes and invest in time capture automation. Zeros AI technology both automatically files emails with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency into a firms DMS in addition to automating time capture and time entry narratives. The AI powered time capture feature automatically identifies the associated matterincluding correctly identifying matters for clients with multiple matterscreates an accurate narrative and feeds these time records directly into the firms time entry system for review, edit and posting. Zeros CRO, Ryan Steadman comments: Time entry systems have been a little disconnected from the real-world mobile workflows of attorneys since the growth of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and iOS devices amongst attorneys. We should be in the business of helping attorneys and their support staff with simple solutions that decrease non-billable work and increase billable work. Over and above achieving this milestone, Zero spares users the cognitive and administrative disruption that constant time entries and filing interruptions produce during a matter lifecycle. By automating some or all of these tasks, attorneys can focus on their clients needs, and on creating additional streams of client value elsewhere. About Zero Zero is the industrys only mobile-first, artificial intelligence technology for email management. Zero both wins time and finds new revenue for lawyers and law firms. Zeros AI technology automatically files emails with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency into iManage, NetDocuments and OpenText document management systems; is the only application to automatically capture billable time for interacting with client email on a mobile device; and includes a set of email productivity tools for lawyers such as wrong recipient detection that improve compliance and an additional variety of smart features that allow customers to process and analyze large volumes of email faster and more accurately than any other mobile email client. NFTE World Series of Innovation NFTE's World Series of Innovation focuses attention on the power of youth to change the world with their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), a global nonprofit focused on activating the entrepreneurial mindset in youth, has announced the winners in its latest World Series of Innovation challenge series. The World Series of Innovation is a global online competition that challenges small teams of young people, ages 1324, to imagine creative solutions for meeting the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The global goals address some of the most serious issues facing the world today, including poverty, equality, and environmental degradation. Students competing in the World Series of Innovation are asked to think big and develop innovative ideas to solve seemingly intractable problemssuch as stopping the flow of plastic waste into the marine environment or increasing access to affordable, reliable energy. More than 2,000 young people from around the world participated in the Fall 2018 challenges. Judging and public voting was conducted earlier this month. Sponsors of challenges in this competition cycle included The Moodys Foundation, Ernst & Young, LLP (EY), SAP, GoDaddy, and NFTE. The five specific challenges posed in this competition cycle included: Moodys Responsible Consumption Challenge: Design an initiative or innovative approach that promotes responsible consumption. This aligns with SDG #12, Responsible Consumption and Production. EY Future of Work Challenge: Design an initiative or innovative approach that addresses the challenge of jobs that are changing due to automation and AI. This aligns with SDG #8, Decent Work and Economic Growth. GoDaddy Reliable Internet Challenge: Design an initiative or innovative approach that helps to provide reliable internet access to people in developing countries. This aligns with SDG #9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. SAP Natural Disaster Challenge: Design an initiative or innovative approach that uses data to address the impacts of natural disasters. This aligns with SDG #9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. NFTE Climate Change Challenge: Design an initiative or innovative approach that uses technology to help humans respond to the challenges of climate change. This aligns with SDG #13, Climate Action. One winning team was selected in each category in the Fall 2018 challenge series. Winners were determined based on combined scores tabulated from public voting and expert judging. Judges were drawn from the organizations sponsoring challenges as well as a broader pool of business leaders and entrepreneurs who volunteered to score competition entries. Each winning team received a $1,500 cash prize, plus $500 for their school or nonprofit organization. Runner-up teams each received a prize of $300. The winning teams, by challenge category: Moodys Responsible Consumption Challenge Winner: a team from Mounds View High School in Shoreview, MN, developed the idea for Solupal Bags, a water-soluble and eco-friendly alternative shopping bag that eliminates the need to use---and the waste caused byplastic shopping bags. EY Future of Work Challenge Winner: a team from the Young Womens Leadership School of Astoria in Astoria, NY, developed the idea for SIMs Project: Job Security, an app that evaluates users using assessments of the skills they already have, generates relevant job listings, and provides personalized recommendations for online courses and educational services to help them qualify for jobs. Go Daddy Reliable Internet Challenge Winner: a team from Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette, CO, developed the idea for Internet Consistency in Eritrea and Ethiopia (ICEE), a company with the goal of bringing the World Wide Web to less developed countries by routing a high speed submarine fiber optic cable from Saudi Arabia to Eritrea, building internet infrastructure in Eritrea and Ethiopia. NFTE Climate Change Challenge Winner: a team from Newton South High Schools chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in Newton, MA, developed the idea for AlgaCulture, an innovation to help transform rice farms impacted by climate change into profitable algae farms, enabling villages to export algae for food and biofuel. SAP Natural Disaster Challenge Winner: a team from Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL, developed the idea for Foresight Fire, an innovation that revolutionizes safeguards against wildfires by using measurable data of vulnerable areas to target and treat to prevent fire before it happens. NFTE's World Series of Innovation focuses attention on the power of youth to change the world with their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. We issue new challenges in every competition cycle, and all are designed to inspire young people to think big, says Shawn Osborne, President and CEO of NFTE. "Exciting ideas emerge from our next generation of entrepreneurs. They're eager to tackle tough challenges and work together to develop innovative solutions. NFTE will be launching a whole new set of World Series of Innovation challenges on February 11, 2019. Young innovators between the ages 13 and 24 are invited to compete in the Spring 2019 challenges. Visit innovation.nfte.com to learn more. About NFTE NFTE is the leading educational nonprofit focused on teaching startup skills and activating the entrepreneurial mindset in young people from under-resourced communities. Research shows the entrepreneurial mindsetskills including problem-solving, adaptability, initiative, and self-relianceleads to lifelong success. Equipped with the business and academic skills NFTE teaches and empowered by the entrepreneurial mindset, NFTE alumni are prepared to thrive. NFTE works with schools and community partners across the country through its nationwide network of program offices. Alliances with global youth development organizations bring NFTE programs to additional students internationally. NFTE reaches more than 100,000 young people annually and has served well over a million students since its founding. Learn more at nfte.com. ### Left to right: Mr. David Wik (IDB), Senator Robert Le Hunte (Minister of Public Utilities), Vitaly Bernshtein (Utilis), and Mr. Gilroy Francis Lewis (IDB) There are several factors which contribute to the lack of water in some parts of the country. The identification and repair of leaks must work in tandem with increased production, increased public awareness and conservation," Senator Robert Le Hunte Utilis and their leak survey method was welcomed by the Ministry of Public Utilities in Trinidad and Tobago in January. The island nations are moving into their dry season and the Ministry has contracted with Utilis to provide its patented technology to identify sub-surface leaks in the municipal water distribution system. This project is being supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Utilis and IDB are assisting the Ministry to reduce the high levels of water loss currently being experienced. The islands of Trinidad and Tobago have had some difficult times in the past few years when it comes to their water supply and distribution systems, Utilis CEO, Elly Perets, empathized. Our goal is to reduce the water lost by non-revenue leaks in their potable systems. While in the country, the leak detection team will carry out several site verification efforts in collaboration with the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA). Vitaly Bernshtein, a Utilis Analyst, met with Senator Robert Le Hunte, the Minister of Public Utilities, and explained the technology and process for leak verification. While locating leaks is essential, it is not a panacea for all the ills plaguing the Utility, Minister Le Hunte emphasized. There are several factors which contribute to the lack of water in some parts of the country. The identification and repair of leaks must work in tandem with increased production, increased public awareness and conservation. Utilis is the only patented technology using satellite microwave technology to penetrate soil in the search for drinking water associated with leaking pipes. As the worlds only drinking water leak detection provider, their algorithm brings remote sensing technologies to the forefront of protecting the earths resources. Headquartered in Israel, with a United States subsidiary in San Diego, CA, Utilis currently provides innovative solutions for utilities around the globe. For more information on Utilis and to learn more about our technology visit https://utiliscorp.com/ Equitable access to quality early learning for all children will only be achieved with communitywide understanding and involvement. A recent state report shows only 57% of Pinellas children were "ready" for kindergarten. To address this and related areas of need, The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg awarded a multi-year, Transformative Grant to The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County (ELC) in 2018 to launch Thrive By Five Pinellas (TBFP). The initiatives ambitious goal: bringing together organizations and families throughout the county to ensure all children in Pinellas County are ready for kindergarten. Thrive By Five Pinellas is a collective impact initiative, which means were working to transform early childhood in Pinellas County through intense collaboration and alignment of resources, said Kate Bauer-Jones, director of Thrive By Five Pinellas. Were engaging hundreds of stakeholders, all working together to ensure that Pinellas County has an equitable, accessible, responsive, and accountable early childhood system. Leadership TBFP formed a Steering Committee comprising key players in the early childhood landscape: Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg Community Foundation of Tampa Bay St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Juvenile Welfare Board Pinellas County Schools LSF Head Start Florida Health Department Parent Representatives Directions for Living Early Steps The Steering Committee hired Kate Bauer-Jones in April 2018 to lead TBFP. Former President & CEO of the United Way of the Florida Keys, Bauer-Jones is an experienced and proven executive and already a fixture in Pinellas County nonprofit circles and community conversations on early childhood. Kate is working with local influencers, social and human services providers, education/nonprofit leaders, government officials, and business and civic organizations, to ensure kindergarten readiness is top-of-mind in conversations throughout Pinellas County, said Early Learning Coalition CEO Lindsay Carson. Equitable access to quality early learning for all children will only be achieved with communitywide understanding and involvement. Partnerships TBFP engages hundreds of stakeholders countywide, to pinpoint opportunities for our resource-rich community to work together to better meet the needs of our youngest citizens, said Kate Bauer-Jones. Investing in early childhood ensures healthy development and strong futures for young children, and allows parents to continue in their careers and in the workforce. This strengthens local economies alongside strengthening neighborhoods. As part of the formula to achieve this critical work, Thrive By Five has established Project Teams, dedicated to focus areas identified through comprehensive research and strategic planning, and ran by passionate volunteers and staff from a range of organizations and businesses. Project teams include: Business Engagement Supporting family-friendly workplaces and private sector champions of early education Children Prepared to Succeed Ensuring equitable access to quality programs Systems Alignment Working together to streamline processes for families to access services Parent and Caregiver Support Hearing and responding to needs of families in Pinellas County Public Awareness Building public will for prioritizing early childhood as a community value Working relationships in the community also include: University of South Florida St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg College, Feeding Tampa Bay, City of St. Petersburg, United Way Suncoast, RClub Child Care, Pinellas County WIC, Pinellas County Child Care Licensing, Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, The Children's Movement of Florida, many local childcare providers and early educators, 211 Pinellas County, and more. Working with partners, TBFP has already helped catalyze some notable and potentially significant changes in circumstances of vulnerable families: a newly forming partnership with a local food pantry may produce a regular food delivery partnership to childcare centers; child welfare agencies and the ELC are producing a new process for prioritizing and promoting safety of vulnerable children by giving them access and a pathway to quality childcare and early learning opportunities; and work with the City of St. Petersburg, alongside potential national partners, endeavors to make St. Petersburg an early adopter of the new Early Learning Nation movement. Programs With infrastructure in place, and still building, Bauer-Jones notes several examples of key programs both in-works and around-the-corner: Working with employers and families to develop a formal Family Friendly Workplace Certification, Piloting an adopt-a-center program for businesses to sponsor early childhood education centers, Working with service providers on multiple strategies designed to streamline application processes, Developing specific frameworks within which the system can hear and respond to direct and immediate needs of local families, Aligning with like-minded entities to help articulate and advocate for public policy priorities, Continuing to build a network of awareness advocates, and educating the public, Demystifying early care and education opportunities for families not yet exposed, Spotlight and elevate inspirational early educators, with the esteem they deserve, And more. If interested in getting involved with a project team, or supporting Thrive By Five in various other ways, please contact Kate Bauer-Jones at kbauer-jones@elcpinellas.net or 727.400.4430. About Thrive By Five Pinellas: Thrive by Five Pinellas is a collective impact approach to ensure an equitable, accessible, responsive and accountable early childhood system that will increase the percentage of children in our community ready for kindergarten. TBFP works with diverse partners throughout the community to achieve a multi-faceted common vision, ensuring that children, families, schools, and the community are aligned in supporting the development of young children. Thrive By Five Pinellas is inspired by such programs across the country as Thrive by Five DC, Thrive by Five Detroit, and Thrive Washington (Seattle). About The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg: The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation formed in 2013 following the sale of the nonprofit Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. It is the steward of community assets dedicated to supporting health equity in Pinellas County. The Foundation inspires and empowers people, ideas, information exchange, organizations and relationships to end differences in health due to social or structural disadvantages and improve population health. HealthyStPete.Foundation. About Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County: The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County is a nonprofit agency focused on high-quality early care and education. In working with families and childcare providers, the goal is to prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life. The coalition achieves this goal in collaboration with community partners by providing: childcare scholarships; Voluntary Pre-K (VPK); training and technical assistance for childcare providers; developmental, vision and hearing screenings; and resource and referral information for families looking for childcare. About early childhood development just a few select facts (much more readily available on request) illustrating the importance of early childhood development for individuals, for families, and for communities: o Early healthy development sets trajectory for long-term health outcomes. o A recent state report shows only 57% of Pinellas children were "ready" for kindergarten. o A babys brain has doubled in size at age one, and is 80% of adult volume by the age three. o By age three, a brain produces double the neural connections faster than any other time of life. o The human brain is wired for visual & auditory learning. Reading & writing must be taught and brains must develop in language-rich environments to optimize these critical communication skills. o Access to quality care in early years reduces juvenile arrests as well as future crime victimization. o Nationwide, if all low-income three-and-four-year-olds were enrolled in quality early learning, the country could see up to $61 billion in additional revenue in less than five decades. o Early learning and readiness has profound impact on our whole community. o Educated and skillful citizens create stronger economies, locally to nationally. We are pleased to continue strengthening the Bowdoin team with individuals like Kara, Brian, and Jill The Bowdoin Group, an executive search firm with deep expertise in leadership search and strategic build-outs for innovative companies, announced the expansion of their team with the strategic hiring of a new Head of Recruiting and two new Senior Consultants. Kara Barr joins Bowdoin as Head of Recruiting. Kara has extensive experience in executive search, bringing over a decade of search and research experience to her role and an excellent reputation in the market. She will be responsible for overseeing all recruiting functions and team members, including developing and optimizing the firms execution and executive search process. Previously, she served as the Delivery Team Manager for WinterWyman Executive Search where she was responsible for managing the firms research and recruiting team. Prior to that, she served as a Research Associate at Egon Zehnder where she specialized in Board of Director and executive-level placements for roles specific to Data and Analytics expertise. Kara also developed and managed executive relationships as well as conducted market research as a Senior Research Manager in the Consumer Goods & Services practice area at Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG). She received a B.A. in Economics from Bates College. Joining as Senior Consultant, Brian Gatti brings his expertise in executive and human resources recruiting. Prior to joining The Bowdoin Group, Brian served as Director of Research for GattiHR, a national executive search firm focused on the search and placement of Human Resources professionals, where Brian conducted searches for HR executives. Before GattiHR, Brian spent nearly 13 years at State Street managing teams within the Trade Processing and Wealth Management divisions. He received his B.S. in Business Management from Providence College, and currently sits on the nominating and selection committee for the HRLF Bob Gatti Leadership Award. Also joining as a Senior Consultant, Jill Morrissey Phoenix brings 15 years experience in search and recruiting to The Bowdoin Group. Before joining the firm, Jill worked as a corporate recruiter with Pegasystems, a leader in software for digital transformation, focusing on tech, legal, finance, marketing, and sales professionals. Prior to that, she spent 12 years at Robert Half Executive Search. Jill holds a J.D. from Suffolk Law and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University. We are pleased to continue to strengthen the Bowdoin team with individuals like Kara, Brian, and Jill. They are very well respected in the executive search industry and reflect our commitment to continue to raise the bar for our clients with exceptional talent, said Dave Melville, Founder and CEO of The Bowdoin Group. In addition to these three strategic hires, The Bowdoin Group welcomes Kinjal Vyas as an Associate, Research & Operations, and Renee Gramolini as a Recruiting Coordinator, working directly with clients under our Recruitment Process Outsourcing services. Kinjal previously served as a Global Recruitment Coordinator and Operations Specialist at TraceLink and as a Talent Acquisition Coordinator at Seven Step RPO, while Renee previously worked as a Practice Coordinator at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA. About The Bowdoin Group Founded in 1994, The Bowdoin Group is an award-winning executive search firm that specializes in leadership and strategic roles for a wide range of companies, from small firms building out their executive team to large firms sourcing talent for rapid market expansion. With deep expertise in BioPharma, Digital Health, FinTech and Financial Services, and Software, The Bowdoin Group is a leader in the Greater Boston area with depth of experience in sourcing talent and servicing companies globally. The companys service reputation earned it a ranking in the top 2% of the recruiting industry for client satisfaction. Bowdoin is active in supporting Bostons entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as several non-profit causes. Visit us at https://www.bowdoingroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Contact Emily Leinbach Head of Marketing eleinbach(at)bowdoingroup(dot)com (781) 263-5239 People who would like to lose weight without necessarily going out of their way to exercise can soon take advantage of a fitness blog website by industry guru Tatiana Kukanova Regan. The new site will be available in March 2019. The fitness blog site can be found at http://www.tatianakukanovaregan.com/. The blog website is leaving the private beta testing phase, and version 1.0 will be 100% ready on March 1. Regan said she decided to create the fitness blog site because she was tired of hearing excuses about why her friends and family could not get workouts in. She warned that her website blog will not be for those who like to make excuses, as it will focus on getting workouts in anywhere and anytime. According to Regan, people often believe that they are too busy to work out. The truth is, though, that working out a minimum of one to two times per week is critical for peoples health and overall wellbeing. Regan will therefore use her blog website to challenge readers to set a goal for working out and then fully achieve that goal or at least be halfway to achieving that goal before the end of the year. For starters, people can walk more rather than taking the elevator or using transportation to get from Point A to Point B. On her blog site, Regan plans to provide specific tips for getting in 10,000 steps per day. She also will offer advice for those who find themselves sitting down for much of the day due to the nature of their jobs, for example. Her ultimate goal through her brand-new fitness blog is to help more people to make working out second nature so that they enjoy higher levels of health both physically and mentally in the months and years ahead. Lucas Group is proud of our tradition for cultivating industry experts through continued professional training, mentorship and opportunities to succeed. Lucas Group, ranked third on Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firms list for 2018, is recognizing 17 Associates who were recently promoted to advanced recruiting positions, including Executive Senior Partner, Senior Partner and Senior Executive Search Consultant. Lucas Group is proud of our tradition for cultivating industry experts through continued professional training, mentorship and opportunities to succeed, said Carolina King, CPO for Lucas Group. The promotion of these diverse Associates during the first quarter of 2019 not only represents the accelerated growth of our various practice groups and branches, but also sets the tone for a strong fiscal year ahead. The promoted Associates represent six of the companys seven practice groups, which include Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Manufacturing, Military and Sales & Marketing. The following Associates were promoted to Executive Senior Partner: Nabeel Hussain, Manufacturing, Houston Nicole Kennedy, Legal, Houston Kelly Maslow, Sales & Marketing, Chicago The following Associates were promoted to Senior Partner: Donita Ayotte, Information Technology, Houston Kris Galliart, Accounting & Finance, Phoenix Alena Kirby, Human Resources, Houston Sara Luskin, Legal, Atlanta Brittany Smith, Manufacturing, Cincinnati The following Associates were promoted to Senior Executive Search Consultant: Karina Hoppe, Information Technology, Atlanta Taylor Jones, Information Technology, Atlanta Gaby Marroquin, Manufacturing, Houston Daniel Massello, Accounting & Finance, Chicago Brandi McBride, Human Resources, Denver Chelsea Mclaughlin, Information Technology, Atlanta Disha Salgia, Sales & Marketing, Phoenix Jessica Schatzman, Information Technology, Cincinnati John Seaver, Accounting & Finance, Los Angeles Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with 15 locations across the country, Lucas Group recruiters are able to source leading talent with unparalleled results. Offices are located in Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Irvine, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Diego, Tampa Bay and Washington, D.C. About Lucas Group Lucas Group is North Americas premier executive search firm. Since 1970, our culture and methodologies have driven superior results. We assist clients ranging in size from small to medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies find transcendent, executive talent; candidates fully realize their ambitions; and associates find professional success. To learn more, please visit Lucas Group at http://www.lucasgroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn,Facebook, and Twitter. SR Education Group, a leading education research publisher founded in 2004, is contributing $60,000 in scholarships to 12 students this quarter. SR Education Group, a leading education research publisher founded in 2004, is contributing $60,000 in scholarships to 12 students this quarter. In order to achieve their mission of making college more affordable and attainable for every student, SR Education Group implemented a quarterly scholarship program. The scholarship panel has released the winners of the final round of the 2018 scholarships: Undergraduate Scholarship: Lily Sweet King of University of Mississippi, AnnaRae Ellison of Huntington University, ShyAnn Springer of Northern State University, and Emily Buschini of Montana State University Military Scholarship: Adam Isch of Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary and Sara Elias of Eastern Michigan University Graduate Scholarship: Tyler Cheesman of University of the Southwest Community College Scholarship: Ciara Blanks of Bladen Community College, Timari Dawkins of Spartanburg Community College, Torrence Thompson of Owens Community College, Franchesica Blair of Lawson State Community College, and Kimberly Cummings of Sandhills Community College All of these students impressed the scholarship panel with their academic goals, professional ambitions, and the obstacles they have overcome. Many of the scholarship winners shared their gratitude for the scholarship and expressed how much the $5,000 will help them reach their goals. An extra $5,000 means 500 hours less that I have to work to pay for my college, shared Lily Sweet King, Undergraduate Scholarship winner. That's 500 hours that I can spend toward studying and doing community service. I am very appreciative of your generosity and plan to one day give back in the same way. SR Education Group awards scholarships on a quarterly basis throughout the year. Applications are currently being accepted for the next round of all four scholarships and selections will be finalized after the March 31st deadline. The application consists of two short questions about applicants education and future career goals, as well as any circumstances that affect the individuals need for financial assistance. Additional details, an archive of winners, and applications are available on SR Education Groups website. About SR Education Group Headquartered in Kirkland, WA, SR Education Group was founded in 2004 by CEO Sung Rhee. The companys mission is to create authoritative online resources for students seeking an online education program that best suits their budget and career aspirations. SR Education Group is passionate about making quality education attainable for everyone and believes that objective information about education, careers, and educational financing should be free and easily accessible. For more information, please visit https://www.sreducationgroup.org/. The grant is our way of providing immediate financial relief to these AbilityOne contract employees through our nonprofit community. Steven Krotonsky, COO SourceAmerica, an AbilityOne authorized enterprise, announced today the SourceAmerica AbilityOne Employee Emergency Assistance Grant, a new $1 million program to provide financial support to AbilityOne contract employees who did not receive a paycheck during the partial government shutdown. Through this grant, SourceAmerica will match disbursements paid by AbilityOne producing nonprofit agencies (NPAs) that assist impacted employees with their housing expenses and medical insurance premium costs. The $1 million weve allocated to the SourceAmerica AbilityOne Employee Emergency Assistance Grant is one of the largest weve funded to help alleviate some of the financial burden for AbilityOne contract employees displaced by the shutdown, said SourceAmerica Chief Operating Officer Steven Krotonsky. Thousands of AbilityOne contract employees have been out of work, and many have not yet received orders to return to work since the government reopened. The grant is our way of providing immediate financial relief to these AbilityOne contract employees through our nonprofit community. SourceAmerica facilitates employment opportunities for nearly 40,000 people with disabilities through a nationwide nonprofit network and the federal AbilityOne Program. More than 2,000 people with disabilities employed on AbilityOne contracts, including wounded warriors and veterans with disabilities, were impacted by the partial government shutdown. The lack of paychecks means bills and rent go unpaid and makes fulfilling basic life necessities a challenge. We know that many NPAs are already providing much needed financial support to these displaced employees, added Krotonsky. Our AbilityOne Emergency Employee Assistance Grant will augment the current level of support shown by our NPAs and match their funds dollar for dollar. AbilityOne producing NPAs are eligible to receive the matching grant funds from SourceAmerica after the full disbursement has been paid to their impacted contract employees. SourceAmerica will reimburse 50 percent of each disbursement, up to $200 grant dollars per person per month, for AbilityOne contract employees with or without disabilities. NPA disbursements must be paid after Jan. 24, 2019. The grant fund will continue until the shutdown is fully resolved. About SourceAmerica Established in 1974, SourceAmerica creates employment opportunities for a skilled and dedicated workforce of people with disabilities. SourceAmerica is the vital link between the federal government and private sector organizations that procure the products and services provided by this exceptional workforce via a network of more than 750 community-based nonprofits. Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, SourceAmerica provides its nonprofit agency network with business development, contract management, legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology support, engineering and technical assistance, and extensive professional training needed for successful nonprofit management. Visit SourceAmerica.org to learn more, or follow us on Facebook (@SourceAmerica), Twitter (@SourceAmericaUS) and LinkedIn (@SourceAmerica). # # # Sound Royalties Founder and CEO Alex Heiche Its important to us that we establish a dedicated space in Nashville, to enhance our commitment to the community and its music professionals. Music industry specialty finance firm Sound Royalties today announced that it has now opened a location in Nashville, Tennessee to better serve the creatives in the citys thriving music community. To oversee this enhanced presence in Music City, Sound Royalties CEO and Founder Alex Heiche is now operating full time out of Nashville. Located in the Gulch, Sound Royalties new space will be utilized to engage with Nashvilles music professionals and educate them about its creative-friendly financing services, which unlike competitors, allow musicians to retain their copyrights and receive overflow income. The company will host events and gatherings in its Nashville space, independently as well as in concert with other music organizations. The events are exclusive to creatives and music industry professionals looking to network and share their creativity with each other. Nashville isnt just the country music capital, it is the music capital of the world. Beyond those who already live here, creatives from all genres of music travel here to play shows, record music, and collaborate with other artists, said Heiche, who is a longtime supporter of the Nashville music scene. Its important to us that we establish a dedicated space in Nashville, to enhance our commitment to the community and its music professionals. Steve Bogard, Board President of Nashville Songwriters Association International, spoke about the importance of the companys services: Sound Royalties is a safe and sensible option to support the growth of creatives careers. The companys flexible model works for songwriters in a variety of situations an up-and-coming young writer, an established artist who wants to fund a new project, or an experienced songwriter managing multiple revenue streams. Sound Royalties new Nashville space joins its locations in South Florida and Los Angeles. The company is also highly active in other leading music cities, such as New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Austin. Meetings at Sound Royalties Nashville location are by appointment only. To request, please reach out to the company at 1-888-987-3224 or info(at)soundroyalties.com. About Sound Royalties Founded by CEO Alex Heiche, Sound Royalties, LLC is a privately-owned specialty finance firm that helps music industry professionals fund personal and professional projects while allowing them to retain the rights to their music and receive overflow income. The company's core business is offering royalty advances of anywhere from $5,000 to $10 million. It does this by advancing artist, producer and songwriter royalties paid through music labels, distributors, publishers and PROs such as SoundExchange, BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and many more. To date, Sound Royalties, LLC has worked with a wide range of leading music industry professionals, including GRAMMY Award winners, platinum recording artists and notable music industry executives in every genre. Learn more at https://soundroyalties.com. Joyce Brocaglia Brocaglia is known for her commitment to engaging, developing and advancing women leaders in Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy. RSA Conference, one of the worlds largest information security conferences and expositions practices diversity and inclusion by adding 9 new industry leaders to its Advisory Board including Joyce Brocaglia, CEO of Alta Associates; CEO of BoardSuited and Founder of the Executive Womens Forum on Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy (EWF). RSA Conference has also added a womens focused seminar where Brocaglia will speak. I have been a participant of the RSA conference since its inception and am honored to serve on the Board of Advisors, said Joyce Brocaglia, EWF Founder, CEO of Alta Associates and BoardSuited. Like RSA Conference, both the EWF and Alta Associates are committed to engaging, developing and advancing professionals in our field. Together we are increasing the diversity, access and leadership skills of our industry. Joyce Brocaglia is the CEO of Alta Associates, the leading executive search firm specializing in Cybersecurity, IT Risk Management and Transformational Technology. Brocaglia is known for her commitment to engaging, developing and advancing women leaders and founded the Executive Womens Forum on Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy in 2002. She is also the CEO of a newly launched company, BoardSuited; an e-learning course for professionals who aspire to be on a board of directors. Learn more about Brocaglia in this interview with RSAC here. The RSA Conference Advisory Board is designed to assist in driving an impartial, yet informed dialogue on the rapidly evolving information security industry. The Advisory Board extends the influence of Conference by providing insight into trends and breaking news in the information security industry on behalf of the Conference, as well as offering guidance into overall program development. Joyce Brocaglia will also share her experience as a professional speaker at RSA Conference seminar She Speaks Security: Gaining Confidence Speaking and Submitting to Speak, on Monday, March 4, 2019, from 1:00 4:30 PM. This robust half-day forum, developed with community groups, will offer a mentor-focused opportunity to inspire, prepare and equip women for submitting and presenting to large groups. Headed to RSA Conference? Make sure to register for the EWF Meet & Greet to engage and connect with over 200 of the most dynamic personalities; the women in Information Security on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Register here. Dont forget to visit the Alta Associates and EWF Booth North Expo #6474! ##### About the Executive Womens Forum on Information Security, Risk Management & Privacy: Founded in 2002, the Executive Womens Forum on Information Security, Risk Management & Privacy (EWF) is the largest member organization serving women leaders as well as the most prominent and influential women in Information Security, Cybersecurity, IT Risk Management, Governance Risk & Compliance and Privacy. The EWFs mission is to advance women in our field through leadership development, education and the creation of trusted relationships. The EWF achieves this goal by facilitating programs and events throughout the year including a National Conference, regional meetings, leadership development programs and interaction with global thought leaders through an online community. For more information visit http://www.ewf-usa.com. About Alta Associates: Founded in 1986 Alta Associates is widely acknowledged as the leading boutique executive search firm specializing in Information Security, Cybersecurity, and IT Risk Management. Alta is recognized for their deep understanding of the information security industry and the drives that shape it. Having successfully partnered with global enterprises for 30 years, Alta has filled many of the most high profile Chief Information Security Officer roles and built world class Information Security, Cybersecurity and IT Risk organizations. Alta is well known for their ability to attract and deliver top tier executives and the teams that support them and is named as one of the top 50 executive search firms in the United States. For more information visit http://www.altaassociates.com or call 908-806-8442. About BoardSuited: BoardSuited is an online e-learning course that provides professionals with a practical approach to best prepare and position themselves for their first boardroom seat. Boardsuited combines a robust curriculum and insights from seated Board Members and C level experts to teach learners how boards operate, their roles and responsibilities as board members and guides them in creating their personal roadmap to the boardroom. For more information visit http://www.boardsuited.com or call 908-806-6257. About RSA Conference: RSA Conference is the premier series of global events and onDemand programs where the world talks security and leadership gathers, advances and emerges. Whether attending in the U.S., the EMEA region, the Asia-Pacific region or online, RSA Conference events are where the security industry converges to discuss current and future concerns and get access to the people, content and ideas that help enable individuals and companies to win, grow and do their best. Its about bringing all people in the cybersecurity industry together and empowering the collective we of the cybersecurity industry to stand against cyberthreats around the world. RSA Conference is the ultimate marketplace for the latest technologies and hands-on educational opportunities that help industry professionals discover how to make their companies more secure while showcasing the most enterprising, influential and thought-provoking thinkers and leaders in security today. For information on events, online programming and the most up-to-date news pertaining to the information security industry visit http://www.rsaconference.com. PSTA Logo The Public Safety Technology Alliance (PSTA) is collaborating with the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) to support open public safety technology standards for the critical communications industry worldwide. PSTAs mission as a non-profit organization is to bring public safety and industry together to support and promote the adoption of open, best-in-class technology standards and open APIs for the public safety user community. At IWCE 2019, PSTA will be located in the Exhibit Hall in booth # MCT75 showcasing its technical subcommittees progress and the benefits for both industry and public safety of joining PSTA. TJ Kennedy, CEO of the PSTA, will present at the Town Hall meeting Help is on the Way Roundtable: Public Safety Think Tank on Tuesday, March 5 at 4:15 pm, and Maggie Goodrich, Chair of the PSTA Board of Directors, will present at the General Session on Thursday, March 7 at 1:00 pm. PSTA will also host its quarterly board meeting at the conference. By partnering with PSTA we will be able to reach a wider audience of public safety professionals to ensure that they have the vital knowledge and latest safety technologies necessary for them to succeed in the critical communications industry, said Stacey Orlick, IWCEs Director of Community and Conference Content. We look forward to working closely with PSTA at IWCE. Kennedy said, Were very excited to be working closely with IWCE to share our mission and progress on key technical issues with event attendees. As our industry continues its dynamic transformation, we are proud to support global open technology standards and open APIs to improve interoperability for public safety. About PSTA The Public Safety Technology Alliance (PSTA), comprised of telecommunications industry, public safety, and technology leaders, is a nonprofit coalition with a mission of adopting open, best-in-class, standards-based technology for the public safety user community. As broadband and narrowband networks evolve to meet the demands of first responders, so too must the standards evolve to ensure interoperability between and among the various networks, applications and databases upon which public safety users rely. For more information, visit http://www.pstalliance.org. About IWCE IWCE (International Wireless Communications Expo) is the premier annual event for critical communications, featuring an exhibit hall with over 400 exhibitors and a five-day comprehensive conference program. Over 7,000 individuals attend from a diverse group of industry professionals including product distribution, government, public safety, critical infrastructure, business enterprise and more. IWCE 2019 will be held March 4-8 in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit http://www.iwceexpo.com. About Informa Informa PLC is a leading, international business to business information services Group, operating in over 30 countries. We create transaction-led exhibitions and content-based events, specialist data, intelligence and marketing services products, as well as scholarly research and specialist reference-led academic content. Our products and services help businesses and professionals connect, learn, do business and gain an edge over the competition. Informa is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100. Media Contacts Victoria Lee PSTA Tel: 541-771-2144 Email: vicki(at)publicsafety.network Stephanie McCall IWCE Email: stephanie.mccall(at)knect365.com The success of 3CS stems from the participantsattendees/presenters and students who value the contributions of community colleges to cybersecurity education. The cybersecurity workforce is changing and community colleges need to change with it. New ideas are needed to prepare these students. The Community College Cyber Summit (3CS) is accepting proposals for its event, July 30-Aug. 1, at Bossier Parish Community College and the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino in Bossier City, Louisiana. As the only national academic conference dedicated to cybersecurity education at community colleges, 3CS is marking its sixth edition by highlighting workforce development and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education job roles in addition to its usual focus on degrees, certificates, courses and other elements of the academic program. They are looking for evidence-based measures of program effectiveness as well as new labs, methods of instruction, programs, courses, and other program components. Features of this years 3CS are full-day Cybersecurity Skills Development Workshops on July 30, the third edition of our job fair, two-hour mini workshops, a back of the house cybersecurity tour of the Horseshoe Casino, redesigned tracks, and a selection of enticing visitor attractions outside the summit itself. All proposals should follow one of five tracks: Evidence-Based, Instruction, Practice, Program Development and Student. Sessions in Evidence-Based can focus on efficacy and assessment of labs, a course, exercises or curriculum or introduce new methods for validation of learning or impact. Instruction should offer instructors ideas, strategies or techniques to teach new topics or enhance existing courses. The Practice track can include the way new devices, threats, strategies or technologies are incorporated into curriculum (i.e. Internet of Things or mobile forensics). For Program Development, topics could include workforce development, cloud-based lab solutions or articulation agreements. The Student track should include career paths, student associations, interviewing skills or resume preparation. Students are encouraged to submit proposals. The success of 3CS stems from the participantsattendees/presenters and students who value the contributions of community colleges to cybersecurity education. The faculty and students appreciate that they are valued, and as a result, they enthusiastically make valuable contributions by presenting and actively participating, said Dr. Bob Spear, 3CS Chair. Proposals are due by Feb. 15. For more information, visit http://www.my3cs.org/proposals "Pipeline Health has a proven model for saving and sustaining smaller hospitals that are cornerstones of the communities we serve." Pipeline Health, a successful community-based hospital ownership and management company headquartered in Los Angeles, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of West Suburban Medical Center, Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital and Westlake Hospital from Tenet Healthcare. This is the companys first acquisition in the Chicago area. Pipeline Health is proud to partner with Dr. Eric Whitaker, a public healthcare advocate and long-time Chicago resident, on the acquisition. Pipeline Health has a proven model for saving and sustaining smaller hospitals that are cornerstones of the communities we serve. We share Dr. Whitakers commitment to improving healthcare through innovation and building relationships with patients, physicians and local leaders, said Jim Edwards, CEO of Pipeline Health. The Chicago-area hospitals joining the Pipeline Health network of community-care facilities in Los Angeles and Dallas include: West Suburban Medical Center, a 234-bed facility in Oak Park; Weiss Memorial, a 236-bed hospital on Chicagos Northside and Westlake, a 230-bed hospital in Melrose Park. The rapidly changing healthcare environment has left many community hospitals struggling financially. Pipeline Health has a track record of success by rethinking how healthcare is delivered at the right time, in the right place, for the right cost. This allows communities to maintain high quality care close to home, said Dr. Whitaker, who is joining Pipeline Health as a principal and vice chair in Chicago. Pipeline Health creates healthcare facilities that are not only beneficial for patients, but for physicians and other caregivers who work there. We view physicians as partners and hope to retain and attract those looking to care for patients in a high quality yet very efficient, personal and friendly setting. We feel our personalized approach will appeal to many physicians practicing in the Chicago area, said Dr. Mark Bell, president, Pipeline Health. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. served as Pipeline Healths financial advisor for the transaction, with Duane Morris LLP providing legal counsel. For more information, visit Pipelinehealth.us. Pipeline Health LLC Pipeline Health is a privately-held, community-based hospital ownership and management company based in Los Angeles. The principals of Pipeline Health have more than 250 years of collective experience in clinical medicine, finance, hospital operations and acquisitions, and successfully manage several thriving community-based hospitals in Southern California and one in Dallas. The hospital management group is committed to personalized care, reflective of the communities they serve. For more information visit pipeline health.us. Pat, Pache and Claudia have been strategic leaders for the logistics group for many years. These latest promotions are testament to their dedication to Crowley, our customers and our industry partners. To continue providing customers with industry-leading integrated supply chain solutions, Crowley Logistics announced today several personnel moves that further position the company for exceptional customer service and growth. Patrick Collins has been promoted to vice president of terminal operations; Jose Pache Ayala has been named vice president of Caribbean logistics, and Claudia Kattan de Jordan has been appointed vice president of Central America logistics. All three executives report to Steve Collar, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics. Pat, Pache and Claudia have been strategic leaders for the logistics group for many years, said Collar. These latest promotions are testament to their dedication to Crowley, our customers and our industry partners. We are confident that in their new, expanded roles, they will continue to model our core values of safety, integrity and high performance while positioning our supply chain services for growth. Collins is responsible for the overall operations and strategy for the companys domestic cargo terminals, including Port Everglades and Jacksonville, Fla.; Eddystone, Penn.; Gulfport, Miss.; Wilmington, N.C.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and those in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Collins will remain based in Port Everglades. Since 2014, Collins has overseen cargo operations for Crowleys terminal in Port Everglades as general manager after previously being cargo operations manager. In total, he has nearly 20 years of experience in the maritime sector. He earned his bachelors degree from Loyola University and graduated from Officer Candidate School of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, after which, he served as executive, deck watch and training officer for USCG cutters Padre and Venturous. Ayala now has expanded responsibility for coordinating sales, marketing and operational shipping activities throughout Crowleys footprint in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the Caribbean islands. Previously head of Crowleys services in Puerto Rico, Ayala will support local sales management, and work to enhance Crowleys service offerings in the entire Caribbean region. He will be the primary company representative when dealing with local ports authorities, government officials, shipping associations and major customer accounts in the region. He will remain based in Puerto Rico. A 2013 recipient of the Thomas Crowley Award, the companys highest honor, Ayala began working with Crowley in the late 1980s as a Teamsters union laborer. He rose within the union ranks into leadership positions and eventually became the head of the Teamsters in Puerto Rico. In 2007, Ayala joined Crowleys administrative team, serving in labor relations, then manager of San Juan terminal operation before being promoted in 2012 to vice president, Puerto Rico a position he held until this promotion. Kattan de Jordan is taking on expanded responsibility for all of Crowleys supply chain services throughout Central America. She is overseeing the regions sales, marketing and operations activities; development of policies and procedures; operating results; annual revenue and capital budgets; contractor and service provider agreements and developing business relationships. In addition to operations, Kattan is responsible for the profit and loss of Crowleys Central American northern and southern zones, U.S Gulf and Wilmington, N.C., services, along with all regional warehousing, trucking, customs brokerage and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) services. Kattan, who is based in Honduras, began her career with Crowley in 1989 and has held various positions including customer service representative, sales coordinator, sales executive, sales manager, general manager and most recently vice president, liner services. She is a 2005 recipient of the Thomas Crowley Award and a graduate of the Technological University of Honduras. These promotions follow the companys recent integration of its liner services and logistics business lines into a singular, highly focused logistics organization providing customers with end-to-end services, including ocean, land and air transportation; commercial transportation management; supply chain and distribution services; freight forwarding and warehousing; and cargo risk and customs compliance. Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 127-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Crowley operates under four business units: Crowley Logistics, a singular ocean liner and logistics supply chain division; Crowley Shipping, which encompasses ownership, operations and management of conventional and dual fuel (LNG) vessels, including tankers, container ships, multipurpose, tugboats and barges; Crowley Fuels, a fuel transportation, distribution and sales division that also provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) and related services; and Crowley Solutions, which focuses on government services, including vessel management for government agencies, as well as engineering, project management, naval architecture through its subsidiary Jensen Maritime, and marine salvage and emergency response through its 50 percent ownership in Ardent Global. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found at http://www.crowley.com. "The community of fans that has grown and rallied behind the brand is something beyond our wildest dreams. We couldn't have done it without their love and support of our squishys." Softn Slo Squishies from ORB, one of the fastest growing toy and collectible companies in the world, was awarded a UK Toy and Supplier of the Year Award for Craze of the Year at the Toy Industry Awards presented by the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) and the Toy Retailers Association on January 22, 2019. Judged by a panel of nationwide industry experts from BTHA membership, the BTHA Council and the toy industry press, the Toy Industry Awards recognize exceptional players within the independent, specialist multiple, grocer, department store and online retail channels. "We are ecstatic to receive this award and have Softn Slo Squishies recognized on an international level, said Steve Kay, ORBs CEO and Founder. The community of fans that has grown and rallied behind the brand is something beyond our wildest dreams. We couldn't have done it without their love and support of our squishys." This is the first international award for ORB and Softn Slo Squishies which comes only days after two of the brand's collectibles were featured in Ariana Grande's new music video for "7 rings". ORB heads to Toy Fair New York next month, from February 16-19, where they will showcase the latest from Soft'n Slo Squishies and ORBs more than 21 brands. About ORB ORB is recognized as the fastest growing toy and collectibles company in the world; shipping high-volume, trending collectibles, crafts, compounds and breakthrough art materials. ORB is best known for its buzzworthy brands including ORB Softn Slo Squishies, Bubbleezz, OrbSlimy and ORB Slimi Cafe. ORB was founded nearly 30 years ago, by CEO Steve Kay, with the Celestial Orb, a transforming, hand-held wire widget and has grown into a company with more than 21 brands. The single global resource for print, media, and events in the power and energy industry. This event will provide us with a forum to learn from each other how we are evolving our practices to meet the needs of our customers. NV Energy is serving as the host utility for the 21st annual ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition, which convenes at the Mirage Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 23-26. The ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition offers an intimate environment that allows for in-depth learning and knowledge-transfer, providing the tools needed to make power generation facilities and related infrastructure more reliable, more efficient, and safer as the power industry transitions toward the future. Aaron Larson, executive editor of POWER magazine said, "If progress is a goal, then change is inevitable. An industry that doesnt adapt to changing conditions will eventually become irrelevant. The power industry faces many disrupting forces, and now is the time to focus on evolving to overcome the challenges." With this belief in mind, the 2019 conference theme, "Transitioning Toward the Future - The Next Generation of Power," was created. POWER and the Program Committee are bringing content to ELECTRIC POWER that will not only expose you and your team to the latest technology and opportunities but also provide a space for open communication amongst peers from around the world so you can learn how others are transitioning. We look forward to welcoming our industry colleagues to Las Vegas for this years ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition, said Kevin Geraghty, NV Energy senior vice president of operations. One major contributor to the future of the power industry is the changing role of the utility customer who is no longer just a consumer, but often directly participates in how energy is supplied to them. This event will provide us with a forum to learn from each other how we are evolving our practices to meet the needs of our customers. To complement the learning environment, attendees will be able to visit leading solution-providers in power generation who exhibit at the ELECTRIC POWER Exhibition. The exhibition takes place April 24-25, at the Mirage Events Center. Full conference details and registration information are now available. Make plans today for you and your entire team to join ELECTRIC POWER and host utility NV Energy in Las Vegas this April! Who We Are Established in 1998, the ELECTRIC POWER Conference & Exhibition is an event supporting power generation and related technologies. We believe in the education, training, and development of power professionals, power plant employees, students, and solution providers to continue to advance this sector of the industry. With the support of POWER magazine, an advisory board comprised of individuals from all facets of power generation and related projects, and leading industry experts, our conference is known in the industry as the best place to meet, network, and gain knowledge and insights on the pressing issues affecting power generation and related systems, while staying current on regulations, policies, safety, and best practices in an ever-changing industry. About POWER magazine POWER, the single global resource for print, media, and events in the power and energy industry, was established in 1882 and is the only industry publication that addresses all power generation, and related technologies and fuels, utilized throughout the world, providing news and information for this increasingly complex sector. The POWER brand is dedicated to providing its global audience with exclusive analyses of the latest trends, best practices, and insight on power generation and related projects through several platforms, including print, digital, and in-person events. POWER equips generation professionals and those who support them with the resources they need to make informed decisions that power the future. About Access Intelligence, LLC Access Intelligence delivers trusted, timely, and deep information that empowers our customers and advances their business. Access Intelligence is a leading worldwide information and marketing company that provides unparalleled business intelligence and integrated marketing solutions in nearly a dozen global market sectors. With a customer-centric culture dedicated to editorial excellence and marketing integrity, Access Intelligence serves business professionals worldwide with a portfolio of products, including events, e-letters, data and digital products, e-learning, magazines, and e-media solutions. We deliver insight and intelligence when, how, and where our customers want it in major market areas. "Steve has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to successfully lead critical initiatives, and he has a great passion for agriculture and Oklahoma. We look forward to him leading Noble for many years to come, said Rusty Noble, chairman of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Board of Directors. Noble Research Institutes governing body announced yesterday the selection of Steven Rhines as the organizations new president and chief executive officer. The governing body voted unanimously to select Rhines at last weeks regular January meeting. Rhines has been with Noble for almost two decades, most recently serving as its vice president, general counsel and director of public affairs. We conducted a nationwide search for a proven leader who possessed a significant understanding of agricultural research, the vision to advance the Noble Research Institute into the next generation, and high personal integrity, said Rusty Noble, chairman of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Board of Directors and grandson of the organizations founder, Lloyd Noble. We found all of those qualities in Steve. He has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to successfully lead critical initiatives, and he has a great passion for agriculture and Oklahoma. We look forward to him leading Noble for many years to come. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is the sole member/manager of Noble Research Institute, a nonprofit single-member limited liability company. The Foundation acts through its board of directors to provide leadership for the Institute to carry out its charitable purposes, act as a good steward of its resources, and conduct and support its activities in accordance with the vision of founder Lloyd Noble. Rhines becomes the ninth president in Nobles 74-year history. He replaces Bill Buckner, who retired after seven years at the end of 2018. Im humbled and honored to be chosen to steward the Noble legacy, Rhines said. I am thankful for this opportunity, and I am excited to work alongside a talented and dedicated group of researchers, educators, consultants and staff. Rhines, a native of Antlers, Oklahoma, earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1990 and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in 1994. Rhines joined Noble from the international law firm of Sidley Austin in 2001. Rhines has led the legal function of the nonprofit since 2001. Additionally, he has been responsible for overseeing numerous operational activities during his tenure, including extramural funding, communications, government and public affairs, and most recently, youth and adult education. In 2008, Rhines headed the organizations effort to modify the U.S. Tax Code to create a new type of 501(c)(3) public charity called agricultural research organizations (AROs). The proposed modification would increase agricultural research capacity in the United States and provide philanthropists another option to invest in public agricultural research. The legislative measure became law in December 2015. The Noble Research Institute is in the process of converting from a private foundation to an ARO. The development of AROs was almost a seven-year journey, and Steve led the entire effort, Noble said. The project is but one example of his demonstrated vision, critical thinking and tenacity. He cares about Noble and its mission, and he cares for the development of the people he works with and leads. These qualities made him the clear choice for the Institutes future. Rhines begins his tenure as the Institutes president today. Rusty Noble, on behalf of the governing body, made the announcement to employees during a special gathering on the Institute campus. I fell in love with the organization the first day I walked onto this campus and heard the story of Lloyd Noble, Rhines said. Our focus is land stewardship in livestock production for producer profitability. We deliver guidance, education, solutions, and innovations to farmers and ranchers regionally and nationally. Being a part of an organization with a committed governing body, leadership team and employees is a foundation for success. It is the greatest job anyone could have. In addition to other community activities and service, Rhines serves as a governor-appointed member of both the Oklahoma School for Science and Mathematics Board of Trustees and the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board. Rhines and his wife, Debbie, live in Ardmore. They have three sons currently attending college: Andrew, Thomas and Grant. Finkelstein & Partners, LLP celebrates 30 years We got to this point by being thorough, determined, and completely dedicated to holding wrongdoers accountable on behalf of our injured clients. -Andrew Finkelstein, Managing Partner Howard S. Finkelstein (1933-2017) founded his law firm on Liberty Street in 1959, at the suggestion of his father-in-law, who owned a Suntag Drugs Pharmacy on Broadway. Having moved to the country from his native Brooklyn, NY, Howard had earned his Bachelor's degree at Brooklyn College. He then went on to serve his country as a soldier in the Korean War as part of the GI Bill, which enabled him to attend Brooklyn Law School. Today, 60 years later, the tradition Howard began of doing what is right for his clients and the community is thriving. The culture of caring is carried on by his son Andrew, also the firms managing partner, and the more than 200 attorneys and legal support professionals at Finkelstein & Partners. Nearly ten years ago the firm launched a volunteer program which grants all interested employees the opportunity to volunteer on a paid basis at local nonprofit organizations. Firm volunteers are able to take up to 4 hours each month during their work schedule to volunteer and receive pay as if they were working. Additionally, the firm will donate $150 towards the employees chosen charity for every 15 hours of their volunteer time. Investigator Rolando Zapata is a big fan of the program. For the past several years Ive been involved with such causes as The Plattekill Veterans Memorial Park Fund and The Plattekill PBA / Bruce Loescher Scholarship Award for graduating high school seniors going to college and majoring in Law Enforcement or Agriculture. I was also able to help benefit disabled Veterans and The Winona Lake Fire Department. I am very proud to say that my team and I helped raise thousands of dollars for these great causes. I am both honored and humbled that the firm my Dad started is one of New York State's most respected personal injury law firms, notes Andrew Finkelstein. We got to this point by being thorough, determined, and completely dedicated to holding wrongdoers accountable on behalf of our injured clients. To commemorate this remarkable anniversary we are dedicating the year to shining a spotlight on six local nonprofit organizations that are close to our hearts. Starting this month Finkelstein & Partners will sponsor family-friendly events throughout the Hudson Valley, with each event featuring a different nonprofit: How do I let you know how grateful I am for the generosity shown to me and the kids? I am overwhelmed with the kindness of the firm. -Pastor Rosie, Director of Northeast Gateway to Freedom We hope that everyone will come enjoy the great events and join us in learning about and supporting these organizations who contribute so much to the beautiful Hudson Valley. Andrew Finkelstein About Finkelstein & Partners, LLP Headquartered in Newburgh, NY, Finkelstein & Partners, LLP has been successfully winning serious injury cases for nearly 60 years. Offices are located throughout New York and New Jersey and services include Personal Injury, Social Security Disability Benefits, Workers' Compensation, Nursing Home Neglect and Veterans Services. The firm's Commit to Quit Distracted Driving program highlights the serious dangers of distracted driving for teen drivers. We care deeply about the work we do and the communities we serve. We encourage our family of employees to devote time and assistance to community projects, because we want to be a part of building better communities. To learn more, visit the firms website at lawampm.com or call 1-800-Lawampm / 1-800-529-2676. After months of rigorous testing, a gamechanger platform for business is finally ready to launch. Called Keap, the platform is cutting-edge sales and marketing software designed to catapult the effectiveness and efficiency of small service businesses in all kinds of markets. Promising to help businesses get more customers and deliver great customer service. Thousands of UK businesses are expected to sign up to the platform over the next few weeks, as this brand-new software becomes available for the first time. The UKs leading Keap expert is EXELA, theyre Keaps official partner and have been trained to help businesses start using Keap and make the most of all of the powerful tools that the new software makes available to business, many for the first time. Exela founder David Holland said Keap is a fantastic piece of kit, I know itll help businesses to generate more leads, close more sales, deliver better customer service and save time too. For more information on Keap, visit http://www.keap.com or, if youre in the UK https://keap.exela.co.uk/ memoryBlue memoryBlue and Year Up today announced the start of a new partnership which will provide critical access to a solid professional career path for urban young adults. These individuals have lacked opportunity and access to traditional higher education, but they demonstrate all the personal traits necessary to succeed in the modern business world. The program kicks-off with two full-time individuals starting work out of memoryBlues DC Metro headquarters, where they will develop and hone professional sales skills while helping a range of high-tech companies generate new business opportunities. Throughout their engagement, they will take part in a rigorous sales skills training program which combines a variety of learning methods designed specifically for skill retention and application. Acquiring these valuable skills will immensely impact their career trajectory and place them on a path for long-term personal success. The Year Up organization is making incredible futures possible for motivated young adults, said Kristen Wisdorf, Managing Director of the DC Metro headquarters for memoryBlue. Were thrilled to join their cause as we bring two of their brightest stars onto our team and expose them to the dynamic world of professional high-tech sales. All Year Up students take part in a one-year, intensive training program that provides talented and motivated, yet underserved young adults, with a combination of hands-on skills development, coursework eligible for college credit, corporate experience, and wraparound support. The program emphasizes academic and professional rigor, setting expectations high for quality of work and professional behavior. Year Up is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Boston, MA, with additional offices located in numerous cities across the country. This partnership between Year Up and memoryBlue is a perfect match, said memoryBlue Co-Founder and Managing Partner Chris Corcoran. Together were able to help close the opportunity divide that many young people currently face. Im thrilled to gain access to a valuable talent pool deep with high potential young adults who are driven to succeed. I see this program becoming a key talent pipeline and expanding it to our other offices. About memoryBlue memoryBlue is a sales development consulting firm that specializes in helping a wide range of high-tech clients accelerate new business growth. The firm gives clients a competitive advantage in the reach and effectiveness of their sales development efforts. The powerful Try + Hire model allows clients to hire memoryBlue sales development representatives at any time during an engagement. This popular approach helps clients reduce hiring risk while attracting top talent seeking a proven launching pad for high-tech sales professionals. After nearly two decades of this industry-disrupting arrangement, the company has built a powerful Alumni Network that stretches coast-to-coast. This group features hundreds of accomplished former employees serving in both individual contributor and sales leadership positions within the high-tech industry. General Data Protection Regulation training Since many organizations in the United States are operating globally, even if it is at a small level, an understanding of the GDPR is critical. To help organizations understand their responsibility in protecting data, Mastery Training Services has released a series of courses on the General Data Protection Regulation, commonly known as the GDPR. The GDPR became binding in all European Union (EU) countries in May 2018 and has had a significant impact on companies worldwide. Organizations in the European Union, and any organization serving customers who reside in the EU, must comply with the GDPR. This new training series, originally produced by Sonic Performance Support, includes four parts providing in-depth information on the regulation and the best practices organizations should follow to comply. The four courses are as follows: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Part 1: Why GDPR The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Part 2: Five Basic Principles The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Part 3: Foundations Of Data Processing The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Part 4: Responsibilities Of Controllers Or Processors Since many organizations in the United States are operating globally, even if it is at a small level, an understanding of the GDPR is critical. Beyond the regulation, the principles detailed in these courses are based on data processing practices beneficial for any organization to follow. The GDPR series is available in Mastery Training Services library of over 1,000 online training courses. All of Mastery Training Services VOD courses are published on the MasteryTCN courseware platform, which provides continuity in the learner experience from one course to the next. All courses on the platform play across all devices and browsers, giving users the ultimate flexibility for when and where they can access training assignments. Mastery Training Services library covers a variety of topics for organizations of all sizes, across industries. If you are looking to train your workforce, click here. About Mastery Training Services Mastery Training Services is a leader in the corporate online training marketplace. We help organizations grow and become more successful with our comprehensive workplace training systems and services. In this way, Mastery fulfills its mission of helping build more successful, effective and amazing organizations. Since day one, Mr. Ulukaya has always made helping people and having a positive impact on communities a priority. The Lycee Francais de New York heads downtown this year for its 20th annual gala on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at a never before activated space in the financial district, Skylight on Vesey. Lycee Gala 2019, La vie devant soi: The Journey is Everything," celebrates the courage, hard work and optimism of all those who have a dream and endeavor to bring it to life. Gala 2019 honors Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani, with the school's Charles de Ferry de Fontnouvelle Award, named for the Lycee's founder. Mr. Ulukaya is a Turkish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1994 and has become a celebrated entrepreneur and humanitarian. In less than five years after launching Chobani, his company became the No. 1selling Greek Yogurt brand in the U.S. Since day one, he has always made helping people and having a positive impact on communities a priority for the company, especially those in New York and Idaho, where its products are made. Through his foundation, the Tent Partnership for Refugees, he has also built a coalition of global companies committed to improving the lives and livelihoods of more than 25 million refugees forcibly displaced from their home countries. Led this year by co-chairs Marie Audier d'Alessandris, Candace McDonald, Patricia de Picciotto and Ana MC Razzouk, the Gala welcomes over 900 guests in the most important fundraising effort each year for the Lycee Francais de New York's need-based scholarship program. Gala proceeds are also directed to support the school's academic, co-curricular and cultural programs. Hamdi Ulukaya is a model of leadership for our students," said Audrey Peverelli, Head of School. "With an entrepreneurial spirit, he has founded and led Chobani with courage, humanity and incredible generosity of spirit. Mr. Ulukaya has used his business acumen and success to give back to his employees, his community and to displaced people around the world." Gala 2019 will also spotlight Lycee alumna, Aline Sara, Class of 2002. Ms. Sara tapped her multilingual skills and global outlook fostered as a student at the Lycee to start NaTakallam, a social enterprise dedicated to giving displaced people the opportunity to work by teaching language remotely. Since starting in 2015, NaTakallam has paired almost 130 displaced persons and over 4500 individuals in more than 65 countries who have engaged in more than 20,000 hours of NaTakallam sessions. "We are grateful to the guests and sponsors who take part in our Gala, an event so essential to growing our financial aid program, and in continuing to improve our school programs," added Mrs. Peverelli. Gala guests will enjoy performances by Lycee students. Adrien Meyer, Co-Chairman of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie's, will lead the live auction. To purchase tickets for Gala 2019, visit: lfnygala.org. About Hamdi Ulukaya Hamdi Ulukaya is founder, Chairman and CEO of Chobani, one of the fastest growing food companies in the last decade and a pioneer for the natural food movement. Raised in a dairy-farming family in a small village in eastern Turkey, Ulukaya launched Chobani in 2007 with the mission and vision of making better food more accessible. In less than five years, Chobani became the No. 1selling Greek Yogurt brand in the U.S. with more than a billion dollars in annual sales. In 2017, Chobani was named to Fortunes Change the World list of companies, and last year it was honored with a Salute to Greatness Award by The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Ulukaya has always made helping people and having a positive impact on communities a priority for Chobani. From the beginning, the company has donated a portion of its profits to charitable causes, many of them in Idaho and New York where its products are made. Ulukaya implemented a groundbreaking profit-sharing program for the companys 2,000 employees and took the rare step in manufacturing of instituting a six week, fully paid parental leave program for all mothers and fathers. A devoted humanitarian, Ulukaya founded the Tent Partnership for Refugees to mobilize the private sector to improve the lives & livelihoods of the more than 25 million refugees around the globe. He also signed the Giving Pledge and committed the majority of his personal wealth to the cause. For these efforts, he was named an Eminent Advocate by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and received the United Nations Foundation Global Leadership Award, among other recognitions. Ulukaya was also named one of TIMEs 100 Most Influential People in the World for his work on the refugee crisis and his innovative approach to business. About Aline Sara Aline Sara is the Co-founder and CEO of NaTakallam, a social enterprise that connects refugees and displaced persons with work opportunities in the language sector through the freelance economy. She graduated from the Lycee Francais de New York in 2002, and went on to complete studies at Tufts University and Columbia University. In 2015, in light of the challenging work situation for the million+ Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and while searching for ways to practice her own Arabic skills, Aline came up with the idea for NaTakallam to hire refugees as online tutors-- which has grown into a larger social enterprise working in multiple languages and communities. To date, the venture, which is disrupting the way we typically think of humanitarianism, has provided over half a million dollars in cash to displaced people worldwide. Besides income to refugees on the one hand and a service to students and clients on the other, NaTakallam helps foster intercultural exchange and raise awareness around the daily challenges of fleeing conflict zones, notably through its academic partnerships with schools and universities (including Columbia, Duke, GW, Tufts, Yale and more). About the Lycee Francais de New York The Lycee Francais de New York is an independent, bilingual French school welcoming 1,360 students from Pre-K to 12th grade from over 68 countries. Committed to bilingual French and American education of the highest standard, the Lycee aims to prepare students of many origins to be thinkers, innovators and leaders, at home in the world and prepared to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Accredited by NYSAIS and the French Ministry of Education, Lycee students receive a US high-school diploma and choose final preparation in one of three French baccalaureate offerings: International Option of the French Bac (OIB), the French-American Bac (BFA), and the traditional French Bac exam. Graduates attend top colleges and universities in the U.S., France, Canada and around the world. For more information, visit http://www.lfny.org Multimedia school blog: life.lfny.org Twitter: @lyceefrancaisny Facebook: facebook.com/lyceefrancaisdenewyork Linked-In: http://www.linkedin.com/school/lycee-francais-de-new-york/ Lone Star Analysis Logo Lone Stars capabilities have saved NORMoD significant time and money while engaging many critical domestic and international stakeholders. Lone Star Analysis, a trusted provider of advisory services and internationally recognized for leading-edge predictive and prescriptive analytics solutions, has expanded its support of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (NORMoD). The contract, valued at more than $10 million, will support the integration of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Lone Star was selected to support the JSM effort based on its unique program and systems advisory background, deep weapons development and integration domain knowledge. The scope of this effort includes flight, lab and ground test support, weapon software integration assistance and other areas for successful operational deployment. Lone Stars capabilities have saved NORMoD significant time and money while engaging many critical domestic and international stakeholders, said Laurie Cummins, director, weapons test engineering, Lone Star Analysis. The JSM is a new missile currently in development for the Norwegian Armed Forces. The missile completed its qualification program in early 2018 and has unmatched operational capabilities, enabling the F-35 to strike well-defended targets across long distances. The missile will be initially integrated onto the F-35 but can also be used by other types of aircraft. In addition to NORMoD, Lone Star has a broad range of international clients in both the Military and Intelligence, and Aerospace and Defense market sectors. The company has provided program and systems advisory, strategic transformation, performance optimization, and competitive differentiation solutions in international locations including Norway, Japan, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom. To learn more about Lone Star, visit: https://lone-star.com/. About Lone Star Analysis Lone Star Analysis is a Dallas-based predictive and prescriptive analytics specialist enabling customers to make smarter decisions faster by leveraging data and insights to provide foresight and enhance the decision-making of its customers. Lone Stars TruNavigator and AnalyticsOSTM software programs provide transparent, auditable and explainable solutions for clients. Additionally, Lone Star applies the right combination of data, people and processes to get results with its 15 years of experience and more than 800 subject matter experts, across several industries, including aerospace, defense, energy, logistics, manufacturing and transportation. For more information on Lone Star, visit http://www.Lone-Star.com. It is our hope the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation will provide the necessary resources and support to shed light on emerging issues critical to advancing the rule of law around the world. LexisNexis Legal & Professional today announced the launch of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, a not-for-profit entity established to further achieve its mission to advance the rule of law around the world. The LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation will enable leading entities from the legal, judicial, academic, NGO and other sectors to support and implement projects that address one or more of the four rule of law components: equal treatment under the law, transparency of the law, access to legal remedy, and independent judiciaries. LexisNexis has been strongly committed to advancing the rule of law through projects such as the United Nations Global Compacts Business for the Rule of Law Framework (B4ROL), the International Bar Association eyeWitness to Atrocities app, and the LexisNexis Rule of Law Impact Tracker. In 2017, the company received the Corporate Leadership Award from Freedom House and its Global Legal Department won the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Award for advancements in the rule of law. The establishment of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation is an extension of its commitment to build legal infrastructures and solve deep-rooted problems in holistic ways that will achieve more robust outcomes and advance the rule of law. Rule of law is foundational to the development of peaceful, equitable and prosperous societies, says Mike Walsh, CEO, LexisNexis Legal & Professional. Data from the LexisNexis Rule of Law Impact Tracker shows that when the rule of law is strong in a country, other positive social and economic factors within the country are also strong. It is our hope the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation will provide the necessary resources and support to shed light on emerging issues critical to advancing the rule of law around the world. To help accomplish this, the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation will include collaborations with organizations to help increase awareness and understanding of the rule of law. LexisNexis announced the Foundations first partnership with The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), an international association of journalism organizations that support the training and sharing of information among investigative and data journalists even in repressive regimes and marginalized communities. LexisNexis will offer GIJN members access to one of the worlds largest electronic databases and analytic tools for legal, public-records, news and business information. Were thrilled to partner with The Global Investigative Journalism Network and provide their journalists with access to the most comprehensive set of information tools at a discounted rate. More than half of the worlds population lives outside the shelter of the law, struggling for basic human rights. Each of us shares responsibility to bring this percentage down to zero, ensuring vulnerable and disadvantaged populations receive equal treatment within criminal and civil justice systems. Working together with GIJN will allow us to build greater awareness of the rule of law and strengthen watchdog reporting around the world, says Ian McDougall, President of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation. "We are grateful to the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation for offering GIJN and its members this extraordinary opportunity," noted GIJN Executive Director David Kaplan. "By granting low-cost access to the vast holdings of LexisNexis, the Foundation is providing the world's most enterprising journalists with unparalleled access to news and public records. This will strengthen watchdog reporting worldwide on corruption, lack of accountability and abuses of power." To learn more about the Rule of Law Foundation, visit http://www.lexisnexisrolfoundation.org. About the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation The LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation is the not-for-profit entity established by LexisNexis Legal & Professional to further achieve its mission to advance the rule of law around the world. The foundation plans and executes projects which enhance one or more of the key elements of the rule of law: equal treatment under the law, transparency of the law, access to legal remedy, and independent judiciaries. These projects focus on a range of local, national, regional and multiregional jurisdictions around the world. About LexisNexis Legal & Professional LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that help customers increase productivity, improve decision-making and outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis and Nexis services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 130 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. Following a successful acquisition by Modern Litho in July of 2018, James Printing of North Kansas City will be renamed to Modern Litho-Kansas City effective February 1, 2019. While were proud of our 40 year history and the reputation weve built as a company, were looking to the future and making investments to ensure long term success. As a fully integrated organization with Modern Litho, we are better positioned to serve the Kansas City market and beyond with expanded capabilities and an enhanced sales and customer service team, commented Evan James, President of James Printing. As a result of the recent acquisition Modern Litho-Kansas City now offers: Enhanced offset and digital print and bindery finishing capabilities Expanded direct mail and mailing services Advanced web-to-print technology, e-commerce and storefront capabilities Large format print capabilities including signage and display graphics We greatly value the brand reputation and exceptional client relationships James Printing has established over the nearly 40 years it has been in business. Our intention is to continue to operate and invest in the location at 1340 Taney in North Kansas City and contribute to the metro area business community, explains Darrell Moore, CEO and President of Modern Litho. Ranking at #156 on the Printing Impressions Top 400 Printing Companies, Modern Litho has continued its multi-year upward trend of double digit revenue growth. Investments across all locations in 2018 comprise of new equipment, added staff and square footage which have resulted in an expanding regional and national client base. Other recent achievements include the Best of Print and Digital and Gold Ink Awards. About Modern Litho With nationwide clientele and headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri, with additional facilities in St. Louis and Kansas City, Modern Litho has been serving the print needs of client organizations for more than 80 years. Regarded as a premier printer of specialized publications and catalogs for niche markets, Modern Lithos capabilities include high-performance offset print, finishing and distribution of marketing and member communications, advanced variable data print, direct mail, and mailing services. Modern Litho is a G7 Master Qualified Printer and holds renewable resource FSC and SFI Chain-of-Custody Certifications. Markets of interest include non-profit and member-based organizations. For more information visit http://www.modernlitho.com MAX: Where Art and Science Intersect HexaGroups art expertise in marketing the international FotoFest in Houston for the past decade prompted MAX to reach out for a partnership. MAX promotes the intersection of art and science and the exploration of both by preteens, teens and adults. When MAX approached us to help grow the organization, HexaGroup took that challenge, said Arnaud Dasprez, HexaGroup CEO. HexaGroup has a strong interest in nonprofit and arts organizations and worked with MAX create a branding, positioning and communication strategy. Messaging The marketing firm developed MAXs visual brand and communication guidelines to reflect its commitment to the intersection of art and science and develop a cohesiveness between digital and print materials. The team crafted the festivals statement to appeal to its diverse audience of preteens, teens and adults, then incorporated the themes seamlessly throughout the website and other marketing collateral to ensure a unified, on-target message. Design HexaGroup designers crafted marketing collateral highlighting MAXs mission for potential sponsors and showcasing MAXs goals. Each printed piece encapsulated the brand, image and messaging within the theme of space exploration, capitalizing on current events in the art and science spheres. Website The team created a hyper-customized, responsive website to showcase the 2019: Space Festival and its merging of the arts and sciences to illuminate the human experience. Each page uses a custom template to showcase the festivals contributors and programs, from sculpted avatars to a multimedia planetarium. The dynamic, responsive site seamlessly integrates MAXs Instagram feed, feature video and other multimedia elements. It makes it easy to quickly add new collaborators and to expand pages as the festival grows. Suddenly we have more credibility, said Kay Mastchullat, executive director of Media Art Xploration. Organizations are contacting me about sharing the festival with their members. They see the vibrancy of the website and brand. Immediately after the relaunch, visitors became more engaged with the website and spent more time on it. About MAX MAX is a nonprofit that seeks to use the culture-shifting medium of live interactive arts to engage the publics curiosity around scientific advancements. Learn more at https://mediaartexploration.org/ About HexaGroup HexaGroup is an award-winning digital marketing agency that blends marketing strategy and implementation, advertising, content creation, and interactive and website development. Based in Houston, Texas, we understand the challenges and opportunities in the nonprofit and art spheres. Infutor "We are honored to be recognized as a Chicago tech employer of choice as it validates the focus weve put on ensuring our employees can successfully contribute every day." Consumer identity management expert Infutor today announced that it has ranked prominently on Built In Chicagos 2019 list of Best Companies. Infutor has been named #16 for Chicagos Small (less than 100 Employees) Companies, #19 for Chicagos Best Paying Companies and #77 of All Chicagos Best Companies. Built In's Best Places to Work list rates companies based on their employer benefits and employee submitted compensation data. Rank is determined by combining a companys score in each of these categories. We are honored to be recognized as a Chicago tech employer of choice as it validates the focus weve put on ensuring our employees can successfully contribute every day, said Gary Walter, president and CEO, Infutor. Our ever-growing team of dedicated Infutorians are critical to continuing our rapid growth and delivering market-leading consumer identity management and analytics solutions. Over the past year Infutor has continued to build its local presence, culture and employee benefits packages. While headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Infutor recently opened a downtown Chicago office to support the companys commitment to quality of life enabling an easier commute for employees living in and around the city. Infutor is actively hiring for tech, sales and other positions across the company. Their robust and competitive benefits packages include annual bonuses for all non-commissioned employees, company shares, a matching 401k program and 100% premium coverage for employees health and dental and vision plans. On the heels of a strategic analytics acquisition in Q4, Infutors reputation as a Chicago tech community employer of choice continues to grow. The Built In distinction follows 2018 recognitions such as a Best Tech Work Culture finalist for the Chicago Timmy Awards and as a Top 20 employer on Crains Chicago Business 2018 Best Places to Work list. As the consumer identity management experts, Infutor has quickly established itself as a leader in the dynamic, information services and analytics industry, helping brand marketers more effectively engage with their target consumers. The company helps verify and complete inbound fractional consumer identities on demand; then completes and enhances customer profiles with highly predictive attribute data. About Infutor Infutor is the expert in data-driven consumer identity management. The company is solely focused on enabling brands to instantly gain access to the most complete and accurate information about consumers, exactly when they need it, to make informed marketing and risk mitigation decisions. Infutors mission is to deliver solutions that accurately identify consumers before, during and in-between engagements, giving brands a secure, privacy compliant foundation to improve inbound engagement and outbound omnichannel marketing reach, and to minimize losses due to fraud and non-payment. Led by information industry veterans, Infutor is a privately held company founded in 2003 with strategic investments from Norwest Venture Partners. Infutor is headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For more information, visit http://www.infutor.com. ### Industrial Magnetics Receives HACCP International Certification Were very pleased to have our Hump Magnet Separators added to the list of HACCP International certified products that we can offer our customers. Engineering food-safe processing equipment has grown to become one of the primary, high industry standards that IMI maintains. Industrial Magnetics, Inc. recently announced the certification by HACCP International of their sanitary grade Hump Magnet Separators as being suitable for direct contact with food products and for use in HACCP based food safety programs. Hump Magnets are commonly used for the removal of ferrous tramp metal in gravity-fed processing systems in order to increase product purity and protect processing equipment from damage. Designed to force the product flow directly into the magnetic field, the Hump Magnet consists of two, heavy duty, diverter-equipped plate magnets in a sanitary grade stainless steel chute. The magnets are gasketed and clamped tightly to the housing for maximum product and dust containment during processing operations and swing open for easy removal of captured tramp metal. IMIs Compliance Engineer, Ken Gentner, states, Were very pleased to have our Hump Magnet Separators added to the list of HACCP International certified products that we can offer our customers. Were proud of the fact that engineering food-safe processing equipment has grown to become one of the primary, high industry standards that IMI maintains. The certification of IMIs Hump Magnet marks the 9th product line of Industrial Magnetics, Inc. to achieve HACCP Internationals Food Zone Classification, joining previously approved Pneumatic Line Housings, Bullet Magnets, Exposed Pole(EP) Tubes, Plate Magnets, Drawer-in-Housings, Large Tube Housings, Grate Tubes, & Grate Assemblies. Additionally, 17 of their employees, including regional managers, engineering, operations and inside sales personnel, have been certified as HACCP Managers from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). This certification validates their working knowledge for meeting government, industry, and auditor requirements for the development of an effective HACCP plan, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). For more information on Industrial Magnetics, Inc.'s magnetic separation products or their "Plant Audit" or "Preventative Maintenance" programs, please visit http://www.magnetics.com or call 888.582.0821. Our strategic growth in APAC creates an exciting opportunity to deliver leading engagement platforms and best-in-class customer experience outcomes to organizations in Australia and eventually worldwide Higher Logic today announced a new office in Sydney, Australia, the companys first international location. The new location enables the company to efficiently service current customers and address the rapidly growing demand for its cloud-based customer engagement platforms and services across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Our strategic growth in APAC creates an exciting opportunity to deliver leading engagement platforms and best-in-class customer experience outcomes to organizations in Australia and eventually worldwide, said Higher Logic CEO Kevin Boyce. Centrally located in the heart of downtown Sydney, the new Higher Logic office address is Suite 1201, 32 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia. The Sydney office has already filled positions across sales, services, implementation and support, and is positioned for growth to fully support existing and new customers. The Sydney team will be led by newly appointed Country Manager and Australia native Robert Barnes. With extensive experience driving results for companies, associations and not-for-profits, Barnes will help grow Higher Logics APAC market in this innovative hub and put the company closer to its 85+ APAC customers. Before Higher Logic, Barnes held leadership roles with Intuit, Aptify, and multiple associations across Asia Pacific. Im excited and honored to join the Higher Logic team and support the companys strategic, fast-paced growth initiatives in 2019, said Barnes. Its critical to be where Higher Logic customers live and work, in order to deliver the best customer experience. Higher Logics Sydney team will kick off its expansion at this weeks CEO & Chair Symposium by Association Forum, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre January 31 February 1. A premium sponsor, Higher Logic will join executives from associations, charities, and not-for-profit organizations for two days of networking and thought leadership presentations. Barnes will present a session on creating the ultimate member experience on Thursday, January 31, at 3:30pm. Higher Logic supports 3,000+ customers across 21 countries worldwide. Its international expansion comes on the heels of rapid domestic growth, being ranked as one of 2018s 500 fastest growing companies in North America by Deloitte and fastest growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. 5000. About Higher Logic Higher Logic is an industry leader in cloud-based engagement platforms. Our data-driven approach gives organizations an expanded suite of engagement capabilities, including online communities and marketing automation. From the initial web visit to renewal and ongoing engagement, we help you track and manage interactions along each stage of the customer experience. Being considered a high-risk driver comes with more expensive insurance premiums. However, there are some things drivers can do in order to get better rates, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Carinsurancehints.com has released a new blog post that informs high-risk drivers that there are certain strategies which will help them get cheaper car insurance Insurance companies define high-risk drivers as persons more likely to be involved in an accident and to file claims. They compensate for the higher risk by considerably increasing the coverage costs. A high-risk driver can pay double, triple or even more expensive premiums when compared to a standard driver. This is why such drivers should carefully analyze the market and use the following tips: Know what is expected for a high-risk driver. Depending on the severity of the traffic violations, some drivers may be required to carry SR-22. This is a certificate of insurance, also referred to as a financial responsibility filing. Drivers convicted for DUI or driving without insurance are usually required to carry SR-22 for a number of consecutive years. Before getting quotes, ask what other responsibilities must be met, like minimum coverage and type and if there is any continuous coverage period imposed. Look for specialized non-standard carriers. Many insurance companies, even the top 10 ones, have subsidiaries or work with smaller companies that are specialized in dealing with high-risk drivers. Their insurance rates are usually lower than the ones offered by traditional carriers. Use online car insurance quotes. Even if a person is a high-risk driver, many insurance companies are still willing to provide coverage. Comparing online quotes will help drivers which companies will insure them. Mention all negative aspects when filling in an online form and see which companies will provide coverage. Look for discounts. Many discounts are available for all drivers, high-risk included. Discounts for getting married, graduating a defense course, moving to a better neighborhood, and for installing safety devices will lower car insurance rates. Drive a car that is cheap to insure. Look for cheap cars that come with installed safety devices. In that way, the owner can save more on premiums. Consider dropping coverage., When driving an old car that is worth less than the deductible, consider dropping the collision and comprehensive insurance. Improve credit score. All states, except California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts use the credit score to calculate insurance rates. Improving the score will help the driver get better rates. One reason why a person may be considered high-risk is a poor credit score. For more car insurance info, money-saving tips and free online quotes, please visit https://www.carinsurancehints.com/ Carinsurancehints.com is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. Harlingen Water Works System Joins the Texas Purchasing Group Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information. Harlingen Water Works System has officially joined the Texas Purchasing Group, one of BidNets regional e-procurment solutions, providing vendors throughout Texas easy online access to its upcoming solicitations. Harlingen Water Works System invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas. The regional purchasing group connects local governments with vendors looking to do business with public agencies. On the Texas Purchasing Group, vendors seeking business with nearly 50 participating agencies can register online to gain access to a single point of entry for opportunities throughout Texas. By posting upcoming bids and RFPs on the Texas Purchasing Group, Harlingen Water Works System ensures an entire community of vendors can view their solicitation, download documents, and receive notification of addenda. The vendors self-register and ensure their contact information is up to date. Because we arent the only agency posting and distributing bids, the Texas Purchasing Group provides Harlingen Water Works System more vendor competition, which we hope will help cut costs, said Sanjuana Garcia, Purchasing Manager of Harlingen Water Works System when asked why their department decided to join the Texas Purchasing Group. We also like that it can help our current vendors expand their business opportunities. Harlingen Water Works System invites all local vendors to visit http://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas and register to receive access to its upcoming solicitations as well as the upcoming bids and RFPs from 38 other public agencies participating on the Texas Purchasing Group. Registered vendors have the option to upgrade their service to receive customized bid alerts, notification of term contract expiration, and notification of a real-time addendum. About Harlingen Water Works System: Harlingen WaterWorks is committed to supplying our customers with the highest quality drinking water and wastewater services. The Harlingen WaterWorks System serves approximately 27,000 water customers, as well as the towns of Combes, Primera and Palm Valley. HWWS also services over 19,000 sewer accounts in addition to the towns of Combes and Primera. About the Texas Purchasing Group: The Texas Purchasing Group is a part of BidNets regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. With years of input from procurement professionals, BidNet specifically developed the bid system to fill the need for a robust bid and supplier management solution for local government agencies. BidNet runs regional purchasing groups across all 50 states that are used by over 1,300 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers Beneficiaries & Executors: A Financial Guide "This guide gives [financial] advisors a place to start those very delicate conversations" when navigating the loss of a loved one, according to Geoffrey Brown, CEO of NAPFA. Guide for Beneficiaries and Estate Executors Helps Bereaved Family Members and Loved Ones Navigate New Roles A supportive, step-by-step guide to handling the multiple financial and legal issues that are triggered by a loved ones death is being released today by the financial education content company Lightbulb Press. Beneficiaries & Executors: A Financial Guide features to-do lists and insightful suggestions for handling the tasks that fall to family members and partners everything from closing accounts and canceling memberships to transferring ownership of property and investments and provides a roadmap for the difficult months after a death. According to Virginia B. Morris, the lead author of the guide, A growing problem faced by surviving loved ones is finding and accessing information about financial assets that may only be available online, protected by passwords. She continued, One of the reasons we wrote the guide was to provide an impetus for gathering this information while there is still time, and what to do when there isnt. The guide, written in collaboration with Modera Wealth Management, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), Independence Advisors, and other financial and legal professionals, provides straightforward descriptions of key responsibilities and processes, including: The probate process How assets are passed to beneficiaries The role of executors and trustees Filing tax returns We saw a great opportunity for developing the guide, explained Bill Houck, a Wealth Manager at Modera Wealth Management. Too often we have seen surviving loved ones overwhelmed with the process of sorting out financial affairs. The guide is very helpful to organize in advance and to have an easily accessible framework to follow. Financial advisors, lawyers, accountants, and other financial and legal professionals will also find the guide useful as a reference when working with clients and their families. Helping a client navigate financially through the loss of a loved one or plan for their own passing can be a challenge, even for the most tactful financial advisor, according to Geoffrey Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Personal Financial Planners (NAPFA). This guide gives advisors a place to start those very delicate conversations, and walk clients logically through the process. Those who will find the guide useful as a resource include spouses and partners, children, and other family members anticipating or recently experiencing the death of a loved one, executors of estates, trustees of living wills, and beneficiaries of a will, trust, or investment accounts. The Guide is available directly from the publisher at http://www.lightbulbpress.com and on Amazon. About Lightbulb Press Lightbulb Press develops financial education content which is used by financial organizations, non-profits, government agencies, and individuals. The content combines clear language with informative graphics to clarify personal finance, investing, and financial planning topics to help empower people to make smart financial decisions. About Modera Wealth Management Modera provides wealth management and portfolio management services to individuals, families, trusts, institutions, and philanthropic organizations. Our team is made up of professionals with extensive experience, depth, and skills in financial planning and investing, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certificants, CFA Charterholders, tax specialists, and others with advanced degrees and designations. Our broad capabilities allow us to address both fundamental and complex financial situations with clarity and efficiency in a comprehensive yet personalized approach. For more information please contact: Mavis Wright 212-485-8822 mwright@lightbulbpress.com http://www.lightbulbpress.com Jacqueline OReilly NAPFA 847-483-5400, ext. 124 oreillyj@napfa.org The Atlanta office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP recently formalized its partnership with Wellspring Living Womens Academy. Founded in 2001, Wellspring Living offers life-changing residential and community-based programs to women survivors of sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. The Wellspring Living Womens Academy offers participants a 10-week program focused on career training, followed by a 12-week apprenticeship at various companies and organizations in Atlanta. As part of the training, Greenberg Traurig attorneys and staff members host seminars on a variety of career-readiness topics. Additionally, the firm recently completed the first round of apprenticeships, where two women from the Womens Academy joined the firm as apprentices. The firm will continue the apprenticeships as part of their partnership. The firms commitment to fighting human trafficking through a holistic approach is a continuation of efforts by Theodore I. Blum, managing shareholder of the Atlanta office and chair of the Atlanta Corporate Practice. Blum serves as the chair for Rotary Club of Atlantas Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. When I first learned about the crisis of human trafficking in Atlanta, the issue was overwhelming, Blum said. As a firm, we realized the way to support survivors of sexual exploitation is to focus on the individuals. Through partnering with the Womens Academy, our staff and attorneys have been able to take an individualized and strengths-based approach, participate in networking sessions and mock interviews, hire apprentices, and of course celebrate the success of these women. We are honored to be a part of Wellsprings Womens Academy and eager to join other business and community leaders in Atlanta in continuing this service in 2019. Wellspring Living is fortunate to have leaders in our business community that are committed to restoring the lives of the girls and women we serve, said Mary Frances Bowley, executive director of Wellspring Living. Our partnership with Greenberg Traurig plays an instrumental role in the restoration of our participants through life giving programs. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2018 Am Law Global 100. Web:http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law. FlexJet Series of Headboxes introduced to pulp and paper industry The introduction of the FlexJet line expands GLVs headbox capabilities, and provides multiple options with updated technology and tailored solutions built to serve the specific needs of mills with a wide range of applications. GLV, a global solutions provider to the pulp and paper industry, announces the launch of its new FlexJet line of headbox solutions, including new technology designed to optimize performance across a diverse mix of paper making machinery from linerboard, to packaging, fluff pulp, fine and specialty paper. The introduction of the FlexJet line expands GLVs headbox capabilities, and provides multiple options with updated technology and tailored solutions built to serve the specific needs of mills with a wide range of applications. Models include the FlexJet F, FlexJet S, FlexJet R and the FlexJet C, specifically designed to apply Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) and other additives. The engineering behind the development of FlexJet technology sought to solve problems for our customers, explains Marc Foulger, Global Business Manager, Headboxes for GLV. The innovative nozzle design of each FlexJet model offers the widest possible range of MD: CD ratio control, a key metric for optimizing sheet properties for many grades. The nozzle enables the headbox to produce a squarer sheet for grades such as linerboard, and therefore greater cross directional strength on the paper machine. FlexJet, the newest advancement in sheet forming technology, marks GLVs latest innovation in the companys more than forty year history of delivering customer-centric solutions in engineering, machinery and manufacturing. The company brings the FlexJet technology to market after numerous successful installations and headbox replacement projects in North America, Europe and Asia. In recent years GLV has pioneered other, long-term, sustainable solutions for paper making, chemical pulping and stock preparation including the MagTrim slitter positioning system, Coru-Lok washer deck attachment system and the DD series refiner. For inquiries or more information, email paper(at)glv(dot)com. About GLV GLV is a global provider of technology, equipment, parts and maintenance for pulp and paper production. Driven by its promise to create new opportunities for energy and cost savings for its customers, GLV is continuously innovating and delivering new solutions for pulp and paper machinery and manufacturing. With technical centers in the United States, Canada, Sweden, India and Brazil, GLV is the true OEM for: Albia, Beloit-Jones, Beloit-Lenox, Black Clawson-Kennedy, Cameron, Celleco, Hedemora, Impco, Sandy Hill and Tampulping. For more information visit GLV.com About 100 non-governmental and religious organizations urged together for the banning of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) for actions that the Coalition says to be harmful against the nation, society, and religion. On the 27th of January, 2019, the Press Conference and Rally to Call for the Shutdown of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK), an Anti-Nation, Anti-Society, Anti-Religion, and Anti-Peace Organization was held, with around 30,000 citizens gathered at the Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul. The rally was organized by the Coalition to call for the Shutdown of the Christian Council of Korea. In attendance at the rally were about 100 organizations including the International Womens Peace and Human Rights Committee (Director Lee So Yeon), the Christian Association for Anti-Corruption National Movement (Chairman Oh Hyang Yul), the IPYG Youths Human Rights Committee (Steering Committee Member Seo Min Hyeok), and the World Buddhist Summit (President of the Korean Branch, Venerable Hye-won), who gathered in solidarity to urge for the dissolution of the CCK. The event was attended by Chairman Oh Hyang Yul of the Christian Association for Anti-Corruption National Movement, Pastor Shin Young Mun of the Pastors' Solidarity for the Shutdown of the CCK, Venerable Hye-won, President of the Korean Branch of World Buddhism Summit, Evangelist Joo Hyun Sook of the Interdenominational Evangelists Association, Vice Chairwoman Goo Hyun Jin of the International Womens Peace Human Rights Commission, Seo Min Hyuk the Steering Committee Member of the IPYG Youths Human Rights Committee, Elder Guk Yong Hi of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Former Director of Seo-gu Incheon Yoong Gwang Kwon, Co-Representative Park Sang Ik of the Human Rights Association for Victims of Coercive Conversion Programs(HAC) and other influential figures. This event took place before the CCKs chairman election on the 29th, to expose the CCKs blatant offenses it has committed against the President of South Korea, the government, and the media, despite its claim to represent the Christians of the nation. These include: 1.) During the period of Japanese Imperialism, Presbyterian churches of Korea (many of whom are affiliated with the CCK), supported the dictatorship and worshiped Japanese shrine gods, 2.) in the recent decade, a total of 12,000 pastors affiliated with the organization were convicted and found guilty of crimes of murder, harassment, and fraud, 3.) the CCK initiated and continues to run a pricey coercive conversion program that forcefully converts believers of minority religions, violating human rights for the sake of financial gain, 4.) the organization created and distributed falsified news, confusing citizens - slandering unaffiliated churches and 5.) Elections for both the organizations chairman and pastoral positions are swayed by financial influence. Furthermore, the Coalition denounced CCKs interference into politics citing the CCKs support of the amendment of the third term and the Yushin Constitution during the dictatorial government. In recent news, two women of faiths unaffiliated with CCK churches, even lost their lives to CCKs coercive conversion program. Despite their death, the same program is still being conducted, endangering the lives of more citizens. At the press conference the representatives of each organizations denounced the CCK for its actions against human rights, the nation, religions and society, and urged for active measures from the government. The coalition states that the actions of the CCK prove that they are a harmful organization. This is a serious threat to the nations reputation, and a religious disgrace to the international society, the coalition furthered. The coalition urges President Moon Jae-In and the government to listen to the citizens and protect human rights, by promptly implementing the banning of the coercive conversion and punishment law to prevent coercive programs that oppress the freedom of religion from continuing. First and foremost when starting to look for a walk-in tub to purchase, buyers need to decide on the features they want. Most importantly, the desired size of the tub can help to greatly narrow down a search. Shopping for a walk-in bathtub can seem like a difficult and stressful task, especially without knowing where and what to look for when trying to find the model with the right features for the right price. When it comes to walk-in tubs, they allow the bather to easily enter and exit the tub through an inward or outward swing door with a low threshold. Models come in many different sizes and configurations, featuring accessories to increase safety and enhance the bathing experience. With all of the different brands and models out there, it's no wonder that the process of finding the right walk-in tub can be daunting. First and foremost when starting to look for a walk-in tub to purchase, buyers need to decide on the features they want. Most importantly, the desired size of the tub can help to greatly narrow down a search. Below are some quick questions that can narrow down a search and help with getting a price or quote estimate. What is the right size for my body type? Are the door openings in your home wide enough to fit the tub? Should I choose an inward or outward swing door? Should I choose acrylic or gelcoat walk-in tub? What are the customer reviews from the brand I choose? What does the warranty cover for the Walk-In Tub? Does the manufacturer offer technical support directly to the consumer? Does the tub need to fit one or two people? Is wheelchair access a requirement? What are the measurements of your current tub alcove? Do you require massage jets to assist in therapy for injuries or soreness? Knowing these answers when comparing models can help save time when searching for the right walk-in tub. While there may be a few tubs you like, one may have the correct size and dimensions to fit into your existing space, saving money and time on unnecessary bathroom remodeling. Additional information to consider when comparing different brands and models are the plumbing requirements for each walk-in tub. Older homes that haven't gone through recent plumbing updates may not be able to accommodate the demands that models require in order to get the full value from that particular walk-in tub. Consider if any plumbing updates such as new pipes, a larger or a second water heater is needed before choosing a model. Ella's Bubbles has a wide range of walk-in tub designs, featuring affordable models to fit almost any situation. Whether it be the larger Big4Two model or the space saving Front Entry Walk In Tub, Ellas Bubbles has the right tub to meet the safe bathing needs for nearly any living situation. When shopping around for walk-in tub models it's also smart to look for sale or clearance products. Many models are on sale or clearance when a new model has just come out, or a unit was returned in perfect condition. Other tub models or accessories may also be discounted for minor cosmetic defects, but function perfectly. A luxury model with all the bells and whistles can sometimes be discounted for a minor scratch. For more information about searching for the right walk-in tub, visit EllasBubbles.com. Ella's Bubbles has a nationwide network of re-sellers and expert installers available to assist with free in-home evaluations to help determine bathroom fit and requirements. About Ellas Bubbles Founded in 2005, Ellas Bubbles is a Chicago-based (OEM) manufacturer of acrylic walk in tubs and a nationally distributed manufacturer of private label accessible shower stalls and gel coat walk in tubs. Since its foundation, Ella's has been at the forefront of acrylic walk in tub development, production, and distribution in North America. Im very excited to share everything Ive learned over the past decade with the readers of Forbes and confident that my collaboration with the Forbes Agency Council will further cement our position as thought leaders globally in Medical & Healthcare Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Forbes Agency Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for Executives in Successful Public Relations, Media Strategy, Creative, and Advertising Agencies Dustin DeTorres, CEO of Medical Search Engine Optimization Firm, DeTorres Group, has been accepted into Forbes Agency Council, an invitation-only community for owners of and executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative, and advertising agencies. Dustin DeTorres was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. We are honored to welcome Dustin into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Agency Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world. As an accepted member of the Council, Dustin has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Dustin will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Finally, Dustin will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team. Dustin DeTorres says, Im very excited to share everything Ive learned over the past decade with the readers of Forbes and confident that my collaboration with the Forbes Agency Council will further cement our position as thought leaders globally in Medical & Healthcare Search Engine Optimization (SEO). ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Agency Council, visit forbesagencycouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com. This highly credible and prestigious achievement is awarded annually to Atlas Agents located in the United States and Canada, who have proven their exemplary quality of service by displaying outstanding dedication to proper work ethics. November 2018s Milt Hill Award Ceremony saw only 52 companies qualifying for the distinctive award, out of over 430 independent Atlas agents. To qualify, agents are required to meet 12 standards of quality, including the World Class Commitment award, the Hauling Excellence Award and accruing a superior rating in the areas of customer satisfaction, estimating, claims, safety and warehouse operations. A-1 Moving & Storage is very proud to have their efforts be recognized for yet another year and credits their hardworking and professional team and appreciates the reaffirmation of their dedication to maintaining exceptionally high standards. A-1 Moving & Storage is a family owned and operated company and is driven by excellence, professionalism and integrity. The Milt Hill awards are about celebrating their employees dedication to treating their customers like family since 1972. To win 5 times in a row, Im extremely proud of the company and of course, those who are involved in performing continuous excellent services for our customers because it all comes back to customer satisfaction. -Tom Klause, President of A-1 Moving & Storage Flagship Recreation Team Flagship Recreation was named 2018 Rep Organization of the Year because they are extremely knowledgeable, build strong relationships and deliver on promises to their customers." Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, has named Flagship Recreation, of St. Paul, Minn., 2018 Rep Organization of the Year. The award was presented to the Flagship Recreation team earlier this month during Landscape Structures annual sales meeting in Bloomington, Minn. Flagship Recreation was named 2018 Rep Organization of the Year because they are extremely knowledgeable, build strong relationships and deliver on promises to their customers, said Pat Faust, president of Landscape Structures. Flagship Recreation has been a key Landscape Structures partner, and we are proud to have their team bringing our playground and recreation solutions to Minnesota. Since 2009, Flagship Recreation has established themselves as the leaders in creating spaces that impact communities across Minnesota. With a team dedicated to offering a full-service approach to playground and recreational needs, they invite you on the journey of providing play to everyone, regardless of ability. Flagship Recreation is one of more than 50 independent sales organizations representing Landscape Structures worldwide. They have been a distributor of Landscape Structures park, playground equipment, SkyWays shade structures and Aquatix aqua playgrounds in Minnesota for nearly 10 years. About Flagship Recreation Since 2009, Flagship Recreation's mission has been to create play environments that allow ALL children to learn, grow and explore. As a design-build company, Flagship Recreation offers collaborative engagement sessions with schools and communities to welcome all stakeholders into the design and selection process. Flagship Recreation and Landscape Structures playground, furnishings and installation services can be purchased through the Minnesota State Purchasing Contract, as well as other Cooperative Purchasing agreements. Learn more at flagshipplay.com. About Landscape Structures Inc. Since 1971, Landscape Structures Inc. has been the leading manufacturer of commercial playground equipment in the world. Our employee-owned company designs community and school playgrounds that encourage kids of all ages and abilities to learn persistence, leadership, competition, bravery, support and empathy through play. We push the limitsof design, inclusion, playto help kids realize there is no limit to what they can do today and in the future. For a better tomorrow, we play today. Learn more at playlsi.com. "Customers can now deploy without compromise in an exclusive on-premise architecture or an exclusive cloud environment or in a mixed-use, hybrid cloud architecture, said Van Glass, JSCAPE CEO. JSCAPE, the leader in platform and protocol independent managed file transfer solutions, is pleased to announce the latest release of MFT Server, 11.1. This new release adds significant enhancements for more robust and secure connectivity with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. JSCAPE customers will now benefit from broader and deeper cloud integration across all major cloud platforms. The MFT Server 11.1 enhancements include: Added reverse proxy and trading partner support for Microsoft Azure File Service and Google Storage protocols. Added IAM Role support for Amazon AWS reverse proxy and trading partner Added support for Java versions 9 through 11. Added support for KMS bucket encryption when using Amazon S3 trading partners and reverse proxy. Added trigger actions for Amazon SNS and Amazon SQS services In addition, other enhancements were added for security and user interface including: Added FIPS 140-2 compliance support to HTTPS protocol Added ability to unblock/manage IP for administrative access Added ability to detect/block DOS attacks Added Chinese language support to client web interface Added tooltip examples for trigger functions and operators Updated ad-hoc download look and feel Cloud integration continues to be one of the leading requirements we hear from our worldwide customer base. Deployment flexibility has always been at the foundation of all our products and this release allows our enterprise customers the ability to select the deployment architecture that best meets their business requirements. Customers can now deploy without compromise in an exclusive on-premise architecture or an exclusive cloud environment or in a mixed-use, hybrid cloud architecture, said Van Glass, JSCAPE CEO. About JSCAPE JSCAPE is a leading provider of enterprise-wide, platform-independent and easy to use managed file transfer solutions for on-premise, cloud-based or hybrid cloud environments. Since 1999, JSCAPE has been providing simple solutions to complex file transfer problems for 2,400+ customers in over 50 countries worldwide. JSCAPE MFT Server is a platform independent managed file transfer server that centralizes and automates business processes around file transfer events into a single easy to use application while providing users with speed, security, reliability, and compliance. JSCAPE MFT Server supports all major file transfer protocols including AS2, FTP/S, SFTP, SCP, OFTP, TFTP, HTTP/S, WebDAV and AFTP (Accelerated File Transfer Protocol). To learn more about JSCAPE products, please visit http://www.jscape.com or contact us on +1.786.375.8091 or at sales(at)jscape.com. As our newest GiveBack Partners, we are thrilled to support the work of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and The National Forest Foundation. Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC), the premium chocolate brand that ranks number one in the natural chocolate category, today named The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the National Forest Foundation as their 2019 & 2020 GiveBack Partners. ESC dedicates 10% of their annual net profits to their GiveBack Partners. Over the last three years ESC has given $1.7 million back to conservation organizations through the GiveBack Program. ESCs partners are guaranteed a minimum annual donation of $10,000 and can use the funds on projects they deem important to their conservation efforts. As our newest GiveBack Partners, we are thrilled to support the work of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and The National Forest Foundation, said ESC CEO, Curt Vander Meer. Our company mission to support wildlife conservation through our GiveBack partners is made possible by the strong sales of our premium chocolate, in conjunction with our Fair Trade practices, social engagement and education. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the worlds largest and longest-running organization fully dedicated to gorilla conservation. Founded by Dian Fossey more than 50 years ago, their model combining boots-on-the-ground protection, scientific research and support of local communities has helped prevent the extinction of one of the one of the planets most at-risk species. Partnering with ESC means that there is now a very special way for people to directly help save gorillas, said Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund President, CEO, and Chief Scientist, Dr. Tara Stoinski. The support of ESC will provide critical support for our dedicated trackers, anti-poachers and scientists who are in the forests every day, protecting gorillas and other endangered species. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) helps protect the 193 million acres of the countrys National Forests and Grasslands. The partnership with ESC will enable NFF to build upon their work that is important to imperiled wildlife, with one-third of the species listed under the Endangered Species Act that find food and shelter on these public lands. We are honored and excited to become ESCs GiveBack Nonprofit Partner, said Mary Mitsos, President of the National Forest Foundation. Together with ESC, we will restore endangered species habitat and engage more Americans in stewardship on their backyard National Forests. This partnership is also an important example of how companies can make a meaningful impact on the biodiversity and the environment in our country. In addition to their new partners, ESC will continue to support previous GiveBack partners Chimp Haven, The Xerces Society, Rainforest Trust, and the Wildlife Conservation Network through their alumni program. About Endangered Species Chocolate Endangered Species Chocolate provides premium chocolates made with ethically sourced, high quality, and environmentally sustainable ingredients that not only taste good, but do good. ESC dedicates 10% of their annual net profits to supporting wildlife conservation, adding up to over $1.7M donated to its giveback partners in the last three years alone. Chocolate lovers know that when they buy an Endangered Species Chocolate product, theyre not only getting a delightful premium treat, but theyre also supporting a worthy mission. For more: chocolatebar.com About The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the worlds longest-running and largest organization dedicated entirely to gorilla conservation. Founded by Dr. Dian Fossey in 1967, the organization protects and studies endangered gorillas in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Fossey Funds proven conservation model also includes educating conservationists and helping local communities to create long-term, sustainable conservation solutions. For more: gorillafund.org About The National Forest Foundation The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is the only conservation organization wholly dedicated to our countrys National Forests and Grasslands. The 193 million acres of this public estate is home to an amazing diversity of wildlife and a year-round playground for all Americans. Together with supporters and local partners, the NFF restores our damaged forests and strengthens the peoples connection to their public lands. For more: http://www.nationalforests.org Follow us - Instagram Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Embr Wave Closeup Press After investing 5 years to develop, patent, and commercialize our energy-efficient wearable heating and cooling platform, we are excited to be collaborating with Johnson & Johnson Consumer to explore applications of our platform technology for thermal wellness. Embr Labs, the first company to make temperature personal, today announced a research collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. seeking innovative temperature solutions for menopausal women. The agreement was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC. Embr Labs flagship product, the Embr Wave, is a revolutionary bracelet that precisely cools or warms the temperature-sensitive skin on the wrist, helping the wearer feel cooler or warmer in minutes. Through this collaboration, the companies will explore the clinical efficacy of its patented thermal waveforms for conditions experienced by menopausal women, such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances. After investing 5 years to develop, patent, and commercialize our energy-efficient wearable heating and cooling platform, we are excited to be collaborating with Johnson & Johnson Consumer to explore applications of our platform technology for thermal wellness, says Matt Smith, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Embr Labs. Weve heard incredible stories from our customers about how Embr Wave has changed their lives and we are committed to continuing to improve well-being by innovating in the area of thermal wellness. The Embr Wave works by triggering your bodys natural comfort response to help you feel five degrees cooler or warmer within minutes. Embr Labs patented technology enables powerful and energy efficient warming and cooling using as little power as a smart phone camera, allowing people to harness the power of temperature from small, discrete, and wearable accessories. Embr Wave has no moving parts, is completely silent, and responds immediately. The device can be specifically controlled based on the needs of who is wearing it; a person experiencing a hot flash can feel immediate cooling relief within minutes, while someone trying to escape a chill can access warming comfort at the touch of a button. About Embr Labs Embr Labs is a feelable technology company focused on wellness that harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology to improve thermal comfort. The companys flagship product, the Embr Wave, is an intelligent bracelet that allows people to control how cold or hot they feel. It leverages precisely engineered algorithms to deliver temperature sensations in waves, triggering the human bodys natural response to temperature change to help people feel more comfortable. Embr Labs was founded by three MIT scientists and is backed by investors including Bose Ventures and Intel Capital. For more information, please visit embrlabs.com. Elijah Craig Naughty List No matter if they were naughty or nice; this last Christmas Single Barrel is available to all who thirst for the most premium whiskey and bourbon premium spirits spokesperson from CaskCartel.com Elijah Craig 10 Year Single Barrel labeled as the Naughty List limited release is available for presale only at CaskCartel.com. This Single Barrel exclusive release is anticipated to be in high demand as its already begun to presell quickly. Its suggested collectors and enthusiasts reserve their bottle as soon as possible to guarantee availability. The product was initially scheduled to be released in December 2018, hence the name. Naughty list Barrel no. 5264307 was selected on July 12, 2018, but government restrictions, barrel warehouse reconstruction and weather conditions have caused significant delays. Lastly, the current government shut down has delayed progress even further. The bourbon is expected to be ready to be bottled and shipped in the first week of February 2019. This makes it one of the last and final Elijah Craig Single Barrel release for 2018. Naughty List Single Barrel is a must have for fine bourbon collectors and enthusiasts. This closes out 2018 with a bourbon that lives truly up to its name and reputation of being naughty. The superior nature of the award-winning bourbon is also reflected by the new iconic bottle design. The brand name and Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey directly decorate the bottle, while a small textured Naughty List branded label which makes it completely unique and collectable. On the bottom of the label presents product information. Cork closure is made of dark-brown stained wood that confers a more traditional look. Visit CaskCartel.com for more exclusive and limited edition premiums spirits PROFILE Color: Burnished copper Proof: 94 (ABV 47%) Nose - berries/fruit, light oak, hint of vanilla Palate/taste - mild spice, nut, light mint, balanced sweet corn, hint of baking spice Finish - Sweet leathery, oak, dark fruits, Professional Overview: Beautiful oily mouthfeel with the legs the on the glass which leads to the beautiful, boastful finish. Great bourbon and it tastes like bourbon history! The Elijah Craig Naughty List is currently available for purchase under presale at CaskCartel.com Awards and Accolades Elijah Craig bourbons have earned spirits industry acclaim, being bestowed with highest rankings at profile competitions. The brands prestige and quality are highlighted by the extended list of awards, including Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Named 2017 Whisky of the Year by Whisky Advocate 2 Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 Best Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years and Older at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 Elijah Craig Small Batch: Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018 Best Small Batch Bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018 Best in Show at the WSWA Spirits Tasting Competition 2 Double Gold and 2 Gold Medals at the WSWA Spirits Tasting Competition About Heaven Hill Distillery Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the leading American Whiskey producers. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.4 million barrels aging in more than 50 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parkers Heritage Collection. About Cask Cartel Cask Cartel was founded in 2014 and brought online in 2018. It is a company that comprises a team with over 4 decades of experience in the alcohol beverage industry. Cask Cartel has extensive relationships with distilleries and master distilleries across the US and the rest of the world. The company has developed an E-Premise Marketplace thats transforming the way premium spirits are shopped sold and fulfilled online by combining the widest range of selection of allocated items and limited releases. "Scores of best-in-class UAS vendors, trade media and organizations as well as vertical industry media and organizations have put their support behind Commercial UAV Expo Europe" Organizers of the third annual Commercial UAV Expo Europe, an international trade fair and conference focused on commercial drone integration and operation for large enterprise end-users and asset owners, have announced an impressive list of exhibitors and supporters for the 2019 event 8-10 April in Amsterdam. "Scores of best-in-class UAS vendors, trade media and organizations as well as vertical industry media and organizations have put their support behind Commercial UAV Expo Europe, said Lisa Murray, Group Director at Diversified Communications, organizer of the event. Their endorsement is a vote for Commercial UAV Expo Europe and an important step in creating a single unified event where various stakeholders come together to advance commercial UAS in Europe. The list of exhibitors and supporters is growing daily, and currently includes these organizations: AceCore Technologies Aerobits Aeroscout GmbH Agritech Tomorrow Agrowing AIRobot Airplane Geeks ALEEGO s.r.o. APANT Applanix ARPAS-UK Asia Pacific Fire Beijing Shining Technologies Co., Ltd. Beijing TT Aviation Technology Co.,LTD. BIGNieuws BitCenter Inc. BMPower BORDERPOL Carlson Software C-Astral Aerospace C-Drone Review Chartered ICES Chemnitz University of Technology CIO Review Civil Engineering Surveyor CLocate Coalition Of UAS Professionals Commercial Drone Alliance Commercial Drone Professional Commercial UAV News Coordinates Coverdrone Crisis Response Journal Drone Alliance Europe Drone Business Center Drone Industry Insights Drone Pilots Federation Drone Radio Show DroneBlog DroneCode DroneDJ DroneLife DroneProvide Sarl Drones Monthly DronesBuy DronesX DroneTV Dronin' On EITEP Electronics Valley Emlid eSmart Systems EUKA EWATT Aerospace GEO Informatics GeoConnexion Geodirect GeoMatching GeoMatics World Geometrics GeoSpatial Media GeoSpatial World GEOTECH Bratislava GIM International GIS Professional GIS Resources Global Security Magazine Gulf Fire HAPTIC R & D Consulting Inertial Sense, LLC InfoDrone.ES INTERAERIAL SOLUTIONS part of INTERGEO 2019 Stuttgart International Fire Protection International Firefighter IPv6 Forum JobsForDrones Kinetic Consulting LiDAR USA MEMS Journal MicroPilot Mind Commerce Miners News MyDearDrone Parks Associates Phoenix LiDAR Systems Pipeline Technology Journal Pix4D Police Aviation News Pythagoras BVBA Quadcopter Addiction Quadricottero RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH RoboHub.org Robotic Skies Robotics & Automation News Robotics Tomorrow RotorDrone SARAA Sensorsland Shephard Media SimActive Inc. Sky Tronic SKYCORP Skylogic Skytools BV. Solpi Sparkle Tech Ltd Startup Amsterdam STEM Education & Entrepreneurship Surveying Group Swift Navigation Terrasolid Ltd. Tractica Trimble Inc. UAS Engineering Magazine UASMagazine UASWeekly UAV Digest uAvionics UK Fire Unifly NV Unmanned Airpsace Unmanned Systems Technology Unmanned Systems Technology Magazine Valo Industries WIP WITI Women and Drones Women In Tech Review Women Who Code Women Who Drone World Air News World Construction Today YellowScan Commercial UAV Expo Europe takes place 8-10 April at the Amsterdam RAI, with pre-conference programming and workshops on Monday 8 April followed by conference programming and exhibits on Tuesday 9 April and Wednesday 10 April. The event draws vertical industry end-users from across Europe, Asia, Australia the Middle East and around the world. Commercial UAV Expo Europe is unique in that were able to attract highly qualified vertical market buyers to our events. said Ms. Murray. Our content and exhibit floor are developed with the large enterprise end-user/asset owner in mind. Our beginnings in surveying and mapping events more than 15 years ago have enabled us to reach professionals in industries including energy and utilities, infrastructure and transportation, construction, surveying and mapping, and more. Already, top professionals from a number of leading organizations have registered to attend, including Sakhalin Energy, Ireland Water, Italian Navy, SHELL, Energinet, Saudi Aramco, Hamburg Port Authority, Energinet Denmark, Scottish Mountain Rescue, Netherlands Forensic Institute, Wessex Water Authority, Vestas, UK National Grid, Deutsche Telecom, Swisscom, Engie, Geological Survey Ireland, Ferrovial, KPN, Altimetris/SNCF and European Commission. In addition to the exhibits, Commercial UAV Expo Europe has extensive programming, offering both general sessions and breakout sessions that delve deeply into UAS for specific vertical industries. Vertical industry sessions focus on construction; energy & utilities; precision agriculture & forestry; public safety; surveying & mapping; transportation and infrastructure. End-user roundtables are being offered on four of these topics and are by invitation only. These will provide participants a deep dive into best practices, opportunities and threats when it comes to UAS in their respective sectors. Not only is the content critical to these professionals, but the connections forged are priceless, said Ms. Murray. Additional features of the programming are vendor-delivered Product Previews, the 2019 Drone Hero Europe contest and Exhibit Hall Theater Programming. The full Conference Programme and speakers can be viewed here. Registration is available online here. Early bird pricing ends 15 February. Conference registrants can save 100 by registering by 15 February. Exhibit-only passes are free in advance of the event. About Commercial UAV Expo Europe Commercial UAV Expo Europe, presented by Commercial UAV News, is an international conference and trade fair exclusively focused on the commercial UAS market covering industries including Construction; Energy & Utilities; Forestry & Agriculture; Infrastructure & Transportation; Public Safety & Emergency Services; Security; and Surveying & Mapping. It takes place 8-10 April at the RAI Amsterdam. Its North American sister event takes place 28-30 October 2019 at Westgate in Las Vegas. For more information, visit https://www.expouav.com/europe and https://www.expouav.com. Commercial UAV Expo Europe is produced by Diversified Communications technology portfolio which also includes Commercial UAV Expo Americas, Commercial UAV News, GeoBusiness Show, International LiDAR Technology Forum, SPAR 3D Expo & Conference, SPAR 3D.com, AECNext Technology Expo & Conference and AEC Next News. For information about exhibiting at Commercial UAV Expo, visit https://www.expouav.com/europe/exhibition/ or contact Katherine Dow, Sales Manager, at kdow@divcom.com or +1.207-842-5497. For attending information, visit https//http://www.expouav.com/europe or email info@expouav.com. One of our operating principles is that education technology should be simple and not create frustrations and interruptions in and outside the classroom. Our work with Google Classroom supports our mission to deliver this reality to students and teachers, said Eric Goldreyer, CEO, bulb. Today, at the Florida Education Technology Conference, bulb Digital Portfolios announced that it is joining the Google for Education Technology Partner Program. This new collaboration will make it easier for students and educators to interact with content and communicate their ideas in multidimensional ways between their bulb digital portfolio and Google Classroom. One of our operating principles is that education technology should be simple and not create frustrations and interruptions in and outside the classroom. Our work with Google Classroom supports our mission to deliver this reality to students and teachers, said Eric Goldreyer, chief executive officer, bulb Digital Portfolios. We look forward to continued work with Google Classroom. Featured integrations include: Share to Classroom: Build portfolio work into lessons directly from Google Classroom. Students can share work completed in bulb directly back into Google Classroom. Lessons can be evaluated in bulb and graded in Google Classroom. Google Sign-In: Easily launch bulb right from Google Classroom. This one-step sign-in appropriately puts the learning ahead of technology and minimizes interruptions often created by clunky log-in processes. Google Drive: Access any work in Google Drive to create and show process and progress within a bulb digital portfolio. Being able to easily access stored content stored in Google Drive in a bulb digital portfolio allows students to access all their work and tell their whole story and demonstrate abilities. Additional points of integration will be released throughout 2019. The product and engineering teams are actively collaborating on a shared vision for broader and deeper interoperability. Each additional integration will make it easier for students and educators to highlight their best work and document progress and, as a result, support learning. The end result will be a dynamic, powerful learning experience for students and educators. About bulb Digital Portfolios bulbs mission is to tell a students whole story. The simple, beautiful and powerful tool is used by nearly a half million students, educators and professionals to create a shareable record of work and to showcase their accomplishments. bulb integrates with any LMS or SIS, including Microsoft Office 365, Google and Blackboard. Partnerships with Clever and ClassLink provide single sign-on functionality. Learn more at https://www.bulbapp.com. Come visit bulb Digital Portfolios at these upcoming conferences for a demonstration of how easy it is to integrate : FETC January 27-30, 2019 Booth #2931 Orlando, FL TCEA February 4-8, 2019 Booth #879 San Antonio, TX After years of living behind walls to hide her guilt and shame, author Mary Lehman describes her journey from shame-based religion to a grace-based relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Crushing Codependency and Relational Idolatry: A Stones Throw from Freedom (published by WestBow Press). The book shares the narrative of a woman who has found transformation within her faith and who has escaped the mental and emotional traps that had kept her from healing and joy. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.amazon.com/Crushing-Codependency-Relational-Idolatry-Stones/dp/1973648849. For God to get Lehmans attention, it took the death of her husband and the separation from someone with whom she had developed an unhealthy codependent friendship. Because, in the past, she had fallen into an inappropriate relationship, she recognized the slippery slope she was on. Amid the months of grief and desperation, she made the decision to never go down that road again. Seeking God, Lehman came to realize he had put her on a path where she could receive his deliverance from codependency and relational idolatry. Since then, Lehman has overcome the spiritual abuse, internalized shame and habits of risk-taking that kept her in bondage for decades. Renewing her mind with the gospel of grace, her new identity is in Christ. Now, applying the story of David and Goliath, she shares her journey in detail and describes her newfound peace and freedom. I cannot tag this narrative as a feel-good story, but I hope something within these pages makes you smile. Neither can I tout its message as inspirational, but I trust you will find inspiration, Lehman says. If teaching comes about, the Holy Spirit will be the one teaching you. In writing my story as a memoir, I have found freedom in sharing realities of a life gone wrong and ultimately redeemed by the God who never left. Any addiction can be broken when one trusts God completely and gets rid of the idols in ones life. Crushing Codependency and Relational Idolatry: A Stones Throw from Freedom By Mary Lehman Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 280 pages | ISBN 9781973648857 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 280 pages | ISBN 9781973648840 E-Book | 280 pages | ISBN 9781973648833 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Mary Lehman attended Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, where she met her husband, Glen. They moved first to Dallas and then to Arkansas, where her husband pastored and they raised their four children. Lehman found her niche in administration, working as a secretary in a variety of fields. Six years ago, her husband unexpectedly went to be with the Lord, a tragic event that changed Lehmans understanding of her world. WestBow Press is a strategic supported self-publishing alliance between HarperCollins Christian Publishing and Author Solutions, LLC the world leader in supported self-publishing. Titles published through WestBow Press are evaluated for sales potential and considered for publication through Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. For more information, visit westbowpress.com or call (866)-928-1240. For WestBow Press news, click Like at facebook.com/WestBowPress and follow @westbowpress on Twitter. Best SEO Agencies 10 Best SEO, a digital organization that offers consulting services and search engine optimization results, has named Straight North as the best SEO agency for January 2019. The January list featured 22 candidates, including companies with unique specialties, upwards of 250 employees, and market dominance in the United States' largest cities, including Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco. Other top contenders for the monthly ranking were Ignite Visibility and Boostability. As of January 2019, Straight North of Chicago, Illinois is proud to have generated a whopping 1.1 million leads through its SEO, pay-per-click advertising, and responsive web design services. Unlike many other top search engine optimization companies, Straight North has a full-fledged team of experts in all of the popular services that digital agencies provide. This allows Straight North to bring together their clients' web pages, search engine presences, advertising prowess, and brand identity to create effective campaigns. Ignite Visibility is a top SEO agency that serves the entirety of Southern California, though the firm takes its home in San Diego, California. The company has been written about in a handful of the world's most popular, trusted tech and business publications, including Search Engine Land, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Inc. Ignite Visibility's services include earned media, paid media, and auxiliary services. Leading SEO agency Boostability is so confident that its services are superb to its competitors that it regularly offers free consultations to its potential clients. The company finished third in this month's rankings for the best SEO agency and the top search engine optimization company. Made up of a conglomeration of search engine experts, 10 Best SEO competes with the best of the best in the San Francisco Bay Area, home to some of the world's hottest businesses. Founded in 2012, 10 Best SEO's impressive years in business have culminated in it being named one of the 500 most quickly-growing companies of its kind across the United States by INC 500. The company was first recognized on CrunchBase in 2014, began publishing helpful posts on social media in 2013, and started to publish lists of the best search engine optimization service providers across North America in 2017. Since 10 Best SEO began publishing its monthly list of the best SEO firms nearly two years ago, it has become known as one of the go-to sources for reviewing and evaluating the services that the nation's most popular search engine optimization businesses provide. For more details about 10 Best SEO and this months award winners, visit http://www.10bestseo.com. Matt has been a tremendous asset to the sales team here at Bellefield from day one, and I am proud to have the opportunity to work with him in his new role as we continue to pursue aggressive growth goals on behalf of the company Bellefield Systems, the providers of the fastest path to revenue through its time entry solutions, has promoted large law Regional Sales Manager, Matt Yezovich, to Vice President of Sales. Yezovich will oversee Bellefields global sales strategy and manage client retention. As a member of the executive team, Yezovich will report directly to Bellefield President, Gabriela Isturiz. Matt has been a tremendous asset to the sales team here at Bellefield from day one, and I am proud to have the opportunity to work with him in his new role as we continue to pursue aggressive growth goals on behalf of the company," stated Gabriela Isturiz, President. Isturiz further stated Matt will bring immense value to the organization through this leadership role on the sales team." Yezovich joined Bellefield in 2016 after holding various technology sales positions in professional services, retail, and consumer packaged goods. His passion is challenging others to move beyond the status quo in favor of innovations that increase efficiencies and boost productivity. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Yezovich earned his BS in Marketing from Penn State University, and continues to reside in the Pittsburgh area with his wife Jaclyn and their four children, Mateo, Mia, Marco and Martino. Bellefield continuously raises the bar for innovation and delivering value for its clients. Ive been fortunate to work with incredible people and to have industry-leading solutions to offer to law firms and other professional services organizations. Its an honor to accept this leadership role at Bellefield and I look forward to continuing to serve our customers, sales organization and the Bellefield team at large in order to exceed our revenue goals, stated Matt Yezovich. Bellefield is thrilled to have Yezovich as the new Vice President of Sales and looks forward to a successful future. About Bellefield Systems & iTimeKeep Bellefield provides the fastest path to revenue by removing barriers to time entry for attorneys and law firms. Through the iTimeKeep platform, Bellefield brings better timekeeping to any law firm or professional services firm by increasing attorney engagement, providing real-time compliance with outside counsel guidelines and enabling firms to manage their time entry policies. In an area that was long disregarded and accepted as a cost of doing business, Bellefields innovations are bringing about efficiencies that allow firms to achieve the best timecard inventory, leading to less rejections, increased compliance and maximum client satisfaction. Bellefield was founded with one simple (yet powerful) purpose: create better timekeepers. iTimeKeep ranks #1 as the most adopted Mobile (and anywhere) Time Entry solution for attorneys for six consecutive years. Bellefields founding members include the former founders of eBillingHub (now Thomson Reuters ), Gabriela Isturiz and Daniel Garcia and software veteran, John Kuntz. Bellefield Systems is an independent, privately held company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit http://www.bellefield.com. Lola Grimes, a woman who has traveled to the country and the world, has completed her new book Alone: a touching narrative about moving above and beyond what you were born into. As a child, I suffered through abuse, trauma, frustration, and a lack of education, Lola Grimes said when asked what inspired her to write. All these things had a great effect on the way life took its turn. Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Lola Grimes tale is titled, Alone because despite being one of eighteen children of a farmer in Oklahoma, Lola refused to accept that life for herself, and so she set out to improve herselfalone. Traveling from farmland, to Las Vegas, to Switzerland and beyond, Lola Grimes lived a more dazzling life than anyone could have imagined considering where she began life. But she faced hard times and racism, with the same grit and determination she embodied to give herself a fine life. Readers who wish to experience this inspiring work can purchase Alone at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time-consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. I am excited to see how the partnership will grow. We have enjoyed working with BaseVac for the past three years, and look forward to the future. To wrap up the first month of the New Year, Arminco Inc. President, Artin Safarian, will be traveling to meet with BaseVacs President, Ray Ralph in their Canada-based facility. BaseVac, which is a division of R. E. Morrison Equipment, specializes in producing dry suction dental vacuums and oil-free compressors. Arminco Inc. has been endorsing BaseVacs superior quality dental vacuums and compressors for over 3 years. In 2019, Arminco is expanding BaseVacs accessibility to a larger audience of dentists in the mid-Atlantic region. Since the beginning of Arminco Inc.s endorsement of BaseVac products, Arminco has continued to strengthen its business relations and further expand the reach of BaseVacs offerings. I am excited to see how the partnership will grow. We have enjoyed working with BaseVac for the past three years, and look forward to the future, Artin Safarian stated. BaseVac is an exceptional company with a great product. It has a very high quality customer service team ready to help with technical support, which is necessary to ensure our clients stay open for business, he added. Having completed over 500 dental offices, Arminco Inc. has years of experience working with and installing a large array of dental compressors and vacuums. From the plethora of brands our team and clients have had to work with, we are proudly able to endorse BaseVac manufactured products for their durability and functionality. BaseVac is known for their revolutionary engineered dry vac design. They have completely changed the way dental professionals view dry vacuum systems. This revolutionary system is able to save thousands of gallons of water which not only results in decreased water bills, but also takes less of a toll on the environment. BaseVacs entire line is accepted by the Eco Dentistry Association for its low impact on the environment. BaseVac engineers are constantly working on improving their line of dental compressors and dental vacuums, while continually increasing the efficiency of their products. Arminco Inc. is looking forward to strengthening business ties with BaseVac and increasing the accessibility of their top-of-the-line products. About Arminco Arminco Inc. is a design, architecture, construction and dental equipment and supply company, featuring highly experienced and creative professionals. They specialize in dental, veterinary, and medical practices. Arminco Inc. has designed and built interior commercial spaces across North America and has become the leader in dental practice start-ups and build-outs. For more information about Arminco, please visit the company website at http://www.armincoinc.com. Each student ID card should have crisis information printed on the back so if someone needs help, they only have to look as far as their pocket. Active Minds, Crisis Text Line, and The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline today launched the first campaign to support high schools, colleges, and universities in their efforts to add mental health and suicide prevention crisis numbers to student ID cards. The three prominent mental health organizations jointly developed the new resource, called Transform Your Campus: ID Cards Campaign, to provide students with ideas and action steps on how to lobby school administrators and other policymakers to make hotlines such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line readily accessible on student identification cards. The idea for the project began as early as 2012, when Active Minds students at the University of Dayton successfully petitioned campus administrators to print a crisis call line on the back of all student identification cards. In the last year, legislators in California successfully passed State Senate Bill 972, requiring the addition of crisis numbers to ID cards in schools across the state. No campus is immune to mental health issues, says Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds. Any student who has received a late-night, concerning text from a friend knows we cant predict when we might need to provide or seek help. Thats why this partnership effort between Active Minds, Crisis Text Line, and the Lifeline is so important. Each student ID card should have crisis information printed on the back so if someone needs help, they only have to look as far as their pocket. Transform Your Campus: ID Cards Campaign is part of a six-part series of free online resources. Each campaign guide provides practical, proven advice on how students can serve as a catalyst for changes that better support mental health. Students have used the guides to successfully advocate for including mental health in new student orientations, for example, and to hire more counseling staff. To date, more than 235 campuses have participated in Transform Your Campus initiatives. More than 60 campuses have so far successfully changed their policies and/or systems as a result of the program, including at least 22 campuses which updated their student identification cards. In total, these policy changes now impact approximately 892,960 enrolled students. Transform Your Campus was funded through a generous grant from the Pegs Foundation. It was developed through advice and insight from students, researchers, and administrators at The Healthy Minds Network, Ohio State University, Cornell University, Washington Adventist University, The George Washington University, Cabrini College, Georgetown University, Tufts University, Hamilton College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Penn State, the University of Maryland, The College of Old Westbury, University of California at Riverside, Oberlin College, and Northwestern University. Learn more and download the Transform Your Campus: ID Cards Campaign at activeminds.org/idcards. ### ABOUT ACTIVE MINDS Active Minds is the nations premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students. A recent landmark study by the RAND Corporation confirms that Active Minds has a significant, positive impact on student health and well-being by creating a supportive climate for mental health on college campuses. Active Minds is powered by a vibrant network of campus chapters located at more than 450 colleges, universities, and high schools nationwide. The organization is dedicated to supporting a new generation in ending the silence and changing the conversation about mental health for everyone. ABOUT CRISIS TEXT LINE Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support for people in crisis via text. Text 741741 to be connected to a live, trained Crisis Counselor. Learn more about the nonprofit organization, including how to receive training to become a volunteer Crisis Counselor at crisistextline.org. ABOUT THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is funded by SAMHSA and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health. If you are in crisis, call 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. AQ's First Issue of 2019 At the start of 2018, Americas Quarterly called attention to two anti-establishment, nationalist candidates who would become the presidents of the largest economies in Latin America: Jair Bolsonaro and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. At the start of 2018, Americas Quarterlythe leading publication on politics, business, and culture in the hemispherecalled attention to two anti-establishment, nationalist candidates who would become the presidents of the largest economies in Latin America: Jair Bolsonaro and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. For its first issue of 2019, Americas Quarterly looks closely at how the recently sworn-in leaders of Brazil and Mexico will govern. AQs Editor-in-Chief Brian Winter travels to rural Virginia to profile Olavo de Carvalho, Bolsonaros favorite intellectual and the man with perhaps the most influence in Brazils new government. In an interview with Benjamin Russell, Mexican historian Lorenzo Meyer reflects on the defining moments of Lopez Obradors career and offers clues on how he will govern. Manuela Andreoni reports on the wave of black, female politicians who won elected office in Brazil in the wake of the murder of Rio de Janeiro Councilwoman Marielle Franco. Brendan OBoyle and Benjamin Russell explore Bolsonaro and AMLOs inner circlesand their opposition. They also examine each leaders main policypriorities and look at what the bookseach read tell us about how he will lead. Finally, Ximena Enriquez breaks down both presidents support in their respective congresses, and Roberto Simon reviews the latest book from two leaders of Brazilian diplomacy. Also in this issue: AQs Top Five Inventors: Five Latin Americans who have come up with solutions to problems such as air pollution in Mexico and safety risks for Brazils black filmmakers. Coming January 31. Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden makes the case for greater engagement between Latin America and the United States. The Long View: Latin American nations helped preserve Antarctica for peaceful purposes, a story still relevant today. An in-depth special report on piracy in Latin Americaand the challenges facing the regions geniuses. To learn more or to request interviews with the authors, please contact AS/COA Media Relations: mediarelations@as-coa.org | 1-212-277-8333 Americas Quarterlys complete first issue of 2019 will be available online in full January 31 at AmericasQuarterly.org Americas Quarterly is an award-winning publication dedicated to politics, business, and culture in the Americas. Borrowing elements from The Economist, Foreign Affairs, and National Geographicbut with a focus on Latin AmericaAQ is dedicated to covering the region in all its diversity and promise. AQ's elite, agenda-setting readership includes CEOs, senior government officials, and thought leaders, as well as a general-interest audience passionate about the Americas. Launched in 2007 and based in New York City, AQ is an independent publication of Americas Society/Council of the Americas, which for more than 50 years have been dedicated to dialogue in our hemisphere. ia.Enterprise for Digital Transformation ia.Enterprise provides intelligently automated solutions for all segments of the customer journey using emerging digital technologies. OnviSource announced today that a leading wireless service provider has expanded its use of ia.Enterprise Intelligently Automated (IA) Solutions from OnviSource to complete the implementation of its Digital Transformation strategy related to end-to-end Customer Experience Management (CXM). Multiple contact centers assist the service providers customers, delivering a variety of multi-language and skill-based services. The service providers Digital Transformation strategy is based on assuring their massive customer call volume is automatically, and in real time, routed to the best point of service with minimal delays (before service), customer interactions and engagements are optimized in order to provide the best interactive services (during service), and finally, customer feedback, voice of customer (VoC) and customer sentiments are accurately captured and analyzed to improve overall customer service (after service). In order to deliver end-to-end CXM, a comprehensive Digital Transformation strategy was developed utilizing emerging technologies in automation, analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) delivered by OnviSources ia.Enterprise IA solutions. These solutions enable the wireless service provider to capture, monitor and manage big data related to the entire customer journey for all its contact centers, followed by the ability to analyze data and launch necessary actions to improve the customers experience. ia.Enterprise provides the service provider with intelligently automated solutions for all segments of the customer journey using emerging digital technologies in multichannel big data management, advanced multichannel analytics, process automation and AI technologies, including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning and Cognitive Decision-Making Engines. Before service, it captures and analyzes key performance indicators from all contact centers to determine the best routes and subsequently forward calls automatically to the best point of service. During service, the solutions perform automated and analytics-driven quality assurance (AQA), first call resolution (FCR) improvement, supervised and unsupervised discoveries and actionable knowledge, sentiment and trend analysis, Name Entity Recognition (NER) and topical categorization. Finally, it employs automated and intelligent enterprise feedback management, customer surveys and customer inquiries in order to capture and analyze voice of the customer and overall customer experience. We are pleased with the deployment of our ia.Enterprise solutions by a reputable and major wireless service provider, as such deployment is a confirmation and validation of our solutions for enterprise Digital Transformation strategies, process and service automation, and end-to-end customer experience management, said Art Yri, Chief Technology Officer at OnviSource. Their approach is also a validation of the market trend in establishing customer satisfaction through comprehensive analysis and automation of every customer touchpoint, and in truly understanding customer behavior, demands and sentiment. With ia.Enterprise, the wireless service provider now has access to a centralized platform that normalizes and analyzes information across all its sites and produces actionable knowledge followed by real-time and automated decision making and launch of actions; creating an opportunity to reduce costs and improve productivity, service quality and customer retention. In this enterprise application, ia.Enterprise is implemented using a hybrid delivery model consisting of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and on-premise software in order to offer flexible scalability, optimize performance, maximize security and significantly reduce the cost of deployment. About OnviSource For more than a decade, OnviSource has enabled several hundred small-to-large companies across a broad range of industries to cost-effectively manage, automate and improve their customer experience and business processes by offering advanced solutions in multichannel data and media capture, unification, analysis, decision making and automation for their entire enterprise, including their contact centers, back offices and IT organizations. OnviSources ia.Enterprise Intelligently Automated (IA) Solutions offer workforce optimization and workforce management (WFO/WFM), all-inclusive Teleservice Customer Engagement Management, Multichannel Customer Engagement Analytics, intelligently automated Customer Survey, Process Automation through Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Intelligent Process Automation (IPA), and Intelligent Virtual Agent (IVA). The Company delivers its solutions as software products, cloud or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), managed services, or any combination. OnviSources special Advantage Plus Program assures the solutions work for customers specific needs by offering a series of customer assistance programs with no obligations, including consultation, proof-of-concepts, and hands-on operation assistance. OnviSource is headquartered in Plano, Texas (North Dallas area), with an additional operation center in Oklahoma. GUEST OBSERVATION Southern Cross Housing, a non-profit community housing provider, took over management of just under 1,000 public housing dwellings on the New South Wales South Coast last October. This transfer from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services nearly doubled Southern Crosss portfolio. More than 3,000 transfers have since been made to community housing providers on the NSW North Coast and in northern Sydney. These are the first of over 14,000 tenancies being contracted out to community housing providers over coming months. The whole-of-location transfer program will result in the department closing housing offices in four regions. Non-government organisations will manage all government housing assistance programs in these regions. This is not an entirely new development. Nationally, community providers were responsible for about 20% of 400,000 social housing dwellings in 2016. Most are managed under contract for state authorities, which retain ownership of the properties. The current transfers represent a major acceleration in the growth of community housing providers share of the social housing sector. It will bring NSW to within a few points of the 35% target agreed by the Housing Ministers Council in 2009. This will be achieved in the next few years with transfers resulting from large estate redevelopment projects. It is the first time a state government housing agency has effectively contracted out the entirety of its operations, albeit in particular regions. Rents collected will fund the management of all housing programs in these areas. The policy narrative surrounding this program is richly positive. The government is promising improved customer experience and, importantly, more resources for social housing in general. Last month, NSW Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said: By transferring management to Community Housing Providers we are harnessing over $1 billion of additional funding over 20 years that will improve the experience of people living in social housing. I am delighted that, as part of the transfer, tenants will have the support and services they need to improve their lives. So where is the extra money coming from? The extra A$1 billion represents Commonwealth funds that will be captured by the NSW social housing system without appearing in either state or federal budgets. This results from an anomaly in federal income security arrangements: very low-income community housing tenants can receive up to about $67 per week (singles) in Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA), whereas public housing tenants are not eligible for this benefit. Public housing rents are calculated at 25% of income (or market rent if this is lower). But community housing organisations can add the entire amount of CRA received by the tenant to this figure. This effectively increases the rent payable for a single pensioner by up to 70%. Under changes in the law in 2016 tenants have no option but to accept the changes. If a tenant delays or fails to apply for CRA for any reason they are deemed to be receiving it and their rent correspondingly adjusted. What about the housing maintenance backlog? According to the Productivity Commission, in 2016 more than a quarter of public housing dwellings in NSW failed to meet a basic standard of functionality and structural integrity. This was the worst result of any state. It is highly likely that the transferred properties carry a substantial backlog of maintenance and repairs. The cost of this work will be effectively shifted to the federal government. However, as CRA is an income security entitlement, this will not appear as housing expenditure in the federal budget. Maintenance issues are the most common reason for complaints and tenant dissatisfaction, so tenants will welcome more spending on maintenance. However, community providers are required to use the governments existing maintenance contractors at least until contracts expire. Providers contend that higher staff-to-tenant ratios will lead to more humanised management and greater responsiveness to individual tenants needs. This claim will be tested against the fact that the community providers are dramatically expanding their portfolios and scope of operations, and will absorb many displaced department staff. For some tenants it appears more local hands-on management is not always experienced as a positive. Analysis of NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) data sourced by advocates somewhat surprisingly reveals that community providers are heavily over-represented in taking tenants to the tribunal. At the same time, the break-up of management among many providers will limit the possibility of moving or swapping houses for employment or family reasons. Lack of title limits new housing supply In the UK and Europe, non-profit housing organisations are now the major developers of new social housing. They do this by borrowing against their assets and partnering with the development industry. Australian community housing managers have long argued that they should be given freehold title to state properties. In theory, this would enable them to borrow and provide extra social housing stock without adding to public debt. State governments have resisted asset transfers on accountability grounds, preferring to simply outsource management. So, rather than adding to social housing supply, the marked growth of the community housing sector over the last decade has been almost entirely at the expense of public housing. Australias population increased by 12.6% between 2011 and 2016. The number of social housing dwellings (public and community housing) grew by less than 3% in that time. Most of that growth resulted from federal stimulus funding during the global financial crisis. The current program in NSW excludes any expectation that providers will leverage additional income to develop new housing. (Source: Michael Darcy) In 2013 the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute published a comprehensive analysis of social housing transfers. The report concluded that potential benefits included maximising revenue, improving services and leveraging growth. However, it noted that there has been an unrealistic loading of objectives onto this one policy mechanism. The authors called for a clearer and more realistic rationale for housing transfers and better opportunities for tenants to be involved in shaping the outcome. Five years on it is apparent that revenue is the key driver at the expense of increased supply and tenant choice or voice. Support for the growth of community housing has been restated in the new National Housing and Homelessness Agreement where it appears as a national priority area. In NSW, a wide range of former government responsibilities and access to a Commonwealth-funded revenue stream have been handed over without the accountability and grant management mechanisms that traditionally apply to community-based service providers. Tenants are expected to apply for federal funds on behalf of the state social housing system and bear a significant cost if they dont comply. Michael Darcy, Adjunct Professor, School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A colourfully panted Rye boat shed fetched $140,000 at its weekend auction. Located on Rye Foreshore, the boat shed (pictured) was available for the first time in over 35 years. O'Brien Real Estate agent Mathew Blakely had given a price guide of $120,000 to $130,000. It was bought by the comedian Stephen Curry and his family, including The Dish star Bernard, who celebrated Australia Day by buying the Rye boat shed that got away from their dad 35 years ago. There were seven bidders who sought the boat shed that last sold at $3500. After the auction Curry revealed to the Herald Sun his family had a long connection with it, as his father missed out on purchasing it when it last sold. His mother hopes one day her ashes will be scattered nearby. Kara, a "drought-proof" cropping property in Gooloogong, NSW is going to auction in March with Ray White Emms Mooney agent Josh Keefe. Local and international buyers are expected to bid for the property listed by the Scammell family. They have owned Kara for the past 23 years, with the property currently run by three brothers. Located in the irrigation belt between Cowra, Forbes and Canowindra, its positioning offers some of the district's highest quality red-brown loam to self-mulching clay soils, said Keefe. The 250 hectare irrigation farm at 130 McInnis Lane, Gooloogong will go to auction on March 8 in Bathurst. Keefe said Kara was a "desirable high-security water purchase". It has six centre pivot irrigation sites, a 672 megalitre ground water licence in one of the most desirable groundwater zones, 2.6 kilometre frontage to the Goonigal Creek and an excellent stock and domestic bore reticulated throughout for stock. A new high performance bore connects via a mainline and three phase power to the 6 x 70.7ac, remotely operated, centre pivots meaning the new owners can operate the property offsite, via their mobile phones. The farm is 100% arable and suited to vegetable, lucerne, cereal, oil seed and pulse production, Keefe said. Kara is currently used as an ideal feed factory to fatten prime lambs. The property will be sold with the current crops, which will be farmed until the sale and include irrigated lucerne and irrigated sorghum. All working improvements present in very good condition, including three large hay sheds, one large machinery shed, 70 tonne grain storage, a two-stand shearing shed and steel sheep yards for around 2,000 head as well as basic working, steel cattle yards with a loading ramp, Keefe said. The dwelling onsite is a basic cottage, run on rain water, that currently provides a rental income for the owners. Discerning agricultural purchasers are honing their sights on the Cowra and Forbes shire councils, particularly the arable pockets. According to NSW Valuer General, there has been a 26% increase in rural land values year on year in this area with continuing strong demand for broad acre rural properties on the back of strong commodity prices and increased investor demand, coupled with a shortage of supply. BNP Paribas Real Estate has strengthend its team by promoting Astrid Ginon to Deputy Director Corporate Services Advisory 9. Under the supervision of Aymeric Le Roux, Executive Director International Advisory & Alliances at BNP Paribas Real Estate, she will be responsible for coordinating the Corporate Services business line in 9 [] Nicosia, Jan 30 : European Union countries have to prepare for a possible hard Brexit as the agreement reached between Britain and the EU is not renegotiable, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. European Union countries have to prepare for a possible hard Brexit as the agreement reached between Britain and the EU is not renegotiable, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. In a statement at the end of a summit of the leaders of the seven southern EU countries here in Cyprus capital, Macron on Tuesday called on Britain to present the next steps to avoid a no-deal exit of the country from the EU, Xinhua reported. "After the vote currently taking place in the chamber of Commons, I hope that the British government will be able to present to our negotiator, Michel Barnier, the next steps which will allow avoiding a no-deal Brexit, which no one wants, but which we all have to prepare for despite everything," Macron said. He noted that the European Council has clearly indicated that the agreement reached between the European Union and Britain is the best possible and cannot be opened for new negotiations. The Brexit agreement and possible developments were discussed by the Med-7 summit, which said in a declaration that the decision of Britain is "regrettable, but one we respect". "We remain committed to an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU in order to guarantee certainty for citizens and businesses... We will also intensify our work on preparedness for the consequences of the United Kingdom's withdrawal, taking into account all possible outcomes," the declaration said. Government sources in Nicosia said a bill has been drafted providing that British citizens living in Cyprus will continue to have all rights EU citizens enjoy. Cyprus expects Britain to reciprocate by applying the provisions of a protocol attached to the Brexit agreement, so that about 11,000 Cypriots living within the territory of the two British Sovereign Base areas in Cyprus will have the same rights as EU citizens enjoy in Cyprus. London, Jan 30 : British MPs have voted against a proposal to delay Brexit in order to prevent the UK leaving without a deal. British MPs have voted against a proposal to delay Brexit in order to prevent the UK leaving without a deal. The amendment had been put forward by Labour MP Yvette Cooper, but was rejected by 23 votes, the BBC reported on Tuesday. The MPs were voting on changes to Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan before she seeks a re-negotiation of it with the EU. The Prime Minister has urged MPs to back another amendment that would propose "alternative arrangements" to the controversial Irish backstop plan. The backstop is is the insurance policy in May's plan to prevent checks on goods and people returning to the Northern Ireland border, which some MPs fear could leave the UK tied to the EU's rules indefinitely. It was a key part in seeing her original Brexit deal voted down in Parliament by an historic margin earlier in January. May said she knew there was a "limited appetite" in the EU for changes to the deal, but she believed she could "secure" it. She had phone calls with key EU leaders throughout the day ahead of the Commons votes and has already spoken to the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar. But the EU has said it will not re-open negotiations and change the legal text agreed with the British PM. The MPs were voting on an amendment put forward by Tory MP Caroline Spelman and Labour MP Jack Dromey with the aim of preventing a no deal Brexit Tunis, Jan 30 : In its first evacuations to Niger this year, the UN refugee agency has flown 130 people to Niamey from Libya, where they were held for months in detention centres in "very dire" conditions, the UN said on Tuesday. In its first evacuations to Niger this year, the UN refugee agency has flown 130 people to Niamey from Libya, where they were held for months in detention centres in "very dire" conditions, the UN said on Tuesday. "Those evacuated today exemplify once again the urgency of ending detention of refugees and migrants in Libya," said Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean. "Until that happens, evacuations will remain quite literally a life-line," Cochetel said. People evacuated to Niger are hosted at UNHCR's Emergency Transit Mechanism in Niamey until they can be resettled, UNHCR said, appealing to countries to speed up their procedures to make available more place. UNHCR said it has evacuated 3,016 people from turmoil-wracked Libya since December 2017 and has received a total 39,698 crucial places for vulnerable refugees in the 15 countries along the Central Mediterranean route in response to its call for 40,000 resettlement places. Besides the evacuations to Niger, a total 93 refugees from Syria, Sudan and Eritrea have been flown from Tripoli to Timisoara, in western Romania, this year, with logistical help from the International Organisation for Migration, according to the UN. Amaravati, Jan 29 : Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday announced that he will not attend the all-party meeting called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over the demand for special category status on Wednesday. Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday announced that he will not attend the all-party meeting called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over the demand for special category status on Wednesday. The Jana Sena chief in an open letter to Naidu expressed surprise over the government extending invitation on Tuesday evening for a meeting to be held on Wednesday. Pawan said the meeting without giving sufficient time to the parties and without deciding the agenda would serve no purpose. "This gives rise to the suspicion that the meeting is being convened for political mileage," he wrote. The actor made it clear that Jana Sena remained committed for a joint struggle to achieve special category status and implementation of commitments made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He said the party would join hands only if there was sincerity in the struggle. Naidu on Tuesday decided to call an all-party meeting on Wednesday to discuss special category status and incomplete implementation of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. The ruling Telugu Desam Party appears to be trying to bring the issue of special status to the centre-stage before the last Parliament session. Stating that TDP is taking the Centre head-on over the issue of the state's rights, Naidu told TDP leaders that all the parties should join hands with them in carrying forward this battle. New Delhi, Jan 29 : The BJP on Tuesday came down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after buses, in which party workers were returning from Amit Shah's rally in East Midnapore, were vandalised. The BJP on Tuesday came down heavily on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after buses, in which party workers were returning from Amit Shah's rally in East Midnapore, were vandalised. Addressing a press conference, BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra held Trinamool workers responsible for vandalising and setting ablaze the buses and said the Mamata Banerjee was behaving like a "Talibani Didi". "The way stones were pelted, buses were vendalised and set ablaze, shows what kind of situation is prevailing in West Bengal. This is the real face of Mamata Banerjee," he said. "What kind of act is this? You (Mamata Banerjee) are behaving like Talibani Didi," he added. He said Mamata Banerjee was scared of the growing support for the BJP and that was the reason she has been trying to terrorise the people. "Talibani forces are active in Bengal under Mamata Banerjee. Today's incident has proved it," Patra said condemning the incident as undemocratic. He also hit at opposition parties for taking part in Mamata Banerjee's Kolkata rally and sought to know their stand on the issue. "You won't allow CBI to enter in the state. You won't allow rallies and yatras of BJP leader. You raise doubts on army and BSF. You won't allow any democratic process in the state. Is this democracy," the BJP leader asked. "Will you save democracy by vandalising buses and setting ablaze them. We will not bow to this kind of threat," he added. Bengaluru, Jan 29 : Drug maker Strides Pharma Science Ltd on Tuesday said its Canadian subsidiary acquired 80 per cent equity stake in Canada-based generics frim Pharamapar for $3 million (Rs 21 crore). Drug maker Strides Pharma Science Ltd on Tuesday said its Canadian subsidiary acquired 80 per cent equity stake in Canada-based generics frim Pharamapar for $3 million (Rs 21 crore). "The acquisition will enable us to build our operations, as the pharmaceutical market in Canada is estimated to be $21 billion with a major share of generics through retail pharmacies," said the city-based Strides in a statement here. The two-decades old $8-million Pharmapar specialises in generic medication to insured individuals in Canada. It is also a leading partner to Quebec pharmacies and covers about 1,000 pharmacies with access to 12 banners and 100 products. "Post-acquisition, the company will get a headstart in the Quebec private market with an established front end and distribution network," said the statement. Quebec accounts for 25 per cent of the Canadian generics market and is private. "We will fast track growth in the region through portfolio expansion driven by its fungible portfolio built in the markets of US, Europe and Australia,a said the statement. In a related development, the company's board has approved sale of its Australian business Strides Pharma Global to the Arrow-Apotex merged entity for Australian dollar 394 million ($281 million or Rs 20 crore). "We will enter into a 10-year preferred supply agreement with the merged entity to result in potential annual Ebitda of Australian $15-20 million," said the company in a release. The business is ranked amongst top 3 generic firms in Australia as a result of Arrow's organic growth coupled with bolt-on acquisitions for portfolio. The company re-entered the Australian market in September 2015 as Arrow through the acquisition of generics portfolio from Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd (Aspen). The business is ranked amongst top 3 generic firms in Australia as a result of Arrow's organic growth coupled with bolt-on acquisitions for portfolio. In May 2018, Arrow and Apotex Inc. (Apotex) announced their intention to merge their businesses in Australia to become the largest player in the local generic pharmaceutical market both by volume and revenue. For the third quarter of this fiscal 2018-19, the company's consolidated global revenue grew 6 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 798 crore from 753 crore in the same period a year ago 8 per cent sequentially from Rs 738 crore. The company reported Rs 31 crore net profit for fiscal 2018-19 in the quarter under review but did not give its growth on annual or quarterly numbers to compare. Kolkata, Jan 29 : The NIA has arrested two suspected Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members from West Bengal's Hooghly district for their alleged involvement in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, the agency said on Tuesday. The NIA has arrested two suspected Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members from West Bengal's Hooghly district for their alleged involvement in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, the agency said on Tuesday. The arrested members have been identified as Kadar Kazi, 32, alias Kadoor and Sajjad Ali, 21. "Both JMB members were arrested in different operations on Monday. We arrested Kadar Kazi from Arambagh area in Hooghly district, while his associate Sajjad Ali was held in a late-night operation," a National Investigation Agency (NIA) official said. The official said Kazi was wanted in the Burdwan blast case and was also declared a proclaimed offender, while Ali was involved in the activities of the JMB, a Bangladesh-based terror group. Both accused were on Tuesday produced before a special NIA court in Kolkata which sent them to 14-day custody of the agency. A bomb had ripped through a house in Khagragarh locality of Burdwan on October 2, 2014, killing two people and exposing a web of Bangladeshis running a virtual arms-and-explosive network in West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand. The NIA in March 2015 submitted a charge-sheet in the case, saying terrorists were using territories in the three states to overthrow a democratic government in Bangladesh and replace it with a hardline Islamic regime. Kazi was named in the charge-sheet in connection with the case for his direct involvement in the JBM conspiracy to "wage war against government of India and Bangladesh" on March 30, 2015 and December 14, 2015. Kazi was declared a proclaimed offender with a reward of Rs 5 lakh, the official said. According to the official, Ali was an associate of Kazi and was in touch with the other accused of JMB through encrypted communication of protected text and other social media apps, as revealed by him during initial questioning. "Incriminating articles like battery, wires, electronic circuit, electronic clocks and watches to be used for the preparation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were seized from their possession," said the official. Vanuatu turns the Corner LETS USE THIS AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE FUTURE New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Congress is expected to announce its candidates for Lok Sabha seats in Delhi by February 20 with names doing the rounds in party circles on all the seven seats though it has not formally closed the door for seat adjustment with the Aam Aadmi Party. The Congress is expectely after the Supreme Court, which is hearing the matter, delivers its verdict. But there has been delay in the case. So the government came out with this move," a senior party official told IANS. Another party leader said it would also ease the pressure on the government which is being continuously built by the VHP and the RSS. "It would pacify the anger of the Hindu community, especially the sadhu-sants. You have seen the VHP has welcomed the move," he said. The government has been under pressure from various saffron outfits which had been demanding an ordinance facilitating the temple construction. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat demanded legislation on it. The government's move came days ahead of the VHP's Dharma Sansad in Prayagraj on the sidelines of Kumbh. "The government was not under pressure due to the RSS or the VHP. In fact it was under pressure from the people. An image was in the making that the Modi government was no different from others and that Ram temple would remain a dream for them. To some extent, the government's move would pacify them for the time being," said a VHP leader. Meanwhile, sources in BJP said the decision would change the public discourse in Uttar Pradesh once the top Court gives its nod to government to give the undisputed land to Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas. "First the alliance between SP and the BSP changed the public discourse followed by appointment of Priyanka Gandhi. But today's master stroke would be above all. If the court gives its judgement alead of the polls, it could be a game changer," said a BJP source. On the last day of the recently concluded Winter session of Parliament, the government passed the Constitution Amendment Bill to provide 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections of the general categories. This move of the government was seen as an attempt to woo the upper caste votes whose ire the BJP faced in Assembly polls of the Hindi heartland of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. "After 10 per cent quota for upper castes, the move on Ram temple would turn things in party's favour. This would send out a good message among the core voters of the BJP who are very emotional about the temple," said a BJP leader said. (Brajendra Nath Singh can be contacted at brajendra.n@ians.in) New Delhi, Jan 29 : In the ongoing investigation into the working of NSEL (National Spot Exchange Limited), the Economic Offences Wing has issued notices to 300 brokers after market regulator SEBI filed an FIR against them, sources told IANS on Tuesday. In the ongoing investigation into the working of NSEL (National Spot Exchange Limited), the Economic Offences Wing has issued notices to 300 brokers after market regulator SEBI filed an FIR against them, sources told IANS on Tuesday. The notices allege that forward contracts on NSEL were illegal. Another authority, SFIO, has recommended similar action against 148 brokers. Illegality was alleged in this case because NSEL was set up to trade in spot transactions and not authorised to allow trading in forward contracts. Spot transactions must be settled within 11 days. The paired contracts issued by NSEL and passed on by brokers to their clients went beyond the prescribed period of 11 days, sources said. If SEBI adjudicates, as it threatens in the notice, it will declare the 300 brokers as not 'fit and proper' and they will be barred from the securities markets. This will have serious repercussions on the capital markets. Uttam Bagri, chairman of the Bombay Stock Exchange Brokers' Forum, said: "Any across-the-board action on hundreds of intermediaries affects the entire financial ecosystem. The masterminds of the scam are attempting to divert regulatory attention by targeting brokers who are the victims themselves." Another senior official at an industry forum said: "If SEBI stops 300 brokers from doing business, it will bring down the business. Millions of retail investors will panic and lose their money, and foreign investors will flee India." While that may be an over-reaction, Wednesday's market hours will be interesting. New Delhi, Jan 29 : Given the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the prospect of promoters regaining control of their insolvent assets, the race for bankrupt Essar Steel may be far from over despite the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) rejecting Ruias' plea on Tuesday. Given the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the prospect of promoters regaining control of their insolvent assets, the race for bankrupt Essar Steel may be far from over despite the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) rejecting Ruias' plea on Tuesday. Last December, the apex court in an order on the insolvency proceedings of Chennai-based Brilliant Alloys ruled that the promoters of the company can withdraw from bankruptcy proceedings in lieu of payment of outstanding dues at any stage of the proceedings. The Chennai bench of NCLT had turned down the promoters' plea citing clause 30A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) that says resolution process cannot be withdrawn after the Committee of Creditors (CoC) has issued invitation for expression of interest. However, the Supreme Court bench of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Navin Sinha, in their order on December 14, said: "According to us, this regulation has to be read along with the main provision Section 12A which contain no such stipulation." Though the order may help Ruias in presenting their case, there is an important caveat. The Section 12A allows withdrawal of bankruptcy proceedings only with the approval of 90 per cent of the CoC. Ruias may remind the CoC that their bid is higher by Rs 12,000 crore. Further, as per the IBC regulations, the withdrawal of insolvency proceedings against a firm has to be sought by the one who initiated it. And, in the case of Essar Steel, the State Bank of India (SBI) had dragged the steelmaker to the bankruptcy court. In another case related to insolvency proceedings of Unimark Remedies, the Mumbai bench of NCLT on December 21 ruled that the CoC cannot refuse a bid even if it comes after the deadline. The petition was filed by Omkara Assets Reconstruction whose bid was rejected. Essar promoters through Essar Steel Asia Holdings had submitted their bid of Rs 54,389 crore to pay off all dues and regain control of Essar Steel after the CoC had approved the Rs 42,202-crore resolution proposal of ArcelorMittal in October last year. Essar Group, in a statement after Ahmedabad bench of NCLT rejected their plea on Tuesday, said: "We continue to believe that our offer of Rs 54,389 crore is the most compelling proposal available to Essar Steel creditors." It said the Group submitted the proposal under the recently introduced Section 12A of the IBC, and the recent judgement of the Supreme Court has established that the section's provisions are applicable retrospectively. "We are awaiting a copy of the full NCLT order and will take a call on next steps after we have thoroughly gone through the contents," it said. New Delhi, Jan 29 : With the Centre moving Supreme Court seeking its nod for giving a part of the 67 acres of the undisputed land to Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas and other original owners, the BJP on Tuesday played another card which may give a new spin to country's political scenario ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. By Brajendra Nath Singh With the Centre moving Supreme Court seeking its nod for giving a part of the 67 acres of the undisputed land to Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas and other original owners, the BJP on Tuesday played another card which may give a new spin to country's political scenario ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Although the BJP maintained that the move was not politically motivated, its leader were of the view that the decision could prove to be a game changer at least in Uttar Pradesh where the SP and the BSP have forged an alliance and the Congress has played its trump card by fielding Priyanka Gandhi as in-charge of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. They feel that the move would set the party's agenda in the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha and would also send out a message that Modi government is serious about its promises. "Modi ji had made it clear that an ordinance to build Ram temple would arise only after the Supreme Court, which is hearing the matter, delivers its verdict. But there has been delay in the case. So the government came out with this move," a senior party official told IANS. Another party leader said it would also ease the pressure on the government which is being continuously built by the VHP and the RSS. "It would pacify the anger of the Hindu community, especially the sadhu-sants. You have seen the VHP has welcomed the move," he said. The government has been under pressure from various saffron outfits which had been demanding an ordinance facilitating the temple construction. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat demanded legislation on it. The government's move came days ahead of the VHP's Dharma Sansad in Prayagraj on the sidelines of Kumbh. "The government was not under pressure due to the RSS or the VHP. In fact it was under pressure from the people. An image was in the making that the Modi government was no different from others and that Ram temple would remain a dream for them. To some extent, the government's move would pacify them for the time being," said a VHP leader. Meanwhile, sources in BJP said the decision would change the public discourse in Uttar Pradesh once the top Court gives its nod to government to give the undisputed land to Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas. "First the alliance between SP and the BSP changed the public discourse followed by appointment of Priyanka Gandhi. But today's master stroke would be above all. If the court gives its judgement alead of the polls, it could be a game changer," said a BJP source. On the last day of the recently concluded Winter session of Parliament, the government passed the Constitution Amendment Bill to provide 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections of the general categories. This move of the government was seen as an attempt to woo the upper caste votes whose ire the BJP faced in Assembly polls of the Hindi heartland of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. "After 10 per cent quota for upper castes, the move on Ram temple would turn things in party's favour. This would send out a good message among the core voters of the BJP who are very emotional about the temple," said a BJP leader said. (Brajendra Nath Singh can be contacted at brajendra.n@ians.in) New Delhi, Jan 29 : Expressing serious concern over violence and arson against people who participated in the BJP President Amit Shah's rally in West Bengal's East Midnapore district on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up the state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asking her to take strict action against the guilty. Expressing serious concern over violence and arson against people who participated in the BJP President Amit Shah's rally in West Bengal's East Midnapore district on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up the state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asking her to take strict action against the guilty. "The Home Minister asked West Bengal CM that those who indulged in violence should be brought to book," Home Minister's official account tweeted. Coming down heavily on the Banerjee government on the refugee crisis, Shah said if elected to power, the BJP will ensure citizenship to all refugees and drive away all the infiltrators from Bengal. Soon after Shah's public rally, in East Midnapore district's Contai area, it was reported that some people attacked the BJP members who participated in the event. Lucknow, Jan 29 : On a day the Union government sought Supreme Court permission to hand over the "undisputed" land in Ayodhya to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, the stakeholders in the temple town reacted with cautious optimism, saying this could be the way out to the long legal tangle. By Mohit Dubey On a day the Union government sought Supreme Court permission to hand over the "undisputed" land in Ayodhya to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, the stakeholders in the temple town reacted with cautious optimism, saying this could be the way out to the long legal tangle. The main litigant from the Muslim side, Iqbal Ansari, said he did not have any objection to the move by the Modi government. "The dispute is about the 2.77-acre land where the Babri mosque once stood," he said. "The land other than this is in possession of the government...there are temples on it, a graveyard, houses...we have no objection whatever is done of the land. But the matter as to where the mosque once stood will be decided by the Supreme Court," Ansari told IANS. He charged the BJP government at the Centre with "playing politics on the issue" as the Lok Sabha elections are around the corner. He said the Union government had in 1993 acquired 67 acres of land. For the land excluding the 2.77 acres, no one had much of a problem. Ansari has on many occasions said that he wanted an amicable, just and peaceful solution to the problem. From the Hindu side, the chief priest of the Ram Lalla, seated in a makeshift temple on the site where Babri mosque was demolished, Acharya Satyendra Das says that while there was no problem from their side in the Union government getting back the remaining land, the Ram temple cannot be built unless the 2.77 acre title suit is settled. Meanwhile Zafaryab Jilani, member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), has said that the apex court had ordered status quo and if the Union government does anything in contravention, he will challenge it in the Supreme Court. Talking to IANS, the convener of Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) said that "so far an application has been moved by the Centre and the court is still to take cognisance. In case it does, we will file an objection". "We will also challenge the government's move as the government cannot take sides on such issues. It can be an agenda of a political party, but not of a government," he said emphatically while adding that by all logical and legal standards, the application has no basis. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, meanwhile, told reporters in Prayagraj that he welcomed the move of the Central government. "I welcome the step. The undisputed land should be given to us for temple construction" he added. Paras Gupta, a grocery show owner in the temple town, though, sounded concerned at the "growing activity" on the Ram temple issue as Lok Sabha polls draw near. He said any peaceful settlement was welcome. "We want peace and kaam-dhandha (work) to run smoothly. The government must keep this in mind while deciding anything on the sensitive issue," he told IANS. (Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in) Contai : , Jan 29 (IANS) A Trinamool Congress party office was vandalised and several buses of BJP workers were set ablaze in a clash between activists of the two parties following the saffron party President Amit Shah's rally in West Bengal's Contai on Tuesday. , Jan 29 (IANS) A Trinamool Congress party office was vandalised and several buses of BJP workers were set ablaze in a clash between activists of the two parties following the saffron party President Amit Shah's rally in West Bengal's Contai on Tuesday. While BJP accused the hooligans backed by Trinamool Congress of attacking their party workers on their way back from Shah's rally, the state ruling party leaders blamed BJP supporters for the vandalism. "When Amit Shah's rally was going on, they (Trinamool supporters) attacked our supporters. They did not even spare women activists. Two of our women activists were pushed into ponds," "They also threw stones at the buses ferrying BJP supporters and torched a number of vehicles. The saddest thing is the entire incident took place in front of police, but they did not take any action," BJP National Secretary Rahul Sinha said. West Bengal Minister and Trinamool leader Subhendu Adhikari, however, refuted the charge and accused the BJP supporters of conducting "pre-planned terror". He claimed that the offenders would have to pay a "heavy price" for their actions. "If they came to attend the rally, why were they carrying sticks, rods and bombs? They planned to conduct vandalism. These people were once with the Left Front, now they have joined BJP. They will have to pay a price for this," Adhikari said. "BJP workers attacked our party offices and this led to retaliation by our workers. If our party office is attacked, are we going to offer sweets?" he said. Earlier in the day, Shah addressed a public rally in the area where he launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee government on several issues, including chit fund scams, and illegal infiltration and urged people to uproot the Trinamool Congress regime. New Delhi, Jan 29 : Following delegation-level talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Chingiz Azamatovich Aidarbekov here on Tuesday, India and Kyrgyzstan agreed to fight terrorism and radicalisation together, besides expanding cooperation in development partnership, among other areas. Following delegation-level talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Chingiz Azamatovich Aidarbekov here on Tuesday, India and Kyrgyzstan agreed to fight terrorism and radicalisation together, besides expanding cooperation in development partnership, among other areas. "Acknowledging the threat posed by terrorism and radicalisation to their societies, the two ministers agreed to work together to fight the scourge of terrorism and cooperate in exchanging experience in the field of deradicalisation," the External Affairs Ministry said in statement issued after the meeting. "Cooperation in the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was reviewed in detail." The SCO is a Eurasian inter-governmental organisation, the creation of which was announced in 2001 in Shanghai by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism. India, along with Pakistan, was granted full membership of the bloc in 2017. According to the Ministry statement, the two ministers also held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. "Noting the close cultural and historical ties between India and Kyrgyzstan and reiterating the importance the two countries attach to their bilateral relationship, the ministers agreed to expand India-Kyrgyz cooperation in a number of areas, particularly in the field of development partnership," it stated. Aidarbekov briefed Sushma Swaraj on Kyrgyzstan's efforts to liberalise its economy, create business friendly conditions and attract foreign investment including that from Indian companies. "Giving an overview of new infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan, including in the fields of railways and hydro-electricity, Foreign Minister Aidarbekov invited India to participate in such projects," the statement said. "Presence of more than 9,000 Indian students in various Kyrgyz educational institutions was noted in the context of the potential to enhance cooperation in the field of education by encouraging collaboration between universities of both countries." Other areas that came up for discussion were defence cooperation, capacity building, training, IT and e-governance, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, tourism, movie production and culture. The two leaders also recalled the first-ever India-Central Asia Dialogue held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan at the level of foreign ministers earlier this month and discussed the importance of this initiative in creating a platform for region-wide cooperation which would bring benefits to all the participating countries in terms of enhanced trade and economic cooperation and connectivity. Commercial ties between the two countries have been modest with bilateral trade heavily in India's favour. According to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry, the India-Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade stood at $24.98 million in 2016-17. India's exports to Kyrgyzstan was $22.66 million, whereas Kyrgyz exports to India was $2.32 million. As the SCO Chair this year, Aidarbekov, during the meeting, also reiterated the invitation extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SCO Summit to be held in Kyrgyzstan. Aidarbekov arrived here on Sunday an a five-day visit to India. He called on Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and held a meeting with Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla, besides addressing an India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum. New Delhi, Jan 29 : To celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan, an exhibition of rare thangka paintings, sculptures and photographs associated with Guru Padmasambhava, an iconic Buddhist figure, opened here on Tuesday. To celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan, an exhibition of rare thangka paintings, sculptures and photographs associated with Guru Padmasambhava, an iconic Buddhist figure, opened here on Tuesday. The exhibition that celebrates his life and legacy, brings to visitors traditional art created in the Himalayan regions, focussing on the sage, who was born to the royal family of Uddiyana in Swat (in present-day Pakistan) in the 8th century. Many exhibits of visual depictions of the leader's 'eight manifestations', which come from various artists in India, Bhutan and Nepal, are a testimony of the iconography that he still inspires. Photographs of monasteries related to him -- Lo Gekar (Nepal), Taktsang (Bhutan), and Hemis (Ladakh) -- also feature in the show, including an image of his footprint on a rock in Sikkim's Chungthang. The carefully-curated show displays rare thangkas, paintings, sculptures and photographs contributed by the ruler of Bhutan, Tsurphu Labrang, Office of H.H. Gyalwang Karmapa (Dharamshala), Palpung Sherabling Monastic seat of H.E. 12th Tai Situ Rinpoche, Delhi's Tibet House, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (Dharamshala), Deb Mukharji and Tashi Lhendup. Credited with having spread Buddha's message to the Himalayan belt -- Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, and Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet -- the Buddhist leader left his imprint in these regions as monuments, relics and folklore associated with his spiritual and religious activities. "India and Bhutan have had a relationship at least from the 8th century, when Guru Padmasambhava travelled to Bhutan. This 50-year bubble of diplomatic relations must be seen in the larger context of these 12 centuries which bind us together," Arun Kapur, the director of one of the organisers of Centre for Escalation of Peace, told IANS. The exhibition of rare artefacts is accompanying a two-day conference on the sage's life and legacy, often called 'Second Buddha', and brought together distinguished scholars from India, Nepal and Bhutan, who traced the contemporary relevance of his teachings and a rich, diverse tradition associated with the 8th century Rinpoche. Calling him a 'timeless guru', President of Centre for Bhutan Studies Dasho Karma Ura highlighted the inclusive and cosmopolitan approach the revered figure had towards his disciples, who came from all racial backgrounds and ethnicities. Conference sessions range from local contexts associated with Guru Padmasambhava, texts and commentaries, ritual practices, mandalas and iconography central to Vajrayana Buddhism. The conference concludes Wednesday, and the exhibition on February 3. New Delhi, Jan 29 : As part of its farmers' outreach plan, the Delhi government is exploring the possibility, and will seek public opinion, about implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) or giving primary support to the farmers based on the Telangana model 'Rythu Bandhu'. As part of its farmers' outreach plan, the Delhi government is exploring the possibility, and will seek public opinion, about implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) or giving primary support to the farmers based on the Telangana model 'Rythu Bandhu'. "The government will hold two farmers' conclaves next month and will seek the farmers' opinion whether the government should implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report, proposed in 2006, or should opt for the primary support to the farmers based on the Telangana model Rythu Bandhu," Delhi Development Minister Gopal Rai told media after a conference on the implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report on Farmers' Welfare in Delhi. The Rythu Bandhu scheme is a welfare programme of the Telangana government to support farmer's investment for two crops under which the state government provides Rs 4,000 per acre per season twice a year. Apart from holding the farmers' conclave, the government will also seek public opinion in order to devise and implement the modalities of the proposed MSP and streamline the consultations (on Rythu Bandhu) through online and print advertisements. Rai said there will be a conclave in Narela on February 5 and in Najafgarh on February 7. "The government will gather the public opinion by February 10." Apart from this, the government will also constitute a committee of various stakeholders. "Based on the public suggestion and the report of the committee, a comprehensive report will be prepared and submitted to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," Rai added. Last month, the government had formed an expert committee comprising a senior scientist from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), farmers' representatives and officers of the agriculture department for drafting the Agricultural Policy for Delhi. The committee has deliberated upon various issues pertaining to agriculture in Delhi. "One of the important issues before the Committee was to give recommendations on separate Minimum Support Price (MSP), 50 per cent more than the weighted cost of production taking into the consideration the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report on farmers as well as the unique circumstances of Delhi," Rai said. Based on the recommendations of the committee, the government re-calculated the cost of production of wheat at Rs 1,744 per quintal and paddy Rs 1,778 per quintal. "The proposed MSP with 50 per cent margin at the cost of production, is Rs 2,616 per quintal and Rs 2,667 quintal for wheat and paddy respectively. The proposed MSP structure is higher than the Government of India MSP by Rs 776 per quintal for wheat and Rs 897 per quintal for paddy. It is likely to incur an additional liability of Rs 96.38 crore, if implemented. There will be a separate mechanism for vegetable growers in Delhi," Rai added. Until more permanent signs are in place, copy paper is taped to doorways to indicate what rooms will be used for. Beside typical office spaces IT department, telephone closet and conference room, for instance theres a room for mothers who are breastfeeding. New Delhi, Jan 29 : Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, an apostle of India's Independence struggle, through an artist's brushstrokes is a unique artistic expression, Lalit Kala Akademi Chairman Uttam Pacharne said on the sidelines of the opening of a show on Gandhi on Tuesday. 'Mahatma Gandhi and World Peace', an exhibition of 75 artworks on the Father of the Nation, reimagines Gandhi in an artist's world. It opened on Tuesday at the Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) here. Image Source: IANS On of the pictures exhibited at 'Mahatma Gandhi and World Peace', an exhibition of 75 artworks on the Father of the Nation in New Delhi. The show, organised in association with Mumbai's Sir J.J. School of Art, commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi and highlights his principles of non-violence and peace, through artworks by 75 artists. "Gandhi was in the forefront of India's struggle for Independence. Remembering him through colours and brushstrokes is a unique expression in itself. Our artists have imagined his Dandi march, his continued fight against the colonisers, and other events from his life," Pacharne told IANS. Image Source: IANS Art on 'Gandhi and world peace' displays unique artistic expression He added that renowned sculptor and 93-year-old designer behind Gujarat's Statue of Unity, Ram V. Sutar, has sculpted statues of Gandhi that find space in major institutions of India, including an iconic one in the Parliament House premises here. Image Source: IANS Visitors at 'Mahatma Gandhi and World Peace', an exhibition of 75 artworks on the Father of the Nation in New Delhi. During the opening, Sutar was felicitated for his works celebrating Gandhi. "I've always been inspired by Gandhiji's principles. In 1948, I got my first chance to sculpt his statue. After that, I made many statues of him," the sculptor said. Image Source: IANS Union MoS Culture Mahesh Sharma visits 'Mahatma Gandhi and World Peace', an exhibition of 75 artworks on the Father of the Nation in New Delhi. The exhibition, inaugurated by Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, will continue till February 12. -- With inputs from IANS New Delhi, Jan 29 : Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, during his visit to India in November last year, was seen showing off a tattoo on his left hand to Congress President Rahul Gandhi as he discussed with him some of the steps being taken to sanitise his platform in the country. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, during his visit to India in November last year, was seen showing off a tattoo on his left hand to Congress President Rahul Gandhi as he discussed with him some of the steps being taken to sanitise his platform in the country. Despite the bonhomie and some great snaps during the India visit, the ground reality is that there is no India head at Twitter for a couple of months now as the country faces general election, amid the growing debate over the spread of misinformation, hate, abuse and fake news on various social media platforms, including Twitter. After Taranjeet Singh, who was elevated as Twitter's Country Director for India in May 2017, quit the company in September last year, the micro-blogging platform which has over 30 million users in India (according to statista.com), has remained headless. This at a time when the Indian government has formulated new IT guidelines where social media platforms have to remove within 24 hours any unlawful content that can affect the "sovereignty and integrity of India". The new rules are open for public comment till January 31. Is the top job at Twitter India full of unforeseen challenges for traditional CEOs who are unable to work their way around the changed dynamics of social media in the digital age? "Only native, home-grown young CEOs in their 30s-40s will work as social media heads as only they can understand the changed preferences of the young and the millennial users," Thomas George, Senior Vice President and Head-CyberMedia Research & Services Ltd. (CMR), told IANS. In the last few months, Twitter India has seen several key exits. Twitter's Senior Director for Business Development for the Asia Pacific region Arvinder Gujral was moved to Singapore and Anupam Dikhit, Twitter's Industry Head in India, was also transferred to Singapor, amid others. "Social media platforms need young, dynamic home-grown leadership to handle the new-age pressures," George added. Even as the Twitter CEO was busy meeting top leaders during his India visit, the government pulled up the social network for being "slow" in removing "objectionable content" from its platform. Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, in his meeting with two top Twitter executives - Vijaya Gadde, Global Head of Legal, Policy, Trust and Safety, and Mahima Kaul, Public Policy head in India - asked them "to ensure a 24A7 mechanism for prompt disposal of requisitions of law enforcement agencies for deletion of unlawful/ objectionable content from their platform". According to Dorsey, he came to India to find out where the gaps are. "One of the reasons why I'm here in the first place is to understand how to do that and understand where the gaps are," Dorsey had told IANS in an interview. "India remains a top priority market for us and we're making sure we understand how people use it here so that we can make it better," said the 42-year-old who is yet to finalise an India head. (This story is a copyright of IANS) Ahmedabad, Jan 29 : Former Gujarat chief minister and rebel Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela formally joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday in the presence of NCP's national president Sharad Pawar. Former Gujarat chief minister and rebel Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela formally joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday in the presence of NCP's national president Sharad Pawar. Welcoming Vaghela, Sharad Pawar said, "For two months we were in talks and finally Vaghela as decided to join our party. We want his experience and his strong public support in forming a non-BJP government at the Centre." "I have requested him to not only lead our party in Gujarat but also bear the responsibility of the national general secretary of NCP, which he has accepted. He will be instrumental in better coordination for joining anti-BJP parties," said Pawar. Vaghela said "Today the country is living in a constant fear. The constitutional institutions such as the Parliament, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, RBI, ECI, CBI, CVC, CAG are being gagged. I felt that it is not good to remain inactive in such times. "Today the people are angry with the present government, and I see a UPA-III type of anti-BJP government at the Centre. The present government is corrupt. The person claiming to have a 56-inch chest tells so many lies. To save democracy I have decided to join the NCP." Vaghela was expelled from the Congress in 2017 after he engineered a defection of party MLAs in an attempt to defeat veteran leader Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha elections. An active RSS member, Vaghela had joined Jana Sangh in 1969 which later became the Janata Party and then transformed into the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP. Vaghela severed his ties with the BJP in 1996 and formed the Rashtriya Janata Party (RJP) and formed the government in Gujarat and served as the 12th Gujarat Chief Minister for some time with Congress support. He served as the state Congress president in 2002 and leader of Opposition in the state assembly till 2017. Vaghela was the Union Textiles Minister during the UPA-I government. London, Jan 29 : The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has warned Facebook over its planned integration of its chat services -- WhatsApp, Messenger and photo-sharing app Instagram, asking the social media giant to provide it with an "urgent briefing" on the proposals. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has warned Facebook over its planned integration of its chat services -- WhatsApp, Messenger and photo-sharing app Instagram, asking the social media giant to provide it with an "urgent briefing" on the proposals. In a statement, the Dublin-headquartered Irish watchdog said it understood the plan was at a "very early conceptual stage". "While we understand that Facebook's proposal to integrate the Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram platforms is at a very early conceptual stage of development, the Irish DPC has asked Facebook Ireland for an urgent briefing on what is being proposed," the watchdog said in a statement late on Monday. "The Irish DPC will be very closely scrutinising Facebook's plans as they develop, particularly insofar as they involve the sharing and merging of personal data between different Facebook companies," it added. The New York Times reported on January 25 that all of the three Facebook apps will support end-to-end encryption but the company was yet to provide a timeline for when this will happen. Messenger and Instagram would continue to operate as stand-alone apps. According to the Irish watchdog, "previous proposals to share data between Facebook companies have given rise to significant data protection concerns and the Irish DPC will be seeking early assurances that all such concerns will be fully taken into account by Facebook in further developing this proposal". "It must be emphasised that ultimately the proposed integration can only occur in the EU if it is capable of meeting all of the requirements of the GDPR," the statement read. The move could let the social networking giant tout higher user engagement to advertisers, thus, ramping up its advertising division at a time when overall growth has slowed down. Facebook has the most users of any other social media platform, and by combining its assets this way, the company could more directly compete with Apple's iMessage and Google's messaging services, according to The Verge. WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption -- the hallmark of users' security -- may also go for a toss if Facebook integrates the popular mobile messaging platform with not-that-secure Instagram and Messenger. Ahmedabad, Jan 29 : The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Ahmedabad bench, on Tuesday rejected the Essar promoters plea to repay their debt and withdraw Essar Steel from the insolvency proceedings, giving advantage to ArcelorMittal in the race. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Ahmedabad bench, on Tuesday rejected the Essar promoters plea to repay their debt and withdraw Essar Steel from the insolvency proceedings, giving advantage to ArcelorMittal in the race. Within days of the Supreme Court ruling on Section 12A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) clarifying that promoters can take back control of their insolvent company with the approval of 90 per cent creditors' vote share, the tables have turned for Essar promoters. The two-member Ahmedabad bench, which on January 7 had reserved its judgement on the maintainability of Essar's arm Essar Steel Asia Holdings Ltd (ESAH) seeking withdrawal from the resolution process, gave its verdict on Tuesday rejecting the promoter's plea. The NCLT also said that there is no illegality in the decision taken by the Committee of Creditors (CoC) on selecting ArcelorMittal. The bench said only the applicant who had initiated the insolvency proceedings can seek a withdrawal. The State Bank of India and Standard Chartered Bank had moved the bankruptcy court against Essar Steel. ESAH had offered to pay Rs 54,389 crore for settlement to retain its control of the company after ArcelorMittal's proposal of Rs 42,202 crore was approved by the CoC. Now, the NCLT will decide on the resolution plan of ArcelorMittal on January 31. "We welcome today's ruling by the NCLT which protects the integrity of the IBC and ensures its legitimacy as a rules based law. This is a positive development for both Essar Steel India and the country more broadly. We hope now for a swift resolution to this case," ArcelorMittal said in a statement. While this may finally close the insolvency proceedings in favour of ArcelorMittal, the Essar Group maintains that their offer is better as it can pay all the creditors and that the objective of the IBC is value maximisation. "We continue to believe that our offer of Rs 54,389 crore is the most compelling proposal available to Essar Steel creditors. It seeks to repay all classes of creditors and fulfils the IBC's overriding objective of value maximisation that has been established time and again by courts at all levels. "We submitted the proposal under the recently introduced Section 12A of the IBC and the recent judgement of the Supreme Court has established that the section's provisions are applicable retrospectively," Essar Group said in a statement hinting at the recent Supreme Court clarification allowing promoters to withdraw from the insolvency process at any stage. "We are awaiting a copy of the full NCLT order, and will take a call on next steps after we have thoroughly gone through the contents," Essar said. It is likely that the Ruias will now approach NCLAT or even move the Supreme Court against the NCLT's order rejecting their plea. Moscow, Jan 29 : Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday accused the US and its allies of actively attempting to topple the Venezuelan government through what they described as illegal economic sanctions. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday accused the US and its allies of actively attempting to topple the Venezuelan government through what they described as illegal economic sanctions. Lavrov's criticism came amid a deepening political crisis in the South American country, where a self-proclaimed interim President, opposition leader Juan Guaido, has been endorsed by the US and a slew of other countries in the region, further embattling the incumbent President, NicolAs Maduro, who retains Russia's backing. Maduro has so far resisted international pressure to slate fresh elections to solve the crisis. "The US and its closest allies are creating the most serious obstacles to the possibility of international assistance in resolving the crisis in Venezuela," Lavrov told a Moscow press conference. He said Russia would do everything in its power to back what he described as Maduro's legitimate authorities. Russia's top diplomat denounced sanctions that the US on Monday levelled against Petroleum of Venezuela, the state-owned oil and natural gas company, insisting such actions would simply aggravate the socio-economic crisis that engulfed the Latin American nation. Moscow has long been an economic ally of Maduro's government and has issued several loans to the crisis-riddled country. However, Russia's Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak told the state media that Caracas could have issues paying back its debt owed to Moscow in the future. He said Venezuela had a debt of around $3 billion, which it was to repay in twice-yearly instalments worth around $100 million. Venezuela, an oil-rich country that has been hammered by lower global oil prices and economic sanctions imposed by the US, has been in recession for nearly all of Maduro's time in office. He took over after his predecessor Hugo Chavez's death in 2013. The UN also addressed the crisis on Tuesday, urging the international community to contribute towards the organization's 2019 Children's Fund which had earmarked $70 million for Venezuelan children affected by the deep economic and political crises. Guaido declared himself interim President on January 23 and quickly gained the support of US President Donald Trump. The EU has also ramped up its pressure on Maduro to call transparent elections or face fresh consequences, such as the possibility that Brussels, too, would recognize Guaido's claim. According to the UN, at least 40 people died and 850 others were arrested amid mass protests against Maduro. Kolkata, Jan 29 : Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb on Tuesday termed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a "seasoned scamster" and claimed people of the state will give her a befitting reply in the coming general election. Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb on Tuesday termed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a "seasoned scamster" and claimed people of the state will give her a befitting reply in the coming general election. "You (Banerjee) have done more scams than the number of jobs you have provided in Bengal. If people's experience in such scams can be measured, you will be right on top of the list. I do not want such experience. I am a new leader. I am trying run the government in a new manner with the help of people," Deb said while addressing a BJP rally in West Bengal's Hoogly district. "Bengal is not scared of violence. They drove away the British rulers who ruled India for 200 years, Didi is ruling here for just seven years. They will give her a befitting reply in the 2019 polls," he said. Flaying Banerjee's government for violence and deaths during the Bengal rural polls last year, Deb, also BJP's Tripura President, claimed that not a single political murder took place in Tripura in the last 10 months under his government. "As many as 70 political activists were killed during the rural body election in Bengal. There have also been rural body elections in Tripura, but not a single activist from the opposition was attacked," he said. "There has not been a single political murder in Tripura in the last 10 months. If Didi (Banerjee) can prove otherwise, I will resign from the post of the Chief Minister," he said. "My government is barely 10 months old, yet I am able to provide 10 per cent reservation for women in the home department in Tripura. What have you done for the women of your state?" he asked. Deb also termed Banerjee's government to be a "xerox copy" of the erstwhile communist party government in Bengal and said people of the state will throw away the photocopied government and welcome the BJP's government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. London, Jan 29 : UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said that she will talk to the EU about reopening negotiations on the withdrawal agreement in an attempt to resolve the Northern Ireland backstop issue. UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday said that she will talk to the EU about reopening negotiations on the withdrawal agreement in an attempt to resolve the Northern Ireland backstop issue. May was expected to have phone calls with key EU leaders throughout the day ahead of a series of House of Commons votes over the future direction of Brexit, the BBC reported. The EU had earlier ruled out making changes to the legal text agreed with the Prime Minister. She will open Tuesday's debate in the Commons by setting out the government's backing for an amendment tabled by senior Tory backbencher Graham Brady, which seeks to replace the Irish backstop with "alternative arrangements". Downing Street had earlier said that reopening the withdrawal agreement was unacceptable to the EU and risked other governments trying to push for fresh concessions on other issues. But May's official spokesman said she told her Cabinet that "in order to win the support of the House of Commons, legal changes to the controversial Irish backstop will be required. That will mean reopening the withdrawal agreement". Senior Brexiteer rebels -- who voted down her deal last month -- indicated they would be willing to back it if she got legal changes to the backstop. The Irish backstop, a measure created to ensure there is no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland (a UK territory) and the Republic of Ireland (an EU member state) if future talks between London and Brussels collapse, has proved a sticking point in May's bid to pass her withdrawal agreement. Critics say the backstop would keep the UK tied to EU rules indefinitely and curb its ability to strike trade deals. Conservative MPs have demanded changes to the backstop to make it clear that it could not last forever and Britain could terminate the arrangement on its own. The Democratic Unionist Party, a Northern Irish outfit that props up May's minority government in the Commons, has threatened to block her plan if triggering the backstop meant keeping Northern Ireland in regulatory alignment with Dublin, and thus the EU, but not the UK. May's spokesman said that she told ministers that the amendment "sets out in no uncertain terms our continued commitment to arrangements which avoid a hard border", and "gives us scope for a new discussion with the EU about how best we achieve that". She was expected to tell MPs that the government hoped to bring back a deal to Parliament to secure the support of MPs in another "meaningful vote", as soon as possible. But if no deal has been reached by February 13, the spokesman said May would table a statement setting out what the government plans to do next -- which MPs will be able to amend, giving them another opportunity to reject a no-deal Brexit. Istanbul, Jan 29 : A UN human rights expert who is investigating the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Tuesday that her team was waiting for permission to enter the kingdom's consulate building in Istanbul. A UN human rights expert who is investigating the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Tuesday that her team was waiting for permission to enter the kingdom's consulate building in Istanbul. Agnes Callamard, accompanied by British lawyer Helena Kennedy and forensic professor Duarte Nuno Vieira from the University of Coimbra, arrived in Ankara on Monday, where she met Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul. Speaking outside the Saudi consulate building, Callamard told reporters the UN team's request to enter the consulate came late and Saudi authorities needed more time to process it, Efe news reported. Callamard's week-long visit came almost four months after Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a supporter-turned-critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, where he had gone to pick up paperwork he needed for his marriage. According to a UN statement released last week, Callamard was set to "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 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," Callamard said, according to the UN statement. Khashoggi's killing sparked an outcry from the international community, drawing condemnation from organizations and world leaders. The Turkish government had slammed the Saudi authorities for the slow pace of investigations and on several occasions called for an international probe into the case. Last week, Cavusoglu said it was time to open a UN-led investigation, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had ordered the relevant preparations. The expert was expected to present the team's findings at a session of the UN Human Rights Council in June. Saudi officials initially denied Khashoggi's death at the consulate but later acknowledged he had been killed when a fight broke out. The kingdom had said Khashoggi was killed in a "rogue operation" and put 11 defendants, all Saudi nationals, on trial earlier in the month. Saudi prosecutors said they were seeking the death penalty for five of the suspects. New Delhi, Jan 29 : Housing finance company DHFL on Tuesday rejected allegations of siphoning off Rs 31,000 crore of public money as "mischievous misadventure" done with mala fide intent and said it had met all its obligations to the lenders and paid them back over Rs 17,000 crore in the last three months. Housing finance company DHFL on Tuesday rejected allegations of siphoning off Rs 31,000 crore of public money as "mischievous misadventure" done with mala fide intent and said it had met all its obligations to the lenders and paid them back over Rs 17,000 crore in the last three months. The company issued a statement soon after a press conference by the Cobrapost website claimed that primary promoters of Dewan Housing Finance Corp Ltd (DHFL) siphoned off over Rs 31,000 crore of public money through loans and advances to shell companies and other means to create private wealth for themselves. The DHFL statement said that all loans are disbursed by the housing finance company in accordance with industry's best practices and in compliance with all regulatory norms. It said that the company's financial statements are submitted to the stock exchanges and are in public domain. "DHFL and its group companies are confident of meeting any scrutiny on any aspect of our operations and will pursue these frivolous allegations to its logical conclusion," it said. Calling it the "biggest banking scam in Indian history", Cobrapost editor Aniruddha Bahal alleged that by lending to shell companies without due diligence, DHFL had ensured that the recovery of such dubious loans was impossible. The company responded that the press conference appeared to be a "mischievous misadventure by Cobrapost with a mala fide intent to cause damage to the goodwill and reputation of DHFL and resulting in erosion in shareholder value". It said the news website contacted the company only on Tuesday morning, despite announcing its press conference last Friday, seeking answers to 64 questions "laced with political innuendos". "One would have expected as a responsible media house Cobrapost would have asked these questions during their investigations and not on the day of the press conference. Their entire approach raises serious concerns about the motivation of this so-called expose. It is necessary in public interest that if they believed in the genuineness of their issues to have given DHFL an opportunity to explain the facts that are in any case available in the public domain," DHFL said in a statement. It said the company had assets worth over Rs 111,000 crore and that despite the recent liquidity regime, it had met all its obligations to the lenders and had paid back to them in excess of Rs 17,000 crore in the last three months. "DHFL has a strong corporate governance regime and has received AAA credit rating from leading credit agencies. The company is fully tax-compliant and its books are audited by global auditors," it said. DHFL alleged that the real intent of the exercise was to destabilise the company and the market equilibrium "besides hampering our meeting the ongoing obligations". "We are also concerned about the timing and the holding of the press conference before the stock market close and days before the interim budget," it said. Two Coastal Protection Act bills introduced this year in the House and Senate would have used the revenue to help localities such as Hampton Roads mitigate the impacts of recurrent flooding, support energy efficiency programs and help revitalize communities in southwest Virginia that are harmed by the decline in fossil fuel production. New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday frowned at the way appointments to the information commissions, both at the Centre and in states, were being made only from the serving or retired bureaucrats, overlooking the mandate of the Right to Information Act which says eminent people from diverse fields should be appointed to such posts. The Supreme Court on Tuesday frowned at the way appointments to the information commissions, both at the Centre and in states, were being made only from the serving or retired bureaucrats, overlooking the mandate of the Right to Information Act which says eminent people from diverse fields should be appointed to such posts. "Out of these 14 names apart from bureaucrats, is there any one from other fields?" asked Justice A.K. Sikri, who along with Justice S. Abdul Nazeer, reserved orders on a PIL seeking transparent and a criteria-based appointment of information commissioners, both at the Centre and in states. "You don't find any person from other category under the Right to Information Act?" Justice Sikri asked. Taking a dig at making the appointment of information commissioners an all-bureaucrat affair, Justice Sikri said of the 14 names, one is a retired judge while the rest are bureaucrats. When Additional Solicitor General Pinki Anand pointed to former high commissioner too on the list, Justice Sikri said in a way he too comes in the category of former serving government officials. Noting that to "some extent what the petitioner is saying is correct", Justice Sikri said that it is the "psyche" that bureaucrats are the people who alone can work as information commissioners. As ASG Anand referred to the search committee that had shortlisted the names, Justice Sikri said, it too was packed with bureaucrats. Appearing for the petitioner Anjali Bhardwaj, advocate Pranab Sachdeva told the court that the focus should be on criteria-based transparent process. New Delhi, Jan 29 : Ruling out an alliance with the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Tuesday that it will decide the final list of candidates for Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats in the first week of February after reviewing the performance of those named in charge of the seats. Ruling out an alliance with the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said on Tuesday that it will decide the final list of candidates for Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats in the first week of February after reviewing the performance of those named in charge of the seats. "The party will announce its candidates for all the seven seats in Delhi in the first week of next month," senior party leader Gopal Rai, a Minister in the Arvind Kejriwal government, told IANS. In June last year, the AAP had appointed five Lok Sabha in-charges for the parliamentary constituencies of Delhi: Pankaj Gupta (Chandni Chowk), Dilip Kumar Pandey (North East Delhi), Raghav Chadhha (South Delhi), Atishi (East Delhi) and Guggan Singh Ranga (North West Delhi). There was speculation that the party had left the remaining two seats for Congress so that they contest the Lok Sabha polls as allies. In October, the AAP announced its in-chage for the New Delhi and West Delhi seats. Brijesh Goyal was named in New Delhi and Rajpal Solanki in West Delhi. Later, Solanki withdrew due to poor health. All the six in-charges are being considered as potential candidates. For West Delhi, Rai said the party was working on possible candidates. "There are a few people we are considering." Rai ruled out any possibility of any alliance with the Congress. Although not official till now, AAP chief Kejriwal and others have addressed the in-charges as candidates and sought votes for them. In December, Kejriwal sought votes for the South Delhi Lok Sabha seat in-charge Chadha even as the party had not announced him as the official candidate. Similarly, last week, party leader Satyendar Jain, during the inauguration of a three-lane flyover in Mayur Vihar, had asked people to vote for Atishi to make her an MP from East Delhi for development in the area. Speaking about the campaign, Rai said the door-to-door campaign of the party was on and the party will take the next step after the campaign got over. After sweeping the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, the AAP wants to bag the city's all seven Lok Sabha seats too. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won all the seven seats but the AAP came second everywhere, stunning the Congress. Shimla, Jan 29 : Congress leader and six-time former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was diagnosed positive for swine flu, has been discharged, doctors said on Tuesday. Congress leader and six-time former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was diagnosed positive for swine flu, has been discharged, doctors said on Tuesday. "Virbhadra Singh was discharged today (Tuesday) after recovering from swine flu," Janak Raj, Medical Superintendent with the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla, told reporters. He was hospitalised on Sunday with congestion and breathing trouble. Late Monday, he was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. Forty-four people have so far tested positive for swine flu in the state. Eighteen patients were reported in Kangra district, followed by 12 in Shimla. Nine lost their lives due to the virus, officials said. New Delhi, Jan 29 : The AAP government on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that the national capital is facing scarcity of clean water due to Haryana which is obstructing the flow of Yamuna river. The AAP government on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that the national capital is facing scarcity of clean water due to Haryana which is obstructing the flow of Yamuna river. Delhi Jal Board (DJB) counsel Dayan Krishnan and advocate Sumeet Pushkarna told a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V. Kameswar Rao that the water meant for the city was polluted. Delhi was not getting clean water because Haryana was not allowing clean water to flow into the Yamuna. The bench asked Haryana and its water department Principal Secretary to file a reply on the matter, listing the matter for further hearing on February 5. DJB told the court that if urgent steps were not taken on the issue, then the water supply in Central Delhi -- home to VIPs -- will face adverse affect. DJB has also requested the court to direct Haryana to remove the obstructions put on the DD-8 channel, which carries clean water from the Delhi Sub Branch Canal (DSBC) and the Munak canal into the Yamuna. It has also sought direction to control the pollutants discharged into the river from factories there. The court was hearing a plea, filed by advocate S.B. Tripathi, who has sought direction for the DJB to provide 100 per cent sewage facility in the entire city and the Central government to provide financial assistance to the DJB for the work. The plea said that in 2016, the DJB had told the court that only 55 per cent of the Delhi population was covered with sewage facility and there was no sewage facility available to the remaining 45 per cent. Tripathi has said as 330 cusecs of water was supplied by Haryana through a "kutcha" canal, 50 per cent of water was being lost due to seepage and Delhi got only about 170-180 cusec water per day. Beijing, Jan 29 : Expanding surveillance and government interference in reporting along with harassment led to a deterioration in 2018 of the work environment of foreign journalists in China, a survey revealed on Tuesday. Expanding surveillance and government interference in reporting along with harassment led to a deterioration in 2018 of the work environment of foreign journalists in China, a survey revealed on Tuesday. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) published the report titled "Under Watch: Reporting in China's Surveillance State" about the experiences of foreign journalists in China last year in which the "results painted the darkest picture of reporting conditions inside China in recent memory", Efe news reported. In the survey, 55 per cent of journalists said that reporting conditions worsened in 2018 -- the highest figure since 2011 -- and not a single journalist believed that the conditions improved in the last year. Surveillance was also one of the major concerns as 48 per cent of the respondents reported being followed or their hotel room being entered without permission while in the field. Moreover, 91 per cent were worried about the security of their phones and 22 per cent said that they were aware of being tracked by the authorities "using public surveillance systems". "The wider monitoring and pressure on sources stop journalists even before they can reach the news site," said FCCC President Hanna Sahlberg. Asked to comment on the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang called these "groundless accusations" and added that the report did not represent the views of the foreign correspondents in China. Geng said that foreign correspondents could contact the ministry any time if they face any problems or difficulties in the country. "This interaction would be better than issuing such kind of report full of attacks," said Geng. In Xinjiang region, where nearly 1 million Muslims were detained in "re-education" camps, 24 out of 27 journalists said they had experienced "interference", with 19 of them forced to delete data. Six journalists had visa renewal difficulties while BuzzFeed News bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan's visa was not extended and Australian Broadcasting Corporation correspondent Matthew Carney received one for just two-and-a-half months, forcing him to leave the country. Both had worked in Xinjiang. "There is a risk that even foreign media will shy away from stories that are perceived as too troublesome, or costly, to tell in China. These trends run contrary to the FCCC's hopes for real openness for foreign media to be able to cover China," said the association President Sahlberg. The report added that pressure on Chinese national news assistants and sources intensified in 2018. Of the respondents, 37 per cent said their Chinese colleagues were pressured, harassed or intimidated, while 34 per cent said sources had been harassed, detained or called in for questioning. Yangon, Jan 29 : The head of the UN children's fund on Tuesday visited Myanmar's volatile Rakhine state, a day after she urged the authorities to implement the recommendations of the panel headed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resolve Rohingya crisis. The head of the UN children's fund on Tuesday visited Myanmar's volatile Rakhine state, a day after she urged the authorities to implement the recommendations of the panel headed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resolve Rohingya crisis. Henrietta Fore, the Unicef Executive Director, became the first head of the UN children's fund to visit Myanmar in over 30 years. She visited a camp for displaced persons in Sittwe, Rakhine's capital, Efe news reported. Fore said the suggestions published in 2017 by the Annan-led commission would create the conditions for the safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Bangladesh. "We urge that the necessary steps are taken to enable their safe, voluntary and dignified return to their homes, where their rights are respected and they can once again live peaceably with their neighbours," Fore said in an address at an event in Naypyidaw on the eve of her visit to Rakhine. Some 732,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since August 2017 to escape a military crackdown, which the UN has denounced as "deliberate genocide" and "textbook ethnic cleansing". The Unicef head said thousands of children in Bangladeshi territory were living a "precarious and almost hopeless existence". The Annan-chaired advisory commission was set up in 2016 at the request of Myanmar's State Counsellor and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to seek solutions to the sectarian violence in Rakhine. The commission handed over its recommendations in August 2017, a day before an attack by Rohingya insurgents, to which the Myanmar Army responded with an offensive. Among the 88 recommendations made by Annan was the granting of citizenship to Rohingyas and allowing them freedom of movement which has not yet happened. "It means ensuring humanitarian access in all parts of the country, to provide vital life-saving assistance to every child -- health care, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and education... not only as a matter of their rights, but as a necessary pathway to a more peaceful and stable Myanmar," Fore said. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingyas as one of the nation's ethnic groups but considers them to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, subjecting them to various kinds of discrimination, including restrictions on freedom of movement. Mogadishu, Jan 29 : At least three people were killed and five others were injured when a car bomb exploded in the heart of Somalia's restive capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, the police said. At least three people were killed and five others were injured when a car bomb exploded in the heart of Somalia's restive capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, the police said. The vehicle had been stopped by officials at a security checkpoint near the historic centre of Mogadishu and the City Hall, police agent Mohamed Nur Ali, who was in the area, told Efe news, adding that he suspected the explosion did not occur at its intended destination. Members of the emergency services were working at the site of the explosion, which the police had cordoned off. Mogadishu is frequently hit by attacks claimed by the Somali militant group Al-Shabab, which seeks to establish an Islamic state in the country, located on the Horn of Africa. Somalia suffered its worst attack in 2017 when a powerful truck bomb ripped through a crossroads outside a hotel, killing over 550 people. Somalia has been in a state of war and chaos since 1991, when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled. Earlier in the month, the Somali government expelled the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, who according to a UN statement, "was accused by the Somali government of interfering in its internal affairs, by questioning the detention of an opposition candidate for state-wide office, who had been a leader in the extremist Al-Shabaab group, before defecting". Kochi, Jan 29 : In what's seen as the launch of the Congress-led UDF's election campaign in Kerala to the Lok Sabha polls, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed both the BJP and the CPI-M for dividing the people. In what's seen as the launch of the Congress-led UDF's election campaign in Kerala to the Lok Sabha polls, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed both the BJP and the CPI-M for dividing the people. Gandhi said this to over 50,000 activists, including 25,000 women, from booth committees of his party. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wasted five years of India's time by telling one lie after another. He said two crore jobs would be created every year but what happened was that 15 of his close business friends got a maximum income guarantee when thousands of youths got nothing," said Gandhi. He told the gathering that the first thing a Congress-led government would do after the Lok Sabha polls would be to pass the Women's Reservation Bill. "Like we wrote off farm loans in the three states that we just won, we will do it for the entire country. We will make up for the lapses of the Modi government by providing for low cost high quality education, improving livelihood by creating a minimum income guarantee scheme that will be credited directly to the bank account of every poor person beside improving the health and education sectors," added Gandhi. He said that Modi had destroyed not just several institutions but also even the judiciary and had come up with a fundamentally flawed GST. "Four Supreme Court judges went to the media to say they are unable to work. The CBI chief was reinstated by the apex court but within hours Modi transferred him out. We assure the people that we will restructure the GST which will remove all the flaws," said Gandhi. Lashing out at the CPI-M government in Kerala, he said both the BJP and the CPI-M were one and the same and only their people have benefitted from government schemes. "It's been months since Kerala was hit by the worst ever floods and the promises of rebuilding Kerala by the CPI-M government here has not reached anywhere. Like the BJP cadres, this Left government has done only things that have benefited its cadres. "Both these parties created an orgy of violence. No jobs have been created for the youths here. Just like Modi, they ignored the farmers. Here also the same thing has happened and as a result Kerala has gone back," said Gandhi. He said the Congress respects the right of women, tradition and culture of the state. "The Congress is the only party that can keep all the people together... Just as we fought the BJP in the three states that we won, in Kerala we will fight the CPI-M. While BJP and CPI-M says they have the cadres, you (Congress workers) should not underestimate yourselves. Please do not forget that it was the Congress which fought the British while the RSS was on its knees before the British," said Gandhi to loud clapping. "The CPI-M and BJP are convinced they have the answer for everything. But since you are humble, we can convince the people of India that we are going to beat both Modi and the CPI-M and then we will give a government that works for the people," added Gandhi. Gandhi arrived here in the afternoon and first drove to the residence of late Congress leader M.I. Shanawaz, the Wayanad Lok Sabha member who passed away in November. After that he drove to the venue to address the party meeting. Chennai, Jan 29 : Barring a few, almost all the protesting teachers across Tamil Nadu resumed their duties on Tuesday with the AIADMK government-led by Chief Minister K. Palaniswami remaining firm. Barring a few, almost all the protesting teachers across Tamil Nadu resumed their duties on Tuesday with the AIADMK government-led by Chief Minister K. Palaniswami remaining firm. In the state capital here, 99.9 per cent of the teachers have reported for duty. Only four teachers have not reported for duty, Chief Education Officer Thiruvalarchelvi told reporters. Members of the Joint Action Committee of the Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisation and the Government Employees Organisation (JACTTO-GEO) have been striking work for the past couple of days with demands like reverting to the old pension scheme and a hike in pay for secondary grade teachers among others. The Tamil Nadu government had expressed its inability to accede to the demands and warned of stern action against the striking teachers, forcing them to resume duty. The School Education Department had suspended over 1,000 teachers for participating in the strike and also issued orders for the appointment of temporary teachers. Washington/Beijing, Jan 29 : Tensions between the US and China flared up on the eve of their crucial parleys to end their bruising trade war after Washington slapped a series of criminal charges against Chinese telecom company Huawei and its detained top executive Meng Wanzhou, infuriating Beijing that decried the move as "unjust repression". By Gaurav Sharma Tensions between the US and China flared up on the eve of their crucial parleys to end their bruising trade war after Washington slapped a series of criminal charges against Chinese telecom company Huawei and its detained top executive Meng Wanzhou, infuriating Beijing that decried the move as "unjust repression". The indictment filed on Monday by the US authorities against Huawei, two affiliates and Meng detailed allegations of bank and wire fraud. The company was also charged with violating Washington's sanctions on Iran and conspiring to obstruct justice related to the investigation. "We are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," US acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement. "The criminal activity in this indictment goes back 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law," he added. Both Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer Meng deny the allegations. China on Tuesday said the US was leading a "smear campaign" against Chinese companies and decried the move as "unjust repression". "For some time, the US has used its government power to discredit and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to stifle their legitimate operations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a press conference. "We strongly urge the US to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly. There is a political motivation behind this case," Geng added. In a statement, Huawei rejected the charges, saying it didn't commit "any of the asserted violations" and that it "was not aware of any wrongdoing by Meng". Washington and other countries have accused Huawei of spying for the Chinese government, a charge rejected by both Beijing and the telecom giant. Meng, also the daughter of Huawei's founder, was arrested in Canada on December 1 at the request of the US for allegedly evading sanctions on Iran. She has been since released on bail and her travel is confined to Vancouver and surrounding areas. She could face up to 30 years if found guilty on all counts. On Monday evening, the Canadian Justice Department said it had received a formal request for Meng's extradition to the US to stand trial. The indictment alleged that Huawei misled the US and a global bank about its relationship with two subsidiaries, Huawei Device USA and Skycom Tech, to conduct business with Iran. US President Donald Trump's administration had reinstated all sanctions on Iran removed under a 2015 nuclear deal and recently imposed even stricter measures, hitting oil exports, shipping and banks. A second case alleged that Huawei stole technology from T Mobile USA used to test smartphone durability as well as obstructing justice and committing wire fraud. The sweeping charges against Huawei came a day before the crucial meet between the Chinese and US officials to iron out their trade difference before the March 1 deadline of the truce in the trade war. Chinese Vice Premier and Beijing's top trade official Liu He was already in the US and due to meet his counterpart Robert Lighthizer and Trump. Asked if Washington's latest move could cast an impact on the meet, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Beijing's position on trade war had always been consistent and clear. China and the US are locked in an ugly trade war, which many describe as the biggest economic spat in history. So far, both sides have slapped each other goods with $360 billion additional tariffs. The parties are in truce till March 1 to work out a solution to end the spat. If the deal is not sealed, new fresh US tariffs on Chinese goods will kick in. The paper ballot handed to you after you check in with the election official at your precinct, like the one an absentee voter inserts into an envelope and mails in, is a permanent record of what you intended thats kept physically separate from the record that it was you who voted. Anantapur : , Jan 29 (IANS) South Korean automotive major Kia Motors on Tuesday commenced trial production at its India plant in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh with plans to commercially launch its first vehicle in the second-half of 2019. , Jan 29 (IANS) South Korean automotive major Kia Motors on Tuesday commenced trial production at its India plant in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh with plans to commercially launch its first vehicle in the second-half of 2019. The company has invested $1 billion in the facility which has come up in Erramanchi village in Anantapur district, about 200 km from Bengaluru. Ancillary units have invested another $1 billion in two vendor parks in the region. The total investment of $2 billion is billed as one of the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country in automobile sector. The state-of-the-art facility, which has come up over 536 acres of land in a record time of 14 months, will manufacture 300,000 vehicles annually, with the bulk of the capacity catering to domestic market. Kia marked the start of trial operations with a launch ceremony at the Anantapur plant, in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and South Korean Ambassador Shin Bongkil, President & CEO of Kia Motors Corp Han-Woo Park and MD and CEO of Kia Motors India Kookhyun Shim. Kia Motors, the world's eighth-largest automaker, will start the manufacturing with SP2i, a SUV based on the Kia SP Concept, first showcased at India's Auto Expo 2018. "The SP2 is inspired by India and combines everything Indian customers need and desire in a car. We are confident that the SP2 will redefine the SUV segment in India with its futuristic design and competitive features and pricing," said Park. He said India would play a singularly important role in expanding Kia Motors' global footprint. "Commencing trial production is a significant moment that we have been preparing for, as we take on the challenges of future mobility across the country," he said. "Today, we officially begin our journey to become one of the top five automakers in India by 2021, with a new model that will appeal to forward-looking and outgoing Indian buyers," said Shim. Ambassador Bongkil hoped that Andhra Pradesh government's business-like approach and Kia plant would bring more Korean firms to the state. The Anantapur plant, Kia's 15th globally, will create over 3,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs. An integrated automotive production facility, it employs the latest production technologies, with more than 300 robots automating the press, body and paint shops The plant houses a five-acre training facility that offers a Basic Technical Course (BTC) in automobiles in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corp (APSSDC), helping develop manufacturing skills among young people. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu hoped that the plant would soon expand its installed capacity to 400,000 vehicles per annum. He said with the presence of Kia Motors and its ancillaries, the entire region from Anantapur towards Bengaluru would be developed into a strong economic hub. He hoped that the project will have a spin-off effect on the development of Andhra Pradesh, especially Anantapur as an automobile hub. The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh launched dedicated automobile and auto components policy in 2015 and during the last four-and-half years attracted committed investments of Rs 40,724 crore in the automobile sector. The investors include Kia, Isuzu, Hero, Ashok Leyland, Apollo Tyres and Bharat Forge. Kia also consolidated its Future Mobility Partnership with the government of Andhra Pradesh by handing over new Kia Soul EV (electric vehicle). The new EV is part of Kia's growing portfolio of advanced, eco-friendly power trains. New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday recommended convening of the Assembly Budget session from February 22-28. The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday recommended convening of the Assembly Budget session from February 22-28. The Cabinet gave its recommendation in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "The Cabinet in its meeting on Tuesday recommended convening of the Eighth session (Budget session) of the sixth Delhi Legislative Assembly from February 22 to February 28," the government said in a statement. New Delhi, Jan 29 : India and Kyrgyzstan discussed expanding cooperation across multiple sectors during delegation-level talks led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Aidarbekov Chingiz Azamatovich here on Tuesday. India and Kyrgyzstan discussed expanding cooperation across multiple sectors during delegation-level talks led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Aidarbekov Chingiz Azamatovich here on Tuesday. "Detailed discussion on steps to expand cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, defence, capacity building, development assistance and people-to-people contacts," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Azamatovich arrived here on Sunday an a five-day visit to India. On Monday, he called on Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and addressed an India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum. Ties between India and the Central Asian nation have traditionally been warm and friendly. After the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic on August 31, 1991, India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations in March 1992; the resident mission of India was set up in May 1994. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kyrgyzstan in 2015, which was the first prime ministerial visit from India to that country after a gap of 20 years. Commercial ties between the two countries have been modest though, with bilateral trade heavily in India's favour. According to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry, the India-Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade stood at $24.98 million in 2016-17. India's exports to Kyrgyzstan was $22.66 million whereas Kyrgyz exports to India was $2.32 million. Apparel and clothing; leather goods; drugs and pharmaceuticals; fine chemicals; and tea are some of the important items in India's export basket to Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz exports items like raw hides, metalliferous ores and metal scrap to India. About 4,500 Indian students are studying medicine in various medical institutions in Kyrgyzstan. Chennai, Jan 29 : Income Tax (IT) officials on Tuesday searched the premises of popular retail outlets and real estate companies on the suspicion of tax evasion, said an official. Income Tax (IT) officials on Tuesday searched the premises of popular retail outlets and real estate companies on the suspicion of tax evasion, said an official. According to an official, searches were conducted over 70 locations in Chennai and Coimbatore. Popular retail outlet Saravana Stores, and realty companies Lotus Group and G-Square were searched by the IT teams. The Tuesday's searches come after the massive search in the offices of well-known eatery chains early this month for suppression of income. New Delhi, Jan 29 : The "Damad ka ghotala" (son-in-law's scam) jibes that the BJP made against Robert Vadra ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls to target the Congress are expected to get more shrill and intense in the coming days. With his wife Priyanka Gandhi now a big player in the coming Lok Sabha elections, the controversy over his land deals is set to become a bigger poll issue in the coming Lok Sabha elections. The "Damad ka ghotala" (son-in-law's scam) jibes that the BJP made against Robert Vadra ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls to target the Congress are expected to get more shrill and intense in the coming days. With his wife Priyanka Gandhi now a big player in the coming Lok Sabha elections, the controversy over his land deals is set to become a bigger poll issue in the coming Lok Sabha elections. Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, is arguably the country's most famous "damad". He married into the Nehru-Gandhi family, the country's most prominent political family, in 1997 after knowing Priyanka Gandhi for a few years. Three months before the crucial Lok Sabha election, Priyanka Gandhi has entered active politics as Congress General Secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh and has emerged as the most important X factor in the polls. When the Congress-led UPA government came to power in 2004, Vadra was running a business exporting costume jewellery. He entered the real estate business in 2007 and controversies about his land deals in Haryana and Rajasthan started making headlines about six years ago. Ever since, he has been under attack of other parties opposed to the Congress though he is not a politician himself. An FIR was lodged against Vadra and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in September last year for alleged irregularities in land deals in Gurgaon. He has faced allegations that his company Skylight Hospitality sold 3.5 acres of land in 2008 in Shikohpur village to DLF at a rate much higher than the prevailing rate. Questions have also been raised over the purchase and subsequent sale of land by the company in Bikaner, Rajasthan, at a significant premium through a maze of transactions. Business premises linked to Vadra's associates have been raided during the probe and the Enforcement Directorate has asked him to be present for questioning in the alleged money laundering case related to his deals in Rajasthan. Vadra has denied the allegations and accused the BJP government of a "baseless witch-hunt" against him for four years but the cases are a political fodder for the BJP to target the first family of the Congress. Now Prime Minister Narendra Modi used it in the campaign for 2014 elections with his ABCD jibe (Adarsh ka ghotala (scam), Bofors, Coal ghotala and damad ka ghotala". He had also targeted the Congress over "damadjee" in his election rallies. The BJP is likely to raise the pitch of its attack in the coming months. He was called "Congress national son-in-law" by union minister Smriti Irani earlier this month. Party leaders are likely to emphasise the Vadra surname in their references to Priyanka Gandhi. BJP leader Uma Bharti had said before the last Lok Sabha polls that Vadra would go to jail over land deals and the party spokesman Sambit Patra said in September last year that he will go to jail "for allegedly helping a defence dealer in bagging contracts during UPA rule". The BJP has made allegations about his links to arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari which too have been denied by Vadra. Vadra's father Rajendra Vadra ran a brassware export business in Moradabad, a western Uttar Pradesh town. The Vadra children - Robert, Richard and Michelle - spent most of their childhood in Delhi where his mother Maureen taught in a school. The family has been struck with tragedies as Michelle was killed in a road accident in 2001, Richard reportedly committed suicide in 2003 and Rajendra was found hanging from a fan at a guest house in Delhi in 2009. Vadra made known his differences with his father and brother publicly when he issued a public notice in 2002 for misusing Gandhi name by allegedly "promising jobs and other favours in return for money". The notice created a furore and Rajendra later said in an interview that it had been issued probably because he was against the marriage. Vadra has created quite a few controversies with his remarks. In 2012, when the country witnessed a campaign against corruption by activist Anna Hazare, he put a Facebook post with lines "mango people in banana republic" which was widely commented upon. He deleted the post later. In 2014, he shoved away the microphone of a reporter who asked him about land deals in Haryana stating "are you serious." Born in 1969, Vadra is a fitness freak and a doting father to his two children. He had said in one of the interviews in 2012 that there always has been a push for him to join politics. He congratulated Priyanka Gandhi after she was appointed the General Secretary of the Congress in eastern Uttar Pradesh. "Congratulations P... always by your side in every phase of your life. Give it your best," the businessman wrote on Facebook. Here is the family tree of Robert Vadra Grandfather: Hukumat Rai Vadra: Had roots in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), moved to Bangaluru and then to Moradabad. Father: Rajendra Vadra: Found hanging from fan in a Delhi guest house in 2009 according to police. Mother: Maureen Vadra: Taught at a school in Delhi, a partner in Skylight Hospitality company. Brother: Richard Vadra: Found dead in 2003 in mysterious circumstances Sister: Michelle: Died in a road accident in 2001 Wife: Priyanka Gandhi, and children: Miraya, Raihan. Washington/Beijing, Jan 29 : The US Justice Department has filed a host of criminal charges, including bank fraud, obstruction of justice and theft of technology against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its detained Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, a move decried by Beijing as "unjustified repression". The US Justice Department has filed a host of criminal charges, including bank fraud, obstruction of justice and theft of technology against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its detained Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, a move decried by Beijing as "unjustified repression". A 13-count indictment filed on Monday in New York City against Huawei, two affiliates and Meng detailed allegations of bank and wire fraud. The company was also charged with violating Washington's sanctions on Iran and conspiring to obstruct justice related to the investigation, the US media reported. Both Huawei and Meng deny the allegations. The case could ratchet up tensions between Washington and Beijing and impact the firm's global expansion efforts. "We are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," US acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement. "The criminal activity in this indictment goes back 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law," he was cited as saying by the New York Times. The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry said it was very "concerned" about the criminal complaint filed by the US Justice Department against Huawei and Meng who was arrested in Canada on December 1 at the request of the US for allegedly evading sanctions on Iran. Meng has been since released on bail and her travel is confined to Vancouver and surrounding areas. She could face up to 30 years if found guilty on all counts. On Monday evening, the Canadian Justice Department said it had received a formal request for Meng's extradition to the US to stand trial. The request came even as Beijing pressured Ottawa to release her. In a statement, Huawei rejected the charges, saying it didn't commit "any of the asserted violations" and that it "was not aware of any wrongdoing by Meng". "The US government and China have an extremely complex, multifaceted relationship. Our client, Sabrina Meng, should not be a pawn or a hostage in this relationship," said Huawei attorney Reid Weingarten. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: "For some time, the US has used its government power to discredit and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to stifle their legitimate operations." "We strongly urge the US to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The indictment alleged that Huawei misled the US and a global bank about its relationship with two subsidiaries, Huawei Device USA and Skycom Tech, to conduct business with Iran. US President Donald Trump's administration had reinstated all sanctions on Iran removed under a 2015 nuclear deal and recently imposed even stricter measures, hitting oil exports, shipping and banks. A second case alleged that Huawei stole technology from T Mobile USA used to test smartphone durability, as well as obstructing justice and committing wire fraud. The T-Mobile tech, known as Tappy, mimicked human fingers to test phones. In all, the US filed 23 charges against the company. "These charges lay bare Huawei's alleged blatant disregard for the laws of our country and standard global business practices," said Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray. The charges came as the two countries' leaders seek to end their months-long trade dispute, with China's lead trade negotiator, Liu He, scheduled to meet US officials in Washington in coming days. Panaji, Jan 29 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted about the Rafale audio tape and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's possession of "explosive Rafale secrets" on Monday just because he is in Goa and wants to keep the issue alive, Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai said on Tuesday. Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted about the Rafale audio tape and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's possession of "explosive Rafale secrets" on Monday just because he is in Goa and wants to keep the issue alive, Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai said on Tuesday. "For us, we want the issue to be over. He wants the issue to be alive. He is doing what he has to do," Sardesai told reporters when asked to respond to Gandhi's tweet on Monday. Sardesai also said that perhaps because Gandhi was in Goa, he remembered about the controversy and so tweeted about it. Rahul Gandhi is on a private visit to Goa with his mother Sonia Gandhi, also a former Congress President. An audio clip featuring Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and a local journalist -- where the former claimed that Parrikar in a December 2018 cabinet meeting admitted to possessing a stash of files related to the Rafale deal -- rocked Parliament this month. Both Rane and Parrikar have said that the tape was doctored. However no formal probe has been launched by the police into the alleged doctoring despite a written request by Rane to the Chief Minister. Guwahati: Activists of All Assam Students Union (AASU) block National Highway 37 as they stage a demonstration against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, in Guwahati on Jan 29, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Mumbai: Mizo National Front President Zoramthanga, National People's Party (NPP) President Conrad Sangma and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) President Atul Bora at Northeast Region's Political Parties Convention on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, in Guwahati Image Source: IANS News Guwahati, Jan 29 : Eleven northeastern political parties came together here on Tuesday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and decided to appeal to the Central government to scrap the legislation. Eleven northeastern political parties came together here on Tuesday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and decided to appeal to the Central government to scrap the legislation. The parties from seven states excluding Sikkim participated in a two-day convention and unanimously decided to oppose the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to migrants from six non-Muslim minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the convener of the convention, said the parties will send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind seeking to scrap the Bill passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8. "We have decided to jointly oppose the Bill which will endanger the lives and identity of the indigenous people," he said. Asked if the parties will come out of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led North East Democratic Alliance, Sangma told the media that the convention was not a political one but it was for the concerns of the people of the region. "I hope the government will also understand the sentiments of the people of the region over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016," Sangma said. The Chief Minister said that if the Centre does not pay heed to their demand, the parties would meet again to decide on a future course of action. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga echoed Sangma's remarks saying that if the Bill was passed, it would be "dangerous and harmful for us". "We all need to think together on steps to oppose it." Prayagraj, Jan 29 : The Uttar Pradesh cabinet met outside the state capital on Tuesday for only the second time in history, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chairing a meeting at Prayagraj -- the venue of the Kumbh. The Uttar Pradesh cabinet met outside the state capital on Tuesday for only the second time in history, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chairing a meeting at Prayagraj -- the venue of the Kumbh. The Chief Minister was flanked by his deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma at the meeting held at the sprawling tented complex on the banks of the holy trinity of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Before the meeting, Adityanath prayed at an iconic temple of Lord Hanuman where he was greeted by Narendra Giri, the priest. He took part in an 'aarti' and performed rituals. The monk-turned-Chief Minister, along with his ministerial colleagues, also went to the Aksyavat tree and 'Saraswati Koop' inside the fort here. The first meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet away from Lucknow was held in 1962 in Nainital when Govind Vallabh Pant was the Chief Minister. Heavy security was enforced at the Kumbh for the high-profile visit and a vast area near the Sangam was thrown out of bounds for the pilgrims. At the cabinet meeting held at the Integrated Control and Common Centre (ICCC), 28 Ministers participated, an official said. All of them are later scheduled to take a holy dip in the Sangam as part of Kumbh festivities. Prominent among the Ministers who were present were Suresh Khanna (Urban Development), Ashutosh Tandon (Medical Education), Siddhartha Nath Singh (Health), Rita Bahuguna Joshi (Tourism), Satish Mahana (Industries) and Brajesh Pathak (Law). Washington, Jan 29 : A Polar Vortex will hit the US Midwest, which will cause extreme low temperatures that could shatter records and plunge much of the region into its deepest freeze in decades, according to forecasters. A Polar Vortex will hit the US Midwest, which will cause extreme low temperatures that could shatter records and plunge much of the region into its deepest freeze in decades, according to forecasters. The Polar Vortex is a brutal mass of cold air within strong bands of circulating winds. It has spread southward from its normal location near the North Pole in recent weeks, bringing arctic weather to the middle of the US, The New York Times quoted the forecasters as saying on Monday. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared an emergency on Monday and told the National Guard to be ready to help. The University of Notre Dame announced it was closing its northern Indiana campus from Tuesday evening until Thursday afternoon. In Chicago, city leaders deployed buses as mobile warming centres and offered tips on how to thaw frozen pipes. Forecasters expect Wednesday's high temperature to be minus 25 degrees Celsius in Chicago and Minneapolis. If the forecast holds, that would be Chicago's lowest high temperature for a single day since officials began keeping records. "This is what you would expect when you get into central and northern Canada," said Brian Hurley, a National Weather Service meteorologist. In Milwaukee, St. Paul and Minneapolis, public schools called off Monday classes. Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan sent most state workers home early. The Midwest region comprises Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The carrier USS Lincoln is training up for deployment after coming out of the shipyard from it's mid-life overhaul and participating in an operation called COMPTOEX. Eventually the carrier will leave Norfolk for its permanent home in San Diego. (Rob Ostermaier/Daily Press) Rome, Jan 29 : Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has opened a new centre here set up by the government in partnership with the UN to fight climate change and boost sustainable development in Africa. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has opened a new centre here set up by the government in partnership with the UN to fight climate change and boost sustainable development in Africa. "The African continent represents a pillar of Italy's foreign policy and this government considers it a priority," Conte said on Monday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development. "Security, migration, climate change, economic growth, human development and climate change represent a shared destiny," he added. The new centre is located near the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in central Rome. It will help develop and scale-up innovative solutions for sustainable development, implement the goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda and the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Agreement to end reliance on fossil fuels and cap global warming. A major focus on boosting the agricultural sectors and promoting rural development in Africa was needed to ensure a better future for the continent's youth who, can be the drivers of development, said FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva at the ceremony. Several ministers from African countries attended the inauguration. Cardinal Peter Turkson, head of the Vatican's department for promoting human development, was also in attendance, the FAO said. The ministers also took part in a roundtable discussion centred on how G7 countries can fight environmental degradation and promote Africa's sustainable economic growth. Bengaluru, Jan 29 : Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) on Tuesday launched a first of its kind "Digital Acceleration Centre" here for MTU Friedrichshafen -- a core unit of Rolls-Royce Power Systems -- that will help the company to address the market with speed, agility and scalability. Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) on Tuesday launched a first of its kind "Digital Acceleration Centre" here for MTU Friedrichshafen -- a core unit of Rolls-Royce Power Systems -- that will help the company to address the market with speed, agility and scalability. The centre supports a hiring capacity of 150 people for high tech jobs. It works on high end technology capabilities as Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud connectivity and UX. Digital apps are developed on IoT platforms which enable seamless data exchange. "In our MTU digital journey Bosch is one of our most important strategic partners. Bosch is supporting us across our digital challenges -- in IT, IoT and the development of applications," Jurgen Winterholler, Vice President Digital Solutions at MTU, said in a statement. Apps developed here are based on micro services architecture, which is absolutely state of the art, the company said. The vision of MTU -- one of the world's leading manufacturers of large diesel and gas engines -- is to create a human centred approach to delivering the best possible user experience, the company added. The centre's activities are two-fold -- explore and exploit. The explore mode will work on converting ideas to minimum viable product (MVP). The exploit mode will focus on scaling and industrialisation of digital solutions. "MTU is a pioneer in digital transformation and our collaboration will strengthen our engagement in sensors, software and services," said Vijay Ratnaparkhe, President and Managing Director, Robert Bosch. New Delhi, Jan 29 : President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi along with many others from across political lines paid homage to former Union Minister George Fernandes, who died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi along with many others from across political lines paid homage to former Union Minister George Fernandes, who died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. Modi called the 88-year-old long-time socialist a "fiery trade union leader", who resisted the Emergency "tooth and nail", while Kovind described him as a "champion of democracy". The President said he was distressed to learn of Fernandes' death, who served India in many capacities, including as the Railway and Defence Minister. "He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him," the President's office tweeted. Modi said the former Minister represented the best of India's political leadership. "Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised," he said in a tweet. "Saddened by his passing away." The Prime Minister said the former Samata Party leader fought for justice, and could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings; a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong. He said Fernandes never deviated from his political ideology during his long years in public life. "He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace," Modi said. On Facebook, Gandhi said: "I am sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandesji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief." With the demise of Fernandes, India has lost a stalwart of its socialist movement, said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Twitter. "He led many labour movements and fought against the injustice towards them... May his soul rest in peace," he said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is the Janata Dal-United chief and has worked closely with Fernandes for three decades, described his death as the "loss of the tallest socialist leader". All official programmes of the Bihar Chief Minister were cancelled for the day. Former JD-U chief Sharad Yadav remembered Fernandes as "a rare leader, who fought for working people for years". Other senior JD-U leaders K.C. Tayagi, party state president Vashist Narain Singh and former Minister Shayam Razak also condoled the death. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee tweeted that she was "very saddened" at Fernandes passing away and recalled him as the "much admired trade unionist", whom she had known for decades. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his message recalled the services of Fernandes as a dedicated leader who discharged his duties as a minister in the Government of India to the best of his abilities. Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in his statement said: "Saddened to hear about the death of former Union Minister George Fernandes. A socialist and stalwart in politics, he will be remembered by people of Karnataka for his contribution to the Konkan Railway project." Born in 1930 in Mangalore (now Mangaluru) of erstwhile Madras Presidency, Fernandes underwent training in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) to be a Catholic priest. During his tenure as the Union Railway Minister from 1989-1990, he is credited with the development of Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore with Bombay (now Mumbai). Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao also mourned the death. "A unique personality who fought passionately for issues and causes that he believed in. Plus his roots were from Mangalore," Rao said. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and had been out of the public eye. He was been bedridden for more than eight years, family sources said. Fernandes rose to political prominence when he led the Bombay Taxi Unions Association and defeated S.K. Patil, a Congress heavy-weight in the 1967 general election. A fire-brand and hardworking Fernandes, only 37 then, campaigned tirelessly, covering large swathes of the constituency with his workers getting a 48.5 per cent of the votes. Fernandes later joined the Janata Dal. He served as Railway Minister in the V.P. Singh government from 1989 to 1990. In 1994, Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which later allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and served as the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for two terms, between 1998 and 2004. His term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil War and the Pokhran test. Aden : , Jan 29 (IANS) A motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated at a public market in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Mocha, killing six civilians and injuring 26 others, a government official said. , Jan 29 (IANS) A motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated at a public market in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Mocha, killing six civilians and injuring 26 others, a government official said. The government official, who asked to remain anonymous, said that a blast caused by an explosives-laden motorbike parked near a restaurant killed six civilians and injured 26 others in the government-controlled Mocha city on Monday evening, Xinhua reported. The blast took place around 7:45 pm local time when several people were gathering to have their dinner in public restaurant, the source said. It was not immediately clear if pro-government military soldiers or officials were the target in the motorcycle bombing. Local residents said in a telephone interview that the small medical centre in Mocha was overwhelmed with the wounded, most of them in critical condition. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the motorcycle blast. Pro-government security forces launched an investigation into the incident. The impoverished Arab country has been locked into a civil war since the Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including capital Sanaa, in 2014. Saudi Arabia leads an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthis forced him into exile. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The CBI is planning to issues summons to former ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and industrialist V.N. Dhoot in connection with Rs 3,250-crore loan case involving the Videocon Group and the ICICI Bank. The CBI is planning to issues summons to former ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and industrialist V.N. Dhoot in connection with Rs 3,250-crore loan case involving the Videocon Group and the ICICI Bank. CBI sources on Monday said the agency would initiate the move after completing the scrutiny of documents it had seized during January 24 raids carried out at four locations in Maharashtra in connection with the case. "We are currently in the process of scrutinising the incriminating documents recovered during the searches in ICICI Bank-Videocon case. We will then start issuing summons to all concerned persons of the case," said the source. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recovered various documents related to the case after it conducted simultaneously raids at the offices of the four companies in south Mumbai and one location belonging to Videocon in Aurangabad on January 24, a day after it registered an FIR in the case naming former ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband and NuPower Renewables Pvt Ltd MD Deepak Kochhar, and Videocon Group MD Dhoot, and others in the case dating back to 2009-2012. Chanda Kochhar's role in the alleged irregularities committed has been highlighted in the CBI's FIR ever since she assumed charge as the ICICI Bank MD and CEO on May 1, 2009. Besides, four companies -- NuPower Renewables Pvt Ltd (NRL), Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd (SEPL), Videocon International Electronics Ltd (VIEL) and Videocon Industries Ltd (VIL) -- have also been named in the CBI FIR. According to the FIR, they have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act as the accused allegedly "sanctioned loans to private companies in a criminal conspiracy with other accused to cheat ICICI Bank". The FIR followed a preliminary enquiry (PE) instituted on March 31, 2018, against Deepak Kochhar, Videocon Group officials and others to determine whether any wrongdoing was involved in the sanctioning of loan by the ICICI Bank as part of a consortium. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Internal clash continued in the CBI as a Superintendent of Police (SP) of the agency has now filed a plea in the Supreme Court against interim Director M. Nageswara Rao for transferring him to an active unit to a low profile unit, accusing "targeted" posting. Internal clash continued in the CBI as a Superintendent of Police (SP) of the agency has now filed a plea in the Supreme Court against interim Director M. Nageswara Rao for transferring him to an active unit to a low profile unit, accusing "targeted" posting. In its plea, Rajah Balaji challenged his transfer to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) academy in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad from the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch unit. Sources in the CBI said on Monday that Balaji was recently transferred to the CBI academy after an order issued by Rao. Balaji has levelled several allegations against Rao in his petition, saying "I am being targeted by M. Nageswara Rao". This is the first such challenge against Rao by any agency official. Earlier, several other CBI officers had challenged in court over their transfers as well as actions taken by the agency against them since October 23 night when former Director Alok Verma and his then deputy, former Special Director Rakesh Asthana were sent on forced leave divesting of their powers. Mumbai, Jan 28 : State-owned lender Bank of India's net loss widened during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 due to higher provisioning for non-performing assets (NPAs). State-owned lender Bank of India's net loss widened during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 due to higher provisioning for non-performing assets (NPAs). According to the state-run lender, its net loss in the three months through December 2018 widened to Rs 4,738 crore from a net loss of Rs 2,341 crore reported for the same period of the last fiscal year. However, the lender's net interest income increased by 33.23 per cent to Rs 3,332 crore in the quarter under review from Rs 2,501 crore in Q3FY18. The bank made provision worth Rs 9,179.48 crore for NPAs during the quarter under review from Rs 4,373.06 crore made during the previous corresponding quarter of 2017-18. New Delhi, Jan 28 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday presented best tableau trophy to the CISF for showcasing the multi-dimensional functions of the force during Republic Day parade on January 26, an official said. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday presented best tableau trophy to the CISF for showcasing the multi-dimensional functions of the force during Republic Day parade on January 26, an official said. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) received the honour during a function organised at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in Delhi Cantonment area for presentation of trophies to the organisations who were adjudged best in different categories during the parade in which the paramilitary force had showcased its tableau after a gap of 11 years Sitharaman, the chief guest on the occasion, presented "best tableau trophy amongst the ministries and departments of government of India" to the CISF tableau titled "Securing National Assets: 50 Glorious Years", a CISF statement said. The trophy was received by Additional Director General (Headquarters) Alok Kumar Pateria. "The CISF tableau showcased the multi-dimensional functions of the force and was the reflection of its aspiration, commitment and dedication towards its mandate. It paid tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi by highlighting CISF security cover to his 'Samadhi' in the front portion. The middle portion illustrated CISF security cover to various government installations like petrochemical plant, nuclear power plant and checking and frisking by CISF personnel. "Remaining portion showed CISF security to Kishanganga hydro electric project in a highly sensitive area of Jammu and Kashmir, Red Fort, space installation and airports. The female soldier present on the tableau, represented the significant presence of women personnel in the force," said the statement. CISF Director General Rajesh Ranjan congratulated the participants for bringing proud moments to the organisation during the golden jubilee year of CISF. Jaipur, Jan 28 : Braving a day-long chill, around 79.16 per cent of the 235,625 electorate voted on Monday in Rajasthan's Ramgarh Assembly constituency in a battle which the Congress hopes to win to gain a simple majority in the 200-member House. Braving a day-long chill, around 79.16 per cent of the 235,625 electorate voted on Monday in Rajasthan's Ramgarh Assembly constituency in a battle which the Congress hopes to win to gain a simple majority in the 200-member House. The election was scheduled on December 7 along with the rest of Rajasthan Assembly seats but was postponed after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Laxman Singh died due to cardiac arrest. There were 20 candidates in the fray but the main contest involved Congress' Shaphia Zubair Khan, BJP's Sukhwant Singh and BSP's Jagat Singh. The polling in 278 polling centres went off smoothly, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., said Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar. The constituency had 235,625 registered voters including 110,947 females. The Congress is aiming to win the seat to hit a century in the 200-member House. The result will be announced on January 31. The Congress now has 99 seats. Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot asserted that the party shall win by a strong margin. After the formation of a Congress government, this is the first by-election. "Although people say that this is going to be a triangular contest, I strongly feel that the Congress will come up as a winner by a strong margin," Pilot said. BJP state President Madan Lal Saini also expressed hopes of victory saying the Congress had failed to fulfill the promises made to farmers and unemployed youths in its manifesto. BSP state head Devilal added: "Our candidate is quite strong and hence we will definitely win." Meanwhile, there were several persons over 90 years who came out to vote. In booth number 136, two voters aged over 100 years voted. They were identified as Khuda Baksha (106) and Harbai (101), resident of village Mast Bad, an official said. Also, there were seven voters over 90 years old in booths 131, 132, 133 and 134, the official added. In 2013, the voter turnout in the constituency was 80.17 per cent and BJP's Gyandev Ahuja won by a margin of 4,647 votes. New Delhi, Jan 28 : The Delhi government will hold a farmers' conference on Tuesday over the implementation of M.S. Swaminathan Committee Report on Agriculture, Development Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday. The Delhi government will hold a farmers' conference on Tuesday over the implementation of M.S. Swaminathan Committee Report on Agriculture, Development Minister Gopal Rai said on Monday. Last month, the government had formed an expert committee comprising of a senior scientist from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), farmers' representatives and officers of the agriculture department for drafting the Agricultural Policy for Delhi. The Committee has deliberated upon various issues pertaining to agriculture in Delhi. "One of the important issues before the Committee was to give recommendations on separate Minimum Support Price (MSP), 50 per cent more than the weighted cost of production taking into the consideration the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report on farmers," Rai said. The Committee held a couple of meetings under the chairmanship of Rai, and various issues regarding implementation of the Swaminathan Committee Report in context of Delhi were discussed. "It was felt that the cost of production should be calculated keeping in view the scenario of Delhi like increased wages of labour, cost of inputs and allied components in the market of Delhi," he said. Accordingly, a committee of officers of the agricultural unit was constituted for the purpose of calculating the cost of cultivation of wheat, paddy and mustard crop of Delhi. "The committee has worked out the cost of production and is in the process of calculating the average cost of production," the Minister said. "To further deliberate on these issues and to arrive at a reasonable weighted cost of production and to suggest at separate MSPs for farmers of Delhi, the farmers' conference has been convened at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday," he said. The members of the committee constituted for drafting agricultural policy, farmers and other stakeholders, and officers of the agricultural department of Odisha and Telangana government have also been invited for the brainstorming session, he added. The final decision will be arrived at after further consultations with all stakeholders. The officer would have to observe or have knowledge that the person was using a hand-held device, Law said, and would have to observe or have knowledge that person was showing some evidence of being distracted. Canberra, Jan 29 : A 32-year-old Indian national has been charged in the Australian city of Perth after he was allegedly caught at an airport with two phones containing child pornography videos and other objectionable material, the media reported. The unidentified man was due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 9News.com reported. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers said they discovered the content on his mobile phones and other objectionable goods during a baggage search after he arrived at Perth Airport on a flight from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. His phones were then seized and his visitor's visa was cancelled. The man was later charged with one offence related to possessing child pornography and one of importing objectionable goods, the report said. He appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Sunday and was remanded in custody to re-appear on Tuesday. ABF Regional Commander for Western Australia Rod O'Donnell said they were concerned about the increasing number of visitors being found in possession of objectionable material. "Visitors need to be aware that possession of objectionable material is viewed very seriously under the Australian law," he said. The maximum penalty for the importation of child exploitation material in Australia is 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 525,000 Australian dollars. "Tackling child exploitation is an operational priority for the ABF and our officers are highly skilled at identifying people at our airports who are attempting to carry this abhorrent material across the border," the official added. Colombo, Jan 29 : Hundreds of Sri Lankan soldiers participated in a week-long national drug eradication programme by travelling across the country and raising awareness on the dangers of drug use, the Army said on Tuesday. Over 1,000 soldiers took part in the programme which began on January 21, reports Xinhua news agency. The soldiers distributed leaflets, educated students and people on the dangers of drug use and addiction. President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday requested members of the armed forces, police and civil security to help free the country from the clutches of drug abuse in the same manner in which they successfully defeated the Tamil Tiger terrorists in 2009. Sirisena said he aims to free Sri Lanka from drugs by 2020. Washington/Beijing, Jan 29 : The US Justice Department has filed a host of criminal charges, including bank fraud, obstruction of justice and theft of technology against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its detained Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, a move decried by Beijing as "unjustified repression". A 13-count indictment filed on Monday in New York City against Huawei, two affiliates and Meng detailed allegations of bank and wire fraud. The company was also charged with violating Washington's sanctions on Iran and conspiring to obstruct justice related to the investigation, the US media reported. Both Huawei and Meng deny the allegations. The case could ratchet up tensions between Washington and Beijing and impact the firm's global expansion efforts. "We are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," US acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement. "The criminal activity in this indictment goes back 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law," he was cited as saying by the New York Times. The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry said it was very "concerned" about the criminal complaint filed by the US Justice Department against Huawei and Meng who was arrested in Canada on December 1 at the request of the US for allegedly evading sanctions on Iran. Meng has been since released on bail and her travel is confined to Vancouver and surrounding areas. She could face up to 30 years if found guilty on all counts. On Monday evening, the Canadian Justice Department said it had received a formal request for Meng's extradition to the US to stand trial. The request came even as Beijing pressured Ottawa to release her. In a statement, Huawei rejected the charges, saying it didn't commit "any of the asserted violations" and that it "was not aware of any wrongdoing by Meng". "The US government and China have an extremely complex, multifaceted relationship. Our client, Sabrina Meng, should not be a pawn or a hostage in this relationship," said Huawei attorney Reid Weingarten. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: "For some time, the US has used its government power to discredit and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to stifle their legitimate operations." "We strongly urge the US to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The indictment alleged that Huawei misled the US and a global bank about its relationship with two subsidiaries, Huawei Device USA and Skycom Tech, to conduct business with Iran. US President Donald Trump's administration had reinstated all sanctions on Iran removed under a 2015 nuclear deal and recently imposed even stricter measures, hitting oil exports, shipping and banks. A second case alleged that Huawei stole technology from T Mobile USA used to test smartphone durability, as well as obstructing justice and committing wire fraud. The T-Mobile tech, known as Tappy, mimicked human fingers to test phones. In all, the US filed 23 charges against the company. "These charges lay bare Huawei's alleged blatant disregard for the laws of our country and standard global business practices," said Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray. The charges came as the two countries' leaders seek to end their months-long trade dispute, with China's lead trade negotiator, Liu He, scheduled to meet US officials in Washington in coming days. New Delhi, Jan 29 : A Delhi court on Tuesday issued summons to journalist Priya Ramani in a defamation case filed by former Union Minister M.J. Akbar. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal asked Ramani to appear before the court on February 25. Akbar's counsel and senior advocate Geeta Luthra and lawyer Sandeep Kapur told the court that Ramani had damaged Akbar's reputation which he had built over the years through hard work. Ramani was the first in a long list of women journalists to accuse the former Minister of State for External Affairs and journalist-turned-politician of sexual harassment. The statements of seven witnesses, including that of Akbar, who is now with the Bharatiya Janata Party, have been recorded. The Rajya Sabha member has denied all charges against him as "false, wild and baseless". Kolkata, Jan 29 : The NIA has arrested two suspected Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members from West Bengal's Hooghly district for their alleged involvement in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, the agency said on Tuesday. The arrested members have been identified as Kadar Kazi alias Kadoor and Sajjad Ali. "Both the JMB members were arrested in different operations on Monday. We arrested Kadar Kazi from Arambagh area in Hooghly district while his associate Sajjad Ali was held in a late night operation," a National Investigation Agency official said. The official said that Kazi was wanted in the Burdwan blast case and was also declared a proclaimed offender while Ali was involved in the activities of the JMB, a Bangladesh-based terror group. Both the accused will be produced before a special NIA court in Kolkata later on Tuesday. A bomb had ripped through a house in Khagragarh locality of Burdwan on October 2, 2014, killing two people and exposing a web of Bangladeshis running a virtual arms-and-explosive network in West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand. The NIA in March 2015 submitted a chargesheet in the case, saying terrorists were using territories in the three states to overthrow a democratic government in Bangladesh and replace it with a hardline Islamic regime. Anantapur : , Jan 29 (IANS) South Korean automotive major Kia Motors on Tuesday commenced trial production at its India plant in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The company, which plans to launch its first car in the Indian market in the second half of 2019, has invested $1 billion in the facility which has come up in Erramanchi village in Anantapur district. Ancillary units have invested another billion dollars in two vendor parks in the region. The state-of-the-art facility, which has come up on 536 acres of land, will manufacture 300,000 vehicles annually. Kia marked the start of trial operations with a launch ceremony at the Anantapur plant, in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and South Korean Ambassador Shin Bongkil, President & CEO of Kia Motors Corp Han-Woo Park and Managing Director and CEO of Kia Motors India, Kookhyun Shim. Kia Motors, the world's eighth largest automaker, will start the manufacturing with SP2i, a SUV based on the Kia SP Concept, first showcased at India's Auto Expo 2018. "The SP2 is inspired by India and combines everything Indian customers need and desire in a car. We are confident that the SP2 will redefine the SUV segment in India with its futuristic design and competitive features and pricing," said Shin Bongkil. "Today, we officially begin our journey to becoming one of the top five automakers in India by 2021, with a new model that will appeal to forward-looking and outgoing Indian buyers," said Shim. The Anantapur plant, Kia's 15th globally, will create over 3,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs. An integrated automotive production facility, it employs the latest production technologies, with more than 300 robots automating the press, body and paint shops The plant houses a five-acre training facility that offers a Basic Technical Course (BTC) in automobiles in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corp (APSSDC), helping develop manufacturing skills among young people. New Delhi, Jan 29 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged sexual abuse complaints against Catholic priests. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V. Kameswar Rao rejected the plea, saying that petioner Sanjjiiv Kkumaar has not mentioned any specific allegation. The petitioner also sought the setting up of a "clergy abuse hotline" to help in registering the grievances of the victims. In his plea, Kkumaar mentioned alleged sexual abuse incidents including in a Catholic retreat centre in Delhi and also the case of now tainted and rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal. New Delhi, Jan 29 : A fierce socialist who fought for workers - be it the taxi drivers of Mumbai or railway employees, George Fernandes rose from the streets to become one of the towering personalities and remained a bitter and staunch critic of the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family's "dynasty politics" after battling the Emergency of 1975-77 imposed by Indira Gandhi. But he also remained a puzzle as he backed the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai in Parliament on the "dual membership" issue and overnight switched to Choudhry Charan Singh, who formed a government with Congress backing in 1979. In his steadfast fight against the Congress, Fernandes did not mind joining forces with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and later BJP. Fernandes, 88, campaigned for the rights of the poor and the working class and left a mark with his passion, articulation, personal warmth and popularity in multifarious roles as a trade union leader, politician and a Union Minister. A man with simple habits and tastes, he was a nine-time member of the Lok Sabha and a one-term member of the Rajya Sabha. He shot into national limelight after he defeated Congress stalwart S.K. Patil in the 1967 general election. It was a victory that earned him the reputation of a "giant killer". Born on June 3, 1930 at Mangalore in Karnataka, Fernandes was free thinking from an early age when he had staer Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi led the nation in paying homage to Fernandes. Kovind said Fernandes epitomised simple living and high thinking and was a champion of democracy during the Emergency period and beyond. Modi said Fernandes resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. Gandhi, whose family Fernandes opposed throughout his political career, said he was sorry to hear about his death and offered his condolences to the family and friends. Fernandes, a long-time socialist, rose to political prominence when he led the Bombay Taxi Unions Association and defeated the "uncrowned king of Bombay" S.K. Patil, a Congress heavy-weight, in the 1967 general election. A firebrand, Fernandes, only 37 then, campaigned tirelessly, covering large swathes of the constituency with his workers. And when the results were declared, he unseated the 'king' with 48.5 per cent of the votes. Fernandes later won the 1977 Lok Sabha polls from Muzaffarpur in Bihar even while in jail and became Industry Minister in the Janata Party government of Morarji Desai. He was responsible for driving out Coca-Cola from India in keeping with his socialist credentials but the drink made its re-entry later. He served as Railways Minister in the V.P. Singh government from 1989 to 1990 and was instrumental in setting up the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore and Bombay. In 1994, Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which later allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for two terms, between 1998 and 2004. His term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil war and the Pokhran nuclear test. He was forced to resign on allegations of a scam in purchase of coffins during the Kargil war for bringing bodies of soldiers but returned to the Vajpayee cabinet after a clean chit from the Phukan Commission of Inquiry. Prayagraj, Jan 29 : The Uttar Pradesh cabinet met outside the state capital on Tuesday for only the second time in history, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chairing a meeting at Prayagraj -- the venue of the Kumbh. The Chief Minister was flanked by his deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma at the meeting held at the sprawling tented complex on the banks of the holy trinity of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Before the meeting, Adityanath prayed at an iconic temple of Lord Hanuman where he was greeted by Narendra Giri, the priest. He took part in an 'aarti' and performed rituals. The monk-turned-Chief Minister, along with his ministerial colleagues, also went to the Aksyavat tree and 'Saraswati Koop' inside the fort here. The first meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet away from Lucknow was held in 1962 in Nainital when Govind Vallabh Pant was the Chief Minister. Heavy security was enforced at the Kumbh for the high-profile visit and a vast area near the Sangam was thrown out of bounds for the pilgrims. At the cabinet meeting held at the Integrated Control and Common Centre (ICCC), 28 Ministers participated, an official said. All of them are later scheduled to take a holy dip in the Sangam as part of Kumbh festivities. Prominent among the Ministers who were present were Suresh Khanna (Urban Development), Ashutosh Tandon (Medical Education), Siddhartha Nath Singh (Health), Rita Bahuguna Joshi (Tourism), Satish Mahana (Industries) and Brajesh Pathak (Law). Guwahati, Jan 29 : Eleven northeastern political parties came together on Tuesday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and decided to appeal to the Central government to scrap the legislation. The parties from seven states excluding Sikkim participated in a two-day convention and unanimously decided to oppose the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to migrants from six non-Muslim minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the convener of the convention, said the parties will send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind seeking a scrapping of the Bill which will "endanger the lives and identity of the indigenous people". The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8. When she piled all her clothes on the bed, as Kondo suggests, it was eye-opening. "When it's all scattered, you don't realize how much you've accumulated," she said. She has space to fit all the things she wants, between a dresser and a spacious walk-in closet, but that is not the point for her. Beijing, Jan 29 : South Korean defender Kim Min Jae has completed his move from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to Beijing Guoan, the Chinese Super League side announced here on Tuesday. Kim, the defender who made 60 appearances for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a two-year spell, helped the South Korea National League giants win two domestic titles as a regular player, reports Xinhua news agency. Kim was called up by the South Korean national team for the first time in 2017 as his speed, strength and technical ability secured him a starting spot. He just finished the 2019 Asian Cup campaign with South Korea, scoring two goals in group stage, including a bullet header against China. "His arrival will improve our level on both ends," said Beijing Guoan in a statement. Kim will wear jersey No. 2 at Guoan next season. New Delhi, Jan 29 : Former Defence Minister George Fernandes, a committed socialist and trade unionist who went underground against the 1975-77 Emergency and fought the Congress all his life, died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. He was 88. Fernandes, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, has been out of the public eye and has been bed-ridden for more than eight years, family sources said. He had a cold and cough and was attended to at his home by a healthcare team from Max Hospital who found him dead on Tuesday morning. "We are saddened to announce the passing away of George Fernandes. Fernandes was attended at his home by a Max healthcare team, which found him unresponsive and declared him dead at 6.42 a.m.," a statement from Max Hospital said. Fernandes leaves behind his wife Leila and a son, who lives in New York. The son is expected back in a day or two after which the funeral will take place, the sources said. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi led the nation in paying homage to Fernandes. Kovind said Fernandes epitomised simple living and high thinking and was a champion of democracy during the Emergency period and beyond. Modi said Fernandes resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. Gandhi, whose family Fernandes opposed throughout his political career, said he was sorry to hear about his death and offered his condolences to the family and friends. Fernandes, a long-time socialist, rose to political prominence when he led the Bombay Taxi Unions Association and defeated the "uncrowned king of Bombay" S.K. Patil, a Congress heavy-weight, in the 1967 general election. A firebrand, Fernandes, only 37 then, campaigned tirelessly, covering large swathes of the constituency with his workers. And when the results were declared, he unseated the 'king' with 48.5 per cent of the votes. Fernandes later won the 1977 Lok Sabha polls from Muzaffarpur in Bihar even while in jail and became Industry Minister in the Janata Party government of Morarji Desai. He was responsible for driving out Coca-Cola from India in keeping with his socialist credentials but the drink made its re-entry later. He served as Railways Minister in the V.P. Singh government from 1989 to 1990 and was instrumental in setting up the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore and Bombay. In 1994, Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which later allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for two terms, between 1998 and 2004. His term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil war and the Pokhran nuclear test. He was forced to resign on allegations of a scam in purchase of coffins during the Kargil war for bringing bodies of soldiers but returned to the Vajpayee cabinet after a clean chit from the Phukan Commission of Inquiry. Paris, Jan 29 : The Director-General of the UN culture organisation Unesco has deplored the killing by shelling of acclaimed photoreporter Mohamed Ben Khalifa in the Libyan capital Tripoli. Mohamed Ben Khalifa, a distinguished photo and video journalist who worked for several international outlets including the Associated Press news agency, died on January 19 of shrapnel wounds he sustained while covering clashes between armed militia. "I condemn the killing of Mohamed Ben Khalifa and... call on all those involved in the armed conflict in Libya to respect the Geneva Conventions recognizing the civilian status of journalists," said Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Khalifa is survived by his wife Lamya and their 7-month-old daughter. At least 12 journalists have been killed in relation to their work since Libya's uprising began in 2011. Beijing, Jan 29 : Expanding surveillance and government interference along with harassment has led to a deterioration of the work environment of foreign journalists in China, a survey revealed on Tuesday. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China published the report titled "Under Watch: Reporting in China's Surveillance State" about the experiences of foreign journalists in the country last year in which the "results painted the darkest picture of reporting conditions inside China in recent memory", Efe news reported. In the report, 55 per cent of journalists said that reporting conditions worsened in 2018 - the highest figure since 2011- and not a single journalist believed that the condition has improved in the last year. Surveillance is also one of the major concerns as 48 percent of the respondents reported "being followed or having their hotel room entered without permission while in the field". Moreover, 91 per cent were worried about the security of their phones and 22 per cent said that they were aware of being tracked by the authorities "using public surveillance systems". "The wider monitoring and pressure on sources stop journalists even before they can reach the news site," said FCCC President Hanna Sahlberg. In Xinjiang region, where nearly one million Muslims have been detained in "re-education" camps, 24 out of 27 journalists said they had experienced "interference" with 19 of them forced to delete data. Six journalists had visa renewal difficulties while BuzzFeed News bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan's visa was not renewed and Australian Broadcasting Corporation correspondent Matthew Carney received one for just two-and-a-half months, forcing him to leave the country. Both had worked in Xinjiang. The report added that pressure on Chinese national news assistants and sources intensified in 2018. Of the respondents, 37 per cent said their Chinese colleagues were pressured, harassed or intimidated, while 34 per cent said sources had been harassed, detained or called in for questioning. New Delhi, Jan 29 : A fierce socialist who fought for workers - be it the taxi drivers of Mumbai or railway employees, George Fernandes rose from the streets to become one of the towering personalities and remained a bitter and staunch critic of the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family's "dynasty politics" after battling the Emergency of 1975-77 imposed by Indira Gandhi. But he also remained a puzzle as he backed the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai in Parliament on the "dual membership" issue and overnight switched to Choudhry Charan Singh, who formed a government with Congress backing in 1979. In his steadfast fight against the Congress, Fernandes did not mind joining forces with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and later BJP. Fernandes, 88, campaigned for the rights of the poor and the working class and left a mark with his passion, articulation, personal warmth and popularity in multifarious roles as a trade union leader, politician and a Union Minister. A man with simple habits and tastes, he was a nine-time member of the Lok Sabha and a one-term member of the Rajya Sabha. He shot into national limelight after he defeated Congress stalwart S.K. Patil in the 1967 general election. It was a victory that earned him the reputation of a "giant killer". Born on June 3, 1930 at Mangalore in Karnataka, Fernandes was free thinking from an early age when he had started as a religious preacher. His father wanted him to pursue law but he joined the trade union movement in his home town and P.D'Mello became his mentor. He came to Mumbai (then Bombay) at age 19 and slept on the city's pavements in his initial days. But his enormous organisational skills saw him becoming a powerful union leader who could shut Mumbai down with a single call. He involvement with issues concerning people earned him respect and admiration. Fernandes organised a railway strike in 1974 in which an estimated 17 lakh employees struck work. It was the time opposition to Indira Gandhi's government was reaching a peak and the strike was one of the factors that led to the declaration of Emergency on the night of June 25, 1975. Soon Fernandes and several other political leaders went underground and he organised a counter campaign to give information about the measures taken by the Indira Gandhi's government for suppressing democracy. He disguised himself as a Sikh to carry out underground activities. He also sought to bring international pressure on the then Prime Minister using his contacts in the socialist world. Fernandes was arrested in the Baroda Dynamite case and was imprisoned in Hisar and Tihar jails. He was not released during the 1977 Lok Sabha elections and but was elected from Muzaffarpur in Bihar by a landslide while still in prison. The photo of Fernandes with raised and hand-cuffed hands became a household image. Fernandes became Industry Minister in the Morarji Desai government post-Emergency and was responsible for driving multinational drink manufacturer Coca-Cola out of India. It is another matter the drink made a re-entry into India later. As Railways Minister in the V.P. Singh cabinet, he is credited with conceptualising the Konkan Railway, regarded as a challenging engineering feat. He made several visits to Siachen glacier as Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet to boost the morale of the soldiers. Fernandes had to resign as Defence minister in March 2001 over "coffingate" allegations but was re-inducted months later by Vajpayee, a move against which the Congress boycotted Parliament. A firebrand maverick who was anti-Congress in his orientation, Fernandes was General Secretary, Samyukta Socialist Party (1969-73), and Chairman, Socialist Party, and President, All India Railwaymen's Federation (1973-77). He became President of Samata Party in 1994 and Leader of Janata Dal-United Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha in 1999. He served the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance as its convenor and was an effective spokesman of the alliance. He supported the causes of Tibet and Burma with passion and sincerity. His official residence often housed distressed Burmese students and members of the Tibetan community came to express their gratitude. He had close friendship with the Dalai Lama. Fernandes won his last Lok Sabha election in 2004. A doughty fighter, Fernandes wanted to contest the 2009 Lok Sabha election but was denied JD-U ticket. He filed his nominations as an Independent from Muzaffarpur. He married Leila Kabir in 1971 and has a son. Fernandes made his last public appearance over nine years back as he was stuck by Alzheimer's. Following his ailment there was a tussle between Leila Kabir and his brothers and his associate Jaya Jaitley over parts of his legacy. Patna, Jan 29 : The Bihar government on Tuesday declared a two-day state mourning and cancelled all official functions following the death of former Union Minister George Fernandes. Fernandes, who had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease, died at a hospital in Delhi on Tuesday morning. "All the official meetings and functions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday have been cancelled, including the Vikas mission and a cabinet meeting," an official in the Chief Minister's office said. According to the official, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will head to the national capital on Wednesday to pay his last respects to the long-time socialist leader. The ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) flag is at half mast at the party headquarters here. Nitish Kumar, who worked closely with Fernandes for three decades, described his passing away as a "loss of the tallest socialist leader". Former Bihar Chief Minister and opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad also paid homage. Bengaluru, Jan 29 : Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) on Tuesday launched a first of its kind "Digital Acceleration Centre" here for MTU Friedrichshafen -- a core unit of Rolls-Royce Power Systems -- that will help the company to address the market with speed, agility and scalability. The centre supports a hiring capacity of 150 people for high tech jobs. It works on high end technology capabilities as Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud connectivity and UX. Digital apps are developed on IoT platforms which enable seamless data exchange. "In our MTU digital journey Bosch is one of our most important strategic partners. Bosch is supporting us across our digital challenges -- in IT, IoT and the development of applications," Jurgen Winterholler, Vice President Digital Solutions at MTU, said in a statement. Apps developed here are based on micro services architecture, which is absolutely state of the art, the company said. The vision of MTU -- one of the world's leading manufacturers of large diesel and gas engines -- is to create a human centred approach to delivering the best possible user experience, the company added. The centre's activities are two-fold -- explore and exploit. The explore mode will work on converting ideas to minimum viable product (MVP). The exploit mode will focus on scaling and industrialisation of digital solutions. "MTU is a pioneer in digital transformation and our collaboration will strengthen our engagement in sensors, software and services," said Vijay Ratnaparkhe, President and Managing Director, Robert Bosch. Beijing, Jan 29 : China on Tuesday alleged that the US was subjecting Chinese companies to "unjustified repression" in response to Washington's criminal charges against Huawei, accusing the tech giant of banking fraud, stealing trade secrets and evade economic sanctions on Iran. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang in a statement said China was very "concerned" about the criminal complaint filed by the US Department of Justice against Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou who was arrested and later released on bail in Canada, reports Efe news. Geng said Beijing had constantly required Chinese companies to carry out their economic activities abroad in compliance with the local laws. Geng said the US had been using public offices to discredit and punish Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their legitimate operations. He said there had been "powerful" efforts and political manipulations behind such tactics, and urged the US to end its "unjustified repression" of Chinese companies. The statement said China would "determinedly" defend the "legitimate" rights and interests of Chinese companies abroad. A pair of indictments, which were partly unsealed on Monday, come amid a broad and aggressive campaign by the US to try to thwart China's biggest telecom equipment maker. One indictment accuses Huawei trying for years to steal T-Mobile's proprietary phone testing technology while another one against Meng claim that Huawei defrauded four large banks into clearing transactions with Iran in violation of international sanctions through a subsidiary called Skycom. But the most serious new allegation in the indictment, which could have bearing on Meng's extradition proceeding, is the contention by federal prosecutors that Huawei sought to impede the investigation into the telecom company's attempt to evade economic sanctions on Iran by destroying or concealing evidence. The indictments come amid a diplomatic crisis between Washington and Beijing as the representatives of the two sides are set to meet later this week to discuss the resolution of the bilateral trade war. Huawei is yet to comment on the charges. Gurugram, Jan 28 : Gurugram police arrested a 24-year-old man on charges of raping a minor girl. The incident came to light after the girl, studying in Class 10, refused to go school on Monday as she was terrified. "When the victim's mother asked the reason, she revealed her ordeal. As per her statement, the victim went to school on January 24 and the accused forcibly d that the common prayer is a "religious instruction" within the meaning of Article 28 of the Constitution and should be prohibited. The petitioner had challenged Article 92 of the "Revised Education Code of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan" that governs the Kendriya Vidyalayas in the country. In its response to the PIL last year, the Ministry of Human Resource Development had on September 4, 2018, washed its hand of the mandatory recitation of Sanskrit and Hindi hymns during the morning assembly of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) across the country, saying the Sangathan was an autonomous body headed by the Board of Governors. Admitting that the HRD Minister was Chairman of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and it functioned under its aegis, the Ministry had said that it has nothing to do with the contentious practice of mandatory recitation of Sanskrit 'shlokas' and Hindi prayers based on Hindu religion in the morning prayers. Washington, Jan 29 : US President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to deliver the State of the Union address on February 5. "When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this year's State of the Union address," Pelosi wrote in a letter to Trump, a copy of which was posted by her deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill on Twitter Monday, Xinhua reported. "In our conversation today, we agreed on February 5th." "Therefore I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber," the letter added. In a letter published by the White House later in the day, Trump said he thanked Pelosi for inviting him to deliver the State of the Union address next week. "It is my great honor to accept," the president said. "I look forward to seeing you on the 5th." Pelosi originally invited Trump to deliver his annual address to Congress on Jan. 29, but later she rescinded the invit percent, from Monday to 20,543.43, Xinhua news agency reported. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 4.92 points, or 0.32 percent, to 1,550.59. Machinery, electric appliance, and oil and coal product-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell. New Delhi, Jan 29 : President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi along with many others from across political lines paid homage to former Union Minister George Fernandes, who died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. Modi called the 88-year-old long-time socialist a "fiery trade union leader", who resisted the Emergency "tooth and nail", while Kovind described him as a "champion of democracy". The President said he was distressed to learn of Fernandes' death, who served India in many capacities, including as the Railway and Defence Minister. "He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him," the President's office tweeted. Modi said the former Minister represented the best of India's political leadership. "Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised," he said in a tweet. "Saddened by his passing away." The Prime Minister said the former Samata Party leader fought for justice, and could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings; a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong. He said Fernandes never deviated from his political ideology during his long years in public life. "He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace," Modi said. On Facebook, Gandhi said: "I am sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandesji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief." With the demise of Fernandes, India has lost a stalwart of its socialist movement, said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Twitter. "He led many labour movements and fought against the injustice towards them... May his soul rest in peace," he said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is the Janata Dal-United chief and has worked closely with Fernandes for three decades, described his death as the "loss of the tallest socialist leader". All official programmes of the Bihar Chief Minister were cancelled for the day. Former JD-U chief Sharad Yadav remembered Fernandes as "a rare leader, who fought for working people for years". West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee tweeted that she was "very saddened" at Fernandes passing away and recalled him as the "much admired trade unionist", whom she had known for decades. Other senior JD-U leaders K.C. Tayagi, party state president Vashist Narain Singh and former Minister Shayam Razak also condoled the death. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and had been out of the public eye. He was been bedridden for more than eight years, family sources said. Fernandes rose to political prominence when he led the Bombay Taxi Unions Association and defeated S.K. Patil, a Congress heavy-weight in the 1967 general election. A fire-brand and hardworking Fernandes, only 37 then, campaigned tirelessly, covering large swathes of the constituency with his workers getting a 48.5 per cent of the votes. Fernandes later joined the Janata Dal. He served as Railway Minister in the V.P. Singh government from 1989 to 1990. He was instrumental in setting up the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore and Bombay. In 1994, Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which later allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and served as the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for two terms, between 1998 and 2004. His term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil War and the Pokhran test. Mumbai, Jan 29 : Actor Manoj Bajpayee says the team of "Bhonsle" is trying to release the film between May and July for the Indian audience. The actor, who was just awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution in field of arts, was interacting with the media here on Monday. Talking about the film, he said: "'Bhonsle' will release after 'Son Chiriya' around May-June. "I have played the titular role and also co-produced it. It has been appreciated in many international film festivals all over the world. "Bhonsle" was launched at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. It premiered in the 'A Window on Asian Cinema' section of the 2018 Busan International Film Festival. It was also screened in the non-competitive India Story section at the MAMI Film Festival and the 2018 Dharamshala International Film Festival. Talking about his debut in digital platform, he said: "I am also doing web-series called 'Family Man' for Amazon Prime Videos. It is an unique one, people will have lots of fun watching it." Manoj who hails from a small village of Narkatiaganj, Bihar, said that he had no idea that people from his village will celebrate his becoming a Padma Shri. "I am happy that people from my village are celebrating this occasion by exchanging sweets. I had no the idea that they would be so happy but I am really thankful to them for their love and support. "I hope in future also, I would be able be to give them many more occasion like these to celebrate in my village," he said. "Bhonsle" revolves around a retired Mumbai cop who befriends a North Indian girl and her brother, when the politicians are trying to get rid of the migrants. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee, Santosh Juvekar and Ipshita Chakraborty Singh in pivotal roles. It is directed by Devashish Makhija and produced by Manoj Bajpayee, Piiyush Singh, Sandiip Kapoor and Saurabh Gupta. Dar Es Salaam, Jan 29 : Ten children kidnapped in Tanzania have been found dead with their body parts mutilated, an official told CNN. Deputy Health Minister Faustine Ndugulile said on Monday that the children, some as young as seven, had been missing since December in Njombe district. Their bodies were discovered last week after police launched a search operation in the area. "So far, we have found 10 bodies, and most of their private parts and teeth had been removed," Ndugulile told CNN. "These murders are linked to witchcraft practices because that is the trend for such crimes, where herbalists ask people to get human parts for money rituals," he added. The Minister told CNN that these killings however, were not linked to the albino ritual murders which are prevalent in Tanzania and other parts of east Africa. Tanzania has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world, at one in 1,500 people. Despite its prevalence, there's still a lack of education and tolerance and albinos are regularly killed for their bones and organs, which are sold to witch doctors for "charms and magical potions", according to Amnesty International. San Francisco, Jan 29 : Apple spent $60 billion last year with 9,000 American component suppliers and companies, an increase of more than 10 per cent from the year before -- supporting more than 450,000 jobs. "Since 2011, the total number of jobs created and supported by Apple in the US has more than tripled -- from almost 600,000 to 2 million across all 50 states," the company said in a statement as it readied to announce the results of its first quarter of fiscal 2019 on Tuesday. Just over a year ago, component manufacturer Finisar was awarded $390 million from Apple's Advanced Manufacturing Fund. To expand production of a critical part of the "TrueDepth" camera system, introduced with iPhone X, Finisar turned an unoccupied building in Sherman, Texas into a bustling operation full of people who will supply that future business, said Apple. Since 2011, the total number of jobs created and supported by Apple in the US has more than tripled -- from almost 600,000 to 2 million across all 50 states, the company informed. Apple on January 2 revised down its expected revenues from $89 billion to $84 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Apple shares fell after it lowered its revenue estimate and President Donald Trump said he was not bothered about the tech giant's concerns. Trump said that China was the biggest beneficiary of Apple, more than the US "because they build their product mostly in China". "I told (Apple CEO) Tim Cook, who's a friend of mine, who I like a lot, make your product in the US," the President had said. In a letter to investors, Cook had acknowledged that the revenue shortfall in its guidance was partly due to China's trade tensions with the US. The slowdown in the Chinese economy also impacted its revenue, he said. New Delhi, Jan 29 : Former Defence Minister George Fernandes, long-time socialist and a trade unionist, who fought the Congress all his life died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. He was 88. Fernandes, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, has been out of the public eye and has been bed-ridden for more than eight years, family sources said. He had a cold and cough and was taken to the Max Hospital in Saket by his wife, Liela Fernandes, earlier in the day, when doctors said that the veteran leader was already dead. His son, who lives in New York, is expected back in a day or two, after which the funeral will take place, the sources said. Fernandes, a long-time socialist, rose to political prominence when he led the Bombay Taxi Unions Association and defeated "uncrowned king of Bombay" S.K. Patil, a Congress heavy-weight in the 1967 general election. A fire-brand and hardworking Fernandes, only 37 then, campaigned tirelessly, covering large swathes of the constituency with his workers. And when the results were declared, he unseated the 'king' with 48.5 per cent of the votes. Fernandes later joined the Janata Dal. He served as Railways Minister in the V.P. Singh government from 1989 to 1990. He was instrumental in setting up the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore and Bombay. In 1994, Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which later allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and served as the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for two terms, between 1998 and 2004. His term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil war and Pokhran test. Washington, Jan 29 : The US Justice Department has unveiled criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its detained Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, outlining a decade-long attempt by the company to steal trade secrets, obstruct an investigation and evade economic sanctions on Iran. "Today (Monday) we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement here. "The criminal activity in this indictment goes back 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. "China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law," Whitaker said. A pair of indictments, which were partly unsealed, come amid a broad and aggressive campaign by the US to try to thwart China's biggest telecom equipment maker, The New York Times reported. One indictment accuses Huawei trying for years to steal T-Mobile's proprietary phone testing technology, known as "Tappy". It supplied phones to T-Mobile and had access to some information about Tappy because of that relationship. But earlier this month, the Chinese firm had said that disputes with T-Mobile were settled in 2017 "following a jury verdict finding neither damage, unjust enrichment nor wilful and malicious conduct for T-Mobile's trade secret claim". The indictment unsealed against Meng, who was arrested in Vancouver last month on US' request, is similar to the charges levelled against her in filings made by federal prosecutors in connection with the bail hearing in Canada. It claimed that Huawei defrauded four large banks into clearing transactions with Iran in violation of international sanctions through a subsidiary called Skycom. Meng is currently under house arrest at one of two residences that she owns in Vancouver. American officials said on Monday that they will request her extradition before a deadline on Wednesday. The next stage of her case will be decided at the Supreme Court of British Columbia. But the most serious new allegation in the indictment, which could have bearing on Meng's extradition proceeding, is the contention by federal prosecutors that Huawei sought to impede the investigation into the telecom company's attempt to evade economic sanctions on Iran by destroying or concealing evidence. The indictment said that Huawei moved employees out of the US so they could not be called as witnesses before a grand jury in Brooklyn. The company destroyed evidence in order to hinder the inquiry, according to authorities. Following the unveiling, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray told the media here that Huawei "relied on dishonest business practices that contradict the economic principles that have allowed American companies and the United States to thrive", CNN reported. "The prosperity that drives our economic security is inherently linked to our national security. "And the immense influence that the Chinese government holds over Chinese corporations like Huawei represents a threat to both," Wray said. Huawei is yet to comment on the charges. The charges come as the two countries seek to end their months-long trade dispute and with China's lead trade negotiator, Liu He, scheduled to meet with US officials in Washington in coming days, reports The Washington Post. Huawei is one of China's "national champions," promoted by the ruling Communist Party. The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, sparked outrage in China, which called for her immediate release and condemned the move as a US-led effort to thwart the telecom giant and constrain Beijing's global ambitions. Brasilia, Jan 29 : The death toll the mg dam collapse Brazil's Mas Gerais state has reached 65, authorities have said. Rescuers have been tryg to recover bodies and search for survivors followg the January 25 collapse of a tailgs dam the town of Brumadho, Xhua news agency reported. Even three days after the humanitarian and environmental tragedy, the chances of fdg people alive still appear remote, the authorities said. About 279 people have gone missg, and over half of them were employees of the mg giant Vale, which owns the iron ore me. Some residents of the area were also unaccounted for. A large number of employees were havg lunch a company cafeteria located just below the dam when it burst and unleashed a flow of toxic mud. Rescuers believe the flow of mud have swept the cafeteria and a hotel away, makg them difficult to be located. A team of Israeli rescue workers arrived at the site on Sunday to help. The 136-member team came with sniffer dogs and 16 tons of equipment. Brazilian courts have frozen about $2.9 billion Vale's assets to ensure funds were available to demnify victims even as the company's legal team said it bore no responsibility for the dam's rupture. Kolkata, Jan 29 : American author Andre Aciman, whose celebrated novel 'Call Me by Your Name' (CMBYN) adapted onscreen by Luca Guadagnino won big at the Academy Award last year, says he hates stultifying facts and his writings are "obliquely biographical. "My writings are always biographical, but sort of obliquely biographical. I elaborate and embroider them. It's because I hate facts, as they are stultifying and don't allow imagination to broaden itself," Aciman, 68, told IANS on the sidelines of Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet 2019. He wants his writing to aallow him to become the person he is not' and wants to explore the self that wants to exist but is afraid to do so'. "I am looking to reconcile, to find who I am and who I could never become. Because the way life and history move sometimes, they interfere with our own trajectory. So I have an emotional trajectory that goes its own way and my lived trajectory is this way. They don't necessarily correspond," the man who was born in Egypt, grew speaking French and learned English at the age of five said. The coming of age novel about two boys Elio and Oliver was published in 2007. Speaking about his work 'Enigma Variations' that explores the journey of a boy's love life, he said: "All things are enigmatic, because the protagonist doesn't know, like most of us don't know what our sexuality is and to give it a name is to turn it into a fact, which I hate". Somebody who has desires can have desires for a man or a woman, the next day it can switch and one day it can be for no man, only woman, he said. About handling erotic themes without crossing the line, the veteran writer said: "There was an ugly line in my book (CMBYN) I decided to remove but didn't. I am a very tame, chaste writer and that line goes against my nature, but I wrote it because it says it all. I wanted their sexuality to be explored accurately and didn't want to make it foggy". This was Aciman's first novel and he wrote it in three months. At present, he is writing the sequel of the book. "I was not careful enough. I went very fast because I was carried away. That doesn't always happen to a writer because the book was writing itself. I was just the typewriter," he noted. Even in the age of Tinder, he feels that love happens only once and never goes away'. "Some of my characters don't have heartbreak and that's a heartbreak. In the book, am writing, I have said that the fact that they haven't experienced devastating love is itself a big indicator of absence in their life," Aciman revealed. He said that he is trying to avoid the use of internet in the sequel. "Things happen very fast on the web and I don't want to go in that direction," the connoisseur of classics said. Asked about the universal appeal of his writings, Aciman said: "As I am a foreigner, I have to watch myself. I am very fussy with the subjunctive (which almost nobody uses in English) so I have to be careful. I have to write sentences that challenge the very boundaries of English". EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Wpromote, the nation's leading independent digital marketing agency, announced the launch of the first-ever Facebook case study focused for the private equity industry. The case study demonstrates the success that Brentwood Associates , an LA-based private equity firm, has seen with two of their portfolio companies. An innovative combination of advanced Facebook strategies and customer lifetime value (LTV) analysis drove exceptional results for each brand. Wpromote is the industry leader of profit-driven marketing. The agency worked closely with Brentwood Associates portfolio brands Soft Surroundings and J. McLaughlin to implement growth strategies by applying LTV analysis to Facebook. Wpromote's strategy included leveraging custom audience tool capabilities in Facebook's Ads Manager in conjunction with LTV audience segmentation to develop sophisticated targeting strategies that drove profitable new customer acquisition. Using these strategies, Soft Surroundings and J. McLaughlin saw a 40% and 76% higher return on ad spend, respectively, using value-based lookalike audiences. Facebook has recognized these impressive results and the immense impact of combining their sophisticated tools with an innovative profit-driven approach. "Wpromote's use of advanced digital marketing strategies on our platform clearly drives measurable results for their private equity portfolio brands. They are also the first to market with our advanced attribution solutions to accomplish measurable results in the private equity space," said Michelle McKelvey of Facebook. We are excited about the future impact Facebook will have on the private equity industry and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Wpromote." "Brands have only just begun realizing the unprecedented potential of profit-driven marketing strategies to unlock EBITDA potential, and we make profit our guiding metric, which is a distinct approach among agencies," said Jenny Son, Head of Private Equity at Wpromote. "With such immense success in the space, we are taking this milestone moment to officially launch Wpromote's dedicated private equity vertical. The launch of this first-ever private equity case study represents a new era of digital marketing available to private equity firms and their portfolio companies. We know that our new services will be powerful for firms with their investments, and we look forward to helping our private equity partners in the coming years." Wpromote's launch of the private equity vertical will help firms transform their investments through the following initiatives/services: Digital due diligence when assessing potential investments Digital consulting services Identification of potential portfolio companies Private equity summits, digital days, seminars, and roadshows About Wpromote Founded in 2001 by CEO Michael Mothner, Wpromote is an award-winning digital marketing firm with eight offices across the United States, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Dallas. Named one of the Best Places to Work in the US by Ad Age three times, Wpromote's 385+ employees have helped hundreds of clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies grow their businesses online with end-to-end digital solutions. As the agency of choice for major brands like Marriott, Bayer HealthCare, Verizon, Z Gallerie, Wienerschnitzel, and J.D. Power, Wpromote utilizes integrated digital marketing tactics to help clients Think Like A Challenger to surpass competitors. With unmatched experience and a focus on advanced data-driven digital intelligence, Wpromote helps companies big and small succeed online. For more information, visit www.wpromote.com . Contact: Whitney Wells BAM Communications [email protected] C: 541-530-1677 Contact: Jessica Bright Wpromote [email protected] C: 310-321-4434 SOURCE Wpromote Related Links http://www.wpromote.com COLUMBIA, S.C. and TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of South Carolina, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, named Urcel R. Fields as state president. In this role, he is responsible for WellCare's Medicaid and Medicare Advantage businesses in South Carolina. "Urcel is a results-driven professional with more than 20 years of healthcare experience," said Gregg MacDonald, WellCare's division president for South Carolina and other markets in the Southeast and Midwest. "He brings a deep understanding of Medicaid managed care, strong operational experience and concern for those he serves." Fields joins WellCare from Amerigroup Community Care, where he held leadership positions including chief operating officer for the Medicaid plan in Georgia. Before joining Amerigroup, Fields held positions of increasing responsibility with Peach State Health Plan, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, which serves the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids populations in Georgia. He also held senior positions with Aetna Health Inc. Fields earned his Master's degree in Public Health from Boston University and his Bachelor's degree from Howard University. "I am honored to lead WellCare's operations in South Carolina," said Fields. "This is an exciting opportunity to work with a talented and dedicated team in partnership with the state, providers and community-based organizations, to help enhance the quality and access to care for South Carolinians." As of Sept. 30, 2018, WellCare serves approximately 77,000 Medicaid members, 14,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members and 9,000 Medicare Advantage members in South Carolina. About WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses primarily on providing government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, as well as individuals in the Health Insurance Marketplace. WellCare serves approximately 5.5 million members nationwide as of September 1, 2018. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com . SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Related Links http://www.wellcare.com "We're excited to continue our expansion on the East Coast," said Tom Smith, co-founder of Truss. "We've seen increased demand from thriving small-to-medium sized businesses in the area who are looking for the right office space in the heart of the city." As the fifth largest city in the United States, Philadelphia has a strong startup and entrepreneur ecosystem. In addition to office space, Truss partnered with 1776 , the nation's largest network of incubators to help thriving startups find their next office space. In Philadelphia, small business owners looking for high-end space will find options in Center City near the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Logan Square. Other areas on Truss' platform include Universal City, Market West and Logan Square. Small business owners will find value in Rittenhouse Square on Walnut Street, and features office and coworking spaces. Truss plans to launch in Philadelphia's suburbs in the near future and continue its coast-to-coast expansion. Business owners can search, tour and lease office, retail and industrial space through Truss' platform. More about Truss Truss helps small and medium businesses, find, lease and tour office, industrial and retail space with more than 300 million square feet available in Chicago, Boston, Miami, D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. The business owner can search for the space from their own computers or mobile devices. The AI-enabled technology enables business owners to find the right space in a convenient and easy manner. Truss also offers dedicated brokers who act as the point person throughout the seamless process. To learn more about Truss, visit www.truss.co or follow them on social media on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter . SOURCE Truss Related Links https://www.truss.co ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wagner Agency, a global advertising and marketing agency with offices in both Orlando, Florida and Porto, Portugal, celebrated its two-year anniversary in October 2018. Led by ad agency veterans, Wagner dos Santos and Brent Koepke, The Wagner Agency has recently expanded both its client portfolio and staff roster. New clients include Seacoast Bank, Bella Collina, Joon, and Nubuware. Recent additions to the Orlando office include Mark Sunderland, Creative Director; Ashley Tice, Account Director; and Catherine Trestini, Senior Content Marketing Manager. The agency's rapid success can be attributed in part to its core methodologies as well as its progressive approach toward work culture and employee benefits. Business consultation and product/service development in addition to a consumer-first approach toward advertising and marketing are one of the many solutions offered to The Wagner Agency's clients. Employees enjoy unlimited paid time off, 100% employer paid healthcare benefits and flexible work schedules. Working remotely and nomadically is encouraged and at the employee's discretion. "We understand that our employees are our most valuable asset and we treat them as such," said The Wagner Agency's Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Brent Koepke. "Our clients choose to work with us because we're experts in understanding their audience and we're invested in their business success." "There is a global trend taking place right now where agencies are adding consultancy to their host of client solutions while traditional consultancy firms such as Deloitte and Accenture are aggressively competing with ad agencies for the same business. Agencies are also adjusting to a new workforce that's looking for an environment that inspires their creativity and critical thinking with more freedom and fewer restrictions. The Wagner Agency is proud to be a leader in both growing trends," adds The Wagner Agency's Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Wagner dos Santos. About The Wagner Agency: The Wagner Agency is a consumer first advertising agency and consultancy that employs a proprietary methodology called social activation marketing. Current clients include Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Seacoast Bank, Joon, Cliff House Maine, Holiday Inn Vacation Club, Bella Collina, About Face and Body, and Nubuware. For more information visit thewagner.agency. Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12751544 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE The Wagner Agency Related Links https://thewagner.agency NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The TemPositions Group of Companies, one of the NY Tri-State area's largest regional staffing firms, is launching a relief program to help government employees and contractors find immediate supplemental work to help cover expenses. Although the shutdown has been momentarily lifted, many government employees and contractors are still actively seeking additional work opportunities to build a savings net for themselves and their families. "A large number of qualified government employees and contractors have approached us looking for work, and we'd like to be able to help them," TemPositions CEO James Essey said. "We're calling upon employers to find opportunities in their companies where these workers can be placed in supplemental positions. They would work on our payroll removing any employer riskwe cover their payroll, payroll taxes and benefits all through one all-inclusive hourly fee." If you can help, please contact a division head at the numbers below. Through multiple divisions, TemPositions can offer qualified candidates in the following fields: The candidates are available for immediate work in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Essey continued, "TemPositions has been matching qualified candidates with New York City's industry leaders for 57 years. We are deeply motivated to help those affected by the shutdown and have the unique experience necessary to help them find the extra jobs they need." As the leading provider of temporary, direct hire, and temp-to-hire staff in the New York tri-state area, TemPositions works with a variety of organizations to help them expand, adapt, and more effectively pursue their missions. About TemPositions Since 1962, TemPositions has built an award-winning reputation for unprecedented service to both employees and clients. Multiple specialized divisions offer applicants a wide range of assignments in fields including administration, IT, light industrial, legal, accounting, human resources, design, hospitality, health care and teaching. CONTACT: Walter Prystowsky, (212) 916-0854, [email protected] SOURCE The TemPositions Group of Companies Related Links tempositions.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. and ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pepper IoT, the Internet of Things platform and service provider, and Dark Cubed, a provider of innovative cybersecurity solutions designed for small and midsized companies, have joined forces to raise awareness about security and privacy vulnerabilities plaguing household connected or "smart" devices. The partnership delivers solutions to IoT stakeholders who must ensure the protection of the consumers they serve. Click to Tweet: [email protected] and @DarkCubedCyber join forces to reveal systemic security hazards in The State of #IoT Security Report: http://bit.ly/2FU8VR9 #IoTsecurity The first partnership initiative is the formal release of the State of IoT Security Report, which shines a light on systemic security and privacy issues that were discovered through testing consumer smart home devices readily available from major retailers across the USA. The report is available for download at http://bit.ly/2FU8VR9. For the report, Dark Cubed experts tested and analyzed the security and the data communications of a cross section of consumer IoT devices. Unlike other IoT security tests that attempt to hack the device, this test monitored and captured these devices operating as designed and developed by the vendors, and revealed several anomalies and unexplained communications. The report includes the security posture of nine IoT devices and applications to help retailers make informed choices that protect their customers. Key findings of the report include: Device security is important, but the platform is much more critical: Connected devices require a sophisticated networked platform to manage communications, protect data, identify and patch vulnerabilities, and to deliver a quality experience. Many (potentially most) consumer-connected devices available in U.S. retail today are managed by offshore platforms that have no motivation to protect user data or ensure high security standards. Connected devices require a sophisticated networked platform to manage communications, protect data, identify and patch vulnerabilities, and to deliver a quality experience. Many (potentially most) consumer-connected devices available in U.S. retail today are managed by offshore platforms that have no motivation to protect user data or ensure high security standards. Patching will not fix systemic problems: Devices that are insecure from the moment they were installed have the potential to do immediate damage. These devices must be secure from Day One to ensure protection of consumer data. Devices that are insecure from the moment they were installed have the potential to do immediate damage. These devices must be secure from Day One to ensure protection of consumer data. The market must make security a priority: Several of the devices reviewed were painfully insecure, showing that neither the manufacturer nor its platform provider addressed security. These devices leak sensitive consumer data and open direct lines of communication to servers in countries of concern. Vince Crisler, CEO, Dark Cubed, said: "If we do not address the problem of insecure consumer IoT devices and the lack of respect for consumer privacy soon, it is going to be too late. Just because the space is complex and rapidly developing is not an excuse for retailers and regulators to turn a blind eye. In fact, the opposite is true. Retailers must consider security as a part of their buying processes and government must consider regulations that focus on consumer protections. We are passionate about these issues and excited to work with Pepper IoT in leading change." Scott Ford, CEO at Pepper IoT, said: "Just as retailers wouldn't sell unsafe toys, tainted lettuce or products with toxic chemicals, they have a responsibility to sell safe and secure IoT devices to consumers. We are highly motivated to partner with Dark Cubed. Their report highlighted some of the key problems in the IoT market that we are solving. We are committed to working with major retailers and device manufacturers to leverage our trusted U.S.-based platform for secure and private consumer IoT management." About Dark Cubed Dark Cubed is an Alexandria, Virginia-based company innovating within the cyber security market through a focus on effective, scalable cyber solutions for small and midsized companies. The company offers a low-friction, low-cost, highly-scalable software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform to deliver enterprise-grade security capabilities to customers at a fraction of the cost of other solutions on the market. You can learn more about Dark Cubed at https://www.darkcubed.com. About Pepper IoT Pepper IoT is an independant, multi-tenant IoT platform delivering full-stack and turnkey consumer-focused connected solutions to consumer electronics manufacturers, brands, and service providers. Leveraging its decades of experience inside of wireless carriers and financial institutions, the Pepper team applies an experience-shaped approach centered on network and platform security, privacy, and scalability. From this foundation, Pepper's flexible and open cloud and software approach enables unencumbered and rapid innovation, required in today's evolving connected world. Pepper is a venture capital backed Kansas City-based company that powers devices and services widely available in retail around the world. You can learn more about Pepper IoT at www.pepper.me. Media Contact Katrina Porter Nadel Phelan, Inc. 831-440-2406 [email protected] SOURCE Pepper IoT Related Links http://www.pepper.me ENFIELD, Conn., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The LEGO Group celebrates the 50th anniversary of LEGO DUPLO, its inaugural large brick for small hands. LEGO DUPLO products are carefully designed to inspire and help toddlers unlock their full potential through creative, playful experiences that will further shape their future. Deriving from the Latin word 'duplex,' meaning double, LEGO DUPLO bricks are twice the size of classic LEGO bricks on all dimensions. The desire was for all LEGO bricks to fit into the LEGO System in Play, but finding the 2:1 scale solution was no easy task. The company explored a 4:1 and 3:1 scale before Godtfred Kirk Christiansen the company's second generation owner - in 1968 came up with the idea (during his sleep!) to hollow the studs on LEGO DUPLO bricks. This meant they could be combined with classic LEGO bricks, and thereby formed the basis for safe and more age-appropriate LEGO building experiences for the youngest children. Throughout the years, LEGO DUPLO products have offered open-ended creative building opportunities through bricks that help children learn by stacking, sorting, matching and counting. Additionally, a variety of play themes have introduced structural building and character-based role play in themes most familiar to the youngest children such as farm, police, fire, and zoo. Each theme has also delivered an array of animals and DUPLO figures that children can relate to farmers and policemen, doctors, cowboys, scientists, and hipster parents. A variety of hot global properties have also been introduced to capture the imaginations of young builders, bringing them into the LEGO world through their favorite Disney characters, super heroes, and animated stars. There's something to inspire every little builder's imagination and help facilitate storytelling and role-play. The building blocks of life Play is a natural way for children to make sense of the world. Through play, children learn how to express themselves, share ideas, and build relationships with others. From birth to the age of four, children undergo an intense transformation. The most rapid period of learning and development a human being will ever experience takes place in those four years and by the end, a 'blueprint' has been drawn for the adults they will become. Over its 50 year history, LEGO DUPLO has helped parents engage their children in simple building activities that contribute to their development honing fine motor skills, developing language skills, learning the value of socializing, collaborative storytelling, and most importantly, building confidence in expressing their original ideas. In a recent 2018 LEGO Play Well Report, 9,000 parents from around the world shared sentiments about the LEGO system of play: 94% say it stimulates their child's imagination 93% believe it helps their child be creative 91% affirm it helps their child learn and discover new things 84% indicate it helps their child develop life skills 91% see it as a fun activity for the whole family Product Quality and Safety Across physical and digital play experiences The LEGO Group works from a safety-by-design approach and age grade to ensure children have a fun time while being challenged at their appropriate level. Putting our products in the hands of the world's most creative geniuses means they must withstand being bitten, dribbled on, thrown across the room in a tantrum or stepped on by determined young explorers. The next 50 years and Beyond As play patterns become ever more fluid, products like the new DUPLO Steam and Cargo trains are helping toddlers move seamlessly between physical and digital play like never before, introducing little builders to early coding, color recognition and accompanying apps full of fun activities all with the key aim to encourage and enhance the physical play experience. About The LEGO Group The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company with headquarters in Billund, Denmark, and main offices in Enfield, USA, London, UK, Shanghai, China, and Singapore. Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, and based on the iconic LEGO brick, it is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials. Guided by the company spirit: "Only the best is good enough", the company is committed to the development of children and aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through creative play and learning. LEGO products are sold worldwide and can be virtually explored at www.LEGO.com. For more news from the LEGO Group, information about our financial performance and responsibility engagement, please visit http://www.LEGO.com/aboutus LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, the Minifigure and the brick & knob configuration are trademarks of the LEGO Group. 2019 The LEGO Group. MEDIA CONTACT Liz Sloan for LEGO Systems 206-909-4472 / [email protected] SOURCE The LEGO Group Related Links http://www.LEGO.com ORRVILLE, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Saying "thank you for a job well done" has been a core part of The J. M. Smucker Company's (NYSE: SJM) culture for several decades. Today, those words took a different form as the Company announced a commitment of $200,000 to assist Feeding America and United Way Worldwide in their recovery from providing unplanned aid to those impacted by the government shutdown. Due to the strain organizations like Feeding America and United Way Worldwide experience because of these efforts, normal day-to-day operations are in danger of being negatively affected. This donation is intended to help them further their important work with minimal disruption, while continuing to support impacted workers. "Saying 'thank you for a job well done' is part of our DNA," said Jill Penrose, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Communications for The J. M. Smucker Company. "We were touched by the support Feeding America, United Way, and several local organizations demonstrated to help those impacted by the government shutdown, and this support for our longtime partners is our way of saying thank you." Smucker also pledged significant product donations from its portfolio of consumer food, coffee, and pet food brands to local organizations nationwide that conducted programs to support affected workers and now need their pantries replenished. About The J. M. Smucker Company For more than 120 years, The J. M. Smucker Company has brought families together to share memorable meals and moments. Guided by a vision to engage, delight, and inspire consumers through trusted food and beverage brands that bring joy throughout their lives, Smucker has grown to be a well-respected North American marketer and manufacturer with a balanced portfolio of leading and emerging, on-trend brands. In consumer foods and beverages, its brands include Smucker's, Folgers, Jif, Dunkin' Donuts, Crisco, Cafe Bustelo, R.W. Knudsen Family, Sahale Snacks, Smucker's Uncrustables, Robin Hood, and Bick's. In pet food and pet snacks, its brands include Rachael Ray Nutrish, Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Kibbles 'n Bits, Natural Balance, and Nature's Recipe. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information about our Company, visit jmsmucker.com. The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Dunkin' Donuts is a registered trademark of DD IP Holder LLC, and Rachael Ray is a registered trademark of Ray Marks Co. LLC. Dunkin' Donuts brand is licensed to The J. M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores. This information does not pertain to Dunkin' Donuts coffee or other products for sale in Dunkin' Donuts restaurants. SOURCE The J. M. Smucker Company Related Links http://www.jmsmucker.com MIAMI, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Education Fund wraps up its annual Teach-A-Thon public education challenge, raising thousands for local schools while testing volunteer teachers in ways they never experienced in their jobs. "My wife and daughter are public school teachers, and I never really understood the preparation that went into creating a lesson and standing in front of a class until I had to do it myself," said Wells Fargo Southeast Florida Region Bank President Hector Ponte and a four-time Teach-A-Thon Teacher Champion. "There are many jobs in the business world that don't require the time and dedication most teachers give their jobs day in and day out." The Teach-A-Thon is a three-month education campaign sponsored by Wells Fargo, Sapoznik Insurance, Assurant, and others that fosters awareness about the teaching profession and raises money for public schools in Miami-Dade County. Since its launch in 2008, volunteers or Teacher Champions have raised more than half a million dollars for local public schools and taught thousands of students. The 2018 Teach-A-Thon kicked off in October with 225 Teacher Champions, including 100 from Wells Fargo, meeting their teacher mentors and prepping for their day in the classroom. Teacher Champions traded in their brief cases for lesson plans, teaching subjects like history, math, science, social studies and language arts. By the end of the campaign this month, Teacher Champions will have taught pre-k to high school in the fourth largest school district in the country. "Public school teachers are on the front lines, playing a critical role in guiding our youth and shaping their future. Through the Teach-A-Thon, we educate the community about the challenges teachers face, building support for their work," said Linda Lecht, president, of The Education Fund. About The Education Fund: The Education Fund's current initiatives, including Food Forests for Schools, Ideas with IMPACT, Teach-A-Thon, Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials, and For The Love of Art Annual Charity Auction, bring innovative methods to our schools; inform the community about public education; and encourage private sector investment in public education. The Education Fund's work with the private sector has resulted in more than $52 million raised to improve education for public school students and teachers in Miami-Dade County. Visit Educationfund.org. Contact: Patricia Maldonado [email protected] 305.490.8831 SOURCE The Education Fund Related Links http://www.educationfund.org NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Essentials in Education (EIE), a non-profit educational organization that has taught the Bible academically in public schools since 2005, is grateful that a recent article by USA TODAY and a subsequent tweet from President Trump supporting the importance of teaching Bible literacy in public schools has reignited interest in this vital issue that is so important to the education of our country's youth. USA Today's article, however, failed to note that in 1963 the Supreme Court ruled that teaching the Bible in public schools is constitutional if it is "presented objectively as part of a secular program of education." Our children are protected by this ruling and by The Bible & Public Schools, A First Amendment Guide, published by The Bible Literacy Project and the First Amendment Center and endorsed by National School Boards, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and others including People for the American Way. EIE has led the movement working with state legislatures to encourage public schools to teach the Bible academically. In 2006, Georgia's legislature became the first to encourage the teaching of the Bible academically as important. South Carolina and Texas followed in 2007, then Tennessee in 2008, Oklahoma in 2010, Arizona and South Dakota in 2012, Arkansas in 2013 and Kentucky in 2017. All these legislation efforts had bi-partisan support for a policy which supports students' better understanding of the world around them. Chuck Stetson, CEO of Essentials in Education, noted that, "Our book The Bible and Its Influence, the only Bible textbook deemed First Amendment safe, is compliant with The Bible & Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide and teaches the Bible purely academically, giving students a better understanding of the English language, English literature, history, art, music and culture. This textbook is now being taught as a high school elective in over 650 high schools in 45 U.S. states. Countries around the world have taken note and EIE is actively working with legislators in five other continents." A survey revealed that 98% of U.S. high school English teachers believe a child's education is best served by understanding the Bible, citing that many preparation exams will reference points and texts from the Bible. Shakespeare's plays alone contain over twelve hundred references to the Bible, demonstrating the centrality of Biblical knowledge to modern education. To that end, Essentials in Education is continuing to work with state governments to pass legislation which encourages public schools to teach the Bible academically. Teaching the Bible academically is not only legal, it is essential to education and the smart thing to do. Chuck Stetson is the CEO of Essentials in Education, the co-author of The Bible and Its Influence and founder of The Bible Literacy Project ( http://www.bibleliteracy.org ) and www.teachthebibleinschools.org SOURCE Essentials in Education LONDON, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- About this market Increasing popularity of side airbags in mid-range and entry-level vehicles to drive market growth. Side airbags, which are part of the passive safety system, are inflatable devices that protect the passengers and driver's head and chest in a side-impact crash. Increasing concerns about automotive safety among consumers from various socioeconomic groups is accelerating the demand for enhanced safety features like curtain airbags across all automotive segments, which include mid-range and entry-level segments. In many developing economies such as China. India, and Brazil, side airbags are mostly limited to luxury cars and a few other passenger car segments. Most of the entry-level cars sold by OEMs in developing regions are not fitted with side airbags. Technavio' s analysts have predicted that the automotive side airbags market will register a CAGR of over 6% by 2023. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5729131 Market Overview Growing importance of crash test and NCAP ratings Governments worldwide disclose the crash test ratings of automobiles for the benefit of automobile manufacturers, customers, and vendors. These ratings are published on several government and non-government portals such as NHTSA, New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asia (ASEAN NCAP). and European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP). The growing acceptance of safety certifications has pushed automotive manufacturers to manufacture vehicles that comply with safety standards. The NCAP rating for each automobile is based on the assessment carried out for occupant, pedestrian, and child protection systems. Lack of regulation for airbags in medium and heavy-duty vehicles Although airbags are responsible for saving thousands of lives annually, the traffic safety regulators worldwide have not mandated the presence of airbags in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (HCVs). For instance, in the US, the Department of Transportation conducted a commercial truck crashworthiness standards study, which considered roof strength, airbags, occupant protection standards, and several other issues. For the detailed list of factors that will drive and challenge the growth of the automotive side airbags market during the 2019-2023, view our report. Competitive Landscape The market appears to be fragmented and with the presence of several companies including Autoliv and HYUNDAI MOBIS the competitive environment is quite intense. Factors such as the increasing popularity of side airbags in mid-range and entry-level vehicles and the growing importance of crash test and NCAP ratings, will provide considerable growth opportunities to automotive side airbags manufactures. Autoliv, HYUNDAI MOBIS, Joyson Safety Systems, Toyoda Gosei, and ZF Friedrichshafen are some of the major companies covered in this report. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5729131 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com BROOKLYN, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Approved Oil Co., a New York based full service energy company recently announced that Robert Ross has been named General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer. He will also serve as a member of the company's Executive Committee, a team of the company's most senior leaders. Robert Ross joined the company at the start of the year and will report directly to Vincent Theurer, the company's President and CEO. In his new position, Robert will be responsible for managing all legal, regulatory and compliance matters for the Approved Companies. "Robert brings deep experience and capabilities that will accelerate progress towards our strategy and business performance objectives," said Theurer. "He is business-focused and knows how a legal function can support a company's strategic objectives and positively impact business results. He will be a terrific addition to our executive team." Robert carries over 15 years of legal and business experience into his new role at Approved. Most recently, he served as General Counsel at W16 Energy, where his main focus was on legal, compliance and business development matters for the firm. Robert also previously held positions at Morgan Stanley, the New York-based investment bank, and with KMZ Rosenman, the global law firm. Robert graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Political Science, and was awarded both a Juris Doctor and Masters in Real Estate from New York University. Approved Oil Company is the corner stone of the "Approved Companies" conglomerate of energy related companies including Approved Wholesale, Approved Energy, and Approved Plumbing & Fire Protection. Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Approved Oil Company has over 150 employees committed to providing each customer with exceptional service. APPROVED OIL COMPANY (718) 238-1050 APPROVED PLUMBING & FIRE PROTECTION (718) 943-4711 PLEASE VISIT US FOR MORE INFORMATION AT: WWW.APPROVEDOIL.COM For more information contact: Approved Oil Co. Phone: 718-238-1050 Fax: 718-238-1053 www.Approvedoil.com SOURCE Approved Oil Co. Related Links https://approvedoil.com MONTREAL, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tecsys Inc. (TSX: TCS), a Montreal-based supply chain management software company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill King as chief revenue officer, effective today. King joins Tecsys from Oracle Corporation, where he accelerated commercial growth through key account development and new market penetration. In this new executive position, King will lead Tecsys' sales teams and overall go-to-market strategy. Bill King, Tecsys "We are thrilled to have Bill on board to help guide commercial growth and build on Tecsys' reputation for delivering customer lifecycle value," said Tecsys' President and CEO Peter Brereton. "Bill brings with him a successful record of solving customer challenges and a breadth and depth of experience that will be a tremendous help for our existing customers and our market expansion." King, during his tenure at Oracle, held executive sales leadership positions in the North American Sales organization, most recently as Vice President, Key Accounts and previously as Group Vice President of North America Storage Sales. Prior to Oracle, King was with Fujitsu for over a decade where he held a variety of executive management positions including executive vice president of the Platform Product Group for Fujitsu in the Americas and executive vice president of the Global Retail Business. "I have spent most of my career helping companies navigate and extract value from strategic technology investments," explained King. "I am excited to join Tecsys because they have done a fantastic job empowering companies to overcome complexity by leveraging technology letting them become world-class organizations through their supply chain. As Tecsys enters into its next phase of expansion, I look forward to leveraging the revenue opportunities ahead of us and defining with our customers a path to long-term success." King holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Millersville University and has attended executive leadership programs at the IESE School of Business and University of Michigan Ross Business School. He lives in Newtown, Pennsylvania with his wife, Diane, and has five children. During his free time, he competes in Triathlons including several IRONMAN events. About Tecsys Tecsys is a global provider of transformative supply chain solutions that equip growing organizations with industry-leading services and tools to achieve operational greatness. Tecsys' solutions are designed to create clarity out of the complex supply chain challenges that organizations with increases in scale, customer expectations and inventory. Built on an enterprise platform, Tecsys solutions include warehouse management, distribution and transportation management, supply management at point-of-use, retail order management, as well as complete financial management and analytics solutions. Through the co-creation of a more responsive supply chain, Tecsys ensures that growth-minded organizations have the chance to thrive and reach their aspirations. Over 600 mid-size and Fortune 1000 customers trust their supply chains to Tecsys in the healthcare, service parts, third-party logistics, and general wholesale high-volume distribution industries. Tecsys' shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TCS. Contact SOURCE Tecsys Inc. Related Links https://www.tecsys.com DALLAS, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- One Network Enterprises, the global provider of multiparty digital network platform and services, today announced that revenue and supply chain thought leader Brice Elliott has joined the company as Executive Vice President. Mr. Elliott will lead One Network's go-to-market strategy by overseeing its worldwide sales and partnership efforts, so customers can achieve optimum performance with One Network's Real Time Value Network (RTVN). He will report directly to One Network's CEO and founder Greg Brady. With 60,000 global businesses onboarded and growing, the Real Time Value Network is the largest business operating network worldwide that enables businesses to create consumer-driven networks that support their digital transformation. One Network's platform connects all trading partners to an AI-powered and blockchain-enabled network, so they can collaborate, optimize and execute together to serve the end customers. The result is unprecedented visibility and control across the supply chain which reduces the cost to deploy, maintain, and support multiple systems and partners. "In today's highly competitive global market, organizations are continually challenged to find progressive ways to transform their supply chain in an effort to better manage customer demand and improve performance and profits," said Elliott. "One Network's RTVN is bringing transformational change to organizations by turning linear supply chains into connected, intelligent, scalable, customizable, and nimble digital supply networks. These business networks are creating breakthrough results and powering business processes quicker and more effectively. I am thrilled to the join such a dynamic company and help some of the world's largest companies achieve even greater value." With almost 40 years of experience, Mr. Elliott is an experienced executive who is recognized for bringing transformational technologies to market. After a distinguished career at Xerox Corporation, he moved into the software industry in 1988 with Sherpa Corporation, the industry's first PLM solution. Brice has held senior executive roles with software companies such as ASK Computer Systems, EndecaTechnologies, Hortonworks, i2 Technologies, Infor and PeopleSoft. He joins One Network from Pramata, where he was the Chief Revenue Officer responsible for sales and customer success initiatives. "I am thrilled to welcome Brice to our executive team and to applying his unprecedented passion and dedication to help our customers realize even greater growth and results," said One Network's Greg Brady. "Brice's skills and insight will be instrumental in helping companies maneuver and capitalize on this new digital landscape, and we look forward to applying his expertise to the benefit of our burgeoning community." Brice will lead One Network's 2019 international sales kickoff event later this month where partners and employees from around the world will learn about the latest enhancements, functionality, and use cases of One Network's AI-powered network. About One Network Enterprises Founded in 2002, One Network provides a multiparty Intelligent Business Platform solution powered by AI and Blockchain, that delivers rapid results at a fraction of the cost of legacy solutions. One Network's cloud platform, the Real Time Value Network (RTVN) supports modular, adaptable solutions that enable multiparty businesses to realize value and run more efficiently, with less waste. Harnessing the power of NEO, an intelligent agent that predicts consumer demand, the RTVN has been helping organizations from around the world from nearly every industry operate their supply chain at near-theoretical limits. Additionally, One Network offers aPaaS solution and developer tools that allow organizations to design, build and run multiparty applications. Headquartered in Dallas, One Network also has offices in Japan, Europe, and India. For more information, please visit www.onenetwork.com or follow them @onenetwork. Media Contacts Chris McCoin or Richard Smith McCoin & Smith Communications Inc. 508-429-5988 (Chris) or 978-433-3304 (Rick) [email protected] or [email protected] SOURCE One Network Related Links http://onenetwork.com COLUMBIA, Mo., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephens College (https://www.stephens.edu/#), the nation's 2nd oldest women's college, has been recognized for its committed implementation of high-impact educational practices, earning recognition as a College of Distinction. "We are so honored by this recognition," said Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Brian Sajko. "Colleges of Distinction is focused on the student experience, a commitment we share. Our first-year experience coursework, outreach and programming from our Student Success Center, our commitment to experiential learning, and the expansion of our study abroad programs are just a few of the foundational ways we are working to provide the best student experience. "Participation in our career-readiness programming is a non-credit graduation requirement for every undergraduate residential student. This leads to students who are more prepared to enter the workforce, and that's a core part of our mission. "And finally, we have reduced tuition beginning in the Fall of 2019. The Stephens Solution: College Affordability Plan (https://www.stephens.edu/admissions-and-aid/stephenssolution/) simplifies tuition pricing for everyone and promotes affordability for all those who dream of a private college education." Stephens College was selected as a College of Distinction on the basis that the she adheres to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. "We are absolutely thrilled to recognize Stephens College as a College of Distinction for its effective dedication to student success," said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction. "Colleges of Distinction is so impressed with Stephens College's curriculum, which is enriched with the kind of high-impact educational practices that are most crucial for student development. Such innovative engagement is preparing the next generation of young adults to thrive after college. We seek out the schools that are wholly focused on the student experience, constantly working to produce graduates who are prepared for a rapidly changing global society. Now recognized as a College of Distinction, Stephens College stands out." Founded in 1833, Stephens College is an institution committed to her mission: Learn. Grow. Lead. The second-oldest women's college in the country, Stephens is resilient and optimistic, faithful to her traditions, and eager to embrace whatever the future may bring. Focused on the creative arts and health sciences, Stephens continues to prepare graduates for lives of distinction, integrity and service. The College is located in Columbia, Missouri, often recognized as College Town U.S.A. SOURCE Stephens College Related Links http://www.stephens.edu STAVANGER, Norway, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA), the world's most trusted provider of remote communication and IT solutions, announced today that the company has been awarded a new multi-year, fully-managed communications contract with Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, an entity of Bonheur ASA providing jack-up vessels used for offshore wind farm construction. Speedcast serves Fred. Olsen related companies on a global scale in both the Cruise and Energy segments, and the two companies have been partners for over three years. This new contract will provide a unique communications solution onboard Fred. Olsen Windcarrier's two offshore assets, Brave Tern and Bold Tern, combining VSAT and 4G/LTE to deliver data and voice services for corporate, operator and crew welfare networks. In addition, Speedcast will deploy an SD-WAN solution integrating multiple carriers seamlessly to deliver the best available connectivity and maximum network efficiency at all times. "We look forward to serving as the trusted communications provider on Fred. Olsen Windcarrier's jack-up installation vessels for the wind energy market," says Keith Johnson, Speedcast's EVP of Energy. "Our partnership has been strong in the Cruise and Energy drilling segments for years. We have made significant investments in our robust, multi-access network technology and performance optimization solutions and both will be used onboard these jack-ups to provide reliable, secure connectivity for both Fred. Olsen Windcarrier and other onboard operators' personnel. As one of our most valued global customers, we are proud to continue adding services throughout Fred. Olsen related companies' diverse set of assets and building our customer base in other subsegments such as wind energy." "The Fred. Olsen related companies' relationship with Speedcast is a critical component of our daily operations in multiple business segments," says Svein Bjrnstad, CIO Fred Olsen & Co. "We have worked together on IT solutions and fully-managed communications onboard our drilling vessels and cruise ships for a number of years, and Speedcast's trusted global network will now give us the multi-carrier solution we need in the dynamic, growing market where Fred. Olsen Windcarrier operates." For more information about Speedcast's global capabilities in the Energy sector, please contact [email protected]. About Speedcast International Limited Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) is the largest provider of remote communications and IT services in the world. Speedcast's fully-managed service is delivered via a leading global, multi-access technology, multi-band and multi-orbit network of 70+ satellites and an interconnecting global terrestrial network, bolstered by extensive on-the-ground local support from 40+ countries. This global "network of networks" allows customers to fully rely on the most robust, integrated infrastructure available in the market for their mission critical applications. Speedcast is uniquely positioned as a strategic business partner, tailoring communications, IT and digital solutions to meet unique customer needs and enable business transformation. Speedcast extends its managed services through differentiated technology offerings including cyber-security, crew welfare, content solutions, data and voice applications, and network systems integration services. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 2,000 customers in more than 140 countries in sectors such as Maritime, Energy, Mining, Enterprise, Media, Cruise, NGOs and Government. Learn more at www.speedcast.com. Speedcast is a trademark and registered trademark of Speedcast International Limited. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners. 2019 Speedcast International Limited. All rights reserved. Contact Information: Toni Lee Rudnicki Vice President, Global Marketing Speedcast International Ltd [email protected] +1-832-668-2634 About Fred. Olsen Windcarrier: Fred. Olsen Windcarrier provides innovative and tailored services for the transport, installation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Building on 170 years of offshore and marine experience, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier was established in 2008 to service the growing offshore wind sector. The company now operates three class leading purpose-built jack-up vessels; Bold Tern, Brave Tern and Blue Tern, and owns a fleet of seven modern service vessels for transporting crew and equipment to and from offshore wind farms which is operated by Northern Offshore Services. In addition, the company is a majority owner (75,5%) of Global Wind Service, providing a team of more than 900 highly experienced wind turbine technicians. The Fred. Olsen Windcarrier vessels have installed more than 400 wind turbines offshore and gained extensive experience installing the latest generation offshore wind turbines on some of the world's largest wind farms. The company provides complete project management services and carries a vast engineering expertise in-house and is capable to provide complete turnkey installation solutions for offshore wind turbines with in-house personnel. Fred. Olsen Windcarrier is wholly owned by Fred. Olsen Ocean Ltd. employing over 1400 people in offshore wind. Fred. Olsen Ocean is wholly owned by the Norwegian stock listed company Bonheur ASA. The company has offices in Oslo - Norway, Fredericia - Denmark, Lowestoft - United Kingdom, Hamburg - Germany and Pieta - Malta. Lifting Offshore Wind www.windcarrier.com SOURCE Speedcast International Limited Related Links https://www.speedcast.com HORSHAM, Pa., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Spectrum Gaming Group announces the hiring of four professionals to meet the growing demand for its economic, regulatory and public-policy services around the world. "Building on our 2018 growth throughout Asia, Europe and North America, we are proud to add four outstanding professionals to the Spectrum team. We will rely on them heavily for what is already shaping up to be a busy 2019," said Fredric Gushin, Spectrum Managing Director. Asaka Ishiyama joins Spectrum as Senior Vice President, Japan. Ishiyama has more than 35 years of hands-on experience in business and development, with extensive exposures to American, Australian, Southeast Asian and South Asian business cultures. Ishiyama served on the Board of Directors for Adelaide Casino in Australia and has recently worked with Spectrum on its Japanese engagements. He previously served as head of Citigroup asset management group, where he directed and managed debt/real investment investments in Japan. Based in Tokyo, Ishiyama will oversee Spectrum's business development regarding integrated resorts (IR) in Japan. Matthew Roob joins Spectrum as Senior Vice President, Financial Analysis. Roob spent the last seven years at Seneca Gaming Corp., where he most recently served as Executive Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. At Seneca, he worked with the executive team in overseeing three successful casinos in Western New York. Since 1995 he has worked for or with gaming companies on myriad projects and in markets throughout the country. Roob will head the Spectrum's financial analysis and strategic planning practices. Richard Doss joins Spectrum as Marketing and Events Coordinator. He most recently handled promotions and marketing for the Golden Nugget Lake Charles in Louisiana. Doss coordinates Spectrum's marketing tasks and oversees production of the East Coast Gaming Congress as well as production of the Winter and Summer meetings for the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, for which Spectrum serves as Executive Director. Daniel Phillips joins Spectrum's global advisory team through a strategic alliance to identify and develop new relationships with online and sports-betting providers who wish to enter the U.S. market. Over a 25-year period, Phillips based in the UK has established himself as a senior figure in the regulated gaming industry for several public and leading companies across the online, retail and social spaces. He has held director and C-level roles with Playtech, Gala Coral, Chartwell, Fertitta Interactive, and others. About Spectrum: Spectrum Gaming Group is a non-partisan consultancy that specializes in the economics, regulation and policy of legalized gambling worldwide. We have provided independent research and professional services to public- and private-sector clients since 1993. We bring wide industry perspective to every engagement, having worked in 38 US states and territories and in 47 countries on six continents. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.spectrumgaming.com. SOURCE Spectrum Gaming Group Related Links http://spectrumgaming.com DUBLIN, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Printing Industry in South Africa 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The South African printing industry and its suppliers contributed approximately R55bn to gross domestic product and provided around 45,000 jobs in 2017. Digital disruption continues to drive the decline of the commercial analogue printing segment, and print output volumes are on a steady downward trajectory. Some role players indicate that innovative technological advances sweeping through the sector present new opportunities for the industry. Digital Disruption: During the past decade, far-reaching changes have swept through the South African printing industry, with digital printing technologies becoming mainstream processes at the expense of conventional analogue printing. The circulation figures of most categories of publications in print format continue to decline, and the contraction in commercial printing throughput has resulted in an oversupply of web and gravure print capacity. With profit margins narrowing and technological advances continuing to drive disruption in the traditional print landscape, local printers are increasingly opting to reposition their businesses in an effort to remain sustainable. Report Coverage: This report focuses on general printing, print packaging, print finishing and printing on non-paper and board products, including clothing, textiles, plastics, metals and glass. The report includes descriptions of the size of the industry, major players, industry developments and factors which influence the sector's success. It includes comprehensive reports on 72 companies. These include Novus Holdings, the dominant player with a print market share of approximately 65%, and other notable players such Caxton & CTP, Bidvest's office and print division and the print packaging segment's Mpact and Nampak. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Description Of The Industry 2.1. Industry Value Chain 2.2. Geographic Position 3. Size Of The Industry 4. State Of The Industry 4.1. Local 4.1.1. Trade 4.1.2. Corporate Actions 4.1.3. Regulations 4.1.4. Enterprise Development And Social Economic Development 4.2. Continental 4.3. International 5. Influencing Factors 5.1. Economic Environment 5.2. Digitisation 5.3. Labour 5.4. Rising Input Costs 5.5. Off-Shoring Of Printing 5.6. Technology, Research And Development (R&D) And Innovation 5.7. Cyclicality 5.8. Environmental Concerns 6. Competition 6.1. Barriers To Entry 7. SWOT Analysis 8. Outlook 9. Industry Associations 10. References Appendix 1 - Summary Of Major Players International Trimmings and Labels SA (Pty) Ltd Rand Data Forms (Pty) Ltd Techni-Ad (Pty) Ltd Lexlines Press (Pty) Ltd Tshwane Press (Pty) Ltd Afripack (Pty) Ltd Shumani Mills Communications (Pty) Ltd Formeset Print (Pty) Ltd Fishwicks Printers (Pty) Ltd Creda Communications (Pty) Ltd Kwik Printing Works CC Oranje Drukkery (Pty) Ltd Altstadt Printing CC Minit Print Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd UVP Veltopak (Pty) Ltd UVP Pro Bind (Pty) Ltd Finishing Post (Pty) Ltd (The) Die Cut Natal Enterprise CC Jean and Ian Short CC Associated Printing (Pty) Ltd Knox Printing Company (Pty) Ltd (The) Shereno Printers CC Screen Image CC Telesco Investments CC Easi-Bind (Pty) Ltd Pro-Touch Dies CC Majestic Silver Trading 212 (Pty) Ltd N B Print (Pty) Ltd Typo Printing (Pty) Ltd Tandym Print (Pty) Ltd HP Labelling (Pty) Ltd Golden Era Printers and Stationers Bops (Pty) Ltd and Stationers Bops (Pty) Ltd Beith Digital (Pty) Ltd Kadimah Trading Corporation (Pty) Ltd Tiso Blackstar Group (Pty) Ltd ABC Printers (Pty) Ltd Universal Labels (Pty) Ltd Benchmark Signage (Pty) Ltd Jetline Franchises (Pty) Ltd Minuteman Press International Inc Printafoil (Pty) Ltd Bidvest Paperplus (Pty) Ltd Mpact Ltd Media24 (Pty) Ltd RPC Astrapak (Pty) Ltd Novus Holdings Ltd Nampak Products Ltd CTP Ltd Multiprint Litho (Pty) Ltd HR Lithographic Printers CC Mortimer Offset (Pty) Ltd Businessprint (Pty) Ltd USS Graphics International (Pty) Ltd Thornbird Trade and Invest 100 (Pty) Ltd Apple Print and Packaging CC Lotus Litho (Pty) Ltd Colour Display (Pty) Ltd MCC Label Paarl South Africa (Pty) Ltd G M Graphix (Pty) Ltd Ren-Media CC I T B Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd Tropic Plastic and Packaging Industry (Pty) Ltd Tetra Pak South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Pty) Ltd Sign and Seal Labels (Pty) Ltd Taurus Packaging (Pty) Ltd SA Label Printers (Pty) Ltd Sacks Packaging (Pty) Ltd 180 Degree Digital Print CC Zelpy 1624 (Pty) Ltd Tygan Digital and Signage CC IM Design Factory (Pty) Ltd Screenline (1971) (Pty) Ltd For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7l29nb/south_africa?w=5 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandhills Publishing will host a dealer forum in Calgary, Alberta on February 7th. The event will attract equipment dealers, brokers, rental and leasing companies, auctioneers, and other industry professionals in the construction, agriculture, trucking, and aviation industries for discussions about key market trends, challenges, and opportunities. Seminars and forums will also evaluate best practices for valuating, pricing, advertising, and the overall remarketing of assets to buyers in these industries. Sandhillsthe Nebraska-based tech company behind such brands as MarketBook, Machinery Trader, CraneTrader, TractorHouse, Truck Paper, RentalYard, AuctionTime.com, and othershas held a number of similar events across North America over its four-decade history. Seminars and discussions will center on leveraging technology to perform real-time asset valuations and the most profitable avenues for retail, rental, wholesale, and auction. Forum attendees will have the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions and one-on-one sessions, including in-depth looks at the technology behind today's asset valuation data, the value of comprehensive and integrated hosted web services, and the crucial role of integrated e-commerce. "Decades of industry forums have shown us that this is a valuable place for professionals across these industries to connect and glean valuable, actionable business insights," explains Sandhills' Chief Administration Officer Nancy Paasch. "Whether you're a dealership, auctioneer, rental or leasing business, or parts dealer, the forum is an ideal opportunity to meet with other sellers across your region and learn about the latest tools to retain and gain business." For more information or to register to attend the upcoming forum, contact Sandhills directly. About Sandhills Publishing Sandhills Publishing is an information processing company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our products and services gather, process, and distribute information in the form of trade publications, websites, and online services that connect buyers and sellers across the trucking, agriculture, construction, heavy equipment, aviation, and technology industries. Our integrated, industry-specific approach to hosted technologies and services offers solutions that help businesses large and small operate efficiently and grow securely, cost-effectively, and successfully. Sandhills Publishingwe are the cloud. Contact Sandhills: 120 West Harvest Drive Lincoln, NE 68521 www.Sandhills.com [email protected] (402) 479-2181 SOURCE Sandhills Publishing Company WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was awarded the following contract as announced by the Department of Defense on December 28, 2018. Raytheon Co. - Integrated Defense System, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $15,150,728 modification (P00029) to previously awarded contract FA8730-15-C-0002 for the Qatar Air and Missile Defense Operation Center. This modification provides for the procurement of the Qatar Alternate ADOC Prime Mission Equipment and software. This modification involves 100 percent foreign military sales to Qatar. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. www.raytheon.com Media Contact Mike Doble +1.703.284.4345 [email protected] SOURCE Raytheon Company Related Links http://www.raytheon.com ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Those who have been victims of sexual abuse in New York will finally get the justice they deserve. The Child Victims Act has passed the state legislature and is now on Governor Cuomo's desk for signature. The Governor's office has already promised that the new law will be signed as soon as possible. According to bill sponsors New York Senators Linda Rosenthal and Brad Hoylman, the new law will provide legal rights to "adult survivors of child sexual abuse" and will extend New York's statute of limitations concerning sexual abuse to help victims "seek redress against their abusers and institutions both public and private that harbored them." The Child Victims Act provides a powerful weapon against child sexual abuse by extending the time in which these victims can file a civil lawsuit in New York until they are 55 years old. The new law will also revive older cases that were not filed in time under New York's current statute of limitations by including a special "one year" revival period and granting these older cases a trial preference. It also treats public and private institutions alike, allowing lawsuits to be filed against public institutions, which previously had a time limit of only 90 days. Parker Waichman LLP is Reviewing Cases of Sex Abuse and Sex Trafficking If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual abuse, Parker Waichman LLP will review your claim to determine if you are eligible to file for monetary compensation. For more information about pursing justice through The Child Victims Act, please visit www.yourlawyer.com/child-victims-act. In some sex abuse cases, victims may file a lawsuit to recover monetary compensation from the perpetrator and the company or institution that are also responsible for a perpetrator's conduct (such as a school or an employer). The Child Victims Act will give victims of sexual abuse a better opportunity in which to seek legal justice against those who must be held responsible for their wrongful conduct. Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in New York Parker Waichman, LLP represents victims, including those who have been victims of child sex abuse, and has recovered over $2 billion in damages for its clients. If you or a family member has been a victim of sexual abuse and is interested in filing a sex abuse lawsuit, contact Parker Waichman LLP at the firm's website at yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) or visit our website at www.yourlawyer.com. CONTACT: Gregory Lanuti, 516-466-6500 Related Links http://www.yourlawyer.com SOURCE Parker Waichman LLP Related Links https://www.yourlawyer.com MONTECITO, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Just over one year ago, Montecito, an affluent California enclave neighboring Santa Barbara and often referred to as "Beverly Hills North," endured a raging wildfire followed by torrential rains and, ultimately, a deadly landslide. The massive debris flow destroyed or damaged hundreds of multi-million-dollar homes and took nearly two dozen lives. Montecito resident and veteran Realtor Cristal Clarke, whose home was threatened and who lost a friend and colleague in the tragedy, reflects on the resulting impact on, and recovery of Montecito's real estate market. David Polermo Photo of Somerset Estate in Montecito, a landslide survivor January, 2018: Multi-million-dollar homes damaged or destroyed in massive landslide. "Immediately after the tragedy, we experienced a large amount of uncertainty in the local market, as would be expected," Clarke recalls. "No one knew what the long-term ramifications would be. Some property owners simply relocated to Santa Barbara and Hope Ranch as safe havens. Whether this will be short- or long-term has yet to be determined, but we've seen an influx of those property owners come back to the Montecito marketplace." Whereas the number of homes for sale dropped nearly 20% in the first months after the disaster, inventory was reduced to just 1% by the third quarter. The number of homes sold in the community during 2018 was down only 7% overall compared to 2017. In fact, 2018 sales in Montecito's luxury property category, defined as homes priced at $10 million and above, increased by 50% over the two previous years. One of those luxury homes was listed by Clarke, who also represented the buyer. Altogether, she had approximately $40 million under contract in December, which included five properties. Needless to say, those sales as well as previous ones made her feel optimistic, which she shared in her 2018 year-end newsletter, stating, "Despite the many challenges . . . 2018 ended strongly and has allowed us to move into 2019 with momentum and positivity." It is difficult to imagine the full extent of damage a 20+ mph, 15-foot-high wall of mud, large trees and boulders the size of cars can do to a community. The unprecedented task of clean-up and recovery began immediately and involved local, state and federal agencies, as well as significant support and assistance from residents and grass-roots groups and organizations. "I think it's fair to say certain areas of Montecito are still recovering," says Clarke. "However, there has been substantive growth in the community overall; from sales the second half of the year, and as businesses start to get a stronger foothold and consumers become more active. The re-opening of the [Four Seasons] Biltmore Resort was a milestone for visitors to reenter the community. The San Ysidro Ranch is not far behind, and the opening of the new Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort Hotel, expected in the next month or so, all add to the momentum and positivity." When asked what her secret to professional survival has been during the past year, Clarke doesn't hesitate to share her long-standing philosophy of success. "As always, hard work and positivity are the key elements when dealing with any adversity," she says. "I've always been, and will continue to be, community focused." Clarke is also quick to give credit to potential buyers and sellers. "Yes, we've had to hold a few hands, but, overall, buyers and sellers have been 100% behind our community. They tend to see last year's event as a one-time occurrence. People from all over the country have said, 'We saw how Montecito has come together and we want to be a part of a community like that.'" Cristal Clarke may be reached via her Montecito Estate website. Media Contact Susan Hartzler AlphaDogPR [email protected] 818-585-8641 SOURCE Cristal Clarke GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --The HealthWell Foundation, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, has opened a new fund to provide copayment and premium assistance to Medicare patients living with nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). Through the new fund, HealthWell will provide up to $2,000 in financial assistance for a 12-month grant to eligible patients who have annual household incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Don Liss MD, HealthWell Foundation Board member, commented on the fund opening, "Older patients who develop NTM are often already debilitated from other health issues. Individuals of modest means may simply be unable to afford the out-of-pocket costs of the medicines necessary to treat their infection." Dr. Liss continued, "It is gratifying to be able to help Medicare patients with NTM access the medical treatments required to treat this serious infection." NTM are naturally-occurring organisms (germs) found in water and soil. While most species of NTM do not cause human disease, except in people with weak lungs or immune systems, people who are susceptible develop lung infections after inhalation of the organisms from misty water or from the soil, according to the Chest Foundation. These lung infections become slowly progressive, destroying lung tissue and leading to other, more serious lung conditions. Between 12,000 18,000 new cases of NTM lung infections are diagnosed each year in the United States. Scott Manaker, MD, PhD, a professor of pulmonary medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who is not affiliated with HealthWell, said, "Treatment of NTM requires a long course of therapy, including multiple antibiotics to try and control these infections. Nonprofit organizations can play a vital role in helping to ensure patients have access to the critical medications they need, when they need it." "Treatment of NTM, especially in elderly patients and patients with severe infections, can require months of therapy. Often, treatment of the infection can cause financial hardship to these patients, especially to those on Medicare," said Krista Zodet, HealthWell Foundation President. "We applaud our donors for recognizing the difficulties NTM patients on Medicare face in accessing the required medications to treat their condition and are honored to offer financial resources to ease some of their burden." To determine eligibility and apply for financial assistance, visit HealthWell's Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Fund page. To learn how you can support this or other HealthWell programs, visit HealthWellFoundation.org. About the HealthWell Foundation A nationally recognized, independent non-profit organization founded in 2003, the HealthWell Foundation has served as a safety net across over 65 disease areas for more than 405,000 underinsured patients by providing approximately $1.25 billion in grant support to access life-changing medical treatments they otherwise would not be able to afford. HealthWell provides financial assistance to adults and children facing medical hardship resulting from gaps in their insurance that cause out-of-pocket medical expenses to escalate rapidly. HealthWell assists with the treatment-related cost-sharing obligations of these patients. HealthWell ranked #41 on the 2018 Forbes list of the 100 Largest U.S. Charities and was recognized for its 100% fundraising efficiency. For more information, visit www.HealthWellFoundation.org. CONTACT: Ginny Dunn 240-632-5309 [email protected] SOURCE HealthWell Foundation Related Links http://www.healthwellfoundation.org DALLAS, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moody Foundation has made its second $5 million grant to the Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program. PLS serves as a catalyst for a diverse network of leaders brought together to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson. Each year, a diverse group of mid-career professionals begins a journey to hone their leadership abilities through interactions with former presidents, key administration officials, leading academics, and business and civic leaders. Scholars put their learning into action through personal leadership projects, intended to solve a problem or pressing issue. This year's class will join an active network of 240 Scholars working to lead lasting and positive change in their communities and across the globe. "The Moody Foundation is pleased to contribute a second $5 million gift to the Presidential Leadership Scholars program," said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and CEO and President of National Western Life Group. "PLS helps diverse leaders see across boundaries, imagine possibilities and put their leadership aspirations into motion. It's an honor to invest in this, and in the life-long connections that come from the Scholars' experiences." The annual PLS program accepts approximately 60 leaders in partnership with the George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson presidential foundations. The program is funded through the Moody Foundation grants, other foundations, corporations and individuals. "The Moody Foundation's support is helping us develop leaders to address the challenges of our time," said President George W. Bush. "I am fortunate to know the Scholars and I look forward to watching the PLS network continue to lead." "Each year I'm inspired by the gifted, diverse group of Presidential Leadership Scholars and their shared commitment to improving the lives and futures of others," said President Bill Clinton. "I am grateful to the Moody Foundation for their continued support of the program." The Moody Foundation is a founding partner for the PLS program. As such, it hosts the closing program the Moody Foundation Conversation during the graduation ceremony, which is livestreamed worldwide. The Conversation centers on ways participants are working to address current national and global issues. Last year President George W. Bush and President Bill Clinton led the graduating Scholars in a discussion involving the opioid crisis, veterans' issues and immigration. See: presidentialleadershipscholars.org/2018-graduation. "Developing and supporting effective leaders is central to the work of the Bush Institute," said Holly Kuzmich, executive director of the George W. Bush Institute. "We are grateful to the Moody Foundation for their support as we continue the meaningful work of sharpening the leadership skills of the Presidential Leadership Scholars who are creating positive changes in their communities and around the world." "Inspiring civic engagement and partnership are at the heart of what we do at the Clinton Foundation," said Stephanie S. Streett, executive director of the Clinton Foundation. "This grant from the Moody Foundation allows us to continue to expand on this critical program that supports leaders from across the country as they improve their communities." Interested candidates can apply for the 2020 Presidential Leadership Scholars class later this year at presidentialleadershipscholars.org/apply. About the Moody Foundation The Moody Foundation was established by W.L. Moody, Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody in 1942 to share their good fortune and make a difference in the lives of the people of Texas. Since then, the Moody Foundation has made more than $1.5 billion in grants throughout the state to organizations that have educated, healed, nurtured and inspired generations of Texans. The Moody Foundation continues with a board of three trustees: Frances Moody-Dahlberg, Ross Moody and Elizabeth Moody. Learn more at MoodyF.org. About the Presidential Leadership Scholars program Presidential Leadership Scholars serves as a catalyst for a diverse network of leaders brought together to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Learn more at presidentialleadershipscholars.org. Contact: Kami Lee representing Moody Foundation (512) 344-2032 [email protected] SOURCE Moody Foundation Related Links https://moodyf.org LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MLC Media, a leading Spanish Language media company, and the self-proclaimed "House of Content," is NOT creating cookie cutter radio programs. Two of MLC Media's Network Syndicated programs, Alex "El Genio" Lucas ("El Show de Alex 'El Genio' Lucas") and Stephanie "Chiquibaby" Himonidis ("El Show de Chiquibaby"), are nominees for this year's Medallas de Cortez awarded by Radio Ink Magazine. Alex is celebrating his 30th career anniversary in 2019 and Stephanie having over 15 years as a multi-platform talent are a force to be reckoned with. These two cutting edge programs along with other radio shows produced and/or syndicated through MLC Media make it the leader in the national audio space. "We don't do 'Cookie Cutter' programming, we do everything with the 'Audience First' strategy. Our shows' longevity is a result of thought out passion points that touch individuals, families, and communities across the US. The Latino audience is an important fabric of our Nation, and these two talented individuals represent just that," said David Bello, MLC Media Vice President of Production and Programming. "We at MLC Media are humbled and honored to receive these prestigious nominations from such an important media institution as is Radio Ink," said Carlos Moncada, CEO of MLC Media. "Both Alex and Stephanie have become staples to the Hispanic Community and are well-deserved of this nomination. Their undeniable dedication and passion for what they do transcend each day on the microphone and media extensions." The Medallas de Cortez Awards are set to take place at the Hispanic Radio Conference 2019 this upcoming March 12 and 13 in Miami, FL. About MLC Media Services MLC Media Services produces and distributes Spanish Language Syndicated Programs across 500+ stations in the US and Mexico. Its premiere programs include "El Show de Alex 'El Genio' Lucas," "Armida y La Flaka," "El Show de Chiquibaby," "El Cotorreo con Carlos Alvarez," "La Diva de Mexico," "Rollo Deportivo con Ricardo Celis," "El Show de Compa Mike," "El Show de Tono," and "Ana Alicia y Julieta," that together currently reach over 10 million people monthly with radio and social media. www.mlcsmedia.com For Syndication Sales Contact: Jose Villafane at [email protected] For Syndication Affiliations Contact: David Bello at [email protected] SOURCE MLC Media Services Related Links http://www.mlcsmedia.com Correiros chose MIA as its first Compra Fora partner in large part because the airport ranks first in the U.S. for cargo flights to Brazil and commands 38 percent of the entire MIA-Brazil air trade market. Brazil is MIA's largest international market for passengers and trade value, generating more than 1.5 million travelers and $12 billion in cargo shipments annually. "This landmark agreement with Correios once again reinforces Miami-Dade County's role as the logistics leader in our hemisphere," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "I applaud the efforts of MIA and our trade community, for keeping Miami-Dade County on the forefront of innovation within the global air cargo industry." Through a joint venture between Miami-based logistics providers SinerlogUSA and Interport Logistics - the first two companies selected by Correios for the Compra Fora program items purchased by registered Compra Fora customers in Brazil are stored at Interport's facility within Miami-Dade County's Foreign Trade Zone, before being inspected, pre-cleared and shipped from MIA with a Correios label. Those shipments can then arrive in Brazil as domestic cargo and be transported to their final destinations via Correio's logistics network. Compra Fora allows Brazilian customers to have their own postal network addresses, schedule and group their shipments, pay any required taxes or fees, and track their order with the Sinerlog Safety Tracker (SST) system. The 2006 signing of a Sister Airport agreement between the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and the Brazilian Airport Authorities, in partnership with Miami-Dade County's International Trade Consortium (ITC), was one of the contributing factors to the creation of Compra Fora. "I am extremely pleased to see this initiative become a reality, after years of hard work and collaboration between Miami-Dade County and Correios," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Chairman of the ITC. "We expect Compra Fora to provide a significant boost to Miami-Dade County's air trade with Brazil." As the busiest international freight hub in the Western Hemisphere, and through innovative programs like Compra Fora, MIA is uniquely poised to benefit from the global e-commerce boom responsible for $2.29 trillion in worldwide sales in 2017 a figure projected to double in the next four years. Market research firm Statista forecasts Latin America to be a strong e-commerce growth region during that span, with a projected doubling of annual sales from $29.8 billion in 2015 to $64.4 billion in 2019. Brazil is Latin America's largest economy, and was responsible for an estimated 65 percent of the region's e-commerce sales in 2018. "Compra Fora is the latest collaborative effort we've engaged in to streamline and expedite the shipping process across our global cargo network," said Lester Sola, MIA Director and CEO. "The Brazilian Government has designated MIA as the only US airport able to pre-clear e-commerce bound to Brazil. We expect that our new partnership with Correios will spur increased trade and commerce between Miami-Dade County and Brazil, the leading economy and e-commerce market in Latin America." Miami International Airport offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, is America's third-busiest airport for international passengers, boasts a lineup of more than 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight. MIA, along with its general aviation airports, is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $30.9 billion annually and welcoming nearly 60 percent of all international visitors to Florida. MIA's vision is to grow from a recognized hemispheric hub to a global airport of choice that offers customers a world-class experience and an expanded route network with direct passenger and cargo access to all world regions. MIA is committed to sustainable practices. Learn more at www.MIAefficiency.com . Follow us online: https://www.facebook.com/IflyMIA/ https://mobile.twitter.com/iflymia https://www.instagram.com/iflymia/ http://www.miami-airport.com/ MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Chin 305.876.7017 [email protected] www.miami-airport.com SOURCE Miami International Airport ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercury Associates, Inc., the largest dedicated fleet management consultancy in North America, announced that company leaders will be presenting at two industry conferences this week in Southern California. Paul Lauria, President of Mercury Associates, will be the keynote speaker at the Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association (MEMA) SoCal Conference in Beverly Hills discussing 'Are You Ready for the Perfect Storm Managing Fleet Performance'. Colleague Steve Saltzgiver, Manager for Mercury, will take part in a panel discussion on 'What Consultants Can Do for Your Fleet Operations'. On January 31st, Lauria will again discuss the Perfect Storm at the inaugural National Utilities Fleet Management Conference in Newport Beach. "I look forward to discussing the implications for fleet owners and fleet management professionals of three key industry trends: rapid changes in automotive technology, growing expectations for data-driven management practices created by the 'Big Data' phenomenon, and the loss of institutional knowledge as veteran fleet managers retire and are replaced," stated Lauria. "While there has been much discussion in fleet management circles about the first two trends, there has been considerably less focus on the third one and, specifically, on organizations' readiness to weather the storm of human resources changes that is bearing down on fleet owners across a broad spectrum of industries." MEMA SoCal is taking place at the Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, January 30th with Lauria's keynote address from 11:00 AM 12:00 PM. The panel discussion with Saltzgiver follows from 1:00 PM 1:45 PM. The National Utilities Fleet Management Conference takes place at the Costa Mesa Marriott with Lauria kicking off the event at 8:45 AM presenting 'Are You Ready for the Perfect Storm Bearing Down on Fleets Across the World?' For more information about Mercury Associates, Inc. and its fleet management advisory and related services, please visit www.mercury-assoc.com. About Mercury Associates: Mercury is a fleet consulting and services firm dedicated to providing independent, unbiased technical assistance and advice to public and private organizations. Mercury combines specialized expertise and resources with unparalleled industry experience to provide objective results for its clients. Unlike generalist consulting firms, Mercury does one thing and one thing only: specialize in fleet management. Mercury's strategy is to retain highly trained fleet professionals and educate them to become fleet management consultants. This strategy has enabled Mercury to become the largest dedicated fleet consulting firm in North America. Mercury's consultants have worked with hundreds of organizations operating highly diverse vehicle and equipment fleets. Its professionals know how to turn challenges into opportunities because they have the technical expertise, analytical skills, and practical hands-on experience to do so. For more information, please visit www.mercury-assoc.com. SOURCE Mercury Associates Related Links http://www.mercury-assoc.com LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Joined by tens of thousands of supporters, Marianne Williamson today announced her candidacy for the 2020 Democratic Party Nomination at the Saban Theater in Los Angeles. "I want to engage voters in a more meaningful conversation about America," states Williamson. "About our history, about how each of us fit into it, and how to create a sustainable future. Our national challenges are deep, but our political conversation is shallow. My campaign is for people who want to dig deeper into the questions we face as a nation, and deeper into finding the answers." Two months after launching an exploratory campaign to determine the viability of a presidential campaign, Williamson, who published a book on American's political system titled Healing the Soul of America in 1997 and re-issued the book in an updated edition last year, has already travelled to Iowa six times this year and spent early January visiting New Hampshire. "All Americans know they have an important part to play in determining the conversation that will dominate our politics over the next two years, and they take it very seriously. I'm honored to be part of the process and feel very grateful that they're showing up to engage me in this conversation." Williamson's run comes after a 35-year-career spent teaching universal spiritual values, non-profit activism and a commitment to social justice. She is an internationally acclaimed lecturer, and has been one of America's most well-known public voices for more than three decades. Seven of her twelve published books have been New York Times best sellers. Today, she cites, "our economy as a veiled aristocracy, a crisis among America's children, systemic racism, and reframing national security," among the nation's greatest issues. "We need more than a better version of the same old same old. We need a fundamental disruption of a sociopathic economic order, and an alignment of our politics with our deepest democratic and human values." In the 1980s, she founded the Los Angeles and Manhattan Centers for Living, which provided non-medical support services to people with AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses. In 1990, she founded Project Angel Food, a meal-delivery service to homebound people suffering from AIDS. She also co-founded The Peace Alliance, promoting legislation to establish a United States Department of Peace. For more information, visit www.marianneforamerica.com. SOURCE Marianne for America Related Links http://www.marianneforamerica.com/ NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- An international ransomware attack could cost the U.S. $89 billion, accounting for nearly half of the $193 billion global price tag for an attack, according to a new report from the Cyber Risk Management (CyRiM) project, of which Lloyd's of London is a founding member. The cyber-attack which launches through an infected email, encrypts data on every device connected to the network, and has the potential to spread quickly around the world causes damages at 600,000 companies, ranging from premier institutions to small businesses. The catastrophic losses in the U.S. result from a combination of reduced productivity and consumption, IT clean-up costs, ransom payments and supply chain disruption. The new report, 'Bashe attack: Global infection by contagious malware', shows that across the U.S. an attack would cause economic damage to a wide range of business sectors. Globally, retail and healthcare are the most affected ($25 billion each) and in the U.S. the financial sector also tops the list. "According to Lloyd's City Risk Index, a cyber-attack is the second greatest threat to the U.S. economy in large part due to the increasing impact of attacks as the U.S. and global economies become more dependent on and driven by technology," Hank Watkins, Regional Director and President, Americas at Lloyd's, said. "While awareness of the threat posed by cyber-attack and the global insurance industry's response have been growing in the U.S., it's more important than ever for companies, individuals and organizations to anticipate and prepare for breaches. While not a new form of cyber-attack, WannaCry, NotPetya and subsequent events have demonstrated the potentially devastating impact of ransomware." The report shows that companies are underprepared for such an attack, with 86 percent of the total economic costs uninsured. Additionally, Dr. Trevor Maynard, Head of Innovation at Lloyd's, said, "This report shows the increasing risk to businesses from cyber-attacks as the global economy becomes more interconnected and reliant on technology. Companies must ensure they are better prepared for ransomware attacks, and that includes working with insurers to reduce the risks before they are attacked and ensure they have the right insurance cover in place to respond after the event. The reality for business is it's not a question of if you get attacked, but when." About Lloyd's Lloyd's is the world's specialist insurance and reinsurance market www.lloyds.com Led by expert underwriters and brokers in more than 200 territories, the Lloyd's market develops the essential, complex and critical insurance needed to underwrite human progress. Backed by diverse global capital and excellent financial ratings, Lloyd's works with a global network of over 4,000 insurance professionals to build resilience for businesses and local communities, and strengthen economic growth around the world. Lloyd's underwrites approximately a third of the global cyber market, with 80% of that written in the US. Lloyd's regularly publishes reports on cyber risk to inform customers on the latest developments. Recent studies include: Business Blackout, which looks at the economic and insurance implications of a cyber-attack on the US power grid. Facing the Cyber Risk Challenge, which found that businesses are still complacent with regards as to how a data breach can impact them, and how to prepare for it. Closing the Gap, which found that businesses could face a much higher bill than they expect or are prepared for after a cyber-attack. Counting the cost: Cyber exposure decoded shows the potential economic impact of a malicious hack that takes down a cloud service provider, and the impact of attacks on computer operating systems used by multiple businesses around the world. Cloud Down: Impact on the US economy show the impact of a top cloud service provider failure risk and highlights the expected financial impact on 12.4 million businesses in the US. About CyRiM The Cyber Risk Management (CyRiM) project is led by Nanyang Technological University Insurance Risk and Finance Research Centre (NTU-IRFRC) in collaboration with industry partners and academic experts including the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies. The project is overseen by a Project Oversight Board consisting of representatives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), NTU-IRFRC and CyRiM industry founding members. CyRiM industry founding members include Aon Centre for Innovation and Analytics, Lloyd's - the specialist insurance and reinsurance market, MSIG, SCOR and TransRe. CyRiM is a pre-competitive research project that aims to foster an efficient cyber risk insurance market place through engaging industry and academic experts guided by government and policy level research. The CyRiM project will help Singapore become an industry centre of excellence on cyber risk and grow the cyber risk insurance market by promoting both the demand and supply of insurance coverage. SOURCE Lloyd's of London Related Links http://www.lloyds.com BOSTON, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate Horn will partner with key brokers to provide a range of Liberty Mutual and Ironshore commercial and specialty insurance solutions to mid-size and large companies throughout Southern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. "As a branch executive, Kate will help brokers in her territory understand the full range of Liberty and Ironshore primary, excess and specialty insurance products and how they can better meet the needs of companies with complex risks," explained David Russo, Senior Vice President, Regional Executive Mid-Atlantic, Liberty Mutual. "She brings more than 30 years of account management and underwriting experience, significantly contributing to both brokers and insurers." Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Horn was Vice President at Keating, Inc. where she specialized in larger, complex placements for brokers across the Northeast. About Liberty Mutual Insurance Liberty Mutual is the 5th largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2017 gross written premium, with over 50,000 employees in 30 countries and economies around the world. Our purpose is to help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. The promise we make to our customers throughout the world is to provide protection for the unexpected, delivered with care. We achieve this by offering a full range of personal, commercial, and specialty Property & Casualty insurance coverages. Our customers' trust has earned us the 68th spot on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S., based on 2017 revenue. You can learn more about us by visiting Libertymutualgroup.com. Contact: Richard Angevine 617-574-6638 [email protected] SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance Related Links http://www.libertymutual.com NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Language startup LingroLearning announced today a strategic partnership with W. W. Norton & Company as the exclusive seller of LingroLearning language services, effective immediately. "We are thrilled that our startup will be teamed up with such a highly esteemed and accomplished sales force," stated Steve Debow, CEO of LingroLearning. "The Norton sales team is famous for their deep content knowledge and we're looking forward to them sharing the many innovations of Contrasena with the Spanish language teaching community." Contrasena is co-authored by Dr. Amy Rossomondo (University of Kansas) and Dr. Gillian Lord (University of Florida) and is the first introductory Spanish program in the education space built from the ground up as a fully digital solution. "It is built on the tenets of backward design and visible outcomes," said Samantha Alducin, Vice President of Interactive Learning. "Contrasena promotes transparent and effective learning and fosters the development of communicative and cultural competence in Spanish." It is already in use at a range of North American colleges and universities, including Cal State Long Beach, Emory University, Golden West College, Louisiana State, Marquette, Michigan State, University of Cincinnati, University of Florida, University of Kansas, and Western Kentucky University. "Providing students and faculty with affordable, flexible, high-quality content has long been Norton's top priority," said Mike Wright, Vice President and Director of Sales at W. W. Norton & Company. "Our roots in the humanities are deep and our commitment is unwavering. We don't enter into partnerships lightly, but we are so impressed with the whole Contrasena program that teaming with LingroLearning was irresistible." About LingroLearning LingroLearning is changing the way we learn languages. Founded in 2016 by experienced industry pioneers who have together created some of the most successful language products on the market today, the company partners with leading language scholars, practitioners, and institutions to launch pedagogically sound, tech-enabled language learning services. For more on LingroLearning, go to www.lingrolearning.com About W. W. Norton & Company W. W. Norton & Company is the nation's largest independent, employee-owned book publishing firm. Founded by William Warder Norton in 1923, the firm now publishes approximately 450 books annually in its combined divisions and continues to adhere to its original motto, "Books That Live," striving to publish works of enduring distinction in the areas of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and textbooks. CONTACT: Steve Debow, [email protected] SOURCE LingroLearning Related Links http://www.lingrolearning.com ZUG, Switzerland, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr (SWISS: LAND.SW) today holds its first Capital Markets Day in Zurich with Executive Management providing an update on the industry, strategy, operations and financial targets. Highlights include Landis+Gyr's: Position as the global leader in the growing smart metering industry Ability to capitalize on the growing role of grid edge intelligence as a result of the trends of decarbonization, decentralization and digitalization in the utility industry Growth strategy based on smart metering, grid edge intelligence, and smart infrastructure Two major contracts signed in the U.S. since the beginning of the calendar year Confirmation of FY 2018 guidance Introduction of new mid-term financial guidance (i.e. for FY 2021) Announcement of CHF 100 million Share Buyback Program intended to increase returns to shareholders Richard Mora, CEO, said: "We believe that smart metering plays a fundamental and essential role at the heart of the evolving grid, and that our market leadership and proven track-record put us in pole position to deliver on our three growth platforms: smart metering, grid edge intelligence, and smart infrastructure." Leader in a growing industry Landis+Gyr is the leading smart metering solutions provider worldwide, serving over 3,500 utilities and energy retailers globally. Over the next decade many more utilities will deploy smart metering infrastructure, and Landis+Gyr intends to maintain its leadership during this growth phase. The smart metering market in 2017 (ex-China) was USD $5.6 billion with 7% growth forecast through 2021 (source: IHS-Markit). Industry dynamics The energy industry is undergoing significant disruption from the "3D" drivers of D ecarbonization of the generation mix, the widespread adoption of D ecentralized and intermittent renewable energy resources and the continued push to D igitalize grid operations. These translate into very specific utility challenges, in the management of grid resilience, grid flexibility and grid security. Additionally, consumer engagement is becoming more important as energy "prosumers" both produce and consume energy, deploying their own power from distributed energy resources. This is most often accomplished through rooftop solar panels and electric vehicles. Gone are the days when electricity consumption was a one-way street. This ongoing disruption to the electric grid is blurring the lines between power generation and consumption. Evolving role of the meter In response, utilities are recognizing the importance of the smart meter and the role it plays at the grid edge, as they address these "3D" drivers. Specifically, there is a growing need for intelligence, control, and flexibility in the distribution grid. This need is magnified at the grid edge, where many new disruptive resources and their associated load dynamics are located. Utilities are expecting to deliver a diverse array of new use-cases with next-generation smart meters. This "second wave" is already happening, and is driving the need for enhanced system functionality, more intelligence in the grid, flexible communications networks, and a broader suite of value-add software applications and services. Next generation metering, with enhanced edge intelligence, plays a central role enabling customized functionality at a local level. Strategy focused on three growth platforms Landis+Gyr will capitalize on these industry dynamics, building on three growth platforms: Smart metering, Grid edge intelligence and Smart infrastructure. Smart metering: Landis+Gyr continuously invests in targeted enhancements to its core metering offerings in electricity, gas and heat in terms of both functionality and cost-competitiveness. The company aims at capturing a significant share of new roll-outs, expanding the penetration of smart metering across geographies globally, with an enhanced portfolio of AMI products, solutions and services. Grid edge intelligence: while utilities and retailers continue to require aggregated decision making at the head end of their systems in the cloud or on premise emerging "second-wave" use-cases require this to be augmented with distributed decision-making and automation capabilities located at the grid edge. Landis+Gyr enables this transition with its Gridstream Connect platform for Utility IoT. The platform encompasses a next generation metering platform, edge intelligence cards, next-generation network equipment, network and device management software, as well as an app store and software development kit, allowing support for third party applications. Smart infrastructure: Landis+Gyr will leverage its Gridstream Connect platform to add further smart infrastructure devices, sensors, applications and services such as smart street lighting, EV charging, smart water metering and other infrastructure opportunities to provide continued top-line growth. Already today, the company has proof-points in Smart Infrastructure verticals, built on in-house know-how, partnerships, and previous acquisitions. Landis+Gyr will continue to evaluate buy versus make opportunities to support its growth in Smart-Infrastructure markets. Two major contracts signed in the U.S. Since the beginning of this calendar year Landis+Gyr has two major wins in the U.S. market. One win in the Northeast totals approximately 1 million smart meters with grid edge intelligence applications. The second major win involves approximately 500 thousand new smart meters and a long-term managed services extension covering an additional 2.5 million meters. In both cases, Landis+Gyr technological leadership and customer focus were noted by the customers as key drivers in their competitive selection processes. FY 2018 guidance confirmed Landis+Gyr confirms the FY 2018 guidance issued at the time of H1 FY 2018 results. Landis+Gyr expects FY 2018 net revenue growth of approximately 1-3% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between USD 217 million and USD 237 million. Free Cash Flow (excluding M&A) is expected to be between USD 90 million and USD 110 million. The FY 2018 dividend is expected to be at least 75% of Free Cash Flow (excluding M&A) but not less than the FY 2017 dividend of CHF 2.30 per share. Introducing new mid-term financial guidance Landis+Gyr introduces mid-term financial guidance (i.e. for FY 2021) of: Mid-single digit annual net revenue growth relative to the USD 1.7 billion achieved in FY 2017 achieved in FY 2017 Expansion of Adjusted EBITDA margin to between 13.5% and 14.5% of net revenues Annual Free Cash Flow (excluding M&A) of above USD 150 million Net debt expected to remain below 1.5x Adjusted EBITDA Dividend payout of at least 75% of Free Cash Flow (excluding M&A) Share buyback program Landis+Gyr's Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program of up to CHF 100 million or a maximum of 8% of shares outstanding. The program is expected to begin on January 30, 2019 and run up to 36 months. In the last four fiscal years Landis+Gyr has generated on average annual Free Cash Flow (excluding M&A) of over USD 80 million and expects continuing strong cash flow from future earnings. Maintaining its conservative financial policy, Landis+Gyr expects to have sufficient funds to further invest in both R&D and capital expenditure, as well as to expand, as appropriate, the Group's technology, market reach and to undertake bolt-on acquisitions, in addition to this share buyback program. The program can be suspended at any time, for example, in the case of an attractive acquisition opportunity. Landis+Gyr expects to maintain its dividend pay-out ratio of at least 75% of Free Cash Flow (excluding M&A). Additionally, the Board of Directors has now decided to further increase the cash distribution to shareholders and hereby announces this share buyback program funded by Free Cash Flow and additional debt, and consistent with mid-term leverage guidance that the ratio of Net debt/ Adjusted EBITDA will remain below 1.5x. The shares will be bought out of capital reserves via the first line on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The shares will be repurchased for the purposes of cancellation, subject to approval by future Annual General Shareholders' Meetings. The total shareholder return strategy, consisting of the high dividend pay-out ratio and this buyback program, is based on confidence in the future cash generating capacity of Landis+Gyr. For further details of the share buyback program and regular updates related thereto please visit: www.landisgyr.com/investors/share-buyback. Documents The slides of the Capital Markets Day presentations are available from 07:00 am CET on January 29, 2019 on the Landis+Gyr investor website. A live audio webcast of the event will be available from 09:30 am on January 29, 2019. To access the presentation and audio webcast, please visit: www.landisgyr.com/investors/cmd/. About Landis+Gyr Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions for the utility sector. Offering one of the broadest portfolios of products and services to address complex industry challenges, the company delivers comprehensive solutions for the foundation of a smarter grid, including smart metering, distribution network sensing and automation tools, load control, analytics and energy storage. Landis+Gyr operates in over 30 countries across five continents. With sales of approximately USD 1.7 billion, the company employs c. 6,000 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better. More information is available at www.landisgyr.com Important notice about forward-looking information This release contains specific forward-looking statements that include terms like "believe", "assume", "expect", "guidance", "target" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements represent Lands+Gyr's judgments and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, the financial situation, and/or the development or performance of the company and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. Landis+Gyr Group is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation. Alternative performance measures. This release contains information regarding alternative performance measures. Definitions of these measures and reconciliations between such measures and their US GAAP counterparts may be found on pages 38 to 44 of the Landis+Gyr Half Year Report 2018 on our website at www.landisgyr.com/investors. SOURCE Landis+Gyr (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/814734/Main_Fig_Outline_of_discovery.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/814735/Fig_1_HGF_in_regeneration.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/814736/Fig_2_3D_tubulogenesis.jpg ) Growth factors are ligands that play important roles in the body - they are responsible for tissue regeneration, wound healing, and the maintenance and growth of cells. Stimulating growth factor-dependent pathways is therefore an important therapeutic strategy to promote the regeneration of tissues due to injuries and diseases. Using synthetic substitutes of growth factors is the primary method for artificially stimulating the desired pathways. However, synthetic substitutes are often not as efficient and comprehensive in inducing the required biological changes. Kunio Matsumoto at Kanazawa University and colleagues have recently created a substitute for one such growth factor, that produces a comparable biological response. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) binds to and activates a receptor, known as MET (Fig. 1). In other words, HGF is a native ligand for the MET receptor. The MET receptor is a transmembrane protein. Upon extracellular binding of HGF to the extracellular region of MET, pairing of the receptors (called 'dimerization') occurs, which allows the intracellular chemical change of the receptors (called 'phosphorylation'). This receptor phosphorylation means receptor activation, which triggers activation of intracellular biological signal transduction pathways, leading to a variety of biological responses in cells. To mimic the actions of HGF, the researchers created a 'macrocyclic peptide' molecule (named aMD5-PEG11) which activates the MET receptor (Main Fig). This molecule is composed of chemically cross-linked two macrocyclic peptides. Such cyclic molecules are flexible in structure and can bind and activate MET. Furthermore, aMD5-PEG11 docked onto to a different region of MET than HGF, aMD-PEG11 and HGF therefore did not directly compete for MET and nullify each other's effects. Whether aMD-PEG11 also induced these structural changes, was then assessed in two different human cell types. aMD-PEG11 induced the same extent of coupling/dimerization and phosphorylation of the MET receptor in a comparable ability to HGF. If the structural changes induced by HGF and aMD5-PEG11 were similar, were the biological effects similar too? MET activation by HGF induces migration of cells. This migration was also observed by aMD-PEG11. MET activation by HGF also results in activation of other signaling proteins such as AKT and ERK. aMD-PEG11 also had comparable effects on the activation of these molecules. These effects were cancelled when a specific inhibitor for MET was added, indicating that these effects were definitely results of MET activation induced by aMD-PEG11 or HGF. The activation of a set of genes is responsible for specific biological functions. When the genes activated by aMD-PEG11 and HGF were respectively analyzed during 3-D tubulogenesis in human kidney cells induced by aMD5-PEG11 and HGF, changes in the gene expression profiles were largely overlapped and comparable between HGF and aMD5-PEG11. Because 3-D tubulogenesis by HGF in kidney cells implicates construction/development and re-construction/regeneration of a functional kidney, the comparable ability between HGF and aMD5-PEG11 to induce gene expression profiles suggests that aMD5-PEG11 can facilitate regeneration of the kidney in a potential comparable to HGF (Fig. 2). Several growth factors have been used as biological drugs manufactured by recombinant protein production. This study reported a synthetic artificial ligand that induced chemical and biological effects equivalent to a natural ligand. Not only are artificial ligands relatively cheaper to produce, but often their smaller size leads to greater permeability in the body. "Artificial MET receptor agonists such as macrocyclic peptides have the potential to be developed as novel biological drugs manufactured by chemical synthesis," concludes the team. Besides growth factors, this strategy can be applied to many kinds of ligands. Background Ligands and receptors: Ligands are molecules in the cell that specifically but reversibly bind to another molecule, known as its receptor. This binding of the two is the important first step in the activation of a series of pathways, responsible for a biological response. Ligands usually induce chemical/structural changes on the receptors subsequent to binding. Common examples of ligands are enzymes, neurotransmitters, hormones and growth factors. Synthesizing drugs that mimic ligands and bind to specific receptors is a common strategy in medicine to stimulate the activation of biological pathways. Reference Wenyu Miao, Katsuya Sakai, Naoya Ozawa, Takumi Nishiuchi, Yoshinori Suzuki, Kenichiro Ito, Tomomi Morioka, Masataka Umitsu, Junichi Takagi, Hiroaki Suga and Kunio Matsumoto. Cellular signaling and gene expression profiles evoked by a bivalent macrocyclic peptide that serves as an artificial MET receptor agonist. Scientific Reports, 07 November 2018. DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34835-4 HGF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor) is a bioactive protein which exerts biological activities through the binding and activation of the MET transmembrane receptor. The extracellular binding of HGF to MET receptor induces association of two MET receptors (called "dimerization"), thereby the MET receptor can be activated. Activation of the MET receptor results in biological responses of cells, including cell proliferation, migration, survival, and 3-D tubulogenesis/morphogenesis. Because of these multiple biological activities, HGF supports regeneration of tissues and phase-II clinical trials recombinant HGF protein for treatment of patients with spinal cord injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are ongoing. HGF is composed of 697 amino acids and manufactured by recombinant protein technology as a biological drug. The authors discovered artificial HGF composed of chemically linked two cyclic peptides (aMD5-PEG11). This artificial peptide HGF can bind and activate MET receptor, in a comparable ability to HGF, a native ligand for MET receptor. Because artificial peptide HGF has biological activities compatible to HGF and it can be manufactured by chemical synthesis that can be manufactured at much lower cost compared to recombinant protein production, artificial peptide HGF is expected to be a next-generation biological drug manufactured by chemical synthesis. Moreover, the technology used to discover artificial peptide HGF can be fundamental technology for discovery of artificial peptide cytokines and growth factors for medical application. HGF activates MET receptor and activation of MET receptor triggers intracellular signaling leading to the enhancement of cell division, migration, survival, and 3-D tubulogenesis. These biological activities lead to the regeneration of tissues after injuries and diseases. Epithelial tubulogenesis (blanching duct formation) is critical for functional tissue architecture in several organs, including kidney, mammary gland, lung, and bile duct. In the culture of normal human kidney tubular cells in 3-D collagen gel, artificial HGF/aMD5-PEG11, as well as HGF, dynamically induce tubulogenesis. This biological activity is unique to HGF-MET receptor pathway. Therefore, artificial peptide HGF capable of activating MET in a comparable ability to HGF may be applicable to regeneration-based medicine as a new biological drug candidate. About Kanazawa University http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/e/ As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities. The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa - a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas. Further information: Hiroe Yoneda Vice Director of Public Affairs WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI) Kanazawa University Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan Email: [email protected] Tel: +81(76)234-4550 SOURCE Kanazawa University LONDON, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IPMS to Elevate Primary Care IT and Meet the Goals of Integrated Care There is a high demand for more efficiency of time and resources in General Physician (GP) practices that are extremely strained under the increasing chronic disease burden and decreasing staff numbers. There is also increasing reliance on healthcare information technology, driven by a supportive regulatory environment, and it is contributing to a need to upgrade systems across primary healthcare for efficient functioning which is augmenting market growth. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5725049 Across Europe, basic primary care IT is well established, but is limited to patient administration and healthcare information management at a practice level. With the rise of integrated care models, the role of primary care in the healthcare ecosystem is much more than that of a gatekeeper and to meet the demand, practices will have to look at solutions that can manage and share information within and outside the network; thereby, requiring integrated practice management software. Research Highlights The study identifies opportunities by country and for all the different ecosystem components, especially for: Value-based Care: improving performance assessment tools in primary care Social Prescribing: Increasing role of GP practices in integrated and community care Relationship Continuity: GPs to play an increasingly important part in patient-centric care Retail Health: rise of walk-in clinics and community pharmacies as a part of primary care Key Features The objective of this research study is understanding the emerging concept of integrated practice management software and its adoption in primary care centers in Europe.Integrated practice management software is an end-to-end solution that offers clinical, administrative, and billing functions. With integrated EHR capabilities, these solutions offer functionalities, including ePrescription, scheduling, appointment systems, and portals for messaging as well as billing.Such solutions are an advancement over practice management systems that were primarily focusing on the billing & administrative function (particularly patient scheduling). The addressable market includes primary care centers operated by solo or group GP practices.This research study does not cover outpatients centers and ambulatory care units that are affiliated to hospitals. Countries covered for market forecast are the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, and Benelux. The study also discusses the emerging market in Estonia, Poland, and Austria qualitatively. Key Issues Addressed What is integrated practice management software? What has driven the development of these IT solutions? How is the adoption of IT in primary care evolving? What is the impact and adoption of new technologies? How are the initiatives at the national and regional level for driving adoption of integrated practice management software? What is the current vendor landscape for integrated practice management software in Europe and how is it expected to evolve over the next five years? What are the most promising growth opportunities and key investment areas over the next 5 years? Author: Chandni Mathur Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5725049 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com "Our mission of giving at Inspirus goes back more than 80 years," said Inspirus Credit Union President and CEO Scott Adkins. "Last year was a record year of giving back to education at Inspirus, which means more students, teachers, and faculty benefitted from our contributions. We're excited to start the New Year by pledging $100,000 to fund education grants for Washington teachers in 2019." Last year, Inspirus fully-funded an education grant for Karen Onorati, a teacher at Pine Tree Elementary School in Kent who used the grant money to get headphones to engage her first-grade students in math and reading. "This technology has motivated my students to work a little bit harder," said Onorati. "You have helped to influence the lives of many students by helping them build self-confidence, a joy for reading, an excitement for math and the gift of giving to others. For that I am extremely grateful." Onorati was one of nearly 200 teachers who received education grants from Inspirus in 2018. Teachers can request items for their classroom ranging from new books and classroom rugs for a reading corner, to science equipment and new technology for engaging students in STEM learning. Last year, Inspirus fully-funded more than 186 education wishes, supporting nearly 20,000 students in 180 classrooms statewide. This is the fourth year Inspirus is funding education grants through DonorsChoose.org to ensure Washington teachers have the resources they need for their classrooms. For more information or to submit an education grant for funding, visit inspirusCU.org/Fund-Friday. About Inspirus Credit Union Inspirus Credit Union (pronounced inspire-us) is where banking benefits education. Founded by a Seattle Public School teacher more than 80 years ago, Inspirus still makes giving back to education core to its mission. When members use Inspirus for their financial services, they join a community who makes an impact across the state. Nearly 80,000 member-owners share a passion for education that connects them to Inspirus and Washington classrooms. The credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution that returns earnings to members through lower loan rates, higher returns on deposit, and donates time, talents, and dollars to the communities it serves. With $1.3 billion in assets, Inspirus operates branches in Seattle, Spokane, and Lynnwood. For more information, visit inspirusCU.org. CONTACT Morgan Cole Public Relations Specialist (206) 628-5788 [email protected] 5200 Southcenter Blvd. Seattle, WA 98188 SOURCE Inspirus Credit Union Related Links https://www.inspiruscu.org NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For Harris Research, Inc. (HRI), parent company of home service franchise brands Chem-Dry Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning, N-Hance Wood Refinishing, and Delta Disaster Services, 2018 marked a milestone year. Most notably, HRI added Delta Disaster Services to its portfolio in March and helped triple the size of the award-winning property restoration franchise's network by year's end. As for its long-standing franchise brands, Chem-Dry saw a 37 percent year-over-year increase in the number of franchises awarded, and N-Hance celebrated the opening of its 500th location. The company is expecting continued robust growth for all three brands in 2019, projecting nearly 230 awarded franchises combined. The company identified increased consumer spending on home services, growing popularity of more environmentally friendly options, clear brand differentiation, and smart investments as key contributors to the strong demand for its franchise businesses. In addition to the 200+ combined franchise units awarded in 2018, its legacy brands have experienced sustained growth in recent years. Chem-Dry has averaged more than 100 awarded franchises per year over the past six years, while N-Hance has more than doubled its system size in the past five years. "We're excited to have expanded our portfolio by adding Delta Disaster Services and celebrated important milestones across all three brands in 2018. We expect to build on that momentum with another year of strong performance in 2019," said HRI President and CEO Dan Tarantin. "As our franchise systems continue to grow, we need to adapt to the changes taking place in the marketplace. We're committed to staying true to our franchise-owner focused culture and what makes each brand unique, but we're also committed to adapting and innovating in our processes and services as well as in our franchise models. With the future of the overall home services market looking healthy and vibrant, we expect to see and help our franchise owners continue to grow their sales and expand their operations in local markets. We're confident each of our franchise models offer entrepreneurs an excellent opportunity to start and grow a successful business, with well-respected and market-leading brands that have proven track records." HRI continues to make significant investments in the area of research and development, resulting in the launch of more proprietary new and improved products to its line of superior-performing solutions and leading-edge equipment. Chem-Dry has added franchises and grown unit level sales by expanding its service offering in recent years, adding granite countertop renewal, premium area rug cleaning, dryer vent cleaning and air duct cleaning services, as well as commercial VCT floor cleaning. N-Hance has evolved from its roots of primarily refinishing floors to a major focus on cabinet refinishing, which has become its most popular service and main revenue driver. Its innovative Lightspeed instant-cure hardwood treatment provides same-day hardwood refinishing with minimal dust and odor. Delta Disaster Services recently broke ground on a state-of-the-art ASD flood house near the brand's Denver office that will replicate realistic disaster situations such as a flood or smoke damage that franchisees and employees encounter in the field, allowing for a higher-grade hands-on training experience. Chem-Dry uses a green-certified solution and proprietary deeper-cleaning Hot Carbonating Extraction (HCE) process to create healthier homes and workplaces. In a study by an independent lab, Chem-Dry's HCE cleaning method was found to remove 98 percent of common household allergens from carpets and upholstery and 89 percent of airborne bacteria when a sanitizer was added. As part of the brand's Healthy Home initiative, it now has over 50 Green Certified products. In 2019, eyes are set on awarding over 100 franchises with specific focus on New England, the Midwest, and the Southwest. Chem-Dry was recently ranked No. 1 in Category in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list for the 31st consecutive year. N-Hance offers an innovative, affordable cabinet and floor refinishing service that renews wood cabinets, floors and other wood surfaces at a lower cost and with less disruption than traditional remodeling projects. In 2019, N-Hance plans to award more than 80 franchises with a focus on markets including Houston, New Orleans, Washington D.C., and Boston. Delta Disaster Services provides a full-service property restoration solution to both residential and commercial clients. Its restoration services cover damage from flood and water, smoke and fire, and mold and other environmental conditions, as well as reconstruction services. Its Denver-based company-owned operation, proprietary project management software, and industry-best training regimen give the brand a leg up on quality control and convenience, and have made it a preferred provider with insurance carriers. Toward its goal of adding over 300 units in the next five years and becoming a strong national player in the restoration category, the brand expects to adding 50 franchises in 2019. "Our growth and success are tied to the fact that all of our brands offer unique, high-quality products and services demanded by today's customers," added Tarantin. "While 2018 was a solid year for us, we are projecting an even stronger year in 2019. We aim to solidify our position as an industry leader in each of our categories, not only in terms of size but in the areas of innovation, quality of work and customer service." For more information on Chem-Dry, N-Hance, and Delta Disaster Services franchise opportunities, please visit www.chemdryfranchise.com, www.nhancefranchise.com, www.deltafranchise.com. About Harris Research, Inc. Harris Research, Inc. is the owner of the Chem-Dry, N-Hance and Delta Disaster Services franchise businesses. Chem-Dry is the world's leading carpet and upholstery cleaning service, with a network of 3,000 units in more than 50 countries serving over 11,000 homes and businesses a day worldwide. Its green-certified solution and proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction cleaning process provide a deeper clean, allow surfaces to dry faster, and leave homes healthier. N-Hance Wood Refinishing is the #1 wood refinishing company in the United States, with more than 500 locations across the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. N-Hance can restore the natural beauty of hardwood floors, cabinets, doors and trims or can change the color of wood surfaces to provide a whole new look with a factory-quality finish. The company's proprietary products and refinishing techniques shorten the process and decrease the mess, offering a more convenient way to refinish your wood surfaces. Founded in 2001, N-Hance Wood Refinishing is a trusted partner of the Home depot, with a presence in more than 1,3000 locations. Delta Disaster Services is a nationally recognized, award-winning franchise brand in the 60-billion-dollar restoration industry, providing restoration services to commercial and residential properties for water, fire, and environmental damage, including reconstruction. Delta Disaster Services now operates in more than 30 markets across the country. HRI is a portfolio company of Baird Capital. Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300 SOURCE Harris Research, Inc. PEORIA, Ill., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IMEC announces new members of the recognition program Panel of Judges, responsible for validating the integrity of the IMEC Awards for Excellence recognition cycle and determining recognition levels for each applicant. The panel is composed of experts selected from all industry sectors and geographic regions across Illinois. Newly appointed Chief Judge, Shelly Pierce is a Vice President and Chief Quality Officer for Southern Illinois Healthcare. As a Judge with the ILPEx Recognition Program for 12 years, Shelly brings pragmatic hands-on experience implementing the Baldrige Excellence Framework and will guide the IMEC recognition program to continue to "make it simpler" for clients and volunteers. Joining the Panel of Judges, who lead the way for Illinois organizations in their pursuit of enterprise excellence, are three new Judges: Gretchen Frickx : 7-year volunteer and a Lead Examiner for 3 years. Gretchen is currently employed by DePaul University as a Program Director. : 7-year volunteer and a Lead Examiner for 3 years. Gretchen is currently employed by as a Program Director. Tom Muszynski : 11-year volunteer and a Lead Examiner for 4 years. Tom is currently a Configuration Manager at Leidos. : 11-year volunteer and a Lead Examiner for 4 years. Tom is currently a Configuration Manager at Leidos. Dr Sunhil Sinha: National judge and examiner with Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, and state level examiner and board member in Maryland and Virginia , since 2002. Dr. Sinha currently serves as a Vice President and the Chief Medical Officer at BJC Healthcare Medial Group. Ben Krupowicz, Executive Director for the IMEC Recognition Program, adds: "We appreciate the nearly 50 years of dedication to performance excellence that this group of professionals brings to an already strong Panel of Judges. The expertise and guidance this group of Judges brings to the recognition program will allow IMEC to help Illinois organizations continue building their competitive futures." For more information on how your organization can benefit from services provided by the IMEC Recognition Program, visit www.IMEC.org, or call 888-806-4632. For more information on the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, visit www.nist.gov/baldrige/. About IMEC IMEC leverages the Baldrige Excellence Framework as a foundation for driving organizational improvement and innovation across the state of Illinois. By providing a range of hands-on, goal-oriented solutions in the areas of leadership; strategy; customer engagement; measurement, analysis, and knowledge management; operations; and workforce, IMEC leads organizations in their mission to improve business results and to create sustainable competitive futures. Through the recognition program, IMEC celebrates organizations committed to achieving enterprise excellence and sets them apart as a true class of distinction. CONTACT: Kristy Johns, [email protected] SOURCE IMEC Related Links https://www.imec.org CINCINNATI, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PCMS, a global provider of commerce software and services, today announced that Hudson Group, the largest travel retailer in North America, has selected VISION Commerce Suite as its POS commerce system. Hudson Group operates over 1,050 stores in 87 airport and transportation terminal locations in the United States and Canada. The company's anchor brands include iconic Hudson, Hudson News and Hudson Booksellers, and its stores serve a diverse range of retail verticals ranging from travel essentials and convenience, to food and beverage and specialty. Andy Winans, CEO, PCMS Hudson Group turned to VISION Commerce Suite because of its scalable architecture and its ability to unify all retail and hospitality point-of-sale (POS) functionality. "VISION Commerce Suite will enable Hudson Group to deliver a faster, more flexible and more reliable customer service experience for the travellers who count on their stores every day," said Andy Winans, CEO, PCMS. "We pride ourselves on the scalability of our solutions. Hudson Group serves more than 300,000 daily passengers meaning over 100 million transactions will be processed annually on VISION Commerce Suite. We look forward to helping Hudson Group further enhance the travel and service experience for millions of their customers." David Stubbs, Senior Vice President & CIO, said: "For over 30 years, Hudson Group has set the industry standard in travel retail. We selected PCMS for its ability to deliver a more versatile and responsive customer experience, and a wider choice for our customers to engage with our flagship brands." About PCMS PCMS is a global provider of IT software and services to the retail industry. Global headquarters are in Coventry, UK. PCMS also operates in the US with an Americas headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. PCMS specializes in retail commerce software, including point-of-sale (POS) software, cloud solutions and managed services. PCMS's client list includes brands like Walgreens, Bass Pro Shops, Giant Tiger, Half-Price Books, Shoppers Drug Mart and many more. For more information about PCMS, please visit www.pcmsdatafit.com. ++ Picture shows Andy Winans Media Contact: Flannery Higgins, [email protected] Dan Dyer, 513-478-7818, [email protected] SOURCE PCMS Related Links https://www.pcmsdatafit.com The partnership provides a platform for Home Instead franchise owners to offer integrated care solutions that will enhance the client experience while a Home Instead CAREGiver SM is in the home. It also sets the stage for Home Instead to offer new services, such as interactive remote care, which would create new opportunities for the delivery of technology-based home care across underserved populations and rural geographies. The agreement includes an equity investment in GrandPad. Additionally, Jeff Huber, president and CEO of Home Instead, Inc., has been added to the GrandPad board of directors. "In our new collaboration with GrandPad, Home Instead is reaffirming our commitment to creating innovative, forward-looking solutions that empower Home Instead CAREGiversSM to deliver exceptional experiences for clients," said Huber. The partnership joins the leading provider of in-home care with technology experts whose mission is to improve the lives of seniors, their loved ones and caregivers. Together, the intersection of innovation and care provides a high-tech, high-touch solution that will elevate the experience of aging today and for future generations. In addition to complementing the quality care Home Instead CAREGiversSM provide to their clients, the partnership with GrandPad enables connectivity with families and friends. Nearly three in 10 adults over the age of 40 feel socially isolated, according to AARP. Technology can play an important role in helping older adults reduce loneliness and isolation by allowing them to stay connected with loved ones and live independently at home. "With the Home Instead franchise network, we'll be able to reach more people who will benefit from the connectivity GrandPad provides," said Scott Lien, CEO and co-founder of GrandPad. "We're thrilled to work together to transform the way care is delivered and look forward to continued innovation that keeps seniors connected to their friends and family, while minimizing the stress of caring for aging loved ones." Pilot programs are currently underway, and Home Instead Senior Care integrated care services powered by GrandPad will be available in select markets in 2019. ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE The Home Instead Senior Care network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with nearly 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 70 million hours of care throughout the United States and 12 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 90,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network works with clients and their family members to meet varied individual needs. Services span the care continuum from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimer's care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. Visit HomeInstead.com. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. ABOUT GRANDPAD Based in Orange, CA, GrandPad is a privately held company with a mission to improve the lives of millions of seniors by reconnecting them with family, friends, and caregivers. The GrandPadthe first tablet specifically designed for seniorscomes ready to use out of the box and features a secure private family network and premium US based customer service. There are no confusing buttons, no passwords or pop-up ads, and wireless connectivity and security is built into the deviceeliminating the risks of scams and hacks. Users can play games, listen to music, and enjoy many other exclusive apps on the GrandPad. Additionally, caregivers/family members can video chat, receive voice emails, and share photos with seniors through GrandPad's companion app on i0S and Android. The company's Chief Gerontologist, Dr. Kerry Burnight, cofounder and director of the nation's first Elder Abuse Forensic Center, advocates GrandPad as a vehicle for reducing senior depression and isolation. Visit GrandPad.net. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @grandpad_social. SOURCE Home Instead Senior Care Related Links http://www.homeinstead.com AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Houston woman whose husband died as a result of a doctor's misdiagnosis, concluding that the jury had ample evidence to support its multimillion-dollar verdict. A Harris County jury had awarded Tracy Windrum and her children $4.2 million, finding neurosurgeon Dr. Victor Kareh was negligent in the care of her husband, Lance Windrum, at North Cypress Medical Center. Mr. Windrum died in 2010, at age 46, from complications of spinal fluid in the brain, a treatable condition that the doctor failed to correctly diagnose and treat. The First Court of Appeals in Houston overturned the jury's verdict altogether, rejecting the opinions of a highly qualified expert witness in the case that Mr. Windrum's doctor was negligent. On Jan. 25, 2019, the Texas Supreme Court found the appeals court in error, ruling that the jury was entitled to rely upon the expert's opinion and that "we should not substitute our own judgment for the jury's." The ruling carries wider implications for expert testimony, and the legal news outlet Law360 featured the case as an important one to watch. "We are pleased with this ruling for Mrs. Windrum and her three children who are still awaiting a resolution more than eight years after Mr. Windrum died," said Stephen Loftin, attorney with Hicks Thomas LLP who tried the case to verdict and represented the family on appeal. "This is an important case recognizing that the opinions of an eminently qualified expert, supported by the evidence and his experience treating other patients, may properly be considered and weighed by a jury," said Hicks Thomas appellate specialist J. Stephen Barrick. "A reviewing court cannot change the result simply because it does not agree with the outcome." Mr. Barrick represented the family on appeal along with Warren Harris of Bracewell LLP. The case is Windrum v. Kareh, case number 17-0328, in the Supreme Court of Texas. Founded in 1997, Texas-based Hicks Thomas LLP is a premier litigation firm representing plaintiffs and defendants across the nation with offices in Houston, Austin, Beaumont and Amarillo, Texas, and Sacramento, California. The firm provides in-depth experience in cases involving oil and gas, environmental, complex commercial, toxic tort, construction, products liability, corporate governance, securities, banking, insurance coverage, transportation, trade secrets and business litigation. Visit the firm at http://www.hicks-thomas.com. SOURCE Hicks Thomas LLP Related Links http://www.hicks-thomas.com Dr. Haiyan Song, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Aberdare, was part of the delegation and said, "Aberdare is committed to improving the lives of the people in the areas that we operate. The donation of the Center is an expression of our wish to see young people from these communities thriving in their studies, particularly in the critical STEM subjects. In addition to helping students, our partnership with the local government will also serve to help further the professional development of the teachers there." Aberdare launched its "Aber-school Project" in April 2017 in cooperation with the Siqongweni Secondary School with the goal of helping to address the low mathematics and science pass rates in the country, as well as encouraging more students to take these subjects. In the nearly 2 years since it began, the Project has helped 85 students including 25 in Grade 10, 30 in Grade 11 and 25 in Grade 12, achieve excellent results in this year's college entrance examination, with 12 of them being admitted to universities. As part of this initiative, in August 2018, Aberdare donated e-learning tablets to several schools in Pietermaritzburg including Siqongweni Secondary School. President Ramaphosa accepted Aberdare's pledge and acknowledged and expressed his gratitude to the company for the work that they are doing to support local schools and youth through the Aber-school Project, and further encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the Project and the new Center to improve their performance. Website: http://www.hengtonggroup.com/en/ SOURCE Hengtong Group Related Links http://www.hengtonggroup.com/en/ ATLANTA, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- HelloPackage, the newly-launched and sophisticated package management system technology, today announces that Kevin George has been named Chief Operating Officer. George brings a strong passion for early-stage and growth-stage enterprise SaaS companies, and for more than 20 years he has been an integral member of leadership teams raising capital and driving transactions including five rounds of capital, 11 acquisitions, and one IPO. "We are excited to welcome Kevin George to the team, and know that he will bring a wealth of experience across a number of avenues as we grow our company and team," states James D. Grady, Founder, and CEO of HelloPackage. "Kevin brings a solid track record of leading go-to-market strategies in both early and growth stage companies, and we know he will be instrumental in producing and developing approaches to get our industry-transforming technology in apartment communities across the country." Prior to joining HelloPackage, George was co-founder and CEO of InfoTycoon where he and his team served hundreds of multifamily clients, including nearly half of the NMHC Top 50, with industry-leading property inspections and asset management software solutions. Before InfoTycoon, George founded Progility Partners a boutique consulting firm serving technology-centric clients including CNN, Turner Broadcasting, Sparkfly, What's Up Interactive, Renovo Data and ISTA North America. George has also served in operating executive roles with Quris, Silverpop and Manhattan Associates. "I'm thrilled to join the team at HelloPackage. The problem HelloPackage addresses is a very complex and rapidly growing problem for the multifamily industry," states Kevin George, COO of HelloPackage. "It's not a secret that apartment communities are overrun by the huge number of packages delivered to residents. The multifamily industry is losing many leases each year because their leasing staff is tied up handling eCommerce packages. For the average property, lost lease revenue is in the hundreds of thousands each year and asset value in the millions. It is a significant impact on any sized portfolio. Current solutions like package lockers are inefficient, have limited technology, are not economically scalable and quickly become overwhelmed. HelloPackage is a smart system which gets the leasing team out of the logistics business and back to leasing apartments which significantly increasing cash flow and asset value for apartment owners." About HelloPackage HelloPackage is a patent pending sophisticated package management system technology, bringing an innovative, locker-less package solution that proves less expensive and more efficient than any other product currently in the market. HelloPackage was developed by Package Solutions, Inc. To learn more about HelloPackage, visit www.hellopackage.com. MEDIA CONTACT Christy Olliff Trevelino/Keller 404.214.0722 x117 [email protected] SOURCE HelloPackage Related Links http://www.hellopackage.com SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Catalyst, Inc., today takes another significant step forward in the company's leadership of healthcare analytics with the release of the Rapid Response Analytics Solution, a force multiplier for data assets and analytics staff. Health Catalyst Rapid Response Analysts Solution. Reduce your analytics development time by up to 90%, increase analytics productivity by up to 10x! Developed based on Health Catalyst's unprecedented experience in the trenches of healthcare data management and analysis, the solution supports three fundamental concepts and needs: dramatically increasing the efficiency and productivity of data analysts and data scientists so they can operate at the top of their skills; improving analytic consistency and data governance; and reducing the total cost of ownership for data platforms and enterprise data warehouses. The industry's need for greater analytics efficiency, consistency and ROI is clear. According to a 2018 survey by HealthLeaders Media, organizations are prioritizing the hiring of analytics staff over that of every other role except care coordinators. At the same time, they are increasing investments in analytics technology to support the analysts, ranking clinical analytics their No. 1 area of IT investment over the next three years. The Rapid Response Analytics Solution's curated data content and tools will help to satisfy the industry's demand for more efficient and affordable data analysis. The solution maximizes value from healthcare's most strategic business assetdataby providing agility, speed, and consistency to analytics engineers and data scientists. The result, confirmed by early deployment at client sites, is a 90 percent decrease in the time required to develop new analytic insights, which can translate into up to a 10x efficiency multiplier in developing analytics. "Like every healthcare IT department that I know of, we have historically faced significant delays in responding to requests for data analysis, simply because the process has always required a data analyst," said John Sanders, Chief Information Officer of Health Share of Oregon, that state's largest Medicaid coordinated care organization, serving more than 210,000 Oregon Health Plan members. "Rapid Response Analytics is quickly making usand our clinical partnerssignificantly more productive by enabling us to get data slicing and access out of the hands of the IT department and into those of less technical people who can now use applications to answer their questions themselves, without our help. It's a breakthrough that promises to make healthcare data far more accessible and useful to more people." "The Rapid Response Analytics Solution is a game changer," said Mia Taylor MSN, FNP-BC, APRN-RX, Director of Community & Post-Acute Care Services at The Queens Health Systems in Hawaii. "We can bring timely, relevant data to providers and can partner with providers in the community to more effectively manage the total cost of care. EMRs are not built to perform the type of analytics we need to improve the health of populations. And it is challenging to provide effective longitudinal care when you have disparate EMRs. The Health Catalyst analytics platform and applications allow us to bridge that gap." Analytics problems solved Informal Health Catalyst surveys of healthcare data analysts and data scientists reveal that they spend 80-90 percent of their time moving, organizing and curating data, and only 10-20 percent of their time on analytics that benefit their organization. Healthcare executives have long complained that the turnaround time for data analysis is too long; their organizations suffer from inconsistent, labor intensive, and sometimes outright wrong quality reporting and outcomes improvement analytics. Similarly, many healthcare CIOs complain that the cost of supporting and maintaining data warehouses and analytics staff eventually becomes unscalable. To help address these concerns, Health Catalyst began developing the Rapid Response Analytics Solution three years ago. Today, the first version is available to the market and installed at all client sites. The Rapid Response Analytics Solution consists of two primary elements: curated, modular data kits called DOS Marts; and Population Builder, a powerful self-service tool that lets any type of user, from physician executive to frontline nurse, explore their data and quickly build cohorts of patients without relying on IT staff and with no need for sophisticated and customized SQL and data science coding. DOS Marts integrate multiple data sources, harmonize the terminology, and make the most common data elements easy to use, facilitating the rapid development of analytic reports and applications. Built on the Health Catalyst Data Operating System (DOS), DOS Marts provide a curated, reusable, customizable layer of data content, logic and algorithms. They are designed to address a large number of analytic scenarios, while encouraging governance and the efficient reuse of logic for consistent analytics. DOS Marts also provide standardized vocabulary mappings to key data elements and incorporate over 400 clinical definitions from nationally standardized data sources such as CMS. Population Builder is a powerful and elegantly designed tool that simplifies exploration of the DOS Marts and dramatically boosts analysts' productivity. Population Builder is specifically designed to support the precise definition of patient cohorts, as well as the publication, governance and reuse of national and local definitions for patient cohorts. Clinicians, researchers, data analysts, and data scientists can use Population Builder in a real-time, collaborative work setting, exploring different definitions for patient cohorts, and then saving that work for downstream analytics. Unburdened by traditional code-based methodologies, analysts using Population Builder can uncover actionable insights within minutes rather than hours or days. Users without SQL or technical expertise can build logic to define populations of interest, based on a breadth of dimensions ranging from ICD codes to genomic profiles. Additionally, Population Builder's visual building experience generates easy-to-understand documentation, enabling more direct and effective collaboration between clinicians and analysts, as these teams can review graphical representations of patient populations, rather than complex SQL code, to refine population definitions. Finally, Population Builder allows the defined populations to be published and governed into DOS, where they can be reused across a variety of analytic and software applications. "We field numerous requests for ad-hoc reports and knew that Population Builder would be a great tool to quickly gather patient populations around specific illnesses," said James Henderson, senior manager of quality analytics for the Wolff Center at UPMC, a leading integrated health system that owns a financial interest in Health Catalyst. "As a first test, we used Population Builder to find patients who had been diagnosed with endocarditis, and in under 5 minutes we had our patient population. That search would have taken a couple of hours with our current tool." Dale Sanders, Health Catalyst's President of Technology, commented, "With Rapid Response Analytics, we provide pre-packaged data that's been harmonized to industry terminology standards and value sets. It dramatically improves the efficiency of data analysts and data scientists. Our Chief Data Scientist, Jason Jones, who spent many years at Kaiser Permanente, Bayer, and Intermountain Healthcare, almost cried with joy when he first saw the conceptual design for Rapid Response Analytics. It's like a meal-delivery kit, so data analysts and scientists don't have to go shopping and build their own data sets from scratch, but they retain the ability to adjust the data to their local and unique needs. "We give them what amounts to data kits that they can tailor and quickly turn into a gourmet meal," Sanders added. Other products on the market today force data analysts and scientists to operate in one of two modes, either conducting their analysis under the constraints of highly-structured, monolithic data models, like star schemasthat's the 1990s frozen TV dinners of data analysisor laboriously piecing together the data that they need to build their own schema, store it, then build and maintain the data extraction and loads. That's the equivalent of spending their time shopping at the grocery store and cooking every meal from scratch." Sanders continued, "The Rapid Response Analytics Solution lets analysts and data scientists devote their time and skills to actual analysis, not rote data movement and modeling. It also improves data governance by enabling more consistent analytic results. And, over time, it radically decreases the proliferation of data objects in the data warehouse which is a major source of increasing infrastructure and platform performance cost. Prior to coming to Health Catalyst, I was a data-driven healthcare CIO who had to either pay for all of these inefficiencies or eliminate them. My teams and I eliminated them and now the same data technology is available to the market. We feel very fortunate to provide that." For more information about the Rapid Response Analytics Solution, visit: https://www.healthcatalyst.com/product/rapid-response-analytics-solution/. About Health Catalyst Health Catalyst, Inc. is a next-generation data, analytics, and decision-support company, committed to being a catalyst for massive, sustained improvements in healthcare outcomes. We are the leaders in a new era of advanced predictive analytics for population health and value-based care with a suite of machine learning-driven solutions, decades of outcomes improvement expertise, and an unparalleled ability to unleash and integrate data from across the healthcare ecosystem. Our Health Catalyst Data Operating System (DOS)a next-generation data warehouse and application development platform powered by data from more than 100 million patients, and encompassing over 1 trillion factshelps improve quality, add efficiency and lower costs for organizations ranging from the largest US health system to forward-thinking physician practices. Our technology and professional services can help you keep patients engaged and healthy in their homes, communities, and workplaces, and we can help you optimize care delivery to those patients when it becomes necessary. We are grateful to be recognized by Fortune, Gallup, Glassdoor, Modern Healthcare and a host of others as a Best Place to Work in technology and healthcare. Visit www.healthcatalyst.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Media Contact: Todd Stein Amendola Communications 510-417-0612 [email protected] SOURCE Health Catalyst Related Links https://www.healthcatalyst.com DES PLAINES, Ill., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawksearch, the site search platform that utilizes advanced machine learning and pattern analysis to deliver the best search experience for website visitors, is pleased to announce the recent launch of Hawksearch on the new Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM) website. NFM is one of the largest home furnishing stores in North America selling furniture, flooring, appliances and electronics. They were founded in 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska and acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 1983. Nebraska Furniture Mart has locations in Omaha, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Dallas. NFM needed a search and merchandising engine that could support their online ecommerce growth. Choosing the platform-agnostic Hawksearch tool, the new NFM website includes: A powerful search tool that customizes the site search experience Large number of filters available for NFM's wide assortment of products Ability to support region based pricing and availability for their stores Ability to build and merchandise product landing pages Specific SEO requirements in terms of filters and landing pages so they have the ability to rank their landing pages for long tail searches Ability to build dynamic widgets that are capable of returning: Top Brands Top Products Top Categories Sync functionality that allows merchandisers to preview and test their changes before publishing them to production Ability to leverage the search tool in each store on tablets that NFM sales representatives use NFM utilizes Hawksearch in very unique ways. The entire content on their site, from the homepage to the product detail page, is driven using Hawksearch Merchandising features. Hawksearch allows NFM to tailor the content displayed on the website, depending on the region and other factors about their users. The new site has an extremely clean filter design and includes an intuitive website experience that allows visitors to easily find the products they're interested in. Hawksearch CTO Shreyas Kamath said, "We're proud to provide the powerful Hawksearch tool to Nebraska Furniture Mart. We're continuously looking to further streamline the site search experience for our customers in order to increase their conversions and sales, allowing for a truly remarkable and productive user experience." Contact Mike Svanascini, President [email protected] 888-7-SEARCH About Hawksearch Hawksearch is an intelligent search and recommendations platform that powers success for any size business across all industries. Our goal is to ensure brands have innovative tools to deliver accurate, relevant and customizable search experiences enabling users to find the relevant results for their needs in context, no matter the device, platform, or language. Having completed over 400+ implementations, Hawksearch is utilized for delivering engaging and personalized search experiences through our innovative features, which enable marketers, merchandisers and developers to accomplish their goals. To learn more visit www.hawksearch.com. About NFM Nebraska Furniture Mart was founded by Rose Blumkin in 1937 in the basement of her husband's pawn shop in Omaha, Neb. In 1983, investor Warren Buffett purchased a majority interest in NFM and made it part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies. Today, NFM is one of the nation's largest home furnishings retailer, selling furniture, flooring, appliances and electronics. NFM currently has locations in Omaha, Neb., Des Moines, Iowa, Kansas City, Kan. and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, which totals over 4.6 million square feet of retail and distribution space. For more information on Nebraska Furniture Mart, visit www.nfm.com. SOURCE Hawksearch Related Links http://www.hawksearch.com Shining light on rare patients and caregivers around the world, Global Genes takes this opportunity to share one family's journey of hope and discovery. Seven-year-old Taylor's diagnosis of infantile Batten disease in 2006 was grievous, but always with hope, they founded Taylor's Tale and joined the Global Genes RARE Foundation Alliance. There, they found connections, resources, knowledge, support, compassion, all of which have helped them achieve groundbreaking victories. Taylor is 1 out of 10 Americans who are affected by rare disease. Global Genes wants to remind everyone on World Rare Disease Day and every day, rare is not so rare. "It has been an honor to become intimately involved with rare disease patients, advocates, families, and stakeholders over the past 10 years," stated Nicole Boice, Founder of Global Genes. "The culmination of the ongoing work that has been done to help build 'community' and 'unity' within rare disease comes together in a very important way the last day of February for World Rare Disease Day; celebrated around the globe." "Global Genes will continue to be involved in activities like World Rare Disease Day, as part of our strategy to expand awareness efforts," Boice continued. "Over the last decade, we have established ourselves as a true partner for patients, and as such have been able to grow our network, and build on our impact, with the intention of continuing to expand our engagement globally. We are motivated about what we can and need to accomplish 10 years hence." To get involved and raise awareness for more than 7,000 rare diseases during the month of February; Rally for rare. Visit globalgenes.org to download and print the #CareAboutRare sign, take a selfie and post on social media with #CareAboutRare and #WRDD2019. Tag a friend and challenge them to #CareAboutRare too. Visit globalgenes.org to download and print the #CareAboutRare sign, take a selfie and post on social media with #CareAboutRare and #WRDD2019. Tag a friend and challenge them to #CareAboutRare too. Attend an event. There are countless events, fundraisers and exhibits during World Rare Disease Day. Host or take part in an event and share the details with us. There are countless events, fundraisers and exhibits during World Rare Disease Day. Host or take part in an event and share the details with us. Wear Blue Denim. The Blue Denim Jeans Ribbon is a symbol of hope for more than 7,000 small rare disease communities around the world. Wearing a denim ribbon shows support for World Rare Disease Day. Ribbons may be requested on globalgenes.org for local events, the workplace, school clubs, etc. Don't forget to wear blue jeans and a denim ribbon on February 28! To learn more about Global Genes and to get involved in World Rare Disease Day 2019, please visit globalgenes.org/world-rare-disease-day/ . About Global Genes Global Genes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to connect, empower and inspire the rare disease community. We provide hope for more than 350 million people affected by rare disease around the globe. To date, we've educated 6 million people in 100 countries about rare disease, equipped 30,000 patients and advocates with tools and resources, and provided $400,000 in support for innovative patient impact programs. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve together. Visit globalgenes.org to get involved today. SOURCE Global Genes Related Links http://www.globalgenes.org DUBLIN, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "GCC In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2018-2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The GCC in-vitro diagnostic devices market was worth US$ 1091 Million in 2017. The market is further projected to reach a value of US$ 1830 Million by 2023, at a CAGR of around 9% during 2018-2023. There are various devices which can be used individually or in combinations with each other for in-vitro diagnosis including calibrators, specimen receptacles, reagents and control materials. In the GCC countries, there has been a rise in the demand for IVD devices on account of ageing population, rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases and a growth in the healthcare sector of the region. Apart from this, the market is also being impacted by the establishment of standalone centers, independent diagnostics chains and academic institutes. GCC In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices Market Driver The growth of the in-vitro diagnostic devices market in the region can be accounted to the easy access to better diagnostics and healthcare services facilitated by increasing insurance penetration under the Mandatory Health Insurance (MHI) schemes of the GCC countries. The demand for in-vitro diagnostics devices has been driven by increasing health consciousness among the consumers. This has led to a hike in the number of people who seek diagnostic services at regular intervals for avoiding complexities in their health conditions. Additionally, consumers have increased their medical health spending owing to a rise in their disposable incomes which has further influenced the market growth. The governments of the GCC countries have developed several health awareness programs and strategies. Along with this, they are also shifting their focus towards promoting specialized care and services, and increasing investments for the devices used in medical examinations. Other factors that are driving this market include increasing prevalence of life style diseases, rising number of expatriates, increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure, etc. Breakup by End-user: The in-vitro diagnostic devices market has been segmented on the basis of various end-users including hospital-based centers, diagnostics chains, standalone centers, patient self-testing and academic institutes. Amongst these, in-vitro diagnostic devices are majorly used in hospital-based centers. Breakup by Application: The market has also been segmented on the basis of application. Some of the major applications covered in the report include Infectious diseases, diabetes, blood test, nephrology, cardiology, oncology and autoimmune diseases. Regional Insights: On a geographical front, Saudi Arabia enjoys the leading position in the GCC in-vitro diagnostic devices market. Other major regions include United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 2.1 Objectives of the Study 2.2 Stakeholders 2.3 Data Sources 2.4 Market Estimation 2.5 Forecasting Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 GCC In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Market Breakup by Region 5.4 Market Breakup by End-User 5.5 Market Breakup by Application 5.6 Market Forecast 5.7 SWOT Analysis 5.8 Value Chain Analysis 5.8.1 Overview 5.8.2 Research and Development 5.8.3 Component Manufacturing 5.8.4 Assembling 5.8.5 Distribution 5.8.6 End-Use Industries 5.8.7 Retailer 5.8.8 Consumer 5.9 Porters Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Breakup by Region 6.1 Saudi Arabia 6.2 United Arab Emirates 6.3 Kuwait 6.4 Qatar 6.5 Oman 6.6 Bahrain 7 Market Breakup by End-User 7.1 Hospital-Based Centres 7.2 Diagnostics Chains 7.3 Standalone Centres 7.4 Others 8 Market Breakup by Application 8.1 Infectious Diseases 8.2 Diabetes 8.3 Blood Test 8.4 Nephrology 8.5 Cardiology 8.6 Oncology 8.7 Autoimmune Diseases 8.8 Others 9 Competitive Landscape 9.1 Market Structure 9.2 Key Players For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/r6zd2j/gcc_invitro?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 LAGOS, Nigeria, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Africa Airways announced today that Mr. Gbenga Oyebode has joined its Founding Board of Directors. Mr. Oyebode, who is widely regarded as a legal giant in the country, is the co-founder and Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode, one of the largest integrated law firms in Nigeria. He was the Chairman of Access Bank, one of the five largest banks in Nigeria from 2000-2015 and he's currently the Chairman of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (both on the Nigerian Stock Exchange NSE). He also serves on the Boards of MTN Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria Plc and the Africa Advisory Committee of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Babawande Afolabi, Founder & CEO of Green Africa Airways said, "We are incredibly honoured and excited to welcome Mr. Oyebode to Green Africa Airways' Founding Board of Directors. Given his senior business leadership in Nigeria and seasoned entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Oyebode's presence on the Board will provide invaluable guidance to the team as we continue to build Green Africa Airways." Mr. Oyebode was educated at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 1979 and 1982, respectively. He's a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (admitted in 1980) and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Court of New York State (admitted November 1983). Mr. Oyebode was conferred with one of Nigeria's highest honours, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) in 2000. He was also conferred with the Belgian Royal Honour of "Knight of the Order of Leopold" in 2007. Mr. Oyebode was recently featured on the cover of Forbes Africa as the new face of business in Africa. "I am delighted to join Green Africa Airways as a Founding Member of the Board. The Nigerian commercial aviation industry is ripe for the entrance of a game-changing player and it's been inspiring watching the impressive progress that Green Africa Airways has made over the last few years. I look forward to working with Babawande and other members of the Board - Tom, William and Virasb - to finally get Green Africa Airways off the ground and position the new airline for long-term success," said Mr. Oyebode. About Green Africa Airways Green Africa Airways is a value airline based in Lagos, Nigeria. The new airline has received its Air Transport License (ATL) and recently announced a landmark commitment with Boeing for up to 100 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Green Africa Airways is anchored by a group of senior industry leaders - Tom Horton, former Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, William Shaw, CEO of Interjet, and Virasb Vahidi, former CCO of American Airlines. SOURCE Green Africa Airways Fortress also unveiled 10 new artist renderings of the two-tower project, which will be located in the heart of downtown Bellevue near the northwest corner of Bellevue Way and NE 8th Street. The project is designed in partnership with Seattle-based Weber Thompson ( www.weberthompson.com ) and Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) ( www.hba.com ), the largest hospitality design firm in the world. The 332 homes, including 98 "Estate Homes," at this sleek, new two-tower development will be thoughtfully designed by a team of visionaries from across the globe that aim to elevate the standard of luxury in Bellevue. The homes provide exceptional value to its buyers. Residents will also enjoy cutting edge technology, including a special app that brings all services and ambiance right at their fingertips and cell phones. Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the world's leading hospitality interior design firm, has designed a stunning palette of luxury materials and refined details that make this project truly one-of-a-kind. Bellevue's natural setting positioned between rugged beaches, breathtaking mountains and an abundance of fresh, clean air provides the perfect backdrop for the property's urban-meets-nature approach that will attract both locals and sophisticated travelers alike. Avenue Bellevue homes will feature materials and configurations made from the highest-quality materials that are customized for flawless luxury, including: Ernestomeda (www.ernestomeda.com/en ), which has designed an exclusive line of Italian-made cabinetry called 'The Avenue,' created specifically for the Avenue Bellevue development. Ernestomeda is the first Italian kitchen manufacturer to receive the authoritative "Made in Italy Certification." ), which has designed an exclusive line of Italian-made cabinetry called 'The Avenue,' created specifically for the Avenue Bellevue development. Ernestomeda is the first Italian kitchen manufacturer to receive the authoritative "Made in Certification." Antoniolupi (www.antoniolupi.it) bathroom layout and designs, as well as top-of-the-line lighting technology and shelving completely produced in Italy where each piece is artistic and tailor-made and combines creativity, innovation and style to suit each resident's needs. bathroom layout and designs, as well as top-of-the-line lighting technology and shelving completely produced in where each piece is artistic and tailor-made and combines creativity, innovation and style to suit each resident's needs. Gaggenau (www.gaggenau.com/us) appliances, such as stainless steel refrigerators, ovens, stovetops, and wine cabinets, from the renowned global company that has produced exceptional craftwork since 1683; their mix of tailored accents with contemporary designs brings ultra-luxury flair to kitchens. appliances, such as stainless steel refrigerators, ovens, stovetops, and wine cabinets, from the renowned global company that has produced exceptional craftwork since 1683; their mix of tailored accents with contemporary designs brings ultra-luxury flair to kitchens. Gessi (www.gessi.com/us) bathroom fixtures and showers that seamlessly integrate into the overall residence design, providing an oasis for wellness. Gessi is the recipient of the prestigious 2018 Designer Kitchen & Bathroom Award for the most innovative designer bathroom product of the year. bathroom fixtures and showers that seamlessly integrate into the overall residence design, providing an oasis for wellness. Gessi is the recipient of the prestigious 2018 Designer Kitchen & Bathroom Award for the most innovative designer bathroom product of the year. Poliform (www.poliform.it/en-us/poliform) custom walk-in closets and adaptive wardrobes, bringing an elevated concept to the sleeping area. Poliform offers advanced and exclusive solutions, essential lines and measured proportions for custom-made configurations. "I have spent two years assembling what I call the 'dream team' of partners to bring this vision of artistic architectural design and luxury residences to life," said Andy Lakha, Principal and CEO of Fortress Development. "These design partners represent unparalleled, innovative and thoughtful home features unlike anything seen in other condo developments in the Seattle region." In addition to the 332 luxury residences, Avenue Bellevue will boast the Pacific Northwest's first-ever luxury InterContinental Hotel (www.intercontinental.com), with 252 hotel rooms, as well as 85,000 square feet of high-street retail, food and nightlife including a new restaurant from a three-Michelin-star chef. This is the first endeavor of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Residential sales will start in early 2019, with construction to commence in mid-2019. Registration for more information can be found at www.liveatavenue.com. A private, by-appointment-only sales center for residences will open in Bellevue in March 2019. For more information about Avenue Bellevue updates, please email [email protected]. About Fortress Development Fortress Development is a commercial real estate developer and privately held investment company based in Bellevue, Washington. Founded by Andy Lakha, a Bellevue resident who has been in commercial real estate for more than two decades, Fortress' diverse team brings more than a century of combined experience and a commitment to quality, and to creating homes and communities that matter. For more information, visit www.fortressdevelopment.com. SOURCE Fortress Development Related Links http://www.fortressdevelopment.com "We're pleased to have HUXTON join our portfolio of Brand Partners," said Ken Villazor, President and CEO of Flower One. "As we continue to bring leading brands to the Nevada market, we remain focused on offering retailers and consumers options that represent each part of the cannabis value chain. We're excited to continue our preparation for rapid market entry into Nevada's cannabis market, and to broaden our product offering with a diverse range of thoughtfully curated cannabis products that prioritize the consumer's experience above all else." Since 2015, HUXTON has focused on simplifying the process by giving the consumer more control of their cannabis experience. "We're a small group of cannabis enthusiasts, obsessed with crafting consistent, memorable experiences," says Dustin Johnson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of HUXTON. "Our team is thrilled to be presented with an opportunity to partner with Flower One to further expand the reach of our product offerings beyond Arizona and Washington. We're firm believers that special moments deserve the right experience, and so do the consumers in Nevada." In the coming months, HUXTON's three product series, HIFI, RISE, and ZEN, will be available in Nevada dispensaries as pre-rolls and vape pens, and branded according to the experience they offer. Each blend comprises hand-selected variety of cannabis genetics that unite full terpene, cannabinoid, and trichrome profiles to provide consumers with an experience that is enjoyable and consistent. HIFI combines genetics to create an energetic and euphoric experience; RISE genetics restore vitality, productivity, and focus; and ZEN induces an experience of relaxation and rejuvenation. About Flower One Holdings Inc. Flower One is sharply focused on quickly becoming the leading cannabis cultivator, producer and innovator in the highly lucrative Nevada market. Flower One owns and operates a 25,000 square foot cultivation and production facility in North Las Vegas, with nine grow rooms, and owns the established NLV Organics consumer brand of cannabis products. The Company is also rapidly converting its 455,000 square foot greenhouse and production facility, which is the largest in the State of Nevada, for cultivating and processing high-quality cannabis at scale. Combined, the flagship greenhouse facility and production facility (once fully operational) and the North Las Vegas facility provide Flower One with 480,000 square feet of capacity for cultivation and processing, production and high-volume packaging of dry flower, cannabis oils, concentrates and infused products. The Company is fully licensed for medical marijuana cultivation and production, as well as recreational marijuana cultivation and production in the state of Nevada and currently holds licensing agreements with their Brand Partners, Flyte Concentrates, Rapid-Dose Therapeutics' Quick Strip, Old Pal, Palms, and HUXTON. Flower One's common shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "FONE" and in the United States on the OTCQB under the symbol "FLOOF." For more information visit: https://flowerone.com About HUXTON HUXTON, a leading experience-based, lifestyle cannabis brand was developed to simplify the buying process and give the consumer more control over their cannabis experience by creating a set of cannabis product that are are curated and labeled by effect. HUXTON applies the latest knowledge in cannabis science and terpene chemistry to hand-select premium strains and formulate each of HUXTON's blended product categories, HIFI, RISE and ZEN. Each VIBE product series is labeled by "how it will make you feel," allowing consumers to easily pick their desired experience. HUXTON puts control back into the consumer's hands with cannabis that is designed to complement their individual lifestyle. With discreet and sophisticated packaging that is designed for on-the-go lifestyles, HUXTON's experience-based products are available in pre rolls, flower tins, and vape pens. To learn more about HUXTON, please visit www.huxtonusa.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Flower One's public documents. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the execution of the Company's strategy and intent to quickly become the leading cannabis cultivator, producer and innovator in Nevada, the scale and capacity of Flower One's cultivation, processing and custom pre-roll packaging facilities in Nevada, the size and continued growth, profitability, maturity, retail sales and size of the cannabis market in Nevada, Flower One's ability to execute a rapid entry into Nevada's cannabis market and to make HUXTON's product series available in Nevada, and the potential effects of HUXTON's product series. Although Flower One has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; investing in target companies or projects that are engaged in activities currently considered illegal under United States federal law; changes in laws; limited operating history; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Flower One Holdings disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. SOURCE Flower One Holdings Inc. AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As frigid weather impacts the region, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities remind customers of steps they can take to stay safe and better manage energy bills that may climb as a result of the cold weather. Based on current forecasts, all of FirstEnergy's six-state footprint will be affected by the cold snap, with sub-zero temperatures and snow likely to arrive later today. Company line workers also will be ready to assist should the arctic conditions cause any customers to lose power. A video playlist of utility personnel discussing winter power restoration activities is available on YouTube. "Our electric system is designed and maintained to operate safely and effectively on extremely cold days that create high demand for electricity," said Samuel Belcher, senior vice president of FirstEnergy and president of FirstEnergy Utilities. "In addition, our line crews are trained to safely make repairs in all weather conditions in the event a power outage occurs." Customers should review important winter safety information and prepare in case weather-related outages do occur. Frigid temperatures also can increase energy bills for those who use electric heat sources, such as space heaters, heat pumps and electric furnaces. Safety Tips: Heating appliances, such as space heaters and electric blankets, should never be left unattended or used while sleeping. Never fold an electric blanket while it is in use. This can damage wires inside of the blanket, causing it to overheat or spark. Only use space heaters designed for indoor use. Keep all heat sources at least three feet away from curtains, carpet or furniture that could catch on fire. Never use a gas stove, charcoal grill or lantern intended for outdoor use inside your home because it could lead to a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas. When operating a portable generator, place it outside of your home and far away from windows, doors and vents. Never use a generator inside your home! Keep electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops and tablet computers, fully charged to be ready for an emergency. Have a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in the event a power outage occurs. Energy-Saving Tips: Make sure your home is properly insulated to help reduce heat loss. Inspect doors and windows and apply caulk or weather stripping where necessary to keep cold air out. Close drapes, blinds and garage doors to retain heat. Keep your thermostat at a temperature where you feel comfortable. Each degree lower has the potential to save about 2 percent on your heating bill. Install a programmable thermostat and it will do the work for you. Schedule an annual furnace inspection and tune-up by a qualified and experienced HVAC professional. Clean or replace the furnace filter to improve efficiency. Keep furniture and drapes from blocking heat registers and return vents to ensure heat can get into the room. Close the vents in rooms that are not being used. Avoid frozen pipes by opening faucets and maintaining a constant drip, or wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspapers. Employee Safety Procedures: FirstEnergy utilities are reviewing staffing levels and cold weather operational procedures to ensure any potential localized power outages caused by the excessive cold are handled promptly. Company employees, including line workers, substation electricians and meter readers, also are receiving briefings about what steps they can take to stay safe on the job when the temperatures drop below freezing. Company personnel often take extra measures to stay warm when working in extreme cold to restore power after an outage, such as taking more frequent, short breaks to stay warm and change into dry clothing. Customer Communications Options: If winter weather does cause an outage, customers who are without power should call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be used in areas where downed lines are tangled in trees or other debris. Motorists are cautioned to treat intersections with inoperable traffic signals as four-way stops. FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather alerts in advance of major storms, and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts, and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communications tools is available online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect. FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and Follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison , @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Related Links http://www.firstenergycorp.com Before being promoted to president, Medina served as senior executive vice president and chief banking officer, with executive management responsibility for commercial lending, retail banking, marketing, and loan servicing, among other duties including implementation and management of bank objectives, policies, and helping update the bank's strategic plan. He joined First Federal in 2017 as executive vice president and chief administrative officer before being named to the senior executive team in 2018. In his new position as president of First Federal Bank, Medina will take on new areas of focus in addition to his current leadership responsibilities. New responsibilities will include continued organic growth and expansion of the bank, including leadership on M&A opportunities; leadership of business and brand development initiatives; continued development and implementation of the bank's strategic plan; leadership of the bank's culture and commitment to both customers and the communities it serves; oversight of institutional risk management, in addition to innovation and creative development initiatives. Medina spent the bulk of his 30-year financial services career at First Union National Bank/Wachovia Bank, where he gained experience as a commercial banker, private banker, corporate HR trainer, financial consultant leader, and eventually area president and community banking executive. He has long served the Florida communities in which he has lived and worked in many capacities, including service on numerous boards throughout the state. He currently serves as district governor of Rotary International District 6940. "Since joining our bank, John Medina has provided executive level administrative oversight, input and guidance on many bank initiatives and has proven himself a trusted leader, earning the respect of our management team and all our associates throughout the bank," said Keith C. Leibfried, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. "He has demonstrated strengths in strategic planning, organizational management and corporate administration, and he is well-prepared to help sustain our culture and stability into the future." Leibfried remains CEO and chairman, with primary focus on residential mortgage, regulatory and compliance oversight, board relations, strategic vision, and the promotion of First Federal's culture, business development and market visibility. Medina becomes the third president in the bank's 56-year history, which is a testament to First Federal's commitment to maintaining their independence as a community bank, and the stability they offer to their communities, customers, and employees. About First Federal First Federal Bank is a community bank that was founded in the heart of North Florida in 1962 as First Federal Savings and Loan of Live Oak. Today, First Federal is a $1.8 billion-asset institution offering a full line of personal and business financial solutions, services, and loans through full-service banking offices in Florida's Panhandle, North Central Florida, and coastal South Carolina. In addition, First Federal has mortgage lending offices in Florida, across the Southeast and Midwest, and SBA and USDA lending offices throughout Florida and in multiple states. First Federal is a mutual savings bank and continues to receive a "5-Star, Superior" financial rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., of Coral Gables, Fla. For more information, visit www.ffbf.com . SOURCE First Federal Bank Related Links http://www.ffbf.com NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of FAO Schwarz's successful return to retail in New York City in 2018, the brand is announcing the opening of its first ever European flagship store located within Selfridges' famous and quintessential Oxford Street location in London. The FAO Schwarz store at Selfridges' will occupy over 20,000 square feet of space and feature the full FAO Schwarz collection of toys and unique experiences. The Selfridges location, set to open on November 1, 2019, will be inspired by the New York FAO Schwarz flagship at 30 Rockefeller Plaza with its unique brand of theater and experiential retail. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with Selfridges to bring FAO Schwarz to London. Similar to FAO, Selfridges is an iconic retail brand that delivers amazing experience and theater to its customers, therefore this was the perfect place for us to be. FAO Schwarz is a global brand that stands for experience and wonder. As we open our doors with our new flagship store in Beijing, China this spring, and a new flagship store at Selfridges in November, we are thrilled to continue bringing our unique brand of retail to new markets and consumers." - Jan-Eric Kloth, COO at ThreeSixty Group. Signature toys and interactive experiences will further cement FAO Schwarz as a place of imagination and discovery while staying true to key elements of the brand, including the famous clock tower, popular dance-on grand piano, and FAO's newest icon, the rocket ship. The new store at Selfridges will also feature similar experiences to the New York location with in-store demos that instill the wonderment, theater, and "play" that FAO is known for. "FAO Schwarz is the world's most inventive and inspiring toy store and the perfect partner for Selfridges' reimagined Toy Department. We like to think of Selfridges as a retail playground; the unparalleled product and experience that FAO Schwarz will bring to our Oxford Street store will mean that sentiment has never been more true." Eleanor Robinson, Director of Accessories, Kidswear & Toys at Selfridges. One of the new experiences to look forward to, as first introduced at the New York FAO Schwarz flagship, will be the "FAO Raceway" where shoppers are invited to work alongside trained "mechanics" to build remote-control cars piece-by-piece with the option to customize their car's body style, color, wheels, and designs. FAO Schwarz has long-been a destination of discovery beginning with FAO Schwarz-branded toys as well as products from well-loved toy brands. ThreeSixty Group and Selfridges are jointly working with third-party brands to introduce even more exciting experiences for customers than ever before, and look forward to revealing additional details about this one-of-a-kind partnership in the coming months. Connect: Website: www.faoschwarz.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FAO/ Instagram: @FAOSchwarz Twitter: @FAOSchwarz #ReturnToWonder About FAO Schwarz: FAO Schwarz is one of the oldest, most historic, and iconic toy brands in the world. Founded in 1862, Frederick August Otto Schwarz opened FAO Schwarz, a marvelous bountiful emporium full of extraordinary, one-of-a-kind toys from all over the world. As one of the oldest and most iconic toy brands in the world, FAO Schwarz has always been synonymous with quality and innovation, and offering cherished memories for generations of adults and children alike. The fondness associated with FAO Schwarz is wrapped up in the theatre of it all. It's more than just toys. It's the deep nostalgia for play that came to life and was so often larger than it. A visit to FAO Schwarz meant much more than a trip to a toy store and it will again. About ThreeSixty Group: ThreeSixty Group was founded in Southern California in 2001 and today has offices across the globe. The company designs, sources, and distributes consumer products across diverse categories under a portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Their portfolio includes more than 20 brands (internally developed, acquired, and licensed) including the iconic FAO Schwarz, Sharper Image, Wembley, and Discovery brands. The brands and products are sold in over 70,000 retail doors in the U.S. and across the world. About Selfridges: The business was founded by American entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1909 and is widely regarded as the first and best example of a modern department store. Harry Gordon Selfridge ran the store himself until he retired in 1940. After several ownerships the company was de-merged from the Sears Group in 1998 and floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2003 the Weston family purchased Selfridges and under their ownership Selfridges has become the epitome of a global destination for fashion, luxury and extraordinary retail experiences. In June 2010 Selfridges was named Best Department Store in the World by IGDS and retained the title for an unprecedented three times consecutively. In May 2016, Selfridges won the inaugural award for the World's Best Sustainability Campaign at the IGDS world summit for its long-term commitment campaign, Buying Better Inspiring Change which it launched earlier that year. At the IGDS World Department Store Forum in Toronto in 2017, Selfridges won the Best Department Store Campaign for its themed campaign EveryBODY dealing with the beauty and strength of the body beyond conventions. The store reclaimed the best department store title again in 2018. Selfridges has four stores; in London, Birmingham and Manchester (Trafford Centre, and Exchange Square) all celebrating exciting experiences and new product destination launches. Selfridges also operates an international website that delivers within the UK and to over 130 countries, trading in eight currencies. www.selfridges.com For press inquiries: U.S. Contact: The Door, [email protected] UK Contact: Megan Wycoff, [email protected] SOURCE FAO Schwarz Related Links https://faoschwarz.com Together with Timothy Bettington, who leads the company's U.S. commercial operations, Hoekstra will oversee the company's largest animal health market and help drive continued growth and innovation in an industry undergoing significant change due to consolidation and technological advances. Hoekstra has held a variety of leadership roles since joining Boehringer Ingelheim in 1997, mainly in finance at the company's human pharmaceutical business. He also co-led the launch of Boehringer Ingelheim's global diabetes alliance with Eli Lilly and Company and most recently served as chief financial officer of the U.S. animal health business. A native of Iowa, Hoekstra spent 12 years early in his career as co-owner and business manager for a veterinary group in the Midwest. As part of that group, he helped build several successful veterinary agriculture businesses, including a swine biologics business (today part of Boehringer Ingelheim), a veterinary distribution company (today part of Animal Health International of the Patterson group of companies), and a bovine reproductive technology services company (Trans Ova Genetics). "Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation of the invaluable contributions veterinarians make every day," Hoekstra said. "Preventing disease in pets and livestock and keeping animals healthy contributes to human health and wellbeing. I look forward to helping advance Boehringer Ingelheim's legacy as a leader, good steward and key innovator in the animal health industry." Boehringer Ingelheim's animal-health business aspires to create the future of animal wellbeing through a focus on preventive healthcare. It develops vaccines, parasiticides and pharmaceuticals, driven by a belief that animals and people share an unbreakable bond. The company has pioneered a number of the most widely known products for dogs and cats as well as cattle, swine, poultry and horses, including FRONTLINE, HEARTGARD, NEXGARD, GASTROGARD, INGELVAC, IVOMEC and VAXXITEK. The company employs more than 3,000 people in the United States, including at its U.S. headquarters in Duluth, Ga., a manufacturing and R&D site in St. Joseph, Mo., an R&D and manufacturing site in Athens, Ga., and at manufacturing sites in Gainesville, Ga, and Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. It also has a presence in U.S. communities that include North Brunswick, N.J.; Worthington, Minn. and Ames, Iowa. About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world. We are committed to creating animal wellbeing through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales in 2017 of 3.9 billion euros ($4.4 billion) and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets. For more information, visit https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.us/animal-health/who-we-are. About Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with approximately 50,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the company has remained family-owned and today creates value through innovation in three business areas: human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and providing valuable services and support to patients and their families. In 2017, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 18.1 billion euros ($20.4 billion). R&D expenditure corresponds to approximately three billion euros ($3.4 billion), or 17.0 percent of its net sales. More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or in the company's annual report at http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com. SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim Related Links http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.us NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinox, the global high-performance lifestyle leader, today announced the expansion of its signature Precision Run program with a Flatiron, New York City-based studio devoted solely to the format, with plans to scale nationally. Since launching in 2014, Precision Run has set the standard for indoor runningand forged an entirely new cardio categoryas the only method-driven, performance-based group fitness format. Amassing an unprecedented following as a group fitness class, Precision Run has a diverse base of devotees, including celebrities and professional athletes, and has fueled a new generation of first-time runners with a fundamentally smarter approach to rapid progress and results. "When Precision Run launched as a group fitness program, Equinox recognized immediately, based on member feedback, that we'd architected the renaissance of treadmill running and created a new indoor cardio category entirely," said Harvey Spevak, Executive Chairman, Managing Partner, Equinox. "Precision Run, unlike any other group fitness offering we've seen, is powerful in its ability to democratize, demystify and disrupt a sport completely, so we recognize how impactful it will be to make the format available even more widely." Developed by Creative Director David Siik, Precision Run is the first and only science-grounded methodology that balances the variables of treadmill running: speed, incline, duration and recovery, known as the Balanced Interval Training Experience (B.I.T.E.) method. Categorically unmatched, and aligned with Equinox's philosophy on bespoke fitness offerings, the foundation of all Precision Run programming is personalized, with each runner identifying their one-minute "Personal Record" (PR) to build subsequent workouts and further progress. All studios will feature proprietary Woodway treadmills, which include its slat-belt technology that will facilitate a fully customized run experience. At the core of the Precision Run experience is the Dashboard, a smooth, user-friendly interval training screen that encourages runners to find their "Perfect PR." Smart keys learn and adapt to runner habits by auto-populating speed and incline during class. Post-class data and stats will appear directly in the Precision Run app to fuel progress and accelerate goals. "I designed Precision Run as a fun and intensely engaging program that turns the notion of traditional treadmill training on its head and finally collides the spirit and sport of running into a pure and authentic running experience," said Siik. "We've built a diverse community of lovers and haters of running, who come run with us week after week for the quality and the content, always seeking progress. Our runners dare to be motivated by great programming above all else and our promise is to always deliver on that." Beyond programming, Precision Run has completely reinvented the environmental elements of indoor cardio to further connect runners to the class and enhance performance, including a unique formula of music that motivates, sensorial lighting and oxygen-enriched studios to improve brain function. The Flatiron studio, located at 12 West 21st St., will feature Precision Run's signature 50-minute format. The studio will also offer a custom water bar with proprietary blends to aid in performance and recovery, including CBD-infused water and magnesium water. A regeneration area and expansive lounge space will welcome the Precision Run community to connect before and after class. The New York studio will be followed by a location in 2019 in Los Angeles. For more information please visit precisionrun.com ABOUT EQUINOX IT'S NOT FITNESS. IT'S LIFE: Founded in 1991, Equinox was built on the notion that fitness can empower a life well-lived and foster a strong community of high performance individuals. Nearly 30 years later, Equinox continues to lead and disrupt the category it singularly defined, operating 98 full-service clubs globally across major US cities including New York, LA, Miami and San Francisco as well as London, Toronto and Vancouver, each featuring bespoke design in an unparalleled luxury environment. Grounded in the core tenets of Movement, Nutrition and Regeneration and backed by a Health Advisory Board of industry-leading experts across these disciplines, the company offers a holistic approach to fitness, inclusive of Equinox signature group fitness classes, personal training, Pilates, spa services, apparel, experiential travel and food & beverage. In 2019, Equinox will unveil Equinox Hotels as a true culmination of its lifestyle brand promise, redefining the luxury hospitality experience to be a seamless extension of high-performance living. For more information, visit www.equinox.com. Contact: Alison Rappaport, Equinox [email protected] SOURCE Equinox Related Links https://www.equinox.com JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP) announced today the income tax treatment of its 2018 distributions as described below. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their personal tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of EastGroup Properties distributions. Common Stock: Ticker Symbol EGP, CUSIP #277 276 101 Record Dates Payment Dates Total Distributions Per Share (1) Ordinary Dividends Capital Gain Distribution Unrecaptured Sec. 1250 Gain (2) Nondividend Distributions (3) Section 199A Dividends (4) 03/21/18 03/30/18 $.64000 $.64000 $.00000 $.00000 $.00000 $.64000 06/20/18 06/29/18 .64000 .64000 .00000 .00000 .00000 .64000 09/28/18 10/15/18 .72000 .72000 .00000 .00000 .00000 .72000 12/31/18 01/15/19 .14305 .14305 .00000 .00000 .00000 .14305 TOTALS $2.14305 $2.14305 $.00000 $.00000 $.00000 $2.14305 Form 1099-DIV box 1a 2a 2b 3 5 (1) Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Section 857(b)(9), cash distributions made on January 15, 2019 with a record date of December 31, 2018 are treated as received by shareholders on December 31, 2018 to the extent of 2018 earnings and profits. (2) Unrecaptured Sec. 1250 Gain (box 2b) is a subset of, and is included in, the Capital Gain Distribution amount reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV. (3) Return of Capital (4) Represents qualified REIT dividends that may be eligible for the 20% qualified business income deduction under Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that is available for non-corporate taxpayers and is included in "Ordinary Dividends." The Company did not incur any foreign taxes in 2018. Of the total distributions during 2018, none are considered qualifying dividends for purposes of the federal 15% income tax rate. Should you need any additional information, please call Staci Tyler, Controller, at 601-354-3555. EastGroup Properties, Inc. is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. Its strategy for growth is based on its property portfolio orientation toward premier business distribution facilities clustered near major transportation features. EastGroup's portfolio currently includes 41.7 million square feet. EastGroup Properties, Inc. press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net. SOURCE EastGroup Properties, Inc. Related Links http://www.eastgroup.net ANNVILLE, Pa., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) experienced a strong year fulfilling its dual mission of supporting nearly 800,000 Pennsylvania veterans and providing safety and security for our commonwealth and nation. "We had an incredibly busy and successful year, thanks to the employees throughout our agency who work hard to support the DMVA's dual mission," said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the DMVA. "Our focused commitment to serve Pennsylvania veterans and our communities has resulted in a number of accomplishments that we are proud to highlight." Serving Commonwealth and Nation In 2018, approximately 1,300 Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) soldiers and airmen deployed in readiness and training missions to numerous locations throughout the world, including Kuwait, the Middle East, Lithuania and Southeast Asia. The PNG also supported domestic operations, deploying more than 1,000 personnel in Pennsylvania and nationally for search and rescue, communications and transportation missions during floods, snow storms and hurricanes. Numerous lives were saved and protected during these missions. August of 2018 was a particularly critical month where Pennsylvania Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (PA-HART) members pulled 18 commonwealth citizens from their rooftops during extreme flooding conditions. The PNG also had a high-tasked summer schedule when it sent over 5,000 Guardsmen to California for about a month to participate in demanding training exercises at the National Training Center in the Mohave Desert. The 56th Stryker Brigade and other supporting units were lauded by senior Army staff for their outstanding performance. The PNG also found itself in the spotlight in 2018 after all three of its Air Force wings the 111th Attack Wing in Horsham, the 171st Air Refueling Wing in Pittsburgh, and the 193rd Special Operations Wing in Middletown received coveted Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards from the United States Air Force signifying all three units as exceptional performers. In 2018, the PNG commemorated a 25-year state partnership with the Lithuanian Armed Forces with events hosted in Pennsylvania and in Lithuania. Other key training partnerships took place throughout the year, including those with the British Army, German Air Force, Canada's 450th Tactical Helicopter Squadron, and Pennsylvania civilian first responders. Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) in Annville, Lebanon County, continued to play a big role supporting National Guard activities as the PNG's headquarters. Known as the busiest National Guard training center in the nation, FTIG played host to more than 150,000 active duty, Reserve and National Guard service members in 2018, the most to ever train there since its inception in 1998. Included in that training was the 2018 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition. This prestigious national competition is a test of physical and mental ability and was held at FTIG for the first time ever. While FTIG is well known for its training activities, the installation also received the 2018 Secretary of the Army Natural Resources Conservation Team Award, for its conservation efforts to protect 17,000 acres while running a high-volume military training facility. Serving Pennsylvania Veterans With nearly 800,000 veterans, Pennsylvania has the fourth largest veteran population in the country. The DMVA works feverishly year-round to connect veterans to the earned benefits and services they may be eligible for because of their service to our country. To connect with veterans one-on-one about their benefits, the Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) mobilized its outreach vans and participated in 107 events statewide in 2018. The OVA also focused on educating veterans with unique needs, partnering with the Women's Veterans Committee of the Governor's Advisory Council for Veterans Services to host a series of statewide town hall and expos for women veterans and their families; and collaborating with the Department of Corrections to hold 10 outreach events with incarcerated veterans at various state correctional facilities. Partnering with community organizations in 2018, the OVA issued 12 Veterans' Trust Fund (VTF) grants to Pennsylvania county Veterans Affairs Offices and 18 charitable or veteran service organizations, totaling $800,000. The VTF grants help create or expand programs throughout the state to meet emerging needs of veterans and their families. OVA also distributed another $800,000 to needy veterans through the Veterans Temporary Assistance Program which is also funded through the VTF. The DMVA Bureau of Veterans Homes continued its effort to raise awareness of its six long-term care veterans homes, holding a series of well-attended open houses last year. The public was invited to visit the homes, take a tour, meet the staff, participate in activities and experience the camaraderie of living with fellow veterans. The DMVA provides residency to more than 1,300 eligible veterans and their spouses throughout the commonwealth at the six veterans homes located in Erie, Hollidaysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and Spring City. "I am extremely proud of the entire DMVA team and the great things we were able to accomplish over the past year," said Carrelli. "We have raised the bar of service every year for our veterans and our communities and look forward to continued successes in 2019." For more information about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva. MEDIA CONTACT: Joseph Butera, 717-861-2178 SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Related Links http://www.dmva.state.pa.us BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the "Company") (NYSE: DRH) today announced that it has appointed Kathleen Wayton to the Board of Directors effective February 1, 2019. "We are pleased to have Kathleen Wayton join the Board. She is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the travel industry," stated Mark W. Brugger, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Ms. Wayton currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Southwest Airlines. She is responsible for leading all of the airline's technology efforts to support strategic capabilities. Her prior roles at Southwest Airlines include Vice President of Business Transformation, Corporate Delivery and Technology as well as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Implementation. In that latter role, she led development of Southwest Airlines' 2010-2015 Strategic Plan, which outlined major expansion & transformation initiatives. Realization of those initiatives made Southwest Airlines the largest U.S. passenger airline, as measured by passengers carried, and contributed to a 5 times stock price appreciation. Prior to joining Southwest Airlines in 2004, Ms. Wayton held roles at American Airlines and Capital One Auto Finance. Russell Reynolds Advisors served as advisor to the Company in conducting a nationwide search. About the Company DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of geographically diversified hotels concentrated in top gateway markets and destination resort locations. The Company owns 31 premium quality hotels with over 10,000 rooms. The Company has strategically positioned its hotels to be operated both under leading global brand families such as Hilton and Marriott as well as unique boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment. For further information on the Company and its portfolio, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality Company's website at www.drhc.com. SOURCE DiamondRock Hospitality Company Related Links http://www.drhc.com CLEVELAND, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DATATRAK International, Inc. (OTCQX: DTRK), a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider and innovation leader of cloud-based technologies for the life sciences industry, today announced it will be exhibiting at the 2019 Summit for Clinical Operations Executives (SCOPE) Annual Conference, February 18-21 in Orlando, FL (Booth 608). "We are looking forward to exhibiting at this year's SCOPE conference," said Scott DeMell, VP Sales and Marketing at Datatrak. "As Datatrak continues our eClinical market innovations, we are eager to share our exciting new technology offerings. SCOPE is the perfect opportunity to meet with leaders in the industry to reaffirm our commitment to providing Enterprise Cloud Solutions, including Business Intelligence and Image Data Capture and Adjudication unified with CTMS, EDC and ePRO into one SaaS platform." Datatrak will be exhibiting at SCOPE 2019, in Orlando, FL Booth 608. Product experts will be available to answer questions and provide demonstrations on CTMS, EDC, Image Data Capture, and Business Intelligence, as well as other Enterprise Cloud products. Book an appointment with Datatrak to see the Enterprise Cloud Platform in action. See the article on the website: https://bit.ly/2TltWY2 About DATATRAK International, Inc. Datatrak International is a worldwide technology and services company delivering unified eClinical solutions and related services for the clinical trials industry. Datatrak built its multi-component, comprehensive solution on a single, unified platform. The Company delivers a complete portfolio of software products designed to accelerate the reporting of clinical research data from sites to sponsors and ultimately regulatory authorities, faster and more efficiently than loosely integrated technologies. The Datatrak software solution, deployed worldwide through an ASP or Enterprise Transfer offering, supports Pre-clinical, Phase I - Phase IV drug, device and diagnostic studies in multiple languages throughout the world. The Datatrak Enterprise Cloud includes the following products: Business Intelligence, Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS), Electronic Data Capture (EDC), Medical Coding, Risk-Based Monitoring, ECG Data Capture, Image Data Capture, Randomization, Clinical Supply Inventory, Design, eConsent, ePRO and eCOA. Visit http://www.datatrak.com SOURCE DATATRAK International, Inc. Related Links http://www.datatrak.net WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PCF Insurance Services ("PCF" or the "Company") is excited to announce that Dani Goldsmith has joined the Company as its Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer. Dani will also serve as a Director on PCF's Board of Directors. Peter Foy, Chief Executive Officer of PCF, said, "We are delighted to welcome a professional of Dani's caliber into PCF. His leadership abilities and industry knowledge create tremendous opportunity for PCF as we continue to grow organically and through acquisition." Dani is the former Chief Financial Officer of HUB International, one of the world's largest insurance brokerage firms. During his years at HUB, the company grew substantially by completing nearly 200 acquisitions while also growing earnings to record levels due to efficiency gains. In addition to his five years with HUB, Dani has over 20 years of experience in a myriad of leadership roles in the areas of accounting, treasury, mergers, acquisitions, information technology and operations. Dani has held leadership positions with Tenneco, Borg Warner, Owens Corning as well as numerous private equity-sponsored transactions. Dani Goldsmith holds a B.S. and M.B.A. in Finance from DePaul University. About PCF: Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, PCF is a full-service insurance brokerage agency which provides a broad array of property & casualty, life and health, employee benefits and workers' compensation insurance products, as well as ancillary services such as billing and reconciliation, COBRA administration and flexible benefits. PCF has been a leading acquiror of brokerages in the Western United States and recently expanded its footprint into the Midwest with an acquisition in Chicago. Additional information can be found at www.pcfoy.com. For further information contact: Peter C. Foy Daniel Goldsmith PCF Insurance Services PCF Insurance Services Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating & Financial Officer 818.703.8057 224.545.9347 SOURCE PCF Insurance Services Related Links http://www.pcfoy.com CHICAGO, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Multiple leading corporations and foundations with significant Chicago presence have announced Apprenticeship 2020, a new $3.2M fund to scale high-quality work-based learning programs in Chicago with the goal of hiring 350 apprentices over two years. JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce.org, The Joyce Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, Pritzker Traubert Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Aon, Accenture, and others have collaborated on the initiative to accelerate the growth of nontraditional apprenticeships in high-demand industries and occupations. In partnership with the Chicago Apprentice Network, co-created by Aon and Accenture, the driving force behind apprenticeship expansion efforts in the Chicago region, Apprenticeship 2020 will develop infrastructure, build capacity and test new solutions to address employer barriers in launching apprenticeships and other types of work-based learning models. "City Colleges of Chicago has the 21st century academic and workforce preparedness programs that prepare students for success in the fast-growing industries bringing jobs to our city, and companies are taking notice," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "Apprenticeship 2020 will provide our highly-skilled graduates with resources and a pipeline to help them transition seamlessly into in-demand careers with top companies across Chicago." "Our apprenticeships program has far exceeded our expectations in terms of its impact on both our firm and Chicago," said Greg Case, CEO of Aon. "We've attracted new employees we never would have reached and provided students opportunities to gain invaluable, hands-on experiences while furthering their education. We look forward to sharing what we see as a long-term business strategy with more employers and cities using the Chicago Apprentice Network as a model of excellence." Effective earn-and-learn apprenticeship models are a combination of classroom learning and employer-site on-the-job training. These models explore new avenues for finding talent, including candidates from non-traditional sources and can enable the sustainable and successful hiring of apprentices by local employers. "The Pritzker Traubert Foundation is deeply committed to greater economic mobility for all Chicagoans and an essential part of achieving this goal is supporting employer-led efforts that lead to more opportunities for workers across our great city," said Penny Pritzker, Pritzker Traubert Foundation Trustee and former United States Secretary of Commerce. "We are excited to support Apprenticeship 2020 and partner with the Chicago Apprentice Network to increase economic opportunity for individuals and families in Chicago." "Professional apprenticeships can play an important role in closing the skills gap," said Julie Sweet, CEO North America, Accenture. "Together with the other member companies of the Chicago Apprentice Network and Apprenticeship 2020, we can accelerate the creation of these opportunities for the extremely talented individuals who might not otherwise participate in the digital economya win win for our communities, companies and the country." Apprenticeship 2020 has made a $1.25M investment in City Colleges of Chicago to launch a new office of Apprenticeship & Workforce Solutions that will help employers develop apprenticeship programs, recruit students to apprenticeship opportunities, and implement academic curriculum for apprenticeship and work-based learning programs. "Through Apprenticeship 2020 and its support for City Colleges of Chicago, we look forward to seeing more Chicago employers hiring apprentices in high-demand, high-paying industries," said Whitney Smith, Head of Midwest Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase. "At JPMorgan Chase, we intend to welcome our first technology apprentices from City Colleges later this year." "By exponentially growing Chicago's work-based learning opportunities, we are investing in a triple bottom line the bottom line of Chicago companies, our students' futures, and our City's growth," said Chancellor Juan Salgado. "I commend Chicago's business community for their leadership of this effort. As employers, they gain a reliable pipeline of diverse, ambitious, and loyal employees and our students are afforded the chance to contribute their wealth of talent to a more inclusive Chicago economy." For more information, visit: http://apprenticeship.ccc.edu/ In 2018, City Colleges Chancellor Juan Salgado announced a goal of offering at least half of graduates a work-based learning opportunity while at City Colleges or immediately following. "At Salesforce.org, we believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We are deeply committed to partnering with organizations that are measurably improving outcomes for young adults in our local communities," said Ebony Frelix, EVP and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Salesforce.org. "We are proud to join with other foundations to support Apprenticeship 2020. Initiatives like this enable us to support young adults in acquiring in-demand skills and connecting them to the sectors and companies that need them most." To support the new apprenticeship programs that will be launched at City Colleges of Chicago, funding from Apprenticeship 2020 will also be used to expand the capacity of One Million Degrees, the only organization in Illinois providing pre-employment training, mentoring, and wrap-around services to community college students. "By expanding our partnership with City Colleges of Chicago to provide essential support to a growing cohort of apprentices, One Million Degrees can help fulfill the promise of community colleges as the launching pad to career success, while responding to the growing needs of employers for well-trained workers," said Paige Ponder, CEO, OMD. "OMD is thrilled to be a truly integrated partner with City Colleges." "Now is the time to develop an integrated apprenticeship system that helps employers meet talent needs with a more diverse talent pipeline and provides opportunities for workers to pursue careers that were previously inaccessible," said Molly Leonard, McCormick Foundation and co-chair of the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance. ABOUT THE CHICAGOLAND WORKFORCE FUNDER ALLIANCE Since its founding in 2012, the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance (CWFA) has engaged over 30 funders to advance its shared mission of collaborating with employers and other workforce stakeholders to increase employment, earnings and racial equity for underprepared workers in the Chicago region. The Funder Alliance is known as the region's major convener of the philanthropic community interested in workforce development and employment. Through a combination of grant making and civic leadership the Funder Alliance has used this role to carve out a unique position at the complex intersection point of workforce development, social justice, education and economic development. Learn more about CWFA and its initiatives at www.chicagoworkforcefunders.org and follow us on: Twitter or LinkedIn Media Contact: Cyndi Solitro [email protected] 312-565-4169 SOURCE Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance Related Links http://www.chicagoworkforcefunders.org SEATTLE, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cornish College of the Arts announced today that it will reset its tuition to prior levels to make the institution more accessible and address long-term student-loan debt. The change will lower the cost of full-time tuition to $32,160, from $40,442, a 20 percent adjustment. The new tuition structure will apply to all new and returning students beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year. With the cost of higher education on the rise nationwide, students and families are struggling to manage debt during and after college. The leadership of Cornish, with the support of the board of trustees, made the decision to lower tuition at the college to provide a more inclusive group of students the ability to access a Cornish education. This is critically important given that 95 percent of Cornish students receive some form of financial aid. Cornish awards over $6 million in scholarships every year. "Cornish trains world-class performing and visual artists in the heart of Seattle's urban core. We place a high priority on welcoming students from more diverse backgrounds. By resetting our tuition, we are taking a bold step toward increasing access," said Cornish President Dr. Raymond Tymas-Jones, who joined the college in July 2018. "In a constantly changing and competitive job market, Cornish is committed to producing graduates that have the skills and creative intelligence to build thriving careers and enrich their communities." With this announcement, Cornish College of the Arts becomes the first art school in the country to implement a tuition reset. "I am proud that Dr. Tymas-Jones and his leadership team have taken this bold step to ensure students of all backgrounds can help carry Cornish's legacy forward," said Lonnie Rosenwald, chair of the board of trustees. "This change is an important element in achieving Dr. Tymas-Jones' vision for the future of the institution, and will help solidify the important role Cornish and our students play in the cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest." As Cornish implements this change, it will work closely with current students and their families on their individual financial situations to ensure all students are informed about the change and have access to resources and support. Cornish will also extend the application deadline for the 2019-2020 academic year to March 1, 2019. More information about the tuition reset can be found on the Cornish website. About Cornish College of the Arts Begun in 1914, Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Wash., offers a Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Art, Dance, Design, Film, Interior Architecture, Performance Production, and Theater, multiple public programs, and extension courses. The mission of Cornish College of the Arts is to provide students aspiring to become practicing artists with an educational program of the highest possible quality, in an environment that nurtures creativity and intellectual curiosity, while preparing them to contribute to society as artists, citizens, and innovators. Cornish realizes this mission by offering baccalaureate studies in the performing and visual arts and by serving as a focal point in the community for public presentation, artistic criticism, participation and discussion of the arts. SOURCE Cornish College of the Arts Related Links https://www.cornish.edu TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - CMiC closes another year of strong financial performance with several milestone accomplishments. New product launches, targeted go-to-market programs and a focus on the small and medium business (SMB) segment of the construction market in North America drove robust growth. Specifically, in fiscal year 2018, CMiC achieved organic growth in SMB revenue, average contract value and new contracts signed of 49%, 25% and 12%, respectively, over the previous fiscal year. "We would like to thank all of our customers, ecosystem partners and employees for their concerted efforts in making 2018 our biggest fiscal year to date. By biggest, we are not only highlighting our financial success but also our achievements as an organization and as members of a vibrant community," stated Gord Rawlins, President & CEO of CMiC. "Looking to 2019, we are committed to further enhancing the value we deliver to our customers through product innovation, to fully deploying our groundbreaking R12 user experience across our user base and to expanding our strategic partnerships by integrating with a greater number of complementary technology and services partners." 2018 Highlights: Re-designed Web Presence: Launched a new website in May 2018 , which included updated branding, greatly expanded content and a re-designed Resource Center. This launch garnered record web traffic and period-over-period visitor growth of 26% and 42% for the Home Page and Resource Center, respectively. Product Innovation: Newor greatly enhancedproduct functionality: Drawing Management; Resource Planning; Business Intelligence; Project Management Exchange A totally re-imagined user experience across the entire product suite and for all devices, including mobile, with the latest version of the CMiC platform: R12. Ecosystem Impact: Hosted the 20th anniversary CONNECT User Conference in Savannah, Georgia , with a record attendance of 500+, including hundreds of SMB customers and a record number of sponsoring partners. , with a record attendance of 500+, including hundreds of SMB customers and a record number of sponsoring partners. Pledged $10 million dollars to advance the construction industry through the creation of the CMiC-Allen Berg Memorial Scholarship Awardto be administered through the ACE Mentor Program of Americaa scholarship created in memory of CMiC's late founder, Allen S. Berg . Customer Growth: Welcomed 60+ new customers to the CMiC family. To learn about our customer success stories, click here. Talent Expansion: Grew the total number of employees by 10%, ending the year with 216 professionals across North America . To view currently open positions, click here. Awards: "As we analyze and understand the key success factors that drove our growth in 2018, we continue to optimize our strategies and plans for accelerating our momentum in 2019 and beyond. In addition, we are implementing new approaches to reinforce and cultivate our culture of innovation and diversity, for which CMiC has been known since its founding over 40 years ago. Theseand other well-established valuesguide our journey and keep us focused on what's truly important delivering value to our customers, partners and employees," reflects Jeff Weiss, Chief Revenue Officer at CMiC. About CMiC As an industry pioneer, CMiC delivers complete and unified ERP and field solutions for construction and capital projects firms. CMiC's powerful software transforms how firms optimize productivity, minimize risk and drive growth by planning and managing all financials, projects, resources, and content assetsfrom a Single Database Platform. With customers throughout North America, CMiC serves one-quarter of ENR's Top 200 Contractors and hundreds of small and mid-sized construction firms, from general and specialty contractors to heavy/highway and project owners. For more information, please visit www.cmicglobal.com. SOURCE Computer Methods International Inc. (CMiC) Related Links www.cmicglobal.com ISTANBUL, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cimsa attended the World of Concrete 2019 Fair, to present its innovative product portfolio developed specifically for the American market. The premier event hosted more than 1,500 exhibiting companies and 58,000 registered industry professionals, where Cimsa's white cement products attracted particular attention from the attendees. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/814865/Cimsa_Logo.jpg ) Cimsa, a global pioneer in the white cement, attended the World of Concrete 2019 Fair and introduced Cimsa Aluminates, Cimsa Super White and its other innovative solutions. Cimsa introduced Super White, Super White Slow, Crafta N, Crafta S, Recipro 40, Recipro 40+, Recipro 50 and Rego products in the Fair. Cimsa gathered all of its products under "The Name of the Formula" in 2016. Cimsa's General Manager Ulku Ozcan stated: "We are an active pioneer in the cement sector for more than 46 years. Around the scope of our wide product range, sustainable strategy and with our global and innovative solutions we position ourselves as the "cement company of the future". We are capable of meeting our high quality and high value-added products quickly with our worldwide business partners. Other than producing and exporting our products in Turkey, we are capable of providing any of our products at any time to our customers from a total of 7 terminals. In the markets where we do not have a terminal configuration, we provide our products with the most efficient logistic channels in a complete and timely manner." Cimsa products are used globally for the constructions of the future Ozcan stated that: "We are one of the world's biggest cement manufacturer and we manufacture in 5 different plantss in Turkey. In the last 5 years, we have invested over 350 million USD in our plants and technologies in Turkey, tripling our production capacity to 1.5 million tons of clinker production annually. We are also very proud to announce that our investments in the recent creation of the Cimsa Americas Cement Manufacturing and Sales Corp. continue. Our company will launch at the end of April and we will be able to address our products directly to our clients. As Cimsa, we are exporting white cement and special products to more than 65 countries in Middle East, Europe, Northern Africa and US and we make sure our clients' specific product expectations and demands are fulfilled." Cimsa continues to grow with its innovative solutions Ulku Ozcan added: "R&D is the key to the success in this sector. In order to sustain our growth globally our aim is to keep up with the technology and be a part of innovative solutions. With this foresight, we established Cement Research and Application Center, named The Formula Center, which was registered with the Turkish Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology. In The Formula Center we continue our efforts to develop the newest and most useful products that will meet the needs and expectations of the markets in which we operate. Cimsa will continue to work with its business partners in the US with their effective logistics network and strong R&D competence in white cement and special products abroad." About Cimsa Cimsa is a leading Turkish company in the cement industry, which was established in 1972. As one of the top three global brands in white cement, Cimsa's cement manufacturing terminals are located in 6 different countries. Cimsa manufactures specialty cements such as white cement and calcium aluminate cement, in addition to grey cement. Cimsa is dedicated to sustainability and is part of the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI). http://www.cimsa.com.tr https://www.facebook.com/CIMSACEMENT https://twitter.com/cimsacement Contacts: Eda Akyuzlu Simsek, desiBel Agency, [email protected] SOURCE Cimsa NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Military-grade ad-verification company CHEQ, and RiskIQ, the global leader in attack-surface management, today announced a partnership providing both companies' clients access to an end-to-end suite of digital advertising-security solutions. The combination of CHEQ's autonomous brand safety, viewability, and ad-fraud prevention, and RiskIQ's ad-scanning for malware, hijacking, and ad injection creates visibility and protection across the entire digital advertising supply chain. The move is part of a shared vision to afford advertisers, platforms, and publishers a greater sense of security and control over their online presence. Working with CHEQ and RiskIQ, both supply-side and demand-side clients will enjoy greater protection from bad advertising environments as well as from malicious advertising threats while eliminating digital risk and increasing ROI on ad-spend. "At CHEQ, we've been introducing the next generation of AI-driven tech to help transform ad verification and provide the ecosystem with better brand safety, viewability and fraud prevention," said Guy Tytunovich, Founder and CEO of CHEQ. "Similarly, RiskIQ have positioned themselves as the category innovator in online threat protection against phishing and malware. Together, we're providing a 360-degree proposition to keep brands, publishers and other online entities safe against unacceptable environments and malicious actors." "CHEQ's innovative ad-verification and anti-fraud capabilities are the perfect complements to RiskIQ's real-time visibility into the digital advertising ecosystem, which enables deactivation of malicious ads and trust across your network, supply partners, and publications," said Lou Manousos, Co-founder and CEO of RiskIQ. "Our shared commitment to innovation in the ad spaceCHEQ's AI-driven approach to viewability and RiskIQ's URL scanning and mass-crawl data collection for detecting malicious content--make up the perfect stack for any organization participating in the digital advertising ecosystem." RiskIQ recently released ' The Anatomy of an Attack Surface: Five Ways Hackers are Cashing In ' a data-driven exploration of five different approaches hackers take to target businesses by capitalizing on the weakening of the corporate perimeter due to customer and partner interactions moving online. In October, CHEQ, in conjunction with the IPG Media Lab and IPG's MAGNA, released the results of "The Brand Safety Effect." The study examined how ads that appear near negative content can adversely affect consumers' perception of brands. About CHEQ CHEQ is a global cybersecurity company and a pioneer of Autonomous Brand Safety, protecting the digital ad spend for the world's leading brands. With offices in Tokyo, New York and Tel Aviv, CHEQ is transforming ad verification by introducing military-grade AI to tackle brand safety, ad-fraud and viewability preemptively and in real-time. Backed by Battery Ventures, the company's mission is to help sustain the digital ecosystem by protecting advertisers from the risks of online advertising and helping them regain confidence in the space. For more information, please visit https://www.cheq.ai About RiskIQ RiskIQ is the leader in digital threat management, providing the most comprehensive discovery, intelligence and mitigation of threats associated with an organization's digital presence. With more than 75 percent of attacks originating outside the firewall, RiskIQ allows enterprises to gain unified insight and control over web, social and mobile exposures. Trusted by thousands of security analysts, security teams and CISO's, RiskIQ's platform combines advanced internet data reconnaissance and analytics to expedite investigations, understand digital attack surfaces, assess risk and take action to protect the business, brand and customers. Based in San Francisco, the company is backed by Summit Partners, Battery Ventures, Georgian Partners and MassMutual Ventures. Visit https://www.riskiq.com Media Contact: Kathy Sampey Clarity PR [email protected] Holly Hitchcock Front Lines Media 805-801-9798 [email protected] SOURCE CHEQ Related Links https://www.cheq.ai "We are thrilled to have Michaela as the newest addition to Capricorn. We look forward to benefiting from her exceptional portfolio management experience and insights on sustainable and impact investing," said Ion Yadigaroglu, Managing Partner of Capricorn. "I'm thrilled to join Capricorn a firm that is a pioneer in impact investing and a thought leader on sustainable finance. I hope to integrate my institutional knowledge to the firm's entrepreneurial culture and I look forward to helping catalyze more capital toward financial strategies addressing key environmental and social issues," said Michaela Edwards. Edwards received her MSc in Investment Management from Cass Business School in London and her Bachelor degree in International Business from Oslo University College. She is a CFA charter holder. About Capricorn Investment Group Founded in 2001, Capricorn Investment Group was born from a belief that sustainable investment practices can enhance risk-adjusted returns. Underlying this investment approach is a deep desire to demonstrate the huge investment potential that resides in breakthrough commercial solutions to the world's most pressing problems. One of the largest mission-aligned investment firms in the world, Capricorn has grown to manage more than $5 billion in multi-asset class portfolios for families, foundations and institutional investors. The firm has offices in New York City and Palo Alto. For more information, visit: www.capricornllc.com. SOURCE Capricorn Investment Group DAYTON, Ohio and CINCINNATI, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Brixey & Meyer Capital (collectively with its affiliated entities, "BMC") announced today it has acquired CityDash, LLC ("CityDash" or the "Company"). Since 1985, CityDash has been Southwest Ohio's premier courier, trucking and logistics provider to customers with diverse delivery and logistics needs. CityDash offers a variety of logistic services including same day courier services, small package delivery, expedited palleted freight, full truckload, and brokerages services. CityDash is based in Cincinnati, Ohio and currently has over 90 delivery vehicles and 170 employees. "The leadership and employees of CityDash have built a strong brand in the region with their commitment to customer service and dependability, which is the CityDash Way," said David Brixey, Managing Director of Brixey & Meyer Capital. "We are excited to continue to invest in people and other resources to perpetuate and expand the reputation CityDash has built over its long history." Troy Burt joined the Company in 1992 and has served as President and co-owner since 1998. Troy will remain as President and co-owner. "This new partnership with BMC is very exciting for our customers and employees, as it fulfills our continuous quest to provide the very best customer and employee experience possible," said Troy Burt, CityDash's President and co-owner. "In evaluating new partners to help the Company advance the CityDash Way, I was seeking a partner that shared the same customer and employee-focused core values as CityDash. I am proud to say that we have found this partner in BMC. Beyond their close-knit, people-oriented culture, they also possess the investment philosophies, experience and resources we need to grow." With BMC's partnership, CityDash will be exploring a variety of both organic and inorganic growth strategies in order to enter new markets and offer new services. CityDash is the first acquisition of BMC's second fund, the BMC Growth Fund II. The BMC Growth Fund II is a $40.0 million fund launched in mid-2018 which invests in lower middle market companies generating $1.0 to $4.0 million of cash flow. Brixey & Meyer Capital plans to add as much as seven additional investments over the next three years. About Brixey & Meyer Capital: Brixey & Meyer Capital is a lower middle market private investment firm with offices in Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit Brixey & Meyer Capital's website at www.brixeyandmeyercapital.com. To stay informed on future updates, follow Brixey & Meyer Capital on LinkedIn here. Contact: Patrick Odell 1-937-206-3328 [email protected] SOURCE Brixey & Meyer Capital Related Links http://www.brixeyandmeyercapital.com BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Bellevue acted Tuesday to amend City Code and adopt a small cell wireless facilities Master License Agreement template. This will streamline the process to add next generation (5G) wireless infrastructure in Bellevue. This action was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, several wireless service and infrastructure providers, and the City of Bellevue. Bellevue Chamber Leads Effort to Pave the Way for 5G Mobile "We are thankful to City leaders for recognizing the importance of our efforts on behalf of a critical business sector," said Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Josh Marti. "It is critical that government and the business community work together to ensure future economic growth and prosperity. When the Chamber and the businesses we represent collaborate with the City, the sky is the limit." Wireless carriers can now move forward to install the infrastructure and start delivering new services to Bellevue's residents and businesses. "Verizon welcomes the opportunity to work with forward-thinking leaders, like the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and the Bellevue city council, to transform technology infrastructure to support the needs of citizens and businesses today and lay the groundwork for future innovation," said Jonathan LeCompte, Pacific Market President for Verizon. "Bellevue can be a model for other municipalities in both their support of innovation and investments in new technology." Bellevue is a Smart City, a center of innovation with excellent and reliable infrastructure that supports our vibrant and growing city, including high-tech connectivity. 5G technology, with its increased bandwidth and speeds, is essential to this growth and to existing and emerging business sectors. "Bellevue values collaboration, technology and innovation," said Mayor John Chelminiak. "We see this as another crucial step towards becoming a smarter, high-tech city of the future. The adopted agreement lays the groundwork for delivering the next wave of wireless technology to our community." The City's actions were applauded by national wireless infrastructure provider Crown Castle. In a statement the company said, "Thanks to the Bellevue Chamber and the Bellevue City Council's leadership, residents living in and around the City will enjoy faster, more reliable wireless services, while new technologies will create efficiencies and spur economic development. Cities across the US can learn from Bellevue's example by working with the wireless industry to pass amenable agreements and codes to bring improved wireless infrastructure to their communities." The Bellevue Chamber accelerates tomorrow today, representing thousands of jobs in our community. Businesses range in size from sole proprietors to large corporations. The Chamber's mission is to foster a healthy business environment by providing strategic leadership, advocacy, tools, and resources for business success. Contact: Chris Johnson, 425.213.1208 [email protected] www.bellevuechamber.org SOURCE Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Related Links http://www.bellevuechamber.org "With experience forecasting and calculating weather risk for some of the nation's top insurance carriers, Athenium Analytics offers the kind of solution our members need to be successful," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. "This solution provides our members with a valuable tool for mitigating risk and building better projects." As the leading association in construction, AGC represents more than 27,000 member firms, providing a range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest. "Having AGC as a go-to-market collaborator is a coveted seal of approval for anyone with solutions for the construction industry and contractors," said Bill Pardue, chairman and chief executive officer at Athenium Analytics. "We are delighted that AGC chose our team and our insurance expertise in the disciplines of natural hazard risk, predictive modeling and customized alerting solutions for its members," Pardue said. "The same data analysis that provides dashboard solutions for insurance has a great amount of applicability to assist general contractors in solving their business challenges." GaugeConstruction delivers short-term, long-term and post-event weather insights and analytics, with optimized configurability to track every project's critical path. Features of GaugeConstruction include: Weekly breakdowns of each construction phase's distinct risk profile, based on geography and historical weather. An estimate of lost weather days based on historical data and user-determined thresholds. Proprietary weather models to generate configurable seven-day forecast alerts for hail, rainfall, freezing rain, snowfall, wind gusts, cold, heat and heat index. Machine-learned, super-ensemble hurricane forecasts providing 10-day track and wind predictions. Hyper-local verification of weather severity down to the project-level with configurable notifications for different projects, phases, weather perils and thresholds. "Successful completion of large construction projects depends on identifying and preparing for risks," said Mike Bennett, a meteorologist and vice president of product strategies at Athenium Analytics. "Bad weather and other natural hazards impact the bottom line at every phase. "GaugeConstruction is a game-changer, allowing you to mitigate risks in the short-term while planning for the long-term avoid lost work days with near-term weather forecasts, manage resources through phase-specific risk analysis, and prove damages with hyper-local post-event hazard verification." GaugeConstruction is launching at this week's AGC Surety Bonding & Construction Risk Management conference, and the dashboard will be offered at a discount for AGC members. Bennett noted that release of GaugeConstruction today marked only the first of several business intelligence solutions that Athenium Analytics is developing for the construction industry. "Next up is GaugeSubs," Bennett said. "Athenium Analytics is building the nation's most useful database of information about subcontractors for review by general contractors and insurers. We'll also deliver risk scores associated with each subcontractor based on such factors as finances, past performance and regulatory compliance. "We will include both information gleaned from public records and also proprietary assessments," Bennett continued. "Additionally, subcontractors will have the opportunity for self-reporting. No other provider to the construction industry offers such a comprehensive database for risk information." Press inquiries, contact: Kyle Davis, Vice President of Market & Corporate Development [email protected] ABOUT THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF AMERICA (AGC) AGC of America is the leading association for the construction industry. It represents more than 27,000 firms, including over 6,500 of America's leading general contractors, and nearly 9,000 specialty-contracting firms. Learn more at www.agc.org. ABOUT ATHENIUM ANALYTICS Athenium Analytics supports construction companies, insurance carriers and the U.S. Intelligence Community with insightful and reliable business and scientific intelligence through intuitive web applications. Its innovative quality-assurance and analytical solutions provide customers with meaningful, timely and actionable information to measure, manage and mitigate risk. Athenium Analytics has more than 100 employees across offices in Washington, D.C., Waltham, MA, and Dover, NH. Learn more at www.athenium.com/construction. SOURCE Athenium Analytics Related Links https://www.athenium.com PORTLAND, Oregon, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ongoing and impending space missions by government as well as private players, increasing inflow of investment in space mining technologies, and growing use of print materials obtained from asteroids in 3D printing technology are expected to propel the growth of the global asteroid mining market Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Asteroid Mining Market by Phase (Space-craft Design, Launch, and Operation), Asteroid type (Type C, Type S, Type M, and Others), and Application (Construction, Resource Harvesting, 3D Printing, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017 - 2025. The report offers extensive analyses of the key winning strategies, industry trends, market dynamics, market size & estimations, top investment pockets, and competitive landscape. As per the report, the global asteroid mining market garnered $712 million in 2017, and is estimated to reach $3,868.9 million by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 24.4% from 2018 to 2025. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) Innumerable space missions planned by government and private players, surge in R&D investments by market players to deploy space mining processes, and use of asteroid-derived print materials in 3D printing technology drive the growth of the global asteroid mining market. In addition, increase in space situational awareness programs launched by government organizations is expected to supplement the market growth. However, high cost associated with space mining methods is expected to hamper the market growth. Conversely, adoption of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) in space exploration and numerous ongoing projects for exploring and colonizing Mars and moon would create new opportunities for the growth of the industry. Request Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5138 Space craft design segment to dominate, operation segment to register fastest growth by 2025 The space craft design segment contributed the largest share in 2017, accounting for four-fifths of the total revenue. It is expected to continue its dominance through 2025 due to increased investments and funding from governments and private companies worldwide for designing and manufacturing space crafts. However, the operation segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 29.1% from 2018 to 2025 due to the increasing inflow of investment by public and private stakeholders in space mining technologies for resource exploitation. Moreover, the launch segment would grow at a steady pace through 2025. Type C segment to dominate through 2025 Among asteroid types, the type C segment, which are chondrite asteroids, accounted for 43.2% of the total market revenue in 2017 and would maintain its revenue lead through the study period. This is because type C asteroids are carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, which are known to contain large deposits of water and metals. However, the type M segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 29.5% during the forecast period because M Type asteroids contain highly valuable resources such as platinum, gold, silver, and others. The report also analyzes asteroid types such as type S and others. For Purchase Enquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5138 3D printing to lead in terms of revenue, construction segment to witness fastest growth by 2025 3D printing segment captured nearly half of the total market revenue in 2017 and is projected to maintain its lead through 2025. This is on account of the advancements in 3D printing technology such as high-resolution prototypes and Zero-G technology that helps in printing objects in space. However, the construction segment would grow at the highest CAGR of 29.1% through 2025, owing to heavy inflow of investments for the development and construction of space infrastructure for space missions. The report also analyzes applications such as resource harvesting and others. North America to garner highest revenue, LAMEA to grow the fastest through 2025 The asteroids mining market in North America contributed nearly one-third of the global market revenue in 2017. It is projected to retain its lion's share through 2025, owing to technological advancements related to asteroid mining and high investment in space technology industry. The U.S. is expected to be an emerging player in the asteroids mining industry due to the presence of strong government agencies in the region such as NASA, Satellite Industry Association, and Commercial Spaceflight Federation, among others. However, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa (LAMEA) would register the highest CAGR of 26.4% from 2018 to 2025 due to the growing inclination toward advanced technological products, increase in investments in space technologies, and growth in R&D facilities in the region. The other regions analyzed in the report include Europe and Asia-Pacific. Key players of the industry The key market players analyzed in the report include Asteroid Mining Company, Bradford, iSpace, Kleos Space S.A., Planetary Resources, SpaceFab.US, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Offworld, and Virgin Galactic. Access KNOWLEDGE TREE (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/knowledgetree Knowledge tree is a cloud-based intelligence platform that offers more than 2,000 selective, off-the-shelf reports on niche markets to enable our clients gain deep insights on the latest trends, dynamic technologies, and emerging application areas. Similar Reports: 3D NAND Flash Memory Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018 - 2025 Hyperloop Technology Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023 - 2026 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. 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 procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com SOURCE Allied Market Research "Since its inception, the Ascend Hotel Collection has been a leader in the soft-brand upscale segment," said Mark Shalala, vice president, franchise development, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. "The brand's continued success is a result of our commitment to helping owners run profitable businesses with support from leading technology and robust distribution channels, and providing travelers with the authentic experiences they crave in an increasing number of top markets." Recent additions to the Ascend Hotel Collection include: The Inn at I'ON ( Mount Pleasant, S.C. ) Situated in the quaint, tree-lined Mount Pleasant community just outside of Charleston, S.C. , the Inn at I'ON combines modern amenities with timeless southern charm to deliver an unforgettable guest experience. Situated in the quaint, tree-lined community just outside of , the Inn at I'ON combines modern amenities with timeless southern charm to deliver an unforgettable guest experience. Industry City Hotel ( Brooklyn, N.Y. ) Located in a formerly industrial neighborhood of South Brooklyn , the Industry City Hotel infuses colorful designs and modern Chinese decor throughout each touchpoint to bring its vibrant surroundings to life. Located in a formerly industrial neighborhood of , the Industry City Hotel infuses colorful designs and modern Chinese decor throughout each touchpoint to bring its vibrant surroundings to life. Sunset Hotel ( Brooklyn, N.Y. ) Situated in the Sunset Park West neighborhood near the Brooklyn waterfront, the NBA's Brooklyn Nets training facility, and more, the Sunset Hotel couples great location with great service. "Guests are increasingly seeking travel experiences that are reflective of their destination and with a robust portfolio of unique, boutique and historic upscale hotels, Ascend delivers on these expectations. Our ongoing expansion creates new opportunities for these travelers and our franchisees and we look forward to even more growth in key destinations in the coming year," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. For more information on Ascend Hotels development opportunities, please visit https://choicehotelsdevelopment.com/ascendcollection. Ascend Hotel Collection: Let the Destination Reach You. The Ascend Hotel Collection global portfolio of unique, boutique, and historic independent hotels and resorts is part of Choice Hotels International, one of the world's largest leading hotel companies. Recognized as the hotel industry's first "soft brand" concept, the Ascend Hotel Collection has more than 200 properties open and operating worldwide, including in France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Australia, Canada, Ecuador, and the Caribbean region. Membership with the Ascend Hotel Collection enables distinctive, independent properties to gain a global presence while maintaining their local charm. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/Ascend . About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world. With more than 6,900 hotels, representing more than 560,000 rooms in over 40 countries and territories as of September 30, 2018, the Choice family of hotel brands provide business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program offers members benefits ranging from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. Forward-Looking Statement This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations. Addendum This is not an offering. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made except by a Franchise Disclosure Document first filed and registered with applicable state authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document can be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 1 Choice Hotels Circle, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850, [email protected]. 2019 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc. Related Links http://www.choicehotels.com WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As the new year begins, the American Red Cross is expanding support for U.S. military personnel currently serving in Eastern Europe by opening a new office at Mihail Kogalniceanu, Airbase, Romania. Red Cross personnel will provide emergency communication services, resiliency programs and morale activities for service members. "The men and women who've answered our country's call to military service deserve the finest support that we can provide," said Koby Langley, senior vice president for Service to the Armed Forces at the Red Cross. "We are committed to delivering critical services with a caring touch wherever and whenever it is needed24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for military members and their families at home and around the world." "The discussion about opening an office in Eastern Europe began in July 2017," said Deanna Swanier, director of Service to the Armed Forces European Division at the Red Cross. "It was clear that we needed to make our support services available in a location that's closer and easier for our troops to access. As a result, we have an office in Poland and are now opening one in Romania." "It's so important that our military personnel have someplace to turn to for support services while they are focused on their mission," said LTC Chris Marquez, USA, Garrison Commander, Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, Romania. "We are grateful that the American Red Cross is there to provide those services - with a touch of home." Antoinette Williams will take on the mission to open and establish the new Red Cross office in Romania. Williams currently serves as the regional director for Service to the Armed Forces at the Greater Chesapeake Region and is 22-year veteran of the United States Air Force. Her skills and experience in Aviation Resource Management and as Master Military Training Instructor make her well suited to tackle this new assignment. "The American Red Cross was literally founded on the battlefield by a woman who only wanted to serve the soldiers and relieve their sufferingthere is no greater honor than to continue that legacy. My focus will be on delivering the best service possible, with a little touch of home, to the warfighters stationed there," said Williams. When asked about being separated from her family for an extended period of time, Williams stated that she and her husband were married on Nov. 21, 1992 and eight days later he departed for Incirlick AB, Turkey for 15 months. It was a challenging way to start a new marriage. "I'm going to miss my family during this year long deployment, but there's no way I could even consider this deployment without their loving support," said Williams. The Red Cross has been assisting members of the U.S. armed forces, veterans and their families since the early 1900s. Since then, Red Cross personnel have deployed to support U.S. troops in major conflicts including WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Panama, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Red Cross teams have also opened offices in the Persian Gulf, Turkey, Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, Cuba, Bosnia, Hungary, Croatia, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait and Djibouti. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. www.redcross.org SOURCE American Red Cross Related Links http://www.redcross.org PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Legion, the nation's largest and most influential veterans service organization, invites all Palo Alto area veterans and their family members to a town hall meeting to discuss their VA care. The meeting will be held 7 p.m. on Monday, February 4th, American Legion Post 564, 2120 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050. The town hall event is one of about a dozen that the Legion will conduct around the United States this year. The Legion hosts these events to hear feedback from veterans about the quality of health care they receive at their local VA facility. Representatives from The American Legion Department of California, The American Legion National Headquarters office in Washington, D.C., and representatives from VA and members of the California congressional delegation will be in attendance. Veterans who may not be able to attend the American Legion town hall meeting may leave their comments about the California VA Health Care System by submitting an email to [email protected]. The mailbox is not staffed, and you will not receive a response. Your comments will be compiled to evaluate veterans' perceptions of the health care and services provided by the California VA Health Care System. Contacts For questions regarding logistics of the town hall: Department Commander Larry Leonardo American Legion Department of California (408) 205-4828 [email protected] or For questions about System Worth Saving: Roscoe Butler Deputy Director for Health Care, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation The American Legion Headquarters Office, D.C. (202)263-2998 [email protected] About The American Legion With a current membership of approximately 2-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts across the nation. SOURCE The American Legion Related Links http://www.legion.org AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Adrianna Cuellar Rojas, president and CEO of United Ways of Texas and local United Way CEOs are available for interviews. Join a Facebook Live press conference, hosted on United Ways of Texas Facebook page, at 10 a.m. Jan. 29, 2019. State and local United Way leaders, Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D., director of the National ALICE Project, and Texas ALICE families will discuss the new Texas ALICE Report, found at https://www.uwtexas.org/alice-texas. The ALICE Report provides county-by-county, town-level data and analysis of how many households are struggling. ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, places a spotlight on a large population of hardworking residents who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings - and are one emergency from falling into poverty. New research shows that in Texas, 4,025,176 households 42 percent could not afford basic needs such as housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology in 2016, according to the Texas ALICE Report which United Ways of Texas releases today. ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, places a spotlight on a large population of hardworking residents who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings and are one emergency from falling into poverty. It is the most comprehensive depiction of financial need in the state to date, using data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census. "There is a basic belief in Texas that if you work hard, you can support yourself and your family. Yet the Texas ALICE Report shows that for more than 4 million households in Texas, this is not the case. ALICE families are working households. They hold jobs, pay taxes and provide services that are vital to the economy of our state and all of our communities," said Adrianna Cuellar Rojas, President and CEO of United Ways of Texas. "For ALICE, one setback, one car repair, one natural disaster or even a minor illness may escalate quickly and leave a family vulnerable and spiraling." The ALICE Project develops data resources to move beyond stereotypes and judgments of "the poor," and instead encourages the use of data to inform programmatic and policy solutions for those households and their communities. "ALICE families live in every corner of the state, from large cities with fast-growing populations to rural areas facing decline," said Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D., the report's author and chief researcher. "The big cities are enjoying strong economic growth, but the costs of household basics are increasing faster than wages. In rural areas, economic activity is slowing, the population is aging, and families are struggling to find jobs that can cover their basic necessities." The 135-page Texas ALICE Report, along with 508 pages of individual county/municipal data and 255 pages of county Household Survival, reveals many points of data, including: Low-wage jobs continue to dominate the landscape in Texas , with 62 percent of all jobs paying less than $20 per hour . With more contract work and on-demand jobs, job instability has increased, making it difficult for ALICE workers to meet regular monthly expenses or to save. In addition, gaps in wages varied based on the type of employer as well as the gender, education, race, and ethnicity of workers. , with . With more contract work and on-demand jobs, job instability has increased, making it difficult for workers to meet regular monthly expenses or to save. In addition, gaps in wages varied based on the type of employer as well as the gender, education, race, and ethnicity of workers. The average Household Survival Budget (a calculation created for the ALICE report) for a Texas family of four is $52,956 significantly higher than the federally recognized family poverty level of $24,300 . (The Single Household Survival Budget is $19,428 , with the FDL set at $11,880 .) The ALICE Report provides county-by-county, town-level data and analysis of how many households are struggling. "ALICE is a waitress, a personal care aide, a retail sales clerk or mechanic people we all interact with daily," said Rojas. "This report brings to life and puts a face and name to those hardworking Texans who earn enough to exceed the Federal Poverty Line but earn too much to receive most public assistance and so they struggle daily." If you, your service organization, your non-profit, government agency or church would like more information about ways to use the ALICE data or work with your United Way to improving the lives of those struggling to make ends meet across Texas, please contact us. United Ways of Texas and United Way of Greater Houston are proud to sponsor the Texas ALICE Report. We are also grateful to Entergy for sponsoring the printing of this report. About United Ways of Texas The mission of the United Ways of Texas is to integrate action and resources for the common good. UWT is an association working with local United Ways across the state representing 254 counties. Together we work across our communities to tackle common challenges that affect our local communities but are bigger than any of us challenges our entire state faces. Along with United Ways across the country, we are part of a global network of more than 1,800 United Ways, servicing communities in 41 countries. For more information, go to www.uwtexas.org. United Ways of Texas contact: Roxanne Jones Media contact: Joelle Polisky 615-516-0358 [email protected] SOURCE United Ways of Texas Related Links http://www.uwtexas.org OYSTER BAY, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Six ABI Research analysts will be on-site at Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, from Feb. 25-28 to conduct press interviews and one-to-one business meetings about transformative technologies, announced ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm providing strategic guidance on the most compelling transformative technologies. Also at Mobile World Congress on Feb. 27 from 9:25 a.m. to 10:40 a.m., ABI Research's Dominique Bonte, Vice President of Verticals and End Markets, will moderate the panel "C-V2X Ready to Roll at Global Level." The Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) panel is part of the Connecting the Mobility World with C-V2X session and presented by the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA). Bonte's panel will focus on China, the European Union, Japan, and the United States; a go-to-market timeline also will be discussed. The analysts in attendance and their associated research areas include: Organized by the GSMA, Mobile World Congress is the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry. For biographies of all the analysts attending Mobile World Congress, download the PDF. ABI's analysts envision Mobile World Congress to highlight: 5G smartphones making an appearance, and mobile service providers will announce 5G deployments for 2019 AI (Artificial Intelligence) capabilities being featured, but most will focus on network optimization rather than new 5G use cases eSIM being addressed, not only with M2M (machine-to-machine)/industrial applications but also with a stronger presence of consumer solutions in the wake of Apple eSIM support within its latest range of smartphones Innovations being deployed in smartphones, such as flexible displays, full-screen bezel-less designs, gesture control, and smart biometrics If you would like to schedule a press interview or 1:1 business meeting with an ABI analyst, visit https://go.abiresearch.com/2019-mwc-schedule-a-briefing. Resources: Learn more about transformative technologies, download the PDF: "2 nd Annual Big Trends Impacting the Most Compelling Transformative Technologies: 19 1-Minute Reads" Annual Big Trends Impacting the Most Compelling Transformative Technologies: 19 1-Minute Reads" Discover the trends and "bright ideas" that the ABI analysts identified at CES 2019, download the PDF: https://go.abiresearch.com/2019-ces-1-minute-reads." About ABI Research ABI Research provides strategic guidance for visionaries needing market foresight on the most compelling transformative technologies, which reshape workforces, identify holes in a market, create new business models and drive new revenue streams. ABI's own research visionaries take stances early on those technologies, publishing groundbreaking studies often years ahead of other technology advisory firms. ABI analysts deliver their conclusions and recommendations in easily and quickly absorbed formats to ensure proper context. Our analysts strategically guide visionaries to take action now and inspire their business to realize a bigger picture. For more information about ABI Research's forecasting, consulting and teardown services, visionaries can contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific or visit www.abiresearch.com. Contact Info: Global Deborah Petrara Christopher Leary Tel: +1.516.624.2558 Tel: +1.516.624.2544 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE ABI Research Related Links http://www.abiresearch.com ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 3 Daughters Brewing, one of the fastest growing regional breweries in Florida, has been announced as the Official Hard Seltzer for the 2nd annual Skyway 10K and corresponding events. In addition to contributing as a race sponsor, 3 Daughters Brewing will host a charity Paint Your Pint Night, and Florida Hard Seltzers will be served during all race expo and VIP events. 3 Daughters Brewing 3 Daughters Brewing recently added to their portfolio of craft beers and hard ciders a new line of hard seltzers in orange, raspberry and lemon-lime flavors. Gluten-free and 4.5 percent alcohol, with only 90 calories, 0 sugar, and 1 carbohydrate, Florida Hard Seltzers are a low-carb, low-calorie alternative for runners of the Skyway 10K and those who regularly enjoy an active lifestyle. "We are thrilled to be the official hard seltzer for such a successful and philanthropic event like the Skyway 10K," says Mike Harting, CEO of 3 Daughters Brewing. "With athletes from all over the world coming to St. Petersburg to run over the iconic Skyway Bridge, we are proud to help with the events that showcase our community and provide support to our military members and their families." Schedule of Events: Paint Your Own Pint Night Event will be at 3 Daughters Brewing on Feb. 12 from 6-9 p.m. Attendees will learn to paint and decorate signature pint glasses while they enjoy a complimentary hard seltzer. Two winning designs will be chosen and each winner will receive a FREE race entry. Tickets for the Paint a Pint Night will be sold by Skyway 10K for $20 per ticket with all proceeds being donated to the Armed Forces Families Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides 100 percent of the funds they raise back to projects to help military families. Event will be at 3 Daughters Brewing on from Attendees will learn to paint and decorate signature pint glasses while they enjoy a complimentary hard seltzer. Two winning designs will be chosen and each winner will receive a FREE race entry. Tickets for the Paint a Pint Night will be sold by Skyway for per ticket with all proceeds being donated to the Armed Forces Families Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides 100 percent of the funds they raise back to projects to help military families. VIP Party at Sea Dog Brewing VIP attendees can sample Florida Hard Seltzer on Feb. 28 6-9 p.m. VIP attendees can sample Florida Hard Seltzer on Feb. 28 6-9 p.m. Florida Seltzer Beach Zone 3 Daughters Brewing will be at Tropicana Field on March 2 in Lot 7 for the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Race Expo and packet pickup. Expo and race attendees 21 and over can purchase Florida Hard Seltzers at $5 per glass near the beer distribution area. 3 Daughters Brewing will be at Tropicana Field on March 2 in Lot 7 for the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Race Expo and packet pickup. Expo and race attendees 21 and over can purchase Florida Hard Seltzers at $5 per glass near the beer distribution area. Skyway 10K Seltzer Giveaway Each Skyway 10K participant will receive one FREE hard seltzer via a tear-off ticket attached to each runner's race bib, 21 and up only. Seltzers will also be served in the VIP tent on race day. The family-friendly events including the expo, race-day concert and race spectating on the jumbotron at Tropicana Field are free and open to the public. Those attending are encouraged to dress patriotically and show their support for America's armed forces. For more information regarding 3 Daughters Brewing, visit www.3DBrewing.com. For more information regarding the 2019 Skyway 10K, visit www.Skyway10K.com. About 3 Daughters Brewing 3 Daughters Brewing is one of the fastest growing regional breweries from Florida. Armed with experience, energy and enthusiasm, we believe in the importance of innovation, listening to our customers and supporting our community. We love what we do and hope you do too. For more details, please visit 3DBrewing.com About Armed Forces Families Foundation: The Armed Forces Families Foundation, together with participating Taco Bell and IHOP restaurants, are proud supporters of America's armed forces and their families. Since 2006, the Armed Forces Families Foundation has raised and given back more than $2 million to fund and develop infrastructure projects that help the families of our service men and women. One hundred percent of every dollar raised goes directly toward projects to help the families of those who protect our freedom. For more information, please visit ArmedForcesFamilies.org. SOURCE 3 Daughters Brewing Related Links http://www.3DBrewing.com NEW PLYMOUTH, Idaho, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Truckstop.com, the industry leader in freight matching and load board solutions, is pleased to announce Connected Conference 2019. The conference brings together Truckstop.com carriers, brokers and partners for exclusive networking opportunities, hands on certification training, and an opportunity to gain valuable industry insight into the digital future of logistics. Connected Conference 2019 will be held May 15-17, 2019, in Phoenix, AZ, at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix, in the heart of Phoenix's CityScape. Register by March 31 and save up to $295, truckstop.com/connected/register. "Connected 2019 is the only conference that brings together brokers and carriers in one setting, with the goal of sharing new insights, building lasting relationships and generating successes to both sides," said Paris Cole, CEO, Truckstop.com. "I'm confident that attendees will leave the conference excited about new possibilities and motivated to implement what they've learned to improve their business processes." Connected Conference 2019 featured highlights: Come early to attend Power User Certification on May 14-15 . NEW for 2019Separate courses for carriers and brokers! Learn how to get the most from your Truckstop.com account. Find out tips and tricks for being more efficient and making more money. Learn how to get the most from your Truckstop.com account. Find out tips and tricks for being more efficient and making more money. Learn the latest trends, outlooks, and best practices from industry and executive-level thought leaders and economists including Kevin Rutherford , host of the Trucking Business & Beyond radio show on SiriusXM . . Unique networking opportunities designed to help transportation partners discover new ways to work together. "Our Power User Certification Courses equip our customers with everything they need to effectively manage their business," said Victoria Roberts, Chief People and Culture Officer, Truckstop.com. "We've created two coursesone for carriers and one for brokers that include engaging, hands-on tutorials, to teach users relevant skills, using the tools already available within the Truckstop.com suite of products." Attendees to each course will receive take-home materials like job aids with helpful tips and tricks for Truckstop.com tools, and access to the Certified Power User Community where they can connect and problem solve with others. "This conference prepares our business for success by giving us those small tips and tricks to maximize the efficiency, the productivity, and ultimately, the results that we get in our operations department," said Lizzy Ward, Logistics Manager, Principal Logistics Group. For a full conference details including the program agenda, venue information, frequently asked questions and other important information, please visit: https://truckstop.com/connected/. About Truckstop.com Truckstop.com is the world's most trusted load board and freight marketplace for carriers to find loads at the best rates and brokers to increase capacity. With Truckstop.com, brokers can post loads and carriers can search for available loads in real-time. For more than 20 years, Truckstop.com has helped carriers and brokers successfully run their businesses and find a better way to move freight. More information can be found at www.truckstop.com. Contact Matt Stubbs Sr. Manager Public Relations & Communications [email protected] https://truckstop.com/connected/speakers/ SOURCE Truckstop.com Related Links http://www.truckstop.com WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Anatomical Pathology business to PHC Holdings Corporation, a global innovator in healthcare solutions, for approximately $1.14 billion in cash. The Anatomical Pathology business is a provider of microscope slides, instruments and consumables. It has approximately 1,200 employees at locations in the U.S., Europe and China. The business generates approximately $350 million in annual revenue and is part of Thermo Fisher's Specialty Diagnostics Segment. Thermo Fisher anticipates closing the transaction in the second quarter of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals. The company expects the net dilution to 2019 adjusted earnings per share to be approximately $0.10, which will be incorporated into its 2019 financial guidance that will be provided on the January 30, 2019, earnings conference call. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 70,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive support. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. About PHC Holdings Corporation Incorporated in 2014, PHC Holdings Corporation is a global healthcare company. Its subsidiaries include PHC Corporation and Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG. The company develops, manufactures, sells and services medical equipment and solutions across diabetes care, diagnostics, life sciences and healthcare IT. PHC Holdings Corporation group's consolidated net sales in FY2017 was 192.6 billion yen with global distribution of products and services for more than 125 countries. PHC Holdings Corporation changed its name from Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. in April 2018. For further information on PHC Holdings Corporation, please visit www.phchd.com Media Contact Information: Ron O'Brien Phone: 781-622-1242 E-mail: [email protected] Investor Contact Information: Ken Apicerno Phone: 781-622-1294 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.thermofisher.com SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific Related Links http://www.thermofisher.com NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AI in manufacturing market projected to grow at 49.5% CAGR during 20182025 The AI in manufacturing market is expected to grow from USD 1.0 billion in 2018 to USD 17.2 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 49.5% during the forecast period. Increasingly large and complex data set available in the form of big data and evolution of industrial IoT and automation are the key drivers of this market. Improving computing power, declining hardware cost, and increasing venture capital investments are the other factors fuelling the growth of this market. However, reluctance among manufacturers to adopt AI-based technologies and lack of awareness among small and medium-sized businesses are among the major factors restraining the growth of the AI in manufacturing market. Also, high power requirement from machine learning hardware, especially during network training, is limiting the growth of the said market. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05048444 Hardware segment to witness highest growth rate among other offerings during forecast period Increasing need for hardware platforms with high computing power to run various AI software is the key factor accelerating the growth of hardware devices in the manufacturing market.The AI in manufacturing market is segmented on the basis of hardware into processor, memory, and network. The large presence of major companies that contribute to the AI sector are located in North America and has made the region a major market for AI hardware. Machine learning to hold largest market followed by computer vision in AI manufacturing market Machine learning's ability to collect and handle big data and its applications in various manufacturing applications such as predictive analytics and machinery inspection, quality control, and cybersecurity are fueling its growth.The growing adoption of computer vision in applications such as industrial robots, quality control, and material movement is propelling the growth of this technology in the AI in manufacturing market. Computer vision analyzes the information of different geometric shapes, volumes, and patterns, and provides visual feedback to the user, which is further used to draw the inference. The fundamental objective of computer vision technology is to interpret the picture obtained through a high-resolution camera. Automobile industry to hold largest market during forecast period The automobile industry is expected to hold the largest size of AI in manufacturing market during the forecast period.Extensive use of AI technologies, especially machine learning and computer vision in machinery inspection, installations of industrial IoT, and usage of big data, is driving the growth of the AI in manufacturing market for the automobile industry. Moreover, to reduce costs and improve the quality of vehicle production, automobile makers have started using computer vision and machine learning technology. APAC to witness highest growth followed by North America from 2018 to 2025 APAC, especially in China, Japan, and South Korea, is considered the largest market for industrial robots.The industrial robots generate a huge amount of data. This data is used in deep learning algorithm to further train the robots.This would act as one of the major drivers for the AI in manufacturing market in APAC. Cross-industry participation in the manufacturing domain, along with a significant increase in venture capital investment, has propelled the growth of the AI in manufacturing market in North America. In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and subsegments gathered through the secondary research, extensive primary interviews have been conducted with key industry experts in the AI in manufacturing marketspace. The break-up of primary participants for the report has been shown below: By Company Type: Tier 1 15%, Tier 2 45%, and Tier 3 40% By Designation: C-level Executives 65%, Directors 25%, and Others 10% By Region: North America 25%, Europe 55%, APAC 15%, and RoW 5% The report profiles key players in the AI in manufacturing market with their respective market ranking analysis. Prominent players profiled in this report are NVIDIA Corporation (US), IBM Corporation (US), Alphabet Inc. (Google) (US), Microsoft Corporation (US), Intel Corporation (US), AWS (US), Sight Machine (US), Siemens AG (Germany), and General Electric Company (US). Research Coverage: This research report categorizes the global AI market on the basis of offering, technology, application, industry, and geography. The report describes the major drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities pertaining to the AI in manufacturing market and forecasts the same till 2025. Key Benefits of Buying the Report The report would help leaders/new entrants in this market in the following ways: 1. This report segments the AI in manufacturing market comprehensively and provides the closest market size projection for all subsegments across different regions. 2. The report helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities for market growth. 3. The report helps stakeholders to understand value-chain of AI in manufacturing market along with recent case studies. 4. This report would help stakeholders understand their competitors better and gain more insights to improve their position in the business. The competitive landscape section includes product launch, acquisition, collaboration, expansion, and partnership. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05048444 About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com With 100 years of business history, Metrovacesa entered a new stage of growth in 2018. Mindful of its presence in both large and small cities across multiple industry sectors from tourist towns to commercial hubs, the far-reaching company wanted to launch a new digital strategy based on geolocation that would generate business leads and subsequent conversions. Metrovacesa extended this concept to its customers: anyone who would have shown interest in any of the houses listed in different channels without having bought it yet, similar to Google Ad Search campaigns. "The best strategy of marketing will be the one that efficiently integrates the capture of leads in the online world with personalized attention within the relationship model with customers," said Carmen Chicharro, Innovation and Marketing Director at Metrovacesa. Collaboration and Results Metrovacesa teamed up with HMG, a Google partner, and together they segmented the campaign by type, status, target, and by geolocation, then adapted its ad content to each specific case. One example of this strategy was an experiential and immersive bus that traveled throughout Spain where customers could view promotions with VR. After the campaign, Metrovacesa saw an 80% increase in conversions from geolocated Google Ads, with assisted conversions up 140%. The company found that by segmenting geographically, they were able to convert 45% of leads, while non-segmented campaigns only converted 25%. Visit Metrovacesa's blog to read more about the findings in this study as well as other digital innovations at the company. In the near future, Metrovacesa aims to reach international customers with their newly enhanced digital strategy, positioning themselves correctly in the countries where they have an interested public, thus improving the profitability of their leads. https://metrovacesa.com/en/ SOURCE Metrovacesa Related Links https://metrovacesa.com/en/ SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SST Group, Inc., an innovative leader in DICOM image delivery and management since 2004, is excited to announce its partnership with Intermountain Healthcare is expanding. Intermountain is collaborating with Santa Clara-based SST Group to implement a state-of-the-art software platform called RDM (Radiation Dose Monitor). The RDM software solution allows medical professionals to collect, control, analyze and optimize doses delivered to patients during medical imaging examinations, image guided surgery and interventional procedures. Information collected is stored in a single repository, the Dose Archiving and Communication System (DACS). Vendor neutral and multi-modality, RDM is designed for all medical professionals responsible for the dose cycle (radiologists, technologists, director of radiology, medical physicists, etc.). "Intermountain Healthcare's mission is to help our patients live the healthiest lives possible. We have a responsibility and desire for transparency in our provision of care as we treat our patients, to monitor and track the amount of irradiation patients receive when undergoing procedures which utilize ionizing radiation as part of that treatment. Radiation Dose Monitor by SST Group, allows Intermountain Healthcare to achieve the goal of capturing, reporting and utilizing the radiation dose used during treatment to help make informed decisions regarding the longitudinal care of our patients. Our guiding principles, regarding ionizing radiation, has always been to use the lowest dose possible without compromising the quality of the studies, Radiation Dose Monitor from SST Group allows us to take the next giant leap of assuring we are consistently doing the right procedure, at the right time, all of the time." Gregg Stout, Care Transformation Partner at Intermountain Healthcare. "After a careful and rigorous comparison to other major suppliers of radiation dose management systems we are very honored that Intermountain has selected SST Group and the RDM (Radiation Dose Monitor) platform. With the selection of RDM, Intermountain Healthcare has embraced the innovative and comprehensive approach to radiation dose monitoring that RDM provides." Richard Murphy, President, SST Group, Inc. The RDM platform offers many unique features important for monitoring dose. Its state of the art alert system informs users when predefined dose indicators have been exceeded at study and patient levels. Its advanced statistical tools enable medical physicists to make cross-dose data comparison between protocols, procedures, anatomical regions, group populations, machines and healthcare professionals. RDM calculates organ dose for CT and nuclear medicine, which is beneficial for decision making and also, it provides a full 3D map of the patient exposure during image guided surgery and interventional procedures with automatic Peak Skin Dose calculation. The RDM platform at Intermountain provides a complete picture of patient dose ensuring a proactive approach when managing high-risk patients. About SST Group Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, SST Group has been an innovative leader in DICOM image delivery and management since 2004. Products range from simple data storage to specialized DICOM medical solutions and include image delivery systems, DICOM utilities and software designed to store, organize and share medical images within PACS systems. As a key partner with leading medical equipment manufacturers, SST Group solutions are bundled with PACS solutions and DICOM modalities such as CT, MR, XA, and are used in over 2500 hospitals and private clinics worldwide. With the launch of RDM in the United States, SST Group has expanded its footprint in radiology data collection and storage. For more information about SST Group visit www.sstgroup-inc.com. Follow SST Group via Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ and subscribe to product update emails and newsletters through the link on the homepage. About Intermountain Healthcare A Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 23 hospitals, a Medical Group with more than 1,600 physicians and advanced practice clinicians at about 180 clinics, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in clinical quality improvement and in efficient healthcare delivery. www.intermountainhealthcare.org. SOURCE SST Group That's one of the key findings in a new data analysis and report from the Center for Health Analytics, Research and Transformation (CHART) at the New Jersey Hospital Association. CHART's zip code analysis also finds linkages between social determinants of health such as unemployment rates and people with chronic conditions that seek care in emergency departments. "You can live well with a chronic condition, but that requires access to primary care, a medical home and care management," said NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett. "CHART's study zeroes in on hotspot zip codes where there are clear gaps in that level of care. These communities demand greater attention to make sure all individuals have access to the services they need." In Chronic Conditions: Eroding the Fabric of a Healthy Society, the CHART team examined patient records from more than 3 million hospital emergency room visits in 2017. It found that 39 percent of those visits, or 1.2 million, were associated with patients who had one or more chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and substance abuse. And while these 1.2 million patient visits represented 39 percent of the volume, they accounted for 53 percent of the costs associated with emergency department care totaling more than $1 billion. The analysis also found that the three poorest counties in New Jersey Cumberland, Essex and Atlantic had the highest rates of patients with chronic conditions presenting in hospital emergency departments. "The statewide average use rate for patient visits where chronic conditions are present is 129.62 visits per 1,000 population," the report states. "Cumberland County's use rate is almost double the statewide average at 237.29. Atlantic County is 202.15, and Essex County is 166.0." Drilling down further, the report finds that the three zip codes with the highest number of emergency room visits by patients with chronic conditions are in Atlantic City (08401), Jersey City (07305) and Trenton (08618). That zip code analysis shows a disproportional impact on African Americans, as well as correlations with unemployment rates and access to food and transportation services. Previous studies have shown that chronic conditions cost the state $29.3 billion in direct healthcare expenditures in 2016, along with $69.5 billion in lost productivity, said Sean Hopkins, senior vice president of CHART. "These are real, measurable impacts on our state," said Hopkins. "But chronic diseases also have a myriad of additional consequences on individuals and communities that are more challenging to quantify. What we do know from our research is that there is a clear relationship between social determinants of health and chronic disease cases in the ED." The report lists several recommendations to advance this dialogue; they include: Exploring partnerships to expand the availability of mobile health clinics, school-based care management programs and health fairs taking the services to where the need is Promoting the use of chronic disease management apps and monitoring devices Expanding awareness and use of successful programs like the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Transforming Communities Initiative. Visit the CHART website at www.njha.com/CHART to download a copy of the full report and access interactive maps and graphics for additional detail. SOURCE New Jersey Hospital Association Related Links http://www.njha.com CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Petland is honored to once again be ranked among top-ranked franchises in the United States. Petland moved up 41 positions this year, ranking 168 overall in the Entrepreneur Magazine's Annual Franchise 500. According to World Franchising Network, there are more than 4,500 active franchisors in North America. Petland Entrepreneur Magazine positions Petland on Franchise 500 list "Forty years after the very first Franchise 500 ranking, the franchise industry is still going strong and more competitive than ever. More than 1,000 companies applied for this year's ranking, and those that rose to the top reveal the latest trends as well as the companies that continue to evolve to keep going strong year after year," said Entrepreneur Magazine regarding the listings. Each year, Petland submits their franchise information, franchise disclosure document, and answers a questionnaire to Entrepreneur Magazine. The Entrepreneur Magazine ranks each franchise using The Five Pillars of the Franchise 500. The Five Pillars include Costs and Fees, Size and Growth, Franchise Support, Brand Strength, and Financial Strength and Stability. "We are honored to be recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine," said Petland, Inc. President and CEO Joe Watson. "This recognition validates the hard work and success of our franchisees and the continued relevance of the Petland brand and our mission to match the right pet with the right customer and meet the needs of both." Petland, Inc.'s Vice President of Business Development Steve Huggins stated, "Over 50 years in business and we continue to find ways to improve and grow the Petland franchise system. Our franchise partners domestically and around the world are making a difference each day in the lives of our customers and their pets. We thank them for their dedication to the Petland brand." In conducting its annual rating of franchises in the world, Entrepreneur considers numerous factors including financial strength, stability, growth rate and size of the franchise system. An independent CPA firm audits financial data. Every company with verifiable data receives a cumulative score. The franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500. Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with quality, full service retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, and El Salvador. The first Petland in Saudi Arabia will open in spring 2019. For more than 50 years, Petland Pet Counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond. Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com. Contact: Elizabeth Kunzelman Director of Public Affairs 740-775-2464 SOURCE Petland Related Links http://www.petland.com Lincoln, NE (68508) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then partly cloudy during the afternoon hours. High around 90F. SSE winds shifting to NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Clear skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 62F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Libero SoC v12.0 reduces design flow runtimes and, with the improved quality of results, it provides results in fewer design iterations and improves customer productivity. By upgrading to Libero SoC v12.0, designers will see runtime reduction of 60 percent for timing, 25 percent for place and route and 18 percent for power results. They will also see an average increase of four percent in quality of results for larger designs and a 10 percent improvement for the PolarFire MPF300/TS-1 device. "Libero SoC v12.0 is the result of our determination to offer a comprehensive, easy-to-adopt, easy-to-learn FPGA design suite," said Rajeev Jayaraman, vice president of software for the FPGA business unit at Microchip's Microsemi subsidiary. "This latest release is focused on delivering the many essential elements needed for efficient design implementation, while further enabling the growing adoption of the low-power PolarFire family across each of our key market segments." Libero SoC v12.0 is being released simultaneously with the production release of the PolarFire MPF100T, PolarFire MPF200T and PolarFire MPF300T devices. The release includes production timing and power for PolarFire MPF300T-1 devices, as well as support for two new industry-leading devices for the aerospace and defense market segmentsthe low-power, radiation-tolerant RT4G150L, which offers 25 percent savings for standard speed grade; and military-grade support for the SmartFusion2 M2S150T/S FCV484 device. One unified design suite for PolarFire, IGLOO2, SmartFusion2 and RTG4 FPGAs eliminates the need for designers to qualify multiple pieces of software when working across product families. Libero SoC v12.0 now supports FPGA Hardware Breakpoint (FHB) for RTG4 and PolarFire devices, PCIe debug support for PolarFire and continuous transceiver eye monitoring using SmartDebug. The new release also improves Double Date Rate (DDR) memory performance by an average of 29 percent in high-effort mode and 39 percent in regular-effort mode. Enhanced Tool Command Language (TCL) support enables a much-requested feature where customers can run the entire design flow on the command line if they so choose. Availability Microchip's Libero SoC v12.0 design suite is available now to support customers designing with its PolarFire, IGLOO2, SmartFusion2 and RTG4 FPGAs. For more information on licensing, visit https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/design-resources/1711-licensing or contact [email protected]. The software can be downloaded at https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/design-resources/1750-libero-soc#downloads. Resources High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish): About Microchip Technology Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog, FPGA, connectivity and power management semiconductors. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company's solutions serve more than 130,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com . Note: The Microchip name and logo, and the Microsemi name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. PolarFire, IGLOO2, SmartFusion2 and RTG4 are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies. SOURCE Microchip Technology Inc. Related Links https://www.microchip.com ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that it has expanded its operation in Anchorage, Alaska, with two new hires. Marc Luiken has joined the firm as Civil/Transportation Engineering Manager and Patrick Whitesell as Environmental Department Lead. Previously, Mr. Luiken served as Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Under his leadership, the department planned, designed and constructed roughly $800 million in transportation infrastructure projects annually. He also managed a $580 million annual operating budget responsible for all national and state highway facilities, two international airports, 240 state-owned and -operated airports, the longest state-operated ferry system in the nation and the maintenance and operation of Alaska's public buildings and facilities. Prior to his public service in Alaska, Mr. Luiken served 29 years with the U.S. Air Force, retiring as the Vice Commander of the 11th Air Force in 2010. His career as an Air Force fighter pilot spanned the globe with assignments in Europe, the Middle East and Pacific regions. He is a combat veteran with service in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Joint Forge and Operation Enduring Freedom. Before joining Michael Baker, Mr. Whitesell served as an Environmental Specialist at DOWL, a transportation design consultancy, for 11 years. He managed a small team and led dozens of phase 1 environmental site assessments, numerous wetland delineations and noise analyses for a range of private- and public-sector clients. Mr. Whitesell also conducted research and analysis on environmental resources including wetlands, waterways and local animal species that could be impacted from proposed projects and ensured project design processes were compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act. He previously served as an Environmental Engineer at Hawke's Bay Regional Council, where he managed multiple waterway restoration and enhancement projects from initial design and scoping through construction. "We are pleased to welcome both Marc and Patrick to our team in Alaska," said Jeff Baker, P.E., Anchorage Office Executive for Michael Baker. "I am confident that the experience and leadership that they will each bring to their respective roles will contribute to our continued growth plans for our region." About Michael Baker International Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management. The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions to support U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients. Michael Baker's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement to help solve challenges for clients and communities throughout the country. To learn more, visit www.mbakerintl.com. Contact: Brian Peiritsch [email protected] (866) 293-4609 SOURCE Michael Baker International Related Links http://www.mbakerintl.com SELBYVILLE, Del., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The masterbatch market is expected to grow from over USD 9 billion in 2017 to USD 13 billion by 2024, according to a 2019 Global Market Insights, Inc. report. Masterbatch market is most likely to witness growth in the forecast period due to rising demand for biodegradable masterbatches. These superior products help the plastic material to degrade after completing its shelf-life, are non-toxic, cost-effective, and ideal for food and drugs packaging applications. The biodegradable products are used for manufacturing environment-friendly agricultural films, popularly used by farmers to improve the crop production rate, maintain soil moisture and control different weathering conditions. Masterbatch Market size will likely surpass USD 13 billion by 2024 Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2362 Strong demand in the automotive industry, especially from the developing countries would positively impact the masterbatch market size in the study period. This is due to the wide usage of the product in the production of auto parts. Switching metal parts with plastic components are driving the product demand in the automotive sector. Using plastic components enables the automotive manufacturers to cut down their weight as well as cost and makes vehicles more affordable to the public. Increasing innovation in the masterbatch products would enhance its quality and increase the applications. This would further increase the demand for the product in the coming years. Additives are a significant product type in the masterbatch market and are likely to generate revenue exceeding USD 1 billion by 2024. Additive product types are used to introduce specific performance characteristics to plastic components and include heat stabilizers, flame retardants, anti-oxidants, stiffening agents, anti-microbial solutions, optical brighteners, anti-foggers, corrosion inhibitors, and various other options. These products help to improve the strength, quality, look, and feel of the product in different end-use sectors. Browse key industry insights spread across 263 pages with 299 market data tables & 25 figures & charts from the report, "Masterbatch Market Size By Product (Black, White, Color, Additive), By End-user (Automotive, Consumer Goods, Packaging, Agriculture, Construction), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, South Arabia, South Africa, UAE), Application Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024" in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/masterbatch-market Packaging is one of the most significant end-user segments in the masterbatch market which is likely to grow by around 5.5% CAGR from 2018 to 2024. It is used in a varied range of applications such as food & beverage containers, medical bags, and boxes, security packaging, etc. Growing demand from the rigid and flexible packaging sectors will signify the segment growth over the coming years. North America Masterbatch market is expected to reach at around USD 2 billion by 2024. Masterbatch demand in this region will witness decent growth on account of the developing construction and automotive sector. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2362 Browse Related Report: 1. Plastic Compounding Market Size By Product (Thermoplastic Polymers [Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyester, Polycarbonate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polyvinyl Chloride], Thermosetting Polymers [Polyurethane Resin, Epoxy Resin], Thermoplastic Elastomers [Polyamides, Polyurethanes, SBC]), By End-user (Consumer Goods, Electrical & Electronics, Construction, Automotive, Aerospace), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016 2024 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/plastic-compounding-market 2. Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) Market Size by Application (Beverage Bottling, Packaging, Electronics, Automotive Tyres), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Russia, Poland, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/polyethylene-naphthalate-pen-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: 1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.gminsights.com News: http://packingmaterials.org/ Related Links Global Masterbatch Market Microencapsulation Market SOURCE Global Market Insights, Inc. Related Links https://www.gminsights.com NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kiwi Energy, an innovative energy retailer operating in the states of New York and Ohio, is maintaining its commitment to sustainability throughout 2019. The company strives to conduct business in a manner that is environmentally and socially responsible. The principles that constitute its sustainability vision include: providing customers with superior service and innovative energy solutions; complying with all applicable regulations that affect its business (while operating above the standard); achieving carbon neutrality for its operations and the energy it supplies; providing unwavering support to the communities in which it operates; and being the company of choice for environmentally conscious energy solutions. In 2016-2017, Kiwi Energy achieved carbon neutrality for its operations and energy supply with its eco-minded products. As outlined in the company's latest Sustainability Report, customers using Kiwi Energy's electricity product helped offset 392,122 Metric tons of Carbon Dioxide emissions and customers using their natural gas plan helped offset 321,528 Metric tons of CO2 emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation. Electricity production generates the second largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 68 percent of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas. Offsetting electricity with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and natural gas consumption with Carbon Offsets are great mechanisms for helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2017, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,399 kilowatthours (kWh). With a population of approximately 8,622,698 (averaging in 2.67 persons per household), if all 3,229,474 New York City households offset their energy consumption, we would be able to avoid 4,141,409 tons of emissions caused by homes' electricity usage for one year. That's the equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 27,950,089 acres of U.S. forests in one years; 1,036,191,119 trash bags of waste recycled instead of landfilled; and greenhouse gas emissions from 58,064,704,810 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle. Throughout the next year, Kiwi Energy will continue to focus on providing customers eco-conscious energy and natural gas solutions. Its product offering will include an energy plan that's matched 100% with Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificated (RECs) sourced from national wind as well as a natural gas plan that's 100% matched with Green-e Climate Certified carbon offsets. These are purchased to ensure that the carbon emissions caused by a customer's gas usage is offset from projects that encourage forestry. In the United States, ten regional electronic REC tracking systems facilitate the creation, management, and retirement of RECs by ensuring that each REC is counted only once. Kiwi Energy uses the ERCOT tracking system to verify its RECs; and to verify its carbon offsets, APX and Green-e Climate. Additionally, Kiwi Energy's products are Green-e Certified. Green-e is a trusted global leader in REC and carbon offset certification. Green-e certification helps consumers and businesses make educated choices to reduce their environmental impact from electricity and natural gas consumption. In addition to third- party verification, Green-e provides marketing oversight and consumer protection assurances. "We're fully committed to playing our part for the planet and will continue to work towards making it easy for people to make the right choices when it comes to their energy and gas usage. Our customers can rest assured knowing that we are looking for innovative ways for them to reduce their environmental impact." - Richard Booth, President of Retail Operations, Kiwi Energy. Visit https://kiwienergy.us/ to learn more about to learn more about the company and to stay up-to-date on current news and announcements. Media Contact: Nikki Clark Email: [email protected] Related Links Kiwi Energy SOURCE Kiwi Energy Everlasting Classics is a popular Chinese-language poetry and music show regularly broadcast on CCTV-1, the primary channel of China Central Television (CCTV). During the show, Happy and Bee sang a Chinese song based on an excerpt from ABC of Sound Meters in Chinese Poetry , a compilation of reading material to train children to master rules and forms of classical poetic composition and phonology written during the Qing Dynasty. After completing the performance, they shared their experience in learning Chinese. Each episode, broken into two sessions - poetry-based music performances by participants followed by reviews by guest judges - is designed to communicate the concepts and significance of classical Chinese poetry by combining it with music. After the performance by his daughters, Rogers said on stage that he had made what he considered the most important investment in the education of his daughters: encouraging them from a young age to learn Chinese. The modern investment legend on Wall Street stated that in just over 30 years since he first came to China in 1984, the country has experienced the most impressive period of economic growth and that learning Chinese is the key to opening the door to the future. His appearance on the regularly scheduled Chinese-language culture program on the Chinese nation's most authoritative TV channel is a testament to Rogers' recognition of the significance of Chinese culture and the importance of the country's economic growth. The episode featuring Rogers' daughters started receiving positive feedback from Chinese audiences as soon as the closing credits started rolling. Both Happy's and Bee's proficiency in Chinese and Rogers' talk about China during the show impressed viewers who are equally optimistic about the China's future role on the international stage. In addition, Rogers' retelling of the story about how he handled the education of his daughters during the show has spurred discussions among Chinese audiences and served as a testament to the powerful impact of Chinese culture on international markets. This is the essential reason why an increasing number of foreigners want to know about China and learn Chinese, and even to work, live and invest in the country. SOURCE CCTV.com NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt Real Estate Capital, a leader in financing commercial real estate throughout the United States, announced today it financed three multifamily assets two properties in Chicago and one scattered site portfolio in Lakewood, Ohio. All three deals were brought to the firm by American Street Capital, a correspondent broker based in Chicago. The total Hunt Real Estate Capital financing is $4.37 million. The properties include: 7200 S. Bennett Avenue. Hunt Real Estate Capital provided a $1.6 million non-recourse mortgage to refinance 7200 S. Bennett Avenue, a four-story walk-up apartment building with a total of 28 residential units that was built in 1922. Located in the Southside Neighborhood of Chicago , the property is 92.9% occupied. The borrower is a seasoned real estate professional with nearly a decade of experience investing in commercial real estate. The borrower purchased the property as a distressed asset from a private equity group in March 2016 and has since invested approximately $215,000 toward unit renovations, mechanical systems upgrades, and exterior maintenance. The transaction is a 7/13 Hybrid ARM with a loan term of 20 years. Repayment will be based on interest-only for 24 months followed by a 30-year amortization schedule thereafter. 7421 S. Yates Boulevard. Hunt Real Estate Capital provided a $1.11 million loan facility to refinance another property for the same sponsor. Also located in Chicago , 7421 S. Yates Boulevard was acquired as a distressed asset in the same portfolio as 7200 S. Bennett Avenue. The property is a 1964-built three-story walk-up apartment building with 24 residential units. Since acquisition, the borrower has invested approximately $175,000 in unit renovations, mechanical systems upgrades, and exterior maintenance. The transaction is a 7/13 Hybrid ARM with a loan term of 20 years. Repayment will be based on interest-only for 24 months followed by a 30-year amortization schedule thereafter. 7421 S. Yates Boulevard is 92.9% occupied. 1681-1685 Lincoln Avenue and 13468 Clifton Boulevard. Hunt Real Estate Capital provided a $1.66 million loan to finance the acquisition of 1681-1685 Lincoln Avenue and 13468 Clifton Boulevard, a 49-unit scattered site apartment portfolio located in Lakewood, Ohio . The property consists of three separate parcels; two are adjoining located on the east side of Lincoln Avenue and the third is located approximately one mile northeast. 1681 Lincoln Avenue was constructed in 1900, 1685 Lincoln Avenue was constructed in 1917, and 13468 Clifton Boulevard was constructed in 1926. The loan has a 10-year fixed-rate term with 12 months of interest-only and a 30-year amortization schedule. The property is 93.8% occupied. Lakewood is located approximately 7 miles west of Cleveland. "The borrowers on all three deals are experienced commercial real estate and multifamily investors," noted Josh Messier, Managing Director at Hunt Real Estate Capital. "American Street Capital continues to be a wonderful partner of Hunt Real Estate Capital, and we were pleased to be selected to provide the financing and help offer quality apartment options to residents of Chicago and Lakewood." About Hunt Real Estate Capital Hunt Real Estate Capital, part of Hunt Companies, Inc., is a leader in financing commercial real estate throughout the United States. The Company finances all types of commercial real estate: multifamily properties (including small balance), affordable housing, office, retail, manufactured housing, healthcare/senior living, industrial, and self-storage facilities. It offers Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA financing and its own Proprietary loan products. Since inception, the Company has structured more than $28.4 billion of loans and today maintains a servicing portfolio of more than $15 billion. Headquartered in New York City, Hunt Real Estate Capital has 241 professionals in 25 locations throughout the United States. To learn more, visit https://huntrealestatecapital.com/. MEDIA CONTACTS Brent Feigenbaum Hunt Real Estate Capital 212-317-5730 [email protected] Pam Flores 773-218-9260 [email protected] SOURCE Hunt Real Estate Capital Related Links https://huntrealestatecapital.com BOSTON, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- GMO GlobalSign (www.globalsign.com), a global Certificate Authority (CA) and the leading provider of identity and security solutions for the IoT (Internet of Things), today announced that an increasing number of Florida county courts are now using GlobalSign's digital signature solutions for legally binding, self-validating and tamper-proof certified copies of Court documents. This includes Holmes, Okaloosa, Jackson, Broward, Putnam, St. Lucie, Indian River, Osceola and Union counties. In one county alone, nearly 150 certified documents are being purchased each day. The documents are available for ordering online and is available for anyone with a valid credit card at ClerkECertify.com. With ClerkECertify, users can order and immediately receive certified copies of final judgments, land records, court records and other public documents through a secure web portal. In addition, government agencies, public institutions, banks and other entities can easily authenticate the documents' digital signature and security to confirm that the documents have not been altered. This capability enables local governments to serve an increasingly digital society and tackle document fraud a longstanding problem in Florida. According to an October 2018 Wallet Hub report, Florida is ranked second on the list of U.S. states most vulnerable to identity fraud and theft, which can be the result of official document tampering. The solution is already receiving numerous customer accolades. "With electronic certified documents, local governments are taking steps to serve a digital society and tackle document fraud while increasing efficiency," said The Honorable Brenda D. Forman, Clerk of the Courts, Broward County. "In today's world of digital documents, with increasing need for verifiable and tamper-proof certified documents, the Putnam County Clerk of Courts has partnered with Triedata Inc, and GlobalSign to offer electronically certified documents," said the Honorable Tim Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Putnam County Florida. "Preventing fraud in Court documents is one of my highest priorities." "We are excited to announce that we have added ClerkE-Certify from Triedata as an efficiency upgrade," said Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, Indian River County. "ClerkE-Certify protects citizens and businesses from fraudulent activity and allows our staff to ensure a safe release of official records and certify their authenticity is a secure format." Operated by GlobalSign partner Triedata Inc., ClerkE-Certify also dramatically increases efficiency at the participating county clerk's offices. By moving from traditional 'wet signatures' to digitally signed documents, the counties are benefitting in other ways, from reduced cost savings and decreased environmental impact due to the reduction in paper usage, to a decrease in foot traffic at the clerks' offices. "We are extremely pleased to be working with Triedata and to enable county clerks to secure critical public documents, as well as help make them more readily available to residents there," said Lila Kee, General Manager, Americas, GlobalSign. "ClerkECertify is a fantastic solution that we hope to offer to other municipalities in the U.S. in 2019." About GlobalSign's Digital Signature Solutions GlobalSign's digital signatures help organizations meet the requirements of many national and industry-specific regulations regarding the legal acceptance of electronic signatures in place of wet ink signatures. As a member of Adobe's Approved Trust List (AATL) and Microsoft Root Trust List, GlobalSign's document signing certificates are compatible with the leading programs and are an easy to use, cost-effective way to add digital signatures to documents. GlobalSign document signing certificates and services scale to accommodate businesses of all sizes, from small and medium businesses to large enterprises. In addition to GlobalSign's traditional digital signing solutions via tokens or an on-premise hardware security module the company's Digital Signing Service (DSS) eliminates implementation barriers and lowers the cost of adding trusted digital signatures to any document workflow solution. Unveiled in 2017, DSS is cloud-based, highly scalable and API-driven to seamlessly integrate with commercial and custom document workflow solutions eliminating the need for additional security hardware and providing publicly trusted and compliant digital signatures. To learn more about GlobalSign's entire suite of digital signature solutions, visit https://www.globalsign.com/en/digital-signatures/#signing-service About TRIEDATA TRIEDATA Inc. offers solutions for preventing fraud in Government documents and data. Our technology enables local Government institutions to offer cryptographically protected documents to prevent forgery and tampering of Court records. To learn more visit https://www.triedata.com/. About GMO GlobalSign GlobalSign is the leading provider of trusted identity and security solutions enabling businesses, large enterprises, cloud-based service providers and IoT innovators around the world to conduct secure online communications, manage millions of verified digital identities and automate authentication and encryption. Its high-scale PKI and identity solutions support the billions of services, devices, people and things comprising the Internet of Things (IoT). The company has offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit https://www.globalsign.com About GMO Cloud KK GMO Cloud K.K. (TSE: 3788) is a full-service IT infrastructure provider focused on cloud solutions. Established as a hosting company in 1996, the company has managed servers for more than 130,000 businesses and now has 6,500 sales partners throughout Japan. In February of 2011, the company launched GMO Cloud to enhance its focus on cloud-based solutions. Since 2007, the company has also grown its GlobalSign SSL security brand through offices in Belgium, U.K., U.S., China and Singapore. For more information, visit http://ir.gmocloud.com/english/. About GMO Internet Group GMO Internet Group is an Internet services industry leader, developing and operating Japan's most widely used domain, hosting & cloud, ecommerce, security, and payment solutions. The Group also includes the world's largest online FX trading platform, as well as online advertising, Internet media, and cryptocurrency related services. GMO Internet, Inc. (TSE: 9449) is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit https://www.gmo.jp/en/. GlobalSign Media Contact Amy Krigman Public Relations Manager Phone: (603) 570-7091 Email: [email protected] SOURCE GlobalSign Related Links https://www.globalsign.com/en CHICAGO, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) today announced the appointment of Scott Ostfeld to its board of directors, effective February 16, 2019. He will also join the Human Resources Committee of the board. Mr. Ostfeld is a partner of JANA Partners LLC, which has been a long-term investor in Conagra Brands. "We are pleased to welcome Scott to the Conagra Brands board of directors," said Rick Lenny, chairman. "As a significant Conagra Brands shareholder for many years, Scott provides valuable perspective and a deep understanding of the industry, our business and the opportunities we have as we navigate this time of transformation and deliver superior shareholder value over the long-term." Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer of Conagra Brands, commented, "Our board and management team have benefited from Scott's insights as a shareholder, and I welcome his contributions and continued support as a member of the board." Scott Ostfeld added, "As a long-term shareholder of both Conagra Brands and, prior to its acquisition by Conagra, Pinnacle Foods, I have a unique understanding of, and appreciation for, the tremendous potential of the combined company. I have confidence in Conagra's ability to create shareholder value through the successful integration of the Pinnacle Foods acquisition and execution of its proven brand-building and innovation playbook across its attractive collection of brands. I look forward to working closely with Rick, Sean and the rest of the board to represent the interests of all shareholders." In the past year, Conagra Brands has added three new, independent directors, including Mr. Ostfeld, with diverse backgrounds in finance, technology and operations and expertise in food and consumer packaged goods. With the addition of Mr. Ostfeld, the board will return to 11 members following the departure of three directors in 2018. About Scott Ostfeld Scott Ostfeld, 42, is a partner of JANA Partners LLC which he joined in 2006, an investment manager located in New York, and co-portfolio manager of JANA Partners LLC's active equity ownership strategy, JANA Strategic Investments. Mr. Ostfeld is a member of the Board of Directors of HD Supply Holdings, Inc. and was previously a member of the Board of Directors of Team Health Holdings, Inc. Mr. Ostfeld serves on the non-profit boards for Columbia University's Richman Center for Business, Law and Public Policy, and The Opportunity Network. Mr. Ostfeld received a J.D. from Columbia Law School, an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, and a B.A. from Columbia University. About Conagra Brands Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Marie Callender's, Banquet, Healthy Choice, Slim Jim, Reddi-wip, and Vlasic, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. For more information, please contact: MEDIA: Mike Cummins 312-549-5257 [email protected] INVESTORS: Brian Kearney 312-549-5002 [email protected] SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc. Related Links http://www.conagrabrands.com TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa-based CODY has hired seasoned managed care technology veteran Devang Shah as Enterprise Architect. In this role, Shah will create and execute a long-term strategic roadmap for the architecture of CODY's IT systems, including CodySoft, a revolutionary suite of web-based software products designed specifically for health plans and their complex environment. CODY hires Devang Shah as Enterprise Architect CODY works with more than 60 government-funded and commercial health plans across 45 states, including Puerto Rico, covering over 50 million members nationwide. The company helps health plans maximize efficiencies and strategically integrate operations by streamlining marketing communications and improving regulatory compliance. "CodySoft is continually evolving to meet the everchanging needs of managed care organizations," said Deb Mabari, CEO of CODY. "In addition to managing those changes, Devang will serve an important role in defining an IT architecture to support our current and future business initiatives." Prior to joining CODY, Shah served as Principal System Analyst/Technical Architect at HealthELinx, where he oversaw new product initiation through implementation. He was pivotal in the Enterprise Community of Practice establishing standards and best practices, and led the team to optimize the architecture of the organization's technology offerings. He played a vital role in various strategic initiatives, IT architecture and product roadmaps for all business branches. Previous positions include Assistant Director of Informatics at FMQAI, which has since merged with Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), and Technical Lead/Architect at Health Plan Services. Shah began his career in the Managed Care industry at industry-giant WellCare, serving in various IT roles during his 12-year tenure with the organization. During that time, he played a major role in numerous technology projects, including the design and implementation of the agent-assisted enrollment, Provider & Specialty Pharmacy web portals, CRM & functional workflows, and system integrations. "Devang has nearly 20 years of experience in the managed care industry and understands the unique business and technology needs of managed care organizations," said Ted Quesnette, chief operating officer for CODY. "We're excited to welcome him to our team and are confident that he will have a lasting impact on our technology offerings, as well as the user experience." About CODY: CODY works with 60 government-funded and commercial health plans across 45 states, covering an estimated 50 million Medicare Advantage (MA) members nationwide. We help health plans maximize efficiencies and strategically integrate operations by streamlining marketing communications and improving regulatory compliance. Our proprietary suite of software, CodySoft, is specifically designed for health plans. www.codyconsulting.com. Media Contact: Kasey Brennan True Blue Communications Office: (727) 726-3000 Cell: (813) 625-0180 [email protected] Related Images cody-hires-devang-shah.jpg CODY hires Devang Shah CODY hires Devang Shah as Enterprise Architect cody.jpg CODY CODY works with 60 government-funded and commercial health plans across 45 states, covering an estimated 50 million MA members nationwide. SOURCE CODY Related Links https://codyconsulting.com While sales are up across the company's cloud offers, the Genesys PureCloud platform stands out for its hypergrowth with sales more than tripling since 2016. PureCloud's rapid expansion and impressive sales momentum blows peers away. In fact, PureCloud has accelerated beyond the fastest growing SaaS platforms including Workday, Zendesk, ServiceNow and others 2 , with a projected annual revenue growth rate of nearly 130% since 2017. In addition, PureCloud's customers benefit from continuous innovation and the fastest feature velocity in the industry with over 300 new enhancements delivered in the last two years alone. Genesys Strengthens Customer Roster with Cloud Wins In 2018, cloud deals valued at $1 million or more increased by 110% over the previous year. Many of these resulted from the Genesys PureBridge program, which has helped nearly 1,200 companies smoothly transition off of legacy systems from vendors including Avaya, Cisco and others to a modern customer experience platform by Genesys. One such customer is Alberta Treasury Branches (dba ATB Financial), the largest financial institution in Alberta, Canada. "For ATB Financial, the migration to a Genesys cloud solution is part of our customer-centered approach," said David Bradshaw vice president, ATB Financial Client Care and Sales. "It allows us to connect better with our customers, as well as improve employee communication, workplace planning and cost management." An additional example is a major consumer credit reporting agency that selected a Genesys cloud offering to replace an archaic Avaya environment. In a multi-million dollar deal, its move to Genesys provides the foundation for this company to support all communication channels and rapidly transform its customer experience leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). In addition, it expects to improve digital self-service capabilities and reduce servicing costs. Strength in Numbers For the last two years, Genesys has closed more than three deals per day to replace an antiquated system from a competitor, with more than 700 coming from Avaya alone. Notably, more than half of all displacements moved to a Genesys cloud solution in 2018. The company's partners have been instrumental in driving this momentum. In fact, 86% of new logos were booked through a partner as channel sales grew by more than 250% over last year. Leading Brands Leverage Genesys to achieve businesses outcomes "With hundreds of migrations from on-premises to the cloud, companies are flocking to Genesys because of our track record of delivering value and continuous innovation," said Paul Segre, chief executive officer at Genesys. "Our customers understand how intertwined digital channels, AI and the cloud have become and they want to work with a strategic partner that can solve these needs holistically." Companies that have moved to Genesys offerings are realizing tremendous return such as: Coca-Cola Business Service North America , the world's leading beverage company, reduced its total cost of ownership by 50%. , the world's leading beverage company, reduced its total cost of ownership by 50%. Heineken Mexico improved call effectiveness by over 40%, sales success by 6% and agent efficiency resulting in a 1.5 hour per agent reduction in the workday. improved call effectiveness by over 40%, sales success by 6% and agent efficiency resulting in a 1.5 hour per agent reduction in the workday. Westpac New Zealand reduced infrastructure costs, increased outbound customer care calls by 100 percent and realized rapid time-to-value. Its first customer care agents were up and running in just three months. Segre explained, "First and foremost, we understand that for our customers to excel in their markets, they need faster time-to-value. That means they need to innovate and adopt AI along with other new technologies, deliver better customer experiences, make their employees' jobs easier, increase sales, and reduce costs. With the cloud, we're enabling them to meet these goals faster and more cost effectively than ever." In the last year, Genesys has made significant strides to facilitate its customers' success including: Faster deployments and migrations : With more than 100 prescriptive use cases, both on-premises and cloud, Genesys has cut customer deployment time in half. Genesys cloud customers with highly complex requirements are now typically live in less than six months. : With more than 100 prescriptive use cases, both on-premises and cloud, Genesys has cut customer deployment time in half. Genesys cloud customers with highly complex requirements are now typically live in less than six months. Enhanced speed-to-market : The Genesys shift to DevOps and a microservices architecture enables customers to adopt innovation faster and achieve business results sooner. : The Genesys shift to DevOps and a microservices architecture enables customers to adopt innovation faster and achieve business results sooner. Investment in innovation: Genesys commits more than $250 million annually in research and development (R&D) so customers can access innovative solutions that address the next wave of change whether in consumer behavior, technology advancements or industry shifts. Find out more about Coca-Cola Business Services North America's journey to the cloud with Genesys. 1 Genesys defines mid-market as companies with under 3,000 employees; small-and-medium sized enterprises as companies with 3,000-10,000 employees; and large enterprises as companies with 10,000 employees or more. 2Source: Based on publicly available financials from SEC filings (with exception of PureCloud) (1) Twilio: Total revenue from FYE Dec 2013 to FYE Dec 2015 (2) Netsuite: Total revenue from FYE Dec 2004 to FYE Dec 2006 (3) ServiceNow: Subscription revenue from FYE Jun 2009 to FYE Jun 2011 (4) Zendesk: Total revenue from FYE Dec 2011 to FYE Dec 2013 (5) Workday: Total revenue from FYE Dec 2009 to FYE Jan 2012 (37 months) (6) PureCloud: PureCloud revenue from FYE Dec 2017 to FYE Dec 2019 (budgeted) About Genesys Genesys powers more than 25 billion of the world's best customer experiences each year. Our success comes from connecting employee and customer conversations on any channel. Every day, 11,000 companies in more than 100 countries trust our #1 customer experience platform to drive great business outcomes and create lasting relationships. Combining the best of technology and human ingenuity, we build solutions that mirror natural communication and work the way you think. Our industry-leading solutions foster true omnichannel engagement because they perform equally well across channels, on-premises and in the cloud. Experience communication as it should be: fluid, instinctive and profoundly empowering. Visit genesys.com on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and the Genesys blog. 2019 Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Genesys, the Genesys logo, and Genesys PureCloud are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Genesys. All other company names and logos may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies. Rachel Faulkner Public Relations Director Genesys [email protected] +1 317-715-8109 Adriana Saldana Sterling Communications [email protected] +1 408-395-5500 SOURCE Genesys Related Links http://www.genesys.com Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) Media Spokesman Mohammed Muzammil arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID this morning to give a statement with regard to the investigation on VIP assassination plot. He was summoned by the CID to record a statement based on information provided by the Indian national who is in custody in connection with the case. It was reported that Mr. Muzammil had met the Indian national at the JNP office. UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa and his wife Shashi Weerawansa were also questioned by the CID yesterday over the incident. Video by RM REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoGrid , the leading provider of flexibility management software for the energy industry, has won recognition as one of the top 100 clean technology companies in the world. The Cleantech Group announced its 2019 Global Cleantech 100 list during the 17th annual Cleantech Forum in San Francisco on Jan. 28. "At AutoGrid, we're working to accelerate the world's transition to a clean, affordable and reliable energy system," said Dr. Amit Narayan, AutoGrid chief executive officer. "We're honored to be recognized once again by the Global Cleantech 100 as a company that is best positioned to solve tomorrow's clean technology challenges." The Global Cleantech 100 annually takes the pulse of the global innovation community's views on which companies, and which types of companies, are most likely to have a large commercial impact in the next five to 10 years, according to the Cleantech Group. AutoGrid develops flexibility management software that allows energy companies to monitor, predict, optimize, aggregate and control flexible capacity from distributed energy resources (DERs) at scale and in real time. The company's patented technology uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and network optimization algorithms to predict the behavior of tens of thousands of resources in real time using data streaming from millions of assets and sensors thereby optimizing millions of decision variables and dispatching energy assets automatically and reliably. AutoGrid first joined the Global Cleantech 100 list in 2013 and has achieved recognition in each subsequent year that the awards have been made. The Global Cleantech 100 list is assembled by combining proprietary Cleantech Group research data with weighted qualitative judgments from hundreds of nominations and specific inputs from a global 86-person expert panel. About AutoGrid: AutoGrid builds software applications that utilize artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data and IoT technologies to enable a smarter and cleaner distributed energy world. The company's suite of flexibility management applications allows utilities, electricity retailers, renewable energy project developers and energy service providers to deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy by managing networked distributed energy resources (DERs) in real time and at scale. AutoGrid has more than 3,500 megawatts of flexible capacity from DERs under contract and its customer list includes National Grid, NextEra Energy, E.ON, Total, Xcel Energy, China Light and Power and over 30 other leading global energy companies. Media Contact: Richard Miller [email protected] SOURCE AutoGrid Related Links http://www.auto-grid.com ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- REACH, the modern employee engagement platform from Augeo, provides a new way for companies to energize, inspire, and connect employees to achieve their potential and contribute to company success. With REACH, HR leaders now have an integrated toolset to develop a deeper understanding of the skills and interests of each employee, as well as ways to encourage teamwork, facilitate career development, and promote cultural alignment. "We believe that the time is right for looking at employee engagement in a more comprehensive fashion," said David Kristal, Augeo CEO. "For two decades, our focus as a company has been on engaging people, whether they be customers, employees or members. When you approach engagement on a very human level, seeking to understand individual motivations, needs, wants, and wishes, you are better equipped to deliver meaningful results." The REACH platform brings together four elements to enrich the employee experience: Rewards and recognition tools Savings offer network Voluntary benefits collection, including supplemental insurance products SocialStack, providing instant employee connectivity to people and resources "We no longer live in a one-size-fits-all world," said Erik Sorensen, Augeo Chief Product Officer. "If you really want to connect with and motivate an employee, the experience needs to be personally relevant. REACH can present a tailored experience based on user preferences, company role, and history of interactions. Managers report that when employees feel like the company knows them and understands their needs, participation increases and engagement elevates." The SocialStack element of REACH addresses a gap in today's rewards and recognition programs. SocialStack provides for less formal, direct dialogue between individuals, within work groups, among "shared-interests" communities, and with leadership. "We believe employee engagement is dynamic and should be monitored in real time, on an on-going basis, instead of a periodic survey or annual review," said Ken Greer, Augeo Chief Marketing Officer. "Pulse polls, data-informed insights, dashboard monitoring, recognition notifications, all help company leadership monitor engagement and make adjustments as circumstances dictate. Employee interactions can provide a treasure trove of insightful data to uncover opportunities and guide leadership decisions." REACH is called the modern engagement platform because it provides new ways for HR leaders and managers to know their employees, better understand what they value, and help them engage based on interests, aspirations, and career goals. The platform is easily integrated with most HRIS and can be custom configured to meet specific company engagement objectives. About Augeo Augeo is a North American leader in engagement, loyalty and incentive platforms with a focus on developing new solutions and innovative technology for clients, partners, merchants and consumers. Augeo operates business units in consumer and customer loyalty, employee recognition, membership benefit solutions and digital agency services. Augeo serves both domestic and international programs and currently supports over 55 countries in 8 languages. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, Augeo also has offices in the metropolitan areas of Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Nashville. For more information, visit www.augeomarketing.com. SOURCE Augeo Related Links http://www.augeomarketing.com GURUGRAM, India, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Increasing demand for semi-synthetic and synthetic lubricants is expected to drive the growth in lubricants market of Algeria . . Rising contribution of Construction and Power Generation sectors in the GDP and Algeria are expected to be the key growth drivers of the market. are expected to be the key growth drivers of the market. Growth in passenger and commercial vehicles sales in the country is expected to positively impact the lubricants market of the country. Diversification to Non-hydrocarbon sectors: The government of Algeria has decided to invest USD 262 billion through its five year plan of 2015-2019 to diversify the oil dependent economy and improve the nation's infrastructure. The government is expected to increase investment in industries such as textile, pharmacy, plastics and cement while improving the state of road, rail and port network in the country. This will require setting up of production facilities by increasing the use of machineries thereby augmenting the demand for lubricants in the country. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661352/Ken_Research_Logo.jpg ) Growing demand for lubricants in Power Generation Sector: The government owned Sonatrach also declared its Vision 2030 plan called SH2030 which is expected to turn Sonatrach into an integrated energy company by the year 2030. This will increase investments in the power generation sector of the economy thereby increasing the demand for industrial lubricants as well. The increasing Salah, Shale and TFT gas explorations in collaboration with international companies is also expected to increase lubricants demand in power generation sector. Growing demand for lubricants in Construction Sector: Algeria lubricants market is expected to significantly grow during the period 2017-2022 due to optimistic growth indicators like growing GDP. As per Ken Research's proprietary database, the GDP of Algeria is expected to reach USD 218.7 billion by the year 2022. The growth in GDP is expected to take place primarily through growth in industrial sector with increasing construction projects. The government has allotted a budget of EUR 58 billion to build 1.6 million new homes by 2019 in order to address housing shortage in the country which will also positively impact the demand for lubricants in the market Analysts at Ken Research in their latest publication "Algeria Lubricants Market Outlook to 2022 - By Automotive (Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oils, Passenger Car Motor Oils, Hydraulic Oils, Greases, Gear Oils and Transmission Fluids) and By Industrial (Hydraulic Oils, Industrial Gear Oils, Turbine Oils, Compressor Oils, Greases and Transformer Oils)" believe that the market is expected to grow in future through increasing demand for semi-synthetic and synthetic lubricants and industrial lubricants for construction and power generation sectors. Among automotive lubricants, the demand for commercial and passenger vehicle lubricants is also expected to rise in future. The market is expected to register a positive CAGR of 2.3% in terms of revenue during the forecast period 2017-2022. Key Segments Covered By Origin (Mineral, Semi-synthetic and Synthetic Lubricants) (Mineral, Semi-synthetic and Synthetic Lubricants) By Type (Automotive and Industrial Lubricants) - Automotive Lubricants -By Application (Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oils, Passenger Car Motor Oils, Hydraulic Oils, Greases, Gear Oils and Transmission Fluids) -By End Users (Passenger Vehicle Lubricants, Commercial Vehicle Lubricants, Marine Lubricants and Aviation Lubricants) -By Channel of Distribution (OEM Workshops/Service Stations, Dealer Networks and Others) - Industrial Lubricants -By Application (Hydraulic Oils, Industrial Gear Oils, Turbine Oils, Compressor Oils, Greases and Transformer Oils) -By End Users (Construction, Power Generation, Manufacturing and Others) -By Channel of Distribution (Direct Sales by Companies and Workshops, Dealer network) Key Target Audience Lubricants Manufacturers Lubricants Distributors Government Agencies Base-oil Companies Additive Companies Refining Companies Time Period Captured in the Report: Historical Period: 2012-2017 2012-2017 Forecast Period: 2018-2022 Companies Covered: Sonatrach Total S.A. Petroser Royal Dutch Shell Exol Lubricants Rebex Lubricants Lincoln (SKF) Liqui Moly Bardahl Key Topics Covered in the Report Executive Summary Research Methodology Stakeholders in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market Algeria Lubricants Market Overview and Genesis Value Chain Analysis for Algeria Lubricants Market Algeria Lubricants Market Size Algeria Lubricants Market Segmentation Algeria Automotive Lubricants Market Segmentation Algeria Industrial Lubricants Market Segmentation Trade Scenario in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market Trends and Developments in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market Issues and Challenges in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market Decision Making Criteria for End Users in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market Government Regulations and Guidelines in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market SWOT Analysis for Algeria Lubricants Market Competitive Scenario in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market Best Selling Products of Sonatrach, Total, Petroser and Shell Company Profiles of Major Players in Algeria Lubricants Market Lubricants Market Algeria Lubricants Market Future Outlook and Projections, 2017-2022E Analyst Recommendations For more information on the research report, refer to below link: https://www.kenresearch.com/automotive-transportation-and-warehousing/automotive-and-automotive-components/algeria-lubricants-market/175031-100.html Related Reports: UAE Lubricants Market Outlook to 2022 - By Automotive (Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Oils, Passenger Car Motor Oils, Hydraulic Oils, Gear Oils, Greases and Transmission Fluids) and Industrial Lubricants (Hydraulic Oils, Industrial Gear Oils, Greases, Compressor Oils, Turbine Oils and Transformer Oils) The report titled provides a comprehensive analysis of automotive and industrial lubricants market in UAE. The report focuses on overall market size, market segmentation by origin (mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants), by application (automotive and industrial lubricants), market segmentation of automotive lubricants market by application (heavy duty diesel engine oils, passenger car motor oils, hydraulic oils, gear oils, greases, and transmission fluids), by end users (passenger vehicle lubricants, commercial vehicle lubricants, marine lubricants and aviation lubricants), by channel of distribution (OEM workshops/service stations, dealer network, supermarket and others), market segmentation of industrial lubricants market by application (hydraulic oils, industrial gear oils, turbine oils, compressor oils, greases and transformer oils), by end users (construction, power generation, manufacturing and others) and by channel of distribution (direct sales by companies and dealer network). The report also covers the overall competitive landscape; government role and regulations, trade scenario, snapshot on emerging lubricants, trends and developments. The report concludes with future projections highlighting the major opportunities and cautions. Nigeria Lubricants Market Outlook to 2022- By Type of Lubricant (Engine Oil, Industrial Oil, Transmission Oil, Marine Oil, Grease and Specialty Lubricants), Type of Applications (Automotive and Industrial), Region (Lagos, Northern Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria and Western Nigeria) The report provides a comprehensive analysis on the automotive and industrial lubricants industry of Nigeria. The report covers various aspects including introduction on Nigeria Lubricants market, value chain, stakeholders in the market, market size by revenue and volume of domestic consumption (2012-2017), overall lubricants market segmentation on the basis of origin, region, types of lubricants, type of application, automotive lubricants market segmentation on the basis of type of oil, type of end users, type of channel of distribution, industrial lubricants market segmentation on the basis of type of oil, type of end users, type of channel of distribution, competition scenario in the industry, shares and company profiles of major players in the market, regulatory framework, trends, developments, drivers and restraints in the lubricants market and SWOT analysis of the industry. The report also includes future outlook for the market (2017-2022) including estimated market size in terms of revenue and in terms of domestic consumption volume. Philippines Lubricants Market by Type (Mineral, Semi-Synthetic and Synthetic), by Application (Automotive - Passenger, Commercial, Marine and Aviation and Industrial - Mining, Construction, Manufacturing, Iron and Steel, Agriculture, Electricity and Medical) - Outlook to 2021 Ken Research in its latest publication suggested a rapid growth in the Philippines lubricants market, majorly driven by boosting crude oil imports, thus assisting market players to offer more lubricants in the country. The stakeholders of this report include lubricant manufacturers, dealers, companies involved in research, automotive workshop owners in the Philippines and the new entrants and venture capitalists who wish to invest in lubricant market in future. South Africa Lubricant Market Outlook to 2020 - Inclining Vehicle Sales and Growing Manufacturing and Mining Sector to Drive Future Growth The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the automotive and industrial lubricant industry in South Africa. The report covers several aspects such as the market size on the basis of sales revenue and consumption of lubricants in South Africa. The segmentation for lubricants has been presented by major end users, by product type (engine oil, hydraulic oil, greases, industrial gear oils, automotive gear oils and metal working fluids), type of base oil used, distribution channel and organized and unorganized sectors. The report also covers the market share, competitive landscape, strengths and weaknesses of major manufacturers along with their future strategies and production capacities. In addition to this, the report also covers trends, developments, growth drivers, restraints and export import scenario of lubricants in South Africa. Regulatory policies, certification requirements and emission standard have also been covered. This report will help industry consultants, lubricant manufacturers and dealers, retail chains, potential entrants and other stakeholders to align their market centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future. Thailand Lubricant Market by Type (Mineral, Semi-Synthetic and Synthetic), by Application (Automotive - Passenger, Commercial, Marine and Aviation; Industrial - Mining, Construction, Manufacturing, Iron and Steel, Agriculture, Electricity, Medical) - Outlook to 2021 The report titled "Thailand Lubricant Market by Type (Mineral, Semi-Synthetic and Synthetic), by Application (Automotive - Passenger, Commercial, Marine and Aviation; Industrial - Mining, Construction, Manufacturing, Iron and Steel, Agriculture, Electricity, Medical) - Outlook to 2021" provides a comprehensive analysis of the automotive and industrial lubricant market in Thailand. The report covers aspects such as the market size of the Thailand lubricant market, market segmentation on the basis of type (Mineral, Semi-Synthetic and Synthetic), by application (Automotive - Passenger, Commercial, Marine and Aviation; Industrial - Mining, Construction, Manufacturing, Iron and Steel, Agriculture, Electricity, Medical), by distribution channels (OEM Workshops, Dealer Network, Supermarkets, Local Workshops and Online) and by origin of production. Contact Us: Ken Research Ankur Gupta, Head Marketing & Communications Ankur@kenresearch.com +91-9015378249 SOURCE Ken Research Fox News January 29, 2019 The White House on Monday announced billions of dollars in new sanctions against disputed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the countrys state-owned oil monopoly PDVSA, less than a week after President Trump formally recognized Juan Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate leader. National Security Adviser John Bolton, meanwhile, warned that all options are on the table and that Venezuela would face a significant response if any harm came to U.S. diplomatic personnel, Guaido, or Venezuelas opposition-led National Assembly. Words on Boltons notepad that were visible during the briefing 5,000 troops to Colombia were related to the situation in Venezuela, White House officials confirmed to Fox News. One idea being debated may include pre-positioning U.S. forces in Colombia in case they are needed in Venezuela. The potentially devastating economic sanctions were aimed at increasing pressure on Maduro to cede power to the opposition. Venezuela is heavily reliant on the U.S. for its oil revenue, and sends 41 percent of its oil exports to the United States. Read more This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 8:28 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article American Mirror January 29, 2019 Sen. Kamala Harris is against the immoral border wall, unless its used to keep her safe. On Sunday, the California Democrat held an event in Oakland to announce her candidacy for president but there was something very interesting about it. CNN reporter Maeve Reston, who was covering the event, uploaded a video to Twitter showing that Harris used several large fences and barriers to keep people away from her. Because of security the streets are blocked off around the @KamalaHarris rally but the crowds are filling the streets beyond in Oakland, Reston wrote in her tweet. Because of security the streets are blocked off around the @KamalaHarris rally but the crowds are filling the streets beyond in Oakland #2020campaign pic.twitter.com/i3slmUt1jH Maeve Reston (@MaeveReston) January 27, 2019 How about that: Harris is against President Donald Trumps wall along Americas southern border, but she supports one when it comes to keeping her safe. On one hand, she described fences as being evil and attacked children being in cages. And on the other, she literally had people in cages and behind fences while she boasted about herself. When we have leaders who bully and attack and undermine our democracy democratic institutions, that is not our America![cheers and applause] When white supremacists march and murder in Charlottesville or massacre innocent worshipers in a Pittsburgh synagogue, that is not our America! Harris said in a video clip uploaded by Grabiens Tom Elliot. When we have children in cages, crying for their mothers and fathers, dont you dare call that border security. That is human rights abuse! she added. .@KamalaHarris on the trail: "When we have children in cages, crying for their mothers and fathers, dont you dare call that border security. That is human rights abuse! That is not our America!" pic.twitter.com/C0y14EoVbQ Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 28, 2019 Harris went on to promise free goodies for everyone. Im running to fight for an America where the economy works for working people. I am running to declare, once and for all, that health care is a fundamental right, and to deliver that right with Medicare for All. To declare education is a fundamental right, and we will guarantee that right with universal pre-k and debt-free college, she said. Folks, on the subject of transnational gangs, lets be perfectly clear: The presidents medieval vanity project is not going to stop them, Harris claimed. When we have children in cages, crying for their mothers and fathers, dont you dare call that border security, Harris said. Thats a human rights abuse. The California progressive then detailed her slogan For The People, which is weirdly the same phrase used by Morgan and Morgan, a large personal injury law firm. Harris campaign slogan For the People was alluded to in her speech as to what it meant to her. For the People meant fighting for a more fair criminal justice system at the height of the war on drugs by creating a first-of-its-kind initiative to allow first-time offenders to get skills and job training instead of jail time at a time when reentry and prevention and redemption were not in the vocabulary or mindset of most district attorneys, Harris said. Harris main talking point was that she is against the wall unless its for her because it will protect lives, communities, and wages of working class Americans. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 7:05 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Says cowardly right start whimpering at the first sign of criticism Paul Joseph Watson PrisonPlanet.com January 29, 2019 Leader of the Spanish populist party Vox Santiago Abascal told a packed crowd that conservatives must stop caving to political correctness and stop caring about being called racist or fascist. I dont care if youre a progressive or a communist, things are going to get more difficult for you, said Abascal, adding Youve had it easy up to now. He then slammed conservatives and centrists for allowing the glib insults of leftists to get to them, noting that the cowardly right start whimpering and the fickle centrists change their opinion at the first sign of criticism. The audience responded to the point with enthusiastic applause and cheering. The party leader of the new nationalist (massively surging in opinion polls ) #VoxParty Santiago #Abascal talking about the PC dictatorship introduced by the left and the cowardly response by the center-right (caving in on almost every issue). What a man?????? pic.twitter.com/okpkCBKJs2 BasedPoland (@BasedPoland) January 28, 2019 Abascal went on to savage PC culture, remarking, The self-righteousness that has imposed the dictatorship of political correctness dominated by progressives has created an oppressive era that made it easy for the left to silence dissenters. If you love your country fascist have affection for Spain? fascist want to defend Spains borders, the walls of your home? xenophobe and fascist think immigration needs to be controlled in some way? racist and fascist, said Abascal. The Vox leader also outlined the partys opposition to high income taxes and inheritance tax, complaining that Spaniards who felt the same were also demonized as being selfish. The size of the crowd during Abascals speech made the event look more like some kind of big arena rock concert than a political event. Vox was founded in 2013 and in December won 12 parliamentary seats in the Andalusian regional election, entering regional parliament for the first time. The partys platform is anti-feminist, pro-life and anti-mass immigration. SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: Follow on Twitter: Follow @PrisonPlanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.j.watson.71 ********************* Paul Joseph Watson is the editor at large of Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 9:25 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article American Mirror January 29, 2019 Is Hillary Clinton running for president, again? Theres speculation, fueled by CNN pundits and political insiders. Clinton herself said as recently as October that she still wants to be president. Theres also an odd pattern emerging: Whenever a female candidate announces an intent to take on Trump in 2020, Clinton chimes in with a little reminder that shes been there and done that. It happened again on Sunday. As Sen. Kamala Harris kicked off her 2020 campaign for president in California, news emerged about Hillary Clinton contemplating a third shot at the nations top office. Im told by three people that as recently as this week, she was telling people that look, given all this news from the indictments, particularly the Roger Stone indictment, she talked to several people, saying look, Im not closing the doors to this, CNN White House correspondent Jeff Zeleny told Inside Politics. It does not mean that theres a campaign-in-waiting, or a plan in the works, he added. Zeleny said Clinton believes a 2020 run could be a possibility, citing the popular vote in 2016 and ongoing Russia investigation, according to The Hill. Most losing presidential candidates never totally close the doors to running for president, something thats really hard to do, he said. But I think we have to at least leave our mind open to the possibility that she is still talking about it. She wants to take on Trump, Zeleny said. Could she win a Democratic primary to do it? I dont know the answer to that. Clinton stealing the spotlight during key moments for fellow female Democrats is becoming a trend, with Harris now the third victim of the failed presidential candidates look at me campaign. It started when Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts announced the launch of her exploratory committee for a presidential bid on New Years Eve. Warren commemorated the occasion with a beer on an Instagram livestream, where she discussed her plans and how amazing she is. The same day, Clinton posted a picture to Twitter of President Bill Clinton embracing the former first lady and daughter Chelsea on November 5, 1996 the night of Bill Clintons re-election. I'm grateful to everyone who brought light into 2018: organizers, journalists, candidates, marchers, activists, and voters. Here's to you. Happy New Year. pic.twitter.com/EHksvIpSXo Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 31, 2018 Im grateful to everyone who brought light into 2018: organizers, journalists, candidates, marchers, activists, and voters, Hillary Clinton wrote in the tweet. Heres to you. Happy New Year. That picture came about a week after Hillary Clinton posted another image of her time in the White House celebrating Christmas. There was also coincidental timing with Clintons Jan. 14 Twitter post. Like I said: A puppet. https://t.co/BeBfYMJcic Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 14, 2019 Like I said: A puppet, she wrote, attaching a clip from a 2016 presidential debate with Trump. The clip showed Clinton zinging Trump over an allegedly cozy relationship with Russias Vladimir Putin and cyber-attacks against the United States of America. The tough-talking Clinton clip came the day before New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand formally announced her presidential campaign on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The five-word message garnered its own USA Today column, which undoubtedly helped to keep the failed presidential candidate front of mind and in a presidential context as a potential female challenger emerged. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 8:32 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Campus Reform January 29, 2019 The Cooper Union, a Manhattan art school, is set to host a lecture called the The Space of Appearance: Infrastructures of Whiteness with guest Nicholas Mirzoeff, a Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at nearby New York University. The events description notes that in the lecture, Mirzoeff will examine how museums, monuments, and formal spaces of incarceration interact to sustain regimes of segregation, taking examples ranging from Danish refugee detention centers to the American Museum of Natural History, Rhodes Must Fall, and the Great March of Return in Gaza. On his website, Mirzoeff calls himself a visual activist. A syllabus for one of Mirzoeffs classes, called Decolonizing Media: Museums, Monuments, Universities which was taught in 2018, summarizes the course in the following way, noting that there is a call for decolonizing visuality because of the need to erase the pattern of classification, separation, and aestheticization these systems rely on. The workshop alternates study of racial capitalism and decolonial methodologies This event doesnt exist in isolation but is part of a push to remove art that students and administrators on college campuses find oppressive. Last week, Campus Reformreported that the University of Notre Dame plans to cover up a mural of Christopher Columbus because of his treatment of Native Americans. At the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, a group of several hundred protesters gathered together last August to tear down a Confederate statue, as reported by Campus Reform. And, in 2017, Campus Reform reported on a professor who claimed that white marble statues contribute to white supremacist ideas. There is also a push to take a perspective of social justice into consideration while creating new art. A course being taught at Georgetown University this semester called Social Justice Documentary Video aims to instruct students to formulate and demonstrate ways through which documentary video can be used to meet social justice ends. Campus Reform reported on the course during the fall 2018 semester, when it was first promoted to students. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 6:46 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Zero Hedge January 29, 2019 Since the US successfully convinced Canada to arrest Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the telecoms giants founder, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and other US officials have insisted that the Huawei issue is separate from trade talks with China. But its becoming increasingly clear that thats not really the case, and that the Chinese certainly dont agree. On Monday, the US filed a series of indictments against Huawei and Meng on allegations ranging from technology theft, to obstruction of justice to bank fraud, the latest step in the USs push to drive the telecoms giant and 5G leader out of Western markets a campaign that has already yielded some success, given that New Zealand and Australia have already banned Huawei equipment and European countries including Germany and the Netherlands are considering similar steps. But in its response to the charges, which likely foreshadow an outright ban from US markets for Huawei and fellow Chinese telecoms giant ZTE, a spokesman in Beijing denied the charges against Huawei and blamed them on political motivations, the BBC reported. The denial from Beijing is ironic, considering that Huawei has countered accusations levied by the US that it cooperates with Chinese by insisting that it is independent from the state. At a briefing in Beijing, government spokesperson Geng Shuang said there were political motivations behind US attempts to smear and suppress certain Chinese companies. We urge them to treat Chinese enterprises in a fair and just way. The spokesman added that allegations of technology theft had already been settled back in 2014 during a civil case brought by T-Mobile, which had accused Huawei engineers of stealing Tappy, a robot designed by the company to mimicked the movements of human fingers to test phones. All told, the US laid out 23 charges against the company. During a press conference, FBI Director Wray said Huawei posed a dual threat against the US both economic and national security-related. In a statement from the company, Huawei said it was disappointed to learn of the charges brought against the company today, and added that it didnt commit any of the asserted violations and that it is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms Meng. Heres the full statement, courtesy of Bloomberg: Huawei is disappointed to learn of the charges brought against the company today. After Ms. Mengs arrest, the Company sought an opportunity to discuss the Eastern District of New York investigation with the Justice Department, but the request was rejected without explanation. The allegations in the Western District of Washington trade secret indictment were already the subject of a civil suit that was settled by the parties after a Seattle jury found neither damages nor willful and malicious conduct on the trade secret claim. The Company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments, is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion. Hu Xijin, the editor of the English-language Communist Party mouthpiece the Global Times insinuated that the USs crackdown on Huawei has been motivated by the inability of US companies to compete with Huaweis 5G network technology The US is launching political persecution against Huawei, making many Chinese look down on the US for the first time. It can't compete with Huawei, then crack down on it using rogue approach.This is how majority Chinese look at the issue. The US is in decline at least on morality pic.twitter.com/PBGXCd9BWm Hu Xijin (@HuXijin_GT) January 29, 2019 Prompting hedge fund investors and noted China bear Kyle Bass to chortle about GTs portrayal of China as a victim. The joke of China as a victim! A prominent venture capitalist and investor recently showed me how huawei began its life by stealing a Cisco router and putting their name on it.The global times is good for a laugh in the West. Not worth the paper its printed on. #criminals #china Kyle Bass (@Jkylebass) January 29, 2019 The charges against Huawei follow a series of indictments brought by the DOJ against alleged hackers and others accused of aiding Chinese intelligence services. Meanwhile, the US is expected to formally lodge an extradition request for Meng by the end of the month. Meanwhile, Huaweis CFO should not be a hostage in Sino-U.S. relations, her lawyer said on Tuesday, after the United States announced criminal charges against herself and the Chinese firm just days before crunch trade talks with Beijing. Mengs lawyer Reid Weingarten, partner at Steptoe & Johnson, pointed to complex Sino-U.S. relations. Our client, Sabrina Meng, should not be a pawn or a hostage in this relationship. Ms. Meng is an ethical and honorable businesswoman who has never spent a second of her life plotting to violate any U.S. law, including the Iranian sanctions. Though IP theft is one of the main allegations against Huawei, and also represents one of the biggest sticking points in the ongoing trade spat with Beijing, we imagine that this wont in any way impact the very, very important trade talks taking place in Washington this week. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 8:26 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Zero Hedge January 29, 2019 Just hours after The Bank of England refused to hand over $1.2 billion of Venezuelas gold from its custody vaults (stored there after the completion of a gold-swap transcation with Deutsche Bank) to President Maduro (after heavy lobbying from US officials), The Guardian reports that a UK foreign office minister is now urging the same Bank of England to transfer the bullion to the self-proclaimed interim leader Juan Guaido. In a statement to British MPs, Sir Alan Duncan said the decision was a matter for the Bank and its governor, Mark Carney, and not the government. But he added: It is they who have to make a decision on this, but no doubt when they do so they will take into account there are now a large number of countries across the world questioning the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro and recognising that of Juan Guaido. Guaido has already written to Theresa May asking for the funds to be sent to him. The former chair of the foreign affairs select committee Crispin Blunt said the current Venezuelan central bank president was not legitimate, since he had not been appointed by the countrys national assembly. Blunt has sent letters to the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and to the chancellor, Philip Hammond, urging a decision. Notably, the reason the BoE initially gave for its initial refusal to release was due to its insistence that standard measures to prevent money-laundering be taken including clarification of the Venezuelan governments intentions for the gold. There are concerns that Mr. Maduro may seize the gold, which is owned by the state, and sell it for personal gain, the newspaper said. Separately, as we reported previously an official told Reuters that the repatriation plan has been held up for nearly two months due to difficulty in obtaining insurance for the shipment, needed to move a large gold cargo: They are still trying to find insurance coverage, because the costs are high, an official told Reuters. All of which appears to have suddenly been swept under the carpet now Guaido has been installed. Duncan said Hunt would be discussing the next steps in the European Unions efforts to support Guaido in Bucharest on Thursday. However, its not a done deal yet as shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, cautioned against a rush to oust Maduro: Judging by its record in recent years, the Maduro government fits none of those descriptions, but I would also believe that it is a mistake in situations like this simply to think that changing the leader will automatically solve every problem, let alone the kind of US-led intervention being threatened by Donald Trump and [the US national security adviser] John Bolton. Nevertheless, with much of the Western world now backing Guaido in his coup, it seems the gold bullion will be winging its way to The Assemblys coffers very soon. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 7:10 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article If voting made any difference they wouldnt let us do it. ~ Mark Twain On January 8, 2015, the people of this country unreservedly placed their hopes and aspirations on line. Their expression in the exercise of their fundamental right to vote couldnt have been clearer. They elected a new government. They rejected the Rajapaksa-led coalition that, in their opinion, was corrupt, nepotistic and fast approaching the threshold of despotism founded on family-bandysm. What would have happened in the event the Rajapaksas were elected again 2015 would be another tale to tell, yet for the good fortune of all Sri Lankans that did not happen. Bond between Prez, PM broke asunder after Oct. 26 Rajapaksas in a socio-political context are an abysmal example to the country Victory over LTTE is no licence for the rape of the country they allegedly saved Treatment of bribery and corruption as part of the system is truly dreadful But with passage of time, almost four years, those hopes and aspirations have all evaporated like a fading mist against a furious, rising sun. They didnt vanish overnight; nor did they give advance notice. But the coming of disaster was definitive. The one critical factor that bonded the coalition, the bond between President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe, broke as under. Within a matter of mere 24 hours, to the astonishment of the entire country- except perhaps not to the conspirators of the unsavoury event- the sitting Prime Minister was summarily removed and another sworn in. Mahinda Rajapaksa, thanks to the decision of the President, had another short political honeymoon in power for 50 days! What the people witnessed during those 50 days gave a glimpse of the type of government that they would have if the 50 days continued for another few years. The unleashing of the fury of MRs comrades-in-arms was manifestly attempting to control the House of Parliament. They met more than adequate, legitimate and legal resistance from the real leader of Parliament, the Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya. But there wont be Karu Jayasuriya as Speaker in the event the Rajapaksas form a government again. Behaviour of the MRs disciples under a friendly and weak speaker would be unimaginable. The Rajapaksas in a socio-political context are an abysmal example to the country. There is no argument about it. Slanderous gossip, alleged financial crimes in addition to boundless greed, self-indulgence and obsessive nepotism have all added up to a practice of lifestyles one should not follow. But with passage of time, almost four years, those hopes and aspirations have all evaporated like a fading mist against a furious, rising sun. They didnt vanish overnight; nor did they give advance notice. But the coming of disaster was definitive This socio-political example set by the Rajapaksas has assumed exponential proportions with the growth of a special class of businessmen and women whose solitary aim in life consists in gaining proximity to the powers that be and gaining access to the numerous unsolicited tenders and government-sponsored work which eventually bring enormous financial benefits both to themselves and their foremost clients, the first family. The most bizarre aspect of the culture that these political vagabonds set out to establish as a norm is this abrasive character of over-indulgence in material wealth and insatiable appetite for women and wine. The heavenly atmosphere that enveloped the state machinery began devouring the mere mundane. A very few who possessed a probing mind could detect the cracks and fissures of the veneer that covered an utterly corrupt and dishonest disposition of a family seemingly devoted to the five precepts of Buddhism. That culture is not for our children who pursue a role model. The victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) is no licence for the rape of the country they allegedly saved. In addition to this rotten culture that they were instrumental in creating and then injecting into the surrounding brethren of society, the continuous stay in power gave them false hope of power for lifetime. It is this obsession of lasting power that ultimately killed their political ambitions. Dividing the countrys financial powers- by way of yearly appropriations called the Budget- among the three brothers, Mahinda, Basil and Gotabhaya, the first family ran the administration like their own private property. This malpractice of financial administration continued as long as the regime lasted. Inflated budgets within their grasp helped them to further their stature in the country as super-men; unlimited access to the government coffers afforded them an unadulterated opportunity to ensure a false image of efficiency and go-to men. The average man and woman did not know nor did he/she understand the realistic position of this malpractice of government and its financial administration. The very promise that the coalition led by Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe held out to the voters in 2015 has fallen flat. The so-called corrupt politicians of the last regime are still free and even daydreaming about coming back to power in order to do more damage to the fabric of our society Given this totally unacceptable culture and the socio-political ethos, so created by the Rajapaksas with the unexpressed acceptance of a large part of our population, took their winding and unkind journey for nearly two decades. The most distressing aspect of this political dynamic is the total docility of our people. Treatment of bribery and corruption as part of the system is truly dreadful. For the hardworking man, it is brutally unfair; for the school going child, it is unpromising and for their henchmen and women, it is salivating and alluring for more and more money and power. It is indeed a bad alternative. Yet todays voter may have already forgotten about these past misdeeds; even if he does remember, he might let these vicious and heartless memories go, for his engagement with politics matters only on the eve of an election. And it is in this context of forgiving and forgetting climate the current government of Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed so miserably. Not pursuing the allegations against the former first family to its logical end has come to haunt them. Mark Twain said: The government is merely a servantmerely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isnt. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. The very promise that the coalition led by Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe held out to the voters in 2015 has fallen flat. The so-called corrupt politicians of the last regime are still free and even daydreaming about coming back to power in order to do more damage to the fabric of our society. After the Bond-scam scandal the so-called Yahapalanaya image has flown out of the window. The broken allegiance between Ranil and Maithripala, the President is beyond repair. Yet the air of freedom, especially among those who practise journalism and writing is soothing and seeming to be lasting. The establishment of the various Councils to govern the diverse sectors of the administration machinery seems to have taken control the best illustration of which was how independent our judiciary was during the attempted coup enacted by the Rajapaksas aided and abetted by the Executive. However, the current administration is bad; yet the alternative is beyond terrible. The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com Zero Hedge January 29, 2019 During a Monday White House press briefing national security adviser John Bolton was photographed carrying a notepad presumably as he was fresh out of a national security meeting and one of the things which appears to be handwritten on the pad is 5,000 troops to Colombia. The contents of the notepad were spotted almost immediately by multiple journalists online after an NBC news release featuring the AP photo was published. More precisely the full contents appear to read: Afghanistan -> Welcome the Talks. 5,000 troops to Colombia. Heres the image of Bolton with his notepad from NBC News: National Security Advisor John Bolton inadvertently flashing his notepad contents fresh out of a national security meeting, via the AP. And a closer look, per one of the first journalists to examine the photograph and writing, who noted that if confirmed this would be a pretty terrible OPSEC [operations security] breach: So this notepad that National Security Advisor John Bolton was holding today at the White House briefing on Venezuela says: "Afghanistan -> Welcome the Talks. 5,000 troops to Colombia." If confirmed this would be a pretty terrible OPSEC breach.https://t.co/KS0Issfvps pic.twitter.com/IOrSprG567 Rao Komar (@RaoKomar747) January 28, 2019 Bolton during the White House presser revealed that President Trump is leaving open the possibility of a U.S. military intervention to protect opposition leader Juan Guaido, members of the nations assembly and American diplomatic personnel, according to NBC. The president has made it clear that all options are on the table, Bolton told reporters while holding the yellow notepad. We also today call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power, Bolton said. But could, as the notepad suggests, this involve plans to send 5,000 American troops to neighboring Colombia, a close US ally in Latin America? That fucking notepad says 5000 troops to Colombia pic.twitter.com/KkNecUV5gw Tony Stark (@NatSecElitist) January 28, 2019 No doubt the administration is already spitballing military contingency operations especially after the latest spat over Maduros ultimatum for all US diplomatic personnel to leave the country within 72 hours which he has since walked back after the Trump administration threatened severe consequences. There remains the possibility, however, that having clearly written words on a mostly blank pad indicating that disengagement from Afghanistan equals ramping up engagement and intervention in South America is actually intentional signalling to both enemies and allies alike. White House spokesman's explanation for Bolton's "5,000 troops to Colombia" memo on his legal pad: "As the President has said, all options are on the table." pic.twitter.com/3ZOtMGwjxB Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) January 28, 2019 When asked following the briefing by eagle-eyed reporters who caught a glimpse of the notepads contents about the 5,000 troops to Colombia memo, the White House spokesperson responded, As the President has said, all options are on the table. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 7:12 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article American Mirror January 29, 2019 The same woman who wants to be president and in charge of Americas healthcare found it hilarious to abuse her power against helpless families. On Monday, a Twitter user uploaded a clip from 2010 reportedly showing Sen. Kamala Harris, D-CA, laughing hysterically as she threatened jail time for poor parents of truant school children. So, to that end, on my letterhead now, let me tell you something about my letterhead. When youre the DA of a major city in this country, usually the job comes with a badge. And there is often an artistic rendering of said badge on your stationery, Harris says in the clip. So, I sent a letter out on my letterhead to every parent in the school district, outlining the connection that was statistically proven between elementary school truancy, high school dropouts, who will become a victim of crime, and who will become a perpetrator or crime, she adds. Kamala Harris's comments of "using the stick" to make poor families behave, or be arrested, is deeply disturbing. This is much worse than Clinton's "super predator" comments, because Harris's conviction belies a far more deeply held political philosophy. pic.twitter.com/WhFkO4HOE4 Jermane Lee Willis (@WillisJermane) January 28, 2019 Harris continued: We sent it out to everyone. A friend of mine actually called me and he said, Kamala, my wife got the letter. She freaked out. She brought all the kids into the living room, held up the letter, said if you dont go to school, Kamala is going to put you and me in jail. The crowd can be heard laughing at Harris comments. Yes, we achieved the intended effect, Harris added, cackling and enjoying the applause. The utter joy Harris takes in using the stick to make poor families behave, or be arrested, speaks volumes about her true character. The deeply disturbing clip, which appears to be from when she served as Californias attorney general, comes just one day after Harris officially announced her bid for the presidency. On Sunday, the California Democrat held an event in Oakland to announce her candidacy for president and promised free goodies for everyone. Im running to fight for an America where the economy works for working people. I am running to declare, once and for all, that health care is a fundamental right, and to deliver that right with Medicare for All. To declare education is a fundamental right, and we will guarantee that right with universal pre-k and debt-free college, she said. .@KamalaHarris on the trail: "When we have children in cages, crying for their mothers and fathers, dont you dare call that border security. That is human rights abuse! That is not our America!" pic.twitter.com/C0y14EoVbQ Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 28, 2019 The California progressive then detailed her slogan For The People, which is weirdly the same phrase used by Morgan and Morgan, a large personal injury law firm. Harris campaign slogan For the People was alluded to in her speech as to what it meant to her. For the People meant fighting for a more fair criminal justice system at the height of the war on drugs by creating a first-of-its-kind initiative to allow first-time offenders to get skills and job training instead of jail time at a time when reentry and prevention and redemption were not in the vocabulary or mindset of most district attorneys, Harris said. All of this also comes just days after Willie Brown, one of the kingmakers of California politics, openly admitted in an op-ed that he corruptly began Harris career while he was dating her as a married man years ago. This article was posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 7:08 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Financial remittances to be linked to Ghana Card All financial remittances will be linked to the biometric information on Euro 2020: Lewandowski earns Poland a point against Spain Robert Lewandowski scored his first goal of Euro 2020 as Poland held Spain to Iranians vote in presidential election marred by disqualification row Iranians are voting to elect a new president, with all but one of the four British Airways plane collapses at Heathrow Airport A British Airways plane has been damaged at Heathrow Airport after collapsing Young men in viral video clocking guns picked up by police The Ashanti Regional Police Command has picked up three young men who were seen Black Meteors arrive home after 15-2 defeat in Asian tour The Black Meteors have touched down in the country after ending their Asian Nigeria: Teachers and students missing after attack A University for girls in northwestern Nigeria was targeted Thursday in an Ethiopian couple forego wedding party for Tigray aid An Ethiopian couple has donated funds they had set aside for a lavish wedding Iranians vote in presidential election marred by disqualification row Iranians are voting to elect a new president, with all but one of the four Nigeria: Teachers and students missing after attack A University for girls in northwestern Nigeria was targeted Thursday in an A/R: Police arrest three persons with human parts The police in Ashanti Region have arrested three suspects for unlawful The Navy fired into the air to quell a tense situation that had arisen between some naval personnel and illegal sand miners at Kandakadu in Kinniya this morning, the Navy said. Navy Spokesman Isuru Suriyabandara said the shots were fired when the illegal sand miners attempted to attack the navy personnel who raided the site. He said the Navy and the STF are frequently conducting raids on illegal sand mining in the Mahaweli River basin on the instruction of the President and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. The Navy, assisted by the STF, had arrested several illegal sand miners and took into custody their boats and tipper trucks used for the sand mining in the area during some of the raids carried out recently. However, a group of racketeers had launched a protest when the officers visited Kandakadu this morning to arrest a group of illegal sand miners, Lieut. Commander Suriyabandara said. He said seven racketeers were arrested during the raid while two others had escaped by jumping into the river. Police and STF personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control. Lt. Commander Suriyabandara said the Eastern Province Governor had also arrived at the scene and that the police are conducting further investigations. He said the Navy would continue to raid illegal sand mining operations despite the protest by racketeers.(Darshana Sanjeewa) FRANCONIA [mdash] Donald "Don" Swift was born in Montreal, Quebec, on March 3, 1954, and passed peacefully from his battle with cancer on June 13, 2021, with some family by his side. He is formerly of Scarborough, Ontario, and Beaconsfield, Quebec. He is survived by his two daughters: Katie 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: Winds actually will flip to the southwest during the afternoon, but the frigid air still will pour in (a rare southwesterly cold air advection event). With this will come the potential for a snow squall. In short, a snow squall acts similarly to a thunderstorm. They are heavy, but brief. As an example, there could be an hour of whiteout conditions that drops a quick inch of snow and then clear out immediately. The timing for this would be between 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Lows Tuesday night only will be in the middle single digits in places like Folsom! The shore will stay in the low teens. Couple that with the wind and it will feel like minus-10! You will need all the layers heading to work, school or wherever you may be going Thursday. Leave them on during the day, too. The heart of the chill comes then. Highs? Only in the upper teens. In fact, the forecasted high of 20 degrees would break the record for the coldest maximum temperature for the date at Atlantic City International Airport. We then dive down to 5 to 10 degrees everywhere Thursday night. Highs Friday will struggle to reach 20 thats 20 degrees below average. However, winds will be lighter. Please bring your pets in and seek warmth if you need it. Heating expert talks about how to keep your home warm As temperatures drop into the teens and below, a homeowner's worst nightmare is losing heat. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. PLEASANTVILLE Police charged three teens with joyriding after officers chased a stolen car into Atlantic City on Monday morning, Capt. Matthew Hartman said. Patrolmen John Marciante and Victor Nelson saw a red Subaru that had been reported stolen from Somers Point at West Jersey Avenue and Main Street about 9 a.m., Hartman said. Police said the pursuit started after the driver of the stolen car failed to stop for officers. According to Hartman, the car, which police said had four people inside, traveled north on Main Street, then east on Delilah Road, then east on Route 30 into Atlantic City. After entering Atlantic City, the accused traveled south on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and then west on Arctic Avenue. At Mississippi and Arctic avenues, it struck another car and fled the scene, continuing west until it struck a parked car at Arctic and Florida avenues, police said. All four occupants of the stolen car then ran from the car. Two boys and one girl were apprehended in the area by Marciante, Nelson and Pleasantville Patrolman Juan Morillo. Police said they were unable to find the unidentified male driver after a search in conjunction with Atlantic City police. More than $3 million will go toward 24 research projects in the first round of Rowan Universitys Camden Health Research Initiative, the college announced. The university has pledged $50 million to fund research in or impacting the city of Camden for the next 10 years. The grant funds will go to 16 departments and divisions at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, College of Science & Mathematics, College of Education, College of Communication & Creative Arts, and Cooper University Health Care. Hunger-Free Campus bill advances and other legislation: Education Briefs TRENTON Last month, almost half of all college students in the country were unsure of wher The goal of the initiative, approved by Rowans Board of Trustees in December 2017, is to stimulate medical and bioscience research at Rowan and CMSRU and with partners and to bring more top research and clinical faculty to the city to work on developing breakthrough medical cures and treatments. Dr. Beena Sukumaran, Rowans vice president of research, said the diversity of the projects addresses a range of needs, from heart health devices to health communication campaigns. Sri Lanka has failed to show progress on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), compiled by Transparency International (TI), where Sri Lanka has scored 38 on the index retaining the same score from 2017, the Transparency International (TI) said today. Sri Lanka is ranked 89th in the world and 3rd in South Asia, behind Bhutan (25th) and India (78th) ; on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Denmark and New Zealand are ranked 1st and 2nd respectively with scores of 88 and 87, with Somalia coming in last at 180th with a score of 10. The CPI performance of Sri Lanka underscores its stagnant anti-corruption environment, which has seen the countrys CPI score fluctuate between 36 and 38 since 2013, despite the anti-corruption mandate provided to the government. Speaking on Sri Lankas performance on the CPI 2018, Transparency International Sri Lankas Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere said, It is important to note that the CPI deals with perceived levels of public sector corruption and as such the existence of a legislative framework, without the will or operational ability to ensure timely justice, reflects on Sri Lankas clear lack of progress to date. However, with the likely conclusion of several high-profile corruption cases in 2019, it is essential that all authorities uphold their impartiality and independence. If the application of the law is interpreted as selective or politically motivated, it could prove detrimental to the anti-corruption drive and the justice system. Transparency International noted that a cross analysis with global democracy data reveals a link between corruption and the health of democracies. Full democracies score an average of 75 on the CPI; flawed democracies score an average of 49; hybrid regimes which show elements of autocratic tendencies score 35; autocratic regimes perform worst, with an average score of just 30 on the CPI. Sri Lankas CPI score suggests that it falls between a flawed democracy and a hybrid regime. To make real progress against corruption and strengthen democracy around the world, Transparency International calls on all governments to strengthen the institutions responsible for maintaining checks and balances over political power, and ensure their ability to operate without intimidation, close the implementation gap between anti-corruption legislation, practice and enforcement. It also calls on all governments to support civil society organisations which enhance political engagement and public oversight over government spending, particularly at the local level while supporting a free and independent media and ensure the safety of journalists and their ability to work without intimidation or harassment. Video by Indika Sri Aravinda pts20190129026 Handel/Dienstleistungen, Politik/Recht Austrian Retail Association and 54 other associations have initiated negotiations for WTO eCommerce agreement 76 WTO member countries will negotiate about new rules in online-trading Vienna/Davos (pts026/29.01.2019/15:30) - On the 25th of January 2019, 55 leading eCommerce Associations - including the Austrian Retail Associations (Handelsverband) as representative of the Austrian retail sector - published an open letter, addressed to the trade minister of the World Trade Organization (WTO), calling for an eCommerce Framework on a global level. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the economics- and trade Ministers of 32 Countries agreed to negotiate an international agreement for eCommerce. The negotiation process is planned to start with the end of March 2019. "We are very pleased, that our open letter had such great impact. Now it's about bringing a viable agreement down to earth, so that the digital wild west can finally become a level playing field", says Rainer Will, CEO of the Austrian Retail Association. Objective: Fair taxation, free data flow and an easement in Cross Border eCommerce At the WTO-Summit one year ago, the international community was unable to agree on multilateral negotiations, that's why a group of 76 WTO members, including Austria, Germany, Japan and the USA agreed to lead conversations offside the WTO. At the beginning of the year, Japan announced its intention to regulate the cross-border flow of data, or rather the national different levels of data protection, in a new agreement. Also, the review of the taxation moratorium for electronic services from 1998, which is a long standing claim, especially from emerging countries, is on the table to be discussed. "The Austrian Retail Association will be actively involved in the negotiations and wants to ensure fair taxation for digital champions and to help small and medium-sized domestic traders to succeed in Cross Border eCommerce" - Rainer Will. Aussender: Handelsverband Ansprechpartner: Gerald Kuehberger Tel.: +43 1 406 22 36 77 E-Mail: gerald.kuehberger@handelsverband.at Website: www.handelsverband.at (Ende) The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, led by Reuben Fasoranti, has denounced the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by a faction of the group. An Afenifere faction led by Ayo Fasanmi endorsed Mr Buharis re-election bid in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday. The faction on Tuesday said it was endorsing the president because he had performed well in leading the country in the last three years and half. The event was attended by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; the Deputy Governor of Lagos and Osun States, Idiat Adebule and Yetunde Onanuga, and a former minister, Demola Seriki, who represented Mr Tinubu. In his reaction to the endorsement, the spokesman of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview that the faction represents the face of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, whose antagonism against the Afenifere was well known. Mr Odumakin said the event was attended by persons who had no history in Afenifere. They are just comedians, he said. The only shame is that the vice president has degenerated to the point of going to sit among such people and feting them in the name of Afenifere. All those that attended the event, none of them is of Afenifere, and that shows that the integrity of the vice president cannot be trusted. Osinbajo is Awolowos son-in-law. In the last 30 years, nobody saw him at remembrance once, and now he is sitting and parading himself as Afenifere. For 30 years we have been celebrating Awolowos remembrance, he was never there once. It is a shame. They are comedians, they are jokers; they are free to call themselves Miyetti Allah if they like. If they have pedigree, or names to rely on, why cant they answer their names? They can call themselves Miyetti Allah South West. Mr Odumakin noted the group had no other person with a history of Afenifere other than Mr Fasanmi, who he said only had links with it over 10 years ago. The faction had earlier described the Reuben Fasoranti-led Afenifere as a group of usurpers who do not represent the aspirations of the Yoruba people. Speaking after one of the factions meeting in Ibadan recently, its spokesman, Biodun Akin-Fasae, said his group was the authentic Afenifere being led by a long time member of the group. Yoruba is not divided, there are not so many Afeniferes. Yoruba is a nation and even during the time of Baba Awolowo, there were dissent voices, so we are not embarrassed, Mr Akin-Fasae said. Our group is led by the longest living senator in Nigeria, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, and you can see everybody there including Sen. Biyi Durojaiye, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, Baba Olusi and many others in Yorubaland who are not renegades with us. There was no time Afenifere has not been a socio-political organisation. It is a socio-cultural and political organisation and that is just the full name of Afenifere. Those who claim to be in the other group of Afenifere, none of them has ever contested an election. The fact is there for all to see. So, they dont have any mandate. It is our Afenifere that we are talking here that has the mandate of the Yoruba people and you will see them here on the day. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says residents of Abeokuta in Ogun State can work in Lagos after the completion of the new standard gauge rail line. The Lagos Railway District Manager (RDM), Jerry Oche, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos. Mr Oche said the nearly completed Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge would open lots of opportunities for various communities within the railway corridors. This is a huge opportunity for people living along the corridors, many people will prefer to live in Abeokuta and work in Lagos State due to speed and timeliness of the new train. The development will even open a lot of business opportunities for communities along the railway corridors, he said. According to him, the standard gauge when completed will travel at 150 kilometre per hour and Lagos-Ibadan is a 156km journey through the standard gauge. So, you can reside in Ibadan and be working in Lagos which is a very good development for people and for our economy, he added. The train travelling with such speed will curtail the menace of gridlocks in the cities and relieve the highways from unnecessary pressure as the travellers will prefer going by train rather than through the road. The district manager said the infrastructure would also bring vast job opportunities and social advantages to the youth, the populace and to the states. The perishable goods at the various communities will now be easily transported to the city where the demands are higher, thereby reducing the cost of goods and services, Mr Oche said. NAN reports that Fidet Okhiria, the NRC Managing Director, had said it would test run the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge line early in February. Mr Okhiria, who disclosed this on January 23, at Ijoko in Ogun State, while inspecting the project, added that work on the tracks was moving toward Lagos with 1.5 kilometers being laid daily. They have done a lot in laying of tracks between Abeokuta, Itori, Papalanto, Kajola, Ijoko towards the Lagos corridor. Within seven days the track laying will reach Iju towards Agege corridor of Lagos State. From here to Iju is 10 kilometers, and we are laying 1.5km on daily basis and by the first week of February, we will do a test run to Abeokuta from Lagos. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Zamfara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has named the members of its campaign committees, ahead of the February 16 and March 2 general elections. The state Chairman of APC, Lawal Liman, made this known to newsmen in Gusau on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since October 7, 2018, the issue of APC primary elections in the state had been lingering, characterised by litigations. The State High Court 3, Gusau, presided over by Bello Shinkafi, last Friday upheld the primary elections conducted by the state APC under the leadership of Mr Liman. The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the list of all the candidates produced by the primaries. But a Federal High Court in Abuja had given a different judgment, holding that the INEC acted within its powers by refusing to accept the list of candidates from the APC in Zamfara State. Mr Liman said that the campaign committees are categorised as follows: Main Committee which comprised 60 members under the leadership of the Chief of Staff to Governor Abdulaziz Yari, Abdullahi Abdulkarim. The state APC Secretary, Alhaji Sani Musa, is to serve as secretary. We also have local government committees which comprised 518 members. In each of the 14 local government areas, we have 37 members nominated by the party to take care of the campaign activities in their respective areas, Mr Liman said in a statement. According to him, the party also nominated Mr Yari as Chairman of the Presidential APC Rally Campaign Committee. He said that the committee has 111 members; with Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Shinkafi, as Secretary. Mr Liman thanked the APC supporters in the state for the cooperation given to the leadership of the party in the state. He urged them to continue to cooperate and support the APC in order to provide meaningful developmental projects in the state and Nigeria in general. (NAN) A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, on Tuesday urged the federal government and the relevant institutions to ensure that the February and March elections are free and fair. Mr Anyaoku gave the advice while speaking at a symposium to unveil the new logo of The Nigerian Tribune in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the symposium was Electoral Integrity, Legitimacy of Democratic Institutions and Good Governance. Mr Anyaoku said the expectations of the people and indeed the international community were that the elections would be credible. He urged the government, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies and other relevant institutions to meet the expectations. Mr Anyaoku said the rest of the world was keenly watching Nigeria and the conduct would determine how the country would be viewed and treated by the international community. As our country is preparing for the general elections in two weeks time, I have three observations to address the Nigerian government, INEC and others. First, Nigerias friends and the whole of the international community are watching. Watching the behaviour of federal government and its agencies, including especially the police, the army and the other law-enforcement agents, to see how far we respect the countrys constitution, the rule of law and the obligation to act well in playing their roles in respect of the elections. From my long experience in international politics, I must say no country is an island unto itself, especially in our increasingly globalising world. Therefore, our Nigerian government, like other governments all over the world, while of course guarding its sovereignty, should pay heed to the views of the international community. Otherwise, the country would return to the pariah status which happily exited in 1999 when it once more embraced democracy. My second observation is that INEC had earned deserved compliments for its commendable handling of the last gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Anambra States. But it must be admitted that it attracted criticisms for its conducting subsequent similar elections in both Ekiti and Osun. I urge INEC to remain aware of the fact that the credibility of the results of our forthcoming elections will depend on the level of impartiality and transparency it demonstrates in ensuring all aspects of the elections are free and fair, thereby making the results to truly represent the will of the people. Indeed, the image and standing of our country within the international community will be significantly affected by how INEC and the Federal Government as a whole are seen to behave in all matters relating to the elections, he said. Mr Anyaoku decried what he called the debasement of lives by incessant killings in the country, saying the problem should be tackled holistically The former diplomat said a return to true fiscal federalism was imperative to move the country forward. He commended African Newspapers PLC, publishers of Nigerian Tribune for its great contributions to the media industry. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Anyaoku said the contributions of the media organisation to nation-building were as note-worthy as those of its founder, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He said he had no doubt the unveiling of a new logo by the newspaper would herald another chapter of service to the people and the nation. In her address, Chairman of the media organisation, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, said Nigerian Tribune had played its part in nation-building since it was founded 70 years ago. She said the unveiling of the new logo was in continuation of the newspapers long-standing vision to be the voice of the people and advocate of a better Nigeria. Prominent Nigerians, including Bishop Matthew Kukah, who delivered the keynote address; a leader of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo; a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel: a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro: and Convener of Save Nigeria Group, Tunde Bakare were present at the occasion. Presidential candidate of Young Democratic Party, Kingsley Moghalu and the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, were also present at the occasion where the new logo of the newspaper was unveiled. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has directed the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Edward Pwajok, to find out what has become of the ad hoc committee investigating the Growth and Employment (GEM) Project. The project, according to the speaker, has not been fully implemented since 2013. Also to join Mr Pwajok in finding out what happened to the project is the acting Clerk of the House, Patrick Giwa. The Speakers directive was sequel to a motion of privilege at Tuesdays plenary by Mark Terseer Gbillah (PDP-Benue). Mr Gbilah raised concerns over the inability of the joint committee to deliver on its mandate. Some lawmakers had on Monday in media reports raised alarm over alleged plans by the Minister of Finance and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to return the unspent $100 million to the World Bank. According to the report, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Emeka Enelamah is to return the money meant for the GEM project, following failures to implement it since 2013. Coming under matters of privilege, Mr Gbillah submitted that his privilege was breached by the report carried by some papers considering the fact that he was the sponsor of the motion that led to the constitution of the ad hoc committee. He reminded the Speaker that according to the House standing rules, any committee that fails to conclude on a referral after six months must be relieve of the referral which should be reassigned to another committee. It is hoped that the provision of the House rules will be upheld in the light of the impending return of the fund to the World Bank in March 2019, he said. While ruling on the matter, Mr Dogara directed the clerk and chairman of rules and business committee to look into the matter and advise the House on the next move. NAN reports that the GEM is an employment project financed by the World Bank and the UK Department For International Development (DFID), with an initial loan of 160 million dollars from World Bank and 890 million pounds grant from Britain. The GEM project, which was approved by the National Assembly in 2013, was to run for a period of five years from 2013 to 2018 and 4000 Small, Medium Enterprises were to benefit from it, but the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment made attempts to convert it to a Small and Medium Enterprises Fund, where only 25 companies would benefit from it. (NAN) The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said Nigeria is no longer a colony and will not accept unsolicited advice from foreign countries. Mr Oshiomhole made this known Monday night while addressing state house correspondents. He was reacting to concerns raised by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union over the illegal removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen by the Muhammadu Buhari government. The foreign governments had condemned the action and called for restraint. The Nigerian government had dismissed the calls in a lengthy reaction. Mr Buhari insists he relied on a ruling by the Code of Conduct Tribunal before he axed the head of the independent arm of government. The constitution, however, stipulates the mandatory role the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Senate need to play before such a punitive measure can be taken. While the Senate has taken the matter to the Supreme Court for judicial interpretation, the NJC, on Tuesday asked Mr Onnoghen and the newly appointed acting CJN, Ibrahim Muhammad to respond to petitions it had received over the controversy within seven days. Enraged Official But Mr Oshiomhole said the country will not accept foreign interference and everyone must defend the sovereignty of the country. We welcome collaboration, we welcome peer review, we can compare notes. We welcome people who are interested in sharing experiences with us whenever the need arises, whether its capacity building, making useful suggestions on how we can continue to improve on our electoral process, he said. Those are very valuable contributions that we appreciate. But Nigeria is not a colony. We will not accept any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria, the head of Nigerias ruling party added. Mr Oshiomhole said when judges are dismissed in Europe no one interferes so I do not understand why the western world interferes in the affairs of the country. Speaking on the criticism of many Nigerians, he said it was due to misinformation. He said the CJNs excuse is not acceptable as ignorance is no excuse in law. Some people say even if it is true, is this the proper timing? What is the best timing to prosecute a crime? Should we suspend criminal justice pending elections? he said. He said since the embattled official had agreed that he breached the law, there was no need for criticism from Nigerians. If a Chief Justice of the federation admits that he has breached the law, to the extent of forgetting that he has those accounts, if he has such memory failure about the number of accounts, not even ignorance is not an excuse in law. So, why are we being hypocritical? he asked. Reinstate CJN- Group Meanwhile, a group, the New Independence Group (NIG), has condemned the suspension. ADVERTISEMENT The group described President Buhari as notorious in disobeying court orders. It said Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo being a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria ought to have advised Mr Buhari appropriately. In a statement jointly signed by four of its members: Akinyemi Onigbinde, Wale Are-Olaitan, Yinka Olujinmi and Deolu Oyekan, the group described the suspension as unfortunate. We find the laboured explanations unconvincing and indefensible. We feel mortified that the President, who took an oath to protect, safeguard and uphold the laws of the land will try to justify his self-injection into an ongoing judicial process because he thinks the normal course of justice is not the best for the nation, it said. The NIG, alongside other concerned groups, has persistently made a case for the overhauling of our laws and judicial process. Sadly, even with a professor of law and Senior Advocate as Vice President, the Buhari regime has not been able to initiate any meaningful rework of our constitution and laws, preferring to rule with whims and caprices where institutional and administrative frameworks are needed. It is therefore unfortunate that having found, according to him, the judicial process a cog in the wheel of the anti-corruption agenda of his administration, the President decided to resort to self-help, it said. An opposition presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has written three foreign governments accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of serially violating the Nigerian constitution. Mr Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria, is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. He wrote his letter to the ambassadors of France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. In the letter, Mr Abubakar raised key areas were he alleged Mr Buhari has ignored court orders or violated Nigerias constitution. President Muhammadu Buhari is threatening our democracy by serially breaching the provisions of our constitution and undermining organs and institutions of State in order to advance his personal interest, he wrote. Read Mr Abubakars letter below. CONSTITUTIONAL BREACHES UNDER THE WATCH OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI I have chosen to write this letter to Your Excellency for the enviable role that your country plays as champion of Democracy and the Rule of Law. I am also writing you as Nigerias international development partner working together to deepen and strengthen our democracy as well as to help in the transformation of our economies and societies for the better. President Muhammadu Buhari is threatening our democracy by serially breaching the provisions of our constitution and undermining organs and institutions of State in order to advance his personal interest. While the President has ironically taken oath to safeguard and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the reality of his selective and wanton violations of its provisions means that his oath is observed only in the breach. And as Your Excellency very much knows, respect for the rule of law is integral to promoting and preserving the values and principles of democracy. Sadly, however, by the actions of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, one is forced to think otherwise. As a Presidential Candidate in the forthcoming General Elections that will be conducted and supervised by the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari, I feel the urgent need to share with you some of these key violations of the provisions of our constitution and to demand that you pile pressure on the Federal Government to desist from these violations and ensure a level playing field for the General Elections that are only a couple of weeks away. We acknowledge with profound appreciation the positions taken by some members of the International Community in Nigeria and urge Your Excellency to add your countrys very strong voice against these breaches of Nigerias constitution. Your Voice is very important to the survival of Nigerias democracy. Some of these constitutional infractions are highlighted below for your information and action as you may deem appropriate. 1. The Purported Suspension of CJN Onnoghen On Friday, January 25, 2019, our nation woke up to the shocking news of the unilateral and extra-constitutional suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen and the immediate appointment and swearing in of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, as the new acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This action of President Muhammadu Buhari, not only breaches the Nigerian Constitution, but has also managed to undermine Presidential democracy by assaulting one of its hallowed doctrines of separation of Powers. For the records, Justice Walter Onnoghen is the head of one of the Tripartite but mutually independent organs that form the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To attempt to muscle out the Chief Justice of Nigeria using phony charges at a time when His Lordship was primed to play a central role in the fast approaching nationwide electoral process represents the boldest steps in the march to undermine our democracy. This is undoubtedly an anti-democratic act which my political Party and I reject without reservation and for which I urge Your Excellency to condemn unequivocally. Need I say, this brazen authoritarian and imperious stride of President Buhari is the latest action in a series of carefully planned onslaught on our nations hard earned democracy by an extremely power hungry and anxious President and the cabal that feeds fat around him as February 16, 2019 draws nearer. 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 about this matter? Let me therefore take the opportunity of this letter to urge your country and all well-meaning members of the International community to mount pressure on this government and all its anti-democracy functionaries know that their actions will have consequences. Strong consequences. 2. The illegal purchase of the Tucano Aircrafts: President Buhari sometime in April 2018 approved the purchase of Tucano Aircrafts for the Nigerian Military at the sum of $496 million (Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Million United States Dollars). This, he did, without seeking prior approval of the National Assembly contrary to Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states very clearly, how the President can spend monies belonging to the Federation. It provides: (3) No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly. (4) No monies shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly ADVERTISEMENT 3. Disregard for Orders of Courts: The Muhammadu Buhari administration has serially violated court orders, going against the rule of law especially in three known cases. a. Col. Sambo Dasuki (Former National Security Adviser): Various courts have granted Col. Dasuki bail on at least six different occasions; the Buhari led government has persistently refused to comply with the court orders. Federal High Court in Abuja presided by Justice Adeniyi Ademola in 2015 ordered the release of Col. Dasukis passport and granted him permission to travel abroad for three weeks on medical grounds. Despite the order made on November 3, the Department of State Security Services, SSS refused to release Col. Dasuki. Again, the former NSA and four others were granted bail on December 18, 2015 on a similar condition with a N250 million bond by Justice Hussein-Baba Yusuf. Similarly, the former NSA; a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; former Sokoto Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa; and three others were granted bail by Justice Peter Affen on December 21, 2015 by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in the sum of N250 million each and two sureties in like sum. The Federal Government cherry-picked the order whilst disobeying the part that concerned the former NSA. The ECOWAS Court presided by Honorable Justice F.C. Nwoke on October 4 2016 granted the former NSA bail and ordered the Nigerian Government to pay N15 Million to the defendant as damages for his illegal and arbitrary detention. On 17 January 2018, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja reaffirmed previous court orders granting Col. Dasuki bail. Also on April 6, 2018 the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court affirmed, for the umpteenth time, its decision for the release of Col. Dasuki. b. Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, Leader of a Shiite Group, IMN: Sheikh El-Zakzaky has been in detention without trial for over 3years after his followers were massacred in broad daylight; his wife and family killed and his home burnt, in a gory and shameful show of brute force by the Nigerian Army. This particular state violence is nothing short of genocide. On December 2, 2016 the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court Presided by Justice Kolawole ordered the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky and berated the Nigerian government for violating his rights. 4. The approval of $1 billion for military expenditure before approaching the National Assembly: The Nigerian government through the National Economic Council NEC, again in contravention of Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), granted approval for the release of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, for the procurement of military hardware and other equipment to fight insecurity in the country, ahead of the 2019 General Elections without recourse to the National Assembly. Mansur Dan-Ali, Nigerias Defense Minister disclosed this at the end of security chiefs meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. By this act, the Federal Government acted contrary to the provisions of the Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which states: (3) No monies shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorized by an Act of the National Assembly. 5. Executive Order No. 006 (On Preservation of Suspicious Assets and Related Schedules): The enactment of the controversial Executive Order No. 006 as an Executive legislation which permits security agencies to freeze the assets of persons standing trial or undergoing investigation without recourse to court orders. This is a usurpation of legislative and judicial powers of the National Assembly and the judiciary as enshrined respectively under sections 4 and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and reminiscent of the military era of decrees. The above, and many more that did not make it into this very short letter, are the unfortunate actions of the Government of a man who merely pays lip service to being a reformed democrat. General Elections are upon us yet again. I urge you to partner with Nigerians to defend our constitution and play an active role in building our country. The choices facing all of us is either to stand aside and watch Nigerians reelect a President who has been in constant violation of the laws of the land without remorse; or to support them show him the way out and elect a true democrat. We must send a clear message that the Nigerian Nation is bigger than any individual. Even if Nigerians opted not to elect me as President, the incumbent must go into the polls on his own record of lack of respect for the Rule of Law and not on the spurious perception of his Integrity. We need to set precedence for successive leaders not to take democratic mandate for granted. Sincerely, Atiku Abubakar, GCON (Waziri Adamawa) Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) A national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday described the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari as fair and balanced. Mr Tinubu said this on Tuesday in a letter entitled: Reply to Atikus State of the Nation, made available to reporters in Lagos. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had, on Monday, condemned the suspension of the CJN, Walter Onnoghen by President Buhari. He described the decision as a breach of the constitution. Mr Tinubus letter read in part: Strange that Atiku would choose to depict the current situation so inaccurately as to stir emotions unduly. He claimed that CJN Onnoghen has been removed. However, this is not so. He has been temporarily suspended. Atiku and his advisors should know and recognise the vast legal difference between suspension and removal. Yet you persist in conflating the two in what you say is a pursuit of justice. While true you may be in pursuit of something. It is not justice. If justice was your goal, you would acknowledge that the CJN has only been temporarily suspended not permanently removed. Thus, your recourse to saying that the President violated the constitutional provision regarding the removal of a CJN is inaccurate in that Buhari never intended to remove the CJN. What he has done is to have the CJN temporarily get out of his chair so that the serious matters against him can be heard by someone other than himself. Should the charges show themselves to be wrong or unproven, the CJN will be automatically reinstated as the head of the Nigerian judiciary. Mr Tinubu said for Mr Abubakar to state that the CJN should remain on seat while credible and grave charges swirl around him is to put the entire workings of the Supreme Court under a heavy cloud. It is ironic that Atiku of all people throw such darts at President Buhari. Buhari actually exercised considerable restraint in this matter. He has reasonably balanced concerns about the integrity of the judiciary with concerns for the individual rights of the accused. Nothing has been taken from the CJN that cannot be restored if the facts warrant such restoration. Thus, President Buhari conditionally suspended the CJN. By doing so, this allows for the case to move forward without the CCT or others fearing the CJN might use his position to unduly interfere with proceedings. If the CJN is exonerated, then he will return to his position. If not exonerated, then a more permanent discipline awaits him. ADVERTISEMENT This is an imminently fair and balanced approach, especially given the fact that the constitution and other laws really do not provide clear and unambiguous guidance on how to proceed in a case whether the CJN is the defendant under this unique fact pattern. Mr Tinubu said that Mr Abubakars comments sought to manufacture a constitutional crisis where none existed. Atiku and his cohort(s) seek to turn their personal disappointment into a burning national issue. They seek to manufacture a constitutional crisis where none exists. There is no need to quake at the solitary incident of the interim suspension of a justice pending the legal resolution of serious criminal claims against him. If this matter is shorn of the political trappings it has acquired, there is no fairer way to handle the matter, Mr Tinubu said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday set the new National Minimum Wage as N30,000. They reached the decision a day after conducting a public hearing on the bill for a new national minimum wage. The lawmakers at the Tuesday plenary considered the report of the ad hoc committee that looked at the bill clause by clause. Passing the bill for the third reading on Tuesday, the lawmakers unanimously approved the N30,000 recommendation by the committee in consonance with the resolution by the tripartite committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Buhari in a letter read to the lawmakers by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, urged the amendment of the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2011 to raise the minimum wage payable to a Nigerian worker from N18,000 to N27,000. A tripartite committee set up by the government recommended N30,000, but the Council of State later accepted that figure for federal workers and recommended N27,000 for state and private sector workers. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), however, rejected the N27,000 and insisted on N30,000 as the minimum for all workers. The lawmakers also resolved that the bill would be effective the day it is assented to by the president. They also increased the penalty for failure to pay the minimum wage from N5,000 to N75,000. The Senate is expected to concur with the recommendations of the House when it returns from the elections break before transmitting it to the president. Mr Dogara had during the public hearing on the minimum wage said the N30, 000 minimum wage being canvassed is barely enough as it cannot feed a small family unit. He said that it is only when workers are dignified with wages that can provide them minimum comfort that their productivity level will increase. OPPO Sri Lanka CEO Bob Li ceremonially opening the OPPO Experience Store In a bid to open up the brand and itscomplete product range to Sri Lankan consumers and fans OPPO Sri Lanka opened an Experience Store in Colombo recently. Located at Majestic City, one of Colombos trendiest shopping malls, the OPPO Experience Store will have easy access to a larger cross section of OPPOs existing and potential consumers as well as anybody interested in experiencing the brand and its devices first-hand. Speaking at the occasion OPPO Sri Lanka CEO Bob Licommented Today is an important day for both OPPO & OPPO's consumers as they can not only see but also experience all the OPPO models first-hand under one roof. The location provides easy access to a larger audience as it is at a highly central place which could serve a large number of OPPO fans. Sri Lankan consumers are very dynamic just like brand OPPO and they have embraced OPPO with affection & we are very happy about it. This certainly will be another momentous step in a rewarding journey with the Sri Lankan consumers for OPPO The new OPPO Experience Store not only provide the opportunity foranyone interested in the brand to experience all OPPO modelsmarketed in Sri Lanka housed at the Experience Store - but also tomake purchases of same. To provide an unparalleled service to customers, OPPO Sri Lanka already have number of exclusive showrooms island-wide and a well-resourced after sales service centres in Colombo, Kandy, Galle & Batticaloa. OPPO is also available at leading mobile phone retailers like Dialog, Abans and Sinhagiri outlets. Visitors at the OPPO Experience Store OPPO Sri Lanka CEO Bob Li lighting the traditional oil lamp A group, the New Independence Group (NIG), has condemned the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. The group also describes the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as notorious in disobeying court orders. It said despite Vice President Yemi Osinbajo being a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the regime has not acted in accordance with the rule of law. In a statement jointly signed by four of its members, Akinyemi Onigbinde and Wale Are-Olaitan, both professors; as well as Yinka Olujinmi and Deolu Oyekan, the group described the CJNs suspension as unfortunate. The groups reaction follows the controversial suspension of Mr Onnoghen on Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari. The president said he was acting on an order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Mr Buhari then swore in another Supreme Court justice, Tanko Muhammad, as Acting CJN. The suspension, however, sparked a nationwide uproar as many Nigerians including the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Senate President Bukola Saraki described Mr Buharis action as illegal. The federal government has, however, defended the suspension, saying the CJN frustrated his false assets declaration trial at the CCT. The NIG says the suspension of the CJN is clear meddling in the judicial process in a way that threatens the principle of separation of powers. The NIG, alongside other concerned groups, has persistently made a case for the overhauling of our laws and judicial process. Sadly, even with a professor of law and Senior Advocate as Vice President, the Buhari regime has not been able to initiate any meaningful rework of our constitution and laws, preferring to rule with whims and caprices where institutional and administrative frameworks are needed. The purported suspension of the CJN on an alleged order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, when there is a subsisting process ongoing at the Appeal Court with a superior jurisdiction, is a flagrant meddling in the judicial process in a way that threatens the principle of separation of powers and the relative autonomy of each arm of government. The group urged Mr Buhari to consider the interest of the citizens of the county and desist from further heating up the polity with his actions. The NIG urges the president to consider the larger interest of the nation and desist from further heating up the polity with actions that portray desperation on his part to hold on to power at all cost. More important, he needs to develop a robust approach to fighting corruption, rather than sticking to the selective and political prosecution which since previous regimes has proven to be ineffective. According to the NIG, the manner the suspension was done makes a mockery of Mr Buhari and other Nigerian politicians commitment to a free elections exercise next month. The NIG also calls on all Nigerians to rise in defence of the law and its processes, for to do otherwise on account of partisan or emotional affiliation is not to send a strong warning to future despots who may wish to cite this as a precedent. While our laws may be in dire need of reforms, We need to abide by them while they subsist. President Buhari cannot, and should not arrogate to himself the power of a Leviathan which enforces the law even while outside it. The group called for the reinstatement of Mr Onnoghen and the continuation of his trial. It is, therefore, our hope that there will be a return to the path of constitutionality and openness in the trial, to afford Justice Onnoghen fair hearing and also ensure he gets just dessert should he be found wanting. Meanwhile, the National Judicial Council in a meeting on Tuesday gave Mr Onnoghen and Mr Muhammad seven days to respond to petitions filed against them. The NJC said in a communique at the end of its emergency meeting that it received two petitions against Mr Muhammad and one against Mr Onnoghen. A fourth petition was written against the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar. ADVERTISEMENT The Federal Government is to receive $75 million incentive financing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen routine immunisation and broader primary healthcare services in the country. The new financing was announced on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of a five years agreement with Nigeria. Under the agreement, the Gates Foundation will give Nigeria $75 million as the government meets existing commitments to increase domestic funding of its routine immunisation programme. Nigeria was represented jointly at the agreement signing ceremony by the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, Finance, and Health. A Finance Ministry statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday said the incentive financing will be invested directly in Nigerias basic healthcare provision fund. It will be used to strengthen routine immunisation financing and other primary healthcare services for the poorest in the country. The statement said coming at a time the countrys revenue generation is constrained, the deal will direct new funds to Nigerias broader health sector, with more domestic resources dedicated to critical childhood vaccines. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma, explained further. Childhood immunisation is one of the most effective and cost-effective health interventions. It is one of the few long-term investments in Nigerias human capital and future prosperity. Last April, the Federal Government, through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, finalised its Nigeria Strategy for Immunisation and PHC System Strengthening, 2018-2028. The strategy outlined plans to spend $1.95 billion on immunisation services over ten years through the national budget and some World Bank loan financing. In June, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, committed to supporting the strategy with extended donor financing as domestic resources scale up. During the extended transition window, international donors, through Gavi, will provide Nigeria with $1 billion, in addition to the $1.95 billion domestic commitment. Together, these funds will cover procurement of vaccinesthe biggest share of the costsas well as operational costs for routine and supplementary immunization activities, and PHC system support. Regardless, even with the additional Gavi support and loan options, the government says the strategy financing strategy requires significant annual increases in funding for vaccines until the government assumes full responsibility after 2028. Reduced Pressure On Budget The Federal Government says the incentive financing with the Gates Foundation will help reduce the pressure on the overall health budget. Theres no question that immunisation is an all-around best buy for Nigeria and extremely high value-for-money. But, we still have limited resources said Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed said. ADVERTISEMENT This innovative financing will allow us to limit trade-offs in the health sector by ensuring that every additional Naira released for vaccines unlocks additional resources for broader PHC improvements. The BHCPF implementation formally began on January 8, 2019, with finances for critical PHC interventions for children, women and families and a focus on rural and underserved areas, by providing direct funding to facilities for operational expenses. By channelling incentive financing through the BHCPF, the Federal Government and the Gates Foundation will ensure that those resources, like RI commitments, directly benefit Nigerians most in need. Full implementation of the NSIPSS will ensure millions of more Nigerian children are reached with vaccines and potentially save millions of lives, Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, said. Meanwhile, we know that a strong overall PHC system can take care of more than 80 per cent of Nigerians health needs. So full utilisation of the BHCPF will go that much further. Under the agreement, the Gates Foundation will provide up to $15 million per annum for five years to Nigeria for financing PHC. Participants at an ongoing National Water Summit in Abuja have condemned plans by some state governments to engage private corporations in a public-private partnership in the water sector. The participants, including representatives of the civil society, labour unions, communities, and local and international activists, agreed that partnering with private entities under any guise privatisation or PPP would worsen the water crisis in the country. Just as some persons, governments and corporations deny that climate change is caused by mostly human activities, so is the case with the water crisis, said Nnimmo Bassey, an environmental activist and chair of the board of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/DoEN). Rather than seeing the crisis as a mark of abdication of responsibility by governments, the crisis entrepreneurs see this as an opportunity to further block public access to water through privatisation, he added. He said privatised water is only accessible to those that could afford it while also eliminating the critical need to provide water as a right. Privatisation has been the death of social services and now that the institutions and services to be privatised are dwindling, the drive is now to grab the very basis of life, the privatisation of water and even whole ecosystems through land sky grabbing. Different Cities; Same Story Speakers from countries like the United States and India shared their unpleasant experiences with water privatisation and their efforts to solve the crisis in their cities. Lauren DeRusha, campaign director at Corporate Accountability, said there is an ongoing global water crisis that is not beyond our control. She said the World Bank had been, arguably, one of the biggest drivers of water privatisation over the past decade, pushing governments to privatisation in spite of evidence that it had failed to provide access to water. One of the most egregious things about the World Bank is that it has a financial interest in the privatisation, said Ms DeRusha. She adds that privatisation had been reinvented as PPP to deceive the public. Alyson Shaw, an environmental justice campaigner from Pittsburgh, said the citys water crisis led to the community forcing elected officials to back away from water privatisation efforts. Gina Luster, from Michigan, US, said the water crisis in Flint was caused by man-made efforts after the city officials switched their water source to save $2 million. Now weve had scientists come into Flint and say things like Your boys may not be able to reproduce, bone cancer and things like that.' She said the city currently has the highest water rate in the US, with people owing up to $1,500 per month. Joe Ajaero, the president of the United Labour Congress, said the privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria should give an inkling of what to expect with water. Im standing here to say that the privatisation in the power sector has failed woefully and all the things they promised, they will not fulfill and can never fulfill it, Mr Ajaero said. They are now warming themselves into the National Assembly and Government Houses. ADVERTISEMENT Rising Social Inequality The keynote speaker, Otive Igbuzor, said private sector participation in the provision of water and sanitation services had led to rising social inequality. It is well documented that privatisation of public services increases the utilisation of the middle class and the upper class while access to the poor and excluded will be decreased, said Mr Igbuzor. It has been proven that whenever there is water privatisation, the cost of water services increases because private firms charge full costs and must pay taxes and earn a profit. The UN and the Federal Government of Nigeria have said that $840 million is required to address the humanitarian needs of insurgency affected people in the North-East between 2019 and 2021. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the launch of the three-year Humanitarian Response Strategy (HRS) 2019-2021. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the HRS was launched alongside the Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The two-year RRRP is also seeking $135 million to save lives, provide basic assistance, restore dignity of affected families, and the protection and building resilience of host communities. Mr Kallon said 7.1 million people were in need in Nigerias North-East but that the HRS was targeting 6.2 million people for assistance in the three worst-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. He said the HRS would be reviewed yearly based on the priority needs and the situation. The 2019-2021 Humanitarian Response strategy with a one-year response plan, is targeting 6.2 million of the most vulnerable people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states for humanitarian assistance. The financial appeal this year has reduced from 1.5 billion dollars in 2018 to 845 million dollars, based on assessed needs and the realistic capacity to implement. The 2019-2021 Humanitarian Response Strategy provides a way forward to tackle the challenges inherent in planning and responding to large-scale needs in a complex setting. Despite a significant scale-up of the humanitarian response by the UN and humanitarian partners since 2016 in support of the Government of Nigeria, the humanitarian crisis in the BAY states continues. Civilians still bear the brunt of the conflict that has led to widespread forced displacement and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Strong partnership between national and international actors are critical to ensuring that people receive the life-saving assistance they need. Mr Kallon said the HRS was hinged on three objectives which include saving lives by providing assistance and protection interventions to the most vulnerable. The second objective was to enhance timely, unhindered and equitable access to multi-sector assistance and protection through principled humanitarian action. According to him, the third objective is to strengthen the resilience of affected populations, promote early recovery, voluntary and safe durable solutions to displacement and support social cohesion. Mr Kallon said the primary role of humanitarian aid was to help people survive and maintain their dignity, adding that the humanitarian response integrates approaches to reduce community dependency on aid. He explained that for the next three years, humanitarian and development actors would work toward enhancing coherence and synergies between development and humanitarian responses. Also speaking, Volker Turk, UNHCRs Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, said that the RRRP 2019-2021 contains a comprehensive approach to addressing the protection and humanitarian needs of over seven million affected persons in the Lake Chad Basin. ADVERTISEMENT Turk said from the Second Regional Protection Dialogue, the four countries of the Lake Chad Basin had agreed to strong commitments to jointly address the protection and humanitarian challenges in the region. He said the priority would be hinged on protection, providing life-saving needs, water, shelter and emergency education. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the HRS was launched in collaboration with the federal government while the governments of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon partnered in the launch of the RRRP. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A former Nigerian ambassador to Malawi and Zimbabwe, Funke Bello, has appealed to the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, to resign from office. Ms Bello, a lawyer, said this on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily, on Tuesday. Mr Onnoghen was controversially suspended from office by President Muhammadu Buahri last Friday. The president said he acted based on a court order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Mr Onnoghen is being tried for alleged false assets declaration at the tribunal. The presidents actions have been condemned as uncostitutional by most Nigerians and the international community. RESIGNATION In her reaction, Ms Bello said the right thing for Mr Onnoghen to do is to resign from office. Once he resigns, everything stops because the principal actor has gone. Then we will find a way to amend our constitution, she said. The diplomat said she is not compelling him to resign but I am only appealing to his good conscience to do the right thing Im making the appeal because we need to correct the law, this matter is not going away,we need to correct it for the future. If things like this keep happening, then we cannot have development. We have fallen, our constitution and laws are defensive, she said She, however, said she believes the president acted unconstitutionally by suspending Mr Onnoghen from office. The constitution says the president should have gone through the NJC on the side of the removalthere is no provision in the constitution that says the president can suspend the CJN, she said. We need to go through the right process to get this issue sorted out. Like many Nigerians, the Nigerian Bar Association condemned the suspension and called on lawyers to boycott courts for two days over the matter. Some parents, teachers, and students on Tuesday advocated that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects be taught in indigenous languages in Nigerian schools. They made the advocacy in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. They said teaching STEM subjects in Nigerias indigenous languages will encourage a better understanding of science subjects. An educational consultant, Hassan Toyin, said the idea of teaching science subjects in indigenous language was good and would be best practised in villages to achieve good results. Mr Toyin said the best way to teach the science subjects in the cities in a Nigerian dialect would be to use the pidgin language so as to get maximum results. Although, teaching STEM subjects is going to be a little bit difficult because Nigeria has about 500 different languages. Furthermore, a typical Nigerian class is made up of a mixture of students from different parts of the nation but if pidgin is used to teach these science subjects, it will go a long way to improve students understanding. Teaching science subjects in other languages is a very good idea but it will work best among the locals where one language is spoken and predominant, the consultant said. In the same view, a civil servant and parent of two teenagers, John Black, said teaching STEM subjects in the indigenous language was not a bad idea. According to Mr Black, to make STEM subjects widely accepted and understood in Nigeria, language mediums that are easily understood by the students have to be employed. So the use of our local languages can be adopted. It is not a bad idea at all. Another parent, Hafsat Birnin, said teaching sciences in Nigerias local languages would help rekindle the dwindling interest of students in STEM subjects. She said that most students in the cities might find it difficult at first, but it would help them understand the language, mathematics, and other science subjects better. Although it may not work in the urban setting, if applied where it will work, why not? It has worked in other countries and if it is tried here, it will surely work but it may only take time. Teaching STEM subjects in indigenous languages will truly boost the interest of these students. Let research be conducted and trials carried out in schools first, I believe the roadblocks will be surmounted, Birnin said. Glory Modeva, a former Senior Secondary School Student at Unity College, Tarka Local Government, Benue State, said if she was taught science subjects in Tiv, she would be widely exposed in the sciences. Modeva, who recently relocated to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said while she was in the village she enjoyed being taught in TIV language as she had a deeper understanding of the subjects being taught. ADVERTISEMENT English is not our language in Nigeria; I am also learning it as a language. I was not born with it so I dont mind being taught science subjects especially mathematics in TIV language. Before I relocated to the city, my Maths teacher usually taught us with a mixture of TIV and pidgin English, and this helped us in getting good grades. Ibironke Babatunde, a graduate of Microbiology who teaches biology at Elite Stars Secondary School, Bhazin, Abuja, said it would be a welcome idea for STEM subjects to be taught in indigenous languages. I have been teaching for the past 16 years and I usually illustrate some of my topics in local dialects such as pidgin or a bit of the three major Nigerian languages. I have a good understanding of Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. Teaching my students in the best way they can understand helps them to remember and assimilate faster. Understanding the subjects doesnt mean they cant also learn and speak good English.It is just a way of integrating the sciences among students, Ms Babatunde said. (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) has called on the Nigerian government to strengthen the security arrangements to stem the incessant clashes between herders and farmers in different parts of Nigeria, especially in the North. Hakeem Tijani, a Senior Research Fellow, Political and Governance Policy Department, NISER, made the call on Tuesday in Ibadan at the NISER Research Seminar Series (NRSS) in Ibadan. The seminar has the theme: Strategies for resolving conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria. Mr Tijani said the strategy would require government and security agencies to sustain, improve early warning systems, maintain operational readiness of rural-based police, other security units and encourage communication and collaboration with local authorities. He said there should be control of the circulation and possession of illicit firearms and ammunition, especially automatic rifles. Mr Tijani underscored the need for the country to establish and strengthen conflict mediation, resolution, reconciliation mechanism at state, local and community levels, especially in areas most affected by conflicts. There should be the establishment of grazing reserves in consenting states, to minimise contacts, frictions between herders and farmers; this should be a temporary measure till ranching is established for the animals, he said. On the long term measure, Mr Tijani urged the Federal and State governments to address environmental factors that aided herders migration to the South. He said the measure required stepping up implementation of programmes under Green Wall initiative for Sahara and Sahel. He recommended that Nigeria should work with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger to regulate movements across borders, particularly cattle rustlers, armed herders and others identified as aggravating internal tension and insecurity in the country. Mr Tijani also called for the establishment of cattle ranches all over the country, using Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. It appears that what holds promise for sustainable peace between farming communities and pastoralists is the establishment of ranching. Earlier, the NISER Director-General, Folarin Gbadebo-Smith, said the NRSS was part of NISER mandates to conduct research into the economic, social problems of the country. He was represented by Sunday Odekunle, Head, Human Capital Department, NISER. The NISER boss said the topic of the seminar was important, adding that it was critical to all arms of the government, nation and international communities. He stressed the need to strategise, check the problems and proffer solutions to herders/farmers crisis. Both the herders and farmers are two economic groups within the same family, so they should not be fighting, thousands of lives have gone due to the crisis so there is urgent need to provide better strategies for the government. The Chairman of the occasion, Oka Obono, of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, said the herders/farmers crisis had in recent times threatened national unity. ADVERTISEMENT This is the kind of research professionals should be doing, I hope government adopts the recommended policies; I commend NISER for organising such, Mr Obono said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Abortion is a terrible drama but women who go through it must find mercy rather than castigation, Pope Francis said on Monday. To really understand the drama of abortion you have to be in a confessional, (it is) terrible, Francis told journalists on a return flight from a six-day visit to Panama. In the confessional, you have to offer consolation, not punishment, he added. If a woman is tormented by an abortion decision, she should talk to her unborn child and sing the lullaby (she) could not sing to him, because the child is in Heaven, the pope said. There you find a path of reconciliation between the mother and the (aborted) child. Because God has already forgiven. God always forgives, Francis said. During the Panama trip, the pope led a mass in which a young man denounced abortion as an act of terrible cruelty, and prayed for abortion laws around the world to be erased forever. Francis is widely considered more liberal than his predecessors and has said the Catholic Church should focus less on enforcing doctrine, and more on reaching out to those who stray from it. For example, he has made it easier for women to seek a pardon for abortion, giving all priests rather than just bishops the right to hear such cases and issue absolution. However, Francis has not changed fundamental church teachings on family planning. In October, he said women who opt for abortion are like people who hire a hitman to solve a problem. (dpa/NAN) The National Judicial Council has given seven days to the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, to respond to a petition written against him. The NJC also gave the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, seven days to respond to a separate petition written against him. The NJC said in a communique at the end of its emergency meeting on Tuesday that it received two petitions against Mr Muhammad and one against Mr Onnoghen. A fourth petition was written against the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar. According to the NJC, it addressed three of the petitions and directed the one against Mr Umar to the Judicial Service Commission for further action. The NJC confirmed PREMIUM TIMES report that its meeting was not attended by the acting CJN. It also said Mr Onnoghen excused himself from the meeting, like Mr Mohammed. A former President of the Court of Appeal, Umaru Abdullahi, presided over Tuesdays meeting. See details of the meeting as sent to Premium Times by the Supreme Court spokesperson below. The National Judicial Council held an Emergency Meeting today and considered four (4) petitions filed at its Secretariat. The petitions are: Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON by Zikhrillahi Ibrahim of Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civil Education; Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative; Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR by Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OON; and Petition against Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar, Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative. Council referred the petition against Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) which is the appropriate constitutional body empowered to deal with it. In line with its procedure, Council also forwarded the petitions against Hon. Justices W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON and I. T. Muhammad, CFR to them for their responses. In view of the gravity of the matters involved, Council abridged the usual response period from fourteen (14) to seven (7) working days for the Hon. Justices to respond. Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON and Hon. Mr. Justice I.T. Muhammad, CFR recused themselves from the meeting. Consequently, Council elected Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, CON, former President of the Court of Appeal as Interim Chairman to preside over the meeting. Council will reconvene on the 11th February 2019. Soji Oye, Esq. ADVERTISEMENT Director (Information) The Federal Government of Nigeria has again said it has uncovered plans by some politicians to cause violence during the forthcoming general elections. The latest announcement was made by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, on Tuesday in Abuja. He made the claim while addressing governors of the 36 states of the federation. Mr Mongunos claim follows a similar one by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who last week said the government has uncovered plans by opposition politicians to cause violent attacks across 10 states during the elections. Mr Mohammed said the government was in possession of intelligence to the effect that widespread violence being orchestrated by the opposition is threatening the elections. Like Mr Mohammed, Mr Monguno provided no evidence to support his claim. He also did not state why the alleged planners have not been arrested amidst allegations by the opposition that the government is planning to clamp down on opposition leaders. On Tuesday, Mr Monguno told the governors that because of the usual stereotype that elections in Nigeria are always followed by violent clashes and sometimes loss of lives and property, security agencies have been working round the clock to ensure that the next general elections are free of any form of post-election violence. Mr Monguno said, however, that recent intelligence reports have indicated plans by some individuals and groups to instigate violence during and after the coming elections. The NSA said the reports he received revealed that some individuals that are uncertain of their fate in the elections are plotting to precipitate widespread violence aimed at scuttling the conduct of the polls. He said the strategies being adopted by the politicians, who he did not name, is to cause crises that could snowball into endless crises for the government and citizens. There are indications that these unscrupulous elements are already mobilising merchants of violence, including armed bandits and terrorists to orchestrate violence during the elections in several states of the federation. I will refrain from being specific on some of the plots that have been uncovered, though the security agencies will spare no efforts in dealing appropriately with any act that can destabilise the nation and paint us collectively in a bad light among the comity of states, he said. Mr Monguno told the governors that no individual or group is greater or more important than Nigeria. He said to that extent, no individual or groups ambition is worth the loss of life of any Nigerian or national cohesion. In this regard, we owe Nigerians the duty to protect and, preserve their lives and property regardless of our individual or group aspirations, he said. PEACEFUL ELECTIONS The NSA said the federal government through the appropriate institutional tools, is doing all within its powers to create a suitable environment for a peaceful election. He said an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), which he co-chairs alongside the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has been meeting periodically to ensure a coordinated approach to making the electorates safe during the elections. We are at present dotting all the is and crossing all the ts to achieve this objective. The committee is meeting weekly at present and the frequency of the meetings will increase as the elections draw nearer. ADVERTISEMENT I need to use this opportunity to restate that the security agencies remain neutral, contrary to insinuations by mischief makers, he said. He also said President Buharis commitment to democratic norms was clearly indicated in his speech at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2017 when he said: Our faith in democracy remains firm and unshaken. That, he said, is the reason for the resources spent by the office of the National Security Adviser to organise refresher courses for the personnel that will be deployed for security duties during the elections. He said the training being given is the first of its kind in Nigerias history. Mr Monguno said security is a collective responsibility and not the exclusive preserve of security agencies. He said as chief security officers of their states, the primary role of governors is the security and welfare of the people. He said his office and all government security agencies are ready and willing to cooperate and partner with governors to deliver on their constitutional mandate. In the same vein, we shall not spare any effort to do the needful in any event of activities that threatens the security and welfare of Nigerians. Mr Monguno told the governors that as the nation goes into the elections, no pseudo or quasi-security outfits, such as vigilantes or under any guise, is allowed to participate in election security duties. Government will demonstrate zero tolerance to political thuggery and illegal bearing of firearms. The IGP has instructed the various commands to arrest anyone bearing fire-arms illegally or engaging in acts of violence, he said. In their response, the governors, through their chairman, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, commended the Nigerian security agencies for the arrangements being put in place for the elections. Mr Yari expressed the commitment of all governors to collaborate with all security agencies to ensure that the forthcoming elections are free, fair and conducted in an environment conducive for peaceful elections. Governors are however concerned about the proliferation of arms and ammunition, and the spate of kidnapping across the country, he said. Mr Yaris Zamfara State is one of the states most affected by banditry. The armed bandits attack communities at will, kill many and kidnap others for ransom. Mr Yari said the NGF recommends stronger collaboration and intelligence sharing amongst security agencies in the country to ensure that all lives and property are protected, regardless of individual or group affiliations. We seek stronger synergy between governors as the chief executive officers of their states and the heads of security agencies to strengthen preemptive measures of curbing election violence and other anti-social vices, Mr Yari said. Apart from the NSA Monguno and state governors, the meeting was also attended by acting Inspector General of the Police, Mohammed Adamu; and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Bichi. Former Minister Johnston Fernando was acquitted from all charges with regard to a case filed against him over non-declaration of his assets and liabilities for the year 2010 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne. The Bribery Commission had filed five separate cases for four years from 2010 to 2014 under the Non-Declaration of Assets Act and he was acquitted from all charges over the case for the year 2010. Video by Prasanna ADVERTISEMENT Armed bandits on Monday attacked a community in Zamfara State, kidnapping over a dozen people. The victims include a new bride, and some nursing mothers. The incident happened at Zurmi Local Government Area at about 11:45 p.m. Residents said the heavily armed bandits shot sporadically into the air, scaring residents. Falalu Ashafa, a teacher at Government Girls Secondary School, Zurmi, said his wife, mother, two children and nanny are among those kidnapped in the Monday attack. He said after the attack, 26 persons, including three lactating mothers, and a newly-weded bride were missing and believed to have been kidnapped. The Zurmi attack is coming two days after PREMIUM TIMES reported a similar attack on a viewing centre at Birnin Magaji. In that attack, seven people were kidnapped and are yet to be released as at Tuesday morning. The security agencies in Zamfara are yet to make any official statement on the Saturday attack. Killings and kidnapping for ransom have continued in Zamfara communities, despite security reinforcement and subsequent change of the police commissioner in the state. When contacted, the Zamfara police spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, said the police repelled the Monday night attack but later realised that 13 people had been kidnapped. He said the hoodlums stormed Majema area in Zurmi with a view to causing mayhem and breakdown of law and order in the community. On the spur of the moment, combined teams of Police/Military and Civilian JTF Stationed in Zurmi responded promptly and repelled the attack. As a result, the attackers were forced to beat a retreat back to Dumburum forest. Sadly enough, 13 Persons were later discovered to have been kidnapped by the attackers. The command in its efforts to ensure the successful rescue of the Kidnapped Victims dispatched a Search and Rescue Operation team to Complement the effort of the Joint Security Personnel Currently on extensive bush combing. The press will be duly briefed on the outcome of the rescue operation. The command appeals for continued support and cooperation with the police and other security agencies by giving timely and useful information on activities of criminal elements in the state. ADVERTISEMENT Egyptian authorities arrested on Tuesday 54 members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group over charges of planning to carry out hostile actions against state institutions on the anniversary of the January 25 revolution. In a statement, Egypts Interior Ministry said it obtained information that the leaders of the fugitive organisation abroad plan anti-state violent acts to create chaos in the country during January and February. This coincided with the anniversary of January 25 revolution, a popular uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak. They planned acts of sabotage in an attempt to spread chaos and terrorise citizens with the goal of undermining the countrys national security and interests, the ministry said in the statement. The leaders of the organisation have formed an entity through the Internet that included members of the Muslim Brotherhood and a group of hostile elements, holding several meetings outside the country through the Internet. According to the statement, they are to agree on the steps to implement their scheme, which is funded by a group of economic entities affiliated with the terrorist organisation inside Egypt. The ministry alleged that the terrorist unit was led by a number of Brotherhood leaders, most notably Yasser al-Omda, a Brotherhood leader based in Turkey. Al-Omda recruited a number of members through the Internet and linked them with other Brotherhood cadres, who planned with them to carry out mass demonstrations accompanied by violence. The elements were divided into groups; each group was assigned to carry out these duties in different provinces across the country, the statement read. Amounts of money and vandalism and arson tools used in riots were found in the possession of the arrested, according to the statement. Since the army-led ouster of the Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi in 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule, thousands of his loyalists have been jailed or facing trials over accusations of inciting terror, espionage and murder. Mr Morsi himself along with the Brotherhood prominent figures has received sentences varying from death to life sentences in cases related to the killing of protesters and spying for foreign countries. Since Morsis ouster, Egypt has been facing a wave of terror attacks that killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers as well as civilians. A Sinai-based militant group affiliated with the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for most of the attacks in Egypt over the past few years. Meanwhile, the Egyptian forces have killed hundreds of terrorists and arrested thousands of suspects during the countrys anti-terror war. (Xinhua/NAN) ADVERTISEMENT President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday that reliable power supply was critical to promoting ease of doing business to ensure sustainable and improved Nigerian economy. Mr Buhari spoke while commissioning the Ariaria Market Independent Power project in Aba. He said the provision of a dedicated power supply to small businesses in the area would strengthen the Made in Nigeria programme of the Federal Government of which Abia had become synonymous with. Mr Buhari said the present administration was committed to evolving sound economic policies and programmes aimed at boosting national productivity. He said the project was a demonstration of the Federal Governments resolve to protect the interest of every Nigerian irrespective of party difference and constitutional limitations. Mr Buhari said he had been informed that Ariaria International market contained 37,000 shops which would benefit from the project, adding that 4,000 shops had been connected to new power supply. Electricity has no political colour and I was elected to office on the convincing argument my party made about our commitment to security, developing the economy and fighting corruption. I am told that in the past traders in this market only got power supply for four hours a day and paid exorbitantly for it, which consequently affected the viability of many businesses. Mr Buhari said that the Federal Government was replicating the power project in Abia in Kano, Lagos and Ibadan. He said plans were underway to execute similar initiative in 37 federal universities. He commended Abia Government and the people of Abia for their response and support toward the success of the power project in the state. In his speech, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Raji Fashola, said the project was targeted at making Nigeria a better place. Mr Fashola said the policy that facilitated the execution of the power project had provided an avenue for the Federal Government to create an impact that would strengthen small businesses. Federal Government approved the mini-grid policy in 2016 and within one year of assumption in office, what should have been done in 2006 when the Power Sector Reform Act was enacted was done, Mr Fashola said. In her address, Damilola Ogunbiyi, the Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency, said decentralised power was an important part of the power sector reform programme. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says it has recovered pension contributions and interest totaling N564.67 million from defaulting employers during the third quarter of 2018. The Commission, in its 2018 third quarter report posted on its website, said it engaged the services of recovery agents to recover the outstanding pension contributions and penalties from the defaulting employers. PenCom said the affected employers were issued with demand notices to remit the outstanding pension contributions after their liabilities had been established by the agents. According to PenCom, some of the employers had remitted the outstanding contributions and penalty. It said the recovered contributions in the quarter represented a principal contribution of N199.01 million and a penalty of N365.67 million. This, PenCom said, brought the total recoveries made to date to N14.95 billion, comprising principal contribution of N7.62 billion and penalty of N7.32 billion. On transfer of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) contributions to members Retirement Saving Account (RSA), PenCom said 741 NSITF applications totaling N46.50 million was received, processed and the amount transferred to RSAs of members. According to the commission, N9.82 billion has been transferred to the RSAs of 136,578 NSITF contributors to date. On monthly NSITF scheme pensions, the commission processed pension payments totaling N59.00 million for 3,470 NSITF pensioners during the quarter. It said the total pension payment to NSITF pensioners was N4.32 billion during the quarter under review. It further said the total monthly pension contribution made by contributors from both the public and private sectors was N4.94 trillion. This, it said, showed an increase of N171.74 billion, representing 3.60 percent over the total contributions made at the end second quarter 2018. It said a review of the aggregate total contribution showed that 50.85 percent of the contributions came from the public sector, while the private sector contributed the remaining 49.15 percent. It, however, said contributions from the public sector amounted to 45.71 percent of the total contributions received during the third quarter while the private sector contributed 54.29 percent during the same period. According to the commission, the aggregate total pension contributions of the private sector increased from N2.33 trillion as at second quarter of 2018 to N2.43 trillion in third quarter 2018. This, it said, represented a growth of 3.99 percent, whereas, the aggregate total pension contribution of the public sector increased by 3.23 percent from N2.43 trillion to N2.51 trillion over the same period. On implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) by state governments, PenCom said state governments continued to make progress in the level of implementation of the CPS. As at the end of the third quarter of 2018, 24 states of the federation had enacted laws on the CPS while six states were at the bill stage. ADVERTISEMENT It, however, said five states had decided to adopt a pension scheme other than the CPS. In this regard, two states had already drafted pension reform bills that are undergoing legislative processes, one state had not commenced reforming its pension system. Apart from state governments, enacting laws on the CPS, the commission said 12 out of the 36 states had commenced remittance of contributions into the RSAs of their employees. ADVERTISEMENT The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday continued its intervention in the inter-bank foreign exchange market with the injection of another $210 million. The CBN spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, said the interventions were directed at authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market, who received about $100million, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the invisibles segments were allocated about $55 million each. Mr Okorafor said the interventions were part of the Banks resolve to always meet the request of genuine customers for foreign exchange in the various segments of the market. Last Friday, the CBN injected a total of about $289.76 million into the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) and CNY38.70million in the spot and short-tenored forwards of the inter-bank foreign exchange market. Meanwhile, the naira on Tuesday, January 29 continued to exchange at an average of N360/$1 in the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market. The Nigerian equities market on Tuesday declined further by N62 billion, due to sustained profit taking activity. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation shed N62 billion or 0.53 per cent to close at N11.626 trillion against N11.688 trillion on Monday. Also, the All-Share Index (ASI) shed 165.53 points, representing a dip of 0.53 per cent to close at 31,178.71, compared with 31,344.24 achieved on Monday. The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Nigerian Breweries, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank and Dangote Sugar. Analysts at Cordros Capital said that our outlook for equities in the near-to-medium term remains conservative, in the absence of a near term positive catalyst and amidst brewing political concerns. Also, analysts at Afrinvest Limited anticipated further profit taking in market bellwethers in subsequent sessions. NAN reports that market breadth was negative with 14 gainers against 30 losers. Red Star Express recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent, to close at N5.50, per share. UAC Property Development Co followed with a gain of 9.55 per cent, to close at N1.72, while Wapic Insurance rose by 7.69 per cent to close at 42k, per share. PZ Industries appreciated by 7.52 per cent to close at N12.15, while Associated Bus Company went up by 6.90 per cent to close at 31k per share. On the other hand, Academy Press and Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals led the losers chart by 10 per cent, each to close at 45k and 63k, respectively. Linkage Assurance followed with a decline 9.68 per cent to close at 56k, per share. Ikeja Hotel declined by 9.52 per cent to close at N1.52, while Veritas Kapital Assurance was down by 8.33 per cent to close at 22k per share. Meanwhile, total volume increased by 61.44 per cent to 359.51 million units, valued at N1.91 billion exchanged in 3,773 deals. This was in contrast with a turnover of 222.69 million shares worth N1.84 billion transacted in 4,150 deals on Monday. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance traded with 100.41 million shares valued at N31.12 million. United Bank for Africa followed with 48.84 million shares worth N354.75 million, while Sterling Bank traded 30.15 million shares valued at N66.16 million. Diamond Bank traded 24.03 million shares worth N55.59 million, while Red Star Express transacted 20.73 million shares worth N109.02 million. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:04:02 Yamaha Commits to Unified Communications Business in Europe For customers / general public: Yamaha Corporation Nobu Adachi Group Leader of UC Marketing and Sales Group, Audio Product Business Unit Tel: +81 (53) 460 2080 Email: nobuhiko.adachi@music.yamaha.com Web: www.yamaha.com For media inquiries: Yamaha Corporation Media Relations Group Corporate Communications Division Contact Form: https://inquiry.yamaha.com/contact/?act=55&lcl Tel: +81 3 5488 6605 (Japanese correspondence only) / Fax: +81 3 5488 5063 Web: www.yamaha.com Yamaha Corporation (hereafter, Yamaha) has announced the establishment of its Unified Communications (hereafter, UC) European business function within Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (Rellingen, Germany) starting April 2019. This new channel under Yamaha Music Europe will provide customers in the region with a stronger sales network, wider product lineup, and more support and service. Yamaha has been the market leader in UC in Japan for over 10 years and in 2014, expanded into the United States with the acquisition of Revolabs, which became a subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation and was renamed to Yamaha Unified Communications last year. Now Yamaha will proceed with a new focus in the European market, said Hirofumi (Hogan) Osawa, operating officer, senior general manager of business division, audio products business unit, Yamaha. With this move, we will be able to provide complete coverage of the region, quickly answering technical questions, guiding customers to the solutions that will best fit their applications, and fulfilling orders faster. By optimizing the regional and technical knowledge of the European Yamaha sales channel, Yamaha is poised to provide customers with critical resources and support, including a new, dedicated IT sales channel team. The companys European team will be able to assist customers seeking to update their communications systems. From remote conferencing and huddle room applications to boardrooms and auditoriums, Yamahas complete collaboration portfolio offers a total audio and video solution that enables effective, clear, and reliable communications in any environment. Yamaha will show Commercial Audio solutions at stand 3-C112 and UC-dedicated solutions at stands 11-F120 and 11-G120 at ISE 2019, Feb. 5-8 at the RAI Amsterdam. About Yamaha Corporation Since its founding in 1887, the Yamaha Corporation has developed its business activities focusing on musical instruments, audio products, Yamaha music schools, semiconductors, and other products and services related to sound and music. With its unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, Yamaha is committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world. With 10 years of history in the Japan market, Yamahas dedicated unified communications department focuses on solutions that enhance communication and help organizations reach their business goals. www.yamaha.com Product and company names and logos that appear in this news release are trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005 Wrist Blood Pressure monitors can be used for PHP purposes, and cost effectiveness may be the restraints for the Global Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market. Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:06:54 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 565 Words 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 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors are an easy and user-friendly device which measure the blood pressure. Wrist blood pressure is fully automated device in which all the work is done by a unit process.The wrist blood pressure monitors small size gives much more space critical design, The mechanism of wrist blood pressure monitor based on the signal from the pressure sensor is conditioned with an op-amp circuit or by an instrumentation amplifier before data conversion by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and pulse rate are then calculated in the digital domain using a method appropriate for the type of monitor and sensor utilized. The resulting systolic, diastolic, and pulse-rate measurements are displayed on a liquid-crystal display (LCD), time/date-stamped, and stored in nonvolatile memory . Wrist blood pressure monitors are widely worldwide acceptable for the PHR purposes.Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market: Drivers and RestraintHigh incidence and prevalence of heart-related diseases and improving awareness of precautionary health checkup be the Drivers for wrist blood pressure monitor. Portability and compactness of the blood pressure monitor drive the revenue of wrist blood pressure market. Easy to use and small size make the wrist blood pressure popular globally which further act as a driver for the wrist blood pressure market. Wrist Blood Pressure monitors can be used for PHP purposes, and cost effectiveness may be the restraints for the Global Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market.Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market: SegmentationThe global market for Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market segmented by modality, end user, and geography:Segmentation by Product TypePortableCompactSegmentation by End-userHospitalsDiagnostic laboratoryHome careOthersRequest Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3555 Segmented by geographyNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificThe Middle East and AfricaWrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market: OverviewThe globalWrist Blood pressure monitorsmarket currently is one of the rapidly growing markets, and it is expected to show excellent opportunities in forecasted period.Revenue of the Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market increases day by day with good values. Wrist blood pressure monitors industry expanding tremendously in the positive figure due to various factors including the incidence of different blood pressure related disease, user-friendly nature of the wrist blood pressure monitors is working as a booster for the market growth of wrist blood pressure monitor. Several wrist blood pressure manufacturer working on innovation of product and advancement in technology, i.e., also play a role of fuel to the market of wrist blood pressure monitors.By modality, wrist blood pressure monitor can be categorized into two types such asportable and compact. Whereas, portable wrist blood pressure monitors are widely used in worldwide rather than other.Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor Market: Region-wise OutlookBy region, global Wrist Blood Pressure monitors market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America has the largest share in wrist blood monitor market followed by Europe. Due to high awareness and high health expenditure North America leads the market. Whereas, Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market for due to the adoption of advanced technologies.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3555 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the major players stand in global Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Market are Omron, Microlife, A&D Medical, HoMedics, Proton Healthcare and others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 09:07:06 Orchard Heights, Boggy Boon Strategic Alliance Pays Immediate Dividends as Products go to MarketVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / 29 January 2019 / Weekend Unlimited Inc. ("Weekend" or the "Company") (CSE: YOLO FSE: 0OS1) through one of its subsidiaries, Weekend Unlimited Washington LLC, is providing an update on the progress of its Orchard Heights, Boggy Boon alliance as announced in their LOI on January 22nd.Within the first week of signing an LOI to form an alliance with the Weekend Unlimited family, Boggy Boon (Seven Hills LLC), and Orchard Heights have secured orders for delivery beginning this week. The increased capacity has allowed for accelerated processing and packaging to satisfy the demands of B2B white label accounts, which will be a key Boggy Boon target market going forward."With the alliance with Boggy Boon, the Weekend Unlimited Washington will have entered into strategic partnerships with two independent indoor/outdoor cultivation facilities with synergistic production and logistics capacity in Washington State. Its strategic operating tenants, Orchard Bloom and Boggy Boon, the latter of which is in the top 5% of all producers' processors in the State (based on i502 data), will seize upon the immediate capacity and resources as a result of the deal to expand product lines and distribution," explained Weekend Unlimited Inc. President and CEO, Paul Chu.Working with the Weekend Unlimited alliance, Boggy Boon anticipates doubling its production and increasing revenue beyond 2018's $1,972,562.** In the first month of 2019, Boggy Boon is on pace to achieve its largest retail sales month on record as it converts the remaining square footage of its current facility into perpetual harvest. Combining infrastructure and capabilities between Orchard Heights and Boggy Boon is adding immediate capacity for Boggy Boon which has outgrown its initial facility as demand for its top selling brands has outstripped its ability to scale.Roy Arms, CEO of Boggy Boon added, "I'm excited to collaborate with Orchard Heights as our goals of rapid product, brand, and market expansion are aligned. Additionally, their strong leadership under Paul Chu, and global vision will allow us to continue to pave the way for commercial cannabis legalization world-wide. We are always looking for efficiencies and standardizing our workflows, and with this collaboration we can solidify a road map that can be replicated in new and existing markets." elaborated Arms.Boggy Boon will be working with Orchard Heights's brand processor facility to fill upcoming orders, as they currently have outgrown their commercial space.By collaborating with Orchard Heights, Boggy Boon has access to more national exposure than ever, and demand for the brand is reaching its' new peak in Washington State. Renovations on the Orchard Heights facility are underway and it is anticipated to be fully online by the end of Q1 2019.Upon completion Orchard Heights Wenatchee facility will be a nursery, processing and distribution center, with a concentrate lab for manufacturing infused and vape products.* https://502 data.com/ ** (Margin of 25% est.)For further information, please contact:Mr. Paul Chu, President and CEOTelephone: 1 (236) 317-2812 - Toll free 1(888) 556-YOLO (9656)E-mail: IR@ weekendunlimited.com About Weekend Unlimited Inc.Weekend Unlimited is capitalizing on its vast industry relationships to establish a lifestyle brand featuring premium products and delivering life's highest moments.The company aggregates and scales small to medium brands, primarily in the categories of flower, extracts and edibles. Weekend Unlimited brands have best of class operations, distribution and strong revenue trajectories, making them ideal candidates for the deployment of capital and expertise through access to technologies, infrastructure and centralized systems. Learn more at www.weekendunlimited.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking StatementsCertain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.SOURCE: Weekend Unlimited Inc. Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the Weather Monitoring Network Market to Offer Increased Growth Prospects for Manufacturers" report to their offering. Weather Monitoring Network Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 12:40:07 Press Information Persistence Market Research CONTACT: Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com yogesh sengar team lead 800-961-0353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 566 Words 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 Relentless pace of population growth coupled with growing industrialization and urbanization has resulted in deep impact on the overall weather scenario. A variety of weather monitoring networks have been set up, globally for analyzing various atmospheric conditions for a precise study on the weather conditions. Increasing focus on the delivery of tailored and real-time atmospheric information has resulted in an expanded network of weather monitoring networks with a further expansion in coverage scope, beyond the near surface level analysis. Weather monitoring networks plays a critical role in dispersing weather predictions, warnings, and advisories for high-impact conditions such as heavy rains, landslide, cyclones, floods, and extremely hot weather.Advancements in technology in the recent decades have also improved the overall weather monitoring network for a more precise outlook on the environment. Technological advancements such as cloud computing, data analytics, and IoT have worked in the favor of innovations around weather monitoring network, resulting in high resolution models. Additionally, growing number of smart city projects has opened up new opportunities for stakeholders in the weather monitoring network landscape, to access more impact-based weather information. Increasing demand for integrating meteorological and non- meteorological data to cater to ever-evolving atmospheric landscape, is driving more innovations in the weather monitoring network market.Key Market DynamicsNew technological innovations incorporating the latest IoT applications in real-time monitoring is a key factor driving the weather monitoring network market. Moreover, increasing demand for real time access of weather-related information, covered over different networks will further push the weather monitoring network market. Key factors including stringent environmental protection norms and high dependency on forecasts to carry out weather-sensitive operations are among the key trends stimulating the growth of weather monitoring network market. Growing need for real-time and reliable information are fueling growth of weather monitoring network market.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/26812 Segmentation Analysis Weather Monitoring Network MarketThe report on global weather monitoring network market offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of the market along with vital statistical data on the various segments.Weather Monitoring Network Market: Segmentation by Product TypeType IType IIWeather Monitoring Network Market: Segmentation by ApplicationDaily TemperaturesAtmospheric PressureHumidity SensorsWind SpeedWind VaneRain GaugeHail PadRegional Analysis Weather Monitoring Network MarketThe market intelligence outlook on the weather monitoring network market covers all the key regions to represent the region-wise development landscape. Key regions including United States, Europe, Japan, China, India, and Southeast Asia have been profiled, among others. North America is anticipated to be the largest market for global weather monitoring network market, closely followed by Europe. Rapid technological advancements and early adoption of such technologies are key factors fuelling the growth of weather monitoring network market in the region. Growth in Asia Pacific region is also placed on a positive trajectory, owing to the relentless pace of population growth and increased industrialization- both impacting the overall environment. Countries including China and India are anticipated to offer large investment opportunities for key players in the global weather monitoring network market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/26812 Competition Analysis Weather Monitoring Network MarketKey players including Weather Instruments, Davis Instruments, Spectrum Technologies, Baron Weather, and Columbia Weather Systems have been profiled in the report on weather monitoring network market, with a focus on their revenue share and key forward market strategies. A Sri Lankan who worked in Queensland, Australia as a postman has been forced to tearfully sign an agreement he will leave the country after stealing thousands of dollars' worth of mail. Pradeepan Logandan, who came to Australia from Sri Lanka via boat in 2012, had worked at a post-sorting facility in Toowoomba as an employee of Australia Post for four years, police prosecutor Rowan Brewster-Webb told the court on Tuesday. Missing mail prompted Australia Post to contact police ahead of Christmas last year, and officers later discovered numerous parcels and mail crates destined to be delivered to homes on Logandan's mail route at his home and in his car, The Toowoomba Chronicle reported. Along with the mail, police also uncovered multiple electrical goods, which they allege had been taken from the packages the 29-year-old was supposed to deliver. There was still allegedly more than $5,000 worth of electronics and mobile phones missing from allegedly stolen packages. Logandan was $AU 95795.99 in debt to his uncle after numerous failed attempts at leaving Sri Lanka, and had been trying to repay the debt when he stole the packages, the court heard. His lawyer, Emma Aldersea, said the man had made a 'foolish decision' to try and make some fast cash that would allow him to pay off the debt. 'This will end his journey in this country,' she said. Logandan pleaded guilty to possessing tainted property and stealing by a clerk or servant. No conviction was recorded, but he has had to sign an understanding with the Federal Government he will leave Australia. The man will also need to pay a $500 fine and $5187 in restitution. (Daily Mail) PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 09:08:08 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2019 / Victory Resources Corporation (TSX V:VR) (FWB: VR61) (OTC PINK: VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") announced it has completed its recently announced non-brokered private placement.The Company issued 10,525,000 units at a price of $0.10 per unit, for gross proceeds of $1,052,500.Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant.Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.15 for a period of two years from the date of closing.Securities issued pursuant to this financing are subject to trading restrictions until May 30, 2019.The Company paid finders fees to qualified finders in the amount of $69,400 and issued 694,000 brokers warrants.Net proceeds from the private placement will be used for general working capital.For further information, please contact:David Lane, PresidentTelephone: +1 (236) 317 2822Email: IR@ victoryresourcescorp.com About Victory Resources CorporationVICTORY RESOURCES CORPORATION (TSX V: VR) is a publicly traded junior international mining corporation with interests in North America, Europe and Africa.The Company is currently developing its existing operation in South Central British Columbia, as well as scoping green energy mineral permits in Europe and Africa.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.Forward Looking StatementsCertain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties.All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company.Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management.Often , but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals.Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.SOURCE: Victory Resources Corporation 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. Ultrasonic Tissue Ablation System Demand & Growth PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:29:43 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 969 Words 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 Ablation is an advanced treatment option for various diseases such as cancers, cardiac arrhythmias, and other medical conditions. Ablation is the procedure to remove destroyed tissue, harmful substances or abdominal growth from the body. Tumor ablation on bone and soft tissue has gained wide acceptance for the treatment of benign and malignant lesions. Different types of ablation techniques are used such as radiofrequency ablation, laser ablation, electrical ablation, cryoablation, microwave ablation, ultrasonic ablation, hydrothermal ablation and others. Mostly this procedure is used to treat atrial fibrillation either by catheter ablation or surgical ablation. During cardiac ablation small electrode (wire) is inserted to measure electrical activity, the tissue that causes the heart rhythm problems is detected by the electrode and is destroyed using ablation technique. For each application, ablation procedures differs according to ablation zone area, treatment period, and procedural method.Ultrasonic ablation is a noninvasive procedural technique that uses sound wave and is concentrated at the diseased area of the tissue, leading to heating and cellular destruction of the diseased tissue. Ultrasonic or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed that directs the ablation device to the diseased tissue. Ultrasonic tissue ablation system is designed. Radiofrequency and ultrasonic ablation devices are considered the most preferred and selected products by doctors and physicians. Ultrasonic ablation is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves a local anesthetic and mild sedation. This procedure is primarily used to reduce chronic low-back and neck pain caused due to degeneration of joints (due to arthritis and other spinal conditions). The procedure involves heating a small area of nervous tissue under controlled temperature. This results in blockage of pain signal receptor from that area, thereby relieving the patient from chronic pain.Advancement in the ablation devices due to intense research and development supports the physicians for wide selection of surgical tips and handpieces, which allows the surgeon to select the right combination that is based on the surgical procedure. The advanced ultrasonic ablation tissue system optimizes the frequency delivered to each tip, enables simple user interface and allows immediate detection of the malfunction to reduce complications. According to National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Atrial fibrillation cost US $6 billion each year in the United States.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3702 Ultrasonic Tissue Ablation System Market: Drivers and RestrainsIncrease in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia, paroxysmal, persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation; rising incidence of chronic pain, cancer and increasing demand for minimally invasive procedure are the factors favoring market growth over the forecast period. The use of ultrasonic technology in radiofrequency devices is gaining popularity and enabling surgeons the power, precision, and control needed for selective dissection of soft or hard tissue. The factors limiting the market growth is high treatment cost, less awareness about the devices and other optional treatment system and devices used for tissue ablation. Growth opportunities such as increasing market share through mergers and acquisitions and investing in emerging economics, technological advancement in ultrasonic tissue ablation system is boosting the growth of the target marketUltrasonic Tissue Ablation System Market: SegmentationThe global ultrasonic tissue ablation systemmarket has been classified on the basis of product type, application, end user and geography.Based on Product Type, the global ultrasonic tissue ablation system market is divided into following:High-intensity Focused Ultrasonic (HIFU) AblatorsMagnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasonic (MRGFUS) AblatorsUltrasonic Surgical Ablation SystemsShock wave therapy SystemsBased on the Application, the global ultrasonic tissue ablation system market is divided into following:Cardiovascular DiseaseCancerPain ManagementGynecologyUrologyOrthopedicOthersBased on the End User, the global ultrasonic tissue ablation system market is divided into following:HospitalAmbulatory Surgical centersClinicsSpecialty Care UnitOthersUltrasonic Tissue Ablation System Market: OverviewThe ultrasonic tissue ablation system market is segment based on product type, application, end-user and geography. Based on the product type, ultrasonic tissue ablation system market is segmented on the basis of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasonic (MRGFUS) ablators, high-intensity focused ultrasonic (HIFU) ablators, ultrasonic surgical ablation systems and shock wave therapy systems. Based on the application segment, the market is sub-segmented on the basis of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, pain management, gynecology, urology, orthopedic and others. On the basis oF end user, the ultrasonic tissue ablation system market is segmented on the basis of hospital, ambulatory surgical center, clinics, and specialty care units. Increase in the number of patient population will lead to rise in the procedures of minimally invasive surgeries that will increased the demand for ultrasonic tissue ablation systems.Ultrasonic Tissue Ablation System Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global ultrasonic tissue ablation systems market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is estimated to account for major share as according to world health organization, growth rate of geriatric population will be higher in developed nations, especially in the U.S., Japan, and several countries in Europe. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 89 million people would be aged over 65 years in the U.S. by 2050. Furthermore, around 40% people in Japan would be aged over 65 years by 2060. Significant economic development has led to an increase in healthcare availability in Asia Pacific region providing an opportunity for ultrasonic tissue ablation devices companies to penetrate Asia Pacific regions. The rapid increase in the geriatric population is likely to fuel the growth of the ultrasonic ablation devices market during the forecast period.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3702 Ultrasonic Tissue Ablation System Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in global ultrasonic tissue ablation market are Ethicon, Inc. is a (Johnson & Johnson),Misonix Inc., SonaCare Medical, LLC., INSIGHTEC Ltd, Integra LifeSciences Corporation, ALPINION MEDICAL SYSTEMS Co., Ltd., Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology Co. ltd and others PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:52:32 Press Information RESEARCH REPORT INSIGHTS Research Report Insights (RRI) 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU +1-631-721-4201 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 418 Words 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 The real-time monitoring and alarm systems reduce complications and enable clinicians to avoid vital sign deviations. Remote patient data accessibility accompanied by reduced clinical decision time is another advantage. The execution of the system enhances the overall care efficiency. Due to the installation of the equipment about 27% reduction in hospital mortality was achieved in 2010 at Sentara Hospital, Virginia as per the Critical Care Journal.Tele-ICU is a network of computerized audio-visual communication that link critical care doctors and nurses (intensivists) to intensive care units (ICUs) in different hospitals regardless of distance. Tele-ICU intensivists give instantaneous services to multiple care centers located in any part the world. Globaltele-intensive care services market is enriched with fruitful information, statistics, and data, which holds the potential to benefit readers. It provides a basic overview of the tele-intensive care services market including definition, classifications, applications, and industry chain structure.The centralization of the massive amount of patient data will aid the interest of healthcare professionals in tele-intensive care services. The decreased hospital stay and the reduced risk of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are some of the other factors encouraging the adoption of tele-intensive care services.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upsample/120124623/Tele-Intensive-Care-Unit-(ICU)-Market The adoption of tele-intensive care services helps medical practitioners to monitor any important signs in patients and also receive alerts in case of deviations in the set health parameters of a patient. Moreover, the implementation of tele-intensive care services prevents hospital-setting related issues from occurring.Based on components, the tele-ICU market is bifurcated into hardware and software components. Based on products, hardware components are further sub-segmented into computer systems, communication lines, physiological monitors, therapeutic devices, video feeds, and display panels.Hardware components dominated the segment with over 80.0% share in 2015. The hardware components are utilized in larger volumes and the costs associated with them are high, thereby dominating this segment.Request Report For Toc: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/TOC/120124623/Tele-Intensive-Care-Unit-(ICU)-Market The intensivist model facilitates the full-time intensive care specialist to handle the tele- Intensive Care Unit system. This offers efficiency in terms of clinical decisions and avoids complications. The availability of these intensivists over the forecast period is anticipated to rise, propelling the growth of this segment.key vendors of tele-ICU Market Include UPMC Italy, INTELEICU, iMDsoft, INOVA, and Philips. The business and financial overview, recent products and developments, and the strategies implemented by each of the companies are given in reportReport Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upcomming/120124623/Tele-Intensive-Care-Unit-%28ICU%29-Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 05:07:44 Abrasives are hard materials which can withstand any damage when rubbed with any other surface. Abrasives can be segmented into two types: natural and synthetic abrasives. Synthetic abrasives are materials which are synthetically manufactured for the purpose of abrasion. Synthetic abrasives include synthetic diamond, boron nitride (cubic), boron carbide, silicon carbide, alumina and other ceramics. Synthetic abrasives are used in grinding, forming, drilling, shaping, finishing, boring, cutting and other industrial processes. These abrasives can be used in block or powdered form to manufacture various tools. That apart, these abrasives are also used as a coating material during the manufacturing of industrial tools. The choice of abrasive material depends on the application object. The strength of the object decides the selection of the synthetic abrasives. The synthetic abrasive used must be stronger than the object on which it is going to be used. Various developments in material technologies are pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives in different applications.Request For Report Sample @ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8429 Global Synthetic Abrasives Market DynamicsMarket DriversIncreasing construction activities to cater to the growing demand from the ever-growing population are pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives from the construction industry. New technologies have been developed for the manufacturing of hard and strong synthetic abrasives in recent years. The demand for customized products as per the requirement is further pushing the development of synthetic abrasives. Industrial growth in emerging regions is also accelerating the growth of the concerned market at a good rate. New combinations of materials are being tried and tested by manufacturers for better and effective results. Growing application industries and development of new synthetic abrasives is also expected to push the growth of the market during the forecast period.Market RestraintsSufficient availability of natural abrasives will create a setback for the concerned market. That apart, the high cost of synthetic abrasives is another big challenge for abrasives manufacturers.Abrasives Market TrendsAs synthetic abrasives offer better quality and high performance, they are replacing natural abrasives in many applications. New product developments and customized solutions for various applications have been observed in the synthetic abrasives market.Global Market SegmentationThe global Synthetic abrasives market can be segmented by material type, end use industry and region.On the basis of material type, the global market can be segmented as:Synthetic DiamondBoron Nitride (cubic)Boron CarbideSilicon CarbideAluminaOther CeramicsOn the basis of applications, the global market can be segmented as:GrindingFormingDrillingShapingFinishingBoringCuttingOn the basis of end use industry, the global market can be segmented as:Automobile IndustryOEMMetal FabricationElectrical & ElectronicsOther IndustrialGlobal Market: Regional OutlookIncreasing opportunities from growing economies, such as China and other Asian countries, are pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives. Increasing demand for automation in various industries is another factor driving the growth of the synthetic abrasives market. The Asia Pacific is expected to account for the largest share in the global market. Growing spending power in the countries including India and China is pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives from end use applications. North America accounts for the second largest share in terms of the demand for the synthetic abrasive, and is also expected to grow with a significant growth. Decreasing industrial production and sluggish market in the Europe, is expected to be the reason for the slow growth in the demand for the synthetic abrasives market in Europe. New developments in Middle East and Africa and Latin America are driving the synthetic abrasives market in the respective regions.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8429 Global Synthetic Abrasives Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants identified across the value chain of global synthetic abrasives market are:DuPont, Solvay, Carborundum Universal Ltd., Saint-Gobain, Henkel, Falcon Abrasive Manufacturing Inc., Dev Group, National Abrasives Ltd, Schaffner Manufacturing Company, Inc., Western Abrasive Industries Private Limited,LANDS Superabrasives, Co. On the basis of region, Speech Generating Devices Market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America have the major market share in the global market due to awareness of the speech generating devices in the region. Furthermore, government is providing speech generating devices to the students via school. Speech Generating Devices Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:01:21 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 594 Words 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 Speech generating device are the electronic device which allow the user to select the message which to be spoken aloud. Speech generating devices are also known as voice output communication aids. Speech generating devices help individual users with limited verbal interaction ability to communicate effectively and in an easy way. Development of the prototype of Speech generating devices was noted from mid-1970. Over period of time many technology advancements are taken place in electronic technology to make the devices more user interactive and portable.For instance, in March,2013 Lingraphica has launched MiniTalk speech generating device that has 7-inch screen for people with Aphasia and Apraxia speech, this device have 7,00 graphic icons, words and others features.Currently , the speech generating devices are present in many variants based on the levels of physical, cognitive abilities, symbol system, eye tracking system, text based, and tongue switches.Speech Generating Devices Market:Drivers and RestraintsSpeech generating devices market is mainly driven by user friendly devices and technology advancements by the manufacturers. Companies are focusing on the touch screen devices to navigate them easily. In addition to that, they can be connected to various versions of smart phone as of Android and iPhone. Owing to its portable in nature, it is gaining traction from various speech related disorder patients creates significant opportunities to the speech generating device manufacturers. According to NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders), it was estimated that approx. 7.5 million U.S population have trouble in their voices. As of restraints, the market of speech generating devices are having very low penetration and high cost of speech generating devices might hamper the growth of the market over the forecast period.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3536 Speech Generating Devices Market:SegmentationSpeech generating devices market segmentation based on:Based on Display Type:Fixed display deviceDynamic display deviceBased on Outcome:Digitized speechSynthesized speechBased on disorder types:AphasiaApraxiaBased on Distribution Channels:E-commerceHospitalClinicsSpeech Generating Devices Market:OverviewSpeech generating devices market is still in nascent stage. Currently very few players are operating in this segment. Active funding by government organizations to manufacturers to develop new products in low cost to make the devices affordable to the patients. Furthermore, favorable government reimbursement policies is also expected to contribute the growth of the market. For instance, the U.S. Medicare, and Medicaid Services provides reimbursement for evaluation and therapeutic services for the speech generating devices due to that speech generating devices might have a positive growth over the forecast period. Medicare CPT Code 92607, 92608, and 92609 are coded for speech generating devices. Under CPT code 92609 - Therapeutic services for the use of speech-generating device, including programming and modification gets reimbursement of US$ 111.97.Speech Generating Devices Market:Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of region, Speech Generating Devices Market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America have the major market share in the global market due to awareness of the speech generating devices in the region. Furthermore, government is providing speech generating devices to the students via school.Europe is expected to grow over the forecast period due to increase in speech related disorders in the region. For instance, in Europe over 2.0 million of population suffering from speech disorders.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3536 Speech Generating Devices Market:Key PlayersSome of the players in speech generating devices are AMDi, Tobii Dynavox, Prentke Romich Company, TOBY CHURCHILL Limited, Lingraphica, and Tobii AB Some of the key players for the Single use contact lenses are Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Alcon Inc., Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision Corporation, Contact Lens Portfolio, Cooper Vision Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Lens Care portfolio, Novartis International AG and others. Single Use Contact Lenses PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:06:58 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 845 Words 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 Single use contact lenses are used once and then thrown away, their introduction in mid of 1990's in the world market has brought an advancement in eye care. The Contact lens is a curved thin lens worn over the cornea which covers the surface of the eye. The purpose of this medical device is to correct some vision impairment without affecting ocular health as well as for cosmetic use. The colored contact lenses allow correcting the vision and change in the appearance of the eye. There are different kinds of single-use contact lenses for various conditions like astigmatism which arises from the different curvature of the cornea, for myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and presbyopia near vision impairment). Cosmetic and aesthetic are the main reasons for the people who does not want to wear glasses and also some of the problems like aniseikonia and keratoconus are better corrected with single-use contact lenses then the glasses.Single use contact lenses offer several advantages like no need of chemistry set of rinsing, cleaning, disinfecting, lubricating, and enzyme removal solutions, elimination of the deposition of lipid, calcium and protein and other forms on lenses. In single use contact lenses each time a new lens is inserted users comfort is enhanced through fresh dosing. Because of health and convenience benefits, single-use contact lenses are gaining in popularity among practitioners and consumers.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3561 Single Use Contact Lenses Market: Drivers and RestraintsRevenue of Single use contact lenses market is expected to grow in upcoming period as they are very much comfortable, easy to handle and healthier to an eye which are the primary drivers for the single use contact lenses market. In WHO report, the uncorrected refractive error is most common cause of vision impairment and the second cause of blindness worldwide. The increase in a rate of ophthalmologic and uncorrected refracted eye error as well as single contact lenses are made of the new materials and designs especially for disposability are expected to increase the single-use contact lenses market. The high cost of single-use lenses over the lenses used for a longer period could be the primary restraint in the single-use contact lenses market. Regular use of contact lenses may give rise to problems like corneal allergy, photophobia, and severe perilimbal infection is the challenges for the growth of single-use contact lenses market.Single Use Contact Lenses Market: SegmentationThe single-use contact lenses market is segmented by material type, product type, and distribution channel.By material typeSoft contact lensesGas permeable lensesBy product typeSphere lensesToric lensesMultifocal lensesOthersBy distribution channelE-CommerceOptometristsHospital pharmacySupermarketThe soft contact lenses are preferred more over the rigid gas permeable lenses as they are easy to handle made up of soft and flexible plastics which permits oxygen to pass through the cornea.Single Use Contact Lenses Market: OverviewThe single-use contact lenses market is expected to grow at healthy CGAR as U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and Prevention estimated that contact lens wearers are 40.9 million in the United States age 18 years and older, which is 16.7% of the U.S. adult population. Globally, approximately 282 million people suffer from visually impaired disorders, and about 80% of these people can be treated if they take preventive actions.The use of single contact lenses is effective option for the treatment of these visually impaired diseases like ophthalmic diseases and disorders. Enhanced features of disposable contact lenses like an increase in water content in silicon hydrogel lenses have introduced high levels of comfort and surface lubricity. These innovation coupled with health benefits and greater convenience will continue to pull contact lens market to a single-use contact lens, and single-use contact lenses market will share over 80% of worldwide contact lens market by 2020.Single Use Contact Lenses Market: Region-wise OutlookGlobally, North America has the largest share in Single use contact lens market due to increase in ophthalmological patients and the rise in ophthalmic issues among the adults which have led to the increase in demands for contact lenses and well-built health care infrastructure. Europe shares the second largest market in single-use contact lenses and will show lucrative growth due to advancement in contact lenses technologies and rise in government funding for ophthalmic care.Asia Pacific and the Middle East is expected to expand at considerable CAGR in forecast period due to high population base, rise in disposable income, increase in health care awareness by educating the masses about the proper usage of single-use contact lenses as well as penetration of modern technology in contact lenses. Also, investments being made by major vendors in these regions will propel the growth of the single use contact lenses market.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3561 Single Use Contact Lenses Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the key players for the Single use contact lenses are Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Alcon Inc., Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision Corporation, Contact Lens Portfolio, Cooper Vision Inc., Johnson and Johnson, Lens Care portfolio, Novartis International AG and others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 05:08:44 Green Development is the first priority for large scale industries around the world, with the purpose of reducing their carbon footprint. The aviation industry contributes 2% in the emission of greenhouse gases, which may rise to 3% in coming future. Air transport, being a fast growing transport medium that carries around two billion people and employs 30 million people, plays a crucial role in accounting for carbon emission. It is thus important for the aviation industry to incline towards green development and switch to biofuels.The aviation biofuel market offers second generation sustainable biofuel as first generation biofuel could not meet cost expectations. The aviation biofuel market offers an alternative for current traditional jet fuel, and it is produced from natural feedstock and plant material, such as algae, jatropha and halophytes without acquiring agricultural land or fresh water resources. Thus, the aviation biofuel market is expected to dominate the aviation market throughout the forecast period, owing to its stability in operational cost and the reduced carbon emission advantage.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3768 Initiatives taken by the European Commission and by aviation industries involved in aviation biofuel production have introduced advancement in aviation biofuel in the European region, in order to achieve consumption of 2 million tonnes of biofuel in the European Civil Aviation sector over the forecast period. With the availability of sustainable raw materials at low prices, it is expected that the supply of aviation biofuel will be accessible across the Europe and on an international platform by 2030. Thus, aviation biofuel is projected to gain remarkable opportunities over the forecast period.Aviation Biofuel Market: Drivers and RestraintsIn the aviation sector, traditional jet fuel is used, which is extracted from the kerosene fraction of crude oil under stringent regulations. Air transportation accounts for more than 10% in energy consumption on a global level. Among gaseous biofuels, electrification, and liquid biofuels, the most advanced substitute for the aviation sector is liquid biofuel, owing to its high specific energy content. With the objective of reduction in CO2 gas emission, the aviation biofuel market is expected to witness robust growth over the forecast period. The rising demand for bio jet fuel, with increasing international trade are expected to drive the aviation market globally, where hydrogenated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) is expected to become a promising alternative to supple ample amount of biofuel in the aviation biofuel market.European airlines, such as British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa, in co-ordination with Airbus and European aviation biofuel producers have initiated the endorsement of aviation biofuel in Europe. Also, the U.S. Federal government is evolving as an active promoter and buyer of aviation biofuel. An interagency biofuel partnership has been made between the Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy in order to avail biofuel for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy.However, strict regulations to maintain standard specifications in producing aviation biofuel may affect growth of the aviation biofuel market. This challenge can be overcome with innovative technologies over the forecast period.Aviation Biofuel Market: SegmentationThe aviation biofuel market can be segmented based on the certified production technology:Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO)Fischer-Tropsch (FT)The aviation biofuel market can be segmented based on the feedstock:SugarcaneCassavaGrassesIndustrial and Municipal WasteJatrophaAlgaeSweet SorghumAviation Biofuel Market: Region-Wise OutlookBased on geography, the aviation biofuel market is expected to remain predominant in the U.S. over the forecast period. Being a fast growing region in the aviation market, the U.S. civil aviation sector is estimated to account for a significant value share in the aviation biofuel market over the forecast period. The strategic expansion of aviation biofuel producing industries, along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are expected to increase the consumption of biofuel by 1 Bn gal/Yr of sustainable aviation biofuel by 2018. Followed by the U.S., European nations are expected to witness robust growth in the aviation biofuel market in the coming decade.Oslo city, Norway has become worlds first airport to deliver jet biofuel, offering it on-tap to all airlines. Such a trend, of swapping into bioport to supply aviation biofuel is anticipated to boost the aviation biofuel market in this region over the forecast period. Other countries, such as Australia are taking initiatives to study the novel concept of bioport. Developing nations in Asia-Pacific region, such as India and China are expected to gain significant opportunities in the supply chain for providing feedstock to produce aviation biofuel in near future. Also, the target of attaining 7.5 billion gallons per year of aviation biofuel promoted by China is expected to offer significant opportunities for the aviation biofuel market in the coming future.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3768 Aviation Biofuel Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the aviation biofuel market are listed below:Honeywell International Inc.Red Rock BiofuelsTargray Technology International Inc.Vega BiofuelsArgent EnergyGEVOKFS Biodiesel GmbH & Co. KG PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 05:05:58 Increasing demand for fuel efficient vehicles, increasing efforts for mitigation of carbon emissions and rising cost of fuels, are pushing the Automakers to seek for development of energy efficient systems. This changing dynamics has significantly led to developments in regenerative braking systems market. Nowadays, energy recovery systems in vehicles are increasingly getting employed in passenger as well as commercial vehicles to improve fuel economy and reduce vehicular emissions.As a result for the need of better fuel-economy the regenerative braking systems market has evolved, which is gaining a significant growth in global automotive industry because of energy saving application.Nowadays, regenerative braking systems have become an important feature in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. In these type of vehicles, regenerative braking systems are used to generate electricity by convertingmomentum loss during application of brakes. The amount of recoverable energy depends upon the vehicle speed and stopping pattern, 5% to 20% of transmitted energy can be saved by using regenerative braking systems. This energy is then transferred to on-board auxiliaries or comfort functions such as climate control. This energy can also be stored as electricity and then returned to the drive train during acceleration or whenever required. This energy can either be stored in batteries or banks of super capacitors. The energy saving features are one among the latent drivers of regenerative braking systems market.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-297 The factors driving the growth of global regenerative braking systems market are growing concern for controlling vehicular emission, rising fuel cost and growing concern for advance technology. Although, factors such as increased overall cost of car and maintenance are the major challenges.The global regenerative braking systems market is geographically segmented intosevenkey regions which are, North America, South America,Eastern Europe, Western Europe,Asia Pacific, Japan andMiddle East & Africa. As of 2013, North America dominates the overall global regenerative braking systems market value, followed by Asia Pacific, Europe and others. Asia Pacific is projected to register a significant CAGR for the forecast period in global regenerative braking systems market. This growth is fuelled by increasing penetration rate of hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in regions like Japan, South Korea and China.Growing concern for controlling vehicular emission in Europe region is also expected to drive the growth of global regenerative braking systems market for forecast period.On the basis of passenger vehicle type, the regenerative braking systemsmarket is segmented into three sub-segments, which are, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The hybrid vehicle sub-segment of global regenerative braking systems market is the predominant in terms of market value dueincreasing adoption of hybrid vehicles in regions like North America and Europe. The hybrid vehicle passenger sub-segment is forecast to have higher growth rate in regenerative braking systems market, followed by plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-297 Some of the key players in the global regenerative braking systems market include Continental AG, Delphi Automotive PLC, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch GMBH and TRW automotive. Acquisitions and mergers are key strategies adopted by major companies to expand their geographical presence and market share in global regenerative braking systems market along with an enhanced customer base.In future, deployment of advanced regenerative braking systems with more efficiency and less prone to energy loss during transmission will provide a completive edge for automotive OEMs. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 02:45:04 This global partnership with NetEase Games further consolidates Razer Golds position as a preferred partner for games and content companies in business expansion, especially in emerging markets NetEase Games extensive portfolio of blockbuster titles will be available on Razer Golds platform, including the very popular Rules of Survival on both PC and mobile versions, which has taken more than US$75 million in revenues since launching in November 2017 1 Razer Gold and NetEase Games will work closely to bring a suite of exclusive and highly-customized offers to gamers by leveraging Razers brand position and unique understanding of gamers behavior Razer Gold Announces Global Partnership with NetEase Games to Facilitate Business Expansion in Emerging Markets RAZER Investors Canny Lo Canny.lo@razer.com +852 9836 7249 Media Beatrice Wong Beatrice.wong@razer.com +852 9732 8223 Instinctif Partners Jimmy Chan Jimmy.chan@instinctif.com +852 9439 8408 Razer (Razer or the Company, HKEX stock code: 1337), the worlds leading lifestyle brand for gamers, is pleased to announce that the Razer Gold virtual credits platform is adding leading Chinese gaming company NetEase Games to its strong lineup of partners. Razer Gold, one of the worlds largest virtual credit services for gamers, is bringing in a new payment channel to NetEase Games titles, and is working with NetEase Games to bring more special offers to gamers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005 The global partnership between Razer Gold and NetEase Games further consolidates Razer Golds position as a preferred partner for games and content companies, especially in emerging markets. Titles developed by NetEase Games, including the bestselling hit Rules of Survival1 on both PC and mobile versions, will be powered by Razer Gold across all markets. Gamers can make in-game purchases with Razer Gold and score exclusive Razer-branded in-game items by topping up with Razer Gold. Razer Gold will work closely with NetEase Games to bring a suite of exclusive and highly-customized offers to gamers, leveraging Razers brand position and unique understanding of gamers behavior. Razer Gold is one of the most rewarding ways for gamers to buy games and make in-app purchases. With Razer Gold, one dollar of a gamers local currency is now equivalent to one Razer Gold, so they can reload their account, purchase games and bonus in-game content in the currency most familiar to them. On top of better value, gamers also get exclusive in-game loot items by using Razer Gold. Every Razer Gold spent on top-ups earns gamers Razer Silver, the loyalty reward points for redeeming Razer gear, discount vouchers, exclusive products and more. 1 According to Sensor Towers Store Intelligence: https://sensortower.com/blog/rules-of-survival-rev ABOUT RAZER Razer is the worlds leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, the company has designed and built the worlds largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services. Razers award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals, Blade gaming laptops and the acclaimed Razer Phone. Razers software platform, with over 50 million users, includes Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher). In services, Razer Gold is one of the worlds largest virtual credit services for gamers. Razer Pay is the e-wallet designed for youth and millennials, and Razer Game Store is the only games download store that offers rewards for gamers. Founded in 2005 and dual-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, Razer has 15 offices worldwide and is recognized as the leading brand for gamers in the USA, Europe and China. Razer is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 1337). About NetEase Games NetEase Games was established in 2001 and is now a world leading online and mobile game developer and distributor. NetEase Games has developed hundreds of popular titles on the PC and mobile platforms, including Fantasy Westward Journey Online, New Westward Journey Online II, Tian Xia III and New Ghost Story on PC and Fantasy Westward Journey Mobile, Westward Journey, New Ghost Story, Onmyoji, Knives Out, Rules of Survival and Immortal Conquest on mobile. NetEase Games also partners with other globally recognized game developers to publish exclusively licenced PC titles in China, including the wildly popular World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch and Minecraft. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:49:38 Press Information RESEARCH REPORT INSIGHTS Research Report Insights (RRI) 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU +1-631-721-4201 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 497 Words 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 Evaporative air coolers incorporate evaporative cooling and are used to lower temperatures in the areas where these are installed, thereby finding widespread adoption in both indoor and outdoor applications across the global residential and commercial sector. Over the years, the demand for evaporative air coolers has witnessed a surge owing to several factors. Global warming is one of the main factors fueling growth in demand for evaporative air coolers.This industry is constantly evolving with the advent of new players along with existing established companies foraying into this space. A few years ago, the air cooler market was largely dominated by the unorganised players as spending too much on air coolers wasn't considered necessary.The portable evaporative air cooler market is segmented based on product type, end users, and geography. Based on product type, the market is bifurcated into automatic and semi-automatic. Based on end users, the market is divided into industry, commercial and home. Based on geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upsample/120124622/Portable-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-Market Asia and the Middle East have witnessed substantial climate change in the last few years, thereby impacting the lives of people living in these regions. This has increased the demand for air cooling systems in both the commercial as well as the residential sector. There is also a strong awareness of the use of sustainable products in these regions. Evaporative air coolers offer natural and energy saving solutions that are also cost effective. This has resulted in an increased demand especially from the rising middle class in these regions. Several domestic manufacturers operating in the Asian and Middle Eastern markets are slowly expanding their brands in the international market as well, thereby broadening the scope for exports of evaporative air coolers.Air coolers have proved to be one of the superior alternatives to air conditioners (lower life-cycle cost and enhanced flexibility). Rising prosperity and increasing environmental consciousness is likely to generate attractive air cooler market growth over the foreseeable future. The Government of India launched an initiative of 'Make in India' in 2015 that paved the way for air cooler manufacturers to produce their products locally.Request Report For Toc: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/TOC/120124622/Portable-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-Market While this development no doubt gives a major incentive to global as well as in-house air cooler manufacturers, there are many benefits associated with Make in India that can add greater value to the entire business chain. One of the most important factors that have traditionally influenced the countrys evaporative air coolers market has been the value-for-money mindset of the Indian consumer.Key players operating in the market includeSPX Cooling Technologies, Inc., Kelvion Holding GmbH, Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc., Evapco, Inc., Ebara Refrigeration Equipment & Systems Co. Ltd., Luoyang Longhua Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation Co., Ltd., Xiamen MingguangMachinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Lanpec Technologies Ltd-A, Condair Group AG, and Honeywell International Inc.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upcomming/120124622/Portable-Evaporative-Air-Cooler-Market Five people have been arrested in Bangladesh over their suspected involvement in the biggest drug haul in Sri Lanka's history. The suspects were detained in separate raids on Monday, said Rapid Action Battalion spokesperson Mohammad Mufti Mahmud Khan. Fatema Imam Tania, 26, and Afsana Mimi, 23, Salma Sultana, 26, Sheikh Mohammad Badhon alias Parvez, 28, and Ruhul Amin alias Saymon 29, were detained from Kaula near under Airport Police Station in Dhaka yesterday, according to a press release issued by the elite force. They are thought to be involved with the massive haul of drugs in Sri Lanka in December 2018, according to the press release. On December 31 last year, law enforcers in Sri Lanka, in a special drive, recovered 272kgs of heroin and 5kgs of cocaine, and detained two Bangladeshis named Md Jamal Uddin and Rafiul Islam in Mount Lavian area in Colombo, according to the release. Earlier on December 14, 2018, another Bangladeshi named Surjomoni was detained with 32kgs of heroin from the same area of Sri Lanka. Bangladesh would provide full cooperation regarding the investigation of the drug haul, M Reaz Hamidullah, Dhakas envoy to Colombo, had then said. (Star Online) PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 10:56:58 Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global non-alcoholic malt beverages market in its upcoming outlook titled 'Global Market Study on Non-alcoholic Malt Beverages: Pairing Options with the Flavors of Non-alcoholic Malt Beverages Likely to Please the Food Palates of Consumers'. In terms of value, the global non-alcoholic malt beverages market is projected to register a healthy CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period, due to various factors, regarding which, FMI offers vital insights in detail.Non-alcoholic malt beverages are non-alcoholic drinks that have the nutritional content of that of barley. Non-alcoholic malt beverages and other non-alcoholic drinks is the new trend that is coming up as a healthier alternative to alcoholic drinks. The negative factors of alcoholic drinks are far higher. Thus, the market for non-alcoholic malt beverages is expected to increase in the coming years in all parts of the world. Non-alcoholic malt beverages are already very popular in the in the Middle East due to them getting halal certification.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7424 Consuming non-alcoholic malt beverages has also become a statement of higher living standards. Also, the taste of malt beverage is good as compared to that of alcoholic beverages. Non-alcoholic malt beverages are available in the market in many different flavors so that people get a choice to select their preferred drink. A few non-alcoholic malt beverages resemble beer in taste, and the only difference remains that these non-alcoholic malt beverages contain zero percent alcohol. The consumption of non-alcoholic malt beverages can be done by consumers irrespective of the religious and age factors due to the no alcohol content.In terms of revenue, the global non-alcoholic malt beverages market is expected to represent an incremental opportunity of US$ 856.2 Mn by 2018 end over 2017. By product type, the dairy-based non-alcoholic malt beverages segment is expected to register a CAGR of 4.1% in the non-alcoholic malt beverages market.Non-alcoholic Malt Beverages Posing a Healthy Alternative to Alcoholic DrinksConsumers are looking for healthy alternatives in the market for the every products that they consume. Alcoholic beverages contain a high amount of alcohol, and are unhealthy if consumed on a daily basis. Also, if consumed on a daily basis or in excess, certain diseases are bound to occur. The nutritional content in alcoholic beverages is very less or almost equivalent to zero. The search for a healthier and nutritional alternative has led to the interest in non-alcoholic malt beverages. Malt is a source of sugar and nutrients that are obtained from the ingredients added in making non-alcoholic malt beverages. Also, most companies incorporate extra nutrients into their non-alcoholic malt beverages, which makes their market value higher. For example, many non-alcoholic malt beverages such as Milo, Vitmalt, Hollandia Chocomalt, etc., have extra nutritional content incorporated during the production of the RTD non-alcoholic malt beverage. Due to this, they are used by athletes and are also given to children as an energy drink.Non-alcoholic malt beverages is also an upcoming trend seen in countries that have an improved economic condition, where the consumption of beverages is a must in social gatherings, and the standard of living is high. The appeal of non-alcoholic malt beverages is also increased due to social media, which is being used by most companies, especially targeting the youth population. Women are also seen to be consuming RTD non-alcoholic beverages such as non-alcoholic malt beverages. Women have always been known to try different flavors and experiment with their drinks. Also, the health factor is given importance by women, and non-alcoholic malt beverages, having no alcohol, are proving to be a healthy option.Companies could focus on reaching the consumer base in several untapped markets in order to generate sales and increase revenue from the global non-alcoholic malt beverages market. There are several regions where malt-based beverages are imported from other countries.Need more information about Report Methodology @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-7424 This leads to the high cost of premium products, as such, affecting sales in these regions. Companies are focusing on expanding and manufacturing their premium products in these regions itself, leading to comparatively lower costs. Low penetration in a few regions, coupled with the high costs of premium imported products, create an opportunity for manufacturers to expand in such regions. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 19:07:02 NNIT launches new ambitious 2022 strategy with adjusted long term guidance and implements new organization Having completed a deep strategic review throughout the second half of 2018, NNIT is now launching a new ambitious strategy. To support the new strategy, we will change the global organization in order to rapidly respond to customer needs and remain fit for accelerated growth. The fundamentals in our value proposition to our shareholders are kept intact, but with our new 2022 strategy we intensify our focus on IT for international life sciences and Private & Public sector in Denmark. Profitable organic growth will still be imperative, but so will strategic acquisitions supporting our core competencies. NNIT is the third largest IT services provider in Denmark, and global macro trends continue to impact our own business as well as our clients. Digital transformation and the need to digitally transform to fuel growth by innovation are key factors in order to remain competitive. We will continue to embrace innovation in several ways, from the business case approach to internal entrepreneurship, and from co-creation to the use of strategic acquisitions. Common to our approach is the desire for increased customer proximity, and we are therefore changing our organization to make it even more customer centric and to support accelerated growth in life sciences. CEO, Per Kogut: "During the past four years we have executed our business in line with the direction set at our IPO. We are now launching a new strategy and changing our organization to increase customer centricity and enable further innovation to accelerate our growth within international life sciences and Danish clients supported by strategic acquisitions primarily within international life sciences. Key elements of the new strategy Grow revenue through life sciences In general, the international life sciences market is characterized by high entry barriers for competitors. This is due to the complexity, the high levels of regulation and the high quality requirements. In NNIT we are very well-positioned because of our strong domain knowledge that originates from our own life sciences legacy. We were born out of life sciences. This is why it is an attractive market for NNIT to compete in. Historically, we have delivered more than 20% organic growth in international life sciences. We have an ambitious plan to continue this growth as we are scaling up our operations in Europe, US and China. In addition to organic growth, we also pursue acquisitions within our core international life sciences markets of Europe and the US, which can help accelerate our growth in this segment even further. Grow NNIT core revenue Our core offerings within infrastructure and application outsourcing, advisory, business solutions and support constitute the main part of our business. This full scale service offering enables us to provide both focused specialist support and broader integrated solutions. With continued stable operations and agile delivery we want to continue growing our market share within both the private and the public sector in Denmark. Grow revenue through increased innovation The IT market and customer needs continue to transform at increasing speed. We will build on and strengthen our innovation capabilities to significantly grow the level of new high margin offerings that we bring to the market. In 2022 we target 500m DKK of our revenue to come from new innovative offerings. Efficiency through automation and artificial intelligence Technology within automation and artificial intelligence, AI, is steadily maturing. At NNIT, we leverage this technology to enable less manual work, more streamlined processes and lower costs while minimizing the risk of errors. We will continue to build capabilities internally while leveraging external partnerships to ensure access to the latest technology. Cost efficient delivery, sales and support functions To ensure that NNITs business remains competitive, we constantly optimize our delivery, sales and support functions. Through our excellence programs, we will continue to challenge and improve the way we work. Through our flexible global delivery model with around 50% of our full time employees based in offshore and nearshore countries, we will ensure that we are able to meet our clients requirements of cost efficient, high quality and flexible delivery. Maintaining and nurturing a strong relationship with Novo Nordisk NNIT was born out of Novo Nordisk in 1998, and Denmarks largest pharmaceutical company remains an important client for us. Through innovative solutions and state-of-the-art delivery models we are committed to remaining relevant and competitive within our current services as well as new services supporting Novo Nordisk digital transformation. New long-term financial targets Since the IPO in 2015, NNIT has pursued two key long-term financial targets: Organic revenue growth of at least 5% Operating profit margin of at least 10% These targets have served NNIT well as an integral part of the strategic planning and have guided NNIT to strong financial performance. The segments to drive revenue growth for NNIT going forward is our international life sciences and the Private & Public segments. Combined with continued uncertainty regarding sales to the Novo Nordisk Group, the long-term financial target for organic revenue growth is adjusted giving the following targets: Organic revenue growth of 6-8% excluding revenue from the Novo Nordisk Group Operating profit margin of at least 10% is maintained There is no long-term revenue target for the Novo Nordisk Group, but a short-term guidance for total revenue growth will be provided at the beginning of each year in connection with the release of the annual report. New organization enabling increased customer focus and efficient delivery To support the strategy, NNIT will change the global organization in order to rapidly respond to customer needs and remain fit for accelerated growth. To enable increased customer focus, efficient delivery and greater focus on life sciences growth we have established two new business units: A dedicated Life Sciences unit delivering to both the Novo Nordisk Group and our other life sciences clients in Denmark as well as internationally. A Private and Public unit delivering to our clients within the enterprise, public and finance segments in Denmark These two units will be responsible for both sales and delivery management. They will have full P&L responsibility for all clients. To enable efficient operations and project execution we will establish two new delivery units, which will be cost centers: A Projects and Consulting unit with the responsibility of delivering all projects and consulting engagements. To enable our increased focus on innovation and digital transformation these development initiatives will be driven by this unit An Infrastructure and Application Services unit with the responsibility for operations for all clients. The focus of this unit will be continued high operational stability and efficient operations for our clients Supporting the four business units will be two group functions: Finance, Legal, Investor Relations and Procurement People, Communications, Marketing, IT and Quality The new organization will be effective as of March 1, 2019. Changes to NNIT Group Management As a result of the organizational changes, NNIT Group Management will be extended and responsibilities aligned with the new organization. Per Kogut will continue as CEO and President. Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen will continue as CFO, Executive Vice President, heading the Finance, Legal, Investor Relations and Procurement unit. Brit Kannegaard Johannessen will continue as Senior Vice President, heading the People, Communication, Marketing, IT and Quality unit. The Life Sciences unit will be headed by Senior Vice President Ricco Larsen. The Private & Public unit will be headed by Senior Vice President Jacob Hahn Michelsen. The Projects and Consulting unit will be headed by Senior Vice President Claus Middelboe Andersen. The Infrastructure and Application Services unit will be headed by Sren stergaard, who is appointed Senior Vice President. He has been with the company for more than nine years, most recently as General Manager for NNITs operations in China since June 2017. With the appointment of Sren stergaard, NNITs Group Management now consists of Per Kogut, CEO and President, Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen, CFO and Executive Vice President, Brit Kannegaard Johannessen, Senior Vice President, Ricco Larsen, Senior Vice President, Jacob Hahn Michelsen, Senior Vice President, Claus Middelboe Andersen, Senior Vice President and Sren stergaard, Senior Vice President. Executive Management is still Per Kogut, CEO and President and Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen, CFO and Executive Vice President. New segment reporting structure Following our new strategy and reflecting our new organization, from Q1 2019, we adapt our segment information in the following way: Revenue will be reported for: Life sciences International life sciences Life sciences in Denmark The Novo Nordisk Group Private and public Enterprise Public Finance Operating profit will be reported for: Life sciences Private and public clients in Denmark Operating profit margin in the life sciences segment will be substantially higher than in the Private & Public segment due to the regulated nature, high complexity and our strong domain knowledge within the life sciences segment. Comparison figures for 2018 will be restated to the new reporting structure above when reporting Q1 2019. Contacts for further information Investor relations: Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen CFO Tel: +45 3075 1415 ckth@nnit.com Media relations: Helga Heyn NNIT Communications Tel: +45 3077 8141 hhey@nnit.com About NNIT NNIT A/S is one of Denmarks leading IT service providers and consultancies. NNIT A/S offers a wide range of IT services and solutions to its customers, primarily in the life sciences sector in Denmark and internationally and to customers in the public, enterprise and finance sectors in Denmark. As of December 31, 2018 NNIT A/S had 3,214 employees. NNIT has approximately 400 clients of which around 150 are located outside Denmark. Some 20% are international life sciences clients (December, 2018). For more information please visit www.nnit.com Attachment PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:33:12 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 645 Words 616 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.comManager+1-347-918-3531 DNA contains the blueprints of life. Within its structures are the codes required for the assembly of proteins and non-coding RNA these molecular machineries affect all the biological systems that create and maintain life. By understanding the sequence of DNA, researchers have been able to elucidate the structure and function of proteins as well as RNA and have gained an understanding of the underlying causes of disease. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a powerful platform that has enabled the sequencing of thousands to millions of DNA molecules simultaneously. This technology involves steps such as library preparation followed by clone amplification and cyclic array sequencing. This technology is used for applications including human whole genome sequencing (WGS), whole exome sequencing, targeted sequencing using panels of a few to thousands of genes, and expression profiling.NGS Sample Preparation Market: Drivers and RestraintsNSG samples are being used for the sequencing of genomes. These genomes are being used for the preparation of specialized medicines. Increasing prevalence of genetic disorders is driving the growth of this market. Increasing need for the personalized medicines and clinical diagnosis is driving the growth of NGS sample preparation market. Technological advancements in sample preparation procedures and kits to standardize and simplify steps are driving the growth of NGS sample preparation market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4047 NGS Sample Preparation Market: SegmentationThe global NGS sample preparation market can be segmented on the basis of technology, application, end user and region.On the basis of technology the global NGS sample preparation market can segmented as:Sequencing by Synthesis (SBS)Ion Semiconductor SequencingSingle Molecule Real Time (SMRT) SequencingNanopore SequencingOn the basis of application the global NGS sample preparation market can be segmented into:DiagnosticsDrug DiscoveryBiomarker DiscoveryPrecision MedicineAgriculture and Animal ResearchOther ApplicationsOn the basis of end user the global NGS sample preparation market can be segmented into:Biopharmaceutical CompaniesHospitalsResearch InstitutesCMOsCROsNGS Sample Preparation Market: OverviewNGS has revolutionized the genome sequencing market. NGS sample preparation market is expected to show significant growth over forecast period. Increasing need for personalized treatment is driving the growth of this market. Increase in the healthcare spending and improvement in the healthcare technology are the major factors for the growth of NGS sample preparation market. Increasing incidence of disease conditions like cancer and use of NGS for diagnostic purpose in cancer and management or treatment of disease the boosting the growth. Aging population is also expected to drive the growth of NGS sample preparation market. Single molecule real time sequencing is expected to be fastest growing segment due to real time preparation of samples. Drug discovery and diagnostic application are expected be highest revenue generating and fastest growing NGS sample preparation segments. Biopharmaceutical companies are biggest user of NGS samples as these companies are focusing on development of new drugs.NGS Sample Preparation Market: Region Wise OutlookGeographically, the NGS sample preparation market can be segmented as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America is most attractive region for the NGS sample preparation market attributing to the presence of key biopharmaceutical players in this region and technological advancements. Followed by which is Europe and Japan. These markets are also growing significantly due to the focus of research institutes on development of new methods of NGS sample preparation and aging population. Asia Pacific excluding Japan is also expected to show significant growth in NGS sample preparation market due to improving healthcare infrastructure and increasing healthcare expenditure.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4047 NGS Sample Preparation Market: Key PlayersSome of the market participants in the global NGS sample preparation market are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies, Inc., F Hoffman-La Roche AG, Illumina, Inc., Eurofins Scientific and Macrogen, Inc. Going forward, rearing cattle on certified organic fodders is turning out to be more profitable than conventional practices PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:36:37 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com abhishek manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 752 Words Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.commanager+1 03479183531 Going forward, rearing cattle on certified organic fodders is turning out to be more profitable than conventional practices. Growing concerns of consumers over food safety has propelled the demand for organic foods, and has incidentally affected the global beef production. Particularly in developed markets, the demand for organic beef meat is gaining traction pertaining to the rising confidence of consumers towards organic beef over regular beef. The main difference between these options lies in the fodder fed to the cattle, at which point organic fodder is healthier and nutritious than regular cattle feed.In 2017, over 1.5 million metric tonnes of organic beef meat is anticipated to be consumed across the globe. Future Market Insights recent study on global organic beef meat market projects that by the end of this year, the global market will be valued a little over US$ 8.8 Bn. Large retail chains such as Whole Foods are already boosting the presence of organic agricultural produce in their store shelves, and this trend is also expected to promote the availability of organic beef meat. TESCO, a prominent retail chain in the UK, is following this path by offering organic beef in various processed formats, and under its own label.The report projects that by the end of 2027, the value of global market for organic beef meat will get doubled, surpassing US$ 16.4 Bn and reflecting a healthy CAGR of 6.4%. Higher on-shelf availability of organic beef meat products in countries such as the UK vindicates the reports key finding that observes Western Europe as a leading region in the global market. The report anticipates that through 2027, around 30% of organic beef meat consumed in the world will be concentrated in Western Europe.Request Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4463 Developed Markets Lucrative for Sales of Organic Beef MeatHighlights from the reports regional analysis on the global organic beef meat market indicate North America and Western Europe as dominant regions. Beef is a primary source of food for consumers across these developed regions. Moreover, consumers in developed countries such as the US and Canada are more aware about organic certified foods, and how they are better than conventional food products. Throughout the forecast period, over two-fifth of organic beef meat sold in the global market will be accounted by consumers in the US and Canada.With North America at the forefront, the global organic beef meat market is also expected to witness considerable contribution from Western European countries. The organic beef meat market in Western Europe is pegged to reach nearly US$ 5 Bn in value towards the end of 2027. On the other hand, the demand for organic beef meat products will lose traction in the Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region. A remarkable highlight of these regional projections is that the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region, which exhibits a higher contribution to global beef consumption, will be accounting for not more than 2% share of global organic beef meat revenues throughout the forecast period.Sales of Processed Organic Beef Meat to Gain TractionThe report has recorded the markets growth across two sales channels, direct and indirect. In 2017, indirect sales of organic beef meat is projected to account for more than 60% share on global market revenues, and this contribution is slated to witness a significant boost towards the end of forecast period. Across both sales channels, the report has witnessed a considerable rise in demand for processed organic beef meat. By the end of 2017, global sales of fresh organic beef meat will be raking revenues just over US$ 2.1 Bn, whereas organic beef meat in processed format will dominate with more than 75% revenue share. Towards the latter half of the forecast period, the global demand for processed organic beef meat will further gain traction, bringing in revenues worth over US$ 12.8 Bn.Ask the Analyst @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-the-analyst/rep-gb-4463 The report has profiled key players partaking in the global organic beef meat market, which include JBS Global, Danish Crown, Tyson Foods Inc., Meyer Natural Foods, Perdue Farms, OBE Organic, Australian Organic Meats Group Pty Ltd., Eversfield Organic Ltd., Verde Farms, LLC, Blackwood Valley Beef, Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat CO Pty Ltd.Some manufacturers of organic beef meat products are focusing more on offering organic beef in packaged products. Companies are also prioritizing in building up a strong supply chain management with farmers selling beef. However, high production costs and presence of substitutes such as grass-fed beef are observed to be key restraints curbing the growth of global organic beef meat production. 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 includes projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. Micro-Hospitals PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:29:21 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 642 Words 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 Micro-hospitals are small scale In-patient facility that offers a variety of emergency medical services. They mostly focused on treating low-acuity patients and provides ambulatory and emergency services. Micro-hospitals can bridge the gap in care delivery and quality of healthcare in underdeveloped areas. Due to its economic nature, intimate delivery model, micro-hospitals are ideal in rural areas. Micro-hospitals differs from traditional hospitals in the range of operations done. It is also gaining importance to improve healthcare system by reducing cost and patient compliance. Micro-hospitals are typically composed of five components, namely a) Emergency Department, b) Imaging and Diagnostics, c) Surgery and Procedure Centers, d) Inpatient Nursing Unit and e) Medical Office. Micro-hospitals designed for both operationally and functionally to deliver the right care, at the right time. Micro-hospitals subjected to same rules and regulations imposed on large scale hospitals in the place they are built. Telehealth facilities are offered for integration of care continuity with micro-hospitals. Micro-hospitals providers are mainly concentrated on the single access point for multiple levels of care and specialty. The primary focus is on industry-leading clinical quality and patient satisfaction.Micro-Hospitals Market: Drivers and RestraintsDecreasing admission rates of large-scale hospitals and rising importance of micro-hospitals due to increasing patient compliance are expected to boost the growth of the micro-hospital market. The micro-hospital market is gaining traction globally due to the comparatively lower construction cost and higher reimbursement for services that large hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Rising health care demand due to the need for more intensive service offerings locally that cannot be provided by traditional hospitals. This unmet need for large scale hospitals acts as a driver in the burgeoning growth of the micro-hospital market. Growing technology along with increasing expectation of patients on healthcare system becomes a significant threat to large-scale hospitals and give the opportunity to micro-hospitals. All these factors are fueling the growth of the micro-hospital market. Micro-hospitals are shifting the healthcare landscape, as they become an integral component of health care system.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3704 Slower penetration of micro-hospitals due to slower adoption rate results in the slow growth of the micro-hospital market.Micro-Hospitals Market: SegmentationSegmentation based on LocationTier-1 CitiesTier-2 CitiesTier-3 CitiesSegmentation based on End UserInternational TouristsCorporatesIndividualsMicro-Hospitals Market: Market OverviewGlobal Micro-Hospitals Market has witnessed a burgeoning growth due to increasing adaptation due to increased ease of use. Increasing government support for healthcare development is encouraging private organizations to participate in funding and partnership. Micro-hospital cost is comparatively less than large-scale hospitals and more than urgent care units which act as a driver in the growth of the micro-hospital. Micro-hospital enables fast treatment for emergency cases and also offers primary care services which are competitive advantage over ambulatory surgical centers. The future of Micro-Hospitals Market anticipated with double CAGR during forecasting period.Micro-Hospitals Market: Region-Wise OverviewGlobal Micro-Hospitals Market segmented into following regions North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan and the Middle East and Africa. North America is dominant in the Global Micro-Hospitals mainly due to the well-established health care system. In North America, USA is dominating because of increased of increased adoption of micro-hospitals. European region follows North America, growth fuelled by increased penetration of the micro-hospital market. Economic conditions in the APAC region are set to drive the Micro-Hospitals Market to new heights. APAC is fastest growing region due to increasing government support for healthcare system. Growth in the Middle East and African region is considerably less but still with significant growth.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3704 Micro-Hospitals Market: Key ParticipantsThe key participants in the Micro-Hospitals Market are Emerus Hospitals, SCL Health, Saint Lukes Health System, etc. The service providers are mainly focusing on the collaboration and partnership to increase the adaptation of Micro-Hospitals. The best treatment for Metastatic Bone Tumor is the treatment of primary cancer that leads to bone metastasis. Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment market is expected to register significant market growth owing to the factors such as adoption of Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment by Orthopaedics, pain management, surgeons and medical specialties. Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:03:35 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 666 Words 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 Cancer is one of the primary cause of the mortality and morbidity due to the rapid increase of abnormal cells beyond their boundaries results in invasion into adjoining parts of the body which in turn spread to other body parts and organs. According to WHO, 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. The Metastatic Bone tumor is a type of Cancer, forms in cells of the Bone that results in growing of the Bone Tissues in an uncontrollable manner with symptoms like fever, severe body pain, weight loss, muscle pain, bone crack, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. In most of the cases, Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer and Kidney Cancer are the primary cause to spread cancer to Bone through Metastasis and called secondary or metastatic bone cancer. Upper arm bone (humerus), the skull, Hip bone (pelvis), upper leg bone (femur), Ribs and Spine are the most common site for Metastasis.Metastatic Bone Tumor is hard to cure but can be treated to stop, shrink or slows down its growth and relieve symptoms caused by it. Cancer cells can affect the bones by interfering with osteoclasts and osteoblasts and can release the calcium from the blood into bones which lead to conditions like Hypercalcemia. Osteosarcoma is the most common Bone Cancer in teenagers and adults older than 65 years. The best treatment for Metastatic Bone Tumor is the treatment of primary cancer that leads to bone metastasis. Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment market is expected to register significant market growth owing to the factors such as adoption of Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment by Orthopaedics, pain management, surgeons and medical specialties.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3541 Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsContinuous growth of cancers impact on Public Health is the major factor that drives the Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment Market. Increase in Awareness about New Pipeline Drugs and support services that Cancer Patient require, Increase in efforts of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Companies with new products and services are also expected to fuel the market revenue for Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment over the forecast period. However, high expenses of medicines, heterogeneous nature of cancer and inadequate reimbursement infrastructures can hamper the growth of the Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment market.Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment Market: SegmentationThe global market for Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentis segmented on the basis of Treatment, End User, and geography:based on the type of Treatment, Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentmarket is segmented into the following:External Radiation TherapychemotherapyHormone TherapyImmunotherapyMedicationsRadiopharmaceuticalsBisphosphonatesDenosumabAblation TechniqueCryoablationRadiofrequency ablationsurgical treatmentbased on End User, Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentmarket is segmented into the following:HospitalsCancer Rehabilitation CentersSpecialty ClinicsAmbulatory Surgical CentersMetastatic Bone Tumor Treatment Market: OverviewBased on Treatment,Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentare efficient majorly for oncology which is expected to be a leading segmentowing to the large patient base and allows increasing need for novel therapies for the treatment of cancer patients.Increasing investment by multinational companies in cancer research and many new drugs which have undergone clinical trials to define the better results for the patients suffering from Metastatic Bone Tumoris expected to drive the growth of Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentmarket during the forecast period.Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment Market: Region-wise OutlookA geographic condition regarding for Fertility Tracking Apps market, it has been segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America represents the largest Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentmarket followed by Europedue to advanced Healthcare Infrastructures and facilities which aid in early diagnosis of cancers. Rising incidence rate of cancer in Asia-Pacific region results in elevation of Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentmarket.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3541 Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatment Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the major apps for Metastatic Bone Tumor Treatmentmarket constitute:Novartis AG, Amgen Inc,Catena Pharmaceuticals, Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Eli Lilly and Company,Pfizer Inc. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Metal Matrix Composites Market" report to their offering Future Market insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 11:48:58 Press Information Future Market Insight Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholia MANAGER 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 547 Words 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.comMANAGER3479183531 Metal matrix composites (MMC) are composite materials consisting of a metal and a secondary ingredient which may be a different metal or non-metallic material such as ceramic or organic compound. The global metal matrix composites market growth is closely correlated with the performance of its end-use industry, and more specifically global automotive market. The key characteristics associated with metal matrix composites is provision of superior mechanical and physical properties such as tensile strength, resistance to fire and moisture and can be used over a wide temperature range. Metal matrix composites also offer the possibility to tailor these properties to meet specific requirements, which makes this material type unique in comparison with its counterparts. Apart from automotive industry,metal-matrix composites are either in use or prototyping for the durable and lightweight parts in a variety of end use sectors such as electronics/ thermal management, aerospace, defense and marine. The rising demand from these sectors is expected to sustain the demand of metal matrix composites in forthcoming years during the forecast period.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3183 Metal Matrix Composites Market: Market SegmentThe global metal matrix composites market can be segmented on the basis of product type, end-use, and region. In terms of product type, metal matrix composites is segmented into aluminum MMC, Super alloy MMC, nickel MMC, copper MMC, and others (beryllium MMC, magnesium MMC, titanium MMC, cobalt-nickel, Iron MMC, cobalt, etc.). On the basis of end-use industry, global metal matrix composites market is segmented into transportation, aerospace, thermal/electronics management, and others (defense, marine, industrial equipment, nuclear, etc.).Metal Matrix Composites Market: Market DynamicsThe increasing need of high-performance composites material for framing of exterior chassis in aerospace and marine industry is considered to be the key driver of the metal matrix composites market. The increasing trend for weight reduction in passenger cars and commercial vehicles is also expected to enhance the metal matrix composites usage in the automotive industry. The electronics industry is another prominent end use sector which is expected to drive the metal matrix composites market as well. In terms of opportunity, the defense sector is expected to facilitate the use of metal matrix composites in military specific vehicles and aircrafts.The key trends witnessed in the metal matrix composites market include arrival of market entrants as well as expansions by existing manufacturers to address the existing and potential demand of the market. The market has been found to be competitive in terms of pricing and the operating rate for manufacturers. Emphasis on development of high-strength fiber reinforcements has been undertaken on the product development front. Vertical Integration, business process improvement, product development and has been the key focus of metal matrix composite manufacturers to leverage their market footprint and profitability.The high manufacturing costs along with limited technological expertise for metal composites are however expected to pose a challenge for the growth of market during the forecast period.Metal Matrix Composites Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market key participants in the global metal matrix composites market include Materion Corporation, GKN PLC, Sandvik AB, 3M, Plansee SE, Hitachi Metals, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH, CPS Technologies Corporation, and 3A Composites, among others.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3183 Marshmallow Root Extract Market: Global Industry Analysis 2013 - 2017 and Opportunity Assessment 2018 - 2028 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:08:07 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com abhishek manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 702 Words Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.commanager+1 03479183531 Marshmallow root has been used historically in the regions of Egypt, Greece, and Italy to treat infections and improving digestion. It is often used in herbal or natural medicine as antitussive and has properties of mucilage which helps in decreasing irritation of the throat, and reduce swelling in the lymph nodes. These properties of this herbal extract have been popularized in the recent past and has attracted a large population. Consumers are increasingly focused on the natural and herbal aspects of medicines and this has led to a push in demand for new herbal remedies. Herbal medicine manufacturers and marketers have further supplemented the demand by adopting the pull strategy, wherein herbal products are showcased and marketed on popular social media where the benefits of these extracts are quickly circulated. Apart from its medicinal use the root extract is also used in beverages, desserts, cosmetic creams, and lozenges.Marshmallow Root Extract Market SegmentationMarshmallow Root extract is segmented on the basis of application, form, distribution channel and region. Based on its applications, marshmallow root extract as: Food Industry, Beverages, Cosmetics and Herbal Medicine. Major market is cover by the medical applications as an herbal extract however the rise in premium cosmetics has led to a significant growth in demand for the herbal cosmetics and the market for the same is also estimated to witness a high growth rate. The variety in forms have been created to cater to the specific formulation need and on the basis of form, marshmallow root extract is segmented as liquid extract and powder extract. Marshmallow root extract is also segmented based on its distribution channel as: online retail, supermarkets/hypermarkets, pharmacy stores and specialty stores including natural food and cosmetic stores. Among which, sales through the Internet is expected to grow which is due to the increasing popularity of the natural and herbal products on social media. Specialty stores are also expected to increase its revenue shares over the forecast period due to the increase in number of establishments in Western European and North American region.Request Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6641 On the basis of region the marshmallow root extract is segmented as Asia Pacific, North America, Japan Western Europe and Middle East. Japan with its high share in demand attributed to the vast popularity of traditional medicine and its benefits has attracted exporters worldwide and the wide acceptance of herbal health products in other developed countries like the United States, Canada, France and the U.K., has created a powering demand and thus it is expected to show an accelerated growth in the forecast period.Marshmallow Root Extract Global Market Trends and Market Drivers:The growth of herbal healthcare market remains persistent due to its appeal as healthy and safe to use products. The sedentary lifestyle among people is creating an ever increasing demand for health and wellness promoting supplements. Marshmallow root extract with its natural no side effect USP has gained attention from the health conscious population, furthermore the consumer centric approach in treatment of disease has led to a boom in the herbal product market; consumers looking for a safer alternative to pharmaceutical medicines have approached herbal products.Consumers preferences are noticeably on a shift towards the herbal beauty products, marshmallow root extract constitute such ingredient and is therefore expected to rise at a significant CAGR in terms of value and volume during the forecast period. The natural products offer a wide acceptance in use as cosmetic products attributed to the all-natural extract formulation. The application in cosmetics is anticipated to grow due to the increased awareness among consumers regarding the safety in use of the naturally derive herbal products and wide spread commercialization on benefits of natural cosmetic ingredients and finished products.Request For TOC@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6641 Marshmallow Root Extract Market Key Players:The market for marshmallow root extract is small but promising and thus manufacturers have to adapt a product development and diversification strategies. Some of the key players in the market for marshmallow root extract market are: Jiaherb, Inc., Martin Bauer Group, Nutra Green Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Nature's Way Products, LLC. Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary Inc., Swanson Health Products, among others. Marine Life Rafts Market - Global industry segment analysis, regional outlook, share, growth; Marine Life Rafts Market 2017 to 2027 by future market insights Marine Life Rafts Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 11:38:50 Marine life rafts are small inflatable rescue boats designed to keep distressed passengers afloat. These small sized rafts are carried within larger ships and boats, deployed immediately whenever an emergency arises. Some of the marine life rafts, also known as rigid life rafts, are usually pressurized and contained within airtight canisters, conveniently placed at the outer deck of the ship, which aids in easy and faster deployment of the life rafts. Owing to tighter regulations formed over the years for the purpose of improving marine safety, life rafts are a common fixture on ships and boats.Its penetration rate is anticipated to improve in the upcoming years by increasing the minimum number of marine life rafts to be present in the ships. SOLAS or International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea is the prime regulatory body and treaty governing the usage of marine life rafts on ships and boats. The prime functional requirements of a marine life rafts include being able to withstand extreme weather conditions, be able to absorb impact loads, carry minimum rescue equipment as well as food and among others.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5473 Marine Life Rafts Market DynamicsThe primary factor responsible for driving the marine life rafts market is growth witnessed in maritime transport or seaborne trade wherein large volume of goods take it to the sea for transportation purposes. The shipbuilding industry is also on the rise around the globe which thereby contributes to the growth of the marine life rafts market in the forecast period. The market of marine life rafts is also aided by the growth witnessed in the fishing industry wherein large boats and dispatched for fishing purposes. Marine tourism is also another area which has grown considerably over the past few years especially in the Mediterranean and Asia Pacific region prompting higher requirements of marine life rafts which thereby helps in the overall growth of the market.Though the manufacturers of marine life rafts do not fall under the category of large revenue generating players, they are keen in continuously developing the product to improve its lifespan, passenger holding capacity and reliability. Shortcomings noticed in product differentiation within the major players has led to the development various innovations such as large capacity, self-propelled life rafts.Marine Life Rafts Market: SegmentationMarine Life Rafts Market can be segmented as follows;By Capacity, the market can be segmented as:Less than 3 persons3 to 6 personsMore than 6 personsBy Type, the market can be segmented as:RigidFlexibleSingle Tube Life RaftMulti tube Life RaftBy Packing Type, the market can be segmented as:Hard PackingValiseCanister PackingMarine Life Rafts Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of the geographical reach of the marine life rafts market, it can be said that economies with larger coastlines are expected to have a larger market share. The market in the landlocked economies will be lesser but may rely on marine transport within the inner waterways such as rivers. The market for marine life rafts in the Asia Pacific region is anticipated for a healthy growth in the forecast period due to growing marine industry and transportation. This factor is also true for the Middle East and Africa region as well, in particular the Middle East region owing to improvements witnessed in its maritime cargo industry. The North American market is also anticipated for a positive growth due to tighter regulations placed around the mandatory instalment of such rescue equipment on board the ships and boats. Influx witnessed in the coastal tourism of the European region is anticipated to strengthen the growth of the marine life rafts market on a longer run in the future.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5473 Marine Life Rafts Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the major players in the Global Marine Life Rafts market, identified in the value chain include:Survitec GroupSafety Marine Australia Pty. Ltd.Compass Inflatables Ltd.Shanghai Star Rubber Products Co., Ltd.Viking Life-Saving Equipment A/SRevere Survival Inc.Seago Yachting Ltd.Plastimo SASWinslow LifeRaft CompanySwitlik Inc.LAZIZASGalvanisers IndiaJiaxing Rongsheng Lifesaving Equipment Co., Ltd.Zodiac Nautic PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 05:08:23 A bearing is an element of a machine generally used to support other moving parts of the machine. While carrying any load, it helps in the relative movement between the connecting surfaces of the machine. Majority of the bearings are used to support the rotating shaft of the machine by holding it either radially or axially. Similarly, a magnetic bearing supports the load using magnetic levitation, without physical contact. A shaft is radially surrounded by magnets, which allow the shaft to spin in the air by levitation this is the basic working principle of a magnetic bearing. Additionally, magnetic levitation is a method where magnetic force acts as a counter force to the effect of gravitational and other forces.Magnetic bearings are mainly of three types, namely active magnetic bearings, passive magnetic bearings, and hybrid magnetic bearings. An active magnetic bearing offers friction free, clean, efficient and reliable operation, and eliminates many other components of the machine. These magnetic bearings employ only electromagnets and are used in high speed rotating machines. On the other hand, hybrid magnetic bearings use a combination of electromagnets and permanent magnets for performing the operations.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3752 A passive magnetic bearing offers contact-free magnetic levitation with the help of repulsive and attractive forces of permanent magnets. Also, according to configuration, a PMB supports tilt, axial and radial direction of stabilization. As these magnetic bearings do not require actuators or power electronic components, they are available in a comparatively small size and at a low price. Also, passive magnetic bearings cannot be used in the axial direction, and hence they are less commonly used.Magnetic bearings offer low friction, require less or no lubricant, and can work in vacuum and without mechanical wear. They are used in high temperature and high-speed applications, where normal bearings fail. However, it is important that there must be no friction, for efficiency in operation and safety reasons.Magnetic Bearing Market: DynamicsMagnetic bearings offer reduced transportation cost and better supply management. These advantages propel the demand for this market, and hence act as key drivers for the industry. Additionally, the rising demand for innovative products, such as cost-effective and advanced technologies, energy-efficient flexible solutions and high quality can also be considered as the drivers for the industry. Increasing use of magnetic bearings in HVAC, defense, and aerospace applications is providing several avenues for growth of the magnetic bearing industry.Increasing demand in niche markets of healthcare, such as cardiology and ventricular assistant can prove to be opportunities for the industry. The manufacture of generators, motors, and turbines with improved speed, efficiency and services are identified as notable trends in the magnetic bearing market.Magnetic Bearing Market: SegmentationSegmentation of the magnetic bearing market on the basis of type:Active magnetic bearing (AMB)Passive magnetic bearing (PMB)Hybrid magnetic bearing (HMB)Segmentation of the magnetic bearing market on the basis of application:CompressorsTurbinesPumpsMotorsGeneratorsSegmentation of the magnetic bearing market on the basis of end-use industry:Electrical industryHealthcare industryRailway industryMagnetic Bearing Market: Regional OutlookAsia Pacific dominates the market for magnetic bearings with a comparatively high market share, followed by North America. However, China and North America, together hold over half the market share. Also, the Middle East and Africa hold significant market shares after Asia Pacific, followed by Western Europe. The increasing demand for industrialization and construction, and the rising application of magnetic bearings in the cardiology sector of healthcare are expected to act as drivers for the market.Few countries in Europe are adopting off-grid power systems, which increases the demand for magnetic bearings. Therefore, a substantial increment can be expected in the market share of magnetic bearing. The sales of the magnetic bearings is expected to grow significantly in some regions, such as the Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific over the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3752 Magnetic Bearing Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the magnetic bearing market, identified across the value chain are: Siemens AG, Dresser-Rand, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, Calnetix Technologies LLC, Advanced Motion Controls, Comsol Inc., Mecos AG, Simply Bearings Ltd., NSK Europe, KML Motion Industries Co. Ltd. Social media is no longer an afterthought. It now forms an integral part of any company, any public personality and any public movement -- anything anyone wants to be known by someone else is more often in social media than not. It most certainly should when at least a fifth of your own countrys men and women are likely to be members of the worlds largest social media platform. Last year, the impact of social media on the Sri Lankan society was made clear twice -- once in March when platforms were blocked following riots in Kandy. This was more of a knee-jerk reaction to failures on the part of law enforcement to crackdown on violent mobs and also social media platforms to deal effectively with inflammatory content, on which they had been made aware of. SL badly in need of real-time fact-checking Twitter is where the initial break-out of a story takes places Political parties gearing up for battles ahead No one would be foolish to say Facebook and Twitter were the two holy factors that combined to restore the pre-October 26 status quo The second instance was during the impasse over the PM post. A pertinent question would be whether the peaceful campaign to restore the PM post back to Ranil Wickremesinghe would have evolved peacefully and eventually succeeded without social media. No one would be foolish to say Facebook and Twitter were the two holy factors that combined to restore the pre-October 26 status quo. There were more potent forces than them at play. Would the country at large be in a position to have so many diverse information sources and opinions without social media, given how muzzled the national media could be? But they did play more than a peripheral role. Combine the overtly biased reporting over some of the private networks with the embarrassingly-poor reportage in State media, and the country was getting a full dose of lopsided vitriol. The content often lacked any kind of subtlety, substance and sometimes were personal attacks of the worst kind. Would the UNP, JVP, other political parties and citizen groups clamouring against the removal of Wickremesinghe be in a position to get two words into this one-sided dog fight without social media? Would the country at large be in a position to have so many diverse information sources and opinions without social media, given how muzzled the national media could be? Finally, would fake content, like forged letters from the Speakers office be found out speedily enough and before they could have spread without the crowd sourcing nature of social media? In its tips for 2019, Twitter says its users should use the app as the place to break the news. That is precisely what is happening -- Twitter is where the initial break-out of a story takes places and then it takes a life of its own on Facebook, Instagram and others. On that second platform, I am now convinced, is where we get some of the best political and social commentary. They come from a multitude of sources, some partial, some not, in the form of memes. Look at the Facebook effect -- last week, the story on those youth foolishly on top of a stupa gained national attention and landed them in jail because of the social media network. If it were not so popular, the images would have not made such a commotion. I have no proof, but I would not be surprised if the youth posed as they did because of the attraction of social media. Just last December, we had a man approach an elephant who was of no harm to anyone, to make a Facebook video and get killed in the process. In an election year, political parties are gearing up for the battles ahead. They are putting in place resources and personnel to make sure they have traction online. In an election year, political parties are gearing up for the battles ahead. They are putting in place resources and personnel to make sure they have traction online As much as the potential and reach of the likes of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter rise, so will the dangers. A big concern would be fake and inflammatory content ploughing into communities and creating reverberations within those echo chambers. During the October-December impasse, the impact of fake content was low. The ones that were floated were easily revealed as fakes. But that was because relevant parties reacted fast, the level of fakes was not high and not because the platforms were geared for such. There is however no guarantee that a similar situation would prevail during national elections. Sri Lanka is badly in need of real-time fact-checking. The author is the Asia-Pacific Coordinator for the DART Centre for Journalism and Trauma, a project of the Columbia Journalism School Twitter - @amanthap Low-calorie RTD Beverages Market: Global Industry Analysis 2013 - 2017 and Opportunity Assessment; 2018 - 2028 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:42:34 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com abhishek manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 752 Words Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.commanager+1 03479183531 The proliferating health and wellness trend among modern consumers is expected to bode well for the low-calorie RTD beverages market in the coming decade. As beverage producers are keenly observing constantly evolving lifestyle trends, demand for low-calorie RTD beverages is anticipated to rise in the near future, in turn driving the low-calorie RTD beverages market progress. Manufacturers in the low-calorie RTD beverages market are engaged in matching consumer demand for health, nutrition and sustainability. In consonant with this, the low-calorie RTD beverages market is witnessing persistent introduction of a range of novel low-calorie RTD beverages of multiple brands. For instance, Coca-Cola Singapore has recently launched Authentic Tea House range with no- or low-sugar.Urbanization has increased the number of time-pressed consumers that actively seek ready-to-eat food, thereby driving the growth of the low-calorie RTD beverages market. In addition, rising health and fitness has led beverage manufacturers to introduce a plethora of low-calorie RTD beverages to satiate increasing demand from consumers. Beverage producers are introducing healthier low-calorie RTD beverages with the intention to stand out amid the intense competition. Along with the healthier beverage options, manufacturers in the low-calorie RTD beverages market are adopting novel and effective packaging solutions to attract a broader consumer pool.Market OutlookDue to busy and arduous lifestyles, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages have become popular amongst consumers. This demand is complemented with the demand for clean-label, gluten-free, low-calorie and low-carb products, which has led to the elevation of the low-calorie RTD beverages market in the food industry. The growth in the overall functional beverage market and increasing health consciousness amongst consumers has fuelled the growth of the low-calorie RTD beverages market. Many product launches with new flavor variants have recently been witnessed in the low-calorie RTD beverages market. Local players are also entering the low-calorie RTD beverages market which is expected to exhibit steady growth in the forecast period because artisanal and homemade functional beverages are trending amongst consumers, concurrently fuelling the growth of low-calorie beverages market. In January 2017, the company Diageo launched a low-calorie Seltzer under its brand Smirnoff. The company also offers these low-calorie RTD beverages which have also have low carbohydrates, zero-sugar and artificial sweeteners.Request Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6661 Reasons for Covering this TitleThe functional beverage market is exploding with newer variants and the retail stores are fully occupied with these beverages. Low-calorie RTD beverages, clean-label beverages without artificial sweeteners, etc. are some of them. The low-calorie RTD beverages segment is stirring the functional beverage industry. Consumers are becoming more responsible towards their health and taking it into their own hands by opting for healthy drinks and low-calorie RTD beverages, as they offer a feasible solution for the consumers to stay healthy. Many low-calorie RTD beverage producers are aiming to include more nutritional information on the can/bottle labels, following the latest consumer buying strategies. The low-calorie RTD beverages are marketed with a health benefit tagline and this strategy has been adopted by many manufacturers in the low-calorie RTD beverages market. Key players, such as Diageo, are also focusing to expand their product offering in the health and wellness segment, which echoes the growing demand for low-calorie RTD beverages.Global Low-calorie RTD Beverages: Market SegmentationOn basis of beverage type, the low-calorie RTD beverages market is segmented as-Alcoholic beveragesCocktailsVodkaWineRumNon-alcoholic beveragesCarbonatedSeltzersSparkling waterNon-carbonatedTea & CoffeeFlavored/Infused waterFruit juicesOn basis of flavor, the low-calorie RTD beverages market is segmented as-FruitsCitrus fruitsCranberryGrapefruitOthersHerbs & spicesOn the basis of distribution channel, the low-calorie RTD beverages market is segmented as-DirectIndirectStore-based retailingSupermarkets/HypermarketsConvenience StoresSpecialty StoresDiscount storesTraditional GrocersOnline StoresAsk the Analyst @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/low-calorie-rtd-beverages-market#engage_analyst Examples of some of the key players operating in the low-calorie RTD beverages market are Diageo plc., Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Global Brands Limited, Bacardi Limited, Kold Group, PepsiCo, Inc., THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, SGC Global, LLC, Malibu Drinks, Herbal Water, Inc. and AB InBev (Spiked Seltzer), among others.Global Low-calorie RTD Beverages Market: Key TakeawaysIn April 2016, the company Spiked & Sparkling, launched a new sparkling water which is a very low-calorie RTD beverage and also available in low-carb and gluten-free. The product was launched to cater the increased consumer demand for carbonated water and low-calorie RTD beverages globally.In 2014, the Skinnygirl Cocktails, manufacturer of low-calorie RTD beverages, launched two new products in the U.S. market, Sweetarita and Sparkling Margarita. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 05:08:56 Linear actuators assist in converting energy into straight line motions, generally for positioning applications. Most of the linear actuators are either mechanical or electro-mechanical devices that provide controlled movement and positioning. These actuators are primarily used in industrial machinery, computer peripherals, valves, and many other places where linear motion is required. A typical linear actuator generally produces push and pull action. As most processes across a variegated range of industries gets automated, the global linear actuators market is expected to expand with an impressive CAGR throughout the forecast period.Linear ActuatorsMarket: Drivers & RestraintsThe major factors boosting the growth of linear actuators market is rising automation across manufacturing industry. Industrial objectives such as achieving complete factory automation, and integrating Industrial Internet of Things are some of the prime reasons that will drive more demand for linear actuators. While, rising industrialization particularly in the third world countries is another factor that will drive the demand in the global linear actuators market, on the backdrop of increasing number of factories. As the number of research studies conducted increases, demand for telescopic actuators is expected to increase significantly. Also as companies overcome their legacy systems to achieve higher efficiency, and replace existing actuators with new ones, demand for linear actuators is expected to rise. Furthermore, as an increasing number of industrial process adopt self-control and positioning demand in the linear actuators market is expected to continuously rise.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3778 However, as concerns regarding employment rises among most countries on the backdrop of increasing automation in factories, demand for linear actuators might get sluggish over the end years of the forecast period. Adoption of 3D printing in many industries is another factor that will restrain the demand for linear actuators, as usage of machines will decrease.Linear ActuatorsMarket: Market SegmentationThe Linear Actuators Market is segmented into two parts based on operation type and end use industry:Based on operation mechanism, the linear actuator market is segmented into:MechanicalHydraulicPneumaticPiezoelectricElectro-mechanical actuatorsBased on End Use Industry, the linear actuator market is segmented into:AutomotiveMedical/HealthcareEnergy and Mining,SteelConstructionMilitaryChemicalOthersLinear Actuators Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, linear actuators market has been categorized into seven key regions including North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.A prominent share of the demand for linear actuators comes from North America, and the region is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Furthermore, with more inclination towards shifting manufacturing in US from China and other ASEAN countries, demand for linear actuators will further rise in the region. Asia Pacific Exc. Japan is another prominent shareholder in terms of demand for linear actuators, amid, large manufacturing sector of China. Moreover, with India and Indonesia picking up at a fast pace, demand for linear actuators is expected to expand with a bullish growth rate over the forecast period. Being home to large automotive and research base companies, Western Europe is another prominent region generating huge demand for linear actuators. Eastern Europe is also expected to generate descent demand for linear actuators, particularly from energy and defense sector. Rising industrialization and the already dominant oil and gas industry of Middle East and Africa is the prime reason driving automation in the Middle Eastern region. Thus driving more demand for linear actuators. Japan is another prominent industrial nation, which drives demand for linear actuators, due to high automation penetration in their industries coupled with growing semiconductor industry of the region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3778 Linear Actuators Market: Key PlayersSome of the players identified in Global Linear Actuators market are:-Duff-NortonHelix Linear Technologies, Inc.Altra Industrial MotionTolomatic, Inc.Fabco-Air, Inc.Actuonix Motion DevicesTusk Direct, Inc.Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 07:08:58 Press Information RESEARCH REPORT INSIGHTS Research Report Insights (RRI) 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU +1-631-721-4201 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 595 Words 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 According to a Research Report Insights (RRI) report, the global market for lecithin is anticipated to reflect a CAGR of over 5% during 2016-2014. In 2015, the market was estimated at US$ 770.5 Million and is expected to stand at US$ 1225 Million in terms of value by the end of 2024.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114682/Lecithin-Market Lecithin is used as a food additive and food emulsifier in several food items in order to add desirable attributes for making them more appealing to the consumers. As an emulsifier lecithin enhances the texture of food items such as in salad dressing. Growing preference for low-calorie food and increasing demand for packaged or convenience food across the globe are the two major factors expected to drive the growth of global lecithin market. Amongst various food emulsifier products, demand for lecithin is anticipated to relatively higher in the near future.Based on source type, the global market for lecithin has been segmented into sunflower, soya bean, and others. Soya bean is expected to be the largest segment of the market and is anticipated to witness a robust growth.Based on form type, the market has been segmented into powder, granules and liquid. In terms of revenue, liquid segment is expected to account for the largest share. The segment is closely followed by powder and granules segment.By applications, the market has been segmented into pharmaceuticals, animal feed, food & beverage, industrial purpose and cosmetics. The food & beverage is expected to be the leading segment over the forecast period owing to the recent inclination of consumers towards natural ingredients for various food items. Food manufacturers are focusing on offering food products without GMO (genetically modified organism) ingredients to meet the expectation of the consumers. Moreover, food processing companies are launching new products to suit the growing demand for healthy ingredients in convenience food such as ready-to-eat items. According to US FDA, partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) do not fall under the category of Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) food items.Request Report Discount: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114682/Lecithin-Market Likewise, food manufacturers are emphasizing on developing non-GMO ingredients and raw materials substitutes. Further, most food processing companies are also focusing on production volume expansion. Higher production of lecithin will enable manufacturers to serve a larger base of customers and impact the price margins of lecithin across the globe.On the basis of region, the global market for lecithin has been segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, are anticipated to register strong growth rates during the forecast period. In 2016, North America is expected to account for the highest share of the market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific respectively. In addition, the North America is expected to continue as the leading market over 2024 and is anticipated to account for over 37% share of the market in revenues. Demand for lecithin is expected to grow significantly in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. Countries such as China and India is expected to reflect an overwhelming demand for lecithin, which in turn is will support the market growth in the region.Key PlayersKey players operating in the global market for lecithin includes Cargill, Inc., Sternchemie GmbH & Co. KG, American Lecithin Company, Thew Arnott & Co. Ltd., Lipoid GmbH, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co, Archer Daniels Midland Company, NOW Foods, and Bunge Limited. Most of these companies the formulating strategies and actively focusing on better product offering.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114682/Lecithin-Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 12:21:40 Press Information Future Market Insight Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholia MANAGER 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 670 Words 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.comMANAGER3479183531 Industrial ladders are a unique kind of regular ladders and are used only for industrial purposes. They allow personnel to stand safely on them and effectively access various equipment, projects and materials. Industrial ladders come in a variety of designs and features and are used to perform both common as well unique tasks by an operator. Standard, folding, stock picker, cantilever and pivoting are some of the most commonly preferred designs and shapes in industrial ladders. Various British and European standards such as BS1129 class 1 and BS2037 class 1 are recommended for their design and performance. These heavy-duty ladders are preferred in areas where onerous conditions of storage, carriage & usage exist. BS EN 131 and BS EN 14975 designs, on the other hand, are recommended for ladders made from aluminum, steel or plastics as well as for loft ladders. An operator using a cantilever ladder can easily overcome any kind of obstacle, hindrance or hard surface by using the platform attached to the back of the ladder. Rooftop platform ladders are used when an operator needs to overcome rooftop obstacles like pipes, etc. These ladders evenly distribute weight and thus, prevent accidents while an operator is trying to climb.Industrial Ladder Market: DynamicsDrivers:Unlike aluminum, fiberglass provides high durability and ruggedness. It also offers low conductivity, thereby reducing the hazard of electrocution on coming in contact with high voltage power lines. The many advantages of fiberglass ladders as compared to wood or aluminum ladders is expected to drive the global industrial ladder market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the capacity and height of industrial ladders is much better than that of regular ladders used for residential purposes. Stringent government regulations such as those surrounding personnel safety and maximum height of ladders, imposed on growing and developed economies are also expected to drive the global industrial ladder market over the forecast period. Ability to move across platforms is a unique feature incorporated in industrial ladders which help them perform more efficiently work. This particular feature is likely to rein in favour of industrial ladders during the forecast period.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3433 Restraints:Limited reach of industrial ladders is a major factor hampering the growth of global industrial ladder market over the forecast period. Furthermore, limited rescue features and unavailability of heat shield protection at the tip are some other factors that might hinder the growth of the global industrial ladder market over the forecast period.Industrial Ladder Market: SegmentationGlobal industrial ladder market can be segmented on the basis of product type, material type and application. On the basis of product type, the global industrial ladder market is segmented into square tower ladders, folding platform ladders, tiltable tower ladders and square tower ladders with shorter wheels. On the basis of material type, the global industrial ladder market is segmented into aluminum, fiberglass and steel. On the basis of application, the global industrial ladder market can be segmented into construction, mining, automotive, transportation and manufacturing.Industrial Ladder Market: Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants in the global industrial ladder market are:Swastik CorporationSTRONGWELL CORPORATIONIndustrial Steps & Ladders Pty LtdJumbor Industrial Co., Ltd.Lyte LaddersLFI LaddersEuro Towers LtdStradbally LaddersFeatherliteKRAUSE-Werk GmbH & Co. KGKamsun Engineering IndustriesIndustrial Ladder Market: Region-wise OutlookOwing to the growing automotive and construction industry, the Asia Pacific industrial ladder market is expected to register high growth over the forecast period. North America and Europe industrial ladder market is estimated to account for a significant share due to the growth in the logistics & transportation industry and stringent government regulations regarding workers safety, which in turn, is expected to drive the global industrial ladder market during the forecast period. The growing mining and construction industry in Middle East & Africa region is expected to register significant CAGR over the forecast period. Western Europe and Latin America industrial ladder market is expected to show stagnant growth over the forecast period.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3433 Orifice Reducers Market Orifice Reducers Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 06:31:56 Press Information Future Market Insights Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Abhishek Budholiya Manager 9898989898 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 898 Words Contact Us616 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.com/Manager9898989898 Orifice Reducers Market: An Overview - Whether the container needs a precise drop or a small handful, the orifice reducers always complement the product. Orifice reducers are closures accessories that cover a container to reduce the flow of liquid and allow it flow out drop by drop. The technological advancement in the orifice reducers offers an ultimate dispensing control and bring functionality as well as reliability to the containers. The orifice reducers are easily accessible and can be simply pressed into the opening of a bottle to allow the regulated amount of flow. The orifice reducers are considered as ideal for the dispensing liquid such as inks, dyes, food coloring, lotion, sauces, essential oils, eye dropper, and others. Hence, the orifice reducers are highly prevalent in end-user industries such as healthcare, food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, chemicals and others. The orifice reducers meets all the industry standard and specification and widely used in many applications. Therefore, the global outlook for orifice reducers market is expected to remain positive during the forecast period.Orifice Reducers Market: Dynamics - Continuously, an unimaginable amount of fluids are packed into bottles daily which need an effective dispensing system to regulate the flow of the product. This factor is expected to propel the growth of orifice reducers market during the forecast period. The outstanding properties of orifice reducers such as temperature tolerance, moisture barrier, high impact & scuff resistance, light-weight nature are also contributing to the growth of global orifice reducers market during the forecast period. The orifice reducers are versatile and work with standard bottles, and securely connect to the container ensuring the accurate dosing are among the factors driving the growth of global orifice reducer market during the forecast period. The consumers positive response towards the use of orifice reducers to limit the flow and outpouring of the liquid products is expected to fuel the growth of global orifice reducers market during the forecast period. Therefore, the orifice reducers market is projected to expand with a notable growth rate during the forecast period.Orifice Reducers Market: Segmentation - On the basis of material,the orifice reducers market is segmented into: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Other resins; On the basis of neck size,the orifice reducers market is segmented into: Up to 15 mm, 15-20 mm, More than 20 mm; On the basis of applications,the orifice reducers market is segmented into: Eye Droppers, Sauces Bottles, Lotion Bottles, Essential Oils, Others; On the basis of End Use,the orifice reducers market is segmented into: Healthcare, Pharma, Oral Care, RX Retail, Oral, Medical, Food and Beverage, Cosmetics and Personal Care, Chemicals, Others;Request for Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7439 Orifice Reducers Market: Regional Outlook - The Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region is expected to dominate the global orifice reducers market account healthy market share during the forecast period. The countries such as China and India appears as a key market driver of APEJ orifice reducers during the forecast period. The Western Europe region is expected to follow the APEJ region in terms of market size and projected to register a notable growth rate of orifice reducers market during the forecast period. The countries in this region such as Germany, U.K., France, and Italy is expected to demand orifice reducers during the forecast period. The North America region is a significant shareholder of global orifice reducers market and projected to expand with lucrative CAGR during the forecast period. The continuous expansion of end-use industries is a key factor driving the North America orifice reducers market during the forecast period. The Latin America orifice reducers market is expected to attain significant growth rate during the forecast period and contribute to the growth of global orifice reducers market during the forecast period. The Middle East & Africa region is expected to witness the significant demand of orifice reducers market during the forecast period. The region such as Eastern Europe and Japan is expected to register a positive growth rate during the forecast period.Orifice Reducers Market: Key Players - Some of the key players operating the global orifice reducers market are listed below: Amcor Limited, Berry Global Inc., Comar LLC., Plastipro Canada Ltd., O.Berk Company, LLC., Acadiana Plastics Molding, Inc., Acme Vial and Glass Company, LLC., Weener Plastic Packaging Group, SKS Bottles and Packaging;The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.Regional Analysis Includes- North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East & Africa (MEA), Japan;Orifice Reducers Market Reports Highlights: A detailed overview of parent market, Changing market dynamics in the industry, In-depth market segmentation, Historical, current, and projected market size regarding volume and value, Recent industry trends and developments, Competitive landscape, Strategies for key players and products offered, Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth, A neutral perspective on market performance, Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintGet more information on Orifice Reducers Market @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7439 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 12:23:37 Press Information Future Market Insight Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholia MANAGER 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 704 Words 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.comMANAGER3479183531 Deployment of highly efficient aircraft braking system in modern aircrafts is of utmost importance. Safety primarily relies upon the efficient working of the braking system, since brakes are used to slowdown and stop the aircraft whenever necessary. The aircraft braking system must be capable of braking on the smooth runway surface with limited length. This leads to the development of complex braking system, which requires unwavering focus in terms of technology and material. Modern aircraft braking system comprises of aircraft disc brakes, thrust reversers, air brakes and drogue parachutes. All these components play significant roles in reducing the aircraft speed, thereby, ensuring safe landing. The brakes are replaced when the tyre tread or brake material is worn. This failure is examined by the maintenance staff, during which the entire brake/ wheel assembly is routed for replacement. The global aircraft braking system market is primarily driven by the refurbishment of brakes in existing fleet rather than the demand for new aircraft. This demand is primarily due to increase in airline traffic, which requires frequent upgrade of braking systems. According to the Airbus S.A.S, the global Revenue Passenger Kilometre is expected to grow by 4.5% every year, over the period 2014-2034.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3460 Further, aircraft manufacturing focusing on lightweight and downsizing of aircraft components is expected to create opportunities for research & development in aircraft braking system for development of new products. Chances of corrosion in braking material while operating in extreme environment conditions is one of the major challenges faced by aircraft OEMs. This is further expected to create significant opportunities for OEMs to monitor, remove and protect aircraft brakes against corrosion. Favourable macroeconomic conditions in developed and developing nations are expected to boost the market growth, as an increase in aircraft production will, in turn, create demand for aircraft braking system. OEMs are forming strategic alliances with component manufacturers to upgrade their existing braking system. This move will further assist the OEMs to gain customer confidence and will aid them to drive profitable growth in the competitive environment. In October 2016, UTC Aerospace Systems signed a contract with Ducommun to build electronic assemblies for the up gradation of its braking system.Global Aircraft Braking System Market: SegmentationThe global Aircraft Braking System market is segmented on the basis of product type, deployment type, end-use, aircraft type and region.Based on product type, the global aircraft braking system market is segmented into carbon brakes and steel brakes. Deployment of particular brake type in aircraft depends on the desired operating environment. Carbon brakes are primarily deployed in military and commercial aircraft.Based on sales channel, the global aircraft braking system market can be segmented into OEM and after-market. After-market is expected to emerge as a fast growing segment owing to rising demand for the refurbishment of worn brakes in existing fleet.On the basis of end-use, the global Aircraft Braking System market can be segmented into general aviation, civil aviation and military aircraft.By aircraft type, the global Aircraft Braking System market can be segmented into narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, regional jets, freighter and turboprops.Global Aircraft Braking System Market: Regional OutlookAsia-Pacific is expected to emerge as a fast growing region in terms of revenue growth in the global aircraft braking system market. This is primarily attributed to the significant growth in aircraft fleet. Further, shifting production base from North America and Europe to Asia-Pacific region due to reduced labour cost is also expected to drive noteworthy volume growth opportunities in the region. In terms of market share contribution, North America and Western Europe jointly share the larger pie of the market since one-third of the global fleet is present in North America with over twenty percent in Western Europe.Global Aircraft Braking System Market: Market ParticipantsGlobal Aircraft braking system market is highly consolidated with a handful of players contributing to the major share in the market. This includes Honeywell International Inc, UTC Aerospace Systems, Meggitt PLC and Safran Landing Systems among others. Companies are primarily focusing towards the development of the combination of wheel and braking system that can operate at high temperature and high speed.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3460 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. Image-Based Cytometer Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:03:38 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 460 Words 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 Cell cultivation in an indispensable part for applications within medicine and scientific investigation. From simple substance test to cell therapies, cell technologies are completely based on the controlled propagation of cells. To achieve this goal non-invasive characterization of the cell population is to be established. Microscope is the oldest piece of equipment required for cell culture but with the advances in technology, these are now automated microscopes combined with computerized image analysis. But image-based cytometry is much more capable than just describing cell cultures in terms of numbers.Image-based Cytometer Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe demand for image-based cytometer is expected to propel due to technological advancements, increasing use of image-based cytometer in clinical trials, development of intuitive software and the growing utilization of image-based flow cytometers in research activities. The Jefferson Trust, awarded US$ 775,000 to universities to engage faculty and students in research. Mass Cytometry Antibody Bank was awarded US$ 35,000, q new technology which simultaneously measures 100 different cellular attributes of thousands of individual cells. The major hurdle for the researchers to access such technologies is the high cost related to buying antibodies. Through this funding, this hurdle was overcame and could act as support for future donations.Image-based Cytometer Market: SegmentationOn the basis of application the image-based cytometer market can be segment as:ResearchClinicalOthersRequest Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3543 On the basis of end user the image-based cytometer market can be segment as:HospitalCommercial OrganizationsClinical Testing LabsOthersImage-based Cytometer Market: OverviewHigh throughput screening is available in almost all the recent technologies introduced. This is because of the emerging trend towards precision medicine where each clinical trial is towards a specific cell. Thus cell analyzer are also developed such as they provide the researcher with multifunctional results of thousands of cells. With the increasing research undertakings and the potential offered for the equipment related the demand for image-based cytometer market is expected to propel. Moreover, market players are expanding their presence by developing a new technology or by growing in emerging countries.Image-based Cytometer Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of geography, image-based cytometer market has been divided into five regions including North- America, Asia- Pacific, Middle-East & Africa, Latin America and Europe. North America is expected to remain the dominating region while Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as a fastest growing region. ChemoMetec A/S established its first international sales subsidiary in Australia to be closer to its customer and addressing the issues quickly.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3543 Image-based Cytometer Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the image-based cytometer market participants are Invitrogen, ChemoMetec A/S, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC., Vala Sciences Inc., Merck KGaA, GE Healthcare, Yokogawa Electric Corporation and Thorlabs, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 07:12:34 Press Information RESEARCH REPORT INSIGHTS Research Report Insights (RRI) 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU +1-631-721-4201 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 588 Words 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 According to Research Report Insights (RRI) report, the global market for guerbet alcohols is set to cross US$ 1316 Million by 2024, expanding at over 5% CAGR. In addition, demand for 2-octyldodecanol is expected to be high during 2016 to 2024.Higher consciousness about looks and beauty and growing demand for quality cosmetic products is expected to influence the market growth of guerbet alcohols worldwide. Consumers are willing to shell out money for high-end beauty products making them a part of their daily lives. Moreover, arrival of trendy multifunctional cosmetics in the market has been well appreciated by end-use consumers and is anticipated to receive higher popularity in the global market. This, in turn, is expected to support the overall market growth. The new categories of multifunctional cosmetic products are capable of rectifying some of the acutest skin blemishes and scars.These advanced products have extended functionalities such as anti-aging solutions, UV rays shielding, anti-oxidation, moisturizing and also help in skin cleansing. Guerbet alcohols are safer alternatives for other chemical cosmetic ingredient, therefore, they have gained higher preference amongst various cosmetic manufacturing companies. Essential qualities found in guerbet alcohols are helping them gain an edge over other cosmetic ingredients. Besides that, they possess excellent fragrance and are good flattening agents making them an apparent choice for cosmetic manufacturers across the globe. However, high-cost of guerbet alcohols production and requirement of intensive preparation procedures are two of the major negative factors are likely to inhibit the market growth over the forecast period.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114683/Guerbet-Alcohols-Market PMR indicates that the overall girth of the global market will grow during the projected period. Various positive trends are anticipated to drive the market growth.The market is fragmented into various segments that are expected to play a crucial role in the shaping the market over the next few years. By product type, the 2-octyldodecanol segment will continue to grow at a significant rate. In addition, the segment is expected to account for a definitive share of the global market. The report also finds that the 2-octyldodecanol segment is set to represent for over 33% share of the market in terms of value, reflecting 6.7% CAGR over 2024.On the basis of end users, the personal & cosmetic care is expected to be the dominant segment of the market during the forecast period. In terms of revenues, the segment is projected to account for a significant share of the market between 2016 and 2024. Further, a modest expansion of the cosmetic market is likely to stimulate the production volume of guerbet alcohols. Demand for guerbet alcohols from the cosmetic industry is expected to be the highest. In terms of value, the cosmetic industry is expected to account for over 50% share of the market.Request Report Discount: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114683/Guerbet-Alcohols-Market On the basis of region, the market in Europe is anticipated to present lucrative opportunities over the next couple of years. In 2016, the region is expected to account for over 26% share of the market, expanding at 5% CAGR over the forecast period. While North America is estimated to reach up to US$ 372.2 Million in revenues over 2024, witnessing 5.3% CAGR. The markets in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region will also witness a modest growth and present business opportunities cosmetic manufacturing companies over the forecast period.Vendor NewsKey players operating in the global market for guerbet alcohols include DowPol Corporation, Sasol Ltd, New Japan Chemical Co., Ltd, BASF SE, Kokyu Alcohol Kogyo Co., Ltd, and Kisco LtdReport Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114683/Guerbet-Alcohols-Market Water Resistant Packing Cubes Market Water Resistant Packing Cubes Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 06:30:23 Press Information Future Market Insights Contact Us 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Abhishek Budholiya Manager 9898989898 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 842 Words Contact Us616 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.com/Manager9898989898 Water Resistant Packing Cubes Market: Overview - Water resistant packing cubes are small packaging solutions made up of fabric, often comes in a rectangular or square shape. They are used to pack clothing and various travelling accessories. Water resistant packing cubes help in keeping persons belongings compact and overcome the burden of tedious packing. This packing cube comes with water resistant property helps protect the products during uneven whether conditions. Water resistant packing cubes are available in different size and shapes so that one can find suitable packing cube which can fit easily into the luggage. Generally, fiber and nylon are commonly used materials as they make water resistant packing cubes lightweight. These packing cubes come with the zipper which helps in keeping products inside the packing cubes organized and stable.Water Resistant Packing Cubes Market: Dynamics - The global water resistant packing cubes market is expected to expand on the backdrop of changing lifestyle of people and growing trend of compact packaging. The growing travel & tourism across the globe is expected to drive the demand for water resistant packing cubes. Water resistant packing cubes can keep clothes and other belongings more compact so that one can fit more into the bags. Also, the brick type shape of packing cube makes them easy to stack and can be fit in luggage properly. Water resistant packing cubes are not only used for packing clothes but are also act as a good packing container for things such as cosmetics, electronic devices and other products. Water resistant packing cubes offer alternative packaging solutions, for instance, some travelers can use water resistant packing cubes as small cosmetic bags while other can use them to store small devices and cables.These factors are expected to drive the global water resistant packing cubes market during the forecast period. The water resistant capability of packing cubes make them suitable choice for packaging during adverse weather conditions. Water resistant packing cubes makes packing, repacking and finding products easier as one can pull a particular cube out of the bag to get what is exactly needed. This factor is expected to drive the global water resistant packing cubes market during the next decade. The availability of alternatives to the water resistant packing cubes including packing folders, shoe bags, compression bags, zipper pouches and other such products are expected to hamper the water resistant packing cubes market during the forecast period. Overall, the outlook for the global water resistant packing cubes market is expected to be positive.Request for Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7438 Water Resistant Packing Cubes Market: Segmentation - Globally, the water resistant packing cubes market has been segmented on the basis of material type, size, shape, application and region: On the basis of material type, the global water resistant packing cubes market has been segmented as: Nylon, Fiber, Others; On the basis of size, the global water resistant packing cubes market has been segmented as: Small sized, Medium sized, Large sized; On the basis of shape, the global water resistant packing cubes market has been segmented as: Square, Rectangular; On the basis of application, the global water resistant packing cubes market has been segmented as: Clothing, Cosmetics, Electronic devices, Other accessories; On the basis of region, the global water resistant packing cubes maret is segmented as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East & Africa, Japan;Europe is expected to drive the global water resistant packing cubes market during the forecast period. Tourists from European nations including France, Sweden, Norway, Finland and others frequently do outbound travelling, it is on rise due to high standard of living in the region. This trend is followed by North America and APEJ. This is expected to drive the global water resistant packing cubes market during the forecast period. MEA region is expected to witness average growth during the forecast period.Water Resistant Packing Cubes Market: Key players - Few of the leading players operating in the global water resistant packing cubes market are Vasco Bags, Away (Luggage), eBags, Eagle Creek, Red Oxx Mfg, Inc., Anatomie Store, Tumi, Inc., Pro Packing Cubes, Osprey Packs, Inc.;The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.Report Highlights: A detailed overview of parent market, Changing market dynamics in the industry, In-depth market segmentation, Historical, urrent, and projected market size regarding volume and value, Recent industry trends and developments, Competitive landscape, Strategies for key players and products offered, Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth, A neutral perspective on market performance, Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintGet more information on Water Resistant Packing Cubes Market @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7438 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 09:30:48 Press Information Fact.MR Office: Dublin 2 Suite 9884 27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Sudip Saha Head of Marketing +353-1-4434-232 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 809 Words Office: Dublin 2Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandHead of Marketing+353-1-4434-232 Global Vacuum Circuit Breaker Market: OverviewVacuum Circuit Breaker is the advanced circuit breaker that is introduced to upgrade the outdated circuit breaker using vacuum technology. This vacuum circuit breakers help the power distribution systems in strong switching capacity for industrial markets. The vacuum circuit breakers provide high reliability, easy maintenance, and strong switching capacity and are widely used for several types of high voltage circuits. This circuit breaker is compact and light in weight. The vacuum interrupter is an essential element that plays a vital role in the operation of the virtual circuit breaker. This vacuum interrupter is designed for maintaining a high vacuum for a more extended period. Vacuum circuit breaker offers highly reliable performance and excellent operating mechanism. The vacuum circuit breakers provide high reliability and safety apart from preserving the environment. The key manufacturers of vacuum circuit breakers are constantly improving and developing vacuum interrupter technology for the excellent operation of circuit breakers. The vacuum circuit breakers offer several benefits, such as compact design, as compared to other circuit breakers, spring closing system, simplified maintenance and stable interrupting performance in earth faults and out of phase currents, etc. Therefore, these factors are the growth enablers of the vacuum circuit breakers globally.Get Free Exclusive Sample Copy of This Report @The key vendors in the vacuum circuit breaker market are focused on innovative product offering and are focused on expanding their product portfolio to increase their geographical presence in this market. The vacuum circuit breaker manufacturers are also focusing on differentiated offerings that will help them gain a competitive advantage in the vacuum circuit breaker market. Therefore, the introduction of various types of circuit breakers with advanced technologies and also the rise in the industrial application of vacuum circuit breaker are the key factors that are estimated to increase the growth of the vacuum circuit breaker across the globe.Global Vacuum Circuit Breaker Market: DynamicsThe vacuum circuit breaker is lower in cost and less bulky, which are the benefits that are boosting the growth of the vacuum circuit breaker market. Also, the vacuum circuit breaker is maintenance-free and has a better service life that are driving the growth of the vacuum circuit breaker market.However, high technology is used for the production of vacuum interrupters of circuit breakers that leads to higher cost of implementation, which can be a restraining factor that can hamper the growth of the vacuum circuit breaker market.The increasing trend towards usage of vacuum interrupter technology is creating growth opportunities for key vendors in the Vacuum Circuit Breaker market.Request Brochure of this Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2806 Global Vacuum Circuit Breaker Market: SegmentationSegmentation OverviewThe vacuum circuit breaker market can be segmented on the basis of type, mounting type, application and region. The vacuum circuit breaker is most widely used in the oil & gas and other industrial application as compared to other circuit breakers.Global Vacuum Circuit Breaker Market: Competition LandscapeExamples of some of the key players in the global Vacuum Circuit Breaker market include Schneider Electric, Fuji Electric, Eaton Corporation, Tavrida Electric AG, Mitsubishi Electric, Crest Test Systems Pvt. Ltd., Toshiba International Corporation, Hitachi T&D Solutions, Inc., C&S Electric, etc.Global Vacuum Circuit Breaker Market: Regional OutlookThe Europe region is expected to dominate the vacuum circuit breaker market followed by the Asia Pacific and North America region. The market in Europe is expected to witness higher growth due to the vast presence of switch disconnector manufacturers in the region. The introduction of a vacuum interrupter technology in circuit breakers plays a vital role in driving the growth of the vacuum circuit breaker market in the Asia Pacific region. The rise in the usage of vacuum circuit breaker in oil & gas and other industrial applications is creating growth opportunities in the North America region. Moreover, Latin America and MEA regions are projected to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period.In January 2018, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. launched 5 kV vacuum circuit breaker. This vacuum circuit breaker is introduced to replace the legacy oil circuit breakers, which is outdated. It is designed to use within power distribution stations and in other industrial applications.For more information on this report, please visit: https://www.factmr.com/report/2806/vacuum-circuit-breaker-market About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@ factmr.com Web: www.factmr.com/ Read Industrial News : http://insiderstribune.com/ Referring to recent media reports on the delay to appoint heads of semi-government institutions, President Maithripala Sirisena told yesterday's Cabinet meeting that there was no delay on his part and that those nominated by the Prime Ministers office were screened and approved, a minister said. I am not responsible for any delays in appointing heads to semi government institutions. The media reports are incorrect, the President is reported to have said. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that according to the President said, the names of the nominees were referred to the five-member committee for screening and had been returned to the Prime Ministers office. The President appointed a 5-member committee chaired by presidential secretary Udaya R. Seneviratne to look into the qualifications of the appointees to statutory bodies and instructed all secretaries to submit the names of the nominees to the committee. The minister said the Cabinet also drew attention to media reports that there was a major drug shortage in the country because of administrative lapses. I told the Cabinet that there was no drug shortage and in case there were, we airlifted the essential drugs to replenish the available stocks, he said and added that a weekend English newspaper carried a canard on drug shortages. The minister said some 200 varieties of drugs were airlifted recently to prevent a drug shortage in State hospitals. Meanwhile, he said he was unable to serve as the Cabinet spokesman because it was more important to meet his voters from Beruwala on Wednesdays and try to solve their problems. The minister said the weekly cabinet news briefing is also held on Wednesdays. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 09:30:49 Press Information Fact.MR Office: Dublin 2 Suite 9884 27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Sudip Saha Head of Marketing +353-1-4434-232 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 745 Words Office: Dublin 2Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandHead of Marketing+353-1-4434-232 An undercounter refrigerator is a specially designed refrigerator used for the preservation of pharmaceutical drugs, medicines, vaccines, plasma and other blood components, temperature-sensitive biologicals and other pharmaceutical supplies. With the help of undercounter refrigerators, breast milk can be stored in patient rooms. Essentially, undercounter refrigerators are small and quiet enough to be used in patient rooms and are available in a wide range of temperature modes for small to medium applications.Undercounter refrigerators and freezers differ on the basis of basic application and temprature uniformity. The temperature uniformity of undercounter refrigerators is 3C while that of freezers is 5C. Undercounter refrigerators are widely used in hospitals, diagnostic centers, research labs, pharmacies, blood banks and educational institutes. The biological samples stored in undercounter refrigerators necessitate precise conditions for effective storage. The increasing demand for customized undercounter refrigerators with specifications such as glass doors and decorative installations is the key factor anticipated to propel the demand in the coming years.Get Free Exclusive Sample Copy of This Report @Undercounter Refrigerators Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe increasing demand for blood transfusion, organ transplant, cellular therapies and the development of custom-made vaccines drives the demand for undercounter refrigerators. In addition to this, the increasing research in the fields of stem cells and medical science is expected to increase the acceptance of undercounter refrigerators. Thus, increasing investments in research activities in pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science sectors are expected to surge the demand for undercounter refrigerators. Market participants are focusing on developing various technologies to offer efficient cooling for medicine, research samples and blood and its components. Attributing to their compact size and advanced cooling features, undercounter refrigerators are a preferred alternative for healthcare and life science facilities, specifically small laboratories where space and funds are limited. Undercounter refrigerators also provide stress-effective solutions as compared to conventional refrigerators. Low awareness regarding the benefits of undercounter refrigerators hinder the growth of the undercounter refrigerators market, especially in under-developed economies.Undercounter Refrigerators Market: OverviewIncreasing installations across hospitals and other healthcare facilities due to the development of medical infrastructure are anticipated to spur the demand for undercounter refrigerators and drive the global market. The introduction of advanced technologies and increasing demand from various end users such as hospitals, retail pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies are also expected to drive the growth of the global undercounter refrigerators market over the forecast period. The implementation of stringent rules and regulations by various regulatory organizations regarding the suitable storage of pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines and blood components are anticipated to further boost the demand for undercounter refrigerators and drive the growth of the global undercounter refrigerator market in the long run.Request Brochure of this Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2805 Undercounter Refrigerators Market: Regional OutlookNorth America is expected to be a prominent region in the global undercounter refrigerators market, due to technological advancements, the availability of developed medical infrastructure and rising demand for storage equipment in the region. Europe is also expected to be a lucrative market for undercounter refrigerators, due to the increasing investments by manufacturing companies in the region. Asia-Pacific is expected to be a fast growing market due to the increasing demand for undercounter refrigerators, development of medical infrastructure and rising number of healthcare facilities in the region. The Latin America undercounter refrigerators market is expected to witness steady growth due to the increasing number of medical facilities in the region. The Middle East and Africa region is expected to be the least lucrative market, due to the presence of under-developed healthcare infrastructure in the region.Undercounter Refrigerators Market: Key PlayersExamples of some of the market participants in the global undercounter refrigerators market include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Philipp Kirsch GmbH, Panasonic Healthcare Co., Helmer Scientific, ARCTIKO, VWR International, LLC, Haier Biomedical, Eppendorf AG, , Biomedical Solutions Inc., Terumo Corporation and EVERMED srl. For more information on this report, please visit: https://www.factmr.com/report/2805/undercounter-refrigerators-market About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@ factmr.com Web: www.factmr.com/ Read Industrial News : http://insiderstribune.com/ PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 07:06:08 Press Information Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Yogesh Sengar Team Lead 800-961-0353 email https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ # 673 Words 305 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 Geotextiles are been used for agriculture and civil applications for thousands of years. In past, materials such as natural fibres and vegetation mix were used to produce geotextiles. Now a days, synthetic and natural fibres/polymers are used to produce geotextiles. The synthetic polymers that are used in the production of geotextiles are polyamides, polyethylenes, polypropylene and polyester. Geotextile fabrics are used to produce grids, mats, nets and webs. Vegetation or plant based geotextiles have less shelf life as compared to synthetic fibres/polymer. Synthetic fibres do not get affected by the biological or chemical reactions/processes. The geotextiles have evolved and currently geotextiles are largely used in the civil engineering applications, due to their properties such as flexibility and texture suitable. Synthetic geotextiles materials are petrochemical based products, due to which, they are not environment friendly as they are responsible for carbon emission. Synthetic geotextiles are non-renewable as well.Separation, filtration, reinforcement and drainage are four functions of geotextiles. Geotextile is also used with soil, and rock to increase the stability and lessen the wind and water erosion. As per the type of applications, the fabric composition varies. Geotextiles can non-woven, woven or knitted. The non-woven geotextiles are used in applications such as roads, payment overlays and aggregate drains. For application where high strength geotextile is required, the woven geotextile is used. Though, geotextiles are largely used in filtration of rocks, geotextiles are not apt for filtration of liquid barriers.Geotextiles Market: Drivers and ChallengesGeotextiles are inexpensive and thus preferred for various functions such as separation, filtration, reinforcement, protection and drainage in civil engineering applications, due to which the global geotextile market is expected to grow during the forecast period. Global geotextile market is forecast to propel during the forecast period due to expected growth in the construction and agriculture industries. Properties such as flexibility and permeability of geotextiles are expected to fuel the growth of the global geotextiles market during the forecast period. Durability and cost effectiveness is also expected to fuel the growth of the global geotextile market during the forecast period. Geotextiles industry players are constantly innovating the geotextiles, due to government push and to increase their market share in the global market, which is expected drive the global geotextile during the forecast period.Request Sample Report@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11050 Though, the importance of the geotextiles is on the rise globally, as synthetic geotextiles are petrochemical based products, they cause carbon emissions, due to stringent government regulations to reduce the carbon footprint, the growth in the global geotextile market is inhibited.Geotextiles Market: OverviewThe global geotextiles market by value is expected to expand at a CAGR of around 79% during the forecast period (2015-2025), due to increasing demand from industries such as construction and agriculture.Geotextiles Market: SegmentationThe global geotextiles market can be segmented by type, by material type, by end-use application and by regions.Based on end-use application, the global geotextiles market is segmented as:DrainageRoad ConstructionErosion ControlOthersBased on type, the global geotextiles market is segmented as:WovenNon?WovenKnittedBased on material type, the global geotextiles market is segmented as:PolyesterPolyethylenePolypropyleneOthersGeotextiles Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global geotextiles market is expected to register a single-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global geotextiles market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). In terms of market revenue, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan geotextiles market is projected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Growing construction industry is fuelling the growth of geotextiles market in APEJ. Growth in population and economic improvement in APEJ are also responsible for growth in geotextiles.Request Report TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11050 Geotextiles Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market participants in global geotextiles market are Royal Ten Cate (TenCate), Geosynthetic Lining Systems (GSE) Environmental, NAUE Gmbh & Co. KG, Propex Global, Fibertex Nonwovers, Fiberweb PLC and Global Synthetics. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Electrically Conductive Adhesives Market" report to their offering Future Market insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 11:44:16 Press Information Future Market Insight Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholia MANAGER 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 673 Words 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.comMANAGER3479183531 Electrically conductive adhesives are adhesives used in joining electrical or electronic components in order to complete a circuit and to maintain conductivity within the circuit. In short, adhesives which can conduct electricity and complete a circuit when applied over an electrical component. There are various types of electrically conductive adhesives available in the global market such as epoxy based adhesives and silicon based adhesives, among others. Generally, these adhesives contain filler material that enhances the characteristic properties of adhesives such as resistance to moisture, low shrinkage properties and strong bonds, among others. Electronically conductive adhesives need to be excellent adhesives in order to increase electromagnetic interference shielding. They are used for providing thermal stability, connecting electrical junctions and adding stability to the electrical component. Electrically conductive adhesives have manifested as a viable alternative for the soldering process in manufacturing of electrical components, along with multiple other processes and applications. Historically, these adhesives were not capable of providing strength when applied to certain metals or electrical components. In order to overcome this disadvantage, various companies modified their manufacturing process and changed the composition of adhesives so as to produce electrically conductive adhesives which were useful in advanced electronics equipment. Electrically conductive adhesives have distinct characteristic properties which allow for their application in an array of uses, such as in PV solar panels, LED/OLEDs, Touch Panel Screens and electronic devices, among others. Another application for these adhesives is in advanced electronics systems such as in the space operations.Global Electrically Conductive Adhesives Market Dynamics:Demand for electrically conductive adhesives is increasing due to rising demand from the electronics industry. Technological advancements in electronics products has resulted in an increase in the demand for advanced adhesive materials that offer strength, conductivity and compatibility with electronic circuits. Electrically conductive adhesives are a fairly suitable option to meet this niche demand that drives the market. Besides this, disposal of electronic and electrical wastage creates environmental issues and pollution hazards. There are various regulations laid down by governments in developed countries in order to minimize pollution. Owing to this, use of electrically conductive adhesives is regulated closely; which adversely affects the market and restricts demand. This is a major constraint in the global electrically conductive adhesives market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2876 Global Electrically Conductive Adhesives Market Segmentation:On the basis of type, global electrically conductive adhesives market are segmented into;Epoxy based adhesivePolyurethane based adhesiveSilicon based adhesivesAcrylate based adhesivesotherOn the basis of filler, global electrically conductive adhesives market are segmented into;silvercoppergraphitenickelotherOn the basis of End use, global electrically conductive adhesives market are segmented into;ElectricalElectronicsAutomotiveOthersGlobal Electrically Conductive Adhesives Market: Regional OutlookElectrically conductive adhesives market is mainly dominated by the Asia Pacific region owing to the presence of major electronics companies in the region. Also, growth of the electronics industry in Taiwan, China, Korea and Japan, among other countries is prompt. On account of this, the demand for electrically conductive adhesives is expected to increase and is expected to register healthy growth over the forecast period. Being major consumers and producers, China, followed by Taiwan and Korea are expected to dominate the electrically conductive adhesives market over the forecast period. Western Europe is expected to register stagnant growth over this time frame due to the economic slowdown in Europe. Demand for the electrically conductive adhesive market in North America is expected to increase owing to growth in the solar industry where these adhesives are most commonly used. Latin America and Middle East & Africa region are expected to register slow growth over the forecast period.Global Electrically Conductive Adhesives Market Player:Examples of some market participants in the global electrically conductive adhesives market, as identified across the value chain, include Panacol-Elosol GmbH, Msaterbond, The 3M Company , H.B. Fuller, Aremco Products, Inc., DOW Corning, Coatex Industries, Bacon Adhesives, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Permatex and Kemtron Ltd., among others.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2876 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 09:30:51 Press Information Fact.MR Office: Dublin 2 Suite 9884 27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Sudip Saha Head of Marketing +353-1-4434-232 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 806 Words Office: Dublin 2Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandHead of Marketing+353-1-4434-232 Cell characterization assays kits are used for quantitative and qualitative analysis of cell cultures and cell line by differentiating cell populations, which work as a biomarkers for particular cell population subgroups. The cell characterization assays kits empower analytical research in respective domains, including cancer, immune response biology and autoimmune disorders using murine and human samples. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is one of the widely known problems in oncology. The cell characterization assays kits comprise specific comprehensive media and tri-layer-based protocols for analyzing in-vitro focused distinction experiment in every germ layer, reproducibly and evidently stating trilineage differentiation. The spontaneous cell separation and differentiation offers advantage in immunohistochemistry and plays an important role in cell characterization assays kits. The cell characterization assays kits offer primitive benefit in selection of biomarkers for further analysis according to the nature of cell sample. Get Free Exclusive Sample Copy of This Report @Cell Characterization Assays Kits Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe primary factor expected to drive the growth of the cell characterization assays kits market is increasing number of research activities related to stem cell, owning to larger implication of stem cell research in providing diagnostic and treatment solutions for various genetic disorders and conditions. As per the American Association of Medical Colleges, approximately 76% of funding for cell research is by the federal government. But, stem cell research is a controversial topic, as several litigations and obligations are raised, which consequently is expected to limit the sale of cell characterization assays kits. According to the American Lung Association, nearly 13% of all cancer cases are of lung cancer, comprising approximately 240,000 people in the U.S. alone. The growing burden of cancer, particularly lung and breast, has increased the healthcare spending, which consequently is expected to boost the demand for cell characterization assays kits. However, strict regulatory guidelines for cell-based research in many countries and high cost of cell characterization assays kits are factors projected to restrain the growth of the cell characterization assays kits market during the forecast period.Cell Characterization Assays Kits Market: OverviewThe global cell characterization assays kits market is into initial stages of introduction attributed to focus on regenerative cell research. Subsequently, it is expected to demonstrate exponential growth potential for the sale of cell characterization assays kits. The federal government funding for stem cell research is favoring the cell characterization assays kits manufacturers for introduction of advanced kits employing latest recombinant technology. Application of Monoclonal antibody (MaB) therapeutics section is thriving and standout amongst the most dynamic and promising pipelines in the biopharmaceutical market. By efficiently utilizing a streamlined efficient facility, cell characterization assays kits providers are assisting biopharmaceutical companies in creating a flexible infrastructure in order to improve their research capabilities, and also efficiently use in-house resources to meet critical project demands in cell characterization assays kits market. Most of the standard cell banking service providers offer cell bank characterization services in addition to cell bank preparation, which include identification, microbial QC services, separation, and cell line stability.Request Brochure of this Report @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2804 Cell Characterization Assays Kits Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global cell characterization assays kits market is segmented into regions, namely North America, Latin America, CIS & Russia, Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America is projected to emerge as the dominant regional market for cell characterization assays kits market due to technological advancement and dedicated healthcare research. The cell characterization assays kits market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow substantially due to the increasing number of manufacturers of cell characterization assays kits and recent rise in outsourcing of research to China and India. Europe is expected to hold prominent share in the global cell characterization assays kits market throughout the study period.Cell Characterization Assays Kits Market: Key PlayersThe global market for cell characterization assays kits is fragmented with large presence of key players. Examples of some of the key players operating in the global cell characterization assays kits market are AYOXXA Biosystems GmbH, Merck KGaA, STEMCELL Technologies Inc., Enzo Life Science, HemoGenix, Thermo Fisher Scientific, PELO Biotech GmbH, R&D Systems, BD Biosciences, and Menarini Silicon Biosystems Inc, etc. For more information on this report, please visit: https://www.factmr.com/report/2804/cell-characterization-assays-kits-market About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@ factmr.com Web: www.factmr.com/ Read Industrial News : http://insiderstribune.com/ PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 14:31:01 KENSINGTON, Md. and SHORASHIM, Israel, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galimedix Therapeutics, which is developing new solutions for ophthalmic and neurodegenerative diseases, today announced its participation in the 8th Annual Glaucoma 360 New Horizons Forum being held on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Chief Scientific Officer, Hermann Russ, M.D., Ph.D., will present previously disclosed data on the companys compound, MRZ-99030/GAL-101 during the 1:22PM session titled, New Drugs and Drops. The Glaucoma 360 Conference, presented by the Glaucoma Research Foundation, brings together key clinical, industry, financial and regulatory leaders in a unique exchange on research and innovation and advances in glaucoma treatment. The 2019 meeting will feature more than 60 speakers from companies and institutions. Glaucoma 360s New Horizons Forum spotlights new and promising developments to diagnose and treat glaucoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. For more information on Glaucoma 360, visit www.glaucoma360.com . About MRZ-99030/GAL-101 MRZ-99030 (now GAL-101) is a proprietary compound designed to prevent the formation of all forms of toxic amyloid beta oligomers, by binding with high affinity to the misfolded amyloid beta monomers, but not to the normally folded version, before they can form toxic soluble oligomers. These then rapidly conglomerate into amorphous, non-beta-sheet formations, which we call blobs. These blobs are innocuous and are thought to be cleared by the circulation. Interestingly, once formed, the blobs have shown the capacity to collect additional misfolded amyloid beta monomers even in the absence of additional GAL-101 molecules, through a self-propagation mechanism. This novel trigger effect, protected by Galimedix patent portfolio, results in a sustained action effect lasting far longer than the time a single administration of the drug remains at therapeutic levels in the retina, potentially allowing for a convenient sustained inter-treatment interval application regimen for patients. About Galimedix Based in the United States and Israel, Galimedix is a phase 2 ophthalmic pharmaceutical company with a novel, patented small molecule drug with a novel MOA addressing glaucoma and dry AMD utilizing an eye drops delivery platform, which may offer significant safety and compliance advantages over commonly used direct ocular injections. Eye drops are often used to deliver steroids and other small molecules, like GAL-101, in retinal disease, and studies with Galimedix eye drops in monkeys have demonstrated more than 30 times predicted therapeutic levels quickly reaching the retina of the closest model to humans. Compelling efficacy data from GAL-101 eye drops in relevant animal models have demonstrated more than 90 percent neuroprotection, and the compound is supported by several leading experts in glaucoma and in dry AMD who also support the design of the companys proposed phase 2 studies. Galimedix has exclusive worldwide license from Tel Aviv University, following return of license by a German pharma (Merz) due to management change and strategic pivot away from neuroscience. In the meantime, key members of the Merz Pharma team that developed the compound are now working with or for the company. The license also includes a next generation, potentially superior version, intended for oral delivery, with potential to treat retinal and other CNS diseases. Contact: Investors: Scott Gordon Core IR scottg@coreir.com 631-703-4900 Media: Jules Abraham Core IR julesa@coreir.com 917-885-7378 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:07:19 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 685 Words 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 Enteral stents can be defined as stents which are deployed in the stomach, colon and the small bowel. Enteral stents are designed to treat malignant luminal obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Although their use is for palliation of malignant obstruction, they can also be used within the colon as a pre-operative modality. Enteral stents maintain the lumen of hollow organs, vessels, and ducts. For colonic stents, preoperative stenting allows a one-stage operation and avoidance of colostomy. In patients undergoing palliation of obstruction, self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) allow avoidance of surgery. Newer stent designs for both upper and lower gastrointestinal use are needed which are covered while still allowing delivery through the endoscope channel, and are associated with low migration rates.Enteral Stents Market: Drivers and RestraintsExpanding use of stents in non-malignant applications, and the need for effective therapies that reduce the risk of complications, rising use of fully-covered, removable metal stents in gastrointestinal applications, technological innovations in stent technology with regards to stent design and delivery systems, movement towards the increasing use of minimally-invasive techniques augmented by rising patient demand and awareness are some of the drivers leading to the growth of enteral stents market. Although the current stent technologies provide mechanical support to the organ in which they are used, both short- and long-term complications still occur, resulting in poor clinical outcomes and endangering patient safety. Based on the shortcomings of the current stents, a newer generation of devices boasting innovative structures, durable metal alloys, biodegradable stent platforms, and bioactive coatings is in development. However unmet needs remain a challenge also adverse effects related to the products are likely to hinder the growth of the enteral stents market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3567 Enteral Stents Market: SegmentationBy product type, the enteral stents market is segmented into,Esophageal StentsGastroduodenal StentsColon StentsBy material type, the enteral stents market is segmented into,Self-Expandable Metal Stents (SEMS)Self-Expandable Plastic Stents (SEPS)By end user the enteral stents market is segmented into,HospitalsSpecialty ClinicsAmbulatory Surgical CentersOthersWhile all enteral stents were originally uncovered, partially covered and fully covered enteral stents have become more common, as covering helps to combat the complication of tissue and tumor ingrowth.Enteral Stents Market: OverviewIncreasing prevalence of cancer disease, changing lifestyles, rapidly growing population and new product innovation are some of the factors projected to drive the growth of global enteral stents market. Rising adoption and technological advancement in enteral stents are some other factors expected to fuel the growth of the enteral stents market.Enteral Stents Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically the market for enteral stents is segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and the Middle East and Africa. North America dominates the enteral stents market due to growing prevalence of cancer, changing lifestyle, technological advancement, and early treatment adoption. Europe is the second leading market for enteral stents. Asia Pacific is also expected to grow at the higher rate in enteral stents market due to rapid population growth, developing healthcare infrastructure, increasing per capita expenditure, and increasing research and development. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa is also anticipated to create a significant opportunity in the enteral stents market due to private and government health care insurance coverage, increasing consumption of alcohol, growing awareness among people, and increasing investment by key manufacturers in this area.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3567 Enteral Stents Market: Key PlayersSome of the players operating in the enteral stents market include Abbott Vascular, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Biosensors International, Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical, C. R. Bard, Cordis Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., Stryker Corporation, Taewoong Medical and Terumo Corporation. Cook Medical has established a strong presence despite a small product line, while Taewoong Medical has a more extensive product portfolio. Boston Scientific is also the leading company due to an extensive product line and presence in all the segments. Its presence in the enteral stents market is further strengthened by the acquisition of EndoChoice a former smaller player in this market. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:14:28 Press Information RESEARCH REPORT INSIGHTS Research Report Insights (RRI) 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU +1-631-721-4201 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 427 Words 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 Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) are a filtration device used for removing fine particulate matter from an exhaust gas by means of an electrostatic force. ESPs possess high collection efficiency and can handle large gas volumes at high temperatures. This renders them vital to heavy industries such as steel mills & cement plants, and especially to thermal power plants. Combustion processes in coal-fired power plants receive a performance boost with the use of ESPs. They also act as conditioning systems for the fly ash and flue gases produced during the process.Electrostatic precipitators are used in systems to remove the particulate matter from the exhaust smoke of industries such as power plants, refineries, mining, steel, cement, chemicals and metal refining. They are used to control the emission of particulate matter in industrial plants where gas or dust emission is frequent. The industries that are prone to particulate emission are the primary sources for the growth of the electrostatic precipitators market.The report is segmented on the basis of technologytype, applications& geography. Based on the type of technology used, the market is segmented into wet ESP, dry ESP, plate-wire ESP, wire-plate ESP and wire-pipe ESP.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upsample/120124611/Electrostatic-Precipitator-Market Based on the applications the market is segmented into coal fired generation, electric arc furnaces, gas turbines, solid-waste incinerators, and industrial power, among others. Based on region, the market is segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, Americas, LAMEA, and Africa.This electrostatic precipitator market is dominated by the presence of well-diversified vendors operating across international, national, and regional levels. Expanding product portfolio, launching technologically innovative product, and growing Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) are the prominent strategies adopted by key market players to consolidate their positions in the market. Major vendors in this market try to expand their market reach by acquiring key local ional players. Key markets players have bagged various commercial contracts from advanced economies such as US & Europe for high-end electrostatic precipitators to control pollutions in different industrial processes. The introduction of ESPs by these economiesis to reduce thermal inefficiency, maintenance cost and system downtime.Request Report For Toc: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/TOC/120124611/Electrostatic-Precipitator-Market KEY MARKET SEGMENTS:By Technology: Wet ESP, Dry ESP, Plate-Wire ESP, Wire-Plate ESP, Wire-Pipe ESPBy Application : Coal Fired Generation, Electric Arc Furnaces, Gas Turbines, Solid-Waste Incinerators, Industrial Power, OthersBy Geography: Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, LAMEASome of the major key participants in this market include Alstom, Siemens AG, The Babcox and Wilcox Co., and Blacke-DurrGmBH among others.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upcomming/120124611/Electrostatic-Precipitator-Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 05:07:26 Electro-pneumatic train brakes are modern rolling stock braking systems that offer improved performance as compared to traditional pneumatic brakes. Electro-pneumatic train brakes are a part of train safety systems and are thus critical components. Hence, with the increase in train production and repair activities, the demand for electro-pneumatic brakes is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years.Railway is an effective, reliable and preferred means of mass transportation for passengers and freight. With technical advancement and increasing train speed and load, train brakes have also evolved to reliably and safely stop the train. Electro-pneumatic train brakes are designed to overcome the operational lag of the traditional pneumatic braking systems. They use electronic controls for the faster control of traditional air brakes to increase effectiveness, enhance reliability, optimize air pressure control and reduce stopping distance.Request For Report Sample @ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8427 Electro-Pneumatic Train Brakes Market: Market DynamicsRailways are an integral part of public transportation systems and are expected to play a crucial role in the years to come, owing to the increasing passenger density and globalization across regions. Governments around the globe are significantly investing towards the development of railway infrastructure, which has been driving the growth of the electro-pneumatic train brakes market. Furthermore, with technical advancement, high speed trains are gaining traction and such trains require reliable and high speed and load braking systems. Moreover, to meet the growing demand for transportation, authorities across various countries are investing on strengthening their railway networks, which is expected to augment the growth of the electro-pneumatic train brakes market. Further, with the increasing inclination towards safety and security along with the stringent rules & regulations implemented by authorities and governments of developed and developing countries regarding the safety of passengers and freight is a prominent driver for the growth of the electro-pneumatic train brakes market.Market participants across the global electro-pneumatic train brakes market are emphasizing on improving the robustness and reliability of their electro-pneumatic braking systems. Hence, increasing research & development activities towards product enhancement, supported by government initiatives and funding, are expected to drive the growth of the electro-pneumatic train brakes market over the forecast period. However, high initial cost and presence of counterfeit products from China-based manufacturers are countering the growth of the market to an extent.Electro-Pneumatic Train Brakes Market: SegmentationThe global electro-pneumatic train brakes market is segmented on the basis of brake type and train type.On the basis of brake type, the global electro-pneumatic train brakes market can be segmented as:Self-lapping brakesRetardation controllersVariable load controlP-wire controlOn the basis of train type, the global electro-pneumatic train brakes market can be segmented as:Passenger trainsFreight trainsMetro trainsHigh speed trainsOthersElectro-Pneumatic Train Brakes Market: Regional OutlookEurope is expected to hold a significant share of the global electro-pneumatic train brakes market. The market in the region is expected to be driven by the increasing need for repair and refurbishment. The North America electro-pneumatic train brakes market is expected to be a lucrative region for market participants, with growth being driven by the increasing demand for trains in the region. Asia Pacific, with booming industrialization, rapid urbanization and population growth, is witnessing a need for a proper transport network, which is set to augment the growth of the electro-pneumatic train brakes market during the forecast period. The electro-pneumatic train brakes market in developing countries such as China and India is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to the increasing government investments for the development of public transport and high-speed train networks in the country. The Middle East & Africa electro-pneumatic train brakes market is expected to grow at a relatively moderate pace when compared with other regions.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8427 Electro-Pneumatic Train Brakes Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants operating in the global electro-pneumatic train brakes market include Knorr Brake Company, Wabtec Corporation, DAKO-CZ A.S. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 06:22:50 Press Information Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Yogesh Sengar Team Lead 800-961-0353 email https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ # 633 Words 305 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 Chemical detection technology is used to detect chemical agents (CA), toxic industrial chemicals (TIC), and toxic industrial materials (TIM). Chemical detection technologies plays a vital important role in the monitoring of chemical plants and industries. Incidents from the past like Bhopal gas tragedy have triggered the alarm in the chemical industry to use top quality and reliable chemical detection technology. Furthermore, a rise in threat from terrorist organizations across the world is forcing countries to implant chemical detection technology at critical infrastructure facilities such as airports, nuclear power plants, and water distribution facilities, etc. Many of the commercially available CA and TIC detectors utilize technologies that are adapted from classical analytical chemistry techniques. These technologies are ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS), raman spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, colorimetric analysis, flame photometry, surface acoustic wave, photo ionization and flame ionization.Global Chemical Detection Technology Market Dynamics: Global chemical detection technology market is driven by defense sector of various countries in the world. IMS technology is widely used in the military and civilian agencies for detection of illicit drugs, explosives and TICs. Increase in number of people travelling worldwide and security concerns at the airports are driving growth of the global chemical detection technology market. Worldwide forensic labs are using infra-red spectroscopy for forensic analysis such as in identifying polymer degradation. Infra-red spectroscopy can be used to detect the alcohol content in the blood.Request Report TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/12322 A recent trend of chemical detection equipment becoming portable is expected to fuel the global chemical detection market growth. Additionally, there is an increasing reliability on chemical detection equipment by end-users owing to the reduced number of false alarm. Raman spectroscopy is very efficient and non-destructive technology to investigate the authenticity of arts (paintings), which is expected to drive the global chemical detection technology market. Growth in health care and medical sector is also poised to positively influence the global market for chemical detection technology. Cost of the chemical detection equipment is very high along with high operating cost, hindering the growth of the global chemical detection technology market to some extent.Global Chemical Detection Technology Market Segmentation: Global chemical detection technology market can be segmented on the basis of end-use sector such as defense sector, civil sector, and commercial sector. Global chemical detection technology market for defense sector can be further sub-segmented on the basis of application such as anti-terrorism, first responder market, firefighting control, real time monitoring of toxic and hazardous industrial chemicals in the environment, chemical disaster management and detecting air-borne chemical threats. Global chemical detection technology market can also be segmented on the basis type into portable and non-portable equipment. Global chemical detection technology market can be segmented on the basis of geography in to North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region (APEJ), Japan, and Middle East & Africa (MEA).Global Chemical Detection Technology Market: Regional outlook: Geographically, global chemical detection technology market can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is the biggest market for chemical detection technology. The U.S. is the leader in research and development of chemical detection technology. Countries affected by the terrorism such as India, France, the U.K. are next big market for the chemical detection technology.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12322 Global Chemical Detection Technology Market: Key players: Following are the major key player identified in the value chain of global chemical detection technology market: S. E. International, Inc., S2 Threat Detection Technologies, Romtech, ChemImage Corp., Bruker Detection Corporation, and Implant Sciences Corporation, etc. Major players are turning focus toward strategic alliances and collaboration along with product innovation to increase their market share in the global chemical detection technology market. Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the Demand for Residential Lighting Fixtures Market from Key End-use Sectors to Surge in the Near Future" report to their offering. Diffractive Optical Elements Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 14:16:06 Press Information Persistence Market Research CONTACT: Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com yogesh sengar team lead 800-961-0353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 967 Words 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 Anticipated to reach a valuation of approximately US$ 29.7 Billion in 2019, the global demand for residential lighting fixtures is expected to grow at a steady rate of 4.5 percent CAGR, through the period of 2018-2026, considering growing sales of smart lighting solutions, energy-efficient products such as the LEDs, and growing demand for fancy lightings. Moreover, governments increasingly promoting the smart cities concept will boost residential lighting fixtures demand in the coming years, as indicated in a recent intelligence study on global residential lighting fixtures market published by Persistence Market Research.While the global revenue from the sales of residential lighting fixtures is anticipated to witness a steady year-on-year growth, the market study by Persistence Market Research indicates that the global sales of residential lighting fixtures, through 2026, will exceed a whopping US$ 40 Billion revenue. Such increasing global demand for residential lighting fixtures can safely be attributed to continuous developments and innovations in technology and increase in construction of smart and premium homes, a senior research analyst elaborates.FMI Spots Demand-Driving Trends, GloballyThe market is currently witnessing a thriving trend of replacing old metal halide fixtures with LED lighting fixtures, arising from the many benefits of LEDs including better lighting effects and cost-efficient output, while also promoting low-energy consuming lighting products. Manufacturers, in North America are replacing old lighting technologies with newer ones for both indoor and outdoor lighting solution, thereby, influencing the demand for residential lighting fixtures.On the other hand, Latin America is likely to witness trends around strategic partnerships between manufacturers of residential lighting fixtures and online retailers for an expansive online visibility of products. In Europe, increasing application of lighting solutions in the healthcare sector will remain a major trend. In emerging markets of SEA and Other of APAC, India projects lucrative investment opportunities, considering the smart city initiatives by the government. In China, smart LED streetlights market will gain significance by 2020. To change the present lighting infrastructure, governments in Japan are partnering with key manufacturers of lighting fixtures.Moreover, global climate change has translated into governments banning incandescent bulbs to meet a minimum energy efficiency level, thereby, favoring greener and more efficient technologies such as the LEDs. For instance, California became the first US state to ban incandescent bulbs, beginning 2018a move that is expected to save consumers approximately US$ 1 Billion a year in energy bills, adds the analystIn the wheel of fortune, the report on residential lighting fixtures market, places key segments including fixture types, lighting source, pricing, and region in various growth quadrants, ranging from slow growth to very high growth quadrant. A majority of market segments fall in the high and very high growth quadrants. Regionally, Middle East and Africa fall in the slow growth quadrant, while Europe and China occupy a position in the medium growth quadrant. However, regions like North America, Latin America, SEA and Others of APAC, and Japan are among the fast growing revenue pockets. In terms of lighting source, incandescent is a slow-moving segment compared to fluorescent and LED and OLEDsafely placed in the high growth quadrant owing to their energy-efficient attributes. On the basis of fixtures, while recessed fixtures and under cabinet lighting solution fall in the high-growth quad, adoption of vanity fixtures and outdoor fixtures is projected to remain high through 2026. In terms of pricing, premium residential fixtures are estimated to gain prominence in the coming years, hence, falls in very high growth quadrant. Drawing from an analysis of the wheel of fortune:Flush mount fixtures, will remain the fastest growing segment, owing to their increased utility in modern interiors. Demand for flush mount fixtures is estimated to grow at a robust rate through 2026, generating a revenue of nearly US$ 9.4 Billion, during the same period. Such demand trend will be witnessed by recessed fixtures, in the coming years.Stringency in government regulations and the low cost and long lifespan benefits, will drive the future sales of LEDs and OLEDsholding approximately 54 percent of the total market share, followed by fluorescent at 39 percent market share.In Latin America, demand for residential lighting fixtures can be attributed to a massive rise in the numbers of regulations mandating the replacement of old lighting technologies with energy-efficient lighting systems.A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/25819 The global residential fixtures market showcases a highly competitive landscape, considering presence of several leading global and regional players. Tier-1 manufactures of residential lighting fixtures including companies like Hubbell, General Electric, Signify, and OSRAM GmbH hold dominance over 45.5 percent market share compared to tier-2 players such as Cree, Panasonic, and Royal Philips NV trailing with 36.4 percent market share. Porters Five Force Analysis projects high threat of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers, and threat of substitutes. Bargaining power of suppliers will remain moderate owing to the high demand for advanced technologies, as per the analysis. To counter these, core forward market strategies include:As a part of their differentiation strategy, key companies in the global residential lighting fixtures market are focusing on the growing their profit margin through product portfolio expansion.Top performers such as Cree and Panasonic are projected to focus on portfolio expansion through technological advancements. In October 2018, Cree expanded its industrial lighting portfolio with new LXB Series Linear High-Bay luminaries.For business opportunity expansion, key companies are also looking to collaborate with other manufacturers of residential lighting fixtures and develop high quality and better functioning products. In In May 2018, Acuity Brands acquired IOTA Engineering LLC, making a foray into the smart building equipment market.Infrastructure development and increased investments in research and development will also remain a key strategy among manufacturers of residential lighting fixtures.For instance, Hubbell Lighting, Inc. opened a Lighting Solution Lab in South Carolina to facilitate proper training of employees translating into better developed lighting solutions. Geographically, carcinoid syndrome management 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 be the leader in global carcinoid syndrome management market owing to increasing caseload of carcinoid tumor in the U.S. Carcinoid Syndrome Management Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:02:21 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 688 Words 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 Carcinoid syndrome comprises of signs and symptoms such as flushing of the face, debilitating diarrhea, asthma caused due to vasoconstriction, intestinal bleeding, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, unexplained weight gain etc. which are developed secondary to carcinoid tumor. The term carcinoid crisis is used when all the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome show at a time. Carcinoid tumors arise out of neuroendocrine cells which are present all over the human body and most commonly occur at stomach, small intestine, colon, appendix or lungs and rarely in pancreas, testicle and ovaries. However, carcinoid syndrome may also arise due to cause other than carcinoid tumor. Patient has to seek symptomatic treatment for carcinoid syndrome and there is no cure for the symptoms of carcinoid tumor. If carcinoid tumor is not detected, carcinoid syndrome can be undiagnosed as its symptoms resemble to those of asthma, irritable bowel disease and menopause. However, patient often receives delayed treatment for carcinoid syndrome as tumors do not show significant symptoms until they are not confined to small bowel or other site of tumor origin. The management of carcinoid syndrome often requires palliative and supportive care. Management of carcinoid syndrome involves drug therapy or surgical removal of carcinoid tumor. Some of the commercially available chemotherapeutic agents for management of carcinoid syndrome include Sandostatin (Novartis AG), Somatuline Depot (Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.) etc.Carcinoid Syndrome Management Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe primary factor driving the growth of global carcinoid syndrome market is incidence of carcinoid tumor. As per National Institute of Health statistics, worldwide incidence of carcinoid tumor is 2 per 100,000 person with high incidence of GI carcinoid tumors. Every year over 8,000 patients in the U.S are diagnosed with carcinoid tumor in GI tract. Other factors influencing the global carcinoid syndrome management market include increasing incidence of hormonal disorders, growing smoking habits, levels of carcinogen in highly developed countries etc. The only factor restraining the growth of global carcinoid syndrome management market is no availability of drugs approved to manage carcinoid syndrome.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3539 Carcinoid Syndrome Management Market: SegmentationTentatively, the global carcinoid syndrome management market has been segmented on the basis of treatment type, distribution channel, and geography.Based on Treatment type, the global carcinoid syndrome management market is divided into following:ChemotherapyOctreotideLanreotideOthersBiological TherapyInterferone alfa-2-aHepatic Artery Embolization AgentsSIR-SpheresTheraSphereBased on distribution channel, the global carcinoid syndrome management market is segmented as below:Hospital pharmacyRetail PharmacyPrescription Drug StoresCarcinoid Syndrome Management Market: OverviewThe global market for carcinoid syndrome management is highly consolidated and very few number of players constitute the entire market. Chemotherapy treatment type segment is expected to dominate the global market for carcinoid syndrome management over the forecast period as chemotherapy is used as a first line treatment. Newly introduced hepatic artery embolization agents are expected to gain the significant share in the global market over the period of 20172027. The market is expected to grow at an average CAGR due to increasing awareness towards the symptoms of carcinoid tumor among the general population.Carcinoid Syndrome Management Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, carcinoid syndrome management 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 be the leader in global carcinoid syndrome management market owing to increasing caseload of carcinoid tumor in the U.S. The market in Asia Pacific and Japan is expected to grow at significant CAGR due to availability of generic formulations of innovator drugs in these regions. Europe is expected to take second largest share in the global carcinoid syndrome management market.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3539 Carcinoid Syndrome Management Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players in the global carcinoid syndrome management market are Novartis International AG (Sandoz), Pharmascience Inc., Omega Laboratories Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Mylan N.V., Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Sirtex Medical Limited, BTG International Ltd. among others. Companies that provide generic chemotherapeutic agents include Wockhardt Ltd., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. etc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 15:12:54 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2019 / Broadcast Management Group, Inc. (BMG) expands it's broadcast consulting, engineering, and broadcast system integration division by acquiring Vegas Wireworks and naming founder Megan Kirst their Vice President of Engineering.Kirst, a veteran of Sony's systems integration group, has worked on system design and integration projects around the world, from the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, to an HD upgrade for the National Broadcast Services ZIZ in St. Kitts. Kirst also designed on-board video and radio system on the US Navy's CVN79 aircraft carrier, the John F. Kennedy. Megan has worked with major broadcasters and networks, including MTV, CBS News, Fox TV, and DirecTV.Vegas Wireworks offers systems design, build-out, integration, training, and maintenance. In addition to extensive design-build and integration projects at fixed facilities, Vegas Wireworks has also built full-size mobile production trucks, production Sprinter vans, and custom flight packs. Broadcast Management Group will be taking over the Vegas Wireworks office and warehouse located just off the Las Vegas Strip."We are excited to be joining the Broadcast Management Group family. Now as part of BMG, we will be extending their systems integration and maintenance services to broadcast clients all over the world. With our Engineering, Design, AutoCAD, Integration, Training and Maintenance team based in Las Vegas, we will be able to offer a complete system from concept to fully functioning broadcast facility" said Kirst."Vegas Wireworks and its team, by Megan will be a great addition to our team as we continue to grow our consulting, engineering and integration business", said Dave Weiler, Senior Vice President of Broadcast Management Group. Dave continues, "Megan will lead our engineering design, build, and integration team and expand our manufacturing relationships." "This is a great strategic step for BMG", said Todd Mason, Chief Executive Officer of Broadcast Management Group. "We are adding great talent to our growing consulting, engineering and integration group and establishing a west coast operation for deployment of flight packs that support our live production division." The fast paced Las Vegas market continues to grow and BMG's new Las Vegas operation will support that market growth by providing live production services, event management, engineering design, build-out and integration, and production staffing.Broadcast Management Group is a global media company with five practice groups: live production, broadcast consulting, creative content development, long-term production staffing, and event management. The company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Washington, D.C.Contact: Jonathan ClarkPublic Relations, MarketingBroadcast Management Group, Inc.Phone: 703.855.4896jclark@ broadcastmgmt.com SOURCE: Broadcast Management Group, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 08:18:17 Press Information RESEARCH REPORT INSIGHTS Research Report Insights (RRI) 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU +1-631-721-4201 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 364 Words 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 Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy are usually performed on the back of the hipbone, or posterior iliac crest. An aspirate can also be obtained from the sternum (breastbone). For the sternal aspirate, the patient lies on their back, with a pillow under the shoulder to raise the chest. A trephine biopsy should never be performed on the sternum, due to the risk of injury to blood vessels, lungs or the heart.The need to selectively isolate and concentrate selective cells, such as mononuclear cells, allogeneic cancer cells, T cells and others, is driving the market. Over 30,000 bone marrow transplants occur every year. The explosive growth of stem cells therapies represents the largest growth opportunity for bone marrow processing systems.Europe and North America spearheaded the market as of 2016, by contributing over 74.0% to the overall revenue. Majority of stem cell transplants are conducted in Europe, and it is one of the major factors contributing to the lucrative share in the cell harvesting system market.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upsample/120124610/Bone-Marrow-Processing-Systems-Market In 2016, North America dominated the research landscape as more than 54.0% of stem cell clinical trials were conducted in this region. The region also accounts for the second largest number of stem cell transplantation, which is further driving the demand for harvesting in the region.Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period, owing to rising incidence of chronic diseases and increasing demand for stem cell transplantation along with stem cell-based therapy. Japan and China are the biggest markets for harvesting systems in Asia Pacific.Request Report For Toc: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/TOC/120124610/Bone-Marrow-Processing-Systems-Market Emerging countries such as Mexico, South Korea, and South Africa are also expected to report lucrative growth over the forecast period. Growing investment by government bodies on stem cell-based research and increase in aging population can be attributed to the increasing demand for these therapies in these countries.Major players operating in the global bone marrow processing systems market are ThermoGenesis (Cesca Therapeutics inc.), RegenMed Systems Inc., MK Alliance Inc., Fresenius Kabi AG, Harvest Technologies (Terumo BCT), Arthrex, Inc. and others.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upcomming/120124610/Bone-Marrow-Processing-Systems-Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:38:48 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 842 Words 616 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.comManager+1-347-918-3531 Diverse interventions ranging from EHR (electronic health records) and patient records to surgical procedures application are extensively integrating AI, which in turn has revolutionized the clinical and healthcare settings. Demand for deep learning is expected to increase in artificial intelligence in healthcare market with rising need for image recognition, data mining and signal reduction.Innovative Developments with Collaborations to Significantly Benefit Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare MarketBurgeoning need for the minimally invasive surgeries across the globe is expected to create lucrative opportunities for manufacturers in artificial intelligence in healthcare market with surging demand for robot-assisted surgery.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4168 IBM Corporation: The artificial intelligence in healthcare market player has teamed up with IIT Bombay for accelerating research of AI in India. This collaboration is expected to dive in inputs from the global researchers on the frontier of AI, thereby focusing on the industrially relevant problems. In addition, measures will also be taken to make access availability to the large data sets. This is consequently expected to positively impact on artificial intelligence in healthcare market.Oracle Corporation: The artificial intelligence in healthcare market player has taken immense efforts in integrating machine learning in cloud applications strategy. Next-gen voice user interface along with powerful analytics is enabling in expanding industrys fastest, deepest and broadest growing cloud applications suite. Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications is highly beneficial for reducing costs and increasing business agility. With growing adoption of AI across business, positive impact is also expected to shower on artificial intelligence in healthcare market.Microsoft Corporation: The artificial intelligence in healthcare market player has forward plans to excel in its AI innovation with new ideas and data types along with inserting data from the picture. Ideas would be AI-powered insights provision that enables people in leveraging with full-power of Office. The new data types would be beneficial in identifying real-world concepts. Inserting data from the picture enables in taking picture of printed data-table with Android device, thereby converting analog information in Excel sheet with just one click. These developments are expected to create significant growth opportunities for artificial intelligence in healthcare market in the long run.Developing Regions to Witness Stellar Growth in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market with Notable Dearth of Doctor-PopulationNorth America artificial intelligence in healthcare market is likely to witness significant growth with increasing usage of EMR (Electronic Health Records), growing focus on the precision medicine, high consumerization of the personal care products. Increasing desire for automating tasks, harnessing deeper insights in financial and clinical issues drives North America artificial intelligence in healthcare market.According to official figures presented in the Indian Parliament in 2017, doctor population ratio is a major concern in India as the country holds nearly 1,022,859 allopathic doctors that are registered with Medical Council of India. India lacks in meeting the WHO standard of having 1:1000 doctor-population ratio, as the country only has only 0.62:1,000 doctor-population ratio. Whereas, US has a higher doctor-population ratio, which is insufficient for catering to the needs of rapidly surging population. Association of American Medical Colleges had presented a report of US by stating that the region is likely to face shortage of over 90,000 doctors by the end of 2020, which is inclusive of 45,000 patient care doctors.Dearth of doctor population is significantly driving the growth of artificial intelligence in healthcare market and this trend is expected to continue in the developing economies.Explosive Growth of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market with Rapidly Increasing Regulatory Mandates and Diagnostic ErrorsEmerging need for taking up healthcare decisions based on evidence and improved clinical outcomes are some factors driving the growth of artificial intelligence in healthcare market. Increasing usage in claims management applications for insurance companies, for identifying the number of fake claims further drives demand and supply of artificial intelligence in healthcare market. Surging use of big data across the healthcare industry, artificial intelligence capabilities for improving patient outcomes, notable imbalance between patients and health workforce is likely to stimulate the revenue growth of artificial intelligence in healthcare market.Prevalence of government mandates for utilizing EHR is stimulating the need for deep learning technology, which in turn drives artificial intelligence in healthcare market. Rising need for drug discovery, treatment plans and medication management is expected to stimulate the growth of artificial intelligence in healthcare market. Prospective of artificial intelligence based tools for the care of geriatric population and untapped potential of the developing regions such as India and China is anticipated to create several opportunities for artificial intelligence in healthcare market expansion.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4168 Rising importance on the precision medications, rapid increase in cross-industry partnerships and venture capital investments has been fuelling the sales of artificial intelligence in healthcare market. However, high installation costs and dearth of skilled workforce is likely to restrain artificial intelligence in healthcare market on a larger basis. Imprecise regulatory scenario as well as reluctance amongst the healthcare professionals for adopting artificial intelligence based technologies is further likely to hinder the growth of restrain artificial intelligence in healthcare market. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and it is estimated that in the United States about 54.4 million United States adults suffer some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and this number will rise with the increase in geriatric population and various lifestyle diseases such as obesity, and various fall injuries etc. Artificial Cartilage Implant PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:29:38 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 885 Words 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 Cartilage is the semi-rigid specialized connective tissue performing a range of functions in the human body. It is designed to give support, bear weight and withstand tension, torsion, and bending. Cartilage can be classified as articular cartilage, elastic cartilage or fibrocartilage. Each cartilage type has its function e.g. elastic cartilage help in the maintenance of shape and structure of the ear and trachea. Cartilage also acts as a binder between two bones, permitting smooth motion between adjoining bony segments. Articular cartilage is found in synovial joints such as hip, knee, and elbow and is concerned with the mechanical and functional behavior. Osteoarthrosis is the one of the leading disability in the United States. About 80% of people over the age of 65+ in the United States are suffering from osteoarthrosis. Most commonly, distal interphalangeal, first carpometacarpal, and knee joints are affected leading to physical disability.Damage to the cartilage impedes smooth movement of the joint increases the friction resulting in erosion of the articular surface causing pain and arthritis. Reasons behind cartilage damage may be due to daily wear and tear or injury, ligament injury or due to other disease condition such as oesteonecrosis and osteochondritis. As cartilage is devoid of blood vessels, the healing process is poor and leads to progressive pain, immobility, and arthritis. Cartilage Implantation also is known as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) method is used in repair and replacement of damaged articular cartilage. It is an advanced procedure that uses artificially grown cartilage cells from non-weight bearing regions of the bone and is artificially cultured in laboratories and is implanted at the region of damaged cartilage. The common symptoms of cartilage damage are pain, irritation, inflammation and limited mobility of the affected joint area.Several synthetic cartilage implants for the treatment of arthritis are receiving approval from the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and generating significant revenue in the artificial cartilage implant market. The synthetic cartilage is composed of saline and synthetic polymer (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) crosslinking yields an inert and lubricating material that has mechanical properties same as human cartilage. During artificial implant of the cartilage, long-term follow-up is necessary to withstand complications such as subsidence, wear, and tear, loosening, inflammatory, or auto-immune attack.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3669 Artificial Cartilage Implant: Drivers and RestrainsAccording to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and it is estimated that in the United States about 54.4 million United States adults suffer some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and this number will rise with the increase in geriatric population and various lifestyle diseases such as obesity, and various fall injuries etc. The rise in prevalence of arthritis, fall injuries, and other lifestyle diseases, researchers focusing on innovative technologies for durable cartilage implantation and growing awareness about the same with recent product launches of artificial cartilage implant, mimics both strength and suppleness of native tissue is expected to boost the market revenue for artificial cartilage implant market. The major challenge associated with the artificial cartilage implant are cost associated with cartilage repair and implant, FDA stringent regulation that may hinder the growth of the artificial cartilage implant market. Pipeline and clinical research are on the way with new materials; that causes fewer complications and last longer. According to National Joint Registry about 160,000 total hip and knee replacement surgery are performed each year in England and Wales.Artificial Cartilage Implant: SegmentationThe global artificial implant market has been classified on the basis of surgery type, end user and geography.Based on surgery type, the artificial cartilage implant is divided into following:Autologous Chondrocyte TransplantationMeniscus TransplantOsteochondral AllograftCell-based Cartilage ResurfacingOthersBased on the End User, the global artificial cartilage implant is divided into following:HospitalsAmbulatory Care CentersOrthopedic ClinicsOthersArtificial Cartilage Implant: OverviewBased on the surgery type, the global artificial cartilage implant market is segmented autologous chondrocyte transplantation, meniscus transplant, osteochondral allograft, cell-based cartilage resurfacing and others. Based on the end user artificial cartilage implant market is segmented into, hospitals, ambulatory care centers, orthopedic clinics and others. The rise in incidences of orthopedic diseases and disorders, growing aging population, companies focusing on collaboration, acquisition, and merger with various manufacturers to expand their product portfolio are attributed towards the growth of artificial cartilage implants or the treatment of articular cartilage injuriesArtificial Cartilage Implant: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global artificial cartilage implant market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is estimated to account for major share followed by Europe. Increasing geriatric population, and rapid degenerative changes of the knees due to injury, healthcare insurance in United States are the reasons for the market growth in these countries. Increase in demand for elder care and treatment, increase in patient population base, huge government support for research and development and to modernize healthcare systems will contribute the growth of artificial cartilage market in Asia Pacific region.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3669 Artificial Cartilage Implant: Key PlayersSome of the key players in global artificial cartilage market are Biomet, Inc., Azellon Cell Therapeutics, Anika Therapeutics , DePuy (Johnson & Johnson), CellGenix, Advanced Technologies and Regenerative Medicine, Medtronic Plc., Stryker Corporation, Smith & Nephew, Sanofi SA and others PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 05:06:24 Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals found in the earths crust. Aluminums properties such as low metal density and its ability to resist corrosion make it the most favorable metal among the end-users. It is silvery white in color and be molded into very thin sheets having high strength and durability. Aluminum finds its application across many industries such as transportation, construction, packaging, consumer durables, electrical, machinery and equipment among others.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-301 One of the key factors that contributes to the growth of aluminum market is the growing automobile industry. Increase in demand for light weight and fuel efficient vehicles is expected to boost the demand of aluminum in the automobile industry. On a global level, in the aluminum market China is the leading producer of aluminum followed by Russia and Canada. The aluminum market has witnessed an overall increase in the production capacity by the major producers across the world. High degree of vertical integration is another major trend witnessed in the aluminum market. Major aluminum manufacturers in the aluminum market are integrating their value chain in order to gain a significant control over the supply chain and offer the product to customers at reduced costs, thereby, increasing their market penetration. Aluminum market exhibits high degree of upstream as well as downstream integration. However, aluminum prices have witnessed an all time low over the recent past owing to oversupply in the aluminum market. Volatility of raw material prices of aluminum coupled with stringent government regulations is expected to restrain the growth of the market. Many efforts are carried out by the vendors in order to comply with the regulations vendors which further leads to higher operating and manufacturing cost of aluminum.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-301 Key participants in the aluminum market include Vedanta Resources plc, Dubai Aluminum Co. Ltd., Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd., Norsk Hydro ASA, BHP Billiton Ltd. and United Co. RUSAL among others. The global adoptive T cell therapy market is categorized based on various modes of treatment, pipelines product and end users. The treatment segment is further sub-segmented into autologous adoptive T cell therapy and allogeneic Adoptive T cell therapy. The pipeline product segment includes various clinical trial phases such as phase I, phase II and phase III. Adoptive cell therapy for cancer treatment PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 13:29:25 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Umesh SEO Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 548 Words 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 Adoptive T Cell Therapy referred as lymphocyte transfusion, which is being tested for the cancer treatment and chronic infections. Adoptive T Cell Therapy can increase the Anti-tumor immunity, enhance vaccine efficacy, etc. There is three basic treatment for curing cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The new technique or therapy, i.e., adoptive T cell therapy emerged as a fourth therapy for the cancer treatment. Because adoptive T cell therapy targeting cancer by natural mechanism, the immune system uses to distinguish between healthy and pathologic tissue rather than by its anatomic location or tendency to divide. Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) is a potentially powerful approach to cancer treatment that relies on the infusion of tumor-specific T cells. Anti-tumor immunity stimulates by two primarily different strategies which have been tested in humans: these are therapeutic vaccination and passive immunization. Adoptive T cell therapy also called as passive immunization. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that tumor infiltration by human T cells is a powerful predictive biomarker of survival for the various different type of cancers.The global adoptive T cell therapy market is categorized based on various modes of treatment, pipelines product and end users. The treatment segment is further sub-segmented into autologous adoptive T cell therapy and allogeneic Adoptive T cell therapy. The pipeline product segment includes various clinical trial phases such as phase I, phase II and phase III.Regarding geographic, adoptive T cell market is segmented into five major regions such are North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. North America dominates the global adoptive T cell therapy market due to a high number of ongoing clinical trials. The U.S. represents the largest market for adoptive T cell therapy followed by Europe.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3569 Adoptive T cell therapy for cancer market faced a critical situation wherein, several ongoing clinical trials still in pipelines such as adoptive T cell therapy in breast cancer after HER2 vaccination is under phase I and phase II clinical trials phase. Companies continue to evaluate the role of adoptive T cell therapy for the treatment of advanced stage cancers.Cambridge Healthtech Establishment's Fourth Yearly adoptive t cell Treatment occasion will concentrate on the means expected to convey receptive cell treatments to the patient. Clinical advance with Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR), T cell Receptor (TCR), and Tumor infiltering Lymphocytes (TIL) will be tended to top to bottom, and new procedures for target revelation will be looked into.Accentuation will likewise be put on clinical case investigations to promote the comprehension of T cell receptor receptors and their biology. Extra concentration will be given to assembling difficulties and answers for scale-up. Generally speaking, this occasion will address clinical advance, case analyses, and basic parts to make Adoptive T cell treatments feasible. Adoptive t cell market expands rapidly in forecasted period due to ongoing clinical trials and increasing rate of incidence and prevalence for various type of cancer, the adoption rate for adoptive T cell therapy will also increase due to its natural mode of mechanism against cancerous cells.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3569 Some of the major companies operating in the global adoptive cell therapy market areAmgen, Merck, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Genentech, Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb and others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 07:06:06 Press Information RESEARCH REPORT INSIGHTS Research Report Insights (RRI) 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU +1-631-721-4201 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 478 Words 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 The emergence of innovative solutions, that improve mechanical endurance of food products and provide them longer shelf-life, has exerted importance on the use of active and modified atmosphere packaging. In terms of value, the global market for active and modified atmosphere packaging is predicted to reach US$ 17.0 Bn in 2016, and will continue to expand at a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period 2016-2024. Research Report Insights (RRI) has compiled in-depth research on the markets insights and global analysis of growth opportunities is compiled in the report titled, Active and Modified Atmosphere Packaging Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016-2024.Developments in global food packaging industry such as self-venting microwave packs and respiring trays will continue influencing the demand for active & modified atmosphere packaging solutions. Moreover, the consumption for active & modified atmosphere packaging products will be majorly concentrated among meat producer and retailers as they require packaging methods that provided better sustenance in terms of biodegradability and compostability. Although, packaging material recyclability and increasing initial costs in packaging processes are expected to curb the expansion of global active & modified atmosphere packaging market.In terms of revenues, the global market for active & modified atmosphere packaging is projected to exceed US$ 26.0 Bn by the end of forecast period 2016-2024. APAC region will dominate the market, increasing at a CAGR of over 6% over the forecast period.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114681/Active-And-Modified-Atmosphere-Packaging-Market Based on the applications, the global market for active & modified atmosphere packaging is segmented into processed food products, bakery & confectionery, fruits & vegetables, dairy products, meat, poultry & seafood, and others. Demand for modified atmosphere packaging is higher in fruit & vegetable vendors, while active packaging products are consumed higher in food processing companies. By 2016, the processed food segment is anticipated to account for 15% of the total revenue share of global active and modified atmosphere packaging market.Based on the material type, the global market is further segmented into polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene, and others. Polymer materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate provide additional properties to several active & modified atmosphere packaging materials.Request Report Discount: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114681/Active-And-Modified-Atmosphere-Packaging-Market Among the markets regional segmentation, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region will continue to procure leading value share in the global market. However, the APAC region will face close competition by the active & modified atmosphere packaging market in Latin America, which will exhibit a similar CAGR during the forecast period.Amcor Limited, Sealed Air Corporation, Winpak Limited Company, Coveris Holdings S.A., Berry Plastic Group Inc., Bemis Company Inc., Linpac Packaging, ULMA Packaging, and S. Coop and Ilapac International S.A., among others are recognised as some of the leading companies contributing to the growth of the global active & modified atmosphere packaging marketReport Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114681/Active-And-Modified-Atmosphere-Packaging-Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-29 07:05:12 Press Information Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Yogesh Sengar Team Lead 800-961-0353 email https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ # 545 Words 305 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 demand for improved production efficiencies, product orientation and minimal product damage of the packaged products has initiated a high demand of the accumulators in the packaging industry. Accumulator equipment is necessary to ensure that no line stoppages in the production operations occurs. In case of product line blockage occurs, accumulators provide temporary storage for the entire batch of products. Thus synchronizing different manufacturing operations and increasing efficiency, by facilitating a continuous flow of products from machine to machine. Nowadays, accumulators are being designed in a way such that they can be easily integrated into any existing packaging and production set-up and also handle various sized products. Different models of accumulators are designed to work with different package capacity. Owing to rapid changes in product design and increasing demand for variable capacity accumulators in the food & beverage, personal goods, and cosmetic industry is expected to contribute to an extensive growth in the market.Accumulator Market: Market DynamicsThe increase in the demand for custom designed accumulators for various packages contribute hugely to the market growth of accumulators globally. Automated packaging systems demand advanced technologies for their production processes. Owing to rapid changes in product design and increasing demand for variable capacity accumulators in the food & beverage, personal goods, and cosmetic industry is expected to contribute to an extensive growth in the accumulator market.Request Sample Report@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10984 The revenue contribution from food & beverage and cosmetic products is significant to global accumulator market. This trends is expected to continue over the forecast period owing to the thriving growth of the food and beverage industry. Likewise, modest demand of accumulators for the manufacture of industrial goods and pharmaceuticals, is expected to boost the sales of accumulators. However, the presence of integrated manufacturing machine incorporating multiple packaging functions and capital intensive nature of equipment is expect to restrict the accumulator marketAccumulator Market: Market SegmentationThe accumulators market can be segmented on the basis of type and application. The accumulators are available in five forms. Vertical, Horizontal, Serpentine, Bi-flow and Rotary. Based on the application the accumulators market can be segmented into food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, health care and personal care products, industrial goods and other consumer products.Accumulator Market: Regional OutlookThe accumulators market can be segmented on the basis of regions. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ (Asia Pacific excluding Japan), Japan, Middle East and Africa (MEA). Asia Pacific revenue contribution to the global accumulator market is expected be the maximum owing to the thriving consumer goods and food and beverage industries in major markets such as India and China. Followed by Asia Pacific, Europe and North America are anticipated to have moderate growth in the accumulators market owing to modest growth in the packaging and other industries. Latin America and Middle East and Africa are expected to create significant opportunities for accumulator manufactures as a result of the proliferating demand from food and beverage industry from the regions.Request Report TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/10984 Accumulator Market: Market PlayersThe accumulators market is highly fragmented. However the market has the presence of regional players too. The significant players identified in accumulators market are TetraPak, Nercon, Packaging Dynamics Ltd., Reelex, Del Packaging Ltd., Brenton, Hartness among many others. Madison, SD (57042) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning, then windy this afternoon with overcast skies. High 73F. SSW winds shifting to NNW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low 46F. N winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Arise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time. Winston Churchill Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof. Inscription on the Liberty Bell When coal miners were being laid off by the thousands because of political hostility to their industry, they got little sympathy from those whose industries were ascendant. Learn to code was the advice the miners got on the internet. Now that journalists at outlets like the Huffington Post and Buzzfeed are being laid off, a number on the right have gone down memory lane, urging the journalists to learn to code. This is, apparently, a hate crime. There has been a lot of learn to code buzz in recent days, but I will limit this post to a single tweet: Is anyone surprised that telling a laid-off journalistunlike a coal minerto learn to code, is a fatal offense on Twitter? Of course not. Id guess some of those laid-off journalists are applying for jobs at Twitter, Facebook, Google, Apple, etc. The New Class defends its own. I suppose if press workers had more self-awareness, they would wonder why so many people cheer the demise of their industry. But introspection is not something we expect from reporters. Nirvana Indian Bistro in Eagleville, known for healthy Indian cuisine, will offer a daily lunch buffet the first week of February. @montcocourtnews on Twitter Carl Hessler Jr. is a multi-media reporter who writes about crime and justice from the Montgomery County Courthouse for 21st Century Media Newspapers Greater Philadelphia area publications. Follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@postregister.com for help creating one. Dr. B Speaks! Selecting the right kinds of books to bridge learning loss is like choosing the right stream when prospecting for gold. You have to be deliber Read more A food writers pantry ought to be an orderly place, neat and tidy and carefully "curated." Watching Marie Kondos hit Netflix series "Tidying Up," I realized this just might be a bit of a problem for me. But the show felt more fascinating (other people have mountains of stuff!) and soothing (Kondos endlessly calm, utterly joyful manner in the face of other peoples mountains of stuff!) than inspiring. Until the last episode, that is, when Kondo declared in the course of a kitchen purging that anything past the expiration date should be thrown out. I could pretty much hear Seattle food-waste expert Jill Lightners head exploding. What if we Kondod my kitchen together, also deploying Lightners encyclopedic knowledge of whats really still all right to eat or donate to a food bank? (And what about composting?!) My two cupboards big and deep ones, pretty much unculled for, oh, 10 years turned out to be a clown car of neglected canned goods, the worlds largest private collection of balsamic vinegar and a lot of pasta. So. Much. Pasta. So, on a recent afternoon, in accordance with Kondos organizational method, Lightner and I disgorged the contents of the larder onto the kitchen counter for sorting. Kondo wouldve been clapping her hands with glee ("I love mess!"). The cupboards had been cluttered, sure, but functional everything had its place, which Lightner forgivingly termed "like a personalized Dewey Decimal System." But, then, this can of corn: How did it even get here? Nothing against canned corn, but its not something we use. It definitely did not "spark joy," per Kondos keep-it-or-toss-it litmus test. But what truly doesnt spark joy for Lightner is the amount of food that our country squanders while some go hungry an estimated $1,500-plus worth per household annually. It troubles her so much, she recently wrote a book about it: "Scraps, Peels, and Stems: Recipes and Tips for Rethinking Food Waste at Home." Kondos dictate that anything past the expiration or best-by date should be tossed (after, of course, ceremonially thanking it) is anathema to her. "I have a grudge against date stamps," Lightner said before we got started, "because most of them are bulls." Baby formulas the only food in the U.S. thats legally required to bear a date; the rest are not set in stone, but rather by manufacturers who want to sell more food. But what, exactly, is safe to keep or, if its going to continue languishing unused, OK to donate to the food bank? Lightner kind yet ruthless, funny and all-food-knowing was here to help. Thank god. The amount of food was more than a little mortifying. But feeling overwhelmed, even slightly panicked, by the sheer volume of what youve accumulated is part of the Kondo process witness the disbelieving faces of those on her Netflix series confronting the huge drifts of all their clothing piled together. "The good thing is," Lightner said reassuringly, "youre hoarding stuff that doesnt really go bad." But I also had a special problem call it an occupational hazard? not reckoned with in the Kondo taxonomy. Her method involves confronting your stuff by category: clothing, books, etc. "Sentimental items" is its own classification, meant to be composed of photos and mementos, entirely separate from the kitchen. But here was an adorable tin of years-old syrup, brought back from our Canadian honeymoon and stuck away. A package of Durian Wafers ("Good Taste! Made from real Durian"), a gift from a friend who lived in Bangkok quite a while back. A bag of Gar Gar Fish Cracker, featuring a funny off-brand Garfield the cat, which wed eaten a lot of on a now long-ago trip to Burma/Myanmar. "Having a chocolate grand piano is amazing," Lightner said as we contemplated a miniature one in a plastic box. It came from a fancy restaurant I reviewed, um, quite some time ago. Who can bring themselves to eat a chocolate grand piano? We ended up leaving the specific-to-me Sentimental Food category for my later wrestling (with an assist from Instagram posting photos there feels like a good way to thank the items for their service, as Kondo recommends.) Lightners dispensation on the rest of it was invaluable and here we go: Dried pasta will stay in perfect condition for years. Dried egg pasta, however, may develop off flavors after 18 months, while whole-wheat pasta has oils in it that can get rancid (a good excuse for avoiding it). The bounty uncovered from my cupboards wasnt even that old, just the product of picking up extra on sale, then stowing the packages in two different spots. Obvious not-so-pro pantry tip: Store like with like, so you know how much you have, and rotate for freshness as they do at the grocery store. Canned goods can also last almost indefinitely, if "the can isnt doing anything creepy" like swelling, Lightner said (and shes never actually witnessed that). Stuff that relies a lot on texture will eventually degrade, however, so keep up on your sardine-eating. Canned goods youre not getting to are generally welcomed by the food bank (though a can of corn of very advanced age might be best off thanked, dumped in the compost and recycled). Vinegar never goes bad. But, Lightner said, the taste of aged vinegars, like some balsamic ones, will begin to change with time she counseled me to donate some of my unopened supply to the food bank, which I was very happy to do. Oils eventually get rancid. Smell them youll know. Condiments and sauces have varying life spans. Stuff with lots of acidity, like hot sauce, lasts a long time, but wont be the same after the color starts to change. Stuff with lots of salt, like soy sauce, should be OK. Sugar will always stay sweet, and salt is stalwart. Smell your flour it should be fine unless its absorbed other odors. The cornmeal from my cupboard had the faintest corny scent and thats what youre looking for, according to Lightner, who suggested storing it in the fridge from now on, along with the grits, as they contain oils. Old baking powder loses its power. Old baking soda loses its fitness for baking, but can still be used to absorb odors in the fridge, unclog a sink (with vinegar) or for cleaning. Cornstarch, kept dry, will last. Pine nuts? "Theyre expensive little jerks," Lightner said, and since theyre also oily, theyre best kept in the fridge unless you go through them fast same with other nuts. (Toast them in a dry pan to liven them back up.) More foods that will last just about forever, according to Lightner: white rice, dried beans, dried lentils, honey, tea. She also says chocolate stays good, whether in piano form or not. Same with unsweetened cocoa though any surplus unopened can of Ghirardelli might be best thanked and sent to the food bank. Know thy appetite for hot chocolate! In the end, Kondoing my admittedly nightmare-level kitchen cupboards took less than three hours. We worked fast, only stopping to ponder important questions such as whod bought three different kinds of tomato soup mid-Obama era. The candles that I lit at the beginning to purify the space a Kondoism, along with kneeling to greet the house were less beneficial than several cups of caffeinated tea along the way (theres a reason we have so much in the cupboard). Afterward, Lightner said I only looked completely freaked out once. I believe this is when she said, "Is this the point where you need to breathe deeply and take a break?" She was joking, but it helped. For years, plans, proposals and promises to revitalize a blighted corridor in North Charlestons south end have not materialized, leaving the site void of a grocery store or any substantial economic development. Spotted with a few fast-food restaurants, pawnshops and car lots, the city's south end offers limited work and shopping options. Its lack of grocery stores has remained an important issue for residents. For groceries, Tonie Cattles' 68-year-old father walks from his Rivers Avenue neighborhood across the train tracks to one of the community's only nearby options, the Save-A-Lot. It makes me feel sad ... nobody is trying to help anyone in the neighborhood," she said. Local officials are investing in another effort to transform the area around Rivers and McMillan avenues from an area with many empty lots into a profitable hub. Some are confident that it's a step in the right direction. Others say it's a waste of taxpayer dollars and aren't getting their hopes up for yet another plan. The city of North Charleston, Charleston County and the Coastal Conservation League are spending a combined $125,000 on a study of the corridor by the Urban Land Institute. The city and county will pay $50,000 each while the league will contribute $25,000. ULI, a nonprofit research and education organization, is tasked with examining the feasibility of development for the area. This will include how to implement development in the corridor while mitigating harmful effects, such as gentrification, that often come with new development, local officials said. Professionals will visit the area in March and will host workshops and talk with concerned residents and property owners. Some private property and 50 acres of city- and county-owned property exist in the Naval Hospital area. Amy Barrett, executive director for ULI South Carolina, said six to eight outside experts will give the site a fresh perspective. During a week-long visit, they'll talk with property owners, residents and community leaders and help get everyone on the same page. This is an opportunity to get some alignment with the city's goals and county's goals," Barrett said. I think its a really great step in the right direction in terms of collaboration." North Charleston agreed that the site needs some new eyes. Weve had a very challenging time trying to attract appropriate development to the area. We thought it was a good time to take a step back and bring in experts from across the country ... and try to get some expertise from people who dont have political, emotional and financial ties to the Naval Hospital, said city Project Manager Adam MacConnell. Not optimistic Not everyone is excited about funding another plan. County Councilman Henry Darby, whose district includes the corridor, is concerned that outside experts may suggest development that could lead to displacing the area's low-income poor residents. While he voted to spend money on the initiative, he said a plan that suggests development without considering what's best for the area's poor residents is a waste of taxpayers' money. In the plan's final analysis, if it's not designed to deal with the problems of the poor, I will do the best I can to be in opposition," he said. "I think enough has been done for the affluent." City resident Charles Murrell agreed. He knows that the corridor will eventually see development. But local residents should be involved in the planning process. "I know something is going to be done. But whether it's to the benefit to the community, that's another thing," Murrell said. Over the past few years, city and county efforts to revitalize the site have fallen through. In 2017, Piggly Wiggly pulled out on its plans to locate in Shipwatch Square. Mayor Summey previously said if a grocery store wouldn't come to the area, he'd create one or a food cooperative. The lot remains vacant except for a restaurant wholesaler. In August, county efforts to redevelop the former Charleston Naval Hospital as a hub for social services fell through and cost the county millions of dollars. The county could build another social services building, but it would take years. In his 2019 State of the City address, Mayor Keith Summey listed the corridor as a top priority. "Were willing to go to any length to shed the food desert designation," he said. Other plans for the corridor are collecting dust. In 2011, the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments created the Partnership for Prosperity Neck Area Master Plan, which laid out the feasibility for 500 residential dwelling units and 700,000 square feet of non-residential uses at the Rivers and McMillan corridor. Townhomes, apartments, mixed-use units, retail stores, parks, a drug store and grocery shop were envisioned at the site that would also benefit from the COG's bus rapid transit route. But the prosperity plan has yet to take shape in North Charleston's south end. COG officials said while they encourage developers to leverage the sites, interest in redeveloping the areas are generally market-driven and dependent on each property owner. "Engaging ULI in to help bring redevelopment concepts for the McMillan/Rivers Avenue properties down to greater detail is timely," said Daniel Brock, BCDCOG spokesman. Not just another plan North Charleston officials added ULI will not only form a plan but also show funding mechanisms to implement it. On the nonprofit's website, it points to examples in Arlington County, Va., where officials transformed a busy Columbia Pike corridor. There, officials used form-based codes to implement new affordable housing while preserving existing affordable housing and established urban parks. In Buffalo, N.Y., the institute helped with reuse options of a closed hospital. Ultimately, local parties sold the site and cleared land for new housing. A ULI study usually comes with individuals ... who arent just writing conceptual things," said North Charleston spokesman Ryan Johnson. "Theyve redeveloped neighborhoods. These are individuals with a track record of doing things." Carol LeTourneau, who's worked at the Rivers Avenue Exxon for over 20 years, noted the high population of elderly residents who don't have regular access to transportation. Many of them walk to her gas station for bread, butter and milk. She added that the area needs a drug store, too. They have to choose to come in here and buy a $3 sandwich versus catching a ride eight to 10 miles away to a pharmacy and get their medicine," LeTourneau said. "It's sad. It's really sad." The store manager said she had not heard about plans to fund a ULI study that could lead to change for the area. But she's heard several promises before. Promises are made," she said, "and nothing happens." Charleston, SC (29403) Today Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Low around 75F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. 4.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have announced that former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams will deliver the Democratic response to Trumps SOTU. In a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, Speaker Pelosi said, Democrats are thrilled that Stacey Abrams will be delivering the Democratic response to the State of the Union. Her electrifying message of courage, perseverance and hope reinvigorated our nation and our politics and continues to inspire millions of Americans in every part of the country. Stacey Abrams embodies the American Dream, and her powerful message of progress for all is deeply needed during this time for our country. Senate Democratic Leader Schumer said, Stacey Abrams offers a welcome, stark contrast to President Trumps politics of division and lack of leadership as American families are still feeling the impacts of his self-imposed shutdown, said Senate Democratic Leader Schumer. Stacey Abrams is a present and future leader in this country. She is a dynamic, moral leader; she delivered results on the issues that matter most to Americans, and she tirelessly pursues fairness and justice for everyone in her state. Stacey Abrams is Trumps biggest fear Democrats are smartly highlighting the diversity and reach of their party with the charismatic Abrams who will paint a stark contrast to a Trump speech that is likely to heavy on immigrant bashing, fear, and the same stale appeals to his base that the president has been using for nearly four years. Advertising Abrams said, At a moment when our nation needs to hear from leaders who can unite for a common purpose, I am honored to be delivering the Democratic State of the Union response. I plan to deliver a vision for prosperity and equality, where everyone in our nation has a voice and where each of those voices is heard. Prosperity and equality for everyone are two concepts that will not be included in Trumps State Of The Union. Trumps worst fears are coming to life as the diverse anti-Trump majority of the country is moving toward taking their nation back in 2020. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 699 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has angered many of her new Democratic colleagues in Congress by aligning herself with a progressive outside group that has threatened to primary incumbent Democrats next year. Now some of those lawmakers are returning fire on her, and are considering recruiting a primary challenger to run against the 29 year-old. Some Dems float idea of primary challenge for Ocasio-Cortez Some Dems float idea of primary challenge for Ocasio-Cortez https://t.co/knsv0oy4EE pic.twitter.com/kZW8Ed2KVk The Hill (@thehill) January 29, 2019 The young congresswoman immediately responded on Twitter, where she has 2.6 million followers, writing: Advertising Youve got councilpeople whove been waiting 20 yrs for that seat. That broken mentality, that public office is something you wait in line for, instead of earning through hard organizing, is exactly what voters want to change. Shows you how disconnected some folks here are. "You've got councilpeople who've been waiting 20 yrs for that seat. That broken mentality, that public office is something you wait in line for, instead of earning through hard organizing, is exactly what voters want to change. Shows you how disconnected some folks here are. https://t.co/TMWYkboB7i Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 29, 2019 Reportedly there is one House Democrat who has been privately urging members of the New York congressional delegation to recruit a local politician from the Bronx or Queens to challenge Ocasio-Cortez in 2020. The Democratic lawmaker, who requested anonymity, spoke to The Hill and said: What I have recommended to the New York delegation is that you find her a primary opponent and make her a one-term congressperson. Youve got numerous council people and state legislators whove been waiting 20 years for that seat. Im sure they can find numerous people who want that seat in that district. Some members of Congress from New York view Ocasio-Cortez with skepticism. They were shocked last summer when she defeated then-Rep. Joseph Crowley who was the #3 Democrat in the House, and viewed as the probably successor to Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Congressional Black Caucus lawmakers are also angry at Ocasio-Cortez after she and the grass-roots group aligned with her, Justice Democrats, said they were considering supporting a primary challenge to fellow New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. Besides being a Black Caucus member, Jeffries is also an establishment insider who succeeded Crowley as caucus chairman. Both Ocasio-Cortez and Justice Democrats have denied the report, but the group of insurgent progressives has vowed to target centrist Democrats with primary challenges in 2020. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believes she was sent to Washington to shake things up and get results. It is doubtful that anyone even her fellow Democrats in Congress will be able to keep her quiet or to stop her from expressing her progressive views. She believes that big changes are necessary in American politics, and she has vowed to help bring about those changes. Advertising Billionaire businessman Howard Schultz, who said he is seriously considering an independent 2020 presidential bid, was shouted down by a protester at the kickoff event for his nationwide book tour on Monday night in New York City. WATCH: Howard Schultz heckled at first campaign appearance WATCH: Howard Schultz heckled at first campaign appearance https://t.co/9ysO7PVzbp pic.twitter.com/MHyiblR9w4 The Hill (@thehill) January 29, 2019 Dont help elect Trump you egotistical billionaire asle, the protester shouted at the former Starbucks CEO, who is worth more than $3 billion according to Forbes. Advertising Go back to getting ratioed on Twitter, the protester added, pointing to Schultzs tweets that were garnering substantially more comments than retweets or likes, a sign of disagreement with his message on the platform. Go back to Davos with the other Billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world. Schultz was speaking at the Union Square Barnes and Noble when he was interrupted by the protester. He commented that he was not surprised by the criticism after announcing his possible run. Im not running a primary race on Twitter he said. In a 60 Minutes interview that aired Sunday, Schultz said he would run as an independent instead of as a Democrat because we see extremes on both sides. Schultz told The New York Times he planned to tour the country for the next three months before deciding whether to ultimately run. In an NPR interview, Schultz said it would kill me to see Trump re-elected, which he believes would happen if a progressive won the Democratic Partys nomination. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told @nprinskeep he believes the Democrats will be too far left to win against President Trump in 2020. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told @nprinskeep he believes the Democrats will be too far left to win against President Trump in 2020. Full interview tomorrow on Morning Edition. pic.twitter.com/CBhPviE7uj Morning Edition (@MorningEdition) January 28, 2019 Democrats generally have been very unhappy about Schultzs proposed independent bid. They believe it would improve Trumps chances to win re-election in 2020. Another billionaire, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, is also considering a presidential bid of his own, but as a Democrat. He has considered running as an independent in the past, but now believes that is the wrong thing to do. Bloomberg issued a statement yesterday saying: Given the strong pull of partisanship and the realities of the electoral college system, there is no way an independent can win. That is truer today than ever before. If Howard Schultz decides to run for president as an independent in 2020 he could very well help Donald Trump if the president does in fact run for re-election next year (which is not guaranteed). However, with his multi-billion dollar fortune, he can do what he wants and Democrats are powerless to stop him. Some people believe that it is possible that Schultz would actually siphon more Republican votes than Democratic votes, so the impact he would have in 2020 is not clear. All thats guaranteed is that next years presidential campaign season will be chaotic and full of surprises. 1.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising A new poll released this morning shows increasing danger for President Donald Trump in his bid to be re-elected as president in the 2020 election which is just 21 months away. The new Washington Post-ABC News poll also shows that the race for the Democratic nomination in 2020 is wide open, with no clear favorite. In fact most Democratic voters are not yet able to name their favorite candidate. According to the Post, The lack of commitment on the Democratic side comes as Trump appears vulnerable to defeat in a 2020 general election, and perhaps even to a challenge from within the Republican Party. Advertising A 56 percent majority of all Americans say they would definitely not vote for him should Trump become the Republican nominee, while 14 percent say they would consider voting for him and 28 percent would definitely vote for him. Majorities of independents (59 percent), women (64 percent) and suburbanites (56 percent) rule out supporting Trump for a second term. By comparison, during President Barack Obamas first term, polls showed just 41 percent to 46 percent saying they would definitely not vote for him. Obama won reelection in 2012 with 51 percent of the popular vote compared with Republican nominee Mitt Romneys 47 percent. Trumps approval rating among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents used to be near 90% but it has fallen to just 75%, a huge drop that he can ill afford. Not only that but nearly one-third of such voters also said they want the Republican Party to nominate somebody other than Trump to be the partys candidate for president in 2020. This has provided encouragement to other Republicans such as former Ohio governor John Kasich and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan who have expressed interest in a primary challenge to the president next year. Concerns over Trumps reelection prospects led the Republican National Committee (RNC) to vote unanimously Friday for a resolution of undivided support for Trump and his presidency. This was a show of loyalty among the partys leaders, but that does not necessarily translate to support among the partys rank and file. The RNC resolution did not specifically endorse his reelection, however, which may be just a technicality since party officials are supposed to remain neutral until after the 2020 nominating convention. The RNC resolution also led Trump to falsely tweet that the committee had voted to support me in the upcoming 2020 Election. This poll shows that while the Republican Party establishment in Washington wants to remain firmly loyal to the president, his support throughout the country is slipping. Other recent polls show that his support has fallen dramatically among voter groups that strongly voted for him in 2016, such as non-college white voters and suburban male voters. On the Democratic side, most poll participants were noncommittal, taking a wait and see approach. When asked whom they would support today for the Democratic presidential nomination, 56 percent of self-identified Democrats didnt give a name. And although former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) were the leaders, no candidate received double-digit support in the poll. When asked whom they would support if the election were held today, 43 percent of Democrats said they do not have an opinion. Seven percent said they would not choose anyone, 5 percent said any one of the Democratic candidates and 1 percent said they would support someone new. Biden was the person most often chosen, by 9 percent of Democratic-leaning voters, followed by Harris, with 8 percent, each garnering more support than any other named candidate. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Trump were named by 4 percent, followed by former congressman Beto ORourke (D-Tex.) with 3 percent. Democrats participating in the poll were divided over which issue is most important to them. They were given a list of four issues, and 31 percent said improving the health-care system was most important. Another 21 percent said reducing economic inequality, 18 percent said reducing racial and gender discrimination and 15 percent said combating global warming were most important. Overall, this poll shows that there is a great deal of uncertainty in the 2020 presidential election landscape. There is a wide-open Democratic race on one side, and a very unstable Republican incumbent president on the other side. The race is just getting started, and at this point it appears that anything could happen. 203 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising (Reuters) Chicago police on Tuesday said they were investigating an assault on Empire actor Jussie Smollett as a possible hate crime after two men yelled racial and homophobic slurs and at one point wrapped a rope around his neck. The 36-year-old African-American actor, who is gay, was reported to be in good condition after taking himself to a hospital after the incident early Tuesday, police said. Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime, Chicago police said in a statement. A representative for Smollett could not be reached for immediate comment. Police did not identify Smollett by name, but gave his age and said he had a role on Empire. Other media outlets cited unnamed sources as identifying Smollett as the victim. Advertising Police said the two unknown assailants approached Smollett on the street at about 2 a.m. CST (3.00 a.m. ET) and began a possible racially motivated attack, yelling racial and homophobic slurs. The assailants hit him in the face, poured an unknown chemical substance on him and wrapped a rope around his neck before fleeing, police said. Detectives were gathering video of the area and looking for witnesses. Empire, a hip-hop musical drama series, premiered on Fox Television in 2015 and has been nominated for Grammy and Golden Globe awards. Smollett plays the character Jamal Lyon, a member of the family that is the focus of the show. Smolletts colleagues said they were shocked by the attack. Im deeply horrified and saddened by the racist and homophobic attacks against @JussieSmollett, Empire co-creator Danny Strong said on Twitter. He is a kind and profoundly talented soul whom I respect with all my heart. The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live. (Reporting by Peter Szekely and Gina Cherelus in New York, Editing by Scott Malone, Franklin Paul and Jeffrey Benkoe) 258 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising WASHINGTON (Reuters) White House national security adviser John Bolton raised questions about the United States intentions in Venezuela after he appeared at a briefing on Monday with a notepad containing the words 5,000 troops to Colombia, which neighbors Venezuela. It was not immediately clear what Boltons notes meant and whether President Donald Trumps administration was seriously considering sending U.S. troops to Colombia. It was also not clear if disclosure of the notes was intentional, and there was no indication that such a military option would be used any time soon. Asked about a photograph depicting the notes, a White House spokesman said on Monday: As the President has said, all options are on the table. Advertising Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the number of U.S. military personnel in Colombia remained unchanged as part of a pre-existing partnership. A U.S. official, who asked not to be named, said they have seen nothing to support Boltons annotation. Colombias Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo, in a statement late on Monday, said: We are not aware of the significance or the reason for Boltons notes. Colombia has coordinated its policy on Venezuela with the rest of the Lima Group of South and Central American nations and would keep doing so, he added. Bolton held the notepad at a news briefing with reporters to unveil sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, Washingtons latest step to pressure Caracas socialist President Nicolas Maduro to leave office. Sending U.S. military troops to Colombia would escalate tensions with Venezuela, even as its opposition leader Juan Guaido has said a peaceful transition https://reut.rs/2RXasMo of power is possible. Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela last week with U.S. backing, told a German broadcaster on Tuesday that he was the countrys only legitimate leader https://reut.rs/2GdLXUv. Separately, he told CNN in an interview aired on Tuesday: We must use great pressure for a dictator to leave, install a transitional government and have free elections. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Idrees Ali in Washington and Julia Symmes Cobb in Bogota; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Advertising House Democratic chairpersons like Reps. Adam Schiff and Maxine Waters are vowing to pass new legislation that would stop Trump from relaxing sanctions against Russia. Democratic House committee chairpersons Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), and House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) said in a joint statement provided to PoliticusUSA: We are deeply troubled by the decision of the Department of the Treasury to move forward with lifting sanctions against En+, Rusal, and EuroSibEnergo (ESE) businesses tied to sanctioned Russian oligarch and close Putin ally Oleg Deripaska before Congress had the opportunity to review the terms of this deal thoroughly, and despite a reasonable request for a brief delay. Mr. Deripaska has a history of involvement with Moscow for malign purposes, and we have serious questions about whether the agreement reached between Treasury and Mr. Deripaska sufficiently divests him of resources for this ability. As we informed Secretary Mnuchin in a January 8 letter, Treasurys notification of the lifting of sanctions was delivered to Congress just before an extended recess and a government shutdown. These factors prevented us from completing our review under the 30-day period provided under CAATSA. Secretary Mnuchin had an opportunity to right that misstep by providing an extension for congressional review but chose nevertheless to move forward with delisting, despite clear concerns with the deal in the House and the Senate; numerous outstanding information requests from Members; and an overwhelming bipartisan vote against delisting these companies in the House on January 17. Advertising We are considering additional legislative actions to ensure that Treasury and these companies comply with the agreement in letter and in spirit, and to prevent something like this from happening again in the future. More importantly, we will continue our oversight of Treasurys decision by examining the terms of this deal and its implementation to safeguard against harmful actors like Mr. Deripaska benefitting from the Treasurys delisting decisions. We do not believe termination of the sanctions has relieved Treasury of its obligation to explain fully this deal to Members. Trump used his own government shutdown to lift sanctions against Russian companies Trump shut the government down and then used his shutdown as a weapon to stop the House from blocking his easing of sanctions against Russia. This cant be allowed to happen ever again, and it could be easily remedied with new legislation that would specific that Congress has 30 operational days to contest Trumps actions on sanctions. Democrats are not happy about what Trump pulled, and his actions are not going to go without a strong response. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 2.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Donald Trumps presidency has reached a danger zone that the White House likely wont be able to recover from, according to presidential historian Jon Meacham. During an interview on MSNBCs Hardball with Chris Matthews, Meacham said that Trumps approval rating may be in the 35+ percent range right now, but its likely to continue falling. When you get in the 20s, youre really done, the historian said. When youre in the mid-30s, its lethargic, and I think I have a feeling its going to begin to go down even farther. Video: Advertising Presidential historian Jon Meacham says Trumps presidency may have reached a danger zone. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/1rBHWMk0hl PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 29, 2019 Meacham said: [Trump] is paying the price for having invented this as hes gone along. And to say that he goes day to day I think is an insult to people who go day to day. I think its a minute to minute thing, and it seems to me theres no clear path to getting a presidency that is at about 35% or so approval rating, which is a danger zone, as you know, when you get in the 20s, youre really done. When youre in the mid-30s, its lethargic, and I think I have a feeling its going to begin to go down even farther. The government shutdown was the final nail in Trumps political coffin It appears that Donald Trumps government shutdown was the final nail in his political coffin. Throwing a tantrum over a wall and preventing hundreds of thousands of Americans from receiving a paycheck turns out to be pretty unpopular. Of course, Trumps approval rating has never been strong. Since taking office, he has been one of the most unpopular presidents in modern history. Still, its always been consistent. Over the past several weeks, though, weve seen a pretty clear decline in his numbers, signaling that the American people are finally fed up with Donald Trump. When voters reach that point, as Jon Meacham said on Monday, its hard for any president to bounce back much less a president in increasingly dire legal trouble. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 2.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, the new chair of the House Financial Services Committee, said she will not accept a scenario in which Robert Muellers report isnt released in its entirety to the public. During an interview with MSNBCs Chris Hayes, Rep. Waters not only should the special counsel report be made public, but it shouldnt be redacted to the point that the American people wont understand the findings. The public needs to know what is going on, the Democratic congresswoman said. I demand it and Im trying to organize everybody that I can to call for this report to be released to the public. Video: Advertising Waters said: No, I dont like the fact that Cohen will be in a closed hearing with members testifying on anything that he said, hes not said. I think it should be out in the public. The public wants to know. This investigation has been going on for a considerable amount of time. Not only should we hear from all of those who are continuing to be called, but when this report, this investigative report, is completed, I want it to be public and Im starting right now saying that I and many others do not agree that it should be so redacted that you cant understand it, that it wont be released, that only members of Congress can get it. The public needs to know what is going on. I demand it and Im trying to organize everybody that I can to call for this report to be released to the public. The pressure to make the report public is crushing Republicans As much as Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress may want to conceal Robert Muellers final report, the pressure to make it public appears to be too strong to ignore. As PoliticusUSAs Jason Easley noted on Monday, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have teamed up to introduce the Special Counsel Transparency Act, which would make Robert Muellers report available to both Congress and the public. Even if Trump were to remove Mueller from his post, the legislation would require the special counsel to file a report to Congress, not the president. Still, with Democrats running the House of Representatives and putting continued pressure on Republicans to be transparent, Donald Trump and his GOP allies in Congress will find it almost impossible to bury Robert Muellers final report, no matter how damning it is. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 4.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Donald Trumps reckless rhetoric and policymaking when it comes to immigration might be based completely on the fictional plot of a movie, according to Rachel Maddow. On her program on Monday night, the MSNBC host pointed out that two of Trumps most recent immigration assertions that illegal border-crossers have better vehicles than U.S. law enforcement and that women are being taped up and trafficked across the border cant be substantiated in the real world, but they are featured in the new film Sicario: Day of the Soldado. Is it possible that that is where the president cooked up these justifications for the supposed crisis at the border and the pretense for sending U.S. troops there right before the election? Maddow asked. Could that actually happen in real life? Video: Advertising Maddow said: We dont know why the president is saying either of those two things about the southern border. Apparently the border patrol does not know either and Trump appointees were surveying members of the border patrol to find out if there is any factual basis for any of these things the president has been saying. It should be noted that both of those things do feature in a movie. In that film, which is fiction, one of the things that happens is there a woman taped up in the car. In that same movie, there are also Mexican smugglers with amazing vehicles that are too fast for American law enforcement to keep up with. Also, you know that thing the president keeps saying about the prayer rugs being found in the desert at the border? Thats in that same movie, too. Again, all plot points in the same movie, which is fiction. Now, in a normal administration, it would be insane to suggest, even think about, even joke about the president of the United States seeing stuff in a movie and him maybe thinking it was real, or at least real enough to justify an actual U.S. military deployment of thousands of active duty U.S. troops to the border. I mean, is it possible that that is where the president cooked up these justifications for the supposed crisis at the border and the pretense for sending U.S. troops there right before the election? Could that actually happen in real life? I dont know. Donald Trump is desperate to find a crisis at the border Typically, when Donald Trump spews his usual nonsense to the public, its at least based upon some piece of propaganda he learned while watching Fox News. But as Maddow pointed out on Monday, not even allies inside his own administration can find evidence to support his latest claims about the so-called crisis on the southern border. With Democrats refusing to budge on his vanity wall, Donald Trump is becoming so desperate to create a phony crisis that hes looking to fictional movie plots for help. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter With more than 450 satellite qualifiers, there was little doubt that the 2019 Aussie A$ 10,600 Millions Main Event wouldn't disappoint and a new record is looming as the 800-entry field of the previous edition is not far off in the dinner break on Day 1c. Thus far, 359 players entered the third and final starting day, which has created a field of 792 entries. The registration remains open for the remainder of the day and the first level of Day 2, and the team at the Crown Casino in Melbourne will very likely be able to confirm a new record attendance soon. More than 50 players have already been eliminated in the first four levels of the day with such notables as Julien Martini, Jack O'Neill, Didier Guerin, Andrew Hulme, Victor Chong, Andras Nemeth, Kitty Kuo and Gautam Dhingra all among the casualties. Martini lasted all but half an hour when he spiked top set with a pair of aces only for Weiming Yu to send the Frenchman packing with the turned straight. O'Neill ran with kings into aces and Nemeth was ousted by Ryan Otto, who flopped a full house with jacks. Hulme suffered a deadly blow when he got it in with top two pair against the top pair and top kicker of Sosia Jiang, who immediately improved to the superior two pair on the turn. Among the big stacks heading into dinner are Korea's Jongwon Yoon (122,000), Ryan Otto (118,750), Tobias Ziegler (90,000), Farid Jattin (83,000) and Joni Joihnikimainen (75,000). All of them would bag an above-average stack at the end of level seven in the early morning hours if they were to keep up their momentum in the remaining three levels. Defending Main Event champion Toby Lewis was busy taking down the A$ 50,000 Challenge on an unscheduled third day and soon after jumped into the Main Event to head into dinner slightly below the average stack. Further former Aussie Millions champions in contention also include Ami Barer and Shurane Vijayaram. US Online Sunday Briefing: "BruceWayne" Wins $53,690 January 29, 2019 Jason Glatzer The New Year Kick-off Series wrapped up on Sunday at WSOP.com and it didn't disappoint with the Main Event of series producing the biggest prize pool of the year to date at American-regulated online poker rooms. "BruceWayne" took the most advantage by winning the event for $53,690. Thomas "baileykins" Mcfadden Jr. won the second most this week after finishing runner-up in the Main Event for $30,975, while Alexander "ShadowFiend1" Condon also won big after shipping the WSOP.com $50,000 Monthly Sunday for $23,370. Read on for a full look at the Sunday results from partypoker NJ, BorgataPoker.com, PlayMGM, WSOP.com NJ, WSOP.com Nevada, 888poker NJ, and the three 888poker clients in Delaware. WSOP.com $15,000 Weekly Sunday Deepstack Date Jan. 27 Buy-in $50 Guarantee $15,000 Entries 469 Prize pool $29,075 ITM 35 The WSOP.com $15,000 Weekly Sunday Deepstack produced a massive field and almost doubled its $15,000 guarantee with 213 entrants, plus 256 rebuys and 170 add-ons generating a $29,075 prize pool. A total of 35 players cashed for a minimum of $204. Last week, Sridhar "sri50k" Sangannagari won the tournament with Jamie "mooseman1710" Reyes finishing in seventh place. The duo swapped spots this week with Reyes winning the event for $7,705 and Sangannagari bowing out in seventh place for $1,047. Also at the final table was Jason "LuckDuck" Lawhun finishing in fourth place for $1,977. Place Player Prize 1 Jamie "mooseman1710" Reyes $7,705 2 redrags $4,507 3 Lpete8906 $2,573 4 Jason "LuckDuck" Lawhun $1,977 5 JTHollywood $1,686 6 Moeseph $1,396 7 Sridhar "sri50k" Sangannagari $1,047 8 cristowall39 $698 9 mug15 $494 250,000 chip sign-up bonus plus a free mega bonus spin The World Series of Poker is the biggest and most trusted brand in poker and now it has an excellent social poker room that you can play from anywhere in the world. Play Now WSOP.com New Year Kick-off Series Main Event - $150,000 NLH Date Jan. 27 Buy-in $525 Guarantee $100,000 Entries 413 Prize pool $206,500 ITM 75 The WSOP New Year Kick-off Series Main Event - $150,000 NLH was easily the biggest tournament at American regulated online poker rooms of the year so far. The tournament was a huge success with the 295 entrants and 118 rebuys creating a $206,500 prize pool. It took "BruceWayne" more than 10 1/2 hours of play to become the last player standing and claim the top prize of $53,690. Finishing one spot behind was Thomas "baileykins" Mcfadden Jr. in second place for $30,975. Jed "jchak" Hoffman also cashed at the final table in seventh place for $7,434. Position Player Prize 1 BruceWayne $53,690 2 Thomas "baileykins" Mcfadden Jr. $30,975 3 DaUnderStudy $18,172 4 NJ_Thenatura $14,042 5 whoAMeye $11,771 6 drdisrespect $9,706 7 Jed "jchak" Hoffman $7,434 8 lucky15m $4,956 9 geNet1x_ $3,511 $25 FREE + 100% match up to $1,000 first deposit bonus partypoker has operated since 2001 and is still one of the major players in the online poker world. partypoker NJ is a regulated and licensed poker room that offers you the opportunity to play all your favorite poker games also from New Jersey. Play Now WSOP.com $50,000 Monthly Sunday Date Jan. 27 Buy-in $1,000 Guarantee $50,000 Entries 82 Prize pool $77,900 ITM 9 The WSOP.com $50,000 Monthly Sunday attracted 59 entrants and 23 rebuys to create a $77,900 prize pool with nine players cashing for at least $2,882. After more than six hours of play, Alexander "ShadowFiend1" Condon shipped the event for an impressive score of $23,370. Also at the final table were John "Hopelep" Hennigan finishing in third place for $9,504 and Jonathan "jetsfan14" Borenstein taking fourth place for $6,310. Position Player Prize 1 Alexander "ShadowFiend1" Condon $23,370 2 puigmyfriend $13,633 3 John "Hopelep" Hennigan $9,504 4 Jonathan "jetsfan14" Borenstein $7,946 5 bucknaked64 $6,310 6 furikuri $5,531 BorgataPoker.com/partypoker/PlayMGM Sunday $35K GTD Date Jan. 27 Buy-in $200 Guarantee $35,000 Entries 197 Prize pool $39,400 ITM 27 The BorgataPoker.com/partypoker/PlayMGM Sunday $35K GTD attracted 197 entries (126 entrants + 71 reentries) to create a $39,400 prize pool with a total of 27 players cashing for at least $355. After almost ten hours of play, "FourPair" and "UFOLDIWIN" agreed to a heads-up deal awarding the duo $7,430 and $6,950 respectively. Jason "RiverMan" Lawhun earned his second mention this report with a podium third-place finish for $4,237. Also at the final table were Daniel "centrfieldr23" Lupo (fourth - $3,510) and Michael "IIIIIIIIIIII" Haberman Jr. (seventh - $2,183). Position Player Prize 1 FourPair $7,430* 2 UFOLDIWIN $6,950* 3 Jason "RiverMan" Lawhun $4,237 4 Daniel "centrfieldr23" Lupo $3,510 5 Colonel_Forbin $3,039 6 Plesiosaur88 $2,611 7 Michael "IIIIIIIIIIII" Haberman Jr. $2,183 8 buntclaster $1,755 9 Gina2827 $1,327 *Reflects heads-up deal. PokerStars NJ Sunday Special - $30,000 Gtd Date Jan. 27 Buy-in $200 Guarantee $30,000 Entries 211 Prize pool $39,246 ITM 27 The PokerStars NJ Sunday Special - $30,000 Gtd smashed its guarantee after attracting 211 entries (120 entrants + 91 reentries) to create a $39,246 prize pool. After more than 6 1/2 hours of play hours of play, "Renorick1946" shipped the event for $8,438. Joining this player on the podium was Vladamir "D.Drumpf" Alexandrov in second place for $6,083. Other notable players at the final table included Yong "iFoldN0T" Kwon (fifth - $2,355), Austin "CreamPieMaster" Farmer (sixth - $1,962), and Matthew "MattEMenz" Mendez (seventh - $1,570). Position Player Prize 1 Renorick1946 $8,438 2 Vladamir "D.Drumpf" Alexandrov $6,083 3 JUNE LATATA $4,611 4 watchout $3,434 5 Yong "iFoldN0T" Kwon $2,355 6 Austin "CreamPieMaster" Farmer $1,962 7 Matthew "MattEMenz" Mendez $1,570 8 LCC102515 $1,177 9 HowieWelper $785 If you play regulated online poker tournaments in Delaware, Nevada, or New Jersey and would like your real name appearing in future articles, please contact Jason Glatzer via email at [email protected] or via Twitter under @JaxonPoker. The Stars Group is a majority shareholder in iBus Media PokerStars Carnaval Series to Kick Off in Southern European Market January 28, 2019 Valerie Cross Coming off the heels of a record 20 million guaranteed Winter Series on the PokerStars Southern Europe shared liquidity network, the momentum continues as PokerStars launches a new series for the region in February. While individuals the world over prepare for upcoming Carnaval celebrations, poker players in Italy, Spain, France and Portugal can get in the mood with an online poker series in the festival's name. The first-ever Carnaval Series will hit the Southern European PokerStars networks in February, with two separate series taking place. For those in Spain, France and Portugal, the Carnaval Series will run from Feb. 3 through Feb. 18 with 10 million in prize pools guaranteed across 166 events. Carnaval Series Highlights One of the series highlights will be the 250 Main Event on Feb. 17, which will guarantee a cool 1 million total prize pool. That stands as the biggest buy-in on the slate, the event buy-ins start as low as 5. Another big value event on the schedule is the 30 Masquerade on Feb. 18, offering up a guarantee of 100,000. There will also be two 250 buy-in Sunday Specials guaranteeing 250,000 each on Feb. 3 and 10, as well as a 50 Warm-Up before the Main Event on Feb. 17 that features a guaranteed prize pool of 225,000. Italy's Carnival Series Italy will be having its own party with the Carnival Series running Feb. 10-25. The Italians will play for a combined 5 million in prize pools across 110 events, their 250 Main Event taking place on Feb. 24 with a guarantee of 500,000. The new series continues to demonstrate the increased guarantees that have come with shared liquidity in Southern Europe that launched just under a year ago. Off the back of a very successful Winter Series, we plan to keep up momentum for our Southern European players by kicking off 2019 with something new, said Severin Rasset, director of poker innovation and operations at The Stars Group. We look forward to players of all levels joining us and getting in the carnaval spirit. The Stars Group owns a majority shareholding in iBus Media. Denys Shafikov Becomes First WPT Russia Champ to Tune of $254,400 January 28, 2019 Mo Nuwwarah The second World Poker Tour champion of 2019 has been crowned, and he's also the first to earn the right to call himself a WPT Russia winner. Denys Shafikov of Ukraine topped the Russia-heavy field of 503 entries at Casino Sochi in the 198,000 (~$3,000) Main Event to win 240,000 casino credits, which amounts to around $255,000 in prize money. It's the second-biggest score for Shafikov, who now sits right around $1 million in live cashes. WPT Russia Official Final Table Results Place Player Home Country Prize Prize in USD 1 Denys Shafikov Ukraine 240,000 $254,400* 2 Aleksey Gortikov Russia 161,000 $170,660 3 Yauhen Kontush -- 104,117 $110,364 4 Nikolay Fal Russia 75,000 $79,500 5 Mikhail Galitskiy Russia 59,000 $62,540 6 Oleg Pavlyuchuk Russia 48,000 $50,880 *includes $15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions seat The event, part of an ongoing partnership with partypoker, featured three live Day 1s and an online Day 1, although the latter only drew 17 of the entries. Pedro Oliveira, Anatoly Filatov, Konstantin Maslak, Konstantin Puchkov and Aleksandr Denisov were some of those cashing in the 63 paid places but missing out on the final table. Shafikov built up a monster stack on the penultimate day of the tournament and had over a third of the chips in play nine-handed, according to the live updates. Final Table Action Nikolay Fal was the shortest stack at the final table of six with only about 15 big blinds, but he was also one of the most experienced there with over $900,000 in cashes. He managed to ladder up twice, first when Oleg Pavlyuchuk ran eights into Aleksey Gortikov's nines and then again when Mikhail Galitskiy jammed jack-nine suited on his last 11 big blinds and couldn't get there against Shafikov's fives. Fal finally got caught when he ripped in for around 10 bigs and Shafikov woke up with the . That left the Ukrainian in total command with 9 million of about 15 million in play. It would be some time before another elimination, but eventually Yauhen Kontush got coolered with nines against Gortikov's jacks blind versus blind. Gortikov was still down big heads up, but he got ace-king against ace-queen in his favor almost immediately to give himself a shot by doubling to 6.4 million at 60,000/120,000/120,000. Gortikov worked himself into the lead at one point, with the match eventually lasting almost 50 hands. Finally, sitting with about 30 big blinds, Gortikov reshoved in the big blind with . Unfortunately for him, Shafikov had opened with nines and he turned a nine to seal the deal without even having to sweat a river card. Photo courtesy of WPT Logansport, IN (46947) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially early. A few storms may be severe. Low 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Elizabeth City, NC (27909) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Staff reports The Petoskey News-Review GAYLORD North Country Community Mental Health recently announced that Andrea Sarto retired Jan. 25 from her position as program director for people with developmental disabilities, after 36 years of service to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sarto began her career in the 1970s at the Ypsilanti State Hospital and SOS Community Crisis Center. She went on to work at the Wayne County Department of Social Services, the Plymouth Center for Human Development and the Northville Residential Training Center. This was followed by a move to the state facility, Alpine Center, in Northern Michigan, which was the first state institution for the developmentally disabled to close in 1982. Then, North Country hired Sarto to lead and manage the effort to move the Alpine Centers programs located in Gaylord and its array of community alternatives to local operation through what was then Northern Michigan Community Mental Health. This involved hiring the staff, taking on the residential and other contracts, and assisting all the clients, many of whom were not originally from the service area. When the Mount Pleasant Regional Center, the last state institution for people with developmental disabilities, closed in 2009, Sarto expanded the North Country program to accommodate the needs of individuals served. She championed a local movement to support clients and their families in using person-centered planning and self-determination, with assistance from staff whom she ensured were trained in Gentle Teaching, to take more control of their lives and make real choices about where and how to live. She also pursued licensing as a Child Placing Agency so that North Country could assume full responsibility for childrens foster homes previously developed by the Alpine Center. This was the beginning of an agency emphasis on childrens services, including stronger clinical support services and respite care which help prevent or delay out-of-home placement for children. Most recently, Sarto led the agencys response to the mandated Autism Benefit, a much-needed and very complex services array. Mary Beth Wakulat, who retired last year after working with Sarto for 35 years, said, Andreas career has not been a job but a genuine vocation, a personal commitment and mission. She has served on the Michigan United Cerebral Palsy Board and has been a member of the state Developmental Disabilities Performance Improvement Team for several years. Andrea has been fully committed to Gentle Teaching, and not as something in isolation or that is only for client environments. She has demonstrated Gentle Teaching principles in how she has led, directed, motivated, inspired, supported, comforted, guided and counseled staff. She strove to create a work environment that was supportive and in which staff were able and encouraged to learn new approaches, new treatments, and to be flexible and innovative. Andreas leadership has been the bedrock on which services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilites have evolved at North Country and she will be missed. We wish her all the best in her future pursuits, said Christine Gebhard, CEO. North Country Community Mental Health provides services to residents of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Kalkaska and Otsego Counties experiencing a serious mental illness, severe emotional problem, or intellectual/developmental disability, including individuals with co-occurring substance use disorder. Persons wishing to know more about the agency are encouraged to visit www.norcocmh.org or to access services call (877) 470-7130. Staff reports The Petoskey News-Review To the Editor: There are many projects that would benefit our state if only we could afford them: avoiding crises like the one in Flint, fixing roads and bridges, helping to preserve the Great Lakes. One of the most important is education. A recent study found that no state has squeezed school spending more in recent decades than Michigan. The study attributed that squeeze to tax cuts, and noted a corresponding drop in student achievement. No other state is close to a decline of this magnitude (Traverse City Record-Eagle, Jan. 24). According to Bridge Magazine (Jan. 23), during the last quarter-century Michigan ranks dead last in the nation in school funding growth. From 2003 to 2015, Michigan also ranked 50th in growth in school performance. Article IX: Section 7 of the Michigan Constitution reads: No income tax graduated as to rate or base shall be imposed by the state or any of its subdivisions. Thus Michigan is required to charge only flat taxes where one who makes $25 million pays the same percentage as one who makes $25,000. Some might think a graduated income tax unfair, but it is quite fair when you consider that any higher percentage paid applies not to one's total income but only to income that falls into higher taxable increments. In other words, everybody pays the same percentage on their first $25K of income, their second $25K and so forth. Who would begrudge so small a payment for so large a payoff? Barbara AbbottLake Leelanau Jillian Fellows (231) 439-9389 jfellows@petoskeynews.com The Petoskey News-Review Extremely cold temperatures are sweeping across much of the country this week, but there will be a reprieve for Northern Michigan by the weekend. Jeff Lutz, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Gaylord, said temperatures on Saturday will rise into the lower 30s, and by Sunday could be around 35 degrees. However, the next few days will be an exercise in endurance for many residents as temperatures hover in the single digits, with wind chills dropping to minus 20 degrees or lower. The bitterly cold temperatures are the result of air flowing down from the North Pole. Lutz described the large-scale weather feature as a spinning top. When the top is spinning quickly, it is stable. When the top weakens, and loses momentum, it wobbles and spins in different directions. So, just like the top when it starts to slow down, the air starts to spin around so its in different places in the north, Lutz said. Tuesday night was expected to bring the coldest temperatures of the week, with lake-effect snow in tow. The cold air continues though, so Wednesday night, Thursday morning were still expecting temperatures to dip down into the single digits and even below zero, Lutz said. One factor that residents need to take into account is the wind chill. The one thing thats going to happen is we do expect a lot of wind, so thats causing us to have problems with the wind chill, Lutz said. In which case, were expecting wind chills of 20 to 25 below in Charlevoix and Petoskey and up to Pellston and those areas. Were actually expecting some places to dip closer to 30 below out away from the lake and in the U.P. as well. When the wind chill falls in that range, Lutz said frostbite can occur on exposed skin in 15 minutes or less. People have lost the tips of their noses and the ends of their fingers if you go to 30 and 40 minutes, just because it starts freezing so far into your flesh that youre actually killing off all those cells, he said. Hypothermia is also a risk for those who are outside for so long that their bodies can no longer generate enough heat to keep warm. Make sure that everyone stays bundled up because the next two nights are going to be pretty cold, Lutz said. William T. Perkins (231) 439-9353 Pipeline owner Enbridge has obtained one of the permits it needs to begin rock and soil sampling for its Straits Tunnel project. Scott Dean, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, confirmed in an email that the department granted the permit to Enbridge early last week, which will allow the company to conduct geotechnical borings in the Straits of Mackinac in an attempt to find out where a tunnel could be built. The DEQ granted that permit last Tuesday, Jan. 22. The News-Review had reached out to Enbridge the day prior for updates. We have applied for the permits we need to begin doing the rock and soil sampling in the Straits, company spokesman Ryan Duffy said in an email at that time. We are making preparations to begin doing that work in the spring. The project is a very early step in the ongoing timeline to build a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. In addition to other utility lines, that tunnel would house a new section of piping slated to replace the controversial tandem segment of Enbridges Line 5, which carries petroleum beneath the Straits on its way from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. The geotechnical boring stage will potentially see Enbridge drilling into the Straits bottomlands and drawing samples from up to 24 spots along the pipeline easements western boundary. The company will use those samples to evaluate the feasibility of the tunnel project, Dean said. The company will also be drilling test pits on land, requiring it to place 1,600 square feet of temporary matting in wetlands to access the bore hole locations. The results from this work will provide information that will aid in the design and construction of a tunnel, Duffy said. That specific application has been making its way through the DEQ permitting process since late October after former Gov. Rick Snyder announced plans for for the new utility tunnel to built beneath the Straits of Mackinac. On Nov. 27, the DEQ conducted a public hearing for the project in St. Ignace. That was a little less than a month before Snyder finalized a set of agreements placing the proposed tunnel under the management of a new government entity, The Straits Tunnel Authority. Those arrangements were firmed up shortly before current Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took office at the start of this year. Within her first week, Whitmer requested Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel look into the legality of Snyders end-of-term dealings to create the tunnel authority. That investigation is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen how that will impact the projects timeline. In a statement, Nessel warned the parties involved not to move forward unless and until these matters have been resolved. The DEQ continues to handle permit applications as per state regulations, Dean said in an email. In any event, Enbridge still has at least one bureaucratic hurdle to clear before the company is able to take any action anyway. We are still waiting on the permit approval from the (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) before we start rock and soil sampling, Duffy said in a followup email to the News-Review on Monday. I dont have any update on when that approval might happen. It is not a violation of true conservative principles to recognize the American people want a certain level, an increasing level in fact, of public spending for all sorts of things (e.g., Social Security, national defense), many of which cannot be feasibly performed by lower levels of government. We then have a choice: Pretend debt doesn't matter or try to close the gap between revenue and expenditures. At some point debt matters a great deal - retarding growth and gobbling up revenue simply to service existing debt, for example. Alas, government is not like a household (or a business) and, therefore, some reasonable level of debt is acceptable. (Unlike the federal government, individuals don't have the full faith and credit of the world's largest superpower behind them.) That doesn't mean any level of debt is acceptable. What about closing the gap between revenue and expenditures? We've seen for decades there is only so much cost cutting and pushing spending onto the states that is politically feasible. Democrats and Republicans alike want a rather large, active government. We can try to increase the growth rate by smarter policies (e.g., more trade, more economic immigration) but let's not get caught up in fantasies of 5 percent growth. So that leaves the revenue side. Republicans made matters worse, reducing revenue by selling the same supply-side chestnut to the American people when they voted for tax cuts. It'll pay for itself! It'll permanently hike growth! No, and no. It dramatically increased the debt in exchange for at most a temporary bump in growth, already dissipating before our eyes. A responsible policymaker would look to the tax code to make it more efficient (lower the rates, broaden the base) and, yes, raise a reasonable amount of revenue to pay for all the things Americans want. (By the way, this is making me nostalgic for the Simpson-Bowles proposal to make spending cuts and add revenue; we've spent the last decade doing the opposite.) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., touched off a debate by suggesting a top marginal rate of 70 percent; Sen. Elizabeth Warren. D-Mass., wants a super-wealth tax to add on a 2 percent tax on Americans with assets above $50 million and 3 percent on those with assets above $1 billion. Neither is a great idea, and not because they'll create disincentives for rich people and stifle the economy. In fact, they are most likely to lead to tax avoidance schemes and wind up raising comparatively little revenue. With 20 or so Democrats heading for the presidential primary, maybe it is time to have a reasoned discussion on how much more revenue we think is reasonably required (at least until the baby boomer retirement bubble deflates) and the best way to raise it. As to the latter, a number of constructive and science-believing conservatives have recommended a carbon tax, which serves the dual purpose of raising revenue and slowing climate change. Others want to go to a consumption tax (e.g. VAT tax). You'll find a lot of economists suggesting something more sweeping, but ultimately something that rewards work, which conservatives generally like. Former car czar Steven Rattner, writing in The New York Times, is among those suggesting "increasing the tax rate on capital gains and dividends and closing loopholes." In other words, we should be diminishing or eliminating the difference in tax rates that apply to wages and that apply to investment income. Rattner explains, "At present, a beneficiary of long-term capital gains or dividends pays 23.8 percent of the profit to Washington. That's already a good bit less than the 37 percent top rate on so-called ordinary income." In 2017 Congress increased the gap by lowering the capital gains tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Rattner points out that "if taxes on capital gains and dividends were raised by those 14 percentage points, we capitalists would be no worse off - and American companies would still be more competitive globally, the theory behind reducing the corporate tax rate." He recommends: "(W)hile raising those tax rates closer to those on ordinary income would make the system fairer, other changes would be required to prevent owners of appreciated assets from avoiding their tax obligations. For example, the United States should eliminate the provision that forgives unpaid capital gains taxes on assets held at death. "And there are many loopholes that could be closed in the name of greater equity. In 2016, the Obama administration provided a helpful list of candidates: They range from jettisoning the special deductions and credits that producers of fossil fuels enjoy to eliminating the notorious carried interest provision, which allows private equity managers (including me) to pay the lower capital gains rate on what is effectively ordinary income. Of course, if capital gains were taxed as ordinary income, that problem goes away." In fact, it's time to eliminate energy subsidies on all forms of energy, something Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has recommended and something true free-marketers should appreciate. In any event, there is no shortage of ideas on the tax front. The rest of the Democratic field, I think, can come up with better ideas than the easy, splashy fix of simply raising the top marginal tax rate. They should start with the basics: How much more revenue do we need, and whats the most efficient, way to do that with the least amount of distortion to the economy that doesnt increase income inequality? Lets see if one or more makes an intellectually honest and politically viable proposal. We could use some of that. -- Jennifer Rubin writes The Right Turn Blog, which includes reported opinion from a center-right perspective. Her column appears frequently on PennLive Opinion. Community group Standing at the Gates for Justice gathered to pay tribute to the victims of a shooting at a State College bar on Jan. 24. The vigil was held at the Penn State Allen Street gate in State College. Jordan Witmer, 21, opened fire on Dean and Stevie Beachy, an Ohio father and son who were at P.J. Harrigans Bar and Grill in the Ramada Hotel on South Atherton Street. Witmer also shot Nicole Abrino, reportedly his ex-girlfriend, when he shot the Beachys. Witmer fled the shooting, crashed his car nearby and broke into the home of George McCormick, whom he shot as well, before killing himself, state college police said. The Beachys and McCormick died from their injuries, and Abrino was last listed in critical condition. Among the events at the Pennsylvania Capitol today were two that urged state lawmakers to take action. Victoria, a canine rescued though Finding Shelter Animal Rescue in Norristown, visited the Capitol Rotunda to draw attention to the plight of animals in puppy mills. Victoria was a breeder dog for a decade in a puppy mill in Lancaster County, until being rescued in October, 2017. Victoria is blind, paralyzed, and suffers from canine degenerative myelopathy, similar to Lou Gehrigs Disease (ALS) in humans. She most likely passed the genetic disorder of canine degenerative myelopathy onto the 150 to 200 puppies she bred. The state Senate and House are introducing identical pet retail sales bills to end the sourcing of pets from puppy mills. Pennsylvanias pet retail sales bill, know as Victorias Law, would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores unless sourced from humane sources, including shelters and rescues, and would increase transparency by requiring sellers to include identifying information in advertisements. Under the Pa. pet retail sales bill, responsible breeders will continue to provide Pennsylvanians with healthy, socialized dogs. These breeders will not be impacted by this bill because they do not sell to pet stores, as their breed clubs discourage it and demand to meet buyers in person. With children dressed as the Lorax, the Better Path Coalition held a Team Lorax rally" for the protection of environmental rights at the state Capitol Rotunda followed by the delivery of a petition and a copy of The Lorax to Governor Tom Wolf. The petition calls on the governor and legislators to uphold the environmental rights amendment, Article 1, Section 27, by taking aggressive action. That section reads: 27. Natural resources and the public estate. The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvanias public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people. (May 18, 1971, P.L.769, J.R.3) After the petition delivery to Gov. Wolf, rally attendees delivered petitions and books to state legislators. Today was the second day of events for the coalition. A plague of medical malpractice lawsuits had Pennsylvanias health care system needing life support in the early 2000s, at least in the view of hospitals and doctors. The hospitals were threatening to close maternity wards. Doctors were threatening to leave the Commonwealth altogether. In response, state lawmakers passed a package of reforms aimed at both weeding out frivolous lawsuits and making medical care safer. One reform eliminated venue shopping" -- where malpractice lawyers could use a medical providers business ties to file cases in Philadelphia, rather than the county where the alleged malpractice happened. At the time, many, many malpractice cases were being filed in Philadelphia, where juries had a reputation for siding with victims and giving large awards. That changed dramatically after the new rule requiring such claims to be filed in the county where the malpractice allegedly happened. During the three years leading up to the change, an average of 2,733 medical malpractice cases per year were filed in Pennsylvania, including 1,204 per year in Philadelphia. In 2003, after the change, the statewide total fell to 1,712, and the number filed in Philadelphia fell to 577. Moreover, the number of medical malpractice lawsuits continued to drop throughout the state. In 2017, 1,449 medical malpractice lawsuits were filed in Pennsylvania, a decrease of 47 percent from before the reforms. Now, a committee of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is considering eliminating the rule against venue shopping. The committee said the rule no longer appears warranted, and also cites the possibility that far fewer victims of medical negligence are being compensated. A spokeswoman said the committee, which is accepting public comment on the matter until Feb. 22, wouldnt answer questions about topics including what prompted it to consider the change. The situation has resurrected the debate from the early 2000s, when medical providers argued there were too many frivolous lawsuits, and lawyers who represent injured patients argued there were too many medical errors. There has been relative peace on the medical malpractice front, said Curt Schroder, executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform, which is against the change. This risks tearing the scab off and opening all that up again. Organizations representing hospitals, doctors and nursing homes are also against the change. On the opposite side are lawyers who represent injured patients, commonly referred to as trial lawyers. Cliff Rieders, a personal injury lawyer based in Williamsport, argues its nearly impossible to win a medical malpractice lawsuit in many Pennsylvania counties. A major problem, he said, is that in smaller, more rural counties, the local hospital or health system is often the main employer, with an outsized proportion of the jury pool working for the local system or having a personal connection. People in those counties feel their jobs depend on the economic viability of those hospitals, Rieders said. According to Rieders, the high odds against winning a case discourage lawyers from representing deserving victims. The experiences are so negative that people refrain from bringing those cases, even when they are legitimate, he said. Rieders and trial lawyers further stress that Pennsylvanias venue rule for medical malpractice claims means they are handled differently than other civil lawsuits. There shouldnt be special rules for health care providers. Health care providers are like other professionals. They are able to insure against their risk and they should be subject to the same rules as everybody else, said Shanin Specter, a personal injury lawyer who is also an adjunct law professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Schroder said he agrees everyone should play by the same rules. But rather rather than eliminate the ban on venue shopping, it should apply to all civil lawsuits, he said. He calls arguments that some counties are dominated by health care employees some of the most bogus arguments Ive ever heard. He argues that in areas like Philadelphia, with their high concentrations of hospitals and medical schools, its even harder to find jurors lacking health care ties. According to Schroder, common sense and convenience dictate that a medical malpractice lawsuit should be filed in the county where it took place. No one is denied access to their local county court in this Venue has nothing to do with denying patients their access to justice, he said. He contends malpractice lawyers, who typically keep a third of whatever the jury awards to the injured person, want to get more cases into Philadelphia so they can receive bigger payments. In the years since the early 2000s, there has been tremendous consolidation in health care. For example, Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine now includes Lancaster General in Lancaster County. As a result, a change to the venue rule would cause Philadelphia to be flooded with more cases than before the reform, according to Schroder. This much is certain: progressively fewer medical malpractice cases have been filed in Pennsylvania, and the odds of winning one are steep. The number of medical malpractice lawsuits that resulted in a jury verdict dropped from 326 per year in the three-and-a-half years leading up to the 2002 reforms to 102 in 2017. The number of verdicts in favors of doctors or hospitals rose to 80 percent, up from 73 percent before the reforms. The number of jury awards of $5 million or more fell from about nine per year to two in 2017. The rule against venue shopping wasnt the only part of the 2002 reform package that affect the number of cases that get filed. One requires lawyers planning malpractice lawsuits to obtain a certificate of merit from an independent expert. Another part of the package was aimed at patient safety and reducing medical errors. Trial lawyers such as Rieders argue that the decline in cases and scarcity of verdicts favoring patients shows the balance has shifted too heavily in favor of medical providers. Schroeder contends the decline in malpractice suits is proof that many meritless suits were being filed in Philadelphia, and also that safety-related reforms have resulted in fewer medical errors. The issue of medical errors has always been a murky one. Experts have long said the system of resolving medical errors through lawsuits encourages health care providers to hide them, rather than learn from them. In 2016, patient safety experts at Johns Hopkins University concluded more than 250,000 deaths per year in the United States are caused by medical error, making it the third-leading cause of death. Moreover, studies have concluded that many legitimate victims of medical negligence never file a claim. The current jury system of malpractice litigation results in few compensated patients. This may in part be because only a small percent seek to pursue litigation or even know if there has been a possible malpractice committed, wrote Dr. Joel E. Chodos, a Delaware-based physician who also has a law degree and who wrote a 2015 paper looking at alternative ways to handle medical malpractice cases. In a 2011 brief on the subject of medical malpractice reform, the National Conference of State Legislatures wrote, Evidence indicates the system does not compensate all patients equitably, rapidly or efficiently; delivers compensation to a small share of injured people; does not appear to reduce medical errors; may hamper efforts to improve patient safety; and, in some cases, leads to unnecessary tests and procedures. Doctors, meanwhile, have their lives upended, and their reputations tend to suffer even if they win the case. Chodos, in his paper, discusses specialized courts which have been used to settle medical negligence cases. Switching to such courts would likely provide smaller compensation to victims, but compensate many more of them. In an interview, he said he believes it would be a bad idea to go back to the old venue rule in Pennsylvania. Then you have people trying to manipulate the system by trying to find the court that is going to be most sympathetic to their client, rather than trying to prove their case and get justice, he said. One of the 2002 Pennsylvania reforms created the Patient Safety Authority, which receives reports on medical mishaps including serious events. Serious events are unexpected occurrences during medical treatment that hurt or kill patients. They include things ranging from operating on the wrong site the authority receives about 59 such reports per year to medication errors to infections picked up in hospitals or nursing homes. The purpose of reporting them to the authority is to study and learn from them. In 2017, the authority received 7,881 reports of serious events that hurt or killed patients. Rieders, who served many years on the authoritys board, contends a majority of them amount to medical errors that warrant compensation. With the number of serious events being higher than the number of malpractice lawsuits, he argues its proof the deck is stacked against patients. A 19-year-old Hanover man faces multiple felony charges, including arson, after police said he ignited a fire earlier this month in a York County Walmart store. Gabriel R. Hawley, 19, has been charged with two felony counts of arson, two felony counts of aggravated arson and a single felony count of causing catastrophe, according to online court documents. That is in addition to misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief. Earlier this month, West Manheim Township police said three men entered the Walmart on the 1800 block of Baltimore Pike in Hanover about 7 p.m. Jan. 15 and set two separate fires in the store. The three men were seen on the stores surveillance footage, police said. Pleasant Hill Fire Company Lt. T.J. Fryman said firefighters were called to the business about 7:08 p.m. Fryman said the fire was set on a shelf in the stores housewares section, and according to police, damage was done to the store. A small fire set by the men had already been extinguished by Walmart employees, Fryman said. Police said Walmart employees suffered injuries due to smoke inhalation, and one of them was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. The employee was treated and released, police said. The store was evacuated and closed for several hours after the incident, officials said. West Manheim Township police announced the arrest Tuesday on their Facebook page. Over the phone, officers said they could not share details beyond what is included in the post. The post does not include information about why Hawley reportedly started the fire. According to a report from Hanovers Evening Sun, fires were set in the stores housewares and shoe departments. According to the report, one of the other men that appeared on the surveillance footage told police that Hawley started the fires. The fire resulted in the loss of $3,100 worth of property, according to the Evening Sun, which cited Walmarts reporting. It was not immediately clear if charges would be filed against the other men reportedly involved in the incident. Online court documents show that Hawley was arraigned on his charges Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey A. Sneeringer. Hawley is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Feb. 21. According to online court documents, Hawley is free from prison on $25,000 unsecured bail. When Bethlehem police found a woman last week shackled inside a car by her husbands hand, it was not the first time , authorities said. Police released new details Monday on the arrest of John VanHorn, after the discovery of his shackled wife Wednesday morning in the 900 block of Jennings Street. Officers were called for a handcuffed woman asking for help, according to police. After finding the woman, police said they found VanHorn driving by the area in a vehicle he had borrowed. VanHorn had the keys to his wifes shackles, as well as two realistic looking BB guns, city police said. Police interviewed the victim, and she reported she had been shackled numerous times inside VanHorns vehicle while he went to work over the past six months. Family members picked up the woman after she was interviewed, police said. The 50-year-old VanHorn was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on a single charge of false imprisonment, and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. When House Republican leaders called for the resignation of embattled Butler County Rep. Brian Ellis, some wondered if GOP leaders acted too soon. Ellis is the subject of a criminal investigation into claims he sexually assaulted a woman. The investigation is ongoing and the Republican lawmaker has not been charged with a crime. House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster County, defended the decision to ask the eight-term Republican lawmaker to step down during remarks to the Pennsylvania Press Club audience on Tuesday. Cutler said the fact that the question was even asked indicates it has become a distraction to the Legislatures focus on issues of importance to Pennsylvania. When were not discussing issues, were not working to the best of our ability on behalf of Pennsylvanians, Cutler said. Calling for Ellis resignation allows us to then move on and discuss issues. And I cannot understate that because we need to not be distracted from the job that is before us. The Dauphin County District Attorneys office is investigating an allegation that the 49-year-old Ellis sexually assaulted a woman, who works at the state Capitol, in October 2015. Cutler said he didnt want to say too much about the case so as not to impact the investigation. Attempts to reach Ellis have been unsuccessful. House Speaker Mike Turzai announced on Monday Ellis is on leave this week. The states Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm said the woman believes she was drugged at a Harrisburg restaurant earlier in the evening because she has no memory of what happened after consuming a drink and a half there. She said the woman told her that she ended up at a bar afterward and that is where she encountered Ellis. At some point, sources have told PennLive, the woman took a hard fall. The next day, Storm said she sought medical attention for a concussion and other injuries. PennLive is not identifying the woman in keeping with a policy against naming victims of alleged sexual assaults without their consent. On Friday, House GOP leaders issued a statement urging Ellis, who is married with two sons, to step down from office to take care of his family and address the sexual assault allegation. They stripped him of his committee chairmanship and other committee assignments. House Republican leaders have also made security officers available at the victims disposal, Storm said. House GOP leaders also said in their statement that the caucus has zero tolerance for any instance of sexual violence or harassment. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape applauded the decision to call for Ellis to resign. The coalition said it is time for legislative leaders to set a new standard that clearly demonstrates that sexual harassment, abuse and assault will not be tolerated. The organization called on Senate leaders to follow the Houses lead by stripping Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery County, of his committee chairmanship and assignments. Senate Democratic leaders have hired a law firm to investigate a 1991 sexual misconduct allegation involving Leach. Cara Taylor, a Lehigh County woman, has accused Leach of coercing 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. (Taylor has given her permission to be identifed.) Leach has denied Taylors claims and has filed a defamation suit against the woman and two others who shared her story. We know that historically the Pennsylvania legislature has not taken action unless criminal charges have been filed, according to the coalition statement. "However, America has borne witness during the past several years that this standard is often an unrealistic bar to meet.' The coalition goes on to call on lawmakers to pass a package of bills that will offer greater sexual harassment protections and accountability in state government. Its long overdue and a shame that it was not accomplished last session. Even though not much snow has fallen yet on the Harrisburg area, a combination of cold temperatures and light precipitation made for some slippery roads during the morning commute. It doesnt take much to make them slick, said National Weather Service at State College meteorologist Michael Colbert. While numerous crashes slowed traffic this morning, the heaviest snow is expected to start around 11 a.m. The heaviest of the snow will end by 3 p.m., tapering off to light snow again, and that should be out of the area by 5 p.m. By the time its over, we should see about 2 to 4 inches off accumulation. Colbert explained two areas of snow are moving through Pennsylvania today. One band of light snow, which were seeing now, is coming up from Baltimore, moving through Harrisburg and southeastern Pennsylvania before continuing towards Albany, New York. A band of moderate snow is moving southeast across the state and is expected to intensify as it hits the Harrisburg region in the late morning and early afternoon. As the storm pushes eastward, it can drop between 4 to 6 inches on areas like Pottsville. After the snow, the big concern is that its going to get cold. Real cold. Temperatures will start falling rapidly tonight, and they wont be rising much, Colbert said. With the polar vortex a system of high level cold air dipping in from Canada for a few days, were going to see single-digit low temperatures and subzero wind chills. Today will see a high of 32 and a low of 14. Wednesday will see scattered snow showers between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. with potentially heavy snow at times before becoming sunny with a high of 20 and with a wind chill value of 5 below zero. Wednesday night will be clear with a low around zero and wind chill values of 10 below. Thursday is expected to be sunny with a high of 13 and a low of 4. Wind chill values of 10 to 15 below zero can be expected. Friday will be mostly cloudy with a high near 22 and a low of 11. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny and warmer with a high of 31 and a low of 22. Sunday should be mostly sunny with a high near 41 and a low of 33. And on Monday, expected a 40 percent chance of rain and a high near 45. Visit PennLive.com/weather for your latest weather updates. Harrisburgs mayor said he hopes to work with D&H Distributing to find a buyer for the property that the company will be vacating on Seventh Street in Harrisburg. One of Pennsylvanias largest private companies, D&H said that it plans to leave the city, its home for more than 80 years. The company is moving to a larger campus in Lower Paxton Township. Now, city officials are wondering whats next for the buildings use. I worry about the future of the building and what it means for that neighborhood, but it is also a reminder that Harrisburg has been meeting the needs of an employer of that size for over 100 years and that we could continue to meet the needs of employers who relocate into the City, said Councilwoman Shamaine Daniels. Mayor Eric Papenfuse noted the growth that D&H has achieved in its long and storied history in Harrisburg. They have outgrown their Seventh Street location, but remain deeply committed to the city and the region," he said. "My administration will work closely with the D&H team to find a new buyer and employer for their uptown location. The building will not remain vacant for long, the mayor speculated. I have been told there is a strong interest, Papenfuse said. D&H pays $10,000 a year in business privilege tax, which is a low tax rate for a wholesaler, Papenfuse explained. And, the city reaps $35,000 in real estate taxes. Real estate taxes will continue to be paid, he said. That is not linked to them leaving the city. I dont see any great revenue loss. Harrisburgs local services tax is $156 per person asked of individuals who dont reside in the city, Papenfuse continued, which equates to just over $100,000. Depending on who would occupy 2525 N. Seventh Street next, or how the building is used, Harrisburg could stand to gain tax revenue, he said. The land is assessed at $1.1 million, and the building is just under $700,000, but the selling price could be higher, he said. I am very disappointed in the news, Daniels said. I worry about the tax revenue that will go with them. We have a few residents who live in the city just because they work there, so Im worried they might move with the company as well. The company confirmed Tuesday it purchased a 50-acre campus with two buildings in Lower Paxton Township that will allow the company to expand to match its growth. D&H celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. The technology distributor, which reported a 21-percent revenue increase in 2018, added that some of its largest gains were in categories like digital signage solutions, network security, cloud applications, workstations and premium notebooks. Its a success story, Papenfuse said. The company, with $3.9 billion in annual revenue, is the fifth largest private company in Pennsylvania and the 109th largest in the country, according to Forbes. D&H employs about 750 people at 2525 N. Seventh Street, which has been the companys home since 1952. Staying in that location, co-presidents Michael and Dan Schwab said, has always been important to them. The company bought and demolished neighboring buildings on Seventh Street over the years in order to expand and increase parking. It installed a solar field next door and helped developed the field across the street. Pictured is a rendering of D&H's future headquarters. But, company officals said it no longer has enough space. Really in the last year we have run out of seats where people could sit, Dan Schwab said. The new address is 100 and 200 Amp Drive in Lower Paxton Township, but employees wont move in until the buildings are renovated. Company officials say they hope to relocate between September of this year and March 2020. At a combined 244,512 square feet of space, the new headquarters is double that of D&Hs current home, and will include more than 950 parking spaces. The buildings will allow the company enough room for expansion that it has the potential to double its current staff of 750 people, the company reported. A 20- to 50-year prison sentence imposed on a teenage boy who raped and brutally battered a 5-year-old girl doesnt constitute cruel and unusual punishment, a state appeals court panel has ruled. Nor does that penalty give short shrift to the needs of the 15-year-old perpetrator, President Judge Emeritus Correale F. Stevens found in the Superior Court opinion. The teen, identified in court filings only as J.H., committed the crime in the middle of the night in July 2015 after breaking into the girls Philadelphia home. Other members of the girls family remained asleep as the rape occurred. Following the rape, J.H. took the victim downstairs and threw her on the ground in the back yard, Stevens wrote. He then violently beat the victim by repeatedly kicking and punching her. J.H. left the little girl lying unconscious in some weeds, the judge noted. Rescuers didnt find her until the next day. Her face was bloody and swollen, Stevens noted, her jaw and skull were fractured, she was cut and bruised all over her body and had sustained liver damage. Police arrested J.H. when they found his DNA matched that in semen found on the victim. As Stevens noted, J.H. committed the attack soon after being released from a secure treatment facility for juvenile sex offenders. Even a psychologist who testified on J.H.s behalf said she considered the teen to be a high risk for committing further sex crimes even if he underwent further treatment in the juvenile system. On appeal to the Superior Court, J.H. argued his sentence was unconstitutional. He insisted it amounted to an illegal life prison term imposed on a juvenile. His punishment was manifestly excessive for an intellectually disabled child who was failed by the juvenile justice system, he contended. Stevens discounted those assertions. He found that Philadelphia Judge Carolyn Nichols imposed a punishment that was consistent with the protection of the public, while also recognizing the impact on the victim and J.H.s rehabilitative needs. Although the victim was lucky to survive (the) horrific attack, (Nichols) recognized how extremely painful this horrific attack was for the victim, Stevens wrote. Nichols imposed the prison term, plus a consecutive 20 years of probation after J.H. pleaded guilty as an adult to charges of rape of a child, attempted murder, kidnapping and burglary. Stevens noted J.H. could have faced up to 120 years behind bars for those crimes. So, contrary to J.H.s claim, his punishment does not amount to a life prison sentence, but will give him a meaningful opportunity to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation and makes parole available well within his natural life expectancy, Stevens concluded. A drunken driver serving a 12 - to 28-year jail term for leading police on a 100 mph chase like something out of the Fast and Furious movies must be resentenced, a state appeals court has ordered. It is unlikely, however, that the Superior Court panels ruling will free Stephen Rivest, 37, of Lewistown, from prison any time soon. As President Judge Emeritus John Bender described it in the state courts opinion, the June 7, 2016 chase was quite a wild ride that came close to disaster several times. It began in Lewistown when Rivest sped away in his pickup truck when officers tried to serve him with an arrest warrant for a retail theft. He ripped through traffic signals with his speedometer touching triple digits, police said, and repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road toward oncoming traffic. A Mifflin County Regional Police officer had to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision with Rivests truck. Rivest also rammed a state police cruiser and nearly ran down a trooper who had placed Stingers across the road to blow out the tires on his truck. Part of the pursuit occurred on Route 322. Rivest finally stopped his truck on Route 22 in Mount Union when he nearly collided with a womans car. He got out of his truck and tried to get into the womans car, but she had locked the doors. Once (Rivest) was apprehended, multiple officers observed that he emitted a strong odor of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, Bender wrote. They also described him as alternating between a manic and a calm state. A Mifflin County jury convicted Rivest on charges of DUI, fleeing police, three counts of aggravated assault and five counts of reckless endangerment. Benders court rejected Rivests claims on appeal that his assault and reckless endangerment convictions were unjustified. Rivest claimed he never intended to hurt anyone. He insisted the police voluntarily assumed the risk when they started chasing him. Those arguments are baseless, Bender found. Rivest should have known that his actions would almost certainly prompt police pursuit, the judge wrote. This is not a case where a reasonable person would not anticipate police pursuit and the attendant risks of a high-speed chase. Bender did agree, however, that Rivest was over-sentenced on the DUI conviction. That charge was graded as a first-degree misdemeanor when it should have been rated as a second-degree misdemeanor, he found. Rivest was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison on the DUI general impairment charge. A second-degree misdemeanor conviction on such a charge carries a penalty of no more than 2 years behind bars. The district attorney and the county judge who imposed Rivests penalties agreed the second-degree designation applies to the DUI charge, Bender noted as he sent the case back to county court for resentencing. A multiple-vehicle crash on Route 581 has resulted in a lane closure. The crash happened in the westbound lanes about 1 mile east of Exit 5A (US 11 SOUTH/PA 581 WEST), 511PA.com reports. Heavy and stop-and-go traffic is reported in both directions in that area. UPDATE: Multi vehicle crash on PA 581 westbound at Exit 5A - US 11 North/US 15 North. There is a lane restriction. 511PA Harrisburg (@511PAHarrisburg) January 29, 2019 Crashes are also slowing traffic on Interstate 81 as snow continues to fall. Many school districts across central Pennsylvania were announcing early dismissals on Tuesday morning as snow was expected to fall faster this afternoon, according to news reports and school websites. As of Tuesday morning, the region is in a winter weather advisory through 8 p.m. with two to four inches of snow expected. Warwick School District in Lancaster County, for example, announced it will dismiss students at noon after theyve eaten lunch. All afternoon and evening school events are canceled. About 60 miles to the northwest, West Perry School District said on its Facebook page its elementary and middle schools will dismiss by late morning after students have eaten. Various other schools in Dauphin, Cumberland, York and Perry counties announced early dismissals, and a few in areas including upper Dauphin County had already canceled school because of the expected bad weather, according to a list maintained by CBS 21. A five-term state senator from Indiana County announced on Tuesday his plan to step down from his elected post on Feb. 28. Republican Sen. Don White, 68, joins two other Republican senators who have departed or plan to leave in the middle of their four-year terms. White plans to discuss his decision with reporters on Wednesday in Indiana. Messages left with Whites office for comment were not returned on Tuesday. Sen. Rich Alloway, R-Franklin County, announced earlier this month he also is resigning on Feb. 28, saying his heart has not been in the post. Sen. Guy Reschenthaler resigned in early January to assume his duties as a newly elected congressman. With their departures, the Senate Republicans' majority will shrink to 26-21. A special election is scheduled for April 2 to fill Reschenthalers seat. Special election dates for Alloway or White cannot be set until their retirements take effect. White, an Army veteran who was an independent insurance broker prior to his election to the Senate, was respected by both sides of the aisle for his expertise in banking and insurance. He used that knowledge to champion a law to revamp the states workers compensation premium costs. He is credited with being the driving force in the effort that led to the consent decree between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Highmark, among other accomplishments. In 2017, he gained attention with his legislation that would have allowed schools to arm employees as a way to ensure a safe environment for students and employees. The Senate approved the bill but the measure never got out of committee in the state House. White shared his intention to resign with his fellow Republican senators on Monday and with the general public on Tuesday in comments he shared on the Senate floor. I feel Im probably the most unlikely senator to ever sit in this chamber, White said in his floor comments. My only qualifications: I was a voter, strong voter. I was veteran, proud veteran. And I was a pretty damn good businessman. I made six figures in my business every year from the time I was 29 years old. Earlier in his life, he said he despised politics and turned down numerous requests to run for public office. Then his life changed after he lost his 19-year-old son in fatal car crash on Memorial Day weekend in 1998. That sent him into a deep funk, a very dark, dark place for a while, he said. After putting my head in a bottle, becoming as obscure as I could be and sitting for hours in dark rooms, not talking to anybody, my faith totally destroyed and then to think something that happened, he said. Fourteen months later, Im running for Senate. And that would have never happened if somebody, a higher power, hadnt decided that this was where I was going to leave my mark and where I was finally going to give back. To his Senate colleagues, he encouraged them to remain humble and to remember their people back in their district who elect them. He also urged them to respect one another. This political environment we have today whether its DC, not so much here yet, is very caustic, toxic. And it takes people to understand and respect one another if we ever hope to accomplish anything, he said. He closed his comments, offering thanks to his colleagues for making these 19 years the most fascinating and worthwhile years of my life. Rite Aid has announced that it plans to hold a special meeting for its stockholders in March in hopes of getting its stock back over the $1 mark. Thats important, because if the company fails to gets its stock higher than $1, it risks being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. The stock exchange notified the East Pennsboro Township company earlier this month that it is no longer in compliance with New York Stock Exchanges continued listing standard rules. The New York Stock Exchange requires that a company have an average closing price of $1 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. And after it was notified of non-compliance, the company has six months following the receipt of notification to bring the stock price back over $1. At the time, Rite Aid said it intended to pursue measures to cure the share price non-compliance, including one option that could involve a reverse stock split of its common stock. And Rite Aid has announced that it will try to do just that. The company says that its board of directors has approved a reverse stock split of the companys common stock. Because, the reverse stock split is subject to stockholder approval, the company plans to hold a special meeting for its stockholders at 8:30 a.m. March 21 in New York. Rite Aids board has set February 5 as the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting. Stockholders will have to the end of March 20 to vote by mail, phone or online. Stockholders can also vote in person at the meeting on March 21. The reverse stock split is intended to enable Rite Aid to regain full compliance with the New York Stock Exchange listing rules, the company said in a press release. If stockholders approve the reverse stock split, Rite Aids Board will select a reverse stock split ratio of either 1-for-10, 1-for-15 or 1-for-20 so that, depending on the ratio chosen, either 10, 15 or 20 shares of issued and outstanding common stock will convert into one share of common stock. Even if the reverse stock split is approved by our stockholders, Rite Aid says its board of directors may delay or abandon the reverse stock split at any time if it determines that the reverse stock split is no longer in the best interests of the company or its stockholders. And it looks like Rite Aid may not need to reverse its stock if it keeps increasing. The stocks price was down to 71 cents at the end of 2018 and has since increase and closed at 92 cents on Monday. But, of course when it come to the stock market, there is no guarantee, and Rite Aids stock had fell down to 86 cents by the middle of the day on Tuesday. Rite Aid will regain compliance with the stock exchange share price listing rule if at the last trading day of any month during the six-month cure period, or at July 3, the end of the six-month cure period, the company has at least a $1 share price and has maintained at least a $1 average closing share price over the preceding 30 consecutive trading days. Rite Aids stock continues to be listed on the stock exchange and will continue to trade as usual during the six-month cure period. Rite Aid also faced delisting from the New York Stock Exchange back in 2008 and 2010. In January of 2017, the stock was trading at more than $8 a share but has since taken a plunge. The 52-week high for the stock is $2.13. The stock had been listed at more than a dollar as recently as the beginning of December but, the stock also fell down to as low as 60 cents in December as well. Lucille Dillon Marshall was a secretary, bookkeeper, nurse and chief bottle washer in her husbands dental practice. Marshall, 90, of Harrisburg, nicknamed "Maude," died on Jan. 20. She attended Bishop McDevitt High School. Her family said, A true lady and second mom to so many, her kindness to all people and love for her Irish Wolfhounds was a tribute to the beauty of her heart and soul. Marshall had six children - Lucy Pailen, Madlyn Carder (Bill), Bob Marshall (Heidi), David Marshall (late Phyllis), Barbara Marshall (Bill Keim) and Joe Marshall (Sandy). She also is survived by two brothers, Charlie (late Shirley) and David Dillon (Joanne); brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Gretchen Marshall; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews From her guest book: What a wonderful woman. She was so cherished and loved and will be missed by all who knew her." -- Debi and Brent Curd I remember being a guest in the nook and she treated me like a king, always a gracious host. And that voice, she spoke with grace and elegance. She will be missed by those who truly knew her. -- Stephen and Susan Long, Mechanicsburg Mrs. Marshall you were one of a kind, a true gem. I will miss you. -- Tim OShura, Allentown I was privileged to have had you for an aunt. You were a truly good, kind, and pure person who was always present with me Aunt Lucille, I will never forget you. -- Harry McPartland, Baxter, Tenn. The memories I have of Aunt Lucille are too many to mention here. However, the summers spent playing gin rummy with her in Ocean City, Maryland are some that I will cherish forever. From the time I was a toddler until my late teens she treated me as an equal, confidant, friend and adviser. She had a way with words, direct and to the point but always with loving guidance. As I got older, I realized that people like Aunt Lucille are few and far between. She will be missed but always lovingly remembered. -- Eric Marshall, Miami Beach, Fla. To read more obituaries, click here. Oliver North, current president of the National Rifle Association, will speak during the opening reception and ribbon cutting ceremony for the sixth annual Great American Outdoor Show. The reception will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, in the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg. Reservations for this event are no longer being accepted. The National Rifle Associations 2019 Great American Outdoor Show will open Saturday, Feb. 2, for a 9-day run through Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg. A retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, North is best known for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal of the 1980s, which involved the illegal sale of weapons to Iran to encourage the release of U.S. hostages then held in Lebanon. He was named president of the NRA in May 2018. PrivateVPN by Trunkspace in brief: P2P allowed: Yes Yes Business location: Canada Canada Number of servers: 100+ 100+ Number of country locations: 48 48 Cost: $50 per year $50 per year VPN protocol: OpenVPN OpenVPN Data encryption: AES-128-GCM (default) AES-128-GCM (default) Data authentication: SHA1 for HMAC authentication SHA1 for HMAC authentication Handshake: TLS-ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384, 2048-bit RSA PrivateVPN is a name weve heard before, but this new service from Trunkspace Hosting is not to be confused with Sweden-based PrivateVPN.com. Trunkspaces PrivateVPN is a very basic affair that allows you to get online with servers in 48 countries. Note: This review is part of our best VPNs roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them. Features and services The Trunkspace VPN on Windows offers a single-pane interface listing all of the supported country connections. You typically have at least two choices per country. To connect to a specific server, you select it and click the Connect/Disconnect button to the right of the country name. IDG Trunkspace Hostings PrivateVPN without an active connection. A bar at the top of the window turns red when you arent connected, yellow when it is establishing a connection, and green when the connection is active. Under Settings, which is accessed via the hamburger menu icon in the upper-left corner, there are a few added options. The Stealth VPN checkbox helps obfuscate traffic in order to bypass network firewalls blocking VPN connections. Under Advanced Config on the settings page theres an option to Disable Internet on disconnect, which stops all internet access when your VPN connection drops. Finally, under Routing you can specify that only certain domains will go through the VPN. This is useful if you only want to protect a connection to corporate email, for example, while keeping your casual browsing outside of the VPN. The routing feature isnt particularly difficult to use but is more of a power user feature. Whats odd about this application is that Trunkspace chose not to have it sitting in the taskbar. Instead, to reveal it you have to open the system tray, and then click on the icon there to bring the application to the foreground. I asked Trunkspace CEO Atif Khan about the taskbar-less approach, and he said many Trunkspace customers prefer it this way. From our experience and research, VPN is typically set and forget. Many of our early customers complained when it was in the taskbar, because its not like Microsoft Word, an email client, or a web browser where you are interacting with it all the time. Performance IDG PrivateVPN with an active connection. Trunkspaces performance was alright in some instances, but overall it wasnt as high as weve seen with other services. Based on our testing, Trunkspace PrivateVPN was able to maintain an average of 19.26 percent of the base speed. Thats really low considering that the top performers weve tested reach as high as 50 percent, and middle-of-the-pack performance is around 30 percent. Thats not to say some of Trunkspaces speeds werent fast. In fact, most scores were in the double digits but just not high enough to earn a better result. As usual, however, your experience may vary depending on your ISP, router, and devices. Privacy, anonymity, and trust Trunkspace is officially based in Montreal. Its business address is a UPS Store in the city, but thats not unheard of for a small company with employees that work remotely. Trunkspaces CEO is, as mentioned earlier, Atif Khan, and the CTO is Jessica Chan. Trunkspace's privacy policy makes it clear that it does not log any of your personal browsing data. "While client activity is logged for our services, for our VPN service in particular, there is absolutely no data logged. This means that IP addresses, connection timestamps, disconnect timestamps, bandwidth usage, and DNS requests are not at all logged. We achieve (and guarantee) this by having all log data output to /dev/null , so no data is stored anywhere for any length of time." To sign up for Trunkspace PrivateVPN the checkout page for more information than many other services require, including your name, email, street address, and phone number regardless of your payment method. Trunkspace accepts payments via PayPal, credit card, bank transfer, gift cards, and a variety of crypto currencies. If you are paying by PayPal, for example, you do not have to supply your home address, but a casual visitor has no way of knowing that. So while you don't have to supply this information for certain kinds of payments, I doubt very much whether users would be able to tell the difference. Conclusion Trunkspace is a no-nonsense VPN. It doesnt have any extra features that some VPNs offer, and its speeds are serviceable but not outstanding. It recently dropped its price to be better in line with the type of service it's offering, which makes it a good deal. Trunkspace PrivateVPN is also off to a good start with its revamped privacy policies. I would like to see the company make it clearer what personal information it requires by having the form change dynamically depending on which payment option you choose. Still, Trunkspace PrivateVPN is a good service with a solid no logs policy. Editors note: Because online services are often iterative, gaining new features and performance improvements over time, this review is subject to change in order to accurately reflect the current state of the service. Any changes to text or our final review verdict will be noted at the top of this article. Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services starts at $75.50 per year for 2 users, which is a little on the pricey side for a small business-oriented hosted endpoint protection suite these days.Still, the product has improved somewhat, at least from an interface perspective, since the last time we tested it a year ago. It now represents one of the better user interface designs we saw in the roundup. However, some difficulty detecting common scripted attacks as well as its price tag keep it behind our Editors' Choice winners in this category, a list that includes Bitdefender GravityZone Ultra, ESET Endpoint Protection Standard, and Sophos Intercept X. What's attractive about this package is that, if you're a small business IT professional who might be a generalist rather than a security specialist, Trend Micro works hard to take work off your plate. It supports Microsoft Windows 10 and Apple macOS on the desktop and laptop side as well as Android and iOS for mobile devices. And for those who are interested, the next tier up, Worry Free Advanced Services, adds email protection, cloud storage, and Microsoft Office 365 protection, too. A 30-day trial is available on the Trend Micro website for those who want to evaluate the product in their own environments. Installation and User Interface Worry-Free Services is commanded from a well-constructed and easy to learn web console. Devices can be added to the Devices tab by clicking the Add Device button and choosing whether to email an install link, immediately install to the current device, or download an installer package that can be distributed to multiple devices. Once registered, the device name will display in the dashboard, and administrators can now organized it into easy to manage groupings. Information such as the compute or device name, IP address, status, and infection statistics are all available at a glance. Overall, we found this to be a very intuitive main dashboard design on par with similar offerings from makers like ESET and Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus. The Live Status tab acts as an overview of outstanding threats, the type of threats detected, and how those threats break out in terms of affected device and style of attack. It also shows if any immediate action is required on the part of the admin. Again, this will be an often-used view by your average IT professional, so it's good that we found it simple to read with minimal fluff. That can be far more important than most people realize when frantic calls start coming in to the help desk. If one or more of the devices are checked, updates can be performed on the device, or the disk drives can be encrypted or decrypted using whatever encryption software is native to the operating system (OS). For Microsoft Windows this will be Bitlocker, while for Apple macOS users, File Vault will be the encryption method of choice. Policies to govern this may be set up and applied per group. That's another nice feature since travelers will often require a different level of latitude compared to well controlled desktop PCs sitting in the office. Likewise, servers will have a higher level of scrutiny since they tend to be grand prize for most cyber-attacks. It's worth noting that for all our testing, we enabled all the behavior monitoring options for all devices. Scans and Reports The Scans tab gives some options for setting up manual and scheduled scans. The only atypical piece was the vulnerability scan. This is not a full vulnerability scan like one would experience with Nessus or Metasploit Pro. It strictly looks for critical Windows security vulnerabilities with known patches. Still, this is a useful option since, as with the infamous Equifax hack, the tendency for patches to get behind is very real in most organizations. Trend Micro has recognized this and given administrators a quick way to get an overview of which systems require quick attention. The Reports tab has a variety of report content that can be downloaded as a PDF or sent to an email address. Reports can be scheduled on a weekly or monthly basis, as well as between a specific date range. Either all devices or a specific group can be chosen as the data source, so its easy to break things out by servers, desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. While there was little out of the ordinary here, we found Trend Micro's report content to be both straightforward and informative. Detection Performance The first test in our endpoint protection process is always a phishing test. We use 10 randomly selected samples from PhishTank, which is an independent internet resource that lists known phishing websites. Once we had our sites selected, we simply navigated to each in turn using Internet Explorer from our test machine. Trend Micro allowed only two of the websites to connect, and all were detected as phishing sites and blocked. The caveat is that the Internet Explorer add-on had to be enabled in addition to the usual agent. That wasn't a requirement for our Editors' Choice winner, Bitdefender GravityZone Ultra. The next test was to download and execute a fresh malware database against the test system. When we executed the extraction program, Trend Micro detected all the samples and gave none an opportunity to execute. While most of our contenders achieved this outcome, it still showed that Trend Micro works to stay current on the threat landscape. Our third test is trickier and involves browser based exploits. In this case, we use the well known Internet Explorer MS06-14 vulnerability. Although it was reported back in 2006, it still works quite well and therefore has a loyal hacker following. After configuring a dummy website with the exploit, we again navigated there using Internet Explorer on our test system. We then looked to see if a remote shell had been created, which would have indicated the attack had been successful. With the browser add-on enabled, however, Trend Micro blocked it as a malicious website, though even with the add-on turned off, the exploit failed to download. Last is our active attacker test, which assumes that some ne'er do well has created a limited remote desktop protocol (RDP) account on a machine somewhere on your local network. The first step after gaining access to the remote machine had us encoded a variety of Metasploit Meterpreter payloads. Of the 42 that were copied to the desktop via RDP, 40 remained. We were able to execute the first one on the list, which granted us a remote Meterpreter session. Getting a remote shell and performing some basic file extrication wasnt much of a problem from there, so that shows some definite threat risk. Whats interesting, however, is that Trend Micro was able to detect when we were attempting to escalate privileges via an exploit. This was flagged as malware behavior and the program was terminated. While this is the correct behavior, it would have been far more desirable to avoid letting the program execute at all. This is mostly due to potential zero day exploits that Trend Micro might not be able to counter. Once you get a foot in the door, its only a matter of time until a system can be compromised. Unfortunately, Trend Micro is one of very few systems in our roundup to fail here. Most other systems, including Bitdefender GravityZone Ultra and Sophos Intercept-X were able to detect and remove the threats immediately or prevent them from running. We compared our test results to those of third-party tersters to see if there were differences. AV Comparatives, in their 2019 Real-World Protection Test, rated Trend Micro as having blocked 99.9 percent of real world threats with only 19 false positives. That block rate is as good as our Editors' Choice winner, Bitdefender GravityZone Ultra, though the number of false positives is significantly higher than what we saw. Solid Despite Detection Difficulties Even with the detection problems we saw, Trend Micro Worry-Free Services is not a bad product. Its just that it has a slightly higher than average price tag and didnt outperform products like Bitdefender and F-Secure. While it doesnt have the same results as Bitdefender, it does get the job done in all but the most extreme of circumstances. If some social engineering training is put in place, users can be reasonably confident that Trend Micro will have their backs, and of course, the company is working constantly to improve detection rates as is every AV company, so these results are subject to change. Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services 3.0 Check Price Pros Good detection rate of binary and scripted threats Native encryption management Good anti-phishing capabilities Simple device management View More Cons Slow to detect inactive threats Anti-phishing abilities require a browser add-on The Bottom Line Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services has a lot to offer in the way of traditional protection, but lags a bit behind when detecting some common scripted threats. Payson, AZ (85541) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 97F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low 69F. W winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. The compassionate humanitarian (and Catholic) argument for border enforcement, including a wall if necessary, is not at all based on some imagined hostility to Mexicans and people from Central America. It is out of deep concern for them, too. For example, According to a 2016 United Nations article: Criminal groups in Mexico kidnap more than 20,000 migrants each year. The Comision Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (Mexican National Human Rights Commission (CNDH)) reported that in six months, between 2008 to 2009, nearly 10,000 migrants were kidnapped, and in the first six months of 2011, 11,333 migrants were kidnapped. Once captured by criminal groups, the families of the migrants are contacted for ransom money. Migrants whose families are unable to pay may be killed. Meanwhile, the migrants may face torture and abuse. In addition to the risks of extortion, kidnapping, and violence that migrants face, migrant women are also vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence, including rape and sexual assault. Women experience sexual violence and forced disappearances often near the border. According to Amnesty International, 60% of migrant women and girls are raped while migrating, while other data indicate that 80% of women experience rape and sexual assault during the migration process. Concern over illegal immigration includes significant crime committed by illegals once they get to America as well. An article from the Texas Department of Public Safety provides the grim statistics about crime and illegal immigrants for just this one state: Between June 1, 2011 and December 31, 2018, these 186,000 illegal aliens were charged with more than 292,000 criminal offenses . . . those criminal charges have thus far resulted in over 120,000 convictions including 238 homicide convictions; 13,559 assault convictions; 3,138 burglary convictions; 17,806 drug convictions; 173 kidnapping convictions; 7,064 theft convictions; 11,264 obstructing police convictions; 1,011 robbery convictions; 1,689 sexual assault convictions; 1,148 sexual offense convictions; and 1,280 weapon convictions. Multiple thousands are dying from heroin and other drugs that overwhelmingly come through the southern border. Drug deaths are increasing at an alarming rate: and most of those drugs come from the south of the border, as documented in an August 2018 article from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It noted in summary, among its many dire statistics: The highest rise was seen for deaths involving other synthetic opioids, with a 22-fold increase from 2002 to 2017. The final two charts show the numbers of cocaine and benzodiazepine deaths that also involved an opioid; overdoses on these drug combinations have increased by nearly 3- and 6- fold respectively. Another greatly disturbing article from DrugAbuse.com: Drug Trafficking Across Borders provides many shocking facts: Since 2009, heroin seizures at the southwestern border have almost tripled, while meth seizures quintupled through 2014. . . . Increased drug trafficking in the U.S. has led to an epidemic level of overdoses, surpassing car accidents and firearms as the leading cause of injury and death among Americans. According to data from the DEA, the number of drug overdoses has climbed more than 50% in the last decade. Border walls work. They stop or greatly reduce illegal immigration and illegal drugs. No one need merely take my word for it. Anyone can check out the documented facts about El Paso, Texas. In 2006, just before a wall was built there, illegal crossings numbered 122,261. In 2017, the figure was 25,193. The article I cite noted that El Paso since then has consistently topped rankings for cities of 500,000 residents or more with low crime rates, based on FBI-collected statistics. San Diego is a second example. In 1986, . . . Border Patrol agents there apprehended 629,656 people. In 2016, the number was reduced to 31,891. The San Diego wall even helped nearby Tijuana, according to an article in Politico.com: Over the past 24 years, including a decade living in Mexico City, I have made dozens of trips to Tijuana and watched the city slowly mature from a kind of wild west dependence on migrant-smuggling and American tourism to a more self-contained and economically viable metropolis: a place with burgeoning opera and classical music scenes and a distinctive and high-quality cuisine known as Baja Med. . . . Bus depots that once deposited tourists or prospective migrants near the border daily have closed. The old hooker hotels are fading, and lofts and artist spaces have sprouted up. Today, Tijuanas economy is among the most robust in Mexico. Perhaps many non-conservative Catholics are unaware of reasons such as these that lie behind the concern of many politically conservative Catholics with securing our borders. They flow out of compassion and Christian love and humanitarian motives, not any sort of prejudice or hatred. Im all for legal immigration and helping those who are in terrible situations attain a better life. Ive been writing about immigration issues since at least 2010. In a blog post about refugees, from November 2015, I stated my position (which has not changed at all): Bring the refugees in by the multiple thousands (I put up a paper on my blog five years ago about immigrants even illegal ones citing Church statements on compassionate treatment), but they must be vetted, just as immigrants have always been. . . . This is not an either/or situation. Its not totally uncontrolled [including illegal] immigration vs evil nativist conservative bigots and fear-mongers who oppose all immigration, legal or illegal. That is not the case. There is a sensible middle here on the refugee crisis, that is quite consistent with Catholic teaching and traditional (and singular) American compassion and willingness to take in the huddled masses, . . . Many thousands of people need to simply talk to those who differ from them politically. This will allow agreement to take place, more mutual respect, and less demonization, leading in turn to principled compromises and political action to solve human problems. If someone disagrees with what I have written here, then please make a friendly rational argument and tell me why. *** Photo credit: IsraelEgypt barrier. Idobi (6-3-12) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license] *** 99 cent introductory offer Includes everything we offer online for 24-7 news. This option allows you to read unlimited stories at ctnewsonline.com, and access our e-Edition (digital replicate of the daily newspaper). $7.99 per month after the introductory offer. This service comes with a complimentary CT Select Card allowing for local discounts. Rates are subject to change. At a time when hypocrisy and illogical reasoning seem to reign supreme within a government torn in two over what is ultimately a really expensive construction/vanity project, it would seem as though weve already maxed out our tolerance for the inane. But the recent government shutdownwhich earned the dubious honor of being the longest shutdown in U.S. history at a whopping 35 daysproved to be fertile ground for sprouting even more frustration, with 800,000 federal workers waiting on suspended paychecks, caught in limbo as the Washington elite bickered amongst themselves. Last week, said Washington elite made a show of feigned progress by voting on two separate proposals that were essentially dead on arrival: one, backed by Trump, included $5.7 billion for his beloved wall while extending protections to some undocumented immigrants; the other, backed by Democrats, would reopen the government for two weeks in hopes of reaching a compromise within that time frame. The latter proposal would, naturally, not offer any money toward Trumps wall. Thankfully, by Friday, Trump felt enough of the heat to agree to reopen the government for at least three weeks, knowing full well that another government shutdown is certainly an option. His voter baseand the vast majority of Americansare less than impressed. Meanwhile, Trumps mercurial decision-making cost the U.S. government an estimated $3 million, according to Reuters. And those 800,000 federal workers who were scraping to get by, turning to the gig economy to make ends meetdriving for Lyft or Uber and listing their homes on AirBnBwont soon forget the hardships that Trump and the shutdown put them through. (One unsubstantiated rumor on Reddit even claimed that federal employees were turning to Silicon Valley sludge Soylent as a way to get nutrients on a budget). Many who were furloughed were looking into other permanent or temporary jobs, and those who were still working without pay grew increasingly angry as they were expected to operate as though things were business as usual, but with even fewer resources, support, and motivation. The pains were felt across all industries. It feels like were on the front lines trying to fight a battle while our own forces are shooting us in the back, Chief Judge Ruben Castillo of Illinois told NPR. With the government shutdown, courts were short-staffed and were therefore contemplating drastic measures just to continue operating, like halting all civil cases, including civil rights cases against police and work discrimination/sexual harassment cases. Thats basically the sad story, Castillo said. There is a price that this country is going to pay that far surpasses anything anyone realizes. Workers who punch the clock for the FDA, the EPA, the TSA, and even the U.S. Border Patrol and Customs felt the strains as well. The prospect that for no reason at all, I may have to find another permanent job is very frustrating, and it speaks to a kind of waste, one worker said in a New York Times-produced video highlighting the hardships workers were going through during the shutdown. You know, the taxpayers are going to have to fund the whole hiring process for my replacement. The U.S. Coast Guard, too, was hit by the shutdown, with more than 40,000 active duty members and 8,000 civilian employees going without their paychecks for upwards of a month. If the government hadnt re-opened before Feb. 1, approximately 50,000 retirees, survivors and other beneficiaries would have also gone without the benefits that they depend upon for medication and services. It would have been the first time this happened in the history of the Coast Guards existence, dating back to its founding in 1790. I find it unacceptable that Coast Guard men and women have to rely on food pantries and donations to get through day-to-day life as service members, head of the Guard, Adm. Karl Schultz, said in a message to Coast Guard members via Twitter last Tuesday. You, as members of the armed services, should not be expected to shoulder this burden. Suffice it to say that the governments remarkable ineptitudehelmed by a Commander in Chief who has often been likened to a child throwing a tantrumwasnt exactly ingratiating itself to its workers, who have by and large committed themselves to the safety, productivity, and excellence of the country over their own profit. Its no secret that government jobs, while steady, arent exactly the highest-paying. Many workers are living paycheck to paycheck, and even the slightest lag in payment delivery could impact their ability to supply both themselves and their families with basic needs: food, shelter, and healthcare. And if this is how Trump is willing to treat those who have proven to be his most reliable voting blocveterans, border patrol officers, and other civil servantsitll be interesting to see how their frustrations manifest themselves come 2020. In a very real sense, the government shutdown punished employees who were already working for less than they could be making in the private sector, and punished those whose daily work keeps the nation afloat despite their presidents best efforts to sink it into the hellfire he himself ignited. Already, some of Trumps base supporters are beginning to question his tactics, as well as their faith in his ability to look out for their best interests. Its silly. Its destructive, retired Navy reservist and Trump supporter Jeff Daudert told the Washington Post asked about his thoughts on the shutdown. A recent CBS poll found that seven in 10 Americans dont think debate over a border wall was worth a government shutdown. And a recent NPR/ PBS NewsHour/Marist survey conducted between Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 found that Trumps net approval rating among his base has dropped seven points since December, with the biggest declines coming from suburban men (here, the approval rating fell a net 18 percentage points). Men without a college degree dropped in their approval ratings of the president as well, a notable seven points. Perhaps just as significantly, Trumps own pride and joylaw enforcement leaderscame forward to express their disdain for the shutdown, with the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force penning a letter to the president and Congress last week asking them to reopen the federal government without delay and work together on bipartisan solutions to improve our immigration system. At the time, 44 police chiefs and sheriffs from across the country, including border states like Texas, Arizona, and Florida, had signed off on the letter. What all this points to is a mounting resentment toward the government, and specifically Trump, whom even his supporters admit was responsible for the shutdown. His campaign promises are unraveling with each passing day. Hundreds of out-of-work federal workers already demonstrated in Washington, D.C. last week. One-time Trump supporter Ann Coulter called Trump a wimp and a liar for failing to secure money for the wall. What of bringing jobs back to the USA? During the shutdown, border patrol agents were under immense strain of resources, as were TSA agents, many of whom stopped going into work entirely. What of strengthening borders? And who will man the wall even if it were to be built? Perhaps the most telling of all the broken campaign promises, however, is this: Trumps own daughter-in-law, herself one of the proud members of the 1 percent, told Bold TV last Monday that federal employees caught in a rough spot shouldnt be so shortsighted. 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, Lara Trump said. A recent Mercury News article points out that she and husband Eric split their time between two luxury properties; she frequently posts about workouts with her elite personal trainer; and she isnt shy about sharing photos from her getaways to Aspen, Dubai, and, of course, Mar-a-lago. What of draining the swamp? Seems like these days, Trump and his team are swimming the backstroke in it. Its also important to remember, amid this doom and gloom, that in spite of all the suffering that Trump has already inflicted on his would-be supporters, this is just the beginning. Even though the government is temporarily re-opened, his contingency plan is focused on the wall, and federal workers will continue to be the collateral damage necessary for him to get what he wants. Just last week, White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney requested a list of highest-impact programs that will be hurt most by the shutdown if it continues into March and April. Trump himself has said that he personally thinks theres less than a 50 percent chance the newly formed group of lawmakers can strike a deal before their Feb. 15 deadline. The only upside to this whole debacle? The effects of the shutdown will likely be fresh in federal workers minds when they step, ever confidently, into the voting booth come 2020. S.A. Chakrabortys debut novel The City of Brass demonstrated that the mythology of the Middle East is just as fertile ground as European folkloreif not more sofor fantasy literature. The djinn, ifrit, ghouls, marid, peri, rukh, karkadann, shedu and nasnas of Islamic, Zoroastrianism and pre-Islamic folklore take the places of elves, wizards and goblins. Its an enthralling twist on the tale of a young protagonist with powers she never knew she had discovering a world a magic she never knew existed; Nahri is a con artist on the streets of Cairo when she accidentally summons the legendary djinn warrior Darayavahoush and discovers her royal lineage in the magical city of Daevabad. While The City of Brass introduced the fraught politics of the djinn, its sequel The Kingdom of Copper tackles the millennia of war crimes and betrayals through its three point-of-view charactersall wanting the best for their city and all harboring their own resentments and doubts. The Daeva, headed by the royal Nahid family, built and ruled the city, persecuting the shafithuman-djinn mixbloodswith cruel disdain. The Nahids were violently overthrown by the other djinn tribes, led by the Geziri, in retribution for the treatment of the shafit. But the Daevabad that Nahrithe sole surviving Nahidfinds is ruled by the iron-fisted Ghassan al Qahtani, who has little regard for the shafit living in squalor. (Spoilers for The City of Brass ahead.) Ghassan knows Nahris secret, that shes a shafit herself, and forces her to marry his eldest son Muntadhir. His second son, Alizayd, had unknowingly helped a shafit rebellion against his father and reluctantly betrayed Nahri, killing Dara at the end of the first book. The Kingdom of Copper opens with Ali chased by his fathers assassins and banished to a remote village; Nahri in a loveless marriage dreaming of re-opening her ancestors hospital for djinn and shafit alike; and Dara reincarnated in service to Nahris mother Manizheh, presumed dead but plotting an overthrow of the king. No series since George R.R. Martins A Song of Ice and Fire has quite captured both palace intrigue and the way that tribal infighting and war hurt the vulnerable the most. Forced to return home, Ali would prefer to settle down and help his small village flourish. Nahri just wants to be left alone to heal the citys residents. And Dara wishes he were allowed to return to paradise and rest. But duty, anger and a desire for justice pull all three back into a struggle for power with shifting allegiances and sympathies. Nahris people adore her but see the shafit as soulless abominations. Ali follows the convictions of his Islamic faith but his inflexible morals cause as many problems as they solve. And Daras unwavering loyalty allows for shocking levels of cruelty and destruction. Its not a simple tale of good versus evil, but a complex web of characters believing theyre making the best choices to serve their people. Religion, family dynamics, class politics, friendships and romance all play a part and are wrapped up in unique magical world that Chakraborty brilliantly brings to life. From its slums to its palace, the city that Chakraborty has written to life is one you wont forget. There are no easy answers to centuries of animosity between races with differing beliefs, and she doesnt offer them glibly. The twists and turns are surprising, setting up the next book in the Daevabad Trilogy for an epic finish. Well, there they go again. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of these two idiots. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Those words, more than any others, represent the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Felled by an assassin's bullet in 1968, King would have turned 90 on Jan. 15. And, while King's words sound benign today, they stirred up controversy and hatred in 1963. King was the subject of an FBI investigation he was suspected of being a communist. Reading King's words today, what could be more self-evident? Why would you possibly judge a person by his/her color, religion or country of origin? How can modern man not see that a person's true value lies in the content of their character? There is no question this country has made strides in terms of race relations. The overt racism of Jim Crow days has largely disappeared. Unfortunately, you don't have to scratch the surface too deeply to find more covert forms of racism the percentage of black men incarcerated, the discrepancy in sentencing for similar offenses. It would be disingenuous to say American society hasn't progressed. It would be more disingenuous to claim our nation is living by King's ideals. We are still a long way from the mountain top King alluded to in his April 3, 1968, speech. So, as we honor King with a national holiday, let's not cast our eyes to 1963 and marvel at the eloquence and courage of our greatest civil rights leader. Let's read those words and realize there is still a lot of work to be done. Yes, living together in harmony should be a basic element of American life. Sadly, it also remains an ideal. The (Champaign) News-Gazette A change in personalities at the top of the political ladder is always exciting, the public optimism associated with turnover usually representing a triumph of hope over experience. That's why Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker took the state by storm, starting with his inauguration and followed by a downstate appearance to promote jobs, issuing executive orders and signing legislation. As his tenure lengthens over what will be a four-year term, Pritzker won't continue to dominate the news and editorial pages. But, for now at least, he's the man. The public is watching with interest, hoping he'll lead our sorry state to the promised land of balanced budgets, prudent financial management and fiscal solvency. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. But Illinois will never get there if Pritzker repeats the mistakes of the past spending money the state doesn't have. That's why it was disturbing that one of Pritzker's first actions involved spending more money the state doesn't have. Former Gov. Bruce Rauner engaged in a four-year battle with unionized state employees, a conflict driven mostly by what he saw as excessive pay and benefits and the lack of resources needed to maintain them. That's why Rauner and AFSCME, a union representing thousands of state employees, were unable to reach agreement on a new contract. Long since expired, one of Pritzker's duties includes concluding the AFSCME talks. Public employees who've gone without step increases deserve sympathy. But it's important to remember that one of the reasons Illinois is in a huge financial hole is because so many elected officials felt a moral obligation to spend money the state did not have. Spending money the state doesn't have isn't a tough decision. In fact, it's easy all that's required is getting buried deeper and deeper in debt, as the state did once again. (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald Amid sorrow, we stand in awe of those who step in to save others That instinct is part of everyday life for police officers like Illinois State Trooper Christopher Lambert. On his way home to his wife and 1-year-old daughter in Highland Park at the end of his shift, he came across a crash on I-294. Lambert pulled his patrol car into the left lane to protect the drivers from traffic and stepped out into the snow. He was struck by another vehicle. Two other instances of heroism had less sorrowful results. Stephen Spapperi, 19, and Justin Mueller, 24, were driving separately in Lombard when both saw another driver had lost control of her car, driven onto the Metra tracks, and gotten stuck. Both went to help and were quickly joined by police Officer Dan Herrera. They helped the 96-year-old driver out of the car, but saw a train coming. Spapperi picked up the woman and, aided by the other two, rushed to get away as the train hit her car. "I truly believe that they helped save a life this day," police Chief Roy Newton said while praising the trio. Also, DuPage County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Obrochta's "immediate, decisive action" helped save about 30 dogs from a burning kennel near West Chicago, where another 31 dogs were killed. Obrochta raced into the burning kennel, freeing dogs and burning his hands in the process. Even as the inferno forced him to retreat, he grabbed a cage containing a large dog and carried it outside with him. "He took some personal risk to himself to save these animals, and I just think he did a great job," DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD Col. Peter Nezamis was promoted to brigadier general Monday as he became head of the Illinois Air National Guard. Nezamis, 55, received the promotion during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield that was attended by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Nezamis becomes the assistant adjutant general for air and will be in charge of more than 3,000 Illinois Air National Guard personnel in Springfield, Peoria and Scott Air Force Base. He will also oversee more than 900 federal and state employees. Nezamis joined the Michigan Air National Guard in 1986. During his career, Nezamis has served in several overseas deployments, including the Middle East, the Balkans and Asia. Nezamis, of Belleville, is married to his wife, Teeshia, and has three sons. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BLOOMINGTON Stay indoors as much as possible during the arctic-like weather expected Tuesday night through Thursday morning in Central Illinois, advise health professionals. But if you must be out, dress warmly, stay dry and know that there are places to go to get warm with warming centers opening throughout the area. The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures of 10 degrees below zero to 20 degrees below zero from Tuesday night through Thursday morning, with wind chill temperatures ranging from 25 degrees below zero to 50 degrees below zero. For people who must be out, Ritter and the American Red Cross suggest dressing in layers with a wind-resistant outer layer. Wear a hat, scarf or face mask and gloves or mittens. Covering the mouth is important to protect your lungs from severely cold air. "Keep as much skin surface covered as possible," Ritter said. "Your body's extremities such as the ears, nose, fingers and toes lose heat the fastest." Wear waterproof footwear. If you get wet, get back inside and change clothes as soon as possible because wet clothing rapidly chills the body. Shivering is the first sign the body is losing heat, Ritter said. Body temperatures that are too low affect the brain and can cause confusion and loss of muscular control. Extreme loss of body heat causes loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest may occur. "If you suspect hypothermia, get indoors as soon as possible," Ritter said. "Remove any wet clothing and get warmed up slowly." Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Signs of frostbite are skin that appears white and waxy and hard to the touch and a loss of sensation and tingling, Ritter said. Seek medical help. For people who need to get out of the cold during business hours, Illinois Department of Human Services has opened its offices as warming centers. In The Pantagraph area, DHS offices are at 501 W. Washington St. and 207 S. Prospect Road, both in Bloomington, and at 1550 Fourth St., Lincoln. In addition, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has warming centers statewide. Locally, they are the Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St., and the Normal Public Library, 206 W. College Ave. that are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. City of Pontiac has opened the Pontiac Rec Center, 900 N. Elm St., as a warming center from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Thursday. Also, the city said garbage will not be picked up on Wednesday. Garbage scheduled to be picked up after Tuesday will be pushed back one day. Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave., Bloomington, has opened its lobby for people who need to warm up during the day; hats and gloves are available at the front desk, said Chief Operating Officer Matt Burgess. Home Sweet Home's Billy Shelper Center for the homeless also has space available; people can stop by 303 E. Oakland Ave. or call 309-828-7356. For the homeless, the Salvation Army of McLean County's Safe Harbor homeless shelter, 208 N. Oak St., Bloomington, is open anytime during the day or night, said Salvation Army Development Director Angie Bubon. While Mid Central Community Action's Bloomington and Pontiac offices will be closed Wednesday, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) applications remain available, said Matt Drat, director of resource development and community engagement. Appointments can be made by calling 309-829-0691, he said. Home Sweet Home's food co-op will be closed Wednesday. "It's going to be too cold for people to be out and about that day," Burgess said. Contact Paul Swiech at (309) 820-3275. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_swiech Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LeROY LeRoy Manor, a nursing home with 66 residents and about 75 full- and part-time employees, will close by March 31, with owners citing poor Medicaid reimbursement by the state. The skilled care facility, 509 S. Buck Road, announced the closing Monday. "It's an unfortunate day," said Jason Young, administrator for Liberty Village of LeRoy and LeRoy Manor. The village includes LeRoy Manor and The Villas Single Family Homes, which aren't affected by the closing. "This was not a decision that was taken lightly," Young told The Pantagraph late Monday afternoon. Melaney Arnold, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, confirmed that IDPH had been notified that the facility will close by March 31. State law requires that nursing homes must give the state 60 days' notice prior to closing and the facility must include a closure plan addressing the process for the safe and orderly transfer of residents. "The (LeRoy Manor) notification included a closure plan stating the families, guardians and residents will be notified this week," Arnold said. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Residents, their family members and employees are being invited to a vendor and job fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday at LeRoy Manor, Young said. Liberty Villages in Clinton, Danville, Peoria, Pekin and Shelbyville, as well as several skilled nursing facilities within 25 miles of LeRoy, have been invited to assist residents and families in choosing new facilities and employees in choosing new employers, Young said. LeRoy Manor opened in 1989. Ninety percent of residents are on Medicaid, and the remaining 10 percent are on Medicare or are private-pay residents, Young said. Medicaid reimbursement rates in Illinois have been inadequate for years, Young said. It costs $200 a day to care for a resident on Medicaid but the state reimbursement to skilled nursing facilities is $130 to $140 a day, he said. "Over the last four years, we have put in $4 million in losses to keep the doors open," Young said. The board of directors decided they could no longer do that. "It comes down to financial solvency and being able to provide the level of care our residents are accustomed to," he said. "It was honestly painstaking," he said of the closing decision. "We tried to look at every feasible alternative ... But we're not in the industry to provide the minimum. We're in the industry to provide outstanding care." Resident reaction has been bittersweet, he said. While residents are disappointed and sad, some have said that they hope to move to the same facility as the staff. Young hopes that state legislators will increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for skilled care facilities. Contact Paul Swiech at (309) 820-3275. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_swiech Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 14 Angry 10 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON A wind chill advisory is in effect through noon Thursday and forecasters with the National Weather Service in Lincoln saying wind chill values could drop to 50 degrees below zero Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. In response, Bloomington District 87 on Tuesday joined the list of Central Illinois school districts deciding to close on Wednesday, which is expected to be the coldest day in many years. Superintendent Barry Reilly said the district is "holding off on a decision for Thursday as we continue to monitor the weather. Parents will be notified that we will provide an alternative learning day while school is closed." The Olympia school district also announced Tuesday that its schools will be closed both Wednesday and Thursday. Superintendent Andrew Wise said all Tuesday and Wednesday activities are canceled. They join a growing list of area schools that have already canceled classes for both Tuesday and Wednesday. A complete list of cancellations is available at www.pantagraph.com. Illinois Wesleyan University has now joined the list, too, announcing it will be closed from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m Thursday. Illinois State University and Heartland Community College also are closed Wednesday. Lincoln College is closed Wednesday and Eureka College will be closed from 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to 11 a.m. Thursday, the schools have announced. Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a disaster proclamation for the entire state. A state disaster declaration makes available a variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from effects of the cold snap, said Pritzker, adding the state "has mobilized personnel and assets to help local government officials with disaster response and recovery." Earlier Tuesday, Corn Belt Energy reported 53 outages in McLean County as of 7:20 a.m. Crews were working to restore power. Ameren Illinois reported no outages as of early Tuesday morning. All departures scheduled for the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington were on schedule as of 7:30 a.m. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Bitterly cold weather will continue through Thursday morning and there is a possibility of snow showers on Tuesday after 11 a.m. The temperature in Boomington at 7:30 a.m. was 2 degrees. Forecasters caution motorists because that could result in some areas of drifting snow in open areas late Tuesday morning through the evening rush hour. Motorists are urged to use extra caution when driving, and to call for help immediately if they slide into a ditch or median. The Illinois State Police announced they will have additional patrols out helping stranded motorists through the duration of the cold snap. Roads were reported to be mostly clear Tuesday morning, but some rural roads and city streets remained snow-packed. Tuesday's high is expected to be 9 degrees, but wind chill values will be between minus 9 and minus 16 degrees. A slight chance of snow showers remains in the Tuesday night forecast, but temperatures will drop overnight to a low of minus 19 degrees and wind chill values could reach minus 50 degrees. The overnight low on Wednesday is expected to be minus 15 degrees with wind chill values around minus 30 degrees, said the NWS. There is another chance of snow showers Thursday, when the high climbs to 12 degrees. On Friday, the high could reach 28 and by Sunday, forecasters say the temperature could actually reach 50 degrees. 17 reasons we're excited for spring and summer in Bloomington-Normal Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1 BLOOMINGTON The city is moving forward with a long-awaited realignment of the west-side intersection of West Washington Street and Euclid Avenue, which has one of the city's highest crash rates. The City Council voted unanimously Monday to pay Peoria-based Hanson Professional Services Inc. $25,800 to prepare a design study for the intersection. "We have been talking about that intersection for many years. It's one of the most dangerous intersections," said Alderman Scott Black, whose Ward 7 is on the city's west side. "Residents have told me 'Take action; do something now.' I'm excited that we're taking this step for that intersection to be safer for the community." Another west-side alderman, Karen Schmidt of Ward 6, was equally elated. "It's long overdue. It's a very difficult intersection to understand how to traverse, and I think this is truly going to improve traffic flow and safety in that area," Schmidt said. Brown Street and Euclid are two north-south streets that dead-end at Washington at T intersections about 100 feet apart, about a block south of Market Street. The city is looking at angling Euclid about 100 feet to the east to connect to the Brown intersection. "This intersection has an awkward configuration that leads to traffic delays and crashes," said the city's public works staff in a memo to the City Council. "During peak hours, the eastbound and westbound left-turn movements periodically back up traffic on Washington Street in both directions and create a gridlock situation at the intersection." The city staff reviewed four firms and initially determined Lochmueller Group, which did an earlier feasibility study that included a public meeting to gather input from residents, was the most qualified to do the design study. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. But the staff was unable to come to an agreement with Lochmueller Group about the scope of the study. Hanson then was selected for the project based on its experience using aerial photography from a drone. City staff estimated completion of the project in 2023 at an additional cost of $1.7 million that is to be paid for with motor fuel tax, water and storm water revenues and funding for capital projects. The total cost includes $200,000 for a second phase of design work, $100,000 for right-of-way acquisitions and a $1.4 million construction cost. Hanson's first-phase design study will be paid for from capital improvement architectural and engineering funds that are available due to other projects not being completed this fiscal year. In other action Monday, the council: Approved a nonbinding master plan for Bloomington parks that will guide the city's planning for the next 15 years. Voted unanimously to pay Chicago-based consultant Houseal Lavigne & Associates up to $25,000 beyond the $125,000 agreed to in 2016 to review and rewrite Bloomington's zoning ordinance. The additional payment is to cover the consultant's extra expenses due to additional meetings, continued public hearings and further revisions. The city's planning commission has met 10 times to discuss the proposed draft. It is possible the planning commission's public hearing Feb. 13 may be continued again, staff said in a memo to the council. Contact Maria Nagle at (309) 820-3244. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Nagle Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Continue Reading Below Advertisement Well, it started by creating a bot that would message Airbnb users and offer to cross-post their listings to Craigslist. The Craigslist post would be identical, but the contact information would link to Airbnb. It allowed the company to advertise to Craigslist's massive user base while taking all of the revenue for itself, and the fact that it was against Craigslist's terms of service made Airbnb hesitate for about zero seconds. It was a clever technical achievement, and if they'd stopped there, it probably would've gone down as a naughty but valid growth strategy. Airbnb did not stop there. Entrepreneur Dave Gooden noticed that Airbnb was barely spending a dime on traditional advertising, yet people were flocking to post their listings there. Where the hell were all these users coming from? Gooden, acting on a hunch, posted a fake listing on Craigslist. Within hours, he received an email from a "young lady" telling him she loved his property and wanted him to check out this cool new site called Airbnb. He did it again, and again, and again, and every time received an email, each one more identical than the last. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Gooden went a bit overboard with his investigation. He created his own vacation rental website, complete with a thousand real people posting real listings. He essentially created his own Airbnb as a control site, which is like testing your theory that your partner is cheating on you by becoming director of the NSA and ordering a wiretap on their phone. Unsurprisingly, none of the rental listings on his control site attracted attention from the mysterious Airbnb promoter. However, posting those same listings on Craigslist soon generated an email. It was like if McDonald's could get away with advertising in front of the cashiers at Burger King. BLOOMINGTON McLean County Unit 5 schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University and Heartland Community College announced they will be closed Wednesday. More school districts expect to be closed at least one day. Whether it's at a K-12 school district or a comprehensive university, deciding whether to cancel classes because of extreme cold comes down to one word with many factors: safety. Forecasts of likely record-breaking and potentially life-threatening, bitter cold descending on the Midwest, including Central Illinois, triggered numerous meetings among officials at schools and higher-education institutions Monday. We look at many factors when making a decision. Wind chill, real temperatures and ice are always major considerations. Even though snow sometimes slows us down, that is typically less of a concern, said Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel. Each district has to look at its own needs," he added. "In Unit 5 we are 214 square miles, including rural, suburban and city settings. We operate 140 buses, completing almost 300 bus routes daily, which must be considered. In a social media post, Bloomington District 87 officials said the district planned to be in session on Tuesday but, based on the forecast for extreme wind chills, we do not anticipate being in session Wednesday and Thursday. Superintendent Barry Reilly said he expected to announce a decision no later than noon Tuesday. The social media post was made to give parents and guardians a good heads-up it's highly likely we'll be out for a couple of days so they can make child care arrangements. ISU is closing from 11 p.m. Tuesday until 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Tuesday evening classes and activities will go on as scheduled. University High School and Thomas Metcalf School, both of which are affiliated with ISU, also will be closed Wednesday. ISU spokesman Eric Jome noted that the campus closed in 2014 when wind chill values plummeted to 40 below zero because of the extreme cold and high risk of frostbite, even after a relatively short period of exposure. IWU is closing at 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Friday. First and foremost, we keep everybody's safety in mind employees and students, said Matthew Bierman, IWU vice president for business and finance. Heartland will close all of its locations from 4:30 p.m. Tuesday until 10 a.m. Thursday. Classes that begin prior to 10:30 a.m. Thursday will not meet. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Heartland spokesman Steve Fast said, Safety is the number one factor. School leadership and facilities personnel gather information from the National Weather Service and Illinois Department of Transportation and then discuss the best course of action, he said. The last few weeks, that's been every day, said Fast. Although District 87 anticipates being open Tuesday, it will enact Severe Weather Alert Protocols (SWAP). When SWAP is in effect, bus drivers are instructed to pick up any student walking on a route who appears to lack appropriate clothing for the weather. If they are unable to do so, the district office, Bloomington Police Department and school resource officers may be contacted to offer help. Reilly said several factors are involved in the decision to close, including the condition of roads and sidewalks. I look at a sustained wind chill of minus 20 and I look at the timing of that, he said. Tuesday's forecast is close to that threshold, said Reilly. If things take a turn for the worse, I'll have to consider whether to close school. IWU doesn't have a specific temperature threshold, said Bierman, but dangerous is dangerous. He added, We're heavily residential, so no matter what happens, we still have to feed people and provide services. Likewise, Jome said essential personnel will still report at ISU despite the campus closing, including those working in residence halls. From the archives: Major snowfalls of years past Contact Lenore Sobota at (309) 820-3240. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Sobota Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON The opinion that a bloody palm print found on a pool cue was left by Donald Whalen is scientifically suspect, Whalen's lawyer argued Tuesday in a hearing on whether Whalen should get a new trial on murder charges in the 1991 death of his father. Sitting at the defense table during the second day of hearings on his petition, Whalen shook his head several times as he listened to testimony from John Dierker, a retired fingerprint examiner who worked for the Illinois State Police crime lab. Dierker acknowledged to defense lawyer Elliot Slosar that no further testing was done after April 17, 1991, on a palm print lifted from a piece of broken cue found near Bill Whalen's body. The victim was beaten and stabbed at what was then the Twenty Grand Tap in downtown Bloomington. A week later, Dierker told Bloomington police he had located "a possible palm print" on the pool cue, but he required a better fingerprint sample in order to exclude Bill Whalen as the source of the print. "I did not receive any of those additional prints from the police department," said Dierker. The former crime lab examiner had contact during the investigation with former Bloomington Police Chief Randy McKinley, who was a crime scene technician at the time. Slosar, an attorney with the University of Chicago's Exoneration Project, has raised questions on the veracity of McKinley's 1991 claim that he was a "certified fingerprint examiner." McKinley repeated the claim in his testimony on Monday, saying he believed the certification was provided by the Illinois State Police. Dierker testified Tuesday that to his knowledge no such certification is available for police departments. The retired lab worker went on to admit that he had not obtained a certification, which was available but not mandated for fingerprint examiners, in 1991. During Donald Whalen's November 1991 trial, Dierker told jurors that no one other than the younger Whalen could have left the palm print. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} But the state crime lab did not compare prints from Robert McElvaney, a bar patron considered a suspect, or about 20 other people whose prints police had in connection with the case. The police's focus on Whalen as a suspect led to a brief investigation and pressure on the crime lab to return incriminating evidence, according to the defense. Former McLean County prosecutor Teena Griffith told Dierker in 1991 she "felt no need at this time to compare anyone other than Don Whalen and the victim," said Dierker. Court-ordered fingerprint tests conducted in 2012 identified a male whose print was found on a blood-stained glass door panel. Fifteen other prints have never been tested, contended Slosar. Dierker's conclusion that blood was on the suspect's hand before the pool cue was picked up was disputed in testimony Tuesday afternoon from Washington fingerprint expert Michele Triplett. The controversial prints may have been left on the pool cue before the murder, according to Triplett, a theory that fits with testimony from Donald Whalen's mother Colleen Whalen that he played pool during a visit to the bar the day of the slaying. In cross-examination by Assistant State's Attorney Trevor Sierra, Triplett acknowledged that her comparison of the partial palm print with Donald Whalen's print could not exclude him as the source of the print that included about 10 percent of the suspect's palm. Triplett also opined Tuesday that cooking grease and other substances containing proteins could have produced a reaction similar to blood during forensic testing on the evidence. A Feb. 12 hearing has been set for defense testimony from Dr. Karl Reich, the lab scientist who performed testing on knives believed to have been used in the killing. Photos: Donald Whalen seeks new trial in murder of father Contact Edith Brady-Lunny at (309) 820-3276. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_blunny Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON The arrival of arctic-like weather is forcing schools and organizations to alter their operations in the coming days. McLean County Unit 5 will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, the district announced late Monday afternoon. District 87 officials said schools plan to be open on Tuesday, but anticipate closing on Wednesday and Thursday. University High School, Normal, also is closed Wednesday. "At this time, the plan is for District 87 schools to be in session on Tuesday," the district said in a statement. "Based on the forecast for extreme wind chills, we do not anticipate being in session Wednesday and Thursday. However, a final decision will be forthcoming." Also, Illinois State University will close from 11 p.m. Tuesday until 9:30 a.m. Thursday; evening classes and activities on Tuesday will continue as planned until 11 p.m. when the University closes. Heartland Community College also will be closing because of the weather. The closure will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday with the campus reopening at 10 a.m. Thursday. All Thursday classes that begin at 10:30 a.m. or after will meet as usual. Any classes scheduled to begin prior to 10:30 a.m. will not meet. This affects Heartland's locations in Normal, Pontiac and Lincoln. District 87 also announced plans to address the safety of bus riders and students walking to school. "The district will enact Severe Weather Alert Protocols (SWAP) for the day. When SWAP is enacted, the district partners with Illinois Central School Bus Company, Bloomington Police Department, and school resource officers. Bus drivers are instructed to pick up any student walking on a route who appears to lack appropriate clothing for the weather. If the driver is unable to pick up a student, the district office, BPD, and SROs may be contacted to offer assistance" Besides expected school closings, Amtrak announced Monday that two trains that depart daily from the Normal station will not operate Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Amtrak said trains 301 and 304 on the Chicago-to-St. Louis corridor are canceled on those days. The 301 train is the southbound train that usually departs the Normal Uptown Station at 9:14 a.m. The 304 northbound train usually departs Normal at 5:56 p.m. Other agencies also are beginning to make preparations, including setting up warming stations in the region, the result of a lingering weather pattern expected to bring record-cold temperatures to the entire state later this week. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory from 10 p.m. Monday through noon Tuesday and from 6 p.m. Tuesday through noon Thursday. Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Lincoln say extremely cold air will surge into the area from the northwest starting late Monday morning, potentially bringing another brief period of freezing drizzle and snow. Another round of light accumulations of snow and ice are possible. Areas to the north will see the most impact, according to the NWS. Extreme cold weather, nearing historic levels of cold and wind chill, are expected Tuesday night through Thursday morning, when a wind chill watch is in effect for the entire region. Current forecasts indicate wind chill temperatures of 25 to 50 degrees below zero across the area. Tuesday nights low is expected to be minus 19 degrees. The high on Wednesday is going to be around minus 10 degrees, said the weather service. Temperatures could fall to minus 20 on Wednesday night, before "warming" up slightly on Thursday, when the high will be 6 degrees. Several agencies and organizations are announcing they will be opening warming centers this week. The Streator Salvation Army at 126 S. Bloomington St. will be open to anyone needing to find warmth. After 9 p.m., residents are advised to call the fire department at 815-672-2266 to be directed to the next open center. Another weather disturbance may bring an inch or so of snow Thursday night. There is good news, however: Sundays high is expected to be 47 degrees. This story will be updated. Brrr! All-time snowfall records Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow Love 3 Funny 2 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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. Saturday, Jan. 26 7:59 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Mount Haley Township. 7:37 p.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident near the intersection of Sharon Road and East Ashman Street. 7:05 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to Lee Township in reference to a 19-year-old woman reporting that she thought her landlord, a 52-year-old Gratiot County woman, was going to remove all of her belongings from the rental property while she was out of town. The deputy spoke with the landlord, who said that she planned to take custody of the property at a later date. Friday, Jan. 25 10:44 p.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident in which a vehicle collided with a guard rail near the intersection of Dublin Avenue and Tittabawassee River Road. 10:37 p.m. -- Officers responded to a larceny in the 6200 Block of Eastman Avenue. 10:34 p.m. -- Officers responded to a loud party in the 4100 Block of Perrine Pointe. 10:15 p.m. -- Officers responded to retail fraud in the 600 Block of South Saginaw Road. 9:57 p.m. -- Officers responded to an ordinance violation in the 2100 Block of Carolina Street. 7:32 p.m. -- A 34-year-old Ingersoll Township man had multiple 564 Union signs stolen from various Midland and Ingersoll township locations. The signs were in front of several businesses along the roadway. The estimated value of the signs is $400, and there are no suspects. 5:34 p.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident near the intersection of Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road. 5:17 p.m. -- Officers responded to an animal complaint in the 3000 Block of James Savage Road. 1:31 p.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident near the intersection of East Sugnet Road and Lancaster Street. 12:22 p.m. -- Officers responded to a verbal domestic situation in the 3600 Block of Alpine Drive. 12:11 p.m. -- Officers responded to property damage accident near the intersection of Jerome and West Larkin streets. 10:40 a.m. -- Officers responded to a juvenile complaint in the 900 Block of Smith Street. 7:23 a.m. -- A 38-year-old Midland Township woman called 911 for her 22-year-old roommate, who said he had heard someone yelling outside. He said this was a continuation of a complaint he had filed hours earlier about a person calling over a PA system. Nobody else heard the same thing as what the 22-year-old was reporting. It is believed that he might be having mental health issues. 3:53 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Midland Township residence in reference to a report that a neighbor was threatening to, or already had, call the police on him for an incident in which he told children to get out of his yard. The caller also mentioned that an unknown subject in a black truck with a PA system was yelling things to him in the neighborhood. The deputy checked the report system and found no complaints from earlier in the day, and the area was checked for the truck, which was not located. The caller said he would contact deputies later if he identified the subject and/or located the vehicle. 12:09 a.m. --Officers responded to a vehicle crash into a tree near the area of West U.S. 10 and Jefferson Avenue. "I talked about it a different way, though,'' Lamont told The Courant on Tuesday. "In terms of bonding, if you want to have your own very small high school on a standalone basis, thats fine. You can probably pay for it. But if you want a high school that has a minimum number of students and we can get some regional efficiencies, Id be much more inclined to see the state pay for some of that.'' After nearly a century on Earth, the last known Michigan-born survivor of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy has died. Donald Leo Bloomfield died on Jan. 16 at the Bickford Cottage assisted-living center in Midland. He was 97. Bloomfield, a Midland native, was born on Aug. 15, 1921, to Ray and Goldie Bloomfield. He attended Midland Senior High School before joining the U.S. Army. Bloomfield's service began on Oct. 4, 1940, when he was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. While at Fort Sheridan, he joined the Quartermaster Corps, where he held a clerk's job before being transferred to the fire department. One year later, he received the transfer to Hawaii. On Dec. 7, 1941, a 20-year-old Bloomfield was assigned to move sandbags. "When we came back to get another load, there was a flat-top (trailer) loaded with bodies," Bloomfield told NBC 25 News on the anniversary of the attack in 2017. While being honored on the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives on Dec. 7, 2016 -- the 75th anniversary of the attack -- Bloomfield recalled the memory of the attack starting. "We got through eating and heard, 'Boom! Boom! Boom!' You looked up and saw these planes flying over. We didn't know what it was," Bloomfield said. "Then a Japanese plane went over just above the tree tops and the (pilot) thumbed his nose at us. That's one thing I'll never forget." While being honored by the House of Representatives, Bloomfield received a resolution thanking him for his service from Gov. Rick Snyder and Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland. "Honoring Sgt. Bloomfield was a very special and moving privilege for me, since my late father also survived the attack on Pearl Harbor," Glenn said after Bloomfield's death. "He may have been the last Pearl Harbor survivor alive in Michigan, and having buried my wife Annette's World War II veteran father with full military honors just last month, each of these deaths to me is as if we're saying goodbye to an entire generation, the Greatest Generation, to whom we owe so much." Early in 1943, Bloomfield transferred to Texas. By the time Bloomfield was a squad leader, his unit was deployed to France where they saw fighting in the Vosges Mountains on Nov. 10, 1944. In France, Bloomfield was shot twice, and later suffered 10 pieces of shrapnel in his back and shoulders. On July 5, 1945, Bloomfield received a medical discharge and returned to his hometown of Midland. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for his actions in Europe during World War II. On Jan. 24, 2019, Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, honored Bloomfield following his death, leading the Michigan Senate in a moment of silence. "We want to thank Sgt. Bloomfield and their family for the service to this great city, state and country," Stamas said. Bloomfield is survived by his daughters-in-law, Cathy Bloomfield of Midland, and Linda Bloomfield of California; five grandchildren: Scott and Steve Bloomfield of California, Diane Cauchy, Kelly Cook and Lisa Bloomfield of Midland; eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Leona Jeannette Bloomfield, and sons Donald Jr. and Richard Bloomfield. Following Bloomfield's wishes, no funeral services were held after his death, and he has been cremated. He will be interred at Fort Custer National Cemetery near Battle Creek at a later date. Bullock Creek schools will host a number of parent meetings in February. They are: Class of 2023 Orientation -- Parents of present eighth-graders are invited to attend an important informational meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 5 in the High School Auditorium. Information concerning high school policies, procedures and curriculum will be presented. Counselors and administrators will be on hand to discuss individual department offerings, graduation requirements, and scheduling procedures. A question and answer period and tour of the building will follow the presentation. High school counselors will be available, by appointment, to meet individually with parents by calling 989-631-2418, ext. 1509. Class of 2020 Parent Meeting -- Parents of juniors are invited to attend a special meeting that will focus on your student's senior year and planning for post-secondary opportunities. If your student is a member of the Class of 2020, please plan to attend this important meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 in the High School Auditorium. Graduation requirements, off-campus program opportunities, college applications, college entrance exams, scholarships, financial aid, and work-based learning will be topics addressed at the meeting. Class of 2021 Parent Meeting -- Parents of sophomores are invited to attend an important meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in the High School Auditorium. Topics that will be covered include graduation requirements, class options for the student's junior year, Bullock Creek Early College Program, and off campus program opportunities. Bullock Creek Early College Parent Meeting -- Bullock Creek Early College Program (BCECP) blends high school and college in a rigorous yet supportive program, offering students as opportunity to get a jump start on college coursework. Students have an opportunity to complete a high school diploma and up to the first two years of college in five years. Students attend college classes through Delta College and defer their high school diploma until the end of the fifth year. Parents of Class of 2021 students interested in learning more about BCECP are invited to attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 in the High School Auditorium. Parents of Class of 2022 students are also invited to attend as well, but students are not eligible to apply for BCECP until winter of their sophomore year. For more information, contact Jennifer Brown at 989-631-2418, ext. 1507. Two Florida congressmen are pushing a bipartisan bill that would make animal cruelty and bestiality a felony under federal law, according to a report by the Orlando Sentinel. Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch and Republican Vern Buchanan co-sponsored the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, which addresses crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling" and sexual exploitation of animals. Those convicted of the crime could face up to seven years in prison. The bills passage would close a loophole in a 2010 law, which implemented federal punishment only for abuse caught on camera. The United States Senate has passed the PACT Act twice before. The bill earned widespread bipartisan support in Congress, as well as the endorsement of a number of law enforcement agencies. However, the measure was blocked from coming to the floor by former Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a republican from Virginia. Goodlatte is no longer in Congress. Read the full report at the Orlando Sentinel. Yvonne Wassenaar Puppet named a new chief executive Tuesday, a surprising announcement the new boss said doesn't indicate a change in direction at one of Portland's most prominent technology companies. "You're not going to see any wild or crazy turns to the left or the right in the next year," said CEO Yvonne Wassenaar. She's a veteran California tech executive who previously held senior roles at VMWare, one of Puppet's biggest investors, and New Relic, which has a large Portland outpost. Puppet has stumbled occasionally, Wassenaar acknowledged, but she credited outgoing CEO Sanjay Mirchandani with setting the company on solid footing. She declined to say why he is leaving Puppet after a little more than two years running the company but indicated Mirchandani has another job lined up. "The company has never been stronger, and there are other things that have factored into his decision," Wassenaar said. Puppet emerged from the Great Recession as a leader in Portland tech, using automation to help administrators manage data centers and other large computing networks. The company has raised $128 million, including a $42 million round last summer. Built on free, open source software, Puppet grew rapidly alongside the burgeoning cloud computing industry and now employs 500 worldwide. Nearly half of them work at its downtown Portland headquarters. Puppet appeared to stumble in recent years, though, as a new technology called containers provided alternative tools for running software inside data centers. The company shelved plans for an initial public offering and then laid off a small number of workers last April. "The company was a little slower than it should have been" to incorporate containers in its own products, Wassenaar said. And she said many companies struggle to sell products built on free software and to grow sales within large, corporate customers. It's a story Portland tech knows well. Jive Software, once the city's best-known tech company, struggled to attract corporate clients and ultimately gave up - selling to a Texas company that dismantled the business and shut down the Portland office. Very few tech companies grow straight upward, Wassenaar said, without any stumbles along the way. If they don't flame out, she said they emerge stronger. "They're more resilient and frankly they're more humble and more willing to listen," Wassenaar said, and therefore more receptive to customers' needs. Privately held Puppet doesn't disclose financial results but says bookings during its current quarter are up 40 percent from the same period a year ago. "We've had a couple bumps and now we're on a great trajectory into the future," Wassenaar said. Before joining Puppet, Wassenaar, 50, had been CEO of a 100-person drone company in San Francisco, Airware. She ran that business from June 2017 until last September. Before that she was chief information officer at online analytics company New Relic and an executive at tech giant VMWare. While Puppet's headquarters remain in Portland, Wassenaar said she plans to continue living in San Francisco, where she has three young children. She said she will be in Portland frequently and will travel the world to meet with Puppet's employees and customers. Puppet represents an opportunity to run a promising business whose culture aligns with her own values, Wassenaar said. She said the company operates transparently with employees, being forthright about opportunities and challenges. And she said Puppet has been a leader in conversations around bringing social consciousness to the tech sector, working to diversify the industry and be responsive to social costs that come along with changes technology brings. Wassenaar said there work yet to be done but she likes the direction Puppet is heading. "They have a stronger start," she said, "and a stronger foundation." -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Israeli officials said Tuesday that Intel plans a new $11 billion factory there, subsidized by a $1 billion government grant. Its part of a broader expansion Intel announced last month. An announcement about a pending Oregon factory expansion will apparently come early next week, though the company reiterated that its plans remain contingent on economic factors and business needs. That appears to suggest a measure of uncertainty around the expansions timing. Intel already has substantial operations in Israel, where the upcoming expansion is projected to add 1,000 jobs to the 13,000 already there. "The moment the company comes to Israel and invests $10 billion, and it receives a grant of 9 percent, that means 91 percent of it stays here," Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon told Israeli Army Radio, according to Reuters. "There are always such discounts, there are always incentives." Intel did not confirm the specifics included in Kahlons announcement or disclose details or a timeline for its plans. In a statement, Intel said only that it will submit a business plan to Israel outlining investment in the companys manufacturing site in Kiryat Gat. This is consistent with Intels previous announcement that the company is in the early planning phase for manufacturing site expansions in Oregon, Ireland and Israel, Intel said in a written statement to Bloomberg. Intel is preparing for a major expansion in Hillsboro, with an announcement due within a week. Company officials have invited nearby residents to a meeting Monday to discuss our planning phase for expansion at our Ronler Acres campus, according to a letter neighbors received. Intel business is growing thanks to strong customer demand for our products and our expansion into new market opportunities, the company said in its letter to neighborhood residents. It is important to note that site expansion and the related investment will be taken in stages and are always subject to change based on business, economic and other factors. Intel representatives have told Oregon contractors and trades people that it plans to build a third phase of its massive D1X research factory at Ronler Acres, near Hillsboro Stadium. However, some with knowledge of the companys plans say Intel officials have suggested the project is at least somewhat contingent on the economy. Though based in Silicon Valley, Intels largest and most advanced operations are in Washington County. With 20,000 Oregon workers, the company is the states largest corporate employer. Though Intel won new subsidies for the Israeli project, the companys existing package of Oregon tax breaks would apply to any expansion here. Those incentives exempt billions of dollars in equipment from local property taxes other Oregon businesses pay. Those savings were worth $193 million to the company last year alone. Intel is Oregons single largest economic engine. The county values the chipmakers Washington County property at $11.7 billion and a large ecosystem of suppliers operate in the companys orbit, providing equipment and services to keep Intels factories running. Intel said last week it doesnt expect material growth in its business during 2019 amid a slowdown in the Chinese economy, the growing trade war, and cooling demand from data centers. It takes years to build and equip a new semiconductor factory, though, and Intel may need new factories to accommodate future demand and new manufacturing technologies. Intel plans to use a new production technique called extreme ultraviolet lithography, or EUV, for a new class of smaller, 7-nanometer computer chips. At present, though, the only Intel factory that can accommodate EUV is D1X in Hillsboro. The company is preparing to open a new factory in Arizona, Fab 42, that is designed to accommodate the huge EUV tools. The pending expansions in Israel and Oregon would presumably also be designed to accommodate EUV. -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 SALEM Anticipating possible additional federal government shutdowns, Oregons Senate president has prepared a bill that will allow federal employees who are working but not being paid to receive unemployment benefits. The draft of the bill also would allow a state-funded program to pay unemployment benefits to active duty U.S. Coast Guard personnel stationed in Oregon who are legally compelled to provide regular service without compensation during a shutdown. Lisa Taylor, spokeswoman for Senate President Peter Courtney, said the bill is expected to get its first reading in the Senate Tuesday. House Speaker Tina Courtney said she hopes the bill gets bipartisan support and that it passes before the agreement by President Donald Trump to end the shutdown expires Feb. 15. The Associated Press By Jamila Singleton Munson On Tuesday night, Portland Public Schools board members will vote on whether to suspend an agreement they approved last month to pay the Portland Police Bureau for school resource officers in high schools. The PPS Board should absolutely, unequivocally vote to rescind that decision and make a choice that reflects the voices of those most impacted the students. As a concerned educator who shares the racial identity of students who are historically disproportionately harassed and killed by law enforcement, and as a citizen who has been personally targeted by Portland police in my community, I share the following thoughts. The presence of law enforcement in schools is a critical issue with profound ideological implications. This is a significant decision that reflects the mission, purpose and overall strategy of the district. Yet, the majority of the school board voted for the agreement in haste even after the only person of color on the board, Julie Esparza Brown, gracefully and courageously provided the counter-perspective to this short-sighted proposal. Guided by her awareness of students experiences and her own ideological views about the excessive nature of armed officers in schools, Esparza Brown was the lone vote against the agreement. Others, however, didnt seem to consider their constituents desires. Board member Paul Anthony came across as patronizing in his account of school safety and out-of-touch with his communitys interests as the dissatisfaction expressed by Jefferson High School students at the meeting made clear. As he is up for re-election this May, voters should take account of how he actively silenced others, by expressing his expertise and co-opting the voices of the vulnerable. Fear-mongering to create urgency to rush policy decisions isnt an acceptable alternative to authentically seeking out the perspectives of those in his zone These are the tools of white supremacy culture. Anyone who is a part of silencing, co-opting and rushing policy is perpetuating racism within Portland Public Schools vis a vis the Board leadership. Period. There is much work to be done to repair the mistrust between the public and the PPS Board and this upcoming election will provide an opportunity to change the dominance of white school board members setting policy for PPS. Previously, after the arrival of new Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero, I shared my own public comment, asking that each board member honor the voices less heard, less dominant, less white in our community. A year later, it seems that has not come to pass. While the board may rely on the superintendent to recommend how to prepare district and school staff for crisis intervention, it should be passing policy to oversee how well that plan achieves its goals. The school board should question the strategies employed for school safety. If board members believe schooling is for liberation not suppression, they will engage perspectives of students on this critical political policy. Student perspective is a critical data point in safety evaluation. Each board member has a charge to govern and represent the communitys interest, while also working to uphold the boards fiduciary responsibilities. My hope is they will act to reflect the will of the public, as opposed to enforce their will as individuals with positional power. This is an opportunity to bring the community together on a critical issue facing the students and families of Portland. I stand with students and believe they must be more significantly represented in the coming weeks and months in this decision that drastically impacts them. Their perspectives and lived experiences matter. Jamila Singleton Munson, is pursuing her doctorate in education at Lewis and Clark College. An alumna of Grant High School, Munson previously ran for the Portland School Board. She currently works at Teach For America managing national Institute for incoming new teachers focused on culturally relevant pedagogy. Ndamukong Suh couldve signed with another team and earned a lot more money, but he opted to take less money and join a team with a legitimate opportunity to play in the Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Rams and former Grant High School Generals star defensive lineman is happy with his decision as he and the Rams prepare to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53 on Sunday. Suh said two other teams offered significantly more money, but he decided to sign a one-year, $14 million deal to join the Rams. That was the case in both of my free agency opportunities. Couldve gone to two other teams that wouldve paid me a significant amount more money, Suh told reporters Friday. "But I want to win, want to be around a good group of people and a great organization from top to bottom and I felt L.A. was the right choice. The New York Jets reportedly made a big offer to Suh before pulling the offer. Suh also visited the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans during his free agency tour. -- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold A Portland cop watcher sentenced last year for being a felon in possession of a firearm was stunned to learn last week that his conviction was suddenly thrown out and he was about to be released from federal prison. The next thing Christopher Ponte knew, he was put on a Greyhound bus last Thursday headed for home, still wearing orange socks, a white T-shirt and tan pants with the sizes scrawled on the outside in black marker from the Nevada Southern Detention Center. Assistant Federal Public Defender Susan Wilk had filed an emergency motion for Pontes release and dismissal of his case after a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling this month undercut his conviction. It turns out Pontes sentence on the federal gun crime rested on his earlier conviction in state court that no longer fits the federal governments definition of a felony, an offense punishable by more than a year in prison. The appeals courts Jan. 10 decision is expected to result in dozens of other cases getting tossed out or sentences reduced in Oregon and other states under the courts jurisdiction -- Washington, Montana, Arizona, California, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Under the ruling, when defendants have prior state criminal convictions, the federal government can no longer rely on the maximum statutory sentence a defendant theoretically could have received in state court to support a federal prosecution or increase a federal sentence. Theres a well-known phrase: Dont make a federal case out of it, said Lisa Hay, Oregons federal public defender whose office is now reviewing past convictions from cases at least a decade old. The 9th Circuit ruling in U.S. v. Valencia-Mendoza supports that sentiment, she said. Not every case deserves the significant punishment that comes with a federal prosecution, Hay said. Steven Kalar, federal public defender in Northern California, described the ruling in a blog on appellate court decisions as a huge case that will likely save clients many decades of custody for many years to come. Federal prosecutors in Oregon already have filed more than a handful of motions to dismiss other cases or alter charges already filed against defendants. Oregons U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams said his office is working to determine how many cases are affected. VALENCIA-MENDOZA CASE In the 9th Circuit case, Jose Manuel Valencia-Mendoza had pleaded guilty in federal court in Spokane in 2016 to illegally re-entering the United States. His federal sentence was increased by four levels to two years in prison because of a prior Washington felony conviction in 2007 for possession of cocaine. In Washington, the maximum term for cocaine possession under state statute is five years, and prosecutors argued that the offense, therefore, represented a felony under federal law. Under federal law, a felony is any offense punishable by a prison term of more than a year. But federal public defenders successfully challenged Valencia-Mendozas stiffer federal sentence based on his state drug conviction. They argued that Mendoza never would have received the maximum term for cocaine possession. State law in Washington provides further sentencing guidelines or ranges, meaning the longest prison term he actually could have received for the drug conviction was six months, based on the characteristics of his crime and his criminal history. Valencia-Mendoza received 30 days in jail for the drug case. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit ruled that federal district judges no longer should consider the maximum statutory sentence for a defendants state offense but the maximum sentence actually possible under the states sentencing guidelines. Defendants offense as actually prosecuted and adjudicated was punishable under Washington law by no more than six months in prison. The district court therefore erred by concluding that his offense was punishable by more than one year in prison, Judge Susan P. Graber wrote. Graber noted the decision now brings the 9th Circuit in line with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings and other federal appellate courts. In Oregon, the ruling most likely will affect cases involving defendants convicted as felons in possession of a gun based on prior state convictions or those convicted of illegally re-entering the United States who had their sentences increased based on prior state convictions, according to Hay and the U.S. Attorneys Office. STOLE FIVE MONTHS OF MY LIFE FROM ME In Pontes case, he was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm in federal court last April, based on a prior state conviction for possession of a stolen vehicle in Clackamas County. Under state sentencing guidelines taking into account the severity of the offense and his criminal history the most time Ponte could have faced on the state charge was 90 days. He got 10 days in jail. Because Pontes state conviction didnt meet the federal definition of a felony, his federal gun charge could no longer stand, his lawyer, Wilk, argued last Tuesday. If the crime could not stand, his conviction and six-month federal sentence couldnt either, she said. Ponte had started serving the federal sentence in late August. The U.S. Attorneys Office acknowledged that Pontes case should be thrown out and U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernandez signed the order the same day. I feel like the government stole five months of my life from me, Ponte said after returning to Portland. Happy to be free but that does not get me my job, pets and apartment that I lost over this mess back. Though federal prosecutors acknowledge the ramifications of the 9th Circuit decision, they dont concede that the appeals court correctly decided the Valencia-Mendoza case, according to court filings. Their acknowledgement also doesnt prevent them from challenging the decision by requesting further review by the full 9th Circuit court in the future, they wrote. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian A Camas woman pleaded guilty to trying to kill her live-in boyfriend with a samurai sword after she claimed to find a Tinder dating app on his phone. Emily Javier, 31, will face up to 20 years in prison for attempted first-degree domestic violence murder, according to The Columbian. She will be sentenced March 11. The grisly attack drew national and international headlines last year, both because of Javiers choice of weapon as well as her boyfriends easygoing attitude about the whole episode. I was just so proud for beating this samurai wannabe crazy lady with hate in her heart, an upbeat Alex Lovell, then 29, told The Oregonian/OregonLive from his hospital bed. Javier told police she had hatched the brutal assault on Lovell because she discovered he had a Tinder dating app on his phone and suspected he had been cheating on her, records show. She also fumed over his penchant for playing video games, according to a probable cause affidavit. Enraged, Javier said she went to a shopping mall and purchased a samurai sword. She said she then spent the next week stewing and plotting her revenge before whipping out the saber and repeatedly slashing Lovell in bed during the wee hours of March 3, 2018. Lovell, who admitted to playing video games 12 hours a day but insisted he was never unfaithful, suffered life-threatening injuries, including wounds to his torso, neck and the left side of his head. His index, middle and ring fingers were nearly lopped off at the base, though doctors managed to reattach them, he said. Though facing months of recovery, Lovell remained positive. I was able to wing chun my way to survival, he said, referring to a traditional Chinese martial art that focuses on close-range combat. "I've been preparing my whole life for something like this." Read More: Boyfriends Tinder app triggers samurai sword attack in Camas, woman tells police You used a sword? 911 call captures grisly, Tinder-inspired samurai-saber attack Boyfriend who survived samurai sword attack: It scared the living poop out of me -Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 A man who died after his Jeep rolled off a road into a creek in Clackamas County has been identified as 78-year-old William L. Snyder, officials said Monday. Around 7:30 a.m. Friday, deputies from the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office responded to reports of a vehicle in North Fork Deep Creek near the intersection of Southeast Revenue Road and Southeast Orient Drive in Boring, near Sandy. The car, a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was upside down in the creek and emergency crews found Snyder dead inside. The SUV only had front end damage and investigators said tire marks indicate Snyder may have been unable to negotiate a turn and left the roadway, plunging into the creek. Officials asked anyone with information about the crash to contact investigators at 503-723-4949 or by using an online tip form. -- Kale Williams kwilliams@oregonian.com 503-294-4048 @sfkale Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. As the Vancouver measles outbreak grows to 35 cases, doctors and public health officials continue to urge people to get vaccinated. But what about infants? Immunizations generally dont start until a baby turns one year old, potentially leaving them vulnerable to an infection. We spoke with an expert on child infections at Oregon Health and Science University to get the answers. Doctor Dawn Nolts advice boils down to a few key points: Make sure family and friends are vaccinated; Stay away from unvaccinated people; Stay away from areas that may have been exposed to the measles virus; Breastfeed to pass on the mothers antibodies to the infant. Lets break that down. The ultimate protection for babies is everyone around them being vaccinated. The logic is simple: If babies arent exposed to someone who can get sick, then theyre unlikely to get sick themselves. For parents, that means asking friends and family if theyre vaccinated, and urging those who arent to get it done. Nolt suggested avoiding those who turn down the advice. Its also important to stay away from places that couldve been exposed to measles, such as the many locations listed by Clark County Public Health in the wake of the current outbreak. The virus can stick around for up to two hours after someone coughs or sneezes, and is highly contagious. There is some good news for babies, because if their mother is vaccinated, they are born with some of her defenses against measles, Nolt said. Humans develop antibodies in response to specific viruses, which then defend the body from future infections. A baby carries its mothers antibodies for about six months after birth, and gets more through breast milk, Nolt said. But thats not to say the antibodies offer full protection. The antibodies start to leave a babys body starting around six months. Whatever a babys age, parents should take their infant to a doctor if theyve been exposed to measles. The antibodies happen to be the reason babies dont usually get vaccinated until theyre one year old. The antibodies fight off the vaccine because theyre designed to fight off viruses that look like measles. That means that while a vaccine is harmless for an infant, the baby will have to get another one once the mothers antibodies leave the body. Do you know how the outbreak started? Get in touch. -- Fedor Zarkhin fzarkhin@oregonian.com desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Deschutes County officials say a person who visited an indoor trampoline park and a fitness center in Bend during a recent weekend may have measles and possibly exposed other patrons to the illness. Deschutes County Health Services announced Monday that its still awaiting test results to confirm the case of measles. The Oregon Health Authority is helping investigate the potential measles exposure at Mountain Air on Jan. 19 and Juniper Swim and Fitness Center on Jan. 20. The possible infection is linked to an outbreak that started in Washingtons Vancouver area and has led to more than 30 confirmed cases as of Monday, including one person stricken with the illness in Oregon and two Washington children diagnosed while visiting Hawaii. In Deschutes County, the possible carrier of measles visited Mountain Air at 20495 Murray Road between 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Its not yet clear when the person visited the fitness facility at 800 N.E. Sixth Street. Health officials have identified dozens of other exposure areas in Washington and Oregon, including the Moda Center during a Portland Trail Blazers game on Jan. 11. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Friday due to the outbreak of the contagious disease, which spreads through the air and can linger for up to two hours in an area where an infected person has sneezed or coughed. Clark County Public Health has a daily call center for questions about the outbreak at 360-397-8021. The Oregon Health Authority advises people who have questions to visit their website or call their county health department: Clackamas County: 503-655-8411 Deschutes County: 541-322-7418 Marion County: 503-588-5621 Multnomah County: 503-988-3406 Washington County: 503-846-3594 -- 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. Fertile Ground Festival Were heading toward the second weekend of Fertile Ground, Portlands annual festival of new performance works, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year. Here are 11 events that caught our eye. The Bad Hour: The 2016 takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge so far has inspired books, a symphony and this play, an exploration by Karen Polinsky that uses five composite characters to examine whether its better to fight for an individual perspective or seek common ground. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, Hipbone Studio, 1847 E. Burnside St. $10, fertilegroundpdx.org or at the door. In "Creating Life Inside," actors tell the stories of youths awaiting trial at a juvenile detention facility. (Vanessa Hopkins) Creating Life Inside: In the latest show from Rogue Pack Youth Theater, three Portland actors breathe life into the words of teenage boys awaiting trial at the Donald E. Long Detention Center in Northeast Portland. They describe their backgrounds, their current situations and their hopes. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 1-2, Sellwood Playhouse, 901 S.E. Spokane St. $5-$20, boxofficetickets.com. Disconnected: A Frankenstein Musical Mary Shelleys classic novel meets 1990s Oregon in this musical-in-progress about a fledgling neuroscientist who delves into the technological unknown after a close friend is seriously injured. The event will feature a reading of Act 1 and 12 songs. 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, ReSound NW, 1532 S.W. Jefferson St. $5, boxofficetickets.com. A publicity image for Eliza Jane Schneider's performance piece about women on the margins. Displaced/Detained/Discovered: Playwright and performer Eliza Jane Schneider asks, Is it enough to listen? in this multimedia journey through the stories of people living on the margins. Her material draws from two sets of voices: those she met as a street musician traveling the world, and those whose pleas for their children motivated the Occupy ICE demonstration in Southwest Portland last fall. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 1-2, Robinwood Station, 3706 Cedar Oak Drive, West Linn. $10-$20, fertilegroundpdx.org. Friends With Guns: Chapel Theatre Collective presents this play by Stephanie Alison Walker that promises to turn the gun debate on its head as an anti-gun mom meets a gun-owning mom who holds up a mirror to liberal self-righteousness, says Jason Glick, Chapels artistic director, whos also in in the play. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 16, Chapel Theatre, 4107 S.E. Harrison St., Milwaukie. $20-$25, chapeltheatrecollective.com or at the door. Quigley Provost-Landrum (left) and Trish Egan star in Hazardous Beauty. Hazardous Beauty: A pair of Baby Boomer women are at the heart of this humorous play about gender, race, class and age by Bonnie Ratner, which PassinArt Theatre Co. is presenting as part of its making room for the other initiative. Two strangers, one African American, one white, learn each others stories and find they have more in common than not. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 17, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N. Interstate Ave. $15-$20, passinart.org or 503-235-8079. A Holding Tank: Its like Cheers, but theyre all dead. Thats the pitch for this one-act, written by Tracey Locke, which tackles the subject of suicide with the philosophy that if you can laugh about a tragedy, then you can talk about it. Noon Sunday, Feb. 3, Hipbone Studio, 1847 E. Burnside St. $10, fertilegroundpdx.org or at the door. Caitlin Beckwith-Fergusons one-woman show examines Jewish feminism and sexuality. (Courtesy photo) Im a Slut, Sababa!: Caitlin Beckwith-Fergusons one-woman show, based on interviews she did with Jewish women while she was living and dating in Israel, takes an up close and un-kosher look at sexuality and feminism in Judaism. The title comes from a line in the show, with sababa in this context meaning deal with it, Beckwith-Ferguson says. 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, Hipbone Studio, 1847 E. Burnside St. $10, fertilegroundpdx.org. Anne Zander is creator of the memoir piece "Juicebox." Juicebox: Creator Anne Zander calls this blend of comedy, improv and physical theater an imaginary memoir of adolescence. Expect 1990s pop music, clowning and oh yes, her retainer from 1998. 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, Kickstand Comedy Space, 315 N.W. Davis St. $12-$15, fertilegroundpdx.org or at the door. An aerial trapeze artist with Living Room Circus. (Courtesy photo) Living Room Circus: Risk is the theme of the night for this variety show, which features performances on the trapeze, on aerial fabric, with a circus wheel, by a strongman and more. The audience will be engaged, at multiple levels. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, The Circus Project, 1420 N.W. 17th Ave. $20 suggested donation. Sides: The Musical: Eight cast members present Portland composer and lyricist Matthew Capurros new song cycle about relationships, with tunes ranging from lush ballads to patter songs. The title comes from the assumption that every relationship has at least two sides. 7:30 p.m. Sunday-Monday, Feb. 3-4, Portland Playhouse, 602 N.E. Prescott St., Portland. $12, portlandplayhouse.org or 503-488-5822. Full schedule: fertilegroundpdx.org. As the Portland school board considers withdrawing its support for a contract to pay the city more than $1 million per year for nine full-time police officers to patrol the districts high schools, students want more say in what happens. Students from across the district opposed the Dec. 11 school board vote to approve the contract and wanted to pressure the City Council, which also would need to approve it, to spike the agreement. Ideally, for me, and for a lot of students Im working with, is that were wanting this program to end, Roosevelt High School senior Isabel Mace-McLatchie said. Our needs are already being met by the administration and security at our school. Shes part of a group called No SROs PDX, which uses the acronym commonly used to refer to school resource officers, as officers in schools are known. The group argues that uniformed police officers arent necessary to maintain order in Portlands public high schools. Instead, Mace-McLatchie and Grant High senior Micah Mizushima say, teachers, administrators and school security guards should be the ones disciplining students. As a person of color in Portland, Ive never really felt safe by the police department, Mizushima said. Schools are for kids and if kids arent feeling safe, then we need to think about why that is. Officials at the Portland Police Bureau did not respond to a request for comment Monday. For nearly 20 years, Portland Police officers have patroled three-quarters time at each high school in Portland Public Schools at no cost to the district. But now the city says the school district needs to pay its share or the officers will no longer be deployed in schools. Mizushima, Mace-McLatchie and their peers in No SROs PDX know theyre waging an uphill battle. Julie Esparza Brown, the only person of color on the school board and its vice chair, was the only one to vote against the agreement between the district and police bureau in December. She told the board shed been unfairly targeted by police before and worried about the way the agreement would affect students of color. Two other members, Scott Bailey and Amy Kohnstamm, abstained from the vote, saying they wanted more feedback from students before committing to the agreement. One of the main reasons school board member Julia Brim-Edwards prompted the school board to reconsider its December vote is the cost: The Portland Police Bureau wants $1.2 million per year to supply those nine full-time officers to the districts high schools. Brim-Edwards said the board was given a false deadline of Dec. 31 to decide whether it would pay for those officers or let the program lapse. Once the board voted on the proposal, the city council then had to quickly approve it as well, board members were told. That hasnt happened. And the school resource officer program is still in place. The board will vote on whether to rescind its approval of the contract Tuesday night. Students with No SROs PDX plan to attend the school board meeting and speak during the public comment section. Both Mace McLatchie and Mizushima are hopeful that board members will take the testimony to heart. They say district leadership has seemed open to communication, even if they believe its previous efforts to gather input from students has been limited. I think they tried their best, but theyve been kind of inconsiderate in the way they tried to get feedback, Mizushima said. In a sense, I feel like our voices have been fairly limited. Still, theyre optimistic albeit cautiously optimistic, Mace-McLatchie said that the process will be more transparent should the board vote to re-consider its vote from December. I hope student input will start improving. Im just really hopeful its going to get better, Mizushima said. One of Portlands best new food carts, Bark City BBQ, will leave its North Portland home and head across town to the ambitious new Hawthorne Asylum food cart pod in close-in Southeast, owner Michael Keskin says. Until now, Bark City BBQ has sat less than a mile from Matts BBQ, putting our two favorite Portland barbecue spots in close proximity. Now, Keskin heads to the relatively uncharted waters of Southeast Portland, where Bark City will almost certainly be the best barbecue in the quadrant from day one. Their new home, the Hawthorne Asylum, is an ambitious new food cart complex at Southeast Madison Street and 11th Avenue, just one block from one of Portlands oldest cart pods, Cartopia. On Monday, workers were stringing patio lights high above the pod, which is expected to open early next month with heated benches, a stage, a full projection TV screen and eventually, a covered bar. The pod is surrounded by a wall of small caged stones, and the Northeastern entrance features a black metal gate with Hawthorne Asylum" written in a gothic script. Since opening we have heard time and time again how our customers would love for us to be closer to Southeast, especially with (the) limited BBQ options over there, Keskin wrote in an email. We cant wait to serve everyone. As we wrote in October, the thing to order at Bark City are the St. Louis-cut ribs, neatly trimmed, perfectly seasoned and smoked over Oregon oak until the fat glistens under a dark, crunchy bark. The cart also does well with its sides, particularly savory cornbread slices and best of all, bright green pickled avocados, the perfect palate cleanser for meat. Also not to miss: The banana milkshake, a pint cup filled with crumbled Nilla wafers, cool ice cream and a bruleed banana on top. You might never look at a plain old banana pudding again. -- Michael Russell U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, during a gathering of intelligence officials Tuesday in Washington, D.C., asked the head of the FBI to look into cases where students from Saudi Arabia vanished while facing criminal charges in Oregon, possibly with the assistance of their government. The request came during an open hearing by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that brought the nations intelligence chiefs to testify about an array of global threats and security challenges. Wyden had just finished asking CIA director Gina Haspel about the murder of journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. officials believe was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, when he turned his attention to FBI Director Christopher Wray. In my home state there are alarming indications that the Saudi government has helped Saudi nationals accused of serious crimes flee the country, Wyden said. This strikes us as an assault on the rule of law right here in the United States. Could you get back to me within 10 days? Wyden asked the FBI director during Tuesdays hearing. You know, we are trying to up the ante here to really get these people back. Wray did not commit to the senators proposed timetable but did say his office would look into the cases Wyden referenced. The Oregonian/OregonLive has revealed criminal cases involving at least five Saudi nationals who disappeared in recent years after they received help from the Saudi government and before they faced trial or completed their jail sentence in Oregon. They include two accused rapists, a pair of suspected hit-and-run drivers and one man with a trove of child pornography on his computer. Federal law enforcement officials told The Oregonian/OregonLive last month they believe the Saudi government helped at least one of these suspects, Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah, flee the U.S. before his 2017 trial in the hit-and-run death of a Portland teen. Prosecutors in Ohio allege Saudi officials helped orchestrate the escape of a manslaughter suspect in 1988, suggesting the wealthy kingdom has spent decades helping its citizens avoid prosecution in the U.S. and leaving untold numbers of victims without recourse. Fahad Nazer, a spokesman for the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C., has previously said that, as a policy, the Saudi government will cover the cost of bail for any citizen jailed in the U.S. who asks for assistance. Nazer said the Saudi government did not provide any travel documents to Noorah, who federal law enforcement says returned to Saudi Arabia, before he fled the U.S. The Saudi embassy has not responded to questions about the other cases. Last week, Wyden and fellow Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley introduced bills targeting foreign consulates that help their citizens escape criminal prosecution in the U.S. The proposed legislation, which explicitly cites Saudi Arabia and two of the defendants who vanished from Oregon, would require the federal government to investigate such disappearances, prevent them from happening again and punish foreign governments found to have played a role in them. Wyden, a Democrat, has also sent letters to the heads of the Department of Justice, State Department, and Customs and Border Protection, seeking additional information about the Oregon cases. We have a lot of priorities, Wyden told Wray. But the notion that Saudi Arabia can basically say it is above the law, and thats what it looks like to the people of my home state, is just unacceptable. Read other stories from this series: He was accused of killing a Portland teen. Feds believe the Saudis helped him escape Gone: More cases emerge of Saudi students vanishing while facing Oregon charges Saudi students who vanish before trial span states, decades Oregons Merkley and Wyden seek to punish Saudi Arabia over students who vanished before trial -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632 After Oregon cattleman Dwight Hammond Jr. received a pardon from President Trump in July and returned home to Burns, he said his main priority remained the same: working to restore his ranchs grazing permit to keep the family operation viable. On Monday afternoon, he learned he had reached the goal: In one of Interior Secretary Ryan K. Zinkes last actions before resigning, he ordered the renewal of a 10-year grazing permit for Hammond Ranches Inc., run by the elder Hammond and son Steven Hammond. I find the pardons constitute unique and important changed circumstances since the BLM made its decision, Zinke wrote in a decision dated Jan. 2. The order wasnt sent out to attorneys involved until this week, likely due to the partial government shutdown. Zinke ordered the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to renew the grazing permit through 2024. READ: Zinkes decision In February 2014, the federal agency rejected the Hammonds renewal application, citing their criminal convictions for setting fire to public land. They were convicted in 2012 of arson on Harney County land where they had grazing rights for their cattle. They were ordered back to prison in early 2016 to serve out five-year sentences in a case that incited right-wing militias and inspired the 41-day armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which abuts the Hammond family ranch. But on July 10, the Trump administration pardoned the father and son and they walked out of a federal prison in California about 6 1/2 hours later. Zinke decided to renew the Hammonds permit for the duration of the term that would have begun in 2014, saying the move is consistent with the intent of the pardons. The Hammonds continuance of grazing will depend on compliance with BLMs grazing regulations, Zinke wrote. I do not find fault with BLMs assessment of the law and facts in its 2014 decision and I reiterate BLM' s concern for human safety on public lands. The safety of our nations firefighters and others working and recreating on public lands remains paramount. I will ask BLM to keep the Office of the Secretary apprised of any permit compliance and human safety issues. Dwight Hammond Jr. and his wife, Susie Hammond, were heading home from a doctors appointment about 2 p.m. Monday when they received a call from representatives of the Public Lands Council, Susie Hammond said. On Tuesday morning, she said she hadnt yet seen the ruling in writing. They say the permit is renewed, but until we see something in writing that says, yep, yep, its done,'" shes not ready to celebrate, she said. Getting the permit restored has been the central focus of the family, eager to turn cows out to graze this spring on more than 12,000 acres of land in the Diamond Valley of Steens Mountain, she said. "Its been awhile in coming, but Im happy to get our permit back,'' Dwight Hammond Jr. said. "It is a relief.'' But he said he had concerns for other ranchers who have lost their grazing permits and arent as high profile as his family. Their lawyer, Alan Schroeder, said he received the faxed order from the interior secretarys office Monday afternoon. Its one of the trilogy of matters the U.S. advanced against this family, Schroeder said, citing the criminal case, a civil case and the revocation of the permit. This certainly concludes the permit matter, he said. It is significant. This gives them continued use of private and public land for grazing. Its another very good day, though July 10th was the best. Im pleased with Secretary Zinkes statements in his reasoned decision. Im pleased the agency found reason to appropriately and positively move forward. In 2014, the United States and the Hammonds reached a civil settlement on the federal governments claims for damages from the fires, with the Hammonds paying $400,000. Zinke announced his resignation late last year amid multiple investigations tied to his real estate dealings in Montana and conduct while in office. Chris Saeger, executive director of Western Values Project, condemned the permit renewal, saying it sets a "dangerous precedent by conceding to known anti-public land factions that may endanger public lands, managing agencies and employees.'' "By allowing these lawbreaking extremists back on public lands, the Trump administration is sending the message that politics will always trump our American birthright,'' Saeger said in a statement. Both Hammonds were convicted of setting a fire in 2001, and the son was convicted of setting a second fire in 2006. A federal judge initially sentenced the father to three months in prison and the son to one year after they successfully argued that the five-year mandatory minimum term was unconstitutional. They served the time and were out of prison when prosecutors challenged the shorter terms before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and won. Dwight Hammond Jr. set a prescribed burn on about 300 acres of his own land that then traveled onto Bureau of Land Management property and burned an additional 139 acres, his lawyer wrote in a petition for clemency. The elder Hammond said he was trying to fend off invasive species. Prosecutors argued the fire also was to cover up illegal deer poaching and got out of control, placing firefighters who had to be airlifted out of the area in grave danger. Susie and Dwight Hammond bought their ranch in 1964. They moved from Northern California, raised three boys, and acquired more land over time. All three sons have worked on the ranch, but their youngest, Steven, and his family have remained in recent years. Hammond Ranches Inc. has operated on a combination of private and public land -- 12,872 acres of deeded territory and another 26,421 acres on grazing allotments before the federal government curtailed its permits. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Downtown Portlands historic Galleria has been sold to a group of investors who plan a major renovation. A group, led by Seattle-based Unico Properties, paid $64.1 million in December for the building, 600 S.W. 10th Ave. The Naito family had owned the building for decades. We plan to make significant capital investments to convert the existing office space to creative office space and bring a first-class tenant experience to the building with a new lobby and new common area amenities, Brian Pearce, Unicos senior vice president of real estate services, said in a statement. A spokeswoman for the company declined to say how much it would spend on the renovation. Filings with the Portland Bureau of Development Services show the company plans to add an office penthouse and roof terraces. The five-story Galleria was built in 1910 as a department store, Olds, Wortman & King, designed by Charles R. Aldrich of Seattle. It housed a department store under various names until 1974, when Rhodes department store closed. Renowned Portland architect Pietro Belluschi designed a 1946 remodel. After the department store closed for good, Bill and Sam Naito bought the building in 1976 and converted it into an indoor shopping mall, giving it the Galleria name. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Much of the building had more recently been used for offices and classrooms for a for-profit college company, Career Education Corp. The company closed the culinary school that was using the space, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, in 2017. That left vacant 80,000 square feet of office space on the top two floors. In 2013, an urban-format Target store opened in the building after a push from former Mayor Sam Adams to bring the Minneapolis retailer to the downtown core. The store is expected to remain through the renovation. -- Elliot Njus enjus@oregonian.com; 503-294-5034; @enjus Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Apple disabled its Group FaceTime feature in iPhones after reports that users could initiate a FaceTime call and begin listening in on a recipients audio without them picking up the call or knowing they were being monitored. The bug occurred after a user initiated a FaceTime video call with another iPhone or device running iOS and added themselves to the call while it was dialing, according to 9to5Mac, which first revealed the major privacy and security issue. This created a conference call that allowed the user to eavesdrop on the audio transmitted by the recipient. The malfunction was replicated by Bloomberg News, which also said video of a caller could be secretly transmitted if the recipient pressed the power button or the volume controls on the device. "We're aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week," Apple said in a statement to The Washington Post on Tuesday. According to The Wall Street Journal, a 14-year-old in Arizona discovered the same security flaw earlier this month while he was using FaceTime to set up a "Fortnight" gaming session with friends. According to the report, the teenager's mother, Michele Thompson, reported the bug to Apple, calling and faxing the company, and emailing with the security team days before news reports were published about the bug. The mother and son also posted about the issue on social media, but Thompson said it was frustrating trying to get Apple's attention, the report said, and she isn't sure how knowledge of the bug was made public. Thompson and Apple did not respond to requests for comment about her son's discovery. Apple has disabled Group FaceTime until it fixes the issue. Apples system status webpage, which lets users know whether an app or service has a problem, says that Group FaceTime is temporarily unavailable. The group video-calling feature was disabled at 10:16 p.m. Monday and remains offline. Users can disable FaceTime by going to settings, scrolling down to the FaceTime app and toggling it off. The security lapse is especially significant because Apple markets itself as a consumer tech company dedicated to privacy and security. The company has also tried to distinguish itself from rival Silicon Valley tech giants by emphasizing its commitment to excellence in hardware, in contrast to business models that rely on widespread data collection. After the eavesdropping reports, Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a consumer alert Monday night, urging people to disable FaceTime on their devices. "The FaceTime bug is an egregious breach of privacy that puts New Yorkers at risk," Cuomo said in the alert. "In New York, we take consumer rights very seriously and I am deeply concerned by this irresponsible bug that can be exploited for unscrupulous purposes. In light of this bug, I advise New Yorkers to disable their FaceTime app until a fix is made available, and I urge Apple to release the fix without delay." Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, also chimed in. He told his more than 4 million followers on the social media platform he runs to "disable FaceTime for now until Apple fixes." The discovery of the serious security problem came just a day before the company is scheduled to disclose its quarterly earnings. The timing may be especially trying for investors. Earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook rattled stockholders and the broader stock market when he announced that company earnings would fall short of estimates, owing to a deep economic slowdown in China. That was the first time the company scaled back its quarterly sales estimates in more than 15 years. At this month's CES, the annual consumer tech conference, Apple touted its commitment to privacy on a giant billboard in Las Vegas. "What happens on your iPhone stays on your iPhone," said the massive ad, which spanned the height of a multistory building and was seen as a not-so-subtle dig at Google. Cook has also called for a national data privacy law, which would regulate how competitors such as Google and Facebook collect information about users. He most recently proposed that the Federal Trade Commission take a more aggressive role in overseeing data brokers, companies that collect and sell peoples information, and allow consumers to track and delete the data about them. The Washington Post Being the executive of a midsize city is one of the hardest jobs in America because you face the most difficult problems protecting children at risk, providing services to the neediest people in society and you have to do it all with a very, very strapped budget, he told The Courant in 2016. If you do the job well, great opportunities not only will, but should, open up to you. However, if you turn your back on those problems for a minute, they will devour you. Basingstoke, UK, Release: January 29, 2019. For immediate release Winsche Studios Ltd has launched a new site featuring all four platforms that the developer has in its portfolio. The site offers information on the developers mission and strategy to become one of the leading experts in Augmented Reality More information can be found at https://winsche.com Anyone interested in information on any of the platforms will be able to understand how they Mobile Phone Insurance Market 2019 Estimated to Boost in Near Future with Key Players - Blackberry, American International, Assurant, Asurion, Pier Insurance, Brightstar Corp, AT&T, Trov, Vodafone, and Three. Mobile Phone Insurance Market http://bit.ly/2FAOngk http://bit.ly/2RXhLmK http://bit.ly/2RU9r6Z The Mobile Phone Insurance Market is expected to grow from US$ US$ 16962.7 Mn in 2017 to US$ 43448.8 Mn by 2025 at a CAGR of 12.5% between 2018 and 2025.The global mobile phone insurance market is a highly fragmented and evolving market worldwide. Leading players in the mobile phone insurance market capture merely ~50% of the market, whereas rest of the mobile phone insurance market is occupied by region players including mobile operators, retailers operating in that region. The mobile phone insurance market operates in a highly-competitive marketplace. As leading companies in mobile phone insurance market continues to broaden their addressable market, by expanding its current product portfolio, diversifying its client base, and developing new applications and markets, all the prominent players faces an increasing level of competition, both from start-ups as well the leading global technology and industrial companies in the world.Top Companies Covered in this Report: Blackberry Limited, American International Group, Inc., Assurant, Inc., Asurion, LLC, Pier Insurance, Brightstar Corp, AT&T Inc., Trov, Vodafone, and Three among others.Get Sample Copy of this Report atVarious companies in the value chain are acquiring other local players and operating through joint ventures with retailers in the market to maintain their position in market and provide efficient solutions to its customers. Also, due to the moderate entry barrier to the industry, tier-2, and tier-2 companies are entering the mobile phone insurance market to compete with existing players. Key service providers in the mobile phone insurance market industry are based in North America and Europe region. However, the market is penetrating at the high growth rate in APAC and MEA region in especially in countries such as Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya among others.While smartphone penetration in the developed regions such as U.S. and European markets comprises big chunk of the market, on contrary the developing nations across the globe are still in emerging stage. Competitive pricing and refurbished mobile phone market will be leading trend to drive the mobile device insurance adoption in near future. However, the trend may vary as per customer willingness and mobile phone penetration from region to region. Statistics says global secondhand and refurbished mobile phone market was approx. US$ 17 Bn in 2016 with the growth of 50% year-on-year.This will bring new prospects for the mobile insurance market. Besides, data and virus protection are another lucrative business segment which is propelling the market in the forward direction. Mobile user these days apart from physical insurance plans is looking for virus and data protection plan as well. This unlocks new growth opportunities as bundled protection plans, offering full protection to mobile phones.The Asia Pacific region ranks third among the smartphone users across the globe. The number of smartphone users is constantly increasing in the region, owing to the benefits of the device among the users. As the penetration of smartphones is increasing rapidly, the number of network providers or operators are also increasing simultaneously. As of FY2016, Asia Pacific had 2.6 Billion activated SIM cards through various network carriers and the number is growing at an exponential rate over the years.Discount about this Report atPertaining to the increase in smartphone users as well as increase in number of SIM card activation in Asia Pacific region, and the positively growing trend of mobile phone insurance through network operators in developed countries, various network providers operating in Asia Pacific region are introducing their insurance plans to secure the smartphones and increase their income year on year. The introduction of these insurance schemes is increasing awareness among the population-based in Asia Pacific region related to mobile phone insurance. In addition, the network providers are also undertaking initiatives to reduce the insurance plan costs, which is attracting the customers, thereby leading the mobile phone insurance market to propel in the region.Table of Content:1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.5 Market by Application1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Mobile Phone Insurance Market Size2.2 Mobile Phone Insurance Growth Trends by Regions2.3 Industry Trends3 Market Share by Key Players3.1 Mobile Phone Insurance Market Size by Manufacturers3.2 Mobile Phone Insurance Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Mobile Phone Insurance Product/Solution/Service3.4 Date of Enter into Mobile Phone Insurance Market3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans4 Breakdown Data by Product4.1 Global Mobile Phone Insurance Sales by Product4.2 Global Mobile Phone Insurance Revenue by Product4.3 Mobile Phone Insurance Price by ProductBuy now@Reason to Buy Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global Mobile Phone Insurance market Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies. The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Mobile Phone Insurance market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies. Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it. Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.About Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive and Defense.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.com Smart Locks Market Booming Worldwide: Predicted to hit $1,175 Million by 2023 with Dominant Players August Home, ASSA ABLOY AB, Haven Lock, Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Panasonic Corporation, Samsung SDS Co. Ltd https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2261 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2261 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/intelligent-evacuation-system-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Smart locks are electronic locks installed on the doors, which can be operated through various apps on users smartphones. These are keyless locks that operate on either Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or both. The smart locks industry is anticipated to grow at a significant pace, owing to increase in security & privacy concerns, advancements in wireless communication technologies, rise in disposable income of consumers, surge in urbanization, and the growth in need to establish connectivity across all the electronic equipment of the house.Download Sample Report@The global market size was valued at $416 million in 2016, and is estimated to reach at $1,175 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 16.4% from 2017 to 2023. North America accounted for around 34.6% share of the overall market revenue in 2016, owing to rise in security concerns among consumers, technological advancements, and increase in trend of smart homes. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 18.2% from 2017 to 2023."Smart home devices are considered as the most evolutionary innovation for the residential & commercial spaces, owing to their convenient, secure, and sustainable features. The global smart locks market is expected to evidence significant growth due to rise in security concerns and enhanced safety features provided through smart automation & security systems. With an increase in the working population, safety concerns with respect to aged parents and children is the biggest challenge. Smart locks address these issues with highly-sophisticated remote monitoring technologies."The global smart locks market is categorized based on the type of product into deadbolts, lever handles, padlocks, and others. Deadbolts segment generated a higher revenue in 2016, and is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period, owing to its strong and enhanced protection against forceful physical attacks.Get Discount UP To 25%* (Offer Till 31st Jan 2018)For Purchase Inquiry@The commercial end-user segment led the smart locks market in 2016; however, the residential segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR due to rise in crime rates globally and ease of usage as smart locks are enabled with features, such as motion detectors, remote door locking & unlocking, and remote door opening sensors with the phone app of the lock. The residential segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.8% during the forecast period. Increase in need for automated keyless unlocking mechanism and surge in demand for smart security solutions are expected to foster the market growth.According to the data released by the FBI regarding the crime statistics in 2015, in the U.S., the property crime rate was 2,487.0 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants and the violent crime rate increased by 3.1% compared to previous year. In such scenario, smart locks prevent thefts, lock bumping, and picking at residential properties. Smart lock manufacturers are now targeting the developing nations, such as India and China, as the potential markets, owing to increase in penetration of smart locks in the global market. However, high cost of smart lock devices and lack of awareness hamper the market growth.The North American smart locks market is anticipated to offer beneficial growth opportunities during the forecast period, owing to well-established technological infrastructure, high consumer awareness, rise in security concerns, increase in government supports, and high investment from major IoT players. In North America, the U.S. dominates with highest share in smart locks market. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest rate in the near future, owing to increase in urbanization & disposable income, rise in awareness about automated solutions, surge in penetration of internet-based services, advancements in communication technology & broadband services, and growth in trend of smart homes market in Indian and Chinese market.Similar Report:Intelligent evacuation system Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023@About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. 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 procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free (USA/Canada):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1-855-550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Image Recognition Market by Revenue, Key Companies IBM Corporation, Imagga Technologies Ltd., Amazon Web Services, Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, Google LLC, Microsoft Corporation and Forecast to 2018-2025 Image Recognition https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2802053/?utm_source=OPR&utm_medium=SBL https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2802053/?utm_source=SBL https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-for-discount/2802053/?utm_source=OPR&utm_medium=SBL Image recognition technology detects and identifies objects and features in a digital image and works with the help of various types of algorithms, such as pattern matching and gradient matching, optical character recognition, and face recognition. It has numerous applications such as publishing, traffic management, advertising, e-commerce, and security. Image recognition system uses the data shared by users through various platforms such as social networks, apps, and websites. It uses a technology that detects places, people, items, buildings, logos, and various variables in image with the help of artificial intelligence. Companies are using huge digital data to bring better and niftier facilities to customers. Image recognition is used to perform several machine-based visual tasks, which include performing image content search and guiding autonomous robots, labeling the content of images with meta-tags, self-driving cars, and accident avoidance systems, and others.The market is driven by factors such as ongoing technological advancements in image recognition and rise in demand for image recognition applications in media, retail, and marketing. However, high product cost coupled with image recognition system act as major deterrents to the market growth. Furthermore, surge in need for using data analytics is believed to create significant demand for the image recognition market. Besides, rise in adoption of facial recognition access systems as compared to card systems in residences and industries provide opportunities for the growth of the market.The global image recognition market is segmented based on deployment mode, component, industry verticals, technology, applications, and regions. Based on deployment mode, the market is bifurcated into cloud and on premise. In terms of component, the market is categorized into hardware, software, and service. In terms of industry vertical, the market is classified into IT & telecom, BFSI, healthcare, retail, government, media & entertainment, transportation & logistics, manufacturing, and others. Based on technology, the market is segmented into object detection, QR/barcode recognition, facial recognition, pattern recognition, and optical character recognition. Based on application, scanning & imaging, security & surveillance, image search, augmented reality, marketing & advertisement. Based on the region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.The global image recognition market is dominated by the key players such as IBM Corporation, Imagga Technologies Ltd., Amazon Web Services, Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, Google LLC, Microsoft Corporation, NEC Corporation, LTU technologies, Catchoom Technologies S.L., and Intel Corporation.Request for a sample copy of this report @Key Benefits for Image Recognition Market:The study provides an in-depth analysis of the global image recognition market and current & future trends to elucidate the imminent investment pockets.Information about key drivers, restraints, and opportunities and their impact analyses on the market is provided.Porters five forces analysis illustrates the potency of buyers and suppliers operating in the global image recognition industry.The quantitative analysis of the global image recognition market from 2017 to 2025 is provided to determine the market potential.Image Recognition Key Market Segments:By Deployment ModeOn premiseCloudBy ComponentHardwareSoftwareServiceBy Industry VerticalIT & TelecomBFSIHealthcareRetailGovernmentMedia & EntertainmentTransportation & LogisticsManufacturingOthersBy TechnologyObject DetectionQR/Barcode RecognitionFacial RecognitionPattern RecognitionOptical Character RecognitionBy ApplicationScanning & ImagingSecurity & SurveillanceImage SearchAugmented RealityMarketing & AdvertisingKey Market PlayersIBM CorporationImagga Technologies Ltd.Amazon Web Services, Inc.Qualcomm IncorporatedGoogle LLCMicrosoft CorporationNEC CorporationLTU technologiesCatchoom Technologies S.L.Intel CorporationEnquiry Before Buying @Table of content:CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1.1. REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2. KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS1.3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY1.3.1. Secondary research1.3.2. Primary research1.3.3. Analyst tools & modelsCHAPTER 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1. CXO PERSPECTIVECHAPTER 9: IMAGE RECOGNITION MARKET, BY REGION9.1. OVERVIEW9.2. NORTH AMERICA9.2.1. Key market trends9.2.2. Key growth factors and opportunities9.2.3. Market size and forecast9.2.3.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.2.3.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.2.3.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.2.3.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.2.3.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.2.3.6. Market size and forecast, by country9.2.3.7. U.S.9.2.3.7.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.2.3.7.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.2.3.7.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.2.3.7.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.2.3.7.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.2.3.8. Canada9.2.3.8.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.2.3.8.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.2.3.8.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.2.3.8.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.2.3.8.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.2.3.9. Mexico9.2.3.9.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.2.3.9.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.2.3.9.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.2.3.9.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.2.3.9.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.3. EUROPE9.3.1. Key market trends9.3.2. Key growth factors and opportunities9.3.3. Market size and forecast9.3.3.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.3.3.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.3.3.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.3.3.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.3.3.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.3.3.6. Market size and forecast, by country9.3.3.7. UK9.3.3.7.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.3.3.7.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.3.3.7.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.3.3.7.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.3.3.7.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.3.3.8. Germany9.3.3.8.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.3.3.8.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.3.3.8.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.3.3.8.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.3.3.8.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.3.3.9. France9.3.3.9.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.3.3.9.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.3.3.9.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.3.3.9.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.3.3.9.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.3.3.10. Italy9.3.3.10.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.3.3.10.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.3.3.10.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.3.3.10.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.3.3.10.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.3.3.11. Russia9.3.3.11.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.3.3.11.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.3.3.11.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.3.3.11.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.3.3.11.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.3.3.12. Rest of Europe9.3.3.12.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.3.3.12.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.3.3.12.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.3.3.12.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.3.3.12.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4. ASIA-PACIFIC9.4.1. Key market trends9.4.2. Key growth factors and opportunities9.4.3. Market size and forecast9.4.3.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4.3.6. Market size and forecast, by country9.4.3.7. China9.4.3.7.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.7.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.7.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.7.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.7.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4.3.8. India9.4.3.8.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.8.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.8.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.8.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.8.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4.3.9. Japan9.4.3.9.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.9.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.9.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.9.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.9.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4.3.10. Singapore9.4.3.10.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.10.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.10.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.10.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.10.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4.3.11. Australia9.4.3.11.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.11.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.11.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.11.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.11.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4.3.12. South Korea9.4.3.12.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.12.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.12.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.12.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.12.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.4.3.13. Rest of Asia-Pacific9.4.3.13.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.4.3.13.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.4.3.13.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.4.3.13.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.4.3.13.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.5. LAMEA9.5.1. Key market trends9.5.2. Key growth factors and opportunities9.5.3. Market size and forecast9.5.3.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.5.3.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.5.3.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.5.3.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.5.3.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.5.3.6. Market size and forecast, by country9.5.3.7. Latin America9.5.3.7.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.5.3.7.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.5.3.7.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.5.3.7.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.5.3.7.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.5.3.8. Middle East9.5.3.8.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.5.3.8.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.5.3.8.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.5.3.8.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.5.3.8.5. Market size and forecast, by application9.5.3.9. Africa9.5.3.9.1. Market size and forecast, by deployment mode9.5.3.9.2. Market size and forecast, by component9.5.3.9.3. Market size and forecast, by industry vertical9.5.3.9.4. Market size and forecast, by technology9.5.3.9.5. Market size and forecast, by applicationDiscount of this report:About Us:Big Market Research has a range of research reports from various publishers across the world. Our database of reports of various market categories and sub-categories would help to find the exact report you may be looking for.We are instrumental in providing quantitative and qualitative insights on your area of interest by bringing reports from various publishers at one place to save your time and money. A lot of organizations across the world are gaining profits and great benefits from information gained through reports sourced by us.Contact Us:5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland,OR 97220 United Statescall answer Direct:+1-971-202-1575call answer Toll Free:+1-800-910-6452email help@bigmarketresearch.com Comprehensive Report on Frozen Dessets, Dairy & Beverages Market 2019-2025: Recent Trends and Growth Opportunities | Profiling Players- Bulla Dairy Foods, China Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd, Ezaki Glico Co ltd, General Mills Inc. etc. Frozen Dessets, Dairy & Beverages https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/35691 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/35691 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/35691 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/35691 www.upmarketresearch.com UpMarketResearch offers a latest published report on Global Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market Analysis and Forecast 2018-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 117 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Get Exclusive FREE Sample Copy Of this Report @Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2018 2025.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market analysis & forecast 2018- 2025 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Region- wise Analysis Global Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market covers: North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)For More Information On This Report, Please VisitThe Major players reported in the market include: Bulla Dairy Foods China Mengniu Dairy Co Ltd Ezaki Glico Co ltd General Mills Inc. Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF) Lotte Confectionery Co Ltd Meiji Co Ltd Nestle SA Unilever Group Yili Industrial Group Co LtdGlobal Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market: Product Segment Analysis: Ice-cream Frozen Custard Frozen Yoghurt Frozen Novelties Other Dairy & BeveragesGlobal Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market: Application Segment Analysis: Supermarket/Hypermarket Department Store Specialty Shop Mobile VendorGet Exclusive FREE Sample Copy Of this Report @Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.You can also ask for region wise market research report, as below: Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - Global Market Status & Trend Report 2013- 2025 Top 20 Countries Data Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - North America Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - South America Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - China Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - India Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages - United States Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025Global Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market: Key Stakeholders: Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Manufacturers Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Global Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages Market Analysis and Forecast 2018 - 2025 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Frozen Desserts, Dairy & Beverages market analysis and forecast 2018- 2025.Avail Discount On this Report @Customization of the Report:UpMarketResearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well- defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Rising cases of unwanted pregnancies and growing aging population also supplement the growth of Implantable Drug Delivery Devices Market. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-toc-and-sample/449?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=Niranjan https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout/641885?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=Niranjan https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Implantable drug delivery devices are medical devices, which enable site-specific drug administration. It also helps in minimizing the doses of the drug in order to reduce potential side effects. These devices facilitate sustained release of a therapeutic agent. These implantable devices are gaining the edge over conventional oral or parenteral dosage forms due to site-specific and sustained release therapeutic action of implantable devices, which further minimize the side-effects associated with the drug.Get the Sample Report:The major factors driving the growth of this market are growing incidences of target disease such as diabetic retinopathy, prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic diseases. Rising cases of unwanted pregnancies and a growing aging population also supplement the growth of this market. However, the cost associated with the use of these devices has restricted the market growth.Global Implantable Drug Delivery Devices Market by Product Types:Global implantable drug delivery devices market is segmented into Implantable coronary drug-eluting stents, implantable bio-absorbable stents, implantable contraceptive drug delivery devices, implantable intraocular drug delivery devices, implantable brachytherapy seeds, and implantable drug infusion pumps. Implantable drug infusion pumps and contraceptive drug delivery devices are the most widely used devices.Global Implantable Drug Delivery Devices Market by Technology:Global implantable drug delivery devices market by technology is segmented into Biodegradable implantable drug delivery device technology and Non-biodegradable implantable drug delivery device technology. Biodegradable technology is expected to grow faster as compared to Non-biodegradable, as biodegradable technology reduces side effects associated with the presence of a device in the body and does not follow the process of surgery in removing a device from the body.Purchase the Report @Discount:Global Implantable Drug Delivery Devices Market by Application:Global implantable drug delivery device market by application is segmented into Ophthalmology, cardiovascular, Birth control/contraception, Oncology, and others. The market of implantable drug delivery devices is largest in cardiovascular application due to the introduction of absorbable stents devices.Global Implantable Drug Delivery Devices Market by Geography:Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. North America is the largest market due to the growing aging population and the prevalence of target diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and chronic diseases. Asia-pacific is considered to be the fastest growing market due to high disposable income in emerging nations.Competitive Analysis:Bayer Healthcare, Boston Scientific Corporation, Allergan Inc., Medtronic Inc., Merck, Bausch and Lomb, Inc. and Abbott laboratories are some of the major players in this market. Product launch, merger & acquisition, and research & development are the competitive strategies adopted by these key players. In 2013, Bayer Healthcare launched a novel hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) Skyla. The same product is launched in Europe with the brand name Jaydess, which is used for the prevention of pregnancy for up to three years.HIGH-LEVEL ANALYSIS:According to Porters Five Forces analysis, the bargaining power of the supplier is high as products are highly differentiated. High switching cost leads to the low bargaining power of buyers. A threat from substitutes is low due to the presence of fewer substitutes in the market. Many competitors are present in the market with high exit barriers, which lead to tough competition. The threat of new entrants is low as brand names are well known and profitability requires economies of scale. The SWOT analysis helps in determining the internal and external environmental factors for strategic business planning. Study of key players and their strategies help in developing market entry and expansion strategy.KEY BENEFITS The report throws light on the dominant current trends. Based on the understanding of trends, revenues are forecast from 2013-2020. Market intelligence for key developmental strategies adopted by top companies is explained with impact analysis. Analysis of trends in various regions would help the companies to plan their strategies depending on the region. Emphasis is laid on key factors affecting the growth of global implantable drug delivery device market. These factors are critically analyzed to reveal the most impacting factors in the market. Porters Five Forces analysis provides insight into market dynamics and industry competition.KEY DELIVERABLESThe market is segmented based on product type, technology, application, and geography.MARKET BY PRODUCT TYPE- Implantable Coronary Drug Eluting Stents- Implantable Bio-Absorbable Stents- Implantable Contraceptive Drug Delivery Devices- Implantable Intraocular Drug Delivery Devices- Implantable Brachytherapy Seeds- Implantable Drug Infusion PumpsMARKET BY TECHNOLOGY- Biodegradable Implantable Drug Delivery Device Technology- Non-Biodegradable Implantable Drug Delivery Device TechnologyMARKET BY APPLICATION- Ophthalmology- Cardiovascular- Birth Control/Contraception- Oncology- OthersMARKET BY GEOGRAPHY- North America- Europe- Asia-Pacific- LAMEAAbout Us:-Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. 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 procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free (USA/Canada):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1-855-550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: RF Filters Market to 2026: Analog Devices, Inc., NXP Semiconductors N.V., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., STMicroelectronics, Anatech Electronics, Inc., Broadcom Inc., RS Microwave Company, Inc https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230081-RF-Filters-Market https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230081-RF-Filters-Market https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/ https://futureresearchreports.blogspot.com/ Research Solution Insights presents professional and in-depth study of "RF Filters Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Sales and Forecast By 2026".With technological progressions in radio frequency devices, RF filters are produced to make communications more convenient. RF filters are in general prepared of plastic with an embedded incorporated circuit chip. They are utilized to manipulate and exchange data. The market for RF filter is expected to increase at a remarkable 17.4% value CAGR for the duration of the forecast, 2026. The sales are likely to reach a market value of about US$ 24.8 Billion before the end of 2026.Request For Report Sample:Utilization of RF filter technology in aircraft, for example, Airbus and Boeing, for improving RADAR systems, electronic surveillance, GPS, navigation, data exchange and Air Traffic Control (ATC) is likely to augur well for the expansion of the overall market. Also, increasing need for enhanced communication between pilots and ground staff has boosted the RF filter technology sales in the aviation sector at a significant rate.Technological processions in the semiconductor sector have encouraged increment in the manufacturing of radio frequency devices afterward the previous two decades. Conversely, mushrooming development of new innovations has translated into swarming of the RF filter range in this manner expanding complexities. Extraordinary RF channels are utilized in communication technology and smartphones that are basically SAW (Surface Acoustic Waves) channels. On the other hand, as groups are nearly dispensed with one another, the system is probably going to extend a slack or postponement of around one minute causing the impedance of frequencies. This is likely to restrict the development of the RF filter market amid the time of conjecture.Region-wise, the North America RF filter sales are anticipated to increase at a remarkable pace, building North America a major lucrative market. Conversely, the Japan and China sales of RF filter are likely to ascend at a high pace, with China at the front. Increasing need for RF filter in China could be ascribed to the rising shipments of smartphones in the nations together with increasing buying power parity of the Chinese populace. Makers of RF filter could expect a firm stream of prospects from the United States and China over the years to come.In terms of the type, the worldwide market includes low-pass, band-pass, band-stop and high-pass. The band-pass category is likely to capture the maximum share during 2026 and the low-pass category is moreover likely to reflect a double-digit CAGR. By application, the worldwide market includes radio broadcast, navigation, mobile phone communication, TV broadcast, RADAR, satellite communication and others. Of these, the mobile phone communication category is projected to account for about 35.3% of the overall market share during 2026.Request Report Discount:The foremost companies active in the worldwide market are Analog Devices, Inc., NXP Semiconductors N.V., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., STMicroelectronics, Anatech Electronics, Inc., Broadcom Inc., RS Microwave Company, Inc., K&L Microwave, Bird Technologies, API Technologies and others.About Us :Research Solution Insights is a U.S. based market research and consulting company. We are the best destination for your research and analytical solutions; simply because our primary and secondary sources of information are adroit to give one stop solutions.Company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We offer the comprehensive market research solution for all the industries by performing the in-depth study of industry trends, verticals globally. We believe in building an eternal bond with our customers through providing them inclusive research study both customized and syndicated based on their specific requirements.Contact Us:Research Solution Insights (RSI)42 Joseph StreetPort carling P0B 1J0Muskoka, Ontario1Phone - +44-1618508625Website:Email: sales@researchsolutioninsights.comFollow me on: Lithotripsy Device Market to 2026: Richard Wolf GmbH, Siemens Healthineers AG, Lumenis Ltd., Dornier MedTech, Inceler Medikal Co. Ltd., STORZ MEDICAL AG, Medispec Ltd., Direx Group, GEMSS Co., Ltd., EDAP TMS S.A https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230074-Lithotripsy-Device-Market https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230074-Lithotripsy-Device-Market https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/ https://futureresearchreports.blogspot.com/ Research Solution Insights presents professional and in-depth study of "Lithotripsy Device Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Sales and Forecast By 2026".The worldwide market for lithotripsy device is anticipated to witness a rise at a 4.4% CAGR for the duration of the assessment, 2026 and reach a market valuation of US$ 1,096 Million towards the end of 2026. This expansion for the foremost part is due to growing occurrences of kidney stones. In recent year's lithotripsy has turned into the most favored method for the treatment of kidney stones. This has been majorly because of the upside of its positive patient outcomes, less recovery time, low cost and relative safety. Furthermore, the intracorporeal lithotripsy devices can treat all constitutions of kidney stones and have a high achievement rate for ureteral stones with no foremost complications. However, lack of advancement and the business' interest in funding more youthful technologies are the prominent aspects controlling the expansion of the worldwide market for lithotripsy devices.Request For Report Sample:Geographically, Europe regional market dominates the overall market value share and is likely to touch US$ 308 Million towards 2026 end. The Asia-Pacific excluding China region will be accounting for the second biggest market value share that is then trailed by North America. This region and Europe jointly comprise about 51% of the overall market share in the said period. Latin America and MEA are likely to remain the highest expanding regions owing to increasing healthcare efforts.Lithotripsy is a therapeutic process utilized for treating stones and kidney stones in different organs, for example, liver or gallbladder. The kidney stones, for the most part, leave the body by urination; on the other hand, at times the body can't pass big stones by urination and might cause urinary tract infections, severe pain and bleeding. The overall market is broadly categorized product types namely extracorporeal lithotripsy device and intracorporeal lithotripsy device. The extracorporeal lithotripsy device category is projected to lead the overall market with over 70.0% over the assessment period. This category is likely to reflect incremental prospects of US$ 208.4 Million to touch the estimation of US$ 777 Million towards 2026 end. However, the intracorporeal lithotripsy devices category will be growing at the quicker pace in contrast to extracorporeal lithotripsy devices and will be growing with the 5.4% CAGR.In terms of the modality, the worldwide market includes portable and standalone lithotripsy device. In terms of the end user, the worldwide market is categorized into specialty clinics, ASCs and hospitals. Of these, hospitals will be dominating the market reflecting an incremental prospect of US$ 202.2 Million and 4.2% CAGR.Request Report Discount:The prominent market players active in the worldwide market are Richard Wolf GmbH, Siemens Healthineers AG, Lumenis Ltd., Dornier MedTech, Inceler Medikal Co. Ltd., STORZ MEDICAL AG, Medispec Ltd., Direx Group, GEMSS Co., Ltd., EDAP TMS S.A. and Others.About Us :Research Solution Insights is a U.S. based market research and consulting company. We are the best destination for your research and analytical solutions; simply because our primary and secondary sources of information are adroit to give one stop solutions.Company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We offer the comprehensive market research solution for all the industries by performing the in-depth study of industry trends, verticals globally. We believe in building an eternal bond with our customers through providing them inclusive research study both customized and syndicated based on their specific requirements.Contact Us:Research Solution Insights (RSI)42 Joseph StreetPort carling P0B 1J0Muskoka, Ontario1Phone - +44-1618508625Website:Email: sales@researchsolutioninsights.comFollow me on: ePRO, E-Patient Diaries and eCOA Market to 2025: CRF Health Inc., Bracket Global LLC, Medidata Solutions Inc., Kayentis SAS, ArisGlobal LLC, ERT Clinical, ICON plc, Health Diary Inc., OmniComm Systems Inc https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230058-ePRO-E-Patient-Diaries-and-eCOA-Market https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230058-ePRO-E-Patient-Diaries-and-eCOA-Market https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/ https://futureresearchreports.blogspot.com/ Research Solution Insights presents professional and in-depth study of "ePRO, E-Patient Diaries and eCOA Market: Global Industry Analysis, size, sales and Forecast by 2025".eCOA (electronic clinical outcomes assessment) solutions are one of the fastest growing sectors, as well called as ePRO (electronic patient reported outcomes). eCOA and E-patient diaries are a few technological advancements in the healthcare sector that aids in the clinical trials.Request For Report Sample:One of the principal aspects is the implementation of mobile technologies and hi-tech progressions in the healthcare segment. The employment of electronic devices to gather clinical details results have assisted the market growth at a faster rate. Regulatory authorities, for example, the FDA are supporting the compilation of results data plus offering particular guidance, payers are ever more expecting to prove of efficiency post consent by corresponding to pay for the cure have also lead towards the expansion of the market. The quickly modifying technology setting with the growth of wearables and handhelds has made automatically gathering results data from patients not just handy, although also comparatively trouble-free.The global market for ePRO, E-patient diaries and the eCOA market is anticipated to account for a market valuation of around US$ 2,986 Million during 2025, expanding at a remarkable 15.3%.CAGR over the predicted time frame of 2017-2025.North America Predicted to Dominate the Global Market for ePRO, E-Patient Diaries and eCOA Market During Through 2025Market SegmentationBased on the type of solution, the overall market is categorised into ePROs (patient reported outcomes), eCOA (electronic clinical outcome assessments), ObsROs (observer reported outcomes), ClinROs (clinician-reported outcomes), e-patient diaries and PerfOs (performance outcomes). The market is lead by the eCOA category plus is predicted to gain the biggest market share of around 66% throughout 2017-2025.Based on the end user the worldwide market is divided into contract research organizations (CROs), clinical trial sponsors, academic institutes, hospitals, medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. The clinical trial sponsors division will be dominating the overall market and is predicted to expand at a 16.2% CAGR over the anticipated time frame.The overall market by modality type is segmented into mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) and computer. The mobile devices are projected to dominate the overall market and will be reaching a market valuation of about US$ 1,578 Million through 2025 end.The global market is studied across five major regions namely, Latin America, Asia Pacific, North America, Middle East and Africa and Europe. North America will be dominating the worldwide market in valuation terms over the predicted period. On the other hand, Asia Pacific will be witnessing the maximum 16.6% CAGR throughout the predicted period.Key Market PlayersRequest Report Discount:The key players effective in the worldwide market ePRO, e-patient diaries and eCOA include CRF Health Inc., Bracket Global LLC, Medidata Solutions Inc., Kayentis SAS, ArisGlobal LLC, ERT Clinical, ICON plc, Health Diary Inc., OmniComm Systems Inc and PAREXEL International Corporation.About Us :Research Solution Insights is a U.S. based market research and consulting company. We are the best destination for your research and analytical solutions; simply because our primary and secondary sources of information are adroit to give one stop solutions.Company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We offer the comprehensive market research solution for all the industries by performing the in-depth study of industry trends, verticals globally. We believe in building an eternal bond with our customers through providing them inclusive research study both customized and syndicated based on their specific requirements.Contact Us:Research Solution Insights (RSI)42 Joseph StreetPort carling P0B 1J0Muskoka, Ontario1Phone - +44-1618508625Website:Email: sales@researchsolutioninsights.comFollow me on: Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Analysis by top key players: Microsoft, Softbank, Realeyes, INTRAface, Apple, IBM, Eyeris, Beyond Verbal, Affectiva, Kairos AR, Cloudwalk, IFlytek, Nviso, CrowdEmotion https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1512649/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=RV https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1512649/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=RV https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-artificial-intelligence-emotion-recognition-market-2019-by-company-regions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2024/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=RV https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/Cryogenic-Equipment-Market-will-expand-at-7-CAGR-to-hit-25-billion-USD-by-2024-2019-01-11 https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog MarketStudyReport.com adds a new 2018-2023 Global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Report focuses on the major drivers and restraints for the global key players providing analysis of the market share, segmentation, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the market.Global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition market size will increase to xx Million US$ by 2025, from xx Million US$ in 2018, at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period. In this study, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition.This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of by Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition product type, application, key manufacturers and key regions. Over the next five years, Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition will million in 2017.Request a sample of this premium report at:The global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition market is valued at xx million in 2018 and is expected to reach xx million by the end of 2024, growing at a CAGR of xx% between 2019 and 2024.The Asia-Pacific will occupy for more market share in following years, especially in China, also fastgrowing India and Southeast Asia regions.North America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which cannot be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition.Europe also play important roles in global market, with market size of xx million in 2019 and will be xx million in 2024, with a CAGR of xx%.This report studies the Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition market status and outlook of Global and major regions, from angles of players, countries, product types and end industries; this report analyzes the top players in global market and splits the Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition market by product type and applications/end industries.The key manufacturers covered in this report: Microsoft Softbank Realeyes INTRAface Apple IBM Eyeris Beyond Verbal Affectiva Kairos AR Cloudwalk IFlytek Nviso CrowdEmotionRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Split by Product Types, with sales, revenue, price, market share of each type, can be divided into:Facial Emotion RecognitionSpeech Emotion RecognitionOthersSegmentation by application:EducationMedical CareWisdom CenterOthersResearch objectives:To study and analyze the global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition size by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2023.To understand the structure of Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition by identifying its various subsegments.Focuses on the key global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition players, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition 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 size of Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition 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.Table of Contents:1 Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Overview2 Manufacturers Profiles3 Global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Competition, by Players4 Global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Size by Regions5 North America Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Revenue by Countries6 Europe Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Revenue by Countries7 Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Revenue by Countries8 South America Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Revenue by Countries9 Middle East and Africa Revenue Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition by Countries10 Global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Segment by Type11 Global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Segment by Application12 Global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Market Size Forecast (2018-2023)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition market.Chapter 1, to describe Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition, with sales, revenue, and price of Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition, 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 Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition, 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, Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2023;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Artificial Intelligence-Emotion Recognition sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceFor more details about this report:Related 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: Luciano was arrested Nov. 14, 2017 and has been jailed since, according to John H. Durham, U.S. attorney for Connecticut. A month later, a grand jury in Hartford indicted him and 20 others on various heroin dealing charges. Luciano pleaded guilty last June to conspiracy to possess a kilogram or more of heroin with intent to distribute. Automotive Power Seat Switch Market Insights, Trends & Future Development Status Recorded during 2019-2025 | Delphi, Omron, Toyodenso, Tokai Rika, Marquardt, Changjiang Automobile, C&K. Automotive Power Seat Switch Market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/26553 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/26553 www.upmarketresearch.com Automotive Power Seat Switch Industry research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report.Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/26553The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Automotive Power Seat Switch Industry global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2019 2023.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.UpMarketResearch offers a latest published report on Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2023 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains exclusive content which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability. The report for Automotive Power Seat Switch market analysis & forecast 2019-2023 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Automotive Power Seat Switch Market Analysis and Forecast 2019-2023 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market-driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real-time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real-time scenario.For Detail Information Please Visit:The following manufacturers are covered in this report: Delphi Omron Toyodenso Tokai Rika Marquardt Changjiang Automobile C&KAutomotive Power Seat Switch Breakdown Data by Type Passenger Position Driving PositionAutomotive Power Seat Switch Breakdown Data by Application Passenger Vehicle Commercial VehicleGeographically, this report studies the top producers growth opportunity in these key regions, covering North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)For Any Query Please Visit:The Report covers in-depth analysis as follows: Chapter 1 Automotive Power Seat Switch Market Overview Chapter 2 Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Competition by Manufacturers Chapter 3 Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2019) Chapter 4 Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2019) Chapter 5 Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Chapter 6 Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Market Analysis by Application Chapter 7 Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis Chapter 8 Automotive Power Seat Switch Manufacturing Cost Analysis Chapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Chapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Chapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis Chapter 12 Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Market Forecast (2019-2025) Chapter 13 Research Findings and Conclusion Chapter 14 AppendixKey Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Global Automotive Power Seat Switch Industry Analysis and Forecast 2019-2023 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Automotive Power Seat Switch market analysis and forecast 2019-2023.Customization of the Report:UpMarketResearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.Grab Special Discount : https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/26553You can also ask for region wise market research report, as below: Automotive Power Seat Switch-Global Market Status & Trend Report 2013-2023 Top 20 Countries Data Automotive Power Seat Switch-North America Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Automotive Power Seat Switch-South America Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Automotive Power Seat Switch-Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Automotive Power Seat Switch-EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Automotive Power Seat Switch-Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Automotive Power Seat Switch-China Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Automotive Power Seat Switch-India Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023 Automotive Power Seat Switch-United States Market Status and Trend Report 2013-2023In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Automotive Power Seat Switch are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2019 Forecast Year 2019 to 2025About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500, East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Sotalol Drug Market Analysis and Business Opportunities with CAGR Value, Key Manufactures, Revenue Structure, Types, Applications https://www.inforgrowth.com/samplerequest/r/651489/global-sotalol-drug-market-insights-forecast-t https://www.inforgrowth.com/enquiry/r/651489/global-sotalol-drug-market-insights-forecast-t Sotalol is a medication used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. The Sotalol Drug market report gives CAGR value, SWOT Analysis, Industry Chains, Mergers & Acquisitions, Sales, Revenue, Price, Gross Margin, Market Share, Import-Export, Production, Consumption, Application, Competitor analysis and Forecast.The Sotalol Drug market report covers major regions 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 & South America, Brazil, Rest of South America, Middle East & Africa, GCC Countries, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa .The various contributors involved in the value chain of Sotalol Drug include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The Sotalol Drug market by Manufacturers: Bayer HealthCare, Mylan, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, AltaThera Pharmaceuticals, Teva, Apotex, Epic Pharma.Market Segment by Type like Tablet, Oral solution, Injection and by Application Ventricular arrhythmias, Supraventricular arrhythmias.Get Exclusive Sample of Report on Sotalol Drug market having 110 pages, profiling Leading Market PlayersInitially report provides information about Sotalol Drug Market Landscape, Industry History, Development Prospect, Relevant Policy and Trade Overview to current demand, investment and supply in the market. It also shows future opportunities for the forecast years 2018-2023.Industry chain structure is analyzed by demand of Sotalol Drug and suppliers along with Cost Analysis, Channel Analysis and technology used for Sotalol Drug. Market Dynamics gives data about Latest News, Merger and Acquisition of major players, Planned or Future Projects about Sotalol Drug and Policy Dynamics. Report continues with Import-Export data and country wise market analysis.The Sotalol Drug industry development trends are studied through both Secondary and Primary sources. 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At InForGrowth, we understand Research requirements and help a client in taking informed business critical decisions. Given the complexities and interdependencies of market-intelligence, there is always more than one source to explore and arrive at the right answer. Through our smart search feature and our reliable & trusted publishing partners, we are paving way for a more simplified and relevant research.For all your Research needs, reach out to us at:Address: 6400 Village Pkwy suite # 104, Dublin, CA 94568, USAEmail: info@inforgrowth.comPhone: +1-909-329-2808UK: +44 (203) 743 1890 Mobile Health Monitoring Market Size 2019 by Top Key Players: Qardio, Nonin Medical, Sanofi, Medisana, iHealth Labs, Masimo Corporation, AliverCor, iMonSys Mobile Health Monitoring Market Size https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1492906?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=Abhijeet https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1492906?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=Abhijeet https://www.marketstudyreport.com/securecheckout/paymenta/1492906?msfpaycode=sumsf?utm_source=marketwatch.com&utm_medium=Abhijeet?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=Abhijeet https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-mobile-health-monitoring-market-insights-forecast-to-2025?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=Abhijeet https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog A collective analysis on Mobile Health Monitoring Market Size by Market Study Report, LLC, offers an exhaustive study based on current trends influencing this vertical throughout assorted geographies. Key information regarding market size, market share, statistics, application, and revenue are compiled in the research to develop an ensemble prediction. In addition, this research offers a detailed competitive analysis focusing on business outlook emphasizing expansion strategies accepted by market majors.Mobile health monitoring apps use mobiles to collect community health data, deliver healthcare information to medical professionals and patients, monitor a patients vitals in real-time and also provide direct personal care.Request a sample of this premium report atMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Qardio Nonin Medical Sanofi Medisana iHealth Labs Masimo Corporation AliverCor iMonSysThe confluence of medical care and mobile telephony is what led to the emergence of the mobile health monitoring market. Devices like smartphones and PDAs are equipped with 4G network support, Wireless LAN and Bluetooth networks which enable them to be used in the healthcare industry. The mobile health monitoring market is a subset of e-Health, i.e. the use of ICT for health services or assistance.This report focuses on the Mobile Health Monitoring 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.The largest mobile health monitoring market at present is the U.S. on account of an advanced healthcare infrastructure, government support, an ageing population and almost cent percent smartphone penetration. However, China, India, and Japan are expected to drive the mobile health monitoring market in the future due to rapid smartphone adoption and greater focus on the domestic healthcare infrastructure.The worldwide market for Mobile Health Monitoring 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 study.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, coversGlucose MonitorsCardiac MonitorsBlood Pressure MonitorsOtherMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoSelf/Home CareHospital & ClinicsRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report atThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Mobile Health Monitoring market.Chapter 1, to describe Mobile Health Monitoring Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Mobile Health Monitoring, with sales, revenue, and price of Mobile Health Monitoring, 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 Mobile Health Monitoring, 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, Mobile Health Monitoring market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2023;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Mobile Health Monitoring sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceTable of Contents1 Market Overview2 Manufacturers Profiles3 Global Mobile Health Monitoring Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Competition by Manufacturer (2016-2017)4 Global Mobile Health Monitoring Market Analysis by Regions5 North America Mobile Health Monitoring by Countries6 Europe Mobile Health Monitoring by Countries7 Asia-Pacific Mobile Health Monitoring by Countries8 South America Mobile Health Monitoring by Countries9 Middle East and Africa Mobile Health Monitoring by Countries10 Global Mobile Health Monitoring Market Segment by Type11 Global Mobile Health Monitoring Market Segment by Application12 Mobile Health Monitoring Market Forecast (2018-2023)13 Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and Dealers14 Research Findings and Conclusion15 AppendixPurchase full report of Biomimetic Technology market at:RELETED REPORT: Global Mobile Health Monitoring Market Insights, Forecast to 2025The confluence of medical care and mobile telephony is what led to the emergence of the mobile health monitoring market. Devices like smartphones and PDAs are equipped with 4G network support, Wireless LAN and Bluetooth networks which enable them to be used in the healthcare industry. The mobile health monitoring market is a subset of e-Health, i.e. the use of ICT for health services or assistance. Mobile health monitoring apps use mobiles to collect community health data, deliver healthcare information to medical professionals and patients, monitor a patients vitals in real-time and also provide direct personal care.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: Furniture Polish Wipes Market with Current Trends Analysis & Forecast By 2028 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8633 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8633 Furniture Polish Wipes: Market OutlookThe rising awareness about maintaining personal health and hygiene has influenced consumers to focus more on the cleaning and dusting of their household products. A hike in consumer spending on lifestyle products has been witnessed off late. Consumers are spending a considerable amount of money on decorating their homes, and furniture plays an important part in this endeavour. Due to the high prices of furniture, its replacement rate furniture is very low, which is a major reason for boosting the demand for maintenance products such as furniture polish wipes. Furniture polish wipes are used to protect and polish furniture in a very convenient manner, leave a protective shine with no artificial build-up, and give a natural look to the furniture, which aids in propelling the demand for furniture polish wipes in the market. Furniture polish wipes also help in removing smudges, fingerprints, dirt, and dust from wood furniture as well as marble, leather, stainless steel, and more, which is a major attraction that helps in complementing the growth in demand for furniture polish wipes in the market. Manufacturers of furniture polish wipes are indulging in innovating new products with added features, such as different fragrances and micro-filling technology that helps in forming a scratch-resistant layer, which are winning imperatives for furniture polish wipes in the market.Increased Consumer Spending on Lifestyle Products, Coupled with New Product Innovation is Driving the Furniture Polish Wipes MarketAdvancements in technology has been a major contributing factor towards the innovation of new products, which has led the consumers to incline towards furniture polish wipes. The growing awareness among consumers in rural areas regarding the availability of these products is anticipated to propel the demand for furniture polish wipes in the coming years. Rising consumer concerns about the harmful effects of chemicals have led the manufacturers of furniture polish wipes to come up plant-based ingredients that are safe for their children and pets. 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C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Weiman Products, LLC., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Staples, Inc., The Procter & Gamble Company, Nice-Pak Products, Inc., The Clorox Company, and Everyday Living, among others.Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @Opportunities for Furniture Polish Wipes Market ParticipantsThe global furniture polish wipes market is witnessing a surge, owing to the increased awareness about the availability of these products. Furniture polish wipes help in saving a lot of time, owing to the availability of pre-moisten wipes with advanced formulas that helps in cleaning furniture efficiently. The versatility of furniture polish wipes has been a key factor in driving their demand in the market, since they can used on different surfaces. The rise in online trade and increasing Internet penetration level, coupled with the easy availability of these products on online channels has been a proving to be a boon for the furniture polish wipes market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United States Cone Beam Computed Tomography Systems Market Current Trends & Future Estimations By 2023 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2274?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=ss https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/cbct-systems-market?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=ss https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems are a special type of x-ray equipment. These systems are used by medical professionals to reconstruct a 3D image of various regions of patients anatomy such as dental, oral and maxillofacial region, and ears, nose, and throat.The rise in geriatric population, a wide range of applications of CBCT systems in dental practice and upsurge in a number of patients suffering from dental diseases are expected to drive market growth. Moreover, expanding the application of CBCT systems in other medical fields such as breast imaging further boosts the market growth. However, the high cost of the devices and image related issues such as lack of clarity are expected to impede the market growth.Get Sample Copy of Report @Dental application segment is expected to dominate the market throughout the analysis period, owing to the increase in the incidence of dental disorders, such as tooth loss, periodontal disorders, and TMJ disorders. On the other hand, another application segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period.Major Players:Carestream HealthDanaherPlanmeca OYDentsply SironaVatech Co. Ltd.Cefla s.c.Key Findings:Breast imaging segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2% during the forecast period.Hospitals & Clinics accounted for more than three-fifths share of the global CBCT systems market in 2015.Flat-panel image detector is expected to register the highest CAGR of 10.0% during the analysis period.France and Germany jointly contributed for more than one-third of the European CBCT systems market in 2016.Japan is the major shareholder, accounting for more than one-third of the Asia-Pacific CBCT systems market in 2015.Send Enquiry on this Report @About Us:Allied Market Research, a market research and advisory company of Allied Analytics LLP, provides business insights and market research reports to large as well as small & medium enterprises. The company assists its clients to strategize business policies and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.Allied Market Research provides one stop solution from the beginning of data collection to investment advice. The analysts at Allied Market Research dig out factors that help clients to understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The company amplies clients insight on the factors, such as strategies, future estimations, growth or fall forecasting, opportunity analysis, and consumer surveys among others. As follows, the company offers consistent business intelligent support to aid the clients to turn into prominent business firm.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free (USA/Canada):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1855550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Ovarian Cancer Market Growth Statistics to Make Multi-Billion Dollar Market during 2019 2022 | Global Key Players Cellceutix, Eisai, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Immune Design, Millennium Ovarian Cancer Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/132803 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/132803/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/132803 A fresh report has been added to the wide database of Business Industry Reports. The research study is titled Ovarian Cancer Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 which provides important data about the production, consumption, revenue and company profiles for key industry participants.Global Ovarian Cancer Market Synopsis:This report studies the Global Ovarian Cancer Market over the forecast period of 2019 to 2022. The Global Ovarian Cancer Market is expected to grow at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2019 to 2022.Get Exclusive Sample Study Papers of Ovarian Cancer Market @The market for ovarian cancer therapeutics is at a stage of development, with market players trying to compete both in terms of the efficacy and cost of therapies. Rising incidence of ovarian cancer, owing to growing geriatric population and unhealthy lifestyles, is one of the key trends escalating market growth. Besides this, increasing adoption of novel drugs and presence of strong developmental pipeline are estimated positively reinforce ovarian cancer treatment market.The global ovarian cancer market can be segmented based on tumor type, drug class, and region. In terms of tumor type, the market can be classified into epithelial ovarian cancer, ovarian low malignant potential tumor, germ cell tumor, and sex cord-stromal tumor. Based on drug class, the global ovarian cancer market can be categorized into alkylating agents, mitotic inhibitors, antirheumatics, antipsoriatics, VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, antineoplastics, and others.As per Regional Analysis, North America dominates the global market for ovarian cancer due to large number of aging population. Asia is expected to show high growth rates in the next five years in the global ovarian cancer market. China and India are expected to be the fastest growing ovarian cancer markets in Asia-Pacific region.Complete report on Ovarian Cancer Market spread across 125 Pages and No. of Table of contents. Buy Research @The Market is segmented and projected on the basis of major key players:1 Adgero Biopharmaceuticals Inc2 Cellceutix Corporation3 Eisai Co., Ltd.4 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.5 Immune Design Corp.6 Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc7 MolMed S.p.A.8 Natco Pharma Limited9 Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. And More..Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers:1 North America Country (United States, Canada)2 South America3 Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)4 Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)5 Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)Request a Discount on standard prices of this premium report @The prime objective of this report is to help the user understand the market in terms of its definition, segmentation, market potential, influential trends, and the challenges that the market is facing. Deep researches and analysis were done during the preparation of the report. The readers will find this report very helpful in understanding the market in depth. The facts and data are represented in the report using diagrams, graphs, pie charts, and other pictorial representations. This enhances the visual representation and also helps in understanding the facts much better.Key Questions Answered in this Report:1 What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Global Ovarian Cancer market?2 What was the market value of the leading segments and sub-segments of the Global Ovarian Cancer market in 2018?3 What are the influencing factors that may affect the market share of the key players?4 Who are the key players in Ovarian Cancer Market?5 How will the industry evolve during the forecast period 2019-2022?TABLE OF CONTENTS1 Ovarian Cancer Product Definition2 Global Ovarian Cancer Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview3 Manufacturer Ovarian Cancer Business Introduction4 Global Ovarian Cancer Market Segmentation (Region Level)5 Global Ovarian Cancer Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)6 Global Ovarian Cancer Market Segmentation (Industry Level)7 Global Ovarian Cancer Market Segmentation (Channel Level)8 Ovarian Cancer Market Forecast 2019-20229 Ovarian Cancer Segmentation Product Type10 Ovarian Cancer Segmentation Industry11 Ovarian Cancer Cost of Production Analysis12 Conclusion13 Methodology and Data SourceAbout usBusinessindustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940 Extrusion Coating Market 2019 Is Growing Globally With : Eastman Chemical Company, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, NOVA Chemicals, Celanese , Reliance Industries Limited, Solvay, Westlake Chemical, Extrusion Coating Market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-extrusion-coating-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-extrusion-coating-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-extrusion-coating-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-extrusion-coating-market This report outlines the company profiles of all the crucial players in North America, Europe, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia and other locales like Central & South America, the Middle East and Africa. The understanding of showcase definition, classifications, applications and engagements for the Extrusion Coating Market will offer assistance the pursuer to thrive within the showcase. The drivers and impediments of the showcase can be caught on with the assistance of SWOT investigation and Porters Five Powers tool. This study gives an investigation of different portions that we will depend upon to witness the fastest improvement among the appraise figure outline. Major moves are being made with respects to item dispatches, joint wanders and advancements which has influenced the deals, purport, trade, income and CAGR values of the Extrusion Coating Market and Industry.For In-Depth Review | Get Free Sample Copy@Global Extrusion Coating Market is expected to reach USD 6.2 billion by 2025, from USD 4.1 billion in 2017 growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2025. According to The Canadian Research Institute, the sales and packaging unit will rise by 4 billion to 400 trillion by 2018. As per Interpack Alliance Processing & Packaging, in 2015, packaging industry had 839 billion of revenue world-wide and it is growing by 3.5% per year.Market Key Competitors: Eastman Chemical Company DuPont. Exxon Mobil Corporation Lyondellbasell Industries Holdings B.V. Borealis AG, The Dow Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Qenos Pty. Ltd., Reliance Industries Limited, Solvay, Westlake Chemical Corporation, Arkema S.A., Qenos Pty. Ltd., Nova Chemicals Corporation, A. Schulman, Inc., Hanwha Group, Kuraray Co. Ltd., Celanese Corporation, Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A., NUC Corporation, Westlake Chemical CorporationCompetitive Landscape:The global extrusion coating market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of the extrusion coating market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa.Speak To Industry Experts, Request For Details Report @Table Of Contents:Chapter 1 Industry Overview:Chapter 2 Premium InsightsChapter 3 Production Market Analysis:Chapter 4 Major Market Classification:Chapter 5 Major Application Analysis: Major Application Market Share Major Down Stream Customers Analysis Others GlobalChapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis: Up Stream Industries Analysis Manufacturing Analysis Industry Chain Structure AnalysisChapter 7 Major Manufacturers Analysis: Company Introduction Product Specification and Major Types Analysis Production Market PerformanceChapter 8 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis: New Project SWOT Analysis New Project Investment Feasibility AnalysisChapter 9 Market Driving Factors: Market Upcoming Challenges 2019-2025 Market Upcoming Opportunist 2019-2025 Related ReportsToc continued!For Full Toc Visit @Market Drivers: Growing demand for extrusion coating in Asia-Pacific and the MiddleEast & Africa Rising demand by food & packaging industry Increasing use of extrusion coating by end user industries.Market Restraint: Environmental concerns Rising demand for substitution products such as bio-based polymersExtrusion Coating Market Segments:By Type: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Polypropylene (PP) OtherBy Substrate: Paperboard Plastic Films Cellulose Paper Aluminium FoilsBy Application: Transportation Liquid Packaging Photographic Flexible Packaging OthersBy Geography: North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Middle East & AfricaNote: If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Make an Inquiry for Discount On this Report@About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Material Market Research Report 2019-2025 | Global Key Players- Sarnia-Lambton Research, UK and Norway business funding agencies, Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Innovation Norway Market Research Hub https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2047358 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-biotechnology-based-chemical-market-insights-forecast-to-2025-report.html https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=2047358 www.marketresearchhub.com/ Looking at the current trends across the Biotechnology-Based Chemical market, a new study has been included to the wide database of Market Research Hub (MRH). The assessment is titled "Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Market Insights, Forecast to 2025", which discourses the various market impacting factors like drivers, restraints and opportunities. Moreover, readers are informed about the competitive landscape which enlightens about the different players operating in the Biotechnology-Based Chemical market" together with their market value.Request for free Sample @Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical market size will increase to xx Million US$ by 2025, from xx Million US$ in 2018, at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period. In this study, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Biotechnology-Based Chemical.This report researches the worldwide Biotechnology-Based Chemical market size (value, capacity, production and consumption) in key regions like United States, Europe, Asia Pacific (China, Japan) and other regions.This study categorizes the global Biotechnology-Based Chemical breakdown data by manufacturers, region, type and application, also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.This report focuses on the top manufacturers' Biotechnology-Based Chemical capacity, production, value, price and market share of Biotechnology-Based Chemical in global market. The following manufacturers are covered in this report:Queenslands world-class agriculture industrySarnia-Lambton ResearchUK and Norway business funding agenciesTechnology Strategy Board (TSB)Innovation NorwayBiotechnology-Based Chemical Breakdown Data by TypeBio-pharmaAgri-biotechBio-informatics andBio-servicesOthersBiotechnology-Based Chemical Breakdown Data by ApplicationFood and beveragesAgricultureFuelEnergyAnimal feedPharmaceuticals and nutritionPaper and pulpCosmetics and toiletriesPlastics and fibresOthersBiotechnology-Based Chemical Production Breakdown Data by RegionUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanOther RegionsBiotechnology-Based Chemical Consumption Breakdown Data by RegionNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaMalaysiaPhilippinesThailandVietnamEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalyRussiaRest of EuropeCentral & South AmericaBrazilRest of South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesTurkeyEgyptSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaThe study objectives are:To analyze and research the global Biotechnology-Based Chemical capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast;To focus on the key Biotechnology-Based Chemical 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 Biotechnology-Based Chemical :History Year: 2014-2018Base Year: 2018Estimated Year: 2019Forecast 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.Browse Full Report with TOC@Table of ContentsGlobal Biotechnology-Based Chemical Market Research Report 2019-2025, by Manufacturers, Regions, Types and Applications1 Study Coverage1.1 Biotechnology-Based Chemical Product1.2 Key Market Segments in This Study1.3 Key Manufacturers Covered1.4 Market by Type1.4.1 Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Market Size Growth Rate by Type1.4.2 Bio-pharma1.4.3 Agri-biotech1.4.4 Bio-informatics and1.4.5 Bio-services1.4.6 Others1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Market Size Growth Rate by Application1.5.2 Food and beverages1.5.3 Agriculture1.5.4 Fuel1.5.5 Energy1.5.6 Animal feed1.5.7 Pharmaceuticals and nutrition1.5.8 Paper and pulp1.5.9 Cosmetics and toiletries1.5.10 Plastics and fibres1.5.11 Others1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Executive Summary2.1 Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Production2.1.1 Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Revenue 2014-20252.1.2 Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Production 2014-20252.1.3 Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Capacity 2014-20252.1.4 Global Biotechnology-Based Chemical Marketing Pricing and Trends2.2 Biotechnology-Based Chemical Growth Rate (CAGR) 2019-20252.3 Analysis of Competitive Landscape2.3.1 Manufacturers Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)2.3.2 Key Biotechnology-Based Chemical Manufacturers2.4 Market Drivers, Trends and IssuesContinue...@@$Enquire about this Report -About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Details:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite : Organic Edible Oil Market Research Exclusive Report 2019-2025 | Top Key Players Cargill, Nutiva, EFKO Group, Catania Spagna Organic Edible Oil https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/27997 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/27997 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/27997 www.upmarketresearch.com UpMarketResearch offers a latest published report on Global Organic Edible Oil Market Analysis and Forecast 2018-2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains 111 pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Get Exclusive FREE Sample Copy Of this Report @Organic Edible Oil Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Organic Edible Oil Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2018-2025.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Organic Edible Oil Market analysis & forecast 2018-2025 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Region- wise Analysis Global Organic Edible Oil Market covers: North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)For More Information On This Report, Please VisitThe Major players reported in the market include: Cargill Nutiva EFKO Group Catania Spagna Viva Labs Aryan International Daabon Organic NOW Foods Adams Group Dasanxiang Henan LvdaGlobal Organic Edible Oil Market: Product Segment Analysis: Canola Oil Soybean Oil Camellia Oil Palm Oil Olive Oil Peanut Oil Coconut OilGlobal Organic Edible Oil Market: Application Segment Analysis: Household CommercialAvail Discount On this Report @Organic Edible Oil Market Analysis and Forecast 2018-2025 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.Global Organic Edible Oil Market: Key Stakeholders: Organic Edible Oil Manufacturers Organic Edible Oil Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Organic Edible Oil Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Organic Edible Oil are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Global Organic Edible Oil Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Organic Edible Oil market analysis and forecast 2018- 2025.Customization of the Report:UpMarketResearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well- defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States Global Electric Cigarettes Market 2019 Key Players: Altria Group, British American Tobacco, Imperial Brands, International Vapor Group, Nicotek LLC. Electric Cigarettes Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3712722-global-electric-cigarettes-market-size-study-by-type https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3712722-global-electric-cigarettes-market-size-study-by-type Electric Cigarettes Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Electric Cigarettes Market 2019 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting 2025 reports tits database.Executive SummaryGlobal Electric Cigarettes Market valued approximately USD XX billion in 2017 is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than XX% over the forecast period 2018-2025. The Electric Cigarettes Market is continuously growing across the world over the coming years. An electronic cigarette is a battery-operated device that emits doses of vaporized nicotine, or non-nicotine solutions, for the user to inhale. It aims to provide a similar sensation to inhaling tobacco smoke, without the smoke. Factors like no harmful effects on health alike tobacco cigarettes and various technological advancements is likely to drive the global electric cigarettes market during the forecast period. Increasing number of vape shops and designated stores is augmenting growth to the market. However, strict legal framework has been implemented over the manufacturing of electronic cigarettes that may hinder the market growth during the forecast period.The regional analysis of Global Electric Cigarettes Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. North America is the leading/significant region across the world in terms of market share owing to rapidly advancing technology for manufacturing electronic cigarettes. Europe also contributes a satisfactory growth in the global Electric Cigarettes market due to increasing number of patients with health issues due to consumption of tobacco. Asia-Pacific is also anticipated to exhibit higher growth rate / CAGR over the forecast period 2018-2025 due to rising number of vape stores in developing countries such as India, China and Japan.The major market player included in this report are:Altria GroupBritish American TobaccoImperial BrandsInternational Vapor GroupJapan TobaccoNicotek LLCNjoy Inc.Philip Morris International Inc.Reynolds American Inc.Vmr Flavours LLCThe objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values to the coming eight years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within each of the regions and countries involved in the study. Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as driving factors & challenges which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, the report shall also incorporate available opportunities in micro markets for stakeholders to invest along with the detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product offerings of key players. The detailed segments and sub-segment of the market are explained below:Request Sample Report @By Type:DisposableModularRechargeableBy Flavour:TobaccoBotanicalFruitSweetBeverageOthersBy Distribution Channel:Specialist E-Cig ShopsOnlineSupermarketsTobacconistOthersFurthermore, years considered for the study are as follows:Historical year 2015, 2016Base year 2017Forecast period 2018 to 2025Target Audience of the Global Electric Cigarettes Market in Market Study:Key Consulting Companies & AdvisorsLarge, medium-sized, and small enterprisesVenture capitalistsValue-Added Resellers (VARs)Third-party knowledge providersInvestment bankersInvestorsTable of ContentsChapter 1. Executive Summary1.1. Market Snapshot1.2. Key Trends1.3. Global & Segmental Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)1.3.1. Electric Cigarettes Market, by Type, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)1.3.2. Electric Cigarettes Market, by Application, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)1.3.3. Electric Cigarettes Market, by Region, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)1.4. Estimation Methodology1.5. Research AssumptionChapter 2. Electric Cigarettes Market Definition and Scope2.1. Objective of the Study2.2. Market Definition & Scope2.2.1. Industry Evolution2.2.2. Scope of the Study2.3. Years Considered for the Study2.4. Currency Conversion RatesChapter 3. Electric Cigarettes Market Dynamics3.1. See Saw Analysis3.1.1. Market Drivers3.1.2. Market Challenges3.1.3. Market OpportunitiesChapter 4. Electric Cigarettes Market Industry Analysis4.1. Porters 5 Force Model4.1.1. Bargaining Power of Buyers4.1.2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers4.1.3. Threat of New Entrants4.1.4. Threat of Substitutes4.1.5. Competitive Rivalry4.1.6. Futuristic Approach to Porters 5 Force Model4.2. PEST Analysis4.2.1. Political Scenario4.2.2. Economic Scenario4.2.3. Social Scenario4.2.4. Technological Scenario4.3. Value Chain Analysis4.3.1. Supplier4.3.2. Manufacturers/Service Provider4.3.3. Distributors4.3.4. End-Users4.4. Key Buying Criteria4.5. Regulatory Framework4.6. Cost Structure Analysis4.6.1. Raw Material Cost Analysis4.6.2. Manufacturing Cost Analysis4.6.3. Labour Cost Analysis4.7. Investment Vs Adoption Scenario4.8. Analyst Recommendation & ConclusionChapter 5. Electric Cigarettes Market, by Type5.1. Market Snapshot5.2. Market Performance - Potential Model5.3. Key Market Players5.4. Electric Cigarettes Market, Sub Segment Analysis5.4.1. Disposable5.4.1.1. Market estimates & forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)5.4.1.2. Regional breakdown estimates & forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)5.4.2. Modular5.4.2.1. Market estimates & forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)5.4.2.2. Regional breakdown estimates & forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)5.4.3. Rechargeable5.4.3.1. Market estimates & forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)5.4.3.2. Regional breakdown estimates & forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion)Chapter 6. Electric Cigarettes Market, by FlavourContinuousFor further information on this report, visit Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528/524, Amanora Chambers, Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune, Maharashtra 411028+91 841 198 5042 When Fisher called 911, he told a dispatcher there was an event and his grandparents had been stabbed, the report reads. When he dispatcher asked him if he had been drinking or was on any medication, Fisher said he could go for some medication. Eyewear Market Trends By Top Players Luxottica Group S.p.A, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Fielmann A.G., CooperVision Inc., Safilo Group S.p.A., Carl Zeiss A.G. and Essilor International Eyewear https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/767 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/767 Eyewear is an important accessory that aid in numerous visual defects such as myopia and hyperopia. Apart from this, it is used as a fashion accessory and for protection against sunlight and harmful U.V. radiations. Eyeglasses are also used in industries for protection against debris and for welding, in order for protection against high intensity light and heat. Factors such as acute myopia at a younger age and rising awareness about eye health are expected to drive growth of the eyewear market over the forecast period. For instance, according to WHO in 2017, around 253 million people had vision impairment of which 36 million were blind and 217 million had moderate to severe vision impairment, globally.Get a PDF Sample of Research Report @The increasing use of computers and smartphones results has resulted in rising cases of Computer vision syndrome (CVS) caused due to focusing the eyes on a computer or other display device for long. This is expected to be another factor driving the growth of the eyewear market. Apart from this the changing fashion trends and availability of new lens technologies is expected to drive the growth of the market. For instance Chinese police have launched sunglasses with built-in facial recognition which are still in their testing stages. These factors are expected to drive the growth of the global eyewear marketEurope was the most dominant market in terms of revenue share in 2016 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. European market was valued at over US$ 32.15 billion in 2016, due to high demand for eyewear, especially for premium sunglasses coupled with the presence of major eyewear manufacturers such as Luxottica and Safilo in Europe. End-users are increasing adopting scratch proof, Anti-Reflective, and UV protection eyewear resulting in an increasing demand for eyewear in this region. Moreover, major eyewear manufacturers such as Luxottica and Safilo are based in Europe, which is another factor for the dominance of the region. Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing region in the eyewear market, witnessing a CAGR of 8.63% over the forecast period. The reason for the same is due to the rising penetration of international eyewear brands such as Rayban, Dior and D&G amongst others in the Asia Pacific region. Apart from this the large population suffering from visual defects coupled with a low usage of any visual correction aids provides the manufacturers with a huge untapped market. For instance according to the Asia Pacific Optometrists Organization, India in 2014 approximately 153 million people in India required spectacles but do not have access to them.Among product types, spectacles is the dominant segment and accounted for 48.62% of the market share in 2016 and is expected to increase to 49.32% by 2025. Rising geriatric population and increasing prevalence of visual disorders are major factors expected to drive demand for spectacles. For instance, according to the WHO, about half of all 65-year-old Americans had some degree of cataract formation in their eyes with the percentage higher among 70 year olds in 2016. The WHO estimates around 2 billion people across the world are expected to cross 60 years of age by 2050, which is triple than in 2000. This is expected to lead to rising demand for spectacles. This could be a major driver for growth of the spectacles segment.Companies are adopting various organic and inorganic growth strategies in order to increase their share. For instance, in January 2017, Essilor International SA and Luxottica Group S.p.A entered into merger agreement, in order to improve its position in the global eyewear market.Request Customization Of Research Report @Some of the major market players operating in the eyewear market include Luxottica Group S.p.A, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Fielmann A.G., CooperVision Inc., Safilo Group S.p.A., Carl Zeiss A.G. and Essilor International among others.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Natural Personal Care Market Detailed Analysis with Forecast 2019-2025 by Global Top Players - Amway Corporation, The Estee Lauder Companies, Aveda Corporation, Natura Cosmeticos S.A. and Others Natural Personal Care https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/740 https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/740 Adroit Market Research offers 2019 report on Natural Personal Care Market 2025 that evaluates industry growth trends through historical data and estimates future prospects based on comprehensive research. The report extensively provides the market share, growth, trends and forecasts for the period 2019-2025.About the Natural Personal Care Market:The global organic and natural personal care market is considered to portray a strong rise at 8.3% CAGR during the forecast period. Changing consumer perception regarding synthetic or chemical and natural ingredients in daily products, customer purchase patterns, and rising awareness about certified and eco-friendly personal care products are some of the major driving factors of the natural personal care market growth. Fear-based product marketing is one of the promotional strategies implemented by global companies. Consumers fear the long-term effects of utilizing chemical ingredients and conventional cosmetics for skin and hair applications, owing to which they are now opting for safe and biobased products.Request a sample copy of this report:Natural Personal Care Market Competition by TOP PLAYERS, with Natural Personal Care sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including: Amway Corporation, The Estee Lauder Companies, Aveda Corporation, Natura Cosmeticos S.A.Scope of the Report (Overlook 2019-2025):The US organic and natural personal care market size has been driven by a prominent regulatory scenario regarding the use of consumer goods and retail as well as toxic ingredients in cosmetics. Presence of heavy regulations on conventional consumer goods has propelled the development of natural and organic formulations in skin care, hair care and oral care products and cosmetics. This development has recently increased the number of natural beauty startups and introduction of new products in the US organic and natural personal care market. For instance, Intelligent Nutrients offers a plant-based skin care product portfolio that is USDA certified. Biossance, a California based firm is one of the rapidly rising players, operating in the US organic and natural personal care market. The company offers organic skin care products that are vegan and cruelty-free, and based on biotechnology.Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), distribution network expansion, and new product launch are a set of the business growth strategies implemented by key players with a presence across the organic and natural personal care products market value chain. In February 2018, Azafran Organics announced its plans to improve its sales & distribution network by increasing their 1,500 retail outlets in India to 10,000 respectively. This strategy is expected to leverage the companys presence in the India organic and natural personal care products market over the coming years.BASF SE introduced a new sustainably sourced product line at the 2018 in-cosmetics event held in Amsterdam. The company is one of the prominent suppliers of raw materials for use in natural cosmetic products, which are approved as per the COSMetic Organic Standard (COSMOS) standard. This strategy is likely to maintain the companys future position as a global giant in the organic and natural personal care products market.Rising product adoption among consumers along with significant developments across the entire value chain is expected to support the rapidly expanding organic and natural personal care market size by the end of 2025.Key segments of the global organic and natural personal care products market:Product Type Overview, 2015-2025 (USD Million) Skin care Hair care Oral care Cosmetics OthersRegional Overview, 2015-2025 (USD Million) North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the WorldWhat Information does this report contain? Historical data coverage: 2014 to 2017; Growth Projections: 2019 to 2025. Expert analysis: industry, governing, innovation and technological trends; factors impacting development; drawbacks, SWOT. 6-7 year performance forecasts: major segments covering applications, top products and geographies. Competitive landscape reporting: market leaders and important players, competencies and capacities of these companies in terms of production as well as sustainability and prospects.Who should buy this report?This study is suitable for industry participants and stakeholders in the personal care industry, who require in-depth insights about the market. The report will benefit: Executives of companies that are a part of the organic personal care manufacturing and supply Financial managers and venture capitalists that are looking to study and publish recent and forecasted numbers pertaining to the organic products industry Government organizations, regulatory authorities, policymakers and regional players looking for foreign investments, collaborations, etc. Analysts, researchers, educators, strategy managers, and academic institutions looking for forecast market trendsElse place an Inquire before Purchase Natural Personal Care Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025:About Adroit Market Research:Adroit Market Research provide quantified B2B research on numerous opportunistic markets, and offer customized research reports, consulting services, and syndicate research reports. We assist our clients to strategize business decisions and attain sustainable growth in their respective domain. Additionally, we support them with their revenue planning, marketing strategies, and assist them to make decisions before the competition so that they remain ahead of the curve.Ryan JohnsonAdroit Market Research3131 McKinney Ave #600Dallas, TX 75204Tel: +1-214-884-6068Email: sales@adroitmarketresearch.com U.S. Condom Market valued at USD 1,680.22 Millionby 2022 U.S. Condom Market https://goo.gl/S19o1N https://goo.gl/btSfCY https://goo.gl/96gik3 https://goo.gl/hJzVgR Condom Market by Gender (Male and Female), Distribution Channel (Commercial Outlets, Non-commercial Outlets and Non-traditional Outlets) U.S. Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2016 2022The global U.S. Condom Market report delivers the clean elaborated structure of the U.S. Condom Market comprising each and every business-related information of the market at a global level. The complete range of information related to the global U.S. Condom Market is obtained through various sources and this obtained bulk of information is arranged, processed, and represented by a group of specialists through the application of different methodological techniques and analytical tools such as SWOT analysis to generate a whole set of trade-based study regarding the global U.S. Condom Market.Request Free Sample Report @The global U.S. Condom Market supports market-connected various associations, industries, vendors, firms, and organizations by offering a broad stage revealing opportunities time-to-time to rise higher in the market. Some of the chief contenders keyplayers including pre-established businesses and newly-emerging firms are contending with one another for global trade expansion in terms of production, supply, demand, income, and after-sales services.The global U.S. Condom Market report presents the detailed extensive study regarding the market in an efficient way by dividing the whole market into different segments on the basis of type and form of product offered by the industries, product processing methods and techniques, end-user applications, and others. Not only this, but the market study also categorizes the market based on the regions U.S., Europe, UK,France, Germany, Asia Pacific, China, Japan, India, Latin America, Brazil, Middle East and Africa. The report also comprises the market growth forecast information calculated by the professional on the basis of previous information about the market and its-related industries as well as the current trends followed by the market. The report also provides the markets CAGR forecast for the specific period of the upcoming time.Download Request Table of Contents (TOC) U.S. Condom Market @The report also highlights the various key factors as well as administrative guidelines that may impact the market in both the ways, either direct or indirect. The global U.S. Condom Market report is embedded with several charts, figures, graphs, and diagrams to make it better understandable for the clients.What Reports ProvidesFull in-depth analysis of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsSegmentation details of the marketFormer, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and valueAssessment of niche industry developmentsMarket share analysisKey strategies of major playersEmerging segments and regional marketsTestimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.Request For Discount for U.S. Condom Market:Reasons to invest in this report:This exhaustive research covers all the important information pertaining to the U.S. Condom Market that a reader wants to know. Zion Market Research employs the combination of secondary research followed by extensive primary research. Under secondary research, we refer to prominent paid as well as open access data sources including product literature, company annual reports, government publications, press releases, industry associations magazines and other relevant sources for data collection. Other prominent secondary sources include STATISTA, trade journals, trade associations, statistical data from government websites, etc.For this study, Zion Market Research has conducted all-encompassing primary research with key industry participants to collect first had data. Moreover, in-depth interviews with key opinion leaders also assisted in validation of findings from secondary research and to understand key trends in the Food Antioxidants industry. Primary research makes up the major source of data collection and validation.Browse detail report @What makes different than others, and heres the reason whyWith ZionMarketResearchs wide research coverage and in-depth data analysis, youll have the plan to execute your business strategy more effectively and efficiently.Here is All Reports Category:-Technology & MediaFood & BeverageChemical & MaterialsAutomotiveHeavy IndustryLife SciencesEnergy & MiningSemiconductor & ElectronicsZion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting-edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, the company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries.244 Fifth Avenue, Suite N202New York, 10001, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-465 Industrial Eye Protection Market Revenue & Regional Analysis 2018-2024 By Top Players - Kimberly-Clark, 3M, Avon, Honeywell, Bolle Safety, MSA - The Safety Company, Ansell, Teijin Industrial Eye Protection Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1942 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1942 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/industrial-eye-protection-market https://www.gminsights.com Industrial Eye Protection Market size is estimated to exceed USD 2.5 billion by 2024. Major key players inculde 3M, Bolle Safety, Honeywell, MCR Safety, Egde, MSA Safety, Encon Safety, Ergodyne and Gateway Safety. Mergers, acquisitions, new product launches and supply agreements are the key strategies adopted by the major players.Positive outlook towards occupational safety in oil & gas, chemicals, mining and construction industry will propel industrial eye protection market growth. Prevention from chemicals, heat & optical radiation are the key properties enhancing product demand.Request for a sample copy of this report @North America industrial eye protection market will witness gains at 3.2% up to 2024. High prevalence for employee safety along with stringent government regulations are the key factors supporting the business growth. As per NIOSH, about 2000 workers in U.S. sustain workplace eye injury per day, that requires medical treatment.Europe industrial eye protection market was more than 70 million units in 2016. Favorable socio-economic factors accompanied by increasing manufacturing facilities will drive the demand. Strong presence of the key manufacturers in this region will propel the industry growth. Changing lifestyle along with increasing awareness regarding worker safety has encouraged the product penetration.Industrial Eye Protection Market, By Materialo Polycarbonateo CR-39o Trivexo GlassIndustrial Eye Protection Market, By Application Construction Oil & gas Chemicals Mining Pharmaceuticals Food Transportation FirefightingMake an inquiry for purchasing this report @Construction application was worth over USD 310 million in 2016. Increasing government spending on building tunnels, dams, roads, and bridges globally will drive the growth. China is projected to be among the major contributor. China construction spending was over USD 730 billion in 2016.CR-39 lenses will witness gains at 3% up to 2024. High optical quality compared to glass along with comparatively less manufacturing cost has driven industry growth in this segment. Entrance of trivex as an ultra-light, thin and high impact resistant lenses will open new avenues in the industry.Safety goggles will generate revenue over USD 970 million by 2024. Rising product penetration in pharmaceutical laboratories and research centers will create new opportunities for the business growth.Browse Complete Report Summary @Face shields will witness growth over 4% up to 2024. Manufacturing and construction industry expansion in developing countries will support the industry demand. Superior protection against chemical splash and blood borne pathogens has enhanced the product demand.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Contact Person: Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Spray Polyurea Elastomers Market: Future Forecast Indicates Impressive Growth Rate by 2026 | Key Players - SIKA AG, AXALTA Coating Systems, Huntsman Corporation, etc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=717 https://www.factmr.com/report/717/spray-polyurea-elastomers-market https://www.factmr.com/checkout/717/S https://www.factmr.com/ https://factmrblog.com/ FactMR has published a new research report titled Spray Polyurea Elastomers Market: Future Forecast Indicates Impressive Growth Rate by 2026 to its online database that tries to unveil the various scenarios prevailing in the spray polyurea elastomers market. This assessment delivers a smart compilation of primary and secondary data which provides a clear insight about the future plans expected to impact the Spray Polyurea Elastomers Market. This study comprises of prominent data which makes it a beneficial source for investors, analysts and industry experts to acquire necessary knowledge associated to the fundamental market trends, opportunities and growth drivers during the stated forecast period (2017-2026).Request 100 Page Sample Report from Here -Spray Polyurea Elastomers Market: Notable Developments by Key StakeholdersSpecialty Products Inc., which has perceived continued success in the market, has recently launched an innovative one-step waterproofing and concrete resurfacing solution, called Aquaseal Hi-Rise X3. This elastomeric bridging polyurea forms a monolithic surface on concrete walls or slabs, which reduces the material cost and project labor by eliminating the time- & cost-intensive application process of concrete primer, dry sacking, or mortar filling.Vector Construction Inc.s recent product VersaFlex VF 380 is 100% solids spray polyurea elastomer developed for sturdy applications. VF 380 is an odorless, volatile-free system, which delivers reduced shrinkage with improved elongation attributes. VF 380 is an excellent polyurea elastomer for applications where resilience and durability are of prime importance such as in geotextile coatings, and liners.Dow Thailand Group partnered with Thanavut Composite Company Limited in 2017, and introduced a new series of spray polyurea elastomers, coating solutions developed for protecting and extending the life of substrates. The high-performance polyurea elastomer innovation by this business partnership ensures fast cure, superior bond strength and excellent flexibility for industrial applications.Arma Coatings, a leading producer of specialty coatings, has unveiled its Arma 901 series, a two-component spray polyurea elastomer system, which can be used in applications surrounded by harsh environmental conditions. Arma 901 series comprises non-hydrophobic products that impart excellent abrasion resistance and chemical resistance, which in turn offer excellent elongation.Request Global Market Report with TOC Here -Corrosion protection and abrasion resistance attributes of spray polyurea elastomers have been driving their demand in mining-related equipment and facilities. Erosion protection, waterproofing, and concrete surface protection are other key characteristics of polyurea that have fuelled their adoption in the construction sector. With robust balance sheets across the mining sector, miners in North America are adhering to an investment-led approach, which in turn has given birth to a renewed focus on constructing portfolios that lead to sustainable shareholder returns. President Trumps recent orders for reducing the dependency on imported imperative minerals is highly likely to spark activity by the U.S. miners for considering exploration assets both inside and outside of the region, along with upstream & downstream collaborative ventures.Future seems promising for construction firms in the U.S., driven primarily by trends such as building information modelling (BIM), internet of things (IoT), and proliferation of ecommerce with regard to construction & building materials. The Canadian economy witnessed significant deceleration on the coattails of decreased commodities and oil prices. Despite external challenges, the government in Canada made infrastructure spending of nearly US$ 11.9 Bn for social infrastructure, public transit infrastructure, and housing, and these projects are expected to witness completion by 2019-end.Such robust investments in the mining and construction sector in North America point at the regions dominance with regard to adoption of spray polyurea elastomers in the upcoming years. According to a new FactMR research study, the global spray polyurea elastomers market is set to record a splendid 10.2% value CAGR between the period of forecast 2017 and 2026. Over 291,000 tons of spray polyurea elastomers are expected to be sold worldwide by 2026-end.To buy this Report, Click here -About FactMrFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400, Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@factmr.comWeb:Blog: Active Optical Cable Market Depth Analysis By Top Key Players - TE Connectivity Ltd., Avago Technologies Ltd., FCI Electronics, Molex Incorporated, 3M Company, Emcore Corporation, Shenzhen Gigalight Technology Co., Ltd. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=5679&utm_source=op&utm_medium=Ranu https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=5679&utm_source=op&utm_medium=Ranu https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/global-active-optical-cable-market-size-and-forecast-to-2025/?utm_source=op&utm_medium=Ranu Global Active Optical Cable Market AnalysisAccording to Verified Market Intelligence, The Global Active Optical Cable Market was valued at USD 0.67 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 4.91 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 26.42% from 2018 to 2025.What is an Active Optical Cable?An Active Optical Cable is a cabling technology that is used as it accepts the same electrical inputs as a traditional copper cable, but uses optical fiber. Active Optical Cables can be said to be invented in order to be able to replace copper technology in data centers and high performance computing (HPC) applications. These cables are better than copper cables as they are less heavy and bulky and they therefore have better performance and reliability.PDF Sample For Latest Advancement:Global Active Optical Cable Market OutlookIn the report, the market outlook section mainly encompasses fundamental dynamics of the market which include drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges faced by the industry. Drivers and Restraints are intrinsic factors whereas opportunities and challenges are extrinsic factors of the market.There are factors that are driving the active optical cable market such as the increased data center deployments as well as the increasing demand for bandwidth and reliability. Factors such as its high initial cost of implementation as well as the susceptibility of active optical cables to physical damage are restraining the overall Active Optical Cable market growth.Verified Market Intelligence narrows down the available data using primary sources to validate the data and use it in compiling a full-fledged market research study. The report contains a quantitative and qualitative estimation of market elements which interests the client. The Global Active Optical Cable Market is mainly bifurcated into sub-segments which can provide a classified data regarding latest trends in the market.Global Active Optical Cable Market Competitive LandscapeThe Global Active Optical Cable Market study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on global market including some of the major players such as TE Connectivity Ltd., Avago Technologies Ltd., FCI Electronics, Molex Incorporated, 3M Company, Emcore Corporation, Shenzhen Gigalight Technology Co., Ltd., The Siemon Company and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated for such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight to the financial statements of all the major players, along with its product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share and market ranking analysis of the above mentioned players globally.Global Active Optical Cable Market, By Protocol Displayport PCI Express (PCIE) HDMI Infiniband Thunderbolt Ethernet Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) USB OthersGlobal Active Optical Cable Market, By Form Factor Cx4 CFP QSFP SFP CXP CDFP OthersAsk For Discount :Global Active Optical Cable Market, By End-User Application Data Center Consumer Electronics (CE) Telecommunication High-Performance Computing (HPC) Personal Computing (PC) OthersGlobal Active Optical Cable Market Geographic Scope North Americao U.S.o Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo UKo Franceo Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Chinao Japano Indiao Rest of Asia Pacific Latin Americao Brazil Rest of the WorldReasons to Purchase this Report Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market based on segmentation involving both economic as well as non-economic factors Provision of market value (USD Billion) data for each segment and sub-segment Indicates the region and segment that is expected to witness the fastest growth as well as to dominate the market Analysis by geography highlighting the consumption of the product/service in the region as well as indicating the factors that are affecting the market within each region Competitive landscape which incorporates the market ranking of the major players, along with new service/product launches, partnerships, business expansions and acquisitions in the past five years of companies profiled Extensive company profiles comprising of company overview, company insights, product benchmarking and SWOT analysis for the major market players The current as well as future market outlook of the industry with respect to recent developments (which involve growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and restraints of both emerging as well as developed regions Includes an in-depth analysis of the market of various perspectives through Porters five forces analysis Provides insight into the market through Value Chain Market dynamics scenario, along with growth opportunities of the market in the years to come 6-month post sales analyst supportReport Details :About us-Verified Market Research has been providing Research Reports, with up to date information, and in-depth analysis, for several years now, to individuals and companies alike that are looking for accurate Research Data. Our large database includes the latest Content from renowned authors and publications worldwide. Weve recently developed a one of its own kind smart-system, which helps us determine the authenticity and reputation of the content and its author. This smart-system ensures that we always include high quality content in our database. We also provide customized Data and Reports according to the need of our client. We strive for excellence and perfection in all our work, and our in-house team is working 24/7 so that you get the Data, Reports, and Analytics you need to help make better decisions. We believe in Customer Satisfaction, and to achieve that we aim to understand the clients need to provide tailor-made services.Our aim is to save your Time and Resources, providing you with the required Research Data, so you can only concentrate on Progress and Growth. Our Data includes research from various industries, along with all necessary statistics like Market Trends, or Forecasts from reliable sources.Contact us -New Jersey ( USA )218 Washington Street,Boonton 07005Tel:+1 (800) 782 1768sales@verifiedmarketresearch.com Global Neonatal Monitoring Equipment Market Progress & Manufacturer Contribution Highlighted until 2028 | Key Players - Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Getinge AB, Koninklijke Philips N.V., etc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=746 https://www.factmr.com/report/746/neonatal-monitoring-equipment-market https://www.factmr.com/checkout/746/S https://www.factmr.com/ https://factmrblog.com/ FactMR has published a new research report titled Global Neonatal Monitoring Equipment Market Progress & Manufacturer Contribution Highlighted until 2028 to its online database that tries to unveil the various scenarios prevailing in the neonatal monitoring equipment market. This assessment delivers a smart compilation of primary and secondary data which provides a clear insight about the future plans expected to impact the neonatal monitoring equipment market. This study comprises of prominent data which makes it a beneficial source for investors, analysts and industry experts to acquire necessary knowledge associated to the fundamental market trends, opportunities and growth drivers during the stated forecast period (2018-2028).Get Sample PDF Illustration Here -Neonatal monitoring has transformed into a multidisciplinary field that involves unique integration of intelligence from technology, design, medical science & social study. Mounting pressures for leveraging new technologies in order to offer cost-effective, more efficient, and safer neonatal care have made the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) smarter. Advancements in monitoring technologies and their growing deployments in NICUs is a key factor enabling faster & easier measurement of myriad physiological parameters in neonates. Current neonatal monitors incorporate several features including ECG recordings, oxygen saturation over time, respiratory rate & air flow, and invasive arterial blood pressure.Value-based healthcare models have led the development of NICU centers that are well equipped with monitoring & diagnostic devices, coupled with rising number of FDA approvals for these devices. Additionally, gradually increasing awareness on excessive sensory stimuli, discomfort, and procedural pain has been driving the demand for non-obtrusive neonatal monitoring technologies. Demand for neonatal brain monitoring equipment featuring video recording devices will also gain high traction in the near future.Premature birth has prevailed as the major cause of infants mortality, which in turn has urged the World Health Organization in devising and implementing a plan of action regarding determination of its adverse health effects on newborn babies. According to WHO, nearly 3.1% of the global disease burden is accounted by premature birth, and this has resulted into approximately 1.3 million newborn mortality cases worldwide. Rate of preterm delivery varies considerably in different countries across the globe, and the WHO relates its prevalence based on high-income nations (9.3%), middle-income nations (11.3%), and low-income nations (11.8%).Browse Market Report with TOC Here -Premature neonates suffer from complications prior to their complete development in the womb. Therefore, monitoring medical problems in cases of premature birth is highly essential to eliminate the possibility of various disabilities such as hearing impairment, visual challenges, and dyslexia. With growing instances of premature births, demand for neonatal monitoring equipment will increase in the upcoming years. Several parameters and data points are gathered and centrally managed during NICU admissions, which comprise physiological parameters, sensor readings, device data, and interventions and observations of caregivers. High data volume generated in NICUs are leveraged for predictive monitoring that involves physiological data analysis for identifying infants at high risk, thereby enabling early detection of ailments.Researchers have developed an ECG for continuous analysis of transient decelerations and low heart rate variability for computing heart rate characteristics index (HeRO). This developments aids in early detection of sepsis in newborn babies. Attempts have also been made for using parameters in the detecting apneas of premature infants. Although challenges persist in predictive monitoring and proper training is required for relevant caregivers, this approach has potential for treating life-threatening ailments earlier, thereby improving outcomes in neonatal care.Pulse oximetry, a prominent patient monitoring technology, is providing safety for infants and newborns in NICUs, while new advancements in home monitoring enable data transmission of neonates vital data to smartphones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has slated screening newborns by using pulse oximeters to be beneficial & effective in identifying numerous life-threating conditions. In current-world healthcare facilities, effective patient monitoring technology is highly bound to effective respiratory care.Buy Hassle Free Global Market Research Report Here -About FactMrFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400, Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@factmr.comWeb:Blog: Huntingtons Disease Therapeutics Market is Expected To Boom Due To The Number Of Research Undertaking https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3730 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3730 Huntington's disease is an inherited disease that causes degeneration of nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS). The disease has a broad impact on functional abilities of the human and usually results in movement and thinking disabilities. Most people with Huntington's disease develop signs and symptoms in their age of 30 to 40. When disease begins before age 20, the condition is known as juvenile Huntington's disease.Huntington's disease usually causes psychiatric, cognitive and movement disorders with a variety of signs and symptoms. Cognitive disorders associated with Huntingtons disease include lack of flexibility, difficulties in learning and lack of impulse control that can result in sexual promiscuity. Movement disorders associated with Huntington's disease includes muscle problems, abnormal eye movements and difficulties with the physical production of speech and swallowing. The most common psychiatric disorder associated with Huntington's disease is depression. Depression appears due to the injury of the brain and subsequent changes in brain function.Request to Sample Report @To overcome this problem, medications are available to manage the symptoms of Huntington's disease; however treatments can't prevent the mental, physical and behavioral disabilities associated with the condition.In terms of geographic, North America dominates the global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. This is due to increased awareness about this disease in the region. The U.S. represents the largest market for Huntingtons disease therapeutics followed by Canada in North America. In Europe, Germany, France and the U.K. holds major share of Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. However, Asia is expected to show high growth rates in the next five years in global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. This is due to many companies constructing their manufacturing facilities in the region. In addition, increasing awareness about Huntingtons disease is also supporting in the growth of the market in the region. Japan, China and India are expected to be the fastest growing Huntingtons disease therapeutics markets in Asia.In recent time, unmet medical need is key driver of the global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. Increased pharmaceutical R&D investment and introduction of innovative drugs have also fueled the growth of global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. This is due to less number of curative drugs has led manufacturers to increase investment in R&D for development of innovative solutions to treat Huntingtons disease. Extensive pipeline drugs with properties, such as high patient compliance and improved safety, is also supporting in the growth of global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. Alternative therapies, such as psychotherapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy hold immense potential to the growth of global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market.Request Report TOC @However, stringent regulations hamper the growth of global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. Moreover, less number of approved drugs for the treatment of Huntingtons disease also obstructs the growth of the market. Increasing mergers and acquisitions between drug manufacturing companies is key trend of global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market.Some of the major companies operating in the global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market are Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., AmpliPhi Biosciences Corp, Ceregene Inc., Lundbeck, Prana Biotechnology Limited, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Cortex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Auspex Pharmaceuticals, SOM Biotech, GlaxoSmithKline, Siena Biotech, Raptor Pharmaceutical, Pfizer, Palobiofarma, Omeros and Ipsen.ABOUT US:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesT: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353 Global Ginger Extract Market Report 2019 | Industry Share, Trend, Size, Value & Top Key Players Pioneer herb, Greenutra, Xian Sihuan, Kangcare, Honsea and Forecast to 2023 Ginger Extract , Ginger Extract Market, Ginger Extract Market Trends, Ginger Extract Manufacturing https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2809603-global-ginger-extract-industry-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2809603-global-ginger-extract-industry-market-research-report Global Ginger Extract Market Research Report 2019Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Ginger Extract - Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers and Analysis of Top Key Players to 2023 To Its Research DatabaseGinger Extract Market 2023Based on the Ginger Extract industrial chain, this report mainly elaborate the definition, types, applications and major players of Ginger Extract market in details. Deep analysis about market status (2012-2017), enterprise competition pattern, advantages and disadvantages of enterprise Products, industry development trends (2017-2022), regional industrial layout characteristics and macroeconomic policies, industrial policy has also be included. From raw materials to downstream buyers of this industry will be analyzed scientifically, the feature of product circulation and sales channel will be presented as well. In a word, this report will help you to establish a panorama of industrial development and characteristics of the Ginger Extract market.The Ginger Extract market can be split based on product types, major applications, and important regions.Major Players in Ginger Extract market are:XuhuangKangdaoEngreenHonseaLyleLvliFangrunGreenutraXian EastPioneer herbXian OrientSanherbTianyangYongyuanTopnutraChukangCNKPure SourceInner naturalXian SihuanKangcareIndenaYuanhangLaynShenzhen FangrunWorld wayRefineXian RongshengNatural exLincaoGet Sample Report of Ginger Extract MarketMajor Regions play vital role in Ginger Extract market are:North AmericaEuropeChinaJapanMiddle East & AfricaIndiaSouth AmericaOthersMost important types of Ginger Extract products covered in this report are:GingerolCurcuminOtherMost widely used downstream fields of Ginger Extract market covered in this report are:Medical useFood additivesOtherComplete report with Comprehensive table of contents@Major Key Points in Table of ContentGlobal Ginger Extract Industry Market Research Report1 Ginger Extract Introduction and Market Overview1.1 Objectives of the Study1.2 Definition of Ginger Extract1.3 Ginger Extract Market Scope and Market Size Estimation1.3.1 Market Concentration Ratio and Market Maturity Analysis1.3.2 Global Ginger Extract Value ($) and Growth Rate from 2012-20221.4 Market Segmentation1.4.1 Types of Ginger Extract1.4.2 Applications of Ginger Extract1.4.3 Research Regions1.4.3.1 North America Ginger Extract Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.2 Europe Ginger Extract Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.3 China Ginger Extract Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.4 Japan Ginger Extract Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.5 Middle East & Africa Ginger Extract Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.6 India Ginger Extract Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.4.3.7 South America Ginger Extract Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Drivers1.5.1.1 Emerging Countries of Ginger Extract1.5.1.2 Growing Market of Ginger Extract1.5.2 Limitations1.5.3 Opportunities1.6 Industry News and Policies by Regions1.6.1 Industry News1.6.2 Industry Policies5 Global Ginger Extract Production, Value ($) by Region (2012-2017)5.1 Global Ginger Extract Value ($) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)5.2 Global Ginger Extract Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)5.3 Global Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5.4 North America Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5.5 Europe Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5.6 China Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5.7 Japan Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5.8 Middle East & Africa Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5.9 India Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5.10 South America Ginger Extract Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9 Global Ginger Extract Market Analysis and Forecast by Type and Application9.1 Global Ginger Extract Market Value ($) & Volume Forecast, by Type (2017-2022)9.1.1 Gingerol Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2017-2022)9.1.2 Curcumin Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2017-2022)9.1.3 Other Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2017-2022)9.2 Global Ginger Extract Market Value ($) & Volume Forecast, by Application (2017-2022)9.2.1 Medical use Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2017-2022)9.2.2 Food additives Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2017-2022)9.2.3 Other Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2017-2022)10 Ginger Extract Market Analysis and Forecast by Region10.1 North America Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2017-2022)10.2 Europe Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2017-2022)10.3 China Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2017-2022)10.4 Japan Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2017-2022)10.5 Middle East & Africa Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2017-2022)10.6 India Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2017-2022)10.7 South America Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2017-2022)ContinuedContact US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd: Pune 411028: Maharashtra,: Ph: +91 841 198 5042 SCADA Market Overview On Upcoming Need 2025 | Siemens AG, Schneider Electric SE, ABB Ltd., https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2396 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2396 https://www.tmrresearch.com/scada-market Global SCADA Market: OverviewSCADA stands for supervisory control and data acquisition, an independent control system in other words, which is essential for proper functioning of numerous industries including energy, oil and gas, water, manufacturing, power, transportation, and recycling. SCADA helps these large-scale organizations and companies to maintain and enhance their efficiency via better communication and swift distribution of data between different departments.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Some of the common examples of SCADA in real-life World can be refrigeration system in a hypermarket or supermarket, production and safety controls at a refinery or waste water treatment plant, and even energy controls at a home. Via SCADA systems, significant amount of time and money can be saved, and these glaring benefits are gaining popularity among the consumers. Consequently, the demand in the global SCADA market is projected for a robust growth rate during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Global SCADA Market: Key TrendsSCADA collects analytical data that can be used to generate decisive reports and in turn supervise the future actions. Growing demand for safety assurance at organizations is one of the primary driver in the global SCADA market, while the need to minimize transmission and distribution loss and the integration of cloud computing in corporate IT are some of the other important factors augmenting the demand for SCADA.In the oil and gas industry, wherein exploration and production activities are in full swing, SCADA helps in maintenance of safety protocols, preserves the environment, and reduces operational costs by enhancing the quality of drilling outcomes. On the other hand, cyber-attacks and lack of awareness pertaining to IT trends are two important factors hindering the SCADA market from achieving its full potential. Management issues as a result of the data generated are also expected to challenge the global market for SCADA during the forecast period.Request TOC of the Report @Based on component, the SCADA market can be segmented into human machine interface (HMI), remote terminal unit (RTU), programmable logic unit (PLC), and communication. Application-wise, the market can be categorized into manufacturing, telecommunication, electrical power, oil and gas, water and waste-water, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages. On the basis of architecture, the market can be bifurcated into software, hardware, and services.Global SCADA Market: Market PotentialIn the recent past, the advancements in the SCADA owing to continuous efforts from the players in order to gain ground over their competitors in the SCADA market has significantly increased the efficiency of the system. Going forward, further improvements to SCADA system are expected, which will in turn opening new opportunities for the stakeholders.Evolving field of the Internet of Things and ubiquity of smartphones, to which SCADA systems can be easily embedded in order to access work progress of employees, is another futuristic favorable factor for the global SCADA market.Global SCADA Market: Regional OutlookNorth America currently is the most lucrative region for the vendors operating in the global SCADA market, which is a reflection of growing demand for process automation systems in several end-use industries including electrical power generation and the oil and gas sector.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @Increase investments in technology for the development of reliable power management in countries such as the U.S. and Canada is expected to maintain North America as most profitable region in SCADA market throughout the forecast period. Germany accounts for the maximum demand for SCADA systems from Europe, which is attributed to rising concern over the purification of shale gas and escalating demand for advanced power in the country.Global SCADA Market: Competitive LandscapeSiemens AG, Schneider Electric SE, ABB Ltd., Honey well International Inc., Emerson Electric Co., and Rockwell Automation Inc. are six leading companies in fairly consolidated and highly competitive global SCADA market. In the near future, mergers and acquisition of smaller players is expected to help these market leaders to gain ground over their competitors.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 POZNAA, Poland, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --A SMSEagle, a leading provider of hardware SMS gateways, today announced a new suite of hardware, the NXS-9700-4G and the NXS 9750-4G which provide compatibility with almost any 4G/3G network in the world. The new 4G series of SMSEagle NXS-97xx devices meets the requirements of a transition from 3G to 4G that happens in advanced telecom markets. It answers upcoming 3G network shutdowns in Australia and the U.S. in the following years, and what is more, can also provide access to LTE-only operators like Verizon and Sprint in the U.S. NXS-97xx-4G is EU-originated product, for automatic sending & receiving of SMS messages. SMS messages are sent directly to the 4G network. This shortens the critical path in comparison to online SMS services, allows connectivity even during an Internet failure and provides confidentiality and privacy of information. Depending on the version, it can be equipped with one or two internal 4G modems with 3G-fallback. NXS-97xx-4G comes standard with several features that support a flexible, reliableA environment for IT professionals: intuitive GUI for easy configuration over 30 plugins for Network Monitoring Systems (it is a must-have tool for any datacenter administrator) API allows software developers to seamlessly integrate SMS capability into their external systems unique Email To SMS feature, allowing to convert email messages into SMS texts advanced self-monitoring mechanisms that control work of internal 4G modems and many other functions making it one of the most advanced hardware SMS gateway product "Our new products are equipped with all the strength and performance efficiency to support everyday operations," SMSEagle Product Manager RadosAaw Janowski said. "Their extensive network compatibility and modem flexibility establishes the NXS-9700/NXS-9750 as the go-to hardware SMS gateway solution for IT professionals, worldwide." About SMSEagle SMSEagle is a leading brand of SMS gateway hardware worldwide. The product allows you to send SMS alerts coming from network monitoring systems, SMS tokens from authentication systems, convert email to SMS messages, send and receive SMS texts using API. The gateway is designed for professionals who rely on reliability and easy integration with existing IT systems. For more information, visit https://www.smseagle.eu/ A Educational Software Market Growing Vigorously Worldwide through Key Players like Google, Apple, and Microsoft are Leading Worldwide Due to Increase Adoption of E-Learning https://www.reportconsultant.com/request_sample.php?id=1838 https://www.reportconsultant.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=1838 https://www.reportconsultant.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=1838 www.reportconsultant.com The comprehensive overview on the global Educational Software Market has recently published by Report Consultant to its extensive database. It compiles exhaustive information which has been sourced by using data exploratory techniques such as primary and secondary research. Due to the usage of scientific investigation methods, it offers an accurate analysis of business perspectives. The rising needs of the online learning are opening up new opportunities for the global market.Leading Players of Global Educational Software Market: Google Apple Microsoft Amazon Neusoft Hongen Guangdong Dongtian digital technology Wisedu Jucheng Kingsun Zhengfang Software Kingosoft Beijing China Star Technolog Education IntelHouse TechnologyRequest for sample report: @Business profiles of top manufacturers or service providers have been elaborated in the research report. It includes informative data such as company overview, contact details, specifications, and profit margin. In addition to this, it offers case studies from various c level peoples.Educational Software Market is expected to grow at a high CAGR of +10% during forecast period.The increasing adoption of E-Learning revenues is one of the main factors to drive the growth of the global Educational Software Market and creates new opportunities for newcomers. The main proposal of this software is for teaching and learning. With the intensive use of computers, laptops, mobile phones, the internet are the main factors for growth.The Educational Software Market is segmented by means of regions, deployment and applications.Regions: United States, EU, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia.Type: Educational software K-12, Education software for older adults, University education software, Adult education softwareApplication: Educational software oriented to exams, Educational software oriented to qualityAsk for Discount on Purchasing of This Report: @Finally, it offers a comparative study of Educational Software Market which helps to understand the global competition at different platforms.Table of Contents:Chapter 1: Educational Software Market OverviewChapter 2: Competition Analysis by PlayersChapter 3: Company (Top Players) ProfilesChapter 4: Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2018)Chapter 5: United States Educational Software Market Development Status and OutlookChapter 6: EU Market Development Status and OutlookChapter 7: Japan Market Development Status and OutlookChapter 8: China Market Development Status and OutlookChapter 9: India Market Development Status and OutlookChapter 10: Southeast Asia Educational Software Market OutlookChapter 11: Market Forecast by Region, Type and Application (2019-2025)Chapter 12: Market DynamicsChapter 13: Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 14: Research Findings and ConclusionChapter 15: AppendixEnquiry before Buying: @If you need more than these, let us know and we will prepare the report according to your requirements.About the company:Report consultant, the global ruler in analysis, research and advice, which will encourage you to renew your business and reformulate your approach. With us you can make brave decisions for your business. Using a variety of experienced methods and skills, we provide you with the appropriate analysis figures.You will have a great experience of innovative solutions and results with our reports. Our business is spreading all over the world with our market research reports and digital transformation skills. Therefore, we offer greater value to clients by presenting advanced opportunities in the global market.Contact Us:Rebecca Parker(Consultant Report)Akasaka business tower,5-3-1 akasaka Minato-ku,Tokyo JapanContact No- + 81-368444299sales@reportconsultant.com Portable Medical Electronic Devices market 2019| Abbott Laboratories, CareFusion Corporation, Covidien ,GE Healthcare ,Medtronic Inc., Panasonic Corp., Philips Healthcare, Roche Diagnostics ,Siemens Healthcare https://www.reportconsultant.com/request_sample.php?id=5771 https://www.reportconsultant.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=5771 https://www.reportconsultant.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=5771 www.reportconsultant.com In this Portable Medical Electronic Devices Market research report, the major factors driving the growth of this market were documented and the business partners & end operators were long-winded. This Market research report highlights on the key players in this market all over the world. This sector of the report consists the company outlines, prerequisite, and product illustrations, manufacture, expertise, contact information, price, and revenue. Similarly, program assembly, upstream raw materials, and downstream demand research are equally managed.Wireless portable medical devices exhibit a huge potential in terms of applications such as monitoring, medical therapeutics, diagnosis, and fitness and wellness. A continuous development of innovative electronic devices, low cost medical facilities, and continuous support by various governments is leading towards heavy investment in research and development in healthcare and the portable medical devices market.Get Sample Copy Of Report:This report focuses on the global top players, covered Abbott Laboratories ,CareFusion Corporation, Covidien ,GE Healthcare ,Medtronic Inc.,,Panasonic Corp.,,Philips Healthcare,,Roche Diagnostics,,Siemens Healthcare,,Sonova Holding AG,,B. Braun Melsungen,,Bayer Healthcare,,Contec Medical,,GN Resound,,Mindray,,Nipro Diagnostics,,ArjoHuntleigh,,Invacare Corporation,,Sunrise Medical,,Stryker Corporation,,Hill Rom Inc. Drive Medical,,Carex Health Brands,,GF Health Products Inc,,Dickinson and Company,,Smith & Nephew plc.Geographically the Portable Medical Electronic Devices Market market is divided into the regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Latin America (MEA). The Asia Pacific has been playing a significant role in expanding the accessibility of the product in developing countries like India and China. Lack of complete resource availability that is required for undertaking intensive research is considered outlining the most common boundaries of needful parts.Ask For Discount:The research report tries to understand the innovative approaches taken by vendors in the global market to offer product differentiation through Porters five forces analysis. It also points out the ways in which these companies can strengthen their stand in the market and increase their revenues in the coming years. Ongoing technological advancements and the unstoppable penetration of Internet in the remote corners of the world are also responsible for the remarkable growth of the Global Portable Medical Electronic Devices Market .Portable Medical Electronic Devices Market Segment by Type covers:Respiratory productPulse oximeterHeart monitorsMedical imagingBlood pressure monitorsOthersPortable Medical Electronic Devices Market Segment by Applications:HospitalsNursing HomeHomecare PatientPhysicians OfficesOthersFor more Information:What our report offers:- Portable Medical Electronic Devices Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Portable Medical Electronic Devices Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the Portable Medical Electronic Devices 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 advancementsAbout Us:Report Consultant - A global leader in analytics, research and advisory that can assist you to renovate your business and modify your approach. With us, you will learn to take decisions intrepidly. We make sense of drawbacks, opportunities, circumstances, estimations and information using our experienced skills and verified methodologies.Our research reports will give you an exceptional experience of innovative solutions and outcomes. We have effectively steered businesses all over the world with our market research reports and are outstandingly positioned to lead digital transformations. Thus, we craft greater value for clients by presenting advanced opportunities in the global market.Contact us:Rebecca Parker(Report Consultant)Akasaka biz tower,5-3-1 akasaka minato-ku,Tokyo, JapanContact No: +81-368444299sales@reportconsultant.com Digital Water Curtain Market 2019: Top Key Players are Aquatic Show Intenational, Aqua Reign, Safe-Rain, Astralpool, Makers Associate, Pixelonce, Gzfenlin, Suzhou Gold Ocean, T.Y. Fountain, RedStar Fountain, HWS Fountain etc. Digital Water Curtain Market https://www.researchreportsworld.com/enquiry/request-sample/13709512 https://www.researchreportsworld.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/13709512 https://www.researchreportsworld.com/purchase/13709512 Digital Water Curtain Market 2019 Report analyses the industry status, size, share, trends, growth opportunity, competition landscape and forecast to 2025. This report also provides data on patterns, improvements, target business sectors, limits and advancements. Furthermore, this research report categorizes the market by companies, region, type and end-use industry.Get Sample Copy of this Report@Global Digital Water Curtain market 2019 research provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Global Digital Water Curtain market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status. Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.Digital Water Curtain Market research report spread across 90 pages with top key manufacturers and list of tables and figures.Inquire more or share questions if any before the purchase on this report @Global Digital Water Curtain market competition by TOP MANUFACTURERS, with production, price, revenue (value) and each manufacturer including Aquatic Show Intenational Aqua Reign Lumiartecnia Internacional Safe-Rain Astralpool Makers Associate Pixelonce Gzfenlin Suzhou Gold Ocean Yixing Sea Fountain Equipment This report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, covering North America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaGlobal Digital Water Curtain Market providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out. The Global Digital Water Curtain market development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With tables and figures helping analyze worldwide Global Digital Water Curtain market, this research provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Order a copy of Global Digital Water Curtain Market Report 2019 @Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Outdoor IndoorMarket segment by Application, split into Municipal Commercial ResidentialThe study objectives of this report are: To analyze global Digital Water Curtain status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. To present the Digital Water Curtain 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.There are 14 Chapters to deeply display the global Digital Water Curtain marketChapter 1: To describe Digital Water Curtain Market Overview, Introduction, product scope, market opportunities, Application.Chapter 2: To analyze the Top Manufacturers of Digital Water Curtain, with sales, capacity, production, revenue, and price of Digital Water Curtain, in 2014 and 2019.Chapter 3: Digital Water Curtain, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers with capacity, production, share by region, sales, revenue, gross margine and market share in 2016 and 2017.Chapter 4: To show the global market by regions, supply, consumption, with sales, export-import, revenue and market share of Digital Water Curtain, for each region, from 2014 Digital Water Curtain to 2019.Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 To analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, analysis by application, 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, strategy analysis and factor analysis from 2014 Digital Water Curtain to 2019.Chapter 12 Digital Water Curtain market forecast, by regions, type, with sales and revenue, growth rate, price Forecast from 2019 to 2025 Digital Water Curtain.Chapter 13: Connected Digital Water Curtain.Chapter 14: To describe Digital Water Curtain sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.About Us:Research Reports World is the credible source for gaining the market reports that will provide you with the lead your business needs. At Research Reports World, our objective is providing a platform for many top-notch market research firms worldwide to publish their research reports, as well as helping the decision makers in finding most suitable market research solutions under one roof. Our aim is to provide the best solution that matches the exact customer requirements. This drives us to provide you with custom or syndicated research reports.Contact Us:Name: Mr. Ajay MoreEmail: sales@researchreportsworld.comOrganization: Research Reports WorldPhone: +1 408 520 9750/+44 203 239 8187 GCC Countries Megestrol Global Industry Report - History, Present and Future 2025 GCC Countries Megestrol 2025 https://www.research2reports.com/report-pharmaceuticals/gcc-countries-megestrol-market/71931 https://www.research2reports.com/sample-report-pharmaceuticals/gcc-countries-megestrol-market/71931 https://www.research2reports.com/enquiry-before-buy-pharmaceuticals/gcc-countries-megestrol-market/71931 The global market size of GCC Countries Megestrol is $XX million in 2017 with XX CAGR from 2013 to 2017, and it is expected to reach $XX million by the end of 2023 with a CAGR of XX% from 2018 to 2023.There are 3 key segments covered in this report: geography segment, end use/application segment and competitor segment.For geography segment, regional supply, application-wise and type-wise demand, major players, price is presented from 2013 to 2023. This report coverss following regions:*North America*South America*Asia & Pacific*Europe*MEA (Middle East and Africa)Access more details about this report at:The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as United States, China, Japan, India, Korea, ASEAN, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, CIS, and Brazil etc.For end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users also can be listed.For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of GCC Countries Megestrol as well as some small players. The compnaies include:Pfizer, Sandoz, GSK, Mayne Pharma Inc, Novartis, Mylan, Bristol Myers Squibb, Abnova, Abbott, Takeda, Guccess et al.Purchase a copy of this premium research report at:The information for each competitor includes:*Company Profile*Main Business Information*SWOT Analysis*Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin*Market ShareWe also can offer customized report to fulfill special requirements of our clients.. CONTINUEDInquire further details about this report at:About Research 2 Reports:Research2Reports Market Research Company offers custom syndicated market research reports with market analysis, consulting services Market research reports by Research2Reports depends on survey analysis covers a magnitude of factors, industry research, market size, forecasts, financial growth, pricing trends, competitive insights of market segmentsContact Us:Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune 411001Phone Number: 020 - 2612 6969Email: info@research2reports.comResearch 2 Reports offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune 411001 Heart Pump Devices Market Outlook 2019 Share Dominated by Top Player Medtronic, Abbott, Abiomed, Getinge, Syncardia Systems, Teleflex, Reliantheart Etc. Heart Pump Devices Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6034 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/heart-pump-devices-market-6034 Heart Pump Devices are mechanical pumps that are used to support the function of the heart and blood flow in individuals with unhealthy hearts. Heart pump devices receive blood from the lower chamber of the heart and pump it to the body and vital organs. The Heart Pump Devices Market was valued at USD 1,000 million in 2017 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period, 20182023.The Global Heart Pump Devices Market is majorly driven by the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, growing more elderly population leading to rising patient population affected with heart disorders, and growing penetration by market players.Heart Pump Devices Market - Key PlayersSome of the key players in the Heart Pump Devices Market areMedtronicAbbottAbiomedGetingeSyncardia SystemsTeleflexReliantheartTerumoBerlin HeartCardiacassistThoratec CorporationGet Sample Report @Heart Pump Devices Market - SegmentationThe Global Heart Pump Devices Market is segmented by type, product, therapy, and end-user.Considering type, the market is segmented into implantable heart pump devices and extracorporeal heart pump devices.By product, the market is segmented into intra-aortic balloon pumps, ventricular assist devices, and total artificial heart. Based on ventricular assist devices, the market is again segmented into right ventricular assist devices, left ventricular assist devices, bi-ventricular assist devices, percutaneous ventricular assist devices, and transcutaneous ventricular assist devices.With reference to therapy, the market is segmented into bridge-to-candidacy, bridge-to-transplant, destination therapy, and others.On account of end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, research institutes, and ambulatory surgical centers.Heart Pump Devices Market - Regional AnalysisThe Americas dominates the Global Heart Pump Devices Market owing to the increasing aging population, which eventually leads to the increasing patient population. Additionally, the increasing cardiovascular disorder rate along with rising government initiatives for the research and development of innovative and advanced products are likely to enhance the growth of heart pump devices in the North American region. The American Heart Association estimated that 31% of the deaths in the U.S. were due to cardiovascular disorders in 2015. Similarly, the American Heart Association, funded over USD 163 million during 2015 to 2016 for the research and development of 980 research projects related to cardiovascular disorders. Additionally, the firm stated that cardiovascular disorders claim more deaths than cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases. These factors are likely to drive the growth of the American heart pump devices market.Europe accounts for the second largest market due to the increasing rates of cardiovascular disorders and obesity. Additionally, the increasing government support and increasing healthcare infrastructure along with the increasing demand for minimally invasive treatments are driving the growth of the heart pump devices market in Europe. For instance, Eurostat estimated that over 19.2% of the population in Europe was aged 65 and above. This increasing older population is likely to lead to the rising patient population. These factors are likely to drive the growth of the heart pump devices market.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market for heart pump devices whose growth is attributed to the rising population and improved standard of living. Additionally, the increasing healthcare spending and demand for new and innovative treatment options are likely to drive the growth of the market. India and China are the major contributors to the market growth due to the rapid development of healthcare infrastructure in these regions and increasing demand for diagnostic services.Browse Complete 100 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with Tables and Figures @On the other hand, the Middle East and Africa is expected to witness slow growth due to limited access to healthcare facilities and affordability issues among the population. In the Middle East, the growth of the market is driven by the increasing availability of new and advanced diagnostic and treatment methods for various chronic diseases.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com Dental Anesthesia Market 2019 Insights by Worldwide Players as Astra Zeneca, Septodont, Dentsply, Sirona, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Gilead Sciences, etc Dental Anesthesia Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/755 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/dental-anesthesia-market-755 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/755 MRFR Offers a Thorough Analysis of "Global Dental Anesthesia Market 2019 ". The primary objective of the report is to analyze the current market landscape and its future potential. All the relevant parameters have been considered for market analysis. The report also includes a discussion on the growth opportunities, drivers and Restraints.Global Dental Anesthesia Market - OverviewGlobal Dental Anesthesia Market is expected to register a CAGR of about 8.9% over the forecast period (2017-2027). The Global Dental Anesthesia Market is growing exponentially owing to the increasing dental healthcare base, increasing trend towards dental health checkup, growing economy are the factor contributing to the growth of the market.Anesthetics are drugs that has the ability to induce reversible sensation loss. Local anesthesia (vasoconstrictors) are different from analgesic or pain killers which relives pain without loss of sensation. They are usually administered to facilitate surgery. In U.S., the two vasoconstrictors are levonordefrin and epinephrine.Epinephrine used for dental anesthetics include lidocaine, articaine, prilocaine, and bupivacaine. Dental anesthetic consists of both local anesthetic and general anesthetic. These anesthetics are used in nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) procedures.Request Sample Copy atThe dental anesthetics are injected into the gum or inner cheek before performing any dental surgery. Rising cases of cancer, periodontitis, and gingivitis are expected to increase dental procedure, thus increasing the demand for dental anesthetics, globally. Increasing use of cigarettes and tobacco and changes in eating habit is anticipated to increase dental disorders related to maxiofacial and oral.The color-coding system empowered by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs in 2003 is labelled on injectable local anesthetic that carried the ADA seal of acceptance. The system was developed as a result of the growing concern of difference in color coding from manufacturer to manufacture. The rising awareness about importance of dental health among the population and government initiatives to provide better dental facilities is expected to boost the market for dental anesthesia.Top Players:Some of the key players in this market are Astra Zeneca, Septodont, Dentsply, Sirona, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Gilead Sciences Inc., Johnson & Johnson and others.Industry Updates:Sepember, 2017 AstraZeneca entered into a collaboration agreement with Aspen Global Incorporated (AGI) to acquire the rights for anaesthetic medicine outside U.S. The anaesthetic medication portfolio include EMLA, Xyloproct /Xylocard/ Xylocaine, Diprivan, Marcaine, Naropin, Citanest and Carbocaine. The agreement will imply AstraZeneca to manufacture and supply medication to AGI over a period of 5 years.Feb, 2017 Septodont Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd. acquires DLA, a leading injectable dental anesthetics manufactures. The leading dental anesthetics includes Lidostesim (Lidocaine), Mepivalem (Mepivacaine) and Citanest (Priolocaine). This acquisition will strengthen their presence throughout the Latin American region.March, 2017 GlaxoSmithKline plc divested nearly all their anesthetics portfolio to Aspen Pharma. By this acquisition Aspen has strengthened its drug portfolio and increased its customer base. GSKs anaesthesia portfolio consists of Anectine, Ultiva, Mivacron Tracrium, and Nimbex. In addition, Aspen and GSK has entered into parallel agreements to terminate their collaboration in Africa and further exercise an option to acquire GSK's remaining thrombosis business.July, 2016 Kitron signs supply agreement with Dentsply Sirona. This agreement will add Kitron as a new supplier for Dentsply Sirona.March, 2016 Johnson & Johnson released the Sedasys anesthesia device. By this acquisition Aurora Diagnostics will strengthen consultancy in Laboratory Medicine.February, 2016 DENTSPLY International Inc. and Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. announce completion of remaining regulatory milestones for proposed merger.June, 2014 Inibsa Dental started marketing The Wand STA in June a new system for delivery of dental anaesthesia that allows for a painless process and with less collateral numbness after the intervention.Global Dental Anesthesia Market - Segmentation:The global dental anesthesia market is segmented on the basis of product type, types of anesthesia, route of administration, and end-user.On the basis of product type, the global dental anesthesia market is segmented into Lidocaine, Mepivacaine, Prilocaine, Bupivacaine 0.5% with Epinephrine 1:200,000, Articaine, and others. The Lidocaine is divided into Lidocaine 2% with Epinephrine 1:100,000, Lidocaine 2% with Epinephrine 1:50,000, and Lidocaine Plain. The mepivacaine is divided into mepivacaine 2% with levonordefrin 1:20,000 and mepivacaine 3%. The prilocaine is divided into prilocaine 4% with epinephrine 1:200,000 and prilocaine 4%. The articaine is divided into articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:100,00 and articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:200,000.On the basis of type of anesthesia, the global Dental Anesthesia market is segmented into general anesthetics, local anesthetics, and others.Browse Complete 100 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with 80+ Respective Tables and Figures atOn the basis of the mode of administration, the global dental anesthesia market is segmented into maxillary anesthesia, mandibular anesthesia, and others. The maxillary anesthesia is categorized into local infiltration, field block, asnd nerve block. The local infiltration is further classified into supraperiosteal injection, intraseptal injection, and periodontal ligament injection. The field block is further classified into periapical injection. The nerve block is further classified into posterior superior alveolar, middle superior alveolar, and anterior superior alveolar.The Mandibular anesthesia is categorized into nerve block, tissue, or skin. The nerve block is further classified into IAN, Akinosi, and Gow-Gates.On the basis of end-user, the global dental anesthesia market is segmented into specialized dental hospitals, dental clinics, pharmacies and drug stores, e-commerce, and others.Global Dental Anesthesia Market - Regional AnalysisNowadays the injectable dental local anesthetics available in North America amide based local anesthetics. North America holds the largest market share for Dental Anesthesia Market and is anticipated to dominate the market forecast period.The European healthcare industry is flourishing owing to the increasing number of medical professionals and growing awareness. The steady increase in the number of dentists in Europe specifically France, Germany, and Italy. Increased awareness about healthcare due to the high literacy rate in Europe is ultimately going to boost the growth of the dental market further boosting the dental anesthetics market.Asia Pacific is a fastest growing dental consumables market. The dental consumables market comprises of large and small entities which provides a platform for healthy competition and scope for growth. With already established players such as Shuguang and J Morita in the dental consumables market, the dental anesthesia market is going to witness a high growth rate. The region is also considered as one of the largest exporter of dental consumables around the world due to the rising demand for higher standards and quality, the regions proved to be a huge market for anesthetics as well as dental consumables.Some Points from TOC of Dental Anesthesia Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023:Chapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 LimitationsChapter 3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size EstimationChapter 4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restrains4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4.6 Mode Of Administration Trends & AssessmentChapter 5. Market Factor AnalysisTOC CONTINUED!Ask Any Question atAbout 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.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Vehicle Security Market 2019: Key Companies Analysis (Valeo, Continental, Delphi Automotive, Hella KGaA Hueck, Tokai Rika, Denso, Robert Bosch, Lear, Omron etc.) Vehicle Security Market https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/763649 https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/763649 https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/763649 The vehicle security market is highly application driven and systems are gaining popularity across the end-users segment. The growth of the automotive industry leads to an increase in demand for the automotive vehicle security market.Get Sample Copy of This Report atThe Vehicle Security Market Research Report 2019 includes various topics like total market size, key drivers, business challenges, growth opportunities, industry share, international demand, outlook etc. Furthermore it covers key impact of regulations and technological updates. The report focuses on Global Vehicle Security Industry major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions North America, Europe, Japan, China, and other regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America, Middle East & Africa etc.)Inquire more or share questions if any before the purchase on this report @Key Companies Analyzed in this Report are: Valeo Continental Delphi Automotive Hella KGaA Hueck Tokai Rika Denso Robert Bosch Lear Omron Global Vehicle Security Market report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through analytical research, market survey and observations) and secondary research. The report also features a complete focused on qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain, growth aspects, utilization ratio and manufacturing capacity.Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoImmobilizer SystemRemote Central Locking SystemAlarm SystemOthersMarket segment by Application, split intoPassenger CarCommercial VehiclePlace a Direct Order Of this Report @Major Points Covered in Table of Contents:1 Report Overview2 Global Growth Trends3 Market Share by Key Players4 Breakdown Data by Type and Application5 United States6 Europe7 China8 Japan9 Southeast Asia10 India11 Central & South America12 International Players Profiles13 Market Forecast 2019-202514 Analyst's Viewpoints/Conclusions15 AppendixAbout UsOrian Research is one of the most comprehensive collections of market intelligence reports on The World Wide Web. Our reports repository boasts of over 500000+ industry and country research reports from over 100 top publishers. We continuously update our repository so as to provide our clients easy access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, and products. We also specialize in custom research in situations where our syndicated research offerings do not meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clients.Contact UsRuwin MendezVice President Global Sales & Partner RelationsOrian Research ConsultantsUS: +1 (415) 830-3727 | UK: +44 020 8144-71-27Email: info@orianresearch.com Paraguay Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Market Growth Analysis, Challenges and Industry Key Players Grupo Clarin; DirecTV; Personal | 2018-2022 Paraguay Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2527157-paraguay-telecoms-mobile-and-broadband-statistics-and-analyses https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/2527157-paraguay-telecoms-mobile-and-broadband-statistics-and-analyses WiseGuyReports.com Paraguay - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses report has been added to its Research Database.Scope of the Report:Paraguay - TelecomsParaguays regulator to auction 700MHz at end-2017The state-owned incumbent, Corporacion Paraguaya de Comunicaciones (Copaco) retains a monopoly on all fixed-line voice services, including local telephony, international long distance telephony, and VoIP. In the mobile market, however, there has been competition since 1998. The internet market is also open to competition, and there are over a dozen ISPs offering services. Copaco lost its monopoly over the international backbone for internet connectivity in early 2009.Growth in the number of mobile subscribers has been helped by the poor condition of much of the countrys fixed-line infrastructure. Underinvestment in infrastructure by Copaco has meant that lift Paraguays teledensity remains very low for the region. There is little expectation that the situation will be addressed effectively until the operator is restructured.Another major drawback for Copaco and for Paraguays telecom sector generally is the countrys landlocked position, which makes it dependant on neighbouring nations for interconnection with submarine cable networks. This has driven up the price of broadband services, hampered growth in the sector and resulted in relatively low penetration.Available technologies include DSL, cable modem, FttP, and WiMAX. Copaco has a near-monopoly in the DSL market, given that there is little regulatory provision for unbundled local loops and other access mechanisms. DSL is the main fixed broadband technology, but it is unavailable in much of the country due to low teledensity. There is a fast growing fibre broadband market, though the number of subscribers remains small while network builds remain limited to certain pockets within the major cities.Request a Sample Report @Copacos main competitor in the fixed broadband market is Millicoms Tigo, which offers broadband via cable modem under the brand name Tigo Hogar. The service is available in Asuncion and neighbouring towns over a Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC) network. Tigo also provides broadband using WiMAX and FttP technologies.There is effective competition in the mobile market, which is served by four operators: Tigo (the market leader), Telecom Argentinas Personal (Nucleo), America Movils Claro, and Copacos Vox. These operators have capitalised on the opportunities created by poor fixed-line infrastructure and by consumer demand for mobile voice and data services. There are about 18 mobile phones in Paraguay for every fixed-line in service, the highest proportion in Latin America.Key developments:Regulator schedules 700MHz auction for December 2017;Regulator approves updated National Telecommunications Plan 2016 2020;Tigo to invest $100 million to provide 66% population coverage with LTE by end-2020;Paraguay joins the South American fibre ring project developed by the Union of South American Nations;Report update includes the regulators market data to for 2016, operator data to Q3 2017, recent market developments.Companies mentioned in this report:Copaco, Millicom (Tigo Paraguay), Vox, America Movil (Claro Paraguay), Grupo Clarin, DirecTV, Personal (Telecom Argentina).Leave a Query @Major Key Points in Table of Content:1. Key statistics1.1 Country overview2. Telecommunications market2.1 Historical overview2.2 Market analysis3. Regulatory environment3.1 Regulatory developments3.2 General Plan for Updating Telecom Regulations (PGR)3.3 Regulatory authority4. Fixed network operators4.1 Overview of fixed network market5. Telecommunications infrastructure5.1 National telecom network5.2 International infrastructure5.3 Infrastructure development6. Broadband market6.1 Introduction and statistical overview6.2 Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) networks6.3 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network7. Mobile communications7.1 Market analysis7.2 Mobile statistics7.3 Regulatory issuesContinued.....Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Contact Us: Sales@Wiseguyreports.Com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (Us) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (Uk) Hosiery Market study Provides an in-Depth Analysis with Current and Future Trends Hosiery Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2000?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=vinit https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2000 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com The global hosiery market is segmented on the basis of products into body stockings, knee high, socks, tights, toe socks, and others. Based on size, it is classified into small, medium, large, and plus. On the basis of distribution channel, the market is categorized into mass merchant, online store, departmental store, pharmacy store, and others. Geographically, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.Change in lifestyle and rise in personal disposable income is anticipated to expand the growth of hosiery market over the forecast period. Hosiery is observing an increase in their visibility, specifically in supermarkets and discounted stores, which is estimated to impel the growth of the market between 2016 and 2022. In addition, growth in online penetration and availability of wide variety products at a discounted price are further expected to boost the market growth.Hosiery is a garment worn over legs and feet, which comprises compression stockings, knee highs, socks, leggings, legwarmers, tights, and hold-ups. Over the past few years, not only the demand for hosiery increased among women, but also among men, owing to change in fashion & lifestyle and grooming consciousness.Key players identified across the value chain of this report include Hanesbrands Inc., CSP International, LVMH, Jockey International, Gildan Activewear, L brands, Golden Lady SpA, and others.Download Sample Copy of Report:Key Benefits The study provides an in-depth analysis of the hosiery market with current and future trends to elucidate the imminent investment pockets. The report provides information regarding key drivers, restraints, and opportunities with impact analysis. Porters Five Forces model analysis of the industry illustrates the potency of the buyers and suppliers. Market player positioning provide a clear understanding of the position of leading companies in the market.Hosiery Market Key SegmentationBy Products Body Stockings Knee High Socks Tights Toe Socks OthersBy Size Small Medium Large PlusBy Demography Men WomenBy Distribution Channel Mass Merchant Online Store Departmental Store Pharmacy Store OthersKey Players Hanesbrands Inc. CSP International LVMH Jockey International Gildan Activewear L brands Golden Lady SpABy Geography North Americao U.S.o Canadao Mexico Europeo Franceo Germanyo UK Asia-Pacifico Chinao Indiao Japano South Koreao Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEAo Latin Americao Middle Easto AfricaGet Purchase Report Inquiry:Allied Market Research, a market research and advisory company of Allied Analytics LLP, provides business insights and market research reports to large as well as small & medium enterprises. The company assists its clients to strategize business policies and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.Allied Market Research provides one stop solution from the beginning of data collection to investment advice. The analysts at Allied Market Research dig out factors that help clients to understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The company amplies clients insight on the factors, such as strategies, future estimations, growth or fall forecasting, opportunity analysis, and consumer surveys among others. As follows, the company offers consistent business intelligent support to aid the clients to turn into prominent business firm.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free (USA/Canada):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1?855?550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Global Two-wheeler Tire Market 2018 Growth Rate by Players: Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Kenda Rubber Industrial Two-wheeler Tire Market https://bit.ly/2MFaVwS https://bit.ly/2GcSEWT http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/global-two-wheeler-tire-market-2018-industry-production-297773 https://newsuptodate24.com/6954/global-unit-dose-drug-delivery-systems-market-2018-top-manufacturers-amcor-wipak-rexam-schott-glass-intrapac/ Market Research Store Exposed a new deep Industry research report focuses on Two-wheeler Tire Market, delivers detailed analysis of market and future prospects of Two-wheeler Tire market. The critical and significant data in the study makes the research a very important tool for experts, analysts and managers to get ready-to-access analysis by the industry professionals. The Two-wheeler Tire Market report provides the complete analysis of Two-wheeler Tire Market Size Data and development forecast from 2018-2025.Download FREE Sample of Two-wheeler Tire Market Report:-This reports also include complete information of main Manufacturers/Suppliers of Two-wheeler Tire around the world and market share by various regions, with the company and product introduction and their position in the Two-wheeler Tire market.This report also includes the cost and profit status of Two-wheeler Tire and marketing status, Market growth drivers and challenges in this Market.Top Companies in Worldwide Two-wheeler Tire Market are as follows:- Bridgestone, Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Kenda Rubber Industrial, Cooper Tire & Rubber, Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber, Giti Tire Pte, MRF Limited, JK Tyre & Industries, Apollo Tyres, CEAT Limited, TVS Srichakra, MITAS, PT Suryaraya Rubberindo Industries, PT Multistrada Arah Sarana, Deestone, Cheng Shin Rubber Ind, PT Gajah Tunggal TBKThe leading competitors among the global Two-wheeler Tire market are applying various techniques for creating an entry further as developing within the Two-wheeler Tire market. On a worldwide basis, the count of recognized firms is elevating and therefore it is necessary for each market company to urge an ardent edge on others. The first techniques accepted by the well- known firms for grapple among the Two-wheeler Tire market embrace melioration of recent product, partnerships, mergers, agreements, and acquisition.For More Enquiry Ask Our Experts:-REGIONAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE in :- United States, Europe, China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia.If you have any customized requirement regarding to Two-wheeler Tire, we will be happy to include this to enrich the final study and We will offer Competitors shares, Regional Analysis, Product Analysis as per your choice also.The global Two-wheeler Tire market report shed light on the latest technological developments, upcoming business opportunities, market restraining factors, threats to offer a perfect acumen for an in-depth market study. It also deals with the region-wise industrial environment, regulatory structure, competitive landscape, raw material resources that might influence Two-wheeler Tire industry.Most Applied Two-wheeler Tire Market in World Industry includes:- OEMs, AftermarketGlobal Two-wheeler Tire Market By Product includes:- Motorcycle Tire, Scooter Tire, Moped Tire, OtherAccess Full Report:-There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Two-wheeler Tire market:-Chapter 1: Definition, Specifications and Classification of Two-wheeler Tire, Applications of Two-wheeler Tire, Market Segment by RegionsChapter 2: Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain StructureChapter 3: Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Two-wheeler Tire, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources AnalysisChapter 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 North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Central America and Rest of the World, Two-wheeler Tire Segment Market Analysis (by Type)Chapter 7 and 8: Two-wheeler Tire Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Two-wheeler TireChapter 9: Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product TypeChapter 10: Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain AnalysisChapter 11: Consumers Analysis of Global Two-wheeler TireChapter 12: Two-wheeler Tire Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15: Two-wheeler Tire sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Key Reasons to Purchase:To gain insightful study of the Two-wheeler Tire market and have thorough understanding of the Two-wheeler Tire Market and its financial landscape.Evaluates the Two-wheeler Tire Market production development, major problems, and solutions to soothe the advancement risk.To understand the most influencing driving and constraining forces in the Two-wheeler Tire Market and its effect in the global market.Learn about the Two-wheeler Tire market strategies that are being embraced by leading Two-wheeler Tire organizations.To understand the overview and perspective for Two-wheeler Tire Market.Read More Reports:-Market Research Store is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air. We have market research reports from number of leading publishers and update our collection daily to provide our clients with the instant online access to our database. With access to this database, our clients will be able to benefit from expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends.Contact Us:-3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442, USATel: +1-386-310-3803GMTTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No.1-855-465-4651 Servers Hosting Services Market Size (Value & Volume), Future Trends, Opportunities and Sales Channels, Forecast 2018 - 2026 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/8143 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/toc/8143 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/checkout?rep_id=8143&licType=S http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "Servers Hosting Services Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 - 2026" is the latest addition to MarketResearchReports.Biz industry research reports collection.The main objective of this report is to aid the user in understanding the market Servers Hosting Services as a whole, its definitions, segmentation, market potential, influential trends, and the barriers that it is facing. Meticulous research and analysis were an important part of the report preparation. Those reading the report will be able to get a detailed understanding about the market. Industry experts have verified and checked the data and information that have been taken from credible sources like websites, annual reports of companies, journals, and other resources. In order give the facts and data a pictorial form, diagrams, graphs, pie charts, and other representations have been used. That augments the visual appeal of the report and makes understanding it much easier.Global Servers Hosting Services Industry Will Be Fiercely Competitive in 2018Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Server hosting refers to the offsite management and maintenance of hardware resources that are selected for a companys use. The adoption of cloud and related services has increased due to the competitive advantages offered by cloud computing in business communication, operations, and other crucial organizational functions. Enterprises with a higher employee count require a large and complex communication set up to work efficiently. Moreover, with server hosting services, the efforts required to set up new equipment for business communication has drastically reduced. With increasing enterprise sizes, the need for robust communication tools has also increased. These factors have led to an increase in demand for server hosting services.Over the years, there have been a lot of advancements in technology. While working to improve their organizations, CIOs of companies have to ensure that the IT infrastructure of their company is robust and advanced enough to respond to competitive pressures. Therefore, companies prefer hosting services to meet their needs. Generally, companies prefer bundled services as they are cost effective and provide managed computing, network, and storage capacity. Currently, businesses are outsourcing cloud hosting services for end-to-end solutions, which have become an essential part of business operations.Increased technological innovation and IT penetration in developing countries are contributing significantly to the growth of the global servers hosting services market. Companies are engaged in enhancing their hosting services due to their multiple benefits. For instance, NEC Corporation introduced software-defined networking (SDN), which is used in improving the SDN service to provide flexible, large-scale cloud services. Furthermore, the rise in the adoption of cloud computing is leveraging the growth of the servers hosting services market. Server hosting service providers have taken cloud computing as an extension for their business. This is because it offers lucrative opportunities for other service providers and enhances traditional services of fixed or mobile telephony, Internet access, cable TV, or others. Service providers are benefitting significantly as hundreds of services are emerging in the cloud computing space. This trend is expected to continue for many years to come. The emergence of cloud computing services provides opportunities for companies to take leadership roles now in the early stages, which is likely to make it easier for them to maintain their lead. However, an increase in complexities in network architecture limits the ability of servers hosting service providers to offer customized end-to-end solutions at comparative lower prices. This is expected to hamper the servers hosting services market in the coming years. Nevertheless, the servers hosting services market is anticipated to offer opportunities to small & medium enterprises in developing countries across the region.Request For TOC @The servers hosting services market can be segmented based on deployment, services, enterprise size, end-use industry, and region. Based on deployment, the servers hosting services market can be segmented into on premise and cloud-based. In terms of services, the servers hosting services market can be categorized into managed and professional services. The managed services segment can be further classified into project management, hardware-as-a-service, software-as-a-service, backup and recovery service, full disaster & recovery, security management, and bandwidth optimization. Based on enterprise size, the servers hosting services market can be classified into small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises. In terms of industry vertical, the servers hosting services market can be divided into health care; automotive; manufacturing; banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI); telecom and information technology; defense; and education. Based on region, the servers hosting services market can be classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa , and South America. North America is projected to hold a significant share of the servers hosting services market due to the invention of various technologies and adoption of cloud computing on a larger scale. Demand for servers hosting services is high in Europe.Major vendors of servers hosting services are NEC Corporation, Accenture PLC, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp, HP Inc., IBM Corporation, Google, Rackspace, Claranet, Verizon Communication Limited, DuPont Fabros, SunGuard Availability Services, and Data Pipe among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on: Market segments and sub-segments Market trends and dynamics Supply and demand Market size Current trends/opportunities/challenges Competitive landscape Technological breakthroughs Value chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers: North America (U.S. and Canada) Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others) Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand) Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report: A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent market Important changes in market dynamics Market segmentation up to the second or third level Historical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volume Reporting and evaluation of recent industry developments Market shares and strategies of key players Emerging niche segments and regional markets An objective assessment of the trajectory of the market Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketPre Book Report @About UsMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Citric Acid Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report: Top Key Players - Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Incorporated., Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel, COFCO, Gadot Biochemical Industries Ltd Citric Acid https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/263 https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/industry-reports/citric-acid-market https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/researchreport/purchase/263 The global citric acid market size is projected to be valued at USD 4.34 billion by 2025 driven by its extensive use in numerous end-use industries such as food & beverages, pharmaceutical, household applications, cosmetics, metal finishing, and industrial applications. The growth of these end-use industries is expected to augment the growth of the global citric acid market between 2018 and 2025.Request sample copy of Citric Acid Market at:A publication on the Global Citric Acid Market Size 2017 By End-Use (Food & Beverages, Household, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Others), By Region And Forecast 2018 To 2025 was launched by Adroit Market Research today. The publication covers the estimates for the global citric acid market size for a period of 11 years, from 2015 to 2025.The report also covers the global citric acid market trends along with a deep dive into key regions and countries. The global citric acid market analysis has been undertaken using tools such as Porters Five Forces, import-export and pricing. The report also covers the global citric acid market 2018 trends with an in-depth assessment of drivers, restraints and value chain.Food & beverage was the largest end-use of the citric acid and is projected to account for 61.4% of the global citric acid market 2018 revenues. Furthermore, the segment is also projected to continue dominating the citric acid market with a healthy growth rate over the forecast period. Citric acid is extensively used in non-alcoholic soft drinks where the citric acid content can be as high as 0.5% and as a flavoring agent along with a preservative. Of all categories of beverage sector, soft drinks witnessed significant growth in 2017 and are projected to maintain the momentum in coming years. This is one of the key factors to escalate the citric acid market size.Request sample copy of Citric Acid Market at:Citric acid is also used in dairy products, jellies, jams, and cake fillings to embed a tart-like flavor and to increase the shelf life. The global citric acid market analysis showed that growth in sales of detergents and household cleaning products is also contributing significantly to the sales of the chemical. Changing lifestyle and consumer inclination for easy-to-handle sophisticated products is, in turn, propelling the global citric acid market growth.The global citric acid market trends showed that Asia Pacific is projected to witness remarkable growth in consumption over the forecast period. Strong economic prospects coupled with rising per capita income is responsible for the present boom in the food & beverage industry in Asia Pacific. Food & beverage and household segment are witnessing steady growth across the globe owing to which overall consumption of citric acid is set to rise considerably over the forecast period.Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Incorporated., Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Basel, COFCO, Gadot Biochemical Industries Ltd. are some of the top players of the global citric acid market. Product differentiation is the key strategy presently followed by market players.Key segments of the global citric acid marketEnd Use Overview, 2015-2025 (USD Million) (Kilo Tons) Food & Beverages Household Pharmaceuticals Cosmetics OthersRegional Overview, 2015-2025 (USD Million) (Kilo Tons) North Americao U.S.o Rest of North America Europeo Germanyo UKo Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Chinao Indiao Rest of Asia Pacific Central & South Americao Brazilo Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & AfricaSome Points From TOC:1. Executive Summary2. Research Methodology3. Market Outlook4. Citric Acid Market Overview, By End Use (USD Million) (Kilo Tons)5. Citric Acid Market Overview, By Region (USD Million) (Kilo Tons)6. Market Competition7. Company Profiles8. Industry StructureEnquire more details of the report at:About Us:Adroit Market Research is an India-based business analytics and consulting company incorporated in 2018. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps.Contact Information:Ryan JohnsonAccount Manager Global3131 McKinney Ave Ste 600, Dallas,TX 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: USA: +1 (214) 884-6068 / +91 9665341414 Portable Medical Devices Market to Witness Huge Growth in 2027 | Key Player Analysis: Medtronic, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., General Electric Company, Abbott, Omron Healthcare, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Portable Medical Devices Market to 2027 http://bit.ly/2GbTiDE http://bit.ly/2HCb7OL http://bit.ly/2FW7rps The "Portable Medical Devices Market Analysis to 2027" is a specialized and in-depth study of the Portable Medical Devices industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Portable Medical Devices Market with detailed market segmentation by product, application, and geography. The global Portable Medical Devices Market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Medical devices are used traditionally in the hospitals and clinics, has evolved and become more portable and creating new opportunities for the use in the home healthcare. Portable medical devices are wireless tools which are to improve and simplify the patient-care, especially in rural areas.Request Sample Copy is Available at:The portable medical devices market is anticipated to grow with a significant rate in the coming years, owing to factors such as, increasing demand for the real-time analysis, diagnosis, & monitoring and rising demand for emergency healthcare services across the globe. However, allowing the access of patient data through various platforms and increasing demand for smart wearable devices is anticipated to offer more growth opportunities for the players operating in the portable medical devices market.Portable Medical Devices 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 key players operating in the portable medical devices market include, Medtronic, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., General Electric Company, Abbott, Omron Healthcare, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Natus Medical Incorporated, BD, OmniVision Technologies, Inc. and nfineon Technologies AG among others.The "Global Portable Medical Devices Market Analysis to 2027" 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 market with detailed market segmentation by product, application, and geography. The global portable medical devices market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading portable medical devices market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Have Queries? Ask us at:The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global portable medical devices market based on product, and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2027 for overall market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South & Central America. The portable medical devices market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 13 countries globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Portable Medical Devices Market Global Analysis to 2027 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.What our report offers:- Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global Portable Medical Devices Market- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Portable Medical Devices Market thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.Place 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 2027 Breast Cancer Diagnostics Market Precise Outlook led by Hologic, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Micrima, Provista Diagnostics, Siemens Healthcare GmbH The Insight Partners https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00003015 https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPRE00003015 https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00003015 Breast cancer is the wild development of tumor cells in the breasts. For the most part, the malignancy frames in either the lobules or the channels of the breasts. There are two kinds of breast tumors, obtrusive breast malignant growth and non-intrusive breast disease. Amid late years, there has been an expansion in the instances of breast malignancy in ladies. As of late, breast malignancy is likewise being recognized in men. The American Cancer Society assessed that in 2015, in excess of 2,000 men would be analyzed, and in excess of 400 men would kick the bucket from the infection.Breast Cancer Diagnostics Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts by Screening Type (Laboratory Tests, Biopsy, Imaging, and Other Screening Types), Technology (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), Immunohistochemical (IHC), and Other Technologies), and GeographyNorth America is expected to contribute to the largest share in the breast cancer diagnosis market in the coming years, owing to rising prevalence of breast cancer cases in the region during the recent years. Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth in the market during the forecast period, due to rising investment of foreign players in developing economies such as, China and India.Get Sample Copy atCompanies studied in this report are-1. Abbott2. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd3. Fujifilm Holdings Corporation4. GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY5. Hologic, Inc.6. Koninklijke Philips N.V.7. Micrima Limited8. Provista Diagnostics, Inc.9. Siemens Healthcare GmbH10. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc....Increasing prevalence of breast cancer along with advanced technology for its diagnosis is expected to fuel the growth of the breast cancer diagnosis market during the forecast period. Moreover, the introduction of new and better products by manufacturers is anticipated to offer growth opportunities to the companies in the market.The "Global Breast Cancer Diagnosis Market Analysis to 2027" is a specialized and in-depth study of the healthcare IT industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global market with detailed market segmentation by screening type, technology and geography. The global market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading breast cancer diagnosis market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Have Queries? Ask us atThe global breast cancer diagnosis market is segmented on the basis of screening type and technology. Based on screening type, the market is segmented as, laboratory tests, biopsy, imaging, and other screening types. On the basis of technology, the breast cancer diagnosis market is classified as, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), immunohistochemical (IHC), and other technologies.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global breast cancer diagnosis market based on screening type and technology. It also provides market size and forecast till 2027 for overall market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South & Central America. The breast cancer diagnosis market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 13 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.The report analyzes factors affecting breast cancer diagnosis 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 breast cancer diagnosis market in these regions.Buy this report now atAbout Us - The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Healthcare IT, Biotechnology and Medical Device industries.Contact us -Contact Person : Sameer JoshiPhone : +1-646-491-9876Email Id : sam@theinsightpartners.com APAC Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Market to exceed $4bn by 2024: Medtronic, Nipro Diagnostics, Nova Biomedical, Sinocare and Trividia Health APAC Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Market https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1013/sample https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/1013/asia-pacific-self-monitoring-blood-glucose-devices-market https://www.graphicalresearch.com/request/1013/inquiry-before-buying https://www.graphicalresearch.com/ Rising prevalence of obesity in highly populated countries such as India and China will be a major factor that will drive the self-monitoring blood glucose devices market during the forecast period. Increasing cases of obesity leading to type II diabetes will increase the demand for SMBG devices in the region. Growing geriatric population base will further act as primary driver for growth of Asia Pacific self-monitoring blood glucose devices market during the forecast period.The research report Asia Pacific Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Market analysis based on Product, End-User, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, End-User Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024 by Graphical Research. says, APAC Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Market size is set to surpass USD 4 billion by 2024.Request for a sample of this research report -Several efforts undertaken by government and other organizations to increase awareness pertaining to diabetes management will accelerate SMBG devices market growth. National Program for Prevention and Control of Diabetes organized by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Diabetes Foundation of India and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Program focusing on reducing the burden of prediabetes by providing appropriate diabetes education to patients as well as healthcare providers will escalate the adoption of SMBG devices, thereby propelling industry growth.Advancements in technology to develop novel glucose monitoring devices coupled with availability of portable, user-friendly and accurate SMBG devices will increase the adoption of such advanced devices. However, prohibitive costs associated with self-monitoring blood glucose devices and their accessories may hinder industry expansion in the foreseeable future. Stringent regulations and poor reimbursement scenario should impede the industry growth in near future.Continuous glucose monitors segment is estimated to witness lucrative growth of 6.8% during the forecast period. Demand for continuous glucose monitoring devices is high in patients that require continuous monitoring. CGM systems monitor blood glucose levels every 5 minutes or at frequent intervals. Increasing adoption of such devices in ICU patients or in hospital settings will foster the segmental growth during the forecast period.Browse key industry insights from this 2018 report @Hospitals segment accounted for USD 1.3 billion in 2017 and is anticipated to show significant growth over the analysis timeframe. The growth is attributable to the increasing incidence of hypo and hyperglycemia among patients. Ability of hospitals to buy advanced and costly devices, well-developed infrastructure as well as availability of skilled technicians will further drive segmental growth in the coming years.China self-monitoring blood glucose devices market accounted for USD 743.3 million revenue in 2017 and is estimated to witness robust growth over the forecast period. China being highly populous country comprises of large population base suffering from diabetes. Increasing prevalence of diabetes as well as growing elderly population will augment industry growth over the analysis timeframe.Some of the notable players operating in Asia Pacific self-monitoring blood glucose devices market include Abbott Laboratories, All Medicus, Arkray, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Bayer Healthcare, Bionime Corporation, Dexcom, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Johnson & Johnson, LifeScan, Medtronic, Nipro Diagnostics, Nova Biomedical, Sinocare and Trividia Health. Market players are focusing on new product development, acquisitions and mergers to broaden product portfolio as well as widen companys customer base.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Segments We Cover:Asia Pacific Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Market Statistics, by ProductSelf-monitoring blood glucose meters, Continuous glucose monitors, Testing strips, LancetsAsia Pacific Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices Market Trends, By End-userHospitals, Home settings, Diagnostic centers and clinicsThe above information is provided for the following countries:China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, OthersAbout Graphical Research:Graphical Research is a business research firm that provides industry insights, market forecast and strategic inputs through granular research reports and advisory services. We publish targeted research reports with an aim to address varied customer needs, from market penetration and entry strategies to portfolio management and strategic outlook. We understand that business requirements are unique: our syndicate reports are designed to ensure relevance for industry participants across the value chain. We also provide custom reports that are tailored to the exact needs of the customer, with dedicated analyst support across the purchase lifecycle.Contact Us:Parikhit B.Corporate sales,Graphical ResearchEmail: sales@graphicalresearh.comWeb: Ultrasound Device Market Research Report by Leading Key Players Siemens, Philips, General Electric, Hitachi, Toshiba Corporation, Analogic Corporation, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Mindray Medical International Ltd https://www.psmarketresearch.com/press-release/global-ultrasound-device-market https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/ultrasound-devices-market/report-sample https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=ultrasound-devices-market https://www.psmarketresearch.com The global ultrasound device market was valued at $6,014.4 million in 2015, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during 2016-2022.Based on portability of ultrasound, the portable/compact/handheld ultrasound segment is expected to witness the faster growth at a CAGR of 8.8%, during the forecast period.The global ultrasound device market is growing at a significant rate, due to increasing healthcare expenditure, technological advancement of ultrasound, increasing demand for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, and growing geriatric population. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and improving healthcare infrastructure in developing countries are also driving the growth of the global ultrasound device market.Explore Report with Detailed TOC at:Ultrasound is a sound with frequencies higher than about 20 kHz. It moves in a wavelike manner through which it travels. The waves travel with different speed in different medium. The medical ultrasound system operates at higher frequencies, typically 1-10 MHz.Download Report Sample at:Ultrasound imaging is a medical imaging technique which uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes. It exposes body parts to high frequency sound waves in order to create images of the internal organs of the body. It does not use ionizing radiation. It provides a real time structure and movement of bodys internal organs and blood flowing through blood vessels. It helps in evaluation of symptoms such as swelling, pain, infection and hematuria. In addition, it is also used for guide procedures such as needle biopsies, guide biopsy of breast and diagnosis of various heart conditions. However, it cannot penetrate mature bones and substantial gas layers.Make Enquiry Before Buying the Report:Some of the key companies operating in the global ultrasound device market include Siemens AG, Koninklijke Philips N.V., General Electric Company, Hitachi Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, Analogic Corporation, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Mindray Medical International Ltd., and Esaote SpA,Global Ultrasound Device Market SegmentationBy Type Diagnostic Ultrasound Device Therapeutic Ultrasound DeviceBy Portability Cart/Trolley Ultrasound Device Compact/Portable/Handheld Ultrasound DeviceBy Technology 2D Ultrasound Device Doppler Ultrasound device 3D and 4D Ultrasound Device High focused (HIFU) Ultrasound Device Extra(ESWL) Ultrasound DeviceBy Display Black and White Ultrasound Device Color Ultrasound deviceBy Application Cardiology Ultrasound Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound General Imaging Ultrasound Vascular Ultrasound Urology Ultrasound OthersBy Geography North Americao U.S.o Canadao Rest of North America Europeo U.K.o Germanyo Franceo Italyo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia-Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the World (RoW)About P&S IntelligenceP&S Intelligence, a brand of P&S Market Research, is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness.Contact:P&S IntelligenceToll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)International: +1-347-960-6455Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb: LEMONSHARK POKE TO TEST VEGAN POKE IN THREE CALIFORNIA STORES LemonShark Poke www.lemonsharkpoke.com SANTA MONICA, CA (January 29, 2019) - LemonShark Poke, a fine-casual premium poke concept known for serving top-quality locally-sourced ingredients, is going vegan. The third-largest poke franchise in the nation is not only offering the finest fish in the sea but adding a plant-based alternative to raw tuna to its menu in three of its California stores.The California-based company is the first U.S.-based poke concept to have this vegan tuna. Made with five simple ingredients tomatoes, soy sauce, sugar, water and sesame oil the vegan tuna to be carried at LemonShark Poke is Ahimi, a product of Ocean Hugger Foods. LemonShark has begun its testing of product at its Chico location and two Southern California stores Redlands and Vista are planned to carry the tuna alternative next before a systemwide roll out.LemonShark Poke's mission is to serve delicious food made with only the finest ingredients at a great value, and nourish the body, said LemonShark Poke President and Co-Founder Tobi Miller. When looking at our menu and where 2019 would take us, we knew it was time to offer an option for all of our LemonShark fans, which range from herbivores to vegetarians and vegans. We're thrilled to have found the perfect plant-based tuna with Ahimi and look forward to seeing how it is received in our three test stores with the hope of introducing it to all of our restaurants across the country.Named after the Lemon Shark who only consumes the very best fish possible, LemonShark Poke prides itself on serving the finest quality ingredients to its guests. In addition to traditional poke offerings, the menu includes shareable appetizers such as tempura shrimp and egg rolls, and its signature Hawaii Katsu menu that features cooked-to-order, delectable entrees including chicken, Alaskan cod and more.The LemonShark Poke stores that are carrying or are set to carry a vegan poke include two Southern California locations: Vista (3245 Business Park Dr., Vista, CA 92081) and Redlands (360 Orange St, Redlands, CA 92374) and one Northern California location: Chico (501 Main St, Chico, CA 95928). For more information, please visitAbout LemonShark Poke:LemonShark Poke is a fast casual, premium poke franchise that serves locally crafted poke. LemonSharks mission is for sushi lovers and health-conscious consumers who seek a premium product, LemonShark Poke serves only the finest quality ingredients in refined environments for a great value. Unlike other poke concepts, LemonShark Poke provides a combination of extraordinary service, a comprehensive food selection and a tight family community. LemonShark Poke is named after the Lemon Shark, a social species that hunts only on the finest quality of fish. The Lemon Shark looks for healthy, mature fish to prey on. Inspired by the discerning Lemon Shark, LemonShark Poke creates poke with only the finest line-caught fish available that is certified dolphin, sea turtle and sea mammal safe. LemonShark differs from other poke restaurants in that it offers a premium product and environment. Each location is spacious, inviting customers to sit and enjoy their meal, rather than grab and go.LemonShark Poke729 Montana Ave, Suite 7Santa Monica, CA 90403Press Contact: Courtney Heimbuck, Konnect Agencycheimbuck@konnectagency.com213-225-4428 Latest research on Single Point Load Cell Market With top key players: ZEMIC, Spectris, Vishay Precision, Mettler Toledo, MinebeaMitsumi, A&D, PCB Piezotronics, Flintec, Honeywell, Yamato Scale, Etc. Single Point Load Cell Market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/36968 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/36968 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/36968 www.upmarketresearch.com Single Point Load Cell Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period.Get Exclusive FREE Sample Copy Of this Report @UpMarketResearch offers a latest published report on Global Single Point Load Cell Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Single Point Load Cell Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2018 2025.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.For More Information On This Report, Please VisitThe generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Single Point Load Cell market analysis & forecast 2018- 2025 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Region- wise Analysis Global Single Point Load Cell Market covers: North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)The Major players reported in the market include: ZEMIC Spectris Vishay Precision Mettler Toledo MinebeaMitsumi Keli Electric Manufacturing (Ningbo) A&D Measurement Specialists and National Scale Technology PCB Piezotronics Flintec Honeywell FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology Yamato Scale Interface Kubota Rice Lake Weighing Systems Novatech Measurements Thames Side Sensors LAUMAS ElettronicaGlobal Single Point Load Cell Market: Product Segment Analysis: Analog Load Cells Digital Load CellsGlobal Single Point Load Cell Market: Application Segment Analysis: Industrial Medical Retail Transportation OthersMajor Topics Covered in this Report: Chapter 1 Study Coverage Chapter 2 Executive Summary Chapter 3 Market Size by Manufacturers Chapter 4 Single Point Load Cell Production by Regions Chapter 5 Single Point Load Cell Consumption by Regions Chapter 6 Market Size by Type Chapter 7 Market Size by Application Chapter 8 Manufacturers Profiles Chapter 9 Production Forecasts Chapter 10 Consumption Forecast Chapter 11 Upstream, Industry Chain and Downstream Customers Analysis Chapter 12 Opportunities & Challenges, Threat and Affecting Factors Chapter 13 Key Findings Chapter 14 AppendixSingle Point Load Cell Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.Global Single Point Load Cell Market: Key Stakeholders: Single Point Load Cell Manufacturers Single Point Load Cell Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Single Point Load Cell Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Single Point Load Cell are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Global Single Point Load Cell Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Single Point Load Cell market analysis and forecast 2018- 2025.Avail Discount On this Report @Customization of the Report:UpMarketResearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.You can also ask for region wise market research report, as below: Single Point Load Cell - Global Market Status & Trend Report 2018-2025 Top 20 Countries Data Single Point Load Cell - North America Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025 Single Point Load Cell - South America Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025 Single Point Load Cell - Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025 Single Point Load Cell - EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025 Single Point Load Cell - Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025 Single Point Load Cell - China Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025 Single Point Load Cell - India Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025 Single Point Load Cell - United States Market Status and Trend Report 2018-2025About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well- defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Opalesque Industry Update - Litigation funder Validity Finance has made a notable addition to its growing investment team with the arrival of portfolio counsel William C. Marra in New York. The firm also announced a prominent addition to its governance structure, with Allen Fagin, formerly chair of Proskauer Rose LLP, joining Validity's board of directors. Finally, Validity has retained former New York federal Judge John Gleeson, a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York, as outside counsel to advise on investment opportunities. Launched last June with an initial $250 million in committed capital, Validity has built a substantial portfolio of investments in commercial disputes, partnering with business claimants as well as major law firms in helping finance and monetize their litigation matters. "As we continue to ramp up our business and scale our portfolio, we're pleased to announce an outstanding new member of our professional team and welcome a distinguished name to our board and a distinguished adviser to our investment committee," said Validity CEO Ralph Sutton. William Marra joins Validity from noted Washington, D.C. litigation boutique Cooper & Kirk, following judicial clerkships for Justice Samuel Alito of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge William Pryor of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. With a background litigating complex commercial, regulatory, and constitutional cases, Mr. Marra will help Validity review potential portfolio investments and advise clients and law firms on cases where funding may help ensure fair resolution. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was Articles Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. "Will's combination of high-stakes trial practice and experience advising on judicial opinions at the highest levels of the law is a decided advantage in helping our clients crack their toughest legal challenges with funding and strategic advice," said Julia Gewolb, Validity's Director of Underwriting. Marra is the fourth Validity staffer to have served as a federal clerk and adds to the firm's roster of former practicing trial lawyers which include former litigators from Kirkland & Ellis, Boies Schiller Flexner and Gibson Dunn, among other firms. Judge John Gleeson will advise Validity in its consideration of investment opportunities. A partner at Debevoise and a former litigator with Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Mr. Gleeson served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, before being appointed a judge on the Eastern District by President Clinton in 1994. Stepping down from the bench in 2016, Mr. Gleeson continues to work on major trial and appellate matters, both civil and criminal, as a litigation partner at Debevoise. "With over 22 years' experience on the federal bench, Judge Gleeson's perspective on trial strategy and mechanics is unparalleled. In advising Validity, he will bring this wealth of experience to enhance our investment decisions," Mr. Sutton commented. Allen Fagin joins Validity's eight-member Board of Directors. One of the country's leading labor and employment litigators, Allen represented a broad range of companies and organizations in workplace related matters. In 2005, Allen was elected Chair of Proskauer Rose, a position that he held for six years. Following his retirement from Proskauer, Mr. Fagin has served as Executive Vice President of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. "It's an honor to have Allen Fagin take a seat on our board - his insights as a lawyer and his experience overseeing one of the country's preeminent law firms, would be welcome enough," Mr. Sutton said "but Allen also has a strong social conscience and ethical fabric, and we welcome his contributions advancing best practices in dispute funding." Mr. Sutton said he expects Validity to introduce some new funding models in the coming year, including novel financing arrangements for law firms to undertake high-risk cases as well as initiatives for greater funding of defense-related matters. Opalesque Industry Update - DG Partners, the London based investment management firm with approximately $1.1 billion in assets under management, today announced that Tony Fenner-Leitao has joined DG Partners (US) to head marketing and business development in relation to Systematic Strategies in North America and will be based in San Francisco. David Gorton, DG Partners' Chief Investment Officer, commented: "I am thrilled to be able to secure Tony's services for the DG Partners group. Tony brings to the firm a wealth of highly relevant experience from his days at Winton Capital (where he was CEO) and latterly at Passport Capital. He will help to spearhead the growth of our business in the United States, capitalizing on the great support of Brevan Howard, my joint venture partner in BH-DG Systematic Trading LLP." Tony Fenner-Leitao was previously Managing Director and Global Head of Sales & Marketing at Passport Capital in San Francisco. Prior to joining Passport, Mr. Fenner-Leitao was Chief Executive Officer of Winton Capital in London. Mr. Fenner-Leitao has over 25 years of experience of working in financial markets for both asset management firms as well as investment banks, including Goldman Sachs and UBS in London and New York. Mr. Fenner-Leitao received a BA from Durham University in England and an MBA (with Honors) from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. "Joining DG Partners now in this new role was an exceptional opportunity given the DG platform and partnership with Brevan Howard," Tony Fenner-Leitao explained, adding, "I believe DG Partners' focus on global macro and systematic trend following strategies will continue to be among the most compelling for professional investors given the return of volatility and opportunity to generate superior uncorrelated risk adjusted returns." Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Biocomposite Market- Competitive Landscape The Global Biocomposite Market is a highly lucrative market driven by flourishing growth in construction and automobile industry. FlexForm Technologies (US), Tecnaro GmbH (Germany), Trex Company, Inc. (US), Fiberon LLC (US), Meshlin Composites ZRT (Hungary) among others are some of the major players operating in this market. Most of these market participants are adopting the research and development and product launch tactics to strengthen their production capacities and market position. Taking account of these trends the Global Biocomposite Market is projected to witness considerable competition over the forecast period of 2017-2023. Asia pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region during the forecast years. The growing government expenditure in construction activities especially in China and India is the major factor driving the market in the region. Moreover, the growing automobile industry in the region is another factor adding to the market growth. Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: 9 January, 2018- The U.S department of energy has granted US$ 3 million dollars to Attis innovation Inc. who has acquired Advanced Lignin Biocomposites LLC, for the development of efficient use of lignin based biocomposites for the growth of their bio economy. 11 January, 2017- Stora Enso invested 21 million pounds for at its paper and board mill of Sweden and Finland. The investment plans includes the setting up of a new production line for biocomposite granules at its paper mill in Sweden. This investment is expected to boost the market of biocomposites in the European region. Ask Sample for this Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4433 Biocomposite Market Market Overview Biocomposite is a material formed by resin or matrix reinforced by fibers such as jute, cotton, hemp recycled wood, waste paper and flex among others. Biocomposites can be manufactured using various techniques including filament winding, machine press, compression molding, injection molding, extrusion, sheet molding, resin transfer molding and winding. Biocomposite exhibit essential properties such as high tensile strength and low density among others which paves the way into many end user industries. They are also considered as an effective and ecofriendly alternative for glass, carbon and other man-made fiber composites. Moreover due to the cheap, recyclable and biodegradable nature, Biocomposites are gaining popularity in many industrial sectors. The Biocomposite Market is growing substantially in industrial as well as household applications. The increasing environmental awareness along with the depleting natural resources are the major factor driving the growth of the market throughout the globe. In addition to this, the growing demand for lightweight, low cost, environmental friendly, and moisture resistance materials in the building and construction industry is expected to contribute significantly to the market growth. The growing research and development activities for the mass production of Biocomposites coupled with increased adoption by the automobile industry are other factors adding to the market growth. The Global Biocomposite Market can be segmented on the basis of fiber type, process type, end-user industry and regions. On the basis of fiber, the wood fiber segment is anticipated to be the dominant segment and is expected to show the same trend during the forecast years. The growing demand for wood fiber in the form of decking, fences, and railing in the construction industry owing to its durability and low cost is significantly adding to the growth of the segment. On the basis of end-use industry building and construction is expected to dominate the segment. The market is estimated to demonstrate a remarkable growth by 2023, surpassing its previous growth records in terms of value with a striking CAGR during the estimated period (2017 2023). According to the analysis of MRFR, the major market forces and trends driving growth of the Global Biocomposite Market includes growth of construction sector and increasing application in the automobile industry. Moreover, the growing government expenditure in commercial and residential infrastructure in the developing regions coupled with growing number of automobile sales is adding to the growth of the market. However, the availability of substitutes, and volatile cost of the product are some of the major down side of the market. Get PDF Brochure for more Professional & Technical Industry Insights: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/biocomposite-market-4433 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Can men get arrested for sporting long hair: Apparently in Pakistan YES! Pak foreign dials Hurriyat friend, discusses Kashmir issue International pti-PTI Islamabad, Jan 29: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday telephoned Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and discussed with him Islamabad's efforts to highlight the Kashmir issue. Though there was no immediate reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs but Qureshi's move may not go down well with India, which maintains that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and there is no space for any third party. The Foreign Office said Qureshi spoke with Mirwaiz and discussed with him the efforts of Pakistan's government to highlight the Kashmir issue. [World has started seeing Kashmir problem differently, claims Pak foreign min Shah Mehmood Qureshi] Qureshi also mentioned the June 2018 report issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and a report of the UK Parliament, the FO said in a statement. He also emphasised that India should permit the visit of the Commission of Inquiry, as envisaged in both reports. PTI Dialogue with India only after Lok Sabha elections, says Pak minister International pti-PTI Dubai, Jan 28: Pakistan will try to resume peace talks with India only after election results are out as it is "useless" to talk to New Delhi because no big decisions are expected from the present Indian government, a senior minister has said. Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Information of Pakistan, said that the time is not right to hold a dialogue as the Indian leaders are preparing for the upcoming general elections, Gulf News reported. "It is useless to talk to them (India) now unless there is some stability. We will move forward once the new government is formed after the elections," he said. "We have delayed our efforts to hold talks with India because we do not expect any big decision from the present Indian leadership," he said. He said the Pakistan government would respect any Indian leader and the party elected by the Indian people. When asked which Indian leader will suit Pakistan more when it comes to peace talks Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi , the minister said it does not matter for Pakistan. "And, we would like to move forward to hold dialogue with whosoever comes into power in India," he said. The Indo-Pak ties strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists in 2016 and India's surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The ties further nose-dived in 2017 with no bilateral talks talking place between them. [India and Pakistan in constant touch over Kartarpur corridor issue] India has been maintaining that terror and talks cannot go together. Chaudhry said the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan in November last year is a remarkable development between the two countries because it will not only help the Sikh community but also benefit the Indo-Pak relations. On being asked who calls the shots in Pakistan when it comes to foreign policy the army or the civilian government, Chaudhry said, "Of course Prime Minister Imran Khan." "During the earlier regimes, there had been conflicts between the civilian government and the army on various issues as they were not capable of talking to each other frankly. But this is the not the case anymore since Imran Khan has come into power," he said. PTI Will pass Women's Reservation Bill if voted to power: Rahul Gandhi India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Cochin, Jan 29: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is in Cochin, assured the passage of Women's Reservation Bill if voted to power in 2019. He was addressing a convention of party booth presidents and vice-presidents in the evening and meet leaders of alliance partners as he kicked off the United Democratic Front's election campaign. Rahul Gandhi, said, "We will ensure that in every election, many more youngsters and women participate. We want to see women in positions of leadership and I know leaders of Kerala are extremely capable." We have forgiven farm loan waivers in the 3 states where we've won elections. We have committed that in 2019 we will have a government that will make up for all the crimes that Narendra Modi has done against farmers over the last five years. Central assistance of Rs 7,214 cr for Puducherry, 6 states In a veiled attack against the government for favouring Anil Ambani's firm in Rafale deal, RahulGandhi said, "He (PM Modi) has provided maximum income guarantee to 15 of his friends. If you're Anil Ambani you've guarantee to maximum income you can get. We're going to give a minimum income guarantee to all the Indians." "Narendra Modi has spent 5 years wasting India's time telling one lie after another. He promised 2 crore jobs to youngsters," he said in a scathing attack against PM Modi. George Fernandes: The firebrand leader who had packed Coca Cola off from India George Fernandes never missed an opportunity to express gratitude to the jawan When George Fernandes called China Indias enemy No.1, sparked controversy India oi-Shubham Ghosh New Delhi, Jan 29: George Fernandes, one of the most firebrand politicians independent India has seen, passes away on Tuesday, January 29, after a prolonged ailment. The 88-year-old leader was away from active politics for quite some time and eventually breathed his last in Delhi. Serving as India's defence minister in two terms (March 1998-March 2001 & October 2001-May 04) in the era of Atal Behari Vajpayee, Fernandes had made some significant impact. George Fernandes: The firebrand leader who had packed Coca Cola off from India He had not only taken special care for the Indian soldiers fighting at the gigantic heights of Siachen, one of the world's most hostile places, but also sparked controversy with his viewpoints. Less than six weeks after taking charge as the defence minister in 1998, the Lohiaite leader had called China as India's No.1 threat. Two decades ago, that statement had rocked the Indian defence and foreign policy establishments and pushed the two countries' relation to a new low. Fernandes, 68 then, had cited China's backing Pakistan and Myanmar and also adopting a policy of encirclement against India and stockpiling nuclear weapons in Tibet near India's border as basis of his conviction. He kept up the offensive even after having a talk with the visiting People's Liberation Army chief and appreciating China's "seriousness" in resolving bilateral issues through dialogue. In an interview to veteran journalist Karan Thapar, Fernandes had opined that it was not in India's interest to overlook problems with China. His comments, made just days ahead of the Pokhran II tests, were seen as particularly discomforting for the Indian establishment. China reacted to him saying his viewpoint was "ridiculous and unworthy of refutation" while even in India, there were not many people who had backed the leader's stand. The life and times of George Fernandes Gujral had called Fernandes an 'adventurist' defence minister Former prime minister IK Gujral had called him an "adventurist" defence minister. Even Vajpayee was criticised for taking a "low-key approach" to foreign policy which Gujral felt was encouraging Fernandes to go that extra mile. Fernandes though had later denied calling China India's No.1 enemy in 2003, the same year when Vajpayee had made a historic visit to Beijing for improving relations with the neighbour. What Fernandes would have said had he been in active politics when India and China locked horns over Doklam? For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 17:17 [IST] West Bengal: Vehicles parked near Amit Shah's rally vandalized, BJP warns TMC India oi-Vikas SV Kolkata, Jan 29: Some vehicles parked near the venue where BJP president Amit Shah addressed a rally today have been vandalized. The vehicles included those in which the BJP workers of West Bengal had come to attend the rally. It appeared as though stones were pelted on them. The BJP has squarely blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress for it and even warned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that such incidents would cost her. "TMC is afraid of our strength that is why they committed violence. Unfortunate that everything happened in front of police, attackers didn't even spare women workers," said BJP leader Rahul Sinha, as quoted by news agency ANI. "Hum Mamata ji ko chetawani dena chahte hain ki iss prakar BJP ka karyakarta na darne wala hai na jhukne wala hai. Ye Mamata ji ko bahut mehenga padega,ye main kehna chahta hun (I want to warn Mamata ji. BJP workers will not be scared nor will they bog down. This will cost Mamata ji)," BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya told ANI. [2019 Lok Sabha polls an opportunity to re-create Sonar Bangla, says Amit Shah] Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public rally in East Midnapore. Shah alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government "has propagated poverty and violence" in the state. Amit Shah also gave a call for "change of government in Bengal" to make the state "Sonar Bangla" (Bengal, a land of gold) once again. Bangladeshi infiltrators have become the vote bank of the TMC, he said. Only the Modi government will be able to make Bengal free of infiltrators, Shah added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 18:39 [IST] Covid-hit family of six starve at home, hospitalised by Good Samaritans in UP's Aligarh; DM offers help UP BJP chief makes derogatory remarks at Mayawati, invokes guest house scandal India oi-Deepika S Lucknow, Jan 29: After BJP MLA Sadhana Singh, another BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh stirred controversy after making objectionable comments on BSP chief Mayawati. The UP BJP chief, Mahendra Nath Pandey referred to the 1995 attack on the BSP chief by SP supporters and made derogatory comments at a meeting in Chandauli, his constituency. "I read on social media that a young man had posted that the shawl Akhilesh ji presented Mayawati ji was the same one that his father had taken off her at the guest house," said Pandey, adding that his party had already "tested and rejected" Mayawati. BJP MLA regrets calling Mayawati 'worse than eunuch'; BSP leader files FIR The BJP MP from Chanduali, Pandey, said that BJP has already 'tested and rejected' Mayawati. "She can do nothing but turn Akhilesh into a 'babua' (little boy)" Last week, when BJP's Sadhna Singh made derogatory remarks at Mayawati in public, she had to apologise later after BSP filed a complaint against her. Even former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav singled out BJP leaders and asked them to control the language they use in public. In her remarks, the UP MLA referred to Mayawati as "a person worse than a eunuch". Addressing the rally, she also referred to the 1995 incident saying the attack had led to years of animosity between the SP and the BSP. Singh said that a woman who had undergone a "chirharan" (disrobing) is now compromising with the perpetrators and accused her of "selling her dignity for power". "She is worse than a eunuch," Sadhana Singh said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 14:42 [IST] Ten-year-old tiger dies in Ranchi zoo after fever, samples sent for testing after Covid ruled out To espouse Rohingya cause, JMB plotted Bodh Gaya attack in Hyderabad, Chennai India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 29: The National Investigation Agency which is probing the Bodh Gaya blast has suggested in its supplementary chargesheet that the incident was planned in Hyderabad and Chennai. It may be recalled that an explosion had taken place at the Kalachakra Maidan in Bodh Gaya last year when the Dalai Lama had visited the place. How NIA cracked the Bodhgaya terror attack by monitoring computers and data at rest Investigations revealed that the accused persons Adil Sheikh and Ahmed Ali were associated with the local wing of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen(Bangladesh) and had earlier procured the explosives and had safe kept it with Ahmed Ali, Nur Alam and Paigambar Sheikh. Investigation also revealed that the accused Jahidul Islam and Mustafizur Rehman are senior members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen(Bangladesh). Accused Ahmed Ali, Nur Alam, Paigambar Sheikh, Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain, Abdul Karim, Kausar and Mustafizur Rehman travelled to different places in South India including Hyderabad and Chennai where the conspiracy to target Bodhgaya and other Buddhist places of worship was hatched. Further these persons had had conducted a reconnaissance of the shrine and had planned a major attack. They had procured 3 IEDs and 2 hand grenades. CCTV footage of the Bodhgaya temple complex along with other evidences collected during the investigation established that accused Adil Sheikh, Dilwar Hossain and Arif Hussain carried the IEDs and planted them in and around the premises of Bodhgaya Mahabodhi temple Complex on 19th January, 2018, in order to cause loss to public life and property. Hossain also put one of IEDs (hand grenades) in the cistern of a public toilet near Kalchakra Maidan which was recovered. Bodhgaya blasts: How an old SIMI cadre orchestrated the attack Investigation also established that the accused used fake and assumed names for travel and for renting hideouts and used protected text for communication to conceal their real identities and the designs of the conspiracy to wage war against the Government Investigation also brought out that accused Jahidul Islam is a Bangladeshi fugitive who had entered into India and was staying without any legal documents and authority and used different fake IDs to conceal his identity. Investigation has brought out that the accused persons escaped after committing the terror act and were hiding in various locations in and around Bengaluru and other places. Accused persons also committed a number of Dacoities in and around Bengaluru in order to raise funds for their criminal activities. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 5:39 [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 Ten political parties in Northeast oppose Citizenship Bill India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 29: Ten political parties from the Northeast, including its current and former allies came together on a joint platform in Guwahati on Tuesday to oppose the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the political parties convened by Sangma and AGP President Atul Bora here. The parties include Asom Gana Parishad, National Peoples Party, Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura, Naga Peoples Front, Mizo National Front and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, all of which are anti-Congress. The parties, several belonging to the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance resolved to oppose the Bill together "in the interest of the people of northeast". Last session of Parliament: Govt would rush to push Citizenship, triple talaq bills Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the convener of the convention, said the parties will send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind seeking a scrapping of the Bill which will "endanger the lives and identity of the indigenous people". "The meeting was a natural process, considering the opposition of the northeast states to the bill and it is not politically motivated," Sangma told reporters here. "Most political parties in the region were protesting against the bill in their own states and so we decided to come together and discuss measures to protect our people and the region," he added. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who was also present at the meeting, said that a resolution was taken to unanimously oppose the bill which was "dangerous and harmful for the people of the northeast." AGP President Atul Bora said that the meeting was "historic" as political parties have unanimously decided to oppose the bill and ensure that it is not passed in the Rajya Sabha. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month, has been an issue of concern in Northeast and triggered protests across the region. The Bill, which seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan has led to fears in the Northeast about an influx of illegal immigrants to the region. The Bill has already been passed in Lok Sabha and is expected to come for voting in the Rajya Sabha in the Budget session beginning January 31. Don't forget you are a Rajput, says Digvijay Singh to Vaghela Shankersinh Vaghela joins NCP in presence of Sharad Pawar India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Ahmedabad, Jan 29: Former Chief Minister of Gujarat Shankersinh Vaghela joined Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in presence of party chief Sharad Pawar in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. 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. 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. Ten political parties in Northeast oppose Citizenship Bill Vaghela, had quit the Congress ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls in 2017. Soon after he left the Indian National Congress, he launched a new outfit called Jan Vikalp Morcha ahead of 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election. As the application for registration of Jan Vikalp Morcha was not approved by the elections were announced by the Election Commission, his outfit fielded 95 candidates under the symbol and banner of Jaipur-based All India Hindustan Congress Party to contest election. AIHCP garnered only 0.3% (83,922) of total votes and did not win any seat. (With PTI inputs) RRB JE recruitment 2019: Apply before Jan 31, details here India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 29: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) had released vacancies for the post of junior engineer (JE) on its official websites this month. To submit the application form, aspirants will have to visit the official website of RRB. As per the notification, a total of 13,487 posts are vacant for the post of junior engineer (JE). The last date to submit the online application form for RRB JE post is 31st January and applicants can do the registrations till 11:50 pm. The stage-I computer-based exam for the same will be held in April. Candidates can pay for the exam till February 4, 209 via offline mode and online application fee is accepted till February 5, 2019. Selected candidates will get Rs 35,400 per month remuneration. Here's how to apply for RRB JE Recruitment 2019: Open the regional website of RRB at rrb.gov.in Click on the link for the recruitment of RRB JE Register yourself for the vacancy Upload your documents Submit the application fee Click on OK to submit your application form Download your application form Take a printout for future references For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 17:40 [IST] Republic Day parade: CISF awarded best tableau trophy India pti-PTI New Delhi, Jan 28: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been awarded the best tableau trophy, amongst all government departments, for showcasing the theme of Mahatma Gandhi and women power through its float during the Republic Day parade on January 26. The trophy was handed over by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the top brass of the paramilitary force, led by Additional Director General Alok Kumar Pateria, at an event held here. "The tableau showcased the multi-dimensional functions of the force and was the reflection of its aspiration, commitment and dedication towards its mandate," a CISF spokesperson said. The force had depicted the armed cover provided by it at Raj Ghat, the 'samadhi' of Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi, in the lead part of the float that passed through the Rajpath last week. CISF personnel, armed with AK series assault rifles, were deployed at Raj Ghat in 2013. The tableau also depicted CISF security cover provided to the Kishanganga hydro-electric project in the security sensitive area of Jammu and Kashmir, security provided to the Red Fort in Delhi, space installations and Indian airports. [Republic Day 2019: Tableaux showcase India's diverse cultural heritage] A bust of a female soldier, with outstretched hands, was also part of the tableau and it was put with an aim to highlight the fact that CISF had the largest percentage of women personnel among all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) of the country, a senior official said. The CISF float was included in the Republic Day parade after a gap of 11 years, the last being in the year 2007. The about 1.70-lakh personnel strong force is celebrating its golden jubilee this year and is tasked with securing vital installations such as airports and nuclear power installations across the country. PTI Kumaraswamy to attend Ashok Gehlot's swearing-in on Dec 17: These are other leaders who would attend Rajasthan assembly polls: Only 5 won with more than 30 per cent margin India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 29: In the Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2018, 86 political parties and independents were in the fray. These included, 6 national political parties, 7 state political parties and 73 registered unrecognized parties. In comparison, during the 2013 Rajasthan State Assembly elections, 56 political parties were in the fray. These included, 6 national political parties, 10 state political parties and 40 registered unrecognized parties. This reflects that there has been 54% increase in the number of political parties that contested in 2018 from 2013. The Association for Democratic Reforms and Rajasthan Election Watch analysed the vote share for the 199 constituencies in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections, 2018. The elections in one constituency namely Ramgarh has not been held. Rajasthan CM and Dy CM to discuss names of ministers with senior leadership in Delhi The voter's turnout for the Rajasthan Assembly 2018 was 74.6% whereas voter's turnout in 2013 assembly elections was 75.7%. Vote Share of Winners The winners of the Rajasthan State Assembly elections, 2018 won by an average of 45.6 % of total votes polled. In the 2013 elections winners won by an average of 47.4% of total votes polled. 66(33%) winners won with 50% and above of the total votes polled in their constituency 133(67%) winners won with less than 50% of the total votes polled in their constituency. Out of 73 winners of BJP, 48(66%) won with less than 50 % of total votes polled in their constituencies. 58(59%) out of 99 winners from INC; 6(100%) out of 6 winners from BSP; 3(100%) out of 3 winners from Rashtriya Loktantrik Party; 2(100%) winners each from CPM and Bhartiya Tribal Party; 1(100%) winner from RLD and 13(100%) independent winner have won with less than 50% of total votes polled in their constituency. 14(30%) out of 46 winners with declared criminal cases have won with a vote share of 50% and above. 58(37%) out 158 crorepati winners have won with a vote share of 50% and above. All the winners of the Rajasthan State Assembly Elections, 2018 won with an average of 34.1% of the total registered voters. This implies that the winners represents on an average, 34.1% of the total electorate. In the Rajasthan State Assembly Elections, 2013 won by an average of 35.9% of the total registered votes. Sachin Pilot is the youngest Deputy CM of Rajasthan Out of 73 winners of BJP, 59(81%) have won less than 40% of votes of the total registered voters in the constituency. 73(74%) out of 99 winners from INC; 6(100%) winners from BSP; 3(100%) winners from Rashtriya Loktantrik Party; 2-2(100%) winners each from CPM and Bhartiya Tribal Party; 1(100%) winner from RLD and 12(92%) independent winners have won less than 40 % of votes of the total registered voters in the constituency. Victory margin: 9 winners have won with margin of victory of less than 1000 votes. Only 5 winners have won with more than 30% of margin of victory. Winners with Declared Criminal Cases and their Margin of Victory: 37 out of 46 winners with declared criminal cases have won against runners up with a clean background. Among these 37 winners, 4 winners have won with more than 20 % margin of victory. Among these, Kailash Chandra Meghwal (BJP) from Shahpura constituency won with 44% margin of victory. There are 29 winners with a clean background who have won against runners up with declared criminal cases. Out of these 29 winners, 3 have won with 20 % and above margin of victory. Crorepati Winners and their Margin of Victory: 30 out of 158 crorepati winners have won against non-crorepati runners up. Among these 30 winners, only 3 winners have won with more than 20 % margin of victory. Among these, Prithviraj (INC) from Todabhim constituency won with 45% margin of victory. There are 26 non-crorepati winners who have won against crorepati runners up. Only one of them has won with more than 20% margin of victory. Performance of Women Winners: Among the 199 winners, 23 are women. None of the women winners has won with less than 30 % of Vote share. Among the women winners, Zahida Khan (INC) from Kaman Constituency has won with the highest vote share, i.e. 58% in her constituency. She has won with 47% representativeness and 21 % of margin of victory. Performance of Re-elected Winners: Out of total 57 re-elected winners, none have won with less than 30 % of vote share in their respective constituency. 13(23%) have won with more than 50% of vote share. 18(32%) re-elected winners have won with less than 5% of margin of victory whereas 3 have won with more than 25% of margin of victory. NOTA: The NOTA button instated by the ECI in 2013 gave the voters an option of rejecting all the candidates in their constituency. The total number of votes polled for None-of-the-above option were 4, 67,781 votes during the Rajasthan State Assembly Elections, 2018. Prove allegations made against Mamata Banerjee or apologise: TMC writes to Amit Shah India oi-Vikas SV Kolkata, Jan 29: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday wrote a letter to Amit Shah over the allegations made against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the BJP president's rally in East Midnapore. The letter said the BJP president should either prove the allegations levelled or apologise before the public. It also warned that the party may take "appropriate legal" steps against Shah. "While giving your speech, you had made several wild allegations which have no basis and/or legs to stand. However, this letter relates to the personal remarks and statements made by you against Ms Mamata Banerjee, Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal and the Chairperson of All India India Trinamool Congress," the letter undersigned by Chandrima Bhattacharya, president of West Bengal TMC. [West Bengal: Vehicles parked near Amit Shah's rally vandalized, BJP warns TMC] "You had in the open meeting charged Ms Banerjee of earning crores and crores of rupees from her paintings. You had also stated that the money received by her was proceeds of Chit Funds. You had alleged that while renowned painters sell their paintings at some thousands rupees, she sells her paintings in crores," the letter further said. It says that the payments received for paintings have disclosed to the authorities including the income tax department and the EC. Here is the letter which TMC wrote to Amit Shah: WB Trinamool Mahila Congress Pres Chandrima Bhattacharya writes to BJP President Amit Shah over his speech in East Midnapore today. In the letter, Bhattacharya asks him to 'either prove his statements &/or withdraw the same&apologise before public' or legal steps will be taken.' pic.twitter.com/cae0AYmz4R ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public rally in East Midnapore. Shah alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government "has propagated poverty and violence" in the state. Amit Shah also gave a call for "change of government in Bengal" to make the state "Sonar Bangla" (Bengal, a land of gold) once again. [2019 Lok Sabha polls an opportunity to re-create Sonar Bangla, says Amit Shah] Bangladeshi infiltrators have become the vote bank of the TMC, he said. Only the Modi government will be able to make Bengal free of infiltrators, Shah added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 21:51 [IST] PM Modi visiting Dandi on Mahatma Gandhis death anniversary India oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi New Delhi, Jan 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Gujarats Dandi on Mahatma Gandhis death anniversary on Wednesday. In Dandi, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial to the nation, on Bapu's death anniversary. The memorial has statues of Mahatma Gandhi and 80 Satyagrahis who had marched with him during the historic Dandi Salt March. The memorial, in Navsari district of Gujarat, also has 24-narrative murals depicting various events and stories from the historic 1930 Salt March. The Prime Minister will walk through the memorial and address a public meeting. The Salt Satyagraha March, well known as the Dandi March of 1930, has been a landmark event in the history of India's freedom struggle. It was on this day, as a part of the Civil Disobedience Movement against the British rule, 80 Satyagrahis led by Mahatma Gandhi marched 241-miles from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi and made salt from sea water breaking the Salt Law imposed by the British. ['Chunavi jumlas' of 2014, Modi's big headache for 2019] Before Dandi, the Prime Minister is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the extension of terminal building at Surat Airport. The terminal building is being constructed at a cost of Rs.354 crore with an area of over 25,500 square metres. It will be an eco-friendly sustainable building, using solar energy and LED lighting. Once completed, it will have a peak handling capacity of over 1800 passengers. [Opposition 'vilifying EVMs' to explain coming defeat, says PM Modi] Surat airport is the third busiest airport in Gujarat after Ahmedabad and Vadodara in terms of both aircraft movements and passenger traffic. In Surat, PM will interact with the youth at the New India Youth conclave. He will also inaugurate Smt. Rasilaben Sevantilal Shah Venus Hospital and visit the facilities there. It will be the second visit of the Prime Minister to Gujarat this month. He earlier visited Surat on January 19, 2019, to dedicate the Armoured System Complex at Hazira. He attended the Vibrant Gujarat summit on January 17 and 18, 2019, at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 19:26 [IST] What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com. Summer Solstice 2021: All you need to know about the first day of summer 'PUBG-Wala Hai Kya': How PM Modi won over students at Pariksha pe Charcha India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 29: "PUBG-Wala Hai Kya," Prime Minister Narendra Modi's question at the 'Pariksha pe Charcha' event in Delhi brought smile on many faces on Tuesday. As a mother complained to the Prime Minister that her son was avoiding studies and addicted to online games, PM Modi replied: "PUBG-wala hai kya? which left the audience in laughter. PM Modi interacted with around 2,000 students at New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium. While last year, only students of Delhi-NCR participated in the event, this year, students from all over India as well as Indian students residing abroad, including in Russia, Nigeria, Iran, Nepal, Doha, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, took part. While he motivated children to embrace technology, he also motivated them to move beyond PlayStation and go out to play in the field. "I will not say exposure to technology is a bad thing for students. Technology should lead to the expansion of the mind and as a means to innovate. The PlayStation is good but never forget the playing field," he said. In his first Mann Ki Baat 2019, PM pays homage to Shivakumara Swami, urges people to vote in LS poll "Technology is a boon and a curse as well. It depends on how a child is using. Here every student is having a mobile in their hands. Sit with your child, give them some work and ask them to discover something new through technology and teach them the right use of technology," says the prime minister. When a student asked that how should we convince our parents that we don't want to study maths or science and want to follow some other passion, PM Modi said, "Analyse your passion and figure out if you have the ability and a plan to follow it. Take guidance from your teachers. Then convince your parents and assure them that you can do it." The PM also asked parents not to impose their own ambitions on their children. "Parents fail when they impose their own life ambitions on their kids. They should try to identify the talent in their kids. As far as expectations are concerned, we also feel that we need to work hard when there are expectations," he said. More than Priyanka Gandhi, BJP needs to think about the dissenting voices of NDA I India oi-Shubham Ghosh New Delhi, Jan 29: All the focus in Indian politics at the moment is on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the sister of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi who formally entered politics last week by being appointed the AICC general secretary for East UP. For the Grand Old Party, this was a sort of moment that required it to play its final card under its sleeve because it didn't find a place in the alliance formed between the two big parties in the state - Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. 'Congress's OROP is Only Rahul Only Priyanka': Amit Shah There is also nothing spectacular to tell about the status of the party's cadre strength in the most important state politically. The only fair option was to transform Priyanka from a part-time to a full-time politician. The BJP has used the opportunity to show to the world that the Congress is nothing more than a dynastic party. This has been the point around which the saffron party has rallied in the past elections as well and its president Amit Shah even went to the extent of mocking the Congress's 'OROP' as "Only Rahul Only Priyanka". Voices in the BJP also asked whether Rahul was a "joker" if Priyanka is being seen as the "trump card". Whether the induction of Priyanka Gandhi will turn the equation in favour of the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha election is something only time knows. But one suspects the BJP is overdoing in its reaction to something which the Congress has full right to do as its internal matter. The BJP's old-timers are not happy with the current leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party instead need to address instead another concern that might hurt them even if apparently it seems harmless. The issue is about the party's old-timers' dissatisfaction with the current leadership. There are a whole lot of leaders who had once belonged to the front row of the BJP of the Atal Behari Vajpayee era. While some of them have been expelled, others have quit or still remain in the party causing a discomfort for those in control in these times. With no place in SP-BSP alliance & no local face in UP, Congress had only hope in Priyanka Gandhi Three of such leaders -- Yaswant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Shatrughan Sinha - were even seen joining the anti-Modi chorus in Kolkata recently organised by the Trinamool Congress. Another old-timer Jaswant Singh was expelled ahead of the Lok Sabha election 2014 for six years. Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has already said that she is not running for this year's Lok Sabha election while another minister Nitin Gadkari has been accused of indirectly targeting PM Modi in his speeches. The tallest of all the old-timers - Lal Krishna Advani - has spent perhaps his most silent days in the parliament over the last five years and the country might not see the nonagenarian in the House again in 2019. The dissenting old guards have also felt energised after the three poll defeats This situation has virtually seen two BJPs in the national politics now. On the one hand is the second-generation BJP led by Modi and Shah where the duo calls all the shots and there is very little scope for any differing viewpoint. The other is the old BJP which stands scattered but hasn't forgotten the way it was sidelined in the Modi era. In the fight against Modi, Priyanka Gandhi has to find her 'Michelle Obama moment' As long as the Modi-Shah duo was winning elections, there was not much to say for these dissenting quarters but after the BJP lost three states in the Hindi heartland last month, those ex-BJP members or dissenting members of the party have felt vindicated, along with the Opposition parties. The presence of the two Sinhas and Shourie - once ministers in Vajpayee's NDA government - has proved the convergence of the anti-Modi sentiments, irrespective of the political backgrounds. BJP could have used the old guards purposefully The Modi leadership has in effect added to its headache ahead of the next general elections by alienating the old guard of the party which had felt itself terribly let down by the NDA II. Had the party decided to use these individuals and their experiences in some form over the last five years, the intensity of their opposition would have been lesser but it was not planned with the same precision with which the BJP treats several other aspects. There was a Margdarshak Mandal to accommodate some of the old guards to give them a gloried retired life but that plan hasn't paid off which is seen from the degree of dissatisfaction the old guards have with the party today. Priyanka Gandhi likely to begin political innings with holy dip at Kumbh on Feb 4 The BJP's top brass could also have used these old leaders during their electioneering programmes instead of depending solely on Modi and Shah. They could have played a vital role in presenting to the people an amalgamation of the high points of the BJP of Vajpayee and that of Modi. But that was not to be. On the ground, the one-time assistants to Vajpayee might have little significance today for none of them are young and crowd-pullers by themselves and stand no chance to give Modi a threat. But what these leaders could do is to make the BJP look an unhappy and divided unit for the supporters and followers and that might not be a very happy message to convey ahead of an all-important election. MJ Akbars Defamation Case: Priya Ramani summoned as an accused India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 29: Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday issued summons to Priya Ramani as an accused in the defamation case filed by former minister MJ Akbar. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal said that "she (Ramani) has been summoned for February 25." Ramani had accused Akbar of sexual harassment and misconduct in a series of tweets published in October, 2018. Although several women leveled allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment against the former Minister, Akbar filed a defamation complaint against Ramani alone. MJ Akbar on booklet; MEA says nothing to do with Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas These six persons, namely Joyeeta Basu, Sunil Gujral, Veenu Sandal, Tapan Chaki, Manzar Ali and Rachna Goel, have been closely associated with Akbar at a professional and personal level. All six witnesses had acknowledged that they were shocked and dismayed after reading Ramani's tweets and that Akbar's reputation has been lowered in their eyes. They also vouched for Akbar's credentials and professionalism while stating that they had never heard of any complaint against Akbar. Akbar in his statement recorded in the court on October 31 last year had said that immediate damage has been caused to him due to the scurrilous, concocted and false allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him. "Indeed there was immediate damage because of the scurrilous nature of these concocted and false allegations. I was attacked in my personal capacity about alleged and fabricated non-events allegedly done two decades ago," he had said. No rift between PM Modi, Yogi: No Cabinet expansion now Yogi in Delhi: Change in guard in UP baseless say sources 'Daughter of Ganga': Newborn girl found in wooden box floating in river, gets UP CM Yogi Adityanath's help Kumbh Mela: In a first, Yogi Adityanath holds UP cabinet meet in Prayagraj India oi-Deepika S Prayagraj, Jan 29: In a first, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a cabinet meeting at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj today. The ministers are scheduled to watch the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Uri at a special screening in a mobile theatre after the meeting and then take a dip at Sangam. The move is the latest among a series of measures by the Chief Minister to promote Kumbh Mela, which is among the world's largest religious gatherings, at Prayagraj. The state sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha and the BJP has been insisting that it will better its record of 71 seats that it won in 2014. Yogi Adityanath announces pension for Sadhus; Opposition levels appeasement charge In 2014 the NDA won 73 of the 80 seats, and the BJP won a state election here handsomely in 2017. However, the saffron party has fared poorly in Uttar Pradesh bypolls since then. This year, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have announced that they will contest 38 seats each in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress is not part of the alliance -- but the four seats the SP and the BSP will not contest include Amethi and Raebareli, the Lok Sabha seats of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. The Bharatiya Janata Party expects the Kumbh mela to boost the BJP's campaign in Uttar Pradesh in the general elections due by May. Announcements mady by Yogi Adityanath A Ganga Express Way will be constructed. The express way will connect western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj. The 90-km long Gorakhpur Link on the Purvanchal Express way has also been approved. The cabinet has decided to exempt 'Uri' movie from state GST. This film will instil a feeling of nationalism in the youth and the citizens of the country," Adityanath said. The state cabinet has also approved the construction of the Bundelkhand Express. The state cabinet welcomed the Centre's decision to file petition in the Supreme Court for the release of excess land acquired around the disputed site in Ayodhya and be handed over to the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. Journalist murder case: Charges framed against Mohammad Shahabuddin India oi-Vikas SV Patna, Jan 29: A court on Tuesday framed charges against former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin and seven others in connection with the murder of journalist Rajdev Ranjan. The next hearing in the case has been fixed for February 12. Rajdev Ranjan, Siwan bureau chief of Hindi daily Hindustan, was murdered in May 2016. Five persons were arrested in connection with the case within a few days of the murder. Bihar CBI court issues production warrant for Shahabuddin in scribe murder case In May 2017, a CBI court had issued production warrant against Mohammad Shahabuddin seeking his appearance before it from Tihar Jail through video conferencing for his trial in the murder case of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan. The four times RJD MP from Siwan is alleged to have been involved in the murder of Rajdeo Ranjan. Shahabuddin is facing trial in more than 45 criminal cases and was moved to Tihar jail in February 2017 on a Supreme Court order on the pleas by Siwan native Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons were killed in two separate incidents. Rajdeo Ranjan murder case: SC gives clean chit to Tej Pratap Yadav According to reports, Ranjan, a postgraduate who also held a law degree, started his journalistic career with Hindustan nearly 16 years ago as a stringer from Siwan. He later became a staff member. He took over as the newspaper's Siwan bureau chief about seven years ago. He had covered Siwan politics and crime extensively and had penned several reports on court proceedings against Shahabuddin. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 18:26 [IST] Why the arrest, capture or killing of Madvi Hidma would weaken the naxal movement further Jharkhand: Five Naxals killed in encounter India pti-PTI Ranchi, Jan 29: At least five Naxals have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Jharkhand Tuesday, officials said. Two AK-47 rifles, a .303 rifle and five pistols were recovered from the Naxals, they said. A team of CRPF's 209 CoBRA battalion and state police had an exchange of fire with Naxals near the Rotkatoli village under Bari police station along the border of Khunti and West Singhbhum districts around 6:20 AM, they said. 12 killed, 2 injured in road accident in Ujjain district Five Naxals were killed while one has been critically injured. There has been no injury to the troops and a search of the encounter site is on, they said, adding the identity of the killed and injured is being established. The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is a special jungle warfare unit of the CRPF and is deployed in the state for anti-Maoist operations. PTI ISRO's new satellite to keep a close eye on China, Pak India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Jan 29: In this age of technology and electronic surveillance, it is important to keep a close eye on the enemy so that right plans can be devised before it it is too late. The Kargil misadventure by Pakistan convinced India that Islamabad could no longer be left unwatched. If India had an eye in the sky back then, then Kargil-like incursion may never have happened. India had no clue that Pakistani Army had come well inside its territories and stood there for months. This served as the final reminder and warning to India that Pakistan must be watched over. ISRO announced on January 17 that it will be launching a border surveillance satellite. The announcement comes six months after China and Pakistan launched a satellite that will be able to monitor the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). India's satellite will be able to send high-resolution imagery from its borders to help the border guarding forces communicate more efficiently. India's discomfort of the friendship brewing between Pakistan and China was evident as it announced plans to launch border surveillance satellites, said a report published in Business Insider. The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) announcement to launch a satellite that will pick up high-resolution imagery of its neighboring borders comes just six months after Pakistan launched its own remote sensing satellite. [ISRO to train 45 countries in making nano-satellites] Last year in July, China launched two satellites for Pakistan that, among other things, are meant to keep an eye on India. One of them -- the PRSS-1 -- is a remote sensing satellite built by China. The other -- PakTES-1A - is Pakistan's indigenously developed scientific experiment satellite. The two were launched this morning on Chinese rocket Long March-2C from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The remote-sensing PRSS-1 satellite can carry out day and night monitoring, and it has viewing capacity even in clouded conditions. India is way ahead of Pakistan in space technology, with over operational satellites in space. India also has the radar imaging satellites with all-weather surveillance capability. India reportedly used images gathered from its satellites for the surgical strikes it carried out in 2016. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 5:00 [IST] No rift between PM Modi, Yogi: No Cabinet expansion now Yogi in Delhi: Change in guard in UP baseless say sources 'Daughter of Ganga': Newborn girl found in wooden box floating in river, gets UP CM Yogi Adityanath's help De-coding the UP Cabinet meeting at Kumbh India oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi Prayagraj, Jan 29: In a first, UP State government's cabinet meeting was held at Prayagraj Kumbh on Tuesday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired the meeting. Most of the UP Cabinet Ministers including both Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dr Dinesh Sharma attended the meeting. After the meeting, Yogi took a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati along with his cabinet colleagues and visited his sect of Nath to meet saints and seers. Talking to media after taking the holy dip, Yogi said undisrupted flow with clean water of river Ganga is results of attempts and inspirations of Prime Minister Modi. He said back in 2013 Kumbh at Prayagraj then Mauritius Prime Minister did not take holy dip due to pollution in the river Ganga but this year not only Mauritius PM took holy dip but more than 3000 Pravasi Bharatis also took holy dip during Kumbh. [Hues of Kumbh Mela 2019 in pictures] Briefing about the Cabinet meeting, the UP Chief Minister said that the Cabinet decided to construct 600-km-long Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Prayagraj with a cost of Rs. 36000 crore to provide better connectivity from Western districts to Prayagraj. The cabinet has also approved proposal of Gorakhpur link road project connecting Azamgarh and Ambedkarnagar with Purvanchal expressway. [Kumbh Mela: In a first, Yogi Adityanath holds UP cabinet meet in Prayagraj] Yogi said Rs. 5555 crore will be invested on the link project. He also announced that Cabinet has also decided to exempt film URI from State GST as film is based on patriotism and sacrifice of soldiers. UP Cabinet has also decided to set up statue of Nishadraj at Sringverpur at Prayagraj and develop Ashram of Maharshi Valmiki at Chitrakoot. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 20:47 [IST] Over 2 mn ordered to evacuate in US ahead of Hurricane Matthew US policy on deporting Haitians on hold in wake of hurricane Central assistance of Rs 7,214 cr for Puducherry, 6 states India oi-PTI New Delhi, Jan 29: The Centre on Tuesday approved the release of Rs 7,214 crore to six states and a Union Territory, including Rs 4,714 crore to Maharashtra, for floods, draught and cyclone damage. A statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said a high-level committee, headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, sanctioned the additional central assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) of Rs 7,214.03 crore to six states and one Union Territory. Among the sanctioned amount, Rs 4,714.28 crore will be given to Maharashtra (drought), Rs 949.49 crore to Karnataka (drought), Rs 900.4 crore to Andhra Pradesh (drought), Rs 317.44 crore to Himachal Pradesh (flood and landslides), Rs 191.73 crore to Uttar Pradesh (flood), Rs 127.60 crore to Gujarat (drought) and Rs 13.09 crore to UT of Puducherry (cyclone). UN report: India incurred 7.5 billion losses from natural disasters The meeting was held here to consider the additional central assistance to these six states and one UT, which were affected by floods, landslides, cloudburst and cyclone Gaja and drought during kharif season 2018-19, the statement said. Union Finance Minister Piyush Goel, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and senior officers of the ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, Agriculture and NITI Aayog were present in the meeting. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 15:59 [IST] Caught in massive snowfall, Uttarakhand groom treks 6 kilometres to reach wedding venue India oi-Shubham Ghosh Dehradun, Jan 29: The Nature was ruthless but the hero of our story too was defiant. He was to reach his own wedding on time and after finding odds caused by massive snowfall, trekked more than six kilometres to make it to the destination. The fact that the groom is an army jawan helped his cause all the more. The wedding ceremony, which took place on Friday, January 25, at Makku Math in Rudraprayag had only 25 invitees. Firefighter leaves own wedding midway to douse fire; bride says it's fine A groom and the wedding party comprising around 80 people started from Triyuginarayan village in Rudraprayag district of UP but got stuck in a massive traffic gam because of heavy snowfall, reported Hindustan Times. With no signs of the road clearing up, the wedding party decided to send only seven people to the marriage including a few from the groom's family, the report said. The party then undertook a trek over six kilometres to reach the venue. The wedding went off smoothly after that. "We had seen a wedding procession like this in 2002 and now this was the next one. People will talk about this procession and the wedding for years as in both the weddings the groom was an army jawan," Hindustan Times quoted Ashish Gairola, the groom's brother, as saying. The party that undertook the adventure also had Ashish's eight-year-old son who played with snow in the entire journey. Revolver Rani kidnaps ex-lover at gun-point from his wedding "If you see the pictures then you would question whether they were even feeling cold, forget difficulty," he said. The groom's village has no electric supply for more than a week now and family has been charging their phones in their car. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 10:17 [IST] Vinton, IA (52349) Today Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening, then skies turning partly cloudy overnight. Low 58F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Journos must be treated as frontline staff for COVID-19 vaccination: Devendra Fadnavis BJP not desperate: Fadnavis on Shiv Sena's 'big brother' claim India oi-PTI Mumbai, Jan 29: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday countered the Shiv Sena's claim of being "the big brother" in the Sena-BJP alliance, saying his party is not seeking a tie-up desperately. He was speaking at the valedictory event of a day-long meeting of the state working committee of the BJP in Jalna. "BJP does want an alliance with the Shiv Sena but we are not desperate for it. We want the alliance as custodians of Hindutva and a strong force against corruption," he said. 'We are the big brother and will remain so': Shiv Sena on BJP alliance The Sena had said last January that it would go it alone in all future elections. Earlier Monday, Sena's chief whip in Parliament and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said his party is the "big brother in Maharashtra and will continue to be so". "There is no proposal from the BJP to form any alliance with the Shiv Sena....We are not waiting for any proposal to be offered to us," Mr Raut added. Talking about the BJP-led government's performance in the last four and a half years, Fadnavis said that "potholes of the last 60 years cannot be fixed within five years. "We need a continuation," he said. Till 2014, the BJP and Sena, allies for long, had an understanding where the former contested a larger share of Lok Sabha seats and the latter contested a greater number of Assembly seats in Maharashtra. In the 2014 Assembly polls, which the two parties fought separately, the BJP won 122 seats against Sena's 63. The Sena later joined the government in the state as a junior partner. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 11:50 [IST] Bharat Rang Mahotsav to feature 4 plays on Mahatma Gandhi's life India pti-PTI New Delhi, Jan 29: The 20th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav will celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with four plays on his life, philosophy, and principles. Organised by National School of Drama (NSD), the "largest theatre festival in Asia" will begin here on February 1 with "Karanth Ke Rang", a performance directed by Amod Bhatt based on songs composed by late B V Karanth, a stalwart of Kannada and Hindi theatres. During the 21-day theatrical extravaganza, "Bapu" by Samir Biswas, "Stay Yet a While" by M K Raina, "Satya Ke Prayog" by Devendra Raj Ankur, and "Hind Swaraj" by Arjun Deo Charan will pay tribute to the father of the nation. [PM Modi visiting Dandi on Mahatma Gandhis death anniversary] The festival will host 69 Indian and 15 foreign plays in addition to nine folk productions, five plays by NSD diploma students, one production from the Sikkim center of NSD, three plays by the NSD Repertory as well as five invitee plays by eminent theatre practitioners that will captivate the theatregoers across India. The national capital will host 89 plays in Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, and Marathi among other regional languages. The 15 international productions will include plays from countries such as Bangladesh, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Italy, Nepal, Romania, and Singapore. "The art of theatre is the oldest and the strongest medium that conveys human emotions in a manner that defies temporal boundaries. We are delighted to usher in the Bharat Rang Mahotsav to its 20th year and have made all efforts to bring a selection of quality plays, choosing the best out of 960 submissions. We have tried to accommodate as many young theatre enthusiasts as we can, since the institution aims to foster the growth of young talents through the platform of BRM," Suresh Sharma, Director In-charge, NSD, said. [Rail ministry's tableau highlighting Gandhi's journey from Mohan to Mahatma earns praise] Apart from the performances and interactions with thespians and eminent personalities from the world of theatre, the festival in Delhi will also have two international and two national seminars on theatre. Parallel theatre festivals will also be organised in Dibrugarh (February 4-10), Varanasi (February 7-13), Ranchi (February 9-15), Mysore (February 11-17), and Rajkot (February 13-19). The 20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav will come to a close on February 21. PTI Backed by ISI the Yaba Pill of Myanmar, which funds Rohingya terror India India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 29: The Indian agencies have on numerous occasions flagged the issue relating to the Rohingyas who are taking refuge in India. Amidst all the security concerns that have been raised, there are a few voices who urge for a more human approach towards them. If one were to look at it from the security point of view, the Rohingya are a nightmare. They have been used as an excuse by groups such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh and Lashkar-e-Tayiba to spread terror in India. They are vulnerable to terror recruitment. The National Investigation Agency in its probe into the Bodh Gaya blast case clearly states that it was carried out to espouse the cause of the Rohingyas. These are clearly indirect links. However, the new problem that our Indian agencies face is with regard to the Rohingyas being used by the ISI and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh to push drugs into the country. Stranded in no man's land, probe on to ascertain how 31 Rohingyas crossed over Indian agencies have told the Union Home Ministry about the rise in smuggling of the Yaba pills. It is rampant on the Indo-Bangladesh border, the agencies say and in recent times, the Rohingyas have been used to carry these drugs into the market. As usual the Pakistan link too has emerged in this. The operation according to the agencies is backed by the ISI. The proceeds from this ISI-JMB backed racket are given to the Arkan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), who in turn use it to purchase arms. An Intelligence Bureau officer tells OneIndia that the smuggling of Yaba pills is the latest modus operandi to raise funds for the ARSA. While they still indulge in counterfeiting of fake Indian currency, smuggling of Yaba pills is the bigger problem today. It may be recalled that in 2018, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said, " India's anti-nacrcotic bureau had seized large quantities of yaba pills, which contain a mixture of meth and caffeine." Officials say that the drugs are being brought in by the Rohingyas with the help of the ISI and JMB from Myanmar. They land in Bangladesh and then is also channelised into India. The smuggling of this drug peaked between 2017 and 2018 and continues to remain rampant, officials also said. This is not just a concern for India, but for Bangladesh as well. Authorities in Bangladesh too have blamed the Rohingyas for the rise of Yaba pill smuggling from Myanmar. Further there have been nearly 70 Rohingyas who have been arrested on charges of Yaba pill smuggling in Bangladesh. Intelligence Bureau officials also say that apart from smuggling the drug in from Myanmar, in recent times, some units have come up in India, which manufactures the drug. While some of these units have been busted, the primary concern is about the Rohingyas upping the ante and smuggling this drug. Myanmar not willing to investigate Rohingya abuse: UN representative The drug after it lands in India, is pushed into several cities such as Mumbai, Kolkaka, Bengaluru and Mumbai. On a yearly basis, the proceeds from the smuggling of this drug is around Rs 60 to Rs 70 crore. A large part of this amount is channelised to the ARSA, which in turn uses the money to purchase arms, recruit terrorists to carry out attacks. What is the Yaba pill: To start with this pill has many names. It is referred to as 007, madness drug, Nazi speed and in India Bhul Bhulaya. The drug is made up of caffeine and methamphetamine or crystal meth. The tablet is red in colour. Users most commonly smoke the drug of the tinfoil. It is also infested orally or crushed and snorted. The caffeine to meth ratio varies, but the potent drug makes up for nearly 20 per cent of Yaba. One of the biggest of the drug is Thailand, but Myanmar remains the largest producer. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 16:29 [IST] Ayodhya dispute: Ram Madhav welcomes Centre's petition to vacate status quo on 67 acres land India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Jan 29: BJP leader Ram Madhav welcomed the Centre's petition to seek to vacate status quo on the 67 acre land in Ayodhya acquired by the then government in 1993. In a Facebook post Ram Madhav, said, "Government's move to seek Supreme Court to vacate status quo on the 67 acre land in Ayodhya acquired by the then government in 1993 is a much awaited welcome one. This land was under no dispute. There were various owners of different plots. Several of them had accepted compensation from the government and surrendered their plots permanently to the government. Permit us to transfer excess Ayodhya land to Ram Temple trust: Centre tells SC A major part of the acquired land, about 42 acres, belonged to Shri Ram Janmbhumi Nyas. The Nyas didn't accept any compensation and instead demanded in 1996 that the land be returned to it. It had, since then, made several appeals and attempts for the same. In early 2000s, the Supreme Court had issued an order asking for status quo to be maintained over the entire 67 acres. This 15-year old order is sought to be vacated by the government since no dispute or threat exists over this land anymore. The main Ram Janmbhumi dispute is over a 2.7 acre plot, hearing over which is being inordinately delayed due to various reasons by the Supreme Court. In view of the strong popular sentiment attached to the Ram Mandir, the least that the government could do is to unfreeze the acquired land and hand it over to its owners, in this case the Nyas. It doesn't in anyway affect the main case nor has it got anything to do with politics or elections." The Centre has moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to return 67 acres of land it had acquired around the disputed land in Ayodhya to the original owners. The government had acquired 67 acres around the 2.77 acre disputed Ram Janmabhumi land. In an application, it sought permission to return the land to the original owners. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 14:38 [IST] Central government employees who are 45 years and above advised to take vaccine 7th Pay Commission: Why the TA for CG employees will not increase despite rise in DA 7th Pay Commission: Good news is here for some, CG employees continue to wait India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 29: There is some amount of good news for a section of employees where the 7th Pay Commission is concerned. It would not be wrong to say that the Centre so far has disappointed lakhs of Central Government employees, where their basic minimum pay is concerned. Will there be good news on the 7th Pay Commission in the upcoming budget. That only time would tell. However in another development the government has ordered the revision of allowances for teachers, equivalent academic cadre, registrars, finance officers and Controller of Examinations in the Universities and Colleges as per the recommendations as per the recommendations of the pay panel. This comes days after the Centre had approved a proposal to extend the pay panel's recommendations to academic staff of government and aided technical institutions. Rs 1,241 crore was granted for this purpose. "This will directly benefit a total of 29,264 teachers and other academic staff of state government funded institutes. Besides, about 3.5 lakh teachers and other academic staff of private colleges or institutions within the purview of All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) will also benefit from the approval," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had said. However good news continues to elude the CG employees who had demanded a hike in their basic minimum pay. The 7th Pay Commission had recommended Rs 18,000 as the basic minimum pay, but the CG employees have been demanding Rs 26,000. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 5:43 [IST] 2019 Lok Sabha polls an opportunity to re-create Sonar Bangla, says Amit Shah India oi-Deepika S Kolkata, Jan 29: BJP chif Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Lok Sabha elections were an opportunity for the people of the state for "re-formation of Shonar Bangla". The BJP president took a swipe at Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress' poll promise of 'Shonar Bangla', or 'golden Bengal', when they had come to power a decade ago, and said that the Bengal party had fallen back on its promise. Shah said, "What happened to Bengal? Where did 'Shonar Bangla' go? Bengalis in India are looking for it today. Everyone's got their eyes fixed on Bengal." On Citizenship Bill On the contentious Citizenship Bill, Shah said, "I would like to ask Mamata ji if she will support the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Tell the people of Bengal." He said, "I would like to tell all the refugees in West Bengal that BJP and Narendra Modi government will grant them the citizenship." "Bangladeshi infiltrators have become the vote bank of TMC. Only Modi govt will be able to make Bengal free of infiltrators," the BJP chief said. 'Congress's OROP is Only Rahul Only Priyanka': Amit Shah On strengthening democracy in Bengal "The ADM (additional district magistrate) of this district was transferred last night (Monday). Transfer whomsoever you want, the BJP will restore democracy in Bengal," Shah said. On poverty in Bengal Every fifth person in Bengal is below the poverty line. "How many of the closed 55,000 factories did you restart?" Shah questioned Mamata. The Left had perpetuated poverty and unemployment. "Mamata added syndicate to it," he said. "Will the Ponzi scheme operators get caught if the chief minister is not changed? Around 2.5 million people lost their hard-earned money in Ponzi schemes," the BJP chief said. On Majboot not Majboor India "Bengal decided to go with Narendra Modi in 2014 and uproot the Mamata Banerjee government. Will the TMC be able to stop infiltration and cow smuggling? If BJP comes in power, forget infiltrators, even a bird can't cross the borders," Shah said. Bangladeshi infiltrators have become the vote bank of the TMC, he said. Only the Modi government will be able to make Bengal free of infiltrators, Shah added. On religious freedom "If Durga and Saraswati puja are not held here (Bengal), will they be held in Pakistan? BJP karyakartas will ensure that Saraswati Puja and Durga Visarjan is celebrated on a large scale," Shah assured the crowd. Appealing the voters to give BJP a chance, Shah said You have given opportunities to Congress, Left and TMC. But did they do the state any good? Give BJP a chance. Man held after threatening to hijack planes from MP and take them to Pakistan MP: BJP Yuva Morcha leader fined Rs 10,000 for flouting COVID-19 norms but no case as he expresses 'remorse' No room for vaccine hesitancy: This village in MP vaccinates all eligible residents with 1st dose of COVID-19 12 killed, 2 injured in road accident in Ujjain district India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bhopal, Jan 29: Twelve people were killed and two others seriously injured in head-on collission between two cars in Ujjain district on Monday. According to news agency ANI, the mishap occurred near Ramgarh village. According to reports, the family were returning from a wedding in a van, which collided with another vehicle with such great impact that the van fell 50 feet away. Former Defence Minister George Fernandes, who visited Siachen 18 times, passes away in Delhi The accident took place around 12.30 am in Ramgarh area when the victims, all residents of Ujjain, were returning home after attending a marriage function in Nagda city, Bherugarh police station in-charge Jai C Ram Barde told PTI. Their vehicle collided head on with a speeding sports utility vehicle (SUV). Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his condolence message said, "The road accident in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district is unfortunate. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their loved ones." The road accident in Madhya Pradeshs Ujjain district is unfortunate. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their loved ones: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 29, 2019 It helped the wedding photographer, too, to get the best shots without interference. The reception followed on the rooftop of Blatt Beer and Table in downtown OmahaKyleigh and Dezs favorite place in Omaha. Kyleigh says that option saved them on rental and catering fees. An almond wedding cake and various smaller cakes baked by a family friend/pastry chef let guests choose their preferred flavor. The signature drinks were Infusion's Vanilla Bean Blonde Ale and Nebraska Brewing Companys IPA more of the couple's favorites. Amidst the dining and dancing, Kyleigh shared a special dance with her younger brother, Alex. "Im grateful for those few minutes I got to spend with just him," she says. The couple heard again and again how the day was "true to themselves." Rose gold decor accents, a reception at their favorite restaurant, their favorite local beer, and a Modelo beer bottle-shaped groom's cake all represented parts of the couple and what they love. Kyleigh attributes the smoothness of the day and success of planning to the help she had from her mom and best friends. At the end of the night, Dez and Kyleigh were starving; they had forgotten to eat! The two ordered a pizza but fell asleep before it arrived. Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy, inauguration speech, Jan. 20, 1961 Behind virtually every presidential speech there is a humble speechwriter, helping focus the speakers thoughts into vivid oratory, memorable for generations. For JFK, that writer was Theodore Ted Sorensen, who purportedly helped pen the 1961 inaugural address. Born and raised in Lincoln, Sorensen was much more than just a wordsmith. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1949 from the University of Nebraska with a bachelors degree in law, and in 1951 finishing at the top of his class at the University of Nebraska College of Law, he became chief legislative aide for then-Sen. John F. Kennedy in 1953. For the next 10 years, he was by JFKs side as researcher, adviser and speechwriter and beginning in 1961 special counsel to the president. In 1962 Sorensen drafted Kennedys letter to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, which helped end the Cuban Missile Crisis. After JFKs death in 1963, Sorensen joined a New York law firm as an international lawyer. But these kinds of explanations go only so far. For the last quarter century, the American personal savings rate has usually been below 10 percent and often below 5 percent. In the aggregate, most Americans simply don't save enough. This is quite aside from any misfortune they might encounter or hardship they might have inflicted on them -- and federal employees certainly suffered from both. One common line of argument is that the cost of living is high in modern America, and families with children cannot be expected to save much. It's easy enough to see where that intuition comes from, especially in an era when prices for medical care, higher education and real estate have been rising at disproportionate rates. Still, that is not an argument that people cannot or should not save. In fact, it might be an argument that they should save more and consume less. Indeed a higher savings rate is possible, and not just for the wealthy. Most Mormons in the U.S., for example, manage to tithe at least 10 percent of their incomes. This suggests it is possible to curtail one's consumption without losing the best things in life. Mormons also tend to have especially large families, making tithing all the more difficult. If Mormons can tithe so much, is it so impossible for the rest of us, including government employees, to save more? The Pentagon outreach was deliberately aimed at engineers who dont like the idea of working with the U.S. military. As the innovation boards statement announcing the ethics dialogue put it, We are taking care to include not only experts who often work with the (Department of Defense), but also AI skeptics, DoD critics and leading AI engineers who have never worked with DoD before. If were going to be the arsenal of democracy in the 21st century, we have to show that we have ideals and are ready to stand up for them, says one senior Pentagon official involved in the program. It wasnt going to be enough to say, Hey, were the good guys, were Americans. We needed to be more introspective. This bridge-building to the tech community follows a potentially disastrous rupture last year, when Google employees rebelled at a Pentagon AI effort called Project Maven. It was a relatively small, $9 million contract to write algorithms for nonlethal monitoring of surveillance videos to detect threatening movement. Neither the company nor the Pentagon foresaw the controversy that erupted when thousands of Google employees signed a protest petition; the company had to retreat and declined to renew the contract. Sen. Groenes state aid for K-12 reform, LB 695 What would it do: Replace the current state formula for distributing state aid to school (TEEOSA, the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act) to deliver more state aid to more schools. Right now, 175 of the states 244 school districts get no so-called equalization aid. The proposal would address that by providing every student in the state about $3,500 in foundation aid, Groene estimated. Among the changes would be eliminating an averaging adjustment that generally benefits larger schools. School budget increases could not exceed the consumer price index. The current property tax credit program would help fund the changes, though Groene said that eliminating some sales tax exemptions, like those on junk food, could also help. Weve got to have a shift (in taxes), we need relief now, the senator said, insisting that it cant be done any other way. Later, abortion protester Ivan Ivanov of Lincoln approached pro-abortion rights protesters, which he said hes done in previous years. They debated when life begins, he said, and they discovered neither support the death penalty. Nobody raised their voice, Ivanov said. We had a nice conversation. The public officials spoke against New Yorks recent law, signed Tuesday, which allows abortion until birth if a mothers health is at risk or the life isnt viable. This movement is the way of the future, Sasse said. The movement of death in New York that we saw this week, it is going to end up in the dust bin of history. Nebraskas budget bill last year ended federal funding under Title X to Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, and the governor has included that language in budget proposals again this year. His first attempt at plowing, using borrowed equipment in soil that was too wet, clogged the implement to a halt every few feet. It was literally just inch by inch, Davy said. He persisted, just like the rugged pioneers. The field dried out and they planted their first crop. Now theyre leaning more on others to grow the barley while focusing on the three-step process of malting: steeping, sprouting and drying. They have traveled from North Dakota to North Carolina is search of knowledge, and are now working with a barley specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While barley has been grown in the state, growing it for beer is all new. Theres been a lot of talking with other maltsters to understand the nature of the beast, Davy said. Its a combination of art and science. In their warehouse, they produce malt the old-fashioned way, using equipment they built, modified and adapted. A heavy, wooden rake they made looks like something out of the Middle Ages. You cant buy them off the shelves at Menards, he said. LINCOLN Peace appears to be breaking out in a battle between craft brewers and liquor distributors in Nebraska. The armistice over ale comes a year after brewers and distributors were at odds over whether brew produced in the state had to first be shipped to a distributor before it could be trucked to bars, restaurants and other retail locations in Nebraska. A proposed solution introduced in the Legislature stalled amid a true brouhaha. The states growing craft brewing industry labeled the proposal a job killer, particularly for breweries in rural areas, who faced higher costs for shipping their beer to a far-off warehouse in a big city before it could be delivered to an outlet across the street. Meanwhile, some distributors claimed that last years bill was needed to avoid lawsuits over interstate commerce. But on Tuesday, a compromise crafted over the past few months was presented during a public hearing before the State Liquor Control Commission. No one objected. The only testifier, an attorney for the brewers, Vanessa Silke of Omaha, said that once the parties sat down in the same room, they realized they needed to work together, not against each other. Following the teens disappearance, authorities urged residents to search their garages, storage sheds and vehicles for the teen. It is possible this young man continues to walk about in our community, and he could use these locations to hide or seek shelter, police said in a statement. Police also released a missing person poster, asking residents to share it throughout the community. On Thursday, Coreys parents appeared at a press conference, pleading for their sons safe return. You know how much we love you, his mother, Michelle Brown, said, according to ABC affiliate WOI-DT. I am not going to stop until I find you. If you are out there, please come home. Corey, his father added, if you are out there, Bud, you are not in trouble. Just come home. About 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Coreys body was found in west Marshalltown in a secluded area not visible from the road, Tupper said. Authorities are investigating to determine why the teen left and how he died. Autopsy results are pending, police said. We may never know why he left, Tupper said. Pray for the family. A man convicted of a 1997 murder in Omaha has escaped from the state prison system. Anthony Gafford, 40, walked away from his work-release program Saturday in Lincoln, according to information that the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services provided the Lincoln Police Department. Gafford was sent to prison for killing 16-year-old Jacque Holbert in 1997. This month, Holberts grown son, 21-year-old Jacque S. Jack Holbert IV, was shot and killed while sleeping in a home near 38th and Burdette Streets. Lincoln Police Capt. Todd Kocian said the department was notified that Gafford left the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln at 6 a.m. Saturday to report to work and never returned. The Community Corrections Centers are the least restrictive facilities in the prison system, and people confined there are able to work and study in the community. Gafford had been housed in that facility since May. That doesnt make geographic or chronological sense Goliath was from Gath, to Bethlehems west, while Moab was across the Dead Sea to the east. Goliath would also be older than Davids grandfather. The rabbis derived Orpah from oref (back) and orfin (rear) because she turned her back on Naomi, and because of how they claimed she made love. Those are demeaning interpretations of a name of unknown origin. After the Reformation a few Protestant parents discovered Orpah. The 1850 United States census includes 105 Orpahs. Orpha was much more common; 2,156 are found in 1850. Most name dictionaries assume Orpha is an alteration of Orpah, but dont explain why it was more popular. Orpha might also have been created as a feminine form of Orpheus, the musician who goes to the underworld to bring his wife back from the dead in ancient Greek mythology. There were 22 women called Orphea in the 1950 census, along with 97 men named Orpheus. In 1979, Jessamyn West published the novel The Life I Really Lived, whose fictional heroine, Orpha Chase, was named after Orpheus. She recounts a soap opera-like life where her film director lover runs off with her daughter. Keeley had surgery to close a vessel thats only necessary in utero and, left intact after birth, can cause heart failure. Our babies, at the time of surgery, are smaller than most adult hearts. Its mind-boggling to think they are doing surgery around hearts the size of thumbnails, Klein said. Jade Ewoldt stays at the twins NICU bedsides most days, returning home a couple of days a week to spend time with her husband and other children. Family and friends help shuttle Koy and Kollins to and from school and activities, and babysit while Wesley goes to work. Its been that way for 57 days, and will be for many more. The earliest the twins will go home is their original due date March 29. Theyll be 4 months old. The Ewoldts said they arent yet thinking about long-term prognoses for Keeley and Kambry. For now, the girls are growing and progressing. Earlier this month, Keeley weighed 3.1 pounds, and Kambry weighed in at 2.1 pounds. Through faith, though, the parents remain hopeful. You just think of what they can be, Wesley Ewoldt said. Statistics from the hospitals NICU are on their side. Researchers collected samples from hedgehogs in the two Minnesota patients' homes and identified the strain of salmonella that was making people sick. It's still unclear if all or some of the pet hedgehogs came from "a common supplier," the CDC said. Symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps lasting four to seven days. In rare cases, a salmonella infection can lead to death a dire enough risk that the CDC gently suggested certain households "might consider a different pet." However, for those who could never part with little "Spike," "Sonic" or "S," the agency has recommended avoiding certain direct contact with their hedgehogs: That is, not nuzzling them or propping them up to your face for the perfect Instagram photo. "Don't kiss or snuggle hedgehogs, because this can spread Salmonella germs to your face and mouth and make you sick," the CDC warned. "Don't let hedgehogs roam freely in areas where food is prepared or stored, such as kitchens." If you do touch a hedgehog or clean its supplies, wash your hands immediately afterward. And don't clean your hedgehog's cage or toys in the same place you prepare human food. So this is a homecoming of sorts and a nod to the vision and hard work of our founders who had the foresight to acquire and preserve properties and collections connected to Cathers life and work. Trevor Jones, director and CEO of History Nebraska, said the transfer will help strengthen Cathers legacy in the state. With the foundation controlling the site, he said, Cathers story will be shared more extensively nationwide. The additional 8,000 items will make the National Willa Cather Center the largest repository for Cather-related artifacts, which include objects that belonged to the Cather family, as well as furnishings, family book collections and other possessions. We have a lot of work to do in the future as it relates to restoration and interpretation of the buildings, Olson said. But were excited and up for the challenge. A few years from now, we aspire to offer a greatly enhanced visitor experience. Heres more about the properties that were transferred, all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places: Willa Cathers childhood home Jordan Peele On Kanye Wests Sunken Place Comments: Hes Trying To Tell His Truth Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When In a new interview Jordan Peele discusses his new film Us, the genre-confusion of Get Out and Kanye West. The Sunken Place, the brainwashing technique used in Jordan Peeles social thriller Get Out, became a metaphor following the films release, being interpreted as a commentary on slavery, cultural appropriation and other subjects in relation to the black American experience. But it also became a term to call out problematic black public figures like Ben Carson and Kanye West. The latter was the most notable, especially after he started wearing a MAGA hat and meeting Donald Trump at the White House last year. READ: Jordan Peele Explains How Us And Get Out Are Different And Why Horror Movies Are Important Speaking to Rolling Stone, Peele talked about the Sunken Place and getting a chuckle out of seeing West be associated with the phrase, as well as the rapper referencing it himself. The Sunken Place is a new term we have to aid us in the discussion of what appears, to me, to be black people choosing an ideology that is racist against black people, Peele said. He then went on to say: However frustrated I am with what hes doing, the artist in me is like, He saw my movie! The thing about Kanye is, it feels to me that, whatever hes going through, hes trying to tell his truth. And theres something magnetic about people who are trying to tell the truth. I might be wrong, but my feeling is that even when hes saying something I disagree with, hes trying to tell his truth, and thats more than you can say about 90 percent of people. Most of the interview though is centered around Peeles upcoming new film Us, which will premiere at South by Southwest before hitting theaters on March 22. Throughout the chat, he reveals how the Twilight Episode Mirror Image inspired the forthcoming film and how it differs from Get Out. TRENDING VIDEOS I realized I had never seen a horror movie of this kind, where theres an African-American family at the center that just is. After you get over the initial realization that youre watching a black family in a horror film, youre just watching a movie, Peele said of Us. Youre just watching people. I feel like it proves a very valid and different point than Get Out, which is, not everything is about race. Get Out proved the point that everything is about race. Ive proved both points! He also spoke of the challenge of trying to succeed a movie as successful as Get Out and how fellow director M. Night Shyamalan gave him advice. Tell the story you want to tell. Dont listen to everything around you. Go back to what drove you to write the first one, Peele said Shyamalan told him. The interview in its entirety can be read here. Source: Rolling Stone Please Enable Cookies www.ogj.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. Please Enable Cookies www.offshore-mag.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. Offaly councillor and RENUA Ireland leader, John Leahy has warned the government to "apply common-sense tactics to resolve the issue of nursing pay." Leahy made the comments on the eve of an INMO strike over pay and staff retentions issues within the profession. The Offaly man says RENUA Ireland defends the rights of taxpayers when it comes to the expenditure of public money, but "we also believe an ultimate good is achieved by taxation when the money raised achieves a social good." "This belief informs our decision to stand by the nurses. This informs our call for a common-sense resolution when it comes to nurses pay and the pay of other front-line workers," he said. "It is time we garnished the pay of the fat-cat administrators and become the best country in the world to work as a front-line worker." "RENUA Ireland today stands by our nurses because they are the frontline workers of our health service. They are there at our birth and they see us out of it. They heal our children, ourselves when we are at our most vulnerable and our parents and grandparents." "We are currently training the best nurses in the world to work in foreign countries. Irish nurses are voting with their feet. They work in some of the toughest conditions and then come home exhausted, patronised and underpaid to listen to a Taoiseach who quite likes his own holidays tell them they should work over Christmas," Leahy claimed. "Its time for common-sense on nurses pay. Pay the nurses what they deserve and they will stay. Pay the nurses what they are owed." "The alternative is a spring, summer, autumn and winter of discontent and an ongoing fractured and disillusioned health service," Leahy concluded. Residents in Edenderry have blasted Offaly County Council after a deterioration in road surfaces in the town in recent months. One resident posted the above picture to the Republic of Edenderry community Facebook suggesting he could "reach New Zealand" through the potholes at the top of Fr Paul Murphy street at the Fair Green in the town. Another resident said: "The whole of the Fair Green and around the Corner House is a joke," while another reacted, "oh my God, the size of that thing. It would be nice if they looked after this town like they are Portarlington and other places like that at the moment." A number of motorists bemoaned the condition of roads elsewhere in the town, including at the entrance to the granary Court carpark, a matter of metres away from the site of a planned new council link road. "I burst the front of my new car off it today, and no matter how slow you drive, the car is still being bounced off them with no way of avoiding it," one resident wrote. "The roads around town are disgraceful, it's embarrassing," another concluded. The country music talent show 'Glor Tire' returns to the Quays in Galway and TG4 tonight as the hunt for Ireland's best country talent continues. With help from Ireland's biggest country music stars six contestants, including Offaly's own John Molloy will battle it out for the public vote. Michael English is mentoring John Molloy this week on Glor Tire where the Pullough man will be aiming to impress viewers with his powerful brand of country. The show is presented by Aoife Ni Thuairisg, with help from the judges John Creedon, Caitriona Ni Shuilleabhain and Jo Ni Cheide, who ably guide the contestants. The show airs on TG4 at 9.30pm on Tuesday, January 29. You can vote for John using the information below: ROI Number: 1513 415 103 / Glor3 to 53307 NI Number: 0901 6566 103 / Glor3 to 60999 0.61/ 0.51 per call from an Eircom/ BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobile cost more. 0.60/ 0.50 per text. Network charges vary. 18+. Service Provider Phonovation Ltd. Helpline Number 0818 217 100 (ROI) 0800 028 3874 (NI) Nurses and midwives will mount strike pickets at hospitals in Tullamore and Portlaoise hospitals this week as part of the all-out industrial action planned by the INMO. Nurses will be on the picket lines from 8am on Wednesday morning January 29 to 8pm at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and Naas General Hospital. While the strike will run for 24 hours, most hospitals will see pickets in place from 8am - 4pm, meaning emergency care will be the only main service available. Nurses say more money is needed in pay packets to attract nurses to the profession. Talks between the HSE and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have so far failed to reach an agreement which would stop the first of a number of disputes over pay. Eric Bovim Billionaires have been venerated figures in western society, particularly in America. Maybe not anymore. The populist wave that swept to power the most unorthodox president in American history has crested. The MAGA-crazed working man who voted a billionaire into the Oval Office swooned at Trumps success. He believed that, soon, someday, it might be his own. The zeitgeist has shifted. After a senseless government shutdown, its a different kind of gas-in-the-tank, food-on-the-table politics that has the mega-rich looking over their shoulder. The examination of whether billionaires are a force for good or just scions of greed and inequality has been brewing for some time. The White House seems to have missed this sea change. After the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history, over 60% of Americans feel we are headed in the wrong direction, according to the latest national NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. Those in powernot simply the President, but also global elitesseemed blithely unaware that most Americans, particularly those working in the government, eke out a life from paycheck to paycheck. As the shutdown persisted, the media was all too giddy to report that Americans were turning to food banks, food stamps, driving Ubers, and fetching odd jobs just to get by. The alleged immorality of Central Americans tunneling through our porous border was trumped by the immorality of a billionaire laying off 800,000 federal workers for two pay periods. Against this Dickensian backdrop, Democrats hung this albatross of a shutdown around President Trumps neck. Now cue the first notes of class warfare: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a 2020 candidate, has proposed a 3% tax on the super-rich. Many are askingthanks to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezwhether America would be a better place in the mold of a Sweden, a socialist haven, than the cauldron of capitalism that it is. Nothing better encapsulates the current argument against billionaire reverence in western society than this nugget from a letter to Davos delegates by American author, Anand Giridharadas, published recently in Time: Your plutocrat religion, win-win-ism, teaches that whats best for the winners of our age is best for all. We dont believe you anymore. You enabled the nationalism that threatens our societies. You stiffed so many of us. You fought for rules that let you steal the future from our children. The hunt for answers to the present mess is not yours to lead. Your task is simple: stay out of the way. Stuck in the middle of this maelstrom is a now hapless President Trump. Walled in politically, Trump is surrounded by a fed-up GOP establishment on one side, and an emboldened Democratic House majority on the other. All thats left to egg the president on in his quest for The Wall is his FOX News-loving base. And that was never a majority. Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016 by almost 3 million votes. In total, he garnered a 46.1% majority. Governing successfully with such a slim margin required tact and judiciousness, leadership qualities that have long eluded this president. American politics has become a game of one-thirds: each party fights for a precious sliver of independents, particularly women, to top off their entrenched 33% of support. In the wake of the shutdown debacle, Trumps sway over that swath of voters appears deeply imperiled. Fending off the mythic Democratic wave that augured a total mid-term election wipe-out for Republicans, Trump, it seemed, was a good bet to win in 2020. Pivoting from his siren call warnings of dangerous migrant caravans, Trump, in a fatal move, picked a political standoff with his toughest opponent yet, Speaker Pelosi. He gambled his remaining political capital for a border wall that he knew Democrats found morally repugnant. Trump held firm. Pelosi held firmer. However quixotic, he held out for 35 days as more and more made-for-media stories of furloughed American workers multiplied in the media like a political virus. Until he flinched. Throughout his kaleidoscopic presidency, Trump, for better or for worse, has been immune to political vicissitudes, always able to outshout and out-tweet his opponents. Now, the backlash against billionaires and the steamrolling Mueller investigation are the two menaces that confront him. Each threatens to usher in a premature lame duck presidency. The MAGA revolution is not quite smolderingyet. But the cavalry is coming. Howard Schultz, the chairman emeritus of Starbucksa billionaire himselfannounced he is running for president in 2020 as an independent. Will Michael Bloomberg do the same? Democrats, infused with fresh subpoena power, are poised to carve Trump into little pieces with a scalpel of oversight investigations. Derided by opponents as a manic carnival barker, Trump has still been able to amass a score of significant, consequential victories during his first term. In the end, none of this may matter, though. Not in the context of class warfare. Not with more indictments. Not with one, but two, consequential independent candidates preying upon his precious one-third sliver of swing voters. Political solipsism is often fatal. In the case of Trump, he may be destined to go out not with a bang but a whimper. *** Eric Bovim is a Managing Director at Signal Group, a strategic communications and lobbying firm based in Washington, D.C. Marc Lampkin Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is lobbying on behalf of Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., which has been sanctioned by the Commerce Dept. The firm's contract is with Kobre & Kim, law firm of the semiconductor company owned by the Chinese government. The $65K monthly pact is for "policy-related engagement" and runs for a year, according to a draft of BHFS's engagement letter. Marc Lampkin, co-chair of the BHFS government relations committee, supervises the work. He served as strategic adviser for former House Speaker John Boehner and worked on George W. Bush's presidential campaign. In October, Commerce Dept. Secretary Wilbur Ross banned American companies from selling components to Jinhua. He put Jinhua on Commerce's "entity list" because the Chinese company "poses a significant risk of becoming involved in activities that are contrary to the national security interests of the United States." Good luck to former Starbucks chief Howard Schultz, a progressive corporate leader who may throw his hat into the presidential ring by running as an independent. Howard Schultz What is he thinking? When it comes to accepting responsibility for his action, lifelong Democrat Schultz must do a better job than President Trump did. The tweeter-in-chief promised to take ownership of his useless partial shutdown of the federal governmentand when push came to shovehe quickly tried to pawn the shutdown calamity off on poor Chuck and Nancys refusal to cave on Trumps fixation on building a wall that nobody wants. Shultz must take ownership of the fact that if he does decide to run as an independent, his candidacy will guarantee another four years of Trump. Do you really want that on your conscience, Howard? You might ask Ralph Nader if he regrets running as an independent for president in 2000. The consumer advocate siphoned off enough votes in Florida to deny vice president Gore victory and put Dubya in the White House after the Supreme Court called off the Florida recount and Roger Stone raised holy hell by staging those phony Republican riots. Just imagine how things would have turned out if president Gore governed the country for eight years, rather than Dubya, Cheney and Rummy. Run as a Democrat, Howard. There are many Democrats looking for a centrist alternative to Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and the progressive wing and fighting for the nomination in Democratic primaries, rather than using your billions to make sure that your name in on the ballot in 50 states, will make you a stronger candidate. Schultz has hired Steve Schmidt, political consultant guru, and ardent anti-Trumper during his Words Matter podcast, for his campaign. My sense is that if Schmidt senses that Schultz' quest for the White House becomes nothing more than vanity run or face-saving exercise, hell blow up the entire campaign. The last thing Schmidt, who worked for Senator John McCain, wants is four more years of Trump. The sparring match between WPP and founder Martin Sorrell continues with WPP landing the latest blow. The company wants Sorrell to fork over about $220K in expenses for a Manhattan apartment, ski trips and family travel expenses. Team Sorrell claims not so fast because every single pound was scrutinized by WPPs management, board and audit committee. That may be the case, counters WPP, but it claims that its already recovered some of the disputed expenses and that the dialog with Sorrell continues. Sorrell took a dig at WPP before the swells at Davos, claiming he is very concerned about developments at the shop since he was ousted nine months ago. Obviously, its not been an easy period over the last six months or so in relation to major clients and WPP, he said. Ouch! Relax, Sir Martin. CEO Mark Read has things well in hand but it takes time to revamp your unwieldy conglomerate into the creative technology company needed to compete in todays fast-paced environment. Why don't you take a little vacation and let Read get on with things? The air pollution crisis in Thailand has gotten so bad that authorities are trying some unconventional methods of clearing the air of dust and hazardous particles. For example, the local Government in Bangkok recently started spraying sugar-infused water in the atmosphere. Yesterday, Thai media reported that in a desperate attempt to bring down critical air pollution levels in Bangkok, local authorities started experimenting with sweetened water, instead of regular one. The idea behind the bizarre pollution-fighting strategy is that by increasing the viscosity of the water using sugar will allow it to trap more dangerous particles when sprayed into the air. However, some experts believe that the unconventional approach could do more harm than good. Photo: Morning News/YouTube Dr. Weerachai Putthawong, a professor of organic chemistry at Kasetsart University, told Workingpoint News that he has serious doubts that the sweetened water will yield better results than regular water. He claims that the increased viscosity of the liquid wont make much of a difference, because the equipment used to spray it isnt powerful enough to pulverize it into small enough droplets to catch dust and particulate matter as small as 2.5 microns in size. The current machines used to spray the water can only catch particles down to 10 microns. To make matters worse, the added sugar could cause the surfaces the mixture lands on to develop dangerous mold, as the organic additive would allow bacteria and fungi to develop. via Coconuts Bngkok A 2-year-old remains in critical condition as Auburn police arrested an Auburn man on felony child abuse charges. Fredricus Rydell Johnson, 24, was arrested Friday on a felony warrant charging him with aggravated child abuse, police said. Law enforcement was notified after the child was taken to a hospital in Columbus, Georgia. The victim was then airlifted to Children's Hospital in Birmingham for treatment of injuries. Medical professionals considered her injuries to be suspicious and consistent with abuse, according to police. Further investigation by police confirmed the cause of the victim's injuries to be intentional, authorities said. Johnson resides at the residence with the child's mother in the 1100 block of Northwood Drive in Auburn. Police found that Johnson was the sole caregiver for the victim during the time of the injury. He was located during a search of the residence and was taken into custody and later charged with aggravated child abuse, police said. Latest News ASB warned over responsible lending failures Customers were overcharged fees Speakers gear up for first ever Women in Mortgage and Finance event The event will feature speakers from ANZ and Financial Advice New Zealand, among others The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) have released their joint review of 16 life insurers. FMA Chief Executive Rob Everett says the report has shown the life insurance sector in a poor light, and significant weaknesses have been found in its management of conduct risks. The overall findings of the report have been significantly more negative than the regulators bank incentives review, which was published in November of last year. What we found was poor governance of conduct risk, underdeveloped systems and controls for managing that risk, a general lack of focus on customer outcomes, and some examples of poor conduct and potential misconduct the latter being cases where there may be a breach of the law, Everett explained. Although instances of misconduct do not appear to be widespread within the sector, firms are still not doing enough to develop a culture focused around consumer interests. Sales incentives need to be reworked, and that there is little evidence of products being designed with customer outcomes in mind. Everett also expressed disappointment with life insurers lack of analysis of their practices against the FMAs conduct guide, and against conduct issues in other countries, including the issues arising during the Australian Royal Commission. We particularly want to call out the poor oversight of intermediaries and advisers, and this is a particular issue in New Zealand given the high proportion of life insurance that is sold through third parties, he said. In some cases, we found insurers were confused as to who the end customer was, and who they should be serving. The message this report delivers to the industry is that they need to transform the way they approach the risk to customers from poor conduct, and to achieve a genuinely customer-focused culture. We have encouraged them to think beyond the minimum requirements, which we have not seen in the past. Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr emphasised that while neither the FMA nor RBNZ has a direct remit over regulating conduct and culture in an explicit legislative sense, conduct and culture is a key part of its various operations around licensing, registration, governance, prudential management and consumer and product supervision. Life insurers have until June to address the issues raised in this report, when they will be expected to report to the regulators with a solid plan of action. Our expectation is that insurers should remove or at the very least, substantially revise volume-based incentives for staff, intermediaries and management within their organisations, Everett added. If those incentives are not removed or substantially revised, we want to understand exactly how theyre going to strengthen the mitigating controls in that space. The industry needs to fundamentally rethink what incentives it puts in front of its sales staff. The report into life insurers has since been welcomed by Financial Advice New Zealand, which has highlighted the reports focus of the adviser side of the transaction. According to FINANZ CEO Katrina Shanks, ensuring good customer outcomes will be the collective responsibility of all life insurance sector participants. Financial advisers add significant value to the customer both at the initial point of advice, through the life of the policy and when a claim needs to be actioned, Shanks stated. The relationship between a quality adviser and the customer is based on obtaining the best outcomes for the customer. We are supportive of a review of intermediary commissions to ensure the model is relevant and sustainable. It is essential that commission models are in the best interests of consumers, but also ensure that the life insurance advice sector can continue to provide this valuable service to New Zealanders. Latest News ASB warned over responsible lending failures Customers were overcharged fees Speakers gear up for first ever Women in Mortgage and Finance event The event will feature speakers from ANZ and Financial Advice New Zealand, among others ASB has announced the appointment of Craig Sims as executive general manager, retail banking. Sims joins ASB from ANZ Australia, where he held a number of leadership roles both in New Zealand and Australia prior to being customer operations lead in Melbourne. He holds a wealth of banking experience having worked across 18 different markets in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, and has held roles in sales, strategy, human resources, technology, retail and business banking. Craig is a great addition to the ASB leadership team, ASB chief executive Vittoria Shortt said. He is highly regarded with extensive experience and a proven track record of progressive thinking. Im excited by the prospect of being able to make a difference in the lives of New Zealanders and using my knowledge to help ASB continue making banking simpler, and accelerating the financial progress of its customers, Sims added. JERUSALEM The government of the Palestinian Authority tendered its resignation on Tuesday, a move that reflected rising public discontent and the failure of efforts to reunite the West Bank, where the authority is based, and the Gaza Strip, controlled by the militant Islamist group Hamas. The departing prime minister, Rami Hamdallah, a former university president, has led what was a largely technocratic administration, mostly made up of lawyers, business figures and academics who were technically politically independent but had the approval of both Fatah, the mainstream party that is the dominant force in the West Bank, and Hamas. But the reconciliation project it was designed to embody has made little progress, and its promotion of a contentious social security law prompted widespread street demonstrations. The cabinets resignation still has to be accepted by the authoritys president, Mahmoud Abbas, and cabinet officials said it would continue to function until a new government was formed. But many gynecologists and womens rights activists insist that the change would not go nearly far enough the law should be scrapped, they say, not just altered. They argue that by preserving limits on what doctors can say publicly about their practices, the plan demeans women, by suggesting that they cannot be trusted to make informed decisions about their own bodies. I am a doctor and I consider it my responsibility as a doctor to treat and inform women, Dr. Kristina Hanel, a gynecologist who practices in Giessen, said in a speech she read out at one of several protests held over the weekend. I consider it a question of conscience not to withhold such necessary assistance from women, leaving them instead to the coat-hanger or knitting needle. Abortion is legal in Germany during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. But under the current law, passed in 1933, it is a crime for doctors to publicly advertise in any way that they perform abortions; health care providers can only discuss the subject directly with their patients. So while a woman can terminate a pregnancy, finding out where to go, or which procedures are offered by which providers, is a serious challenge. Among its neighbors in Western Europe, Germany is alone in imposing such a restriction. In 2017, Dr. Hanel was convicted of breaking the law and fined 6,000 euros, or about $6,850, by a court in Giessen, for stating on her website that she provided abortions and would send information on them, in German, English or Turkish, to anyone requesting it. LONDON Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain survived a critical vote in Parliament on Tuesday that could have delayed Brexit, undermined her strategy for leaving the European Union and undercut the countrys constitutional protocol. Mrs. Mays latest political escape came when lawmakers narrowly failed to approve an amendment giving Parliament the power to instruct her to seek a delay to avoid a disorderly, and possibly chaotic, exit that Britain faces on March 29 if there is no agreement. However, she later lost a vote on a nonbinding amendment that said Britain should not leave the bloc without a deal, a sign of potential troubles ahead. BRUSSELS To try to preserve support within her own fractured Conservative Party, Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain said on Tuesday that she would seek to reopen the withdrawal agreement painfully negotiated with the European Union to alter what is known as the Irish backstop. That may have been a smart tactical move, as a domestic political matter. The problem remains, however, that the European Union has said flatly that it will not reopen the withdrawal agreement or remove the backstop, increasing the possibility of a no-deal Brexit on March 29 that would damage the economies of both sides, but particularly Britains. By trying to pressure the European Union to alter its stance on the backstop, which she negotiated and her cabinet supported, Mrs. May is essentially playing chicken with Brussels, trying to turn her own political vulnerability into a benefit. OTTAWA A Toronto landscaper pleaded guilty to eight murders on Tuesday in a case that traumatized the gay community in Canadas largest city. The landscaper, Bruce McArthur, 67, was arrested a year ago and initially charged with killing six men, dismembering them and hiding the pieces in planters on the property of a client who allowed him to store tools there. Additional remains were later uncovered in a ravine behind the house where he had transformed planters into graves. A limited amount of new information about the killings was presented in court on Tuesday. Michael Cantlon, a prosecutor, said Mr. McArthur planned all of the murders, held some of his victims captive and killed others while also sexually assaulting them. HONG KONG Singapore takes pride in being a technology hub where municipal decisions are driven by cutting-edge data science. Data is the new currency, and with open data, the possibilities are endless! the government says on its smart nation portal. But that image has been dented by two embarrassing data breaches. Last year, a cyberattack on Singapores public health system compromised data from 1.5 million people. And on Monday, the Health Ministry said that medical records for 14,200 H.I.V.-positive people in the city-state had been obtained by an American whose Singaporean partner worked at the ministry. The ministry said it learned on Jan. 22 that the records had been illegally disclosed online. Experts say the breaches highlight the potential pitfalls for Singapore and other countries that are pushing to make vast troves of data more accessible and centralized. Do the public benefits justify the inherent risks to privacy? And can anyone prevent senior officials from misusing information they have at their fingertips? ISLAMABAD, Pakistan A Christian woman who has been in hiding since Pakistans Supreme Court overturned her blasphemy conviction last year, leading to violent protests and death threats, is apparently free to leave the country, after the court on Tuesday dismissed a challenge to its earlier ruling. The woman, Asia Bibi, a farmworker with five children, spent eight years on death row after being convicted in 2010 of blaspheming Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. She denied the accusations, which she said were made after she had an argument with Muslim co-workers. Ms. Bibi was released from prison after the Supreme Court acquitted her in October. But hard-line Islamists, who led large protests in the days after her acquittal, called for her execution, and she has remained in hiding. She has sought asylum overseas, but the government said she could not leave Pakistan until the high court had heard a petition calling for a review of her acquittal. On Tuesday, a three-member Supreme Court panel led by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa dismissed that petition. During the proceedings, Justice Khosa observed that the petitioner had failed to present any violation of the law in the acquittal verdict. South Africa: Tourism chapter to digitalize tourism A digitally savvy business model from the North West Women in Tourism Chapter is to be rolled out in other provinces, the Department of Tourism has announced. The initiative by the North West Department of Tourism and the North West University (NWU) exposes enrolled trainees in the tourism sector to various IT courses which in turn enables them to enhance their businesses. The NWU provides the training on a number of programmes on social media, awareness and online presence as well as creating a database for their trade. Trainees are now able to use different platforms such as YouTube and Facebook which has contributed to good development of tourism operations owned by women around the province. The decision to replicate the model in other chapters forms part of the resolutions of the 5th Annual Women in Tourism Conference which recently took place in Rustenburg. Deputy Minister Thabethe expressed her satisfaction of notable efforts made by stakeholders in the province which enabled the women in tourism forum to embrace technology in order to grow the sector. North West is a very good example of how an IT programme can work remarkably for your business. They have invented a website which is also accessible through an app, for the womens chapter. The department and the university did an incredible job in taking them through training on how they can simplify technology and use it to their benefit and I would encourage the other chapters to follow suit. You can start here at the conference, reach out to the relevant people and get the ball rolling, said Deputy Minister Thabethe. The North West Department of Tourism welcomed the extension of the programme. As a department we pride ourselves by being trendsetters and being acknowledged by the National Department, also inspiring other provinces is a great achievement. When we approached the university, we were excited and anticipated that this project would exceed expectations, said Chief Director for Tourism Growth, Development and Transformation, Sarah Manone. It was important for us to invest in something that speaks to the empowerment of women, who in this industry were previously disadvantaged, so that they too can get a piece of the pie, added Manone. The National Women in Tourism Conference was established in 2013 and provides a platform for women across the country in the tourism sector to encourage discussion around accelerating economic empowerment and progression. It also aims to expand the role of women in the tourism sector as well as exploring business opportunities to advance women entrepreneurs and job creation. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. He was internationally crowned the worlds loneliest duck, but that clearly wasnt true. There havent been many ducks as loved as Trevor. The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue, about 1,500 miles northeast of New Zealand, mourned this week after Trevor its beloved, and only, duck was killed by a stray dog near the roadside puddle that had been his home since January 2018. Niues 1,600 residents had grown quite fond of their mysterious visitor, working every day to keep him alive by feeding him or refilling his rapidly evaporating puddle. No one knew how hed ended up there, but they were very glad he did. So we checked around, first on Facebook, where all of our friends are in wartime, Facebook is even more important for staying in touch, because its safer than meeting in public places. Fahims friend Nasim Pakhtoon, 35, who runs a government television channel, had posted that when peace came he was going to open a restaurant in remote Nuristan Province, a place tucked into the mountains and so hard to reach that it was long described as the fabled Shangri-La. Fatimas friend Tahera Rezaee, 28, a documentary photographer, had it all planned, too. Ill grab my bag, a few dresses and my camera, she said. Ill take public transport, not a private car. I will hike in Panjshir, listen to music in Helmand, go to Kandahar to visit the Aino Mena new city I heard it is like Dubai. I will photograph girls in Badakhshan and dance with Sikhs in Nangarhar. Many of our friends had simple dreams. Rafiullah Stanikzai, 30, who works at the United States Institute of Peace, said he would get into a car and drive across the country in winter, stopping along the way where there is deep snow. Ill light a fire and sit around it with my friends during the night, he said. I could never do that now. Laila Noorani, 23, who works as a radio producer, just wants to go jogging something she has only ever seen women do in movies. Throughout the peace talks in Qatar, there was much more laughter in our newsroom than usual. Reports suggested more and more that a peace deal could actually happen, and it put us all in a heady mood. Rodulfo Figueroa, an official with Mexicos National Migration Institute, said the man in the brown jacket, whose name was not revealed, would be the only migrant returned to Mexico on Tuesday under the new policy, but that more are expected soon. Were just reacting to a unilateral decision, said Mr. Figueroa, a top federal migration official in the Mexican state of Baja California. Since the Trump administrations announcement of the new asylum policy, Mexican officials have been negotiating with their counterparts in Washington to define the conditions under which they would accept the migrants. On Monday night, Tonatiuh Guillen Lopez, the commissioner of Mexicos National Migration Institute, said Mexico would only accept migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras between the ages of 18 and 60. He also said that Mexico would only receive returned asylum seekers through the border crossing that connects Tijuana with San Diego, California. The returned asylum seekers will be granted special four-month, multiple-entry visas that would allow them to travel to the United States for their court dates and then once again return to Mexico, Mexican officials said. Some of the returnees will already have one-year humanitarian visas which allow them to work and travel freely in the country. Asylum cases in the United States can take years to resolve, yet it remained unclear whether and under what terms the Mexican visas would be extended. The American policy change applies to some asylum seekers who try to enter the United States at official crossings on the countrys southern border, or are apprehended on American soil after trying to cross illegally. But it will not apply to Mexican asylum seekers who might risk harm if returned to Mexico, the very place where they are claiming fear of persecution as grounds for their asylum claim. BRUMADINHO, Brazil The Brazilian police on Tuesday arrested five people, including three employees of the giant mining company Vale, as part of an investigation into a dam rupture that left at least 84 dead and 276 missing. The dam, filled with mining waste and sludge, burst on Friday afternoon, sending a tidal wave of mud crashing down on homes in the town of Brumadinho in southeastern Brazil. The torrent also struck Vale administrative buildings, including the company cafeteria. The other two people arrested were engineers working for the Brazilian subsidiary of the German industrial testing company TUV Sud, which conducted two inspections of the Brumadinho dam last year, the most recent in September, according to both Vale and TUV Sud. The subsidiary carried out an inspection of the dams safety in September, it said, though it refused to comment further, citing the continuing investigation. Cash bribes were called monopoly money, and handed out to high-ranking members of South Africas governing party on monthly retainers. When that payoff wasnt enough, $22,000 was stuffed into a Louis Vuitton handbag and delivered to a close ally of the president at the time. That sent the recipient over the moon, according to Angelo Agrizzi, a businessman and now whistle-blower who detailed, at a continuing government inquiry into public corruption, extravagant bribes doled out to members of the party, the African National Congress, at the highest levels of government. A current government minister, he testified, liked receiving an annual Christmas basket that included four cases of high-quality whiskey, 40 cases of beer, eight lambs cut up, obviously. Her daughter was partial to high-end convertibles, Audi A3 Cabriolets, but kept crashing the cars given to her. So I actually called her in one day and sat her down and said, Can I arrange for driver training, special driver training for you, because it was getting embarrassing, Mr. Agrizzi said. When Ronald Braunstein conducts an orchestra, theres no sign of his bipolar disorder. Hes confident and happy. Music isnt his only medicine, but its healing power is potent. Scientific research has shown that music helps fight depression, lower blood pressure and reduce pain. The National Institutes of Health has a partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts called Sound Health: Music and the Mind, to expand on the links between music and mental health. It explores how listening to, performing or creating music involves brain circuitry that can be harnessed to improve health and well-being. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said: Were bringing neuroscientists together with musicians to speak each others language. Mental health conditions are among those areas wed like to see studied. Though Venezuelan generals appear to be backing Mr. Maduro, a handful of Venezuelan diplomats and officials posted to missions in the United States have said they are abandoning the Maduro government to support Mr. Guaido. On Monday, Scarlett Salazar, a veteran diplomat based in Miami, where there is a large anti-Maduro Venezuelan population, announced she was siding with Mr. Guaido. Most Latin American countries have recognized Mr. Guaido and demanded that Mr. Maduro acquiesce to the call for new elections. Several European nations also joined the call for elections after Mr. Pompeo held a meeting with representatives of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Saturday. The campaign by the Trump administration has gotten a high level of bipartisan support among lawmakers in Washington, though some Democratic legislators have expressed concern about how hard-line policies might affect ordinary Venezuelans, who are already suffering from years of economic collapse. Others have asked whether the administration has a coherent strategy if Mr. Maduro clings to power. On Monday, the United States put into effect what is essentially an embargo on oil from the main Venezuelan state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, or Pdvsa. The sanctions would prevent most American companies from doing business with Pdvsa. Any money going to Pdvsa including from its United States subsidiary, Citgo would be put into accounts that could be used by what the Trump administration deems to be the legitimate Venezuelan government. For now, that is Mr. Guaido and the National Assembly, where the 35-year-old political activist and industrial engineer serves as leader. The oil sanctions amount to the first punitive action taken by the United States against Mr. Maduro since the power struggle in Caracas erupted last week, and it is intended to starve the government of Mr. Maduro of cash and foreign currency. Oil production in Venezuela has already plummeted because of mismanagement and poor policies, and the countrys economy is in shambles. Extraction at oil fields still takes place, though, and until now the country exported much of its crude oil to the United States to be refined and then sold. The designation provides Ms. Abrams, 45, with a nationally televised platform to burnish her profile at a time when she is said to be considering her next political steps, including a possible run for Senate in 2020 against Senator David Perdue, Republican of Georgia. But it also carries substantial risks: A notoriously awkward format, State of the Union responses have been more memorable in recent years for the memes they have produced than persuasive oratory. They have damaged rising stars of the past. Bobby Jindal was widely panned in 2009 when, as governor of Louisiana, he delivered the Republican response to Barack Obamas joint address to Congress, and Senator Marco Rubios response in 2013 is remembered more for his sudden lunge for water than his answer to Mr. Obama. The buildup to this years address has been more dramatic than past years. Speaker Nancy Pelosi originally invited Mr. Trump to deliver the annual address to Congress in the House chamber this week, but she rescinded that invitation amid the government shutdown. On Monday, with the government reopen, the speaker and the president agreed to a new date, Feb. 5. Mr. Schumer alternates with Ms. Pelosi each year on choosing the Democratic respondent. Last year, Ms. Pelosi selected Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III of Massachusetts, the scion of a Democratic dynasty who is among the partys most popular young figures. Without using Mr. Trumps name, Mr. Kennedy chastised the Trump administration for a rebuke of our highest American ideal and pledged to fight for the millions of immigrants brought to the country illegally as children, known as Dreamers. In 2017, Mr. Schumer chose Steve Beshear, the former governor of Kentucky, to deliver a response to Mr. Trumps first joint address to Congress. Cyberconflict right now, at this very moment, is like this airplane. It was the first military airplane that was ever built back in 1909. But in just a few decades, planes would be capable of destroying entire cities. Right, so when we talk about cyberweapons, were still basically in 1909. Thats why you have to have some humility about whats going to happen in the world of cyberconflict. David, here, is a national security correspondent for The Times, and hes written a book about cyberconflict. It seems like were hearing more and more One of the worst cyberattacks ever. about state-sponsored cyberattacks. Occasionally, there are going to be breaches like this. And this weapon will not be put back into the box. We have more to lose than any other nation on earth. So, we really wanted to find out just how bad things are. And how bad they could get. Should we be afraid? Yes, you should be afraid, but not for the reason you think not because somebody is going to come in and turn off all the power between Boston and Washington. You should be worried about the far more subtle uses of cyber. For example, not an overt attack on U.S. troops, but instead, maybe hacking into military health records and switching around peoples blood types. It still causes havoc. Think terrorism About a third of the building has been blown away. instead of full-scale war. Why do you call it the perfect weapon? Because its deniable. If you cant figure out right away where the attacks coming from, you cant really retaliate. Plus, you can fine-tune the strength of cyberattacks. You can make them just strong enough to do real damage, but not so strong that they trigger a military response. Its cheap compared to, say, nuclear weapons. You just need some twenty-somethings who are good at programming, a little bit of stolen code and maybe some Red Bull just to keep them awake during the night. Thats why cyberweapons have only just begun to spread. And cyber is the perfect weapon for a country thats broke. And we can confirm that North Korea engaged in this attack. Take that time North Korea hacked into Sony Because of a satirical movie starring Seth Rogen and James Flacco. What if they didnt have cyberweapons? Maybe they would have landed some commandos at Long Beach, called an Uber, stuck some dynamite underneath the Sony computer center and run like hell. So really, North Koreas only option was to use cyberweapons. But it wouldnt be so easy for the U.S. to hit North Koreas cybernetworks. They have fewer IP addresses Internet Protocol addresses in North Korea, than you have on any given block of New York City. Still, we wanted to know whos the best at cyberconflict. Russia, China, Iran, they use it regularly to advance their political agendas. The Russians to disrupt, the Chinese frequently to steal information, the Iranians to show that they can reach the United States. How good or bad is the U.S. at this stuff? Among the very best at cyberoffense. The problem is that while were good at offense, were the most vulnerable in the defensive world because weve got so many networks that form such a big target. The United States has 6,200 cybersoldiers. Are these people sitting in military fatigues behind a computer? They are sitting in military fatigues behind a computer. But the Russian hackers, or the Chinese hackers, may not be in uniform. They may be in blue jeans. They are probably sitting at the beach somewhere someplace thats got a really good internet connection. All this cyberconflict really kicked off in 2008. Right, thats when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities. It was the most sophisticated use of cyber by one state against another, and it opened up the Pandoras box. And remember its still only the beginning. We havent seen a full-blown war, and we dont know what one looks like. Whats the most challenging part about covering this beat? The hardest part about covering the state use of cyber, is the enormous secrecy that the U.S. government wraps around it. But weve hit the point where the secrecy has actually begun to impede our ability to deter attacks. Because others dont understand what we can do to them, and what were willing to do to them. In other words, were not setting any red lines out there. WASHINGTON Members of Congress from both parties served notice on pharmaceutical companies on Tuesday that the days of unchecked drug-price increases were over and that they would be held politically accountable for exorbitant prices. The new reality became apparent at simultaneous but separate hearings of House and Senate committees where lawmakers said that the relentless increases were unsustainable and unacceptable. There is a strong bipartisan consensus that we must do something to rein in out-of-control price increases, said Representative Elijah E. Cummings, Democrat of Maryland and the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Drug companies make money hand over fist by raising the prices of their drugs often without justification and sometimes overnight while patients are left holding the bill. On the other side of the Capitol, Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa and the chairman of the Finance Committee, and Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the senior Democrat on the panel, denounced drug company executives who they said had refused to testify voluntarily. WASHINGTON The Pentagon is poised to send at least 2,000 more active-duty troops to the southwestern border, Defense Department officials said Tuesday, deployments that have already cost the military hundreds of millions of dollars and thrust the department into the center of the debate over border security and President Trumps proposed wall. The acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, told reporters that the United States would be sending several thousand additional troops to provide more support for the Department of Homeland Securitys border patrol efforts. Defense Department officials later said that they expect that number to be around 2,000. That would come on top of the 2,400 troops who are there now, bringing the deployed number at the border close to the high of 5,900 that it reached in the weeks surrounding the midterm elections in November. The deployment of several thousand military troops to secure the southwestern border will total more than $600 million by the end of the fiscal year in September, Pentagon officials also told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. WASHINGTON One day in October 1979, an American diplomat named Archer K. Blood arrived at Afghanistans government headquarters, summoned by the new president, whose ousted predecessor had just been smothered to death with a pillow. While the Kabul government was a client of the Soviet Union, the new president, Hafizullah Amin, had something else in mind. I think he wants an improvement in U.S.-Afghan relations, Mr. Blood wrote in a cable back to Washington. It was possible, he added, that Mr. Amin wanted a long-range hedge against over-dependence on the Soviet Union. Mr. Bloods newly published cable sheds light on what really drove the Soviet Union to invade Afghanistan only two months after his meeting with Mr. Amin. Spoiler alert: It was not because of terrorism, as claimed this month by President Trump, who said the Soviets were right to invade. Among the real motivations, the cable and other documents suggest, was a fear that Afghanistan might switch loyalties to the West. This was a key moment that raised the Soviet sense of threat, said Thomas S. Blanton, the director of the National Security Archive, a research organization at George Washington University that recently obtained the cable through the Freedom of Information Act and posted it online on Tuesday. Its a fascinating case study of the necessity in all of these international affairs of putting yourself in the other guys place what does it look like over there? The partial government shutdown ended last week after 35 days, but conservationists have warned that its impact may be felt for hundreds of years in at least one part of the country: Joshua Tree National Park. The Southern California park, which is larger than Rhode Island and famed for its dramatic rock formations and the spiky-leafed Joshua trees from which it takes it name, had only a skeleton crew of workers during the shutdown. With most of its park rangers furloughed, vandals and inconsiderate guests ran amok. Gates and posts were toppled, new roads carved through the desert by unauthorized off-road drivers, and a small number of the parks thousands of Joshua trees were outright destroyed, conservationists said. Pictures posted to social media showed trees that were chopped down or that appeared to have been driven over by cars. The sensitive ecosystem of desert and craggy rock formations that surrounds them was littered with garbage and other telltale signs of illegal camping. After narcotics officers knocked down the door of a Houston home, the first one to enter was greeted by a charging dog and gunfire from a man wielding a .357 Magnum revolver, the authorities said on Tuesday. Nine undercover officers executed a search warrant on the home just before 5 p.m. on Monday; four were shot and one other officer was injured. The two people in the home, a 59-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman, were killed in the shootout, Chief Art Acevedo of the Houston Police Department said at a news conference on Tuesday morning. A Houston police official said Tuesday evening that the two most seriously wounded officers were expected to survive. They were in serious but stable condition. A third officer, who was shot in the shoulder, had been released from the hospital on Monday night, and another who was shot in the face was released Tuesday. A fifth officer, who was not shot but underwent knee surgery, was hospitalized in good condition, the police said. My freshman year at a Catholic college, I became suicidally depressed and I can say with complete confidence that if I didnt go to that school, I would be dead. I felt like I mattered there. When you struggle with your mental health like I do, it can be hard to connect with a faith community. Were just supposed to pray harder and sin less, according to religious people who clearly dont know Jesus. The community at my college, however, never held that viewpoint and I was always welcome to be completely honest and transparent. I was never judged for my pain. My experiences helped my faith flourish. Mae LHeureux, 26, Augusta, Me. I was elected class chaplain nearly every year and when I wasnt working with the theater department, I was actively involved in prayer meetings and Bible studies. However, there was a part of my life I felt I had to bury to survive. After finding out I was gay, my parents sent me to a school-endorsed spiritual retreat called The Encounter. The final session was a mass exorcism that lasted for two and a half hours. Other students and I were forced to sit down while a man read his list of spirits and demons, which included homosexuality. If I didnt find a way to be rid of it, I couldnt live at home. Back at school, my facade said, cured but there were teachers who saw my depths and loved me for it. Theyre how I survived. Sebastian Summers, 22, Chicago Readers told us about lasting pain and confusion Sex as a theme was very pervasive there. I took a vow of purity when I was 11. I was sexually abused starting at age 4, so by the time I put on that promise ring, in my mind I was already lying because I was already corrupted. My biology teacher taught us that sex creates an unbreakable soul bond through the exchange of blood and fluids. The idea is, if I slept with someone and then married someone else I wouldnt be coming into that marriage as a whole person. Coming from a home where there was sexual abuse, learning that was heartbreaking and it took me years to undo that damage. Melissa Stewart, 28, Pioneer Valley, Mass. My Christian school had Slave Day. One day a year, each member of the junior class was auctioned off to other students to be owned for a day. The auctioneer a teacher sometimes held a whip. Students stood on a box while being auctioned. It was a fund-raiser for our prom real money was exchanged. Sometimes, the auction took place in the sanctuary. In 2001, it was changed in name only to Servant Day. I do not recall any conversations about race and white supremacy. Laura Hagen, 31, South Saint Paul, Minn. My education was filled with Christian alternative facts. Things like dinosaurs walked with man, men and women have a different number of ribs (due to the biblical creation story), and Noahs son, Ham, who was cursed, was the ancestor of African nations. We were taught we would likely never get to grow up, because the rapture would happen so soon. I struggle to this day with anxiety that I will not get to live the life experiences I very much want, such as having a real career, and being stable enough to give back in a meaningful way, because the world could end at any moment. Ashlyn Cancellieri, 26, Philadelphia And many shared stories of love and acceptance of others Teaching from a Gospel perspective is not so much about shielding kids from reality, but rather about teaching kids to see God at work in their day-to-day lives and in their studies. In many of my classes, we had many different points of views presented to us each with good arguments, and we were left to come to our own conclusions. Christians are called bigots, racist, idiots, backward, and the one I hear the most, on the wrong side of history. We feel attacked and misunderstood. Yes, we have beliefs that in this day and age are countercultural, and we will stick to them, make no mistake about that. However, we are also called to love others, showing them the kindness of Christ. Allyson Payne, 21, Birmingham, Ala. At my school, the students were always encouraged to pursue a relationship with Christ and further our faith but it was never a prerequisite for attending the school. They taught that no one is ever too far gone. That everyone has our mistakes and we need to be accepting of all. Racism and homophobia were not present in my school and if there were incidents, they were dealt with by the administration. Everyone was taught to be accepting and to be a friend to the friendless. Kearney Moss, 24, Midland, Tex. I am an alumnus of the Diocese of Covington school system in Kentucky. One time at Bishop Brossart High School, I said some things that were derogatory toward the L.G.B.T.Q. community. I really didnt mean what I said, yet I was wrong and paid the price. I ended up getting detention and was scolded for the way I acted. I learned a valuable lesson for the first time that your words hold meaning no matter if you meant them or not. Bishop Brossart taught me how to respect others and how to be open to seeing different viewpoints. While we are not all perfect human beings, with the right guidance and discipline, we can be transformed into good people. Andrew Graus, 22, Lawrenceville, Ga. I grew up in San Diego with immigrant parents, before the food blogs, before this kind of celebrity chef culture we know now. It was not about Alice Waters for me, it was about the community and the world she had created. I didnt get to know her until about 2010, 2011. I started working with Michael Pollan. Hes really close with her. Has she given you any advice about being a known food personality? I was telling her how I was coming here, and how I was feeling kind of ill from all the eating Ive had to do, and I said, Oh my god, I dont understand how you do this, and shes like, You always have to bring your own food. You just have to figure out where the vegetables are. Where did you grow up? University City. I went to La Jolla High School. My parents came from Iran in the 1970s. Im curious about how growing up in California informed your worldview and your work now. That was all I knew. I really love the beach. The beach has always been a constant in my life. And you asked about how being a Californian has influenced me: Above any other way of identifying, like above race or religion or anything or nationality I identify as a Californian. This way that Ive gotten to spend so much of my life outside, in different landscapes, has absolutely affected me. Agriculture has affected me. The way there are so many different kinds of people from all over the world Im so, so grateful for that. I remember being sick of the fact that it was always sunny in San Diego. My dad said to me: Whats wrong with you? Everyone in the whole rest of the world aspires to live in California. I dont know I mean, I love Mexican food so much. I could probably go on for a long time about the differences between Northern California and Southern California Mexican food. Building a border wall. Its the holy grail of President Trumps immigration policy. The United States will not be a migrant camp, and it will not be a refugee holding facility. It wont be. But at the border, theres a kind of chaos unfolding that a wall might not fix. The Trump administrations hard-line stance on keeping migrants out is pushing asylum seekers to take remote and dangerous routes into the United States. Heres how this is playing out. The border stretches nearly 2,000 miles, and these are the official ports of entry. More than 650 miles already have barriers installed. Fences, barbed wire or vehicle barricades. Over the years, thats pushed people to try riskier routes to get across. And since 2014, more families have been arriving. And many of them are seeking asylum, a human right protected by both U.S. and international law. The Trump administrations hard-hitting crackdown includes a tactic called metering. Documents ready. Entering through an official border crossing is one way to request asylum. But thats become more difficult under Trump. The practice of metering allows border agents to limit the number of asylum seekers that are processed each day by delaying them from setting foot into the U.S. We can see it in action here, at the Paso del Norte crossing in El Paso, Texas. Officers are standing right at the border, trying to intercept people before they get to the border station. This tactic is deliberate. Once people reach U.S. soil, they have the right to claim asylum. But if they never cross the border, they have to come back another day. Metering is not new. But the Trump administration has taken it to a new level. Were metering, which means that if we dont have the resources to let them in on a particular day, theyre going to come back. So theyre going to wait their turn. But as the government is limiting asylum seekers, theyre still funneling people to these same ports of entry to seek asylum. Instead migrants seeking asylum will have to present themselves lawfully at a port of entry. This is creating bottlenecks. Here, in Tijuana, is a vivid example of how metering plays out. Thousands of migrants are stuck. Human rights observers say that some are camping in squalid and dangerous conditions. The situation is leading migrants to try riskier routes through desolate terrain, where theyre at greater risk of dehydration and other illnesses. Theyre showing up in places like Antelope Wells, N.M. Its extremely remote and mountainous. Antelope Wells is part of the El Paso border area, which has seen a dramatic increase in the number of families crossing far away from official border stations. As you can see here, this increase happened right when the practice of metering expanded. And many are crossing in groups of 100 or more, like this one that arrived in January. But these remote outposts lack facilities, especially to deal with children. 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin and her father crossed here on Dec. 6, where they encountered Border Patrol. They were brought to a nearby outpost, where Jakelin got sick. It took an overnight journey with multiple stops, including a 94-mile bus ride and an air ambulance evacuation to get her to the childrens hospital in El Paso. Her condition worsened, and she later died. 12 days later, another father crossed the border in the El Paso area with his 8-year-old child. Felipe Gomez Alonzo was in custody for six days. He died from the flu on Christmas Eve. Border Patrol officials say that theyre not equipped to deal with all of this. Our infrastructure is incompatible with this reality. Our Border Patrol stations and ports of entry were built to handle mostly male, single adults in custody, not families or children. But the practice of metering is forcing people through more remote routes, in turn overtaxing these far-flung outposts and putting a strain on officers. Its also leading to ever-more-dangerous consequences for migrants. BALTIMORE Baltimore has both the highest murder rate among the nations big cities and one of the most broken relationships between its police and its citizenry. Only one out of four homicides were solved last year. And the citys enforcement of marijuana laws has fallen almost exclusively on African-Americans. Given this dire set of facts, the citys top prosecutor announced on Tuesday that she would no longer bother with marijuana cases, a controversial move that she argued would improve police-community relations and allow law enforcement to devote more time to serious violent crime. If you ask that mom whose son was killed where she would rather us spend our time and our attention on solving that murder, or prosecuting marijuana laws its a no-brainer, said Marilyn Mosby, the states attorney for Baltimore. She vowed at a news conference to no longer prosecute marijuana possession, regardless of quantity or prior criminal record, and said she would seek to vacate almost 5,000 convictions. Ms. Mosbys move places her in a vanguard of big-city prosecutors, including Kim Foxx in Chicago, Larry Krasner in Philadelphia, Cyrus R. Vance Jr. in Manhattan and Eric Gonzalez in Brooklyn, who are moving away from marijuana cases, declaring them largely off limits and in some cases going so far as to clear old warrants or convictions off the books. I definitely think innovation in how we build has a significant role to getting to affordability, said Carol Galante, the faculty director of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley. I can see it coming. I see it happening. It now costs as much as $500,000 per unit to build low-income housing in the most expensive markets. Savings in the cost of construction could help developers of such housing stretch subsidies further. Cheaper construction could also change the math in markets where developers say its also not profitable to build middle-class housing. But Mr. Hoffman is skeptical that construction tech can fundamentally change affordability; market-rate developers have no incentive to pass those savings on to renters or home buyers, he said. And he shrugs at 3D-printed houses. Where am I going to put those houses? he said, nodding to the policy problems. How long is it going to take me to find the land, get through the local zoning, the neighborhood planning process? Enterprise is looking instead for companies that could affect how we consume, finance and regulate housing. Perhaps they could enable models between renting and ownership, or squeeze new supply out of the housing that already exists. This month, Enterprise teamed up with a New York-based venture capital firm, MetaProp, to pick and co-invest in companies (MetaProps tagline: Location. Location. Innovation.). Together theyre looking not for feel-good stories, but for viable businesses that could grow at Silicon Valley speed. Those companies may not even have creating affordability as their goal. But if that winds up being a result, Enterprise will be content. We believe that for-profit, fast-growing businesses and we could be wrong about this are going to have the biggest impact on this huge problem the fastest, said Leila Collins, a senior associate at MetaProp. I dont have a lot of faith that there will be some huge policy change in the next three years that will make housing affordable in cities. Point Digital Finance, one company Enterprise has already invested in, helps homeowners tap the equity in their homes in exchange for a share of the propertys future appreciation. That service could help homeowners pay for constructing an accessory dwelling unit, like a backyard in-law cottage. Housing experts say such small-scale units could add to the lower-cost rental stock, but traditional lenders often wont finance them. The new play Master of the Crossroads has range: The tone goes from frenzied to hysterical to off-the-charts bonkers. Fine, so it is a narrow range. There may be nuances buried deep, but theyre hard to find when youre being bludgeoned. Written and directed by Paul Calderon, the show, at Shetler Studios, depicts a harrowing, one-way trip to hell. This is not spoiling anything: When a story begins with its intensity needle as firmly in the red as this one does, there are no options left besides self-combustion. It all starts when Yolanda (Sarah Kate Jackson) visits Jim-Bo (Obi Abili, memorable in The Emperor Jones in 2017) to inform him of a sticky situation: Jim-Bos brother, Cornbread (who happens to be Yolandas ex-husband), is holding a man captive and threatening to crucify him. Cornbread, an Iraq war veteran like Jim-Bo, has gone off the deep end and kidnapped a Middle Eastern man although Yolanda is pretty sure he is actually Hispanic. Why nobody is calling 911 is a question you will ask yourself repeatedly during the show. Also in the indictment is a reference to a file found on an electronic device that Ms. Meng was carrying when she arrived at Kennedy International Airport in New York in 2014. Officials detained her for a couple of hours when she arrived, according to a person with knowledge of the events. During that time, they briefly confiscated her electronic devices, said the person, who asked for anonymity because the events had not been made public. The file she was carrying, which the indictment said might have been deleted before being discovered, contained suggested talking points about Huaweis relationship with Skycom, the company that prosecutors accuse Huawei of using as an unofficial subsidiary to obtain American-sourced goods, technology and services for its Iranian business. The indictment also said Skycom employed at least one United States citizen in Iran, a violation of American law. And it said that after Huawei found out that the United States was pursuing a criminal investigation in 2017, the company destroyed evidence and tried to move unspecified witnesses who knew about its Iranian business to China, beyond the reach of the American government. The other indictment, which concerns the theft of trade secrets from the American wireless provider T-Mobile, refers to internal emails describing a plot to steal testing equipment from T-Mobiles lab in Bellevue, Wash. Huawei has contended that its employees were acting on their own to learn more about a robot that T-Mobile used to test smartphones, nicknamed Tappy because it could rapidly tap a phone screen. But the indictment cites multiple emails exchanged between Huawei engineers urging those with access to Tappy to take increasingly precise measurements. Image Ren Zhengfei, the founder and chief executive of Huawei, is Ms. Mengs father. Credit... Vincent Yu/Associated Press Eventually, the indictment says, a Huawei engineer sneaked into the Tappy laboratory with the help of other Huawei employees who had access. He was caught and thrown out but returned, the indictment said. In her expansive oil paintings, ink-based drawings, fabric collages and patterned garments, Hurtado explores what she sees as the interconnectedness of all beings. Her paintings from the 70s sinuous bodies that morph into mountains, bare nipples that juxtapose spiky leaves, bulbous fruits that echo curving belly shapes represent women as sacred beings, powerful subjects of their own lives. Hurtado also incorporated womb imagery into her work before the feminist art movement made popular the same subject matter in the late 70s. Born in the seaside town of Maiquetia, Venezuela, in 1920, Hurtado migrated to New York at age 8. At the then-all-girls high school Washington Irving, she studied fine art and developed a keen interest in anti-fascist political movements. After graduating, she volunteered at the Spanish-language newspaper La Prensa and met her first husband, a Chilean journalist twice her age. When he abandoned her and their infant son, she supported herself by creating imaginative installations for Lord & Taylor and fashion illustrations for Vogue at night, she created totemic figure drawings with watercolor and crayon. (In 1946, at age 26, she met and married the Austrian-Mexican painter Wolfgang Paalen, moving with her two sons to join him in Mexico City.) Luchita has always had this very fluid identity, which makes her art so 21st century, says the curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, who is organizing her retrospective in London. We have to contextualize her clearly with the historic avant-garde, because she is a contemporary of Frida Kahlo, she knew Diego Rivera and was married to Wolfgang Paalen, a key figure of surrealism and she is a key figure of spiritual surrealism, with a connection to pre-Columbian art, but we cannot lock her in that. Hurtados work blurs the lines between micro- and macroscopic worlds; she was at the forefront of not just spiritual surrealism, but also the environmental and feminist art movements. As Obrist puts it, she navigated a century of different contexts and played an important role in all of those. Not every new bar in New York needs to be an Instagram-seducing set for tourists or birthday revelers, invariably lodged in a hotel underbelly. Cue Ponyboy, which opened in late September in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. Housed in the former Manhattan Inn (a piano joint that closed in 2016), Ponyboy flutters from cocktail bar to discotheque to music hall to underground sushi society by zephyr-like whim. On a recent evening, chef Michael Stember, one of the owners, wondered how to use an antechamber that contained a banquet table. Maybe this will be a kaiseki tearoom, Mr. Stember said. Maybe it will be a wine club. We have no idea where this is headed. The Place Nested in a heavily trafficked section of Manhattan Avenue aside dollar stores and laundromats, Ponyboy has a squeezed bar that funnels into an open kitchen and, eventually, a larger, dimly lit room with a stage, banquette seating and a distinctive pitched skylight. The axolotl, sometimes called the Mexican walking fish, is a cheerful tube sock with four legs, a crown of feathery gills and a long, tapered tail fin. It can be pale pink, golden, gray or black, speckled or not, with a countenance resembling the slightly smiling face emoji. Unusual among amphibians for not undergoing metamorphosis, it reaches sexual maturity and spends its life as a giant tadpole baby. According to Aztec legend, the first of these smiling salamanders was a god who transformed himself to avoid sacrifice. Today, wild axolotls face an uncertain future. Threatened by habitat degradation and imported fish, they can only be found in the canals of Lake Xochimilco, in the far south of Mexico City. Captive axolotls, however, are thriving in labs around the world. In a paper published Thursday in Genome Research, a team of researchers has reported the most complete assembly of DNA yet for the striking amphibians. Their work paves the way for advances in human regenerative medicine. [Like the Science Times page on Facebook. | Sign up for the Science Times newsletter.] Many animals can perform some degree of regeneration, but axolotls seem almost limitless in their capabilities. As long as you dont cut off their heads, they can grow back a nearly perfect replica of just about any body part, including up to half of their brain, said Jeramiah Smith, an associate professor of biology at the University of Kentucky and an author of the paper. To understand how they evolved these healing superpowers, Dr. Smith and his colleagues looked to the axolotls DNA. This reasoning was abandoned by post-Cold War presidents, and especially by George W. Bush, in the heady days when it appeared that America could project power as easily in Kabul as in the Caribbean. And despite the Iraq disaster most of Bushs would-be Republican heirs John McCain and Mitt Romney as well as Rubio and Jeb! maintained a similarly maximalist posture, in which every theater was supposedly a vital one, every tyrant a potential enemy, and we should be prepared to fight in Afghanistan and Syria and Libya and eastern Ukraine as readily as we would fight for a NATO ally. Compared with that vision, the Trump doctrine aims for a more limited and sustainable view of American commitments. Along with jihadism it seeks to confront and contain two major state-based enemies, China and Iran, and it takes a harsh line toward their potential allies and clients in the Americas. But it has no nation-building ambitions in the Muslim world, no dreams of pushing NATO into the Caucasus, and in East Asia its trying to woo the Kim regime into some kind of bizarre friendship instead of acting like Pyongyang is just as great a long-term danger as its patron in Beijing. The administrations official European goals (if not Trumps behind-the-scenes anti-NATO grumbling) also fit plausibly into its larger framework: Building up a stronger military presence on NATOs Russia-facing flank while getting other countries to bear more of the military burden is the most plausible way to preserve the Western alliances basic purposes while the United States refocuses on China. And in the long run, Trumps dream (whatever its motivations) of a better working relationship with Russia also fits with a retrench-and-refocus framework with the major caveat that Putin seems too interested in disruption to make a genuine and cooperative detente imaginable for now. Let me stress that I dont think that Trumps grand strategy is springing fully formed from the presidents own mind (he isnt scribbling notes about the Monroe Doctrine, I assume), or for that matter anyone elses; instead its emerging organically as a synthesis of his own blustering, quasi-isolationist impulses and the more hawkish and internationalist and status-quo-oriented views of the people working for him. That makes it interesting for future international-relations scholars to study but also vulnerable to sudden changes of personnel or presidential mood. (If we unleash a ground war in Venezuela tomorrow in a fit of Trumpian pique, you can disregard this columns analysis.) And of course it has other vulnerabilities as well. Events often destroy even well-thought-through grand strategies, and every foreign-policy maneuver carries risks. The hawks who fear that jihadism will surge if we pull back from Afghanistan and Syria could be vindicated. So could the institutionalists who fear that Trumps bluster is damaging our standing and disillusioning our friends, and the human rights activists who regard this administrations cynicism as a carte blanche for thugs and dictators, and the simple Trump-fearers (like myself) who worry that he could make a truly catastrophic blunder should, say, the North Korea negotiations blow up or a real crisis with Russia or China comes along. But those of us who fear Trump also need to be honest when he exceeds our expectations. Before his election, I wanted a Republican foreign policy that was less hubristic and more calculating than what most leading G.O.P. politicians were offering, that showed a willingness to limit foreign interventions and conduct diplomatic experiments while also trying to maintain United States primacy in a more multipolar, Chinese-influenced world. Within certain limits, and with a lot of stumbling and bluster, thats roughly what Trump has delivered. And however his foreign policy looks by November 2020, I suspect that future administrations of both parties will often find themselves imitating the strategy of his first two years. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTOpinion) and Instagram, join the Facebook political discussion group, Voting While Female. Alas, Michael Bloomberg. You arent the man I thought you were. On Tuesday, asked about Elizabeth Warrens (very smart) proposal for a wealth tax, he responded with the favorite right-wing calumny of the moment suggesting that her plan would turn us into Venezuela. Thats a shameful line of argument. In fact, whenever you see someone invoking Venezuela as a reason not to consider progressive policy ideas, you know right away that the person in question is uninformed, dishonest, or both. It basically shows that the speaker or writer isnt willing to engage in serious discussion, preferring to scare people with a boogeyman of which he or she knows nothing. What, after all, do we learn from the Venezuelan experience? Yes, the country is a mess. Venezuela has always been a one-industry economy, with huge inequality. Hugo Chavez got into power because of rage against the nations elite, but used the power badly. He seized the oil sector, which you only do if you can run it honestly and efficiently; instead, he turned it over to corrupt cronies, who degraded its performance. Then, when oil prices fell, his successor tried to cover the income gap by printing money. Hence the crisis. Its a bad story, and not without precedent: Macroeconomic populism has a long history in Latin America, and usually comes to grief. Projekt Spiecie is limited to intellectual, relatively courteous magazines based in Polands major cities, Warsaw and Krakow. It has not changed the broader political discourse in Poland and, given its short reach, its unlikely to. But it is proof that there are ways to breach the walls of the filter bubble. It demonstrates that peaceful disagreement is still possible, and it has shown that this is something many readers on all sides want. Mr. Malko, 29, is not an influential journalist he doesnt consider himself a journalist at all. Hes an economist, author of the book Economics and its Discontents, who teaches in a high school. He used to write a weekly column for Krytyka Polityczna, a small, left-wing online magazine with views similar to The Nation in the United States. His column recommended articles in the Polish or foreign press. I looked for interesting articles outside my bubble and comfort zone, he said. For example, when the government first tried to purge the Supreme Court, he devoted his entire column to right-wing perspectives on the crisis. Readers liked his column. But Mr. Malko was dissatisfied. I looked for diverse views, but they were still my choices, he said. He decided to quit writing his own column and organize something bigger. He called the leaders of Krytyka and five other magazines and asked each for a meeting. One editor declined to join the project; the magazine was overstretched. Krytyka and four other magazines joined: Mr. Piekutowskis rightist Nowa Konfederacja; Klub Jagiellonski, a conservative Catholic publication; Kontakt, a magazine of the Catholic liberation theology left; and Kultura Liberalna, which espouses free-market views (liberal means something different in Europe than in America). Mr. Malko had no money to offer, and he was talking to magazines that were largely broke. Kontakt, for example, has only one paid employee. Even without money, it didnt take much convincing. We were waiting for something like this, said Mr. Piekutowski, whose magazine runs not only conservative content, but also occasional interviews with, or articles by, left-wing activists and opinion leaders. We were fed up with the language of Polish politics: You are a traitor and should go to jail, he said. To the Editor: Re U.S. Pummels Reeling Venezuela With Sanctions (front page, Jan. 29): Congratulations to President Trump and his administration. The president has made one of the first, if not the first, positive diplomatic moves of his tenure. He has joined a number of other countries in denouncing Nicolas Maduros claim to be the legitimate leader of Venezuela and recognizing Juan Guaido as the opposition leader and potential president of the country. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchins announcement on Monday that the United States had imposed sanctions against the state-owned oil company brings additional pressure against Mr. Maduro and his beleaguered government. Moral and perhaps financial support of the opposition is essential. Physical intervention on the part of the United States and the other governments must, however, be avoided. Intervention would only increase Russias influence not only in Venezuela but also throughout the region. It would give the Russians an opportunity to claim plans for regional domination by the United States and the other nations recognizing Mr. Guaidos legitimacy. Franklin T. Burroughs Walnut Creek, Calif. To the Editor: Re Between Mr. Maduro and a Hard Place (editorial, Jan. 25): No, the Trump administration is not right to support Mr. Guaid o. Regardless of the economic hardship caused by mismanagement by President Nicolas Maduro, falling oil prices and U.S. sanctions, American support of last weeks coup attempt violates both national sovereignty and international law. True, many high-income voters are socially liberal and economically conservative. They arent particularly religious and generally agree with the Democratic Party on social issues, like abortion, affirmative action and immigration. On economic issues, though, these affluent voters lean to the center if not the right. They dont like talk of 70 percent marginal tax rates, and they favor cuts to Medicare and Social Security (which they describe as entitlement reform). Many commentators share these views, and they commit a classic version of the pundit fallacy: They confuse their own beliefs with the countrys. They fool themselves into thinking that socially liberal and economically conservative is a good campaign strategy. This is precisely the theory that seems to motivate Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks C.E.O. now planning an independent run for president. In reality, the American public is closer to being socially conservative and economically liberal than the reverse. On the socially conservative part: More than half of Americans say they pray daily. About 53 percent say abortion should be legal either only in a few circumstances or never. Almost 70 percent say illegal immigration is a very big or moderately big problem. On some of these subjects, the answers can depend on the precise phrasing of poll questions. But you have to twist the data pretty hard to create a portrait of a secular, liberal majority on most social issues. Economic policy is very different. Large majorities of Americans oppose cuts to Medicare and Social Security and favor expanded Medicaid. They favor higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. They favor a higher minimum wage and more aggressive government action to create jobs. No wonder: Incomes for most Americans have been growing painfully slowly for most of the past four decades. Before the catastrophic Camp Fire destroyed Paradise, Calif., the Pacific Gas and Electric Company was worth more than $25 billion. Now its C.E.O. has stepped down and the company, which provides natural gas and electricity to 16 million people in California, has filed for bankruptcy as it confronts billions of dollars in potential liability claims following recent wildfires. It is perhaps not the first bankruptcy in which the changing climate played a role, but it is almost certainly the largest. And no doubt, it wont be the last. Of course, its not easy to attribute any particular event to climate change, and it will take time to sort out all of the causes of the Camp Fire last November, add up the damages and assess liability. Last week, in a small bit of good news for the company, the state concluded that PG&E was not responsible for the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Sonoma County that burned nearly 37,000 acres, destroyed more than 5,600 buildings and left 22 dead. But the company says it still faces extensive litigation, significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation following the devastating and unprecedented wildfires of 2017 and 2018. Many fires in recent years have been caused by downed power lines. And even though the company took wildfires seriously and had a broad plan to protect equipment and trim branches pruning or removing as many as 1.4 million trees a year it wasnt enough. The fires pushed the company over the edge. One message of the bankruptcy is that climate change is already creating calamitous conditions. As PG&E put it recently, California faces an ever-increasing threat from catastrophic wildfires, extreme weather and higher temperatures. In a statement, the company noted that the states most recent climate assessment found the average area burned statewide would increase 77 percent if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and that prolonged drought and higher temperatures will triple the frequency of wildfires. The rise of President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil has put the environment and human rights in peril. His promises to open the Amazon for business could result in huge deforestation and the release of vast greenhouse-gas emissions. His threats to slash fundamental environmental and indigenous rights standards that help keep the Amazon standing are a threat to climate stability. Mr. Bolsonaro, however, wouldnt be the only one to blame for devastating the Amazon. Companies that accept his invitation to reap profit from Amazon destruction, and the financial institutions that provide the capital, will also bear great responsibility. And those poised to benefit from Mr. Bolsonaros reckless policies include American companies and financial institutions. Two of the largest publicly traded agribusiness firms operating in the Brazilian Amazon Archer Daniels Midland and Bunge are American-based companies. Agribusiness, in particular soy and beef production, is a leading driver of forest loss and human-rights abuses in the Brazilian Amazon, and A.D.M. and Bunge are two of the largest soy traders in Brazil. As producers seek more and more land for growing crops and grazing cattle, they push ever deeper into the Amazon. According to a report published in 2014, an estimated 90 percent of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is due to agribusiness activities. Where would these powerful agribusiness companies get the capital they need to bulldoze deeper into the Amazon, if they should take Mr. Bolsonaro up on his offer to eliminate environmental protections? SEOUL, South Korea Kim Bok-dong, a former sex slave for the Japanese military during World War II whose tireless campaigning helped bring international attention to the suffering that thousands of women like her endured, died on Monday in Seoul. She was 92. Ms. Kim had cancer. Yoon Mi-hyang, president of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance, an advocacy group for the South Korean women who were forced to work in Japanese brothels, announced her death, at Severance Hospital, on Tuesday. Since the early 1990s, Ms. Kim had been a prominent representative of the former sex slaves, who were known euphemistically as comfort women. She was one of the first to break decades of silence and talk about what had been done to her, and she traveled around the world to testify about it, including at the United Nations. To her last days, she demanded reparations from Japan. When reporters visited her in the hospital, she accused Prime Minister Shinzo Abes government of refusing to atone properly. Historians say as many as 200,000 girls, from Korea and other Asian countries, were forced or lured into sexual slavery during the war. Edwin Birdsong, a keyboard player and producer whose blend of funk, jazz and disco music from the 1970s and 80s developed a cult following and was sampled by a later generation of artists, died on Jan. 21 in Inglewood, Calif. He was 77. His daughter Angela Birdsong said on Tuesday that the cause was not certain, but that Mr. Birdsong had suffered several strokes in the past and had congestive heart failure. Mr. Birdsong released a handful of solo albums, among them What It Is (1972), Super Natural (1973) and Edwin Birdsong (1979), but they achieved only limited success, and he turned to working as a sought-after session musician and producer for better-known acts. In the late 1980s, however, sample-hungry producers rediscovered Mr. Birdsongs work, notably the songs Rapper Dapper Snapper and Cola Bottle Baby. Like many other departments across the country, the New York Police Department has taken steps to improve fairness. It is absolutely not in our best interest to do something that is going to be suppressed, said Dermot Shea, the citys chief of detectives. To minimize differences between the suspect and fillers, detectives will cover up tattoos and use hats to obscure differences in hair styles, Chief Shea said. Fairness is driving everything that we do to make sure that we get the best prosecutable case, and that includes having a fair lineup, he said. But suggestive lineups are not yet a thing of the past, as the shackle on the floor in the Queens lineup would seem to indicate. Detectives, for instance, sometimes still place teenage suspects in lineups alongside grown men, The New York Times found. A year ago, a 17-year-old robbery suspect in Brooklyn was the only teenager in the lineup. Three of the five fillers next to him were in their 30s. Lineups, say experts who study witness memory, can be thought of as an experiment administered by the police. Detectives have a suspect. Now they want to use the memory of a witness to test whether their suspect committed the crime. In the witness's mind is a recollection, an image, said William Brooks, the police chief of Norwood, Mass., a town of 30,000, and a longtime advocate for improving lineups. You cant see it or touch it, so how do you use it? You give it a stimulus, and you see the reaction, and see if there is a match. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] ALBANY New York lawmakers on Tuesday approved the most comprehensive set of gun bills in the state in six years, including measures that would ban bump stocks, prohibit teachers from carrying guns in schools and extend the waiting period for gun buyers who do not pass an instant background check. In total, six gun bills passed easily through the State Senate and Assembly, a remarkable sight in a Capitol that for years had resisted almost all new legislation on the subject. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat, last ushered a major gun safety package into law in 2013, after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The governor successfully corralled recalcitrant Senate Republicans into supporting the so-called Safe Act that expanded the states ban on assault weapons, tightened certification requirements, increased criminal penalties for illegal guns and closed private sale loopholes. Mr. Cuomo has described the Safe Act as one of his signature achievements. But it has also become a rallying cry for some gun owners and Republican politicians who felt it overreached. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] The most common methods the drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera used to avoid imprisonment in Mexico were to escape (which he did twice) or to not get caught in the first place. But now that the kingpin, known as El Chapo, is standing trial in Federal District Court in Brooklyn, his lawyers have been forced to mount an actual defense. On Tuesday, as many had suspected, it emerged they did not offer one. Mr. Guzmans case to the jury began at 9:38 a.m. when one of his lawyers, Jeffrey Lichtman, called to the stand an F.B.I. agent who explained his own small role in obtaining a piece of evidence that did not relate to the defendant. Mr. Lichtman also read aloud a stipulation, noting that for several years, his client was in debt. Mr. Lichtman finished his presentation at 10:08 a.m. And with that, Judge, he said, the defense rests. The Wild Pear Tree, Nuri Bilge Ceylans latest film, shares its title with a manuscript written by its protagonist, a restless young man named Sinan. The book is a collection of short pieces, quasi- or semi-fictional but based in reality, touching on aspects of life in the part of western Turkey where Sinan (Aydin Dogu Demirkol) and his family live. Pitching the manuscript to a local government official he thinks might subsidize its publication, the author is at pains to describe it in resolutely anti-commercial terms. Though the area includes the battle sites of both Troy and Gallipoli, there is nothing of historical or touristic interest in the work. Its defiantly cerebral resistant to summary, classification and perhaps easy comprehension as well. Like the movie, more or less. Sinan, a recent university graduate with uncertain employment prospects, seems at once brazenly ambitious and stubbornly self-undermining. A big, graceless guy with a hint of Adam Sandler in his slack, stubbled face, he isnt the most pleasant company. But Ceylans characters rarely are. Over eight features in more than 20 years, this director, a fixture at Cannes and other international festivals, has charted the isolation, anomie and passive-aggressive gloom of modern, mostly secular Turks. Their failure to connect with one another or the better parts of themselves can feel symptomatic of a larger malaise. Young or old, artists, farmers or entrepreneurs, they tend to be frustrated, adrift and confused, at once alienated from their society and unable to break free of it. Sinan shares that condition with his father, Idris (Murat Cemcir), a schoolteacher whose gambling habit has brought embarrassment and financial hardship to the family. Sinans mother, Asuman (Bennu Yildirimlar), wavers between disgust and resignation. When hes not hanging out at the betting parlor or cadging small loans in the town of Can, Idris spends his time in the rural village where he grew up and where his father and parents-in-law still live. His main pastime is working on an ill-advised well that yields no water but plenty of metaphorical juice. Opening on the 71st anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the conspiracy thriller The Gandhi Murder begins with a claim to be based on verified facts. Given the overall shoddiness of the production, including distractingly inapt casting and matte work that makes a Ganges River scene look fake, those facts are probably worth reverifying. Directed by Karim Traidia and Pankaj Sehgal, the movie unfolds during the weeks leading up to Gandhis death, mingling fictional and real-life figures. It posits that authorities knew in advance that the murder would happen and could have stopped it but didnt, believing that making Gandhi a martyr would bring unity to feuding Hindus and Muslims in the wake of Indias independence. It pins the skulduggery on a fictional intelligence officer, Sunil Raina (Stephen Lang), who carries out his plan with the helpful and conflicted inaction of a policeman, Jimmy (Luke Pasqualino). Raina explains his theory of how Lincolns death brought the United States together after the Civil War. Mr. Aguilar has been frying, blending and stirring mole de Piaxtla since Casa Enrique opened in 2012, just off Vernon Boulevard, in Long Island City, Queens. In fact, he has barely changed his menu since our Hungry City critic, Ligaya Mishan, reviewed it the next year. Mr. Aguilar says he is emulating the restaurants he likes best in Mexico, ones whose kitchens make the same dishes year in and year out. Whether despite this or because of it, the restaurant seems to have improved in subtle ways. Acoustic panels tacked to the ceiling make conversation easier. Servers, always welcoming, have become experts at anticipating the meals ebb and flow. Theyll step in just when youre ready for a fresh drink, maybe a margarita with some tamarind this time to offset the raw-sugar syrup. Theyll gauge the precise moment when youre ready to have dinner plates cleared to make room for dessert. Or theyll break away from your table just long enough to join in a full-throated singing of Happy Birthday around a slice of tres leches cake with a candle stuck in it on the other side of the room. This may happen three or four times a night, probably not because Casa Enrique looks particularly festive from floor to ceiling, its done almost entirely in white but, Id guess, because regulars know it regularly outperforms any number of other restaurants that might seem to be more special on the surface but arent, really. Also, the tres leches cake, if not as soggy with condensed milk as it could be, is still pretty good, though I think the flan is almost mandatory, and it, too, is a perfectly credible birthday-candle holder. Although the guacamole is freshly mashed and pleasingly minimalist, I tend to skip it as long as the people Im with dont mind. Instead Ill head straight for the two-bite sopecitos topped with refried beans and loose chorizo, or the albondigas in cumin-laced chipotle sauce, each of the three meatballs stuffed with hard-cooked eggs. Drought: What to Know Wildfires in U.S. Drought and Wildfires in U.S. Drought and Wildfires in U.S. Californias Largest Utility Says It Is Bankrupt. Heres What You Need to Know. Pacific Gas and Electric has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The states wildfires are at the heart of its insolvency. Pacific Gas and Electric, which is facing billions of dollars in liability claims from two years of wildfires, sees bankruptcy protection as its only viable option. Credit... Talia Herman for The New York Times Mecanoo brought a theater consultant on board to make sure sufficient thought was given to both form and function. The acoustics of the concert hall, Taiwans first with 360-degree seating, make performances in the large space feel deceptively intimate. For instance, the recital halls asymmetric design facilitates viewing of the pianists hands. The design principle that Francine brought to Weiwuying was to get people close to the arts, and close to each other, said Chien Wen-pin, the arts centers executive and artistic director, a position he took after serving as director of Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf for 22 years. A native of Taipei, Taiwans capital in the north, he was persuaded to return to Taiwan in 2013 by the islands culture minister, Lung Ying-tai. Mr. Chien praised the versatility of the stages and performance spaces in the arts centers four halls, which he said he hoped would enable performers to re-envision their art. We want artists to come and feel and create for themselves, he said. We want to push artists to create new work. The arts center at Weiwuying appears to be off to a strong start: It had 800,000 visitors in its first nine weeks after opening, and larger performances have drawn audience members from Taiwans northern cities as well as farther afield, including Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. It also seems to be well received by those who do not take particular interest in the arts. Chen Hsiao-li, a Kaohsiung resident who runs a small shop selling betel nuts and cold drinks near Weiwuying, said she thought the arts center would help revitalize the neighborhood. Im not really the theatergoing type, but my daughter is, so its nice that she has somewhere she can go for that, Ms. Chen said. For the rest of us, I think it will bring more people into Kaohsiung and bring more business to this part of the city. An intelligence assessment from 2017 said a complete withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan would lead to an attack on the U.S. within two years. Aides have used the report to try to convince President Trump that a residual American force must remain in the country. Another angle: Afghan officials are worried the U.S. could try to reach a separate deal with the Taliban if that would allow American troops to leave. Voices: They were children when the war started. Now, two Times reporters from Afghanistan reflect on the possibility of peace. U.S. accuses Chinese tech giant of theft The Justice Department unveiled charges against the telecommunications firm Huawei and its chief financial officer on Monday, outlining a decade-long attempt to steal trade secrets, obstruct a criminal investigation and evade sanctions on Iran. ANGOULEME, France Its a big year for comic book anniversaries. Batmans 80th is this year, and Asterix is turning 60. But at the Angouleme International Comics Festival in France, which finished on Sunday, there was a sense that the forms best days may be yet to come in the French-speaking world, at least. Its a kind of golden age, said Jean-Luc Fromental, a comic book author who also runs a graphic-novel imprint for the publisher Denoel. There has never been so much talent. There have never been so many interesting books published. There are now more comic books published annually in France and Belgium than ever before, according to the festivals artistic director, Stephane Beaujean. The market has risen from 700 books per year in the 1990s to 5,000 this year, he said in an interview. I dont know any cultural industry which has had that kind of increase. Jussie Smollett, one of the stars of the Fox television show Empire, was attacked in Chicago early Tuesday morning by two people who yelled racial and homophobic slurs and wrapped a rope around his neck, according to the police, who said they were investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Smollett, who is black and publicly came out as gay in 2015, was walking on a downtown street when two people approached him and yelled the slurs, according to a statement from the Chicago Police Department. The attackers then began hitting Smollett in the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on him. One of the attackers also wrapped a rope around Smolletts neck before the duo fled. Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime, the police statement said. The Chicago Sun-Times, citing a police spokesman, said that Smollett went to an apartment after the attack, and his manager called the police. When officers arrived, a thin, light rope was still around Smolletts neck, said the spokesman. BRUSSELS Serge Schoffel placed a red sticker on the label for a 19th-century Dan Mano mask from Liberia. This is my best sale, he said. Mr. Schoffel, a dealer based in Brussels, who has been trading in tribal art for 11 years, had just completed negotiations over a cellphone with a French collector during the Friday preview of the Brafa art fair. Weve been talking to him for some time, but this is the first piece hes bought, Mr. Schoffel said, adding that the wooden mask was priced between 20,000 and 30,000 euros, or about $23,000 to $34,000. It was one of countless sales of artworks from sub-Saharan Africa that have been conducted in Europe since the colonial era. Belgium and France, two of the largest former colonial powers in Africa, have traditionally been the main trading hubs. But specialists in this long-established business have become alarmed by a report commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron of France and published in November. Written by two academics, Benedicte Savoy of France and Felwine Sarr of Senegal, the report recommends that French museums permanently return artworks that were removed from Africa without consent if their countries of origin ask for them back. The real estate developer behind those buildings, Jerry Wolkoff, pointed out that the construction has been going on for a while. Whatever I have there to my knowledge has been there for the last two years, he said in a phone interview Tuesday. Mr. Wolkoff says that the structure visible in pictures taken at the installation a hoist used to move building materials will be taken down by May. The pictures are believed to have been reported on first by Gothamist. The condos were already the subject of consternation from artists: Theyre being built on top of what was previously the building known as 5Pointz, a warehouse once prized as a haven for legal graffiti. Last year, 5Pointz was the subject of a lawsuit when Mr. Wolkoff, who owned the building, was fined $6.7 million for painting over the works of 21 graffiti artists in 2013. The building was demolished in 2014 to make way for the apartment buildings. Its not the first time a high-rise development has led to the closure of Mr. Turrells work. The artist previously asked the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas to shutter another, similar installation, Tending, (Blue), because a luxury condo tower had intruded on the view. Ms. Kurzius said that Meeting will remain inaccessible to the public until the view is no longer obstructed, adding that the construction was only visible from a part of the installation. When did you become a full-fledged company? We all went off to college, and when we came back we reorganized and called ourselves the Thunderbird dancers, after the clan my mother belonged to in the Winnebago tribe. As we got older, we started traveling to learn dances from around the country. I think some of the dances we do now are no longer done on the reservations where they come from, and Im so happy that we had an opportunity to learn them and keep them alive. Thats primarily what the group is for, to preserve the dances. Theres also an educational purpose, it seems. We wanted to perform for non-Native audiences, so they could have a better understanding of what these dances are all about that they have an origin, a story, a purpose. We dont just get out there and move around like you see in the movies. How are the dances passed down? For us, we travel to the reservations where theyre doing the dances. For instance, weve been up to the Iroquois people, to many of the reservations where they live in upstate New York, and weve been invited to come into the longhouse and dance with them. So thats how we learn, by going there and participating in the dance. Its also about growing up with it, the people you meet. I started dancing when I was about 5 or 6. I always tell people there isnt a school where you can go to learn how to do Native American dancing. It has to come through family. In his teens and after he made creditable sketches and watercolors of New York, mostly in a style aligned with Ashcan School realism. Youll find here several jagged youthful self-portraits, sketches of faceless figures by a subway entrance, and a gouache from around 1940 that depicts a Manhattan street corner as a shadowy stage, ringed by billboards and spotlighted with electric lamps. Robbins turned to dance in his 20s he was the resident choreographer at Camp Tamiment in the Poconos and met George Balanchine while performing in Broadway musical revues like Keep Off the Grass (1939). He then joined the fledgling Ballet Theater (now American Ballet Theater), where he spurned the western Americana of choreographers like Agnes de Mille and Eugene Loring. What he wanted was a dance rooted in city life. 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. Ballet a la Living Newspaper on the History of N.Y., he wrote the day after Christmas in 1940, sketching out a new project. Fast entertaining. American in scope and view. (The draft board exempted him for wartime service. His rejection notice, here, cites his inadequate personality, presumably a code for homosexuality; Robbins had romances with men and women throughout his life.) That urban aim would come to fruition in Fancy Free (1944), in which three sailors on shore leave including Robbins as the third, swaggering soloist engage in a dance-off to woo New Yorks street-smart single ladies. Robbins made sketches of jumping and prancing seamen, drawing perhaps from the sexed-up paintings of Paul Cadmus, and plotted out scenes with Leonard Bernstein, author of the ballets syncopated score. It was a wartime hit, and the inspiration for On the Town (1944), a Broadway musical also choreographed by Robbins, with a rare multiracial cast essential, he said, if the work were to look like the city. Lawyers for the family of Stephon Clark, the unarmed black man who was fatally shot last March by Sacramento police officers, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit on Monday alleging that the officers who fired had racially profiled the 22-year-old and used excessive force. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, names the two officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet as well as the City of Sacramento as defendants. It seeks at least $20 million in damages and was filed on behalf of Mr. Clarks two sons, his parents and his grandparents. According to the 31-page lawsuit, the officers failed to identify themselves as police or issue verbal warnings about their intent to use deadly force before firing 20 times at Mr. Clark, who was killed in his grandmothers backyard and was later found to have been holding a cellphone, but no gun. It also faults the officers for having deprived Mr. Clark of lifesaving medical care. During the encounter, Mr. Clarks civil rights were violated in several ways, his familys lawyers argued. There were other reasonable options available other than shooting and killing Mr. Clark, the complaint said. WASHINGTON President Trumps headway in Afghan peace negotiations with the Taliban raises the same question that has bedeviled other presidents who extracted American troops from foreign wars: Will the departing Americans end up handing over the country to the same ruthless militants that the United States went to war to dislodge? A hasty American withdrawal, experts said, would erode the authority and legitimacy of the Afghan government, raising the risk that the Taliban could recapture control of the country. Short of that, it could consign Afghanistan to a protracted, bloody civil war, with Taliban fighters besieging the capital, Kabul, as they did in the 1990s. These scenarios now seem possible because of the progress in direct talks between the United States and the Taliban. The chief American negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, said Monday that American and Taliban officials had agreed in principle to the outlines of a deal in which the insurgents would guarantee that Afghan territory is never used by terrorists, setting the stage for a total pullout of American troops. [Afghans fear that the countrys interests have been sidelined in U.S. talks with the Taliban.] While current and former American diplomats and military officials voiced cautious optimism about the negotiations, they questioned whether the Taliban and the administration in Kabul would ever agree to a power-sharing arrangement, given that the Taliban still refuse even to speak to the government of President Ashraf Ghani. Some fear that the Taliban will seek to overthrow the government once the Americans are gone. WASHINGTON The Senate voted Monday to advance legislation affirming the right of local and state governments to break ties with companies that boycott or divest from Israel, as Republicans try to drive a wedge between the Democratic Party and its traditional allies in the American Jewish community. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes assistance to Israel and Jordan and imposes additional sanctions on individuals providing support for the Syrian government. But Republican leaders added a provision by Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, that aims to curtail support for the boycott, divest and sanctions or B.D.S. movement, which seeks to pressure Israel into ending the occupation of the West Bank. The late inclusion was an opportunity for Republicans to draw out the new generation of insurgent liberal representatives who have been critical of Israel. Republicans are trying to paint them as extremist, and even anti-Semitic, as they try to push moderate voters away from a Democratic Party moving left. The Senate voted 74 to 19 on Monday to cut off debate on the measure, with final passage expected on Wednesday. Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a Somali refugee; Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, the first Palestinian-American woman to serve in the House; and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York have emerged as the most vocal supporters of Palestinian rights, and as high-profile targets of Republicans. The three represent heavily Democratic districts, with supportive constituents, but Republicans hope to tar the whole party with their views. Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. Im Lisa Lerer, your host. [Get On Politics delivered to your inbox.] Hold on to your triple-venti soy no-foam latte. Howard Schultz is running for president. Probably. The former Starbucks chief told The New York Times on Sunday that he was preparing a 2020 bid as an independent. Hell spend the next three months traveling the country, while simultaneously promoting his memoir. Now, could this all be a ploy to sell books? Of course. But when a guy who can self-fund his candidacy announces that hes considering running, its probably worth paying some attention. And a lot of people did. Mr. Schultzs announcement immediately made him the Twitter villain du jour, with Democrats, anti-Trump Republicans and Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor (a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat), jumping over each other to explain why his bid is likely doomed and bad for anyone who wants to defeat President Trump next year. WASHINGTON Several prominent veteran Democrats, alarmed by the partys drift from its longstanding alignment with Israel, are starting a new political group that will try to counter the rising skepticism on the left toward the Jewish state by supporting lawmakers and candidates in 2020 who stand unwaveringly with the country. With polls showing that liberals and younger voters are increasingly less sympathetic to Israel, and a handful of vocal supporters of Palestinian rights arriving in Congress, the new group the Democratic Majority for Israel is planning to wage a campaign to remind elected officials about what they call the partys shared values and interests with one of Americas strongest allies. Most Democrats are strongly pro-Israel and we want to keep it that way, said Mark Mellman, the groups president and a longtime Democratic pollster. There are a few discordant voices, but we want to make sure that whats a very small problem doesnt metastasize into a bigger problem. The group, whose board includes former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and a former Clinton administration housing secretary, Henry Cisneros, will create a political action committee later this year and may engage in Democratic primaries, Mr. Mellman said. They also are planning an early states project with the goal of organizing pro-Israel Democrats in the first nominating states to lobby the partys presidential hopefuls. HOUSTON Four undercover narcotics officers in Houston were shot Monday evening and another police officer was also injured during a gun battle that broke out when they tried to serve a search warrant, the Houston Police Department said. Two suspects were killed. The police officers were part of a team that was trying to search a home in a working-class, mostly Hispanic neighborhood about seven miles southeast of downtown Houston. The police believed drugs, including black tar heroin, were being dealt out of the home. At about 5 p.m. Central time, the police knocked down the door and were met with gunfire by an unknown number of people. Police officers returned fire, and during the exchange, two suspects were killed. Two officers were shot in the neck and were in critical but stable condition Monday night, Chief Art Acevedo of the Houston police said at a news conference. Two other officers who were shot were being observed at a hospital, but were expected to make a full recovery. Charter schools, which are generally not unionized, were not officially on the bargaining table in the protracted negotiations between the union and the district. It is the state, not the school district, that crafts the laws governing charter schools and their growth. But it was always a central message of the union during the strike: Charter schools, they argued, were taking students and money away from traditional public schools. Still, charter schools have proven popular among many parents in Los Angeles. Some schools have long waiting lists and the district already has more students enrolled in charters than any other public school system in the country. It is still unclear how much practical impact the deal will have on charters. Charter school supporters are lobbying the school board, which has steadfastly supported charters for more than a decade, to vote down the resolution for a charter school cap this week. Even if it passes, advocates are certain to take the fight to Sacramento, where a bill calling for a moratorium seems likely. They will argue that charters have given poor students and students of color essential options for better schools. But the defeat in the court of public opinion is clear: After years of support from powerful local and national allies including many Democrats charter schools are now facing a backlash and severe skepticism. Over the past two years, charter school supporters were dealt painful political defeats in California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and other states. As the push for alternatives to traditional public schools has come to be more associated with President Trump and his secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, the shift in Democratic Party politics has been especially pronounced. President Barack Obama supported expanding high-quality charter schools, and pushed teachers unions to let go of some of their traditional seniority protections and put more emphasis on raising student achievement. [Read more on Joe Biden selecting Antony Blinken as Secretary of State.] Senator John McCain liked to remind us that it is always darkest before it goes completely black. That may prove an apt metaphor for President Trumps foreign policy. The past two years have been plenty dark, with a long list of self-inflicted wounds: tearing up the Iran nuclear deal, pulling out of the Paris climate accord, walking away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, separating children from their parents at the border, insulting allies while embracing autocrats. But the administration has not faced an actual national security crisis that tests it and us in a profound way. There is no shortage of possible candidates a major terrorist attack; a debilitating cyberattack; an infectious disease outbreak; an incident with North Korea, Iran, China or Russia that escalates into a broader conflict. Yet no administration in modern memory has been less prepared to deal with a true crisis than this one. I spent nearly 25 years in government, and almost as much time studying it. When it comes to the effective stewardship of our nations security especially during crises the most successful administrations had three things in common: people, process and policy. People with the experience, temperament and intellectual honesty to give a president good ideas and to dissuade him from pursuing bad ones. An effective process that brings key stakeholders together to question one anothers assumptions, stress test options and consider second-order effects. And all of this in the service of developing clear policies that provide marching orders to everyone in an administration, while putting allies at ease and adversaries on notice about our intentions. But this frustrated executives politics arent widely shared by people who havent been to Davos. In a 2017 study, the political scientist Lee Drutman plotted the 2016 electorate along two axes, one dealing with social issues and identity, the other with economics and trade. Only 3.8 percent of voters fell into the socially liberal/economically conservative quadrant. Indeed, Trumps campaign demonstrated that the truly underserved market in American politics was voters who are socially conservative but economically liberal the photonegative of what Schultz is offering. Such voters the type who might resent both immigrants and Wall Street make up 28.9 percent of the electorate, according to Drutmans study. Schultz makes much of the fact that around 40 percent of Americans identify as independent. But as anyone who has spent 15 minutes googling should know, independent is not the same thing as centrist. Most independents lean toward one party, and as the Pew Research Center has demonstrated, in the past two decades independents have grown more ideologically polarized, not more moderate. America has two independent senators. One of them is Bernie Sanders. Even if there were a latent constituency of modern Rockefeller Republicans longing for the leadership of an enlightened plutocrat, third-party presidential campaigns are terrible vehicles for building political power. Americas two-party system, unfortunate as it is, is an inevitable result of the winner-take-all nature of our elections. It cannot simply be wished away. There are policies that could potentially break the two-party stranglehold on our politics. Ranked-choice voting, which Maine used for the 2018 congressional elections, lets voters select candidates in order of preference. One by one, the candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated. Their supporters votes are apportioned to those voters next-highest choice, until someone emerges with a majority. If Schultz were serious about challenging party monopolies he might invest some of his fortune in efforts to pass similar reforms elsewhere. America invented progressive taxation. And there was a time when leading American politicians were proud to proclaim their willingness to tax the wealthy, not just to raise revenue, but to limit excessive concentration of economic power. It is important, said Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, to grapple with the problems connected with the amassing of enormous fortunes some of them, he declared, swollen beyond all healthy limits. Today we are once again living in an era of extraordinary wealth concentrated in the hands of a few people, with the net worth of the wealthiest 0.1 percent of Americans almost equal to that of the bottom 90 percent combined. And this concentration of wealth is growing; as Thomas Piketty famously argued in his book Capital in the 21st Century, we seem to be heading toward a society dominated by vast, often inherited fortunes. So can todays politicians rise to the challenge? Well, Elizabeth Warren has released an impressive proposal for taxing extreme wealth. And whether or not she herself becomes the Democratic nominee for president, it says good things about her party that something this smart and daring is even part of the discussion. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Michael Stewart, known as Mikey, spent the twilight hours of Dec. 20 celebrating the holidays at an Irish pub on Staten Island. After leaving, he spotted an old friend from high school, Angelo Nesimi, in a nearby barbershop, and walked inside. In security camera footage from that evening, Mr. Stewart appeared raucously happy maybe thrilled about seeing his old friend, maybe just a touch tipsy from his previous stop, maybe both. He slapped Mr. Nesimis hand and pulled him into a bear hug. It looked like a normal reunion between two old friends, except for one significant twist: The next day, prosecutors say, Mr. Stewart was dead and Mr. Nesimi was furiously trying to clean up the crime scene. Prosecutors in Staten Island on Monday afternoon charged Mr. Nesimi, 33, with the murder of Mr. Stewart and the subsequent attempts to hide his killing, including dumping the body and gutting his own apartment to get rid of evidence. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] When Mayor Bill de Blasio acknowledged this month that his administration had kept secret that a former chief of staff was forced to resign after two women accused him of sexual harassment, the mayor said he was shocked and sickened by the aides conduct. But it turns out that barely a month before he was hired by the de Blasio administration, the aide, Kevin OBrien, had been fired from his previous job as a senior adviser at the Democratic Governors Association in Washington for similar reasons, the association confirmed on Monday. Mr. OBrien had been a senior staff member for Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana, a centrist Democrat who has been mentioned as a possible 2020 presidential candidate. Mr. Bullock served a one-year term as chairman of the governors association in 2015 and he sent Mr. OBrien to Washington to be his representative at the organization. When Mr. OBrien left the governors association in December 2015, Mr. Bullock was among those who knew the reason: A woman employed at the association had accused Mr. OBrien of sexually harassing her, and an investigation had backed her up. The witnesses also accused the crime lord of paying off almost every level of the Mexican police, military and political establishment, including an alleged $100 million bribe to one of the countrys former presidents, Enrique Pena Nieto. Mr. Guzman was said to have ordered the deaths of dozens of his rivals, enemies and informants, and to have armed himself with a gold-plated AK-47, a camouflage patterned M-16 and at least three diamond-encrusted pistols, one with his initials on the handle. Witnesses said he personally killed at least three people, ordering his men to bury one of them alive and to dispose of the other two bodies in a bonfire. Beyond helping prosecutors substantiate the 11 counts in Mr. Guzmans indictment, witnesses painted a complicated portrait of the man himself. They told jurors how he rose from being a poor campesino in the village of La Tuna in the Sierra Madre mountains to become a billionaire narco lord with a $10 million beach house, a fleet of private jets, a yacht he named for himself and a personal zoo. By the end of the governments case, jurors had heard stories about Mr. Guzmans temper, grace under pressure, bottomless libido, workaholic nature, love of the limelight and obsession with spying on everyone around him. They learned about his failed vanity movie project and even got to see a video of his underwear drawer. Prosecutors were able to assemble all of this because many have been working on the Guzman case for a decade or more. Well before the kingpin was extradited from Mexico two years ago to stand trial in New York, he was already facing six separate indictments filed in six separate federal judicial districts. As one of the worlds biggest drug traffickers, Mr. Guzman presented a unique target. And, with some notable exceptions, building one of the worlds biggest drug trafficking cases against him required a unique level of collaboration. The charges brought against the crime lord drew upon the work of the F.B.I., the D.E.A., Homeland Security, the Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Section of the Justice Department, and United States attorneys offices in Chicago, Miami, San Diego, El Paso and New York. When Adam Fels, a prosecutor from Miami, gave the governments opening statement on Nov. 13, he made it sound as if a single, seamless case had been brought against Mr. Guzman. But once the government rested, it was clear that there was never only one case against the kingpin, but rather there were several sewn together in a kind of patchwork quilt. This collage of a case was ultimately tried in Brooklyn on the orders of Loretta Lynch, the former United States attorney general who had previously served as Brooklyns top federal prosecutor. It was so extensive that testimony from any one individual witness might have been enough to convict Mr. Guzman. The amount of testimony was so excessive that Judge Cogan cautioned prosecutors more than once from engaging in overkill. El Museo del Barrio announced on Monday that it was canceling a survey of the work of the Chilean-born artist and director Alejandro Jodorowsky, who was quoted as saying he had raped an actress while filming a scene in a movie. In a written statement Monday the museum said that the decision to cancel the exhibition was made after an assessment of Mr. Jodorowskys remarks regarding an act of sexual violence he perpetrated during the making of his 1970 film El Topo. While the issues raised by Jodorowskys practice should be examined, we have come to the conclusion that an exhibition is not the right platform for doing so at this time, El Museos director, Patrick Charpenel, said in a statement. The museums decision was first reported on Monday by Art News. Coming less than three weeks after the museum reversed a decision to honor a socialite from Germany who has ties to archconservative opponents of Pope Francis, the cancellation raises questions about the vetting process that El Museo employs while arranging programming and events. The concept of living forever has been with us throughout history, Mayans and Egyptians are just a few. While our physical bodies may not last, maybe our essence, our mind, might in some other form than within our body. There are four hurdles, which must be conquered before that can happen: understanding how the brain works; simulation of the brains functions; a compact container to hold it; and finally, be able to transfer the mind or brain information to the container. Each one a monumental task. There is research in some of these areas. Rather than reaching for that final goal today, science is concentrating on fixing problems of our living body. Sooner or later, we will reach the practical limits of fixes, and in so doing our efforts will blend into how our mind us can live forever. On the way to that goal, our brain may get help, according to Alice Parker, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Southern California. She is emulating pieces of the brain, such as synthetic vision and hearing systems. These will interface with a real brain and may be available soon. It may go further and become synthetic parts of the brains cortex within decades. Snow isn't forecasted to hit the Region again until Thursday, when there may be some accumulation in the evening. Officials warned residents to avoid going outdoors, if possible. "Ensure that if you have to go out, bring plenty of blankets, water, something to eat and have a full tank of gas," Petrie said. Residents should take precautions ahead of the cold, by clearing snow away from gas meters and exhaust or fresh air vents for appliances, officials said. Cars should be filled with gas and tire pressures checked, because cold air can impact pressure levels. State police in Illinois and Indiana planned to add extra patrols because of the cold. "This is extreme cold, which makes it imperative that people call for help if they find themselves in a situation where their car might not be working or in an accident," said Indiana State Police Sgt. Ted Bohner, whose district covers the Indiana Toll Road. "It can get deadly quick with the cold weather being forecasted." If you spot a stalled vehicle with someone inside, call 911, police said. They will then feed the ballot into a touchscreen machine and cast their votes with the ability to go back and make changes, he said. The machine prevents errors such as voting for more than the number of allowed candidates. After reviewing and approving the vote on screen, the ballot is returned to the voter marked with the choices, McClure said. It is then fed into a counter, leaving a paper trail of the vote. The county's current system requires voters to manually fill in small ovals to cast ballots. The new system would do away with the need to sort ballots cast early and have them delivered to the appropriate polling places on election day, Republican Election Board member David Bengs said. The county has about $465,000 for a downpayment on the new system, he said. The proposal calls for financing the balance over seven years with annual payments of $227,888 beginning next year. Blaney said she agreed that human error was at the core of last year's election problems, but feels the new equipment will help address those issues. She also felt it would not make sense to retrain poll workers on the existing equipment for this year's election only to turn around and require training on new equipment for the following election. INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana Senate is cracking down on repeat drunken drivers by extending the look-back period for which a second operating while intoxicated conviction qualifies as a felony. Under current law, a second OWI within five years is a Level 6 felony punishable by up to two-and-a-half years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Or, if the second OWI within five years causes serious bodily injury, it's a Level 5 felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Senate Bill 163, which passed 48 to 0 Monday and now goes to the House, extends the look-back period to seven years for a repeat OWI or OWI with serious bodily injury. If ultimately enacted into law, that would put any motorist with a drunken driving conviction since 2012 at risk of a felony charge if arrested again for OWI. The legislation also makes any subsequent OWI a Level 6 felony if the perpetrator has two prior, unrelated drunken driving convictions at any point in the past 15 years. State Sen. Jack Sandlin, R-Indianapolis, the sponsor of the measure along with state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, said extending the look-back period will give county prosecutors the "flexibility" needed to deal with recidivist drunken drivers. Dadlow said an email to Reeder went unanswered and then a sales call and the offer of the demonstration truck was refused. "Randy Reeder told me they knew what they were going to go with," he said, adding Reeder told him his company wasn't going to get the contract before the Board of Works officially voted. Dadlow's testimony in the eighth day of the trial followed the second day of testimony from former Street Superintendent Steve Charnetzky, who first approached the FBI in September 2013 to alert them of possible wrongdoing by Snyder. Under cross-examination Monday morning, Snyder's lead attorney said wrongdoing didn't cause the FBI to open an investigation into his client's activities, but, instead, a former employee scorned. "Your feelings got hurt because you didn't have input in that process?" attorney Jackie Bennett asked Charnetzky Monday morning. "Slight," Charnetzky replied. Charnetzky testified last week he went to the FBI because he believed the bidding process for the garbage trucks was being done illegally, among other allegations. The Secret Service is seeking assistance from the public to identify three individuals involved with a criminal investigation. The three men depicted in the provided photo are involved in activity occurring in the Lake and Porter County area in June and July 2018. Details of the criminal investigation were not provided. Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to contact the Secret Service Chicago Field Office tip line at 312-469-1234. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Looking for something special to do this Valentine's Day? Something beyond the usual wining and dining you could do on any weekend? Something to show your loved one how much they truly mean to you? You can give your significant other the moon and the stars without ever leaving the Region. This Valentine's Day, lovebirds will get a chance to "Fly Your Sweetie to the Moon" for a date night that's out of this world at The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana. Couples can take a simulated flight to the moon in the Challenger's spacecraft and be dazzled by a scintillating laser show in the Robert H. Rivers Planetarium on the Purdue University Northwest campus in Hammond. They can lift off to new romantic heights during an evening that includes light refreshments, a small science snack demonstration and "a dazzling and romantic planetarium and laser light show in CLCs full-dome Media Globe." Couples will also get a chance to win a romantic getaway for two at the Ameristar Casino and Hotel in East Chicago. "Fly Your Sweetie to the Moon" will take place at the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana at 2300 173rd St. in Hammond. The program costs $50 per couple, and registration is required. For more information or to register, visit clcnwi.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Many Region businesses and organizations plan to close Wednesday when wind chills could reach 30 degrees to 50 degrees below zero. Much of the Region will be hunkered down from the potential record cold when Chicagoland will reportedly be colder than Alaska, Siberia, the South Pole, Mount Everest and even Mars. Businesses that plan to shutter their doors during the extreme cold Wednesday include the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets in Michigan City, Courthouse Shops in Crown Point, AMC Showplace 16 and 12 in Schererville, the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond, Float Sixty in Schererville, the Eclipse Performing Arts Centre in Chesterton and the Clean Air Car Check Vehicle Emissions in Lake and Porter counties. Strack & Van Til is closing all 20 stores at 8 p.m. Wednesday and not reopening until 8 a.m. Thursday. It normally closes at 11 p.m. and opens at 6 a.m. "With this unprecedented weather, we decided that for the safety of our associates, managers and customers that this was the right decision to make," President Jeff Strack said. "The Strack & Van Til delivery service and pick-up service will be available during store hours for those customers wanting to limit their time outside." Lee Enterprises, owner of The Times Media Co., announced Monday that it has reached an agreement to purchase the print and digital assets of the Kenosha News and the Lake Geneva Regional News. These two markets fit very nicely into our already strong footprint in Wisconsin, said Lee President and CEO Kevin Mowbray. Their proximity to existing Lee properties creates opportunity for synergies while greatly strengthening our audiences in southeast Wisconsin. The Kenosha and Lake Geneva publications are owned by United Communications Corp. The Kenosha News publishes seven days a week and has an average daily print circulation of about 20,000. The Lake Geneva Regional News publishes weekly. The Kenosha News, then the Kenosha Evening News, was purchased in 1961 by United Communications founders Howard and Elizabeth Brown. The Brown Family is very grateful for the hard work and dedication of all Kenosha News and Lake Geneva Regional News employees, both past and present, United Communications President and CEO Lucy Brown said. "Making the decision to sell is extraordinarily difficult, but we welcome Lee Enterprises and know the future looks bright under their leadership. The sale is expected to close on Jan. 31. Lee Enterprises publishes daily newspapers, digital products and nearly weekly and specialty publications serving 49 markets in 20 states. Lee's newspapers collectively have average daily circulation of approximately 700,000 and Sunday circulation of about 1.1 million Sunday. They are estimated to reach almost 3 million readers in print alone. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A man whose cellphone held hundreds of images of child pornography has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison. Thomas Hunt, 37, was sentenced Monday in Lincoln County District Court. Deputy County Attorney Angela Franz said the pre-sentence investigation completed by the probation office stated there were no victims of Hunts crime. But the images Hunt possessed included 187 children, she said. Of the children, 18 were listed as missing or exploited on a national registry. A crime like possession of child pornography really doesnt have words to describe the trauma involved, she said. Hunts lawyer, Kent Florom, said he knew from years of working in the court system that these cases often result in prison sentences. Mr. Hunt did not graduate from high school, Florom said. His drug usage led him to a place he is not proud of. Florom said Hunt showed remorse. He did so by taking a plea deal in December he was originally charged with 10 counts of child pornography which saved the time and expense of a trial, Florom said. He asked that Hunts sentence allow him to be released at some point on parole, to work on his substance abuse and other struggles. Napoleon, OH (43545) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Strong thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. Storms could contain damaging winds. High around 90F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Our most popular newsletter Herald Headlines Join tens of thousands of your neighbors and get the week's top stories sent right to your inbox. Delivered every Friday morning. Whether it has been new protections for transgender people, early voting or closing the LLC loophole, state Senate Republican votes have helped Democrats pass high-profile progressive legislation by big margins. This stems in part from ongoing pressure on GOP lawmakers to move towards the political center at a time when the state is increasingly tilting towards the Democrats. But their unified opposition to the recently passed Reproductive Health Act shows that Republican state senators also have to keep their eyes on their political right flanks to prevent a primary challenges from emerging. On average, in the first eight bills that have passed the state Senate and become law this year, about four out of every 10 GOP senators have sided with the Democrats, an analysis of Senate records shows. Republicans collectively blocked many of these same bills from passing in past years, when they controlled the chamber. This year, 17 Republicans voted in favor of banning gay conversion therapy, 16 voted to limit campaign contributions from limited liability corporations and 12 voted in favor of consolidating the state and federal primary days. In total, every single Republican senator that has been at the Capitol has voted in favor of at least one Democratic bill, while only one Democrat on one bill state Sen. Joe Addabbo on the measure to expand abortion rights has voted against his party. For now, some Republican state senators say they are fine with Democrats running up the legislative score even though it will help their political fortunes down the road. As long the Democratic majority brings up votes on social issues that theyve been advancing for years, Republican state Sen. Phil Boyle said, I dont see any major battles. However, once they start over-spending and raising taxes, thats when youre going to see the Republican conference unified in opposition. Republicans have not agreed as a conference to uniformly oppose some pieces of legislation but not others, according to state Sen. Patrick Gallivan, a Republican from western New York. Some of our constituents are different and their representatives feel different, he said. And its completely respected in the conference theres never any pressure for you to go one way or another. But whether they have discussed this as a conference or just coincidentally all share conservative positions on abortion and immigration or fear their bases wrath on those more than on some other subjects GOP senators are uniformly voting against expansion of abortion rights or pro-immigration measures. Besides the RHA, Republicans have also remained unified on the state-level DREAM Act. While the New York GOP shows vestiges of its moderate past in supplying votes for bills on LGBTQ rights, for example, the days of pro-abortion rights and pro-immigration Republicans a group that includes the last Republican governor, George Pataki, and every Republican mayor of New York City in recent memory are apparently over. The official GOP line against the New York DREAM Act which would allow undocumented college students to access in-state tuition and financial aid at public colleges is that it is not worth the cost to taxpayers. The notion that progressive bills would lead to increased spending or unfunded mandates on local governments has also inspired some of the GOP opposition to other bills like voting reforms such as early voting and the pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds. But these arguments have not been enough to prevent widespread GOP defections in the Democrats favor. However, more Republicans might stick with the party line on more contentious issues like congestion pricing, a payroll tax to fund the MTA, and without a doubt any attempt to implement single-payer health care, said Boyle. For now, Democratic bills are giving Republicans an opportunity to tout their pragmatism and willingness to work with Democrats, qualities with an obvious appeal to lawmakers hailing from increasingly purple swing districts. State Sen. Robert Antonacci narrowly won election by 2 points last year, and has crossed the aisle on several bills, such as the ban on gay conversion therapy. With multiple Republican losses on Long Island last year, it is likewise unsurprising that state Sen. Kenneth LaValle, like Boyle, would appeal to the center by supporting Democrats voting reforms. Meanwhile, some Republicans like state Sen. Fred Akshar who faced no opponent in the 2018 election show that GOP lawmakers are sometimes voting in favor of Democrats legislation without any political threat. Sen. (Rich Funke) believes in bipartisanship where possible and working together to get things done for the good of the state, said Matthew Nelligan, a spokesman for a Rochester-area Republican who was not seriously threatened in the 2018 elections. When he thinks a bill goes too far-such, as the (Reproductive Health Act) or the Dream Act, he votes no. When he believes that a concept has merit for his constituents, such as early voting, he votes yes. Supporting popular proposals like voting reforms and civil rights helps Republicans appeal to constituents in the center, said Bruce Gyory, an adjunct professor of political science at SUNY Albany. But they also have to avoid needlessly upsetting conservatives on issues that animate them. Stirring the political pot in the wrong way on an issue like abortion could easily lead to a primary challenge or conservative third party opponent in the next election, which Republican senators obviously want to avoid. The state Conservative Party, which often cross-endorses Republicans while pushing them to adopt their policy positions, is particularly opposed to abortion rights. That is the line in the sand issue for them, Gyory said of the third party. The vise (Republicans are) caught in is how can they get candidates through primaries that also can win general elections and the space between these two ends of the vice have become narrowed because the state continues to move towards the Democrats. Judging by how they have chosen to vote with Democrats, it appears that Republican senators have largely been left to themselves to choose when to support the Democrats bills. But the return of state Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan could change that dynamic. Monday was his first day back at the Capitol following treatment for alcoholism. While his return could inspire Republicans to unite more in opposition to the Democrats agenda, it remains to be seen how he will be able to figure out a way forward for the party. Democrats could become divided over hot-button issues like congestion pricing, education funding or health care, but all signs point to them continuing to pass legislation on social issues with some Republican support. Republicans have tried to present themselves as the defenders of upstate voters against a downstate-heavy Democratic state Senate majority, but they will have to do so in a way that attracts the suburban voters who will determine whether or not Republicans have a chance of taking back the Senate before Democrats relegate them to a permanent minority through redistricting that will follow the 2020 elections. Siding with the Democrats on many issues might be the best strategy some Republicans have to woo these voters, so long as Republican senators know the right battles to pick and the ones to avoid. Trying to keep gay conversion therapy in place is not something that you can win on in anything other than a bedrock Republican district with a large rural base, Gyory said. Most of upstate is a suburban, not a rural vote. Listen HARRISBURG Two days into the start of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session, a legislative proposal championed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundations (CBF) Pennsylvania Student Leadership Council has already won support in the state Senate, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23). On Tuesday, the Senate State Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-48), unanimously approved Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Yaw, which designates the Eastern Hellbender as the first State Amphibian of Pennsylvania. CBFs Pennsylvania Student Leadership Council, consisting of high school students, invested many hours studying the Eastern Hellbender and the problems the amphibian is facing within the state. With assistance from Lycoming College in Williamsport, the students drafted the legislation during the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, meeting with elected officials to outline why they felt it should be the state amphibian. Yaw agreed to reintroduce the measure in the new legislative session. Because the Eastern Hellbender exemplifies what is good about Pennsylvanias waterways, it is the perfect selection to become the official State Amphibian, Senator Yaw said. It is an excellent natural indicator of water quality, so, in effect, if you have hellbenders in your water the water quality most likely is very good. The hellbender will be a visible symbol of Pennsylvanias commitment to clean water. Peter Petokas, Ph.D., Amphibian Conservation Biologist at Lycoming College and faculty member of the Colleges Clean Water Institute, applauded Senate action. Passage of Senate Bill 9 takes the Eastern Hellbender one step closer to the status of official amphibian of the State of Pennsylvania, a designation that it uniquely deserves and which will help promote conservation programs that protect and sustain the unique amphibian resources of the commonwealth. Even in times of budget crisis and pensions and everything else impacting Pennsylvania, this is something that showed the student sponsors of the bill that their elected officials do, indeed, listen to them. They had a great idea and I was privileged to present their idea to the Senate on their behalf, Sen. Yaw added. If approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, the Eastern Hellbender would join the ranks of the White-Tail Deer as the State Animal, Ruffed Grouse as the State Bird, the Great Dane as the State Dog and the Brook Trout as the State Fish. CONTACT: Nick Troutman, Executive Director (717) 787-3280 The post Student-Crafted Hellbender Bill Approved by Senate Committee appeared first on Senator Gene Yaw. Although police body cameras have been adopted in a number of communities as a means of promoting officer safety and positive interaction with the public, The Washington Post reported that many departments especially those in smaller jurisdictions are dropping or delaying their programs, finding it too expensive to store and manage the thousands of hours of footage. The police department in Wahoo, Nebraska, ended its program in November after a new state law required video to be stored for at least 90 days, causing the annual price to increase to $15,000 a significant cost for a department with only five officers. In Arlington County, Virginia, the Police Department decided not to use body cameras after a pilot project revealed an estimated annual cost of $300,000. Jim Pasco, executive director at the National Fraternal Order of Police told The Post, The easy part is buying the body cameras and issuing them to officers. They are not that expensive. But storing all the data that they collect that cost is extraordinary. The smaller the department, the tougher it tends to be for them. The Associated Press reported Thursday that 21-year-old Zephen Xaver, the 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. The AP report was based on police reports and the comments of a former girlfriend. The slayings did not appear to be part of a robbery, and Xaver had no apparent connection to the Sun Trust branch in Sebring, Florida, or the four employees and one customer who were killed Wednesday. We believe it was a random act, Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said during a Thursday press 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. Based on police and witness accounts, Xaver entered the bank about 12:30 p.m. when the five women were alone. The victims were found lying face down, their bodies surrounded by shell casings. Hoglund said six minutes after the attack began, Xaver call 911 and told a dispatcher that he had killed everyone inside. 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 following editorial was published in the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald on Jan. 23: A week ago, in delivering the annual Condition of the Judiciary address, Mark S. Cady, chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, surprised no one with his renewed call for an increase in funding for the court system. When did anyone in government ask for less? However, Cady hardly promised more of the same at greater expense. He made a persuasive case for investment in innovation to make the court system more efficient and responsive. That efficiency and responsiveness would not benefit only the people who work in Iowas courthouses but citizens, businesses and agencies that interact with and rely upon the courts. While Cady called Iowans the court systems customers, many citizens who find themselves interacting with the courts jurors and parties to civil suits and criminal cases, among others could be forgiven if they sense role-reversal, where they are not the ones being served, and where their time is considered the least valuable. That is neither new nor limited to Iowa. The quote, The wheels of justice turn slowly . and its variants have been around for centuries, if not millennia. By the way, the conclusion of the quote is . but grind exceedingly fine. Quality, not speed. 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. As icy winds whistle around the area, school officials are watching closely to see if they will need to cancel classes for Wednesday. Progressive grassroots activists gained a significant foothold in the Bronx in 2018 with the election of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi and they say its just the beginning. The grassroots community now hopes to capitalize on the momentum of their victories and establish the infrastructure needed to keep their outsider movement growing. The Bronx is where its at, said Mia Pearlman, a co-founder of True Blue NY, a statewide coalition of local Democratic groups with the goal of keeping Republicans and conservative Democrats out of power in Albany. Thats going to be a very exciting place for grassroots politics, and to develop candidates. A groundswell of volunteer-driven organizations emerged in the Bronx after the 2016 election, inspired by Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, discouraged by a divided Albany in blue New York, or both. For many, believing that the Bronx Democratic Party leadership did not do enough to educate and involve its voters, their chief complaint is less about policy than procedure. The leaders of the Democratic Party organization in the Bronx are, as a group, not committed to transparency and openness and activism at all, said Diana Finch, a Northeast Bronx Biaggi supporter and a veteran of Sanders 2016 campaign. Just try to look at their website. Try to find out information about the county committee. Its impossible. So new groups dedicated to educating and activating a disengaged populace came together. Now, with electoral successes under their belts, these groups are expanding, plotting out future elections and establishing offshoots to focus on training the progressive campaign workers of the future. In just two years, in a borough characterized by one of New Yorks most entrenched political machines, these activists have emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Unlike many of the progressive reformers who have battled machines in more gentrified boroughs, the activists arent affluent white newcomers to the neighborhood. There are relatively few lawyers or marketing professionals among them. Most work for social service organizations or other local nonprofits, with a few local small-business owners mixed in. They say they are committed to continuing the work of the previous election cycle into the next one and beyond, but how they will affect politics and policy, and whether they can replicate their startling success of 2018 remains an open question. AOC and Bronx Progressives -Samelys Lopez.jpeg Caption: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the Bronx Progressives, a group focused on local organizing. The group only endorsed one other candidate in the 2018 cycle: Alessandra Biaggi. Image Credit: Samelys Lopez The Bronx, despite being New York Citys poorest and least white borough, is not nearly as liberal as it may seem from the outside. And critics say it isnt welcoming of fresh blood. Since the so-called Rainbow Rebellion of 2008, when the partys current leadership ousted Assemblyman Jose Rivera as party chairman, the demographic makeup of Bronx officials has better reflected the boroughs. Still, critics argue, the new leadership, now a decade in power, can be insular and resistant to change. Until recently, Bronx Democratic Party Chairman Marcos Crespo opposed same-sex marriage, while socially conservative Democrats like New York City Councilmen Fernando Cabrera and Ruben Diaz Sr. still hold office. Choosing your own successor is common practice for departing elected officials in the Bronx. That is why the victories of Biaggi and Ocasio-Cortez were such a shock to the system. The groups that backed Biaggi and Ocasio-Cortez before their primary victories did so when it meant going against deeply entrenched institutions and two of the most powerful men in the state. Losing meant ostracization and winning was hard to imagine. Ocasio-Cortez ousted Joseph Crowley, then the fourth-ranking Democrat in House of Representatives. Biaggi helped deliver the state Senate to Democrats by toppling Jeff Klein, who led the Independent Democratic Conference that caucused with Republicans until a hasty reunification deal was struck in April 2018. It is because of hundreds, and I mean hundreds, of volunteers from around this district and many politically courageous organizations it is because of all of you, I am standing here today, Biaggi said at the inauguration in her district on Jan. 6. It took an entire community to unlearn the old ways of being to make this happen today. It took an entire community rediscovering their power and their voice. Establishment support for Ocasio-Cortez was virtually nonexistent. Biaggi had a little more help with endorsements from liberal Democrats outside of the district, including New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, but not a single Bronx official backed Biaggi over Klein. Instead, powerful Bronx officials like Crespo, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz endorsed Klein despite his inconsistent relationship with Democrats in Albany and the sexual harassment allegation that surfaced in January 2018. Theres a reason the Bronx is what it is, South Bronx transit and housing activist Ramona Ferreyra told City & State. (The Bronx Democratic Party) is male-led, condescending of a lot of women, extremely out of touch with the needs of the community and very selective in who they want to support. Without the support of the party establishment, the progressive victories of 2018 came on the backs of volunteers with little power or influence until now. Northwest Bronx Indivisible was founded in the wake of the 2016 presidential election and worked closely with the Biaggi campaign. The group will now transition to working with statewide organizations to lobby the upcoming state Senate health care hearings, co-founder David Knapp told City & State. Bronx Progressives, a 150-member group focused on local organizing, emerged in 2016 from the New York Progressive Action Network, a coalition of progressive groups in New York state, and Our Revolution, the national progressive advocacy organization founded by veterans of Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. The founders of Bronx Progressives themselves were Sanders supporters, including Finch and Samelys Lopez, a lifelong Bronxite who previously served on Bronx Community Board 7. After that election, we decided to stick together to basically organize and promote a progressive, but more importantly grassroots, agenda throughout the Bronx, Lopez said. Lopez remembers seeing Ocasio-Cortez around the Sanders campaigns Bronx office, where the now-congresswoman was an organizer. Later, when they ran into each other at a New York Progressive Action Network conference, Lopez invited Ocasio-Cortez to join the group. Ocasio-Cortez did, and theyve worked together ever since. In October, Ocasio-Cortezs campaign and Bronx Progressives held a forum on criminal justice that featured the candidate and activists like Black Lives Matter of Greater New York President Hawk Newsome. She was basically talking about all the issues that we care about, Lopez said. Shes a movement candidate. Bronx Progressives endorsed only one other candidate in the 2018 cycle: Biaggi. They made phone calls, knocked on doors and educated Bronx voters about the IDC and liberal state legislative priorities like the Reproductive Health Act. After the primaries, the Bronx Progressives went throughout the city and state to campaign for other progressive candidates, such as Andrew Gounardes, who knocked out a Republican state senator in Brooklyn, and Assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino, who ultimately lost her seat in Long Island. Now, Lopez wants to organize around local issues like landlord abuses and bail reform, while working on getting more people involved in the civic process. That way, the next time an election comes around, voters will be more knowledgeable and already active. Were going to keep getting people excited in participating in the political process, Lopez said, because the more people you have invested and participating in it, the stronger our political ecosystem is. Michael Beltzer with Biaggi and AOC.jpg Caption: Bronx activist Michael Beltzer, who founded Local Democrats of New York, campaigned with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Alessandra Biaggi. Image Credit: Michael Beltzer Like the candidates they supported, many of the activists that helped fuel the Biaggi and Ocasio-Cortez campaigns felt spurned by the Bronx establishment. In interviews with City & State, they said they now feel empowered by their successes in 2018 and plan on engaging more new participants in the often-overlooked, low-turnout Democratic primary elections. Some are looking to change the machine from the inside out. Lopezs partner, Michael Beltzer, founded Local Democrats of New York in 2018. The group is focused on educating and training Democrats on how to get involved with their county committees and community boards. Beltzer, a Parkchester resident and the owner of Bronx Beards, a line of beard oils, spent the past year training people to run for community boards, county committees and other elected offices. According to Beltzer, the Bronx Democratic Party has little interest in fostering an active and informed Democratic base, preferring instead to keep power consolidated among a chosen few. In September, Lopez and Beltzer, along with others, disrupted a Bronx Democratic Party meeting with a series of motions and proposed amendments involving the committees transparency and party rules. Their efforts earned them the public mockery of Dinowitz, the partys secretary, who emceed the meeting. Theyve always wanted to make it personal, Beltzer said of his often-antagonistic relationship with party leaders like Dinowitz and Crespo. Beltzer insists that he has no personal animus toward his adversaries, but is motivated purely by a desire to further democratize the county committee.It wasnt so much that its the person. Its whats been going on with the power and where the power has been siding with. It hasnt been siding with the people in the community as much as it should. In a last-minute effort, Beltzer and Lopez tried to get themselves elected to the partys executive committee, but were defeated by voice vote. Their allies who ran as vice chairs met the same fate. The one concession they did get was that the rules committee agreed to consider a series of amendments that would allow for more input from committee members, including a requirement that the county committee meet at least twice a year, as opposed to once every two years. Nearly four months later, Beltzer has heard nothing from the committee. The best way to get people educated and actually effective, is to have more meetings, Beltzer said of the 1,600-person committee. The more engaged people are, Beltzer argued, the better candidates the party will produce. The way that they traditionally support candidates should be opened up to the committees approval, but thats not happening, Beltzer said. Right now the county leader just decides these are the people were going to endorse and then they get all the money. While Beltzer works at democratizing the institution from the inside, other veterans of the 2018 campaigns are working to build structures outside of the official Bronx Democratic Party. Ilona Duverge is planning on launching a movement school with ambitious aspirations. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Duverge got involved in Bronx politics at 19. While studying forensic psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Duverge worked on Randy Abreus unsuccessful primary challenge to New York City Councilman Fernando Cabrera in 2017. Cabreras conservative views reflected poorly on the Bronx, Duverge thought. Cabreras anti-LGBT stance and 2014 trip to Uganda, where he praised the Ugandan governments internationally condemned anti-LGBT laws, stood out as particularly egregious in her mind. Abreu, a lawyer who worked for Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee and in President Barack Obamas U.S. Department of Energy, is a progressive who is now working on the Green New Deal for Ocasio-Cortez. Fernando Cabrera.jpg Alt Text: Bronx City Councilman Fernando Cabrera earned activists ire for praising the Ugandan governments internationally condemned anti-LGBT laws. Title Text: Bronx City Councilman Fernando Cabrera earned activists ire for praising the Ugandan governments internationally condemned anti-LGBT laws. Caption: Bronx City Councilman Fernando Cabrera (center) Description: Bronx City Councilman Fernando Cabrera earned activists ire for praising the Ugandan governments internationally condemned anti-LGBT laws. Image Credit: William Alatriste/New York City Council After Abreus campaign, Duverge linked up with Ocasio-Cortez, running Bronx field strategy for her challenge to Crowley leading up to the June congressional primary. After that victory, she migrated to the Biaggi campaign for the September state primary, before once again returning to the Ocasio-Cortez campaign as deputy organizing director at the end of the election cycle. She was proud of her successes but walked away with concerns about the talent pool of campaign operatives native to the Bronx. I kept thinking to myself, Ilona Duverge from Scranton, Pennsylvania, should not be running field in the Bronx, Duverge, now 21, told City & State. Campaign leadership staff is very male and very white. It just didnt sit right with me the fact that some white guys from Brooklyn were trying to tell us how to run a campaign in the Bronx." Duverge is starting a 501(c)(4) nonprofit called Organize for Justice, a sister organization of Justice Democrats, the left-wing group that recruited Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive candidates for congressional seats across the country. Within Organize for Justice, Duverge plans on running a movement school to help train organizers on how to be campaign managers, field directors and communication directors. Her goal is to train 10,000 activists in 2019, beginning with 10 intensive boot camps in New York City, according to a draft proposal obtained by City & State. I want to forge that path for other people because Im not trying to build more followers, Im trying to build more leaders, Duverge said. And I want those leaders to come from these communities. New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres, a young progressive with aspirations for higher office, was frequently cited by grassroots activists as an example of an ideal Bronx politician. In turn, he was equally complimentary of the progressive movement in the Bronx. The Bronx has emerged as a bastion of progressive thought and activism, Torres told City & State. Biaggis victory reshaped politics in New York state. (Ocasio-Cortezs) victory has reshaped politics in the United States. Despite his kinship with the progressive grassroots, Torres does not see the county committee as the bogyman some in the activism community do. As a Bronx elected, who is known to agitate, who is known to cause trouble I have never had to face resistance to advancing the causes I care about, Torres said. Im not clear that your standing with the county organization is predictive with how closely you cooperate with advocates on the ground. It depends on the individual. In response to questions from City & State for this article, Bronx Democratic Party Political Director Daniel Johnson said elected officials progressive values and deep commitment to our communities had brought prosperity to the borough, citing billions of dollars in infrastructure investment, low unemployment figures, education aid increases in the state budget and record funding for public projects. Johnson did not address specific questions about the inclusiveness of the party organization or the role conservative Democrats play in the party. Despite the unfortunate agenda of a few who choose to sow division over unity, Bronx Democrats have worked together to bring unprecedented growth to our borough, Johnson wrote in an email. Chairman Crespo welcomes all of his newly elected colleagues and he is looking forward to working with them and everyone else to continue delivering progressive change for the Bronx. The Bronx has emerged as a bastion of progressive thought and activism. Biaggis victory reshaped politics in New York state. (Ocasio-Cortezs) victory has reshaped politics in the United States. New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres Following their dramatically successful 2018, Bronx grassroots activists say they are willing to work with establishment and centrist Democrats to pass progressive legislation. No longer will a Republican majority in the state Senate, empowered by the IDC, be able to delay ethics reform or the Reproductive Health Act. If they can deliver on these and other issues, the incumbents can make peace with the insurgents. Its a new day and we need to enter this giving people the benefit of the doubt, said Pearlman, of True Blue NY. But those who stand in the way of their agenda may face primary challenges. Im interested to see how it plays out over these next two years, to see if they get that courage and learn from Alexandria and Alessandra, Duverge said, speaking generally of Bronx politicians aligned with the party machine. Hopefully, other people start turning around or, if not, were voting them out and Im not sorry about it. Biaggi seems to hold the same view. In her inaugural address, she called for the end of cynical and dismissive leadership and warned that those who did not heed the message might go the way of her primary opponent. The time for intimidation and arm-twisting as the main way things are done is over, Biaggi said. And those who rely on these methods, instead of good faith transparency, will find their time as public servants may come to an end very soon. While most Bronx officials will have a grace period, some are already past the point of redemption in the mind of the Bronx activists and many are not willing to name names quite yet. But some are. Mark Gjonaj, Duverge said when asked who could next draw the ire of the grassroots. He definitely, definitely has to go. The New York City councilmans name came up more frequently than any other Bronx elected official in discussions with progressive activists. He is a centrist and too cozy with the real estate industry, they said. Hes a real estate developer himself, and he accepted more money from the real estate industry than anyone else in the 2017 City Council elections. Gjonaj has floated the expansion of a federal program that would allow private developers to take over the operation of NYCHA buildings. In the past few months, it has been reported that Gjonaj used campaign funds for a lawsuit against the city, city funds to hire donors to renovate his district office and personal funds to go into business with the owners of a trash hauling company while proposing industry-friendly legislation. Mark-Gjonaj.jpg Caption: Bronx activists have their sights on New York City Councilman Mark Gjonaj, who they say is too cozy with the real estate industry. Description: Bronx activists have their sights on New York City Councilman Mark Gjonaj, who they say is too cozy with the real estate industry. Image Credit: Emil Cohen/New York City Council As a Democrat, Councilman Gjonaj will continue fighting for the values of our party and community, Gjonajs chief of staff Reginald Johnson told City & State in a statement. With new majorities in both Congress and the state senate, he looks forward to advancing Democratic values and principles to keep our community cleaner, safer and better. Activists who spoke to City & State took particular exception to his actions during the Klein-Biaggi primary. Gjonaj and Klein are longtime friends with an intertwined political, personal and financial relationship that stretches back decades, as City & State documented in a profile of Klein last year. In a now infamous video, Gjonaj can be seen yelling Shame! Shame! Shame! through a bullhorn outside of a Biaggi campaign event last August. At the time, Gjonaj told Gothamist he was upset about Biaggis support of a proposed pedestrian safety improvement plan that was opposed by local groups. Gjonaj is a creature of Jeff Klein and the IDC and the worst elements of the Bronx machine that was in deep cahoots with the IDC, Democratic operative Gus Christensen said. Christensen is the chief strategist for the progressive grassroots organization No IDC NY that helped recruit and support the primary challengers to the eight IDC members in 2018. Hes corrupt. Hes a harasser. Why is this man serving the people of the Bronx? Activists also identified New York City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. a Pentecostal minister who is vehemently opposed to same-sex marriage and abortion as a potential target. Despite his districts overwhelming support of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, Diaz Sr. supported no candidate and has praised President Donald Trump. When asked if his views on abortion and same-sex marriage would hurt him in such a deeply blue district, Diaz Sr. was unconcerned, arguing that his personal popularity and record of delivering for his districts needs have been demonstrated by his electoral success and will continue to protect him. They overwhelmingly voted for me too, Diaz Sr. told City & State. Im the one thats helping people. Im talking to people to protect the community and to help the community. Gjonaj and Diaz Sr. wont go down easy. And not every year will be as successful as 2018 was for progressive grassroots activists. But a new era of organizing has dawned in the Bronx and those who are driving it plan on sticking around for the long haul. The Salvation Army will be open as a warming center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Wednesday at its office on the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus, 715 N. 16th St., according to a press release from Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency. Also, the American Red Cross has put a shelter on standby in case a community shelter is needed. Mohms Place, 1435 N. 15th St., will be open 24 hours a day to protect those in need of shelter from the elements. The extreme low temperatures and wind chills present a very real danger for those exposed to the elements, the press release stated. Everyone is advised to limit their activities outside over the next couple of days as much as possible. Parents should take extra precautions to protect children waiting for school bus pickup and adults who must work out in the elements should limit their time outside, remain hydrated and take frequent breaks in a warmed area. Dress warmly, in layers, and be sure to limit skin exposure. Motorists should have an emergency kit that includes a blanket or sleeping bag in case they become stranded. For more information on winter weather preparedness, visit the Winter Weather page at beready.iowa.gov. To receive emergency weather warnings and community emergency alerts, sign up for free alerts from Pottawattamie Alert, part of the Alert Iowa Network, at pottcounty-ia.gov. Local Weather Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Council Bluffs City Council approved the final plans for the third segment of the West Broadway Reconstruction Plan at its Monday evening meeting. The council voted 3-2 on the plan, which includes medians a dividing point for the council and many in the city. And for the roadway, of course. The medians will be paid for by the Iowa West Foundation, as part of its roughly $9 million pledge to cover all beautification costs for all five segments. In addition to beautification, proponents of medians pointed to their contribution to increased safety. Council members Nate Watson, Sharon White and Mike Wolf voted to approve the plan, with council members Melissa Head and Roger Sandau voting against it. Wolf is out of town and appeared at the meeting via telephone. I believe the original compromise is a good one. Im glad its been restored, Watson said of the vote, referring to the changing dynamics of the reconstruction plan over the last two-plus years. Sandau called the vote disappointing. About 25 people were in the crowd during the West Broadway discussion, which stretched from around 7:30 until around 9:20 p.m. Roughly $34 million worth of drugs was taken off the streets by Drug Enforcement Administration officials in the Omaha division within the last six months, officials said Monday. The division covers Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and four counties in Illinois and Wisconsin. Overall, the agency collected 5,064 pounds of marijuana, 578 pounds of methamphetamine, 145 pounds of cocaine, 64 pounds of heroin and 6,000 opioid pills. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} In Nebraska, agents seized 4,737 pounds of marijuana, 83 pounds of methamphetamine, 27 pounds of heroin and about a third of a pound of cocaine. In Iowa, officials nabbed 208 pounds of marijuana, 160 pounds of methamphetamine, 26 pounds of heroin and 2 pounds of cocaine. In October, the division held National Take Back Day at 270 sites. About 34,000 pounds of unwanted, expired or unused medications was collected. The next National Take Back Day will be on April 27. Adam Angeroth loved to make people look their best. He had a career as a cosmetologist, though his mother, Maryann Farrell, said it was more of a calling for him. Angeroth was found dead in his apartment at 35 N. First St. on Thursday after Farrell had not heard from him for a week. With the landlord, Farrell entered his apartment and found something, before they contacted Council Bluffs Police. Angeroths body was positively identified Friday. The details of his death remain undisclosed by authorities, who are investigating the incident as a homicide, police said Monday. Were in shock. Vacillating between anger and sadness, Farrell said Monday. Angeroth, 38, is survived by his mother, father Don Angeroth and brother, Michael Angeroth. Adam had many passions and was a graduate of St. Albert High School, Farrell said. He loved reading science-fiction and fantasy books, entertaining others and cooking what his mother called unique recipes paired with great presentation. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} He acted on the stage, sang in choir for school and church, and was always open to trying new things or going to new destinations. A half-century into Americas modern culture wars, no issue has been more volatile, divisive and resistant to legal and political solutions than abortion. It is a defining position for membership in the Democratic and Republican Parties and a litmus test for elective offices, even those that have nothing to do with its regulation. President Donald Trump was elected in 2016 in a large part because of his pledge to appoint conservative judges that many hope will eventually overturn the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade and its constitutional guarantee of the right to abortion. The debate has become all but immune to the idea of compromise because of its foundation in religion, science, medicine, individual rights, privacy and the very questions of when life begins and what dignity is owed. In the political realm, the discussion is too often reduced to the anti-abortion side portraying the opposition as feminist baby killers and the pro-abortion rights faction painting opponents as misogynist religious zealots. What is left of the middle ground is pretty much scorched. The latest conflagration came last week with the social media sharing of a video of raucous cheering in the New York State Senate chamber following the passage of a bill that Syracuse.com described as the most significant expansion of abortion rights in the state in almost 50 years. The brief recording of applause and cheers went viral on anti-abortion and Christian websites that described it as a celebration of death" and New Yorkers cheering the fact that more children will be legally killed in their state. The people in the video and others who supported the legislation dont see it that way, of course. They would describe rejoicing over a change that enshrines Roe v. Wade into the states law, safeguarding a womans right to choose, in consultation with a doctor, to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks when the mothers life is in danger or the fetus is no longer viable. There will no doubt be similar, if less public, celebrations by anti-abortion groups in Louisiana next week when a state law requiring doctors at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals goes into effect Monday (Feb. 4). Anti-abortion groups say the change is an important protection for women who might suffer unexpected complications during the procedure. Pro-abortion rights organizations say it will make it harder for women to get abortions and could even mean the closing of the few clinics still doing them. Those who extol the new law, assuming it is not delayed by the courts again, are not celebrating the hardships of the women involved but praising an act that could mean a reduction in a process that stops a life before it has a chance to begin. But as many mourned the passage of the New York law many will be dismayed by enforcement of the Louisiana statute. And we are no closer to reaching political peace on the issue. Even if Roe v. Wade is overturned, as many expect it to be within the next few years, it would only return regulatory power to the states, where it rested before the 1973 ruling. Abortion was legal in 20 states and illegal in 30 at that time. That would mean New Yorks law would remain in place and Louisiana would be allowed to go even further, including outlawing abortion at any stage of the pregnancy. Although that was the status before the court's decision in Roe, a lot of things have changed in the past 46 years. Scientific advancements have made it clear how quickly a child develops in the first weeks of pregnancy but also allows for more information about the health and viability of the child before birth. Abortifacient drugs are now more available. Does any state have the resources to keep them from making it into the black market, and how safe are they when taken without a doctors care? Who faces criminal penalties when an abortion is performed? The doctor? The mother? Both? Overturning Roe v. Wade will not end the debate. There simply are no easy answers to abortion. And very little to celebrate. Tim Morris 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 to Tim at tmorris@nola.com. University Medical Center is searching for a new CEO after promoting its current one to the second highest ranking executive role in the LCMC Health system. UMCs former CEO Bill Masterton has been promoted to LCMC Healths market CEO, according to a press release. There he will oversee the operational and financial performance of the systems four adult hospitals: West Jefferson Medical Center, UMC, Touro Infirmary and New Orleans East Hospital. Paolo Zambito, executive vice president of strategy and partner affiliation for LCMC Health, will step in as interim CEO, while the health system completes a nationwide search for Mastertons replacement. LCMC Health is well positioned for continued success and focused on what is most important to our organization and people providing exceptional patient care and a great place to work, LCMC Health CEO Greg Feirn said in the release. Bill has proven management and leadership skills and we will now utilize his talents to continue to move our system forward. Masterton was president and CEO of UMC from June 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2018. Under his tenure UMC opened a burn center and expanded access with a primary care center. The hospital added roughly 900 jobs, 22 new physician faculty positions, and 29 new resident physicians and fellows. Masterton, a 20-year veteran of the healthcare industry, previously served as CEO at Piedmont Medical Center and Coastal Carolina Hospital in South Carolina, according to the release. UMC is working with recruitment firm Witt/ Kieffer to conduct a national search for Mastertons permanent replacement, the release said. St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister announced Monday (Jan. 28) that she will seek re-election, telling supporters gathered at a Slidell restaurant she wants another four years to continue the parishs progress in drainage, flood protection and road construction. Brister had spoken openly in recent months about seeking a third term as president, most recently a couple of weeks ago after Covington Mayor Mike Cooper said he would challenge her. Her announcement Monday, at Gallaghers Restaurant on Front Street, serves as the formal kickoff of her campaign. The election is Oct. 12 and will be one of the highlights on a St. Tammany ballot that includes the sheriff race and seats in the Louisiana Legislature and on the Parish Council. Brister, a Republican, was first elected president in 2011. She handily won re-election in 2015. Brister touted her administrations work fixing roads, saying more than 1 million linear feet of roadway have been resurfaced or built in the past eight years. She referenced a $25 million federal grant the parish and state highway department recently received to speed the start of a widening project on Interstate 12. I am eager to advance our efforts toward making our parish safer and easier to travel," Brister said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Brister also noted her push to redevelop the former Southeast Louisiana Hospital near Mandeville as a behavioral health campus called Safe Haven and said her administration has successfully cut millions in parish spending in the wake of voters rejection of sales taxes for the courthouse and jail. We have opened parish government, leveled the playing field for all when it comes to procurement and made government its most transparent in parish history," Brister said. Cooper to challenge incumbent Brister Brister, of Mandeville, has faced opponents in both her parish president elections but has won each one easily. Politics watchers say Cooper, who is finishing his second term as Covington mayor, represents a more difficult test. He has touted his success in balancing Covingtons budget and reforming its police department. Brister has said she is confident that voters like the direction in which the parish is heading under her leadership. The Brister-Cooper matchup will join what is expected to be a hotly-contested sheriffs race, where former Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz and former deputy Nick Tranchina have announced they will challenge incumbent Randy Smith. John Kennedy has become something of a national news media staple since arriving in Washington in 2017. Louisianas junior senator can be regularly seen on television dispensing quips and cracks, albeit usually while attired in a business suit and necktie. Now Kennedy will don white tie and tails to deliver his homespun remarks, as hes been invited to be the Republican speaker at the Gridiron Club and Foundation spring dinner on March 2. The Democratic speaker will be Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and if tradition holds, GOP President Donald Trump also will attend the formal affair. The Gridiron Club and Foundation is a 134-year-old, invitation-only nonprofit that counts as members many of Washingtons news media elite. Its signature event is an annual dinner at which members perform satirical musical skits and the president makes fun of himself and the media. Sen. Kennedy is in his first Senate term but already has established a reputation for wit and good humor, which makes him a natural for the Gridiron, Jerry Seib, the organizations president and executive Washington editor of The Wall Street Journal, said in an email to members. 15 times Sen. John Kennedy got folksy, snarky or both 15 more memorable quips from John Kennedy, Louisiana's junior U.S. senator 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. Posted Monday, January 28, 2019 11:37 am The ongoing outbreak of measles in Clark County should prompt state legislators to finally correct Washington's loose policy surrounding mandatory vaccinations. Washington is one of only 18 states that lets parents opt out of having their child vaccinated because of personal, moral or other beliefs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The high rate of people taking advantage of this philosophical exemption in certain areas is detrimental to the health of their communities. It is not an option that should exist. The law already allows children to be exempted from required vaccinations if they have a valid medical condition, or if the vaccinations conflict with their family's religious beliefs. But the option to dodge required immunizations based solely on a parent's "philosophical or personal objection" is one that puts too many children at risk. It also endangers others whose immune systems are compromised, including people with conditions such as cancer, HIV and type 1 diabetes. Though an effort to change the law failed in 2015, Washington lawmakers should try again. Of the 30 confirmed measles cases in Clark County, 26 of those infected were not immunized against the highly contagious disease, the county health department said Friday. Those numbers are likely to grow -- last week, a measles case in King County was linked to the Clark County outbreak. On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee declared the outbreak a statewide emergency. Meanwhile, only about three out of four Clark County school students received all their required vaccinations last year, according to school district data. That is a much worse rate than throughout the rest of the state and King County, where more than 88 percent of students had all their vaccinations. Even that rate is too low, given that scientific studies have repeatedly shown vaccines are safe and effective at combating infectious disease. Still, anti-vaccination sentiment pervades plenty of local communities. The Vashon Island School District, for instance, ranks among the school districts with the highest number of families claiming the personal exemption, with 16.3 percent using it to decline one or more vaccinations for their children. State Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, is sponsoring legislation to eliminate the personal exemption for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. His bill would not apply to other required immunizations, however, including ones designed to prevent the spread of pertussis, meningitis and hepatitis B. Harris' bill is an important start, given how easily measles can spread. But the Legislature should eliminate the personal exemption more broadly, so that it can no longer be used to avoid any mandatory childhood vaccinations. Lawmakers must decide to be the adults in the room. They should no longer let parents avoid vaccinating their children based on philosophical objections that are wholly detached from science. The slumping slope of a 300-acre by 200-foot-high pile of gypsum waste at the Mosaic Uncle Sam fertilizer plant in St. James Parish poses a threat to the environmentally-sensitive Blind River watershed and the Maurepas Swamp, according to company and state officials. The problem is the potential failure of a reservoir atop the gypsum mountain that contains 700 million gallons of acidic water that could damage both plants and wildlife. The water has an acidity rating of 2, about the same as lemon juice. The slope on the piles northern side is moving outwards at a rate of about a half-inch a day, a company spokeswoman confirmed Monday (Jan. 28). Mosaic Fertilizer pledges $2 billion to settle hazardous waste complaints While a news release issued by the company raised the potential that the movement may be related to an underlying geological fault, workers are responding as if the movement actually is being caused by the weight and movement of water from the reservoir into and through the waste pile. Mosaic officials have removed about a quarter of the water from the reservoir, moving it to alternative storage areas on the fertilizer plant campus. Officials hope that will reduce the water pressure inside the pile, and slow or stop the slumping. About 700 million gallons remain on the stack but we continue to divert water from the top," said Mosaic spokeswoman Callie Neslund. "To achieve stability, it is expected that less than the whole volume will need to be removed. Workers are staging construction materials in strategic locations on the chemical plant campus and in nearby farmland on Mosaic property that can be used to dam off drainage channels leading to the swamp if the water atop the pile is released, Neslund said. If successful, that would keep the water from any failure of the reservoir on the companys land, and possibly on the plant site itself. About a dozen local residents who live near the path of water that might be released have been notified, as have area businesses, Neslund said. Officials with the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Justice Department are also monitoring the facility, an EPA spokeswoman said. The facility was toured Monday by state Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Chuck Carr Brown. EPA is closely monitoring conditions at the Mosaic operations in Louisiana, said Jennah Durant, a spokeswoman for EPAs Dallas regional office. EPA, LDEQ, DOJ and Mosaic are evaluating mitigation options to address conditions at the property. We will share decisions from those discussions as soon as they are completed. Grreg Langley, a spokesman for DEQ, said Sunday that the state had been leading the regulatory response to the Mosaic notification until then because EPA employees were furloughed by the federal government shutdown. Right now we dont believe its going to collapse, he said. Company officials told the state that they believed the problem was in part caused by high rainfall amounts during the past few months. According to National Weather Service records, more than 30 inches of rain had been recorded at nearby Donaldsonville between Sept. 1 and Sunday, about 7 inches more than average. Both state and company officials say theres little chance the water could get into the Mississippi River, as the natural flow on Mosaic property is away from the river, to the north and east. But a myriad of ditches and streams on and adjacent to the property could funnel the water into adjacent cypress-tupelo wetlands. A spokesman for the Sierra Club warned that a failure of the storage pile could be devastating. This would be a world class environmental disaster, said Darryl Malek-Wiley, a Sierra Club spokesman. We are very are very concerned about the worsening movement of the Levee surrounding the Mosaic Fertilizer Waste Piles, if there is a disastrous failure very acidic/radioactive water would flow into the surrounding wetland in the Blind River Watershed. The white gypsum mountain is made up of waste left over from the fertilizer manufacturing process. Phosphate rock mined in Florida and elsewhere is shipped to the Uncle Sam plant, where it is pulverized and mixed with sulfuric acid to produce phosphoric acid. The acid is then shipped across the river to the companys Faustina plant, where it is concentrated through evaporation, reacted with ammonia and turned into a granular form to produce diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate, both used in commercial agriculture. Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The Faustina facility also has gypsum waste piles from its earlier use in the initial stage of phosphoric acid formation. The waste piles have been closed and covered for several years. About five tons of gypsum waste are left after extracting a ton of the chemical. Similar gypsum piles are located at Mosaic fertilizer plants in the state. A slurry of the waste and water is pumped into the reservoir atop the gypsum stack, and the water is removed, treated and reused in the manufacturing process. Neslund said the company was notified by a farmer in December about an unusual bulge in a sugar cane field adjacent to the piles northern side. The bulge became visible in January after the land was cleared during the first week of January, and that triggered the companys investigation, she said. Using monitoring instruments, officials found that the north side of the stack was moving outward at what could be a dangerous rate. On Jan. 10, the company sent an initial notice of a critical condition to DEQ, EPAs Dallas regional office and EPAs office of civil enforcement in Washington, D.C., warning of lateral movement of the stacks north slope. Although we are responding promptly, there is no immediate risk to the environment, the notification said. The notification was required in part by the terms of a 2015 consent agreement between Mosaic, EPA, the Justice Department, and state environmental agencies in Louisiana and Florida that ended a 10-year battle over disposal of gypsum wastes at two plants in Louisiana and six in Florida.. As part of that agreement, Mosaic Fertilizer agreed to create a $630 million trust fund that would be invested until it would reach $1.8 billion, with the money to be used to cover the future closure costs at the Uncle Sam plant and at three plants in Florida. Part of the money was also to pay for treatment of hazardous wastewater at the facilities and for their long-term care. The company also had topay a $5 million civil penalty to the federal government, $1.55 million fine to Louisiana and $1.45 million to Florida. The gypsum stacks have long been a source of concern, dating back to the mid-1980s when the Uncle Sam plant was owned by Freeport-McMoRan Inc. That company failed to convince the EPA at that time that it should be allowed to dispose of the gypsum waste in the Mississippi River,after officials with the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board and other downstream water users complained. Water board officials were especially concerned about minute amounts of radium and uranium that are contained in the waste that would have to be removed from river water before it was used for drinking. Mosaic spokeswoman Neslund confirmed that the acidic water atop the gypsum pile also contains minute amounts of radium and uranium, a byproduct of the phosphate rocks used in the manufacturing process. Neslund said the Phase 4 segment is expected to be closed in about six months. A February 2017 interim stack system management plan filed by the company with DEQ says that the adjacent gypsum stacks 1 through 3 -- which cover about 770 acres, are as much as 115 feet high and were closed in 1993 -- will be covered with a liner and used to continue storing gypsum wastes. Two small areas of those piles are already being used to store slurry. Our gypstack expansion area was already under construction and nearing completion, she said. The west cell of the gypstack expansion area is currently being used to store process water from Stack 4. Work including earth moving and liner installation preparing the east cell to receive process water and gypsum is nearing completion. Both cells are adjacent to Stack 4, to the south. This story was updated on Monday (Jan. 28) with additional comments from Mosaic officials. This story was corrected on Tuesday (Jan. 29) to correct a picture caption and two references to a company spokeswoman that incorrectly referred to the Mosaic Fertilizer plant as Motiva. Mark Schleifstein covers the environment and is a leader of the Louisiana Coastal Reporting Team for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: mschleifstein@nola.com. Facebook: Mark Schleifstein and Louisiana Coastal Watch. Twitter: MSchleifstein. The committee responsible for finding a new chief executive officer for Einstein Charter Schools in New Orleans East this month has narrowed the pool of applicants from more than 70 to four. The search for Einsteins new CEO comes after the charter network went through a yearlong contentious dispute with the Orleans Parish School Board over whether Einstein was allowed not to provide yellow school bus transportation to its students. Former Einstein CEO Shawn Toranto resigned in April 2018 amid the dispute, which ended after Einsteins board ultimately agreed to provide yellow bus service for students this year as part of a lawsuit settlement. Torantos salary at Einstein was $207,851, plus $79,345 in benefits, reimbursements and retirement, according to a review of Einsteins decade-long audit history. Einsteins charter board last April initially appointed board member Lauren Narcisse to lead the search committee, and board member Sarah Dawkins was named the new committee chair as of last December, according to committee meeting minutes on Einsteins website. The committee wants to present and confirm the final candidate at Einsteins Feb. 12 board meeting, the document stated. The four candidates are: Anna Faye Caminita, Einsteins chief academic officer The committee plans to hold a forum on Tuesday (Jan. 29) at 6 p.m. in Einsteins auditorium at the Sarah T. Reed campus to introduce the four finalists. The candidates will respond to questions previously submitted to the committee by families, teachers, and staff via paper, email and text. Einstein Board President Durrell Laurent will act as the moderator, and attendees will be able to submit written input on the candidates based on what they hear from the four finalists. Among Einsteins finalists, each of them possess some experience in New Orleans education landscape, where more than 90 percent of the citys 48,000 public schoolers are enrolled in schools run by a charter organization. Two of the finalists, Gallagher and McKenzie, also have teaching experience outside of Louisianas schools. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up McKenzie, for instance, was once the principal at the William A. Lawson Institute For Peace and Prosperity TSU Preparatory Academy, which is a charter school within the Houston Independent School District, according to a report by Houston Style Magazine. Dallas Dance, the Houston school districts chief middle schools officer, told the magazine McKenzie was one of the most qualified principal candidates I have ever interviewed. However, McKenzie in Houston also came under scrutiny for allegations of bigotry during his time as the Ryan Middle School principal, according to reports by The Houston Chronicle and The Houston Press in 2011. The newspapers reported the Houston Independent School District launched an internal investigation into McKenzie because he told staff he preferred a black male for the assistant principals position and that a male employee should not be with children because he is openly gay. John Brown re-elected as Orleans Parish School Board president The Houston school districts investigation also concluded McKenzie used profanity during two faculty meetings and took an employees personal furniture for his own office. McKenzie is black, and The Houston Chronicle reports the majority of students at Ryan are black as well. The newspapers reported McKenzie denied the allegations, which was echoed by Einsteins board in a released statement Monday night. Einstein Charter Schools CEO Candidate Michael McKenzie has thoroughly explained his history to the satisfaction of our selection committee and has provided documentation that the allegations were false, according to a statement from Einstein Board President Durrell Laurent. This incident took place over eight years ago and Mr. McKenzie has held several high profile positions since then, going through many vetting processes and proving himself a worthy candidate, Laurent added. Thus he is one of four presented to our community for consideration. The local Einstein Group Inc. serves 1,500 students in New Orleans East at four schools, where minorities make up 99 percent of students. About 68 percent of its students are economically disadvantaged. Einstein's Village De L'Est campus at 5100 Cannes Street opened in 2006, followed by Einstein Charter School at Sherwood Forest at 4801 Maid Marion Drive in 2013. Einstein Charter Middle and Einstein Charter High assumed operations in 2015 and 2016 in the former Sarah Towles Reed High School building on Michoud Boulevard. 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. New Orleans police arrested the man suspected of striking another man in head in the French Quarter, resulting in him being hospitalized in critical condition. Quinnton Marshall, 33, of Gretna was arrested Monday (Jan. 28) on a charge of second degree battery after he allegedly struck a man with a close fist from behind in the busy 400 block of Bourbon Street around 10 p.m. on Jan. 18. The man lost consciousness, fell to the ground and hit his head on the concrete. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was briefly in a coma. As of Monday, he remained in critical condition. Marshall turned himself into to the Eighth District station ten days later. He reportedly waived his right to remain silent and admitted to striking the victim, then walking away from the scene. He appeared in court that day, where Magistrate Judge Brigid Collins set his bond at $50,000. A New Orleans pastor convicted of taking thousands of dollars of Road Home grant money from a Hurricane Katrina victim was arrested Tuesday (Jan. 28) and booked in the Orleans Justice Center, according to jail records. Elijah Mealancon has been on the lam since December, when a Criminal District Court judge issued a warrant for his arrest after he didnt show up for sentencing. Mealancon skipped out on four subsequent sentencing dates. Criminal District Court Judge Franz Zibilich convicted Mealancon, 59, of one count of unauthorized use of a movable on Nov. 19. Mealancon was accused of taking $33,000 from the victim in the case, and never completed renovating her home as promised. He was arrested the day he was convicted, and court records show he later posted a $7,500 bond that allowed him to remain out of jail until sentencing. Mealancon was arrested in Baton Rouge Tuesday and brought to New Orleans, said Ken Daley, a spokesman for District Attorney Leon Cannizzaros office. A bond hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Zibilichs courtroom. Court records show prosecutors filed a motion to revoke Mealancons bond Jan. 22. Michael Roberts, 26, was arrested less than 24 hours he allegedly fatally shot another man in Algiers Sunday afternoon (Jan. 27) outside their apartment building, according to court records. Police responded to word of a fatal shooting at an apartment building in the 1100 block of Verret Street in Algiers around 12:45 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered a man in the backyard with several gunshot wounds to his chest and stomach. The man, identified Tuesday by the Orleans Parish Coroners Office as 29-year-old Lawrence Varnado, was pronounced dead at the scene. A group of people, accompanied by the New Orleans police chaplain and a local pastor, stood near the crime tape and embraced one another as they watched investigators canvas the scene. One woman cried out that the shooter had killed Varnado after coming to "collect money. Man shot to death in Algiers on Sunday afternoon: NOPD Witnesses told police that Roberts had shot at Varnado multiple times while chasing him into the backyard of the building. Once Varnado fell, Roberts stood over him and continued to shoot at him. Both Varnado and Roberts lived in the apartment building, according to court records. After witnesses identified Roberts out of a six-person photographic lineup, police issued a warrant for his arrest. Once in custody, Roberts admitted to wearing clothes the day of the shooting that matched the description given by witnesses, according to police. He also said he had been riding his miniature motorcycle in the neighborhood earlier in the day, an event also described by the witnesses. Roberts was booked into Orleans Justice Center Monday night (Jan. 28) on a charge of second degree murder. He does not appear to have any history of violent crime convictions in Orleans Parish. A shooting on Bourbon Street early Tuesday morning (Jan. 29) sent one man to the hospital, New Orleans police said. NOPD in a statement said someone reported gunfire at 4:43 a.m. in the 100 block of Bourbon Street, which is between Canal Street and Iberville Street (map). Around the same time, a 25-year-old man showed up at a hospital. He had been shot in his right thigh, NOPD said. The man left without being treated and without leaving any information, NOPD said. He returned to the hospital at 6:47 a.m., NOPD said, and police now believe he was shot on Bourbon Street. Authorities said the investigation was ongoing and anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111. Note: This story has been updated with additional information from authorities. Carlie Kollath Wells is a morning reporter at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Have an early-bird tip? Send it to her: cwells@nola.com or Twitter @carlie_kollath. A lawsuit filed in Harris County, Texas, claims a man drugged and raped a female customer of Brennans of Houston in October 2015 while working as a bartender at the restaurant. The lawsuit, filed Monday (Jan. 28), names the restaurant as a defendant and seeks damages of at least $20 million. Brennans of Houston is part of the New Orleans-based restaurant group that also includes Commanders Palace and SoBou. The Houston restaurant is operated by Alex Brennan-Martin, son of prominent local restaurateur Ella Brennan, who died last year. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff, a Houston lawyer identified as Jane Doe, was raped and sexually assaulted by a Brennans (sic) bartender, Sean Kerrigan, after dining and drinking at Brennans. Plaintiff had never met Kerrigan prior to that evening. The lawsuit also claims Chris Lockhart, identified as a Brennans manager, can be seen on surveillance video taking a visibly incapacitated Plaintiff out of Brennans, with another Brennans manager looking on, but doing nothing. It says the woman learned from law enforcement that Kerrigan and Lockhart had taken her to another bar, and later to her home. The lawsuit continues, Kerrigan raped Plaintiff an unknown number of times at her home that night, and Lockhart, at a minimum, aided and abetted the rape and the attempted continuation of the assault the following morning. Kerrigan, according to the lawsuit, had a criminal record prior to being hired by Brennans. The suit says he was indicted in July and charged with felony aggravated sexual assault of the woman, and also indicted for sexual assault of another woman in an unrelated case. In November, Kerrigan died of unknown causes, according to the lawsuit. In a written statement, Brennans of Houston said both Kerrigan and Lockhart were terminated in part because of the allegation. The restaurants response to the lawsuit continues: While we condemn what she states happened to her in the strongest terms, we strenuously dispute any allegation that Brennans or Mr. Brennan-Martin (proprietor) is somehow responsible for the actions of individuals off work and off premises. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In 2017, Ms. Doe informed Brennans management via email that she would be pressing charges against one of the employees and asked Brennans to cooperate with the Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney, both of which we did fully. In the same email correspondence, she thanked Mr. Brennan-Martin for his swift action and expressly stated that Brennans was not at fault Unfortunately, one of the employees passed away in November 2018 before Ms. Does charges against him could be tried in a court of law. And today, sadly, she contradicted her previous statements with the filing of this lawsuit against Brennans. Brennans of Houston did not respond to a follow-up question about an accusation made in the lawsuit, that the restaurant appears to have done no background check on Kerrigan before hiring him. Brennans of Houston is not affiliated with Brennans in New Orleans. According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe went to Brennans of Houston with a male colleague from her law firm on Oct. 19, 2015. Her suit said the colleague left and she stayed and ordered dinner, with Kerrigan being the only one serving at the bar. Kerrigan spilled Plaintiffs drink and replaced it with a bourbon-based drink on the house.' Kerrigan drugged Plaintiff with this drink, the lawsuit said. The suit said the woman does not remember finishing the bourbon-based drink and has almost no memory of anything afterward. It said restaurant surveillance video shows Kerrigan serving her more drinks. The woman, according to the lawsuit, went to the emergency room the evening of the next day, of the alleged assault, where a medical examination found significant vaginal and other physical injuries consistent with rape. The lawsuit claimed the woman had to take leave from her job in August, due to the extreme emotional distress of her rape and the aftermath, and that she is currently undergoing treatment for PTSD. The plaintiff is represented by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who has announced he will be running for mayor of Houston this year. The Orleans Parish Coroner has identified four men who were shot to death in separate instances across New Orleans on Thursday (Jan. 24) and Sunday. Tyrone Francis, 65, had been fatally shot Thursday when he was found lying face-down in the 1200 block of Delery Street, in the Lower 9th Ward, according to information from Coroner Dwight McKennas office and New Orleans police. The shooting was reported about 6:30 p.m., and Francis was pronounced dead at the scene, NOPD said. Man found shot to death in Lower 9th Ward: NOPD A half hour later on Thursday, a shooting in Central City claimed the life of a 38-year-old man, police said. Lee Jackson was identified by the coroner as the man found shot to death in the 2100 block of Thalia Street. Police were called to the shooting about 7 p.m., and said the man now identified as Jackson had been shot more than once and was pronounced dead at the scene. As police investigated at the scene, Jacksons body lay outside a small apartment building that sits next to a bar. A man grilling steaks outside the bar, where music pumped into the street, said he heard the gunfire and ran from it. Man killed in Central City shooting, 2nd homicide of the evening Lawrence Varnado, 29, died of gunshot wounds Sunday afternoon, and was found lying face-down in the back of a home in the 1100 block of Verret Street, in Algiers, according to information from the coroner and police. He was shot more than once, NOPD said. At the scene, the body of a man now identified as Varnado, shielded from view by black screens, was lying between two homes in the 500 block of Diana Street. A group of people, accompanied by an NOPD chaplain and a local pastor, stood near the crime tape and embraced one another as they watched investigators canvas the scene. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up NOPD on Monday arrested Michael Roberts Jr. in connection to Varnados fatal shooting. Man shot to death in Algiers on Sunday afternoon: NOPD About three hours after the fatal shooting of Varnado, a shooting on the Interstate 10 service road in New Orleans East left a 27-year-old man dead, police said. Joshua Robert was identified by the coroner as the man who died at a hospital after he was shot more than once about 3 p.m. in the 6500 block of I-10 Service Road, near Morrison Road. NOPD said in a preliminary report an unknown man in a black hoodie and black pants approached the man now identified as Robert and began firing shots at him. At the scene late Sunday afternoon, police set up at least 14 evidence cones in the parking lot of Eastside Quick Lube and along the North Service Road. Near one of the evidence cones, what appeared to be blood was visible on the pavement. Man dies after I-10 Service Road shooting in New Orleans East: NOPD Anyone with information about the homicides is asked to contact NOPDs homicide unit at 504-658-5300 or leave information anonymously through Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Staff writers Laura McKnight, Hanna Krueger and Olivia Prentzel contributed to this report. Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:13 am On Friday evening, I found a seat in a crowded Corbet Theatre at Centralia College to laugh all night. And we did. The 7th Annual KACS LCMN Laugh All Night Family Comedy Concert featured Rik Roberts, a 50-year-old from Nashville who kept us laughing nonstop with good, clean comedy. It was a free, family-friendly event sponsored by the Southwest Washington Christian radio station, KACS 90.5 FM, and the Lewis County Ministry Network. A repeat performance took place Saturday afternoon in Raymond. During the opening, Pastor Matt March of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Chehalis spoke about the Lewis County Ministry Network. There are lots of things we do well, said March, whos also involved in the Lewis County Chaplaincy Services and serves as midafternoon host on KACS. But a whole lot more things we do better together as a Christian community. During intermission, collection baskets offered people an opportunity to donate to New Missions, a child relief ministry based in Orlando, Florida. During the past three decades, the ministry has established more than 30 churches, schools and medical clinics in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to provide youngsters with education, food and medical care. Roberts jokes touched on real-life topics such as high cholesterol, miscommunication in marriage, capricious kids, parenting predicaments, and wacky in-laws. He touched on life in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the isolated plains of Kansas, punctuating the performance with a fabulous imitation of Deputy Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show. He has appeared on programs such as PureFlixs Comedy All-Stars and NPRs Car Talk. While many pastors attended the Laugh All Night event, I knew several would likely be more sober the next day while officiating at funerals. The lives of two people from Centralia who touched my life were celebrated Saturday Peter Corwin, 81, and Donna (Tisdale) Taylor, 94. I interviewed Corwin quite often in the mid 1980s when he served on the Centralia City Commission and later when he ran for the newly created Centralia City Council. Ive been so impressed with how welcoming he and his wife, Janet, have been to international students who lived in their home while studying at Centralia College. Although Taylor worked at The Chronicle while I was there, I became better acquainted with her much more recently at a writers critique group and the Southwest Washington Writers Conference. In 2016, at 92, she published The Snowlygaster, an 87-page fantasy book she had written and illustrated 70 years earlier. In my book about Matilda (Koontz) Jackson, I recently quoted a story she wrote decades ago for Centralia, the First 50 Years, published in 1942. Before leaving for the comedy show, I had read through The Chronicle and noticed obituaries for others who have touched my life. Dale Alexander, who died at 98, was among those featured in my book Life on the Home Front: Stories of those who worked, waited, and worried during World War II. He had grown up on a 650-acre farm in South Dakota during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, but lived in Centralia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He worked at Boeing in Seattle building B-17s and later B-29s. My heart breaks for Reuben and Abram Gardipee, the sons of Harvey and Trina Gardipee of Adna. Their mother, Catrina Mae (Terwilliger) Gardipee, a well-known and beloved local caterer, died of ovarian cancer at only 54 on Aug. 1, 2016. Now her husband, Harvey Irvin Gardipee Jr., who was 56, died Jan. 21 after a battle with leukemia. Its always hard to lose parents. So many times Ill hear a joke Id like to share with my father, an anecdote Id like to tell my mother. As I reflect on the weekend, I think the truth of Ecclesiastes 3. There truly is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, including a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh. Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at chaptersoflife1999@gmail.com. It happened twice in the same day: Hackettstown police were called to a local Wawa, and both times charged employees with stealing money from the convenience store. The first call on Saturday came at 8:20 a.m. from the Mountain Avenue Wawa, according to a police news release on Monday. Nineteen-year-old Donnell Gatling Jr., of Brooklyn, New York, was charged with fourth-degree theft for allegedly stealing $228 between Jan. 20 and 21. The second call from the same store came at 3:13 p.m. That time, police said, 20-year-old Michael Cavaliere, of Belvidere, was charged with third-degree theft for stealing $1,130 between Jan. 10 and 20. Both men were released pending court appearances. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Rahway man pleaded guilty to selling a batch of fentanyl-laced crack cocaine that killed three people and hospitalized a number of others in the span of a day in 2017. George Rayford, 39, pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of first-degree strict liability in the drug-induced deaths of Rahway residents Nicole Taylor, 41, Kacina Vanderburg, 53, and Harold Johnston, 67, according to the Union County Prosecutors Office. The plea deal calls for Rayford tl receive 13 years in prison when he is sentenced March 15. On Dec. 22, 2017, prosecutors say Rayford sold the drugs outside his Rahway home on the 1200 block of Whelan Place. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid many times more powerful than heroin. The drug was found in the toxicology reports of fewer than 20 percent of Union Countys fatal overdose victims in 2015, but in more than 70 percent of toxicology reports two years later. Prosecutors say Rayfords case is one of the first times that local law enforcement has seen fentanyl mixed with cocaine. Rayford originally faced a 13-count indictment from a grand jury after being arrested in February. Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladtytiamoyo. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A Union County man and woman stole thousands from event planners who thought they were booking famous rappers, prosecutors say. But they were actually corresponding with a Roselle man who was impersonating someone who represented the artists -- including Lil Wayne and Lil Yachty -- before inking contracts worth thousands of dollars for shows that werent going to happen, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael Monahan said in a news statement. Yusuf Nadir, and Natiyah Flagg, of Elizabeth, were charged with theft by deception and corporate misconduct, Monahan announced Monday. Nadir, 45, would impersonate the artists and led the scheme, while Flagg, 28, registered multiple fictitious business and opened bank accounts for them. Natiyah Flagg Their plan worked on a total of five victims who were in two separate business groups. Monahan and Assistant Prosecutor Derek Nececkas said the scheme netted more than $60,000 that Nadir and Flagg used for personal expenses. Its not the first time Nadir has been accused of fraud in the music business. In 2011, he was charged with theft, criminal impersonation and writing bad checks after lying to venues about bookings. He claimed to represent Lil Wayne or another big name when calling a venue, and promised to bring the artist for a show. Nadir would then get a down payment to his account. Court records show he later pleaded guilty in that case and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Its not clear how much of that sentence he served. Monahan and Nececkas said Nadir was the mastermind in the 2019 case. On Thursday, Nadir was arrested at his home and taken to the Union County Jail before a court appearance. Flagg was charged on a summons and has a first appearance scheduled for Feb. 6 in Union County Superior Court. This story has been updated to reflect that the defendants are accused of impersonating the artists' representatives, not the artists themselves. Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Writers note: this article has been updated to reflect new details about the Salem Health & Wellness Foundations contribution. A state official gave the final go-ahead for a local nonprofit health system to buy a struggling Salem County hospital. The Health Commissioners decision allowed North Jersey-based Community HealthCare Associates to purchase the Memorial Hospital of Salem County for $3 million, according to hospital officials. Starting on Feb. 1, the facility will have a new name: Salem Medical Center and will return to its non-profit roots. Community Health System Inc (which has a similar name, but should not be confused the hospitals new buyers) ran the facility as a for-profit entity since 2002. The Tennessee-based company faced challenges; it was losing money due to growing, nearby competition, and the companys questionable fate made it hard to recruit doctors, according to previous NJ Advance Media Reports. It cut the number of hospital beds from 140 to 126 and closed the maternity ward. Another organization, California-based Prime Healthcare Foundation , eyed the facility for $15 million but backed out in March 2017. Community HealthCare Associates called dibs in March 2018 and has been making progress ever since. In December, Community HealthCare reached a deal with the nurses union, agreeing to a three percent wage increase and locked-in health insurance coverage. The Salem Health & Wellness foundation pitched in $29 million for the sale, according to Executive Director Brenda Goins. The foundation will also appoint three board members to the hospitals board of trustees. Goins, who has run the foundation since its inception, called the purchase a good move. We have a lot of needs in this county. I believe with the programming that is coming into this county, this organization is going to be able to meet those needs, she said, adding that residents needed more detox beds. Now that State Department of Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal signed off on the certificate of need, the hospital can add an additional 30 long-term care beds at the hospital. Gennaoui clarified: We are not adding detox beds, per se, but will be expanding our scope of service by treating patients in our hospital who are in need of detox care, counseling and/or support. In our county, as in most counties in New Jersey and across the United States, there is an ever-increasing need to offer detox services and we will be expanding our scope of service to meet local needs, he said. Community members will likely see familiar faces at the hospital; the new owner agreed to hire all of the approximately 400 employees, allowing them to stay in the same position at the same wage. Former Salem County freeholder director Melissa DeCastro, who was voted out in November, said she was semi-disappointed that the new owner doesnt seem to have a plan for a full-service womens floor. I had to have my son in Delaware because that is the closest hospital, she said. According to DeCastro, women in labor would have to be transferred to other hospitals, making it hard for the womens family to visit, especially in a county with limited public transportation. Its beyond annoying, it is just sad, she said. Yet, an acute-service hospital is better than nothing, and DeCastro said she is thankful it will still be up and running. Cassidy Grom may be reached at cgrom@njadvancemedia.com Follow her at @cassidygrom. For months, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has denied knowing her office was investigating a rape case involving two high-profile members of Gov. Phil Murphys election campaign. But copies of what appear to be inter-office emails obtained by NJ Advance Media show the prosecutor was included on a chain of messages laying out the accusations, three days after the alleged rape of campaign supporter Katie Brennan by Albert J. Alvarez then the campaigns outreach director for Muslim and Latino communities in April 2017. The case has roiled the Murphy administration and drawn the attention of lawmakers, who have questioned how the case was handled by the prosecutor and how Brennans requests for help were addressed by the governors office. It has also turned the spotlight on state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal whose office cleared Suarez of any wrongdoing in October 2018. Brennans attorneys have claimed the case was dropped for political reasons. Suarez repeatedly has denied political pressure to close the case quietly and has stood by her offices decision not to prosecute Alvarez, a ruling the agencys head of special victims unit said he made without discussing with the prosecutor after a six-month investigation. In a sworn statement to the Attorney Generals Office late last year, Suarez maintained she did not know about her departments investigation or the decision not to bring charges until she was contacted by a reporter almost a year after the case was closed. The emails would have reached her 18 months earlier. The legitimacy of the documents obtained by NJ Advance Media could not be independently verified. However, the copies of the apparent internal communications show Suarez as the first of 27 staff members named on the email that summarized what the office knew about the allegations. Suarez would neither confirm nor deny the existence of the emails but said it would be impossible for her to read all correspondence sent to her on any given day. My name is on so many documents, to think that I read every document that is either sent to me or that I have emailed on or that my name is on it, that would not be proper use of my time, Suarez told NJ Advance Media. By sending me a document and now my job is complete, that doesnt satisfy it. We are far, far too busy. My role is not to read documents and files all day long. I have to trust that other people are doing what they need to do." Former Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said he could understand how it would be possible for a prosecutor not to read all of the emails received. "It took me two to three hours to get through all my emails and we were about one third the size. I get the idea that you are inundated with emails." And he noted the significance of Suarezs sworn statement given to the Attorney Generals Office. As a prosecutor when you are preparing something for your boss, and here it is the attorney general, you are going to be sure you are 100 percent accurate," Bianchi said. "Youd not only be sacrificing your position but your career. Id take her at her word. Asked on Monday about the emails, a spokeswoman for the attorney general referred to a letter her office sent to legislative leaders in November, which said the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability examined the complete investigative file of the Hudson County Prosecutors Office, including emails related to the investigation. Based on the review, the attorney general told the state Legislature his office it found no evidence that Suarez acted improperly in any respect regarding this investigation. The letter said based on all those interviewed, the prosecutor had no involvement in the manner in which the investigation was conducted, or in the decision about whether to bring charges. The office, however, did not disclose in the letter whether Suarez was on the email chain that spelled out the allegations in the case. The governors office did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment. NJ Advance Media first obtained a transcript of two emails dated April 10 and 21, 2017 12 days ago. The emails were sent by Sgt. Maria Dargan, an SVU investigator, to 27 people, according to the copies. Reporters at NJ Advance Media and The Jersey Journal attempted to reach almost everyone listed on the emails, including Dargan. Most refused comment, but no one challenged their authenticity. Subsequently, the organization obtained printed versions of the emails from Brennans attorney, Alan Zegas, late last week. Zegas said he had obtained the emails from an anonymous source. When asked twice last week about their authenticity, Suarez did not challenge their validity. One of the purported internal emails that shows Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez was among those notified about the ongoing investigation. The emails ostensibly document the first reports from an investigator of the accusations against Alvarez. In the reports, Brennan details how Alvarez drove her home from a campaign event for Murphy in Jersey City and asked if he could use her bathroom. Once in the apartment, Alvarez allegedly forced Brennan down on the couch and forced himself on her, according to Brennan. She went to the police the following day. Attorneys for Alvarez have denied the allegations. Brennan, 31, who is currently chief of staff to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, alerted the Murphy transition team on Dec. 1, 2017, of the alleged assault and said that Alvarez could soon face charges. Later that day, she was told the Hudson County Prosecutors Office had closed the case. Alvarez was in the meantime appointed as chief of staff to the New Jersey Schools Development Authority in the Murphy administration, a position he held until he resigned Oct. 2, 2018 when the Wall Street Journal published an interview with Brennan. Alvarez has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said that what happened that night after a campaign event in Jersey City was consensual. Albert J. Alvarez has steadfastly maintained his innocence while demonstrating humility and respect for our criminal justice process. Despite the very public and political attention this case has garnered, two separate and independent law enforcement investigations have now come to the same conclusion: That there is no basis to pursue criminal charges. Mr. Alvarez has always maintained that 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, said attorneys for Alvarez in a statement. The first time Suarez learned of the case, she said, was in October 2018 when she was contacted by reporters. She then asked Grewal, the attorney general, to take over. He assigned the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office to do an independent review of the allegations. Last Wednesday, that agency announced it would not bring charges against Alvarez, reaffirming the Hudson County decision. Suarez said it was common practice for senior staff to not alert her to details of pending cases and that she had provided sworn testimony to the attorney generals office about when she learned of the case. Both Suarez and Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Mulkeen, the head of the agencys special victims unit, said it was not uncommon for the prosecutor not to be involved with a case. Mulkeen told NJ Advance Media a week ago that neither he nor Jane Weiner, the assistant prosecutor who handled the case, spoke with Suarez about the allegation, confirming the prosecutors public statements. Weiner did not respond to a request for comment. On Friday, Suarez criticized the effort to make the confidential documents public. It would be very disconcerting to me if anyone outside a law enforcement agency would be in possession of any confidential investigative documents from a law enforcement investigative file," she said. State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, the co-chair of the special legislative committee investigating how Gov. Murphys team responded to Brennans allegations, said the panel will still seek the emails despite the recent ruling from the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office decision to close the criminal case. Asked if they will issue a subpoena for the emails, Weinberg, D-Bergen, said on Monday that no decision haas been made yet, and that it will be discuss sometime in the next week with the committee. She went on television and talked about this, Weinberg said of Suarez. So if shes bothered by issues around the investigation, why was she doing a TV interview about it? Told that NJ Advance Media had copies of the purported emails, Weinberg wondered why the the prosecutor would not say anything if they were not legitimate. She was the one who kept saying no one alerted her or told her that accusation was in the office, the lawmaker said. If in fact she was informed, then why would she just not say it?" NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson and Samantha Marcus contributed to this report. 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. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Gov. Chris Christie is not ruling out another presidential campaign. In fact he increasingly sounds very much like somebody who has his eyes on a nationwide bid. On the heels of the release of his first book that reads every bit like a political autobiography to set the table for a national campaign, Christie has begun to signal hes not done with public life. Im 56 years old. The idea that my career is over seems laughable to me, the former New Jersey governor told NJ Advance Media in an interview ahead of his books release. I dont know how it will manifest itself, I really dont, Christie added. But I know in my heart that Im not done with public service yet. Much of the book, Let Me Finish, is dedicated to describing the dysfunction that surrounds President Donald Trump and the ineptitude of his senior advisers, who Christie argues did the president a disservice by tossing his transition plan into the trash and bungling the presidents first year in office. The title itself, by Christies own admission, is proof positive the former governor who ran a failed 2016 presidential bid isnt finished. Far from it. That has a number of different meanings to it. Its let me finish the transition that you (Trump) had me start and the country would be better off. Let me finish continuing to try to show the country that bipartisanship can happen and work," said Christie, a longtime Trump friend and fellow Republican. Being a Republican governor in a state with a Democrat-controlled legislature was a selling point Christie constantly attempted to use during his campaign, arguing there was too much gridlock in Washington and that what the nation needed was somebody who could get things done. Asked what he thought he needed to set the record straight on in the book, Christie on Monday jumped right into a familiar theme during his 2016 campaign. "To talk about the bipartisanship, especially during a time when we dont have that in the country and I wanted to use it as an example to people that this is actually possible," Christie said. And then theres what hes been telling other audiences around the country. Last week in California, Christie pointed out that there have been presidents who had lost campaigns but would go on to win later elections. Once youve got this in your blood, its hard to get rid of it, he said at the 2019 Desert Town Hall series. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Cory Booker on Tuesday lashed out against William Barr, President Donald Trumps choice for U.S. attorney general, saying it was incredulous that the nominee did not know about racial bias in the nations criminal justice system. We have a guy who is about to take that office who says he is ignorant of implicit racial bias, Booker, D-N.J., said as the Senate Judiciary Committee discussed Barrs nomination. Ignorance aligned with power is one of the most dangerous forces in a free society. While Booker did not specifically say he would vote against Barr, he left little doubt where he stood. He will be part of a continuing problem in our country, Booker said. Bookers comments came in response to Barrs written answers to committee questions, which followed two days of hearings earlier this month. Asked by Booker about statistics showing blacks more likely to be arrested for drug crime even though they use drugs at the same rate as whites, Barr said he was unfamiliar with the data. I have not studied the issue of implicit racial bias in our criminal justice system, Barr wrote. Therefore, I have not become sufficiently familiar with the issue to say whether such bias exists. I believe the data confirm that people of color are disproportionately represented in our nations jails and prisons. Barr said the Justice Department would examine racial disparities and the policies that may contribute to them." Booker also criticized Barrs role in his earlier stint as attorney general in the war on drugs, which let to an explosion of prison inmates, disproportionately members of minority groups. Mr. Barr was an architect of mass incarceration," Booker said. He literally wrote the book. He designed a lot of what we saw. He pressed Barr on that issue during his questioning of the nominee earlier this month. Do you think that this system of mass incarceration has disproportionately benefited African-American communities? Booker said. I think the reduction in crime has since 1992, Barr said. But I think the heavy drug penalties have harmed the black community and the incarceration rates have harmed the black community. Since coming to Washington, Booker had made overhauling the criminal justice system a top priority. He was part of the bipartisan group of lawmakers involved in the drafting of legislation that offered alternatives to incarceration and shorter prison sentences to those convicted of nonviolent drug-related crimes. Trump signed the bill into law last month. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Gov. Phil Murphy and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney were in the same diner Tuesday morning, sitting at the same table, with a bunch of reporters and cameramen in front of them. It was an opportune time to address the elephant in the room: Will Murphy accept Sweeneys challenge to debate him on New Jerseys fiscal situation, especially its public-worker pension woes? The governor didnt say no. But he didnt say yes. The Senate president and I have spoken about this on a number of occasions. Hes got a long line of items on his to-do list some of which we dont agree with, many of which we do agree with, some of which are worthy of discussion, Murphy said at the Ocean Bay Diner in Sayreville. He and Sweeney, a fellow Democrat but frequent rival, were there for a public event to tout the the deal they struck on a bill to gradually raise New Jerseys minimum wage to $15 an hour. Murphy added that hes in the early stages of crafting his second state budget, which hell unveil in early March. I think lets play that out, he said. Well see where we go from there." Sweeney, D-Gloucester issued the debate challenge last week Friday during an interview with NJTV . He was angered by a report by NJ Advance Media that said a top Murphy aide encouraged liberal activists how to derail plans that Sweeney is pushing to save New Jersey money. The most controversial suggestion in Sweeneys proposals are to make further cuts to public-worker pensions and health benefits, which swallow up a large part of the taxpayer-funded state budget. The aide Deborah Cornavaca, Murphys deputy chief of staff for outreach said during a conference call with activists that Sweeneys plans are a false narrative against unions and that she agrees with Murphy that the commitments we made to public-sector workers are ones we have to figure out how to honor. Its part of the latest rift between Murphy and Sweeney, New Jerseys top two most powerful elected officials. Though both are Democrats, Murphy is more liberal, while Sweeney is a moderate. So what did Sweeney, sitting a few feet away from the governor, have to say about Murphys response Tuesday? The governor just said hes gonna put his budget forward, Sweeney said. Ill look at his budget. And if we disagree, then well disagree. Well have some more conversations. I feel strongly we need to address finances in this state, he added. Change has to happen. Well, they were both there. Reporters were already in the room. Why not hold the debate then? We talk all the time," Murphy said. We do have to go, though." New Jerseys pension fund for state and local workers has $59.7 billion in unfunded liabilities, according to the state. Sweeney says tax hikes which Murphy favors would not be enough to solve the issue. Murphy is strongly pro-union and his administration issued its own report last month that called for changes to public-worker health benefits but stopped short of seeking cuts. Last year, Murphy signed a state budget that included more than $1 billion in state tax hikes to help pay for funding increases for pensions, education, and transportation. Murphy has not ruled out seeking further tax hikes in his second state budget proposal, which hell unveil in March. But the state Legislature has to pass the budget before Murphy can sign it. And Sweeney and state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, have already said theyd oppose new tax increases, unless there are significant state government spending cuts. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Posted Monday, January 28, 2019 11:44 am The Washington Attorney General filed a lawsuit Friday alleging that clothing marketer LuLaRoe, and its business model, which uses "fashion consultants," is actually a pyramid scheme used to defraud those persons it recruits to sell the clothing. As part of the suit, AG Bob Ferguson asserts that the company misrepresents how much money sellers can make selling the popular patterned leggings and other clothing. The company charges prospective sellers between $2,000 to $9,000 as "onboarding" fees to sell the clothing on the promise that they could make as much as $10,000 to $500,000 a month for part time work. "LuLaRoe tricked consumers into buying into its pyramid scheme with deceptive claims of high profits and refunds for unsold merchandise," Ferguson said in a news release. "Instead, many Washingtonians lost money and were left with piles of unsold merchandise and broken promises from LuLaRoe." The Spokesman-Review reached out to five local "home office" sales representatives listed on the LuLaRoe website. However, none of them immediately responded to emailed requests for interviews. LuLaRoe, which is based in California, sells leggings and other apparel. It uses individual retailers, which they call "independent fashion consultants," to sell the clothing. The new consultants must be recruited and sponsored by existing retailers. More than 3,500 Washington residents signed on to sell the clothing since January 2014. However, fewer than 2,000 of those consultants remain active, according to the state. Ferguson explained that a direct-selling business becomes a pyramid scheme when its primary source of income comes from recruiting sellers rather than the retail sales to consumers. They often require steep start-up costs and require minimum purchases on a regular basis. Between 2014 and 2017, LuLaRoe consultants received monthly bonuses based how much inventory they and their recruits purchased from the company. The more consultants they recruited, the higher the bonuses the company provided. The business changed its pay structure in 2017 to provide bonuses solely on sales to customers, the state said. "In a LuLaRoe webinar, a LuLaRoe executive explained the change came about because of the 'need to get away from being a pyramid scheme,' " the news release states. If a judge rules that LuLaRoe violated the law, Ferguson will seek penalties of $2,000 per violation, as well as costs, fees and other relief. He will also seek to force LuLaRoe to pay restitution to the people who paid money to become part of the business. "It's time to hold LuLaRoe accountable for its deception," Ferguson said in the release. A call to the LaLuRoe corporate office in Corona, California, was not immediately returned on Friday. Brendan Gill wants to be clear about one thing: It wasn't him. He is not the guy who was behind the decision to hire Al Alvarez to a senior job in the Murphy administration after Katie Brennan accused Alvarez of sexually assaulting her. The rumors, he says, are dead wrong. "I had no communication with anyone to encourage the hiring of Alvarez," said Gill, who was Murphy's campaign manager, and serves as a freeholder in Essex County. "I was not involved in the transition or hiring practices of the administration." So, the mystery lives. It is amazing to me that no one in the Murphy administration has stepped up and admitted to this mistake. And it's even more amazing that the governor allows the question to drag on, week after week. "This is so silly," says Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, the co-chair of the committee. "All the governor has to do is tell us." Maybe he doesn't know. But if that's the case, why hasn't he called all his people into a big conference room and pounded his fist on the table, demanding to know? Instead, we heard a parade of Murphy's senior people swear oaths before the Legislative committee investigating this case, and claim that it wasn't them, leaving legislators exasperated. In Trenton, on the sidelines of the committee hearing, Gill is the chief suspect. But when I ask those spreading the rumor to show me Gill's fingerprints, they come up empty. So, on Monday, I called Gill and asked. He wasn't pleased. He thought I should have some hard evidence before even asking the question. I explained that I spend half my life chasing rumors, and that half of them turn out to be true. It's what we journalists do, or at least part of it. I was surprised that Gill was so sweeping in his denial. He says he wasn't involved in hiring generally, which might make him the first campaign manager in history to win an election and claim none of the patronage spoils. Maybe that made him nervous, because he added on one small caveat: He said that if someone had called and asked him about Alvarez, he might have said that Alvarez performed well during the campaign, when he worked to fortify support among Latino voters. "I don't remember anyone doing that specifically," Gill said. "Someone may have called me. I don't want to say 'no' for sure. I don't remember." I asked Weinberg, who has heard the rumors, too, if the committee intended to call Gill to testify. "Not at the moment," she said. Hmmm. In the meantime, Alvarez has now been cleared of criminal wrongdoing by two county prosecutors, in Hudson and Middlesex. Maybe that will encourage whoever did hire him to come out of hiding, someday. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. The governors rightly taking aim at New Jerseys tax incentive black hole, in which we promise companies big tax breaks even though they dont always produce the promised jobs, losing our state untold potential tax revenue. This program, expanded wildly under former Gov. Chris Christie happily abetted by the Democrat-led Legislature needs to be fixed and scaled back, no question. A fresh audit has left us all feeling scammed. Apparently, nobodys been minding the store. Yet at the same time, we cant just pretend that this reform is a solution to New Jerseys fiscal crisis, allowing us to avoid significant budget cuts and tax increases. Thats a scam, too. And thats exactly what Gov. Phil Murphys people keep doing. The governor did it in his State of the State speech, when he implied that fixing tax incentives would lead to massive savings to address our fiscal crisis: For the same price as these tax breaks, he asserted, New Jersey could have funded our public schools, funded NJ Transit, met our pension obligations, provided more property tax relief, or all of the above. And a top Murphy aide, Deborah Cornavaca formerly with the New Jersey Education Association made the same misleading argument on a conference call with grassroots liberal groups last week. She singled out the audit as a way to push back against Senate President Steve Sweeneys demand to scale back pension and health benefits. These tax incentives, she said, are one of the places we can look to say, Senate President Sweeney, this is a false narrative youre taking. But its just not true. The total cost of these tax discounts some of which are going to companies that didnt meet their end of the bargain will come to $1 billion next year. This is less than one-third of this single years pension payments; to say nothing of NJ Transit, public school funding or property tax relief. Is an extra $1 billion a year in potential saving a significant sum? Of course. Should improvements be made to the incentives program? Absolutely. But the question is one of magnitude. Any revenue to be gained from such reform pales in comparison to the larger financial crisis we are facing. Consider the numbers: Pensions are costing the state about $3.2 billion in fiscal year 2019 alone, and will rise to $6.7 billion by 2023, according to state actuaries. Health benefits will cost roughly $3.4 billion in 2019, and rise to about $4.1 billion by 2023, an economic and fiscal policy work group estimated. So in total, our state will owe more than $10 billion just for pension and health benefits over the next four years. An extra $1 billion a year wont solve that problem and this is from eliminating tax incentives entirely. Even Murphy hasnt called for that. Its also worth noting that the number hes been blasting $11 billion in total tax credits promised over a span of more than a decade has not all actually been used by the companies. Of that, about $3.4 billion in credits have been spent. The rest could arguably be clawed back. And of course, we dont know how much of that $3.4 billion discount was wasted on companies that were bluffing us, and would have created the same jobs without any tax break. Wed get zero revenue if they decided not to locate here at all. One thing, however, is indisputable: While reforming tax incentives is crucial, we still need to make real, painful sacrifices to get our fiscal house in order. And the governor has proposed no plan to do that. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. By Whitney Strub President Donald Trump and his supporters hate socialism, that much we know. Whether its his friend Jair Bolsonaro, the newly inaugurated and scarily fascistic Brazilian president, declaring his nations liberation from socialism, or just his son Don Jr. making puerile tweets about taking away half of his daughters Halloween candy and offensive Instagram posts warning that freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising democratic-socialist star, will usher in an age of dog-eating, Team Trump leaves no doubt about its hostility. The president himself frequently denounces socialism, and last fall, the White House Council of Economic Advisers issued a scathing report, report, The Opportunity Costs of Socialism. None of this is worth taking seriously at an intellectual level; the 70-page report is full of inane attempts to link U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to such historical figures as Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong. It insinuates that somehow Medicare-for-all will repeat the tens of millions of deaths by starvation in Stalinist Russia. Even as scare tactics, this is a joke. In reality, cherry-picked examples from the worst of Soviet and Maoist authoritarianism tell us nothing about socialist politics here in New Jersey. Socialism is as broad a term as capitalism, but at its core, it is about working people benefiting from their own labor, and economic and political arrangements that ensure an equitable distribution of wealth and resources, in stark contrast to our current system that is glaringly skewed toward the wealthy. We can see variations on socialism from the famous 1913 Paterson silk strike to the 37 percent of New Jersey Democrats who supported democratic socialist Sanders in the 2016 presidential primary. Newark has a rich socialist tradition, dating to German immigrants of the 19th century, such as Mathilde Franziska Anneke, who knew Karl Marx in Europe before settling here and publishing the radical newspaper Newarker Zeitung with her husband, Fritz, in the 1850s. Later, Newark would become one of the central hubs of the Socialist Workers Party, a Trotskyist group formed specifically in opposition to Stalins version of communism. Member James Kutcher worked at the Veterans Administration office on Washington Park, and played a key role in stopping the Red Scare of the 1950s when anti-communist fervor resulted in his firing over his Socialist Workers Party membership. Another SWP member, Gladys Barker Grauer, was a civil rights activist who ran for the U.S. Senate in 1960 while living in Clinton Hill. She remains active as an artist in her 90s, including a recent show at Gallery Aferro. During the Black Power era, iconic leader (and the father of Newarks current mayor) Amiri Baraka endorsed Marxism-Leninism in 1974 as part of his internationalist anti-colonial politics. He helped inspire one of Newarks longest-running community organizations, the Peoples Organization for Progress, which longtime longtime leader Larry Hamm told me does not formally identify as socialist, but whose 1983 constitution supports a radical redistribution of power and wealth and a radical restructuring of our social system. What unites all of these groups is the fight for the rights of workers, women, African-Americans, immigrants and all marginalized and oppressed groups. I belong to the North New Jersey chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which has ballooned in membership since 2016 to over 50,000, becoming the largest socialist group of the past half-century. The projects we work on have nothing to do with Stalin or gulags, and everything to do with empathy and respect for all peoples humanity: free brake-light clinics because broken tail-lights endanger people of color and undocumented people by putting them at risk in police traffic stops; housing-justice programs such as assisting people facing eviction in knowing their rights; protesting Essex and Hudson counties contracts with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to assist in Trumps racist war on immigrants by detaining them for profit; and canvassing for Medicare-for-all. The Democratic Socialists of America is a big-tent organization of many beliefs and strategies, but its core principle is that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. This is an exciting moment for socialism, and Trumps team is right to be scared. When his advisers call Medicare-for-all similar in spirit to Lenin and Mao, the proper response is laughter. The American people know better. In the end, you can look at the work American socialists are doing in New Jersey with a commitment to the rights of workers, immigrants, LGBTQ people, women and all and judge socialism by its work rather than the grotesque memory of 20th-century communist authoritarianism. Or you could take the word of Trumps economic advisers? After all, chief adviser Larry Kudlow told us last summer that the national deficit was falling fact-check: it is doing precisely the opposite. So who would ever doubt them? Which side are you on? Whitney Strub is director of the Womens & Gender Studies Program and is an associate history professor at Rutgers University-Newark. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Chris Christie is not the only New Jersey political operative who figures prominently in a book to be published today. Theres also Kellyanne Conway. The Camden County native is a key character in Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House, a tell-all by a young Alabama political operative named Cliff Sims. He worked on the Trump campaign and then in the White House. The title is a sardonic reference to the Team of Rivals that Abraham Lincoln put together. Sims argues that the first two years of Trumps presidency were marked by infighting among his staffers, some of whom were Trump loyalists and some of whom were members of the Beltway Swamp that The Donald was supposed to drain. Sims places Conway firmly among the Swamp creatures. In an excerpt published in Vanity Fair, Sims says of Conway, she was a cartoon villain brought to life, the villain in question being Cruella DeVil of Disneys 101 Dalmations She seemed to be perennially cloaked in an invisible fur coat, casting an all-knowing smile, as if shed collected 98 Dalmatians with only 3 more to go, writes Sims. In his role as a communications adviser, Sims had a lot of contact with Conway. He recounts one incident in which she invited him to use her laptop, apparently unaware that her phones messages were visible on it. As he was writing a press release defending her against charges of leaking White House gossip, Sims writes, he watched on her laptop as she tapped out one message after another trashing her fellow staffers. Kellyanne was playing a double game putting a foot in both worlds telling Trump and his supporters on Fox one thing, while bad-mouthing them to the mainstream media in private, he writes. Prior to coming to the Trump campaign, Conway was a mainstream Republican of the Mitt Romney persuasion. But she convinced Trump that she had special insight into the womens vote and he named her campaign manager. All she managed was a string of unremarkable TV appearances, but that didnt stop Trump from naming her to a plum job as a White House advisor. That was all part of a transition that was an unmitigated disaster, as Sims put it in a recent TV appearance. Thats a point on which the Sims and Christie books seem to dovetail. If excerpts and interviews are any indication, Christies is dedicated to telling the reader how Trump got into this mess; Sims describes the mess. In his book Let Me Finish, Christie pins the blame for the bungled transition on first-son-in-law Jared Kushner, who held a grudge because as U.S. Attorney Christie had jailed his father Charles in a blackmail scandal. Christie blames Kushner for getting him booted from the job a mere three days after the election and after his team had prepared hundreds of resumes. That meant the administration had to start from scratch. We saw the result a revolving door of incompetents. Addressing that on one of the talk shows Sunday, Christie said the problem for the president has been at times, and especially the people he had around him in the beginning, were just not suited to be there. He faults the same cast of characters Sims does, people like Steve Bannon, Omarosa Manigault, Sean Spicer and so on. As Sims makes clear, these people were so busy pushing their own interests that no one paid attention to the presidents interests or the national interest. This is most apparent in the area of communications. As Sims documents, Trump is obsessive about how he appears on television. He spends hours every day watching how he is covered. This worked for him during the campaign, when he went over the heads of the talking heads and reached out directly to the voters. Once in office, however, he let his messaging get away from him. The recent debacle over the border offers a classic example. The actual funding he had requested, $5.7 billion, would have funded only an addition to the larger barrier erected under the bipartisan Secure Fence Act of 2006. That was supported by many of his Democratic opponents, including New York U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. Trump could have pointed that out, and accused his opponents of hypocrisy. Instead he made their point for them by casting his demand as fulfillment of his campaign promise to build a wall along the entire 2,000-mile border. It was nothing of the sort, but Trump kept pushing that right-wing promise he had no intention of keeping. Meanwhile, on his left he had Kushner insisting that the Democrats were ready to make a grand deal on comprehensive immigration reform, according to the Washington Post. They werent. Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knew they had Trump cornered and he had to cave. Theres going to be a lot more of that as long as Trump keeps taking advice from characters like Conway and Kushner. Id recommend he turn off the TV and read these two books. A woman kicked off 2019 by getting kicked off her United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark after ranting over having to sit between two big pigs, according to a video of the incident. On Jan. 1, the woman was recorded speaking on her cellphone complaining about being squished and that she couldnt move. The video was posted by Norma Rodgers, a New Jersey nurse, according to her Facebook, though it no longer appears publicly as of Wednesday. Versions of it still exist on Youtube. Oh my goodness, I dont know how Im going to do this for the next four hours, the blonde passenger can be heard saying. This is just impossible cause theyre squishing me. Like, friggin' just unbelievable. At least theyll keep me warm, the middle passenger says before hanging up the phone and beginning her public rant. The man to her right, identified as Mac in Rodgers' post, makes a comment that cannot be heard, to which the woman replies, Well, I eat salad. Rodgers then stops the flight attendant asking to find a new seat. Other passengers shame the ranting passenger for her attitude, starting a back-and-forth between several flyers. You should be ashamed of yourself maam. What youre doing is so terrible. You should be ashamed of yourself," a man can be heard shouting off-camera. Rodgers posted on her Facebook page thanking flight attendants, supervisors and gate agents for deescalating the situation on United flight 1583 professionally and calmly. She said in another post that the name calling began before the video, which is about 4 minutes long. United Airlines confirmed the woman was removed from the flight due to her behavior. United flight attendants care about the safety and well being of all of our customers which is why they acted quickly to find a different seat for the disruptive customer When it became clear that this passengers behavior was likely to be problematic on this flight, she was provided alternate travel arrangements first thing the next morning, spokesman Robert Einhorn said in a statement. The video has been viewed on YouTube more than 26,000 times and has more than 5,000 shares on Facebook. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Authorities on Monday asked for the publics help to find the assailant who shot a stray cat with an arrow at close range in South Jersey. The cat, named Audrey, had the arrow surgically-removed and is recovering at at the New Jersey Freedom Farm Animal Rescue, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office, which is trying to identify the attacker. Officials said the arrow was fired from a pistol compound crossbow or bolt-type weapon and left stuck in the injured animal. We believe someone knows who committed this senseless act of cruelty against an innocent animal, a statement from the prosecutors office said. Audrey appeared to be faring well after the shooting. She was set to have stitches and staples removed this week, the New Jersey Freedom Farm Animal Rescue posted on Facebook with a video of the Audrey wearing a cone and purring following a successful surgery. AUDREY UPDATE: MAY BE GRAPHIC TO SOME VIEWERS Its not really that graphic, just a little peek at how Audreys wound is healing up! Its healing nicely! She is so full of love She is so thankful for her second chance at life! We will find out who did this to this angel and we will seek justice for Audrey! Posted by Freedom Farm Animal Rescue on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 In a Jan. 16 post, the animal rescue group said the arrow pierced Audreys abdomen and chest cavity. Luckily for the feline, the arrow missed all of her major organs, according to the group. Our little miracle kitty is doing wonderful! Audrey is a fighter!!!, the rescue organization posted on social media. THIS CAT WAS SHOT WITH AN ARROW! $732 raised towards her $1,004 current bill. (UPDATE: We are at the vet now. The... Posted by Freedom Farm Animal Rescue on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 A veterinarian reported the arrow appeared to be from a toy weapon used for target practice and was likely shot at point blank range, according to the Freedom Farm Animal Rescue group. The prosecutors office said Audrey was likely shot around Jan. 12 near Main and Maple Avenue in Cedarville. Tomorrow morning Audrey goes back to the vet for a check up and to have her stitches and staples removed! Which means... Posted by Freedom Farm Animal Rescue on Sunday, January 27, 2019 Officials urged anyone with information to call Sgt. Francis Nolan at 856-453-0486, extension 11173, or sent tips via the prosecutors website at njccpo.org, or through an anonymous text message by sending 847411 with CCPOTIP and your tip in the message line. Meanwhile, Audrey was continuing to recover and will be up for adoption. More information is available from South Jersey Rescue at southjerseyrescue.com. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. In the days after Sarah Stern went missing, family gathered at her Neptune City home. It was there, outside in the front yard, that one of Sterns cousins found something interesting: a cellphone. The cousin, Meagan Barr, said on the witness stand Tuesday she knew the phone didnt belong to Sarah because her phone had distinct features. Authorities said they later learned that the phone belonged to Sterns alleged killer, Liam McAtasney. He had left it at the house after he strangled his childhood friend and stole about $9,000 in cash from her, according to authorities and testimony of his admitted accomplice. The accomplice, Preston Taylor, testified on the first day of the trial last week that McAtasney was frantic when he returned to the apartment they shared after he killed Stern because he lost his phone. He was more concerned about his phone than anything else, Taylor said on the witness stand. He was more concerned with the fact that he lost his phone than the fact that he told you he killed Sarah Stern? Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Decker asked Taylor. Yes, Taylor responded. Taylor testified that he was instructed by McAtasney to go to Sterns house, look for the missing phone and then remove her body from the home. He said he never found the phone. Barr, Sterns cousin, said Tuesday that she found a cellphone next to a walkway beside the driveway in front of Sterns home. She and another family member had gone outside to see if they could find any clues that would help them find Sarah, Barr said. I knew it wasnt Sarahs phone because she had a distinct phone, a green iPhone, Barr said. Ive seen her on it a million times. She said she picked up the phone and gave it to Sarahs dad, Michael. McAtasney, 21, of Neptune City, is accused of strangling Stern during a robbery at her house on Dec. 2, 2016. He, along with Taylor, drove Sterns body to the Route 35 bridge in Belmar and then dumped Sterns body in the Shark River to make it appear as if she committed suicide, Taylor has testified. Taylor accepted a plea deal in exchange to testify against McAtasney. He will get anywhere from 10 to 20 years in state prison. McAtasney is facing life in prison on the first-degree murder charge in the death of Stern. His attorney, Carlos Diaz-Cobo, has maintained his client is innocent and has called into question the veracity of Taylors testimony. Diaz-Cobo said its in Taylors best interest to provide testimony thats productive for the states case. The trial entered its third day on Tuesday. Prior to the lunch break, body-camera footage from the officers who first questioned McAtasney was played for the jury. Police had learned that McAtasney was the last person to be with Stern before she was reported missing. Do you have any idea where Sarah is? Neptune City police Sgt. Michael Kepler can be heard asking McAtasney pointedly. The resources that are out there right now looking for her, the amount of manpower if you know anything about where this girl is, you need to let us know. In the video, McAtasney told the officers that Stern had talked openly about killing herself in the past and that she had a rocky relationship with her father. He said Sarah also discussed moving to Canada. During his testimony last week, Taylor said McAtasney had instructed him to mention things to police that would make (Sarah Stern) look unstable, like that she was a closet lesbian. McAtasney also told police that he had lost his cellphone but he had purchased a new one. He told police the last time he remembers having his phone was when he was in the car with Sarah on Dec. 2, 2016. Later that evening, McAtasney also left work several times to rummage through his home looking for the phone, according to Taylor. Prosecutors played surveillance video footage from the steakhouse McAtasney worked at that showed him coming and going throughout his shift. Police told McAtasney not to activate the new phone because they were going to ping his existing phone to see if they could locate it. The police wanted to find it in case there were any messages from Stern, the officer said. Barr didnt testify as to whose phone she found but that she noticed it had a lot of missed calls. Later in the day Tuesday, the lead detective at the start of the investigation, Wayne Raynor, testified that Sterns family gave him McAtasneys phone. In an interview with McAtasney on Dec. 4, 2016, at his home in Neptune City, Raynor said McAtasney consented to a search of the phone. A search of the phone showed a missed call from Taylor at 11:52 p.m. on Dec. 2, Raynor said. He said he asked McAtasney why he would receive a call from Taylor at that time when McAtasney had told him earlier that they were together. McAtasney replied that he used Taylors phone to call his in an attempt to locate the missing phone, according to Raynor. The phone also had calls from Taylor at 5:06 p.m. and 5:09 p.m., and showed a phone call from McAtasney to Stern in the afternoon on Dec. 2. Raynor said McAtasney told him the call with Stern was from when they went to get Taco Bell together that day. Raynor said he also made other observations during his discussion with McAtasney, who was not a suspect at the time. McAtasney, he said, was calm, quiet and had a passive demeanor." He was upset with what was going on (with Sarah), Raynor said. Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The next Jersey City mayor's race is more than 1,000 days away, but Mayor Steve Fulop isn't waiting around to raise money for a potential third term. Fulop, 41, collected $324,085 from donors in the last four months, bringing his 2021 haul so far to $695,669, according to newly released campaign finance documents. Compare that to attorney Bill Matsikoudis, Fulop's sole opponent in 2017, who raised $382,572 for that campaign. Fulop's 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. "I'm thankful to see such strong support and I am continuing to work hard in moving Jersey City forward." Fulop's 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 City's 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 $12,500. Fourteen city employees gave $6,550 combined. He's not spending much, but he forked over $9,228 to Facebook and Twitter in the last three months of 2018 for "social media messaging." That's out of $32,529 spent. As of Jan. 14, Fulop had $524,093 in the bank. The mayor is a Democrat but 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 I'm 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 race. A 49-year-old Union City man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl who was less than 13 years old at the time of the abuse. Miguel Sagastume must serve more than 10 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. During Fridays sentencing in Jersey City, defense attorney Max Novel called Sagastumes behavior a single aberration. The only way I can describe his conduct is basically, a breakdown in humanity, Novel said. But Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karen Kazanchy disagreed. This was no an aberration," she said. "The child detailed numerous instances... Although the original allegations were extensive the indictment stated the abuse took place between 2008 and 2014 Sagastume only pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual assault. Under the sentence imposed by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez, he must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he can is eligible for parole. After his release, Sagastume will be subject to supervision for life under Megans Law and he has been ordered to have no contact or communication of any kind with the victim. JERSEY CITY Municipal workers are grumbling after Jersey City screwed up their paychecks for the second time in a row Friday. Some city workers received less than they were supposed to, some received no direct deposit at all and overtime went unpaid, according to workers who talked to The Jersey Journal. The city has roughly 3,300 full- and part-time employees. The citys spokeswoman blamed the problem on the city converting to a new payroll system. She denied that employee pay was affected, though an email the citys personnel director sent to city workers on Tuesday indicates otherwise. Julio Cordero Jr., president of the Jersey City Public Employees Union Local 246, told council members in an email Monday that they should investigate why the new system is not working properly. My union members, including myself, do not make a lot of money to have our paychecks be incorrect, Cordero said. Council President Rolando Lavarro told The Jersey Journal the council will look into the pay screw-up. Friday was the second pay day for city workers in 2019. The Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association told Mayor Steve Fulop in a Jan. 18 letter that "hundreds" of cops and firefighters had incorrect paychecks. "It now appears that the inability of the city to properly compensate employees is nothing short of gross incompetence," the letter reads. City spokeswoman Ashley Manz said any problems with the system are being corrected as quickly as possible. The new system is just that new, and as we roll out the system, we are closely monitoring every paycheck that is issued and employee pay has not been affected, Manz said. We strongly encourage employees to report any errors to HR immediately for review. The citys personnel director, Mark Bunbury, sent an email Tuesday thanking city workers for their patience and apologizing for any problems. Bunbury said the city intends to issue supplemental checks this week to anyone owed money. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:31 am After nearly 100 years of Masses, weddings and funerals, the Sacred Heart Parish in Morton held its final service Jan. 20, marking the end of a church that sprung up to serve the loggers and settlers who made some of the first forays into East Lewis County, and ministered to generations of residents from Mossyrock to Mineral to Packwood. It was bittersweet, said Father Jacob Maurer, the congregations leader for the past three and a half years. Looking out at the congregation, there were some tears welling up. The church formed in Morton in 1921, according to an online history published by Sacred Heart. Chancery officials in Seattle first set the churchs boundaries as the triangle between the summits of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. For nearly a century, residents of that mountain country came to Sacred Heart, and later to the other churches that formed in that part of the Cascades. Sacred Heart remained the hub for Catholics in East Lewis County, said Father Roger Smith, who led the parish for 30 years and still lives in the churchs rectory. Its been a presence in this community forever, he said. Some of the families, the grandparents came out here when it was pretty rugged. For all the churchs history, current realities made it difficult to sustain. The decline of the logging industry hurt the church as it did the rest of the region, leaving it with a dwindling congregation that was largely elderly. With many parishioners living on a fixed income, the church was facing financial struggles, and necessary roof repairs running into the six figures provided a final blow. Those issues combined with a shortage of priests led the Archdiocese of Seattle to make the decision to close the church. I told the the folks Im not happy either, but I understand, Smith said. It was a little bit smaller every year since they closed the woods (to logging). Youve got a situation where theres hardly any jobs for young people. We got down to the point where we were mainly older adults. Wed been struggling for awhile, but we managed to get through. The decision was made this summer by the Archdiocese to close the church, and Archbishop Peter Sartain made the trip from Seattle to be at the final service, Maurer said, preaching a homily about how God can use difficult moments for good. I was very, very grateful for the Archbishop to come out, he said. We had a lot of community members who showed up. It was a pretty full church that Sunday, which was lovely. Parishioners brought food and stayed after the service to visit one last time. Folks stuck around for an hour and traded memories and shared stories, Maurer said. Rhonda Krolczyk, a Mineral resident who has been attending Sacred Heart for 44 years, said the congregation meant a lot to the residents of East Lewis County. It was a church community that became a church family, she said. Some people had their sacraments there, had their children there, and their children had their sacraments there. For me, it was a feeling of, OK Im home. It felt really good to walk in. Krolczyk isnt sure where shes going to go next, and many Sacred Heart parishioners are facing the same dilemma. Some will go to St. Francis Xavier in Toledo, others to St. Yves in Harmony, others to Our Lady of Good Counsel in Eatonville. I grieve for losing my church, but its more than just that, she said. Im feeling like Ill never see some of these people again, and that really hurts my heart a lot. Maurer said the other parishes in the area are working to accommodate the influx of new members from Sacred Heart, knowing it will be a difficult adjustment for some. Sacred Heart averaged about 50 to 55 members at its services, he said. Maurer will continue to serve at the rest of Lewis Countys parishes. Even as were saying goodbye to the building, hopefully were building new bonds and new community, he said. Were just looking to offer as best we can a home for our fellow parishioners. Smith noted that the closure will be especially hard on parishioners from Packwood, who already had to drive a long way to attend services in Morton. Despite the closure, the Pastors Pantry food bank that operates at the parish will continue, Maurer said. The community has really rallied around it, he said. It has its own finances and support system. Its healthy, its doing well and it will continue in operation. JERSEY CITY Two male relatives of a woman who was just named a Jersey City police detective have been charged with assaulting one of ex-Mayor Jerramiah Healys sons last month by striking him with a piece of asphalt until he lost consciousness. One of the men, Anthony Sarmiento, has had at least one past run-in with the law when he was accused of stealing a car in Bayonne and driving it while drunk in 2016. The most recent incident occurred on Dec. 28 at about 3 a.m. at Healy's Tavern, the Newark Avenue bar run by Healy's sons. Patrick Healy told police that when he wouldnt let Anthony, 22, and Giann Sarmiento, 32, into the bar after closing, one of them punched the front window of the bar until it cracked, according to a law enforcement source. Healy followed the two men in his car and caught up to them at nearby Waldo Avenue, where he demanded they pay for the broken window, according to a criminal complaint. The men started punching Healy and one picked up a large piece of asphalt rock and hit Healy in the back of the head with it, the complaint says. Healy told police he did not remember what occurred after that but believes the men continued to strike him, according to the complaint. He was brought to Jersey City Medical Center and six staples were put in his head, the complaint says. The Sarmientos, who live in Jersey City, were charged with aggravated assault, weapons possession and criminal mischief, while the older man was charged additionally with simple assault and contempt, according to city spokeswoman Ashley Manz. It is not clear how the two are related. One source who knows Anthony Sarmiento told The Jersey Journal that his aunt is Melissa Sarmiento, who was promoted to detective just one week before the attack. She was formerly the community relations officer for the citys north district. The source said she is the one who brought Anthony Sarmiento into custody. Requests for comment from the Sarmientos were not returned. Jerramiah Healy told The Jersey Journal that his son is doing good. It will be investigated in due course, he said. Well let it run through the system." Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Ana Lagundis days of walking by herself to and from church are over. The 87-year-old from Jersey City said she no longer feels safe after she was viciously attacked by two men on Saturday as she walked back to her Country Village home from evening Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Parish. Suddenly, the person pushed me and punched me. And then I fell down," Lagundi told The Jersey Journal on Monday from inside her home. And as I fell down, they gripped me again. They got my purse, and after that they ran away. Lagundi, who attends Mass daily, usually has a companion join her for the 10-minute walk home from church. But she was by herself Saturday evening at around 6:30 p.m. when the two muggers approached her at the bottom of the staircase at the foot of Gates Avenue near McGovern Park. Lagundi said they punched her in the face multiple times, leaving her with a black and swollen eye, some bruises on her forehead and a swollen lip. When Lagundi yelled for help, her attackers muffled her screams, she said. I am shouting. I am shouting, but they gripped me and punched me. They gripped my mouth," she added as tears welled in her eyes while her granddaughter, Luhanne Malagad, rubbed her back to comfort her. Disoriented after the attack, Lagundi said she grabbed the staircase railing to help herself up but saw no one around to aid her. I (was) trembling. I (was) trembling, she said. " I (couldnt) walk .... I (didnt) know my way home. I (was) confused," adding that even though her home was close, she still had difficulty finding her way back. I was scared ... but I pushed through my way, she added. Her family and other residents noted the area where the attack took place attracts rowdy crowds. And while a surveillance camera had previously been positioned nearby, it was removed a few weeks ago, one neighborhood resident said. However, as of Monday afternoon, police video surveillance cameras returned near the staircase. While a city spokeswoman did not return a request for comment on the assault, the city announced Monday the installation of 42 new CCTV cameras in 11 high-crime areas, bringing the city-wide total to 208. The Gates Avenue staircase was not included on the list of 11 crime hot spots. During the time the camera was in place, we had very few issues," said Noel Garriga, who lives near Lagundi and represents the neighborhood as a Hudson County Democratic Organization committee person. Once that camera was taken, all these incidents, including quality of life issues, just shot up. Garriga added the setting was the perfect formula for a mugging." It was just dark. No camera. And you find a little, old petite woman with a pocketbook walking. So they took advantage of her. He noted that the camera is an effective deterrent because it keeps people away. One resident said, Thank God, the camera is back, but she added that vandalism is a given" and that what happened to the woman was unnerving and scary. This area is really bad, especially by the park, another resident said, adding that he sees people smoking marijuana. Thats a park. They shouldnt be allowed to smoke there. Its a childrens area." The resident said having the camera back makes him feel safer, adding that it might not stop the activity that happens at the park, it would at least deter assaults like the one that left Lagundi wounded and frightened. I forgive them (the attackers), and I pray they dont do it again, Lagundi said. I hope the Lord guides them to the right way. A 40-year-old man was arrested early Sunday morning in Jersey City after stabbing a pair of men with a knife following an argument, authorities said. Daniel Cintron was charged with weapons offenses and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury after the incident on Palisade Avenue. Jersey City spokeswoman Ashley Manz said police arrived at Christ Hospital at 3:20 a.m. where the two victims ages 23 and 33 years old had been taken for treatment. They were then transferred to Jersey City Medical Center in stable condition. Manz said a witness told police the incident took place on Palisade Avenue near Christ Hospital, although details on the confrontation were not provided. A traffic stop in Newark late Monday led to a police chase that ended in gunfire with officers wounding two people in the car, authorities said. The incident occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. after Newark police officers tried to stop the vehicle in which a handgun was observed in the area of Bergen Street and Springfield Avenue, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Catherine Adams said in an email early Tuesday. A pursuit ensued and shots were fired, Adams said. Two suspects were injured and a loaded semiautomatic handgun was found in the car. ABC-7 reported the shots were fired on Irvine Turner Boulevard. The injured were taken to University Hospital in Newark with unknown injuries, according to ABC-7. The identities of the wounded were not released. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Essex County Prosecutors Office announced that a Newark man has died after being shot by a Newark police officer following a car chase on Monday evening. The driver, Gregory Griffin, 46, died this afternoon at University Hospital, according to a press release from the Essex County Prosecutors Office. The passenger, Andrew J. Dixon, 35, is currently listed in critical condition. The men were at Clinton Avenue and Thomas Street around 11:20 p.m. on Monday when Newark police attempted to pull them over, said Katherine Carter, the prosecutors spokeswoman. Officers tried to stop the vehicle in which a handgun was observed, said Catherine Adams, a spokeswoman for the citys Department of Public Safety. Police began the pursuit after the driver of the vehicle refused to pull over, and shots were fired at the vehicle by an officer at three separate locations, Carter said. The mile-long pursuit ended in the area of Irvine Turner Boulevard near Kinney Street. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was found in the suspects car, prosecutors say. The investigation by the county prosecutors office is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the offices Professional Standards Bureau at 862-520-3700. Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ladtytiamoyo. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A Brick man made child pornography inside his former home in Jackson in early 2015, posing naked with children who appeared to be less than 1-year-old, federal authorities alleged in court papers. Sebastien Attar, 34, is charged with two counts of child sexual exploitation for the material that federal agents allege they found during a March 2018 search at his Brick home, an FBI agent wrote in a criminal complaint. On computer equipment, agents found multiple images that they say Attar self produced. The complaint describes two images in which Attar allegedly appears naked with children. The images are from March and April 2015, and one was taken in a former home in Jackson. Attar was arrested on Jan. 24 at a car dealership in Wall Township and consented to being jailed during an appearance in federal court in Trenton the following day. Hes currently at the Monmouth County jail in Freehold Township. Last year, Attar was indicted by federal authorities in Atlanta, Georgia along with seven other men on child pornography accusations. In that case, Attar appeared in federal court in Trenton and was set free on $100,000 bond secured by a relatives home in Somerset County. Attar was put on home detention, and some of his relatives had to surrender their passports. Attars lawyer in both cases, David Jay Glassman, did not immediately return a massage seeking comment. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Japan Data A roundup of political funding revenues for Japanese parties in 2017. A 2017 report on political funding income and expenditure published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications shows that the Liberal Democratic Party came top for the fifth consecutive year for political party income with an amount of 25.8 billion, an increase of 7% from 2016. Following the LDP were the Japanese Communist Party, Komeito, and the former Democratic Party. Political Party Income and Expenditure in 2017 (billion) Income Expenditure Liberal Democratic Party 25.9 25.8 Japanese Communist Party 21.3 21.5 Komeito 12.1 13.9 Former Democratic Party 9.0 12.5 Party of Hope 2.1 1.8 Nippon Ishin no Kai 1.8 1.6 Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan 1.3 5.2 Social Democratic Party 0.9 1.1 Liberal Party 0.5 0.3 Total 74.7 78.9 Compiled by Nippon.com based on data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications political funding report. The total overall revenue for political parties was 74.6 billion, with party state funding accounting for 42% or 31.3 billion of that. Excluding the JCP, which refuses to accept these government subsidies and is calling for their abolishment, parties dependence on state funding was more than 58.7%. Parties shown to be highly dependent were the former DP with 87.2% dependency, the Liberal Party with 83.5%, and the LDP with 68.1%. Donations accounted for approximately 10% of the LDPs income. Payments to the LDPs fund management organization The Peoples Political Association amounted to 2.8 billion. The top contributing corporations and industrial bodies were Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japan Iron and Steel Federation, and Japan Electrical Manufacturers Association. In addition to JAMA, a number of individual automobile manufacturers donated large amounts, including 64.4 million from Toyota, 37 million from Nissan, and 30.6 million from Subaru. JAMA and its member companies alone donated more than 300 million. Meanwhile, among lobbying groups, one donation that particularly stood out was 200 million from the Japan Medical Association. Top 20 Corporation/Industrial Body Donations to The Peoples Political Association Corporation/Organization Donations ( million) 1 Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association 80.4 2 Japan Iron and Steel Federation 80.0 3 Japan Electrical Manufacturers Association 77.0 4 Toyota 64.4 5 Toray 50.0 6 Petroleum Association of Japan 50.0 7 Canon 40.0 8 Real Estate Companies Association of Japan 40.0 9 Nissan 37.0 10 Sumitomo Chemical 36.0 11 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal 35.0 12 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 33.0 13 Nomura Holdings 32.0 14 Subaru 30.6 15 Daiwa Securities Group 30.0 16 Japan Prefabricated Construction Suppliers and Manufacturers Association 30.0 17 Hitachi 28.5 18 Panasonic 28.5 19 Mitsui & Co. 28.0 20 Mitsubishi Corporation 28.0 Compiled by Nippon.com based on data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications political funding report. (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo Jiji.) President Xis Second Term: Prospects for Japan-China Relations President Xi Jinpings bid for unchecked power got a critical boost last spring, with the enactment of a constitutional amendment that repeals term limits and other important safeguards adopted in 1982, in the wake of the Cultural Revolution. Suzuki Ken, an expert in Chinese law, analyzes this historic shift from the Deng Xiaoping Constitution of 1982 to the Xi Jinping Constitution of 2018. On March 11, 2018, China amended its constitution for the first time in 14 years, overturning key constitutional reforms adopted under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. In the following, I take a look at the amendments highlights and discuss their implications for Chinas political future. Drafted in Secrecy, Rubber-Stamped Constitutional amendments to the Chinese constitution take the form of new articles describing additions or revisions to the existing text. The 1982 constitution has undergone four previous amendments, comprising a total of 31 articles. The latest amendment, submitted in March 2018 by the Communist Party of China (on the basis of a resolution adopted at the partys National Congress the previous October) and rubber-stamped by the National Peoples Congress, added another 21 articles. Among these are changes that run roughshod over the intent of the constitutions framers and in some cases overturn its core principles. Although submitted to the NPC with the assurance that it involves no major changes, the amendment has for all intents and purposes repealed the Deng Xiaoping constitution of 1982 and replaced it with the Xi Jinping constitution of 2018. The drafting of the amendment proposal was conducted in a black box from start to finish. It is widely assumed that this secrecy was motivated by concerns that public discourse would fuel internal opposition to repeal of the presidential term limit. On January 18, 2018, human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng published an open letter to the CPC Nineteenth National Congress calling for constitutional reforms. He was detained early the next day and subsequently kept under residential surveillance. Yus letter called for deletion of the constitutions preamble, multicandidate presidential elections, elimination of the post of chairman of the Central Military Commission, and abolition of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference. His immediate seizure sent a clear message that the party leadership would tolerate no public debate regarding the document that confers legal legitimacy on Chinas one-party system. Highlights of the 2018 Amendment Solidification of One-Party Rule One highlight of the recent amendment, as it happens, is a change that buttresses the constitutional basis for one-party rule by inserting the following declaration into article 1, paragraph 2: The defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China. In previous versions of the 1982 constitution, references to the party and its leadership role appeared only in the preamble, in a historical context or in conjunction with basic guiding principles. By contrast, both the 1975 constitution (enacted in the midst of the Cultural Revolution) and the constitution of 1978 (adopted after the Cultural Revolution but before Deng Xiaopings reforms had taken hold) spelled out the partys leadership role in the main body, which has the force of law. Article 2 of the 1978 constitution stated, The Communist Party of China is the core of leadership of the whole Chinese people. The working class exercises leadership over the state through its vanguard, the Communist Party of China. But the committee charged with drafting the 1982 constitution made the bold decision to remove such references from the main body, arguing that a legal provision requiring the people to defend and support the party right or wrong was tantamount to yi dang zhi guo, using the party to rule the state.(*1) In this regard, the latest amendment is a throwback to the 1975 and 1978 versions of the constitution. In his keynote address at the NPCs closing meeting, Xi Jinping (whose reelection by the legislature was never in doubt) repeatedly underscored the political authority of the party. Party, government, military, civilian, and academic, north, south, east, west, and center, the Party leads everything, he declared, borrowing directly from the rhetoric of Mao Zedong. Immediately after the sessions close, the CPCs Central Committee released a Plan for Deepening Reform of Party and State Institutions that called for merging a wide array of state and party organs. Viewed in this context, the new provision on the partys essential role suggests not merely an endorsement of the CPCs authority but a fundamental shift toward integration of party and state. It signals a repudiation of the policy of separating government and party functions, as embraced by Chinese leaders during the period of reform and opening, and a return to preCultural Revolution notions of vanguardism as a justification for single-party dictatorship. Abrogation of Term Limits Another key change was the elimination of term limits for the presidency and vice-presidency. Article 79 previously stated, The term of office of the President and Vice-President of the Peoples Republic of China is the same as that of the National Peoples Congress, and they shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. The amended provision eliminates the second clause. The move quickly received support from the Xi regimes scholars-in-waiting on the grounds of consistency in the context of Chinas trinity system, in which one leader occupies the three posts of party general secretary, president, and chair of the Central Military Commission. There were no term limits on key leadership posts prior to 1982. But in drafting the 1982 constitution, Deng Xiaopings circle made a point of imposing a two-term limit on all but the chair of the Central Military Commission. They saw this provision as the centerpiece of a systemic reform aimed at preventing a repeat of the tragic excesses of the Cultural Revolution, a product of the personality cult and dictatorship of Mao Zedong. Through term limits, the 1982 constitution instituted a system that guaranteed a change in Chinas leadership every 10 years and prevented the excessive concentration of power in the hands of any single individual. In a 2012 essay, written to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the 1982 charter, constitutional scholar Liu Songshan called the abolition of lifetime appointments for top state leaders a historic reform of Chinas political system and a fundamental change whose positive impact and progressive significance cannot be overstated.(*2) By repealing the presidential term limit, the latest constitutional amendment has made it possible for Xi Jinping to remain Chinas supreme leader as long as he so desires. In effect, it heralds an end to the era of collective leadership and sets the stage for a return to individual autocracy. Wang Qishans appointment as vice-president takes on particular significance in this context. Wang, who has long acted as Xis right-hand man, stepped down from his position in the Politburo Standing Committee last October, in accordance with longstanding custom. Ordinarily, this would have signaled his retirement from public affairs. Now he is positioned to fill the number-two slot for life. Han Dayuan, president of the Chinese Constitutional Law Society, contributed a piece on this subject to the November 2017 issue of the Chinese law journal Fa Xue. The article, which appeared after the amendment process was well underway, warned against eliminating term limits for top leaders. Han called term limits a key feature of the 1982 constitution and an important contribution to Chinas political development, explaining that it functioned to prevent the rise of personality cults and the excessive concentration of power in the hands of a single individual, replacing rule by the individual with rule by the law. Although his warnings went unheeded, his courage and integrity as a scholar are to be applauded. Rise of the Supervisory Commissions The recent amendment included important changes to Chapter 3, the Structure of the State, in the form of four new articles (123127) pertaining to the establishment of a central State Supervisory Commission to oversee anticorruption efforts, supported by local supervisory commissions at various levels. In terms of sheer volume (number of provisions and their word count) these provisions constitute the bulk of the constitutional changes approved last March. The State Supervisory Commission is not obligated to report directly to the National Peoples Congress, theoretically the highest organ of state. This places it above such lofty entities as the State Council, the Supreme Peoples Court, and the Supreme Peoples Procuratorate. Prior to the March session of the NPC, the government had already drafted legislation outlining the powers and organization of the new apparatus. The NPC approved the Supervision Law on March 20, and it went into effect immediately. The establishment of the supervisory commissions is an epoch-making reform that fundamentally alters Chinas governing structure by establishing a separate power apparatus parallel to the administrative and judicial branches. The amended constitution, together with the 67 articles of the Supervision Law, gives this new apparatus extraordinary power over the fate of Chinas public servants, subjected to few legal constraints. We are witnessing the birth to a new and powerful yet strangely amorphous organ of the state. Enshrinement of Xi Jinping Thought The distinctive political doctrines embraced by the Communist Party figure conspicuously in the Chinese constitution, which has accumulated more ideological baggage with each amendment. In this respect, the most important change wrought by the 2018 amendment was the inclusion of Xi Jinping thought as one of the states guiding ideologies. To Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, and the important thought of Three Represents have been added the Scientific Outlook on Development and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Xi Jinping now has the distinction of being the first Chinese leader ever to have his theories enshrined in the constitution during his own lifetime. Xi Jinping Thought was adopted as a fundamental doctrine of the CPC at the partys National Congress last October. In no time, educational and research programs dedicated to Xi Jinping Thought were popping up around the country. The theorys inclusion in the constitution, billed as the centerpiece of the 2018 amendment, is a milestone in Xis relentless campaign to amass individual prestige and power. Implications of the 2018 Amendment Turning the Clock Back to 1978 Chastised by the abuses of the Cultural Revolution, the drafters of the 1982 constitution undertook what were then groundbreaking reforms. Anxious to prevent excessive concentration of power and avert the rise of another dictator, they moved the principle of leadership by the Communist Party from the main body to the preamble and set a 10-year limit on the tenure of the president. The 2018 amendment rejects those changes and turns the clock back to the prereform era. In fact, where the power of the Communist Party is concerned, the current wording of article 1 goes even further than the 1975 and 1978 constitutions. By calling the leadership of the Communist Party of China the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, it establishes one-party rule as an end in itself, as opposed to a means for achieving some distant goal. Strengthening One-Party Totalitarianism Xi Jinpings above-mentioned declaration of the partys supremacyParty, government, military, civilian, and academic, north, south, east, west, and center, the Party leads everythingalso makes an appearance in the Central Committees Plan for Deepening Reform of Party and State Institutions. The fact is that the Communist Party already dominates virtually every sector and institution of society. It controls not only the legislative, administrative, and judicial branches of government but also the military, academia (universities, research institutes, and think tanks), and the private sector (businesses and not-for-profit organizations alike). In China, the party-state apparatus characteristic of Soviet-style socialism has evolved further, toward a kind of one-party totalitarianism. The recent amendment to the constitution ratifies the current reality and signals an intent to take that control to the next level. The supervisory commissions are one means to that end. Another is the merger of party and state organs under the Plan for Deepening Reform of Party and State Institutions, which is already moving forward, though it has yet to be legislated. The Communist Party has long functioned as a shadow government, manipulating each government agency through a corresponding party organ. Now, in the name of efficiency and stronger party leadership, it is aiming to erase the boundaries between party and state completely. Revival of Mao-Style Personalist Rule But the overriding thrust of the 2018 amendment is the legitimization of Xi Jinpings own autocratic ambitions. As amended, the Chinese constitution is tailor-made for a lifetime dictator. The revival of lifetime presidential tenure opens the door for the kind of personalistic authoritarianism that prevailed under Mao Zedong. With authority thus concentrated in the hands of a single individual, the law becomes little more than an expedient, a tool to be applied (or not) according to the interests or whims of the individual in power. The 2018 amendment has set China on a path that leads ever farther from the ideals of modern constitutional government and ever closer to absolute monarchy. (Originally published in Japanese on June 6, 2018. Banner photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a meeting of delegates from Shandong province during the March 2018 session of the thirteenth National Peoples Congress in Beijing. Xinhua/Aflo.) Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2019 9:49 am A musical event offered monthly at the Twin Cities Senior Center is a great way to help make money to keep local seniors centers operating. But another, perhaps more important, mission for the event is to make the senior centers relevant to the Southwest Washington community, said Mindie Dunham, executive program assistant for the Lewis County Seniors. This is something for the whole community, Dunham said. We dont want to be just tapping into the seniors because we want the community to see this as something they might enjoy or want to come and get involved. We want to make the community aware of us. Lewis County Seniors was incorporated about a year ago when the countys senior centers became self-supporting entities, losing $375,000 in annual funding from Lewis County. The non-profit Lewis County Seniors manages and supports the operation of five local senior centers and one nutrition site. Dunham explained that similar to their operations under the countys funding, the sites provide myriad benefits for seniors including: nutritious and inexpensive meals, classes, activities and the chance to socialize with other seniors. It helps them to not be alone and not be lonely, which are two different things, Dunham said. Lewis County Seniors held its first major fundraiser supporting the senior centers, A Night of Magic, in October 2018. The event netted more than $10,000 in donations toward operational costs for their site. The Second Time Around thrift store in Chehalis was also founded about a year ago to create a steady revenue stream for Lewis County Seniors. Dunham said she does not know how much that thrift store has made so far but that it has been a great boost for the nonprofit. I know it was more than we had ever expected, Dunham said. Monthly music and dinner events are intended to become another regular stream of income for the senior centers. Held the first Saturday of each month, they feature music by the local band Prairie Fire. Headed by Robie Carter, owner of the Picky Puppy in Centralia, Prairie Fire was involved in a monthly bluegrass show at the Oakview Grange in Centralia last year. Those shows are no longer going on, so Carter said when the band members were asked to become the regular band at the Twin Cities Senior Center, they were thrilled to have a new project. Theyre allowing us to do our music and its a fundraiser for the seniors, which is great, Carter said. Prairie Fire has made some changes both in membership as well as instrumentation in the past year. The group previously played only bluegrass but now offers both bluegrass music and classic rock and roll such as Buddy Holly tunes, Carter explained. Its a whole new band with a whole new sound, Carter said. The monthly musical events take place at the Twin Cities Senior Center next to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. Prairie Fire will provide music from 4-5 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner is served at 5 p.m. with a rotating menu each month. Admission to the event is by donation. Cost for dinner is $6 per person. Proceeds from the events benefit general operations for the sites managed by Lewis County Seniors. Dunham added that she hopes the events, which are open to the general public, will be a draw for members of the community who may not yet be aware of the senior centers. She noted that many of the seniors who take advantage of the offerings at the centers also volunteer their time to make sure the centers have the manpower they need. Dunham said they hope welcoming the public to come enjoy an evening of dinner and music may garner more attendees and more volunteers in the future. We want to get the community coming in and getting involved instead of relying just on the seniors, she said. Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:19 am A Puyallup man was charged with a single count of first-degree animal cruelty after authorities said he illegally shot and killed a cougar back in 2016. Kevin K. McDougal, 29, was placed on $5,000 unsecured bail after appearing to a hearing out of custody in Lewis County Superior Court Friday afternoon. According to a probable cause affidavit, during an interview with a detective, McDougal said he had been driving in Lewis County on the evening of June 18, 2016, when he saw a cougar from his vehicle. It was about an hour and a half after dark at that time. He said he shot the cougar and that it ran for about 30 yards before it died, according to court documents. Killing a cougar after dark is illegal, read documents. Additionally, documents allege McDougal reported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that he shot the cat on June 20, 2016, rather than June 18. The charge was filed on Jan. 10. He appeared in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday afternoon after being served a summons, and was placed on $5,000 unsecured bail, according to court documents meaning he will remain out of custody as his case is tried as long as he follows conditions of release. McDougal has an arraignment hearing on Feb. 7. NEW HAVEN Three Superior Court judges Tuesday found Joel Alexander guilty of felony murder in the shooting death of Durell Law five years ago. Alexander, 26, of Russell Street, who had exercised his right to be tried by a three-judge panel rather than by a 12-person jury, also was found guilty of attempted first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery and carrying a pistol without a permit. The three judges who heard the case Jon Alander, Melanie Cradle and Jon Blue ruled unanimously that Alexander was guilty on the felony murder count. Because Alander was the presiding judge, he alone ruled on the three other charges. Alander, flanked by the other two judges, announced the verdicts Tuesday morning. There was muted reaction in the courtroom among Alexanders family and other supporters, nor did he show much reaction. Laws family members decided not to be there but they will have a chance to give statements March 26 when Alexander is sentenced. The prosecutors alleged Alexander conspired with Damarquis Gray, Thomaine Riddick and Arik Fraser to rob Law, 20, outside the Fairways apartments on the afternoon of Jan. 20, 2014, and that in the course of the robbery attempt Law was killed (by Gray). Gray was convicted of felony murder in Laws shooting death and is awaiting sentencing. Riddick and Fraser have cases pending on charges of felony murder. In the written decision memorandum he read aloud in court, Alander noted that in order to convict Alexander of felony murder, the state had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Alexander, acting with others, attempted a robbery and that Gray caused Laws death while in the course of and in furtherance of attempted robbery. We unanimously conclude, based on the evidence presented, that the state has proved beyond a reasonable doubt each of these elements, Alander said. Alander said the three judges concluded the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Durell Law was shot and killed by Gray when he tried to flee an attempt by Gray, the defendant (Alexander) and others to rob him of his property. Alander noted the judges determined that the testimonies of two key states witnesses were credible. Alander cited a witness stating Alexander was on a porch near the shooting scene with the co-defendants shortly before the crime. The witness testified he overheard Alexander tell the others that Law had an iPhone and money and suggested they rob him. The witness also reported Alexander said he had a baby 9, slang for a 9 mm handgun. Alander cited testimony by another witness who reported seeing Alexander hand a gun to Fraser. The witness quoted Alexander telling Fraser: That boy gonna get clapped. In addition, Alander recalled that one of the states witnesses testified he saw Alexander hand a gun to Gray and say to him: Are you ready? Gray reportedly replied: Lets go and Alexander pointed to Law while saying Lets go do it. One of the witnesses said Alexander told Law: Run these sneakers, meaning to give them up. Alander recounted this witness account of what happened next: Alexander, Gray, Riddick and Fraser surrounded Law and one or more of them reached into Laws pockets. Riddick punched Law. A struggle ensued. Law punched or pushed Gray and turned to run away, whereupon Gray shot Law in the back, killing him. Alander stated in the decision: The same evidence that supports the defendants conviction for felony murder also establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crimes of criminal attempt to commit robbery in the first degree and conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree. On the charge of carrying a pistol without a permit, Alander noted both the defense and prosecution agreed Alexander did not have a permit to carry a weapon and was seen by witnesses possessing one. Defense attorney Dan Baker, who had asserted in his closing arguments last week that the states two witnesses provided inconsistent testimony, said Tuesday he had no comment on the verdicts. Assistant States Attorney Lisa DAngelo, who prosecuted the case with Senior Assistant States Attorney Michael Pepper, also declined to comment. randall.beach@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN A local social activist has brought a lawsuit against three police officers and one sergeant over her arrest in 2017. Officers Jonathan Lambe, Sal Ricci and Stephen Perry and Sgt. M Jackson are named in a lawsuit filed Jan. 11 that alleges they wrongfully arrested Barbara Fair during a protest on the Green in July 2017. When the white nationalist group Proud Boys came to protest on the Green, they were met by counter-protesters in an incident that devolved into chaos. Four people were taken into custody by New Haven police that day, including Fair, who was released on scene. Fairs suit describes her arrest. After Fair finished speaking with a member of the Proud Boys group, Officer Jonathan Lambe approached Fair from behind, putting his hands on her asking her to move, according to the lawsuit. Fair said she was moving and when she began to turn around and walk away, Lambe placed her under arrest, at which point officers Ricci and Perry grabbed her, the suit alleges. Then Jackson ordered Perry, Ricci and Lambe to take her to the ground, the suit alleges. After handcuffing Fair, the officers placed Fair in a police car. She was released that afternoon with a criminal charge in hand. The actions of the Defendants constitute a false arrest of the Plaintiff as she was unlawfully and forcibly detained without probably cause that an offense had been committed, according to the lawsuit. Fair is suing on counts of battery, assault and false arrest. They continue this practice of excessive force and continue to hide behind their policy, Fair said. This is the only way I can hold them accountable. Part of the settlement would be that acknowledgment and I want to change that broad policy. I had done absolutely nothing. Fair was charged with interfering with police a class A misdemeanor but the charge eventually was nolled and dismissed, according to the suit. Her nephew DraMese Fair, who also was arrested that day, had his charges of interfering with police and disorderly conduct dismissed, as well. Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, according to Connecticut General Statutes. Fair said in the midst of the protests, people were throwing smoke bombs, paint bombs and being otherwise aggressive, while she was standing among a crowd talking to one of the Proud Boys protesters. From the time of Fairs arrest until the charges were dismissed, she attended numerous court appointments, causing her emotional distress and a disruption of her life, the suit alleges. During that time, people came to support Fair also calling for the charges to be dismissed. People knew I had nothing to do with this, Fair said. Police probably made the assumption that I organized it because I do organize a lot of protests so thats why they picked me out. The people around knew I had nothing to do with it. Fair said she wouldnt have been near the protest if it werent for her son and daughter being there. Fair is seeking money and punitive damages more than $15,000 and any other relief the court deems appropriate, the suit says. Fair said she will amend the complaint to also name the City of New Haven as a responsible party. The city is responsible because theyre over the police department, she said. The city is definitely responsible. Im not really interested in accountability from the officers, but from the city and the chief because I want the system to change and it starts with the excessive force policy. The police departments use-of-force policy allows officers to use only the amount of force necessary and reasonable to control a situation, effect an arrest, overcome resistance to arrest or defend themselves or others from harm, according to the departments general orders. Body cameras werent issued to New Haven officers until November 2017. Video footage taken by a former Register reporter covering the event shows part of Fairs arrest. mdignan@hearstmediact.com Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:10 am A 10-year-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a minivan on US 101 near Oyster Bay Road, according to the Washington State Patrol. The driver did not stop. Troopers are now looking for a silver or cream-colored minivan. Griffin Fire Department Chief John Wood said the boy was later flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Griffin and McLane/Black Lake fire department were both dispatched to the incident. A spokeswoman for Harborview said the boy is in critical condition. About 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the vehicle was headed north on US 101 in lane two of the highway. The boy, according to the state patrol, also was in lane two. After the vehicle hit the boy, he wound up on the right shoulder of the road. The driver continued north. The road was blocked for two hours and 40 minutes, according to the state patrol. Brian Zahn / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN The Wethersfield Board of Education voted last week to hire Rosalyn Bannon, principal of Barnard School, to fill a principalship vacancy at one of its middle schools. Bannon transferred from West Rock STREAM Academy before this academic year following the retirement of former Principal Belinda Carberry. The school has a recent history of principal changes including the current principal of West Rock, Yolanda Jones-Generette, who left her position in 2016 after a no-confidence vote from staff. HAMDEN In the next three years, the town will explore making broadband Internet available to all, expanding the sewer system in northern Hamden, and preparing residents to be part of the modern workforce as it follows the Comprehensive Economic Development Plan recently approved by the Legislative Council. Dale Kroop, town director of economic development and neighborhood revitalization, told the council that he and the Economic Development Commission were hoping to set the stage for Hamdens future economy with the report. Were thinking of Hamden in 2030, not 2019, said Kroop. Were trying to map the town we want to be not the town we are in 2019. The towns retail base is strong, with a low vacancy rate; the industrial market, while not as sizable as those in surrounding communities, is stable, Kroop said in the report. Along with office space, 12.4 percent of such properties currently are vacant in Hamden, while the regional average is greater than 20 percent, according to the report. The town government is planning to continue working to bolster these sectors of the communitys economy, as well as offer tax incentives, according to the report. Retaining and expanding town businesses is the primary objective in the next three years, according to the report. But, in terms of potentially transformational ideas, Kroop told the council the town intends to pursue feasibility studies for making broadband Internet access available for all town residents, which would be particularly important for younger residents. Thats transformational. I have two young adults at home a 20-year-old and a 22-year-old and Im wondering whether theyre going to want to stay in Hamden in 10 years, and whether theyre going to have a business of their own, said Kroop. And what theyre going to want is high-speed broadband. That is the generational shift. The town also is exploring the idea of expanding the sewer system in the commercial corridor of northern Hamden with a working group. The sewer currently stops at Mount Carmel Avenue, Kroop said. While the sewer system is owned by the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority an added bit of complexity increasing development in that part of town could be significant, he said. We have a lack of available property, and severely underutilize whats to the north of Mount Carmel Avenue, said Kroop. Will we definitely do sewers? I dont know. But were going to look at the financial feasibility. Other ideas to be considered include: developing the towns use of opportunity zones, bettering the towns energy use, and helping inform residents about the professional opportunities of the future, he said. To that end, the town this year is planning to hold the Workforce Development Series of workshops, hoping to provide information about training opportunities. The report also includes a variety of statistical information about the current state of Hamden. Among other information, it notes that health care is the fastest-growing source of jobs in the county, with the number of such jobs in Hamden growing from 3,391 in 2016 to 4,140 in 2017; that the unemployment rate in Hamden, overall, was 4.3 percent in 2017 0.7 percent lower than the county average; and that the gap between the poorest and wealthiest areas of Hamden is growing sharply, as the difference in the highest and lowest median income, by neighborhood, has nearly doubled over approximately five years from $41,945 to $77,704 in 2016. The complete report has been posted for public consideration here. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN Republicans representing Amity Regional School District in the states House of Representatives announced their opposition this week to a bill introduced in the Senate to regionalize some of Connecticuts school districts. Senate Bill 454, proposed by state Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, instantly was controversial once it was introduced this session as the latest attempt by a lawmaker to make changes to how education is funded in the state. This proposal to mandate the regionalization of all Connecticuts schools is completely misguided. If you look at the current probate map, there will be students from around the state with impossible commute times to school, this plan doesnt make sense, said House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, in a statement. I believe that we should put our trust in the towns to decide what is best for their communities and schools. Amity Regional High School serves students in Orange, Bethany and Woodbridge. Klarides 114th District serves parts of Orange and Woodbridge. In a statement Monday, Republican Reps. Klarides, Charles Ferraro of West Haven; Kathy Kennedy of Orange; and Lezlye Zupkus of Bethany said the proposal would break up the high school because Looneys bill mentioned the regionalized districts should operate like the states probate court districts. None of the three towns that feed into Amity Regional School District belongs to the same probate court district. Bethany and Hamden form the 37th probate court district; Woodbridge, Ansonia, Derby and Seymour form the 41st probate court district; and Orange and Milford form the 40th probate court district. This proposal would penalize a school district that already regionalizes, said Ferraro in the statement. I havent heard from local officials who believe that this is a good idea. You would think Democrat lawmakers would consult with their Boards of Education, First Selectmen, and Mayors before proposing something so ridiculous. The statement said the regional district would not be excepted from the bills language on regionalization because only its high school is regionalized, and the various towns run school districts through to middle school that feed into it. Looney said Tuesday his bill would not break up the regional school district, and would in fact consolidate all of the three towns schools into one regional district. My bill says there will be a commission set up that will develop a regional plan based around the lines of the probate court districts, he said. Because of the existing regional Amity school district, he said it would make sense for that commission to respect its boundaries. Looney said the commission created by the bill would look at towns with populations under 40,000 for regionalization, using the probate court districts as guidelines. The first version of the bill, which he said was a misdraft, says school districts with student populations fewer than 40,000 would be regionalized, which would include every school district in the state. He said he also supports a Senate Bill 457, introduced by state Sens. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, and Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, that would require all school districts with fewer than 2,000 students to regionalize so that no district has beneath that 2,000-student threshold. There are too many school districts, Looney said. It really doesnt make any sense in our strained fiscal climate to have a top-heavy bureaucracy in schools. Looney said the proposal is not to close schools, but to reduce the amount of administrators that must be paid with state education funds. I think the purpose of the bill is to put the issue of regionalization out front, he said. I think there are some misconceptions, but its achieved its purpose in giving regionalization the highlighted position it needs. Looneys bill has drawn bipartisan criticism. State Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport, state Sen. Alex Bergstein, D-Greenwich, and state Rep. Lucy Dathan, D-Norwalk, said in a statement that they did not support SB 454. A request for comment to Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, the only Democrat representing any of the Amity municipalities in the General Assembly, was not immediately returned Tuesday. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com ANSONIA Out of various crimes reported to town police in 2017 and 2018, only the number of reported assaults saw a decrease between the two years, data showed. There were 121 reported assaults in 2017, which dropped slightly to 117 in 2018, according to data provided by Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch. NEW HAVEN >> A counterprotest on the City Green denouncing a planned demonstration by far-right groups dissolved into chaos Saturday after protestors clashed with local police who attempted to disperse a crowd of more than 150 people. Counterprotest organizer Natalie Alexander said organizers had learned the Proud Boys, a far-right mens group, were among five groups planning a rally at the City Green on Saturday afternoon, to resist socialism. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes said the organization is, pro-West fraternal organization, and is linked to the alt-right movement. At least four people were taken into custody by New Haven police. Police spokesperson Officer David Hartman said one person was issued a summons and released on scene, while three others were arrested for misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges. At least one of the people arrested had participated in the counterprotest. Hartman said one person arrested was hospitalized after a substance at the rally caused the persons asthma to flare up. One of the individuals arrested had illegal fireworks, Hartman said. The incident led to road closures along the Green, including the portion of Church Street running parallel to the Green. The event underscores the tension between far-right groups emboldened by what counterprotesters in New Haven said is rhetoric from President Donald Trump and left-leaning organizations that believe such far-right groups align too closely with white supremacists. Other groups were said to be involved, though members affiliated with Proud Boys were the only ones who identified themselves to press members as belonging to a specific group. Police on-scene said no group had been issued a permit to rally on Saturday. 5 1 of 5 Catherine Avalone / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Catherine Avalone / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Catherine Avalone / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5 Many of them, theyre kind of the middle band of white nationalists ... people, Alexander said. Theyre all explicitly nationalist. Jesus Morales Sanchez, of the immigrant advocacy group Unidad Latina en Accion, said Trumps rhetoric on Muslims and immigrants has been especially problematic. Were trying to send a message that thats not welcomed in New Haven, because thats not what New Haven stands for, Morales said. A lot of these groups have popped up; theyve become more relevant since the election and since (Trumps) campaign started. Two Proud Boys members, who said they were brothers from Massachusetts, said their organization was not affiliated with white supremacists. They declined to give their names. They arrived shortly after 1 p.m. near the Green. Their members spoke to some counterprotesters while others yelled chants and obscenities behind them. One group member said they support immigrants, as long as they come here legally and dont expect us to conform to their culture. As long as youre not, you know, prompting your own culture, which deviates from the culture that is here, the members said. Another group member said they were surprised to see a counterprotest. He said Proud Boys are not white supremacists. Nazis hate us, another group member said. Because we have gay members and Hispanic and Asian members. The counterprotest began with a march at about 12:40 p.m. on the Green. Demonstrators stopped near the citys war memorial flagpole. There, a man who declined to name what group he was affiliated with was met with counterprotesters who asked that he leave. Obscenities were yelled at the man, who was shoved several times while walking away from the counterprotesters. A hat he wore was taken off his head, while one person attempted to punch him and another kicked the man. The man said he was from New Haven and said he was anti-socialist. The incident was a harbinger of what soon approached: Proud Boys members came face-to-face with counterprotesters near Church and Elm streets. They were told by counterprotesters that they were not welcome in New Haven. While some demonstrators yelled at the protestors, a few began throwing objects, including what appeared to be paint-filled balloons. New Haven police arrived on the scene in droves at about 1:11 p.m. The demonstration erupted after police began requesting people disperse from the area, which was now filled with close to 200 demonstrators and more and more police officers. Officers were seen arresting at least three people, including one woman who appeared to throw an object. Several high-ranking officers were on-hand, including Assistant Chief Achilles Generoso. Among the four arrested was community activist Barbara Fair, who appeared to be released on-scene after being handcuffed. She told supporters afterwards she was fine. Mayor Toni Harp released a statement on her re-election campaign Facebook page Saturday following the rally. She said the city wasnt aware of any planned protests on Saturday. We were in no way supportive of any assembly that intends to incite fear, hatred and violence, Harp said. New Haven is and remains an inclusive city and I personally take responsibility for ensuring that this is the case. Hartman said the Proud Boys members requested that police escort them out of the Green, and they left shortly before 2 p.m. Its unclear if other far-right group members attended the planned rally. They promised not to come back, Hartman said. Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901. 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 17 retail cannabis stores open at the end of Q1-2019 ( November 30, 2018 ); 32% gross margin on retail cannabis products. The Company announced on January 10, 2019 , that it had generated over $10 million in cumulative sales since October 17, 2018 at an average gross margin of over 32%. With 22 stores currently open in Alberta and Manitoba and an executed agreement to purchase a store in Saskatchewan 1, NAC is larger by store count than any private or public cannabis retailer in Canada , according to provincial licensing statistics. TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2019 /CNW/ - National Access Cannabis Corp. ("NAC" or the "Company") (TSXV: META), a best practices leader in delivering secure, safe and responsible access to legal cannabis in Canada, today announced its results, for the first quarter ended November 30, 2018. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. "2019 will be a foundational year for National Access Cannabis as the Company continues to scale its retail cannabis footprint across the country, locking-in a long-term competitive advantage for shareholders," said Mark Goliger, CEO of NAC. "The financial power of the platform we are building is only just beginning to show as we continue to build on our current platform of 22 stores. We are very proud of our team for the strong sales results generated in the early days of Canadian recreational legalization, and are well-positioned to generate additional growth and value for shareholders as we continue to open new stores in the coming year and as existing stores mature." This press release should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the three-month period ended November 30, 2018 and the related management discussion and analysis, as well as the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2018 and the related annual management discussion and analysis. Select Operating Highlights The Company currently has 14 NewLeaf locations open in the province of Alberta and 8 META locations open in Manitoba . and 8 META locations open in . Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement with the shareholders of New Leaf Emporium, which will enable NAC to expand into Saskatchewan through an operating Moose Jaw location, and an e-commerce license 1 . through an operating location, and an e-commerce license . Acquired all of NAC Alberta Inc.'s minority interest in NAC Northern Alberta GP and NAC Northern Alberta Limited Partnership, giving NAC 100% ownership of various leaseholds, rights to operate retail locations in Northern Alberta . . Completed a Special Warrant Financing for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $21,150,000 . . Closed a private placement offering for total proceeds of $20 million . The closing was the first of three tranches whereby four Licensed Producers, Aphria Inc., CannTrust Inc., VIVO Cannabis Inc. and Zenabis Ltd. subscribed, in aggregate, for up to $55 million in Common Shares in three tranches, subject to certain terms and conditions, including the achievement of future retail expansion milestones. . The closing was the first of three tranches whereby four Licensed Producers, Aphria Inc., CannTrust Inc., VIVO Cannabis Inc. and Zenabis Ltd. subscribed, in aggregate, for up to in Common Shares in three tranches, subject to certain terms and conditions, including the achievement of future retail expansion milestones. Signed pharmacy cannabis program agreements with 70 pharmacies in Canada that will be participating in the National Access Cannabis Medical ("NACM") Medical Cannabis Management System, bringing the total number of pharmacies to 115 at November 30, 2018 . The Company currently has 144 pharmacies signed. that will be participating in the National Access Cannabis Medical ("NACM") Medical Cannabis Management System, bringing the total number of pharmacies to 115 at . The Company currently has 144 pharmacies signed. Executed an option amending agreement pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the remaining issued and outstanding shares of the Green Company Ltd. ("NewLeaf") not already owned by NAC. The Company intends to continue to open additional cannabis retail locations in Alberta under the NewLeaf Cannabis banner. _____________________________ 1 Subject to the close of the acquisition of New Leaf Emporium and regulatory approval the acquisition Select Financial Highlights Q1-2019 Revenue for the quarter was $3,787,228 representing a 765.9% increase over the same period last year of $437,352 . representing a 765.9% increase over the same period last year of . Gross profit for the quarter was $1,447,921 compared to $260,936 in the same period in the prior year. compared to in the same period in the prior year. Net comprehensive loss for the three months ended November 30 , 2018 was $7,876,151 or $0.04 per share compared to a net comprehensive loss of $1,344,068 or $0.01 per share for the period year period. , 2018 was or per share compared to a net comprehensive loss of or per share for the period year period. Adjusted EBITDA 2 of (4,775,179) as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of (1,162,298) in the prior year period. of (4,775,179) as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of (1,162,298) in the prior year period. Cash and cash equivalents of $14,420,362 as compared to $23,496,232 at August 31, 2018 . Financial Measures There are measures included in this news release that do not have a standardized meaning under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and therefore may not be comparable to similarly titled measures and metrics presented by other publicly traded companies. The Company includes these measures because it believes certain investors use these measures and metrics as a means of assessing financial performance. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. _____________________________ 2 See Adjusted EBITDA section of this press release Adjusted EBITDA $ Three Months Ended 30-Nov-18 30-Nov-17 Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year/period (7,876,151) (1,344,069) Interest on short-term debt 568,493 - Commitment fee 1,642,857 - Accretion expense 48,931 - Amortization of property and equipment 123,851 89,409 Amortization of intangible assets 419,133 - Share based compensation 297,707 92,362 Adjusted EBITDA (4,775,179) (1,162,298) Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as the net loss from operations, as reported, before interest, tax, and adjusted by removing non-cash items, including the stock-based compensation expense, depreciation, and further adjusted to remove acquisition related costs. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial metric to assess its operating performance on a cash adjusted basis before the impact of non-cash items and acquisition related costs. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning under the issuer's GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. NAC Grants Stock Options to Officer of the Company The Company has granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 120,000 common shares of the Company to an officer of NAC. The stock options have an exercise price of $0.61 per common share and expire five years from the date of grant. One-eighth of the options granted will vest on April 21, 2019, with the remaining options granted vesting over the course of seven installments, each installment vesting every three months following the date of grant. About National Access Cannabis Corp. NAC is a best practices leader in delivering secure, safe, and responsible access to legal cannabis in Canada. Through its Canada-wide network of medical cannabis clinics, partner pharmacies, NAC Bio's clinical research division, Meta Cannabis Supply Co. and NewLeaf Cannabis recreational cannabis retail stores, NAC enables patients and the public to gain knowledge and access to Canada's network of authorized Licensed Producers of cannabis. NAC is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol (TSXV: META). For more information, visit: www.nationalaccesscannabis.com www.metacannabis.com www.newleafcannabis.ca www.nacbio.com www.nacmedical.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements This news release contains forward looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the planned opening of cannabis retail stores and the planned opening dates of same, the locations of cannabis retail stores, the launch of an online cannabis retail store in Manitoba, and NAC's plans to establish retail cannabis distribution networks in Canada. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those that are currently contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, risks relating to the ability to obtain or maintain licenses to retail cannabis products; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the labour market generally and the ability to access, hire and retain employees; and the medical and retail cannabis industry in Canada generally. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE National Access Cannabis Corp. For further information: National Access Cannabis: Mark Goliger, Chief Executive Officer, National Access Cannabis, Tel : 647-689-6382, [email protected]; Investor Relations: Emily Gibbs, LodeRock Advisors Inc., Tel: 416-546-8775, [email protected]; Media Inquiries: Jessica Patriquin, Tel : 416-640-5525 x 230, Cell : 416-995-8496, [email protected] NORWALK With temperatures set to plummet, police, senior advocates and health care officials are providing tips to keep people and pets safe this week. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in the area will drop to a low of 4 degrees overnight Wednesday into Thursday, with wind chill values between 5 below and 15 below. Thurday should have a high of just 15, and a low overnight of 7 degrees. Friday could have a high of 21, and an overnight low of 14 degrees. Its all because of a huge arctic air mass that has surged southward into the U.S. It is expected to affect two-thirds of the nation. Theresa Argondezzi, health educator at the Norwalk Health Department, said that as temperatures drop, people should make sure their home heating system is working properly. Those who use a portable generator should keep it far from the home to prevent carbon monoxide from entering, she said. The health department also advises people to avoid caffeinated beverages because they cause the body to lose heat quickly. The Norwalk Police Department recommends that people limit their time outside, wear layers of warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Remember that cold weather can be very dangerous, even deadly in certain situations, said Norwalk police spokesman Lt. Terry Blake. He advised bringing pets inside and calling 911 if a person appears to be sleeping or staying outside in the cold. If you are able, check in on your neighbors, especially older adults who are more at risk in extreme cold, he said. According to the National Institute on Aging, older adults can lose body heat faster than when they were young. Changes in the body that come with aging can make it harder for elders to be aware of the cold. Being outside in the cold or being in a very cold house can lead to hypothermia so we recommend that folks stay away from cold places and they pay attention to how cold it is where they are, said Beatrix Winter, executive director at Norwalk Senior Center. Theres a couple steps people can take to avoid getting hypothermia and staying warm. Set the heat to at least 68 to 70 degrees, she said. Seniors with lower incomes may turn the heat down to save on energy costs but Winter said health is more important. Its important when they go to sleep they wear long underwear under pajamas, use extra covers and even wear a cap or a hat. She recommended eating enough food to maintain a healthy weight and body fat. Skip the alcohol because alcohol can make you lose body heat, she added. During power outages, elders should stay with a relative or a friend. Those looking for information on heating centers should call 211 or their local senior center, said Marie Allen executive director of the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging. Contact information for senior centers is listed on the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging website. Public spaces such as libraries and retail stores can provide a safe haven for those trying to escape the cold. Like in any other emergency, call 911 immediately if affected by the cold. Pet owners should check their dogs paws frequently for signs of cold weather damage such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. If the pet is shivering, anxious, slow moving or starts looking for warm places to burrow, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation recommends getting them back inside quickly, because they are showing signs of hypothermia. tatiana.flowers@thehour.com After a week of missteps, Irish nerves are steadying again on Brexit. A string of ministers have publicly ruled out any softening of the so-called backstop, which is designed to keep the border with Northern Ireland invisible after Britain leaves the European Union, but also risks derailing the entire negotiation. Hints the EU might give ground to rescue the talks were wobbles rather than cracks in its united front, one Dublin official said. Why the uncompromising stance in Dublin when Ireland is most vulnerable to a no-deal Brexit? First, officials say, no one in Dublin is feeling the heat from the EU so far. Second, events at Westminster suggest that no-deal is still less likely than a soft Brexit, the current deal being passed, or even the entire project being shelved. And third, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar could end his political career if he gave in. Officials from across Europe, speaking on condition of anonymity, said their backing for Ireland remains resolute, despite the fact that everybody loses if the U.K. crashes out of the bloc without a deal. Officials maintain it will be "extraordinarily difficult" for May to gain significant concessions on the backstop unless Theresa May offers other solutions for the border -- and that would involve dropping her opposition to closer ties with the EU. All this has to be set against a domestic situation that means Varadkar's own fate is bound tight to the backstop. His minority government is propped up by the biggest opposition party and so far, it has backed the prime minister's strategy. Giving ground on the backstop could trigger an election. If he were to cave in completely, it's probably game over, said one observer. Yet the Irish are aware that pressure could emerge as the cliff edge nears. The prospect of a no-deal Brexit creates pressure of its own, according to one European official. It would almost certainly mean the return of a hard frontier, and the European Commission's comments last week on the need for border infrastructure in that case spooked people in Ireland. Some interpreted the comments as a sign the EU was pushing for concessions, prompting Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to call Varadkar and express his regret, two people familiar with the conversation said. While Germany has been probing for areas of potential compromise, Berlin remains supportive, the Irish say. And Sabine Weyand, the EU official who led the bloc's Brexit talks, on Monday dismissed the U.K.'s hopes of reopening the divorce agreement. For now, the Irish strategy is to keep the focus on London, betting that parliamentary maneuvers will steer the U.K. away from the no-deal Brexit that would be disastrous for Ireland. "I'm very conscious there are votes happening in the House of Commons today," Varadkar said in Parliament in Dublin on Tuesday. "I was in touch by phone with Prime Minister May today, we intend to speak again after the votes happen and we will take it from there in terms of the next steps." The House of Commons indicated a majority of lawmakers oppose a no-deal Brexit in a vote on the finance bill earlier in January. The British could also pivot to a Norway-type deal, hold a second referendum or even a general election, which might neutralize the leverage of the Democratic Unionist Party, a group from Northern Ireland opposed to any differentiation with the rest of the U.K. There's even still hope that the current deal will be passed, as it becomes apparent that no obvious alternatives are available. The deal is on life support, but it's not dead yet, according to one official. --With assistance from Bloomberg's Ian Wishart, Birgit Jennen and Charles Penty. "WikiLeaks," Donald Trump said at a campaign rally on Oct. 10, 2016. "I love WikiLeaks." That was three days after U.S. intelligence agencies issued a public warning that the Russian government was using the organization, already well known for its disclosures of government secrets, to interfere with the presidential election. Now Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone with attempting to undermine government investigations by lying about his links between Trump's campaign and WikiLeaks. The indictment on Friday doesn't bode well for the president's inner circle, with its assertion that "a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact" Stone in July 2016 to learn what damaging information the group had on Democrat Hillary Clinton -- although it didn't say who gave the direction. According to the document, a "high-ranking Trump campaign official" was in touch with Stone that October before more damaging information was released. Trump pushed back in a tweet early Saturday, comparing Stone's actions to what he termed "the lying done by Comey, Brennan, Clapper" and other frequent targets, including Clinton. Stone displayed his usual bravado, saying Monday that he would travel from Florida to Washington to fight the charges against him and blaming the FBI for a "raw abuse of power." He's due in court in Washington on Tuesday morning. "Had they contacted my attorneys I would have voluntarily turned myself in," Stone told reporters outside his Ft. Lauderdale home. "I would have been able to wear a suit and tie for my mug shot, it would have looked a lot better." The indictment brings fresh attention to WikiLeaks, which has been antagonizing the U.S. government for years. The group and its Australian founder, Julian Assange, became famous in 2010 when it published government secrets leaked by a U.S. Army soldier now known as Chelsea Manning. Yet Assange's claims as a champion of transparency have lost some luster since 2012, when he took refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faced rape allegations that he has denied, or the U.S., where he could face charges over the publication of secret government documents. While the U.S. has long viewed WikiLeaks as hostile to American interests, links between the group and Russia weren't apparent before Assange started leaking information damaging to Clinton in the summer of 2016, according to a former U.S. intelligence official. Assange has denied he was given the stolen material by Russia, but he won't say whether it came from President Vladimir Putin's intelligence apparatus through an intermediary. U.S. Assessment Once the leaks were underway, an assessment about whether WikiLeaks was acting as a willing tool of Russia began to take shape inside the U.S. government, said the former official, who asked to remain anonymous speaking about a sensitive matter. According to an indictment by Mueller's office last July, Russian conspirators used an online persona known as Guccifer 2.0 to communicate with WikiLeaks and ultimately transfer the stolen documents. Guccifer 2.0 was known to U.S. intelligence as a Russian front, according to the former official. On July 18, 2016, WikiLeaks confirmed to Guccifer 2.0 that it had received the material and planned to soon publish it. On July 22, WikiLeaks released more than 20,000 emails and other documents stolen from the Democratic National Committee -- the first of several dramatic releases. It was after that release that a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone to find out about any other upcoming leaks and what other information WikiLeaks had on Clinton, prosecutors said in Mueller's new indictment. "Stone thereafter told the Trump campaign about potential future releases of damaging material" by WikiLeaks, according to the indictment, which refers to the group as "Organization 1." An analysis by the House Intelligence Committee conducted after the election found that WikiLeaks sent 118 tweets promoting the hacked material, and that messaging was magnified by 426,000 tweets by other users. "WikiLeaks played a key role in Russia's malign influence campaign and served as a third party intermediary for Russian intelligence during the period leading up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election," according to the report by the panel, which was controlled then by Republicans. "WikiLeaks' historic actions, which have undermined U.S. interests and been beneficial to Russia, make the organization an ideal intermediary for Russian intelligence." The report said there was no evidence that any Trump associate was involved in the release of emails by WikiLeaks or had access to stolen material before it became publicly available. Democrats, however, argue the investigation wasn't thorough. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Friday that the charges against Stone have "nothing to do with the president," and Trump tweeted: "Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION!" Stone said he's innocent and will plead not guilty. "I will defeat them in court," he vowed Friday outside the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "I believe this is a politically motivated investigation." American intelligence agencies have found that Russia set out to hurt Clinton's campaign in 2016 and ultimately to help Trump win the White House. But some of those closest to Trump have said the material put out by WikiLeaks seemed fair game. "At the time, I looked at them as essentially a media outlet" that "would have also put out negative information on Trump if it had it," Donald Trump Jr. testified to the House Intelligence Committee in December 2017. His father never wavered in denying collusion with Russia, but neither did he ever hide his appreciation of WikiLeaks for the disclosures that damaged his opponent. "This WikiLeaks is like a treasure trove," Trump said at another rally in on Oct. 31, 2016, a week before he won the election. - - - Bloomberg's Billy House and Justin Sink contributed to this report. Sen. Kamala Harris, the California Democrat and presidential aspirant, lamented on Monday the lack of congressional action on gun control, saying a solution would have been possible after the 2012 massacre of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, if only lawmakers had been placed in "a locked room, no press, no one, nobody else" and required to examine "the autopsy photographs of those babies." "And then, you vote your conscience," she said at a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa. "This has become a political issue." Applause rang out as she added, "There is no reason why we cannot have reasonable gun safety laws in this country." The impassioned answer, to a question from a Presbyterian pastor, was a measure of the depths of Democratic outrage over the lack of a robust federal response to mass shootings in the years since 20 6- and 7-year-olds were gunned down at their elementary school in a quiet Connecticut suburb. Eighty percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say gun laws should be more strict, according a to Pew survey conducted in September and October 2018. Overall, 57 percent of adults say the rules should be tighter. Despite these figures, outbursts of gun violence are no longer guaranteed to spur calls for action. An apparently random, execution-style shooting last week at a Florida bank, which left five women dead, barely registered in Washington, seized by negotiations over the government shutdown and enthralled by the beginnings of a race for the White House. The 2020 election is not shaping up to be about gun control. Instead, it shows signs of turning on President Donald Trump's job approval, as well as on questions of identity and immigration. For the Democrats, who broadly agree on the need for new gun legislation, a more vexing question is how far left to tack on health care, taxes and the environment. At the same time, Democratic candidates have shown increased willingness to put gun safety at the center of their campaigns. Their gains in the midterm elections last November lay primarily in the suburbs, where the spending of groups seeking to tackle gun violence surpassed that of the National Rifle Association in federal contests. Exit polls showed that 59 percent of voters in House races favored stricter gun measures. And enthusiasm behind efforts to curb gun violence found an example in Lucy McBath, who lost her 17-year-old son in a shooting in 2012. On the same day that she was officially declared a congresswoman-elect, clinching the House seat in Georgia once held by Newt Gingrich, the Democrat found herself responding to the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Harris, a former prosecutor and attorney general of California, took care to note that her support for "smart gun safety laws" did not imply disagreement with the tenets of the Second Amendment. "You can be in favor of the Second Amendment and also understand that there is no reason in a civil society that we have assault weapons around communities that can kill babies and police officers," she said. She called for a ban on assault weapons as well as universal background checks, saying the only obstacle was Congress, which lacked "the courage to act the right way." As for the NRA, which awards her a 7 percent rating, she acknowledged that its influence was "real" but also suggested that its power has been overstated, making the organization a "paper tiger." "We're not waiting for a tragedy," she said. "We have seen the worst human tragedies we can imagine." Contributed photo DANBURY The driver of a Honda Civic that rolled over on Interstate 84 late Monday has been arrested for driving under the influence, reckless driving, evading responsibility and operating with a suspended license. State Police said the driver identified as William Torres Jr., 33, of East Augustine Street in New Haven and a passenger fled the scene after the crash. The passenger was identified as Daniel Simi, 29, of Uncasville. HARTFORD Chairmen from the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations told the legislatures Public Safety and Security Committee that the Connecticut legislature could approve construction of the Tribal Winds Casino before the federal government. Two years ago, the Connecticut General Assembly approved legislation that would allow the tribes to build a casino off tribal land after getting approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is inside the U.S. Interior Department. For two years we were told repeatedly our compact amendments would be approved by the Department of Interior, Mohegan Tribal Chairman Kevin Brown told the committee. The East Windsor casino was being built to compete with MGMs Springfield casino, a few miles north of the Connecticut border. Then, two days before the federal approvals were ready to be inked, they were edited and the process was scuttled. In a Sept. 15, 2017 letter, Acting Assistant Secretary Michael Black wrote that approval was neither approved or denied. He wrote that the amendment was premature and likely unnecessary. Interiors inspector general, according to Politico, is investigating the departments handling of the application after Connecticut lawmakers asked the internal watchdog to look into the matter. Brown said he believes that MGMs lobbying efforts are what caused the reversal in opinion. He said it was also telling that Blacks Sept. 15 letter was copied to two Nevada senators and not two Connecticut senators. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has since approved the amendment to the Mohegan Tribal Nations compact with the state, and both chairmen remained confident they would do the same with the Mashantucket Pequots revenue-sharing agreement. Rep. Joe Verrengia, D-West Hartford, said hes concerned about Connecticuts ability to continue to collect the states 25 percent share of slot revenue from Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino if the federal government doesnt approve the amendments to the gaming agreements. Regardless of what side you come down on the issue, whats consistent with everyone I speak to about this is they dont want to jeopardize that revenue, Verrengia said. Verrengia pointed to former Attorney General George Jepsens warnings about what could happen if Connecticut doesnt get approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. We continue to believe that passing such legislation absent amendments to the Compacts and MOUs poses serious risks to the States agreements with the Tribes, Jepsen wrote in this 2017 letter to former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Brown and Butler insisted the state would continue to receive its share of the revenue. Verrengia said hes asked House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz to request a new legal opinion from Attorney General William Tong. Aresimowicz has not made a decision on whether to move forward with that request. Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, said the state of Connecticut should move forward with a bill that allows the tribes to start building the Tribal Winds Casino in East Windsor. Butler said they can start pouring the foundation as soon as the weather permits. They estimate the new casino will bring in $70 million a year in new revenue to the state. MGM Springfield told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission it planned to bring in $418 million in annual gross gaming revenue in its first year, or $34.8 million per month. Instead, it has grossed less than $23 million in the three months since its grand opening, when it did slightly better. Connecticut expects, according to revenue estimates released Jan. 15, to receive $248.6 million in Indian gaming revenue from the two casinos in the current fiscal year ending June 30. Brown said he doesnt expect the same amount of underperformance at the Tribal Winds Casino as MGM Springfield has experienced. He said they see some cannibalization in the casino market, but they also see market growth and still expect to hit the $70 million revenue target in East Windsor. While the tribes have been lobbying for a casino in East Windsor to compete with MGM Springfield, MGM has been lobbying for Connecticut to open its gaming to commercial entities so it can open a casino in Bridgeport. In a statement Tuesday, MGM insisted that its time to move beyond the continued back-and-forth of the past few years and open the competitive bidding process. The vast majority of Connecticut residents support that approach, MGM said in a statement. That is the most effective way for policy makers to determine what is in the states best interest for jobs, economic development and revenue to the state and local communities. Whats best for Connecticut should be driving the decision-making. H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media The New Milford school board has moved Tuesdays budget workshop to Wednesday because of the coming snow. All of the after school events were canceled. A surplus property near Candlewood Lake will soon be back on the tax rolls in New Milford after the sale was approved at Mondays town meeting. The 1.64 acre property at 82 Perry Drive will be sold for $20,000. The buyers plan to build a home on the property. Though one resident spoke against the sale during the meeting, saying it was too low for a lot in that part of town, no one voted against the sale. The property was originally listed for $50,000 in 2017, according to the last online listing from July 2018, but was then reduced to $40,000. Several town council members said there was no interest in the property prior to this offer because there is a slope on it that makes the land hard to develop. Some people said that even if the selling price is low, the home will generate taxes for the town that werent there before. This is part of the towns efforts to sell surplus properties and get them back on the tax roll. NEW MILFORD Town Council members are seeking more information before they make any decisions about replacing school roofs. Replacing Sarah Noble Intermediate Schools roof had been the original school priority, but the macroburst in May changed those plans and pushed the high school to the top of the list, requiring $200,000 for patchwork in the meantime. The town and the schools are working together on replacing roofs at both schools and town buildings. Town officials are getting prices to replace shingles with shingles at the high school, so that they have costs for all of the options. The school board already has the figures for the metal roof options and the possibility of adding solar panels. Council members and school officials will also meet to determine the best plan for replacing Sarah Noble Intermediate Schools roof. There are not as many options for Nobles type of roof, so interim Superintendent Stephen Tracy is asking them to use the USA Communities Process for Roof Replacements, which was used a few years ago at Schaghticoke Middle School. Councilman Paul Szymanski said that he didnt have faith in the schools facilities officials overseeing these projects. He said only a few options were presented for the high school and that the oil tank projects went over budget, which he said were mismanaged.. He said he worries the school board will come back with only a few options and Town Council will have to send it back to get more information, losing time. We need to look at every single option, he said. Szymanski said they should also wait until they heard from a company that wants to look at how to make all of the buildings in town more energy efficient. Town Councilman Tom Esposito said they needed to better look at insulation and could use those energy savings to fund other projects. He also recommended a committee be established to oversee all of town and school buildings and that those committees should have members that have construction experience. He added that he was in favor of solar. All of our schools are under blue skies, Esposito said. School Board member Wendy Faulenbach said theres a time frame on the dialogue. The school board will need direction soon so that they can get information together for a bonding package and not be in the same position next year. Its going to take weeks to be completed, she said. We want to make sure we have everyones thought process, but we want to be ready. The town plans to go out to bond in the spring. The statewide severe cold weather protocol will be activated for Connecticut from Wednesday to Sunday as bitter cold temperatures are expected to move into the area. Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday he would activate the protocol starting at noon Wednesday and lasting through noon Sunday. The protocol directs staff from state agencies to coordinate with 211 and Connecticuts network of shelters to ensure that those who need shelter during the frigid temperatures are able to find it. Available shelters across the state can be found by calling 211 or visiting www.211ct.org. A brutally cold stretch of weather is expected to impact our state again in the coming days, Lamont said. We need to spread the word to the most vulnerable in our communities that the conditions will become too dangerous to spend extended periods of time outdoors. The National Weather Service said a cold front with developing low pressure will push into the area Tuesday night. The temperatures were turn bitter Wednesday morning with lows mainly in the 20s along the coast and middle and upper teens for areas more north. Wednesday, the cold front will likely drop some snow showers and some possible localized heavier snowfall, the weather service said. Temperatures will hover around the mid-and upper-20s. By Thursday morning, temperature will fall somewhere in the single digits, possibly hitting below zero. Wind chills will rang between 20 and 10 degrees below zero across the region. During the day Thursday, temperatures will not climb out of the teens, with wind chill near or below zero. Temperatures will be in the low-20s on Friday, dropping into the teens that night. Saturday, temperatures will rise to around 31 degrees, dropping back into the low-20s by nighttime. But by Sunday, temperatures are back up to the 40s. This is the second time this month the cold weather protocol has needed to be activated. The last activation was from Jan. 20 to Jan. 23. Your middle school might be required by law to provide bathrooms for gender nonconforming students, if Anne Hughes gets her way. The freshman democratic state representative has filed a bill intended to address the basic needs of gender nonconforming students by ensuring that they have access to safe bathroom facilities while in middle schools and high schools. Im absolutely serious about this, Hughes said. Im stunned that its not already offered. POLITICS: Sign up to get the latest on state politics delivered to your inbox, free The issue is not a new one, but its new to Connecticut. In 2016, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice issued a joint guidance intending to ensure that all students, including transgender students, can attend school in an environment free from discrimination based on sex. That guidance was rolled back shortly after President Donald Trump took office, prompting states to look into their own bills, on both sides of the debate. Fourteen states have considered legislation to limit transgender students' rights. North Carolina passed and then repealed legislation forcing students to use bathrooms based on gender assigned at birth. But Hughes rejects the idea that its about anything more than safety. Im not calling it progressive. This is a basic need, she said. People say is this identity politics. No, we all have a right to access to a quality education. The motivation for such a bill came when Hughes visited a group of middle school kids from her constituency in Weston. She asked them what issues were the most important, and was surprised when safe bathrooms for gender nonconforming students was the response. They know there are people that have attempted suicide that are struggling with safety and struggling with acceptance, she said. Later, she got a similar response from students at Reddings Joel Barlow High School. We want to take those voices to the state house, said Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-Bethel), who said hes one of only two openly gay members of the Connecticut legislature. Allie-Brennan, who is co-sponsoring the bill with Hughes, said the goal is to guarantee a space where students of any gender can feel safe to use the bathroom regardless of their gender identity. Hughes said if theres any blowback, she does not expect it to be from students, but older generations. Its a not a big deal for them, It might be for the parents, she said. Allie-Brennan said some might consider it inappropriate, but middle school is the right venue for such a discussion. We do think its appropriate, he said. These kids are finding themselves in middle school. Jordan Fenster is the digital products editor for Hearst Connecticut. jordan.fenster@hearstmediact.com DANBURY Libraries across the region will celebrate the eighth annual Take Your Child to the Library Day with free events and special activities throughout the day Saturday and throughout February. The event originally conceived in Connecticut has gone international with nearly 1,200 participating libraries now in 49 states and five countries, according to the nonprofit Connecticut Library Consortium, which coordinates the day. Now here's an odd couple: President Donald Trump and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Two New York politicians who couldn't be more different but share an unparalleled understanding of social media. The pair could even co-write "Social Media for Dummies" for their colleagues. DJT and AOC are social media celebrities by sheer force of will. From mid-December to mid-January, they both had more Twitter interactions than anyone else in the media and political establishment, according to Axios. More than Barack Obama. More than Nancy Pelosi. More than CNN. He gained followers by embodying a bombastic version of himself on the small screen and at campaign rallies. She gained followers by being herself on an even smaller screen - your smartphone - and leveraging that relatability into national attention. The 72-year-old man and the 29-year-old woman are harnessing the energy of their personas (authentic or contrived) to shore up their policies. Neither is preoccupied with experience, maintaining the status quo or kowtowing to critics. She called out CBS News for not assigning "a *single* black journalist to cover the 2020 election." He retweeted his son, Donald Trump Jr., calling out CNN and MSNBC for not booking "a single Angel Mom - mothers of children brutally murdered by illegal aliens - as guests." She tweeted, "I'm not running 'from the left' ... I'm running in fierce advocacy of working class Americans." He tweeted, "I am doing exactly what I pledged to do ... I am fighting for YOU!" Despite their eye-popping similarities, Trump and Ocasio-Cortez are more than just two sides of the same coin. They're more like the opposite ends of a Swiss Army knife. The president's urgent missives are relayed through a megaphone while the congresswoman's approach pulls back the curtain. "She uses social media the way that Gen Z and millennials use social media - to tell her story every day," says Brad Jenkins, a Democratic strategist and former Obama administration staffer. "She's building a community. It's why people on the right are so threatened by her. They're seeing how effective she's been." Not so fast, says GOP strategist Doug Heye. Ocasio-Cortez may have Republicans all atwitter, but not necessarily for the reasons you might think. "Let's face it, there are a lot of people on the right who like being trolled," he says. And what about that video of her dancing that was meant to shame her or something? "I saw a ton of stories about how Republicans were up in arms about the dancing video," Heye says. "I didn't see anyone actually upset about it. We all got trolled." Jenkins notes that Ocasio-Cortez's generation doesn't take the wait-and-see approach. They jump in tweet first, and mistakes can happen. That's also part of the appeal. "People want to see mistakes," says Jenkins. "It shows that you're human and ... adds to the narrative." Because that's what all this is really: a story, one that engages voters. Trump and Ocasio-Cortez are especially good at telling their individual stories. She gets her audience to tune in to "The Real World: Congress." He is the star, director and executive producer of "The Trump Show." Jenkins and Heye agree that it remains to be seen if Ocasio-Cortez's social media prowess will translate to legislation. And yet Trump's experience suggests that social media skill can, in fact, lead to policy results. The president was flippant when asked about Ocasio-Cortez by a White House reporter last month. "Who cares?" he said. AOC had a response for DJT, whose Twitter throne she has in her sights: "I understand guys like this like the back of my hand. We got under his skin." 5 1 of 5 Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Show More Show Less 5 of 5 For Connecticut taxpayers with still-fresh memories of last years mid-April deadline or mid-October for those who took extensions a free preparation alternative is being offered again this year as tax clinics open up across the state and nation under the sponsorship of AARP and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program of the IRS. From Greenwich to Madison and north to Torrington, dozens of AARP and VITA clinics are operating this year in Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties, with locations and hours online at aarp.org and irs.gov. Details are available by phone at 888-227-7669 for AARP and 800-906-9887 for VITA. (CNN) Returning to Rome from World Youth Day in Panama, Pope Francis downplayed the expectations for an upcoming bishops' meeting in Rome on the church's clergy sex abuse scandal. "I perceived inflated expectations; We have to deflate expectations," Francis told reporters Sunday evening on the papal plane. The Pope's council of cardinal advisers suggested the summit, according to the Francis, because "some bishops didn't understand well, or didn't know what to do" about the sex abuse crisis. The goal, he explained, is to make bishops aware of the problem and to share roles and responsibilities, a set of protocols, on the handling by bishops and archbishops. "We saw that some bishops didn't understand well, or didn't know what to do or they did something good or something wrong. We felt the responsibility of giving them a "catechesis" (teaching) on this problem to the bishops' conferences. "I regularly receive people who have been abused. I remember one 40 years old who was unable to pray. Terrible, the suffering is terrible. So, firstly, that they may be aware of this." "That is the main thing but before thinking about what should be done, they first must be aware. Then, there will be prayer, there will be some testimony so that they may be made aware, and some penitential liturgy, to ask forgiveness for the whole church." But Pope Francis also said the problem of sexual abuse of children is not going away because it's a "human problem." "It is a human tragedy that we must be made aware of. We too, by resolving the problems in the church but by being aware, will help to resolve it." Pope not taking sides on Venezuela, afraid of 'bloodbath' Pope Francis also told reporters that he is not taking sides on the Venezuela crisis because, as a pastor, it would be an "imprudence" that could "do harm." "I support the entire Venezuelan people that is suffering. If I were to enter and say do this to those countries, or to other countries, I would put myself in a role that I do not know. It would be a pastoral imprudence on my part, and would do damage. "To get them to agree is not enough. (It requires) a just and peaceful solution. I am terrified of a bloodbath. And here I ask something great of those who can help to resolve the problem. The problem of violence frightens me." No widespread exceptions to clergy celibacy Pope Francis took a conservative position on celibacy, saying "celibacy is a gift to the church." He explained there could be very rare exceptions in faraway places, like some islands in the Pacific. "There could only be a possibility in these far, far away places, I think about the islands in the Pacific, but it's something to think about, when there's a pastoral need, there the shepherd has to think about the faithful." Why young Catholics are leaving the church "There are many reasons, some are personal. But the most general, I think, the first is the lack of good example from Christians, of the priests, of the bishops, I will not say of the Pope's because it's too much (laughs), but also the lack of good example, for example. "... They feel orphaned, and where there are orphans I think -- I have spoke about shepherds but also there is the problem of Christians, the Catholic hypocrites, who go to Mass every Sunday but they don't pay employment taxes, they hire without contract, they exploit people, and after that they go to the Caribbean -- to take holidays, here is the exploitation of the people. They say they are Catholic, they go every Sunday to Mass, but, if you do this, (be hypocritical) you give a bad example and this, in my opinion, causes people to distance themselves from the Church." Sex education needed in schools Pope Francis said sex education for youth is needed in schools. "Sex is a gift from God," Francis said. "It's not the boogieman." The Pontiff explained that sex education should begin in the home and extend to the classroom. "There needs to be sex education for youth. Ideally it should start at home, with the parents. It's not always possible because there are many family situations. Or because they don't know how to do it. Schools are there to supplement that; if not any ideology will fill that void." Pope on abortion, mercy for both woman and unborn child Pope Francis spoke about mercy for both the woman and the unborn child when asked about abortion. "I tell them their child is in heaven, talk to them. I tell them to sing them a lullaby, the lullaby that they had never been able to sing," said Francis. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Pope downplays upcoming Vatican summit on clergy sex abuse." Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has launched an ambitious programme which it hopes will attract $427 billion in investments in the industrial and logistics sectors, as the OPEC kingpin bids to reduce dependence on oil. To kickstart the 12-year programme, the Gulf state announced the signing of 37 agreements worth $55 billion with foreign and local investors at a ceremony attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The programme is part of the kingdom's 2030 Vision, the brainchild of Prince Mohammed, that aims to diversify its economy which has been heavily dependent on oil prices. Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih, speaking at a hotel in Riyadh, said the investments would be made in the fields of industry, mining, energy and logistics. The aim is to create 1.6 million new jobs, boost non-oil exports by USD 267 billion a year and add as much as USD 320 billion to gross domestic product, almost 40 per cent of last year's GDP, he said. Among the agreements announced, two memoranda of understanding between the Saudi military industry programme SAMI and French firm Thales and CMI Defence of Belgium. They also included energy deals between national oil giant Aramco and Saudi petrochemicals firm SABIC for a huge project to produce petrochemicals directly from oil. Falih said that implementation had already started on a number of projects. Other projects include building a 1,200-kilometre (745-mile) railway and five airports in addition to hundreds of kilometres of roads, said Transport Minister Nabeel al-Amudi. At a conference it hosted in October, which was hit by an international boycott over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Riyadh announced the signing of investment deals worth USD 44 billion. Since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, mega projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars have been announced in the Middle East's largest economy but implementation has been slow. In late 2017, the kingdom announced plans to build the USD 500 billion NEOM mega city in the northern Red Sea. Since the crash in oil prices in mid-2014, Saudi Arabia accumulated USD 313 billion in budget deficits which was financed through withdrawing from the country's fiscal reserves and borrowing. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Thousands of fish have died in the drought-stricken Australia in the last few days near the southeastern Outback town of Menindee. The authorities has warned of more deaths in the coming days. Few locals have confronted the area as the sea of white because hundreds and thousands of dead fish have been carpeted in the area. Recently, nearly a million fish were killed and the reason for their death was cited to be low water and oxygen levels as well as toxic algae. This is yet another incident of mass death of fish which is located in the key food growing area. Inspectors from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries have visited the site and said that they found that hundreds of thousands of fish have died. "Further fish deaths in the Darling River are anticipated as a significant number of fish have been observed under stress. With further increase in temperature and no rain forecast, the officials feel that more fish could die in the coming days and weeks. Also Read | Suman Kumari becomes Pakistan's first Hindu woman judge However, the federal government is blaming the death cause of these fish is severe drought. Around 700 kilograms of dead fish were removed from the river on Monday and the same amount of dead fish are expected to be collected on Tuesday. The Darling River is a part of the Murray-Darling River system that stretches thousands of kilometres across several states. New South Wales Regional Water Minister Niall Blair, who visited Menindee on Tuesday, told national broadcaster ABC that his government was out of options, with installing aerators in rivers only a "band-aid solution". "It's not a case of not being able to spend money on something, there just isn't any other alternative that anyone has offered up. The only thing that will really change these conditions at the moment is fresh water coming through the system and there is just no possibility of that at the moment, he added. Also Read | With $425 billion mega plan, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants Saudi Arabia to move on from Jamal Khashoggi murder In recent weeks, Australias eastern region have been hit by a prolonged drought causing extreme heatwaves. The late arrival of the monsoon season in northern Australia has also contributed to heatwaves in some regions. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Superbug genes that were first detected in New Delhi over ten years ago have now spread to the Arctic one of the last 'pristine' places on the Earth, scientists say. Antibiotic-Resistant Genes (ARGs) provide multidrug resistance (MDR) in microorganisms. An example is NDM-1, which is a protein that can confer resistance in a range of bacteria. NDM-1 was first identified in New Delhi and coded by the resistant gene blaNDM-1. Strains that carry blaNDM-1 were first found in clinical settings in 2008, but by 2010 blaNDM-1 was found in surface waters in Delhi. Analysing the extracted DNA from forty soil cores at eight locations along the Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard, a total of 131 ARGs were detected, according to the study published in the journal Environmental International. Carried in the gut of animals and people, blaNDM-1 and other medically-important ARGs were found in Arctic soils that were likely spread in the faecal matter of birds, other wildlife and human visitors to the area. "What humans have done through excess use of antibiotics on global scales is accelerate the rate of evolution, creating a new world of resistant strains that never existed before," explained Graham in a paper published in the academic journal Environmental International. The research was carried out by an international team of experts from the Universities of Newcastle, York and Kansas and the Chinese Academy of Science in Xiamen."This finding has huge implications for global AR spread," warned Graham. "A clinically important ARG originating from South Asia is clearly not 'local' to the Arctic."The only way we are going to win this fight is to understand all pathways that lead to antibiotic resistance," added Graham. (With Agency Inputs) For all the Latest Offbeat News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Centres move of approaching the Supreme Court for the release of excess land acquired around the disputed site in Ayodhya and be handed over to the Ramjanambhoomi Nyas. The chief minister said, "I welcome this move by the Centre. The Centre's application to start work on the non-disputed land is welcome. This is on one's own respect of faith and a dispute that has been going on for years. We've been telling this from the beginning, the application that has been sent by the Central government, we must get permission to work on the undisputed land ... We welcome the Central government's this move" The Centre has sought direction to release 67 acres acquired land out of which 0.313 acres is disputed. The government's petition comes a day after the Ayodhya case hearing was cancelled because of the non-availability of Justice SA Bobde. The hearing was scheduled to start from today. The new date for the Ayodhya case hearing has not been decided yet. As many as 14 appeals have been filed in the top court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, 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, a three-judge bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra 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. However, the Supreme Court is yet to announce the next date for hearing the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute in Ayodhya. On January 25, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had reconstituted the Ayodhya bench where he inducted Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazeer. The case was scheduled to be heard today. 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 had 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". Dhavan, who was appearing for lead petitioner M Siddiq (since dead) and now represented by his legal heirs, pointed to the September 27, 2018 judgment, 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. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Known for his composure, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar broke down as he paid rich tributes to George Fernandes, who died after battling prolonged illness at Delhis AIIMS today. His leadership and guidance gave us opportunities to learn a lot. His guidance was crucial for all of us, Kumar said in his broken voice. Whatever I have learnt, it is because of him (Fernandes). He was unwell for a long time and this death was a mukti for him. Still, this is very upsetlling. We will never forget, a visibly emotional Kumar said. It is said that Fernandes had virtually adopted Bihar as his second home and political 'karmabhoomi', representing its various constituencies in Parliament for a period spanning over four decades. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi also expressed sorrow over Fernandes demise and said, "A great fighter and symbol of anti-Congressism. Architect of alliance between BJP and Samata Party which led to fall of RJD rule in Bihar. As convenor of NDA played an important role in Ataljis government. Nobody can match George. RIP". #WATCH Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar breaks down while talking about #GeorgeFernandes pic.twitter.com/dJQqykTFxy ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 Fernandes was Kumars senior party colleague. It was in 1994 when both leaders decided to form Samata Party. Kumar later formed the Janata Dal (United) or the JD(U) in 2003. Fernandes merged his Samata Party in the JD(U) in the same year. Fernandes was also the convener of the NDA that formed the government at the Centre led by BJPs Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sharad Yadav, former JD(U) leader, who had succeeded Fernandes as the NDA convenor, called the late leader a "father figure and role model" who belonged to the Janata Dal family of socialists but had friends in every political party. In alliance with the BJP, Fernandes fought and won the Nalanda Lok Sabha seat thrice in 1991, 1998 and 1999. He returned to Muzaffarpur in 2004 and sought re-election in 2009 as a candidate in virtual revolt against the wish of Nitish Kumar, who was then in saddle as the chief minister of the state. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: "If there is a rebirth, I would like to be reborn as a Vietnamese," George Fernandes had once said. Addressing the annual conference of Karnataka Planters' Association fifteen years ago in Bengaluru when he was the defence minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet, Fernandes described the Vietnamese as "a disciplined, committed and determined lot". Observing that Vietnam had a large share of the world coffee market, he said, "I am not grudging that; I am an admirer of Vietnam" and heaped praise on the Southeast Asian country and its people for their rapid progress. "If there is a rebirth, I would like to be reborn as a Vietnamese", Fernandes, who was born in Manguluru, said. "They are ready to die for their commitment." Fernandes had said he was India's first defence minister to have visited Vietnam. He noted that three million Vietnamese had been killed in conflicts with the US, France and China. According to him, the country was leaving India behind in per capita income. "After all the devastation that Vietnam had to go through... none that we (India) had to go through in recent years," the veteran socialist said. He cited Vietnam as an example as to how a country can be determined and innovative and think 100 years ahead. Fernandes passed away Tuesday after a prolonged illness. BJP veteran LK Advani had called him remarkable rebel leader. "If there were no rebels, the country wouldn't have gained Independence. Rebel leaders like George should keep coming up so that the country can progress and develop," Advani had said during the inauguration the website -- georgefernandes.org in June last year. The former defence minister died following a prolonged illness on Tuesday. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and recently, he contracted swine flu, family sources said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the socialist leader, saying he was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Fernandes' family and friends. Fernandes was India's defence minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was the industry minister under the Jan Sangh government which had defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday took a holy dip in Ganga at Prayagraj- the venue of the Kumbh - along with other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. The chief minister was also accompanied by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri and several saints. Earlier, the chief minister prayed at an iconic temple of Lord Hanuman and took part in an 'aarti' and performed rituals. He also chaired a meeting of Uttar Pradesh Cabinet in the city the first time in history. The meeting was attended by his deputies Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya at the sprawling tented complex on the banks of 'Sangam', the confluence of three rivers - the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. #WATCH Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other leaders take holy dip at #KumbhaMela2019 pic.twitter.com/srZmBhgh5P ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 29, 2019 After the Cabinet meeting, Adityanath welcomed the Centre's move of approaching the Supreme Court for the release of excess land acquired around the disputed site in Ayodhya and be handed over to the Ramjanambhoomi Nyas. "I welcome this move by the Centre. The Centre's application to start work on the non-disputed land is welcome. This is on one's own respect of faith and a dispute that has been going on for years. We've been telling this from the beginning, the application that has been sent by the Central government, we must get permission to work on the undisputed land. We welcome the Central government's this move," he said. The Cabinet also gave approval to a six-lane expressway that will connect Western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj. To be named as the 'Ganga Expressway', the project once completed will be world's longest with the approximate length being 600 km. The project stretched over 6,550 hectares of land will cost the UP government Rs 36,000 crore. The Cabinet also decided to give state GST exemption to Bollywood blockbuster 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'. "This is a movie on the surgical strikes, the Cabinet has decided to exempt it from state GST. This film is about the country's valour and will instil a feeling of nationalism and patriotism... This will help youth and all citizens of the country to see it," Adityanath said. The film features Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Mohit Raina and Yami Gautam in lead roles. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela on Tuesday joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in presence of party chief Sharad Pawar. "Our democracy is under threat, the independence of our constitutional institutions is in jeopardy today," said Shankersinh Vaghela after joining the NCP. Earlier, the veteran politician said he took the decision after discussion with Sharad Pawar. "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 had said. Ahmedabad: Former Chief Minister of Gujarat Shankersinh Vaghela joins Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in presence of party chief Sharad Pawar. pic.twitter.com/ey6O0mo9ig ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 Vaghela had left the Congress before the 2017 Gujarat Assembly poll after he and a few MLAs supporting him voted against Congress candidate Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha and backed BJP nominee Balwantsinh Rajput. The former chief minister, 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 the removal of the BJP-led government at the Centre in 2019. 78-year-old Vaghela 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 party 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. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold his second Pariksha Pe Charcha in which he will interact with 2,000 students from high school to college, along with their parents and teachers. He will talk about how to cope with exam-related stress. The event will be telecast at the Talkatora stadium and telecast live. It is a unique interaction where students, teachers, parents and the Prime Minister will come together to discuss issues related to exams and the stress connected to that, the Human Resource Development Ministry said in a statement. PM Modi had held his first such interaction with the students in February last year. He had also released his book Exam Warriors -- a guide to help students battle the exam anxiety. This years event would also see a cultural programme of 10 minutes and screening of a short film on initiatives taken by the HRD Ministry since last years Pariksha Pe Charcha to reduce exam-related stress. This time overseas students are also part of the interactive session. HIGHLIGHTS: 12.43 pm: Sara Sadaf from Kuwait makes a few points on the need to further improve education systems and ensure that exams are not only reduced to rote learning but also showcase what students have learnt. Sara Sadaf from Kuwait makes a few points on the need to further improve education systems and ensure that exams are not only reduced to rote learning but also showcase what students have learnt. #ParikshaPeCharcha2 PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 29, 2019 12.42 pm: In a nation like ours, the subject of depression is very worrying. Our culture has mechanisms to cope with this. The more we talk openly about aspects relating to depression and mental health, it is better. We must always express, never suppress: PM 12.42 pm: If smallest of symptoms of depressions are found, take your child to expert. Do not shy away from counselling. It is wrong to think about 'what will people think, what if this gets leaked?' Experts can help a child address their issues better, says PM. 12.40 pm: Timely intervention is necessary in cases of depression. Do not ignore early symptoms. We can fight back, says PM. 12.40 pm: Students do not have a platform to express themselves. Parents need to talk to students based on their students so that even if a child is staying away from home, they can talk to their parents about issues in their life. 12.39 pm: A student from Agra asked PM how should students staying away from home deal with homesickness and depression? 12.26 pm: Jairpeet Singh, a student based in Tehran, Iran asked the PM on the need on encouraging our children constantly and how constant encouragement makes children very happy. 12.23 pm: Parents play an important role in shaping a child's future. Teacher's also pay an integral part. 12.22 pm: Interact frequently with teachers. 12.25 pm: Clarity of thought and conviction are essential. Yes, science and maths are essential but there are other subjects too worth exploring. There are opportunities in so many areas now, says PM. 12.24 pm: A viewer of News Nation comments that every child has different strengths. How can we expect that every student will be good in mathematics or science? A viewer of @NewsNationTV comments that every child has different strengths. How can we expect that every student will be good in mathematics or science. PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 29, 2019 12.20 pm: We should have clarity of thoughts. Should have a conviction on our passion. We should know where our interest lies, says PM. 12.15 pm: Amit from Pathankot asks the PM on how to make studies more fun. A student from Kathmandu asks the PM on how exams help improve one's personality. 12.11 pm: Mohammed Salim, a student from the Aligarh Muslim University asks PM Narender Modi - what must be our considerations while picking subject choices and career choices. Shambhavi from Banaras Hindu University asks- how can one pick a good career and prepare well for exams. 12.10 pm: If you treat exams as an opportunity, you will learn and enjoy from it. Exams give you an opportunity to assess your own strengths, he adds. But do not live for the sake of exams. Do not run behind marks, aim at acquiring knowledge and marks will follow you, says PM. 12.09 pm: Amit Chauhan, a student from Pathankot asks PM what is the formulae to make studies fun and enjoyable instead of stressful. through video conference. Another student asks, do you think exam obstruct all-round obstruction or help in its development? 12.06 pm: We must learn effective time management, says PM. 12.05 pm: Time management doesn't need an Oxford degree. We should learn to use our time wisely, says PM Modi at Pariksha pe Charcha. 12.02 pm: Everyone should have a clear goal. Aspirations are essential. If we aren't able to achieve our goals, we should introspect. 11.56 pm: We should set long- and short-term goals. 11.55 am: Set an aim which is reachable but not within reach. Aim big, keep small targets in mind, says PM. 11.54 am: Parents should discuss technology as part of dinner table conversation. We are converging due to technology and are becoming narrow-minded. This should be used for our expansion instead, says PM at Pareeksha Pe Charcha. 11.52 am: The PlayStation is good but never forget the playing field, says PM 11.50 am: Technology has both good and bad sides. It should be used wisely. Technology should lead to expansion of the mind and as a means to innovate, says PM Modi. 11.50 am: I will not say exposure to technology is a bad thing for students. It is good students are getting acquainted with new technology, says PM. 11.49 am: Madhumita Sen Gupta from Assam (living in Delhi) says, "My son is in Class IX... earlier he was good in studies but now he is too distracted by online games." 11.48 am: Parents must not compare their children with other children. 11.47 am: I hope parents do not make the report card of their children their own visiting cards... because if that is the aim then the expectations from children become unreal, says PM. 11.46 am: Parent from Manipur asked the question via video chat. How to deal with stress during my child's expectation. He says parents need to understand the cause behind the parental stress, said PM. 11.45 am: Don't look at exams as a do or die situation, says PM. 11.42 am: You should not be buried under the mounting expectations, says PM Modi. 11.41 am: Parents must not impose their unfulfilled dreams on their children. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths... it is important to understand these positives of every child, says PM. 11.40 am: Exams are not life's biggest challenge. Life is more than just exams. 11.37 am: I can not say- do not be totally relaxed before an exam... But, ask yourselves if this an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class X or XII? Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce, says PM Modi. 11.36 am: A teacher from Kolkata, Rulee Dutta Ji asks PM @narendramodi what teachers should tell parents who are stressed about the exams of their children and have unreal expectations. A student from Kerala who is in Delhi preparing for the UPSC exam also asks a similar question. 11.35 am: WATCH | Students of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kathmandu participating in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2. 11.26 am: Life means dreams. Life is above and beyond exams. Not negating the importance of exams, says PM. 11.26 am: This Pariksha Pe Charcha Townhall is a mini-India. It is also a place where we have in our midst the future of India. I am happy parents and teachers too are part of the programme, says PM Modi. 11.25 am: I am delighted to be among our Yuva Shakti, says PM Modi. 11.24 am: I condole the death of former defence minister George Fernandes. He passed away today. He was a dynamic leader. He fought the Emergency tooth and nail. I pay tribute to him. PM Narendra Modi during Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0 in Delhi: George Fernandes passed away today. He was a dynamic leader. He fought the Emergency tooth and nail. I pay tribute to him. pic.twitter.com/BlRWBFl0Zw ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 11.15 am: Watch the event LIVE here. 11 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an exhibition ahead of an interaction with school students during Pariksha Par Charcha 2.0. 10.30 am: HRD minister Prakash Javdekar and MoS Satya Pal Singh reach Talkatora Stadium to attend the Pariksha Pe Charcha event. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held his second Pariksha Pe Charcha session in which he interacted with 2,000 students from high school to college, along with their parents and teachers. During the address, the prime minister gave students a mantra to cope with exam-related stress. During the Q&A session, a viewer of News Nation asked a crucial question that most of the students face parents pressurising them to go for maths and science. The viewer said that every child has different strengths and asked that the prime minister that how can parents expect that every student will be good in mathematics or science? Replying to question, the prime minister said, "Clarity of thought and conviction are essential. Yes, science and maths are essential but there are other subjects too worth exploring. There are opportunities in so many areas now." A viewer of @NewsNationTV comments that every child has different strengths. How can we expect that every student will be good in mathematics or science. PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 29, 2019 Addressing students at Delhi's Talkatora stadium, the prime minister said that if they treat the exams as an opportunity, they will not just learn but also enjoy. #ParikshaPeCharcha | A viewer of @NewsNationTV asked a crucial question that most of the students face parents pressurising them to go for Maths and Science. Watch what PM @narendramodi replied@PMOIndia Full story: https://t.co/D20j2V213G pic.twitter.com/UlLJfEzJxm News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 29, 2019 "If you treat exams as an opportunity, you will learn and enjoy from it. Exams give you an opportunity to assess your own strengths, he adds. But do not live for the sake of exams. Do not run behind marks, aim at acquiring knowledge and marks will follow you," the PM said. The incidents of suicide due to exam fear are on the rise in the country. To ease the pressure of exams from students' mind, the prime minister asked them not to be totally relaxed before an exam but introspect about it whether the exam was of their life or just a particular grade. "I can not say- do not be totally relaxed before an exam... But, ask yourselves if this is an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class X or XII? Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce," Modi told students. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with school as well as college going students, parents and teachers in the second edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha. The PM started his address by paying tribute to former Union minister George Fernandes who passed away today morning. He asked parents not to expect their children to fulfil their unfulfilled dreams. The prime minister was taking questions from students and parents about studies and examination-related issues. He also described the town hall as a "mini-India, a place where we have in our midst the future of India". The prime minister said technology should lead to an expansion of the mind and be seen as a means to innovate, but he also asked students not to forget the playing field. Here are 10 important points that PM Modi stressed upon: Life is above and beyond exams The burden of the exam will be lessened and focus will increase if we do away with if not now then never attitude. Life is beyond exams. Life does not stop if you score any lesser in an exam. I cannot say do not be totally relaxed before an exam... But, ask yourselves if this an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class X or XII? Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce. Parents must not impose their unfulfilled dreams on their children I would request parents not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths. It is important to understand these positives of every child. I hope parents do not make the report card of their children their own visiting cards... because if that is the aim then the expectations from children become unreal. Aspirations are important Expectations are important. They should act as motivation and not a burden. I want 1.25 crore people should have 1.25 crore aspirations. PM said expectations and aspirations should motivate you towards goal. Technology has both good and bad sides When a parent told the prime minister that her son who was in Class IX was earlier good in studies but now he is too distracted by online games, PM Modi asked if it was about PUBG the online game fad. He said, I will not say exposure to technology is a bad thing for students. It is good students are getting acquainted with new technology. It should be used wisely. Technology should lead to an expansion of the mind and as a means to innovate. Parents should discuss technology as part of dinner table conversation. We are converging due to technology and are becoming narrow-minded. This should be used for our expansion instead. Set an aim which is reachable Aim for larger targets. If you fail for the aim, it is forgivable but not if it the aim is too low, said PM. Set an aim in such a way that it is reachable but not within the reach. The aim should be clear and based on self-assessment and not expectations of others. Make a bigger aim and smaller targets in the way for self-assessment. If we keep in assessing self in shorter targets, it would help us achieve the big target. The nation is my home and citizens my family When asked by a student what keeps him motivated throughout the 17-hour daily work, the PM gave an example of a mother and said that a mother works 24X7 hours, handles the house and still remains tireless because she looks at the house as her own. Likewise, the nation is my family, the countrymen are my family member. I do not feel tired while working for my family members. Exams are an opportunity to learn Exams are not bad, it is how we deal with them. If you treat exams as an opportunity, you will learn and enjoy from it. Exams give you an opportunity to assess your own strengths. But do not live for the sake of exams. Do not run behind marks, aim at acquiring knowledge and marks will follow you. #WATCH Live from Delhi: PM Modi interacts with school students at Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0 https://t.co/4ckSzC7yn0 ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 Streams beyond STEM also have a scope Science and maths are important but this does not mean the rest of the subjects are not good. We need to bust this myth, said PM. Do not choose based on pressure, make an informed choice based on your own judgement. Start conversations with your parents and teachers Students lack proper guidance Students lack proper guidance. Firstly, assess what is your interest and passion. What is that you like to do? Take help from your teachers in making an informed choice. In the late 70s, I used to ask students in Baroda, and most students wanted to attain a degree and did not know about what to do. Once during my visit, a student said I want to rule, hence I want to become a bureaucrat. It was his clarity which made him reach his target later. Have clarity of thoughts and faith in your conviction. Follow the conviction with a character to act. Do not ignore early symptoms of depression When a student from Agra asked the PM how should students staying away from home deal with homesickness and depression, Narendra Modi said, students, do not have a platform to express themselves. Parents need to talk to students based on their students so that even if a child is staying away from home, they can talk to their parents about issues in their life. Timely intervention is necessary in cases of depression. Do not ignore early symptoms. We can fight back. If smallest of symptoms of depressions are found, take your child to expert. Do not shy away from counselling. It is wrong to think about 'what will people think, what if this gets leaked?' Experts can help a child address their issues better. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a first, Yogi Adityanath is holding Cabinet meeting on the banks of Sangam in ongoing Kumbh Mela today. The meeting started at 11 am today, the Uttar Pradesh government is likely to make some major announcements also. "On January 29, the UP Cabinet will be holding its meeting at the integrated command and control centre in Kumbh mela area. The meeting is likely to commence at 10.30 am," Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi was quoted as saying. Adityanath along with his council of ministers will visit Akshayvat and Saraswati Koop. After the meeting, the Yogi Cabinet will also take a holy dip in Ganga. After the meeting, the entire UP cabinet will go for a darshan of teh Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop. Later, Yogi Adityanath along with 24 ministers will watch the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Uri at a special screening in a mobile theatre on Kumbha Mela site. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister @myogiadityanath chairs Cabinet meeting at Prayagraj : ANI More updates: https://t.co/YerVM3ARMh pic.twitter.com/uRsybooAyY News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 29, 2019 Ardh Kumbh is held in every six years, while the Kumbh Mela comes after 12 years. The Yogi Adityanath government has renamed Ardh Kumbh as Kumbh and the Kumbh as Maha Kumbh. The mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river. The congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis and pilgrims from all walks of life. In all there are six auspicious bathing dates in this Kumbh - Makar Sankranti (January 15), Paush Poornima (January 21), Mauni Amawasya (February 4), Basant Panchami (February 10), Maghi Poornima (February 19) and Mahashivratri (March 4). According to the Confederation of Indian Industry, the mega Kumbh Mela is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh Although the Kumbh Mela is spiritual and religious in nature, the economic activities associated with it generate employment for over six lakh workers across various sectors, CII said in a report. The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for the 50-day Kumbh Mela this time, which is over thrice the budget of the Maha Kumbh in 2013, making the mega pilgrimage perhaps the costliest ever. The hospitality sector aims at employing 2,50,000 people, airlines and airports around 1,50,000 and tour operators around 45,000. The employment numbers in eco-tourism and medical tourism are being estimated at 85,000, says a CII study. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Imphal: The Nagaland Cabinet rejected the citizenship Bill on Tuesday, following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy, in a press release, said that taking into account the will and desire of all sections of the people, the Cabinet meeting on Monday made it amply clear that the state government remains opposed and rejects the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. The Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month, has been an issue of concern in Nagaland and triggered protests across the north-eastern region, they said. The people of the state have expressed their opposition to the bill in various forms in a democratic manner and the Cabinet discussed the bill at length on Monday, they said in the release. The Cabinet had earlier said that the Citizenship Amendment Bill was not applicable to the state. The National Democratic People (NDA)s Party-led Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in the state had said that Nagaland enjoys protection under provisions of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution and the Inner Line Permit (ILP), according to which, any person who acquires Indian citizenship will be ineligible for acquiring property or settling down in the state. The two leaders also said that the state government had expressed its opposition to the bill and conveyed the same to the Centre right in the beginning. The PDA government has also assured the people that it will leave no stone unturned to constantly protect the rights and privileges of the people, the chief minister and the chief secretary said. Regional parties across the northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday to put forth their objections to the controversial bill. They will be joined by the JD(U), NDAs major ally in Bihar, and the AGP, which recently snapped ties with the BJP in Assam over the proposed legislation that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. NDPP president Chingwang Konyak will be attending the meeting, convened by Meghalaya Chief Minister and National Peoples Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is the co-convenor of the programme. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today hold his second Pariksha Pe Charcha in which he will interact with 2,000 students from high school to college, along with their parents and teachers. He will talk about how to cope with exam-related stress. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address booth workers at the Marine Ground in Kochi today. The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, for the time-time ever, meet at the Kumbh. After the meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other ministers are likely to take a dip in the holy waters of Sangam. Beating the Retreat ceremony marking the end of the Republic Day celebrations will take place in the evening today. Several traffic restrictions will be in place in the national capital. 22:44 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In NIA has arrested two accused persons in connection with 2014 Burdwan Blast case NIA arrested two accused persons yesterday in connection with 2014 Burdwan Blast case. They were produced before the Special NIA Judge, Kolkata and remanded to NIA custody for 14 days. ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 18:00 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In West Bengal: Vehicles parked near Amit Shah's rally venue in East Midnapore, vandalized. BJP's Rahul Sinha says, "TMC is afraid of our strength that's why they committed violence. Unfortunate that everything happened in front of police, attackers didn't even spare women workers." pic.twitter.com/aEz2QHfmgl ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 16:34 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In What happened to Bengal? Where did 'Shonar Bangla' go? Bengalis in India are looking for it today. All are looking at Bengal...For this nation, it might be an election to make Modi ji PM once again but for Bengal, the election is to make 'Shonar Bangla' 15:56 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Udyog Bhawan Metro station will remain closed from 2 pm to 6:30 pm today, says DMRC. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation: Central Secretariat metro station will be closed from 4 PM to 6:30 PM today. From 2 PM to 4 PM, only Gate No 1 of the station will be open & all other gates will remain closed. Interchange b/w Yellow & Violet lines will be permitted. #BeatingRetreat pic.twitter.com/DPwL49kQ7G ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 14:26 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Actor Shah Rukh Khan has been absolved of the charge of being a beneficiary of a benami property in the scenic beach town of Alibaug in Maharashtra as an appellate Authority under the law has "revoked" the attachment order of the I-T Department, calling it baseless and coloured. The Adjudicating Authority (AA) slammed the income tax department authority for issuing the order against Khan and a company-- in which he, his wife Gauri Khan and in-laws are shareholders-- in February last year, saying a "commerical transaction entered into course of business by an independent entity cannot be coloured as benami transaction because it had sourced the funds from loans." 13:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In After pressure from tribal groups, Nagaland rejects Citizenship Bill 12:50 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Jet Airways cancelled four flights from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai due to operational reasons yesterday. Passengers of concerned aircraft were shifted to other Jet flights. 12:34 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Indian women's cricket team defeats New Zealand by 8 wickets, wins series. 08:42 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Preparations underway as Uttar Pradesh Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to meet at Prayagraj today. Preparations underway as Uttar Pradesh Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to meet at #Prayagraj today. pic.twitter.com/YEPuExWCf9 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 29, 2019 07:45 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 186 and PM 10 at 159, both in 'Moderate' category in Lodhi Road area, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data. Delhi: Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 186 and PM 10 at 159, both in 'Moderate' category in Lodhi Road area, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data. pic.twitter.com/2F6kGYR07s ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 07:44 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In he United States filed criminal charges against Chinese telecommunications equipment company Huawei on grounds of stealing intellectual property. 07:44 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The Associated Press quoting officials: At least three Houston police officers wounded in a shooting. 07:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Maharashtra: Police busted a sex racket and arrested five women in Nalasopara, Palghar on Monday. 07:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Visuals from a night shelter near AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences). Delhi: Visuals from a night shelter near AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences). pic.twitter.com/9qIvBghdkL ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After battling prolonged illness, former defence minister George Fernandes died in New Delhi on Tuesday at the age of 88. The defence minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, Fernandes was under scanner for the coffin scam. There were allegations that poor quality aluminium caskets were bought from the US at exorbitant rates to transport bodies of Kargil war heroes. In 2003, Fernandes famously flew Sukhoi fighter plane in Pune. A month later, in June, he again undertook a MiG-21 sortie at a time when the fighter planes were dubbed as flying coffins. After the sortie, Fernandes had said that there were "attempts to degrade these fighters and I want to dispel apprehensions about its safety." Here is the life and times of the former defence minister: George Fernandes was born on June 3, 1930, to John Joseph Fernandes and Alice Martha Fernandes in Mangaluru then Mangalore to a Mangalorean Catholic family. He was t he eldest of six children. His mother was a great admirer of King George V (who was also born on 3 June), hence she named him George. he eldest of six children. His mother was a great admirer of King George V (who was also born on 3 June), hence she named him George. His father was employed by the Peerless Finance group as an insurance executive and headed their office of South India for several years. He studied from fifth grade at the school attached to St. Aloysius College, Mangalore where he completed his Secondary School Leaving Certificate. He went to St Peter's Seminary in Bengaluru at 16, to be trained as a Roman Catholic priest, studying philosophy for two and a half years from 1946 to 1948. At 19, he left the seminary due to sheer frustration because he was appalled that the rectors ate better food and sat at higher tables than the seminarians. Fernandes moved to Bombay in 1949 in search of a job. He came into contact with veteran union leader Placid D'Mello, and the socialist Rammanohar Lohia. He rose to prominence as a trade unionist and fought for the rights of labourers in small scale service industries such as hotels and restaurants. Emerging as a key figure in the Bombay labour movement in the early 1950s, Fernandes was a central figure in the unionisation of sections of Bombay labour in the 1950s. He served as a member of the Bombay Municipal Corporation from 1961 to 1968. He won in the civic election in 1961 and, until 1968, continuously raised the problems of the exploited workers in the representative body of the metropolis. In 1967, George Fernandes decided to contest the general elections. The Samyukta Socialist Party offered him a ticket against seasoned politician Congress SK Patil for the Bombay South constituency. Fernandes won against Patil by garnering 48.5 per cent of the votes, thus earning his nickname, "George the Giantkiller". The shocking defeat ended Patil's political career. The most notable strike organised by Fernandes, when he was President of the All India Railwaymen's Federation, was the All India Railway strike of 1974, where the entire nation was brought to a halt. He rose to prominence as a crusader against the Indira Gandhi-imposed Emergency and also served as a Union minister during the Janata Party government headed by Morarji Desai between 1977 and 1980. Fernandes won the Muzaffarpur seat in Bihar. He was appointed the Union Minister for Industries. During his first tenure as MP, George Fernandes set up a Doordarshan Kendra (1978), Kanti Thermal Power Station (1978) and the Lijjat papad factory to generate employment in Muzaffarpur. Fernandes also insisted on womens empowerment. In November 2014, Kanti Thermal Power Station was renamed as George Fernandes Thermal Power Station. Fernandes also insisted on womens empowerment. In November 2014, Kanti Thermal Power Station was renamed as George Fernandes Thermal Power Station. He joined the Janata Dal in August 1988. His second tenure as Minister of Railways in the VP Singh's government from 1989 to 1990, though short-lived, was quite eventful. He was one of the driving forces behind the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore with Bombay. The project happened to be the first major development in the history of rail transport in India since independence. His second tenure as Minister of Railways in the VP Singh's government from 1989 to 1990, though short-lived, was quite eventful. He was one of the driving forces behind the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore with Bombay. The project happened to be the first major development in the history of rail transport in India since independence. Fernandes broke away from the erstwhile Janata Dal and formed the Samata Party in 1994, which became a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Fernandes served as the Defence Minister of India in both the second and third National Democratic Alliance governments (19982004). During his tenure as the defence minister, the Kargil war over Kashmir broke out between India and Pakistan in 1999. Fernandes quit as defence minister in 2004 after the coffin gate scandal broke out. He was subsequently exonerated by two commissions of inquiry constituted to probe the alleged scam. The former defence minister battled a prolonged illness and suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He died on January 29, 2019 at 88. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced Ganga Expressway, the Rs 36,000 crore mega project, which will connect Prayagraj with western part of the state. Billed as the biggest expressway in the world, it will be a four-lane greenfield expressway, which can extend up to six lanes. The 600-km-long Ganga Expressway will be built along the banks of the river, which is called as soul of India. The announcement came after Yogi Adityanath held Cabinet meeting on the banks of Sangam in ongoing Kumbh Mela today. The meeting started at 11 am. After the meeting, Adityanath along with his council of ministers will visit Akshayvat and Saraswati Koop. The Yogi Cabinet will also take a holy dip in Ganga. Later, Yogi Adityanath along with 24 ministers will watch the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Uri at a special screening in a mobile theatre on Kumbha Mela site. Ardh Kumbh is held in every six years, while the Kumbh Mela comes after 12 years. The Yogi Adityanath government has renamed Ardh Kumbh as Kumbh and the Kumbh as Maha Kumbh. The mela draws tens of millions of pilgrims over the course of approximately 48 days to bathe at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river. The congregation includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis and pilgrims from all walks of life. In all there are six auspicious bathing dates in this Kumbh - Makar Sankranti (January 15), Paush Poornima (January 21), Mauni Amawasya (February 4), Basant Panchami (February 10), Maghi Poornima (February 19) and Mahashivratri (March 4). According to the Confederation of Indian Industry, the mega Kumbh Mela is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh Although the Kumbh Mela is spiritual and religious in nature, the economic activities associated with it generate employment for over six lakh workers across various sectors, CII said in a report. The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for the 50-day Kumbh Mela this time, which is over thrice the budget of the Maha Kumbh in 2013, making the mega pilgrimage perhaps the costliest ever. The hospitality sector aims at employing 2,50,000 people, airlines and airports around 1,50,000 and tour operators around 45,000. The employment numbers in eco-tourism and medical tourism are being estimated at 85,000, says a CII study. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: A constable was suspended after a video of him showering currency notes on a group of young schoolgirls went viral on social media. A senior Nagpur (rural) police official said the action was taken against constable Pramod Walke for the indiscipline which took place at a Republic Day cultural programme in a zila parishad school in Nand village in the district's Bhivapur taluka Maharashtra. "Nagpur Rural police Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ola has suspended constable Pramod Walke and has initiated a departmental inquiry," the official said. #WATCH Police constable showers cash on students during Republic Day function at a government school in Nagpur district's Nand. The police constable was suspended following the incident. (26 January) #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/nyTZeRCznO ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 The incident took place on January 26 when girls of Class 6 were presenting a cultural dance on a patriotic song on stage to mark the Republic Day celebrations. The constable, who was on duty inside the premises, was seen climbing onto the stage. He was seen showering currency notes on the girls. Some parents, present in the audience, shot the incident and soon it went viral on social media. Angry with the incident, parents started demanding action against the policeman for the alleged indiscretion and demeaning the students. According to a report in IANS, the constable defended himself saying he had gone there for crowd control, when some people - impressed by the girls' performance - collected cash and requested him to go on stage and present it to them on their behalf. "But after stepping on the stage, the constable made the moves which were found objectionable, though his body language did not suggest vulgarity," Vairagade told IANS. With Agency Inputs For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court on the disputed Ram Mandir dispute in the Ayodhya matter. The government has sought permission from the top court to return all 67-acre surplus land at the site. The government asked the Supreme Court to lift status quo on non-disputed land. The government asked the top court to allow it to hand over part of land that is not under dispute to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. The government's petition comes a day after the Ayodhya case hearing was cancelled because of the non-availability of Justice SA Bobde. The hearing was scheduled to start from today. The new date for the Ayodhya case hearing has not been decided yet. Fourteen appeals have been filed in the top court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, 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, a three-judge bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra 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. However, the Supreme Court is yet to announce the next date for hearing the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute in Ayodhya. On January 25, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had reconstituted the Ayodhya bench where he inducted Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazeer. The case was scheduled to be heard today. 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 had 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". Dhavan, who was appearing for lead petitioner M Siddiq (since dead) and now represented by his legal heirs, pointed to the September 27, 2018 judgment, 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. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Indian tunes were the flavour of the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk on Tuesday with 26 performances by the bands of the armed forces and central and state police contingents which marked the culmination of the Republic Day celebrations. The function began with President Ram Nath Kovind arriving at the venue in his ceremonial motorcade. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Force Chief B S Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba were present on the occasion. The Army, Navy, Air Force, state police and Central Armed Police Force bands performed over two dozen tunes. There were 25 tunes composed by Indian musicians, including 'Indian Soldiers', 'Herana Heran', 'Mushkoh Valley', 'Tejas', 'The Great Marshal', 'Namaste India'. The only western tune played at the event was 'Abide with me'. The event will come to a close with the ever-popular tune 'Sare Jahan se Acha'. This year, 18 military bands, 15 pipes and drums bands from regimental centres and battalions participated in the ceremony. As the bugle was sounded for the retreat, the Raisina Hill complex lit up in a riot of colours, the illumination provided by LEDs rather than the traditional incandescent bulbs. Neighbouring buildings, like the Rail Bhawan and the Udyog Bhawan, however, had incandescent bulb lighting. After the event, Prime Minister Modi ventured out into a stand, leaving behind his VVIP security cover, and shook hands with people.The principal conductor of Beating the Retreat ceremony was Cdr Vijay D'Cruz while Army Military bands conductor was Subedar Parwinder Singh. The Navy and Air Force band conductors were Master Chief Petty Officer Vincent Johnson and Junior Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar respectively. The ceremony held on January 29 every year marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. Beating Retreat marks a centuries-old military tradition. At the sounding of retreat, the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield, returning to their camps at sunset. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Five Maoists were gunned down by security forces during an early morning encounter in Jharkhands West Singhbhum today. According to news agency ANI, two-AK 47s, one 303 rifle and two pistols were also recovered from the extremists. Earlier on January 25, a woman Maoist was neutralised in an encounter in neighbouring Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Maoist literature, medicines, items of daily use and other Maoist-related materials were also seized from the spot. Apart from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra is also affected by Left-Wing Extremism. On January 22, suspected Maoists had shot dead three villagers in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on suspicion that their tip-off to police led to killing of 40 extremists in a massive operation in the region last year, a police official said. Armed Maoists from Chhattisgarh entered Kasnasur village near Kosfundi phata in Bhamragad taluka, around 950 km from Mumbai in the early hours, and went to the houses of Malu Madavi, Kanna Madavi and Lalsu Kudyeti, a police official said. The Maoists had dragged the villagers outside their houses and shot them dead. However, the Narendra Modi government has maintained that there has been a considerable fall in the left-wing extremism. "As far as the Maoists are concerned, they are fighting a lost battle. Extremism by Maoists has shown a significant decrease ( in the country)," Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said last year. The Home Minister said Maoist influence was spread across 135 districts of the country. "Now it has come down to 90 districts. This is the achievement of our four years of rule and if we go further in describing it, only ten districts have been left where there is high influence of Maoists," he said. On being asked about reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on the radar of such extremists, Singh said, "We are very cautious about the security of our prime minister". The senior BJP leader added that the north-east has also seen a dip in extremist activities. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi, today, said that his party will pass the Women's Reservation Bill if voted to power in 2019 Lok Sabha poll. While addressing a rally in Kerala's Cochin, Rahul Gandhi said, "We will ensure that in every election, many more youngsters and women participate. We want to see women in positions of leadership and I know leaders of Kerala are extremely capable." Rahul Gandhi also said that the Congress will make up all the crimes committed by Narendra Modi against the farmers over the last 5 years. "We have forgiven farm loan waivers in the 3 states where we've won elections. We've committed that in 2019 we will have a government that will make up for all the crimes that Narendra Modi has done against farmers over the last 5 years," he said. On the issue of job creation, the Congress chief launched a scathing attack against PM Modi and said that he has been telling one lie after another. "Mr Narendra Modi has spent 5 years wasting India's time telling one lie after another. He promised 2 crore jobs to youngsters," he said. "He (PM Modi) has provided a maximum income guarantee to 15 of his friends. If you're Anil Ambani you've guaranteed to maximum income you can get. We're going to give a minimum income guarantee to all the Indians," he added. Earlier today, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi met Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at the state Assembly complex and enquired about his health. Parrikar, 63, who has been suffering from a pancreatic ailment, heads the BJP-led government in the coastal state. The meeting comes a day after Gandhi alleged that the "Goa audio tapes", cited by the Congress to attack the Centre on the Rafale issue, were authentic and Parrikar was in possession of "explosive secrets" that give him power over Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi arrived in the Assembly premises around noon, soon after the House was adjourned following Goa Governor Mridula Sinha's address, which was boycotted by Congress members. After his arrival, the Congress president went to meet the chief minister in his chamber in the assembly complex. Gandhi later went to the opposition lobby in the Assembly to meet Congress MLAs. He held a meeting with them for 10 minutes before leaving. The Congress chief refused to talk to waiting mediapersons, saying, "I am getting late." Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, who accompanied Gandhi to meet Parrikar, said, "It was a courtesy visit to enquire about Parrikar's health. There was no discussion other than enquiring about his health condition." Kavlekar said Rahul Gandhi had an informal discussion with Congress MLAs in Goa as he would be arriving here next month to address party workers. Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi were on a private visit to the coastal state. Goa's Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai dubbed the Congress chief's visit to Parrikar as a "positive development in politics". "I had asked the chief minister. He told me that even in the past, four to five times, Rahul Gandhi had called on his (Parrikar's) son's mobile phone and enquired about his health," Sardesai told reporters after the Congress president left the Assembly complex. The minister appreciated Gandhi's move to enquire about a political opponent's health. "This is a positive development in politics. The political leadership in the country is concerned about the health and well-being even of its opponents is something which has to be lauded," he added. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has taken the authorities to task for assigning duties to schoolteachers which are not remotely connected to imparting education. The high court held that principals and teachers cannot be asked by municipal corporations to perform duties outside the purview of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act and rules under it. Justice C Hari Shankar set aside several notifications issued by the corporations requiring the principals and teachers to conduct a household survey and participate in the preparation of the Ward Education Register. The court, however, clarified that authorities are justified in seeking assistance of principals and teachers to aid in opening bank accounts of children in the school and linking them with Aadhaar cards, but the requirement cannot be treated as mandatory and cannot be made a basis for proceeding against them for non-rendering adequate assistance. This court is constrained to take judicial notice of the fact that there is a prevalent practice, in recent times, of schools assigning to teachers duties and tasks not remotely connected to imparting of education. This, in the opinion of this court, is impermissible and unconscionable in equal measure, it said. The court added, Education is a serious affair, and teachers are justifiably regarded as discharging divine duties, nourishing and nurturing the minds of tomorrow. Single-minded devotion, and blind pursuit of excellence must guide every educator. It is no less than an affront, therefore, to belabour teachers with tasks which deflect, detract and distract, from the noble task of imparting education. The courts order came on a petition by an organisation, Akhil Delhi Prathmik Shikshak Sangh, a society comprising teachers of schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, espousing their cause. The plea challenged the duties assigned to teachers in government schools which are not linked to education, including opening of bank accounts of children of their schools, linking the accounts with Aadhaar and conducting house to house survey to maintain the ward education register. They contended that the ward education register is required to be maintained by the local authorities under the RTE Act. The counsel for the Delhi government contended that these duties are only incidental and ancillary to the duty of imparting education, which is the primary duty of the teachers and principals. The court agreed with the submission of the teachers organisation that under the RTE Act and RTE Rules, the duty of maintaining the ward education register and conducting the household survey is cast upon the local authority and it do not contemplate participation of the principals and teachers in the exercise. No doubt, the local authority could justifiably request for assistance from the principal and the teachers of the schools, so that the carrying out of the said exercise is facilitated, and so that the purpose thereof is contained. That would not, however, justify issuance by any of the Municipal Corporations, of directives, to the teachers and the principals to mandatorily carry out the said exercise, or even to assist or participate therein, under pain of punitive consequences for default, in any manner, it said. New Delhi: Smaller e-commerce players like Snapdeal and ShopClues have written to the government opposing any move to extend the February 1, deadline for online marketplaces to comply with FDI rules, and urged that pressure for such relaxations need to be "resisted strongly". The position taken by these players is in contrast to that of giants like Amazon and Walmart-backed Flipkart who have sought an extension, stating that they need more time to understand the details of the framework. In December, the government had announced new regulations - under Press Note 2 - that would bar online marketplaces with foreign investments from selling products of the companies where they hold stakes, and ban exclusive marketing arrangements. These changes are expected to hit Amazon and Flipkart, the hardest. Snapdeal co-founder and CEO Kunal Bahl, in his letter dated January 25 to Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu, said the "prompt implementation of Press Note 2/2018, without delay or dilution, is the first and crucial step to curb the continuing violations of the FDI policy on e-commerce". He argued that "the timelines allowed are adequate for compliance" and that Snapdeal has already updated its technical processes, engaged statutory auditors - EY as well as apprised its team and sellers about the upcoming changes in norms. Describing the proposed measures as being crucial to prevent "further damage to India's retail sector", Snapdeal said the extreme narrative being projected is an "orchestrated move" meant to pressurise authorities and "needs to be resisted strongly". ShopClues co-founder and CEO Sanjay Sethi echoed similar sentiments and urged for an "expeditious implementation of the policy clarifications, leaving no scope for extension to the given deadline". He warned that "violators" may use their clout to seek extension or relaxations in the policy, "which if allowed, will perpetuate the damages already done to micro, small and medium enterprises". ShopClues said any attempts being made to portray the clarifications (under Press Note 2) as a new policy, anti-FDI or anti-consumer is "dangerously misleading and wrong". Traders' body CAIT, had also requested the government not to accede to any demand by large e-commerce players, the US or Indian associations for changes or extensions warning that any adverse move will be opposed by the trading community "tooth and nail". RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch had also recently written to the government saying that buckling under pressure from the US will directly harm the interest of 13 crore people, who earn their livelihood as small entrepreneurs and their employees. There are reports that the US authorities have expressed concerns that the new rules could impact the investment plans of large foreign players in India. Both Amazon and Flipkart have pumped in millions of dollars into the booming Indian e-commerce market. Amazon had committed an investment of USD 5 billion -- a large chunk of which has already been pumped in across various entities (like wholesale, marketplace and payments) that it operates in India. Flipkart, which saw Walmart picking up 77 per cent stake for a whopping USD 16 billion earlier this year, has also invested in various areas over the years. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The value of the brand Tata has soared 37 percent to $19.5 billion in 2019, helping the conglomerate break into the top-100 in a global brands list, according to a report. The salt-to-software group has been ranked 86th in the list compiled by the London-based consultancy Brand Finance, up from 104 in 2018, the statement said, adding it is the only domestic brand in the global top-100. "The Tata group has seen an impressive increase in brand value in 2019, and have been rewarded by being the only Indian brand within the top 100 most valuable brands in the world," Brand Finance chief executive David Haigh was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Tata group. Reacting to the recognition, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said, "this recognition will encourage us to drive our businesses in a socially responsible manner globally while continuing to strive for excellence through innovation and entrepreneurship." The improvement in brand value was aided largely by the performance of the group's cash-cow Tata Consultancy Services, Haigh said. The statement further said the brand value was also helped by the group's automotive and steel companies as also the inclusion of a wider number of Tata group entities for computing the value. Meanwhile, 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. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Shamokin, PA (17872) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 83F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Denmark has begun construction on an enormous fence along its German border, to try and control migration of wild boar. African swine fever has been discovered in two deceased wild boar in Belgium, and there are fears the disease could threaten Denmark's huge pork industry. Pork-product exports bring close to $4.6 billion dollars in revenue to Denmark every year African swine fever is harmless to humans, but fatal to pigs within days. There is no cure, and no vaccine reports the BBC. Denmark produces 28 million years pigs a year, and if the disease spreads it could lose almost $1.7 billion in exports. The Minister for Environment and Food, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen told the BBC the government was determined "to do everything we can to prevent African swine fever reaching Denmark. And now we can finally get started on erecting our wild boar fence." Construction is scheduled for completion later this year, and once it's finished the fence will be five feet tall, and 50 centimetres deep to stop pigs from burrowing under. And it'll be electrified. It will run for close to 70 kilometres, with gaps at border crossing points and waterways. Steps and gates will allow for humans to cross over it, and 20 centimetre openings will let small animals move through the fence. As well as the fence, Denmark has relaxed its hunting restrictions to allow boar hunting "around the clock" reports BBC. Fines for improperly disinfected livestock have also been increased. A single case of swine fever can have disastrous consequences. The BBC reports that in 2014, a farm in Lithuania was hit by the disease. As a result, they were forced to cull the entire livestock; 20,000 pigs. Lithuania has been containing the disease ever since the initial outbreak, Newshub. A video of a woman rudely ranting at two 'big' plane passengers she'd been sat next to has gone viral. The video was taken by New Jersey nurse Norma Rodgers, who was verbally abused on a plane when the woman next to her started complaining about the size of her and the man on the other side of her. The woman in the middle says to a person she's talking to on the phone that "at least they'll keep me warm" about the other two. "I can't do this," she says as she tried to find another seat. "I can't breathe I'm so smushed," she continues. "I eat salad." Ms Rodgers eventually calls for assistance and asks that the lady be put in another seat. "Can you find her another seat? Because I will not be verbally abused," says Ms Rodger. "I'm not tolerating it." Air New Zealand is offering 500 flights for $1 on a range of routes across the country via its website Grabaseat. Regional deals include Gisborne-Wellington, Auckland-Kerikeri, Christchurch-Palmerston North, and Auckland-Rotorua. There are also 45 seats in each direction available Auckland-Christchurch and Auckland-Wellington. International travellers can also get $99 one-way flights to Noumea and Niue, and $299 one-way fares from Auckland to San Francisco or Houston. Ninety return trips to Shanghai will be available for $649. The flights will go on sale at 9am and are expected to sell out in minutes. Newshub. While a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) has yet to be mooted by the Tax Working Group, commentators are already saying any CGT would be an extremely tough sell for Labour and is likely to hurt the business sector. In her post-cabinet press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern fielded questions regarding a CGT that is expected to be recommended by the Government's Tax Working Group when it reports back this week. While Newshub's Political Editor Tova O'Brien admitted to The AM Show that Ms Ardern was "hamstrung" while she awaited the report, she was "certainly defensive" when talking about any potential CGT. "The Prime Minister kicked off her first post-cabinet press conference, her first big chat to the media back at Parliament, on the defensive, shutting things down, not wanting to talk about things, not wanting to engage, it was not a good start to the year for the Prime Minister," said O'Brien. "I, for one, had a lot more questions about CGT, there was a lot more we could have asked within the realms of what she could say, but she shut down all of those questions repeatedly and then she just moved the entire press core onto a different topic." O'Brien said any CGT would be an "incredibly tough sell for Labour", noting the party's tumultuous history with the tax. Ms Ardern scrapped Labour's capital gains policy a week before the 2017 election in the face of immense criticism and attack ads from National. The prospect of a capital gains tax was poison at the 2014 election too, derailing then-Labour leader David Cunliffe's campaign. "It can be sold, other countries have done it, but it is traditionally politically vexed for Labour," said O'Brien, who also noted ministers were beginning to refer to the tax as a Capital Income Tax, an attempt to reframe it for the public along similar lines to any other income tax. O'Brien said the release of the Tax Working Group's report may give Labour time to sell any proposed CGT, but on the other hand it also opens up a vacuum of discussion about it. "It means we are going to be talking about this thing that has been political poison for the Labour party traditionally, and the National party will be rubbing its hands together at the prospects," said O'Brien. Another hurdle Ms Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson may need to overcome is their coalition partner, New Zealand First, who has long rallied against any form of CGT. "This is going to be a gargantuan battle. Winston Peters has been vehemently opposed to the CGT for as long as I can remember," said O'Brien. "There are a myriad of quotes of him talking about CGT not working here, not working there." Former ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie also agreed it would hard to sell the tax to the public and doesn't see it being implemented unless it was a "watered down" version with several exemptions. Mr Bagrie told The AM Show that New Zealand needed a CGT that taxed "wealth creation with the house" and said the family home, which would be excluded from any CGT the Government introduced, should be included. He said other assets like the car, boat, and even jewellery should be included under the CGT, however, at the same time the Government should also "cut the guts of income taxes" to keep things "fair" and "revenue neutral". But with politics being involved, Mr Bagrie said things likely wouldn't turn out "fair" and the CGT regime New Zealand would likely end up with would see the business sector hurt as Kiwis are discouraged from investing in businesses to which the CGT would apply. Newshub. Jacinda Ardern is already feeling the pressure over whether to introduce a capital gains tax in what is shaping up to be one of the biggest political fights of 2019 and the election year. The Government's tax working group is expected to recommend the tax when it reports back this week. But not only would the Prime Minister have to sell it to the public, she's got a hard job convincing Winston Peters first. In her first post-Cabinet meeting of the year, Ms Ardern confirmed there will be no Cabinet reshuffle or demotions until after Budget 2019 is released. "I have decided to consider a reshuffle after the delivery of this key milestone," she said on Tuesday. But before all that, the Prime Minister has a whopping great political fight on her hands: whether to introduce a capital gains tax - a tax on profits when you sell assets like property, land or shares. Given that Labour got cold feet over its capital gains tax at the last election, the question remains over whether the party will be up for the fight going into the next one. And it will likely dominate the election in 2020. Ms Ardern scrapped Labour's capital gains policy a week before the 2017 election in the face of immense criticism and attack ads from National. The prospect of a capital gains tax was poison at the 2014 election too, derailing then-Labour leader David Cunliffe's campaign. The tax working group reports back to the Government this week and already this much is clear: "The family home is off limits." Asked if that would include the family home in a trust, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said on Tuesday that it would. It's still going to be a tough sell with voters. But first up, Ms Ardern has got to get it past the goalie, her deputy Winston Peters. In the past, the New Zealand First (NZ First) leader has said capital gains tax doesn't work in this country or "any country". Asked if Labour and NZ First are on the same page in terms of a broad base capital gains tax, Ms Ardern said it all depends on what the tax working group report comes back with. The Government will probably take two or three weeks to mull over the tax working group's recommendations - the capital gains tax likely one of many. Newshub. A 28-year-old woman has admitted making a false complaint that she found a needle in a strawberry at a Timaru supermarket. Jaydean Temperley, of Timaru made the complaint about a supposed contaminated punnet at Timaru's Pak'nSave in December. All strawberries at the supermarket were pulled from shelves while police investigated, resulting in a $3565 loss for the supermarket. She pleaded guilty to the charges of making a false complaint to police and for causing loss by deception in the Timaru District Court on Tuesday morning. She has been remanded on bail for sentencing in April. Foodstuffs New Zealand, which owns Pak'nSave said they are pleased with the outcome of the investigation thus far. "Malicious events like these have serious consequences for our customers, suppliers and stores," Foodstuffs Head of External Relations Antoinette Laird says. "The impact on our business is considerable; from the destruction of perfectly good produce, harm to our reputation and that of our suppliers, to the time wasted dealing with false claims. "We take our responsibility of care to customers very seriously and follow a thorough process in all these types of instances. To have to do so needlessly, is frustrating to say the least." Ms Laird says Foodstuffs is grateful for the ongoing support from Police and MPI. National MP Nathan Guy, the party's Agriculture spokesperson recently proposed a Private Member's Bill that will create stronger penalties for deliberate food contamination. Newshub. The heatwave isn't over yet. In fact, it's going to get worse, an expert says. As the country rolls into Wednesday and Thursday, there's a chance we'll see the hottest temperatures of the heatwave, says NIWA meteorologist Ben Noll. "Thursday is probably going to be the warmest day so that 36degC to 37degC range seems possible," he told Newshub. "The hottest temperature we've seen so far during this heatwave is 35.3degC in Blenheim, so it is quite possible that we see temperatures exceeding that mark as we head into tomorrow." A video posted to Twitter by NIWA shows how temperatures across New Zealand will be in the "above average" category. More than 3000 junior doctors are striking across the country on Tuesday, protesting longer work hours and poor conditions. The 48-hour strike, the second of three protests, was planned after doctors and District Health Boards (DHBs) across the country failed to reach a settlement on proposed new contracts last week. Before the first strike on January 15, New Zealand Residents Doctors Association (RDA) president Dr Courtney Brown said doctors want to keep their current contracts, which limit how many days in a row they can work to ten. "They will be able to roster us for 16-hour days, and over 10 days in a row. At the start of 2017, the DHB issued a contract saying we can only work 10 days in a row, and now they're trying to push it up to 12 days in a row." Dr Brown also said junior doctors' current contracts allow them to have a say in where they work. "If the District Health Board changes it then we can be sent anywhere, to any DHB, without a say," she said. Earlier on Tuesday, resident medical officer Dr Sofie Rose told The AM Show that she couldn't see herself being able to work 12-day stretches while often working more than 15 hours a day. "I don't think I'd cope if we went back to 12, which I think is essentially what is being proposed," she said. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream: it was to unite the races. While that dream remains unfulfilled, much progress has been made, thanks largely to him. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also had a dream: to allow children to be killed in their mother's womb right up until birth by non-physicians. Now his dream has been realized. It is indisputable that in the third trimester the baby is capable of feeling pain, so when the baby has his head punctured with a blunt instrumentthat's what happens in partial-birth abortionshe feels it. Cuomo has also sanctioned the killing of infants. Even babies who survive a botched abortion are now allowed to die unattended by staff. Infanticide is usually associated with Hitlerian regimes, not democratic ones. Cuomo was so ecstatic about winning that he ordered One World Trade Center to light up the sky in pink. Red would have been a more apt choice. It would be impossible to find any politician in the United States who is more enthusiastic about abortion than Andrew Cuomo. He is literally orgasmic about it. "Because it's her body, it's her choice. Because it's her body, it's her choice. Because it's her body, it's her choice." Cuomo's three-time refrain was voiced in 2013. He failed then, largely because of the Republican controlled Assembly. But now that the Democrats own both houses of the legislature, he finally won. Gloria Steinem, who aborted her child when she was 22, was among the first to congratulate him. In his victory speech, the former altar boy ended by saying, "God bless you." If this isn't demonic, the word has no meaning. There are many parts of Cuomo's bill that are obscene, but there is one part that deserves special mention. That is the part that allows eye doctors, foot doctors, teeth doctors and others to perform abortions. I am not making this up. Cuomo's bill allows "licensed health practitioners" to perform abortions. Section 238-11 of New York State Public Health Law says, "'Practitioner' shall mean a licensed or registered physician, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, nurse, midwife, physician assistant or specialist assistant, physical therapist, or optometrist." There you have it. Cuomo knows there aren't enough doctors who will agree to suction a baby out of the mother's womb at nine months, so he has to allow those who have no training as a physician to do so. By the way, when Planned Parenthood pushed for the same type of legislation in California in 2012, the California Nurses Association fought it. What will Cuomo do if there aren't enough non-physicians to do the dirty deed? Permit orderlies to do it? Here's a fast quiz. Which women will be the most likely to have a non-physician do their abortion? Rich white women? Or poor blacks and Hispanics? Doing an abortion successfully (meaning not hurting the woman) takes a lot of experience, so don't expect the foot doctors to catch on quickly. In 1990, Minnesota abortionist Jane Hodgson received The Margaret Sanger award from Planned Parenthood. Here is what she said. "When I first started doing abortions, I took my boards in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and therefore I knew I was competent to do it. After I had done my first few hundred I realized how silly I had been. At this point, having done somewhere around 12,000 procedures, I'm beginning to think I am reasonably competent." It is not likely that the average chiropractor will be able to reach that level of competence about this "procedure" any time soon. So what happens to the women who undergo an abortion and wind up bleeding all over the place? What will the dentist do? We know from the work of emergency room physician Dr. Matt Zban that trained doctors have a difficult time as it is tending to women pushed out of clinics after experiencing severe complications following their abortion. What can we reasonably expect the eye doctors will do? The family of the first woman to die as a result of an abortion performed by a non-physician should sue New York State. Rep. Lee Zeldin is an observant Jewish congressman from Long Island. Here is what he said the day Cuomo signed his bill. "As a parent of identical girls born in their 2nd trimester at less than 1.5 pounds, I'm especially disgusted by the NYS legislature voting today to allow late term, partial birth abortions up to the end of the 3rd trimester & allowing non doctors to perform abortion. So wrong!" It's a tragedy that the non-observant Catholic governor of New York can't see the truth in Zeldin's observation. Contact: Melissa DeRosa, secretary to the governor: melissa.derosa@exec.ny.gov Jeffersonville, IN (47130) Today Sunshine and a few clouds. Hot. High 93F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 77F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Funeral services for Thomas Armond "Tommy" Ritch, 72, will be Friday, June 11 at 11 a.m. from the Chapel of Kilgroe Funeral Home. Interment to followe at Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Cemetery in Gallant. The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 a.m. until service time at funeral home It seemed the quote-unquote truth didnt matter. What mattered were power, money and influence. The ruling means my case will probably never go to trial. The court has already ordered me to pay the Times for its legal fees because, hey, a guy with $7 billion obviously needs and deserves to get cash from a cartoonist the Times used to pay $300 a week. That sum will definitely be higher perhaps double by the time the Times files the rest of its legal fees. The ruling necessarily means my bankruptcy and/or being forced to leave the United States so I can continue to earn a living. This used to be the kind of thing that happened to journalists in other countries, not the U.S. Unfortunately, I couldnt even get the American Civil Liberties Union behind me apparently, because they dont want to be seen as opposing the anti-SLAPP law. Im much luckier than Jamal Khashoggi though the tactics deployed in my case make me pretty sure they would do the same thing to me if they could get away with it. But the courts real message isnt directed toward me. What the court did in brazen deference to the LAPD and The LA Times and in direct opposition of the law was apparently to send a message to journalists in California: Do not mess with the cops and do not mess with a newspaper owned by the cops. As the cover story for the May issue of 'Good Housekeeping', celebrity couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard shared their secret to connecting with each other. Citing couples therapy as their main approach to make their marriage stronger, Bell explained that undergoing therapy should not be deemed as an embarrassing process. She said that being honest in looking at one's imperfections is a healthy way of attaining relationship goals. The 'Frozen' star also shared having a bad temper and described her marriage with Shepard with Paula Abdul's video 'Opposites Attract.' "But he [Shepard], having worked through a variety of emotional issues to get sober, said, 'This isn't going to work. This isn't how I'm going to communicate for the rest of my life'", Bell explained. The 'House of Lies' actress also opened up about arguing and disagreeing with her husband, calling their approach in settlings things as "healthy." Meanwhile, Shepard shared his insight on reading 'Blink' by Malcolm Gladwell; the 40-year-old actor talked about a University of Washington researcher who conducts interviews with people and concluding that having contempt for one's partner will eventually lead to separation. According to the father of daughters Lincoln and Delta, he and Bell should be able to watch out in becoming disdainful every time they argue. Shepard said he once made the following statement to his wife: "If I ever see you roll your eyes at me, we need to hit pause and figure out what's going on." Unpredictable things have brought on noteworthy lessons for Bell in keeping up with her husband and toddler kids. The 34-year-old actress admitted that she was not sure whether she wanted to have children. However, her perspective on motherhood significantly changed after giving birth to Lincoln, who is now two years old. The 'Veronica Mars' actress' second pregnancy then gave her doubts as to whether she would still be capable of tending to her firstborn. Nonetheless, after delivering Delta through C-section, Bell shared that she has been able to keep up with both of her kids and is having the time of her life. The actress also opened up about taking it easy with the 17 lbs. that she would need to lose in order to return to her original weight. "I'm going to let it come off naturally," she says. "I refuse to compare myself to anyone anymore. I've done it; it didn't make me feel good." Please register or log in to keep reading Stay logged in to skip the surveys. The committee voted unanimously, 16-0, to pass by the legislation indefinitely, which means it fails unless it is revived at the committees next meeting, said Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, who sits on the committee. Newman, a co-sponsor of the bill, was not in the room when the vote was recorded Tuesday. A proxy vote was taken on his behalf, which he said is a common practice in the General Assembly when legislators are not present during votes. If he were in the room he would have voted for the bill, he said. Newman said he plans to bring the bill back up for discussion at todays (Wednesday) Finance Committee meeting. Its chances of survival, unfortunately, are not good, Newman said. It appears the sense of the committee is its not going to pass. Another measure related to CVTC, however, earned unanimous approval from the committee. Senate Bill 1072 seeks to change the definition of a training center and now will proceed to the Senate floor. Peake introduced SB 1072, a companion bill to SB 1071, with the intent of preventing further transfers of CVTC residents to Hiram Davis Medical Center in Petersburg. The office clerk of the Bedford Moose Lodge is accused of stealing hundreds of dollars from the lodge, authorities said Tuesday. Patsy Brown Crowder, of Bedford, was arrested Saturday by the Virginia State Police on five counts of grand larceny, five counts of forgery and five counts of using a forged document, according to state police spokesperson Sgt. Richard Garletts. Online court records show the alleged offenses occurred in March, April, October and November of 2017. Crowder, who is listed in Bedford Lodge No. 1897s Feb. 2018 newsletter as an office clerk, was booked in the Bedford Adult Detention Center on Saturday and released on a $5,000 bond on Monday, according to online jail records. It is unclear exactly how much money Crowder is accused of stealing from the lodge. Under state law, grand larceny is the theft of money or property valued at $500 or more. State police declined to detail the nature of the offenses. When reached by phone Tuesday, an employee at the lodge declined to comment. In an email, Bedford County Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance confirmed the arrest but did not specify the nature of the charges. Crowder is scheduled to appear in Bedford General District Court on April 22. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. City and airport officials first explored the idea of an independent airport authority in the early 2000s as part of the creation of a proposed air commerce park in which the city and Campbell County would partner to develop around 150 acres southwest of the airfield. Courtney wrote the goal was to integrate county and city-owned property into a combined industrial park and commercial service regional airport governed by an independent airport authority. However, the creation of an independent governmental body such as an airport authority requires legislative action by the General Assembly. So, in 2007, Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, introduced a bill known as Virginias Region 2000 Airport Authority Act. It was signed into law by then-governor Tim Kaine in April 2007. Virginias Region 2000 Airport Authority Act enables the city of Lynchburg and the governing bodies of one or more of the Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell by resolution declare that there is a need for an airport authority to be created for the purpose of establishing or operating an airport for such participating political subdivisions, according to the bills language. It grants broad powers to the independent authority, including the power of eminent domain and the right to form its own policy department and set rates and fees. Amherst County public schools are closing early today, while Lynchburg schools are canceling after-school activities, because of the weather forecast. Amherst County's high school and middle schools will dismiss at 1 p.m., while the elementary schools will dismiss at 2 p.m., according to the school system's website. All after-school activities are canceled. The early dismissal is to get students home prior to winter weather, the school system said on social media. All Lynchburg City Schools after-school activities are canceled, according to its website. The forecast this afternoon and tonight calls for a chance of snow with temperatures dropping to the low 20s, according to the National Weather Service. This is a breaking news update. Contact Matt Busse at (434) 385-5534 or mbusse@newsadvance.com. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. New target for gastric cancer therapies Cardiff University researchers have uncovered new information about the underlying mechanisms for gastric cancer, providing hope of potential new therapies in the future. The team, at the University's European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, found they could stop gastric cells dividing and growing by deleting a particular cell-surface receptor implicated in the function of stem cells. Dr Toby Phesse, Cardiff University, said: "The prognosis of gastric cancer is very poor, with very few treatment options available to patients, and thus we desperately need new clinical treatments for this disease. "Some patients with gastric cancer have mutations in genes that are involved in the regulation of Wnt - a cell signaling pathway involved in cell division. It drives the development of cancer and the spread of cancers throughout the body. "We also see an increase in some of the Fzd receptors, which transmit Wnt signaling, and this is linked to poor prognosis in gastric cancer. "Despite this evidence, there is limited research investigating the potential of targeting Wnt receptors as a treatment for gastric cancers. We aimed to understand the implications of inhibiting Wnt by targeting Fzd receptors and whether this could be used as an effective treatment." The scientists targeted a specific Fzd receptor called Fzd7, as this was identified the predominant Wnt receptor responsible for the function of stem cells in the stomach and intestine. They found that deletion of Fzd7 in gastric cells made these cells unable to respond to Wnt signals and they failed to divide and grow. Dr Phesse added: "This information gives us a potential new therapeutic route for gastric cancers, as we could target Fzd7 and consequently inhibit Wnt signaling and tumor growth. In fact, Vantictumab is a drug known to inhibit several Fzd receptors, including Fzd7, and is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of other cancers - like pancreatic, lung and breast. "We have now shown in this work that Vantictumab has potent anti-tumor effects in gastric tumors with and without mutations to the Wnt pathway. "This research extends the scope of patients that may benefit from this therapy, to now include gastric cancer patients, and future work will establish if we can proceed with clinical trials targeting Wnt receptors for this devastating disease." A new type of sensor could lead to artificial skin that someday helps burn victims 'feel' and safeguards the rest of us, University of Connecticut researchers suggest in a paper in Advanced Materials. Our skin's ability to perceive pressure, heat, cold, and vibration is a critical safety function that most people take for granted. But burn victims, those with prosthetic limbs, and others who have lost skin sensitivity for one reason or another, can't take it for granted, and often injure themselves unintentionally. Chemists Islam Mosa from UConn, and James Rusling from UConn and UConn Health, along with University of Toronto engineer Abdelsalam Ahmed, wanted to create a sensor that can mimic the sensing properties of skin. Such a sensor would need to be able to detect pressure, temperature, and vibration. But perhaps it could do other things too, the researchers thought. "It would be very cool if it had abilities human skin does not; for example, the ability to detect magnetic fields, sound waves, and abnormal behaviors," said Mosa. Mosa and his colleagues created such a sensor with a silicone tube wrapped in a copper wire and filled with a special fluid made of tiny particles of iron oxide just one billionth of a meter long, called nanoparticles. The nanoparticles rub around the inside of the silicone tube and create an electric current. The copper wire surrounding the silicone tube picks up the current as a signal. When this tube is bumped by something experiencing pressure, the nanoparticles move and the electric signal changes. Sound waves also create waves in the nanoparticle fluid, and the electric signal changes in a different way than when the tube is bumped. The researchers found that magnetic fields alter the signal too, in a way distinct from pressure or sound waves. Even a person moving around while carrying the sensor changes the electrical current, and the team found they could distinguish between the electrical signals caused by walking, running, jumping, and swimming. Metal skin might sound like a superhero power, but this skin wouldn't make the wearer Colossus from the X-men. Rather, Mosa and his colleagues hope it could help burn victims "feel" again, and perhaps act as an early warning for workers exposed to dangerously high magnetic fields. Because the rubber exterior is completely sealed and waterproof, it could also serve as a wearable monitor to alert parents if their child fell into deep water in a pool, for example. "The inspiration was to make something durable that would last for a very long time, and could detect multiple hazards," Mosa says. The team has yet to test the sensor for its response to heat and cold, but they suspect it will work for those as well. The next step is to make the sensor in a flat configuration, more like skin, and see if it still works. People with sight problems could benefit from a surgical trial advance that has been shown to help restore the surface of the eye. Doctors made the world-first step by carrying out a clinical trial using stem cells from donors to create tissue that was transplanted into patients with a condition that causes blindness. Researchers say the trial offers clues about how eye tissue loss could be repaired using stem cells from organ donors. It also sheds light on the causes of sight disorders. The trial focused on limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which can result from damage to eye from chemicals or heat, or be caused by a disease called aniridia. It leads to scarring and severe vision loss in both eyes as well as chronic pain and redness. LSCD is a significant cause of sight loss - especially in countries where resources and services are limited - but it does not typically respond to standard treatments. To carry out the trial, researchers - led by the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service - isolated stem cells in the eye's protective layer, known as the cornea. A normal healthy cornea is transparent, but becomes scarred and opaque when specialised stem cells are lost in LSCD. These cornea samples were taken from people who had donated their eyes after death. The team then grew the stem cells - which have the unique ability to transform into other cell types - into tissue ready to be transplanted. Sixteen patients were split into two groups with both given eye drops and medicines to suppress their immune system to reduce transplant rejection. One group was also given the stem cells. This is the first time that stem cells have been used in this way in a randomised clinical trial - the gold standard scientific method for testing a new treatment. Patients who had received the stem cells showed significant repair of their eyes' ocular surface - the outermost layer - over 18 months, which was not seen in those who did not receive the treatment. Both the stem cell group and the control group showed improvements in vision, which researchers say warrants further investigation a larger trial. Scientists have hailed the step as a landmark for cell-based surgery. They say it shows promise for repairing the eye's surface, paving the way for similar donor trials to be planned. The team suggest that the immune system could play a driving role in some forms of LSCD, but caution that more research is needed. The project, published in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine was funded by UK Stem Cell Foundation, Scottish Enterprise and the Chief Scientist Office, part of Scottish Government Health Directorates. Baljean Dhillon, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, who led the study, said: "The findings from this small study are very promising and show the potential for safe stem cell eye surgery as well as improvements in eye repair. "Our next steps are to better understand how stem cells could promote tissue repair for diseases that are extremely hard to treat and if, and how, they could help to restore vision." Marc Turner, Medical Director of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and Professor of Cellular Therapy at the University of Edinburgh said: "Clinical studies such as these help us to understand how complex new cellular therapies may be able to complement existing medical approaches in restoring function to damaged tissues and organs." Source: https://www.ed.ac.uk/ WASHINGTON The government's top doctor is taking aim at the best-selling electronic cigarette brand in the U.S., urging swift action to prev Record cold temperatures are on the way. Learn what you can do to stay safe and prepare for the arctic weather. featured Crime Juvenile accused in shooting death of Harvey High School student to be tried as an adult Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Gov. Ned Lamont wants to end Connecticuts cycle of budget deficits, deliver property-tax relief and amass a fiscal bulwark against the next recession. But to do it, he may push wary legislators to extend the sales tax for the first time to groceries, medications and other long-exempt items. Lamont pledged during the 2018 campaign that he would not raise the income tax or empty the states budget reserves to close a shortfall of $1.5 billion projected for the coming fiscal year, saying neither of those measures would bring fiscal stability to a state that has struggled to balance its budget in every year but one from 2007 to 2017. While removing these exemptions could generate hundreds of millions more a year for the states coffers, Lamont would find it extremely difficult to sell lawmakers on the idea of taxing bread, milk, and medicine even with the lofty goal of fiscal stability. In order to build a better budget one that will attempt to provide the much-needed stability for economic growth through the next two years and through the next decade we need to explore new and different options, said Chris McClure, spokesman for the governors budget office. This means leaving no stone unturned, and engaging in all necessary conversations so we can evaluate and analyze ways to achieve and retain balance. The new governors first budget proposal isnt due to legislators for another month. But his administration has been researching options to broaden the sales tax base and reduce the 6.35 percent rate across-the-board, a variation on a post-election recommendation made by some members of the Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Competitiveness. The study group called for an end to most exemptions, and a 2 percent tax on groceries. Expanding the sales tax would not break any campaign promise made by Lamont, but it would draw Democratic legislators, few of whom have close relationships with the new governor, into an uncomfortable debate about a tax that would be felt most deeply in the homes of the working poor and middle class. Mitigating that impact is a federal law barring the taxation of of food purchased through SNAP, the supplemental nutrition assistance program formerly known as food stamps. It now serves 384,000 individuals in 215,000 households in Connecticut. Billions in sales tax exemptions The sales tax is projected to generate $4.2 billion this fiscal year, the second-largest source of revenue for the $20 billion budget after the income tax. It also has dozens of exemptions, many dating back decades, that could raise another $2.7 billion if ended, according to the legislatures nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis. The exempted goods and services run the gamut from college textbooks to vegetable seeds, electrolysis services to winter boat storage. Critics argue no economic analysis of these types of breaks was performed before they were approved, and rarely are they re-examined. Former Sen. Tony Guglielmo, R-Stafford, advocated repeatedly for a broader sales tax base during the first decade of the 2000s. We shouldnt be picking winners and losers in the marketplace, Guglielmo told the CT Mirror. Most of these are worth a few million dollars or less, a tiny fraction of the overall sales-tax stream. But there also are some large ones. The challenge, though, is that those have broader appeal. Consumers would pay an estimated $424 million more this year on groceries if the full 6.35 percent sales tax was applied. The exemption for prescription medication, syringes and needles saves shoppers another $387 million or $416 million after the tax break for over-the-counter medications. If Connecticut were to impose a sales tax on groceries, it wouldnt be the first state to do so. According to the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based tax policy research group, 14 states currently impose rates ranging from 1 to 5 percent. But none of them are Connecticuts neighbors, including the other five New England states, New York and New Jersey. Wrong direction To sell such a plan to Democrats, Lamont mostly likely would stress that the blow to consumers Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, co-chairman of the tax-writing Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, said his litmus test for the governors tax proposals will be simple: My objective is to grow our economy and I will look at the tax structure in that regard. Does it support economic growth? Republican legislative leaders said theyll judge Lamonts plan on two key criteria: How much tax relief is there to offset any new sales tax burdens? And does the new budget cut enough spending? Deputy House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora, R-North Branford, said middle-class families wont be too excited about property tax relief in two or three years if they pay even more in sales taxes. The public is going to see it as a tax increase the minute it hits their bottom line, he said, adding he also is wary of the impact of taxing groceries and medications in poor communities. Democrats have similar concerns, even some who worked for Lamonts election and served on his transition, such as Rep. Toni E. Walker, D-New Haven, the longtime co-chair of the Appropriations Committee. She said while there are many in Connecticut who want property tax relief, there are far more who buy groceries and medicine. Were struggling to try and get people on health care, she said, noting that added sales tax burdens could lead some to ignore medical problems. Weve hit bottom on mental health and addiction services, weve got a dramatic opioid problem, Walker said. Were going in the wrong direction. The Connecticut Food Association, which represents the states grocers, said a new sales tax burden could be one part of a much-larger hit on stores and shoppers. For example, association president Wayne Pesce asked, what happens if a new sales tax charge arrives at the same time as electronic tolling and an increased Connecticut minimum wage? All of these things tend to be looked at independently when they could hit us collectively, he said. It would be an extreme challenge and if youre a brick-and-mortar retailer in Connecticut, youre having trouble sleeping at night. Whippany, NJ (07981) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. By Eric M. Johnson, Reuters | Jan. 29, 2019 Boeing Co is close to a deal worth US$3.5 billion at list prices to sell 30 737 MAX jetliners to Japan's biggest carrier, ANA Holdings, two people familiar with the matter said. A deal would be the first sale in Japan for the newest version of Boeing's best-selling 737 family. Five years ago, ANA was also the first carrier from the country to pick the competing A320neo narrowbody from France's Airbus SE. It would also come at a time when Japan is facing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to cut its trade surplus with the United States. An announcement on an ANA-Boeing deal could come as early as Tuesday, subject to the airline's final approval, the people told Reuters on condition of anonymity. ANA confirmed it was considering an order of Boeing jets, but did not provide any details. "We are in discussion with Boeing, but we have not made our final decision yet," an ANA representative said. The airline is scheduled to report its quarterly results on Tuesday. Boeing declined to comment. Boeing and Airbus, the world's two top planemakers, have amassed thousands of orders for their narrowbody jets on significant fuel savings offered by a new generation of engines, but they continue to battle for global market share, with the U.S. firm chipping away at its European rival's recent lead. At end-March, 81 percent of ANA's aircraft with more than 100 seats were Boeing built, the carrier's website shows. ANA's rival Japan Airlines Co. Ltd also operates a mostly Boeing fleet, giving the U.S. company its most dominant position in any major aviation market. The case for Japanese carriers buying Boeing is also boosted by the fact that its aerospace firms such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Subaru build major portions of Boeing's aircraft, including the 787 Dreamliner's carbon composite wings. Around 80 percent of large jets operated by Japanese carriers are Boeing planes, a Boeing spokesman in Tokyo said. Trade Tensions Japan has used major plane orders in the past to demonstrate a commitment to buying U.S. goods in the ebb and flow of trade frictions, and a new deal for Boeing's 737 MAX would coincide with similar tensions now. Washington and Tokyo are discussing a potential trade pact, with Japan facing mounting pressure to cut its trade surplus with the United States that stood at US$56 billion in 2018, versus US$69 billion in 2017. Trump and other top U.S. have asserted that Tokyo unfairly ships millions of cars to North America while blocking imports of U.S. autos and farm products. Japan says its markets for manufactured goods are open. In September, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to start trade talks that appeared, temporarily at least, to protect Japanese automakers from further tariffs on their exports, which make up about two-thirds of Japan's trade surplus with the United States. Japan has insisted any pact would not be a wide-ranging free trade agreement, but U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said last year he was aiming for a full free-trade deal requiring approval by Congress. Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. Serious incidents 'putting lives at risk' say police LIVES are being put at risk in the skies over West Berkshire following a number of incidents in which a laser has been shone at civilian and military aircraft. Thames Valley Police issued the warning following reports of a high powered green beam shining around Newbury over the last three months. Two Apache helicopters flying together near Enborne were targeted at 7.30pm on October 24. A pilot reported a green laser being shone approximately five miles west of Newbury at 6.45pm on November 30. A laser strike took place against a plane in the Welford area at 5.35pm on December 12. Another Apache was targeted by a laser while flying over Marsh Benham 10 minutes later. Then, on January 8 a report was received that a laser was shone at aircraft flying over Newbury at 5.45pm. A civilian helicopter near Newbury Racecourse reported another laser strike at 5.50pm on January 9. Officers are appealing for witnesses to all of the incidents and people in the community are being encouraged to ring police immediately if they become aware of a sighting of a laser in the sky, to allow officers to respond while the incident is ongoing. PC Darryl MacAndrew, of the West Berkshire Problem Solving Team, said: These are very serious incidents which carry a high level of risk that could ultimately prove fatal. Pilots can become dazzled by lasers which can put the aircraft at risk. Offenders will be dealt with robustly - offences under the Aviation Act 1982 - endangering aircraft - could lead to a life sentence. Those who are prosecuted for offences under the Laser Misuse Act 2018 can also be subject to five years imprisonment. We are keeping an open mind as to whether any of the incidents are linked. If you have any information about the incidents please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 or call 999 if a crime is in progress. If you do not wish to speak to police please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The article in the Newbury Weekly News really helped tickets sold very quickly after that. THE Community of Hungerford Theatre Company raised 1,000 by staging a one-off performance in aid of a former member who suffered a devastating stroke, aged just 37. In July last year, Jennie Rushford was stricken by a suspected ruptured artery, which formed a clot, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching her brain. Mrs Rushford, who worked for Hungerford-based firm Tomorrows Guides, survived, but sustained both aphasia and dyspraxia. This means she has difficulty understanding others speech and recalling her own vocabulary and is also having to relearn to read and write. Her mother Jeanette Kersey, who has been mayor of Hungerford twice and this year retired as office manager at the Hungerford Surgery, told the Newbury Weekly News last October that her daughter was well-loved in the town and is a former performer with the Community of Hungerford Theatre Company. However Mrs Rushford now needs specialist daily help and Mrs Kersey said: I know that the NHS can only do so much. Consequently, Mrs Rushfords husband Todd established a GoFundMe page and, to give it a boost, the theatre company presented a charity performance of its production The Vicar of Dibley, staged last October in the Herongate Centre. The centre donated its facilities for the charity event. Production director David Clayton said: The article in the Newbury Weekly News really helped tickets sold very quickly after that. The online fund has so far raised nearly 11,000 in just five months. If you would like to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/jennies-recoverys-treatment The Japan Times | Jan. 28, 2019 Narita International Airport will extend the operational hours of one of its runways from October as part of efforts to boost the services that can be offered via the major international gateway, officials said Monday. The extension of the hours for landings and takeoffs, the first such move since the airport's opening in 1978, was finalized after the last town that had opposed the proposal eventually accepted the plan. The current hours for incoming and outgoing flights -- basically from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. -- will be prolonged to midnight on the main runway as Tokyo hosts the Olympics and Paralympics in 2020. With approvals by the town of Yokoshibahikari and the city of Sammu in Chiba Prefecture, all nine surrounding municipalities have agreed with the extension now scheduled to begin late October. "It is inevitable," Haruhiko Sato, mayor of Yokoshibahikari, told reporters. "I will try to explain things to residents in the town." The town and the city said in December they were opposed to the extension, citing concerns such as noise. But the operator of the airport later promised it would shoulder part of the necessary costs for noise reduction measures. The nine municipalities, the infrastructure ministry and Narita International Airport Corp. will soon formally sign an agreement on the extension of hours for the 4,000-meter runway, according to the officials. Sammu Mayor Hiroaki Matsushita, who spoke to the media after discussing the issue with assembly members on Friday, said it was a "wrenching decision." The airport, which is situated inland, plans to build a third runway in the 2020s. Courtesy photoLainie Senechal, poet in residence at Joppa Flats Education Center and a former Amesbury poet laureate, will present her paintings of birds and landscapes as part of a program coming up Feb. 13. New England is a split region Tuesday -- snow is likely in the higher elevations west and north, while we have a few sunny breaks south and east. Low pressure is moving into Ontario with a significant cold front arriving in Western New England late in the day. Other than some ocean affect flurries Tuesday morning, most of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, along with a good portion of Maine, is having a mostly cloudy day with a high temperature in the 30s. From the Berkshires north through the Green Mountains into New Hampshire, by midday, we have snow developing and accumulating at the higher elevations. Temperatures in the 20s and 30s. A wintry mix will change over to freezing rain and snow in southern New England Tuesday night and early Wednesday. In the mountains, snow continues through the morning. Snowfall accumulation by noontime Wednesday ranges from around 10 inches in the mountains, to an inch or two within 20 miles of the coast. But the temperature is going to be falling during the day, so even near the coast, we may have icy side roads and sidewalks developing. Temperatures start out the day near freezing in southern New England and end up in the lower-20s. Meanwhile. we fall through the teens in northern New England. Another cold front will cross New England Wednesday afternoon and evening, generating powerful snow squalls that may once again ice up the roads around sunset. Wind from the west may gust past 40 mph in the squalls as another batch of bitter cold air moves into New England Wednesday night. Temperatures on Thursday are starting off just below zero in northern New England and single numbers in southern New England. Much like last Monday, the temperature will not move very much during the day. Even with a good amount of sunshine, winds will be gusting past 30 mph means one of the coldest days of the winter. Wind lets up a bit on Friday, with a partly to mostly sunny sky. High temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees north, and 15 to 25 degrees south. We should remain dry Saturday and at the beginning of Sunday too. [NATL] Extreme Weather Photos: Record Heat Threatens Europe A warm front approaches from the west Sunday afternoon with increasing clouds, and a chance of rain or snow developing in western and northern New England late in the day. High temperature in the 30s. Low pressure is expected track north of New England on Monday, that means a chance of rain, or a mix in the far north, high temperature in the 40s south and 30s north. Colder air gradually works in Tuesday, but we may dry out before temperatures fall below freezing. It will likely turn stormy again the second half of next week, it could go either way with rain or snow. Stay tuned in our first alert 10 day forecast. A study commissioned by Boston is examining steps the Massachusetts capital can take to meet its goal of becoming "carbon neutral" by 2050. The report released Tuesday by the city's Green Ribbon Commission and Boston University researchers looks at specific ways Boston can address its building stock and transportation, energy and waste systems to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among the strategies is retrofitting thousands of buildings to reduce energy use and converting gas and oil systems to electric ones. They also examined ways Boston can promote mass transit and electric vehicles, such as imposing fees for parking or driving in the city center. The researchers suggest the city explore ways to reduce waste and increase renewable energy options, such as converting methane gas produced by food waste into energy. A Rhode Island man authorities say was drunk when he crashed his car, killing his 17-year-old girlfriend, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Scott Gavitt, of Exeter, was sentenced Monday after pleading no contest to several drunken driving charges in connection with the February 2016 crash that took the life of his front seat passenger and girlfriend, Heidi Malstrom, a senior at Chariho High School. Gavitt, 21 now, was 18 at the time. Gavitt and two people in the rear seat suffered serious injuries. Malstrom's mother, in a victim impact statement, said she misses her daughter "every second of every day" and her life is now "empty." Gavitt did not speak in court, but his lawyer said he is remorseful and realizes he made "a huge mistake." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) Police killed a supposed member of an urban terrorist group in a shootout with authorities in Zamboanga City on Monday, according to a report released Tuesday. Admar Asilon, 35, engaged the police in a fire fight at around 9 p.m. at Sto. Nino, Barangay San Jose on Monday. Authorities recovered explosives, including a liter of what they believe is ammonium nitrate fuel oil, an M26 hand grenade, as well as a detonating cord, electric time fuse, and a cellphone. The police said Asilon as a known member of an urban terrorist group. They said he was under the leadership of Marzan Ajijul, a known sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga City. Asilon was also a member of a gun-for-hire group operating in Isabela City in Basilan and Zamboanga City, police said. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is verifying if Asilon is linked to the Ajang Ajang, another urban terrorist group which police said could be involved in the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu that killed at least 21 people on Sunday. "Maaga pa natin masabi Magkalayo 'yan, mga ilang kapuluan ang pagitan niyan Zamboanga City at Jolo, Sulu," SSupt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon. [Translation: "It's too early to say Zamboanga City and Jolo, Sulu are islands away."] "Subalit titingnan natin. Lahat ito'y uungkatin natin, wala tayong ipagwawalang-bahala," Banac said. Translation: "But we will look into it. We will investigate all these and will not ignore any detail." The police and military are on heightened alert nationwide after the Jolo blasts. Authorities are looking for six persons of interest, including a brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader. READ: Brother of Abu Sayyaf leader identified as person of interest in Jolo blasts Officials at a Randolph, Massachusetts elementary school say personnel has been placed on leave amid allegations of mistreating students. Several parents have called regarding allegations that personnel has mistreated students at a John F. Kennedy Elementary School classroom. Interim Superintendent Thea Stovell said in a letter sent to parents on Friday that the allegations were "deeply concerning" and the school district has launched an investigation. Although Stovell clarified the allegations pointed to mistreatment of nonsexual nature, she did not detail what those accusations were. "Whenever there is an allegation that a teacher violates the trust and responsibility given to them by parents of the children placed in our care, we take this matter very seriously," Stovell said in the letter. A school employee and whistleblower told NBC10 Boston she witnessed a teacher verbally and physically abusing special needs students multiple times. The teacher would "grab the little girl, pushing her and yelled at her, like "Stop it. You ruined my day,' every day. 'I have to go have my lunch, I never have time for my lunch.' I was like 'Wow,'" Magdalini Stamboulipis said. "It's a special kid, you can't touch them. You can't yell at them. You can't throw them. You are a teacher." Randolph police are investigating the allegations in conjunction with the Department of Children and Families. Stovell did not name the personnel involved in the allegations. The investigation is ongoing. A Massachusetts man who has been charged in connection with the death of his 11-year-old great niece is now facing a rape accusation. The Essex district attorney's office confirmed that 58-year-old Miguel Rivera was arraigned on a charge of rape of a child with force on Tuesday morning in Lawrence District Court during a dangerousness hearing. The victim was not identified in court, but the DA's office said the charge stemmed from the autopsy of his great niece, 11-year-old Precious Wallaces. The defendant was ordered to be held without bail in connection with the rape charge. Rivera was ordered to be held without bail last week during his arraignment on multiple charges, including permitting serious bodily injury to a child, in connection with Wallaces' death in mid-December. Investigators say Wallaces tested positive for fentanyl at Lawrence General Hospital after she was found unresponsive in her great uncle's Lawrence apartment on Dec. 15. The Haverhill middle schooler died days later at Tufts Medical Center. A probable cause hearing for Rivera is scheduled for March 13. The manner and cause of Wallaces' death is still undetermined, according to the DA's office, and once it's completed, Rivera may face more charges. Driver's licenses for two Massachusetts men involved in a wild road rage incident last week have been suspended. Massachusetts Department of Transportation driving records for Mark Fitzgerald, 37, and Richard Kamrowski, 65, show that the licenses have been suspended after Friday's incident landed them both in handcuffs. Video obtained by NBC10 Boston shows Kamrowski on the hood of Fitzgerald's SUV as the vehicle sped up and braked multiple times along the Mass. Pike going westbound for about three miles. State police say the incident started over a minor side-swipe crash but quickly escalated with Kamrowski clinging to the hood of Fitzgerald's SUV as the vehicle went down Interstate 90 at speeds of up to 70 mph. Court documents show both men blame the one another for the escalation. Police are still investigating whether Kamrowski jumped on the hood of the SUV in an effort to cause damage, as Fitzgerald claimed, or did so to avoid being run over, as the 65-year-old Framingham resident insisted in an interview with NBC10 Boston. Fitzgerald's SUV was eventually stopped as multiple good Samaritans boxed in his car. Video showed one of them, who was licensed to carry, point his firearm at Fitzgerald and demanded he stop the SUV. Both Fitzgerald and Kamrowski have pleaded not guilty to the charges they face in connection with the incident. A Manchester, New Hampshire, man was arrested Monday on federal charges of production of child pornography. According to Manchester Police, a search warrant had been issued to investigate the home of Glen Lanchester, 51, located on Eastern Avenue. Upon investigation, authorities found evidence that suggested Lanchester had recorded videos of naked underage women. Lanchester reportedly used a hidden camera in his home to film them without their consent or knowledge. Police say Lanchester's arrest is the outcome of a long-standing joint investigation by the Manchester Police Departments Cybercrime Unit, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, New Hampshire State Police and Homeland Security Investigations. A federal judge set conditions for his release in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire in Concord. Those conditions included electric monitoring of the suspect. An investigation is ongoing. Manchester Police request anyone with relevant information contact Detective Lou Krawczyk of the Manchester Police Cybercrime Unit at 603-792-5517. Rick Kamrowski wishes he could go back in time. "I just kept looking and seeing that Jersey barrier," Kamrowski said Monday in an exclusive interview with the NBC10 Boston Investigators. "It was just crazy." Kamrowski, 65, said the events on Friday afternoon that led to him clinging to the hood of an SUV on the Massachusetts Turnpike at 70 miles per hour were "not the smartest thing I've ever done." But he insisted he did not instigate anything. He said the other driver, Mark Fitzgerald, 37, ignored him when he yelled out his window to pull over. So Kamrowski cut in front of Fitzgerald's SUV and forced him to stop. Kamrowski got out of his car approached Fitzgerald's vehicle. He said Fitzgerald again refused to exchange information and then warned that he had a gun. "And he goes, 'I'll use it,'" Kamrowski said. Kamrowski said Fitzgerald reached for his center console, and then Kamrowski, standing at the passenger side of the vehicle, said he reached in to try and stop him. Kamrowski said he couldn't reach, but grabbed Fitzgerald's silver water bottle instead. Speaking after both men were arraigned Monday morning in Waltham District Court, Fitzgerald's attorney, Michael Chinman, told a different story. "This is a man who had attacked Mr. Fitzgerald while he was seated in his own car," Chinman said. Kamrowski said after grabbing the water bottle, he moved to the front of Fitzgerald's car, close to oncoming traffic. He claimed that Fitzgerald started driving forward, and he fell or jumped on the hood to avoid being knocked onto the Pike. Again, Fitzgerald's attorney disputed that account. "Mr. Fitzgerald reasonably decided, 'I need to get away from this man' and started to drive away, and the man jumped onto the hood of Mr. Fitzgerald's car," Chinman said. Kamrowski insisted he was not the aggressor on Friday. "He's yelling, 'Get off my car,' and I'm yelling, 'Pull over, pull over,'" Kamrowski said. Kamrowski said Fitzgerald was weaving between lanes, slowing down and accelerating to try to fling him off the hood, so he took the water bottle and smashed the windshield. "It's the only self-defense I had to try and get him to stop by smashing the window," he said. "It was better his window than my life." Video of the incident shows Fitzgerald stopping twice, but it was in the middle of traffic. And Kamrowski says he was not even sure he realized they had stopped. He was too terrified to move. "He would have run over me or somebody else would have run over me, just the speed of it. I would have been all done," he said. "There's no way I can let go. It's not supposed to end like this." As Fitzgerald turned on his windshield wipers, Kamrowski clung to the car with one hand, and tried to text 911 with the other. But he said he could not see clearly without his glasses. "I kept thinking about my family, my grandchildren," he said. "And I said, 'I'm not letting go.'" Fitzgerald's attorney declined a request for a sit-down interview with his client. Both men were arrested Friday. Fitzgerald was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a crash, and negligent driving. Kamrowski was charged with malicious damage to a motor vehicle and disorderly conduct. Both were released on bail and set to appear in court on March 13. A Fall River, Massachusetts firefighter is reportedly being charged after allegedly making 15 fake fire calls. WJAR reports Kyle Cusick was placed on paid leave while police investigate his alleged phony calls. Fall River firefighters noticed a pattern in numerous false alarm calls and traced them to Cusicks phone. "No matter what the reason is, its inexcusable," Fall River Fire Chief Lynch told WJAR. "If it comes out to be true that he did this and he did it himself, theres going to be some dire consequences." Lynch is now looking to fire the suspect, who reportedly has been difficult to track down. Officials have not been able to notify Cusick of a disciplinary hearing and say he was at neither of the two addresses he had given them. Authorities did not say why Cusick allegedly made the false reports. If convicted, the suspect could face up to a year in prison and could pay fines. Both men involved in a road rage incident on the Massachusetts Turnpike Friday afternoon have histories with law enforcement, according to documents from multiple states. Mark Fitzgerald, 37, and Richard Kamrowski, 65, both claim the other is to blame for a road-rage incident that led to Kamrowski clinging to the hood of Fitzgeralds SUV while he reached speeds of up to 70 miles per hour on the turnpike. Fitzgerald, the driver, was convicted of illegal possession of a weapon, assault with a weapon, DUI, and reckless endangerment in separate cases in Connecticut between 2000 and 2006. Court records show that during that period, Fitzgerald was in and out of jail, serving about three years total. Records also show he was convicted of misdemeanor DUI in Vermont in 2011, a case his attorney, in Waltham District Court Monday morning, said was dismissed. The attorney, Michael Chinman, said those legal troubles are more than 12 years old, and that client has turned his life around. He put that prior life well behind him... and is now gainfully employed locally at his dream job using his graduate degree in science, Chinman said. Chinman added that after the run-ins with the law, Fitzgerald earned a college degree, and then an advanced degree in the sciences. Kamrowski, the man on the hood of Fitzgeralds white SUV, racked up three speeding tickets on the turnpiketwo in 2003 and another in October of 2017. He also has two other speeding tickets, in the late 80s, and four tickets for failure to stop or yield. Joe Comenzo, Kamrowskis attorney, said his client drives around the state for work and because he likely drives more than the average driver, he likely has a few more moving violations than the average driver. Regardless, he received a handful of violations over the past 35 years, and none of them suggest that he was the aggressor in Fridays events or that he deserved what happened to him that day, so none of them are particularly relevant, Comenzo said. Kamrowski wound up on the hood of Fitzgeralds vehicle after a minor collision on the turnpike in Weston. Both were arraigned Monday morning in Waltham District CourtFitzgerald for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a crash, and negligent driving; and Kamrowski for malicious damage to a motor vehicle and disorderly conduct. A yellow Labrador retriever named Liberty is currently in training to become an integral part of the Concord, New Hampshire Police force. Liberty is going through "comfort dog" training at Hero Pups in Exeter and when she graduates, will be the first certified comfort dog used by a police department in the state. On Tuesday, state lawmakers got a special visit from Liberty as they considered a bill that would make it legal for Liberty to sit with victims, especially children when they take the witness stand in a courtroom. "Her main mission really is to help people who have been victims of violent crimes," said Concord Police Lt. John Thomas. Advocates for the bill included Rep. Skip Berrien who is a retired pediatrician. "This animal can mitigate the child's stress allowing the child to provide more accurate and credible testimony," Berrien told the committee. Thomas says when appropriate, Liberty will accompany officers to crime scenes, or even car crashes, though her job will be far different than that of a police patrol dog. "You have the dog that;s working, that's really trying to do real police work, sniff out drugs and find the bad guys, where Liberty, she's just going to lick you to death," Thomas explained. Rep. Anita Burroughs who used to have a therapy dog spoke to the committee in support of HB 513, appropriately named, "Liberty's Bill." "People who've never had a dog don't understand the full powers of a dog," Burroughs told NBC10 Boston. "I'm prejudiced, I think they're magical." Liberty will also play an important role back at the police station providing comfort even for officers who didn't know they needed it. "Some of our big tough husky guys, when they first saw this dog they melted," Thomas said. "They never realized how powerful that the dog could be for them." Liberty's handlers say she's the perfect dog to be helping trauma victims because she experienced trauma of her own. Last summer, when she was just nine weeks old, she was rescued from severe flooding in Pennsylvania and brought up to Hero Pups in New Hampshire. Opponents of Liberty's Bill say they're concerned the dog could snap at someone in a courtroom. Regardless of how lawmakers vote on the bill, Liberty will join the Concord Police Department as soon as she graduates her comfort dog training in May. A Massachusetts man has been arrested in connection with the fatal Monday night stabbing of a teenager in Lowell. Victor Crespo, 21, of Lowell, was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder and two counts of violation of a restraining order, according to the Middlesex district attorney's office. Police responded to a reported stabbing in the area of Lawrence Drive and Riverwalk Walk at about 7 p.m. Monday. The victim, identified as 18-year-old Asiatic Alvarez, of Lowell, was taken to Lowell General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation suggests that Crespo and the victim knew each other and had arranged to meet prior to the altercation to exchange money for marijuana. During the transaction, Crespo allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times before fleeing the scene. Police were able to identify Crespo through an investigation and arrest him Tuesday morning without incident. Crespo was expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Lowell District Court. It's unclear if he has an attorney. What to Know Officials found significant problems with the durability of the concrete used in the largest transportation project in the D.C. area. Project leaders identified 1,750 panels produced by Universal Concrete Products of Stowe, Pennsylvania, as areas of concern. More than 1,000 sections of concrete will need significant waterproofing every 10 years. A concrete company is paying $1 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit alleging it falsified test data on materials used in the multibillion-dollar expansion of the Washington region's Metrorail system. Federal prosecutors in Alexandria announced the civil settlement with Universal Concrete Products of Stowe, Pennsylvania, on Monday. The lawsuit alleged the company falsified records to hide tests showing that the concrete's air content would make it more likely to crack. The concrete has been installed during Phase II construction of Metro's Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County. Metro officials say they will have to put a special coating on the concrete to keep it from cracking. The settlement includes no admission of wrongdoing, but a company manager has already pleaded guilty in a related criminal case and been sentenced to a year in prison. A lawyer and marketing director for the concrete company did not return emails and calls seeking comment. Universal was a subcontractor on the Metrorail project. The primary contractor is not implicated in the settlement. Joshua Stueve, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alexandria, said the investigation is ongoing. The whistleblower lawsuit was initially brought in 2016 by a former Universal employee, Nathan Davidheiser. The federal government and the state of Virginia joined the case after reviewing his allegations. Under federal law, whistleblowers such as Davidheiser are usually eligible to receive 15 to 25 percent of any settlement, said Nicholas Woodfield, one of his attorneys. Woodfield said his client feels vindicated by the settlement and is still pursuing a claim that the company illegally retaliated against him for exposing the wrongdoing. The next section of the Silver Line is set to open in 2020, but more than 1,000 sections of concrete will need significant waterproofing every 10 years. A Lyft rider in suburban Phoenix stabbed his pregnant driver, killing the woman and her unborn child before stealing her vehicle and driving nearly 150 miles before being arrested near the California line, authorities said Monday. Tempe police said Kristina Howato, 39, was in her third trimester of pregnancy and is survived by two other young children. They say Fabian Durazo, 20, was being held at a La Paz County jail on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of kidnapping and armed robbery, authorities said. It was unclear Monday if Durazo has a lawyer yet who could speak on his behalf. Howato was working early Sunday as a Lyft driver when she received a pickup request in west Tempe, said Sgt. Ron Elcock, a police spokesman. Durazo allegedly attacked Howato when they arrived at an apartment complex about a half-mile away and he fled in her SUV. Police officers responded to the apartment complex about 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a woman screaming in the parking lot. They found Howato suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a hospital where both she and the unborn baby died. Arizona Department of Public Safety officials used GPS tracking to locate the stolen SUV on Interstate 10 near Quartzsite, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the Arizona-California line and Durazo was taken into custody Sunday afternoon. Police said they don't believe Durazo and Howato knew each other and a motive for the fatal stabbing remains undetermined. "Throughout our careers as officers, we have incidents that really, really touch our hearts and stay with you throughout your careers," Elcock said at a news conference. "This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time." A statement from officials with San Francisco-based Lyft said: "We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims." Lyft says it is assisting with the investigation, adding that the passenger's account has been permanently deactivated. A legislative panel rejected a bill protecting student journalists from administrative censorship on a tie vote Monday. House Bill 2382, sponsored by Del. Chris Hurst, D-Montgomery, would have protected free speech for student journalists in public elementary, middle and high schools, as well as public institutions of higher education. A subcommittee of the House Education Committee deadlocked 3-3 on the bill after hearing testimony from students and faculty advisers from high schools and colleges across the commonwealth. Kate Carson, a former writer and editor for The Lasso, the student newspaper at George Mason High School in Falls Church, said her school's administration censored several controversial topics the publication attempted to cover, including bathroom vandalism, absence policy abuse and a sexting scandal. "As student journalists, we were perfectly positioned to report on these issues and separate fact from rumor," Carson said. "Instead, The Lasso was censored when we attempted to cover the vandalism and policy abuse. We didn't even attempt to cover the sexting scandal." One teacher told the panel how her students' paper was shut down and she was removed as adviser after the students published an article about renovating the school. "We have seen an increasing number of censorship cases in the commonwealth," Hurst said. Hurst said the bill seeks to reapply the Tinker standard to student free speech, which was established in a 1969 Supreme Court case. This standard requires administrators to have reasons for censoring content, Hurst said. In 1988, the Tinker standard was overruled in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, which laid out that school administrations have the right to censor school-sponsored media if they wish. "All this bill does is protect against what we call the 'making the school look bad censorship,' the image-motivated censorship," said Frank LoMonte, former executive director of the Student Press Law Center and head of the New Voice Initiative, a campaign network for anti-censorship laws. "Anything a school can stop you from saying on a T-shirt or ball cap, they can stop you from saying in a newspaper." Two people voiced concerns with the legislation, saying the protections should not apply to school-sponsored speech or to young student journalists. "We're not talking about an 18- or a 19-year-old; we're talking about possibly a 14- or 15-year-old writing a story," said Thomas Smith of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. "There are many instances in the code where they treat college students and post-secondary students different from secondary students." The legislation would have protected "school-sponsored media," which includes any material "prepared, substantially written, published or broadcast" by student journalists and is distributed or available to the student body. The bill prohibited administrative censorship or disciplinary action unless content: Is libelous or slanderous material Unjustifiably invades privacy Violates federal or state law Creates or incites students to create a clear and present danger If HB 2382 had passed, Virginia would have been the 15th state to provide protections for high school or college journalists. Half of the states that have passed similar legislation to Hurst's bill did so in the last four years. Five other states introduced bills in 2019 to protect student journalists. ___ This story was produced by the Virginia Commonwealth University's Capital News Service. Congress will launch an investigation into President Donald Trump administration's decision to cancel the relocation of FBI headquarters. Maryland and Virginia had been competing to be new home to the FBI, which has long outgrown its old D.C. headquarters. The House Oversight Committee will investigate why the decision was made not to relocate and by whom. Local House members now running the powerful committee and expect many local issues to be front and center. Five local democrats sit on the committee, including the chairman. They control the agenda of a committee that's likely to be investigating the Trump administration its policies. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., will chair a subcommittee that will investigate the backlog of security clearances for local federal workers, the called-off relocation of FBI headquarters and other issues of local importance. We have a constitutional job to provide that because were a separate but coequal branch of government, and we got a mandate in November to do just that, he said. The public clearly wants checks and balances on this president as they do on every president and were going to take that mission very seriously and that constitutional oath very seriously. I take an oath every two years in this job, and Im going to live up to that oath. The federal government shutdown will cause slight permanent harm to the economy about $3 billion according to a report Monday by the Congressional Budget Office. The report says the five-week shutdown has slowed growth in the near term but that most of the lost growth "will eventually be recovered." Overall, CBO predicts that just $3 billion in lost gross domestic product will be permanently lost, a modest figure in a $20 trillion-plus economy. By year's end, CBO says, GDP would be just 0.02 smaller because of the shutdown, which shuttered many domestic agencies. Most of the 800,000 furloughed federal workers are returning to their jobs Monday. More broadly, the report estimates a drop in GDP growth to 2.3 percent this year as the effects of President Donald Trump's tax cut on business investment begin to drop off. It also says that the U.S. budget deficit will hit $897 billion this year. The CBO credits the 2017 tax bill which cut corporate and individual income taxes by $1.9 trillion over a decade with a burst in growth last year, but it says that this year "the boost that recent tax legislation gave to business wanes." The director of the National Economic Council rejected the CBO assessment. Trump's top economist, Larry Kudlow, said the White House "frequently" disagrees with the CBO. Kudlow told reporters there was "certainly no permanent damage to the economy" from the shutdown. The report comes as the government is reopening after a 35-day partial shutdown. The CBO says the shutdown will have a modest negative impact on the economy, lowering projections of economic growth by 0.4 percentage points to 2.1 percent in the first quarter, though the economy is expected to mostly make up for it over the rest of the year. "The shutdown dampened economic activity mainly because of the loss of furloughed federal workers' contribution to (gross domestic product), the delay in federal spending on goods and services, and the reduction in aggregate demand," the report said. "Underlying those effects on the overall economy are much more significant effects on individual businesses and workers," CBO said. "Among those who experienced the largest and most direct negative effects are federal workers who faced delayed compensation and private-sector entities that lost business. Some of those private-sector entities will never recoup that lost income." The CBO Report predicts a $118 billion increase over last year's $779 billion deficit. It predicts that the economy will grow by 2.3 percent this year, a slowdown from 3.1 percent last year. Unemployment would fall to 3.5 percent in the second half of the year, its lowest point since the 1960s. The report lands in a divided Washington, where neither Trump nor Democrats controlling the House are expected to make curbing the deficit a priority. In fact, Trump and lawmakers are likely to increase spending for the Pentagon and other federal agencies, which would otherwise face cuts from outdated budget caps that are the remnant of the 2011 budget deal. And Congress is ultimately going to face pressure to make permanent provisions of the 2017 tax cuts for individuals that would otherwise expire in 2025. "Republicans' massive tax giveaway to millionaires and big corporations is inflicting serious damage on our budget outlook," said House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth, D-Ky. "We are facing trillion-dollar deficits and an increasingly bleak fiscal future." The agency also predicts that Trump's trade policies higher tariffs on Chinese goods and products such as imported steel would have only a relatively modest negative impact on the economy. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Sunday that those in power are trying to turn people against each other, which she says is "not our America." Harris, a first-term U.S. senator who announced her candidacy last Monday, rallied supporters outside City Hall in Oakland, her hometown and where she served as a prosecutor before becoming the state attorney general. The event was the formal kickoff for her campaign. "We are here because the American Dream and our American democracy are under attack and on the line like never before," she said. "And we are here at this moment in time because we must answer a fundamental question: Who are we? Who are we as Americans? So, lets answer that question to the world and each other right here and right now. America, we are better than this." Harris also said that racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and transphobia are real in the U.S. "They are age-old forms of hate with new fuel. And we need to speak that truth so we can deal with it," she said. Harris cast herself as the kind of leader who can unify the country and would fight for the needs of all Americans. "Im running for president because I love my country. Im running to be a president by the people. Of the people. For all the people," she said and echoed the words she has used in courtrooms and has adopted as her campaigns slogan: "My whole life, Ive only had one client: The people." The daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, Harris entered the race on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Campaign aides say she has drawn inspiration from Shirley Chisholm, who in 1972 became the first black woman to run for president from a major party. If Harris were to win the White House, she would be the first African-American woman and first person of Asian descent to be president. Her first news conference as a candidate was on the campus of Howard University, the historically black college in the nations capital that she attended as an undergraduate. On Friday, she was in South Carolina to speak to members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, of which she is a member. Harris campaign is expected to highlight her career as a prosecutor as part of her rationale for seeking the presidency. Harris was the first black woman elected district attorney in California, as well as the first woman, first African-American and first Asian-American to hold that job. Some of her tenure as attorney general, particularly relating to criminal justice, has come under early scrutiny. Harris is among the first major Democrats to jump into what is expected to be a crowded 2020 presidential contest. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have announced exploratory committees. Former Maryland Rep. John Delaney and Julian Castro, federal housing chief under President Barack Obama and a former San Antonio mayor, already are in the race. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Bernie Sanders of Vermont may also run. In her Oakland speech, Harris said she sees this year as an "inflection point" in American history and that she is best positioned to unite a divided country. "Even though we have powerful forces trying to sow hate and division, the truth is that, as Americans, we have much more in common than what separates us," according to her prepared remarks. After the rally, Harris planned to her first trip to Iowa as a presidential candidate. In the weeks before last Novembers elections, Harris traveled to the leadoff caucus state to campaign on behalf of Democrats, and also visited other early-voting states. Harriss campaign will be based in Baltimore and led by Juan Rodriguez who managed her 2016 Senate campaign. Aides say the campaign will have a second office in Oakland. Faced with potentially ruinous lawsuits over California's recent wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in a move that could lead to higher bills for customers of the nation's biggest utility and reduce the size of any payouts to fire victims. The Chapter 11 filing allows PG&E to continue operating while it puts its books in order. But it was seen as a glimpse of the financial toll that could lie ahead for the industry because of climate change, which scientists say is leading to fiercer, more destructive blazes and longer fire seasons. One of the families trapped inside a SeaWorld San Diego ride Monday night spoke exclusively with NBC 7 about their time dangling in a gondola above Mission Bay for nearly five hours. The bankruptcy could also jeopardize California's ambitious program to switch entirely to renewable energy sources within a few decades. PG&E, which supplies natural gas and electricity to 16 million people in Northern and central California, cited hundreds of lawsuits over fires in 2017 and 2018 and tens of billions of dollars in potential liability when it announced earlier this month that it planned to file for bankruptcy. The three people found shot and killed in a Porter Ranch home were identified on Tuesday by the Los Angeles Police Department. The blazes include the nation's deadliest wildfire in a century the one in November that killed at least 86 people and destroyed 15,000 homes in and around the Northern California town of Paradise. The cause is still under investigation, but suspicion fell on PG&E after it reported power line problems nearby around the time the fire broke out. Last week, however, state investigators determined that the company's equipment was not to blame for a 2017 fire that killed 22 people and destroyed more than 5,600 buildings in Northern California wine country. That finding spared PG&E from billions in liability. PG&E said the bankruptcy will not affect electric or gas service and will allow for an "orderly, fair and expeditious resolution" of wildfire claims. "Throughout this process, we are fully committed to enhancing our wildfire safety efforts, as well as helping restoration and rebuilding efforts across the communities impacted by the devastating Northern California wildfires," interim CEO John R. Simon said in a statement. [NATL-BAY]PHOTOS: Wildfire Ravages Butte County, Leaving Dozens Dead The wildfire lawsuits accuse PG&E of inadequate maintenance, including not adequately trimming trees and clearing brush around electrical lines, and failing to shut off power when the fire risk is high. The bankruptcy filing immediately puts the lawsuits on hold and consolidates them in bankruptcy court, where legal experts say victims will probably receive less money. "They're going to have to take some sort of haircut on their claims," said Jared Ellias, a bankruptcy attorney who teaches at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. "We don't know yet what that will be." In a bankruptcy proceeding, the victims will have little chance of getting punitive damages, and their claims will almost certainly be heard by a judge, not a jury. They will also have to stand in line behind PG&E's secured creditors, such as banks, when the judge decides who gets paid and how much. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that his administration will work to ensure that "Californians have access to safe, reliable and affordable service, that victims and employees are treated fairly, and that California continues to make forward progress on our climate change goals." Fans eager to watch the big game at Atlantas Mercedes-Benz Stadium Feb. 3 can expect to find top-rated food and beverage items offered at the same prices fans experience at all other events in the stadium. Amanda Riddle, an attorney representing victims of a deadly 2015 wildfire, said that even before the bankruptcy filing, PG&E had stopped making settlement payments to her clients. They will now have to fight for their money in bankruptcy court, she said. "It shows PG&E does not actually have the best interests of the wildfire victims in mind," she said. Legal experts said customers could also be hit with higher rates to help PG&E cover its costs. PG&E would not speculate about the effect on customers' bills, noting that the state Public Utilities Commission sets rates. Part of the company also filed for bankruptcy in 2001 during an electricity crisis marked by rolling blackouts. It emerged from court protection three years later but obtained billions in higher rates. Utilities around the country are preparing for the potential effects of climate change, taking such steps as fortifying substations and burying power lines against severe hurricanes and wildfires. The costs are high, but the risks of catastrophic damage appear to be growing. The PG&E bankruptcy "is sort of a test case for how utilities and other major infrastructure players are going to deal with climate change, and who's going to be responsible for it, and who's going to be accountable," said John MacWilliams, a fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. "I would be surprised if this is the last utility that's going to have to deal with this." California has set a goal of getting 100 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources such as wind, solar and hydropower by 2045. To achieve that, utilities must switch to buying power from renewable sources. PG&E, for example, made agreements in 2017 to buy electricity from solar farms. But because of its bankruptcy, some experts have questioned the company's ability to pay what it agreed to, or to make the investments in grid upgrades and batteries necessary to bring more renewable energy online. "PG&E's bankruptcy is going to make it a lot more costly for California to meet its environmental goals, and could make it more challenging just to get the infrastructure built to help cut emissions and increase renewable energy," said Travis Miller, an investment strategist at Morningstar Inc. PG&E's stock is down 70 percent from about a year ago amid fears about the effects of the wildfires. Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen with the Department of Homeland Security will tour the San Ysidro Port of Entry to assess the crossings working protocols Tuesday, the agency announced. The operational tour will show Nielsen how the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) are being implemented. MPP refers to when U.S. authorities send migrants outside of the U.S., usually to Mexico, for the duration of their immigration proceedings, according to DHSs website. Secretary Nielsen will see firsthand how MPP implementation will ensure migrants are protected according to U.S. and international obligations while also addressing the crisis at our Southern Border, read a press release from DHS Monday. DHS said MPP aids the chaotic migration at the southern border and restore(s) the integrity of the United States immigration system. Nielsen will also meet with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees Tuesday. The San Ysidro Port of Entry is one of the busiest land border crossings in the world with about 110,000 people entering the U.S. every day. The body of an experienced hiker from Scripps Ranch was found Sunday during an extensive search of El Cajon Mountain in Lakeside, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said. Thomas Marc Castiglia, 50, met with a group Saturday morning to hike to Lunch Rock, an advanced trail that Castiglia had hiked before, according to family friends. Nearly three hours into the hike, at about 10:40 a.m., Castiglia told the group he was experiencing shortness of breath and told the group to go on without him. Thomas Castiglia separated from his hiking group and has not been seen since. NBC 7's Erika Cervantes has more. When Castiglia didn't return from the trailhead at around 2:45 p.m., some members of the group began to get concerned and called for help. Deputies began a search Saturday for Castiglia on El Cajon Mountain in Lakeside. The Sheriff's Lakeside Substation, Search and Rescue Unit, and Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) all responded. A body was found at the base of a cliff during this search. The Medical Examiners Office confirmed the body was Castiglia Sunday morning. The exact cause of death remains under investigation. Family friends shared stories about the 50-year-old father, husband and well-known community member at a candlelight vigil at Hoyt Park on Sunday. "Everybody knows him, everybody knows him and all good things. Everybody gives him a hug, pats on the back, 'Atta boy,' 'How's Martha, How's Ben? How's your business.' It's a tough act to follow," said David Leveille, a friend of Castiglia. Castiglia was described as a man who would do anything for his family, his wife and 18-year-old son, and was always offering a hand to his friends. "His house was always open. When I first moved to San Diego I needed a place to stay, I crashed on their couch downstairs for 3-weeks until I found a place," Leveille said. His friends started a GoFundMe to help Castiglia's family with funeral expenses. A memorial service is scheduled for Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Miramar Ranch North. Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM PDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures between 98 to 102. * WHERE...In Washington, Lower Columbia Basin of Washington and Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Washington. In Oregon, Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon. * WHEN...From noon to 9 PM PDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Temperatures will cool slightly Tuesday but still remain hot. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. && What to Know The snow moved out of our area but an arctic blast with dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills below zero is moving in. Temps drastically dip Wednesday ahead of single-digit temperatures by Thursday morning. A First Alert is in effect until Friday for the dangerous Arctic blast. This story is no longer being updated. Click here for the latest on the bitter cold blast. The snow moved out of our area but an arctic blast with dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills below zero is moving in. A First Alert is in effect throughout the entire region until 9 a.m. Friday due to the frigid temperatures. Light snow began to fall Tuesday morning in the Poconos, Berks County and the Lehigh Valley where temps remained below freezing. For areas around Philadelphia, rain started to fall in the afternoon. That precipitation continued into the early evening. During the evening commute, cold air arrived before the rain ended, changing the rain over to snow in most neighborhoods. The Pennsylvania suburbs saw the change first with several reports of snow. Snow Falls Across the Region About two dozen schools closed Tuesday before the first flakes had even fallen. As the day went on, dozens of more schools, including Montgomery County's large North Penn district, dismissed students early. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that state offices were closing early "on a rolling basis" Tuesday afternoon. He said the decision was made due to the storm and the extreme cold that's expected to follow it. Four to five inches of snow fell in many neighborhoods in the Lehigh Valley and Berks County with up to 5.5 inches falling in Hamburg. Three to four inches fell in the Pennsylvania suburbs while only a coating to nothing at all fell in Philadelphia, most of Delaware, South Jersey and along the coast. Cold air is now moving into the region. Winds will pick up on Wednesday sending the feels-like temperature plummeting to below zero. An isolated snow squall is possible Wednesday afternoon as temps drop and winds could gust to 50 mph. Thursday will be the coldest part of the Arctic blast. On Thursday morning, low temperatures (without the wind chill) will be in the single digits and below zero in some neighborhoods. Feels-like temps could be 10 below in Philly and 20 below in the Lehigh Valley. High temps Thursday wont get out of the teens. How cold will it be? A low temp of 5 on Thursday would be more than 10 degrees colder than the predicted low in Oslo, Norway, on the same day. Bitter cold continues through Friday with highs only getting into the low 20s. Relief comes over the weekend with temps expected to be in the 40s by Sunday. Keep checking NBC10 on air and the NBC10 App (download it now) throughout the week for the up-to-date First Alert Weather forecast. The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the war with the Islamic State group and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. Brent crude oil, used to price international purchases, briefly rose above $85 a barrel in October but has since plummeted to less than $55 a nightmare for a country like Iraq that derives 95 percent of its revenue from oil exports. A $111.9 billion draft budget sent to parliament in October projects crude exports of 3.8 million barrels per day to be sold at $56 per barrel. The bill, which includes a 23 percent increase in spending, would leave a deficit of $22.8 billion. But that won't even begin to address the colossal challenge of reconstruction after years of war. Some 1.8 million people have yet to return to their homes, according to the United Nations. Mosul, the country's second largest city, lies partly in ruins, as do many other cities, towns and villages once held by IS militants. Iraq's Planning Ministry estimates the country needs approximately $88 billion for reconstruction. In February, donors at a Kuwait summit pledged $30 billion in loans and investments to finance a portion of the bill, but little progress has been made to fulfill the pledges. In Iraq's oil-rich south, meanwhile, which was spared from the war's devastation, protests have erupted in recent months over unemployment and poor public services. Rolling power outages have been a nationwide problem going back to the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, and in the south the tap water is undrinkable. "We were surprised by the plunging oil prices and we have fallen into a big problem," said lawmaker Haneen al-Qado, who chairs parliament's Economy Committee. "The government is not in an enviable position." Iraqis elected a new government earlier in 2018, but it is dominated by the same bickering political factions that have governed the country for the last 15 years. Lawmakers have rejected the draft budget, calling for a new one that would estimate an even lower oil price and allocate even more funds for public investments. Qado says they may not be able to approve a budget until sometime in the first quarter of next year. Until then, the government can only spend one-twelfth of the previous year's allocation each month. While international attention has been focused on the devastation in northern and western Iraq, and the protests in the south, the budget crisis has also taken a heavy toll on Iraqis living in more stable areas. Construction projects across Baghdad have been stalled for years, with half-finished buildings turned into neighborhood garbage dumps. Kadhim Nima Khudair's construction company signed contracts in 2014 to build four schools at a cost of $5 million. By the following year, three of them were 80 percent complete, but then public funds dried up as the government launched the costly war against IS. When oil prices started to recover in 2017, the government began paying installments again, but only for the projects that were mostly completed. Now the payments have stopped again pending the budget negotiations. None of the schools have been completed, and Khudair has fallen deeply into debt, forcing him to lay off some 500 workers and sell family homes and cars. "I don't want any profit now, I only want my capital back," Khudair said. "We have been struggling all these years. People are still knocking on my door, asking for their money." Sami al-Araji, the head of the National Investment Commission, told an economic conference in December that hundreds of projects worth an estimated $54 billion are delayed. He called for a major overhaul of the economy that would promote investment and lessen the country's reliance on oil. "We have to think of all alternatives," he said. "The country has promising opportunities." That's easier said than done. Efforts to diversify the economy have been stymied by political infighting and corruption going all the way back to 2003, fueling cycles of war and instability. "Our fate is attached to oil," Khudair said. "When it's down, our blood pressure rises." Extremely cold, record-breaking temperatures are settling across parts of the Midwest after a powerful snowstorm pounded the region overnight Monday, and forecasters are describing the subzero weather on the way as potentially life-threatening. Minneapolis Public Schools have canceled classes through Wednesday, when the region will experience frigidly low temperatures not seen in a quarter century. "You're talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds," said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. The cold also prompted officials to close hundreds of Michigan schools, including in Detroit, and some schools in eastern Iowa, while Chicago Public Schools officials said schools would be closed Wednesday. The Chicago Zoological Society, meanwhile, said it's closing the Brookfield Zoo on Wednesday and Thursday to ensure the safety of employees and animals. It's only the fourth time the zoo has closed during its 85-year history. Subzero temperatures will begin Tuesday but Wednesday is expected to be the worst. Wind chills in northern Illinois could fall to negative 55 degrees (negative 48 degrees Celsius), which the National Weather Service called "possibly life threatening." Minnesota temperatures could hit minus 30 degrees (negative 34 degrees Celsius) with a wind chill of negative 60 (negative 51 degrees Celsius). The potentially record-breaking low temperature forecast in Milwaukee is negative 28 degrees (negative 33 degrees Celsius), with a wind chill as low as negative 50 (negative 45 degrees Celsius). The current record of minus 26 degrees (negative 32 degrees Celsius) was set in 1996. "That's 40 degrees below normal," Hurley said. At O'Hare International Airport, the high temperature Wednesday is expected to be negative 14 degrees (negative 25 degrees Celsius), which would break a record set on Jan. 18, 1994. Homeless shelters were preparing for the onslaught of cold. The Milwaukee Rescue Mission's call volume was "unusually high," but there should still be enough beds for those who need them, said the mission's president, Pat Vanderburgh. Charitable groups that operate warming places and shelters in Minneapolis were expanding hours and capacity "as they do whenever dangerous extreme temperature events occur," said Hennepin County Emergency Management Director Eric Waage. He said ambulance crews were handling all outside response incidents as being potentially life-threatening. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel urged residents to check on their neighbors and take safety precautions. He said city agencies are making sure homeless people are in shelters or offered space in warming buses. "Dangerous cold, check on your neighbors, make sure you have adequate heat," NBC Chicago meteorologist Brant Miller said. Cold weather advisories are in effect across a broad swath of the central U.S., from North Dakota to Missouri and spanning into Ohio. Temperatures will be as many as 20 degrees below average in parts of the Upper Great Lakes region and Upper Mississippi Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The unusually frigid weather is attributed to a sudden warming way above the North Pole. A sudden blast of warm air from misplaced Moroccan heat last month made the normally super chilly air temperatures 20 miles (32 kilometers) above the North Pole rapidly rise about 125 degrees (70 degrees Celsius). That split the polar vortex into pieces, which then started to wander, according to Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. One of those polar vortex pieces is responsible for the subzero temperatures across the Midwest this week. On Monday, snowplow drivers had trouble keeping up with the snow in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where some areas got as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters). Chicago-area commuters woke up to heavy snowfall, with more than 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) already on the ground. In Michigan, nonessential government offices were closed, including the Capitol. A snow plow struck and killed a man in in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville. Libertyville police say the village plow truck hit the man about 9:50 a.m. Monday and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials haven't identified the man. An autopsy is planned for Tuesday. Rare snowfall was also forecast for some southern states. Forecasters warned of up to 3 inches (7 centimeters) of snow in central Mississippi and Alabama by Tuesday morning and said temperatures will plummet as arctic cold blasts southward. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm. The Priceville Police Department in Morgan County, Alabama, jokingly announced in a Facebook post Tuesday that "all crime and doing really dumb things" has been cancelled until further notice due to the possibility of snow. Associated Press reporters Caryn Rousseau, Gretchen Ehlke and David Runk contributed to this report. What to Know Michael Eugene Moore was featured on the TV show, accused by authorities of stabbing his wife repeatedly and abducting their child in 1996. Weeks later, the girl was found in Miami and returned to her mother in Richmond. A Virginia fugitive who was featured on "America's Most Wanted" two decades ago was arrested after a three-hour standoff with deputies in Florida, authorities said. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said 46-year-old Michael Eugene Moore has a fugitive warrant in Virginia. Moore was featured on "America's Most Wanted" after he was accused of stabbing his wife 33 times and abducting their 5-year-old daughter in March 1996. His wife survived. Weeks later, their daughter was found in Miami and returned to her mother in Richmond, Virginia, after the little girl's photo appeared on the show. Moore remained a fugitive until Saturday. That afternoon, a license plate reader in Florida detected a vehicle that had been stolen during an armed robbery in Virginia, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. Deputies signaled the driver to stop in Palm Coast, south of Jacksonville. Moore eventually stopped but refused to get out, so the sheriff's office established a permieter and begain to evacaute homes in the immediate area, authorities said. Moore surrendered three hours later after the sheriff called in a SWAT team. Moore is being held in Florida, where police say he is facing charges of grand theft and resisting arrest without violence in Flagler County. He is also being held as a fugitive from justice for Virginia authorities, the sheriff's office said. Some of the most influential forces in Democratic politics revolted Monday against former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's prospective presidential bid, insisting that an independent run would unintentionally help President Donald Trump win another four years in office. And Schultz felt the passion of the anti-Trump resistance moments after he took the stage Monday evening in New York City to promote his new book, NBC News reported. "Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical, billionaire a**hole," a protester shouted before being ejected by security. "Go back to getting ratioed on Twitter," the heckler added in reference to a Schultz tweet about his possible run that was deluged with more critical replies than likes or retweets. "Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world." Schultz's critics included the Democratic chairman of his home state, another billionaire businessman who long flirted with an independent run of his own, former President Barack Obama's chief strategist, and the most powerful super PAC in Democratic politics. "If Schultz entered the race as an independent, we would consider him a target. ... We would do everything we can to ensure that his candidacy is unsuccessful," said Patrick McHugh, executive director of Priorities USA, which spent nearly $200 million in the 2016 presidential contest. Specifically, he seized on Schultz's apparent willingness to cut entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security to narrow the federal deficit. "The bottom line," McHugh said, "is that I don't think Americans are looking for another selfish billionaire to enter the race." The intense pushback in the early days of the 2020 campaign reflects the passion Democrats are bringing to the race to deny Trump a second term. Rank-and-file voters and party officials alike are anxious about any hurdle that would prevent them from seizing on Trump's unpopularity. While no independent has won the presidency since George Washington, Democrats fear that Schultz would almost certainly split their vote and give Trump an easier path to re-election. Yet Democrats concede that they had few tools to dissuade Schultz from launching an independent campaign as he told CBS' "60 Minutes" on Sunday he was considering though many were skeptical that he would actually follow through. In an interview with The Associated Press after the appearance, Schultz acknowledged that his prospective run might be "threatening" to some Democrats, but said, "my heart's in the right place." The 65-year-old billionaire confirmed that he has identified as a Democrat his entire life. But Schultz suggested his moderate approach might attract a significant number of Republican voters frustrated with Trump in addition to Democrats turned off by the party's embrace of liberal policies, such as universal health care and free tuition at public universities. "Who's to say that lifelong Republicans given the choice between Donald Trump and a far-left liberal, progressive Democrat if they had a better choice where are they going to go?" he asked. "My views are squarely in the middle." Schultz said he would make his decision in the "summer-fall" after spending the coming months traveling around the country in part promoting a new book to test whether there's interest in an independent presidential candidate, according to a person familiar with his planning. Asked how much of his personal fortune he'd be willing to spend on the election, he said only: "I'm going to do what's necessary." Schultz's team has polled on the viability of a third-party run and believes there is an opening, though they have not shared the specifics of their internal surveys. He's being advised by a team with experience in both parties, including Steve Schmidt, who worked on Republican John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, and former Obama adviser Bill Burton, who joined Schultz at his Monday appearance in New York. Schultz's team also includes Republican pollster Greg Strimple, GOP strategist Brooks Kochvar, former journalist Erin McPike and Rajiv Chandrasekaran, another former journalist who has worked closely with Schultz since 2015. Yet history and the reality of a political system designed to favor major-party candidates suggests that Schultz may do little more than play spoiler should he decide to run. Bloomberg, who studied the possibility of an independent run of his own in the past, offered Schultz a direct message based on his own experience. "The data was very clear and very consistent. Given the strong pull of partisanship and the realities of the electoral college system, there is no way an independent can win. That is truer today than ever before," Bloomberg, who is considering a Democratic 2020 bid, said in a statement. He continued: "In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the president. That's a risk I refused to run in 2016, and we can't afford to run it now." The angry voices were far and wide, and they included Obama's former chief strategist, David Axelrod, along with Democrats from Schultz's home state. "If Schultz decides to run as an independent," Axelrod tweeted, Trump "should give Starbucks their Trump Tower space rent free! It would be a gift." Tina Podlodowski, the Democratic chairwoman in Washington state, where Schultz has lived for decades, discouraged him from running as an independent. "A billionaire buying his way out of the entire primary process does not strengthen democracy," she said. "It only makes it more likely that our democracy will be further strained under another four years of President Donald Trump." Perhaps trying to elevate Schultz, who is not well known among Democratic primary voters, Trump himself weighed in on Monday, tweeting that Schultz "doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!" The Seattle billionaire was in New York Monday to promote his latest book, "From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America." After New York, he has stops this week in Tempe, Arizona; Seattle; and San Francisco but no dates listed for the early voting states of Iowa or New Hampshire. On paper, Schultz offers a number of qualities that might appeal to voters. He grew up in public housing in New York City's Brooklyn borough and became the first person in his family to graduate from college. He's also been a longtime Democratic donor, contributing to the campaigns of Obama, Hillary Clinton, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, among others. In Monday's interview, he said McCain was the only Republican he had ever donated money to. The soft-spoken businessman has also criticized Trump, telling employees that the president was creating "chaos" and hurting business; calling Trump's tax cuts for corporations unnecessary and reckless; and vowing to hire 10,000 refugees after Trump issued an executive order banning travel from seven mostly Muslim nations. The Democratic National Committee declined to address Schultz directly. Spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa offered only this response: "We are focused on defeating Donald Trump, and anyone who shares that goal should vote for the Democrat nominee in 2020." AP writer Julie Pace in Washington contributed to this report. What to Know An NYC woman is suing a Bronx hospital after she says she mistakenly agreed to take a stranger she thought was her brother off life support The man, who had the same name as her brother, had a tube in his mouth and a swollen appearance; turns out the brother is in jail St. Barnabas Hospital says the lawsuit is without merit A New York City woman sat vigil for days at her dying brother's hospital bedside, authorized doctors to stop life support and was arranging his funeral when officials revealed it had all been a big mistake. The man wasn't her brother at all, but a stranger with a similar name. Shirell Powell is now suing a Bronx hospital over the case of mistaken identity, saying she and other relatives were put through more than a month of unnecessary grief. "That is my baby brother, so it was really hurtful," Powell told the New York Post. "I was worried, hurt, crying, screaming, calling everybody. It was a horrible feeling." Her actual brother, Frederick Williams, was alive, but unbeknownst to his family, he was locked up in a city jail. St. Barnabas Hospital spokesman Steven Clark told the Post that the lawsuit was without merit. The mix-up began on July 15, according to Powell's lawsuit, when Freddy Clarence Williams was admitted to the hospital unconscious with brain damage following a drug overdose. The hospital looked in its records, saw that a Frederick Williams had been treated before, and called his family, the suit said. But it was the wrong Fred Williams. Powell said when she visited the man she thought was her brother, he had a tube in his mouth and a swollen appearance. Another sibling arrived and raised doubts about whether some error had been made. "She walked up into the room and said, 'That is not my brother,'" Powell said. But the man's facial features were similar enough that the family decided it couldn't be a mistake. One of Frederick Williams' two teenage daughters came from Virginia to say goodbye. "She was hysterical," Powell recalled. "She was holding his hand, kissing him, crying." Powell authorized doctors to withdraw life support on July 29. The city's medical examiner discovered the erroneous identification Aug. 16. "I nearly fainted because I killed somebody that I didn't even know. I gave consent," said Powell. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation for severe emotional harm. Powell's lawyer, Alexander Dudelson, told the Post that neither the medical examiner's office nor the hospital would tell him anything about the man who died. Public records show that there are many people with variations of the name Fred Williams living in New York City. Powell said that she has since gone to see her brother at a court appearance and phoned him in jail. When she explained that she had unknowingly given approval to turn off his life support, "He was saying, 'You were going to kill me?'" Powell recalled. "I explained to him, once you're brain-dead, there is nothing to do." Williams told the Post he wasn't mad at his sister. But he was upset at the hospital. "How could the hospital do something like that? Look what they put my family through," he said. What to Know A Denmark man who was accused of molesting 13 children at a Manhattan preschool before the charges were dropped has died at age 27 Malthe Thomsen's mother, Gitte Thomsen, tells Danish media her son died of a blood clot in his heart over the weekend Gitte Thomsen said he was able "to continue with his life after the grueling case that took a hard toll on both him and his family" A Denmark man who was accused of molesting 13 children at a Manhattan preschool before the charges were dropped, has died. He was 27 years old. The mother of Malthe Thomsen tells Danish broadcaster DR her son died of a blood clot in his heart Saturday. Gitte Thomsen said Tuesday he was able "to continue with his life after the grueling case that took a hard toll on both him and his family." Five years ago, Malthe Thomsen was arrested on sexual abuse charges after an assistant teacher at the International Preschools reported to her supervisors that Thomsen was abusing children. Thomsen was an intern at the time. The school investigated, found no evidence of abuse, and the charges were dropped. The school later fired the assistant teacher. What to Know Sen. Tim Kennedy, the head of the New York State Senate Transportation Committee, is presiding over an MTA budget hearing Wednesday Kennedy says he plans to ask the MTA about its executives' salaries, saying many employees are making six-figures The agency is seeking tens of billions of dollars in funding to modernize and replace signals throughout the subway system The head of the New York State Senates transportation committee said he will take a very close look at MTA employees who earn six-figure salaries during a budget hearing scheduled for this week. Sen. Tim Kennedy, whose district includes Buffalo, was appointed chair of the committee this past December and will preside over an MTA budget hearing Wednesday. In an exclusive interview with News 4 on Tuesday, Kennedy said he planned to ask the MTA about its own executives salaries. The agency is seeking tens of billions of dollars to modernize and replace signals throughout the subway system. The fact that there are 2,500 individuals that made over $300,000 within the administration deserves a very close look, Kennedy said. We are going to be asking questions about that. The MTA disputed Kennedy's figures -- and the original New York Times analysis of federal data. According to the agency, subway managers make $240,000, on average -- $135,600 in salary/wage and $104,400 in fringe benefit. All subway workers, on average, make $155,000 a year -- $87,600 in salary/wage and $67,400 in fringe benefit. "As the data we sent over reflects, these figures were based off of inaccurate salary data and the news report that cited the study, incorrectly, has been corrected," a statement from the MTA said. The MTA didn't say how many personnel make that $240,000 annually. For his part, Kennedy said the committee's job "is to hold the MTA accountable." "And you're going to see accountability demanded," he said. The senator also addressed the fact that his upstate New York district is hours away from the New York City subway system, noting that he frequently takes the subway, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North. As for the governor, Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday there were only two possible sources for MTA funding. There are only two options. Either the fares go up, or you have congestion pricing, Cuomo said in an interview with Brian Lehrer. Pick it. And make the politicians pick it. Its A or B. There is no C. What to Know Decades before John Stella became a registered sex offender, he was an Assistant Scoutmaster dogged by allegations of abuse in upstate NY He was a sadist, one ex-Scout said. I can still think of details. Like the smell of this guys chewing tobacco is still in my nose" The Boy Scouts of America told the I-Team Stellas 1989 arrest was the first time the national headquarters knew of any allegations Decades before he became a registered sex offender, 60-year-old John Stella was an Assistant Scoutmaster dogged by allegations of abuse in an upstate Boy Scout troop. He was a sadist, really, said Rob Simandle, a former Boy Scout who grew up near Utica. Before he quit the troop out of disgust, Simandle says Stella used to strip him down to underwear and paddle him during leadership drills. I can still think of details. Like the smell of this guys chewing tobacco is still in my nose. Around the year 1982, when Simandle was 13 years old, he says he and at least one other boy told their parents Stella was holding perverted one-on-one spanking sessions. The reports led scout leaders to kick Stella out of the troop, and into his adulthood, Simandle assumed Stella had also been booted from all scouting activities, nationwide. But thats not what happened. Internal files, produced and archived by the Boy Scouts of America, show Stella simply moved from a scout troop upstate to a scout troop downstate. By the late 1980s, Boy Scout records known as Ineligible Volunteer Files show Stella was volunteering with Boy Scout Troop #404 in Suffolk County Long Island. And it was on Long Island that he was arrested and convicted in 1989 of three misdemeanor counts of child sex abuse. A report of that arrest did make its way to the Boy Scouts national headquarters and John Stella was permanently banned. His Ineligible Volunteer file says there were at least twenty victims going back to 1986 and that he likes to spank boys with a preferred age range [of] 14-18 years old. If they listened to me in the early 80s, this guy would have been off the street, Simandle said. They didnt protect me. They didnt protect the kids that came after me. How did an accused child predator seamlessly slip from one troop to the next without a warning about his past? The Boy Scouts of America told the I-Team Stellas 1989 arrest was the first time the national headquarters knew of any spanking allegations. The original abuse claims- from upstate were unknown to the national organization because the Utica-area Scout leaders kicked Stella out without escalating the report. Paul Obernesser, Stellas Scoutmaster in the early 80s, said he declined to inform regional and national Scout offices about the misconduct because he didnt consider the spanking to be a clear example of sexual misconduct. He also noted that Rob Simandles father, who was a leader on the Troop Council, was aware of the allegations and he didnt escalate the complaint either. Should we have done more than that at the time? I dont know, Obernesser said. At the time the National Boy Scouts didnt have any particular training on that. Obviously today if that had happened it would have gotten reported up because we have more training. In 1982 everything was pretty innocent. Michael Pfau, Rob Simandles attorney, suggested the lack of training was precisely the problem back in the 1980s. Back then, he said, the national Boy Scouts of America were the only entity that could have known how crucial more training was. By the 1980s, the Boy Scout headquarters in Texas had compiled hundreds of those Ineligible Volunteer files and were in a unique position to tell Scoutmasters and parents just how many child predators were trying to become Scout volunteers. Parents, for decades, sent their kids on Scout trips without warning or information when the organization, the Boy Scouts of America, knew that they were being infiltrated by pedophiles., Pfau said. Now that the New York legislature has passed the Child Victims Act a bill to extend the statute of limitations on child sex abuse claims - it appears Simandle will get his chance to sue the Boy Scouts of America. In the past year and a half, state records show the Boy Scouts of America spent more than $200,000 on lobbyists who sought to influence New Yorks Child Victims Act legislation. In an email to the I-Team, the nonprofit declined to voice support or opposition for the bill, instead writing generally that the Boy Scouts support reform in statutes of limitation and emphatically support reform of civil statutes of limitation for individual abusers and against organizations that intentionally concealed wrongdoing. The email also listed a series of steps taken by the Boy Scouts to better respond to reports of abuse. They include better training for volunteers and staff, mandatory reporting of suspected abuse to authorities, and a more formal process for selecting troop leaders that includes criminal background checks. At no time in our history have we knowingly allowed a sexual predator to work with youth, and we always seek to act swiftly when alerted to abuse allegations, the statement read. After he was banned from the Boy Scouts, John Stella was arrested again in 2006. This time he pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted possession of child pornography. He is currently listed on New Yorks Sex Offender Registry as living in Coney Island. The I-Team was unable to reach him at his home. Paul Simandle, Rob Simandles father, took issue with the notion that he failed to escalate his sons complaint against John Stella, saying that he believed it was the responsibility of Paul Obernesser, the Scoutmaster. I would have wanted that escalated definitely and I dont remember saying not to go forward at all. I dont really remember discussing that aspect of it, said the elder Simandle. In 2017, Rob Simandle notified the Boy Scouts that John Stella wasnt the only Scout volunteer who allegedly took advantage of him while he was a Scout in upstate New York. In a letter to the national headquarters, he asked for an investigation into another Assistant Scoutmaster who he says plied him with alcohol and sodomized him during two camping trips. He gave us all beer, got me drunk and he ended up in my tent, Simandle said. I was thirteen. I hadnt even kissed a girl. And all the sudden this guy is fondling me. Then hes on top of me. The Boy Scouts said the volunteer in question left Scouting activities in 2007, but out of caution the organization removed his privileges for future volunteering. Jennifer Freeman, an attorney on Simandles team, said his case may be deserving of a criminal investigation. And she said prosecutors throughout New York would be justified in opening wide-ranging probes into the Boy Scouts, much the way the Attorney General is now examining the New York Archdiocese. When theres a criminal investigation there is a lot more at stake, Freeman said. Its a very important problem that needs to be looked at just as much as the Catholic Church. Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman told a judge Monday that he won't take the witness stand in his own defense at his U.S. drug-trafficking trial, ending speculation that he might go for broke and build on a notorious reputation already cemented by the sprawling government case against him. "Your honor, me and my attorneys have spoken about this, and I won't testify," Guzman said through a Spanish interpreter in a rare instance of him standing up and speaking in court. The decision could bring the trial to a sooner-than-expected conclusion. The defense plans on calling one law enforcement witness, according to a court public information officer. Closing arguments were set to begin Wednesday with deliberations starting as soon as Friday afternoon. Guzman's lawyers say he's being framed by a cadre of cooperators who were far more culpable in the Sinaloa cartel's wildly lucrative cocaine-smuggling enterprise. As the government was finally concluding a case that began in mid-November, an actor who played Guzman on a popular Netflix series caused a minor stir Monday by showing up in the courtroom as a spectator. The defendant cracked a smile and waved when "Narcos: Mexico" cast member Alejandro Edda was pointed out to him, Edda told reporters. "It was a very surreal moment, I have to be honest," the actor said. Surreal was an apt description for many aspects of the government's case, including testimony from several cooperators that made Guzman's delight at seeing Edda seem understandable. Some of the more than 50 government witnesses said Guzman had spoken often of his dream of being portrayed on film or being the subject of an autobiography about his rise to power as the Sinaloa cartel boss. The highlights of the government case offered plenty of potential material, starting early in the trial with testimony by a former Sinaloa cartel lieutenant describing how a car carrying Guzman into Mexico City shortly after he escaped prison in 2001 got a police escort by highway officers. A suspected informant claimed he had survived several attempts on his life ordered by Guzman, including a knife attack at a jail right after he heard a brass band ominously playing a favorite "corrido" folk song of Guzman's "Un Puno De Tierra" over and over. A former Colombian kingpin who once supplied the cartel with tons of cocaine, Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia, made an impact solely by the way he looked while testifying with his face distorted by an extreme makeover meant to hide his identity. Ramirez explained that he had undergone at least three plastic surgeries that altered "my jawbone, my cheekbones, my eyes, my mouth, my ears, my nose." Much of the testimony was devoted to how corrupt Mexican authorities had a voracious appetite for drug money. One cooperator said Guzman had paid former President Enrique Pena Nieto $100,000, a claim Pena Nieto denied. Three of the latest witnesses kept the drama alive: A former cartel computer tech who testified how, after being flipped by the FBI, he showed them how to intercept the syndicate's phone calls and texts that Guzman had monitored with spyware; a member of the cartel security team who alleged Guzman shot a kidnapped victim before having the man buried alive; and an ex-girlfriend who described how they evaded a manhunt one of his specialties using a trapdoor underneath a safehouse bathroom that let to a drainage tunnel that he used to run away, naked, in 2014. Guzman was captured in 2015 and escaped jail through a tunnel dug into his prison cell before he was sent in 2017 to the U.S. He's been in solitary confinement ever since and would face life in prison if convicted. Former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel has taken the first step toward regaining his job following his suspension from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month over his handling of February's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Attorneys for Israel filed a formal request with the Florida Senate Tuesday seeking an evidentiary hearing in the case. The Senate president has already appointed a former legislator as special magistrate to receive evidence and make recommendations to the Senate. But, in their letter, Israels attorneys are asking another person to be appointed, someone who is not a former legislator, but rather an experienced administrative hearing officer with no significant prior relationship to the legislature. The Republican governor flew to Fort Lauderdale three days after taking office to remove the Democratic sheriff, appointing Gregory Tony, a former Coral Springs police sergeant, to serve as sheriff. DeSantis said during a news conference at sheriff's office headquarters that Israel failed to keep families and children safe before and during the Feb. 14 shooting that left 14 students and three staff members dead inside the three-story freshman building. Minutes after DeSantis' announcement, Israel said he "wholeheartedly" rejected the governor's order and would fight it in court, arguing that DeSantis was making a "power grab" against the will of the county's people who elected him. Under Florida law, the governor can suspend elected officials for criminal activity, misfeasance, incompetence or neglect of duty. If Israel's challenge of the suspension proceeds, the state Senate would hold a trial and could either fire or reinstate him. Israel has said he would challenge his removal in court, as well, though the Senate ultimately is given the power to overturn his suspension, or uphold the governors action, removing Israel from office. What to Know Its Tuesday, January 29th and NBC 6 has the top six stories you need to know to start your day. Its Tuesday, January 29th and NBC 6 has the top six stories you need to know to start your day. No. 1 The colder weather continues across the area with some parts of South Florida waking up in the uppers 40s. High temps will be in the upper 60s for most of the area with a warming trend ahead in the next few days. No. 2 - An early morning fire inside a Coral Springs apartment sent residents outside in the cold and has investigators working to find out if a heater designed to fight the dropping temperatures was the cause of the blaze. Crews responded to the complex at 8011 Northwest 35th Court before 5 a.m. on Tuesday, battling the fire that started in a second floor apartment. No. 3 - A Florida man whose newlywed wife went missing at sea as the couple sailed off the Bahamas is facing a prison sentence after pleading guilty to a federal involuntary manslaughter charge. A sentencing hearing is set Tuesday in Miami federal court for 41-year-old Lewis Bennett, who faces a maximum eight-year prison sentence in the May 2017 disappearance of Isabella Hellmann, his wife of three months. No. 4 - After a publicity-filled weekend spent asserting his innocence and slamming investigators, Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone will appear before a federal judge who may look to muzzle him as the case moves forward. Stone faces a Tuesday morning arraignment in Washington and is expected to plead not guilty to charges that he lied to lawmakers, engaged in witness tampering and obstructed a congressional investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. No. 5 A FaceTime bug lets you hear through someone else's iPhone, even if they haven't answered your phone call. This bug seems to rely on the FaceTime Group Call feature, since you're trying to add another person to the call. Apple said a fix is coming this week. No. 6 - Groups in South Florida are doing their part to help after a strong tornado tore through Cuba, killing at least three people and hurting 172. Severe weather, including pounding rain and winds that toppled over trees, power poles and tore roofing through the air, began Sunday night and continued through early Monday. For a complete list of how you can help, click on this link. President Donald Trump has declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency and urged prosecutors to seek the death penalty against drug dealers. Congress has provided targeted grants for treatment, recovery and prevention and made numerous policy changes to help people struggling with addiction get access to services. From the National Institutes of Health to Veterans Affairs and the Agriculture Department, government agencies are deploying their own specialized skills. Still, the addiction crisis will not easily release its grip on the nation, even as progress is made providing resources and improving coordination. Here's a look at the extent of the epidemic, and what the federal government has been doing. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DYING DUE TO OPIOID OVERDOSES? Some 47,600 Americans died of opioid overdoses in 2017, according to federal numbers. That's more than die as a result of traffic crashes. Opioid deaths were 13 percent higher compared to 2016, up a notch in a 20-year onslaught. The street drug fentanyl an extremely powerful opioid is the top killer today, displacing heroin and pain pills. But prescription painkillers are still a problem, contributing to 14,495 deaths in 2017. It's too early to say for sure, but experts are watching a potential indicator that opioid overdose deaths may be peaking. Month-to-month data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown a leveling off in deaths, said Bob Anderson, a CDC senior statistician. However, those numbers are considered preliminary, because investigations have not been completed in all cases. "We may start to see a decline," Anderson said. "This reminds me of what we saw with HIV in the '90s." Final numbers for 2018 won't be available until the end of this year, and things could also get worse, not better. Although overdose deaths get the most attention, that's not the only way for users to die. People who inject drugs can get heart infections, HIV and hepatitis C. The risk of infection is higher than the chance of dying from an overdose. Counting all fatal drug overdoses, not just opioids, the CDC puts the number at 70,237 for 2017. WHERE DO THESE DRUGS COME FROM? Many people got started on the path to addiction with painkillers, prescribed by a doctor for treatment of injuries, post-surgical pain or a chronic condition or purchased illegally from a dealer. Much of the heroin sold in the U.S. comes from Mexico, and the drug is more potent than in the 1970s, during a previous crisis. China is the major source of fentanyl, which is used as an additive in street drugs. The multitude of opioid drugs, the increasing lethality of some and their varied routes to market make the crisis especially challenging. Some effective responses can be surprisingly simple: In a recently reported experiment, doctors were sent a letter from the medical examiner's office telling them of a patient's fatal overdose. They responded by prescribing fewer opioids. WHAT HAS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DONE TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS? Starting under former President Barack Obama, the government has been providing grants to states to help treat people addicted to opioids and to prevent others from getting hooked. The expansion of the Medicaid health program under Obama's health care law has also played a role in financing treatment. With the exception of Medicaid expansion which Trump and the Republican Congress unsuccessfully tried to repeal the federal response to the opioid crisis has been bipartisan. Various federal agencies are bringing specialized expertise. CDC is closely tracking the epidemic's toll. NIH is researching pain management and ways to treat addiction. The Agriculture Department is focusing on opioid misuse in rural areas, where treatment resources are scarce. And Veterans Affairs maintains an opioid safety initiative dating to 2013 to help its doctors reduce unnecessary prescriptions. On the enforcement side, drug, cybercrime and money laundering sleuths are targeting major suppliers. In the 1980s, cocaine from Colombia was smuggled via speedboats, and bales of marijuana were flown in on small planes, but now fentanyl from China can be marketed online and shipped by mail. The Food and Drug Administration is deploying more inspectors at international mail facilities to intercept packages of fentanyl. HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTING TOWARD THE CRISIS? It's difficult to get a complete and authoritative accounting, since spending is across many agencies and programs. That includes entitlements like Medicaid, that don't require annual funding approval from Congress, as well as dozens of other programs that do in addition to specific grants. Experts say the government is spending billions of dollars, there's no doubt that's increasing, and it's still probably not enough. In its last year in office, the Obama administration secured a commitment to expand treatment, and Congress reserved $1 billion for grants to states . Last year, Congress provided another $1 billion to states under a new grant program. The Trump administration recently awarded those grants. That comes on top of nearly $1.9 billion for the government's main drug treatment, recovery and prevention program, according to the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors. Additional funding is allocated across other agencies and programs. A study sponsored by the nonpartisan Robert Wood Johnson Foundation highlighted Medicaid's role. It found that the federal-state health program for low-income people covers more than 1 in 3 of those with opioid addiction. Even before Medicaid was expanded, researchers estimated it spent more than $9 billion in 2013 on care for low-income people addicted to opioids. WHAT IS ALL THIS MONEY SPENT ON? States are spending grant money on treatment, overdose antidote kits, recovery support services, training for doctors and public awareness campaigns. The goal is to get more people treated with medications for opioid addiction such as buprenorphine and methadone. There's solid evidence backing these medications, when they're used alongside counseling and ongoing support. States have started reporting back to the federal government that thousands of people have entered treatment as a result of grant money, including hundreds of pregnant women. Pennsylvania, for example, says it treated 11,423 people in FY2017, including 86 pregnant women. Michigan says it treated 2,974, including 30 pregnant women. Tennessee: 3,075, including 55 pregnant women. WHAT IMPACT HAS THE OPIOID ANTIDOTE NALOXONE HAD ON THE CRISIS? With little or no training, bystanders can reverse an opioid overdose with a naloxone nasal spray or by injection of the drug. States have handed out thousands of naloxone kits to first responders, schools, family members and drug users themselves. The Health and Human Services department has several programs to help states and communities pay for the antidote, but with overdose deaths still high, it's tough to say what the impact of naloxone has been. A 2017 working paper, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, suggests laws encouraging naloxone might be having a small effect on reducing fatalities. People dealing with the epidemic say deaths would be even higher without the antidote. PRESIDENT TRUMP APPOINTED A COMMISSION ON OPIOIDS AND DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE HAVE THOSE ACTIONS MADE? Administration officials say they are making headway daily, deploying more resources and sharpening the coordination of government efforts among agencies. Some experts in the field debate the administration's role. "When you look at the administration's actions in the wake of that public health emergency, I was not overwhelmed by any of it," said Rebecca Farley David of the National Council for Behavioral Health, which advocates for organizations that provide addiction treatment. She singled out Trump's attempt to repeal the Medicaid expansion: "That would have had a devastating impact on people with addictions." But Jessica Hulsey Nickel, founder of the advocacy group Addiction Policy Forum, said, "Whether you are an 'R' or a 'D,' this administration has made sure every element of the government that has a role to play has been engaged." Trump's opioid commission delivered 56 recommendations, including more drug courts, training for doctors and wider use of treatment medications in the criminal justice system. WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY ABOUT BRINGING AN END TO THIS CRISIS? In some ways the opioid epidemic is only the latest manifestation of drug problems deeply rooted in American history. Public health experts say one major difference today is that addiction is increasingly recognized by experts and lay people alike as a disease of the brain, not a moral failing. That could open the way for building an infrastructure for what's called the "continuum of care" prevention, treatment and recovery. For many people, the road back from addiction is a yearslong journey, and relapse is common. Dr. Deborah Richter, a Vermont physician who treats addiction, says there's no fixed timetable for pronouncing a patient "cured." ''They're not ready unless they can say, 'I wouldn't know where to get heroin unless it bit me,'" Richter said. HOW DOES TRUMP'S USE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS COMPARE WITH OTHERS? Getting tough has traditionally been part of the U.S. "war on drugs." Only recently has the importance of treatment been widely recognized. Former Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton supported the death penalty for drug kingpins in egregious cases. Reagan said that while he thought drug dealers deserved the death penalty, pursuing it could create counterproductive political divisions. Trump has speculated that countries like Singapore have fewer issues with addiction because they mete out harsh justice and has said he wants the Justice Department to seek the "ultimate penalty" when possible. The U.S. drug kingpin law already allows federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in cases where someone is intentionally killed during a drug deal or in furtherance of a drug enterprise. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions had vowed to seek the death penalty "wherever appropriate." Cautionary note: Many judges, prosecutors, crime experts and lawmakers of both parties now see the get-tough approach of the 1980s and 1990s as an overreach that landed too many people in prison with long sentences, especially African-Americans. "While it's important to make interdiction a priority, we need to make sure we don't criminalize the disease of addiction," said Jessica Hulsey Nickel of the Addiction Policy Forum. President Donald Trump said the odds congressional negotiators will craft a deal to end his border wall standoff with Congress are "less than 50-50." As hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers prepared to return to work, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he doesn't think the negotiators will strike a deal that he'd accept. He pledged to build a wall anyway using his executive powers to declare a national emergency if necessary. "I personally think it's less than 50-50, but you have a lot of very good people on that board," Trump said in an interview Sunday with the newspaper. The president was referring to a bipartisan committee of House and Senate lawmakers that will consider border spending as part of the legislative process. The president's standoff with Democrats on Capitol Hill is far from over and the clock is ticking. The spending bill Trump signed on Friday to temporarily end the partial government shutdown funds the shuttered agencies only until Feb. 15. It's unclear if the Democrats will budge. Trump seemed girded for battle over the weekend, sending out a series of online messages that foreshadowed the upcoming fight with lawmakers. "BUILD A WALL & CRIME WILL FALL!" he tweeted. Is Trump prepared to shut down the government again in three weeks? "Yeah, I think he actually is," acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said. "He doesn't want to shut the government down, let's make that very clear. He doesn't want to declare a national emergency." But Mulvaney said that at "the end of the day, the president's commitment is to defend the nation and he will do it with or without Congress." The linchpin in the standoff is Trump's demand for $5.7 billion for his prized wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, a project Democrats consider an ineffective, wasteful monument to a ridiculous Trump campaign promise. Asked if he'd willing to accept less than $5.7 billion to build a barrier on the southern border, Trump replied: "I doubt it." He added: "I have to do it right." He also said he'd be wary of any proposed deal that exchanged funds for a wall for broad immigration reform. And when asked if he would agree to citizenship for immigrants who were illegally brought into the U.S. as children, he again replied, "I doubt it." California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the leading Republican in the House, said Democrats have funded border barriers in the past and are refusing this time simply because Trump is asking for it. "The president is the only one who has been reasonable in these negotiations," he said. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, a member of the Democratic leadership in the House, said his colleagues are looking for "evidence-based" legislation. "Shutdowns are not legitimate negotiating tactics when there's a public policy disagreement between two branches of government," he said. Jeffries said that Democrats are willing to invest in additional infrastructure, especially at legal ports of entry where the majority of drugs come into the country. "We're willing to invest in personnel. We're willing to invest in additional technology. ... In the past, we have supported enhanced fencing and I think that's something that's reasonable that should be on the table," he said. Trump has asserted there is a "crisis" at the southern border requiring a wall, blaming previous presidents and Congress for failing to overhaul an immigration system that has allowed millions of people to live in the U.S. illegally. Last month, he put that number at 35 million, while on Sunday he pegged it at 25.7 million-plus figures offered without evidence. "I'm not exactly sure where the president got that number this morning," Mulvaney said. Both are higher than government and private estimates. His homeland security chief cited "somewhere" between 11 million and 22 million last month. In November, the nonpartisan Pew Research Center reported 10.7 million in 2016 the lowest in a decade. The president also tweeted Sunday that the cost of illegal immigration so far this year was nearly $19 billion; he didn't cite a source. Compare that with research in 2017 from a conservative group, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for less immigration: $135 billion a year or about $11.25 billion a month a figure that included health care and education, plus money spent on immigration enforcement. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. said that he thinks a compromise is possible. "The president went from talking about a wall along the entire southern border at one point during the campaign ... to let's have barriers where they work and let's have something else where barriers wouldn't work as well," Blunt said. The partial federal shutdown ended Friday when Trump gave in to mounting pressure, retreating from his demand that Congress commit to the border wall funding before federal agencies could resume work. The bill he signed did not provide the money Trump wanted for a barrier, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called "immoral" and has insisted Congress will not finance. Mulvaney said Trump agreed to temporarily end the shutdown because some Democrats have stepped forward, publicly and privately, to say they agree with Trump's plan to better secure the border. Mulvaney said they told Trump they couldn't split with Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and work with the White House if the government remained closed. "Everybody wants to look at this and say the president lost," Mulvaney said. "We're still in the middle of negotiations." Mulvaney appeared on "Fox News Sunday" and CBS' "Face the Nation." Jeffries and McCarthy spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press," Blunt was on Fox. What to Know Stone arrived in court to a small crowd of supporters and protesters, including some yelling, "Lock him up" Roger Stone, a longtime adviser and confidant of President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges in the Russia investigation after a publicity-filled few days spent slamming the probe as politically motivated. The political operative and self-described dirty trickster faces charges that he lied to lawmakers, engaged in witness tampering and obstructed a congressional investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. He was uncharacteristically quiet during Tuesday's brief court appearance, rising to his feet to say, "Yes, Your Honor," as U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson asked if he would agree to the conditions of his release, including restricted travel. Stone attorney Robert Buschel entered the plea on his client's behalf. The voluble Stone, 66, held no press conference as he arrived and departed the courthouse amid dueling chants of "Lock Him Up" and "We Love Roger." He waved and smiled to the small crowd, some holding up glowing photos of him, and he largely ignored a group of protesters carrying signs reading "Dirty traitor." The Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." blared from speakers outside the courthouse. Although large crowds surrounded him as he was driven away in a black SUV, Stone was more subdued than during the circus-like atmosphere of his Friday court appearance, when he emerged in a blue polo shirt, flashed a Richard Nixon victory sign, predicted his vindication and vowed that he would not "bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself." Stone, who was arrested last week at his Florida home, is the sixth Trump aide charged in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. The indictment does not accuse Stone of coordinating with Russia or with WikiLeaks on the release of hacked Democratic emails. But it does allege that he misled lawmakers about his pursuit of those communications and interest in them. The anti-secrecy website published emails in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election that the U.S. says were stolen from Democrats by Russian operatives. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday that the investigation is "close to being completed," although an exact timetable is unclear. Mueller continues to be interested in hearing from Stone aide Andrew Miller, who is fighting a grand jury subpoena, indicating the special counsel could be pursuing additional criminal charges against Stone or others related to the release of hacked material during the 2016 election by WikiLeaks, its founder, Julian Assange, and the online persona Guccifer 2.0. Paul Kamenar, Miller's attorney, said Mueller's team notified him of their continued interest late Monday. Miller defied the grand jury subpoena last summer and took his challenge of Mueller's authority to a federal appeals court. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has yet to rule in the case. Mueller's team and lawyers with the U.S. attorney's office for the District of Columbia are jointly prosecuting the case against Stone. They did not push for Stone to be jailed or for Robinson to impose a gag order in the case. He remains free on $250,000 bond. Stone, who has alleged without evidence that the FBI used "Gestapo tactics" in arresting him, has said he did nothing more than exercise his First Amendment rights to drum up interest with voters about the WikiLeaks disclosures. He has also denied discussing the issue with Trump. "That's what I engaged in. It's called politics and they haven't criminalized it, at least not yet," Stone said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." "All I did was take publicly available information and try to hype it to get it as much attention as possible, because I had a tip, the information was politically significant and that it would come in October," he added. What to Know Four men are being held in trial for the killing of a gang member on Aug. 7, 2016. Lawyers claimed that some of the clients were either not related to the gangs in question, or were not holding a gun. The four defendants face life in prison if convicted. Four men were "hunters looking for retribution" for the death of a fellow gang member when they carried out a drive-by shooting on a group of people in Indio, killing a 22-year-old man, a prosecutor told jurors on Monday. But an attorney for one of the men denied his client was affiliated with a gang, while another defendant's lawyer disputed claims that his client had a gun during the Aug. 7, 2016, shooting. Cesar Monzon Jr., 29, Angel Lopez, 30, Andrew Marquie Malanche, 27, and Jose Antonio Armendariz, 35, are each charged with murder and gang allegations for the killing of Adrian Valdez, 22, of Indio. Valdez was found wounded at 12:43 a.m. in front of a home in the 82600 block of Mountain View Avenue, and he died about four hours later at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs. "Hunters looking for retribution. Gangsters looking for payback. And, predators looking for their prey," Deputy District Attorney Jake Silva told jurors during opening statements of the men's trial. "Unfortunately, for Adrian Valdez on Aug. 7 of 2016, he fit the profile - the prey, if you will - of the man these four were looking for." Surveillance footage from an Indio 7-Eleven and from Mountain View Avenue show the occupants of a Chevrolet Caprice and a Toyota Sequoia congregating at the convenience store and then traveling to the shooting scene, according to police. A security camera from a nearby home captured gunfire coming from both sides of the Toyota, while the Chevrolet sped eastbound on Mountain View Avenue, out of the camera's view. Police said the assailants apparently were met with return fire from the group of people at the shooting scene. Lopez and Malanche showed up at Indio's JFK Memorial Hospital later that day, according to police. Malanche was hospitalized with a single gunshot wound that entered through his backside, while Lopez was treated for a graze wound. Hospital security officials told police that upon arrival, Lopez was seen taking a backpack from the Caprice and hiding it near the north side of the emergency room, police said. Officers recovered the backpack, which contained two handguns and nearly 100 rounds of ammunition, according to a declaration filed in support of an arrest warrant. According to the declaration, Lopez told police he was inside the Caprice during the shooting, but he did not admit to shooting Valdez. Malanche told detectives he was driving by the Mountain View Avenue home with Lopez when they were fired upon. Malanche said he was "scared" and that he and Lopez fired several shots at their attackers in retaliation, according to the declaration. Malanche's attorney, Jose Rojo, told jurors his client had only been in the valley "for a month and change before the shooting" and had "never been in trouble before, never been in gangs before, even though he grew up here in Indio." He had previously been working in Texas, and did not know any of the other members accused in the shooting, other than Lopez, his attorney said. Armendariz, who police claim was driving the Toyota, was arrested after officers tracked down the SUV's registered owner, who told police that Armendariz usually drove the vehicle. Police found Armendariz at the registered owner's home on Aug. 8 and arrested him on an outstanding warrant alleging assault with a deadly weapon. Police said Armendariz refused to speak with detectives about the shooting, but a warrant was served the following day to search the Toyota. Three bullet holes were seen on the outside of the SUV and ammunition was allegedly found inside, prosecutors said. Attorneys for Lopez and Armendariz did not make opening statements at the trial. Prosecutors said Monzon fled the country following the shooting and was arrested three weeks later when a fugitive task force located him in Mexicali, Mexico, where several relatives reside. Detectives were tipped to Monzon's alleged involvement after a parole officer told them Monzon had cut off his GPS ankle monitor on the night of the shooting, according to a court declaration. His movements just prior to the shooting brought him to within 40 yards of the Mountain View Avenue residence, according to the declaration. The parole officer told police the ankle bracelet was removed shortly after 12:50 a.m. Monzon's attorney, James Silva, denied that Monzon had a weapon the night of the shooting. "Mr. Monzon is in the backseat of the Caprice when the shooting takes place," he said. "He's in the backseat. But, there is no evidence to show that he had any type of gun in his possession when the shooting took place ...nor is there any evidence to show he was ever in possession of this gun.'' The four defendants face life in prison without parole if convicted. A man convicted of murder after shooting at a house, killing an 8-year-old boy who was visiting his family, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jonah Hwang died in the February 2017 drive-by shooting in Pomona. At least three rounds were fired into the home from outside, and Jonah was struck in the head. In addition to the life prison term, Houl was sentenced to an additional 25 years for the boy's murder. No one else was injured. Jonah later died at a hospital. Sengchan Houl, 37, was convicted of first-degree murder and shooting from a motor vehicle, along with two counts each of shooting at an occupied dwelling and negligent discharge of a firearm. He did not speak at his sentencing. There were no victim impact statements, a point in the sentencing hearing during which the victim's family members and friends can address the court. The shooting was one in a series of four reported at the home and connected to Houl. He was arrested by Pomona police about five weeks after Jonah was killed. Jonah's adoptive parents had brought him from an orphanage in Taiwan about five years ago to begin a new life in the United States. What to Know Texas AG's office releases list of 95,000 names they say are non-citizens registered to vote in Texas; claims 58,000 voted in Texas races. Critics say methodology is flawed, doesnt account for people who have become naturalized citizens since 1996, when data first collected. On Tuesday, Texas Secretary of State begins calling county offices saying the list "may have been overstated." Some of the names included in a list of 95,000 potential non-citizen voters provided by the state to county election offices last Friday may have included the names of naturalized citizens, state officials confirm. The Dallas Morning News reported the Texas Secretary of State's office asked at least four county elections offices to not yet take any action demanding proof of citizenship from those on the list because the data may be flawed and that some people on the list may indeed be citizens. In a call to NBC 5, the Texas Secretary of State's office said they did not say the numbers were overstated, as reported by the News, but that they called election officials to let them know there were some people on the list who had registered at a DPS office where they had to show proof of citizenship -- so that they could help narrow down their list of ineligible voters. "As part of the process of ensuring that no eligible voters are impacted by any list maintenance activity, we are continuing to provide information to the counties to assist them in verifying eligibility of Texas voters. This is to ensure that any registered voters who provided proof of citizenship at the time they registered to vote will not be required to provide proof of citizenship as part of the counties examination," the Secretary of State's communications director said in a statement. The Secretary of State's office did not reveal Tuesday how many people on the original list should not have been there. Dallas County Elections Administrator Toni Pippins-Poole said Tuesday that state officials told her they discovered that some voters on the list had previously provided proof of citizenship. Near Austin, Williamson County Election Administrator Chris Davis said the state also called him and that there is a "significant" number of voters whose citizenship is no longer in question. President Donald Trump seized on the Texas numbers over the weekend to renew his unsubstantiated claims of rampant voter fraud and saying that it was an even bigger problem in California that must be stopped. Since Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office released the numbers last Friday, county election offices have been working to verify the citizenship status of registered voters at the request of the secretary of state. Of those 95,000 alleged non-citizens registered to vote, Paxtons office said 58,000 of them voted in state elections. The Tarrant County Elections Office said they received a list with more than 5,800 names; Collin County elections officials said their list contained about 4,700 names. Elections officials in Dallas and Denton counties have not yet confirmed how many names were on their list. it's not clear yet how many of the names on the list were citizens. The Secretary of States office said the registered voters it flagged provided Texas DPS with documentation that showed they were not a citizen when they got their drivers licenses or ID card. A coalition of Civil Rights groups said that the methodology is flawed, because it doesnt account for people who have become naturalized citizens at any point after that. Meanwhile, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) filed a lawsuit Tuesday in San Antonio against Texas Secretary of State David Whitley and AG Paxton claiming the release of the numbers is an attempt to suppress Latino voters. "It's clear that the right-wing elements in Texas government are trying to rig the system to keep power and disenfranchise 95,000 American citizens," said Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President. There is no voter fraud in Texas, its a lie, repeated time and again to suppress minority voters and were going to fight hard against it." During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Garcia said those in power hoped to rig the system to maintain political power. "Our lawsuit alleges that this was voter suppression, voter intimidation, and it was timed right after the elections of 2018 when Beto O'Rourke came within two points of beating Ted Cruz with a surge of Latino voters -- and its coming four months before the municipal elections in Texas," Garcia said. LULAC has requested a list from the Secretary of State's Office of the more than 90,000 names to verify on their own. Garcia said they want an injunction from the federal court that would stop letters from being sent out to voters asking them to prove they are U.S. citizens. LULAC's lawsuit, filed Tuesday, can be seen below. NBC 5's Lexie Houghtaling and Hannah Everman contributed to this report. Local election offices are working to verify the citizenship status of registered voters at the request of the Texas Secretary of State. This comes after the Secretary of State alleged that as many as 95,000 non-citizens registered to vote in Texas. Of those 95,000 alleged non-citizens registered to vote, Attorney General Ken Paxtons office said 58,000 of them voted in state elections. On Monday, local election offices received lists of tens of thousands of voters from the state to look into. The Tarrant County Elections Office said they received more than 5,800 names. The Collin County Elections Office said they received about 4,700 names, and that it could take months to sort through the data. I know this is a very sensitive subject, and we take it as administrators very serious. We don't want to do anything rash without having done our work first," said Bruce Sherbet, the Collin County Elections Administrator. Dallas and Denton County Elections Offices have not gotten back to NBC 5. The Secretary of States office said the registered voters it flagged provided Texas DPS with documentation that showed they were not a citizen when they got their drivers licenses or ID card. A coalition of Civil Rights groups said that the methodology is flawed, because it doesnt account for people who have become naturalized citizens at any point after that. The coalition, which included the ACLU of Texas and Texas Civil Rights Project, released a statement demanding that Secretary Whitley immediately rescind the advisory before counties take action on it. The state said it is very confident that the citizenship data from Texas DPS is current. President Trump tweeted yesterday in regard to the findings that 58,000 non-citizens voted in Texas, with 95,000 non-citizens registered to vote. These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. All over the country, especially in California, voter fraud is rampant. Must be stopped. Stronger voter ID! U.S. intelligence agencies believe North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear weapons because "its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival," Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, told the Senate intelligence committee on Tuesday. That view contrasts with comments from President Donald Trump, who in June declared that North Korea was "no longer a nuclear threat," citing his talks with leader Kim Jong Un, NBC News reported. Coats also refuted Trump's statement that ISIS has been defeated. He said the group was "nearing" military defeat in Iraq, but has returned to its "guerrilla warfare roots," continues to plot attacks and "still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria." On election meddling, the annual public survey of national security threats found that U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Russia and China will seek to interfere in the 2020 presidential election, having learned lessons from Russia's operation in 2016. What to Know A 22-year-old woman died Monday evening after she somehow fell down the stairs of a subway station in Manhattan, police say Malaysia Goodson, of Stamford, Connecticut, was found unconscious on the southbound platform of the Seventh Avenue station at around 8 p.m. A 1-year-old baby girl believed to be her daughter was found secured in her stroller, which cops say Goodson was holding when she died UPDATE: Chief Medical Examiner Says Mom With Stroller Found Dead After Subway Stair Fall Had 'No Significant Trauma,' Appears Death Related to Pre-Existing Medical Condition A young mother from Connecticut died when she plunged down the stairs at a subway station in Manhattan while holding her 1-year-old girl in her stroller, authorities say. Malaysia Goodson, 22, of Stamford, was found unconscious on the southbound platform inside the Seventh Avenue B D E station subway station in midtown at around 8 p.m. Monday, police said. She was pronounced dead at a hospital. Her 1-year-old daughter, named Rhylee, was found conscious at the scene. She wasn't hurt, Goodson's family told News 4, and is staying with her father. Its still not clear whether Goodson accidentally fell down the stairs or if she had some sort of medical episode, according to the NYPD. Her family tells News 4 they're not sure either. Its not known if she was pushing the stroller or carrying it, but police did say she had the stroller in her hands with the girl tucked inside. Sources familiar with the investigation are looking into the possibility she had a medical episode or condition that caused the fall. There were no visible signs of trauma. A medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine what killed Goodson. The Seventh Avenue/53rd Street station does not have an elevator; it only has two escalators that go up. Mayor de Blasio said her death never should have happened. "The subway system is not accessible for everyone and that's an environment the MTA should not allow," he tweeted. The MTA also released a statement on Goodson's death Tuesday, calling it "a heartbreaking tragedy" and saying "the MTA, medical examiner's office and NYPD are conducting a full investigation." Family members tell News 4 that Goodson, who worked at a day care in her home town of Stamford, was in the city visiting a cousin, though appeared to have been alone when she went into the subway Monday night. The family used to live in New York City so has lots of relatives and friends there. "At this point, I don't even know, I'm just in shock," said her mother Tamika Goodson. "I don't know which way to go." Goodson's daughter Rhylee is her only child. The young woman's brother described his late sister as protective and caring. "She was a good sister. She was protective. No matter what, she would protect me and my brother and sister," said Shawn Goodson. He said his sister was loved by all, and he's been getting hundreds of condolence messages on social media. Officials say a preliminary MTA investigation Monday night found the stairs, railing and floor in good condition. Most staircases and railings are inspected every three days, but some stations are inspected daily. Elevators, meanwhile, are inspected up to six times every day -- and in 2018, systemwide elevator availability was 96.5 percent, the officials said. Currently, just 118 of the city's 472 subway stations have elevators, but officials say MTA President Andy Byford's Fast Foward Plan calls for a dramatic expansion of accessibility -- one that would require riders to go no more than two stops without access. The ultimate goal, officials said, is maximum possible systemwide accessibility within 15 years. "It's absurd that in 2019 there's not more elevators," said subway rider Jessica Courtney. "It's completely ridiculous." Two people have serious injuries after a crash on Interstate 84 in Danbury late Monday night and fire officials said they found one victim several yards away from the vehicle and the other in a pool of water. The Danbury Fire Department responded to I-84 East near exit 3 after getting several calls reporting a motor vehicle rollover and people possibly trapped. Once they arrived at the scene, they found damage to a vehicle, 200 feet of guardrail and a highway light pole, but no one was in the car, according to fire officials. Using thermal imaging cameras, hand lights and scene lighting, crews started searching the woods and wetlands area along the highway and they found one person in a shallow depression 75 yards from the scene of the crash. Then they found another victim in a pool of water around 25 to 30 yards from the first victim. The person had a minor head injury and signs of moderate to severe hypothermia, according to the fire department. Crews brought the victim up an embankment to EMS units and both victims were transported to Danbury Hospital. Connecticut State Police are looking for a male and female who are accused of stealing baby formula and disposable razors in Oxford. The incident took place at Market 32 grocery store where more than $1,100 in items was stolen on three different occasions in the past two months. Police have released surveillance footage of the suspects. Police say the suspects' vehicle is an older model BMW with rear passenger side window damage. Anyone with information about the suspects' identities is asked to contact Trooper Vicki Donohue at 860-888-4353. Calls can be made anonymously. A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty to forging an artifact that was placed on display at a Connecticut museum. Harold Gordon, 69, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. According to the US Attorneys office, Gordon admitted to turning a plain writing desk into the "Bingham Family Civil War Memorial Secretary." The piece was said to be a gift given to a Civil War veteran in honor of his brother who was killed at the Battle of Antietam. Gordon sold the piece to a Connecticut antiques dealer for more than $64,000 in 2014. The victim showed the piece at a 2015 Winter Antiques Show in New York, where it was purchased by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. In 2018, questions were raised about the authenticity of the desk. The US Attorneys office said when the victim questioned Gordon, he admitted to decorating the desk himself and lying about the items history, then targeted the victim to buy it because of the victims respected reputation in the American folk art community. When the fraud was discovered, the victim refunded the museum for the desk. Gordon is scheduled for sentencing on April 23. He face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A chance meeting led the U.S. secretary of education to accept an invitation to visit a local school she once portrayed as a dangerous daycare. East Hartford Board of Education Chair Bryan Hall is in Washington, D.C. attending a National School Board conference. Hall wrote a letter to DeVos two days ago asking to meet with her but says he doesnt believe she received the letter. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos spoke at a luncheon there. After the speech, Hall says he and Connecticut Association of Boards of Education Executive Director Bob Rader walked down a hallway and entered a door to try and find Devos. We picked the right door. We picked the door Secretary DeVos was behind, said Hall. Hall says when he got the chance to speak with DeVos, he shook her hand and asked her if she remembered what she said in regards to East Hartford Public Schools. She asked if he was referencing East Hartford High School and Hall said yes. Back in 2017, DeVos told a congressional committee that a former student at EHHS described it as nothing more than adult daycare. A dangerous daycare. It sparked outrage and protests in the community with many asking DeVos to come see the school for herself. But before Monday, she never said yes. I said, I would love for you to come to East Hartford, to show you that what you said is not what East Hartford is about, that we have wonderful students, wonderful schools, and that our schools are not an adult daycare, said Hall. I said, I would love for you to come to East Hartford, and she said, I accept. Hall spoke to NBC Connecticut over the phone and told us a staffer emailed him a request form to fill out for the visit. He hopes shell come so that they can show her all the good happening inside EHHS. I'm thinking positive right. It was a real good meeting, and I'm feeling very, very positive, said Hall. NBC Connecticut reached out to DeVos for comment but did not hear back. Previously, a spokesperson for DeVos released the following statement in regards to the dangerous daycare reference. "The Secretarys focus is on individual students and ensuring they each have access to a high-quality education that meets their needs. In her remarks, she relayed one student's experience and used his own words to describe the challenging circumstances he faced in high school," DeVos' press secretary, Elizabeth Hill, said in a statement. "He, like so many other students across the country, needed another option but didnt have access to one. For anyone to assert that Michaels individual story should be generalized to the broader student population is a symptom of the one-size-fits-all status quo that too many continue to seek to defend. Michael is an individual student with an individual story to tell. He was able to rise above what he considered challenging circumstances and go on to excel academically. We should be applauding students like him," Hill's statement says. Theres no timeline for when the education secretary would make her visit. Connecticut State Police arrested three people after a fight broke out at Bridgeport Superior Court ahead of a murder suspects arraignment Monday. Police said troopers, Bridgeport police officers and Trumbull police officers all responded to the courthouse at 172 Golden Hill Street for a report of a large fight and a big crowd inside the building. Officers separated the groups and learned they were all there for a pending arraignment of a murder suspect. No one was seriously hurt. Three people were arrested. Jermaine Felton, 38, was charged with third-degree assault, assault on an elderly victim, and breach of peace. He was released on a $125,000 bond. Shamar Swinton, 37, was charged with interfering with an officer, breach of peace, and assault on an elderly person. He was held on a $135,000 bond and is due in court Tuesday. Antiqua Washington, 29, was charged with third-degree assault and breach of peace. She was released on a $25,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing and police said more arrests are possible. New Hampshire's congressional delegation is proposing the creation of a commemorative coin to honor Christa McAuliffe, the Concord High School teacher who died in the NASA space shuttle Challenger disaster 33 years ago. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan introduced legislation Monday to create a $1 coin to raise money for the FIRST Robotics program, while Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas introduced a House version of the bill. They said the coin would both honor McAuliffe and reaffirm Congress' commitment to invest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, meanwhile, named Monday "Christa McAuliffe Day." McAuliffe would have been NASA's first designated teacher in space. She and six crewmates were killed when the Challenger broke apart shortly after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986. No one was injured when a commercial dump truck crashed into a home Tuesday morning in San Francisco's Merced Heights neighborhood, according to police. At 8:17 a.m., officers and firefighters responded to a crash in the 200 block of Monticello Street. According to Officer Robert Rueca, the large truck was traveling on Shields Street at Monticello Street when it somehow struck a fire hydrant, two stops and a light pole before crashing into the house. The damage to the home appeared superficial, Rueca said. However, San Francisco Department of Building Inspection officials responded to the scene to as a precaution. The crash also caused high-voltage wires to fall down and PG&E crews responded to assess the damage. Officers cited the truck's driver for not having the proper license to operate the dump truck, as well as for not being able to provide proof of insurance, and released him at the scene, Rueca said. A Honduran migrant seeking protection in the United States was the first to be sent back to Mexico Tuesday under a new U.S. policy as his asylum claim is processed. Under the new policy, announced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in remarks to Congress last week, immigrants without proper documentation will wait in Mexico until a U.S. judge can hear their claim. Previous U.S. policy permitted applicants to be released into the U.S., often with ankle monitors, while their cases wind through an overwhelmed system of immigration courts. Under the new policy, asylum seekers will be bussed to the border while waiting for their appointment with a judge, who will either grant their asylum claim and allow them into the U.S. or deny their claim and return them to their home country. Mexican officials said migrants will only be allowed to cross back to Mexico through the El Chaparral border crossing into Tijuana. Only adult migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador will be given four-month visas to stay in Mexico as they wait, Mexican officials said. Telemundo 20's cameras were rolling as the first migrant was escorted by National Mexican Institute immigration agents into Mexico. His only reply to requests for comment was that he was originally from Honduras. Mexico's cooperation with U.S. officials marks a historic one as the country has traditionally refused to accept into their country the return of any migrants who are not Mexican. Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said last week the move is a temporary, humanitarian measure. The Associated Press contributed to this report. State regulators on Monday joined a growing army of critics of a federal judges plan to reduce PG&E wildfires to zero. In court filings they argue that the judges intervention could interfere with a plan being developed to safely shutdown power, and that he should simply get out of the way. A filing by attorneys for the California Public Utilities Commission reads Despite our best efforts to date, utility-caused wildfires are still occurring and the CPUC recognizes the need to redouble wildfire prevention efforts, which we are presently doing. On Wednesday, Judge William Alsup is set to decide whether to impose new probation restrictions on the company in conjunction with the deadly San Bruno pipeline blast. Alsup has proposed making the company either re-inspect and vouch that parts of its system can safely withstand high winds, or shut them all down in advance of high winds. PG&E claims that plan could cause rates to increase five-fold and cost as much as $150 billion. Federal prosecutors agree, arguing the court should rely on the current framework - where the company is being watched by a court appointed monitor. However, attorneys for the counties ravaged by the North Bay fires in 2017, wrote to regulators in support the judges swift and comprehensive action plan. Its clear regulators are unconvinced. In the new filing they argue the judges plan would undermine the established process. In practice, the proposed order will in all likelihood conflict with and frustrate the extensive federal statutory and state Constitutional and statutory regulatory scheme under which the CPUC regulates PG&E. Essentially saying the judges plan would hamper existing regulation writing the courts intervention could upset the balance of maintaining both safe and reliable service, without compromising either policy. The regulators believe shutting down parts of the system should be only done selectively and under carefully considered, specified conditions. They further warn that any widespread court ordered shutdowns could interfere with emergency first response, public safety and hospital and home care of vulnerable populations as well as military operations. PG&E has made similar arguments, although it did shut down power once before, but opted not to shut down its system before the Camp fire. More specific rules about how to cut power in high risk areas are now being worked out, but critics say such a process could take years. In one of the most direct passages in the new filing, regulators argue that the best way for the judge to achieve the public safety is to stay out it. Writing the best course is to avoid conflicting with the CPUC's ongoing exercise of exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the safe and reliable operation of the electric system at just and reasonable rates. Adding The Court should accordingly allow the CPUC's investigations, rulemakings, and other regulatory processes to continue, and to refrain from implementing the proposed order. To be listed as UNESCO World Heritagerequires special care and protection of valuable cultural monuments and pieces of Art from threats such as biodeterioration caused by microcolonial black fungi. The culprits lodge their branch-like structures (hyphae) deep into the stone forming fissures and cracks and also produce polysaccharides that trigger corrosion. These fungi are well known for their unique resistance to hostile environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, high solar and UV radiation, severe droughts and low abundance of nutrients. As a result, they survive in hot and cold deserts, saltpans, acidic and hydrocarbon-contaminated sites and exposed rocks surfaces. All of this makes them a particular challenge to conservationists and biologists who care for historic monuments. During a multi-disciplinary scientific survey at the 8-century-old cathedral Se Velha de Coimbra (Old Cathedral of Coimbra), which is the only Romanesque cathedral in Portugal to have survived relatively intact since the Reconquista times, scientists retrieved a peculiar slow-growing microcolonial black fungus. What Joao Trovao of the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and his colleagues were looking at turned out to be a species of a whole new family (Aeminiaceae) in the order of the sooty mould fungi. The new species, its new genus and the novel family are described in the open-access journal MycoKeys. To define the new group of fungi, the researchers first scraped off samples from a deteriorated limestone artwork in the "Santa Maria" chapel and then conducted an extensive and integrative analysis, based on morphological, physiological, ecological characters and DNA sequences. As for the origin of the previously unknown fungus, the scientists hypothesise that the species had 'arrived' at the Old Cathedral of Coimbra with the limestone used during its construction. Coming from the unique nearby areas of Anca and Portunhos, such limestone has been used on several of the "Our Ladies of the O" statues, as well as in the portal of the Royal Hospital in Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Currently, these fungi are considered endemic to the limestone quarries in the Iberian Peninsula. "Regarding stone monuments exposed to the environment, microcolonial black fungi are considered one of the main culprits for the phenomenon of stone biodeterioration, being responsible for severe aesthetic, biochemical and biophysical alterations," comment the scientists. "It is, therefore, crucial to gather deeper knowledge regarding their biodiversity and their biological, ecological and physiological unique characteristics, in order to span our knowledge regarding these fungi and, at the same time, allow the development and improvement of tools to protect stone monuments from their deteriorative effects." (Natural News) Its been a known fact for quite some time that many colleges and universities all across the country are hotbeds of far-left liberalism, particularly in the fields of the humanities and the social sciences. But as revealed in a new short video by Prager University, this progressive agenda is now infecting mathematics and the sciences as well. Heather Mac Donald, author of the bestselling book The Diversity Delusion, explains how STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, is the latest target of social justice indoctrinators who want to see more diversity in these four fields diversity being a code word for anti-white, and often anti-male, sentiments. The promoters of identity politics, the idea that we are primarily defined by our race and gender, have taken over the humanities and social sciences, Mac Donald warns in the video. Thats bad. But not as bad as this: They are moving in on STEM science, technology, engineering, and math. Even though math, science, technology, and engineering are all clear-cut fields where progress and aptitude are measured completely independently of skin color and gender, social justice warriors (SJWs) have somehow found a way to embed their own pet agendas into the curriculums of these respective fields, completely altering their quality and integrity. The science diversity charade, as I discuss in my book, The Diversity Delusion, wastes extraordinary amounts of time and money that could be going into basic research and its real-world application, she adds. If that were its only consequence, the cost would be high enough. But identity politics is altering the standards for scientific competence and the way future scientists are trained. Be sure to watch the full, nearly-six-minute video below: Medical schools are also pushing diversity standards that water down curriculum and discriminate against whites Its also happening in the field of medicine, Mac Donald warns. Rather than accept students based purely on merit, many medical schools are now adopting a so-called holistic approach that seeks out lesser-than students with brown skin, say, over better-than students with white skin all to correct the alleged wrongs and disparities of our supposedly unjust society. The same diversity obsession extends to medical schools, Mac Donald contends. Not a happy thought when they wheel you into the operating room for emergency surgery. The promoters of identity politics are literally playing with our lives. Mac Donald uses the example of the University of California, San Diego, which recently advertised a position for an assistant professor with the caveat that the candidate pool needed to have a specific emphasis on contributions to diversity, and an awareness of inequities faced by underrepresented groups. Perhaps needless to say, every single one of the five candidates who applied and made it on UCSDs short list for the position was a female. All across the country, the big question is: How can we promote more women and minorities by changing (i.e., lowering) the requirements we had previously set for graduate level study? one scientist from the University of California, Los Angeles is quoted as saying by Mac Donald in the video. The desperate attempt to get women into STEM fields is also based on the idea that, absent discrimination, women and men would be equally represented in the sciences, Mac Donald further states. This is highly unlikely, however. Differences in math proficiency between boys and girls show up as early as kindergarten. In the top .01 percent of math ability, where we find scientific genius, there are 2.5 males in the U.S. for every female, according to a recent paper in the journal Intelligence. For more related news, be sure to check out CampusInsanity.com. Sources for this article include: DailyWire.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Taking aim at Americans Second Amendment rights, global printer giant HP Inc. has announced plans to restrict purchasers of its 3D printers from being able to print firearms at home. The tech giant, which is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of personal computers and printers, says that everyday consumers will be prohibited from printing so-called ghost guns which are made of plastic and contain no metal, supposedly making them undetectable, according to liberals on its machines, citing a regular use policy that prohibits the practice. Unless owners of HPs 3D printers are licensed firearms manufacturers, they wont be allowed to print their own guns. And nobody, the company says, will be allowed to print any type of firearm that cant be detected by airport security. HP is against ghost guns being produced on our 3D printers, HP Chief Executive Dion Weisler wrote in a letter back in November that was obtained by The Oregonian / OregonLive.com. HP wont say how it plans to police users and prevent them from printing 3D guns Weislers letter does not, however, indicate how HP plans to police 3D printer users in order to prevent them from violating the companys regular use policy. Since ghost guns are designed to be untraceable and unregulated, it would seem as though HP is merely blowing politically-correct smoke. Fox News attempted to contact HP for further details, but was reportedly unable to get a response. Its important to keep in mind that its currently legal for everyday American citizens to manufacture their own firearms at home using traditional methods and materials, just so long as they dont sell these weapons to someone else. Its a problematic issue, says Dogan Yirmibesoglu, a 3D printer researcher at Oregon State University (OSU), who says that the best way to restrict 3D printing of firearms at home is to restrict blueprints from being shared online. If theres no blueprints of the weapons online, out there for free, nobody can print those unless theyre gun specialists, hes quoted as saying by Fox News. For more firearms-related news, be sure to check out Guns.news. Washington State extends ban on publishing ghost gun blueprints online In Washington State, opponents of 3D gun-printing have successfully convinced the court system there to maintain a ban on the publishing of ghost gun blueprints online, pending ongoing litigation over the practice. As to be expected, gun control advocates contend that Americans shouldnt be allowed to print their own firearms at home. Theyve since been challenging this newfound freedom via the justice system, including in Washington where anti-gun sentiments are strong in the states urban centers. Defense Distributed, a non-profit defense firm based out of Austin, Texas, had planned to offer the blueprints for download starting Aug. 1 following a multiyear legal battle with the federal government, explains Fox News. However, in late July U.S. District Court Judge Robert Lasnik stopped the release of the blueprints. President Donald Trump has also voiced his concern over the weapons. Amazon shutters website of gun rights group that shared blueprints for 3D-printed firearms Tech giant Amazon is also getting involved in the political skirmish, with reports indicating that the company recently pulled the website of a gun rights coalition that had posted blueprints for 3D firearms online. Amazon Web Services removed the website, CodeIsFreeSpeech.com, after receiving a notice that the group had shared downloadable plans for a 3D-printed handgun known as The Liberator though just days later, the site was reportedly uploaded to another server. The site is still running, despite the federal judge ruling mentioned above. Reports further indicate that Defense Distributed was behind the plans, having reached a settlement with the federal government back in June. The purpose of this project is to allow people to share knowledge and empower them to exercise their fundamental, individual rights, explains the CodeIsFreeSpeech.com website. Will HP force purchasers of 3D printers to sign contracts abolishing their Second Amendment rights? While it remains unclear how HP plans to proceed in limiting the ability of users to print 3D guns at home, some experts believe that the company may try to enforce its anti-gun policies through legal contracts: which doesnt explicitly stop customers from 3D printing guns but it does provide HP a legal cushion separating them from the liability of damages that may be caused by one of its clients 3D printing a gun with one of its 3D printers, writes Cameron from 3Ders.org. And its this authors opinion that thats what this is all about: liability, he adds. At the same time, the average person whos actually successful in looking up the proper design, acquiring the necessary parts, and teaching himself how to put a ghost gun together likely still wont have a good gun, adds Cameron. For more news about the Second Amendment, be sure to check out SecondAmendment.news. Sources for this article include: FoxNews.com NaturalNews.com 3Ders.org FoxNews.com (Natural News) Oh the cold-blooded arrogance of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ordered that the One World Trade Centers 408-foot spire be lit up in pink to celebrate a new law that legalizes infanticide in the state. The law, titled the Reproductive Health Act, sponsors a womans choice to destroy the life of her child and instructs health care providers to sever the life of the baby up until birth. The radical late-term abortion law declares abortion a fundamental right and defines personhood at birth, which allows carte blanche murder of a child in utero up until nine months or more of gestation. New York just severed all protections and all rights for babies, as long as they are killed before they are born. Governor Cuomo wanted this radical late term abortion law so bad he threatened to hold up the state budget until the legislature passed it. In New York, women can now conscript health care providers to take the life of their child for medical reasons that arent really biological emergencies at all. The life of the child can be taken up until birth for age, economic, social, and emotional factors. Likewise, health care providers can now pressure women to abort their child for medical reasons after 24 months gestation. If medical professionals predict complications with fetal viability, genetic defects, or developmental issues, they may pressure the mother to abort at any stage of development, even during delivery. These decisions have lasting consequences on the mental and emotional health of the family. Instead of doing everything they can to preserve life, the medical system can just give up. In many instances, strong mothers have defied medical prognosis, deciding to keep the child even when their own lives are deemed at risk. Many of these mothers are around today to tell their stories, with their wouldve-been aborted child, and they are so thankful that their families chose to keep them even when medical professionals wanted them to give up. The modern day holocaust escalates as New York pushes the boundaries of Roe v. Wade In 2016, New York recorded 82,189 abortions. Of the procedures, 1,763 were performed on babies that may have been viable outside the womb (20-24 weeks). For over a decade in the state of New York, pro-abortion activists fought for so-called womens rights, which has now progressed to the legalization of infanticide. When the New York House and Senate flooded with pro-abortion democrats in the last election, the unthinkable suddenly became inevitable. The New York Senate voted 38-24 to extend the abortion procedure mandate from 24 weeks gestation to 36 weeks, full term. At three weeks, the fetus has a heartbeat. By six weeks gestation, they show brain wave activity. From 24 to 36 weeks, a child can live outside the womb. Many preterm children are born healthy before 36 weeks. Now, for any reason at all, health care providers could be instructed to sever the childs spinal cord, to complete the ghastly surgical removal of a dead baby. To keep up with abortion demands, the law permits non-doctors to perform the gruesome procedure. Nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, midwives, and other qualified health care professionals are now conscripted into the madness. Were saying that here in New York, womens health matters, says NY Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: Were saying that here in New York, womens decisions matter. Along with Andrea Stewart-Cousins, here are the names of the child murderers from the New York Senate who voted for this holocaust: Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris Senator Gustavo Rivera Senator Jamaal Bailey Senator Brian Benjamin Alessandra Biaggi Neil Breslin John E. Brooks David Carlucci Leroy Comrie Jim Gaughran Andrew Gounardes Pete Harckham Brad Hoylman Robert Jackson Todd Kaminsky Anna M. Kaplan Brian Kavanagh Liz Krueger Tim Kennedy John Liu Monica Martinez Rachel May Shelley Mayer Velmanette Montgomery Jen Metzger Zellnor Myrie Kevin Parker Roxanne J. Persaud Jessica Ramos James Sanders Jr. Julia Salazar Diane Savino James Sander Jr. Jose Serrano Luis Sepulveda Toby Ann Stavisky James Skoufis Kevin Thomas New law opens the door for more women to be abused Because the law defines personhood as beginning at birth, anyone who abuses a pregnant woman will no longer face charges for harming the baby inside her. Protections for babies have been stripped, including provisions that protect babies that are born alive from gruesome botched abortions. Abusive partners, parents, drunk drivers, and back alley abortionists will no longer be charged with murder if they take the life of a child up until birth. Even if the mother wanted her child, no charges can be filed if a vindictive partner poisoned her with abortifacients and killed the fetus. Because abortion is now a fundamental right, future legislatures cannot vote to de-fund abortion. Taxpayers have no choice and are forced to fund abortions indefinitely. The law says the state cannot deny, regulate or restrict abortion. This means minors are now freely encouraged to have an abortion at any moment during their pregnancy without parental consent. Because the state now requires doctors and nurses to carry out abortions on full term babies if the mother feels her life is at risk, they can now lose their job if they refuse to perform the procedure or if they try to help the mother make a better decision. Forcing medical professionals to sever the lives of babies will take an emotional and mental toll on their conscience, putting them in a heartbreaking position. Morally-grounded health care professionals wont have a choice and they wont be able to speak out about this unashamed era of infanticide they are forced to take part in. Sources include: LifeNews.com Legislation.NySenate.gov NYSenate.gov (Natural News) Many independent media journalists wondered how long it would take the sons of NewsCorps founder Rupert Murdoch to ruin Fox News for conservative viewers once they gained full control over the company, and that process appears to be advancing as expected. Fox News technology contributor Kurt The Cyberguy Knutsson appeared on the networks morning show Monday, Fox & Friends, to sing the praises of a new censorship tool being employed by Microsoft. Called NewsGuard, the tool is incorporated into Microsofts new Edge browser. The concept behind it is that NewsGuard green-checks or red-checks news content based on its trustworthiness. Supposedly, this is Microsofts way of helping combat fake news ahead of the 2020 elections and beyond (because we were all so duped into voting for POTUS Donald Trump, dont you see though the networks covered him 24/7/365 because he was awesome for their ratings). But in reality, NewsGuard is just the latest contribution by big tech to assist the political establishment in D.C. in censoring factual content from non-establishment media companies that makes the powerful uncomfortable (like the founders hoped a free press would do). Some of the sites flagged as not being trustworthy include Breitbart News, the U.K.s Daily Mail, and Daily Kos, the latter of which is a Left-wing blog while the other two are legitimate news sources. Meanwhile, The New York Times and Buzzfeed, both guilty of publishing false accusations against the Trump administration and outright fake news about the president and his administration are green-checked as fully trustworthy. Buzzfeed, you may recall, is fresh off its latest fake news scandal, having published a story early last week claiming that POTUS Trump ordered his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. It turns out that the reporters, Anthony Cormier and Jason Leopold, never actually saw evidence to support the claims made in their story. Whats more, special counsel Robert Muellers office took the unusual step of publicly debunking it. What will happen when Fox News gets censored? To his credit, Knutsson did say he didnt think it was appropriate for a guy like Mark Zuckerburg Facebooks founder to be in the business of filtering (censoring) what users see. But then he goes on to say its just fine if Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, wants to. This is a filter. So Microsoft has decided, in their latest mobile browser called Edge, that theyre going to make this as part of the browser that you can just simply see a badge. What it does is it comes in red if its unreliable, and it comes in green if its reliable or trustworthy sources, Knutsson says in the segment. The [browser] add-on is from NewsGuard Tech and its former journalists that run it. There are actually human beings behind it, and its actually a good idea. When I looked pretty closely at it, its pretty fair. Theyre giving some criticism to the left, to the right pretty right down the middle, and theyre calling it like it is, he claimed. But Breitbart News isnt unreliable; the site has broken major news stories and while the Leftist mainstream media (MSM) establishment may disagree with its conservative slant, that alone doesnt make the site unreliable. In fact, NewsGuard did not list a single fake news story that Breitbart published when making its unreliable determination. (Related: 2018 will be remembered as the year of Big Tech censorship of conservatives.) The U.K. Daily Mail, Britains third-largest newspaper in terms of circulation, is similarly trustworthy. So whats Knutssons motivation for declaring this obvious censorship tool as being on the level? For one, Fox News, which leans right, isnt being blacklisted (for the time being). So as long as thats happening, as far as Knutsson is concerned, things are just fine. Read all about the big tech censorship of conservative independent media at Conservative.news. Sources include: NaturalNews.com NewsTarget.com (Natural News) You may want to reconsider chowing down on the next fish you caught if you spotted plastic trash floating in the body of water. In a Phys.org article, U.K. researchers investigated two separate estuaries and found that one out of every three fish in both areas showed signs of having eaten toxic microplastics. Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that measure only five millimeters or less. They used to be much bigger or were once part of a larger plastic, but they were eventually broken off or broken down by external forces like wind and wave action. Earlier studies on the effects of microplastic pollution covered oceanic regions and marine life. However, the new study took a look at the impact of plastic trash on fish and other animals that lived in freshwater. The study was conducted by a research team from the Royal Holloway, University of London (RHUL). It evaluated the fish species that live in the upper (pelagic) and lower (benthic) layers of the Thames Estuary and Firth of Clyde. These two rivers are important bodies of fresh water that are physically separated by the island of Great Britain. The Thames Estuary is situated in southeastern England while the Firth of Clyde is in southwestern Scotland. (Related: SHOCK: 50% of freshwater insects are contaminated with microplastics.) Animals in English and Scottish waters are contaminated by microplastics RHUL researcher Alexandra McGoran served as the author of the study. In her paper, she reported collecting a total of 876 fish and shrimps from the Thames and the Clyde. McGoran and her team examined the guts of these animals for the presence of ingested microplastics. They also counted the number of plastics accidentally consumed by the animals and averaged it out. Around a third of the fish and shrimps were found to have consumed at least one piece of plastic at some point. Furthermore, the average number of microplastics in the bellies of animals from the Thames was identical to the amount eaten by their counterparts from Clyde despite being separated by a massive island. McGoran explained that these findings cemented how bad plastic pollution has gotten in the waters of the British Isles. Despite the significant distance between the Thames and the Clyde, they are suffering from similar levels of microplastic trash. The microplastic threat also affects freshwater bodies and animals The Thames and the Clyde have maintained rich ecosystems despite the ever-increasing amounts of human traffic and accompanying pollution. Hundreds of species of aquatic animals are known to thrive in these rivers. Now all of those different species are at risk from the growing amounts of microplastic trash in the water. Our results show the need for more research into freshwater and estuarine ecosystems to be carried out so we can better understand the effects microplastics are having on their inhabitants, warned McGoran. The RHUL study shines a light into waters that are growing increasingly murky due to plastic pollution. The material is very cheap and easy to produce, which encourages excess production. Lots of plastic-based products are thoughtlessly thrown away on a daily basis. The problem is that the flotsam will last for a very long time, even after they are broken down into microplastics. They are also considered to be dangerous and toxic to animals that consume them. Experts warn that annual plastic production will hit 33 billion tons by 2050. A large percentage of this will end up as litter that will be eaten by aquatic wildlife, some of which are destined to end up on human dinner tables. Find out if microplastics are endangering the wildlife in your local river at Pollution.news. Sources include: Phys.org NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov (Natural News) The idea of inserting needles through your skin may not be appealing, but acupuncture is actually an effective therapy for many conditions, including osteoporosis. Many studies have investigated the use of this traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that makes the bones weak and fragile, increasing the risk of fractures. The bones of people suffering from osteoporosis have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structures. While bones in the hip, spine, or wrist are most likely to break due to osteoporosis, other bones can break too. Osteoporosis also causes permanent pain, reduced height, and a stooped or hunched posture. It may also limit mobility, which typically results in feelings of isolation or depression. In the U.S., about 54 million people have osteoporosis and low bone mass. However, conventional drugs are widely prescribed to treat this condition, such as bisphosphonates, teriparatide, denosumab, and raloxifene, cause serious side effects. (Related: Osteoporosis Drugs Found to Cause Severe Pain in Muscles, Joints and Bones.) Evidence supporting the effect of acupuncture on osteoporosis In a systematic review and meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, researchers confirmed that acupuncture can be used as an alternative treatment for osteoporosis. They have found that this traditional Chinese medicine is even more effective than conventional medicine. For the review, researchers from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China assessed the efficacy of acupuncture as a clinical treatment for osteoporosis. They reviewed 35 studies involving a total of 3,014 patients. These studies were randomized controlled trials that compared warm acupuncture, needling, or electroacupuncture with sole Western medicine for the treatment of osteoporosis. The results showed that warm acupuncture could increase the bone mineral density of the spine and thigh bone compared to sole conventional medicine. It could also increase the levels of calcium and estradiol and decrease pain and alkaline phosphatase levels. Compared to sole Western medicine, electroacupuncture could also relieve pain, reduce alkaline phosphatase, and increase calcium levels, while needling could relieve pain. These results indicate that among the three types of acupuncture, warm acupuncture was the most effective for osteoporosis, followed by electroacupuncture and needling. With these findings, the researchers concluded that acupuncture could be an effective alternative therapy for treating osteoporosis. Other benefits of acupuncture Even people without osteoporosis can experience the benefits of acupuncture. Here are some of them: Mental health: One of the most common benefits of acupuncture is its ability to reduce anxiety and stress. Studies have reported that results may even be experienced after one session, while some suggested that it may be a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. With regular acupuncture sessions, you may be able to ward off the negative effects of chronic stress. One of the most common benefits of acupuncture is its ability to reduce anxiety and stress. Studies have reported that results may even be experienced after one session, while some suggested that it may be a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. With regular acupuncture sessions, you may be able to ward off the negative effects of chronic stress. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Many studies have reported that acupuncture can also relieve PMS symptoms. Do not wait until the PMS symptoms actually occur. Instead, take acupuncture sessions before your PMS symptoms actually start to lessen them beforehand. Many studies have reported that acupuncture can also relieve PMS symptoms. Do not wait until the PMS symptoms actually occur. Instead, take acupuncture sessions before your PMS symptoms actually start to lessen them beforehand. Neck pain and headaches: If you spend too much time on your phone, you may experience neck pain and headaches. With acupuncture, your tight, overworked neck muscles can be loosened and the pain you are feeling may be reduced. If you spend too much time on your phone, you may experience neck pain and headaches. With acupuncture, your tight, overworked neck muscles can be loosened and the pain you are feeling may be reduced. Sleep: If you have difficulty in sleeping, you may want to try acupuncture. Research has shown that regular acupuncture can effectively improve sleep and even treat chronic insomnia. This treatment can relax both the mind and body, helping you sleep easily and better at night. If you have difficulty in sleeping, you may want to try acupuncture. Research has shown that regular acupuncture can effectively improve sleep and even treat chronic insomnia. This treatment can relax both the mind and body, helping you sleep easily and better at night. Skin health: Acupuncture is also believed to provide skin benefits, such as reducing wrinkles and sagging facial muscles and increasing collagen levels. Read more news stories and studies on the health benefits of acupuncture by going to HealingArts.news. Sources include: Science.news NOF.org MayoClinic.org MindBodyGreen.com (Source: US Department of Defense) ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PATRICK SHANAHAN: OK, everybody in a good spot? Fantastic. Well good morning. I think we're going to have a very good dialogue this morning, Mr. Secretary. Ambassador Hutchison, it's always great to have you here in the Pentagon. And maybe before I make any comments, I just want to say you're everywhere. (Laughter.) I saw you on TV at Davos. I turned on the TV yesterday and, you know, you're on the TV, you're on Twitter, so I feel very honored to have you here in the -- in the Pentagon, and I thought very early on wanted to have this opportunity to spend some time with you and make sure that we do the proper preparation and planning for the February ministerial. But I -- you know, one of the things I wanted to, you know, be clear to communicate is NATO ensures trans-Atlantic security. And as President Trump said -- and this was just 11 days ago here in the Pentagon, where he said, we are going to be with NATO 100 percent. That includes our Article 5 collective defense guarantee, and as I shared with you the other day, we greatly appreciate your extended service. We know what a stabilizing, strong role you play in NATO, and maybe we can talk you into staying a little bit longer if we're lucky. Under your leadership -- (Laughter) -- right? (UNKNOWN): Yep, he's smiling. SEC. SHANAHAN: So -- he's smiling. (Laughter.) So -- but you know, when you look at the contributions since 2017 to Afghanistan, it has increased 12 percent. It's the highest levels of contribution in the history of the mission. And when we consider your work on equitable burden sharing within our alliance, we see a remarkable progress. And as you have noted, this is how NATO does its calculations, since President Trump took office, America's NATO allies have stepped up defense spending by a total of $41 billion. Allied defense spending increased by more than nine percent from 2016 to 2018; the largest increase in a quarter century. By 2020, our NATO allies are projected to have increased defense spending by approximately $100 billion. Our recent funding increases let us bolster deterrence and defense through larger and more frequent exercises, mobility and infrastructure improvements and a re-vamped NATO response force and command structure. And this has allowed us to increase our force presence on the territory of our most vulnerable allies. A few years ago, achieving these improvements and funds might have seemed impossible. A few years from now, we will write the same success story on readiness. I'm encouraged that we're moving forward on our readiness initiative. Thirty ground battalions, 30 air squadrons, 30 warships, ready to fight in 30 days or less. Now we know our work here is only just beginning. We recognize a need to move from theory to practice, and from practice to results. Now, results come from real changes to posture. The international security environment that necessitates these changes is stark. Among a host of egregious actions, Russia continues to choose to violate the INF treaty. This is unfortunate, and our collective effort to return -- after our collective efforts to return Russia to compliance. We've kept our part of the deal, Russia did not. Moscow refuses to honor its international obligation- eroding trust and security not only in Europe but far beyond, as well. NATO is the most successful and most powerful military alliance in human history. We do not forget it and we will maintain our commitment to transatlantic security and unity. Mr. Secretary General, to close, I note this year marks NATO's 70th anniversary. There's a practical reality worth reflecting on. Every day, thousands of NATO soldiers and civilians work together with unparalleled cohesion. That work, 70 years worth, has resulted in political unity and military interoperability. I know that this will keep us strong as we move forward together. I look forward to strengthening our alliance further at February's ministerial. I appreciate you making time out of your busy TV schedule to be with us -- (Laughter.) -- here at the Pentagon today, and I invite your opening comments. SECRETARY GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG: Secretary Shanahan -- Patrick, thank you so much for these warm words and the warm welcome. I really appreciate this opportunity to meet with you so early in your tenure and your background, your experience from the defense industry, from here at the Pentagon and your personal commitment to the alliance are of great value for NATO. And I really look forward to welcoming you to the NATO Defense Ministerial in -- in Brussels next month, and I know that all the Allied Ministers also look very much forward to seeing you there. As you just noted, NATO is really making a lot of progress in many different areas, high readiness of our forces, stepping up the fight against terrorism and also investing more in defense burden sharing. For the first time in our history, we have combat-ready troops in the eastern part of the alliance, with the four battle groups. We are conducting, changing the command structure with a new command in Norfolk, Virginia, but also new elements in -- in Europe. And we are stepping up our fight against terrorism with a new training mission in Iraq. The main purpose is to make sure that the Iraqis are able to stabilize their own country and make sure that ISIS doesn't re-emerge in Iraq. Then, we continue to stay with the United States in Afghanistan. We welcome the talks with Taliban. Ambassador Khalilzad briefed all allies a few weeks ago, and the reason why NATO is in Afghanistan is to create a condition for (inaudible) peaceful solution to make sure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists and to send a message to Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield, so they have to sit down at the negotiating table, and therefore we are encouraged by what we see now, the progress and -- and talks with Taliban. Then, as you said, we see also some real progress on defense spending. From 2016, since President Trump took office, to 2020, NATO allies across Europe and Canada will add $100 billion more -- $100 billion more for defense spending. So we see that the carried message from President Trump is having a -- a real impact. So we have done a lot. We have much more to do, and I really look forward to working closely with you in addressing all of these challenges. So thank you for having me and I look forward to working with you in Brussels. Q: Secretary Stoltenberg, if I may. Do the peace talks include the withdrawal of NATO troops, and if not, what percentage of NATO troops do you anticipate staying in Afghanistan? SEC. GEN. STOLTENBERG: As we have said many, many, many times, we are in Afghanistan to create the conditions for a peaceful, negotiated solution. We are there to train and assist and advise the Afghan soldiers so they can take care of security and stability in Afghanistan themselves. We will not stay longer than necessary, but we will not leave before we have a situation which enables to leave or at reduce the number of troops without jeopardizing the main goal of our presence, and that is to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists once again. I think it's a bit too early to speculate, because what we have to do now is to support the efforts to try to find a peaceful solution. We strongly support those efforts. Ambassador Khalilzad briefed all allies recently. We are in close contact with the United States. One of the issues we will discuss of course today is the peace efforts. But again, our military presence, the purpose of that is to create the conditions for a political solution, and we hope that we are able to achieve that. Q: Mr. Secretary? Secretary Shanahan, if I could ask -- the president said all military options are on the table for Venezuela. What does that mean for planning here at the Department of Defense? SEC. SHANAHAN: In the Department of Defense here, we're very closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela. Q: Are there military options? SEC. SHANAHAN: Thank -- thank you, everybody. We appreciate you spending time here with us. All right, see you. Thank you. The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will travel to Bucharest on Wednesday 30 and Thursday, 31 January 2019. Mr. Stoltenberg will attend a working dinner at the European Union Defence Ministers meeting hosted by the Romanian Presidency of the European Union Council. He will also meet with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy & Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Federica Mogherini. During the visit, Mr. Stoltenberg will meet with the President of Romania, H.E. Mr. Klaus Iohannis. Media Advisory Wednesday, 30 January 2019 (local time) 18:45 Secretary General doorstep at the Royal Palace Thursday, 31 January 2019 10:15 Secretary General joint press conference with the President of Romania at Cotroceni Palace The doorstep and the press conference will be streamed live on the NATO website. Still and video images of the meeting will be available on the NATO website after the event. Professional-quality videos and b-roll are available for download from www.natomultimedia.tv. Please register for access. Contact: content@natomultimedia.tv Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Mr. Miroslav Lajcak, on Tuesday (29 January 2019) to discuss regional issues and defence investment. The Secretary General thanked Slovakia for its long-term engagement in Afghanistan and for its wider commitment to boosting Alliance security. Mr. Stoltenberg and Mr. Lajcak, as Chairmanin-Office of the OSCE, also discussed the situation in Ukraine. The Secretary General welcomed Slovakias continued efforts to reduce tensions, build trust and facilitate dialogue, stressing that NATO will continue to press Russia to respect Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and to live up to its Minsk commitments. In his capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office for 2019, Mr. Lajcak also briefed the North Atlantic Council on the priorities for the year ahead. The three areas for actions established by the Slovak Chairmanship will be to prevent, mediate and mitigate conflict while focusing on the people it affects, to provide for a safer future and to promote effective multilateralism. 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. Yves here. This Brexit post gives me the opportunity to ask our estimable UK based readers to help calibrate an odd data point from my childhood. I have not spent all that much time in London, and most of that was when I was seeing the world on the McKinsey plan in the 1980s. On one visit, the mother of a good college friend (the mother was quite connected), had me drop in on a friend of hers, a jewelry designer who was becoming prominent (shed just had a museum show). The mother mentioned that the designers husband was an arms merchant as casually as if she were saying he was a heart surgeon. Their house was in Kensington, which wasnt anywhere near as tony then as it has become but the ginormousness of the building made up for that. So the question: is London a place where being an arms dealer is a routinely-acknowledged-in-polite-company line of work? By Lydia Noon is a freelance journalist. Her twitter handle is @lydia_noon and her website is here. Originally published at openDemocracy While Brits have grown accustomed to turbulence in political fairyland, last week the action has moved from Whitehall to hotels, and the subject matter has been the UKs future as cheerleader for free trade. No less than six cabinet ministers attended Davos World EconomicTrade Forum, resulting in Britains first potential post-Brexit trade deal with Israel and, an announcement by the foreign secretary that 2.5 million would be pledged to support the UN peace process in Yemen, followed a day later by, rather embarrassingly, a swanky arms dealers dinner in Londons Park Lane with many on the guest list enabling the Saudi-led bombardment of Yemen. And so, as the Brexit engine rumbles on, so does one of the most controversial and disturbing aspects of it: the dealings of the UKs weapons industry with unscrupulous regimes. Free trade agreements outside of the EU mean less regulation, and dodgy deals bode well for many countries in the business of buying weapons. Business and Politics: Convenient Bedfellows The Government has identified arms sales as a priority for the brave new world post-Brexit, and a global Britain, or arguably a more desperate Britain, looks set to invest in this sector. Europe accounts for few military contracts so there is little downside to the changing market, according to the UKs trade group for arms companies, euphemistically called the Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space association (ADS). Europe will continue to be important, but there are perhaps other areas where there is now a bigger incentive to develop longer-term relationships. Brexit provides the circumstances and the catalyst for faster and more efforts, said ADS in August 2016. One of ADS members, British multinational BAE systems, is similarly nonchalant. The UKs largest manufacturer says that Brexit is just not that big a deal, and is excited about frictionless trade. It is worth noting that the corporations main customers are Saudi Arabia, the US and the UK, with Europe only accounting for 8%eight percent of its income in 2017. Theresa May set up five business councils in November 2018 in order for companies to advise her on post-Brexit opportunities. The chair of BAE systems, Roger Carr, along with Rolls- Royce chair Ian Davis, co-lead the industrial, infrastructure, and manufacturing council, which is to meet three times a year. Meanwhile, ADS and its member companies, which include Airbus, missiles manufacturer MBDA and G4S, among others, invited MPs to meet them in parliament on 9 January, to plead the business case for voting for Theresa Mays ultimately doomed EU withdrawal deal, which was rejected on 15 January. ADS chief executive Paul Everitt has spoken of the continued uncertainty of Brexit being damaging to business investment, forcing companies to implement costly contingency plans, while Airbus warned this week that the company could pull out of the country in the event of a no-deal Brexit, or perhaps even with one. Its worth noting that Airbus, which manufacturers commercial and military aircraft, has been propped up by both British government and EU subsidies in recent years. Taxpayer subsidies dont end there. An extra 2 billion was allocated to the international trade budget last October to increase Britains presence across the world, of which touting arms deals is a large part. A Very Brexit Race to the Bottom In the 12 months following the 2016 EU referendum, Britain cleared export licences worth 2.9 billion to 30 countries with oppressive regimes such as Bahrain, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan up almost a third on the previous year where export licences were granted to just 17 such countries, according to research by Campaign Against the Arms Trade and inews. The UKs weapons trade was worth a total of 74 billion in 2017, with exports reaching 41 billion, providing direct employment for 380,000 people. At the DSEI arms fair in London, the largest of its kind in the world, that year, international trade secretary and staunch Brexit supporter, Liam Fox, insisted in his keynote speech that Britain had measures in place to allow ethical defence exports, worth 5.9 billion a year to the British economy. Fast forward 16 months and Fox has just secured Britains first post-Brexit in principle trade deal with Israel while at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The announcement on 24 January comes after a mega year of trade between the two countries. Plans are afoot for trade meetings in London with Israeli government ministers in the coming months. The UKs increasingly closer ties with Israel include rising levels of arms sales. In 2017, the government issued a record 221 million worth of weapons licenses to British defence companies exporting missiles, sniper rifles and other equipment to the regime. These deals flew in the face of international conventions condemning Israels human rights violations against its Palestinian population and in the West Bank and Gaza. Black Tie Dinner On 23 January, the cream of Britains arm traders attended an annual black tie dinner at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The ADS drinks reception and three-course dinner brought MPs, military figures and arms dealers together, with tickets costing 225 for members and 450 for non-members. Government minister for trade and export promotion Rona Fairhead, and former Labour Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, spoke at the event, along with BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn. The multinational company was also one of the sponsors of the event. Rona Fairhead works with Liam Fox on the UKs export strategy, and has spoken of her ambition to increase UK exports from 30 percent of GDP to 35 percent. Alan Johnson, meanwhile, was quoted on the ADS event web page, which has since been taken down, saying that during his after-dinner speech, he would: reflect on my time in Parliament, drawing parallels with programmes such as Yes Minister and The thick of it. Campaign against the Arms Trade and Stop the Arms Fair organised a demonstration outside the venue highlighting the complicity of the UK in Yemenis suffering. Chants of Arms dealers feast while Yemen is starved meant that none of the attendees could plead ignorance: over 14 million people risk starvation in the ravaged country. Britains arms deals with Saudi Arabia garner a great deal of controversy: the government has issued 5 billion of licenses for military exports to the regime since it started bombing Yemen in 2015, and, despite widespread calls for an arms embargo from many politicians, campaign groups, Yemeni activists and members of the European Parliament, Theresa Mays government is undeterred. Police pushed, pulled and dragged protesters out of the way as they disrupted the entrance of the largely middle-aged, white male guest-list. They formed protective lines around those attending, ushering them into the hotel in a show of misplaced loyalty, symbolic of the states ongoing support of repressive regimes. On asking three men in black tie if they knew why people were protesting, one said that he worked in civil aviation; it had nothing to do with him, another, angrily: you dont know what youre talking about, while the third said that he made planes, not weapons. Theres no hiding from the fact though that many of the 1000 UK-registered companies in ADS make and sell weaponry whether to countries on watchlists or to countries compiling the watchlists. Some, like Northrop Grumman, also offer personnel support, in the form of training the Saudi military and providing technical services to the Ministry of the National Guard. Supporting Yemen? Wilfully detached from the horrors of war, obstinately focusing on what the electorate want to hear job creation, British-made, contributing to the economy those in the business of sustaining it must start listening to those affected by its consequences. All across Yemen people are suffering and dying. This is a very, very dirty war, said Sarah, at the demonstration. From Aden, a city in southern Yemen, she has lived in the UK for 19 years. I hope our voice can reach those responsible for whats happening and I hope that they stop what they are doing. I asked Sarah whether shes worried that Brexit will increase the UKs involvement in the onslaught on Yemen. I cant say much about the politics, I can just say the human side. I hope it doesnt get worse under Brexit, I pray to God it doesnt. I know that the people have nothing to do with it and it is just some who are responsible for it I hope that they will stop selling these weapons and look at the people that are dying. In an ill-timed move, the day before the arms dealers dinner, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt announced an extra 2.5 million to support the UN peace process in Yemen. This brings the total amount of British financial support to Yemeni people to a paltry 570 million since 2015. Hunt added that Britain would support the deployment and coordination of demining and explosive ordinance disposal capacity in Hodeidah city, explosives that may not and should not have been sold to the Saudi regime by the UK but clarity on that, thanks to the governments opaque licensing system, is near impossible to ascertain. Axed Zanu PF Mashonaland Central Chairperson, Dickson Mafios, who is Saviour Kasukuweres brother has been slapped with a 2 year imprisonment sentence for incitement of violence in Bindura. 10 months were however suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within five years and Mafios will serve an effective 14 months in prison. Mafios, who was represented by Graciano Manyurureni made a plea for community service on medical grounds and the plea was considered in the suspended sentence. Prosecutor Carol Mupazviriwo told the court that on the 15th of this month, the accused arrived at Club 10, Chiwaridzo Shopping Centre and challenged people to stand up, burn and destroy property in solidarity with Harare and proceed with a total shutdown before making demeaning remarks about President Emmerson Mnangagwas ascendancy. In his defence, Mafios professed to have retired from politics, arguing that the allegations were a fabrication by former colleagues meant to settle political scores. Despite attempts to distance himself from the events, the court found him guilty considering his convenience to the place of the offence and found out that the remarks resonated with events which prevailed in other parts of the country. The court also took into consideration that Mafios is not a first offender. ZBC Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News In a statement, Police spokesperson Charity Charamba said they have arrested a police officer who was filmed by Sky News beating a handcuffed man along Chiremba road in Harare. Charamba said they managed to identify the person as Constable Makumire. She said Makumire is on suspension and is on bail for contravening section 113 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23 Theft (four counts). She said Makumire was not on official duty during the time he assaulted the handcuffed person. We publish the full statement below: The Zimbabwe Republic Police has made inroads into a case of assault by security agents, involving a handcuffed person along Chiremba road, Harare as seen in a video clip by Sky News on Monday 28 January 2019. Number 066913F Constable Makumire was suspended from performing active police duties in September 2018 and is on bail for contravening section 113 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23 Theft (four counts). ZRP Harare Central Crime Register 2632 5/09/18 and Rotten Row Court Record Book Number 11419/18 refer. Constable Makumire is seen in the video clad in civilian attire with a satchel strapped on his back assaulting the victim. The member was not on official duty during the time of the offence as he is on suspension. He has since been arrested and is assisting the police with investigations into the current case. The security services have always been emphasizing that bogus and rogue elements are responsible for acts of lawlessness which are tarnishing the good standing of security services. Earlier reports had indicated that the video was shot in 2016, however upon further clarification from the investigating team it was established that the video was actually shot on Saturday 26 January 2019. Investigations are widening to account for the remaining members of the security services captured in the video. We are therefore appealing to members of the public who may have suffered similar ordeals, to come forward and make reports at their nearest police station. Pindula Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Cameroon opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who claims to have been cheated out of the presidency in elections last year, was arrested in the countrys economic capital Douala on Monday, a senior party member said. Mr Kamto was arrested at the home of (supporter) Albert Dzongang, said Emmanuel Simh, vice-president of the opposition Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC), confirming information from a source in Douala. Dzongang and Christian Penda Ekoka, an economist, were also arrested in the police raid, Simh told AFP. The authorities, when contacted, did not respond to an AFP request for information on Mondays events. Following Kamtos arrest, around 300 people gathered outside Dzongangs house. Shots were fired into the air to disperse the crowd. Kamto has continued to claim he was the rightful winner of last Octobers presidential election. Veteran leader Paul Biya, in power for 36 years, won a seventh consecutive term in the election blasted by the MRC as an electoral hold-up. Kamto won 14.23% of the vote to place second, according to the official figures, but his party has held sporadic protests since then to dispute the result. On Saturday 117 people were arrested during protest marches in several towns. Kamtos former election campaign head Paul-Eric Kingue and rapper Valsero were among those detained over the weekend. Biya has ruled the West African country since 1982 with support from the army, government administrations and the Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) that he created in 1985. AFP Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News THE Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) November 2018 Ordinary Level results are out. In a statement, Zimsec said candidates who sat for the examinations will be able to collect results from their respective schools or centres today. The examining body said for the first time, results will be accessible to candidates and authorised personnel online and this will be done through Zimsec website: www.zimsec.co.zw. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima said the 2018 O-Level results were worth celebrating as the 2018 candidates set the bar for the next group of candidates who will sit for the examination based on the new competence based curriculum. PRESS STATEMENT 29 January 2019 Re: RELEASE OF NOVEMBER 2018ORDINARY LEVEL EXAMINATION RESULTS On behalf of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Board and Management, it gives me great pleasure to advise the nation of the release of the November 2018 ZIMSEC Ordinary Level Examination results. The 2018 November Ordinary Level examination was the first on the new curriculum introduced by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Candidates who sat for this examination will be able to collect their results from their respective schools/centres from Wednesday. 30 January 2019. We are pleased to announce that, beginning with the November 2018 Ordinary Level Examinations. results will be accessible to Candidates and authorised personnel online. This will be done through the ZIMSEC website: www.zimsec.co.z.w. Instructions on how to access the Results Panel are available on the ZIMSEC Examination Portal page. A circular to this effect has been sent out to all concerned institutions. The ZIMSEC Examination Panel can be accessed from any electronic device that supports the Internet. Results on the Portal arc in view only mode, therefore, they cannot be printed. The Results Slip which can only be collected by the candidates from their respective Examination Centres is the official document of ZIMSEC results. The total number of candidates who sat for the November 2018 Ordintu-y Level examination was 239 441. This is 29.98% less than the candidates who entered for the 2017 November examination session which was 332 473. The rise in the 2017 entry was as a result of a rush by candidates to write the last 0 level examination on the old curriculum. 162 541sat for 5 or more subjects and of these50664 obtained Grade C or better in five or more subjects, yielding a 32.83% which was higher than the 28.7% of 2017 where 162 915 sat for 5 or more subjects. The performance of candidates was analysed in the following categories: School candidates: Private candidates: Female candidates; and Male candidates. Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News THOUSANDS of women saw a good opportunity to deal with January disease when an agent of a private womens fertility clinic flighted an advert on a certain Facebook page promising to pay handsomely if they donated their eggs. Crystal Mushonga made it clear that they had invaded Bulawayo and were headhunting for egg donors. She said they were in town for only two days and needed egg donors in exchange for cash. Within an hour after sending the post, there were already about 500 comments as women showed huge interest in donating and getting money. The post read, Good morning ladies, am looking for young women willing to donate their eggs to help other women who cannot conceive. You must be based in Bulawayo and not older than 31-32. Urgently meaning today and latest tomorrow. We are paying in USD and bond. Very good money too in these times. Its nothing painful or invasive. I have done it myself twice before. During investigations to get to understand how this fertility clinic operated, the agent revealed that they pay about US$400 for each egg. She also said that if the woman was serious and interested, she should go to see the obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Jephat Moyo at Medical Centre 11A, Corner 8th Avenue/Josiah Tongogara. From the way Crystal talked, it was clear that she was working hand in glove with the mentioned doctor, but when B-Metro crew visited him, it was a different story. I know the woman you are talking about, she used to be our patient, but in relation to what you are asking, she is working with some people in Harare and I am not involved in that business, said Dr Moyo. As facts will have it, in 2017 Dr Moyo established the first in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic in Bulawayo housed at the Medical Centre. In December 2018, he told our sister paper Chronicle that he had helped 17 couples to have children, but never gave much details about the egg donors. The IVF clinic is the second such health facility in the country to offer services to couples faced with infertility as previously they had to go to Harare, South Africa or other countries for services. Egg donation is a process where an egg is removed from a fertile woman and donated to another woman in order to help her conceive. It is a part of assisted reproductive technology, or ART. Donated eggs are typically fertilised in a laboratory. In developed countries, egg donation is a process and for each egg donors get away with more than $5000. A local gynaecologist said it was legal to donate eggs, but the problem with backyard agencies was that they cared more about business and not health hazard to donors. You have to go through 10-14 days of injections of hormones to make your ovaries grow, and then as your ovaries are growing and producing eggs, its possible that your ovaries grow too many eggs. Unfortunately many women after donating eggs get sick because clinics are reckless with their donors health, she said. BMetro Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A magnificent mansion in Los Angeles once owned by boxer Muhammad Ali is taking a swing at the market for $16.9 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. Ali, who died in 2016 at the age of 74, lived there during his marriage to his third wife, psychologist Veronica Porche Ali. The couple bought the estate in 1979 and lived there until their divorce in 1986. Built in 1916, the home last changed hands in 2001 for $2.5 million. If the sellers get close to the asking priceeven considering any cash theyve investedthey will walk away with a heavyweight profit. Youll definitely feel like a champion in this glorious Hancock Park home. Muhammad Ali's former home realtor.com Staircase and stained-glass window realtor.com Living room with built-in bookshelves realtor.com Sunroom realtor.com Parklike grounds realtor.com Backyard with pool realtor.com Set behind the private gates of Fremont Place, the 11,545-square-foot home sits on 1.6 acres of parklike grounds, and includes nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The large guesthouse contains an additional bedroom and full bath. Designed by architect John C. Austin, known for his work on the iconic Griffith Observatory, many original details remain, including Tiffany stained-glass windows, chandeliers, and stone fireplaces. The home has also undergone renovations over the years, according to the Real Deal. Other standout features include a skylit sunroom, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and outdoor space that includes a pool. According to the Journal, during Alis time, many bold-faced names visited the Greatest at this residence, including Sylvester Stallone, Clint Eastwood, and Michael Jackson. Ali, a professional athlete, activist, and superstar, is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. In 1967, he refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War, citing his religious beliefs, a controversial decision in that era. Along with his conscientious objector stance, he became a voice in the civil rights movement. Stefani Stolper of Douglas Elliman holds the listing. The post Former L.A. Mansion of Muhammad Ali on the Market for $17M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Option 1: Text and drive, crash, maybe die, kill or injure, create road rage, get a ticket and/or go to jail. Option 2: Drive and use Bluetooth, please. Phillip Hooge So much winning All this winning. Donald Trump is right. Im tired now. As tired as I am, I cannot be as tired as those 800,000 federal workers who were not getting paid but were forced to work. I am, however, very tired of everything for which he stands and for his complete failure to heal this nation as a good leader would. I sent him a copy of Michelle Obamas book, Becoming, in the hopes he will learn how to become the adult in the room. I have no hope of him becoming anything other than a blip in our history that is gone in 2020 it cant come fast enough! Valerie Overstreet Because he said There is a Latin phrase that defines truths by Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani: ipse dixit. Latin for He, himself, said it, meaning the only proof we have is that this person said it. Chuck Mire Donates his salary Re: What will it take? Your Turn, Tuesday: The letter from Rolando Antonio asked what it would take for President Donald Trump to realize the funds for his wall will not be raised. He further stated that the president is still getting a paycheck. A little research, along with a little knowledge, would have informed him that the president is not receiving a check now or previously. I believe his entire salary is donated to charity. Why present something as fact with insufficient knowledge? William Milam Socialized medicine Liberal Democrats call their proposals Medicare for all or single-payer medical. Whatever. To paraphrase an old line about roses, Socialized medicine by any other name is socialized medicine. Damon Ball The average one-way commute time by all modes of transportation is about 30 minutes. Why? Working on transportation issues for the World Bank in the 1970s, analyst and engineer Jacov Zahavi discovered that people appear to have a travel time budget of about an hour per day. This ranges from pedestrian-only travel in African villages to the most multimodal cities of the world. This means a working person will, on average, spend a half-hour or so commuting one way. Some will spend less and some more, but the citywide average will be about 30 minutes. A 2015 Texas Department of Transportation survey of employees in San Antonio found the average one-way commute time to be 30.1 minutes. In the 1990s, Venetian physicist Cesare Marchetti noted that over the past 200 years, the dominant transportation technology seemed to change about every 50 years. He used the fixed travel time budget and other anthropological invariants to forecast the evolution of future transportation given technological and social change. This stable travel time has become known as Marchettis constant. Marchetti found that the key to a constant, citywide travel time was the ability of people to adjust their mode of travel, and the location of their homes and/or their workplaces. These options kept travel times the same even as the cities grew. When considering key indicators for transportation success at the SA 2020 public forum in December 2010, reducing the ratio of peak to off-peak travel times (called the Travel Time Index) won by one vote over giving residents more travel options. So, the Travel Time Index is still used in San Antonio, even though researchers have shown it to have no relationship to the average commute time. It turns out that if highways are widened so that cars could go faster, people choose to drive more miles rather than save travel time, thus maintaining Marchettis constant and filling up the new road space. This prompted David Metz, the former chief scientist at the Department for Transport of the U.K., to publish an article in 2008 titled The Myth of Travel Time Saving. As vehicle miles go up, so do the emissions of ozone precursors and greenhouse gases, as well as traffic accidents, congestion delays, energy consumption, household expenditures and impervious cover. Accordingly, the federal government will generally not fund road expansions in ozone nonattainment cities. States and cities that are serious about climate action plans have stopped using measures like the Travel Time Index to make transportation decisions. A website devoted to autonomous vehicles, av-future.com, states that five decades ago a planner assumed that improvements to transportation infrastructure meant people would travel less. Since then, researchers have thoroughly disproved that notion. To future-proof San Antonios transportation system, policymakers need to make sure there are plenty of transportation and housing options to keep this city resilient. Bill Barker is an adjunct associate professor in the UTSA Center for Urban and Regional Planning Research and is recognized as a fellow by both the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the American Institute of Certified Planners. You could argue that the month of January has very modestly raised the odds that Donald Trump will not finish his term as president. First, the government shutdown has demonstrated that Trumps own incompetence suffices to cost him support in the polls and in the Senate an indication that a larger crumbling of his political firewall might be possible. Second, the indictment of Roger Stone, based on his lies to Congress about outreach to WikiLeaks, keeps the possibility of future revelations of conspiracy implicating Trump himself. Finally, there has been a burst of media interest in impeachment an Atlantic cover story by Yoni Appelbaum prodding Democrats to take the plunge and a more cautious essay by my New York Times colleague David Leonhardt putting the option on the table. Im open to these arguments; indeed, I have to be, since Im on the record urging this presidents removal from office using the unusual remedy of the 25th Amendment. But there are several difficulties with the current briefs for impeachment, which suffice for now to keep a Pence presidency out of reach. The first is the gulf between the democracy-subverting powers that the briefs ascribe to Trump and the actual extent of his influence. In Appelbaums essay, the president is charged with nothing less than having trampled on the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. But many of his examples feature Trump failing to actually trample anything. He did his best to enact a Muslim travel ban (the actual ban was limited and upheld by the Supreme Court), he has called for the firing of political enemies (with little discernible result), he has made efforts to impede the Mueller investigation (which continues apace), and so on down the list of outrages that exist primarily on his Twitter feed. Much of the case for trampling, then, is a case against Trumps rhetoric. And one can acknowledge that rhetorics evils while doubting that the ranting of a president so hemmed in, unpopular and weak is meaningfully threatening the Constitution. Especially because of the second problem with the case for impeachment is that little about his rhetorical excess, his penchant for lies and insults or the seaminess of his courtiers was hidden from voters on the campaign trail in 2016, in an election that by the Constitutions standards Trump legitimately won. The electorates foreknowledge of a politicians sleaziness doesnt preclude impeachment. But it means that there is, at least, a quantum of sleaze that the presidents supporters voted to accept. And the closer we get to a new election including another primary campaign the stronger the case for asking voters to retract that endorsement, instead of pre-empting their judgment from on high. The rebuttal here is that the danger of keeping Trump in office is too great, but Im more doubtful about the policy dangers that are supposedly evident right now. Appelbaum, for instance, analogizes Trumps race-baiting to Andrew Johnsons efforts to impede Reconstruction in the late-1860s South. But when he was impeached, Johnson was literally using his veto to abet the possible restoration of white supremacy. Whereas Trump is conspicuously losing a fight over some modest border fencing, and his last race-inflected policy move was a criminal justice reform supported by many African-Americans. The president may be a bigot, but the policy stakes do not remotely resemble 1868. Then there are the geopolitical risks of Trumps alleged Russian loyalties. After the Stone arrest, Appelbaums Atlantic colleague David Frum deemed these too severe to wait even for Robert Muellers verdict. But in the absence of Mueller-stamped evidence, what we have to prove that peril is Trumps actual foreign policy, which is erratic but frequently quite unfriendly to Moscow with the administrations effort to subvert the Russian-aligned Maduro regime in Venezuela just this weeks example. Which makes it entirely reasonable to wait to see whether Mueller vindicates the various uncorroborated scoops about a conspiracy hatched in Prague or the Ecuadorean Embassy, rather than trying to impeach Trump for, say, his private griping about NATO. If you want Trump gone, the existing case for impeachment will not do it. You must either prove him not Stone or some other hanger-on, but him guilty of conspiracy, or accept that he will depart only when he is beaten at the polls. In 1994, only 3 percent of U.S. classrooms offered access to the internet. Researchers like me coined the term the digital divide to acknowledge the emerging disparities between the technology rich and the technology poor. Since then, schools have been in a virtual arms race to acquire more technology. By 2005, 94 percent of instructional classrooms offered access to the internet. Today, students in lower-income schools are just as likely as their counterparts in more affluent schools to see computers, the internet and a wide range of software applications in their classrooms. As the pressure to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in schools continues to intensify, the acquisition of technology has increased, too. Tech companies such as Google and Apple are in an epic battle to shape STEM learning and control the classrooms of tomorrow. A few years ago, a team of graduate students and I went to a high school to study how schools integrate technology into the curriculum. Many of the educators that we met equated providing students with technology to providing them with richer learning opportunities. But a new reality is forming that questions the logic that technology is a certain pathway to better learning futures. During our time in the school we saw evidence of what some researchers call technology-rich, curriculum-poor classrooms. These are schools that have invested substantial financial resources into hardware and software but have not figured out how to build curriculum that prepares students for a society and economy undergoing steady change. Students practice basic computing skills such as search, word processing and creating slide presentations, but those arent the most important skills. The most important skills in todays economy involve being able to use technology in smart and novel ways. For example, we rarely saw students learning how to code or use technology to work with information in creative ways or to solve problems. Schools aim to produce students who are college ready or career ready. But this too is problematic. Data from the U.S. Department of Education suggest that only a small percentage of students graduate from college in four years. And the notion of a career steady and long-term employment with one employer is steadily fading in the so-called gig economy. Most millennials and Generation Z people will work several jobs in their lifetimes, and not necessarily in their particular fields of study. Rather than focus exclusively on college-ready or career-ready skills, schools should also develop future ready skills. What does it mean to be future ready? It means rather than preparing students for the jobs in todays economy, our schools should be preparing them to be flexible enough to find or create work in tomorrows economy. Future readiness suggests that the ability to think creatively, practice lifelong learning, grapple with uncharted problems and use technology in novel ways will be some of the primary skills of tomorrow. Even as many schools across the country invest in more technology, Silicon Valley parents are opting to send their young children to schools that do not provide screen technologies in the classroom. And while these parents certainly operate from a position of privilege, the decision to limit their kids exposure to screens highlights something that we found in our research: In the economy of tomorrow, the ability to use creative, critical and problem-solving skills will be just as important as the ability to use technology. Future-ready schools prepare students to perform tasks that computers cannot perform, such as asking novel questions, solving uncharted problems, or working with and analyzing data in creative ways. Developing these skills does not require an abundance of technology. What they do require, however, are well-trained teachers, carefully calibrated curricula and a vision of education that is relevant in our knowledge-driven economy. Importantly, future-ready schools understand that technology is a tool to help create better learning futures and not, by itself, an indicator of better learning. S. Craig Watkins is a professor in the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studies young peoples social and digital media behaviors. When F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me, he inadvertently foreshadowed the government shutdown of 2018-19. Fitzgerald was alluding to the wealthy class, which he had earlier portrayed in The Great Gatsby, the great American novel. Old money is also different from newly made fortunes, as Jay Gatsby himself discovered during his futile attempts to buy acceptance. But Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross recent comment about furloughed government employees that he didnt really quite understand why unpaid workers were visiting food banks confirmed Fitzgeralds point. The very wealthy are different and they think differently. Ross furthered his disassociation from reality, saying that the obligations that they (federal employees) 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 is no real reason why they shouldnt be able to get a loan against it. Yes, quite, quite. Then again, if youve never lived paycheck to paycheck, as nearly 80 percent of Americans do, you might not be expected to really quite understand what its like. Although some banks have, indeed, been helping out with zero- to low-interest loans, it wasnt clear that everyone would be eligible. Even the fully employed suffer less-than-perfect credit. The notion, meanwhile, that all will be rectified in due course was cold comfort when you cant meet your financial obligations. Now that the government is reopened for three more weeks, at least federal employees are still likely to face days of paperwork and telephone roulette as they try to correct their credit history and satisfy debtors. The shutdown certainly wasnt a vacation, as President Donald Trumps chief economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, suggested. Ross, who made his billions partly by buying distressed debt, further revealed his own cluelessness by dryly noting that the 800,000 furloughed and unpaid workers represent only one-third of 1 percent of our gross domestic product. Why all the sad faces? Thanks to Fitzgerald, we learn that being blessed with wealth does something to them that, unless you were born rich, it is very difficult to understand. Which is to say, we have a failure of mutual understanding. Ross and Trump are primarily businessmen and, thus, perhaps see people more as commodities than human beings. And massive inconvenience for the ordinary working stiff is represented as dots and jagged lines on a spreadsheet. Nevertheless, Trump, whose philanthropic pursuits end where the casino parking lot begins, felt compelled to rich-splain the commerce secretary, saying that although he hadnt heard Ross statement, I do understand that 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. Heres the sad part: I know what Trump meant. After two or more years of listening to Trumplish, a linguistic pattern of half-thoughts, sentence fragments and primary wordplay, one begins to get the hang of it. In this case, theres actually some consolation folded into Trumps translation of Wilburnomics: Local people know who they are, even if Ross doesnt. Locals and nonlocals alike also know who forced the government to shut down over an unpopular, expensive and likely ineffective border wall. Meanwhile, we face problems more pressing than our dysfunctional government. Recent polling shows that America may be drifting away from capitalism and toward socialism. In 2018, Gallup found that fewer than half of young Americans view capitalism positively and 51 percent view socialism favorably. A Fox News poll released Thursday found that 40 percent of Democrats think a move toward socialism would be a good thing and only 34 percent disagreed. Republicans are against a socialist shift (80 percent), but they also tend to correspond to a graying demographic. When the very rich are exposed as removed and oblivious to American daily life, it becomes far easier for socialists to make their ideas, such as wealth redistribution, attractive. Ironically, Trumps true legacy may not be the wall but the fall. kathleenparker@washpost.com If Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., were a conservative, all anyone would be talking about is how uninformed she is. She would be facing trick questions from reporters designed to expose her lack of knowledge and brutal sketches on Saturday Night Live mocking her intelligence and fitness for office. Instead, SNL fawns over her, while CBSs Late Show host Stephen Colbert far from making jokes at her expense eats ice cream with her and asks how many (expletives) she gives about her critics. Boy, its good to be a socialist. Its not that there is a lack of material. Recently, for example, Ocasio-Cortez declared that the world is going to end in 12 years if we dont address climate change. She has said that $21 trillion in Pentagon accounting errors could pay for most of her massive $32 trillion Medicare-for-all plan as if there were $21 trillion in unspent tax dollars sitting around in a Pentagon vault. She opined that just last year we gave the military a $700 billion budget increase, which they didnt even ask for unaware, apparently, that the entire Pentagon budget is $716 billion. She wrongly claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is required to fill 34,000 beds with detainees every single night and that number has only been increasing since 2009 when ICE is required only to have that number of beds available and that number has remained flat. She has declared that unemployment is low because everyone has two jobs which is flat untrue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are only 6 million to 7 million Americans with two jobs and 148 million with just one. Those are examples of ignorance. But apparently she is also dishonest. Last week, She told Colbert that she has not been able to open a district office yet to handle constituent casework because of the federal government shutdown. Theres a lot of things we cant do as freshman members, she said. We cant properly set up our district offices. We cant get laptops delivered. We cant start doing the work that we were elected here to do. It takes the green stuff. And those workers are furloughed. Thats wrong. Last September, Congress passed the 2019 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, which funds congressional salaries and offices for the coming year. Ocasio-Cortez knows this because, unlike furloughed workers, she is getting paid. The New York Times reports that the three other first-term members from New York have managed to open offices in their districts. A more likely explanation is that Ocasio-Cortez is spending her time building her national media profile instead of taking care of the constituents who sent her to Washington in the first place. So where are the articles bemoaning The incredible, thuggish stupidity of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Where are the journalists trying to trip her up with questions like Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine? to see if she knows what it is? Nowhere to be found. To their credit, the fact-checkers have been on the case. PolitiFact gave her unemployment claim a Pants on Fire rating, and she is rapidly accumulating a large cache of Post Pinnochios so much so that she claims to be the victim of false equivalency + bias. Give me a break. She told CBS 60 Minutes that being morally right is more important than being precisely, factually correct. Apparently, facts matter less as long as you support Big Government. But facts are crucial, especially when you are proposing the largest increase in government spending in human history. Vox recently added up the cost of all her proposals from Medicare for all, to free college, guaranteed jobs and the Green New Deal. The price tag was $42.5 trillion over the next decade more than twice the current national debt. Sorry, you cant pay for that through Pentagon accounting errors. It is a tremendous testament to America that someone who was working as a bartender in a Mexican restaurant a year ago can throw their hat into the ring, unseat a 10-term member of Congress and be elected to the House of Representatives. Its what makes this such an exceptional nation. And it is obvious that she has political talent. But that doesnt excuse her from the responsibilities as a legislator to learn the facts and serve her constituents. Even Whoopi Goldberg, an Ocasio-Cortez supporter, warned her on The View, I would encourage you to sit still for a minute and learn the job. Thats good advice. Once people decide you are ignorant, its hard to recover just ask Sarah Palin or Dan Quayle. Of course, they were conservatives, so the standards are different. @marcthiessen A woman was hospitalized early Tuesday after she fell asleep at the wheel and crashed her vehicle on the Northeast Side, authorities said. The woman drove off the road near Farm-to-Market Road 78 and Loop 410 at about 1 a.m. and hit an embankment. Police said the vehicle flipped over and came to rest near some railroad tracks. Officials have identified the man found shot to death Tuesday morning at a Northwest Side apartment complex. San Antonio police discovered 35-year-old John Ryan Burton lying on the ground outside one of the apartment buildings in the 7800 block of Woodchase Drive at about 4:25 a.m., authorities said. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Paramedics pronounced Burton dead at the scene. Witnesses told police they saw two suspects flee after the shooting. The assailants have yet to be apprehended. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com 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 The lockdown at San Antonio College has been lifted, two hours after a reported shooting that left police searching the area for both the suspect and victim. Officers responded to Howard Street and West Courtland Place around 2:45 p.m. Witnesses said they heard gunshots and then saw a man who was bleeding from his neck run from the area, possibly toward the SAC campus. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar blamed the botched releases of two inmates this month on jailers' negligence and a lack of oversight. Answering questions at a press conference Monday on an unrelated topic, Salazar expanded on his previous explanation of what went wrong. An internal audit unit and internal affairs are investigating the botched releases of Ricardo Mujica and Terrik McCoy, both of which occurred when the facility was under the control of jail administrator Deputy Chief Ruben Vela. FROM OUR SUBSCRIBER SITE: Bexar County sheriff sidelines jail chief after man is released without required electronic monitor "I think we have a difference in management style," Salazar said Monday. "This jail administration had been advised to get a handle on that situation ... it was clear we still haven't gotten a handle on it." The first mistake in 2019 came on Jan. 15, when Mujica was "inadvertently walked out" with a group of inmates set to be released from the jail. Mujica was convicted of domestic violence and sentenced to four years of probation, but was supposed to remain in jail on an immigration detainer. Because his state charge was already handled, deputies had no authority to arrest him again, the sheriff's office noted in a news release about Mujica. READ MORE: Man held in Bexar County jail on ICE detainer 'inadvertently' released from custody, sheriff says Nearly two weeks later, on Saturday night, deputies released McCoy, who has been in jail since Nov. 28 on a charge of evading arrest. Though McCoy was set to be released, jailers did not follow the conditions of his release, which included releasing him with a GPS monitor. Salazar arrested McCoy on Sunday, and he was subsequently released with GPS monitoring, he said. "That's inexcusable," Salazar said of the recent mistakes. "A basic tenant of what we do is to make sure people remain here (in the jail) when they need to remain here." Salazar will await the findings of the investigations before deciding if changes need to be made. In the meantime, Salazar said he set up a meeting with Vela hash over their differences. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox "I'll be having a meeting with him very soon to address my concerns and what took us to this point," Salazar said. "We need to figure out what went wrong and what we could have done better to fix it." Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | fsabawi@mysa.com|@FaresInSA Harlandale High School Class of 1980 is looking for alumni for its 40th class reunion in 2020. Please contact Alicia Galindo, 512-967-3487; Belinda Reiner, 210-272-7698; or Jo Ann Perez, 512-967-3446. For more information, go to the groups Facebook page, Harlandale High School Alumni Class of 1980, or send an email to classofhhs80@gmail.com Manuel Alvarado Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9186 is available to rent for weddings, family reunions, baby showers, fundraisers and other occasions. Three sizes of halls are available. Facilities include a large dance floor and plenty of parking. Hall is at 650 VFW Blvd., near Mission Marquee. For more information, call 210-534-1525. The American Legion Hall on the Southeast Side is available to rent for family or class reunions, baby showers and other celebrations. American Legion Post 375 is at 9608 S. Presa St., and offers air and heat, a kitchen and ample parking in the back of building. For information, contact Richard Holloway, post commander, 210-260-7317. Mixed martial arts classes 6-8 p.m. Mondays, St. Michael Catholic Church hall, 418 Indiana St. Taught by Mike Ortiz, a mixed martial arts champion. Contact: 210-264-5291. Masonic Anchor Lodge 424 meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 700 Hot Wells Blvd. Bilingual Baby Time/La Hora del bebe bilingue 10:15-10:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Cortez Branch Library, 2803 Hunter Blvd. Rhythm, rhyme, and repetition of songs and stories. El ritmo, la rima y la repeticion de las canciones y los cuentos. For babies up to 18 months with their caregivers. Para bebes recien nacido hasta 18 meses con sus cuidadores. 12-step recovery group for compulsive overeaters Noon-1 p.m. Thursdays, Cresholme Presbyterian Church, 1602 Goliad Road (inside small building behind church). Free. Contact: 210-977-8379. City Base Cancer Support Group 7 p.m. Thursdays, Brookhill Baptist Church, 631 Utopia Lane. Contact: Brenda Fox, 210-415-2830. Cortez Chess Club 3:30-5:30 p.m. Fridays, Cortez Branch Library, 2803 Hunter Blvd. For beginners and experts. Chess sets provided, or bring your own. Free. Contact: 210-207-9130. Celebrate Recovery Fridays, Mayfield Park Church, 700 W. Hutchins Place. Free 12-step program for people struggling with hurts, hang-ups and habits. Meetings with meal 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Large group time 7:15 p.m.; smaller groups 8:15 p.m. Child care available. Contact: 210-923-2241. Monthly Adult Computer Classes 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of month, Cortez Branch Library, 2803 Hunter Blvd. Classes cover computer and internet basics. Contact: 210-207-9130. Stroke Support Group meets the third Thursday of every month at Southwest General Hospital, Classroom A, 7400 Barlite Blvd. Meetings are 2-3 p.m. Light refreshments served. The new group aims to support stroke survivors, and their families and caregivers through educational sessions and interaction with other survivors and caregivers. Guest speakers will present sessions related to stroke recovery. To learn more or RSVP, call 1-877-215-9355 or visit southwestgeneralhospital.org and select Events and Classes from the main menu. Wednesday, Jan. 30 Men in Mission Annual Sausage Dinner/Supper at Highland Park Lutheran Church, 705 Hammond Ave. Serving hours are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. Menu includes sausage, sauerkraut, green beans, potatoes and applesauce. Dessert and to-go plates available. Tickets cost $9 for adults; $5 for children younger than 10. Saturday, Feb. 2 Free clothes closet 9 a.m.-noon, first Saturday of month Brookhill Baptist Church, 631 Utopia Lane. Free clothing distributed. Contact: 210-333-4947. Trunk of Treasures 9 a.m.-2 p.m. first Saturday of month, St. Benedict Catholic Church, 4535 Lord Road. Cars line the parking lot, with their trunks open to sell garage-sale-type items. $10 for parking slot to sell items; free admission to shop. Upcoming Valentines Theme Tardeada 2-5 p.m. Feb. 10, St. Paul Community Center, 1201 Donaldson Ave. The afternoon social gathering will include DJ music, dancing and socializing. Snacks and door prizes provided. $5 per person. A Mexican food plate can be purchased for $5 each. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, call Virginia Valenzuela at 210-733-7152, ext. 123. C.I.O.C. Cancer Support Group meets 4-6 p.m. Feb. 10 at St. Leos Church Old Rectory, 123 Octavia Place. Light dinner served. For more information, call 210-574-4401. All Cancer warriors welcomed; meeting open to community. Divine Mercy Recital at 3 p.m. in the St. Leos chapel before the meeting. Villa Coronado Neighborhood Association meets at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at Father Manuel Roman gym (inside meeting room), Villa Coronado Park, 11030 Ruidosa St. 210 393-6944. Harlandale High School Class of 1969 plans its 50th reunion on Oct. 19 at Embassy Suites, Brooks City Base. Organizers are updating their address books. Contact: Frank Garza, figarza@satx.rr.com, or Ann (Fisher) Franz, cdcfranz@yahoo.com, with your information. Burbank High School Class of 1969 is planning its 50th class reunion for Oct. 19. Contact: Pearl (Reyes) Montez, 210-422-0761 (cell), or Helen (Martinez) Aguirre, 210-885-7302 (cell). Harlandale High School Class of 1970 will hold its 50th class reunion on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 at the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country. Contact Robert Ramirez, 210-496-7687, or Jesus C. Vega at 210-428-0307 (jesuscvega@gmail.com.), or Yolanda Vasquez Vega at 210-383-0613. Harlandale High School Class of 1980 is looking for alumni for its 40th class reunion in 2020. Please contact Alicia Shrimp Galindo, 512-967-3487; Belinda Rodgers Reiner, 210-272-7698; Jo Ann Gutierrez Perez, 512-967-3446. For more information, go to the groups Facebook page: Harlandale High School Alumni Class of 1980; or send an email to classofhhs80@gmail.com Compiled by Melissa Renteria Send details and a phone number to mrenteria@express-news.net. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday before publication. I spoke Spanish before I spoke English. I spoke only Spanish with the monjitas at the small school in Uvalde where I went to kindergarten. I began a short stint in the English as a second language group in first grade; by the third, I could speak English as well as the English-only kids. By the fifth grade, I got better grades than almost all of those kids. When people learn this little detail about my life, one of two things happens. If they are monolingual English speakers, they are impressed. Thats wonderful, they say, beaming. And youve done a great job. You have no accent! I usually attribute that to my dad making sure I didnt carry an accent by pointing out the times I asked for new choos or asked if I could sit in the big shair. Sometimes I tell them about the road trip to Laredo when Neil Diamond and I were singing Song Sung Blue. As Neil sang the line that starts with Funny thing, I sang Fonny ting. The idea, of course, is to get across that while not having an accent is not an accident, I dont speak so differently from my peers. Im an American Latina. But if I tell a more-Mexican-than-thou Spanish speaker reared or educated in Mexico that I learned to tie my shoes before I could have a conversation in English, I will be tested. Thats not Spanish, thats Tex-Mex. That isnt the right tense. Asi no se usa esa palabra. Sometimes theres a condescending chuckle delivered through eyes closed to disguise the eye roll. Other times, Im told that Im wrong, because knowing a few words does not mean I speak Spanish. All that might be true, but I stopped speaking only Spanish around the time I learned the closing song from Villa Alegre. I never took a class in Spanish or even a Spanish class. My only teachers were the people who would speak Spanish with me. I understand the formal register si les hablo de usted, and I was raised to say mande instead of que and I can communicate well. Still, this isnt enough for some people. So I understand why presidential candidate Julian Castro has chosen to speak to the Spanish-language media in English. Hes probably gotten plenty of atta boys, and plenty of Spanish tests, neither of which matter. We understand. All we have to do is listen to what he has to say. mariaanglinwrites@gmail.com On social media and through an online petition, many Central Texas residents are demanding changes at the Austin Zoo after an Austin American-Statesman investigation documented zookeepers' concerns about animals being mistreated. A Change.org petition which has already garnered nearly 3,000 signatures is calling for a change in leadership, new bylaws for the zoo and the creation of an independent committee to investigate potential conflicts of interest at the facility. According to the story published last week, the Austin Zoo, a nonprofit rescue facility, often takes in animals with health issues. But zookeepers told the newspaper that the the zoo's directors are unwilling to euthanize animals even when they are suffering and near the end of their life. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox In one case, a zookeeper told the newspaper, a monkey she cared for was not put down despite having six strokes. Rather than euthanize the animal, the zookeeper said she was instructed to force-feed the monkey and continue injecting her with pain medication. Twenty-four employees, including 17 zookeepers, were interviewed for the story. Many shared similar stories of the animals being mistreated due to decisions by the zoo's leadership. Several of those employees were fired after drafting a letter to the zoo's board of directors to highlight their concerns, according to the report. The zoo's board members and director denied the allegations, insisting management does not override veterinary decisions. They said the zookeepers' accusations were "utterly false." On the facility's Facebook page, two posts since the story was published tout the zoo's accreditation through the Zoological Association of America and defend its "dedication and devotion to animals." In a post on Saturday, Austin Zoo officials said they do "all (they) can to provide animals from very difficult circumstances with safe, comfortable homes." "This includes medical, behavioral nutritional and most importantly, compassionate end of life care," the post reads. But dozens of commenters were not swayed. Many asked zoo officials to be more transparent about the questions raised by the investigation. "You still have not addressed the allegations in the article and until you do you just keep making yourself look more guilty," one wrote. "The zookeepers and volunteers want to do their jobs, why won't management?" Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | fsabawi@mysa.com|@FaresInSA Google Maps A 67-year-old man was killed Monday in a house fire in Southwest Bexar County that was likely caused by a space heater, according to officials. Chano Roman, who used a wheelchair, was caught in the fire at his home in the 10600 block of Kelly Road in Atascosa just before 6 a.m. >> UPDATE: HPD Chief Art Acevedo releases identities of suspects killed One of the four officers who were shot while serving a warrant in southeast Houston on Monday has been there before. 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. The 54-year-old officer, who has not been publicly identified by the Houston Police Department, has been shot twice in the line of duty since joining HPD in 1984, according to earlier reports. He remained in critical but stable condition while undergoing surgery late Monday. THE DETAILS: 4 HPD officers shot in southeast Houston narcotics operation, a fifth injured Previous reports say he was the most senior member of the narcotics squad that was serving a warrant at a home in 7800 block of Harding Street around 5 p.m. when at least one gunman opened fire. Police said the officers rammed through the door to serve the warrant. Other officers in marked patrol cars sounded their sirens and turned on their emergency lights. A gunfight ensued, leaving four officers wounded and two suspected drug dealers dead by return fire from officers. A fifth officer suffered a leg injury. It's unclear where the senior officer was wounded, but he previously took a bullet to the cheek during a 1992 shooting, previous reports say. He was also shot on the job in 1997. "Most people would call it a day after being shot and surviving, but this man is 54," Acevedo told reporters during a Monday night press conference outside Memorial Hermann Hospital. "He's the case agent and he was there on the front lines." 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. The five police officers who were injured while serving a narcotics warrant on Monday represent the strength of Houston, which has faced repeated adversity over the past few years, Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a news conference on Tuesday. 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. Let me also say to you: the city of Houston is still standing, Turner said at Memorial Hermann, where four officers are still recovering. The spirit has not been broken and we are still Houston strong. Turner thanked Houstonians and other mayors from around the country for the overwhelming support, just minutes after visiting with the officers who remained hospitalized. One officer, a 54-year-old case agent, was shot in the face and critically injured. Turner met with the officer, who wrote on a pad of paper when he couldn't speak. He was working up a smile on his face and wanted to communicate, Turner said. He just wanted to engage," Turner said. "As my mom would say, he has a very strong constitution. 'WE ARE SO SORRY': Family of man killed in drug raid offers prayers for wounded police Another, a 50-year-old officer, was shot in the face and is expected to be released today. A third officer, also 50, suffered a knee injury and should be released later this week, police said. Family of the fourth officer, who is in critical but stable condition, asked police not to release any information on his medical status. A fifth officer was released from the hospital on Monday. We are so very fortunate to have officers of the quality and caliber, chief, that we have, said the mayor, who was flanked by Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. They are strong. Turner spoke with the mother of one of the recovering officers, and relayed her message. This is what they do; this is the sacrifice that they make, Turner said. We should all appreciate and value what they do every single day. Almost 20 Houston men and women were charged with human trafficking-related felonies in 2018, records show. 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. Those 18 suspects were all accused of promoting prostitution or trafficking a person in some way, according to court documents. Houston police released the names Friday after declaring January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the city. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services marks January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Earlier this month, Houston police announced a horrifying case of human trafficking where their officers were able to save a Fort Worth woman from being sold into the sex trade. MORE: Sex trafficking victim's desperate call to mother saves her life In that case, Kevin Winston, 25, Martina Chambers, 20, and Mikia Collins, 19, were all arrested and accused of forcing a 20-year-old woman to be a prostitute against her will for weeks. Winston and Chambers were charged with felony aggravated promotion of prostitution, compelling prostitution and trafficking of a person. Collins was charged with compelling prostitution and trafficking of a person. See the slideshow above to see the 20 suspects accused. 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 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) It's not often that you get to hear Whitney Houston at the House of Representatives. But Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Ria Vergara used one on Monday, during deliberations on lowering the minimum age of responsibility to 12. "As legislators, we propose laws that do not serve ourselves, but the next generation. Laws that will make our country, better, and stronger. And House Bill 8858 does not accomplish this task. Rather, it goes against the basic Filipino core value system," she said. She cited the cases of India and China, whom she claims have 18 and 16 respectively as their countries' minimum age criminal liability. Vergara then brought out her phone and blasted a 90s hit song, Houston's "Greatest Love of All," to explain her vote. WATCH: Congresswoman Ria Vergara plays Whitney Houstons 'Greatest Love of All' to explain why she voted against the proposal to lower the minimum age of responsibility for children in conflict with the law | @XaveGregorio pic.twitter.com/q7OruFvAe5 CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 29, 2019 The song begins with the lines, "I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way." Vergara also maintained that scientific studies have proven that children below 16 are not psychologically and mentally mature to distinguish right from wrong. "Our focus should be on laws that will punish adults who knowingly take advantage of our children, to undertake illegal activities.These malevolent syndicates should be our target, not our children whom they abuse," she said. The bill lowering the minimum age of responsibility of children in conflict with the law (CICL) to 12 hurdled the House of Representatives on final reading Monday. An earlier version of the bill proposed to lower it to 9, but House lawmakers increased this amid pressure from critics and opposition senators. The House measure is backed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Youth offenders who commit serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping and rape would be placed in juvenile intervention and support centers, also known as Bahay Pag-asa, which are currently run, maintained and funded by their respective local government units (LGU). TIJUANA, Mexico - The United States on Tuesday returned a Honduran asylum seeker to Mexico, marking the beginning of a sweeping new policy that forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico as their claims are processed in American courts. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen planned to visit the San Ysidro port of entry later in the day to "assess implementation" of the new regulation, according to a DHS statement. The policy is one of the most dramatic changes to the American asylum system in decades - an attempt by the Trump administration to deter migration by reducing the number of migrants who live and work in the United States while awaiting their court dates. Already the plan has raised numerous human rights concerns, not to mention a flurry of logistical questions that neither the United States nor Mexico has been able to answer. Where will the asylum seekers stay in Mexico for months or years as their cases are processed? How will Mexico ensure their safety? How will they access legal assistance? Even the program's launch has been chaotic. The Mexican foreign ministry initially said on Friday that it expected the first group of asylum seekers to arrive within hours at the San Ysidro port of entry near San Diego, even though the immigration agency said it had received no formal communication from the United States. There were no official U.S. guidelines until this week. And the return of the Honduran asylum seeker Tuesday appeared to be ad hoc; he was rushed to a van by a Mexican immigration agent with no formal announcement of when others would follow. Rodulfo Figueroa, the national migration agency's representative in Tijuana, said no others would be released Tuesday. The Mexican government has said repeatedly that it disagrees with the policy, which officials argue is being imposed on the country by the United States. Tonatiuh Guillen, the commissioner of Mexico's immigration agency, said on Monday night that Mexico would admit only Central Americans between the ages of 18 and 60 as a part of the new policy. Because a large portion of asylum seekers are family units or unaccompanied minors, the Mexican response could erode the potential impact of the new policy. The asylum seekers forced to wait in Mexico will be given multi-entry permits to attend their court dates in the United States and then return to Mexico. Some asylum seekers, including the one who arrive Tuesday, have Mexican humanitarian visas that are valid for one year. After a quick initial processing at the border, migrants will have a hearing in 45 days and a decision within a year, according to DHS. U.S. officials said they would screen the asylum seekers to ensure that people at risk of persecution in Mexico are not told to wait across the border. But lawyers remained concerned about how the United States would make that determination. Mexico's northern border includes some of the country's most dangerous cities, where migrants are often extorted or kidnapped. Implementing the new U.S. policy there, human rights advocates say, would likely have tragic consequences. "We have worked with people who are under active threat here in Mexico who have had to move between shelters and stay in secret locations because they are being actively pursued throughout Mexico, and throughout Tijuana. This is literally sentencing people to die," said Nicole Ramos, an attorney with the Tijuana-based legal aid office Al Otro Lado. The city's resources are already being stretched by the scores of migrants who have arrived in recent months. There are already about 2,400 people who are waiting in line for asylum, a product of the U.S. system known as "metering," or limiting the number of asylum seekers who can begin their cases each day. The first members of the newest migrant caravan arrived in Tijuana in recent days, with thousands more apparently on the way. Some of the city's shelters are already nearing capacity, housing a steady stream of migrants from across Mexico and Central America and others who arrive from countries around the world to make it to the U.S. border. The emergency shelter that had been opened to house thousands of people who arrived from Central America in a caravan in November was scheduled to close this month. Many of the directors of the city's independent or church-run shelters said that through last weekend they had not been informed that they should prepare to receive returned migrants. "They're going to ask us at the last minute to bail them out," said Pat Murphy, the director of the Casa del Migrante, one of the long-standing shelters in the city, said of federal officials. Mexico's new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, promised a more humane response to migration. At times, his administration appears to be delivering. When the new migrant caravan crossed into Mexico, for example, the government issued many of those migrants humanitarian visas, allowing them legal entry into the country. But Mexican officials have expressed concern about their ability to provide a comprehensive humanitarian response to the new U.S. policy. Gustavo Magallanes Cortes, the director of migrant affairs for Baja California, said on Monday that he feared that federal budget cuts this year - of about $1.2 million in Baja California - to a migrant assistance fund had left small shelters scrambling for resources. "They open the northern border, they open the southern border, but then they close the funds to help us," Magallanes Cortes said. For migrants who are waiting for asylum in Tijuana, rumors about the U.S. policy changes have caused fear about upcoming asylum proceedings. Karen Martinez, 28, a mother of three from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, said that she put her name on the wait list last weekend, even after hearing about the policy, because she had just found a sponsor to receive her in the United States. She fled from domestic violence and threats from her ex-husband in July, then joined the thousands of people in the caravan that headed north in October. "It's not my intention to stay in Mexico. A dollar is worth much more in the U.S., and I want to get as far away from my problems as possible," she said. "But if we have to wait here, then that's what we'll have to do." --- Sieff reported from Mexico City. It will soon be out with the craft cocktails, in with the craft beer for a popular downtown San Antonio bar space. Back Unturned Brewing Co. will take over the spot thats currently home to The Brooklynite at 516 Brooklyn Ave., which move out near the end of February, on March 1. Brewery owner Ricardo Garcia said the building doesnt need extensive renovations to transform from cocktail bar to brewpub, and he hopes to open sometime this summer. We want to open the space up and allow more natural light into the building, Garcia said. A lot of our brewing operations will be visible from the street. Garcia, 37, has been home brewing in his garage for the past eight years, and he ended his career as a landscape architect with the state of Texas to start up Back Unturned. He said the name behind the brewpub was his way of saying to never turn your back on your dreams. On ExpressNews.com: An easy-sipping cocktail that celebrates winters citrus bounty Back Unturned plans to offer a lineup of 12 different beers brewed on site, and it will also carry wines and ciders for nonbeer drinkers. My early projection is that well be known for our lager, coconut porter and the New England IPA, Garcia said. But the styles will range from light drinking beers to pretty heavy ones. If you come in for a beer, there will be something that will appeal to your preferences. Garcia also has plans to launch a Beer for Life campaign before opening as a means to build capital. For a $1,000 one-time investment, participants in the program will get a free beer with every visit (up to one per day), 1 (64-ounce) growler of beer each month, access to special beer releases and merchandise discounts. If you do the math, if you came in twice per week and had a beer, it wouldnt take long to recoup that original investment, Garcia said. On ExpressNews.com: Bubbas has brats, will travel Back Unturned will also have a kitchen space with a large pizza oven that will cook up a lineup of artisan-style pies, salads and sandwiches. Garcia said that for now, the focus will be on the beer and the food menu will develop after opening. As for the fans of The Brooklynite, fear not; its just moving up the road into a cozy space directly behind the Still Golden Social House at Broadway and Grayson. Both bars are owned by the Boulevardier Group, which includes veteran bar guru Jeret Pena. Pena said the goal is to be open in late April or early May. Back Unturned Brewing Co., 516 Brooklyn Ave. Facebook: backunturned Chuck Blount is a food writer and columnist covering all things grilled and smoked in the San Antonio area. Find his Chuck's Food Shack columns on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com, or read his other coverage on our free site, mySA.com. | cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver WASHINGTON - The Trump administration announced Monday it will expand sanctions on Venezuela to include the state-owned oil company PDVSA, a major exporter to the United States, in a bid to push President Nicolas Maduro out of office. In a press briefing at the White House, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the move was intended to protect Venezuelan assets and urged a peaceful transition of power. "He's not the proper leader of the country right now, and these are valuable assets we're protecting for the benefit of the Venezuelan people," he said. "We will carefully be looking at the effectiveness of these [sanctions] and whether we need additional sanctions." CRUDE ROUTE: Venezuelan oil sanctions would hit Gulf Coast refineries Sanctions on Venezuelan crude pose a considerable threat for oil refineries along the Gulf Coast. While the United States only imported 670,000 barrels a day from Venezuela last year - 7 percent of total crude imports - the vast majority of that oil heads to the Gulf where it is mixed with lighter crude coming out of West Texas. "Venezuela is very important for oil markets, not so much the sheer volumes but rather for the quality of their crude. Sanctions would make U.S. Gulf coast refiners the biggest loser," Rystad Energy analyst Paola Rodriguez-Masiu said last week. Likely the hardest hit refiner would be Citgo Petroleum Corp., the refining arm of PDVSA. Citgo, headquartered in Houston, imported about 56 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in the first 10 months of last year, according to Energy Department data. San Antonio-based Valero Energy wasn't far behind, importing about 55 million barrels of Venezuelan crude over the same time period. But Mnuchin said he was confident that the placement on sanctions on Venezuelan crude would not significantly impact U.S. energy prices, calling PDVSA a "relatively modest part of overall supply." "These refineries [buying oil from PDVSA] impact a certain part of the country and were comfortable they have enough supply," he said. "I think they read the tea leaves and reduced their dependence." On Monday refineries sought to reassure markets that the loss of oil from PDVSA would be managed comfortably. "We support the Administration's goal of bringing positive change in Venezuela," the trade group American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers said in a statement. "To that end, we will work with the Administration to minimize any unnecessary disruptions or negative impacts to the market and American consumers." The announcement followed a preemptive statement Monday from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., indicating that the Trump administration was readying sanctions and praising Trump. "The Maduro crime family has used PDVSA to buy and keep the support of many military leaders," Rubio said. "The oil belongs to the Venezuelan people, and therefore the money PDVSA earns from its export will now be returned to the people through their legitimate constitutional government." Staff Writer Marissa Luck contributed to this report. The Transportation Security Administration plans to reopen its Terminal B checkpoint, which was closed during the partial government shutdown, early Wednesday, the Houston Airport System says. The ticketing counter in Terminal B will also reopen. The checkpoint had been closed since Jan. 13 over TSA staffing issues as TSA agents called in sick. TSA workers were among federal employees in the Houston area who had been furloughed or required to work without pay amid the shutdown, the result of President Donald Trump's clash with congressional Democrats over funding a wall on the nation's border with Mexico. The funeral service for Chucky, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office service dog allegedly shot by a suspect during a pursuit, will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at Community Bible Church and will be open to the public. According to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, Chucky was shot twice by Matthew Mireles, 38, at about 11 p.m. Friday on Loop 1604, near Texas 151, following a chaotic chase that spanned multiple counties and required the assistance of several law enforcement agencies. One of the bullets severed the dog's aorta and the other grazed his face. Salazar on Monday morning provided a more detailed timeline of the events leading up to Chucky's death. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox The chase began at about 9 p.m. in Karnes City when a local officer attempted to stop Mireles for speeding. Mireles refused to pull over and the officer pursued him, authorities said. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers eventually took over the chase, which wound up U.S. 181 to Interstate 37 and eventually Loop 1604. At various times throughout the chase, Mireles fired at pursuing authorities and pointed his weapon at himself and passing drivers, Salazar said. "He was hellbent on creating as much havoc and chaos as he possibly could," Salazar said. At 10:41 p.m., Mireles got out of his car and started walking along Loop 1604. Walking slowly, he led deputies, including Chucky and his handler, on a slow foot chase for more than 20 minutes while "continuing to fire shots wildly," and pointing the gun at officers, himself, passers-by and an overhead helicopter, Salazar said on Saturday. Mireles broadcast portions of the chase on his own Facebook page, Salazar said. "That speaks a lot to the character of this person and what little regard for human life he had," Salazar said. There wasn't time to outfit Chucky with his bulletproof vest, Salazar said, because he and his handler had been part of the active chase that included Mireles, at various times, placing the lives of passing drivers in serious danger. At 11:04 p.m., Chucky was deployed toward Mireles, Salazar said. "[Chucky] launched himself at a full sprint and attempted to grab hold of suspect," the sheriff said, describing the move as "textbook." RELATED: BCSO K-9 unit shot, killed attempting to restrain chase suspect The dog's first attempt to grab Mireles by the arm failed and he was flung about six feet in front of the suspect. Mireles then fired at Chucky. One bullet struck Chucky in his side and mortally wounded him. Salazar said at least one other bullet fired by the suspect grazed the dog's face. Yet, the dog continued struggling with Mireles. "Chucky stayed in the fight," Salazar said. "You can't ask much more of any officer." After Mireles opened fire, multiple deputies armed with semi-automatic rifles shot at Mireles, striking him several times in the lower extremities. He was arrested and now faces a litany of charges, including interference with a police service animal, attempted capital murder of a police officer, aggravated assault on a public servant, and evading arrest detention with a vehicle. At least four deputies have been placed on leave in connection to the shooting, Salazar said, while two concurrent investigations take place. The sheriff said they're not accepting any donations for the funeral because the expenses have been covered. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com 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 3 1 of 3 Texas Department of Public Safety Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Texas Department of Public Safety Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Texas Department of Public Safety officials say they've added a white supremacist gang member to the agency's list of most wanted fugitives Monday following his disappearance in September 2018. Clifford Nelson Locklin Jr., 45, is wanted on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft and parole violation. Authorities say he is affiliated with the Aryan Circle gang, a neo-Nazi prison gang mostly based in Texas, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Microphone and US Flag View Photos During the Democratic Weekly Address, Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) stated that there is no crisis at the border that justifies a government shutdown. Lieu was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: Hello, Im Ted Lieu and I represent western Los Angeles County in the United States Congress. I previously served on active duty in our military because I believe America is an exceptional country, the most amazing nation in the world. But right now, the federal government under Donald Trump is partially shut down. No civilized nation on earth shuts down its own government. Im going explain how we got here, how the shutdown affects you, and how we re-open government. Its pretty simple how we got here. In fact, its all captured on videotape. Last month, Trump told the American people, quote, I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. End quote. No President of the United States should ever be proud of shutting down our government. But Trump carried out his threat to shut down government. And he was enabled by Republicans in the House and the Senate. This shutdown started during a time of unified Republican control of the federal government: the White House, the Senate, and the House. Democrats inherited this shutdown from Republicans. And the effects of the Trump Shutdown are severe, harmful, and dangerous. There are some government jobs where we want full staffing and do not want the employee to be tired, stressed out and desperate because one mistake can be fatal. Air Traffic Controllers, who help keep the flying public safe, are not getting paid and are under increasing pressure to work multiple jobs. Or, theyve simply to quit to get another job in order to make ends meet. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association issued a dire warning, saying that they cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which their entire system will break. As a result of the Trump Shutdown, there have been fewer food inspections, fewer inspections of planes, and the inability of the Consumer Products Commission to respond to unsafe product warnings. The shutdown has particularly impacted the Department of Homeland Security, which is charged with keeping Americans safe. Our Border Patrols agents, TSA personnel, and Coast Guard members are all working without pay. Some have had to use food banks to feed their family; some are working multiple jobs to make ends meet; and some will need to quit because they cannot sustain working without a paycheck. The financial crunch doesnt just impact federal workers. It impacts the landlords that cant collect rent from furloughed renters; the small business owners who cant get their permits from federal agencies; and the individuals who cant get in touch with the IRS to work out payment plans. The shutdown is also hurting our economy. Nearly 400 trade associations and chambers of commerce have said the shutdown is causing significant damage to families, businesses and the economy. Recently, the White Houses top economic advisor admitted that the US economy may show zero economic growth this quarter. Now, how do we stop Trump and the Republicans from continuing to inflict harm on the American people? The Democratic position has been straightforward, consistent, and reasonable: Re-open government. Negotiate a deal. Democrats will never allow Trump and the Republicans to use the harm of a government shutdown as a negotiating tactic. Because if we do, then Trump will do this any time he has a policy disagreement with Congress. The position taken by Trump is, in fact, quite perverse. He is saying that his concession is to re-open government. No American President should ever be taking the federal government hostage to extract demands. Democrats are working hard to re-open government. The House of Representatives has voted 11 times to re-open our government. The Republican-controlled Senate unfortunately has refused to pass any House legislation to re-open government. By failing to pass those measures, Senate Republicans are abdicating their duty as part of a co-equal branch of government. I am also disappointed that Trump and Republicans continue to lie about basic facts. The truth is, there is no crisis at the border that justifies a government shutdown. According to the latest data from the FBI, violent crime is down. Property crime is also down. According to the Department of Homeland Security, border crossings are at an approximate 20-year low. Study after study also shows that immigrants, both documented and undocumented, commit less crime than native-born Americans. The truth is, the shutdown is not about protecting our border, its about Trumps failed campaign promise. He promised Mexico will pay for his wall. He has been unable to get Mexico to pay for his wall, so he decided to take the mantle and proudly shut down our government. That is wrong, and the American people know it. Poll after poll shows that overwhelming majorities of the American people do not support funding for a wall in the middle of a government shutdown. They support re-opening government. Mr. President, listen to the American people. Re-open our government. 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. Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Click here to get access 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 The question is no longer if the nation is in the throes of a housing slowdown, but rather how deep and wide it will wind up beingand how much of a blow it'll deliver to the American real estate market. The signs are becoming ever more troubling. The number of existing home sales has dropped to the lowest level in three years, price growth has slowed precipitously, and some super-pricey, bellwether cities are actually seeing prices fall. (We're looking at you, San Francisco, Dallas, and Miami!) The fact that home growth has slowed in 70% of the United States' 200 largest housing markets has economists debating whether the housing slowdown is the canary in the coal mine, warning of economic woes to come. But let's all take a deep breath and one giant step back: Not every market is slowing down. In fact, realtor.com found 10 metros where home prices are actually shooting up. Welcome to the nation's strongest housing marketsplaces that so far have eluded the shifting tides, with double-digit annual price growth. So why are some cities skyrocketing, while the rest of the country appears to have been clobbered by a double-whammy of rising mortgage rates and home prices that have risen too darn high? Depends on where you look. Places ravaged by natural disasters are seeing prices climb, as folks compete for a limited number of available properties. Those fleeing more expensive cities are substantially driving up prices in smaller and cheaper cities nearby. Some markets smacked hard by the financial collapse a decade ago are still recovering, meaning that they still have room for prices to move up. And other cities are simply seeing a torrent of new residents flowing in. Even with the deceleration in home price increases ... we are still seeing strong home buying in smaller metros that have good affordability and solid job growth, says Frank Nothaft, the chief economist at Corelogic, a real estate data firm. To find the top housing markets unaffected by the national housing slowdown, we pulled December realtor.com listing data for the 200 largest metropolitan areas.* We eliminated those with year-over-year price growth that was lower than it was a year earlier, then ranked the rest on price and price-per-square-foot increases, as well as changes in inventory, days on market, and percentage of homes seeing price bumps. So which markets are bucking the big slowdown? Let's check out the four trends continuing to push up home prices. Wildfire leveled their homesnow they're bidding up Chico prices Kyle Smith won't soon forget the orange sky outside the window of his Paradise, CA, home. On Nov. 8, the 31-year-old youth pastor found himself frantically driving his wife and 2-year-old out of the evacuated town while smoke poured into their vehicle and midday skies turned black. Camp Fire would go on to become the deadliest wildfire in California history, claiming at least 85 lives and burning down 18,000 homes and buildings. "Three days later, it was confirmed that our home was gone," Smith told realtor.com. "The entire structure was down to ashes: All that was left was the chimney. The car rims were melted down to the pavement. Everything on my block was gone." The aftermath of the wildfire has pushed Chico, CA, the metro that includes Paradise, into the No. 1 spot on our ranking. Home prices in the city, about a 90-minute drive north of Sacramento, have climbed 14.7% over the past 12 months, to a median $330,100. In the days that followed the fire, many newly homeless families poured into the city of Chico looking for hotels and apartments, quickly buying up the handful of available homes. Chico, which had a tight real estate market before the fire, soon began experiencing bidding wars and surging home prices. "Being the fastest-growing real estate market is not something anyone here is proud ofwe're a hot market in the worst way," says Dustin Cheatham, a real estate agent at Century 21 Jeffries Lydon in Chico. "People need housing, and there isnt enough supply. Our community is being pulled apart, [with] families and generations who lived close together now separated because of the Camp Fire." In the short term, prices are up, but over time, the devastation might lead some to move out of the area rather than rebuilding. In the months since the fire, Smith has bounced around, staying in family members' spare bedrooms in Chico and living in a recreational vehicle (RV) in a relative's driveway. Just this month, he finally found an apartment, but he's not sure if he'll stay. The one-story home he bought for $160,000 in 2014 would now cost more than $300,000 to rebuild, given that developers' prices are surging to meet the demand. Smith is now weighing rebuilding against moving out of state so that he can buy something more affordableand worry less about keeping his family safe. Fleeing high-cost cities, home buyers push up prices in nearby areas When home prices soar far out of the reach of locals, residents have a few options: They can start renting, they can bail entirely to another part of the countryor they can move to more affordable, smaller cities that are relatively close. The latter option is becoming more and more popular, as people seek out places where they can still afford to become homeowners. Just look at Seattle. Homes in the metro cost a median $550,000a steep climb, considering that median household income there is $82,133. That's prompted many of the folks who don't have those high-paying Amazon or Microsoft jobs to look at Spokane, WA, a four-hour drive inland. No, that's not exactly a commutable distance to the Emerald City. But high demand is still driving up prices therewith the median home price up 15.4% in the last year, to $299,100. "Around half of my buyers are from out of town," says Marianne Bornhoft, a local broker at Windermere Real Estate, and it's creating a frenzy. Earlier this month, she listed a home on a Wednesday, and by Saturday, it had attracted eight offers at or above listing price. Most Spokane newcomers are coming either from Seattle or Portland, OR. They're buying up four-bedroom Craftsman-style homes for under $275,000. They dig the endless opportunities for outdoor activities along the Spokane River: realtor.com named Spokane one of the country's top affordable outdoorsy cities last year. A similar phenomenon is happening in Greensboro, NC, where the median list price has climbed 14.6% over the past year, to $220,000. Home values are getting driven up there by an influx of folks moving from the heart of the Research Triangle in Raleigh and Durham, each around an hour away, where median home prices are $340,000 and $351,000, respectively. The triangle is home to several top universities, including Duke, as well as a slew of high-tech companies and startups. Affordable small cities with resurgent economies see higher prices The housing slowdown is most pronounced in America's most expensive cities, like San Francisco, where home prices have raced up for years. On the flip side, many of the places where home prices are still growing now are smaller metropolises where the economy took longer to rebound. A prime example is South Bend, IN. This Rust Belt city has had some rough patches as plants closed and locals left. Slowly but surely, the city has rebounded in recent years. With the help of Notre Dame University, which is located in the area, the city has built a small but dynamic tech sector and start-up scene. Elkhart, IN, just 30 minutes out of town, has seen its RV manufacturing business boom and is now paying top dollar to find talent. The rebound in South Bend has been so profound that its current mayor, Pete Buttigieg, announced last week he was pursuing the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. In response to the region's growth, home prices jumped 15.4% last year to a median $150,000. "We're seeing multiple offers if a home is priced right. The shortage of inventory is the driving factor," says Beau Dunfee, managing broker at Weichert Realtors, Jim Dunfee & Associates in South Bend. He hasn't seen signs of the housing slump that agents in Seattle and New York are experiencing. "The Midwest is usually a step behind the West and East Coast." In this case that's a good thingfor sellers, anyway. The economy of Milwaukee, WI, has also continued to grow. It boasts a total of 13 Fortune 1000 companies, including Harley-Davidson and Northwestern Mutual. Homes here sell quickly. In October, realtor.com ranked Milwaukee as one of the markets with the fastest-shrinking inventory. Over a three-year period, inventory there has dropped 37.3%, a loss of 5 million square feet. So it shouldn't be a surprise that median home prices are up 14%, to $244,640. "It looks like 2019 will be just as strong as the previous year," says local agent Beth Jaworski. There's a similar story unfolding in booming real estate markets in Birmingham, AL (10.8% price growth); state capital Trenton, NJ (16%); and Reading, PA (14.2%). They all got hit hard by the downturn and took some time to recover. But now they're looking good, with low unemployment rates and relatively affordable (if fast-growing) home prices. Booming population centers = booming real estate When droves of people move into a new community at the same time, they compete against local buyers and drive real estate prices up. And up. This is why Killeen, TX, made our list. As the home of Fort Hood, the military post employs around 54,000 civilians and soldiers and attracts contractors like General Dynamics, an aerospace firm with a presence in the region. In 2017, Killeen's population grew 1.6%, double the national growth rate of 0.8%. It isn't slowing down. From 2015 to 2030, the metro area's population is expected to grow 23%, according to the Texas Water Development Board. In response, median home prices in Killeen have jumped 13.9% to $205,000. But those are still bargain rates compared to larger Texas cities like Austin, TX, just over an hour to the north. Why pay a median $349,100 home price in the Austin metro when you could get a three-bedroom ranch home for under $150,000 in Killeen, which is within commuting distance? "People are being pushed out of Austin," says Andrea Curtis, broker/owner of United Country Premier Properties in Killeen. Columbia, SC, is best-known as the state's capital and home of the University of South Carolina. But a lot of the commotion these days is about all the moving trucks: Population growth in the Columbia metro in 2017 was 31% higher than the national rate. Much of this population growth is tied to the surging population of South Carolina and the rest of the South. Around this time of year, those mild winters in the Carolinas really start to sound niceas do the lower taxes and costs of living, particularly to young families and retirees. This is helping to push home prices higher. The median price in Columbia climbed 16.5% over the past 12 months, to $232,00. A lot of people from New York and New Jersey are moving in, says Micah Collins, a realtor at Keller Williams Realty in Columbia. "Instead of going to Miami, they are coming to South Carolina because of the cost of living. You can buy a 3,000 square-foot home here for less than $300,000." * A metropolitan statistical area is a designation that includes the urban core of a city and the surrounding smaller towns and cities. We limited our rankings to just one metro per state to ensure some geographic diversity. The post What Slowdown? The 10 Markets Where Home Prices Are Unstoppable appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. First-year students at two-year colleges tend to struggle more, academically, than at four-year universities, according to the portion of the Texas Academic Progress Report that has recorded the GPA of Midland ISD's 2016-2017 graduates during their first year of college. The report was first separated into four categories, based on which high school in Midland the student went to: Coleman High School, Midland High School, Lee High School and Early College High School. The high school categories were then separated into five subcategories each: four-year public university, two-year public college, independent colleges and universities, not trackable and not found. RELATED: Midland ISD picks Abell principal to oversee women's academy The students in each of those subcategories were then placed into five different categories of GPA measurements: less than 2.0, 2.0-2.49, 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49 and 3.50 and greater. There was also an unknown category for students who attended schools outside of Texas, and their GPAs were not known. The GPA for Coleman's only graduate who attended a four-year public university was not reported. However, half of the school's graduates who attended two-year public colleges were reported to have a GPA lower than a 2.0, and the other four were reported in the unknown category. For Midland High, when the number of students was placed with the students' corresponding GPA value, there was around a 58 percent chance that students at both two-year colleges and four-year universities would have a GPA lower than a 3.0 during their first year. At Early College, students who attended a two-year college had a 45 percent chance in receiving a GPA lower than a 3.0 compared to the 42 percent chance of students at four-year universities had in receiving a GPA lower than a 3.0 their first year. At Lee High, students who attended a two-year college had a 62 percent chance of having a GPA lower than a 3.0 during their first year, compared to a 46 percent chance for students at four-year universities. Rebecca Bell, executive director of Institutional Advancement and MC Foundation at Midland College, said this is a trend because students who attend two-year colleges during their first year are often part-time students and have other responsibilities in addition to going to school. A majority of MC students are part-time students, she said. RELATED: West Texas Food Bank partners with MISD, Educate Midland "Because of this, we try to encourage our students to go full time," Bell said. "It takes so long to complete a degree when you go part time, and studies have shown that students who go full time will do better than students who go part time. A lot of our students have full-time jobs, and a lot of our students have families. When you have a family and a job, it's a little bit harder to concentrate on your studies." Midland ISD Superintendent Orlando Riddick also said he believes outside jobs and families may be a reason why students attending two-year colleges are underperforming. He said there are so many differences between the two that the trend is understandable. For instance, there is a GPA that students at four-year universities must maintain if they are on scholarship. There are also different levels of exposure and different cultural experiences students have when they move out of the area for college compared to the students who stay home. "On the other hand, we have very strong university students who decide they want to capitalize on their opportunities locally before they go away," Riddick said. He said a reason any student may struggle is the freedom they have once they graduate. "We structure their entire day in high school," Riddick said. "Parents get notifications when they miss a class or their grade drops below a certain standard. There are all these notifications that come out, in order to recover a student. If they submitted something that was a lower grade, we work with them to re-submit it. If they didn't submit it, we work with them to submit it. There's a lot we do to nurture a student with their learning. That's no longer there when they get to university. Now they're kind of standing alone. They have to advocate for themselves in a very big way, independently." He said when students stay in Midland at community college, they are in the same environment they are used to, and it may require some mental realignment for them to succeed. "Midland College has an opportunity for our kids to get into their college, locally," Riddick said. "They provide an opportunity, scholarship-wise for all the kids in our high schools, and the students may not have done high school well. They have to mature and relearn and reset some skill. It comes, but sometimes -- first, through some failure and through some struggle and through some learning, that makes them re-evaluate college." Bell said all the scholarships Midland College offers require a GPA to be maintained as a four-year university would expect. For the Legacy Scholarship, which is the scholarship offered to all Midland County graduates who have a high school GPA of at least a 2.75 and completed 40 hours of service work, they must maintain a GPA above a 2.0 and complete 40 more service hours to continue to receive the scholarship. "A lot of people don't realize community colleges have an open interest an open admission policy, which means you don't have to have any kind of minimum test score or GPA to come to a community college," Bell said. "If you want a major or to be in a certain program, there might be a minimum GPA or score you have to achieve." She said, because of this, a lot of MC students take developmental courses because their college entrance exam scores were low, indicating they are not ready for college-level English or mathematics courses. "Community colleges are a great place for people that may not have done well in high school or have been out of school for a while," Bell said. "They can actually come take some courses that help them succeed." A man accused of stalking was arrested for a second time in a month by Midland police, according to court documents. Victor Nelson Rosado, 44, was being held Monday on a $100,000 bond for a third-degree felony charge of stalking, a $250,000 bond for a second-degree felony charge of arson and three $75,000 bonds for violating a protective order, which are third-degree felony charges. Midland officers were dispatched on Jan. 17 to Midland Park Mall in reference to a violation to a protective order. A woman told officers she saw Rosado outside the store where she was shopping. She had an emergency protective order against him, according to his arrest affidavit. RELATED: Man arrested on stalking, arson charges Rosado allegedly called and texted the woman multiple times since the emergency protective order was issued, according to the affidavit. Rosado was arrested in Midland on Dec. 30 after allegedly stalking the woman and setting her house on fire, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram article. Midland police and fire departments were dispatched at about 11 p.m. on Dec. 29 in reference to a structure fire. Fire crews on scene stated that the house had damage to the roof and found what possibly were accelerants. Midland fire marshals found pieces of balloons and smelled gasoline. Two balloons were found at the entrance of the house along with a small puddle of an accelerant, according to the article. Police and fire marshals searched Rosados garage and vehicle and detected a heavy odor of gasoline. Balloons, material for wick and a gasoline can were found inside the garage, according to the report. Rosado also had two previous arrests for stalking prior to his Dec. 30 arrest. If convicted of a third-degree felony charge, Rosado could face up to 10 years imprisonment. President Donald Trump gave his blessing Monday to lawmakers in several states who are pushing legislation to allow Bible literacy classes in public schools. "Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible," Trump wrote in a morning tweet. "Starting to make a turn back? Great!" Warren said that Sloan bore some responsibility for the fake-accounts scandal that kicked off the banks two-year-plus parade of bad press. As CFO and COO, Tim Sloan helped enable it. He got rich off it. And he tried to cover it up, Warren tweeted. Hows he the right guy to clean up the mess? Warren also brought up a separate scandal in which it was revealed that Wells Fargo charged more than 800,000 people for car insurance they didnt need, and another in which the bank wrongly foreclosed on more than 500 customers homes. She also mentioned an agreement in which Wells Fargo paid $175 million to settle claims that it charged minority borrowers higher fees. I could go on but I dont need to: its clear that Tim Sloan isnt the right person to try and clean up @WellsFargo, Warren tweeted. His hands are too dirty from overseeing years of scams and scandals. Thats not just an informed opinion. Thats a fact. Wells Fargo is apparently sticking by its embattled CEO for now. In a statement, the bank said that Sloan had the full support of the Wells Fargo board of directors and is leading a transformational change at the company. In this Jan. 29, 2014 aerial file photo, abandoned cars at I-75 headed northbound near the Chattahoochee River overpass are piled up in the median of the ice-covered interstate after a winter snow storm, in Atlanta. A winter storm watch goes into effect at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, for Atlanta, a city known for its ability to grind to a halt even in relatively light snowfalls. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File) MOULTRIE [mdash] Gary Ray Riggins, age 67 of Colquitt County died Monday June 14, 2021 at his home surrounded by family Celebrations of Life Services are being planned and will be announced later Gary was born September 17, 1953 in Moultrie Ga. to the late Curtis R. and Martha Latrail Holmes For centuries, people have relied on maps to figure out where they are and where theyre going. But todays digital maps seemingly more precise than ever arent always as dependable as they appear. Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer, third from right, was a guest and speaker at the Jan. 29, 2019, meeting of the Lorain City School Board. Ritenauer encouraged the group to invite school district CEO David Hardy Jr. and the Lorain Academic Distress Commission to a joint meeting. In the last few years, the city of Elyria has and will continue to transform in multiple areas, according to Mayor Holly Brinda. Several of our venues are going to have live music, maybe some Celtic-inspired bands. Were also working with our restaurants to do some chefs specials like fish and chips or corned beef and hash to celebrate the St. Patricks Day evening. Its really cool. Were trying to join businesses together in celebration of this observed holiday and have a little fun with it, as well. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Overmountain Cycles also will host a special bike ride around downtown at 6 p.m. Those who participate will be encouraged to dress themselves in and decorate their bicycles with St. Patricks Day attire. A prize will go to the best-dressed rider. Another new addition to this crawl will be the service of the Ridgeline Trolley. It will operate a loop around downtown from 5-8 p.m. during the event. Its just an easier way. Its going to be totally free in order for you to get from one end of downtown to another, Nelson said. For example, if you were wanting to go from SideTracked to Hamilton Williams or even to the opposite end downtown to Fonta Flora Brewery, youre looking at a pretty good walk maybe 10 minutes or so. Thats certainly fine, but how much more fun would it be to jump on a trolley and ride that instead? We generated some excitement with that, Probst said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Chartwells also has experimented with some chicken sandwich options, including crispy, grilled, Nashville hot and teriyaki. The sandwich options recently were featured in a weeklong promotion in the high schools the week before exams. Last week, the sandwiches were available in middle schools and will be tested in elementary schools soon, Probst said. Theyre definitely a program-driver for us, Probst said, noting that the slightly higher cost of the chicken patties likely will limit service of the sandwiches to once per month in elementary and middle schools. At local elementary schools, recent Tasty Tuesdays have featured taste tests of local produce items, including acorn squash in November, carnival cauliflower in December and Cara Cara oranges this month. Next up, Probst said, will be yam chips. BCPS and Chartwells also recently learned it earned second place in the N.C. Crunch contest. BCPS entered its program where it promoted North Carolina apples during Farm to School Month in October. According to information from BCPS, the N.C. Farm to School Cooperative, a group of farmers who sell produce to N.C. schools through the N.C. Farm to School program, sponsored the contest. As markets around the world continue to splutter, there is one industry that continues to grow. Once the domain of the well-heeled and retired, this industry has transformed itself. Over the past couple of decades, it has attracted a much younger crowd. Sure enough, you might still come across the well to do. The modern-day Thurston Howell IIIs and their lovely wives, Lovey. But what you will more likely see are families on their annual vacation. Sitting in the sun, having a drink, while the kids play in the pool. This industry is cruising. It is part of the much larger travel market. And within the travel market, it is increasing its share of the spoils. A report by the cruise industry association (CLIA) shows that Australasia makes up over 5% of the cruise market globally. That makes Australasia the fourth largest in cruise numbers, of the 26 million who cruise worldwide each year. The CLIA report states: Since 2008, passenger numbers have risen by an average of 18.5 per cent a year, with the market more than quadrupling in the past ten years and more than tripling since 2010. You can see why the big international cruise lines are sending more ships our way. But it is not just growth in the Australian market. All up, cruise lines are building over 100 new ships. Costing $58 billion in total, they will go into service over the next decade. These ships are getting bigger, carrying more passengers than ever. The biggest player in the market is Carnival. Its most recent launch, the Vista, has the capacity for almost 4,000 guests. Thats more than double that of other ships in its fleet. Free report: Aussie stock picker, Sam Volkering (with gains as high as 1,431% in the last 18 months) reveals what he believes are his next four big potential winners. Cruises bringing large numbers of tourists to our shores While plenty of Australians are spending big to cruise outside Australia, it is also bringing large numbers of tourists to our shores. So much so that existing terminals cannot keep up with demand. The Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney alone took in a record 352 ships in the 201718 season. Up from 344 the previous year. Including the cruise terminal at White Bay, that represents 1.6 million visitors a year just through Sydney terminals. But its not just Sydney enjoying the boom. The Port Authority of NSW reported that both Newcastle and Eden enjoyed record years. For those travelling from outside their hometown, that means booking a night or two in a local hotel. Plus, a meal in a local restaurant. And for overseas visitors, a chance to add to their stay before flying home. All of this putting money into the economy. Of course, without suitable facilities, the biggest cruise ships cannot berth. That is why the NSW government is upgrading Edens port to take in bigger ships. Ships that are 300-plus metres long, now popular with the biggest cruise lines. Brisbane getting in on the action It is also why the cruise lines are getting involved in building ports. Such as Brisbane. The Port of Brisbane is building a new international terminal. In doing so, it is partnering up with Carnival. The $158 million project is due for completion in mid-2020. The authority estimates that it will add $5 billion to the Queensland economy over the 15-year period of the deal. It will also enable more tourists to visit islands off the coast of Queensland. Something that will help local tourism operators. While cruising continues to grow, it still has potential risks for operators. Moving those mega ships burns up a lot of energy. Fuel is the biggest expense. More so than labour costs of the 1,000-plus crew on each vessel. And more than all that food guests shovel down their throats. Travel is also reliant on the economy. Less people travel when the economy takes a hit. But with the IMF predicting another year of over 3.5% growth globally, you can expect to see even more cruise ships landing in Australia. Regards, Matt Hibbard, Editor, Options Trader Free Report: Three reasons you should watch gold carefully. Read the free report now. The five-week US government shutdown subtracted $11 billion from the economy, about twice the amount President Donald Trump sought to fund a border wall, a congressional body said Monday. However, all but $3 billion, or 0.02 percent of GDP, will eventually recovered as the government resumes operations, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said in a report. "Underlying those effects on the overall economy are much more significant effects on individual businesses and workers," the report said. "Some of those private-sector entities will never recoup that lost income." Growth in subsequent quarters this year should see a small bounce, compensating for the losses in the final quarter of 2018 and the start of 2019, the report said. The partial shutdown, the longest in US history, left some 800,000 federal workers either working without pay or furloughed although they are due to receive back pay this week. With public services including aviation safety beginning to buckle under the strain of withheld wages, Trump agreed Friday to reopen the federal government temporarily, with no additional funding for the wall. The border wall to stem illegal immigration was a signature pledge from his 2016 campaign. Funding for the government is due to run out by mid-February and Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Sunday that the odds were below 50 percent that lawmakers would reach a deal on border security he would find acceptable. The border wall to stem illegal immigration was a signature pledge from his 2016 campaign. The United States and the Taliban have sketched the outlines for an eventual peace accord to end 17 years of war in Afghanistan, a US special envoy said on Monday, but there was no sign the insurgent group had accepted key US demands. "We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times in an interview in Kabul after six days of talks with the Taliban. "The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals." However, there was no sign that the Taliban had agreed to US demands such as that they commit to a ceasefire before the withdrawal of US troops or that they engage in direct talks with the US-backed government in Kabul, analysts said. "While the progress in Doha has been the most significant to date, reaching a final agreement is far from guaranteed, as (these) two major sticking points could still derail the process," Ahmad Majidyar, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, wrote on the Washington thinktank's website. Another US official in Kabul, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described "significant progress" in the talks in Qatar but said more negotiations were needed on the issue of the timing of the ceasefire, which looms as a sticking point in the next round of talks on Feb. 25. Taliban negotiators want a full withdrawal before a ceasefire but the Americans want it the other way around, the official said. "Of course we don't seek a permanent military presence in Afghanistan," the official said. "Our goal is to help bring peace in Afghanistan and we would like a future partnership, newly defined with a post-peace government," the official said. "We would like to leave a good legacy." US forces in 2001 toppled the country's hardline Islamic leaders for harbouring the al Qaeda militants responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks that killed about 3,000 people. A senior Trump administration official who also spoke on condition of anonymity said the Taliban would have to agree to talk to the government in Kabul to make a lasting deal. "The President has made clear that his priority is ending the war in Afghanistan with an agreement that ensures the country never again serves as a base for terrorists to attack the US or any other country," the official said. "To achieve such an agreement, the Taliban must engage with other Afghans and all sides must agree to resolve their differences through peaceful means," he added. Taliban officials have repeatedly refused to talk to the Afghan government, which they regard as a US puppet, throwing into question how effective a peace deal could be. The Taliban do want, however, to join an interim government post-deal. NO PLANS YET Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters outside the Pentagon he had been briefed on the talks but had not been asked to plan for a full withdrawal of troops. "It's encouraging," Shanahan said of the talks. Asked whether he had been tasked with planning a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, he said: "I have not." Despite the presence of US-led foreign forces training, advising and assisting their Afghan counterparts, the Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan and stage near-daily attacks against the government and its security forces. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said last week that 45,000 members of the country's security forces had been killed since he took office in 2014. A US official said in December that President Donald Trump was planning to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, the latest sign of his thinning patience with America's longest war and overseas military interventions. Trump last month decided to pull US troops out of Syria as well. Both US officials and the Taliban hailed progress after the talks with Khalilzad ended on Saturday. Taliban sources told Reuters that the United States had agreed to withdraw foreign troops within 18 months of the signing of a pact but the US official said a timeline was not discussed. The US troops in Afghanistan are part of a NATO-led mission and a US counter-terrorism mission largely directed at groups such as Islamic State and al Qaeda. Some 8,000 troops from 38 other countries are participating in the operation, known as Resolute Support. Representational picture Poignant tales of compassion of Jews finding refuge in India in the midst of the horror of the Holocaust were recounted as the UN commemorated the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust that occurred during the Second World War. It commemorates the genocide that resulted in the death of an estimated 6 million Jews. India's Permanent Mission to the UN co-hosted with B'nai B'rith International a special event 'India: A Distant Haven during the Holocaust' here on January 28 as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over the centuries-old hatred being "not only still strong", but also "getting worse". India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said the commemoration was an opportunity to recount the moving tales of compassion amid the tragedies of the Holocaust, and to promote the civilisational values that are key to preventing such crimes against humanity from occurring ever again. He told the gathering that there were numerous stories of solace offered in India to those escaping troubling times in Europe. He recounted the legendary story of the Maharaja of Nawanagar, who against all odds, took personal responsibility to provide home to around one thousand Polish children. They travelled all the way to Gujarat in India to escape the ravages of the World War II in their homeland. During the ensuing panel discussion, noted scholar, author and archivist Kenneth Robbins shared how some of the Jewish faith found refuge in India in the midst of horror and gloom of the Holocaust. Stephen Tauber, a Holocaust survivor whose family fled from Austria to India, also shared his family's stories. "While the world was at war, India was engaged in its own struggle for freedom from colonial rule. Yet, even during these difficult times, the people of India welcomed visitors from overseas who were escaping uncertainties in their homelands," Akbaruddin said. He noted that the link between India and people of Jewish faith went back thousands of years in history when the first Jews landed on India's south-western coast nearly two thousand years ago and over the decades have greatly contributed in the fields of entrepreneurship, art, architecture and culture. Akbaruddin pointed out that India had rarely witnessed anti-semitism except during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks when Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed 16s people including six persons at the Chabad House in Mumbai. "As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Genocide Convention this year, we watch with concern that globally the forces of anti-semitism, racial and religious intolerance and xenophobia are posing new challenges to global values," he said. "Examples of compassion and solidarity serve as beacons of hope and inspiration in troubled times. Stories of those who have witnessed horror in unimaginable ways and have triumphed, help in building across borders and generations, confidence and solidarity for the cherished values of pluralism and peaceful co-existence," he added. During the panel discussion, Robbins spoke about minorities' contribution to Indian society, and India's history of religious tolerance. He also outlined the movement of Jews to India during different periods of history. Tauber recalled a more personal story of his own family that had left Vienna and travelled to India on an Italian ship. His family worked to maintain its Jewish traditions in a tiny community. In 1941, the family settled permanently in the United States. "Ken is a font of knowledge about India, and particularly the intersections between Indians and Jews...Ken's work epitomises the phrase 'labor of love', " B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel Mariaschin said. Mariaschin thanked Tauber for sharing his story, noting "that you and your family were fortunate to find rescue in India and ultimately a new life here in the United States". President of B'nai B'rith International, oldest Jewish service organization in the world, Charles Kaufman emphasised the UN's role in fighting hatred and violence. A co-ordinated global cyber attack, spread through malicious email, could cause economic damages anywhere between $85 billion and $193 billion, a hypothetical scenario developed as a stress test for risk management showed. Insurance claims after such an attack would range from business interruption and cyber extortion to incident response costs, the report jointly produced by insurance market Lloyd's of London and Aon said on January 29. Total claims paid by the insurance sector in this scenario is estimated to be between $10 billion and $27 billion, based on policy limits ranging from $500,000 to $200 million. The stark difference between insured and economic loss estimates highlights the extent of underinsurance, in case of such an attack, the stress test showed. An attack could affect several sectors globally, with the largest losses in retail, healthcare, manufacturing and banking fields. Regional economies that are more service dominated, especially the United States and Europe, would suffer more and are vulnerable to higher direct losses, the report said. Cyber attacks have been in focus after a virus spread from Ukraine to wreak havoc around the globe in 2017, crippling thousands of computers, disrupting ports from Mumbai to Los Angeles and even halting production at a chocolate factory in Australia. Governments are increasingly warning against the risks private businesses face from such attacks, both those carried out by foreign governments and financially motivated criminals. For example, Britain's National Cyber Security Centre announced on January 25 it was investigating a large-scale Domain Name System (DNS) hijacking campaign that hit governments and commercial organisations across the world. In another recent incident, French engineering consultancy Altran Technologies was the target of a cyber attack that hit its operations in some European countries. On a larger scale, personal data and documents from hundreds of German politicians and public figures, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, were published online in what appears to be one of Germany's most far-reaching data breaches. The report was also co-produced by MSIG, SCOR TransRe and Cyber Risk Management (CyRiM). The captain of a Bangladeshi aeroplane "seemed to have an emotional breakdown" before a deadly crash last March, Nepali investigators said in a final report on the Himalayan nation's worst aviation disaster in 26 years. They blamed the crew's loss of situational awareness for the crash of the US-Bangla Airlines flight to the Nepali capital from Dhaka that caught fire on landing in Kathmandu, killing 51 of the 71 people aboard. "The pilot thought he could manoeuvre the aircraft and land. But he could not," panel official Buddhisagar Lamichhane, told Reuters on January 28, referring to the captain. The captain was under stress and emotionally disturbed because he felt that a female colleague who was not on board the flight had questioned his reputation as a good instructor, Nepals Accident Investigation Commission said in the report. "This, together with the failure on the part of both the crew to follow the standard operating procedure at the critical stage of the flight, contributed to the loss of situational awareness," the investigators said in their report. This lack of awareness meant the crew did not realise the deviation of the aircraft, a Bombardier Inc Q400 turboprop, from its intended path, which in turn meant they could not sight the runway, they added. Having missed the runway, the crew was flying very low north of it in an incorrect position near hilly and mountainous terrain around the airport, it said. "Finally, when the crew sighted the runway, they were very low and too close to (it) and not properly aligned," added the investigators, saying the captain should have halted the landing and initiated a go-around. The plane skidded off the runway on to surrounding grass, quickly catching fire. Both pilots were among those killed. US-Bangla Airlines CEO Imran Asif said in a statement that the report focused almost entirely on the captain's state of mind and his distress over personal matters but disappointingly avoided recognising "serious lapses" on the part of air traffic control. The Nepali investigators found that decisions by air traffic controllers, such as not calling for the aircraft to carry out a missed approach, were among the accident's contributing factors, but not the cause. 'NOT DONE PROPERLY' The flight's captain, aged 52, was released in 1993 from the Bangladesh's air force because he suffered from depression but was later declared fit to fly civilian aircraft, the report said, with recent medical reports mentioning no symptoms. Citing the voice recorder and witness accounts of passengers, the report said the captain was smoking in the cockpit during the flight and "engaged in unnecessary, unprofessional and lengthy conversationeven in the critical phase", violating the norm of maintaining a sterile cockpit. He shared the cockpit with a female first officer, 25, who had a total of just 390 hours of flying experience and had never landed at Kathmandu as crew, the report said, contradicting a US-Bangla spokesman who last year said she had made landings there before. Landing in Kathmandu, which is surrounded by hills, is considered difficult. In 1992, all 167 on board a Pakistan International Airlines aeroplane were killed when it flew into a hill as it tried to land. Bangladeshi investigators said on January 28 the March crash could have been averted if air traffic controllers at Kathmandu had acted properly. "Nepal airport is risky due to hills," Air Vice Marshal Naim Hassan, chairman of the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, told reporters. "When the pilot missed the approach, it was the air traffic controllers' responsibility to guide him. But it was not done properly." On the US-Bangla flight, the disparity in experience and added authority of the captain probably deterred the first officer from being more assertive during significant phases such as the final approach and landing, the investigators said. They recommended that the airline emphasise proper crew resource management and set up a mechanism to monitor and assess the mental status of crew regarding professional development, financial, personal and psychological issues. Pilot mental health was spotlighted by a 2015 crash in Europe after a Germanwings first officer deliberately flew a jet into a mountainside. Last year, the European Commission adopted new rules on the mental health of pilots, for the first time requiring airlines to do a psychological assessment before hiring them. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a national address regarding the Rohingya crisis in Naypyitaw, Myanmar September 19, 2017 in this still image taken from video. REUTERS/via Reuters TV - RC13BB0FA0C0 Myanmar's ruling party was set on January 29 to propose changes to the constitution, a member of parliament and a party source said, its biggest challenge in nearly three years to the military's power over politics as enshrined in the charter. The proposal could add to tension between the military and Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), which have been at loggerheads over the charter since the party's historic landslide election win in 2015. The surprise bid to reform the constitution comes as both civilian and military leaders face growing international pressure over an army crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in 2017 that sent about 730,000 people fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh. "They are going to submit the proposal today," Ye Htut, an NLD member of the upper house, for the northern region of Sagaing, told Reuters. "It is the election promise." The 2008 charter, drafted during military rule, guarantees the army a quarter of seats in the two houses of parliament. Constitutional changes require votes of more than 75 percent, giving the army an effective veto. The constitution also blocks Suu Kyi from becoming president as it contains a prohibition on presidential candidates with foreign spouses or children. Suu Kyi had two sons with her late British academic husband. For nearly three years, she has ruled from "above the president" by creating a new position of State Counsellor. The constitution also gives military control of key security ministries, including defence and home affairs. Nobel Peace laureate Suu Kyi has long spoken of her aim to reform the constitution as part of a democratic transition after 50 years of strict military rule. "The amendment of the constitution was one of the goals of our government," she said during a forum in Singapore in August. "The completion of our democratic transition must necessarily involve the completion of a truly democratic constitution." But the military has for decades seen itself as the only institution capable of preventing the disintegration of the ethnically diverse country, and has stressed the importance of its constitutional oversight of the political system. An adviser to Suu Kyi who openly called for reforms to reduce the military's role, Ko Ni, was shot dead in broad daylight at the Yangon International Airport exactly two years ago, on Jananuary 29, 2017. While no evidence has emerged that his call for constitutional reform led directly to his murder, or that active military officials ordered the killing, his death cast a pall over reform efforts. It was not clear what provisions of the constitution the NLD's proposal would target or whether the party had secured the buy-in from the military necessary to pass any such measure. In the past, some members of Suu Kyi's party have expressed their desire to amend Article 436, which gives the military the effective veto over constitutional reform. At a short meeting with its MPs on January 28, the party's central executive panel briefed them on the plans for January 29 vote, said Ye Htut, who attended the gathering. A second party source confirmed the amendment motion was to be presented on January 29. Party spokesman Myo Nyunt declined to comment. Reuters was unable to seek comment from the parliamentary office. The parliamentary agenda reviewed by Reuters does not show the proposal, but political analyst Yan Myo Thein said it was possible to submit a new one at the end of the session, with the speaker's approval, or call an afternoon session to submit it. Intel Corp will receive a grant of about a billion dollars from the Israeli government for its planned, record-setting investment to expand its operations in the country, Israel's finance minister said on January 29. "The moment the company comes to Israel and invests $10 billion, and it receives a grant of 9 percent, that means 91 percent of it stays here," Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said in an interview on Army Radio. "There are always such discounts, there are always incentives," he said. Kahlon said on January 28 he was informed by the chipmaker, already one of the biggest employers and exporters in Israel, where many of its new technologies are developed, would invest about 40 billion shekels ($11 billion) on a new factory. California-based Intel said it will submit a business plan "for continued investment in the company's Kiryat Gat manufacturing site," in central Israel, but said it was not disclosing details, including the schedule, costs and technologies. ($1 = 3.6745 shekels) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he has fired another government official for corruption. He, however, refused to name the official. "Marami na ako napatanggal, cabinet members about six or seven, marami na ho ako sabi ko mag-resign ka na lang.. may bago lang. Sinabi ko sa kanya umalis ka na lang, do not try to explain, do not try to justify your stay because.. 'yun ang usapan natin, dyan ako hindi pwede corruption," Duterte said in his speech at the groundbreaking of a hospital in Malabon City. [Translator: I have dismissed a lot of officials, about six or seven cabinet members. I have told many officials to just resign. There's a new one. I said just leave, do not try to explain, do not try to justify because that's what we have talked about.] The President last year had dismissed several high-ranking officials over corruption allegations, some of them were replaced by former military men. Last week, he threatened to sack officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) if they continue to work slowly. He lamented the alleged slow progress in the land conversions under the agency. "So kung nakikinig sila ngayon diyan sa conversion office ng DAR, better prepare because you're fired. Kung hindi kayo mag-ano, kasuhan ko kayo," he said in his speech at the annual assembly of the Provincial Union of Leaders Against Illegality in Quezon province. [Translation: So if they're listening now at the conversion office of DAR, better prepare because you're fired. If you don't improve, I'll sue you.] Intel Corp will receive a grant of about $1 billion from the Israeli government for its latest investment plan to expand its chip manufacturing operations in the country, Israel's finance minister said on Tuesday. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said late on Monday he was informed by the chip giant, already one of the biggest employers and exporters in Israel where many of its new technologies are developed, that it would invest about 40 billion shekels ($11 billion) in a new factory. California-based Intel said it would submit a business plan "for continued investment in the companys Kiryat Gat manufacturing site" in central Israel, but did not disclose details, including the schedule, costs and technologies. "The moment the company comes to Israel and invests $10 billion, and it receives a grant of 9 percent, that means 91 percent of it stays here," Kahlon said in an interview on Army Radio. "There are always such discounts, there are always incentives." This is in addition to a 700 million shekel grant the company will get in return for a separate $5 billion expansion of its production operations in Israel. Last month Intel said it had begun plans for site expansion projects in Ireland, Israel and at its U.S. plant in Oregon starting in 2019 as it looks to diversify its products for a broader set of customers, such as auto safety and wireless connections for mobile phones. Kahlon's spokesman told Reuters the government and Intel had agreed on the size of the grant after talks regarding the new factory had intensified over the past year. He noted that grants were crucial for Israel to compete with for investment with countries such as Ireland. The expansion is expected to add 1,000 new employees to Intel's workforce of nearly 13,000 in Israel, the spokesman said. Economy Minister Eli Cohen said it was the biggest investment of its kind ever in the country, adding it would "strengthen the economy and employment in Israel". Intel's exports from Israel rose by $300 million in 2018 to $4 billion, while it bought $1.7 billion of products from local companies. The company, along with Israel Chemicals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, accounts for close to half of Israel's industrial exports. Answer: Deutsche Telekom (Image: Reuters) Deutsche Telekom said on January 29 it is reviewing its network equipment procurement plans after the United States moved to restrict China's Huawei Technologies from accessing its next-generation mobile networks. Huawei is at the centre of a diplomatic row after US officials briefed Western allies that Huawei's network equipment may contain "back doors" which enable cyber espionage. Huawei says such concerns are unfounded. "Deutsche Telekom takes the global debate surrounding the security of Chinese network equipment very seriously. We have a multi-vendor strategy for network equipment. We are nonetheless reassessing our procurement strategy," Telekom said on January 29. Bloomberg, citing an internal assessment, on January 29 reported that Deutsche Telekom feared Europe could fall behind in the race to install the next generation of wireless networks if governments ban Huawei. Tensions between the US authorities and Huawei increased after the Justice Department announced criminal charges against the company and its chief financial officer. Huawei, once a smaller rival of Nordic firms Nokia and Ericsson, is now a $93 billion global market leader in an industry where there is no US champion. The German government is debating whether to follow the United States and allies like Australia in restricting China's Huawei Technologies from accessing its next-generation mobile networks on national-security grounds. Earlier this month, Washington lawmakers introduced bills seeking to ban the sale of US chips or other components to Huawei, ZTE Corp or other Chinese telecommunications companies that violate US sanctions or export control laws. China is fast tracking 5G network in the country to use the next generation telecom technology amidst escalating row with the US over the detention of Chinese telecom giant Huawei's Chief Financial Officer in Canada on charges of financial fraud. China has already launched the 5G service in Guangzhou airport, opened its first 5G base station for the Qinghai Tibet plateau region and announced the road trials of a 5G autopilot bus without a driver, driver cabin or a driving wheel. The 5G bus completed road trials in Southwest China's Chongqing, marking the city's first driverless bus trial in a 5G network environment, state-run reported here on Tuesday. The tests were carried out in a 5G network-covered area, where the network helps the bus adjust speed, and detect obstacles and traffic lights. Powered by electricity, the bus can accommodate 12 passengers and run at a maximum of 20 km per hour. The technology was developed by Chongqing Mobile, Huawei, Southeast University and French company EasyMile, and will be applied in various areas, such as campuses, airports and scenic spots, the China Daily reported. Chinese officials say the country would like to be ahead of the US and other nations to develop 5G network to capture the markets abroad. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's planning body, on Tuesday said it will speed up the process to grant 5G commercial licences to upgrade information consumption in the country. The NDRC would promote high-quality video and support the launch of 4,000 television channels across China to enrich content as well as to subsidise super high-definition TV sets, virtual reality and augmented reality devices in certain regions, it said. The move is part of China's broader effort to boost domestic consumption amid slowing economic growth. It also comes at a time when Huawei, which leads China's bid to become the leading supplier of advanced telecom equipment to the world's mobile carriers, faces growing pressure from the US, where some politicians consider it an arm of the Chinese government, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The US on Monday charged Huawei of trying to steal trade secrets from a telecom rival. The US also claimed that the Chinese smartphone and network gear maker worked to skirt US sanctions on Iran. The US Justice Department also charged Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou with financial fraud. Meng was arrested in Canada in December, and the US is looking to extradite her. Meng, the daughter of the company's founder, is currently out on bail in Canada. Her case has sparked a major crisis between Ottawa and Beijing. As the row over Huawei escalated, major suppliers of US technology giant Apple, the Foxconn Technology Group and Pegatron Corp are reportedly accelerating efforts to build new production plants in Southeast Asia and India, the China Daily reported. It is part of their efforts to diversify their supply chain away from the Chinese mainland and to save costs, it said. Foxconn, the world's biggest electronics contract manufacturer and a key Apple supplier, in a recent regulatory filings said it has invested USD 213.5 million in an Indian subsidiary and acquired land use rights in Vietnam, according to a Financial Times report. Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes smiles as he enters the Russian Defense Ministry followed by his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov in Moscow, January 17, 2003. Ivanov said that Indian and Russian relations were entering the level of strategic partnership. REUTERS/Pool/Maxim Marmur CVI/WS - RP3DRIGZGHAA George Fernandes, the former Defence Minister of India passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88 in New Delhi. Fernandes was known as a rebel leader for taking on Indira Gandhi during the emergency era. Born on July 3, 1930, in a Catholic family from Mangalore, George was named after the King, George V by his mother due to the same birthdate. During his childhood, he was sent to a seminary to be trained as a Catholic Priest. However, at the age of 18, he left Mangalore and came to Mumbai (then Bombay) in search of a job. He was highly inspired by socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia following which he joined the Socialist Party and got involved with the trade union movement. Fernandes then chose to lead the fight for the rights of industrial labourers working in hotels. He then participated in the 1967 elections and defeated Congress leader SK Patil in parliamentary elections. Following his victory, Fernandes was called as the giant killer. Despite his newfound success, he still worked for the labour unions and in 1974, Fernandes, who was the president of All India Railwaymens Federation (AIRF), called for a nationwide strike with the union. The strike was called citing poor working conditions and continued for 20 days. He was also known as the rebel leader as he openly opposed Indira Gandhi during the emergency which was declared between 1975-77. Fernandes was arrested by the government in 1976, for allegedly blowing up the railway bridges, later called as the Baroda Dynamite Conspiracy. He fought the 1977 Lok Sabha elections as he continued spending time in jail. Post elections, he came in victorious from Muzaffarpur constituency in Bihar. The then Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai, assigned Fernandes as the head of Industry Ministry, and he immediately forced Coca-Cola and IBM to exit as they refused to dilute their stake in their Indian partners. He started losing credibility after the Janata Party split. Fernandes then formed the Samata Party in 1994 and later after the partys alliance with BJP, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee assigned Fernandes as the Defence Minister post their victory in 1998. He overlooked the Pokhran nuclear test and the Kargil War. After the Kargil war, his name was involved in the Coffin scam which resulted in the end of his term as the defence minister in 2004. He was also accused of being involved in two other cases Barak Missile scandal and Operation West End. George Fernandes was last elected as a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010. He had won nine Lok Sabha elections between 1967-2004. Fernandes also authored three books What Ails the Socialists, Railway Strike of 1974 and George Fernandes Speaks. The Beating Retreat ceremony is held on January 29 every year to culminate the four-day long Republic Day celebrations. (Image: PIB, Twitter) The ceremony includes performances by bands of three military wings, viz. the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. (Image: PIB, Twitter) The ceremony is attended by the President, the Prime Minister and other high-level government dignitaries. (Image: PIB, Twitter) Of the 27 tunes played by the bands this year, 19 were composed by Indian musicians. (Image: AIR, Twitter) This year also saw participation of 15 bands each from Military and Pipes and drums from regimental and battalion centres. (Image: DD Nation, Twitter) New Delhi: New Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora takes charge in his office in New Delhi, Sunday, Dec 2, 2018. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav) (PTI12_2_2018_000011B) The Election Commission of India (ECI) is seeking to amend Section 126 of the Representation of People Act which bars electronic media from airing political advertisements during the 'silent period' before polls, The Economic Times has reported. The ECI had, in 2015, introduced rules which made it mandatory for political parties to seek pre-certification before publishing ads in newspapers 48 hours before polls. However, according to the report, the election body is now also taking into consideration social media platforms, which do not come under the purview of the law. The report states that ECI has written to the law ministry, asking it to extend the provisions under Section 126 to digital and print media platforms as well. If accepted, the amendment would ban all political advertisements on any platform 48 hours before the polls. An ECI-appointed committee has stated that an "anomalous situation exists" in Section 126 where print media receives "differential treatment" as compared to other media platforms. According to the report, the commission has pointed out that the amendment is necessary in order to provide a buffer period to voters on their choices before they vote. The commission, in its note to the law ministry, also stated how political parties had made use of print media in the prohibited period during the recent assembly elections. According to the report, the communication from the election body is a part of the ECI's overall effort to check the negative impact of media during elections, particularly keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In August last year, the commission had decided to ask all political parties its opinions regarding the issue. The poll panel had to use its constitutional powers to ban such newspaper advertisements on a case-by-case basis during the Bihar Assembly election in October-November 2015. Representative Image: Reuters Fair and reciprocal trade with China will boost the long-term economic growth not only of the United States, but also globally, the White House said announcing President Donald Trump will welcome an official delegation from China for a series of meetings later this week to discuss the trade relationship between the two countries. The meetings inside the White House complex would take place on January 30 and 31. Under President Trump's leadership, the United States economy is growing at record levels, putting the president in a strong position to fix long standing trade concerns with China. On Thursday, the president will meet with the (Chinese) vice premier who is here this week for continued talks, the White House Press Secretary Sarah sanders told reporters on January 28. Trump is committed to achieving greater market access for US exports and better treatment for US farmers, ranchers, and businesses. Fair and reciprocal trade with China will boost long-term economic growth not only of the United States, but globally, Sanders said. The Chinese delegation will be led by Vice Premier Liu He. The American delegation will be led by United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer. The US delegation will include Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Larry Kudlow, and Assistant to the President for Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro. According to the White House, the meetings are a part of the agreement reached between Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires on December 1, 2018, to engage in 90 days of negotiations with a view to achieve needed structural changes in China that affect trade between the two countries. "The two sides will discuss China's pledge to purchase a substantial amount of goods and services from the United States. Under this agreement, an official United States delegation travelled to Beijing for trade meetings from January 7 to 9, 2019, the White House said. According to the Treasury Secretary, significant progress has been made in the talks between the two countries on issues of trade. There's been significant movement and we're working through what are still very completed issues," he told reporters at the White House. Now let me just remind people, we do have another 30 days after this, so my expectation is that we'll make significant progress at these meetings, but I would just emphasize these are complicated issues. We have a timeline of how we've mapped out the 90 days, he said in response to a question. Mnuchin said that enforcement will definitely be one of the top topics with the Chinese. This is pretty obvious, but we want to make sure that we expect when we get a deal with that that deal will be enforced, he said. I would say in the conversations we had previously with them, there's been an acknowledgment with China that they understand that. Now, the details of how we do that are very complicated. That needs to be negotiated, but IP protection no more forced joint ventures and enforcement are three of the most important issues on the agenda, Mnuchin said. In an op-ed, Andy Puzder, former CEO of CKE Restaurants, said that Chinee economy is rapidly declining because of the policies of Trump. Impressed that the world's most famous mobile manufacturer doesn't own a single manufacturing plant, Rajiv Bajaj, the chief of Bajaj Auto, believes his companys job is to design products and not run factories. The 52-year old Managing Director of Bajaj Auto said, If Apple cannot have a single (manufacturing) plant and sources everything from Foxconn and can be such an outstanding company that we look up to it, why should Bajaj have any plant tomorrow? A manufacturing plant is a pain -- buying land, talk to the concerned authorities, get the labour in, manage them everyday, give them uniforms and arrange for their transport. This is nonsense. Our job is to design and create products and market them. Bajaj was interacting with mediapersons at an event held in New Delhi on the sidelines of launching a new promotional campaign: The worlds favourite Indian. The Pune-based company sells its products in more than 70 countries, exporting it from its mother plants based in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. There are people who have created big businesses without any real estate involvement. At Bajaj, now when we think new brands, new markets and new products we do not think of new plants, new CKD (completely knocked down) facilities or where the new plants should come up, Bajaj added. Bajajs youngest plant at Chakan near Pune has repeatedly seen its production disrupted following labour unrest. The reasons range from demands for wage revision, recognition of new unions, reinstatement of suspended workers to name a few. Such unrests have hit production volumes in the past, impacting domestic and exports sales. The company is currently the third largest manufacturer of two-wheelers (2Ws) and the largest manufacturer of three-wheelers (3Ws) in the country. It is also the biggest exporter of two- and three-wheelers, making up 40 percent of its total production. The Chakan plant manufactures products not just for the Bajaj brand (Pulsar, Avenger, Dominar) but also for KTM. It will soon create products for Husqvarna and Triumph brands as well. At Aurangabad, it produces passenger and commercial 3Ws as well as the quadricycle Qute. At Pantnagar in Uttarakhand, it builds 2Ws Platina and CT 100. Despite running its plants at high operating levels, Bajaj Auto has been reluctant to add new manufacturing plants unlike its peers such as Hero MotoCorp, Honda and Royal Enfield who have rapidly added new plants in the last few years. Bajaj Auto has been tasked to design and develop new products as part of the agreement it has with KTM and Triumph. The management is focusing on making India as the biggest source destination for mid-capacity bikes. Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May British Prime Minister Theresa May will on January 29 ask her Conservative lawmakers to send a message to Brussels that they would support her Brexit deal if a plan to avoid a hard border in Ireland is replaced. Parliament will on January 29 try to shape the future of the country's exit from the European Union by debating and voting on what changes they want May to seek to her Brexit deal. With exactly two months until Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, there is no agreement yet in London on how and even whether to leave the world's biggest trading bloc after May's plan was rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament. On January 29, lawmakers will debate and vote on May's next steps, with some hoping to gauge the level of support for alternatives to her deal and others even seeking to wrestle control of the process from government. It is not a rerun of the Jan. 15 vote on whether to approve May's Brexit deal, but a chance to discover what sort of changes would be required to win the support of parliament, so the prime minister can try to renegotiate the agreement in Brussels. At the centre of many pro-Brexit lawmakers' concerns is the Irish "backstop", an insurance policy aimed at preventing a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. It would require EU rules to apply in Northern Ireland if no other solutions can be agreed. Senior Conservative lawmaker Graham Brady has put forward a proposal, known as an amendment, calling for the backstop to be removed and replaced with "alternative arrangements". CLEAR MESSAGE On January 28, May told a private meeting of Conservative lawmakers that the government wanted them to support Brady's amendment, if it is chosen by the speaker of the House of Commons to be put to a vote. Strong support for the amendment will allow May to demonstrate to the EU that changes to the backstop could be enough to allow her to get parliamentary approval for a deal. "It allows the PM to give a very clear message about what the parliament wants and where the party is," Conservative Party Chairman Brandon Lewis said after the meeting. It is not certain to pass, as a group of prominent pro-Brexit Conservative lawmakers have said they do not plan to support it. The small Northern Irish Party which props up May's minority government but opposes her deal, has not said how it would vote. The EU's deputy chief negotiator Sabine Weyand said on January 28 that the bloc was "open to alternative arrangements" on the Irish border but that Brady's proposal did not spell out what they were. Lawmakers have proposed more than 10 different amendments to be debated on Tuesday but only a small number are likely to be chosen to be voted on. Voting will begin at 1900 GMT. Aside from Brady's proposal, the other key amendment expected to garner a large amount of support, possibly enough to be approved by parliament, is one put forward by opposition Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper. Cooper's amendment seeks to shift control of Brexit from May's government to parliament and if successful could have a profound effect, giving lawmakers who want to block, delay or renegotiate Brexit a possible legal route to do so. If a subsequent piece of legislation is passed, it would give May until Feb. 26 to get a deal approved by parliament or face a vote on whether to ask the EU to delay Britain's exit to avoid leaving without a deal on March 29. Viju Cherian Speaking at an event organised by the Hindu Jagrana Vedike at Kodagu in Karnataka on Sunday, January 27, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde said that Regardless of caste and religion, a hand that touches a Hindu girl should not exist. History is written like that. At the same function, Hedge also said that the Taj Mahal was a Hindu temple and that history has been distorted all these years. Hegde, a Member of Parliament from Uttara Kannada in Karnataka, is no stranger to controversy or communal statements. Earlier this month, after two women entered the temple at Sabarimala, in Kerala, Hegde reacted to the incident by saying that it's totally daylight rape on Hindu people. In early 2018, he compared anti-BJP parties to monkeys and donkeys. The same year in an interview to Mint he acknowledged that polarising the people on the lines of religion was a good thing. With shocking candour, and in the process giving democracy a new definition, he said: Polarising is real democracy. Polarising people for the right cause is democracy. That is politics. In 2017 he infamously said, in connection to the word secular in the Constitution, that we are here to change the Constitution Yet if he is still a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modis council of ministers, one would presume it is because the party sees a successful leader in him. After all he is not a rookie politician making controversial statements to attract attention. Hegde is a five-time MP from Uttara Kannada (formerly Kanara) and is the only non-Congress MP to have won from the communally-sensitive constituency. If one were to take a cursory glance at the recent assembly election results in Uttara Kannada region, such fear-mongering and polarisation seems to have worked in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Take the 2018 assembly election results: in the eight assembly constituencies that fall under the Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, the BJPs performance has improved. In 2013, only one BJP candidate won in these eight assembly seats. In 2018, thanks to a highly-polarised campaign, the BJP won five of the eight seats. This shows that polarisation is paying the BJP dividends. However, its not just the BJP, other political parties also indulge in different forms of communal realpolitik. The inactions of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in checking the growth of Right-wing groups in this region is an example. So, three questions arise from Hedges latest insensitive comment and incorrect history lesson at Kodagu. One, is this a glimpse at what could be the BJPs tone in the upcoming general elections? Two, if the BJP is trying this line in Karnataka, will similar tactics been adopted in other communally-sensitive parts of the country? Three, and most frightening is, if the BJP resorts to such regrettable measures, will other political parties, such as the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, the Trinamool Congress, etc., follow suit? For more Opinion pieces, click here Congress The Congress in Maharashtra Tuesday said the minimum income guarantee proposed by party president Rahul Gandhi will directly benefit at least two crore poor people in the state. Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh on Monday, Gandhi had announced that his party would ensure "minimum income guarantee" for every poor person in the country if it is voted to power in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Maharashtra Congress unit president Ashok Chavan Tuesday hailed the promised measure as "historic and revolutionary". "The Congress had enacted the MNREGA scheme which gave employment guarantee to poor people in rural areas. Congress never indulged in 'jumlas' (false promises). The party has always acted on its poll promises," he said while pointing out the case of Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where the grand old party implemented its poll promise of a farm loan waiver, immediately after assuming office in December last. Chavan, a former chief minister of Maharashtra, also claimed that 14 crore people came out of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category under the previous rule of the UPA government. "As per the state Economic Survey, two crore people are classified under the BPL category in Maharashtra. These people will directly benefit from the minimum income guarantee," he added. Chavan also alleged that the BJP-led state government has failed to fully implement the promised crop loan waiver. He also took a dig at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over approval of the Central grant for tackling drought in the state. The Centre has approved Rs 4714 crore for drought mitigation. "Fadnavis is still perusing the Rs 7000 crore drought assistance (being sought) from the Centre. It is only now that the Union government has assured assistance in two to three phases for the purpose," Chavan said. Meanwhile, leaders of the Congress and the NCP met Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar at his residence here Tuesday. The Congress and the NCP are trying to woo Ambedkar into their alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls, but has set a pre-condition that he should sever his ties with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM. However, the talks are stuck over the number of seats to be allocated to the outfit of the Dalit leader who wields influence in pockets of Vidarbha in east Maharashtra. When asked about what transpired at the meeting, Chavan only said, "Our talks are still on. There is no question of aligning with AIMIM," he said. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam were also present at the press conference. Meanwhile, Nirupam has hailed the proposed "minimum income guarantee" as a "game-changer" idea, which he said would help eradicate poverty. "This is avery novel idea to remove poverty and ensure that each and every Indian gets minimum income. While the Modi government is spending money on publicity and the Prime Minister's foreign tours, the Congress is planning ways to ensure minimum income for each and every Indian so that no one goes hungry in this country," he told PTI. Cuttack: BJP President Amit Shah addresses booth-level party workers conference, at Kulia in Cuttack, Tuesday, Jan 29, 2019. (PTI Photo) (PTI1_29_2019_000104B) BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday dubbed the proposed "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) of opposition parties as "helpless" and asserted that his party would retain power after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as only Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership could thwart any misadventure by Pakistan. In a stinging attack on the Congress, he blamed the four generations of the Gandhi family for poverty still prevailing in the country. "Four generations of Rahul baba's (Congress chief Rahul Gandhi) family were in power, but the country is still fighting against poverty. The BJP government is working for the welfare and development of the poor, tribals and Dalits," Shah told a BJP workers' meeting here in Odisha's Cuttack district. He claimed that the nation's mood was very clear to return Modi to power and appealed to the people of Odisha to be part of this by electing a large number of MPs of the saffron party from the state. Shah hit out at the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the state, saying Odisha remained backward, despite the flow of huge funds from the Centre, because of the inefficiency and inaction on the part of the Naveen Patnaik government. "The mahagathbandhan of opposition parties is devoid of a proper leadership, policies and agenda, but they claim that they can give a strong government. The country needs a majboot (strong) government and not a majboor (helpless) government...only the BJP is capable of providing such a government," he said. Stating that more than 26 political parties were solidly backing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Shah ridiculed the proposed opposition coalition ahead of the Lok Sabha election. The BJP chief asserted that the prime minister was thinking about the country's security round-the-clock and working sincerely to safeguard our frontiers, which the constituents of the proposed "mahagathbandhan" were incapable of doing. When terrorists sent by Pakistan had mounted an assault in Uri, Modi took revenge within 10 days by sending soldiers to carry out surgical strikes in their territory, he said, adding, "Only Narendra Modi is capable of doing it and not the Congress." Stating that Modi successfully elevated the image of India across the globe, Shah said when the prime minister spoke in an Indian language at the United Nations General Assembly, everyone in the country felt proud. He added that during his visits to several states, he had found that people were desperate to re-install Modi as the prime minister. "It makes the mandate of the 2019 polls very clear. The mood of the nation is clear. Narendra Modi will form the government again with an overwhelming majority," Shah said. The BJP chief also appealed to the people of Odisha to be part of the nation's mood and send more number of MPs of the saffron party to further bolster Modi's prospects. "We need the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the people of Odisha in the upcoming election," he said. Highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led government, Shah said more than eight crore toilets were constructed across the country, 13 crore women and infants were covered under the immunisation programme and a large number of poor were provided with houses and LPG connections since the NDA came to power in 2014. For the first time since Independence, the country saw a prime minister in Modi, who gifted the poor tribal people their due share in the earnings from mining operations, he said. While there was no provision for mineral area development during the previous Congress rule, the BJP-led government stopped the entire money from going to industries and ensured that a major share of it was used for development of these areas, Shah said, adding that Odisha received over Rs 4,000 crore under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). Seeking to motivate the party cadre in the state, he said the BJP was different from the other political parties. "It is a party of workers and not leaders. Different analyses have shown that the party performs well when its workers from down below work with dedication," Shah added. Noting that Modi's vision of a new India could only be established by the hard work of the party workers, he appealed to them not to rest until the BJP governments were formed both in Odisha and at the Centre. Shah's meeting covered four Lok Sabha segments -- Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara. The four Lok Sabha seats include 28 Assembly segments. The BJP president's visit was politically significant as it came four days after Rahul Gandhi addressed a public meeting at Tomando, near Bhubaneswar, on January 25. Shah's visit is also considered important as he came to Odisha after three back-to-back visits of Modi on December 24, January 5 and 15. The general election and the Odisha Assembly polls are expected to be held together this year. The BJP has been making serious efforts to bag a large number of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha and also to put an end to Patnaik's uninterrupted rule in the state since 2000. Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio The Nagaland Cabinet has rejected the citizenship bill, following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy, in a press release, said that taking into account the will and desire of all sections of the people, the Cabinet meeting on January 28 made it amply clear that the state government remains opposed and rejects the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month, has been an issue of concern in Nagaland and triggered protests across the northeastern region, they said. The people of the state have expressed their opposition to the bill in various forms in a democratic manner and the Cabinet discussed the bill at length on January 28, they said in the release. The Cabinet had earlier said that the CAB was not applicable to the state. The National Democratic People's Party-led People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in the state had said that Nagaland enjoys protection under provisions of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution and the Inner Line Permit (ILP), according to which, any person who acquires Indian citizenship will be ineligible for acquiring property or settling down in the state. The state government from the very beginning had expressed its opposition to the bill and conveyed the same to the Centre, they said. The PDA government has also assured the people that it will leave no stone unturned to constantly protect the rights and privileges of the people, the chief minister and the chief secretary said. Regional parties across the northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on January 29 to put forth their objections to the controversial bill. They will be joined by the JD(U), NDA's major ally in Bihar, and the AGP, which recently snapped ties with the BJP in Assam over the proposed legislation that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. NDPP president Chingwang Konyak will be attending the meeting, convened by Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma. shankarsinh_vaghela Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela was on Tuesday inducted into the Nationalist Congress Party here in the presence of its chief Sharad Pawar and made the party's national general secretary. Pawar said NCP will use Vaghela's political experience and mass following in Gujarat as well as for the party's national development. "When democracy is under threat in India under BJP rule, I have decided to join the NCP to fight against BJP and strengthen the hands of anti-BJP forces," Vaghela said after joining Pawar's party. When queried whether he would fight the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, Vaghela said it was for his party to decide. Speaking on the occasion, Pawar said, "I have asked Vaghela to not only concentrate on Gujarat but also contribute towards national development of NCP. He will be national general secretary of the party. In Gujarat we want to strengthen anti-BJP forces and by bringing in Vaghela, we have tried to do that." His entry into the NCP can lead to a three-corner fight on a few Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat in case the Congress and the NCP fail to reach an alliance against the ruling BJP, political observers said. All 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat are currently in the BJP's kitty. The NCP and Congress had fought 2017 Assembly polls separately with the former managing to win just one seat in the 182-member House. The 78-year-old Kshatriya strongman had left the Congress before the 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, after he and a few of his supporter MLAs voted against Ahmed Patel, the Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha, 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 of whom lost. The former Gujarat chief minister recently toured various places, including Delhi, declaring that he would work for the defeat of the BJP-led government at the Centre. Vaghela started his career with the BJP, but in 1996 engineered a split in the saffron party after he was denied chief ministership a year earlier in favour of Keshubhai Patel. Vaghela, in 1996, became the state's chief minister with outside support from the Congress. He also served as Union textile minister in the Manmohan Singh government at the Centre as well as Gujarat Congress president and leader of opposition in the state Assembly. Christian Michel_ Weeks after alleged Agusta Westland chopper deal middleman Christian Michel was extradited to India from the UAE, the Gulf country's envoy here said due to the closeness in security ties some times things that do not happen in a year, are done in one day. UAE Ambassador to India Ahmed Al Banna, at a press conference here, said the two countries have a robust security collaboration and have signed an agreement for it as well. Asked how the extradition of Michel was done within days after he had said in New Delhi that the process may take time, Al Banna said: "The very important strategic ties and the personal touch in the relationship...that sometimes makes things, that don't happen in one year, happen in one day." Michel, 57, was brought to India in December following his extradition by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with the chopper deal case. He is one of the three middlemen -- the two others Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa -- being probed by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in the case. Michel has denied the charges. The UAE envoy, in his remarks, asserted that India-UAE bilateral relations were at "its peak" with several high-level visits from both sides reflecting the closeness in ties. Asked Pakistan and the UAE signing a USD 3 billion bailout package and its impact on ties with India, Al Banna said: "Our relationship with India is not determined by our relationship with anybody else. India's relationship with the UAE is also not determined by their relationship with anybody else. We evaluate our relationship on our dealings." On the upgradation of the bilateral air services agreement, he said there were "some hiccups" and lobbying from Indian carriers, but asserted that the ultimate goal was public benifit. He said that the understanding reached during talks when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited the UAE last month was that there will be a new ground of negotiations "very soon". Asked why UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had not visited India, the envoy said he was not in good health, but stressed that India inviting the crown prince to be chief guest in 2017 had shown the importance attached to ties. Representative Image Amid the uncertainty over its alliance with the Shiv Sena, the BJP on January 29 said it wants to join hands with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party as they share a common ideology and can provide a steady government. "We do want the alliance with Sena only because of our common ideology. We can offer a steady government through such an alliance," BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde said here. "But if someone does not want to join hands, then we are ready to face the elections on our own," she said in response to a query. The Shiv Sena had on January 28 said it would always be the "big brother" in an alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra, and added that no such proposal had been received from the latter. However, countering the Sena's claim of being the "big brother", Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while speaking at the valedictory function of a day-long meeting of the state working committee of the BJP in Jalna, hit back saying his party was not seeking a tie-up desperately. Several BJP ministers in the state have stated earlier that an alliance with the Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP-led government, is needed to keep anti-Hindutva forces at bay. The Sena had said last January that it would go it alone in all future elections. Till 2014, the BJP and Sena, allies for long, had an understanding where the former contested a larger share of Lok Sabha seats and the latter contested a greater number of Assembly seats in Maharashtra. In the 2014 Assembly polls, which the two parties fought separately, the BJP won 122 seats against Sena's 63. The Sena later joined the government in the state as a junior partner. Cuttack: BJP President Amit Shah addresses booth-level party workers conference, at Kulia in Cuttack, Tuesday, Jan 29, 2019. (PTI Photo) (PTI1_29_2019_000104B) BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday alleged that the Congress and the BJD had failed to ensure Odisha's development and dubbed them two sides of the same coin. Shah's remarks came after Congress president Rahul Gandhi during a rally in Bhubaneswar last week accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of being remote-controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in regard to a chit fund scam. Promising a 'new Odisha' if the BJP is voted to power, he said: "You have given 19 years to the BJD and several years to the Congress. Just give five years to Narendra Modi who will make Odisha the number one state in the country." The BJP chief's visit follows three back-to-back tours of Prime Minister Modi to Odisha since December and is significant as the state assembly elections are likely to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a BJP workers rally here, Shah called upon the state's people to dislodge the 19-year-old Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in 2019 and alleged that it has failed to bring development in the state despite the flow of huge funds from the Centre. "The Congress and the BJD are like two sides of the same coin. Both the parties are responsible for the poverty and backwardness in the state," he said. Under the Congress-led UPA government, Odisha got Rs 79,000 crore after the 13th finance commission, while it received around Rs 2.11 lakh crore as per the 14th finance commission's recommendations. The total volume of funds received by Odisha during the BJP-led government for development was to the tune of Rs 5,13,000 crore, Shah claimed. Elaborating Modi's vision of "new Odisha", the BJP chief said under the vision no one should be left unemployed, all should get better medical facilities and no one remains below the poverty line. Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Patnaik, Shah alleged that the BJD government did not join the the Centre's Ayushman Bharat programme only due to "fear of Modi's popularity." The Odisha government refused to join the Ayushman Bharat scheme fearing that it might amplify the popularity of PM Modi in the state, he said, adding that the poor people are deprived of benefits of schemes of the Centre because of the narrow mindset of the Odisha government. Shah said people of Odisha are hard working and contribute towards development of others states. The BJP chief also criticised the state govenrment for not spending funds for the development of tribal areas under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for which it received more than Rs 4,000 crore. Central welfare schemes do not reach the villages due to inefficiency of the state government, he alleged. Shah also came down heavily on the BJD government over the state's alleged failure to protect the "Ratna Bhandar" (Treasury) of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri. "While the government has failed to secure the properties of the Lord, how can it improve the life of people," he said. While wooing the Odia "swabhiman" (pride), Shah said the people should elect an Odia speaking chief minister in the next elections. He was referring to past attacks by opposition parties in the state over Patnaik apparently lacking fluency in the Odia language. The BJP president also recalled the contribution of the Utkala Gauraba Madhusudan Das towards Odia language. Before proceeding to the BJP workers' meeting venue, Shah visited Satyabhamapur in Cuttack district, the birthplace of Madhusudan Das, and paid floral tributes at the statue of Madhu Babu. Former Defence Minister of India George Fernandes passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 88. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimers disease and was bedridden for a long time. While he was known as the rebel leader during the infamous emergency era who took on Indira Gandhi and called her a congenital liar, the former minister was also accused of being involved in a corruption case called as the Coffin Gate exposed by a sting operation by Tehelka, a news portal. Fernandes was the defence minister in the Vajpayee-led NDA government when India fought with -- and emerged victorious against -- Pakistan in the Kargil war in 1999. The government ordered to bring the bodies of martyred soldiers in a flag-draped aluminium casket. It signed a deal with US-based Buritrol and Baizarces for the coffins. A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report found many flaws in the procurement of the caskets, which were said to be of poor quality and exorbitantly priced. The size of the scam amounted to a purported Rs 24,000 crore. A charge sheet was filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a CBI court in Delhi. The CBI then registered a case against Fernandes, and several others under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 IPC (cheating) and the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act for alleged abuse of official position for personal gains. Following widespread protests from parties such as Congress, Fernandes resigned as defence minister during the course of the investigation. However, the CBI in its investigation could not prove Fernandes' involvement. The special CBI court eventually gave him a clean chit in 2013. I needed no clean chit... The aluminium casket purchase issue had never even come to my table during my tenure as defence minister... let alone my drinking the blood of martyrs, as the Congress accused me of doing, Fernandes later said after his acquittal. He maintained a low profile after the NDA's defeat in 2004. His last presence in the Rajya Sabha was during 2009-2010 following which he withdrew from public life due to ill health. Renault-Nissan Alliance India has signed an agreement with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to train its workforce in the Alliance plant in Chennai for future technologies. "Through this partnership, NSDC will assist the Renault-Nissan workforce develop competency standards in emerging automotive manufacturing technologies," a release said. According to the statement, Renault-Nissan Alliance will customise an engagement and skilling action plan along with NSDC's network for programme design, development and employment sustainability from the demand side. The Alliance will provide support through on-site labs, training, mentorship, internship and/or participation of expert domains. It will also lead and conduct seminars, workshops, and technical task forces, among others, to identify and propagate industry-relevant technology, knowledge and skill to support the National Skill Development Mission. The first year of partnership aims to get 10 per cent of employees trained to be able to support the growth and expansion plans of Renault-Nissan Alliance in India, the release said. Representative image Pakistan concluding a free trade agreement with India as well as the United States is difficult now and a deal with New Delhi will depend on improvement in political relations, a top adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan has said. The comments of Abdul Razak Dawood, Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Textile and Industry came on Monday in response to questions on the possibility of free trade agreements with the US and India. When asked to comment on the reported statement by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham that the US may offer Pakistan a Free Trade Agreement if Islamabad renders full support and cooperation to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table for a dialogue to end the 17-year brutal was in Afghanistan. "Pakistan is doing a great job.... But when we talk about the FTA with the United States it is very difficult as it will take five to seven years," Dawood said. Pakistan's ties with the US remains uneasy over Islamabad's failure to curb terrorist activities from its soil. When asked whether or not the government led by Prime Minister Khan expected improvement in free trade relations with India via the Wagah border, Dawood said: "It depends on the improvement in political relations between Pakistan and India. An FTA with India is not easy at the moment." Pakistan is yet to grant the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. Dawood said in November last year that there no immediate plans to grant MFN status to India. India has already granted the MFN status to all members of the World Trade Organisation, including Pakistan. Dawood's comments on Monday came a day after Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Information of Pakistan, said that the time is not right to hold a dialogue as the Indian leaders are preparing for the upcoming general elections. "It is useless to talk to them (India) now unless there is some stability. We will move forward once the new government is formed after the elections," Chaudhry said. "We have delayed our efforts to hold talks with India because we do not expect any big decision from the present Indian leadership," he said. The relations between India and Pakistan remains strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists and no bilateral talks talking place between them for more than two years. Non-profit journalism company Cobrapost held a press conference on January 29 in New Delhi, making allegations against promoters of Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFL). Cobrapost accused DHFL's primary promoters of having siphoned off more than Rs 31,000 crore public money. The siphoning off was primarily carried out through grants of loans and advances to shell companies and by using other means, Cobrapost claimed. Money was allegedly routed through the dubious companies and parked outside India, to acquire assets. The money has been used to buy shares/equity and other private assets in India, and abroad, including in countries like UK, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Sri Lanka and Mauritius, Cobrapost has alleged, according to the press release. Cobrapost has claimed that the shell companies and the destinations of the siphoned-off money are linked to or owned by promoters of DHFL -- the Wadhawans. It has alleged that around Rs 21,477 crore of DHFLs funds were transferred into multiple shell companies as loans and investments without any declarations to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Refuting the allegations, DHFL said the entity is regulated by the National Housing Bank (NHB) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), among other regulators. It termed Cobraposts intent a mischievous misadventure done with a mala fide intent to cause damage to the goodwill and reputation of DHFL and resulting in erosion in shareholder value. It stated: We understand, for the last several weeks, an anonymous note has been making the rounds with similar defamatory and scurrilous allegations. The real intent of this exercise appears to be to destabilise the company and the market equilibrium besides hampering our meeting the on-going obligations. We are also concerned about the timing and the holding of the press conference before the stock market close and days before the interim budget. Banks have disbursed Rs 37,000 crore to Dewans; SBI @TheOfficialSBI highest exposure at Rs 11,500 crore sanctioned loan, next: Bank of Baroda @bankofbaroda at Rs 5,000 crore sanctioned loan. Cobrapost (@cobrapost) January 29, 2019 It also said that Cobrapost did not give it adequate time to respond to the allegations. DHFL received an email at 8.44 am on January 29, with a follow-up reminder one hour later, seeking answers to 64 questions, many of which were laced with political innuendos. We are shocked and surprised to receive this inquiry, although Cobrapost had announced its press conference on January 25 to disclose an alleged financial scam. These questions should have been asked during their investigations and not on the day of the press conference, DHFL added. Image: Cobrapost Donations to BJP Cobrapost has accused that the non-banking financial corporation (NBFC) under-reported donations of around Rs 20 crore to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Cobrapost has claimed that donations of Rs 19.5 crore were given to the BJP between the financial years 201415 and 201617 by RKW Developers Pvt. Ltd., Skill Realtors Pvt. Ltd. and Darshan Developers Pvt. Ltd., respectively. All these donors are linked to the Wadhawans, it adds. RKW Developers did not show any donation in its balance sheets for the fiscal 201415. Similarly, Skill Realtors donated a sum of Rs 2 crore in 201415 but failed to show the same in its balance sheets, Cobrapost has further claimed. The expose is reportedly based on company records and other official documents. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. Shares of DHFL fell 8 percent as investors turned wary after the Cobrapost press conference. The final placements at management institutes are off to a flying start with Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), as well as the other management schools, receiving offers 20 percent higher than last year. Similar to last year, consulting firms are expected to be the top recruiters. The final placement process at business school begins in December, and is completed by March. These recruitment numbers are an indicator of the employment situation in the economy. Premier IIMs do not share salary numbers immediately but give out the names of companies who came for the placements and number of job offers. IIM Kozhikode The institute has already completed the final placements. IIM-K saw a 16 percent increase in the salaries compared to last year. Here, the majority offers were made by marquee consulting companies. The mean salary increased from Rs 17.8 lakh per annum to Rs 20.6 lakh in 2019. The top 50 percent of the students bagged an average CTC of Rs 23.73 lakh, a 13 percent increase from the last year. In a batch of 373 students, IIM-K witnessed 100 percent placements for the 366 students participating in the placements process with 390 offers from 107 recruiters. The major recruiters were Amazon, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, EY, Goldman Sachs, HUL, PwC and JPMorgan Chase & Co. This season, 21 new recruiters participated in the placement process. Bain & Co, Citrix, Exide, Everest Management Consulting, HSBC Securities, IQVIA, Of Business and State Street were a few of the new entrants. Debashis Chatterjee, professor and director, IIMK, said that they got top three consultancies like McKinsey & Co, BCG and Bain & Co. on day zero. All these companies together offered 117 job roles in the consulting domain, covering 30 percent of the batch. Other major companies participating in the process include American Express, Asian Paints, Bajaj Auto, Cipla, Citibank, Deutsche Bank, Flipkart, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Nestle, Samsung and Wipro. IMI New Delhi IMI New Delhi concluded its final placements for the 2017-2019 batch with all 303 students across the programmes securing offers from more than 102 recruiters. About 39 percent of the batch opted to pursue a career in the banking and financial services sector. Companies like HDFC Bank, HSBC, CitiBank, Axis Bank, Tata AIA, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, CRISIL, Tata Capital, IDFC Bank, DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance among others participated in the process. During the 2017-2019 placement season, 46 percent new recruiters participated in the final process. The institute said that Rs 20.75 lakh was the highest CTC offered this year in the manufacturing sector, while there was a 25 percent increase in the number of pre-placement offers (PPOs). This year saw 50 PPOs being offered to students. About 21 percent of the batch was offered an opportunity to pursue a career in the consulting sector by companies such as Bloomberg, Deloitte, EY India, KPMG, Nielsen, EYGDS, Gartner, GEP, Euromonitor International and Bain Capability Centre. Other major recruiters included Accenture, Capgemini, Infosys, Genpact, OYO, Wipro, Nestle, Shell, Sony Pictures Network India, Tata Motors Reckitt Benckiser and Zomato. SJMSOM, IIT Bombay At Shailesh J Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay the final placements were wrapped up within three days. The highest package was Rs 32.4 lakh and average cost-to-company (CTC) was over Rs 20 lakh. Last year, the average CTC was Rs 19.06 lakh, Here, 38 companies made 112 offers in the process. In addition to legacy recruiters, first-time recruiters included OYO, HSBC and Tata Global Beverages among others. The top 20 percent of the students had an average of Rs 25.24 lakh, and top 50 percent of students were offered a CTC of Rs 22.59 lakh. Strengthening of long-lasting relationships with our legacy recruiters, along with an influx of new recruiters, resulted in the batch students securing excellent packages, said S Bhargava, professor and head, SJMSOM. The other business schools including IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta will commence the process in the next few weeks. However, sources told Moneycontrol that consulting firms are expect to dominate the placements in terms of the number of job offers. We have received early confirmation from the large consulting firms. The average CTC on offer is also expected to see a 20 percent increase, said a placement official at one of the IIMs. Also, the number of pre-placement offers have seen an almost 25 percent increase among the large management institutes. These offers are given by companies where students did their internship in the summer of the previous year. Day zero at the placements at business schools continue to be dominated by the consulting firms. This refers to the first round of placements with students giving quick interviews at companies of their choice. Now, there is a move to make this a cohort-based system where companies of one sector could be clubbed into one slot. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Vinay Rajani The Nifty closed below its 20, 50, 100 and 200-days EMA support on Friday. Last week, Nifty formed a double top around 10,967 on a closing basis. The similar top was made earlier on Dec 19, 2018. The double top formation is considered to be a bearish development technically and the view remains bearish unless the double top is taken out on a closing basis. If we were to draw an upward sloping trend line adjoining the lows of October 26, 2018 (10,004) and December 11, 2018 (10,333), the breakdown is seen on the Nifty daily charts. By breaching 10,692, Nifty has also formed a lower bottom on its daily charts. This level also coincides with the support provided by the previous bottom on the daily chart at 10,692 in Nifty. Oscillators and indicators like RSI and MACD have also turned bearish on the daily charts. The immediate support for the Nifty is now seen at 10,335 while resistance for the same is shifted towards 10,800-10,900 zone on the upside. The momentum which was lacking for the last 2 months in the Nifty now seems to have emerged and the direction of the momentum is on the bearish side. The recent move in the index indicates chances of a sharp move in the short term and considering the same, options traders could execute long strangle by buying 10,400 Feb PUT and 10,800 Feb Call simultaneously in the Nifty. To conclude, Nifty has breached crucial support of 10,692 and is now heading for the downside target of 10,335. Traders should remain bearish with a stop loss of 10,900 on a closing basis. Here is a list of top three stocks which could give 8-11% return in next 1 month: Wipro: Buy| LTP: Rs 355| Target: Rs 385| Stop-Loss: Rs 335| Return 8% The stock has recently registered a new 52-week high with higher volumes. IT sector has been outperforming for the last one month. The stock has already posted its quarterly results which were good. The stock has broken out from its bullish Cup and handle pattern on the weekly charts. It is now trading above all important moving averages, indicating uptrend on all time frames. Considering the technical evidence discussed above, we recommend buying the stock between CMP and 340 for the target of 390 and keep a stop loss at 335 on a closing basis. Engineers India: Sell| LTP: Rs 114| Target: Rs 102| Stop-Loss: Rs 122 | Downside 11% The stock price has breached the crucial support of upward sloping trendline on the daily charts. It failed to surpass the crucial resistance of its 200-DMA during this month and turned south. The short-term moving averages have crossed medium-term moving averages on the downside, indicating a weak trend. Indicators like MACD and ADX also turned bearish on the short term charts. Considering the technical evidence discussed above, we recommend selling the stock at CMP and average it at 118, for the target of 102, and keep a stop loss at 122 on a closing basis. Eicher Motors: Sell| LTP: Rs 19,900| Target: Rs 18,400| Stop-Loss: Rs 21,000 | Downside 8% The auto sector has been underperforming for the last couple of months. The Nifty Auto index is on the verge of giving the lowest monthly close since March 2016. Eicher Motor has been the weakest stock amongst all the large-cap auto stocks in the last two months. It is trading below all important moving averages, indicating a bearish trend on all time frames. The stock has been forming lower tops and lower bottoms on the weekly charts. Considering the technical evidence discussed above, we recommend selling the stock between CMP and 20500 for the target of 18400, and keep a stop loss at 21000 on a closing basis. The author is Technical Analyst, HDFC Securities The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. A Tesla Model S vehicle is displayed at the Tesla store in Sydney, Australia, March 13, 2017. Picture taken March 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed - RTX30VMH Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has slashed its exposure to Tesla Inc, the Financial Times reported on Monday, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter. The sovereign fund, with help from JPMorgan Chase, hedged most of its 4.9 percent stake in Tesla after the market closed on January 17, FT reported. On January 18, Tesla said it would cut thousands of jobs to rein in costs as it plans to increase production of lower-priced versions of its crucial Model 3 sedan, sending its shares down as much as 10 percent. As part of the hedging program, PIF will still hold the shares but with little exposure to the stock's movements, according to the report. The derivative used to put on the hedge is known as an equity collar, which are bespoke instruments that are costly to finance and have become popular with Middle Eastern and Asian investors, the newspaper said. Tesla and PIF each declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. Tesla's shares, which fell as much as 3 percent, ended marginally lower at $296.38 on Monday. Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in August that the PIF had expressed support for a $72 billion deal to take the company private. The US Securities and Exchange Commission in its suit, however, had said that the meeting between Musk and the fund "lacked discussion of even the most fundamental terms of a proposed going private transaction". Interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal met top PSU bankers on January 28 ahead of the interim Budget. Speaking after the meeting, Goyal said various measures to support the small and medium industries were discussed. He assured all the support from the Centre to state-run banks. Talking about the meeting, Sunil Mehta, managing director of Punjab National Bank, said, "It was not a bank specific, they (discussions) were industry-specific ... one of the schemes which was discussed was Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), how the bankers can contribute in a better way for the spread of this scheme." "Some of the private sector banks have really done good and public sector banks are also picking up pace in this area and they are also sufficiently contributing into it. What are the issues involved were discussed and efforts have been made to sensitise the people about availability of this facility at all the branches," he added. Speaking about the meeting with RBI Governor, he further mentioned said: "The RBI Governor was here to take an overview of the situation, the existing insolvency and bankruptcy code (IBC) framework, the issues being faced by the banks in the recovery of their dues were discussed and there were other issues relating to liquidity were also discussed." "It seems by and large the problems of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have already been addressed, the liquidity is comfortable, and there are not big challenges among the system. So overall view was taken on this issue," said Mehta. Source: CNBC-TV18 A special Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act court sent Joseph Massey, the former Non-Executive Director of the National Spot Exchange (NSEL), to police custody till February 5 in connection with the Rs 5,600-crore payment default in the now shut commodity scam case. Massey was arrested on January 27 from Navi Mumbai by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police after an hour's chase. A police officer was injured during the chase while attempting to apprehend him. According to a report by The Economic Times, two police vehicles blocked Masseys vehicle before the police broke the cars window pane to stop him from escaping. The police had put a particular vehicle number on surveillance and even combed over 30 CCTV cameras in Navi Mumbai over the last three days. On January 27, at around 9.30 pm, the suspected vehicle was spotted in CBD Belapur, but when the police tried to close in, Massey tried to escape, sources told the newspaper. On January 25, the court had rejected Masseys anticipatory bail plea. The NSEL scam refers to the payment crisis driven by the physical absence of the commodity 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 and since then ownership of the company was taken away by the government and regulators from original promoter Jignesh Shah. On December 27, 2018, the Mumbai police filed a charge sheets against 63 entities -- 27 individuals and 36 companies. (With inputs from PTI) MOFSL After surging for four straight weeks, crude ended on weaker note pressured by weak GDP data from China and a bearish outlook for the global economy by IMF. Rising US production also weighed on prices. Venezuela is likely to stay in the headlines this week, as turmoil in Caracas has triggered concerns that its crude exports could soon be disrupted after Trump threatened to impose sanctions on Venezuela. Developments around Venezuela assume even greater importance for the oil market considering that the country holds the rotating presidency of OPEC this year. Additionally, a slowing global economy hurt crude as IMF lowered its 2019 growth forecast from 3.7 percent to 3.5 percent. The US-China trade tensions and the Brexit problems all contributed to a gloomier outlook for future oil demand. The slowdown in China has led to worries of a global slowdown. We saw prices remaining firm after data from China which showed that Chinas economy grew 6.6 percent in 2018, its slowest expansion in 28 years and down from a revised 6.8 percent in 2017, official data showed. Chinas September-December 2018 growth was at 6.4 percent, down from 6.5 percent in the previous quarter. Although the slowdown was in line with expectations, the slowdown of the worlds number two economy casts a shadow over global growth. Inventory report In the US, data from EIA showed that US gasoline inventories jumped to a record high in the most recent week even as refiners cut back activity. Meanwhile, crude stocks rose sharply. Gasoline stocks rose for an eighth consecutive week, by 4.1 million barrels to a record 259.6 million barrels, compared with expectations for a 2.7 million-barrel gain. Crude inventories rose 8 million barrels in the week against the expectations for a decline of 42,000 barrels. Refinery crude runs fell 1,74,000 bpd. Refinery utilisation rates fell 1.7 percentage points, but remain relatively strong, running at 92.9 percent of capacity. Distillate stockpiles fell 6,17,000 barrels, versus expectations for a 2,29,000-barrel drop. US crude oil imports averaged 8.2 million barrels per day last week, up 6,64,000 barrels per day from the previous week. Crude oil exports averaged 2 million barrels per day last week, down by 9,31,000 bpd from the previous week. Venezuela Venezuela exported about 5,00,000 barrels of heavy crude a day to the US but that has now fallen to about 3,50,000 barrels a day. This is raising concerns that we could see some cuts in the US runs because those barrels won't be easily replaced and could cause future diesel shortages. US refineries that depend on Venezuela's heavy crude would have even more trouble securing supplies as Canadian and Mexican crudes are often not as discounted and are limited in availability. Natural Gas Prices for natural gas continued to see volatile trading and ended on negative note despite the huge drawdown in US natural gas stockpiles that decreased 163 billion cubic feet compared with expectations for a storage withdrawal of around 154 billion cubic feet. The five-year average for the week is a withdrawal of 185 billion cubic feet and last years withdrawal totaled 273 billion cubic feet. Some milder temperatures in the East and a sell-off in the futures market set the tone for broad declines for natural gas spot prices during the week. Conclusion Oil traders will be watching for more trade-related headlines this week, as Chinese officials are to arrive in the US on January 30 for the next round of negotiations aimed at resolving the long-running trade war between the two countries. Both sides have already offered concessions, but the major sticking points include protection of intellectual property and how to police any agreement. Potential sanctions on Venezuela are a wildcard because no one is sure if or when they will take place. Backed by all this, we expect a highly choppy week of trade for crude oil prices. The author is VP- Commodity Research, MOFSL. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The initial public offering (IPO) of Chalet Hotels, the hospitality business of K Raheja Corp, will open on January 29 and close on January 31. The company intends to raise up to Rs 1,629-1,641 crore. The IPO consists of a primary issue of Rs 950 crore and an offer-for-sale of up to 24,685,000 equity shares amounting to approximately Rs 691 crore. The price band for the offer is from Rs 275 to Rs 280 per equity share. The company intends to utilise proceeds to pay off debt of up to Rs 720 crore. This would improve net debt to Ebitda ratio, going forward. IPO-bound Chalet Hotels which owns, develops and manages high-end hotels in major metro cities has allotted 1,75,84,071 equity shares in the upper band of Rs 280 per unit, aggregating to Rs 492.35 crore, as part of the anchor investor allotment. Among 27 anchor investors, SBI Small Cap Fund has been allotted 17,85,729 equity shares, while Fidelity Funds - India Focus Fund and Goldman Sachs India have been allotted 14,28,615 equity shares each. The company operates five hotels, including a hotel with a co-located serviced residence, located in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, representing 2,328 keys, as of March 31, 2018. Most experts feel that the IPO is a subscribe but with a cautious rating. Chalet Hotels scores slightly above its peers in terms of valuations. Chalet Hotels is a strong brand in the luxury upper upscale and upscale hotel segment. At the upper and lower end of the price band, the stock trades at about 26-27x its FY18 EV/EBIDTA (considering the diluted equity and repayment of debt), Sharekhan said in a note, The valuation is in-line with one of the strongest player, IHCL in the industry, and perhaps discounts the large part of the expected re-rating from the sharp reduction in debt/equity ratio from 5.5x (pre-IPO) to around 1x (post IPO proceeds used to repay its debt), it said. Chalet Hotels (CH) is best placed in the premium segment given its presence in strategic and demand-dense locations, tie-ups with marquee brands and superior scale. The hotel industry is asset heavy industry, and as hotel assets mature over the period, its value also appreciates. The right valuation methodology to evaluate the hotel industry would be the cash profit or EV/EBITDA. Over FY14-18, Chalet has reported negative cash profit in FY15 and FY16, else for the other years, it reported positive cash profit. On the valuation front, at higher price band, the company is demanding a cash P/E valuation of 38.7x (to its restated cash EPS of Rs. 7.2), which is at a premium to the peer average of 27.8x. Moreover, on EV/EBITDA front, it is demanding a valuation of 25.4x as compared to peers average of 27.5x, Choice Broking said in a note. Thus, the issue seems to be fairly priced, leaving limited room for share price appreciation. However, considering the future industry outlook, relatively lower room rates as compared to historical peak, efficient operations and industry-leading operating margin, we assign a Subscribe with Caution rating to the issue, it said. Investors will also take comfort in the strong promoter group which makes it a suitable bet for long term investors, suggest experts. The company is part of K. Raheja Corp group which is a leading business group in India and company derive significant benefit from the confidence that consumers, lenders, commercial partners, vendors, and others place in the group. The K. Raheja Companies have extensive experience in developing large scale real estate and commercial projects resulting in a strong understanding of industry and market trends, which company leverage to identify suitable locations and opportunities. The company is bringing the issue at P/E multiple of approx. 180x on FY18 basis at price band of Rs 275-280/share. Although, the issue seems fully priced at current level leaving little room for upside but strong promoter backing coupled with the companys branding with top global brands & active asset management model indicates strong fundamentals of the company. Hence, we recommend investors to Subscribe for the Long term on the issue, Hem Securities said in a note. The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Rs 444-crore public issue to list on BSE, NSE as on 12 October 2020. It witnessed an overwhelming response from investors as it was subscribed to 157.4 times, which is the top response in 2020 so far. In a bid to expand its capacity to 90 million tonne per annum, the Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has engaged L&T Consultancy to prepare a master plan for the roadmap. In the not-so-distant past, the KoPT was treated as a dying port but things have turned around under chairman Vineet Kumar in the past one year. Port users have now asked the authorities to gear up for more capacity to handle additional demand that could jump by another 200 per cent from present volume. "Given the demand trend and indications from the users, we have engaged L&T Consultancy for a master plan to ramp up the cargo handling capacity to 90 million tonne in 4-5 years. Currently the capacity is around 60 million tonne," Vineet Kumar said on the sidelines of a roadshow for the proposed Maritime Conclave 2019 in the city. "We want Haldia's capacity to get ramped up to 65 million tonne from 45 million tonne now and Kolkata Docks' capacity to 25 million tonne from 17-18 million tonne now," he said. SAIL Executive Director L N Mallik said they want to increase production and asked the port to take steps to ensure enhanced infrastructure to handle higher raw materials and finished goods. The KoPT has already undertaken capacity expansion by having liquid outer terminals I and II in Haldia. Speaking about the proposed Tajpur deep sea port, Kumar said there had been no official communication from the state government about their intent to exit the joint venture and the current ongoing studies continues as usual. Meanwhile, Shipping ministry director (ports) Arvind Chaudhary said investment interests to the tune of USD 20 billion could be expected from the proposed Maritime Conclave to be held in Bhubaneswar on February 14-15. In 2016, memorandums of understanding worth USD 13 billion was signed. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More A group of 11 big banks will soon launch India's first block-chain linked funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a move which may bring about a drastic change to lending practices. These banks include ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, RBL Bank, Yes Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and South Indian Bank. State Bank of India, IndusInd Bank and Bank of Baroda will be involved in this initiative as outside members, The Economic Times reported. "The idea of having such an organisation is to remove any communication hurdle among the different banks. A blockchain network can only thrive if the entire ecosystem is working in synergy through a single network," Abhijeet Singh, Head of Business Technology at ICICI Bank, told the newspaper. A consortium called the Blockchain Infrastructure Company (BIC) is mediating this discussion between the participating banks. Representatives from the banks have met a few times to establish a live network to make supply-chain finance more transparent and secure. Singh added that the main reason for having a ledger-network is to ensure transparency in the credit disbursement process, 'especially in the underbanked section'. Through this network, banks will be able to access public credit data, which will help them steer clear of high-risk situations. It will also make information available for both large corporates and SME lenders to avail credit. Of the total outstanding corporate credit with commercial banks, the MSME sector's share is just 17.3 percent. Viral Acharya, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, had recently said that credit penetration for MSMEs is very low. Akhil Handa, Head of Fintech at Bank of Baroda, said supply-chain players, banks and other players have separate technological platforms and a common blockchain platform will harmonise trade flow. Industry players are also hoping to cut down costs with this system and deepen their credit catchment area by encouraging more SMEs to avail formal credit. A blockchain is a synchronised distributed ledger where data entry by any member is visible to all stakeholders in the supply-chain but the data entered at any point is immutable. "It is impossible to change the entry once it is made, therefore providing immunity to frauds," the report qouted Vivek Belgavi of PwC as saying. If competitive populism has its way, the country will pay for 2019 elections for years to come. Congress President Rahul Gandhi on January 28 promised to give a minimum income to the poor if his party is voted back to power. For now, talking heads of the Congress party have avoided attaching any number to the idea. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the government is also working on measures to improve income in rural areas. While one will have to wait for the government's plan, the idea mooted by the Congress party has plenty that will make financial markets nervous. First, it is not clear as to how much money will be paid, and to what percentage of the population. Remember, elections are the driving force behind the idea, not the poor. Therefore, any political party would want to appeal to the largest possible section of the society. Anyway, India does not have a very good record of targeting. The National Food Security Act (2013), for example, covered nearly 70 percent of the population. Second, it is not clear if possible fiscal implications have been properly thought through. For example, the Economic Survey (2016-17) showed that a quasi-universal basic income programme would cost in excess of four percent of the gross domestic product. There are various other estimates that this writer highlighted elsewhere. To be sure, India simply does not have the fiscal space to implement a basic income scheme. In a recent article, former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian and others showed the mechanism for a quasi-universal basic rural income programme and recommended rollback of subsidies to fund it. The real risk is that a basic income programme will be implemented without rationalising existing expenditure. Further, nothing will stop political parties from promising higher income to a larger section of the electorate. This will increase the danger of government finances slipping out of control. India runs one of the largest budget deficits among its peers, and further slippages will increase government borrowings and crowd out private investment. Also read: Wanted: A ban on poll promises by politicians that offer no details Third, it is worrying to see that political parties are simply unwilling to take difficult decisions. Recent history clearly shows that higher economic growth is the best antidote to poverty. Therefore, what is needed is structural reforms particularly in factor markets, such as land and labour which will help generate economic growth and jobs. Further, the government should work to build state capacity to help provide public goods and facilitate investments. This is not to suggest that the government should not support the poor. However, a support programme should not be designed in isolation from fiscal realities. The Indian state needs to use limited fiscal resources more wisely to augment growth and alleviate poverty. Ashok Gehlot at press conference Welcoming Congress president Rahul Gandhi's announcement of minimum income guarantee to poor, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said he has already started preparations about the scheme. Gehlot said that the country is capable of providing such a guarantee to its citizens. "This is a historic announcement. I have started preparations from today that how this scheme can be implemented, how this should be implemented and what model should be there for the implementation," Gehlot told reporters here. He said that the governments formed by the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are fulfilling the promises made by Gandhi ahead of the state polls. "Whatever promises he made during assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, we are fulfilling them, be it farm loan waiver or allowance to unemployed youths. The announcement of minimum income by Gandhi is historic," he said. "Everything is possible if a government has willpower," he added. Gandhi Monday promised his party would ensure minimum income guarantee for every poor person if it comes to power at the Centre, echoing the 'Garibi Hatao' ('Remove Poverty') slogan coined by his grandmother Indira Gandhi during the 1971 general elections that she won. Anjan Ghosh The norm prior to the parliamentary elections is for the incumbent government to present an Interim Budget for a Vote on Account rather than a full budget; conventionally, an Interim Budget merely secures parliamentary approval for expenses for a part of the year. However, with the Finance Minister having already mentioned that deviation from the convention may be necessary to meet the challenges facing the economy, there is a possibility of some major policy announcements designed to support the rural economy, either in terms of income transfers or subsidies and the critical question, therefore, would be the extent to which the GoI would be able to create fiscal space, without compromising on capex spend, for funding such schemes. The Union Budget for FY2019 had indicated a fiscal deficit target of 3.1 percent of the GDP for FY2020. However, considering the possible spillovers of subsidy from FY2019 to FY2020 and the upfronting of dividends through interim pay-outs in FY2019, we expect the fiscal deficit to be higher, at around 3.3 percent of the GDP. The nominal GDP growth assumptions would be similar to the one assumed for FY2019, namely 11.5 percent; what would be of interest would be the assumptions on indirect taxes, since the GST collections for the current year are expected to fall short of the targets by at least Rs 1 lakh crore. Our assumption is that the GoI may assume a tax growth of 14-15 percent for FY2020, somewhat higher than the nominal GDP growth, building in the formalisation and improvement in compliance related to the GST. We do not expect major changes in tax rates in the Interim Budget for FY2020. In any case, after the implementation of the GST, indirect tax rates on a few items remain under the control of the GoI, as the GST Council decides on changes in the GST rates. However, the GoI may undertake some minor changes in the income threshold and deductions for personal income tax, which may provide mild support to small-ticket consumption. We expect a step-up in the allocation for existing schemes to assuage rural distress, including MGNREGA, Ayushman Bharat etc. Such schemes are likely to result in prioritisation of consumption or revenue spending over capital spending. We also expect an enhancement in the allocations towards affordable housing, roads, railways, ports, inland waterways and smart cities etc., supplemented by extra-budgetary sources of funds such as institutional finance and market borrowings of the public sector enterprises and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). The extent of support to be provided to the public-sector banks towards their recapitalisation in FY2020 would also be a key monitorable. In line with the previous years, we expect the RBI to transfer a sizeable chunk of its surplus to the GoI. The practice of cash-rich PSUs purchasing its stake in other PSUs, rather than divest strategically, is also likely to continue. The non-tax revenue from the telecom sector is unlikely to show any buoyancy. A fiscal deficit of 3.3 percent of GDP, along with nominal GDP growth of 11.5 percent, would roughly translate into Rs 6.9 lakh crore in absolute terms. Given the uptick in the repayments falling due in the coming year (Rs 2.5 lakh crore in FY2020 against Rs 1.6 lakh crore in FY19), market participants are likely to keenly assess the size of the planed market borrowings for FY20, which along with the Reserve Bank of Indias monetary stance, would indicate the direction in movement of bond yields. Former Defence Minister George Fernandes died on January 29 after battling Alzheimer's disease for sometime. He was 88. The anti-Emergency crusader and "rebel leader" was the Industries Minister in Morarji Desai's Janata Party government, which came to power in 1977 after trouncing the Congress. Among other things, he is credited with booting out a few MNCs from India, notably Coca-Cola, during the Janata government's brief tenure. But was Fernandes the man responsible for Coca-Cola quitting India in 1977? The countdown to Coca-Cola's impending exit started in January 1974 when the Indira Gandhi government had introduced the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). The law had been created to protect and boost India's paltry foreign exchange reserves. Until FERA was introduced, multinational companies' (MNCs) subsidiaries operating in India were wholly owned by their parent corporations. They would repatriate all profits made from India operations to their parent companies abroad. This hurt India's economy on two counts -- one, the companies were not investing their profits back into the country; and two, they were depleting India's already feeble forex reserves on the way out. When foreign companies take money out of India, they need to convert it into the currency of their origin. One of the provisions of FERA required the Indian subsidiaries of MNCs in low priority industries like consumer goods to dilute their holding in the subsidiaries to 40 percent. They could do this by either issuing fresh shares or selling part of their stake to domestic investors. MNCs in technologically superior industries like pharma and computer hardware were allowed to have a much higher holding. Most MNCs complied with the rule, and diluted their stake, resulting in a bonanza for India's financial institutions as well as retail investors who had the money to invest in stocks. But Coca-Cola had other plans. It initially tried to seek an exemption from the 40 percent rule by claiming that it was a technology-driven company, the technology being the formula to make the concentrate used in the drink. But this argument did not deter authorities. Coca-Cola had been in India since 1950 when it opened its first bottling plant in New Delhi, and by all accounts, was doing well. Industry experts said that Coca-Cola feared if it did not have majority ownership, it would have to share its trade secret with shareholders. Since its founding in 1886, the company's formula for its flagship drink remained one of the most heavily guarded trade secrets in the world. As retired finance ministry official K Subramaniam points out in this column in 2002, Coca-Cola tried to work around the FERA rule by operating two companies in India. One would be a bottling plant in which it would reduce its holding to 40 percent, and the other would be a technical arm which owned the formula for the concentrate. Coca-Cola wanted to hold 100 percent in the technical arm. Reserve Bank of India rejected the proposal and pointed out that FERA guidelines required the entire operations of a branch to be brought under one company with foreign equity capped at 40 percent. This was unacceptable to Coca-Cola, which then decided to pack its bags and leave. In September 1977, then Industries Minister George Fernandes said he had "no second thoughts" on the question of allowing Coca-Cola to continue its operations in India, according to a report by New York Times. "Our policy toward multinationals is uniform," the report quoted Fernandes as saying, adding that Coca-Cola had to abide by the law of the land if they wanted to do business in India. Coca-Cola alleged that it had decided to exit India as local authorities wanted full disclosure of the formula for making the concentrate. That allegation was not entirely true, though by insisting that Coca-Cola operate only one company, the India regulator did not allow the cola maker to ring fence its secret sauce. After Coca-Cola's exit, several Indian employees of the company were left jobless. To avoid a backlash, the government decided to come up with its own version of Coca-Cola. Fernandes said a 'swadeshi' substitute drink called Double Seven or 77 was ready and would be marketed in a few weeks. The name of the drink had a political undertone as well, since 1977 marked the end of the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, her defeat in the elections, and Janata Party's ascension to power. The government asked the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) at Mysore to develop the formula for Double Seven, to fill the void left by Coke, according to a report by India Times. With this, the government provided employment to those who worked with Coca-Cola. Double Seven, marketed by a government-owned company Modern Food Industries, wasn't a success. The drink faced tough competition from Campa Cola, Thums Up, Duke's, McDowell's Crush and Double Cola. As the Morarji Desai government collapsed in mid-1979, Double Seven lost major market share. The Indira Gandhi-led government which returned to power in 1980 was indifferent to Modern Food Industries. The company soon started incurring losses and stopped manufacturing the product. While George Fernandes was the Industries Minister in 1977, to say that he booted out Coca-Cola would be giving him too much credit. The provisions in FERA had already put the cola maker on sticky wicket. Fernandes merely ensured that it did not get any wriggle room. The Indian government is in the final stages of formulating regulations on cryptocurrencies, according to an RTI response from the Department of Economic Affairs. The response was with regard to the RTI filed by Coin Crunch India on December 13, 2018, asking whether the panel on cryptocurrency has recommended a ban on Bitcoin and if they have submitted the report to the Ministry of Finance. "The report of the Committee is in the finalisation stage, hence, prohibited under section 8(3) of RTI Act, 2005," the ministry said in its response. Read: Why RBI is fighting a losing battle against cryptocurrencies Amid rumours that the government may term cryptocurrencies as 'illegal' in India, the response suggests that the government is still working on its report. In December 2018, the Ministry of Finance had explained during a Parliament session that the inter-ministerial committee is tasked with analysing all aspects of crypto assets and is developing a suitable crypto regulatory framework. The government had set-up a panel in December 2017 headed by Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, to examine a framework for regulating cryptocurrencies. Other members of the panel include Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Ajay Tyagi and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor BP Kanungo. Read: Bitcoin bears: As the cryptocurrency tanks, these experts are having the last laugh While there is no formal declaration by the Indian government on the legalisation of cryptocurrencies, the response does not make it clear whether the government is planning to regulate them or not. The response of the government is ambiguous. It has neither confirms nor denies the rumours. However, as of now, cryptocurrencies are still legal in India unless the government formally says otherwise. The future of cryptocurrencies in India has been unclear ever since the central bank's diktat, where it barred regulated entities from dealing with cryptoexchanges . In April 2018, the RBI had effectively banned banks or e-wallets from "dealing with or providing services to any individuals or business entities dealing with or settling virtual currencies." The United States on Monday charged China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, its chief financial officer and two affiliates with bank and wire fraud to violate sanctions against Iran in a case that has escalated tensions with Beijing. In a 13-count indictment filed in New York, the Justice Department said Huawei misled a global bank and US authorities about its relationship with the subsidiaries, Skycom Tech and Huawei Device USA Inc, in order to conduct business in Iran. In a separate case, the Justice Department also accused two Huawei subsidiaries of 10 counts of stealing trade secrets, wire fraud and obstructing justice for allegedly stealing robotic technology from carrier T-Mobile US Inc to test smartphones' durability. Those charges were filed in the western district of Washington state. Huawei did not respond to requests for comments on the charges. T-Mobile had accused Huawei of stealing the technology, called "Tappy," which mimicked human fingers and was used to test smartphones. Huawei has said that the two companies settled their disputes in 2017. The charges in both cases add to US pressure on Huawei, the world's biggest telecommunications equipment maker. The Trump administration is trying to prevent American companies from buying Huawei routers and switches and pressing allies to do the same. US security experts are concerned that the equipment could be used to spy on the United States. At Washington's request, Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December and is now fighting extradition to the United States. US authorities accuse Meng of playing a lead role in the scheme to use subsidiaries to conduct business in Iran in violation of US sanctions against Tehran. Meng, who has denied the charges, is currently in Vancouver, staying in one of her family's homes, as she awaits a decision from a Canadian court on the US extradition request. The arrest of Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, ratcheted up tensions with China, which responded by arresting two Canadians on national security grounds. Ren denies his company's products would be used by the Chinese government to spy. The charges announced on Monday come just days before US-China trade talks are set to resume in Washington, although Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the two cases are "wholly separate" from the trade negotiations. FBI Director Christopher Wray said the cases "expose Huawei's brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace. He said that he is concerned about Huawei devices in US telecommunications networks. That kind of access could give a foreign government the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information, conduct undetected espionage, or exert pressure or control." Essar Steel live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More In a blow to the Ruias and their hope to retain crown jewel Essar Steel, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has rejected the promoters' plea to repay debt of the company. The NCLT reportedly said there is no illegality in banks not accepting the plan of Essar Steel's promoters. While the Tribunal had done nothing wrong in selecting the bid by ArcelorMittal, it added that a withdrawal of the insolvency case - as demanded by the Ruias - can only be done by the applicant who initiated the process. In this case, the applicant is State Bank of India, the lead lender. The withdrawal is allowed under Section 12A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The Ruias had presented a Rs 54,389 crore proposal to withdraw Essar Steel from insolvency courts. The offer is higher than the Rs 42,000-crore bid from ArcelorMittal, which has the backing of lenders. Sources said that the Ruias will move the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, against today's order. At present, the Essar promoters are sticking to their point. "We continue to believe that our offer of Rs 54,389 crore is the most compelling proposal available to Essar Steel creditors. It seeks to repay all classes of creditors and fulfills the IBCs overriding objective of value maximisation that has been established time and again by courts at all levels," an Essar spokesperson said in a statement. "We submitted the proposal under the recently introduced Section 12A of the IBC and the recent judgement of the Supreme Court has established that the section's provisions are applicable retrospectively. We are awaiting a copy of the full NCLT order, and will take a call on next steps after we have thoroughly gone through the contents," the spokesperson said. The lenders have held that Ruias' offer will only be considered if they are directed to do so by the courts. Advantage ArcelorMittal Today's order will push the case of the LN Mittal-company, which already has the backing of the lenders. "The chances (for the Ruias) are now slim. I don't think that the NCLAT will interfere," said a lawyer at a leading legal firm. At the same time, the Ruias can appeal to the NCLAT, and also to the Supreme Court. "A borrower can argue that if they are ready to repay the entire debt including all dues to all the creditors then its no more an IBC resolution, not even a settlement but repayment of all the dues by a borrower," said Babu Sivaprakasam, Partner, Economic Laws Practice. "It will not be an easy proposition for any party to take a stand that a borrower or guarantor shall be barred from not paying their dues in entirety and once all dues including CIRP costs are fully paid the IBC petitions become infructuous as no resolution is warranted," he adds. With the Government and the courts pushing to expedite the resolution process, the end to the biggest insolvency case, is nigh. US Boeing P-8I Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft (Image: Reuters) The operator of Japan's All Nippon Airways said January 29 it has decided to order a total of 48 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus for deliveries from 2021 through 2025. ANA Holdings said it would buy 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes and 18 Airbus A320neo units, citing growing demand in the region and increased inbound tourism to Japan. The company said the 30 Boeing jets would have a catalogue price of 383 billion yen (USD 3.5 billion), adding that the firm has so far confirmed orders for 20 units, with an option to buy 10 more. The 18 Airbus orders are all confirmed, but their engines are yet to be decided, the company said. For now, the Airbus deal has a catalogue price of 166 billion yen, ANA Holdings said. The deal makes ANA the first Japanese buyer of the Boeing model, while the Airbus A320neo already serves ANA's international routes. The company praised the fuel efficiency of the two models. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Despite slowing demand from some of its major clients, Jindal Stainless hopes to continue on a debt-reduction cycle and cut its debt by another Rs 1,000 crore by March 2020. The country's largest stainless steel maker has a consolidated debt of about Rs 7,500 crore. "We are adjusting our capital expenditure according to the market condition. This will help us improve our debt-equity ratio, from the present 2.8:1 to 2.1:1 by March 2020," Managing Director Abhyuday Jindal told Moneycontrol. The company, which has facilities in Haryana and Odisha, gets most of its clients from the auto, railways, fabrication and kitchenware sectors. "It was a bad Diwali for everyone. The sales from the auto sector have been poor for four to five months now," he said. But, demand has picked up in railways, fabrication and kitchenware sectors. Each of the sectors, he said, contributes 10-15 percent to Jindal Stainless' sales. It doesn't help that the sector is ailed by overcapacity. While the total capacity is of five million tons, only about half of it is being utilised. While bigger players like Jindal Stainless, producing at full capacity, are better placed, it's the smaller manufacturers that suffer more. "Many of the smaller manufacturers have shut shops, and have instead become traders, given the cheap imports," says Jindal. Cheap imports Imports have further made the conditions tougher for stainless steel players. India imports about five lakh tons of stainless steel products a year, mostly from Japan and South Korea. As these countries have free trade agreements with India, imports from them come duty-free. On the other hand, "we need to pay duty on ferro nickel, a raw material that we need but is not produced in India," said Jindal. He said the present duty of 7.5 percent should be hiked to 12.5 - 15 percent to "protect the local industry." All the more, Jindal added, because Chinese companies have started selling in India, but through other countries where they have manufacturing presence. Chinese producers use the circumventing route to escape anti-dumping duties that India has imposed on their products. Expansion plans Jindal Stainless plans to expand its capacity to 2.4 million tons a year, from the current 1.6 million tons. "We are slowing down according to the market conditions," said Jindal. Conserving capital will be important for Jindal Stainless as it is coming out of a debt restructuring exercise that started in 2013. It aims to exit CDR by the end of this financial year. The company also plans to set up a manufacturing hub in Odisha, that will also host other manufacturers. Jindal Stainless had acquired 300 acres for the purpose and plans to spend about Rs 200 crore in setting up the park. A big overhang on aluminium has been lifted but has left prices trending lower. That could worry investors in Indian producers of the white metal. But a clearer picture will emerge in the following months and quarters, once there is clarity on other issues such as US-China trade talks. On January 28, three-month aluminium futures on the London Metal Exchange declined by 2.7%, said Reuters. This was after the United States lifted sanctions on UC Rusal and its parent company EN+. The move came after these companies were able to show that Rusals main shareholder Oleg Deripaska had lowered his stake in these companies and relinquished control. The decision means Rusals position in the global aluminium supply chain, which had come under threat after the imposition of sanctions in April 2018, will be restored. The LME said its members can freely enter into contracts with Rusal and its entities, and that warranting can be resumed in Rusal metal. Warrants signify metal stored in LME warehouses. But the US government has got Rusal to agree to unprecedented transparency for Treasury into their operations by undertaking extensive, ongoing auditing, certification, and reporting requirements. Thus, the US government will continue to watch over Rusals activities. While the sanctions were imposed in April last year, these were eased after the group laid out a roadmap to lower Deripaskas interest. Thus, to a large extent, aluminium prices already reflect the expectation of sanctions being removed. Since June, prices are down by nearly a fifth. Another notable overhang is the partial shutdown of operations at Norsk Hydros Alu Norte alumina refinery. It has been operating at half its capacity after having violated environmental norms. Recently, Reuters reported the Brazilian government has lifted the embargo on its production but normal output will begin after a federal court allows it to do so. When reopened, alumina supplies will improve and prices should moderate. The one major uncertainty that remains are the import tariffs imposed by the US and related to that, the effect of the trade talks between the US and China. If trade tensions ease, that should be good for aluminium in the longer run. The Chinese economy too has been slowing down, faster than expected, which is said to be one reason why aluminium prices are keeping low. A slowdown in the European Union and the International Monetary Funds (IMF) predictions of slower global economic growth are risks for this industrial commodity. On the other hand, the global aluminium market is still expected to remain in a deficit state in 2019, according to Alcoa. Inventories too have shrunk. That lends to confusing signals, as both factors put together indicate that prices could bounce back. What can be said is that once these macro uncertainties end, then the market will return to a more normal state. For instance, some of the shrinkage in inventories may be because Rusal inventory could not be stored there, and may have been stored off-market. When it returns, LME inventories may go up. While the lifting of sanctions has a sentimental impact, theres no sword hanging over Rusal now. Since theres no threat from sanctions any more, prices eased a bit. Softening of alumina prices, if the Alu Norte refinery goes back to full capacity, will benefit those global aluminium producers who buy alumina to make aluminium. Most Indian producers run integrated operations, with some alumina purchases as required. In fact, National Aluminium Companys alumina business is what contributes to profits, with the aluminium business making losses. A decline in alumina prices is a risk for the public sector company. Others such as Hindalco Industries and Vedanta are already facing a situation where the decline in aluminium prices is expected to affect their profitability. Costs are not falling as rapidly. In recent months, the industry has been demanding higher import duty on aluminium to protect domestic producers. On January 28, all aluminium shares were ruling lower though some of that can be attributed to the metals pack itself falling. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to help the country fight terrorism following the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu that killed at least 21 people last Sunday. "I would like to reiterate our readiness to further step up interaction with our Philippine partners in combating the terrorist threat in all its forms and manifestations," the Russian leader said in his condolences to President Rodrigo Duterte, posted on his official website on Sunday. READ: LOOK: Duterte visits Jolo cathedral blasts site Malacanang on Tuesday said Russia has yet to specify the form of help it would extend, but this could be in the form of military equipment or sharing of intelligence information. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said other governments like the U.S. also offered support in fighting terrorism, adding that "we welcome all of them." U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim earlier condemned the "senseless violence" and said the U.S. "will do everything possible to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines." "Terrorism is a worldwide problem. Hence, all the countries of the world must unite and help each other in fighting it and stopping it," Panelo said in a Malacanang media briefing. Two explosions rocked the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, killing at least 22, including civilians and soldiers, and wounding over a hundred others. Putin described it as "shocking in its cynicism and cruelty," adding that he expects the perpetrators "to sustain the punishment they deserve." "People in Russia share the grief of the victims' friends and families and hope for a prompt recovery of the injured," he said. Malacanang assured the public that preventive measures are in place to thwart any possible attack in any part of the country. The police and military are on heightened alert nationwide. Authorities are looking for six persons of interest, including a brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader. DETROIT -- You have four days left to put in a bid for the 1969 Cy Young Award trophy won by Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain. And you might be able to get it for under 10 grand. As of Monday afternoon, the winning bid was offering $8,857 for the trophy. The description said its being offered for sale by a collector who obtained it directly from McLain. It is in good condition with some tarnishing. Check out the trophy for yourself here. If youve got a lot of disposable income, Lelands auction house is also offering plenty of other cool stuff as part of its Winter Classic promotion, including Gaylord Perrys 1978 Cy Young Award and a game-worn Joe DiMaggio jersey currently bid up to more than $100,000. McLain went 24-9 with a 2.80 ERA in 1969, sharing the American League Cy Young Award with the Orioles' Mike Cuellar. He won both Cy Young and AL MVP honors in 1968. (Updated at 10:40 am January 29 to add comment from U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee.) As Michigans PFAS testing showed contamination across the state in 2018, one theme remained a priority among legislators, officials and affected residents: The nation needs a limit for how much of the forever chemicals will be allowed in drinking water. Yet despite the urging of the growing number of people concerned about PFAS, indications are emerging that the Environmental Protection Agency wont include a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for the chemicals in public water supplies as part of a soon-to-be-released national management plan. The chemicals will remain unregulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, according to sources familiar with a still-unreleased draft plan that acting (EPA) administrator Andrew Wheeler signed off on in late December, according to a report published Jan. 28 in Politico. The per- and poly-flouorinated chemicals have been used in products like Teflon, Scotchgard and AFFF firefighting foam, in addition to other industrial uses. They are linked to adverse health effects like cancer, developmental delays and endocrine disruption. The national plan was promised in 2018 as the EPA organized public meetings to hear from communities grappling with the chemicals in the environment and drinking water supplies. Among them was Michigan, where Peter Grevatt, former director of the EPAs Ground and Drinking Water Division, heard numerous concerns from state officials and residents. According to state data, more than 2 million Michigan residents have at least trace levels of PFAS in their drinking water. The city of Parchment water system shut down after high levels were found last summer. Across the U.S., an estimated 110 million Americans are drinking water containing PFAS, according to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group. While Michigan tested all public water supplies and launched a sweeping program to find other sources of PFAS, the EPA extended the deadline for its plan until year-end. In the meantime, states have relied on the unenforceable federal health advisory level for two types of PFAS chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, in drinking water of 70 parts per trillion (ppt). Some have begun to set their own regulations. In January, Michigan set a potable groundwater limit that mirrors the EPA level for PFOS and PFOA. In 2014, the state set a 12-ppt standard for PFOS in surface water. Yet many in the state are calling for a lower legal limit for PFAS in Michigan drinking water. They include state Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, who re-introduced a bill earlier this month seeking a limit of 5-ppt. The EPA advisory limit of 70-ppt may not provide a sufficient margin of safety, said Dr. David Savitz, professor of epidemiology at Brown University and the chief scientific consultant for Michigans PFAS initiative, as that panel released a report in December. Other states are moving toward lower limits. On Monday, Vermont announced it is seeking a limit of 20-ppt for five types of PFAS: perfluooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). Massachusetts also announced it will consider similar limits. Wheeler told Congress during his confirmation hearings earlier this month that the EPAs plan was coming soon, but that he couldnt commit to setting a legal PFAS limit. According to the Politico report, the plan does include a decision to list PFOS and PFOA as hazardous under the Superfund law -- a move that would greatly impact contamination cleanups. The EPA told Politico that it would not discuss the plans contents until it is made public. The agency did not respond to an email from MLive.com on Monday. The action plan is currently undergoing interagency review, EPA spokesperson John Konkus told Politico. Yet as Wheeler, a former coal industry lobbyist, hopes to be appointed EPA, a bipartisan group formed last week in Congress to push forward on PFAS concerns. That group follows several bills in both the House and Senate that would direct funding toward identification of contamination and cleanup, in addition to classifying the chemicals as toxic substances to allow federal Superfund cleanup funds. And U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, released a statement on January 29 saying that Congress could act if the EPA doesn't. The Trump Administrations failure to urgently address dangerous PFAS chemical contamination threatens public health," he said in a statement. " By refusing to set a drinking water standard for these dangerous chemicals, the EPA will limit the publics knowledge about PFAS in their drinking water and restrict clean-up of PFAS contamination. While the Trump Administration has claimed it wants to address PFAS, they have been all talk and no action. Even the Trump Administrations own studies have identified how dangerous PFAS chemicals are, yet they refuse to act. Since the Trump Administration refuses to act, Congress must protect public health by setting a national drinking water standard for these toxic chemicals. Environmentalists still look to the EPA for their response. The most efficient and equitable way to remove these chemicals from the nations drinking water supply is to use the agencys authority to set legal limits, said David Andrews of the Environmental Working Group in a news release. Its a national problem, and it needs a national solution. Anything short of that is window dressing. The vote on Wheelers appointment is scheduled for February 5. SAGINAW TWP, MI A Saginaw Township police officer who was shot in the line of duty continues to convalesce in an Ann Arbor hospital, though when hell be well enough to leave is unknown. His condition is about the same, Chief Donald F. Pussehl Jr. said of Officer Jeff Koenig the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 29. Hes conscious and alert. They got him up and walking around to keep him mobile. They want to get him up at least three times a day. Hes still in considerable pain, of course. Hes not sleeping really well, unfortunately, so theyve limited his visitors to just immediate family so he can get some rest. Koening, 48, has undergone at least two surgeries at University Hospital since the shooting that occurred about 2 a.m. on Jan. 22. He was wounded in the face and shoulder. From what I understand, the doctors want the jaw to heal somewhat before they go in and start doing more surgeries, Pussehl said, adding it could be six weeks or more before Koenigs next surgery takes place. The shooting happened after Koenig stopped a white Dodge pickup truck on Tittabawassee Road between Fashion Square Boulevard and Bay Road in Kochville Township. The truck had been driving without its headlights on, Pussehl has said. Police have said the man behind the wheel who shot Koenig was 29-year-old Joshua M. Rosebush of Vassar, a parolee who had absconded on Jan. 3. Rosebush was himself shot in the face by the Shiawassee County Sheriffs detective who arrested him on Tuesday afternoon after police say Rosebush pointed a handgun at him. After receiving treatment, Rosebush on Wednesday was transferred to the Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance Center in Jackson. Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark J. Gaertner previously told MLive that the prosecutors in the other counties where Rosebush is accused of committing crimes have signed off on the entire case being handled in Saginaw County. I spoke with the Michigan State Police this morning and theyre wrapping up their investigation, Gaertner said on Jan. 29. Its no doubt quite lengthy. Theyre going to be coming to meet with (Saginaw County Prosecutor) John McColgan and myself probably Thursday or Friday. John and I are going to be helped by two prosecutors from our Major Crimes Unit. We have a lot of discs to go through, but I anticipate probably charging it by midweek next week. The discs he mentioned contain video footage captured by numerous surveillance cameras, patrol vehicle dashboard camera, and officers body cameras, Gaertner elaborated. As Rosebush was a parole absconder, the Michigan Department of Corrections can hold him for up to the remainder of his original sentence. Since Koenigs shooting, a Facebook page has been started to raise funds for his and his familys expenses, with a stated goal of $250,000. As of 9:40 a.m. on Jan. 29, 5,795 people had donated a total of $193,474. Numerous area businesses have also rallied behind Koenig by hosting fundraisers. While Pussehl lauded such efforts, he said Koenig is being covered by workmans comp, a claim for which was opened the day of the shooting. The fire departments, businesses, and restaurants doing fundraisers on his behalf are helping with expenses that may not be covered under workmans comp, such as driving back and forth to U of M and staying in hotels, Pussehl said. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI Two attempted murder charges along with multiple other felonies have been authorized against a man authorities say was shot by police Sunday. Deondra Brown, 32, of Muskegon was out on bond for two other felony charges, when he allegedly broke into a home, shot, assaulted and robbed occupants and then fled, shooting at police and getting shot in return, according to Timothy Maat, chief assistant prosecutor in the office of Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson. Browns alleged accomplice, Dominique Sharps, 31, also is facing attempted murder and other felonies for the incident that occurred in the 1500 block of Terrace Street in Muskegon around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. Both men face seven felony charges each. Officers involved in the shooting of Brown in the leg are on administrative leave pending the completion of an investigation, according to a press release issued by the Muskegon Police Department. Its alleged that both Sharps and Brown broke into the home and one of them shot one of the occupants once, leaving two wounds in the victims lower back and leg, Maat said. Its further alleged that the duo robbed an occupant and also pistol-whipped an occupant, Maat said. Both face felony charges of assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, first-degree home invasion, resisting and obstructing police and possessing a firearm during commission of a felony. Brown faces a second assault with intent to murder charge for allegedly shooting at a police sergeant, Maat said. Sharps also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the time of Sundays incident, Brown was out on bond for two felony charges: possession of a controlled substance and first-degree home invasion, for which he faces trial in March, Maat said. Sharps has a lengthy criminal record, including 2009 convictions for third-degree home invasion, resisting and obstructing police and second-degree home invasion, Maat said. He was released from prison in December 2018, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections web site. KALAMAZOO, MI Western Michigan University will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 30 due to inclement weather. Only emergency and essential services should report to all campuses Wednesday, according to an announcement posted by WMU around noon Tuesday. University officials are continuing to monitor wind chills and temperatures as they impact WMU campuses and locations that are currently open today, WMU said in the announcement. WMUs regional campuses including the WMU-Grand Rapids Downtown, WMU-Grand Rapids Beltline and WMU-Southwest in Benton Harbor are closed Tuesday. Around 3 p.m., university officials said classes after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 also would be canceled. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. WMU and KVCC closed at noon Monday after a major snow storm swept through Kalamazoo. Bitterly cold temperatures are forecast in the Kalamazoo area late Tuesday through Thursday following a major snow storm that blanketed the region. Kalamazoo could see wind chills of -35 degrees Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Hazardous conditions will continue into the middle of the week with life-threatening cold and accumulating lake effect snow, the National Weather Service said in a forecast. Frostbite will be possible in 15 minutes of less of exposure, making snow removal efforts difficult and dangerous. PARMA TWP., MI Westbound I-94 at the Eaton Rapids Road exit in Parma Township is closed due to a crash. A semitrailer jackknifed across the roadway at about 3:40 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, blocking all lanes of travel west of the exit ramp, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. WB I-94 at BL I-94 (Eaton Rapids Rd) Exit 124 Freeway Closed Due to a Crash Jackson County MDOT-Lansing/Jackson (@MDOT_LanJxn) January 28, 2019 Rescue crews are on the scene clearing the wreckage. Parts of I-94 have slowed to a crawl due to hazardous weather conditions. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes. JACKSON, MI A man killed in a brief shootout with police early Monday has been identified. Joey Duane Ramirez, 29, of Jackson was killed Jan. 28 by Jackson Police officers investigating a domestic disturbance, according to a release from Jackson County Undersheriff Chris Kuhl. A woman called police at 2:42 a.m. Monday from Southridge Park on Warwick Court, saying a male acquaintance, later identified as Ramirez, was outside banging on her door and would not leave, Jackson Director of Police and Fire Services Elmer Hitt said in a statement. The woman said Ramirez was known to carry a gun, he said. Officers arriving at the scene spotted Ramirez, who was armed with a handgun, running through the complex, Hitt said. They pursued him and shots were exchanged, he said. Ramirez was hit and died at the scene, Hitt said. Body camera footage from the officers shows the suspect opening fire at the officers before they returned fire, Hitt said. One of the officers involved in the shooting was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health to be treated and released for a leg injury caused by a fall at the scene, Hitt said. The Jackson County Major Crimes Task Force is conducting the investigation into the incident, Hitt said. Two officers and a sergeant involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, he said. Ramirez had a pending resisting and obstructing police charge from an incident that occurred Jan. 18, court records show. In 2013, Ramirez was sentenced to serve two to seven years in prison on one felony count each of domestic violence third offence, aggravated stalking and resisting and obstructing police, Michigan Department of Corrections records show. He was released in February 2017, records show. JACKSON, MI Jacksons coldest days on record were Jan. 18, 1976, and Jan. 19, 1994, when low temperatures hit 20 degrees below zero. Subzero temperatures expected this week will flirt with that record, with a deep freeze forecast in the wake of Mondays snowstorm. The projected low temperature for Wednesday, Jan. 30: 17 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service. Wind chills are expected to drop to 39 degrees below zero. The lowest recorded daily high temperature in Jackson came on Jan. 15, 1972, when temperatures peaked at 7 degrees below zero. Wednesdays high in Jackson is forecast at 6 degrees below zero. Jackson data from the National Weather Service goes back to 1944. Consumers Energy has a list of tips for Michiganders preparing for the freeze. Here's a look at 10 safety tips to remember this winter. UPDATE: All 11 districts that comprise the Ottawa Area ISD are closed Tuesday and Wednesday due to hazardous weather conditions. So far, in the Kent ISD Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Godfrey Lee and Godwin schools have announced they will be closed both days. Nineteen of the 20 districts in the Kent ISD are closed Tuesday. East Grand Rapids was open. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Area school superintendents are monitoring the roads and weather reports to determine if a winter storm will keep students home for a second consecutive day Tuesday, Jan. 29. All school districts in Kent and Ottawa counties were closed Monday, Jan. 28, due to hazardous travel conditions including icy roads and low visibility from blowing and drifting snow. Area colleges also closed. Superintendents are concerned that road conditions could still be treacherous on Tuesday when more snow showers are expected. If not Monday night, they say a decision on resuming class could come for families between 5 and 5:30 a.m. On Wednesday, Jan. 30, more school closures are possible, with projections for wind chills of 20 to 30 degrees below zero that will continue into Thursday. The dangerous wind chill levels will begin Tuesday afternoon. The standard used for Kent and Ottawa schools to close due to extreme cold conditions is a sustained wind chill of -20 degrees. The bottom line with school cancellations is the safety of our students and staff, said Rockford Superintendent Michael Shibler, who closed the district twice last week for inclement weather, along with several other district superintendents. It is not just about the school buses, but our many juniors and seniors who drive to school, as well as the staff, he said, noting hed make a decision by 5 a.m. Shibler said he would be monitoring the National Weather Service for news about the wind chill. He said he isnt sure what the condition of gravel roads and subdivision streets would be in the morning but transportation staff would be out testing the roads. Jerry Byrne, director of maintenance for the Kent County Road Commission, said their crews have been focused on the primary roads but have tried to get to as many other roads the school buses travel as possible. We will try to give them at least one pass today but that doesnt mean they will be good or great for bus service, he said. We will get to streets we didnt get today on tomorrow. This winter had been considered mild until mid-January, when brutal weather really began impacting the academic calendar. Last week, multiple districts were forced to close again for one or more days. Jenison Superintendent Tom TenBrink said school leaders have to look at a few things to determine if school should be canceled for safety, including the amount of snow, the time it comes, the condition of primary and side roads, and the severity of the cold. Every effort is made to gather as much pertinent information as possible to make a decision by 5:30 a.m. in order to begin the lengthy communication process to ensure everyone is notified by 6 a.m., TenBrink wrote Sunday in a letter to parents. The letter outlined the decision-making process for cancelling school ahead of a difficult week of weather. TenBrink and Shibler said superintendents never make cancellation decisions based on concern for surpassing the number of days allotted by the state. Michigan law allows school districts to count up to six days as forgiven time because of conditions beyond their control, such as severe storms, power outages and water or sewer failures. Up to an additional three days may be granted with the approval of the state superintendent. Mondays closure marked Rockfords sixth day. Shibler intends to request the three additional days. Jenison has used three days so far. Grand Rapids and Forest Hills schools, the largest districts in Kent and Ottawa counties, have used three and four days, respectively. A winter storm warning was in effect until 7 p.m. Monday. The warning is now in effect through Thursday, Jan. 31 until 1 p.m. for Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Montcalm, Mecosta, Allegan, Kalamazoo, Berrien, Van Buren, and Calhoun counties. FLINT, MI -- Passenger traffic at Bishop Airport has dipped to its lowest level in 16 years after dropping below 400,000 departures in 2018. New statistics from the airport for last year show the number of passengers boarding flights at Bishop down about 10 percent -- from 400,781 in 2017 to 360,609 in 2018. Thats the lowest number of departing flights from Flint since 2002 when there were just 362,832, according to statistics from the Michigan Department of Transportation. Bishop still ranks as Michigans third-busiest airport -- a position its been in for more than a decade, trailing only Detroit Metropolitan and Gerald Ford International airports. But the numbers reflect a cut in service from Delta Air Lines and the departure of Southwest Airlines, which ended Flint service half way through 2018. Smaller airports continue to struggle, said Bishop Airport Director Craig Williams. We do anticipate being flat to a little down in 2019. Williams said the dwindling number of airlines, the lack of available pilots, and Flints proximity to Detroit make bringing additional service to the airport difficult. The director said airlines are monitoring whether fliers continue to use Bishop despite the loss of Southwest, which ended service in June after six years in Flint. It was a blow, Williams said of the loss, but we were the smallest dot on their map. The best opportunities for short-term growth are working with airlines that already fly from Flint -- Allegiant, American, Delta and United -- to provide additional flights or new routes, he said. Airlines that once served Bishop havent just moved on -- like Southwest -- theyve merged or gone out of business like Continental, AirTran and ValuJet. Allegiant, which carried more than 11,000 fliers from Flint in December, is posting the strongest numbers of any carrier in Flint, followed by Delta, American and United. It flies directly from here to Florida destinations, including Orlando and Tampa. Bishops fortunes rebounded after 2002, the last time passenger traffic was as slow as it was in 2018. Pushed by new service from AirTran, which gave Flint the lowest fares from Michigan to Chicago, fliers increased from 362,832 in 2002 to 471,425 in 2003. PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - An Ann Arbor man accused of killing his father was being treated by county mental health professionals prior to the homicide, his attorney says. The revelation came as Michael B. Krause, 30, of Ann Arbor, was arraigned on one count of open murder Tuesday, Jan. 29 in the suspected beating death of 66-year-old Michael E. Krause during the weekend. The younger Krause was arrested with blood on his hands shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday at the familys home in the 700 block of Watershed Drive in Ann Arbor after a fight broke out between the father and son, according to police. The son appeared for arraignment via video feed Tuesday in 14A-1 District Court, clad in a white jail uniform, which jail officials confirmed is worn by inmates undergoing medical treatment, suicide monitoring or mental health care. He was being supervised by Washtenaw County Community Mental Health prior to the elder Krauses death on Saturday, Jan. 26, his attorney Joe Simon told Magistrate Elisha Fink on Tuesday. Though police could not confirm any specific diagnosis, Ann Arbor police Lt. Aimee Metzer said the victims wife told 911 dispatchers the day of her husbands death that her son suffers from mental illness. In court, Simon asked that county mental health personnel continue to have access to Krause while in jail, and that medications are properly administered. In response to a prosecutor's claim that there was a high likelihood of conviction in the case, Simon said "there may well be an affirmative defense here." He declined to comment further on the matter after the hearing. He waived the reading of the complaint and his client stood mute. Matters of mental health treatment behind bars are for the jail officials to decide, Fink said. She denied bond at the request of Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor John Vella. Prosecutors believe Krause poses a high risk of danger to the community and public, Vella said. Police said the father and son had been drinking before the homicide. The mother fled the home to call 911. The younger Krause also called police, according to Metzer. He essentially advised that his dad was yelling at he and his mom and that basically he snapped and started hitting his father, Metzer said. The elder Krause was declared dead at the scene. He was an area dentist and a former faculty member at the University of Michigan Dental School, according to his professional website. Neighbor Kathy Griswold, an Ann Arbor city council member, said Monday that the death may have involved a mental health concern. Griswold, whose children grew up with the Krause children, described the Krauses as a good family. A former social worker who watched the closure of state mental health hospitals over the years, Griswold said the incident points to a need for more comprehensive access to mental health treatment in Michigan. Im just heartbroken, she said. This is just so terrible and I dont know if this could be been prevented with better health services, but there is definitely a deficiency in our system. Krause is scheduled for a Feb. 14 probable cause conference and a Feb. 21 preliminary examination. The dates - outside the typical allotted time frame - were requested at a private bench conference with the attorneys, Fink said during the hearing. Following the court hearing, Simon said the delay was due to scheduling issues. Open murder is a charge that allows a jury to determine the degree of the offense upon conviction. Michael B. Krause faces up to life in prison if convicted. ANN ARBOR, MI - Roads in and around Ann Arbor couldve been worse Monday afternoon. But they still weren't fun for those who couldn't stay home and were headed into the evening commute Jan. 28 as a snowstorm hit the Lower Peninsula. Video and photos, some provided by the Washtenaw County Road Commission, showed slippery conditions in the afternoon, shortly before the evening commute. Officials were handling nine crashes about 5 p.m., but few of them were blocking traffic, according to Washtenaw County dispatchers. As of 5 p.m., the following crashes were reported: A jack-knifed semi-truck was blocking southbound U.S. 23 at Geddes Road, exit 39, in Ann Arbor, according to the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office. No one was injured, according to Huron Valley Ambulance spokesman Matt Rose. The sheriffs office asked motorists to avoid the area earlier in the day, when multiple crashes were reported. The crash scene was cleared by 6 p.m., according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The right lane of eastbound I-94 at State Street, exit 177, was blocked for a crash. A crash was reported on northbound U.S. 23 at North Territorial Road, but was not blocking. The crash has been cleared. A crash was reported on northbound U.S. 23 at Pontiac Trail, but was not blocking Crashes were reported on both westbound and eastbound M-14 between the triple-decker and I-94, dispatchers said. The crashes have been cleared. Motorists should also avoid M-14 near Main Street in Ann Arbor due to crashes and slick conditions, sheriff's officials said in a Nixle alert. Crashes slowly streamed in throughout the day as snow fell in the county, officials said. A pedestrian crosswalk sign was on the ground about 2:30 p.m. next to a University of Michigan bus crashed into a tree at Fuller Road and Maiden Lane. No one was injured in the crash, according to Huron Valley Ambulance spokesman Matt Rose. About six crashes were reported on southbound U.S. 23 near Geddes Road between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., he said. No one was injured. 30 Snowstorm hits Ann Arbor Jan. 28 2019 About five crashes were reported in Ann Arbor before 3 p.m., said Ann Arbor police Sgt. Dennis DeGrand. None of them involved major injury and two occurred before snow began to fall. It was busier on the highways, he said. "We've been pretty lucky down in town here," he said. A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. in Washtenaw County, according to the National Weather Service. A wind chill watch is expected to go into effect Tuesday. In the meantime, Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor road crews were busy working to clear their primary routes - highways and major roads. Depending on the progression of the storm, county crews might not get to some subdivision until Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday, said Emily Kizer, communications coordinator for the Washtenaw County Road Commission. This post will be updated with further crash information. YPSILANTI, MI - Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College added their names to a long list of colleges and universities cancelling classes on Wednesday, Jan. 30, in anticipation of sub-zero temperatures. Both EMU and WCC canceled classes on Monday, as well, amid a winter storm that dumped several inches of snow on Southeast Michigan. At EMU, residence halls and apartments will remain open. Campus dining/food service will be available at The Commons, Eastern Eateries and CrossRoads MarketPlace. Eastern Eateries will close at 10 p.m. instead of 1 a.m. Due to the 24/7 nature of some campus operations, certain designated personnel such as heating plant, physical plant, food service, public safety, WEMU and other employees within specific areas of the University may be required to work, according to the university. Employees who are required to work will be notified by their supervisors. All other employees should remain at home in accordance with the Eastern Michigan University Weather Policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements, the university announced Tuesday. WCC will close its college offices at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Classes beginning at 5 p.m. or later are cancelled along with this evenings Board of Trustees meeting. The Michigan Dermatological Society meeting scheduled on Wednesday, Jan. 30 will meet as scheduled in the Morris Lawrence Building. Along with EMU and WCC, the University of Michigan canceled classes for Wednesday, in addition to Thursday. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency ahead of this week's bitter temperatures. The entire state of Michigan is under a Wind Chill Warning in effect through Thursday morning, with wind chills expected to drop as low as 45 degrees below zero in the southern part of the state Wednesday and Thursday mornings. GAYLORD, MI A Michigan couple was saved from a gas-filled home by two Michigan State Police troopers on Tuesday morning. According to a news release, the incident occurred at 4:30 a.m. when troopers were sent to a home on Melvindale Drive in Ostego Countys Bagley Township. The 60-year-old mans wife had called, noting that she was unable to revive her husband who was lying unresponsive on a bed in the home. She also reported the carbon monoxide alarm was sounding. Upon arriving, the troopers immediately noted a strong smell of propane outside the home. They found the lethargic, 58-year-old woman, who was having difficulty standing, and immediately helped her outside the home to fresh air. They then entered the home and found the man in the back bedroom. The troopers lifted the man and carried him outside. Once he was breathing fresh air, the man began to communicate with the troopers. Both subjects were transported to Otsego Memorial Hospital by EMS. The Otsego Fire Department inspected the residence and verified there was a gas leak. The utility company was subsequently contacted to check and repair the leak. If not for the alarm and the quick action of the troopers, the couple would have likely died, police said. Its officially that time of the year when some foods start to be served in the shape of a heart, and Tim Hortons is joining in on the fun this year with heart-shaped donuts to help celebrate Valentines Day. Starting Feb. 6 at participating locations in the United States, customers can order the Vanilla Be Mine Donut and Chocolate Be Mine Donut for a limited time. The Vanilla Be Mine Donut is a raspberry-jam filled donut dipped in vanilla fondant topped with red shimmer and the Chocolate Be Mine Donut is a venetian cream-filled donut dipped in chocolate fondant topped with red shimmer," the company reports in a news release. In addition to these heart-shaped donuts in the U.S., the Canadian company is also offering a Red Velvet lineup of drinks to celebrate Valentines Day. Tim Hortons isnt alone in these heart-shaped treats as Krispy Kreme is looking to replace Sweethearts Candy with conversation donuts. These heart-shaped donuts come in the Sweethearts style with a message on the front and icing in colors of blue, purple, pink, green and yellow. LANSING, MI -- State of Michigan offices and the legislature will close on Wednesday as the state grapples with extreme cold. Due to the emergency weather conditions impacting the state of Michigan, all state government offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, reads a notice posted on the states website. The closure applies to all non-essential employees reporting to work on or after 10:00 p.m. on Jan. 29, according to a press release from the Michigan State Police. Certain offices will remain open for critical functions, and state employees with questions about whether their work is deemed essential should check with their supervisors. Spokespeople for the House and Senate said those institutions would also close tomorrow. In Lansing, the seat of state government and the legislature, temperatures are expected to stay below zero on Wednesday, with wind chill dropping to negative 35 degrees and an additional four to five inches of snow. Mayor Andy Schor put travel restrictions in place, asking motorists to stay off the roads starting after midnight, and closed city facilities. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency Tuesday, activating the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate state efforts to help local governments address the emergency. All Michiganders are encouraged to stay inside as the temperature continues to drop, said Whitmer in a press release. If you must leave, make sure you layer up, wear the warmest clothes you have, cover your mouth, and try to limit your time out of your home. For your safety and the safety of our first responders, do not take unnecessary risks. As of Tuesday afternoon no local government had declared a state of emergency and requested state assistance, according to Dale George, Public Information Officer for the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security. But the State Emergency Operations Center is poised to respond to any requests for additional resources. The state office closure comes shortly after a similar one on Monday, when state offices closed at 10 a.m. due to a snowstorm. Spending in Michigans 14 U.S. House races in 2018 topped $80 million this year, doubling the 2016 total and marking the most expensive Congressional campaign cycle in Michigan history, the Michigan Campaign Finance Network found. The Michigan Campaign Finance Network came to the $80 million total for 2018 through an analysis of candidate fundraising disclosures, independent-spending reports and an analysis of television advertising data from Kantar Media/CMAG. A similar analysis of the 2016 cycle showed $40 million in spending on Congressional races that year. The 8th Congressional District was by far the most expensive in Michigan in 2018 - the competitive race between former Republican Rep. Mike Bishop and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, attracted $28.3 million. It was also the most expensive individual U.S. House race ever in Michigan, toppling the previous record of $14 million in 2010 during a competitive contest between former Rep. Mark Schauer and Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton. The 11th Congressional District, where Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills, defeated Republican Lena Epstein to take over an open seat, attracted $19 million over the course of 2018 due to heavy spending in both the primary and general election cycles. Michigan Campaign Finance Network Director Craig Mauger attributed the uptick in campaign spending to the amount of money in politics trending upward nationwide, as well as the more competitive Congressional races Michigan voters saw this cycle. If there are more competitive races in Michigan than there are elsewhere, resources nationally get put here, Mauger said. Mauger said there is still room for Michigans Congressional races to get more costly in future cycles, noting that the Slotkin-Bishop race was only the fifth most expensive race nationally in 2018 despite being the most expensive Congressional race in Michigan history. The Chicago Police Department shared video of its successful rescue of a man and his dog after the pair found themselves trapped Sunday, Jan. 27 in icy Lake Michigan. Police say that officers from its 20th District saved the man, who wishes to stay anonymous, and his 9-month-old American Eskimo mix, Pika, from the mostly frozen Great Lake about 1 p.m. Sunday. Accompanying the video shared by the police department is a statement from the man detailing what happened before, during and after the incident. The man said that the responding Chicago Police Department officers absolutely saved my life and I will be forever grateful to them. He said his dog was very excited to visit Lincoln Park and Foster Beach, but that he ran away from the owner down to the edge of the large ice ridges along the lake. I saw him disappear over the ridge. I ran up and looked down six feet to see him paddling in freezing cold water. He is a 19 pound dog and I knew that he would soon die from cold or drowning. I jumped in after him. The water was only to my waist and I lifted him onto my shoulder, the man writes in his statement provided by police. Ice walls that rose two feet above my head stretched across the entire shore, trapping us in the water. I looked for a possible exit but could not find one. I trudged through the icy water for maybe 20 feet and came upon a portion of the ice wall that was lower. From where I stood in the water it was the height of my head. Chicago Police rescued a man on Sunday who jumped into Lake Michigan to save his 19-lb dog, Pika. Both the man and the dog are doing well. See body camera footage of the rescue by following the link below #ChicagoPolice #CPD https://t.co/W5saE9B5nT pic.twitter.com/Z4RCFgxv3V Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) January 28, 2019 From this position, the man says he was able to use his water-resistant phone and dial 911 in addition to a witness already reportedly notifying police. The man says he and Pika are fully recovered, and in debt to our gracious and heroic first responders." NASA is taking its documentation of Bennu to another level with a recently released pair of photos the space agency says were made about 1 mile above the asteroids surface. These new photos come less than a month after the U.S. space agency orbited the asteroid, which was the smallest object NASA had ever orbited with a spacecraft. The photos at the top of this post were captured back on Jan. 17, from one mile away with an exposure of 1.4 milliseconds. As for the large boulder in the middle of the left frame, NASA says that this formation is about 165 feet across. The images were made using the OSIRIS-RExs NavCam 1 navigation camera, which does not collect data but has a hand in helping the spacecrafts orbit. Related: Watch live as NASA spacecraft arrives at intriguing asteroid for year-long mission OSIRIS-REx -- short for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer-- first reached Bennu back in December, and quickly discovered water trapped inside of clay on the asteroids surface. Bennu is estimated to be the size of the Empire State Building, and something to note, is that NASA is already working on a plan to prevent the asteroid from coming too close -- or striking -- Earth in 2135. The odds of Bennu hitting Earth in 2135 is said to be 1 in 2,700, according to the Washington Post. OSIRIS-REx will remain in the asteroids orbit through February of this year as it continues on closer than any other spacecraft has come to its celestial object of study. For those keeping track at home... I've traveled just under 2.2 billion km (1.4 billion miles) since leaving home in Sept. 2016. I'll remain in orbit around Bennu until late February when I begin a series of flybys for Detailed Survey. More details: https://t.co/rACre4nDe4 pic.twitter.com/39kkEYTzNC NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) January 28, 2019 I'm currently a little more than 95 million kilometers (59 million miles) from home. At this distance, it takes about 10.5 minutes round-trip to communicate with Earth. #WhereIsOSIRISREx https://t.co/rACre4nDe4 pic.twitter.com/gW34YGVuG2 NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) January 21, 2019 The OSIRIS-REx team will resume science operations in late February, the space agency reports. At that point, the spacecraft will perform a series of close flybys of Bennu for several months to take high-resolution images of every square inch of the asteroid to help select a sampling site. If that sounds exciting, NASA has big plans as the spacecraft will touch the asteroids surface during the summer of 2020 and hopefully return a sample from Bennu to Earth by September 2023. With legalized marijuana in Michigan but nowhere to buy it, a gray market for weed is taking hold. Buying chocolates comes with a gift of marijuana in Ann Arbor. And buying used books in Ypsilanti also comes with a perk -- a gift of weed -- that promises delivery anywhere in the state. Right now theyre filling a need that because people have no idea where to obtain cannabis, said Matt Abel, a lawyer at Cannabis Counsel in Detroit and one of the proponents behind Proposal 1. We just cant roll out this commercial market soon enough. The industry is waiting for announcements from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs as to how and when the rules will be written to govern commercial adult-use marijuana businesses. Government officials are also coming up with rules surrounding hemp and its popular derivative, CBD oil. For now, entrepreneurs are taking advantage of high demand and no rules as they launch marijuana gifts," private social clubs and CBD oil-infused drinks. "It's probably a short-term issue," said Josh Hovey, who was the spokesman for the marijuana legalization campaign in Michigan and now serves as the spokesman for the new Michigan Cannabis Industry Association. "As the market becomes established, there won't really be a real reason for those businesses." Gifting Without a retail market, gifts of marijuana are the only way to obtain it in Michigan, under the new voter-approved Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. Selling marijuana without a state license remains illegal. Enter the business that promises to gift marijuana along with the sale of artwork. Barton Morris, a lawyer at Cannabis Legal Group in Royal Oak who was among those promoting the legalization campaign, said many of the new business schemes are definitely illegal. "If you're selling a T-shirt and giving marijuana as a gift, when they're part of the same transaction, there's no legality for that," Morris said. "Because they're not selling the T-shirt without the marijuana. The transaction speaks for itself." However, Morris said there could be legal merit to scenarios where tickets are sold to an event where attendees could be provided cannabis. "I think it just depends on the circumstances," Morris said. Abel questioned the business model of the newly launched gifting businesses, as he struggled to see how they could turn a profit as the cost of the item being sold would have to be true to its market value, and not also cover the cost of the marijuana gift. Abel said he could argue the legality of the gifting transactions both ways -- which to him, means it's a question that would have to be decided in court. Morris agreed. "That's a question of fact for a jury," Abel said. "This will likely be left up to county prosecutors to pursue." Morris said law enforcement will likely leave these kinds of business alone -- for now. Eventually people will complain, especially once the licensed industry launches, Morris said. That is generally what inspires law enforcement activity. Private clubs In Flint, a banquet hall is trying to start a social club for adults 21 and over to enjoy snacks and marijuana. Local officials have warned any attempt would have to be approved by a local zoning board. State officials arent giving guidance on the issue right now. We are reviewing the provisions of the MRTMA (Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act) as we begin to work toward implementing the facility regulatory program, said David Harns, a spokesman for the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The states new adult-use marijuana law will allow for temporary licenses for private social clubs where people can smoke marijuana, Morris said. Those rules havent been written yet. Yet there are clubs that are already launching across the state. On the Michigan-Wisconsin border in Menominee, a private club -- Hush Lounge -- is looking to start in an apartment above a tattoo business, according to media reports. For a fee, people can join the club and smoke marijuana with other members. In Kalamazoo, a brewery is starting a private social club for marijuana consumption. Its not going to be a pot den, said Mark Rupert, owner of Ruperts Brew House.Were not trying to turn it into a smokers bonfire of weed. We want people to respect what were doing. Morris said private marijuana clubs cant violate local laws for use of a facility -- and would have to take steps to ensure events are truly private and not open to the public. However, Harns warned that any public license holders that close their doors for a private event may face issues with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Cannabis smoke is not subject to Michigans Smoke-Free Air Law, which prohibits indoor cigarette smoking, Abel said. CBD A lack of regulations for CBD -- cannabidiol, a derivative of hemp and cannabis that has less than 0.3 percent THC -- has also resulted in gray market for CBD-infused drinks that are appearing on menus in coffee shops and restaurants across the state. While hemp is also legal now in Michigan, state officials haven't decided how CBD products will be regulated. Its causing confusion. In Royal Oak, a bar is serving up CBD-infused cocktails and at a coffee shop in Traverse City, your latte can come infused with CBD oil. In Holland, a coffee shop offered to add 15 mg of CBD to any coffee or tea for $2 in early January, according to a media report. The county health department ordered them to take CBD off their menu because while the substance is legal, there are no rules governing its consumption. -- Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com. Read more from MLive about recreational marijuana. LANSING, MI -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer moved her state of the state address to eliminate a timing conflict with President Donald Trumps State of the Union address, her office announced in a press release Tuesday. Whitmer initially scheduled hers for Feb. 5, and Trump initially planned to deliver his State of the Union speech on Jan. 29. However, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, rescinded Trumps initial invitation during the federal shutdown. After the federal government was temporarily re-opened, Pelosi and Trump agreed to a new date: Feb. 5. The scheduling conflict led Whitmer to reschedule, moving her State of the State address to Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. The House of Representatives hosts the speech in its chamber. Whitmer delivered a letter to House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, and House Clerk Gary Randall requesting the date change. Chatfield said in a statement Whitmers request was still under consideration. I have yet to speak with Senate Majority Leader Shirkey on his caucuss interest in the new date and the passage of a new concurrent resolution; with the Clerk of the House about the availability of the chamber; with our Chief Sergeant at Arms or the Michigan State Police regarding the date change; or with Capitol Facilities regarding the availability of the capitol the evening of the 12th. I intend to have these conversations and work through these proper channels today," he said. The House is reviewing the governors request. We will continue to work together to find a date that works for all parties involved. The Michigan governor traditionally delivers an annual State of the State speech at the beginning of the year. In her first State of the State address Whitmer will address members of the 100th legislature and their guests. One topic she will talk about is education. OSCODA, MI The U.S. Air Force is telling the state of Michigan to take a regulation designed to severely limit toxic PFAS chemicals in the environment and shove it. In a Dec. 7 letter, the Air Force claims that federal sovereign immunity allows it to disregard the Michigan Department of Environmental Qualitys attempt to force its compliance with a regulation that caps the amount of PFAS chemicals entering surface water. The letter follows a violation notice issued Oct. 19 by the DEQ, which says the Air Force is failing meet a 12 parts per trillion (ppt) limit on the amount of PFAS allowed in Michigan groundwater at the point where it co-mingles with a lake or river. The violation was issued as part of a years-long investigation into PFAS contamination in Oscoda around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, where past use of chemical-based AFFF firefighting foam has polluted drinking water, lakes, rivers and local wildlife, and is causing regular instances of toxic lake foam to pileup on local beaches. The DEQ lacks the jurisdictional authority to force compliance because the federal government has not waived sovereign immunity with regard to the state regulation on which the (violation notice) is premised, a senior Air Force official wrote. The Air Force is hereby informing you that it will not be taking any new remedial actions at this time, wrote Stephen Termaath, chief of the Air Force civil engineering center program that coordinates cleanup at contaminated former bases. The letter represents further discord between Michigan and the Air Force related to cleanup at Wurtsmith, where the DEQ discovered PFAS in 2010. It was the first of many sites at which the contaminants have been found in the state. In December 2017, the state invoked a dispute resolution process with the Air Force under a joint federal and state defense site cleanup program. Michigan officials contend, among other things, that federal efforts are not adequate to tackle the widespread pollution. The DEQ wants a fourfold increase in the amount of contaminated groundwater the Air Force is pumping from underneath the base into a granular activated carbon filtration (GAC) system installed last summer a year behind schedule. The state also wants to increase the overall size of the area where groundwater is being captured. According to the DEQ, plumes on base are seriously harming an Au Sable River wetland area known as Clarks Marsh, where the individual compound PFOS has tested at 42,000-ppt in the groundwater and 1,400-ppt in the surface waters of the marsh. In October, Michigan issued the nations first Do Not Eat deer advisory based on PFAS contamination for an area around the marsh. A fish consumption advisory has been in place for several years. Arnie Leriche, a former Environmental Protection Agency engineer who co-chairs the Wurtsmith Restoration Advisory Board in Oscoda, said the Air Force is extremely reluctant to comply with the strict 12-ppt surface water standard in Michigan out of concern the move might be seen a precedent setting for the Department of Defense. As of 2017, the Pentagon had identified about 400 active and former bases or installations with known or suspected PFAS contamination. The state estimates that, in Michigan alone, the initial PFAS cleanup bill around all the contaminated military sites could reach as high as $335 million. Wurtsmith is a large piece of that figure. Last year, the state estimated the base needs 20 GAC filtration units to clean up the plumes at a total cost of $178 million, which includes more than a decade of operational costs. Even if it just applies in Michigan, its going to be a budget buster, Leriche said. Leriche, who testified about the problem before the U.S. Senate in September, said the Air Force could move faster if it wanted to, and there are examples, such as Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire, when it has. Leriche said that federal Superfund law, known by the acronym CERCLA, lets the Air Force to take a drawn-out phased approach to addressing the pollution that amounts to taking the slow boat to China. Because the EPA hasnt designated PFAS chemicals as hazardous, Leriche said the Air Force can essentially ignore state law until it gets to the remedial investigation phase. He said the Air Force is moving slowly at Wurtsmith out of budgetary concern, but also because they dont want to get to the phase in CERCLA where they have to acknowledge, officially, state rules, standards and criteria. That could take another decade, he said. Theyve already spent the last four years wasting time, Leriche said. Messages seeking comment from the Air Force last week were not returned. In a statement, the DEQ says its working aggressively to hold the Air Force accountable for the pollution, and that its approach is science-based and data-driven. The DEQ would not make Wurtsmith site manager Robert Delaney, a scientist who first raised alarms about PFAS in state government, available for an interview. The DEQ is aiming for a full remedy in Oscoda, said agency spokesperson Scott Dean. The slow response by the Air Force to the Wurtsmith contamination is having an increasingly negative impact on the people, wildlife and environment in Oscoda," Dean said. "Although Michigan seeks to work cooperatively with the Air Force, slow response to PFAS contamination is not acceptable. The DEQ appears to be working in closer concert on the Wurtsmith problem with the Attorney Generals office under Dana Nessel than with her predecessor Bill Schuette, on whom the agency waited nearly a year between April 2017 and February 2018 for written input about the Air Forces liability to remediate contaminated groundwater. In a statement, Nessels office spokesperson Kelly Rossman-McKinney said the attorney general and and her team continue to work with DEQ to hold the U.S. Air Force accountable for PFAS contamination at its former Wurtsmith base in Oscoda. We take polluting our land, our water and our people very seriously and we are prepared to use every regulatory and legal means necessary to force the Air Force to address this contamination, Rossman-McKinney said. This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary. LAS VEGAS -- Aside from checking out new weapon designs, one of the great things about going to SHOT Show is that it offers the chance to get hands-on with unique weapons such as the FightLite Industries Mission Configurable Rifle, or MCR. The MCR is a version of the older ARES Shrike, a belt-fed 5.56mm AR-style light machine gun. I have always been intrigued by the Shrike concept, and FightLite Industries had its MCR upper receivers available for demo at the pre-SHOT range day. The MCR receivers are available in full-auto and semi-auto versions, and come in 12.5-inch and 16.25-inch quick-change barrel models. They are designed to fit on any AR-15, M16 or M4 lower receiver, according to Mike Ruggles of FightLite Industries. "We are the small-arms division of ARES Defense Systems. We brought it to the civilian market as FightLite," he said. "It's the lightest belt-fed machine gun in the world." The MCR weighs in at 8.5 pounds with a quick-change 12.5-inch barrel, Ruggles said. It features an M1913 coplanar handguard with rails on the top, sides and bottom for the mounting of optics and accessories. It also has a short-stroke gas system for running in dirty conditions or using a suppressor. The MCR can run on M27 belted ammunition or ammo from standard AR magazines. It has a 7075-T6 billet upper receiver, feed cover and charging handle, and a precision-machined billet steel feed tray. Ruggles blasted away with the MCR at short-range targets. I got a chance to fire the full-auto version, using belted, 5.56mm ammo. I have fired several U.S. military light machine guns, such as the M249 and the MK48, and the MCR seems every bit as good. At roughly 800 rounds per minute, it's simple to operate, shoulders well and is relatively easy to control in short bursts. As attractive as the MCR is, it's not cheap. The uppers retail from $3,800 to $4,400. The complete semi-auto MCO rifles retail for roughly $5,200. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Related Video: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Tuesday downplayed reports that he has shown favoritism toward Boeing Co., where he worked for more than 30 years. "I think that's just noise," he told reporters during his first off-camera briefing at the Pentagon. Earlier this month, Politico reported that Shanahan has been promoting the company in meetings while heavily criticizing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, manufactured by Boeing's direct competitor Lockheed Martin Corp. Shanahan reportedly called the F-35 "f---ed up" and said Lockheed, unlike Boeing, "doesn't know how to run a program," according to Politico. Responding to the report, Shanahan on Tuesday didn't dispute he's been critical of the F-35 program, which is set to cost a trillion dollars over its lifetime. "I am biased toward performance; I am biased toward giving the taxpayer their money's worth," he said. "And the F-35 unequivocally, I can say, has a lot of opportunity for more performance." After he was named interim secretary following former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' departure, the Pentagon announced that Shanahan would not be involved with any future dealings with Boeing, including acquisition decisions. Critics said Shanahan indirectly brought Boeing influence with him when he took his post at the Pentagon last year. Boeing won a variety of contracts in 2018, including the Air Force's T-X trainer, which will replace current T-38 Talon fleets. The T-X announcement in September marked the third major contract for Boeing, the U.S.' largest aerospace firm, that year. The Air Force that month also selected the company to build the replacement for its UH-1N Huey helicopter, at a cost of approximately $2.38 billion. In August, the Navy selected it to build its first operational carrier-based MQ-25 tanker drone. However, those contract negotiations -- some years in the making -- had already been well underway before Shanahan took his post. Meanwhile, Boeing's KC-46 program has been under scrutiny. The Air Force recently accepted its first Boeing-made KC-46 Pegasus tanker delivery at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. However, the aircraft arrived with deficiencies that the company has agreed to fix, which may take three to four years. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. CEDAR PARK, Texas -- Three people have been arrested in the shooting death of an active-duty airman, the Cedar Park Police Department announced Monday. Police Chief Sean Mannix described the "senseless, cowardly actions" that took the life of Airman 1st Class Austin Robert Burroughs on Jan. 20 as a random armed robbery in a safe area of town. "His life was taken by a group that appears to have gone out with the sole purpose of robbing people at gunpoint that night," Mannix said. So far, the three are also connected to two other armed robberies on Jan. 21 in Austin. Cornelius Martin, Darius Burdett-Hornsby and Elanna Wilkes, all of Austin, were arrested Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 and were being held in Travis County Jail. They will be transported to neighboring Williamson County, where Cedar Park is located and where all three suspects are charged with murder, Mannix said. Cedar Park is a northwestern suburb of Austin with a low violent crime rate. Mannix said in his six years with the police department, this is the first felony case with a death in which the individuals did not know each other. In 2018, only two homicides were reported, said Alicia Inns, police department spokeswoman. Burroughs, a cryptologic language analyst, joined the Air Force on May 30, 2017. He recently graduated from the Defense Language Institute at Presidio of Monterey, Calif., according to records from the Air Force Personnel Center. He was on temporary duty as a student with the 316th Training Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base near San Angelo, Texas, en route to his first duty assignment. Burroughs and his wife are from Texas and private services were held in Pflugerville during the weekend. On Jan. 20, police responded to a call of shot fired at 9:15 p.m. at the Lakeline Villas Apartments, and found Burroughs, 22, dead of a gunshot wound to the neck, Mannix said. He was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m. Burroughs and his wife, who lived at the complex, had just arrived there and he was shot as he exited the driver's side of the vehicle, police said in the initial release of information following the incident. Mannix would not say Monday which suspect is believed to have pulled the trigger. Video surveillance footage collected from a nearby business during the investigation showed a vehicle registered to Wilkes rapidly exiting the parking lot quickly after the time of the shooting, police said. The vehicle had a previous history of being connected to aggravated robberies, Mannix said. Wilkes and Martin were arrested on warrants in a traffic stop in Killeen, Texas, on Jan. 24 and Burdett-Hornsby was arrested on warrants the next day. Mannix, who said Burroughs had a "promising career in the Air Force," wouldn't comment on the condition of the Burroughs' family, but he said the county's victims services staff have been in contact with them. "I'm proud of the collective effort that is helping to honor Austin's memory by bringing those believed to be responsible to the justice system," he said. The costs of maintaining active-duty and National Guard troops on the southern border have risen to $235 million to date, a Pentagon official said Tuesday. About $132 million has been spent on the active-duty troops who began deploying to Texas, Arizona and California in early November, Vice Adm. Michael Gilday, operations director for the Joint Staff, told a House Armed Services Committee hearing. National Guard troops who began deploying to the southern border on order of President Donald Trump last April have cost about $103 million through January, Gilday said. He projected that the costs for maintaining National Guard troops on the border from last April through fiscal 2019, ending Sept. 30, would total about $550 million. Related: Acting SecDef: Border Mission Likely to Require 'Several Thousand' More Troops Gilday said it is "difficult to give you an estimate on active duty" because "the requirements are evolving and fluctuating" as troops back up Customs and Border Patrol, lay concertina wire between ports of entry, shore up existing barriers, aid in surveillance, provide medical support and perform other duties. Troops are barred under U.S. statutes from performing law enforcement functions. About 5,900 active-duty troops initially deployed to the border. That number has come down to about 2,100, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday, though the border deployment has been extended to Sept. 30. There are currently about 2,350 National Guard troops on the border. Both Gilday and John Rood, the Pentagon's under secretary for policy, declined to discuss the costs should Trump declare a national emergency to allow funds to be taken from the military construction budget to build extensions to existing segments of the wall. The president has repeatedly said that he might declare a national emergency if Congress fails to provide $5.7 billion for the wall. At an earlier, off-camera Pentagon briefing, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said that the Department of Homeland Security has already made requests for assistance from the Defense Department, which will likely require "several thousand" more active-duty troops to go to the border. "More recently, DHS has asked us to support them in expanded concertina wire and expanded surveillance capability," Shanahan said. "We've responded with, 'Here's how many people it would it take.' " When asked for a number, he said, "Several thousand. I'll kind of leave it at that." Existing wall structures cover about 580 miles of the approximately 2,000-mile-long border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, but Rood said walls and other forms of barriers, such as concertina wire, extend for about 654 miles. On CBS-TV's "Face the Nation" program Sunday, Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, said that the $5.7 billion sought by Trump would add about 283 miles of wall. During the open session of a White House Cabinet meeting earlier this month, Shanahan said that active-duty troops are focusing on the "restoration of fences" and "building out additional mileage for the wall." "The Army Corps of Engineers is dialed in on doing this cost effectively and with the right amount of urgency as to where we can build additional stand-up walls quickly and then get after the threat," he said. At Tuesday's hearing, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, the new HASC chairman, questioned whether illegal crossings had reached the point where the presence of active-duty troops is necessary. "While border security is always a challenge, there's really not much evidence that right at the moment it is a crisis," Smith said. Republicans on the committee backed up Trump's frequent declarations that there is a crisis, pointing to reports that more "caravans" of asylum seekers are headed north. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, the ranking Republican on the committee, said that the previous five administrations had authorized the use of the military to aid in border protection. He said the Trump administration's actions are "in line with, consistent with, the sort of things that we have asked the military to do for a long, long time." Funding for the wall -- and congressional Democrats' refusal to provide it -- was the main factor in the 35-day partial government shutdown that ended last Friday when Trump agreed to three more weeks of negotiations, with a Feb.15 deadline on his demand for wall funding. The president has warned that the government could shut down again or he may declare a national emergency to take money out of the military construction budget if his demand is not met. -- Oriana Pawlyk contributed to this report. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. The chief of the U.S. Army Reserve said Tuesday that his force may not be ready to administer the new Army Combat Fitness Test as a test of record by the mandated October 2020 deadline. The Army's senior leadership announced last July that every soldier in the active duty, National Guard and Reserve will have to pass new the six-event ACFT, which is scheduled to replace the three-event Army Physical Fitness Test in roughly 20 months. The Army launched a large-scale, year-long pilot in October to work out the finer details, such as scoring, and possibly refine the new ACFT events. Once the pilot is complete this October, soldiers across the force have another 12 months before they must be able to pass the ACFT. Lt. Gen. Charles Luckey, commander of Army Reserve Command, said that, while he is excited about the new ACFT, he is concerned that his command may not have the necessary exercise equipment for units to accomplish the test by the October 2020 deadline. "What I have promised the chief of staff of the United States Army is I will give him my best assessment of when I think [it will be], and I'll just say the word 'fair' ... to execute this, at scale, as a test of record," Luckey told reporters at a Defense Writers Group breakfast. "I have seven sets [of equipment] right now across the United States as part of this pilot," he added, explaining that there are roughly "857 Army Reserve centers just across the continental United States and Alaska alone." The Army has equipped each of the roughly 60 test battalions conducting the ACFT pilot with 16 lanes worth of equipment. Each testing lane requires one deadlift bar and more than 320 pounds of weights. There are also additional 90-pound weights for the sprint-drag-carry event, which requires soldiers to drag a 90-pound sled. Each lane also requires a weight sled, pull straps, two kettlebells and one medicine ball. Other equipment includes tape measures, marking cones and stopwatches. Army officials say that many units already have some of the equipment required, such as pull-up bars. "It would be inappropriate for me to tell you today sitting here when I am confident we will be able to fully execute this test fairly, at scale, because I don't even have all of the stuff yet, and it's a fair amount of stuff," Luckey said. Administering the ACFT to large numbers of reservists in a single drill weekend will also be a challenge, he said. "Given all of the activities that I am expecting my soldiers to accomplish on any battle assembly weekend -- anything that is going to take a significant amount of manpower and time -- across, again 20 time zones, in all kinds of climatic conditions, on any given Saturday, whether it's in Fargo, North Dakota, or Miami, Florida, or Saipan or Guam or American Samoa or Korea or Japan at scale -- it becomes a challenge in terms of time management," Luckey said. He did say that he is enthused that the new test will force reservists to work together differently than they have in the past. "I am not going to issue the equipment to a specific unit. I am going to issue it to a location, and they are going to have to learn how to share and manage together," Luckey said. "This is a good thing. This breaks down some of what I would regard as functional, artificial barriers that have existed in the Army Reserve for a long time that we have been in the process of trying to essentially mitigate for the last couple of years," he said. Luckey said he is excited about the new ACFT, even though the former Special Forces officer admits he was slightly overconfident at first. "In a moment of hyperbole and bravado, I said, 'In 30 days, I'm going to max this thing,' " he said, joking about a recent conversation he had with soldiers in Texas. "This captain came over to me and said, 'Hey, sir, there are only three soldiers in the Army who have maxed this thing.' " Luckey, who is 64, said he has not taken the full ACFT yet because he is still trying to rebuild after a "complete rotator cuff repair about five years ago" and from a severed bicep tendon. "I am going to get there," he said. "As the oldest general in the Army, I view this as my responsibility to pass this." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. The Defense Department has been asked to put up more concertina wire and conduct expanded surveillance along the U.S.-Mexico border, which will likely require "several thousand" more troops to be deployed, the Pentagon's acting leader said Tuesday. Should President Donald Trump declare a national emergency at the border, as he has threatened to do, the Pentagon has prepared recommendations on how it could support the response, including how best to use military construction funding, according to Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. He said that a larger troop presence at the border is likely. The Department of Homeland Security recently asked the Pentagon for additional support for the mission, which already calls for service members to be deployed through September. There are approximately 4,500 active-duty and National Guard forces currently stationed at the border, down from about 5,900 in November. Related content: "It's really around this mission of monitoring, surveilling and detection," Shanahan told reporters during an off-camera briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday. Shanahan did not say how additional funding could be allocated through the Pentagon's budget, nor if assigned funding for the mission would be diverted to building the border wall. He said there is authority to utilize military construction funds for the wall. If an emergency is declared, he said the government could leverage 10 U.S. Code 2808, which provides "construction authority in the event of a declaration of war or national emergency." "Within that, there is language that says to enhance the capability of the military construction funds [and that] they can be utilized," Shanahan said, adding however, "The money that we have assigned for military construction was appropriate[d] for specific tasks, so those have already been allocated and assigned to certain missions." He did not specify who would build the wall, as troops are meant to remain in a support-only role. Shanahan's comments came as Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, is holding a hearing with John Rood, under secretary of defense for policy, and Navy Vice Adm. Michael Gilday, director of operations on the Joint Staff. Lawmakers want to know whether the use of active-duty troops for the border mission is necessary, Shanahan said. "What [Smith has] been asking is, 'Help us understand the policy.' " Shanahan said he has had many conversations on border security with Smith, whose aim is to ensure transparency on the military's mission there. "When we look at the role, it is a support role [including medical and logistical support], so it's not about undertaking a law enforcement position," Shanahan said. In December, the Pentagon extended the original border deployment at the request of DHS. "In response to the December 27, 2018, request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan approved Department of Defense assistance to DHS through Sept. 30, 2019," the Pentagon said in a statement at the time. "DoD is transitioning its support at the southwestern border from hardening ports of entry to mobile surveillance and detection, as well as concertina wire emplacement between ports of entry. DoD will continue to provide aviation support." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Some Coast Guard families began receiving back pay Monday while bracing for the possibility that another government shutdown Feb. 15 could again leave them scrambling to cover bills and put food on the table. In Oregon, Stacey Benson, whose husband has served 19 years in the service, said back pay from the 35-day government shutdown was in her family's account Monday morning. Coast Guard officials said they are working to deliver back pay by Wednesday to all of the more than 42,000 Coast Guard members affected by the longest government shutdown in history. Benson, who helped start up "Be The Light" food banks for struggling Coast Guard families during the shutdown, said the food banks essentially closed Sunday, after President Donald Trump signed a bill Friday opening the government for three weeks while Congress and the White House seek agreement on funding for a border wall. However, Benson said that volunteers are "making arrangements" to restart the food banks "just in case" the government shuts down again Feb. 15. "If it happens, we're prepared for the worst," she said. At the food bank in Astoria, Oregon, Benson estimated that 50,000 to 70,000 pounds of goods had been collected for distribution, including "pounds and pounds and pounds of ground beef and huge bags of dog and cat food." The shutdown strained donors' resources to the point they're asking for donations themselves. Brett Reistad, national commander of the American Legion, said efforts by the group to assist Coast Guard families had essentially drained the veterans organization's Temporary Assistance Fund. "I've been in the Legion 38 years," he said in a phone interview, "and I've not experienced an instance like this. Reistad added that the Legion was reaching out to supporters to replenish the fund. During the shutdown, the Legion distributed more than $1 million from the fund in the form of grants of $500 to $1,500 to needy Coast Guard families, Reistad said. Since Jan. 15, the organization had approved about 1,500 grants to a total of 1,713 families -- specifically targeted at the 3,170 children in those families, he added. "We try to stay out of politics" as a veterans service organization, Reistad said, but "we have to recognize the possibility of this happening again" Feb 15 if Congress and the White House fail to compromise. "These are our brothers and sisters," he said of Coast Guard members. "They were out there risking their lives, saving lives" during the shutdown without pay. He asked anyone interested in replenishing the Temporary Assistance Fund to visit Legion.org for more information. The White House was standing firm Monday on the president's demand for $5.7 billion to fund an extension of the southern border wall. Trump said over the weekend that he would allow the government to shut down again or declare a national emergency to take money from the military budget if Congress doesn't agree to fund the wall. At a White House briefing Monday, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the solution is to "call your Democratic member of Congress and ask them to fix the problem. This is a simple fix." She said Trump "is going to do what it takes" to provide border security. He would prefer to do that through legislation, Sanders said but, if Congress balks, "the president will be forced to take a different path." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. EAST HAMPTON Jared Smith, CSP has been promoted to Senior Project Manager in the Environment Department of Fuss & ONeill. Smith, a resident of East Hampton who works in the firms Manchester office, has been with Fuss & ONeill for 5 years. He specializes in the planning, implementation, and management of industrial hygiene, health, and safety programs for a variety of educational and municipal clients. Smith is an indoor air quality (IAQ) expert and has managed numerous IAQ projects, as well as projects involving hazardous soil, radon, lead, asbestos, and PCBs. Smith graduated from Keene State College in 2005 with a degree in Safety Studies. He is an Asbestos Consultant in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Martial arts school offers free class MIDDLETOWN 360 Defense Martial Arts, 725 Main St., opened Jan. 7, owned by Kayla Stomberg. On Jan. 30, residents are invited to a womens self defense class on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6-7:30 p.m. Participants will learn basic, effective striking combatives and two self-defense scenarios. 360 Defense serves students in Middletown, Portland, East Hampton, Cromwell, Middlefield and Durham. The class itself is free. A $5 donation per person will be given to New Horizons, the domestic violence shelter in Middletown. For information, go to https://www.360defensemiddletown.com/ Selectmen approve tax deferement program DURHAM At a special Board of Selectmen meeting duly held Jan. 24, Durham selectmen unanimously approved a resolution establishing a Tax Payment Deferment Program for Certain Individuals Affected by the Federal Shutdown. Any individuals seeking to apply for the deferment should contact Tax Collector Martin French at 860 349-1165 or mfrench@townofdurhamct.org. For any other social services assistance, please contact Human Services Coordinator Melissa Young at 860 349-3153 or myoung@townofdurhamct.org. Voices for Hope accepting entries Applications are now being accepted for the 13th annual Voices For Hope vocal competition and community outreach scholarship for New England vocalists ages 11-19, to benefit social service programs providing food and shelter to those in need through Local United Network to Combat Hunger (LUNCH). Voices For Hope, combining music and community outreach, gives aspiring vocalists an opportunity to use their talent and love of singing to benefit those in need, while also giving themselves an opportunity to win a $500 scholarship and professional performance and recording opportunities. To date, participants have hailed from six states with winners from CT, MA, and RI. The deadline for early submissions and early decisions is March 1 and the final deadline is April 1. The finalists will audition live in front of a panel of music industry professionals, and perform at the annual Harry Chapin Tribute concert to be held on April 27 in Mystic. Winners receive a $500 scholarship, featured performance opportunities and a professional recording to be released on worldwide digital services such as Amazon, Spotify, YouTube and iTunes. Winners from prior years have performed at the Bushnell, the Shubert Theater, the University of Hartford, with professionals such as Melba Moore, Diana DeGarmo, the Chapin Family, and Patti Austin. They have also released professional recordings. Any eligible vocalist interested in participating in the competition may obtain details and entry forms from the LUNCH website at www.lunchensemble.com, or by calling 860-572-9285. before the entry deadline. LUNCH was founded in 1989 by Grammy-winning songwriter Bill Pere, who is also one of Connecticut's Official State Troubadours. He has appeared on a Cheerios box as a "Hunger-Fighting Hero", and was named one of the "Top 50 Innovators and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry" by Music Connection Magazine. LUNCH has involved more than 3,000 kids in hundreds of benefit performances over the last 30 years, raising more than $1,000,000 for social service programs. Durham Library receives grant DURHAM The Durham Public Library was recently awarded a $500 grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County to start a Chess Program for children ages 7 and up. The Durham Public Library serves nearly 80,000 visitors annually, and serves a large number of new and returning patrons. The CFMC grant will partially fund the purchase of loanable portable chess kits, a chess instructor to lead classes, and a mock chess tournament. The demand for interesting and stimulating childrens programming is high and we are very excited that this grant will enable us to offer a quality program to our patrons,said director Christine Michaud. A schedule of childrens programs at the Durham Public Library can be found on the Library website: www.durhamlibrary.org/kids/programs/. Library seeks swag bag donations CLINTON The Henry Carter Hull Library will hold screenings of this year's newly released Oscar-Nominated Short Films as a free event, sponsored by Clinton Insurance Center. Guests can visit the library for this popular two-part series on SaturdayS, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, 12:30 p.m. to see the best of the best in the Documentary, live action, and animation short film categories, with popcorn provided by Chips Pub III. Last year, guests received the Hollywood treatment with complimentary swag bags donated by Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets. As a community partner and Clinton Chamber of Commerce member, the library invites residents to participate in this event by donating promotional items such as coupons/vouchers, lip balm, candies, snacks, pens, notepads, etc to fill these bags. New for this year, all contributors will get a star on the Walk of Fame leading up to and during the event , with larger stars for more substantial donations. Swag Bag donations of 50 or more individual items can be dropped off at the library during regular hours through Jan. 31. For information, call 860-669-2342. PORTLAND Those driving along Route 66 in Portland may be curious about a pair of odd looking Italianate brownstone houses about two-tenths of a mile from Main Street. The home are odd because they are built in the shape of an octagon. These eight-sided residences, The Joseph Williams Octagon House (built in 1855) at 70 Marlborough St., and Gilbert Stancliff Octagon House (built in 1853) at 78 Marlborough St., are among more than 1,000 octagon homes constructed across the country between 1848 and 1920, according to the Octagon House Inventory Book, written by historian and author Ellen L. Puerzer. Puerzer has been researching octagon houses since 1976. Only about 500 of these still stand, according to The Stamford Advocate. Portlands two, also known as the Octagon House Pair and located in the Marlborough Street Historic District, were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, said Portland Historical Society trustee Claire Frisbie. The homes were built from native brownstone in the mid-1850s for Joseph Williams, a shoe merchant, and Gilbert Stancliff, who worked in the Portland brownstone quarries, according to the Connecticut Historical Society. Portlands pair were built using brownstone reddish-brown sandstone mined from the local quarries. The Stancliffe house is a weathered red color, while the Williams house is a lighter tan, with evidence of patching along the stuccoed facade. Octagon houses, now found all across the country, were a fad in 1850s America, promoted by New York phrenologist Orson Squire Fowler, who believed such houses were cheaper to build, easier to heat, and cooler in summer, according to the State Historical Society. They often feature a flat roof and veranda, which runs around the house. The well-maintained Stancliff House, purchased for $1,075 at the time, is owned by 78 Marlborough Street LLC, and occupied by gastroenterologist Dr. Prakash Huded. As of the last revaluation in 2016, it was appraised at $445,400. Portland Historical Society President George Gilbert III recalls visiting the Stancliff House years ago as an altar boy, when the nuns who taught at the St. Mary Catholic Church school lived in the home acquired by the church in 1929. The nuns would ask him to move items for them, and he recalls seeing an altar set up in their residence, with the sisters rooms arranged along the octagons sides, Gilbert said. Its a very interesting design to a house. They are jewels both of them, he said. The Williams House is showing signs of age. According to the town assessor, four apartments now occupy the structure owned by Ferrara LLC. At the last revaluation in 2016, it was appraised at $332,700. This house, which has a cupola and is decorated with brackets, also has a modern porch and the original veranda, according to the Octagon House Inventory. The house was converted to an apartment building in the mid-20th century. Williams owned the Williams & Clarke grocery store formerly on Main Street. The house relies on its masonry construction and polygonal form for its effect of elegance, according to the Octagon House Inventory Book. The Stancliff house, according to a 1950 article in Connecticut Circle magazine, had a hallway at the center of the octagon, with the kitchen, dining room, pantry, living room, bedrooms, and music room along the exterior walls. All the rooms are connected so that you can walk around the house without using the central wall, the article says. Besides Portland, Middlesex County has five other such structures. In all, about 30 octagon structures remain throughout Connecticut. One is located at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell the Ebenezer Beckwith Octagonal House, now known as St. Peters Hall. There are three in East Hampton: The Deming Sexton House at 6 Middletown Ave./Route 16, the Henry S. Smith Octagon House on Bevin Boulevard; and the William T. Tibbals House in Cobalt on Old Middletown Road. Another can be found on Route 1 in Old Saybrook the Ingham house on Main Street, built in 1890. Curiously, it is not a symmetrical octagon because four sides are much shorter than the other four, according to Puerzers research. Fairfield County was home to seven octagon houses: in Bridgeport (thought by many to have been built for P.T. Barnum), Danbury, South Norwalk, Stamford and Westport. Greenwich had three that are no longer standing. Stamfords only eight-sided home met its end in 1987, when, for the second time in two years, it was gutted by fire, according to The Stamford Advocate. The Strawberry Hill Avenue octagon house was modeled after the quirky architectural style briefly fashionable in the mid-19th century. Hartford County had three, in East Hartford, Hartford and New Britain. There were five in Litchfield County: a single-story one in Lime Rock, and others in New Milford, Winsted and Washington, which has two. New Haven county had 10: in Ansonia, Guilford, Meriden, West Haven, and three each in New Haven and Wallingford. In New London County, there is a single-story octagon structure in Mystic, and Willimantic had the only one in Windham County. For information, visit the Connecticut Historical Society at chs.org and octagon.bobanna.com. None of the scores of pages of U.S. indictments handed down Monday against Huawei Technologies Co. explicitly mentioned anything about 5G networks or China's spy agency. But they sent a clear message to world leaders weighing whether to use Huawei equipment for next-generation wireless networks connecting everything from phones to cars to supertankers: China's largest technology company is a threat to national security. "They aren't just going after the notion that there is hard evidence of previous spying," said Graham Webster, a fellow at Washington, D.C.-based research group New America who studies China's digital economy. "They are trying to undermine trust in Huawei overall, saying that this company cannot be trusted in your infrastructure." The case is a further sign that wider strategic tensions between the world's two largest economies will persist even if they reach a deal to end a months-long trade war that is starting to hit global growth and company earnings. That may be harder now as Chinese President Xi Jinping's top economic aide visits Washington this week for talks to stave off more tariff increases. The indictments intensify the spotlight on Huawei, which has come to symbolize China's economic rise and challenge to the U.S.' status as the world's top superpower. In particular, the decision to prosecute Meng Wanzhou -- daughter of billionaire Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei -- has riled Beijing and increased concerns around the globe of a new Cold War. For Huawei, the indictments couldn't come at a worse time. Since Meng -- Huawei's chief financial officer -- was arrested in Canada on Dec. 1 after a U.S. request, the company has struggled to convince the world its equipment won't be used for espionage. This month, Poland arrested one of its employees for spying, prompting Huawei to disavow any responsibility for his actions. Ren, Huawei's founder and CEO, used a rare press appearance this month at its Shenzhen headquarters to insist the company doesn't help Beijing spy. "I love my country, I support the Communist Party, but I will not do anything to harm the world,'' Ren said. On Tuesday, Huawei issued a statement saying once again it had done nothing wrong in either case. The indictments are a direct attack on Huawei's credibility. In one, the U.S. alleges that Ren and Meng misrepresented Huawei's business with Iran to the American government and four financial institutions since 2007, in violation of American sanctions. The indictment also accused the company of destroying evidence once it became aware of the U.S. investigation. The other set of charges cite emails between Huawei USA and China to show how engineers conspired to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile USA Inc. The documents cite emails from employees in China who repeatedly pressed their colleagues to collect key information on "Tappy," a robot used to test mobile phones that Huawei wanted for its own use. When T-Mobile complained about the attempted theft, Huawei allegedly covered up the matter with a faulty internal investigation and blamed rogue employees for any wrongdoing. In fact, Huawei had set up an internal committee that handed out monthly bonuses to employees who stole the most valuable IP from competitors, the suit alleges. Twice a year, special bonuses were paid to employees from three regions who had collected especially important confidential information. "Employees were directed to post confidential information obtained from other companies on an internal Huawei website, or, in the case of especially sensitive information, to send an encrypted email to a special email inbox," the indictment says. Taken together, the charges bolster the Trump administration's case that Huawei is operating at the behest of the Chinese government. While there's no explicit evidence that the company's products are compromised, it's very difficult to know for sure -- a risk the U.S. argues is too big for critical infrastructure like 5G. Already Australia and New Zealand have joined the U.S. in keeping Huawei out of its 5G networks. Other countries like Canada, the U.K., Germany and France have yet to make a decision. It's not an easy choice. On the commercial side, Huawei presents a cheaper option than its competitors: The company said it has already won more than 30 5G contracts globally, including 18 from European countries. Australia's TPG Telecom Ltd. on Tuesday pulled the plug on plans to build the country's fourth mobile network, saying it no longer made financial sense after the government banned Huawei. "Because the global market is now deeply consolidated and Huawei enjoys a lead in technology and solutions, I don't think the recent news about the company will impact Huawei's 5G deployment -- both in China and abroad," said Bing Duan, an analyst with Nomura Asset Management. Even more than current technology, control over 5G networks could allow an enemy to wreak mass industrial sabotage and social collapse, according to U.S. officials. This week the European Union's digital chief Andrus Ansip urged companies to reconsider partnerships with Chinese companies due to an intelligence law that mandates any organization and citizen to assist Beijing's spy agencies with investigations. "We cannot be naive anymore," he said. China's government sees the charges as part of a bigger U.S. plan to hold back the world's second-biggest economy. On Tuesday, the foreign ministry in Beijing urged the U.S. to revoke Meng's arrest warrant and stop its "unreasonable crackdown" on Chinese companies. "For some time now, the United States has used its national power to smear and attack specific Chinese enterprises in an attempt to stifle their legitimate operations," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement. "There are strong political attempts and manipulation behind this." China has threatened countermeasures against governments that ban Huawei, and detained two Canadians on espionage charges -- a move that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government saw as retaliation for Meng's arrest. Those actions have only helped confirm the links between Huawei and the government, according to a European diplomat in Beijing who asked not to be identified. The battle over Huawei and 5G is only part of the fight. The U.S. is also looking to curb China's "Made in China 2025" plan to dominate other vital technologies, from robotics to new-energy vehicles to biotechnology, as part of its trade war. "The tech war between the U.S. and China is going to intensify over the course of this year," David Loevinger, a former Treasury official who is now a managing director at TCW, a Los Angeles based asset manager, said on Bloomberg Television. "And it's not just legal actions against Chinese firms and Chinese executives: We're going to see much broader restrictions on exports of technology to China and much broader restrictions on Chinese investment in the tech sector." Cyprain fled his home when separatist fighters in Cameroon's Northwest region threatened to kill him after he served government soldiers at his roadside bar. He's one of a growing number of civilians trapped between the army and roaming gangs of English-speaking insurgents fighting to break away from the majority-Francophone nation. The conflict has decimated the local economy in the conflict zone, and according to the United Nations, left hundreds of people dead and displaced about 437,000 people. "The military burn houses, destroys, loots property and kills citizens," Cyprain, 41, said on condition that his surname not be used out fear for his safety during an interview in the port city of Douala, where he now stays with relatives. "Separatist fighters attack, kidnap and even kill people they suspect are their enemies." There's no end in sight to a conflict that started in late 2016 with peaceful protests against the dominance of the French language in schools and courtrooms of the Northwest and Southwest regions, where most people speak English. President Paul Biya, 85, said on Twitter last week he'll order the defense forces to "neutralize" all fighters who don't lay down their weapons, a warning he first gave in his traditional year-end speech. Africa's second-longest serving head of state, Biya extended his more than three-decade rule in the central African nation by winning disputed presidential elections in October. While the government has blocked journalists from visiting the regions independently, gruesome images appear almost daily on social media. In a recent incident, a photo emerged of the head of a decapitated soldier that was left in the middle of a road in the Northwest's regional capital, Bamenda, by suspected insurgents. "The army hasn't been able to take back control of rural areas, and there's an increasing rivalry between separatist militia that fight each other over leadership and territory," said Hans De Marie Heungoup, an analyst at the Brussels-based International Crisis Group. "The roads are either controlled by separatists or by defense forces. The population is suffering harassment from both sides." That's isolated the area from the rest of oil-dependent Cameroon, which is a key regional hub, with roads and ports that are vital for landlocked neighbors including Chad and Central African Republic. Cameroon's top state-owned agribusiness said this week it has lost 35 billion CFA francs ($61 million) as a result of the crisis and more than half of its 22,000 employees are unable to work. The Cameroon Development Corp.'s three main crops -- palm oil, rubber and bananas -- have dropped significantly and large swathes of its farmland in the two Anglophone regions have been completely destroyed, General Manager Franklin Njie said. The roots of the crisis date to the decision by the colonial powers to split the nation after World War I into a French-run zone and a smaller, British-controlled area. Since they were unified in 1961, the English-speaking minority, about a fifth of the population, has complained they don't have equal job and educational opportunities as the French speaking majority. Cameroon's military has been accused of abuses including summary executions and raiding villages by advocacy groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Separatists have killed more than 160 police and military officials, according to the government, and have filmed themselves on mobile phones torturing village chiefs they accuse of collaborating with the authorities. The head of communication of the defense ministry, Didier Badjeck, rejected allegations from residents that the army was responsible for abuses and has dismissed reports that the military has set houses ablaze in the two restive regions as untrue. "There is a lot of fake news on social media on this crisis," he said by phone. While Biya initially ignored the crisis, he has pledged to create a committee to disarm and reintegrate fighters. The decision triggered a spike in violence in the two regions, fueling clashes between separatists and defense forces. "The government in Yaounde has taken a few measures but it hasn't fundamentally addressed the root causes of the crisis and remains opposed to an inclusive dialog," Heungoup said. The unrest also risks spilling further into Cameroon's eight French-speaking regions. About 300 armed men swarmed into the town of Bangourain on Dec. 23 and set houses ablaze in what was the biggest attack in French-speaking territory since the conflict began. The incident triggered such angry reactions on social media from Cameroonians that the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa issued a statement urging Francophones and Anglophones to "exercise restraint and refrain from hate speech and retaliation against one another." Among the thousands of people who've recently fled to French-speaking areas is Killian, a 41-year-old carpenter who asked not to be identified by his surname for fear of reprisals. He said he escaped as the military burned down his home and dozens of others in the town of Kumbo in the Northwest. "I barely escaped with my dear life," he said. "I hope my wife and my two children are alive." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) Keep your jackets handy as the weather bureau forecast low temperatures in the coming days. "Magpapatuloy pa rin yung amihan sa mga susunod na araw (The northeast monsoon will continue in the coming days)," Benny Estareja, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster, told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon. The northeast monsoon brings cold winds from Siberia and China. Temperatures in Baguio City, which dropped to 9.8 degrees Celsius Monday morning, will stay low until February, according to PAGASA. "Dito sa Baguio nga ang minimum temperature natin last year po is 11.4 degrees lang. For This year, January pa lang pero nasa 9.8 na and possible po na maglaro pa rin sa more or less 10 degrees Celsius ang ating minimum temperature hanggang sa February," Estareja said. [Translation: "Here in Baguio the minimum temperature last year was 11.4 degrees only. For this year, it's already at 9.8 as of January and it's possible it would be more or less 10 degrees Celsius until February."] Flash To celebrate the country's 70th Republic Day, the Indian Embassy in Beijing hosted a reception in Beijing on Monday at which China's Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui was the chief guest. In his welcoming speech, Indian Ambassador Vikram Misri recalled the important bilateral events involving the two countries, saying 2018 had been a truly momentous one for India-China relations. Trade and economic ties had witnessed steady growth, with three commercial protocols being signed in the last eight months of the year, the ambassador pointed out. He expressed hope that the bilateral ties would continue to make steady progress in 2019. "In the coming year, we look forward to sustaining the momentum of our robust bilateral ties with China, and further deepen the cultural connect between our two ancient civilizations," he added. With the Spring Festival, China's Lunar New Year, being only days away, Misri used Chinese to express his best wishes to Chinese friends for a joyful and prosperous time. Hundreds of senior officials, diplomatic corps, defense attaches and media professionals also attended the event. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Markos Bolaris expresses his abhorrence and his sincere condolences to the Government of the Philippines, to the Holy See, as well as to the families of the victims of the deadly bomb attack of the Catholic church and its surrounding area during Mass on Sunday, 27 January, in the city of Jolo, the Philippines. The unequivocal condemnation of acts of violence motivated by religious fanaticism against innocent citizens carrying out their religious obligations, as well taking advantage of faith in order to cultivate intolerance among the proponents of different religions, is self-evident. A call for a return to human values and respect of man's freedom is necessary. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris received the President of the Union of Himariotes of Greece, Spyros Koutoulas and the President of Omonoia, the Democratic Union of the Greek Minority of Himara, Dionysios - Fredi Beleri. The two Presidents referred to problems of discrimination against the rights of the Greek Ethnic Minority, as well as issues related to the protection of the property of Greeks in Albania. The Deputy Minister stressed the Five Key Priorities, in view of the conditionalities laid down by the E.U. General Affairs Council (decision 26/6/2018) which include, as major priorities, the implementation of the Framework Law on the protection of human rights and anti-discrimination policies and the effective protection of the property rights of Greek Nationals in Himara; such priorities are to be implemented by our neighbouring country, an adaptation that is expected to create a new momentum. Talks extended to issues pertaining to the Ministers portfolio, namely culture, sports, education and the Church, and to the organisation of cultural and fine arts events that promote the bilateral cooperation between Greece and Albania, both on a central level as well as in the areas where the Greek Minority lives. The Deputy Minister concluded by saying that the Greek Minority in Albania, which represents a historical and cultural presence of thousands of years is, and as such we must approach it, a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Issues of soft policy strengthen and promote this cooperation. Fastmarkets assessed the HRC import price in South America at $525-540 per tonne cfr on January 25, up from $520-530 per tonne a week before. This was the highest price since December 7 last year. With Chinese export prices going up to $495.08 per tonne on January 25 from a 17-month low of $468.81 per tonne fob on December 6, deals into South America were also completed at higher... Flash "China strongly urges the U.S side to stop its unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies, including Huawei, and treat Chinese companies in an objective and fair manner," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Tuesday. "China will also firmly defend the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and we once again urge the U.S. to immediately revoke the arrest warrant for Meng Wanzhou," Geng said. For some time, the U.S. has used state power to discredit and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to harm the legitimate operations of these enterprises, he added. "There are strong political attempts and political manipulations behind these actions," he stressed. The spokesperson also condemned how the U.S. and Canada are abusing their bilateral extradition treaty and taking unreasonable enforcement measures against Chinese citizens, noting that it is a serious violation of the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. On Monday, the U.S. Justice Department filed charges against Huawei and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, for violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Honor the Earths fifth annual Love Water Not Oil tour is currently working to protect nor Funeral services for Mrs. Deloris Broadhead will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, with Bro. Randall Sims and Bro. Lane Busbee officiating. Burial will be held at Graham Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted wi Honor has been actively launching new phones every couple of months and this time, they've got a premium phone up for grabs. A few weeks ago, the Honor 10 Lite was launched in India, and now the View 20 is finally debuting. MensXP/Akshay Bhalla The phone was recently announced globally in Paris and is now set to become the first major flagship launch in India this year. It brings a unique design language for the company as it is the first phone to sport a new punch-hole display. The punch-hole helps in increasing the screen-to-body ratio of the phone, without a notch. MensXP/Akshay Bhalla The glass back sees a unique chevron design with V-shaped pattern running down the back. Apart from that the phone pretty much appears to be bezel-less save for a tiny chin at the bottom. The phone has been up for pre-order on Amazon.in for quite some time now. It has a 6.4-inch LCD Full HD+ display with over 91 percent screen-to-body ratio and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The device is powered by the flagship SoC from HiSilicon, the Kirin 980, which has four high-performance Cortex-A76 cores, four power-efficient Cortex-55 cores, and Mali-G76 MP10 GPU. It is available in two configurations, 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage. MensXP/Akshay Bhalla On the rear is a 48-megapixel sensor, coupled along with a 3D ToF sensor. It is an optical radar system and is able to identify faces even from comparatively long distances. ToF 3D Sensing Technology offers an advanced experience by enabling 3D mapping at up to three metres. The front gets a 25-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture housed in the cut-out. It supports 960fps slow-motion video recording, AI HDR, and auto scene detection for picture enhancements. The View 20 houses a 4000mAh battery that supports fast charging and ships with Android 9 Pie-based Magic UI. MensXP/Akshay Bhalla The dual-SIM Honor View 20 is being offered in two colours, Charm Blue and Midnight Black. The 6GB+128GB variant costs Rs 37,999 and the 8GB+256GB option costs Rs 45,999. Considering the price range, it'll be closely competing with the OnePlus 6T. 25-year-old Wang Shangkun will never forget the fateful year of 2011 when he took a life-altering decision that would leave him bedridden within the next eight years. When Shangkun was 17-years-old, he decided to sell his kidney in order to get his hands on the latest iPhone that was launched in the market. He hawked his kidney in the black market for $4,500 AUD (Rs. 2,29,357.89) and used this amount to purchase two Apple gizmos, an iPad 2 and an iPhone 4. At that time, Shangkun had reportedly said, Why do I need a second kidney? One is enough." Asiawire,Australscope However, such is the irony of life, that today even his remaining kidney is failing him and Shangkun might be looking at a life tied to his bed. He was recently diagnosed with renal deficiency and has to undergo daily dialysis to function, since his remaining kidney can't work efficiently to clear his blood of toxins. Back in the day, when Shangkun had wanted to get his hands on the gadgets, the Anhui province resident of China didn't have enough money to afford the high-end products. However, it was in an online chat room that a possible opportunity presented itself. Shangkun was approached by an organ harvester in an online chat room who assured that selling one of his kidneys could fetch Shangkun 20,000 Yuan. Asiawire,Australscope In no time afterwards, Shangkun underwent illegal surgery and finally got himself the Apple products he had been lusting after. However, it was his mother who thought something was fishy when she found him in possession of such expensive gadgets and made him confess. In the following months, Shangkun developed an infection in his remaining kidney, and ultimately suffered organ failure. As of today, his condition is so severe that he is in need of daily dialysis and has been left bedridden. Doctors have also suggested that he might need a kidney transplant of his own to get better. Talk about irony. JONESBORO, Ark. Jan. 28, 2019 Jonesboro Arkansas State University the United States Gina Gomez Jonesboro Arkansas State University Arkansas State University Fabricio Medina-Bolivar Jane L. Delgado Jonesboro's Friday, February 1, 2019 from 10am to 3pm at Arkansas State University at Heritage Plaza Lawn from at at Heritage Plaza Lawn Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 10am to 2pm at El Centro Hispano Health Fair (211 Vandyne St.) from at El Centro Hispano Health Fair (211 Vandyne St.) Sunday, February 3, 2019 from 9am to 2pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church - 1101 East Highland Drive. /PRNewswire/ -- This weekend, El Centro Hispano inandare partnering with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health to host the National Institutes of Health'sJourney, a traveling, hands-on exhibit that raises awareness about theResearch Program.is an unprecedented effort to gather genetic, biological, environmental, health and lifestyle data from 1 million or more volunteer participants living in. The program's ultimate goal is to accelerate research and improve health.seeks to transform the relationship between researchers and participants, bringing them together as partners to inform the program's directions, goals and responsible return of research information. One of those partners is the National Alliance for Hispanic Health who through theireffort is partnering with Alliance members across the country to provide information onand demonstrate the central role Hispanic communities must play to usher in the future of health.aims to reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. to help ensure that each community is included in studies that lead to improved health for future generations. Participants will be able to access their own health information, summary data about the entire participant community and information about studies and findings that come from, Executive Director of El Centro Hispano in, states, "We are so excited to be a stop on thejourney as a bridge to the Hispanic community. It's so important for Latinos to participate in medical research projects such as this so that there will be an increase in representation and understanding of this community. With this data collection, medical care and treatment can move towards equality for all groups of people."is honored that the National Alliance for Hispanic Health has chosen our campus as an important stop for thenational tour. We are in a region of the country with significant health disparities among various populations. Greater understanding of health differences with a goal of improved health outcomes is valuable for all of us. We are excited to have the exhibit on campus," said Susan Hanrahan, Ph.D., College of Nursing and Health Professions Dean."As a biology professor and researcher in the biomedical field, I recognize the growing need to develop effective medical treatments that will address the differences among individuals. The opportunity to host the National Alliance for Hispanic Health atwill be of great benefit to our students as they prepare to address important medical challenges in the future," concluded Professor, Ph.D., of the Department of Biological Sciences."To continue our work to increase the inclusion of Hispanics in clinical and biomedical research, we are bringing theto our communities. The participation of diverse communities inwill help build the foundation for a new era of health care where medicine is tailored to each person," said Dr., President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.community can visit theJourney at several locations during the weekend:To learn more about the program, please visit JoinAllofUs.org/juntos. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jonesboro-welcomes-nihs-landmark-precision-medicine-research-effort-300785329.html SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health Investigating an enzyme that stops cells from dividing could be a fruitful avenue for research into how to slow aging and treat aging-related diseases. Share on Pinterest Aging is inevitable, but can it be slowed? This was the conclusion that researchers at Kobe University in Japan came to after studying the enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) and its role in cells. DAO metabolizes D-amino acids, which, unlike their mirror-image cousins the L-amino acids, only have a small presence in mammal biology. For this reason, until the recent study, scientists knew little about the impact of DAO in the body. The new finding reveals that, in the process of metabolizing D-amino acids, DAO produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are a group of unstable molecules that cause cell stress. Stressors such as DNA damage and ROS prompt cells into senescence, an irreversible state in which they can no longer replicate. The finding uncovers a molecular mechanism that has been missing in previous studies that have linked ROS to cell senescence and aging. ROS and cell senescence ROS are important players in the biology of aging and many diseases that tend to increase with advancing age, such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers, diabetes, and many cancers. The recent study adds to a growing understanding of the role of senescent cells in this relationship. Entering an irreversible state in which it can no longer divide and proliferate does not necessarily diminish a cells capacity for change and influence. Early research suggested that the main impact of cell senescence on human biology involved protecting against cancer. Confined to a senescent state, cells with damaged DNA cannot multiply and give rise to tumors. Since then, however, studies have revealed that senescent cells are active in tissue repair, wound healing, embryonic development, and aging. A major focus of continuing research is on the various stressors that can trigger cells to enter the irreversible state. In addition, there is a growing body of knowledge about how aging-related biological changes and diseases involve ROS and senescence. Pancreatic cancer is typically an aggressive form of the disease, with a fairly low 5-year survival rate. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer in its early stages could help people receive treatment more quickly, but what kind of test would work best? Share on Pinterest The specific bacterial abundance on a persons tongue may indicate the presence of pancreatic cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) report that approximately 1.6 percent of adults in the United States will receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. They also estimate that there were 55,440 new cases of pancreatic cancer in the country in 2018 alone. The NCI note that the 5-year survival rate for people who have undergone treatment for pancreatic cancer is 8.5 percent only. This means that it is of utmost importance for researchers to find more effective treatments and better ways of identifying the presence of this form of cancer in its early stages. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer early could help fast-track a persons access to adequate treatment and boost the likelihood of a positive outcome. However, because this type of cancer has few symptoms in the beginning, it can go undiagnosed for a long time. In a recent study, a team of researchers from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China has investigated how the human tongue microbiota could act as a diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer. The researchers findings which they report in the Journal of Oral Microbiology point to telling differences in the bacterial populations on the tongues of healthy people versus those of people with early-stage pancreatic cancer. New research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, finds that sleep deprivation increases sensitivity to pain by numbing the brains painkilling response. Share on Pinterest Sleep may be key for relieving chronic pain, a new study suggests. One in 3 adults in the United States, or 35 percent of the adult population, do not get enough sleep. The effects of sleep deprivation on the brain are numerous, from inducing an inebriation-like state of cognitive impairment to hindering our ability to learn and form new memories. New research highlights another neurological effect of insufficient sleep: heightened sensitivity to pain. A lack of sleep impairs the brains natural mechanisms for relieving pain, finds the new study, which draws attention to potential links between the public health crises of sleep deprivation, chronic pain, and prescription opioid addiction. In the U.S., over 20 percent of the population, or around 50 million adults, are living with chronic pain, according to recent estimates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that, on average, around 130 people in the U.S. die from an opioid overdose every day. Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California in Berkeley carried out the study, together with doctoral candidate Adam Krause. How sleep loss affects pain sensitivity Walker and Krause induced pain in 24 healthy, young study participants by applying heat to their legs. As they were doing so, the scientists scanned the participants brains, examining the circuits that process pain. The participants did not have any problems sleeping or any pain-related disorders at the beginning of the study. The scientists started by recording each participants pain threshold after a good nights sleep by scanning their brain with a functional MRI machine while applying increasing levels of heat to the participants skin. Once the scientists had established the persons pain threshold, they repeated the procedure after a night of no sleep. Across the group, [the participants] were feeling discomfort at lower temperatures, which shows that their own sensitivity to pain had increased after inadequate sleep, reports Krause, the studys lead author. The injury is the same, he explains, but the difference is how the brain assesses the pain without sufficient sleep. The researchers found that the brains somatosensory cortex, a region associated with pain sensitivity, was hyperactive when the participants hadnt slept enough. This confirmed the hypothesis that sleep deprivation would interfere with pain-processing neural circuits. However, a surprising finding was that the activity in the brains nucleus accumbens was lower than usual after a sleepless night. The nucleus accumbens releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which increases pleasure and relieves pain. Sleep loss not only amplifies the pain-sensing regions in the brain but blocks the natural analgesia centers, too, explains Prof. Walker. Finally, the researchers found that the brains insula, which assesses pain signals and prepares the bodys reaction to pain, was also underactive. This is a critical neural system that assesses and categorizes the pain signals and allows the bodys own natural painkillers to come to the rescue, notes Krause. Flash The Russian, Turkish and Iranian presidents are scheduled to meet on Syria in February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday. "An agreement has been preliminarily reached and there is a basic understanding of holding the next summit next month," Lavrov said at a joint press conference with his Kazakh counterpart Beibut Atamkulov. He did not provide more details, saying that the ministry will make an announcement in due time. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov revealed earlier this month that the summit will be held in Russia. On the Syrian crisis, the leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran last met in Iran in September. The 12th international meeting on Syria will be held in mid-February in the Kazakh capital of Astana with the participation of delegations of the Syrian government, opposition, Russia, Turkey and Iran, and observers of the United Nations (UN) and Jordan, Lavrov said. The details of the Astana meeting are being coordinated, he added. The Astana process was launched by Russia, Turkey and Iran in January 2017 in efforts to bring all warring parties in Syria to the negotiating table as a complementary part of the UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva. Both men and women can experience depression, but the signs and symptoms can be different. Although the primary symptom of depression for many is often a feeling of sadness, men may have a higher tendency than women to feel anger, demonstrate aggressive feelings, and engage in substance abuse. Due to the different symptoms, and because men are typically less likely to talk about and seek treatment for depression than women, many men may have undiagnosed depression. In this article, we explore the emotional, behavioral, and physical signs of depression in men. We also discuss how to get help. Read on to learn how to recognize and manage depression in men. Men and depression Share on Pinterest Depression is a mood disorder that can go undiagnosed in men. Depression is common in men. According to the American Psychological Association, an estimated 9 percent of men in the United States have feelings of depression or anxiety each day, and 30.6 percent of men experience a period of depression during their lifetime. Depression is a mood disorder that affects a persons thoughts, feelings, body, and behavior. Doctors may refer to depression as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression. Depression is more common in women, affecting 10.4 percent of women compared with 5.5 percent of men in the U.S. However, the number of men who die by suicide is four times the number of women. One of the reasons for this could be that men are less likely to get a diagnosis of depression. Depression is a significant risk factor for suicide. Understanding how depression symptoms might differ between men and women is important. It can help make people aware of depression in themselves and their loved ones. Recognizing depression is the first step toward recovery. Symptoms in men and women Some symptoms of depression are the same for men and women. These include: feeling sad, tearful, low, guilty, or empty losing enjoyment in pleasurable activities appetite or weight changes too little or too much sleep feeling agitated or tired having trouble concentrating Not everyone with depression will experience all of these symptoms. Some symptoms of depression are more likely to affect men than women, which could be due to genetic, hormonal, biochemical, or social factors. We look at depression in men in more detail below. Behavioral signs in men The behavioral signs of depression can manifest differently in men and women. For instance, alcohol and drug use affect men with depression more often than women, and men are more likely than women to display anger attacks and risk-taking behavior. Men with depression may notice the following behavioral changes: drinking more or taking drugs avoiding family or social situations working obsessively without taking proper breaks finding it hard to keep up with work or family responsibilities becoming more controlling or abusive in relationships engaging in risk-taking behavior, such as gambling or unsafe sex attempting suicide One theory is that these behavioral changes occur as a result of men trying to mask depression and adhere to so-called masculine norms. This attempt to conceal depression may cause men to lash out or engage in self-destructive behaviors. Men with depression may also lose interest in their hobbies and passions or feel less motivated to succeed at work. Depression may affect a mans sex drive too. Men with depression may have less interest in having sex and might have trouble with sexual performance. Emotional signs in men Share on Pinterest Early signs of depression can include irritability and frustration. Some men may find it easier to discuss physical symptoms than mood changes. However, there is a close link between the mind and body. It is vital to share all symptoms with a doctor, even if they seem insignificant or irrelevant. Depression affects the emotional state of both men and women, causing low mood. Women with depression may express this as sadness, but some men may be less comfortable outwardly expressing this emotion. Changes to their emotional state can, therefore, become apparent in other ways. Early signs of depression in men can include an increase in: anger frustration aggression irritability These differences may be due to societal expectations of how men and women express emotion. It is likely that men will be less willing to show certain emotions, such as sadness, if they feel that others may judge or criticize them for it. Men with depression may experience thoughts of suicide. Physical signs in men Depression is a mental health condition, but it also has physical symptoms. Men with depression may experience: headaches tightness in the chest joint, limb, or back pain digestive problems tiredness sleeping too much or too little feeling restless or agitated eating too much or too little unintentional weight loss Some of these symptoms may arise because of the effect that depression has on a persons brain chemicals. Depression changes the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are brain messengers that govern pain and mood. Shared brain cell pathways may link depression and pain. Why is depression in men often undiagnosed? According to 20132016 figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , women are almost twice as likely to experience major depression than men. However, it is likely that more men than women avoid reporting depression, so the figures for men may be higher. According to some estimates, two-thirds of people with depression in the U.S. have not received a diagnosis. A doctor may also misdiagnose depression in men. Men may be more likely to report physical symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, than emotional changes. As a result, the doctor might give them the wrong diagnosis. Furthermore, people may misinterpret common emotional or behavioral signs of depression in men. They may see anger as a personality trait instead of a sign of depression. They may also misunderstand the reasons for a persons increased risk-taking behavior or substance use. A 2013 study used criteria to adjust for the different ways in which men and women tend to experience depression. The researchers found that depression was equally prevalent among both genders. More research into depression and gender is necessary to confirm this. When to see a doctor Anyone who notices the emotional, behavioral, or physical changes that we have discussed in this article may be experiencing depression. If this is the case, it is essential to see a doctor. The doctor can help diagnose a persons depression and give them the right treatment to feel better. Leaving depression untreated can harm a persons well-being. Depression is a risk factor for suicide. Therefore, it is vital that a person with depression receives help as soon as possible. Treatment There are several ways to treat depression. Everyone responds to treatment differently, but a doctor can advise a person on which treatment may best suit their needs. Treatment options include: medication talk therapy cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Coping strategies Share on Pinterest Talking to friends and family is a recommended coping strategy. Alongside other treatments, certain lifestyle changes and coping strategies can help a person manage depression. For example: Regular exercise : Running or even walking briskly outside can produce endorphins and lift a persons mood. : Running or even walking briskly outside can produce endorphins and lift a persons mood. Creating structure : Sticking to a daily routine may help make each day feel a little easier. : Sticking to a daily routine may help make each day feel a little easier. Breaking down tasks : When big tasks feel unmanageable, breaking them down into smaller tasks may help. : When big tasks feel unmanageable, breaking them down into smaller tasks may help. Yoga, mindfulness, or meditation : These practices may reduce stress and support well-being. : These practices may reduce stress and support well-being. Talking to friends and family : Sharing feelings with others may make them feel less overwhelming. : Sharing feelings with others may make them feel less overwhelming. Avoiding alcohol: Reducing alcohol intake may improve mood. How to help a loved one with depression If a person notices the signs of depression in a close male friend, partner, or family member, it is crucial to discuss this with them. Asking someone who may be experiencing depression how they are feeling is an excellent first step. Trying to be a good listener is important. Next, encourage them to make an appointment with their doctor. If they feel worried about discussing how they feel emotionally, remind them that they can start by talking about physical symptoms, which will often lead to a broader discussion about other symptoms. It is important to be patient when supporting someone with depression. Sometimes the behavioral signs of depression in men may cause relationship difficulties. Try discussing issues in a nonjudgmental way. A relationship counselor can help people improve their communication. Where to look for help Anyone who thinks that they may have depression should see a doctor for help. The doctor may refer them to a mental health specialist so that they get the right treatment. Anyone who feels unsafe due to suicidal thoughts should call 911 or go to the hospital. If a person you are close to talks about suicide, do not ignore this. Speak to their doctor or mental health specialist or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline on 1-800-622-4357 for advice. See the National Institute of Mental Health website for more ways to get help. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 29, 2019 Facebook is under fire from lawmakers and advocacy groups over a new report accusing the company of fleecing families by tricking children into running up their parents' credit card charges while playing games like Angry Birds and Barn Buddy. In a letter sent Tuesday to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Sens. Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) call the information alarming, adding it raises serious concerns about whether your company and its employees knowingly harmed families. The new information stems from a 2012 lawsuit by Arizona resident Glynnis Bohannon, who alleged her son ran up hundreds of dollars purchasing Facebook Credits for use in Ninja Saga. She says she initially allowed her son to charge $20 on her MasterCard for the Facebook Credits. But after that first transaction, her son made hundreds of dollars worth of additional in-game purchases, she alleged in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. advertisement advertisement Bohannon and Facebook settled that matter in 2016. Among other settlement terms, Facebook agreed to implement a dedicated queue within Facebook to address refund requests for in-app purchases by minors. Late last week, a host of documents -- including internal Facebook emails and memos -- relevant to that lawsuit were made publicly available for the first time. Those documents revealed that Facebook encouraged developers to let children make in-app purchases without their parents permission, according to The Center for Public Integrity, which convinced U.S. District Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman to unseal the material. For years, the company ignored warnings from its own employees that it was bamboozling children, the Center for Public Integrity writes. A team of Facebook employees even developed a method that would have reduced the problem of children being hoodwinked into spending money, but the company did not implement it, and instead told game developers that the social media giant was focused on maximizing revenues. The evidence also shows that many young users didn't realize they were making actual credit card purchases, according to the report. Markey and Blumenthal are now asking Zuckerberg a host of questions, including when he personally became aware that children were likely unknowingly spending their parents' money while playing games. Other questions include what changes Facebook has made to end the practices, and whether it will commit to issuing refunds. Some advocates for children who previously criticized Facebook's Messenger Kids -- the messaging app designed for children 12 and younger -- are reiterating calls for Facebook to end that service. The documents appear to demonstrate that Facebook is willing to cause actual harm to children and families in its quest for profit, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Public Citizen and other groups write in a letter sent to Zuckerberg Tuesday. As such, Facebook is unfit to make any platform or product for children, especially one like Messenger Kids, which gives Facebook unfettered access to kids relationships, conversations, and private moments with friends and family. A Facebook spokesperson says Messenger Kids doesn't have ads or in-app purchase options. The unsealed documents released last week from the 2012 lawsuit are completely unrelated to Messenger Kids, the spokesperson stated. by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, January 29, 2019 Standing out among the extravagantly produced, generally over-the-top ads in the Super Bowl is perhaps toughest for beer brands, given the number and history of annual entrants in that category. Michelob Ultras organic extension brand, Pure Gold -- which is up against seven other ads from its parent, Anheuser-Busch InBev, alone -- has responded to the challenge by pairing two current zeitgeist darlings: Big Little Lies actor Zoe Kravtiz, and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response), the hyper-trendy sensory mode that delivers a tingling, relaxing experience. In the 45-second ad (below), Kravitz is shown on a platform equipped with two microphones, incongruously set up amid a lush, mountainous Hawaiian landscape. The clear, close-up sound of her pouring a Pure Gold from its bottle is accompanied by her whispered message: This place, so pure you can feel it This beer, so pure you can taste it. advertisement advertisement The spot is meant to demonstrate the power of an organic beer to help people reconnect with nature, according to the brand. Kravitz was chosen in part because she's an avowed adherent to an organic lifestyle. The spot is the first Super Bowl ad for Ultra Pure Gold, which has been a hit for Anheuser-Busch InBev since its launch last year, as well as the first Bowl spot produced in ASMR. The FCB Chicago ad is one of eight AB InBev ads, spanning six brands, to run in this years Big Game. by Larissa Faw , January 28, 2019 Publicis Groupe's Maurice Levy, MediaLink's Michael Kassan and Horizon Media's Bill Koenigsberg are three of the Adland luminaries being inducted into American Advertising Federations Advertising Hall of Fame this year. The five other leaders inducted this year are: John J. Dooner, chairman emeritus and founding CEO, McCann Worldgroup; Anne Finucane, vice chairman, Bank of America; Debra L. Lee, CEO Emeritus, BET Networks; Indra K. Nooyi, chairman, PepsiCo; and Hector Orci, founder and co-chairman, Orci. Orci will also receive the David Bell Award for Industry Service to recognize "extraordinary and unique contributions and service" to the advertising community and industry as a whole. While it may seem odd that it has taken this long for so many of these notable leaders to receive their invites, nominations are open to the public so its not the AAFs decision on the timing. advertisement advertisement Plus, one nomination criteria is that candidates serve a minimum of 35 years in the advertising industry. The group typically inducts anywhere from 6-8 honorees each year from around 25-50 nominations. These Hall of Fame honorees are true trailblazers in our industry," stated Carter Murray, FCB Worldwide CEO/vice chairman, AAF. "This extraordinary class has made in their own individual and innovative ways a lasting impact on the advertising landscape, and their work will continue to empower others for decades to come." The induction ceremonies and gala dinner will be held on April 30, 2019, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Marketers feel the need to move away from gender-based stereotypes when it comes to targeting strategies, but many are confused about how to do it. Stereotypes remain strong -- particularly in products for babies, laundry and household cleaners. About 98% of marketers target these products to females. While some brands attempt to avoid the issue altogether for fear of getting it wrong, others are working on ways to adopt more balanced strategies. "Brands seem to vary in how seriously and quickly they are embracing gender progressiveness," said Duncan Southgate, global brand director of Media Insights Division at Kantar. "Unilever, Diageo and other Unstereotype Alliance members are showing the way. These advertisers are most likely to be questioning whether their current gender balance is appropriate. Yet many other brands are still requesting outdated 'housewife' audiences, so I truly hope our new learning about the value of gender balance acts as a major wake-up call." advertisement advertisement Kantar, a WPP-owned research company, released a study on Monday analyzing more than 18,000 ad tests across six marketing categories. It found that some brands in categories such as food and drink began to create a more balanced approach between 2010 and 2018, while the laundry and household cleaner segments saw more recent changes between 2017 and 2018. The tests ran in more than 40 countries. Many marketers think they are successful at avoiding gender stereotypes -- but data suggests otherwise. In fact, the findings from Kantars eight-year study suggests that gendered consumer experiences fall short of expectations. About 88% of males think brands create advertising that avoids gender stereotypes, as do 76% of females. Interestingly, Kantars link ad test data confirms bias in advertising. Of those ads that feature people, either males or females, 67% include women and 60% include men. When both men and women appear in the ad, males are 38% more likely to be featured prominently than women. The research also shows ads that feature only women are less impactful than ads featuring only men, indicating room for improvement in how females are portrayed. About 45% of people think women are portrayed in a way that is inappropriate. About 40% think women are portrayed in a way that makes them think highly of the characters in the ad. This gap is even wider for male portrayals, at 44% versus 35%. Many laws -- especially in the United States -- against gender bias implemented in the past year should lead advertisers to find solutions. These laws include California SB 179, which took effect January 1, 2019, stating that a licensed California driver does not need to identify as either male or female, allowing the person to tick the box to identify themselves as a non-binary gender. Brands such as Diageo, Procter & Gamble and Unilever support initiatives like the Unstereotype Alliance, which is committed to eliminating harmful gender-based stereotypes. They also promote diversity internally, fostering an aligned culture that can inclusively serve customers. At the end of 2017, 33% of Unilevers total workforce was female, and 47% of management were women. In addition, in September 2018, former California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill requiring the states corporate boards to appoint women. The law requires publicly traded California-headquartered corporations to include at least one woman on their boards of directors by the end of 2019. Urgent care center is a type of walk-in clinic that offers ambulatory care in a dedicated medical facility outside of a conventional emergency room (ER). They are mainly used for treating illnesses or injuries that need immediate care, but do not warrant a visit to the ER. They are affordable, quick, and provide quality services. Besides treating trauma and injury, urgent care centers also provide screening and monitoring, routine vaccinations, and occupational medicine. Serving to drive demand for urgent care centers is the burgeoning geriatric population, increasing occurrence of chronic diseases that require time to time monitoring and laboratory tests, and substantial money allotted by government and private bodies in urgent care centers. Another reason driving the popularity of urgent care centers are quick services and appointment flexibility something which is non-existent in large corporate hospitals. Posing a challenge to the market, on the downside, is the dearth of qualified healthcare providers and the increasing upfront capital required to set up urgent care centers. Get Brochure of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1817 From a geographical perspective, Europe and North America currently lead the urgent care centers. The market in North America is primarily powered by the U.S., which has maximum number of urgent care centers. Besides, the increasing preference for urgent care centers for non-emergency health issues mainly due to its affordability and easy, hassle-free services has also led to their swift uptake in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as another key market in the years ahead on the back of nations of China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, and New Zealand which have a sizeable chunk of elderly population. Global Urgent Care Centers Market: Overview Urgent care centers refer to a variety of walk-in or no appointment healthcare centers designed to provide cost-effective, quick, and high-quality services to the general public. Urgent care centers serve patients with injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening but are beyond the scope of primary care services. Majority of urgent care centers provide healthcare services for issues such as trauma and injury, routine vaccinations, screening and monitoring, moderate illnesses, and occupational medicine. The rising geriatric population and the heightened demand for cost-effective healthcare services have led to a significant rise in demand for urgent care centers across the globe of late. Global Urgent Care Centers Market: Trends and Opportunities The mounting global population of geriatrics, a vast rise in chronic diseases requiring timely monitoring and laboratory tests, and increased investment from government and private bodies in urgent care centers some of the key factors driving the global market for urgent care centers. The increased consumer preference to urgent care centers over big corporate hospitals owing to benefits such as quick services and appointment flexibility of the former has also fueled the demand for urgent care centers globally. The market is, however, negatively impacted owing to the lack of qualified healthcare providers and the rising costs of establishing urgent care centers. Get Table of Content of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1817 Global Urgent Care Centers Market: Market Potential The increased popularity of urgent care centers among patients is compelling many hospitals to extent their services through this healthcare model. In the U.S., which had 7,357 urgent care centers in 2016, according to the Urgent Care Association of America, hospitals such as St. Lukes University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network have established several walk-in centers solely around the Lehigh Valley region. St. Lukes has seven such walk-in care centers and the Lehigh Valley Health Network has around 12 in and around the region. Many other corporate hospital chains have already established or are planning to extend their services in the urgent care sector. Global Urgent Care Centers Market: Regional Overview From a geographical perspective, the urgent care centers market has been examined in the report for regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Of these, regions with prominent developed economies such as North America and Europe are presently the leading contributors to the global urgent care centers market. Owing to the rising numbers of urgent care centers in the U.S., the North America market is expected to retain dominance over the next few years as well. The high rate of preference to urgent care centers for non-emergency health-related conditions and the increased demand for cost-effective healthcare services also contribute to the healthy growth prospects of the urgent care centers market in North America. In the next few years, the market for urgent care centers in the Asia Pacific region is also expected to gain momentum. Countries such as India, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand in the region have been observed to have immense potential for the growth of the urgent care model, chiefly owing to a population that is cost-conscious and is rapidly ageing. Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/urgent-care-centers-market Global Urgent Care Centers Market: Competitive Dynamics The vendor landscape for the global urgent care centers market is largely fragmented and small vendors such as physician groups and private physician offices accounting for a significant share in total number of urgent care centers located across the globe. Some of the leading vendors operating in the market are CareSpot Express Healthcare LLC, MD Now, MinuteClinic LLC, FastMed Urgent Care, AFC/Doctors Express, MedExpress, U.S., NextCare Urgent Care, Concentra Inc., Patient First, and HealthWorks Inc. About Us: TMR 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 Us: Rohit Bhisey Head Internet Marketing Tel: +1-415-520-1050 Email: sales@tmrresearch.com As per the TMR report, the global medical device technologies market is anticipated to earn US$563.8 bn by the end of 2025. The market is estimated to expand with a CAGR of 4.6% within the forecast period of 2017 to 2025. Based on end user, academics and hospitals and research segment is seen to be leading the market share. From a geographical perspective, the market is seen to be dominated by North America followed by Europe. North America to Dominate Market with Critical Therapeutic Treatment The market for medical device technologies is mainly dominated by the regions of North America, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America. Among these, the market in North America is seen to be holding the lions share owing to the increase in the number of patients of both metabolic as well as chronic diseases like cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. These kind of diseases demand both critical therapeutic treatment and diagnosis along with extra care of the patient. The presence of numerous manufacturers in the region is also drawing more revenue generation of the North American region. Apart from that, automated medical processes demand is also expected to fuel the medical device technologies market in the years to come. Request a Sample of Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=11705 Medical sector technologies have also brought out to be sustainable, productive as well as efficient in terms of healthcare facilities. It is also accompanied by smart gadgets like ultrasound systems, and constant glucose monitoring system along with other medical devices. At present, many clinics and hospitals are focusing more on installation of automated processes and implementing them in order to lower the possibility of errors as it is concerned with the patients wellbeing. This is further adding to draw more revenue share into the overall market, hence boosting the market growth. Other factors anticipated to boost the demand for medical device technologies in the market are quick and steady data analysis along with workflow automation. According to a recent report compiled by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the competitive landscape of the global medical device technologies market is estimated to show remarkable growth owing to the technological advancements in the health and medical sector. The technological advancements used in medical gadgets has ensured a notable development in terms of treating illness and diagnosing them. Request For Discount On This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=11705 Some of the major players of the global medical device technologies market are Baxter International Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic plc, and Smith & Nephew plc. The market is mostly dominated by companies manufacturing in vitro diagnostic devices as they hold the maximum revenue share of the market. Nevertheless, small players are leaving no stone unturned in order to secure their place in the market worldwide. About Us Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Contact Us Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The Global Surgical Equipment Market accounted for $9.8 Billion in 2016 and is expected to attain $15.7 Billion by 2023, registering a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period, 2017-2023.Geographically, the surgical equipment market is studies across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. North America dominated the surgical equipment market in 2016, accounting for three-sevenths of the total market. The growth of the global surgical equipment market is driven by the increasing number of surgical procedures worldwide, surge in aging population, rise in chronic diseases, and the growing demand for minimally invasive surgeries. Additionally, technological advancements and substantial growth in developing countries provide lucrative opportunities for new market players. However, high price competition and unfavorable taxation policy restrict market growth. The report segments the global surgical equipment market by product, category, application, and geography. Based on product, the market is categorized into surgical sutures & staples, handheld surgical equipment, and electrosurgical devices. The surgical sutures & staplers segment dominated the market in 2016, accounting for two-fifths of the global share. However, the handheld surgical equipment is poised to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period, owing to their increased demand in cardiovascular, microvascular, and laparoscopic surgeries. Based on category, the report bifurcates the market into reusable and disposable surgical equipment. The reusable surgical equipment segment dominated the global market in 2016 and is expected to maintain this trend throughout the forecast period. Get Sample Report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/68 Based on application, the market is fragmented into neurosurgery, plastic & reconstructive surgeries, wound closure, urology, obstetrics & gynecology, thoracic surgery, microvascular surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, laparoscopy, and others. Accounting for one-fifth of the total market, the laparoscopy surgery segment held the largest market share in 2016. However, plastic & reconstructive surgery segment is projected to grow at the fastest pace from 2017 to 2023, owing to rise in number of aesthetic/cosmetic surgical procedures across the globe. Regionally, North America dominated the surgical equipment market in 2016, owing to the well-established healthcare system in North America, high adoption of innovative minimal invasive & laparoscopic surgical procedures, rise in prevalence of chronic diseases & related surgical procedures, and surge in demand for plastic & reconstructive & bariatric surgeries. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is expected to undergo robust growth in the near future due to a surge in demand for improved healthcare services. The report also profiles key players involved in the global surgical equipment market, such as Medtronic Plc., Stryker Corporation, Conmed Corporation, Alcon Laboratories Inc., Smith & Nephew PLC, Zimmer Holdings Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, B. Braun Melsungen AG and KLS Martin Group, Johnson & Johnson, and Smith & Nephew. They have adopted various strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, and others to gain a strong position in the industry. Send Enquiry on this report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/68 About us Allied Market Research, a market research and advisory company of Allied Analytics LLP, provides business insights and market research reports to large as well as small & medium enterprises. The company assists its clients to strategize business policies and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Allied Market Research provides one stop solution from the beginning of data collection to investment advice. The analysts at Allied Market Research dig out factors that help clients to understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The company amplies clients insight on the factors, such as strategies, future estimations, growth or fall forecasting, opportunity analysis, and consumer surveys among others. As follows, the company offers consistent business intelligent support to aid the clients to turn into prominent business firm. Contact David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1855550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com The global hematology diagnostics market size is anticipated to reach a value of USD xxx.xx by the end of 2025, growing at an optimistic CAGR of x.x% during the forecast period of 2018-2025. The key factors that have helped expand hematology diagnostics market share includes rise in focus of effective diagnosis and higher cases of blood disorders in developing and developed economies. According to statistics, blood cancers such as lymphoma, myeloma or leukemia affected billion people in the U.S. alone. Growing awareness about these conditions among patients and healthcare professionals have expanded the global hematology diagnostics market size. Besides that, higher adoption of point-of-care testing methods and technological advancements results in easy-to-use devices and accurate results. However, the market may hamper with lower awareness among developing economies and huge cost of automated and advanced instruments. Sample PDF available at: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/620 Based on regions, the global hematology diagnostics market is classified into Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas and the Middle East and Africa. The Americas is sub-divided into South America and North America. The North American region is further classified into Canada and the U.S. The European region is sub-divided into Eastern Europe and Western Europe. Western Europe is further categories that is inclusive of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the rest of Western Europe. The Asia-Pacific region is sub-divided Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, India, Australia and the rest of Asia-Pacific. African and the Middle Eastern region is sub-segmented into the Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the rest of the Middle East and Africa. Global hematology diagnostics market is classified on the basis of tests, product type and end-user. Based on product type, the hematology diagnostics market has different categories which include flow cytometers, consumables and hematology analyzers. Hematology analyzers category is further divided into semi-automated and fully-automated hematology analyzers. segment of consumables includes controls, reagents, stains, calibrators, and others. Tests category has further classification which is inclusive of anemia, hemoglobinopathy, hematology pathophysiology, complete blood count (CBC), leukemia/lymphoma phenotyping, and others. Based on end-user, the market is divided into ambulatory surgical centers, hospitals and clinics, academic institutes, diagnostic laboratories and others. Access the full report @ https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/industry-reports/hematology-diagnostics-market The global hematology diagnostics market share is anticipated to experience expansion. Key leading players such as Sysmex Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Abbott Laboratories and Beckman Coulter, Inc. have strong presence in the hematology diagnostics market. In the recent past years, hematology diagnostics market has experienced huge investments by multinational manufacturers such as Sysmex Corporation, Abbott Laboratories and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. The market has witnessed strong demand for laboratory consolidation and automation in order to enhance efficiency and precision, and advancement in technology resulting in easy usage. For instance, Danaher in April 2018 received CE Mark of its DxH 520 hematology analyzer, which is developed to support physician office laboratories. Another instance, Roche declared the launch of the new hematology testing solution in January 2017 which was given name the Cobas m 511 integrated hematology analyzer. It incorporates a distinctive way through patented Bloodhound technology for staining, imaging and printing. Key segments of Global Hematology Diagnostics Market Based on product type, the market has been segmented into, Hematology Analyzers Fully-automated Hematology Analyzers Semi-automated Hematology Analyzers Flow Cytometers Consumables Reagents Stains Controls & Calibrators Others Based on tests, the market has been segmented into, Anemia Hemoglobinopathy Leukemia/Lymphoma Phenotyping Hematology pathophysiology Complete blood count (CBC) Others Based on region, the market has been segmented into, Americas Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & Africa What to expect from the upcoming report on Global Hematology Diagnostics Market: Future prospects and current trends of the global hematology diagnostics market by the end of forecast period (2018-2025) Information regarding technological progressions as well as innovations taking place in developing economies Supportive initiatives by government likely to influence the market dynamics Trends, drivers, opportunities, restraints, challenges and key developments in the market In-depth analysis of different market segmentations including regional segmentations, and product types Deep analysis about the competitive landscape of the market and the initiatives by them to improve this market Who should buy this report? Venture capitalists, Investors, financial institutions, Analysts, Government organizations, regulatory authorities, policymakers ,researchers, strategy managers, and academic institutions looking for insights into the market to determine future strategies. Enquire more details of TOC at: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/620 About Us: Adroit Market Research is an India-based business analytics and consulting company incorporated in 2018. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps. Executive Summary A comprehensive research report created through extensive primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market. The report analyzes the Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Market By Component (Transmitter & receiver, sensor, Integrated Insulin Pump), By Demographics (Pediatric, Adult), By End user (Homecare, Hospital), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the world) and By Country (U.S, Canada, Germany, U.K, Japan, China, India and Brazil). The report assesses the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device Market for the period 2013-2017 and for the forecast period 2018-2023. According to research report Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices (CGM) Market: Analysis By Component (Transmitter & Receiver, Sensor, Integrated Insulin Pump), By Demographics, End-User, By Region, By Country (2018 Edition): Forecast to 2023, the global market is projected to display a high growth represented by a CAGR of 21.25% during 2018 2023. Over the recent years, global continuous glucose monitoring devices market has been witnessing growth, on account of several driving factors including rising incidence of chronic diabetes, increasing healthcare awareness amongst consumers, flourishing market for minimally invasive products, new device approvals along with increasing health expenditure in developing countries. Moreover, ongoing demographic shift towards geriatric population with significant population suffering from serious consequences of diabetes, is expected to propel the demand for continuous glucose monitoring devices. In this research report, the market is segmented on the basis of component type, demographics, as well as end user. By component type, the segment of transmitter & receiver is predicted to hold its dominant position in the market, and sensor is the highest growing component. Amongst the regions, North America accounts for the largest regional share in the global continuous glucose monitoring devices market in 2018. However, Asia Pacific is predicted to advance at the highest rate. Presence of vast consumer base, particularly in emerging nations such as China and India, in addition to growing per capita expenditure on healthcare is likely to drive the regional market. The report titled Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices (CGM) Market: Analysis By Component (Transmitter & Receiver, Sensor, Integrated Insulin Pump), By Demographics, End-User, By Region, By Country (2018 Edition): Forecast to 2023 has covered and analyzed the potential of global continuous glucose monitoring devices market and provides statistics and information on market size, shares and growth factors. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global continuous glucose monitoring devices market. Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe. Request Sample Report at https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3501442-global-continuous-glucose-monitoring-devices-cgm-market-analysis Scope of the Report Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market (Actual Period: 2013-2017, Forecast Period: 2018-2023) Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Size, Growth, Forecast By Component Transmitter & receiver, Sensor, Integrated Insulin Pump By Demographics- Pediatric, Adult By End User Homecare, Hospital Regional Markets North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (Actual Period: 2013-2017, Forecast Period: 2018-2023) Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Size, Growth, Forecast By Component Transmitter & receiver, Sensor, Integrated Insulin Pump By Demographics- Pediatric, Adult By End User Homecare, Hospital Country Analysis U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K, Japan, India, China, Brazil (Actual Period: 2013-2017, Forecast Period: 2018-2023) Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Size, Growth, Forecast By Component Transmitter & receiver, Sensor, Integrated Insulin Pump By Demographics- Pediatric, Adult By End User Homecare, Hospital Other Report Highlights Market Dynamics Drivers and Restraints Market Trends Company Share Analysis SWOT Analysis Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Policy and Regulatory Landscape Company Analysis Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott Laboratories, AgaMatrix Inc., Integrity Applications, Senseonics Holdings, GlySens ICGM, Insulet Corporation. Table of Contents Research Methodology Executive Summary Strategic Recommendations Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Outlook Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Growth and Forecast Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Segment Analysis Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Regional Analysis Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Dynamics Global Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Trends Porters Five Forces Analysis SWOT Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Competitive Landscape Policy and Regulatory Landscape Company Profiles About Us: Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Contact Us: NORAH TRENT sales@wiseguyreports.com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK) Flash The United States on Monday slapped sanctions on a state-owned oil firm in Venezuela, the latest move of the Trump administration to pile up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to the opposition. The sanctions on Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., or known as PDVSA, will block 7 billion U.S. dollars in assets and could result in 11 billion dollars in lost sales over the next year, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton told reporters at a White House briefing. Washington's tough sanctions against Venezuela came days after it recognized the opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of the Latin American country, denouncing incumbent President Maduro who won the elections last year with over two thirds of the votes. The U.S. Treasury described PDVSA as "a primary source of Venezuela's income and foreign currency" in a statement released later in the day, saying that the blacklist could help "prevent further diverting of Venezuela's assets by Maduro." As a result of Treasury's action, all property and interests in property of PDVSA subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The Treasury also declared that the path to sanctions relief is "through the expeditious transfer of control to the Interim President or a subsequent, democratically elected government." Meanwhile, the Treasury has issued general licenses that authorize certain transactions and activities related to PDVSA and its subsidiaries within specified timeframes. The United States, Brazil and some other countries have recognized Guaido's presidency, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that "all options are on the table." Maduro, in response, announced the severing of "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the Monday statement that the United States will "continue to use the full suite of its diplomatic and economic tools to support" Guaido, head of the National Assembly, who declared himself interim president during an anti-government rally. Maduro on Sunday visited a military base in the northern state of Carabobo, exhorting the audience "Traitors never, loyal always," televised images showed. The military is planning larger exercises on Feb. 10-15 that Maduro said would be the "most important in the history of Venezuela." Maduro was elected in May last year with 67.84 percent of the votes, and he was sworn in as president on Jan. 10 for another six-year term. On Wednesday, Guaido, 35, declared himself interim president. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all relevant actors to lower tensions and commit to dialogue to address the protracted crisis in Venezuela, after anti-government protests in the capital Caracas turned violent, said his spokesman on Thursday. TheShare has increased with increasing incidence of rate of cancer, diabetes, and other infectious diseases; this led to the higher number of patient. In addition to that, these services are comparatively cost-effective, and create the least invasive method for clinical decision making. Besides that, launch of novel technologies that offer faster analysis and are user-friendly expand the global clinical laboratory services share. The global clinical lab services market size is expected to reach a value of xx.xx Billion by the end of 2025, registering an impressive CAGR of x.x% during the forecast period of 2018-2025. However, factors such as lack of skilled professionals, stringent government policies and inadequate reimbursements may impede the growth of the market. Request a sample copy: www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/713 The global clinical lab services industry is segmented into its ownership, type, laboratory type and products. Based on types of clinical lab services, the categories are general/routine and specialty. Among types, the clinical chemistry accounts the largest market share. The growth of this segment is contributed to demand of early disease diagnosis of diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular, blood and liver & kidney disorders. On the basis of laboratory type, the market is bifurcated into hospital and commercial. In terms of ownership, the market is divided into hospital and commercial. On the basis of products, the market has categories which includes instruments, services, and reagents. In service- providers, the segment of stand-alone laboratories holds the largest global clinical lab services market share due to the availability of wide range of tests provided by these labs. These new range of condition-specific markers and tests comes with advances in proteomics & genomics. Based on geography, the global clinical lab services market is dominated in several regions, namely, Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Rest of the World (RoW). Europe is anticipated to have the largest share in global market due to growing initiatives by government for promoting awareness about growing private and public funding for research on the progress of clinical laboratory tests, preventive screening and growing adoption of genome-based laboratory tests are favoring the market growth. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to record the highest growth rate in the next couple of years because of growing number of clinical diagnostics laboratories and hospitals and higher healthcare expenditure in China and India, and strong research base across Japan, India and China. The key players contributing in the global clinical lab services industry includes ACM Medical Laboratory, Abbott Laboratories, Arup Laboratories, Adicon Clinical Laboratory, Bio-Reference Laboratories, Charles River Laboratories, Inc., Bioscientia Healthcare, and Clarient Inc. Other prominent players too have considerable contribution in this market which includes Genzyme Corporation, Genoptix Medical Laboratory, Healthscope Ltd., Labcorp, Intertek, Labco S.A., Lifelabs Medical Laboratory, Siemens Sonic Healthcare Limited, Qiagen, Quest Diagnostics, Inc., Unilabs and Spectra Laboratories. Product launch, partnership, collaboration & merger, R&D and acquistion are the key strategies adopted by the market players. Giants of healthcare industry such as Bioscientia Healthcare Group was acquired by Sonic Healthcare Limited in August 2007 creating a high growth in global clinical laboratory services market. Key segments of Global Clinical Lab Services Market Based on type, the market has been segmented into, Clinical Chemistry Medical Microbiology & Cytology Human & Tumor Genetics Other Esoteric Tests Based on service provider, the market has been segmented into, Hospital-based Laboratories Clinic-based Laboratories Stand-alone Laboratories Based on region, the market has been segmented into, North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany U.K. France Others Asia Pacific Japan India China Others LAMEA Brazil UAE South Africa Others What to expect from the upcoming report on Global Clinical Lab Services Market: Future prospects and current trends of the global clinical lab services market by the end of forecast period (2018-2025) Information regarding technological progressions as well as innovations taking place in developing economies Supportive initiatives by government likely to influence the market dynamics Trends, drivers, opportunities, restraints, challenges and key developments in the market In-depth analysis of different market segmentations including regional segmentations, and product types Deep analysis about the competitive landscape of the market and the initiatives by them to improve this market Else place an Inquire before Purchase Clinical Lab Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025: www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buyi Who should buy this report? Venture capitalists, Investors, financial institutions, Analysts, Government organizations, regulatory authorities, policymakers, researchers, strategy managers, and academic institutions looking for insights into the market to determine future strategies. About Adroit Market Research: Adroit Market Research provide quantified B2B research on numerous opportunistic markets, and offer customized research reports, consulting services, and syndicate research reports. We assist our clients to strategize business decisions and attain sustainable growth in their respective domain. Additionally, we support them with their revenue planning, marketing strategies, and assist them to make decisions before the competition so that they remain ahead of the curve. Contact Information: Ryan Johnson Adroit Market Research 3131 McKinney Ave #600 Dallas, TX 75204 Tel: +1-214-884-6068 Email: sales@adroitmarketresearch.com Arbutus Medical is a company that aims to improve access to surgical power tools for surgeons around the world. Their flagship product, the DrillCover, is a sterilizable enclosure that allows surgeons to use an off-the-shelf hardware drill for orthopedic surgery. Four years ago, we interviewed Lawrence Buchan, Arbutus co-founder. We caught up with him again to see how Arbutus is faring. He told us about two new products, two new markets, and the positive social impact theyve catalyzed. The company has evolved quickly in four years. When we first spoke in 2014, the DrillCover was a pre-market R&D initiative funded by a Grand Challenges Canada grant. The company incorporated in December of that same year and raised over $2 million to scale the DrillCover product line globally. In 2016 they listed their DrillCover System with the FDA and gained Health Canada registration. Today, their products have enabled surgeons to treat an estimated 36,000 patients in 32 countries, and have a goal to reach 50,000 patients in 2019. Buchan was excited to update me on two new products Arbutus has developed. We expanded the DrillCover product line so that surgeons can cut, ream, and drill with cannulation, Buchan told me. The new products allow surgeons to handle any type of orthopedic procedure. The platform continues our theme of Frugal Innovation making radically affordable tools with smart design and expert medical engineering. Expensive tools affect all doctors, everywhere in the world, from Uganda to the UK. Products like this can democratize safe surgical equipment. While Arbutus impact grows, Buchan told us it wasnt easy and theyve met with their share of challenges. They struggled to get products to market efficiently in emerging markets. Regulatory barriers and inefficient distribution channels led the company to focus in the short term on partnerships with NGOs. Arbutus now believes they have a strong strategy to reach surgeons and patients at affordable prices by maintaining strong partnerships with NGOs, such as the AO Alliance Foundation, Canadian Network for International Surgery, and Uganda Sustainable Trauma Orthopaedic Program. Arbutus has recently expanded to veterinary medicine. Our goal is safe surgery for all. Ideally, we can make our products available to every surgeon, at an affordable price especially in the lowest income settings of the world, said Buchan. At the same time, weve realized that there is interest in radically affordable tools in every country, not just low-resource settings, and among veterinarians as well. Expensive equipment affects everyone. So, we can address needs in more conventional markets such as veterinary medicine, and efficiently propel our business to give us time to scale throughout low- and middle-income countries. Were excited to be able to help improve access to affordable equipment for veterinarians too it fits our safe surgery for all mission. The veterinary market was Arbutus most significant driver of growth in 2018, with sales across North America and Europe. Arbutus estimates that over 21,000 animals have been treated using DrillCover products. Most have been canine knee surgeries in the U.S. The veterinary uses havent been limited to domestic pets. In one instance, a vet from the Baltimore Zoo, Dr. Mike Cranfield, took Arbutus DrillCover to Rwanda as part of a mission to treat endangered mountain gorillas. The Gorilla Doctors first grabbed our attention when about a year and a half ago an Arbutus Medical supporter purchased a DrillCover to donate it to them, said Fedja Mulabdic, Arbutus Director of R&D. We were immediately blown away by their impact in bringing the Mountain Gorilla population back from the brink of extinction. Trauma is common among the small Mountain Gorilla population. Accidents, fighting, and injuries caused by snare traps are the main causes all of which can lead to the loss of a limb or death. In the event Dr Cranfields team needs to perform an orthopedic surgery, the DrillCover will go a long way towards mitigating the risk of infection. Arbutus has also expanded into military field medicine. Both the Canadian Armed Forces and US Army have purchased products for the military setting because the DrillCover system is now the lightest, most packable orthopedic drill on the market, featuring a portable hardware drill and covers which fold to the size of a pair of socks,said Buchan. Conventional surgical drills are too heavy and bulky for mobile surgical teams to transport. Arbutus sees military field medicine as a fitting extension of their safe surgery for allmission too. In one instance, the DrillCover was used by a field hospital in a conflict zone to repair the tendon of a local farmer whose finger had been severed and needed surgery. Almost every injury in a conflict zone includes some kind of orthopedic trauma. The DrillCover system makes surgery more efficient in an environment where every second counts. All mobile surgical teams need this product in their kit, said Randy Wilkinson, a 20-year pararescue veteran (US Air Force) and VP Government Sales for Tryco Inc., Arbutus Medicals distributor to the US Government. Looking toward 2019, Arbutus was recently pre-approved for the Build-in-Canada Innovations Program (BCIP), where it will receive a contract up to $1 million in order for groups like the Canadian Armed Forces, domestic public hospitals, Global Affairs Canada, and Canadian NGOs to evaluate and use the new-to-market DrillCover PRO product line. These initiatives keep the company going. Were in need of capital to grow, said Buchan. Arbutus is actively seeking mission-aligned impact investors to join a fundraising round that will grow allow the company to grow their veterinary and military business lines and continue building partnerships with NGOs. To this day, Arbutus still sticks to its roots for motivation. Whats kept us focused in the long run is our mission and goal of safe surgery for all. Our role in this fight is improve access to surgical equipment around the world, and ultimately, thats our final metric. Tackling a complex problem, we need to try a lot of different strategies to make it happen. If we keep iterating and remembering the why, it will work out. Link: Arbutus Medical homepage Flashback: Drilling to the Problem: Low-Cost Sterile Drill Covers for Surgery Interview with Lawrence Buchan, Cofounder of Arbutus Medical Meadville, PA (16335) Today Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. A few storms may be severe. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Hiram, GA (30141) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain throughout the day. High 81F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Businesses will be banging on the door to hang their shingles in the south metro area after traffic unsnarls but in the meantime, jobs and You are here: World Flash Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Sudanese presidential envoy Faysal Hassan Ibrahim Ali in Beijing Monday. Faysal updated the situation in Sudan, saying that the situation is fully under control and people's livelihoods had returned to normal. The Sudanese side appreciated China for its assistance to Sudan in maintaining national peace and stability, as well as promoting economic development, Faysal said. "As strategic partners, China and Sudan always understand and support each other," Wang said, adding that China will firmly continue to support Sudan to follow the development path suited to its national conditions, maintain social stability and resolutely oppose external forces interfering in Sudan's internal affairs. "China is willing to continue to provide support and assistance with in its capacity to Sudan," Wang said. Atlanta, GA (30303) Today Occasional light rain. High near 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Atlanta, GA (30342) Today Cloudy with periods of light rain. High 79F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Marietta, GA (30060) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain throughout the day. High 81F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. In South Carolina, the company is in the latter stages of a $50 million solar rebate program that was launched in October 2015. Since that time, the company has added nearly 7,000 private solar customers in the state. South Carolina now ranks No. 2 in the Southeast for rooftop solar connected. Large solar projects In 2018, Duke Energy connected more than 500 megawatts (MW) of solar energy capacity to the Carolinas system. Over the past four years, Duke Energy has connected more than 2,500 MW to its grid in the Carolinas, enough to power about half million homes at peak output. This has made North Carolina No. 2 in the nation for overall solar power capacity. Recently, Duke Energy brought online the Woodleaf Solar Facility in Rowan County, N.C. The 6-MW facility is comprised of 30,000 solar panels on a 116-acre site. The solar plant has an innovative tracking system that allows the panels to pivot throughout the day to capture the maximum amount of sunshine. At peak output, the solar plant can power more than 1,000 homes. A pregnant Lyft driver in Arizona was stabbed to death by a passenger she had picked up during the weekend in the Phoenix area, authorities say. Tempe police spokesman Sgt. Ronald Elcock said the driver, 39-year-old Kristina Howato, was stabbed numerous times all over her body early Sunday morning in Tempe. Howato, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy, died along with her unborn child, he said. The passenger, who was identified by authorities as 20-year-old Fabian Durazo, has been arrested on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the driver and the unborn child, Elcock said. "Throughout our careers as officers, we have incidents that really, really touch our hearts and stay with you throughout your careers," Elcock said during a news conference. "This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time, and the community will think about this for a long time. Our hearts right now and our thoughts are with the victim of this incident." It was not immediately clear whether Durazo has an attorney in the case. A group of McDowell Academy for Innovation (MAI) students has responded to the urgent need for blood donation by organizing a Red Cross blood drive at their school on Thursday. During the last several weeks, a group of students who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in the healthcare field have been busy posting fliers, recruiting donors and ensuring that their classmates are aware of the upcoming drive. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Red Cross employee Tabitha Bagwell visited the MAI campus last week to educate students on the process and importance of donating blood. Many students were interested to learn that they would be able to track where their blood goes after it has been donated. Ive wanted to donate blood for a while now, and Im glad I am getting the chance to do it, said MAI student Ronald Chapman. Red Cross staff will be present on MAI campus from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday for both scheduled and walk-in donations. Adults and students, age 16 and above, are invited to donate. To schedule an appointment, contact MAI at 652-1040. DURHAM --Mack Haynes, a Marine Corps veteran of three conflicts, passed away Friday at 93 years old. He joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 in 1943 and was soon assigned to train on Montford Point, a training base located near Camp Lejeune for black Marines. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} During WWII he served in the Pacific Theater as a member of the legendary Montford Point Marines. He then went on to serve during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War before retiring in the early 1970s. In 2012, the Montford Point Marines were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States, honoring the legacy of these brave men. Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Durham. Asheville Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont and Western North Carolina released its 2018 annual report, detailing consumer activity related to businesses located in the BBBs 37-county service area. This report includes statistics on consumer complaints, verified customer reviews, website inquiries and the top five types of businesses that generated the most complaints. In 2018, consumers filed more than 16,000 complaints against area businesses, showing an increase in just over 1,000 complaints from 2017. A small increase in customer complaints is certainly not unusual. With new businesses opening regularly, it just means that there are more businesses to work with and more customers to satisfy, said BBB Regional Director Julie Goodwin. Business growth is wonderful for our economy, and making sure consumers are satisfied is extremely important. In 2018, customers submitted more than 9,500 verified reviews about businesses, showing no changes compared to 2017. Customer reviews are still fairly new to BBB, said Goodwin. We are thrilled to see customers continuing to take advantage of this outlet by sharing positive or negative feedback about their experience with a business. "North Macedonia, welcome to our lives" was the phrase recently tweeted by former Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias following joint parliamentary ratification of the Prespes agreement between Greece and the country previously known as the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)" until a few days ago. According to the accord, signed last June, the latter changed its Constitution by adopting, a new name, "North Macedonia." Hence, Athens will no longer oppose the European-Atlantic orientation of the government in Skopje, allowing North Macedonia to join both NATO and the EU if it wants. The name dispute lasted over 25 years following the end of the Cold War. As Macedonia refers to a wider region extending into the current territory of various Balkan countries, Greece found it unacceptable its neighbor had selected this title as its constitutional name in 1991. It used all available diplomatic means at the NATO and EU level to push the government in Skopje towards compromise and persuade its international partners about national sensitivity on this subject. Ever since the current Greek government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras under the guidance of Nikos Kotzias took power it has been exploring ways to improve relations with North Macedonia. The former Foreign Minister had long believed better understanding could resolve the name issue. So, in June 2015, he traveled to Skopje to reach an agreement on confidence-building measures ensuring immediate strengthening of bilateral cooperation. Several rounds of discussions preceding the Prespes agreement concentrated on connectivity-related projects, police collaboration, European programs, culture, education, civil protection, public administration and health. The 2017 governmental change in North Macedonia, which saw the departure of then Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the formation of a coalition under moderate Premier Zoran Zaev, created new momentum. Zaev and Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov agreed with the thinking of Kotzias on resolving the name dispute. The U.S. was also eager to support the process. Being concerned about Russia's ongoing influence in South-Eastern Europe, it sought to accelerate the expansion of NATO following the 2017 Montenegro adhesion. North Macedonia is now the new candidate. Moscow has not hidden its frustration, the Foreign Ministry of Russia publicly opposed the Prespes accord on various occasions. Germany, however, shared the American view. Early this month, only days before the Greek Parliament was about to ratify the Prespes agreement, Chancellor Angela Merkel paid an official visit to Athens. As the Greek economy has been significantly stabilized, the visit was considered clear support for the Greek government's new Balkan policy. Berlin has initiated the so-called "Berlin Process" and want to see more countries of the Western Balkans rekindle an appetite for joining the EU. Irrespective of the international environment, the governments of Greece and North Macedonia decided that, instead of investing in nationalism, they would seek to build friendship. Tsipras, Kotzias, Zaev and Dimitrov managed to achieve what had seemed unthinkable a few years ago, achieving a diplomatic success unusual in South-Eastern Europe. Finally, the ratification of the Prespes accord might prove beneficial for the 16+1 Initiative. Greece can soon be the 17th member because its northern neighbor will participate with its new name. The talks between Athens and Skopje took place under UN aegis and China generally supports all diplomatic efforts of that type. China, as a new driving force of growth in the Balkans, is expected to further boost connectivity in harmonious cooperation with its partners, Greece and North Macedonia, within the framework of the 17+1 format. George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. 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: KEVIN HARVISON | Staff photoThis photo shows a portion of the downtown McAlester Streetscape project that has already been completed at the corner of Second Street and Choctaw Avenue. The city is now gearing up to complete the first phase of the project after securing the final funding needed for the project through a grant from the Puterbaugh Foundation. Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, quickly left a Washington D.C. federal court Tuesday after pleading not guilty to charges brought as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 campaign. Stone, who entered his plea at a Washington D.C. federal court, was expected to address reporters who had gathered outside the court house. He, however, left without making any remarks as various protesters joined the crowd. Stone is charged with one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of giving false statements and one count of witness tampering. The longtime GOP consultant has vocally denied any wrongdoing and called the special counsels charges politically motivated. Stone was arrested Friday at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after being indicted by a federal grand jury, according to the special counsels office. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. 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. Mueller, who outlined his case against Stone in a 24-page indictment, has alleged that the GOP consultant 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 also accuses Stone of lying to Congress about his communications regarding WikiLeaks and attempting to prevent another persons testimony in an official proceeding. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Roger Stone, a GOP consultant and former adviser to President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges of obstruction, giving false statements and witness tampering that have been brought as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 campaign. Stone, who has vocally denied any wrongdoing, formally entered his plea through an attorney as he appeared in Washington D.C. federal court, various news outlets reported. The Republican consultant was arrested Friday at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 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, according to the special counsels office. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. 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. Mueller, who outlined his case against Stone in a 24-page indictment, has alleged that the GOP consultant 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 also accuses Stone of lying to Congress about his communications regarding WikiLeaks and attempting to prevent another persons testimony in an official proceeding. Stone publicly denied Muellers assertion 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 told reporters after his initial appearance in a Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse. Stone added that he would plead not guilty to these charges," which he called politically motivated. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, continued to raise questions this week about the Trump administrations decision to send thousands of American troops to the U.S.-Mexico border -- an operation which officials recently extended. Warren, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Military Personnel subcommittee, called Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Monday to respond to a series of questions on the administrations Jan. 14 move to continue the deployment through the end of September. The senator, in a letter sent in conjunction with U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-California, specifically asked Shanahan to explain why the Pentagon decided to extend the deployment, what activities active duty military forces will conduct at the border and why they -- and not Department of Homeland Security staff or National Guard members -- have been chosen for the mission. The lawmakers further called on the Pentagon to, among other things, provide details by Feb. 11 on: the cost of the operation and its extended deployment; whether it has prepared plans for constructing a U.S.-Mexico border wall; and if the agencys actions have had a demonstrable positive impact on border security. Arguing that the initial deployment represented a virtually unprecedented use of active-duty military forces at the border with little or no justification or rationale, the Democrats questioned whether President Donald Trump may have fueled unprecedented uncertainty and anxiety inside the Pentagon. They further voiced concerns over reports that Trump may declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border to construct his proposed border wall. Warren, who is eying a 2020 presidential run, previously pressed Pentagon officials in November for information on the administrations decision to send 5,000 troops to the southern border ahead of the midterm election. Defense officials responded to the senators initial request for details on the deployment in a Dec. 20 letter. Undersecretary of Defense John Rood noted that the agency provided support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection pursuant to presidential direction. The militarys presence and support increases the effectiveness of CBPs border security operations, frees up border patrol agents to conduct law enforcement duties and enhances situational awareness to stem the tide of illegal activity along the southern border of the United States, he wrote. The Department of Defense has a long history of supporting the Department of Homeland Security and CBP in their mission to secure the U.S. border. The Pentagon announced earlier this month that it had approved a DHS request for assistance through Sept. 30. Defense officials, the agency noted, would transition their support at the southern border from hardening ports of entry to mobile surveillance and detection, as well as concertina wire emplacement between ports of entry. AMHERST -- The Town Council at Monday's meeting was asked to support replacing two aging buildings -- the Wildwood and Fort River schools -- with one new grammar school that would provide learning space for kindergarten through grades five or six. Amherst School Committee Chairperson Anastasia Ordonez and Superintendent Michael Morris formally presented the idea, then answered questions from the council. The school officials said the district has contracted with an outside consultant who would facilitate a series of nine meetings tentatively scheduled to occur in late February through early March. The plan is to meet with parents, caregivers and the public at large and obtain a sense of what the community thinks about the proposal to build a new elementary school that would replace Wildwood and Fort River. Morris and Ordonez said community support is essential, otherwise the idea will not be presented to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The MSBA could grant Amherst more than half the money needed to build a new school. But the process cannot begin unless the Town Council first agrees to vote in favor of a letter of interest saying the community is in favor of a new school. The deadline to submit the letter is April 12. Council members took no action on the request Monday, saying they would deliberate during a future meeting on whether there is a consensus on the council to build a new school that would replace the two now in use. Town Meeting twice rejected funding for a combined school, once in 2016 and again in 2017. A new charter voters approved in March that took effect in December replaced Town Meeting as the community's legislative assembly with the Town Council. SPRINGFIELD The citys newly hired chief diversity and inclusion officer, Talia Gee, has hit the ground running this month by recruiting at local colleges for the upcoming police officer exam, the mayors office announced. Last week, Gee joined Assistant Human Resources Director Caitlyn Julius and Officer Edward Van Zandt in speaking to a couple dozen students at Springfield Technical Community College about the police exam, according to a news release from the mayors office. This week, the local officials plan to speak to students at American International College and Holyoke Community College. Gee is also planning to meet with Springfield College and Americorps officials to discuss current and future recruitment efforts by the city, the mayors office said. (I am) excited about getting out in the community and recruiting talent from local colleges to work for this fine city," said Gee, who began working as chief diversity officer on Jan. 14. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno praised her early efforts. One, we need to have a face of the community that can get out and recruit, Sarno said. Two, there needs to be a proper career pathway so that you can move up, and three, cultural respect ... thats how we get the best and the brightest. The 2019 Municipal and MBTA Transit Police Officer Exam is scheduled March 23 at various sites in Massachusetts. The application deadline is Feb. 5. Further details regarding the exam can be found at mass.gov/service-details/2019-municipal-and-mbta-transit-police-officer-exam. Massachusetts seniors are lobbying the Legislature to adopt Gov. Charlie Bakers proposal to make more seniors eligible for cheaper health care and then to take Bakers proposal even farther. Gov. Bakers proposal is a great first step, said Carolyn Villers, executive director of Massachusetts Senior Action Council. Bakers proposal, included in his fiscal 2020 budget, would spend $7 million in state money to expand eligibility for low-income seniors in the Medicare Savings Program. The federal program helps poor seniors pay Medicare premiums, copays and deductibles. Currently, seniors in Massachusetts are only eligible if they earn less than $16,400 annually. Bakers proposal would make seniors eligible if they earn up to $20,000 per year. He would also make an asset limit more generous. Bakers plan would let an additional 25,000 Massachusetts seniors join the program, bringing in an estimated $100 million in federal money to pay for their expanded benefits. For example, a 79-year-old with $17,000 in annual income from Social Security would see their out-of-pocket Medicare costs drop from $6,000 to $600 a year, according to statistics provided by Bakers office. John Robinson, 70, of Somerville, is among those who would be helped by Bakers proposal. After 21 years working as a porter and cleaner for Amtrak, Robinson lives off $1,600 in monthly income from his pension. He lives in subsidized housing and attends church dinners to save on food costs. He has a lifelong eye problem, which left him blind in one eye. He is still paying off debt from a dental implant a few years ago. When I turned 65, I thought everything was going to be taken care of. I found out its not, Robinson said. Robinson pays $438 a month for health insurance, which includes his Medicare premiums and prescription drug benefits and supplemental insurance, including dental insurance. Under Bakers proposal, Robinsons costs would drop to $260 a month. Robinson said he has no savings, and uses credit cards to get through each month. With lower health insurance expenses, he said, I wouldnt run out of money before the end of the month. I could budget money better, stop using credit cards, then could pay down some of my debt. Bakers proposal must still be approved by the state Legislature. Both the House and the Senate included a similar expansion in health care bills they passed last session, but those bills never became law. Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders called expanding the program the right thing to do. If youre a low-income senior, the cost of prescription drugs in particular eats up more and more out of peoples pockets, she said. Massachusetts Senior Action Council is backing a bill that would increase the eligibility even further, to include seniors earning up to around $25,000 annually (200 percent of the federal poverty level) over three years. That would make an estimated 30,000 more seniors eligible, cost the state around $30 million and bring in an additional $200 million in federal money for prescription drug benefits and $100 million for other Medicare assistance, according to the council. Currently, seniors within that income level are spending 20 to 25 percent of their income on health care and are often unable to meet all of their basic needs or are literally choosing between food and medication, Villers said. A bill to further increase eligibility is sponsored by Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, and Rep. Steven Ultrino, D-Malden. Sudders said she hopes the administration could increase eligibility further, but it will depend on the states financial situation. Every years budget is every years budget, Sudders said, noting that this is the first time the governor has proposed expanding eligibility since the program was established in 1966. A group of seniors came to the Statehouse Tuesday to lobby on behalf of the expansion. Nine seniors who hoped to come from Springfield had to cancel after an organizer got sick. Tracey Carpenter, economic and health care organizer for Massachusetts Senior Action Council, who lives in Springfield, said many seniors in Western Massachusetts are living off Social Security, and health insurance costs leave them swallowed in debt. In order to cover their Medicare costs, with copayments and premiums, many of them in our area are making really tough choices on the basic needs, Carpenter said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) A policeman was killed while eight others sustained injuries in a roadside bomb explosion and gunfire in Magpet, North Cotabato Monday night, authorities said. The North Cotabato provincial police, in a report Tuesday, said PO1 Christopher Anadon of the province's police mobile force was declared dead on arrival at the Kidapawan Medical Specialists. Anadon was patrolling with his fellow policemen around the area of Brgy. Poblacion when the bomb exploded followed by gunfire. Police believe the perpetrators to be members of the New People's Army. The police team was inspecting the area in relation to a similar January 27 encounter. The government shutdown may be over for now, but Massachusetts leaders say they are still preparing contingency plans in case a shutdown is renewed. I dont think we can leave here today saying this is an issue thats gone, its finished, we dont have to worry about it, said House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop. I was hoping that might be the answer, but I cant say it is. President Donald Trump and Congress came to an agreement Friday to end the 35-day government shutdown for three weeks to give Trump and Congress time to negotiate an agreement on border security. There is no guarantee what will happen if an agreement is not reached. In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, and legislative leaders had been talking about how to help affected Massachusetts residents. For example, they were talking about implementing some form of unemployment insurance for furloughed federal workers. The Massachusetts Senate created its own seven-member working group to look at state impacts of the shutdown. Baker had said previously that he would release a plan this week to help the furloughed workers. With the shutdown ending, Baker said Monday that he would rely on the working group, but continue to talk to House and Senate leaders about potential fixes to help federal employees deal with a shutdown, if God forbid, there should be another one. Baker said state leaders have developed a way to provide some kind of unemployment compensation. One concern that many advocates for the poor were looking at is what happens to food stamp benefits. Baker said the benefits will now be funded through April. The Supreme Judicial Court has allowed a case to proceed in which a Massachusetts state police lieutenant says the state police discriminated against him by denying him a transfer to a unit known for its high overtime pay. Warren Yee, a lieutenant with the state police, was born in Hong Kong, immigrated to the U.S. and became a citizen. He identifies as a Chinese Asian-American. Yee said the state police would not approve a job transfer, which would have given him a greater opportunity to earn overtime pay and accept paid details, because of his age and ethnic background. Yee started working for the Massachusetts District Commission in 1980, an agency that merged with the state police in 1992. Since 2005, he has worked as a lieutenant shift commander at the headquarters of State Police Troop H in South Boston. In 2008, Yee requested a transfer to Troop F at Logan Airport, because he knew there were better opportunities for overtime and paid details. He continued to make his interest in a transfer known to his superiors. Yee told his superiors he thought he could be helpful at the airport because he speaks Chinese. Troop F came under scrutiny last year after it was revealed that the troop had not made its payroll records public through the state comptroller, as all state agencies and police troops are required to do. The Boston Globe reported that Troop F had some of the highest overtime earners in the state. The Globe report found that 54 Troop F officers earned more than $200,000 the previous year, and a number of troopers earned more than $100,000 in overtime pay. According to the SJC ruling, there is no written policy governing transfer requests by lieutenants. It is up to the troop commander to nominate a candidate for an open position, and the state police superintendent decides whether to approve the nomination. Between the time Yee first made his request in 2008 through September 2012, the state police transferred or promoted seven troopers to Troop F in the position of lieutenant. All seven were white males, and five were younger than Yee when they were transferred. Yee then sent a letter to police officials complaining of discrimination. After he sent the letter, three other lieutenants were transferred to Troop F, all white men. One lieutenant who was transferred from Troop H to Troop F earned an additional $30,000 a year in overtime and detail pay after the transfer. His pay dropped when he returned to Troop H. The state police argued that there was no adverse employment action taken against Yee, and no discrimination. A superior court judge ruled in favor of the state police, finding that Yees request was for a lateral transfer, not a promotion, since the job had the same base pay and benefits. So denying his request could not be considered an adverse employment action, which is required for something to be deemed discrimination. The SJC, in a decision written by Chief Justice Ralph Gants, found that denying Yee a transfer could be considered an adverse employment action, because even though Troop F offers the same base pay, that job would have given Yee the opportunity to earn more money through overtime and paid details. We thus conclude that where an employee can show that there are material differences between two positions in the opportunity for compensation, or in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, the failure to grant a lateral transfer to the preferred position may constitute an adverse employment action, Gants wrote. Gants concluded that the ability to earn more overtime pay and paid details can make a position objectively more desirable. The SJC did not rule on whether the state police actually discriminated against Yee, but sent the case back to the superior court to decide that question. The dangerous apparent road rage incident that unfolded on the Massachusetts Turnpike last Friday miraculously came to a safe ending, which police are in part crediting to 49-year-old Frankie Hernandez and his licensed firearm. Hernandez told police that he and several other drivers used their vehicles to block an Infinity SUV, driven by Mark Fitzgerald, 37, of Lynn. Massachusetts State Police and other witnesses say Fitzgerald drove several miles down the Mass. Pike with 65-year-old Richard Kamrowski, of Framingham, clinging to the hood of his car. The apparent road rage episode came after a minor side-swipe collision between the two, authorities said. Around the 120.6-mile marker on I-90 in Weston, Hernandez positioned his car in front of the Infinity and exited his vehicle, carrying with him a licensed handgun because he was concerned about the safety of Kamrowski, he later told police. Hernandez then ordered Fitzgerald -- at gunpoint -- to exit his SUV and get on the ground, according to a police incident report. Fitzgerald did get out of the car but did not get on the ground, the police report said. Shortly after, State Police Trooper Daniel Myers arrived on the scene and ordered Hernandez to drop his weapon. Hernandez was then placed in handcuffs as police investigated what was happening. He was later released with no charges, police said. Several bystanders advised Trooper Myers that Hernandez was just a Good Samaritan helping out. Hernandez [sic] license to carry was verified and his firearm was later returned to him, read a police report by Mass. State Police Trooper Glenn W. Witaszek. In an interview with NBC Boston, Hernandez said he first felt like what he was seeing was something that only happens in the movies. NBC Boston reports Hernandez is a U.S. Army veteran who once served in the military police. He told the network that he drew his gun because Fitzgerald was not complying. When police asked Hernandez to drop his handgun, he complied, but told NBC Boston that he kept his eye on Fitzgerald as he laid the firearm down, in fear that the driver may rush at him and the weapon. In his interview with the news station, Hernandez suggested the road rage incident highlights the importance of preparedness when it comes to being a gun-owner: Always be prepared and keep calm because when you have a firearm, you got to be mentally fit," he told NBC Boston. Authorities are still searching for the suspects in the 2013 slaying of 39-year-old Shawn Clark inside a Malden skate shop. The married father of two boys was working at his shop, Patriot Skateboards at 804 Main St., in Malden when two men walked inside. Surveillance video released by the Middlesex District Attorneys shows the two suspects entered the store around 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2013. There was some type of confrontation inside the store. Clark was shot several times by one of the two men. The two suspects, who are still being sought six years later, then ran from the scene. Investigators asked people to watch the video and pay attention to the suspects facial and bodily appearances of the suspects and the clothing that they are wearing. Investigators believe the murder of Shawn Clark can be solved and are hopeful that over the passing of these six years someone who knows something may decide to come forward and speak to detectives, the district attorneys office said. On occasion with other crimes, a citizen has come forward with a small detail which may not appear to have significance to the person but which has opened doors for detectives and sent them along a path that has led to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact Massachusetts State Police at 781-897-6600 or Malden Police at 781-397-7171. 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 rabbis 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 kids head into the toilet. It was the eternal expression of the bully at the head of a mob. JERUSALEM Rena Quint, who survived the Holocaust as a child, spent much of this week leading up to International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27) speaking to groups about her traumatic early years and the rewarding life she has led since. Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) You are here: China Li Yihuang, former vice governor of east China's Jiangxi Province, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Tuesday for taking bribes. He was also fined 2.2 million yuan (US$327,000), according to the the Intermediate People's Court of the city of Anqing in Anhui Province. The court found that between 2004 and 2017, Li took advantage of his various positions including copper company executive and vice provincial governor to benefit others in business cooperation, stock right transfers, project contracting and job adjustments. In return, he accepted money and property worth more than 51.19 million yuan personally or through others. During 2011 to 2014, Li took advantage of his posts to embezzle public assets worth more than 2.68 million yuan. The court also found that Li misappropriated over 147.3 million yuan of public funds for his relatives to make profits from March 2013 to May 2016. In 2008, Li violated regulations to seek profits for others, causing the losses of more than 20.87 million yuan of state-owned assets, according to the court verdict. The court said Li had received a lenient sentence, given that he confessed to his crimes, showed repentance and was cooperative in returning all his illegal gains. "Everything you hear about the status of women in the Islamic Republic is just hostile propaganda, Ayatollah Khomeini told a group of German reporters on Nov. 12, 1978. Iranian women will enjoy full freedoms (under the future government) in their education and in every area of their lives, just like men. As the strategic mastermind of the Iranian Revolution, Khomeini laid out this vision for the future status of women in the Islamic Republic while he was still in exile in France. In many ways, it promised to leave in place reforms that had already been made during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. In 1936, Pahlavi established a mixed gender education system that enabled women to enter universities, and in 1963, he granted women the right to vote and run for office. When Pahlavis wife, Farah, was crowned Shahbanu in 1967, she became the first woman in a Muslim country to enter the line of royal succession. If her husband had died before the crown prince reached the legal age to succeed his father, Farah would have become the head of state. My impression then was that the Shah crowned all women in Iran, the Shabanu said. But the mullahs who took power after the Iranian Revolution reinstated patriarchal and religious values that undid all the progress that Iranian women had made throughout the 20th century. Following decades of dictatorship, corruption and foreign intervention, Khomeini emerged as national figure and powerful symbol for the masses. He was hailed as a leader of the people who rejects tyranny during popular demonstrations in December 1978, but soon revealed himself to be a totalitarian bent on achieving his political ambitions. He had publicly promised to be a moderate once he gained power. But as soon as the revolution was complete, respect for human rights, freedom of expression and democracy was thrown out the window, and he rapidly set about Islamicizing society, much to the surperize of at least some of the Iranian public. (Also in our special series : Khomeini: the opponent, the guide and the despot) Victims of oppression Women played an active role in the demonstrations and strikes that led to the downfall of the Shahs regime. But when Sharia was strictly applied by the new government in the aftermath of the revolution, they became its first victims. Millions of middle class and working class women had responded when Khomeini called on them to take part in protests. "Women fought side by side against the Shah's regime, but once Khomeini tightened his grip on the government, he started to show an anti-women stance," Mahnaz Shirali, a professor at Sciences Po University in Paris, told L'Orient-Le Jour (OLJ). Less than a month after Khomeini returned to Iran the interim government began implementing measures aimed at marginalizing women in the legal system, the army and the media. Women responded with shock and panic. Iran was the first Muslim country to have had a female cabinet minister, Farrokhroo Parsa, who served as minister of education. Now, it was deliberately legislating away their rights and forcing them to return to their homes. A new labor law appeared to honor women and give them maternity and nursing privileges. But the law was actually a sham, and employers began hiring fewer women. "They have done everything possible to make women's employment very difficult, if not impossible," said Shirali. Gender discrimination was institutionalized as the Shahs legacy was dismantled. On Feb. 26, 1979, the Family Protection Act was repealed. Passed 12 years earlier, the law had created protections for women by curtailing polygamy and ending unilateral divorce. New legislation that replaced a Western-inspired penal code with Sharia reduced the legal age of marriage from 18 to 9 years old. In 1978, women made up one-third of all students and more than 2 million women were employed in various fields. Following the Islamic Revolution, they were marginalized from employment, mixed schools were banned, gender segregation was introduced on public buses (women in the back and men in the front) and, most importantly, wearing the hijab was made mandatory for women who reached a certain age. In short, Iranian women were deprived of any means to advance their status in society. (Also in our series : If the Shah and I have to die, it will be in Iran) The hijab As the Iranian Revolution was still unfolding, Khomeini had told a journalist from the Guardian newspaper that women have the complete freedom to choose how they dress." But on March 7, 1979, he changed his tune, declaring that it was mandatory for women working in state institutions to wear decent clothes that conform to Islamic standards during work, which includes covering the hair, back, arms and feet. It was a major turning point after which women were forced to cover their bodies against their will. In 1935, the Shah had banned women from wearing the hijab and mandated that men wear Western style clothing. Now we see Khomeini imposing the hijab on women in a very dictatorial manner, in the same way that the Shah forced the woman to take it off, but I think making the hijab mandatory was more violent," Shirali argued. Khomeini's anti-nakedness decree also called for the establishment of a new ministry to make sure peoples behavior conformed with the principles of Islam. Thousands of members of this ministry, often volunteers, infiltrated all aspects of society and took responsibility to personify the Quranic principles in the field, according to a description published by a newspaper in Tehran. Western newspapers at the time noted that "Iranian women employees, who used to go to their workplaces wearing fine shoes, narrow skirts and their hair flying in the air," were being kicked out at the doors of their offices with harsh instructions to return home and dress modestly. Meanwhile, female TV hosts began appearing on air with their hair and arms covered. Some women chose to stand out while still adhering to the new law by sewing colorful chadors. This was not a marginal issue, Shirali said. It should also be noted that when women were forced to remove the hijab in the 1930s, all women groups obeyed and all dressed in Western fashion. The new orders sparked an immediate wave of protests in Irans major cities. One day after Khomeinis decree, March 8, was International Womens Day. In Tehran, high school and university students, who had been the vanguard of the struggle against the Shah, protested in the name of progress and the emancipation of women. Four thousand to 6,000 women gathered by the entrance to the University of Tehran. A crowd of men nearby chanted: "Either wear decent clothes or get severely beaten!" The female protesters responded with a counter chant: "Wed rather be beaten than give up our freedom! Other women who supported the turn toward conservatism also gathered. We are Muslims. We must cover our bodies," they said. Leftist and progressive movements held protests in the following days calling for full equality between men and women. Some of the rallies were attended by a famous figure in the womens movement, American activist Kate Millett. The new ministry called the protests political deviations and imitations from abroad, but the protesters said that International Womens Day is neither a Western nor an Eastern tradition, but a global celebration. A feminist struggle Iranian authorities were afraid that these movements posed a threat to the revolution. The morality police replaced the SAVAK, the Shahs secret police who had terrorized millions of Iranians. Confrontations broke out and many women were raped and stabbed by a group of thugs sent by supporters of Khomeini. "The woman's body became a theater on which the new regime established its authority. By forcing women to obey and abide by the new dress code, the regime declared victory, Shirali said. These strict laws that I will spend the rest of my life fighting against were printed in black and white and stipulated that women's lives are worth half of mens lives; that a woman's testimony in court as a witness to a crime is worth half that of a man, Shirin Ebadi wrote in her 2006 book A Free Iranian. It was clear that the new penal laws were inspired by the legislations of the seventh century. These laws took us fourteen centuries back, to the early days of Islam, a time in which it was considered fair to stone women guilty of adultery and or cut off the hands of a thief. Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle to support the rights of women, children and political prisoners. (This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour on the 22nd of January) Editors note: 40 years since the Iranian revolution under LOrient-Le Jours magnifying glass This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution. The country went from being an imperial state to a theocracy and then to an Islamic Republic. Given how transformative the revolution has been in Iran, the Middle East at large and Lebanon in particular, it is undoubtedly one of the most significant events that took place in the region during the 20th century. LOrient Le Jour will cover this anniversary by publishing a series of stories. The article of our serie, in French Quand le Liban chiite, palestinien et de gauche senflammait pour Khomeyni Si le chah et moi devons mourir, ce sera en Iran Khomeyni : lopposant, le guide et le despote Quand les intellectuels francais se sentaient iraniens... Les femmes, premieres victimes des ayatollahs La chute du chah, un choc pour les Arabes pro-occidentaux Aux origines du velayet e-faqih... Comment la Republique des mollahs a survecu a Khomeyni Quand la route de la Palestine passait par lIran En Iran, les arts massifs de la resistance culturelle Les acteurs de la democratisation, grands perdants de levolution des mouvements sociaux en Iran School & Education, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 29 2019 "These 35 young men and women are the best and brightest, as future leaders in our community." Patchogue, NY - January 29, 2019 - On Thursday, January 24, 2019, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) was joined by New York State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, On Thursday, January 24, 2019, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) was joined by New York State Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Brookhaven Councilman Neil Foley, Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, and 35 local applicants from across New Yorks First Congressional District to announce his nominations to the United States Service Academies. Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY . The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. Over the past year, Congressman Zeldin has worked closely with his staff and Service Academy Review Committee, a group of 18 volunteers, to narrow down the candidates based on specific criteria, including academic achievement, leadership potential, demonstration of character, and participation in extracurricular activities. Tech & Science, Local News, Crime, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 29 2019 Revenge porn is the non-consensual and malicious distribution of sexually explicit images for the purpose of inflicting intentional humiliation. Mineola, NY - January 29, 2019 - Nassau Countys top law enforcement professionals agree that residents will gain important legal protections against the rising scourge of revenge porn under new legislation co-sponsored by Legislators Arnold W. Drucker (D Nassau Countys top law enforcement professionals agree that residents will gain important legal protections against the rising scourge of revenge porn under new legislation co-sponsored by Legislators Arnold W. Drucker (D Plainview ) and Debra Mule (D Freeport ). Revenge porn is the non-consensual and malicious distribution of sexually explicit images for the purpose of inflicting intentional personal and professional humiliation. In a matter of keystrokes, profound physical, mental, emotional and financial harm can be caused. Following months of research and outreach to victim-advocate groups and law enforcement leaders, Legislators Drucker and Mule co-filed legislation which wouldmake disseminating revenge porn an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The legislation would also empower victims to seek civil damages. Nassau County is committed to eradicating sexual harassment wherever it exists, Legislator Drucker said. While the Internet has placed the worlds knowledge at our fingertips, it also allows malicious individuals to cause tremendous harm with ease. By creating the legal tools to punish perpetrators of revenge porn, we give victims of this heinous act the voice they deserve under the law. As a social worker and mother of young adult daughters, I am keenly aware of the havoc that is unleashed when intimate images are maliciously distributed, Legislator Mule said. Enacting a revenge-porn ban will empower Nassau County to immediately protect residents from this horrific invasion of privacy and ensure those who engage in this disturbing practice face meaningful consequences. At a Tuesday, Jan. 29 press conference, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas and Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder threw their support behind the legislation. Domestic violence cases involve power, control and manipulation, and abusers regularly use revenge pornography to target their intimate partners, District Attorney Singas said.As prosecutors, we frequently work with survivors who are being threatened with having their pictures sent to their job, family or posted on social media. Unfortunately, New York does not have any criminal statute that adequately addresses revenge pornography. We thank Legislators Drucker and Mule, and the County Legislature, for taking up this important bill that will allow prosecutors to hold defendants accountable. The Nassau County Police Department supports the enactment of any law that will protect individuals from harassment, coercion or bullying through the dissemination of intimate images, Commissioner Ryder said. A persons privacy needs to be respected and protected at all times, and this legislation will succeed in achieving that goal. Currently, state law does not offer specific legal remedies for victims of revenge porn. The measure introduced by Legislators Drucker and Mulewould provide those much-needed protections immediately upon ratification. This legislation is an important step to protect individuals intimate images and videos from being shared without their consent or used for coercive means, said Josh Hanson, The Safe Center LIs Associate Executive Director. The Safe Center wishes to thank Legislators Drucker and Mule, DA Singas, and Commissioner Ryder on behalf of our clients for their leadership on this issue. Backers of this proposal say Nassau County cannot afford to wait for the state to act on revenge porn, which can carry life and death implications. Elizabeth Osowiecki, an education coordinator and rape crisis counselor for The Safe Center, shared a chilling reminder of the potentially fatal impacts of revenge porn through the story of Audrie Pott, who died by suicide eight days after being sexually assaulted and becoming a revenge porn victim. The familys statement reads: Based on what we know, she was unconscious, there were multiple boys in the room with her, her attorney said. They did unimaginable things to her while she was unconscious. On Sept. 10, 2012, eight days after the alleged assault, Audrie Pott, committed suicide. We dont always identify victims of sexual assault or suicide but have used the girls name in this report with her parents permission. They are hoping the story will help prevent something like this from ever happening to anyone else. Audrie took her life after learning that her attackers took photos during the assault, and then published them online and showed them around school. Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 29 2019 Survivors Take to Social Media to Ensure the World Never Forgets. Commack, NY - January 29, 2019 - Seven decades have passed since the end of the Holocaust, yet for the survivors, the horrors they witnessed remain vividly clear. On the 74th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland, Holocaust survivors now living at Gurwin Jewish Fay J. Lindner Residences assisted living community in Seven decades have passed since the end of the Holocaust, yet for the survivors, the horrors they witnessed remain vividly clear. On the 74th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland, Holocaust survivors now living at Gurwin Jewish Fay J. Lindner Residences assisted living community in Commack participated in the third annual WeRemember campaign to ensure the world never forgets the atrocities committed against humanity. Organized by the World Jewish Congress (WJC), the #WeRemember social media movement was created three years ago to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred, genocide and xenophobia. The initiative is considered to be the largest global event ever organized to commemorate the Holocaust. Survivors, family and friends, celebrities and world leaders representing a wide range of faiths were among the thousands of people from around the world who posted photos of themselves displaying #WeRemember signs on Facebook and Twitter. Photos were shared by WJC and then live-streamed on a jumbotron at the gates of Auschwitz, where more than one million people were murdered by the Nazis. Local News, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: January 29 2019 Includes banning the bump stock, expanded background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and additional reforms. Albany, NY - January 29, 2019 - Today, Senator Jim Gaughran and the Senate Majority passed a package of gun reform legislation including banning the bump stock, expanded background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and additional reforms. Gaughran hosted Linda Beigel Schulman and Michael Schulman, parents of the late Scott Beigel, on the Senate chamber floor during the vote. A Resolution authored by Gaughran was read aloud honoring the life and legacy of Scott Beigel, who was killed during the Parkland massacre while selflessly protecting his students, and was passed by the Senate. Senator Jim Gaughran said Last year young people across the country mobilized in a transformative movement to march for their lives. One year later New York stands to make history again with common sense gun reforms such as Extreme Risk Protection Order and expanded background checks. Today I have the great honor of hosting Linda Beigel Schulman and Michael Schulman, parents of the late Scott Beigel, who was tragically gunned down in the Parkland massacre last year while heroically saving the lives of his students. I thank them for their tremendous bravery and courage in turning their tragedy into advocacy. It shouldn't take a tragedy to spur action. Never again. The legislation includes: S.2451 (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) allows law enforcement officials, family and household members and certain school officials to seek a court order requiring a person likely to harm themselves or others to relinquish any firearms in their possession. S.2374 (Effective Background Check Act) establishes an extension of time up to thirty calendar days for national in-state background checks. S.2448 (Bump Stock Ban) prohibits the possession of a device that accelerates the rate of fire of a firearm. S.101A (Preventing School Districts from Allowing Teachers to be Armed) prevents K-12 schools from authorizing anyone other than a security officer, school resource officer, or law enforcement officer to carry a firearm on school grounds. S.2449 (Gun Buy Backs) directs the State Police to devise regulations for gun buyback programs so that all buyback programs across the state are operated consistently with uniform best practices. All donated organs for transplantation must be distributed through a unified computer platform to ensure fair and transparent distribution and traceability, under a regulation released on Monday by the National Health Commission. The regulation, which takes effect on March 1, bans any organization or individual from distributing donated organs on their own. Hospitals where transplant surgeries are performed should enter the information of all patients waiting for transplants into the China Organ Transplant Response System and keep it updated, the regulation said. Organ procurement organizations should get in touch with hospitals promptly after the system has sent notifications of available organs to make sure the information was received. Hospitals that have received notices should log on to the system within 30 minutes to check information regarding the organs and their donors, and reply within an hour whether to accept the organs for transplant. The hospitals should notify the procurement organizations immediately if they cannot do the transplant surgery after having received the organs. In that case, the organs will be redistributed. The transplant response system, supervised by health authorities at the provincial level or above, can automatically match donated organs with potential recipients and distribute organs based on defined principles, including urgency. Human input is removed to ensure fairness and transparency, Wang Haibo, who is in charge of the system, said in an earlier statement. Like many other countries, China's shortage of donated organs is a severe problem in the organ transplantation field. Every year about 300,000 patients with terminal diseases need transplants, but only about 20,000 surgeries can be done, Huang Jiefu, former vice-minister of health, said in an earlier interview. Organ donations in China have increased rapidly since 2015, when the authorities banned the use of organs retrieved from executed prisoners. That made voluntary donations the only legitimate source of organs. China has now become the second-largest country in number of annual organ transplant surgeries, next to the United States, according to the National Health Commission. As of the end of last year, the number of people who donated organs after death exceeded 21,000 in China, with more than 58,000 organs donated, the commission said. Chen Xinguo, director of the organ transplant center at the Armed Police Force General Hospital, said that in practice all organs used for transplant surgeries at the hospital are acquired through the electronic transplant response system. Although the system ensures fair and transparent distribution of donated organs, some problems remain, such as uneven quality of organs procured from different geographical areas, and the system's slow response time, which can hamper the process, he said. "Previously major transplant centers would communicate with organ procurement organizations before the arrival of organs to ensure the organs are of high quality and can be used," he said. "We hope all organs distributed are up to standard. Otherwise, substandard organs will cost lives and no doctor will use them." Now that distribution of organs through the China organ transplant response system is mandatory, it is necessary to constantly improve the system so it responds faster and hospitals can get the donated organs as soon as possible to prevent waste, Chen said. CONTRIBUTEDLauren OBrien, a native of Lockport, is shown in her role as Liesl in "The Sound of Music." OBrien auditioned with the NETworks National Tour in New York City, where she is pursuing a career in musical theater. Click the image above to view slideshow Police are investigating the willful damage of three native trees in Gulf Harbour, which appears to be an attempt to improve views of the marina. Damage to two trees within the Marina Views apartment complex, which has severely impacted the health of one tree by removing most of the foliage, was discovered on January 20. This followed the savage pruning of a protected mature pohutukawa located on a nearby walkway, just before Christmas. Marina Views body corporate committee chair Catherine McGrath says she saw the pohutukawa being pruned but thought it was Council contractors. Once the other trees were damaged, residents connected the incidents and realised it was the work of vandals. Catherine says residents, who are angry and devastated, have made a formal complaint to Police. The pohutukawa is on a private walkway along the marina that belongs to the Gulf Harbour Marine Village. Its facilities manager, Steve Law, says his organisation has also notified police and may have security camera footage to assist with identifying the culprits. The maximum penalty for a willful damage conviction is three months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $2000. Anyone with information is asked to contact Whangaparaoa Police, 424 6500. Signs of life on Arkles trees Meanwhile, the pohutukawas on the Arkles Bay foreshore that were discovered poisoned last October are showing signs of recovery, with new green shoots now emerging after several months of care by Auckland Council and local residents, who are watering the trees. The perpetrators of this vandalism have yet to come forward to Council. Solutions to problems that are muddying Aucklands waterways are the subject of work within Auckland Council, Watercare and Auckland Transport (AT) that is taking a very long time to surface. Since the Environment and Community Committee approved the creation of a strategy for Aucklands waters, with the aim of improving water management, at its meeting last June, Council, Watercare and AT staff have begun by identifying Aucklands water issues. Last November the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board was asked to provide input on the proposed topics for inclusion in the strategy. Among the suggested issues are: cleaning up our waterways, meeting future water needs, growth in the right places and adapting to a changing water future. While supporting these suggestions, the local board members also asked that there be a focus on proactively monitoring streams and waterways in order to track the sedimentation and pollution caused by development and other earthworks, especially affecting the Okura, Weiti and Orewa estuaries. They also emphasised the need to work with other councils and Government on the issues. Local boards will receive a further update on the Auckland Water Strategy this month. Public consultation is expected to take place from February to April. First of all I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope that the year started well for you. I was lucky enough to have my parents from Holland visiting over the Christmas and New Year break. They visited me in Wellington for the last week of Parliament and it was good to be able to show them what it actually means to be a Member of Parliament. I wrote about this in my last column and received a lot of feedback from people who said they had not realised what we actually do as MPs. My parents were most surprised about the hours we work and the amount of walking between meetings and the House sittings! Over the break I managed to get out and about, visiting people and attending local events. It was a real privilege to be at the Hibiscus Coast LoveSoup Christmas dinner hosted by the fabulous Julie King and her team of volunteers. More than 200 people, including many regulars, were treated to a lovely Xmas meal. A wonderful evening of sharing and caring. Another great day was the Orewa Christmas at the Beach day lots of good food and fun activities. Also enjoying the event was Janet from Maygrove Retirement Village, who gave me great feedback about the recent reduction of her doctors fees. I met Janet and some other Maygrove residents earlier in the year to discuss their concerns about doctors fees. Before the last election, more than half a million New Zealanders a year avoided going to the GP because of cost. That just isnt good enough. Our Government has committed to improving primary health care and one of the changes we have implemented is fee reductions for GP visits for Community Service Card and SuperGold Card holders. This came into force from last December. Its important to note that not all GPs are offering lower fees. You can check if your GP is part of the Governments lower GP fees scheme by asking them. I am doing some work to find out which GPs have opted in, and will communicate that once I have the list complete. Weve also extended free doctors visits to all children under the age of 14, meaning a further 56,000 young New Zealanders will be eligible for free GP visits and prescriptions. This matters not only for the people who get cheaper doctors visits, but for all New Zealanders. By removing cost as a barrier for primary health care and making it easier for people to visit their GP, were helping ease the strain on hospital emergency departments, leaving them to focus on critical care and saving taxpayers money in the long run. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2019. In 1982 I was fresh out of Med School and convinced I could change the world. Even then I could tell that just throwing pills at people was never going to be the answer, so I took myself off to Dunedin for a preventive health conference and had the privilege of attending a lecture by a remarkable figure of 20th Century science. Sir Richard Doll was the English epidemiologist who helped prove the connection between smoking and lung cancer. Nowadays this seems so obvious, but back in the 1950s it was a battleground. There was tremendous opposition from the tobacco industry and even from the medical profession. Advertisements stating that more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette ran up until 1954, perhaps fuelled by the free samples handed out to physicians. Dr Dolls talk in Dunedin was about another hot topic What causes cervical cancer? His pioneering research led to the conclusion that cervical cancer was related to a transmissible infection. Its a generation ago now, but the work that started then is now informing a completely new way of preventing this disease. Each year in New Zealand around 160 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, around 50 women die from the disease, and many more need treatment for pre-cancerous cervical lesions. The good news is that since the national Cervical Screening Programme was set up in 1990, the number of new cases of cervical cancer detected has decreased by around 50 percent and the number of women who die from cervical cancer has declined by about 60 percent. However, we can do better; we can virtually eliminate this disease! We now know that almost all cervical cancer is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). So finding HPV in a smear is more important than finding cell changes. Therefore, in 2021, the testing programme will change to one that looks for the virus initially, and the screening interval will extend to five years. Plus primary healthcare providers are pushing hard to get all young people vaccinated for HPV as we believe this can protect them and their future partners. The vaccine is free for ages 9-26 years and available through school programmes and GPs. Im aware that there has been some controversy about the HPV vaccine but Im convinced it is the best public health strategy we have in New Zealand for this condition. Please consider talking to your doctor or nurse for more information. The pros and cons of removing a weir on the Mahurangi River to allow whitebait free passage up the river will be debated at the Warkworth Town Hall on Wednesday, February 13. The evening is the first Warkworth Town Hall Talk of the year. It will start with a presentation by Whitebait Connection coordinator Sophie Tweddle, who will talk about the Auckland Inanga Spawning Project, which is being delivered in partnership with Auckland Council. The project aims to locate potential inanga (whitebait) spawning habitat on eight river systems within the Auckland region, identify if these sites are currently being used for spawning by inanga, and recommend and implement actions to protect, restore and enhance these sites, she says. The Mahurangi River is one of the eight sites we are working on through the project. read more History column Leave weir alone It was with horror that I read in your latest paper that our town weir may be removed to make way for whitebait to pass (MM Jan 16). This historic weir is well over 100 years old and was built by the owners of Wilson Cement to get a supply of water further downstream to their cement plant. As the cement works is a designated Historic Reserve and the weir was built as part of the project, it too must be considered to be part of the complete works. Warkworth residents are never consulted by the Council on these matters and they are inclined to ride roughshod over our opinions. The weir is very much a feature of our town and a very picturesque spot right in the middle of Warkworth. People are very fascinated by flowing water. I trust, along with many other residents, that the decision can be reversed. Allan Dray, Warkworth Hill Street solution I have just spent another beautifully fine weekend trapped at my home in Warkworth, unable to go to our fantastic local beaches knowing that it is going to take me anywhere up to two hours to get home, due to the afternoon traffic congestion at the Hill Street intersection. After taking the time to watch traffic flows, it appears the main problem at the Hill Street intersection arises when more than two or three vehicles, from both Matakana Road and Sandspit Road, want to travel north on SH1 or up Hill Street, effectively stopping the majority of traffic that wants to travel south to Auckland. With traffic volumes in the Warkworth township usually very light on weekend afternoons, I feel the traffic congestion on the Matakana and Sandspit roads could be greatly alleviated by implementing the following weekend afternoon traffic detours: 1. Make it mandatory for all Sandspit Road traffic, including Hill Street and northbound traffic, to detour through Warkworth township and join SH1 at the Whitaker Road or McKinney Road intersections. 2. Make it mandatory for all traffic from Matakana wanting to travel north or to Hill Street to similarly detour through Warkworth and access SH1 at the Whitaker Road intersection. 3. Make it mandatory for all Warkworth northbound traffic, including Hill Street, Matakana and Sandspit traffic, to exit the township via Whitaker Road intersection during these periods. These detour instructions could be easily implemented with three strategically placed electronic signs one on Elizabeth Street and the others on Matakana and Sandspit Roads, prior to the intersection. While not totally solving the overall problem, they would certainly improve traffic flows at these busiest times, until such time as the long-awaited bypass is finally completed. Peter Botherway, Warkworth Silly Supercity In reading your wonderful paper I came across the article Views sought on Hill St fix (MM November 28). This latest review talks about Option A, which will entail an oval-shaped roundabout that might fix Hill Street. Is this not the very same oval roundabout that was discussed and drawings of such were published in all our local papers some two to three years ago? One that was to take all the land where the Kowhai Park car park is sited? My question now is why did this Supercity Council go ahead and rebuild this very same car park some 12 months ago with new toilets and a footbridge (to nowhere) with no local consultation, spending $1.2 million of our money on this project, when they knew there was a very good chance that this carpark, toilet and bridge could one day all be demolished to fix Hill Street? This would be another prime example of Auckland Council wasting our money. Is it any wonder we all want to break away from the Supercity? If North Rodney was under our control, we could control this sort of spending and seal all our roads, instead of someone else wasting our money. We should be like the French and tell them all Council and Government to let us decide where and how our money is best spent. It can be done, as other small councils in New Zealand are proving. Is it any wonder 90 per cent want to break away from the Supercity? M Purdy, Warkworth Rodney Local Board chair Beth Houlbrooke responds: The Kowhai Park renewal project was undertaken by the Rodney Local Board in 2017 and as such fell under local decision making on design and budget, with the potential future redesign of the Hill Street intersection at top-of-mind all that time. None of the redesign options put forward for public consultation by NZTAs engineering consultants will impact on the park in any substantive way. I would suggest sceptics go and explore the park for themselves to appreciate the wonderful amenity this provides to our township, with nature walking tracks, which loop around the Northwood development and will soon link to the showgrounds with the addition of a suspension bridge. Despite waste imports to China falling almost in half in 2018, the General Administration of Customs said cracking down on smuggling will be a priority this year. Customs officers across the country investigated 481 criminal cases related to waste smuggling last year, involving about 1.55 million metric tons of garbage, according to the administration. Waste imports dropped 46.5 percent in 2018 from the year before. During inspections of the 1,155 enterprises with licenses to import plastic waste, the administration found violations in 236. For example, 72 of the companies were suspected of selling their import quotas, according to a China News Service report. Quota selling was also found in the metals processing industry. Some enterprises holding import licenses for waste metals sold their quotas to smugglers or to unlicensed waste metal processors, both of whom could use the documents to evade detection. Five customs offices, including in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and Changsha, Hunan province, uncovered 15 such cases involving around 9,000 tons of metal valued at 91 million yuan ($13.5 million), the report said. It said quota selling was a primary target in five campaigns the administration launched last year to crack down on waste smuggling. In July 2017, central authorities decided to phase out imported waste and switch to domestic alternatives by 2020. So far, China has banned the import of 40 types of waste. The ban will be further expanded to another eight types in July and another 16 by year's end, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Chinese customs authorities have been returning banned waste to the source countries to avoid pollution risks and high disposal costs. From January to October, for example, Shanghai customs returned 11 batches of waste totaling 614 tons. This year, customs officers across the country should understand that preventing banned waste from entering China is of "landmark significance" in the country's ecological progress, Ni Yuefeng, head of the customs administration, said during a national conference earlier this month. "For law enforcement departments, the protection of the environment is a long-term task. It cannot be completed in only one campaign, as many look forward to, but should be conducted in a persistent way," he was quoted as saying by China News Service. He also called on his colleagues to maintain their tough stance against waste smuggling and to persevere. Port control and inspection processes should be enhanced, he said. China began importing solid waste as a source of raw material in the 1980s and for years has been the world's largest importer. China imported about 450 million tons of waste in 2016. Some companies bring foreign waste into the country illegally. Jiang Jianguo, a professor of environmental studies at Tsinghua University, said China decided to ban waste imports because of the mounting pile of domestic trash that needed to be dealt with, and because of the pollution generated in converting waste to new products. JERUSALEM The government of the Palestinian Authority tendered its resignation Tuesday, a move that reflected rising public discontent and the failure of efforts to reunite the West Bank, where the authority is based, and the Gaza Strip, controlled by militant Islamist group Hamas. The departing prime minister, Rami Hamdallah, a former university president, has led what was a largely technocratic administration, mostly made up of lawyers, business figures and academics who were technically politically independent but had the approval of both Fatah, the mainstream party that is the dominant force in the West Bank, and Hamas. But the reconciliation project it was designed to embody has made little progress, and its promotion of a contentious social security law prompted widespread street demonstrations. The Cabinets resignation still has to be accepted by the authoritys president, Mahmoud Abbas, and Cabinet officials said it would continue to function until a new government is formed. Abbas Fatah party has recommended that a new government have a stronger political component, to be made up mostly of members of Fatah and possibly some other factions, but excluding Hamas. The shift only adds to the sense of uncertainty and disarray that has characterized Palestinian politics after more than a decade of deep divisions between the West Bank and Gaza, and with peace talks with Israel long at an impasse. Palestinian political leaders are jostling for position in an expected internal race to succeed Abbas, an ailing octogenarian. The leadership has curbed its relations with the U.S. government since late 2017, when President Trump reversed a long-standing policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital, following up last year by moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Domestically, with no Palestinian elections on the horizon the last national ballot took place over a decade ago public resentment has been growing. The Hamdallah governments social security law, which involved a new tax to finance a fund to cover pension benefits, proved particularly unpopular. Hamdallah was first appointed prime minister in 2013 and became head of what was supposed to be a government of national reconciliation in June 2014. Hamas and Fatah have long vied for power and influence, but the rivalry deepened after Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections in 2006. A year later, amid factional fighting, Hamas seized power in Gaza, routing the Fatah forces and confining Abbas authority to parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Isabel Kershner is a New York Times writer. The League of United Latin American Citizens filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Texas Secretary of State David Whitley and Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking an order to force state officials to release the data used in support of Paxtons claim last week that nearly 100,000 voters may not be U.S. citizens. The suit says Paxtons announcement last week is a method of voter suppression, meant to instill fear in Hispanic voters. Thats all theyre doing, said Luis Vera, LULACs general counsel. Theyve done it in Florida; theyve done it in Arizona and other states. Its voter intimidation, voter threats. People are already calling (local election offices) and asking them to take them off the voter rolls. Related: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Paxton made the claim last week in a news release and on social media. The state has now taken the position that no information used in the analysis for Paxtons claim will be released because it is in the hands of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the investigations are active. By doing so, the state is using the Texas Public Information Act act as a shield, as it prohibits information from active investigations to be made public, according to Vera and the lawsuit. The secretary of states office advised counties to send letters to the people in question advising them to prove their citizenship. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales office said it was directing the elections department to hold off on sending those notifications while it seeks guidance from the attorney general on the matter. At this time, we really want to proceed cautiously, said county attorney Larry Roberson. On ExpressNews.com: Texas moves to purge 95,000 voters suspected to be non-US citizens County Judge Nelson Wolff, who broached the issue at Commissioners Court after he got word of the lawsuit, agreed. We need to be careful, Wolff said. For more information about the lawsuit and the countys reaction, go to ExpressNews.com. 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 Dylan McGuinness covers local politics and the Bexar County government for the Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinness Police in Shaanxi province have cracked a large group of poachers on Taibai Mountain in the northern Qinling Mountains. Wild animals were electrocuted and then illegally sold in seven provinces, police said. The network was cracked in November, with 48 suspects detained and about 1,000 wildlife carcasses found, an official told The-Paper.cn on Monday. Among the animals, were State-level protected species - 12 musk deer and four black bears. Wang Haike, head of a criminal division of the local police station, told China National Radio that animals were poached for high profit. "For example, four bear paws can be sold for 20,000 yuan ($3,000)," Wang said. "In the gray markets, traffickers can push the price up to hundreds of thousands of yuan." The meat of wild boars, rabbits and birds was packaged and frozen. Bears' paws were cut off. Musk deer were killed for musk, which has a high value in some medicinal practices. Some went to dining tables and some were used as bribes, he said. A trafficker surnamed Bai told the radio station that he knew trading wildlife was against the law but took a chance because he wanted to make money. The animals were all killed by electric wires the poaching teams had set up, and the work was clearly defined, Bai said. One member, a local farmer surnamed Su, who grew up around Taibai Mountain and was familiar with the surroundings, was responsible for finding the best spots to set up the wires. "We put electric wires in places where animals went frequently," Su said. They bought condensers, voltage boosters and batteries online at about 3,000 yuan per set and then assembled them and connected them to wires. "The wires contained tens of thousands of volts," said Wang, the police officer. "Any animal or human would die immediately if they touched it. That poses a big threat to public security." "The poachers stayed near the generator and when an animal was shocked, they could find it by following the wire. The carcasses would be dissected immediately, with the most precious part like musk and bear paws removed," he added. Investigators said there were four poaching teams on the mountain and that their boss, surnamed Lu, had been doing this for three decades. He collected and processed the animals, and then sold them in Shaanxi and other provinces, including Sichuan, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Shandong, Fujian and Yunnan. Lu was arrested in October. "Hunting and trafficking wild animals damages the ecology. To prevent the crime from happening, public security organs will severely crack down on them once they find evidence, and protect the environment of Qinling," Wang said. One-hundred percent high school graduation rate and 100 percent college acceptance rate. These statistics may sound like a dream for any school, but they are the resounding success rate that Young Womens Preparatory Network has achieved. These kinds of results are possible for public schools -- especially those whose student populations are predominately low-income -- when public-private partnerships work to implement change within public education. Cinthya, a YWPN graduate whose parents have only a sixth-grade education, began college at Harvard this fall. She is one of only 1,962 students out of almost 43,000 applicants to secure a spot in the Class of 2022. Harvard met 100 percent of Cinthyas demonstrated financial need, making it possible for her to attend college debt-free. Mercedez is a 2018 graduate of the Young Womens Leadership Academy in Fort Worth. She received a full scholarship to Texas Christian University and is the first in her family to attend college. These young womens lives were changed by a public school where the community saw the potential of the young girls and stepped up to support an enhanced curriculum focused on college preparation, leadership, wellness and STEM education. Its easy to list the challenges that public schools face a lack of funding, graduates who are not academically and socially prepared for college and a limited number of resources -- just to name a few. But tackling these tough challenges in innovative ways is the key to bringing about lasting change in public education that can be replicated in public school districts throughout Texas and the U.S. YWPN, the national leader in single-gender, college preparatory public education, works as a partner with public school districts to change how we prepare students in middle and high school to succeed in college and their careers. The network formed the first public/private partnership in 2004, when Dallas ISD opened the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Womens Leadership School, the first all-girls, college-preparatory, public school in Texas. At our eight campuses across Texas -- soon to be nine with a recently announced new partnership with Midland ISD -- we enroll students from sixth through 12th grade, the time when its key to intervening to increase students ability to complete college. We enhance the public school-district curriculum through private dollars, which allows us to focus on STEM education, rigorous college-level academic coursework and preparation. YWPN provides a full-time, campus-based college advisor who is focused on ensuring students are not only accepted into college but can also afford a college education. With more than 10 years of graduating classes, we can see that our model works. Our alumnae graduate college at almost three times the national average for students who graduate from high- poverty schools. Our students exceed academic expectations and prove that all students, regardless of background or socio-economic status, can excel if given the right opportunity. We all know that schools can do only so much and impact only so many lives with the existing resources and funding they receive. But when the community invests in the education of its greatest asset -- its students -- we can transform public education. Through this investment, we can ensure public schools have the resources to add that extra layer of college-focused curriculum and support students need to not only excel in high school but to persist in and graduate from college. We must all work together to break the cycle of poverty that has spanned generations by creating first-generation college graduates in underserved communities. By developing our students true potential, we are investing in the future of Texas and creating leaders with high earning potential that contribute to their local community. And thats good for all of Texas. Lynn McBee is the CEO of Young Womens Preparatory Network. Chinese law enforcement will enhance efforts to smash criminal gangs and crack down on fellow police officers who protect wrongdoers, the Ministry of Public Security said on Monday. "We will focus on uncovering complex organized crime organizations that sometimes have deeply rooted foundations and enjoy strong financial support," said Zeng Haiyan, a senior official at the ministry's Criminal Investigation Bureau. She said police officers have been thoroughly investigating relationships between networks and their "protective umbrellas" within law enforcement in an attempt to root out mafia-like activity from society and help create a safe and stable environment for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on Oct 1. Last year, police uncovered 1,292 criminal organizations, the ministry said. In 2018, authorities seized 851 guns and confiscated or froze 62.1 billion yuan ($9.21 billion) in funds. The number of criminal cases nationwide dropped by 7.7 percent, and eight of the most serious feloniesincluding murder, kidnapping and rapedeclined by 13.8 percent. Beginning in January 2018, Chinese judicial authorities launched a three-year special operation targeting organized crime and individual felonious behavior. Tong Bishan, an officer from the ministry's Criminal Investigation Bureau, said the bureau directly supervised 48 major investigations of criminal gangs last year, resulting in 20 prosecutions. The ministry sent dozens of special investigation teams abroad in 2018, including to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, to hunt down fugitives. A large number of suspects have since been repatriated to face justice, Tong said. He added that criminal gangs have expanded from traditional activities such as pornography, gambling and drug trafficking to new sectors, including transportation, finance and internet fraud. Moreover, some major mafia-like groups and other felons increasingly use illicit means to obtain millions of yuan in assets, and then use some of their illegally gained earnings to bribe judicial officers to cover up their crimes. "Gang members pretend to manage legitimate companies and use threats and harassment to provide usurious loans to victims, and these deceptive practices make it more difficult for us to detect," Tong said. In one case in October, police in Henan province arrested 126 gang suspects. In the case, authorities confiscated 11 vehicles and 10 properties worth around 34.8 million yuan. In the case, the suspects had offered loans to university students under the guise of operating an online shopping platform, then charged them high interest. They swindled over 10,000 students across 31 provinces and regions. Guo Qiang, the ministry's press officer, said police will pay more attention to fighting major organized crime syndicates that have the biggest impact on the public, and will focus in particular on gangs that most hinder economic development and disturb market order. When a Chinese tech executive was arrested in Vancouver, British Columbia, on U.S. charges Dec. 1, Canada immediately found itself in the middle of a standoff between the United States and China. It was not until Monday that we got a sense of the full scope of the conflict - and what it could mean for Canada. At a news conference in Washington on Monday, U.S. officials announced a 13-count indictment against Huawei, two affiliates and CFO Meng Wanzhou, detailing allegations of bank fraud, obstruction of justice and theft. At a December bail hearing for Meng, we learned that the United States was seeking her extradition on charges that she misled a bank about her company's relationship with a subsidiary, leading to violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran. On Monday, it became clear that the United States thinks she was just one part of a decadelong conspiracy by Huawei to allegedly evade sanctions and deceive U.S. law enforcement. U.S. officials also announced a second case against Huawei, accusing the company of stealing information about a phone-testing robot developed by T-Mobile, by, among other things, sneaking into a locked lab and stealing a robot arm. The company is also accused of offering financial incentives for employees to steal secrets. The eye-popping allegations have not been proved in court. Huawei on Tuesday denied the charges. The Chinese government casts the moves as a U.S.-led effort to constrain China's rise. Whatever the outcomes of the cases, the allegations presented Monday look sure to shape U.S.-China relations, adding a layer of uncertainty to trade talks this week and setting a more combative tone for months, if not years, to come. And that, no doubt, will shape what happens in Canada. In the short term, that the U.S. Department of Justice seems determined to proceed with Meng's extradition means her case will continue to play out in Canadian court. Meng appeared in a Vancouver courtroom Tuesday to request a minor change to her bail conditions. She is now due back in court March 6 for an extradition hearing. Experts think her case could take years to work its way through the legal system, particularly given the likelihood of appeal. That leaves Canada with some serious, medium-term problems. Shortly after Meng's arrest, China detained two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, a move widely seen as retaliation for Meng's arrest. Not long after, a Canadian sentenced to 15 years in a Chinese prison for drug smuggling was retried and sentenced to death. With the fate of three Canadians on the line, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sought verbal support from a wide range of allies. Canada and the United States have updated their travel advisories for China, noting the risk of arbitrarily applied law. But foreign condemnation - which Beijing has dismissed as "microphone diplomacy" - seems unlikely to move Beijing to release Canadians, or improve their treatment, certainly not without some sort of move on Meng. Some, including the recently ousted Canadian ambassador to China, wondered aloud whether the U.S. could or would end the standoff by dropping the case. Shortly after Meng's arrest, President Donald Trump mused on Twitter that he would cut a deal if it meant securing trade concessions from China. With Meng free, the imprisoned Canadians would, theoretically, have a better chance of release. But Monday's news conference makes both a last-minute intervention by Trump and a Meng-for-the-Canadians deal look even less likely, narrowing Trudeau's options. Lastly, U.S. moves against Huawei raise tough, long-term questions about Canada's relationship with China. Trudeau campaigned on a promise to improve relations with the world's second-largest economy, as part of a broader push to make Canada less dependent on trade with the United States. Nearly two months into the Meng dispute, with two Canadians in detention and one Canadian facing the death penalty, the mood in Canada seems to be shifting. With China in the headlines for the wrong reasons, Trudeau may find that Canadians are less willing to engage the country, let alone do business with Huawei. Four of the five countries in the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing network - the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand - have blocked Huawei from their new 5G cellular network, citing national security concerns. Trudeau's government has yet to make a decision. With detailed, if unproved, allegations now circulating, it will be interesting to see what it decides. RICHMOND, Va. - Republican leaders of the House of Delegates have put together a plan for establishing an independent redistricting commission, aiming to change the process of drawing legislative boundaries even as they challenge a current redistricting effort in court. The plan rolled out Monday by Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, and endorsed by Speaker Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, would call for an amendment to the state constitution to set up a 12-member commission appointed mostly by the General Assembly. The speaker of the House would appoint four members, two from each major political party, while the Senate Rules Committee and the governor would each do the same. The commission would then prepare district maps for both houses of the state legislature and Congress and submit those to the General Assembly, which would have to consider them - unchanged - in an up-or-down vote. If the legislature rejected any plans, the commission would try again. And if that plan also failed, the state Supreme Court would set the districts. "It's not perfect," Cox said Monday after Cole presented the latest version of his plan to a House subcommittee. "But I think it's better than any other plan I've seen." Currently, the General Assembly draws the lines, so whichever party is in power has enormous sway over shaping future elections. The boundaries are redrawn every 10 years, after the U.S. census. The next redistricting is set for 2021. Federal judges ruled last year that 11 of Virginia's House of Delegates districts in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas were racially gerrymandered - designed to concentrate black voters and deprive them of representation. Those plans were drawn up in 2011 by Republicans who controlled the legislature but were approved by many Democrats as well, including now-Gov. Ralph Northam, who at the time was a state senator. A "special master" appointed by judges from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia created a menu of possible new boundaries, and last week the judges chose a combination of maps that seems to position Democrats for big gains in this fall's elections, when all 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot. Republicans hold slim majorities in the Senate - at 21 to 19 - and the House, which is split 51 to 48 with one seat open for a special election in a district previously held by a Democrat. The maps chosen by the federal judges would put six Republicans into districts that would probably become majority Democratic, according to an analysis of recent elections by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Several of those Republicans hold leadership positions - including Cox, the House speaker. "I think clearly our leadership was targeted," Cox said Monday. He said he would prefer that issues related to redistricting go to the state Supreme Court instead of to federal judges, whom he believes favor Democrats. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge filed by Cox and other House leaders against the case but refused to delay the redistricting already underway. The new maps could be finalized next month and would not be affected by the effort to create a new state commission. Northam has called for an independent redistricting commission, and numerous bills filed by lawmakers from both parties are circulating around the General Assembly. Most call for a constitutional amendment, which would require a two-year approval process before the question would be put to state voters. The Justice Department filed additional charges Tuesday against Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers, detailing a list of anti-Semitic statements he allegedly made in the run-up to the attack. Authorities said Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, drove to Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 armed with handguns and a rifle, and proceeded to gun down as many people as he could once inside. He's also charged with shooting police officers who tried to stop him. The attack left 11 dead, ranging in age from 54 to 97. It was the deadliest attack on Jews in the United States. The superseding 66-count indictment filed Tuesday reveals more details about how Bowers was allegedly motivated by hate. Before the attack, Bowers wrote a series of stridently anti-Semitic statements on social media, according to the indictment. Bowers was particularly incensed, officials said, by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), a group that has long provided humanitarian assistance to refugees. On Oct. 10, Bowers posted on a HIAS website listing Jewish congregations hosting refugee-related events, including the congregation in Pittsburgh, according to the indictment. Bowers allegedly wrote: "Why hello there HIAS! You like to bring hostile invaders to dwell among us? We appreciate the list of friends you have provided." The posts had been previously reported, but the indictment now attributes those statements directly to Bowers, including a post he allegedly wrote just before attacking the synagogue: "I can't sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I'm going in." The updated indictment adds 13 alleged violations of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, plus other charges. The charges against Bowers carry a possible death sentence, but it is still unclear whether the Justice Department will seek the ultimate penalty against Bowers. Immediately after the attack, local federal prosecutors indicated they would seek the death penalty, but that decision must ultimately be reviewed by senior officials at Justice Department headquarters in Washington and approved by the attorney general. Local prosecutors have also expressed an interest in charging Bowers but have said they will let the federal case proceed first. Before the attack, Bowers was a truck driver who went largely unnoticed by his neighbors. Online, though, he allegedly posted virulently anti-Semitic and racist rants. The synagogue shooting renewed debate about whether the U.S. government is doing enough to curb violence motivated by race, religion or ethnic background - and whether new laws should be passed specifically categorizing attacks like the one in Pittsburgh as terrorism, rather than a hate crime. The issue has divided current and former law enforcement officials, with some arguing federal law should brand as terrorists the people who commit such acts. Other current and former officials insist that hate crimes laws already carry a potential death sentence and reclassifying those crimes as terrorism would not change the consequences for such killers. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday afternoon for the upcoming high-level economic and trade consultations with the U.S. side. Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue, leads a delegation with members from major economic sectors of the Chinese government. The delegation members include Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Ning Jizhe, Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and Vice Finance Minister Liao Min, Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Luo Wen, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun, as well as Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen. With temperatures plummeting to the single digits and wind chills down to minus 25 to minus 30 in the coming days, officials are cautioning people to take precautions to prevents cold-related problems, including frostbite or hypothermia. For both humans and pets, the cold can be a dangerous thing if exposed to it for even some short periods of time. Dale Bainter, director of the Morgan County Health Department, said it could take just a few minutes outside to cause frostbite for exposed skin. He cautions people to remain indoors as much as possible while temperatures are so low. These temperatures are dangerous and we encourage people to stay indoors, Bainter said. If it is not necessary to go out, it is best to stay out of the cold temperatures. Today is the start of the colder temperatures with a forecast low of minus 12, with wind chills expected between minus 23 and minus 33 as the night progresses. Wednesday will be seeing a high near minus 3, with wind chills down to minus 33. For those that do have to go outside, Bainter said to limit any exposure to the weather, making trips short and quick, and also preparing for temperatures by layering clothes. Frostbite can take just a few minutes to set in, Bainter said. While hypothermia takes longer, it can happen with the extreme cold. Hands, feet and the face are the most likely places to experience frostbite, so it is important to cover the face, feet and hands while outside. Frostbite will be indicated by pale, painful skin, where as hypothermia is indicated by slow and shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, drowsiness and forgetfulness. Hypothermia will typically set in when the bodys temperature falls below 95 degrees. If skin is exposed to the cold, Bainter said it is important to warm it slowly by wrapping it in clothes and blankets. It is also important to cover the mouth to prevent damage to the lungs. Air this cold can damage your lungs by inhaling it directly, Bainter said. The air will warm as it passes through a scarf covering the mouth. When layering clothes, Bainter said it is important to have several lighter layers of clothes, rather than two heavy layers, as the air between layers tends to stay warmer. Cover your head, Bainter said. A majority of a bodys heat will be lost through the head. For pets, spending time outside is necessary, but those periods should be limited. L.C. Clinton, an animal control officer for the Morgan County Animal Control, said pets are just as susceptible to cold temperatures and he is preparing for several calls about animals left out in the cold. Its important to make sure any outside pets have adequate shelter, with straw or bedding, Clinton said. If you can bring them inside, that the best thing to do. For those outside, owners need to make sure the shelter provides coverage, the animal has access to fresh water. Animals will react the same way to the cold and frostbite as humans do, Clinton said. Clinton said it is also important to limit walks, which could be dangerous for both the pet and owner. New legislation will allow animal control officers to take temporary custody of an animal should they feel there is not adequate shelter. Its temporary, but it gives the animal a safe place during the cold temperatures, Clinton said. Well leave a notice and tell them what needs to be fixed. . Other tips For the house The Centers for Disease Control recommends insulating all water pipes on exterior walls to help prevent freezing, running taps, and keeping cabinet doors open to allow heat access to the pipes. The CDC also recommends having heating systems serviced and fireplaces and chimneys inspected. For the car The CDC said it is important to service your vehicles radiator and maintain antifreeze levels, check tires for tread and air pressure, and maintain a full tank of gas to prevent ice from forming in the tank or fuel lines. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNew_samantha. Morgan County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Jason E. Babb, 34, of 1882 Baldwin Road was booked into the Morgan County jail at 11:14 p.m. Saturday on a domestic battery charge. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Rozell C. Harris, 38, of 296 Westgate Ave. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:05 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving while license is revoked or suspended and violating the Lights and Lamps Act. A 14-year-old boy was arrested at 12:57 p.m. Sunday on a disorderly conduct charge being accused of causing a disturbance at the Illinois School for the Deaf. Brown County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Robert W. Crafton, 21, of Versailles was arrested at 7:26 p.m. Friday on a domestic battery charge. Pike County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Bobby J. Warner, 35, of Nebo was arrested at 1:41 a.m. Wednesday on a domestic battery charge. Sean A. Robertson, 23, of New Canton was arrested at 11:03 p.m. Jan. 22 on a warrant accusing him of battery, theft and criminal trespassing and on a petition to revoke probation. Nathan G. Heatherly, 40, of Pleasant Hill was arrested at 2:27 p.m. Jan. 22 on an unspecified in-state warrant and on a petition to revoke probation. Jeffrey S. Harris, 27, of Griggsville was arrested at 3:43 a.m. Jan. 21 on a domestic battery charge. Melissa A. Hack, 38, of Maywood, Missouri, was arrested at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 on a petition to revoke probation. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer, Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld its decision to acquit a Christian woman on charges of blasphemy that kept her on death row for eight years, clearing the way for her to leave the country. Asia Bibi, 47, was released from prison in November and taken to a secure, undisclosed location for her safety, according to authorities. She may now leave Pakistan and is expected to join her daughters in Canada, where they were granted political asylum. The court originally acquitted her on Oct. 31, prompting three days of paralyzing street demonstrations and death threats against the judges responsible for the decision by radical groups calling for her execution. Bibi's lawyer fled the country at the time but later returned for the final hearing after it was appealed. Qari Muhammad Salaam, the Muslim prayer leader from Bibi's village, filed the petition to review the decision with his lawyer, asking the three-judge panel to be expanded to include religious scholars. Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa stood by the court's original verdict, saying nothing in the petition cast doubt on the validity of the original verdict, which slammed the conflicting testimony against Bibi. "You think we give the death sentence to someone on the basis of false evidence?" he said, according to media reports. "Such lies were told that one statement doesn't match with another." "The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow," he added. "The beauty of a Muslim community is that non-Muslims are taken care of." Bibi's case strikes at the heart of one of the top issues in Pakistan: Its strict blasphemy laws that have often been wielded against minorities, including an estimated 3 million Christians, in this Sunni-Muslim-majority nation of over 200 million. Just the accusation of blasphemy is often enough to motivate lynch mobs. No one charged with blasphemy has yet been formally executed under the law, however. Bibi, a farmworker and mother of five, was accused by co-workers of insulting the prophet Muhammad in a dispute over sharing water in a sweltering hot field. Bibi denied the charge. At one point, a provincial governor defended Bibi and questioned her treatment under the law. He was assassinated by his own bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri. After Qadri was executed for the murder in 2016, he was lionized as a martyr by the anti-blasphemy movement, and his shrine has become a pilgrimage site. The main group pushing for Bibi's execution, the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan Party, issued a video statement rejecting the court decision and calling on its supporters to protest and be prepared for arrest. "I want to tell the rulers that you have caused great pain and agony to the millions of followers of the prophet," said acting party leader Allama Shafiq Ameeni. "I urge all Pakistanis and especially order the workers of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan to come out of their homes in protest against this cruel and unjust decision." Security was heavy in Islamabad on Tuesday at the Supreme Court and around the city with police and paramilitary troops stationed at sensitive points. Police have also been on high alert across Punjab province, the focus of last year's riots over Bibi's acquittal. The Washington Post's Paul Schemm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, contributed to this report. Grant Amato had a problem and it was ripping his family apart. Outside the walls of his family's well-manicured home in a rural area northeast of Orlando, Florida, the 29-year-old could have been mistaken for another luckless young man surfing through a bad patch - lost his job, kicked out of school, living at home. But inside the house, Amato was allegedly gobbling up whatever money he could steal. He lifted $150,000 from his parents, Chad and Margaret. His brother Cody lost $60,000; when that was gone, Amato allegedly stole his brother's guns and sold them. Amato even allegedly took out a $65,000 loan on the house. Amato flung all that money through his Internet connection, police say, where it landed more than 5,600 miles away in the Balkans. Since last June, he had been communicating with a Bulgarian woman - who has not been publicly identified. They met on Cam Girls, a live-streaming pornographic website. In three months, he had paid out more than $200,000 to interact with the woman. His family knew he had stolen the money, and they knew where it was going. His mom and dad demanded Amato enter rehab for a pornography addiction last December. Promises were made, a contract signed between parents and son. The family drama hit such an intense pitch that Cody confided to his girlfriend he was worried his brother "would kill everybody," according to an arrest affidavit filed recently by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. Authorities now believe he did. On Friday morning, police discovered inside the family home the bodies of Chad, 59, Margaret, 61, and Cody, 31. All had been gunned down in what a police affidavit described as an "execution style" shooting. Amato is now in police custody facing three first-degree murder charges. Police alleged his obsession with the girl across the Atlantic propelled Amato to violence. "I think we have some mental health issues," Jeffery Dowdy, the defendant's attorney, told reporters this week, according to Orlando's Fox 5. "A few months ago . . . he had checked himself into an Internet sex addiction facility in Fort Lauderdale. He had walked off there." As Amato's hours and money were beginning to be consumed with his overseas obsession last year, his life beyond the computer screen was also coming undone. On June 21, 2018, Amato was working as a registered nurse at AdventHealth Orlando. According to a police report, hospital staff discovered eight empty vials of propofol, a medication used as a sedative before surgery, in two rooms Amato was overseeing. No doctors had ordered the drugs, and records indicated Amato had taken them from a storage machine. When confronted about the unauthorized drugs, Amato told hospital authorities "he administered the drug to patients who were not being adequately relaxed," the police report stated. The hospital believed he had previously improperly administered propofol as well. During the confrontation, Amato expressed suicidal thoughts, and the police were called. Officers arrested Amato and the hospital said it planned to prosecute, according to the police report, though public records do not indicate that charges were ever filed. Amato's brother's girlfriend later told police he was then kicked out of anesthesiology school. Amato's online relationship intensified, meanwhile, and he continued sending large sums of money overseas. The family, watching Amato's online infatuation drain their bank accounts, reached a tipping point. According to the arrest affidavit, on Dec. 22, his father Chad called a family meeting, along with Margaret, Cody, and eldest son Jason. Chad told Amato that if he wished to stay at their house, he needed to enter a 60-day sex and pornography rehabilitation center in Fort Lauderdale. He agreed to go, but walked away from the center before his treatment was complete on Jan. 4. After returning home, his father presented Amato with a two-page list of rules he was required to follow if he wanted to live at home. One of the conditions was that he cease all communication with the Bulgarian woman. According to the arrest affidavit, Amato would later explain to police that he agreed, "but he didn't think they were fair because he felt that the Bulgarian female was his girlfriend and they had a relationship." He continued, however, to communicate with the woman over Twitter, according to the arrest affidavit. Not much later, his father discovered the messaging was still ongoing. On Thursday, the family again confronted Amato, telling him he had to get out of the house. That night, Amato's brother Cody was with his girlfriend when he received a call from his father asking Cody to come home. When the girlfriend asked what was wrong, he replied that it was "stupid" family nonsense, the arrest affidavit said. Later, she texted her boyfriend for a status update. "[A]ll ok," he wrote back. But when Cody did not show up for work the next morning, the girlfriend called the police to check on the family. Sheriff deputies arrived to the house at 9:17 a.m. Friday. No one answered the knocks. The windows and doors were all locked. Calls to the family members went unanswered. The deputies even blasted the cruiser's air horn, but no one stirred inside. A deputy eventually slipped the deadbolt on the back door using a knife. Chad was lying on his back on the kitchen floor, blood pooling across the ground. Cody was curled into the fetal position on the floor of a storage room. Margaret was sprawled over the desk in her home office. All had been shot and a 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene. Amato's 1996 Honda Accord was missing from the house. Law enforcement put out a bulletin for the car, and the next day police tracked the Honda down to a DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Orlando. Approached by investigators, he agreed to sit for an interview. Amato described the family drama stemming from his relationship with the Bulgarian woman. But he denied killing his family, instead claiming he left the house after his father confronted him about the Twitter messages. Later, Amato said he returned to the house and saw police and news vehicles outside the house. He claims he fled again. After showing Amato ghastly pictures of the crime scene - his father face up on the kitchen floor, his brother curled up in the storage, his mother spilled over her desk - investigators asked Amato is if he "had any remorse." According to the arrest affidavit, his "response was his family had been blaming him for months for ruining their lives, stealing and not following the rules of the home, so he might as well be blamed for this too." Court records indicate Amato will be formally arraigned on the charges on March 26. Authorities have not signaled whether the unnamed cam model is facing any charges related to the deaths. The People's Bank of China (PBOC), China's central bank, approved the entry of S&P Global Inc. into the country's credit rating market, according to a statement on its website on Monday. The opening of the country's credit rating market is a significant step to further open its financial market, PBOC said in a statement. The move will help international investors diversify yuan-denominated assets and create a sound domestic credit rating market, said PBOC. PBOC also said that it would continue to push the opening of the credit rating market by supporting more qualified international rating agencies, and intensify efforts on credit rating regulation and risk management. The financing environment for private and small and micro businesses will also be further improved, said PBOC. WASHINGTON - Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's fixer turned vocal adversary, has swapped out his attorneys, one of his representatives said Monday, asserting that Cohen wanted new representation as he navigates testifying in various congressional inquiries. Lanny Davis, one of Cohen's lawyers who also has served as his media representative, said in a statement that Cohen is bringing on Michael Monico and Barry Spevack - two veteran Chicago-based lawyers from the firm Monico and Spevack - to replace Guy Petrillo and Amy Lester, who had represented Cohen as he went through court proceedings in federal court in Manhattan. A person familiar with the matter said Cohen had fallen behind in his bills to Petrillo and Lester, although Davis disputed that this situation led to the change. "That's not the reason," Davis said. When pressed on whether Cohen was up to date in making payments, he added, "I'm not commenting on his current status in paying his bills." On Monday, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Cohen had agreed to appear voluntarily before the House Intelligence Committee on Feb. 8 for nonpublic testimony. He already had been issued a subpoena to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee, also a closed-door session, and is expected to do so Feb. 12, Davis has said. Cohen had been scheduled to appear in public before a third committee - the House Oversight Committee - that same month but backed out last week, citing threats from Trump and his lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, as well as "advice of counsel." Trump has been publicly critical of Cohen for his cooperation with special counsel Robert Mueller, called him a "rat" and suggested that Cohen's father-in-law ought to be investigated. Cohen has pleaded guilty in two criminal cases in federal court in Manhattan - one in which he admitted to engineering payments, in violation of campaign finance laws, to women to keep quiet about alleged affairs with Trump, and another in which he admitted to lying to Congress about a possible Trump Tower project in Moscow that he pursued during the heart of Trump's presidential campaign. He was sentenced in December to three years in federal prison. Cohen has been cooperating with law enforcement, including Mueller, and has aired some of Trump's dirty laundry during public court proceedings. He asserted, for example, that Trump directed him in the campaign finance violations, and that he had been "living in a personal and mental incarceration" since going to work for the real estate mogul. Lawmakers, though, have sought to call him as a witness in their own inquiries, hoping he will be able to reveal even more before he is scheduled to report to prison March 6. Cohen's bringing on Monico and Spevack will mark his third adjustment to his legal team. He was first represented by Stephen Ryan - who helped him prepare the congressional testimony that Cohen ultimately admitted was deceitful - before switching to Petrillo and Lester. Petrillo, a veteran of the federal prosecutor's office in Manhattan, was viewed as someone who could help Cohen navigate that office's investigations. Monico is a former federal prosecutor in Illinois, and Spevack is a criminal defense attorney with nearly four decades of experience. In a statement released by Davis, the two said: "We look forward to helping Mr. Cohen fulfill what he has told us is his only mission - to tell the truth as he knows it and to turn the corner on his past life and taking ownership for his past mistakes by cooperating as best as he can with all governmental authorities in search of the truth." - - - The Washington Post's Karoun Demirjian contributed to this report. The University of Houston University Eye Institutes Myopia Management Service aims to correct and manage myopia in children with the use of eye drops and specialty lenses. Myopia, or nearsightedness is a vision condition when someone can see things clearly up close, but far away objects are blurry. According to Kathryn Richdale, a UH associate professor and optometrist, a few decades ago, 25 percent of the population had nearsightedness, but now it is more than 40 percent. Nearsightedness is caused by genetics, but also environmental causes. Children are spending less time outdoors and doing more near work, Richdale said. Near work is any activity that is done at a short distance, such as reading, computer use and watching television. Richdale noted that in parts of Asia, where near work is more frequent, 80 percent of people have myopia. The Myopia Management Service at the University Eye Institute is currently the only one of its kind in Texas. About the Myopia Management Service, Richdale said, The research has been going on and steadily increasing, but UH has been a leader. Richdale continued, Traditionally, when we were growing up, we got a stronger prescription every year, but there was no way of managing it. Now with use of eye drops or different type of contact lenses, we can slow the progression. According to Richdale, the expectation is to slow the nearsightedness down by about 50 percent, but that number is different for everyone. The parents and the children will have the opportunity to choose between eye drops and multifocal or orthokeratology lenses to slow the progression of nearsightedness. The orthokeratology lenses are worn at night while the patient is sleeping and temporarily re-shape the eyes so glasses are not needed during the day. The patients are followed closely over the first few months of treatment, and once treatment is established, the University Eye Institute follows up every six months. Edvin Berglund, age nine, is currently a patient with the Myopia Management Service, and uses orthokeratology lenses. Our son wore glasses for about a year. Wearing glasses was acceptable to Edvin on a daily basis, but any activity could break or damage his glassesand there were times he couldn't wear glasses safely, Edvins father, Erik Berglund said. We spoke to him before going to UH, and spoke to him during the process of getting lenses. He was always enthusiastic about not having to wear glasses, and be able to see all day. Berglund noted that Edvin learned to insert and remove his contacts safely by himself, and that it helped that his mother wears daytime contacts, and she has been able to supervise Edvin. Orthokeratology is a serious commitment, and requires a child to be responsible. Do not be afraid of it, but be aware that (like regular contacts) you are sticking something in your child's eyes. Make sure you clean the contacts, replace the solution and verify any unusual discomfort, Berglund advised to other parents. The kids are fun to work with because at that age you can tell they are apprehensive at first, but once they are able to master the lenses and drops, you watch them be proud in themselves. It is a first step in taking responsibility for themselves, Richdale said. Richdale added, The parents are very interested. The are just thrilled to be able to do something for their child because they couldnt do anything for themselves. The University Eye Institute Myopia Management Service is located on the University of Houston campus inside Health Building 2 at 4901 Calhoun. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ycegtq5r. rebecca.hazen@chron.com British multinational BT announced on January 25 that it has become the first non-Chinese telecoms firm to get a nationwide operating license in China. The permit, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, will allow the company to contract directly with Chinese clients and bill them in yuan, and enter into competition with domestic telecoms firms state-owned China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. This is another example of the opening up of market access in China to foreign companies. The move encourages foreign investors to broaden their investment scope in the country. BT, formerly known as British Telecom, attained two licenses, a China nationwide Domestic IP-VPN license and China nationwide Internet Service Provider (ISP) license. The Security Times quotes an industry insider in a report on Monday as saying that the licenses BT has attained only allow the company Internet connection services to domestic clients and doesn't include mobile phone service or content providing service. However, it's still a major step for BT in China where many of its multinational customers require secure and reliable connectivity to expand their businesses, according to a press release issued by the company. After attaining the licenses, BT will continue to focus on providing service to foreign companies operating in China. BT China's official website shows that its clients within China include multinational corporations like P&G, Novartis, ABInbev, PepsiCo etc, also Chinese multinational companies like Huawei, Air China, ZTE and Sinopec. In the press release, Bas Burger, CEO of Global Services, BT, said, "Thanks to cooperation between the governments of China and the UK, we are now able to offer a nationwide service in China." "Being able to service and bill locally significantly simplifies the process of delivering connectivity and other communication services; this is what our customers expect from us," said Burger in the release. China's Ministry of Commerce and National Development and Reform Commission have separately expressed the intention to broaden market access to foreign investors in services, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, telecoms, education and medical and cultural industries, as well as expand areas in which foreign companies can operate independently in China. The authorities expect to see more foreign companies enter China in 2019. Denham Springs, LA (70726) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 87F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 74F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a marvel of modern particle physics that has enabled researchers to plumb the depths of reality. Its origins stretch all the way back to 1977, when Sir John Adams, the former director of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), suggested building an underground tunnel that could accommodate a particle accelerator capable of reaching extraordinarily high energies, according to a 2015 history paper by physicist Thomas Schorner-Sadenius. The project was officially approved twenty years later, in 1997, and construction began on a 16.5-mile-long (27 kilometer) ring that passed beneath the French-Swiss border capable of accelerating particles up to 99.99 percent the speed of light and smashing them together. Within the ring, 9,300 magnets guide packets of charged particles in two opposite directions at a rate of 11,245 times a second, finally bringing them together for a head-on collision. The facility is capable of creating around 600 million collisions every second, spewing out incredible amounts of energy and, every once in a while, an exotic and never-before-seen heavy particle. The LHC operates at energies 6.5 times higher than the previous record-holding particle accelerator, Fermilab's decommissioned Tevatron in the U.S. The LHC cost a total of $8 billion to build, $531 million of which came from the United States. More than 8,000 scientists from 60 different countries collaborate on its experiments. The accelerator first switched on its beams on September 10, 2008, colliding particles at only a ten-millionth of its original design intensity. Before it began operations, some feared that the new atom smasher would destroy the Earth, perhaps by creating an all-consuming black hole. But any reputable physicist would state that such worries are unfounded. "The LHC is safe, and any suggestion that it might present a risk is pure fiction," CERN Director General Robert Aymar has told LiveScience in the past. That's not to say the facility couldn't potentially be harmful if used improperly. If you were to stick you hand in the beam, which focuses the energy of an aircraft carrier in motion down to a width of less than a millimeter, it would make a hole right through it and then the radiation in the tunnel would kill you. Groundbreaking research Over the last 10 years, the LHC has smashed atoms together for its two main experiments, ATLAS and CMS, which operate and analyze their data separately. This is to ensure that neither collaboration is influencing the other and that each provides a check on their sister experiment. The instruments have generated more than 2,000 scientific papers on many areas of fundamental particle physics. On July 4, 2012, the scientific world watched with bated breath as researchers at the LHC announced the discovery of the Higgs boson, the final puzzle piece in a five-decade-old theory called the Standard Model of physics. The Standard Model tries to account for all known particles and forces (except gravity) and their interactions. Back in 1964, British physicist Peter Higgs wrote a paper about the particle that now bears his name, explaining how mass arises in the universe. The Higgs is actually a field that permeates all of space and drags on every particle that moves through it. Some particles trudge more slowly through the field, and this corresponds to their larger mass. The Higgs boson is a manifestation of this field, which physicists had been chasing after for half a century. The LHC was explicitly built to finally capture this elusive quarry. Eventually finding that the Higgs had 125 times the mass of a proton, both Peter Higgs and Belgian theoretical physicist Francois Englert were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2013 for predicting its existence. This composite image of the Large Hadron Collider was created by a 3D artist. The beam pipes are represented as clear tubes, with counter-rotating proton beams shown in red and blue. (Image credit: Daniel Dominguez/CERN) Even with the Higgs in hand, physicists can't rest because the Standard Model still has some holes. For one, it doesn't deal with gravity, which is mostly covered by Einstein's theories of relativity. It also doesn't explain why the universe is made of matter and not antimatter, which should have been created in roughly equal amounts at the beginning of time. And it is entirely silent on dark matter and dark energy, which had yet to be discovered when it was first created. Before the LHC turned on, many researchers would have said that the next great theory is one known as supersymmetry, which adds similar but much more massive twin partners to all known particles. One or more of these heavy partners could have been a perfect candidate for the particles making up dark matter. And, supersymmetry begins to get a handle on gravity, explaining why it is so much weaker than the other three fundamental forces. Prior to the Higgs' discovery, some scientists were hoping that the boson would end up being slightly different than what the Standard Model predicted, hinting at new physics. But when the Higgs turned up, it was incredibly normal, exactly in the mass range where the Standard Model said it would be. While this is a great achievement for the Standard Model, it has left physicists without any good leads to go on. Some have begun to talk about the lost decades chasing down theories that sounded good on paper but seem not to correspond to actual observations. Many are hoping that the LHC's next data-taking runs will help clear up some of this mess. The LHC shut down in December 2018 to go through two years of upgrades and repairs. When it comes back online, it will be able to smash atoms together with a slight increase in energy but at double the number of collisions per second. What it will find then is anybody's guess. There is already talk of an even more powerful particle accelerator to replace it, situated in the same area but four times the LHC's size. The enormous replacement could take 20 years and $27 billion to construct. Additional resources: Last week, newly elected U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made headlines when she said, as part of the fourth annual MLK Now event, that facial-recognition technologies and algorithms "always have these racial inequities that get translated, because algorithms are still made by human beings, and those algorithms are still pegged to basic human assumptions. They're just automated. And automated assumptions if you don't fix the bias, then you're just automating the bias." Does that mean that algorithms, which are theoretically based on the objective truths of math, can be "racist?" And if so, what can be done to remove that bias? [The 11 Most Beautiful Mathematical Equations] It turns out that the output from algorithms can indeed produce biased results. Data scientists say that computer programs, neural networks, machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) work because they learn how to behave from data they are given. Software is written by humans, who have bias, and training data is also generated by humans who have bias. The two stages of machine learning show how this bias can creep into a seemingly automated process. In the first stage, the training stage, an algorithm learns based on a set of data or on certain rules or restrictions. The second stage is the inference stage, in which an algorithm applies what it has learned in practice. This second stage reveals an algorithm's biases. For example, if an algorithm is trained with pictures of only women who have long hair, then it will think anyone with short hair is a man. Google infamously came under fire in 2015 when Google Photos labeled black people as gorillas, likely because those were the only dark-skinned beings in the training set. And bias can creep in through many avenues. "A common mistake is training an algorithm to make predictions based on past decisions from biased humans," Sophie Searcy, a senior data scientist at the data-science-training bootcamp Metis, told Live Science. "If I make an algorithm to automate decisions previously made by a group of loan officers, I might take the easy road and train the algorithm on past decisions from those loan officers. But then, of course, if those loan officers were biased, then the algorithm I build will continue those biases." Searcy cited the example of COMPAS, a predictive tool used across the U.S. criminal justice system for sentencing, which tries to predict where crime will occur. ProPublica performed an analysis on COMPAS and found that, after controlling for other statistical explanations, the tool overestimated the risk of recidivism for black defendants and consistently underestimated the risk for white defendants. To help combat algorithmic biases, Searcy told Live Science, engineers and data scientists should be building more-diverse data sets for new problems, as well as trying to understand and mitigate the bias built in to existing data sets. First and foremost, said Ira Cohen, a data scientist at predictive analytics company Anodot, engineers should have a training set with relatively uniform representation of all population types if they're training an algorithm to identify ethnic or gender attributes. "It is important to represent enough examples from each population group, even if they are a minority in the overall population being examined," Cohen told Live Science. Finally, Cohen recommends checking for biases on a test set that includes people from all these groups. "If, for a certain race, the accuracy is statistically significantly lower than the other categories, the algorithm may have a bias, and I would evaluate the training data that was used for it," Cohen told LiveScience. For example, if the algorithm can correctly identify 900 out of 1,000 white faces, but correctly detects only 600 out of 1,000 asian faces, then the algorithm may have a bias "against" Asians, Cohen added. Removing bias can be incredibly challenging for AI. Even Google, considered a forerunner in commercial AI, apparently couldn't come up with a comprehensive solution to its gorilla problem from 2015. Wired found that instead of finding a way for its algorithms to distinguish between people of color and gorillas, Google simply blocked its image-recognition algorithms from identifying gorillas at all. Google's example is a good reminder that training AI software can be a difficult exercise, particularly when software isn't being tested or trained by a representative and diverse group of people. Originally published on Live Science. The fly larva "punctum," or opening, is visible at the woman's hairline. The surrounding area is red and swollen. When a British woman returned from a visit to Uganda, she didn't realize that a live baby fly had hitched a ride home with her. In fact, it wasn't until about nine days later that the 55-year-old woman noticed anything unusual at all, when a swollen lump developed on her forehead, according to a recent report of her case. The woman went to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed the lump as an infected insect bite and sent her home with antibiotics to treat it, the report said. [27 Oddest Medical Case Reports] But three days later, the woman returned to the emergency room because her symptoms had worsened: The swelling on her forehead now extended to include more of her face and eyelids, and she experienced sharp, shooting pains in the area. A closer exam of the lump revealed a small opening in its center, with some watery discharge coming out. As a precaution, the doctors admitted the woman to the hospital for more tests because they suspected her skin problem might be tied to her recent travels and could be a condition not commonly seen in England. These hunches proved correct: The small opening in the skin was actually a breathing hole for a baby fly, or maggot, said lead case report author Dr. Farah Shahi, an infectious-disease specialist at York Teaching Hospital in the U.K., who was involved in the woman's treatment. An ultrasound shows the fly larva (marked by 4 white X's) in the woman's skin (Image credit: BMJ Case Reports 2019) To remove the maggot, doctors started by applying petroleum jelly to the opening, which is also called a "punctum." This blocks the insect's source of air, coaxing it to move closer to the surface of the skin so it's easier to remove. Then, they were able to successfully remove the live maggot from the woman's forehead. The fly was identified as a Lund's fly (Cordylobia rodhaini), a species native to the African rainforests that rarely infests people, according to the case report. So, how did the fly wind up there? The woman likely came in contact with the insect when she wrapped her hair in a damp towel that had maggots on it, Shahi told Live Science. The towel had been hanging on an outdoor clothing line, and a fly could've laid its eggs on the towel, which hatched into maggots. The forehead is considered an unusual site for a maggot to infest human skin, and there has been only one previous case in the U.K. of such an infestation, according to the report. Rather, skin infestations from the Lund's fly are more commonly found on the chest, back, stomach and thighs. After four days in the hospital, the woman was sent home and her wound fully healed. She also found out that another person who traveled with her to Uganda had developed the same maggot infestation on his back when he returned home. The case report was published online (Jan. 22) in the journal BMJ Case Reports. Originally published on Live Science. This little piggy went to market; This little piggy was denied entry at the Danish-German border and had to stay home. That's because workers in Denmark began building a wall yesterday (Jan. 28) to secure the country's southern border from the specific threat of German wild boars. Officials hope the wall will help protect Denmark's sizable domestic pig population from the ravages of African swine fever (ASF) a disease that's fatal to pigs but benign to humans without impeding human travelers. While no cases of ASF have turned up in Denmark yet, wild boars in nearby Belgium have tested positive for the deadly fever as recently as September 2018. Germany, meanwhile, has a much larger wild boar population than Denmark, and that has some Danes concerned.[10 Deadly Diseases That Hopped Across Species] The wall (actually an electric steel fence) will stand about 5 feet (1.5 meters) high and span 40 miles (64 kilometers) across the nation's border with Germany. While smaller critters like otters and foxes should still be able to slide through at small gaps scattered along the fence, larger boars will find themselves hamstrung, according to a statement from Denmark's Ministry of Environment and Food. The project is estimated to cost about $12 million, which could be money well spent if the fence successfully prevents a swine fever outbreak from reaching Danish piggies. According to NPR, pigs outnumber humans by roughly 2 to 1 in Denmark (about 12 million pigs to just less than 6 million Danes), and the country makes about $5 billion a year from pork exports. A single confirmed ASF outbreak in Denmark could mean slaughtering entire herds of pigs and halting pork exports outside of Europe, NPR reported. Still, the planned boar-der fence has its opponents. Some worry that the wall will be useless; according to a German agricultural minister quoted on the German news site Zeit Online, the ASF virus "spreads mainly through people through animal transport, hunting trips, infected food," and won't likely be stopped by a low wall of steel. Environmentalists, meanwhile, warn that the fence could endanger the migratory patterns of protected animals like the wild wolf, which just reappeared in Denmark after a 200-year absence, NPR reported. Nevertheless, work on the wall has officially begun, and is scheduled to conclude in autumn 2019. Originally published on Live Science. Archaeologists think that pottery artifacts at an ancient winery were used for daily activities by the people who worked there. Archaeologists recently uncovered ancient storage rooms in a 2,000-year-old winery, at a site in Egypt's Nile Delta to the north of Cairo. Inside these rooms which appeared to be climate-controlled for keeping wine archaeologists also found coins, pots used in winemaking and other pottery objects, said officials with the Ministry of Antiquities for the Arab Republic of Egypt (MOA), who shared the find in a Facebook post today. The rooms were linked to a larger winery complex, which had already been partly unearthed during earlier excavations. Based on evidence gathered during this latest dig, experts suspect that there may be additional buildings nearby, which housed the winery's employees and their supervisors thousands of years ago, according to the Facebook post. [In Images: An Ancient Palace Wine Cellar] The winery was built in what is now the Beheira governorate on Egypt's northern coast, during the Greco-Roman era which lasted from the fourth century B.C. to the seventh century A.D., the Associated Press reported. During that time, this region of the Nile Delta was renowned for producing some of the finest wine in Egypt, Ayman Ashmawy, head of ancient Egyptian artifacts at MOA, said on Facebook. Walls that made up the newfound storage chambers were thick and built from mud bricks; in some places, the walls incorporated limestone slabs of different sizes. This building technique probably helped to cool the chamber and regulate the temperature of the stored wine, Mostafa Waziri, general secretary of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said on Facebook. A set of kilns and assorted pottery artifacts associated with daily activities was found alongside coins that spanned centuries: from the time of Ptolemy I Soter, a successor of Alexander the Great who ruled Egypt from 323 B.C. to 285 B.C., to the Islamic conquest from A.D. 639 to A.D. 646, MOA reported. Archaeologists also found painted shards that may have once covered a building's walls, as well as fragments of a mosaic layer that could have decorated the floor. These decorative elements hint at the presence of yet another building in the winery complex possibly a residential structure for people who worked there, Ashmawy said. Originally published on Live Science. A laser pulse bounced off a rubidium atom and entered the quantum world taking on the weird physics of "Schrodinger's cat." Then another one did the same thing. Then another. The laser pulses didn't grow whiskers or paws. But they became like the famous quantum-physics thought experiment Schrodinger's cat in an important way: They were large objects that acted like the simultaneously dead-and-alive creatures of subatomic physics existing in a limbo between two simultaneous, contradictory states. And the lab in Finland where they were born had no limit on how many they could make. Pulse after pulse turned into a creature of the quantum world. And those "quantum cats," though they existed for only a fraction of a second inside the experimental machine, had the potential to be immortal. "In our experiment, the [laser cat] was sent to the detector immediately, so it was destroyed right after its creation," said Bastian Hacker, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Germany, who worked on the experiment. [Science Fact or Fiction? The Plausibility of 10 Sci-Fi Concepts] But it didn't have to be that way, Hacker told Live Science. "An optical state can live forever. So if we had sent the pulse out into the night sky, it could live for billions of years in its [cat-like] state." That longevity is part of what makes these pulses so useful, he added. A long-lived laser cat can survive long-term travel through an optical fiber, making it a good unit of information for a network of quantum computers. Quantum cat, dead and alive So what does it mean to make a laser pulse like Schrodinger's cat? First of all, the cat wasn't a pet. It was a thought experiment that physicist Erwin Schrodinger proposed in 1935 to point out the sheer unreasonableness of the quantum physics he and his colleagues were then only just discovering. [How Quantum Entanglement Works (Infographic)] Here's how it goes: Quantum physics dictates that, under particular conditions, a particle can have two contradictory traits at the same time. A particle's spin (a quantum measurement that doesn't quite look like the spinning we see at the macro scale) might be "up" while also being "down." Only when its spin is measured does the particle collapse one way or the other. Physicists have several interpretations of this behavior, but the most popular (called the Copenhagen interpretation) says that the particle isn't really spin up or spin down before it's observed. Until then, it's in a kind of hazy netherworld between states, and only decides on one or the other when forced to by an outside observer. Schrodinger noticed that this had some bizarre implications. He imagined an opaque steel box, containing a cat, an atom and a sealed glass vial of poison gas. If the atom decayed (a possibility, but not a sure thing, thanks to quantum mechanics), a mechanism in the box would shatter the glass, killing the cat. If the atom didn't decay, the cat would live. Leave the cat in the box for an hour, Schrodinger said, and the cat would end up in a "superposition" between life and death. The problem with that, he was implying, is that it makes no sense at all. And yet, Schrodinger's cat has become a kind of useful shorthand for macro-scale things that obey the laws of classical physics, but interact with quantum objects such that they have neither entirely one trait nor entirely another. In the new experiment, described in a paper published Jan. 14 in the journal Nature Photonics, researchers created laser pulses that are in superposition between two possible quantum states. They called the little pulses "flying optical cat states." To make them, they first confined the rubidium atom to a cavity between two mirrors just 0.02 inches (0.5 millimeters) wide (about the width of a grain of salt). The atom can be in one of three states: two "ground" states or one "excited" state. When the light entered the cavity, it became entangled with the atom, meaning its state was fundamentally linked to the state of the atom. Then, when the light pulse hit a light detector, it had telltale signs of in-betweenness, neither entirely acting like it was entangled with one sort of atom or another. It was a flying cat made out of light. That in-betweenness had to do with the position of the light waves, Hacker said. After glancing off the atom, the light continued to move through space as a wave: hill and valley, hill and valley. (Image credit: Giphy) But it became uncertain whether at any given moment the light's wave was reaching the top of a hill or descending down into a valley, Hacker told Live Science. The light acted as if it had at least two different waves making it up, each a mirror image of the other. (In reality, the light could have even more possible shapes: Its wave always had at least some chance of occupying every point between the top of a "hill" and the bottom of a "valley." But two mirror-image waves represented the two most likely uncertain states.) The researchers said that down the road, this ability to send moving cats from one place to another could be useful for quantum networking. That's because quantum networking will probably rely on sending light back and forth between quantum computers, Hacker said, rather than electricity. "The easiest thing to send would be single photons, but when they get lost [which happens often], their carried information is gone," he said. "Cat states can encode quantum information in a way that allows [us] to detect optical loss and correct for it. Although every optical transmission has losses, the information can be transmitted perfectly." That said, there's still work to be done. While the researchers were able to create the cats "deterministically," meaning that a cat emerged whenever they performed their experiment, the cats didn't always survive the short trip to the light receiver. Optics are tricky, and sometimes the light winked out before getting there. Also, a reasonable person might question whether these light pulses really count as Schrodinger's cats. They're certainly classical objects meaning they follow the deterministic laws of large-scale objects but the researchers acknowledged in the paper that at a scale of just four photons, the laser was on the edge of macroscopic and quantum scale; and so they could be said to be macroscopic under only the broadest of definitions. "Indeed, [a] few photons are nothing close to a real-world, macroscopic object," Hacker said. "The point of coherent optical pulses like the ones we used is, that the amplitude can be scaled up continuously without any fundamental limit." In other words, sure, these are some tiny cats. But there's no reason the same basic idea couldn't be used to make some giant Schrodinger felines. But the researchers were ultimately confident in using the term, and "optical flying cat state" does have a ring to it. Originally published on Live Science. A WOMAN whose former lover is accused of murdering her boyfriend has described her relationship with the accused as a seedy affair and the only reason she started it was because she hadnt had sex for many years. Mary Lowry has begun giving evidence in the trial of Patrick Quirke, 50, of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 52-year-old Bobby Ryan on a date between June 3, 2011 and April 2013. The body of Mr Ryan - a DJ who went by the name Mr Moonlight - was found in a run-off tank on a farm at Fawnagowan in Tipperary in April 2013. Ms Lowry also told prosecuting counsel Michael Bowman SC that she loved the deceased "to bits" and he made her and her children happy. Detailing her history with the accused the witness said Mr Quirke is married to her late husband's sister. She started seeing Mr Quirke after her husband Martin died in September 2007. Mr Quirke, a farmer who had business dealings with her husband, helped her with her the farm and finances. They became intimate in early 2008 and began a physical, sexual relationship. She was vulnerable, she said, having been left alone to look after three young children and Mr Quirke "crossed the line". She further described the accused as "overpowering" and "intimidating" and said he was always asking her for money. In 2008 she changed her will to leave him 100,000 after he told her he would take care of her children if anything happened to her but he would need to build an extension to his home to do so. In December 2010 she loaned him 20,000, which she said she did not get back. On one occasion when she refused to give him money he pushed her against a table, she said. He apologised the next day. Some time after 2011 he asked for 16,500 because, he said, her husband's cattle had infected his herd with a disease. When their affair began in 2008 Ms Lowry said she and Mr Quirke would go to her bedroom on Mondays and Fridays in the morning after her children had left for school. But she had a lot of misgivings and felt guilt and shame, she said. She knew Mr Quirke as a happily married man, married to her late husband's sister. She didn't tell any of her friends or family, even her brother with whom she is close. Before Mr Quirke, she said she hadn't had a sexual relationship for many years as her husband had been sick. She added: "That is the only explanation I can give for this seedy affair, as I would call it." They continued their relationship for about two years but she said the guilt and shame prompted her to try to break it off many times. She said Mr Quirke told her that if her friends found out about the affair they wouldn't talk to her and her family would not stand by her. She felt alone and scared, she said, adding: "I like people to like me." He would also tell her that nobody else would have her and her children. While she said she had "regard" for Mr Quirke, he told her that he was in love with her but he also loved his wife. She ended the relationship in summer 2010. She said: "I wanted to enjoy my life and get on with looking after my children." She said there was nothing nice about having an affair, feeling guilty and telling lies. She added: "There was no future in the relationship." In August 2010 she met Bobby Ryan, a DJ going by the name Mr Moonlight, and they began a relationship after he helped her to secure tickets to the All Ireland hurling final. They went dancing together at weekends. Mr Quirke, she said, didn't take the break-up well. He seemed depressed and she would "lend him an ear", thinking that if she was nice to him she could help him get over the break-up. On one occasion she received a text from Bobby Ryan and when Mr Quirke saw it he grabbed her phone and drove away with it. He called Mr Ryan and when she asked him what he had said Mr Quirke said he told Mr Ryan: "She's mine." She then revealed the affair to Bobby who offered to help, saying that he had also been through a difficult break-up. He met with Patrick Quirke in Hayes's Hotel in Thurles. They spoke for an hour and then shook hands, Ms Lowry said. By this time she said she was "mad about" Bobby Ryan. He was good fun and they had an open relationship. "I didn't have to hide or tell lies or pretend," she said. He was a "breath of fresh air" for her three children who loved him and thought he was great fun. She loved him "to bits", she said and he made her and her children happy. "What more would you want from a relationship," she said. In January or February of 2011 the relationship with Mr Ryan became intimate and he would sometimes stay with her at her home. One morning that January when she had been out for a walk she returned to find Mr Quirke in her house. He told her he was looking for her and she had left the door open but she said this was not true and that she was security conscious. She confronted him but he insisted she left the door open. She also believed that Mr Quirke was responsible for calling social services and telling them that her children were not being properly looked after. Social services investigated and found nothing amiss. Mr Quirke denied making the call. In February 2011 she saw a letter on the "Dear Patricia" page in the Sunday Independent from a married man complaining that he had an affair with a woman who had dumped him. She said the details seemed to show that it was Patrick Quirke and when she confronted him about it he told her he had nobody else to turn to. It was around this time that she changed her will to remove Patrick Quirke. Mr Ryan stayed with her on the night of June 2 going into the morning when he disappeared. They made love that morning and he left at about 6.30am. She noticed that it took about seven or eight minutes for his van to cross the cattle grid at the end of the driveway. She saw Patrick Quirke on the farm at about 8.30am and thought it unusual that he would be there so early. She later noted that he seemed "hot and sweaty and bothered looking". Later that morning Mr Ryan's daughter Michelle became extremely concerned that her father had not returned home and didn't show up for work. Ms Lowry and Michelle drove around for a time and found Mr Ryan's car at Kilshane Woods, about three miles from Ms Lowry's home. They spent the rest of the day searching the woods and over the coming days and weeks family, gardai and volunteers searched the buildings and farmland around Fawnagowan but found nothing. A few days after Mr Ryan's disappearance Ms Lowry told a lady from Trace Ireland, a group that helps find missing people, about her affair with Patrick Quirke. She then told gardai and came out to her family. "It was a very difficult time," she said. She told Mr Bowman that she penned a note to Imelda Quirke that said simply: "Sorry." After Bobby Ryan's disappearance she said Mr Quirke "pestered" her, wanting to rekindle the relationship but she refused. They spent one night together at a hotel, she said, but they were not intimate and she left the following morning. In the summer of 2012 tragedy struck Patrick and Imelda Quirke's family when their son Alan died. Ms Lowry said that following the funeral Mr Quirke came to her and asked why she wasn't supporting him at this difficult time. She said she told him to go home to his wife and children. In September of that year she planned to go on a foreign holiday with her children but she couldn't find her passport. She said that she asked Mr Quirke what he had done with it and he told her that he sold it. Ms Lowry will continue giving evidence in front of Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of six men and six women this Wednesday. China's EV start-up Kaiyun Motors plans to export electric pickups to the U.S. market this year, local media reported on Monday. Kaiyun Motors has the required approvals and plans to sell as many as 10,000 of its Pickman electric trucks in the United States this year, the Detroit News quoted the company's founder Wang Chao as saying. The Pickman will be sold at 5,000 dollars in the United States and 5,000 euros (5,700 dollars) in Europe, as variants in those markets come with revisions and added features such as reinforced structures and storage space for guns. The Pickman is much smaller in size than U.S.-built pickups and costs as little as one-tenth of Ford's F-150. It has a driving range of 75 miles (120 kilometers) on one charge. With a top speed of 28 miles (45 kilometers) per hour, Pickman is suitable for farm owners, factory employees moving loads at their work sites, and commuters, Wang said. With a capacity to carry 1,100 pounds (500 kilos) of goods, the vehicle will be enough for most pickup users, Wang said. As part of its expansion plans, the company is selecting a site for a South American factory, he said. "Mini electric vehicles are more than enough to meet consumers' daily needs," Wang said. "There is a huge market out there around the world." HEALTHCARE services across Limerick and the Mid-West will face a significant disruption as a result of the nationwide nurses strike this Wednesday, the public has been warned. Nurses and midwives will take to the picket lines at all hospitals in Limerick between 8am and 4pm, to protest against ongoing issues in relation to pay and conditions. On January 8, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation announced that it would take to the picket lines on January 30, warning that plans are also in place for five additional strike days. And over the past three weeks, talks between the union, HSE and the Department of Health have broken down in the lead up to the historic day of strike action. It is only the second time in INMO history that nurses have engaged in nationwide strike action. A long list of services will not be operating this Wednesday as a result of the strike. They include: Injury units will not operate Planned inpatient surgery is cancelled. Inpatient is when you need to stay in hospital for one night or more. Planned day case procedures are cancelled. Day case is when you are given a hospital bed or a trolley but will not stay overnight. All outpatient appointments are cancelled. This includes adult, maternity and paediatric appointments. Outpatient is when you go to hospital for an appointment but don't stay overnight. If a pregnant woman needs urgent assessment due to the cancellation of an appointment, she should go to the emergency admission room at University Maternity Hospital Limerick A number of services that will remain in operation include: Emergency Department at UHL (adult and children). Please only attend our emergency services if absolutely essential Maternity services (Delivery suites, home births, special care baby units, neonatal) Colposcopy services Oncology services (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) Dialysis Planned obstetric procedures (based on clinical need) Palliative care A spokesperson for the UL Hospitals Group said that it continues to work with the union to secure the safest possible level of nursing and midwifery cover in our hospitals during the period of the strike and contingency arrangements are being finalised. All outpatient clinics have been cancelled. The vast majority of elective procedures have been cancelled. However, a small number of elective surgeries will take place at UHL. These are complex cases where surgery is time-critical and these patients are being contacted directly by the hospital. Where cancellations are taking place, the relevant hospitals are making every effort to contact those patients affected, he said this Tuesday. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted news content meticulously written by our local journalists. Please kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. We sincerely value your support. IT IS always the personal touch that means the most. Caherline NS sixth class pupils have created and designed personalised signs to encourage drivers to ease back on the accelerator. Gearoid Power, teacher, said speeding was discussed in class one day. It was clear the students felt that adults often speed without realising that they put other lives in danger. Instead of leaving the discussion, I challenged the pupils to try and make a difference and change peoples habits, said Mr Power. They more than rose to that challenge. They decided to try and make motorists passing their school more aware of their speed. We brainstormed ideas what we could do to try and get motorists to slow down. We agreed that personalised messages from our pupils to the drivers in the form of posters or signs would encourage people to slow down and take more care when passing our school, said Mr Power. The four agreed messages on the signs are: Keep us safe, please slow down; Caution we are playing; We are at play, speeding is not the way; Our pupils are asking you to slow down. Mr Power and the pupils hope the signs will make a difference. Following positive feedback, we felt that all schools would benefit from having personalised appeals from pupils displayed near their school, asking drivers to slow down. We proposed that Limerick City and County Council hold a competition where pupils design similar signs. The winning sign could be mass produced and placed outside schools. We met with Cllr Brigid Teefy and roads supervisor, John O' Dwyer and asked them to bring our idea to the council. We also intend on contacting the RSA, said Mr ODwyer. Principal, Michael McCarthy congratulated the sixth class pupils and Mr Power for putting a lot of work into making road users more aware of the dangers of speeding. Their personalised signs are a fantastic idea as they speak to road users directly. I feel this could be a national idea. I am very proud of the pupils and their project, said Mr McCarthy. A COUNTY Limerick man has been granted conditional bail after he appeared in court charged in connection with a significant drugs seizure on the outskirts of the city earlier this week. Joseph OLoughlin, 37, of Ballyroe, Loughill is accused of possession of a large quantity of cannabis herb for the purpose of sale or supply. It is alleged the drugs, which have an estimated street value of 40,000, were seized when a vehicle was stopped and searched at Groody Road, Castletroy, Limerick at around 3.30pm on Monday. The pre-planned operation, targeting the activites of organised criminals in Limerick, involved members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Special Crime Task Force. Detective Garda Donall O Donoghue, who is based in Dublin, told Limerick District Court the defendant was arrested at the scene and that he was taken to Henry Street garda station where he was questioned and detained overnight. He said he made no reply when he was formally charged at 11.05am this Tuesday. While there was no objection to bail, Sergeant Donal Cronin said the charges are very serious and that a number of conditions were being sought. Noting this, Judge Marian OLeary directed that Mr OLoughlin live at his home address in west Limerick and that he obey a curfew between 11pm and 7am. The defendant, who wore a tee-shirt and jeans during the brief hearing, must also sign-on at Henry Street garda station three times a week as a condition of his bail. He has provided gardai with a telephone number and his passport has also been surrendered to the authorities. Requesting a lengthy adjournment of the case, Sgt Cronin said Mondays operation was the culmination of a lengthy garda operation which will require the preparation of a substantial file. Mr OLoughlins mobile phone has been confiscated along with the vehicle while the suspected cannabis herb has been sent for technical analysis. Laurence Goucher, BL, did not oppose the State application for a lengthy adjournment and the matter was put back to the end of May for DPPs directions. The court was told further charges may be preferred on the defendant given the estimated value of the drugs seized. If the DPP directs that the matter should proceed on indictment, a book of evidence will then be prepared before the case is sent forward for trial. A JUVENILE is due to appear in court this Tuesday after he was charged in connection with a robbery in Limerick city centre during broad daylight. The teenage boy was one of two youths who were arrested following an incident at OConnell Street at around 3pm on Monday. Two youths armed with what is believed to be a knife approached a man walking on O Connell Street. They demanded he hand over his phone and cash, which he did so, said a garda spokesperson. Following preliminary investigations, two juveniles were arrested and taken to Henry Street Garda where they were detailed under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. One of the males has since been released without charge whilst the other has been charged and is due to appear before Limerick City District Court later this Tuesday. LifeStyle The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand. The Save Leitrim group will hold a Communities Not Conifers rally outside the Dail tomorrow, Wednesday, January 30 at 11am and are encouraging all communities affected across Ireland to attend. The rally has already gained huge support from organisations such as the Irish Wildlife Trust and from people across the West of Ireland, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Wicklow and will see several buses travel to the capital today to voice their concerns. People are most important in our rural communities. They are vital in so many ways that communities suffer when the numbers of people living and working there decline, said a spokesperson for the group. Irish Government forestry policy has now reached a point where it is incentivising the replacement of people in communities with large swarths of non native mono-culture sitka spruce. The plantation of the sitka spruce has been going on for 40 years or more. Currently well over 50% of the available lands are covered in industrial conifer plantations. That's over 20% of the total area of Co Leitrim. Save Leitrim say that several areas across rural Ireland including Co Leitrim are suffering from the government's policy which is have a very serious negative impact on people, their lives, mental health, businesses, communities, biodiversity, wildlife and their rights. This, they say, is now exacerbating decline in these communities and in the wider rural areas. 147 townlands in Leitrim are now abandoned with many of them fully planted in conifers, the group pointed out. There are concerns that farmers are being displaced as a result of the boom in forestry and that this is having a knock-on effect for other industries dependent on farmers such as veterinary practices and agricultural suppliers. Farmers cannot expand or develop their holdings due to the hike in the price of land by the tax breaks and grants for forestry and being snapped up by outside investors getting very significant profit or return on their investments, said Save Leitrim. Concerns have also been raised about the visual barrier created by large forestry plantations and the impact of clear felling on our landscape and our roads. Coillte and the private forestry companies must be told that there is already enough Sitka spruce planted to keep the wood processing factories going for at least a decade while they adapt to the change, pointed out the Save Leitrim spokesperson. They must improve and restore rural landscapes in keeping with Ireland's obligations under the Florence Convention and reverse the damage to water quality caused by nutrient and sediment runoff from plantation spraying and clear fell. And finally, increase skilled employment in the forestry sector through training and employment of expert foresters to grow long life, quality, broadleaf trees rather than quick rotation fence posts, pallets and pulp. The rally starts tomorrow (Wednesday, January 30) outside of the Dail at 11am and all are welcome. Kildare gardai have renewed their appeal for dash camera footage, and witnesses to, the fatal incident in which a Polish man in his 40s was struck by a 4x4 vehicle in Monasterevin last Thursday evening, January 24. The collision happened while the man was crossing the Dublin Road, between Fitzpatricks Garage and the Nags Head pub, shortly before 7pm. The deceased has been named as Marcin Kozan, a Polish national. According to gardai, he had been walking on the left hand side towards town from Fitzpatricks Garage at the time of the incident. He was treated at the scene but he died a short time later. The driver of the 4x4 was uninjured. Crossing the road A garda source said that the incident happened while Mr Kozan was trying to cross the road. He was living in Portarlington and he has no immediate family here, they said. He wasnt working and he has lived in Ireland for a number of years. His family are living in Poland and some in Germany. No funeral details have been arranged yet. We are appealing for witnesses who were on that stretch of the Dublin Road at 6.45pm on Thursday evening to contact either Monasterevin gardai or Kildare town gardai. The matter is still under investigation by gardai, who are also appealing for any dash camera footage from the evening. The remains of the deceased man were removed to the mortuary at Naas Hospital last Thursday, and a post-mortem was carried out. The coroner was also notified. Road closures were in place in Monasterevin from the time of the accident until late on Thursday evening, and traffic was diverted away from the town. Sympathy Cllr Mark Wall extended his sympathies to the victims family in Poland.My condolences to his family. This is tragic for his family. If there is anything that the council can do to help the family in any way then we will be happy to do so. Cllr Suzanne Doyle said that a town the size of Monasterevin should have a traffic management plan to make it safer for pedestrians crossing the road in heavy traffic. SEE ALSO: Monasterevin road traffic victim named locally A Portarlington resident who is originally from Poland died last week after being hit by jeep while walking near Monasterevin. Marcin Kozan, who was aged in his 40s has died in the Kildare crash after he was struck by a vehicle in Monasterevin on Thursday evening. At around 6.50pm, the pedestrian was seriously injured when he was struck by a 4x4 vehicle on Dublin Road in Monasterevin. He was treated at the scene by paramedics from the emergency services but died a short time later. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured. Little is known about the deceased other than it is not understood to have family in Ireland. Arrangments for his burial have yet to be made. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Kildare Garda Station 045-527730 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Meanwhile, a man in his 80s died in a single vehicle collision at Coolcullen, Castlecomer on Sunday between 7 and 8pm. The male driver in his 80s and only occupant was fatally injured when the car he was driving left the road and collided with a pole. Senior Chinese diplomats in Europe have recently slammed the "groundless" accusation against Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei, stressing that Huawei does not pose any threat to any country. A signed piece by Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to Britain, was published Saturday on The Telegraph with the title "Don't listen to the scaremongers - Huawei is not a security threat to Britain." Earlier on Tuesday, Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, told The Financial Times that "someone is sparing no effort to fabricate a security story of Huawei," and this goes against free and fair competition. In the article, Liu noted the "needless anxiety" over and "a ban in some countries" on companies such as Huawei. "If left unchecked, they could disrupt market rules, undermine company confidence, poison business cooperation, and cause uncertainties and instabilities in the world economy," he wrote. The senior diplomat said Huawei UK has made an important contribution to the economic and social progress of its host country over the past five years by bringing 2 billion pounds to Britain through investment and procurement and creating 7,500 jobs, making a name for itself as a provider of high-quality products and services. In the past process of its cooperation with British partners, he wrote, Huawei has expanded its global reach and adapted to international standards, while in the future, Huawei has much to contribute to the long-term development of Britain's telecommunications industry. "Having pledged a further 3 billion pounds to investment and procurement in the UK in the coming five years, Huawei will continue to play an active role in IT application in this country -- a vote of confidence in the economic prospects of the UK as it leaves the EU," said Liu. "To make this vote count, the UK must remain committed to openness and cooperation and provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Huawei and other Chinese enterprises," he said. On the contrary of posing any threat to the country, Liu said, Huawei has made relentless efforts in providing global solutions to maintaining cyber security. "The Chinese Government has never supported cyber theft by any company, nor is anyone authorized by law or regulation to force enterprises to install back doors." Citing the fact that, over the past 30 years, there has never been any evidence showing that Huawei has ever done anything to undermine the national security of any country, the ambassador called on Britain to "pursue an independent policy based on its national interests, instead of drifting along with others." To answer the question of "how to respond to the hyped allegation against Huawei," Liu said, "I belive the UK has to decide whether it wants to see China's development as an opportunity or a threat." According to the edited transcript of an interview with The Financial Times provided by the Chinese Mission to the EU on Sunday night, Zhang said he does not think the security story of Huawei "has anything to do with security, and the so-called security concerns are not supported by any fact or evidence." "Rather I believe that it is an act of protectionism with a political sense. That indicates a pushback against globalization," Zhang said. "Such a move is trying to turn a business issue into a political one or even a security one indiscriminately, and that completely violates the principles of free and fair competition," he noted Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology infrastructure and smart devices, including in the so-called 5G area. Zhang said the 5G technology is a product of global open cooperation. It is an outcome of high-tech innovation by the whole international community and a good thing for the whole world. "The global industrial, supply and value chains are highly intertwined in this area and cannot be artificially and deliberately cut by anyone," he said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) The House of Representatives approved Tuesday on final reading a bill allowing the use of medical marijuana. With 163 affirmative votes, five against and three abstentions, the chamber approved House Bill 6517 or the proposed Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. The bill will legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis or marijuana, which is known to have therapeutic purposes in the treatment of chronic or debilitating medical conditions such as arthritis, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis. Under the law, doctors licensed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency can prescribe the use of medical marijuana for qualified patients diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, who will benefit or receive therapeutic or palliative benefits. The bill provides that medical marijuana will be accessed from accredited hospitals, as well as Medical Cannabis Compassionate Centers that will be established throughout the country. But the bill makes it clear that cannabis cannot be sold over the counter. Isabela 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Albano, the main author of the measure, has said that marijuana would not be administered in its raw form, which would allow it to be used for smoking. President Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have backed the bill, with Arroyo even vouching for the effectivity of cannabis in relieving her neck pain. The bill has no counterpart measure in the Senate. Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III believes there is no need to pass a bill legalizing the use of medical marijuana since Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 already allows its use subject to approval of the Food and Drug Administration. CNN Philippines Correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report. Changes to divorce in Ireland will allow couples to move forward with their lives in a shorter reasonable timeframe allowing them to reduce stress and extra costs in the process, according to Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan. He was speaking after this mornings Cabinet meeting where the Government approved the holding of a referendum to amend the Constitutional provisions on divorce. The referendum will be held alongside the votes for the European and Local elections in late May 2019. I am pleased to have received the support of my Government colleagues to bring forward this important referendum and to allow the people of Ireland to have their say on an issue that unfortunately affects families across the country. Ireland has one of the lowest divorce rates in Europe and that is to be welcomed. Sadly, however, some marriages do break down irreconcilably, causing immense sadness and stress for all concerned. The Government wishes to ensure that the process for obtaining a divorce is fair, dignified and humane and allows both parties to move forward with their lives within a reasonable timeframe," he said. In May, the people will be asked to approve an amendment to Article 41.3.2 of the Constitution to remove the minimum living apart period for spouses applying for a divorce. It is the Governments intention to deal with the living apart period by way of ordinary legislation. The Constitution currently requires a couple wishing to divorce to have lived apart for four out of the previous five years. If the referendum is passed, the Government will bring forward a Bill to amend section 5(1)(a) of the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 to reduce the minimum period to two years during the previous three years. Minister Flanagan said questions of social policy are best dealt with through detailed legislation in the Oireachtas rather than in our Constitution. "The fundamental principles and protections concerning divorce will not change. However, removing the time period from the Constitution would give the Oireachtas greater flexibility to legislate to ease the burden on people who have experienced the tragedy of a marriage breakdown and wish to begin again. "I am proposing a Bill to reduce the living apart period to two years, thereby allowing people to bring a divorce application at an earlier time. As it stands, the long separation period required under the Constitution frequently leads to couples seeking a judicial separation prior to obtaining a divorce with attendant legal costs and additional stress, he said. Minister Flanagan said that the constitutional protections around the granting of a divorce would remain in force: If the referendum is passed, the current provisions containing the requirements that there be no prospect of reconciliation and that proper provision exists or will be made for spouses and children will continue in the Constitution. It will also remain the case that only a Court can grant a divorce, he said. A statement said the referendum will also provide an opportunity to replace the provision on recognition of foreign divorces in Article 41.3.3 of the Constitution. The people will be asked to approve new text to replace this Article which provides that the Oireachtas may legislate for the recognition of foreign divorces obtained outside the State. I believe there is widespread support in the Oireachtas for the proposals approved by Government today and I would like to thank Opposition spokespersons for sharing their views with me on these issues in recent weeks, he said. A Referendum Commission will now be established for the divorce referendum in May. FURTHER INFO - On a date to be determined in the period 23-26 May, the people will be asked to: 1. Amend Article 41.3.2 of the Constitution to remove the minimum living apart period for spouses seeking a divorce; and 2. Replace the current outdated text of Article 41.3.3 with a provision to allow the Oireachtas to legislate for the recognition in the State of a divorce obtained in another State. If the referendum is passed, the Government will bring forward a Bill to amend section 5(1)(a) of the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 to reduce the minimum living apart period for spouses to two years during the previous three years. There will be no immediate change to the existing statutory provisions for the recognition of foreign divorces if the referendum is passed. The Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act 1986, governs the recognition of a divorce granted in a country outside of the EU. That Act provides for the recognition of a foreign divorce that is granted in the country where either spouse is domiciled at the time the divorce proceedings are instituted. EU Council Regulation 2201/2003, also known as the Brussels II bis or the Brussels IIa Regulation, governs the recognition of divorces obtained in another EU Member State. Habitual residence is the key governing criterion for recognition. Minister Flanagan has indicated that he intends to legislate to introduce greater consistency in the recognition of foreign divorces and that he will be guided by the expert report of the Law Reform Commission in drafting legislation. The Law Reform Commission has proposed to include in its Fifth Programme of Law Reform an examination of recognition of foreign divorces. The referendum does not propose any changes to the other provisions in Article 41.3.2, namely that: o only a Court may grant a divorce; o there is no reasonable prospect of a reconciliation between the spouses; and o proper provision exists or will be made for the spouses, any children of either or both of them and any other person prescribed by law. In respect of proper provision, the Law Reform Commission (LRC) has proposed to include in its Fifth Programme of Law Reform an examination of the proper provision requirement for divorce. It has indicated that it will consider to what extent any further guidance may be provided in order to ensure consistency in the approach taken to the exercise of this judicial discretion, in particular, to assist spouses to reach settlements and resolve disputes more efficiently and at lower financial or cost. The draft LRC Programme was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in December 2018 and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality for its consideration prior to the Programme being given formal Government approval. The Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill 2016, a Private Members' Bill introduced by Minister (then Deputy) Josepha Madigan, proposed to amend Article 41.3.2(i) of the Constitution to reduce the minimum period that spouses must have lived apart before applying for divorce from four years during the previous five years to two years during the previous three years. The Government supports the principle of the Bill; however, following analysis, legal advice and consultation with all sides in the Oireachtas, it considers that removing the living apart period from the Constitution so that it could be dealt with in ordinary legislation by the Oireachtas would be a more appropriate means to address this complex area of social policy. The Government intends to bring forward amendments to the Bill to propose the amendment on divorce for the May referendum. If passed, the Government will legislate to reduce the living apart period to two out of the proceeding three years. This proposal is also supported by the Opposition. The Bill is currently awaiting Report Stage in the Dail. Nurses and midwives have mounted strike pickets at hospitals in Portlaoise and Tullamore hospitals as part of the all-out industrial action. Nurses will be on the picket lines from 8 am on Wednesday morning January 29 to 8 pm at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and Naas General Hospital. Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation members are also out at the St Fintan's Hospital campus in Portlaoise which is home to some community health services. While the strike will run for 24 hours, most hospitals will see pickets in place from 8 am - 4 pm meaning emergency care will be the only main service available. Talks between the HSE and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have so far failed to reach an agreement which would stop the first of a number of disputes over pay. Nurses say more money is needed in pay packets to attract nurses to the profession. Modubuild have opened a new regional office in Amsterdam to support their ongoing expansion in the Benelux Region. Ireland's Ambassador to Netherlands Mr. Kevin Kelly visited the brand new offices to officially mark the official opening. The company has been active in The Netherlands since 2015 having completed multiple projects for global technology companies in the country. The company plans to double its turnover in the Netherlands by 2020 and will also use the Amsterdam office to expand across the Benelux Region. It was not until Ambassador Kelly met Modubuilds Managing Director Kevin Brennan that the two men realised that they are both Laois natives with Ambassador Kelly hailing from Borris-in-Ossory and Mr Brennan coming from Clough. Ambassador Kelly later tweeted, And an unexpected pleasant surprise to find out that the MD of @Modubuild is none other than fellow Laois man from Ballacolla, Kevin Brennan. Its a small world! Welcome to NL @Modubuild. Thanks @Entirl for the introduction. Modubuild was co-founded by Kevin Brennan who is a native of Clough along with his business partner John Comerford who is from Castlecomer. Mr Comerford also has strong links to Laois as his mother is a native of Clough. Modubuild is undergoing a phase of rapid expansion across Europe having successfully completed multiple projects in countries such as Ireland, Netherlands, UK, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland and they have plans enter further markets over the coming year. Modubuilds head office is located in Kilkenny, Ireland. The company has also recently invested 140,000 square foot state of the art off site Modular Building manufacturing facility in Castlecomer following a multi million euro investment. The company is producing hi tech Modular Buildings for Global Biopharmaceutical and Technology companies in the Castlecomer facility. The company has a large design, project management and engineering team working from their Kilkenny Headquarters. Modubuild is an international specialist contractor providing fast track Modular Construction services to blue chip clients throughout Ireland, UK and Mainland Europe. They operate in sectors such as Data Centres, Biotech, Pharmaceutical, Food/Beverage and Infrastructure. The company is always on the lookout for talented people to join their team with positions available in their Kilkenny HQ, Castlecomer Production Facility and Irish and European Construction Projects. For further info email careers@modubuild.net www.modubuild.net The most glamorous charity event in Laois is around the corner, and the 13th annual Portarlington Gala Ball is promising to be just as special a night as ever. Since its inception by organisers Collette Kennedy, Marie Molloy and Marie Corcoran, the formal Ball has raised a whopping 300,000 for many Laois charities. For the 2019 event they have chosen the Braveheart Special club in Portarlington. Formerly the Special Olympics club, Bravehearts has about 40 members with special needs, aged 4 to over 70, who meet every Thursday from 6 to 8 in the community centre for social and sporting activities like boccia, art and craft, beauty demos and music. Last year they also took a bus trip to Lullymore and had a Christmas party in the rugby club. Marie Corcoran said the club is a lifeline for members, their carers and families. It is a fabulous evening every week, this social outlet is very important, my own daughter Maria who has spina bifida loves to pop in too to see her friends, it's for everybody. When you go in the door you leave your cares behind you, she said. The Gala Ball is on Friday February 22, and is again organised with every luxury in mind for over 300 lucky ticketholders, starting at the door with a red carpet and classic songs performed by JL Sound. A bell will then sound for a four course meal, with free wine on the tables, and luxury raffles for prizes kindly donated by Laois busineses worth up to hundreds of euros. One of Laois' best live bands Transmitter will rock the stage followed by a disco. There will be special guests on the night too, as yet not confirmed. Tickets 60 each now on sale in the Saoirse Care shop in Portarlington. Call Marie at 087 7589896, Marie Molloy at 086 305811, or Collette at 086 2654277. penneast A sign June 29, 2016, on Hewitt Road in Hunterdon County show opposition to the proposed PennEast Pipeline.TT TT Michael Mancuso President Donald Trump is looking to use his executive power to facilitate the construction of natural gas pipelines a move that could affect contested pipeline projects in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the rest of the Northeast. The administration wants to limit the ability of states to block interstate gas pipelines and other energy projects, Politico and Bloomberg News reported. Right now several pipelines projects are being opposed by states, including the proposed PennEast Pipeline, which would run through Northampton and Hunterdon counties, connecting fracking fields in northeast Pennsylvania with southern New Jersey. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given the project its approval. New Jerseys attorney general contends the PennEast Pipeline Co. cannot legally sue the state to get access to several parcels of protected land. The state Department of Environmental Protection refused to issue a water-quality permit to PennEast, saying its application is incomplete. Last year a federal judge cleared the way for PennEast to use eminent domain to begin work on the Pennsylvania part of the project. The state of New York used a provision of the Clean Water Act to successfully block a pipeline that would run between Pennsylvania and upstate New York and New England. Trump reportedly was going to address the issue in his State of the Union address, now on hold, perhaps announcing an executive order to counter state challenges. Although the move is targeted mostly at pipelines to move natural gas from drilling areas in Pennsylvania and Ohio to larger markets, it could be used to pave the way for other energy projects, such as coal export terminals. What do you think? Should the federal government override states' power to block pipeline projects? Have a say in our informal, unscientific poll, and feel free to elaborate in the comment section. There are crimes that are so extremely terrible that one has to ask, where is the outage in America? In April 2017 two American Islamic physicians in Michigan were indicted for performing female genital circumcision, commonly known as female genital mutilation, on girls at the request of their Islamic fathers. This procedure is performed in 28 African countries, Asia and the Middle East. It has been illegal in America since 1997. The law is called the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1995. Congress mandated that the U.S. Department of Health educate American medical schools concerning this practice. It is also against the law in Canada. On Nov. 21, 2018, a judge in Michigan dismissed the case against the Islamic doctors, saying the federal ban on female genital mutilation is unconstitutional. Apparently it is illegal to perform this mutilation of females in America, except in Michigan! Gregg S. Heilman Allentown As many readers are aware, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will hear a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the states system of public school funding. One possible outcome is the court could stipulate that all revenue must come from the state, according to Article III, Section 14 of the state constitution. While this is absolutely the correct step to take, a ruling along these lines could have dire financial consequences for the taxpayer. The concern is driven by a hold harmless provision, which "guarantees each school district receives no fewer state education dollars than it received the previous year regardless of changes in district enrollment. Since hold harmless was implemented in 1991, many school districts have lost significant number of students. This is a prime driver for the vast inequities we see today. So how could this lead to the need for billions in additional revenue? Since no school district can experience a state funding cut, revenue per student for all districts would have to be brought up to the level of the district that receives the most funding per student, to be fair and equitable. Financially this would be disastrous for taxpayers. This gives you some idea exactly why Pennsylvanias education funding system is often cited as the worst in the nation. We have created a nightmare that is not fixable. It needs to be leveled and rewritten. We must count on the court to make the correct ruling on inequitable funding, then implement a vetted state level funding bill such as SB76. Robert Kistler Palmerton A driver who stopped at a McDonalds drive-thru Monday night had an open can of beer, a container of meth in the car and a loaded gun in his pocket, authorities said. Andrew Beil, of the 8400 block of Woodside Road in Washington Township, Lehigh County, had the open can of beer in the console when he pulled into the McDonalds drive-thru off Route 145 in Walnutport, police said. Beil was stopped in his white Ford Crown Victoria as he pulled out of the restaurant and onto Route 145. Police said Beil, 41, appeared nervous, and they could smell alcohol on his breath. Beil was reluctant to get out of the vehicle, according to police. When he did, Officer Scott Ledo, who was on the passenger side of the car, saw something in Beils coat pocket. Beil immediately reached into his pocket, when officer Jason Nothstein pinned Beil to the car to keep him from pulling out the object. Beil was handcuffed, and officer found a loaded .40-caliber handgun in the coat pocket. Officers said they also found an open can of Coors between the console and drivers seat, covered with a paper towel, as well as a plastic container with meth inside. Beil was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, having an open alcoholic beverage inside a vehicle and operating a vehicle without a valid license. He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of 10 percent of $20,000 bail. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Monroe County man was sentenced to 151 months in prison for his role in forcing or coercing women into prostitution across northeastern Pennsylvania, and for distributing heroin in Monroe County. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on Monday announced the sentencing of 30-year-old Jamiell Millz Sims. U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion handed down the punishment Jan. 17. Sims had pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion between 2011 and June 2014, and to distributing heroin on four occasions between Sept. 19, 2016, and Oct. 6, 2016. According to a news release from the federal prosecutor's office: "Simss conviction and sentence resulted from an investigation into the activities of a street gang known as the Black P-Stones. The Black P-Stones would 'beat-in' male gang members to the gang and female members were 'sexed-in' to the gang. The Black P-Stones obtained heroin in New York and distributed the heroin in Stroudsburg and locations in the state of Maine. Couriers were used to transport heroin from New York to Maine. Females were sexed-in to the gang by being forced to engage in sex with male gang members; recruited and coerced to engage in prostitution; advertised as adult escorts on a website; provided with heroin and other drugs; and placed in various area hotels/motels to work as prostitutes. Male gang members used threats, force, drugs and intimidation to coerce females to engage in prostitution. Sims was a member of the Black P-Stones at the time he committed the offenses, according to the federal prosecutors office. He was sentenced to five years' probation following his release from prison. He must also comply with sex offender registration and notification requirements. An email seeking comment from an attorney for Sims was not immediately returned. Court records show Sims filed a notice of appeal in his case Jan. 21. The case was investigated by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Maine State Police, the Monroe County District Attorneys Office and local police in Monroe County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. - The abduction of the chairman of the APC in Abia, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, has been confirmed by the state police command - Nwankpa was said to have been kidnapped by gunmen at Osisioma, while on his way to Aba from Umuahia - According to the state police public relations officer, the perpetrators would be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law - Ogbonna said it was very unfortunate for such a thing to happen on the eve of the visit of President Buhari for his campaign rally in the state The police command in Abia has confirmed the abduction of the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, on Monday night, January 28. The police public relations officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the command was aware of the incident. Ogbonna said that the information at his disposal was still sketchy but described the incident as very unfortunate. READ ALSO: Northern elders, southern counterparts reportedly plan endorsement of Atiku He said: It was very unfortunate for such a thing to happen on the eve of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign rally in the state." The PPRO said that the command had swung into action and expressed the confidence that the perpetrators would be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law. The publicity secretary of the party, Benedict Godson, told newsmen that Nwankpa was kidnapped by gunmen at Osisioma, while on his way to Aba from Umuahia. Godson said that he was kidnapped along with one of his personal aides, who was later set free by their assailants. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He feared that the kidnap of the party chairman might not be unconnected with the threat by a rival party in the state, working with some bad elements in APC, to disrupt the presidents visit. He therefore appealed to the abductors to release him unconditionally, describing him as God-fearing and a true son of Osisioma Ngwa Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Nwankpa, was on Monday, January 28, abducted by suspected kidnappers. The state publicity secretary of the party, Comrade Benedict Godson, said Nwankpa had been kidnapped by unknown persons. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Can Nigerian Soldiers really not deal with Boko Haram fighters? - on Legit TV: Source: Legit.ng [Photo provided to China Daily] New exhibition compiles the work of artists who were at the forefront of the country's creative renaissance, Lin Qi reports. In the first half of the 20th century, China saw a rise in the number of people studying abroad. Hundreds of young people embarked on ships, largely heading for Europe, Japan and North America. They hoped that their studies would help pull their homeland out of the abyss of poverty and chaos. Some boarded a liner that cruised regularly between China and France. They sailed for a month putting up with all the discomforts of sea travel and finally, they arrived in Paris, the world art capital. The years between 1911 and 1949 saw these talented Chinese, arriving in separate groups, and then becoming well-trained painters, lithographers and sculptors. Among them are Wu Fading, the first to study in France on a government scholarship, according to official documents, who first learned law but then transferred to oil painting; Pang Xunqin, a medical dropout from Shanghai's Aurora University; Pan Yuliang, who was freed from a brothel and studied under her husband's sponsor; and Zao Wou-ki, who left his teaching position and traveled with his first wife and artist Xie Jinglan. Such artists, roughly 100 in number, contributed significantly to ushering Chinese art, deeply ingrained with outdated rules, into a modern age of greater vibrancy. Until now, no exhibition has given a comprehensive presentation of this collective, but the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, where many of the artists once taught, is staging a first-ever group show, Pioneering, at the school's art museum. The exhibition is set to run through March 3. Several Nigerian soldiers have lost their lives to Boko Haram attacks in the northeast. They die living their families behind to mourn them. Such was the case of this young promising soldier who lost his life weeks to his wedding. The ceremony was billed to hold on Friday, February 1. The deceased was reportedly one of the eight soldiers that lost their lives in Buni Gari village, Yobe state. This unfortunate incident took place on Tuesday, December 1, when the self-styled Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction of the Boko Haram sect attacked the base. Pre-wedding photos of Nigerian soldier who was meant to get married on February 1 Photo: Muawiyah Umar Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Mum and her 3 kids declared missing in Lagos actually fled from abusive husband (photos) However, the pre-wedding pictures of the deceased and his wife was shared on Facebook by one Muawiyah Umar with the caption: The lovely couple had their wedding fixed for February 1, 2019. He spared some time and took these Pre-wedding pictures with his heartthrob. He couldn't live to see the date. He was one of the soldiers we lost in last Buni Yadi attack by Boko Haram. We pray for the repose of his soul & those of our gallant soldiers who have paid the supreme price in the defence of their fatherland. Rest in Peace Isa. See post below: The deceased and his supposed bride Photo: Muawiyah Umar Source: Facebook Legit.ng earlier reported that a young man identified simply as Murphy reportedly died a day to his wedding. The sad occurrence was reported by one Viviana Osakwe on Facebook. According to her, the groom-to-be passed on after completing his marriage introduction. PAY ATTENTION: Join Africa Love Aid today for your daily relationship tips and advice RIP! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh laid to rest | Legit TV. Source: Legit.ng - Uche Secondus, national chairman of the PDP says President Buhari and his APC party are dangerous to Nigeria and its democracy - Secondus said Nigeria is in distress and the whole world is aware - The PDP national chairman insisted that the country must be liberated and become a place where people will work freely and do their businesses freely in a free atmosphere Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are dangerous to Nigeria and its democracy. Secondus made the comment during a PDP rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, on Monday, January 28, Punch reports. READ ALSO: We are not part of those that sealed off Onnoghens office - Police source Legit.ng gathers that he said: I want to warn our friends who are from this state, who believe that Akwa Ibom states election can be rigged, if you rig the election in Akwa Ibom, you rig your head. Our dear country is in distress and the whole world is aware. The economy of the country is down. People are being killed every day. There is hunger in the land caused by the APC government. Buharis action is a threat to democracy and the existence of our country. Therefore, Buhari and the APC are dangerous. This country must be liberated, this country must regain freedom where people will work freely and do their businesses freely in a free atmosphere, free enterprise and a free Nigeria. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Uche Secondus said President Muhammadu Buhari is too weak to lead the country. The PDP national chairman said Buhari had tried his best and should go home and rest. He said in part: 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." NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! PDP women lament on the state of the nation - on Legit TV: Source: Legit - No fewer than 1000 police personnel have been deployed to Abia state ahead of President Buhari's visit - The state command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps also deployed at least 250 operatives - This, according to the NSCDC boss, will provide proactive measures to checkmate IPOB and ensure that the group did not break the law Geoffrey Ogbonna, the police public relations officer of the Abia command, said that no fewer than 1,000 officers and men had been deployed in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, ahead of Tuesdays visit by President Muhammadu Buhari. Ogbonna disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in Umuahia on Monday, while speaking on the commands level or preparedness for the presidents visit . He said that the police personnel would be assigned to strategic locations in the city to provide adequate security and ensure a hitch-free visit by the president. He said that there would be restriction of vehicular movement on the routes mapped out for the movement of the presidents motorcade, beginning from about 7am to 2pm. READ ALSO: PDP rejects Ekiti tribunal judgement, sets to drag Fayemi to Appeal Court Similarly, the Abia command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps also deployed at least 250 operatives in Aba to join forces with other security agencies to maintain law and order in the city during the presidents visit. The commandant of the organisation, Nnamdi Nwannukwu, said this in an interview with NAN, adding that the NSCDC operatives would be posted to line up the identified routes. Nwannukwu said that men of the command would be mobilised essentially for crowd control. According to him, our personnel will be part of the human shield to ensure that the crowd did not hamper the free-flow of the presidents entourage on the mapped out routes. He said: We have made a lot of preparations together with our other sister-security agencies to ensure a smooth presidential visit to Aba. All the Service Chiefs met today to tidy up our arrangements for the visit and by about 5 am on Tuesday, we shall move round all the slated routes to make sure that our plan is intact. He said that specific strategic measures were also put in place to contain any group, especially the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), that may want to cause trouble. There will be effective surveillance of the whole area as part of the proactive measures to checkmate IPOB and ensure that the group did not engage in any act that could cause a breach of the peace during the presidents stay, Nwannukwu said. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app NAN learnt that the routes included Faulks Road, leading to the Ariaria Market, where the president would inaugurate the Rural Electrification Project. He would move from the market to the Palace of the Traditional Ruler of Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne, for a courtesy call and thereafter proceed to the Enyimba International Stadium, venue of the APC presidential rally. Meanwhile, the PPRO said that Ariaria and other markets within the precincts of the stadium would be closed during the presidents visit. He also appealed to motorists, who use the mapped out routes to divert to other routes, adding that security operatives would be on ground to guide them to the appropriate diversions. Legit.ng earlier reported that the former Abia governor, Chief Orji Kalu, berated the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for endorsing the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abubakar Atiku. Kalu expressed his disappointment with the group on Sunday, January 28, in an interview with newsmen in his Camp Neya country home in Igbere, Bende local government area of the state. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. 2019 Election: New IGP Speaks Tough | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng When Li Yunhe traveled from his hometown in Shandong province to visit his uncle who worked with the restoration team of Dunhuang's Mogao Grottoes in 1956, he was offered a job that very few people in China had done before. During the visit, he met Chang Shuhong, who later became the first director of the Dunhuang Academy, and Chang persuaded the young man to stay and join his team as a fresco art restorer. From then on, Li, who always wears blue overalls, started his daily routine getting in and out of the caves with a torch in his hand and a toolbox strapped to his back, which contains injectors, rubber suction tubes and other necessary items to protect the murals. His job responsibilities include "curing" typical mural diseases such as flaking, detachment and blisters. Over the past six decades, Li, who has gradually grown into a top expert in the field, has repaired over 4,000 square meters of area covered by the murals inside the caves and more than 500 sculptures. He has also pioneered several methods in the protection of relics. On Jan 18, Li was named by the All-China Federation of Trade Union as a "craftsman of great power". Li, 86, is the oldest among the 10 people awarded, whose expertise varies from geological surveys, electrical welding, oil drilling and other fields. The awards were based on seven months of both public online voting, and offline voting by a group of experts. It took Li five years of learning and practicing to master all the steps and basic skills in painting and carving. Finally, he was asked to repair the murals in Cave No 161 in Dunhuang-a project covering 60 square meters. "When I first entered the cave, a gust of wind blew in. Suddenly, the murals were peeling off just like snowflakes fluttering in the air," he recalls. "If we didn't take action, the paint would all come off." Since 1962, he spent more than 700 days in that cave, pasting the pieces back to the wall inch by inch. According to Li, each step of mural restoration requires patience, care and concentration. For example, when repairing an area where the paint has come off, the repairer should first use a rubber suction bulb to blow away the sand and dust on the flakes and then use a brush to clean the wall surface. "Sometimes we use small devices instead of a rubber suction bulb because even the gentle blowing could be strong enough to destroy the paint," he explains. "Although the project took a long time to complete, it laid a solid foundation for the future improvement of relic protection techniques," says Li, adding that the cave was the first one that Dunhuang Academy repaired independently. With constant innovation in tools, materials and technologies, Li and his colleagues have explored better methods for mural restoration and protection over the years. To date, he has been invited to support important restoration work of relics at Beijing's Palace Museum, the Potala Palace in the Tibet autonomous region, the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou city and other places. In 2015, he took his team to the Yulin Grottoes and started to renovate a 24-meter high Buddha statue. Time files. And the experienced craftsman, still in his blue clothes, climbs up and down scaffoldings with a torch, a toolbox and a pair of presbyopic glasses (that he didn't need before). He has spent his long career conserving ancient art treasures in China. Li believes that love for such artwork is more important than just learning restoration skills. "Artworks are alive," he always reminds his team members. His long-term passion for mural restoration has also influenced his family. While Li has spent more than 60 years illustrating the spirit of a real craftsman, his grandson Li Xiaoyang, who joined Dunhuang Academy after graduating from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in Australia in 2011, is carrying his work forward. "When I was a boy, I often heard my grandfather talk about how to repair murals. I feel so lucky that I myself can now restore these murals," says the 30-year-old, adding that the photos of mural before and after restoration give him a strong sense of satisfaction. New Delhi, January 29: In what is likely to set the tone for the Congress' campaign in the Lok Sabha elections 2019, party president Rahul Gandhi has announced a "guaranteed minimum basic income" programme if they get elected to power. The Gandhi scion said that India would be the first country to adopt this radical measure to eliminate poverty, hunger and malnutrition. A scrutiny of his claim has, however, brought to light that a number of countries have experimented with the universal basic income (UBI) programme even as India has been contemplating over it since the final UPA years. Modi Govt May Roll-Out UBI to Negate Rahul Gandhi's 'Minimum Income Guarantee' Promise. The nations which have experimented with the income scheme are either rooted in socialist movement, or deeply involved in welfare politics. The results have varied -- with some nations finding a short-term success, whereas, others revoking the same due to the strain on resources. Check List of Countries Which Have Experimented With UBI: Brazil: The Latin American nation became the first country in the world to implement the project on a wide-scale. In 2004, the then government had rolled-out the Bolsa Familia-program -- guaranteeing basic income to households with children. The project aided the nation in combating the crisis of malnutrition. Till 2013, the amount disbursed to each family was around $30 per month, which was 4.4 per cent of the minimum wage rate then prevailing in the nation. Iran: In 2011, then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad introduced a UBI programme which would replace the subsidies on gas and petroleum. The move was initially unpopular -- as it led to a sharp increase in fuel prices. However, the sentiment turned in its favour within few months of implementation. As per the scheme, near-about $40 was disbursed to each household per month. Mexico: Between 2005 to 2009, the Mexican government had rolled out a policy, titled Programa de Apoyo, which provided each household with an amount equivalent to 10 per cent of minimum wage rate, or food equivalent of the same amount. Due to inefficiency in implementation, along with financial strains, the policy was revoked. Namibia: For a one-year period, between 2008-09, two Namibian villages hit by acute malnutrition were provided basic income under a pilot project. The programme was funded by the German protestant church, and it succeeded in addressing the food concerns of the populace for the 12-month period. Its success has forced the governments in poverty-ravaged African nations to consider UBI as a poverty-alleviation project. Apart from these four nations, pilot projects to test basic income has been carried out on a small scale in other nations as well, including the United States and India. In the former, the scheme was implemented in Alaska, where the government has undertaken massive oil extraction projects. In 2015, when the oil prices had peaked in the US, each household was provided an annual dividend of $8,288. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2019 07:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Guy Steucek is a freelance writer in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He can be reached at guysteucek@comcast.net. Aversa, January 29 - The prosecutor's office in northern Naples was on Tuesday questioning the behavior of the mother of a 7-year-old boy killed by her live-in partner. Her 8-year-old daughter was also beaten and severely injured by him. The murderer is 24-year-old Tony Sessoubti Badre, who initially denied the crime and claimed the boy had fallen down a flight of stairs, sources said Monday. He later admitted to beating them but denied using the handle of a broom to hit them with and claimed he had got angry after the children broke a new bed he had bought while playing on it. The woman confirmed to investigators that Badre had committed the acts of violence but said that she had not reported him out of fear. The woman may be placed under investigation for not stopping the man. Rome, January 29 - A 24-year-old Ivorian irregular migrant was arrested Tuesday for trying to molest a woman in an underpass at Rome's Ostiense train station. Strasbourg, January 29 - The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on Tuesday asked Italy to take all necessary measures as soon as possible to assure adequate medical care, food and water for the Sea Watch migrants, but not to allow them to land. For unaccompanied minors, the Italian government was asked to guarantee adequate legal safeguards. On Friday the ship's captain, the head of the rescue mission and one of the migrants asked the court to order Italy to allow the 47 asylum seekers on board to disembark. After this, the court sent a series of questions to the Italian authorities and to Sea-Watch. Rome, January 29 - Alitalia closed 2018 with an EBITDA of -154 million euros, halved from -312 million in 2017, trade unions said after meeting its extraordinary commissioners on Tuesday. Liquidity as of December 31 2018 was 703 million euros, of which 506 in cash and 197 million in deposits, they said. Alitalia is seeking a partner. Lufthansa and EasyJet have expressed interest in a restructured Alitalia. Ferrovie dello Stato rail company is handling possible talks. Rome, January 29 - Italian politicians on Tuesday hailed the acquittal on appeal of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman condemned to death for blasphemy in 2010 and released last October. "A nightmare is over and she has the right to live safely," said Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia (FI) Vice President Antonio Tajani, the European parliament President. Family Minister Lorenzo Fontana of the rightwing populist League party said he was "close to her and all persecuted Christians". MEP Ignazio Correo of the League's government partner the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) said "the nightmare and the odyssey is over". Giorgia Meloni, leader of the rightist Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, said Italy should grant Bibi political asylum, saying "you can't abandon a woman persecuted and threatened for her faith". Bolzano, January 29 - A 34-year-old German man was arrested in Berlin on Tuesday on suspicion of murdering Stefan Unterweger, a 34-year-old Alto Adige native resident in the German capital, in a park there in May 2017. The man, who has been in a psychiatric hospital since killing his mother in April 2018, has already confessed, Rai Sudtirol said. Rome, January 29 - The centre-left opposition Demcoratic Party (PD) on Tuesday urged House Speaker Roberto Fico to intervene on a probe into PD former leader and leadership candidate Maurizio Martina and party chair Matteo Orfini's visit to the Sea-Watch 3 migrant rescue NGO ship off Siracusa on Monday. Martina and Orfini are accused of breaching a ban on approaching the vessel. "Thus, our inspection function is impaired," the PD said, stressing that the people's elected representatives should be allowed to verify the conditions of the 47 migrants on board. Vatican City, January 29 - An office chief at the Vatican body that deals with sex-abuse cases on Tuesday quit after a woman accused him of molesting her in 2009. Father Hermann Geissler, 53, an Austrian official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, heir to the Holy Inquisition, said he was stepping down "to limit the damage already caused to the Congregation and its Community". He reiterated that the charge against him was not true and asked that a canon trial which has already started should continue. Geissler said he would consider legal action to protect his reputation. Rome, January 29 - Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli, a member of the anti-establishment ruling 5-Star Movement (M5S), on Tuesday said a decision will soon be made on the construction of the high-speed rail (TAV) line between Turin and Lyon after League Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said it should be completed. "Salvini, with whom I have an excellent relationship, will also see the cost-benefit analysis on the TAV", said Toninelli, whose party is against the project. He added that "we will take a decision in the respect of the government's contract". "I will ask Salvini for his calculations, when we meet to have coffee, because they don't match the real ones", the minister told the Mattino Cinque program of private channel Canale 5. Toninelli also said he was fed up with hearing the M5S accused of halting construction work: "We don't block any construction work, the only one we whose cost-benefit we are analyzing, because we are honest people", is TAV. The M5S's government partner, the rightwing populist League party led by Salvini, is in favor of the TAV project going ahead. There are strong movements for and against the TAV in Piedmont. Turin's M5S-controlled council last year voted to stop the project pending the cost-benefit analysis, according to the position of the government's other Deputy Premier and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio of the M5S. Rome, January 29 - The foreign ministry in Rome said Tuesday that it was not informed about an announcement that Italy is set to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that it was never informed of the intentions of the Minister of Defence, Elisabetta Trenta, before she released a statement to the press on the decision to withdraw the Italian military contingent from Afghanistan," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Siracusa, January 28 - Carla Trombino, the ombudsman for children in the Sicilian city of Siracusa, has filed an urgent petition to a Catania court for 13 minors on board the Sea-Watch migrant-rescue ship to be assigned to a specialist centre, sources said Monday. The petition was presented by a lawyer, Rosa Emanuela Lo Faro, on the grounds that the minors suffered "mistreatment and torture" in Libya. The lawyer also called for the maritime authorities to declare a medical emergency for the situation of the minors. The Italian government has refused to let the migrants rescued in the Mediterranean over a week ago to land on Italian soil, as part of a policy of refusing access to Italian ports to NGO-run search-and-rescue ships. Normally for a position like this Id think wed want to look at as many candidates as possible, but considering the particular attributes of Mr. Petrillo and his long standing service to the village, the county, the state and the country, Im in favor of this, as well, said Trustee David Oppenheim. 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". Now that things have loosened up with regard to the pandemic, are there precautions you are still practicing? Which have you relaxed? I suspect very strongly that the commentator who wrote about the cost of the shutdown and said, "I'll never vote Democrat again!" has never voted for a Democrat in his/her entire life. The reasons are obvious. First, the commentator says that the cost of the wall should have been a major consideration. We all know cost has never been an issue. The main issue revolves around what would be the most effective deterrent. The commentator also claims that the shutdown cost more than the wall. What was not said was that a Republican was not only responsible for the shutdown, but also is threatening the country with another possible shutdown. A rational Democrat would never consider a switch under current circumstances. Democrats won't lose your vote because they never had it! Phony! True, yet I still get amused by people who have nothing else to talk about other than the days weather. Of the hundreds or thousands of potential talking points at any given moment, how desperate for dialogue must we be to say, Its supposed to get real cold on Wednesday. Thats what they say anyway. The eighth day of Portage Mayor James Snyders trial, federal prosecutors continued showing how the bid process for garbage trucks was allegedly rigged for one firm and reportedly netted the mayor a $13,000 payout. Defense attorneys have said there was nothing questionable about the bid process and it was all done above board. James Caffey, 28, and Tanisha Banks, 38 were convicted Monday after a four-day trial in federal court of conspiring to rob, as well as aiding and abetting the robbery of Postal Service employees of mail and money that was in the custody and control of the U.S. Postal Service, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Indiana. Little, who said she has attended school board meetings as a journalist in the past, said there is something uniquely dysfunctional about the District 64 board in how it operates. Meetings should be structured to include public comment at the very beginning and items important to the community should be addressed first, not after an hour of extraneous things, she said. Police said a Cook County judge has ordered two men including one who had been captured on video carrying a rifle while running through an Oak Park neighborhood held without bail after the two were charged with numerous crimes that police said occurred in Chicago and then later abandoning a stolen car in Oak Park, police said, after they were pursued by authorities. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) The government's rehabilitation project of the Manila Bay has officially kicked off, and some residents did not waste time checking up on the recent developments of the cleanup drive. Netizens have been sharing on various social media platforms some photographs of a cleaner, more "photogenic" Manila Bay. One even labeled it a "magical transformation." "The water is now a lot clearer and the sand is resort quality. Let my pictures speak the truth," netizen Antonio Chua-so shared in a Facebook post Monday. Below are some of the photos of the Manila Bay days after the launch: The Manila Bay is one of the many locations in the Philippines that is being rehabilitated by President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. In April 2018, the world-famous Boracay island was closed off to tourists for six months for the cleanup. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier confirmed the government allotted P47 billion to fund the island's rehabilitation. USA: FBI Director Christopher Wrays Remarks Regarding Indictments of Huawei and Wanzhou Meng The prosperity that drives our economic security is inherently linked to our national security. And the immense influence that the Chinese government holds over Chinese corporations like Huawei represents a threat to both. As Americans, we should all be concerned by the potential for any company beholden to a foreign governmentespecially one that doesnt share our valuesto burrow into the American telecommunications market. That kind of access could give a foreign government the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information, conduct undetected espionage, or exert pressure or control. These cases make clear that, as a country, we must consider carefully the risk that companies like Huawei pose if we allow them into our telecommunications infrastructure. Todays charges serve as a warning that the FBI does notand will nottolerate businesses that violate our laws, obstruct our justice, and jeopardize our national security. We will not stand idly by while any entitybe it a foreign power or corporationseeks to criminally or unfairly undermine our countrys place in the world. This announcement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of FBI personnel in our Counterintelligence and Criminal Investigative Divisions, and in our New York, Dallas, and Seattle Field Offices. Im proud of their hard work rooting out pervasive criminal behavior by Huawei and its executives. Id also like to thank our law enforcement partners in Canada for their continued and invaluable assistance to the United States on law enforcement matters such as this. And lastly, I want to extend our gratitude to our partners at the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security for their support in our broader efforts to defend our economic and national security. Thank you. This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Montana legislators are considering a bill that could lower the cost of renewing your vehicle registration. But there's a catch, that lower fee could have a big impact on Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Under existing law, the six dollar fee is automatically assessed unless you specifically ask to opt out at the time of registration. And that's where Montana Senator Roger Webb says he has a problem. He feels that the public isn't properly informed of their rights to opt out of the fee at the time of registration. That's why he's drafted a bill that would require a person to opt in instead. "I guess my frustration is, nowhere on that poster does it say that you have the opportunity to, or you have the right to opt out of that program. Now I feel if an individual wants to contribute to it, then that's great, they shouldn't be duped into not knowing. It's an education process and I think they're being duped out of that money," said Webb. The existing 6-dollar fee has been on the books since 2004 and according to FWP this fee makes up the largest source of funding for Montana's 54 state parks. It generates roughly 3-million dollars. FWP says that's important because Montana state parks receive no general fund dollars and no funding from hunting and fishing licenses. And as to Montanan's not being educated, FWP says they've made it a mission since the last legislative session to make sure anyone registering a vehicle *is* aware they can opt out. "We got all the county treasurers and we made sure we really did a full court press on that education issue. And I think that's helped a lot for people to understand not just about not just the fee but what the fee is used for and it's importance to state parks. So yeah I do think the people of Montana do understand that fee and what it's used for," said Greg Lemon of FWP. We asked Greg Lemon if FWP knows how many opt out of paying the fee. He estimates roughly 23-percent of people choose not to pay. Now we should also point out that Senator Webb's bill doesn't dismiss the fee entirely. His bill would replace the $6 opt out fee with a $25 opt in fee to help offset losses to FWP. The bill is currently assigned to the fish and game committee. A hearing scheduled before that committee is Tuesday at 3PM. From the Gulf Coast to Maine, most of the United States is facing freezing and even subzero temperatures this week. It is good for Naperville, Chirico said. Not only do we get some clean energy from this source, but at some point the energy thats produced will become the citys. Up until then we dont have a financial benefit, just an environmental benefit. The National Weather Service is calling for temperatures in Naperville ranging from 14 degrees below zero during the day to minus-30 at night over the next couple of days. By comparison, McMurdo Station, on the southern tip of Ross Island off the mainland of Antarctica, will reach a balmy daytime temperature of 21 before falling to a low of 9 at night. The same goes for solar panels. Although theyve been around longer than wind turbines, solar panels still are the exception to the rule as a popular power source. Again, I believe part of the inability for the energy panels to catch on has to do with how incredibly ugly they look. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Some of the storms may become severe. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low around 70F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Angola, IN (46703) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Strong thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 87F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Strong thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 87F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Butler, IN (46721) Today Scattered strong thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low around 70F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. But Bush added there is still a lot to learn and do, saying there are some promising alternatives being studied, but in the meantime, there is still a need to use ethylene oxide to sterilize surgical equipment. Corr said rental housing is attractive to empty nesters, who are selling their homes but arent sure about their next permanent move or perhaps have another residence in Florida. More millennials also are moving from Chicago to the suburbs, she said. ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) The attorney for the officer accused of fatally shooting Officer Katlyn Alix released a statement the same day his client made his first court appearance. Nathaniel Hendren, 29, made his first court appearance via video hookup from the city jail. During the brief appearance, the charges were read to him. Hendren is accused of fatally shot the off-duty officer during what has been described as a deadly game involving a revolver. Parents of officer slain during revolver game hire attorneys ST. LOUIS (AP) The parents of a St. Louis police officer who allegedly was killed by anoth A court source Tuesday said Hendren would be moved from the city jail and will be held elsewhere for his protection. His cash-only bond was set at $50,000. Hendrens attorney, Talmage E. Newton IV, reportedly has a court appearance Wednesday, where is expected to ask for a bond reduction. In a statement released following the court appearance, Newton said the death of Officer Alix was nothing more than a tragic accident. Read the complete statement below: We are aware of the rumors, innuendo, and salacious gossip surrounding the accidental death of Officer Katlyn Alix. There is no evidence, nor will there ever be, that this was anything more than a tragic accident. Nate Hendren is devastated by the loss of Katlyn Alix. Spreading rumors and creating unsupported theories is dishonorable on the part of the public, the police department, and the media. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Officer Alixs family during this difficult time. Newton later released another statement saying Gardner rushed to judgment, saying she is willing to break the law to file the charges: ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) A group wants to honor a St. Louis native killed in Syria by adding him to the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Scott Wirtz, a former navy SEAL, had been working for the Defense Intelligence Agency since 2017. He was killed in an explosion in Manbij, Syria on Jan. 16. Wirtz graduated from De Smet Jesuit High School in 1995 and was a decorated service member. A Change.org petition is asking for signatures for Wirtz to be considered for a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- Following the shooting death of Officer Katlyn Alix at the hands of a fellow officer, the Circuit Attorneys Office is raising concerns about how the evidence was handled in the immediate aftermath of Alixs death. In a letter sent from St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner to both Police Chief John Hayden and Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, Gardner outlines specific issues with both the police departments characterization of the incident and the drug and alcohol tests performed on the officers involved. The letter, obtained by News 4 through a Sunshine request, states the CAOs investigators sought a blood draw on the officers present at the time of Alixs death, one of whom was identified as Officer Nathaniel Hendren, as There was probable cause at the scene that drugs or alcohol may be a contributing factor in a potential crime. According to Gardner, her staff was told by a police major the department would see about conducting a test and let the CAO know if a warrant would be needed. Shortly after, a lieutenant reportedly told Gardners investigators Saint Louis University hospital would not honor a search warrant to draw blood. Im sure you are aware that we have a protocol with area hospitals that they will honor our search warrants for blood draws. This procedure is common in criminal investigations, the letter said. Officers allegedly later told Gardners staff a sample had been secured from the involved officers, but it was from a breath test and urine sample, not a blood draw, which Gardner cites as being a more exact test. 'Spreading rumors ... is dishonorable'; officer's attorney releases statement following arrest The attorney for the officer accused of fatally shooting Officer Katlyn Alix relaxed a statement the same day his client made his first court appearance. Friday morning according to the letter, Gardners office was informed those samples were collected by Internal Affairs and they were protected under Garrity Rights. Garrity Rights are a provision that a public employee cannot be compelled to incriminate themselves by their employer, meaning the results of the tests are protected by law and cant be used in a criminal proceeding. Taking these tests under the cover of Garrity appears as an obstructionist tactic to prevent us from understanding the state of the officers during the commission of this alleged crime, the letter said. We have the expectation that those test results will be turned over to our office immediately as part of the ongoing investigation. Gardner goes on to raise issues with officers, including Hayden, characterizing the shooting as an accident in the immediate aftermath, attributing Alixs death to someone mishandling a firearm. The letter states Gardner believes it was inappropriate for investigators to approach the crime scene with a pre-disposed conclusion about the outcome, and put forth that conclusion so early. Its particularly troublesome given that the Force Investigative Unit is required to conduct objective investigations of officer-involved shootings, Gardner said. The letter goes on to say the CAO understands the need to get information out quickly, but not at the expense of a thorough investigation. The end of Gardners letter says she has other issues she would like to discuss involving the investigation, and asks for a sit-down meeting with both Hayden and Edwards. Edwards held a press conference Tuesday, defending the St. Louis Police Department and the chief's actions. Our officers are not obstructionist, he said. We have to be careful and we have to be fair and we should not vilify the entire department based on what has transpired here, said Edwards. In fact, he says its the police departments role to process a crime scene, not the prosecutors. We have to be careful that the prosecutor does not go on scene and direct the collection of evidence, in many instances, he said. But he says he will guarantee the public will know the test results. I absolutely think you will get it. I want you to have it, he said. **This image is for use with this specific article only** Kamala Harris did not mention President Donald Trump by name as she officially announced her run for president on Sunday, but she she issued a sharp, mocking attack on his relationship with Russia. Cox and the other man charged in the crime had exchanged words and gotten into a fistfight with someone else in the neighborhood earlier that day, police at the time said. That night they showed up at the home with a .22-caliber rifle to retaliate, police said. (Adds employer of two arrested contractors in paragraph 4, comments by minister and presidential spokesman, other details) By Pedro Fonseca and Gram Slattery RIO DE JANEIRO/BRUMADINHO, Brazil, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Three employees of Brazilian miner Vale SA and two contractors were arrested on Tuesday, prosecutors said, as a criminal investigation began after a devastating dam rupture expected to leave a death toll of more than 300 people. Vale said it was cooperating with investigators in the case, which has enraged Brazilians and raised fresh questions about the company's commitment to safety after a similar dam burst just over three years ago at a nearby mine it jointly owned. Two of those arrested were Vale's senior managers at the Corrego do Feijao mine, where a tailings dam broke on Friday, hammering the nearby town of Brumadinho with a flood of mining waste - according to a court order seen by Reuters. The job of the third Vale employee was not immediately clear. Two other engineers, who worked for Germany's TUEV SUED on a contract where they attested to the safety of the Vale dam, were arrested in Sao Paulo, according to state prosecutors and a spokesman for the German firm. Minas Gerais state investigators issued a total of five arrest warrants and seven search warrants on suspicion of murder, falsification of documents and environmental crimes, a judge's decision showed. The collapse of the dam in the hilly, pastoral region has killed at least 65 people, according to firefighters' count on Monday night, with another 288 missing and likely dead. The number of confirmed dead continued to mount on Tuesday, but state civil defense spokesman Evandro Borges said officials would not update their count until later in the day. Brazil's Mines and Energy minister, Bento Albuquerque, said he had heard from state officials that Vale would deactivate all of its "upstream" dams, piling waste into a valley that is then dammed off. Where that is not possible, the company will build new containment dams, he said. Vale declined to comment on the idea until after an afternoon meeting with the minister. On Monday, a presidential task force contemplated forcing out Vale's management, but by Tuesday senior officials pushed back on the idea. "There aren't conditions for any degree of interference. It would not be a good signal to the market," presidential chief of staff Onyx Lorenzoni said in a news briefing. 'DESTROYING MINAS GERAIS' Chief Financial Officer Luciano Siani said Vale was doing all it could, offering money to mourners, extra tax payments to local government, a special membrane to remove mud from the river and major investments to make its dams safer. Yet residents in the devastated town of Brumadinho have been unmoved, watching in shock and anger as one dead body after another has been pulled from the mud. Following a deadly 2015 tailings dam collapse just a few towns over at a mine half-owned by Vale, the disaster remained unforgivable in the eyes of many Brazilians. "Vale is destroying Minas Gerais," said Robinson Passos, 52, who lost a cousin and friends in Brumadinho. "There's anger, sadness, everything," he said, holding back tears as he surveyed the destruction in Corrego do Feijao, a hamlet within Brumadinho that gave its name to the mine at the center of the disaster. At the headquarters for the local mining union, which lost more than one in 10 members by organizers' count, treasurer Jose Francisco Mateiro blamed the company and authorities for putting him and his comrades at risk. "They call it an accident but the design of those dams was premeditated," he said. "There have been warnings about all mining dams for a long time now." Vale CEO Fabio Schvartsman said the facility was up to code and equipment had shown the dam was stable just two weeks before the collapse. "We are 100 percent within all the standards, and that didn't do it," he said in a Sunday TV interview. Siani said the company would donate 100,000 reais ($26,600) to each family that had lost a loved one, adding the company would continue paying mining royalties to Brumadinho despite a halt in operations there. The company was building a membrane to stop the flow of mud now snaking down the Paraopeba River. A "bold" investment plan would speed the process of making dams more secure, he said. Prosecutors and politicians have not been impressed. Government ministers have said Brazil's mining regulations are broken. The country's top prosecutor said the company should be criminally prosecuted and executives held personally responsible. ($1 = 3.73 reais) <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ FACTBOX-Vale tailings dam collapse adds to long list of mining disasters BREAKINGVIEWS-Vale's Brazil dam damage will hurt its peers too ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Gram Slattery in Brumadinho and Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro; Additional reporting by Marta Nogueira and Gabriel Stargardter in Rio de Janeiro, Lisandra Paraguassu and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia Editing by Brad Haynes and Matthew Lewis) brad.c.haynes.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trumps longtime political ally Roger Stone on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to seven criminal counts after becoming the latest member of Trumps inner circle charged in Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Stone, arrested on Friday in an early-morning raid on his home in Florida, sat in the U.S. federal court in Washington in a blue suit and tie. His lawyer Robert Buschel said Stone pleaded not guilty to the charges of making false statements to Congress, obstruction of an official proceeding and witness tampering. Stone smiled as he passed through a gauntlet of reporters upon arrival at the courthouse. A small group of protesters waved Russian flags and a placard that said Dirty Traitor while other people showed their support for the 66-year-old veteran Republican operative. The indictment said Stone told members of Trumps 2016 presidential campaign that he had advance knowledge of plans by the WikiLeaks website to release damaging emails about Trumps Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, that U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded were stolen by Russia. The indictment did not indicate whether Stone knew that Russians had stolen the emails by hacking into computers used by Clintons senior campaign adviser John Podesta and the Democratic National Committee. Mueller last year charged 12 Russians accused in the hacking as part of his investigation of Russias role in the 2016 election, whether Trumps campaign conspired with Moscow and whether the president has unlawfully sought to obstruct the investigation. The charges against Stone marked the first time Muellers team has publicly tied the Trump campaign to WikiLeaks, and raise questions about what Trump may have known prior to the public release of the stolen emails. The charging documents said a senior campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had about Clintons campaign but do not disclose the identity of the person who gave the order. Stone, a self-proclaimed dirty trickster and Republican political operative since the days of the Watergate scandal that forced his former boss President Richard Nixon to resign in 1974, was released on a $250,000 bond after his arrest. He has declared his innocence. In comments to journalists on Monday in Florida ahead of his arraignment, Stone accused Mueller of a raw abuse of power. Trump has called the investigation a witch hunt and denied any collusion. Russia has denied U.S. intelligence communitys finding that Moscow interfered in the U.S. political arena. Thirty-four people have been swept up in the Mueller investigation. Those charged include Trumps former campaign chairman and deputy campaign chairman, former national security adviser and his former personal lawyer. It remains unclear whether any further charges have been filed. Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker on Monday said Muellers investigation was close to wrapping up and that a report was expected soon. JOHANNESBURG, Jan 29 (Reuters) - South Africa's rand was largely unchanged on Tuesday as traders looked for direction from the latest developments in a trade dispute between the United States and China. * At 0634 GMT, the rand was 0.09 percent stronger at 13.6525 per dollar, little changed from Monday's close in New York. * The rand has struggled to hold recent gains below the 13.60 technical resistance mark and is seen by traders drifting within a narrow range, with a topside target of 13.78. * Uncertainty over high-level U.S.-China trade talks, set for Wednesday and Thursday, has dominated global market sentiment at the start of the week. * The prospects for progress at the talks have been undermined by Washington's placement of criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies. * With no major economic releases due locally, market attention also turns to the beginning of the U.S. central bank's policy meeting on Tuesday. * Bonds opened weaker, with the yield on the benchmark paper due in 2026 up 0.5 basis points to 8.770 percent. (Reporting by Joe Brock, Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) Messaging: mfuneko.toyana.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. (Reuters) - Jeff Flake, a Republican critic of U.S. President Donald Trump who retired from the U.S. Senate earlier this month, said on Tuesday he would not challenge Trump to become the partys nominee in the 2020 White House race. Flake, who represented Arizona during 18 years in the U.S. Congress, said in an interview with CBS News he had concluded it would be difficult for any Republican to challenge the incumbent president. Ive always said that I do hope that there is a Republican who challenges the president in the primary, Flake said, referring to state-by-state party nomination contests. I still hope that somebody does, but that somebody wont be me. Flake, one of his partys most vocal critics of Trump, said the country deserves far better than Trump, whom he described as a debasing and dangerous force. Still, Flake voted in line with Trumps wishes more than 80 percent of the time, according to an analysis by FiveThirtyEight, a political data analysis website. Flake said on CBS he believes the Republican National Committee and Trumps election campaign organization are melded, making a challenge difficult. Theyre trying to do everything they can to squelch any opposition, said Flake, who is joining CBS News as a paid contributor. BEIJING (Reuters) - More Chinese provinces have cut their annual growth targets in 2019 than the year before, a sign of deepening pessimism among local governments amid weakening domestic demand and an prolonged trade dispute with the United States. The lower regional targets reinforce expectations of a further slowdown in the worlds second-biggest economy this year, after 2018 gross domestic product expanded at its slowest pace in nearly three decades. Of Chinas 31 provinces, regions and municipalities, at least 23 cut their economic growth targets for this year, according to provincial announcements this month. In 2018, 17 provinces set lower targets. Shandong, Chinas third-richest province, has yet to announce its 2019 target. Five provinces - Sichuan, Hebei, Guizhou, Gansu and Hainan - kept their targets unchanged from last year. That compares with 12 provinces that maintained their targets in 2018. Only one province - Hubei - raised its target, encouraged by an emerging high-tech manufacturing sector. The new provincial targets reflect the challenges faced by China. Export-driven coastal areas are facing the risk of lower growth amid uncertainty from the U.S.-China trade war, said Tommy Xie, China economist at OCBC Bank in Singapore. Western China will remain the key source of growth due to the rise of consumption and services, Xie said. The downward revisions also imply China will set a lower national growth target this year, probably in the 6-6.5 percent range, he added. (GRAPHIC: Chinese provinces set lower economic growth targets this year compared with 2018 - tmsnrt.rs/2B5PgcM) Growth cooled to 6.6 percent last year, the slowest pace since 1990, as a multi-year campaign to curb risky lending practices squeezed access to corporate financing, particularly for private firms. A longer-term effort to rein in polluting and low-value industries also hurt factory output. Moreover, Chinas vast services sector has lost steam, while an increasingly cautious consumer outlook dulled retail sales. The trade dispute with the United States also hammered Chinese exporters. Export-oriented provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu and Fujian all missed their 2018 economic growth targets. A recent Reuters visit to three once-thriving towns in Dongguan in Guangdong province showed clear signs of a slowdown. Scores of shops and restaurants were shuttered, some factories idled and many up for rent. Some provinces in southern China exposed to exports could feel a bigger impact from the trade war this year, said Yu Pingkang, chief economist at Changjiang Pension Insurance Co in Shanghai. I personally believe the trade tensions could ease temporarily in March, but they wont be resolved once and for all. The U.S. wont easily give it up, and the pressure could come back in the (U.S.) election year of 2020. Chinese and U.S. officials are meeting in Washington this week seeking to end their bruising trade dispute, though sources say they are still far apart on some issues. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday the United States expects significant progress in the talks, but the two sides will be tackling complicated issues, including how to enforce any deal. Beijing may unveil more fiscal stimulus during the annual parliamentary meeting in March, including bigger tax cuts and more infrastructure spending, after a raft of growth boosting measures last year. At the meeting, the government is expected to unveil a lower annual GDP growth target of 6-6.5 percent, policy sources previously told Reuters. The government last year set a target of around 6.5 percent. Last year, 15 provinces, regions and municipalities met or exceeded their growth targets, including Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Henan, Sichuan, Hebei and Hubei. An almost equal number missed their targets. Among them, Inner Mongolia, Tianjin, Hainan, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Xinjiang fared more poorly than others, undershooting their goals by at least 1 percentage point. Chongqing was the worst - missing its target by 2.5 percentage points. Local officials said the municipality, which accounted for 2.3 percent of Chinas $13 trillion economy last year, was weighed down by an ongoing restructuring of its industries. By Munkhchimeg Davaasharav and Barbara Lewis ULAANBAATAR/LONDON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Mongolia is working with overseas investigators to look into claims of corruption at its giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, the country's anti-graft body said on Tuesday, after the re-arrest of a former minister suspected of "abuse of power". Bayartsogt Sangajav was first arrested last April and released in June in a probe into 2009 negotiations over the development of the mine, then owned by Canada's Ivanhoe Mines and now managed by Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto. Bayartsogt, a former finance minister, was among the signatories to the investment agreement, approved by Mongolia's parliament. Munkhtungalag Tumur, a spokeswoman with the country's Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC), told Reuters it was now conducting a thorough financial investigation into the allegations that would be international in scope. She did not identify with which other countries the IAAC was collaborating. The mine, run by Rio Tinto since 2010, is central to the firm's push to reduce its reliance on iron ore sales. But the miner has faced a series of wrangles with the Mongolian government over tax payments and cost overruns. Expansion plans will make Oyu Tolgoi, located near the southern border with China, one of the world's biggest copper mines early in the next decade. "An investigation is ongoing into suspected abuse of power - that former finance minister Bayartsogt held shares in a foreign company before the Oyu Tolgoi investment agreement," the head of investigations at the IAAC, Idertsog Erdene, told a news conference on Friday. Idertsog said authorities were looking into allegations that the ex-minister, one of six people now being investigated in relation to the case, "gained a large amount of money by selling the shares when the prices went up after the signing agreement". He didn't identify the foreign company. Bayartsogt was re-arrested on Jan. 16, according to Mongolian media reports. The former minister, who has previously denied all charges, is now in custody, according to his assistant, and unavailable for comment. His assistant and lawyer both declined to comment. The 2009 deal gave 34 percent of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project to the government of Mongolia, with the remainder held by Ivanhoe, now known as Turquoise Hill Resources. Turquoise Hill is now 51 percent-owned by Rio Tinto. Turquoise Hill and Rio declined requests to comment. The Swiss Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is also conducting a separate criminal investigation into a seized bank account that court documents indicated was used to transfer $10 million to Bayartsogt in September 2008. In an emailed statement, the OAG said it could not discuss further details with the criminal investigation still ongoing. (Additional reporting by John Miller in ZURICH, Nichola Saminather in TORONTO and Melanie Burton in MELBOURNE Editing by David Stanway and Kenneth Maxwell) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House national security adviser John Bolton raised questions about the United States intentions in Venezuela after he appeared at a briefing on Monday with a notepad containing the words 5,000 troops to Colombia, which neighbors Venezuela. It was not immediately clear what Boltons notes meant and whether President Donald Trumps administration was seriously considering sending U.S. troops to Colombia. It was also not clear if disclosure of the notes was intentional, and there was no indication that such a military option would be used any time soon. Asked about a photograph depicting the notes, a White House spokesman said on Monday: As the President has said, all options are on the table. Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the number of U.S. military personnel in Colombia remained unchanged as part of a pre-existing partnership. A U.S. official, who asked not to be named, said they have seen nothing to support Boltons annotation. Colombias Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo, in a statement late on Monday, said: We are not aware of the significance or the reason for Boltons notes. Colombia has coordinated its policy on Venezuela with the rest of the Lima Group of South and Central American nations and would keep doing so, he added. Bolton held the notepad at a news briefing with reporters to unveil sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, Washingtons latest step to pressure Caracas socialist President Nicolas Maduro to leave office. Sending U.S. military troops to Colombia would escalate tensions with Venezuela, even as its opposition leader Juan Guaido has said a peaceful transition reut.rs/2RXasMo of power is possible. Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela last week with U.S. backing, told a German broadcaster on Tuesday that he was the countrys only legitimate leader reut.rs/2GdLXUv. Separately, he told CNN in an interview aired on Tuesday: We must use great pressure for a dictator to leave, install a transitional government and have free elections. The one-year contract for Campos states she will start in the new role June 1 and receive a salary of $177,000 as well as auto expenses up to $550 per month and $150 in monthly cellphone expenses. The board will also pay Campos required State Universities Retirement System contribution. Yesterdays close: Settled at 1309.3, up 5.1 Fundamentals: We cannot bring ourselves to reduce our Bullish Bias in Gold, something that we have had for months. Simply put, Gold continues to battle higher, the market is bullish. However, this does not mean we are not capitalizing on Gold with our clients. On Friday, we even encouraged buying the strength and to capitalize on those at the $1300 mark. The metal has now broken out above $1300 and we have prepared our client-base since Friday for the call they received this morning; to exit all remaining Gold. We see the next 24 to 72 hours as a very uncertain landscape and believe we would be foolish to not lock in such a move. Because of Fridays Wall Street Journal article that claims the Fed is weighing the end of their balance sheet unwind known as Quantitative Tightening, the pendulum of perception now expects the Fed to take a step into dovish territory. Right now, there is only a 1.3% probability that the Fed hikes in March. We believe this is underestimating their rhetoric that stays the current course. For this reason, we believe there will be ample opportunities to reposition in the coming days and next week. U.S Consumer Confidence for January is due at 9:00 am CT and the expectations are already lowered to a level last seen one year ago. Technicals: Gold jumped this morning after the cap of February options expiration was lifted yesterday at settlement. Yes, despite advising our clients to take all profits in Gold for the moment, we do remain Bullish; you cannot fight this tape. In fact, the tape remains immediate-term bullish above 1309.5-1313; a close below here will encourage a consolidation back down to the 1298.1-1300 which could present a buying opportunity. Bias: Bullish/Neutral Resistance: 1321.7-1323.4***, 1337** Pivot: 1309.5-1313 Support: 1298.1-1300***, 1289.5-1292.1***, 1281.5**, 1267.5-1268.3*** Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. ROCHESTER, Minn. Its a tragic reminder of just how dangerous the cold weather is after a Rochester man was found dead on Sunday. He likely died from hypothermia, which can happen to anyone. However, there are ways to prevent it by covering up your skin, dressing in layers, and staying dry. More overnight snow means getting digging out on Monday. For Dave Skogen, it also means keeping warm. You have to be cautious and be careful, Skogen said, because it can get to you pretty fast if you don't watch it, especially in this cold. With the windchills well be seeing this week, frostbite can occur within just 10 minutes of being outside. For Minnesotans like Mandy Cain, its just another winter. You live in Minnesota. It's just part of what goes on here, Cain, of Dodge Center, said. Snow, cold you just learn to live with it. However if youre not careful, Mayo Clinic says the extreme cold can turn deadly. Frostbite happens when tissues in our extremities like ears, fingers, and toes freeze. Hypothermia happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Thats why health professionals say to know the signs of hypothermia like intense shivering, drowsiness and muscle weakness, dizziness, and nausea. Dressing warm is key, as well as keeping dry. Having your pant legs get wet against your skin you know and then these temperatures can cause frostbite, Cain said. You just don't think about that kind of stuff but it's true. So it's always good to wear an extra layer. If you suspect someone has hypothermia, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. While you wait for help to arrive, gently move the person inside if possible and replace wet clothing with warm, dry coats and blankets. ROCHESTER, Minn.- It was a night of celebration to honor the brave men and women who stood out from the crowd in 2018. The Rochester Police Department held their annual Award Ceremony to honor citizens and officers who went above and beyond for their community. 60 people received awards, from officers who have saved lives and accomplished the near impossible, to community members who have done the same, it was a night to remember. The ceremony was ended with a video highlighting the work the Rochester Police Department has done in the community through engagement events and interactions. The Police Chief says he plans on continuing community engagement heavily. ROCHESTER, Minn.- Temperatures are plummeting, warnings are being issued, schools are closed, and buses are now being used as warming shelters. Rochester Public Transit is offering their buses as a space for anyone to hop on and escape the bitter cold temperatures sweeping our area. Those with the city say the service is free. People just need to hop on the bus and let the bus driver know they need to warm up. The bus can take them to a warmer place, or can just be used as a temporary warming shelter. This service will last through the week as the temperatures are expected to stay low. CERRO GORDO COUNTY, Iowa - If you were out driving around today, you may be familiar with the sight and sound of plows clearing snow off roads, driveways, parking lots and other surfaces. Darrin Burress is in his sixth year as a plow driver for Cerro Gordo County. He says that crews are trying to get ahead of the wind chill warning that will go into effect Tuesday. "If we're out here Wednesday, it's hard on equipment. That cold, the hydraulics, you're gonna break something. You got cables running, you got hydraulics, that's just asking for something to break, and hopefully we can continue today and tomorrow to get it pushed back, and then we don't have to go out on Wednesday." In addition, he's asking community members out with their shovels and snow blowers to be mindful on where to dump snow. "If it was heavy wet snow, and you pushed it across on the shoulder and left a pile, that wing comes across, and if it's froze up, it'll hit it hard and it'll either break the sherbolt on the wing, or break something on the wing, or it'll shove us in the ditch." Burress asks residents to instead push snow into their yards or the ditch next to their driveway. Rochester, MN -- The Rochester Fire Department was called to the 2200 block of 1st Ave. SW just after 10:30 p.m. Monday. A detached garage with three cars inside was engulfed in flames when they arrived. The flames were so large, the fire spread to the backside of the house. Fire Captain Greg Neumann says the garage is likely a total loss and the house has severe damage. The residents are displaced, but are being helped out by the American Red Cross. One of the neighbors was worried about a dog that lived at the house, but it was able to escape unharmed. Temperatures hovered around and below zero degrees during the fire, forcing firefighters to work in shifts. A number of off-duty firefighters were called in to help. Crews stayed on scene all night to put out hot spots. No injuries were reported. No word yet on what caused it. The Fire Marshal is investigating. Rochester Fire Dept. says $150,000 in damage was done. MASON CITY, Iowa -- Third-year goalie Dysen Skinner has signed an NAHL tender with the Minnesota Magicians, the team announced earlier today. Skinner, a Billings, Mont. native, becomes the third Bull to sign a tender with an NAHL club this season. The goalie holds a 11-3-1 record with a 2.14 Goals-Against-Average mark. CRESCO, Iowa A pair of drug trials are set in Howard County. Brittany Marie Balk, 29 of Cresco, and Steven Nesbitt, 26 of Cresco, were arrested January 4 after law enforcement says Balk was pulled over for a defective muffler. Court documents state that a search of the vehicle found 7.43 grams of methamphetamine and some unidentified pills. Balk and Nesbitt are both charged with possession with intent to deliver meth, possession of a prescription drug without a prescription, and failure to use a drug tax stamp. Their trials are scheduled to begin on April 3. MASON CITY, Iowa - As bitterly cold temps engulfed the area, fire crews had to battle a fire early this morning in Mason City. Federal Ave. in Mason City was shut down from 14th St. to 17th St. as crews battled a fire at Young Construction beginning at 3:15 a.m. The State Fire Marshal is on scene. Crews confirmed there were some vehicles inside the building. Federal Ave. reopened around 7:30 a.m. We will have more information as it becomes available. Mason CITY, Iowa What started as a reported abduction and robbery ends with two guilty pleas to simple misdemeanors. Harold Victory Stinnett, Jr., 28 of Clear Lake, and Felix Allen Arp, 27 of Mason City, were accused of ordering a man and a woman to drive to a parking lot on July 2, 2018, and then taking their phones and wallets. Felix Arp Felix Arp Stinnett and Arp were originally charged with 1st degree theft, a felony, but both pleaded guilty to 5th degree theft. Theyve each been ordered to pay a $65 fine and a $125 law enforcement surcharge. With the deadline date looming for submissions to the Regional Spatial Economic Strategy, a number of key players from the Chambers of Commerce within the South East Region met in Kilkenny City on Wednesday, January 23rd. Past and Current CEOs and Presidents of regional chambers discussed some of the primary issues that are important for the region such as housing, Brexit, attracting and retaining talent, FDI, upgrading N24 to Motorway standard, TUSE, 24/7 cardiac cath lab at UHW and much more. The South East Region Chamber promotes a culture of joined up thinking for economic development in the region and this was the first coming together of like-minded business leaders in 2019. Business owners from across Kilkenny and the South East are being encouraged to engage with their local Chambers to ensure their views are factored in to the future plans for the region. As well as being CEO of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, John Hurley is also Chairperson of the South East Region Chamber and he explains the significance of the meeting, Kilkenny Chamber has been representing the interests of businesses based in the City and County of Kilkenny since 1948. However many influences on business in Kilkenny come from outside the County and it is important to have robust representation in this wider context. It is essential to have an understanding of the wider regional perspective of business influencers and to proactively engage in that space. Kilkenny Chamber is to the fore in its engagement with the authorities and decision makers on a wide range of regional and national issues. Marion Acreman, President of Kilkenny Chamber said The collective power of the SE Chambers in lobbying our political representatives and government agencies is potentially very powerful and something that can be pursued though positive collaboration between all the Chambers in the SE region. Spokane Public Schools reported there were 222 absences from Lewis & Clark High School Tuesday as Spokane Police and the FBI investigate a social media threat at the school. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) The municipality of Jolo, Sulu is not on total lockdown, the Philippine National Police (PNP) clarified Tuesday. "The lockdown is in the immediate vicinity of the crime scene as we conduct a thorough sweep in the area, in the vicinity. That includes stepping up of checkpoints in the surrounding areas because we need to sift through the area to ensure that there are no bombs in the area," PNP Spokesperson Bernard Banac said in a press briefing. He said authorities are also restricting the movements of residents in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province, as precautionary measures. The police will lift the lockdown order once they are done collecting pieces of evidence necessary for the investigation. PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said Monday that he and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana issued a lockdown order to "ensure that no similar plans of terrorists groups will be carried out in other regions," prompting the media to report that Jolo was on lockdown. In an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source, Acting Sulu 1st District Representative Jericho Nograles explained that vehicles are banned from specific areas covered by the lockdown. He said the area within two blocks of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the site of the deadly twin explosions on Sunday, had been cordoned off since five months ago because of threats of attacks on the church. "It's basically not that tight. If you are cleared to enter (the cordoned-off area), if that's your normal work, if that's your normal transaction then you are cleared to enter that," Nograles said. He stressed that there are commercial flights to Jolo. The twin explosions left 21 people dead, including civilians and soldiers, and wounded more than a hundred others. On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte and other ranking government officials visited the site of the attack which came days after the historic Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite was held. Sulu voted against the BOL, and the province filed a case contesting the constitutionality of the law before the Supreme Court. Malacanang assured the public that preventive measures are in place to thwart any possible attack in any part of the country. The police and military are on heightened alert nationwide. Twenty years behind bars and paying back the money shes accused of embezzling from a north The government shutdown became the longest one in history. Some of the government workers were having a hard time. Some of them had reportedly sold their cars to pay rent or to pay their mortgages. It was really heartbreaking to hear a lady state that she was using less of her insulin medication. I know some people didnt care one way or another because of the difference in benefits they receive compared to the public sector. These federal employees were not to blame. If you want to blame someone, blame the ones who are giving them their benefits. Additionally, one or both of the Tahoes racked up numerous toll violations and parking tickets sent to the city because the municipal license plates showed the vehicles were registered to Blue Island. Both vehicles were equipped with red and blue emergency lights that, by law, may only be used for official purposes, Ald. Alicia Slattery said. SPRINGFIELD, Ore. The measles outbreak in Washington state and Multnomah County has grown to 35 confirmed cases, and now hospitals in our area are fighting back. For most people, measles is just a fever and a rash, but for a small percentage it can kill you and we just need to be aware of that, said Dr. Patrick Luedtke, senior public health officer with Lane County Public Health. To limit the spread, PeaceHealth RiverBend in Springfield is making it tougher to visit the labor and delivery, mother-baby and neonatal intensive care units. They are not letting kids under 12 in regardless of if they're sick or not, said Cristina Fregoso, a patient at RiverBend. I am about to have a baby and I have a son whos 7 and wants to be there when the baby is born and Im afraid they aren't going to let him in. Luedtke said the measles vaccine can prevent the virus. Officials said out of the 35 people who have been diagnosed with the measles, 31 were not vaccinated. Nine cases involved children, and as of Monday, one child is still in the hospital. Luedtke said in Lane County the vaccination rates arent as high as they would like them to be. Across Oregon over the past few years there has been a trend where more parents are not vaccinating children because on non-medical exemptions. For instance, in 2015, Oregons non-medical exemption rate for kindergarteners was 5.8 percent. By 2018, that number was up to 7.5 percent. Luedtke, as well as other doctors, recommend getting the vaccination and said they are safe and effective. EUGENE, Ore. -- If you dont want to make a trip into the bank, there is an alternative: Remote Deposit Capture. KEZI 9 News talked to Oregon Pacific Bank President and CEO Ron Green to learn more. How does Remote Deposit Capture work? Remote Deposit Capture is a service for businesses that accept checks for payments. If you have a check for services that you provided that someone pays to you, you have to run it down to the bank. However, with Remote Deposit Capture, there is a desktop scanner that can allow you to scan your multitude of checks quickly, and then you can add those to your bank account and get instant credit. There are fees associated with this with most banks, and there is the cost of the hardware and desktop scanner, but its a great way to save time. You dont have to run to the bank or have your employees go out and put them at risk in traffic. Green said its a wonderful service, and you can talk to your bank about it today. If you have banking or finance questions for Green, click here. 10 Shares Share Driving north in a snowstorm Tuesday of Thanksgiving week I certainly took my time. I left after our Suboxone clinic wrap-up conference, around 7:30 p.m., and arrived at my unplowed driveway in Caribou about 1 a.m. On the way up, I saw two ambulances, one from Caribou and one from Presque Isle, on their way back home from Bangor. Ive got a large SUV with all-wheel drive and studded Finnish snow tires. They dont, but they passed me and blew up clouds of snow behind them as they did. I also met an ambulance careening south toward Bangor down I-95 with full lights on. I had an appointment for a telephone interview with a journalist for the next evening to talk about the challenges of rural medicine. Distance is certainly one of them. Not long ago I met a patient who, after a routine knee surgery, developed a lot of swelling as his hemoglobin dropped precipitously. Two hours passed before it was clear he needed emergency vascular surgery. The Presque Isle hospital has sometimes had a vascular surgeon and sometimes not. This was during a sometimes not time. The Bangor vascular doctors accepted the transfer. The patient was on IV fluids, received blood and drugs to keep his blood pressure up, but it was a snowy night. Neither helicopter nor fixed-wing aircraft could fly, so there was no other choice besides ground transport. Seven hours after the original injury, he was in the OR. Circulation to his lower leg was restored, but today he still has problems with it. If Presque Isle had had a vascular surgeon on staff, if the weather or time of year had been different, he would have fared better. There is one full-time neurologist north of Bangor, no full-time gastroenterologist, no neurosurgeon, no endocrinologist, no nephrologist, no dermatologist and the list goes on. Some specialty services are available as once a month or so visiting doctors to each hospitals specialty clinic. There is a lot of talk among my kind of primary care clinics about eliminating health disparities, and I often hear about cultural and economic differences in access to care. But here, the biggest challenges are geographic, sometimes compounded by something as uncontrollable as the weather. When I interviewed for my 1981 to 1984 family practice residency, I really liked what I saw in Bangor, but it seemed so far north. I instead chose Lewiston, 100 miles to the south. As life played out, I now work near Bangor part of the week and 200 miles north of there the rest of the time. And I now think of Bangor as south. I told the journalist some of these things on the phone the night before Thanksgiving as I drove from Van Buren to Caribou long after dark. I also told her that practicing primary care in a remote, rural area lets me use my training and my skills more than where there are specialists on every street corner. I canceled my plans to challenge the tail end of the snowstorm by driving back downstate for the holiday after just three hours of sleep the night before and a full day of clinic work. I got an early start the next day instead. You cant make exact plans during northern Maine winters. Hans Duvefelt, also known as A Country Doctor, is a family physician who blogs at A Country Doctor Writes:. Image credit: Shutterstock.com When I heard about it, I thought it was a beautiful concept and something I would love to bring to the area Almost Home serves, she said. That area consists of towns across the south suburban area, including Alsip, Worth, Justice and Burbank, in addition to Hometown and Oak Lawn and Chicagos Mount Greenwood community. Ive been thinking a lot 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, 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 and 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. Biden was the person most often chosen, by 9 percent of Democratic-leaning voters, followed by Harris, with 8 percent, each garnering more support than any other named candidate. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Trump were named by 4 percent, followed by former Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, with 3 percent. Former first lady Michelle Obama and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., each got 2 percent. Five other politicians and the media mogul Oprah Winfrey were named by 1 percent of respondents. Obama and Winfrey have said they are not seeking the office. The views, and the absence of loyalty to a particular candidate, were consistent through a range of demographic groups. Biden is slightly more popular among older voters, while Harris, who announced her presidential campaign while the poll was being taken, has a minimal edge among college graduates. College graduates are more tuned in to the primary fight, with 52 percent volunteering preference for a candidate. Sixteen percent volunteer Harris, while 10 percent volunteer Biden. A smaller 39 percent of Democrats with some college or less formal education name a candidate they support. A man convicted of a 1997 murder in Omaha has escaped from the state prison system. Anthony Gafford, 40, walked away from his work-release program Saturday in Lincoln, according to information that the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services provided the Lincoln Police Department. Gafford was sent to prison for killing 16-year-old Jacque Holbert in 1997. This month, Holberts grown son, 21-year-old Jacque S. Jack Holbert IV, was shot and killed while sleeping in a home near 38th and Burdette Streets. Lincoln Police Capt. Todd Kocian said the department was notified that Gafford left the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln at 6 a.m. Saturday to report to work and never returned. The Community Corrections Centers are the least restrictive facilities in the prison system, and people confined there are able to work and study in the community. Gafford was 19 when he was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Jacque Holbert. He was sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison and was due to be released Dec. 11, 2022, according to state prison records. His next parole hearing was scheduled for April. A representative of the Corrections Department couldnt be reached for comment. LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts has announced plans for the 31st Governors Ag Conference March 4-5 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. It is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and co-sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America. The conference will start at 3:30 p.m. March 4 with a panel of Nebraska entrepreneurs Vishal Singh, Quantified Ag; Lukas Fricke, ChorChek; and Mitch Minarick, FARMAFIELD followed by a business recruitment panel Phil Kozera, Bio Nebraska; Dan Duncan, Innovation Campus; and Bryan Slone, Nebraska State Chamber. The annual Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture reception featuring Nebraska food and beverages will follow at 6 p.m. Jim Smith, executive director of Blueprint Nebraska, an organization spearheading a statewide, citizen-led economic development initiative, will be the first speaker on March 5. Ricketts, state Ag Director Steve Wellman and state Department of Economic Development Director Dave Rippe then will give updates on ag-related legislative initiatives and work done by state agencies to grow Nebraskas economy. LEXINGTON An apartment fire north of Lexington was reported at 8:55 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 28. One apartment was completely ruined by the fire and the other three suffered smoke damage which will force residents to relocate. The Lexington Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched Monday morning after a fire was reported at apartment 76037 along Highway 21 four miles north of Lexington. The Nebraska State Patrol was the first agency on scene; Trooper Robert Golden helped five residents to evacuate from the building. According to LVFD Fire Chief Dahlas Holbein, three of the four apartments were occupied at the time of the fire. Holbein said the fire originated in Unit C on the south side of the building. Two people were asleep in the apartment when one of the residents awoke to the smell of smoke. According to Jeremy Roberts, the property owner, eight people lived in the apartment building. Other residents who were not home at the time of the fire arrived on scene after they found out about the fire. The LVFD arrived on scene initially with a tanker and a pumper truck, these were followed by and additional tanker, truck and trailer and the rescue unit. In total 18 firefighters of the LVFD were on scene. SALEM, Ore. Major communities in the Rogue Valley face some of the greatest risk for losing homes to wildfire in the state, a new study commissioned by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) found. Merlin topped the list, coming in at the #1 greatest risk. Medford, Eagle Point, Grants Pass and Ashland all came in among the top 10. The study, conducted by Montana-based wildfire analysis firm Pyrologix, assessed the the risk of "wildfire exposure" for homes in communities throughout the states of Washington and Oregon, then identified the top 50 at-risk communities in each state. "In the broadest sense, wildfire exposure encompasses the likelihood of wildfire burning a given location on the landscape, and the potential intensity of a wildfire if one were to occur," Pyrologix said in the report. Although the company only listed 50 communities from each state, the study reportedly examined "all 1,005 named communities" across Oregon and Washington. "In Oregon, the 50 most-exposed communities comprise only 19% of the 1,196,187 housing units located on or near burnable land cover, but 80% of the cumulative housing unit exposure," the study found. Pyrologix concluded that, in both Oregon and Washington, a small number of communities carried the vast majority of risk from wildfire destruction. "The unequal distribution suggests that focusing mitigation efforts on the most-exposed communities is likely to result in the greatest benefit," the company said. Below are the top 25 cities at the greatest risk of wildfire exposure as determined by Pyrologix which encompasses a number communities in Southern Oregon: KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. Authorities are asking the community for help to find a missing Klamath Falls man who was last seen on December 21, according to the Klamath County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). 26-year-old Tyrone Robinson reportedly left a family member's house on Crest Street around 8 a.m. that morning and has not been seen or heard from since. KCSO said that they have not seen any social media activity from him, and his phone has been turned off. Robinson is believed to be driving a red Volvo Cross Country Wagon [similar to picture vehicle] with Oregon license plate #297HZG. He is 6'1", 215 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and tattoos on his neck, arm and hands. KCSO said that Robinson has "substantial ties" to Klamath, Clackamas and Multnomah counties. Anyone information concerning the whereabouts of Tyrone Beau Robinson should contact KCSO at: (541)883-5130 or the Klamath County Emergency Dispatch Center at (911). Tip Line (541) 851-3931. Refer to Klamath County SO Case #19000160. LONDON (AP) - Britain's press is urging social media users to tone down inappropriate criticism of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. Palace officials have been seeking help from Instagram to monitor and remove offensive comments. Aides have been spending hours each week moderating comments on the official Palace Instagram account and removing racist and sexist content. The Times newspaper reported Tuesday in an editorial called "Vile Abuse" that many of the comments made about Meghan and Kate are "too vicious to publish here and there have even been threats of violence." Hello! magazine has launched a "kindness" campaign urging posters to think twice before posting abusive comments. The magazine's royal correspondent Emily Nash says it is unacceptable to pit two women against each other. KCTV5.com is now with you on the go! Get the latest news updates and video, StormTrack5 weather forecast, weather radar, special investigative reports, sports headlines and much more from KCTV5 News. >> Click/tap here to download our free mobile app. << Copyright 2019 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved. Tim and Beverly Nyden stopped in Kansas City on Tuesday to get some much needed rest after leaving Lynchburg, Virginia the night before. LIBERTY, MO (KCTV) A Kearney woman is now facing two murder charges for the July 2018 deaths of her children who investigators say were left in a vehicle during extreme heat. A Clay County grand jury charged Jenna M. Boedecker with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, felony domestic assault, felony armed criminal action and felony property damage. Deputies said Boedecker originally said she found her children, 2-year-old Ireland Autumn Jane Ribando and infant Goodknight Beretta June Ribando, unresponsive outside a home in a rural area east of Kearney on July 4. She took the children to a neighbor who called 911, but medical personnel declared them dead after responding to the call. Investigators later learned Boedecker told detectives she put the girls in a Jeep so they wouldn't hear her arguing with her husband the night before they were found and then briefly dozed off, leaving them outside. Kearney mother gives differing accounts about night 2 girls died The mother of two young girls who died on July Fourth after they were found outside a Clay County home told police she fell asleep in a running car and found them not breathing when she woke up, according to newly released court records. The property damage and domestic assault charges passed down in the indictment stem from an incident late on July 3 when investigators said Boedecker threw a brick through the window of a pickup being driven by her husband before then hitting it with a Jeep she was driving as he was trying to leave. Kearney mom of 2 girls who died faces judge for assault charges against husband The mother of two young girls who died suddenly was in court Monday on an unrelated charge. Boedecker is being held on a $500,000 bond in the Clay County jail. Colder air for your Tuesday with highs in the lower 20s around lunchtime, then falling into the mid-10s by 5 p.m. We will be keeping an eye on the chance for a few flurries and light snow showers possible today as well. The Chicago Cubs' surge in May had everyone talking about the team adding on for a playoff run. But now that they're not hitting in June, President Jed Hoyer has to consider trading one or more of his stars. Thats because animals have strategies to endure all manner of harsh weather, even cold that might break Chicagos record low of 27 degrees below zero. They bore into trees, burrow beneath the frost line or find refuge in abandoned houses. And even if they dont make it, plenty of others will, and theyll rapidly restore their numbers once the weather improves. The conundrum facing justice in the Central African Republic (CAR) was well summed up by Jean Pierre Waboe, Vice-president of the countrys Constitutional Court, whom I interviewed: In a situation whereby the state does not exist, injustice becomes the norm. Anybody can set about doing anything. The breakdown of state control since the resurgence of conflict in 2013 has had drastic consequences for the possibility of any forms of governance political, economic or legal in CAR. Under these circumstances, the need for justice has become more crucial. For Waboe, however, the problem of justice in the country is that its seen as too formal, too distant, too complex, and too slow to respond to whats needed. For justice to work, a country needs a judiciary system thats functioning, legitimate and credible. And that can deliver justice thats immediate, operative and helps populations to reconnect torn relationships. A justice that, for him, can dry tears. The question that keeps getting asked is: what justice is possible in a climate of impunity? And indeed in times of war. The CARs Special Criminal Court is the site of protracted struggle over the meaning, and the feasibility of justice. In the absence of a functioning judicial system, the establishment of a tribunal in 2015 was an unprecedented initiative. Yet, the precarious conditions of its existence make it a promise that teeters on the ledge of collapse. The special court is something of an experiment. Unlike previous ad hoc tribunals such as Yugoslavia and Rwanda, it isnt meant to constitute an alternative or competitor to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Rather, its role is to complement the ICCs ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. If successful, the hope is that it could become a model of shared prosecuting authority across domestic and international judicial regimes for grave crimes. Fraught with difficulties The mandate of the court is to prosecute crimes committed since 2003 including rape and sexual violence, widespread crimes and material destruction. Human Rights Watch found that some of the most egregious and brutal crimes have been committed since the breakout of the civil war in 2013. And yet, no form of justice has been offered and no one prosecuted. The temporary nature of the special courts mandate sits at odds with the fact that violence is ongoing. In the provinces outside of Bangui and the South West, a plethora of armed groups offer protection one day, the next they repress. They raze villages, extract rare minerals, levy tax, loot humanitarian supplies, kidnap people for ransom, set up racket schemes and impose tolls to trucks and people. Many scholars view special courts as part of the liberal peace building treatment package and in that sense a part of a broader agenda of social transformation of post-conflict societies. But the CARs current volatile conditions render the very administration of justice a dangerous endeavour. Judges and witnesses have to be protected; the domestic judiciary personnel lacks experience in investigating crimes against humanity and the judiciary system itself is vulnerable to instrumentalisation, that is its misuse for political or other ends. Deterring fighters from committing grave crimes or recidivists from committing further crimes is one thing. Restoring confidence, trust and respect for the justice system is another. How are ordinary people to respond when its clear that the assessment of crimes happens against a backdrop of entrenched hierarchies based on ethnicity, political and religious affiliation, and economic capacity? There are a host of additional problems too. For instance, the recruitment of young people into armed groups has gone unabated. According to the United Nations Children and Armed Conflict report, the number of young recruits quadrupled in 2017 relatively to 2016. The reality is that, for victims, the promise of justice is a spectrum that carries both risks and possibilities. The court, for instance, regulates the forms, spaces, styles and even the emotional structure of victim testimony. And the convention of legal proceedings the use of codified language and formal rules of presentation and evidence for example leave victims, most of whom are illiterate, further marginalised. CARs Special Criminal Court (supplied by author) A further complication is that war criminals seem to have little to fear from United Nations forces given the latters limited mandate. Besides, atrocities have been committed by all parties involved. The acquittal of Jean Pierre Bemba by the ICC remains a great puzzle for those that have witnessed the atrocities committed by his troops in CAR. This poses the question of the criteria and line of priority that are to guide future prosecutions. The alternatives Is there an alternative to lengthy and costly procedures and imprisonment? For Walidou, a legal scholar who has taught at the University of Bangui for many years, there is: Give to each [former fighter] a modest income, a decent uniform and integrate them in an auxiliary unit to calm them down and they will leave armed groups. For Walidou, by taking back youngsters, the state can gather information on logistics, the circulation of weapons, the exploitation of resources, the means of supply to armed groups, and other information that it currently doesnt have. The imperative for a justice that restores what has been broken, and the need to make examples of perpetrators who have been captured, can pull in different directions. In fact, they run the risk of cancelling out each other. What this points to is the need to better understand the sociology of the conflict, to assess the role of justice in relation to the peace process and to reconstruction more generally. This could, for example, mean considering the role of amnesty and moratoria as well as non-legal mechanisms in national reconciliation. Amy Niang, Visiting Professor at the University of Sao Paulo and Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. As the moderator, Id stuck until then to the script that organizers had written for me. I decided to freelance because of a conversation Id had earlier in the day with a group of colleagues all of us news nerds and political junkies in which wed had such difficulty naming our current favorite in the field of 14 Chicago mayoral candidates that wed allowed ourselves to name two and reserve the right to change our minds. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. Low 73F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Classes in the Wilkes County Schools will start on Aug. 23 and end on May 25 in 2021-22 as a result of a calendar approved by the Wilkes Board of Education on Feb. 1. Lumbres, 39, has lived in Winston-Salem about 10 years. His family moved to New Jersey from the Philippines when he was about 6 years old. He discovered Winston-Salem around 2005 while visiting his friends. He also noticed a stark contrast between the aging New Jersey housing market and the market in Winston-Salem. I saw a lot of potential here, and I moved here permanently in 2008, he said. Later, Osios extended family longtime friends of Lumbres also moved here. Lumbres is new to the restaurant business. Ive learned a lot in the last year, he said. My parents (who also moved here) have been laughing at me. Ive been flipping houses since I was 16 years old, and Ive never worked a cash register before. The creation of Asian BBQ & Grill happened by a lucky combination of occurrences. Lumbres had owned the building for a number of years. His wife, Dhiane, a physical therapist, last used it as an office but has since gone to work for another company. Meanwhile, Osio, 47, had moved here, and Lumbres knew she was a talented baker. She not only helps cook the entrees at the restaurant but also is in charge of desserts, including leche flan and turon (deep-fried spring rolls filled with plantains and jackfruit and drizzled with caramel sauce). Continuous efforts needed On Jan. 13, a coalition of community groups and clergy gathered on 4th and Liberty streets near the Confederate monument to express that the statue has no place in this city. Not only is the statue connected to a bloody and racist history, the fact that it still stands reminds us of the city leaderships ongoing failure to confront ugly realities. In Winston-Salem, we have a housing crisis and the 16th highest eviction rate in the country. Black residents earn 62 cents to each dollar earned by white residents. One-third of Winston-Salems children are living in poverty. There is persistent inequality in schooling, housing and health between black and white residents. Continuous investments are made downtown, while disinvestment leads to neglected history in areas like Happy Hill and East Winston. Our coalition demands the removal of this statue be the first step in genuinely addressing the history of neglect and destruction that has affected the black community. After the removal of the statue, a symbolic gesture, we demand efforts to increase well-paying jobs, affordable housing and health-care access, and to improve our unequal public schools and inadequate public transportation system. Then Friday morning came, and with it an email telling me to expect a call from the deputy White House press secretary. That's when I told my wife, "I think the dignitary is President Trump." Stunned, she blurted, "I haven't got anything to wear!" We immediately sensed how great a privilege we were being offered. Then we worried about the potential symbolism. Was this going to be some kind of setup? Were we being used as political pawns? We've lived here long enough, in this most political of cities, to know nothing is straightforward. But seeing the names of other participants copied on the emails reassured us somewhat -- they clearly came from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds. And President Barack Obama had spoken at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives during his administration -- maybe this was just something that presidents did, like pardoning turkeys at Thanksgiving. In the end, honestly, our curiosity to go to the White House and meet the president may have been greater than anything else. Saturday finally came, and we arrived at the White House. We heard the distant sounds of a protest close by. The White House staff members were incredibly warm and gracious in welcoming my family. The atmosphere reminded us of a wedding - with everyone genuinely excited for us, and for the ceremony that was about to start. Just about every public poll taken since the shutdown shows President Donald Trump's approval rate dropping. These surveys tell us a strong majority primarily blames him. The latest Post-ABC News poll drills down to ask what voters don't like about him. The answer is: practically everything: "Nearly 6 in 10 say they have an unfavorable view of the president as a person. Similar majorities say they doubt his empathy, honesty and ability to make political deals, although on several of those attitudes, his ratings have not changed significantly during his time in office. ... Almost half of all Americans (48 percent) say they have no confidence in Trump's future decision-making." The Post-ABC poll indicates a huge difference between expectations when he first took office for Trump's performance on the economy, health care and the debt and how voters now evaluate him on these issues. Deputies with the Iredell County Sheriffs Office arrested a man Sunday in connection to burglaries in three counties after he was found at the scene of a crime, officials said. The sheriffs office said it responded to an alarm around 4:40 a.m. Sunday at County Line Grocery on Campground Road near the Davie County line. Deputies noticed the store had been broken into and began surveying businesses in the surrounding area, according to a release. Deputy C. Wilson checked the Fast Phils Gas Station on Mocksville Highway and noticed that the business had apparently been broken into. The release said Wilson confronted the suspect still inside the store and arrested him without incident. Our patrol deputies did an excellent job of following their training and instincts which led to the arrest of this suspect, Sheriff Darren Campbell said in the release. We train on how to respond to breaking-and-entering calls. This is why we do what we do. Obviously this suspect was on a crime spree. Due to exceptional response tactics, and good investigation skills, we were able to stop his criminal activity. The sheriffs office identified the man as Justin Alexander Hosey, 27, of Kings Mountain. Neely's message to an email list for about 50 biostatistics students said two faculty members came to her to complain about students loudly speaking Chinese in a common area. She wrote that both were disappointed the students weren't working to improve their English and wanted their names. The email urged international students to "keep these unintended consequences in mind when you choose to speak in Chinese in the building." She had also sent an email last February to students saying that "many faculty" noticed students were speaking other languages in break rooms. "As a result they may be more hesitant to hire or work with international students because communication is such an important part of what we do as biostaticians," she said in the email. Over the weekend, screenshots of the emails got scores of views and angry comments on social media networks in the U.S. and China. A petition demanding a thorough investigation was signed by more than 2,000 students, alumni and others as of Monday, organizers said. The Duke Asian Students Association also issued a statement slamming Neely's emails as discriminatory and harmful. Rabil also said Forsyth County prosecutors failed to provide information to Hayes attorneys about Kenneth Evans, who was also shot in the incident but survived. He identified someone else as the shooter, not Hayes. State prosecutors with the N.C. Attorney Generals Office, which is representing Forsyth County prosecutors, have denied the allegations in court documents. They also argue that Hayes claims of innocence should be dismissed, partly because they were filed too late. They argue Hayes could have filed his petition sooner based on evidence already available to him. Rabil has said most of that evidence was not available until nearly 20 years after Hayes was convicted. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond will hear oral arguments on whether Hayes conviction should be overturned. It will be months before the court issues a decision. The Innocence and Justice Clinic and the Appellate Advocacy Clinic are working on Hayes case, and Raquel Macgregor, a third-year law student at Wake, will present the oral arguments on Hayes behalf. When news broke recently that one of my City Hall colleagues, Ald. Danny Solis, was allegedly cooperating in a federal investigation, I made an off-the-cuff comment criticizing the practice. It was an ill-advised and poorly timed attempt at humor during a conversation I had with reporters. I am a full-time alderman who works hard to deliver honest service to my ward and do it free of any real or perceived conflicts that might come from pursuing personal business interests. As such, I am deeply troubled by any allegations of City Council members using their political influence to enrich themselves. I regret that my comment did not convey the seriousness of the situation. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) The Senate holds its final hearing on the country's third telecommunications (telco) player on Wednesday. Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Grace Poe said the hearing is meant to shed some light on the issues surrounding the franchise of the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, the firm which won the selection process as a consortium with Dennis Uy's Udenna Corporation and foreign state-owned China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom). "Our committee needs to settle the issue of Mislatel's franchise for the public good. We need to hear the positions of various agencies and our fellow senators on this matter and we will come up with our position soonest," Poe said in a statement Tuesday. In a previous hearing held January 24, Senator Franklin Drilon questioned the validity of Mislatel's franchise. He said the franchise that was granted to it in 1998 came with a condition that the company should be operational within a year. "When you violate the terms, the franchise is ipso facto revoked," Drilon said. Mislatel President Nicanor Escalante said that the company was unable to meet the condition due to peace and order problems in its base of operations in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. In a Facebook post Sunday, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio defended the selection process that led to the Mislatel Consortium's winning bid. Rio said that it's up to the Supreme Court, and not the Senate, to declare a franchise revoked. "To date, no quo warranto proceeding has been filed by the State against Mislatel. The truth is that so many telcos may have in one way or another 'violated' their franchises, but without due process, none of these franchises have been actually revoked," Rio said. To clarify the issue, the Committee on Public Services invited Rio, Justice Secretary Mernardo Guevarra, Solicitor General Jose Calida, National Telecommunications Commission Chairperson Gamaliel Codroba, Philippine Competition Commission Chairperson Arsenio Balisacan and Securities and Exchange Commission Chairperson Emilio Aquino to the hearing. The committee is also expected to discuss the Senate Resolution on allowing motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila. For a better experience on our website and avoid any trouble, we strongly recommand to activate Javascript ( click here ). Hello and welcome to Journal des Palaces You are a communication or the PR manager? Click here You are an applicant? Check out our questions and answers here ! Jessica Salfia, who teaches English at Spring Mills High School, was among those who spoke out during the Berkeley County Schools board of education meeting against the education bill under consideration in the state Legislature. 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 Joe Hadsall is the digital editor for The Joplin Globe. He has been the editor of the former Nixa News-Enterprise and has worked for the Christian County Headliner News and 417 Magazine. Follow Joe Hadsall 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 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. Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado. Scene Editor Billy Arnold covers arts and entertainment. He apprenticed as a sound engineer at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio before making his way to Jackson, where he has become a low-key fan of country music. Kylie Mohr covers the education and health beats. Mohr grew up in Washington and came to Wyoming via Georgetown. She loves seeing the starry night sky again. Funeral services for June Ann Leadbetter Arnold will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in the Chapel at Boren-Conner Funeral Home, Jacksonville with Bro. George Folmar officiating. Burial will follow at the Jacksonville Old City Cemetery. June was born April 15, 1932 in Hidalgo, Te Weather Alert ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of central Georgia...east central Georgia...north central Georgia...northeast Georgia...northwest Georgia and west central Georgia...including the following areas...in central Georgia...Baldwin...Bibb...Butts...Crawford...Jasper... Jones...Monroe...Peach and Putnam. In east central Georgia... Greene...Hancock...Taliaferro...Warren and Wilkes. In north central Georgia...Barrow...Cherokee...Clayton...Cobb... Dawson...DeKalb...Douglas...Fannin...Fayette...Forsyth... Gilmer...Gwinnett...Hall...Henry...Lumpkin...Morgan...Newton... North Fulton...Pickens...Rockdale...South Fulton...Union and Walton. In northeast Georgia...Banks...Clarke...Jackson... Madison...Oconee...Oglethorpe...Towns and White. In northwest Georgia...Bartow...Carroll...Haralson...Paulding and Polk. In west central Georgia...Chattahoochee...Coweta...Harris... Heard...Lamar...Macon...Marion...Meriwether...Muscogee... Pike...Schley...Spalding...Stewart...Talbot...Taylor...Troup... Upson and Webster. * Through this evening * A tropical depression will bring heavy rainfall to portions of Georgia through. Additional rainfall totals of up to one-half inch is expected over the watch area, with higher amounts up to 2 inches possible possible with heavy rainfall. 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. && University to Close on Wednesday Jan. 29, 2019 BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Due to extreme cold, Illinois Wesleyan University will close Tuesday evening, Jan. 29, effective 10 p.m. through Thursday morning, Jan. 31. Classes will begin Thursday at 9:25 a.m. The University will be closed for all activity, other than essential functions, which include food service, residence halls, Campus Safety and select Physical Plant personnel. All other buildings and non-essential services will be closed, including The Ames Library, Shirk Center, Arnold Health Services/Counseling and Consultation Services, Hansen Student Center and all academic buildings including the theatre. All activities, including practices, rehearsals, classes, meetings, games and other events are cancelled on Wednesday. In addition: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion and The Ames Library have cancelled Tuesday night's film screening of The Hate U Give. The film has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 5 at 6 p.m. in Beckman Auditorium. Students are urged to stay inside their living areas while the University is closed for their safety. All buildings on campus will be closed except residence halls and the Memorial Center. Food service will be available at the Commons and the Dugout. Those who must go outside should wear appropriate clothing (hat, gloves, thick coat, scarf, boots) covering all skin to prevent frostbite. Courier service Sendle has raised $20 million in a Series B funding round aimed at accelerating growth, doubling down on its challenge against Australia Post, and to begin exploration into international markets. Dubbing itself as Australias only 100% carbon-neutral courier service, Sendle announced on Tuesday that the funding round was led by Federation, which is investing alongside Full Circle Venture Capital, Rampersand and Giant Leap as returning investors. Sendle says funds raised from the Series B will fuel new product launches, partnerships as well as expansion into new overseas markets as it gears up to take its offering onto the global stage. According to the courier service, it expects 2019 to be a year of hyper-growth with chief marketing officer, Eva Ross, joining Sendles ranks last year from Airbnb, to spearhead brand and marketing as the business scales. Sendle launched four years ago, saying its aim was to give small businesses a real alternative to Australia Post, offering carbon-neutral door-to-door delivery at affordable national flat rates. In its launch announcement, Sendle said its aims were to unlock the power of big business logistics convenience and affordability for those at the smaller end of town, saving business owners time, money and a trip to the Post Office. Announcing the funding round, Sendle says it now facilitates more than a quarter of billion dollars in small business e-commerce annually and its customer base has grown by more than 600% in the last two years. Weve always had one mission at Sendle, and thats to level the playing field by giving small business owners access to big business delivery infrastructure, said Sendle chief executive and co-founder, James Chin Moody. We exist to offer a cheaper and convenient alternative to Australia Post a 200-year-old functional monopoly that has remained largely unchallenged up until now. The new funding will ensure that were well resourced to ramp up our Post without the Office fight in 2019 to educate the market about their options. Federation invests in clean-energy and sustainability projects, social, health and education, real estate, and growing businesses that meet todays social, environmental and economic needs. As part of its investment, Federations head of Private Equity, Neil Brown, will join the Sendle Board. James and the team at Sendle are solving a critical issue for their customers in the fast-growing SME eCommerce sector with their innovative business model, and we are excited by their prospects for strong continued growth in Australia and abroad. The Federation and Sendle teams have the shared goal of achieving commercial success for the business and its customers, with sound Environmental, Social and Governance underpinnings, and we are proud to be involved in this next exciting stage for the business, Brown said. Were thrilled to have the support and backing of Federation, not only because it is founded by some of Australias most experienced investment professionals, but also because of our shared vision for business that serves the community and the environment. I couldnt think of a better group to partner with as we take Sendle into its next stage of growth. The new funds will go towards extending that impact for even more small businesses in Australia, and hopefully, around the world, said Chin Moody. Maven is the result of a realisation that General Motors needed to explore new ways of providing its customers with access to cars. It started around three years ago with a trial involving a single building in New York, and was launched in Australia in 2017 with a focus on the ride-sharing business, allowing Uber and other drivers to hire late-model cars without having to buy them or enter into lease arrangements. Some 1600 cars are available in seven Australian cities. In late 2018, the local operation expanded into the car-sharing market, offering hourly, daily or monthly rentals of a range of vehicles, GM International strategy and urban mobility director Anthony Riemann told iTWire. The monthly option is aimed mainly at businesses that want more flexibility that a normal lease allows. The car-sharing side of the service is available in a number of areas around Victoria, with a hub-and-spoke model operating from Holden's own premises plus those of certain dealers. Initial locations include Port Melbourne, Footscray, Vermont, Cheltenham and Dandenong, Maven Australia general manager John Kett told iTWire. "It's been a pilot for us," he explained. The idea is to address the needs of people who use a car infrequently, or who need a different type of car (eg, an SUV or ute) at weekends, said Riemann. The economics are quite simple for customers. Roughly speaking, the fixed costs around a modest car registration, insurance and routine servicing are about $2500 a year, and that's before you pay for fuel. Maven's prices start at $8 an hour (including fuel) for a small car with unlimited kilometres. It can also make it viable to buy a small car for the daily commute, and then pick up a larger vehicle for family trips at the weekend, or a ute to collect the materials you need for that home reno project from the hardware store. The Maven fleet includes cars such as the Trax, Commodore, Trailblazer and Colorado. For car-sharing to be successful, customers need to be confident that the type of vehicle they need will be available when they need it. "We've got a few years of data about how to manage that," said Riemann, so the company understands utilisation and knows when it needs to add cars to particular location. There is an option of booking a particular type of vehicle from one day to two weeks in advance. Like other car-sharing services, Maven is app based and provides keyless access to vehicles. A single app covers the ride-sharing and car-sharing sides of the business. "We're making some tangible gains," said Kett. Maven Australia now has 3200 members, and at the end of 2018 there had been four million trips covering approximately 80 million kilometres. "It has been very much a soft launch," said Riemann, driven largely by word of mouth and participating dealers, but a significant campaign is being planned. "Word of mouth is incredibly important to us," said Kett. The other side of the expansion involves increasing the number of places where Maven cars can be collected or dropped off. The company is talking to various local councils, and while they are all "very encouraging", some have more mature processes than others. For example, the City of Melbourne (one of the councils that Maven is actively working with) has an established tender process for car-sharing businesses that want to use on-street parking bays. Other locations being scouted include railway stations and other transport hubs, shopping centres, and large residential developments. "It's an exciting time," said Riemann, "a growing opportunity" to provide customers with a different form of access to cars. Chinese telecommunications equipment provider Huawei Technologies says it sought to discuss the sanctions busting charges brought against it by the US Government, after its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver on 1 December, but was rejected. In a statement, a Huawei spokesperson said: "After Ms Mengs arrest, the Company sought an opportunity to discuss the Eastern District of New York investigation with the Justice Department, but the request was rejected without explanation." The US unveiled criminal and fraud charges against Huawei on Monday, just a couple of days before Washington and Beijing resume talks on a trade dispute. The company was accused of violating US sanctions on Iran and also of theft of trade secrets from an American business partner. The Huawei spokesperson said the charges relating to theft of technology from T-Mobile had already been the subject of a civil suit that was settled by the two companies after a Seattle jury " found neither damages nor wilful and malicious conduct on the trade secret claim". "The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of US law set forth in each of the indictments, is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms Meng, and believes the US courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion," the spokesperson added. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang was asked at a regular media briefing on Tuesday whether it was China's contention that the whole case against Huawei had been fabricated. He responded: "I would like to reiterate that the Chinese Government has all along urged Chinese companies to conduct international economic co-operation on the basis of complying with relevant laws and regulations. At the same time, China asks that all countries provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operations of Chinese companies. "For some time, the US has been using national power to tarnish the image of and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations. Behind such moves are deep political intentions and manipulations. "We strongly urge the US to stop its unreasonable bashing on Chinese companies, including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly. China will also continue to uphold the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies." Jasper Lawler, head of research at online trading house London Capital Group, said Asian markets had stumbled overnight following weak earnings on Wall Street and increased concerns over the state of US-Chinese relations after the US charges were announced. "Sentiment was already on shaky ground this week over concerns of global growth," said Lawler. "The move by the US Justice Department accusing Huawei with bank fraud and conspiring to steal trade secrets from US firm T-Mobile is not helping. "The timing of the move is important. With trade due to start tomorrow, this is a fairly hostile message that the US is sending out. The overriding fear is that this move will negatively impact trade talks, making a deal even less likely." The National Guard responds to the flood last August in Lodi. Five months later, residents whose property was damaged are still be encouraged to apply for additional financial assistance. Huntsville, TX (77320) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 95F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 77F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 (12:01 am) - Score 1,016 Mobile operator O2 (Telefonica UK) has today announced that theyre aiming to hook up as many as 72 additional Scottish communities to their 4G network over the next 12 months, which should lift their indoor coverage of the service to reach 94.6% of Scotland. During 2018 O2 said they delivered high-speed 4G mobile (mobile broadband) coverage to 366 new locations across Scotland, which means the operator now covers a total of 2,387 cities, towns, villages and hamlets across the country. As a result of this effort O2 said theyre becoming increasingly focused on improving coverage in remote rural areas. For example, one of the first such locations in 2019 to benefit from a 4G mast upgrade is the Isle of Unst (around 600 residents should see a better signal), which is geographically closer to Norway than Edinburgh. Scotlands varied terrain and weather conditions can of course present new challenges for such deployments. Due to this O2 has also been making greater use of helicopters and off-road vehicles to conduct a lot of their recent work. Next on the list will be the Isle of Coll a small Hebridean island of 220 inhabitants. Paul Wheelhouse, Scottish Connectivity Minister, said: O2 has shown innovation and commitment to bring improved mobile coverage across Scotland and we welcome that. 2018 was a year where good progress was made in 366 Scottish communities such as in Unst and it is really encouraging to see O2 continuing that momentum in 2019 with potentially up to 72 communities in Scotland including the Isle of Coll, benefiting from O2s investment in the year ahead. It is vital for Scottish business and consumers in all parts of the country that they and other mobile operators do so. Derek McManus, COO at O2, said: The upgrade to our Saxa Vord site, and our new mast on the Isle of Coll, are part of our ongoing investment activity in Scotland. At O2 we are constantly challenging ourselves to deliver better connectivity for all of our customers, regardless of landscape or weather conditions. We are committed to helping build a fully mobile Britain. The need for 4G connectivity is an integral part of modern daily life. We know mobile has the power to make a real, positive difference to peoples lives and businesses in rural communities across Scotland. O2 says they invest over 2 million every day to deliver the best-connected experience for their customers. Meanwhile a report they commissioned last year from Development Economics found that Scotland could potentially receive an overall boost to its economy of up to 20m per annum from the enhanced 4G connectivity delivered by them in 2018 (we always take such forecasts with a pinch of salt because its very difficult to accurately quantify the impact). Specials Highlights of the U Ko Ni Murder Case U Ko Ni, left, with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and his wife in an undated photo taken at the lawyers office in Yangon. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGON The trial of the alleged murderers of prominent lawyer U Ko Ni has dragged on for two years now in Yangon. The 63-year-old lawyer was shot dead in broad daylight on Jan. 29, 2017, outside Yangon International Airport. He was returning from Indonesia, part of a Myanmar government delegation that had just completed a weeklong study tour on democratic transition and peaceful coexistence. The gunman was caught minutes after shooting U Ko Ni. It was not the airport police who nabbed him, though, but the taxi drivers, who held him until the police arrived. One of the drivers who gave chase, U Nay Win, was also shot dead. Many have speculated that U Ko Ni was targeted because of his strong criticism of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. The constitutional expert and legal adviser to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) had long advocated for constitutional reforms to reduce the militarys dominant political role. He is also believed to have played a key role in advising the NLD to create the position of state counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after the partys landslide victory in the 2015 elections. To date the public remains keenly interested in the trial, impatiently waiting for justice to be served for the slain lawyer who fought for justice throughout his professional life and taxi driver. Ahead of the verdict, which is expected to be handed down next month, here is a look back at the moments that have made this the most high-profile trial in Myanmars recent history. Ex-military officers allegedly behind killing With the exception of the gunman, Kyi Lin, three of the four other suspected main conspirators Zeya Phyo, Aung Win Zaw, and Aung Win Khaing are ex-military officers. Zeya Phyo was a captain working at the Myanmar Armys Information Department widely known as the militarys intelligence unit until he quit in 2004. The prosecution accused him of giving the suspects 100 million kyats ($65,600) to carry out the murder. Aung Win Zaw rose to the rank of lieutenant before being expelled from the army in 1996. He was caught in Karen State, accused of being an accomplice of Kyi Lin. Local media outlet Myanmar Now reported that the two had committed crimes together in the past and served lengthy prison sentences in Obo Prison in Mandalay for smuggling Buddha statues to neighboring countries. They were released in a presidential amnesty in 2014. Another suspect, Aung Win Tun, is accused of helping transport Aung Win Zaw, his brother, to Hpa-an, in Karen State, after the murder. He was released on bail in March after posting a 50 million kyats ($37,300) bond. Aung Win Khaing, a former lieutenant colonel accused of masterminding the murder, remains at large. He allegedly asked his elder brother, Aung Win Zaw, to kill U Ko Ni in 2016. Aung Win Zaw and Aung Win Khaing were at Yangon International Airport at the time of the assassination, according to the airports CCTV footage. Aung Win Khaing disappears Aung Win Khaing fled to the capital, Naypyitaw, the city with the most surveillance in Myanmar. According to CCTV records, he was last seen near the citys National Herbal Park in the first week of February 2017. The Home Affairs Ministry said a warrant was issued for Aung Win Khaings arrest and that his picture was sent to Interpol and police forces across Southeast Asia. Home affairs minister blames extreme nationalism and personal grudges One month after U Ko Nis murder, at a press conference in Yangon, Home Affairs Minister Lt. Gen. Kyaw Swe described the assassins as young men with extreme nationalism and personal grudges. Public reaction to the remarks was strong; many thought the minister was attempting to play down the suspects motives. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi calls lawyer, driver martyrs A day after the home affairs ministers press conference, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior NLD leaders attended a memorial service to mark the one-month anniversary of the assassination. The state counselor called the murder of her adviser a great loss for the countrys democracy struggle and said U Ko Ni and U Nay Win were martyrs not to be forgotten. The party has called the lawyers killing a terrorist act. USDP lawmaker, a former aide to the military chief, is interrogated A former military colonel named Lin Zaw Htun, currently a lawmaker for the Union Solidarity and Development Party, was questioned by police about his friendship with two of the ex-military suspects, Aung Win Khaing and Zeya Phyo. Lin Zaw Htun had served as a personal security officer to the current military commander-in-chief, Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, and was widely accused on social media of withholding information about the murder. In an interview with the press, he admitted that he knew Aung Win Khaing and Zeya Phyo. He and Aung Win Khaing had gone through the DSA together as part of the 36th intake, sparking public accusations that he must have known about the plot in advance. Lin Zaw Htun denied the claim and threatened to sue his accusers. Ultranationalist Buddhist monk thanks suspects Hardline nationalist monk U Wirathu took to Facebook to express his support for U Ko Nis alleged assassins probably because the victim was a Muslim. He thanked the suspects and expressed sympathy for their families on his page. The firebrand monk also said that anyone who wanted to do away with the military-drafted Constitution should consider themselves warned. Soon after the post, religious officials banned U Wirathu from preaching for one year. Eat well A group of nationalists attended a court hearing to support the suspects wearing T-shirts reading eat well, a Burmese phrase with the implied add-on before you die and a warning of revenge. Lawyers groups strongly condemned the act, which they said undermined the rule of law, the judicial system and national stability. A local administrator filed a case against four men for intimidation inside a court compound. The court issued arrest warrants for the four under the incitement charges of the Penal Codes Article 505 (b) and the threat of injury to public servant charges under Article 189. They are still at large. Police witness refuses to appear Yangon Police Force deputy chief Colonel Win Min Thein, who was chief of airport security at the time U Ko Ni was gunned down, ignored numerous summonses to appear in court, claiming he was too busy. One of the suspects, Aung Win Zaw, told the court last year that he and his brother, Aung Win Khaing, were at Yangon International Airport at the time of the assassination to visit Col. Win Min Thein. After the colonel refused to testify and asked that he be removed from the witness list on Jan. 18, the court dropped his name, according to local media reports. News UNICEF Boss Urges Myanmar to Enact Kofi Annans Recommendations on Rohingya Crisis UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore poses for a photo in Brussels, Belgium, on May 25. / Reuters YANGON The head of the U.N. childrens fund urged Myanmar on Monday to implement the recommendations of a panel on the Rohingya crisis led by former U.N. head Kofi Annan, saying it had yet to create conditions right for the return of refugees from Bangladesh. Speaking at a forum in the capital, Naypyitaw, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said children from the Rohingya Muslim minority, a persecuted and mostly stateless community from Buddhist-majority Myanmar, were living a precarious and an almost hopeless existence in camps in neighboring Bangladesh. About 730,000 Rohingya have fled Rakhine State, in western Myanmar, since a military crackdown in 2017 after Rohingya insurgents attacked security posts, U.N. agencies estimate. Tens of thousands remain behind in Rakhine, where they are subjected to restrictions on movement and have limited access to healthcare and education. Fore said Myanmars commitment to enacting the recommendations of Annans committee which include ensuring freedom of movement and access to education would help mend the lives of suffering children. We urge the government to seize this moment and translate this potential into reality for all children, she said on the first visit by a UNICEF head in decades. Taking these steps will also go a long way towards creating the right conditions for the return of refugees from Bangladesh. The Annan commission was created by Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in 2016 to find long-term solutions to deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in Rakhine. But implementation of its recommendations has been beset by crises and setbacks. A day after the panel issued its report in August 2017, Rohingya insurgents launched attacks on security forces, provoking a military crackdown the U.N. investigators described as ethnic cleansing with genocidal intent. Myanmar denies the charge. In mid-2018, a Myanmar minister told Western diplomats that eight of Annans recommendations including one that asks authorities to take steps to amend the 1982 citizenship law that had rendered the Rohingya stateless were problematic and could not be immediately fulfilled. The commissions recommendations included points urging the government to immediately expand primary education to the communities in northern Rakhine State, and intensify efforts to ensure that teachers assigned to Muslim villages resume their work, including by providing adequate security when necessary. It also called on authorities to ensure that all children in the state have access to education in Myanmar language and that the tertiary education access is expanded. In August, UNICEF warned of what it described as a lost generation of Rohingya children, with half a million in refugee camps in Bangladesh facing dangers including disease and floods and those still in Myanmar lacking access to proper education. We urge that the necessary steps are taken to enable their safe, voluntary and dignified return back to their homes where their rights are respected and they can once again live peaceably with their neighbors, said Fore. News Parliament OKs Debate on Charter-Amendment Panel over Militarys Strong Objection Military lawmakers stand in Parliament on Tuesday to show their displeasure with the Speaker's decision to call a vote on a proposal to form a charter-amendment committee. / Htet Naing Zaw YANGONOver unanimous opposition from military representatives, Myanmars Parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly gave the green light to a discussion of an urgent proposal to form a joint committee on constitutional reform. National League for Democracy (NLD) Upper House Lawmaker U Aung Kyi Nyunt, who is also a member of the partys Central Executive Committee, submitted a proposal on Tuesday to form a joint committee comprising suitable lawmakers from the Union Parliament to work on amending the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. The charter has been widely criticized as undemocratic, particularly for its stipulation that 25 percent of the seats in Parliament be reserved for unelected military representatives. Constitutional reform is one of the NLD-led governments key policies, along with promoting the rule of law and ending armed conflict in the country. The proposal to form a committee is the NLDs first official attempt to move down the path of charter amendment since taking office in 2016. Before a secret vote was called on whether to debate the proposal, the tension between the more than 150 military lawmakers and Parliament Speaker U T Khun Myat was palpable. Military representative Brigadier-General Maung Maung complained that the formation of such a committee was not in line with established procedure, adding that lawmakers should not resort to deceit or craftiness. When the Speaker rejected his complaint, all of the military lawmakers took to their feettheir customary method of displaying their displeasure with NLD motions of which they disapprove. Their defiance prompted the Speaker to ask sarcastically, What does it mean? The Speaker explained that the proposal to form a committee represented an all-inclusive approach to constitutional reform that allowed for debate. I will call a secret vote to learn lawmakers wishes as to whether the motion should be discussed, as there are those who disagree with it, he added. Out of 601 possible votes, the motion earned 394 yes votes, 17 no votes and three abstentions. Those who boycotted were likely military lawmakers and their allies in the Union Solidarity and Development Party. A debate on forming the committee was scheduled for early next month. The NLDs move to initiate discussion of charter change on Tuesday coincided with the second anniversary of the assassination of party legal adviser U Ko Ni in Yangon. The slain lawyer was known as an expert on the Constitution; his role as a leading advocate for constitutional reform is suspected to have prompted his murder. The NLD has been pushing for constitutional amendment since 2013. In a nationwide campaign poll conducted at that time to gauge the publics views on charter reform, 97 percent of respondents in 267 townships across the country said they wanted the Constitution changed. Any proposed charter amendment requires approval from more than 75 percent of the total lawmakers in Parliament. Despite the overwhelming public support for reform, the NLD only managed to have a few minor articles of the Constitution changed during the previous U Thein Sein administration, as it was unable to obtain the support of the military and its allies. As a result, some major articles such as 436, which requires that proposed changes to the Constitution be supported by more than 75 percent of lawmakers, and 59 (f), which bars NLD leader and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming Union president, remain untouched. News Major Push for Investment in Rakhine at Invest Myanmar Summit A booth on Rakhine State at Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 in Naypyitaw on January 28, 2019. / Kyaw Myo NAYPYITAWDespite a troubled reputation fueled by the Rohingya crisis and recent violent clashes between government and Arakan Army troops, the government of Rakhine State has been desperately inviting foreign investment to the state in order to move ahead on economic development plans for the state. If we have economic development in those areas, we can gain trust from investors. They would stop worrying about the instability that actually affected a small part of the Rakhine State, Rakhine Chief Minister U Nyi Pu said at the Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 in Naypyitaw on Monday. This is the reason I want to focus on development projects more on those areas, he said. The summit is being held to attract foreign investment mainly from countries of East Asia, and also to counteract a significant decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) seen in Myanmar over the last two fiscal years. At this first summit of its kind, 10 states and regions have come up with their own projects to attract investors, focusing on the construction of economic zones, industrial parks and power plants, new city development, mining projects, upgrading airports and eco-tourism development. Among 120 projects worth over $3 billion which are being showcased at the summit, six projects are being prioritized in Rakhinethe Kyaetaw-Mingan development project which involves a port, trade zone, apartments, supermarket and a small and medium enterprises (SMEs) zone in Sittwe Township; construction of a new airport in Mrauk-U; the upgrade of Ngapali Airport in Thandwe Township; an eco-tourism project on Man Aung Island; Ponnagyun industrial project in Sittwe; and a new city project in Mrauk-U. Rakhine is one of the poorest states in Myanmar and is situated on its western coast. It is bordered by Chin State to the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region to the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. Covering 36,762 square kilometers of Myanmars Western coast, Rakhine State is rich in natural resources, particularly oil and gas. However, 69 percent of people there are living in poverty, lack access to public services and are struggling with poor infrastructure, unemployment, meager living conditions and a lack of legal mechanisms which affect all communities in Rakhine, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Even though foreign investors are less interested in Rakhine State. We have been trying hard to invite foreign investment, U Htoo Min Thein, director of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) in Rakhine State, told The Irrawaddy. We still have a lot of opportunities for investment. We are welcoming companies which have experience in the construction of industrials parks and ports, he said. The Rakhine government has welcomed feasibility studies for all six priority projects, however the estimated cost is still unknown. The Myanmar government has recently adopted a look-east policy in a bid to revive declining foreign investment, however, he said, the Rakhine government would warmly welcome investment from any country in order to step up the pace of development, saying that the states investment slogan is Rakhine is open for business to the world. Since the National League for Democracy government took office in 2016, they have made several economic reforms such as the new companies law, a new investment law and other relaxations in the financial, banking and trade sectors. However, following on news of the 2017 Rohingya crisis which badly tarnished the countrys image, foreign investment has significantly declined and western investors have grown increasingly cautious of Myanmar. Approved foreign investment into Myanmar fell last year to its lowest since 2013. Rakhine is a problematic state when it comes to securing invite foreign investment. Nevertheless, the Rakhine government plans to host a Rakhine-specific investment fair in February which will focus on three major sectorsthe agriculture, livestock and fisheries sector, tourism development and SME development. We also want to invite investors to come and see the opportunities in Rakhine. They all have a chance to invest in massive areas of the state, U Htoo Min Thein said. On the first day of the summit, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that as Myanmar is Southeast Asias final frontier market, we offer innumerable investment opportunities; investment opportunities are everywhere in Myanmar, some are plain to see, others are waiting to be found. She also reassured investors of the governments commitment to continue reform and to build an investment-friendly environment. The crisis happened in a small part of the state. We believe when there is economic development, it will lead to stability. We have selected projects where there is no crisis. We fully guarantee [the investors] safety, U Kyaw Aye Thein, Rakhine States minister of finance, revenue, planning and economy, told The Irrawaddy. Amid the outrage of the international community over the governments handling of the crisis in Rakhine State, China inked a framework agreement for the Kyaukphyu Deep Sea Port last November. The port will offer China access to the Bay of Bengal while enhancing its regional connectivity as part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The first phase of the project is set to be carried out after environmental and social impact assessments are conducted. Phase 1 will involve the construction of two jetties with a total investment of not more than $1.3 billion. Rakhine is also a checkpoint of the Chinese pipeline that has been carrying natural oil and gas from the Bay of Bengal, across Myanmar to Kunming in Chinas Yunnan Province since 2010. I really hope for more investment from other countries, U Nyi Pu said. On the second day of the summit, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Investment U Thaung Tun spoke to the audience about sentiment on Rakhine State, saying instead of blaming and shaming, lets work together. U Thaung Tun stressed that we can work together to create sustainable development in Rakhine State. Lets start with investing in the agro-based sector and fishery sector. We admit that there is a problem in Rakhine, he said going on to stress that Rakhine States problems only happened in three out of 17 townships. We need development in Rakhine. Rakhine is safe to [invest in]. We will have a Rakhine investment fair next month so come and see Rakhine. News Kachin Chief Minister's Proposal to Split Ministry Disrupts Emergency Parliament Session Kachin State Parliament / Kachin State Parliament / Facebook YANGON The speaker of the Kachin State Parliament on Monday adjourned an emergency session early after some lawmakers vigorously objected to a proposal by the chief minister to split the Ministry of Transportation, Electricity and Industry. Chief Minister U Khet Aung proposed dissolving the existing ministry and replacing it with a Ministry of Construction and Transportation and a Ministry of Electricity and Industry. He said he submitted the proposal in line with Section 248 (c) of the Constitution, which says the president can make changes and additions to the ministries with the approval of the region and state parliaments. But four lawmakers objected, arguing that those powers were reserved for the president, not the chief ministers. Chief ministers are not authorized to make changes and additions according to the Constitution. It says the president, and only when the president submits a proposal, can the agenda proceed, said U Zaw Win, who represents Tanai Township. He said they had to abide by the Constitution whether they liked it or not. Speaker U Tun Tin said he summoned the emergency session because President U Win Myint instructed him to do so over the phone. I was ordered to summon Parliament within three days. So I had to summon Parliament urgently. The chief minister must have received the order from the president, he said. But due to the objections to the chief ministers proposal, U Tun Tin decided to adjourn the session to await further instructions from the president. Sumprabum Township lawmaker Je Htu Yaw said she heard that the chief minister was told to propose the ministry shakeup by the president. The sessions agenda also included nominations for three new state ministers, but the meeting was adjourned before they could be discussed, said lawmaker U Tin Aye, of Mohnyin Township. Last week U Khet Aung told three state ministers to resign their posts without giving a reason other than to say that the instructions came from State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. While two of the ministers capitulated, Natural Resources Minister U H La Aung refused, insisting that he would not resign until he knew the reasons for the request. The Presidents Office later issued two statements, one announcing the retirement of the two ministers who resigned and another announcing U H La Aungs dismissal. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Burma NLD Makes First Official Move to Amend Constitution Lawmakers attend the opening session of the Union Parliament on Tuesday morning. / Htet Naing Zaw YANGONMyanmars ruling National League for Democracy will submit an urgent proposal to form a joint parliamentary committee to work on amending the countrys military-drafted Constitution, the Parliament Speaker announced on Tuesday. It is the NLDs first official attempt to change the charter since the party came to power a little more than two years ago. Drafted in 2008 by the then-ruling military junta, the Constitution has been widely criticized as undemocratic. It reserves 25 percent of the seats in the Union Parliament for unelected military representatives. Union Parliament Speaker U T Khun Myat announced Tuesday that a proposal to form the committee would be submitted to Parliament by NLD lawmaker U Aung Kyi Nyunt in the afternoon. The proposal urges the Union Parliament to form a joint committee comprising suitable lawmakers to facilitate attempts to amend the Constitution as soon as possible, said the Speaker, who read the proposal out in Parliament. Lawmakers were set to discuss the proposal on Tuesday afternoon. The announcement drew immediate objections from military representatives, who questioned the proposals legality. They claimed any move to amend the Constitution requires a draft signed by at least 20 lawmakers. We have no idea what will be changed or how, as the Speaker [just] said that a joint committee will be formed, Brigadier-General Maung Maung said in Parliament. The Speaker responded that he was merely informing the Parliament of the proposal. You can discuss it when the proposal is opened to debate. The Parliament is a multiparty institution, so now we are just calling for participation from party lawmakers as a matter of transparency, he said. A resident said many of the people working the quarry fled within hours of the collapse for fear that authorities would punish them for working at an illegal site, Most of the locals work on farm, he said. U Zaw Min, a local resident, said most of the workers come from other parts of the country. It is not officially permitted to quarry there, but locals quarry for their livelihood, he said. The quarry is located near the village of Taung Nyo Ywa Thit in a restricted area managed by the Forest Department. U Kyaw Kyaw Naing said people work the site with small machines to supply gravel for road projects. U Kyaw Kyaw Naing, assistant director of the Sagaing Region Fire Services Department, said two men and a woman working in the quarry were killed instantly at about 9 a.m. when some rocks fell on them from a height of 12 feet. He said another man was also seriously injured and sent to hospital. MANDALAY Three people were killed and one person was injured Monday in Sagaing Regions Sagaing Township when an illegal gravel quarry collapsed on them. Firefighters and volunteers rescue a person injured in a gravel pit collapse in Sagaing Region on Monday. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy Firefighters and volunteers rescue a person injured in a gravel pit collapse in Sagaing Region on Monday. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy Concept, Context, ContestationArt That Asks You to Look Inside Yourself Focus on Thai Fishing Distracts from Worker Abuse in Other SectorsResearchers What We Can Hope For From the 70th Anniversary of Karen National Resistance Day Chinas Six Belt and Road Projects in Myanmar to Watch in 2019 Loans from China Must Be Repaid As Early As Possible Military Gives EAOs until Feb. 12 to Cease Operating Outside Their Areas Australia Says No Proof Writer's Detention in China Related to Canadian Arrests We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. Please increase the size of your window. Burma Govt Working on Final Decision for Myitsone Dam, Minister Says Graffiti is seen on a rock at the Myitsone project site near Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, on March 30, 2017. / Reuters NAYPYITAWThe government is working hard to come up with a final decision on how to proceed with the controversial Myitsone Dam project, the minister of investment and foreign economic relations said. U Thaung Tun acknowledged that the China-backed project is dogged by major problems and has received nationwide pushback. The minister said the government and a commission studying the project are in very serious discussions and considering all possibilities, including downsizing the dam, relocating it or developing other projects instead. He said the dam project as it was initially conceived under the previous government was misguided. As we are the government, we are working hard to find a solution, U Thaung Tun said at a press conference during the Invest Myanmar Summit in Naypyitaw on Tuesday. The proposed US$3.6-billion (approximately 5.48 trillion kyats) Myitsone Dam is one of seven hydropower projects planned for the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy River as well as the Mali and NMai rivers, at whose confluence the Irrawaddy begins. Work on the project started in 2009, but then-President Thein Sein suspended it in 2011 amid widespread public concern over the dams social and environmental impacts. The project remains in limbo. After the National League for Democracy took power in 2016, the government set up a 20-member commission including the chief minister of Kachin to review the project, including its environmental and social impacts. The commission has produced two reports to date, but the government has yet to release either. U Thaung Tun said the government still wants to find a solution because we [value] relations with China. He said a main problem with the Myitsone project is its location on an earthquake fault line. Also, the catchment area would be twice the size of Singapore, which means a lot of villages would be displaced. That is the issue, he stressed. He also said local people are concerned the dam will submerge important cultural sites that are sacred to the Kachin people. He said the concept of the dam project when it was first conceived was actually misguided. U Thaung Tun said the public was opposed to the Myitsone project for a variety of religious, cultural and social reasons. This is the head of the entire river system; this is the lifeblood of Myanmar, he said. Experts point out that the dam site is important for its biodiversity and environmentalists warn the project would both destroy the natural beauty of the Irrawaddy River and disrupt water flow downstream. Acknowledging the lack of local support for the project, the minister said he had read a newspaper column strongly objecting to the proposed project that morning. In recent weeks, Chinas ambassador to Myanmar has strongly pressured Kachin political and religious leaders on the need to restart the Myitsone project. He said it was an important part of Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Initiative. State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi chairs the Myanmar BRI committee. Referring to the previous agreement between a Chinese company and the former military regime, he said, I believe that if they did enough research, they would find that this dam needs to be reconsidered, U Thaung Tun said. He criticized the past actions of the Chinese company involved in the project, as well as of Myanmars former military regime They did not consult experts, locals or other environmental experts. They should have done an EIA [environmental impact assessment], environmental management and SIA [socio-economic impact assessment]. According to the original project agreement, 90 percent of the electricity generated by the project would go to China. These are sensitive issues that should have been discussed before the project started, the minister said. U Thaung Tun cited the example of the Kyaukphyu deep seaport in Rakhine State, a framework agreement for which was inked after several renegotiations with China last year. The projects estimated cost was reduced from $9.5 billion to $1.3 billion to prevent Myanmar from becoming too indebted to China. He said the government wants to avoid making the same mistake as some other countries, which have found themselves deeply indebted to China after entering into infrastructure-development agreements with Beijing. The government had managed to ensure that Kyaukphyu is a demand-based project, he said. U Thaung Tun said the fate of the Myitsone Dam project was in the hands of the commission, but did not say when a decision would be made. Burma Ethnic Health Organizations Suffer from Withdrawal of International Aid Patients pictured at Mae Tao Clinic near the Thailand-Myanmar Border in 2013. / The Irrawaddy Representatives of nine ethnic health groups from across Myanmar recently held a three-day meeting at the Thailand-Myanmar border to discuss how to deal with challenges they face in delivering medical assistance to people in need as an increasing number of international aid groups withdraw programs from the Thailand-Myanmar border. Health organizations from Karen, Shan, Mon, Karenni and Burmese communitiesincluding representatives of the Mae Tao Clinicformed a joint collective called the Ethnic Health System Strengthening Group. The organizations are all based along Thailand-Myanmar border and carry out essential medical programs in their respective conflict zones. An Ethnic Health Committee was formed at the meeting to develop health policies and information systems about the health conditions of ethnic communities. Saw Nay Htoo, a member of the Burma Medical Association who was appointed joint secretary of the committee, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday about the meeting, which was an annual gathering. We discussed the difficulties faced by those in our organizations and we tried to find solutions to the difficulties, he said. Since Myanmar began to undergo political reforms in 2010 under then-president Thein Sein and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) who had been giving aid at the border were granted permission to work inside Myanmar, medical aid for those displaced at Thailand-Myanmar border has decreased dramatically. The health organization representatives reported a lack of access to medicine and long delays in receiving aid from the organizations which continue to work in the area. In the past, UK Aid was the main donor of medical assistance to health care organizations at the Thailand-Myanmar border. They used to support the health organizations directly, but today they operate through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), according to sources in the organizations. Saw Nay Htoo said that the medical supplies which their health organizations need are not readily available to them in Myanmar, a problem which did not affect them in the past when the international groups were working at the border and got supplies from Thailand. The organizations also have human resource issues, including a lack of skilled workers. At the meeting, they discussed ways of alleviating the problems and upgrading essential healthcare skills of the members of the group. The areas in which the health groups operate have been the locations of violence between the Myanmar Military and various ethnic armed groups for over six decades. An outcome of the conflict is that the ethnic communities lack education centers for the training of medical professionals and so the health organizations lack personnel to administer treatments and medical advice to those in need. The meeting attendees discussed the Myanmar governments 2017 plan to implement a universal health coverage project which aims to give every individual in the country full access to health care by 2030. They argued that the government should use a decentralized system in carrying out this plan in order for it to be really effective. The government will not succeed on their project if they do not implement a federal health system, said Saw Nay Htoo. Currently, health organizations operating along the border do not receive any help from the Myanmar government, and continue to rely on a diminishing number of INGOs. As a result, their health organizations are often underfunded and local people sometimes have to pay out of their own pocket for the treatment which deters the poorer among them from seeking medical treatment, he said. Treatment is a burden for them sometimes, he said. Misunderstandings of the political transition We want international NGOs to understand the real political situation in our country. Our country has not yet reached yet a transitional period. It just started an interim period, Saw Nay Htoo said. He said that it is necessary to work as two different health systems during this period. International NGOs should donate to programs both inside Myanmar and to those displaced in ethnic areas. If they support only one side, ethnic health care projects will die out, he said. It is important for international NGOs not to be biased when they give donations, he said. By supporting two sides, it will also support the peace process in Myanmar. At the moment, in ethnic areas, only ethnic people can effectively deliver healthcare, he said. Nai Banya Mon, a member of the Mon National Health Care Committee who is also the vice chairperson of the group, reiterated the need for INGOs not to act so quickly on the idea of a political transition. For our health organizations, it is an interim period. From the interim period, it could go to a transition. From transition, it could go to a federal system. International NGOs believe it is transition time, he said. He feels that international aid organizations have abandoned the ethnic people at the border areas who have depended on them for a long time, and jumped the gun by transitioning to work directly with the government health organizations and those working inside Myanmar only. According to Nai Banya Mon, it will take a long time for the peace process to reach its goal and so international groups must continue to offer health aid to those at the border. Asia Thailand to Revoke Foreign Patent Requests on Marijuana Small marijuana plants grow in a lab at the Commercial Cannabis Production Program at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, on Oct. 9. / Reuters BANGKOK Thailand on Monday effectively revoked all foreign patent requests for the use of marijuana, after fears foreign firms would dominate a market thrown open last month when the government approved the drug for medical use and research. The junta-appointed Parliament in Thailand, a country which until the 1930s had a tradition of using marijuana to relieve pain and fatigue, voted to amend the Narcotic Act of 1979 in December in what it described as a New Years gift to the Thai people. While countries from Colombia to Canada have legalized marijuana for medical or even recreational use, the drug remains illegal and taboo across much of Southeast Asia. But in Thailand, the main controversy with the legalization involved patent requests by two foreign firms, British giant GW Pharmaceuticals and Japans Otsuka Pharmaceutical, filed before the change to the law. Thai civil society groups and researchers feared domination by foreign firms could make it harder for Thai patients to get access to medicines and for Thai researchers to get marijuana extracts. The military government issued a special executive order on Monday enabling the Department of Intellectual Property to revoke all pending patents that involve cannabis, or remove marijuana from those patents, within 90 days. The pending patent requests are illegal, Somchai Sawangkarn, a member of parliament responsible for amending the Narcotic Act, told Reuters. This NCPO order is beneficial for Thai people across the country because it prevents a monopolistic contract, he said, referring to the junta by its official name, the National Council for Peace and Order. Reuters did not have contact details for spokesmen for either of the two foreign firms and the companies did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. Companies with a request pending can appeal to the Department of Intellectual Property, the government said in an order, published on an official website. Marijuana remains illegal and taboo across much of Southeast Asia, and traffickers can be subject to the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The new legislation on marijuana has yet to come into effect. All Thai laws must receive royal approval. The UN Charter prohibits wars of aggression, and overthrowing sovereign governments yet since 2001, the US and Nato have waged illegal wars of aggression, and overthrown the governments of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, assisted the overthrow of governments in Egypt and Ukraine, and tried to overthrow the government of Syria. Far from bringing freedom and democracy to these countries, US intervention left all of them is chaos. What I witnessed as a nine-year-old boy is impossible to describe. The starvation, the cruelty of the camp guards, the cold and disease. People, who were just skin and bone and looked like living skeletons, were walking around very slowly, some of them dropping to the ground, never to get up again. They were dying in their hundreds, their emaciated bodies left where they fell or thrown into heaps. In front of our barracks there were piles of decomposing corpses. For many prisoners in Bergen-Belsen, the conditions were too much to bear and they threw themselves on the barbed wire at night to be shot in order to put an end to their misery. We found their corpses there in the mornings. Seventy thousand prisoners of Bergen-Belsen are buried there in mass graves. I lost 35 members of my family in the Holocaust They are the words of Tomi Reichental, a man who survived the Holocaust and has lived in Ireland since 1959. He is a man who can smile, who has raised a family, who has spoken to tens of thousands of people about his experiences. I find it extraordinary that he is only 15 years older than I am in different circumstances, he could have been my older brother. Thats how close we are to the Holocaust. We want to think of it as ancient history, but it isnt. It was unspeakable, unforgiveable, and it has to be unforgettable. Hundreds of us listened to Tomi speak at the Holocaust Memorial on Sunday in the Mansion House in Dublin. His quiet voice is the one that stays with you. The great and the good were all there, and it was an intensely solemn and important occasion. But the thing you remember most is an old man who lived through it, and whose dignity and courage radiated through a large room. The Holocaust is remembered throughout the world on the same day every year its the anniversary of the day that Auschwitz was liberated by the Red Army. Perhaps that was also the day that the rest of the worlds eyes began to be opened to the horror that Hitler had deliberately propagated. It was a privilege to attend and speak at the #HolocaustMemorialDay event at the Mansion House in Dublin this evening - such a powerful reminder! pic.twitter.com/MwcvhOnOLa Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 27, 2019 The conduct of the ceremony on Sunday night told its own story, building on a series of events that culminated in industrial techniques of slaughter, and that was, I imagine, deliberate. Although the Nazis planned from the beginning to rid Germany and the Third Reich of the Jews, it wouldnt have been possible for them to do what they did unless they first succeeded in casting them as others. Nazi ideology described Jews as sub-human, and as carrying responsibility for everything that was wrong with the world. A programme of propaganda built on that theory of hate enabled endless forms of discrimination, aimed at making life more and more difficult for Jewish people. Jewish books were burned in rituals as a way of making them seem degenerate. Businesses were boycotted, individuals were forced to carry papers marking them out as Jewish, laws were passed to deprive them of the ordinary rights of citizens, pogroms and ghettos were ways of forcing them into extreme deprivation. And then the killing started, culminating in the final solution. One of the reasons why it was in the end considered necessary and desirable to kill so many Jews by poisoning them in gas chambers was that it was so efficient. But it also spared soldiers and stormtroopers from the possible psychological harm of having to look them in the eye while they shot them. And of course it wasnt just Jewish people. David OBrien, who has Downs syndrome, read a passage at the ceremony about how 300,000 people with disabilities were murdered because a calculation had been done that showed how the cost of caring for them was so much more expensive than a lethal overdose, or in many cases, starvation. There is of course another point to the remembrance of the Holocaust. President Higgins on Sunday night spoke about how refugees, immigrant communities and other minority groups are increasingly viewed as a threat to the rights of the majority and many achievements are under threat by a new generation of extremists who view those universal rights as a threat to their own individual rights. As the UN family gathers in at #UNHQ New York this morning to commemorate #Holocaust Memorial Day, we recall the remarks of @PresidentIRL Higgins at last nights commemoration in Dublin. #HMD2019 Read the Presidents speech at: https://t.co/pYI26vgjNf pic.twitter.com/09H1LmMImY Ireland at UN (@irishmissionun) January 28, 2019 For most of the ceremony, the hall was dominated by a huge picture of the hideous barbed wire fence that stretched around Auschwitz. It was impossible to look at the picture without thinking of the fear it must have generated. No-one could leave, and surely no-one would ever want to enter. Row upon row of razor sharp wire, and manned guard posts every 20 yards, it was designed to strike terror. It seemed to stretch forever. But you couldnt look at it either without thinking about the fact that there is an elected leader in a democratic country in our free world whose core values all seem to be centred on building a giant wall. Day after day, he issues messages aimed at placing the people who are threatened by that wall in the category of other. On Sunday, President Trump issued a statement about the Holocaust, in which he talked about the need to prevent such horror and suffering from happening again. He referred to his statement in one of his famous tweets. In the same hour he issued another tweet, saying in capital letters: BUILD A WALL AND CRIME WILL FALL. Of course theres no equivalence between what Trump is doing and what Hitler did. But hatred is made easier by characterising people on the basis of their skin colour or their ethnic origin as other. Trump has been doing that since the moment he decided to run for the presidency, with complete disregard not just for truth but also for the passions he stokes. We have no permanent memorial to the Holocaust in Ireland. Were lucky to have a tiny organisation, which functions as a charity and has a core vision of creating awareness of the Holocaust and its consequences. Its work focuses on education and is vital. It is also strongly focused on the principles of the Stockholm Declaration, adopted at an international conference of which we are a part. The Declaration matters because of the unique character of the Holocaust unique in its depravity and extent, and also unique in its planning and the fact that it was underpinned by an ideology of hatred. The core sentence of the Declaration commits those who support it to recognise that because humanity is still scarred by genocide, ethnic cleansing, racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils. People gather in Ireland once a year, with good intent, to hear from the survivors of the Holocaust and to ensure that it is never forgotten. Its time, surely, for us to erect a permanent memorial somewhere in our capital city, to ensure that all of us are reminded constantly of the evil of which man is capable. Perhaps it could contain an inscription like the one on the cover of the Holocaust Education Trust leaflet. Tell your children about it, and let your children tell theirs, the next generation. They were dying in their hundreds, their emaciated bodies left where they fell or thrown into heaps It was seven years ago that Liam Lawrence expressed his reservations about players like Jermaine Pennant and Jamie OHara juggling between declaring for Ireland and England. Lawrence was himself a dual eligibility player, hailing from Retford, near Nottingham but qualifying to play for Ireland through his Kerry-born grandfather. What he couldnt understand was why players had to make such a meal of deciding one way or the other. And that impatience has surfaced again as he contemplates the protracted wait for either white or green smoke from Declan Rice. There were certain players in the past that have done a similar sort of thing and I just think, make your mind up and just get it done, he says. If you want to go and play for England, then say it, dont hang on and keep people waiting. I thought he (Rice) was going to be an Irish player, I thought hed pledged his allegiance in that respect. But he is a fantastic player and if he does come to us that will be a massive boost. To that extent, Lawrence fully understands why Mick McCarthy has followed Martin ONeills example by leaving the door open to the rising West Ham star. Hes a fantastic talent and if anyone can turn his head, Mick can. When I was signing for Sunderland, I had a meeting with Mick. He was so authoritative and brilliant that it made my mind up within five minutes. Fingers crossed he can do it. Lawrence reckons that McCarthys decision to bring Robbie Keane to his recent meeting with Rice underlines the importance the manager is attaching to the quest. Robbie Keane is a legend and I dont ever use that word lightly. Hes an Irish legend so to have gone and met him shows the importance of Rice. As a captain, Robbie was brilliant. He was really good, the one everybody looked up to in the dressing room. Even the likes of Richard Dunne and Duffer. Once us, below them, saw that, then we followed suit. He was good on the pitch vocally, good around the training ground and the hotel. He was fantastic. "She is just a great spokesperson. She is an incredible leader. She has led the charge for voting rights, which is at the root of just about everything else," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who, along with other Democrats, is urging Abrams to challenge Republican Sen. David Perdue, one of Trump's most outspoken allies on Capitol Hill. "She knows what working people, the middle class, go through." Shoppers and struggling households risk being exploited by massive price hikes on foods, clothes and other everyday items due to the inevitable threat of price gouging after a no-deal Brexit. Consumers Association of Ireland chief executive Dermott Jewell issued the warning and said the Government will be powerless to stop the price hikes because it is blocked from drawing up clear price control laws. Mr Jewell said the fear of individual shops and stores hiking prices in the immediate aftermath of a no-deal Brexit has, until now, been a sideline issue. However, with the likelihood of a worst-case scenario increasing, he warned it is inevitable some opportunists will take advantage of the situation leaving shoppers and struggling households to literally pay the price. Like most consumers and businesses, until now weve put the risk of price gouging into the background. But in the absence of any level of price control whatsoever and the Government cant introduce any price control thats exactly what is going to happen. Theres no question, there will be opportunists among businesses and shops who will take advantage of the opportunity to increase prices because of a hard Brexit. There are going to be clear access problems for foods and other products, clear transport problems, and it is inevitable there will be single-digit and double-digit percentage price hikes because of what is going on. Unlike price fixing which involves a number of businesses operating in the same area coming together to agree on an inflated price of a scarce item price gouging is not strictly illegal in Ireland. This is because it is generally conducted by individual shops or stores on an ad-hoc basis and not as part of any secret deals with other rivals. While this means the concern over a surge in price gouging incidents can be mitigated by the fact it may not take place across all shops and stores selling the same goods, Mr Jewell said shoppers still risk being taken advantage of in a no-deal Brexit crisis. The issue, he said, is added to by the fact that specific food and clothing items coming from Britain will be less available in a worst-case Brexit, leaving a gap in the market for opportunists to take advantage. A Department of Business spokesperson said the Government is aware of concerns over potential price gouging by businesses and shops if a no-deal, hard Brexit arises. The spokesperson acknowledged the risk could also be exacerbated by last weeks Central Bank warnings that the potential for a pound sterling crash and World Trade Organisation tariffs on British and Irish goods which would of course impact on costs of imports. However, asked to clarify what protections, if any, the Government can offer consumers from price gouging risks, the spokesperson instead said the only protections in place are against widespread price fixing. A State committee examining Irelands laws on the possession of drugs for personal use is thought to be favouring a diversion scheme, the Irish Examiner understands. The proposal would mean that the committee appears to be stopping short of recommending decriminalisation. Under a diversion system, possession of drugs would remain a criminal offence, but people caught with small amounts of drugs for their own use would be sent by gardai for health intervention, rather than face possible criminal prosecution. The state working group on alternative approaches for personal possession of illegal drugs is expected to recommend legal changes, involving a more health- focused approach, though they might not go as far as some anticipated. A diversion scheme would be a halfway house between criminalisation and decriminalisation, and would most likely, depending on the full conditions of the scheme, face opposition from community and voluntary groups that campaigned for decriminalisation. The working group has sought, and been given, a three-month extension to finalise its recommendations and write up its report. Established in November 2017 under the joint authority of the departments of health and justice, the expert body was supposed to report at the end of 2018. The group is chaired by Judge Garreth Sheehan and is dominated by high-level officials from government departments and state agencies. Six of its 14 members are drawn from the departments of health and justice. There is also a senior representative from An Garda Siochana, the HSE, the Probation Service, the DPP, the Health Research Board, a legal expert, and two former drug users. There is no representation from the community and voluntary sectors, even though they sought to be included. The working group engaged in extensive research, including a public consultation process, which resulted in 20,000 submissions. It is understood that the groups examination of a diversion system has looked at the current juvenile diversion programme and the adult caution scheme, which divert offenders away from the criminal system. The proposal may involve a liberalisation of those programmes, particularly the adult scheme which is based on the condition that the person is deemed unlikely to reoffend and where the caution (bar exceptional circumstances) can only be granted once. Given the relapsing nature of drug addiction, drug and health workers argue that such a scheme would be of limited use. The groups proposals will apply to all drugs. Determining the quantities for personal possession is still being determined, with clarity needed as to how gardai on the street can determine if quantities are below the threshold for possession. It is understood the committee has been told that possession must remain a criminal offence for gardai to have legal authority to refer someone to the health services. The Oireachtas justice committee recommended in November 2015 a harm reduction and rehabilitative approach to possession, similar to Portugal. Online 'talk' among anti-eviction protesters about targeting the homes of ministers was assessed at the highest levels of the gardai and deemed as lacking credibility, sources say. There was even a suggestion within the social media posts of physically evicting those in the homes, recording the evictions and posting them online. But Garda sources indicated that this was just a minority view among the protestors and that the overall discussion consisted of talk of picketing, but no actual plan. It is understood that posts regarding one of the ministers were brought to the persons attention and then raised through official channels with An Garda Siochana. The posts were assessed at the highest levels with Security and Intelligence, with officers there checking the information and the persons concerned through their own sources. One security source said: There was talk among anti-eviction protestors about doing something. It was talk, but not treated as idle chatter. It was taken seriously, it had to be. The source said that when it was assessed there was no concrete plan. The source said that while there were some posts regarding evicting people from the homes, this was a minority view and did not appear to represent the majority. A second source said the incident emerged at the end of last week and appeared to centre around a particular minister. That matter was brought to the ministers attention and subsequently reported to the gardai. The source said a number of issues got conflated and mixed up and that the rumour machine went into action. This source said that the rumour in relation to evicting a minister and whoever else was in the house, recording it and putting it online was assessed but said gardai were not putting any credibility into it. It appears that private business interests of a minister also became mixed up in the posts circulated on social media. Sources said issues concerning ministers come to the attention of gardai frequently and are all assessed. If necessary, the ministers office would be informed, along with the assessment of gardai, and advice given. Senior gardai are mindful of recent evictions and protests around evictions and how certain individuals or groups could exploit heightened emotions. When contacted, the Garda Press Office declined to comment on the incident or such security matters generally. A Department of Justice spokesman said: Arrangements may be put in place for the protection of office holders or other public figures and these are a matter for An Garda Siochana. For sound reasons of security and the safety of persons, it is not the practice to comment on the details of any individual case or the arrangements that may be in place in this regard. There has still been no response from the OPW to an October 31 letter from Cork county council engineers seeking grant-aid from the Government for repairs to a crumbling weir. Standing orders were suspended at a meeting in County Hall after Cllr Frank O'Flynn said there's a major urgency surrounding the repair of the weir on the River Blackwater in Fermoy, because a 10m section of it disappeared last week. We must make decisions and we must make them fast. This is one of the most important rivers in the country for tourism," Cllr O'Flynn said. The River Blackwater is famous for its salmon and trout, attracting tourists from all over the world. He added that Jack Charlton once said it was one of the best rivers he ever fished. The best part of half the weir is now gone. This is a listed structure. What's going to happen when the heavy rains come? "We're going to wake up one morning and the whole thing will be gone," he said. Cllr O'Flynn pointed out that salmon migration would be affected by the weir's collapse and the lowering of the water level upstream would also have a significant, negative impact on the local rowing club. Cllr Noel McCarthy suggested the council seek an urgent meeting with the OPW to discuss what funding it and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) would make available towards the estimated 4.2m cost of repairing it. He said he was very worried that the rowing club may not be able to stage its very popular regatta this summer. Cllr McCarthy said they been told it would take 22 months before any contractor was working on the project and this simply wasn't good enough. Cllr Deirdre O'Brien said money had to be found from somewhere as the cash-strapped council didn't have it. Cllr Kay Dawson expressed surprise that the OPW still hadn't replied to the council communique. "I think the department (OPW) is playing games with us," added Cllr McCarthy. Cllr Derry Canty pointed out that the weir in Ballincollig collapsed nearly five years ago and the OPW had done nothing about it despite numerous calls to have it rebuilt. Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, got agreement from all councillors to write to the Minister in charge of the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, seeking an urgent meeting with him to discuss the issue Mortality rates are three to 10 times higher among homeless men and six to 10 times higher among homeless women compared to the general population. In what is described as the first Irish study of its type, researchers found that drugs and alcohol were implicated in almost six of 10 deaths. The study documented and verified 201 deaths of homeless people in Dublin over a five-year period, 156 (78%) males and 45 females. Mortality rates among homeless persons are exceptionally high, concludes the study, published in the British medical journal Open. Services and programmes, particularly housing and those targeting overdose and alcoholism, are urgently needed to prevent premature mortality in this vulnerable population. The research, commissioned by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, looked at 209 recorded deaths between 2011 and 2015 and verified 201 of them. It was conducted by researchers at Trinity College Dublin, assisted by a member of the homeless executive and found: Half of the homeless men (78) were aged under 44, with 12 of them aged 18-24 and 66 aged 25-44; Nearly two-thirds of homeless women (29) were aged under 44, and all but one was aged 25-44; 50% died in a hospital, 30% died in a homeless service, and 11% died outdoors. It says the mortality rates could be generalised to the whole country and are in line with international findings. Drugs and alcohol accounted for 75 deaths (38%) and were implicated in a further 43 deaths meaning a total of 118 (59%) deaths involved the substances. It says opioids, such as heroin and methadone, were implicated in more than half of drug-related deaths. The high percentage of potentially avoidable deaths among homeless people from opioid overdose presents an opportunity for the development of possible preventative strategies, it says, adding that public health initiatives such as naloxone, to prevent and reverse opioid drug overdose, should be considered and expanded. The researchers conclude: This study demonstrates dramatically higher mortality rates among men and women who were homeless. It says overdose from substance use was a critical factor in more than a third of verified deaths, with opioids being over-represented. The study adds: Homeless people are notably more likely to die by overdose than the general population. These findings should be taken into account when developing interventions to prevent mortality among homeless populations. Niamh Randall, head of advocacy and communications at housing group Respond, said: This study provides further evidence of the negative impact of long-term homelessness and rough sleeping on peoples health and mortality. Clearly, the longer people remain stuck in homeless situations, the greater the impact on their health and wellbeing. Israel may take retaliatory measures, including placing a tariff on Irish imports, if a bill boycotting goods manufactured in the occupied West Bank becomes law. The warning by the Israeli government comes in the wake of the decision on Monday by members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, to cancel a planned trip to Ireland in March in protest at the passing of the Bill in the Dail last week. The Knesset delegation was due to meet Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail and members of the Oireachtas foreign affairs and defence committees during the visit. Its not surprising that Ireland is once again looking to hurt and boycott Israel, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein said. The law to boycott Judea and Samaria has serious repercussions for relations between the countries. Therefore, I instructed to cancel the MK delegation to Ireland that was meant to take place in March. Edelstein said many countries seek to visit the Knesset and invite Israeli lawmakers to their legislatures. We are happy to take the time to go to a country that wants to cooperate with all of Israel and not just parts of it, instead of wasting our time in a country that obsessively looks for ways to hurt us, he said. Meanwhile, the Dublin Broadcasting Branch of the National Union of Journalists has pledged to support any member who chooses to exercise a conscientious objection towards involvement in coverage of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, which is due to take place in May in Tel Aviv. At a meeting held earlier this week, the branch condemned Israel's continued attacks on journalists and on freedom of expression, noting the fact that since April its forces have shot and killed two journalists reporting from Gaza's border and injured with live rounds at least 20 more. The union expressed its support for the stance taken by RTE, enunciated by Director General Dee Forbes last September, that RTE would not bring any 'sanction' against anyone working for the station who declined to travel to Israel to cover the contest on conscientious grounds. The Dublin Broadcasting Branch serves hundreds of journalists working for RTE. Ships lying off the Atlantic coastline are being colonised by coral reefs which are normally found in much deeper and colder water. NUI Galway ocean scientist Anthony Grehan, who has pioneered work on cold water coral in Irish waters, has found new evidence of the species within the wreck of a cargo vessel at a depth of 160m. The WWI wreck located off the Kerry coast had been colonised by anemones, oysters and brachiopods. However, Mr Grehan was surprised to find evidence of the stony coral species lophelia pertusa which normally thrives at 500m and deeper. The high definition survey was conducted by a new remotely operated vehicle nicknamed Etain, developed at the University of Limerick. The team led by Gerard Dooly of the universitys Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems set out to map several large wrecks and a sunken U-boat west of Co Kerry on board the Marine Institute research vessel Celtic Explorer earlier this month. Colony of the coral reef forming lophelia pertusa, usually found below 500m or deeper in Irish waters. Picture: CRIS, UL The universitys engineers invited scientists from NUI Galway and Ulster University Coleraine to participate, availing of a period of settled weather. The team had selected the vessels from a list of more than 4,000 wrecks pinpointed by the States seabed mapping programme, Infomar, which is now available on the National Monuments Service wreck viewer. Divers report that wrecks are often festooned with corals and other species of epifauna, said Mr Grehan. However, the discovery on the cargo ship confirmed that sunken structures not only act as artificial reefs but make an important contribution to maintaining coral and other species. He described the structures as stepping stones for further colonisation or restoration of damaged habitats. By surveying these deeper wrecks we wanted to establish whether deeper reef-forming corals could survive in shallower water, said Mr Grehan. The recently unveiled Irish National Monuments Service Wreck Viewer lists the locations of more than 4,000 wrecks. The new discovery has implications for implications for the design and management of marine protected areas and habitat restoration, he said. One of the other wrecks surveyed, the ocean liner SS Canadian, showed a large debris field not visible on the original map, suggesting a violent impact with the seabed. This information was gathered by applying a newly published protocol on high-definition imaging of shipwrecks, developed by Ulster University Coleraines centre for maritime archaeology. Mr Dooly said that close quarter inspection of the sites with a remotely operated vehicle was technically challenging and hazardous, due to the presence of abandoned fishing gear. Wrecks are well known as prime spots for commercial fishing. Mr Dooly said unexploded shells and primers, along with pots and pans scattered on the seafloor near one of the wrecks, reminded the team of the human misfortune that occurred at the time of the sinking. There are 18,000 records of potential wrecks in Irish waters, with more than a quarter located by the Infomar programme, run by the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Marine Institute. A top European academic is warning that Ireland is one of two European countries with a third level education system classified as in danger due to the shortfall in funding while the number of students has increased. The Director of Governance and Funding at the European Universities Association (IUA), Thomas Estermann will tell a meeting in Dublin today, that his research has found both Ireland and Serbia are "systems in danger". Mr Estermann will tell the seminar, organised by the Irish Universities Association, that while funding to Irish universities has increased over the past year "after almost a decade of cuts, the long-term sustainability of the higher education system in Ireland remains an issue". He told RTEs Morning Ireland that in the nine years from 2008, as a result of the economic crisis, funding for Irish universities fell by 30 per cent, while the number of students increased steadily. Other countries in Europe, particularly in Scandinavia, have continued to increase investment in higher education, which is an investment in the future. While he acknowledged it was difficult to compare countries one to one, it was possible to compare the absolute amount spent on higher education. It was also difficult to compare the amount spent per student from country to country as some systems have loans and other funding options. Mr Estermann pointed out that although Portugal had also suffered from 2008, in 2012 a deliberate decision was made to invest in the education system. In Ireland in the last two years there has been some sort of reinvestment, but between 2008 and 2016 there had been less investment. It will take a long time to catch up. He warned that the Irish third level system is in danger because of reduced funding while the number of students has grown. The high numbers of young people in Ireland attending third level education is a great chance for the country. The future will be in knowledge and research. It is great to have that potential, but it is clear that Ireland needs to invest more in third level education. Recent figures from the Department of Education show that third level funding in Ireland as a share of GDP in 2017 stood at just half of what it was in 2012 despite the fact that the number of students in the system has increased by a quarter in ten years. The Government has approved a plan to upgrade a stretch of the N4 described by a coroner as "possibly the worst road in Ireland". There have been multiple fatalities and collisions on the route from Collooney to Castlebaldwin in Co. Sligo. Today 150m has been earmarked for the works with the project due to be finished by 2021. Nine people died on the route between 1996 and 2018, while there were 10 serious and 81 minor accidents in the same period. Cabinet approved the funds for upgrades to the road this morning. Announcing the funding, Minister Shane Ross said it's not acceptable that the section of road has been described by a county coroner as "possibly the worst road" in the country. He said: "Over the decades there have been many serious collisions and fatalities in this area. "There are families and communities in the North West region who are still suffering the loss of loved ones who have died on this road." He added: "Good roads can save lives. On behalf of this Government and local representatives, Im pleased that this road will now be rebuilt to a modern standard." He also suggested the improvements will lead to a better quality of life for those living in the North West regions of the country. The speaker recalls attending several meetings with Ald. Solis over the past five years, including meetings with individuals in need of legal representation, Heather Wier Vaught, a private attorney for the speaker who also is registered to lobby state government for clients including Major League Baseball, the NBA, the PGA Tour and Commonwealth Edison, said in a statement. If indeed, some of his conversations were being recorded, the speaker did not know that, but he has no concern if they were. The Government has been urged not to accept any proposals from a high-level committee that would continue to criminalise the possession of drugs for personal use. CityWide, a national network of drug organisations, said that it would be a shame if Irish society continued criminalising people for what was a health and social problem. Its coordinator Anna Quigley was responding to reports in yesterdays Irish Examiner that the State working group examining drug possession laws was thought to be favouring a diversion scheme. The proposal being mulled over would mean that the expert body would be stopping short of recommending decriminalisation of the possession of drugs for personal use. Under a diversion scheme, possession would remain a criminal offence, but people caught with amounts deemed to be for their personal use, would be sent by gardai for a health intervention, rather than face criminal prosecution. The working group has sought, and has been recently given, a three-month extension to finalise its recommendations. We are calling on the Government to make it clear it will not accept any recommendation from the Working Group that would continue to treat possession for personal use as a criminal offence, as this would be in contradiction with Government policy of treating drug use as a health issue and not a justice one, said Ms Quigley. Such a recommendation would send a message to people who use drugs that as a society, despite having considered all the evidence of the damage caused by a policy of criminalisation, we still consider them to be criminals and will continue to treat them as criminals. A range of community and voluntary organisations, including CityWide, Merchants Quay Ireland, the National Family Support Network and the Ana Liffey Drug Project campaigned for decriminalisation. Ana Liffey chief executive Tony Duffin said the evidence showed that a health response was better than criminalising people who use drugs. We need to collectively take our heads out of the sand and recognise that criminalising an individual for their drug use is not helpful. It does not deter drug use weve been doing it for 42 years and yet almost three in 10 Irish adults report using illegal drugs at some point in their lives. It does not help people to address the issues in their lives which may have led to them using drugs the criminal justice system is about guilt and punishment, not healthy choices and support. He said the National Drugs Strategy recognised that personal drug use was a health issue. Trying to deal with personal drug use through adult cautioning or diversion while keeping those people under the management of the criminal justice system is just retrofitting health services into the justice system, he said. This approach may be required under our current laws, but it is an expensive and complex way of delivering health services. With ammonia emissions from farming in Ireland near the upper limit allowed by the EU, a cow toilet being developed in the Netherlands which considerably reduces ammonia could become a vital piece of farm equipment. If successful, it could also become a big seller in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, which have the highest ammonia emissions per hectare. By mid-2020, Hanskamp, a company based in the Netherlands, expects to have on sale cow toilets which separate cow urine from cow dung from, thus reducing ammonia. The CowToilet deals with the ammonia problem at the source. It is an automatic urinal that cows use voluntarily, designed to collect the urine before it hits the floor. When a cow enters a feeding station, its suspensory ligament comes in contact with the CowToilet. In this way, a nerve reflex is triggered which causes cows to immediately urinate. The urine is collected in the CowToilet container and is extracted through a suction line into a separate storage tank. By ensuring that the urine stays separated from the manure, there is considerably less ammonia emission. This innovation is already under trial on Dutch dairy farms. One of the trial results emerging is that cows voluntarily visit the CowToilet, to get their daily portion of feed. Hanskamp has been developing the CowToilet since 2016. Reducing ammonia is good for both animal welfare and the environment. It is good for animal welfare because it improves the air in animal sheds. The farmer could also benefit if the CowToilet reduces manure disposal costs, and offers opportunities to use cow urine as a high-quality raw material. Ammonia released to the atmosphere increases air pollution which is linked to effects on human health. It also adds nitrogen to soils and waters. About 90% of ammonia in the EU comes from agriculture. In some member states, dairy farmers have to pay high fees to meet requirements for ammonia emission and manure disposal. National limits have been set by the EU, and EU measures have helped to cut emissions of ammonia from agriculture sector by 24% compared with 1990. In that period, only Spain (plus 12%) and Ireland (plus 1.6%) reported increased ammonia emissions. In Ireland, farmers are grant-aided to switch to low-emission slurry spreading methods. This can reduce ammonia emissions by about 30%. China has called on Washington to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Huawei after the United States stepped up pressure on the tech giant by indicting it on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. Beijing will firmly defend its companies, a foreign ministry statement said. It gave no indication whether Beijing might retaliate for the charges against Huawei, Chinas first global tech brand and the biggest maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies. We strongly urge the United States to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei Huawei Technologies Ltd, which has spent a decade battling US accusations it is a front for Chinese spying, denied committing any of the violations cited in Mondays indictment. The foreign ministry complained Washington has mobilised state power to hurt Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations. We strongly urge the United States to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei, said the statement read on state TV. It said Beijing will defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies but gave no details. Huawei logo is displayed at a retail shop window reflecting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Beijing (Andy Wong/AP) Huawei passed Apple in mid-2018 as the second-biggest global smartphone brand after Samsung. The US charges included no allegation Huawei worked at the Chinese governments direction. But Washington has previously accused Beijing of involvement in cyberspying and theft of industrial secrets. It has charged several Chinese hackers and intelligence officials. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang (Andy Wong/AP) Prosecutors allege Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, lied to banks about those dealings. Ms Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested on December 1 in Vancouver, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. We urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests, said a foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang. We urge Canada to take seriously Chinas solemn position, immediately release Ms Meng Wanzhou and protect her legitimate and legal rights. Huawei, headquartered in the southern city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, has rejected the US accusations. The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of US law set forth in each of the indictments, a Huawei statement said. Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou (Darryl Dyck/AP) Ms Meng is out on bail in Vancouver as she awaits extradition proceedings. Huaweis US market evaporated after a 2012 congressional report said it and Chinese rival ZTE Corp were security risks and told phone companies to avoid them. But Huawei says the scrutiny has had little impact on its business elsewhere. The company says it serves 45 of the 50 biggest global telecom carriers. It forecasts its 2018 global revenue should exceed 100 billion US dollars for the first time despite the tension with Washington. Huawei said US prosecutors rejected a request to discuss the investigation following Ms Mengs arrest. It also noted the allegations in the trade secrets charge were the subject of a US civil lawsuit that already has been settled. The latest charges could dim prospects for US-Chinese trade talks due to start on Wednesday in Washington. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed on December 1 to put off any further sanctions against each others exports while they negotiated. A breakdown would likely lead to higher tariffs, a prospect that has rattled financial markets for months. The entirely state-controlled Chinese press has portrayed Huawei as the victim of US government efforts to cripple a potential industrial challenger. This is not just the matter of Huawei. It involves the whole nation of China, said Qin Xiaohua, who works in the finance industry in Beijing. The UK Headquarters of Huawei in Reading, Berkshire (Steve Parsons/PA) While US authorities stress the independence of courts, ordinary Chinese people all believe it is a deliberate crackdown on Huawei, said Lu Feng, an economist at Peking University. He said Beijing will see a link to Chinese-US trade relations. The difference in understanding will bring about complicated problems, said Mr Lu. Asked about the possible effect of the Huawei case on trade talks, the foreign ministry spokesman, Mr Geng, said, as for the China-US trade talks and our position on this, I think the US is also quite clear about that. The US Justice Department officials provided details from a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in New York. The Seattle charges allege that, beginning in 2012, Huawei plotted to steal information about T-Mobiles robot, known as Tappy. It said Huawei engineers secretly took photos of the robot, measured it and tried to steal part of it from T-Mobiles lab, according to prosecutors. T-Mobile declined to comment.- Press Association US charges Huawei with violating sanctions and stealing trade secrets The US Justice Department has unsealed criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a senior executive, accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating US sanctions. In a statement, Huawei denied committing any of the violations cited in the indictment. The company is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on December 1 in Canada. "As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August, we need more law enforcement co-operation with China," acting attorney general Matt Whitaker said at a news conference. "China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies, and China should take action." US prosecutors say Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions. Meng misled US banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. "As you can tell from the number and magnitude of the charges, Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect US law and standard international business practices," said FBI director Chris Wray. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. Prosecutors also allege that Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device T-Mobile used to test smartphones, prosecutors said. A jury in Seattle ruled that Huawei had misappropriated the robotic technology from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state. The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the US and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China, and said in December that he would "intervene if I thought it was necessary". China's government called on Washington to "stop the unreasonable crackdown" on Huawei. Beijing will "firmly defend" its companies, according to a foreign ministry statement read on the state-run TV news. The foreign ministry complained that Washington has "mobilised state power" to hurt Chinese companies "in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations" for political reasons. China's foreign ministry also called on Washington to withdraw its request for Canada to extradite Huawei's chief financial officer. A ministry spokesman complained that Washington "has shown disregard for the stern representations" from Beijing over the case. He said: "We urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests." The IoT Evolution Expo is coming up fast, and we recently interviewed our sponsors and exhibitors to get a bit of a preview of what to expect from them at the show, and some insights into their view on the IoT industry. Here, we spoke to DimOnOff, which will be exhibiting in booth 1610 at the IoT Evolution Expo. DimOnOff is a pioneer and innovator of remote control & monitoring technologies and ranks among the top players in the smart cities management market. Headquartered in Quebec City, Canada, DimOnOff is the result of more than 12 years invested in R&D to create the ultimate IoT, Smart City Management System SCMS. To visit with DimOnOff, click here to register. Here is a little preview of the companys thinking: How has the evolution of IoT technology over the past 12 months helped the industry grow? First and foremost, IoT has evolved from the ''curious & feasible'' state to the ''rolled-out & demonstrated'' state, and in numerous kinds of environments. Security issues have been escalated amongst the most serious players, newer hardware has been developed, especially in the field of wireless mesh networks to clear the issues of network reliability, better interference immunity, higher scalability, through the proper use of best-of-breed protocol stacks. So, yes, the environment has clearly evolved for the better in the past 12 months. But it is like anything else, ''you get what you pay for'', and although IoT is the space to be these days, it also means the market will be lured by too many less-than-mature Tech providers, and this always hurts the reputation of the market as a whole. Best-of-breed still has its importance, especially in Smart City applications where IoT assets will be required to have long lifetime. In that aspect, look for technology platforms (both hardware & software) to be future-proof, i.e., capable to not only be upgradable (typically over-the-air, for firmware, O/S, and radios firmware), but especially for the software layer (SCMS Smart City Management System) to be capable of adapting to newer types of IoT devices (future sensors and specific protocols, for example). What does Digital Transformation mean to your business? DT means more real-time, more monitoring, more metering, more control, in order to carry more intelligence at the edge. It also means having more intelligence executed at the edge and use more real-time data and insightful information to trigger actions, not just data for the sake of having lots of historical data. In fact, DT means that you can get rid of most large data stores, because the real value of most of this data is instantaneous. What elements of the IoT are most relevant to your company? We cannot say it loud enough: IoT is a software game but you need Things to play. Topics such as insightfulness, scalability, security, ease-of-use (because IoT is used by people to do their work: ex: monitoring supervising improving automation) are all results of well-architected software. If it looks easy, thats because software does all the hard work, because an end-to-end IoT infrastructure is complex. But above software is the concept of Platform, with which you can define any type of application types and layers for any kind of asset and be capable of describing from fields to formats & units, all the way to the protocol it will be communication with, based on the provider used by that asset (e.g. sensors). DimOnOff made the decision, several years ago, to invest in an end-to-end solution platform, from nodes to gateways to server to software, because scalability and user-experience require extreme performance. But once scalability is reached and you have built the best possible environment for massive street lighting control, you start asking the question: '' Did we really make the City smarter by controlling & monitoring 100k lights? '' - R: Not really. And thats how the idea of creating a Platform that can support any type of controller and sensor, current & future, was born. Can we learn from the City the same way we humans do: using our senses to look, listen, even smell, and then recognize these senses and communicate the results to execute actions? Are you using IoT technologies and systems in your companys operations? In what way? If not, why not? Yes. Obviously for Lighting & Building automation, but also in Manufacturing. What are the new IoT technologies that youre most excited to explore in 2019? In 2019, DimOnOff will roll out its own wireless mesh radio, for much better scalability and superior interference immunity, which has become a more serious issue given the immense volume of wireless devices using public bands (non-regulated, therefore subject to excessive duty cycle from low quality hardware provider). We will continue exploring the may IoT services included in the Microsoft Azure IoT infrastructure. Being a Microsoft Partner, DimOnOff has rebuilt the SCMS platform to make optimal use of Azures jaw dropping capabilities. Deploying on Azure enables us to serve hundreds of smaller villages and municipalities, simultaneously using one single platform, managed by one master-ESCO, and provide all these small communities the exact same level of technology that was only accessible to large cities with their own IT department. Easily, quickly, from a simple browser, split into business units and zones, managing each users right & rules. Finally, a new family of edge-sensors is on the drawing board. Stay tuned. How has your outlook on security changed over the last year? What security strategies do you anticipate leveraging in 2019? Working with cities and utilities warrants the need to put security at the forefront of our R&D roadmap. Growing public concerns about potential security breaches, whether they be in connected assets or in other web services better known to the general public, does not help the cause of IoT for public infrastructure and it is part of our role to demonstrate the security of our solution with the help of our partners. Are you active in the Healthcare, LPWAN, Smart City, and/or Industrial IoT verticals? How so? Which are most exciting for you? Yes. DimOnOff has been, since its inception, been focused primarily on the topic of smart street lighting. Realizing that a large municipal deployment on every street light represents a beautiful canopy of telecommunication, 30ft up in the air, it didnt take long to realize that many more applications (sensors, controllers) could tag along that same network. DimOnOff is now making its foray in the new world of Smart Spaces with asset tracking IoT devices, using the same versatile software platform used for Smart Cities. Are Edge Technologies and IoT mesh networks taking a larger role in your operations and/or product offerings? How so, or why not? Definitely. We are all about Edge-devices, communicating on wireless mesh networks. The interesting question is: How much intelligence can you execute at the edge, in order to reduce bandwidth usage to such a low level that the transfer of information can be handled by a low-band wireless mesh network. This is where we are at: DimOnOff has already demonstrated such level of product & technologies at recent shows (Microsoft Inspire in Las Vegas: July 18, and others) What will you have on display at your booth and why should attendees make it a point to visit you at your booth? Real live demonstrations of real full-scale city deployments of IoT applications. What are you most looking forward to at IoT Evolution 2019? We are eager to get in touch with cities, municipalities and channel partners from different regions of North America and beyond to expand the use of DimOnOff | SCMS and design better services for citizens. Edited by Ken Briodagh With a mission to address some of the hardest challenges associated with scaling IoT implementations security, fragmentation, complexity and related economics a new edge computing software company, embedding distributed ledger approaches into solutions support widespread Industrial IoT (IIoT), came out of stealth mode at the IoT Evolution Expo. IronBridge Enterprise, a start-up based in Austin, Texas, introduced an Internet service layer that unifies security of smart devices, cloud services, edge services, and digital assets, enabling next generation distributed applications and services. We chose this industry event, which weve been attending for years, in large part because of their natural expansion into blockchain, founder and CEO Michael Hathaway said in an interview this morning. While there are many valuable enterprise applications that are using distributed ledger technologies to enhance and even replace outdated and expensive data integrity and network management systems, weve seen the most exciting use cases in the world of connected things. Hathaway said the reason for this is clear the growth of edge devices, all generating data locally (at the edge) and sending that data to the cloud for certain processing requires more practical approaches that support any device, any access network, any gateway, transmission network, cloud and application, avoiding complication and locked-in vendor agreements that have slowed adoption. The POCs for years have proven successful, but when enterprises need to scale to support tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of end points, the business models fall apart, Hathaway said. Weve worked for several years on the underlying platform supporting our solutions, and our customers solutions when we partner with them, and its a perfect time for us to emerge and share what we are doing in the energy and healthcare industries with a combination of IoT and software development experience that takes advantage of blockchain architecture. The company is providing secure, blockchain enabled, edge computing solutions to enterprise customers, with focused on addressing data integrity and cybersecurity challenges. The edge computing market is growing at a 41% CAGR and is expected to reach $3.2B by 2025, according to industry analysts, in parallel with growth in IoT and AI, the latter which IronBridge is using to support autonomous systems and predictive features within those systems. Leveraging Cognida, an open source platform which was introduced last year, IronBridge is building Data Security as a Service (DSaaS) solutions proven at the edge in healthcare, distributed energy generation, distributed control systems including legacy automation, smart city and region applications and agriculture. IronBridge incorporates the Cognida cybersecurity framework into custom edge applications for enterprise customers and offers network services for managing digital identities, assets and distributed, edge applications. A new white paper is available to view here. We will be announcing a number of specific projects underway over the next few months, said Michael Hathaway, founder and CEO. We are very fortunate to be innovating with our customers and partners, together creating a new path for IT and OT systems development and management. Hathaway will be addressing the audience as part of a blockchain certification event and will be specifically addressing the relationship of blockchain and IoT, particularly as edge challenges mount, including cost-efficient and effective security concerns. IronBridge is partnering with OneLedger, TSAV and Sphereon, the details about which Hathaway said will be shared in the coming weeks. Conventional cloud approaches and enterprise infrastructure dont address edge computing administration and security challenges, Hathaway said. This new data and computing landscape requires adoption of new technologies and services and has spawned the high growth edge computing technology market, driving the need to implement distributed edge computing applications that securely share data without trusted centralized services. This emerging edge computing industry is a high growth and dynamic sector, which according to Grand View Research, is growing at a 41% CAGR and is expected to reach $3.2B by 2025 across multiple industry sectors. Edited by Ken Briodagh Establishing a California Wildfire Commission is just one idea an expert is tossing out to help the state deal with worsening fire seasons. James Woods was formerly co-leader of Mayer Browns Global Insurance Industry Group and chair of the LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae Insurance Practice. He now owns and operates Woods Group Solutions, headquartered in Sonoma, Calif. Woods, a long-time insurance attorney, is all about looking for solutions to help the insurance industry and insurance consumers. Hes been talking a great deal lately about how to be better prepared and more adequately handle the costly wildfires the state has been dealing with over the last several years, including the November 2018 wildfires which are now reported to have amassed $11.4 billion in insured losses. He recently discussed his ideas for possible solutions with Insurance Journal. This has been edited for clarity and brevity. Insurance Journal: When you look at last years wildfire season, can you recall any season as bad? James Woods: No. Forest fires are becoming increasingly likely, because of climate change, and costing insurers more than ever. Wildfires are here and theyre doing devastating damage and theyre likely to continue. IJ: You stated before that this an opportunity for the insurance industry to step in and provide leadership. What can be done? Woods: Well theres several things. We need to focus first and foremost on the consumer. The consumer today has three options, and what were fearful of is, in wildfire areas the consumer is likely to be uninsurable. To give one a sense of measure of that, the governors office has stated that one-in-10 buildings in the state of California are located in wildfire areas. About 2 million buildings are located in wildfire areas. So were talking about 10 percent or more of this states building industry, both residences and commercial structures, located there. The alternatives, first and foremost, was to seek coverage for the consumer, in the so called admitted insurance market, that always should always be the venue first and foremost. Secondly, if the consumer cannot find adequate coverage there, they can seek coverage through the state sponsored FAIR Plan. I say state-sponsored, its really a creation of the insurance industry and the admitted market. And thirdly, if both of those do not provide adequate cover for the (consumer), theres a very robust non-admitted market such as Lloyds of London, where the consumer can attempt to seek coverage. The problem is that were finding holes in each of those, and limitations, in each of those coverages, or sources of coverage, for the consumer. With the admitted market, were starting to see admitted insurers refusing to write wildfire areas one large national broker has set wildfire deductibles in those areas or in the FAIR Plan were seeing limitations of, I think its a million-five of coverage, and they may be reaching capacity as to how much they can write. The non-admitted market is a very flexible market, and its unknown whether or not theyll step forward as they did in the days after the Chicago fire, when Mrs. OLearys cow kicked the lantern and started that fire, the non-admitted market came in to provide coverage. Were too early to see whether or not they will fulfill that capacity problem, which forces us to start thinking about other alternatives. IJ: youve heard about the lawsuit filed by Allstate, State Farm and USAA. Have you heard of something like this happening before? Do you think these suits have legs? Woods: Its a subrogation type of suit. Its a suit whereby the insurers are seeking to recoup for some of the damages that have insured to their detriment, as a result of these wildfires, and theyre legally entitled to go after the entity that allegedly caused that fire. So, they do have legs. I will point out one thing that I found to be quite interesting. Sometimes its important not to achieve what one hopes for, and I know that Bloomberg has estimated that the insurance industry owns 20-25 percent of the California utility bonds. So, if these lawsuits, and other suits, manage to bankrupt PG&E, it is possible that the bondholders will be left out in the cold. Hopefully, the insurance industry is tracking their asset balance sheet, as they proceed through these suits. IJ: Youve mentioned this, the idea of having a California Wildfire Commission. Can you tell us a little bit about that? Woods: This is such a prevalent problem, it tends to stay, economically, so hard. Its also hugely detrimental to the housing crisis that we currently have. We need to think differently and, in this instance, (think about) forming a Wildfire Commission that would take a look at, and draw the lines for, the truly exposed areas with wind overlays. Then, helping us make sure that infrastructure in these populated areas is adequate for public evacuation, in the event that the worst happens, which of course was the huge issue in the Camp Fire. 26,000 homes were burned. People had to leave. They, by virtue of the fact that they had a wildfire 10 years earlier that had destroyed 80 homes, were looking to the future and created a skyway, in order to help evacuate people. The problem was, it was locally reviewed, not state reviewed, and it turned out to be inadequate. It was totally jammed. People couldnt get out, had to leave their vehicles on the side of the road. They had planned to have three stages of evacuation, but the fire spread so quickly that everybody was trying to leave at the same time. There was no order to it. Eventually, Cal Fire had to come in and bulldoze cars out of the way, so that the firefighters could reach where the fire was most devastating. We need more of a coordinated effort to take a look at infrastructure, as well as fire remediation in these areas. Building standards (for instance). California meets the highest quality of building standards, but I think the insurance industry could be helpful here too, Don. They can help set higher standards for insuring risk in wildfire areas, by making sure that adequate defensible space around each home. Eaves dont over-extend. When communities are built, they will have areas where firetrucks can actually turn around, at the end of a cul-de-sac, rather than get stuck and therefore not respond to a fire at the end of the cul-de-sac. All of these things can be governed, indirectly, by the insurance industry and their underwriting standards. Related: Topics Lawsuits California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Market Snail mail: More and more people are voting by mail something election officials say may be part of the Amazon trend. About 40,000 Chicagoans already have asked for mail ballots. Thats well above the 24,454 that eventually were submitted in 2011 and the 22,092 in 2015, Allen said. He noted that a majority of applicants filled out the ballots and returned them. If you ask for a mail ballot and dont turn it in, though, you can still vote in person on Election Day. While applications for a mail ballot end Feb. 21, election officials say you shouldnt delay to ensure it gets to you and you can return it in a timely fashion. Do it here. Voters feel confident in the process, especially when that email arrives notifying them that their filled ballot has been received and counted by election staff, officials say. Organized campaigns can take advantage of the mail ballot option. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers campaign, for example, drove a lot of votes by pushing mail voting. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday that suicide bombers were behind the twin blasts in Jolo over the weekend. When asked by reporters on the issue, Duterte said, "Yes. Blowing them up." He revealed a female bomber was the one who entered the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and a male was the one who set off the bomb outside the church. "Mag-asawa [They were husband and wife]," he added. Both were members of the Abu Sayyaf, Duterte said. This was also stated by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Chief Noel Detoyato said in a briefing earlier. The Abu Sayyaf planned the attack which left at least 21 people dead, while its sub-group Ajang Ajang "carried (it) out," Detoyato said. The police and military named a certain "Alias Kamah," brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader and member of the Ajang Ajang, as among the persons of interest as seen in the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the blasts. Duterte said he was convinced it was the Abu Sayyaf who were behind the blasts. "Yes, we are sure of that. Walang iba. Nobody, but nobody can perpetuate that kind of terrorism thereabout sa lugar na 'yon [in that area]... That is what the military told me, and that is what the police relayed to me. And I am guided by what the government workers would tell me," he said. However, the nationalities of the suicide bombers have not yet been determined. Last December, Duterte ordered the deployment of an entire military division to Jolo to secure the area. Dack then, he said he was already receiving information from Indonesia and other countries that terrorist attacks would come to the country. His specific directives to the AFP after the bombings are to "look and arrest the killers, go into a punitive action." "That is always my order. Destroy the Abu Sayyaf, destroy the NPA, and destroy the drug organizations. If destroying is killing, if you are interested to know, yes," Duterte said. Meanwhile, the President was firm in saying there was no lapse in security despite the bombings. "No, I don't think so. Walang lapses doon [There were no lapses there], because the other bomber was outside, there was no reason for him to be frisked. Either he was just passing by before blowing himself up. Ang problema, kasi yung babae may [The problem was the woman had a ]...as wearing a cross. Malaking cross sa dibdib niya [A big cross on her chest], who would ever think," he said. The President also cited Murphy's Law. "Yung Murphy's Law. If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. Misapprehension or misappreciation contributed." However, Duterte said they were not shirking responsibility over the event. "We are not washing our hands. Every time that there is a death of a Filipino by violence - unless of course lumaban sa pulis (fought back against the police) or military - that is a failure in governance to protect the people and the Filipino. And we admit those lapses in our responsibility," he said. Duterte said more military offensives in Mindanao can be expected following the incident Police still validating info Meanwhile, Sulu Provincial Police Office Director Senior Supt. Pablo Labra told CNN Philippines News Night Tuesday that they were still validating information about the identities of the bombers and how the blasts were carried out. "Ang mga nakuhang ebidensiya doon sa crime scene po, hindi po nag-indicate na merong suicide bomber. In fact, iba din...although may mga witnesses tayo na nakuha as of now who said na merong taong lumapit even during the confusion after the first explosion, hindi po babae," he said. [Translation: The evidence gathered at the crime scene do not indicate there was a suicide bomber. In fact, although we have witnesses who said someone approached even during the confusion after the first explosion, it wasn't a woman. Labra added they have received information saying a woman did go inside and left a bag in the church, but they could not conform it as of now. He also said they were not ruling out the possibility that foreigners could be involved in the incident. Ten Army and Marine battalions, or about 5,000 soldiers, are now pursuing the bombing suspects, Sulu Military Commander Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo said. A lockdown in the immediate vicinity of the blasts is in effect. CNN Philippines' Ina Andolong, Eimor Santos, and Pia Garcia contributed to this report. The families of victims of a Kentucky school shooting have filed separate civil lawsuits blaming the suspects parents for failing to secure a handgun used in the attack. The lawsuits say the mother and stepfather of Gabriel Parker were negligent in supervising the teen, who is charged with double murder and assault in the Jan. 23, 2018, shootings at Marshall County High School. Police say Parker, now 16, used his stepfathers gun. School officials also are named in a lawsuit brought by the family of Bailey Holt, The Paducah Sun reported. Holt and Preston Cope, both 15, died in the shooting. A lawsuit filed Wednesday by Copes parents names only Parker, his mother and stepfather. In that suit, the family alleges that Gabriel Parker kept materials, publications, and items devoted to deadly weapons and violence as well as (World War II) and the Nazi Regime. It also alleges Parker made reference to the kids (he) may hurt before the shootings. A number for Parkers mother, Mary Minyard, and stepfather, Justin Minyard, could not be located. Court records indicated the couple has a residence in Mississippi. Police say Parker told them he took a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol from his stepfathers bedroom the night before the shooting and hid it in a laundry basket. The lawsuit filed by Holts family alleges school system employees knew or shouldve known of Gabriel Parkers dangerous propensities and didnt monitor or prevent his actions. It says employees failed to comply with school safety regulations, resulting in the shooting. Mike Owsley, an attorney for the school district, disputed allegations that Parkers violent tendencies were known and said the school had an action plan. This could not have been predicted and prevented, Owsley told The Paducah Sun. Based on what we have learned, there was nobody that anticipated or had any preconceived notions that this young man was violent or likely to be violent, he said. A trial date for Parkers criminal case is pending. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Kentucky For the seventh year in a row, the Florida insurance industry, regulators, and consumer advocates will push for reforms to the states assignment of benefits issue that has now become an insurance crisis, according to a report from the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) [Floridas] legal environment has encouraged vendors and their attorneys to solicit unwarranted AOBs from tens of thousands of Floridians, conduct unnecessary or unnecessarily expensive work, then file tens of thousands of lawsuits against insurance companies that deny or dispute the claims, the report says of the misuse of the policyholder protection known as AOB. Michael Carlson, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida, said the I.I.I. study underscores the global problem with AOBs in Florida, and highlights the pernicious effects of our one-way fee law on our justice and insurance systems. It is well past time for the [Florida] Legislature to fix this problem, he said, noting a bill addressing attorney fees Senate Bill 122 has already been filed for 2019 Florida Legislative Session, which begins in March. With rates rising and insurers pulling back in parts of the state where the abuse is most rampant, such as in South Florida, insurance leaders say the crisis must be addressed. The key issue at OIR [Office of Insurance Regulation] is the issue of AOB, Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier told attendees at the Florida Chamber of Commerces annual Insurance Summit in November. It is an excessive litigation issue driven primarily by a loophole in the attorney fee statute [it] is being used to the detriment of consumers. Carlson said the key issue for the insurance industry has always been the perverse incentive to game the system that is created by the one-way attorney fee law, which was intended to benefit specific categories of insureds, not any assignee. In previous sessions, bills to reform the statute have failed thanks to lobbying by the trial bar. But the industry is hopeful 2019 will be different. I believe that there is real interest in the Senate to finally and meaningfully address the AOB crisis that is hurting consumers in Florida, Carlson said. CFO Jimmy Patronis said Citizens Property Insurance Corp.s filing for an 8.2 percent rate filing largely because of litigation and losses from AOB is evidence of why reform needs to happen this year for the sake of consumers. We need to bring everyone to the tablethat includes insurers, attorneys, contractors, and state leadersto find the best solutions to addressing this mounting problem, Patronis said in a statement. Georgia A new commissioner is now heading up the Georgia Department of Insurance, and he has promised bring changes to the department. Jim Beck, a Republican, was elected in November, taking over for Ralph Hudgens, who served since 2011. Beck was a former deputy insurance commissioner and also served as Hudgens chief of staff. Beck has said his top priorities will be fixing health care, defending seniors and veterans from insurance fraud and protecting consumers from runaway auto rates. I will organize and begin holding tele-town hall hearings on all proposed excessive rate increases, and if appropriate, challenge them in court, he said. Thanks to a law passed in 2008 that promised to lower insurance rates, Georgias top insurance regulator cannot reject insurance rates filed by auto insurers unless they are seen to be overly excessive. The file and use system, however, may have backfired with Georgia now leading the U.S. when it comes the cost of auto insurance, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. President of the Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) Southern Alliance Jerry Duke said the association, which also represents Alabama and Mississippi, said it plans to provide its members with accurately calculated passenger auto rates, which could include support for a return to some form of prior approval. PIA has always taken the approach that the Commissioner had the power to review, Duke said. We will work with Commissioner Beck on something going forward. Duke said the association also plans to work closely with Beck on cyber insurance regulation that clarifies responsibility and assigns company agency responsibility. The state also has a new governor, Brian Kemp, also a Republican. The 2019 session began Jan. 14. North Carolina The 2019 North Carolina legislative session will begin on Jan. 30. There will be plenty of insurance industry representation, thanks to the election of several independent agents to the Senate and House. Sen. Jim Burgin, Sen. Todd Johnson, and Sen. Vickie Sawyer, who are also members of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC), were elected in November. Rep. Kevin Corbin, also an IIANC member, was re-elected to his second term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. The association said Allstate agent Chris Humphrey also won his State House race and agents with IIANC member agencies House Majority Leader Rep. John Bell and House Rules Chair Rep David Lewis also won their re-election efforts. Joe Stewart, vice president of Government Affairs for IIANC, said a hands-free driving law similar to what was passed in Georgia is a priority. Cybersecurity will likely come up again in some legislative form, as will flood insurance. With this many independent insurance agents now in the General Assembly, theres a greater critical understanding of these issues in the body, so that makes me feel theres a greater opportunity for discussion of these topics in 2019, he said. Tennessee Tennessee has been enjoying lower workers compensation rates, competitive auto and homeowners markets and a booming captive industry for the last several years. Moving forward into 2019, Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak says the new administration of Governor-Elect Bill Lee, who just reappointed her as commissioner, will help determine what the departments legislative priorities will be, but she expects that health insurance will be at the top. Certainly, maintaining competition in our health insurance market thats been a big focus in Tennessee for my time here. We want to remain focused on that. Also, our new administration is very interested in efficiency of licensure, and we do a lot of things at commerce and insurance besides just insurance, and so I think thats going to be a large focus of ours going forward as well, she said. McPeak says she is working on enhancing the states flood insurance market, encouraging more people to buy coverage and pushing Congress to reuathorize the federal flood program long-term. We have asked all of our members to reach out to their congressional delegations and talk about the importance of the long term reauthorization, and also [worked with] the states that are interested in creating a private market solution, she said. Kentucky The Kentucky Legislature convened for 2019 on Jan. 8, and the Insurance Institute of Kentucky says it has several initiatives it will pursue in the short 30-day session. According to Mark Treesh, executive director, IIKY will offer a more limited personal injury protection (PIP) bill than what passed the Kentucky Senate last year but was later dropped by the House. The proposal is to use the workers comp fee schedule for PIP medical payments. Our hope is that a fee schedule will rein in some of the fraudulent activity rampant in [the state], Treesh said. IIKY is also working on insurance fraud, especially PIP fraud that is a real problem in Jefferson County (Louisville). The provisions that we hope to bring are enhancing the criminal penalties for insurance fraud, eliminating contact information from accident reports purchased in bulk, and requiring medical licensing boards to report provider activity that may be insurance fraud to the Department of Insurance, he said. IIKY is also working to support asbestos trust transparency and an industry response to the American Law Institutes Restatement of the Law which covers a range of liability insurance law topics. State-by-State Info Alabama Governor: Kay Ivey (R), won election 2018 Insurance committees: House Insurance; Senate Banking & Insurance Insurance commissioner: Jim Ridling (non-partisan), appointed 2011. Has 50 years of experience in insurance, including positions with Firemans Fund. Florida Governor: Ron DeSantis (R), elected in 2018 Insurance committees: House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee; Senate Banking & Insurance Insurance commissioner: David Altmaier (non-partisan), appointed 2016. Formerly chief analyst and insurance agent. Georgia Governor: Brian Kemp (R), elected in 2018. Insurance committees: Insurance & Labor Senate; Insurance House Insurance commissioner: Jim Beck (R), elected 2018. Has 30 years of experience in the industry, including with an insurance agency, and a director for an insurance company. Formerly deputy insurance commissioner. Kentucky Governor: Matt Bevin (R), elected in 2016 Insurance committees: House Banking & Insurance; Senate Banking & Insurance. Insurance Commissioner: Nancy Atkins (non-partisan), appointed 2017. Has 33 years of experience in the insurance industry, including as an agent and employee benefit manager. Formerly worked for Kentucky department and for Blue Cross Blue Shield. Mississippi Governor: Phil Bryant (R), re-elected in 2016 Insurance committees: House Insurance; Senate Insurance Insurance commissioner: Mike Chaney (R), elected to three terms since 2007. Former state legislator, Chaney is also active in the NAIC. North Carolina Governor: Roy Cooper (D), elected in 2016 Insurance committees: Senate Commerce & Insurance; General Assembly Insurance. Insurance commissioner: Mike Causey (R), elected in 2016. Former insurance agency owner with 25 years experience in the insurance industry. Began career with Metropolitan Life. South Carolina Governor: Henry McMaster (R), elected in 2018 Insurance committees: Senate Banking & Insurance; House Labor, Commerce & Industry. Insurance commissioner: Raymond G. Farmer (non-partisan), appointed 2012. Has more than 40 years experience in insurance. Served as Deputy commissioner for the Georgia Department of Insurance. Also with American Insurance Association. Tennessee Governor: Bill Lee (R), elected in 2018. Insurance committees: Senate Commerce & Labor; House Insurance & Banking. Insurance commissioner: Julie Mix McPeak (non-partisan), appointed 2011; reappointed in 2019. Has more than 20 years of experience in state government, including with Kentucky Office of Insurance. West Virginia Governor: Jim Justice (R), elected in 2016. Insurance committees: House Banking & Insurance; Senate Banking & Insurance. Insurance commissioner: Allan McVey, appointed 2017. Was formerly an insurance agent and worked as a medical claims examiner with the West Virginia Workers Compensation Fund. Topics Agencies Trends Auto Florida Workers' Compensation Fraud Flood Personal Auto Market North Carolina Georgia Pricing Trends Tennessee Kentucky Even though the New England Patriots already have 10 Super Bowl appearances behind them, its fans will be showing up in droves to this years game, which pits them against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, February 3 in Atlanta. Nine percent of travelers heading to Atlanta over the weekend are coming from the Boston metro area, compared to eight percent from greater Los Angeles, according to a survey by Allianz Global Assistance. In addition to those traveling from Boston and Los Angeles, an impressive percentage are coming from the New York area (14.3 percent), perhaps due to the high population density and significant concentration of both West Coast and New England transplants in the tri-state area. The travel insurance and assistance company said it reviewed Americans travel plans for roundtrip flights landing in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport between January 31 February 2, 2019, and returning February 4 5, 2019. Despite the colder climes of last years game in Minneapolis, Super Bowl LII drew a higher percentage of fans from the competing teams than this year. In 2018, 15 percent of attendees traveled from Philadelphia, and 10 percent from Boston in the Eagles versus Patriots game, amounting to a full 25 percent of fans, compared to this years 17 percent. The right travel policy can safeguard fans investments to get to the Big Game, particularly at a time of year when winter weather or other unexpected events can delay or interrupt a trip, said Daniel Durazo, director of communications and marketing at Allianz. Rank Origin City (airports within 60 miles) Percent of Travelers 1 New York (LGA, JFK, EWR) 14.3 percent 2 Boston (BOS, PVD) 9.3 percent 3 Los Angeles (LAX, SNA, ONT, BUR) 8 percent 4 Washington, DC Area (DCA, IAD, BWI) 4.3 percent 5 Chicago 3.5 percent Topics Carriers Allianz Accenture Plc, the global consulting firm, will begin selling software and services that its already used internally to automate tasks and redeploy about 40,000 workers. The new platform, thats been five years in development, suggests ways to streamline and automate processes in areas such as finance and accounting, marketing and procurement. Debbie Polishook, the group chief executive officer of Accenture Operations, said that all its workers affected have been retrained by the company for other jobs. Accenture currently employees about 469,000 people. Accenture Operations, the companys outsourcing unit, once used human workers in mostly low-wage countries such as India, to handle routine data entry and customer service tasks for clients. Now that unit is hoping this new software will help clients achieve further savings by at least in some cases eliminating the need for humans altogether. For instance, if used in procurement, the SynOps system can take an order, generate an invoice, check that invoice against a contract, correct any errors and then email it to the customer. This is not trying to get rid of the human, Polishook said, but to make them as productive as possible and get them to focus on the work that a human really needs to do. Robotic process automation in which software is used to handle repetitive data entry and other routine tasks is a fast-growing area for enterprise software. UiPath, one of the main companies providing RPA software, has received about $450 million in venture capital funding to date and was valued at $3 billion in its latest fundraising round in September 2018. Blue Prism Group Plc., a competing company, is currently valued at 890 million pounds ($1.2 billion). The consulting firm took five years to build the SynOps platform, Polishook said. About 100 Accenture clients have used the system for procurement, with around 20 having trialed the finance product and five clients currently piloting the marketing offering. In some cases, the use of the automation platform means Accenture is able to perform the same job for clients for less than it has billed in the past. Currently, Polishook said, the firm charges clients either a fixed fee or, more commonly, on the number of workers needed to handle their outsourced job. Nirav Sampat, Accenture Operations group technology officer, said the SynOps platform sits on top of a companys existing databases and record-keeping systems. He said it can do things like predict which invoices are likely to be rejected because their terms dont match the contract, and in some cases automatically correct those invoices before sending them on to a customer. The system also allows Accentures clients to benchmark how efficient their processes are against other companies in the same industry or across industries, Accentures clients can also set custom rules for whether a system will process something automatically based on how much confidence the artificial intelligence software has in its own predictions. For instance, if a system were handling routine insurance claims, a company might allow it to automatically pay those claims as long as it had at least a 95 percent confidence that the decision was correct, Polishook said. If its confidence fell below that threshold, then the claim would be routed to a human claims handler. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. A federal judge overseeing lawsuits alleging Bayer AGs glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer causes cancer on Monday tentatively allowed pieces of controversial evidence that the company had hoped to exclude from upcoming trials. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria during a hearing in San Francisco federal court called his decision probably most disappointing for Monsanto, the Bayer unit that manufactures the worlds most widely used herbicide. The company denies allegations that glyphosate causes cancer and says decades of independent studies have shown the chemical to be safe for human use. Chhabria on Monday said plaintiffs could introduce some evidence of Monsantos alleged attempts to ghostwrite studies and influence the findings of scientists and regulators during the first phase of upcoming trials. He said documents which showed the company taking a position on the science or a study introduced during the first phase were super relevant. The company had hoped the judge would take a harder line on such evidence following a Jan. 3 order by Chhabria restricting evidence of corporate misconduct. At the time, that decision lifted Bayers shares nearly 7 percent. Monsanto had argued much of this evidence was a sideshow that would only distract jurors from the scientific evidence. Plaintiffs lawyers contended some evidence of corporate misconduct was inextricably linked to their scientific claims. The judge appeared to agree with them, saying it was difficult to draw the line between scientific evidence and allegations of corporate misconduct, and questioned whether it would be fair for the jury to not hear about the companys alleged attempts to influence scientists. The parties did agree that other internal documents, including emails of Monsanto employees discussing lobbying efforts, do not belong in the initial trial phase. Under Chhabrias order, that evidence would be allowed only if glyphosate was found to have caused plaintiff Edwin Hardemans cancer and the trial proceeded to a second phase to determine Bayers liability. The order applies to Hardemans case, which is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 25, and two other upcoming cases. There are some 620 Roundup cases before Chhabria, out of more than 9,300 nationwide. Plaintiffs lawyers believe corporate misconduct evidence was critical to a California state court jurys August decision to award $289 million in a similar case. The verdict sent Bayer shares tumbling at the time, though the award was later reduced to $78 million and is under appeal. (Reporting by Tina Bellon in New York; Editing by Anthony Lin and Bill Berkrot) Topics Legislation Over the past few years, cities across America have experienced sudden downpours of shared electric scooters, piling up almost overnight on curbs, sidewalks and front-yards from Atlanta to Los Angeles. The phenomenon has quickly built billion-dollar startups, a new urban subculture and even a gray market for freelance scooter-chargers. But as with everything new, its also triggered litigation. And in the case of a transportation mode that leaves riders exceptionally vulnerable to sudden injury, its reasonable to expect a lot of it. Now, lawyers have their first trickle of data as they seek to make unlucky pedestrians and injured riders whole. A limited studythe first of its kindreviewed scooter-related injuries of 249 patients at two Southern California emergency rooms between September 2017 and August 2018. The report revealed the kinds of injuries one can expect in this brave new world. The vast majority of the injured were riders as opposed to pedestrians. They averaged around 34 years of age and were 58 percent male. The study revealed a general lack of operator adherence to traffic laws or warnings by the scooter companies themselves, according to an article published Friday in JAMA Network Open. Though scooters can reach 15 mph, less than 5 percent of riders were reported to have been wearing helmets. About 40 percent of patients had head injuries and almost 32 percent suffered broken bones. The study said a significant subset of the injuries occurred in patients younger than 18. The researchers dont try to compare the chances of getting killed on (or by) a scooter versus a car, but rather the physical damage being wrought. And how did these 249 California riders get hurt, exactly? More than 80 percent just fell off, according to the study. Eleven percent hit something. Paul Steely White, Birds director of safety policy and advocacy, criticized the JAMA study as very limited. The report fails to take into account the sheer number of e-scooter trips taken, he said. The scooter model is based on an app. Download it, enter your credit card, find a scooter, scan, ride, and leave it at your destination. For obvious reasons, college campuses have been especially fertile ground for scooter companies, led by Bird Rides and Lime. Some schools and municipalities have impounded swarms of scooters left strewn about, saying they create hazards and parking headaches. Scooters have already prompted a handful of lawsuits, most notably a proposed class-action in California state court against Bird, Lime and other scooter companies for alleged gross negligence. The complaint was filed in October on behalf of people injured by scooter users, but not on behalf of any the riders. The plaintiffs alleged the scooter makers knew and/or should have known that their scooters are, would become and would continue to be an unsafe, dangerous and damaging public nuisance. Bird pointed the finger at automobiles rather than directly addressing the allegations in the complaint. At Bird, safety is our very top priority, and it drives our mission to get cars off the road to make cities safer and more livable, the company said. Shared e-scooters are already replacing millions of short car trips and the pollution that comes with them. Lime spokeswoman Mary Caroline Pruitt said the safety of riders and the community is its number one priority. The company said it has distributed 250,000 free helmets across the globe and is improving the safety of the scooters themselves. California Law A recent law passed in California, however, allows adults to operate scooters without helmets. To ride most scooters, users must waive liability, which presents a high bar for a subsequent lawsuit. But that doesnt mean there wont be lawyers who try. A lot of college kids dont have cars so they love these things, said Catherine Lerer, whose Los Angeles-based firm filed the class action suit. People think it looks so easy. But suing scooter companies after liability has been waived is a difficult fight, said Tamara Kurtzman, a litigator based in Beverly Hills. Its an extremely uphill battle, which is more disappointing because real people are getting hurt, she said. Thats the tragedy in this story. Lerer said shes never met a rider who told her they read an e-scooter user agreement. Ive been practicing law for 25 years representing personal injury victims, she said. I have never seen these kind of devastating injuries before scooters arrived. Thats just whats shocking to me. In addition to injured pedestrians hit by scooters, some of her clients were hurt simply tripping over scooters left on a sidewalk, she said. You may not know who the rider is if theres a scoot-and-run situation. The new study aimed to more fully describe the kind of damage being done. The researchers took great pains to note its limitations, and said they hoped others will build on their data and that policymakers would find it useful as the scooter world expands. Tyler Haley, a 22-year-old student at James Madison University, said he tried a scooter shortly after they arrived on the schools Harrisonburg, Virginia campus. He mounted one for a trip from the library to a parking lot, about a mile away. He said the handlebars came loose and he went flying. He said he wasnt wearing a helmetand that he hadnt read the user agreement. A whole bunch of people use them, said Haley, who is not part of the California lawsuit. I did a front flip over the handles and landed on my shoulder and ended up separating it. Kurtzman, the attorney, said that while making a case for injured pedestrians is easier than doing so for a rider, theres another complication. When people get hurt by scooter riders, you may not know who the rider is if theres a scoot-and-run situation, she said. People are being injured one way or another. Everyone is madly trying to figure out who pays for it. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits California Authorities in Michigans Upper Peninsula have closed a highway because of a large multi-vehicle crash and whiteout conditions. Michigan State Police said Sunday afternoon that M-28 in the central UP would be closed until further notice. It said the highway was closed between M-77 and M-94, a 25-mile stretch. Police didnt immediately release details about the crash, but WLUC-TV, citing state police and the Michigan Department of Transportation, reported it was a 13-car pileup. Authorities also closed sections of two interstate highways in the Flint area following multiple crashes amid icy conditions. Authorities have closed sections of two interstate highways in the Flint area following multiple crashes amid icy conditions. The Michigan Department of Transportation is reporting a stretch of northbound Interstate 475 was closed Sunday morning. The Flint Journal reports drivers were being rerouted off the interstate and onto a local road south of Flint. Earlier Sunday morning, authorities closed eastbound I-69 a short distance away to clear a crash scene. Genesee Countys emergency service agency issued a warning on Facebook for motorists to stay off the roads due to the icy conditions. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Michigan Qatar Re said that CEO and Executive Director Gunther Saacke would be stepping down from both roles in March, at the companys next board meeting. Hell stay on for the transition and depart later in 2019, the Bermuda-based reinsurer said. I believe that this is an appropriate time for [Qatar Re] to benefit from the perspectives of a new leader, Saacke said in prepared remarks. 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. In the interim, Michael van der Straaten, Qatar Res chief underwriting officer for long tail and specialty classes, will serve as acting chief executive officer. Khalifa Al Subbay, group CEO and president of corporate parent Qatar Insurance Company, said Saacke made lasting contributions to Qatar Re. Under his strong strategic and operational leadership, Qatar Re has developed into a formidable franchise, placed among the global top 30, and is recognized as a modern and reliable reinsurer around the world, Al Subbay said in prepared remarks. In the challenging environment of recent years, [Saacke] has brought to bear his tremendous following in the market, [and] he has been instrumental in building and inspiring our teams. Qatar Re, licensed as a Class 4 insurer by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, is a global multiline reinsurer writing all major property, casualty and specialty lines of business. Source: Qatar Re This article first appeared in Insurance Journals sister publication, Carrier Management. Related: Topics Leadership Records of as many as 14,200 people with HIV and their 2,400 contacts have been illegally disclosed online, Singapores health ministry said in a statement, marking the second cyber attack the city-state has suffered in a year. The HIV-registry data was leaked by a U.S. citizen, Mikhy K. Farrera Brochez, who was deported from Singapore after serving jail time for fraud and drug-related offenses, the ministry said. The leaked information included names, test results and contact details of 5,400 Singaporean citizens and 8,800 foreigners. The latest data spill comes less than a year after a cyber attack on SingHealth that had exposed the medical data of about 1.5 million people, including outpatient details of the Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. This breach is especially problematic since it compromises the identity of those living with HIV in a region which theres still a lot of social stigma around the condition. While access to the confidential information has been disabled, it is still in the possession of the unauthorized person, and could still be publicly disclosed in the future, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry is scanning the Internet for signs of further disclosure of the breached information. Singapores laws prohibit the disclosure of a patients HIV status and related data, without the persons consent except under certain circumstances. Malicious Hacks The attacks underscore the difficulties companies and governments face in protecting private details of consumers against malicious hacks. In 2017, the global WannaCry ransomware attack crippled parts of the U.K.s National Health Service for days. In a 2015 hack, U.S. health insurance giant Anthem Inc. had about 79 million customers personal information exposed. The alleged culprit, Farrera-Brochez, was the boyfriend of a doctor heading Singapores National Public Health unit who was also convicted in 2018 of abetting Brochezs actions and providing false information to government agencies, according to the ministry statement. Singapore had nearly 8,000 Singapore residents living with HIV in 2017, according to figures released last year. Singapore posts about 450 new HIV cases annually, a number that has been consistent since 2008. Most of the new cases involved men, according to the report. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics USA Cyber German insurer Allianz may have to cover some of the costs of the dam collapse at Vales Corrego do Feijao mine in Brazil, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Allianzs Global Corporate & Specialty division (AGCS) leads a consortium of reinsurers that assumed some risks from Vales local insurers, the sources said on Monday. Allianz declined to comment on the exposure, which was earlier reported by the Versicherungsmonitor trade publication. The mining dam burst on Friday, triggering a deadly mudslide which buried mining facilities and nearby homes in the town of Brumadinho, killing 60 people. Nearly 300 other people are unaccounted for. (Writing by Ludwig Burger; editing by Alexander Smith) Related: Brazil Weighs Management Overhaul at Vale After Mine Disaster; Death Toll Rises David Krupa filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging that Quinn, Madigan and their political organizations entered into an agreement to engage in a campaign of intimidation, harassment and illegal tactics against (Krupa) to cause him to withdraw from running for alderman or else hinder his campaign to the point where he could not get sufficient signatures to obtain ballot access in the municipal election of February 26, 2019. Police say four girls and women were wounded, one critically, in a shooting during a candlelight vigil in New Jersey for two males killed in the crash of a stolen vehicle. Police in Newark say the victims, who range in age from 16 to 20, were shot at about 9 p.m. Saturday. All were taken to University Hospital, where police said one victim was listed in critical condition. No arrests were immediately announced. Officials say the victims had gathered for a vigil near the scene where 17-year-old Quadre Robinson and 19-year-old Quayim Battle were found dead after crashing a sport utility vehicle into a home. The home had structural damage and the occupants were evacuated. The vehicle had been reported stolen in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New Jersey Numbers The rule aims to increase the availability of private flood insurance in flood-prone states like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The sector is currently dominated by a multi-billion dollar government program in part because private insurers have historically been reluctant to enter a market well-known for its potential for large losses. However, advances in mapping and modeling technology have renewed private interest in the market. If the private market can take care of it, thats just more sustainable for taxpayers and for society in general, R.J. Lehmann, a senior fellow at the R Street Institute, told the WSJ. Currently, private flood insurance policies represent less than 5% of the residential market. Most private flood insurance is for commercial and more expensive residential properties that need coverage above the federal programs $250,000 limit, according to the WSJ. Brashear is a national expert in employee benefits, bringing more than two decades of experience to the Holmes Murphy team. He joins the insurance brokerage after previous stints at CIGNA HealthCare, Willis Towers Watson, and, most recently, Imagine Health. As we enter into the Houston market, our team is focused on bringing innovative solutions tailored specifically to the companies in the area, said Wally Gomaa, employee benefits sales leader at Holmes Murphy and chief executive officer of ACAP Health, a Holmes Murphy subsidiary. And, nobody knows this market better than Travis. Ive lived in Houston for 15 years and really love this city, said Brashear. Ive been privileged to serve on the Mayors Wellness Council and lead the Houston Wellness Association (now the Houston Business Coalition on Health), as well as had the opportunity to consult with some of the most progressive employers in Houston. Ive seen firsthand the business community struggle to deliver affordable healthcare to their employees. This role will allow me to bring the creative solutions Ive spent a career creating to our clients, and the opportunity to build the best team in the industry. With helicopter evacuations costing as much as $40,000 each, insurance companies have had enough. According to The Times, three underwriters controlling 23 travel insurance brands have threatened to cut off coverage starting February 15 if the Nepalese government does not take action against the 17 companies accused of insurance fraud. Jonathan Bancroft, the managing director of travel assistance company Traveller Assist, which represents the insurance underwriters, delivered the demand to Nepals minister of tourism last week. To be clear, this is an ultimatum! wrote Bancroft. If our clients stop issuing travel insurance policies in Nepal, it wont be long until other insurers do the same. This will have a devastating effect on the tourism industry in Nepal, and your countrys reputation. To say this is a complex problem is an understatement, Danny Kaine, head of assistance at Traveller Assist, told The Times. 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. The Times reported that this type of fraud has been occurring since the early 2010s. Insurance companies are currently working to track which helicopter rescues were actually cases of fraud. In their own investigation, Traveller Assist told The Times that about 1,600 helicopter rescues had occurred in Nepal from January to August 2018, out of which 35% were considered fraudulent, costing insurers some $4 million in losses. ACORD, the global standard-setting body for the insurance industry, has announced its board of directors for 2019. The board continues to be chaired by J. Spero Zacharias and comprises 29 members, including nine new directors. ACORDs efforts in 2019 will be driven by execution, results, and most importantly value to our members, said Bill Pieroni, president and CEO of ACORD. The expertise and leadership of our board is invaluable in fulfilling this mission and improving the global insurance industry. One of the goals of insurers is to improve near-term operating results, especially as the economic road ahead looks rocky with experts warning of recessionary times on the horizon, along with other serious risks. Clearly, profitability is not getting better, catastrophes arent magically going away in fact, the opposite [and] underwriting and pricing is not changing dramatically, so everything you can do to improve near-term results is vital, which includes core platform replacements and streamlining costs, said Hollander. Read more: Major, but not mega events placed 2018 in the top five years of insured losses Insurers need to also consider how to position themselves for success in terms of customers and products do they need to deliver new solutions, which customer segments should they be targeting next, and how should they service those customers? In other words, at the same time as theyre trying to improve their current business, insurers are taking a hard look at where they need to be strategically to remain relevant with customers going forward, explained Hollander. This, alongside the need to reposition capital to ensure theyre prepared for the next economic downturn and long-term growth. Innovation and staying ahead of the curve are critical as insurers batten down the hatches and equip themselves for the future. Theres no longer a question of whether an insurer should look at digital solutions or not. Digital is just a way of life its a way of doing business, said Hollander. How each of these companies unlocks innovation in their particular company and how they tap into untapped resources, like the younger employees they have working in their company, is a huge priority. Read more: Why the insurance industry needs to be more experimental Meanwhile, the customer should be at the center of this evolution, which many insurance companies recognize as they focus more intensely on understanding the true intentions and needs of their clientele, and how a particular insurance carrier fits into that need. In the midst of single-digit growth (at 2.6% in the Americas between 2012 and 2017, compared to 2.3% globally, according to EYs report), and increased customer-centricity, insurers are looking over their shoulder at the competition. Any player that has trust from a customer is a competitor, and that includes technology companies that are going down the path of insurance-related offerings, Hollander told Insurance Business. While the industry is doing a lot, we still are not at the place where consumers say, I look for my bank or my insurance company first and thats the organization I trust, as opposed to a technology provider, he said, adding that insurance groups from overseas, like Anbang, bring their own threats to insurers on the other side of the pond. As they begin to move throughout ASEAN countries, can they begin to export that? They have more data and more AI experience than any firm in the world. With their behavioral insight, can they take advantage of that and offer greater customer experience, offer greater insights into profitability and cross-selling and claims handling? When thinking about their transformation programs, IoT, artificial intelligence, and blockchain should be at the top of the list of buzzworthy technology, but so should new and improve platforms that help insurers do business better. Non-life carriers have to keep advancing the ball on modernization and getting rid of their technology debt. Its going to be impossible to get out of your own way at some point if you dont modernize and sunset these old legacy platforms. Theyre clunky and theyre not what your current customers want, said Ed Majkowski, EYs Americas insurance advisory leader. The companies that do go through the journey and get through a full modernization of the platforms they have, they are finding themselves in a competitive advantage. Theyre positioned to move faster and can deal with all the things that weve just highlighted that they have to keep pushing themselves to do. Hart is a construction risk specialist with 40 years experience producing and placing large complex risks into Lloyds and the international reinsurance market, with the past nine years spent in the Middle East region. He will handle the construction and energy aspects of the business and oversee the team in Dubai which will broke property, casualty, professional indemnity, political violence, and marine classes. He joined EC3 from JLT Res Dubai office where he had worked since 2014, most recently as SEO. Prior to this, Hart held a variety of roles at RFIB, PWS and Arthur J Gallagher, and had been a Lloyds broker since 1980. Hart will work closely with London-based chief executive officer Danny Driscoll. Steve has a wealth of experience that provides a strong foundation as EC3 Brokers MEA establishes a regional presence, Driscoll said. With the new team in Dubai, EC3 Brokers MEA will deliver specialised personal service, which is a primary focus for EC3 Brokers across all of our offices. We are excited to have him on board as the company gains headway and expands further afield. [email protected] is an important service, particularly for those living in regional and remote communities, and Suncorp is committed to ensuring the service is sustainable and continues to evolve with customer needs, Carter said. For more than 110 years, Suncorp has supported customers in these locations. We recognise changes in customer behaviour have increased the costs of providing [email protected] services, however this is an investment worth making so our customers can continue to access banking services locally. Suncorps support for the essential [email protected] service demonstrates their strong commitment to their customers, ensuring they can continue to access banking services across the nation through their community post office, said Christine Holgate, Australia Post group CEO and managing director. Suncorps strong leadership will enable us to invest in the future of our post offices, many of which are owned and operated by small business people. The refreshed deal allows Suncorp customers to make deposits and withdrawals at any [email protected] outlet across Australia free of charge. Bringing Gallagher together in one new CBD location with close proximity to our major underwriters enables our brokers to work with insurers in presenting clients risks and negotiating covers, said Andrea Davey, Gallagher area director. Our meeting rooms and boardroom are designed for great interactions with our clients. The 34-storey high-rise is the first commercial building to achieve a six-star Green Star Design Rating and six-star As-built Rating by the Building Council of Australia. It features a welcoming marble lobby that provides access to a cafe, ground-floor retail area, and food court. It also has parking, bicycle racks, and end-of-trip facilities. Gallagher said it was particularly impressed with the ample natural light modulated by the external glass treatments that echo the oxbows of the river and stunning views. Lonsdales notable achievements include his leadership in the development of the Competitive and Sustainable Banking System reform package in 2010, his work as head of the secretariat to the financial system inquiry in 2014, and his crucial role in the creation of the Critical Infrastructure Centre (CIC). We congratulate John on receiving the public service medal, which is well-deserved recognition of John's career-long contribution to the Australian community through his work in financial system and foreign investment oversight and reform in his three decades at Treasury, said Wayne Byres, APRA chairman. "John is clearly a thought leader in relation to the structure and well-being of the financial system, and we are fortunate to have someone of his calibre continuing to serve the Australian community in his role as APRA deputy chair. If youre going to sweep out the pay-to-play culture, the sweeping has got to begin at City Hall, the sweeping has got to begin at the mayors office, Vallas said. We have to block the machine from bringing someone else in who may be a fresher face but he or she is still a part of that pay-to-play process that got the city in the mess that its in in the first place. Crawford & Company has strengthened its personal injury team with a new appointment in its Melbourne office. John van Wetering was appointed national manager for injury claims at Crawford, bringing more than 35 years of liability adjusting experience to his new role. His areas of practice include public liability insurance claims, product liability, professional indemnity, and niche areas such as asbestos exposure, education claims, and special-interest matters. Nepal attracted over one million tourists for the first time last year, the report said. Last year, it was revealed that several companies were causing huge costs for insurers by pressuring trekkers into requesting airlifts and rescues even when unnecessary. Some companies also billed insurers multiple times for a single flight. An investigation by the Nepal government revealed that 15 firms including helicopter firms, trekking agencies and hospitals were involved in the scam. However, insurers claim that no legal actions were initiated versus the alleged racketeer firms. Traveller Assist, an Irish firm that claims to represent international insurers, sent a letter to Nepals minister of tourism, warning that its members will stop providing insurance if the government fails to file charges against the companies involved in the scams by February 15. Even if Tucsons residential real estate market wasnt booming, the sale of a 10,000+ square foot estate in the Catalina Foothills would still be newsworthy in the real estate world. But a strong sellers market in Tucson and throughout the nation means the estate of Tucson land developer Do Woodbridge, VA (22192) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. The Latest from Barchart Sign up to receive your Watchlist or Portfolio sent to you by email up to 4 times a day; available at market open, mid-day, market close or end-of-day. Premier Members can also receive the results of custom Screeners - alerting to price or trend changes during and after each trading day. Sign up for a risk-free 30-day Barchart Premier trial. BENEO to showcase Palatinose-based toffee BENEO is to 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. BENEO is to 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. It replaces more than 30% of the high glycaemic 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, BENEO notes. However, market research has shown that for many this still remains a challenge: one third (31%) of European consumers, always or most of the time, feel guilty when they are snacking. Half of German consumers and nearly two thirds of consumers in Spain, Poland and France agreeing that there arent enough healthy sweets available. The BENEO-Technology Center decided to create a healthier toffee supporting a lower blood glucose response as alternative to existing toffee products on the market which can contain up to 65% of high glycaemic sugars. The toffee and fudge category show continued growth: it 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%. This development is expected to continue, demonstrating an opportunity for confectionery producers looking to develop healthier alternatives. Thomas Schmidt, Marketing Director at BENEO, said: 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 they 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 whilst enjoying an indulgent treat. Palatinose (isomaltulose) is derived from sugar beet and is said to have similar technological properties as sucrose. With its mild sugar-like taste it allows flavours other than sweetness to dominate, making it well suited for sweet snacks, BENEO claims. Palatinose has received EU health claims for being toothfriendly and lowering the 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. Moving forward with its development of enterprise Java, the Eclipse Foundation will provide its own version of the GlassFish application server, which traditionally has served as a reference implementation of the Java EE (Java Enterprise Edition) platform. Eclipse GlassFish 5.1 is compatible with the Java EE 8 specification and represents the full migration of GlassFish to the open source Eclipse Foundation. The GlassFish application server supports enterprise technologies including JavaServer Faces, Enterprise JavaBeans, and Java Message Service. From Oracle to Eclipse Foundation Eclipse, which took over the evolution of enterprise Java from Oracle starting in 2017, said the release serves as a step toward ensuring backward compatibility with Jakarta EE, which is Eclipses planned successor to Java EE. The next version of Eclipse GlassFish, Eclipse GlassFish 5.2, will serve as a Jakarta EE 8-compatible reference implementation. The migration of GlassFish to Eclipse was an enormous engineering and legal challenge, the foundation said. GlassFish and Oracle Java EE API contributions to Jakarta EE now are complete. Java EE TCK (test compatibility kits), formerly confidential and proprietary, now are open source and hosted at Eclipse. Also, the Eclipse GlassFish code base was re-licensed from the CDDL-GPL (Common Development and Distribution License, GNU General Public License) and Classpath to the Eclipse Public License 2.0 plus GPL with the Classpath Exception. From Java EE to Jakarta EE Jakarta EE is a brand and a set of specifications, just as Java EE was a brand and set of specifications. Java application servers will be moving from Java EE to Jakarta EE. However, the Jakarta EE specification process is still in development. The first release of Jakarta EE will be Jakarta EE 8, equivalent to Java EE 8. Eclipse hopes to release Jakarta EE 8 by mid-year. Afterward, plans call for considering the addition of capabilities such as modularization, microservices, and a reactive, non-blocking model to Jakarta EE. Modularization would keep enterprise Java in sync with Java SE (Standard Edition). Jakarta EE will be focused on cloud-native deplloyments. Eclipse also calls for multiple, compatible reference implementations of Jakarta EE. Where to download Eclipse GlassFish 5.1 The production release of Eclipse GlassFish 5.1 will be downloadable from Eclipse beginning Tuesday, January 29, 2019. The latest campaign contributions come on top of $193,502 he reported last Thursday, bringing his total for the campaign to more than $4.9 million, according to state campaign finance records. Microsoft has releasedthe production version of Visual Studio 2019 IDE, in which updates occur when the machine is idle. Where to download Visual Studio 2019 You can download Visual Studio 2019 from the Visual Studio website. Whats new in the Visual Studio 2019 In the Visual Studio 2019, developers gain the following new and changed features: Indian American Jaspreet Singh of Hamilton, Ohio, was shot late night May 12, 2018 while sitting in his car. Singh is pictured here with his wife (left), his four children, and his mother. Suspect Broderick Malik Jones Roberts, who was charged with two counts of felony murder, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. (United Sikhs photo) In a shocking incident, a drunk police head constable showered money on the girl students performing at a Republic Day function at a school in Nagpur. ani Pramod Walke, who was in an inebriated state, came under the radar of the authorities after his shameful act was caught on camera in a school situated in Nagpur. In the video, Walke who was posted at Nand police chowki under Bhiwapur police station can be seen, in uniform, showering money on students performing to the song Aye watan tere liye. #WATCH Police constable showers cash on students during Republic Day function at a government school in Nagpur district's Nand. The police constable was suspended following the incident. (26 January) #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/nyTZeRCznO ANI (@ANI) 29 January 2019 According to a TOI report, Walke and two other constables posted at the Umred police station went out drinking while on duty. While the latter went back to Umred, Walke had to go for a school programme in Nandgaon. That's when Walke lost all control and started throwing money at kids dancing on the stage and parents present during the function were shell-shocked at his behaviour. Soon after the incident came to light, SP Rakesh Ola suspended Walke, while the other two cops have been shifted to the headquarters. ALSO READ: Open Letter Defends Delhi's Drunk Cop. Asks Us Drinkers To Back The Hell Off! You'd think that given the time and age we live in, gender-based discrimination would be a thing of the past. But, sadly, that's not true. Picture for Representation In fact, you can see it happening in one of India's most prestigious libraries and it's disconcerting, to say the least. This is what happened to students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) who were reportedly asked to use only a Ladies Section at the prominent Asiatic Society Library in South Mumbai. ALSO READ: UAE Organises Gender Balance Index Awards And Guess What, All Winners Are Men! In a Facebook post, Anna Brittas, a student of Urban Policy at the institute, went to the library with her friend and shared the God-awful incident. Read the post below: This was the first time we went to explore the historical place but what we did not know was that we would be transported a little too much back in time, a time when the sight of women studying in the general study area was frowned upon by staff at the library especially the men, her post on Facebook reads. And the 'ONLY LADIES,' section, according to Anna was 'one-ninth of that massive hall'. "During this period we also felt angry at how they could just dump us in one corner while a whole side was free with some scattered menfolk here and there, the post reads. ALSO READ: There Are No Gender Binaries In Film-Making, Anyone Can Fail Or Succeed, Says Meghna Gulzar Sickened by being 'pigeonholed' constantly, Anna shares how when they managed to sit in the general study area, all they got was 'stares, disappointment and some kind of moral judgment.' The library administration, however, denied any sort of thing to have happened, in fact, one of the officials told the Indian Express that it must have been some other library! FYI - a general space is meant for everyone irrespective of their gender. For women to be expected to cramp up in the one corner that's 'reserved' for them is unacceptable. Misplacing things and assuming it to have been stolen, is something that all of us have done in some point in our lives. But to find that missing piece of article in your possession later is a weirdly guilty thing to happen, especially after having directed tonnes of abuse at the person you thought had stolen it. This woman from the UK experienced something similar, except that her case was extremely bizarre. Picture for representation Abigail Thomspon had lost a ring on her eighth birthday back in 2007. For the longest time, she assumed the jewellery was stolen from her home after being unable to locate it anywhere. But the 20-year-old recently had a crazy sneezing fit and she spotted something shining in her snot and voila! It was the lost ring! The missing ring had actually been stuck up her nose for 12 long years! "My mum had bought it for me as a present that year and it was a few months after that I noticed it had gone missing. I never ever in a million years would have guessed it had got stuck up my nose," Thompson was quoted by Metro UK. Twitter/Picture for representation "I always had a few friends over, we always would sit on my bed and she thought one of them must have just taken it when they were over at my house," Thompson added. Thompson, who hails from West Yorkshire, was taken by surprise when the silver ring flew out of her nose. "Well it was just a normal day, I was sat on my sofa and I started sneezing loads and then I looked in the tissue and I was like 'What the hell is that?' I felt a sharp feeling but I didn't think of it until I looked in the tissue, said Thompson. Later, the mother and daughter came to the conclusion that the ring had probably lodged up inside the nasal cavity when Thompson was picking her nose. Thompson never complained of pain or breathing issues, so no one actually thought to look there. ALSO READ: Chinese Companies Are Offering 30 Dating Leaves Exclusively For 'Left Over' AKA Single Women A man was arrested by the authorities from a village outside Moscow on January 28 and the reason will leave you in splits - the guy stole a 19th-century painting off the wall in a busy Moscow museum and silently walked out like nothing had happened. The guy took a landscape made by Russian artist Arkhip Kuindzhi and carried it through a room filled with visitors on the evening of January 27. The Russian ministry said that the 31-year-old man admitted during the investigation, that he hid the painting at a construction site from where it was later recovered, the ministry said in a statement. The video of the man stealing the painting and getting arrested was released by the ministry on Twitter. The painting depicted Ai-Petri mountain in Crimea, Europe and was completed between 1989 and 1908. AFP Authorities also claimed that the man was previously charged with drug possession and was currently not allowed to leave Russia. "At the time of the theft, the museum's security - carried out by forces of the National Guard and the museum's security service - was working normally," the gallery said. "Security measures at the Arkhip Kuindzhi exhibition and all sites of the Tretyakov Gallery have been strengthened," it added. "Thank God, thanks to the energetic efforts of our law enforcement officers, the painting was found quickly and efficiently," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. A similar incident took place in the capital's Tretyakov gallery in a year, after a visitor in May seriously damaged painting of Ivan the Terrible. In todays world of right and left swipe, dating can be really dangerous and with the coming of Tinder, it has become trickier. While some enjoy the app, others end up having some really brutal experiences. In 2015, something similar happened with a 44-year-old US resident Anna Rowe but the cat came out of the bag just a while ago reports India Today. Anna was conned by a married man - also a father - on Tinder, who used the photo of none other than Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan. The 45-year-old divorced man was named Anthony Ray and he duped Anna in 2015. She did not realise that the man posing in the picture was Saif Ali Khan. India Today Anna became an advocate after four years and now she fights such cases. She has been in touch with the US police, demanding to make 'posing as someone else on dating apps', illegal. In an interview to CBC Radio, Canada's radio station, Anna opened up about Anthony Ray, "He's described himself as a divorced father. He said that he was honest, loyal, genuine and, at the very bottom of his profile which was what caught me because I really wasn't that interested in the photos was that he hated poor communication and mind games. And it was literally those words at the bottom that really caught my interest because I thought: 'He's been hurt before and he's not going to hurt me'. Read More: Women Have More Choice On Dating Apps As Data Shows There Are Three Men Per Woman In the same interview, Anna also revealed that she met Ray in person as well, but found out months later that he had duped her. We wonder if Saif Ali Khan knows about this genius. It is said that dogs are mans best friends and this senior dog proved it right. Ramesh Sancheti, a 65-year-old doctor who resides in Pune might have died if Brownie, his dog, wouldnt have alerted his neighbour, Amit Shah. Sancheti suffered a partial paralytic attack on January 23 followed by a minor cardiac arrest. The incident happened at around 12:30 PM when Shah came to give food to Brownie but she refused to have her lunch. Amit Shah with Brownie/The Better India When Brownie kept walking to Sanchetis (her owner) room window, Shah realised that something was fishy. He bent and saw through a gap in the bedroom window and realised Sancheti had collapsed. Shah then broke the door and rushed Sancheti to the hospital. "She kept raising up with difficulty and placing her front legs on the window, looking inside. Initially, I was quite confused, but when I went nearer, a gap in the window revealed to me that the doctor had collapsed on the floor," Shah told Pune Mirror. At the time of the incident, Sancheti was alone - his wife was in Mumbai, son in Bavdhan, near Pune and daughter in the US. Ramesh Sancheti/Facebook Brownie was adopted by Sancheti and Shah 16 years ago when she was a little puppy. Two years ago, Sancheti and his family she suffered a 50% kidney failure and the family nursed her back to health, Shah told the daily. Elderly dogs, much like elderly people are often neglected and put in unkempt animal shelters - they are considered a burden on the family. But, love and good deeds have a way of coming back to you. What this doctor did for Brownie was only human, and she returned the favour by saving his life when no one was around. Usually, Indians never take a holiday until its something really urgent, and trust me we are famous for it. Even if we are sick we dont think of taking a holiday, we always show up to the office till we cant get up from our bed. The biggest example of not taking holidays is this retired non-executive chairman of Larsen & Toubro - Anil Manibhai Naik. Read More: Indian Navy Sailor Abhilash Tomy Who Survived All Odds At Golden Globe Race Gets Nao Sena Medal On January 26, the retired chairman was awarded the Padma-Vibhushan, which is Indias second-highest honour for civilians - for his contributions to Indias corporate sector. Reuters Naik made a whopping amount of $3 million that equal to Rs 21,33,75,000, last year for unused leaves in his career span of five decades. According to L&Ts annual report for 2017-18, Naik earned $2.7 million that equal to Rs 194 million last year after encashing all his unused leaves. His total payout included a basic salary of Rs 27.3 million which came to Rs 1.37 billion including his retirement gratuity benefits. Naik announced in August 2016 that he would give away 75% of his income to charity. Reuters Son of a village primary school teacher in Gujarat, Naik joined L&T as a junior engineer in 1965. From playing a critical part in the making of Indias indigenous nuclear submarine Arihant, to giving the Indian Army its latest K9 Vajra, a self-propelled gun, the firm came a long way under the leadership of Naik. Who knew leaves could be worth THAT much money?! The woman was northbound on Racine Avenue around 3:25 a.m. Tuesday when she drove head-on into the viaduct near 75th Street, police said. The World Economic Forum is a forum for the rich and famous to gather at the world's most expensive winter resorts to discuss pressing issues about climate change. Reuters Ironically, the leaders who urge people to be more mindful about climate change seem to have done the opposite themselves. A recent study revealed that nearly 1,500 private jets flew in and out of Davos for this year's meeting. For the uninitiated, air travel is a massive problem in terms of climate change. According to MyClimate.org's 'carbon footprint' calculator, a single-passenger jet travelling from New York's JFK airport to Zurich - round trip - emits around 7 metric tons of carbon. Now the carbon emissions from the Davos jet is set to be more than 1,500 tons of carbon and it's almost equal to burning 1.6 million pounds of coal, Now, that's disturbing. "There appears to be a trend towards larger aircraft, with expensive heavy jets the aircraft of choice, with Gulfstream GVs and Global Expresses both being used more than 100 times each last year, the head of ACS told The Guardian. The reason? Christie said Davos attendees are preferring more and larger private planes "possibly due to business rivals not wanting to be seen to be outdone by one another." Hundreds of private jets landed at Davos where the elitists talked about #climatechange to lecture us on why we should take the bus so we can conserve fuel. Shouldn't leaders make more climate friendly travel decisions? pic.twitter.com/6jrTM7V1bQ Sana Jamal (@Sana_Jamal) January 27, 2019 "How many private jets are going to Davos in 2019? Its a question that always gets asked. And so it should, the President of the World Economic forum wrote in a blog post. From an environmental perspective, taking a private jet is the worst way to travel to Davos. Its also a complicated question, as the data is not always easy to determine, he continued, adding that it's difficult for such important people to take time out of their busy lives to travel using commercial flights or public transportation. For example, air traffic authorities use a metric called ATM, or Air Traffic Movements. A normal flight would be two ATMs, however during busy times, when parking is not available at the airport, planes are required to take off again and park at another airstrip nearby. This adds a further two legs to the journey. 1500 executive jets landing at #Davos for #climatechange conference. Irony never dies. pic.twitter.com/7G0k6sxKnm Balchin at the Bar (@00Balchin) January 22, 2019 True. But then the modern capitalist takes a private jet to #Davos to talk about climate change and how inequality is destabilising politics - so lots of ignorance and hypocrisy to go around! Maybe experimentation & evidence might work better than 18th Century ideology for both? pic.twitter.com/5Ez0Rnq3wU Graham Caswell (@Graham_Caswell) January 27, 2019 #Davos2019 #DavidAttenborough 1500 private jets fly into Davos to hear David Attenborough talk about planet extinction. pic.twitter.com/F3G27pKGur (((Neil Turner #JC4PM2019 #WelfareRebellion))) (@chezzy51) January 25, 2019 Oliver Cann of the World Economic Forum has responded to the criticism: We have been offering incentives to participants to use public transport for some years. We also ask that they share planes if they have to use them; something that has been gaining popularity in recent years. ALSO READ: At Davos Summit, Experts Warn In One Voice About A Possibility Of A Global Pandemic When it comes to Chinese innovation, it's outpacing anyone else in the world right now. And Chinese ingenuity has now extended to architecture and building as well. For the first time in the world, China demonstrated how to build a 3D printed bridge over a waterbody in record-breaking time. ALSO READ: China Has Grown Cotton On The Far Side Of Moon, And It's The 1st Country In The World To Do It Shanghai now has the world's first fully 3D printed concrete bridge in the world. No humans were involved, the whole structure was completely 3D printed by machines. Built by the Tsinghua University School of Architecture in Beijing, the 86 feet long bridge is inspired by the iconic Zhaozhou Bridge, which is China's oldest standing bridge built between 589 and 618 in Hebei province. China Daily ALSO READ: This Celebrity Dog Was Cloned In China For Rs 38 Lakh, So His Talent Could Live On After Him According to Professor Xu Weiguo, who designed the bridge, the structure consists of 3D-printed concrete units, 44 of them actually, with each unit measuring roughly 3 x 3 x 5 feet, while the arching structure is built by 68 different concrete slabs. The most impressive fact about this 3D printed concrete bridge? That it was completed from start to finish in just 450 hours! That's right, the whole bridge was 3D printed and constructed in record-breaking time. ALSO READ: China's Raising Billions of Cockroaches For Waste Disposal, Instead Of Burning It And Polluting According to a CNN report, the 3D printed Chinese bridge in Shanghai also cost 33% lesser than a similar bridge built with manpower and existing construction techniques. Well, looks like 3D printing construction jobs is pretty much how future architectural structures will be built. And why not, if the technology is good enough? A sudden spurt in the number of Swine Flu cases in Rajasthan have claimed 72 lives and have already affected 1,856 patients. The numbers are only increasing and are demanding stringent measures. ANI reported that Dausa, Tonk, Churu, Sikar, Pali, Kota, Jodhpur, Barmer, Udaipur and the pink city Jaipur were reported to have positive cases of H1N1 virus. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has put the onus of swine flu deaths on the health department. TOI reported that in its guidelines issued to the health department, it has expressed the need for taking immediate measures and ensuring timely treatment for preventing mortalities in the state. Photo: BCCL Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur, additional director (rural health), health department told TOI, The NIV confirmed that it is the same Michigan strain of swine flu which has been circulating in the state. NIV has even issued the recommendation of vaccinations for doctors and paramedical staff who are posted at isolation ward, swine flu ward, ICU as well as laboratories. In fact, people who are conducting surveys of Swine Flu affected areas or are part of rapid response teams have also been asked to take precautions. Meanwhile, 26 people in Gurugram, Haryana were also diagnosed with fresh cases of Swine Flu. HT reported that eight new positive cases of the H1N1 influenza were reported from the district between Thursday and Saturday. Photo: BCCL In Punjab also, 20 people died within the first month of January due to this deadly virus. The highest number of positive cases for the respiratory disease were reported from Patiala and Ludhiana with 20 from each district. Usually cases of this disease are higher around January and February. Caused by various Swine Influenza viruses, the H1N1 strain is the most common in the country. H1N1 virus spreads when an individual touches an infected person or breathes droplets of cough and sneezes them into the air. The disease is categorized into Type A,B and C with type C demanding hospitalization. Indian billionaires riches grew by Rs 2,200 crore, every day, while the poor continued to become poorer. The growing divide between the rich and poor was supplemented with statistics in a report released by Oxfam titled Public Good or Private Wealth. The report highlights that 13.6 crore Indians, who make up the poorest 10 per cent of the country, continued to remain in debt since 2004 while the rich became richer by 35 per cent in 2018. The same trend was also observed all over the globe as billionaire fortunes increased by 12 per cent globally last year which is USD 2.5 billion a day! On the other hand, 3.8 billion which make up the poorest lot saw their wealth decline by almost 11 per cent. The annual report was released a day before the World Economic Forum meeting kicks off in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The report said that these alarming figures undermined the global fight against poverty thereby, damaging our economies and fuelling public anger across the globe. The report said, It reveals how governments are exacerbating inequality by under-funding public services, such as healthcare and education, on the one hand, while under taxing corporations and the wealthy, and failing to clamp down on tax dodging, on the other. Not only this, but due to a drastic swell in billionaires wealth, women and girls were affected the most by rising economic inequality. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International, said, While corporations and the super-rich enjoy low tax bills, millions of girls are denied a decent education and women are dying for lack of maternity care. 18 new Indians joined the billionaire club last year taking the total number of ultra rich people to 119. Not only this but their wealth surpassed the US$400 billion (INR 28000 billion) mark for the first time. Here Are The Key Figures From The Report: 1) If only 1% of the richest people in India increased their tax by just 0.5% then they could raise enough money to increase government spending on health by 50 percent. 2) While the wealth of top 1% in India increased by 39%, the wealth of bottom 50% increased at only 3%. 3) Not only this but billionaires have enjoyed a tax cut dramatically. For example, the top rate of personal income tax in rich countries fell from 62 percent in 1970 to just 38 percent in 2013. The average rate in poor countries is just 28 percent. 4) Most importantly, Indias combined revenue and capital expenditure of the Centre and State for Medical and Public Health, Sanitation and Water Supply is Rs 2,08,166 crore (INR 2082 billion), less than the wealth of Indias richest billionaire Mukesh Ambani at Rs 2,80,700 crore (INR 2807 billion). 5) Children from poor families in India are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than children from rich families. Photo: Asian Age 6) The report also drew a connection between women getting affected in both the scenarios. For instance, cutting taxes on wealth predominantly benefits men who own 50 percent more wealth than women globally, and control over 86 percent of corporations. Conversely, when public services are neglected poor women and girls suffer most. 7) When poor families do not have enough money to send girls to school, they are pulled out of educational systems. Women also perform many kinds of unpaid work such as looking after sick relatives and doing household chores. Oxfam thus noted if the unpaid work done by women across the globe was being performed by one single company then it would have an annual turnover of $10 trillion - 43 times that of Apple, the worlds biggest company. Oxfam said that it compiled its report after gathering data from various sources. While the share of wealth owned by the poorest half of humanity come from Credit Suisse Wealth Databook and relate to the period June 2017 June 2018. Figures on the very richest in society are based on more detailed data from the Annual Forbes Billionaires List and relates to the period March 2017 March 2018. In order to save money, Air India has started serving the food stocked from India on flights returning from foreign cities and the plans aim to save around Rs 49 crore annually by serving this food on 11 return flights from eight foreign cities. There have been instances in the past where the cockroaches were found the airline food and now since the airline is carrying the stocked food, the passengers may get a mid-air crunchy treat. Also read: Flyer On Air India's Chicago Bound Flight Gets A Special Meal Onboard, A Mid-Air Cockroach Treat Copenhagen-Delhi, Stockholm-Delhi, Birmingham-Amritsar, Birmingham-Delhi, Vienna-Delhi, Madrid-Delhi, Singapore-Delhi, Singapore-Mumbai, Bangkok-Delhi, Bangkok-Mumbai and Shanghai-Delhi-are these 11 flights, the Air India official told news agency PTI. PTI/representational image Reuters "When the aircraft departs from here (India), the food is stocked in chillers to keep it fresh. So, when the aircraft is returning from a foreign city to an Indian city, this food is served to customers," the official said, assuring that it remains "fresh and tasty". Also read: Air India Does It Again! Serves Food With Cockroach At Delhi Airport's VIP Lounge "According to our estimates, we will be able to save Rs 48.97 crore annually on catering costs on these 11 return flights," the official said. The official also said that the airlines planes to take this initiative to "all flights where it is feasible to do 'return catering. Air India spends around Rs 600-800 crore annually on catering and this measure is undertaken to cut the cost. The official told that only two routes- Stockholm-Delhi and Copenhagen-Delhi would save Rs 17 crore per year through return catering. "Through 'return catering', we will be able to save Rs 19 crore on Singapore-Bombay and Singapore-Delhi flights. On Shanghai-Delhi flight, we will save Rs 1.94 crore per year. On Vienna to Delhi flight, we will save Rs 4.38 crore per year," the official said. BCCL "On Birmingham-Delhi and Birmingham-Mumbai flights, we plan to save Rs 4.17 crore. On Bangkok-Delhi and Bangkok-Mumbai flights, around Rs 1.87 crore will be saved," he said. However, on Madrid-Delhi flight, the airline is estimated to save only Rs 61 lakh annually through "return catering". Air India Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola on January 9 has said that the airline had started carrying food from India for return journey in an attempt to rationalise catering costs on international flights. "The food is taken from here in India in chillers and then it is heated whenever it has to be used. Catering costs for us are around Rs 600 crore to Rs 800 crore a year. Catering in India is 3-4 times cheaper as compared to catering in the West," had said Pradeep. (With PTI inputs) In a world so big, there are bound to be a few weird facts that you probably had no clue about. It can be quite interesting process to learn about them. May be that's what writer Nicole Cliffe was thinking when she asked the good people of Twitter about their favourite weird facts. Tell me your fav weird fact. Nicole Cliffe (@Nicole_Cliffe) December 11, 2018 And since Twitter NEVER disappoints, the answers came rolling right in. 1. What the term 'Ham' actor originally meant unsplash "Ham actor" originally referred to the smell of pork fat that poorer actors used to remove makeup instead of expensive cold cream. Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) December 13, 2018 2. Marie Curie's radioactive corpse Marie Curies notebooks and CORPSE are still lethally, Buried in a lead-lined casket, Sign a waiver and wear a suit to look at themradioactive and will be for another THOUSAND YEARS. I love this because Science while replacing Magic, created genuine actual Cursed Artifacts. C.W. Hills (@HotelTheotokos) December 11, 2018 3. 'There is no news.' Can you even imagine something like this happening today? On April 18, 1930, the BBCs news announcer came on and said There is no news and played piano music instead. Kristin W. (@Kristicuse) December 11, 2018 4. The man who invented the Morse code had a whole painting career Samuel Morse's painting career was halted/overshadowed b/c he invented Morse Code (telegraph). #art pic.twitter.com/sLf5D2e0nn Frank Murphy (@frankmurphy2009) December 12, 2018 5. This little Science nugget At 20 weeks the female fetus has developed all the eggs it will ever carry. This means part of me was in my mother while she was still developing in my grandmother!! Jenny D Fine (@jfineoriginal) December 12, 2018 6. Bet you didn't know this about goats Goats have accents and if you take two goats from different parts of the world they wont be able to understand each other Unapologetic Misandrist (@notfromsplash) December 11, 2018 7. That we'll all be dead one day is not surprise, but... unsplash But, like, we ended up with THIS specific cohort of people to be alive with !!!! Cool & Legal (@lettucefortwo) December 12, 2018 8. George Washington didn't have a clue George Washington died in 1799. The first dinosaur fossil was discovered in 1824. George Washington never knew dinosaurs existed. Suraj Lakhani (@surajlakhani) December 12, 2018 9. Finally an answer to why all pirates wore eye patches Pirates wore eye patches so one eye stayed dark adapted in case they needed to go below for supplies during battle mackenzie (@mack1186) December 11, 2018 10. The woolly mammoth versus the pyramids of Giza When the last woolly mammoths died the pyramids of Giza were already a thousand years old. Jacob King (@jacobofhentzau) December 12, 2018 11. If you think about it, this fact is not so weird considering we're talking about cats unsplash Cats self-evolved to become pets, we didnt tame them. They are essentially parasites using cuteness to take advantage of their hosts. Oda Rygh (@OdaRygh) December 11, 2018 12. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer... *record scratch* Reindeer lack the eye cells humans have enabling them to see red. So Rudolph would not have been bullied by his fellow reindeer Soong K. Ma (@soongkma) December 11, 2018 13. Over the Niagara Falls in a barrel When it comes to giving it back to the society, the Hindi film fraternity surely has its heart in the right place. Just a few days ago, the makers of Uri extended a donation worth Rs 1 crore towards the welfare fund of Army widows. The makers of Simmba have extended a similar gesture as Rohit Shetty and the team handed over Rs 51 lakh to the Mumbai Police Foundation from the profits of his last film Simmba which was a blockbuster. Twitter It was Mumbai Police's annual cultural festival Umang 2019 and the attendees of the prestigious function includes a lot of people from the industry including some of the biggest A-listers. Instagram Rohit Shetty was accompanied by his actors Sangram Bhalerao AKA Simmba Ranveer Singh, Bajirao Singham AKA Ajay Devgn and Sooryavanshi AKA Akshay Kumar. Twitter The cheque was handed over on behalf of his production house Rohit Shetty Picturez to the Commissioner of Police. The event was organized at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai on 27th of January. When it comes to film promotions, no one does it better than Ranveer Singh. A marvelous actor on the silver screen and a complete enthu-cutlet off screen, enjoys his promotional stints as much as he enjoys doing his films. We were not even over his power-packed performance at the Mumbai Polices Umang show that the actor quickly flew to Rajasthan for Gully Boy promotions. Wearing a white sherwani, Singh soaked in some Rajasthan sun while his rap his heart out for the fans. He is now actively promoting his upcoming film Gully Boy and doesnt miss a chance to rap for his fans. But his rap was not the only highlight of his Rajasthan trip. Screengrab The actor shared a picture with Rajasthan Police, thanking them for extending their support and what began was quite an entertaining banter. The Rajasthan police responded to his thank you tweet and promised that next time, he also needs to get his wife Deepika Padukone. Band Baaja Baaraat - a reference to his first film - upon his next visit with wife Deepika Padukone. Sincere thanks to @PoliceRajasthan for your support pic.twitter.com/uG3k1CCD0J Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) January 28, 2019 You came like a #GullyBoy .@RanveerOfficial but turned out you were much more - Bajirao Mastani, & eventually a super cop #Simba. Always a delight to be with you. Next time you are in Raj with @deepikapadukone, people will come with Band Baaja Baraat. @JalorePolice @MumbaiPolice https://t.co/hMmghp0Mcp Rajasthan Police (@PoliceRajasthan) January 28, 2019 Rajasthan police wrote on Twitter, You came like a #GullyBoy .@RanveerOfficial but turned out you were much more - Bajirao Mastani, & eventually a super cop #Simba. Always a delight to be with you. Next time you are in Raj with @deepikapadukone, people will come with Band Baaja Baraat. @JalorePolice @MumbaiPolice. I truly believe food and faith share a beautiful relationship in forming communities, small and big, in every nook-and-corner of India. The influence of both these elements in our social structure is strong and undeniable. I had always known this. However, recently I got my hands on Bhagwaan ke Pakwaan: Food Of The Gods by Varud Gupta and Devang Singh and I must admit, I learnt how dishes are developed and influenced by religion. It's amazing how food can tie communities together, almost to an extent that it becomes a tradition of sorts through generations. Penguin India Bhagwaan ke Pakwaan is a cookbook-cum-travelogue that explores our country's culinary heritage and takes us beyond the concept of bhog (food offered to God) whilst introducing us to various lesser-known food cultures that revolve around faith. Read on to find out more. 1. Rice Beer & The Karbi Tribe Of Meghalaya Penguin India The book traces the food culture of the Karbi Tribe of Meghalaya and explains how food plays a pivotal role in their faith and community at large. One of the staple foods of this tribe is the rice beer, which is also considered as one true food of the gods. To the Karbi people, the offering of the rice beer and meat represents their gratitude. Rice is an integral part of the Karbi culture and is cooked with multiple proteins including pork, buffalo, chicken, fish and insects. Additionally, bamboo is also a prime ingredient in their cuisine and lifestyle - it's eaten, cooked in, fermented in, constructed with, burnt as fuel and used as a container to drink rice beer from. Local dishes that caught our attention: pork and greens, fish cooked in bamboo and cicada chutney. 2. The Soul Food Of Udvada Penguin India When it comes to Parsi food culture, the small town of Udvada on the coast of Gujarat has always been the centre of Zoroastrian faith and community. One of the most interesting food traditions of this community is, in fact, the Zoroastrian death ceremonies conducted in four parts - Baj, Afringan, Farokshi and Stum. However, the offering isn't made to any god or fire, instead the food is offered to the soul of the person who has passed. Of course, strict procedures and specific ingredients like wheat, rose, sandalwood, milk and copper are used to fuel the souls in the cycle of salvation. This is just one part of the Parsi food culture. The broader principle of the Parsi cuisine is khaatu-meethu-teekho or sour-sweet-spicy flavours for a balanced yet holistic experience. Over the years though, the cuisine has adopted multiple influences from across India - the local Gujarati food, a bit of Portuguese touch from the Goan cooks in Parsi households and Anglo-Indian influences from Bombay - the food culture is vast and versatile in the community. Local dishes that caught our attention: Boi ni macchi, akuri and papra & bakhra 3. The Fading Community Of Kolkata's Jews & Shabbat Penguin India During their travels in Kolkata, Varud and Devang document what is left of the Baghdadi Jews of the city, a community that has gone from a few thousand to twenty over the centuries. What remains today is the memory of the times gone by, heard and remembered within the majestic synagogues on Park-Esplanade and of course, the food that's keeping the traditions alive. One such food culture that continues to exist amongst the Kolkata Jews is the meal on Shabbat, a day of rest and reflection that begins on nightfall on Friday and continues until nightfall on Saturday. The Shabbat feast usually starts with breaking bread (challah) dipped in salt and drinking a cup of wine. This is followed by a course of Aloo Makallah with Hilbe, Zalata (cucumber salad), with Mahashas (stuffed vegetables) and roast chicken. Later, a simple pulao is eaten with a curried dish of meat or Kubba, which is rice dumpling stuffed with meat and cooked in stew. Local dishes that caught our attention: Aloo makallah, mahashas and chitanee 4. The 56-Course Mahaprasad Of Jagannath Temple Penguin India The rituals inside the Jagannath Temple in Puri, will make you question if Jagannath is a man, or a god or a celeb. Jagannath has a set routine to follow everyday, much like you and I - Waking up, brushing, showering, relaxing and eating six well-defined meals comprising 56 dishes. The first meal known as the Gopal Ballav Bhog is the breakfast at 9.00 AM after Jagannath changes and showers. This traditionally consists of Peda, Kora, Dahi and assorted fruits. This is followed by Madhyam Bhog or the mid-day meal, the Sandhya Bhog or the evening tiffin at 7.00 PM and finally, the day concludes with Badasimhar Dhoop in which a number of items are offered, including pure ghee in a silver container. Local dishes that caught our attention: Besar, potol paneer and malpua 5. The Breakfast Of Champions At Kye Gompa Penguin India One of the prime food cultures amongst Tibetan monks is the grand breakfast combination of butter tea and puk. The butter tea, the writer describes, as a divine dish that's buttery and salty, prepared in a gargantuan pot using salty tea leaves, fresh milk and pure butter. Puk, on the other hand, is made by adding sattu to the butter along with ghee and sugar, and kneading it into a dough-like substance. Like any other food cultures, this breakfast too, is surrounded by religious influences. It is said that the chai is first offered to the hungry ghosts that wonder the monastery. However, this warm and fatty meal also helps the monks survive the winter months. Local dishes that caught our attention: Mutton momos and thukpa You know the two best things about this book? The spectacular photos and recipes of dishes towards the end of every narrative. I love how the book not only takes me on a culinary tour, but also pushes me to experiment with diverse cuisines and whip up a storm in the kitchen. I am going to go and plan my family dinner for tonight (maybe, Parsi?) and if you're wondering where to get this book from, click here. By Acee Agoyo The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is getting back to work as the 116th Congress kicks into gear. The legislative panel, one of the busiest on Capitol Hill, is hosting its first organizational meeting on Tuesday. Members will formally select their chairman and vice chairman, adopt rules and approve a funding resolution for the current session. The leadership will come of little surprise to Indian Country. Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) is retaining his seat as chair while Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) will continue to serve as vice chair. Even though the Senate is controlled by Republicans, Hoeven and Udall have vowed to maintain the bipartisan spirit that has long characterized the committee's work. They will get a chance to do just that at a business meeting immediately following the organizational session. A total of 12 bills are on the agenda for the business meeting. All have either passed the committee or the full Senate so Hoeven and Udall are ready to get the ball rolling on a wide range of economic development, public safety, law enforcement, self-determination and other priorities in tribal communities. "Indian Country is not partisan politics," National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel said on Friday as he participated in a conference call with Udall and other tribal leaders. The list of bills being considered on Tuesday follow: S.46 , the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Repeal Act S.50 , the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act S.51 , the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2019 S.199 , the Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act S.207 , to enhance Tribal road Safety, and for other purposes S.209 , the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act S.210 , the Tribal Law and Order Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2019 S.211 , the SURVIVE Act S.212 , the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act S.216 , the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Equitable Compensation Act S.224 , to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Tanana Tribal Council located in Tanana, Alaska, and to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation located in Dillingham, Alaska, and for other purposes S.226 , the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2019 As for the committee itself, its membership is largely staying the same in the 116th Congress. The notable exception is the addition of Sen. Martha McSally (R-Arizona), who is a newly appointed member of the Senate and is following in the footsteps of both the late Sen. John McCain and former Sen. Jon Kyl in serving on the panel. Since Republicans control the Senate, their party has more seats on the committee: Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota, Chairman Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma Sen. Steve Daines of Montana Sen. Michael Crapo of Idaho Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas Democratic members of the committee include: Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, Vice Chairman Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington Sen. Jon Tester of Montana Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota The organizational meeting takes place at 2:30pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. It will be immediately followed by the business meeting. Both sessions will be broadcast on the committee's website. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice Join the Conversation "I saw him disappear over the ridge," said the man, who did not want his name released, according to police. "I ran up and looked down six feet to see him paddling in freezing cold water. He is a 19-pound dog and I knew that he would soon die from cold or drowning. I jumped in after him." Family wants justice for murdered Oglala woman By Richie RichardsNative Sun News Today Correspondent PIERRE Family members of Jessie Renae Waters, who was found deceased on April 30, 2015, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation want answers for her death. Duane Benson , Waters boyfriend at the time, was sentenced to fifty-seven months in April, 2016 for burning down the home he shared with her in Oglala, South Dakota. He pled guilty in this case in federal court and has been serving time for arson . Her pets were still inside the home at the time the mobile home was set ablaze. The guilty plea was part of a plea bargain in which Benson was to be sentenced to seven years in federal prison for the burning down of the couples home. According to her family, he is set to be released in August 8, 2019 . They are hoping the investigation continues and that the alleged killer is held accountable for their actions. On April 7, 2015 (three weeks before her death), Jessie Waters had filed for a temporary protection order through the Oglala Sioux Tribal Court against Benson. They had lived together at the time. This protection order had been granted and the family admits it had been disregarded by both Waters and Benson as they had continued to live together and be seen in public with one another. Although not charged for the death of Waters, her family has suspected Benson of being responsible for her death. As he is set to be released from prison in just over a year, the Waters family is afraid that he will be getting off Scott free for what they consider to be the murder of their loved one. Jessie Renae Waters, 1984-2015. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womens movement has been at the forefront of local and national attention lately, as tribal members around the country and Canada are ramping up their efforts to getting attention for the missing and murdered women living on and off the tribal territories. Marches and rallies are being held and led by and attended by survivors and victims families. In the case of Jessie Waters, there was documented abuse by the hands of Duane Benson during their year-long relationship. Her lifeless body was found over a hill off of US Highway 18 near Oglala on April 30, 2015. The family had learned the two had been drinking together near the time of her death. She was several months pregnant when she died. No nearly three years later and the family has not had closure in her case. The hill where her body was found overlooks her final resting place. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is nearly 3,500 square miles and is largely made up of isolated prairie lands and rolling hills throughout. High brush and empty fire roads are scattered throughout the reservation. The lands make finding or locating bodies of deceased or missing persons difficult. Duane Benson is due to be released from federal prison in August 2019. Though he admitted he set fire to the home of Jessie Waters on the Pine Ridge Reservation, he has not been charged in connection with her death or that of her unborn child. The mission of the MMIW movement has been to bring justice and help locate by conducting searches for tribal members. Raymond Waters, Jessies father, and other family members have participated in these rallies to bring justice for her. Jessie Waters family hopes that the recent attention received by the rallies and marches calling for justice and assistance from law enforcement and the judicial system will help in her case as well. They dont want her story to fade into history as the years continue to mount and push justice further and further away. The unborn child of Waters was placed in her arms in the casket during the wake and funeral. The family had wanted everyone to see what had been done. They did not want to hide the cruelty of the alleged act which occurred to her at the time of her death. One family member told Native Sun News Today that the family has not given up on pursuing justice. They cannot afford a high-priced lawyer, so they are dependent upon investigators and law enforcement to continue searching for answers; this as other more recent cases take precedent over older cases. Databases are continuing to be developed in the cases of missing and murdered indigenous persons from across the country. Locally, others are working on databases for tribal members in South Dakota to track the history and progress of these cases, including MMIW He Sapa based in Rapid City who are hoping to bring stakeholders together to create such a database. The family of any victim of murder or alleged murder has a constant void in their lives. That void is caused by the missing or murdered loved one, but also by the void in action for justice. The days become months and eventually turns to years when waiting for an update from investigators or law enforcement for these families. Each time the subject is brought to their attention, they feel re-victimized, according to her family. I was wanting to keep her story on the front burner, so no one forgets her story or the crime that was committed against her. How can someone murder her and get away with it, Tiffany Waters told NSNT. Tiffany Waters had wanted help in being pointed in a direction for someone who could help and continue to get her story told. She looks to state leaders in both the Native and non-Native communities to help get her sisters alleged killer held accountable. Contact Native Sun News Today Correspondent Richie Richards at richie4175@gmail.com Copyright permission Native Sun News Today Join the Conversation Related Stories A citizen of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison in connection with a sexual abuse incident on the reservation in Michigan. Charles Whitebear Merrill, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual abuse . He admitted that he tried to assault a woman while she was sleeping in a hotel room at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant. During his sentencing last week, Merrill blamed his actions on alcohol, MLive.Com reported. But the judge pointed out that he has a history of sexual abuse. Youve been through this situation with other victims before,Judge Thomas L. Ludington asked in court on Thursday, MLive.Com reported. How does that happen? The incident at the casino hotel occurred in March 2018, according to the indictment filed in federal court . Merrill also had been accused of attempting to abuse the same victim four years prior. Additionally, federal prosecutors identified yet another incident of abuse, back in 2009, involving another victim. But these latter two charges were dropped as part of Merrill's plea agreement Read More on the Story Join the Conversation The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe wants to be at the table as regulators in Massachusetts address the future of gaming in the state. In a letter to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission , Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais noted that her tribe is the only one in the state with trust lands. Further, the federal courts have confirmed that the tribe's reservation is the only one that can be used for gaming. As a result, the tribe "must be considered in any discussion regarding gaming in the Commonwealth and Region C," Andrews-Maltais wrote in the January 22 letter Region C is one of the three areas in Massachusetts where the commission was authorized to award licenses for a casino. But the commission held off because the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe was going to open a facility of its own in the region, which covers the southeastern portion of the state. That project, however, has been placed in significant doubt due to ongoing litigation that could result in the tribe's reservation from being taken out of trust. In light of the uncertainty, the commission is debating what to do about Region C. The New England Casino Race: Tribal and commercial gaming facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island The issue was going to be discussed at the commission's open meeting on January 24 . But regulators decided to postpone talks in light of two issues -- the recent appointment of a new chair for the commission and the Aquinnah letter. "This last comment has some interesting information so we look forward to incorporating that in the discussion," commissioner Gayle Cameron said in reference to the tribe's letter at the meeting in Boston In the letter, Chairwoman Andrews-Maltais noted that her tribe is objecting to H.R.312 , the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act. The bill would prevent the Mashpee Reservation from being taken out of trust by the federal government. However, the legislation fails to include Aquinnah, Andrews-Maltais pointed out. The oversight is significant because a majority of her tribe's citizens live in the same territory as the Mashpee, and also because it happens to be the same area covered by Region C. "In other words, if Congress is going to reaffirm the Mashpee Wampanoag right to have tribal trust land then they must also do so for the Aquinnah Wampanoag," Andrews-Maltais said in the letter. "We are simply requesting parity." As introduced, H.R.312 confirms that "all" federal Indian laws apply to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is not mentioned at all. Casino-style gaming was legalized in 2011 by the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act . Since then, licenses have been issued for casinos in two regions of the state. Of those, only MGM Springfield in Region B, in the western part of the state, is up and running. The facility debuted last August. The Wynn Boston Harbor is under construction in Region A in the eastern part of the state but the facility is in limbo due to the commission's investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct against a former company executive. The investigatory report has not been made public as a result of pending litigation. Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews Maltais of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe is among those celebrating the inauguration of Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland to the 116th Congress @rephaaland @sharicedavids @Deb4CongressNM pic.twitter.com/jNHMJwQ66o indianz.com (@indianz) January 3, 2019 The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, meanwhile, is planning to open a gaming facility on its reservation this summer. Details are scarce but the facility will be located on trust land on the island of Martha's Vineyard. The tribe is working with Global Gaming Solutions , a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation , on the project. The facility will be limited to Class II games, such as bingo and electronic forms of bingo, because the state of Massachusetts has refused to negotiate a Class III gaming compact. The state, however, did negotiate with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe but that agreement means little at the moment in light of the uncertainty surrounding its reservation. Read More on the Story 1st Circuit Court of Appeals Decision Join the Conversation Related Stories remaining of Thank you for Reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Some of its potential benefits include reducing inflammation, pain killing effects, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant properties. People use CBD to alleviate conditions ranging from chronic pain to intractable epilepsy. Deciding to get involved Deborah Simons said her daughter, Wilson, is the reason she got involved with and knows so much about CBD. Wilson has psoriatic arthritis and got tired of trying different medications that didnt help her with pain. Wilson said she is part of an arthritis group on Facebook and had seen a lot of posts about people trying CBD and positive feedback. Ive been on multiple medications, nothings worked. Either they didnt work or they made me sick, Wilson said. So I figured why not? It cant hurt me. So Ive been using it for a little over a year now. Its made a huge difference. Shaun Simons has also seen improvements in his sister, who was having up to 10 seizures a week. He said now that she has been using CBD she only has one or two seizures a week. After discovering CBD benefits, the family started shopping for franchises and decided on Your CBD Store because they said it offers high-quality products. Law enforcement discovered a pipe bomb during an investigation into several breaking and enterings. Detectives with the Rowan Sheriffs Office this month began investigating a breaking and entering that occurred at the Apple Baking Company and at the Franklin Fire Department off of Statesville Boulevard. There were multiple types of lawn care equipment stolen from Apple Baking Company and multiple types of fire department equipment and tools stolen from the Franklin Fire Department. Throughout the course of the investigation, detectives located stolen property at 180 Burmac Circle in Salisbury. After confirmation of the stolen property, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence in an attempt to locate more stolen property. Detectives with Rowan County Sheriffs Office executed the search warrant and located an additional $15,000 worth of stolen property. While executing the search warrant, David Boardman, a 24-year-old white male of 13020 Cool Springs Road in Cleveland, was taken into custody for outstanding warrants for felony possession of stolen property. Detectives searched Boardman, and investigators located a homemade pipe bomb inside his jacket pocket. The pipe bomb was threaded on both sides with a fuse. Last weeks murder of a young Davidson woman appears to be the result of a drug deal, law enforcement said, and detectives have a suspect in custody. The Rowan County Sheriffs Office continues to investigate the murder of Lakyn Jade Bailey, and detectives said her shooting death appears to be the result of a methamphetamine drug deal that turned violent. Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement charged Jason Donald Cranfill, 41, of Iredell County, with and address of the Streets of Statesville, with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, methamphetamine. Cranfill drove the murder victim to the Country Cupboard store after the Jan. 27 incident, according to a report. He has been placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond. The case originated about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, when Salisbury City Police were called to the Country Cupboard store, 2010 Statesville Blvd., to a reported shooting victim in a vehicle. The victim, later identified as Bailey, was discovered dead in a vehicle that was driven by a friend of the victim. In South Carolina, the company is in the latter stages of a $50 million solar rebate program that was launched in October 2015. Since that time, the company has added nearly 7,000 private solar customers in the state. South Carolina now ranks No. 2 in the Southeast for rooftop solar connected. Large solar projects In 2018, Duke Energy connected more than 500 megawatts of solar energy capacity to the Carolinas system. Over the past four years, Duke Energy has connected more than 2,500 MW to its grid in the Carolinas, enough to power about half million homes at peak output. This has made North Carolina No. 2 in the nation for overall solar power capacity. Recently, Duke Energy brought online the Woodleaf Solar Facility in Rowan County. The 6-MW facility is comprised of 30,000 solar panels on a 116-acre site. The solar plant has an innovative tracking system that allows the panels to pivot throughout the day to capture the maximum amount of sunshine. At peak output, the solar plant can power more than 1,000 homes. Larsen has also been charged with violating Scotts Law, which increases potential penalties for those who fail to reduce speed and stay clear of stopped emergency vehicles with their lights on. Named for Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver on the Dan Ryan Expressway, the charge could add three to 14 years to a sentence should Larsen be convicted of the charges. Lawyers in Zimbabwe have marched on the constitutional court to protest the alleged denial of justice for hundreds of people arrested in a violent crackdown on protests that shut down the country. A police spokeswoman has said over 1,000 people have been arrested. Lawyers say many languish in jail after being denied bail while others have been forced into unfair hearings. Expand Close Beatrice Mtetwa, a prominent Zimbabwean lawyer, addresses fellow lawyers during a protest (Tsvangirai Mukwazhi/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Beatrice Mtetwa, a prominent Zimbabwean lawyer, addresses fellow lawyers during a protest (Tsvangirai Mukwazhi/AP) Human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa describes the judiciarys actions as well-coordinated. Dozens of gown-wearing lawyers marched in the capital, Harare, as riot police watched. The lawyers petitioned chief justice Luke Malaba. Reports of alleged abuses by security forces continue, with the military heavily deployed in poor and working-class suburbs. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa asserts that the arrests are meant to cripple his party. Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba rejected the allegation. Venezuelas chief prosecutor is seeking to ban opposition leader Juan Guaido from leaving the country as part of a criminal probe into his anti-government activities. Tarek William Saab made the request to the government-stacked Supreme Court on Tuesday. He also asked the high court to block the financial accounts of Mr Guaido who has been recognised by some countries, including the US, as interim leader of the South American nation. Expand Close Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro jogs alongside his defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers (Marcelo Garcia/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro jogs alongside his defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers (Marcelo Garcia/AP) Mr Saab did not specify what crimes Mr Guaido is being investigated for. He only said it was tied to the unrest sparked by his decision to declare himself interim president last week in a direct challenge to President Nicolas Maduros authority. Mr Guaido heads the nations congress and he has been recognised as the nations rightful leader by two dozen nations that contend the re-election of socialist Mr Maduro was a sham, in part because his strongest opponents were barred from running. Expand Close Workers and customers gather at a wholesale food market in Caracas (Rodrigo Abd/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Workers and customers gather at a wholesale food market in Caracas (Rodrigo Abd/AP) Meanwhile, Mr Guaido has said US sanctions against the state-owned oil company fall in line with requests politicians have made to protect the nations assets abroad. Mr Guaido said in an interview with CNN in Spanish that Venezuelas opposition-controlled congress approved a measure in January asking foreign nations to ensure the countrys assets are not looted by Mr Maduro. He said the measures only purpose was to ensure that Mr Maduros government doesnt continue robbing the people of Venezuela. The United States announced sanctions against Petroleos de Venezuela SA on Monday, cutting off a vital source of income for the distressed nation. The US Justice Department has unsealed criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a senior executive, accused of misleading banks about the companys business and violating US sanctions. In a statement, Huawei denied committing any of the violations cited in the indictment. The company is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the companys chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huaweis business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on December 1 in Canada. Expand Close Meng Wanzhou (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meng Wanzhou (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press/AP) As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August, we need more law enforcement co-operation with China, acting attorney general Matt Whitaker said at a news conference. China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies, and China should take action. US prosecutors say Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions. Meng misled US banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. Expand Close Acting attorney general Matt Whitaker (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Acting attorney general Matt Whitaker (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) As you can tell from the number and magnitude of the charges, Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect US law and standard international business practices, said FBI director Chris Wray. Huawei is the worlds biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. Prosecutors also allege that Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device T-Mobile used to test smartphones, prosecutors said. A jury in Seattle ruled that Huawei had misappropriated the robotic technology from T-Mobiles lab in Washington state. The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the US and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China, and said in December that he would intervene if I thought it was necessary. Chinas government called on Washington to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Huawei. Beijing will firmly defend its companies, according to a foreign ministry statement read on the state-run TV news. The foreign ministry complained that Washington has mobilised state power to hurt Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations for political reasons. Chinas foreign ministry also called on Washington to withdraw its request for Canada to extradite Huaweis chief financial officer. A ministry spokesman complained that Washington has shown disregard for the stern representations from Beijing over the case. He said: We urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests. A United Nations human rights expert has visited the vicinity of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of her investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard and her team of experts toured around the consulate but did not enter, saying they were waiting for permission from Saudi officials they were in communication with. The expert on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary killing said she would present her report in June to the UNs Human Rights Council. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi (Johnny Green/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi (Johnny Green/PA) Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. His remains have not been found. Ms Callamards team is on a week-long visit to Turkey and is expected to meet with Istanbuls chief prosecutor. They have also met the countrys foreign and justice ministers. Turkish officials have been frustrated over what they say is a lack of cooperation by Riyadh and has called for an international inquiry. Expand Close Saudi Arabias crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (Victoria Jones/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Saudi Arabias crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (Victoria Jones/PA) In a tweet, the Turkish presidents communications director, Fahrettin Altun, welcomed the visit: We still do not know where Khashoggis body is, who ordered the hit and who the local collaborator was. After denying Mr Khashoggi was killed in the consulate for several weeks, Saudi Arabia indicted 11 people in the killing, including members from the crown princes entourage, and is seeking the death penalty against five of them. Turkey says Saudi Arabia must reveal the identity of a person who is thought to have disposed of the journalists body and hold all involved accountable. Kamala Harris has kicked off her campaign for the White House at a rally attended by thousands of supporters in her hometown of Oakland. The crowd packed out the California city's Frank Ogawa Plaza to watch the Democratic senator launch a bid to oust Donald Trump as US president in 2020. "We are here because the American Dream and our American democracy are under attack and on the line like never before," Ms Harris said. "And we are here because we must answer a fundamental question: who are we? Who are we as Americans? "So, let's answer that question to the world and each other right here, right now. America, we are better than this." She invoked the speech that Robert F Kennedy gave in 1968 when he announced that he would challenge President Lyndon B Johnson, noting that Mr Kennedy said "at stake is not simply the leadership of our party and even our country, it is our right to moral leadership of this planet". Ms Harris added: "So today I say to you: these are not ordinary times, and this will not be an ordinary election, but this is our America." The first-term US senator announced her candidacy last Monday and launched her formal campaign in the city where she served as a prosecutor before becoming California's attorney general. If she were to be elected, her victory would be historic: Ms Harris would be the first woman, first female African-American, and first person of Asian descent to become American president. The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Ms Harris said she had grown up in an East Bay community "with a deep belief in the promise of our country, and a deep understanding of the parts of that promise that still remain unfulfilled". Ms Harris's campaign is expected to highlight her career as a prosecutor. She was the first woman elected district attorney in California, as well as the first black woman and first Asian-American to hold that job. She said that she has "only had one client - the people", echoing words she has used in courtrooms and has adopted as her campaign's slogan. She attacked Mr Trump directly, saying the US welcomed refugees and calling the wall the president wants to build along the US-Mexico border a "medieval vanity project". She also said that, as president, she would "always speak with decency and moral clarity and treat all people with dignity and respect. "I will lead with integrity. And I will tell the truth," she said. Ms Harris is among the first major Democrats to jump into what is expected to be a crowded 2020 presidential contest. Senators Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, and Kirsten Gillibrand, of New York, have announced exploratory committees. Former Maryland representative John Delaney and Julian Castro, federal housing chief under former president Barack Obama and a former San Antonio mayor, already are in the race. Senators Cory Booker, of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown, of Ohio, Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, and Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, may also run. Ms Harris, known for her rigorous questioning of Mr Trump's nominees, has vowed to "bring our voices together". Meanwhile, President Trump said yesterday that former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz did not have the "guts" to run for the presidency and questioned his intellect just 24 hours after he announced a possible White House bid. Mr Schultz, who led the coffee chain for three decades, said on Sunday night that he was "seriously considering" running as an independent candidate. His pitch was treated with disdain by some Democrats, who fear his candidacy would take votes off their party and hand Mr Trump a second term. During an interview on CBS News, the 65-year-old said he is not always the smartest person in the room but can build teams of people who are "more skilled" than himself. He waved away concerns that a "tweet-storm" from Mr Trump would follow his appearance, saying: "I think, like most people, I've become bored with President Trump and his tweets." But Mr Trump obliged, tweeting: "Howard Schultz doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President! Watched him last night and I agree with him that he is not the 'smartest person'." ( Independent News Service) A majority of Americans disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling US foreign policy and about half think the country's global standing will deteriorate during the next year, according to a new poll that highlights the nation's partisan divide on foreign issues. The poll, conducted by Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, also found the public split about the president's plan to remove US troops from Syria and possibly Afghanistan - and about a quarter don't have an opinion one way or the other. Overall, the president receives low marks from the public for his job handling foreign policy - 35pc approve, while 63pc disapprove. Like other issues, the partisan divide is startling - 76pc of Republicans approve, but just 8pc of Democrats say the same. "I just think that any time you buddy up with Russia or North Korea, it's going to be bad business," said Samantha Flowers, a 30-year-old third-grade teacher from Columbia, Missouri. "Also, the way that he's handling our neighbouring countries - Mexico in particular. I think it just goes against our American values in general. We've been a welcoming and compassionate country," she said before starting to recite words emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty, which reads in part: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Richard Cleaveland, a 65-year-old truck driver from Ogden, Utah, disagrees and wholeheartedly backs Mr Trump and his foreign policy. "I think he's doing a good job with North Korea. He's done better than anybody else has ever done. Nobody else has even got it this far with North Korea," he said referring to Mr Trump's meeting last year in Singapore with the North Korean leader to discuss Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. The poll showed 39pc of Americans approve of pulling the 2,000 American troops from Syria, and 35pc say they disapprove. The president's decision is supported by 56pc of Republicans and 26pc of Democrats. Last month, Mr Trump announced that Isil militants had been defeated in Syria and that American troops would be brought home "now". The plan triggered the resignation of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and criticism from US allies and national security experts. Later, Mr Trump and others appeared to adjust the timeline, saying it will likely take several months to safely withdraw American forces from Syria. Americans have similar views about the president's expected decision to pull at least some US troops out of Afghanistan, with 41pc saying they would approve of a pullout versus 30pc who disapprove. The nation's partisan divide is evident when it comes to Americans' views of the US's role in the world, its global standing and its relationships with other nations. Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to say the US should play a more active role in solving the world's problems. Some 43pc of Democrats think the US should be more active, compared with 23pc who think it should be less active; another 32pc of Democrats say its current role is about right. Republicans see it differently. Four in 10 Republicans say the US should be less active in solving the world's problems, while 46pc think the current role in world affairs is right. Just 13pc of Republicans think the US role abroad should be more active. Republicans also think the nation's global standing and relationships with other countries will improve (44pc) or stay the same (35pc) during the next year. Democrats largely (77pc) expect US relations with other nations will worsen. "I feel like right now, with the way things are going with our current president, that we will be seen as a joke," said Tamika Allen, a 25-year-old medical claims trainer from Houston, adding that America's reputation around the world wouldn't diminish immediately, but slowly over time. A three-year-old boy who survived two nights alone in freezing woodland has said he was protected by a bear while missing. Rescuers found Casey Hathaway tangled up in thorny bushes in Craven County, eastern North Carolina, close to where he disappeared from his grandmother's home. He had gone missing last Tuesday in sub-zero temperatures and searches were later called off due to heavy rain and strong winds. Casey was located by police after a member of the public heard a child crying and shouting for their mother 45 metres into the woods. Craven County sheriff Chip Hughes told local television station WCTI: "He didn't really get into how he was able to survive and all that. He did say he had a friend in the woods that was a bear that was with him." The claim was repeated by the boy's aunt, Breanna Hathaway, who wrote on Facebook: "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." Black bears are abundant in North Carolina and are not typically aggressive towards humans, although it is unclear whether the one which befriended Casey was real or imaginary. Casey was taken to hospital for evaluation after being found. Mr Hughes said he was "wet, cold and scratched up", as well as dehydrated, but otherwise in good health. ( Independent News Service) Michael Jackson's family members are "furious" that a new documentary has refocused attention on two men who accuse the singer of sexually assaulting them as boys. The family released a statement yesterday denouncing 'Leaving Neverland', a documentary film featuring Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck that premiered last week at the Sundance Film Festival and is set to air in the spring on HBO and Channel 4. "Michael always turned the other cheek, and we have always turned the other cheek when people have gone after members of our family - that is the Jackson way," the statement said. "But we can't just stand by while this public lynching goes on.... Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made." The family points out that Jackson was subjected to a thorough investigation which included a surprise raid of his home, the Neverland Ranch, but was still acquitted at his criminal trial in 2005, in a case involving another young man. Mr Robson testified at that trial, saying he had slept in Jackson's room many times, but that Jackson had never molested him. Mr Safechuck made similar statements to investigators as a boy. Jackson died in 2009. Both men filed lawsuits in 2013 saying stress and trauma had forced them to face the truth and admit they were sexually abused. The suits have been thrown out on technical grounds but are under appeal. The Jackson statement calls the men "perjurers" because of this reversal, saying the family is "furious" that media outlets without evidence have chosen "to believe the word of two admitted liars over the word of hundreds of families and friends around the world who spent time with Michael." The film's director Dan Reed has said he has no doubts about the men's validity. The family insists that truth and evidence are on their side. "We are proud of what Michael Jackson stands for," the statement said. The motorcade of United Nations special envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths following his arrival at Sanaa International airport on his third trip to Yemen this month. Photo: AFP/Getty Images The United Nations said shelling of a camp for displaced people in northern Yemen killed eight civilians and wounded 30 others, as the UN envoy arrived yesterday in the capital Sanaa for ceasefire talks with Houthi rebels. The UN said the attack occurred on Saturday in the northern province of Hajjah, where tens of civilians have been killed and hundreds of families displaced in the past two months. The UN said an attack earlier in January near the same camp killed six children and two women. Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen, said in a statement late on Sunday that the shelling was a "senseless attack". "The people who have fled their homes... have lost so much already. An attack like this cannot be justified - ever," she said. Ms Grande didn't identify the source of the shelling, which took place in the province's Haradh district. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. UN envoy Martin Griffiths, meanwhile, arrived in Sanaa on an unannounced visit to discuss the situation in and around the coastal city of Hodeida, where Yemen's warring parties agreed to a ceasefire last month. The two sides also agreed to a prisoner exchange last month that has yet to take place. Mr Griffiths said there is a political will now more than ever to end the conflict in Yemen. "We are all on the same page that the way to do this is through the negotiations table, and not the battlefield," he said in an exclusive interview with the pro-Saudi 'Asharq al-Awsat' newspaper. He said he expected the frameworks struck during UN-hosted peace talks in Sweden in December will likely be extended, as the situation on the ground is more complex. Grace said she later learned the inmates were working under the RENEW program. As part of RENEW, a vocational program for essentially nonviolent offenders, detainees spend six months in custody and then eight months out in the community doing demolition work to address blight in communities like Ford Heights and Robbins, said Smith. A senior US government official, speaking after six days of US peace talks with Afghan Taliban militants, said that Washington was committed to withdrawing foreign forces from Afghanistan to end more than 17 years of war. The official, who declined to be identified, described "significant progress" in talks last week with the Taliban in Qatar about a foreign troop pullout, but more negotiations were needed on a ceasefire and its timing. "Of course we don't seek a permanent military presence in Afghanistan," the official said in the capital Kabul. "Our goal is to help bring peace in Afghanistan and we would like a future partnership, newly defined with a post-peace government," the official said. "We would like to leave a good legacy." There could not be a withdrawal without a ceasefire, the official said. The issue looms as a sticking point in the next round of talks on February 25, with the US official saying that Taliban negotiators wanted a full withdrawal before a ceasefire. Despite the presence of US-led foreign forces training, advising and assisting their Afghan counterparts, the Taliban controls nearly half of Afghanistan and stages near-daily attacks against the Western-backed Afghan government and its security forces. There were reports last month that the United States was considering pulling out almost half of its forces, but a White House spokesman said that US President Donald Trump had not issued orders to withdraw. However, the administration has not denied the reports. Both US officials and the hardline Islamic group hailed progress after the talks on Saturday with US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. He told the 'New York Times' yesterday that a draft framework had been completed but details still needed to be fleshed out. Taliban sources told Reuters on Saturday that the United States had agreed on the withdrawal of foreign troops within 18 months of the signing of a pact. But the US official said that a timeline has not been discussed. The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a Nato-led mission and a US counter-terrorism mission largely directed at groups such as Isil and al-Qa'ida. Some 8,000 troops from 38 other countries are participating in the operation, known as Resolute Support. The official said progress was made on addressing core US concerns that Afghanistan will not be used as a base by al-Qa'ida or Isil for attacks against the United States and its allies. "That is why we came to Afghanistan in the first place," the official said. Apart from the ceasefire, the Taliban did not discuss the need for talks with the Afghan government to reach a durable political settlement, the US official said. The Taliban has repeatedly refused to talk to the Afghan government, which it sees as a puppet of the United States, throwing into question how effective a peace deal could really be. The Taliban does want, however, to join an interim government post-deal - something that alarms Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Mr Khalilzad, an Afghan-born American diplomat, met Mr Ghani for four hours on Sunday to outline progress and seek his support. In response, Mr Ghani said in a televised address that the presence of foreign forces was based on an international agreement and they will not be required for ever. "No Afghans want foreign forces in their country for the long term," Mr Ghani said. "The current presence of foreign forces is based on need...and according to an exact and arranged plan we are trying to bring down that number to zero." (Reuters) Support: Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, accompanied by his wife Fabiana Rosales, speaks to the media in Caracas. Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has overseen a display of the army's Russian hardware, with anti-aircraft flak and tank rounds pounding a hillside to show military force and loyalty in the face of an international ultimatum for new elections. Mr Maduro (56) is confronting an unprecedented challenge to his authority after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president, citing a fraudulent election. Mr Guaido has won wide international support and offers amnesty to soldiers who join him. White House National Security Adviser John Bolton warned against violence or intimidation of US diplomats in Venezuela or the opposition leader, saying such action would trigger a response from the United States. "Any violence and intimidation against US diplomatic personnel, Venezuela's democratic leader, Juan Guiado (sic), or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response," Mr Bolton said in a Twitter post, also noting Cuba's support for Mr Maduro's paramilitary forces. Mr Guaido has written to Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, to ask him not to release 1bn (1.15bn) of gold to Mr Maduro, who has been attempting to repatriate the gold from the vaults since last year. The bullion in London makes up 15pc of Venezuela's foreign currency reserves. In a letter, the 35-year-old said: "I am writing to ask you to stop this illegitimate transaction. If the money is transferred it will be used by the illegitimate and kleptocratic regime of Nicolas Maduro to repress and brutalise the Venezuelan people." Israel has joined the countries backing Mr Guaido, and Donald Trump's administration said it had accepted Venezuelan opposition figure Carlos Alfredo Vecchio as the country's diplomatic representative in the United States. On Sunday, Mr Maduro watched a platoon of soldiers release volleys of Russian-made rocket-propelled grenades, machine-gun anti-aircraft fire and tank rounds at hillside targets. Mr Maduro said the display showed the world he had the backing of the military, and that Venezuela's armed forces were ready to defend the country. Mr Maduro said Mr Guaido was taking part in a coup directed by Mr Trump's hardline policy advisers. "Nobody respects the weak, cowards, traitors. In this world, what's respected is the brave, the courageous, power," Mr Maduro said. "Nobody should even think of stepping on this sacred soil. Venezuela wants peace ... and to guarantee peace, we have to be prepared." Next month, the military is planning larger exercises that Mr Maduro described as the "most important in the history of Venezuela". The show of force was accompanied by a government publicity campaign online based on the slogan "Always Loyal, Never a Traitor", and followed a high-profile defection by the country's top military diplomat in the United States. Mr Maduro has denounced an alleged conspiracy aimed at spreading rebellion in the army, saying thousands of messages were being sent to soldiers every day over WhatsApp and other social media platforms from neighbouring Colombia. Mr Guaido also sent a message to the military, asking for support and ordering it not to repress civilians during an event in which supporters handed out copies of a proposed amnesty for people accused of crimes in the Maduro government. "I order you not to shoot," he said. "I order you not to repress the people." At a UN Security Council debate on Saturday, Russia and China strongly backed Mr Maduro and rejected calls by the United States, Canada, Latin American nations and European powers for early elections. Russia and China are major creditors of Venezuela. Since the government of Mr Maduro's late mentor, Hugo Chavez, the Opec nation has invested heavily in Russian weaponry, including Sukhoi fighter jets. Firefighters are resupplied as they search for victims of a dam collapse in Brumadinho, Brazil (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Brazilian firefighters are picking through treacherous mud in the search for survivors or bodies after a dam collapse that buried an iron mining company's buildings and inundated nearby neighbourhoods with ore waste. The confirmed death toll rose to 65, with 279 people still missing, according to the fire department in the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais. No one was recovered alive on Sunday, a stark difference from the first two days of the disaster when helicopters whisked people out of the mud. The death toll is expected to grow "exponentially" on Monday, Minas Gerais fire department said. Expand Close Members of a rescue team react upon returning from the mission, after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed REUTERS/Washington Alves / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Members of a rescue team react upon returning from the mission, after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed REUTERS/Washington Alves Search efforts were extremely slow because of the treacherous sea of reddish-brown mud that surged out when the mine dam breached on Friday afternoon. The mud was up 24ft deep in some places, forcing searchers to walk carefully around the edges of the muck or slowly crawl on to it so they would not sink. Rescue teams on Monday focused their searches on areas around the Vale mining company, where many workers were eating lunch when the dam ruptured. Vale is the world's largest producer of iron ore, the raw ingredient for making steel. The Brazilian company's American depository shares plunged 15.8 per cent on Monday on the New York Stock Exchange. Helicopters looking for bodies took off and landed non-stop, while on the ground, dozens of rescuers with tracking dogs were searching for bodies through the mountains of mud. Rescue efforts were suspended for about 10 hours on Sunday because of fears that a second mine dam in Brumadinho was at risk of failing. About 24,000 people were told to get to higher ground, but by afternoon civil engineers said the second dam no longer posed a risk. Areas of water-soaked mud appeared to be drying out, which could help firefighters get to areas previously unreachable, but it was slow going for the search teams and some residents started searching on their own for relatives. Throughout the weekend, there was mounting anger at Vale and questions arose about an apparent lack of a warning siren ahead of Friday's collapse. Vale said the area has eight sirens, but "the speed in which the event happened made sounding an alarm impossible". Senator Renan Calheiros called for Vale's board of directors to step down and attorney general Raquel Dodge told reporters that its executives could be held responsible. Over the weekend, courts froze about $3 billion from Vale assets for state emergency services and told the company to report on how it would help victims. The carpet of mining waste also raised fears of widespread environmental contamination and degradation. According to Vale's website, the waste is composed mostly of sand and is non-toxic, but a UN report found that the waste from a similar Brazilian disaster in 2015 "contained high levels of toxic heavy metals". That dam, operated by Vale and Australian mining company BHP Billiton, collapsed in the city of Mariana in Minas Gerais, killing 19 people and forcing hundreds from their homes. About 250,000 people were left without drinking water and thousands of fish died. An estimated 60 million cubic meters of waste flooded nearby rivers and eventually flowed into the Atlantic Ocean. Grief over the hundreds of Brazilians feared killed in last week's mining disaster has hardened into anger as victims' families and politicians say miner Vale SA and regulators have learned nothing from past disasters. Firefighters in the state of Minas Gerais had confirmed 60 people dead in Friday's disaster, in which a dam broke, sending a torrent of sludge into the town of Brumadinho. Nearly 300 are missing, and officials said it was unlikely that any would be found alive. Brazil's top prosecutor, Raquel Dodge, said the company should be held strongly responsible and criminally prosecuted. Vale chief executive Fabio Schvartsman said facilities were built to code and tests had shown the dam was stable two weeks earlier. The disaster occurred less than four years after a dam collapsed at a nearby mine run by Samarco Mineracao SA, a joint venture by Vale and BHP Billiton, killing 19. Denmark has begun erecting a 70-kilometer (43.4-mile) fence along the German border to keep out wild boars in an attempt to prevent the spread of African swine fever, which could jeopardize the country's valuable pork industry. Photo: Frank Cilius/Ritzau Scanpix via AP Denmark began constructing a 5ft-high, 70km-long fence along its border with Germany yesterday - to keep out wild boar. The Danish government says it is building the fence to prevent African swine fever crossing and devastating the country's bacon industry. Construction of the 4m project has already begun, despite there being no reported cases of the disease in Germany. "It is an insurance policy against the disease," said Mogens Dall, the chairman of LandboSyd, a Danish agricultural association. "You also insure your house against fire, although it will probably never burn." African swine fever, harmless to humans but almost always fatal in pigs, has spread into Europe, with cases reported in Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Baltic states. Denmark, the only EU country with more pigs than humans, fears an outbreak could severely affect its pork industry, worth 4.6bn a year, and lead to 33,000 job losses. The fence - with its shades of Donald Trump's proposed wall along the US-Mexican border - is not popular in Germany, where regional politicians and animal rights activists say it will disturb wolves, otters and golden jackals and be ineffective against the wild boar. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] 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 Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd is due in court later today in the latest attempt to fight his extradition to the UK, his representatives have said. The Briton's lawyer in Georgia, where he had been a fugitive after fleeing the UK, said the 31-year-old was due in court from around 1pm GMT. Writing on Facebook, Tariel Kakabadze said: "Prosecutor requested Jack Shepherd's urgent extradition according to simplified rules. "We, Jack Shepherd's defense team are going to fight the request!" The 31-year-old web designer handed himself in to authorities after months on the run following his conviction for killing Charlotte Brown. Ms Brown, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, died after plunging into the icy waters of the Thames when Shepherd's boat crashed during a champagne-laden date in December 2015. Read More Last week, defence lawyers in Georgia said Shepherd should not be extradited because he was warned in a phone call that his life might be in danger if he goes to a UK jail. The court also heard that Shepherd had alcohol dependency and he wanted to conduct the appeal against his conviction from Georgia. Expand Close Charlotte Brown / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Charlotte Brown He surrendered himself at a police station in the nation's capital Tbilisi on Wednesday last week. Laura Plummer (centre) is embraced by her sisters Lynda (left) and Rachel at Heathrow airport following her return to the UK Photo credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire Laura Plummer at Heathrow Airport following her return to the UK Photo credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire A British woman jailed for travelling with painkillers in Egypt has said her two-week holiday in the sun turned into a "15-month trip to Hell" as she landed back in the UK. Laura Plummer, 34, arrived at Heathrow Airport this afternoon and said she thought her "nightmare would never end" when she was held in al-Qanater women's prison, south of Cairo. The shopworker from Hull was sentenced to three years in prison on December 26 2017 for taking 290 Tramadol tablets into the country. Breaking down in tears as she arrived back in the UK, Ms Plummer said: "Words cannot express how delighted I am to be home. "At times I thought this nightmare would never end. What should have been a two-week holiday in the sun turned into a 15-month trip to Hell. "I would like to thank everybody for supporting me throughout this, especially my family." Expand Close Laura Plummer Photo: Family handout/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Laura Plummer Photo: Family handout/PA Wire Ms Plummer was arrested at Hurghada Airport on October 9 2017 when she flew into the Red Sea resort. She claimed she was taking the tablets - which are legal in the UK but banned in Egypt - for her Egyptian partner Omar Caboo, who suffers severe back pain. Her family previously said Ms Plummer had no idea that what she doing was illegal and was just "daft". Last September, she was refused permission to appeal against her conviction, but was granted early release on Monday after serving a third of her sentence. Karl Turner, Ms Plummer's local MP, said: "I am delighted for Laura and her family that this terrible ordeal is now coming to an end. "I would like to thank the Foreign Office and particularly minister of state Alistair Burt MP for everything he and officials have done for Laura and her family since this saga begun. Expand Close Laura Plummer (centre) is embraced by her sisters Lynda (left) and Rachel at Heathrow airport following her return to the UK Photo credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Laura Plummer (centre) is embraced by her sisters Lynda (left) and Rachel at Heathrow airport following her return to the UK Photo credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire "I very much hope that Laura can put this behind her and get on with her life now." A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are pleased Laura is now able to reunite with her family. "Our staff provided extensive support to Laura and her family during her imprisonment, visiting her regularly to check her welfare, and maintaining close contact with both her family and lawyer." China has called on Washington to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Huawei after the United States stepped up pressure on the tech giant by indicting it on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. Beijing will firmly defend its companies, a foreign ministry statement said. It gave no indication whether Beijing might retaliate for the charges against Huawei, Chinas first global tech brand and the biggest maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies. We strongly urge the United States to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including HuaweiChina's foreign ministry Huawei Technologies Ltd, which has spent a decade battling US accusations it is a front for Chinese spying, denied committing any of the violations cited in Mondays indictment. The foreign ministry complained Washington has mobilised state power to hurt Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations. We strongly urge the United States to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei, said the statement read on state TV. It said Beijing will defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies but gave no details. The charges unsealed Monday by the Justice Department accused Huawei of trying to take a piece of a robot and other technology from a T-Mobile lab that was used to test smartphones. Expand Close A $2bn (1.75bn) effort by China's Huawei to address security issues raised in a UK government report last year will take three to five years to produce results, according to a company letter to lawmakers seen by Reuters. (Andy Wong/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A $2bn (1.75bn) effort by China's Huawei to address security issues raised in a UK government report last year will take three to five years to produce results, according to a company letter to lawmakers seen by Reuters. (Andy Wong/AP) Huawei passed Apple in mid-2018 as the second-biggest global smartphone brand after Samsung. The US charges included no allegation Huawei worked at the Chinese governments direction. But Washington has previously accused Beijing of involvement in cyberspying and theft of industrial secrets. It has charged several Chinese hackers and intelligence officials. Huawei also is charged with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of US controls. Expand Close Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang (Andy Wong/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang (Andy Wong/AP) Prosecutors allege Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, lied to banks about those dealings. Ms Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested on December 1 in Vancouver, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. We urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests, said a foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang. We urge Canada to take seriously Chinas solemn position, immediately release Ms Meng Wanzhou and protect her legitimate and legal rights. Huawei, headquartered in the southern city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, has rejected the US accusations. The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of US law set forth in each of the indictments, a Huawei statement said. Huawei is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms Meng, and believes the US courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion, it said. Expand Close Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou (Darryl Dyck/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou (Darryl Dyck/AP) Ms Meng is out on bail in Vancouver as she awaits extradition proceedings. Huaweis US market evaporated after a 2012 congressional report said it and Chinese rival ZTE Corp were security risks and told phone companies to avoid them. But Huawei says the scrutiny has had little impact on its business elsewhere. The company says it serves 45 of the 50 biggest global telecom carriers. It forecasts its 2018 global revenue should exceed 100 billion US dollars for the first time despite the tension with Washington. Huawei said US prosecutors rejected a request to discuss the investigation following Ms Mengs arrest. It also noted the allegations in the trade secrets charge were the subject of a US civil lawsuit that already has been settled. The latest charges could dim prospects for US-Chinese trade talks due to start on Wednesday in Washington. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed on December 1 to put off any further sanctions against each others exports while they negotiated. A breakdown would likely lead to higher tariffs, a prospect that has rattled financial markets for months. The entirely state-controlled Chinese press has portrayed Huawei as the victim of US government efforts to cripple a potential industrial challenger. This is not just the matter of Huawei. It involves the whole nation of China, said Qin Xiaohua, who works in the finance industry in Beijing. We have to unite no matter as individuals or as an integrated country. Expand Close The UK Headquarters of Huawei in Reading, Berkshire (Steve Parsons/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The UK Headquarters of Huawei in Reading, Berkshire (Steve Parsons/PA) While US authorities stress the independence of courts, ordinary Chinese people all believe it is a deliberate crackdown on Huawei, said Lu Feng, an economist at Peking University. He said Beijing will see a link to Chinese-US trade relations. The difference in understanding will bring about complicated problems, said Mr Lu. Asked about the possible effect of the Huawei case on trade talks, the foreign ministry spokesman, Mr Geng, said, as for the China-US trade talks and our position on this, I think the US is also quite clear about that. The US Justice Department officials provided details from a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in New York. The Seattle charges allege that, beginning in 2012, Huawei plotted to steal information about T-Mobiles robot, known as Tappy. It said Huawei engineers secretly took photos of the robot, measured it and tried to steal part of it from T-Mobiles lab, according to prosecutors. T-Mobile declined to comment. Friends and relatives attend the burial of Vale SA employee Edgar Carvalho Santos (Andre Penner/AP) Brazilian authorities have issued arrest warrants for five people in connection with a dam collapse that killed at least 65 people and left nearly 300 missing as it plastered part of a small city with reddish-brown mud and iron ore mining waste. The orders were issued in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais, where the collapse happened last Friday. They came as rescue crews began a fifth day searching for survivors or bodies, and some families began burying their dead. Expand Close Rescue workers look for victims in the mud (Andre Penner/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rescue workers look for victims in the mud (Andre Penner/AP) Three of the warrants were for people who worked for Vale SA, the mining company that owned and operated the waste dam that collapsed, according to the company. In a statement, Vale said it was cooperating with authorities in the investigation. A German company that has inspected the dam said two of its employees had been arrested. The Munich-based TUEV company Sued declined to specify whether the arrested staff were from its German headquarters or its Brazilian branch. Expand Close Friends and relatives attend the burial of Vale SA employee Edgar Carvalho Santos (Andre Penner/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Friends and relatives attend the burial of Vale SA employee Edgar Carvalho Santos (Andre Penner/AP) In ordering the arrests, Minas Gerais judge Perla Saliba Brito wrote that the disaster could have been avoided. It is not believable that dams of such magnitude, run by one of the largest mining companies in the world, would break suddenly without any indication of vulnerability, the judge wrote in the decision, according to news portal UOL. The dam was part of an iron ore production complex. Vale is the worlds largest producer of the ore, which is the raw ingredient for steel. Expand Close A firefighter drinks water as he works on a site where a body was found (Leo Correa/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A firefighter drinks water as he works on a site where a body was found (Leo Correa/AP) Meanwhile, Colonel Evandro Borges from the military police told reporters that the official death toll was 65, though more bodies had been recovered Tuesday and that an updated death toll would be provided later in the day. He said 288 remained missing, most of them Vale employees. Many employees were eating lunch last Friday when the dam collapsed, burying a cafeteria and other company buildings. Shootings are no longer fueled by large-scale territory disputes authorized by gang leaders. Instead, the violence is concentrated in areas where young men confronted by a chronic lack of jobs and opportunity align in block-to-block cliques. While drug disputes still drive some conflict on the West Side where open-air markets thrive off easy access to the Eisenhower Expressway, much of the violence today is driven by interpersonal conflict and retaliatory shootings, according to the report. Li Wenzu, the wife of prominent Chinese rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, holds a box with a family picture and the detention notice for her husband in Beijing, China. Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison on the charge of subversion of state power. The sentence came more than three years after he was detained in a sweeping crackdown on the legal profession. The court in Tianjin announced the sentence in an statement, adding that his political rights were also being withheld for five years. Mr Wang's wife, Li Wenzu, told reporters she was worried about her husband's health while he was incarcerated. "Wang Quanzhang has never committed a crime, but they still forcibly charged him with a crime," Ms Li said. Mr Wang was a member of the Fengrui law firm, known for its advocacy work. He pursued land rights cases on behalf of poor villagers and represented members of the banned Falun Gong meditation sect. Amnesty International China researcher Doriane Lau called the verdict a "gross injustice". Mr Wang was tried in a closed hearing last month after being held without access to his lawyers or family since 2015, when he became one of more than 200 legal activists held in a crackdown. I was born in Manchester (England), my parents were both Irish, economic migrants from Ireland in the 1950s, and I have held an Irish passport all my life. My parents returned to Ireland in the sixties and I lived in Ireland until 10 years ago when I moved to Derry. I work in Ireland/EU and pay my taxes and social insurance contributions there. My wife was born in Derry. She and all her family are Irish passport holders. She works in Ireland/EU and pays her taxes and social insurance contributions there. Our son was born in Dublin, and now lives in Derry with us and holds an Irish passport. He goes to secondary school in Derry. In the wake of an agreed Brexit deal between the EU and the UK based on the current Withdrawal Agreement, or a Brexit without a deal, ie 'crash out', will we retain the full protection as Irish/EU citizens but living in Derry of our national identity, cultural, social, educational, welfare, political, human, economic and legal rights under Irish and EU law as we do now? If our rights as EU citizens are diminished or restricted, will we still as Irish and EU citizens have recourse to European institutions to vindicate and enforce our rights as they are today, or as may be developed by the EU in the future? The denial of rights highlighted by the civil rights campaign of the 1960s was the flame that lit the Troubles. We cannot let such a denial of rights happen again. Please help us protect our rights and the Good Friday Agreement before it is hollowed out. This issue is bigger and more fundamental than the prospect of a hard Border for commerce. Thomas Cullen Limavady Road, Derry Did Taoiseach see how to cope on a slippery slope? Did Leo go to Davos to learn how to ski over a hard border? John Williams Clonmel, Co Tipperary Don't blame Trump, we're no better on emissions I went to court for the first time in my life on Friday. I heard the State explain why it believes its current climate plan is fine, even though it does nothing to clearly decrease emissions, in order to prevent extreme suffering of our next generations. The UK has managed this, why can't we? The State argued that Ireland should not have to act unilaterally. That sounded to me like the State thinks nothing of our Paris Agreement, signed with countries all over the world, including those with little or no resources. That's on a par with tearing up the Paris Agreement, like Trump has done. And then the State argued that the court could not be held to a science-based standard. I wonder what alternative it has in mind: a Trump-Healy-Rae standard, perhaps? The legal arguments are made, and we await judgment. But a clarification is now already overdue, from the Taoiseach. We have no time to wait, not even for the judgment. Taoiseach, act now. Denis Shields Dublin 16 Backstop needs softening before we pay the price It is a pity Angela Merkel did not say "the easier the relationship, the better for all of us" (Irish Independent, Editorial, January 25) before Brussels bureaucrats were allowed use a unique Irish land Border as a battering ram to subdue the 'beastly' British for the temerity of thinking they should be allowed to manage their own affairs. Now that it is beginning to dawn on rather inept EU negotiators that the battering-ram approach may not achieve the desired result, a more conciliatory tone is emanating from those who have most to lose if Britain departs the EU without agreement. Merkel, who knows one in every seven German-made cars drives on British roads and that Britain operates a 70bn trade deficit with the EU, is following up the "love letter" sent to the British people by her successor in waiting, expressing how greatly they will be missed if they leave in disarray. Within months, if not weeks or even days, of a non-agreement departure, Merkel will ensure that agreement is in place to allow trade with Britain to resume as if there never was serious disagreement at all. The role Ireland played and the serious consequences for this country could be easily forgotten by the bigger players; apart from possibly using a by-then embarrassing "back-stop" irritant as a spur for mother EU to quickly dismantle any corporate tax advantage Ireland might hold. The Irish Government might be well advised to come forward immediately with greatly softened "backstop" proposals which could secure the softest Border possible; to be operated more in the breach than the application, provided serious abuse of border regulations was avoided. Such an approach might rescue Ireland from a very difficult situation and reconstitute this country as a friendly link between prosperity in both the UK and the EU. Padraic Neary Tubbercurry, Co Sligo Ominous words sent by Griffith from his jail cell Arthur Griffith disapproved of the action at Soloheadbeg and thought it outlaw action, writing ominously to fellow members of Dail Eireann from Gloucester Jail on January 23, 1919, "if this sort of thing goes on we will end up by shooting one another. "What has been done and what the Dail is doing is splendid. Keep the country disciplined and dignified. "Let it not be provoked by the Castle gang. They have no policy and when their provocation tactics fail they will fail While the release of the prisoners should be kept up, let it occupy a subsidiarity place to the Peace Conference. Concentrate on that It would not be advisable to go into details about an Irish Constitution at present, just keep the straight question of Irish Independence first. The first thing first." Anthony J Jordan Sandymount, Dublin 4 Comforting rustle of the papers means all is well With so many people reading newspapers online these days, it was comforting to hear the rustle of the 'printed matter', as Marian Finucane and her guests went through the stories of the week on the radio, Sunday last. Tom Gilsenan Beaumont, Dublin 9 Hardened bluffers appreciate there comes a point when you have to go all in to get out; and so the Brexit stakes are at their highest today in Westminster. But gamblers will also always play down the dangers. So small wonder there is a profound sense of foreboding over unfolding events in London. To sacrifice so much that is substantial for the prospect of attaining something that may prove to be catastrophic is difficult to comprehend. That is why representatives from the North's business, farming, trade union, community and voluntary sectors have all descended on the Commons imploring political party leaders to avoid a no-deal Brexit. With just 59 days to go, the chief executive of Retail Northern Ireland, Glyn Roberts, said: "It is not acceptable for parliament to continue to create uncertainty." Even so, Downing Street has refused to declare which of the several Brexit amendments it could support in the series of crucial votes to be held today. Theresa May appears to have placed all her chips on the prospect of Brussels giving ground on the backstop. Brexit ultras are standing by their flimsy promises of plenty, which even in fantasy have only found a half-life. Human experience tells us when the immoveable object meets the irresistible force, people get crushed. After two years agonising over every detail, for the whole process to be reduced to a reckless game of Russian roulette is reprehensible. Politics looks like it is failing the people. Some will argue the risk-takers and the risk- averse have always had to suffer each other. As US author Ambrose Bierce put it: "The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavour upon the business known as gambling." The bitter truth about Brexit is that those who can least afford to lose stand to lose the most, while those responsible for the disaster should the UK crash out will be cushioned from its harsher consequences. It is truly astonishing we could have come to such a pass, given how the City of London, main business organisations, trade unions and even main political parties all set out supporting Remain. Yet without the anchor of a common purpose, Brexit is drifting ominously close to the rocks. Our Government is prepared to see the Brexit deal reopened only if the UK stays in a customs union or agrees to special measures for the North to avoid a hard Border. We have little choice. The Good Friday Agreement was a milestone in achieving peace on these islands. History will judge harshly those who would seek to replace it with the millstone a no-deal Brexit would be. If you've sat at the table for 20 minutes and still don't know who the sucker is, runs an ancient poker maxim, the sucker is you. What goes for poker goes in spades for ultimate stakes political negotiating, as confirmed by the popular transatlantic slapstick double act of Trump and May. On this side of the ocean, the British prime minister clings to the fantasy that she can bluff the EU 27 into abandoning a barrier between the UK and Ireland without her agreeing to remain permanently in a customs union. On the other, the president clings to his about bluffing the Democrats into funding that beautiful wall between the US and Mexico. In three weeks, he insisted, after folding on Friday, he will be back at the table asking the dealer for a new hand. Although a fresh deal is the last thing May will countenance - or so she says for now - the parallels are uncanny. The arrogant intransigence of both has dictated a government shutdown - literally so until Friday in the States, and a de facto one in Britain, with a paralysed executive able to do nothing but bicker among itself. Both face a speaker of the House they cannot intimidate into mucking a winning hand. John Bercow's power to choose which Brexit amendments will be put to the vote makes him the most significant political figure in Britain. Sniffing immortality as the saviour who steered his country away from "no deal", he can be relied on to stretch convention and precedent to breaking point for his place in history. Nancy Pelosi's adamantine refusal to give an inch to Trump makes her arguably his most lethal enemy in a monumentally crowded field. Faced with crises that plainly require compromise, the Laurel and Hardy of geopolitics respond so identically that you wonder if uneasily holding hands that time caused some sort of Vulcan mind-meld. They double down on the bluffs by threatening Armageddon. Trump suggests he will re-shut the government and declare a national emergency if Pelosi and her Democrats refuse him a deal on his wall money in February. In the event of no deal in Britain, as conveniently leaked two days before the Commons votes on her Plan A Gold, May is preparing for martial law. I have played in Vegas with some of the biggest suckers ever to fold a suited AK before the flop, and been one of them myself, and not one of us would have mistaken these moves for strength. Every terrible poker player has an obvious tell. In 'Casino Royale', Le Chiffre alerted 007 to a bluff by weeping blood. Homer Simpson, on being dealt four jacks, whooped and did a lap of honour around the table. The blatant tell shared by the strangely suited pair of Trump and May is the movement of their lips. Can anyone here seriously believe that May wouldn't blink, and revoke Article 50 if necessary, if she faced the genuine prospect of requiring Her Britannic Majesty's subjects to weave through armoured tanks to get to the corner shop? Will anyone in Washington buy the notion that Trump, having damaged approval ratings with one shutdown, will almost immediately do it again? Even now, 22 months before the next election, he begins to look like almost as lame a duck as May. He has haemorrhaged the support of independents and other demographic groups such as suburban women, who in their surreal wisdom reckoned him a better bet than Hillary in 2016. The cave to Pelosi is finally eating into his base. If he gives in to Ann Coulter and other assorted maniacs by going nuclear on the wall, he will lose more independents. If he yields to common sense and lets it drop, he will lose more of his base. Pincered between what pass in the US for centrists and the frothing mad far right that equates compromise with treachery, he is in an eerily similar pickle to May. In one way, hers is the better position. Almost every member of her inner circle has yet to be arrested, charged and flipped by the FBI. Roger Stone, the dandified black ops specialist who must know the location of more Trump corpses than anyone else after several decades spent digging the graves, is the latest defendant to roll off Robert Mueller's production line. If and when Stone flips - and you needn't be a poker savant to peg his oath of lifelong loyalty for a transparent bluff - the odds against Trump leaving office before the 2020 election will narrow a little more. In another way, May's situation is worse. What Trump might do to distract from his domestic agonies doesn't bear contemplating without a bucket of Xanax at hand. But so far, he hasn't expertly shepherded his country to the precipice of an existential crisis. On either side of the Atlantic, at the same moment, war is raging between the executive and the legislature. The US Constitution, as designed by geniuses to enable Congress to restrict the menace of a recklessly self-interested leader, is working as intended. Whether the UK's unwritten pretend constitution will do the same rests on whether enough of the other players have worked out who the sucker is. They have spent long enough at the table to have no excuse for buying her bluff. ( Independent News Service) For weeks now Irish ministers have run away from the flames of Brexit. They ducked and dived from the British media, refusing to engage on almost any level. But last Friday in Davos, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar performed a 180-degree turn and decided to fan the flames. He warned not only of customs checks but also painted an image of Army troops and police in the vicinity of the Border. The picture presented to Bloomberg appeared to come as a shock to people at home and across Europe. But in reality he just described what a Border would look like. For months now, journalists and Opposition TDs have tried to pin down Government ministers on the Border issue. They resolutely ignored the questions. Instead, Mr Varadkar chose to talk to a well respected international news outlet because this was about grabbing the attention of MPs in Britain rather than the public at home. Similar comments made to the Dail would, most likely, have gone largely unreported in the UK. His intervention sparked a weekend wave of media appearances from Tanaiste Simon Coveney, European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee and Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond. It was a remarkable change of strategy. The Irish Government has been inundated with requests from the UK since Christmas but rarely agreed to interviews. Such was the paranoia about upsetting Theresa May that it actively sought to exclude channels which have correspondents based in Dublin. For example, there were no cameras allowed at that ill-fated press conference where Transport Minister Shane Ross struggled to answer basic questions. The fear was that anything said could have been beamed back via Sky News or BBC in the hours before the original 'meaningful vote'. However, the vow of silence allowed Brexiteers to gain control of the narrative. They portrayed Ireland as an unreasonable saboteur who was unwilling to compromise in any form. The tabloids also reported briefings from 'senior sources' on how the EU's solidarity with Ireland was about to crack. Lost in the debate was the reality that the UK-wide backstop was the compromise. Then Downing Street started to waver on the Irish element of the deal. Before Christmas, the prime minister was telling MPs: "There is no deal available that does not include the backstop." But she has spent much of the past fortnight wining and dining the DUP while discussing going back to Europe to seek a new deal on the backstop. Last night came the ultimate "betrayal" as she decided to rally support for a motion that mandates her to seek alternatives to the backstop. Her theory is that if the House of Commons can agree on something, it will strengthen her hand when dealing with Brussels. Mrs May's 180-degre turn is, no doubt, partly driven by the reality that other amendments being voted on tonight seek to take power away from her. But it creates massive problems for Ireland. The idea that an alternative to something that took 18 months to negotiate could be devised in two months is fanciful. There is zero suggestion as to what these 'alternatives' to the backstop are. In any event, the backstop doesn't come into force if alternatives are found before the end of 2020. The media blitz over the weekend led to accusations that Varadkar was 'upping the ante' and 'threatening the UK'. The Irish are damned if they stay silent and damned if they speak out. But if Mrs May is will to abandon the backstop, we must now fight fire with fire. As the grimmest month of the year, nothing rivals it. January is synonymous with debt, dieting and divorce. The first working Monday has even earned itself the epithet Divorce Day, such is the tsunami of entreaties crashing on to lawyers' desks. Amongst the applications being processed this year is what's being called the most expensive divorce ever, that of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos (net worth $137bn) and his wife of 25 years, MacKenzie. Their separation was announced before news broke of Jeff's affair with married TV anchor Lauren Sanchez, but the split underlines just how tough it can be to keep a marriage alive in the longterm. Expand Close On their wedding day 50 years ago. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp On their wedding day 50 years ago. Photo: Mark Condren And yet the research suggests that if you can make it work, you'll reap the benefits. A study published last week by University College London found that older people who are married are physically fitter, have a stronger grip and walk further and faster than their divorced counterparts. The researchers studied more than 20,000 people over the age of 60 in England and the US. They found married men walk further and faster than divorced men, while divorced women had weaker grips. They concluded that the stress of divorce may take its toll on physical health. With all of that in mind, just what is the secret to a lasting marriage? Novelist Marion Reynolds, who has been married to husband Patrick for 50 years, says there's no secret except communication, but warns against "playing the blame game" or seeking recrimination. "You see people who get into financial difficulties and they'll say: 'You didn't do this'. "Your focus needs to be on finding a way out of a fix, not ascribing fault. Patrick and I talked about marriage relatively early on but we couldn't afford it immediately. Then, when we were still dating, he went to study at NYU for a year and that was when we knew we had to be together," she says. "We wrote to each other a lot during that year and we still have those letters. Patrick has always been very romantic and romance keeps a marriage alive. We had no money for years, especially when the children were young. I would get student tickets to the Abbey and we'd go the theatre and have chicken and chips on the way home. Or we'd go for a walk on Dun Laoghaire pier and have a drink. But we always kept date night and made time for each other." Figures suggest we Irish are still romantics when it comes to marriage. The married population grew by 4.9pc between 2011 and 2016, outstripping population growth of 3.8pc. But getting married is easy - staying married is the hard part. A few years in, when the novelty has passed and the tedium of domesticity has set in, anything seems more desirable than the emotional hard labour of addressing an unhappy relationship. The 'crude divorce rate', divorces per thousand people, in Ireland remains relatively low - as of 2016, it was at 0.6pc versus 1.9pc in the UK. That said, the numbers of separated and divorced people increased by 8.9pc between 2011, and 2016, according to the CSO. "People are human and there is the initial stage of lust, which can allow people to create a persona of chivalry, generosity, sexuality or romance. As time goes by, domesticity takes its toll and people become their true selves," says David Kavanagh, family therapist at marriagetherapy.ie. "At that point, it's up to the partner to accept them or not. Sometimes that process takes less than three years. Sometimes it takes for the arrival of a child, or the experience of unemployment to bring out the worst in somebody. The success of your marriage depends on how you deal with those challenges." According to figures from Accord, the Catholic counselling agency, the point at which most clients seek help is 13 years into marriage. While divorce applications slumped during the crash, the numbers applying returned to boom levels in 2017, with overwork cited most often in court documents. Though the catalysts for marital strife may vary from adultery, overwork, unemployment or financial difficulties, counsellors agree that the mechanisms for repairing damage lie with the couple. That mechanism is the ability to be vulnerable with your partner. "Vulnerability is very important and it's very difficult," says Anne Colgan, Chair of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP). "Showing your vulnerability is very brave and, actually, you're probably at your strongest when you can do that." Kavanagh agrees. "Learning to be vulnerable is very difficult, people usually do it with the help of a therapist. Or you could be lucky and have a loving, supportive, emotionally-aware partner. Or you might be struggling to learn what emotional vulnerability even looks like. It is a phrase people aren't necessarily comfortable with." What comes up again and again with therapists is the necessity to be able to address conflict. "How you tolerate difference is one of the biggest questions we come across in therapy," says Deirdre Hayes, psychotherapist and board member of the Family Therapy Association of Ireland. "The worst conflicts can be overcome if you learn how to talk nicely and, also, as Irish people, use our sense of humour. That helps in diffusing issues. If you don't address conflict, then it becomes gridlock. As a therapist, ideally you hope to get to a couple before they're polarised." Certainly, expectations seem to play a role. Marion Reynolds said she didn't even consider what she thought of marriage before committing. The couple met at Terenure Rugby Club in the early 1960s. She was turning 18. He was 20. Her first novel, A Soldier's Wife, is based on the life of her grandparents, who were married for 60 years. "I was doing my Leaving Cert when I met Patrick at a hop. He gave me a lift home on his scooter and we started dating," she says. "Patrick had been studying accountancy and after my Leaving, I went into Aer Lingus. My parents could have afforded to send me to university, but there were two brothers after me and I was conscious of their fees. "After we married, I was very happy and we had our son within the year. It was only then I began to think about what it meant to be a housewife. I was 22 and, at home with the baby, I used to look out the window and see other women pushing prams and I thought: 'No. This isn't for me'. "I told Patrick and he said: 'Okay, what do you want to do?' I said: 'Well, I would have loved to have gone to university.'" Patrick sold his car and used the funds to pay Marion's fees to do English and Literature at Trinity. Afterwards, she completed a higher diploma and a master's. They had their second child while she finished her undergrad. Marion says Patrick supported her for five years, including helping with the child-rearing. "I was lucky that Patrick was always modern. He was at a party once when a man, whose wife was standing beside him, said: 'What's it like to be married to an intelligent woman?' "Some women questioned my choices. I was talking about my exams at Trinity and one said: 'Well, it's good to have an interest.' "We always respected each other's decisions. I supported him leaving accountancy and going into lecturing. We also moved around a lot. It's kept things interesting. We lived in the UK for 11 years. When we moved back, we went to West Cork. Now we're in Wicklow. Our life has been a real journey. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next." Psychotherapist Deirdre Hayes says there is no formula for a happy marriage. "Is there a kind of person who is good at marriage? Well, call me an optimist - everyone can be good at marriage. But if there's been issues, such as an affair, you can fix it, but it can be hard work." 'I got a letter from a little girl recently and it meant so much to me. It included a picture of her in a rocket with me and the caption, 'Here's me and Norah going to space.' That's more than I could have ever asked for." So begins a fascinating afternoon chat at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin with Dr Norah Patten, a Ballina native who aims to be the first Irish person to go into space. It's a lofty ambition, but if anyone has done the groundwork for such an expedition, it's Patten. That groundwork moved up a gear last year when the 35-year-old travelled to Canada as one of only 12 people from around the world - and the first Irish person ever - to take part in training with the Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere (PoSSUM). It involved high-G flight training, zero gravity parabolic flight training, hypoxia training, spacesuit testing and evaluations. In short, all the preparatory work that has to be done to turn you into an astronaut. So, just how does someone go from having an interest in space to being on the cusp of making a trip there a reality? And why are we discussing the subject while sitting in a brewery? The answer is that for people like Patten, the key to space travel is likely to be private enterprise. While space travel has traditionally been the concern of international bodies like NASA and the European Space Agency, a growing number of private space companies are getting closer and closer to offering commercial space travel to the public. Companies like Elon Musk's Space X, Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are working on the technology needed for it, and will eventually need trained scientists like Patten to help test and refine their offerings. Meanwhile, Guinness isn't above engaging in some marketing shenanigans, celebrating International Stout Day last November by announcing that it has set its brewers the challenge of figuring out how to brew a stout suitable for drinking in space. Taste works differently at high altitudes and liquids obey entirely different laws in zero-gravity, but the theory goes that by spending time on this problem, all sorts of technology breakthroughs are likely. "Obviously there is limited need for drinks in space right now but as space tourism takes off, and it will, these kinds of things will be necessary," says Patten. "The commercial side of space travel is going to be enormous. In 2015 alone, there were more investment dollars spent in space start-ups than in the previous 15 years combined. "It will start with sub-orbital flights, flights that don't orbit the earth but which go more than 100 kilometres up and enter space. But in 50 years' time, who knows what will be possible?" Patten's interest in space was sparked by a family holiday to visit cousins in Cleveland when she was 11. As well as all the usual tourist activities, the family paid a visit to NASA and it would prove to be a turning point for one little girl from Ballina. "I was mesmerised. It was so different and so outside my experience. There were amazing pictures and displays of spacecraft and astronauts. I was fascinated and that hasn't left me since. That visit led me to study engineering and to a career that's brought me to where I am today," she says. "Even now when I go to Kennedy Space Centre or a NASA building, that same sense of excitement is there. It's intoxicating." Since that first visit, Patten has gone on to obtain a PhD in aeronautical engineering from the University of Limerick and is currently a faculty member at the International Space University. The highlight of her career so far was participating in the Project PoSSUM training. This saw her take part in high G-force training in an acrobatic aircraft, spacesuit training using a Final Frontier Design (FFD) suit, and hypoxia training which involved low oxygen training bringing on symptoms such as light headedness, slowness and numbness. She wore a pressurised spacesuit and climbed inside a simulator to find out what it's like to try to fly an aircraft wearing the bulky uniform, and had to go through a sea survival course as part of an advanced spacecraft egress testing process. The training may be the real deal, but how exactly does she plan to find herself climbing into a rocket for real? To start with, she estimates she'll need to raise around 250,000. "My bet is on the commercial sector for a start, possibly through a company like Blue Origin. They haven't started selling seats on their launches as of yet but the programme that I am involved in with Project PoSSUM is a citizen science one, and it has excellent connections to the commercial companies in the US. "I would be flying as a scientist and not as a tourist. The idea is that you'd get your costs sponsored and then carry out scientific experiments in space. You might be on the same flight as some tourists, but the purpose of the trip will be to conduct scientific research." Surprisingly, given how much has been written about her wanting to be 'the first Irish person in space', she says she's not that bothered who gets there first. "That's actually not my driving force. When I was 11 this whole dream seemed impossible, so the idea that it's become plausible is incredible to me. But the whole area of space travel has flowered and is opening up," she says. "There are now commercial space companies that are 'unicorn' companies... billion dollar plus companies sending payloads into space. I just think, how is it going to look in another five years? So I want to be ready once that chance comes up. Of course it would be amazing to be the first but I want to get to space for myself, not anyone else." How much time does Patten have left to realise her dream - is space travel a young person's game? You'd imagine astronauts would have to be in peak physical condition and, while that is true, age isn't actually the barrier you'd think. "I think particularly with commercial flights, it will come down to physical health more than age. You obviously couldn't have blood pressure problems or anything like that, but you do need to be fit," she says. "I go to the gym and stay in shape, so that's not a worry. As for age, people have gone into space well into their 50s. Peggy Whitson was 57 when she went and she was commander of the International Space Station, and John Glenn was 77 when he went in 1998." I ask Patten if she feels like a role model for women and girls in the so-called STEM subjects - science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She briefly looks puzzled by the question, pauses for a moment and then replies. "I've been asked that before, but I don't really know how to answer. When I was in primary and secondary school, maybe it was a little unusual to be so interested in science. But as soon as I hit undergraduate level, we were all studying the same things and it was just normal," she says. "In general it does annoy me a little to see things like gendered engineering toys, because there's no reason to create false division in the genders. Girls in college don't get a pink form to fill out to do engineering - why would they? In college for me, it was never a case of, 'Well, she's a girl' or 'he's a boy'. It was a case of 'How good are you at getting the job done?' "I don't think in terms of 'How do we get more girls interested in STEM?' because I don't think separating people by gender has anything to do with encouraging them to take up STEM subjects. Let's just treat kids as different people with unique interests and abilities." As weather forecasters warn of a dangerously cold air mass descending on Chicago, the freezing conditions will threaten the safety of pets as much as humans, animal advocates say. Conservative MP Anna Soubry hit out a BBC presenter for how he conducted an interview on Brexit with Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond. Ms Soubry, who supports Britain remaining in the EU, criticised Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio for his interruptions of Mr Richmond. She said on Twitter that Mr Robinson was usually very fair but claimed he was "being rude" to Mr Richmond. She added: "Brexit is Britain's responsibility, not Ireland's". Mr Robinson had been asking if Ireland faces a choice between making concessions on the backstop to avoid a hard Border or a no-deal crash-out Brexit. Mr Richmond argued that Ireland and the EU had made many concessions. He said: "I really resent the fact that it's all being thrown on Ireland at this stage." Mr Robinson replied to Ms Soubry, saying: "Apologies to [Mr Richmond] and all listening if I sounded rude but I was trying to tempt him to address the future not the past." On mature reflection: A swan on the Grand Canal, Dublin, which was like a mirror yesterday. Forecasters say that temperatures are set to plummet by the end of the week. Photo: Gareth Chaney Drone flyers film the cold conditions at Lough Bray in Co. Wicklow. Photo: Tony Gavin 22/1/2018 A man with a snow shovel helped to clear a car's path in Drumcondra, Dublin last year (Brian Lawless/PA) Snow falling this morning in Westport as Met Eireann issue weather warning for the week. Photo: Paul Mealey A walker enjoys the snow in the mountains near Killakee, to the south east of Dublin Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire THE first significant snowfall of the year landed in many parts of the country today, as Met Eireann updated their current weather warning. The nationwide 'Status Yellow' snow-ice weather warning is to last until the weekend. Forecasters updated the warning with more information shortly after 10am this morning, and are due to review it again tomorrow morning. The national forecaster has warned of "frequent" showers of hail, sleet and snow in the southwest, west and north west, with snowfall accumulations possible this evening and overnight. Parts of the country woke up to the first sightings of snow this morning, including Westport in Co Mayo and the Wicklow mountains. Motorists are advised to avoid the Sally Gap in Co Wicklow, as the route is "impassable following snowfall". While the wintry showers will become more "isolated" tomorrow, significant snowfall can be expected on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Met Eireann. Our Status Yellow snow-ice Weather Alert for Ireland has ben updated, and is valid until midday Saturday February 2nd. For full details please see https://t.co/ozrQHtoOkt pic.twitter.com/rp0rUxlW9g Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 29, 2019 "It's tonight that the showers will leave falls of of snow, as temperatures drop to below freezing, between 0 and -3C. The wintry showers tomorrow will become more isolated, and the winds will ease as well," Met Eireann forecaster John Eagleton told RTE's Morning Ireland. "The big threat of snow this week is on Wednesday night and during Thursday, as the winds turn easterly in direction and as the pressure to the south of Ireland injects moisture to those easterly winds. "Once that threat passes, it will remain cold and frosty for Friday and the weekend, and then temperatures will start to creep up again at the start of next week. "In the meantime, the rest of this week is cold and frosty with a threat of some serious snow later on Wednesday night and Thursday." Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A walker enjoys the snow in the mountains near Killakee, to the south east of Dublin Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire A walker enjoys the snow in the mountains near Killakee, to the south east of Dublin Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire Snow covered Muckish Mountains outside Falcarragh in Donegal Picture credit: Damien Eagers / INM Lambs in a field with a snow covered Muckish Mountains outside Falcarragh in Donegal in the background Picture credit: Damien Eagers / INM Snow falling this morning in Westport as Met Eireann issue weather warning for the week. Photo: Paul Mealey Sheep in the snow in the mountains near Killakee, to the south east of Dublin Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire Snow-ice warning in place until Saturday A walker enjoys the snow in the mountains near Killakee, to the south east of Dublin Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire Sheep enjoy the snow in the mountains near Killakee Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A walker enjoys the snow in the mountains near Killakee, to the south east of Dublin Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire Warning Motorists have been warned there will be widespread frosts and icy stretches on untreated roads. Expand Close Walkers wrapped up for the sharp crisp morning on Howth Harbour (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Walkers wrapped up for the sharp crisp morning on Howth Harbour (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) AA Roadwatch are urging motorists to keep distance between cars and to use "gentle manoeuvres". "Wet road conditions have been reported across the country. Slow down and keep a safe distance between you and the driver in front," a spokesperson said. Read More "Remember stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow, and that gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving." Road Safety Authority's Communications Manager Brian Farrell said they are "taking the opportunity to appeal to everyone to take extra care". "It's important to slow down, the conditions will be challenging," he told RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland. "There are two things we're asking drivers in particular as Met Eireann issue their warning. "To make sure their vehicle is fit for purpose. Make sure your vehicle is ready, checking tyres, that your windscreen wipers aren't worn away, that you have antifreeze, that your lights are in good working order. "It is vital to deal with the challenges of winter. "Secondly, sun glare is a problem at this time of the year," Mr Farrell continued. "The low sun on the horizon can be dazzling. "We advise drivers to invest in a pair of sunglasses." The Status Yellow weather warning will remain in place until 6pm on Saturday. Meanwhile, fears have been raised for homeless people sleeping rough as temperatures are set to fall to -3C. Anthony Flynn, of the Inner City Helping Homeless charity, said his group has "huge concerns" for the safety of people sleeping rough around the country. He called on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to implement emergency protocols for extra beds. "We have on average 80 people still forced to sleep rough on the streets of the capital every night due to the lack of beds," he said. "Whilst this is a reduction of at least 55pc since early December we still have a shortage. With the risk of snow and a cold weather warning in place I am appealing to the minister to immediately initiate contingency measures and open as many beds as possible to reduce the risk of death on our streets." Met Eireann said there will be showers of hail, sleet and snow today, heaviest in the south-west, west and north. Temperatures will rise to just 2C to 5C before falling as low as -3C tonight. The caravan used by Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew for Saturdays constituency advice clinic in Moy, Co Tyrone Sinn Fein were forced to hold an advice clinic in a caravan after a priest withdrew permission to use a Co Tyrone church hall - and the clergyman has said he will "probably not" allow the party to use the venue in future. Anti-abortion activists had planned to protest outside Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew's advice clinic at St John's Church Hall in Moy on Saturday, due to their opposition to his party's support for the liberalisation of abortion laws. However, parish priest The Very Rev John Connolly told the Belfast Telegraph that he withdrew permission for Mr Gildernew to use the church hall at the weekend. A photo posted online by Mr Gildernew on the day of the event shows a small caravan parked at the roadside in The Square in Moy, with Sinn Fein posters affixed to its doors. A picture on social media of an amended leaflet advertising the clinic, which has the words "parochial hall" removed, lists 'health' as one of the issues for which help can be offered. In Saturday's social media post, Mr Gildernew said it had been a "great constituency clinic" and pledged to "roll out the service across South Tyrone". He wrote: "Great constituency clinic in the Moy this morning. "Brilliant as always to engage with our constituents on a wide range of concerns about the Moy specifically and other issues. "We will roll out the service across South Tyrone in the time ahead to make it more accessible for all." Fr Connolly told the Belfast Telegraph he was "surprised" at the attention the advice clinic had attracted. "I didn't want to offend or annoy any parishioners, so I thought it best to call it off," he stated. "It wasn't because of any other political party's reaction. "I withdrew permission to use the church hall, it was very amicable. "I would probably not allow Sinn Fein to hold other events in the church hall. It depends what it is, I would have to look at each case as it came up." In a statement released on Saturday night, Tyrone Pro-Life Network claimed its efforts to prevent Sinn Fein from holding the meeting in the church hall had been a "total success". It stated: "Those who advocate abortion in Tyrone will be met with relentless and uncompromising opposition from us at all times. We had people in the Moy today as promised and they were finally stood down in the early afternoon when it could safely be said that our mission was completed and that it had been a total success. Our loyalty is to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and we will not be deflected in defending the teachings of our Faith in the matter of abortion. "We will now return our focus to the May elections and to making these as difficult as possible for those parties and politicians who support abortion." The Belfast Telegraph asked the Catholic Church whether it would allow Sinn Fein to hold any events on church property here or in the Republic in the future. No response had been received at the time of going to press. Sinn Fein also failed to respond to requests for comment. It's official - 2018 was a record year for Irish tourism, with overseas visitor numbers surpassing the 10 million milestone for the first time ever. More than 10.6 million overseas arrivals were recorded last year, according to the Central Statistics Office's latest official overseas travel report - up from 9.93 million in 2017, which was itself a record year. The figures saw North American visitors jump 13.4pc to almost 2.4 million, while tourists from mainland Europe rose 9.5pc (driven by Germany and Italy) and Australia and developing markets recorded an increase of 6.7pc. British figures were largely static, posting growth of just 1pc. "Whilst the British market was somewhat flat, this is not surprising given the uncertainty attaching to Brexit," said Tourism Minister Shane Ross. "Overall, though, it is heartening to see market diversification is driving our growth." Despite the good show, Brexit hangs like a sword of Damocles over the tourist industry. Historically, Britain has been the single most important inbound market for Irish tourism, and still accounts for over 35pc of all visitors. Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, welcomed the record figures but said the continued uncertainty around Brexit, and its impact on outbound travel from Britain, "remains a real concern". As the Brexit cut-off date of March 29 approaches, Tourism Ireland has been focusing on diversifying Ireland's source markets, while Failte Ireland is managing a 5m fund to prepare businesses for the challenges it may bring. A threat to forcefully remove female ministers and their families from their homes sparked a Garda alert in recent days, the Irish Independent has learned. Anti-eviction protesters were investigated on foot of intelligence suggesting they planned to occupy the homes of senior politicians. Gardai became aware of the threat last Thursday and spent three days investigating before deciding the danger had subsided. While the initial message was targeted at all of the five female members of Cabinet, gardai are understood to have given specific advice to two ministers. A decision has been taken not to name the ministers directly affected. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was aware of the situation and officers were told to provide extra patrols in the vicinity of ministers homes. It is understood the alert began after a minister received a tip-off last Thursday. Gardai took immediate action, including a trawl of online commentary by anti-eviction protesters. One source said concerns were heightened by the scenes that have accompanied some high-profile evictions in recent months. Gardai are also closely monitoring the efforts of some right-wing elements to establish a 'Yellow Vest' campaign in Ireland. A variety of sources confirmed the plot involved a group of people arriving at a minister's house and attempting to 'evict' them. The attack would be carried out "in a very public way", indicating that it would be filmed and posted on social media. The protesters would then occupy the property. The ministers affected were said to be "rattled" by the development. Security sources said last night the threat has passed and is no longer considered credible by gardai. No arrests were made. All senior ministers were routinely assigned Garda drivers until the privilege was ended in 2011 as part of the recessionary cutbacks. Now the only members of Government with Garda protection are Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Simon Coveney and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan. The Department of Justice has declined to comment or say whether any extra security measures will be put in place for ministers. "Arrangements may be put in place for the protection of office holders or other public figures and these are a matter for An Garda Siochana. "For sound reasons of security and the safety of persons, it is not the practice to comment on the details of any individual case or the arrangements that may be in place in this regard," a spokesperson said. Likewise, gardai were not in a position to comment on the security alert. It is common for groups protesting about issues, including housing, to stage events outside TDs' constituency offices but their family homes are seen by most as off-limits. There are rare examples of homes being targeted, most notably when former aviation workers targeted Paschal Donohoe during his time in the Department of Transport. However, the fact the threat related specifically to female politicians has been described as "particularly sinister" by security sources. Regina Doherty, Heather Humphreys, Josepha Madigan, Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Katherine Zappone are the Cabinet's five female ministers. Exiled former president of the Government of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont speaks at Trinity College Dublin Photo credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire FORMER Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has told Irish politicians that members of his government will continue fighting for our freedom. It doesnt matter if we are in jail or in exile. Spanish authorities are prosecuting people accused of being involved in 2017s failed bid for Catalan independence. The then-Catalan government held a referendum in defiance of Madrid and declared independence afterwards. The Spanish government imposed direct rule and dissolved the Catalan regional parliament. With the Spanish authorities accusing Catalan ministers of rebellion, Mr Puigdemont and some of his colleagues fled to Belgium. He is in Dublin today where he had a meeting with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and is also attending a conference at Trinity College. Mr Puigdemont also addressed TDs at a meeting in Leinster House organised by the Oireachtas Friends of Catalonia group chaired by Sinn Fein senator Paul Cavan. The former president disputed allegations that the independence bid was a rebellion saying that this suggests the use of violence and weapons. He said: Our path is a democratic path, a non-violent path. We want to be Independent only with non-violent and democratic means. He claimed: All the attempts to reach an agreement with the Spanish State have failed and the only response from the Spanish government was repression. Mr Puigdemont said: We will continue fighting for our freedom. It doesnt matter if we are in jail or in exile... And we will respect always the decision of the Catalan people. Because our commitment to respecting the result of the ballot boxes. He said that if the Catalan people voted No to independence he would respect that and he challenged the Spanish State to give a commitment that it would accept a Yes vote. Mr Puigdemont said he respects the policies of European countries towards the question of Catalan independence and that his goal is to have an opportunity to answer questions and be listened to. He said meeting Irish ministers was not the goal of his visit to Dublin and declined to offer details of what he discussed with Mr Ahern saying it was a private meeting. It has been a pleasure to meet former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin. I have discussed several international issues including the Catalan conflict with the former Irish PM pic.twitter.com/YsN6NgqfTh Carles Puigdemont (@KRLS) January 29, 2019 Earlier he Tweeted a photograph of himself with Mr Ahern and said: It has been a pleasure to meet former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin. I have discussed several international issues including the Catalan conflict with the former Irish PM. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has staunchly defend her backing Venezuelan president in spite of the civil unrest in the country. The party stand with Russia and China in supporting President Nicholas Maduro who has spent recent days overseeing a display of military force. According to the United Nations at least 40 people are believed to have been killed and 850 others detained in recent violence. It is believed 26 were shot by government forces, five were killed in house raids and 11 died during looting. Among those detained between January 21-26 are 77 children, some as young as 12. But Ms McDonald said the people elected President Maduro and democracy must be respected. There is no doubt that Venezuela is in a state of absolute trauma. Im very conscious that people are living hand to mouth, she said. People have their own views on the policies of President Maduro. Im sure theyll also have a view on sanctions against that country. This is the bottom line: Venezuelan people decide who their present and then people can have a view of that person, good, back or indifferent. Sinn Fein has been heavily criticised for sending representatives to Maduros inauguration. Since then the United States, Canada, many Latin American nations and some European powers have called for fresh elections. However, Ms McDonald said the job of the international community is to uphold the democratic process that has already taken place. Asked if she believed Maduros election was free and fair, she indicated that she believed so. I know there are others who take a contrary view. There were observers. Their view was that they were conducted with democratic standards. I wasnt there so Im not an eyewitness to these matters, she said. The Dublin TD called on the international community to offer assistance to the people rather than cause further internal instability and further hardship. Ultimately this is about oil. Its about resources. Their country has become an ideological battleground. THE divorce referendum in May will ask voters if they want to hand power to politicians for setting the pause period before a couple can formally end their marriage, Independent.ie has learned. At present, a couple seeking a divorce need to live apart for four or five years. It was believed that the referendum would reduce this to two out of three years but the Government decided today to simply remove the minimum living apart period from the Constitution. Instead the Oireachtas will be responsible for setting the term through legislation. Legislation drawn up by Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan which allows for a two year period will form the basis of legislation to be progressed by the government if the referendum is carried. Ms Madigan, a former family law solicitor, said that the two year period was based on international examples of law in this area. One year was too short people need time to 'grieve' the breakdown of a marriage she said. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said he hopes there will be respectful debate on the topic which deals with a sensitive area. The divorce referendum will take place on the same day as the European and local elections in May. A planned referendum on the place of women in the home may now not take place until next year. PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has decided to retire from his role, just four months after making "urgent pleas" for extra resources for the aftermath of Brexit. Northern Ireland's top police officer took to social media yesterday to announce his forthcoming retirement in June, just three months after Brexit is scheduled to be implemented. Taking to Twitter, Mr Hamilton said he informed the Northern Ireland Policing Board of his intention to step down after five years in the role. "Our society today is a much more peaceful and progressive society than it was when I joined policing over 33 years ago. "The PSNI has been part of that transformation," he said. "It has been a huge honour to have served the public through policing and, without doubt, the greatest privilege of my career has been to serve as chief constable of the PSNI for the last five years." He will retire around three months after Brexit, a time which Mr Hamilton himself says will affect PSNI operations heavily. He previously told a government committee he felt "in the dark" as he attempted to prepare his service for the UK leaving the EU. He also accused the British government of failing to understand the impact of Brexit and the dangers of terrorism in the region. Last September, Mr Hamilton warned that government officials have failed to prepare for the impact of Britain leaving the European Union on issues surrounding peace and security. He said that he has made a number of "urgent pleas" for resources, but he was not getting the information or clarity from Westminster. Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, had called for a short film about her sons death be removed from circulation (Jonathan Brady/PA) Two-year-old James Bulger (inset) is led to his death by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson THE mother of James Bulger has said an Oscar-nominated documentary on the murder should not have featured an actor playing her son. Denise Fergus has strongly criticised Detainment - a shot movie directed by Irish filmmaker Vincent Lambe - and called for its nomination to be pulled. James Bulger was led away from Merseyside shopping centre by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson in 1993. They then tortured the toddler before killing him. Detainment follows the events surrounding the murder, and is comprised of re-enactments based on transcripts of police interviews with Venables and Thompson. Expand Close James Bulger, whose murder in 1993 shocked the nation (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp James Bulger, whose murder in 1993 shocked the nation (PA) Speaking on RTEs Claire Byrne Live tonight, Mrs Fergus said that her main issue with the documentary was an actor playing her son. I just want to know why he didnt inform us, first of all before he decided to do this film, he had plenty of opportunities so I would have met up with him. I would have advised him not to have a child play James I wouldnt want that to happen. I saw a trailer, I tried not to see the child playing James, I didnt want to watch it. Just to see that, took me right back and it really did destroy me. It was like looking at James, but it wasnt. That little boy went back to his parents that night, and he was safe and sound and slept in his own bed. Expand Close Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, had called for a short film about her sons death be removed from circulation (Jonathan Brady/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Denise Fergus, the mother of murdered toddler James Bulger, had called for a short film about her sons death be removed from circulation (Jonathan Brady/PA) James never came back to me, and to get a child to play him without my permission, I dont know what he (Lambe) was thinking, Denise Fergus said. Her husband, Stuart Fergus, also described Mr Lambes decision not to consult the family about the documentary as underhanded. He had time and opportunities over the years to contact her and get in touch, and he did not do that, it has been very underhanded. I think something should be put in place so that families should be informed, Mr Fergus added. Denise Fergus added that she wished no harm on Vincent Lambe after it emerged that death threat were made against the filmmaker over Detainment. Last week the documentary was nominated for Academy Award Best Short Film ahead of the ceremony on February 24. Vincent Lambe previously said that there should be a responsibility to try and make sense of what happened. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) Authorities are looking into eyewitness accounts that a couple may have carried out the twin blasts in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Jolo, Sulu which killed at least 22, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said. Ano told CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday that they are verifying eyewitness accounts that point to a woman wearing a black jacket who supposedly carried a black bag and sat at the fourth row of pews from the cathedral's altar, where the first bomb - said to weigh two to three kilos is thought to have exploded. DILG chief: Number of fatalities in Jolo blasts has risen to 22 | #TheSource https://t.co/AtWnxO7wOn pic.twitter.com/8yC6QbwMx4 CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 29, 2019 The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed in a media briefing that a woman planted a bomb inside the cathedral. He said eyewitnesses have also pointed to a man, thought to be with the woman, who supposedly set off the second bomb at the entrance of the church. Sulu 1st District caretaker Jericho Nograles said the second explosion threw people three meters away from the blast. "Supposedly, dapat wala namang magsisimba na mayroong black bag eh. Dapat hindi pinapayagan 'yan. Medyo nagkaroon ng konting lapses doon," Ano said. [Translation: Supposedly, no one should be attending Mass carrying a black bag. That should not have been allowed. There were some security lapses there.] READ: NBI to investigate Jolo cathedral blasts The Interior Secretary added that they have identified persons of interest in the twin blasts, who he said were captured on CCTV. Security footage from the Armed Forces of the Philippines West Mindanao Command show four men running away from the blast site, with one man in a blue jacket handing over an item to another man with a red backpack before running back to area of the bombing. READ: Brother of Abu Sayyaf leader identified as person of interest in Jolo blasts "Itong apat na 'to kasi more or less may naka-identify na they are part of the [Abu Sayyaf Group] group. This is what we call the urban terrorist group," Ano said. [Translation: These four men have been more or less been identified as part of the Abu Sayyaf Group Ajang Ajang group. This is what we call the urban terrorist group.] DILG chief: 4 men in video believed to be 'Ajang-ajang' group members | #TheSource https://t.co/AtWnxO7wOn pic.twitter.com/bTDfuKAFtW CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 29, 2019 Ano said the Abu Sayyaf use the Ajang Ajang group to run errands, provide support and relay communication. He added that one of the men has been identified, but refused to reveal his identity as investigation and manhunt operations are ongoing. Security lapses Ano also admitted that there may have been security lapses around the cathedral before the blasts occured. "Somehow, there was (sic) some lapses. Probably naging complacent sila because tapos na 'yung [Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite,]" he said. [Translation: Somehow, there were some lapses were some lapses.Probably they became complacent because the plebiscite for the BOL is over.] The police and military beefed up security in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City and Isabela City, Basilan which voted in a plebiscite for the ratification of the BOL, which creates the new Bangsamoro ARMM. READ: The Bangsamoro Organic Law: Everything you need to know Sulu voted against the BOL, but since they already form part of the ARMM, their votes were counted with the entire region. The provincial government is contesting that before the Supreme Court. Ano explained that three layers of security have been in place around the church, which Nograles said has been cordoned off to motorists five months ago, when the cathedral first received terror threats. Also speaking to The Source, Nograles said the security around the area was loosened three to four months ago when the threats seemed to have dissipated. The DILG chief said soldiers guard the perimeter of the church "24 hours a day," while joint forces of the military and the police man checkpoints leading to the church, and policemen are stationed in checkpoints at the outermost ring around the church. "We have to thank the military for working so hard to secure Jolo. But of course there are lapses. There has to be lapses. How could somebody enter the church with a bomb?" Nograles said. In another interview with The Source, Philippine Institute for Peace Violence and Terrorism Professor Rommel Banlaoi said the group behind the fatal bombing "outsmarted law enforcement authorities." Martial law 'more' justified The blast occurred just days after the ratification of the BOL and during the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, which has been in place since May 23, 2017. Critics have come to say that martial law has been ineffective in preventing the attack. However, Malacanang said the incident should serve as "more reason" for martial law's continued implementation. "It's not perfect. Yes the whole of Mindanao is martial law and despite that, crimes do happen, terrorism (does) happen. It's not a perfect martial law," Nograles said, but added that it is more justified following the blast. "If there wasn't martial law five months ago, making that security cordon was harder. And I would still reiterate, in particular, Sulu, martial law is still welcome by the people," he said. The Supreme Court is holding oral arguments today on petitions against the continued implementation of martial law in Mindanao. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security officials, while not discounting that possibility, say local terror groups are likely behind the bombing. The police and the military are now under nationwide heightened alert following the blast. GARDA Special Branch chiefs are sending extra patrols to the Border to combat a feared increase in activity by dissident republicans. Intelligence indicates that a terror campaign is likely to be re-ignited by the dissidents in the first quarter of the year. And the Garda authorities have responded by deploying additional personnel to Border divisions where the Special Branch presence has been scaled down since the peace process settled in. The extra patrols are now being sent out regularly from Special Branch headquarters in Harcourt Square in Dublin to back up local armed personnel in the Cavan-Monaghan and Louth-Meath divisions, particularly. Concerns about a step up in dissident activity stem from Brexit, irrespective of a hard or soft Border, and the release of dissident leaders from prison this year, which is likely to result in the re-organisation of several terror groups that had been in disarray in recent months. The aim of the additional patrols is to increase monitoring of known dissident suspects and make them aware they are under constant surveillance. One senior officer told the Irish Independent the tactics were akin to Gerry Adams' declaration that "we haven't gone away, you know". The officer said that a lot of the focus of Harcourt Square had been in the greater Dublin area in the past few years and that was now shifting back to the Border region as the force generally prepared for a fresh look at policing a land border between the UK and the EU. The more experienced anti terrorist officers are being given an opportunity to familiarise themselves again with the key suspects, their homes and their haunts while officers recruited to the Branch in recent months will be "shown the ropes". The patrolling is being carried out without spending overtime and the units return to Dublin each night or early morning at the end of their shifts. The decision to increase focus on Border counties has been underlined by the car bomb attack by the New IRA in Derry last Saturday week and gardai are determined that the terrorists will not be allowed to provide logistical assistance on this side of the Border for planned attacks on targets in Northern Ireland. This support varies from storing weapons to manufacturing improvised explosive devices and supplying stolen cars. Gardai are also anxious to ensure they establish the identities of those who have been encouraged to either join or sympathise with the terror groups and have no known previous connections with the dissidents, the so-called lily whites. The Special Branch strength will be increased further in the Border area in the next couple of months along with the setting up of a third garda armed support in the Northern region. It will be located at the divisional headquarters in Cavan and will fill in the existing gap between the two existing ASUs based in Dundalk and Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, as the Irish Independent revealed last month. It is also planned to deploy at least half of the next batch of garda recruits passing out from the training college in Templemore to the Northern region. A final decision on how many has not yet been taken. Between 190 and 200 recruits are expected to pass out in the first week of March and, after two weeks leave, they will be deployed at their new stations. The recruits are normally distributed evenly between all of the regions but it is intended that the March output will be largely sent to the Border where they will be stationed at designated training centres, like Dundalk and Cavan, allowing more experienced officers to be available for duties arising from Brexit. Although the Brexit border issues will be primarily economic and handled by the Customs, gardai say their management of policing there has to change in line with whatever outcome emerges when the UK finally leave the EU. The scene of the collision Gardai are appealing for information after a car was seen driving erratically through a Dublin housing estate, moments before a child was hit. An investigation is underway into the incident which happened shortly before 4pm on Tuesday afternoon in the Fairlawn area of Finglas, Dublin 11. Gardai were called to the scene after a car, reported to be driving erratically in the area, struck a juvenile male who was walking along a footpath. Emergency services responded but the vehicle involved had fled the scene before gardai arrived. The injured child, who is a juvenile male, was brought to Temple Street Childrens Hospital. Sources said the youth was treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but is understood to be in a stable condition. Gardai are continuing to hunt for the vehicle involved in the serious collision. A video of the incident has been circulated on social media which shows two cars driving erratically through the Fairlawn housing estate. The second vehicle, a silver hatchback, then appears to lose control on the straight road, before swerving into a youth walking on the pathway. The brief clip, which lasts for 16 seconds, abruptly ends after the vehicle collides with the child. The incident is under investigation by officers based at Finglas garda station. Gardai said the woman felt pressurised into paying an extortionate price for 12 chainsaws, 11 generators, 7 power washer and assorted tools which she had no use for and did not want. Photo: An Garda Siochana. GARDAI have issued a warning about bogus callers and rogue traders, otherwise known as 'cold callers', after an elderly woman was pressurised into paying for tools she did not want or need - including 12 chainsaws. According to gardai, the elderly woman, who lives alone, handed over "a substantial amount of money made up of several cheques" for 12 chainsaws, 11 generators, 7 power washers and other tools. Most of the cheques were cancelled before they were cashed. Gardai in Bantry in Cork are appealing to anyone who has been a victim of a similar crime to contact them, and are asking the public to inform elderly relatives and neighbours of the incident. The Crime Prevention Office described it as a "heinous crime" and said they will put out "additional patrols" if vulnerable members of the public see bogus traders in the area. "This is a heinous crime that was committed as it targets the more vulnerable members of our communities. If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours and see or hear about bogus traders doing the rounds, let them and ourselves know so we can put out additional patrols," Sergeant Tony Davis said. "If you suspect that anyone who calls to your door selling goods or services is not who they say they are, tell them you are not interested and call the Gardai immediately. "Genuine trades people wont be offended by any queries the Gardai may make. If you are answering the door to cold callers, apply the chain or door limiter before opening the door. "I would also ask that if anyone feels like they, or someone they know has been a victim of being sold goods for extortionate prices, or paid for a service that was not carried out, to call any Garda station and report the matter." Sgt Davis added that members of the Community Policing Unit are "always on hand" to pay regular visits to anyone who might feel susceptible to any type of crime. "We regularly host outings and pay visits to senior citizens groups and clubs so the people get to know their local Community Policing Unit and build up a relationship with them," he said. Gardai have encouraged people to always ask for identification to verify the credibility of tradespeople that may call to the door. They also advised the public to seek comparable estimates for services, to never engage a person who insists on cash-only payments and to never leave strangers, even bona fide workers, unsupervised in the home. "If a person calls to your door offering you professional trade services or selling goods and you are worried they are not bona fide, tell the caller that you never employ trades people or buy goods from people who cold call to your door," a garda spokesperson said. "Ask for a brochure or documentation so you can carry out checks and verify their credibility. This should include a contact number and a V.A.T registered number. Be careful of documentation that only displays mobile contact numbers or incomplete addresses. "If you are satisfied that the company or individual(s) are credible and you want to make a purchase, ask for an itemised written quotation for the exact goods/services being offered." Tomorrow's strike by 40,000 nurses is set to go ahead as a last ditch attempt by the Labour Court to avert the 24-hour stoppage has failed. Pickets will be mounted at hospitals across the country from 8am tomorrow to 4pm tomorrow including Connolly Hospital in the Taoiseachs constituency in Blanchardstown. It came as Mr Varadkar brushed aside opposition calls to make an 11th hour direct intervention to stop the strike. The Labour Court concluded that "an intervention at this time holds no prospect of impacting the dispute planned for tomorrow". It had been trying to determine if there is a basis to formally intervene in the dispute. The court had met with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions health service management. The court has a full understanding of the dispute and parties positions at this time, it said in a statement. The court has reflected on the situation and has concluded that an intervention at this time holds no prospect of impacting the dispute planned for tomorrow. The court has therefore decided not to formally intervene in the dispute. It said it will remain focused on the matter in the coming days as it continues to assess what assistance it might provide at the appropriate time. A spokesperson for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said it was disappointed and strike preparations will continue. This will only be the second time in the unions 100 year history that its members will go on a national strike. In a statement, the INMO said the Government did not table any realistic proposals that could have ended the dispute. INMO Director of Industrial Relations, Tony Fitzpatrick, said the largest strike in the history of the health service is looming and the Government has nothing to say. We are deeply disappointed that the Government still have no serious proposals to resolve this dispute, he said. No nurse or midwife wants to go on strike, but we have been forced into this position by a government that just isnt listening. He said the union is always open for talks and to receive realistic proposals to end the dispute. We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of public support for Irelands nurses and midwives, and for the solidarity events by Irish nurses working overseas, he said. Fears There are fears for patient safety in high-risk areas such as A&E departments amid the strike action. Hospitals have cancelled planned surgeries as they prepare to scale down to just an emergency service. But A&E consultants expressed serious concerns about the impact on patient safety if the strike goes ahead. Dr Emily O'Conor, in a letter to the HSE, warned that the level of A&E cover by nurses, which was set out in contingency strike plans, was inadequate. She warned that the A&E doctors were making an "earnest plea" and that "genuine harm could occur". Patients coming through A&E could have life or limb-threatening conditions, she cautioned. The nurses, as part of their plan, refused to include their regular triage of patients which would prioritise those in most urgent need of medical attention. This task could be carried out by a doctor, but understaffed A&E departments will struggle to free up medics for this duty. It could heighten the risk of some patients slipping through the cracks and not getting attention on time. The deterioration in the weather and plummeting temperatures also increase the risk to vulnerable patients, particularly those with respiratory illnesses. The nurses said if there was a serious emergency, they would leave the picket line and return to the hospital. Pay Nurses are demanding a 12pc pay rise to put their wages on a par with other healthcare professionals. Sources said they may explore the option of setting up a body to examine their pay - although this may not report until after the current wage deal ends. During angry Dail exchanges today Mr Varadkar heard several key opposition TDs strongly advocate meeting the nurses 12pc pay claim. People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith, pointed to the huge gap between the Taoiseachs own pay and that of an individual nurse. Youre worth six nurses or are you? Ms Smith asked. She accused the Taoiseach of using the Brexit crisis as a stick to beat the nurses. Mr Varadkar issued an appeal to the nursing unions to delay their first of several 24-hour strikes. And he urged their leadership to use the country's industrial relations mechanisms to resolve their dispute. I have to be the Taoiseach for the whole country, Mr Varadkar stressed. The Taoiseach pointed to warnings from the Finance Department and Irish Central Bank that a no-deal Brexit would cost Irish jobs. This isnt made up - and its not about blaming anyone, he insisted. Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin, said the nurses were in a very difficult situation suffering low morale, poor pay and bad working conditions. Mr Martin, a former Health Minister from 2000 until 2004, said up to 1.4m per week was being spent on agency nursing services to plug staffing gaps. Mr Martin said whole cohorts of young nursing graduates were emigrating to places like UK, Canada, Australia and elsewhere. At the same time large sums of money was being spent on recruiting nurses overseas for the Irish health services. The Dail also heard a strong statement of support for nurses from Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the nursing unions are seeking a significant increase in pay over and above all of the benefits of the current wage agreement, which they signed up to. He said he had no doubt that conceding the nurses pay claim would generate leapfrogging claims from the rest of the public service workforce. He said these could come from sections of the workforce where there were already other well aired pay grievances. The nursing unions are seeking a significant increase in pay over and above all of the benefits of the current Agreement seeking parity with other health professionals, he warned. Concession of this pay claim, even if possible, would have serious consequences for the public finances and for public pay policy generally with estimated costs of 300m annually based on a 12pc claim in pay. However, it would not end there. It would, I have no doubt, generate knock-on or leapfrogging claims from the rest of the public service workforce, where there already other well aired pay grievances. Mr Donohoe said the Labour Court is an independent and expert body and he respected its judgement. Their decision undoubtedly reflects the fundamental issues at dispute between the parties on the claim by nurses who wish to generate additional pay increases over and above those provided under the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement to which they have subscribed, he added. Earlier the General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Patricia King, said the dispute was very complex and clearly concerning. "The trade union movement is trying its best to find a solution to what is a very difficult set of circumstances," she said. "Were obviously very concerned about the outturn of this for users of the health service, for the nurses who are working in the health service and indeed for all the other grades who will be affected by the dispute." The decision to give the go ahead to the construction of the national childrens hospital after it escalated in cost to 1.4bn was regarded as the least worst option, it was claimed. Health Minister Simon Harris and Department of Health Secretary General Breslin, who are due before the Oireachtas Health Committee, described the response to getting the massive bill for the second hospital phase in November. Both are set to come under pressure at the committee to explain what level of oversight they had over the cost of the hospital, which is not due to be finished until 2022. A briefing note to the health committee said the development board of the hospital submitted its Final Project Brief and Business Case in February 2017. Government approved the project in April of that year. In approving the board to proceed the Department and the HSE set the capital budget at 983m, excluding ICT, in line with the its business case. The development board was advised that the project must be managed within this budget, cost increases avoided and, failing this, offset by amendments to scope. In September 2017 the board identified 61m in potential increased costs arising from more stringent fire certification provisions, Urgent Care Centre costs and programme alignment amongst contractors to ensure effective project delivery on site. The board brought forward proposals to address these through reduction in costs and sourcing of additional funding. Agreement was subsequently reached with the HSE and the Department, through the Childrens Hospital Programme and Project Board, on an overall approach. Expand Close Work underway at the site of the new Childrens Hospital. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Work underway at the site of the new Childrens Hospital. Photo: Mark Condren In late August 2018 the board briefed the HSE and the Department on developments in relation to the process. The conclusion of the process was taking longer than planned, costs were now trending very significantly over the original costs and the main contractor had just submitted very substantial additional cost claims. The development board said the costing of initial work packages was in line with expectations but more recent work packages, in particular mechanical and electrical work, were showing significant escalation. In September 2018 further updates were provided to the Department on a preliminary basis including the fact that the hospital board had decided to commission process was concluded on November 12, 2018 and submitted to the HSE on November 13. Following Government consideration in December 2018 the Government decided to proceed with Phase B works. The decision was made in the face of major escalation in cost but having regard to this being judged the least-worst option for the delivery of this priority project, said the document. A few days later, Sims issued a statement, lamenting yet another senseless shooting of a young man in Illinois. The victim, 18-year-old Javon Britten of Richton Park, was gunned down near the food court and ran down the escalator of the mall before he collapsed near the store where Sims was shopping. Twenty-year-old Jakharr Williams, also of the south suburbs, was arrested two days later following a massive hunt and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Police said the two men knew each other. Velvet Buzzsaw star Jake Gyllenhaal said the script for Netflixs satirical horror film disturbed him (Arthur Mola/Invision/AP) Velvet Buzzsaw star Jake Gyllenhaal said the script for Netflixs satirical horror film disturbed him. The movie is set in the world of high-end art, where a number of grisly deaths occur following the discovery of an unknown artists work. Velvet Buzzsaw sees Gyllenhaal teaming back up with director Dan Gilroy, having previously worked together on 2014 thriller Nightcrawler. Speaking at the films premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, Gyllenhaal told the Press Association he was sold on the project after reading the script in two hours. He said: Having worked with Dan before, he sent it to me, I read it he doesnt send anything over email, he sends it actually hard copy, so I got it in the mail I opened it up, I read it within two hours and I called him up and I just said I was in. It left me with a really odd feeling when I finished reading it. I like movies that dont give you exactly what you expect and I was pretty disturbed by it, and so I was in. Velvet Buzzsaw is the latest film from streaming service Netflix. The platform could earn its first Oscar at next months Academy Awards, for Alfono Cuarons semi-biographical epic Roma. Gilroy, whose wife Rene Russo also stars in Velvet Buzzsaw, said Netflix are one of the few publishers prepared to put their faith in unorthodox offerings. Expand Close Director Dan Gilroy said Velvet Buzzsaw is an exploration of the relationship between commerce and art (Arthur Mola/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Director Dan Gilroy said Velvet Buzzsaw is an exploration of the relationship between commerce and art (Arthur Mola/Invision/AP) He said: They are the main one, theyre one of a few. There are definitely a couple of other places that are not afraid to make unorthodox fare but I would say right now Netflix is leading the way in terms of investing the amount of money it takes to make some of these films. Velvet Buzzsaw, which also features British stars Tom Sturridge and Zawe Ashton as well as Stranger Things Natalia Dyer, sees Gyllenhaal playing a feared art critic. The director said he wanted the film to explore the rocky relationship between art and commerce. He said: The quality of a piece of art shouldnt be judged by the number of views or how much it was paid. Success does not diminish a work of art but it doesnt define it either. So the ultimate message is that art is more than a commodity. Velvet Buzzsaw will be streaming on Netflix from February 1. The US Justice Department has unsealed criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a senior executive, accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating US sanctions. The company is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on December 1 in Canada. Expand Close Huawei / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Huawei "As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August, we need more law enforcement co-operation with China," acting attorney general Matt Whitaker said at a news conference. "China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies, and China should take action." US prosecutors say Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions. Meng misled US banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. "As you can tell from the number and magnitude of the charges, Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect US law and standard international business practices," said FBI director Chris Wray. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. Expand Close Meng Wanzhou (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meng Wanzhou (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press/AP) Prosecutors also allege that Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device T-Mobile used to test smartphones, prosecutors said. A jury in Seattle ruled that Huawei had misappropriated the robotic technology from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state. The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the US and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China, and said in December that he would "intervene if I thought it was necessary". Facebook is promising a crackdown on election interference in this year's European Parliament polls, using its Dublin office as a base. The social network giant says it will prioritise its efforts on tackling murky, unaccountable political ads, especially those coming from "foreign" sources. Ireland was used as a test case by Facebook last year when it introduced a new system to cut out fake ads with ad-transparency tools. "We are planning to set up two new regional operations centres, focused on election integrity, located in our Dublin and Singapore offices," said Katie Harbath and Samidh Chakrabarti, of Facebook. "These teams will add a layer of defence against fake news, hate speech and voter suppression, and will work cross-functionally with our threat intelligence, data science, engineering, research, community operations, legal and other teams." Facebook has faced fierce criticism over how its platform, which has three million Irish users and more than two billion global users, has been manipulated to help sway elections. A series of investigations has established there was significant Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. "In late March, we will launch new tools to help prevent foreign interference in the upcoming [European] elections and make political advertising on Facebook more transparent," said the Facebook bosses. "Advertisers will need to be authorised before purchasing political ads and far more information about the ads themselves will be made available for people to see." Credit unions are not over-regulated and any suggestion that they are is outdated, the Central Bank official who oversees the sector has insisted. Registrar of credit unions Patrick Casey said the regulation of the locally owned lenders was tailored and proportionate. Credit unions have long complained about what they see as heavy regulation from the Central Bank. They argue that since the banking collapse a decade ago they have had multiple new regulations imposed on them, including a fitness and probity regime. They also argue that they are forced to pay four different levies administered by the Central Bank to cover collapses in the sector. Since the banking blowout there have been six credit union failures. Newbridge, Berehaven, Rush and Charleville were shut down, while the High Court ordered the transfer of Howth Sutton Credit Union to Progressive Credit Union, and Killorglin to Tralee after they got into difficulty. There are now 264 active credit unions, down from close to 400 in 2013 following a spate of Government-encouraged mergers. At the height of the financial downturn, the Central Bank and the Department of Finance claimed two years ago the cost of bailing out stricken credit unions could be as high as 1bn. But the cost turned out to be a fraction of that. Mr Casey rejected any suggestions the Central Bank had come down too heavily on the sector when speaking at the conference organised by the Credit Union Development Association (CUDA), which represents some of the larger credit unions. "We have seen six cases of credit union failures since 2013, and whilst small in number, they represent very significant developments in the evolution of the sector." Mr Casey said poor governance was the root cause of all the failures. "It clearly follows that there is a need for ongoing strengthening of governance to prevent credit union failures from re-occurring into the future. It is therefore surprising to us that we still occasionally hear references from some within the sector to over-regulation. It speaks to an outdated mind-set grounded in the past." The registrar said the reality is the regulatory framework applying to credit unions is tailored and proportionate and continues to evolve. He said credit unions have frequently been excluded from the application of a range of EU and domestic regulation which applies to other regulated financial service providers. Mr Casey warned the Central Bank is considering making its Consumer Protection Code apply to credit unions. He said as credit union business models evolve towards more complex products such as mortgages, credit unions automatically become subject to a broader range of mandatory European and domestic regulation. The scene of the accident which took place at the start of Louise McBrides family holiday in France just 20 minutes after leaving Roscoff ferry port they were hit by a French car whose driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. I made my first travel insurance claim ever last year - after being in a car accident in France. It was an eye-opener. I was astounded at the amount of documents I needed to get together to make a claim. This is not only time-consuming, but on an emotional level I found it difficult to get these documents together - because it involved revisiting my family's traumatic experience in France. Luckily, my family and I all survived the car crash. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to get the necessary documents together to make a claim if you have lost a loved one when on holiday - or if you, or one of your travelling companions, is seriously injured while abroad. Another thing which struck me when making the claim was how difficult it can be to get a payout - particularly for small claims. Expand Close Louise McBride and her children Kelan, Lara and Emilia / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Louise McBride and her children Kelan, Lara and Emilia I made a travel insurance claim to cover the cost of some accommodation which I had booked and paid for ahead of the holiday - but which my family and I could not stay in after we were diverted as a result of the accident. The claim itself was only for a few hundred euro, so it was relatively small. I provided our insurer - VHI Multitrip - with various documents to support the claim. In the end though, I didn't get a payout because an excess (the first part of a claim which you must cover yourself) of 85 was applied for each member of my family of five - rather than for just one of us. This brought the total excess for our claim to 425 - which was more than the loss I was claiming for. When a family is making a claim - particularly to cover the cost of a single bill (such as holiday accommodation), surely it would be fairer for only one excess to be applied for the entire family than to have an excess applied for every person in the family? I put this point to VHI MultiTrip and a spokeswoman said: "To help keep the policy at a fair price for all customers, we have agreed an excess with underwriters. All of the cover on the policy is applied per person, except for a few sections that have overall policy limits, so the excess is applied per person." Personally, I would prefer to pay more for insurance and be covered - than to pay a 'fair' price and not be covered. The spokeswoman added that it is possible to buy an optional excess waiver add-on when buying insurance. With this add-on (which costs extra), you would not be hit with an excess when making a claim. Luggage claims I had considered making a travel insurance claim for lost and damaged belongings as a result of the accident - but decided against it when I saw the extent of documentation required. To be able to claim for lost or damaged personal luggage or belongings, you must provide proof of ownership. This can be difficult. For example, with VHI Multitrip, you must provide "receipts or similar documentation for the items you are claiming for as evidence of value and ownership. Similar documentation can include bank statements showing purchase, original packaging for item, or a photo showing the items in question." Other travel insurers have similar rules around this. Our car accident happened shortly after our arrival in France for a two-week holiday - while we were en route to our camp site. Like any other family travelling with young children, our car was packed to the brim with luggage at the time of the crash. Much of our luggage was strewn across the motorway after the crash. We salvaged most of our luggage immediately after the accident. But once the gendarmes arrived on the scene, we weren't allowed to check our car for other belongings. Our car was a write-off and was towed away and eventually scrapped. We were in such a state of shock at the time of the accident that it was only after we had returned to Ireland that we started to remember some of the belongings which we had left in the car. Some of the items which were left in the car were old; some were new. Some were valuable; some weren't. Some items had been bought with cash rather than card. We certainly didn't have receipts for, or photos of, everything in the car. Neither did we have a list of all the items in the car. Who does? Who packs or prepares for an accident when going on holiday? Who has the ability to think straight after an accident - and to therefore be in a position to take photos of damaged belongings? Injuries & Health Thankfully, I had packed our European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) for our holiday - so most of our French hospital bills were covered by those cards and I did not go through my travel insurance for that. (The EHIC lets you get public healthcare in another EU or EEA state for free, or at a reduced cost.) We weren't robbed when on holiday, but if you were to make a travel insurance claim as a result of a robbery, you must usually report the theft to the local police within 24 hours. You must also usually get a written report from the police about the theft - and you will need to submit that report with your claim. These might seem like reasonable requests, but what happens if you're stranded in the middle of nowhere after being robbed when on holiday - and you can't get to a local policeman within 24 hours? What happens if you're too badly injured or in shock to even consider going to a police station? Even if you can get to a police station, what happens if there's a language barrier and you therefore can't ask for a written report - or indeed, if the police refuse to provide you with one? In our case, for example, the gendarmes refused to provide us with their written report about our car accident. We were told there were only two copies of the report -one for the French police and one for the French judiciary. Should you cut short your holiday because of health problems, you must usually provide your travel insurer with documentation from the doctor who treated you abroad, stating why it was medically necessary for you to return home. Should you cancel or cut short your holiday as a result of the death of a loved one, you must usually provide your insurer with the death certificate of your loved one if making a claim. Some people might find it too traumatic to even look at a death certificate after the loss of a loved one - never mind handle it for the purposes of making a travel insurance claim. "Where there are specific requirements or exclusions in the terms and conditions [of VHI MultiTrip], this is in order to validate claims, minimise fraud and to protect the pricing for all customers by ensuring only claims that were intended to be covered are paid," said a spokeswoman for VHI MultiTrip. "This is for the benefit of the customer base as a whole and is also required to meet contractual and regulatory requirements." The spokeswoman added: "All claims are reviewed within the terms and conditions of the policy and claims handlers are required to assess claims based on the policy terms and conditions. "For the majority of cases, this includes gathering supporting evidence to validate the claim is covered within the terms of the policy and also provides an audit trail to evidence that the claim has been paid correctly. For example, if the policy states that cover applies subject to the incident being reported to a relevant authority or service provider to record the cause of the loss, the role of the claims handler is to get the appropriate documentation to evidence that the policy wording was adhered to." I will continue to buy travel insurance before holidays - because I know how quickly things can take a turn for the worse when abroad and because it is prudent to do so. Medical bills can be huge if you're injured or in an accident abroad - without travel insurance, you could be in a precarious financial position if things go wrong. My family and I all survived that accident and that matters more to me than any payout I would get from travel insurance. All the same, I believe that there is a lot of work to be done to make travel insurance simpler and easier to understand, that excesses should be fairer (if applied at all) - and that it shouldn't be such an ordeal to make a claim. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE Policies must be simpler I have been writing about personal finance for 17 years, and I still find it a challenge to read and understand travel insurance policies. I imagine it is even more of a challenge for many others particularly those not familiar with insurance jargon and financial terms. Many of us simply dont have the time or inclination to read a travel insurance contract in full. Yet, to know exactly what youre covered for and when and where youre covered, you need to read and understand a travel insurance contract in its entirety. This is not easy. Travel insurance contracts are long and complicated. As with any insurance, when you buy travel insurance, you have no idea what might trigger a claim. So even picking one or two sections out of your policy which you feel will be most relevant to your trip and concentrating on understanding those sections may not be enough. The Central Bank said that its consumer-protection code has rules to ensure that financial products (including travel insurance) are understood by consumers and that claims are handled fairly. However, this code was introduced more than 10 years ago and the majority of travel insurance contracts are still far too long and complicated. A spokeswoman for VHI Multitrip said that there is a project under way to look at simplifying the VHI Multitrip policy document and reducing the length. Copies should be okay for claims Another difficulty that people may run into with travel insurance is that they may have to submit original documents when making a claim as their insurer might not accept photocopies. However, there are a number of original documents that people might be reluctant to send to an insurer particularly if its a sensitive or valuable document, such as a death certificate or a police report of a theft or accident. Most travel insurers require death certificates to check the validity of a claim which has arisen following the death of a loved one or travelling companion. A spokeswoman for VHI Multitrip said that it will be moving away from the need for customers to provide original documents. She added that VHI Multitrip is working on rolling out further developments around online claiming, where customers can submit scanned copies or photographs of documents when making a claim. Phone calls should be covered When youre involved in an accident or emergency abroad, youre likely to run up an expensive phone bill. Youll typically call your insurer, emergency services, and your family. You might call the Irish embassy or others for advice. Youll make other calls to try to organise yourself after the incident. Phone calls, however, may not be covered by your insurer. VHI MultiTrip, for example, doesnt cover the cost of telephone calls. Blue Insurance covers the cost of certain phone calls, such as calls to emergency assistance services as long as you can provide receipts or other evidence to show the cost of the calls and the numbers telephoned. Excesses should be fairer Even if your claim is valid, there may be no point making a claim because of the excesses on your policy. This should not be the case. Excesses should be fairer and lower. I, robot: A customer, right, looks at a Kokoro Company humanoid robot at the reception desk of Henn na Hotel, in Nagasaki, Japan Three out of four Irish people think automation and robots will cause unemployment, a new survey claims. However, the iReach poll also says that most people believe robots will be good for the economy, estimating that the jobs under threat may exclude their own. The poll of 1,000 people found that just 16pc see "no threat" to employment in Ireland as advances are made in technology. And 76pc of Irish people believe that job automation will contribute to a rise in unemployment here. However, 55pc view job automation as "positive for the Irish economy". Almost everyone (94pc) believes that "large-scale job automation" will occur at some point in the future, with just under half (46pc) predicting that it will happen "in the very near future". As to what kind of automation might come next, two-thirds of us doubt that robot receptionists or assistants on wheels will become common in hotels or retail outlets. "Fifty-six per cent predict that this robotic way of running a hospitality business will not become a threat in Ireland, with the top cited reason that a high level of customer service trumps a robot, as people want the personal touch," said iReach. Respondents' experience of automated systems to date are dominated by self-checkouts (80pc), online check-ins (74pc) and ATMs (91pc). Recent research from the consultancy firm McKinsey estimates that jobs such as food preparation will be almost entirely wiped out by robots by 2040. However, it predicts that jobs such as software development will remain immune. The McKinsey research also predicts that job replacement will disproportionately affect men and the lower-paid. The robot that comes for your job might be called Poppy. Or Amelia. The former helps process insurance contracts at Lloyd's of London. The latter handles calls from customers of Sweden's SEB. Neither conforms to the popular image of an android waving its metallic arms. Yet both perform tasks previously done by human workers. Poppy and Amelia appear in Richard Baldwin's 'The Globotics Upheaval: Globalisation, Robotics, and the Future of Work'. The clunky title masks a provocative argument: that the current wave of automation will be faster and more disruptive than the world has ever experienced. Mr Baldwin is an economics professor who has spent most of his career studying trade. His last book, 'The Great Convergence', examined the evolution of global supply chains. To understand where trade and globalisation go next requires an understanding of technology. As Mr Baldwin explains, advances in international trade have often followed technological leaps. The Industrial Revolution shifted labour from agriculture to factories. With it came the quest for new markets for manufactured goods. The growth of computing and communications allowed manufacturing jobs to be automated or shifted to cheaper locations. Many contemporary discussions about automation tend to ignore that, in sectors like the car industry, the robots have already taken over. Other factories moved to countries where labour is cheaper. This change is not so evident in unemployment statistics: the US jobless rate is no higher than it was five decades ago. But it shows up in stagnant real wages and the erosion of benefits. With hindsight, it's easy to see the source of Donald Trump's electoral appeal. Yet Mr Baldwin argues this is just a warm-up act for what is to follow because advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence are happening on a global scale. Even as algorithms replace human tasks, technology will make it easier for people in distant countries to compete for work in Western services industries. The author reckons this is potentially even more disruptive than in manufacturing. For one, the services industry in most developed countries is much larger - and employs many more people - than manufacturing. Moreover, many services are not currently traded. The shift will be fast and seem monstrously unfair. Change will go far beyond the self-driving cars and trucks. Office administrators, salespeople, cleaners, teachers and healthcare workers are among those who could find part of their job becomes obsolete, or can be performed by someone with fewer skills and experience. Of course, these shifts may create yet-to-be-invented new jobs. As recently as a decade ago, few would have imagined that the computer games would spawn a cadre of professional players, competing for prize money. Or that fitness trainers would conduct remote spin classes by video conference. Nevertheless, it's reasonable to wonder whether new jobs will be created as quickly as old ones disappear, how easily workers will be able to move between them, or how well they will pay. Mr Baldwin points out that roles which require physical proximity and human intuition or empathy will be hard to automate. He comes up with some counterintuitive solutions for governments. The old mantra of equipping workers with better skills is no longer good enough. Better to use existing rules and regulations to slow progress and give industries more time to adapt, an approach Mr Baldwin calls "shelterism". The reaction of some authorities to the arrival of Uber falls into this category. There are those who have tried to ban it; others have forced it to comply with local regulations. Some industries seem well-prepared to erect virtual barriers. Even in the EU's single market, licences and local qualifications protect some professions from cross-border competition. The author also advocates state support to help workers adapt, though he stops short of embracing the idea of a guaranteed national income. But state intervention may be slow to come. It took decades for governments to regulate factories after the Industrial Revolution, and much longer for them to install social safety nets. In the interim, many countries succumbed to revolution, political extremism, and war. The latest wave of global technological change promises similar challenges. The dysfunctional democracies of the United States and Western Europe show little sign of being able to cope. It may not be until accountants and lawyers join the yellow-vested protesters on the streets of Paris that governments react. Reuters Breakingviews Nama is on course to return a surplus of 4.5bn to taxpayers, after announcing retained earnings at the end of September ahead of its life-time guidance. The State agency has reported new figures showing total cash generated in the nine months to the end of last September was 2.1bn. Namas so called profit for the period - the excess of income over costs - was 447m. Even allowing for debt repayments, that lifted Namas retained earnings to 3.9bn at the end of September. The chief economist with Investec Ireland, Philip OSullivan, said it put Namas retained earnings were 400m ahead of the agencys own lifetime guidance. Expand Close The National Asset Management Agency Treasury building in Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The National Asset Management Agency Treasury building in Dublin We continue to believe that it will deliver a surplus of at least 4.5bn to the Exchequer, he said. At the start of January NAMA said it expects to generate a surplus of the order of 3.5bn by the time it is wound-up in 2020 or 2021. That cash will be returned to taxpayers as the surplus after the agency repays banks for loans taken over in the wake of the crash. Nama paid 31.8bn to Anglo Irish Bank, AIB and Bank of Ireland for loans with a face value of 74.1bn - using IOUs repaid as cash has come in. To the end of last September Nama had generated 42.8bn in cash through loan and land sales, rent and interest. Namas senior bonds - which were guaranteed by taxpayers have been repaid, leaving just over 1bn of subordinated debt to repay. In relation to house-building which Nama is funding, the agency said it had facilitated delivery of over 12,000 residential units between 2014 and November 2018. Another 9,000 units were either under construction or had planning permission, Nama said. Fergal Leamy is step down as Chief Executive and Director of Coillte, after more than four years in the role. Mr Leamy, who will remain in Coillte until June 2019, will take on a new position in the private sector in June 2019. Coillte said that it will commence a process to find a new Chief Executive in the coming weeks. Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer Gerry Britchfield will assume the role of acting Chief Executive in April 2019. Chairperson of Coillte, Roisin Brennan, said that Mr Leamy "has done an outstanding job over the past four years". "The business is now generating significant and sustainable operating cash flows, is more customer focused and is increasing its return to the State as shareholder," she said. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Micheal Creed said that Mr Leamy's tenure "has been one of huge success for the company as reflected in the turnaround in its commercial performance since his arrival as CEO four years ago". "He leaves a legacy behind which is reflected in the stability of Coillte on a sound commercial footing and I wish him every success for the future. "The priority now will be to appoint a successor who can lead Coillte through its next phase of growth and arrangements for the process to select this person will be announced in due course." A couple who owned a substantial Roscommon truck firm which went into voluntary liquidation have been disqualified by the High Court from acting as company directors for seven-and-a-half years. Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy also ordered that James and Anne Kelly, who were sole directors of Kelly Trucks Ltd, Drummond, Strokestown, be made personally liable for the debts of the now liquidated company which was involved in trucks sales, servicing repairs and testing. Liquidator Gerard Murphy said the realisable assets of the company, estimated at 838,000, have "vanished without plausible explanation". He said simultaneous to the liquidation, two companies operating from Strokestown and Ballaghaderreen rose "from the ashes". The directors of those two companies, Kelly Trucks Strokestown and Kelly Trucks Ballaghaderreen, are the Kellys' children James Junior and Patricia and the new entities carry on the same business as the liquidated firm. Ms Justice Murphy said the case stemmed from a dispute over a judgment against Kelly Trucks for 32,000 in November 2012 when another transport company sued the Kelly firm over a defective lorry. The Kelly firm also faced a legal bill for that dispute of some 55,000. When the judgment was not paid, the other transport company brought a petition to have Kelly Trucks wound up for being unable to pay its debts. Following legal proceedings, including an unsuccessful attempt by the Kelly parents' firm to appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court, the company still faced the 32,000 and a legal costs claim which had reached 120,000 by June 2013. The winding-up petition came before the High Court a month later and in November, the petition was struck out on the undertaking the Kelly firm would pay the 32,000 judgment, a further 5,000 towards legal costs and 500 a week towards the rest of those costs, pending taxation. While the judgment was paid, most of the legal costs were not. A month later, the Kelly firm was voluntarily wound up. The other transport company then successfully applied to court for the removal of the liquidator which had been appointed by the company and his replacement with Gerard Murphy. Following investigations, Mr Murphy said it was plain substantial assets had been disposed of, the effect of which had been to perpetrate a fraud on the company's creditors. He said Anne Kelly was "the conductor of an orchestrated scheme" to transfer the business of Kelly Trucks to the two new companies. He sought orders from the court under company law including the disqualification of the Kelly couple. Mrs Kelly, who represented herself in court, claimed, among other things, the case was not properly before the court and there were "glaringly obvious breaches of law" due to the failure of the court to follow standard procedural requirements. Ms Justice Murphy, in a judgment published last week, was satisfied the transfer of the business of Kelly Trucks to the new Strokestown and Ballaghaderreen firms, and the frustration of the liquidation, had been brought about by "the deliberate actions of Mrs Kelly". She had "sought to represent herself as an injured party in these proceedings, a fact which is difficult to reconcile with the objective evidence before the court," the judge said. She was satisfied the couple "acted fraudulently and recklessly" with a view to defrauding creditors of their business. She also ordered the return of the 838,000 assets owned by Kelly Trucks. Proposals by the Minister for Transport Shane Ross that would see motorists not carrying a driving licence hit with automatic fines has gone down like a lead balloon with farmers. It comes following reports that Transport Minister Shane Ross has been warned to ease up on his plans for new road safety laws. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has intervened to express the concerns of Fine Gael TDs and some ministers about Mr Ross's plans for a tough penalty points system. Mr Ross has put forward proposals to introduce tough penalties for motorists caught speeding and automatic fines for not carrying a driving licence. Meanwhile, Fine Gael has sought to delay any changes by pushing them to a Cabinet committee for assessment. Denis Drennan, Chairperson of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Associations Farm and Rural Affairs Committee said that he could easily envisage circumstances where busy farmers moving from vehicle to vehicle might not have their driving licence with them to hand in the event of their being asked by the Gardai to show it. Mr Drennan said it was simply a fact that farmers could be using several vehicles on the public roads in the course of one day. In fairness to our members, they might be moving between cars, tractors and maybe even teleporters or other machines, all properly registered and insured and all within a matter of minutes or a few hours, could Minister Ross not for once recognise that there are certain categories of road users for whom certain allowances have to be made? "The minister seems to revel in the fact that he makes no allowances for rural dwellers or farmers and recognises no difference whatsoever in the way that people in the middle of the countryside use actually have to use their vehicles compared to the people in the leafy south Dublin suburbs that he represents," he said. "Can he not see that farmers, for instance, might have to several different types of vehicles in the course of their working day and genuinely might forget the physically bring their licence with them every time they change seat? "In the event of the farmer not having his or her licence with them bodily, what is wrong with the existing system where they call into the Garda barracks and show it there? Unless theres a little embarrassment about the fact that there might not be a local Garda barracks for 15 or 20 miles that the farmer could call into, said Mr Drennan. Even the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar admitted to, on occasion, having left his wallet at home and, therefore, having driven without my driving licence. "We need to tighten up the law but we need to tighten it up in such a way that we are not a police state," he said recently. On mature reflection: A swan on the Grand Canal, Dublin, which was like a mirror yesterday. Forecasters say that temperatures are set to plummet by the end of the week. Photo: Gareth Chaney Drone flyers film the cold conditions at Lough Bray in Co. Wicklow. Photo: Tony Gavin 22/1/2018 A nationwide weather warning for snow and ice comes into force this morning and will last until at least the weekend. While the wintry showers will become more "isolated" tomorrow, significant snowfall can be expected on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Met Eireann. "It's tonight that the showers will leave falls of of snow, as temperatures drop to below freezing, between 0 and -3C. The wintry showers tomorrow will become more isolated , and the winds will ease as well," Met Eireann forecaster John Eagleton told RTE's Morning Ireland. "The big threat of snow this week is on Wednesday night and during Thursday, as the winds turn easterly in direction and as the pressure to the south of Ireland injects moisture to those easterly winds. Rain will clear eastwards this morning and the cloud will break up. The day will be bright and sunny but cold with wintry showers, especially over the western half of the country. Highs of 2 to 5 degrees in gusty westerly winds. pic.twitter.com/sM1eorbFh8 Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 29, 2019 "Once that threat passes, it will remain cold and frosty for Friday and the weekend, and then temperatures will start to creep up again at the start of next week. "In the meantime, the rest of this week is cold and frosty with a threat of some serious snow later on Wednesday night and Thursday." Fears have been raised for homeless people sleeping rough as temperatures are set to fall to -3C. Meanwhile, motorists have been warned there will be widespread frosts and icy stretches on untreated roads. AA Roadwatch are urging motorists to keep distance between cars and to use "gentle manoeuvres". "Wet road conditions have been reported across the country. Slow down and keep a safe distance between you and the driver in front," a spokesperson said. Expand Close Walkers wrapped up for the sharp crisp morning on Howth Harbour (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Walkers wrapped up for the sharp crisp morning on Howth Harbour (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) "Remember stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow, and that gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving." Road Safety Authority's Communications Manager Brian Farrell said they are "taking the opportunity to appeal to everyone to take extra care". Expand Close Walkers wrapped up for the sharp crisp morning on Howth Harbour (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Walkers wrapped up for the sharp crisp morning on Howth Harbour (Photo: Kyran O'Brien) "It's important to slow down, the conditions will be challenging," he told RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland. "There are two things we're asking drivers in particular as Met Eireann issue their warning. "To make sure their vehicle is fit for purpose. Make sure your vehicle is ready, checking tyres, that your windscreen wipers aren't worn away, that you have antifreeze, that your lights are in good working order. "It is vital to deal with the challenges of winter. "Secondly, sun glare is a problem at this time of the year," Mr Farrell continued. "The low sun on the horizon can be dazzling. "We advise drivers to invest in a pair of sunglasses." Met Eireann said it will be very cold this week with scattered wintry showers and some accumulations of snow are expected. It warned there is the possibility of a "more significant spell of sleet and snow" on Thursday. The Status Yellow weather warning comes into effect at 6am today and will remain in place until 6pm on Saturday. An update from Met Eireann on the weather warning is due later this morning. Anthony Flynn, of the Inner City Helping Homeless charity, said his group has "huge concerns" for the safety of people sleeping rough around the country. He called on Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy to implement emergency protocols for extra beds. "We have on average 80 people still forced to sleep rough on the streets of the capital every night due to the lack of beds," he said. "Whilst this is a reduction of at least 55pc since early December we still have a shortage. With the risk of snow and a cold weather warning in place I am appealing to the minister to immediately initiate contingency measures and open as many beds as possible to reduce the risk of death on our streets." Met Eireann said there will be showers of hail, sleet and snow today, heaviest in the south-west, west and north. Temperatures will rise to just 2C to 5C before falling as low as -3C tonight. The Government will need to find a lot of money in 10 to 12 weeks' time to save peoples jobs if the UK continues on a path towards a hard Brexit. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has offered the starkest warning yet on the economic impacts of the UK crashing out of the European Union. Speaking after a phonecall with British Prime Minister Theresa May, the Taoiseach said jobs will be lost unless a deal is secured. He told the Dail that while the Department of Finance is not projecting a new recession, unemployment will rise and plans to run a surplus will be abandoned. The Department of Finance is now warning that under a disorderly Brexit: The Irish economy could be 4.25pc smaller than the current projections over the medium-term Ireland would be hit much harder than the rest of the EU Industries such as agri-food and small businesses would bear the brunt Employment would increase more slowly and the unemployment rate could rise by 2 percentage points The public finances would deteriorate the modest surplus projected for 2020 would turn to deficit Weaker sterling and trade disruption would hit our exports, and domestic spending would be lower due to higher prices, uncertainty, and extra saving. Mr Varadkar said the country is in a good position to borrow from the markets if necessary. Its understood that Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will outline later that a no deal scenario will result in the Government running a small deficit. However, he will rule out an emergency budget. Mr Varadkar repeated his insistence that no planning is underway for border infrastructure. And he said: Britain is to blame for Brexit. Absolutely nobody else is blame for Brexit. Mr Donohoe said a no-deal Brexit would be particularly severe. He said the figures may hide an even larger hit to economic activity in labour-intensive sectors such as agri-food and indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises. The minister warned that given Irelands unique economic set up certain sectors will be hit disproportionate relative to the rest of the EU. It is important to recognise that such estimates may not capture the full impact, and the figures may be conservative. Nevertheless, quantifying the impact is important to help Government understand the possible macroeconomic implications and to design the appropriate policy response. The figures are based on research carried out by the Department of Finance. Though they believe the economy will continue to grow in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it would be at a slower pace. For example if they were projecting 6pc growth at the moment over the medium term that would be revised down to 1.75pc. There remains considerable uncertainty surrounding the format the UKs exit from the EU will take. The assessment by my department shows that a disorderly exit would be particularly severe, Mr Donohoe said. The level of economic activity will be around 4.25 percentage points lower than our existing trajectory over the medium-term. "This aggregate figure hides an even larger hit to economic activity in labour-intensive sectors such as agri-food and indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises. Further, given Irelands unique macroeconomic and sectoral exposures to the UK these impacts would be disproportionate relative to the rest of the EU. "It is important to recognise that such estimates may not capture the full impact, and the figures may be conservative. Nevertheless, quantifying the impact is important to help Government understand the possible macroeconomic implications and to design the appropriate policy response. Impacts of a no-deal Brexit as set out by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe today: Cost of shopping in high street stores to increase Households to have less disposable income Budget surplus for 2019 to be turned into a deficit Unemployment to rise by 2pc by 2020 55,000 fewer jobs than currently predicted 2023 Job losses likely to kick in during second half of this year Economy to be 4.25pc smaller in 2023 than projections Agriculture and food industries to be immediately impacted Tax cuts still planned but could be reviewed Too soon to say if capital projects like Metro will be curtailed Multinational business could actually grow Tanaiste Simon Coveney has raised the stakes in the Brexit brinkmanship, warning Ireland will insist the UK "keeps its word" on its earlier commitment to the backstop. As part of a media offensive in the UK ahead of a difficult week for British Prime Minister Theresa May in the House of Commons, Mr Coveney said the current deadlock was not a "game of chicken". He ruled out any changes to the backstop and warned Europe would not ratify any withdrawal agreement that did not include a backstop, stating: "It's as simple as that." The backstop is essentially a legal "insurance policy" that would prevent the re-emergence of a hard Border on the island of Ireland "unless and until" a future trading relationship is agreed. Mrs May is facing a series of amendments in parliament this week, including one that would seek to scrap the backstop altogether and another which would require her government to ask the EU to delay Brexit if a deal isn't agreed by the end of February. The various amendments are designed to delay or influence the next steps in the Brexit process and are likely to force Mrs May to return to Europe with requests for concessions. However, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker this weekend informed the embattled prime minister that the price of dropping the backstop would be a permanent customs union. Speaking on 'The Andrew Marr Show' on the BBC, Mr Coveney hit out at opponents to the backstop who are offering "wishful thinking". "Nobody has come up with a pragmatic, sensible and legally sound way of avoiding border infrastructure re-emerging between the two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. "There is no magic solution here for this problem. If there was, it would have emerged by now. And that is why Ireland will insist on the United Kingdom keeping its word, both to Ireland and to the EU and to the people in Northern Ireland, in terms of protecting a fragile but hugely valuable peace process," he said. He denied the withdrawal agreement was "dead" but said it would be "wholly unreasonable" for the UK to expect the EU to strip out compromises Britain was willing to make but not EU compromises. Pressed on comments by Leo Varadkar about the return of troops to the Border, Mr Coveney said the Taoiseach described a hard Border "to remind people what things were like 20 years ago", adding: "We cannot and should not be proposing going back there". He did not answer when asked what uniform those troops would be wearing. In the wake of his comments, the Taoiseach's aides were forced to clarify he was not referring to Irish personnel. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, as she faces a vote on her Brexit 'plan B', in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Houses of Parliament as she faces a vote on her Brexit "plan B", in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons ahead of a crucial debate on Brexit. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, as she faces a vote on her Brexit 'plan B', in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville British Prime Minister Theresa May will ask her Conservative Party colleagues on Tuesday to send a message to Brussels that they would support her Brexit deal if a plan to avoid a hard border in Ireland is replaced. Parliament will try to shape the future of the country's exit from the European Union by debating and voting on what changes they want May to seek to her deal. With exactly two months until Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, there is no agreement yet in London on how and even whether to leave the world's biggest trading bloc after May's plan was rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament. On Tuesday, May will address parliament before about five hours of debate on her future plans, setting out why she believes lawmakers should back steps to reopen the agreement with the EU and renegotiate the so-called backstop. Expand Close Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons ahead of a crucial debate on Brexit. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons ahead of a crucial debate on Brexit. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Brussels has repeatedly said it does not want to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement, which has been signed off by the other 27 EU leaders, and has said there must be a guarantee to ensure there is no return to a hard border between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. May's spokesman said her strategy had won the backing of her cabinet. "The prime minister said that in order to win the support of the House of Commons legal changes to the backstop will be required, that would mean reopening the Withdrawal Agreement," he told reporters. It is not a foregone conclusion that lawmakers will back the proposal or amendment authored by senior Conservative Graham Brady to call for the backstop to be removed and replaced with "alternative arrangements" during a series of votes, which are due to start at 1900 GMT. Expand Close Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, as she faces a vote on her Brexit 'plan B', in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, as she faces a vote on her Brexit 'plan B', in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Tuesday's votes are not a rerun of the Jan. 15 vote on whether to approve May's Brexit deal, but a chance to discover what sort of changes would be required to win the support of parliament, so the prime minister can try to renegotiate the agreement in Brussels. Other lawmakers are also looking at ways to wrest control of Brexit from the government, with the main opposition Labour Party throwing its weight behind a bid by Labour's Yvette Cooper, increasing its chances of success. Another faction, led by both Conservative pro-EU and pro-Brexit lawmakers, are trying to come up with a new plan for Brexit - to return to Brussels with two new options. It calls for the backstop to be renegotiated or if that fails to leave on World Trade Organization rules at the end of 2021. Expand Close Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Houses of Parliament as she faces a vote on her Brexit "plan B", in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Houses of Parliament as she faces a vote on her Brexit "plan B", in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay Strong support for the Brady amendment will allow May to demonstrate to the EU that changes to the backstop could be enough to allow her to get parliamentary approval for a deal. "If the prime minister indicates in the debate that she will be pressing Brussels to reopen the WA (Withdrawal Agreement) to make changes to the backstop, I will gladly support the Brady amendment," former foreign secretary and prominent Brexiter Boris Johnson said on Twitter. The EU's deputy chief negotiator Sabine Weyand said on Monday the bloc was "open to alternative arrangements" on the Irish border but that Brady's proposal did not spell out what they were. Brady's amendment is not certain to pass, as a group of prominent pro-Brexit Conservative politicians have said they are yet to decide whether they will support it. The small Northern Irish party which props up May's minority government but opposes her deal, said the contents of May's speech to lawmakers on Tuesday will determine whether it will support the amendment. Lawmakers have proposed more than 10 different amendments to be debated on Tuesday but only a small number are likely to be chosen to be voted on. Voting will begin at 1900 GMT. Aside from Brady's proposal, the other key amendment expected to garner a large amount of support, possibly enough to be approved by parliament, is one put forward by Cooper. Cooper's amendment seeks to shift control of Brexit from May's government to parliament and if successful could have a profound effect, giving lawmakers who want to block, delay or renegotiate Brexit a possible legal route to do so. If a subsequent piece of legislation is passed, it would give May until Feb. 26 to get a deal approved by parliament or face a vote on whether to ask the EU to delay Britain's exit to avoid leaving without a deal on March 29. Pressure: British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the rear of 10 Downing Street in central London. Picture: AFP/Getty British Prime Minister Theresa May will 'betray' Ireland and her own Brexit deal with the European Union after ordering MPs to vote for an alternative to the backstop. There was dismay in Dublin last night as it emerged Mrs May told her party to back a House of Commons vote which seeks to replace the backstop with "alternative arrangements". One senior Government source described the development as "May's betrayal", while another said it would send "shockwaves" through Europe. The shift in policy by the British government has moved the prospect of a no-deal scenario even closer. Mrs May has consistently defended the backstop as the only definitive way to avoid a hard Border, even previously stating: "There is no deal available that does not include the backstop." However, with exactly two months until Brexit, she has now urged her party to get behind a motion that seeks to have it replaced with an undefined alternative. The backstop is an 'insurance policy' which ties the UK to European regulations in order to prevent a hard Border in Ireland. It will stay in place "unless and until" a better solution is agreed - but many UK politicians fear being trapped in the EU customs union and single market indefinitely. Ireland and the EU have repeatedly insisted they want a new deal in place by the end of a transition period in 2020, meaning the backstop would never actually be activated. Irish sources said if the amendment being proposed tonight by Conservative MP Graham Brady is passed it will severely heighten the risk of a no-deal Brexit. Referring to Mrs May's flip-flop on a deal which she negotiated, a source said: "The feeling here is disappointment in an act of bad faith." Although Mr Brady has not specified that he wants the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU reopened, it is likely any change to the backstop would require this. The EU has categorically ruled out a renegotiation of the deal ahead of March 29. Mr Brady said his amendment would give "enormous firepower" to Mrs May when she returns to Brussels. Tanaiste Simon Coveney said yesterday the EU will not ratify any Brexit treaty unless it includes the backstop. "We have made it very clear that the time for debate and discussion over the backstop was when it was being negotiated," Mr Coveney said. "People refer to it as the Irish backstop... the backstop was a series of compromises agreed with the British government, with the EU negotiating teams and signed off by all 28 governments including the British government at the end of two years of negotiation." The EU's deputy chief negotiator Sabine Weyand said there was "full ownership of what was agreed" in the EU, but "no ownership" of it in the UK Parliament. Even if Mrs May orders her MPs to back the Brady Amendment, there is no certainty that it will command a majority in the House of Commons. Hardline Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg told reporters he feared it does not go far enough. It has also now emerged that some Brexiteers and Remainers have thrashed out an "olive branch" solution which was presented to Number 10 last week, involving an extension of the 21-month transition period with a reworded backstop clause. This is now seen as 'Plan C'. Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, London, for the House of Commons ahead of a crucial debate on Brexit. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a debate on her Brexit 'plan B' in London UK Parliament/Mark Duffy/Handout via REUTERS Theresa May says the Brexit backstop must be changed as MPs prepare to vote on an amendment that seeks an "alternative arrangement". The latest move by the embattled British Prime Minister puts her on a collision course with Dublin and Brussels who insist that there will be no reopening of the Withdrawal Agreement. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has selected seven amendments for consideration this evening as MPs aim to shape the next phase of the Brexit talks with the EU. The amendments selected, and being voted on tonight, include Amendment N - senior Tory Sir Graham Brady's proposal to replace the controversial Irish backstop with "alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border". But in a blow to Mrs May's hopes of seeking a revised deal from Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the Withdrawal Agreement secured in November is "not renegotiable". Speaking at the Southern EU Countries Summit in Cyprus just moments before MPs were due to vote, Mr Macron said: "As the European Council in December clearly indicated, the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the UK and EU is the best agreement possible. "It is not renegotiable. "After the vote which is taking place now in the House of Commons in London, I hope that the British Government will rapidly present to our negotiator Michel Barnier the next steps which will allow the avoidance of a withdrawal without a deal, which no-one wants, but which we must all - despite everything - prepare for." Meanwhile Mrs May has appealed for MPs to "send an emphatic message" about the Brexit deal they wanted. She told colleagues she would seek to re-open the Withdrawal Agreement in order to secure legally binding changes with the EU. She said: "The fundamental concern is that what is supposed to be a temporary arrangement could in fact become permanent and the message has been unequivocal - that this House wants changes to the backstop before it will back a deal." This was why MPs should back the Brady amendment, she said, adding: "This amendment will give the mandate I need to negotiate with Brussels, an arrangement that commands a majority in this House. Expand Close Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, as she faces a vote on her Brexit 'plan B', in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street, as she faces a vote on her Brexit 'plan B', in London, Britain, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls "One that ensures we leave with a deal and and addresses the House's concerns while guaranteeing no return to the hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. "What I'm talking about is not a further exchange of letters but a significant and legally binding change to the Withdrawal Agreement. "Negotiating such a change will not be easy - it will involve re-opening the Withdrawal Agreement - a move for which I know there is limited appetite among our European partners. "But I believe that with a mandate from this House and supported by the Attorney General, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, I can secure such a change in advance of our departure from the EU." Meanwhile, MPs have already defeated several of the amendments in the House of Commons so far this evening. These included a Labour proposal aimed to allow MPs to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, including a customs union and the possibility of a second referendum. MPs also defeated the SNP proposal which sought to extend the Article 50 process, rule out a no-deal Brexit and prevent Scots being taken out of the EU "against their will". MPs also defeated a move by Labour former minister Yvette Cooper to give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26. Defeated Mrs May said she accepted her earlier Brexit plan had been defeated in the House of Commons: "The vote was decisive and I listened, so the world knows what this House does not want. "Today we need to send an emphatic message about what we do want. "I believe that must include honouring the votes of our fellow citizens and completing the democratic process that began when this House voted overwhelmingly to hold the referendum, then voted to trigger Article 50, and which saw the vast majority of us elected on manifestos pledging to see Brexit through." Sir Graham, whose amendment has been backed by the Government, said he tabled it because after he saw Mrs May's Chequers deal was losing support it became "very obvious that it was going to be necessary to compromise", but said the backstop was a "compromise too far". The deputy chairman of the European Research Group of eurosceptic Tory backbenchers, Steve Baker, said the group had agreed to support the Brady amendment. "A vote for the Brady amendment is a vote to see if the PM can land a deal that will work. If not, then we are not committed." Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "We will be broadly supporting the Government on the Brady amendment because the Prime Minister in her speech earlier on made three clear commitments. "One, that the Withdrawal Agreement would be reopened. Secondly that there would be a second meaningful vote - so this is not taken as approval of the Withdrawal Agreement come what may. "The third point is that the Prime Minister gave an indication that the Malthouse compromise is going to be the position the government is looking seriously at adopting. "And a fourth point: they have accepted a very important indication from Bill Cash that the final act must make it clear that the 1972 European Communities Act ends at the end of the implementation period." Earlier Philip Hammond claimed all UK regions will be "better off" under every Brexit scenario as he urged MPs to back the Government's deal. The Chancellor took exception to criticism from Labour's Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North), who said Government analysis shows "every region and every nation of the country will be poorer under any form of Brexit". Speaking at Treasury questions, Mr Hammond replied: "Your statistics are wrong - it's not right to say that every region will be worse off. "Every region under every scenario will be better off. The UK economy will continue growing. "But there is no doubt, as the published cross-government analysis shows, that leaving with a deal will best protect the UK economy and will be in the interests of all our constituents. "And I'd urge you to get behind the deal." On a 'no deal', Mr Hammond said: "We are absolutely determined to avoid no deal but the way you avoid no deal is to deliver a deal. As the Prime Minister has said from this despatch box many times, the choices are stark. "It's do the deal or face no deal or face no Brexit. No Brexit would be a betrayal of the democratic decision of the British people. No deal would be a betrayal of our economic future. The deal is the only way forward that protects our democracy and our economy." His comments came as shadow chancellor John McDonnell called on Mr Hammond to "stand up to the Prime Minister to insist she rules out a no deal". Crews of up to 20 people at a time have been growing 5,000 to 10,000 icicles a day at ice farms on-site. These 1- to 2-foot-long icicles are placed on the structure and sprayed with water, turning them into thick, soaring pillars. The massive structure contains tunnels, fountains and caves, and embedded LED lights twinkle along with synchronized music, making it an especially pretty sight at night. The Irish Government warned the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation after a majority of British politicians voted for Theresa May to reject the backstop. The Brady Amendment passed by 16 votes in the House of Commons tonight after a raft of other proposals, including a postponement of Brexit, were heavily rejected. However, further confusion has been added to the debate by the passing of a separation motion which showed a majority of MPs reject leaving the EU without a deal. Until recent days, Mrs May has always maintained that the deal she agreed with the EU last November was the best one possible. She has now backed calls for the Irish backstop, which ensures no return to a hard border, to be dumped in favour of undefined alternative arrangements. The development has caused huge anger in Dublin, where the Government believes Mrs May has betrayed their trust. A statement from the Taoiseach's office said: "The EU position on the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, is set out in the conclusions of the December meeting of the European Council. It has not changed. "The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation. "The Agreement is a carefully negotiated compromise, which balances the UK position on customs and the single market with avoiding a hard border and protecting the integrity of the EU customs union and single market. "The best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify this Agreement. "We have consistently said that we want the closest possible future relationship between the EU and the UK. A change in the UK red lines could lead to a change in the Political Declaration on the framework for the future relationship, and a better overall outcome. "We will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including for a no-deal scenario." Senior figures across the EU have spent the last 24 hours telling the UK that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be reopened. But the Prime Minister pushed ahead with the vote anyway, saying it was a chance to "tell Brussels that the current nature of the backstop is the key reason Parliament cannot support this deal." She vowed to go to Brussels and seek "significant and legally binding change" to the backstop. Her office said that might include an end date to ensure it is temporary or an exit clause for Britain. Both those ideas have been repeatedly rejected by the EU. Nerves Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke to Mrs May by phone earlier in the day but his spokesperson declined to give details of the conversation. In a statement that will help steady Irish nerves, French President Emmanuel Macron has tonight reiterated the EU position that the Withdrawal Agreement as not renegotiable. Speaking at the Southern EU Countries Summit in Cyprus, Mr Macron said: "As the European Council in December clearly indicated, the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the UK and EU is the best agreement possible. "It is not renegotiable. He called on the British government to rapidly present to the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier with the next steps which will allow the avoidance of a withdrawal without a deal, which no-one wants, but which we must all - despite everything - prepare for. Earlier Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said events in Westminster over recent days were evidence of why a backstop on the Irish border is so crucial. He insisted the Irish Government will not back down from its position in the face of a no-deal scenario on March 29. Headache Mrs May secured the backing of the Commons to go back to Brussels, as MPs voted by 317 to 301 in favour of a proposal from Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady for her to try to replace the backstop with "alternative arrangements" to keep the Irish border open after Brexit. But the results of a series of votes on amendments to Mrs May's Brexit Plan B, has left the Prime Minister with a massive headache as the clock ticks towards the scheduled date of EU withdrawal on March 29. One of the Prime Minister's most important negotiating weapons was ripped from her hands, as the House of Commons also voted to block a no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile the attempt to get rid of the backstop puts her on a collision course with political leaders both in Dublin and Brussels. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: "The House of Commons has given contradictory instructions, both ruling out no deal and setting the Government on a collision course with the EU, ramping up the chances of no deal. "Willing the ends but not the means for preventing no deal gets us nowhere." Earlier Mrs May has appealed for MPs to "send an emphatic message" about the Brexit deal they wanted. She told colleagues she would seek to re-open the Withdrawal Agreement in order to secure legally binding changes with the EU. She said: "The fundamental concern is that what is supposed to be a temporary arrangement could in fact become permanent and the message has been unequivocal - that this House wants changes to the backstop before it will back a deal." This was why MPs should back the Brady amendment, she said, adding: "This amendment will give the mandate I need to negotiate with Brussels, an arrangement that commands a majority in this House. "One that ensures we leave with a deal and and addresses the House's concerns while guaranteeing no return to the hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. "What I'm talking about is not a further exchange of letters but a significant and legally binding change to the Withdrawal Agreement. "Negotiating such a change will not be easy - it will involve re-opening the Withdrawal Agreement - a move for which I know there is limited appetite among our European partners. "But I believe that with a mandate from this House and supported by the Attorney General, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, I can secure such a change in advance of our departure from the EU." MPs had already defeated several of the amendments in the House of Commons so far this evening. These included a Labour proposal aimed to allow MPs to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, including a customs union and the possibility of a second referendum. MPs also defeated the SNP proposal which sought to extend the Article 50 process, rule out a no-deal Brexit and prevent Scots being taken out of the EU "against their will". MPs also defeated a move by Labour former minister Yvette Cooper to give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26. Sir Graham, whose amendment has been backed by the British Government, said he tabled it because after he saw Mrs May's Chequers deal was losing support it became "very obvious that it was going to be necessary to compromise", but said the backstop was a "compromise too far". The deputy chairman of the European Research Group of eurosceptic Tory backbenchers, Steve Baker, said the group had agreed to support the Brady amendment. "A vote for the Brady amendment is a vote to see if the PM can land a deal that will work. If not, then we are not committed." NIGEL Farage said he believes that Ireland will ultimately leave the European Union. The former UKIP leader took part in a heated discussion on a segment on RTE's Claire Byrne Live last night about how Brexit will affect Ireland. Ms Byrne questioned Farage about whether he had ever considered "how all of this would impact Ireland". "Did you and do you care?" she asked. "Oh I do, and I think ultimately Ireland will leave the European Union too," Farage said. Nigel Farage: Ultimately, Ireland will leave the EU too.@Nigel_Farage tells #cblive that he cares about what happens in Ireland in the context of #BREXIT pic.twitter.com/49ntMCIQJk RTE ClaireByrneLive (@ClaireByrneLive) January 28, 2019 Ms Byrne said that latest poll figures in Ireland show that 88pc of people said they would stay in the EU, "so that's not going to happen". Results of an Amarach Research poll with the Claire Byrne Live show said that 86pc of voters would choose a united Ireland over a hard border, if the choice was between those two options. But Mr Farage insisted that the "European Union is not going to survive" and questioned Ireland's response to the Lisbon Treaty in 2008. "Just as you were all going to vote for the Lisbon Treaty and in the end you didn't, you all voted against the Lisbon Treaty, you were forced to vote again," he said. Ms Byrne responded that the people of Ireland had questions on sovereignty and that the second Lisbon referendum was not presented the same way as the first. Concluding the discussion, Mr Farage described it as "meaningless" and said that the current European Union "will not stand the test of time". "It was all completely meaningless anyway. Look all over Europe, what you are seeing is the growth of real opposition to this project. "The idea that Europe's laws should be set and made by a group of unelected old men in Brussels, it's an idea whose time has past. "I don't just want the UK out of the European Union, I want a Europe of sovereign democratic state, working and trading closely together. But this current system will not stand the test of time, believe me." Meanwhile, there was dismay in Dublin last night as it emerged Mrs May told her party to back a House of Commons vote which seeks to replace the backstop with "alternative arrangements" The backstop is an 'insurance policy' which ties the UK to European regulations in order to prevent a hard Border in Ireland. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will tell farmers today at the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) AGM that his Government will always protect them when it comes to Brexit. Just weeks after announcing he was trying to eat less meat, Mr Varadkar is expected to have beef farmers top of his agenda, as they face their largest market crashing out of the EU under a no-deal Brexit, while Agriculture Minister Michael Creed will announce details of a 20m sustainable beef scheme tomorrow. Mr Varadkar will also tell beef farmers, who suffered through extreme weather conditions, a fodder crisis and face severe market volatility, that his Government will do everything it can to protect the Common Agricultural Budget (CAP), which is coming under increased pressure. The CAP budget has been under threat in recent months, with Gunther Oettinger, the EU commissioner for budget and human resources, demanding cuts in farm spending, pointing to the 12bn hole in the EU's finances that the UK leaving will create. Under plans for the EU's budget for 2021-2027, farmers would receive around 232bn in direct support, a drop of more than 30bn from the current seven-year budget. Meanwhile, Mr Creed is looking to Europe for market response measures and exception aid in response to a possible hard Brexit. Mr Creed held a bilateral meeting with EU Commissioner Phil Hogan yesterday to discuss the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors. He stressed the need to deploy market response measures, including exceptional aid, under the CAP to provide necessary supports. "Commissioner Hogan reiterated the EU's readiness to respond and support Ireland and, in particular, challenges facing Irish farmers and the agri-food sector, given our specific exposure to the UK market," said Mr Creed. The UK is the most strategically important trading partner for the Irish agri-food sector, with 38pc of total goods exported to the UK in 2017, and an even greater reliance on the UK market for specific sectors such as the beef industry. Mr Creed also reiterated the CAP budget is fundamentally important to Irish farmers, particularly now at a time of Brexit uncertainty and in the context of dealing with climate change obligations. Seven amendments were voted on in the House of Commons tonight as MPs aim to shaped the next phase of the Brexit talks with the EU. Five of the amendments were defeated, but the ones that were passed include Amendment N from senior Tory Sir Graham Brady. His proposal was to replace the controversial Irish backstop with "alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border". Senior figures across the EU have spent the last 24 hours telling the UK that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be reopened. Amendment I from Tory former minister Dame Caroline Spelman could also prove hugely important. This amendment seeks to prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal. MPs approved the amendment by 318 votes to 310, a majority of eight. It "rejects the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the Future Relationship". Meanwhile the following five amendments were defeated: Amendment A from Labour aimed to allow MPs to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, including a customs union and the possibility of a second referendum. MPs defeated Labour's Brexit amendment by 327 votes to 296, majority 31. Two Labour MPs rebelled to vote against the Labour Brexit amendment, according to the division list. They were Sir Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) and Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse). Amendment O from the SNP Brexit was defeated by 327 votes to 39, majority 288. The proposal sought to extend the Article 50 process, rule out a no-deal Brexit and prevent Scots being taken out of the EU "against their will". Amendment G from Tory former minister Dominic Grieve aimed to prevent a no-deal Brexit and allow MPs to effectively wrest control of Commons business from the Government for six individual days in the run-up to the UK's scheduled withdrawal date of March 29. MPs defeated Mr Grieve's Brexit amendment by 321 votes to 301, majority 20. Amendment J from Labour MP Rachel Reeves sought an extension of Article 50 if there is no Brexit deal approved by the Commons. It was defeated by 290 votes to 322, majority 32. Amendment B from Labour MP Yvette Cooper aimed s to give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May failed to secure a deal by February 26. It soughtto allow MPs to vote on a Bill which bid to extend Article 50 and prevent a no-deal Brexit. MPs defeated it by 321 votes to 298, majority 23. What on earth has happened to Greeces tradition of solidarity with democracy and human rights? Why is Greece, the European nation that lived under a foul, cruel, corrupt right-wing backed military junta from 1967-74 sending a message of support and endorsement to a foul, corrupt, military-backed dictatorship in Venezuela? One has to admire the chutzpah of Juan Guaido, the brave young president of the Venezuelan national assembly. He has invited the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, to come to Venezuela for a week to see for himself the despair of the countrys citizens as they look upon their president Nicolas Maduro, and the generals and admirals who back him to the hilt. After his vocal support for Maduro it is unlikely Tsipras will take up the offer. Guaidos party, Voluntad Popular (Popular Will), is affiliated to the Socialist International, the global federation of left-wing and socialist parties. The Socialist Internationals president is George Papandreou, the former Greek prime minister, whose leadership was broken by European conservatives who insisted upon imposing the austerity measure that has cost Greeces a decade of decent existence. Chilean Pedro Felipe Ramirez was imprisoned and tortured during the Pinochet dictatorship years. He was a left-wing politician and gay two attributes that guaranteed the hate of the Chilean military. He spent his exile years in Venezuela and in 2014 went back to Caracas as Chiles ambassador to Venezuela until 2018. Ramirez insists that Maduro has nothing to with the heritage of Hugo Chavez. I remain a Chavista but the Maduro regime has nothing to do with Chavism. It is a dictatorship run by a group who has taken control of the state for their personal benefit. They have destroyed the country, creating hunger and provoking the biggest exodus ever seen in South America. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events I was the UK foreign minister in charge of Latin America at a time when the Tony Blair government tried to reach out to Hugo Chavez. Blair had a possibly naive but generous belief that if he treated newly arrived leaders on the world stage with respect and friendship they would respond. He rushed to drink beer with Vladimir Putin in a bar in Moscow in 1999 and invited Bashar al-Assad to London when the young, British-educated Syrian leader took over in Damascus. Hugo Chavez was given red carpet treatment in London. As I spoke Spanish I was sent to Caracas and Chavez held a long midnight meeting with me during which he quizzed me on Blairs Third Way ideology. A day after my visit the Venezuelan right staged a mini-coup and detained Chavez. I was the first EU minister to demand his release and the UK sent a warning to Washington not to back the golpistas in Caracas. I met opposition politicians and never encountered such reactionary attutudes from men whose hate of Chavez was only matched by their wealth and complete indifference to any concept of social justice. Venezuela, one of the richest, most beautiful nations in the world, has been ill-served by goverments of both right and left, such as populists like Carlos Andes Perez in the 1980s and then Hugo Chavez, who turned ever-more demagogic and had no idea how to use the fabulous oil wealth of Venezuela to enrich all its peoples lives. Like the Saudi and other petrol dictatorships, Venezuela suffers from the modern curse of being too rich for its own good. It is no accident that Turkey and Russia where the military and security generals have become rich in exchange for supporting an authoritarian president have come out strongly in favour of Maduro and against the people of Venezuela. Now the Greek government of Alexis Tsipras is backing the Maduro dictatorship while other European-left prime ministers, like Spains Pedro Sanchez who knows the truth of the Maduro tyranny, are calling for new elections. In the week when the Syriza government made a major breakthrough against nationalist populism with the name-change deal on Macedonia being approved by the Greek parliament, the good name and image of Greece in Europe has taken a blow with the Tsipras decision to endorse a regime in Venezelua every bit as evil as the that of the Greek colonels of 1967-74. Denis MacShane was the British minister of Europe and Latin America in the Tony Blair government. He writes now on European policy and politics What to say, at the end of another historic day in the Greatest S***show on Earth? We reach again into the its like... cupboard but this time its completely bare. There are no more bald men and no combs to come to our service. There are no boulders and no hills. There are no deckchairs, no Titanic, no piss-ups and no breweries. There are no turds and no polish. Even the glitter has all run out. There is now only the thing itself, reaching beyond all similitude.Brexit: The Eternal Crapness. The Unsurpassable Embarrassment. There is no spice worth adding to the events themselves. No salt can augment the terrifying umami of such base inadequacy. So heres what happened. The House of Commons voted to rule out no deal. But it also voted against both the practical solutions put on the table to make it happen. It voted to send Theresa May back to Brussels to re-open negotiations on the withdrawal agreement. At the precise moment it did so, the European Commission released a statement saying it cannot be re-opened. Theresa May was victorious, in her own way. But she was victorious in the defeat of her own deal. A small bit of background might be useful. In November, after two years of boldly claiming no deal is better than a bad deal, Theresa May finally achieved a deal, which everyone instantly agreed was bad. Theresa May, on several occasions, has agreed it is bad. At that point, she stood outside 10 Downing Street and said that, actually, it turns out, a bad deal was better than no deal. And, more to the point, that this was the only deal. Over the last two months, she has stood at the despatch box of the House of Commons and declared that her deal is the only deal, that it cannot be renegotiated upwards of a hundred times, spread over more than twenty hours. She has said it is the only deal, and that it cannot be renegotiated, because the European Union have said the same themselves, with the same regularity, and the same consistency. Now, she has decided it can be renegotiated after all, which it cant. Various hard Brexiteers, the DUP, the ERG, Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg, have consistently demanded she go back to Brussels and demand the impossible. To reopen the negotiations, and, in their words, bin the backstop. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters She has, consistently, said no. Because saying no to the impossible is the only sensible thing to do. Until today that is, when the last vestige of sensible took wings and flew away. The only way, she decided, to get Brexit through the House of Commons is to tell them the impossible was possible. So she stood at the despatch box and promised a significant and legally binding change to the withdrawal agreement. Cheers were heard. It will involve reopening the withdrawal agreement. There is limited appetite for renegotiation in Brussels, she said. Within a minute of these words exiting her lips, the European Commissions statement reduced that limited down to zero. On she went, into the realm of fantasy. The only way off the sinking ship, she had now reluctantly accepted, was to cede to what had been demanded of her all along. She would now, though she had limited appetite to do it, grow wings and fly. She governs only with a mandate to achieve the impossible. And the alternative to the impossible is no deal. They all know this. But by telling her to go back to Brussels, and Brussels saying no, they imagine they can shift the blame on to them. Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, emerges from todays events with hands still clean from blame his only objective. He, too, put his unicorn version of Brexit to the house in the form of an amendment. The house, unsurprisingly, said no. So off Theresa May goes then, to exactly where, no one knows. To Brussels in theory. But Brussels has already said there will be no new summit, and its negotiators have no new mandate from the 27 EU nations to reopen talks. In the meantime, Theresa May has a victory of sorts to enjoy. She has taken taken back control of Brexit, at least for the time being. Trouble is, shes still got no idea what to do with it. Brexit doesnt mean Brexit. No deal isnt better than a bad deal. Her deal isnt the only deal. By the time all this is over, shell have never been prime minister, and who will be able to say with any certainty if her name was even Theresa May? Leavers claim that any talk about Brexit being bad for Britain is just Project Fear but, even before it has happened, Brexit is already having a devastating impact on many people. I know because Im one of them. Im 92,000 worse off than I should be right now thanks to cancelled work and the weak pound. When I awoke the day after the referendum, I knew that the UK was in for a rough ride as it worked out exactly what Brexit meant. But I wasnt expecting the impact to be quite so immediate, or so personal. I run a small business and, that morning, Id barely finished eating my breakfast when I received a call from my main client who told me that two thirds of my work with them was now at risk. A few months later, they did indeed cancel not just some of my contracted work, but the entire thing. The reason? Theresa Mays unstable government, Brexit and the forthcoming loss of EU funding had caused one of their key partners to pull out of a major project. I wasnt the only one to experience the fall out; others inside the organisation also lost their jobs. My small PR agency helps UK charities, social enterprises and mission-led entrepreneurs shout about their life-changing and life-saving work. I also own an online magazine, LEAD, that promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. My annual turnover averages around 100,000 so you can imagine how hard its been losing 92,000 since the referendum. Ive shrunk my team, cut costs and had a lot less income to live on. When times are tough and employers need to tighten their belts, PR, marketing and training all services that I offer are the first areas to experience the biggest budget freezes and cuts. Since that first contract cancellation, Ive had another project pulled, potential partners tell me they are not taking on new projects, and advertisers reluctant to confirm sponsorship, all because of Brexit. Either they are too nervous to spend in a time of such economic uncertainty or they have also lost funding and cannot afford to do so. Many of the organisations in my market are or rather, were recipients of EU funding. The Directory of Social Change has calculated that the UK charity sector is at risk of losing at least 258m when access to the EU structural and investment funds programme is removed. No wonder these organisations are worried about Brexit. I am too. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters I cant afford to lose any more business. Unlike Boris Johnson, who was recently paid 94,507 for a single, two-hour speaking engagement, I have to work really hard to earn every penny. As many of those who run the UKs 5.7 million micro and small businesses will also have done, Ive put in countless long days, evenings and weekends to try and grow my business, missing birthday parties and weddings, cancelling family holidays and nights out with friends. Now it feels that everything I have worked so hard for is at risk, just because of Brexit. Im not the only person already counting the cost of leaving Europe. Research carried about by the University of Sussex has found that many companies exporting industrial products have already seen export sales fall, some by up to 30 per cent, and investment in their companies decline. The Federation of Small Businesses has found that some larger firms have stopped paying smaller suppliers as a means by which to protect themselves from the Brexit fallout. Elsewhere, friends and colleagues who also run small businesses have complained that Brexit is being used by current and potential clients as a reason not to spend or not to spend as much putting them in precarious financial situations. The loss of business Ive experienced has been compounded further by the weak pound. Contrary to what many Leavers claim, free movement is a gift to the British public. The ability to easily and affordably live and work in Europe offers a brilliant opportunity for us to learn new languages and skills, strengthen our understanding of our neighbours and their way of life, expand our businesses into new markets, and have a really great time while were at it. Removing this right from the British public is doing the nation a huge disservice, and we will all be worse off as a result financially and culturally. My husband and I wanted to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity before it was taken away from us. So, in July 2016, we moved to France. Its been an overwhelmingly positive experience and were much more worldly-wise and skilled as a result. But the weak pound has meant we have lost a lot of our money as weve transferred income between the two countries. Again, were not the only ones whove suffered: the fall in the value of the sterling has dealt a heavy blow to many of the 1.3 million Brits who live on Europes mainland, particularly those older residents who depend on a UK pension. Add to this the uncertainty over our right to live and work here, and many of our friends and neighbours in France are in a constant state of anxiety, with some experiencing depression and very poor mental health as a result. Ive lost a huge chunk of my livelihood thanks to Brexit and Im bracing myself for more bad news to come. Thank goodness wine is cheap over here in France; at least I might still be able to afford to drown my sorrows. Becky Slack is the founder of Slack Communications and LEAD magazine After eight years on death row, Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman is today free to leave Pakistan. The countrys Supreme Court has upheld a decision to overturn Bibis conviction under Pakistans blasphemy laws and has made clear the pivotal decision now facing the country. In 2009, Bibi had been accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad by a group of women as they worked, harvesting crops in a field. She has always maintained her innocence. The case has highlighted the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan, a country which was created in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent at the tail-end of British rule in India. Champions of an independent Pakistan, including the head of the Muslim league and Pakistans first head of state, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, feared the persecution of Muslims in majority Hindu India, after British withdrawal. Not a theocrat, Jinnah supported the rights of individuals to practice their faith: "You are free to go to your temples; you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the State." The white stripe in Pakistans national flag is meant to represent the space for minorities in the country. However, the reality for religious and other minorities in Pakistan has taken a strikingly different path. In a country where poverty is high, literacy is low and corruption the norm, religion has been a unifying rallying point for political mobilisation. Political leaders have played the religious card to ensure the support of the religious hardliners who can be counted on to shore up a mass public turnout. Even secular socialist heads of state have succumbed to the pressure from the religious lobby. In 1974, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declared the Ahmadiya community non-Muslim. The 1980s was the decade of Pakistans Islamification during this time, legislation which had first been introduced by the British in the mid 19th century to protect minorities from religious persecution was developed into the distinct blasphemy laws of today. In 1986, blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad was made into an offence for which one could be sentenced to death., Asia Bibi was the first woman to be given the death sentence for such a crime. Like so many other nation-states in the age of globalisation, Pakistan is a country battling out the question of national identity. Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Show all 5 1 /5 Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Human rights activist Gulalai Ismail was apprehended by Pakistan officials upon landing in Islamabad after a flight from London Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan Forgotten Women: The sisters fighting for human rights in Pakistan On one side, there are religious hardliners who want the country to be run under Sharia law, and who are deeply opposed to Bibis release. On the other side, the liberals who want to separate religion and politics, and repeal the blasphemy laws. This is a severe internal partition which has caused much bloodshed in the past. Civil conflict aside, Pakistan has to think carefully about its position on the global stage. It will have to decide whether to go back to Jinnahs initial concept of a nation-state welcoming of, and including, all minorities. The alternative is to take the ignoble path of successive political opportunists who, in the pursuit of power, have been too ready to stoke communalism and religious division. The countrys future and the regions security depend on it. Parveen Akhtar is a lecturer in politics and international relations at Aston University This guide should help you claim what is due to you when your train is as little as two minutes late (though thats on one line only, and the compensation is sixpence). How late does my train have to be before I get some money back? That depends on how late the train was, and which train operator was involved. The Delay Repay policy of most operators is to pay a partial or total refund of the ticket cost for delays of half-an-hour or more. On GWR, compensation begins at 30 minutes for Thames Valley trains from London to Reading, Oxford and other commuter locations, but an hour on other services. An increasing number of train operators offer compensation for shorter delays. On the Gatwick and Heathrow Express services, Great Northern, Southern, Southwestern Railway, Thameslink, London Northwestern, West Midlands Trains and c2c (between London and the south Essex coast), a delay of 15 minutes qualifies. Holders of the c2c Smartcard get refunds for any delay from 2 minutes upwards, albeit at just 3p per minute for the first 14 minutes. What if the delay or cancellation is bad weather? Almost all train operators provide compensation regardless of the cause which is in contrast to the airlines, who do not need to pay out if the delay is beyond their control. Whether your train is cancelled and you take a later one, or a delay means you miss a connection, or you are just on a severely delayed service, the test is: how late did you arrive compared with when you expected to be there? You can get anything from one-quarter to the full value of the train ticket. If you have bought an Advance ticket direct from Virgin Trains, the refund should come through automatically. Does Delay Repay cover cancellations as well? Yes, the crucial question is: how much later than expected did you arrive? It makes no difference whether the cause was a cancellation or a delay (or a combination of both) which caused an arrival beyond the qualifying time. My train operator is running an emergency timetable. Can I claim on the basis of what the original schedule promised? No. The test is whether the current timetable is breached. For example, Northern says: If we publish an alternative timetable (for example for engineering works or during prolonged poor weather) we will compensate you based on that. How much can I expect? The Delay Repay policy is based on the cost of the ticket. Generally the deal is: 30-59 minutes: half the cost of the one-way journey (ie a quarter the cost if it is a return ticket) 60-119 minutes: the cost of the one-way journey (or half the return ticket) 120 minutes or more: the cost of the one-way journey or, if it was bought as a return ticket, the full cost of both legs Recommended New report shows UK train companies fall short compared to Europe This policy of compensation as a proportion of the price of a ticket. That has some bizarre effects. If you buy an Anytime single from Bolton to Manchester, for example, and the train is half-an-hour late, youll be compensated a princely 2.20 half the cost of the ticket. But if youre going on to London on an Anytime ticket costing 182, and theres a problem between Bolton and Manchester which makes you half-an-hour late in London, youll get 91. How do you claim Delay Repay compensation? You can fill in a form either online (uploading a photograph of your ticket) or on paper, on a pre-printed form with a Freepost address; you should enclose the ticket. Therefore if you believe you have a valid claim, do not surrender your ticket at the destination station (or let it be eaten by automatic gates). Instead, ask a member of staff to let you through; they may want to cancel your ticket. Passengers on Virgin Trains (West Coast) services can get automatic refunds to the credit or debit card with which they bought their ticket. For this to happen, it has to be an Advance ticket bought direct from the train operator, and for a journey which does not include any other train operator. What about season tickets? The same principles apply, but compensation is calculated against the proportional daily cost of a trip. So if you spend 50 on a weekly season, the train operator will reckon each journey is worth 5, based on 10 journeys. So for a half-hour delay you could get 2.50, just 5 per cent of the cost of the ticket. For monthly tickets, the fraction used is 1/40th; for annual seasons, its 1/464th. But if trains are running chronically badly, with many delays and cancellations, season ticket holders may get additional benefits such as a discount on the next ticket. How is compensation paid? Usually you can choose from three or four main methods: a cheque, a refund to your nominated credit or debit card, a voucher exchangeable for cash from a staffed ticket office, or National Rail vouchers which you can use to buy any rail ticket. Some operators offer alternatives such as a free ticket anywhere on the Northern network, which depending on your circumstances and travel plans could be much more valuable. How long does the process usually take? In normal times, a week or two. What are the rules on Eurostar? The Channel Tunnel train operator does things differently. Its compensation begins at one hour, and is only 25 per cent of the one-way fare for delays of up to two hours. Two to three hours of delay qualifies for half the value of the ticket; above three hours, 75 per cent. Refunds are made in the form of e-vouchers for future Eurostar journeys, and must be used within a year of the original journey. But one refreshing difference: so long as you wait 24 hours from the delayed train, the firm promises: Well email your e-voucher to you within five minutes and you can use it immediately at eurostar.com. What about extra costs I have incurred, such as taking a taxi, staying in a hotel, payments for additional child care or theatre tickets I couldnt use? You will need to apply to the train operator citing the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The relevant section of this law basically says the train operator must perform the service with reasonable care and skill, and the traveller is entitled to rely on what has been promised (ie the timetable). To make a claim, you will need to provide all receipts and explain why the costs are necessary and reasonable. For example, a taxi home mid-evening rather than a bus because youre fed up probably wouldnt count, but if the train arrived after the last bus had gone, it probably would. Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Show all 10 1 /10 Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Copenhagen Nyhavn pier in Copenhagen Getty Images/iStockphoto Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Kathmandu Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu Getty Images/iStockphoto Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Shenzhen The Shenzhen skyline Getty Images/iStockphoto Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Novi Sad Novi Sad in Serbia Getty Images Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Miami A typical Miami scene Getty Images/iStockphoto Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Mexico City Mexico City Getty Images/iStockphoto Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Dakar The Soumbedioune fish market in Dakar Getty Images Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Seattle Downtown Seattle Getty Images/iStockphoto Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Zadar The Zadar promenade Getty Images/iStockphoto Lonely Planet best cities 2019 Meknes View of Meknes at Bab Berdaine Gate Getty Images/iStockphoto You cannot use the automated system; you will need to liaise with the customer service department, and the process may take some weeks. What about the time I have lost and the stress I have endured? Its hard to put a price on stress and upset, so they dont. Only consequential financial losses will be considered. What could be done better? A bigger effort to make sure everyone whos affected is given a chance to claim, for example with on-board announcements, staff meeting late trains and handing passengers Delay Repay claim forms, and more automation for those with Advance tickets who have bought direct (the same system should apply to flight delay compensation). If the rail industry really wants to show how much it cares, how about a desk at key stations where, after a train is half-an-hour late or more, actual cash is handed out on production of tickets? Top insurance companies have no coherent policy about cover for travellers in the event of a no-deal Brexit, according to Liberal Democrat research. HuffPost UK reports a mystery shopper exercise by the party, which contacted seven leading insurance firms to ask about cover after 29 March 2019. Two months before the UK is due to exit the European Union, many travellers are increasingly confused and concerned about travel insurance if no deal is achieved. Brexit is scheduled for just before the Easter holidays, when millions of British families will be taking sun and ski holidays. The companies were asked: Im thinking of taking out travel insurance for my holiday in the summer. Could you let me know if you will cover me for disruption to my holiday as a result of a no-deal Brexit? Where to go in April Show all 7 1 /7 Where to go in April Where to go in April Tel Aviv Tel Aviv Where to go in April Patagonia Tierra Patagonia Tierra Patagonia Where to go in April Mallorca Palma Cathedral Where to go in April Hong Kong Hong Kong Where to go in April Val d'Isere Val d'Isere Val d'Isere Where to go in April New South Wales New South Wales Destination NSW Where to go in April St Maarten St Maarten St Maarten tourism Legal & Generals call centre operator initially said: We dont know anything about that at the moment, unfortunately, the best people to ask are the claims department. When the mystery shopper was put through, they were told: Were not Legal and General were Allianz. We sell insurance through lots of different companies. If youre thinking about buying it through Legal & General, no the insurance wouldnt cover that situation Im afraid Ive never come across one that would cover that. Allianz itself said: If I were you I would assume at this very point in time there is no cover. Most of the other firms expressed uncertainty. Zurichs operator said: We havent had any information about it yet. Give us a call nearer the time we should hopefully have some more information. Direct Lines operator said: I couldnt answer that question; we honestly wouldnt know that. AXA said cover would continue as normal. So too did Aviva, which also added opaquely: Its best sometimes if you do book ATOL protected holidays just to cover yourself a bit further. A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers (ABI) told The Independent: The primary role of travel insurance is to provide emergency medical care for people overseas, and this will continue. In the event of travel disruption caused by Brexit, primary responsibility for offering travellers alternative transport or refunds rests with the airlines and travel companies who have taken customers money. During disruption, consumers may be able to make insurance claims for losses they cant recover elsewhere, such as for unused accommodation or excursions, but people will need to have purchased travel disruption cover for this purpose. The United Nations has urged Yemens warring factions to immediately withdraw troops from the lifeline port of Hodeidah and save a vital truce, as rights groups warned aid was not getting through to thousands who could starve to death. The stark warning came as the UN confirmed that eight civilians had been killed and 30 wounded when a camp for displaced people in the northwestern province of Hajjah was shelled this week. The UN had hoped that a ceasefire would hold and humanitarian aid would flow after both the Houthi rebel group and the recognised Yemeni government agreed to leave Hodeidah, Yemens main entry point for food and medical supplies. According to the deal hammered out in December talks in Sweden, a local administration was supposed to take control of the Red Sea city and be monitored by a special UN mission. But UN envoy Martin Griffiths, who arrived in the rebel-held capital on Monday, acknowledged the proposed timelines for a pull-out from the port had passed unheeded while the country stood on the brink of famine. The initial timelines were rather ambitious, he said on Twitter. We are dealing with a complex situation on the ground. Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, meanwhile called the shelling of a Hajjah displacement a senseless attack. The people who have fled their homes ... have lost so much already. An attack like this cannot be justified ever, she said. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing. War erupted in Yemen in 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels swept control of the country forcing recognised President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies, fearing Irans influence on their borders, launched a bombing campaign to reinstate their ally Mr Hadi. Four years on the conflict shows little sign of ending and has sparked the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. It has also pushed the country to the brink of famine. The UN has warned that as many as 13 million people could starve to death if aid is not able to reach the worst hit areas. Food aid for Yemenis stolen Show all 21 1 /21 Food aid for Yemenis stolen Food aid for Yemenis stolen People walk in a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen People stand near their rooms inside a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A baby sleeps inside a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A woman sits with her baby inside a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen Sisters play in their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen The entrance of the hangar of the United Nations in Aden, Yemen, in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A man sells aid supplies at a market in Aden, Yemen, in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen The entrance to the port where aid is received, in Aden, Yemen, is shown in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen This 24 July 2018 photo shows a gas station on a road in Shabwah, Yemen. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A worn-out list of registered names for aid by Relief International, part of the World Food Program, is posted in Aden, Yemen in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A truck carries aid on a road in Aden, Yemen, in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A man fixes his scarf at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen Children play in a room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen Children look out of their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A woman holds her baby as she leaves her room in a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A family poses for a photograph in their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A family sits in their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A bucket filled with bread at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, is shown in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A family poses for a photograph in a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A child stands in a room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, is shown in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Despite negotiations, the Houthi still control Hodeidah while troops loyal to the government and a Saudi-led coalition backing them are amassed on its outskirts as both sides cannot agree who should control the city or withdraw. The target of 7 January for forces to leave has passed and skirmishes continue instead; residents and aid workers have told Reuters that barricades, trenches and roadblocks have been reinforced. Mr Griffiths travelled to Sanaa on Monday to try to iron out the differences holding back the deal, there are also disagreements between the Houthis and retired Dutch Maj Gen Patrick Cammaert, who is heading the UN mission charged with monitoring the ceasefire. A UN-marked armoured vehicle in Maj Gen Cammaerts convoy was hit with a round of small-arms fire earlier this month. The motorcade of UN special envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths following his arrival at Sanaa International yesterday (AFP/Getty) (MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images) Despite this, Mr Griffiths remained optimistic, telling Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq al-Awsat on Monday that changes in timeline are expected. That momentum is still there, even if we have seen the timelines for implementation extended, he said. However, vital humanitarian aid is not getting to those hardest hit by the fighting, a coalition of 14 aid agencies warned in a meeting in London on Monday. Kimberley Brown of the British Red Cross said 85,000 children had lost their lives and malnutrition was taking a huge toll. I know from my colleagues that the situation is absolutely deteriorating at the moment, she said. Ahmed Murshed, 44, fled Hodeidah last June when airstrikes destroyed his cafeteria, as well as the houses belonging to his brother and brother-in-law (Islamic Relief) Meanwhile, Yemeni families displaced from Hodeidah said their relatives who have remained in the port city still live under fire, while they struggle to survive in poorly equipped IDP camps or makeshift homes in comparatively safer areas of the country. My relatives in Hodeidah tell me that they live amid terror and worry and they are expecting death at any moment, said Ahmed Murshed, 44, who fled the Red Sea coast last June for Taiz. His family were forced to sell their belongings to fund the three-day journey through the mountains to the southwestern city. He said he now relies on food, mattresses and blankets from Islamic Relief. My relatives in Hodeidah tell me that they live amid terror... they expect death at any moment Ahmed Murshed, 44, a Yemeni who fled Hodeidah I am dependent on organisations to help me eke out a living for 26 family members, some of them need medicines. There is not enough water in the house and we have to fetch it from far distances, he added. Abdu Muqbel, 65, and his family of seven also fled Hodeidah under fire to an IDP camp in Taiz after his wife was hit by shrapnel in her neck. Abdu Muqbel, who was displaced from Hodeidah, says his relatives who remained in the port city fear for their lives (Islamic Relief) He said his family barely survived in the camp for two years until Islamic Relief recently came to help. But despite the hardships they face in Taiz, Mr Muqbel said it is not possible to go back to Hodeidah because fighting is still plaguing the city and stopping access to food. I heard about the ceasefire but my relatives there told me that battles have started again, and they do not dare to sleep with the buzzing of warplanes over them day and night, he said. My brothers and my cousins returned to their houses and they told me that life is very difficult. You need to travel 60km to bring food, he added. Iran has banned dog-walking in its capital city in public places such as parks. Tehran Police Chief Hossein Rahimi reportedly said Tehrans Prosecutors Office had given its stamp of approval for the ban. According to the BBC, he told the Young Journalists Club (YJC) news agency that the move was because dogs are creating fear and anxiety among members of the public. We have received permission from the Tehran Prosecutors Office, and will take measures against people walking dogs in public spaces, such as parks, he told the agency, which was set up by Irans state broadcaster. He added that people are also prohibited from driving a car with a dog inside. The A-Z of dog breeds Show all 26 1 /26 The A-Z of dog breeds The A-Z of dog breeds 564205.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564206.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564207.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564208.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564209.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564210.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564211.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564212.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564213.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564214.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564215.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564216.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564236.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564234.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564226.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564227.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 585530.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564232.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564229.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564231.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564228.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564225.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564233.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564224.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564223.bin Rob Clarke The A-Z of dog breeds 564222.bin Rob Clarke Brigadier General Rahimi told YJC: It is forbidden to drive dogs around in cars and, if this is observed, serious police action will be taken against the car-owners in question. Islamic tradition considers dogs to be unclean animals. Many people avoid having them in the home, but keeping dogs as pets has become increasingly popular, especially among the Iranian middle class. Hardliners in Iran see this as an imitation of Western culture. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Independent has previously reported on Irans ban of the use of the word wine, as well as the names of certain foreign animals and foreign presidents. The Islamic Republics Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance decided to censor the word and names to protect Iranians from a Western cultural onslaught. Zumba exercise classes have also effectively been banned because they contravene Islamic ideology. Dancing or performing rhythmic movements in any form is technically illegal in Iran. Eighteen-year-old gymnast Maedeh Hojabri was arrested last year after posting clips of herself performing dance routines on Instagram. A group of seven Iranian men and women who created a spoof video of Pharrell Williams song Happy were also handed suspended sentences of prison time and 91 lashes in 2014. The trucks arrived just as night fell, pulling into a gravel clearing by the side of the road. From the back of each vehicle peered the faces of dozens of women and children, covered in a thick layer of dust. They were tired, hungry, cold and afraid. The sound of engines dimmed and were replaced by a cacophony of babies crying. We were starving there, said Aisha Najjar, 55, from the darkness of a crowded truck bed. There were airstrikes and bombings all the time. We were trying to get out for two months. Sareb, a young mother who gave only her first name, bounced her screaming nine-month-old son on her lap to try to calm him, but to no avail. He wont stop crying. He needs water, she said. Hours earlier, these women had been among some of the last civilians still living in the Isis caliphate, which has been reduced to just two villages in the eastern Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor after months of fighting. Nidal Hamad, from the town of al-Qaim, in Iraq, with her granddaughter, who was injured when fighting forced them to flee to Syria (Richard Hall/The Independent) As the territory held by the group gets smaller by the day, civilians have been flooding out from the Isis enclave, each with a more horrifying story than the last. More than 20,000 have escaped over the past month, according to an official overseeing the process. Since December, they have been under almost constant bombardment and completely cut off, as a few hundred mostly foreign Isis fighters make their last stand against the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Hundreds of civilians have been reported killed in the offensive by airstrikes launched by the US-led coalition. Thousands of Syrians flee last Isis territory: Richard Hall meets families fleeing from the once mighty caliphate in its dying days But even when they have escaped the fighting they are still in danger. They are forced to walk days to reach a point safe enough for them to be picked up. They then face another two days travel in the back of a truck, with few chances to stop. More than 12 children have died making this journey, or shortly after, in the past month. The International Rescue Committee, which works in the camp where the fleeing civilians will eventually end up, said that number is increasing every day. Its a race against the clock to try and reach those most in need of urgent medical care, said Wendy Taeuber, the organisations Syria director. 'Its a race against the clock to try and reach those most in need of urgent medical care,' says Wendy Taeuber, the IRC's Syria director (Richard Hall/The Independent) (Photos by Richard Hall/The Independent) People are arriving in a desperate state, having spent the last four years living under the horrors of Isis, and now escaping the ongoing conflict, she added. The Independent witnessed the evacuation of around 500 women and children on Friday, along with roughly 100 men. The scene was repeated all over again the next day, on a larger scale. At another evacuation point in the desert near the border with Iraq, the trucks came six at a time, every 30 minutes or so. More than 1,300 women and children in total, and dozens of men. All of them had come from the last villages under Isis control. As they stepped off the trucks, the families were instructed to sit on the ground in lines so they could be checked. The wind whipped sand into their faces as they rested. There were airstrikes and bombings all the time. We were trying to get out for two months Aisha Najjar, 55 Every so often an SDF fighter would arrive with piles of bread on the back of a truck, only to be mobbed by a crowd of desperate mothers. Emaciated children wandered aimlessly in the chaos of the desert outpost, others collapsed on the ground where they could. We are very tired. I had to carry my children and all my stuff, said Noura Youssef, 21, originally from Raqqa. We tried to leave many times, but the fighting was so bad. Isis was preventing a lot of people from leaving. She described a hellish living situation behind the caliphate lines. There is water but it is very dirty and polluted. All of us have illnesses because of it. My son survived on just a little bit of sugar and flour each day, just enough to keep him alive. The scale of the exodus has caught officials off guard. Many had underestimated the number of civilians still living in the small area under Isis control. The SDF said thousands more could still be trapped. Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Show all 14 1 /14 Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Men who fled the last Isis-held area of Syria line up to be questioned by American and Kurdish intelligence officials Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A young girl pulls her belongings after arriving Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate An SDF fighter hands out bread to women and children after they arrive Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Sita Ghazzar, 70, after fleeing from the last Isis-held territory in Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A family from Russia who recently fled the last Isis-held area of Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Every day they are coming out, said Khaled Naameh, an official with the Deir ez-Zor civil council, an administrative body set up by the SDF. There is always more than we expect. Its unbelievable. The evacuations are complicated by the ongoing fighting, and the fact that Isis members have been trying to hide among civilians. Although the caliphate may be nearing its end, the SDF is already preparing for Isis to regroup and mount an insurgency campaign. The women and children are not above suspicion, either. Their next stop after this brief stopover is a detention camp, where they will be investigated for links to Isis. Thousands of relatives of suspected Isis members, including British citizens, are currently being held in camps by the SDF, and there is no agreement on what should be done with them. Most countries are unwilling to take back the so-called Isis families who came to Syria from abroad, leaving them living in limbo. An SDF fighter hands out bread to the newly arrived families (Richard Hall/The Independent) Among those interviewed by The Independent were women from Iraq, Kazakhstan and Dagestan. All of them denied being related to Isis members. Nidal Hamad said she came to Syria from her hometown of al-Qaim in Iraq to escape fighting when the Iraqi army came to recapture it from Isis. There were airstrikes all the time. Look what they did to my granddaughter, she said, pushing a young girl forward, some of whose fingers were missing. We were just trying to find safety. Hamad said she arrived in the town of Shaffa, which was under the control of Isis, and had been forced to flee again when the operation to liberate the last piece of Isis territory began in December. In the last few weeks they have been living the village of Baghouz. There was nothing. Nothing to eat, nothing to wash with. We just survived on vegetables. There were Syrians, too, who said the same. Zikia Imbrahim, 28, said she came from the town of Sureen, near the Turkish border, with her two children. We are civilians, we are not with Isis, she said. Everyone from my area joined Isis, so we were forced to leave with them when the fighting happened in Sureen. Officials doubt many of these stories. Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas We know there are Isis families among them, they didnt come here for tourism, said a Kurdish official involved with the process, who declined to be named. "But we dont worry about that now. We consider them civilians when we receive them, and we help them. Then the intelligence services investigate. The men, he added, are another issue. They are also fleeing in large numbers, and officials believe that most who still remain in the small amount of territory held by Isis are linked to the group. As a result, they are subject to a much more stringent investigation. While the women are asked cursory questions and sent to the camps, the men are separated, questioned extensively, and their names checked against a database. At the evacuation site near the Iraqi border, the men are lined up in front of a Kurdish anti-terror fighter to have their fingerprints checked. We know there are Isis families among them, they didnt come here for tourism Kurdish official I used to be a taxi driver, said Yasser Khamis, from Anbar province in Iraq, as he waited in line. When the Iraqi army came we were displaced to Syria. I have four children and one is very sick. Maher Hamad, from al-Qaim in Iraq, said he was a butcher. The US has indicated that they believe many senior Isis leaders could be among those trying to escape. Kurdish intelligence officials and American special forces watched over the process. At least seven men from a few dozen were separated from the rest for being suspected Isis members. The rest were sent to the camp with their families where they face further investigation. Many of the woman asked journalists about the whereabouts of their husbands and sons after they were separated. Do you think they will be arrested? enquired one. Most asked where they were being taken, and what happens to them now. Israels prime minister is set to host leaders from Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia in a key meeting of the Visegrad group, sparking outcry against the premier for courting Europes most right-wing politicians, many of whom have been accused of being antisemitic. It comes a year and half after Mr Netanyahu participated in one of the last summits of the four nations which took place in Budapest. Israel will host the next V4 group meeting from 18 February in Jerusalem, the first time it will take place outside of Europe. Mr Netanyahus opponents have voiced concerns over allegations leaders like Hungarys four-time prime minister Viktor Orban and Polands Mateusz Morawiecki have made antisemitic statements in the past. Many also see his wooing of these figures as part of plan to fight EU decisions on issues concerning the Palestinians and Iran. Yair Lapid, head of centrist party Yesh Atid and one of Netanyahus most boisterous opponents, said on Twitter that it was part of the embattled premiers drive to drum up support ahead of the impending Israeli elections, which will take place in April overshadowed by three potential graft cases against the Israeli leader. The summit set for February includes a prime minister who passed a law that humiliates the memory of Holocaust victims and a prime minister who publishes antisemitic materials, Mr Lapid wrote. He added that the summit shows that Israel has lost national pride and causes us damage in the international arena. The prime minister needs to get over his eagerness for photo opportunities ahead of the election and cancel the summit. The Visegrad Group or V4 was established in 1991 largely to help individual members in their drive to join the European Union after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today, the groups nationalist stances have increasingly placed it at odds with the rest of the EU, drawing the support of Mr Netanyahu who has repeatedly accused Brussels of being too pro-Palestinian. However, critics within Israel have slammed Netanyahu for strengthening ties with Mr Orban who has lavished praise on Miklos Horthy, Hungarys Second World War-era ruler, who introduced antisemitic laws and collaborated with the Nazis. Mr Orban, who was re-elected in April, also put Jewish-Hungarian philanthropist George Soros on an anti-immigration billboard campaign and appeared to evoke antisemitic language in denouncing the Budapest-born billionaire. Mr Morawiecki, meanwhile, has also been accused of making allegedly antisemitic remarks. In October, a secret recording from 2013, before he rose to power, emerged in which he was heard complaining to friends about greedy and rich Americans, Jews, Germans who run hedge funds. The Polish leader also ratified a controversial law last year which imposed jail sentences of up to three years for those who blamed Poland for crimes committed against Jews during the Second World War. Netanyahu during an inauguration ceremony of the Ramon International airport on 21 January (Reuters) It was later watered down after outcry from the US and Israel. Mr Netanyahu, who also holds the positions of foreign and defence minister, had already fueled criticism in September when he welcomed controversial Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who once compared himself to Hitler. Mr Duterte has faced widespread criticism for his deadly crackdown on the drugs trade back home which has left thousands dead, and for several foul-mouthed comments, including likening his war on drugs to the Holocaust. Mr Netanyahu is looking to shore up support abroad as he heads to snap elections he called after attempting to rule the country with a knife-edge one-seat majority in the Knesset, Israels parliament. His government nearly collapsed in November when key coalition partner and then defence minister Avigdor Liberman dropped out over Mr Netanyahus refusal to go to war with Gaza. Israeli attorney general Avichai Mandelblit during a swearing-in ceremony for the new head of Israels armed forces on 15 January (Getty) The embattled leader is also heading to the polls under the shadow of a possible trial: the countrys attorney general is expected to announce his decision to indict Mr Netanyahu in at least one of three corruption cases against him. According to leaks in Israeli media, Avichai Mandelblit is likely to in the coming days recommend Mr Netanyahu be sent to trial in case 4000 or Bezeq as it is known, named after a telecommunication company he supposedly awarded regulatory favours to. He may also face trial in the other two cases, in which police have argued that he received expensive gifts from wealthy friends, and in which he allegedly negotiated a deal with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper for better coverage The UK will give more than 30m to Iraq to rebuild hospitals, schools and power plants destroyed in the fight against the Isis, the Middle East minister has said, two days after urging the war-torn country to wean itself off an economic reliance on Iran. The aid package was announced by Alistair Burt during a four trip to Iraq, where the UK became the first donor to a newly-formed international fund to put the country back on its feet. The UK plans to allocate 16m to help rebuild neighbourhoods flattened during the battles against the global terror group, as well as 6.9m for the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure like factories and 10m for the countrys humanitarian response. Recommended Mike Pompeo makes unannounced stop in Iraq during Middle East tour Mr Burt said he hoped that the money would allow some of the 1.8 million people currently displaced in Iraq to return home and restart their lives. He added that it was part of his commitment to tackle the persecution of Christians across the globe. There is much to be celebrated about Iraqs progress since the territorial defeat of [Isis] in 2017. But there is more to be done to help Iraq develop the strong, stable future, decided on by all Iraqis, that its people deserve, the minister said from Baghdad, where he held talks with Iraqi president Barham Salih, the prime minister Adil Abdul Mahdi, and the foreign minister. He also met the prime minister of the Kurdistan regional government, Nechirvan Barzani, and the prime-minister designate, Masrour Barzani. I am proud that we will be the first donor to the Iraq Reform and Reconstruction Fund. UK aid will provide vital support to the people of Iraq as they rebuild their lives, their businesses and their economic independence, he added. The Department for International Development (DFID) said the funds will also be used to unlock Iraqs economic potential, make it more business-friendly, generate jobs and boost the potential for enhanced future trade with the UK and other countries. It added that since 2014, UK aid in Iraq provided 4.1 million people with healthcare, 2 million people with safe water and sanitation, over 800,000 people with shelter and nearly half a million people with food. The move comes just two days after Mr Burt urged the Iraqi authorities to wean itself off economic reliance on Iran and become more energy self-sufficient. Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq Show all 6 1 /6 Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq Oil spills in Qayyarah, northern Iraq Wim Zwijnenburg/PAX Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq Plumes of black smoke from burning oil wells hung over Qayyarah for several months Wim Zwijnenburg/PAX Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq The burning of oil wells and oil spills have caused long term damage to the environment in Iraq Wim Zwijnenburg/PAX Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq Experts still do not know the extent of the damage from Isis's burning of oil wells and polluting of rivers Wim Zwijnenburg/PAX Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq Soil and water pollution is high in northern Iraq and impacting agriculture Wim Zwijnenburg/PAX Isiss scorched earth tactics damaged northern Iraq There are fears if environmental damage is not taken seriously agriculture in northern Iraq could be destroyed Wim Zwijnenburg/PAX Iranian officials travelled to Baghdad earlier this month to push for expanded trade and energy ties with Iraq, including keeping natural gas flowing there where it accounts for 40 per cent of the countrys electricity needs. In November Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said that economic relations between the two countries reached about $12 billion in 2018, but that Tehran hopes that will almost double this year. The UK and other US allies worry that US president Donald Trumps surprise announcement that he will pull US troops out of Syria will only embolden Iran in the region, and in particular Iraq. Over recent years Tehran influence has grown in Syria, where its forces are fighting alongside Syrian regime troops and in Iraq where many powerful paramilitary groups are deemed to be loyal to Tehran. Washington has previously pressured Iraq to halt imports of Iranian gas and hopes to counter Iranian influence through renewed sanctions. An Iraqi pushes his cart past a building once used by Isis to throw men accused of being gay to their deaths (AFP/Getty) (ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP/Getty Images) Mr Burt echoed those warnings, telling Reuters that Iraq must convert oil resources to become more self-sufficient. To expect Iran to have no influence in Iraq is fanciful, he said from the British Embassy in the Iraqi capital. What is important is that Iraq finds the opportunity to follow its own future in terms of foreign relations and that its economy is strong and isnt reliant on Iran. The sooner all its oil wealth can come on stream and can capture all the energy that is sometimes not used as effectively as possible ... The better, he added. To expect Iran to have no influence in Iraq is fanciful Alistair Burt, Middle East Minister Iraqs oil export capacity is nearly 5 million barrels per day, but it is pumping below capacity in line with an Opec agreement to stabilise prices. Washington hopes it can reduce its gas flaring to satisfy domestic energy needs and rely less on Iranian power imports. On Sunday Mr Burt said there were ideas for more power projects in Iraq. Tuesdays statement said the UK government had allocated millions to help re-build or rehabilitate power plants. A senior United Nations (UN) judge has stepped down from one of The Hague's international courts, while criticising shocking political interference by the Trump administration and Turkey. Christoph Flugge resigned earlier this month from his position on a court dealing with war crimes in the former Yugoslavia, citing a Turkish colleagues removal from the bench after he was detained by Ankara. The German judge told newspaper Die Welt Turkeys government had made baseless allegations against judge Aydn Sefa Akay, who was arrested over what authorities said were links to Fethullah Gulen, an exiled cleric considered an enemy by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After Turkey asserted its veto over Mr Akays position at The Hague, the UN secretary general acquiesced with the flimsy justification and removed the judge last year, despite protests by his colleagues, Mr Flugge said. The UN general assembly later voted through a new judge proposed by Ankara, which rewarded Turkey for its political manoeuvre, he added. Mr Flugge said the case would allow other countries to influence the courts. Every single violation of judicial independence is one too many, he said. Now there is this case, and everyone in the future can invoke it. Anyone can say: You have allowed Turkey to prevail. This is an original sin. It cant be repaired. Mr Flugge cited a speech by Donald Trumps national security adviser John Bolton, in which he said the International Criminal Court (ICC) was dead to us, as highlighting the new threat. 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 In the September speech, Mr Bolton threatened ICC officials and prosecutors with sanctions and legal action to the extent permissible under US law and said those individuals could be barred from entering the country. He also labelled a proposed investigation into alleged detainee abuse by US troops in Afghanistan utterly unfounded. The American threats against international judges clearly show the new political climate, Mr Flugge said. It is shocking. I had never heard such a threat before. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events He added: The judges I know are all stunned that the US is using such guns. This corresponds to the new American line: We are number one. And we are above the law. The UN Secretariat has been contacted for comment. Bribery and other acts of corruption made under exceptional circumstances could be decriminalised, Russias Justice Ministry has suggested. Anti-corruption plans signed by Russias president, Vladimir Putin last June called for legislation to allow officials to escape prosecution for corruption under force majeure, or exceptional, circumstances. The Justice Ministry has now drafted amendments to exempt officials from punishment when corruption is unavoidable, The Moscow Times reported/ In certain circumstances, complying with restrictions and bans... to prevent or settle conflicts of interests is impossible for objective reasons, the draft bill says. Complying with anti-corruption regulations could be impossible due to objective reasons in single-industry or closed cities, the Far North or other remote and sparsely populated places, the Justice Ministry told the state-run TASS news agency. 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 Such exceptional circumstances could also include long-term serious illness, the ministry said. Russia is among the most corrupt countries in the world, ranked 138 out of 180 countries in Transparency Internationals annual corruption index. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ilya Shumanov, deputy head of Transparency International Russia, told business daily Vedomosti that the amendments would provide loopholes for officials to avoid responsibility. Theres not a single rational explanation for the use of exceptional circumstances when an official couldnt declare a conflict of interest, Ms Shumanov said. Two elderly women have died during a stampede for free food coupons in Malaysia. According to local reports, the women collapsed after more than 1,000 people arrived at an indoor market in Kuala Lumpur hoping to win one of 200 vouchers for a buffet meal. Law Ion Nang, 78, and Ah Poh, 85, are believed to have suffered difficulty breathing while waiting at an event in the Pudu district of the Malaysian capital. Attempts by paramedics to resuscitate the women failed and they died at the scene, police said. A security guard told news outlet The Star that although only four people were allowed to go into the office at a time to register for the coupons, customers refused to comply and the scene descended into chaos. 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 "Those who were queuing ignored the directive and they began pushing each other, he said. A management official at the complex said a total of four people collapsed during the rush to get the vouchers. Officials have now launched an investigation. Shaharuddin Abdullah, police chief assistant commissioner, said the bodies of both victims were found on the floor. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events We will investigate the cause of death and also whether the organisers had put in place sufficient safety measures, he told AFP. The coupons were being given out to pensioners to mark Chinese New Year, which starts on 2 February. Envelopes containing deadly potassium cyanide bearing the names of executed members of a notorious death cult have been sent to more than a dozen Japanese companies. The packages, filled with white powder and threatening letters, targeted pharmaceutical and food companies as well as the headquarters of a newspaper across the cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. The letters were likely posted in Tokyo and listed their senders as executed members of doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo, police told local media. Asahi Shimbun, the newspaper that received one of the packages at its Tokyo office, said the letter threatened to spread the toxic substance as fake medicine unless a ransom was paid in cryptocurrency. Drugs laced with potassium cyanide will be distributed. Send bitcoins worth 35 million [South Korean] won (23,800) by 22 February. 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 Investigators in Tokyo believe the perpetrator is likely the same individual who sent similar packages to several pharmaceutical companies and the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper last week. Police are also looking into whether the latest parcels are linked to a series of threatening letters posted to Japanese corporations last year. Aum Shinrikyo was a death cult formed by mystic Shoko Asahara, which orchestrated the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway that killed 12 people and seriously injured more than 50 others. The group, which was designated a terror organisation by a number of countries, has since split into two factions, with one, Aleph, still monitored by the government. During 2018, 13 Aum Shinrikyo members, including Asahara, were executed by Japan over their roles in the subway attack more than two decades prior. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events However, the decision to carry out the death penalty has seen backlash from those sympathetic to the group. One man, Kazuhiro Kusakabe, drove a car down a crowded Toyko street in the early hours of New Years Day, injuring nine people, in what he claimed was a direct act of retaliation over the executions. Indias main opposition Congress party has offered to roll out a means-tested universal basic income if it wins the countrys fast-approaching general election. Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi described the scheme as the first of its kind in the world. We have decided that every poor person in India would be guaranteed a minimum income after the Congress forms the government in 2019, he said, addressing a farmers rally in the central state of Chhattisgarh. No one will go hungry in India, no one will remain poor, he said. The announcement was light on details, but Mr Gandhi referred to the scheme as a minimum income guarantee for every poor person, and that the poor will get a minimum income directly into their bank. Congresss announcement came on Monday, days before Narendra Modis ruing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set to issue its last fiscal budget before a national election that must take place by the end of May. The BJP is itself heavily predicted to issue a string of expensive, populist policies aimed at winning votes. They are expected to include relief measures for farmers, whose mass protests badly dented Mr Modis air of invincibility before a set of poor state election results late last year. Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Show all 20 1 /20 Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Best photos from India's Republic Day parade "Daredevils" motorcycle riders from Indian Army's Corps of Signals regiment take part in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi Reuters Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Indian school children perform during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi AFP/Getty Best photos from India's Republic Day parade India celebrated its 70th Republic Day AFP/Getty Best photos from India's Republic Day parade A tableau of the Indian of Delhi is displayed at the Rajpath EPA Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Indian Paramilitary soldiers march past Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard AP Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AP Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AFP/Getty Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Reuters Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AFP/Getty Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Reuters Best photos from India's Republic Day parade EPA Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AFP/Getty Best photos from India's Republic Day parade "Daredevils" motorcycle riders from Indian Army's Corps of Signals regiment take part in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi Reuters Best photos from India's Republic Day parade EPA Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AFP Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Reuters Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AFP/Getty Best photos from India's Republic Day parade Reuters Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AFP/Getty Best photos from India's Republic Day parade AP There have been rumours that the BJP may even have been considering its own scheme for a form of universal basic income. Nonetheless, the ruling party was quick to dismiss Congresss announcement as unrealistic. Where will the money come from? Hes promising the moon to fool the people, said Gopal Krishna Agarwal, a party spokesperson. The president of the third-largest party, Mayawati Prabhu Das, most commonly referred to as Mayawati, urged voters not to believe the sweeping promises of either major party. She compared Mr Gandhis announcement to that of Mr Modi before he swept to victory in 2014, when he promised to deliver Rs 1.5m (16,000) into the bank account of every citizen by clawing back black money held in foreign bank accounts. BJP officials have since argued that this was done indirectly through policies to boost the economy and create jobs, though Mr Modis efforts to clamp down on the black economy have provided little to no return. Is this [Congresss] promise another cruel joke? Mayawati asked, saying people wanted a party that worked rather than making tall claims and promises. A government economic adviser, quoted anonymously by Reuters, admitted Mr Gandhis promise showed an element of competitive populism among politicians. Economists are concerned that whoever wins in the spring, India may breach goals to rein in its fiscal deficit. Former Congress finance minister P Chidambaram insisted the party could find the resources to implement the promise. The poor of India have the first charge on the resources of the country, he said. Congress said it could divert funds from an expensive programme of subsidies which, it argued, failed to reach the right people. Indias 2018-19 food subsidy bill alone was estimated at 1.7 trillion rupees, roughly 7 per cent of total federal spending. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The idea of providing a universal basic income is gaining traction in smaller, wealthier countries such as Finland and France. But while India has had rapid economic growth, it is still home to one in three of the worlds extreme poor. Luke Martinelli, research associate at the Institute for Policy Research at Bath University, told Reuters the Congress move was significant, although not quite offering universal coverage. A means tested guaranteed income for the poorest is very different from a universal basic income per se, he said. Having said that, obviously, in terms of income security there are some significant overlaps and this will be treated with enthusiasm, Im sure, by the basic income community. Additional reporting by agencies To watch is to keep wanting some of these characters to jump off the turntables, grab the moment by the gut and really let loose, but, even though actors like Aldridge and Smith would be able to do that, the show seems to keep pulling them back into small scenes of self-expression. The show uses microphones and, at times, it has the style of a podcast being recorded in a really beautiful environment, given the romantic hue of Todd Rosenthals design, which tends to smooth away the rough edges in these characters lives and make it feel like everyone is living on the set of some classy, indie movie all about books or colleges. But I dont think that is entirely what Anderson had in mind. Right now, its a hybrid, a very beguiling and articulate one. Still. Some hard decisions have yet to be made about which way the work should go. Foreign journalists in China say they are working under the most difficult conditions they have experienced for years, having been followed, harassed and denied accommodation by authorities. One such instance saw a reporters phone call with her young son interrupted by authorities. Beijing also ramped up threats to expel reporters by issuing short-term visas or declining to renew credentials, the Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) found in a survey of its members. Reporters now also fear for the safety of their Chinese colleagues and sources, the survey showed, with one bureau chief calling conditions by far the worst Ive seen working as a journalist in China or Hong Kong since 2000. The government has become more sophisticated in its use of surveillance, FCCC president Hanna Sahlberg said, as the wider monitoring and pressure on sources stop journalists even before they can reach the news site. 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 More than 100 journalists responded to the survey which revealed that interference was particularly rife in Chinas Xinjiang region, where hundreds of thousands of Muslims have been detained in re-education camps. Nearly half of respondents to the FCCCs survey (48 per cent) said they had been followed, and two-thirds said they were concerned about surveillance inside their homes and offices. More than half (55 per cent) agreed things were getting worse. Almost one-quarter (25 per cent) said they were aware authorities had tracked them using Chinas extensive public surveillance apparatus, which has been massively expanded under Xi Jinpings premiership. In one example, BBC journalist Kathy Long said a phone conversation with her young son was cut off and a recording of the call played back down the line to her, which she described as highly distressing. Another reporter said that in my phone I have actually seen them in my Gmail opening and closing files. And low-tech surveillance still has its place, with a US journalist telling the FCCC their hotel rooms [were] repeatedly entered for cleaning despite do-not-disturb signs and requests to [the] manager while covering government events. Interference by officials sometimes descends into farce, the report shows. One western journalist said they had been detained and told the weather was too windy to continue on a highway that hundreds of other vehicles continued to drive on in Xinjiang. Recommended China authorities allegedly use taped confessions to suppress students And a journalist from the Agence France-Presse news agency was stopped from completing a report on a pig that became a national icon after surviving the deadly Sichuan earthquake in 2008. Plainsclothes police officers broke up a related interview and demanded to know his plans for covering the anniversary, the FCCC said. Tailing, harassment and grilling of interviewees or simple denial of access take place even in parts of China where travel is not officially restricted, the FCCC report said. A dramatic change in the last five years has left foreign reporters sometimes unwilling even to make contact with domestic sources for fear their contacts will be arrested, according to Tom Mitchell, the Financial Timess Beijing bureau chief. Chinas ministry of foreign affairs has been contacted for comment. A cleaning employee trapped inside an elevator in New York City over the weekend has been sent to the hospital after being discovered on Monday morning. The owners of the apartment called authorities immediately after arriving to the building after a weekend away and learning of the faulty elevator, officials said. The apartment is owned by billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens and his wife, the New York Times reported. Witnesses who saw the woman being carried out on a stretcher on Monday described the cleaning employee as appearing calm and conscious. A fire department spokesperson said she was taken to the hospital in good condition. Firefighters arrived to the Upper East Side apartment complex shortly after 10.am on Monday morning, where witnesses said they were forced to pry open the doors to the elevator. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The elevator in the five-story building was shutdown after firefighters worked to rescue the woman, who had reportedly been trapped since Friday night. It wasnt clear if she endured any injuries throughout the ordeal. Mr Stephens is one of the richest people in the country with a reported net worth of nearly $2.7bn and a ranking of 302 on the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. Recommended Lift carrying passengers plunges more than 80 floors as rope snaps The womans identity was not released, though she is reported to be 53-years-old. The New York Police Department did not immediately respond to enquiries. She reportedly found herself stuck on Friday night between the second and third floors of the building. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Authorities said she did not have a phone on her at the time of the incident and was unable to contact anyone for help throughout the weekend. The New York City Department of Buildings is investigating the issues behind the faulty elevator. Life-threatening temperatures across the United States and a polar vortex in the Midwest is set to impact nearly 110 million Americans this week. The extreme cold and record-breaking temperatures are blasting a swathe of states spanning from North Dakota to Missouri and into Ohio after a powerful snowstorm pounded the region earlier this week. The unusually frigid weather is attributed to a sudden warming far above the North Pole. A blast of warm air from misplaced Moroccan heat last month made the normally super chilly air temperatures above the region rapidly increase. That split the polar vortex into pieces, which then started to wander, said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research. One of those polar vortex pieces is responsible for the subzero temperatures across the Midwest this week. Cold weather advisories are in effect across a broad swath of the central US, from North Dakota to Missouri and spanning into Ohio. Temperatures will be as many as 20 degrees below average in parts of the Upper Great Lakes region and Upper Mississippi Valley, according to the National Weather Service. Youre talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Centre. 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 Meanwhile, homeless shelters across the country are preparing for the onslaught of cold. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said city agencies are making sure homeless people are in shelters or offered space in warming buses. He also urged residents to check on their neighbors and take safety precautions. More than a thousand flights had been cancelled across the city's major airports by Tuesday afternoon, including 300 in Atlanta. In Minneapolis, charitable groups that operate warming places and shelters were expanding hours and capacity as they do whenever dangerous extreme temperature events occur, said Hennepin County Emergency Management Director Eric Waage. He said ambulance crews were handling all outside response incidents as being potentially life-threatening. The Milwaukee Rescue Missions call volume was unusually high, but officials said there should still be enough beds for those who need them. The potentially record-breaking low temperature forecast in Milwaukee is negative 28 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 33 degrees Celsius), with a wind chill as low as negative 50 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 45 degrees Celsius). The current record of minus 26 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 32 degrees Celsius) was set in 1996. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Subzero temperatures hit some states Tuesday, but Wednesday is expected to be the worst. Wind chills in northern Illinois could fall to negative 55 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 48 degrees Celsius), which the National Weather Service called possibly life threatening. Additional reporting by AP John Bolton, the US national security adviser, has courted controversy by flashing a note reading 5,000 troops to Colombia during an announcement of fresh sanctions on Venezuela. The hawkish former UN ambassador held his notepad in such a way that the handwritten line was clearly visible, but did not mention plans to deploy US forces to the neighbouring country during his news conference on Monday. Mr Bolton announced sanctions on Venezuelas state-owned oil company, PDVSA, designed to ratchet up pressure on embattled president Nicolas Maduro amid an ongoing crisis in the Latin American nation. Donald Trump was the first to recognise national assembly leader Juan Guaido as interim president following his assertion of legitimacy last week. The UK and a string of other countries followed suit in backing the 35-year-old. Sanctions to block $7bn (5.3m) in PDVSAs assets and $11bn (8.4bn) in exports will mean Mr Maduro can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people, Mr Bolton said during the briefing. 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 Pentagon has not announced any plans to send US troops to Colombia. When asked to explain the words in Mr Boltons notepad, the White House said that as the president has said, all options are on the table. Colombia said it could not explain the provocative note. Foreign minister Carlos Holmes said he did not know the importance and reason for Mr Bolton flashing it and added that Colombia planned to continue acting politically and diplomatically in relation to its neighbour. Bogota has recognised Mr Guaidos claim to the presidency. Recommended How Venezuela was brought to the brink of collapse Mr Maduro described the fresh sanctions as criminal and accused the US of robbing Venezuelans of oil wealth that was rightfully theirs. He told Mr Trump during a televised address to take his hands off Venezuela. "We will provide the reciprocal and convincing response needed to defend Venezuela's interests in due time," he added, pledging to defend Citgo, PDVSA's US refining subsidiary, which he accused Washington of trying to steal. Falling oil revenue as a result of the restrictions may hamper Caracas' ability to import basic goods like food and medicine, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the country. Additional reporting by agencies A Florida teacher and two aides have been arrested for allegedly abusing two autistic children by locking them in a dark bathroom or blowing loud a whistle in their ear as punishment. An aide at the Silver Sands, a school for the children with disabilities, was so horrified by the abuse teacher Margaret Wolthers and aides Diana LaCroix and Carolyn Madison used as punishment towards the autistic children that she reported the incidents to the school police officer. Her report prompted an investigation. The victims are eight-years-old and 10-years-old. Okaloosa Sheriff Larry Ashley told the Daily Beast that while police only recently heard of the abuse in September, it had been going on for some time. The investigators are looking to see if there are other victims. If the students were getting out of hand, Mr Ashley said either Ms Wolthers or the aides could have contacted the principle, the school resource officer or the parents. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty However, despite state laws specifically outlawing seclusion, Ms Wolthers and the aides put a misbehaving child alone in the bathroom on at least three different occasions. One of the three women arrested is the wife of the sheriffs deputy. Recommended Teacher charged with assault for dragging autistic boy in school Classroom aides who witnessed the incidents say the victims would scream and cry when placed in the bathroom, and that one was contained for up to 90 minutes, Mr Ashley said. Among the children victimised by the educators was a student extremely sensitive to sound and wore headphones to protect him from loud noises. As punishment, Ms Wolthers and the aides would allegedly intentionally and maliciously blow a whistle directly in his ear while pinning his arms down. In other incidents, they would allegedly use a whistle to threaten him into obedience. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Silver Sands superintendent Marcus Chambers told the Daily Beast the staffers, who have worked at the school for years, were placed on administrative duty during the investigation. Following their arrest and charges, Ms Wolthers and her aides are suspended with pay pending on the outcome of the criminal case. Mr Chambers added that the district is working to improve their training on how to handle misbehaving children and mandatory reporting of abuse. The superintendent said staffers received training, but the arrests made it evident that we need to do even better. Americas top intelligence official says that Russia and other foreign powers will likely attempt to exploit the 2020 presidential elections in a continuance of efforts that US intelligence officials have warned of for years. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats warned Congress of that danger during testimony on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, where he and other intelligence chiefs discussed the annual Worldwide Threat Assessment report. In addition to the elections interference concerns, the report also raised concerns that contradicted Donald Trump on a variety of foreign policy issues including Iran, North Korea, and Syria. We assess that foreign actors will view the 2020 US elections as an opportunity to advance their interests, Mr Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee. We expect them to refine their capabilities and add new tactics as they learn from each other's experiences and efforts." The statement is consistent with warnings that have come from the intelligence community for years now, and especially in the aftermath of the 2016 election when Russia sought to influence the election in a variety of ways. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Coats, during his congressional testimony, contradicted Mr Trump on several foreign policy fronts. North Korea, he said, is unlikely to give up all of it nuclear weapons stockpiles, just before Mr Trump is set to hold a second summit with the country to negotiate that very goal. We currently assess North Korea will seek to retain its [weapons of mass destruction] capability and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capability, Mr Coats said. Recommended Trump confidant Roger Stone pleads not guilty to federal charges Iran, meanwhile, is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activity, even though Mr Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement citing ongoing weapons testing as justification. And, Mr Coats and the intelligence report also challenged the presidents declaration that the Isis had been defeated. Mr Trump said the US and its allies had beaten the terror group in justifying his decision to pull US troops from Syria. ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, the Worldwide Threat Assessment report said. The United States has dropped out of the top 20 list of cleanest countries, according to an annual survey that ranks countries based on corruption. The US saw its ranking on the closely watched annual survey drop as a result of threats to its constitutional system of checks and balances. Overall, the US dropped to a score of 71, from 75 in 2017. The ranking means that the US dropped out of the top 20 nations on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for the first time since 2011. A four point drop in the CPI score is a red flag and comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balance, as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power, the organisation, which is based in Berlin, said in a statement. If this trend continues, it would indicate a serious corruption problem in a country that has taken a lead on the issue globally this is a bipartisan issue that requires a bipartisan solution, the statement said. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The watchdog group ranks countries on a scale of zero to 100, with the higher number indicating a very clean government. All told, more than two-thirds of the countries in the survey scored below 50 points. A cross-analysis of the survey data with global democracy data found a correlation between perceived strong and transparent democracies, and their corruption rankings. Full democracies in global democracy data, for instance, scored an average of 75 on the CPI. Flawed democracies averaged 49. Autocratic regimes, meanwhile, averaged 30 points. The report cited Freedom Houses annual democracy survey, and said that Turkey was downgraded from partly free to not free. Hungary dropped to its lowest score since 1989. The ratings reflect the deterioration of rule of law and democratic institutions, as well as a rapidly shrinking space for civil society and independent media, Freedom House said in a statement. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Our research makes a clear link between having a healthy democracy and successfully fighting public sector corruption, Delia Ferreira Rubio, the head of transparency for the organization, said. Corruption is much more likely to flourish where democratic foundations are weak and, as we have seen in many countries, where undemocratic and populist politicians can use it to their advantage. Denmark led the survey as the least corrupt nation, with a score of 88. New Zealand, Finalnd, Singapore, Sweden, and Switzerland followed close behind. The others at the top of the list were Norway, Netherlands, Canada, Luxembourg, Germany, and Great Britain. Somalia was the most corrupt with 10 points, followed by Syria, Sout Sudan, Yemen, North Korea, Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Afghanistan, and Libya. The Associated Press contributed to this report Men are twice as likely as women to approve of Donald Trumps job performance, a new poll has indicated. A survey by ABC News and The Washington Post found there was a vast gap in how men and women viewed the US president. The survey found a new low of 27 per cent of women approve of Mr Trumps job performance, in comparison to 49 per cent of men. While some 41 per cent of men replied in the affirmative when asked whether Mr Trump understands your problems, just 27 per cent of women did the same. The survey of 1,001 US adults, which was carried out in the final days of the longest government shutdown in history, found 48 per cent of men think the billionaire Republican leader is good at making political deals while just 25 per cent of women agree. Men were also almost twice as likely to characterise Mr Trump as honest and trustworthy with 46 per cent of men saying he was, compared to just 26 per cent of female participants. Womens March bread and roses rally in London Show all 70 1 /70 Womens March bread and roses rally in London Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London A protester with a banner chants slogans as she takes part in the Women's March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity in London Reuters Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Reuters Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London A girl holds a rose as protesters take part in the Women's March calling for equality, justice and an end to austerity Reuters Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Reuters Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent Womens March bread and roses rally in London Reuters Womens March bread and roses rally in London A woman dressed as suffragette gestures Reuters Womens March bread and roses rally in London Reuters Some 43 per cent of men have confidence in Mr Trump to make the right decisions for the countrys future, in stark contrast to just 28 per cent of women. In fact, 57 per cent of women have no confidence in him at all, compared with 39 per cent of men. Mr Trump who has a record of making demeaning comments about women has drawn fierce criticism from womens rights organisations across the world. Women in about 30 countries assembled earlier this month to protest against female oppression on the second anniversary of the first Womens March. The inaugural demonstration saw 6 million people across the world unite in anger over the election of Mr Trump. Some protesters wore cat-eared pink pussy hats as a sartorial rebuke of Mr Trumps notorious leaked comments about grabbing women by the genitals. The recent poll found the gender gap is also vast for the most basic measure of personal popularity with 42 per cent of men but only 24 per cent of women seeing Mr Trump favourably as a person. Instead, 55 per cent of women see him strongly unfavourably in comparison to 35 per cent of men. The poll also found significant gender divisions exist even within the parties themselves. Among Democratic men 21 per cent see Mr Trump favourably as a person. Among Democratic women, it is just 5 per cent. Exactly the same gap also exists between independent men and women. Recommended Thousands march in London against austerity and violence against women The assessment of Mr Trump, which measures his public standing across 10 key issues and character traits, comes as his overall job-approval rating languishes at 37 per cent. As the president begins the second half of his first term, nearly six in 10 say they have an unfavourable view of the president as a person. The FBI has ended its investigation into the deadly Las Vegas shooting after finding no motive to explain why a shooter opened fire on a country music festival from a hotel room overlooking the concert grounds. The end of the investigation comes nearly 16 months after gunman Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured some 900 others in October of 2017. Paddock then took his own life from inside a hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort. Aaron Rouse, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Las Vegas Office, said that Paddock had acted alone both in planning and carrying out the assault. Why he did so, however, remains a mystery to investigators. Las Vegas shooting in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Las Vegas shooting in pictures Las Vegas shooting in pictures People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gun fire was heard Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures People carry a person at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after shots were fired David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gun fire was heard David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures A handout photo released via Twitter by Eiki Hrafnsson (@EirikurH) showing concertgoers running away from the scene (C) after shots range out at the Route 91 Harvest festival on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA/Eiki Hrafnsson Las Vegas shooting in pictures People lie on the ground at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after hearing gun fire Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures A man in a wheelchair is taken away from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after hearing gun fire David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures People stand on the street outside the Mandalay Bay hotel near the scene of the Route 91 Harvest festival on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA/Paul Buck Las Vegas shooting in pictures FBI agents confer in front of the Tropicana hotel-casino after a mass shooting during a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting in pictures Las Vegas police run by a banner on the fence at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after shots were fired David Becker/Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures An injured person is tended to in the intersection of Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Boulevard after a mass shooting at a country music festival Ethan Miller/Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures Metro Police officers pass by the front of the Tropicana hotel-casino after a mass shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting in pictures A woman sits on a curb at the scene of a shooting outside of a music festival along the Las Vegas Strip AP/John Locher Las Vegas shooting in pictures A cowboy hat lays in the street after shots were fired near a country music festival in Las Vegas Getty Las Vegas shooting in pictures Las Vegas Metro Police and medical workers stage in the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard South after a mass shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus Las Vegas shooting in pictures Sheriff Joe Lombardo (2-R) speaking during a press briefing in the aftermath of the active shooter incident on Las Vegas Boulevard EPA The end of the FBI investigation follows after the Las Vegas Police Department ended its own probe in August. That department also failed to determine a motive in the case. Paddock used 23 rifles and a revolver in his attack, and photos from inside the hotel suite where he launched the deadly attack showed something of a small arsenal left behind in the suite. Another 18 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition were later found inside the gunmans home in Mesquite, Nevada. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events An anonymous donor recently offered to donate $62,300 the value of those weapons in order to have the guns destroyed. The money would go towards financial relief for the families. That donation came from a California source, and The New York Times, which originally reported on the donation, was told by the donor: It was tugging at my heartstrings and it seemed like a horrific situation for the families to deal with this choice. I wanted to alleviate some of the pain or at least not allow it to get worse. Prosecutors questioned the details surrounding a legal defence fund established for the members of the alleged sex cult NXIVM by one of their fellow defendants in the ongoing case; a high-ranking member of the group and the heiress to a massive liquor empire. The defendants were arrested last year and accused of having helped run a criminal enterprise for self-help guru Keith Raniere, who has been charged with sex trafficking. They were ordered back to the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse to address issues Judge Nicholas Garaufis said he found when reviewing the irrevocable trust established by Clare Bronfman, heiress of the Seagrams liquor empire and one of the defendants in the case, who is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit identity theft. The prosecutors questioned whether the trust, which provides legal defence funds to each of the six defendants, allowed Bronfman to have influence over the other members of NXIVM. Federal prosecutors charged Bronfman, a high-ranking member of NXIVM, with racketeering conspiracy in an indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court. NXIVM president Nancy Salzman, her daughter Lauren Salzman and member Kathy Russell were also charged. 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 Raniere was accused in March of running a secret society within NXIVM, known as DOS or the sorority, in which women were branded with his initials, blackmailed and coerced into having sex with him. Actress Allison Mack, best known for her role in WB Televisions Smallville series, was charged with helping Raniere recruit women. Mack, along with Raniere and Bronfman, pleaded not guilty. The three have a trial slated for April. On Monday, the judge said the group had already used nearly 75 per cent of the funds available in the trust. It was not immediately clear whether the judge would permit Bronfman to continue contributing funds or if the trust would be allowed to remain available for each of the defendants. Prosecutors have said the NXIVM organization ran a series of pyramid-structured schemes, including expensive courses. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events As for the sorority, the prosecutors alleged that upon joining members were required to provide so-called collateral that could be used against them if they tried to leave, including compromising information about family and friends, nude photographs and rights to their assets. Reuters contributed to this report Chef Michael Shrader also had the neighborhood in mind when he launched Monnie Burke's (1163 W. 18th St.) Tuesday burger special. "We started to do (the special) because we wanted some promotional ideas on slower nights," says Shrader. Initially, the restaurant just offered a discounted burger, before deciding to add on the shot and a beer. It's a drink combination he sees as especially popular in Chicago. "I'm a native of California," says Shrader. "I've been to plenty of bars in California, and they don't do beers and shots like they do here in Chicago." Instead of whiskey, Shrader serves a shot of tequila. Public health officials have warned they are struggling to contain a measles outbreak in the US northwest because parents are refusing to vaccinate their children. At least 35 people have been diagnosed with the virus in the areas of Oregon and Washington surrounding Portland since 1 January, with 11 more cases suspected. Most of the patients are children under the age of 10. One child has been hospitalised. Health officials have warned efforts to stem the virus are being hindered by the lower-than-normal vaccination rate in the area at the epicentre of the outbreak. Clark County in Washington state has a vaccination rate of just 78 per cent, well below the level needed to protect those with weak immune systems or the very young. 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 Dr Alan Melnick, the countys public health director, said the problem is in part due to misinformation circulating on social media claiming vaccinations can cause children to develop disorders such as autism. What keeps me up at night is eventually having a child die from this completely preventable situation, he said. It's still out there, even though it's been debunked, that the measles vaccine results in autism. That's nonsense. Doctors have confirmed 31 of the confirmed patients have not been vaccinated against measles. The vaccination status of four others who were infected is unknown. Before vaccination, 400 to 500 people in the US died of measles each year, 50,000 were hospitalised and 4,000 developed brain swelling that can lead to deafness as a result of the disease. The measles vaccine has been part of routine innoculations for American children for decades and the disease was declared eliminated in the country in 2000. However, measles is still prevalent in areas of Africa and Asia and those infected abroad can bring the virus back and spread it. Around 350 cases were identified in the US last year. Officials are still not sure where the latest US outbreak began, although it has been speculated patients may have been exposed to the disease in the Portland area. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The number of parents refusing to have their children vaccinated in the US remains small, although research shows the anti-vaxxer movement is growing. A government study found the number of children under two years old who have not received any vaccinations has quadrupled since 2001, up from 0.3 per cent to 1.3 per cent. Researchers have identified communities across the US where the risk of infection from preventable childhood diseases is higher because parents are refusing to immunise their children. Additional reporting by AP Criminal charges have been unsealed against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and one of its senior executives by the US Justice Department. They are accused of misleading banks about the companys business and violating US sanctions. The company has also been charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, federal prosecutors said. They are seeking to extradite the companys chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou who was arrested in Canada last month. She is alleged to have committed fraud by misleading banks about Huaweis business dealings in Iran. The criminal charges in Brooklyn and Seattle come as trade talks between China and the US are scheduled for this week. As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August we need more law enforcement cooperation with China, acting attorney general Matt Whitaker told a news conference he attended with other cabinet officials, including commerce secretary Wilbur Ross and homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies and China should take action. 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 American prosecutors charge that Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions. Huawei had done business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and alleged that Ms Meng misled US banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. The announcement included a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. As you can tell from the number and magnitude of the charges, Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect US law and standard international business practices, said FBI Director Chris Wray. A Huawei spokesman did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment. Huawei is the worlds biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. Prosecutors also alleged that Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device that T-Mobile used to test smartphones, prosecutors said. A jury in Seattle ruled that Huawei had misappropriated the robotic technology from T-Mobiles lab in Washington state. The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the US and Canada. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events US president Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China He said in December that he would intervene if I thought it was necessary. Associated Press contributed to this report Five police officers were shot as they attempted to serve a warrant, according to officials in the Texan city of Houston said. Their conditions were not immediately disclosed. As they were serving a warrant, gunfire erupted when they were at the door of the property, police chief Art Acevedo told a news conference. Two were critically injured when they were hit in the neck, he said. Two suspects were hit by return gunfire, he added. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Additional information about the suspects was not immediately available. The officers were taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.. The narcotics division's commander Paul Follis told The Houston Chronicle newspaper that said the officers conditions ranged from "pretty good, to really bad." "They're all hanging on," he said, adding one was headed into surgery. 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 Chief Avecedo added the two hit in the neck were in critical but stable condition. The other three were stable and expected to make a full recovery. One of the officers was airlifted to a hospital, Houston Police Officers' Union president Joe Gamaldi said in a separate tweet, adding: "Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers." Both Mr Turner and Chief Acevedo went to the hospital where the injured officers were taken. Texas governor Greg Abbott said the shooting was a "solemn reminder" of the service and sacrifices made by officers. "The city of Houston and the Houston Police Department will have whatever state resources they need to bring swift justice to those involved," he said in a statement. A Canadian landscaper accused of killing eight men who disappeared between 2010-17 has pleaded guilty to their murders. Bruce McArthur, 67, admitted eight counts of first-degree murder while appearing in a downtown Toronto courtroom on Tuesday. McArthur was arrested in January 2018 after years of speculation that the missing persons cases were connected to Torontos Gay Village neighbourhood. He was initially charged with the deaths of two men before the police subsequently charged him with six other murder counts. McArthur is responsible for the deaths of Dean Lisowick, Soroush Mahmudi, Skandaraj Navaratnam, Selim Esen, Andrew Kinsman, Majeed Kayhan, Abdulbasir Faizi and Kirushna Kanagaratnam. The majority of his victims were immigrants from South Asia or the Middle East. The first man to have gone missing was Mr Navaratnam. The 40-year-old man was in a relationship with McArthur for a few years before he disappeared in September 2010. The last victim to have gone missing was Mr Kinsman. He was declared missing one day after Torontos Pride weekend in June 2017. 'It felt like being on another planet': Peter Tatchell reveals how Gay Pride went global Show all 4 1 /4 'It felt like being on another planet': Peter Tatchell reveals how Gay Pride went global 'It felt like being on another planet': Peter Tatchell reveals how Gay Pride went global gaypride21024x768.jpg Rex Features 'It felt like being on another planet': Peter Tatchell reveals how Gay Pride went global 5419387.jpg Getty Images 'It felt like being on another planet': Peter Tatchell reveals how Gay Pride went global gaypride1024x768.jpg Rex Features 'It felt like being on another planet': Peter Tatchell reveals how Gay Pride went global 5418385.jpg Getty Images It was Mr Kinsmans disappearance that proved to be a turning point in the missing persons investigation. Detective Sergeant Hank Idsinga told CBC that, if Mr Kinsman had not been reported missing within 72 hours, investigators would have missed a crucial piece of evidence that led them to arresting McArthur. That evidence was a video showing the 49-year-old entering McArthurs van. Mr Kinsmans DNA was found inside the vehicle in November 2017. Recommended Alleged serial killer also did landscaping work for neighbours Lawyer Michael Canton, representing the Crown, disclosed details of the murders, informing the court that each murder was sex related, and included much planning and deliberation. Mr Canton also said McArthur kept souvenirs, including jewelry, from his victims. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Seven of the victims remains were reportedly found in plant pots on a residential property in the Leaside neighbourhood where McArthur worked. One mans remains were found in a ravine close by. The Toronto Polices handling of the case prompted backlash from Torontos LGBTQ community, many of whom believe the authorities did not take their concerns about the missing persons seriously. In Canada, each count of a first-degree murder charge brings an automatic life prison sentence. McArthur wont be able to apply for release until he is 91-years-old. Autocrats, even those at odds with each other, have come to the aid of the Republic of the Sudans embattled ruler, Omar al-Bashir, after a month and a half of continuing anti-government protests sparked by a hike in bread prices, and decades of corruption and repression. The United Arab Emirates, which bankrolled the 2013 counter-revolution in Egypt and has backed dictators across the Middle East, has given $300m (228m) in loans and more than 1.12 million tons of fuel to shore up the Bashir regime. Analysing travel documents, Ukraines security service announced last week that Russia has been dispatching officers of its GRU military intelligence agency to Sudan, while activists have accused mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked contractor Wagner of involvement in the crackdown. In recent days Mr Bashir visited Qatar and Egypt, and is expected to travel to Kuwait, winning offers of diplomatic and financial support for his 30-year-rule. Saudi Arabia and Turkey, as well as Russia, have offered diplomatic and financial support to the regime, which is being challenged by peaceful demonstrators echoing democratic aspirations of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings and demanding that Mr Bashir steps down. More anti-government demonstrations were expected across Sudan on Tuesday afternoon, scheduled for Khartoum and other cities. The day has been dubbed the march of the martyrs, marking the 14th anniversary of the massacre of protesters in Port Sudan Sudanese men shout slogans during an anti-government protest on 18 January (AFP/Getty Images) (AFP/Getty) Speaking alongside Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during a visit to Cairo on Sunday Mr Bashir was defiant, blaming unnamed parties, the press and social media for destabilising his country. We do not claim there is no problem, but it is not of the size or dimensions that some of the media portray, he was quoted as saying: This is an attempt to copy the Arab Spring in Sudan. These are the same slogans and appeals and the very wide use of social media sites. Arab leaders are not sure what theyd like to see in Sudan but what they wouldnt like to see is anarchy on their doorsteps Ahmed Soliman, Sudan specialist Sudan has had a complicated relationship with regional leaders, and was for many years allied with Iran. But in recent years it has improved ties with Saudi Arabia, especially after dispatching military personnel to help in the effort against Yemen. Arab leaders are not sure what theyd like to see in Sudan but what they wouldnt like to see is anarchy on their doorsteps, said Ahmed Soliman, a specialist on Sudan and the horn of Africa, at Chatham House. Theyre more comfortable with a military regime than with the uncertainty of what would come next in any transitional period in Sudan. Demonstrators march at an anti-government rally in Khartoum (Reuters) Many democracy advocates had hoped the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings would weaken the regions ossified political class and inject some measure of pluralism into political systems dominated during the latter half of the 20th century by military dictators and absolute monarchs. But the widespread support for Mr Bashir is the latest sign that the Middle Easts informal brotherhood of autocratic and hereditary rulers was battening down the hatches against any democratic movement. Rulers appear keenly aware that the original Arab Spring uprisings were inspired by a month-long uprising that felled the leader of Tunisia, which like Sudan rests on the political and geographic periphery of the Arab world, and are determined to prevent a repeat. The widespread regional show of support for Mr Bashir comes despite criss-crossing layers of hostility across the Middle East. Egypt and Sudan remain at odds over usage of the Nile River. Turkey and Qatar constitute an informal axis on the opposite of a number of regional issues to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Russia is mistrusted, though courted by all countries of the region. Its a reflection of Sudan attempting to balance regional alliances at a time of heightened regional tensions, said Mr Soliman. It shows that Bashir has been adept at balancing those relationships when its become difficult to do so. Qatar, which last year signed a $4bn deal for a Red Sea port in Sudans Suakin, hosted Mr Bashir last week, granting him a meeting with the ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, where the two discussed the current economic crisis experienced by Sudan and Sudans efforts to get out of the crisis, and the role of brothers in general, and Qatar in particular, to help Sudan, according to Sudans foreign minister, Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed. Saudi Arabia has also offered unspecified amount of cash. Saudi minister of commerce and investment, Majid Al-Qasabi, traveled to Khartoum last week to publicly assure that Riyadh wouldnt hesitate in supporting Sudan at anytime. Sudan was stripped of much of its oil wealth when the Republic of South Sudan seceded in 2011 after a decades-long civil war. Russia and Turkey have offered assistance that includes fuel and wheat. Reuters reported Sudans oil minister Azhari Abdel Qader as saying, in reference to the Russian and Turkish assistance: We accepted it as a normal matter between friendly countries in light of the current circumstances that Sudan is going through. Theresa Mays Brexit deal has been given a lifeline after MPs supported a plan to send her back to Brussels in a bid to renegotiate the Irish backstop. They approved the amendment tabled by Sir Graham Brady MP by 317 votes to 301, with Ms May saying afterwards that the House of Commons had spoken on how it wished to move forward. The prime minister said there is now a substantial and sustainable majority in the commons for leaving the European Union with a deal but admitted renegotiation she must now undertake will not be easy. She will in the coming days head to Brussels to ask for changes to the withdrawal agreement that even today, both European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and French leader Emmanuel Macron have ruled out. The result in parliament came on a night when the government also defeated a string of other attempts to seize control of the Brexit process, though rebel MPs did manage to pass one amendment which saw the commons take a symbolic stance against a no-deal exit. Ms May told the Commons after the result came in: A fortnight ago this house clearly rejected the proposed withdrawal agreement and political declaration, with just 202 members voting in favour. Tonight a majority of honourable member s have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters Combined with measures to address concern over parliaments role over the negotiation of the future relationship and commitments on workers rights, in law where needs be it is now clear that there is a route which can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in the house for leaving the EU with a deal. Earlier in the evening a plan put forward by Labour MP Yvette Cooper to prevent a no-deal Brexit in March by giving MPs the power to request an extension to Article 50 failed to receive the backing of the commons. An amendment tabled by former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve that would have seen MPs seize control of the Brexit process, by enabling backbenchers as well as Ms Mays executive to table legislation between now and March 29, was also defeated by the government. In fact, the only loss Ms May suffered was on a motion that said the UK would not leave the EU without a deal, but the amendment tabled by ex-Tory minister Caroline Spelman MP was only advisory and has no legal force. Ms Mays advisros later said that they had expected the EU to take a united line against any renegotiation in the wake of a succesful outcome to the Brady amendment. Brexit: Caroline Spelman wins amendment: Ayes 318, Noes 310 But the string of key figures, which also included the president of the European Council Donals Tusk, underlines the Herculean task she has ahead, if she is to have any hope of making changes to the withdrawal agreement. European Commission president Donald Tusk said the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. A spokesman for Mr Tusk said: We welcome and share the UK parliaments ambition to avoid a no-deal scenario. We continue to urge the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps as soon as possible. The Withdrawal Agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. Theresa May will demand that the Brexit deal she sealed with Brussels is reopened in order to renegotiate key elements which Conservative MPs have refused to accept. The prime minister will say that the withdrawal agreement must be revisited and the Irish backstop changed, warning the EU that a failure to do so will mean the deal is blocked by the commons. Ms May told cabinet this morning she will back the amendment from Sir Graham Brady which paves the way for her to go back to Brussels. She also reiterated her position that the U.K. will leave the EU on March 29 regardless of what happens. Speaking after cabinet on Tuesday, Ms Mays spokesman said: The prime minister said that in order to win the support of the House of Commons, legal changes to the backstop will be required that will mean reopening the withdrawal agreement. The PM said that parliament had said on many occasions what it does not want. The EU has asked us what we do want, what this parliament will accept she said a vote for the Brady amendment makes it clear the current nature of the backstop is the key reason that the house cannot support the deal. Sir Grahams proposed amendment would see parliament accept the withdrawal agreement struck with Brussels as long as the backstop is replaced with alternative arrangements for preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland. Ms May believes a move by the commons to back the Brady amendment would make clear the will of the commons to leave the EU with a deal and a commitment to avoid a hard border, but it would also pave the way for a discussion on how best to achieve that. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters In a bid to stop MPs from supporting other amendments today that could remove no-deal Brexit as an option, her official spokesman reiterated that there woul be other opportuities for MPs to vote on such proposals further down the line. He said Ms May aims to return to the commons as soon as possible with a revised deal agreed with the EU which will be subject to a meaningful vote by MPs. If this is rejected by MPs, she will table a further amendable motion for debate the next day representing an opportunity for MPs to propose alternative paths at that point. The deal which was put before the House of Commons was rejected by 230 votes, in which case if the deal is to be passed, and with it the withdrawal agreement, there will have to be changes Theresa Mays spokesman Alternatively, if she cannot secure changes to the withdrawal agreement by February 13, Ms May will make a statement to the house that day and table an amendable motion for debate the following day, again giving MPs a chance to propose different plans for the country. A string of European figures have already indicated there is little willingness in Brussels to reopen the withdrawal agreement, with the European Parliaments Brexit spokesman Guy Verhofstadt suggesting only this moring that MEPs would veto a deal which altered the backstop. But Ms Mays spokesman said the prime minister would be speaking to European politicians through the course of Tuesday to explain the UKs position. He went on: There is a very clear message from the EUs leaders, that they want [the UK] to leave with a deal and that they understand this is in the best interests of both the EU as well as the UK. Dutch PM Mark Rutte says he is not prepared for a no-deal Brexit The deal which was put before the House of Commons was rejected by 230 votes, in which case if the deal is to be passed, and with it the withdrawal agreement, there will have to be changes. Her move was designed to convince enough MPs to back the Brady amendmnet on Tuesday evening to give it a majority, allowing her to say in Brussels that the commons has spoken and that it is asking for the backstop to be changed. But the strength of her negotiating position could be undermined if the commons also backs an amendment from the senior Labour backbencher Yvette Cooper, which would wrestle control of the Brexit process from the government in order to block a no-deal scenario. Labour confirmed that it would give frontbench support to the Cooper amendment to reduce the threat of the chaos of a no deal, making it more likely that it would pass on Tuesday. Pro- and anti-EU Tories are putting pressure on Theresa May to accept a Brexit plan C, after joining forces in a remarkable secret compromise. Remainers including current ministers have struck a deal with hardliners Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker to deliver EU withdrawal on 29 March, while preventing an implosion of the warring Conservative party. It is unclear whether the prime minister endorsed the talks although Nicky Morgan, the pro-EU former education secretary who played a key role, insisted she did know about them. Furthermore, the plan which involves replacing the current Irish backstop and a longer transition period even if the EU refuses seems certain to be rejected in Brussels, even if adopted by the government. Nevertheless, Ms Morgan argued it could succeed, saying: People like me want to avoid a no-deal outcome, a crashing out on 29 March. We have to look for ways to do that. We are all prepared to compromise on that. Mr Baker, the deputy chairman of the anti-EU European Research Group, said: We need to get out of the EU on time and with a functioning government. This is how. Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, declined to set out the governments view, but said ministers were open to listening to all ideas. But Ben Bradshaw, a Labour MP campaigning for a Final Say referendum, condemned it as unrealistic, tweeting: More time-wasting, chasing more unicorns, which makes a crash-out no-deal Brexit more likely. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters Under the proposals, the prime minister would seek to renegotiate the backstop designed to prevent the return of Irish border checks based on a reliance on unproven technology. If that failed, the EU would be asked to still grant the cushion of a transition period, extended to December 2021, in return for the UK paying the full 39bn divorce bill and protecting EU citizens rights. This would give both sides time to prepare for a hard Brexit departure on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms at the end of 2021 or to strike a trade deal to kick in at that time. However, as recently as November, Michel Barnier, the EUs Brexit negotiator, told the UK: Without an operational backstop, there will not be an accord and there will not be a transition period. That is certain. The Democratic Unionist Party then announced it backed what has been dubbed the Malthouse Compromise - after the minister, Kit Malthouse, who brokered it - piling further pressure on Ms May to do the same We believe it can unify a number of strands in the Brexit debate including the views of Remainers and Leavers. It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union, said Arlene Foster, the DUPs leader. The new Brexit twist came ahead of a crucial Commons debate, which could see MPs vote to force the government to seek a nine-month Article 50 extension, if no deal has been passed by the end of February. However, the radical attempt for parliament to take control by passing its own legislation to delay Brexit can only succeed if Jeremy Corbyn backs the amendment. Late on Monday, Ms May threw her weight behind an amendment that requires the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced even though it effectively rips up her own agreement with the EU. But, without ERG support, the amendment, tabled by Tory backbenchers leader Graham Brady, appeared doomed to fail wrecking No 10 hopes it would deliver an ultimatum to persuade the EU to give way. Dr Fox urged Tory MPs to step into line, confirming the prime minister would then seek to reopen the withdrawal agreement to give any change legal force. He insisted the EU was now readier to compromise, arguing: We have seen the German economy weakening, we have seen the French economy weakening. The EU has rejected MPs latest demand to scrap the Irish backstop from the Brexit withdrawal agreement, just minutes after the Commons voted on the issue. MPs backed the so-called Brady amendment on Tuesday night by 317 votes to 301, instructing the government to ditch the controversial clause and find alternative ways to prevent a hard border in Northern Ireland. But less than ten minutes after MPs walked through the division lobbies in Westminster, a spokesperson for the European Council said the backstop was part of the withdrawal agreement, and the withdrawal agreement is not open for renegotiation. The withdrawal agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the spokesperson for president Donald Tusk said. The backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement, and the withdrawal agreement is not open for re-negotiation. The December European Council conclusions are very clear on this point. Recommended This is what MPs are voting on tonight and why it really matters The spokesperson said they welcomed and shared the UK parliaments ambition to avoid a no-deal scenario, a reference to the passing of the separate Spelman amendment to rule out a no-deal in principle. They called on the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps as soon as possible and said a reasoned request for an extension of Article 50 would be considered. MPs however rejected the so-called Cooper amendment, which would have taken concrete steps to avoid a no deal by compelling the government to seek an extension of the Brexit negotiating period if the UK looks set to crash out. 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 Brussels also reiterated that the UK could choose to change its red lines if it wanted changes made to the political declaration on the future relationship which sets out how closely the UK and EU will be linked in the future. Theresa May has ruled out keeping freedom of movement, a customs union, single market membership, and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice; the EU says this limits how close the relationship can be. The reaction may surprise some Brexiteers. Andrew Bridgen, a Tory Eurosceptic, said ahead of the vote that the EU would blink and offer us better terms if MPs told them to remove the backstop. More than two thirds of the British public feel they are not represented by the main political parties, according to a new report on the divisions caused by Brexit. Research by campaign group Hope Not Hate found that the disconnect had increased from 60 per cent to 67 per cent over the last six months as Theresa May negotiated the European Union withdrawal agreement. The poll of nearly 33,000 people and results from focus groups also revealed that many felt they were being left in the dark or were overwhelmingly bored by the process. It has also seen an increase in the proportion of the public feeling pessimistic about the future with very few believing that Brexit will address the frustrations and inequalities that lay behind the vote to leave the EU in 2016. More people also believe that Brexit is feeding prejudice and division and taking the UK backwards, up from 57 per cent in July 2018 to 62 per cent last month. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters Just 20 per cent of people said they could trust the government to deliver a good Brexit. Almost as many Leavers (66 per cent) as Remainers (75 per cent) said they do not trust the government to deliver a Brexit that works for them. None of the options being considered by parliament have consensus support across the UK, according to the report, and 42 per cent of people think that it would be sensible to delay leaving the EU by a few months so we can agree a better deal with the EU or hold a Final Say vote. Hope Not Hate suggested the deadlock could be broken by holding citizens assemblies, which have been used successfully in Ireland and Iceland. They are made up of a randomly chosen representative group of up to 1,500 people and hear evidence and argument on a subject before making recommendations to their political representatives. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Citizens assemblies are a less polarising choice the report states, with 39 per cent of people, including both Leave and Remain supporters, saying they would back this process given the political deadlock. Hope Not Hates chief executive Nick Lowles said: A new approach is needed to avoid a lasting, damaging, split in the country. Open divisions have emerged thanks in part to the governments handling of the situation, and there is now a huge distrust in politicians, and politics, which could be very dangerous. Meanwhile, a small but organised far right is busy behind the scenes trying to weaponise Brexit divisions. Rather than cobbling together a deal that can scrape through parliament but will not solve the countrys problems, we need a pause, a new process and an approach that can start to heal the divisions through consensus building and dialogue. By holding citizens assemblies, we can bring people into the conversation, and do what should have been done immediately after the referendum: try to reach a consensus about what kind of country we want. The report also claims that that the terminology of Brexit including customs union, regulatory alignment and Norway plus have led most people to tune out. People are overwhelmingly bored of Brexit, it says. But people are not choosing to switch off from the process. They know this is important. People feel bombarded with information which does not make sense, but also frustrated that had things have not been explained to them in a way that was accessible or that resonates. MPs will have the chance to vote on plans aiming to renegotiate the backstop and block a no-deal Brexit, commons speaker John Bercow has announced. Following days of speculation, amendments tabled by senior Tory MP Sir Graham Brady to seek changes to the withdrawal deal and from Labour MP Yvette Cooper to stop a no-deal Brexit on March 29, were both selected for voting on by Mr Bercow. In total seven alternative proposals to Theresa Mays deal were selected by the speaker for MPs to make a decision on in the commons. It comes after Ms May said in cabinet on Tuesday morning that should would back Mr Bradys amendment and if it is passed go back to Brussels to demand changes to the Irish backstop so hated by many of her backbenchers. As well as those tabled by Ms Cooper and Sir Graham, Mr Bercow selected motions tabled by Dominic Grieve, Jeremy Corbyn, Caroline Spelman, Rachel Reeves and Ian Blackford for consideration in debate on the governments Brexit deal. Speaking after cabinet on Tuesday, Ms Mays said that to win the support of the House of Commons, legal changes will be required to the backstop which as it stands comes into play if the UK cannot seal future trade deal with the EU by December 2020 potentially looking the country in an indefinite customs union. Her spokesman explaied later: The PM said that parliament had said on many occasions what it does not want. The EU has asked us what we do want, what this parliament will accept she said a vote for the Brady amendment makes it clear the current nature of the backstop is the key reason that the house cannot support the deal. Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Brexit supporters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester adjusts her pro-EU wig AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A message to Jeremy Corbyn in support of a peoples vote Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A mock Titanic captained by Theresa May heads towards an iceberg in a stunt by campaigning group Avaaz AP Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters outside parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides are in close contact outside of parliament PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Paintings of Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester in Parliament Square Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Opposing protesters share the space outside parliament Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester holds EU balloons outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters stand on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage speaks to the media at the protests outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament EPA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A pro-Brexit protester sets up outside parliament Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An Avaaz campaigner holds a Peoples Vote life float Reuters Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament A demonstrator holds a sign advocating a no-deal Brexit outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament An anti-Brexit protester waves an EU flag on Westminster Bridge PA Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides demonstrate outside parliament AFP/Getty Brexit deal vote: Opposing groups of protesters gather by parliament Protesters of opposing sides stand near parliament Reuters Labour meanwhile, is set to back the plan from Ms Cooper which aims to delay Brexit in order to prevent the chaos of a no-deal departure from the EU. Mr Corbyns party will back the amendment which would result in the extension of Article 50 to keep the UK in the EU until the end of the year in order to reach a deal. Former cabinet minister Ms Coopers plan has cross-party support, including from senior Tory Nick Boles, and would allow MPs to call for the delay if no deal had been approved by February 26. The UK is currently expected to leave with or without a deal on March 29, a position that Ms May recommitted to on Tuesday morning. Education secretary Damian Hinds says no-deal Brexit must remain possible Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the plan was a fallback to guard against a no-deal Brexit. The issue is how long an extension could be and the general view is as short as possible, he said. But it is literally just a fallback in case there is no deal agreed. He suggested that the party was looking at an extension of around three months, shorter than the period envisaged by Ms Cooper and Mr Boles. MPs will begin voting on the amendments at around 7pm on Tuesday evening after several hours of debate in the commons chamber. Close Brexit: Graham Brady wins amendment: Ayes 317, Noes 301 MPs have authorised Theresa May to go back to Brussels to renegotiate a key part of her Brexit deal after a series of dramatic Commons votes. Different Brexit factions tabled amendments to Ms Mays exit plan, which she was forced to bring back to the Commons on Tuesday after MPs overwhelmingly rejected her Brexit deal earlier this month. Amid an apparent compromise between Tory Remainers, Brexiteers and her DUP allies, MPs backed a bid by Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady to scrap the Irish backstop and replace it with alternative arrangements, requiring the prime minister to go back to Brussels. However the path ahead looks rocky, as the European Commission immediately sent out a statement saying the deal was not open for renegotiation. Follow updates from Westminster as they unfolded throughout the day Theresa May has salvaged one more chance to save her Brexit deal after MPs gave their backing for her last ditch bid to secure changes in Brussels. The proposal approved by the Commons means she has the Herculean task of trying to convince European politicians to reopen the Brexit deal they spent 19 months negotiating, in order to rewrite the hated Irish backstop. Within minutes of the result being announced the most senior European politicians completely ruled out any renegotiation, setting the stage for a major clash between the UK and the EU. The result in parliament came on a night when the government also defeated a string of attempts to seize control of the Brexit process, though rebel MPs did manage to pass one amendment which saw the Commons take a symbolic stance against a no-deal exit. In a further development, Jeremy Corbyn also finally agreed to meet Ms May to discuss ideas on how the country should move forward. MPs approved the amendment tabled by the chair of the backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, by 317 votes to 301 to accept Ms Mays deal as long as an alternative to the backstop can be found. The majority was one of the most narrow of the evening, and represented the devilishly complex situation facing the Commons on Brexit with seven Labour MPs backing senior Conservative Sir Grahams amendment, and eight Tories opposing it. Ms May said she and other members of the government would now be speaking with the European Union about how we address the houses views on Brexit. "Brexit betrayal" march in London Show all 43 1 /43 "Brexit betrayal" march in London "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds an anti-BBC sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator holds a sign in the picket line Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester carrying a noose at the "Brexit betrayal" march. The man carrying it told a reporter: "That's what the traitor May deserves." AP "Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro-brexit supporters hold a sign opposed to Nigel Farage Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters carry a defaced British flag on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Tommy Robinson addresses a rally after taking part in a Brexit 'betrayal' march in central London PA "Brexit betrayal" march in London Police officers attempts to keep rival protesters from clashing at the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London Victoria Jones/PA "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds an anti-Theresa May sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator and his dog Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator at the protest Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit sign at the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro-brexit demonstrators endorse UKIP Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A Brexit 'betrayal' march protester wearing a Make Britain Great Again hat in London on 9 December 2018 Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty "Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London The "Brexit Betrayal" march passes through Central London Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Tommy Robinson tells protesters to join Ukip via their mobile phones on stage next to leader Gerard Batten (right) at the Brexit 'betrayal' march Gareth Fuller/PA "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester speaks thorugh a megaphone on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator walks in the picket line Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit anti-May sign at the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester carries a Union Jack on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator wrapped in the Union Jack Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit anti-May sign at the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Pro brexit demonstrators move through Central London Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator marches with sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A pro-brexit demonstrator holds a rude sign in the rally Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London The march passes down Victoria Street near Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A festive protester marches near Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds a mock noose as the march passes down Victoria Street towards Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester wrapped in the Union Jack marches down Victoria Street towards Parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester makes some noise on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester dressed as a dinosaur holds a sign rallying against "Davocracy" - in reference to the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester holds a pro-brexit sign on the march Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London The march approaches parliament Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A protester distributes pro-brexit lapel badges Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A demonstrator wears an anti-EU poster and holds an anti-BBC sign Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A smoke bomb is deployed in Parliament Square as the march comes across the counter-demonstration Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London A flag bearing the Arms of Plantagenet flies in theprot Angela Christofilou/The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters on the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Protesters on the Brexit 'betrayal' march in London on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Brexit 'betrayal' marchers gathering on Park Lane ahead of a protest on 9 December 2018 Angela Christofilou/ The Independent "Brexit betrayal" march in London Angela Christofilou/The Independent After the result came in the prime minister told the Commons: A fortnight ago this house clearly rejected the proposed withdrawal agreement and political declaration, with just 202 members voting in favour. It is now clear that there is a route which can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in the house for leaving the EU with a deal Prime minister Theresa May Tonight a majority of honourable members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop. It is now clear that there is a route which can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in the house for leaving the EU with a deal. Earlier in the evening a plan put forward by Labour MP Yvette Cooper to prevent a no-deal Brexit in March by giving MPs the power to request an extension to Article 50 failed to receive the backing of the Commons, being defeated by 321 votes to 298. An amendment tabled by former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve that would have seen MPs seize control of the Brexit process, by enabling backbenchers as well as Ms Mays executive to table legislation between now and March 29, was also defeated by the government by 321 votes to 301, a majority of 20. Brexit: Caroline Spelman wins amendment: Ayes 318, Noes 310 The pound dipped sharply after the failure of the attempts to delay Brexit, losing around 0.7 per cent against both the US dollar and euro, though there were indications later that it may be rising. The only loss Ms May suffered was on a motion that said the UK would not leave the EU without a deal by 318 votes to 310 but the amendment tabled by former Tory minister Dame Caroline Spelman was only advisory and had no legal force. Mr Corbyn said because the Spelman amendment had passed, he was now willing to meet Ms May, having previously ruled out the possibility. Tory MP Nick Boles, who had teamed up with Ms Cooper on her amendment, said the pair would consider what amendments will be needed if Ms May fails to win any further concessions from Brussels. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson said that if the EU would not reopen the withdrawal agreement he would support the prime minister if she chose a managed no-deal Brexit. He told Sky News: I certainly think there are plenty of alternatives if they wont give us the change we need. Brexit: Yvette Cooper's amendment defeated: Ayes 298, Noes 321 I think it is possible to go for a different type of agreement, a much more bare bones agreement some would call it a managed no deal. Several Tory MPs told The Independent they expected to be back in the Commons to vote against Ms Mays deal, as they did not believe she would be able to secure sufficient changes. One said: I cant think of a bigger understatement, than the PM saying there isnt much appetite in Brussels to rewrite the backstop. The response from Brussels was immediate. European Council president Donald Tusks spokesman said the withdrawal agreement is not open for renegotiation, and the European parliaments chief Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, said there was no majority to reopen or dilute the deal. French president Emmanuel Macron also said the agreement was not renegotiable, something echoed by the Irish government: The best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify this [current] agreement. Downing Street aides admitted the task ahead looked difficult, but highlighted that the previous deal had been heavily defeated and that the Commons had shown what needed to happen for the deal to pass. If Ms May does secure any changes to the deal she will put it to another meanignful vote. If she does not then she must return to the Commons by 13 February to give MPs another chance to propose alternative measures. The European Parliament will block the withdrawal agreement if British MPs try to amend it, the bodys Brexit chief has warned ahead of a series of key votes in Westminster. Guy Verhofstadt told The Independent that the EUs legislature, which has to approve any deal, would not consent to a watered down agreement and that the controversial Irish backstop could not be ditched. His intervention comes as MPs look set to consider a series of amendments tabled by Brexiteers instructing the government to scrap the bits of the deal they do not like. Eurosceptic MPs have also tried to unilaterally amend the withdrawal agreement itself during the ratification process an approach rebels are expected to repeat when the treaty soon returns to the Commons for a second vote. But the intervention by the European Parliaments high-profile Brexit coordinator shows the pressure the EU side is under not to budge on UK demands from MEPs as well as its member states. Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA The European Parliament will not give its consent to a watered down Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Verhofstadt told The Independent. The deal we have is fair and cannot be re-negotiated. The backstop is needed because of UK red lines and was crafted by the UK and the EU to secure the Good Friday Agreement. We remain open to positive changes regarding the future relationship and it is time for a more consensual cross- party approach to deliver this. Last week the European Parliaments Brexit steering group, which Mr Verhofstadt chairs, agreed that without such an all-weather backstop-insurance, the European Parliament will not give its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement. One amendment which looks set to be considered by MPs is the so-called Brady Amendment, tabled by the chair of the Tory MPs 1922 Committee Graham Brady. The plan, due to be voted on on Tuesday evening, says the backstop should be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. The Government has indicated it will whip its MPs to back the proposal, though it is not clear whether it will pass. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Another plan, known as the Malthouse Compromise after the Tory minister Kit Malthouse, would see the backstop dropped and the transition extended in exchange for the UK paying some of the financial settlement it owes Brussels. EU officials speaking behind the scenes have already rejected this idea, stating that they would not agree to the removal of the backstop. One diplomat described it as nonsense while another said the suggestion was funny and tragic and had zero chance of working. Brexiteer Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith meanwhile said on Tuesday morning that the plan represented the best hope that weve got. Other MPs have also tabled their own amendments. Most notable among these is the Cooper amendment, tabled by Labour MP Yvette Cooper. This would instruct the Government to extend Article 50 to the end of 2019 if the prime minister does not manage to agree to a deal by late February. Todays amendments, which will be voted on subject to the Speaker John Bercow selecting them for debate, are to Theresa Mays statement about the defeat of her Brexit deal. The statement to MPs was required by the Withdrawal Act in the event that the plan was rejected by the Commons. The EU says it will not renegotiate the withdrawal agreement, which was agreed by Theresa May late last year. The bloc however says it will consider changes to the so-called political declaration spelling out the future relationship between the EU, and that this could be a way to avoid the deployment of the controversial backstop. Close Snow begins to cover M6 in Cumbria as up to 10cm could fall on higher ground across large parts of the UK Bitterly cold temperatures hit Britain and a blanket of snow swept across the country on Tuesday, causing schools to close and widespread travel disruption. The Met Office put severe weather warnings for snow and ice across most of the UK into Wednesday morning. Meteorologists also extended snow and ice warnings to cover Thursday and Friday. Many parts of the country, including northern England, Scotland and the South West, woke to thick snow and icy conditions on Tuesday morning. It forced the Highland Council to close 13 primary schools and nurseries, while pupils in north Wales were also told to stay home. A motorist in the Highlands was stopped by police and handed a fixed penalty notice in the early hours after they were caught driving a snow-covered car with just a small square of windscreen cleared. Police in Cumbria also urged motorists to slow down after tweeting an image of an overturned car lying on its roof on the M6. Forecasters warned that Britain is facing very significant snowfall for the rest of this week, with temperatures plummet to at least -10C in parts of Scotland on Tuesday night, while a bitingly cold Wednesday is set to reach highs of 2C or 3C in some places. See below for the day's developments Tommy Robinsons planned speaking tour of Australia has been postponed for a second time because he has not been granted a visa. Supporters have paid up to A$995 (563) for tickets to see the anti-Islam activist, alongside Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and Milo Yiannopoulos, in five cities. Organisers of the Deplorables tour, which was due to start in Perth on Friday, said Robinsons application was still being considered by authorities. Mr McInnes has been refused a visa, with the denial being appealed, and Mr Yiannopoulos is awaiting a decision. The tour was originally scheduled for December but had to be shifted to February after Robinson planned a Brexit betrayal march in London on the same date. Australian magazine publishers Penthouse, which organised the event, sent an email to ticket holders on Tuesday accusing critics of trying to disrupt it with petitions and campaigns. It said they were confident that Mr McInnes would be granted a visa and that to avoid a similar scenario occurring with Milo and Tommy, we are working closely with our lawyers to ensure their visas are processed smoothly. Tickets have been reissued for dates in March, when organisers said they would fight for the rights of our speakers to be heard. Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Show all 16 1 /16 Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter in London after former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson left the Old Bailey where his contempt of court case was adjourned PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter outside the Old Bailey in London where the former English Defence League (EDL) leader is accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters outside the Old Bailey in London before former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson arrives accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson protest at the Old Bailey Courthouse EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, or 'Tommy Robinson', who was jailed for contempt of court in May and later released, wait for him to arrive at the Old Bailey to attend a court hearing Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson arrives for his hearing at the Old Bailey Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right spokeseman Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the right-wing EDL (English Defence League) wave flags as they demonstrate outsise The Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Robinson gestures to supporters from inside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA It comes after Robinsons planned trip to Washington to address Republican members of the US congress was cancelled because his US visa was not granted in time for an event in November. A spokesperson from the Australian Department of Home Affairs told The Independent they could not comment on individual cases but outlined strict requirements. All non-citizens entering Australia must meet the character requirements set out in the Migration Act 1958 prior to the grant of any visa, a statement said. For visitors who may hold controversial views, any risk they may pose will be balanced against Australias well-established freedom of speech and freedom of beliefs, amongst other relevant considerations. Australian authorities say only people with no substantial criminal record meaning prison terms totalling more than 12 months and showing good general behaviour are likely to meet the requirements. Robinsons extensive criminal record includes convictions for violence, drug possession, public order offences and fraud, with prison sentences totalling several years. The 36-year-old was jailed for breaking reporting restrictions on linked grooming trials in May but freed on appeal over procedural failings in August. Robinson is awaiting a decision on his contempt case from the attorney general (AFP) Tickets are still being sold for A$85 (48) for general entry, A$295 (167) for a VIP meet and greet including a photograph with Robinson, and A$495 (280) for a backstage pass including an after-show party. The most expensive option comes in at A$995 (563) per head, which buys a pre-show dinner with the Deplorables, champagne reception and VIP seating for the show. Organisers have taken precautions in a bid to avoid a repeat of protests and boycotts that have disrupted engagements by other right-wing figures by withholding the exact location of the events until 24 hours before they take place. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, announced the tour to Facebook followers in October but has since made little mention of his planned trip. The English Defence League founder has subsequently been made Ukips official adviser on grooming gangs and prisons, and started up a new media company with his wife. The tour could generate significant profits for Robinson after his fundraising activities were hit by a ban from PayPal and his official website was taken down. He has also been threatened with legal action over alleged defamation by the family of a Syrian refugee who was attacked at school. Experts have condemned the fact a 12-year-old rape victim in Northern Ireland was forced to travel to England under police escort for an abortion. The child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, could not be treated in Northern Ireland due to strict laws prohibiting the procedure in most circumstances. Northern Ireland has a ban on abortions in almost all cases even rape or incest. Abortion is only permitted when there is a risk to the life of the mother, or a serious risk to her physical or mental health. Campaigners said making the child travel could have significantly worsened the trauma involved in undergoing the procedure. Dawn Purvis, former director of the Marie Stopes pregnancy advice service in Belfast who made the case public last week, told MPs that an officer seized samples from the procedure as evidence. Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Show all 8 1 /8 Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Campaigners intervene after police try to lead away one of the three women (centre with sunglasses) who publicly took an abortion pill during a demonstration outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts, where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northern Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Police officers watch on from close by as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity hold a protest in Belfast Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Ruth Coppinger TD addresses the crowds outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northen Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone displays an abortion pill packet after taking a pill Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Protestors dressed as hand maidens stand as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills An unidentified woman takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Images Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills A robot drone delivers abortion pills as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty "The police had to go with her, they attended the surgical procedure to seize the evidence, Ms Purvis said. "That is inhumane treatment of a young child who did not have a passport and had to leave the country. It is unclear when the incident happened, or whether the girl faced the possibility of any prosecution as a result. Ms Purvis, a former Independent Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, appeared before the Commons Women and Equalities Committee during its hearing in Belfast on Northern Ireland's abortion law last week. Nicola Moore, of UK abortion provider Marie Stopes, said the case was extremely sad. She said: It makes me angry that their draconian laws mean a child is forced to travel for something that they are a victim of. No children can choose to have sex. This is wrong. We condemn the fact this happens. Ms Moore, who leads the organisation's safeguarding work, said that it is classed as statutory rape when any child becomes pregnant under the age of 13. It is unnecessary it take the child away from their family and their local area and subject them to the unknown overseas, she said. It is bad enough having to have an abortion locally, let alone in another country where you might have never been before. You might have never even gone abroad before. She said the police could have accompanied her to obtain evidence to try and decipher who carried out the alleged rape. She added: It is likely they would have wanted to take away the products of conception the foetus or the embryo - for forensic analysis to identify the person who raped the child to make a conviction against somebody. She said Marie Stopes come across 12-year-olds who access services saying that they automatically identify the police and social services if girls come in who are under 13 because they know it will be a safeguarding issue. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The 1967 Abortion Act, which established legal abortion, has never applied in Northern Ireland, but Theresa May has faced pressure to give MPs a free vote on the issue it was legalised in the Republic of Ireland last May. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) the UKs largest abortion provider argued Northern Irelands abortion law imposes immense hardship on some of the countrys most vulnerable citizens. For all women and girls who have to travel to England for care, the process can be inhumane and degrading, said spokesperson Katherine O'Brien. We hear from those who have endured bleeding and cramping as they pass their pregnancy on the plane home. She added that others have to spend the night after the procedure alone in a hotel room - hundreds of miles away from their family and friends. Victims of domestic violence who are unable to travel face the incredibly cruel decision of whether to continue with an unwanted pregnancy conceived with their abuser or risk life imprisonment by using illegal abortion pills purchased online," she said. "This is no way to treat women in the twenty-first century. The spokesperson argued polling shows that the majority of people in Northern Ireland want abortion law reform, and they want Westminster to legislate. Twelve abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland last year, official statistics show. Amnesty International is calling for liberalisation of the stringent rules - saying more than 900 women travelled to England and Wales for the procedure during the same period. A landmark case in Belfast High Court could find Northern Irelands abortion law in breach of the UKs human rights commitments, say experts. Sarah Ewart, who was forced to travel to England for an abortion after being told her unborn child would not survive outside the womb, has launched a new case which starts on Wednesday. The Supreme Court said in June that abortion laws in the north of the country are in breach of human rights legislation. However, it also concluded that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which brought that case, did not have the power to bring forward proceedings because it was not a victim of any unlawful act. This meant the court could not make a formal declaration that Northern Irelands abortion laws are incompatible with the European Convention of Human Rights. Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Show all 8 1 /8 Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Campaigners intervene after police try to lead away one of the three women (centre with sunglasses) who publicly took an abortion pill during a demonstration outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts, where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northern Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Police officers watch on from close by as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity hold a protest in Belfast Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Ruth Coppinger TD addresses the crowds outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northen Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone displays an abortion pill packet after taking a pill Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Protestors dressed as hand maidens stand as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills An unidentified woman takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Images Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills A robot drone delivers abortion pills as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Ms Ewart, supported by Amnesty International, has chosen to bring an individual case to the High Court in the hope a formal declaration can finally be made and Northern Irelands strict abortion laws will be changed. Time and time again Ive told my story to MPs, courtrooms and judges, Ms Ewart said. Each time I re-live the trauma. I hope this will be the last time I have to go to court and prove that women like me should be able to access abortion services at home, without being forced to travel. I hope this case can bring a ruling that helps end the suffering for us all. Northern Ireland has a ban on abortions in almost all cases even rape or incest. The 1967 Abortion Act, which established legal abortion, has never applied in Northern Ireland. Terminations are only allowed in cases where the woman's life is in danger or there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health. Grainne Teggart, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland campaign manager, said: It is a damning indictment on the UK Government's failure to prioritise womens rights and healthcare that women like Sarah are forced through the ordeal of the courts to have their rights vindicated. She commended Ms Ewart, 28, for bravely stepping up to be the person who takes the case to the court saying the hearing marked a chance for an official judgment that Northern Irelands abortion law breaches the UKs human rights obligations. It is a huge moment, she said. People everywhere will have their fingers crossed with hope that the Belfast Court rules in favour of women's rights and reproductive freedom." Women in Northern Ireland cannot be left to suffer under one of the most oppressive and severe abortion laws in the world. This must be our time for change. Activists will hold a banner outside the court which reads Now #ItsTime for women of Northern Ireland. Theresa May has faced pressure to give MPs a free vote on the issue after abortion was legalised in the Republic of Ireland following a historic referendum last May. Ms Ewart was forced to travel to England around five years ago for a termination after being told her pregnancy had a fatal foetal diagnosis. She has long campaigned for a change to NI's law in cases of fatal foetal abnormality. The court case comes after MPs were told a 12-year-old rape victim in Northern Ireland was forced to travel to England under police escort for an abortion. Dawn Purvis, former director of the Marie Stopes pregnancy advice service in Belfast, said an officer seized samples from the procedure as evidence. It is unclear when the incident happened or whether the child, who was not identified, faced any action as a result. Ms Purvis, a former Independent Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, appeared before the Commons Women and Equalities Committee on Friday during its hearing in Belfast on Northern Ireland's abortion law. Official statistics show that twelve abortions were carried out in Northern Ireland last year. Amnesty International is calling for liberalisation of the stringent rules - saying more than 900 women travelled to England and Wales for the procedure during the same period. Students hoping to start degree courses in the Republic of Ireland from this September only have a short time left to send off their university applications. Deciding where to study can be a daunting process for many and uncertainty around Brexit has not made it any easier for prospective students. That is especially so for pupils from Northern Ireland. Genetically modified chickens that produce human proteins with anti-cancer effects in their eggs could provide a cost-effective way to produce drugs, research suggests. Scientists at the University of Edinburghs Roslin Institute initially set out to produce proteins that could be used in scientific experiments. However, they found the drugs they were creating worked as well as those produced using existing methods. Large quantities of the valuable substances can be extracted from the eggs, with three eggs proving enough to produce an adequate dosage. The scientists added genes to the chickens DNA coding for human protein called IFNalpha2a, which has anti-viral and anti-cancer effects, and another protein called macrophage-CSF, which is involved in the production of white blood cells. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary These substances are produced as part of the egg white, and the genes have no harmful effects for the chickens. We are not yet producing medicines for people, but this study shows that chickens are commercially viable for producing proteins suitable for drug discovery studies and other applications in biotechnology, said Professor Helen Sang of the Roslin Institute. While the new research is still in its early days, the scientists said it provided a promising proof of concept that could set the stage for improved drug production. As chickens are capable of laying up to 300 eggs every year, the scientists suggest this method could provide a cheaper approach than existing methods. Often producing protein-based drugs to treat cancer and other diseases involves a complex and expensive production and purification process involving mammal cell cultures. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Eggs are already used to grow viruses for use in vaccines, and other animals such as goats have been genetically modified in the past to produce useful proteins in their milk. The new research was published in the journal BMC Biotechnology. In an email, a LuLaRoe spokesperson said the claims in lawsuit are completely without merit and the company will fight vigorously against them. "We are enthusiastic about the strength of the LuLaRoe brand, strong consumer demand for our new apparel designs and enhancements, and the passion of tens of thousands of Independent Fashion Retailers across America," the spokesperson, who declined to give a name, wrote in the email. A measles vaccine protects against measles infection. By introducing a bit of weakened virus, the immune system learns how to deal with it, so when a real measles virus comes along, it can eliminate it. But does the immune system learn more from the vaccine? Recent research suggests, rather intriguingly, that it does. Our group first noticed this phenomenon in Guinea-Bissau in west Africa more than 30 years ago. We followed a large sample of the population, with regular home visits. The focus was on nutritional status, but as a service to the community, in December 1979, we provided a measles vaccine for all children. The following year, we observed something amazing: the measles vaccine reduced overall mortality by more than 70 per cent much more than could be explained by the prevention of measles infection, which only caused around 10-15 per cent of all deaths at that time. During further research, it became clear that the effect of these vaccines on overall health couldnt be explained by their disease-specific effects. Vaccines also affect the risk of other infections. We coined these effects the non-specific effects of vaccine. Two types of vaccines There are two major types of vaccines, live and non-live. Live vaccines contain the disease organism in a weakened form. They create a mild natural infection in the body, usually so mild that there are no symptoms. These vaccines give good protection against the disease they were designed for from the first dose. (Though these vaccines have the very rare potential to cause real disease, particularly in people with compromised immune systems.) Non-live vaccines contain the killed disease organism or parts of it. They are not very good at stimulating the immune system and usually have to be given with a helper substance, known as an adjuvant, and in several shots to give disease protection. The non-live vaccines can never create the real disease, so most doctors prefer them over live vaccines. We have now investigated four live vaccines and six non-live vaccines, in Guinea-Bissau and other low-income countries, as well as in Denmark. A consistent pattern has emerged. The live vaccines reduce death and disease much more than can be explained by the specific protection. But the non-live vaccines, in spite of protecting against the vaccine disease, are associated with negative effects on health, including death, particularly for girls. Here are two examples. BCG BCG vaccine is a live vaccine against tuberculosis. It is recommended at birth in poor countries. But newborns with low birth weight are normally vaccinated later. We tested the effect of BCG vaccine on overall health in this group. We randomly allocated Guinean children who weighed less than 2.5kg to receive BCG at birth or the usual delayed BCG. In the first month of life, deaths from any cause were reduced by more than a third in children who received the vaccine versus those who didnt. Children dont die from tuberculosis in the first month of life. But BCG reduced their risk of dying from sepsis and pneumonia a purely non-specific effect of BCG, which had nothing to do with protection against tuberculosis. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary In sub-Saharan Africa, BCG is often given with delay. Currently, only around 50 per cent of all children, irrespective of weight, receive BCG at birth. If our results are correct, it would be possible to prevent 200,000 babies dying each year simply by making sure that all children received the BCG vaccine at birth. DTP Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine is a non-live vaccine against three serious and potentially deadly diseases. So it has been assumed that introducing it would reduce overall mortality. But when we tested what had happened when the DTP vaccine was introduced in Guinea-Bissau, we were very surprised. In spite of protecting against the diseases, DTP-vaccinated children had fivefold higher mortality than children who didnt receive the vaccine. We have repeated this finding many times. Protection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis seems to come at a very high price: increased risk of dying from other infections, such as respiratory infections, particularly for females. Translated into absolute numbers, the results indicate that the use of DTP vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa may cost tens of thousands of female lives every year. These are just two examples among many studies done by our team. Besides BCG, we have found beneficial non-specific effects of the live measles, smallpox and oral polio vaccines. And besides DTP, we have found negative effects in females of the non-live pentavalent vaccine (which combines immunisation against five diseases), as well as the inactivated polio, hepatitis B and H1N1 influenza vaccines, and we also predicted a negative effect of the new malaria vaccine in females. Not many places have the kind of data needed to conduct these studies, but other research groups are now starting to replicate our findings in other poor regions of Africa and Asia. The same patterns have also been seen in wealthy countries. For instance, a recent US study found that the risk of getting hospitalised for other infections was halved among children who had a live versus a non-live vaccine. The World Health Organisation recently reviewed the evidence for non-specific effects of the live BCG and measles vaccine and the non-live DTP vaccine and concluded that BCG and measles-containing vaccines could reduce overall mortality by more than expected, while higher all cause mortality may be associated with receipt of DTP. Effect of vaccines on the immune system The immune system has traditionally been divided into the innate and the adaptive immune system, with the innate seen as the first line of defence, with no memory of previous pathogens. The adaptive has been seen as the place where the memory of disease organisms develops, which can be measured in the antibodies the disease creates. The protective effect of vaccines has largely been ascribed to the ability to induce antibodies. However, recent research has taught us that the immune system is more complex. The innate immune system also learns when exposed to a disease organism. In a recent experiment, we showed that volunteers who received a BCG vaccine four weeks before a yellow fever vaccine had much less yellow fever virus in the blood, and this was because BCG vaccine trained their innate immune cells to become more vigilant. So we now have evidence that a vaccine can change the immune response to subsequent unrelated infections in humans. This goes a long way to explaining how vaccines can influence other diseases and overall health. Hard to find what youre not looking for Vaccines have been used for centuries. So if they have such profound effects on the risk of other diseases, why didnt we discover this a long time ago? The short answer is that you cant discover what youre not looking for. Everybody has been convinced that vaccines affected only the target infection, so their effect on other infections and overall health was not studied. So while there are many studies that show that vaccines have protective effects, there is no data that shows that vaccines only have protective effects. It is time to change our perception of vaccines: they are not merely a protective tool against a specific disease; they affect the immune system broadly. In the case of live vaccines, the immune system is strengthened. In contrast, non-live vaccines seem to have a negative effect on the immune system in females. The latter finding is an obvious cause for concern, particularly since it would be undesirable to stop using, say, the DTP vaccine, as it protects against three severe diseases. Fortunately, there is something to do. It appears that if a live vaccine is given after a non-live vaccine, the negative effect of the non-live vaccine may be mitigated. So there is an urgent need for studies testing different sequences of live and non-live vaccines. Studies into the overall health effects of vaccines are providing new insights about the immune system and how it may be trained by vaccines. Live vaccines seem to be potent immune trainers, and with this new knowledge we may be able to reduce global child mortality by more than a million deaths a year. With smarter use of vaccines, we may also be able to reduce disease and improve child health in wealthy countries. Christine Stabell Benn is a professor of global health at the University of Southern Denmark. This article originally appeared on The Conversation Periods can bring unnecessary anxiety for teenagers experiencing their first menstruation. Now, parents have come up with a way to combat this stress by hosting period parties for their daughters. Although various cultures have celebrated or marked a womans first period the trend is slowly making its way into the American mainstream. In August, comedian Bert Kreischer revealed while appearing on Conan that his daughter had recently orchestrated a period party for herself, Huffington Post reported. According to Kreischer, his daughter informed him that all the girls are throwing them, and that the necessary party supplies included red velvet cake and red foods. Period euphemisms around the World Show all 8 1 /8 Period euphemisms around the World Period euphemisms around the World Germany 'Erdbeerwoche': translates as 'strawberry week' iStock Period euphemisms around the World France 'Les Anglais out debarque' or 'The English have arrived' referring to past wars with England and possibly the British army's red coats Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World Brazil 'Eustou Com Chico' or "I'm with Chico' in reference to socialist Chico Mendes and possibly his gruesome assassination in the late 80's Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World Finland The Finnish affectionately refer to periods and pms as 'Hullum Lechman Tauti' or 'mad cow disease' Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World The United States Though there are many varied terms, a popular americans commonly refer to periods as 'Aunt Flo' iStock Period euphemisms around the World China In China you may hear 'its little sister to come in' iStock Period euphemisms around the World Denmark 'Der Er Kommunister i Lysthuset' or 'There are communists in the funhouse' Getty Images Period euphemisms around the World South Africa A famed colloquialism for a period in South Africa is 'Grannys stuck in traffic' iStock Kreischer isnt the only person to have attended a period party. Recommended Periods do not make women helpless despite what pictures online show In 2017, then-12-year-old Brooke Lee from Jacksonville, Florida went viral after her family threw her a period party complete with pads and tampons, cake, and pizza. According to her mother, who spoke to BuzzFeed, she decided to hold the party for her daughter because her daughter was anxious to have her period and she wanted to make this event a little more fun. At the time, people praised the parenting effort to remove the shame associated with periods, while wishing their own parents had celebrated the occasion for them. Prior to that, supermodel Tyra Banks discussed her own period party that her mother threw for her at 15 in her book Perfect is Boring. It was a celebration of womanhood, and an acknowledgement of passing into another realm, Banks mother Carolyn London wrote in the co-authored chapter. It was also informative as according to London, most of the girls in attendance had never talked about their periods so openly before and took the opportunity to ask honest questions about menstruation between their yucks and giggles. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Period-themed parties are also appearing more frequently on Instagram and on Pinterest, where parents can find inspiration for ovary-shaped cupcakes to pinatas. By celebrating a first period, parents can help ease anxiety surrounding periods and add some fun to an otherwise unenjoyable event. Facebook is willing to change everything to curb posts about suicide following the death of British teenager Molly Russell, according to Sir Nick Clegg. The former Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister, now the social media giants head of global affairs, said online platforms have a profound responsibility to safeguard teenagers. He also admitted the way the firm pays tax is unsustainable. Molly Russell, 14, took her own life in 2017 and her father Ian Russell has recently said Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, helped kill my daughter. The teenager viewed images on the site which appeared to promote self-harm. Were going to look at this from top to bottom and change everything were doing if necessary to get this right, Sir Nick told the BBC. He added that the firm will work with charities including the Samaritans. They do say that in some instances its better to keep some of the content, some of these distressing images up, if that helps people make a sort of cry for help and get the support they need, he said. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 19 June 2021 England appeal LBW during day four of their Womens International Test match against India at the Bristol County Ground PA UK news in pictures 18 June 2021 Scotland fans let off flares in Leicester Square after Scotland's Euro 2020 match against England ended in a 0-0 draw Getty UK news in pictures 17 June 2021 Members of the Tootsie Rollers jazz band pose on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 16 June 2021 A woman and child examine life-size sculptures of a herd of Asian elephants set up by the Elephant Family and The Real Elephant Collective to help educate the public on the elephants and the ways in which humans can better protect the planets biodiversity, in Green Park, central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 June 2021 Hydrotherapists with Dixie, a seven-year-old Dachshund who is being treated for back problems common with the breed, in the hydrotherapy pool during a facility at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's in Battersea, London, to view their new hydrotherapy centre PA UK news in pictures 14 June 2021 Scotland's David Marshall in the net after Czech Republic's Patrik Schick scored their second goal at Hampden Park Reuters UK news in pictures 13 June 2021 Raheem Sterling celebrates with Harry Kane after scoring Englands first goal of the Euro 2021 tournament in a match against Croatia at Wembley Reuters UK news in pictures 12 June 2021 Oxfam campaigners wearing costumes depicting G7 leaders pose for photographers on Swanpool Beach near Falmouth, Cornwall EPA UK news in pictures 11 June 2021 Members of the Vaxinol team, who are commercial, industrial and residential cleaners specialising in disinfection and decontamination, use electrostatic spray systems to deep clean the Only Fools Bar in Liverpool PA UK news in pictures 10 June 2021 A woman walks her dogs as the incoming tide begins to wash away the heads of G7 leaders drawn in the sand by activists on the beach at Newquay, Cornwall AP UK news in pictures 9 June 2021 Adam Chamberlain, 45, general manager of Big Tree pub in Sheffield, has put up over 500 flags, taking 36 hours, in preparation for Euro 2020, which kicks off this weekend Tom Maddick / SWNS UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 June 2021 A pedestrian wearing a face covering walks over Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 6 June 2021 Isobel Salamon, founder of the Edinburgh Cinema Club, poses alongside the Leith Trainspotting murals in Quality Yard, Leith, Edinburgh, for the programme launch of the Cinescapes Festival which starts on July 4 with a Trainspotting 1 and 2 double bill PA UK news in pictures 5 June 2021 A long exposure photograph captures the rotation of the earth as the stars blur into circles over Knowlton church ruins in Dorset Nick Lucas/SWNS UK news in pictures 4 June 2021 Balloonists take flight during the opening of the Midlands Air Festival in Alcester, Warwickshire PA UK news in pictures 3 June 2021 Members of the Household Cavalry during the Major General's annual inspection of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park, London PA UK news in pictures 2 June 2021 Hannah Vitos of the Blenheim Art Foundation, poses for a photograph next to artist Ai Weiwei's Gilded Cage (2017) sculpture in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 1 June 2021 People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, in London, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 AP UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA But he added there was a line between which content should be kept and which should be removed. The race is really on to make sure that Mollys dad feels that the responsibility which is incumbent on Instagram and Facebook is now being properly taken up, and one of the things in this new role that I hope to do is to accelerate that process, he said. Referring to the way global technology firms pay tax, Sir Nick said policy needs to change. I think the tax arrangements for Facebook globally and indeed for the digital sector as a whole are unsustainable, he said. He added Facebook pays more than $4bn (3bn) in taxes annually but the way it is paid is unbalanced. The vast bulk of that tax is paid in the United States, not in the United Kingdom or France and Germany, Sir Nick said. That is the thing that is unbalanced. Of course its unbalanced to have an American company, yes thats where the value is created, catering to the world yet paying the vast majority of tax only in one country, one jurisdiction. Sir Nick also said governments have a place in regulating social media. He added: I think its perfectly legitimate for governments to say, look, we want to take our responsibility as governments or legislators to set boundaries. I dont think it is sustainable for tech companies to just say no we dont like all regulation. Press Association Renowned chef Ferran Adria is to reopen his world-famous elBulli concept next year, but wont be serving food. Before its closure in 2011, the Catalonia restaurant topped the World's 50 Best Restaurants list a record five times and received three Michelin stars. Today Adria said he will reopen elBulli, but it will function as a laboratory and "museum of culinary innovation", rather than a restaurant eight years after it closed. The mission of elBulli1846 is ... to create quality knowledge of restaurant gastronomy and everything that surrounds it, the 56-year-old Catalan told Reuters before his appearance at the Madrid Fusion gastronomic congress. The number in the concept's new name is a tribute to the birth year of Auguste Escoffier, the 19th century chef widely known as the king of chefs, chef to kings, who pioneered haute cuisine. Is this Asia's El Bulli? Show all 4 1 /4 Is this Asia's El Bulli? Is this Asia's El Bulli? 385102.bin Is this Asia's El Bulli? 385103.bin Is this Asia's El Bulli? 385104.bin Is this Asia's El Bulli? 385101.bin Over the years, elBulli became known for its avant-garde 30-course meals that included culinary delights such as smoke foam, white bean espuma with sea urchin and caramelised quails' eggs. At the time of the restaurant's closure, Adria revealed it was losing half a million euros a year, despite guests paying 200 per person to eat there. "At that level of contribution,'' he said of the losses, "I think we would rather see the money go to something larger that expands the concept and spirit of what elBulli represents.'' Spanish Chef Ferran Adria is pictured in the kitchen of El Bulli restaurant (AFP/Getty Images) elBulli1846 is planned to open in February 2020 at the same Catalonian location as the original restaurant. Its parallel museum will offer guided tours by prior appointment only. Therell be people saying that this wont work, but they used to say the same in the mid-1990s, said Adria. Scientists have found restoring cattle pastures brings an unlikely environmental benefit by cutting the greenhouse gas emissions from cattle urine. The planet-warming power of methane gas emitted by cows is well known, but their urine is also a contributor to climate change. When the animals urinate on pastures, they produce the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, which like methane has a far more powerful climate effect that CO2. Previous research on the Somerset Levels in the UK has shown how adding cow urine to grassland stimulates gas production by adding nitrogen to the system and increasing soil water content. In a new study, scientists investigated the levels of nitrous oxide coming from cow pastures across Latin America and the Caribbean after pouring samples of urine onto them. Environment news in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Environment news in pictures Environment news in pictures Davos 2019: David Attenborough issues stark warning about future of civilisation as he demands practical solutions to combat climate change Sir David Attenborough has issued a stark warning about climate change to business figures gathered in Davos, telling them that "what we do now...will profoundly affect the next few thousand years". On the eve of this year's World Economic Forum, the renowned naturalist told the audience that the worlds of business and politics should "get on with the practical solutions" needed to prevent environmental damage. "As a species we are expert problem solvers. But we've not yet applied ourselves to this problem with the focus it requires. "We can create a world with clean air and water, unlimited energy, and fish stocks that will sustain us well into the future. But to do that, we need a plan," he said. The broadcaster made his speech after receiving a Crystal Award, which is awarded by the forum to "exceptional cultural leaders". AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures At least 60% of wild coffee species face extinction triggered by climate change and disease Two decades of research have revealed that 60 per cent of the worlds coffee species face extinction due to the combined threats of deforestation, disease and climate change. The wild strain of arabica, the most widely consumed coffee on the planet, is among those now recognised as endangered, raising concerns about its long-term survival. These results are worrying for the millions of farmers around the world who depend on the continued survival of coffee for their livelihoods. As conditions for coffee farming become tougher, scientists predict the industry will need to rely on wild varieties to develop more resilient strains Alan Schaller Environment news in pictures Warming Antarctic waters are speeding the rate at which glaciers are melting The Antarctic ice sheet is losing six times as much ice each year as it was in the 1980s and the pace is accelerating, one of the most comprehensive studies of climate change effects on the continent has shown. More than half an inch has been added to global sea levels since 1979, but if current trends continue it will be responsible for metres more in future, the Nasa-funded study found. The international effort used aerial photos, satellite data and climate models dating back to the 1970s across18 Antarctic regions to get the most complete picture to date on the impacts of the changing climate. It found that between 1979 and 1990 Antarctica lost an average of 40 gigatonnes (40 billion tonnes) of its mass each year. Between 2009 and 2017 it lost an average 252 gigatonnes a year. This has added 3.6mm per decade to sea levels, or around 14mm since 1979, the study shows Nasa/Getty Environment news in pictures Greater Manchester to ban fracking, paving way for confrontation with government over controversial industry Greater Manchester is to effectively ban fracking, raising the prospect of fresh confrontation with the government over the controversial industry. All of the regions 10 councils are to implement planning policies which create a presumption against drilling for shale gas in their areas, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced. Campaigners said the move was the latest sign that the tide was turning against fracking, which has been the subject of multiple legal battles across the country. Critics of fracking say it poses environmental and health risks. Drilling at the UKs only operational fracking site, run by Cuadrilla in Lancashire, has repeatedly been halted due to earth tremors. But ministers support the industry and last year unveiled plans to accelerate the development of new drilling sites Ross Wills Environment news in pictures Japan confirms plan to resume commercial whaling in its waters from next year Japan will resume commercial whaling next year for the first time in more than three decades, in a move that has provoked strong criticism from campaigners and the international community. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said his nation would leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting the marine mammals in Japanese waters. However, he stated the activity would be limited to Japans territory and the 200 mile exclusive economic zone along its coasts. This means controversial scientific trips to Antarctica in which Japanese vessels killed hundreds of whales, as well as activity in the northwest Pacific, will stop in 2019 AP Environment news in pictures COP24: Environmental groups criticise morally unacceptable climate deal reached after major Poland summit Diplomats from around the world have agreed a major climate deal after two weeks of United Nations talks in Poland. But climate campaigners warned the deal effectively a set of rules for how to govern the 2015 Paris climate accord agreed between almost 200 countries lacked ambition or a clear promise of enhanced climate action. Activists cautiously welcomed elements of the plan, saying important progress had been made on ensuring that efforts to tackle climate change by individual nations can be measured and compared. But environmental groups were also highly critical of the agreement, warning it lacked ambition and clarity on key issues, including financing for climate projects for developing countries. The COP24 deal, which is aimed at providing firm guidelines for countries on how to transparently report their greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to reduce them, was confirmed on 15 December, after talks overran Reuters Environment news in pictures Unprecedented changes needed to stop global warming as UN report reveals islands starting to vanish and coral reefs dying Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut almost in half by 2030 to avert global environmental catastrophe, including the total loss of every coral reef, the disappearance of Arctic ice and the destruction of island communities, a landmark UN report has concluded. Drawing on more than 6,000 scientific studies and compiled over two years, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings, released this morning, warn enormous and rapid changes to the way everyone on Earth eats, travels and produces energy need to be brought in immediately. Though the scientists behind the report said there is cause for optimism, they recognised the grim reality that nations are currently nowhere near on track to avert disaster AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures Africas three biggest elephant poaching cartels exposed using DNA from illegal ivory shipments DNA taken from massive shipments of ivory has been used to identify the three largest wildlife trafficking gangs operating at the height of Africas elephant poaching epidemic. Ivory tends to be shipped around the world from African ports in bulk, and scientists have used genetic evidence gleaned from intercepted batches to reveal their origins. Led by Dr Samuel Wasser from the University of Washington, they traced a number of these shipments to three cartels operating out of Kenya, Uganda and Togo. Evidence collected by Dr Wasser has already helped convict ivory kingpin Feisal Mohamed Ali, and as his team joins the dots between shipments they plan to shore up the cases against more of the continents most prolific smugglers Art Wolfe They found that while the urine inevitably produced greenhouse gases, up to three times as much came from grassland that suffered from overgrazing and low soil quality. With degraded land covering 150 million hectares of Latin America, this finding adds a further incentive to restore these pastures to their former quality. Degraded pastures are bad in so many ways, said Dr Ngonidzashe Chirinda, a researcher at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture and the studys lead author. This study adds to the case for land restoration. Degraded pastures not only affect food security and the livelihood of farmers today, but affects the livelihood of future farmers because they emit more gases that cause global warming. Farm emissions are a major contributor to climate change, releasing CO2, methane and nitrous oxide that accounts for 10 per cent of emissions in the UK alone. The new study was published in the journal Scientific Reports. When Roman Abramovich saw Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatres production of The Good Person of Szechwan in Russia, he knew by the interval that he wanted to bring it to London. So I said well, wait till the end! recalls their artistic director Evgeny Pisarev with a smile. And well he might smile: he knew the second half of the production of Bertolt Brechts classic, directed with blazing vision by Russian director Yury Butusov, was even stronger than the first. Now, the show is indeed about to arrive in London: it plays at the Barbican as part of a mini-season of work by the Pushkin Theatre, alongside a radical take on Chekhovs The Cherry Orchard and a stage version of Chinghiz Aitmatovs story Mothers Field. Recent years have seen several Russian companies bringing productions to the UK and while Pushkin Theatres Cherry Orchard is a striking work, London audiences have become accustomed to the idea that Russian productions arent necessarily all birch trees, samovars and parasols. But politically agitating work by a German playwright? Less expected especially when championed (and part funded) by a Russian billionaire. But The Good Person really is thrilling. Stylishly directed and ferociously performed, its been a huge hit in Moscow since it opened in 2013 (the Russian system is to have around 20 works playing in repertory for years), and features a scorching central performance from Alexandra Ursulyak that has catapulted her to fame. Alexandra Ursulyaks central performance as sex worker Shen Te is scorching (Alex Yocu) Brechts parable is a howl against inequality, revealing the impossibility of being good in this world of uncaring capitalism we have created. The gods come to earth and meet Shen Te, a poor prostitute who offers them shelter; they reward her with enough money to open a small tobacconist. But as freeloaders pile in, Shen Te finds her money slipping away. Unable to help everyone else without becoming destitute herself, she invents a hardnosed businessman uncle Shui Ta. Dressing up as a man, she takes on this role that enables her to be as tough as she needs to be in order to survive. When The Good Person opened, Pisarev was nervous. Hed never signed up for Brecht. The much in-demand Butusov had originally suggested doing Dostoevskys The Idiot: a nice safe choice. Yury is a very unpredictable director, Pisarev says, speaking through a translator, during lunch at Cafe Pushkin (the branding in this corner of the capital is nothing if not consistent). So when he came up to me two weeks later and said its going to be Bertolt Brecht, I got a little frightened... with no [famous] actor, it was quite risky. He pauses, and smiles again: Now I thank god that we cancelled The Idiot! The best theatre of 2018 Show all 10 1 /10 The best theatre of 2018 The best theatre of 2018 10. Girls & Boys, Royal Court One of those plays that had you staggering slightly as you left the stalls. This one-woman show was performed with amusing self-possession and fierce grace by Carey Mulligan, as a woman recounting how she met her husband, and how they navigated her more successful career and having a family. Dennis Kellys play began deceptively light and funny, but its snark turned to harrowing tragedy via a twist that left you winded and delivered a howl against the conditioned violence of men. Designer Es Devlins painterly approach to light and colour was perfect and also paid painful dividends. Marc Brenner The best theatre of 2018 9. Fun Home, Young Vic This American musical was keenly awaited and didnt disappoint. An adaptation of Alison Bechdels graphic novel about her in-the-closet father who ran a funeral home, and her own journey towards coming out, it felt important to see such a story onstage and was so very beautifully told, with book and lyrics by Lisa Kron and music Jeanine Tesori (who also scored the terrific musical Caroline, or Change, which stormed London in 2018 too after opening in Chichester last year). Although the show doesnt totally burn in the memory, Zubin Varla was magnificent as the father, and Eleanor Kanes song of sexual discovery and first love Changing My Major (to Joan) was one of my favourite moments of the year. Marc Brenner The best theatre of 2018 8. Dance Nation, The Almeida By American writer Clare Barron (pictured), this play followed a group of teenage dancers, with their earnest dreams, petty rivalries, and general angst. Sounds like a bad TV series but it was so, so much more. Barron had these girls discovering their power. Power theyre thrilled by; power theyre afraid of. A slippery beast, the play flirted with the supernatural and the mythical in its depiction of the transformation of puberty. Among a strong cast of adults making no attempt to disguise their adulthood, Ria Zmitrowicz was especially memorable as Zuzu. Almeida The best theatre of 2018 7. Company, Gielgud Theatre I spend more reviews than Id like moaning about old-fashioned musical revivals that fail to tackle #problematic material. Stephen Sondheims musical about Bobby, whose friends harp on at him to get married, could have been one but Marianne Elliott unlocked it with a smart, coherent approach to gender-swapped casting. Bobbie as a woman in her mid-thirties made a lot of sense, as did the switcheroos in several other couples, which gave a fresh fillip to the shows meandering investigation of relationships. The score sounded divine, Rosalie Craig was a glinting Bobbie, and Getting Married Today had me actually breathless with laughter. Brinkhoff Mogenburg The best theatre of 2018 6. Sweat, Donmar Warehouse A late addition: Sweat has just opened, although after rave reviews tickets are in short supply catch it if you can before 26 January. Lynn Nottages play about factory workers in Pennsylvania whose friendships and families fracture when job losses loom was always likely to be good; it won a Pulitzer, after all. But Lynette Lintons production was ferociously good. Plumbing the emotional depths of Nottages heart-breaking story, it had fine, firmly controlled performances and a terrific set by Frankie Bradshaw. And while this incredibly empathetic play has plenty to tell us about blue-collar America, it couldnt have struck harder in Brexit Britain either. Johan Persson The best theatre of 2018 5. Misty, The Bush/Trafalgar Studies A game-changer, this show built up a thrilling momentum, galvanising audiences and transferring to the West End, allowing us to kick once and for all the bone-headed notion that there isnt an audience for black plays into the long grass. And how: Arinze Kenes piece of gig-theatre explored and exploded exactly the notion of a black play, with the mesmerising Kene playing himself as a writer struggling to work out if hes pandering to what producers expect of him by writing urban safari jungle s**t. This was art about art that felt pressingly topical, and while there were rough edges to it, there was also vital vim and intent. Helen Murray The best theatre of 2018 4. John, National Theatre American playwright Annie Bakers much-hyped The Flick left me a bit underwhelmed; this swept me up completely. A synopsis a fighting couple stay in a strange, kitschy B&B filled with uncanny china dolls doesnt do it justice. Here was the finest dissection of a floundering relationship and look at how gender politics infects us all. Here, too, was a kind of metaphysical mysteriousness that was truly stirring John wasnt quite a ghost story, but rather, it eerily tilted towards the darker depths of the human soul. It was long, it was slow, and I loved every minute. Stephen Cummiskey The best theatre of 2018 3. The Writer, The Almeida Yes, another from the north London theatre but what a year they had. And this was a play that really grappled with the specifics of its own setting: Ella Hicksons meta-theatrical masterwork began with a scene set at a theatre, where a young female writer castigated a sleazy older male director. But Blanche McIntyres production perpetually snatched the rug from under your feet, and was frighteningly smart and formally thrilling as it did so, asking potent questions about gender, power, capitalism and art. As theatre-about-theatre, it could also be maddening, and had a wildly ambiguous final scene that drove everyone nuts. Quite possibly the most written-about, talked-about, argued-about play of the year. Manuel Harlan The best theatre of 2018 2. Ear for Eye, Royal Court The year saw a genuine increase in the diversity of stories getting told in British theatre, and Debbie Tucker Greens incendiary play was a pinnacle of that: brilliantly tough, absolutely necessary. A large black cast moved through elliptical scenes exposing racial prejudice and police brutality some beautifully poetic, some just vibrating with fury. And a long final filmed section demanded that audiences face the hard truth about British and American slave laws. It was a play that stayed with me long after it finished. Stephen Cummiskey The best theatre of 2018 1. Summer and Smoke, The Almeida If youd told me in January that top of my list would be this lesser-known Tennessee Williams play, surely the least enticing show on the Almeidas absolutely stellar programme, I might have scoffed. But Rebecca Frecknalls direction of this tale of thwarted love was as delicate and distinctive as it was wonderfully heart-squeezing. Matthew Needham was a burningly intense leading man, but it was Patsy Ferrans incredibly detailed, funny performance that rocketed this to number one. The best news? It transferred to the West End, where you can catch it until 19 January. Marc Brenner At the premiere of The Good Person, Pisarev realised that this was the most modern thing you could imagine on stage now. Its presented crisply, with Shen Tes poor neighbours looking more like slick business fat cats in sharp suits. And Butusov doesnt sugarcoat anything: Ursulyak is never your sweetly cliched prostitute with a heart of gold; she is tough and raggedy from the off, in her smeared makeup and PVC raincoat. When we first see her disguised as Shui Ta neat in pinstripes and a bowler hat, reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin its funny, a performative sendup of masculinity. But by the end, as the Shui Ta character takes over, Ursulyak gives a terrifyingly intense performance: she is ravaged by the selfishness of those around her, but also overwhelmed by the impossibility of squaring her own survival with the hypocritical standards of goodness demanded by the gods. She stamps and rages, singing the hardhitting Brechtian songs (still in the original German) with such ferocity that her voice becomes hoarse. You might assume this exploration of gender is the reason to do this play now The Good Person could be about how power, and therefore money, still works along gendered lines. But for Butusov, it has more to do with the male and female, tenderness and toughness, within all of us. The Good Person of Szechwan has been a big hit in Moscow (Alex Yocu) Me and maestro understood that this passage between the male character and the female character does not actually exist, says Ursulyak when we talk at the theatre before the show. Shen Te and Shui Ta are one and the same. And yes, she really does call her director maestro a small detail, but one which makes it perhaps less surprising that Russian theatre isnt yet using this play as a way to unpick structural gendered power imbalances. But how does a play like this change when you perform it for so many years? For Butusov, the political situation in Russia and beyond has become more extreme since 2013, making Brechts work even more potent. Were living in a very selfish time, he says. While speaking to key figures in Russias arts scene, of course you want to know the extent to which their work may or may not be constrained by their own political situation. After all, theatre director Kirill Serebrennikov was placed under house arrest in 2017, accused of fraud, though his defenders claimed it was politically motivated. Artists dont have complete liberty, Butusov acknowledges candidly, although the risk is as much of self-censorship as dramatic public arrests. While Butusov has never had any of his work prohibited or forbidden, he has felt pressure in previous roles. Different methods may be used for causing this pressure upon the director its almost never direct pressure, saying that one cant approach some topic, its more an administrative pressure, he says. For instance, it may be implied the sort of work they want to make has no audience, and therefore is not economically viable. In fact, Butusovs productions are reaching ever larger audiences; he recently became head of Moscows avant garde Vakhtangov theatre company. And his presence at the Pushkin theatre was part of Pisarevs very deliberate attempt to reinvent his own company. Pisarev took over the theatre in 2010, after the previous artistic director Roman Kozak passed away. Its located in the heart of Moscow, but what was happening inside was actually quite provincial, he recalls. And while Pisarev has kept some productions not least a version of Beauty and the Beast which has been running for an astonishing 68 years he was also determined to shake things up. Today, he can confidently say that the Pushkin theatre is a theatre which is capable of surprise. Butusov agrees: If we think of the theatre as it was before, it may be called a theatre with a beard, he jokes. Now, he adds approvingly, Pisarev focuses his attention on the younger generation. Evgeny Pisarev is head of the Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre (Anastasya Voronova) But before he could start making such inventive work, Pisarev had to lay to rest a few ghosts in the theatre. Quite literally: the Pushkin was believed to be haunted. Founded in 1914 by Alexander Tairov, and then called the Chamber Theatre, it originally formed a Russian home for foreign work, from Brechts The Threepenny Opera and Eugene ONeills plays to even the worldwide premiere of JB Priestleys An Inspector Calls. They also toured successfully around Europe, and were popular with audiences far beyond Russia. But then, during Stalins rule, such an outward-looking European attitude became dangerous. Tairov was killed, artistically, says Pisarev. They took away his theatre, its name was changed, they fired his acting company. At once, he got brain cancer; he kept waking up and going to the theatre and they would not let him in. He would stand in front of it for hours... His wife Alisa Koonen, an actor in the company, lived for 25 years after Tairovs death but never went on stage again. There is a legend that when she died, she sent a curse to the theatre, said Pisarev. He was even warned against taking the job on by colleagues muttering about the bad luck the theatre has endured ever since how many of its artistic directors have died in strange situations. Pisarev doesnt believe in ghosts, but nonetheless he decided to hold a special gala, honouring the contributions of Tairov and Koonen and asking their forgiveness. Since then, the theatres fortunes have indeed improved. And their arrival in London once again gives The Pushkin Theatre a chance to show groundbreaking work to audiences far from home. Koonen, surely, would approve. Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre is at the Barbican 5 to 9 February; barbican.org.uk Michael Jacksons family have continued to condemn the controversial new documentary Leaving Neverland, despite the fact that the film hasnt even been released yet. HBO and Channel 4s forthcoming four-hour documentary, which was screened at Sundance Film Festival last week, has reignited questions over whether Jackson sexually abused children at his sprawling Neverland Ranch in California. It features interviews with James Safechuck, Wade Robson and their families, who claim that Jackson sexually abused them over a period of several years when they were children. Jackson, who died in 2009 from an overdose of Propofol, was acquitted of molestation charges in a 2005 trial. In 1993, he was publicly accused of molesting an underage boy before agreeing to a financial settlement. Lawsuits filed by Robson and Safechuck were both dismissed. Jacksons family released a fresh statement on Monday (28 January) condemning the film. Michael always turned the other cheek, and we have always turned the other cheek when people have gone after members of our family that is the Jackson way, the statement said. But we cant just stand by while this public lynching goes on, and the vulture tweeters and others who never met Michael go after 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 Jacksons estate released an earlier criticism about the documentary that branded it yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson. Director Dan Reed responded to the estate and said they obviously hadnt seen the film. Its pretty much what youd expect them to say, he said. The statement contains nothing that is of concern and no substantial criticism of the film. They obviously havent seen it, and Im not engaging with the substance of what theyre saying. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon MusicSign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Audience members who attended the Sundance premiere were seen with shocked expressions after watching the film, with one critic tweeting that he would need 400 showers to ever feel clean again. Whatever you thought you knew or were aware of, the content of this is more disturbing than you could imagine, Daily Beast entertainement reporter Kevin Fallon wrote. Once upon a time, record labels, event professionals, and book publishers took risks on new talent by presenting advanced honorariums for the "future" sales potential of relatively unknown artists and experts. Today, the market has completely changed to a self-funding model. It's hard now to get noticed without a proven track record. The rise of self-published authors and artists leaves them feeling the pressure of creating consistent content to prove their value upfront. This is especially true for speakers in today's market. Without a consistent resume of media coverage, high profile publications, and influence, event professionals will request highly ambitious speakers and lecturers to volunteer their expertise. With an abundance of high-profile experts teaching "how to get paid to speak," there's one step that you must add to your business model today to avoid getting trapped into volunteering your time: Host your own events. Hosting your own events is a great way to increase the value of your marketing collateral by featuring footage of you speaking in front of your ideal target audience. In addition, it will give you financial leverage to negotiate higher speaking and appearance fees when approached by event planners at conventions. Hosting your own event adds infinite possibilities to the value of your brand and will increase your demand. Here are the three most important reasons why: 1. It increases your visibility . If you haven't spoken at a large-scale convention/conference before, this is an effective way to introduce yourself to the market. Photos, videos, and social-media testimonials will guide an executive meeting planner's decision about your qualifications. In addition, you're building a platform to substantiate your expertise. Local events also attract local media attention. News outlets are always seeking tips which highlight upcoming attractions in their city. A local news story can help you attract more media exposure to discuss your expertise in the future. By doing this over the past five years, I've managed to build solid relationships with morning show producers in several cities, where I host most of my events--primarily New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The media coverage has undoubtedly accelerated my speaking career and demand. 2. You can use prices to set your value. If you want premium honorariums, pricing your own events becomes imperative to corporate event and meeting planners. My events are priced according to my honorarium when approached by event coordinators. The price of your event highlights your confidence level about the value of your experience and expertise. For example, you cannot host a $40 event and expect a $40,000 speaking fee. Price your event parallel to the level of conference/convention where you would like to speak. 3. You can focus on quality, rather than quantity. I host 10 small-scale live events each year, which are committed solely to value. Most of these incubators are invite-only. Some are only 15 seats per event. Harley has more than tariffs to blame: U.S. retail sales tumbled 10 percent in the three months ended in December, the eighth consecutive quarterly drop. The company is having trouble attracting younger riders and is planning to offer cheaper bikes to reach new customers. (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. A founder of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI Indonesia), senior BBC journalist Ging Ginanjar, died aged 54 on Sunday, January 20. Ging was known for his commitment to protect press freedom, freedom of expression, and human rights. His career in journalism began in the 1980s when he joined Gala daily in Bandung, West Java. He then moved to the weekly tabloid DeTik, an outspoken critic of the government. On June 21, 1994, DeTik, Tempo and Editor were shut down by the authoritarian government. Ging was also an activist; he was then a member of the Independent Journalists Forum (FOWI) in Bandung, West Java. At that time, the government only acknowledged the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) as the single organisation for journalists. The policy to only have one mandatory organisation was a strategy for the government to control the press. Ging refused to follow this rule. Ging continued to be actively involved with the movement after the closing of the three news organisations. On June 21, 1994, Ging and several other FOWI members published a second bulletin to inform the public about the media shutdowns. The information was missing from mainstream media because newsrooms did not want to risk a similar fate. The Suharto government was authorised to revoke press licenses at any time it perceived a media outlet crossed the line. The first bulletin circulated a year earlier on National Press Day, which was celebrated every February 9 to mark the birth of the PWI, an effective reminder of the governments media restrictions. Ging was among dozens of journalists who gathered in Sirnagalih, West Java on August 7, 1994 to draft the Sirnagalih Declaration. This declaration was based on several principles, such as rejecting all kinds of censorship and media restrictions, and open access to information. They also refused the idea of a single compulsory organisation for journalists and announced the establishment of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI). When the FOWI bulletin transformed its name to Independen and became the official underground magazine of AJI, Ging was appointed as its chief editor. The content was written from members of AJI in various cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. The underground magazine was an alternative to the restricted mainstream media, providing various reports, which were considered sensitive and were unlikely to appear in mainstream media; topics included Soehartos family business and an interview with Xanana Gusmao, the freedom fighter of the future Timor Leste. The popularity of Independen increased, reaching thousands subscribers. In 1995, three activists behind the Independens publication and distribution were arrested; Ging took over as a managing editor. During his activism under the New Order regime, Ging was arrested for his role in organising the Indonesian Peoples Congress on March 10, 1998. The meeting was a symbolic event to vote for the peoples president. Ging pleaded guilty. When Suharto resigned after 32 years in power, Ging remained loyal to journalism. Whilst many activists joined the pursuit of power during the early Reformasi era, Ging never left the profession. For his dedication to journalism, he was a nominee for the 1998 Reporters Sans Frontieres-Fondation de France prize. After Suharto fell, press freedom in the country improved. The permit for media businesses, a main hindrance to press freedom and the publics right to information, ended. As a result, national and local media mushroomed. Ging continued his career with a number of media houses in Indonesia and Europe, including KBR 68H, an independent radio news agency, Deutsche Welle, and the BBC. Ging has been known for his continuous efforts to give a voice to the voiceless. In his work we can see his efforts to improve gender equality. He was also in the frontline to protect minority rights and urge the public to embrace diversity. Ging also continued his activism and was actively involved in various training programs to enhance journalism skills and awareness of journalists' safety. In 1999 for instance, he helped IFJ to re-establish the IFJ media safety service in Dili, East Timor. Abdul Manan, the current AJI Chairman, said the death of Ging is a great loss for AJI. He made history by publishing the FOWI magazine which later changed into Independen. The publication was a symbol to fight the authoritarian regime, Manan said. Manan also remembers Ging as a person with a great personality, being humble, and with a great sense of humour. He knew how to make us laugh and was always very friendly. No wonder he had so many friends, Manan said. Similar remarks have come from Gings family and his multitude of friends. Two different occasions to commerate Ging, one on Monday, January 21 in Jakarta and another one on Sunday, January 27 in Bandung, flowed with expressions of mourning, love and laughter in remembering Ging. Friends also remembered Ging as a fun storyteller. As quoted from a column wrote by his best friend Hawe Setiawan, whilst friends and relatives gathered in the funeral of Ging on the afternoon of January 22, they were not saying goodbye to Ging, but to make sure the memory of Ging always live on. His fleet of 370 cars is smaller these days because many drivers go on vacation in January but the rest, he said, will be out to pick up fares. Tomorrow is an opportunity for whoever drives a cab to make money, Tudor said. Im a half-glass full guy. I dont think it will be as cold as they say. And if it is, itll be OK. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) The validity of the extension of martial law in Mindanao continues to be a hot topic in the Supreme Court. In a hearing Tuesday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Benjamin Madrigal Jr. gave the condition in which the military will recommend lifting martial law-- when the rebel forces have been reduced to a level that can be handled by ordinary law enforcement. "We would gladly recommend the lifting of martial law if we attain that," Madrigal said. He explained that this would entail the reduction of enemy forces to 30 percent of its current strength, firearms, resources and support system. Brigadier General Pablo Lorenzo said this was the level when threat groups "can no longer impose their will on the people or no longer effective in far as attaining their political objective is concerned." This was echoed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who argued in favor of the administration's position that martial law is currently needed in Mindanao. "If the military can degrade the rebels up to 70 percent, maiwan yung 30 percent capability (would be left), then they will recommend that martial law be terminated," Calida said. The oral arguments on the validity of the extension of martial law in Mindanao will continue on February 4. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation2@journalnet.com for help creating one. Community Information If you would like to submit an upcoming event or community announcement, please contact our staff at 208-232-4161 or send an email to cjohnson@journalnet.com. We will also accept news from local clubs and engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements. You can post your community or club events on our calendar. Obituaries Submit an obituary/notice All obituaries must be placed by your mortuary or onlineDeadline is 3 p.m. for publication the next day. The ISJ is not responsible for spelling, grammar, or basic mistakes. 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... We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@idahopress.com for help creating one. Page Content Montreal and Dubai, 29 January 2019 In his keynote address to the Global Aviation Investment Summit in Dubai yesterday, the President of the ICAO Council, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, reminded the many dignitaries and participants in attendance that aviation is essential to States as they seek to access regional and global markets, and these connections in turn enhance consumer benefits and choices, create jobs, and significantly stimulate tourism and trade. Last year, some 4.3 billion passengers and 58 million tonnes of freight were carried by global commercial operators, on 38 million flights. President Aliu underscored that with this massive volume of operations, and noting air transports important access and connectivity benefits, it is not difficult to appreciate why our sector is responsible today for providing meaningful employment and sustainable careers to over 65 million men and women worldwide, while contributing more than 2.7 trillion dollars to global GDP. He also highlighted that both air passenger traffic and air freight traffic globally should more than double by 2035, and that the countries which make the needed investments required now in national and regional infrastructure, capacity, and technologies, will also be the ones which will benefit the most in the coming decades from aviations rapidly accelerating global connectivity. Dr. Aliu stressed the importance of developing and implementing national and regional aviation infrastructure programmes and plans in full cooperation with the investment stakeholder community, noting as well that State planning must also have strategic infrastructure targets and performance ambitions that are guided by and consistent with ICAOs Global Plans. This facilitates compliance with the ICAO standards and recommended practices which underpin the safe, secure, and sustainable development of the international civil aviation network, he commented. In terms of suggested solutions, he stressed that States must determine strategic infrastructure targets by conducting national and regional gap-analyses between forecasted demand and current capacity. Dr. Aliu further noted that business case analyses should also be conducted to accurately delineate all requirements, reduce investor risk, and evaluate projected returns, and that this in turn requires the establishment of institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks, together with monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Finally, he made a very strong recommendation that primary focus should be placed by all concerned on investments earmarked toward educating and training the next generation of aviation professionals. Infrastructure development absolutely requires aligned financial investments and enhancements in human capacity development, which are completely co-dependent. There is no point in upgrading technologies and facilities to the latest performance specifications if the personnel are not on hand to professionally operate them or provide appropriate oversight, Dr. Aliu remarked. Additionally, States should take pragmatic measures to build a transparent, stable and predictable investment climate to support aviation development, for example, by engaging multi-stakeholders, diversifying funding sources, and fully considering all options relating to private investment, business reform, private finance initiatives, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and incentive schemes as appropriate. His remarks reflected ICAOs concerns regarding the limited volume of international public finance and assistance currently earmarked or available for aviation infrastructure projects, despite air transports cross-cutting nature and multiple links to other economic sectors. It is critical that we, as an industry sector, advocate together for major aviation infrastructure projects to be included in the lists of prioritized opportunities relating to international public finance and assistance for development, Dr. Aliu said. ICAO is strengthening its dialogue to achieve the common understanding of all players, assess and respond to related business imperatives, and seek increases in all forms of international public finance and assistance for development, including official development assistance (ODA) and South-South cooperation. ICAO plays a key role in fostering effective partnerships between donors, investors and States and facilitating the mobilization of resources. Under its No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative, the UN aviation agency also identifies and provides assistance to those States in need. Together, we should emphasize that investments are not the same as costs, Dr. Aliu remarked in his conclusion. An investment in aviation is not only a commitment to the safe, secure and efficient management of air transport operations, but also to national and regional economic growth and profitability, and ultimately to the international connectivity that is so critical to fostering peace and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world. While in Dubai for the Summit, Dr. Aliu held discussions on local civil aviation development and ICAO cooperation matters with His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy, and with H.E Sheikh Salman Al Sabah, the President and Chairman of Kuwaits Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). President Aliu also had an opportunity to visit the Sheik Mohamed Ben Rashed Space Centre in Dubai, and later he received a joint presentation on the citys Autonomous Air Taxi project from the Dubai Road Transport Agency (RTA) and UAE CAA. He was received on this occasion by H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA. Dr. Aliu was accompanied during his visits and presentations by Captain Aysha Mohammed Al Hamili, Representative of the UAE on the ICAO Council, and by Mr. Mohamed Khalifa Rahma, ICAOs Middle East Regional Director. Resources for Editors About ICAO A specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental protection, amongst many other priorities. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 192 Member States. ICAO and Aviation Development ICAO's No Country Left Behind initiative Contacts Anthony Philbin Chief, Communications aphilbin@icao.int +1 514-954-8220 +1 438-402-8886 (mobile) Twitter: @ICAO William Raillant-Clark Communications Officer wraillantclark@icao.int +1 514-954-6705 +1 514-409-0705 (mobile) Twitter: @wraillantclark LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raillantclark/ E3 Academy students Jason Bunt, LaShay Darkins, Raechel Morin, Dakota Freeman, Matt Bess, Rayvin West, Tiara Myers and Tyler Caron prepare to read from their book at Mass MoCA. PreviousNext E3 Academy Students Debut Book of North Adams Recollections NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Students at the E3 Academy have focused their larger projects over the years to aspects of the community: a line of merchandise celebrating the city, a food pantry, teaching younger kids about healthy food, researching social and civil rights in the area. On Saturday, the alternative high school program put forth perhaps its most ambitious project: a series of interviews with residents collected into the book "The City Before You." "Stories, smiles, laughter and an occasional doughnut were shared as students formed friendships with these local historians," read Rayven West on Saturday before an appreciative crowd in the Hunter Gallery at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Each student, in turn, read snippets from the book and presented a copy each to the North Adams Historical Society and the North Adams Public Library. The stories of 17 people are in the book: how Fritz Spooner was rejected by the Army so came home to join the National Guard; how Dick Dassatti hitch-hiked around the country but came to realize nothing was as beautiful as his hometown; Bernice "Red" Alcombright told them about running a machine with 80 bobbins in the mill; Justyna Carlson recalled the old hangouts like Rice's Drugstore and going to the Drury-St. Joe games. Jason Bunt said he liked learning the history of the area. "I liked to talk to the old people and have coffee with them and sitting there with the inteviews and understanding about their life and what it was like back then," he said. "It's nice to know about it." Bunt interviewed Alfred "buzz" Dickinson and his friend spoke with Buzz's wife of 60 years, Betty. LaShay Darkins interviewed Alcombright, the former mayor's mother. "She was nice to me," she said. She really enjoyed "the experience of being in Mass MoCA and seeing everybody here enjoying our show." The students' show was interrupted regularly as people walked by the presentation in the gallery, a connector space that features Spencer Finch "Cosmic Latte" lighting installation. It was free day at the museum and it was packed with people. In addition to the E3 Academy, the Historical Society and the history department at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts were holding a "history harvest" to digitize photos and objects from the former mill and city's history. For the E3 history harvest, school counselor Abby Reifsnyder had contacted the Spitzer Center and North Adams Commons looking for people willing to be interviewed, then the adults brainstormed to come up with some more, like Fritz Spooner. "We got some of the best stories from him," she smiled. Among the interviewees was Joe Manning, the Florence resident who has become an integral part of the North Adams community. Manning's written his own books on the city based on interviews and said it was kind of weird to be the subject this time. "It was kind of fun being on the other end of an interview," he said. Though it was tough at first to answer the questions "because I'm thinking more academically as a historian." But he realized it was about sharing experiences. "I just opened up and said exactly how I felt," he said. "It's fun to be interviewed." Reifsnyder said the students were really pushed with this project. They did followup interviews, wrote up summaries and quotes, and did numerous revisions to create the content. Then they printed out the folios and sewed the books together. "They really did the whole thing but we ran out of time," she said. Only a few books were completed for presentation by Saturday. "Next week, they'll each make another one for themselves and for each one they interviewed. We're really happy with how it came out." The project also connected the academy, located in the Armory, to the Spitzer Senior Center just down the street. "What was really sweet at the Spitzer Center, we went one week and then we went the following week so the kids could ask some follow-up questions, and now we have an ongoing relationship," Reifsnyder said. "Last Wednesday, we presented them with a copy of the book and all the people who we interviewed were there and they were so excited." SoundRoyalties Opens Nashville Office, Networking Space [UPDATED] Sound Royalties has added a Nashville location. To oversee the expansion of the music industry specialty finance firm, Sound Royalties CEO and Founder Alex Heiche is now operating full time out of Nashville. The company will also host events and gatherings in its Nashville space, independently as well as in concert with other music organizations. The events will be exclusive to creatives and music industry professionals looking to network and share their creativity. CEO, Founder Alex Heiche Nashville isnt just the country music capital, it is the music capital of the world. Beyond those who already live here, creatives from all genres of music travel here to play shows, record music, and collaborate with other artists, said Heiche, who is a longtime supporter of the Nashville music scene. Its important to us that we establish a dedicated space in Nashville, to enhance our commitment to the community and its music professionals. Sound Royalties financing allows musicians to retain their copyrights and receive overflow income. Steve Bogard, Board President of Nashville Songwriters Association International, spoke about the companys services: Sound Royalties is a safe and sensible option to support the growth of creatives careers. The companys flexible model works for songwriters in a variety of situations an up-and-coming young writer, an established artist who wants to fund a new project, or an experienced songwriter managing multiple revenue streams. Sound Royalties new Nashville space joins locations in South Florida and Los Angeles. Meetings at Sound Royalties Nashville office are by appointment only. To request, please reach out to the company at 1-888-987-3224 or info@soundroyalties.com. Share on: Is anybody else low-key obsessed with The Worlds Most Extraordinary Homes on Netflix? I started watching it with my mom when she was in town last spring (right before we left for our Istanbul trip!) and Im still hooked. They feature beautiful homes across the world, all with unique features and designs. There was the home in the first season that was made with spare plane parts, another in Portugal that was built around existing trees, and I just finished an episode that featured a Norwegian house that literally sat on a small rock in a fjord and is only accessible by boat. To quote Caroline, one of the shows hosts: corrrrr. To be honest, the homes that appeal to me the most are the ones that look simple and unassuming from the outside, and only show how beautiful and grand they are once you step inside. Like this loaf cake! It looks just like any boring old pound cake from the outside. Good, suremost loaf cakes are often flavorful and moistbut kinda boring? But never judge a book by its cover! Slicing into it reveals three layers of cake all in one simple loaf. Its almost like magic. The best part about the recipe is that it uses the same base loaf cake recipe for all three layers: to get the chocolate layers, you simply mix varying amounts of chocolate and cocoa powder in them to get the different colors of ombre brown. But to be honest, the same thing that makes this recipe easy and awesome is also what handicaps it I didnt think there was much difference in taste between the two chocolate layers. It tasted more like a regular marbled chocolate and vanilla loaf to me, rather than a triple-flavored one? But honestly, thats a relatively minor flaw, so you can probably just ignore me and make it anyway. And Ive already got ideas for other, more distinctive three layer pound cakes in the future (because you know thats how I roll). Enjoy! featured: Some bakers notes: I wish I could take credit for this recipe, but its actually a Martha Stewart recipe that Ive had bookmarked for ages. The only changes I made were to make it in a 8 x 4-inch loaf pan (she uses a 9 x 5-inch pan, but I think it domes better in a smaller pan) and to use a measuring scale to divide out the batter in three equal parts. You can use the volume measurements provided in the original recipe (it tells you to divide the batter into three 1 1/2 cup portions), but according to this blog that doesnt create even layers so I just used my measuring scale to weigh out the batter and divide it evenly instead (my recipe below has the weight measurements to do exactly this). If youre a baker and you dont have a scale, it really is worth getting one! Because youre essentially making three batters, if youre not paying attention, youll find that you accidentally used all the bowls up in your kitchen (REAL LIFE: IT HAPPENED TO ME). The best way to minimize the mess and ONLY use three bowls is this: BOWL 1: Measure out all the dry ingredients into a bowl big enough to use to make the batter (so, your mixer bowl if using a stand mixer). BOWL 2: Measure out all the chopped chocolate into a bowl big enough to hold about 1 1/2 cups of batter comfortably (ie, with enough space so that you can mix batter without it spilling over the sides). I used a 1 1/2-quart Pyrex glass bowl from this set. BOWL 3: Reserve a final bowl around the size of the chocolate bowl. I used a 1 1/2-quart Pyrex glass bowl from this set (I own two of this set like a crazy person in a pinch, you can probably get away with using the smaller 1 quart size in the set). Although in line with previous years averages, STR analysts note that the absolute occupancy was the lowest for any year in the country since 2014. The dip in occupancy came as a result of healthy supply growth (+2.4%) and softened demand (+1.1%) that was likely influenced by political and economic uncertainty, along with safety concerns and U.S.-issued travel advisories. Mexicos hotel industry reported mixed performance results during 2018, according to data from STR. Compared with 2017: Occupancy: -1.3% to 63.1% Average daily rate (ADR): -0.6% to MXN2,300.04 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -1.9% to MXN1,450.53 Although in line with previous years averages, STR analysts note that the absolute occupancy was the lowest for any year in the country since 2014. The dip in occupancy came as a result of healthy supply growth (+2.4%) and softened demand (+1.1%) that was likely influenced by political and economic uncertainty, along with safety concerns and U.S.-issued travel advisories. Among STRs defined markets for the country, Mexico Northeast registered the largest increases in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (+5.0% to 65.8%), ADR (+4.5% to MXN1,272.75) and RevPAR (+9.7% to MXN837.86). Based on number of hotels, the largest cities included in this market are Monterrey, Saltillo and Tampico. Mexico City experienced the second-highest rise in occupancy (+3.0% to 69.2%), which resulted in the only other jump in RevPAR (+4.0% to MXN1,706.93). Mexico Central North reported the largest drop in RevPAR (-4.8% to MXN1,037.37), due primarily to the second-steepest decline in occupancy (-3.6% to 61.0%). This market includes Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Mexico Central South saw the largest decrease in occupancy (-3.9% to 52.8%) and the second-largest drop in RevPAR (-3.1% to MXN580.45). The highest hotel counts in this market belong to Oaxaca and Acapulco. The Yucatan Peninsula posted the only other decline in ADR (-0.6% to MXN3,691.76). STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 10 countries around the world with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and an international headquarters in London, England. For more information, please visit str.com. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest all industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hospitality Trends As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. 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Houston, MO (65483) Today Sun and clouds mixed. Hot. High 91F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. McALLEN, Texas President Donald Trump traveled to the Rio Grande Valley this month and made his case for building a wall on the southern border needed, he said, to keep the United States 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, Trump said, pointing to the illicit exhibit in front of him. 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 event, 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. Many of the items on display were seized on international bridges on the Texas border, detected by canines and Customs and Border Protection officers. Some of them were found during traffic stops or, in one case, inside a South Texas home, and its hard to know how they entered the country. THE NEW YORK TIMES Its not complex, the president said, after various officials described the items on the table. If we dont have a barrier, a very substantial barrier of some kind, youre never going to be able to solve this problem. But of course, the story of illegal border trafficking is complex. And one of the biggest takeaways to be gleaned from Trumps exhibit table was that nearly all the items were intercepted by vigilant border agents federal employees who have not been paid since the fight over a border wall led to a partial shutdown of the federal government on Dec. 22. AK-47 and 9-Millimeter Pistols The tableau in front of Trump included an AK-47 assault rifle and multiple 9-millimeter handguns. Though Trump seemed to take credit for the all recent seizures of illegal goods, these weapons were actually seized in June 2016, the month before Trump officially won the Republican nomination for president. When a vehicle drove south from the Texas border town of Mission and onto the Anzalduas International Bridge bound for Mexico, CBP officers searched the car and found the weapons, according to an agency spokesman. There were also 20 ammunition magazines found in the vehicle, the spokesman said. American-made guns have illegally flowed south into Mexico in large numbers for years. A 2013 study by the University of San Diego found that nearly half of American firearms dealers are dependent on Mexican sales, with an estimated 253,000 firearms purchased annually between 2010 and 2012 to be taken across the border. THE NEW YORK TIMES A Bag of Cash Stacks of $20 bills bundled in a plastic bag totaling $362,062 sat on one table. Just days before the president arrived in McAllen, the cash had been inside the South Texas home of Edsgardo Coss-Vallejo. Coss-Vallejo had been living in the United States on a visa, but overstayed his allowed time in the country. When Hidalgo County authorities and federal agents showed up at his house to investigate, Coss-Vallejo allowed them inside to conduct a search of his home. Border Patrol canines alerted on a duffel bag containing the cash. Coss-Vallejo denied ownership of the money. Coss-Vallejo was arrested on suspicion of marriage fraud and currency smuggling, and he was deported to Mexico. Methamphetamine and Heroin After a large X-ray scanned a tractor-trailer entering Texas from Mexico at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge in September, Customs inspectors wanted a closer look. Canines did the rest and detected the drugs, according to a CBP spokesman. Authorities found 117 kilograms of methamphetamine and 12.5 kilograms of heroin concealed in the ceiling of the truck, the spokesman said. A majority of heroin that enters the United States from Mexico crosses not through remote stretches of unfenced desert, but through legal ports of entry, such as the border crossing in Pharr, Texas. THE NEW YORK TIMES But theres no way to know how much gets through, said Fulton T. Armstrong, who has worked as a national intelligence officer at the CIA, on the National Security Council and on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, focusing on Latin America. The biggest shipments come through legal, established ports of entry, Armstrong said in an interview, though he added that there are also examples of drug smuggling that do not occur at official border crossings. Armstrong added: Carrying this stuff requires sophistication. You dont just put it in your pocket, you dont carry large suitcases or bags when you come through non-ports of entry. This has raised questions about Trumps argument that a wall would help curb drug flows. Would setting up a fence help? No. Theres no evidence at all, Armstrong said. THE NEW YORK TIMES AR-15 and .50-caliber Rifles A .50-caliber sniper rifle took up a big part of one wooden table, with an AR-15 rifle positioned flat on its side alongside it. In November 2017, Homeland Security Investigations agents, working on a tip from CBP, found the sniper rifle during a traffic stop in South Texas, according to a CBP spokesman. The AR-15 was found the same way by HSI agents in South Texas, but in January 2018. It is unclear where the weapons were headed, or whether they even originated in Mexico. Border Patrol agents infrequently encounter firearms smuggled across the Rio Grande, or into the United States between bridge crossings. Again, most seem to be heading the other way. The thing thats missing from the debate is the southbound stuff, Armstrong said. The weapons, the cash. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. We will never forget. Thats supposed to be the message of Holocaust Remembrance Day. Held on Sunday, it was a solemn occasion that marked the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp and commemorated the deaths of the 6 million Jews and millions of other innocents killed in the Holocaust. For the Harris County Republican Party, it was an opportunity for crass politicking. Leftism kills was the message the party posted on its Facebook and Instagram pages. Memories are still fresh of a mass shooter killing 11 at a Pittsburgh synagogue and neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville, Va., yet the local Republicans seemed to think this moment of mourning was a prime chance to slip in a partisan attack ad. Apparently theres nothing sacred remaining in our political system no moment that cant be exploited to punch at your opponent. Houstons local Jewish leaders had none of it. Its unfortunate that someone at the Harris County Republican Party thought that would be an appropriate message for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Dena Marks, a spokeswoman for the Anti-Defamation League, wrote in a statement to the Chronicle. It wasnt leftism that killed in the Holocaust. Anti-Semitism and blind hatred led to the deaths of millions. Yet Republican communications director Vlad Davidiuk doubled-down on the partys bizarre message before it was eventually deleted from their pages. The Nazis identified themselves as National Socialists, he said. The name of the party was the National Socialist Workers party. Its a brazenly untrue claim that makes no more sense than believing, based on its name, that the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea must be a shining example of representative government. Nazis have long been viewed by historians as a right-wing fascist movement. Although not pursued with the vigor Jews were, socialists were among Nazisms first targets, Randall Czarlinsky, director of the American Jewish Committee Houston, told the editorial board Sunday evening. Thats a fact readers gleaned from Sundays Outlook section, where we published an essay about the diaries kept by Friedrich Kellner, a German justice inspector, during the rise and fall of the Third Reich. At the time, Kellner joined one of the political parties opposed to anti-democratic forces like Nazis the left-leaning Social Democratic Party. The death and horror perpetrated by the Nazi regime doesnt fit neatly into our contemporary understanding of politics. The divide isnt left vs. right its whether you think power and militarism supersede human rights. Its whether youre willing to promote hatred and anti-Semitism for the sake of political expediency. Thats the lesson of Holocaust Remembrance Day one that we should never forget. Houston Police Department A Houston man has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after a crash in the Denver Harbor neighborhood killed a woman. Alberto Hernandez Torres, 38, is being held in the Harris County Jail on $30,000 bond. Authorities also placed an immigration hold on the Mexican native. One man has been waiting two years to seek asylum for his wife and children facing danger back home. A Pakistani woman has been trying for a decade to become a U.S. citizen and was expecting a final ruling from a judge in Houston after Christmas. Instead knowledge of her fate was set back again. She kept crying to me, When is it going to be over? said her attorney, Gordon Quan. They have a burden on their back and their futures are unsettled. The nations already backlogged immigration courts lurched back to life Monday following a record government shutdown in the name of border security. But the impact on the courts an often publicly forgotten arm of immigration enforcement will likely be felt for years. With a record 827,000 pending cases, including more than 51,000 in Houston, the 35-day long shutdown pushed an already overburdened system closer to the precipice. More than 80,000 hearings were canceled, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a research center at Syracuse University. Texas had the third-most postponed hearings in the country after California and New York. Across the nation Monday, judges rescheduled some cases to 2023 even as government attorneys arrived to work with no prepared files, causing further delays. Immigrants who should have been quickly deported were granted an unwarranted reprieve, while those with credible asylum claims or other legitimate reasons to remain now must wait even longer. The administrations shutdown of the government could not have come at a worse time, said Elizabeth Mendoza, a Houston immigration attorney. The courts are understaffed, dealing with a massive docket and almost weekly policy changes, and the shutdown has made things even worse. The Executive Office for Immigration Review, an arm of the Department of Justice overseeing immigration courts, has been understaffed for years, with about 385 judges across the nation, including about 15 in the Houston area, struggling to tackle an ever-worsening caseload. An average immigration judge could oversee more than 2,000 cases. Under President Donald Trumps administration, the agency also made it more difficult to qualify for asylum and other forms of immigration relief. It has imposed controversial quotas mandating judges close about 700 cases a year to receive a satisfactory rating. We are looking to management to see what is going to happen to these quotas given the 35 day-delay, said Amiena Khan, vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges and a judge in New York. She said the union was also seeking guidance about whether cases missed during the shutdown should be pushed to the end of the line, meaning those immigrants could be set back years. We have a long way to go and a lot of work to do to catch up, Khan said. Some courts in Indiana, Michigan, Georgia and Colorado remained closed this week because of bad weather. In others, including in San Antonio, interpreters had not been arranged. In Houstons downtown immigration court, immigrants waited hours only to be told to return months or even years from now. Judge Clarease Rankin Yates presided calmly over the chaos. I came in yesterday to prepare these files but were going to have to continue these cases, she said. The government doesnt have any files. We just got back after three weeks of furlough. Rickey Watson, a Houston immigration attorney, said he called the court early Monday, but a recorded message wrongly said it was still closed. So Watson told his client, a 17-year-old girl from El Salvador, to go to school and said her father could go to work. The government attorney suggested the girl should receive a deportation order for having missed the proceeding, but the judge agreed to postpone her hearing until July. Its a double-edged sword, said Baldo Garza, another immigration attorney. On one hand, there are delays if your cases have merit but if not, it helps stretch things out. He said court staff must dig through boxes of required documents attorneys mailed in during the furlough. Until they caught up, he was bringing copies of paperwork he had already submitted. A sense of confusion prevailed. Garza was waiting for one client who realized that day he had a court hearing, although the attorney hadnt received such a notification. Another client who crossed illegally into the United States in 2013 and was seeking asylum had his hearing reset to 2023. Everybody has been calling, What are we doing, whats going on? Garza said. Whatever backlog there already was is just now going to be that much bigger. Attorney Ruby Powers said about five of her clients had their cases canceled during the shutdown. She was concerned about the trickle-down effect. Its extremely ironic and counterintuitive by the administration, she said. Deportations are being delayed because of this, but also many peoples lives are on hold. She said she is most worried about the man seeking asylum for his imperiled family abroad. His case is dependent on the approval to bring his wife and child to the United States, she said. Theyre in a precarious balance waiting for the results and theyre in potential danger. Powers had filed to fast-forward his hearing to later this year, though now she doubted that would materialize. Theres going to be a lot of shuffling around, she said. Were thinking were going to have to help manage his expectations. Noel Suniga, an attorney with the firm Gonzalez Olivieri, said the worst was knowing a government shutdown could happen again soon. Trump has threatened a second if he doesnt receive funding for a border fence by Feb. 15. Its kind of groundhogs popping their heads out of the sand and maybe well be back down there again, Suniga said. Violent crime decreased in Houston by about 10.4 percent last year despite a slight increase in homicides, police said. The reduction marks a continuing downward movement of murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults over the past five years. We might not get them all, but I promise in the long-term, were trending in the right direction, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said at a Monday afternoon press conference. Homicide was the only category that saw an increase 279 in 2018, up from 269 homicides in 2017. That number is still less than the 301 homicides in 2016, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. The numbers speak for themselves, Turner said at the press conference. But again, any one of these categories, as long as theres a number other than zero, were not where we should be. The numbers mirror trends in other large cities across the country over the last year, according to research from the Brennan Center, which found that overall, crime rates fell modestly in 2018, with larger reductions in violent crime. The increase in homicides in Houston was the outlier: across the nation, murder rates declined by an estimated 6 percent, according to the Brennan Centers analysis. About 37 percent of the homicides stemmed from gang violence or family violence incidents, Acevedo said. Gang violence - a hot topic because of several high-profile slayings of children in recent months - will be addressed through partnerships with federal groups, according to the chief. But gang violence doesnt overall seem to be increasing or decreasing, in Acevedos opinion. Instead, too many of the violent criminals that we arrest are not staying behind bars and bonding out of jail, Acevedo said. Acevedo also touted double digit decreases in robberies and aggravated assaults in 2018, as well as reductions in nonviolent crimes, although to less drastic extents. Burglaries, thefts and auto thefts declined by a combined 2.8 percent from 2017 to 2018. Traffic accidents decreased by nearly 2,000 incidents from the previous year, and traffic-related injuries climbed by almost 50 instances, according to the data. Traffic fatalities decreased by 16.60 percent, Acevedo said, counting 40 fewer deadly crashes. Compared with the 241 people who died in the crashes in 2017, police counted 201 fatal crashes in 2018. Traffic fatalities are just as final as murders, Acevedo said. Theyre just as tragic as murders; theyre just as painful as murders. Issued violations of traffic laws also spiked, as did DWI arrests. Police arrested 5,182 people on DWI charges, Acevedo said. DWI-related accidents increased by almost 28 percent, however, with 2,228 people hurt in the crashes compared with more than 1,700 injured in 2017. Response times declined as well, with crime-in-progress calls taking an average of 5.5 minutes for officers to get on scene, according to Houston police records. Other urgent crimes, which arent in progress, took 10.15 minutes in response. Were not doing as good as we want to be, but you can only squeeze so much out of a lemon, Acevedo said. Were still pretty darn good. This years crime statistics come from combined Uniform Crime Reports and the National Incident-Based Reporting System. samantha.ketterer@chron.com Twitter.com/sam_kett AUSTIN Texas lawmakers have filed more than a dozen bills that would further restrict abortion rights, including an outright ban on abortion and legislation that would forbid Texas cities from contracting with Planned Parenthood - possibly the next step in pulling government funding from the womens health group thats also an abortion provider. While top state officials say theyre largely swearing off divisive social issues this legislative session in favor of focusing on school funding and property tax relief, advocates on both sides of the abortion debate are getting ready for the next round. Texas is one of the leading states in the nation for curtailing access to abortion. Both the governor and lieutenant governor have reiterated their support for protecting the unborn in the past week. Newly appointed House Speaker Dennis Bonnen has a sterling record of supporting anti-abortion legislation. We cant just rest on our laurels, said Yvonne Gutierrez, executive director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, the advocacy arm of the organization. More than 55,000 abortions were performed in Texas in 2015, according to the most recent data available. Thats down from around 77,500 abortions in 2010. One in five abortions are performed within the first nine weeks of pregnancy, the latest data show. More Information Texas abortion laws in the courts The last U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding Texas abortion restrictions came in 2016 when the high court ruled 5-3 that Texas cannot require abortion providers to obtain hospital admitting privileges, or force their facilities to adhere to the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. The court found the restrictions - which led to closure of half of the state's abortion clinics - too burdensome and made access to the procedure unconstitutionally difficult for women. Shortly after the ruling, Texas lawmakers went on a new tack by mandating the burial or cremation of aborted fetal and embryonic matter. Lawmakers in 2017 also banned a common second-trimester abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation, although doctors say the procedure is the safest for women. On another front, Texas is trying to kick Planned Parenthood out as a qualified Medicaid provider for non-abortion related health care services for low-income people. All three cases are awaiting action in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. See More Collapse Several thousand people who marched outside the state Capitol last weekend want that number down to zero. Attendees at the Texas Rally for Life stressed that nothing short of a total ban on abortion will do. That group included Freddy Romo, 55, who took a nine-hour bus trip to attend the event from his home outside of Midland in West Texas. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Though two of the most recent abortion restriction laws adopted in Texas are on judicial hold pending legal challenges, Romo says the Legislature cant back down now. I think that those are just tactics of modern-day government, said Romo, who wore a cross necklace around his neck and scoffed that lawmakers that he says come out in force to such events before elections, but seldom make appearances at other times. We put things on a back burner, we dont confront the issues. Still, some abortion opponents say its too early for an outright ban on abortion - not even as two new justices nominated by President Donald Trump are expected to shift the U.S. Supreme Court further to the right. We are not convinced there are enough votes on the Supreme Court at the moment to repeal Roe v. Wade or even scale back Roe v. Wade, said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, referring to the landmark ruling that originated in Texas that found women have a constitutional right to the procedure. Hes urging the Legislature to pass less sweeping bills, such as banning cities, counties and other municipalities from doing business with abortion providers like Planned Parenthood and their affiliates. Pojman said he is not advising lawmakers to pass a bill to ban abortions of fetuses with diagnosed abnormalities after 20 weeks gestation because he does not believe it could survive a court challenge. But a competing anti-abortion group is making that bill a priority. If we believe in a pro-life movement that all life has an inherent value, then we need to tackle this now in Texas, said Emily Horne, a spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life. Political analysts expect the Republican-dominated Legislature to keep pressing. Abortion is still a meaty gold standard for conservative Republicans, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. It is not going away. It is too central to the organizing and the politics of the Republican Party they cant avoid it because it will be seen as complete abdication of Republican Party principles. For subscribers: Kavanaugh on Supreme Court would give Texas a green light for conservative causes In the Texas House, any abortion bills would likely go through Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican and the new chairman of the State Affairs Committee. He has a stellar anti-abortion voting record, according to Texas Right to Life. The majority Republican committee is made up of 12 men and 1 woman. More than half of the members have at least a 90 percent voting recording with the anti-abortion group. But while he says hes not trying to dictate the actions of the committee, Phelan doubts that an outright ban of abortion would be passed into law. I dont see us passing legislation thats unconstitutional at this point in time. Passing something that will not stand up to a constitutional challenge, I dont think thats in the best interest of the Texas House, Phelan said. Democrats, who picked up 12 seats in the House in the November election, say voters dont want to see lawmakers emphasize abortion policy this year. I think the people of Texas sent a signal last year that theyre tired of some of this stuff, said Rep. Chris Turner, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, about attempts to curtail access to abortion. I hope that there will be a shift away from those bills. Guiterrez, of Planned Parenthood, said she fears a hostile legislative environment. As abortion bills pass through a welcoming committee, she is afraid lawmakers will have blinders on instead of listening to testimony from doctors and women who oppose the legislation. Despite lawmakers pledges to focus on issues like schools and property taxes, lawmakers are going to feel pressure when youve got Right to Life down your throat saying this bill needs to move out of committee, said Gutierrez. When do we ever take anyone for their word? The University of Houston wants $60 million from the state to help replace the aging and flood-prone building that houses the law school. UH has already raised $10 million in a campaign to build a new and improved law center, and is now seeking state support for the second phase of construction, university President Renu Khator said. A new five-story building will replace the Bates Law Building which was constructed in 1969 and houses the University of Houston Law Center, according to a release from UH. Khator said more than half of the current law center is underground, making it prone to flooding. The building has never fully recovered from severe flooding from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, and more recently, Hurricanes Ike and Harvey, rendered a large portion of its library unusable, the release stated. RELATED: Higher ed board approves UH med school plan Every institution has at least one special project they want to get funded by the State Legislature, Khator said in a meeting with the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board on Monday. We are committed to providing the best learning environment for our students and faculty to spur success and this includes upgrading facilities throughout campus, Khator said in a statement released about the $10 million UH has already raised. The $10 million came principally from UH law alumni and corporate matching gifts. Of the donations, $2 million came from the Law Foundation, according to a UH Law Center spokeswoman. The remaining $8 million was raised from individual alumni donors. The UH Law Center continues to be nationally recognized, despite challenges with its facility, Khator said. Just imagine what can be accomplished with a modern building equipped with the latest technology. SUPREME VISIT: Ethics, race, bias among advice Justice Sotomayor gives UH law students Leonard M. Baynes, dean of the university's law center, reiterated that thought. A world-class law school in a world-class city requires a world-class building, he said. A new law center building will transform the learning experience of our students. It will also elevate our standing in the legal community by better reflecting the true excellence of our faculty, students, alumni and staff. Allison, Ike and Harvey Amanda Watson, assistant professor of law and director of the OQuinn Law Library at UH Law Center, said she too is a big proponent of rebuilding the law center and giving students the space they deserve and a space that's fitting to our ranking. Watson, who began working at the law centers library a week before Hurricane Harvey swept through the Houston area in 2017, said a lot of people claim that the law center didnt get much damage during the storm, but whats not understood is we were never really able to recover from [Tropical Storm] Allison. After the 2001 storm, the librarys space was cut in half, with much of it deemed unfit to store books, Watson said. The library lost about $40 million worth of the librarys collection, some of which was not replaceable, and the remaining books were squeezed onto one floor. Student organizations now exist on the other floor, but its concrete floors, temporary walls. You cant get [good] cell service, which to many students is an inconvenience, Watson said. And even now when it rains, the law center has to use buckets to catch leaking water. There have been people who have come to figure out how to fix [these] problems. but theres no real way to solve it when youre an underground building, she said. W. Henry Legg, a third-year law student at UH and the editor-in-chief of the Houston Law Review, said that although the law center building has grown on him, the modern designs and proposals for a new UH Law Center are much needed. You dont come to the [law] school for facilities by any means, Legg said. I spend a lot of time here reading and studying A lot of people describe our building as a bunker, and I definitely agree with that, he said, adding that the facility could be more accessible and open, with more windows. Baynes said the new building is slated to have major improvements that will alleviate many of the law centers enduring concerns. New features The current law center is composed of four buildings, but the new facility will be one building that will boast modern technology and flexible space for students and faculty, UH officials said. All services will be centralized and easy to find, including faculty, who will be accessible on the first floor, Baynes said on Wednesday. On Thursday, a UH Law Center spokeswoman clarified that faculty will also be located on other floors. The first floor will also be home to new courtroom and parliament-style classrooms, an event space for hosting speakers and guests, a security desk and lobby where people can ask questions and get directions, and a clinical space, where pro bono legal services will be offered to the community. Instead of underground, the library will be on the new buildings top two floors. Construction is set to begin in 2021. Baynes said the new buildings preliminary concept was made with their law students in mind, many whom are commuters or students who prefer to stay at the center to work and study due to convenience. Others, he said, dont always have a quiet place to study. They need a place where they can feel comfortable, that allows them places to study, that they can identify with, and have some pride in because theyre using the building not just to attend class, Baynes said. The new building, he said, is about making sure they have the best opportunity to have the best legal education that they can possibly have, Baynes said. Legg, who saw the renderings a couple months ago, said hes enthusiastic about the buildings potential new look, even though hell graduate before construction starts. Its definitely going to increase their experience, Legg said of students who will work and study in the new law center. Its going to give them more reason to stay on campus and stay at school, especially with the additional amenities, he said. I hope its successful, he said of the universitys proposal. And I hope the legislature gives them money. William Jackson, president of the UH Law Foundation and chair of the building campaign, said in a statement that he hopes the $10 million raised will prove to state lawmakers that there is ample support for the law center, which has ranked in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of Top 10 law schools for specialties like health law, intellectual property law and part-time law. UHs $60 million ask for the law center will be in addition to the universitys other special item requests to legislators, including a request for about $11.1 million to help support various aspects of the university, and $20 million for the proposed University of Houston College of Medicine, which is slated to expand the universitys health research and prepare primary care doctors to practice in underserved and rural communities, including the Third Ward where UH is located. brittany.britto@chron.com twitter.com/brittanybritto A large crane hoisted the 55-ton concrete and steel building into the air as the sun began to rise over a Chevron gas station under construction in north Houston. Jeff Wohead looked on as his construction crew wearing helmets and yellow jackets guided the suspended building toward an adjacent concrete foundation, the future site of a Checkers & Rallys hamburger joint. Within a few minutes, the building was lowered and nestled into its final place, nearly 1,000 miles away from where it was initially constructed. This first module is always the critical one, said Wohead, the hamburger chains construction manager. When we get it right, all the other modules fall in place. Checkers & Rally's built its chain of nearly 900 restaurants by selling burgers to go. Now, its expanding in Houston with buildings that travel. The fast-food chain known for its red, black and white checkerboard drive-thrus is constructing new restaurants using modular building techniques, in which components of the restaurant are fabricated in a Florida factory, shipped to Houston on semi-trailer trucks and assembled and installed on concrete foundations This process allows restaurants to build more cheaply and quickly than traditional ground-up construction methods. It speeds up the construction cycle, Wohead said. Instead of waiting another 60 days to build it out, the building is built in three days. Checkers opened its first modular restaurants in the Houston area in December. The Tampa, Fla. chain, which has 18 Checkers locations in the Houston area, plans to add at least 15 new restaurants here this year, most of them constructed with modular buildings. Modular construction was once popular in the restaurant industry think retro diners featuring a stainless-steel exterior, black-and-white checkerboard floors, formica countertops and neon signs. Some of the earliest greasy spoons were repurposed from railroad dining cars while later art-deco designs were manufactured in a factories mostly in the Northeast and Midwest. Related: Checkers launches agressive Houston expansion Checkers built modular restaurants about 30 years ago when it was in a high-growth mode, but switched to more traditional building methods a decade later when growth slowed. Three years ago, Checkers began looking at alternative ways to build its restaurants as it looked to add 300 more restaurants by 2020. The company, acquired last year by a New York private equity firm Oak Hill Capital Partners in a $525 million deal, has 253 corporate-owned locations and 627 franchise locations nationally. Checkers considered repurposing shipping containers, but realized retrofitting them into restaurants would cost more than building from the ground up. We took a look at modular buildings, and said, lets resurrect this, said Bruce Kim, Checkers franchise development director. About 60 percent of new Checkers restaurants nationally will be constructed as modular buildings. The company plans to have 90 restaurants in the Houston area in the coming years, most of them modular buildings, and also expand to San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. Checkers works with Valiant Modular Restaurants to build its 1,000-square-foot restaurants in a warehouse in Ormond Beach, Fla, The restaurants feature steel walls and concrete floors and weigh 120,000 pounds, four times heavier than a mobile home. The structures are beefier than trailer homes and are built to withstand hurricane-force winds. Each Checkers restaurant comes in five or six modules, or large prefabricated pieces, consisting of the main kitchen area, drive-thru window, restrooms and two wing-shaped shade structures that cover the outdoor dining and and drive-thru areas. It takes a week for a few semi-trailer trucks to transport a modular restaurant from Florida to Houston at a cost of about $30,000. After cranes lift the modules onto the concrete foundations, installing utilities and finishing out the buildings takes about three days. A modular Checkers restaurant costs about $320,000 to build, about 25 percent less than traditional construction methods, the company said. The modular building process shaves as much as two months off Checkers average time of nine-to-12 months to build a restaurant from the ground up. On HoustonChronicle.com: Checkers ramps up Houston expansion More restaurants may start using modular buildings as construction costs have risen in recent years. Other chains, including Dennys, Pizza Inn and Hurricane Grill & Wings, use modular buildings. The construction business is very competitive and labor is a challenge, said Ed Wulfe, chairman and CEO of Wulfe & Co, a Houston retail brokerage and developer. Modular building is one way to penetrate a market quickly. Its faster and cheaper and they can control it a lot better. Franchise owner Noman Momin headed over on a recent Friday to oversee the installation of his latest Checkers restaurant, next to a Chevron gas station under construction off Ella Boulevard near Interstate 45. Momin snapped photos on his cell phone. Its amazing to get a building delivered to my lot and get dropped onto a foundation, Momin said. Its like Bam, bam, ready to go. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi Oil rose above $52 a barrel as the White House announced new sanctions against Venezuelas state oil company Monday, bringing another supply risk to the market. Futures rose as much as 1.2 percent in New York, following a 3.2 percent drop Monday. The Trump administration issued fresh sanctions on PDVSA which effectively block President Nicolas Maduros regime from exporting Venezuelas crude to the U.S. That came hours after Saudi Arabia pledged deeper cuts in February as part of a deal with its allies to cut oil production. Oil has rallied this year as OPEC and its allies implemented a fresh round of output cuts to ease a global supply glut, with Saudi Arabia pledging to pump below the limit it agreed in December. PREVIOUSLY: Oil dips most in a month as China slowdown signals demand drop While concern over slowing growth in China grew Monday -- additional trade talks between Washington and Beijing are scheduled for later this week -- the market is wrestling with the prospect of output disruption in Venezuela. I think there is a supply risk with the sanctions, Petromatrix Managing Director Olivier Jakob said. You have to view them as having upside price potential. Theres a risk that Venezuela turns out to be another Libya. West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery rose 45 cents to $52.44 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 11:08 a.m. in London. The contract fell $1.70, or 3.2 percent, to close at $51.99 a barrel on Monday. Brent for March settlement added 62 cents to $60.55 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. It broke below $60 for the first time in almost two weeks on Monday, but later dropped $1.71 to settle at $59.93. The global benchmark crude was at a $8.13 premium to WTI. LOCAL IMPACT: Sanctions on Venezuela oil loom over Gulf refineries Venezuela Sanctions U.S. President Donald Trump assailed Maduro in a letter to Congress, explaining an executive order he issued sanctioning PDVSA and Venezuelas central bank. The action will bolster the position of National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, whom Washington recognized as Venezuelas interim president last week. Guaido said Monday he would take control of the countrys accounts abroad and appoint new boards to PDVSA and its Houston-based subsidiary Citgo Petroleum Corp. The sanctions will see global oil flows re-routed. Refineries in China and India are the only ones that can process Venezuelan crude outside the U.S., Eurasia Group analyst Risa Grais-Targow, wrote in a note. PDVSA will have to deeply discount its oil to displace Middle Eastern crudes in those countries, she wrote. Microchip-maker Nvidia Corp. and heavy-equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. were the latest companies warning of a gloomy demand outlook from China. American prosecutors filed criminal charges against Huawei Technologies Co., Chinas largest smartphone maker, highlighting the hurdles that still remain before the U.S and China can reach a trade deal. The macroeconomic concerns also drive investment in oil, said Saxo Bank head of commodities strategy Ole Hansen. Any reduced concerns on the macro side could trigger a wave of buying. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. H-E-B will open its long-anticipated Heights supermarket on Wednesday, making good on a promise to expand its neighborhood presence two years after lobbying residents to overturn a century-old ban on off-premise alcohol sales. The 92,000-square-foot supermarket at North Shepherd and 24th Street takes full advantage of the Heights newly wet status. The double-decker store stocks 1,800 bottles of wine and 300 beers, including offerings from local craft breweries such as Eureka Heights. We knew our beer and wine selection had better be good, Scott McClelland, H-E-Bs Houston division president, said on a recent tour of the new supermarket. Major retailers, such as H-E-B, have increasingly pushed communities in the Houston area to strike down their dry laws to pave way for new stores and restaurants that rely heavily on lucrative alcohol sales. H-E-Bs No. 1 selling category is wine, McClelland said. LOOK INSIDE AT CHRON.COM: Sneak peek at H-E-B's new Heights grocery store In 2016, Total Wine & More bankrolled a ballot measure in Pearland that expanded alcohol sales to include packaged products. Its passage allowed the Maryland-based retailer to open a 24,500-square-foot Pearland location in November, and also spurred several other stand-alone liquor stores to open in the city limits. In 2017, Signorelli Co., the developer behind Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney, lobbied area residents to legalize alcohol sales in the eastern part of Montgomery County. Its passage brought new restaurants such as Chilis, Gringos TexMex and Buffalo Wild Wings as well as hotel plans to the northeast Houston suburb. H-E-B, which was looking replace its Heights grocery store at T.C. Jester and 18th Street, acquired a former Fiesta Mart in 2015 to build a larger supermarket in the neighborhood. However, the grocer held off on developing the site until residents legalized highly profitable beer and wine sales, which would allow the company to compete head-to-head with Krogers 80,000-square-foot supermarket at Shepherd and 11th Street. The San Antonio retailer hired an Austin political consulting firm, held community meetings, campaigned door-to-door and ultimately spent more than $60,000 to repeal the 1904 law, which banned beer and wine sales for off-premise consumption in a dry area roughly bounded by Loop 610, Oxford, Interstate 10 and Durham. Krogers Heights store sits just outside the dry zone. In November 2016, Heights residents passed the repeal with 63 percent of the vote, allowing H-E-B to move forward with its Heights store. EYE ON DELIVERY: H-E-B to create tech, innovation facility in Austin It was the closest to running for political office that I want to get, McClelland said. I told everyone that if we come, well build something the community will be proud of. The new H-E-B, which sits on the second floor of the parking garage, brings a more urban feel to the residential neighborhood. Shoppers can park on the well-lit ground level and take elevators or escalators up to the store. There is a separate escalator reserved for shopping carts. At the same time, H-E-B strove to maintain the Heights quirky vibe, McClelland said. The stores vestibule features a hanging art installation of chickens wearing colorful sweaters and large coins created by Houston sculptor Elaine Bradford. The artwork represents an H-E-B promotion from the 1930s where patrons could win free chickens and handfuls of nickels with their groceries. Inside, the new H-E-B store features more than 50,000 food products, a butcher shop with 21-day dry-aged beef, a seafood department that serves sushi and poke bowls, a bakery and tortilleria, a full-service pharmacy, a flower shop, a demonstration kitchen and a section for grab-and-go meals. The Roastery Coffee Kitchen, a specialty coffee shop and eatery, is on the second floor. The store seemingly courts millennials and young families, who have flocked to the Heights in recent years. Social-media savvy shoppers can snap photos in front of a HE_GHTS sign where they can stand in for the I. Shoppers can order online and pick up in store, as well as have their groceries delivered home via app-based services such as Favor, Shipt and Instacart. There are also bike racks with space for 50 bicycles. GONE FISHIN': H-E-B's opens first seafood venue, Texas Boil House Bill Baldwin, founder of the Keep the Heights Dry movement that spearheaded opposition to H-E-Bs ballot measure, said he has been mostly pleased with the the new H-E-B, which has spurred redevelopment in the Shepherd and Durham area, long characterized by used car lots and pawn shots. The former president of the Houston Heights Association said he plans to attend H-E-Bs opening and shop there regularly. However, Baldwin, whose real estate firm has sold 7,000 homes in the Heights over the past two decades, said he still worries that the erosion of dry laws could spur national chain restaurants and stores to come into once residential neighborhoods, bringing more traffic, noise and parking issues and at the same time, pricing out longtime independent shops and restaurants. I want the Heights to stay as unique as possible, and H-E-B has been a good partner in keeping their store as Heightsy as possible, Baldwin said. I wasnt worried about H-E-B, but about other things. The Heights is always going to have its history, but will it have the same character a decade from now? Reporter Nancy Sarnoff contributed. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi How much do you love your favorite artist? Enough to steal a plane to fly to their concert? We didn't think so. One young man in Arkansas thought it would be a good idea to steal a plane and fly to Chicago to see a Famous Dex show last Summer, but things didn't work out for him very well. According to Daily Mail, 18-year-old Arkansas resident Zemarcuis Scott was sentenced to five years of felony probation after trying to steal an American Eagle twin-engine jet to see Dex on July 4, 2018. Scott began watching the plane around 10 PM on July 3. He threw his bicycle in a ditch and jumped a fence to get to the jet around 2.30 AM on July 4. Scott told authorities at the time of the arrest that he had no pilot training, but he thought he would only need to pull some levers and push some buttons to operate the plane. It seems like Scott has been playing too many console video games and not enough flight simulator computer programs. Scott pleaded guilty to attempted theft of property and commercial burglary. He will have to cough up a $1,000 fine in addition to court costs. Scott is also required to engage in any mental health treatment deemed necessary by the probation department. He has been banned from Texarkana Regional Airport while his probation is ongoing. Jordan Peele first announced his plans to make a "spiritual sequel" to Candyman back in October and according to new reports, the movie is on its way to production. "The original was a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre. Alongside Night of the Living Dead, Candyman was a major inspiration for me as a filmmaker and to have a bold new talent like Nia at the helm of this project is truly exciting. We are honored to bring the next chapter in the Candyman canon to life and eager to provide new audiences with an entry point to Clive Barkers legend," Jordan said. According to Super Bro Movies, Lakeith Stanfield (who previously worked with Jordan on Get Out) is in talks to star in the upcoming film. The publication details how he would play Anthony, "described as a socially pronounced artist in Chicago who researches the urban legend of Candyman." After investigating one of Candyman's recent murders, Anthony finds that people around him are dying off as well. The role of Anthony is based on the original character Helen Lyle, played by Virginia Madsen, which means the reboot will have a gender-flip role from female-to-male. The movies set to hit theaters June 12th, 2020. Kanye West became a muse for photographer Heji Shin's solo show. Ten billboard-sized portraits of Yeezy are being displayed Kunsthalle Zurich through February 2019. Shin recently opened up about the process of working with the rapper which proved to be a unique experience. Based on her account, it seems like Kanye was adamant about controlling his image, which is, of course, to be expected of a controversial superstar. I knew I wanted to do something about this masculine energy that everyone has such a problem with lately. I also considered asking Hillary Clinton. But a friend had a contact for Kanye, so I wrote to him and simply asked, Shin explained about her project's intent. "Kanye was definitely my first choice. I was thinking about how the kind of masculinity he represents seems to be regarded as something threatening." When West agreed, they linked up in his hometown city of Chicago. The rapper wanted Shin to shoot his photos right then and there, a suggestion she refused since the plan was to capture his image in-studio. Shin was invited to join his family on his infamous trip to Uganda a week later. Candid images were taken, one of which was included in the exhibit. Still, she needed to those studio shots of Kanye looking straight into the camera. This finally happened when they returned to the US. During the shoot, the "difficulty of intimacy" was at play. "This was exactly the challenge Kanye and I had. Hes very aware of this dynamic between making images and being made into an image, and he felt uncomfortable being directed. I could identify with him," Shin stated. "For instance, he told me he wouldnt do poses. He would only look straight ahead into the camera." Juelz Santana won't be heading into prison tomorrow to begin his 27-month sentence as he was initially scheduled to do. The judge has granted the rapper a month delay on his surrender date in order to head to Georgia for Tyler Perry's Reunion filming. Fernando Leon/Getty Images According to The Blast, a New Jersey federal has granted Juelz Santana's motion to push his sentence back. The rapper was initially supposed to head into prison on Jan 30th, 2019 but his surrender date has now been delayed until Feb. 28th, 2019. The rapper will be heading to Georgia in mid-February to head to Tyler Perry's Reunion shoot at Perry's studio in Atlanta. The rapper recently made the request. Juelz Santana argued that it was vital for his career, saying Tyler Perry's Reunion shoot is "connected to his participation in the television show Love & Hip Hop. It is crucial to his professional career that he be able to participate, and it will provide closure for him as he embarks on his term of imprisonment. Juelz Santana was indicted of federal firearm charges in early 2018. The charged were related to an incident that happened at the Newark Liberty International Airport when TSA found a .38-caliber Derringer in his luggage. He later posted $500K bond. Santana entered a guilty plea in December, resulting in a 27-month sentence behind bars. Chinese rap group Higher Brothers are kicking off the Lunar New Year on a high note. With their sophomore album, Five Stars, is set to arrive on February 22nd, the quartet has officially come through with a new single titled "Gong Xi Fa Cai." The phrase, which roughly translates to "wish you get rich," is a common saying during the onset of the Chinese New Year, and one that holds special significance within the rap game. After all, securing ducats has long been a motivator to artists of all walks of life. Now, the group's new single has arrived. Reuniting with "Made In China" producer Richie Souf, Higher Bros take to some traditionally Asian-inspired instruments, blending Chinese bars with English ones. Language barrier aside, the song contains the elements of a traditional banger, from the trap-style drums to the frequent use of ad-libs. Overall, one does not need fear the language barrier. Higher Brothers are for the people. Look out for Five Stars to drop soon. The project has already been hyped to be the "biggest Chinese hip-hop album ever," with surprise features from some of North America's notable names. Over the past few days, Blac Chyna and her boyfriend Kid Buu have been flexing their trip to Hawaii. They've been looking happy and boo'd up but not everything has gone well on their vacation. TMZ reports the couple got into a serious fight which resulted in violence at their hotel room at the Four Seasons in Honolulu. Police and paramedics showed up to Blac Chyna's hotel room around 5 a.m. this morning after someone called 911. The tabloid publication's sources said the two got into a serious argument after Blac Chyna accused Kid Buu of cheating on her. Things took a turn for the worse around 7 a.m. after the two got violent with each other. Chyna reportedly scratched Kid Buu on numerous occasions while sources claim that he slammed her head against the wall several times and choked her. At this point, there haven't been any reports on any injuries. Blac Chyna was not taken to the hospital after the incident. Shortly after, Kid Buu took to Instagram to seemingly take aim at Chyna. After leaving the hotel room, he posted a video on his Story which reportedly meant, "Don't fuck with me. I'm a grown man" in Spanish and followed it with a homophobic slur. Interestingly enough, this morning, Kid Buu posted a picture of Alexis Skyy -- Blac Chyna's nemesis -- on his Instagram Story, apologizing for negative comments he made last week. Prior to joining Maxxton, Connar served as the Strategic Sales Director for The Knowland Group and Director of Sales & Account Management for Pegasus Solutions, Inc. Pure Wellness announces today that hospitality industry leader, Chris Connar, has joined the company as its new Vice President, Sales effective January 22, 2019. The wellness-minded traveler represents a very large, high-growth, and affluent market segment within the hospitality industry. Connar will lead the sales efforts to enable the industry to better serve this market segment, generate additional revenue, and achieve greater guest satisfaction through the companys Pure Room program. Connar, with two decades of experience in global, high-growth hospitality operations and service-based organizations, brings deep experience to the position. He has a solid record of helping the industry identify and deploy the right solution to meet operational needs and increase guest service. Prior to joining Pure Wellness, Connar served as the Vice President, The Americas, for Maxxton, where he led the expansion of Europes leading hospitality ERP solution to the U.S. hospitality market. Prior to joining Maxxton, Connar served as the Strategic Sales Director for The Knowland Group and Director of Sales & Account Management for Pegasus Solutions, Inc. At Knowland, Connar sold and deployed enterprise business development solutions to hotel brands, and at Pegasus, Connar sold and implemented a variety of technologies including central reservations services, web services, and sales & marketing solutions. Chris also held the role of Area Director of Sales for three Hilton Hotels in Chicago where he managed the direct sales efforts for the largest revenue generating Hilton properties in North America. Chris has an impeccable reputation in our industry and a proven record of success helping hotels find and implement the right solutions for their needs, commented Larry Hall, CEO, Pure Wellness. The ease with which Chris grasped the characteristics of the wellness-minded traveler market segment and the opportunity to make our Pure Room the guest room of choice for this segment really impressed us, said Hall. The opportunity to contribute to the development of the Pure Wellness brand and help hotels establish Pure Rooms in their operations represents a logical progression of my career in the hospitality industry, said Connar. Pure Wellness represents the thought & practice leader in delivering wellness solutions to the industry, and I look forward to helping our customers deploy Pure Rooms that exceed the expectations of their guests, their property owners, and property managers, said Connar. About Pure Wellness Pure Wellness offers wellness-minded travelers a guest room experience that promotes well-being, so they become their best. The companys Pure Room promotes well-being by providing purified air, a hypoallergenic environment, and allergy-friendly bedding through a multi-year service program. Leading hotel brands across the U.S. trust Pure Wellness to implement and maintain their Pure Rooms at nearly 250 properties representing over 3,500 rooms. Pure Rooms have emerged as the guest room of choice for the wellness-minded traveler. Sarah Brault Communications Specialist Pure Wellness (716) 206-1204 sbrault@pureroom.com www.pureroom.com Larry Hall Chief Executive Officer Pure Wellness (770) 265-7689 lhall@purerooms.com www.pureroom.com Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Press Release 29 January 2019 The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) have signed the Agreement for the holding of the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism (San Sebastian, Spain 2-3 May 2019). The new edition of this global forum is supported by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the City of San Sebastian. Advertisements Job creation and the promotion of entrepreneurship will be this year's special focus, in line with the 2019 UNWTO Year of Education, Skills and Jobs, closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The forum will bring together Ministers of Tourism, representatives from National and Local Tourism Administrations, chefs, entrepreneurs, academia and related stakeholders from tourism and gastronomy to discuss latest trends and to share experience. The event will see the announcement of the winner of the First Gastronomy Tourism Start-up Competition. The competition, organized by UNWTO and the BCC, will bring five finalists to San Sebastian. "Tourism is a huge source of employment and its multiplier effect has a knock-on effect on other sectors, such as gastronomy and its huge value chain involving several sectors", said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. "We are especially proud to be co-organizers of the 5th UNWTO World Forum of Gastronomy Tourism. An edition that returns to San Sebastian and that grows exponentially thanks to the support of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the City of Donostia. Tourism today is a sector closely linked to gastronomy. At the Basque Culinary Center, we promote knowledge through training in both sectors and work to create an ecosystem that stimulates entrepreneurship and ensures quality employment", underlined Joxe Mari Aizega, Director, Basque Culinary Center. Policy framework for the development of gastronomy tourism and its capacity to create jobs and promote entrepreneurship, future skills, as well as ways to support SMEs and entrepreneurships in gastronomy tourism will be addressed as well during the forum. The panel presentations will be complemented by working sessions giving all participants the opportunity to actively immerse, interact and share ideas. The event will close with a Masterclass by the Basque Culinary Center on how to develop competitive and sustainable gastronomy tourism in destinations. The Forum has been held since 2015.The Basque Culinary Center hosts it every two years with the aim to promote the exchange the most relevant experiences between experts in tourism and gastronomy, to identify best practices and to promote gastronomy tourism as a contributor to sustainable development. More information Press Release 29 January 2019 ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Ascend Hotel Collection, the world's first and largest soft brand from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), closed out 2018 by awarding the most franchise agreements in the brand's history. Seventy-three total franchise agreements, 43 domestic and 30 international, were awarded, fueling the brand's continued expansion in key markets across the globe, including Brooklyn, N.Y., Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Antonio, and Savannah, Ga., and destinations in Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and Latin America. Advertisements "Since its inception, the Ascend Hotel Collection has been a leader in the soft-brand upscale segment," said Mark Shalala, vice president, franchise development, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. "The brand's continued success is a result of our commitment to helping owners run profitable businesses with support from leading technology and robust distribution channels, and providing travelers with the authentic experiences they crave in an increasing number of top markets." Recent additions to the Ascend Hotel Collection include: The Inn at I'ON (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) - Situated in the quaint, tree-lined Mount Pleasant community just outside of Charleston, S.C., the Inn at I'ON combines modern amenities with timeless southern charm to deliver an unforgettable guest experience. - Situated in the quaint, tree-lined Mount Pleasant community just outside of Charleston, S.C., the Inn at I'ON combines modern amenities with timeless southern charm to deliver an unforgettable guest experience. Industry City Hotel (Brooklyn, N.Y.) - Located in a formerly industrial neighborhood of South Brooklyn, the Industry City Hotel infuses colorful designs and modern Chinese decor throughout each touchpoint to bring its vibrant surroundings to life. - Located in a formerly industrial neighborhood of South Brooklyn, the Industry City Hotel infuses colorful designs and modern Chinese decor throughout each touchpoint to bring its vibrant surroundings to life. Sunset Hotel (Brooklyn, N.Y.) - Situated in the Sunset Park West neighborhood near the Brooklyn waterfront, the NBA's Brooklyn Nets training facility, and more, the Sunset Hotel couples great location with great service. "Guests are increasingly seeking travel experiences that are reflective of their destination and with a robust portfolio of unique, boutique and historic upscale hotels, Ascend delivers on these expectations. Our ongoing expansion creates new opportunities for these travelers - and our franchisees - and we look forward to even more growth in key destinations in the coming year," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. For more information on Ascend Hotels development opportunities, please visit https://choicehotelsdevelopment.com/ascendcollection. Forward-Looking Statement This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations. Addendum This is not an offering. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made except by a Franchise Disclosure Document first filed and registered with applicable state authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document can be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 1 Choice Hotels Circle, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850, [email protected]com. Supplier News 29 January 2019 Orlando, FL -- Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach has switched on an entirely new approach to travel marketing with Flip.to, the advocacy marketing platform for hotels and travel brands. Flip.to lets guests share their Hard Rock experience worldwide, debuting the property to a massive audience by opening up an entirely new marketing channel. The platform closes the loop on these conversations sparked, delivering authentic, personal conversations to inspire & win over new travelers for the hotel. For Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, that's made a measurable impact for their business, earning nearly 100,000 in monthly reach, and tens of thousands of dollars in direct revenue so far. In the Spotlight: Newly Opened Hard Rock Taps Flip.to Opening its doors to guests in March of 2018, Hard Rock International brought modern luxury to the Daytona Beach market in partnership with Summit Hospitality Management, who invested $40 million into the 200-room beachfront property. It's since set the bar for an entirely new level of guest experience in Daytona, earning it's AAA 4-Diamond status just five months after hosting travelers for the first time. Beyond the hotel's extensive renovation, raising awareness and attracting travelers for this new Hard Rock experience was a critical piece of a successful launch. That charge was lead by industry-leader and years-long user of Flip.to, Susan Keaveney, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach's inaugural Director of Marketing. Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach 918 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Photo: Flip.to Setting the Stage for Success Keaveney joined her post in October of 2017just six short months prior to the hotel's opening. She quickly aimed to drive demand for the newly minted property that was soon to be at the top of its market. Knowing the proven results of the platform and its ability to net immediate impact, Keaveney saw Flip.to as the a perfect fit to start inspiring travelers. With this in mind, Keaveney launched the platform in April of 2018 to start powering growth for their property and top her goals. "As a new concept to the area, we were on a strict timeline and budget to increase the visibility for this unique Hard Rock experience with the right travelerseveryone from families seeking one-of-a-kind vacations, to those dialing-it-up at one of our events. This meant promoting the authentic spirit that defines the brand to a wide audience that was still highly targeted. Switching on Flip.to helped tackle this goal by letting travelers share their Hard Rock experience to family & friends globally. This made for an incredibly receptive audience excited to hear about our property, and we saw impact from the first traveler who shared. With the platform we're easily translating these efforts into business impact, tracking success at every stage down the funnel down to travelers earned." With Flip.to, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach are reaching a new audience of nearly one hundred thousand organically each and every month, totalling more than 860,000 in reach, so far. This drove more than 52,000 unique site visits and 5,000+ opted-in, warm leads for travelers interested in a trip to the Hard Rock in just the first 9 months, a remarkable 2.7X better than the industry benchmark for paid search, and a testament to the receptive warmth of the audience and quality demographic. Add to that tens of thousands of dollars in directly booked room revenue, and the platform has made a lasting impression for Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. HardRockHotelDaytonaBeach_Stat Photo: Flip.to Hard Rock Still Shines on the Platform With 9 months on the platform, Keaveney and the Hard Rock Hotel team are looking ahead to even more growth on the platform. Together with Flip.to they're crafting rich experiences to put the newest member of the Hard Rock International brand at the center of every traveler's journey. Flip.to President, Ed St. Onge, who's worked with Keaveney spanning her many roles as a veteran in travel, had this to add: "Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach provides experiences guests won't soon forget, and are excited to share on. Flip.to has been key in tapping into what's well known as an influential factor in choosing travel: recommendations from friends & family. And the impact of the platform extends even far beyond that, with quality that's simply unmatched. Its shown time and again to drive the warmest traffic with higher conversion. And beyond reach, these audiences are being nurtured down to a buying decision, helping the hotel build long-term traveler relationships that net out better in every way." Now part of the portfolio for the Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) as of December, 2018, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach's goal is to continue to accelerating. In addition to building a wealth of traveler relationships, the property plans to continue enhancing its marketing strategy side-by-side with the platform. Keaveney added on Flip.to: "I was an early adopter of the Flip.to platform, and now have been a customer spanning it's growth at multiple properties I've marketed. As the landscape evolved, so too has the platform, bringing solves to the table that truly set out to make travel better for everyone, business and traveler included. Flip.to will continue to be a part of my marketing strategy and an extension of my team at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach." HardRockHotelDaytonaBeach Photo: Flip.to HardRockHotelDaytonaBeach2 Photo: Flip.to HardRockHotelDaytonaBeach3 Photo: Flip.to HardRockHotelDaytonaBeach4 Photo: Flip.to Getting Started Embodying the essence of the Hard Rock branda kinetic spirit that's ageless and electricpanoramic ocean views and legendary amenities are what awaits travelers to the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. To see the authentic experiences being shared firsthand, visit https://hardrockhotels.stories.travel/gallery, or reserve your stay today at https://www.hardrockhotels.com/daytona-beach. To get started with Flip.to for hotels, the advocacy platform for that reaches, converts and inspires and entirely new global audience every day, take a tour, or see other hotels shining on the platform, here: https://www.flip.to/customers/hotels. About Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach brings the global brand's iconic vibe and energetic beat to a wide stretch of the world-famous Atlantic shoreline. The 200-room beachfront property features renowned, brand-exclusive offerings and amenities, including The Sound of Your Stay music program, offering complimentary use of Fender guitars and Crosley record players for in-room jam sessions, as well as a renowned full-service Rock Spa and Salon, a Rock Shop and a Body Rock Fitness Center. The hotel also includes the signature Sessions restaurant and bar, the open-air Wave Terrace and 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including a versatile ballroom terrace. The property's resort-style beachfront pool features an expansive oceanfront party deck and outdoor pool bar and grill. Located at 918 N. Atlantic Avenue, just 15 minutes from Daytona International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach is owned by Summit Hospitality Management Group. For more information, visit www.hrhdaytonabeach.com About Hard Rock International With venues in 75 countries, including 183 cafes, 27 hotels and 12 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's most valuable collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise and Hard Rock Live performance venues. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company's two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, FL., both owned and operated by HRI parent entity The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Atlantic City, Bali, Cancun, Daytona Beach, Ibiza, Orlando, Shenzhen and San Diego. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include, Maldives, Manila, Malaga, Georgetown, Fortaleza, Rosario and Chengdu. New Hard Rock Hotel, Casino or Hotel & Casino projects include Berlin, Budapest, Dublin, London, Los Cabos, Madrid, Maldives, New York City, Ottawa, Sacramento, Dalian and Haikou in China. In 2018, Hard Rock International was recognized as a Forbes Magazine Top Employer for Women and Land Operator of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards. For more information on Hard Rock International visit www.hardrock.com. About Flip.to Flip.to, the advocacy platform for hotelsReach, inspire and convert an entirely new global audience of travelers every day with Flip.to. Flip.to lets your guests introduce your hotel to the world, combining trust with massive reach and introducing your hotel to travelers just one degree awaywarm leads who are the perfect fit. Start building your ever-growing team of advocates who turn meaningful moments into measurable ROI, and instantly see the unmatched impact when you switch on this entirely new channel. http://flip.to Supplier News 29 January 2019 New York Volara - the voice hub for the hotel industry - has been selected by Circle by Meli , a Melia Hotels International brand, to provide voice technology to properties within its international shared vacation membership club. The new Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, which opened its doors December 15, is the first hotel in the Caribbean and within the Circle by Melia portfolio to launch Volara and enable voice-based conversations with guests. The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real is also the first "home resort" in the Circle by Melia community, an experience-driven program that transforms travelers vacations with exceptional privileges and infinite memories and strives to personalize every detail to exceed guests' expectations. Volara provides technology agnostic, conversation management and secure integrations for 98 percent of the hotels using Alexa technology in the United States today. This is first deployment of Volara-powered Alexa devices in the Caribbean. Volara's patent-pending Accuracy Engine ensures that Circle by Melia guests will receive the information, recommendations and services they request. "Circle by Melia is a vacation experience with a home-like twist," said Patrick Manning, Circle by Melia Network Infrastructure & Security Operations Manager / Information Technology. "Travelers choose to join our circle for the infinite privileges membership brings. We ensure that every single detail is taken care of before, during and after each stay. With the Volara-powered Alexa voice assistant in each unit, we can fulfill each guests' wishes and personalize all of their preferences." The architecture of Volara's software enables additional layers of security to ensure that guests' personal information and conversations remain private, and Circle by Melia's proprietary data is also protected and secure. Recording of the guest through the natural language processing technology is never associated with the profile of the guest. "Volara is on the move," said David Berger, Volara CEO. "Weekly we are announcing deployments of our platform agnostic voice technology at hotels around the world, not only for its guest engagement benefits, but also for its proven ability to keep guest and hotel data private and secure. "We are thrilled to be entering this new relationship with Melia Hotels International through this first deployment in the Caribbean with Circle by Melia at the Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real," he said. "Our pilot in Miami was a huge success, and as a result we anticipate this will be the first of many Melia announcements to come. Travelers are demanding the same technologies they use at home to also be in their hotel rooms, and Volara stands ready to deliver which ever natural language processing voice assistant platform properties choose to best meet their needs." About Volara Volara is THE provider of custom voice-based solutions for the hospitality industry. It's the only provider of voice-based solutions to the hospitality industry with the Alexa for Business Service Delivery Designation from Amazon and is a launch partner of Alexa for Hospitality. Volara's proprietary software creates a hotel business tool atop the leading smart speakers and natural language processing platforms. Volara's proven best practices ensure high utilization rates and an optimal guest experience that creates personal and remarkable engagement with brands. Volara is the largest manager of Alexa devices in the enterprise today and over a million people have used voiced-based solutions powered by Volara. To learn more about Volara, visit https://volara.io/. About Melia Hotels International Melia Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and is one of the world's largest resort hotel chains, as well as Spain's leading hotel chain. It currently provides more than 370 hotels in 43 countries on 4 continents under its brands: Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus Resorts, ME by Melia, Melia Hotels & Resorts, Innside by Melia, Sol Hotels & Resorts and TRYP by Wyndham. Its product and service portfolio is complemented by Circle by Melia, the only vacation club operated by a Spanish company. Supplier News 29 January 2019 Los Angeles Beekeeper continues to dominate in the hospitality technology space, this time being named "Hottest Technology 2019" during the America's Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) inaugural "ALIS Tech Challenge: What's Hot in Technology?" competition held here yesterday. Beekeeper was one of five hotel technology companies vying for this top honor (participants included 4DPresence/4Dp Live, Intelity, myDigitalOffice, Spaceez, and Travelsify). Judges were wowed by the company's operational communications platform and the mobile app's ability to digitize a hotel's non-desk workforce by connecting operational systems and communication channels within one secure, intuitive interface. "The labor issue continues to keep c-level hotel executives up at night, especially now that unemployment is at an all-time low and the cost of labor is on the rise with no signs of slowing," said Connie Rheams, Beekeeper VP of Hospitality. "To overcome these challenges, hoteliers must create an environment where their employees want to work and build a career. Beekeeper was designed to connect employers and employees through technology. We understand that businesses struggle with employee engagement due to a lack of high-quality, engaging tools for internal communication. Therefore, we built an operational communication platform that ensures employer/employee engagement, makes employees happy, and keeps them wanting to come to work day after day. Photo: Beekeeper "We would like to thank ALIS for adding this Tech Challenge to their impressive line-up of educational sessions and networking events," Rheams said. "We are honored to have been recognized today, and we hope to hold this title for years to come as we begin expanding our communication platform beyond messaging by adding operational features to increase employees' efficiency and alignment." Earlier this month, Beekeeper was named a "2019 Top Rated Operations Product" for employee engagement and was ranked among the "Top 10 Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech 2019" by HotelTechReport. Last year the platform was named "Most Innovative Technology of 2018" by Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG); voted "People's Choice" at HITEC Houston 2018 as part of the Entrepreneur 20X Competition hosted by Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals (HFTP); and earned the "Most Innovative Hotel Technology" 2018 designation during the Tech Pitch at HX: The Hotel Experience. It was also named the 59th Fastest Growing Company in 2018 by SaaS 1000. BIG Reveal at ALIS At ALIS, Beekeeper is showcasing a robust set of new features that will make it fast and easy for multi-property management companies and global brand enterprises to better gauge and impact engagement. Called "Locations", this new feature set means that Beekeeper is the only product on the market empowering corporate / headquarters administrators to accurately reflect the structure and working styles of their organization in their digital workplace app - right down to real-time local management and engagement. This is not purely a matter of analytics and communication; the new Locations feature also is highly operational, expanding the potential of managers to autonomously provide their employees with the right tools they need to do their jobs. At a global level, administrators get a clear overview of exactly what's going on and can zoom in on properties at the click of a button. To learn more about Beekeeper and its award-winning employee-engagement platform, visit the ALIS Tech Lounge located outside the Platinum Ballroom for the duration of the show. About Beekeeper Beekeeper is an award-winning operational communication platform that digitizes the non-desk workforce by connecting operational systems and communication channels within one secure, intuitive interface. Beekeeper connects colleagues across locations and departments in real time via mobile or desktop devices and includes an intelligent dashboard to help companies improve internal communication and streamline business processes. The company is based in Zurich and San Francisco and supports users in more than 130 countries. Clients include Heathrow Airport, Seaboard Foods, and Marriott. Press Release 29 January 2019 Outrigger Enterprises Group today announced the brand's official name change to Outrigger Hospitality Group in unison with a company-wide initiative that restructures its multi-branded portfolio and further solidifies its position as a worldwide leader in the beach resort industry. Outrigger's corporate name change provides the brand clarity and structure for strategic growth of its domestic and international collection. Three core categories under Outrigger Hospitality Group include its Premier Beachfront Resorts in Hawaii, Fiji, Thailand, Guam, Mauritius and the Maldives; its "by Outrigger" branded locations and its third-party managed properties. The new structure also delivers opportunities for Outrigger Hospitality Group to impart its extensive retail, development and management expertise. "The evolution to Outrigger Hospitality Group is a bold beginning for 2019 that bridges our company's 70-year legacy of hospitality with a brand strategy centered on delighting today's modern, conscious traveler," said Jeff Wagoner, president and chief executive officer. "Our objective under this new name is simple: to be the premier beach resort brand in the world." Outrigger Hospitality Group is already moving forward with executing major developments to further enhance the guest experience at its thriving locations. This includes a $200 million Waikiki modernization masterplan over the next two to three years, incorporating the highly anticipated transformation of the flagship Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and opening of the new Voyager 47 Club lounges. Outrigger's beachfront properties in Asia Pacific will also undergo a refresh of their appearance and/or amenities. Brand new for 2019 is the debut of Outrigger's first lifestyle hotel, Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger - which underwent a $35 million full makeover and now offers a modern Waikiki vibe with cutting-edge design and local artwork from Zak Noyle, Vince Lim and Abigail Romanchak. A culinary trendsetter, its on-property restaurants include the stylish Hawaiian Aroma Caffe and award-winning Maui Brewing Company. A contemporary oasis in the center of Waikiki, the hotel's "B Original" series is a hub for authentic guest experiences ranging from TOMA (terrace of modern art) shows to poolside yoga. Further strengthening Outrigger's position as an undisputed leader in Hawaii hospitality, Outrigger recently acquired Honua Kai Resort & Spa's on-site resort rental program interests. The spectacular 38-acre oceanfront Maui condo resort offers guests luxurious suites alongside a full-service concierge, Ho`ola Spa and Duke's Beach House restaurant. Outrigger Hospitality Group is also making strides with new activities as part of its ocean conservation initiative, OZONE (Outrigger's ZONE) which focus on protecting the coral reefs and oceans surrounding the Outrigger Resorts properties in iconic beach destinations. Since its first Waikiki property opened in 1947, Outrigger has grown to be a leading Hawaii-based hospitality brand with global vision and effective partnerships. Now with 38 properties worldwide and robust retail operations, the company's universal success and brand differentiation stems from its corporate culture called Ke `Ano Wa`a (The Outrigger Way) that connects caring for the guest, host and place. Fusing its deep respect for culture, tradition and environmental sustainability at all of its global locations, Outrigger Hospitality Group has shown its continued commitment to providing guests warm hospitality and a true vacation in paradise with Signature Experiences that create lasting memories for generations. To learn more about Outrigger Hospitality Group, visit outrigger.com or outrigger.com/development for development opportunities. Appointment 28 January 2019 The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd announced today that Ted Teng is stepping down from his position as President and CEO, effective April 12, 2019, after 10 years leading the company. The Leading Hotels of the World Executive Committee has named Shannon Knapp, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, as interim CEO, assuming responsibilities as of April 13, 2019. "On behalf of the Executive Committee, I would like to thank Ted Teng for his leadership and invaluable contributions to LHW over the past decade," said Andrea Kracht, Chairman, Executive Committee of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. "He has remained steadfast in his commitment to reignite the now nine-decade old brand by honoring its traditions, while innovating to achieve greater strength and success for the future. It was this commitment that enabled LHW to achieve unprecedented member hotel revenue in 2018, surpassing $1 billion for the first time in the company's history." "After 10 years as President and CEO of Leading Hotels, I am proud of re-establishing the company's position in the industry and the growth that we have been able to accomplish," said Ted Teng, President and CEO, The Leading Hotels of the World. "Since joining the company in 2008, I have held firm to my guiding principle, 'Preserve, Enhance, and Invent,' focusing on restoring the Leading Hotel's foundation to better serve its member hotels, enhancing the quality of the collection and redefining a differentiated business strategy to guide the company into the future." Teng's career, spanning 40 years, has been rooted in hospitality industry. Prior to joining The Leading Hotels of the World, Teng led the growth of some of the world's most prominent hotel brands, serving as president, chief operating officer of Wyndham International, Inc., and president, Asia-Pacific, for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., following the merger of Starwood Lodging, Westin, and Sheraton. In addition, Teng has been dedicated to developing the future generation of hospitality leaders through his service at his alma mater, The School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, as well as other hospitality schools and development programs around the world. As the Executive Committee considers the plan for CEO succession, they have asked Shannon Knapp to lead the company through the transition. Knapp has been instrumental in the company's growth over the last five years and a driving force of strategy and innovation at Leading Hotels. Knapp also brings extensive experience in the broader travel industry. Prior to joining Leading Hotels as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, she spent 15 years with American Express, where she had the opportunity to work in both the Corporate and Leisure travel divisions, managing travel programs, partners and benefits for the consumer and travel consortia business. Spencer, IN (47460) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Hot. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Bloomington, IN (47401) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Hot. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. 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 to mostly cloudy. An isolated shower or storm, mainly in the late afternoon. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Thunderstorms move in late overnight. Low 70F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) The military is now certain the Abu Sayyaf group is behind the deadly twin explosions that rocked a church in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday. The Abu Sayyaf planned the attack which left at least 21 people dead, while its sub-group Ajang Ajang "carried (it) out," Noel Detoyato, public information chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said in a press briefing Tuesday. Based on the initial information, the pipe bombs that rocked the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel contained ammonium nitrate fuel oil - an explosive known to be used by the Abu Sayyaf group. The police and military named a certain "Alias Kamah," brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader and member of the Ajang Ajang, as among the persons of interest as seen in the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the blasts. Ten Army and Marine battalions, or about 5,000 soldiers, are now pursuing the bombing suspects, Sulu Military Commander Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo said. President Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his order for troops to "destroy" the Abu Sayyaf group during a visit to the blasts site on Monday. "I ordered you to destroy the organization. I'm ordering you now: pulpugin ninyo ang Abu Sayyaf by whatever means," Duterte told government forces according to a transcript released by Malacanang on Tuesday. The President has ordered to destroy the Abu Sayyaf group, notorious for kidnap-for-ransom activities, as early as 2016 after it beheaded foreign hostages. Parts of the Abu Sayyaf, including the Basilan faction led by slain leader Isnilon Hapilon, pledged allegiance to international terrorist network ISIS. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Sulu explosions, which left 21 people dead, including civilians and soldiers, and wounded more than a hundred others. Malacanang assured the public that preventive measures are in place to thwart any possible attack in any part of the country. The police and military are on heightened alert nationwide. CNN Philippines' David Santos, Gerg Cahiles, and Eimor Santos contributed to this report. OPEN RANGE CLOSURE The Old West that readers and the editors of Wild West love thankfully lives on despite suggestions in some circles it should be buried and forgotten. Among other entities and people that have kept alive that era in American history are Western magazines (like the one youre holding), films and TV series, traditional and dime novels, frontier nonfiction books, video games, Buffalo Bill and subsequent entertainers, Western history associations, artists, firearms collectors, the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), reenactors, history-minded towns like Tombstone and Deadwood, rodeos, and present-day cowboys and cowgirls who still ride their horses to work on the range. Yes, to cowboy up these days does not necessarily mean hopping into a truck or ATV to round up a herd, as horses can go places motor vehicles cant (e.g., up steep slopes, through heavy brush, across rivers). Thats not to say the present-day cattle industry is much like its old-time counterpart, when cowhands drove dogies (usually Texas Longhorns) north across open range. That eras heyday, since romanticized on the big screen (think John Wayne and Montgomery Clift in Red River) and small screen (think Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood in Rawhide), stretched only about 20 yearsfrom the end of the Civil War through the mid-1880s. As late as 1884 Texas cowhands drove more than 400,000 head to Kansas railyards and beyond, the greatest number on the trails since 1871. Various factors led to the demise of the open range, including overgrazing, drought, construction of more railroads, homesteaders, sheepherders and barbed wire. A more immediate blow fell during the killing winter of 188687, which came to be known as the Big Die-Up and is detailed by writer Chuck Lyons in the April 2019 issue. While that transformative event was hard on people (about 100 souls froze to death during a January 1887 blizzard), the human casualties pale in comparison to the toll it took on cattle from the northern Plains to Texas. Hard winters were nothing new on the Plains, but after the dry summer of 1886, the ensuing winter was the worst on record. In some places, writes Lyons, 90 percent of the range cattle died from exposure and starvation, and by April 1887 cattlemen had tallied 1 million carcasses, prompting the gloomy observation that a man could ride all day and never lose sight of the bloated corpses of his herd. Dakota Territory rancher and future U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt lost more than half his herd and lamented, I am bluer than indigo about the cattle; it is even worse than I feared. The deep drifts, icy winds and temperatures as low as 50 below zero devastated even the big ranchers, such as Wyomings Alex Swan, who declared bankruptcy after much of his 100,000-plus herd bit the snow dust. Though an era was ending in dramatic fashion, cattle werent about to become extinct, and those who had weathered the storm knew changes were necessary if they wanted to stay in the business. Cattlemen began to take better care of their stockexpanding their grazing land (increasingly protected by barbed wire), building barns, purchasing and growing grain, and introducing new and better breeds of cattle. Cowhands were also forced to adapt. Spending months on long drives was no longer an option. Riding fence became more common, as there was a lot more of it to monitor and repair. Those unable to land jobs with the big operations might buy or rustle a few head of their ownthat is, if they didnt turn to such legal, if less-engaging, occupations as farming. By the early 20th century technological advances and federal regulation were shaping the industry. In time cattle ranchers stopped warring with homesteaders and sheepherders and began confronting environmental groups and engaging in debate with health-conscious Americans who believed it wise to curtail their consumption of red meat, including good old beef. Yet through it all cowboys have endured, as have the realities and myths of the open-range era. WW Wild West editor Gregory Lalire wrote the 2014 historical novel Captured: From the Frontier Diary of Infant Danny Duly and Halfway to Hell in the 2018 anthology The Trading Post and Other Frontier Stories. His article about frontier baseball in Roundup, the membership magazine of Western Writers of America, earned him a 2015 Stirrup Award. Edmund Ruffins 1860 book predicted a Civil War from which the South emerged triumphant The irony is richavid abolitionist John Brown saved the life of Fire-eater Edmund Ruffin, and gave purpose to the Southerners life. Ruffin, a wealthy Virginia planter and slaveowner, was known for his scientific study of soil culture, undertaken to help improve and sustain the plantation economy of the South. He became a leading Fire-eater, as Southerners eager to see a separate nation built upon plantations and slavery were known, and by 1859, after decades of espousing Southern nationalism, he despaired of ever seeing his dream come true. In an October 18, 1859, diary entry, he contemplated suicide. The next day, John Brown saved Ruffins life. Newspapers for October 19 reported the abolitionists failed attempt to capture the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, orchestrated entirely by Northern men. The news rekindled Ruffins hope for a Southern confederacy, and he raced to Charles Town, Va., the site of Browns trial, to watch it emerge. Adapted from LOOMING CIVIL WAR: How Nineteenth-Century Americans Imagined the Future by Jason Phillips. Copyright 2018 by Oxford University Press and published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Can be purchase at Adapted from LOOMING CIVIL WAR: How Nineteenth-Century Americans Imagined the Future by Jason Phillips. Copyright 2018 by Oxford University Press and published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Can be purchase at www.amazon.com Brown was sentenced to be hanged, and on December 2, 1,500 militamen formed two squares facing his scaffold. Ruffin evaded a strict ban on civilian spectators by becoming, for a day, the oldest cadet of the Virginia Military Institute. The condemned man scaled the steps and Brown requested, do not detain me any longer than is absolutely necessary. According to Ruffin, Brown displayed complete fearlessness of & insensibility to danger and death. W eeks after John Browns death, Ruffin picked up a copy of Wild Southern Scenes by John Beauchamp Jones, who would later serve as a clerk for Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The book caught Ruffins eye because Jones novel anticipated secession and civil war at a time when Browns raid raised Ruffins hopes for Southern independence. Ruffin penned over 300 pages in two months. His history of the future foretold secession, Civil War, and southern independence. Jones history of the future foretold a violent future in which Southerners would endure an era that would exceed the French Reign of Terror. Northern authorities erected a guillotine in every city and township. Tribunals of Three investigated and executed people suspected of sympathizing with slavery and the South. A Northern tyrant named Ruffleton assumed the title Lord Protector and planned an empire reminiscent of Rome. His Senate would consist of hereditary nobles drawn from the finest families. His subjects would identify themselves as Americans only; all state lines would be erased, all sectional affiliations would vanish within the new empire. The plan failed because Britain joined the war to finish off an old enemy. Stirred by the return of their revolutionary foes, American armies united and repelled Ruffletons invaders. Ruffin, however, felt disappointment when he reached the end of the book to find the Union had been restored and sectionalism dissolved. A very foolish book, Ruffin concluded, which I regret having bought, or spent the time in reading. But Wild Southern Scenes inspired Ruffin to begin his own Southern fantasy on the eve of the 1860 election, and he set himself to the task to write his own history of the future. In two months, he penned more than 300 pages that foretold secession, civil war, and Southern independence. During a heated election year, the Charleston Mercury printed the first chapters in serial form. Ruffin titled his book Anticipations of the Future, and the text took the form of a series of fictional letters that described how a threatened and deceived South went to war. Honorable Death: Harpers Weekly correspondent David H. Strother sketched Virginia militiamen at John Browns hanging, and Ruffin was somewhere among their ranks. Strother wrote that Brown briskly walked up the scaffolds steps and offered his neck for the halter....A white muslin cap or hood was then drawn over his face.... (VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images) In Ruffins history, the real trouble had started in 1864 when New York Senator William Seward replaced Abraham Lincoln as president. To that point, secession had not occurred because Lincoln had not attacked slavery. Lincoln, according to Ruffin, was praise-worthy, and respected for probity, wisdom, and firmness. William Seward was different. He persuaded the Republican Congress to serve only Northern interests. They raised tariffs and improved only Northern canals and ports. They commissioned only Yankees as military officers and swelled the Armys ranks with free labor scum. Meanwhile, Seward packed the Supreme Court with abolitionists. The value of slavery in the border South plummeted, because runaways knew Sewards administration would ignore the 1850 federal Fugitive Slave Law, which required captured escaped slaves be returned to their owners. In diplomacy, the government acknowledged the sovereignty of Haiti, formed by a slave revolt, and Liberia, an African republic in part populated by former slaves sent there by the American Colonization Society. Haitians wasted no time sending a minister to America, a stout, burly negro, of clumsy frame who called himself the Duke of Marmalade. All this time, Southerners loudly protested, but did nothing. Without bold action to back their fiery language, Northern politicians saw Southern statesmen as fragile to men. In 1867, six statesNew York, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, and Californiavoted behind closed doors to split in two, thereby adding 12 abolitionist Senators and giving Republicans the three/fourths majority needed to abolish slavery. In 1868, Seward won reelection unopposed. The events finally convinced six Deep South states to secede on Christmas Eve, 1868. That night South Carolina captured Fort Sumter without a single casualty. Virginia and the Upper South remained in the Union, but they warned the federal government not to tread upon their soil. When Seward sent an army through western Virginia, Old Dominion troops repulsed it and the state seceded. The rest of the South followed, except for Texas. T he Civil War finally erupted in the summer of 1868. Northern armies of abolitionists invaded the South. William Lloyd Garrison, the fiery leader of the American Anti-Slavery Society, captained one group of 700 whites and blacks who sailed five ships to Maryland. Their cargo included 10,000 muskets and 5,000 pikes to arm the slaves. But Southern disaster was averted, Ruffin wrote, because If the plotters had known anything of negro human nature, they might have been sure that any such conspiracy, if confided to as many as fifty negroes, would necessarily be discovered and betrayed. Southerners knew Garrison was coming three days before he arrived. Concealed along the shoreline, defenders fired into Garrisons men after they disembarked. Preachers and abolitionist lecturers who came along for the adventure fled for their boats and were stabbed to death in the surf. Southerners singled out Garrison, the apostle of insurrection and massacre, and hanged him. A much larger abolitionist army led by Owen Brown, John Browns son, invaded Kentucky. They butchered men, women, and children after the infliction of still greater horrors. During their first night back in the South, disenchanted black soldiers deserted in the hopes of returning to their former masters. Like all other northerners, Brown was entirely ignorant of the peculiarities of negro nature, disposition, and character. An army of white Kentuckians surrounded Browns dwindling force, massacred the Yankees, rounded up the remaining former slaves and returned them to bondage. Kentuckians hanged Brown and 27 officers from a giant oak, leaving their carcasses for the birds. The executioners were a number of black prisoners who, when invited, readily volunteered to perform theduty, and appeared to enjoy hanging their former allies. Meanwhile, conditions deteriorated on the Northern home front. Without Southern commerce, thousands of Northern workers lost their jobs and took to the streets and 40,000 rioters attacked New York City. The government sent 4,000 Regular soldiers into the melee. One thousand fought desperately and died in the streets. Three thousand joined the mob. By nightfall the horde controlled the city and torched it. More than a million New Yorkers burned to death under one raging sea of flame, rising in billows and breakers above the tops of the houses. Thugs attempted the same thing in Philadelphia, but reliable military forces fired artillery shells into the crowds and slaughtered thousands. A Boston mob proved more successful. In addition to plundering the city, they hunted down and lynched prominent abolitionists. In Washington, D.C., the government fled the capital after Virginia and Maryland seceded. The United States set up a temporary seat of power in Albany, while the Confederacy claimed Washington for its own capital. The only noticeable change in the District was a new law expelling free negroes. Most blacks stayed in the city, however, because they voluntarily returned to slavery. On September 20, 1868, the North requested a truce. The terms did not recognize Southern independence, but it was an established fact nonetheless. The United States was so crippled by this short, destructive war that another wave of secession seemed imminent. In time, the West and Mid-Atlantic would join the stronger Confederacy, leaving fanatical New England alone, poor, and irrelevant. A s Ruffin wrote his book, he consulted The Partisan Leader by Nathaniel Beverley Tucker, Ruffins friend and distant cousin. A law professor at William and Mary, Tucker set the standard for Southern histories of the future when his 1836 book predicted that Martin Van Buren sought the presidency to secure Northern dominion over the South. Like Ruffin, Tucker timed his publication in an attempt to influence the presidential election. Tucker warned that Van Buren conspired to turn the presidency into a dictatorship by creating a sectional majority party that would help him win an unprecedented third term of office. When Van Buren accomplished his plan in The Partisan Leader, the South coordinated a swift secession movement and formed a separate nation. The Southern Confederacy preserved the legacy of the Revolution, the spirit of the Union, and the Constitution. Virginia hesitated to secede, unsure about abandoning the nation it sired, and a nasty guerrilla war ensued that tested the allegiance of every Virginian and decided the fate of free government in America. Relics: This stereoview shows the site of the Palmetto Guards camp near Charleston Harbor. (Library of Congress) In 1861, Ruffins Civil War prophecy became reality, and he traveled to the scene of action in South Carolina to stare at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor and live his imagined future. It was the most gratifying experience of his life. During the summer of 1860, he had acquired detailed information about the harbor and fort from friends in the federal government. When rumors swirled that the Confederates would resist attempts to supply the forts garrison on April 8, Ruffin raced to the Citadel, borrowed a musket, and boarded a steamboat to be in the harbor when the war he anticipated began. Nothing happened. The following morning he embarked with a boatload of volunteers for the Confederate batteries at Morris Island. The spectacle of an old man with long white hair clutching a musket and eager to fight drew a crowd. The spectacle of an old man with long white hair clutching a musket and eager to fight drew a crowd, and commanders of many regiments urged Ruffin to join their unit. He chose the Palmetto Guards because he anticipated that their position would be in the center of the looming battle. He was right. When drumbeats summoned men to their positions before dawn on April 12, 1861, Ruffin fired one of the first shots of the war. The shell struck the northeast parapet and the other Confederate batteries that ringed Charleston Harbor opened fire. When Major Robert Anderson surrendered the fort, Ruffin carried the Palmetto Guards flag at the ceremony. To mark the historic event, he picked through the debris, pocketing shell fragments and, when no one was looking, cut a swatch of fabric from the first Confederate flag to fly over conquered territory. History seemed to be happening exactly as Ruffin prophesied. H e would not miss the war he anticipated for the world. In July 1861, carrying cheese, crackers, blankets, and shoes, he hurried to the camps near Manassas, Va., to join his Fort Sumter comrades, the Palmetto Guards. Everything seemed to be unfolding just as he had anticipated in Anticipations of the Future. When he heard rumors of Yankee atrocities, Ruffin accepted them as fact. He wanted the Confederacy to pursue the strategy that worked in his history of the future: guerrilla warfare without quarter. Merry sounds around campfires, laughter, and martial music convinced him that he belonged to a great army, a band of knights. The finer elements of the South had stepped forward to make history. But his body ached from sleeping on the ground and his new shoes tortured his feet. As the Palmetto Guards marched from one position to the next, Ruffin fell behind. He asked to ride with artillery crews and caught up with his company but was too tired to be of service. The active campaigning exposed his bodys inability to fight like an eager young volunteer. Nonetheless, when the First Battle of Manassas erupted on July 21, 1861, Ruffin was determined to be at the center of it. But Union troops did not attack the Guards position, and Ruffin sat impatiently, galled to be confined to one spot all day, between a high hill & thick woods, where nothing could be seen. The white-haired soldier became so excited with the sounds of the firing that he deserted his post for the seat of war. A Confederate artillery battery spotted him and took him forward to a vantage point from where he spied a ragged blue line retreating. The old man gratefully accepted an offer to fire a shell that exploded among men scurrying to cross a bridge. Ruffin watched as panicked survivors fled from the carnage he caused. After the battle, he walked to the spot where his shell landed, collected battle trophies, and counted the dead. Only three bodies remained. Disappointed, Ruffin convinced himself that he killed or wounded at least 15 Yankees. He predicted that the victory at Bull Run would be virtually the close of the war. In Anticipations of the Future, Ruffin imagined Northern armies bleeding to death in costly invasions of the South. Union aggression would cause the impossibility of conveying reinforcements and supplies to the seat of war. Then, as Northern society descended into anarchy, troops would be needed to suppress insurrections at home. He was impatient for that, and even wished for death in 1861. If only a cannonball had painlessly killed him at Bull Run, just as he had done to his enemies. Nothing would be better for his legacy than to die like John Brown, a willing sacrifice at the dawn of his cause. Gone in a Flash: Union gunboats on Virginias James River provide cover for onshore infantry as they burn one of Ruffins plantations. The planters celebrity worked against him, and he found himself on the run to avoid capture for much of the war. (Harpers Weekly) D ying at Bull Run would have saved Ruffin from a reckoning. He gravely misunderstood the motivations and mindset of African Americans. He was surprised to learn that slaves escaped as soon as the enemy approached. The number, & general spreading of such abscondings of slaves are far beyond any previous conceptions, he admitted. The war exposed Ruffins delusions that slaves preferred bondage to freedom and, for the first time in his life, Ruffin armed himself against the likelihood of a slave revolt. When the Army of the Potomac approached his home on the peninsula east of Richmond in May 1862, Ruffin expected slaves to rise up against him. We prepared & loaded our fire-arms& for the first time I even locked my room (which is also an out-door,) & closed & fastened the very frail window shutters, when I went to bed. In 1862, one of his slaves, William, a carriage driver, fled to the Union Army. Dying at Bull run would have saved Ruffin from a Reckoning. While his slaves turned against him, so did the war Ruffin worked so hard to create. The spring 1862 Peninsula Campaign ruined Ruffins future, because the enemys approach compelled him and his family to abandon three of their plantations in the Richmond vicinity. Ruffin, a man who had personified precipitate action when he rushed toward the conflict by volunteering at Harpers Ferry, Charleston, and Manassas, became a refugee of the war. The enemy hunted him as an outlaw and ringleader of secession. For three years, he and his family traveled across war-torn Virginia seeking a haven from the enemy for themselves and their remaining slaves. Ruffin realized that the fame he achieved in 1861 endangered his family. Ruffin had collected battle trophies; now Union troops looted his belongings to signify the doom of secession. During the course of the war, the enemy destroyed all three plantations that Ruffin evacuated. They liberated slaves, trampled fields, burned fence rails, confiscated animals and grain, wrecked machinery, girdled trees, broke windows and doors, slashed furniture, looted his library, and carried off his private papers. Graffiti on the walls of his home read, You did fire the first gun on Sumter, you traitor son of a bitch. Old Ruffin, dont you wish you had left the Southern Confederacy go to Hell (where it will go) and had stayed at home, read another scrawled insult. The glory that Ruffin so confidently anticipated failed to materialize. Instead the looming war ruined him and stole his future. His children had warned him of this fate before he fired the first shot. Edmund Jr., Julian, Elizabeth, and Mildred forecast doom. By 1865 only his namesake survived. Confederate surrender shattered Edmund Ruffin and his prophecy. His anticipations shaped his reality by presupposing the wars scale, decisive factors, and outcomes. The alternative reality he expressed in Anticipations of the Future affected how Ruffin interpreted events and acted during the conflict. When the war erased Ruffins future, it radically redefined his lifes work. He had told William Yancey before secession, I would stake my life on the venture, and he did. Things did not go as planned. Defeat robbed Ruffin of his anticipated future as a national founder. Worse, the war disproved his claims to read the future. Ruffin raged against the ending he did not foresee and could not accept. Looking to the future, Ruffin tried to prophesy one last time. He predicted a far-distant day shall arrive for just retribution for Yankee usurpation, oppression, & atrocious outrages& for deliverance & vengeance for the now ruined, subjugated, & enslaved Southern States! Too old to participate in this vague reckoning to come, Ruffin chose not to meet his fate. His contempt for the present mixed with his proactive bent to form a lethal combination. Unwilling to become a burden to his children and a subject to Yankee rule, Ruffin took control of his future. Sitting in his private room at his sons house, Ruffin waited for visitors to depart, noted the time on his watch, 12:15 p.m., bequeathed the timepiece to his grandson, rested his chin on the barrel of a shotgun, and pulled the trigger. Jason Phillips is the Eberly Family Professor of Civil War Studies at West Virginia University. This article is adapted from his new book, Looming Civil War: How Nineteenth-Century Americans Imagined the Future. Copyright 2018 by Oxford University Press and published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. US prosecutors filed criminal charges against Huawei Technologies Co., Chinas largest technology company, alleging it stole trade secrets from an American rival and committed bank fraud by violating sanctions against doing business with Iran. Huawei has been the target of a broad US crackdown, including allegations it sold telecommunications equipment that could be used by Chinas Communist Party for spying. The charges filed Monday also mark an escalation of tensions between the worlds two largest economies, which are mired in a trade war that has roiled markets. In a 13-count indictment in Brooklyn, New York, the government alleged Huawei, two affiliated companies and chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou of bank and wire fraud as well as conspiracy in connection with business in Iran. Charges filed in Washington state accuse the company of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile USA Inc. and offering bonuses to employees who succeeded in getting technology from rivals. The cases expose Huaweis brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace, Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said at a press conference in Washington announcing the charges. Huawei didnt respond to requests for comment on the allegations. Chinas government has defended Huawei and accused the US of trying to hold back the rise of the countrys technology industry for competitive reasons. The US has been abusing the idea of national security, slandering and striking down the normal commercial activities of Chinese enterprises, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a briefing in Beijing this month. The US has been ignoring the facts and is being extremely nervous, mistaking each bush and tree for the enemy and mistaking the shadow of a bow in ones cup as a snake. US prosecutors said that Huawei concealed its relationship with Skycom Tech Co., a Hong Kong-registered company with operations in Iran, in violation of US laws. Meng personally made a presentation in August 2013 to an executive of one of Huaweis major banking partners in which she repeatedly lied about the relationship, prosecutors said in a statement announcing the charges. Skycom was also charged. Meng, 46, the daughter of the companys founder, was arrested December 1 in Canada on allegations that she committed fraud to sidestep sanctions against Iran. Mengs next court date is set for February 6 in Vancouver, where she is out on bail following her detainment on December 1 while in transit at the Vancouver airport. She is fighting extradition to the U.S. to face criminal charges. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said at a news conference Monday that the US intends to file a formal extradition request by tomorrow. Once that occurs, Canadas justice minister has up to 30 days to assess it and issue an authority to proceed with hearings. Canada has little leeway to refuse the request, assuming the alleged crimes she committed also violate Canadian law. A hearing could still be months away, and Meng will have several opportunities to appeal. The final decision on extradition is up to Canadas justice minister. Canadian judges end up approving about 90 percent of extradition requests because the system makes it nearly impossible to mount a defence, says Gary Botting, a Vancouver-based lawyer whos been involved in hundreds of extradition cases. In the Brooklyn indictment, the US says Huawei misrepresented its business with Iran to the U.S. government and various financial institutions since 2007. That year, FBI agents interviewed Huaweis founder, identified in the indictment as Individual 1, according to the US During the interview, Individual 1 falsely stated that Huawei didnt conduct any activity in violation of US export laws, and that it didnt deal directly with any Iranian company, the US said. Huawei was founded by Ren Zhengfei. Charges in the Brooklyn indictment include bank and wire fraud, conspiracy and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In addition, Huawei and Huawei USA are accused of conspiring to obstruct justice. Trade Secrets Prosecutors also alleged that Huawei began a concerted effort in 2012 to steal information from a phone-testing robot developed by T-Mobile USA Inc. and even offered bonuses to employees who could get their hands on the technologies of rivals. In the indictment filed in Seattle, the government alleged Huawei violated confidentiality agreements with T-Mobile in an effort to build their own robot to test phones. A Huawei engineer secretly took photos of T-Mobiles robot, called Tappy, took measurements of parts of the robot and, in one instance, stole a piece of the robot, prosecutors said.Huawei then blamed rogue actors within the company when T-Mobile threatened to sue, the U.S. said. T-Mobile sued Huawei and its US-based unit, Huawei Device USA Inc., in 2014. Three years later, a federal jury in Seattle found Huawei liable for both breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes of the Western District of Washington, whose office is handling the trade-secrets case, said Huaweis actions showed a pattern by the company. Steal Technology Huawei wanted to build its own robot, and rather than engineer its own device, it decided to steal T-Mobiles technology, Hayes said. The Chinese company also obstructed justice by preparing a report claiming to be an investigation of rogue employees, even though Huawei clearly knew that the thefts were part of an organized effort by the company, Hayes said. During the time period of the alleged crime, Huawei announced a bonus for stealing confidential information from competitors. Its unclear how Huawei will respond. The company could appear in court and defend itself against the charges, as any criminal defendant might. Or it could challenge the U.S. jurisdiction to bring charges against the Chinese company, though theres no question that prosecutors have authority over domestic units, said Harry Sandick, a former federal prosecutor now with Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP. Ignoring the case wont be an option, Sandick said, as that could result in a company becoming a fugitive entity thats unable to do business in the US. Usually these are hypothetical questions because the government rarely charges business organizations, Sandick said. US authorities unveiled Monday a sweeping set of 23 criminal charges against the Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co in a new escalation of tensions between the United States and China that are slated to resume trade talks this week. The charges contained in two indictments announced Monday accused Huawei and its chief financial officer and owners daughter Meng Wanzhou, who is the custody of Canadian authorities on an extradition request from the US, with bank fraud, violation of US sanctions on Iran, theft of trade secrets and obstruction of justice. The charges came ahead of negotiators from the two countries meeting here on later in the week to resume talks to resolve trade tensions triggered by President Donald Trumps tariffs on steel and aluminum at first and subsequently on billions worth of imports from China, which has retaliated in equal measure. Trump is expected to meet Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who is leading the Chinese delegation, some time during the talks. Today we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes acting attorney general Matthew G. Whitaker told reporters at a news briefing. As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law. Huawei has said it was disappointed by the charges and its request to the US department of justice to discuss the case against Meng was rejected without explanation. In Beijing, government spokesperson Geng Shuang said US charges were driven by political motivations and added that, We urge them to treat Chinese enterprises in a fair and just way. Beijing has imprisoned two Canadians and sentenced a third Canadian held on drug-smuggling charges to death in apparent retaliation to Mengs arrest in Canada, but Chinese authorities have denied they were linked. The first indictment containing 13 charges, returned by a New York grand jury, Huawei and other defendants, including Meng, pertain to the companys businesses and dealings in Iran, and its efforts to circumvent US sanctions. It is alleged to have misled multiple global banks and the United State about its ties to Skycom, an Iranian affiliate that it claimed was a separate company after Huawei sold its stakes in it, in 2007. When, in fact, the United states has alleged Huawei had sold Skycom to itself, through a company it controlled. As part of this scheme to defraud, Meng allegedly personally made a presentation in August 2013 to an executive of one of Huaweis major banking partners in which she repeatedly lied about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom, the US department of justice said in a statement on the indictment. The Chinese telecom giant, which relied on global banks to process its US dollar transactions through the US, lied to these institutions which would have otherwise refused to process them given US laws and regulation on companies doing business with Iran, in violation of its sanctions. One bank, the indictment said, cleared more $100 million of Skycom-related transactions through the United States between 2010 and 2014, years of a crippling sanctions regime imposed and enforced by the UN and the United States. The sanctions were lifted in 2015 following an agreement to halt Irans nuclear programme. President Trump reimposed the sanctions in 2018, but these are US curbs, with no backing from the UN. In the second indictment, returned by a grand jury in Seattle, Washington, Huawei Device Co., Ltd. and Huawei Device Co. USA are accused of 10 charges related to theft of trade secrets, wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The affiliates are accused to trying to steal information on a robot used by T-Mobile, a US company, to test phones, called Tappy. Huawei personnel are alleged to have taken pictures of the device and measurements and even tried to steal a piece from it for Huawei engineers to duplicate. When caught, Huawei blamed the theft on rogue actors, the US department of justice said, and sought to deny the companys role in it. But prosecutors have said it was in fact a part of a company-wide effort and alleged Huawei actually rewards employees for stealing trade secrets. Huawei has been blocked from selling telecommunications equipment in the United States since a 2012 congressional report raised fears of its products being used to spy on Americans. Many other countries remained suspicious of the company, India has harboured similar reservations about the company, but allowed it to participate in field trials of 5G equipment last December. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday sought parliamentary approval to return to Brussels to re-negotiate the withdrawal agreement, but EU officials insisted that it is not possible to re-open talks on the controversial backstop for Ireland-Northern Ireland. The House of Commons began a day-long debate on Mays Brexit Plan B after the agreement was voted down earlier this month. She promised to return to parliament with a revised agreement that will be put to vote, likely on February 14. The House was due to vote on Tuesday evening on a series of amendments to the Plan B, on issues such as ruling out leaving the EU without an agreement, extending Article 50, and an alternative to the backstop that has emerged as the main sticking point across parties. May said she knew there was a limited appetite in the EU to re-open talks, but she believed she could secure it and return with significant and legally binding change. The backstop is supposed to be an insurance policy to prevent a hard border between Ireland (EU country) and Northern Ireland (part of the UK) if trade talks are not finalised by the end of the transition period in December 2020. According to May, her government is in reach of a deal the House can stand behind. She said when she returns to Brussels she needs the strongest voice behind her, adding that the amendments provide a cacophony of voices when we need just one. Urging MPs to give me the mandate I need to return to Brussels and demand that the withdrawal agreement be re-negotiated, she said: The time has come for words to be matched by deedsif you want Brexit you have to vote for Brexit. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has refused to join talks with May to find a way out of the impasse, asked which of the red lines she had changed since the deal was defeated two weeks ago: She is refusing to accept the clearly stated will of this House. Labour wants that after Brexit, the United Kingdom should remain in EU customs union to prevent adverse impact on trade and jobs. Corbyn said a permanent customs union is a pragmatic solution that helps deliver the Brexit that people voted for. There was some softening of rebellion from within the Conservative Party after former foreign secretary and leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson extended support to Mays latest approach if she confirmed she would re-open negotiations with Brussels. Theresa May faces losing control of Brexit to Parliament on Tuesday in a series of crucial votes that will shape Britains split from the European Union. Despite a last minute gamble aimed at buying off rebels in her Conservative Party, the prime minister will face a knife-edge battle to block a proposal that would hand Parliament the power to delay the process and prevent a no-deal divorce. The leadership of the opposition Labour Party was preparing to order its MPs to vote for the amendment, put forward by Labours Yvette Cooper and Tory Nick Boles as May scrambled for a compromise all sides could support. In a dramatic meeting Monday evening, the prime minister effectively abandoned the agreement shes spent the past 18 months negotiating with the EU and threw the weight of her government behind a separate proposal to re-write the deal. May urged hundreds of Conservative politicians crammed into a room inside Parliament to support another amendment that would strip out the so-called backstop plan for the Irish border, wrecking a compromise shes agreed to with the EU in the hope of securing one with her own party. Also read | PM Theresa May battles to keep Brexit alive Resolving the Impasse Mays move was intended to win over hardline Brexit backers who joined with opposition MPs on Jan. 15 to reject her EU divorce package. It was the biggest government defeat in the House of Commons for more than a century and prompted two weeks of soul-searching and debate over how to resolve the impasse inside the government. Previously implacable factions in the Conservative Party have even held private talks to seek a consensus around asking the EU for a modified backstop and an extra years transition. Whatsapp discussions between politicians, including leading euroskeptic Jacob Rees-Mogg and Pro-EU Nicky Morgan, were made public Monday night and confirmed by the two sides. If the House of Commons does not ratify a Brexit agreement, the U.K. will tumble out of the bloc with no new trading terms in place on March 29. That risks a recession, a hit to the pound and a crash in house prices, according to official analysis from the authorities in Britain. Irish Backstop May, who will close Tuesdays debate, now hopes her Tory party will say clearly what it wants to change in the deal shes struck with the EU. Her aim is to send a message to Brussels that the Irish border backstop must be ditched or radically redrafted, and persuade the EU to change position so a new deal can pass through Parliament. According to an EU official, though, the amendment proposed by Graham Brady has little chance of persuading the bloc to make compromises. The proposal appears to only leave scope for the backstop to be overtaken by a better solution -- of which there is no evidence of one at this point. It will be extraordinarily difficult for the U.K. to win concessions or remove the backstop unless it moves its own red lines, the official said. May, who will meet with her cabinet on Tuesday morning, also faces major hurdles when her latest gambit is put to a test in a vote expected in the Commons later in the day. String Things Out So far, Mays euroskeptic colleagues in the European Research Group have said theyre unlikely to be persuaded to support her call, though they will not finalize their position until just before Tuesdays votes. Instead, the Cooper and Boles plan could now win more backing from politicians who are determined to stop a no-deal Brexit and ensure they have the power to delay the U.K.s divorce from the EU if necessary. Also read | Brexit: There are no easy choices for Theresa May When will the PM understand that the ideological leaders of the ERG do not want a deal? They just want to string things out until it is too late, Boles said in a posting on Twitter. Pragmatic Conservatives should support the Cooper amendment tomorrow and shoot the no-deal fox. In an effort to appease those Tories who are proposing to back Boles and Coopers plan to delay Brexit, May promised they would have another chance to vote to stop Britain leaving the bloc without a deal, according to people in the room Monday. She said the government will come back to make a statement to Parliament on the next steps if no Brexit deal has been agreed by Feb. 13. A Clear Message Labour will not formally say if it will order its MPs to back the plan until House of Commons Speaker John Bercow announces which amendments have been chosen for consideration on Tuesday morning, but three people familiar with the leaderships thinking said it was minded to support it. If Labour whips its support, Mays minority administration will need most of its own rebels to fall into line while hoping that Labour MPs who are concerned at being accused by voters of frustrating Brexit will abstain or vote with the government. Even so, Brandon Lewis, the chairman of Mays Tory party, said he is very optimistic and hopeful that his colleagues will get behind the new backstop-killing amendment. It will allow the prime minister to go back to Brussels with a clear message, he told reporters after the meeting. We want to get this vote through tomorrow. Also read | Brexit: New London-Brussels tension as May says deal must change, EU says no Several European Union member states are weighing up what pre-conditions they could demand in exchange for any request from the UK to postpone Brexit, people familiar with the matter said. While the UK is due to leave on March 29, Theresa May has stopped short of ruling out an extension to the withdrawal deadline, and countries including France and Germany have indicated they might support an extension to help avoid the UK crashing out without a deal. Among the conditions being considered is that any talks after the extension shouldnt involve reopening the withdrawal agreement or the controversial backstop to avoid a border returning in Ireland, one of the EU officials said. Another country wants the UK to set down in writing what it wants from any new talks, a second official said. Both asked not to be named, as deliberations are ongoing. Theres been no collective, detailed discussions on pre-conditions, one of the people said. But theres a wariness of entering an extension just to allow May to continue to try to forge a consensus on the way forward in London. Sabine Weyand, the EUs deputy chief Brexit negotiator, said on Monday the EU would demand there should be clarity by the end of the extension period. She also said there shouldnt be serial extensions, as Brexit is already eating up political energy in the bloc. Nonetheless, theres an expectation that the UK would be granted an extension if requested as both sides remain anxious to avoid a no-deal scenario. Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite, one of the European Unions most outspoken figures, said last week the EU will probably be helpful to the UK if it asks to postpone. But the longer we will drag both sides in the process the more damage we will make, she said. Close on the heels of the launch of a new shipping route connecting three Indian ports with Chabahar, Iran is eyeing the construction of a gas pipeline and a railway link to Zahedan to boost activities at the strategic port, Iranian officials said on Monday. The first Indian container vessel operating on the new route set sail from Mumbai and called at Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat before berthing on Sunday at Shahid Beheshti terminal of Irans Chabahar port, whose operations are controlled by state-owned India Ports Global Limited. The vessel will continue to Bandar Abbas, the final port of call on the route. With the arrival of the first 3,700 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) container ship at Shahid Beheshti (in) Chabahar port, for the first time, the shipping line between the ports of Mumbai, Mundra and Kandla has opened, said Behrouz Aghai, managing director of Irans Ports and Maritime Organization in Sistan and Baluchistan province. Iranian officials in New Delhi said more cargo vessels will sail from Mumbai to Chabahar and Bandar Abbas every fortnight. Coupled with the United States sanctions waiver for Chabahar granted last November, the officials said they expect the new shipping route to ramp up activities at the port. Commodore (retired) C Uday Bhaskar, director of the Society for Policy Studies, described the new shipping route as a symbolically significant development at a time when Afghanistan is in a state of flux. He said: It is one of various options that could be viewed by India and like-minded nations such as Japan at a time when Afghanistan is both a complex strategic challenge and an opportunity. As part of measures to boost infrastructure at the port and its free trade zone, Iran is looking at the construction of a nearly 200-km gas pipeline from Iranshahr to Chabahar and a railway link of about 500 km from Chabahar to Zahedan, which is close to the Afghan border, the officials added. India has conducted a feasibility study and opened a line of credit for the railway link, about 100km of which will be completed by March. The project is expected to cost $1.6 billion and Iran has invested $300 million in it. The terrain in the area is not difficult and once the railway link is completed, Chabahar will be linked to the extensive rail network in northern Iran, making it easier to ship goods to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, said an official. The new gas pipeline could boost the development of industries such as refineries, CNG plants and units making petro-chemicals, the official added. As part of joint efforts to promote Chabahar port and attract investments, India and Iran will organise the Chabahar Day conference on February 26. Delegates from central Asian countries, traders and freight companies are expected to attend the event. Iran will cover accommodation and domestic travel expenses, officials said. In a related development, the first cargo shipment from Afghanistan to India via Chabahar is expected to be sent in February. The shipment will comprise five containers of mung beans, with each container weighing 22 tonnes. The delivery will be done under the TIR or International Road Transports convention, which streamlines procedures at borders and reduces the burden for customs authorities. Afghanistan, India and Iran signed an agreement to develop Chabahar in May 2016. India sees Chabahar as key to its plans to gain access to the landlocked Central Asian states and Afghanistan while bypassing Pakistan. Iran is among Indias three largest oil suppliers along with Iraq and Saudi Arabia. US intelligences latest edition of worldwide threat assessment report has warned of a spike in communal violence during the parliamentary polls in India if the BJP stresses Hindu nationalist themes and continued to complain of Pakistans recalcitrance on support for terrorists based on its soil. The challenges facing South Asian states will grow in 2019 because of Afghanistans presidential election in mid-July and the Talibans large-scale attacks, Pakistans recalcitrance in dealing with militant groups, and Indian elections that risk communal violence, said the new report. The report also said Iran is not undertaking any new activity to develop a nuclear weapon and North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear programme. And it contradicted President Donald Trumps claim that the Islamic State is finished, saying it still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria. The report, an annual exercise, was tabled in US congress Tuesday by Director of US intelligence Daniel Coats, who also deposed before the senate intelligence committee, accompanied by heads of the CIA, the FBI and the NSA, Gina Haspel, Christopher Wray and Paul Nakasone respectively. On India, the report warned of an increase in the possibility of communal violence if the BJP stresses Hindu nationalist themes and went on to say that the ruling partys policies in the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have deepened communal tensions in some BJP-governed states, and Hindu nationalist state leaders might view a Hindu-nationalist campaign as a signal to incite low-level violence to animate their supporters. The report goes on to warn that an increase in communal clashes could alienate Indian Muslims and allow Islamist terrorist groups in India to expand their influence. India on its own had not figured much in the 2018 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US intelligence, but only for challenges emanating from tensions in ties with Pakistan and China. On Pakistan, the report warned, in a para headlined Pakistans recalcitrance, that militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe haven there to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests. And the report said, reprising a long-standing US complaint, that Islamabads narrow approach to counter-terrorism cooperation of using some groups as policy too while going after those that directly threaten Pakistan will almost certainly will frustrate US counter-terrorism efforts against the Taliban. And on Afghanistan the US intelligence assessment is that neither the Government nor the Taliban will be able to gain a strategic military advantage in the Afghan war in the coming year if coalition support remains at current levels. A British member of Parliament expelled from Labour after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice by lying to avoid a speeding ticket was on Tuesday sentenced to three months in jail, triggering a recall petition in her constituency. Fiona Onasanya, 35, who was elected on a Labour ticket from Peterborough in Cambridgeshire in 2017, currently sits as an independent in the House of Commons. The high court sentenced her to three months and her brother to 10 months in jail. Justice Stuart-Smith said: Its a tragedy that you have found yourselves here and in this predicament, but its a tragedy that you have brought on yourselves. The jury was told that Onasanya had repeatedly lied after her car was caught by a camera driving at 41mph in a 30mph zone. A solicitor of Nigerian origin, she was also found to be texting and speeding on July 24, 2018. The judge added: If she wasnt an MP and wasnt in a position of responsibility and power, she would go inside. There is not one rule for those who are in a position of responsibility and power, and another for those who are not. However, he added that she was of previous good character: She went into politics on a principled basis with a strong agenda for social justice. Christine Agnew, lawyer for Onasanya, said: This is not just a fall from grace, it is a very public fall from grace. She will inevitably be struck off as a solicitor. Her life as a politician and her life as a solicitor will come to an end. Britains long goodbye to the European Union often seems to be spoken in unintelligible code. Most know the process as Brexit -- a child of the term Grexit that was coined by economists when it looked like debt-laden Greece would exit the eurozone in 2012. Greece stuck around but Britain is leaving the EU thanks to a 2016 referendum that soon spawned its own lexicon. Here is a look at some of the terms -- both real and invented -- politicos are using to describe a split that could very well run past its March 29 deadline. Article 50 The basics begin with the 2007 Lisbon Treaty that updated the blocs governing rules. Its Article 50 provides a withdrawal clause -- a two-year notice that Prime Minister Theresa May sent to European Council president Donald Tusk in 2017. The problem is that most British lawmakers have serious issues with Mays version of Brexit. Groups of them are now scheming up ways to draw out the process and put themselves in charge. Any extension of Article 50 must be unanimously backed by the remaining 27 EU presidents and premiers. Withdrawal Agreement May and the 27 EU member states crowned nearly two years of mind-numbingly complex negotiations by putting their names in December to a 585-page tome spelling out the legal fine print of the divorce. Fuming UK lawmakers promptly voted against it by a historic margin on January 15. European officials insist that the agreement offers the best deal London can get. British politicians refuse to believe them and want May to get better terms. Single market, customs union These are the dry economic essentials of how the European Union works. The existing bloc is part of a single market -- an even broader area that also includes non-EU members such as Norway and Iceland. It removes internal borders so that goods and money can move around freely and people can live and work where they please. One set of consumer safety standards governs everything from chicken wings to washing machines. The EU also forms a customs union -- a body that applies a single set of quotas and tariffs on non-members such as China and the United States. Backstop Now comes the tricky bit where the customs union and single market come into play. Brexit creates an EU frontier between bloc member Ireland and Britains Northern Ireland. But the troubled province is governed by a 1998 peace agreement that removed a physical border between Ireland and the North. The backstop tries to get around this -- and keep the peace -- by making all of Britain part of the customs union until a new EU-UK trade deal is reached. The North additionally adopts most parts of the single market. This lets it trade freely with Ireland while remaining part of Britain. But Mays Northern Irish coalition partners hate the backstop because it treats their region differently from the mainland. Hard and soft Brexit Exhausted Britons sometimes joke that Brexit comes in every which way but scrambled. A hard version of Brexit is championed by EU haters -- the so-called Brexiteers -- who say that fears of a clean break from the bloc are overblown. This is the no-deal scenario many businesses dread. A soft Brexit would only nudge Britain partially out of Europe. Some want to copy the arrangement Norway reached with Brussels that keeps it in the single market. Others want both that and the customs union -- a Norway plus option that looks a lot like what Britain has now. BRINO The acronym arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg adopted for Mays strategy in January 2018. It means simply Brexit in name only and implies that the UK leaves the EU on paper only. BOBs Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt admitted to the BBC in November that many people are bored of Brexit and want the whole thing to simply go away. The acronym BOB struck a nerve in a tired nation that has been debating the same points about Brexit for the best part of three years. BOBs are also prone to use the #brexitshambles hashtag on Twitter. Maybot The nickname a scoffing reporter from The Guardian assigned May for invariably using the same stock phrases. Her favourites include Brexit means Brexit and no deal is better than a bad deal. The monikers use jumped when May suddenly broke out some stiff dance moves during an August tour of Africa. The robotic hand motions and thumping footsteps returned when she sauntered on stage to ABBAs Dancing Queen at an October party conference. Lawmakers will on Tuesday debate and vote on British Prime Minister Theresa Mays response to the overwhelming rejection of her Brexit plan earlier this month. The vote is not a rerun of the January 15 Brexit deal vote on whether to approve the exit deal she had negotiated with the European Union, which she lost by 432 to 202. Instead, Tuesday is a chance to discover what sort of changes to her strategy would be required to win the support of parliament, so May can try to renegotiate the deal in Brussels and then ask lawmakers to approve it. May has said she wants to secure concessions relating to the border with Northern Ireland in order to win the support of pro-Brexit lawmakers in her own party and the small Northern Irish party which props up her government, who voted against her deal. Some lawmakers want to shift control of the process away from government and give parliament the chance to define Brexit. If successful, this could have a profound effect, giving lawmakers who want to block, delay or renegotiate Brexit a possible legal route to do so. Also read: Brexit deal: There are no easy choices for Theresa May Other lawmakers have proposed alternatives to Mays deal to gauge support for them and persuade the prime minister to change course by seeking closer EU ties or holding a second referendum. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Lawmakers are officially discussing a bland statement saying they have debated Mays next steps. But, using a parliamentary device known as an amendment, some hope to turn it into something that will persuade or force May into taking a different path. So far 14 amendments have been put forward. The Speaker, John Bercow, will announce at around 1300 GMT on Tuesday which of these have been selected for debate and vote. Voting on these amendments will take place one by one from 1900 GMT. Each vote takes around 15 minutes and the result is read out in parliament. Once voting on all amendments has taken place, a vote is held to give final approval to the wording of the statement. This final statement does not automatically dictate government policy. KEY AMENDMENTS TO WATCH: AMENDMENT B - Signed by 103 lawmakers This seeks to shift control of Brexit from Mays government to parliament by demanding that on Feb. 5, the rule that government business takes precedence in parliament is overturned. Providing it has the support of 10 lawmakers from at least four political parties, it makes time for a piece of legislation giving May until Feb. 26 to get a deal approved by parliament. If not, parliament would be given a vote on asking the EU for a postponement of the Article 50 deadline to prevent Britain leaving without a deal on March 29. It proposes a nine-month extension to Dec. 31. Put forward by Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper, this plan has a strong chance of succeeding as the opposition Labour Party has said it is likely to back it and it is supported by several of Mays Conservatives. AMENDMENT N - Signed by eight lawmakers Supported by Graham Brady, chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Conservative lawmakers, it calls for the backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland and says parliament would support Mays Brexit deal if this change were made. On Monday, May asked her lawmakers to support this amendment. It is potentially useful to the government if passed because it would show the EU there is popular support in parliament for her attempt to renegotiate. AMENDMENT G - Signed by 74 lawmakers This has been proposed by Conservative lawmaker Dominic Grieve and has a chance of succeeding as it is supported by lawmakers from several parties. It demands that, one day a week in February and March, the rule that government business takes precedence in parliament is overturned, giving lawmakers the opportunity to propose their own debates on Brexit. Any proposals approved by parliament on those days would not be binding on the government but would be politically difficult to ignore. AMENDMENT A - Signed by 52 lawmakers Proposed by opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, it calls for parliament to consider alternative options to prevent Britain leaving without a deal, including seeking a permanent customs union with the EU and holding a second referendum. This is unlikely to be approved as pro-EU lawmakers in Mays Conservative Party have indicated they will not rebel against their leader by supporting it. Several Labour lawmakers and the pro-EU Liberal Democrats have proposed changes to this amendment so that it would call only for parliament to vote on holding a second referendum and that remaining in the EU should be an option in that referendum. OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT COULD BE VOTED ON: AMENDMENT C - Signed by 11 lawmakers Proposed by Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and his lawmakers, it calls on the government to rule out a no-deal exit and prepare for a second referendum in which the option to remain in the EU would be on the ballot paper. AMENDMENT D - Signed by 11 lawmakers Proposed by Liberal Democrat lawmaker Tom Brake, it demands that a committee of no more than 17 lawmakers from across political parties be created and given control of the parliamentary Brexit process. AMENDMENT F - Signed by 17 lawmakers This has been put forward by Labour lawmaker Hilary Benn, who chairs parliaments Brexit select committee. It calls on the government to hold indicative votes on the following options: 1) Holding another vote in parliament on Mays deal 2) Leaving with no deal on March 29 3) Calling on the government to renegotiate Mays deal 4) Holding a second referendum AMENDMENT H - Signed by 37 lawmakers Put forward by a group of Labour lawmakers, this calls on the government to request an extension to the Article 50 deadline so that a Citizens Assembly of 250 people can be created to consider the way forward and make recommendations to parliament within 10 weeks of being set up. AMENDMENT I - Signed by 129 lawmakers Put forward by Conservative lawmaker Caroline Spelman and supported by lawmakers from most political parties, it seeks to rule out a no-deal Brexit. AMENDMENT J - Signed by 78 lawmakers Proposed by lawmakers from Labour, Mays Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, this calls on the government to request an extension to the Article 50 deadline if a deal has not been approved by Feb. 26. AMENDMENT L - Signed by 17 lawmakers Proposed by Conservative lawmaker John Baron, it states that parliament will not approve a Brexit deal which includes a Northern Ireland backstop lasting any longer than six months. AMENDMENT M - Signed by 18 lawmakers Also put forward by Baron, it calls for parliament to reject any Brexit deal that does not give Britain a unilateral right to terminate the Northern Ireland backstop. Forty years ago Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Shiite spiritual cleric who led Irans unfolding Islamic revolution, was welcomed back to Tehran by a jubilant throng after more than 14 years in exile. This story by AFP journalist, originally in French, captures the mood of that remarkable day in February 1979 when the opposition leader returned to replace the monarchy with an Islamic republic. A triumphant return to Iran On February 1, 1979 , millions of Iranians with beaming faces massed along a 32-kilometre (20-mile) route Thursday to give a triumphant welcome to the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini, whose car was engulfed for hours by an ecstatic human tide. As soon as he left the Tehran airport (...), a visibly moved but calm Khomeini was swept up by millions of his supporters. In black robes and a turban, the religious leader travelled in an American station wagon that was followed by a fleet of minibuses packed with journalists from around the world. About 50,000 volunteers were on hand to control the crowd. Wearing green armbands, they were called the Islamic police. The government had given them full responsibility for the ayatollahs security. Engulfed in the crowd But this religious security service was quickly overwhelmed. In a matter of seconds, Khomeinis car disappeared in the crowd, which blocked the way for dozens of ambulances filled with unconscious demonstrators who fainted in the swell of the black mass that stretched as far as the eye could see down Tehrans long, straight avenues. How many people were out on the street on this Thursday? Five million, perhaps... or six, it was impossible to say. In any case, it was unprecedented. Also read | 40 years since the spark that began Irans Revolution At the gateway to the capital the imposing memorial to the shah, the symbol of modern Iran, had been renamed Khomeini Square. Where is the ayatollahs car now? We dont know. It has disappeared somewhere in the noisy tide of people, a swarming wave, from which emerge hundreds of thousands of portraits of the leader of the Islamic revolution. Veils and carnations The women have all turned out in chadors -- black veils -- with a red carnation in their hands. Since sunrise they have been singing Khomeini is our leader. Banners read: Khomeini, welcome to your country. The men chant: Allah is great. Clerics spray rose water on the demonstrators, who hold up their faces to the holy scent. In the sunny capital, overlooked by the nearby snow-covered mountains, a single roar resounds: Khomeini, Khomeini. The military has totally deserted the capital. At some points along the route, followers -- finally getting back their venerated leader after more than 14 years in exile -- pick up the ayatollahs car and carry it for several metres (feet). Islamic republic Your return signifies the proclamation of the Islamic republic, the most enthusiastic among them shout. One mullah, or Shiite cleric, sporting a white turban, exclaims: Who would have thought just six months ago that Khomeini would return to Iran, he the pariah, today cheered by millions of Muslims? Everyone is aware of the significance of this return from exile, while the recent departure of the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, also looks like someone who has gone into exile. When the ayatollahs Boeing 747 touched down in Tehran, there was silence. It was also in silence that he descended the steps of the plane, rediscovering his country but not recognising the capital, now bristling with modern towers. Also read | Iran court sentences eight men to death over Islamic State attack Several minutes later the ayatollah made an appeal for unity, saying, The fight is not over, the shahs departure is only the first part of the road to be travelled. Old system to be destroyed Then he vehemently lashed out at his adversary. The shah has destroyed everything, our culture, our university, the economy, agriculture. We will destroy the system he put in place. On Thursday all of Iran seemed to have turned out for Ayatollah Khomeini. From the airport to the Tehran cemetery, the centre of religious protest where a massive crowd awaited him, the Shiite leader could see that he was followed by a whole people to whom he intends to show the way. With the monarchy still in place and the shoots emerging of civil -- or would it be holy -- war, everyone is wondering, what concretely will this Islamic way be? Also read| Iran says mastermind behind Tehran Parliament attacks killed, arrests more Students of undergraduate medical courses will have to pay 20-25% more fees in the upcoming academic year ( 2019-2020), as the state Fee Regulating Authority (FRA) has fixed the minimum fees at private institutes to 7 lakh. The FRA had slashed the fees for various colleges by 10-50% in 2017-18, to bring in uniformity in the fee structure. The regulator, however, has revoked the decision, for 2019-2020, stating the institutes need the funds to upgrade the equipment to meet the Medical Council of India (MCI) standards. The fees at KJ Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre in Sion have gone 23%, which means students will have to pay 9.25 lakh, compared to 7.5 lakh in 2018-19. In 2017-18, the authority had asked Palghars Vedanta Institute of Medical College to bring down their fees to 6 lakh an annum from 14 lakh an annum. After a series of petitions, Vedanta was allowed to charge 10.5 lakh from the 2017-18 batch. Their fees have now been hiked to 14.5 lakh. Any additional income generated by an institute owing to this hike will have to be shown as surplus in the institutes balance sheet, said a senior member of the regulating body. He said FRA will closely monitor all institutes. The Terna Medical College in Nerul, Navi Mumbai will charge 7 lakh an annum, from 5.61 lakh in 2018-19. Similarly, the fees at MIMER Medical College in Talegaon have risen to 9.25 lakh an annum, from 7.3 lakh the previous year. Established in 2004, the FRA or Shulka Niyamat Samiti (earlier known as Shikshan Shulka Samiti), is a quasi-judicial body responsible for regulating fees of all unaided private professional colleges in the state. Every year, institutes submit proposals to change their fees structure to the authority. The regulatory body considers a number of indicators such as nature of the course, number of students, teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructure and other facilities before fixing the fees. Colleges are usually allowed a 10% fee hike every year. The FRA updates fees of private medical colleges every year and releases the final fee structure in batches. Many private institutes are still waiting to hear from the FRA about their final approved fee for 2019-20. Government institutes are not under the purview of the FRA. Of the 1,965 responses to the draft of the new coastal regulation zone (CRZ) notification that was published on January 18, 1,338 (68%) were objections, according to the Right to Information (RTI) reply obtained by a Delhi-based think tank, Centre of Policy Research (CPR). The draft rules were released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on April 18, 2018.The draft was open for public comments till June 17, 2018. Citing the RTI reply, CPR said only 470 submissions (23%) were in favour of the new laws, while a small percentage suggested changes or sought clarifications. The ministry received 471 submissions, with multiple representations and signatures. If the number of representations is factored in, the number of comments touches 1,965, read the analysis by researchers from the CPR-Namati Environmental Justice Program. If any draft policy gets more than 50% objections, the draft has to be scrapped and prepared again. However, there is still a chance to appeal against it to the ministry or courts, if all documents highlighting specific objections are collated, said a senior state official. The new norms are based on the recommendations of Dr Shailesh Nayak-led committee, which includes all coastal states and various other stakeholders. The notification has been developed keeping in mind protection of ecologically sensitive areas, safeguarding aquatic system and marine life, plastic waste disposal, and simultaneously allowing ecotourism and development of coastal zones. Every stakeholder was brought on board before developing the document, which was reviewed by the union council of ministers, said a senior official from MoEFCC from the committee that drafted the notification. While existing open spaces and green cover in coastal areas will be protected, the latest provision helps issue clearances for redevelopment activities in areas such as bays and creeks, which was stalled as per the previous notification, said Anil Diggikar, principal secretary, state environment department. Citizens from coastal areas, such as fishermen, local institutions and industries submitted made maximum submissions (664), with most of them (362) demanding the notification be scrapped. Seven submissions were from Sindhudurg and Malvan in Maharashtra, seeking a clarification on critically vulnerable area protection, which was mentioned in CRZ 2011 notification, but not in the draft rules. Submissions from 10 government agencies from Maharashtra, including the state urban development department, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and mining bodies, sought further reduction of NDZ, and removal of buffer around mangroves on private lands. Six submissions from political parties along the west coast requested the conversion of rural areas (CRZ-III) to urban spaces (CRZ-II) and removal of NDZ. Inviting suggestions and objections was tokenism and not a serious attempt to engage with citizens, said Stalin D, director, Vanashakti. With the new notification, the government has assumed that every inch of the coastline can be commercially used, built over or reclaimed, irrespective of ecological fragility or livelihood dependence, said Kanchi Kohli, legal researcher at CPR. At a time when climate change and human-induced disasters are a reality, the notification allows exploitation of coastal lands and marine areas up to 12 nautical miles. In cities like Mumbai, this notification was issued to accommodate the demands of real estate sector. A man, allegedly a former member of the banned organisation Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), was on Sunday arrested at Lal Bahadur Shastri international airport in Varanasi for hiding facts and trying to leave the country despite a lookout circular (LOC) against him, police said. A senior police officer familiar with the matter said Mohammad Faiz, a resident of Khuda Daadpur village of Azamgarh, reached the airport to board a Sharjah-bound flight. He said when Faiz provided his passport for checking, the emigration officer found that he was a former member of SIMI and had been barred from leaving the country. An LOC had been issued against him in 2001. Emigration in-charge Kundan said, Faiz was taken into custody by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and handed over to the Azamgarh police. Deputy inspector general of police Vijay Bhushan said during preliminary investigation, it came to the light that Faiz visited Saudi Arabia in 2015 and worked there as a tailor. He has a shop in Saudi Arabia. A probe has been ordered to find out as to how he managed to go to Saudi Arabia in 2015-16 despite a ban on his visits outside the country, Bhushan said, adding that he would find as to why his passport was not seized despite an LOC against him. The superintendent of police (SP), Azamgarh, has been asked to carry out the probe and submit a report within a fortnight, he added. Bhushan said strict action would be taken if laxity on the part of any police official came to the fore. Inspector at Nizamabad police station Yogendra Bahadur Singh said, A case has been registered under sections 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using a forged document as genuine) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 8 of the Notaries Act against Faiz for forgery and hiding facts about a sedition case registered against him in 2001. A case was registered against Faiz in 2001 under sections 153 (intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity), 153 B (imputations, assertions, prejudicial to national integration) and 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the IPC against him. Congress president Rahul Gandhi continued with his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and said the NDA government is only catering to the rich without paying any heed to the needs of the poor. Modi gives maximum income guarantee to the rich, we give minimum income guarantee to the poor, Gandhi said during a public rally in Keralas Kochi. The Congress president had on Monday said his party would guarantee minimum income for all the poor of the country if it formed the government at the Centre after the 2019 polls. Gandhi, who met Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar earlier in the day, said the former defence minister told him he had nothing to do with the new Rafale deal. Parrikar has been unwell for the past several months. Watch: Rahul Gandhi promises universal basic income for poors Rahul Gandhis meeting with Parrikar came less than 24 hours after the Congress chief targeted PM Modi over Rafale deal with a jibe that the Goa CM has secrets that give him power over the PM. In a reference to the violence in Kerala over the entry of women in Sabarimala temple, Gandhi targeted both the BJP and the Left front government in Kerala. The Congress respects the rights of the women and traditions of the state but doesnt agree with the cycle of violence unleashed by the CPM and BJP, he said. Follow live updates here: Manohar Parrikar said today that he had nothing to do with new Rafale deal, says Congress chief During his visit to Kerala this week, PM Modi had attacked the Left front government for attacking the cultural ethos of the state with its stand on the entry of women in Sabarimala. Cultural ethos of Kerala are under attack from the party in power. People can see the manner in which the communist government is disrespecting all aspects of states culture. I dont understand why they are targeting our culture which has stood the test of time, he added. The PM had said that nothing separates the Congress-led UDF from the Left in Kerala. LDF and UDF are the same. The Congress says one thing in Delhi and one in Kerala, Modi said. Kerala has witnessed protests since the Supreme Court order to open the doors of the Sabarimala shrine to women of all ages, overturning a traditional ban on women of childbearing age from entering the temple. Female devotees aged between 10 and 50 had for decades been barred from the shrine on grounds that the presiding deity is a celibate, and the court ruling enraged traditionalists in Kerala. The LDF government of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said it was determined to uphold the court verdict. The ruling BJPs core group in Uttar Pradesh met at chief minister Yogi Adityanaths residence on Monday to talk about the frequent delays in the Ayodhya case, an issue that the UP cabinet could discuss in its first meeting on the banks of the Sangam at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Tuesday. The buzz is that the UP cabinet might pass a proposal on the Ram temple. However, the rumoured resolution on Ram temple isnt part of the formal agenda of the cabinet, a senior leader confirmed. People privy to the matter said the BJP core group comprising Adityanath, the partys UP general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal and two deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, discussed the probability of a formal appeal being made to the Supreme Court to expedite the case. People familiar with the issue in the government said Adityanath and his cabinet ministers could also discuss the issue at their cabinet meeting and might pass a formal proposal to honour public sentiments and the need to expedite the hearing of the Ayodhya dispute. Asked if the UP government also proposed to write to the Supreme Court or urge the centre to make a formal request before the top court where the Ayodhya title dispute has been pending since 2010, a senior leader privy to the core group meeting said, Wait and watch. Adityanath, who is also head priest of the Gorakhnath temple, had in an interview to a private news channel said the patience of the people on the Ram temple issue was running out. He had also said if the Supreme Court was unable to deliver a verdict, they were capable of settling the issue in 24 hours. The title suit hearing, which was expected to begin on January 29 in the court of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, has been delayed. The case has been pending before the top court since 2010 when 14 cross-appeals were filed against an Allahabad high court judgment dividing 2.77 acres of disputed land equally among three parties. Asked about details of the core group meeting, UP BJP leader Chandramohan said, Why get into details when the big picture is clear? As a responsible political party, we are alive to possibility of respecting public sentiment. Ram temple is an act of faith for millions of Hindus across the globe and we would do everything possible to honour that sentiment. The core group meeting came a day before BJP chief Amit Shah travels to Kanpur and Lucknow for meetings that includes an interaction with booth level cadre of the Avadh region that comprises 15 districts and 33,000 booths. Meanwhile, an official spokesman said a three-point agenda has been communicated to the council of ministers. The items listed include a proposal to amend the Uttar Pradesh Krishi Utpadan Mandi (21st amendment) Rules 1965, inclusion of leprosy patients in eligibility criteria of Mukhya Mantri Avas Yojana (Rural) and transfer operation of Shahjahanpur Mahila Dugdh Utpadak Sahakari Sangh to National Dairy Development Board for five years. Amid reports that the state cabinet may discuss the Ram temple issue and consider writing to the Supreme Court for an early hearing, the spokesman said there was no such item on the cabinets agenda. Prior to the cabinet meeting, the chief minister and his council of ministers, who will reach Prayagraj early on Tuesday, would have darshan at the Hanuman temple in the Kumbh Mela area and Akshyavat at Akbars fort there. After the meeting at the Prayagraj Development Authoritys meeting hall, the chief minister and all the cabinet ministers, including the two deputy chief ministers, will also take a holy dip at the Sangam (after the cabinet meeting). Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Monday addressed a parent-teacher-student meet during the foundation-laying ceremony of 11,000 new classrooms in 200 schools, which the Delhi government considers one of its biggest achievements. But the event, held at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in New Friends Colony, and telecast across 1,100 government schools, took a political turn with the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the government of using it as a ploy to seek votes for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The bone of contention were statements made by Kejriwal and Sisodia, who asked the parents present at the event that before casting their votes, they should think of who they love more, their children or Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At one point, Sisodia told ther students: Go home and ask your parents if they love you or not. If they say they love you, ask them to vote for the party which is building schools. He asked the children to thank their parents for choosing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the assembly polls held in 2015. If they had not voted for us, how could the party have worked for the development of Delhi? he asked. Leader of Opposition in Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta brought up these comments while criticising Kejriwal and Sisodia for politicising the school event. This is really unfortunate that the AAP leaders are seeking votes through children. Their statements clearly show that they are scared about their position in the Lok Sabha elections. They know that they are not going to win even a single seat in Delhi, Gupta said. During the event, Kerjriwal, said his government was continuously stopped from working for Delhi. Sisodia and I had planned to build 11,000 classrooms in the second year after we came to power. But the central government delayed all our projects by not clearing the files. They stopped us again and again from working for you and Delhi, he alleged. The last time you gave us 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi assembly and gave us strength to work for you. But you elected the BJP on all seven Lok Sabha seats in the city. This time when you go to vote, chose us and give us more strength. If all the MPs are from our party, we can deliver four years work in four months, he added. The Delhi government has constructed 8,000 new classrooms in its existing schools in the last four years. In the last four years, 23 new schools have been built, 31 are under construction and blue prints for 78 new schools have been decided, said Sisodia. Despite several messages and calls, the AAP did not comment on the BJPs objections to Kejriwal and Sisodias statement. Teachers and members of the Delhi government teachers association said seeking votes at a school event can leave a bad impression on children. We strongly criticise the way AAP leaders sought votes through students. We have never seen a government using schools as a platform for political propaganda. It will leave a very bad impression on the young minds of children. This is highly condemnable, said Ajay Veer Singh, general secretary of the association. Members of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will write letters to beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat to seek feedback on the Union governments flagship health insurance scheme and record at least five video testimonials each for use in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections campaign, according to two party functionaries familiar with the matter. This will be in addition to about 90 million personalised letters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will write to those who are covered under the scheme. Ayushman Bharat CEO Dr Indu Bhushan told news agency IANS that the two-page letter from Modi is addressed to the beneficiaries across all the states, and written in eight languages. Experts see both these exercises as key outreach programmes by the BJP ahead of Modis re-election bid. We have shared the format of the letter that MPs need to write to those in their constituencies who have availed benefits under this scheme, said one of the BJP leaders cited above who asked not to be named. The idea is to apprise the beneficiary that they got treated under a scheme that Modi has launched to insulate the underprivileged families from exorbitant medical expenses, said a second BJP leader, also speaking on condition of anonymity. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), or Ayushman Bharat, provides financial protection to deprived rural and urban families found eligible under categories defined by the latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data. This comes to approximately 500 million beneficiaries. The scheme offers a cover of 500,000 per family per year to approximately 107.4 million families. Till Jan 22, over 900,000 people were admitted in different hospitals for treatment under this scheme and over 8 million e-cards were issued to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of government schemes are central to BJPs campaign for 2019 parliamentary election. Never before has such a large number of people benefitted from different government schemes, the second leader said. The BJP claims over 220 million people have benefitted from at least one government scheme in the last five years. Our campaign for 2019 is based on the premise that those who benefitted from government schemes will tend to vote Modi back to power..., the first leader said. The BJP came to power in 2014 winning 282 seats, and polled over 170 million votes. BJP leaders contend they can cross the 2014 figure if the beneficiaries come out in large number to vote for it. Political expert Sidharth Mishra said the exercise aims at garnering support for Modis bid for another term. It remains to be seen whether voting preference of these beneficiaries is entirely guided by government benefits they received during the last five years... BJP president Amit Shah mocked the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as Congress general secretary on Tuesday and said a government run by a dynasty could not serve the people, but only provide a majboor (helpless) government. The Congress had brought the third G into the fray after the two Gs Sonia G and Rahul G to indulge in more corruption, he told a public rally at Contai in East Midnapore district of West Bengal. Referring to the 2G scam that dogged the Congress-led UPA-2 regime, Shah said the opposition party wanted to indulge in more corruption now with the induction of the third G Priyanka G. I am here to tell you that during the 10 years of UPA rule under (then prime minister) Manmohan Singh, there were only two Gs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. We had then witnessed the 2G scam of Rs 12 lakh crore. Now, if the third G joins the 2Gs, what will be the amount of the scam? The Congress has made a long-term plan of indulging in corruption by joining the 2Gs and the third G, he said. Also read: Biplab Deb compares Mamata Banerjee to Dhritarashtra, claims BJP will defeat Kauravas in 2019 battle Shahs comments came in the backdrop of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being appointed All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary for east Uttar Pradesh by her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi last week. Stating that the Congress and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal were both sides of the same coin as both parties were run by dynasties, the BJP chief said like Rahul Gandhi was there to take over his partys reins from his mother Sonia Gandhi, in West Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had her nephew Abhishek Banerjee to take charge of the TMC after her. Dynasties cannot serve the country well. The dynasts say the country needs a majboor (helpless) government, but the BJP says it needs a majboot (strong) government. Only Narendra Modi and the BJP can provide a majboot government at the Centre, he said. Asking the people whether the country needed a leader or a dealer, Shah said only the saffron party could provide a government headed by a leader and the Opposition wanted to throw up a government led by dealers and brokers. Launching his partys Lok Sabha poll campaign in West Bengal, Shah had held a rally in Malda last week, where he had scoffed at the efforts of the opposition parties to forge a grand alliance. He had said the proposed grand alliance, the leaders of which had recently attended a pubic rally convened by the TMC in Kolkata, was driven by the greed for power with nine potential prime ministerial candidates in its ranks. In his first election rally in West Bengal on Tuesday, Tripura chief minister Biplab Deb compared Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee with Dhritarashtra from Mahabharata. He said the Bengal CM has chosen to be blind when her own party workers are torturing people. Continuing with his Mahabharata analogy, the first BJP chief minister of Tripura said, The coming Lok Sabha election will be a fight of Mahabarata and we all have to fight to save India. Here we have to fight to save the country from Kauravas. It will be a fight between the people of this country and the opposition. Biplab Deb targeted Mamata over political killings and claimed that there has not been a single such incident in Tripura during his tenure. My government is only 10 months old. I have reserved 10% of Tripuras police force for women. But being a woman, you have not been able to do it, he said while addressing a rally near Arambagh railway station in Hooghly district, about 81 km away from Kolkata. The Tripura CM dared Mamata Banerjee to prove that a single political murder has taken place in Tripura in the past 10 months. I will resign, if I can be proved wrong. Deb mentioned that as many as 70 lives were lost in the panchayat elections in Bengal last year. But not a single life was lost in the Tripura rural polls, he said. BJP president Amit Shah had also targeted the Mamata Banerjee government over political killings in the state. Shah claimed that as much as 26% of the political murders in the country in a year takes place in Bengal. Biplab Deb criticised Bengals ruling party and chief minister on a number of issues such as scams, syndicates, industrial growth and even panchayat elections. Trinamool leaders stung back immediately. Those who are killing people regularly should not accuse others. Those who have ruined many industries and killed many jobs through demonetisation should not lecture on industrialisation. In fact, the words of BJP leaders prove that they are afraid of Mamata Banerjee, said senior Trinamool leader and Bengal e food and supplies minister Jyoti Priya Mallick. Biplab Deb compared Mamata Banerjees rule with that of the British and said, Bengal has kicked out the British rule of 200 years, and yours have turned only seven years. Taking a dig at the oppositions efforts to form an alliance against the Narendra Modi government, he said, Records show every time a grand alliance was formed a government at the Centre, it didnt last for more than two and a half years. A police complaint will be filed in the Rafale audio tape case if All India Congress Committee (AICC) directs us to do so, said Goa Congress Committee (GCC) president Girish Chodankar on Monday. As neither a case has been registered nor action taken against Manohar Parrikar and Vishwajit Rane over the Rafale deal tape row, we will file a police complaint if the AICC directs us to do so, he said. Earlier in December last year, a clip was released by the Congress, wherein Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane was purportedly heard saying to an unidentified person that Goa Chief Minister Parrikar had Rafale files with him, due to which he has managed to continue to be the CM. Talking to ANI, Chodankar said: Neither a case has been registered nor an action taken against Parrikar and Rane. The Rafale audio tapes are genuine. It is obvious that the tapes are authentic and that Goa CM, Parrikar, is in possession of explosive Rafale secrets that give him power over the PM, Rahul Gandhi tweeted earlier on Monday. Following the controversy, a war of words had erupted between the Congress and the BJP after the former claimed that Rafale deal file was lying in Parrikars bedroom. Rane hit back at the Congress, asserting that the audio tape was doctored and Parrikar made no mention about Rafale deal and its documents. The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication between the Cabinet and Chief Minister. Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. I have asked him for a criminal investigation into the matter, Rane had told reporters in Panaji. The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last a few months. The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal. About two dozen buses that carried Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters to Amit Shahs public rally in Bengal on Tuesday and some party offices of the Trinamool Congress were vandalised and a few two-wheelers set ablaze when activists of the two parties clashed after Shahs meeting in Contai. Though the rally concluded peacefully, BJP workers heading back to their buses noticed that many shattered windscreens and windows on the vehicles that were parked half a kilometer away from the venue. The BJP workers retaliated by vandalising several government buses, police vehicles, motorbikes and two offices of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Several bikes and cycles were set ablaze. Supporters of the two rival parties clashed with sticks and hurled bricks at one another. More than 100 policemen were deployed to bring the situation under control. A war of words broke out between the leaders of the two parties after the clash with both parties alleging that they were attacked first. You saw for yourself what happened with the buses that carried our supporters. They tried every means on hand to thwart the meeting. Even eateries were closed in the town so that those who came to attend would not get anything to eat. Water supply to the area was disrupted. They also broke the windscreens of many buses while everyone was listening to our president, alleged BJP national executive member Mukul Roy. In a tweet, BJP wrote, TMC workers vandalized the vehicles parked near BJP National President Shri @AmitShahs rally venue in East Midnapore. What are they so scared of? I dont know when their party office was attacked. Our buses and smaller vehicles were attacked one by one. No cops were seen in the area, alleged BJP?Bengal president Dilip Ghosh. In Delhi BJP?spokesperson Samit Patra alleged, There is no democracy in Bengal. Our supporters are constantly being attacked and even killed. The BJPs growing popularity has become a threat for Mamata Banerjee. Everyone has seen who has attacked us. They were not locals, but outsiders. These men were harmads (armed goons) of the CPI(M) and have now joined the BJP. On the way back from the rally, BJP supporters attacked our party office and vandalised vehicles. They were armed with bombs and bows and arrows. A few of our supporters who were in the party office were also injured, alleged Trinamool Congress minister Suvendu Adhikari, who happens to be the son of the local MP. They (BJP?supporters) came with stones, sticks and bombs. They set fire to a few two wheelers, alleged Sisir Adhikari. If they attack our party office and throw bricks and bombs, will we throw rosogollas at them? the minister told a TV channel, when asked whether their supporters attacked the buses that brought BJP workers to the venue. More than 25 buses and some government vehicles were vandalised. One motorcycle was set on fire. Forces have been deployed to control the situation, said additional superintendent of police (rural) Indrajit Basu. Till 7 pm, police had not arrested anyone. Passenger vehicles like Trekkers and auto rickshaws did not ply in Contai town on Tuesday. Senior BJP leaders Mukul Roy, national secretary Rahul Sinha and Bengal unit general secretary Sayantan Basu stayed on the dais for over two hours after Shahs departure from the venue of the rally to ensure that the situation did not spin out of control. I have told our party workers to file a police complaint. I have told the police to take appropriate steps. I have informed the chief minister of the situation here, said Trinamool Congress minister Adhikari. He also said that Trinamool workers will organise a protest rally in Contai on Wednesday and a counter-rally at the very spot of Shahs meeting on Sunday. The United Arab Emirates is keen on reviewing its air services agreement with India as occupancy on carriers of both sides has exceeded the figure stipulated in the pact, UAE envoy Ahmed Al Banna said on Tuesday. The ambassador also outlined the role being played by his country in facilitating contacts between the US and the Afghan Taliban. He made it clear the UAEs decision to provide $3 billion to Pakistan wouldnt in any way affect the countrys relations with India. The India-UAE air routes are among the worlds most lucrative, but moves to increase capacity have been the subject of heated debates as Indian carriers believe the current deal offers greater benefits to airlines from the Gulf. The agreement stipulates that if occupancy has reached 85% and above, then it is time to review the agreement. The UAE carriers have reached 100% occupancy, while Indian carriers have reached over 90% occupancy, Al Banna said, referring to the air services agreement and four separate MoUs covering the airports at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah. The UAE has taken up the issue with Indias external affairs and civil aviation ministries and with civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu, he said. He added there was an understanding when external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj visited the UAE in December on a new round of negotiations and that will happen very soon. Al Banna noted 55% of Indians going out of the country travel via the airports of the UAE, mainly Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Though there are more than 1,068 flights a week with over 168,000 seats between Indian and the UAE, the number of Indians travelling to the UAE is increasing incredibly, he said. Taliban talks Referring to the UAEs role in facilitating talks with the Taliban, Al Banna said his country has a vision of ensuring peace and stability in the region. We like to do our utmost to help in the process of eliminating those terrorist groups or reaching with them a solution that will ease (the situation) in the whole region, he said. However, he criticised Qatars role in the process, saying Doha which has hosted several rounds of talks between the Taliban and the US was hosting terrorists and exporting terrorists. Aid to Pakistan Al Banna said there was an agreement between the UAE and Pakistan for aid worth $3 billion. It is not a loan, it was just a deposit made in the central bank of Pakistan, he said. Our relationship with India is not determined by our relationship with anybody else and Indias relationship with the UAE is not determined by their relationship with anyone else. We evaluate our relationship according to our dealings with (India) only, it has nothing to do with third parties, he added. Protecting tiger habitat and tiger corridors is a priority for the country, according to Indias tiger action plan (2012 to 2018) released on Monday. The latter is especially important because, while the country has seen an increase in total tiger population with numbers going up from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010 and 2,226 in 2014, it recorded a 12.6% decline in tiger occupancy in connecting tiger habitats outside tiger reserves between 2006 and 2010, the latest period for which this data is available. The data is borne out by the fact that there have been several instances of tigers being killed while traversing so-called corridors that link their habitats. In November last year, three six-month old cubs were run over by a train in Maharashtras Chandrapur district. Most corridors are under threat from road and rail networks. The action plan didnt release data on the decline in tiger population outside protected areas for 2014 but experts said this number continues to fall. In 2006, the total area under tiger occupancy was 93,697 sq km ; this declined to 81,906 in 2010 and improved to about 89,200 sq km in 2014. This was mostly because of higher tiger numbers recorded in parts of Uttarakhand. The main reasons for this decline is degradation of forest areas outside protected areas, fragmentation of forests leading to a loss of gene flow from source populations, loss of forest quality due to decline in prey biomass, tiger deaths due to man-animal conflict, poaching, and disturbance due to infrastructure and other projects, the tiger action plan said. The plan was published in the fourth edition of Global Tiger Action Plan Action Tiger released on Monday at the 3rd Stock Taking Conference on Tiger Conservation. The tiger census 2018 estimations, likely to be released on March 31, may see an increase in overall tiger numbers and also not offer any trends on their numbers in corridors because it follows a different methodology. We have changed our methodology quite a bit. Tiger numbers are likely to increase because we have added a few tiger reserves and we have zeroed in on areas where tiger presence is likely and eliminated areas where there is no tiger presence. So, this decline in tiger occupancy in corridors may not be recorded this time, said Amit Mallick, inspector general of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). He added that India will continue implementing policies and priorities from the same action plan. Still, India has changed its approach to tiger conservation to focus on the corridors, the document explains. It adds that now India prioritises source-sink dynamics (how variation in habitat quality may affect the population of tigers) by restoring habitat connectivity. This includes providing incentives to local people for conserving forests along tiger corridors and providing subsidised LPG connections to people to reduce dependence on timber from forest. The action plan also states that buffer zones connected to forests are important because they absorb the shock from poaching and habitat depletion, and foster subadults, young adults, and old members of the tiger population. Tigers need large areas. As per our modelling, an ideal tiger population is 20 adult tigresses which will need about 1,000 sq km. This is available in only five to six reserves in India such as Sunderbans [India and Bangladesh combined], Corbett, the contiguous stretch of Bandipur, Nagarhole and Mudumalai reserves. However its absolutely must that all tiger habitats, reserves are connected with each other to ensure a functional habitat. Its needed not just for the tiger but all other wildlife, said Qamar Qureshi, wildlife biologist at Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The action plan added that between 2012 and 2018, Ratapani in Madhya Pradesh, and Sunabeda in Odisha have been approved as location for two new tiger reserves by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Approvals have also been given to Kudremukh in Karnataka, Rajaji in Uttarakhand and Bor in Maharashtra for creation of tiger reserves. Suhelwa in Uttar Pradesh, Mhadei in Goa, Megamalai wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Dibang sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh are also being considered as possible tiger reserves. There are 46 tiger reserves in the country currently. The Action Tiger report has action plans for 13 tiger range countries which includes new and updated plans for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal which also has significance for India because of cross-border tiger corridors. Two arrests in Bengal and a supplementary charge sheet filed against six persons, including a Bangladeshi national currently in a Patna jail, at a special court in the Bihar capital have thrown light on the fact that the same men linked to the banned Bangladesh terror outfit Jamaatul Muhadeen Bangladesh (JMB) were behind both an IED explosion in Bengals Burdwan in 2014 and the planting of three IEDs at the Mahavihara Buddhist temple complex in Bihars BodhGaya during the visit of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in January 2018. Two IEDs exploded in the temple complex but there were no casualties. The National Investigative Agency (NIA) arrested Kadar Kazi and Sajjad Ali in the Arambagh area of Bengals Hooghly district on Monday night for alleged links with the Burdwan blast in 2014 that had killed two and blown the lid off a flourishing JMB network in districts of West Bengal. This brings the total number of arrests in the Burdwan case up to 32. Kazi is believed to an associate of Bangladesh national Mohammed Jahidul Islam alias Bomaru Mizan alias Kausar, an JMB operative who is the key accused in both Burdwan and Bodh Gaya incidents. Kausar was arrested near Bengaluru last year and a Bihar police officer has confirmed that he is currently lodged in Kolkatas Presidency jail. Meanwhile, the NIA filed a supplementary charge sheet against six men including Kausar at a special court in Patna in connection with the Bodh Gaya blasts of 2018. The probe agency had already filed a charge sheet against three accused in September last year. Kausar, who awaits a death sentence in Bangladesh for three separate cases, was one of the key accused in the serial blasts in 63 Bangladesh districts in 2005. He had escaped from a prison van during a staged ambush on the India-Bangladesh border and crossed over to West Bengal. After the 2014 Burdwan blast, it was learned that the JMB was planning to overthrow the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh. NIA investigations revealed that Kausar along with the other accused, attempted to attack the Bodh Gaya temple complex and other symbols of Buddhist faith ostensibly as retaliation for alleged atrocities by the Buddhist majority of Myanmar against the countrys Muslim Rohingya minority. Kausar has also been charge sheeted under Sec 14 of the Foreigners Act. In another headache for the BJP, ten political parties from the Northeast, including its current and former allies came together on a joint platform in Guwahati on Tuesday to oppose the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The parties, several belonging to the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance resolved to oppose the Bill together in the interest of the people of northeast. The proposed law continues to rock the Northeast with locals protesting against it. The parties include Asom Gana Parishad, National Peoples Party, Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura, Naga Peoples Front, Mizo National Front and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, all of which are anti-Congress. This meeting is the outcome of a natural process as we felt we must come together and oppose the Bill in one voice, said NPP president and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma. The meeting resolved to meet the President and Prime Minister and appeal to withdraw the Bill, Sangma, who was the convener of the meeting, added. The Bill, which seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan has led to fears in the Northeast about an influx of illegal immigrants to the region. The Bill has already been passed in Lok Sabha and is expected to come for voting in the Rajya Sabha in the Budget session beginning January 31. We took a strong resolution to condemn and totally oppose the Bill intended to be passed by Central government, Mizoram chief minister and MNF president Zoramthanga said. Mizoram had witnessed a boycott of Republic Day functions following a call by an NGO to protest the Bill. But despite their opposition, the parties refused to associate the move with the coming Lok Sabha polls and denied any realingnment of association with the BJP yet. We are happy that instead of opposing the Bill separately, we have come together for a common cause, said Atul Bora, president of AGP. AGP had quit the BJP led government in Assam in December over opposition to the Bill. NPP leads the coalition government in Meghalaya of which BJP is a junior partner. The Centre and the BJP insists that the Bill has enough safeguards for local communities and their cultures. Police in tribal-dominated district of Sundargarh on Monday arrested six people on charges of brutally killing a woman and her four children on grounds that she was a witch who practised black magic. Sushant Das, a police inspector in Koida police station of Indupur village said the main accused Budhram Munda called himself a witch doctor. The other accused include local villager Debra Munda and his four brothers-in-law. They allegedly murdered a tribal woman, Mangri Munda, and her two sons and two daughters aged one, four, seven and 12 and dumped their bodies in a well close to their house. According to the police, on the night of January 25, Budhram Munda and the five other accused went to the house of driver Sudam Munda while he was not at home. Budhram, who practises witchcraft, suspected that Mangri, Sudams wife, was casting spells on a Debra Mundas family. This, he thought, was leading to a long-running sickness in the family that claimed the lives of Debra Mundas two daughters. Budhram told Debra that Mangri and her children were witches who were responsible for the illnesses, Das said. Also read | Bihar villagers chop off 70-year-old tribal womans tongue for practising witchcraft Officials said Debra Munda and the other accused forced their way into Sudam Mundas house, where they killed Mangri and her children with a crowbar. After killing them, the accused threw their bodies into a nearby well. Police said the accused have confessed to the murders. Killings related to suspicion of witchcraft are on the rise in the state despite the promulgation of the Odisha Prevention of Witch-hunting Act, 2013. In 2017, 99 cases of witch-hunting were reported in the state, compared to 83 in 2016, and 58 in 2015. The act defines witch-hunting as any act of omission, commission or conduct that identifies, accuses or defames a woman as a witch, or harasses, harms or injures the woman or her property in any way. The act also bars the practise of witchcraft. Also read | Witchcraft practitioner sacrifices mother-in-law, drinks her blood An antiobiotic-resistant gene first discovered in India has been found some 13,000km away in the Arctic region, triggering concerns about the speed with which superbugs can spread across the world. Researchers found the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (blaNDM-1) gene, which helps bacteria produce an enzyme making it immune to one of the worlds last line of antibiotic defence (carbapenems), in Svalbard, an archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. Polar regions are among the last presumed pristine ecosystems on Earth Encroachment into areas like the Arctic reinforces how rapid and far-reaching the spread of antibiotic resistance has become, the agency quoted David Graham, a professor at Newcastle University which was part of the research team, as saying. The findings were published in the journal Environmental International. The researchers analysed DNA from 40 soil cores at eight locations along the Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard, where a total of 131 antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) were detected. The place where researchers recovered the samples is marked by rugged, remote terrain with temperatures varying from 3C in summers to -20C in winters, and have almost no population except for visiting research groups. This provides for a platform for characterising pre-antibiotic era background resistance against which we could understand rates of progression of AR pollution, said Graham. Encroachment into such areas, he added, underscores the need to fight antibiotic-resistance at a global level rather than in just local terms. While the team was yet to determine how the NDM-1 gene was found in the Arctic, scientists said that such spreading is not unusual and can happen even due to migratory birds in cases of areas where human population is low. Migratory birds and people tend to intrude into the ecosystem and contaminate it, said Dr Chand Wattal, chairman, department of clinical microbiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. We have had similar examples in the past wherein resistant genes were found in remote areas with barely any population. It is a phenomena that keeps happening in nature as nature has its own way of maintaining ecological balance, he added. NDM-1 is carried in the gut of animals and people, and Grahams team too believed that it could have reached the Arctic through faecal matter of birds, other wildlife, and human visitors to the area. The gene was first discovered in 2008 in a Swedish patient who had been to New Delhi, but got attention in 2010 when researchers published a paper on it, and detecting it in water supply and around hospitals in several countries, including India. The New Delhi name had triggered protests from experts and officials in India, who called it malicious propaganda. Union minister of state Mahesh Sharma slammed former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly misbehaving with a woman, and said the behaviour of the Congress leader shows the double standard of the party. It is one of the double-standards of the party. On one hand they call themselves protectors of women rights and dignity while their leaders misbehave with women. Similarly, the party only talk of weeding corruption while it is the icon of corruption, he said. Sharma further claimed that the Congress has a history of dominating its partners and prioritising its own interest rather than that of the coalition. This is the history of Congress party, for them, the party interest is first and nation comes afterward, he claimed. Sharma also took on Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying that his behaviour is not that of a mature politician, adding that the Gandhi scion is perceived as a joker. Sometimes he (Rahul) hugs Prime Minister in Parliament, while on the other time he blinks his eyes. Rahul Gandhi is considered as a joker politician, said Sharma. Also read: On camera, Congresss Siddaramaiah yells at woman, snatches her mike Siddaramaiah was caught on camera losing his cool while interacting with a woman in Mysuru earlier on Monday. In a video, Siddaramaiah could be seen furiously snatching away the mike from the womans hand and in the process, her dupatta also dropped. However, the woman with whom Siddaramaiah was caught misbehaving downplayed the entire episode, saying that she had no complaint against the Congress leader. Siddaramaiah also clarified that the incident was nothing but an accident, adding that the woman was like a sister to him. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) When Lal Chander of Tanda gram panchayat received Rs 1.1 lakh in 2017, under the governments rural housing scheme, little did he know that after a few days the entire sum would have to be returned. As the NDA government embarked on an ambitious journey to make houses for all poor people, it has also started a rare move to recover money from fake and ineligible beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY), which aims to give money to people to build a home with a toilet. In Indias most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, the Centre has been able to recover over Rs 6.5 crore from almost 8,500 ineligible beneficiaries in the past two-and-a-half years. Around 8,500 beneficiaries have been found ineligible due to different reasons. Most of them were found to already own a pucca house and they have refunded more than Rs 6.5 crore, Union rural development secretary Amarjeet Sinha said. Officials added that similar exercises were carried out in other states, but the recovery was negligible, indicating that not many fake or ineligible beneficiaries found their way to the list of recipients. In some states, the audit is yet to begin. In Madhya Pradesh, the state administration had conducted such a scrutiny. There, the local authorities had even announced a cash reward of Rs 5,000 to anyone who can give information on ineligible beneficiaries, added Sinha. A rural ministry official maintained that during the previous regime, the master list of beneficiaries was created without much scrutiny the reason why people, who already had houses or were otherwise rich, could still add their names for this scheme. According to the rules, PMAY, or the housing for the poor, is aimed to cater to poor people who are either homeless or have a kuccha house. A former UPA minister maintained that during their time, too, there were checks and balances. He also pointed out that gram panchayats had a big role in identifying beneficiaries back then, and often there were allegations of corruption at the grass-roots level. Economist Reetika Khera, however, maintained that the government should clearly answer how the sanctions for these houses got the governments approval in the first place. The recovered amount of Rs 6.5 crore may be a small portion of the total budget for PMGAY for Uttar Pradesh in the last two years. But the more important question is, how did the government determine that the large number of people were not actual beneficiaries? asked Khera. The amounts returned range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 110,000. Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar on Monday said that his party president Rahul Gandhi will visit the Atal Setu Bridge after he becomes the Prime Minister. Speaking to ANI, Chodankar said: Atal Setu is a bridge of corruption. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will visit the bridge once he becomes the Prime Minister. For now, there was no point of inviting Rahul to visit the bridge, especially when the bridge was not even fully constructed. This comes after the BJP got to know about Rahuls holiday in Goa and the party extended an invitation to him to visit the 5.1-kilometre long bridge Atal Setu on the Mandovi River. Dear Shri @RahulGandhi, We have come to learn that you are currently on a vacation in Goa. We request you along with all Congress MLAs to visit the Atal Setu, the third longest cable stayed-bridge in India over river Mandovi and witness how @BJP4India is #TransformingIndia, read a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP Goa. Atal Setu was inaugurated by the state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and was opened to the public by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday. The bridge was constructed by the Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation (GIDC) and engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Also read | Sun, seafood and selfies for Rahul Gandhi during Goa holiday with mother Sonia Congress president Rahul Gandhi will kick off the United Democratic Fronts election campaign in Kochi today. He will address a convention of party booth presidents and vice-presidents in the evening and meet leaders of alliance partners. He is expected to reply to some of the charges made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had addressed two rallies in Kerala in two weeks. Some Lok Sabha constituencies in the state are likely face a stiff three-cornered contest this time against the background of the controversy over the entry of women into the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. Out of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state the Congress-led UDF won 12 and CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front bagged eight in the 2014 general elections. The Congress had come under flak after Rahul Gandhi said he backed the stand of Kerala unit of the party opposing the entry of women in the 10 to 50 age group in the Sabarimala temple even though he personally held a contrary view. The Congress leadership was initially reluctant to oppose the entry of women into the temple but was forced to change its stand after state leaders convinced them that party workers could switch over to the BJP in large numbers if it remained silent. The party feels that its strategic position on the issue will benefit them. The BJP has been supporting the opposition to womens entry into the temple. Both the BJP and the Congress are protesting against Kerala government, which is finding it difficult to implement September 28 order of the Supreme Court allowing entry of women of all age in the Sabarimala temple. It is an important battle for us. We will concentrate more on anti-people policies of the state and central governments. The inept handling of the Sabarimala issue and flood situation will be raised during the campaign vigorously, said opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. This is the first time a convention of booth presidents is being convened. The PCC has 20,000 booths and vice-presidents of all booths have been reserved for women. This is the first time Gandhi is addressing leaders from the grassroots level, said KPCC working president Kodikunnil Suresh. AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala Mukul Vasnik hsa been campaigning in the state for a week. There are reports the party may field former CM Oommen Chandy from either from Kottayam or Idukki seat. But sources close to him said hes unlikely to quit his assembly seat because in 2020 he would complete 50 years as an MLA without an electoral defeat. Party insiders say there will a distinct Rahul touch to candidates list this time. Younger candidates and women are likely to find prominence while some seniors are expected to be benched. Every single leader has unique strength: Rahul In every party there are tensions. We allow conversations. Every single leader has unique strengths. Thank you and Jai Hind. I am proud that people of Kerala are guiding the people of India: Rahul I was recently in Dubai. It made me happy that the spirit of the people of Kerala has travelled there. I was very proud that the spirit of the workers of Kerala have built it. Kerala is not just a state, it is an idea. It is a way of looking at the world. It includes compassion, humility, respect. I am proud that people of Kerala are guiding the people of India. Thank you for coming here, and dedicating yourself. There is no country in the world that has ever committed to minimum income guarantee We would ensure every poor has minimum income guarantee. There is no country in the world that has ever committed to minimum income guarantee. We are going to defeat the CPI(M) in Kerala and Narendra Modi in the country: Rahul They believe that they have all the answers. You are humble. You, Congress workers, are convinced that Indian people have all the answers. You listen to the people and work for them. We are going to defeat the CPI(M) in Kerala and Narendra Modi in the country. Only Congress can unite all the people: Rahul Only Congress can unite all the people. You can see what happened in the three states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. We are going to do the same thing in Kerala. And the people of the country will help in doing this. Everybody says RSS, CPI(M) has cadre, but you have the heart of the country. You dont forget how the RSS leaders were begging with the British when the Congress fought for freedom and went to jails, died in Jallianwala Bagh, Kerala, Punjab and Jammu Kashmir. Yes they have the cadre, but you have the heart of India. We cannot achieve anything if we are divided: Rahul Kerala and India will grow only if we are united. We cannot achieve anything if we are divided. Modi says India is ahead of China but everywhere you see items made in China. And remember, each time you see this, Chinese youths are benefitting. I am confident if we work together one day, Chinese youngsters will take selfies with Indian phones. Congress doesnt agree with violence brought by CPI(M) and BJP: Rahul Everyone stood together in a traumatic time. It was expected that your government will reach out to the people of the state and come to help, but instead this govt did not do anything. It didnt give the people of Kerala the support and vision it needed. Instead, the CPIM and BJP divided the people. The real issue of jobs for youngsters, protection for farmers, women, the welfare of Kerala was put on the backburner. Congress respects rights of women and respects the tradition of the system. But the Congress doesnt agree with the violence brought by the CPIM and BJP. I want to ask the CPI(M), what have you done for the people, farmers, youths in Kerala? I want to ask the same thing that I ask Narendra Modi. In 2019, we will restructure the Gabbar Singh Tax (GST): Rahul He has destroyed the economic background of the country built by the people and the Congress. Modi gave a GST which was fundamentally flawed. What sort of GST is this that nobody understands it? And it is practically impossible to implement it. In 2019, we will restructure the Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) Central govt demonetised Indias economy: Rahul The Centre demonetised Indias economy and destroyed the entire informal sector, wiped out small and medium industries destroyed shopkeepers. PM Modi comes to Kerala and says India is ahead of China. On which basis? Manhoar Parrikar said that he had nothing to do with new Rafale deal: Rahul Gandhi The ex-defence minister Manoar Parrikar clearly said that he had nothing to do with the new (Rafale) deal orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani. And the result of this is that thousands and thousands of young Indians who could have got high paying technical jobs in HAL, today will get no jobs. No defence capability is going to be built here. Why was the CBI chief removed at 1.30 at night? asks Rahul Why was the CBI chief removed at 1.30 at night? When the Supreme Court reinstated CBI chief, why did the Narendra Modi govt remove him again? Why did the ex-President of France tell the press that he was told by the Indian PM to give the Rafale contract to Anil Ambani? Why was a man with no experience given the deal when there were people who have building planes for 70 years? Why was the price of one plane raised from 526 cr to 1600 cr? There is only one answer that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt. To protect himself, he removed the CBI chief. 4 judges spoke about judge Loya: Rahul Over the last 5 yrs, every single Indian institution has been attacked. Last year, 4 judges says they are not allowed to work. In the same breath, they take the name of judge Loya. What is the message they were trying to give our country? They were saying that Modi and Amit Shah are not allowing them to work. We will give every poor direct money in his bank account: Rahul What is minimum income guarantee? Like the MNREGA, food security act, etc., the Congress party govt will guarantee minimum income guarantee for every poor. We will give every poor direct money in his bank account. With this, we will ensure two Indias, but one India. Modi promised maximum income guarantee to 15 of friends: Rahul Modi has spent 5 years wasting Indias time, telling one lie after the lie. He promised 2 crore jobs every year to youngsters. But he has given maximum income guarantee to 15 of his friends. Job seeking people in Kerala and Karnataka and HAL were pushed aside and Anil Ambani was given the contract in 2 minutes. For five years, people have watched this tamasha. Nirav Modi Rs 35000 crore, Mehul Choksi Rs 30000 crore, Vijay Mallya Rs 10000 crore, Anil Ambani Rs 30000 crore. If Modi can give maximum income guarantee for 15 friends, then we will give minimum income guarantee for every Indian. We believe in transformational politics: Rahul Congress has done transformational things for the country. We believe in transformational politics not incremental politics. When the nation faced a wall of starvation, Congress broke that with Green revolution. Within a decade we got food security. We also brought White revolution and made India biggest producer of milk in the world. Narendra Modi is absolutely intent on dividing India Narendra Modi is absolutely intent on dividing India. He wants to create two Indias one for richest people and the other for farmers, labourers and workers. He is ready to forgive 3.5 lakh crore for 15 of his friends. But he is not ready to spend one rupee for farmers. He dilutes MNREGA and the Land Acquisition Act, which gave farmers rights to land. We will ensure more spending in healthcare and education We will ensure India builds a low cost high quality education system. We will ensure more spending in healthcare and education. We dont want India which is only for rich people. We want to see women in positions of leadership: Rahul Gandhi Need more women, youth in representation. I assure that we will do this. In every election, we will have more women and youths as representatives. We want to see women in positions of leadership Every Congressman must have the feeling of Ente booth, ente party Congress party belongs to every single member who fights for the party. Every Congressman must have the feeling of Ente booth, ente party, says Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi to address a public gathering in Kerala soon Congress President @RahulGandhi is received with love & warmth ahead of his speech in Cochin, Kerala. #SwagathamRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/MP4lYeTkQJ Congress (@INCIndia) January 29, 2019 Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a question on online game addiction from a parent at his Pariksha pe Charcha on Tuesday and his reply had the audience in splits. When a mother told Modi that her son is hooked to online games, the PM asked, Ye PUBG wala hai kya? PlayerUnknowns Battlegrounds (PUBG) is an online multiplayer battle royale game which is very popular among the youth. Modi said technology is a boon and a curse as well and everything depends on how the child is using it. The Prime Minister told students that the board exam is not the exam for life and it does not stop lives. Board exam is just like any other exam. Kuch khilaune ke tootne se bachpan nahi marta. The board exam is not the exam for life. It does not stop our lives. But exams are important for us, he said. (Click here for live updates) Around 2,000 students, along with their parents and teachers were part of the interaction in PM Modis second Pariksha Pe Charcha in Delhis Talkatora Stadium. Heres the video: Modi began his speech with a tribute to former defence minister George Fernandes who died today. This years edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha has drawn students from all over India as well as Indian students from abroad, including in Russia, Nigeria, Iran, Nepal, Doha, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Last year, only students of Delhi-NCR participated in the event. PM Modi is perhaps the first ever PM to interact with students for their board exams and relieve their stress, he said. Last year 7 crore students had participated . I believe this year around 12 crore students will participate online, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said. Modi had held his first such interaction with the students last year in February. Earlier that month, he had released his book Exam Warriors -- a guide to help students battle the exam anxiety. Also read: Highlights| Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0: Treat exams as a festival, says PM Modi A three-member Pakistani delegation along with five Indian officials on Tuesday visited the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir to inspect 1,000 mega watt Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project and the 48 mega watt Lower Kalnai project over the Chenab river. Kishtwar deputy commissioner Angrez Singh Rana said, three-member Pakistani delegation and five officials of the government of India on Tuesday visited Pakal Dul hydroelectric project. They inspected the dam site. The Pakistani delegation will return on Wednesday. The Pakistani delegation was headed by its Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mehr Ali Shah. India and Pakistan signed Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 after Pakistan aired apprehensions that since the rivers of the Indus basin were in India, it could potentially create droughts and famines in Pakistan during the times of war. According to the treaty, India has control over three eastern rivers Beas, Ravi and Sutlej all flowing from Punjab. Pakistan, as per the treaty, has its share from the western rivers of the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum that flow from J&K into Pakistan. In November 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Bhatinda that the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers that rightfully belong to India will be stopped from going waste in Pakistan and he will ensure that farmers here utilise it. The PM had also said that blood and water cannot flow together post Uri terror attack that left 19 Indian soldiers dead. Under the IWT, both the commissions in India and Pakistan have been given the mandate to inspect dam sites and works on either sides of the Indus basin in a block of five years which ends in March 2020. Since the treaty was signed, there have been 118 such visits of the Pakistani delegations from time to time. Earlier, the inspection of the projects by Pakistani experts was scheduled in October last year but it was delayed because of urban local bodies and panchayat elections in the state. Pakistan had also raised objections to the Baglihar power project over Chenab in 2008 and had approached World Bank. Thereafter, India had proposed meetings and inspections under the Indus Water Commission to allay the fears of Pakistan of a reduced water discharge in Chenab. Less than 24 hours after targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale jet fighter deal with a remark that Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar (the defence minister at the time of the deal) knew secrets that gave him power over the PM, Congress president Rahul Gandhi met Parrikar at the CMs office in Panaji on Tuesday. Parrikar attended his office at the government secretariat in Panaji on January 1 for the first time in four months. He has been under treatment for pancreatic cancer. This morning I visited Goa CM, Manohar Parrikar, to wish him a speedy recovery. It was a personal visit, Gandhi wrote on Twitter. The meeting between Gandhi, on a private visit to Goa, and Parrikar, lasted about 10 minutes. It came a day after Gandhi referred to a purported audio tape in which a Goa minister claimed that Parrikar possessed files relating to the Rafale deal. At an event in Kochi later in day, Gandhi said: Former defence minister Manohar Parikkar said he had nothing to do with the new Rafale deal and Ambanis involvement. The result of this is thousands and thousands of young Indians who could have got high-paying technical jobs in HAL today will get no jobs. No defence capability is going to be built here, he added. Reacting to Gandhis remarks, BJP spokesperson and South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar said the Goa CM did not need any certificate from Rahul Gandhi because Parrikars integrity and devotion and dedication is unquestionable. Gandhi was initially scheduled to visit Parrikars residence but by the time he landed in Goa, the chief minister had left for the assembly. Gandhi then drove to the assembly to meet Parrikar. He was taken inside Parrikars office by state Congress chief, Girish Chodankar, and leader of the opposition in the Goa Assembly, Chandrakant Kavlekar. Parrikar told the two Congress leaders that Gandhi had regularly enquired about his health whenever he was in hospital both in India and the United States. Gandhi was also in constant touch with his son, the chief minister told Chodankar and Kavlekar, who later left the two leaders for a one-on-one interaction that lasted seven minutes. Kavlekar, who accompanied his party president to the meeting, said Gandhi only inquired about the health of the CM. Our national president Rahul Gandhi was in the state for a few days on a private visit. He called on the chief minister in his chamber since he has not been well for quite a while now. He spoke to him for five minutes and inquired about his health condition. Upon my request, he also met the Congress MLAs despite being in a hurry, Kavlekar said, adding that Gandhi may visit the state again next month to meet the legislators. When asked whether there was any discussion on the Rafale files purported to be in Parrikars possession, Kavlekar replied in the negative. No, nothing like that took place, he said. Gandhi later left for Kerala to address Congresss booth level workers in Kochi. Reacting to the visit, BJP leader and the Goa assembly deputy speaker, Michael Lobo, called Gandhi a tall leader who had set politics aside to call on the chief minister. Simple and humble leaders are difficult to find in India and across the world and here it is Rahul Gandhi who has come on a private visit to Goa, made it a point to come and visit Manohar-ji, ex defence minister, to inquire about his health, Lobo said. Parrikar ,who has restricted his public appearances, also attended the first day of the three-day winter session of the Goa assembly, which began on Tuesday. On Monday, Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter, 30 days since the Goa Audio Tapes on RAFALE were released. No FIR or enquiry ordered. No action against the Minister either! Its obvious that the tapes are authentic & that Goa CM, Parrikar, is in possession of explosive RAFALE secrets, that give him power over the PM. Gandhi was referring to a leaked phone conversation in which Goas health minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane is purportedly heard telling an unnamed person that Parrikar told his cabinet colleagues that he had files related to the contentious Rafale deal in his bedroom. Rahul Gandhis remark came as reaction to Ranes rebuttal of the allegation in the audio tape. Rane said, The audio tape is doctored. The Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication between cabinet and the chief minister. Mr Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. I have asked him for a criminal investigation into this. The Modi governments decision to enter a government-to-government deal with France to buy 36 Rafale warplanes made by Dassault Aviation was announced in April 2015, with an agreement signed a little over a year later. This replaced the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regimes decision to buy 126 Rafale aircraft, 108 of which were to be made in India by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The deal has become controversial with the opposition, led by the Congress, claiming that the price at which India is buying Rafale aircraft now is ?1,670 crore for each, three times the Rs 526 crore, the initial bid by the company when the UPA regime was trying to buy the aircraft. The Congress has also claimed that the deal was changed to benefit Anil Ambani, whose Reliance Defence is an offset partner of Dassault Aviation. The government has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the contract. It has also said it has no role in Dassaults choice of offset partners. The Supreme Court has said it is convinced due process was followed in the deal, and added that it will not be looking into the pricing issue effectively clearing the government of any wrongdoing in striking the deal. The Telangana high court on Tuesday cleared the decks for the state government to go ahead with construction of a new Secretariat complex with ultramodern facilities, and perfect Vaastu, in the Bison Polo grounds at Secunderabad. A division bench of the high court, hearing a batch of petitions opposing the transfer of the Bison Polo Grounds, a sport facility belonging to the Union ministry of Defence, issued an interim order asking the Centre to go ahead with the official procedure in transfer of land to the state government. The court posted the matter to February 12 for further hearing. The Telangana government already submitted an affidavit to the court stating that the Centre had agreed in principle to transfer 55 acres of land to the state for construction of Secretariat complex, besides the state assembly and other official buildings. The government has offered an alternative piece of land to the ministry of defence on the city outskirts in lieu of the transfer of Bison Polo Grounds, besides paying monetary compensation as per the norms. During the previous tenure, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government headed by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had taken the decision to construct a new secretariat complex at the 55-acre Bison Polo grounds adjacent to Secunderabad parade grounds, since he believed that the existing Secretariat was too congested and was against the Vaastu (ancient study of architecture). In fact, during his entire tenure between 2014 and 2018, KCR had not gone to the existing Secretariat as he had felt something was wrong with its architecture. He ran his administration from his new official-cum-residential complex Pragathi Bhavan in Begumpet. Even cabinet meetings and other official review meetings were held at Pragati Bhavan, a practice which he is continuing even after returning to power after the December 7 elections. KCRs official Vaastu consultant Suddala Sudhakar Teja said there were some serious Vaastu problems in the existing Secretariat, as it lacked proper ventilation. An administrative building should have flow of natural energy from all sides, greenery and enough moving space. A healthy and good working environment will help the ruler in proper decision making, he advised. During a discussion in the state assembly last year, opposition members resisted the move to abandon the existing secretariat and construct a new one at Bison Polo grounds, but KCR was firm in his stand. He also announced that his government would also construct a new assembly building and a cultural centre at the new venue. The existing Secretariat and assembly buildings have become congested and outlived their utility. We need structures that sustain for another 100 years, he argued. The Khango Konyak-led faction of the banned NSCN (Khaplang), a Naga insurgent outfit, will take part in the next round of peace talks with the government of India as it joined the Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) on Tuesday. Khango Konyak-led faction of the NSCN(K) is now the seventh member of the Working Committee (WC) which is in talks with the Centre along with the dominant rebel group NSCN (Isak-Muivah). The government had signed a framework agreement with the NSCN(IM) in 2015 for the resolution of the vexed Naga political issue. The Khango-Konyak faction has joined the WC of the NNPGs. They will be part of the delegation in the next round of talks with the Government of India, confirmed Alezo Venuh, envoy of the NNPGs. Taking cognisance of the earnest appeal of the Naga people, the NSCN/GPRN (K) led by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Khango after thorough deliberation, decided to join NNPGs Working Committee maintaining its identity and as partner in the ongoing political negotiations with the GOI, read a deed of the agreement issued by the office of the convener of the NNPGs and signed by Konyak. The meeting took place in Dimapur on Tuesday. Khango Konyak who took over as the chief of NSCN(K) after the death of S S Khaplang was impeached in August 2018 and given a safe passage to return to Nagaland from Myanmar with his supporters mostly comprising of Nagas from the Indian side. NSCN(K), which has bases in neighbouring Myanmar, is responsible for several deadly strikes against the security forces since it abrogated the ceasefire in 2015. It is learnt that the office-bearers of the group including its general secretary Isak Sumi, who is on the most wanted list of the National Investigative Agency has had two rounds of informal meetings with R N Ravi, the deputy national security advisor and interlocutor for the Naga Peace talks in December and January. The meetings were confirmed by Ravi to a newspaper. The issue of pending cases will come up in the next round of discussions with the GOI, said Venuh. Hours after armed Maoists in Odishas Malkangiri district burnt a private bus to cinders, 5 suspected cadres belonging to a splinter group of the CPI (Maoist) were killed in an encounter with security forces in neighbouring Jharkhand. An empty bus returning to its base in Odishas Mundaguda village on Monday night was stopped, its driver and conductor thrashed and the vehicle burnt down by a group of Maoists to protest its plying during the annual Protest Week the rebels call against Republic Day every year. This is the second such torching of a vehicle in less than a year. A total of 19 Maoists were killed, 39 arrested and 27 had surrendered in 2018, which Odisha police considers one of its best years in the fight against the underground fighters. Police say that Maoists have been on the back foot in Malkangiri district , ever since a bridge connecting the once remote area became operative last year. The five men killed in Tuesdays encounter in Jharkhand when they opened fire on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) search team were suspected cadres of the outlawed Peoples Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a Maoist splinter group. CRPF Inspector General Sanjay Latkar said that a large cache of arms was found in the possession of the killed ultras. By evening, the police had identified area commander-rank Maoist Prabhu Sahay Bodra, carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, along with two other cadres, Paltan and Bachcha. The injured Maoists, Soma Munda and Praveen Munda, were admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi. The Khunti SP said that the identities of other dead Maoists were being ascertained. A man on Tuesday stabbed his wife to death at her office in Bhayander in Maharashtras Thane district, police said. Kumar Bhoir (32) arrived at the office of his wife Veena (35) at around 10:30am and a quarrel ensued between the couple, following which he whipped out a knife and stabbed her multiple times, Bhayander police station senior inspector Rajesh Jadhav said. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared her dead on arrival. The couple lived in Murdha locality in Bhayander and the victim had left home on January 2. On Tuesday, Bhoir got to know that she was attending office so came here, he said. An official said Bhoir allegedly doubted her character and this was causing fights between them. Bhoir, who was arrested a little later, has been charged with murder, he added. An eight-member search panel formed to select members of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal on Tuesday held its first meeting, nearly four months after it was set up by the Modi government, officials said. The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is understood to have discussed modalities related to the appointments of the chief and members of Lokpal, they said, without citing further details. The meeting comes days after the Supreme Court set up a February-end deadline for the search committee to send a panel of names who could be considered for the appointment as chairman and members of Lokpal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee. The apex court had on January 17 asked the search committee to complete its deliberations and recommend a panel of names of candidates, who could be considered for the chief and members of Lokpal, by the end of February. The Lokpal Act, which envisages establishment of the anti-graft body Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states to look into cases of corruption against certain categories of public servants, was passed in 2013. The search committee, formed in September last year despite concerns raised by the Congress, has former chief of State Bank of India (SBI) Arundhati Bhattacharya, Prasar Bharati chairperson A Surya Prakash and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) head AS Kiran Kumar as members. Besides them, former Allahabad High Court judge Sakha Ram Singh Yadav; former Gujarat Police head Shabbirhusein S Khandwawala; retired IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre Lalit K Panwar; and Ranjit Kumar are the other members of the panel. The search committee was formed apparently ignoring the concerns raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who has been boycotting meetings of the selection panel, a senior government official said. Kharge had been boycotting the selection committee meeting on the pretext that he is not made a full-fledged member in the panel. He had rejected the invitation extended to him to attend the meetings of the selection committee held last year on six occasions March 1, April 10, July 19, August 21, September 4 and September 19 as a special invitee. Kharge had earlier urged the government to amend the Lokpal Act to include the leader of the single largest opposition party in Lok Sabha in the selection committee and bring an ordinance in this regard. According to the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, only the leader of the opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha is a member of the selection committee and since Kharge does not have that status, he is not a part of the panel. A party should have at least 55 seats or 10 per cent of the strength of the Lok Sabha for its leader to get the LoP status. The Congress is the single largest opposition party in the Lower House but its leader could not be given the LoP status as it does not have the requisite number to qualify for it, the official said. The Lokpal selection committee headed by the prime minister has as its members the Lok Sabha speaker, leader of the opposition in the lower house, the chief justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him, and an eminent jurist who could be nominated by the president or any other member. Upon the recommendations of the selection committee in its meeting held on April 10, President Ram Nath Kovind had nominated Mukul Rohatgi, former Attorney General of India as eminent jurist member of the panel against the vacancy arising following the death of senior advocate PP Rao. A new political front comprising some regional outfits of Jammu and Kashmir, barring the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is likely to take shape ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in the state, according to a few leaders with knowledge of the development. Likely to be named Third Front, the coalition could also attract disgruntled leaders of both the PDP and the NC who are waiting for an option to contest the assembly elections from an anti-Congress and anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) front, said a former MLA who could be a part of the new front. The PDP-BJP coalition government in the state collapsed in June last year. In November, the Election Commission (EC) had said fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under Presidents Rule, would be held within the next six months, even as the poll panel did not rule out the possibility of holding the state polls before the Lok Sabha elections. According to the former MLA cited above, former minister and head of Democratic Nationalist Party, Ghulam Hassan Mir, former minister and head of Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) Hakeem Yaseen and Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary and former MLA from Kulgam, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami have held several meetings and discussed about the formation of the new front. Former minister Abdul Gani Vakil who had resigned from the Congress after Ghulam Ahmad Mir was appointed J&K Congress president was reportedly also in touch with the trio until he joined Sajjad Ghani Lone-led Peoples Conference last week. Another former minister and senior PDP leader, Dilwar Mir, also held deliberations with these three leaders and discussed the possibility of an alternative front in J&K, said a former PDP leader from north Kashmir. Dilwar Mir whose son Yawar Mir was the PDP legislator from north Kashmirs Rafiabad assembly segment, and a relative of former minister Altaf Bukhari who was recently expelled from the PDP, is believed to be unhappy with the party leadership. Some leaders privy to parleys said that pace of the formation of new front has deliberately been kept slow. In the last [2014] elections also, efforts were made to cobble up an alliance that could capture seven to 10 seats and act as a pressure group. But it didnt materialise. This time, the chances of forming a third front are very bright, said the former legislator who could also be a part of the new front. Former minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir who was legislator from Gulmarg constituency from 2002 to 2014 and served as minister in the PDP-Congress [2002-2006] and then Congress- NC [2009-2014] coalition government said that there is a need of an alternative front and talks are underway. We are meeting people but it will be premature to say whether this front will take shape or not. At an appropriate time we will come up with our plans. We are in touch with people who are disgruntled with the NC, PDP and other parties. They all could join us and become part of us, he added. Veteran politician Yousuf Tarigami said that some leaders are coming together and will try if anything new could be offered to people of the state. The debate and discussions are going on, he said. In my point of view, all regional parties have a role to play. Kashmir is a political problem and needs a political approach. The BJP and the PDP have worsened the crisis and aggravated things in the state, Tarigami added. Former minister Hakeem Yaseen said that like-minded people are in touch and the aim is to bring good people in the new dispensation. In the next 10 to 15 days, there will be a good news, he said adding that people in J&K want change. This alternative front will have leaders from all regions of J&K. Politicians such as former PDP leaders Haseeb Drabu, Altaf Bukhari and Javeed Mustafa have not joined any political party and kept their options open. Some political analysts, however, see this development as an attempt to divide the vote bank. Why new fronts and parties come up in Kashmir only, why not in other regions of the state? asked Irfan Ahmad, who teaches in Central University, Kashmir. Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa during her hospitalisation in 2016 had mood fluctuations and wanted to be left alone on several occasions, a doctor who treated her has told an Inquiry commission probing the circumstances leading to the AIADMK leaders death. She was in fluctuating mood, sometimes she will smile, sometimes she will say leave me alone, the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry said in a recent order quoting the deposition of Dr Shilpa. In her capacity as a critical care duty doctor, she had attended to Jayalalithaa between October 1 and December 4, 2016. Shilpa, an anaesthetist, made the remarks on Jayalalithaas then health status while giving evidence as a commission witness on the ailments of the late leader. The deposition of Shilpa has been mentioned in the commissions order dismissing a plea of the Apollo Hospitals seeking constitution of a 21-member medical board to help the panel examine medical records related to her treatment in 2016. Also read | Court frames charges against Sasikala in 4 foreign exchange violation cases The commission said Dr Shilpa was cross-examined only by the counsel for first respondent V K Sasikala, a close aide of Jayalalithaa, and not by the counsel for the hospital. Shilpa had resigned her job in the Apollo Hospitals in 2017. Anyway, the hospital admitted to the views expressed by Dr Shilpa, the panel said adding at last, the critical care doctors assessment proved that Chief Minister had cardiac arrest on the evening of December 4, 2016. That is the reason the counsel for the applicant hospital has not put any question even though Dr Shilpa was present before this commission on two occasions, it said. The Commission said state Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan in his deposition admitted that the evidence of doctors from AIIMS, New Delhi, was sufficient and there was no need for a medical panel. Citing the assistance provided by government doctors following its request to decipher the medical records, the commission had last week dismissed the hospitals application for the medical board. Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016 and the Commission of Inquiry was constituted the next year by the AIADMK government following allegations and suspicions surrounding her death. Also read | Jayalalithaa cannot be termed a convict in assets case: Madras High Court Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati took a dig on Tuesday at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his minimum income guarantee promise made at a public rally in Chhattisgarh on Monday. Taking a swipe at the Congress president, Mayawati questioned if this promise also a fake one like Gareebi Hatao. Hitting out both at the Congress and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mayawati drew a parallel between the promise made by Rahul Gandhi with those made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before coming to power in 2014. Is this promise also a fake one like Gareebi hatao and current governments promises on black money, 15 lakh and achhe din? Both the Congress and the BJP have failed, and proved to be two sides of the same coin, Mayawati was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Earlier addressing a public rally in Chhattisgarh, Rahul Gandhi had promised that if voted to power in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress government would announce the scheme to ensure minimum income guarantee to all the poor people in the country. He pitched this promise as the main poll plank of the Congress party. Rahul Gandhi made the announcement while addressing a Kisaan Abhaar Sammelan in Raipur to express gratitude to the people of Chhattisgarh following the Congresss victory in the last assembly election in November 2018. The Congress defeated the BJP in the state, where it was in power for 15 years. The Congress-led government is going to give minimum income guarantee. This means, every poor person in India will have a minimum income. This means there will be no hungry, poor people in India, Rahul Gandhi said. The announcement by the Congress president only four days ahead of the Narendra Modi government presents interim budget before the Lok Sabha polls likely to be held in April-May this year. The statement also followed the decision by the Modi government to give 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to the poor among the unreserved, otherwise called the general category, people. Mayawati earlier this month joined hands with Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha elections leaving the Congress out of the grand alliance in the politically significant state. The BSP and the SP decided to field 38 candidates each in Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. Following the tie-up between the BSP and the SP, the Congress party appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the sister of party president Rahul Gandhi as the general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East in a move that aimed at galvanising the ground-level workers of the party. Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia was given the charge of Uttar Pradesh West. Rahul Gandhi later said that Priyanka Gandhi and Scindia had a specific target of forming the next government led by the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. The state would hold assembly elections in 2022. But before that the Congress faces a stiff task in Uttar Pradesh during the Lok Sabha elections. With Priyanka Gandhi taking a political plunge ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the parliamentary polls are expected to be a triangular contest in Uttar Pradesh, which is also considered a key state for the BJPs fortunes at the Centre in the coming months. The Goa Police has arrested an Iranian national for raping a graphic designer who lives in Goa. In her complaint to the police, the victim said that on January 21,Majid Azizi took her to his rented room at Aramboland raped her. Azizi was previously arrested by the police in connection with a narcotics case but was out on bail and residing at Arambol, a beach village in Goas north. Pernem police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar said that the victim filed her complaint on January 28 and the same day Azizi has been booked for rape and remanded in three days police custody. India had improved a point and rose three positions up on a global corruption index in 2018 while the United States slid four points lower, dropping out of the top 20 countries for the first time since 2011, watchdog Transparency International said in a report. Corruption Perceptions Index 2018, the groups latest report on business leaders perceptions of corruption, had India marginally improve its score to 41 (from 40 in 2017), and its position to 78 out of 180 countries in 2018 against 2017s 81st, where it had slid from 79 in 2016. Listing India along with Malaysia (47), Maldives (31), Pakistan (33) among the countries in the Asia-Pacific region that will be important to watch moving forward, the report said that in all four countries, massive public mobilisation against corruption coupled with significant political participation and voter turnout resulted in new governments that promise extensive anti-corruption reforms. However, despite these encouraging developments, we are yet to see how this translates into solid action, especially when it comes to combatting elusive forms of grand corruption, it added. About India, it said, that as the country gears up for its upcoming elections, we see little significant movement in its CPI score, which moved from 40 in 2017 to 41 in 2018. Despite spectacular public mobilisation in 2011, where citizens demanded that the government take action against corruption and advocated for the passage of the comprehensive Jan Lokpal Act, these efforts ultimately fizzled and fell flat, with little to no movement on the ground to build the specialist anti-corruption infrastructure required. The Asia-Pacific region included top performers like New Zealand on the second position worldwide with a score of 87 (Denmark topped with a score of 88), Singapore at number 3 with 85 points, Australia at no 13 with 77 and Japan at no 18 at 73. Other top performers around the world were Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany. The best performer in South America was Uruguay at number 23 with a score of 70 and in Africa, Botswana topped with 61 points and the 34th position. The United States was at 71, down from 75. That sounds a wake-up call about the need to tackle conflicts of interest, undue influence of the private sector and widening gaps between rich and poor, Zoe Reiter, the watchdogs acting representative to the United States, told Reuters. Somalia, Syria and South Sudan remained at the bottom, with scores of 10, 13 and 13, Transparency International said. Overall, more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50 on the 2018 index, and the average was 43, it said. Transparency International also said its analysis showed a clear link between having a healthy democracy and fighting public sector corruption, and cited declining scores for Turkey and Hungary, in connection with challenges to the rule of law and press freedoms. Corruption is much more likely to flourish where democratic foundations are weak and ... where undemocratic and populist politicians can use it to their advantage, said Delia Ferreira Rubio, who chairs the global civil society group. Relations between India and China is expected to remain tense this year, despite the efforts of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to improve ties between the two nations, a top American spymaster told lawmakers on Tuesday. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said though Modi and Xi held an informal summit in April 2018 to defuse tension and normalise relations between the two nation post the 2017 military standoff at Doklam, they did not address border issues. Misperception of military movements or construction might result in tensions escalating into armed conflict, he warned. We expect relations between India and China to remain tense, despite efforts on both sides to manage tensions since the border standoff in 2017, elevating the risk of unintentional escalation, Coats told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during a Congressional hearing on World Wide Threat assessment of the US intelligence community. Coats said Chinese leaders will try to extend the countrys global economic, political and military reach, while using Chinas military capabilities and overseas infrastructure and energy investments under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to diminish the US influence. However, Beijing is likely to face political pushback from host governments in many locations..., he said. India has been severely critical of the BRI as the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is part of the BRI, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India says it cannot accept a project that ignores its core concern on sovereignty and territorial integrity. India was the only country in the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on June 10 last year which refused to endorse the ambitious BRI for which Beijing has signed pacts with nearly 80 countries and international organisations. The office of the Prayagraj Mela Authority which organises the Kumbh Mela today became the venue of a cabinet meeting for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This is the first time that the U.P. cabinet is holding an official meeting outside Lucknow. The meeting in Prayagraj is part of a series of decisions that Adityanath has taken to boost the profile of the Kumbh Mela, one of the worlds largest pilgrimages. People familiar with the U.P. governments stand on the Ram temple issue said the cabinet could pass a formal proposal to honour public sentiments and the need to expedite the hearing of the Ayodhya dispute in the Supreme Court.. Ahead of the meeting, Adityanath and his cabinet ministers visited the Allahabad fort built by Mughal emperor Akbar to see the Akshaywat, an ancient banyan tree mentioned Hindu mythology. The ministers are scheduled to watch the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Uri at a special screening in a mobile theatre after the meeting and then take a dip at Sangam. Special security arrangements have made around the integrated command and control centre, the venue of the cabinet meeting, in Sector 1 of the Kumbh Mela area. Adityanath expects the Kumbh mela to boost the BJPs campaign in Uttar Pradesh in the general elections due by May. The state sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha and the BJP has been insisting that it will better its record of 71 seats that it won in 2014. But the pitch has been queered by the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in U.P. and the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as Congress general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh which is Adityanaths stronghold. The Narendra Modi governments last session of Parliament in the 16th Lok Sabha that begins on January 31 is likely to be a race against time to clear pending bills which will lapse if not passed in this session. The session, from January 31 to February 13, will have 10 working days with the first two dedicated to the Presidents speech to the joint sitting of both Houses and the interim budget. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has a packed legislative agenda, comprising, in the main, the spillover from the two-month-long winter session. NDA functionaries indicated that the governments top priority would be to clear the three ordinances to penalise instant triple talaq, allow a panel to run the Medical Council of India, and approve an amendment to the Company Law. While the current draft of the triple talaq bill has faced fierce resistance from opposition parties, the government is also in a fix on the bill to amend the Citizenship Act to allow minorities from three neighbouring countries to become Indian citizens. The citizenship bill, too, could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha in the last session as the entire Opposition and some so-called friendly parties opposed the bill. The two Houses will also have to dedicate at least 3-4 days for the discussion on the Presidents speech and the budget. February 11, a Friday, is likely to remain reserved for private members bills. This leaves 3-4 days to push key bills, including those to replace key ordinances. Also read | Conflict over Centres Citizenship Bill creates a new identity of Assamese Bengali The convention is that on the day the President addresses both Houses and the day budget is placed, no other substantive agenda, except obituary references or tabling of papers, are undertaken, said former Lok Sabha secretary general TK Vishwanathan. Parliamentary affairs minister Narendra Singh Tomar will convene an all-party meeting, possibly on Wednesday, to lay out the governments legislative agenda while the Opposition is expected to demand a debate on a number of their pet issues. Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will also call separate all-party meetings ahead of the session. Tomar maintained that the detailed agenda will be decided by two business advisory committees headed by Mahajan and Naidu, respectively, for each House. So far, the tentative agenda, HT learns, has no space for any Opposition-sponsored debate. The Congress and other parties are expected to demand a few debates on raging issues during the all-party meetings. This will be a challenging budget session for the government as it has lots of business and limited time. This will require good time and floor management as it cant afford to lose time due to disruptions, said former parliamentary affairs secretary Afzal Amanullah.The current term of the Lok Sabha, unless it is dissolved earlier, will end on June 3. Also read | Twitter battle between Rahul Gandhi and Himanta Biswa Sarma over Citizenship Bill According to the PRS Legislative Research: Parliamentary procedure specifies that a bill introduced in the Lok Sabha will lapse at end of its term if it is pending passage in either House of Parliament. A bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha and passed by it will also lapse if it remains pending in the Lok Sabha at the end of its term. While speculation is are rife about the contents of the interim budget, the Congress has warned the government against presenting a full budget. The NDA-BJP government does not have the electoral mandate and legitimacy to present six full budgets in five years. Since they assumed office in May 2014, they have presented budget for 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. The FY-2019 will commence on April 1, 2019. The tenure of this government ends on May 26, 2019. A government which is going to be in office for a mere 46 days from April 1, 2019, how does it have the legitimacy and mandate to present a budget for 365 days, party spokesperson Manish Tewari said. Also read | BJP, NDA will suffer if Citizenship Bill is passed, says JD(U) George Fernandes (June 3, 1930 January 29, 2019) was one of the most charismatic socialist leaders and his passing away after prolonged illness marks the end of the chapter of socialist politics of non-Congressism. He lived a meaningful life with many rolesinnovative trade unionist, socialist campaigner, successful strategist, effective parliamentarian, efficient minister, and a pillar of support for democracy in south Asia. His politics attracted admiration as well as criticism. But he remained one of the main architects of the politics of non-Congress coalitions after the passing away of Jaiprakash Narayan in 1979. He played a leading role in the formation of national coalition governments led by Morarji Desai (1977-80), Charan Singh (1980), VP Singh (1989-90) and Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2004). But it was paradoxical that Fernandes, the erstwhile giant-killer, was seen to be marginalised and isolated in the later years of his otherwise heroic life. Fernandes was born on June 3, 1930 as the first child of Alice and John Joseph Fernandes in Mangalore. After completing his secondary education, he was sent to a seminary in Bangalore to be trained as a Christian priest. But he left it after two years and went to Bombay to start working among the urban workers and the poor. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Madhu Limaye mentored him from the 1950s when he began his public life as a trade union organiser under the leadership of De Mello. Fernandes entered the national stage in 1967 as the giant killer when he defeated eminent Congress leader and Union minister, SK Patil, in the fourth general election from the South Bombay seat. From 1967, his stature continued to grow as he was elected national general secretary of the Samyukta Socialist Party in 1969 and president of the Socialist Party in 1973. All India Railwaymens Federation made him its national president in 1974, which gave him international recognition as a socialist labour leader. Fernandes used the opportunity for radicalising the labour movement and organised a historical strike of the Indian Railways. It rattled the establishment and contributed to the imposition of Emergency on 26th June 1975 in conjunction with the JP Movement and the Allahabad high court judgement setting aside the election of then prime minister Indira Gandhi. It made Fernandes go underground and organise anti-Emergency resistance. He was arrested with several other eminent persons after several months of nationwide hunt and put on trial for sedition in what became famous as the Baroda Dynamite Case. But soon Emergency was withdrawn and Fernandes entered the Lok Sabha from Muzaffarpur with a margin of 300,000 votes and took oath as a Union minister in the first ever non-Congress government in the country. It made him a national hero and global icon of the movements for human rights and democracy. His role as supporter of democratic movements in Tibet, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere was unparalleled. Fernandes will always be remembered as one of the most successful socialist parliamentarians who was elected nine times to Lok Sabha and once to Rajya Sabha between 1967 and 2019. He held key portfolios in several non-Congress central governments, including industry, railways, communications and defence. He did not agree with the Nehruvian discourse of left and right in the political field and pursued the Lohia line of non-Congressism. It made him an indispensable figure in all non-Congress political initiatives. It also led him to several paradoxical situations. His role in the fall of the Janata Party government (1980) and the first NDA government (1999-2004) at the Centre drew severe criticism from many quarters. He suffered loss of social base while trying to resist the politics of personality cult in the name of social justice in Bihar. By 1974, George Fernandes was already a popular and powerful Union leader and politician in the 1967 elections, he defeated Congress strongman SK Patil from South Bombay, earning the sobriquet George the giant killer but that year, he almost brought India to a halt. At his call, the All India Railwaymens Federation went on strike, bringing to a halt an already distressed economy. The protest lasted a little over a fortnight before it was crushed by the Congress, but many believe it left the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi insecure and became a catalyst for the declaration of Emergency a year later, on June 25, 1975. One of the iconic images of Emergency is of Fernandes in shackles, his arms raised high in protest. Named after George V the two share a birthday Fernandes was a man of many parts, or contradictions. He supported the Janata Dals politics of Mandal but ended up by the side of the Bharatiya Janata Partys Kamandal (a euphemism for politics of Hindutva) in the twilight of his active political life. A fiery speaker and a polyglot, his oratorical skills in Hindi were no less than that of the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He spoke extemporaneously and with equal flair in English, Hindi, Marathi and Kannada. He hailed from Kadur, Karnataka, but as a trade unionist and a practising politician worked across India, especially in Mumbai (then Bombay) and Bihar. The railway strike bore testimony to Fernandes standing as a trade unionist. As a working class leader, he cut his teeth in Bombay in the 1950s and 1960s, inspired by Mangalorean trade union leader Placid DMello. It was for that reason that the maximum city then known as the city of dreams also became his launching pad to Parliament. In his teens, Fernandes, from an orthodox Mangalore Roman Catholic family, spent time in a seminary to be trained as a Roman Catholic priest. That brush with religious learning didnt last and he said in a television interview many years later that the gap between precept and practice in the church disillusioned him. He fled to Mumbai. Among the many elections he won, his post-Emergency victory in Bihars Muzaffarpur in 1977 marked the peak of his career spanning over four decades. His continued incarceration while other Opposition leaders were freed made global headlines. His associates in the Socialist International (a global grouping of socialist parties) organised protests across Europe. The Bihar seat was chosen for its tradition of electing socialist stalwarts from outside, such as Archarya Kriplani and Ashok Mehta. The electorate there kept the trend, returning Fernandes with a thumping margin merely on the strength of his cutouts in shackles (that iconic photograph again) and support from Jayaprakash Narayan. Kept in jail in the Baroda Dynamite case (where he and others were accused of procuring dynamite to blow up railway tracks and government establishments to protest Emergency), he had no personal connect with Muzaffarpur. His socialist colleagues later joked: the Fernandes name sounded alien to voters who didnt mind electing a foreigner to defeat the Congress. Such was his charisma and connect with the middle classes and the youth at the time that many saw in him a potential prime minister. He forever was on the move; half of his life spent in trains and planes, said one of his proteges, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav (Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is another protege). In planes, hed always take the back seat and busy himself with a book or some writing work. That embarrassed us as he was our leader but we sat upfront. Fernandes spartan lifestyle was reflected in his mouldy glasses, dishevelled hair, crumpled kurtas, and a pair of inexpensive slippers. The only thing ostentatious about him was his aura, his political ambition. It was tragic, therefore, to witness his role in the collapse of Indias first non-Congress government. He battled heroically against Indiras Emergency excesses, but facilitated her return to power by hastening the fall of Morarji Desais regime. It wasnt simply the collapse of a government; it was early death of the two-party system a durable Janata Party could have institutionalised after the Congresss resounding 1977 defeat. The Janata potion, so to speak, was a communion of the socialist and the centre-right Jana Sangh (the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party). With it sank the image and the credibility of Fernandes who made a fiery speech backing Morarji in the day only to cross over to the latters bete noire, former Prime Minister Charan Singh, in the evening. The no trust vote that got carried was brought by Singh in tandem with another socialist stalwart, Madhu Limaye. If Fernandes friend and associate, Jaya Jaitly, is to be believed, he didnt join the ideological fight against the Jana Sangh leaderships dual membership of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He gave in to Limayes emotional blackmail invoking their years of friendship. The account cant be easily contested. Fernandes played a key role in the formation of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and perhaps is the only socialist heavyweight to have visited the Nagpur headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He faded from public memory and public life after the NDAs defeat in 2004. He last served as a parliamentarian as a Rajya Sabha MP between August 2009 and July 2010. Illness (Alzheimers) laid him low, although his eventual death, early on Tuesday, may have been brought about by swine flu and age-related illnesses. He was 88. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday in presence of party chief Sharad Pawar. Vaghela was part of the Congress and the BJP in his earlier stints. His entry into the NCP can lead to a three-way fight in some seats in Gujarat in 2019 Lok Sabha elections if the Sharad Pawar led outfit doesnt opt for a pre-poll tie-up with the Congress. Gujarat has 26 Lok Sabha seats and BJP won all of them in 2014. Vaghela had left the Congress before the 2017 state assembly polls. He and a few MLAs supporting him voted against Congresss Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha polls and backed BJP nominee Balwantsinh Rajput. Vaghela and put up independent candidates in the state assembly elections held in December 2017. All his candidates had lost. Recently, Vaghela had 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. The 78-year-old Vaghela is a prominent OBC leader of Gujarat, who began 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. Former defence minister George Fernandes died on Tuesday morning in Delhi. He had been ailing for the past few years. He was 88 years old. Fernandes, who was suffering from Alzheimers disease, had been bed-ridden for more than eight years, family sources said. He had a cold and cough and was taken to the Max Hospital in Saket by his wife, Liela Fernandes, earlier in the day, when doctors said that the veteran leader was already dead. His son, who lives in New York, is expected back in a day or two, after which the funeral will take place, the sources said, according to IANS. The last rites of the former parliamentarian will be performed tomorrow in New Delhi. News agency ANI quoted former Samata Party president Jaya Jaitly, who worked closely with the former defence minister, as saying, Last rites of George Fernandes to be held tomorrow after the arrival of his son. Right now, the body is being embalmed. Jaitly claimed that George Fernandes wished to buried after the death. He had expressed his wished earlier to be cremated but during his last days, he said he wanted to be buried. So, we will cremate the body and bury the ashes, to fulfil both his wishes, she said. Bihar government announced two-day state mourning on the death of George Fernandes. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Fernandes were party colleagues in the Janata Dal (United) for several years. Fernandes, who was part of the Janata Dal in 1989-90, formed his own political outfit, the Samata Party in 1994. Fernandes merged his Samata Party with the Janata Dal (United) in 2003. Nitish Kumar is the president of the Janata Dal (United) or the JD(U). Born on June 3, 1930, George Fernandes was, at the age of 16, sent to train as a priest, but his calling was different. He moved to Bombay in 1949 and got involved in the socialist trade union movement. Known to be a firebrand unionist and a fiery orator, he organized many strikes and bandhs there. One strike that is remembered even now was the railways strike in 1974, where the entire nation was brought to a halt. Workers from all over the country joined the strike. It was later called off amid reports of divisions in the union. In 1967, he defeated Congress veteran S K Patil in parliamentary elections from the South Bombay and went on to win eight more Lok Sabha elections, last being in 2004. Fernandes went underground during the Emergency imposed in 1975 during Prime Minister Indira Gandhis rule and was arrested and tried in Baroda dynamite case, where he and 24 others were charge with smuggling dynamite to blow up government establishments and railway tracks in protest against state of Emergency. George Sahab represented the best of Indias political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 In 1977, after the Emergency was lifted, Fernandes won the Muzaffarpur seat in Bihar while in jail. The Janata Party and its allies came to power, headed by Morarji Desai, who became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India. Fernandes was appointed as Union Minister for Industries. During his tenure as union minister, he ordered American multinationals IBM and Coca-Cola to leave the country, due to alleged investment violations. He was the driving force behind the Konkan Railway project during his tenure as railway minister from 1989 to 1990. George When we think of Mr. George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 He was a defence minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government (19982004), when the Kargil War broke out between India and Pakistan, and India conducted its nuclear tests at Pokhran. Following Kargil war, allegations surfaced about a scam in procurment of coffins, forcing Fernandes, then defence minister, to step down in 2004 . However, two commissions of inquiry absolved him in the case. Fernandes last presence in Parliament was as a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010. Distressed to learn of the passing of Shri George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 29, 2019 Stepping up his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public rally in East Midnapore on Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has propagated poverty and violence in the state. Amit Shah also gave a call for change of government in Bengal to make the state Sonar Bangla (Bengal, a land of gold) once again. Every fifth person in Bengal is poor, and has no access to food. Can West Bengal develop from this situation? Didi has propagated poverty and violence along with syndicate, Amit Shah said while accusing Mamata Banerjee of rebranding the central schemes as her own. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started so many schemes which have extended benefits to West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee has rebranded them as her own schemes. She thinks the people dont know anythingMamata has stolen the right of the people of Bengal by taking away Ayushman Bharat from them. It wouldve provided healthcare up to Rs 5 lakhs to the poor. But she stole it from the people, Shah said. The Left had perpetuated poverty and unemployment. Mamata added syndicate to it. Will the ponzi scheme operators get caught if the chief minister is not changed? Twenty-five lakh people lost their hard earned money in ponzi schemes, Shah said. The BJP president said that the Lok Sabha elections were an opportunity for the people of the state for re-formation of Shonar Bangla. He said, What happened to Bengal?Where did Shonar Bangla go? Bengalis in India are looking for it today. All are looking at Bengal. For this nation, it might be an election to make Modi ji PM once again but for Bengal, the election is to make Sonar BanglaThe upcoming elections are not for re electing Narendra Modi, it is for the re-formation of Sonar Bangla, he said. Amit Shah alleged that the BJP workers were being killed in West Bengal for protesting the policies of the TMC government in the state. The population of West Bengal wants a change. Why were so many BJP karyakartas killed? Their only crime was to protest against the TMCs injustices, he said. Targeting the Mamata Banerjee government for rows over idol immersion during Dussehra last year, Amit Shah said, If you wish to celebrate Durga Puja or Saraswati Puja in West Bengal, you will be attacked by goons. Should we go to celebrate these festivals in Pakistan? He raked up the issue of the governments move to grant citizenship to the non-Muslim minorities taking shelter in India following their alleged persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh at the East Midnapore rally. Shah said the Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and other minorities are coming to India from neighbouring countries in order to save the honour of their women. He alleged that Mamata Banerjee was opposing the proposed citizenship law for political reasons. Muslim bodies and clerics on Tuesday questioned the timing of Centres petition in the Supreme Court offering to return a part of the 67.703 acres acquired in 1993 by the government in and around a disputed site in Ayodhya to its original owners, terming the move, months before Lok Sabha elections, unwarranted and one-sided. The petition, seeking to return the undisputed part of the land, sought amendments to apex court verdicts that had imposed status quo on the acquired plot. The Supreme Court has appointed Centre as the receiver of the entire land keeping in mind the various intricacies and sensitive nature of the dispute. Hindus alone do not own the entire 67 acres, there is land belonging to (a) graveyard and other Muslims also, said Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. In any case, a final call on the Centres plea would be taken by the apex court, he added. Waseem Rizvi, chairman of the UP Shia Central Waqf Board Waseem Rizvi, a votary of the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site welcomed the move. Its a very good initiative. We all know that a grand Ram temple has to be built in Ayodhya. If the SC releases this land which is not disputed, construction work on a temple can immediately start..., he said. Some Muslim clerics, however, reacted strongly to the suggestion. The Centre is merely the receiver of the land. How can a government in a secular country be seen to be siding or favouring one community over another, said Maulana Sufiyan Nizami, a Sunni cleric. Leaders cutting across party lines condoled the death of former defence minister and socialist stalwart George Fernandes, who passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged illness. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimers disease for a few years. He contracted swine flu recently. President Ram Nath Kovind described George Fernandes as a champion of democracy in a tweet condoling his passing away. President Kovind said, Distressed to learn of the passing of George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him. BJP president Amit Shah recalled the former defence ministers fierce opposition to the emergency in 1975 while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remembered her as much admired trade unionist whereas Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Facebook to express his condolences over the demise of George Fernandes in New Delhi. Anguished to learn about the demise of George Fernandes ji. His political persona left an indelible mark on several significant political events over decades. He also held several important ministerial portfolios in the Union cabinet over time. His stint in public offices saw him make some defining changes, particularly Railways. The most abiding memories of Fernandes ji are those of his fierce opposition to the emergency in 1975. He stood steadfastly to protect Indias democratic values, said Amit Shah. Expressing his condolences, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, Im sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala took to Twitter to condole the demise of the former parliamentarian. My condolences on the passing away of former Union Minister, Sh George Fernandes. May his soul rest in peace, he tweeted. Paying tribute to the 88-year-old former defence minister and a cabinet colleague in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, Mamata Banerjee said, Very saddened at the passing away of former defence minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled George Fernandes as a visionary railway minister. PM Modi said, Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. George Fernandes was the defence minister in the NDA government headed by Vajpayee. He was holding the post when India conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998 and fought the Kargil war in 1999. He first became a Union minister in 1997 in the first non-Congress government at the Centre under Janata Party leader Morarji Desai, who became the prime minister when the Congress party of Indira Gandhi was defeated in the parliamentary elections held after lifting of the Emergency. The Indira Gandhi government had imposed Emergency in 1975. Fernandes rose prominence in pre-Emergency protests as a trade union leader. He was the industry minister in the Janata Party government. The Centre filed an application in the Supreme Court on Monday seeking permission to alienate a portion of the disputed land in the Ram Temple-Babri Mosque dispute to Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. In 1993, the Centre had acquired 67 acres of land around the disputed site saying it was related to the dispute. The SC had upheld the acquisition in 1994 and ordered that this land shall remain with the Central government and shall not be released in anyones favour until the dispute is decided. This arrangement was continued and reasserted by Supreme Court by a 2011 order in the Aslam Bhures petition. Bhure was also a petitioner in the case. Now, Centre wants to release a portion of this acquired land in favour of the Nyas and is seeking the apex courts permission. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath has welcomed the centres move to petition the Supreme Court to hand over the land to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, according to ANI. UP CM on Centre moves SC seeking permission for release of excess vacant land acquired around Ayodhya disputed site&be handed over to Ramjanambhoomi Nyas: We welcome the move by the Centre. We have been saying that we should get permission to use the undisputed land. pic.twitter.com/ZW1GPMadPf ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 29, 2019 Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas is a trust formed by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to oversee the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. On Sunday, the Supreme Court issued a notice deferring the hearing of the Ayodhya title suit case in which was to begin on Tuesday following the non-availability of one of the five judges on the constitution bench. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told students during an interaction that the board exam is not the exam for life. Board exam is just like any other exam. Kuch khilaune ke tootne se bachpan nahi marta. The board exam is not the exam for life. It does not stop our lives. But exams are important for us, he told students in his second Pariksha Pe Charcha in Delhis Talkatora Stadium. (Click here for live updates) About 2,000 high school and college students, along with their parents and teachers were part of the interaction. Modi began his speech with a tribute to former defence minister George Fernandes who died today. This years edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha has drawn students from all over India as well as Indian students from abroad, including in Russia, Nigeria, Iran, Nepal, Doha, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Last year, only students of Delhi-NCR participated in the event. PM Modi is perhaps the first ever PM to interact with students for their board exams and relieve their stress, he said. Last year 7 crore students had participated . I believe this year around 12 crore students will participate online, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said. Modi had held his first such interaction with the students last year in February. Earlier that month, he had released his book Exam Warriors -- a guide to help students battle the exam anxiety. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a political statement about its commitment to build a Ram Temple in Ayodhya with the Centre moving the Supreme Court, seeking its permission to hand over 42 acres of excess land surrounding the disputed site to the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (RJN), a senior minister said on Tuesday. The RJN is the trust overseeing the Ram temple plan. The move was discussed at the highest level in the government for last 7-8 days before the government decided to file the petition in the apex court, the minister said speaking on the condition of anonymity. This also comes a day before the Dhararm Sansad a gathering of Hindu saints begins a key meeting at the Kumbh Mela in Prayag where the temple issue may be taken up. BJP chief Amit Shah is expected to take part in the congregation on Wednesday. Later on Tuesday, human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar said at a press conference that the Centre was not touching the disputed area and it would be up to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas what it does with the land returned to it and the government would not interfere in that. Today government has taken a very important in-principle decision to return the excess land which was acquired in 1994 to the original land owners. One of the land owners of 42 acres out of 67 acres land is Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. Government wants to return the land to its original owners and they want to build the Ram temple there, Javadekar told reporters. He maintained that the BJP has always said that a temple should be built in Ayodhya through a legal route and governments step is a legal step. We are confident that the government will get permission from the court at the earliest, he said. After Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement earlier this month that the government will wait for the judicial process in the temple issue to be over, the ruling party seems to be under pressure from Hindu saints to make some concrete moves. Some groups have even suggested that government should bring an ordinance to build the temple. Also read: After Bihar Congress poster shows Rahul as Ram, BJP hurls fresh Ayodhya question Our people are certainly anxious with the delay (in deciding the case), said the senior minister quoted above. Tuesdays petition is a political statement that reiterates our commitment to building Ram temple. We are not apologetic about it, he added. A Ram temple in Ayodhya has been a key election promise of the BJP since it first adopted a resolution to this effect during its national executive meeting in Palampur in June 1989. It sought resolution of the dispute through mutual dialogue or an enabling legislation. The minister said, Tuesdays petition is one of the several constitutional measures that the Prime Minister has spoken about to resolve the issue. The BJP sensed an urgency to address its core constituency after its loss in three assembly elections in the Hindi heartland. Besides, there had been a growing unease within its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, over the delay in Ayodhya dispute case in the apex court. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told news agency ANI that a solution to the Ram temple issue would be found under the ambit of the Constitution. Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever will be our responsibility as the government, we are ready to make all efforts, Modi had said. Within hours of Modis interview, the RSS had said that people who voted for the party in 2014, after it promised in its manifesto that it would build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, want that promise fulfilled. People of the country put their faith in the BJP and voted them to power with a majority...now people expect the government to fulfil that promise during their current tenure, RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale had said. Clarifying the central governments position on petition seeking permission to handover 67 acre land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (a trust campaigning for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya), Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said that the plea before the top court is a legal decision taken in sync with the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) stand for building a Ram Mandir at the disputed site. Javadekar, however, maintained that the government has not touched the disputed land at the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya. The BJP has always maintained that a Ram temple should be built on Ram Janmabhoomi site. Whatever legal measure is required, the BJP will try for that. The prime minister had clarified that people want temple but matter is sub-judice and measures will be taken accordingly. Todays application is also a legal decision, Javadekar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. He further said the petition filed by the government does not interfere with the status of the disputed land. The government is not touching the disputed land, Javadekar asserted at a press conference in New Delhi. Earlier in the day, the government filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking permission from the apex court for returning the acquired 67 acre land to the Ram temple trust. The land was acquired by the central government in 1991. The Supreme Court had, in 2003, ordered to maintain status quo on both the disputed and acquired land in Ayodhya. The plea filed by the government seeks a modification of the order saying that the Ram temple trust had petitioned it for the return of the land. The Union minister targeted the Congress saying that the party does not believe in Lord Ram and describing it the reason for its leader Kapil Sibal arguing for delaying the hearing in Ayodhya case till the Lok Sabha elections. Congress leader Kapil Sibal, appearing as a counsel for one of the petitioners in the case, had asked the Supreme Court last year to defer hearing of the Ayodhya title dispute till July 2019 arguing that the issue might be used for political gains in the Lok Sabha elections this year. Javadekar said, The Congress always tries to block the process. Kapil Sibals argument of allotting a date for hearing in the matter only after July 2019 is evident to that. They dont believe in Ram. Affidavit submitted by the then Congress government on the Ram Setu called it imaginary. In an affidavit in 2007, the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had then told the Supreme Court that there were no historical records to incontrovertibly prove the existence of Lord Ram and that the Ram Setu is a man-made structure. Under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, another affidavit was filed in 2018 to describe the Ram Setu or the Adams Bridge a cultural heritage of the country. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday ordered an inquiry after police personnel allegedly forced a child to remove his jacket while going to attend a function where he was present. The order came after local television channels showed police personnel removing the black jacket of a small boy who was going to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of Eri Spun Silk Mill at Borgang in Biswanath district. After the video clip went viral, Sonowal asked Assam Police DGP Kuladhar Saikia to conduct an inquiry into the incident and file a report at the earliest. Sonowal and ministers of the BJP-led government in Assam have been shown black flags at several places across Assam in the past few days by protesters opposed to the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The protests have led police and other security personnel to prevent entry of people wearing black clothes at programmes attended by the chief minister and other ministers. On a day when the central government approached the Supreme Court with a plea seeking permission to hand over 67 acre land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas ((a trust campaigning for construction of Ram temple) near disputed area in Ayodhya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got a shot in the arm to pose fresh questions on the matter after a Bihar Congress poster showed party president Rahul Gandhi in the avatar of Lord Ram. A poster that appeared in Patna on Tuesday and immediately made to social media portrays Rahul Gandhi as Lord Ram. Taking a swipe at the Bihar Congress poster, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra sought to know from the Congress about its stand on the Centres petition in the Supreme Court over non-disputed land in Ayodhya. Captioning the Bihar Congress as the solo motive of the Congressmen sycophancy is the supreme conduct, Sambit Patra said, What is your (the Congress) stand on the petition of the central government submitted before the Supreme Court today? His tweet reads, This is the Congresss poster in Patna. The solo motive of the Congressmen sycophancy is the supreme conduct. First, refute the existence of Ram then dress Rahul like Shri Ram Good that (you) became Shri RamNow tell this Congress people What is your stand on the petition of the central government submitted before the Supreme Court today? Earlier in a politically significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to hand over the excess or superfluous land around the disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid site to its original owners. In its petition, the Centre told the Supreme Court that it had acquired 67 acres of land including the 2.77 acre disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid site. It has sought permission to return the land to its original owners. This has been interpreted as a move to hand over the land to the Ram temple trust. The petition reads, The applicant (Centre) is filing this Application seeking permission of this Court to permit the applicant to fulfil the duty to revert/restore/hand over the excess/superfluous land acquired under the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act, 1993. The government referred, in its petition, to the 1994 Ismail Faruqui judgment of the Supreme Court, which had then observed that if the Centre wanted to return the acquired land to its original owners then it might do so. The petition says, The Constitution Bench of this Court has held that the superfluous area which is other than the disputed area of 0.313 acres shall be reverted/ restored to its original owners. It also said the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas has sought return of excess land acquired in 1991 to original owners. One party namely Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas whose land measuring approximately 42 acres [which is a part of the superfluous/excess land] was acquired, has moved an application relying on the constitution bench judgment of this court, the petition said. The Supreme Court through a 2003-order directed for maintaining status quo in the entire campus around the dispute site in Ayodhya. The Centre sought in its plea a modification in the Supreme Court order with regard to the acquired land. The central government under PV Narasimha Rao had acquired 67 acre land including the disputed site in 1991. The title dispute case of Ayodhya is pending before the Supreme Court, which on Sunday cancelled the hearing listed for Tuesday owing to absence of a judge part of the constitution bench set up to hear the politically sensitive matter. Expressing serious concern over violence and arson against people who participated in BJP President Amit Shahs rally in West Bengals East Midnapore district on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and asked her to take strict action against the guilty. The Home Minister asked West Bengal CM that those who indulged in violence should be brought to book,the Home Ministers official account tweeted. Coming down heavily on the Banerjee government on the refugee crisis, Shah said if elected to power, the BJP will ensure citizenship to all refugees and drive away all the infiltrators from Bengal. Soon after Shahs public rally, in East Midnapore districts Contai area, it was reported that some people attacked the BJP members who participated in the event. Twelve people including an entire family of five were killed and three others were injured in a horrific road accident near Ujjain when an overloaded van collided with a car Monday midnight. The dead included five women and three children. Ujjain Collector Shashank Mishra said that Arjun Kayat, a local BJP leader, had taken his family and relatives to a wedding in Birlagram, Nagda. The accident took place while they were returning to Ujjain. Police said all the deceased, including Arjun were in a Maruti van. Those in the car survived the crash due to air bags in their vehicle. The impact of the accident was so great that the van was flung about 50 feet away from point of impact. Police and medical teams rushed to the spot and took the occupants of both the vehicles to the district hospital where 12 of them were declared dead. Those killed in the accident include Arjun Kayat (50), his wife Rajubai (45), two daughters Ravina (24) and Bulbul (22) and son Shubham (20). The other victims were Kayats relatives. Chief minister Kamal Nath has expressed grief over the accident and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the next of kin for adults and Rs 1 lakh for children, the collector said. In my last column I wrote of Gurugram being blessed with birdlife. What I want to bring to the readers notice today is how we are destroying their natural habitat and how the government has failedmiserablyto protect wetlands, either dismissing them as wastelands, or by denying their existence. To explain further, let me talk to you of Basai. I first visited Basai about 12 years ago, when the outer reaches of Gurugram still had the touch of the rural. Basai was one such villagea mosaic of fields (paddy, millets, pulses, wheat), pastoral lands, tiny pockets of scrub forests, a network of six ponds, and a wetland, about 260 hectares in size, dotted with floating vegetation, reeds, making this marshy swampland home to a variety of frogs, turtles, fish, insects and other aquatic life. Basai offers refuge to an astonishing variety of migratory birds that fly in from as far as Siberia and Europeducks, geese, songbirds, snipes, godwits, stints, plovers, harriers, eagles, cranes; along with permanent residents like egrets, herons, kingfishers, spoonbills, etc. In monsoons, this lush wetland brims with life with regional visitorsthe purple swamphen, also called Lipstick for its blood red beak, the pheasant-tailed jacana, a gorgeous bird which makes its nest on floating vegetation, colourful bee-eaters, rare bitterns and the sarus crane, Indias tallest flying bird and a symbol of marital fidelity in folklore. The cranes also make a gorgeous dancing couple. Come summer, the wetland shrinks; even so, it teems with life thanks to the herons, moorhens, munias, francolins and cormorants (you might have seen them, sitting on dry branches, sunning themselves with wings spread), which breed here. Many of the species found here are endangered and threatened, such as the steppe eagle, imperial eagle, egyptian vulture, black-bellied tern, lesser flamingo, sarus crane, black-necked stork, painted stork, alexandrine parakeet, ferruginous duck, to name just a few. Basai is home to no less than 20,000 birds of over 280 species, and has been recognised globally as an Important Bird Area. It has other wildlife here too, both aquatic and terrestrialturtles, mongoose, jungle cats, golden jackals. Yet, the Haryana government fails to acknowledge this as a wetland. With rapid development and urbanisation, village fields have been plotted, morphed into apartment blocks, and five of the six ponds have been paved over. In May 2017, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) delivered a death blow to Basai, when it starting constructing a waste-processing plant, repurposing the land for non-wetland purposes. The Delhi Bird Foundation has taken the matter to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), but the MCG claims that Basai is just a piece of barren land where a few birds occasionally roost... there will be no loss of flora or fauna by setting up the plant there. The NGT has asked the petitioners to approach the Haryana government to declare Basai as a wetland. In a function at Sultanpur National Park last year, forest minister Rao Narbir Singh, when urged to declare Basai a wetland, said it would be difficult due to the high prices of real estate in Basai. But do we need more apartment complexes, or do we need wetlands? Not just for the birds, or for its sheer beauty, the upliftment of the heart and spirit in our high-stressed lives, but the fact that wetlands add to the livability of a city. The rich diversity of birdlife indicates a healthy wetland, and in a water-stressed city, wetlands like Basai perform the critical service of storing and purifying water, groundwater recharge as well as sequestering carbon. When it rains, it is wetlands like Basai that absorb excess water, and mitigate damage. Speak up, and petition the authorities to save Basai; Basai matters and it must be saved if Gurugram is to be a livable city for us and our children. Though she lives in Gurugram, the writer is at home in the forests she is committed to protect. Her book: The Vanishing: Indias Wildlife Crisis, was released in June 2017 Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with thousands of students at Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0 at the Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi on January 29 ahead of board exams that will start in February. A student from Agra said PM Modi, Many students move to other cities for studies suffer from homesickness and depression and how should parents and teachers they deal with it? Modi considering depression as a very serious issue said, In a country like India, depression among youth is very disturbing. The fundamental structure of Indian society has a very simple system of releasing depression but the change in this structure has affected it. Earlier, in joint family, a child who could not talk about certain things with his father could talk to their grand mother. Certain things that a child could not share with mother they could share it with grand mother or grand father etc. So, a child had several options to express. But in todays world opportunities for expression is less and options for suppression is more. A child tries not to open up about certain issues he/she is dealing with it and suppresses their feelings. This is the reason why a students mind is affected. A mind is like a pressure-cooker. If the pressure of thoughts, feelings, expression is suppressed a lot and is not released, the cooker can blasts, he said. Advice to parents Parents should talk to their child in the way he/she likes. Children should be assured that their parents will understand what he wants and what he says even after he/she moves to a hostel. There should not be a communication gap. But if the communication is poor and parents question only about how much marks he/she scored, where are they going, why are they returning late or with whom they are on call, this communication gap can affect very badly. Depression takes time to attack. It does not occur suddenly. Parents should observe the changes their ward is going through. If it is negative, the child is not talking like the way he/she did, or he/she is eating too much than normal. This can be a sign of stress. If the child is spending too much time alone or locks himself/herself inside his/her room and does not open up, parents should know that these unusual change can be a sign of depression and stress. Moreover, he said, If the parents are sending their ward to a new city they should try that they are connected with any relative or family and ask them for a get-together at least once a week. When I was your age Parents should talk to their child once in a day and share their stories about when I was your age what did I do ad how we used to deal with situations. Counselling is important Parents should feel free to take their ward for counselling to a counsellor even if they see a minor symptom of depression. They generally are afraid of society and tries to hide the fact that their child needs counselling. This way, they can lose their child as well as their reputation. Advice to Students PM Modi said to the students, If a certain incident is bothering you too much and you are stressed due to certain things, move out and sit under a tree with a notebook. Pen down all the incident that is going in your mind. Then tear the paper and keep it in your pocket, because you should follow Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as well, he said smiling. If you still do not feel better, write it down again and tear the paper again and repeat. I am sure this well relieve your stress on the paper and you will feel relaxed, he advised. Also, he advised the students living in a hostel to find at least one such friend or senior with whom you can talk everything and share your feelings who understands you. Try to find a friend or a senior with whom you can share your feelings Talking about depression PM Modi said, Students living in hostel can also find some senior or person with whom they can share their feelings. Parents should try to connect their child living in hostel to some local person Talking about depression and homesickness developing among the students moving to another city or hostel for higher studies he said, Try to connect your child with someone who can help their child in time of crisis or need. A get-together once in a weekend will also help. Learn from your life and surroundings rather than running behind ranks At present, education system has become rank- bound. Rather than running behind ranks, parents and teachers should teach the students to learn from things around them. Live freely, observe and be curious to know new things rather than focussing on achieving only ranks.These days the meaning of education has narrowed downs to getting ranks in exam for many Parents and teachers should never compare a child with others :If parents start comparing their child with achievement of others it disappoints the child. Parents should encourage their children for every small improvement, PM said. Have clarity of thought and conviction: PM to students We should have clarity of thought and conviction. Then we should work accordingly. Science and maths are important but other subjects are also important. Dont think under pressure, judge according to your ability and also take help of others Know your passion, analyse if you can do it and convince parents When a student asked that how should we convince our parents that we dont want to study maths or science and want to follow some other passion, PM Modi said, Analyse your passion and figure out if you have the ability and a plan to follow it. Take guidance from your teachers. Then convince your parents and assure them that you can do it. Exams are not bad, how we look at it is important Exam is an opportunity. If you consider it as opportunity you will get strength. God has given you lot of strength. Exam gives us an opportunity to test that. But we should not run after exam. We should acquire knowledge and marks will follow. Look at exam as an opportunity, PM said. Analyse how you spent the last one week. How you used it? You will know how to manage time: PM on time management Talking about time management, PM Modi said, Analyse how you spent the time daily for one week. How you used it? You will know how to manage time. Everyone has 24 hours for a day. Learning about managing time does not need an MBA. Like a mother works 24 hours for her family, I work for my family of 1.25 crore Indian, PM responds A mother works 24 hours for her family. Working for family you love automatically gives you encouragement. Similarly I work for my family of 1.25 crore Indians. Everyday I wake up with a plan of work for the present day. What makes you so energetic that motivates you to work for over 17 hours, a student ask PM A students asks PM Modi that what makes him so energetic that motivates him to work in a tight schedule of 17 hours everyday. If you miss an aim it can be forgiven, but if you aim low it is unforgivable Students should aim high and try to reach their goal. If you miss an aim it can be forgiven, but if you aim low it is unforgivable. Help your child to discover something new through technology: PM Sit with your child, give them some work and ask them to discover something new through technology and teach them the right use of technology. My child has developed lot of interest in online games. How to solve the problem, asks a parent; PM asks if it is PUB G A parent named Madhumita said her son has lot of interest in online games. PM Modi asks if it is PUBG (game). Technology is a boon and a curse as well. It depends on how a child is using. Here every student is having a mobile in their hands. Parent should help their child to use the technology to better themselves. Many parents use the report card of their child as their visiting card: PM Many parents try to present the report card of children as their visiting cards among relatives and friends. They feel it is important for their social status. However, this is wrong. Parents should encourage their child when he meets failures: PM Parents should encourage their child when their children meet failures. When a small child falls while walking, mother claps and the child gets encouragement and starts trying to walk again. Parents should not impose their dreams on children: PM Parents should not impose their dreams on their children. Parents want their children to fulfil their dream. This expectation adds to the burden of their wards. I request to the parents that their desire of becoming doctors should not be imposed on their child. Dont put the load of what you could not achieve on your ward. Board exams are important but not everything in life: PM Modi Board exam is just like any other exam. Kuch khilaune ke tootne se bachpan nahi marta. Our life does not end with board exams. But exams are important for us. PM Modi starts interacting with students and teachers PM Modi starts interacting with students and teachers at Pariksha Pe Charcha. PM Modi pays tribute to George Fernandes former defence minister who died on Tuesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his speech. He pays tribute to George Fernandes, former defence minister who died on Tuesday. Hows the Josh asks Javadekar, students respond High Sir HRD minsiter Prakash Javadekar asked Hows the Josh. Students respond High Sir. Sabko Shiksha, Acchi Shiksha is our moto: Javadekar Sabko Shiksha, Acchi Shiksha is our moto says, HRD minsiter Prakash Javadekar Modi is the first PM to interact with students for their exams: HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar PM Modi is perhaps the first ever PM to interact with students for their board exams and relieve their stress, he said. Last year 7 crore students had participated . I belive this year around 12 crore students will participate online. Specially abled student plays musical keyboard, PM claps A specially abled student Rini of Class 11 plays musical keyboard (instrument). PM claps on her performance who encourages students to fight all odds and move ahead in life. Cultural performances by students begins A cultural performance by students begins. The performance has a message on how parents should contribute in relieving stress of the students. PM Modi arrives at the centre stage of the venue, students cheers with Modi Modi PM Narendra Modi arrives at the main venue of the stadium where students were waiting for him. Students cheers with Modi Modi as he arrives at the venue. HRD Minister Prakash Javdekar tweeted Hows the josh He tweeted See, Hows the Josh HRD minister Prakash Javdekar arrives HRD minister Prakash Javdekar arrives at the venue PM Modi arrives at Talkatora Stadium Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived the Talkatora Stadium. He visits the art exhibition put up by the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday announced the results of the written examination to recruit Personal Assistant in under Delhi High Court. The examination was held on December 23, 2018. Candidates who have appeared in the examination can check their result by visiting the official website of Delhi High court at delhihighcourt.nic.in Here is the direct link to check combined merit list of qualified candidates of personal assistant exam 2018 Here is the direct link to check roll number-wise complete result of personal assistant exam 2018. The passing marks for general candidates in 50%, while the passing marks for reserved category candidates is 45%. The date of Examination for the next two stages (Typewriting and Shorthand to be conducted simultaneously) shall be notified shortly. To bring down post-immersion pollution in the River Yamuna, a National Green Tribunal-appointed committee has directed authorities in the national capital to explore the possibility of creating artificial ponds and pits in various localities for idol immersion. The suggestion besides others such as restricting height of idols to a maximum of three feet came from the government authorities and was discussed in a meeting held in December, 2018, by the two-member NGT-appointed Yamuna pollution monitoring committee. Idol immersion should be banned in River Yamuna and replaced by artificial ponds in RWAs and on empty land space, read one of the suggestions that came from the divisional commissioner and was discussed in the meeting. The cue was taken from Surat in Gujarat, which recently set an example by not allowing any idol immersion in the River Tapi. According to a report prepared by the Surat Police Commissioner, at least 22 artificial ponds were created in the city before Ganapati immersion in September, 2018. Earlier, more than 6,000 such idols used to be immersed in the River Tapti from 33 platforms. The possibility of using colony/locality-wise pits needs to be discussed and a decision taken. Delhi needs to create sufficient artificial ponds before issuing a notification that immersion would be permitted only in designated ponds, said the monitoring committee, which has already submitted its comments to the NGT. The issue becomes all the more important for Delhi because pollution level in the Yamuna spikes manifold after immersions every year. Tests carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after Durga Puja and Ganesh Puja immersions in 2018 revealed that concentrations of chromium, lead, nickel and mercury among other had shot up several times rending the Yamuna water unfit for bathing. Simply banning idol immersion in the Yamuna wont help. We need an integrated and holistic approach. We have also suggested that POP and chemical paints should be banned in idol making. The authorities should also fix the height of idols up a maximum of three feet. Use of microphones and sound systems should be restricted, said K Mahesh, district magistrate of east Delhi, who was present in the meeting held by the monitoring committee. Government authorities have also been asked to send a team to Surat to see how immersions could be managed during Durga Puja and Ganesh Puja to bring down pollution in the Yamuna River from 2019. It is a very welcome move. A systematic and target oriented approach rather than knee-jerk reactions at the last minute are necessary to bring down post-immersion pollution in Yamuna. The example of Surat is worth exploring, said Manoj Misra,convenor of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan. The committee in its report to the NGT has suggested that district wise data on pandals for both Ganesh and Durga puja should be collected to see whether the numbers are increasing every year. The number of pandals, idols and steps taken by the city administration of Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot should be studied to understand how it was managed there... the report stated. Although at least four meetings were held in September and October 2018, it was too late to bring any change in the post immersion pollution levels in the river, last year. The committee has asked the authorities to prepare plans between January and March with monthly targets so that post-immersion pollution could be brought down in 2019. Customs officials on Monday arrested a 23-year-old man from the Indira Gandhi International Airport and recovered 16 gold bars worth over Rs 60 lakh, found concealed in two emergency lights the man was carrying in his check-in baggage. In another operation on Sunday, the Customs arrested two men who were allegedly trying to smuggle foreign currency including yen, riyal, US dollar and dinars worth Rs 33.5 lakh out of the country. According to senior customs officers, a team of customs officers intercepted a man who had landed at Delhi airport from Riyadh around 1 am from Terminal 3. The man had come to Delhi from Riyadh via Bahrain. He was requested to cooperate for a detailed search. As we passed his baggage through the X-ray scanner, we spotted something suspicious. We found two emergency lights in it. When we opened the lights, we found eight gold bars concealed in each of it. The gold bars weigh 1.8 kg and are worth Rs 60.17 lakh. The gold was seized and the man was arrested, said Amandeep Singh, additional commissioner, Customs, Delhi airport. Another officer, who is probing the matter, said during questioning, the man said he had been handed over the bag by a man in Riyadh. He said he was told that someone would meet him in Delhi to receive the bag. He hails from Muzaffarnagar in UP and was a carrier. He was offered a share of the profit. His name cannot be revealed as investigations to trace his contacts in Delhi are underway, the officer said. Elaborating on Sundays interception, Singh said, We recovered 3,62,000 yen, 2,042 Kuwait dinar, 2,140 Bahrain dinar, 4,555 Omani riyal, 4,905 euros, 7,000 Qatari riyal and 12,725 US dollars. The foreign currency is worth Rs 33,51,441. Last Tuesday, Customs had arrested a woman after recovering four gold bars weighing 2 kg from her bag. The woman had landed in from Bangkok and the gold was valued at Rs 64.34 lakh. Two days after the decomposed bodies of an elderly couple were found inside their flat in south Delhis East of Kailash, police on Monday said they were murdered by their masseuses 17-year-old son on January 18. Police said they have apprehended the boy and arrested his 50-year-old mother, who was in the couples employment for seven years, in the case. The motive for the murder, police said, was robbery. After 77-year-old Virender Kumar Khaneja and 72-year-old Sarla Khaneja were found dead, with the womans hands bound, inside their locked house with no sign of forced entry or ransacking, police initially suspected that it may have been a suicide pact. However, as Hindustan Times reported earlier, a few questions had remained answered why did the masseuse not inform anyone after the couple failed to answer her knocks for around a week, and why the safety latch of an entry door was unlatched. Also, after January 18, there was no CCTV footage of the masseuse coming to the complex, police said. These, an investigator had said, prompted them to suspect her. Questioning of the masseuse and CCTV footage from Mount Kailash apartments, where the couple lived on the ninth floor, led them to suspect that the teenager committed the murder. Deputy commissioner of police (southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said the 17-year-old spent almost 24 hours inside the flat, during which he killed the couple, stole cash and jewellery, and made several arrangements to pass it off as suicides. The questioning of the juvenile led to the recovery of around Rs 9 lakh in cash, jewellery, camera, wallet, the couples phones, and other valuables from his Sangam Vihar house, said Biswal. The masseuse told us that a few days ago, she had seen a lot of cash in the couples house and planned the robbery with her son. Her police verification was done by the apartments resident welfare association in 2017. Police said that CCTV footage from the apartment complex prompted them to probe the role of the masseuse and her son. The woman and son were questioned and confronted with evidence after which they admitted to the crime, said police. On January 18, a police officer associated with the case said, the masseuse reached the couples flat for work around 11am and deliberately left both doors to the flat an iron and wooden one open. Her son arrived around 11.30am and discreetly entered the flat. The teenager allegedly hid himself in one of the bedrooms, while his mother left the home around noon. Around 2.30pm, dressed in his formal suit, Virender Khaneja went out for some work and Sarla locked the door after him. Around half-an-hour later, the juvenile went to her bedroom and overpowered her, said the officer. He tied her hands with a cloth and demanded to know where the cash and valuables were kept. When she told him that only her husband knew where they were, he strangled her using another cloth and left her there, said the officer. Around 8.30pm, Virender returned. When his wife did not respond to the doorbell and his phone calls, he let himself in using a spare key. The teenager overpowered him and threatened to kill him if he refused to tell him the location of cash and jewellery, the officer said. The man panicked and gave him the keys to the cash box. The boy then strangled Virender. Both bodies were found on either side of the bed in the bedroom with some naphthalene balls around them. The teenager spent the night in the flat and left with the cash and jewellery the next morning. The boy allegedly also made away with jewellery from the womans body. Next day morning, the boy was seen on CCTV leaving the flat with a trolley bag that contained cash and other valuables, the police said. The boy allegedly also told police that he stole the couples mobile phones in the hopes of using their bank cards and the one-time password to withdraw money. We are waiting for the couples autopsy reports to ascertain the exact cause of deaths. The teenager told us that he killed them because they knew him and he feared that sparing them would led to his arrest. His claims are being verified, said Biswal. The couple had been registered in the Delhi Polices programme for senior citizens, which included regular visits from the police to check on their safety. Their bodies were found on January 26 after their distant relative from Gurugram called the police control room and informed them that the couple was missing and their phone numbers unreachable. Chinas top trade negotiator arrived in Washington as the worlds top two economies prepare for high-stakes trade talks, Chinese state media said Tuesday. The large delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He and including the head of the central bank arrived Monday as a US Justice Department indictment against top Chinese tech firm Huawei was unsealed, possibly complicating the discussions. Beijing and Washington have a month remaining on a truce - declared in December by Donald Trump and Xi Jinping - that delayed a hike in tariffs on hundreds of billions in Chinese exports economists say could further damage an already-faltering global economy. Trump will meet with Liu during the two-day talks, which are slated to open Wednesday, US officials said, as pressure mounts on both sides to reach a deal, with China in particular struggling with stuttering growth. Also read | Oil falls on increased US rig count, China industrial slowdown While there have been contradictory reports on the chances of success for the negotiations, global equities have been risen in recent weeks on hopes the two will reach some sort of deal. Chinas negotiating team includes central bank chief Yi Gang, Vice Finance Minister Liao Min and Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang, among other high level officials, official state news agency Xinhua reported. But the gathering comes days after the US Justice Department unveiled sweeping charges against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou -- also the daughter of the companys founder. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said on Monday the indictments were wholly separate from our trade negotiations with China. However, he added: Commerce will continue to work with our interagency partners to protect US national security interests. Also read | US professor removed after she urges students not to speak in Chinese Kangana Ranauts sister, Rangoli Chandel, and the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Prasoon Joshi, have stood up in defence of the actor, who has been accused yet again of having hijacked a film from the director. Raja Krishna Jagarlamudi, co-credited as the director of Kanganas latest film, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, has been making press rounds, recounting the behind-the-scenes story of what transpired on the film. He says after disagreements with Kangana over certain aspects of the film, he was removed from the process and Kangana stepped in to reshoot portions of the film. They dispute each others claims as to how much of the final film has been shot by the other. Kangana says shes shot over 70% of the film, while Krish says her contributions are more limited. Kangana hasnt only given an outstanding performance shes also elevated the film to another level thru her Direction n commitment.Let not any controversy take that away from her. Its been a tough journey n am all fr celebrating everyones contribution. Heres 2team #Manikarnika, Prasoon, who in addition to serving as CBFC chief has also penned the films dialogues and lyrics. Kangana hasnt only given an outstanding performance shes also elevated thefilm toanother level thru her Direction n commitment.Let not any controversy take that away from her. Its been a tough journey n am all fr celebrating everyones contribution. Heres 2team #Manikarnika Prasoon Joshi (@prasoonjoshi_) January 28, 2019 Kanganas sister, Rangoli, also took to Twitter to continue her tirade against Krish. Everything from clapboards to technicians are on record no need to worry krish ... it will take 10 mins for your bubble to burst, she wrote. A day previously, shed written, Everything from clapboards to technicians are on record no need to worry krish ... it will take 10 mins for your bubble to burst @DirKrish Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) January 28, 2019 Rangoli alleged that Krish refused to take the teams call and Kangana was left with the responsibility of having to oversee the films 2500 VFX shots, background music and sound in two months. She further alleged that the primary post-production team has never even met Krish, and was hired by Kangana when she took over. She wrote that when the studio saw the cut Krish turned in, they refused to put their name on the film. With Kanganas permission, Rangoli wrote that she is officially declaring that her sister shot 70% of Manikarnika. Also read: Kangana Ranaut was always rude, said my version of Manikarnika looked like a Bhojpuri film, says director Krish The film has posted strong opening weekend numbers. Manikarnika made Rs 42 crore in its first three days of release. Follow @htshowbiz for more Education is a slow moving area of public policy, and setbacks in its progress demand considerable effort and patience for recovery. In all three states of the Hindi belt, where the recent assembly polls brought in a change of regime, education has suffered a long and steady neglect. The systemic capacity is low, both for introducing new solutions and for sustaining their pursuit. What is worse, these and other states of the Hindi belt have been vulnerable to the attraction of quick fixes. Myopic perspective sits well with political opportunism, so successive governments have pursued populist priorities. While gimmicks like free laptops do not last and tinkering doesnt help, radical solutions dont work either, simply because the system is too sick to allow a drastic treatment. The Vyapam scam was a manifestation of this wretched situation. On the surface, it looked like a story of corruption, but deep down, Vyapam reflected a hollowed out system. Corruption in education seldom hits the heights it did in the Vyapam scam. Both its scale and modus operandi were unprecedented. Although its nerve centre was the state capital Bhopal, its roots and fruit were spread out in almost every district. Vyapam was a case of rampant fraud in entrance tests for professional courses. Cover up of the fraud brought in a series of mysterious deaths. More than 40 people, including students, touts, journalists and academics, associated in diverse ways with the Vyapam story, vanished inexplicably. Investigation proved difficult and remained sluggish. No death has so far been found to be a suspected murder worth a criminal inquiry. That a fresh inquiry is being ordered in one of the many exams for government jobs arouses little hope that the larger contours will be traced with rigour. Inquiry into past mishaps may be useful, but fresh beginnings are more important. Distress in villages has played a major role in the political change these states have witnessed. The burden of loans and poor recovery of investments are among the more widely known features of rural distress. Education and health infrastructure are in appalling shape in the countryside. The gains made in enrolment in primary classes have proved to be of limited value because of serious shortage of worthwhile secondary and post-secondary education. Indeed, many of the gains made under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have been frittered away. In Rajasthan, the provincial textbooks have been used to promote bigotry and hatred. In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the same goal has been pursued by informal means introduced in schools through executive orders. The new governments will have to proceed with cautious despatch towards substantial readjustments in policies. A crucial readjustment needs to be made in teacher recruitment and service conditions. MP and Chhattisgarh have a vast army of vulnerable, underpaid teachers. They will expect the new regimes to address their justified grievances before the start of the next academic session. In Rajasthan, too, vacancies have mounted to hurtful levels. The previous government ignored all criticism and protests, including one launched by the children themselves. The new dispensation can hardly afford a delay in showing sensitivity. Public universities and colleges across all three states, where new governments have taken over, need immediate attention on several fronts, starting with faculty appointments and revamping of admission procedures and pedagogic routines. MPs Vyapam scam was not merely a story of pervasive corruptibility, it also reflected incompetence. Conducting mass entrance tests has become technically routinised in our country, creating the impression that all is going well. The fact is that the process of admission to professional courses is now fully compromised in favour of students who undergo private tuition. The convenient multiple choice question (MCQ) method of testing has drained what little room there was in our education system for recognising genuine interest in a field. Having suffered the ignominy of Vyapam, MP can steer itself in a new direction, paving the way for the rest of India. This new direction will allow diverse kinds of talent, including those specific to underprivileged rural students, to be factored in for selection for higher learning. Restoring dignity to higher education in the humanities and social sciences is another priority all the three states must attend to. Subjects in these areas nourish the qualities that a vitiated social ethos has lost. MP had started a major project of this kind at Sanchi University. Although it was set up to create alternative learning spaces, this ambitious project never took off. Let us hope it now serves as a nursery of redemptive seeds. Krishna Kumar is former director, NCERTThe views expressed are personal A violent biker gang took over Crossroads Grill in Alexander County on Sunday as part of the shoot for the trailer of an upcoming film. The film, titled A Knight to Remember, is expected begin filming in Catawba County this summer, said Beverly Brock, a talent agent involved with the production of the trailer. The film, which features some actors from the Hickory area, is about a Vietnam veteran who goes to rescue a waitress kidnapped from a diner by a biker gang, Brock said. The trailer is expected to be completed within the next four weeks and is intended for investors in the film, Brock said. Kevin Griffin is the City of Hickory reporter at the Hickory Daily Record. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Davidson woman was found shot to death in Salisbury after leaving a Statesville motel early Sunday morning, according to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. The victim was identified in a press release on Sunday as 25-year-old Lakyn Jade Bailey of Davidson. She would have turned 26 on Monday. The sheriffs office said it is investigating the shooting as a murder. Salisbury Police responded to a report of a shooting victim at the Country Cupboard Store on Statesville Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to a news release. Bailey was found dead in the vehicle, which a friend of hers had been driving, according to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. The release stated that police determined the incident likely happened outside of Salisbury city limits, and alerted the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. Detectives with the sheriffs office arrived on the scene, along with agents from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, according to the release. A second release issued Monday said detectives found Bailey was staying at a motel in Statesville and was allegedly involved in the sale of illegal drugs. The release didnt say which motel Bailey was staying at. Uniontown, PA (15401) Today Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to partly cloudy skies this afternoon. High 86F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) The military has named a brother of a slain Abu Sayyaf leader as one of the suspects in the Jolo, Sulu blasts which killed 22 people on Sunday. The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said a certain "Alias Kamah" was seen in closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel explosions. Alias Kamah belongs to an Abu Sayyaf group with more than 10 members. Their motive is "to get even" after Alias Kamah's brother was killed in August 2018, AFP WesMinCom Spokesperson Col. Gerry Besana said. PNP Chief Dir Gen. Oscar Albayalde said Kamah is a known member of the Abu Sayyaf sub-group "Ajang-Ajang," which recruits young men to be part of the rebel group. Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano describes Ajang-Ajang as an urban terrorist group that runs errands and provides support to Abu Sayyaf fighters. The AFP also dispelled rumours that the blast was a suicide bombing, and confirmed that a woman left the explosives in the bag inside the church. But Ano contradicted that on Tuesday, saying suicide bombing could not yet be ruled out. "We found out the bomb signature. And the CCTV footage itself provided that the instance when the one who triggered the bomb is there, it's really 100 percent now that the bomb was remotely detonated," Besana said. He added these suicide bombing claims are "propaganda" of extremist groups. Islamic terrorist group ISIS has claimed responsiblity for the carnage. Ano claims the death toll has risen to 22 as of Tuesday morning but police and military claim 21 died in the attack. Another 97 people were injured, the PNP added. The Bureau of Immigration (BI), in a statement Tuesday, said it has placed on heightened alert its personnel in international airports and seaports nationwide to thwart the possible entry of foreign terrorists in the wake of the bomb attack. Metro Manila Police Chief Guillermo Eleazar also placed the entire force under him on full alert status as a "precautionary measure" but said the National Capital Region faces no imminent threat. Saudi Arabia, OIC condemn attacks The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned the attack, saying the nation reaffirms its position "which rejects all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism." "We extend our condolences to the families of the victims, and to the government and the people of the Republic of the Philippines, and we wish those affected a speedy recovery," a statement issued Sunday read. Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also slammed the blasts. "The OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen expressed his deep indignation at the terrorist attack and conveyed the solidarity of the OIC with the people of the Philippines. He offered his sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this vicious act, and wished quick recovery to the wounded," he said. The OIC is a 57-member international body composed of Muslim nations. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit St. Joseph, MI (49085) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Strong thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. The Associated Press The Herald-Mail By The Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. The West Virginia Senate bypassed a key committee Monday in advancing major education legislation as a union official declined to rule out mobilizing a teacher protest for the second time in a year. The Republican-led Senate approved a rare motion by voice vote to skip the finance committee and instead let the entire Senate consider the bill. Among other things, the bill would create public charter schools, increase elementary school class sizes in public schools, establish savings accounts for families to pay for private school and require teachers to sign off annually on union dues. Supporters of the bill said it seeks to improve student performance, but others said the bill is payback for last years strike. The 144-page bill, which doesnt have a cost estimate, was approved Friday by the Senate Education Committee, a little more than 24 hours after it was unveiled. Teachers unions and other groups oppose it, saying they were left out of its drafting. Some said the bill is retaliation for the teachers strike, a notion contested by Republican Senate President Mitch Carmichael. Carmichael has said a main intent of the bill is to improve student test scores and performances. Theres not a retaliatory bone in anyones body here, Carmichael said Monday. What we are doing is providing education for the next generation of West Virginians. Its incredibly important. Senate Democratic Leader Roman Prezioso said in a statement that Mondays procedural move ignores the democratic process, and the bill is a slap in the face aimed at teachers and school service personnel to punish them for standing up for their rights last year. Asked if another walkout is possible, West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee said Monday, Everything is on the table. Katrina Minney, an English teacher at Sissonville (W.Va.) High School, said teachers need to be a part of the discussion. This bill is going to hurt our students, she said. It hurts public education. And yes, it affects teachers as well. Were going to do whatever we have to do. Hopefully, that will be coming to the table and talking with these lawmakers. I dont know why they decided to leave West Virginia teachers out of this. But it would definitely be useful, and I think make a lot more sense, to include them. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said earlier this month that he opposes charter school legislation and wants to keep public education a centerpiece. A spokesman for the governors office didnt immediately return a message seeking comment on the bill. If the governor has expressed opposition to particular components of the bill, thats his prerogative, Carmichael said. West Virginia teachers won a 5 percent pay raise after a nine-day strike last year. Another 5 percent raise is included in the current bill. Matthew Umstead mumstead@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. A resolution that calls on the West Virginia Division of Highways to update its study on the costs and benefits of extending a four-lane section of W.Va. 9 from Martinsburg to Berkeley Springs, W.Va., while bypassing Hedgesville cleared its first legislative hurdle toward adoption Monday. House Concurrent Resolution 8, sponsored by Berkeley County Republican Dels. Larry D. Kump, Tom Bibby, John Hardy, Eric Householder and S. Marshall Wilson, was referred to the House Rules Committee after being taken up by members of the House Technology and Infrastructure Committee. During the committees brief consideration of the resolution, Kump and other bill sponsors gave no indication that they objected to an amendment to the resolution that would expand the scope of work requested to include a study for extending W.Va. 9 from Berkeley Springs to the Keyser, W.Va., area by way of a super, two-lane highway. Kump, whose district also includes part of Morgan County, told fellow committee members Monday that the two counties he represents are his primary concern, but he didnt object to the amendment to the resolution, for which he is lead sponsor. Passage of concurrent resolutions introduced in the House or state Senate require adoption by both chambers of the Legislature. The 60-day legislative session ends March 9. As introduced, the resolution noted that increased intrastate travel will promote tourism, reduce traffic congestion, increase safety and promote economic growth within the state, and asked the commissioner of the highways division to update a previously conducted preliminary engineering study and report findings, conclusions and recommendations to lawmakers no later than Jan. 1, 2020. The introduction of the resolution comes after leaders in Berkeley and Morgan counties and municipal officials in Hedgesville called on state transportation officials in December to make improvements to W.Va. 9, citing increasing congestion and safety concerns. The Hedgesville Town Council has voted in support of a bypass around the small Berkeley County community, where residents experience congested traffic conditions on W.Va. 9 as the road winds through the municipality of about 300 residents. Berkeley County Council members told West Virginia Transportation Secretary Tom Smith in a Dec. 20 letter that the traffic congestion has resulted in hazardous traveling for school buses servicing the Hedgesville school campuses, as well as commuters traveling to and from their homes. Staff reports The Herald-Mail SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. Heidi Hanrahan, a professor in Shepherd Universitys Department of English and Modern Languages, is one of five finalists for the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia 2018 Professor of the Year. Hanrahan was nominated by the university based on her achievements in teaching and her involvement on campus and in the community. We are thrilled that Dr. Heidi Hanrahan has been named a finalist for 2018 West Virginia Professor of the Year, Shepherd Provost Scott Beard said. As a strong scholar, prize-winning, outstanding teacher and adviser, and caring, contributing member of the university and surrounding community, Heidi was a natural choice. Her passion for teaching and helping students achieve their potential is evident in every course or project she works with. She creates an intellectually stimulating environment, one in which students recognize her engaging teaching style. Her teaching evaluations note that shes a star. We couldnt agree more. Besides teaching English and literature classes, Hanrahan is advisor to Sigma Tau Delta English honor society, works with students on capstone projects, and helps them present at conferences and publish their work. She also works during summer advising and registration sessions. Sometimes, I will meet a student when they are here as juniors in high school for open house, then Ill meet them again when they register as incoming freshmen, and Ill work with them as they move through the curriculum and see them graduate, she said. Being a part of all of those phases of their time at Shepherd is something I really love and take pride in. This is a job that I feel so lucky to have. It energizes me to work with students this way. Hanrahan has taught many different courses, and estimated she has touched the lives of at least 1,500 students since she started teaching at Shepherd in 2007. That personal involvement is one of the best parts of being at Shepherd, she said. We get to work with great students, my colleagues are terrific, the staff is wonderful and we have such a special relationship with the Shepherdstown community. Some of my recent work has really tried to connect what we do in the classroom and in our scholarship with the community. Hanrahan has helped organize events such as a poetry festival involving high school students and a panel discussion to commemorate Frankenstein at age 200. She has appeared on local radio talk shows discussing Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, and worked with Carrie Messenger, associate professor of English, to organize a Jane Austen tea party. Hanrahans goals as a teacher are to see students succeed academically and develop good reading, writing and critical-thinking skills. If they can do that, they will succeed in any career path they choose, she said. I also want students to really feel a love of literature that they will take with them beyond the classroom, and I want them to think about how what we do in the classroom connects to the outside world. Jennifer Fitch waynesboro@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. A man accused of killing his friend during a night of drinking and horseplay wants jurors to not hear his police interview. Kevin H. Gryp, 28, is charged with criminal homicide in the June 15 death of 27-year-old Donald D. Clark Jr., whom Gryp told investigators was his best friend of 10 years. Gryp claimed the two were mixed-martial-arts fighting in a Mercersburg, Pa.-area home when Clark passed out in a chokehold. Franklin County (Pa.) Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeremiah Zook heard arguments Monday on whether Gryp knowingly waived his Miranda rights during a police interview. Sarah Ikena, Gryps public defender, claimed her client was too inebriated to waive the rights and give voluntary statements. An assistant district attorney presented video recordings that he said show Gryp responding to questions as would be expected. Some of the discussion in court involved how some people have a greater tolerance for alcohol. I dont equate blood-alcohol content with intoxication, Zook said. Zook didnt yet rule on whether the police interview will be admissible at trial. A breathalyzer test recorded Gryps blood-alcohol content at 0.212 percent at about midnight. That level is nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08 percent in Pennsylvania. At about 5 a.m. June 16, a blood test recorded Gryps blood-alcohol level at between 0.16 percent and 0.17 percent. Clark was found dead on the floor of the garage when police arrived at 7570 Robinson Road in Montgomery Township, Pa. Gryp called 911 just before midnight that night and said he just killed his brother. A coroner found Clark died of blunt-force trauma to the neck. In the police interview, Gryp said the two were lifting weights at about 5 p.m. as they started their evening together. He said he is an alcoholic who gets level when he drinks and more resembles a sober person. Im not OK when Im sober, he said in the police interview recording. Trooper Charles Christopher testified there was an overwhelming smell of gasoline in the house when he arrived. He said Gryp later changed out of clothes that reeked of gasoline. I gave him instructions to get out of the (kitchen) chair and get on the ground. Once he was on the ground, I put him in handcuffs, Christopher testified Monday. Joyce F. Nowell jnowell@herald-mail.com GREENCASTLE, Pa. Four school districts in Franklin County, Pa., and one in Fulton County, Pa., will receive a boost to computer-science education through a state grant program. The Chambersburg Area, Greencastle-Antrim, Tuscarora, Waynesboro Area and Southern Fulton school districts are among 221 in Pennsylvania to be named recipients of part of $20 million targeted to bring high-quality computer science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education to schools and professional development for teachers. Were really happy that were receiving that money and well be learning more about that opportunity over the next few months, said Dwight Bard, director of technology for the Greencastle-Antrim School District. The grant program grew out of a state task force of business, labor, education and workforce-development leaders that estimated 300,000 STEM jobs will be available in the state by 2026. Out of that projected demand, Pasmart was launched to invest in Pennsylvanias existing and future workforce. The following schools are being covered by the grant: Chambersburg Area both middle schools and 13 elementary schools Greencastle-Antrim primary, elementary and middle schools Tuscarora James Buchanan Middle and St. Thomas Elementary schools Waynesboro Area middle school and four elementary schools Southern Fulton junior/senior high and elementary schools The grants are meant to fund teams of educators who would like to be trained on ways to implement computer science in their classrooms. The program will include follow-up funding to purchase products and equipment after the training. A third of the grant will go toward training and education, and two-thirds toward resources, curriculum resources, hardware and software, Bard said. Some of our teachers will be going for that training over the next few months. Gov. Tom Wolf said the funding commitment ranks Pennsylvania second in the country for investments in kindergarten-to-12th-grade STEM education and computer science. Over the next decade, seven in 10 new jobs in Pennsylvania will require workers to use computers and new technologies in a constantly changing economy, Wolf said in a news release. With these grants, more students will get the skills they need for emerging high-demand jobs. Through these investments, we are building a well-trained workforce that will meet the needs of employers, strengthen the middle class and grow the economy for everyone. Bard said state officials expected around 150 applicants for the competitive grants, but received about 250. Another part of the Pasmart initiative will be announced soon in the form of funding for science and technology education, apprenticeships and job training, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Julie E. Greene julieg@herald-mail.com The Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association is asking the county commissioners to start phase two of a firefighting staffing plan that calls for paid full-time firefighters to assist the countys volunteer stations. The vote by the associations 26 fire and EMS companies on Thursday to endorse a recommendation for full-time firefighters was unanimous, association President Bob Moncrief said Monday. Moncrief said he doesnt expect to address the commissioners publicly until at least Feb. 5, but things need to move pretty quick because the county is in the middle of its budget process. Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co. President Gary Farrell said the unanimous vote validates the necessity for qualified paid staffing and assistance with individual stations. In December, Funkstown voted to request phase two, which calls for the county to provide enough firefighters to provide one paid firefighter around the clock for each volunteer station. Community Volunteer Fire Company Inc. of District 12 in Fairplay followed suit this month. Phase two would require 60 full-time firefighters to provide four firefighters per fire station, Emergency Services Director R. David Hays said. The county probably could use volunteers and part-time paid staff to cover vacations and sick time. Hays said his division will update the cost of phase two, which in October 2017 was estimated at $4.2 million. The request from the association will lead to extensive conversations, including which companies need immediate help, which can wait until next year, and looking at those costs, Hays said. Some of that will be buffered against what the commissioners authorize financially, he said. We would struggle to hire 60 firefighters at one time, Hays added. Moncrief said phase two will be very expensive. But the publics not supporting us very well to start with. Most volunteer companies are lucky if they get a 15 percent return on their annual fund drive. Low returns have been steady in recent years, he said. People are moving here from other areas where they expect fire and EMS protection and public safety, in general, to come out of their taxes, District 12 President Jeb Eckstine said. While neighboring Berkeley County, W.Va., and Frederick County, Md., have a fire tax or provide government funding for full-time firefighters, thats not happening in Washington County, Eckstine said. Washington County hired eight full-time firefighters last year for its special operations unit. That allowed the county to create a pool of part-time paid firefighters to assist volunteer companies who need a shift covered. So far, eight volunteer companies have used those part-time paid firefighters. Commissioners President Jeff Cline, a Realtor, said before Tuesdays board meeting that he was sharing sales advice about fundraising with several emergency responders on Friday when the multivehicle crash occurred on Interstate 70 and the responders left for the call. Volunteer and career emergency responders were prepared to handle such an incident, but would they have had the resources to respond to a second or third major incident at the same time, Cline asked. Cline noted Funkstown fire companys fund drive and that only 15.5 percent of addresses in the fire district had responded. If everyone in that district gave $1 a week, that would be more than $400,000 to help that fire company solve some of its budget needs such as meeting the demands associated with more emergency calls, Cline said. Cline said he wasnt calling for a fire tax or fee yet, but there needs to be more funding from all sources to help emergency responders. Weve heard their call. Its time for us to respond, he said. During the meeting, Cline called for a series of town hall meetings, involving emergency responders, to raise awareness about public safety costs, services and needs for the future. Effect of fewer volunteers Fire companies across the country have had dwindling numbers of volunteers for years. Decreasing volunteerism is not unique to the fire service; many churches have seen memberships and general volunteerism drop, Eckstine said. With fewer volunteers and fewer hours available from remaining volunteers, several companies struggle to cover shifts 24/7 even with firefighters they paid from their own budgets. Potomac Valley Fire Co. was the example used when the commissioners heard the initial public pitch for the multiphase firefighter staffing plan in the fall of 2017. Potomac Valleys failure to respond to calls, or to get out in a timely manner, led to the association reviewing the companys situation. After the commissioners suspended Fairplay Volunteer Fire Co. the previous iteration of District 12 in July 2012, a threshold was established that leads to a company review. When a fire company has a failure rate of at least 5 percent in two consecutive quarters or in two quarters within a two-year period, the review process is initiated, Hays said. A failed response is when a firetruck doesnt leave the station within 10 minutes of being dispatched, or doesnt leave at all. If a company doesnt leave within 5 minutes, its late and another company is dispatched. Potomac Valley had failure rates in 2016 and 2017 that triggered the review process, Hays said. District 12, activated in October 2016, will undergo a review after having failure rates of 5.1 percent in the second quarter of 2018 and 5.0 in the third quarter, Hays said. Its failure rate improved to 4.4 percent at the end of the year. Nobodys trying to mask the difficulties theyre having. ... Theyre being open and honest about it, Hays said of the fire companies. The volunteers arent telling us they cant do it. Theyre just telling us they cant do it alone anymore, he said. In response to the higher failure rates, Potomac Valley hired its own paid firefighters, Fire Chief Roger Otzelberger Jr. said. But that wasnt enough, so its been one of the eight companies using the countys paid part-time firefighters. The county program began last March. Hopefully the commissioners can move forward with supporting full-time paid firefighters, Otzelberger said. The review process involves verifying data, talking to company officials about what led to the failure rates, finding out what the company is doing to address it, and seeing how the county can help, officials said. Eckstine said District 12 is having difficulty staffing calls during the overnight transition. People who work dayside are getting ready to go to work and people who have night jobs arent home from their shifts yet. The fire company is looking at renovating some space to provide a bunk room for overnight staff. It could cost $15,000 to $20,000 to provide heat and air conditioning in that space, money the fire company doesnt have, he said. The fire company is still paying a county loan used to pay off debt from Fairplay Volunteers previous administration and to help with startup costs when District 12 became active, Eckstine said. District 12 is also still looking at paying the county to provide paid firefighters to supplement its volunteers, Eckstine said. The company would have to pay the county because it hasnt yet used its own budget to provide paid firefighters. Other companies that have been using the countys part-time paid firefighters were already funding their own paid firefighters. Dave McMillion davem@herald-mail.com HANCOCK Mayor Ralph Salvagno defeated Nigel Dardar in Monday's municipal election, according to Town Manager David Smith. The first-term incumbent collected 224 votes compared to 62 for Dardar, a former Hancock Town Council member. Also, Hancock Town Council member Tim Smith was re-elected with 169 votes and newcomer Roland Lanehart Jr., was elected to a second open council seat with 142 votes, Smith said. Council incumbent Levi Little lost re-election with 133 votes. Two other council candidates were David Kerns, with 85 votes, and Preston Hall, with 10 votes. Hancock mayors serve two-year terms and council members are elected to four-year terms. There are four council seats. The mayoral election was a rematch of 2017 contest between Salvagno and Dardar. In that race, Salvagno finished with 269 votes compared to 54 for Dardar. Salvagno, 63, said previously that an important priority will be hiring a town manager. On Jan. 9, David Smith announced his resignation after nearly 14 years on the job, offering no specific date. Salvagno, who is chief of staff at Meritus Medical Center, said it is not an easy job to fill because the person must be able to accomplish administrative and operational work. Dardar, 71, said the town manager should be a member of ICMA, which bills itself as "the world's leading association of professional city and county managers." Dardar said one of his major concerns is the number of motorists who drive through town while using cellphones. Maryland law prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving. Tim Smith, who was first elected to the council 12 years ago, said he has tried to be responsive to Hancock residents and their concerns and to be "up front and honest" in tackling the town's issues. Lanehart, who runs Roland's Garage and Used Cars in town, said he wants to focus on financial responsibility in town government. Lanehart said he knows what it takes to run a business in a small town with limited resources and funds. Don Aines daines@herald-mail.com A Hagerstown man charged with setting fire to a garage last summer told investigators he did so because he was upset over how the foreclosure on the property disrupted his family. Aleczander Dean Adams, 18, was brought to Washington County from Fort Huachuca, Ariz., to faces charges of second-degree arson and first-degree malicious burning for the July 1 fire. The fire happened in a detached garage at his former residence in the 17800 block of Virginia Avenue, according to a press release from the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office. Retired District Judge W. Milnor Roberts at first set a bond of $3,500, but decided to hold Adams without bond after Deputy States Attorney Joseph Michael told him of a grant-funded program through the county Sheriffs Office. He told Roberts that Adams could be held without bond, but might be released to something like home detention if the sheriffs office determines he is a low risk. That would let Adams or other defendants in the program accrue credit for being in custody while on pretrial supervision by the sheriffs office, according to Michael. Adams, whose address in the charging document was listed as Fort Sill, Oklahoma, is alleged to have set the garage at his former residence on fire using gasoline, the charging document said. The fire caused about $5,000 in damage to the two-story garage, the document said. Adams and other relatives arrived at the scene after the fire was reported. He told an investigator that he had been there earlier in the day to get some of his belongings and found a homeless man in the garage. He told the investigator the fire might have been set by the homeless man. However, the investigator reviewed security video from a nearby business that showed a male in dark clothing drive up to the house at 12:55 p.m. in the vehicle Adams was in when he came to the scene of July 1, the document said. The person went in and out of the house several times and walked back to the garage, before driving off at 1:22 p.m. Smoke was seen coming from the garage two minutes later, the document said. Adams told a U.S. Army investigator that he made up the homeless man story and set the fire because he was upset over the foreclosure on his familys home, the charging document said. By the time charges were filed, Adams was in basic training. Assistant Public Defender Lisa Havilland told the judge that Adams was in advanced individual training prior to coming back to Hagerstown. Havilland told Roberts that Adams thought he put the fire out before leaving the garage. Alexis Fitzpatrick afitzpatrick@herald-mail.com After a few years in operation, Bester Community of Hopes innovative approach to helping families on Hagerstowns south side is getting national recognition. On Jan. 15, the San Mar Family and Community Services initiative was honored with one of two Jim Casey Building Communities of Hope awards by Casey Family Programs, a Seattle-based national foundation dedicated to reducing the need for foster care. Casey Family Programs, along with the Washington County Department of Social Services and Fletcher Foundation, have supported Bester Community of Hope since it started in July 2016, when San Mar closed its residential programs. San Mar CEO Keith Fanjoy said the award was recognition for making a difference in childrens lives, but there is a lot to be done. He said the organization is on the right track. The work that weve been doing in the south side of the city of Hagerstown is complicated, and I think in many ways, its innovative in the way it tries to tackle issues like poverty and the social issues that occur in our communities, Fanjoy said. Its a holistic approach. In early 2014, Fanjoy said, San Mar began shifting away from its traditional child-welfare model, moving from treatment to prevention to improve the safety of children and their families. Although San Mars methods changed, he said its beliefs are the same. Fanjoy described Bester Community of Hope as an ongoing effort to help families earlier, so they wouldnt need residential-level services, such as placing children in foster care. It also is meant to figure out the secret ingredients for a family to be successful, so children can stay in their community, he said. [Working in peoples homes] is a small shift, but, obviously, theres a pretty massive implication there about what that means for the ultimate outcome for that child, Fanjoy said. We feel that long term, we can have better outcomes with kids if were able to serve them in the context of their family. Results have been encouraging. Bester Elementarys attendance has improved, according to Washington County Public Schools. The Maryland Center for Character Education named Bester Elementary as one of the 2017-2018 Schools of the Year. During the last fiscal year, the organization served 115 families, totaling about 200 people. Hundreds of children took part in low- or no-cost after-school activities. Some attended its block party and Babypalooza event. Jen Younker, the managing director of Bester Community of Hope, said the organization strives to empower community residents by giving them the tools and connecting them to services they need to sustain the neighborhoods they want. She said relationships within the community are the backbone to the organizations holistic approach. Bester Community of Hope is truly the people who live here and the people who work here, Younker said. Thanks to two grants received in 2018, Younker said, Bester Community of Hope can maintain and expand its offerings to Hagerstowns south end. According to a news release, the organization was awarded a $400,000 grant from the Maryland State Department of Education for its South End 21st Century Community Learning Centers to support expansion of free after-school programming and school-based supports at Bester Elementary. It also supports creating new after-school opportunities at E. Russell Hicks Middle School this year. The grant includes hiring 11 employees, including a director of 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a site coordinator to cover Bester Elementary and Hicks Middle, and eight part-time after-school support staff members. The release said that last year, San Mar got a grant by the Health Resources and Services Administration totaling $250,000 over five years for health care for Bester Elementary families and to create a new school-based health center at Hicks Middle this fall. As a part of the process, according to the release, partners Meritus Health, The Community Free Clinic of Washington County and Washington County Public Schools worked with San Mar to increase standards to become a certified school based health center under the Maryland State Department of Education umbrella. It says free acute health services will be available again at Bester Elementary soon. Bester Community of Hope recently moved to a new office at 356 Mill St. in Hagerstown. Ashley Travis University of Maryland 4-H Extension educator The summer of 2018 was not only filled with exciting 4-H events, such as camps and fairs, but marked the premier of the University of Maryland Extension 4-H Junior Research Academy at the University of Marylands Western Maryland Research and Education Center, or WMREC. The project is a collaborative effort between the Maryland small ruminant (sheep and goats) research team, comprised of University of Maryland Extension agricultural educators; 4-H educators; and faculty members from West Virginia University and Virginia State University. The team compared the growth, carcass characteristics and fertility traits of 61 lambs. Within the program, several youth had experiences unlike any before, as they were able to observe and learn about small-ruminant research. The goal of the 4-H Junior Research Academy was for youth to become involved in the scientific process in order for them to gain a better understanding of applied research, or field research. The sheep research project this year was a comparison of growth, carcass characteristics and fertility traits of rams, wethers and short-scrotum rams. The youth participating in the academy were able to watch the lambs being weighed and record data, observe carcass scanning, and assist with collecting data from libido and various reproductive testing. The youths also performed a literature review and explored other studies similar to this one, comparing the results. Once the reproductive portion of the project was completed, the youths created a research poster with the findings and entered it at the Maryland State Fair for the public to see. Thank you to Susan Schoenian and the Maryland small-ruminant team for their support of our young people and encouraging youths to pursue careers in animal science and research. I am excited about offering this opportunity to 4-H members across the state again this year. Those ages 15 to 18 may contact me at ashley90@umd.edu to apply. This year, an entrepreneurship program will be added. Those ages 13 to 18 will be working with a University of Maryland Extension finance specialist to develop their own business and marketing plan. Youth will learn about loan applications, business plan writing, finance management and marketing. The youths will be developing their own marketable product: a tanned sheep pelt. They will then sell the products at local farmers markets and holiday markets. The Washington County 4-H Youth Development Program is excited to continue offering youth unique and positive experiences, as well as new and innovative programs so youths continue learning and developing. Ashley Travis is the 4-H Extension educator for the University of Maryland Extension Office in Washington County. She can be reached at 301-791-1304 or by email at ashley90@umd.edu. The pharmaceutical industrys direct marketing to physicians, through free samples, meals, consulting and paid speaking engagements, has long been controversial. Government regulations emphasize disclosure of doctor-industry relationships; the industry has its own voluntary code of conduct. At its best, drug company marketing can enhance the medical communitys knowledge of new therapies. At other times, it can result in overpromotion of risky products. Two newly released documents illustrate the latter point. First, a study of overdose deaths due to prescription opioids between 2014 and 2016 shows an association between such deaths and direct-to-physician marketing. Specifically, the U.S. counties with the highest rate of marketing interactions with physicians also had the highest rates of prescription-opioid-related fatal overdoses, according to the study, which appeared in the medical journal JAMA Open Network. A fifth of family physicians received at least some emolument from opioid-makers during the study period. In the past, prosecutors declined to press charges against the volunteers who try to help by leaving water and canned food in the desert. But the four women, arrested in August 2017, were tried for the misdemeanor offenses of entering a refuge without a permit, abandoning personal property and, in the case of Hoffman, driving in a restricted area. In fact, prosecutors have broad discretion in deciding whether to press such minor charges just as they do in more consequential cases such as the manslaughter charge against Lonnie Swartz, the Border Patrol agent who killed 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez in October 2012. According to Swartz, he opened fire on the boy, shooting 16 times in what the agent said was self-defense, through the fence that divides the city of Nogales along the Arizona-Mexico border. He said the boy had been throwing stones at him across the frontier. Swartz was acquitted on second-degree-murder charges last spring, but the jury deadlocked on manslaughter charges. In a second trial, last fall, the jury also failed to reach a verdict on manslaughter. Last month, prosecutors declined to seek a third trial. While the aid workers seek to avoid prison time, Americans may well wonder about a system in which justice is rendered so perversely. BRISTOL, Tenn. The Summit Companies and Higher Ground Technologies will hold a ribbon-cutting and open house for a 10,000-square-foot business collaboration space tonight. The event, from 5-7 p.m., will show off the Summit and explain the membership program for the space, CoWork Bristol. The space will give entrepreneurs, businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Twin City access to meeting rooms, private offices, collaboration rooms, and open workspaces with state-of-the-art technology. Conference rooms are equipped with large flat screen TVs, advanced microphones, high quality cameras among other communications technology for teleconferences, webinars and remote meetings. The Summit is housed in the shared office building of the Summit Companies and Higher Ground Technologies at 1241 Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, Tennessee, which both companies moved into in early December. The space, itself, is a collaboration with the Summit Companies operating the facility and Higher Ground Technologies, an IT company, handling technology. A Dante, Virginia man was convicted on multiple charges, including murder, in a 2018 shooting of a Castlewood man. Larry Leon "Snake" Field, 69, of Dante, was convicted Tuesday on charges of felony murder, reckless handling of a firearm and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to a news release. The conviction came on the second day of his trial in Wise County Circuit Court. "This is a tragic case and a senseless act of violence," said Chuck Slemp, Commonwealth's Attorney for Wise County. "Mr. Field's behavior demonstrates an extreme disregard for human life. We are proud to bring a resolution to this case today and we hope that these convictions provide closure and justice for the victim's family." The charges stemmed from an incident on March 31, 2018. Fields and Mark Anthony Ward, 48, of Castlewood, were working together at a location behind the Dominion Virginia Power Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul. Security camera footage captured the entire altercation. According to the release, both men had been horse playing with one another while at work. At some point, Fields grabbed a loaded .22 revolver from his truck. He then removed it from the holster, pointed the gun and pulled the trigger, the release stated. Anderson, IN (46016) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. 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 Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email customercare@heraldandnews.com for help creating one. The property developer trying to build 500 homes at St Anne's Park in Raheny is confident his firm can prove Brent geese at the site will eat short grass elsewhere and this will allow the project to go ahead. Crekav Trading, which is part of Pat Crean's Marlet, has been in an ongoing battle to construct the houses on land used by St Paul's College for playing pitches. It was first approved in April by An Bord Pleanala (ABP), before that decision was referred to the courts, then back to ABP, who in June overturned their original decision. Central to the issue of permission was the presence of protected Brent geese on the site and Mr Crean's firm is challenging ABP's decision. A key to the case will be for the firm to scientifically prove that the Brent geese have another area to eat short grass if the site is developed, and Mr Crean said he was confident that will be done. "While we debate in court whether a goose will fly a little further to eat grass, homeless people are, literally, camping in tents on the perimeter of our site at St Paul's," Mr Crean told the Herald last night. "It is a shocking parallel." He has written to some councillors in the area highlighting the plight of homeless people in the area while the site remains undeveloped. Willing "We are ready and willing to build almost 700 houses and apartments at our sites at St Paul's in Raheny and Balscadden in Howth and in both cases the Labour Party on the ground has been leading the opposition to these schemes while refusing to engage with us," he said. "Our plans include provision for 70 social homes for families who remain on the lengthy list for social housing." Labour Party senator Aodhan O Riordain has helped to spearhead the campaign against the St Anne's Park project. He rejected the view that the geese issue was the only hurdle. "If he thinks that, he needs to go back and read the ruling," he said. Mr O Riordain also hit out at Mr Crean's reference to the homeless, pointing out his firm was a for-profit business and "not the Fr Peter McVerry Trust". "I would like to see how much he has donated to homelessness in the last number of years," he said. He previously hailed the decision by ABP to overturn the planning permission granted for the project. "If the campaigners had not taken judicial review proceedings, development would have started and the amenity would be lost forever," said Mr O Riordain at the time. "It's a day of massive relief after what was a day of despair when the permission was granted," he said. However, he also vowed to continue campaigning against the development. In an observation on the application, Dublin City Council chief Owen Keegan had recommended the board refuse planning permission before it was granted in April. A report said the site was a significant foraging ground for the internationally important population of Brent geese, and other protected species, including curlews, black-tailed godwits, black-headed gulls and oystercatchers. When the decision to grant permission was overturned, Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring welcomed the news. "The biodiversity of the entire coastal area around Dublin must be protected," he said. A Dublin woman has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges after a "malnourished" dog was allegedly found chained to a bathtub in her home. Nikita Somerville, of Peadar Kearney House, Railway Street, Dublin 1, will go on trial later this year. She appeared before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court yesterday, facing five counts under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 in connection with her pet Pomeranian dog. Evidence In an outline of the prosecution evidence, Judge Halpin heard that it was alleged a pet dog was discovered in her home chained to a bathtub by a garda attending the premises. The Pomeranian was examined and found to be malnourished, the court heard. Ms Somerville told the court she was pleading not guilty. Judge Halpin advised her to speak to a solicitor as the charge can attract a sentence of up to six months. He noted she was pleading not guilty and ordered that her trial would take place on a date in March. Ms Somerville was granted legal aid for a solicitor to represent her. She faces five charges for not keeping the brown Pomeranian in a manner to safeguard its welfare; for causing suffering to the pet; being reckless regarding its welfare, and not providing the animal with sufficient water or food. It was her second appearance on these charges. The case first came before the court when she was summonsed to appear last January 14. Care It was adjourned until yesterday for the court to witness what her attitude was toward the charges. The dog was put into the care of the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the court had heard. A conviction on the charges can result in fines of up to 3,000 per charge, as well as a sentence of up to six months. The court also has the power to ban a defendant convicted under the legislation from owning an animal. John Gilligan said he has been turning up to court since 1966 Notorious criminal John Gilligan has promised a judge "I wouldn't run" after being released on bail in the North. Gilligan (66), of Greenfort Crescent, Dublin, has been on remand in custody since last August after being arrested with 23,000 in a suitcase at Belfast International Airport. He was released on bail yesterday to an address in west Belfast. The charge is that the defendant, on August 23 last year, attempted to remove criminal property from the North. Proceed Gilligan appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' Court yesterday via video link from Maghaberry Prison, where a prosecutor said a decision had been taken to keep the case in the magistrates' court. The prosecutor said the directing officer in the case has now also made a decision to proceed on two charges, including the charge Gilligan had already been facing of attempting to remove criminal property and a new charge of possessing criminal property. The court heard Gilligan is denying the charges, and when told that the case was staying in the magistrates' court and not going to the crown court, District Judge Liam McNally said that "dramatically" changed the issue of bail. The prosecutor confirmed that if found guilty, the maximum sentence the accused could face would be six months. Gilligan had served five months on remand, the equivalent of a 10-month sentence. The prosecutor said investigators had concerns about the defendant "absconding", but Judge McNally said if Gilligan did not come back to court, the case against him would proceed in his absence and if convicted he could lose any bail and surety, along with the cash seized at the airport. The judge said it was unclear what the situation would be if a European Arrest Warrant had to be executed after the UK's scheduled Brexit on March 29. When told he was getting out on bail, Gilligan told the judge: "I will turn up for my case." Gilligan said he had been turning up for court cases "ever since 1966", and added: "I wouldn't run." The judge asked where the bail address would be, and Gilligan said he was not seeking to go to Greenfort Crescent, where he said he stayed with his sister. Instead, the court was told the bail address is in west Belfast. The prosecutor said police had concerns about the address, saying it was the home of the daughter of a friend of Gilligan's. Rent A defence lawyer said another bail address was submitted for Rogan Manor in Newtownabbey, and Gilligan's sister was willing to pay rent for that property. "I won't let you down judge, I never disrespect a court," Gilligan said. Judge McNally granted bail to the west Belfast address on the sum of 500 (575) along with an independent surety of 5,000 (5,750). Another condition of the bail arrangement was that Gilligan has to report to a police station in Belfast on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Adjourning the case to mid-February, the judge said he wanted to hear that the defendant had "kept his word" regarding returning to court. Ramunas Viscinis will have to fork out 5,550 A salon owner who brought consultants to Dublin to perform Botox fillers and lip injections has been fined for supplying unlicensed products. Ramunas Viscinis also obstructed officers from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) when representatives called in at his salon. Judge Dermot Dempsey fined Viscinis 1,000 and ordered him to pay HPRA expenses of 4,550. Viscinis, of Moda Donna, Main Street, Swords, faced offences under the Medicines Board Act, including obstruction of HPRA officers and advertising products, including Botox, without authorisation. Enforcement officer Alan Smullen told Swords District Court a woman was stopped at Dublin Airport on June 17, 2016, after she arrived from Lithuania, and was found with medicines unlicensed for the Irish market. She had a patient list for Moda Donna in Swords. On June 21, 2016, the HPRA searched Moda Donna and found products including lidocaine and adrenalinum, used in the administration of Botox. Aggressive These products were not authorised for the Irish market, the court heard. The HPRA returned to Moda Donna on August 4, 2016, where they told Viscinis they were seeking documents in relation to the supply of Botox, which is a prescription-only product. Viscinis claimed there were no documents on the premises and refused to hand over his laptop or mobile phone, said former HPRA enforcement officer Brenda Kirby. Viscinis became aggressive and the gardai were called, she said. Viscinis claimed he was a "medical tourism facilitator", and was only an employee of Moda Donna, which was owned by his parents. However, the HPRA said Viscinis was listed as a partner in Moda Donna, as per the Companies Registration Office. He claimed he had no involvement in buying medicines and doctors brought them from Lithuania. Annette Kealy, defending, said Moda Donna was now fully compliant with Irish regulations, was purchasing medicines from Irish pharmacies and using Irish-registered doctors. Guido Nasi has been in high spirits since booking the trip He was left paralysed, partially sighted, unable to feed himself and requiring round-the-clock care when he was mindlessly struck over the head with a bottle in Dublin 20 years ago. But brave Italian Guido Nasi said he'll be "fulfilling a dream" when he returns to the capital in the coming weeks. Guido (36), who had been a fun-loving and able-bodied teen, suffered irreversible injuries back in 1999 when he was the victim of an unprovoked and near-fatal assault in Dublin's Fairview Park. However, the Turin native, who had been enjoying his first-ever trip abroad when he was attacked, still harbours a deep affection for Ireland - and is now counting down the days to a week's holiday in Dublin in late March. Guido's mother, Simonetta (76), is also planning to join her son in Dublin - to fulfil a long-standing wish to thank the Irish public for its continued support for her only child. Bernadette Kelly, a Dublin-based former victim support volunteer who built up a close friendship with the Nasi family, said Guido had been in "high spirits" since booking his holiday to Ireland. "Guido has wanted to come back over for years," she said. "He's dreamed about it, but it just wasn't possible up to now because he wasn't well enough. But he's made some physical improvements lately. For example, he can now sit on the seat of a car, which he couldn't do before. "That's very important, because he will need to be driven around when he's over here. "Guido is no longer living with his mother. He's being looked after in a specialist care centre near the family home in Turin. Hobby "But it's made a big difference to his well-being, and he's also much improved mentally, and is keeping himself busy with studying and his new hobby, bowling. "So he's now booked to come over to Dublin in late March for a week, and he will be accompanied by his full-time carer. "He really can't wait to get over. It's keeping him going. "He had wanted to move over here permanently, but that is never going to happen because it would be just too complicated and unrealistic. "But coming over here for a holiday will be the next best thing." Bernadette also said that Simonetta is hoping to make it over too. "Simonetta hasn't been well lately and is still undergoing chemotherapy, so she's not in a position to commit to coming over just yet, but she would dearly love to," she said. "She still receives Christmas cards from Irish people every year, and she's said for years that she wants to come over to Ireland to thank all the people that have continued to support her since Guido was attacked." Meanwhile, a memoir, which wheelchair-bound Guido spent two years writing, is due to be released in October this year. The book - entitled Una Vita Spezzata, which translates as A Shattered Life - has been supported by a leading Italian publishing company. It is expected to revisit in detail the horrific day when Guido was left paralysed. In 2001, James Osbourne, then aged 31, from East Wall, Dublin, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years for the attack. He was released in May 2008. If you are old enough to remember the hit comedy movie of 1980, Caddy Shack, then you will recall that a gopher infestation was threatening a golf course in Nebraska. The somewhat deranged groundskeeper was tasked with getting rid of the pest. His efforts at eradication include shooting, f Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Management is expected to reach out and consult those affected by the redundancy, but some employees said they were already aware of the impending staff cuts as early as Thursday last week. It's been a long weekend of building dread and fear, a staff member told ABC News. Meanwhile, Brad Esposito, another BuzzFeed Australia employee, wrote on Twitter about the uncertainty of his employment within the company: So unsure about my future at BuzzFeed News for today. Will find out more in the future. But, hell, if youre hiring now would be the time to get in early. BuzzFeedOz correspondent Alice Workman said every member of her news team received redundancy letters, adding that it was part of the companys initiative to reduce its overall news footprint. BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti announced last week that they are looking to cut 15% of the news outlets workforce internationally. Press release Judy Loendorf and/or Steve Mulonet, service officers for Montana Veterans Affairs will be visiting the following locations and times to meet with veterans who are interested in applying for benefits. Veterans who are interested in applying for benefits should bring a copy of their discharge paperwork, DD214, with them. Friday, Feb. 8, Rocky Boy Rocky Boy Vet Center from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, Fort Belknap, IHS Conference Room, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. If bad weather exists on days of travel, people shouljd stay tuned to the local radio stations for updated information regarding the outreach schedule. Press release The Montana Trapping Advisory Committee will hold its fourth and final meeting Thursday, Jan. 31, and Friday, Feb. 1, in Great Falls at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks headquarters, 4800 Giant Spring Road. The meeting runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, and from 8 a.m. to mid-afternoon on Feb. 1. FWP assembled this citizens committee to provide recommendations that ensure population viability of trapped species, the humane treatment of animals and the minimization of social conflict. The committee represents the spectrum of opinions on trapping. During the meeting, members will complete and come to agreement on outcomes per the individual Important Questions and on recommendations related to the 2018 trapping regulations and 1999 Trapping Committee report; draft a recommendations document and agree on how recommendations will be presented to FWP; confirm remaining work for the committee; and, if necessary, lay out a calendar for that work. The committees charge is to present recommendations to FWP by March 30. FWP staff are not members of the committee but will provide information and technical assistance. The meeting is open to the public. The committee will hear public comment at noon on both days. Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will receive the Carnot prize for his contribution towards sustainable energy solutions, with a team from University of Pennsylvania coming here to felicitate him on January 30. The former power minister, who was to be awarded the prize by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design in October last year, had to skip the event because of the Amritsar tragedy in which over 60 people died after being mowed down by a train. The award recognises Goyal's tenure as minister of power in which he is credited to have "reformed" the electricity sector and extended access to electricity to 18,000 villages, as documented by the International Energy Agency. "Now as Minister of Coal and Railways, the Minster is courageously confronting the complexity of ending energy poverty while transitioning to clean energy," the president of the centre said in his message. "His work challenges all of us to consider what values justify the slow rate of U.S. transition to clean energy. We live in a world of common but differentiated responsibilities as we work to mitigate the energy system's impacts on the climate commons," the message added. -PTI Press release The St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group met Jan. 16 in Havre to discuss the repairing of the 100-year-old facility that diverts water from the St. Mary River into the Milk River. The SMRWG discussed the upcoming legislative session. Right now, the state is short of funding. In the past the Coal Trust Fund had yielded large volumes of revenue to address infrastructure need in the state. Now coal revenue is greatly reduced, and the state is looking for other streams of revenue. At this time the SMRWG did not see how it could find more money to operate. For now, the group will be using the remainder of the grant that was awarded in 2017. Bill LC0049 in the Montana Legislature would be a bonding bill for infrastructure needs in the state. Lawmakers have proposed to increase the bonding authority from $10 to $15 million for St. Mary/Milk River project. Additionally, a bill place holder exists to see if there could be language included in the old Department of Natural Resource cost share language to included that local contract holders in addition to the Federal Government could be qualified as the cost share recipients. This would create the dynamic to have either federal or local dollars trigger a cost share and thus release the bonding authority by the state. In congressional reports a staff member of Sen. Jon Testers office indicated that the senator is willing to submit a bill that would increase the federal cost share from 26 percent of the project to 75 percent of the project. The SMRWG recommended that he resubmit the bill and that it includes St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance assets along with Fresno and Nelson Reservoirs. It was noted that both Montana senators hold positions on the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senator Steve Daines is also on the Senate Finance Committee. In other business, the SMRWG sent in $3,000 membership dues to Montana Water Resources. This membership includes affiliation with National Water Resources as well. SMRWG will get support at the state level and national level with the membership. Hill County Sheriffs Office has released the name of a man arrested Friday in relation to a high-speed pursuit through Hill County and Havre. Josh Herrig of Havre, 23, was arrested Friday and was being held this morning in the Hill County Detention Center on $20,000 bond on suspicion of probation violation. Hill County Chief Deputy Cory Matkin said Monday that Herrig was on probation for a charge of criminal endangerment before Friday. Herrig was one of three people who were in the vehicle at the time of the pursuit, Matkin said, but the other two fled the scene on foot. Matkin said the investigation is still ongoing and Hill County Sheriffs Office has not apprehended the other two suspects. He said no sign that illegal substances are involved has been found at this time. Friday at 7:47 a.m., a deputy patrolling Bullhook Road noticed a four-door 2001 Hyundai Elantra that was reported stolen Jan. 25 from the 400 Block of 10th Avenue and attempted to have the driver pull over the vehicle. Matkin said the theft of the vehicle had been reported to the Havre Police Department. When the deputy attempted to pull over the vehicle, the driver fled and the deputy pursued. The pursuit entered city limits and ended on the 100 Block of 17th Avenue, where Herrig was arrested. The vehicle contained two other occupants who fled on foot. Havre Police Department assisted in the pursuit. Matkin said this case was only one of the recent cases of stolen property, such as vehicles, within the past month and people should remember to lock their vehicles and not leave the keys inside. According to the Hill County Sheriffs Office dispatch log and the Havre Police Department dispatch log, 10 calls in the past week have reported stolen vehicles from the Havre and Kremlin areas as well as Rocky Boys and Fort Belknap Indian reservations. Havre Police Department A 17th Street West caller reported Monday at 7:32 a.m. a 2006 black and purple Equinox was stolen sometime during the night. -- Someone stopped at the police station to report information on a stolen gun Monday at 11:43 a.m. -- Farrah Agnes Falcon of Havre, 41, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant Monday at 12:50 p.m. on 11th Avenue. -- A caller at a Montana Avenue business reported Monday at 12:54 p.m. finding two items of her stolen jewelry. -- A 12th Avenue caller reported Monday at 1:35 p.m. that a house that his grandson lives in was broken into and items stolen. -- Monday at 1:43 p.m. a 10th Street West caller reported a medical marijuana card was stolen. -- A caller reported Monday at 2:15 p.m. finding drugs in a 10th Street West parking lot. -- A caller on Ninth Avenue reported at 2:45 p.m. Monday that a package was stolen. -- A drug usage offense reported on First Street Northeast at 3:28 p.m. Monday was referred to the Tri-Agency Taskforce. -- A warrant for an arrest was served at Hill County Detention Center Monday at 4:10 p.m. -- Officers responded to a request for backup from Hill County Sheriff's Office Monday at 7:36 p.m. on seventh Street East. -- Officers reported a stolen vehicle was recovered on Third Street at 2:20 a.m. today. Hill County Sheriff's Office A caller on U.S. Highway 2 East reported a theft, forgery or fraud Monday at 9:41 a.m. -- Monday at 11:08 a.m., deputies were called to provide assistance at Box Elder School. -- A vehicle versus deer crash on County Road 860 Northwest reported Monday at 5:40 p.m. was referred to another law enforcement agency. -- Deputies requested backup at 7:36 p.m. Monday on Seventh Street East. Two people named as being involved in the case were listed in the detention center population list. Kristina Ralston was being held on a state District Court warrant for violation of conditions of release and charges of assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest. Kaleb Dobrenz was being held on charges of two counts of assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, obstructing justice and violation of conditions of release. No bail had been set for either person. -- Havre Fire Department requested assistance on the 1000 Block of Second Street Northwest. Havre Fire Department Emergency medical personnel responded to five calls Monday. -- Firefighters responded to a report of natural gas odor at 5:04 p.m. Monday on the 1000 block of Lincoln Avenue. NorthWestern Energy crews were also called in. An odor was detected and determined to be coming from a faulty appliance, so a repairman was contacted and the scene turned over to NWE. Havre Animal Shelter The Havre shelter this morning held two medium-hair cats, one short-hair cat, one long-hair 8-month-old kitten and two long-hair 6-month-old kittens all of unknown gender, one medium-hair female cat and four medium-hair male cats, as well as eight cats for its trap-spay/neuter-release program. -- The Havre shelter also held this morning a male miniature pinscher dog, a male American bulldog, two female mixed-breed dogs, a female Labrador retriever 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 female pug-Chihuahua dog. Births A girl was born Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, to Mercedes Springer and Clifford Lenhardt of Havre. Published on 2019/01/28 | Source Park Bo-gum from "Encounter" talked about working with Song Hye-kyo. Advertisement He said, "It was amazing working with her and she displayed her character of Cha Soo-hyeon so well. Thanks to her I was able to focus on my role as Kim Jin-hyeok". He also added that close friend and Song Hye-kyo's husband Song Joong-ki didn't say much about the drama yet. Many worried about the chemistry between the two actors because of their age gap. Park Bo-gum said, "Despite our age difference, we didn't feel a distance. We were both aware of our characters so it wasn't hard to click. I would like to ask on the other hand, if there wasn't any chemistry between us?" "Encounter" is a romantic drama about a woman who's never lived a life of her choice before and a man who is free-spirited. The drama ended on the 24th with a viewing percentage of 8.7%. Park Bo-gum played Kim Jin-hyeok, a young man who was raised under loving parents. He falls in love with Cha Soo-hyeon (Song Hye-kyo) he meets in Cuba and overcomes a love that goes through many obstacles. Haiti - Petit-Goave : Demonstration of the opposition against the expensive life Monday, January 28, the organizations, DELCO, BOD, KOD and the Collective of the young revolted who claim to be of the opposition https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26567-haiti-petit-goave-birth-of-the-movement-youth-in-revolt.html demonstrated in Petit-Goave, a plate and spoon in hand against the expensive life, asking President Moise to feed them while demanding his resignation. The protesters blocked the national #2 for 30 minutes without erecting barricades but walking very slowly along the entire road, forcing motorists to be patient or to take another route inside the city. In addition, the students of Lycee Faustin Soulouque, deprived of class since last January 14th, victim of a teachers' strike https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26770-haiti-petit-goave-teachers-will-not-go-back-to-the-classrooms.html have again won the streets and paralyzed school activities once again the heads of private schools has to retuen their students prematurely. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26770-haiti-petit-goave-teachers-will-not-go-back-to-the-classrooms.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26731-haiti-petit-goave-8-hours-of-demonstrations-and-violence-several-victims.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26724-haiti-petit-goave-activities-paralyzed-for-lack-of-fuels-and-student-demonstrations.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26672-haiti-petit-goave-violent-clashes-between-students-at-least-6-wounded.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26663-haiti-petit-goave-lycee-faustin-soulouque-closed-angry-students-demand-reopening.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26567-haiti-petit-goave-birth-of-the-movement-youth-in-revolt.html HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondant Petit-Goave) Haiti - Croix-des-Bouquets : 2nd pre-carnival Sunday without any incident The second pre-carnival Sunday of Croix-des-Bouquets was a real success. The crowd was even larger than the previous Sunday. DJ's David Pierre Geffrard aka "DJ Dave" and Stanley KERNIZAN aka "Soundley Mix" provided the atmosphere, on the course, from Fougy crossroad to arrive at Bon Repos, via the national road #1, from 7:00 pm to midnight. For the second time in a row, the human toll is zero dead and zero wounded. The Mayor of Croix-des-Bouquets, Rony Colin and Deputy Mayor Jean Jonas Saint-Juste, were also on the pavement to accompany the caravaneers who took the opportunity to wish a happy birthday to their mayor who was celebrating this January 27, a new spring. The Carnival of Croix-des-Bouquets will take place on 22, 23 and 24 February 2019, around the theme "Kwadebouke se ke m". See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26773-icihaiti-croix-des-bouquets-dj-s-soundley-mix-and-dave-takes-the-streets-this-sunday-january-27.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26736-icihaiti-croix-des-bouquets-carnival-logo-contest.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26725-haiti-croix-des-bouquets-1st-pre-carnival-sunday-zero-wounded-zero-deaths.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26699-icihaiti-croix-des-bouquets-members-of-the-organizing-committee-of-carnival-2019.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26692-haiti-culture-launch-of-the-3rd-edition-of-the-carnival-of-croix-des-bouquets.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26587-haiti-notice-logo-contest-2019-carnival-of-port-au-prince.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Summary of the parliamentary week According to the Citizen Observatory for the Institutionalization of Democracy (OCID), for the week of January 21 to 25, 2019, the Senate hold 2 plenary sessions (January 23 and 24) and the Lower House 1 session on January 22. Chamber of Deputies : On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, the new bureau of the Chamber attempted to gather the quorum after two roll calls. It was not until Thursday, 24, to bring together 64 deputies in the meeting room. The main items on the agenda of this session were the registration of political blocs, the formation of the special commission of accounts, the choice of deputies to represent the lower house in the bicameral commission of discharges and the formation of different standing committees. After the registration of the new majority political bloc of 65 deputies "Entente Parlementaire pour une Alternative Nationale" (EPAN) that replaces the former majority political bloc APH, the members of the office have not found the necessary serenity to continue the meeting and were forced to put it in continuation. Steering Committee of the new EPAN Political Block : Julmice Jacques (VERITE), President Exinord Hernano (INITE), Vice President Alsace HubertDieu (BOUCLIER), 1st Secretary Borgella Jean Wilfrid (PHTK), 2nd Secretary Ostin Pierre Louis (PHTK), Treasurer Asthene Jean (MOSANO), Councilor Rubes Jacquelin (KID), Councilor Franck Lauture (OPL), spokesperson. Note that on Wednesday 23, Gary Bodeau, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, through a correspondence addressed to the Executive, has returned the draft budget law 2018-2019, for non-compliance with the socio-economic reality, the law of May 4, 2016 and the obvious expectations of the Haitian population. Senate : For its part, the Senate tried to organize its first plenary session on January 23, a session that lasted only a few minutes, one of the 16 Senators present at the roll call slammed the door and reversed the quorum. The bureau adjourned the meeting and put it into continuation. On Thursday, January 24, 18 senators were present at the first roll call. This session allowed only 16 senators to continue with the vote of the bill on the manufacture, the commercialization, the detention, the control, the port and the use of firearms on the national territory. From Chapter V, Article 16, they voted 9 articles in this text before the quorum was overturned. In addition, the Senate Committee on Finance, Economy, Trade and Budget met Tuesday, January 22, 2019, the Economist Kesner Pharel in order to communicate to the commission its analyzes of the budget 2018-2019 and Friday 25 it spoke with Josue Merillien, the Coordinator of the National Union of Haitian Normalians to analyze the allocations granted to the education system through the budget. HL/ HaitiLibre MOSS POINT, Miss. -- The man accused of sexually assaulting and kidnapping a Moss Point High School student was arrested in Atlanta on Dec. 20, 2018 according to Chief Brandon Ashley. In March 2018, a MPHS student reported Jimmy David Williams as the man who sexually assaulted her near Ruby Street, outside of school grounds. According to the student, she was walking to the bus stop near her residence when a man known to her as Jimmy, pointed a handgun at her forcing her inside of his vehicle. Williams then allegedly drove to an area near Ruby Street and sexually assaulted the victim. Afterward, the he dropped her off near the high school, released her and fled the scene. Williams waived extradition and was transported to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center where Judge Keith Miller set his bond at $150,000.00 for kidnapping and $100,000.00 on the charge of sexual battery. If you have any information about this crime, you are asked to contact Detective Kimberlee Snowden or the Moss Point Police Department at 228-475-1726. You may also contact Crime Stoppers at 800-787-5898 or visit the Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers website at mscoastcrimestoppers.com. Photo: The Canadian Press A First Nation struggling to recover from a devastating forest fire that burned through its community last year has received some welcome help from a gold mining firm. The Tahltan Central Government has been handed a cheque for $250,000 from Pretivm, which owns the Bluejack gold mine about 400 kilometres south of the community of Telegraph Creek. Chad Norman Day, president of the Tahltan Central Government, says there is still a lot of work to do in Telegraph Creek, and the donation will go a long way to helping those who were affected. A massive wildfire last August rolled through the community, destroying 21 homes and damaging many others. In November, residents began returning to the community after modular homes were brought in to create a new subdivision. Freddie Louis, the community's emergency operations director, said then that $12 million was spent on making Telegraph Creek livable again. GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. -- A George County man will serve a 60-year prison after his attempt to flee law enforcement caused the death of three children. Jessie Edward Dickerson, 24, pled guilty on Monday to three counts of second degree murder and one count of felony fleeing causing injury because of his involvement in an incident on March 25, 2017. According to the Lucedale Police Department, an onlooker observed Dickerson with a can of beer while at a local restaurant drive-thru. After a brief pursuit that lasted less than one mile, police terminated the chase after leaving the city limits and because of the rainy weather. Dickerson, however, continued to flee despite police no longer chasing him. While excessively speeding, police say Dickerson overcompensated his vehicle to avoid a head-on collision with another vehicle and ultimately collided with a store sign. Three children in the other vehicle ages 7, 9 and 16 were killed, while their mother was also injured in the crash, ultimately losing both of her legs and the use of her right arm. Two additional passengers in the vehicle survived the crash with minor injuries. After the fatal collision, Dickerson fled on foot, however, turned himself in to law enforcement the following day. Judge Dale Harkey sentenced Dickerson on the three counts of second degree murder to the maximum penalty of 40 years to serve, day for day in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, to run concurrently with each other. As to the one count of felony fleeing causing injury, Dickerson was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, to run consecutively to the murder charges. Dickerson was also ordered to pay a fine of $1000 per count (total of $4000), $500 to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund and all costs of court. In just a matter of minutes, a mother lost three of her four children," District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said. "This was not a tragic accident, but rather a series of choices made by the Defendant that callously and senselessly took the lives of three children. The mother of the children, a victim herself, had taken the defendant in and tried to help him months prior to the collision. The defendants choices have left a wake of destruction that none of us can repair. I hope that this 60-year sentence serves justice for this community and sends a message that we will hold criminals accountable for their choices. Connecticut is considering expanding the states lawsuit against Stamford-based opioid maker Purdue Pharma to include pharmacies and others that distributed the companys addictive product. Our investigation is well beyond Purdue Pharma, it includes everyone in the chain of the addiction industry, Attorney General William Tong told Hearst Connecticut Media. We are ramping up and Ive appointed a team and they are a strong group of experienced lawyers. Asked who other than Purdue the state may hold liable for damages, Tong pointed to distributors and pharmacy benefit managers. We are also considering pharmacy chains and what role did they have, Tong said. We are taking a holistic look at the whole industry. Connecticut, along with Massachusetts, several dozen other states and hundreds of cities and counties, has sued Purdue Pharma and members of the Slacker family, which controlled the company, for damages resulting from an opioid crisis allegedly created by its product, OxyContin. The suits are based on allegations that Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family knew OxyContin was highly addictive but promoted it as a low-risk pain medication. The company continued to reap billions in profits even as addicted patients died from overdoses, the suits allege. The idea of suing the distributors of OxyContin is not new. Florida, Cincinnati and Birmingham, Ala., have filed lawsuits against various distributors, including AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corp., for selling large amounts of opioids. The Cherokee Nation filed a similar suit against pharmacies such as CVS Health. Florida has sued Walgreens and CVS, saying they also played a role in creating the drug crisis. The Healthcare Distribution Alliance, which represents 200,000 pharmacies, hospitals and other care facilities, said the lawsuits make no sense. Given our role, the idea that distributors are responsible for the number of opioid prescriptions written defies common sense and lacks understanding of how the pharmaceutical supply chain actually works and is regulated, said John Parker, HDA senior vice president of communications. Those bringing lawsuits would be better served addressing the root causes, rather than trying to redirect blame through litigation, Parker said. Charges against Sacklers At least 433 lawsuits by U.S. cities and counties have been consolidated in a Cleveland, Ohio federal court. Defendants include Purdue, Johnson & Johnson, Teva, Endo, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson. Some states, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, have named members of the Sackler family as defendants in lawsuits against Purdue Pharma. The Connecticut lawsuit alleges the family and other defendants frequently visited some Connecticut doctors. The defendants rewarded high-prescribing doctors with attention, meals, gifts and money. From the top, Purdues leaders pushed employees to get more patients on opioids, at higher doses, for longer periods of time. The defendants awarded bonuses and prizes to sales representatives who generated the most opioid prescriptions, the Connecticut lawsuit says. Documents filed by Massachusetts allege the Sackler family knew that its painkiller was causing overdoses yet continued to reap profits even as users died from overdoses. That was first reported Jan. 15 by the New York Times. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healeys allegations directly implicate eight Sackler family members, as well as nine Purdue board members or executives, in the opioid epidemic, the Times reported. The Massachusetts court filing also notes that the Sacklers flooded the state with sales reps, influenced state legislation and financially backed medical facilities and universities so they could promote Purdue opioids, according to the Times. Tong said Connecticut also believes the Sacklers and the company should be held accountable. We are holding board members and the Sackler family responsible for gross misconduct and for their role in the opioid crisis, he said. The Sacklers are defendants in our case and we are bringing all of our resources to bear. He added, Its a very serious issue for my office. This has cost $10 billion a year, the opioid crisis in Connecticut. We are going after them in their roles as senior management and shareholders and holding them accountable. Robert Josephson, a spokesman for Purdue, denied the allegations contained in the Connecticut lawsuit. The state claims Purdue acted improperly by communicating with prescribers about scientific and medical information that [the Federal Drug Administration] has expressly considered and continues to approve, Josephson said. We vigorously deny the allegations, he said. We believe it is inappropriate for the state to substitute its judgment for the judgment of the regulatory, scientific and medical experts at FDA. Josephson added We share the states concerns about the opioid crisis. While Purdue Pharmas opioid medicines account for less than 2% of total prescriptions, we will continue to work collaboratively with the state toward bringing meaningful solutions to address this public health challenge. Purdue has previously released detailed plans for combatting the addiction crisis. Spreading controversy More information is likely to emerge from the Massachusetts lawsuit. A judge in that case ruled Monday that more details must be made public, the Associated Press reported. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders agreed with Healey and media outlets, which argued the full complaint against Purdue Pharma should be released, AP reported. The company had said portions of the lawsuit should become secret. Sanders ruled that the additional information must be made public by noon on Friday; A Purdue spokesman said it plans to seek a stay pending appeal, AP reported. The Connecticut lawsuit, filed in Superior Court, is dated Jan. 2 and was announced last month by former Attorney General George Jepsen, whose 8-year tenure ended Jan. 9. The crisis has spread to the political, academic and philanthropic worlds, as institutions and elected officials weigh what to do about millions of dollars in Sackler donations they received over the years, under public pressure. Connecticuts Democratic Party, for example, received $116,000 directly from family members between 2002 and 2017. Parker said there are other ways to address the opioid crisis besides lawsuits against companies in the supply chain. The misuse and abuse of prescription opioids is a complex public health challenge that requires a collaborative and systemic response that engages all stakeholders, Parker said. bcummings@ctpost.com Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media One small item caught my eye in Gov. Dannel Malloys farewell letter, because it is a good example of his rhetoric diverging from reality. He wrote, Weve led the nation on efforts ... to welcome those seeking refuge from war and poverty around the globe. Does Mr. Malloy really believe that? From 2010 through 2015, 0.74 percent of all refugees admitted to the United States settled in Connecticut, (2,932 out of 394,501) although Connecticut had 1.14 percent of the U.S. population and a higher percentage of the U.S. wealth. To be only average among the states by population, Connecticut would have had to settle 53 percent more refugees than it had. We didnt lead the nation on this any more than we did on anything else. Who did lead the nation? In order it was Nebraska, North Dakota, Idaho, Vermont, Arizona , Kentucky and South Dakota. Contrary to Democratic Party mythology, all seven of these states have a Republican governor. Photo: Contributed Keremeos firefighters got a surprising call early Monday morning when they responded to a home on fire that was also on the move. At 12:46 a.m. Monday, crews from the volunteer fire department headed out roughly 10 kilometres west of Keremeos on Highway 3. "We kinda thought maybe it was a mobile home on fire, a house, off the highway, we weren't expecting it to be actually on the highway," said fire chief Jordy Bosscha. A modular home being towed by a truck to Vancouver had gone up on flames in the middle of the road. "They're suspecting it was possibly the brakes being overheated," Bosscha said. Nine firefighters responded to the scene, facing a long 20-kilometre round trip trek every time they needed to refill their water tender, due to the relatively remote location of the incident. "All told, it was about four hours from when we were called to when we were done, cleaned up, debriefed and on our way home, about 5:00 in the morning," Bosscha said. No one was injured, and Bosscha said the home was empty of contents at the time. "And we're very fortunate it didn't happen in the middle of August on a nice windy night," he added. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. GREENWICH Zoning changes approved for Greenwichs waterfront could pave the way for more restaurants, offices and multifamily dwellings along the shore. After years of work on the regulations, the Planning and Zoning Commission has approved new language that allows additional development as long as the waterfront is preserved and public access is provided. The changes, part of the 2009 Plan of Conservation and Development, have been in the works since 2016. The commission passed them unanimously. This is going to set public access design standards and continue to expand opportunities for water-dependent, land-use activities at public access points on the coast, said town Director of Planning and Zoning Katie DeLuca. On Monday, DeLuca pointed to several adjustments made to the proposal to satisfy parties who spoke during hearings or weighed in during the process. Those changes included more specific definitions about what would be allowed. There were also changes made for potential restaurants on the waterfront, mandating full meals be served and limiting late hours. Additionally, boat slips would have to be required so people could dock and go to the restaurants. It all came down to finding the correct balance point, DeLuca said. (We had to determine) how much non-water-dependent uses should be permitted in order to achieve the desired outcome, which is a vibrant waterfront business zone improved with water dependent uses inclusive of an active and well-maintained public access walkway. The regulations in place for the last 35 years or so were not producing that desired outcome. Earlier drafts had the right concept, but there was too much flexibility and not enough predictability, she said. The approved draft set a priority system for how waterfront property can be used: starting with water-dependent uses such as marinas; going to water-related ones such as rowing clubs and, finally, water-enhanced uses, which will include restaurants and residential and office space. More News News Greenwich goes back to work on waterfront development issue It also set parameters for how much of the property can be used for water-enhanced uses, DeLuca said. The adjustments received the endorsement of the town Harbor Management Commission, which had been concerned the new regulations would lead to overdevelopment on the waterfront. Bruce Angiolillo, chair of the commission, said members had been concerned about earlier drafts failing to adequately protect and encourage water-dependent uses on the waterfront. But by restoring language that assured the limited waterfront areas are reserved to the uses uniquely suited for (the waterfront) and not pre-empted by uses which can be more appropriately located elsewhere their concerns were addressed, Angiolillo said. He added the HMC was pleased to see clear language that requires developers of water-enhanced uses to receive special permits, and demonstrate that all other water-dependent and water-related options had been exhausted. DeLuca said the language is consistent with the towns Harbor Management Plan and with regulations from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Additionally, DeLuca said no objections were raised by the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, of which Greenwich is a member. The collaboration between the public at large, the property owners, the Harbor Management Commission, the state regulating bodies and the Planning and Zoning Office was a great example of how when we work together to express our individual viewpoints, we will eventually find the right balance, DeLuca said. I think we did that with this regulation. The new language goes into effect Wednesday. Any applications to develop the waterfront will still need approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission as well as all other applicable town land-use boards and commissions. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com Photo: The Canadian Press The Canadian government has received a formal request for the extradition of a senior executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies as a judge in Vancouver agreed to a minor change in Meng Wanzhou's bail conditions. If a judge commits Meng for extradition, Justice Minister David Lametti would ultimately determine whether she would be extradited to the United States to face charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit both. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Lametti confirmed that the United States has made an extradition request for Meng, who appeared in B.C. Supreme Court where a judge agreed to replace an individual who provided a surety for her release with a couple who are putting up their home as part of her $10 million bail. The case will return to court March 6 to discuss Canada's authority to proceed with the extradition request. Meng, who is the company's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, is free on bail in Vancouver after her arrest Dec. 1 at the behest of U.S. authorities. She left court through a parkade without commenting. Justice William Ehrcke said he is unsure if he'll be able to continue to hear the case because of the time it could take to conclude. "I have no idea whether we're looking at months or years," he said. Lametti acknowledged the legal process can take time. "By the time all the individual's rights are exhausted they can take a long time," he added. "I only will have to make a decision at the end of the process, if and only if there is an actual extradition order. I would have the final say in executing that order, yes." The U.S. Department of Justice laid out its case Monday against Meng and Huawei. Both Meng and the company have denied any wrongdoing. The indictment, based on 23 grand jury allegations, accuses Huawei and Meng of misrepresenting their ownership of a Hong Kong-based subsidiary between 2007 and 2017 in an effort to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran. The company's U.S. branch is also accused of stealing trade secrets and equipment from cellphone provider T-Mobile USA. Meng's arrest has touched off a political furor marked by days of angry anti-Canada rhetoric from China's foreign ministry, culminating Sunday in the firing of John McCallum as Canada's ambassador to China. McCallum, a former longtime Liberal MP and cabinet minister, had publicly expressed confidence in Meng's case against any U.S. extradition order. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 28) A former bank manager filed an appeal to reverse a Makati court's money laundering conviction against her over the $81-million Bangladesh bank heist three years ago. In a motion filed Monday, Maia Deguito, formerly of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), asked the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 149 to acquit her over eight counts of money laundering, saying the court "misunderstood the meaning" of the offense under the law. "The law is clear. There must be a monetary instrument or property, which represents, involves, or relates to the proceeds of the unlawful activity," she said in the petition filed by her lawyers. She said the court "misappreciated the facts and the evidence," and that her supposed prior knowledge about the illegality of the transactions were "not proven" and "merely presumed." Deguito on January 10 was sentenced to four to seven years imprisonment for each of the eight counts of money laundering and was fined $103 million. READ: PH money laundering probe: What we know so far READ: Bangladesh bank heist: Makati court finds ex-RCBC manager guilty of money laundering RCBC's Jupiter Makati branch, where Deguito was a manager, allegedly processed the money stolen by Chinese hackers from the Bangladesh government through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In February 2016, hackers breached the Bangladesh Bank systems to steal the credentials. A total of $101 million was stolen, $21 million of which went to Sri Lankan accounts while $81 million ended up in the country. The $81 million involved in the bank heist was later withdrawn, converted to pesos, then gambled in a number of casinos in the Philippines before authorities could track it. The court found Deguito liable of the crime because she facilitated the withdrawal and deposited the millions of dollars to accounts of four unknown and fictitious bank account holders. Deguito, however, maintained she did not facilitate the transactions. She said the testimonies proving so were "heresay and should not have been given merit." "Based on the foregoing definition, it was not [the] accused, but the operations department of RCBC's Jupiter Branch, which processed the withdrawal and deposit transactions," Deguito said, adding that her "only participation was her signature on the withdrawal slips." If you went to Greenwich Public Schools in the 1960s, 70s or 80s, you probably remember that Spaghetti Creole was dished up every Thursday for school lunch. The cooks at St. Pauls Lutheran Church have the original recipe, and theyll be serving it up for a special dinner. The nostalgia dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the church at 286 Delavan Ave. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $6 for children. That will get each diner a salad, a generous serving of Spaghetti Creole, dessert, iced tea and coffee. Plain spaghetti will be available for children. To-go orders for $10 will be available from 4 to 5 p.m. by calling 203-253-2327. The meal will be packaged as a hot to-go container and include only the spaghetti creole and bread. New this year: Diners can preorder a half-tray for the following day's Super Bowl. The cost for a half-tray of Spaghetti Creole is $40. It will be packaged cold and will be ready to reheat in your oven. You must preorder a half-tray by calling 203-253-2327 or visiting www.facebook.com/SPLCByram. Half-trays can be picked up on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, has hired Emily Dreas as market executive for the Southern Connecticut market. Dreas will lead the efforts to grow the firms business and deliver solutions and products to high net worth families, institutional clients and prospects, reporting to Chris Biotti, private wealth management executive. She joins U.S. Trust from Fiduciary Trust Company International, where she was an executive vice president and global head of client development in New York responsible for building out the business development function. She will be based in Greenwich. Are the bills piling up from the holidays? Want to wipe the slate clean for 2019 with better financial habits. The Living Hope Community Church in Old Greenwich will host a Financial Peace University with nine-week course called The Knowledge You Need to Win With Money. The classes begin Feb. 7 run through April 4. They will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at the church at 38 West End Ave. The seminar will be led by Dave Ramsey, Americas trusted voice on money and business, a personal money-management expert and extremely popular national radio personality. His seven best-selling books have sold more than 10 million copies combined. Ramsey will offer a step-by-step plan to teach participants how to take control of their money and their future in nine lessons on: Super Saving; Relating With Money; Cash Flow Planning; Dumping Debt; Buyer Beware; The Role of Insurance; Retirement Planning; Real Estate and Mortgages; and Living and Giving Like No One Else. Attendees will get accountability and encouragement as well as access to tools to help with financial management. The cost is $109. To register for the course, go to https://fpu.com/1078800 or call 203-637-3669. Greensburg, IN (47240) 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 SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Leonard Pitts Jan. 24 column illustrated how many in the press just picks up on an Associated Press article and expands on it with no regard to facts. Pitts puts the blame for the confrontation on the school boys without seeing the entire video, which shows a much different picture. The Black Hebrew Israelites, a very nasty group, actually instigated the confrontation. Pitts touted the Native American, Nathan Phillips, as some kind of hero, saying Phillips is a Vietnam veteran. He is not. He was in the Marines and had at least two AWOLs and was never deployed to Vietnam. The school boys were only featured because they were white and pro-life, and some wore MAGA hats. That makes them guilty by the press even though the only thing they did was smile. "There can be no change to the backstop. It was negotiated over 18 months with the U.K. and by the U.K.," she said. Though Parliament is overwhelmingly opposed to May's deal, lawmakers are divided over what to do instead whether to brace for a "no-deal" Brexit or to try and rule it out. Much of the business world says a no-deal Brexit would cause economic chaos by eliminating existing EU trade agreements and imposing tariffs, customs checks and other barriers between the U.K. and its main export market. To complicate matters further, the split between Brexiteers and pro-Europeans runs through both main parties, Conservatives and Labour. Conservatives from rival wings of the party proposed a compromise Tuesday that calls for Britain to seek a "new backstop" and an extended transition period of almost three years after March 29 so that Britain and the EU can work out a permanent new trade deal. But Sarah Wollaston, a pro-EU Conservative, dismissed the plan as "fantasy Brexit." She tweeted: "There won't be any renegotiation of the Withdrawal Agreement & all the nonsense is a smokescreen whilst the clock runs down to No Deal. Parliament should vote to reject that catastrophe." BEIJING China on Tuesday questioned the appropriateness of an email sent by a Duke University medical school administrator warning Chinese students to speak in English. Asked about the controversy, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang compared it to a Chinese university demanding that English-speaking students talk only in Chinese. "If a Chinese university required that American students not use English to communicate, I think this would not be normal," Geng said at a daily briefing. Duke University moved quickly to offer apologies, launch an investigation and reassure a core group of graduate scholars after the email raised an outcry at home and abroad. The story drew thousands of comments in China on social media. Some called it racial discrimination and said Chinese universities should ban speaking English, while a few said it was not a big deal. The administrator's message came at a time when elite U.S. universities are trying to remain attractive to top international students despite negative rhetoric toward foreigners by President Donald Trump and other politicians. Photo: Delta Police Delta Police are looking to reunite a stolen totem pole with its rightful owner. The eight-foot totem was among several items recovered from a stolen shipping container, including furniture, a welding mask and other "distinctive pieces" that police hope the owner will recognize. The sea can, which is valued at more than $3,000, contains enough belongings to furnish a one or two-bedroom home, police say. It was tracked to a Delta storage facility on Jan. 22. Anyone with information is asked to call Delta Police at 604-946-4411. GREENSBORO Kenyatta Hampton told police she remembered Chauncey Slade asking her cousin about a gun moments before bullets flew past her head. On Monday at the Guilford County Courthouse, jurors watched a video of Hampton wailing and shaking as she spoke with a detective on Dec. 3, 2015 just hours after her cousins, 22-year-old Ernest Cuthbertson, a Bloods gang member, and 44-year-old Jeffrey Hampton, were shot in front of her house on Bragg Street. On the video, some of which was inaudible, Hampton was out of breath, crying and at one point hugged the detective after nearly collapsing. It was the fifth day of the murder trial of Slade, a 20-year-old facing life in prison for allegedly killing the two when he was 16. Its been a trial that has had its share of drama outside the courtroom: increased security around the courthouse; red the color worn by members of the Bloods present inside and outside the courtroom; and a man in jail for allegedly threatening four jurors. Jurors on Monday heard Hampton, the prosecutions key witness, recount that the last thing she heard before the gun fired was Slade asking Cuthbertson, So you dont have the strap (gun)? Two people who had suffered gunshot wounds were picked up by a good Samaritan who came upon them while driving Monday afternoon, Winston-Salem police said in a news release. The driver, whom police only identified as a good Samaritan, was westbound on West Northwest Boulevard near Underwood Avenue when he saw three men that were "in obvious need of assistance," the release states. The driver pulled over and found that one of them, Jadarrius Dameion Bell, 21, of Salisbury, had been shot in the face. The driver agreed to drive all three to the hospital. While driving to the hospital, they flagged down an EMS unit, which took Bell to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. He was being treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. None of the three men were able to provide a location of the shooting or a description of the assailant, other than a black SUV type vehicle may have been involved. One of the men, Dominique Markeise Cook, 18, was arrested on unrelated warrants, police said. When he was taken to the jail, Cook disclosed that he had been concealing the fact that he had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper arm during the same incident. Cook was then taken for medical treatment. As a former executive recruiter, Hoffmann said the city can easily use direct contacts to connect with California-based Trader Joes. The thing to do is to use your contacts to get an appointment with the company and fly out there and talk to them, she said. Greensboro developer Marty Kotis said he doesnt believe the company was ever really scared away by public opinion and if it could find the right site at the right price, it would come back for a look. He believes the rental price for space at Hobbs and Friendly could have been between $45 and $50 a square foot. He said he was showing the company properties at around $20 a square foot. The real issue is that rent was going to be higher than they were willing to pay, he said. He said Trader Joes was once interested in his properties, including the Westover Gallery of Shops on Westover Terrace and a site near the RED Cinemas on Battleground Avenue. Trader Joes asked Kotis to remove Westover Gallerys other tenants before it would choose a site there. They tend to be heavy-handed negotiators, Kotis said. Contact Richard M. Barron at (336) 373-7371 and follow @BarronBizNR on Twitter. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. That changed in November after complaints of riders darting into traffic, nearly colliding with pedestrians and leaving scooters parked haphazardly on sidewalks and other right-of-ways. With the pilot program, scooter companies can pay a $500 permit and operate up to 200 scooters with a $50 fee per scooter. The program runs through Aug. 1. At the end of the process, well come together and see how it worked for us, Spencer said. Charles Huegel, a Greensboro operations manager for Lime, said the company will roll out about 180 scooters over the next two months. Theyve been very popular, Huegel said. Huegel explained that the company tends to operate in high-density areas like college campuses and neighboring apartment complexes. Bird is expected to make its return in March and may serve downtown streets just like last summer hopefully without problems. Like any other mode of transportation, whether you are a pedestrian or youre a bicyclist or youre driving a car, you gotta follow the rules of the road, Spencer said. If we can get out there and educate users ... we can encourage safe behaviors. Contact at 336-373-7145 or at carl.wilson@greensboro.com. Follow on Twitter at Short_OrdersNR and on Facebook. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Updated at 9:26 a.m. on Jan. 29 GREENSBORO Two men have been charged in an armed bank robbery that happened Monday morning. Charles Lee White III, 30, of California, and Jonathan Andrew Turner, 34, of Greensboro, are accused of robbing the Wells Fargo at 1204 Bridford Parkway around 9:40 a.m., police said. Both men are charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Both are in Guilford County jail with bail set at $75,000 each. In addition, White was charged in connection to the armed robbery at the State Employees' Credit Union on South Holden Road on Friday. He is also wanted in California for a bank robbery. GREENSBORO Police are investigating a bank robbery this morning at the Wells Fargo branch at 1204 Bridford Parkway. At 9:42 a.m., an unknown subject entered the bank demanding money then fled with an undisclosed amount of money. A Kernersville man was indicted Monday on charges that he assaulted a woman with a knife and left her in a car on the side of Business 40 last year. Rosendo Jimenez Santiago, 35, of Afton Park Drive, was indicted by a Forsyth County grand jury on felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. The woman was found on the side of Business 40 near the Macy Grove exit about 9:40 a.m. May 11, 2018. According to the indictment, the woman's name is Sara Lynn Montalvo Bodden. Kernersville police said she had cuts to her throat and underwent surgery for serious injuries. The Kernersville Police Department said Bodden and Santiago knew each other, and investigators were trying to establish where the assault happened. It was not immediately clear when his first court date in Forsyth Superior Court will be. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Photo: The Canadian Press Britain's press is urging social media users to tone down inappropriate criticism of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. Palace officials have been seeking help from Instagram to monitor and remove offensive comments about the two duchesses, who are married to Prince Harry and Prince William. Palace aides have been spending hours each week moderating comments on the official Palace Instagram account and removing racist and sexist content. There have been rumours in recent months that Meghan and Kate have been feuding, which could have partly fueled online abuse with fans of one duchess criticizing the other online in very personal terms. Meghan, an American actress who married Harry in May, is pregnant with their first child, and some on social media and in the press have taken to criticizing her for cradling her "baby bump" during public engagements. The Times newspaper reported Tuesday in an editorial called "Vile Abuse" that many of the comments made about Meghan and Kate are too vicious to publish and have included threats. "Women receive more abuse online than men and this sad truth seems to apply just as much to the royal family," the newspaper said. The paper also condemned the treatment of Rachel Riley, a British television personality who has complained about a torrent of anti-Semitic abuse on Twitter. In response to the rise of abusive comments directed at the royal women, Hello! magazine this week launched a "kindness" campaign urging posters to think twice before posting nasty comments. "For us, it's not acceptable to pit two women against each other," the magazine's royal correspondent Emily Nash said in a video announcing the campaign. "It's not acceptable to post abusive, threatening, racist or sexist comments online. And it's not acceptable to attack other users just because they disagree with you." Photo: The Canadian Press Staff members work at a mobile phone production line in Huawei factory in Shenzhen city, south China's Guangdong province. China called on the U.S. government on Tuesday to "stop the unreasonable crackdown" on Huawei after the United States stepped up pressure on the tech giant by indicting it on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. The Chinese government will "firmly defend" its companies, a foreign ministry statement said. It gave no indication whether Beijing might retaliate for the charges against Huawei, China's first global tech brand and the biggest maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies. U.S. pressure on China is set to intensify further when intelligence chiefs brief Congress Tuesday on worldwide threats, which are expected to include Chinese cyberespionage and Huawei. Huawei Technologies Ltd., which has spent a decade battling U.S. accusations it is a front for Chinese spying, denied committing any of the violations cited in Monday's indictment. The foreign ministry complained Washington has "mobilized state power" to hurt Chinese companies "in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations." "We strongly urge the United States to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei," said the statement read on state TV. It said Beijing will defend the "lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies" but gave no details. The charges unsealed Monday by the Justice Department accused Huawei of trying to take a piece of a robot and other technology from a T-Mobile lab that was used to test smartphones. Huawei passed Apple in mid-2018 as the second-biggest global smartphone brand after Samsung. The U.S. charges included no allegation Huawei worked at the Chinese government's direction. But the U.S. government has previously accused China of involvement in cyberspying and theft of industrial secrets. It has charged several Chinese hackers and intelligence officials. Huawei also is charged with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of U.S. controls. Prosecuters allege Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, lied to banks about those dealings. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested Dec. 1 in Vancouver, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. "We urge the U.S. to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests," said a Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang. "We urge Canada to take seriously China's solemn position, immediately release Ms. Meng Wanzhou and protect her legitimate and legal rights." Huawei, headquartered in the southern city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, has rejected the U.S. accusations. Photo: The Canadian Press Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves Duclos is seen at a youth homelessness organization in Toronto on Monday, June 11, 2018. Federal cabinet ministers will soon decide whether and how to reform the oft-maligned tribunal Canadians use to appeal federal benefits rulings, potentially undoing changes made six years ago intended to make it work better. The Social Security Tribunal hears appeals of government decisions on things like eligibility for Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan. It replaced four separate bodies in 2013. One key change was cutting the number of people hearing most cases from three to one. Another was to replace part-time hearing officials in many places with full-time staff in fewer locations. A report last year from consulting firm KPMG estimated the moves saved about $22.6 million a year. Timelines for decisions also spiked as the tribunal was undermanned and overwhelmed with cases, and didn't have a proper transition plan. The KPMG report argued the tribunal wasn't designed with the appellants in mind. Labour and employer groups have each told the government they want a return to the system as it existed before the tribunal's creation. Still, KPMG warned against a return to that old system, saying the current one could be improved without a total makeover. Officials are now expected to ask ministers to consider partially reverting to the three-person panels that once heard cases, or to go with a hybrid system of old and new, or simply make tweaks, say sources with knowledge of the recommendations, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss issues under cabinet review. A spokesman for Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the minister's office couldn't speak to, or verify the authenticity of, documents related to matters of cabinet confidences, which are closely guarded government secrets legally protected from unauthorized release. In the fall, Duclos asked the new chairman of the tribunal to create a "client-centric culture" to make appeals move quickly and transparently. The tribunal now allows people to choose whether to have their hearings in person, on the phone or by videoconference. Rule changes have also made it easier to launch an appeal and waiting times have dropped. The backlog of cases has fallen from about 7,250 in April 2017 to 3,925 at the end of last year. Car-sharing network Zipcar and Honda are expanding their strategic mobility partnership. The agreement will add hundreds of new Honda vehicles to Zipcars diverse fleet, while focusing on supporting Zipcars university program in California and the expansion of Zipcars successful service in Columbus, Ohio. In Columbus, an exclusive Honda car-sharing fleet is launching today, expanding Zipcars program in the city. Zipcar first launched in Columbus in June 2018. Under the latest expansion, 30 vehicles will be in operation at 17 locations across the city, including a new campus car-sharing program at The Ohio State University. In California, Honda is Zipcars preferred automotive partner at schools within the University of California system and select campuses within the California State University network. Honda will offer special rates on Zipcar memberships to students on campus and special driving rates to Zipcar members who use the 145 Honda vehicles located at dozens of campus locations. Through the expanded partnership, nearly 200 new Honda vehicles will now be available to Zipcar members, including the Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Honda Fit, Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey. Zipcar and Honda announced their strategic partnership in 2012. Together, they continue to expand and test new cost-effective mobility solutions to help consumers get around easier. Students attending any school in the University of California system, select schools in the California State University network, and The Ohio State University can now join Zipcar and drive a Honda at special rates by visiting www.zipcar.com/universities. Residents and visitors of Columbus can join and reserve a Honda by visiting www.zipcar.com. Photo: The Canadian Press Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, right, arrives at a parole office with a member of her private security detail in Vancouver, on Wednesday December 12, 2018. The case of a senior executive of Chinese tech juggernaut Huawei Technologies is scheduled to return to court in Vancouver today. The U.S. Department of Justice laid out its case Monday against Meng Wanzhou and Huawei, unsealing 13 criminal counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction. The indictment, based on 23 grand jury allegations, accuses Huawei and Meng of misrepresenting their ownership of a Hong Kong-based subsidiary between 2007 and 2017 in an effort to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran. The company's U.S. branch is also accused of stealing trade secrets and equipment from cellphone provider T-Mobile USA. Meng, who is the company's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, is charged with bank fraud, wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit both. She is free on bail in Vancouver after her arrest Dec. 1 at the behest of U.S. authorities, who Canadian officials say have already filed a formal request for Meng's extradition. Huawei called on Washington to stop what it called "the unreasonable crackdown" on the company, and China today called on Washington to withdraw its request for Meng's extradition from Canada. Meng's arrest has touched off a political furor marked by days of angry anti-Canada rhetoric from China's foreign ministry, culminating Sunday in the firing of John McCallum as Canada's ambassador to China. McCallum, a former longtime Liberal MP and cabinet minister, had publicly expressed confidence in Meng's case against any U.S. extradition order. Photo: The Canadian Press The federal government is writing off more than $163 million in outstanding student-loan payments that officials will never be able to collect. New spending documents show the government is giving up on debts from 31,658 students after "reasonable efforts to collect the amounts owed." Read more Photo: Castanet - File Photo The City of Kelowna hopes to take advantage of a provincial program to help with ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire risks. Urban forestry technician Tara Bergson told council Monday the city qualifies for the maximum amount of $100,000 based on a demonstrated fire risk. The money will be budgeted based on recommendations contained with the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, adopted last year. About half the funds will be used for fuel mitigation across the eastern portion of Knox Mountain Park. Bergson says that area was chosen because of its location and potential for fire, citing a blaze in that area of the park in July of last year. "Staff are in the process of developing a fuel treatment prescription to identify areas that should be prioritized for treatment this year, which will be Phase 1, and remaining areas we will seek to treat in 2020," she said. The rest of the funds will be used to fund other recommendations within the CWPP. These include developing a fire smart landscaping standard for wildland development areas and assessing current development regulations to identify opportunities for including fire smart principles. Bergson says a wildfire fuel mitigation maintenance schedule will also be developed for previously treated areas. "Initial fuel treatments have been completed on most natural areas over the past 20 years or so. Many have fuels rebuilding which require subsequent interventions in the near future." Given the risk of fire and climate change in the area, Coun. Gail Given says the work being proposed is critical. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@skagitpublishing.com for help creating one. Photo: Facebook Esa Carriere, 23, in photograph. Four young people charged in connection to the killing of a 23-year-old Kelowna man appeared in court Monday, and three of them were released on bail. Nathan Truant, 26, and Noah Vaten, 20, each Kelowna residents, along with an 18-year-old Kelowna man and woman were formally charged with manslaughter on Friday. Esa Carriere was found by police near the Queensway bus loop with serious stab wounds on July 1, just after the Canada Day fireworks. He later died in hospital. No further details about how the five people knew each other or what caused the fight to occur have been released. Police said a violent altercation broke out on Water Street at 10:50 p.m. Truant, Vaten and the 18-year-old man all appeared in Kelowna Provincial Court, Monday. It was Truants second appearance, and he was released on bail, subject to several conditions. Vaten made his first appearance and his case was adjourned to Tuesday for a scheduling of a bail hearing. The 18-year-old male "was ordered released into the care of a responsible person, pursuant to Section 31 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act," said Alisa Adams with the BC Prosecution Service. Truant and the 18-year-old man will next appear in court on Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m. The 18-year-old woman has been released on bail and is expected to also appear in court on Feb. 14. Carriere had only been living in Kelowna for two weeks before he was killed. Manslaughter carries no minimum sentence, and sentences vary from life in prison to probation. Goshen, IN (46526) Today Cloudy this morning. Strong thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway will remain closed following the end of the federal government shutdown, as park rangers inspect road conditions along the scenic byway. The parkway, a unit of the National Park Service, was technically open during the 35-day shutdown that ended late Friday, but long stretches of road were closed due to maintenance and weather-related reasons, which include downed trees and limbs that could be hazardous to travelers. The parkway is closed from U.S. 220 in Roanoke County to the Rocky Knob Campground near Rock Castle Gorge in Floyd County, according to a real-time map on the Park Service website (bit.ly/2DFpL3K). The parkway is open north of Roanoke to around milepost 76, just north of Peaks of Otter. An 83-mile stretch of the parkway also is closed south of Fancy Gap in Carroll County to Boone, North Carolina. Certain areas along the route are also designed to accommodate flexible operations enabling the bus to go off route to board and disembark passengers within a quarter-mile of the designated area upon request. Also, persons with disabilities would be able to request bus service within three quarters of a mile of the proposed routes to board and disembark at different locations. The goal is to make the service as convenient as absolutely possible, Danville Transportation Director Marc Adelman told those at the meeting. Transfer connections to all of Danville Transits fixed routes, Altavistas bus service and Halifax Countys bus service will be possible at Spring Street, Adelman said. Transfer connections to Altavistas bus service and for South Boston and Halifax must be reserved a day in advance, according to the proposal. Adelman said the city will apply for the state demonstration grant money Friday Feb. 1 is the application deadline to provide financial support for the bus service. A previously-approved grant from the Virginia Tobacco Commission will provide the local match for the service and vehicles used for it, he said. Three 14-passenger mini-buses were purchased through the Danville Mass Transit system and have arrived, Adelman said. You asked. We listened. Your daily crossword, Sudoku and dozens of other puzzles are now available online. Play them or print them here. Play now Gov't Will Seek to End Free Movement in No-Deal Brexit Scenario - UK Home Office Sputnik News 00:50 29.01.2019(updated 01:26 29.01.2019) On Monday, UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid set out provisions for EU citizens coming to Britain if the nation leaves the EU without a deal in place. According to Javid, in the case of a no-deal Brexit, the UK will "end free movement once and for all giving us full control of our borders for the first time in decades". "However, we need to take a practical approach and minimise disruption to ensure the UK stays open for business. That is why we will introduce time-limited transitional arrangements and grant EU citizens coming after March 29 temporary leave," he added. A three-month transitional period will be established, during which EU citizens will be able to enter the UK to visit, work or study. In order to stay longer, EU citizens will need to apply for special permission and receive a "European Temporary Leave to Remain, which is valid for a further three years," the official statement on UK's government website reads. Those EU citizens who would like to stay for a longer period will be "subject to identity, criminality and security checks before being granted permission to stay for three years." The official statement outlines that the "3 months' leave to enter for EU citizens will be free of charge but applications for European Temporary Leave to Remain will be paid for. Fees will be set out at a later date." At the same time there will be no need for Irish citizens to recieve European Temporary Leave to Remain as they "will continue to have the right to enter and live in the UK under the Common Travel Area." In January, the UK House of Commons rejected the Brexit plan that was presented by Prime Minister Theresa May after months of negotiations with the European Union. Earlier, May's cabinet reiterated its position on Brexit, saying the UK would leave the EU on 29 March regardless of the outcome of ongoing talks at home and possible discussions with Brussels. Deal or no deal, the UK will leave the bloc in March, according to May's cabinet. Sputnik Photo: Contributed Brock Elliott holds his hall of fame trophy. Brock Elliott calls his induction into the National Marine Manufacturers Association Canada hall of fame the perfect ending to a rewarding career. The Kelowna resident and former Campion Marine president was inducted last week at the Toronto International Boat Show. Its a great honour, Elliott said. I call it the icing on the cake as I end my boating career. I got a standing ovation, which just was a little bit overwhelming. I was a little bit emotional, thats for sure. Campion, one of Canadas leading boat manufacturers, was sold to Edmontons KV Private Equity last fall. Elliott is on call if the new owners need anything, but technically he has already sailed into retirement. He believes he left the 45-year-old company in great hands. For more on this story, visit Okanagan Edge. The Rock Braces for a Hard Brexit By Martin Arostegui January 28, 2019 Few stand to be as affected by a no-deal Brexit than the 34,000 Gibraltar residents and the Spanish communities around the British overseas colony known as the Rock who are bracing for dramatic consequences if Britain leaves the EU with no deal to govern the breakup due to happen on March 29. Under Prime Minister Teresa May's Brexit agreement, voted down by the British parliament this month, the unrestricted access between Spain and Gibraltar currently enjoyed by thousands of Gibraltarians, Spaniards and tourists moving across the border each day, would have been guaranteed. But in a no-deal scenario, EU free movement agreements no longer apply according to Spanish foreign ministry officials, who say that Gibraltarians will be treated as any other third country citizens and subjected to whatever questioning and border checks that Spain decides to impose. "They tried pressing us before and with Brexit are sure to try it again" says a Gibraltar taxi driver who remembers seven-hour traffic lines at the narrow isthmus separating the Rock from Spain during several disputes that happened between 2012 and 2014. One of Spain's leading officials at the time, former Foreign Minister Antonio Margallo, called Brexit an "opportunity" for Spain to recover Gibraltar in remarks after the Brexit referendum results were released in 2017. Recent aggressive patrols around the peninsula territory by a Spanish navy corvette blaring the Marcha Real, Spain's national anthem has served, to observers, as a shrill reminder of Madrid's intentions. Insurance concerns Special EU delegations shuttled to Spain to lean on Spanish authorities to ease border restrictions during previous disputes over alleged money laundering and smuggling, but no such rescue attempts are on the horizon post-Brexit and preparations are under way for worst-case scenarios. The local government has advised Gibraltarians to immediately renew British passports if they expire within six months, obtain special international driver's licenses that are being issued locally for the first time and purchase travel insurance amid fears that they will no longer be covered under Britain's National Health Service. Possible counter measures are also being prepared against Spain, according to a Gilbraltarian who works for the British immigration service and spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity. The official said passport checks may be imposed on more than 13,000 Spanish workers whose jobs in Gibraltar tend to be well paid and provide a vital source of revenue for the economically depressed region of southern Andalusia. Passports may be needed Spanish construction workers interviewed at the border fence told VOA they are going to have to get passports for the first time. "There are going to be a lot of problems here," said one worker who identified himself as Salvador. "It's going to be awful" added his friend. Unemployment in their hometown of La Linea is among the highest in Spain. Unlike much of Spain's southern coast, tourism never developed along the border zone where the economy was sustained by a petrochemical complex built by the late ruler Francisco Franco when he closed the border in 1968. The border fence was reopened when Spain joined the EU in the 1980s and the free movement of people and goods led to a doubling of Gibraltar's GDP as the territory was transformed from a military base to an international financial center. "Brexit is pulling us into a conflict that we don't want and don't need," said Jonathan Sacramento, a news editor at the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation. Companies on the move Chief Minister Fabian Picardo plays down worries because 94 percent of Gibraltar's trade is with Britain. But a number of international banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, as well as online casinos have announced plans to pull out. Denmark's Jyske Bank specifically cited Brexit as the reason why it was deciding to close operations in Gibraltar, on the day following last Tuesday's parliamentary vote. One of the largest online gaming services, Simon Hill, has also announced it is relocating to Malta. Most Gibraltarians who have voted by 98 percent to remain British in two recent referendum, remain defiant, however. "We will survive another blockade just as we survived past ones," said Robert Buhagiar, a British defense worker on the territory. Contingency plans in works A source close to the Gibraltar government said that contingency plans are under way for bringing food and guest workers from Morocco lying just an hour's ferry ride across the Gibraltar straights. Local government officials doubt that matters will go that far, pointing out that Britain and Spain have settled their differences in the past through negotiation. They are now making efforts to establish political ties with the regional government of Andalusia whose leaders have met with Picardo twice over the past year to try to minimize disruptions after Brexit. But Brexit is coinciding with a period of political uncertainty in Spain, and the prospect of a right wing government emerging from elections this year with support from VOX, a new ultranationalist party. Reminder of dispute In 2016, some of the party's leaders were arrested after carrying a mock raid on Gibraltar and hoisting a giant Spanish flag on the north side of the Rock. The action was a reminder of a dispute between two former colonial powers that has festered for centuries and may now be on the verge of reigniting. For some in Madrid, the current state of affairs is a chance to once again raise the issue. British media reports, quoting leaked documents, say Spain is calling on the EU to acknowledge that a dispute between the two nations exists in the event that Britain ends up leaving the EU as scheduled, without an exit deal. Brexit committee says no-deal cannot be government policy Iran Press TV Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:49AM The government of Prime Minister Theresa May cannot have a "managed no deal" as its policy for Brexit and that the parliament needs to be able to extend the negotiating period with the European Union, says a committee of British lawmakers. "Having taken a wide range of evidence on the implications of a no deal Brexit, the committee is clear that this cannot be allowed to happen," Hilary Benn, chairman of the parliament's Brexit committee, said on Monday. "MPs (lawmakers) must be able to vote on extending Article 50 if Parliament cannot reach agreement on a way forward before March 29," Benn added. With about two months left to the Brexit date -- March 29, 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. May is engaged in a last-ditch bid to win support for a tweaked withdrawal agreement after the parliament this month crushed the original plan in the biggest defeat in modern UK history. The prime minister has said that if the parliament does not support an improved version of her draft Brexit deal with the EU in the coming weeks, she would have no option but to stick to her plans for a no-deal Brexit. In a statement to the House of Commons last week, May rejected a demand by some lawmakers that there should be another popular vote to determine the fate of Brexit, saying such a vote that could abolish the results of the June 23, 2016 referendum, would undermine faith in the British democracy and damage social cohesion while it could also strengthen the hand of those seeking to break up the United Kingdom. UN Khashoggi Investigator Meets With Turkish Officials By VOA News January 28, 2019 Turkey's foreign minister met Monday with the U.N. judicial expert investigating the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as Ankara calls for an international inquiry. U.N. special investigator Agnes Callamard will be in Turkey until Saturday for a series of meetings with authorities, including Istanbul's chief prosecutor. Saudi officials have not confirmed whether they have responded to Callamard's request to meet the Saudi Ambassador in Turkey and to visit the kingdom as part of her investigation. Turkey's Foreign Minister foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu posted a tweet following the meeting. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2nd. U.S. intelligence officials believe the killing was a direct order from Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman a notion that Riyadh has denied. Khashoggi's dismembered body remains unaccounted for. Initially Saudi Arabia said he safely left the site on his own, but later admitted he was killed there in what Saudi officials called a rogue operation. Turkey said the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government, but Saudi officials maintain it was not ordered by the Saudi crown prince. Russian Su-27 Jet Scrambled to Intercept US P-8A Poseidon - Russian MoD Sputnik News 15:30 28.01.2019(updated 16:26 28.01.2019) On 24 January, the Russian Defence Ministry stated that a Russian Su-27 warplane was scrambled to intercept another target that was spotted over the Baltic Sea close to the Russian border. The spotted target turned out to be a Swedish reconnaissance aircraft, called Gulfstream. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet scrambled to intercept a US Boeing P-8A Poseidon military aircraft above the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a press release on Monday without specifying when the incident took place. The ministry added that Russian airspace control systems discovered an air target approaching Russia's state border over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea. "To intercept the target, a Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled. The Russian jet's crew approached the flying object while maintaining a safe distance, where it identified it as a US Boeing P-8A Poseidon military aircraft," the ministry's statement noted. Following the move, the foreign jet moved away from the Russian border and the Su-27 successfully returned to its military base. The ministry's announcement follows its earlier report released on 24 January of a Russian Su-27 jet being scrambled to intercept a Swedish reconnaissance aircraft spotted over the Baltic Sea, close to the Russian border. Sputnik Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Devs Patent New Rocket Refueling Tech Sputnik News 22:04 28.01.2019(updated 22:51 28.01.2019) The glider system, capable of accelerating to up to 27 times the speed of sound, was unveiled by the Russian president last March as one of six new Russian weapons designed to preserve the global strategic balance. Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC, the Korolyov-based armaments concern tasked with mass production of the new Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, has patented a new method for fueling rockets, according to a press statement on the company's website. Doing away with traditional stationary storage systems in favour of a new mobile system fueled from rail-based tanker cars, the new fueling system promises to independently prepare fuel, achiving the required temperature and saturation, ahead of the rocket fueling stage. The company clarified that with several such mobile systems available, it will be possible to easily transfer them to whatever region of the country a launch is carried out at. Secondly, the system's components will be built using modern hardware components, eventually making it possible to fully automate the process of preparing the rocket propellant. The patent is also touted as being safer than the existing method. "The new method makes it possible to reduce overflows and, as a result, hazardous operations," the press release states, citing company engineer Svyatoslav Lemeshev. Tactical Missiles Corporation JSC is the developer of the UR-100N, one of the intercontinental ballistic missiles to be fitted with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle payload delivery system. Unveiled last spring, Avangard gliders are carried into space by ICBMs, where they accelarate to incredible speeds before descending to Earth to hit their targets. Capable of traveling at speeds of up to Mach 27 and carrying out evasive manoeuvres in flight, the system is invulnerable to all existing and prospective air defence systems. Initial development of the Avangard began in the mid-1980s as a response to Ronald Reagan's 'Star Wars' missile defence concept. The program, codenamed "Albatross," was approved in 1987, but abandoned in the early 1990s due to warming relations with Washington and, later, financial difficulties associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Russian government decided to resume work on the program in the 2000s, after the US began to deploy a missile defence shield in Europe. Testing of the Avangard began in 2013. In a March 1, 2018 speech to officials, President Putin unveiled the weapon as one of half-a-dozen systems designed to guarantee a Russian response in the event of an enemy nuclear attack. Sputnik US, S Korea to Downsize Military Drills Amid N Korea Denuclearisation - Reports Sputnik News 17:23 28.01.2019(updated 17:25 28.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States and South Korea will decrease the scale of their regular joint military exercises, scheduled for spring, in order to facilitate Pyongyang's denuclearization process, NHK World-Japan broadcaster reported on Monday. According to the broadcaster, citing sources in the South Korean Defence Ministry, the Key Resolve and the Foal Eagle exercises, which will begin in March, will not include maneuvering units this year in a bid to prevent hurting diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. The US and South Korean armed forces conduct annual joint drills in spring and practice their response to a potential armed conflict on the peninsula. The Key Resolve exercise will aim to coordinate the militaries' chains of command, while Foal Eagle will have forces practice a marine landing. Last year, the drills' time frame was shortened and a part of military training was canceled amid positive dynamics between the two Koreas. The long-standing tensions on the Korean Peninsula started to ease after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un committed to denuclearizing and held historic summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump last year. Trump has been considering a second summit with Kim to speed up the denuclearization talks. Earlier in January, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that Trump would hold his second summit with Kim at the end of February. Sputnik UN urges Myanmar to enact Annan's counsel on Rohingya Iran Press TV Mon Jan 28, 2019 03:30PM The United Nations (UN) has urged Myanmar to implement the recommendations of a panel on the Rohingya crisis that was led by a former UN head, the late Kofi Annan, including ensuring freedom of movement and access to education for children from the persecuted Muslim minority. Speaking at a forum in the Myanmarese capital, Naypyidaw, on Monday, the head of the UN's Children's Fund, UNICEF, Henrietta Fore, gave a bleak assessment of the outlook for Rohingya children in Myanmar and the larger number of them who have fled with their families to neighboring Bangladesh. Fore said the refugees, who have fled state-sponsored violence in Myanmar, faced risks and those still in Myanmar lacked access to proper education. She said the Rohingya children were living "a precarious and an almost hopeless existence" in camps in neighboring Bangladesh. Myanmar, she said, was yet to create the right conditions for the return of the refugees from Bangladesh. "We urge that the necessary steps are taken to enable their safe, voluntary, and dignified return back to their homes, where their rights are respected and they can once again live peaceably with their neighbors," said Fore, adding, "Taking these steps will also go a long way towards creating the right conditions for the return of refugees from Bangladesh." In August last year, UNICEF said thousands of Rohingya Muslim children lacked proper education both in Myanmar and in the border camps in Bangladesh, warning that the Myanmarese kids could become "a lost generation." The Annan commission was created in 2016 to find long-term solutions to the deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions in Myanmar's western Rakhine State, where most of the minority Rohingya Muslims were concentrated before state-sponsored violence began against them in November 2016. Annan died in August last year. The commission's recommendations included points urging the government to "immediately expand primary education to the communities in... Rakhine..., and intensify efforts to ensure that teachers assigned to Muslim villages resume their work, including by providing adequate security when necessary." It also called on authorities to "ensure that all children in the state have access to education in Myanmar language" and that the tertiary education access is expanded. But the implementation of the recommendations has been impeded, not just because most of the minority Muslim children are out of the country but also because their home villages and schools have been razed by the Myanmarese government to make room for Buddhists who have been shuttled by the government to repopulate the area and change its demography. The violence against the Rohingya carried out by military soldiers and Buddhist mobs intensified in August 2017. Thousands of Muslims were killed, and more than 700,000 others survived only by fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh. In October 2018, Bangladeshi and Myanmarese government officials announced that they had struck a "very concrete" repatriation deal for the return of the Rohingya Muslims. The refugees, and rights activists, however, fear that violence awaits them back home. The UN has appointed a special envoy for Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, who said on Friday that for the repatriation to happen, "the perpetrators [of the crimes against the Rohingya] must be held to account." Iran says waiting for EU to make up for delays on payment channel Iran Press TV Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:48AM Iran says it is waiting to see how the EU will make up for its delays to establish a special payment mechanism which is meant to bypass US sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Three European powers are set to announce plans to help companies trade with Iran under a mechanism known as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as early as Monday, Bloomberg reported. Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday that Iran has never limited its options to the SPV, but is still interested to see how the European Union delivers on its pledges. "Iran has never waited for Europe's payment mechanism but we are eager to see how Europe makes up for the delay," he told reporters during a press briefing in Tehran. "We had better wait and see what the European side eventually unveils," he said of the entity which is key to EU efforts to save a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran. The European signatories to the Iran nuclear deal the UK, France and Germany pledged to establish the SPV after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in May 2018. Russia and China, the other signatories, have expressed strong commitment to the deal despite Washington's pledge to re-impose the "toughest ever" sanctions against the Islamic Republic. According to the report by Bloomberg, the three European powers were going to "make good" on their promise to secure trade with Iran in defiance of the US. Citing a draft of an EU statement, the report said the bloc was going to unveil a three-nation initiative that would have "a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of Iranian people." Two diplomats said the new initiative was designed to shield EU companies from the US sanctions and would be discussed in Brussels on Monday and released on the same day if all 28 member countries agreed. In order to gather more support for its pressure campaign against Iran, the US has announced that it will co-host a summit with Poland in Warsaw next month. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said that she will not attend the meeting. According to the Wall Street Journal, ministers from several European Union countries will also likely skip the event. Qassemi said the conference is aimed at "sowing division" between Iran and European countries. "We are monitoring this summit with pessimism," he asserted, noting that the organizers had yet to invite Iran to the event. Among other countries, Russia and Iraq have also announced their decision to snub the summit which Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described as a "desperate anti-Iran circus." Iran corners US in nuclear deal: Zarif IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 28, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran's wise moves in regards with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has landed the US in an awkward situation. Addressing the Monday morning session of the Iranian parliament, he stressed that under the current situation, Iran has been able to take the best measuers. Zarif was in the parliament (Majlis) to answer a question by a parliamentarian enquiring about the the JCPOA. The foreign minister noted that Iran has already voiced its protest against all the disloyalties of the US and the other signatories of the JCPOA. 'We believe that, taking national interests into account, we have made the best moves and put the US in a convoluted situation; that's why they are trying their best to come out of isolation.' The parliament was convinced with Zarif's answers but he is still to answer two other questions today. 9417**1424 Launch of SPV by three European members of JCPOA to be announced IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency London, Jan 28, IRNA -- An informed European official said that Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be announced by the three countries of Britain, France and Germany soon. The European official, who did not want to be named, said in an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that after the launch of SPV, the EU will support it by issuing a 'summing up' statement. He did not, however, provide an explanation of the result of negotiations between the three European countries and the details of the EU 'summing up'. Some reports point to disagreement over the terms of the wording of 'summing up' by the members, but the European authority hinted that the launch of the SPV would not depend on the European Union's 'summing up' statement. According to this European official, the draft EU 'summing up' statement has been set since December after EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini had announced the imminent launch of the SPV, and is currently being reviewed by representatives of EU member-states. He did not comment on the controversy over the terms of this statement. Following the departure of the United States from the JCPOA, the European Union is completing a special financial mechanism that facilitates the exchange of Iranian finance exchange with European and global companies without hurting by US sanctions. A spokeswoman for the European Union told IRNA earlier that the launch of this mechanism is in an advanced stage and "we hope to announce the very soon'. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Wednesday that he hoped the EU's Special Purpose Vehicle to facilitate trade with Iran would be operational in the coming days. Reportedly, this mechanism is due to be registered in France and its head is a German. Britain will also be its shareholders. The Bloomberg Economic Network website released last night parts of a draft of EU 'summing up', which welcomed the initiative of Britain, France and Germany as 'a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran, and most importantly the lives of the Iranian people'. 9455**2050 Photo: The Canadian Press Ryerson University campus in Toronto. The federal government is writing off more than $163 million in outstanding student-loan payments that officials will never be able to collect. New spending documents show the government is giving up on debts from 31,658 students after "reasonable efforts to collect the amounts owed." It is the fourth time in the last five years that the government has written off outstanding student loans. The government periodically gives up on some of the $19 billion owing in student loans for a number of reasons: a debtor files for bankruptcy, the debt itself passes a six-year legal limit on collection, or the debtor can't be found. The Liberals have looked to make it easier for graduates to pay off their loans and the government to collect the cash by increasing the minimum annual income a person has to make before they are required to make debt payments. The threshold is now set at $25,000. The most recent annual report on the Canada Student Loans Program said that in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the government provided almost 490,000 full-time students with just under $2.7 billion in loans and a further $24.1 million in loans to 13,712 part-time students. The report said that the average federal student loan balance at graduating was $13,306, up from $12,783 in the previous 12-month period, an increase of 4.1 per cent. Borrowers typically take between nine and 15 years to fully pay off their loans and the period usually overlaps with when Canadians are most likely to start families. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 28) Authorities are pointing at six people who could be behind the twin blasts in Jolo, Sulu that killed 20 people and injured a hundred others in a cathedral during mass on Sunday. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said they are looking at two groups and six persons of interest for the attack based on recovered closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. He explained that they suspected the persons in the footage based on their "suspicious movements" after the bombs were set off. "Isang indication kasi noon usually ay kung may pagsabog usually ang mga tao ay papunta doon sa pagsabog para alam mo na, mag-usisero pero itong nakitang group ay paalis at mukhang suspicious ang kanilang movements," Esperon told CNN Philippines' Balitaan. [Translation: One indication is, because before, usually when there are bombings, people would go towards the explosion area out of curiosity, but we saw that this particular group were moving away and their movements were suspicious.] BREAKING: 'May tinitingnan kaming anim na 'person of interest' sa pagsabog' National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon #CNNPHBalitaan https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt pic.twitter.com/DoD8R5gJxP CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 28, 2019 Esperon said they have yet to verify the identities of the persons in question, however, he indicated that one of them could possibly be related to a local terrorist commander, whom he did not identify. In an interview on CNN Philippines' News Night, Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares--chief of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Police Office--said four of the six persons of interest were caught running after the explosions in the CCTV footage, while the two others were not in the vicinity of the cathedral during the incident. "They were running in different directions, and at that same time one of them passed something... It looks like a cell phone... while they were running," Mijares said, adding that the individuals could be members of the "Ajang-Ajang," which was linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group. Mijares said they have already identified one of the four persons seen in the footage, but he refused to disclose the person's identity. Possible ASG involvement Earlier, the military pointed at the "Adjang Adjang", a subgroup of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as the possible suspect behind the attack based on initial findings. Rommel Banlaoi, a professor from the Philippine Institute for Peace Violence and Terrorism, said the "Adjang Adjang" group is composed of relatives such as fathers and brothers of Abu Sayyaf Group members who were killed by the military during operations. "They are called the soldiers of the martyrs. They have been martyred because of their battles against the Christian government in Mindanao and they have this high motivation to exact revenge for the killing of their relatives," Banlaoi told CNN Philippines' The Source. Analyst: Suspected group behind blasts were relatives of killed Abu Sayyaf | #TheSource https://t.co/HJG578U1kL pic.twitter.com/MajujV0tzX CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 28, 2019 Banlaoi explained that the group was well known for kidnap for ransom activities and it was the first time they were involved in a bombing attack of this magnitude. Esperon said the "Adjang Adjang" are possible suspects based on their links to the ASG. "Ito 'yung mga anak ng dating Abu Sayyaf so talagang probable silang suspects," Esperon said. The explosion occurred around 8:28 a.m. Sunday, days after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law on Friday. The new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region replaces the ARMM. Sulu voted against the BOL, but since it is part of ARMM, its votes were counted with the while region. The province is contesting this before the Supreme Court. Esperon said they are still looking at all possible angles to determine the motive behind the attack. "Maraming angulo kasi itong Jolo kasi matagal nang may conflict dito, sinosort out natin 'yanOne of them would be rivalries between groups and of course 'yung Abu Sayaf kasi 'yung Abu Sayyaf may mga group din dito so isa-isa tinitingnan natin ang lahat," he said. [Translation: There are many angles because there has been in conflict in Yolo since then is we're sorting them outOne of them would be rivalries between groups and of course the Abu Sayyaf because they have groups here so we're looking at all of them.] Mindanao, of which Sulu is part, has been under martial law since May 23, 2017. Esperon said they will also look at the possible gaps in the security system that allowed the culprits to initiate the attack. "Hindi natin sinasabing may perfect na security so tinitingan natin 'kung paano natin paiigtingin ngayon ang intelligence and hardening of targets at saka deployments natin dito," the adviser said. [Translation: We're not saying there is a perfect security (system) so we're looking at how we can intensify intelligence (operations) and harding of targets and our deployments here.] Indian Air Force Fighter Jet Crashes in Uttar Pradesh Sputnik News 10:57 28.01.2019(updated 11:19 28.01.2019) An Indian Air Force "Jaguar" fighter crashed in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, in the north of India, the Times of India reports. The jet was on a routine mission from Gorakhpur. The pilot manged to eject safely, according to reports. "This morning, a Jaguar aircraft crashed while on a routine mission from Gorakhpur. The pilot ejected safely. A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the accident," the Indian Air Force said a statement. There is no information about the cause of the crash yet. Video filmed at the scene of the crash shows flaming debris and a large crowd of eyewitnesses. Authorities are investigating the accident. Earlier, in September, an Indian Air Force MiG-27 fighter jet crashed during a routine flight near the city of Jodhpur in the country's northern state of Rajasthan; the pilot managed to eject safely. The Jaguar is a twin-engine, ground attack aircraft which was designed and developed jointly by Breguet of France (now part of Dassault) and the UK-based British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) in the 1960's; India started using the planes in 1979. Sputnik India to Build Advanced Repair Facility for Scorpene-Class Submarines - Source Sputnik News 39 28.01.2019(updated 19:08 28.01.2019) Six Scorpene-class submarines are being manufactured at India's Mazgaon Dock Limited facility with the technical support of French naval shipbuilding firm Naval Group, previously known as DCNS. All six submarines are expected to join the Indian Navy by 2022. With six Scorpene-class submarines expected to join the Indian Navy in the next four years, the country's defence ministry has pushed forward plans to build an advanced repair facility. The ministry has signed a contract worth $57.59 million with French firm Thales to set up a repair facility at a port off the eastern coast, an Indian Defence Ministry official told Sputnik on the condition of anonymity. "The ministry signed a contract for setting up an advanced level repair facility for the underwater surveillance system, electronic support measures and external communication system for Scorpene (P-75) submarine for Indian Navy with Thales DMS France," the official said. Another official told Sputnik that the repair facility will assist in the repair of six Scorpene-class submarines, without delay. The Indian government is also seeking to ensure that the French firm trains Indian technicians working in the repair facility, while promptly making the equipment for repair work available to them. The Scorpene-class submarines are being manufactured at the Mazgaon Dock Limited facility with technical support from French naval shipbuilding firm Naval Group, earlier known as DCNS. The first boat was scheduled to enter service in 2012, seven years after signing the deal, but India's MDL shipbuilder could deliver the submarine only as early as December 2017. The two other Scorpene-class submarines are now set to join the Indian Navy in 2019. Subsequently, every year after 2019, one submarine is going to be delivered to the Indian Navy, with the last one entering service in 2022. By 2022, the Indian Navy expects at least 18 submarines to be in its service, of which eight will be indigenous. Sputnik China Foreign Investment Law Raises Concern By Joyce Huang January 28, 2019 China is moving quickly to push forward a draft version of its first Foreign Investment Law this week. Among other things, the proposed law bans forced technology transfers, guarantees national treatment for foreign investors and steps up intellectual property right protections all key issues in the ongoing trade dispute with Washington. It also supports a negative-list management for foreign investment. A list unveiled in June last year cut the number of restricted items down to 48 from 63 and removed access restrictions in several sectors, according to state media. Analysts note, however, that the way the law is being "rushed through" and the vague wording of many of its 39 clauses is casting some serious doubts on authorities' ability to enforce the legislation after it is passed. Being rushed through? Lester Ross, who chairs the China Policy Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Beijing, said he's concerned about the draft's expedited review, including a two-day legislative session for the draft bill that begins Tuesday. The meeting comes before the period of solicitation of public comments is set to end in late February. China's largely rubber-stamp legislature, the National People's Congress, is working to fast-track the bill's passage during its annual meeting in March, which may serve as an olive branch to ease trade tensions with Washington, said Liu Meng-chun of the Chung-Hua Institution of Economic Research (CIER) in Taipei. While acknowledging the draft's consistency with the "competitive neutrality" principal, which encourages fair competition between domestic and foreign businesses, Ross said the draft has many shortcomings. "The problem is that there are many provisions in the law, which do not address the concerns of foreign investors and in addition, the provisions are in some cases so broadly-worded that they actually create a basis for mistreatment of foreign businesses," he said. Additional hurdles For example, article 20 allows the state to take control of foreign investment in the interest of the public. Yet what defines public interest isn't clear. As is the case when article 33 states the need for safety reviews on foreign businesses, which "influence or are likely to influence national security." That, Ross said, creates an additional hurdle when the law is intended to reduce hurdles. As a principal, he urges China to keep restrictions on foreign investment to a minimum in accordance with international norms and China's own WTO commitments. Walker Wallace, partner at the U.S. international law firm O'Melveny & Myers' office in Shanghai, finds the draft's article 39 problematic. As it is currently worded, the article only gives foreign businesses a five-year grace period to reorganize their existing corporate structure mainly joint ventures or wholly foreign-owned enterprises. A problematic deadline "Putting the five-year term limit basically puts the gun to the heads of the joint venture parties and says you have five years to try and reopen a deal that was closely negotiated before where people made trade-offs one way or another. And that opens up the possibility for all kinds of mischief," Wallace says. He said China should allow foreign-invested enterprises to retain their existing corporate structures till the end of their current contract so that no shareholders, for example, a Chinese land owner and a foreign hotel company with an agreement longer than five years, use the opportunity to unfairly renegotiate. Another issue, he adds, is the bill fails to spell out the consequences foreign businesses will face if they're unable to complete such reorganization within the time frame. Wallace also urged China to add provisions to the draft that would allow foreign businesses to be able to freely establish domestic subsidiaries just like their local competitors. It remains to be seen whether foreign companies will be governed by China's Company Law after the bill takes effect. If so, the Company Law presents another set of problems, said Ross. For example, he added, foreign businesses will find it unacceptable to set up a Communist Party branch within the companies, as required by article 19. Enforceable assurances? Compared to the 2015 draft, the earlier version of the law, the new bill further opens up the Chinese market to foreign investment through deregulation and institutional reform. But how that will all play out in practice remains to be seen as the law's enforcement will be handled by local governments, CIER's Liu noted. "China has often embraced protectionist policies at the local level. If the open-up policy involves sectors that have long been dominated by local government-owned enterprises, it means these government-run companies will now face foreign competition. Given that their performance is tied to local governments' fiscal [health], it remains to be seen if local authorities will fully execute the central government's policies," the economist said. In other words, the removal of hidden hurdles for foreign businesses that contradict to the law upon its adoption will be key, he added. Those hurdles include bureaucratic red tape, taxation practices or the level of priorities given to foreign businesses in listing queues, all of which have, in the past, added difficulties to the operation of foreign investment there, observers say. China Test Launch 'Carrier Killer' Missile Amid Strait Tensions With US Sputnik News 12:39 28.01.2019(updated 12:40 28.01.2019) Earlier, the Chinese military mobilised its DF-26 nuclear-capable intermediate-range anti-ship missiles, also known as 'Guam Killers' for their ability to strike American military installations on the Pacific island, amid ongoing US 'freedom of navigation' missions in the South China Sea and through the Taiwan Strait. Chinese state television has released a video showing the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force firing a DF-26 intermediate-range missile. The video, filmed during a live-fire exercise somewhere in Northwest China, showed one of two DF-26 missiles which were launched last week. Speaking to China's Global Times newspaper, military observer and former Rocket Force veteran Song Zhongping said that the DF-26 is capable of altering its flight trajectory, and has guidance systems enabling it to hit a slow-moving aircraft carrier. The rocket's double-cone structure also provides it with stealth capabilities, making it more difficult to intercept, he said. "An information network connected to the warhead, which possibly includes satellites, ground and naval radar in addition to radar on the missile itself, will constantly update the location of a moving target, informing flight control where to guide the missile," a second, anonymous military expert told the newspaper. The PLA's Rocket Force commissioned its first batch of 22 DF-26 mobile missile systems last April. Earlier this month, Chinese media reported that the military had mobilised the missiles in its remote northwest plateau, presumably in response to a US guided missile destroyer's 'freedom of navigation' passage through the Paracel/Xisha Islands, which Beijing said amounted to trespassing in its territorial waters. China-US tensions escalated again last week, after the US Navy sailed two vessels through the Taiwan Strait. Beijing has repeatedly called on Washington to stay clear of the strait over concerns that the US was providing military support to Taiwan. Although the island has been a self-governing entity since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, Beijing considers it an integral part of China. Sputnik U.S., Russian Leaders Urged To Help Ethnic Kazakhs In Xinjiang By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service January 28, 2019 ALMATY -- A group of ethnic Kazakhs originally from China have urged the U.S. and Russian presidents to help secure the release of their relatives whom they say are being held at so-called "reeducation camps" in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang. Some 30 Kazakhs from Xinjiang's Barkol-Kazakh Autonomous County made the call during a January 28 gathering at the Almaty office of the nongovernmental organization Atazhurt Volunteers. In a statement read out in the English and Russian languages, the participants urged U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to press for the release of their relatives. They said that their relatives had been detained while traveling between their native Xinjiang and the border with Kazakhstan or had been prevented from leaving China to join their families in Kazakhstan. The United Nations said in August that an estimated 1 million Muslims from Xinjiang, including ethnic Kazakhs, were being held in "counterextremism centers." The UN also said millions more had been forced into reeducation camps. In August, a court in Almaty refused to extradite Sairagul Sauytbay, an ethnic Kazakh Chinese citizen who was wanted in China for illegal border crossing. Sauytbay fled China in April and testified in the Almaty court that thousands of ethnic Kazakhs, Uyghurs, and other Muslims in Xinjiang are undergoing "political indoctrination" at a network of "reeducation camps." She testified that Chinese authorities had forced her to train "political ideology" instructors for reeducation camps, giving her access to secret documents about what she called a state program to "reeducate" Muslims from indigenous ethnic communities. On January 28, the Almaty regional police department official, Elmurat Nurseitov, said that Sauytbay's asylum-seeker status had been prolonged until April 25. Uyghurs are the largest indigenous community in Xinjiang, followed by Kazakhs, and the region is also home to ethnic Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and Hui, also known as Dungans. Han, China's largest ethnicity, are the second-largest community in Xinjiang. China denies that the facilities are internment camps. After Kazakhstan gained independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many ethnic Kazakhs from Xinjiang and elsewhere benefited from Kazakhstan's state program on resettlement of ethnic Kazakhs into the country. Those who obtained permanent residence in Kazakhstan or Kazakh citizenship have continued to visit their relatives in Xinjiang on a regular basis. In recent months, Kazakh settlers from China held several public rallies in Almaty to protest against Beijing's policies in Xinjiang a sensitive issue in Kazakhstan. China is a major trading partner for the Central Asian nation, and the Kazakh state-controlled media have generally avoided reporting about the internment centers in Xinjiang. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-russian- leaders-urged-to-help-ethnic-kazakhs-in -xinjiang/29735842.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. US 1,000-mile range 'supergun' may be a de facto intermediate-range ballistic missile: analysts People's Daily Online By Liu Xuanzun and Wei Yunfeng Source:Global Times Published: 2019/1/28 17:58:40 The US development of a 1,000-mile range "supergun" which it claims to be able to engage the Chinese military in the South China Sea could be a cover for an anti-ship intermediate-range ballistic missile, since such a weapon would break the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) which the US is trying to withdraw from, Chinese experts said. The experts' remarks came after the US Army claimed last week to be developing a "supergun" capable of engaging Chinese naval vessels in the South China Sea from 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers) away. The weapon could "open the door" for the US Navy and Marines in the South China Sea if Chinese naval vessels are in the way, according to US Military Secretary Mark Esper, US media outlet the National Interest reported Friday. "You want to be outside the range that they can hit you," Esper said, boasting of the tremendous range the "supergun" could cover. A Chinese military expert who asked not to be named told the Global Times that cannons have a range of no more than 100 kilometers. Even the electromagnetic railgun the US is developing has a range no more than 300 kilometers. So the 1,000-mile "extended-range cannon artillery" Esper said is most likely a long-range missile, according to the anonymous expert. As technology advances, a long-range missile has little difference with a missile, and a missile capable of reaching 1,000 miles is considered an intermediate-range missile, and thus violates the INF Treaty, the expert said. This is why the US calls the weapon a cannon, the expert told the Global Times. The US is considering withdrawing from the INF Treaty in February, the Guardian reported on January 16. The treaty between the US and Russia bans missiles with a range of 500-5,000 kilometers of the two countries. Even if the weapon is successfully developed, China is not outranged at all, as China has weapons like the DF-26 missile that reportedly has a range of 4,500 kilometers and can reach US naval bases in Guam in the western Pacific, and air strikes with warplanes are also on the table, analysts said. Chinese experts believe the whole "supergun" tag could be a cover for the US to develop a DF-26-like intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of targeting moving vessels while avoiding the INF Treaty. Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times on Monday that such a weapon can pose a serious threat to ships. He expects the US missile to be mounted on a mobile platform on land, which makes it difficult to locate. On another aspect, the South China Sea issue is being used by US Army ground forces to show their strategic value, analysts said. US Mulls Deploying New Anti-ICBM Radar in Japan Report Sputnik News 19:00 28.01.2019 The report comes after President Donald Trump unveiled the US' new Missile Defence Review in mid-January, which specifically aims to tackle the threat of possible ICBM attacks by China, Russia and North Korea. Washington is due to brief Tokyo on its plans to deploy a sophisticated radar in Japan to help intercept enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in the immediate future, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. The newspaper cited government sources as saying that the Homeland Defence Radar (HDR) will be designed to track ICBMs heading for the US mainland, the country's territory of Guam, Hawaii and elsewhere. The HDR, set to be deployed in Japan by 2025, is part of the US' new Missile Defence Review (MDR), which was presented by President Donald Trump on 17 January. The MDR, in particular, singled out four countries which it claimed currently pose a missile threat to Americans on home soil: North Korea, Iran, Russia and China. As far as Russia and China are concerned, the document described them as the only countries to have the capacity to carry out a large-scale attack against the United States using ballistic missiles. In December 2017, Tokyo approved the deployment of the Aegis Ashore land-based missile defence system in Japan's northwest and southwest. The two components are slated to enter service before the end of 2023. Japan is currently protected by four destroyers equipped with US Aegis missile defence systems carrying SM-3 intercept missiles as well as surface-to-air modernized Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) ballistic missile interceptors. Sputnik Talk to Kabul, US Envoy Tells Taliban By Ayesha Tanzeem January 28, 2019 The U.S. special representative for Afghan reconciliation is urging direct talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government as he confirmed details in a draft peace deal aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in the country. Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times in Kabul that the deal framework would have to be "fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," but stressed the Taliban "have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals." In return, the U.S. may be willing to give in to the prime Taliban demand of withdrawing its troops from the country given that other conditions, including a comprehensive cease-fire and the start of a dialogue with Kabul, are met. U.S. and Taliban officials had held six days of talks in Doha. Details of their draft deal first started appearing Saturday. "I have encouraged the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government. It is our policy to get to intra-Afghan talks," Khalilzad told reporters in the Afghan capital Monday. The Taliban have so far refused to meet directly with the Kabul administration, which has been a sticking point in the negotiations so far. All hinges on US withdrawal In a statement after the talks with the U.S. ended Saturday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgency's position on the issue was clear. "[U]ntil the issue of withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is agreed upon, progress in other issues is impossible," the statement read. Khalilzad urged all Afghans to get beyond their political differences to take advantage of the momentum generated by multiple rounds of negotiations. "I believe for the first time I can say that we have made significant progress. Seize this opportunity," he said. In Washington, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said he was encouraged by the recent talks with the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, in an address to the nation Monday, also called on the insurgent group to "start a serious dialogue with the Afghan government." Ghani has made multiple offers to the Taliban to negotiate "anytime anywhere" without any preconditions, but Taliban have rejected his proposals. Talks between the Taliban and American diplomats started last summer in Doha. In September, Khalilzad was appointed by President Donald Trump to help negotiate an end to the 17-year-long conflict. Since then, he has held several rounds with the Taliban. In the last round of talks between the two sides in Abu Dhabi in December, the Kabul administration had sent a team led by National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, in hopes that it would meet the Taliban directly. But the Taliban team refused to talk to their fellow Afghans, despite meeting with the Americans. If Taliban continue to refuse meeting the Afghan government, it could potentially unravel the progress made so far. "The key for finding the solutions for Afghan problems is at the hands of Afghans now,"Khalilzad said. Link between conflict and hunger worldwide, 'all too persistent and deadly', says new UN report 28 January 2019 - Conflict-driven hunger is getting worse, according to a snapshot of the eight places in the world with the highest number of people in need of emergency food support, and the link between them is "all too persistent and deadly" according to a new report delivered to the UN Security Council on Monday. The new report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) follows on from a landmark Council resolution on preventing hunger in conflict zones, adopted in May. The situation in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Yemen worsened in the latter part of 2018 largely because of conflict, although Somalia, Syria and the Lake Chad Basin, saw some improvements in line with improved security. In total, around 56 million people are in need of urgent food and livelihood assistance across the eight theatres of war. "This report clearly demonstrates the impact of armed violence on the lives and livelihoods of millions of men, women, boys and girls caught up in conflict," wrote FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva states in the report's foreword. "I would strongly encourage you to keep in mind that behind these seemingly dry statistics are real people experiencing rates of hunger that are simply unacceptable in the 21st century," he continued. Violence against humanitarian workers is also on the rise, sometimes forcing organizations to suspend their life-saving operations, leaving those at risk, even more vulnerable. Every single country covered in the report, saw attacks carried out on aid workers and facilities last year. "This report shows again the tragic link between conflict and hunger and how it still pervades far too much of the world. We need better and quicker access in all conflict zones, so we can get to more of the civilians who need our help. But what the world needs most of all is an end to the wars," wrote WFP chief David Beasley in the foreword. The Security Council's Resolution 2417 condemns unequivocally, starvation as a tool of war. It calls on all parties to armed conflict to comply with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to minimize the impact of military actions on civilians, including on food production and distribution, and to allow humanitarian access in a safe and timely manner to civilians needing lifesaving food, nutritional and medical assistance. "The millions of men, women and children going hungry as a result of armed conflict will not be reduced unless and until these fundamental principles are followed", states the joint UN agency report. Here's the outlook for some of the countries in the spotlight: * Yemen's three-year war is a stark demonstration of the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities to address the world's largest food security emergency. In its country analysis, the report states that conflicting parties disregarded the protected status of humanitarian facilities and personnel. * The Democratic Republic of the Congo had the second highest number (13 million) of acutely food insecure people, driven by a rise in armed conflict, during the second half of 2018. * In South Sudan, after more than five years of war, the lean season is expected to start earlier than normal, according to the report, pushing those in need of urgent support up to more than 5 million between January and March, 2019. * In the Lake Chad basin including north-eastern Nigeria, Chad's Lac region and Niger's Diffa, where extremist groups are highly active, a major deterioration in food security is projected during this year's lean season beginning in June, and three million people are expected to face acute food insecurity. * In Afghanistan, the percentage of rural Afghans facing acute food deficits is projected to reach 47 percent (or 10.6 million people) by March if urgent life-saving assistance is not provided. * In the Central African Republic, armed conflict remained the main driver of hunger in 2018, with 1.9 million people experiencing a severe lack of food. Venezuelan Opposition in Secret Talks With Military to Force Maduro Out - Guaido Sputnik News 07:43 28.01.2019 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Venezuelan opposition is currently pursuing secret negotiations with the country's government officials and military in a bid to force President Nicolas Maduro out, Juan Guaido, the self-proclaimed Venezuelan interim president, told US Washington Post newspaper on Monday. "We have been in talks with government officials, civilian and military men This is a very delicate subject involving personal security. We are meeting with them, but discreetly," Guaido said. Guaido called on his supporters on Monday to take part in new rallies scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday. "On Wednesday, a mass public demonstration will be held, and I call on the people of Venezuela to take to the streets," Guaido said in a video address that he posted on Twitter. The opposition leader added that another rally would be held on Saturday. He also said that the protests aimed to promote respect for human rights in the country, to put an end to usurpation of power, and also to ensure possibility to receive humanitarian assistance. Last Wednesday, Guaido, the head of the opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself the country's interim president amid a political crisis in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Washington, which immediately recognized Guaido as interim president, for staging a coup in the country and announced that he would severe diplomatic ties with the United States. Russia said that it recognized only Maduro as the legitimately elected president of Venezuela and also voiced readiness to mediate dialogue between the government and the opposition. Sputnik Photo: Contributed A doghouse that would make any pooch the envy of their puppy pals was donated to the BC SPCA Okanagan-Similkameen by local high school students this week. The project was built by the skills exploration class at Penticton Secondary School, where students get hands-on experience in various trades. Brian Allanson, shop teacher at Penticton Secondary School, said the students came up with the idea and saw it through to fruition. [The students] pretty much take charge of the whole thing, I just stand back and make sure they are doing things safely and correctly, Allanson said. They make a lot of decisions on their own. The dog house was built with 100 per cent rescued cedar for free from local business Outdoor Living Manufacturing Ltd. The students decided to build the doghouse in the style of a pagoda, based on Japanese tiered towers, applying many skills to the fully finished dog house complete with windows and trim. What I do is try and connect skills exploration to the community somehow, weve done different projects in the community and this year I asked at the beginning of the class what they wanted to do, Allanson said. We came up with the idea of a doghouse. In a Facebook post thanking the students, the BC SPCA said the doghouse may soon appear for auction at one of their future events. Some 600 US Soldiers Arrived at Syria Military Bases Amid Pullout - Reports Sputnik News 12:13 28.01.2019(updated 12:37 28.01.2019) In December, US President Donald Trump declared victory over the Daesh* terrorist group and said he would withdraw some 2,000 US troops who are currently deployed in the Middle Eastern country. Around 600 US soldiers arrived at Syrian military bases located to the east of the Euphrates, Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported on Monday. The US servicemen are now located at bases in Aleppo province, including in the Sarin region, as these are expected to become the key points where the US troops will be withdrawing from the war-torn state, Anadolu specified. The recently-arrived American military will assist the troops during the withdrawal process. This comes after last week, CNN reported, citing sources, that Washington has sent additional armed forces to Syria to guarantee the secure withdrawal of its troops from the Middle Eastern state. The move follows Donald Trump's December announcement that the terrorist group Daesh had been defeated, and that he would withdraw some 2,000 US troops currently deployed in Syria. 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 Moscow Not Planning to Have Any Contacts With Venezuela's Guaido - Kremlin Sputnik News 12:51 28.01.2019(updated 13:36 28.01.2019) Earlier, the United States and Israel, alongside a handful of other nations, recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. The Kremlin has not made contact with leader of the Venezuelan opposition, Juan Guaido, and there are no such plans at the moment, Dmitry Peskov stressed. Venezuelans themselves must resolve the situation in the country within the framework of the constitution, Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that external interference will only aggravate the situation, so Russia is avoiding this, unlike other countries. "Now the main thing is that the Venezuelans themselves should settle all the differences that may be between them within the framework of the constitutional field, and the only way we can help is not to interfere in this situation, as some countries directly do. Intervention only aggravates this situation," Peskov told reporters. Assistance to Venezuela Peskov dismissed reports that Russia allegedly ensured protection for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. "You know, these are conspiracy theory-related reports. It can be seen on the site, security guards in Venezuela, who guard Maduro, think logically. Just don't react to canards," Peskov told reporters. During the press conference, the spokesperson was asked if any additional assistance to the Venezuelan president, including military and financial aid, was being discussed. "No," Peskov answered. Kremlin has no information on the reported flight of Rossiya special flying squad plane to South America, Peskov added. "We do not have such information. We do not perform flight dispatching functions," Peskov said. The squad operates flights of Russia's top officials. Media reported that one of its planes flew to South America on January 19. Political Situation in Venezuela Last Wednesday, Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself the country's interim president amid the ongoing political crisis. In turn, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the US, which immediately recognised Guaido as interim president, of staging a coup in the country. Maduro announced last week his decision to cut diplomatic ties with the United States and ordered its diplomats out. Several regional and European governments also recognized Guaido. Four EU countries said they would recognize Guaido if Venezuelan authorities failed to call a new presidential election within eight days. Russia said that it recognized only Maduro as the legitimately elected president of Venezuela and also voiced readiness to mediate dialogue between the government and the opposition. Sputnik Venezuela Working to 'Neutralise' US as Driving Force Behind Coup Attempt - FM Sputnik News 13:33 28.01.2019(updated 19:55 28.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Venezuela is seeking to contain the United States as the force driving a multinational effort to unseat the government in Caracas, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has told the RT news channel. "We are focused on neutralizing attacks by Washington, which will in turn neutralize attacks by subservient governments in Latin America and in Europe," he said in an interview out Sunday night. Arreaza described US President Donald Trump as the man "in charge of the coup" and "running the circus" after Washington recognized Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president. At the same time, the senior official refuted media reports suggesting that the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, had asked Moscow for military aid amid the political crisis. "These are just rumors," Arreaza told the RT broadcaster. Several regional and European governments also recognised Guaido. Four EU countries said they would recognize Guaido if Venezuelan authorities failed to call a new presidential election within eight days. Maduro announced last week his decision to cut diplomatic ties with the United States and ordered its diplomats out. He suggested setting up interest offices in each other's countries. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro did not have the authority to force US diplomats out. His office told Sputnik that the US embassy in Venezuela would not be closed. Sputnik Afghan President Calls on Taliban to Start Direct Talks With Kabul Sputnik News 14:05 28.01.2019(updated 18:33 28.01.2019) KABUL (Sputnik) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday called on the Taliban movement to engage in direct negotiations with the country's authorities, reaffirming the importance of national unity and a strong government. "I call on the Taliban to start serious direct talks with the Afghan government National unity, independence of the country, the integrity of its territory and a strong central government are non-negotiable issues The Taliban has two options: it can support its people or become a tool in the arms of other states," Ghani said in an address to the nation, as broadcast by National Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA). At the same time, according to the Afghan president, Kabul will attempt to remove all foreign troops from the country in accordance with a special plan. "We will try to bring the number of foreign troops down to zero based on a clear plan," Ghani said, as broadcast by National Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA). The issue of peace between opposing forces in Afghanistan is being discussed in various formats, including one in Moscow. The first round of Moscow talks on Afghanistan was held in April 2017 and was attended by deputy foreign ministers and special representatives of 11 countries interested in restoring peace in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has long been in a state of turmoil, with the government fighting the Taliban, which has been holding vast territories in rural areas under its control and regularly launches offensives on key big cities. The situation has been exacerbated by the activities of the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia), which has been operating in Afghanistan since 2015. In December, media reported that the United States planned to withdraw around 7,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan to fight terrorist groups. The reports came in the wake of US President Donald Trump's announcement regarding his intention to pull troops out of Syria since, according to him, the IS there had been defeated. The White House has dismissed the claims about Afghanistan, saying that Trump has no such plans. There are currently around 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, in addition to the around 16,000 servicemen from NATO and partner states. Sputnik UK Working Behind the Scenes to Unite EU Against Venezuela's Maduro Report Sputnik News 16:02 28.01.2019(updated 17:47 28.01.2019) Earlier, US media reported that US President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of using military force against Venezuela with a senior Republican senator, two weeks before Western-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself the country's interim president. The UK's decision to join Washington in putting severe pressure on the Venezuelan government includes a bid to unite the European Union to forge a hard line against Maduro's government, The Guardian reported. According to the newspaper, notwithstanding its looming exit from the EU bloc in March, London has devised a "three-fold strategy" which includes "maximum pressure" on Maduro on early elections, "keeping the EU united," protecting British diplomats in the Latin American country and "repeatedly point[ing] out Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's associations with the governments of Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez." Corbyn, a staunch anti-interventionist, has faced attacks from the media and the Foreign Office over his long-standing positive stance on Venezuela, with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt attacking him on Twitter over the weekend and suggesting Venezuela's poverty under its democratic socialist government might be "just the tiniest clue what Corbyn's policies might do to Britain." The UK joined Spain, France, Germany and Portugal in recognising Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader, echoing US claims that President Maduro was not the "legitimate" president. The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, echoed calls for fresh elections and warned of "further actions, including on the issue of recognition of the country's leadership," but did not go so far as to question Maduro's legitimacy amid doubts among EU members Austria, Greece and Italy, and fears that US efforts may only lead to further chaos. On Sunday, senior US Senator Lindsey Graham told Axios that President Trump was "really hawkish" on Venezuela, and even asked him what he thought "about using military force" in the country. Graham, himself a well known hawk who supported US intervention in Iraq, Libya, and Syria, told Trump to "go slow" on Venezuela, and said that the use of military force would be "problematic," according to his own account. According to The Guardian, Europe's pro-Guaido diplomats now have about a week to try "to bring doubters into line." For their part, "British diplomats are determined to show how many chances at reconciliation Maduro has spurned," the paper noted. President Maduro accused Washington of attempting to stage a coup in his country and moved to cut diplomatic ties with the United States last week after Guaido proclaimed himself Venezuela's interim president and demanded early elections. Guaido's attempt at usurpation was quickly endorsed by the US, Canada, about a dozen nations in Latin America and several European powers. Moscow urged foreign powers not to interfere in the Latin American country's internal affairs, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calling US policy toward Venezuela "destructive" and "unacceptable." Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, China, Iran, Syria and Turkey have affirmed their support for the Maduro government and urged foreign powers not to interfere. Sputnik Western-Backed Guaido Says Hopes US to Avoid Use of Force in Venezuela Sputnik News 17:07 28.01.2019(updated 17:21 28.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself the country's interim president, hopes that the United States will not use force in Venezuela, limiting pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro to diplomatic and economic measures. "I hope the situation implied in your question will never happen. Recent official statements by the State Department show that the United States will use all its diplomatic and economic, not military power, to put pressure on the Maduro regime," Guaido told the Colombian newspaper Tiempo, answering the relevant question. Guaido believes that rallies and international pressure would be enough to put an end to the rule of President Nicolas Maduro. "Definitely yes," Guaido said, answering the relevant question. Just a few weeks ago, no one could have predicted the situation that is now taking shape in Venezuela, he noted. "For the first time, the dictatorship is under internal and external pressure, with certain coordination. The fundamentals of the regime are shaken," Guaido added. He said he was not afraid for his life. "No, nothing of the kind. I feel confident, but I take the necessary precautions," he said. Guaido noted that the risk of being detained by security officers loyal to Maduro has existed since he started chairing the National Assembly on January 5. "But in Venezuela, the time has come when you need to take responsibility and fulfill obligations. I take my own. I do not shy away from them," the self-proclaimed interim president said. Guaido also stated that he was not afraid of prison after the Supreme Court of Venezuela declared the invalidity of any decisions of the country's opposition-controlled National Assembly. The court also urged the prosecutor's office to "get tough" with the lawmakers. Last week, the conflict between the government and the opposition in Venezuela escalated as Guaido, the head of the National Assembly, declared himself the country's interim president in a move that has been recognized by the United States, Canada and a number of other countries. Maduro has, in turn, accused Washington of orchestrating a coup in the Latin American country and said that Caracas was severing diplomatic ties with Washington. So far, the United States, Canada, Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and a number of other countries have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. In addition, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain announced their intention to recognize Guaido as interim president of the country if new elections are not announced in Venezuela within eight days. Russia said that it recognized only Maduro as the legitimately elected president of Venezuela and also voiced his readiness to mediate a dialogue between the government and opposition. Sputnik Caracas Engaged in Fully-Fledged Dialogue With Washington - Venezuelan FM Sputnik News 19:45 28.01.2019(updated 20:19 28.01.2019) Earlier in the day, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told the RT news channel that Caracas was seeking to contain the United States as the force driving a multinational effort to unseat the government in the country. "This is reality we are actually conducting a dialogue our teams will soon hold a meeting. We will continue to maintain contacts," Arreaza said at a press conference. The senior official further noted that the member-states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday to call for a dialogue in Venezuela. On Wednesday, the speaker of the opposition-led Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, declared himself interim head of state amid ongoing anti-government protests. The US, together with several regional and European countries have recognised Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president. Maduro announced last week his decision to cut diplomatic ties with the United States and ordered its diplomats out. He suggested setting up interest offices in each other's countries. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro did not have the authority to force US diplomats out. His office told Sputnik that the US embassy in Venezuela would not be closed. Sputnik USS Cook Leaves Black Sea After Conducting Security Operations - US Navy Sputnik News 20:16 28.01.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Navy's guided-missile destroyer Donald Cook has left the Black Sea after conducting security operations and is now heading toward the Mediterranean Sea, the 6th Fleet said in a press release on Monday. "The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook began its south-bound transit of the Bosphorus Strait, en route to the Mediterranean Sea Jan. 28 after conducting maritime security operations and enhancing regional maritime stability, combined readiness and naval capability with our NATO allies and partners in the Black Sea," the Navy's 6th Fleet said. While in the Black Sea region, the US warship paid a visit to the Georgian port of Batumi and conducted a maritime exercise with Georgia's Coast Guard. "Our port visit and operations with the Georgian coast guard provided a tremendous opportunity to enhance our overall operability," the warship's Commander Matthew Powel said in the release. "Visits like these are beneficial for both the US and our allies and partners in the region, and we look forward to returning." Donald Cook entered the Black Sea on January 19 on a mission to demonstrate NATO's commitment to Operation Atlantic Resolve. Russia's national defense control center on January 19 said the Black Sea Fleet was carefully monitoring the movements of the US missile destroyer. It added that the vessel entered the area through the Turkish-controlled Dardanelles Strait under the 1936 Montreux Convention, which forbids naval warships from non-Black Sea states from staying in the body of water for more than 21 days. Sputnik U.S., Taliban Agree In Principle To Afghan Peace 'Framework' By RFE/RL January 28, 2019 U.S. and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the "framework" of a peace deal, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said after five days of talks between the militant group and the United States in Qatar. Both sides have said "progress" had been made in the talks aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan. "We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," Khalilzad said in an interview with The New York Times in Kabul on January 28. In the framework, the militants agree to prevent Afghan territory from being used by groups such as Al-Qaeda to stage terrorist attacks. That could lead to a full pullout of U.S. combat troops, but only in return for the Taliban entering talks with the Afghan government and agreeing to a lasting cease-fire. The Taliban "committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals," Khalilzad was quoted as saying. "We felt enough confidence that we said we need to get this fleshed out, and details need to be worked out," he added, according to The New York Times. The Western-backed government in Kabul has struggled to fend off a resurgent Taliban and other militant groups. The Taliban has so far refused to hold direct negotiations with Afghan government officials, whom they dismiss as "puppets." In separate comments made at a meeting with the Afghan media in Kabul on January 28, Khalilzad said, "I have encouraged the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government. It is our policy to get to intra-Afghan talks." The militants have said they will only begin talks with the government once a firm date for the withdrawal of U.S. troops has been agreed. In a televised address on January 28, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called on the Taliban to enter "serious" negotiations with the government in Kabul and "accept Afghans' demand for peace." "Either they join the great nation of Afghanistan with a united voice, or be the tool of foreign objectives," he told the militant group. Ghani spoke after Khalilzad briefed him and other Afghan officials in Kabul on the six-day talks he held with Taliban representatives in the Qatari capital, Doha, last week. The president's office quoted Khalilzad as saying he had held talks about the withdrawal of foreign troops and a possible cease-fire, but nothing was agreed upon. "The U.S. insisted in their talks with the Taliban that the only solution for lasting peace in Afghanistan is intra-Afghan talks," Khalilzad said, according to a statement. "My role is to facilitate" such talks between the insurgents and Kabul, Khalilzad was quoted as saying. The U.S. envoy said on January 26 that the United States and the Taliban had made "significant progress," adding that the Doha talks were "more productive than they have been in the past." He also emphasized that the sides "have a number of issues left to work out," and that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed." Meanwhile, acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said peace talks between the United States and the Taliban were "encouraging." "I'd say really the takeaway right now: it's encouraging," Shanahan said at the Pentagon. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that while there was "progress" at the meetings, reports of an agreement on a cease-fire were "not true." Mujahid also said in a statement that talks about "unresolved matters" will continue. Until the withdrawal of international troops was hammered out, "progress in other issues is impossible," he insisted. Another round of peace talks between the Taliban and the United States was tentatively set for February 25, the Reuters news agency quoted a Qatari Foreign Ministry official as saying on January 28. U.S. officials have said President Donald Trump wants to withdraw about half of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan. In reaction to the report, a senior Italian defense source was quoted by Reuters as saying that Italy was also considering pulling its troops out of Afghanistan within a year. "The time frame could be 12 months," the source said. Italy is currently committed to having 900 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission. With reporting by The New York Times, AP, dpa, and AFP, and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-envoy-briefs -afghan-president-on-peace-talks-with -taliban/29735424.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. Maduro inspects army preparations in show of power to US-backed opposition Iran Press TV Mon Jan 28, 2019 08:05AM Over a week ahead of Venezuela's "largest" drills ever, President Nicolas Maduro inspects members of the armed forces and oversees military parades and exercises at a number of bases in the country in a show of strength to his Western-backed opponents, who have been challenging his leadership. Videos posted on Maduro's Twitter page showed the Venezuelan leader, surrounded by military officials, inspecting troops at the Fort of Paramacay in Naguanagua and the Naval Base Agustin Armario in the city of Puerto Cabello over the weekend. At the Fort of Paramacay base, Maduro watched a platoon of soldiers release volleys of rocket-propelled grenades, machine-gun anti-aircraft fire and tank rounds at hillside targets. Wearing tan fatigues, the president was also seen parading alongside the army amid a political crisis, which saw the US-backed opposition leader, Juan Guaido, abruptly declare himself "interim president" last week. Besides supporting Guaido, Washington also spoke of what it called a "humanitarian" intervention in Venezuela, prompting the Maduro government to order the armed forces to get ready for defending the nation "in any scenario." He announced massive exercises between February 10 and 15. During a speech broadcast on state television during his visits, Maduro said "We are preparing for the most important military exercises in our history." He said that soldiers will repel a simulated invasion and enhance their skills in defending the territories, coast and waterways of the Latin American state in the course of the forthcoming war games. "Our armed forces make our country unassailable," said the president, adding that the military is quite capable of standing against any aggressor that sets foot on the country's soil. The army has remained loyal to the elected government of Maduro amid the political conflict. During the speech, Maduro once again lambasted the US for openly leading a coup against his administration by recognizing Guaido, the head of the opposition-led National Assembly, as "president." He asked the soldiers whether they were plotting with the "imperialist" US against the Caracas government. "No, my commander-in-chief," they shouted in unison in response. Maduro then said, "We're ready to defend our homeland under any circumstance." Guaido seeking to win army's backing Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed president -- who has already admitted that his attempt to seize power still lacks crucial backing from the military has stepped up his push to force the military to turn against the Maduro administration. He claimed that talks were proceeding "behind the scenes" with the military to force out Maduro. "We have been in talks with government officials, civilian and military men," Guaido told The Washington Post on Sunday. "This is a very delicate subject involving personal security. We are meeting with them, but discreetly." "We are waiting for you, the soldiers of Venezuela," Guaido told a news conference on the same day. His supporters also handed out leaflets to soldiers, calling on them to reject Maduro and join Guaido. He also called on people to hold rallies on Wednesday and another on Saturday in his support. In another interview, the 35-year-old opposition leader told The Guardian, that he was set on "getting the job done" to force Maduro from power. He, however, played down concerns for a possible armed conflict and claimed that the nation was living through an "almost magical moment" in what he called a quest for democracy. Australia, Israel join West in backing Guaido Washington's Western allies, including Spain, Britain, France, the Netherlands and Germany, have said they would recognize Guaido as "interim president" unless Maduro calls elections within eight days. Maduro on Sunday rejected the European ultimatum. In another development, Australia and the Israeli regime have joined the US camp in backing the coup bid in Venezuela. The Australian Foreign Ministry has voiced support for the opposition leader, saying it recognizes Guaido as the "president" of Venezuela. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also taken side with the opposition, and "joined the United States today, as well as Canada, most South American countries and European nations." Netanyahu announced his support for Guaido after Trump called on those undecided to "pick a side." Tel Aviv's move was hailed by the US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. He thanked Israel for "standing with the people of Venezuela and recognizing the opposition as the legitimate leadership of the country." Photo: Contributed UPDATE: 4:07 p.m. Accelerate Okanagan needs a new CEO. Innovate BC announced Monday that it has hired Raghwa Gopal as its new president and CEO, effective Feb. 15. Gopal has spent the last three and a half years as Accelerate Okanagans CEO and has been a driving force in making tech one of the valleys leading industrial sectors. Hopefully if I can do one-quarter of what Ive been able to do here over the last few years, that would be a huge win, Gopal said Monday afternoon in a conference room at downtown Kelownas Innovation Centre. Gopal, 60, said he was one of 254 international candidates for the Innovate BC position, which will require him to move to Vancouver after 40 years in Kelowna. For more in this story, visit Okanagan Edge. No Afghan wants foreign forces for long term: Afghan President Ghani Iran Press TV Mon Jan 28, 2019 04:52PM Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says the foreign troops in Afghanistan will have to gradually leave the war-torn country. "No Afghans want foreign forces in their country for the long term," Ghani said in a televised address from the presidential palace in Kabul on Monday. "The current presence of foreign forces is based on need, and this need has always been contemplated and will be contemplated...; and according to an exact and arranged plan, we are trying to bring down that number to zero," he added, without specifying how that plan worked or when exactly the forces would have to leave. Ghani also urged the Taliban militant group to "enter serious talks" with his government. The Taliban and the United States have been holding talks of their own. Last week, both hailed "progress" during bilateral talks in Qatar. Up until now, the Taliban has repeatedly refused to hold talks with the Afghan government. "I call on the Taliban to... show their Afghan will, and accept Afghans' demand for peace, and enter serious talks with the Afghan government," Ghani said in his Monday speech. "The Taliban has two choices, to either stand with the people of Afghanistan or be used as a tool by other countries." US, Taliban agree to general framework for peace Washington and the Taliban ended six-day negotiations in Doha on Saturday, with Kabul saying that the US had assured Afghan officials that the focus of the talks in Qatar was on finding a way to facilitate peace and on the issue of foreign troop withdrawal. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US peace envoy to Afghanistan, revealed in an interview with The New York Times on Monday that American and Taliban officials had agreed in principle to the framework of a peace deal that could culminate in a full pullout of US troops in return for a ceasefire and Taliban talks with the Afghan government. Khalilzad said another key issue discussed in the talks had been a guarantee by the Taliban not to allow Afghanistan to be used by terrorist groups. He said, however, that the deal was still in preliminary shape. "We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," Khalilzad said in the interview. "The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do [sic] what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals." "We felt enough confidence that we said we need to get this fleshed out, and details need to be worked out," he added. US not seeking 'permanent' Afghan military presence Meanwhile, a senior US government official told Reuters on Monday that Washington was committed to withdrawing foreign forces from Afghanistan after 17 years of war. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, also described "significant progress" in the negotiations with Taliban last week on a foreign pullout but said more talks were required on a ceasefire agreement and its timetable. "Of course we don't seek a permanent military presence in Afghanistan," the official claimed. "Our goal is to help bring peace in Afghanistan and we would like a future partnership, newly defined with a post-peace government. We would like to leave a good legacy." But, he said, there could not be a withdrawal without a ceasefire. More than a month ago, US President Donald Trump ordered a halving of the number of the US troops in Afghanistan, then standing at 14,000, although it was not clear if the announced drawdown had to do with the level of the threat posed by the Taliban. Despite the presence of US-led forces in Afghanistan 17 years after they invaded the country to drive Taliban from power, the militant group controls nearly half of the country. President Ghani said last week that 45,000 members of the country's security forces had been killed since he took office in 2014. The United States has nearly 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of the US-led NATO mission, known as Resolute Support. US sanctions Venezuela oil company, PDVSA, to pressure President Maduro Iran Press TV Mon Jan 28, 2019 09:09PM The United States will impose sanctions on Venezuela's oil company to force President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio initially made the announcement on Monday after being briefed on the issue by US Treasury along with two others. Penalties on PDVSA will reportedly be imposed as early as Monday. "The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent democratically elected government who is committed to taking concrete and meaningful actions to combat corruption," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said during a White House press briefing. "The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline." Trump has distanced the US from President Maduro by recognizing opposition figure Juan Guaido as the legitimate leader. "We will continue to use of our diplomatic and economic tools to support interim President Guaido, the national assembly and the Venezuelan people's efforts to restore their democracy," said Mnuchin. Guaido, who has been serving as the president of the national assembly of Venezuela only since the beginning of this month, has proclaimed himself "interim president" of Venezuela, a claim the US rushed to back. The United States and some of its European allies have announced that they would recognize the 35-year-old member of the centrist social-democratic Popular Will party as the president of Venezuela if Maduro refuses to hold another election within eight days. President Maduro rejected the European ultimatum in an interview with CNN Turk aired earlier Sunday. Washington has also been accused of attempting to stage a coup in the country. Rubio threw his support behind the Trump administration's stance on Venezuela. USS Porter Arrives in Riga, Latvia Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190128-01 Release Date: 1/28/2019 8:50:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Turner, NPASE-DET Europe Public Affairs RIGA, LATVIA (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Riga, Latvia, Jan. 23 for a scheduled port visit to enhance U.S.-Latvia relations as the two NATO allies work together for a stable, secure and prosperous region. The ship's presence in the Baltic Sea is a demonstration of our continued commitment to the collective security of the European region. "We would like to thank our Latvian hosts for the warm welcome and hospitality," said Cmdr. Craig Trent, commanding officer of Porter. "It is truly an honor to contribute to the strengthening of U.S.-Latvian relations and the crew looks forward to experiencing the Latvian culture." During the port visit in Riga, the ship is scheduled to host a luncheon for Latvian navy sailors, take part in morale welfare and recreation tours and participate in a community relations project. Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its sixth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S national security interests in Europe and Africa. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. USS Donald Cook Conducts Exercise with Georgian Coast Guard Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190128-10 Release Date: 1/28/2019 1:45:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ford Williams, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Det. Europe BLACK SEA (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) conducted a maritime exercise with the Georgian coast guard, Jan. 25. During the exercise, Donald Cook and two Georgian coast guard ships conducted a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise, performed ship-to-ship communication checks, and a maneuvering exercise. These practices showcased the U.S. Navy's interoperability with allies and partners. Multinational training such as this allows the Navy to maintain vigilance to the degree necessary to promote a secure and prosperous region. "Today's exercise was a conclusion to an absolutely fantastic week of cooperation with our Georgian partners," said Cmdr. Matthew Powel, commanding officer of Donald Cook. "It was a pleasure visiting, operating and increasing our interoperability with the country of Georgia. Donald Cook looks forward to the next opportunity we have to work with the Georgian coast guard." Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, deployed on its eighth forward-deployed naval forces patrol, Nov. 19, 2018. Donald Cook entered the Black Sea, Jan. 19, to strengthen interoperability with NATO allies and partners and demonstrate the collective resolve to Black Sea security under Operation Atlantic Resolve. The U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and international law. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. Ready on Arrival: Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Departs for COMPTUEX Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190128-08 Release Date: 1/28/2019 11:04:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jessica Paulauskas, Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Public Affairs NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) departed Naval Station Norfolk for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), Jan. 25. COMPTUEX is a certification exercise that assesses a strike group's ability to conduct military operations at sea and project power ashore through joint planning and execution of challenging and realistic training scenarios. During COMPTUEX, ABECSG will be evaluated on their ability to integrate all assets of the strike group into a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force, and their ability to carry out sustained combat operations at sea. The goal of COMPTUEX is to achieve certification for deployment. ABECSG is comprised of its flagship, the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron 2: the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94). In addition, the Alvaro de Bazan-class Spanish navy frigate ESPS Mendez Nunez (F 104) is joining CSG 12 for the exercise. Mendez Nunez brings enhanced capabilities in all warfare areas to the strike group, and their addition will be an important opportunity to increase interoperability between the partner nations. Carrier strike groups have multi-platform capabilities to operate wherever and whenever required, through a variety of mission sets. In addition to possessing the flexibility and sustainability to fight major wars and ensure freedom of the seas, CSGs are visible and powerful symbols of U.S. commitment and resolve to our allies, partners and friends, lend assistance in the wake of natural disasters, train with partner nations, and demonstrate U.S. commitment with every overseas port visit. As the U.S. Navy addresses more complex, rapidly evolving challenges around the globe, the ABECSG must be able to adapt and respond quickly when called upon. After successful completion of COMPTUEX, ABECSG will be certified for deployed operations. The components of the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group embody a "team-of-teams" concept, combining advanced surface, air and systems assets to create and sustain operational capability. This enables them to prepare for and conduct global operations, have effective and lasting command and control, and demonstrate dedication and commitment to become the strongest warfighting force for the Navy and the nation. Secretary General in Washington: US leadership is key for NATO NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 26 Jan. 2019 - 28 Jan. 2019 Last updated: 28 Jan. 2019 20:51 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the Pentagon in Washington D.C. on Monday (28 January 2019) for talks with Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan. Calling US leadership "key" for the Alliance, the Secretary General highlighted the "real results" seen over the past few years, including higher readiness, stepping up in the fight against terrorism, and better burden-sharing. He recalled that since 2016, European Allies and Canada have spent an extra 41 billion US dollars in real terms, and that by 2020, this figure is expected to increase to $100 billion. Ahead of next month's meeting of Allied Defence Ministers in Brussels, Mr. Stoltenberg and Mr. Shanahan also exchanged views on a range of issues, including Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. They agreed to continue working together to implement the decisions made at the NATO Summit in July 2018. The implementation of summit decisions, as well as other issues related to Allied security, were also on the agenda of Mr. Stoltenberg's meetings with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the National Security Advisor of the United States, Ambassador John R. Bolton. Marine Rifle Squads get upgraded night vision devices US Marine Corps News By Barbara Hamby | Marine Corps Systems Command | January 28, 2019 An updated helmet-mounted night vision system is beginning to make its way to infantry units. Marine Corps Systems Command accelerated the acquisition of about 1,300 Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles using existing Defense Logistics Agency contracts. "We have employed a bridge capability to give Marines the best gear right now available in the commercial marketplace," said Lt. Col. Tim Hough, program manager for Infantry Weapons. "A final procurement solution will allow a larger pool of our industry partners to bid on the program." Army/Navy Portable Visual Search devices, or AN/PVS, have been employed by the military since at least the 1990's and upgraded with next-generation systems as funding and technology became available. The move to the SNBVG is expected to enhance the infantry's lethality and situational awareness in reduced visibility. It combines two systems: a binocular night vision device and an enhanced clip-on thermal imager. "It's a little bit lighter than the current system, and gives Marines better depth perception when they are performing movements," said Joe Blackstone, Optics team lead at MCSC. Marines took delivery of the equipment and learned how to use them last month at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Known as NET, the new equipment training entails teaching Marines about the operations, characteristics, maintenance and use of the new devices. "The lethality that it'll bring is exponential [sic]," said Cpl. Zachary Zapata, a Marine who participated in the training. "With these new [BNVGs], having the ability to not only use thermal optics along with it, but just the entire depth perception and speed that we can operate in is going to significantly increase, as opposed to what we were able to do in the past." The initial buy and follow-on procurement is being funded with Marine Corps dollars as prioritized by the Department of Defense Close Combat Lethality Task Force, which concentrates on the squad-level infantry and is aimed at ensuring close combat overmatch against pacing threats. The SBNVG acquisition strategy is to procure the devices incrementally and concurrently as the Corps looks toward future technologies. "Right now, we are participating with the Army on their next generation night vision systems, both the Enhanced Night Vision Device-Binocular and Integrated Visual Augmentation System Programs," Hough said. "We are eager to see the maturation of these capabilities for adoption to improve the effectiveness of our Marines." The program office plans on releasing a final request for proposals to procure an estimated 16,000 additional systems on the basis of full and open competition. According to program officials, a draft request for proposals was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website in mid-November, and closed on Dec. 19, 2018. The Government is currently adjudicating comments and anticipates release of a final RFP in the near future. Additional fielding of the systems is planned for September 2019. While the devices may eventually make their way to the entire Ground Combat Element, for now the first priority is given to the Marine Rifle Squad, program officials said. "This program office is committed to bolstering the combat lethality, survivability, resilience and readiness of the GCE," said Hough. US has no right to interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs: Qasemi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 28, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi underlined that Venezuela's internal affairs were related to the people of Venezuela and Iran believes that America has no right to meddle accordingly. 'The US should not interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs,' Qasemi. He emphasized that the United States must note that the era of such interference has come to an end, and the international community does not accept this kind of inappropriate interference. Qasemi, pointing out that the people of Venezuela are the basis said, 'We have expressed our support for the Venezuelan legitimate government and we want other states to avoid any interference.' He said that Venezuela's internal affairs should be resolved through dialogue and consultation and that the people themselves should make a decisive decision. Qasemi underlined that the meddling of others into internal affairs of the countries could bring great disasters that are not in the interest of the people of Venezuela and that of the world. At the same time, the spokesman said, 'We had consultations by the foreign minister and at other levels, with some countries, and we are monitoring the developments closely, and we hope that situation would to lead to better end.' In response to whether Iran supports early elections in Venezuela, he said the Venezuelan government and people should decide for their own destiny." 9455**2050 Jan. 28, 2019 News By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity Shanahan Encouraged by NATO Progress on Operations, Burden-Sharing At the start of a meeting with NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon today, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan said he is encouraged by NATO's operational progress its efforts to increase burden-sharing. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization ensures transatlantic security and, Shanahan reiterated President Donald J. Trump's pledge to be with NATO 100 percent, which, of course includes the Article 5 collective defense guarantee. NATO's European allies have increased their contributions to the training mission in Afghanistan and to efforts in Iraq to establish a training mission aimed at ensuring the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria does not reestablish itself in that country, Stoltenberg said. Increased Spending Shanahan praised Stoltenberg for his work in reaching an equitable division of the security burden. "Since President Trump took office, America's NATO allies have stepped up defense spending by a total of $41 billion," Shanahan said. "Allied defense spending increased by more than nine percent from 2016 to 2018 the largest increase is 25 years. By 2020, our NATO allies are projected to increase defense spending by approximately $100 billion." This is money that goes directly to deterrence and defense. The increase means larger exercises, mobility and infrastructure improvements and investments in the alliance's advanced response force and the revamped command structure. "This has allowed us to increase our force presence on the territory of our most vulnerable allies," the acting secretary said. "A few years ago, achieving these improvements and funds might have seemed impossible," he said. "A few years from now, we will write the same success story on readiness. I'm encouraged that we are moving forward on our readiness initiative 30 battalions, 30 air squadrons and 30 warships ready to fight in 30 days or less." More needs to happen, but the work is well started, he said. "We need to move from theory to practice, and from practice to results," Shanahan said. "And results come from real changes to posture." Security Talks Shanahan discussed Russia's continuing violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. "This is unfortunate," the acting secretary said. "After our collective efforts to return Russia to compliance, we've kept our part of the deal; Russia did not. Moscow refuses to honor its international obligations, eroding trust and security not only in Europe, but far beyond as well." Stoltenberg and Shanahan welcomed the recent talks with the Taliban in Qatar. The secretary general said the talks, led by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, have the potential to work. "We are encouraged by what we see now and the progress in the talks with the Taliban" he said. Stoltenberg noted that the alliance will "not stay longer than necessary," but will not leave until there are assurances that Afghanistan will not become a haven for terrorists. Jan. 28, 2019 Transcript Press Operations Remarks By Acting Secretary Shanahan at an Enhanced Honor Cordon and Meeting Welcoming NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg to the Pentagon ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PATRICK SHANAHAN: OK, everybody in a good spot? Fantastic. Well good morning. I think we're going to have a very good dialogue this morning, Mr. Secretary. Ambassador Hutchison, it's always great to have you here in the Pentagon. And maybe before I make any comments, I just want to say you're everywhere. (Laughter.) I saw you on TV at Davos. I turned on the TV yesterday and, you know, you're on the TV, you're on Twitter, so I feel very honored to have you here in the -- in the Pentagon, and I thought very early on wanted to have this opportunity to spend some time with you and make sure that we do the proper preparation and planning for the February ministerial. But I -- you know, one of the things I wanted to, you know, be clear to communicate is NATO ensures trans-Atlantic security. And as President Trump said -- and this was just 11 days ago here in the Pentagon, where he said, we are going to be with NATO 100 percent. That includes our Article 5 collective defense guarantee, and as I shared with you the other day, we greatly appreciate your extended service. We know what a stabilizing, strong role you play in NATO, and maybe we can talk you into staying a little bit longer if we're lucky. Under your leadership -- (Laughter) -- right? (UNKNOWN): Yep, he's smiling. SEC. SHANAHAN: So -- he's smiling. (Laughter.) So -- but you know, when you look at the contributions since 2017 to Afghanistan, it has increased 12 percent. It's the highest levels of contribution in the history of the mission. And when we consider your work on equitable burden sharing within our alliance, we see a remarkable progress. And as you have noted, this is how NATO does its calculations, since President Trump took office, America's NATO allies have stepped up defense spending by a total of $41 billion. Allied defense spending increased by more than nine percent from 2016 to 2018; the largest increase in a quarter century. By 2020, our NATO allies are projected to have increased defense spending by approximately $100 billion. Our recent funding increases let us bolster deterrence and defense through larger and more frequent exercises, mobility and infrastructure improvements and a re-vamped NATO response force and command structure. And this has allowed us to increase our force presence on the territory of our most vulnerable allies. A few years ago, achieving these improvements and funds might have seemed impossible. A few years from now, we will write the same success story on readiness. I'm encouraged that we're moving forward on our readiness initiative. Thirty ground battalions, 30 air squadrons, 30 warships, ready to fight in 30 days or less. Now we know our work here is only just beginning. We recognize a need to move from theory to practice, and from practice to results. Now, results come from real changes to posture. The international security environment that necessitates these changes is stark. Among a host of egregious actions, Russia continues to choose to violate the INF treaty. This is unfortunate, and our collective effort to return -- after our collective efforts to return Russia to compliance. We've kept our part of the deal, Russia did not. Moscow refuses to honor its international obligation- eroding trust and security not only in Europe but far beyond, as well. NATO is the most successful and most powerful military alliance in human history. We do not forget it and we will maintain our commitment to transatlantic security and unity. Mr. Secretary General, to close, I note this year marks NATO's 70th anniversary. There's a practical reality worth reflecting on. Every day, thousands of NATO soldiers and civilians work together with unparalleled cohesion. That work, 70 years worth, has resulted in political unity and military interoperability. I know that this will keep us strong as we move forward together. I look forward to strengthening our alliance further at February's ministerial. I appreciate you making time out of your busy TV schedule to be with us -- (Laughter.) -- here at the Pentagon today, and I invite your opening comments. SECRETARY GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG: Secretary Shanahan -- Patrick, thank you so much for these warm words and the warm welcome. I really appreciate this opportunity to meet with you so early in your tenure and your background, your experience from the defense industry, from here at the Pentagon and your personal commitment to the alliance are of great value for NATO. And I really look forward to welcoming you to the NATO Defense Ministerial in -- in Brussels next month, and I know that all the Allied Ministers also look very much forward to seeing you there. As you just noted, NATO is really making a lot of progress in many different areas, high readiness of our forces, stepping up the fight against terrorism and also investing more in defense burden sharing. For the first time in our history, we have combat-ready troops in the eastern part of the alliance, with the four battle groups. We are conducting, changing the command structure with a new command in Norfolk, Virginia, but also new elements in -- in Europe. And we are stepping up our fight against terrorism with a new training mission in Iraq. The main purpose is to make sure that the Iraqis are able to stabilize their own country and make sure that ISIS doesn't re-emerge in Iraq. Then, we continue to stay with the United States in Afghanistan. We welcome the talks with Taliban. Ambassador Khalilzad briefed all allies a few weeks ago, and the reason why NATO is in Afghanistan is to create a condition for (inaudible) peaceful solution to make sure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists and to send a message to Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield, so they have to sit down at the negotiating table, and therefore we are encouraged by what we see now, the progress and -- and talks with Taliban. Then, as you said, we see also some real progress on defense spending. From 2016, since President Trump took office, to 2020, NATO allies across Europe and Canada will add $100 billion more -- $100 billion more for defense spending. So we see that the carried message from President Trump is having a -- a real impact. So we have done a lot. We have much more to do, and I really look forward to working closely with you in addressing all of these challenges. So thank you for having me and I look forward to working with you in Brussels. Q: Secretary Stoltenberg, if I may. Do the peace talks include the withdrawal of NATO troops, and if not, what percentage of NATO troops do you anticipate staying in Afghanistan? SEC. GEN. STOLTENBERG: As we have said many, many, many times, we are in Afghanistan to create the conditions for a peaceful, negotiated solution. We are there to train and assist and advise the Afghan soldiers so they can take care of security and stability in Afghanistan themselves. We will not stay longer than necessary, but we will not leave before we have a situation which enables to leave or at reduce the number of troops without jeopardizing the main goal of our presence, and that is to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists once again. I think it's a bit too early to speculate, because what we have to do now is to support the efforts to try to find a peaceful solution. We strongly support those efforts. Ambassador Khalilzad briefed all allies recently. We are in close contact with the United States. One of the issues we will discuss of course today is the peace efforts. But again, our military presence, the purpose of that is to create the conditions for a political solution, and we hope that we are able to achieve that. Q: Mr. Secretary? Secretary Shanahan, if I could ask -- the president said all military options are on the table for Venezuela. What does that mean for planning here at the Department of Defense? SEC. SHANAHAN: In the Department of Defense here, we're very closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela. Q: Are there military options? SEC. SHANAHAN: Thank -- thank you, everybody. We appreciate you spending time here with us. All right, see you. Thank you. https://dod.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1742100/ The Jan. 17 council hearing on supportive housing at 2025 Agassiz Rd. was packed. We lost. Not one council member supported us (Coun. Maxine DeHart was absent). At the beginning of the hearing, one of our speakers requested council to keep the public hearing open until information requested under the Freedom of Information Act was received. The request was not acknowledged. We all had five minutes to speak and were cut off almost as soon as the bell rang. We were run through like an assembly line. Mayor and council really were not interested in what we said. Mayor Colin Basran could not sit still. He stretched and yawned and stood up and sat down all the time. He also spent a lot of time puffing out his cheeks to show his boredom. It was hard to not notice. The only one to ask a question was Coun. Charlie Hodge. He wanted to know why so many people that had signed our Change.Org petition were from out of town. I guess that he and council failed to notice that all the people who spoke in favour of the wet facility were not from the Agassiz neighbourhood, either. After everyone with an appointment to speak was finished, the floor was opened. That is when all the actors lined with their well-rehearsed, bad luck story and the homeless people they brought over to really make it sound good. Then we saw our mayor paying attention. No more yawning. Then, of course, their golden girl stands up to speak and now our councillors have thought of questions to ask. She could talk around and give generic answers to all their questions. Sure did sound good. My husband and I took a drive around Rutland where the next supportive housing will be built. Just insane. It is all residential homes and condos. A perfect place to put another wet facility for drug addicts. Rutland, you certainly have our sympathy. Jeri Truman, Kelowna Jan. 28, 2019 Transcript Press Operations Media Availability with Acting Secretary Shanahan before Enhanced Honor Cordon with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PATRICK SHANAHAN: We're going to have a nice meeting with the secretary-general today. Q: Do you expect to be discussing Afghanistan? And what can you tell us about everything we're hearing about your planning for some changes in -- in Afghanistan? SEC. SHANAHAN: We're going to -- I'm going to share with the secretary-general all the things that are going on here in the department, and also things that are going on in the State Department. So a lot of this is really making sure we stay in tight coordination with our coalition partners... Q: Can you -- can you tell us anything about the department's planning for potential troop withdrawals or troop drawdowns in Afghanistan? SEC. SHANAHAN: I'm going to -- I'm going to wait until after -- after the meeting. But we might have a chance this week to talk about some of that. Q: Last -- last year at this time, NATO launched a winter offensive in Afghanistan for the first time in the war. And this year, a year later, it's the Taliban that has a winter offensive. What changed so dramatically to shift the focus like that? SEC. SHANAHAN: Well, I was going to say that hopefully later on this week, when we get together, we can talk about some of the encouraging conversations that are going on with the Taliban. (CROSSTALK) Q: OK. Q: Have you been briefed on the talks with Zalmay Khalilzad? What the agreements are about this basic framework? SEC. SHANAHAN: I have had... Q: Can you tell us some of the basics of it? SEC. SHANAHAN: I'd say, really, the -- the takeaway right now, it's encouraging. And we'll let Secretary Pompeo and the ambassador will be the spokespersons for that. Q: But have you been tasked... SEC. SHANAHAN: All right, I'm going to run over here. All right. (CROSSTALK) Q: Have you been tasked yet to prepare for a full withdrawal, or no? SEC. SHANAHAN: I have not. Q: OK. Thank you. https://dod.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1742109/ Boeing Receives $2.4 Billion P-8A Poseidon Contract From U.S. Navy U.S. Navy orders next group of P-8A aircraft; 19 jets support world-wide customers ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 28, 2019 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $2.4 billion production contract for the next 19 P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The contract includes 10 aircraft to add to the current inventory of P-8As in the U.S. Navy fleet, all five jets currently under contract for Norway and the four aircraft remaining for the existing United Kingdom contract, bringing the total United Kingdom acquisition to nine aircraft. The United Kingdom and Norway are acquiring the Boeing aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales process and will receive a variant designed and produced for the U.S. Navy called the P-8A Poseidon. The United Kingdom will receive their first aircraft in 2019 and Norway will begin receiving aircraft in 2021. The P-8 is a long-range multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations. A military derivative of the Boeing Commercial Next-Generation 737 airplane, the P-8 combines superior performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the battle space. The P-8 is militarized with maritime weapons, a modern open mission system architecture, and commercial-like support for affordability. The aircraft has been modified to include a bomb bay and pylons for weapons two weapons stations on each wing and can carry 129 sonobuoys. The aircraft is also fitted with an in-flight refueling system. With more than 180,000 flight hours to date, P-8 variants, the P-8A Poseidon and the P-8I, patrol the globe performing anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; humanitarian; and search and rescue missions. For more information on Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace. # # # Contact: Nanette Feeney Defense, Space & Security Mobile: +1 206-304-2002 nanette.m.feeney@boeing.com US Charges Huawei, Affiliates, CFO With Conspiracy, Stealing Trade Secrets Sputnik News 00:34 29.01.2019(updated 01:19 29.01.2019) The US Justice Department unsealed on Monday indictments against China's Huawei Technologies, two subsidiaries and its Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou. The federal crimes are linked to a 2013 incident in which Huawei allegedly stole trade secrets about a robot named "Tappy" that was built by T-Mobile and used in testing smartphones. US prosecutors are also alleging that the company committed bank fraud by violating sanctions against doing business with Iran. The DOJ's announcement covered charges listed in a 13-count indictment in Brooklyn, New York, regarding the company's dealings with Iran, and a second 10-count indictment filed in Washington State that covers the Huawei's alleged offenses against T-Mobile. Charges listed in the Washington State indictment against Huawei Device Co., Ltd. and Huawei Device Co. USA include theft of trade secrets, conspiracy, attempted theft of trade secrets, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of obstruction of justice. Behaviors cited by prosecutors in the T-Mobile case indicate that offenses took place from 2012 to 2014, and that Huawei in July 2013 sent out an internal email that "was offering bonuses to employees who succeeded in stealing confidential information from other companies." "The charges unsealed today clearly allege that Huawei intentionally conspired to steal the intellectual property of an American company in an attempt to undermine the free and fair global marketplace," FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. "To the detriment of American ingenuity, Huawei continually disregarded the laws of the United States in the hopes of gaining an unfair economic advantage. As the volume of these charges prove, the FBI will not tolerate corrupt businesses that violate the laws that allow American companies and the United States to thrive." In the New York indictment, prosecutors noted that Huawei used its affiliate, Skycom Tech Co. Ltd., to bypass sanctions placed against Iran. The indictment charges Huawei, Huawei Device USA Inc., Skycom and Meng with bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and conspiracy to violate IEEPA, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. "They willfully conducted millions of dollars in transactions that were in direct violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, and such behavior will not be tolerated," Department of Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement. "The Department of Homeland Security is focused on preventing nefarious actors from accessing or manipulating our financial system, and we will ensure that legitimate economic activity is not exploited by our adversaries." Meng was arrested in early December 2018 by Canadian authorities at the request of the US over allegations that she had committed fraud in sidestepping sanctions. Despite China's protest, US prosecutors are now seeking the CFO's extradition to the US. Sputnik Chinese Telecommunications Conglomerate Huawei and Huawei CFO Wanzhou Meng Charged With Financial Fraud FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, January 28, 2019 Huawei Device USA Inc. and Huawei's Iranian Subsidiary Skycom Also Named Defendants Other Charges Include Money Laundering, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Obstruction of Justice and Sanctions Violations A 13-count indictment was unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging four defendants,[1] including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (Huawei), the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, with headquarters in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and operations around the world. The indicted defendants include Huawei and two Huawei affiliates Huawei Device USA Inc. (Huawei USA) and Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. (Skycom) as well as Huawei's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Wanzhou Meng (Meng). The defendants Huawei and Skycom are charged with bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and conspiracy to violate IEEPA, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Huawei and Huawei USA are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice related to the grand jury investigation in the Eastern District of New York. Meng is charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracies to commit bank and wire fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker, Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Wilbur Ross of the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers of the National Security Division, announced the charges. "Today we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," said Acting Attorney General Whitaker. "As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law. I'd like to thank the many dedicated criminal investigators from several different federal agencies who contributed to this investigation and the Department of Justice attorneys who are moving the prosecution efforts forward. They are helping us uphold the rule of law with integrity." "As charged in the indictment, Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer broke U.S. law and have engaged in a fraudulent financial scheme that is detrimental to the security of the United States," said Secretary Nielsen. "They willfully conducted millions of dollars in transactions that were in direct violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, and such behavior will not be tolerated. The Department of Homeland Security is focused on preventing nefarious actors from accessing or manipulating our financial system, and we will ensure that legitimate economic activity is not exploited by our adversaries. I would like to thank ICE Homeland Security Investigations for their exceptional work on this case." "For years, Chinese firms have broken our export laws and undermined sanctions, often using U.S. financial systems to facilitate their illegal activities," said Secretary Ross. "This will end. The Trump Administration continues to be tougher on those who violate our export control laws than any administration in history. I commend the Commerce Department's Office of Export Enforcement, and our partners in the FBI, Justice Department, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security for their excellent work on this case." "As charged in the indictment, Huawei and its subsidiaries, with the direct and personal involvement of their executives, engaged in serious fraudulent conduct, including conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, sanctions violations, money laundering and the orchestrated obstruction of justice," stated U.S. Attorney Donoghue. "For over a decade, Huawei employed a strategy of lies and deceit to conduct and grow its business. This Office will continue to hold accountable companies and their executives, whether here or abroad, that commit fraud against U.S. financial institutions and their international counterparts and violate U.S. laws designed to maintain our national security." Mr. Donoghue thanked the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) agents who are investigating this case for their tireless work and dedication. "These charges lay bare Huawei's alleged blatant disregard for the laws of our country and standard global business practices," said FBI Director Wray. "Companies like Huawei pose a dual threat to both our economic and national security, and the magnitude of these charges make clear just how seriously the FBI takes this threat. Today should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate businesses that violate our laws, obstruct justice, or jeopardize national and economic well-being." * * * * Overview of the Indictment The charges in this case relate to a long-running scheme by Huawei, its CFO, and other employees to deceive numerous global financial institutions and the U.S. government regarding Huawei's business activities in Iran. As alleged in the indictment, beginning in 2007, Huawei employees lied about Huawei's relationship to a company in Iran called Skycom, falsely asserting it was not an affiliate of Huawei. The company further claimed that Huawei had only limited operations in Iran and that Huawei did not violate U.S. or other laws or regulations related to Iran. Most significantly, after news publications in late 2012 and 2013 disclosed that Huawei operated Skycom as an unofficial affiliate in Iran and that Meng had served on the board of directors of Skycom, Huawei employees, and in particular Meng, continued to lie to Huawei's banking partners about Huawei's relationship with Skycom. They falsely claimed that Huawei had sold its interest in Skycom to an unrelated third party in 2007 and that Skycom was merely Huawei's local business partner in Iran. In reality, Skycom was Huawei's longstanding Iranian affiliate, and Huawei orchestrated the 2007 sale to appear as an arm's length transaction between two unrelated parties, when in fact Huawei actually controlled the company that purchased Skycom. As part of this scheme to defraud, Meng allegedly personally made a presentation in August 2013 to an executive of one of Huawei's major banking partners in which she repeatedly lied about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom. According to the indictment, Huawei relied on its global banking relationships for banking services that included processing U.S.-dollar transactions through the United States. U.S. laws and regulations generally prohibited these banks from processing transactions related to Iran through the United States. The banks could have faced civil or criminal penalties for processing transactions that violated U.S. laws or regulations. Relying on the repeated misrepresentations by Huawei, these banks continued their banking relationships with Huawei. One bank cleared more than $100 million worth of Skycom-related transactions through the United States between 2010 and 2014. In furtherance of this scheme to defraud, and as alleged in the indictment, Huawei and its principals repeatedly lied to U.S. government authorities about Huawei's business in Iran in submissions to the U.S. government, and in responses to government inquiries. For example, Huawei provided false information to the U.S. Congress regarding whether Huawei's business in Iran violated any U.S. law. Similarly, as indicated in the indictment, in 2007 months before Huawei orchestrated the purported sale of Skycom to another Huawei-controlled entity Huawei's founder falsely stated to FBI agents that Huawei did not have any direct dealings with Iranian companies and that Huawei operated in compliance with all U.S. export laws. After one of Huawei's major global banking partners (identified as Financial Institution 1 in the indictment) decided to exit the Huawei relationship in 2017 because of Huawei's risk profile, Huawei allegedly made additional misrepresentations to several of its remaining banking partners in an effort to maintain and expand those relationships. Huawei and its principals are alleged to have repeatedly and falsely claimed that Huawei had decided to terminate its banking relationship with Financial Institution 1, when in fact it was Financial Institution 1 that had decided to terminate the banking relationship. Through these misrepresentations, Huawei was able to continue its banking relationships with its other banks. In 2017, when Huawei became aware of the government's investigation, Huawei and its subsidiary Huawei USA allegedly tried to obstruct the investigation by making efforts to move witnesses with knowledge about Huawei's Iran-based business to the PRC, and beyond the jurisdiction of the U.S. government, and by concealing and destroying evidence of Huawei's Iran-based business that was located in the United States. In December 2018, Canadian authorities apprehended Meng in Vancouver pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant issued under Canadian law. The U.S. government is seeking Meng's extradition to the United States. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The indictment unsealed today is assigned to U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly of the Eastern District of New York. The government's investigation is ongoing. The investigation is being jointly conducted by the FBI's New York Field Office, HSI's New York Field Office, OEE's New York Field Office, and DCIS's Southwest and Northeast Field Offices. Agents from the FBI, HSI, and OEE offices in Dallas provided significant support and assistance. The government's case is being handled by the National Security and Cybercrime and Business and Securities Fraud Sections of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Justice Department's Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), and the Justice Department's National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon, Julia Nestor, David K. Kessler, Kaitlin Farrell, and Sarah Evans, MLARS Trial Attorneys Laura Billings and Christian Nauvel, and CES Trial Attorneys Thea D. R. Kendler and David Lim are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Penley of the Northern District of Texas, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Morris and Brendan King of the Eastern District of New York's Civil Division and Trial Attorneys Andrew Finkelman and Margaret O'Malley of DOJ's Office of International Affairs. Additional Criminal Division and National Security Division Trial Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys within U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Northern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Texas, and the Northern District of California have provided valuable assistance with various aspects of this investigation. The Defendants: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Huawei Device USA Inc. Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. Meng Wanzhou, also known as "Cathy Meng" and "Sabrina Meng" Age: 46 Residence: People's Republic Of China E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-457 (AMD) [1] The indictment charges other individuals who have not yet been apprehended and whose names will not be publicly released at this time. Attachment(s): Download Indictment Topic(s): Cyber Crime National Security Component(s): Criminal Division National Security Division (NSD) Office of the Attorney General USAO - New York, Eastern Press Release Number: 19-11 Photo: Contributed Lew Rossner For the first time in its 117 year history, a Vernon member has been appointed the head of the Gizeh Shriners of British Columbia and Yukon. The honour was bestowed upon Lew Rossner Saturday when he was was elected Potentate (chairperson) and installed into that high office. The title Illustrious Sir has been added to his Shriner name. Rossner said he was honoured to be elevated in the esteemed organization. Rossner joined the Shriners in 2012 because of their tireless work with sick children. The whole purpose of Shriners is that we're here for kids, said Rossner. We are here to support and transport and assist children who suffer from a variety of different situations. Shriners are also world-renowned for their burn hospitals. We support a system of 22 Shrine hospitals. From our area, we send children to our Canadian hospital in Montreal and Spokane and we send them to Portland, said Rossner. Rossner will now travel around B.C. and Yukon to meet with members about how the group can grow their fundraising so they can help more children. We pay for the whole process of their medical treatment. This has been going on since 1922, he said. The interesting thing about it is all they have to do is pick up a phone and talk to a local Shriner or go online to bcshriners.com and you can connect with our system and we take it from there. My theme this year is Here for Kids and being here for kids is what we are all about. A resident of Vernon for more than 45 years, Rossner has been active time in many different aspects of the Vernon and North Okanagan community, initially as a banker, then economic development commissioner and finally as a senior executive for Rogers Foods, working throughout North America and Asia for its parent company the Nisshin Seifun Group. Lew became a Shriner in 2012. He quickly dedicated himself to the Mission of the Shriners to serve the children of British Columbia and Yukon by providing introduction plus transportation to innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education through the Canadian and North American resources of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Intel patent shows a tri-folding device with three screens News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Intel jumps the bandwagon of foldable devices. Foldable devices seem to be the next big thing in technology. Brands like Samsung, Huawei, LG, and others are already said to be working on their respective foldable devices. But now, the reports claim that even Intel is working on a foldable device. A 2017 patent from the company, first spotted by LetsGoDigital shows a device that will fold out to transform into a tablet PC. Dubbed for "Electronic Device with Foldable Display Panels," the patent shows the sample drawings of a device that features three displays, which when unfolded will become a tablet. Also, when folded in a closed orientation, the device will look like a smartphone. The patent also mentions a stylus which might be placed on the corner folds. The images also show that users will be able to place the device with a bent screen in a triangle format for viewing multimedia content. Intel has previously showcased folding devices. Dubbed Tiger Rapids, the device was a foldable PC featuring dual screens. The company showed off the product a year ago. Well, this goes without saying that the device might never make it to the production stage. Companies often file for different patents but not always push it to the production stage. But, it could be a disruptive product if it comes to life. Back in July 2017, Lenovo also filed for a patent named "Device with Foldable Display" that describes a laptop with a foldable region. The filing shows how users will be able to fold the keyboard and the display against each other. The patent shows that the screen will occupy more than 50 percent of the area. Also, the device has support for touch gestures where the users will be able to interact directly with the screen. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Moto G7 and Moto G7 Plus alleged price leak ahead of launch News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Moto G7 and G7 Plus are to sport dual cameras at the rear and octa-core SoCs. We already know that the Moto G7 smartphones, the next-generation devices in the Moto G series will be unveiled on February 7 at an event in Brazil. While we are just a few days from the official announcement, the Moto G7 and G7 Plus renders and specifications were leaked online shedding light on the alleged design and other aspects. Now, the alleged pricing of these smartphones in Europe have been leaked online by the popular Twitter-based tipster Ishan Agarwal. Going by the same, the Moto G7 could be priced starting from 300 euros (approx. Rs. 24,000). Previously, the same tipster hinted that the Moto G7 Play could be priced starting from 149 euros (approx. Rs. 12,000). Alleged Moto G7 series pricing As per the tweet, the Moto G7 could be priced in the European markets at 300 euros (approx. Rs. 24,000). The Moto G7 Plus is said to be priced starting from 360 euros (approx. Rs. 29,000). The Moto G7 Play is likely to be priced at 149 euros (approx. Rs. 12,000) and the Moto G7 Power is believed to be priced at 209 euros (approx. Rs. 17,000). February 7 launch Already, Motorola has confirmed that it will host a launch event in Brazil on February 7. At the event, the company will unveil the new Moto G series smartphones. Also, there are expectations that these upcoming Motorola smartphones will be showcased at the MWC 2019 tech show to be hosted in Barcelona late next month. Moto G7 series: What to expect The previous reports have tipped that the Moto G7 series smartphones will run Android 9 Pie. Also, these devices are said to feature 4G LTE, a microSD card slot, a fingerprint sensor and other standard aspects. The lineup is believed to comprise four models - Moto G7, Moto G7 Play, Moto G7 Plus and Moto G7 Power. Of these four models, the Moto G7 and G7 Plus are said to feature dual cameras at the rear and octa-core processors. The Moto G7 Play is likely to be an affordable offering. And, the Moto G7 Power will be focus on the battery life. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Mystery behind Redmi Note 7's 48 MP camera: Mythbuster Features oi-Vivek Redmi Note 7 India launch confirmed Xiaomi India has officially confirmed the launch of the Redmi Note 7 smartphone in India via Twitter. The Redmi Note 7 will be an important smartphone from the company, as it is the first device from the brand with a whopping 48 MP camera. Here is the in-depth analysis of the 48 MP camera on the upcoming Redmi Note 7. 48 MP camera sensor tech-specs The Redmi Note 7 uses Samsung ISOCELL GM1 48 MP sensor with a 0.8-micrometer (m) pixel size with an f/1.8 aperture. The Redmi Note 7 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AIE SoC, which supports up to 25 MP primary camera. Thought the Redmi Note 7 has a 48 MP sensor, the ISP (Image signal processor) is not capable of processing a 48 MP image. How does the 48 MP camera on the Redmi Note 7 work? The Samsung ISOCELL GM1 uses Tetracell technology, which smartly combines/merges four pixels to create one super-pixel with 1.6 micrometers (m) pixel size with the final image size of 12 MP. Having 1.6 micrometers (m) pixel size helps the smartphone to capture more details in the image even in the low-light conditions. Ex: the Poco F1 has a 12 MP sensor with a 1.4 micrometers (m) pixel size. Compared to a standard 12 MP sensor, the Samsung ISOCELL GM1 48 MP sensor will be able to capture more dynamic range and details. There is no doubt in the fact that the Redmi Note 7 having a 48 MP camera sensor. However, as mentioned before, the Redmi Note 7 can only reproduce images with a maximum resolution of 12 MP due to sensor and hardware limitations. Is there any smartphone with can capture 48 MP image? As of now, the Honor View20 is the only smartphone, which is capable of capturing 48 MP image in the Pro mode. Do note that the Honor View20 uses the Sony IMX 586 sensor, which natively supports 48 image capture, and the flagship HiSilicon Kirin 980 SoC powers the device. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications US Department of Justice charges Huawei with fraud and obstruction News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Huawei's troubles in the US are far from over. The US Justice Department has announced that Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, has been charged with bank and wire fraud. Two unnamed affiliates along with Wanzhou were also charged for violating trade sanctions against the country of Iran. The DoJ said that the company lied to banking institutions and the US government about its relations with Skycom Tech and Huawei Device USA in order to trade with and in the country of Iran. Meng has been held in Vancouver by the Canadian authorities while the US attempts extradition. The US government has asked Canada to send over Meng by January 30, who is said to have violated trade sanctions through a Hong Kong shell company. Meng is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei. While Meng has denied all the charges, US Attorney General Matt Whitaker says the DoJ will move ahead with the extradition. Meng Wanzhou was arrested back in December, last year. At the time, Huawei confirmed the news to TechCrunch and said that Meng will face unspecified charges in the Eastern District of New York, where she changed flights on her way to Canada. "The company has been provided very little information regarding the charges and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng," a Huawei spokesperson told TechCrunch. "The company believes the Canadian and US legal systems will ultimately reach a just conclusion. Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations where it operates, including applicable export control and sanction laws and regulations of the UN, US, and EU." Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications AnTuTu AI Review is a benchmark tool to measure your smartphone's AI performance News oi-Vivek AnTuTu AI is currently available for Android devices AnTuTu, the smartphone benchmarking behemoth has released yet another benchmarking tool, this time to test the AI capabilities of your smartphone. The AnTuTu AI Review beta version is already available for download for free of cost from the AnTuTu official website, and the same will be made available in the Google Play store in the upcoming days. Download AnTuTu AI Benchmark here What is AnTuTu AI Review? AnTuTu AI Review is an AI benchmarking app for Android platform, which calculates the AI performance of the smartphone. The AnTutu AI Review mainly has two benchmark tools called classification and object recognition. In the classification test, the AnTuTu AI Review app will test a total of 200 images with the help of Inception v3 neural network and the second test reviews 600-frame video using MobileNet SSD neural network. After completing the two tests, the app will test those images into the SDK offered on the chipset to calculate the actual AI performance of the chipset. In the final test, the speed and accuracy of the chipset will be noted down. Based on the speed and accuracy, AnTuTu AI Review will present a score. Higher the score, better the AI performance. According to AnTuTu, the scores will differ much with respect to the chipset brand, as AnTuTu will only calculate the AI performance and not the actual CPU and GPU performance. Samsung is yet to release the AI SDK for the Exynos chipsets, whereas, HiSilicon uses TFLite SDK for the AI computation. However, a smartphone with an older Android version might score slightly lower score compared to a smartphone with a similar AI chipset, running on the latest Android OS. Stable build availability The AnTuTu AI Review is still in the development stage. Users can always download the beta version from the link mentioned above or wait for few more months for the stable build. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Photo: Mary Margaret Whitehouse L to R, Barbara; Mary Margaret; Doreen; Sandra & Louis A 58-year-old mystery spanning six provinces has come to a dead end in Kelowna, literally. The family of James Louis Whitehouse has been searching for him since they were separated shortly after their mother died in 1939. Thelma Margaret Brady Whitehouse and Kjelder James Whitehouse had 4 children. At the time of her death and delivery of James Louis Whitehouse they had four girls. Barbara 8, Sandra 5, Doreen 3, and Mary Margaret 1. She gave birth to James Louis after a fall down the back stairs on May 31, 1939 and She passed the next day June 1, 1939. According to Mary Margaret, now 80-years-old, her father made the decision to place the children with family members before he headed west. "Barbara and Sandra the 2 oldest were given to his parents Jim and Klara Whitehouse in Verdun, Que. James Louis and Doreen wound up in the Social Services system. They were not treated in a kindly manner, abused sexually and in other terrible ways." Mary Margaret had very little contact with her siblings especially Louis, until Feb. 24, 1961. "I received a phone call from a lawyer in Montreal, Robert Dubuc, who had traced me somehow. He said that Louis wanted to meet with me and I agreed." The siblings spent a week together, "it was a wonderful week, we talked about many things, he drew cartoons for the boys and they all had a great time together." During their chats, Louis expressed a desire to find his father, "he told me he was going to Vancouver to find our father, who he felt hated him because our mother died when he was born." But that was the last time Mary Margaret saw Louis. Since then she has taken on the role of family historian and has searched high and low for news of Louis and her father. A few years ago Mary's granddaughter used a 23andMe DNA kit which led them to Ancestry.com and the discovery that her father had died in 1977. That didn't stop Mary's search and just before Christmas she discovered a posting on a Kelowna funeral home web site, which indicated that a James Louis Whitehouse had passed away in May of 2017. After checking the birthdate, June 1, 1939 she determined this was likely her brother. "I spoke with a very nice gentleman Bob at Hanson's Funeral Chapels and Crematorium, he gave me some hints on who to contact." Turns out Louis was living in Penticton at the time of his death. "When I called the Public Trustee they gave me the names Vick(y)(ie) Whitehouse his daughter and Jennifer Whitehouse a granddaughter who lived in the area of Summerland but they didn`t seem to have anything to do with his death and or burial." That's where the trail goes cold. If you can help the Whitehouse family learn more about their long lost family member and help fill in the blanks on his life, please contact Mary Margaret Whitehouse by email at [email protected]. "If you knew James or know someone who did, please contact me. It would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance." Gillette, WY (82718) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 45F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. 83% of Georgians support integration into the NATO, 78% into the EU NDI - GeorgianJournal Located right in the Pacifics turquoise waters, Cloud 9 is a bar unlike any youve seen before. Its a must-see for anyone planning a trip to the islands of Fiji. Need a total break from workaday madness? Cloud 9 bar is everything youve been looking for. Located near Viti Levu island, it was built directly on the sea. Its literally in the middle of nowherebut the most sublime nowhere you might ever see. Clients dont sit on chairs around tables, but instead lay out on comfy mattresses with a view of Fijis clear waters. And dont worry, no risk of sunburn thanks to the protection of suspended sheets that allow visitors to enjoy sun and sips in perfect comfort. Mojito, Cosmopolitan, Pina Colada, Bloody Mara, or even a simple glass of champagnethe choices are endless. A slice of paradise This floating bar in a dreamlike locale seems to be the ideal spot for rest and relaxation. Well mention, though, that the bar is a 45-minute boat ride away from the nearest coast. That being said, thats a pretty small price to pay for such an incredible experience. Check out the video above for a taster of what you can expect from the gorgeous Cloud 9 bar... Photo: Contributed A travesty of justice for the drug mule caught with 27,500 fentanyl pills to go free? It would seem so, according to the overwhelming majority of hundreds of Facebook users commenting on news reports of the judge`s decision that was released this past week. There is a steady flow of incredulous reactions such as: Its so crazy What a joke Brutal Unbelievable but you cant fix stupid !! Omg! That just sucks! Many pointed their fingers at judges, with comments such as: Flog the Judge!!! Hang the stupid judge! Im feeling like maybe our judges should be replaced Wow, I am disgusted that the judge let this death dealer walk free. Others blamed our justice system generally, with comments such as: The system is set up for criminals, why are we surprised? Another example of how screwed our justice system is in Canada! Canadian justice system hard at work again. If we take the waterfall of incredulous Facebook comments as a reflection of overall Canadian reaction, the judge`s decision dealt a serious blow to the reputation of our justice system. It is ironic, to the extreme, that it was protection of that very reputation that led to Mr. Justice Brudretts decision. Its unfortunate that journalists chose to focus their articles on the inflammatory result of a drug mule, caught red handed with 27,500 fentanyl pills, getting off because of a seemingly minor technicality. And completely ignored Justice Brudrett`s detailed analysis of the law that required that result. It`s complicated legal stuff, contained within two judgments. The first, R. v. Rigo, 2018 BCSC 1807, is a 240 paragraph, 15,500 word decision considering whether o the accuseds Charter rights had been breached. The other, R v. Rigo, 2018 BCSC 2015 is a 51 paragraph, 2,800-word decision considering whether the evidence should be excluded. In fairness to the news media, complicated legal stuff is difficult to put in a nutshell in a news report. But if the nutshell is so distorted that it delivers a serious blow to the reputation of a justice system the judge was painstakingly protecting, perhaps it should not have been put in a nutshell at all. I am going to do my best to provide a more balanced nutshell. If I succeed, those of you who commented so negatively about the judge and our justice system might feel like I did when I learned the full story about the Covington school standoff. One of our basic rights, protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is to be secure from being unreasonably searched by the police. Another is a right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned. The rules about how those rights apply to a highway traffic stop have been established through hundreds and thousands of court decisions. The police must have a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity before subjecting your vehicle to an exterior sniffer dog search. And that suspicion must be based on objective facts. The judge listed the facts relied on by the RCMP officer: To repeat, Cpl. Catellier relied upon the strong odour of cologne or air freshener coming from inside the vehicle, the fact that the accuseds right arm and hand were shaking when he pulled over, the presence of multiple cell phones including a BlackBerry, the accuseds illogical story, the short duration of his trip from Calgary, and the officers belief that Highway 1 was a conduit for drugs, particularly around Chilliwack. And he accepted that those facts were sufficient to allow deployment of the sniffer dog, Doods. But more than suspicion is required before the police can lawfully take next steps of arresting you and searching your vehicle. In this case, the police officer stated that he would not have made the arrest if it were not for getting a signal from Doods that there were drugs in the vehicle. In order to decide whether the arrest and search were lawful, the judge had to decide whether Doods had given the signal. Mr. Justice Brundrett scrutinized the evidence. The way Doods had been trained to signal the presence of drugs was a simple one: she was trained to sit. Doods had not been trained to give the signal with a partial sit, and had never before actually done that to indicate the presence of drugs. And she had been accustomed to fully sit even in tight environments. The dog handler had initially described the partial sit as a half sit, but after reviewing the critical portion of a video changed his description to a quarter sit. He acknowledged that if the same thing had happened in training, he would try to bring the dog back and have her reconfirm the signal with certainty, something he did not do at the roadside. The judge concluded that Cpl. Catellier did not have the objective basis to support his belief that Mr. Rigo was committing a criminal offence. The arrest and search of the vehicle were therefore unlawful. But that wasnt the end of the matter. The judge then had to consider how to handle a situation where the Crown was prosecuting a citizen based on evidence that would not have been collected had it not been for a breach of the citizens rights. The Charter specifically addresses that situation, requiring that the evidence be excluded if, having regard to all the circumstances, allowing it to be used would hurt the reputation of our justice system. I will share the judges reasoning for excluding that evidence, in protection of the reputation of our justice system, in my next column. The state of Oregon is issuing a new gray whale license plate, with proceeds benefiting Oregon State Universitys marine mammal research efforts in Newport. The gray whale plates become available Friday at Department of Motor Vehicles offices statewide. The plates cost $40 to order for a new vehicle and slightly for a renewal on an already-registered vehicle. Those transferring new whale plates to an existing Oregon-registered vehicle will have some small additional fees to transfer new month and year stickers to the new plates. This is a wonderful way to support marine mammal conservation on a local and even a global basis, said Bruce Mate, director of the Marine Mammal Institute based at Oregon State Universitys Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The plates should be popular because they are really striking, and the proceeds go to a good cause. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Some of the proceeds from the plate sales will target marine mammal research and education. The plates are a way that citizens can support marine mammal research at a very modest biannual basis and let other folks know about their interests, support and concerns for the coast as they drive down the road. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. High 89F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Windy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 82F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%. The president certainly ran very long and hard to get nowhere. First, there was the threat of shutdown. Then on national TV, he said hed be proud to own it. Next, his closest advisers, those wild and crazy Fox TV hosts, egged him on to change course, so he backed out of signing a resolution to fund the government. That was Dec. 20, two days before the shutdown began. He said he wanted to work a deal with Chuck and Nancy. They got together on Jan. 9, but he didnt want to deal and walked out of the negotiations he demanded. Afterward, he said the Democrats own the shutdown that earlier, he was oh, so proud to bring about. News editor's pick centerpiece Park, RV owners decry county's proposed regulations kelseywalling / KELSEY WALLING/ The Daily News Janice Terra stands on the porch in front of her RV in Bacliff on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Terra moved to the RV after she nearly died from an extreme medical condition. Terra is unable to work, so she has created a home and learned to live in a small space. kelseywalling / KELSEY WALLING/The Daily News Janice Terra sits at the table in her RV in Bacliff on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Terra said she's worried that proposed new county regulations might force her from the only home she can afford. kelseywalling / KELSEY WALLING/The Daily News Rosco the dog looks out from his crate in Janice Terra's RV in Bacliff on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Terra has rescued two dogs that live with her in the RV. kelseywalling / KELSEY WALLING/The Daily News Janice Terra has knick-knacks and decorations throughout her RV in Bacliff on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Terra said she is afraid that if she's forced to move every six months, she will never feel at home. kelseywalling / KELSEY WALLING/The Daily News Janice Terra looks over her property in Bacliff on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Terra and her son refurbish RVs to sell and just finished the RV on the right. GALVESTON Janice Terra stood before county commissioners Monday and told them she would have nowhere to live if it werent for her RV. Five years ago, Terra suffered a heart attack that left her unable to continue working as a horse riding instructor, she said. Now living on a reduced income, she moved into a recreational vehicle in a park in Bacliff. Its a life she chooses, she told commissioners, and one she now feels is threatened by proposed new county rules governing recreational vehicles. I love living in a travel trailer, because its mine and nobody can take it from me just because I get sick, Terra said. These rules will hurt me. Commissioners were scheduled Monday to vote on changes to the countys flood plain regulations, which would have imposed restrictions on recreational vehicles and RV parks. The rules would have required RV owners to obtain a county permit every 180 days, and to prove their RVs were movable and not permanent structures. The owners of RV parks would also be required to obtain operating permits and track how long people were staying in their parks. Two things were driving the push for new regulations, commissioners and county administrators said Monday. The first was a need to bring county regulations in line with Federal Emergency Management Agency rules. The county must meet FEMAs standards or county residents might not qualify to be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program, officials said. The county already requires people who live in FEMA-designated flood zones to get RV permits and for those vehicles to be road worthy so they leave during hurricane evacuations. The new proposal is to expand the rules to places outside FEMA flood zones where the federal regulations do not necessarily need to apply. Despite their proximity to Galveston Bay, large parts of Bacliff and San Leon are not in FEMA flood zones, officials said. The RV regulations would apply county wide because the entire county is a rising water prone area, Galveston County Engineer Michael Shannon said. During floods, an unsecured RV could become a missile, Shannon said. At the same time, officials acknowledged the floodplain regulations also are meant to give the county another tool to battle nuisance and crime complaints in some communities. County Commissioner Darrell Apffel has mentioned complaints the county received about a specific RV park in San Leon. I have said publicly this is about cleaning up crime and drugs in the Bayshore area, and I still maintain that is one of the reasons for stiffer regulations, Apffel said. We have got to do something about these RV parks that are breeding crime and drugs. RV owners could come into compliance with the rules in three ways, officials said. They could get permits every six months and keep their RVs road ready; they could remove the RVs from county property; or they could convert the RV to meet the countys mobile-home rules. Unlike RVs, mobile homes are required to be raised above base flood elevation. They do need to be permitted by the county, but those permits dont need to be renewed every 180 days. About a dozen people spoke about the regulations Monday, asking commissioners to spend more time reviewing the purpose and scope of the rules, and to analyze the possible ramifications of expanding the rules to more of the county. The requirement for parks to track how long their customers had stayed was cumbersome and unneeded, RV park owner Scott Monroe said. This affects commerce for not just us, but for other tax-paying people and citizens, Monroe said. It also affects the good citizens that live and visit us in RV parks. I just feel that this is a one-sided idea. Terra also questioned the proposed new rules. How is a grandma, 70 years old, supposed to every six months, unhook everything and just take everything apart and pull my trailer down the road so someone can say Youre OK? she said. Commissioners voted 4-0 Monday to postpone considering the regulations. County Judge Mark Henry was absent from Mondays meeting. Apffel said he would hold a community meeting in Bacliff on Feb. 13 so more people could sound off about the proposal. Its clear that we may have some problems with our regulations, Apffel said. Lets come up with a fix to what you all perceive as a problem. Fort Wayne, IN (46808) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 72F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. 28th January 2019 Axolotl genome could lead to human body regeneration The longest ever animal genome sequencing that of the axolotl has been completed by the University of Kentucky. Amandasofiarana [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons How are some animals able to regrow body parts? Is it possible that humans could do the same? If scientists could unlock the secrets that confer those animals with this remarkable ability, the knowledge could have profound significance in future clinical practice. Scientists at the University of Kentucky have brought this sci-fi concept a step closer to reality by assembling the complete genome of the axolotl, a salamander whose only native habitat is a lake near Mexico City. "It's hard to find a body part they can't regenerate: the limbs, the tail, the spinal cord, the eye, and in some species, the lens, even half of their brain has been shown to regenerate," said Randal Voss, a professor in the UK Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and co-author on the study, which is published in the journal Genome Research. Axolotls have long been prized as models for regeneration. Though humans share many of the same genes with axolotl, the salamander genome is approximately ten times larger, presenting a formidable challenge in terms of genetic analysis. "Just a few years ago, no one thought it possible to assemble a 30+ gigabyte genome," said Jeramiah Smith, an associate professor in the Department of Biology at Kentucky. "We have now shown it is possible using a cost-effective and accessible method, which opens up the possibility of routinely sequencing other animals with large genomes." As proof of concept, Voss and Smith used the assembled data to rapidly identify a gene that causes a heart defect in an axolotl, thus providing a new model of human disease. "Biomedical research is increasingly becoming a genetically-driven enterprise," said Voss. "To understand human disease, you have to be able to study gene functions in other organisms like the axolotl. Now that we have access to genomic information, we can really start to probe axolotl gene functions and learn how they are able to regenerate body parts. Hopefully someday we can translate this information to human therapy, with potential applications for spinal cord injury, stroke, joint repair... The sky's the limit, really." --- Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Subscribe to us on YouTube Comments Get Informed. Stay Connected. The Frontiersman News APP is now available in your APP store Click Here Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-352-2250 The roads are going to be wet because they are going to start treating, and everything is going to freeze, he said. The most dangerous part is the people who have four-wheel drive who think they are indestructible and dont realize that all four-wheel drive does is help you get started. Once you get going, its not different than any other kind of vehicle, especially on ice. Virginia should adopt ranked-choice ballots This General Assembly session offers an excellent opportunity to repair and improve the democratic process. Two billsHB2097 and SB1731allow localities to hold elections using a type of instant-runoff ballot called ranked-choice ballots. With these ballots, election results have the same benefits as runoff elections, but without requiring a second visit to the polls. For example, in a three-way race where no candidate gets over 50 percent of the votes, the votes for the last-place candidate are re-allocated to the other candidates based on the second choices marked on his ballots. The one with over 50 percent wins. Players on Air is a 501c3 not for profit organization established in 2017. Laura Wonsala, president and founder of the organization, said, As a non-profit, we rely on donations as well as sponsors and local business advertisers. Weve also had some wonderful people [in the community] reach out to let us know they have furniture, clothes, and set pieces that they are willing to donate. At the time of the closing, longtime employees recalled the hotels heyday, especially during the war years, when servicemen came in droves from Fort A.P. Hill and stayed on the dance floor with local women until 3 a.m. It was a place where blacks could drink a beer and talk to their friends without worrying about there being a disturbance, commented employee Marie Rollins cryptically. This edition of Retro Reads would be a sad one were we to focus only on the hotels demise. However, a rare window into Fredericksburgs past exists in the form of an April 16, 1955, article in the Baltimore Afro-American, a newspaper still in publication today. At its peak, the paper published editions in 13 cities, and ran a regular feature in its magazine called The Virginia Caravan. The journalist traveled to various Virginia cities, writing a first-person account of the people he met and the status of the black community there. And although the U.S. 1 Bypass had been built by then, diverting much of the tourist traffic Princess Anne Street had formerly enjoyed, the two hotels and businesses in and around them were thriving. Good idea. Except that the first U.S. presidents 20th-century countrymen had other ideas. In truth, people loved the old stories, too. Even though they knew they were legends, they still wanted to hear the fables that Parson Weems, his first biographer, had written about him. Hence, the end result blended scholarship, folklore and patriotic pride. People everywhere did something, throughout the year. You couldnt avoid it, Stewart said. There were 16,000 events; some were hokey, and some were serious. More than 300,000 trees planted. Some 1,500 articles were published every day in newspapers. Eight hundred thousand individual groups participated. In Culpeper, schools held patriotic pageants, citizens dressed up in Colonial-style garb, and businessmen promoted the occasion, she said. The Daughters of the American Revolution held a program and planted a commemorative tree on the courthouse grounds. The Culpeper Volunteer Fire Department and the communitys American Legion post took part in a big parade in Alexandria. Others attended the national bicentennial ball held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington. Scooters Coffee Adds First Coffee Drive-Thru Location to Emporia, KS New Store to Celebrate Grand Opening February 4 - 8 January 29, 2019 // Franchising.com // Emporia, KS - Scooters Coffee, the Midwest-based coffee franchise that has experienced tremendous growth over the past year, added its first location in Emporia, KS, with the companys latest opening at 1702 North Industrial Road. To celebrate, the location will be hosting a Grand Opening Week February 4 - 8. We were very excited to join the Emporia community, stated Mike Rogers, Chief Operating Officer of Scooters Coffee. Emporia is the perfect fit for our brand and has already welcomed us with open arms. We are thrilled that we have the opportunity to bring our world-class coffee to this new market. During the Grand Opening Week, customers can expect to receive a variety of offers that include: *Monday, February 4 - Thursday, February 7: Half off any drink from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. *Friday, February 8: 10 a.m. - First 100 customers will receive a free $5 gift card with purchase 1 p.m. - First 50 customers will receive a free Scooters Coffee tumbler with purchase 4 p.m. - First 50 customers will receive a free Scooters Coffee t-shirt with purchase Scooters Coffee serves coffee, smoothies, tea, blenders, iced drinks, pastries and more. In addition, the brand offers a mobile app. The app allows customers to quickly pay for purchases by scanning a barcode linked to a registered Scooters Coffee gift card. The app also includes a loyalty program and other features. Acting as a digital punch card, customers earn smiley faces when they use the app for purchases, then can redeem their smiley faces for a free drink after collecting 12. In addition, the app will enable customers to access special offers, view the nearest locations, browse the full Scooters Coffee menu and track purchases. In line with their successful and robust grand opening strategy, Scooters Coffee recently opened five locations throughout Kansas and Missouri, opened the second of many locations in Arkansas and is opening additional locations in markets such as Phoenix, Arizona; Rapid City, South Dakota; Dallas, Texas; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Americans love their coffee. The percentage of people in the U.S. who drink coffee daily is up to 62 percent in 2017. The National Coffee Association also recently discovered the percentage of Americans drinking coffee prepared outside of the home is at an all-time high of 46 percent in 2017. Scooters Coffee, with the Brand Promise of Amazing People, Amazing DrinksAmazingly Fast! is helping meet that demand. Scooters Coffee is a drive-thru franchise that has been serving world-class coffee for 20 years. It roasts only the finest beans, and it makes that first-morning sip convenient and rewarding for its customers across the nation. Scooters Coffee has over 200 locations in 14 states and has over 175 franchise commitments to build new stores. To find out why Scooters Coffee is among the best coffee franchises in the nation and to learn more about franchise opportunities, visit ownascooters.com. About Scooters Coffee Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooters Coffee roasts only the finest coffee beans in the world at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. In more than two decades of business, Scooters Coffees success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company core values. The Scooters Coffee Brand Promise, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees is: Amazing People, Amazing Drinks Amazingly Fast! It represents the companys business origins from 1998 and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers. Scooters Coffee specializes in hand-tamped espresso drinks, fruit smoothies, baked-from-scratch pastries and features its signature drink, the Caramelicious. The company also serves a line of hot and iced organic teas, single-origin coffee and the original Cold Brew & Cream. This year, one of Scooters Coffees drink innovations includes Red Bull Infusions. Scooters Coffee is at the dawn of a strategic growth phase in the Midwest and nationwide. The U.S. coffee market is an estimated $48 billion a year recession-resistant industry, and Scooters Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru coffee franchise in the nation. Visit ownascooters.com to learn more about the benefits of owning a franchise of a well-established company. For more information, visit scooterscoffee.com, facebook.com/scooterscoffee, ownascooters.com or call 877-494-7004. SOURCE Scooters Coffee ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Lice Clinics Of America Ranked a Top Franchise in Entrepreneurs Highly Competitive 40th Annual Franchise 500 Salt Lake City, UT - Jan. 29, 2019 // GLOBE NEWSWIRE // - Lice Clinics of America recently ranked for the first time in Entrepreneur magazines Franchise 500, the worlds first, best and most comprehensive franchise-ranking list. Placement on the Franchise 500 is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry, as evidenced by the fact that Entrepreneur received more than 1,000 applications this year, making it one of the magazines most competitive rankings ever. Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500 ranked Lice Clinics of America based on outstanding performance in areas such as unit growth, brand power, and financial strength and stability. Breaking into this elite group of growing businesses is a testimony to our great products, people, and business model, said Claire Roberts, CEO of Lice Clinics of America. We offer a patented product, a guaranteed service, a global brand, and protected territories. Lice Clinics of America is the exclusive provider of head lice treatment using the revolutionary, FDA-cleared AirAlle medical device, clinically shown to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of lice eggs (nits) in one hour. Treatment is provided in clean and comfortable urgent-care clinics by certified technicians. The company has quickly grown to more than 350 clinics in 36 countries and is the largest and fastest-growing network of professional lice treatment centers in the world. When a child comes home with head lice, parents want it gone now, and traditional pesticide-based products are messy, unreliable and extremely time-consuming, Roberts said. Our clinics are successful because we deliver a fast, clean, safe solution. The AirAlle medical device was developed by scientists at the University of Utah and has successfully treated nearly half a million cases of head lice worldwide, with a success rate better than 99 percent. It uses carefully controlled heated air to quickly and quietly dehydrate lice and eggs, and the service is guaranteed to be effective. As we celebrate 40 years of producing the Franchise 500, its a good opportunity to step back and look at how much has changed since that first ranking in 1980, says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur. While the franchise business model has changed little, the strongest franchise brands are constantly evolving and innovating to keep up with changing trends and technology. Some 12 million children contract head lice each year in the United States alone, and that number is growing as traditional lice shampoos are increasingly ineffective. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of lice are now immune to the pesticides the products use. The same pesticides have been linked to behavioral and development problems in children. Head lice have afflicted humans from the beginning and will always be with us, Roberts said. Lice are a problem as old as time and as persistent as taxes, and we have the best solution on the market. Over its 40 years in existence, the Franchise 500 has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Lice Clinics of Americas position on the ranking in its first year of eligibility is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity. The key factors that go into the evaluation include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order. To view Lice Clinics of America in the full ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500. Results can also be seen in the January/February 2019 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands January 15th. About Lice Clinics of America With more than 350 clinics worldwide in 36 countries, Lice Clinics of America (www.LiceClinicsOfAmerica.com) is the largest network of professional head lice treatment centers in the world. Its patented heated-air device, AirAlle, has effectively performed nearly half a million head lice treatments. Lice Clinics of America and AirAlle (www.airalle.com) are brands owned by Larada Sciences, Inc., which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Media Contact: Randy Bakes Lice Clinics of America 855-648-0525 randy@laradasciences.com SOURCE Lice Clinics of America ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus 40 Hyatt Hotels Expected to Open Throughout West Coast United States by 2021 Hyatt to expand its brand portfolio in California, Oregon and Washington by nearly 45 percent January 29, 2019 // Franchising.com // CHICAGO - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that Hyatt expects 40 new hotels to open in California, Oregon and Washington by the end of 2021, fueling Hyatts regional brand growth by nearly 45 percent. The new executed properties - under management and franchise agreements - will join 89 Hyatt-branded hotels that are currently open and operating in California, Oregon and Washington. The West Coast is a priority for developers due to business demand from several strong markets in cities like San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Ore., and Seattle. Further reasons to support Hyatts strategy to focus on West Coast growth includes corporate and leisure travelers from Asia, where Hyatt has strong brand name recognition. The West Coast U.S. is a primary area of focus for Hyatt, and we see enormous potential to grow our portfolio of brands in this region, said Jim Chu, global head of development and owner relations, Hyatt. Todays announcement further demonstrates the overall strength and resonance of Hyatt-branded hotels with developers, owners and guests. Most notably, new West Coast properties include Hyatt House San Jose/Cupertino (March 2019) to be located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the 350-room Grand Hyatt at SFO (Summer 2019) which will be the only hotel on airport grounds, the 600-room Hyatt Regency Portland at Oregon Convention Center (Early 2020) and Thompson Hollywood (Early 2020). These will complement the recently opened Hyatt Regency Seattle, the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest, per number of rooms (1,260) and meeting space (103,000 square feet). Complete list of new West Coast U.S. properties: Park Hyatt Park Hyatt hotels provide discerning, affluent business and leisure guests with elegant and luxurious accommodations. Each Park Hyatt hotel is custom designed to combine sophistication with distinctive regional character. parkhyatt.com Park Hyatt Los Angeles at Oceanwide Plaza (Calif.), 184 guestrooms, 2020 Park Hyatt Los Angeles Residences at Oceanwide Plaza (Calif.), 164 residences, 2020 Grand Hyatt Grand Hyatt hotels celebrate the iconic in small details and magnificent moments, providing sophisticated business and leisure travelers with elegant accommodations, extraordinary restaurants, bars, spas and fitness centers, as well as comprehensive business and meeting facilities. grandhyatt.com Grand Hyatt at SFO (San Francisco, Calif.), 351 guestrooms, Summer 2019 Andaz Andaz hotels draw upon surrounding neighborhoods to craft distinctively local experiences, fully immersing guests in each inspiring destination through unique expressions of local culture. Andaz hotels are designed to reflect their surroundings and feature an innovative service model that creates a barrier-free and non-traditional environment. andaz.com Andaz Palm Springs (Calif.), 150 guestrooms, Fall 2019 The Unbound Collection by Hyatt The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand is designed to provide a portfolio of unconventional upper-upscale and luxury properties ranging from historic urban gems to contemporary new build hotels, boutique properties, and resorts. Each hotel is one-of-a-kind and offers story-worthy and extraordinary experiences for our guests. unboundcollectionbyhyatt.com A hotel within The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, located in Hollywood, Calif., 64 guestrooms, Late 2019 Destination Hotels Destination Hotels is a collection of more than 40 upscale and luxury independent hotels, resorts and residences across North America. Serving as both the explorer and the guide, Destination hotels ensure a sense of genuine belonging and the chance to encounter life-enhancing discoveries. destinationhotels.com A hotel within the Destination Hotels brand, located in Oceanside, Calif., 226 guestrooms, Q4 2020 Hyatt Regency The Hyatt Regency brand prides itself on connecting travelers to who and what matters most to them. Conveniently located in urban and resort locations in more than 30 countries around the world, Hyatt Regency hotels serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion, offering a one-stop experience that puts everything guests need right at their fingertips. hyattregency.com Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center (Ore.), 600 guestrooms, Early 2020 Thompson Hotels Founded in 2001, Thompson Hotels is an award-winning international hospitality brand that delivers a new take on modern luxury at the refined edge of travel. Each location offers a stunning, carefully layered and dynamic urban or resort setting that molds into the surrounding community. thompsonhotels.com Thompson Hollywood (Calif.), 190 guestrooms, Early 2020 Hyatt Centric Hyatt Centric hotels are full service lifestyle hotels located in prime destinations that are created for millennial-minded guests who view their hotel as more than a place to stay. Hyatt Centric hotels help guests discover the worlds most compelling destinations like an in-the-know local. hyattcentric.com Hyatt Centric Mountain View (Calif.), 168 guestrooms, Spring 2019 Hyatt Centric Korea Town Los Angeles (Calif.), 310 guestrooms, Fall 2021 Hyatt Centric Downtown Sacramento (Calif.), 172 guestrooms, Fall 2020 Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland (Ore.), 215 guestrooms, January 2020 Hyatt House Hyatt House hotels are designed to welcome guests as extended stay residents. Apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living areas remind guests of the conveniences of home. hyatthouse.com Hyatt House San Jose/Cupertino (Calif.) 148 guestrooms, March 2019 Hyatt House San Jose Airport (Calif.) 165 guestrooms, April 2019 Hyatt House LAX (Los Angeles, Calif.), 129 guestrooms, February 2020 Hyatt House Davis (Calif.) 118 guestrooms, July 2020 Hyatt House Los Angeles USC Medical Campus (Calif.), 200 guestrooms, August 2020 Hyatt House Sacramento Airport - North Natomas (Calif.), 92 guestrooms, November 2020 Hyatt House Pomona (Calif.), 100 guestrooms, November 2020 Hyatt House Livermore (Calif.), 130 guestrooms, March 2021 Hyatt House Seatac Airport (Seattle, Wash.), 139 guestrooms, April 2021 Hyatt Place Hyatt Place hotels offer a modern, comfortable and seamless experience, combining style and innovation to create a casual hotel environment for today's multi-tasking traveler. From the lobby to the guest rooms to in-hotel dining, every touchpoint is designed with the high value business traveler in mind. hyattplace.com Hyatt Place San Jose Airport (Calif.) 190 guestrooms, March 2019 Hyatt Place Santa Barbara (Calif.), 88 guestrooms, April 2019 Hyatt Place Fresno, California (Calif.), 126 guestrooms, April 2019 Hyatt Place Vacaville California (Calif.), 136 guestrooms, July 2019 Hyatt Place Bakersfield (Calif.), 120 guestrooms, September 2019 Hyatt Place LAX (Los Angeles, Calif.), 272 guestrooms, February 2020 Hyatt Place Sacramento Airport - North Natomas (Calif.), 109 guestrooms, November 2020 Hyatt Place Pomona (Calif.), 115 guestrooms, November 2020 Hyatt Place Sunnyvale (Calif.), 90 guestrooms, January 2021 Hyatt Place Hayward (Calif.), 119 guestrooms, January 2021 Hyatt Place Paso Robles (Calif.), 131 guestrooms, February 2021 Hyatt Place Livermore (Calif.), 90 guestrooms, March 2021 Hyatt Place San Carlos (Calif.), 103 guestrooms, March 2021 Hyatt Place SeaTac Airport (Seattle, Wash.), 237 guestrooms, April 2021 Hyatt Place Vancouver Washington (Wash.), 113 guestrooms, September 2020 Hyatt Place Portland - Pearl District (Ore.), 176 guestrooms, November 2020 Joie de Vivre Since its founding in San Francisco in 1987, the Joie de Vivre brand has made curating playful travel through local connections and eclectic experiences its signature. Each Joie de Vivre hotel is an original concept designed to reflect its neighborhood. jdvhotels.com A hotel within the Joie de Vivre brand, located in Oceanside, Calif., 161 guestrooms, Q4 2020 El Capitan, a Joie de Vivre Hotel (Merced, Calif.), 114 guestrooms, Q1 2020 tommie tommie is a carefully edited hotel and gathering place that inspires guests to author their own experiences. By focusing on the essentials and providing fun, relevant choices, the tommie brand offers a fresh lens for the youthful and open-minded to explore, connect and discover. tommiehotels.com tommie Hollywood (Calif.), 212 guestrooms, Q1 2020 The term Hyatt is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. About Hyatt Hotels Corporation Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 14 premier brands. As of September 30, 2018, the Company's portfolio included more than 750 properties in more than 55 countries across six continents. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Centric, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Hyatt Residence Club and Exhale brand names. On November 30, 2018, the Company expanded its hotel and resort portfolio with the inclusion of the Alila, Destination, Joie de Vivre, Thompson Hotels and tommie brands. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com. Forward-Looking Statement Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the Companys outlook, estimated Adjusted EBITDA contribution of the transaction, estimated integration-related costs of the transaction, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, business trends and expectations, and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as may, could, expect, intend, plan, seek, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, continue, likely, will, would and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the risks discussed in the Companys filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports, which filings are available from the SEC. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We do not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Media Contact: Jorian Weiner Hyatt +1 312 780 3004 jorian.weiner@hyatt.com SOURCE Hyatt Hotels Corporation ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 28) President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday visited the Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu, the site of the twin bomb attacks that killed at least 20 people and injured more than a hundred others. The country's chief executive was accompanied by former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go and daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. LOOK: President Rodrigo Duterte visits blast site in Jolo, Sulu. https://t.co/HJG578U1kL : Bong Go pic.twitter.com/5zl6BounSZ CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 28, 2019 Duterte was left "angered" and "disappointed" by the Sulu town bombing, his spokesperson, Salvador Panelo earlier said. READ: Jolo blast 'more reason' for Mindanao to maintain martial law - Palace Panelo, in his media briefing Monday morning, also pointed out possible "lapses" on the part of security forces in Jolo. The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines were put under "nationwide" heightened alert status following the blasts. The attack came two days after the Commission on Elections proclaimed the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which would eventually create a new Bangsamoro autonomous region. USA: Chinese Telecommunications Conglomerate Huawei and Huawei CFO Wanzhou Meng Charged with Financial Fraud Huawei Device USA Inc. and Huaweis Iranian Subsidiary Skycom Also Named Defendants Other Charges Include Money Laundering, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Obstruction of Justice and Sanctions Violations A 13-count indictment was unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging four defendants,[1] including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (Huawei), the worlds largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, with headquarters in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and operations around the world. The indicted defendants include Huawei and two Huawei affiliates Huawei Device USA Inc. (Huawei USA) and Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. (Skycom) as well as Huaweis Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Wanzhou Meng (Meng). The defendants Huawei and Skycom are charged with bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and conspiracy to violate IEEPA, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Huawei and Huawei USA are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice related to the grand jury investigation in the Eastern District of New York. Meng is charged with bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracies to commit bank and wire fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker, Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Wilbur Ross of the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers of the National Security Division, announced the charges. Today we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," said Acting Attorney General Whitaker. "As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law. Id like to thank the many dedicated criminal investigators from several different federal agencies who contributed to this investigation and the Department of Justice attorneys who are moving the prosecution efforts forward. They are helping us uphold the rule of law with integrity. As charged in the indictment, Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer broke U.S. law and have engaged in a fraudulent financial scheme that is detrimental to the security of the United States, said Secretary Nielsen. They willfully conducted millions of dollars in transactions that were in direct violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, and such behavior will not be tolerated. The Department of Homeland Security is focused on preventing nefarious actors from accessing or manipulating our financial system, and we will ensure that legitimate economic activity is not exploited by our adversaries. I would like to thank ICE Homeland Security Investigations for their exceptional work on this case. For years, Chinese firms have broken our export laws and undermined sanctions, often using U.S. financial systems to facilitate their illegal activities, said Secretary Ross. This will end. The Trump Administration continues to be tougher on those who violate our export control laws than any administration in history. I commend the Commerce Departments Office of Export Enforcement, and our partners in the FBI, Justice Department, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security for their excellent work on this case. As charged in the indictment, Huawei and its subsidiaries, with the direct and personal involvement of their executives, engaged in serious fraudulent conduct, including conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, sanctions violations, money laundering and the orchestrated obstruction of justice, stated U.S. Attorney Donoghue. For over a decade, Huawei employed a strategy of lies and deceit to conduct and grow its business. This Office will continue to hold accountable companies and their executives, whether here or abroad, that commit fraud against U.S. financial institutions and their international counterparts and violate U.S. laws designed to maintain our national security. Mr. Donoghue thanked the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) agents who are investigating this case for their tireless work and dedication. These charges lay bare Huaweis alleged blatant disregard for the laws of our country and standard global business practices, said FBI Director Wray. Companies like Huawei pose a dual threat to both our economic and national security, and the magnitude of these charges make clear just how seriously the FBI takes this threat. Today should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate businesses that violate our laws, obstruct justice, or jeopardize national and economic well-being. * * * * Overview of the Indictment The charges in this case relate to a long-running scheme by Huawei, its CFO, and other employees to deceive numerous global financial institutions and the U.S. government regarding Huaweis business activities in Iran. As alleged in the indictment, beginning in 2007, Huawei employees lied about Huaweis relationship to a company in Iran called Skycom, falsely asserting it was not an affiliate of Huawei. The company further claimed that Huawei had only limited operations in Iran and that Huawei did not violate U.S. or other laws or regulations related to Iran. Most significantly, after news publications in late 2012 and 2013 disclosed that Huawei operated Skycom as an unofficial affiliate in Iran and that Meng had served on the board of directors of Skycom, Huawei employees, and in particular Meng, continued to lie to Huaweis banking partners about Huaweis relationship with Skycom. They falsely claimed that Huawei had sold its interest in Skycom to an unrelated third party in 2007 and that Skycom was merely Huaweis local business partner in Iran. In reality, Skycom was Huaweis longstanding Iranian affiliate, and Huawei orchestrated the 2007 sale to appear as an arms length transaction between two unrelated parties, when in fact Huawei actually controlled the company that purchased Skycom. As part of this scheme to defraud, Meng allegedly personally made a presentation in August 2013 to an executive of one of Huaweis major banking partners in which she repeatedly lied about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom. According to the indictment, Huawei relied on its global banking relationships for banking services that included processing U.S.-dollar transactions through the United States. U.S. laws and regulations generally prohibited these banks from processing transactions related to Iran through the United States. The banks could have faced civil or criminal penalties for processing transactions that violated U.S. laws or regulations. Relying on the repeated misrepresentations by Huawei, these banks continued their banking relationships with Huawei. One bank cleared more than $100 million worth of Skycom-related transactions through the United States between 2010 and 2014. In furtherance of this scheme to defraud, and as alleged in the indictment, Huawei and its principals repeatedly lied to U.S. government authorities about Huaweis business in Iran in submissions to the U.S. government, and in responses to government inquiries. For example, Huawei provided false information to the U.S. Congress regarding whether Huaweis business in Iran violated any U.S. law. Similarly, as indicated in the indictment, in 2007 months before Huawei orchestrated the purported sale of Skycom to another Huawei-controlled entity Huaweis founder falsely stated to FBI agents that Huawei did not have any direct dealings with Iranian companies and that Huawei operated in compliance with all U.S. export laws. After one of Huaweis major global banking partners (identified as Financial Institution 1 in the indictment) decided to exit the Huawei relationship in 2017 because of Huaweis risk profile, Huawei allegedly made additional misrepresentations to several of its remaining banking partners in an effort to maintain and expand those relationships. Huawei and its principals are alleged to have repeatedly and falsely claimed that Huawei had decided to terminate its banking relationship with Financial Institution 1, when in fact it was Financial Institution 1 that had decided to terminate the banking relationship. Through these misrepresentations, Huawei was able to continue its banking relationships with its other banks. In 2017, when Huawei became aware of the governments investigation, Huawei and its subsidiary Huawei USA allegedly tried to obstruct the investigation by making efforts to move witnesses with knowledge about Huaweis Iran-based business to the PRC, and beyond the jurisdiction of the U.S. government, and by concealing and destroying evidence of Huaweis Iran-based business that was located in the United States. In December 2018, Canadian authorities apprehended Meng in Vancouver pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant issued under Canadian law. The U.S. government is seeking Mengs extradition to the United States. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The indictment unsealed today is assigned to U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly of the Eastern District of New York. The governments investigation is ongoing. The investigation is being jointly conducted by the FBIs New York Field Office, HSIs New York Field Office, OEEs New York Field Office, and DCISs Southwest and Northeast Field Offices. Agents from the FBI, HSI, and OEE offices in Dallas provided significant support and assistance. The governments case is being handled by the National Security and Cybercrime and Business and Securities Fraud Sections of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Justice Departments Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), and the Justice Departments National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon, Julia Nestor, David K. Kessler, Kaitlin Farrell, and Sarah Evans, MLARS Trial Attorneys Laura Billings and Christian Nauvel, and CES Trial Attorneys Thea D. R. Kendler and David Lim are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Penley of the Northern District of Texas, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Morris and Brendan King of the Eastern District of New Yorks Civil Division and Trial Attorneys Andrew Finkelman and Margaret OMalley of DOJs Office of International Affairs. Additional Criminal Division and National Security Division Trial Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys within U.S. Attorneys Offices for the Northern District of Texas, the Eastern District of Texas, and the Northern District of California have provided valuable assistance with various aspects of this investigation. The Defendants: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Huawei Device USA Inc. Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. Meng Wanzhou, also known as Cathy Meng and Sabrina Meng Age: 46 Residence: Peoples Republic Of China E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-457 (AMD) [1] The indictment charges other individuals who have not yet been apprehended and whose names will not be publicly released at this time. This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) - We are following the Vice President all day during her trip to Greenville, SC, follow along for the latest updates on her visit. The United States has filed criminal charges against Huawei, escalating its fight against the Chinese tech giant and potentially complicating efforts by Washington and Beijing to negotiate an end to their bruising trade war. Las Vegas Metropolitan police said Antwon Perkins, the man suspected of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl on Jan. 24, became a suspect in a separate kidnapping and assault case that took place in May 2018. Nevada gambling regulators say they will fine Wynn Resorts after an investigation found former executives failed on multiple occasions to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against former CEO and founder Steve Wynn. Seven-year-old Alayna Gifford and a few of her classmates were seated in a semicircle on the floor at Waterloo Elementary School. "OK, Alayna, your turn," said teacher Staphanie Yonowitz, who is sitting on the floor facing the students. Alayna picked up a slip of paper with the word "small" printed on it. She smiled. "My brother is very small," she said. And then she placed the slip of paper under one of four groups arranged in front of the students, the one headed "al." "Very good, Alayna," Yonowitz said, and moves on to the next student. Welcome to the new face of spelling instruction in Howard County. The annual Howard County Library System Spelling Bee, to be held Friday, March 8, at Reservoir High School, will feature dozens of fourth- through eighth-graders likely to dazzle onlookers with their spelling wizardry. (The winning word last year was "kudize.") But few adults would recognize the way many of those students learned to spell. In county schools these days, you're less and less likely to find the lists of 10 or 20 words traditionally handed out to students on Monday, memorized during the week, spelled back in a test on Friday and often forgotten by the following Monday. Instead, students clip and sort short series of letters called "word chunks." They learn to recognize patterns within words, the sounds within words. They learn, ideally, to get excited about words. It's part of a revolution in spelling that in the past few years has hit not only Howard County but much of the nation. "Spelling is definitely taught differently in schools now," said Fran Clay, coordinator of Elementary Language Arts for the county school system. "We're trying to get far beyond just memorizing a list of words. The focus now is on word study, on vocabulary, phonics, as well as spelling. We want students to understand how and why words work." The new spelling regimen, part of the Common Core standards for language arts being instituted in Maryland public schools, is based on the "Words Their Way" curriculum developed by Donald Bear, a former teacher and researcher in literacy development. Under this approach, students use "word sorts" to compare, contrast and analyze words, to recognize patterns, and to learn spelling principles. The roots of words The regimen encompasses not just spelling but, as students get older, the roots of words (typically Greek or Roman), phonics, prefixes and suffixes, and vocabulary. "It's a much more child-centric way of approaching a very challenging task," explained Teri Trail, the reading support teacher at Waterloo. "It breaks it down into very meaningful chunks." Research recognized that students weren't retaining their knowledge of words under previous spelling instruction, Clay said. "It's considered best practice now to have a broader scope for word study." Best practice or not, the new spelling regimen takes some getting used to for teachers and parents as well as students. For teachers, the heavier emphasis on instruction means more work. "It's more hands-on for teachers," Clay said. "With all the cutting up of words, sorting there's more instruction in the classroom now. We're not just giving (students) a list to memorize." As well, Clay said, teachers must choose wisely the words they have their students study, making sure they choose words with common patterns. Yonowitz, who has been teaching at Waterloo Elementary for six years, said the new system, now in its fourth year at Waterloo, took some getting used to. "In the beginning it was more work," she said. "It's much more hands-on. "But now, it's just sort of how we do things, and the benefits certainly outweigh the workload. The meanings go much deeper for the students there's a real carryover into their writing." To help teachers adapt to this new method, Clay said, the county has done "a lot of professional development of teachers in the last five years." Trail, one of 16 reading support teachers in Howard County, is creating a website for teachers to use as a resource on word study. She also leads workshops on the approach. Educating parents As for parents, accustomed to their children coming home with lists of words to memorize, they typically are told about the new system when their children start elementary school. Elementary school is where parents are most involved with helping their children and where most of the basic spelling instruction occurs. At Waterloo, Trail explains the new approach to parents at the Back-to-School night at the start of the year. "It's different, not what they're familiar with," Trail said. "We have to educate the parents as to how we do this," Clay said. Other schools take similar tacks, though, as Clay noted, some schools (like Waterloo) are further advanced in using word study. She said some schools still use the more traditional method of teaching spelling. However, she added, "we encourage schools to use the new approach, and common core standards definitely support this approach." Nationally, feedback on the Words Their Way approach is largely favorable. A 2007 review of the book on the website K12reader.com, which highlights programs that supplement reading instruction in the schools, called it a "great find for any teacher" that lays out "a comprehensive program to implement effective spelling, vocabulary and phonetic instruction to improve literacy and writing with any student." An assessment of a pilot program for the curriculum in the Arlington County, Va., school system several years ago found the pilot improved students' reading and said teachers "plan to use (it) again next year." County educators say the new spelling regimen is working here. Michelle Leader, principal at Waterloo Elementary, noted that teachers now use two weeks to teach sets of words rather than one. That and the focus on letter patterns, she said, "has really bridged the disconnect" that prevented young students from fully learning words and their spelling. "We think it's made a big difference in the way kids spell," Leader said. Trail agreed. "We've slowed down the spelling instruction and gone deeper to make things stick for kids," she said. "We see students using a greater breadth of words in their papers." Heather Gifford, Alayna's mother, is also a fan. Please either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. The wife of accused child rapist Antwon Perkins told FOX5 she found out about the allegations against her husband with the public. According to Prichard Police the shooting death of 3-year-old Damion Little, Jr. started with an altercation between his mother and father, Damion Little, Sr. Investigators say Little, Sr. shot into the home injuring the mother and killing his son. "An altercation transpired between the two and then the father produced a hand gun and fired a shot at the mother," said Lieutenant Robert Martin with Prichard Police. Court documents say Little's murder charge has been upgraded to capital murder. Police say this was a domestic incident and the toddler wasn't the intended target. Tonight a family is left to mourn the death of the 3-year-old. The crime happened around 10 pm Saturday at a home on Minnie B. Turnbo drive, which is off Whistler street. The glass door in front of the home is shattered. Court documents say Little was outside of the house and the mom and child were inside when bullets went flying through a glass door hitting the mother in her leg and then the boy. "It appears from our investigation that the mother was inside of the house possibly standing at the door and that the father was outside their residence when the shot was fired. It was stated that the child was standing near the mother at the time this incident occurred," Martin explained. He says covering crime never gets easy but it's especially difficult when life is snatched away from someone so young. "In the event, it always causes someone their life and being in this business for over 14 years now, its just sad that every time we get called out its someone that's been killed or someone that's been stabbed or something like that. Some type of violent crime. Its just time out for that," he added. In addition to the capital charge, Little is also charged with attempted murder. The rays are composed entirely of cartilage, like sharks and skates. Mature rays are brown with a whitish belly. They can grow nearly 4 feet wide and weigh 50 pounds or more. Cownose rays take their name from their notched head, which resembles a cow muzzle. They use their wings to churn the bay's bottom sediments to uncover hidden clams and oysters, which they then crush in powerful jaws. Yes, it's the right time No, the state should have waited a while longer The economy should have been reopened a long time ago Vote View Results Samsung Electronics has announced an 8K display driver IC (DDI) that helps deliver true-to-life 8K resolution with intra-panel data transfer speed at up to 4-gigabit-per-second (Gbps). It adopts the companys Unified Standard Interface for TV (USI-T) 2.0. The boost in the DDIs data transfer capability enhances the efficiency of a displays system performance and reduces the need for additional components. The company says that it also allows more streamlined product designs for slim bezel-less TVs with display sizes 65-inches and above. The 8K DDIs advanced performance at 4Gbps intra-panel interface speed minimizes the added clutter around the display panel that offers more freedom in premium 8K TV designs. The updated interface also supports a smart equalizer (EQ) feature that utilizes two-way channels between the timing controller (TCON) and individual DDIs. The smart EQ can program all DDIs in a panel simultaneously, reducing the possibility of bit errors and resources that are required for panel production. The Samsungs 8K DDI samples as well as licensing for the USI-T 2.0 intra-panel interface are currently available. Ben K. Hur, senior vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics said: To deliver true 8K resolution, it is essential for todays DDIs to support a high-speed 4Gbps intra-panel interface. Samsungs 8K DDI (S6CT93P) with USI-T 2.0 will bring stunning 8K images to premium displays that can take visual experiences on large-screen TVs to the new level. Source We recognize that not every student is interested or needs to attain a bachelors degree in order to be successful in their field of study, said AACC President Dawn Lindsay. By expanding our workforce development programs, we can support the needs of our employers and our local economy while helping people start and maintain successful careers. Petit sirah is often used as a blending grape to provide more color it will literally turn your teeth temporarily blue. In a way, it is a lot like zinfandel another American grape variety that can range in style from an alcoholic, tannic monster to a ripe and juicy quaffer. Not surprisingly, petit sirah and zinfandel often find themselves together in a bottle. For example, hefeweizens are defined by strong notes of banana and clove a power couple of flavor that should be present on the nose and in the taste of every single hefeweizen you drink. However, much like puppies and ponies, no cloves or bananas are harmed in the making of hefeweizens, because those flavors come from the yeast alone. | BY Lynchy | Bukalapak has appointed PHD Indonesia to its media business. The agreement will see PHD manage offline media duties for Indonesias largest e-commerce platform. Launched in 2010, Bukalapak has quickly grown from a start-up to become Indonesias fourth unicorn company, having raised an additional $50 million in Series D Funding just earlier this month. The company has committed to advancing the overall digital economy in Indonesia by empowering small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country with its platform. As such, the company will partner with PHD to extend the efforts of its in-house digital media capabilities with offline media initiatives, thereby delivering stronger results for their business objectives. Ari K Wibowo, Associate Vice President of Brand at Bukalapak, commented, Throughout the review process, PHD demonstrated a clear understanding of our objectives and put forward the best plan for how we can achieve them. We were particularly impressed by the agencys superior product and talent offering, and are excited to partner with them. We look forward to working with the team and creating some out-of-the-box offline media communications for Bukalapak going forwards. Nadia Zain, General Manager of PHD Indonesia (pictured above), said, We are thrilled to partner with Bukalapak and work with them on their ambition to grow the nations economy. As a challenger brand, PHD shares similar values and the start-up mentality with Bukalapak, demonstrated in the strong chemistry between the teams. We look forward to building on our common DNA and Finding A Better Way for Bukalapaks communications, as well as Indonesias digital economy in the process. James Hawkins, CEO of PHD APAC, added, This win is a testament to the new look and feel of PHD Indonesia, and a direct result of the fresh approach that Nadias leadership has brought to the agency. I am confident that we will continue to hear more impressive news come out both this partnership and the agency going forwards. Geneva, NY (14456) Today Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. The move would potentially cost the country $11 billion in revenues, a move that seeks to force President Nicolas Maduro to give up power after the opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president Washington: The US has slapped sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company that would potentially cost the country $11 billion in revenues, a move that seeks to force President Nicolas Maduro to give up power after the opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president. The sanctions on Monday prohibit most American businesses from engaging in transactions with the oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, SA, or PDVSA. The Trump administration officials said the financial penalties are expected to block $7 billion in assets and result in $11 billion in export losses over the next year for Venezuela's government, starving it from its most important source of revenue and foreign currency. Last week, the Trump administration recognised Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of the National Assembly, as his supporters took to the streets to demand new elections. Maduro has cut ties with the United States and has demanded that all American diplomats leave the country. US National Security Advisor John Bolton at a joint news conference with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Maduro and his allies could "no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people". He called on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful democratic and constitutional transfer of power. Mnuchin said the US is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline. "We will continue to use all of our diplomatic and economic tools to support interim President Guaido, the national assembly, and the Venezuelan people's efforts to restore their democracy," he said. Observing that PDVSA has long been a vehicle for embezzlement, for corruption for Venezuelan officials and businessmen, he said the designation of PDVSA will help prevent further diversion of Venezuela's assets by Maduro and will preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela where they belong. "The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent democratically elected government who is committed to taking concrete and meaningful actions to combat corruption," he said. Venezuela has the largest amount of proven oil reserves in the world, and oil revenues account for about 98 per cent of the country's export earnings, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It is heavily reliant on the US for its oil revenue - sending 41 per cent of its oil exports there - while it remains in the top four crude oil suppliers to the US. Maduro later announced he had told PDVSA to launch "political and legal action, in US and international courts" to protect its US subsidiary Citgo. Meanwhile, Bolton's note on "5,000 troops to Colombia" as reflected in his notepad during the White House press conference raised question if the Trump administration is considering dispatching troops to the South American country. Later a White House spokesperson said that all options are on the table. Responding to questions, Bolton said, "The president has made it very clear on this--on this matter that all options are on the table." Asserting that stability and democracy in Venezuela are in the national interest of the US right, Bolton said under the Chavez-Maduro governments, civil society in Venezuela is disintegrating and the economy is in a state of collapse. In a separate statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged that Maduro and his cronies have used state-owned PDVSA to control, manipulate, and steal from the Venezuelan people for too long, destroying it in the process. "Today's action will prevent Maduro and other corrupt actors from further enriching themselves at the expense of the long-suffering Venezuelan people. It will also preserve the core pillar of Venezuela's national assets for the people and a democratically elected government, he said. Pompeo said these new sanctions do not target the innocent people of Venezuela and will not prohibit humanitarian assistance including the provision of medicine and medical devices, which are desperately needed after years of economic destruction under Maduro's rule. "The United States will continue to take concrete and forceful action against those who oppose the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela, and serve their own interests rather than those of the Venezuelan people," Pompeo said. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have agreed Trump will give the annual State of the Union address on Feb. 5, following her postponement of the event from Jan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have agreed Trump will give the annual State of the Union address on Feb. 5, following her postponement of the event from Jan. 29 because of the partial government shutdown, a spokesman for Pelosi said on Monday. In a letter to Trump posted by spokesman Drew Hammill on Twitter, Pelosi invited Trump to give the speech in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrat Pelosi had spoken with the Republican president and they had agreed on the date for the nationally televised address, the spokesman said. The annual speech is given by the president to outline the administration's priorities for the coming year. The partial government shutdown ended on Friday after 35 days, paving the way for the speech to go ahead. The White House had considered alternative venues than the House. It blocked a congressional delegation's trip to Afghanistan led by Pelosi. The Democrat held firm to her postponement and Trump said he would wait until the government had reopened. (Reporting by Makini Brice; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A declining economy and ballooning budget deficit mean painful government spending cuts and possible tax increases are in store for an electorate already bowed by the high cost of living. Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to win a third term Tuesday in the first election in decades in which the Mideast peace process didn't take center stage, with many Israelis focused more on economic woes than ending their conflict with the Palestinians. The election comes at a troubled time for Israel. Netanyahu's hard line on concessions to the Palestinians has put Israel into conflict with the international community, increasing its diplomatic isolation. A declining economy and ballooning budget deficit mean painful government spending cuts and possible tax increases are in store for an electorate already bowed by the high cost of living. In the background looms the possibility that Israel would attack Iran over its suspect nuclear program, a move that would likely draw harsh retaliation by Iran and its proxies on Israel's northern and southern borders. Still, many voters said they'd cast ballots for Netanyahu's list because they see no viable alternative. Polls suggest hard-line and religious parties that have been his traditional allies will form the core of his next coalition government. The big question is whether Netanyahu will be able to woo centrist parties with more moderate positions on peacemaking into his governing coalition and whether they would have any influence on his policies. Netanyahu, 63, was smiling when he arrived early at a heavily secured polling station in Jerusalem with his wife, Sara, and two sons, both first-time voters. After voting, the prime minister told reporters that a flood of ballots for his list "is good for Israel." The prime minister, whose first government in the 1990s unraveled over similar issues of peace talks and a struggling economy, projected himself during the three-month campaign as a tough leader who protects Israelis' security in a hostile region. All the polls show his Likud Party in alliance with the more hawkish Israel Beitenu party winning more than a quarter of the seats, and together with other rightist and religious parties commanding at least a narrow majority. Yakov Krugliack of the Nokdim settlement in the West Bank said quality of life was foremost in his mind as he went to the polls. "The economic challenge will be the biggest challenge of this government," he said. "I would like to have a house, I would like to live a good life with my family." Thirty-two parties are running for representation in Israel's 120-member parliament. Israel historically has had multiparty governments because no party has ever won an outright majority of 61 seats in the country's 64-year history. Polls close at 10 p.m. local time (3 p.m. EST, 2000 GMT), and preliminary results are expected about two hours later. Up to one-sixth of the incoming legislature is expected to be settlers who advocate holding on to captured land the Palestinians want for a future state. The pro-settler Jewish Home a likely coalition partner that has drawn a surprisingly large number of votes away from Netanyahu's list, according to polls is even pressing to annex large chunks of the West Bank, the core of any future Palestinian state. Motti Saban, a 25-year-old student in Jerusalem, said he would vote for Jewish Home. "We are right-wing and we want to see a parliament that is more right wing than now," Saban said. While social issues are important, he said, they are being promoted most by left-leaning parties more open to making territorial concessions, including partitioning the holy city of Jerusalem. "So yes, social issues affect us all, but I won't give up Jerusalem, that's more important," Saban said. Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war and immediately annexed it. The Palestinians want that sector of the city for a future capital, but Netanyahu says Israel won't share sovereignty over the city at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some Israelis warn that the continued occupation of millions of disenfranchised Palestinians will turn Israel into an apartheid-like state where a Jewish minority will ultimately rule over an Arab majority. Yet the conflict with the Palestinians, long a dominant issue in Israeli politics, has barely registered as a campaign issue. Many Israelis have despaired of the prospect of making peace, believing Israel's best possible offers have been made and spurned, sometimes violently. Many are also disillusioned with the bitter experience of Israel's unilateral pullout from the Gaza Strip in 2005, which led to years of attacks from militants there. The country's center-left opposition, which rallied around the issue for decades, is badly splintered and has failed to produce a compelling alternative leader. The Labor Party, traditionally the dominant standard-bearer for peacemaking, is now more focused on the average Israeli's frustration at having to struggle to make ends meet. Prospects for peacemaking would not necessarily be improved even if Netanyahu, in his desire to establish a broad, stable government, reaches across the aisle to co-opt lawmakers interested in clinching an accord. Two moderate partners had joined his current government but ultimately bolted, in part because they didn't think he was serious about making peace. Talks stalled before he was elected four years ago and never revived in earnest, largely because of conflicts over continued Israeli settlement construction. Palestinians say the continued construction is a sign Netanyahu is not approaching peacemaking in good faith. Netanyahu rejects their calls for a settlement construction freeze and notes that a 10-month construction slowdown Israel imposed earlier in his term did not bring the Palestinians back to the negotiating table until just weeks before it expired. Palestinians also fear Netanyahu's ambitious plans for settlement construction could kill their dreams of establishing an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in 1967 and still controls to varying degrees. Their hope is that President Barack Obama, emboldened by his own re-election, will pressure Netanyahu to return to negotiations on their terms. But it is equally possible Obama won't risk squandering political capital on the peace process unless he is convinced Israel is willing to make concessions that Netanyahu has not yet signaled he is ready to make. AP John Kapoor, 75, plotted to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a fentanyl spray, a kind of painkiller, in order to outshine competitors and line his own pockets, a federal prosecutor told jurors Washington: An India-born onetime billionaire and founder of a drug company went on trial in the US along with four others on charges of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes to lure them into prescribing a highly addictive opioid painkiller meant solely for cancer patients. John Kapoor, 75, plotted to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a fentanyl spray in order to outshine competitors and line his own pockets, a federal prosecutor told jurors as the trial opened on Monday in the District Court in Boston. Assistant US Attorney David Lazarus said Kapoor was so determined to make his Insys Therapeutics Inc a success that he turned it into a "criminal enterprise" to get the powerful painkiller in the hands of more patients, WGBH, a public radio station in Boston, reported. "This is not a complicated case. It's a case about greed about greed and its consequences and what happens when you put profits over people," Lazarus said at the closely-watched trial. Kapoor is the highest-level pharmaceutical figure to face trial amid the opioid epidemic that's claiming thousands of lives every year. His lawyers say Insys is not responsible for the drug crisis, noting that its medication makes up a small fraction of the prescription opioid market. Kapoor and four other former employees of the Chandler, Arizona-based company, are accused of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks in order to boost sales for Subsys, which is meant for cancer patients with severe pain. The bribes were paid in the form of fees for sham speaking events that were advertised as educational opportunities for other doctors, prosecutors allege. Insys adjusted payments based on how many prescriptions doctors wrote, misrepresented patients' medical histories to dupe insurers into covering Subsys for people without cancer, and even hired a woman who was a former stripper and escort service manager as a key sales executive. Kapoor's lawyer told jurors that Insys was open about its speaker programme and even reported payments to doctors online. Paying doctors to teach others about a medication is not illegal and is a practice widely used by pharmaceutical companies, Attorney Beth Wilkinson said. "There was nothing illegal about that and there was certainly nothing secret about that," Wilkinson said. She said Kapoor was motivated not by greed but by a desire to help people dealing with excruciating pain. Kapoor watched his wife suffer from breast cancer and was driven to provide other patients with a chance at relief, she said. "He did not want that to happen to anyone else," Wilkinson said. Wilkinson also sought to discredit the government's key witnesses: two former Insys executives who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors. Former sales executive Alec Burlakoff was the one cutting "side deals" with doctors and is willing to say anything prosecutors want him to in order to help himself, she told jurors. Kapoor and the other executives are charged with racketeering conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years in prison. The trial could last more than three months. 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 USD 150 million to settle a federal investigation into inappropriate sales. Patients say in a slew of lawsuits filed against the company that they 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. Prosecutors say Insys executives targeted doctors at pain clinics known for operating "pill mills" and pushed physicians to prescribe the drug at ever-increasing doses. Insys employees who managed to get doctors to prescribe higher doses were rewarded with bonuses, prosecutors say. Kapoor "demanded success at all costs," Lazarus said. And when the drug wasn't doing as well as Kapoor wanted, "he decided to get the success he demanded by breaking the law," he said. The real problem is that the hardliners within the Taliban have a preformed set of beliefs that line up perfectly with Rawalpindi's core foreign policy objectives After six days of unprecedented talks with the Afghan Taliban in Doha, the United States special Afghan envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, is ready with a framework deal that commits the Taliban not to allow terrorists to use Afghan territory for attacks on the US and its allies as well as an American commitment to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Sounding optimistic, Khalilzad is reported to have said, "Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals." However, the devil lies in the details. As conceded by Khalilzad himself, the framework would need "to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement". The Taliban negotiators have demanded more time to discuss the American demands of a ceasefire and talks with the Afghan government, which have always proved to be the real stumbling blocks in ensuring lasting peace in Afghanistan. It would therefore require herculean efforts on the part of Khalilzad to make the Taliban agree to engage Afghan government representatives. There is no doubt that the peace negotiations are not going to be a smooth affair. As the talks continued, the Taliban recently struck with a devastating suicide terror attacks on an Afghan intelligence base, killing around 100 members of security personnel, exposing the fragility of the Kabul regime as well as the peace process itself. The beleaguered Afghan security forces are not capable of defeating the Taliban militarily. The Taliban has an undeniable military and diplomatic edge over the Kabul regime, while its safe havens remain intact in Pakistan with no near-term possibility of being eliminated. It is abundantly clear to all observers that Pakistan remains central to peace with the Taliban. That is why most of the regional powers are willing to march to Rawalpindi's beat. Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has claimed credit for bringing the Afghan Taliban to the negotiation table with the US. Last month, he had declared that "Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people". Even, the US has frequently and publicly thanked Pakistan for facilitating talks with the Taliban. As pointed out in a recent column, nothing is known "about the price that Rawalpindi has set for its cooperation and what the US is willing to offer". That is why India insists on being kept updated on US-Taliban negotiations. The real problem is that the hardliners within the Taliban have a preformed set of beliefs that line up perfectly with Rawalpindi's core foreign policy objectives. Pakistan's security establishment often sees independent Afghanistan as a strategic threat and remains suspicious of its growing alliance with India. The Taliban's negotiating strategy with Khalilzad attests to its obstinate behaviour. Will things change in future? During the recently-concluded talks in Doha, the Taliban appointed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar as its chief negotiator. It needs to be recalled that Baradar was in touch with former Afghan president Hamid Karzai at the time of his arrest in early 2010 in a joint US-Pakistan operation. For instance, during his visit to Pakistan in August 2013, Karzai could not secure Baradar's release. Hina Rabbani Khar, a former Pakistani foreign minister, was reported to have said, "Pakistan shall play the role of facilitator for talks between the Afghan peace council. That is realistic. But if Karzai thinks Mullah Baradar could return in the plane with him, that is dramatic and unrealistic." Eventually, Baradar was released in late 2018 by Pakistan following some hectic back-channel negotiations. It remains to be seen how the Taliban behaves when Baradar directs the next round of talks, scheduled for the last week of February. By engaging with representatives of various regional governments while refusing to talk to the Afghan government, the Taliban has sought to elevate its position above that of the government in Kabul and enhance its international legitimacy. And it has been quite successful in these efforts. But Afghan president Ashraf Ghani is unhappy with the way the US has been conducting its peace diplomacy with the Taliban. The Ghani government has also been kept out of talks. Sounding a note of caution, Ghani said that he wanted peace quickly, but with prudence. According to him, "Prudence is important so we do not repeat past mistakes. We are stressing on prudence because we are fully aware of what Dr Mohammad Najibullah (Afghan president at the time of Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, who was hanged by the Taliban) experienced, we all know how he was deceived, the UN guaranteed that peace will be ensured, but unfortunately a disaster happened." If Khalilzad wants the Taliban to agree to the ceasefire and a small presence of the US troops for counter-terrorism purposes, the latter is not expected to agree without extracting sizable concessions from the US rewriting of the Afghan Constitution and having a significant share in the governing structure. The Taliban sees no urgency to compromise as it is aware that the American people have become extremely fatigued of watching their troops struggle in a faraway land. President Donald Trump's frustration with the US' Afghan mission is not unjustified. More than 2,400 US soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan. The war, that began following the 11 September, 2001 terror attacks, has consumed around $1 trillion of American money; the US spends around $45 billion per annum including $5 billion for Afghan security forces. And this is not a small amount by any standard. If half the current 14,000 American troops leave Afghanistan soon, it will only reinforce the Taliban's perception that its time has finally arrived. Precipitous pulling-out means a continued threat of terrorism, a regional power vacuum, the revival of the Afghan civil war and a refugee crisis. But Trump is not interested in providing ethical cover to sell the continuation of the controversial Afghan war to an increasingly sceptical American public. Contrary to what he indicated in August 2017 that "arbitrary timetables" would not guide American military strategy in Afghanistan, Trump has decided to withdraw troops arbitrarily. However it will be extremely dangerous to abandon strategic decision-making with reference to Afghan conflict's political dimension. Trump's Afghan policy for the remainder of his presidential term must be one that avoids the risks of an unconditional withdrawal without sustaining the costs of staying invested. This requires reorienting Washington's strategic approach towards other Afghan players. A narrow approach to brokering a negotiated settlement with the Taliban alone will not be sufficient. Besides, the US cannot avoid diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan's important neighbours, each of whom hold a significant stake. India is one of the key stakeholders in a stable and secure Afghanistan, a fact first conceded by Pakistan's foreign minister, and later contradicted by a spokesperson of Pakistan's Foreign Office. However, despite enjoying immense goodwill among Afghans, India currently finds itself increasingly marginalised in negotiations involving key regional players. In order to reduce the uncertain landscape arising from a possible deal with the Taliban, Indian strategic planners will be required to address the challenges associated with the legitimised return of the Taliban in Kabul. India no longer has the luxury of sending only non-official delegations to Afghan-related talks, wherever they are held. India's army chief, General Bipin Rawat, has rightly asserted that India "cannot be out of the bandwagon" because if "you are not sitting on the high table you will not know what is happening". The voices that are asking the Narendra Modi government to engage with the Taliban must become louder. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, 'China is highly concerned about the US department of justice's charges against Huawei and its vice-chairman and CFO Wanzhou.' Following US' move to announce charges against Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, Beijing asked Washington on Tuesday to "stop the unreasonable bashing" of the Chinese tech giant. The US justice department on Monday charged that Huawei violated US sanctions against sales to Iran and stole trade secrets from T-Mobile, a US partner. The US is also seeking to extradite Meng, who has been held in Canada since 1 December. Responding to the development, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, "China is highly concerned about the US department of justice's charges against Huawei and its vice-chairman and CFO Meng. The Chinese government has all along urged Chinese companies to conduct international economic cooperation on the basis of complying with relevant laws and regulations. At the same time, China asks that all countries provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operations of Chinese companies." In the statement, Shuang alleged that the US has been using "national power to tarnish and crackdown on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations." "Behind such practices are deep political intentions and manipulations. We strongly urge the US to stop its unreasonable bashing of Chinese companies including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly. China will also continue to uphold the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," he said. Shuang further accused the US and Canada of abusing their bilateral extradition agreement by taking measures against a Chinese citizen "for no reason". "Such actions seriously violate the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizen. Once again we urge the US to immediately withdraw its arrest warrant for Meng Meng, refrain from making a formal extradition request, and stop going further down the wrong path. We also urge Canada to take China's solemn position seriously, immediately release Meng and ensure her lawful and legitimate rights and interests, and stop risking its own interests for the benefits of the US," he said. Huawei is China's top global tech brand and the biggest maker of network switching gear used by phone and internet companies. The charges unsealed on Monday accused Huawei of trying to take a piece of a robot and steal other technology from a T-Mobile lab that was used to test smartphones. Huawei also is charged with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of US trade controls. Prosecutors allege Meng lied to banks about those dealings. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Vancouver on US charges related to Iran, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. Huawei rejects US charges Huawei Technologies Ltd denied committing any of the violations cited in Monday's indictment, the most serious escalation yet of pressure on Huawei, which has spent a decade battling US accusations it is a front for Chinese spying and a security risk. "The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of US law set forth in each of the indictments," a Huawei statement said. Huawei is "not aware of any wrongdoing by Meng, and believes the US courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion," it said. Huawei said US prosecutors rejected a request to discuss the investigation following Meng's arrest. It also noted the allegations in the trade secrets charge were the subject of a US civil lawsuit that already has been settled. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver and is due in court Tuesday as she awaits extradition proceedings. Her case has set off diplomatic spats between the United States, China and Canada. The US justice department officials provided details from a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in New York. The Seattle charges allege that beginning in 2012, Huawei plotted to steal information about T-Mobile's robot, known as "Tappy." It says Huawei engineers secretly took photos of the robot, measured it and tried to steal part of it from T-Mobile's lab, according to prosecutors. The latest charges could dim prospects for US-Chinese trade talks due to start Wednesday in Washington. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed on 1 December to put off any further sanctions against exports while they negotiated. A breakdown in negotiations would likely lead to higher tariffs, a prospect that has rattled financial markets for months. With inputs from AP | BY Ricki Green | Sydney-based independent creative agency, The Idea Shed, has won Rekorderlig Cider following a competitive pitch. This latest win follows the announcement last week of four further wins for the agency, Westholme, Reckitt Benckiser, Real Pet Food, and WesTraclCAT (Caterpillar). Billings for the Rekorderlig Cider win are undisclosed. Rekorderlig is a Swedish heritage brand and global leading cider brand. Today its global reach extends to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, The USA, Hong Kong and Singapore. Says Philippa Hearn, senior brand manager cider and emerging, Coca-Cola Amatil: We are thrilled to be partnering with The Idea Shed and look forward to working closely together in the months ahead. 2019 is a really exciting year for Rekorderlig and we see the agency playing a key role in enabling it to be a highly successful one. 'Historical experience has proved that external interference or sanctions will only complicate the situation and will not help solve practical problems,' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng said Beijing: China warned on Tuesday that US sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company will hurt the livelihoods of ordinary people and complicate the situation in the crisis-hit country. The sanctions announced on Monday hit Petroleos de Venezuela, SA, or PDVSA just as embattled President Nicolas Maduro faces a challenge from opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has won the backing of the United States and other Western nations. "We oppose unilateral sanctions," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing. "Historical experience has proved that external interference or sanctions will only complicate the situation and will not help solve practical problems," Geng said. The sanctions "will lead to a deterioration of the people's livelihoods in Venezuela, and (those who imposed them) should be responsible for the serious consequences," he said. China is a key financial back of the Venezuelan government. Asked on Tuesday whether China still recognises Maduro as president, Geng repeated that Beijing sent a special representative to his inauguration earlier this month. Russia has also refused to turn its back on Maduro, slamming the sanctions as "illegal". Rann, near the border with Cameroon in northern Borno state, already saw an exodus of some 9,000 people earlier this month after a Boko Haram attack on 14 January left 14 people dead Geneva: Over 30,000 people fled the Nigerian town of Rann and across the border to Cameroon over the weekend amid fears of renewed attacks by Boko Haram jihadists, the UN said on Tuesday. "All the population seems to be panicking and they are on the run as a preemptive measure to save their lives," UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva. Rann, near the border with Cameroon in northern Borno state, already saw an exodus of some 9,000 people earlier this month after a Boko Haram attack on 14 January left 14 people dead. Baloch said that Cameroon had sent back the 9,000 refugees and had initially sent in troops that are part of a multinational taskforce to protect the town. "It was a bit peaceful, but as far as we understand now, that multinational taskforce has left," he said. Refugees had told aid workers that Boko Haram militants had "promised to return to Rann," he said, explaining the panic. He said UNHCR was reiterating its call to Cameroonian authorities "to keep the borders open, as we see thousands fleeing every day." Baloch said that a recent upsurge in violence in northeastern Nigeria had already driven more than 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in already crowded camps or in towns in Borno State, "where they are surviving in tough living conditions." Rann, he said, had already been housing some 80,000 displaced people. "The escalation in the conflict has thwarted people's intention of returning to their homes," he said, adding that some refugees who had attempted to return home from Cameroon had been displaced multiple times inside Nigeria or forced to become refugees again in Cameroon. "The hostilities have strained humanitarian operations there and forced aid workers to pull out from some locations," he said. Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, meanwhile told reporters that we have "260 aid workers who were withdrawn from three locations in Borno state" since early December, 2018. The Associated Press Long before the claim of the worlds first gene-edited babies became public, Chinese researcher He Jiankui shared the news with a US Nobel laureate who objected to the experiment yet remained an adviser to Hes biotech company. The revelation that another prominent scientist knew of the work, which was widely condemned when it was revealed, comes as scientists debate whether and how to alert troubling research, and the need for clearer guidelines. Emails obtained by The Associated Press under a public records request show that Nobel Prize winner Craig Mello of the University of Massachusetts learned about the pregnancy last April from He in a message titled Success! Im glad for you, but Id rather not be kept in the loop on this, Mello replied. You are risking the health of the child you are editing ... I just dont see why you are doing this. I wish your patient the best of luck for a healthy pregnancy. Mello stayed on as a scientific adviser for Hes Direct Genomics company for eight more months, until December, just after news of the births became public and drew international scorn. The Chinese scientists gene-editing work was not a company experiment. He tried to alter the genes of twin girls to help them resist possible future infection with HIV, the AIDS virus. Several US researchers knew or strongly suspected He was considering trying embryo gene editing, and his disclosure to Mello in April is notable because it specified the pregnancy had been achieved, and came on the day He himself said he learned of it. Editing embryos intended for pregnancy is not allowed in the US and many other places because of the risk of harming other genes and concerns that these DNA changes can be passed to future generations. But theres no certain way to stop a rogue scientist from experimenting, no matter what rules are in place, because the gene-editing technology is cheap and easy to use. Its not clear how someone would have raised concerns about Hes project, said University of Wisconsin bioethicist Alta Charo, who was one of the leaders of the Hong Kong gene-editing conference where He gave details of the experiment. Hes work has not been published in a scientific journal. University of Minnesota bioethicist Leigh Turner said the lack of action by scientists who learned of Hes intentions indicates a broader culture of silence. There seems to have been multiple lost opportunities, Turner said. Last week, Chinas state media reported that He could face consequences after investigators determined he acted alone and fabricated an ethics review by others. The Xinhua report said the twins and people involved in a second, ongoing pregnancy with a gene-edited embryo will remain under medical observation with regular visits supervised by government health departments. Efforts to reach He were unsuccessful. Mello declined requests for an interview. In statements provided through his university, Mello said he had no idea He was personally interested in human gene editing or had the means to pull it off, and that their discussions were hypothetical and broad. Mello repeated his disapproval of Hes project and said he resigned from Direct Genomics scientific advisory board because he felt that a company led by He could no longer be effective. Mello said he started on the board in October 2017, and said he didnt accept compensation for the role. A representative for his university said faculty members are allowed to serve on scientific advisory boards. Mello is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports APs Health & Science Department. Mellos work with Direct Genomics was not as an HHMI representative, according to the university and an email from an HHMI lawyer to He. According to a statement Mellos university provided, He approached Mello during a break at a company meeting in November 2017 to talk about the possibility of using the powerful gene-editing tool CRISPR to prevent HIV infection from parent to child. The statement said Mello said he had no idea of Hes intention to try this himself. After the meeting, emails show that Mello connected He to a colleague for advice on pediatric HIV transmission risks for a therapy he is contemplating. Infectious disease expert Dr Katherine Luzuriaga replied that she looked forward to talking. She did not respond to requests for an interview. The university released a statement saying that Luzuriaga and He had a brief phone call, and that she was not aware the advice she was providing could be for Hes work on gene-edited embryos. In April, He emailed Mello: Good News ... the pregnancy is confirmed! He asked Mello to keep the news confidential. Mello, who won a Nobel in 2006 for genetics research, expressed concern about health risks. I think you are taking a big risk and I do not want anyone to think that I approve of what you are doing, he wrote. Im sorry I cannot be more supportive of this effort, I know you mean well. The emails show Mello attended another Direct Genomics meeting in China in November, about a week before the Hong Kong conference where He made his claim public. Mellos statement said he resigned from the companys scientific advisory board on 6 Dec. The Associated Press It might seem counterintuitive, but the dreaded polar vortex is bringing its icy grip to parts of the US thanks to a sudden blast of warm air in the Arctic. Get used to it. The polar vortex has been wandering more often in recent years. It all started with misplaced Moroccan heat. Last month, the normally super chilly air temperatures 20 miles above the North Pole rapidly rose by about 125 degrees (70 degrees Celsius), thanks to air flowing in from the south. Its called sudden stratospheric warming. That warmth split the polar vortex, leaving the pieces to wander, said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. Where the polar vortex goes, so goes the cold air, Cohen said. By Wednesday morning, one of those pieces will be over the Lower 48 states for the first time in years. The forecast calls for a low of minus 21 degrees (minus 29 Celsius) in Chicago and wind chills flirting with minus 65 degrees (minus 54 Celsius) in parts of Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service. The unusual cold could stick around another eight weeks, Cohen said. The impacts from this split, we have a ways to go. Its not the end of the movie yet, Cohen said. I think at a minimum, were looking at mid-February, possibly through mid-March. Americans were introduced to the polar vortex five years ago. It was in early January 2014 when temperatures dropped to minus 16 degrees (minus 27 Celsius) in Chicago and meteorologists, who used the term for decades, started talking about it on social media. This outbreak may snap some daily records for cold and is likely to be even more brutal than five years ago, especially with added wind chill, said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the private weather firm Weather Underground. When warm air invades the polar region, it can split the vortex or displace it, usually toward Siberia, Cohen said. Recently, there have been more splits, which increase the odds of other places getting ultra-cold, he said. Pieces of the polar vortex have chilled Europe, Siberia and North America this time. (Its not right to call the frigid center of cold air the polar vortex because it is just a piece or a lobe, not the entire vortex, said University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Jason Furtado.) When the forces penning the polar vortex in the Arctic are weak, it wanders, more often to Siberia than Michigan. And its happening more frequently in the last couple decades, Furtado said. A study a year ago in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society looked at decades of the Arctic system and found the polar vortex has shifted toward more frequent weak states. When the polar vortex pieces wander, warmth invades the Arctic, Alaska, Greenland and Canada, Masters said. While the Midwest chills, Australia has been broiling to record-breaking heat. The world as a whole on Monday was 0.7 degrees (0.4 degrees Celsius) warmer than the 1979-2000 average, according to the University of Maines Climate Reanalyzer. Some scientists but by no means most see a connection between human-caused climate change and difference in atmospheric pressure that causes slower moving waves in the air. Its a complicated story that involves a hefty dose of chaos and an interplay among multiple influences, so extracting a clear signal of the Arctics role is challenging, said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center. Several recent papers have made the case for the connection, she noted. This symptom of global warming is counterintuitive for those in the cross-hairs of these extreme cold spells, Francis said in an email. But these events provide an excellent opportunity to help the public understand some of the interesting ways that climate change will unfold. Others, like Furtado, arent sold yet on the climate change connection. Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini, who has already felt temperatures that seem like 25 degrees below zero, said theres a growing body of literature to support the climate connection. But he says more evidence is needed. Either way, Gensini said, its going to be interesting being in the bullseye of the Midwest cold. Reuters Snap Inc is considering changes to its Snapchat app, known for disappearing photos and videos, that could make users public posts longer lasting or even permanent, people familiar with the matter said. The company is also weighing an option to reveal the identities of Snapchat users who make public posts, a person familiar with Snaps plans said. Together the changes would mark a big step in Snaps effort to lure and keep users by making content shared publicly via the Our Story section, more available outside Snapchat. They could also create a new revenue source for money-losing Snap, which has seen its user base shrink and executives flee the company. But such changes to Snapchat, which launched in 2011 and became an instant hit among teenagers and millennials, could trigger backlash from users who cherish their privacy, especially as rival Facebook Inc has been plagued by scandals over how it handles user data. Snap is carefully weighing the privacy, technical and legal considerations of revealing user identities on public posts, said the person familiar with Snaps plans. Only Snapchat photo and video content shared to Our Story, which shares the snaps publicly to a wider audience and not just a users friends, would be affected and users would still have the option of deleting those stories, said the person. Snap has already extended the shelf life of public stories, but making them last even longer or revealing more about the users who create them would be a further departure from Snapchats hallmark features. Snap declined to comment. The changes would come in response to feedback from Snaps four partnerships with news discovery platforms that help media companies spot, analyze and republish public breaking news content on Snapchat, sources said. Reuters is a customer of SAM Desk and NewsWhip, two of the news discovery platforms. The news partnerships are part of Snaps Stories Everywhere initiative, launched last year to push content to more places outside Snapchat. Snap announced the partnerships last year and will sign four more deals in the near future, said the person familiar with Snaps plans. Initially, public stories would disappear after 30 days but now remain viewable for 90 days, according to Snaps support website. Some partners have said that the disappearing and anonymous nature of public stories make them difficult to work with, the sources said. Some news organizations will not embed Snapchat stories into articles because the content eventually disappears, while others will not use them because they are unable to verify anonymous users Snapchat videos. One source familiar with the news partnership said Snap is already talking with one partner about making public posts last even longer and to make some content from celebrities permanent. tech2 News Staff Motorolas seventh-gen Moto G series' design and specifications leaked in all its glory last week. While the alleged prices of Moto G7 Play and Moto G7 Power got leaked back then, the latest report now reveals the prices of the base model Moto G7 and its bigger variant, the Moto G7 Plus. Tipster @ishanagarwal24 who earlier leaked the G7 Play and G7 Powers price has now revealed the European price for the Moto G7 and G7 Plus on Twitter. The Moto G7 will come for a price starting at 300 (roughly Rs 24,420), while the Moto G7 Plus is said to cost 360 (roughly Rs 29,300). Alongside the prices, Agarwal also shared new renders of the purported Moto G7. As per a GSMArena report, Motorola is hosting an event in Brazil where it is anticipated to introduce its new Moto G7 series. The new Moto G lineup is said to be showcased at MWC 2019 which is scheduled to take place in Barcelona next month. EXCLUSIVE! I already told you the European pricing of Moto G7 Play and Power ( 149 & 209 respectively). Now, I have got my hands on the Moto G7 and G7 Plus pricing! Moto G7- 300 Moto G7 Plus - 360 European ppl happy with the pricing or not?#MOTOG7#Moto#Motorola pic.twitter.com/EE5E0sJl9k Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) January 28, 2019 As far as specifications are concerned, the Moto G7 is said to feature a 6.24-inch full HD+ display, an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. From what one can observe from the renders, the new Moto smartphone will most likely inherit the design language from the previous generation and carry the traditional dial-shaped camera module at the back. A recently leaked listing revealed that the Moto G7 might come with dual rear camera setup comprising of a 12 MP primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 5 MP secondary sensor. It is said to have an 8 MP camera up front. The Moto G7 Plus is tipped to have a similar display resolution as the Moto G7. However, the phone is said to carry slightly upgraded Snapdragon 636 SoC instead of Snapdragon 632 chipset. Moto G7 Plus will come with 16 MP + 5 MP dual camera set up at the back and a 12MP front-facing camera for shooting selfies. Both the smartphones are rumoured to pack 3,000 mAh battery capacity. As for the Moto G7 Power, recent leaked live images shared a fair glimpse of the new Moto phone. The phone reportedly spotted in a Brazilian retail store showcased the device housing a notch-style display. The phone is rumoured to carry a price tag of BRL 1,399 (around Rs 26,000) for the 3 GB RAM model. The leaked hands-on images reveal key aspects of the Moto G7 Power including a 6.2-inch HD+ Max Vision display, an octa-core 1.8 GHz processor, 12 MP primary camera and a 5000 mAh battery. Reuters Google, Facebook, Twitter and Mozilla must do more to combat fake news as Europeans head towards an election or the companies will face the threat of regulatory action, the European Commission said on 29 January. Companies and trade bodies representing the advertising industry signed up to a voluntary code of conduct in October to ward off more heavy-handed legislation. Critics say not enough has been done since they signed up. The European Unions executive said signatories to the code of practice had taken steps to remove fake accounts and limit sites promoting fake news but said more was needed. Now they should make sure these tools are available to everyone across the EU, monitor their efficiency, and continuously adapt to new means used by those spreading disinformation. There is no time to waste, EU Commissioner for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said. European Parliament will hold elections in May while Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Poland, Portugal and Ukraine all go to the polls in coming months. Russia has faced allegations which it denies of spreading false information to influence the US presidential election and Britains referendum on European Union membership in 2016, as well as Germanys national election in 2017. The Commission called on Facebook to provide more clarity on how it uses its tools to fight fake news and told Google to expand its actions to more EU countries. It said Twitter should provide more details on its measures while it said Mozillas online browser should have more information on how it would limit details about users browsing activities. The Commission also lamented the absence of advertisers signing up to the pact. Google said it had announced several measures such as disclosing whether political organisations or political issue advocacy groups were paying for European parliamentary election advertisements and setting up a library with these details. Googles Project Shield would help protect campaign groups and journalists from cyber-attacks, it said. Facebook said: The battle against false news is an ongoing one, and we need to work together with others in the technology industry, public authorities and governments to make continued progress. Twitter said in a statement it had made several changes including enhanced safety policies, better tools and resources for detecting and stopping malicious activity, tighter advertising standards, and increased transparency to promote better public understanding of all of these areas. Mozilla had no immediate comment. Reuters US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on 29 January he expected to see significant progress in trade talks with Chinese officials this week and that US charges against telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd were a separate issue. Those are separate issues, and thats a separate dialogue, Mnuchin said in an interview with Fox Business Network. So those are not part of trade discussions. Forced technology issues are part of trade discussions, but any issues as it relates to violations of US law or US sanctions are going through a separate track. Chinas Vice Premier Liu He is leading a delegation for high-level trade and economic talks in Washington this week, including a meeting with US President Donald Trump. On 28 January, the United States announced criminal charges against Huaweis Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou and the Chinese technology firm. But Mnuchin said he did not expect the issue to be part of the economic talks. Meng, who is the daughter of Huaweis founder, was arrested in Canada in December and is fighting extradition to the United States. Mnuchin said the US security concerns raised by the Huawei case were separate from the conversation on trade and forced technology. There are two different issues. One is an issue of state subsidies regarding Beijings subsidies, he said. The other, he added, was a national security issue focused on U.S. infrastructure and cybersecurity. These are separate issues and shouldnt be confused, Mnuchin said. BJP supporters also staged a demonstration in Kolkata, condemning the attack on the parked vehicles, used for taking audience for Amit Shah's rally. Kolkata: West Bengal Trinamool Mahila Congress President Chandrima Bhattacharya wrote a letter to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah over the contents of speech that he made in a public rally in East Midnapore earlier on Tuesday. In the letter, Bhattacharya had demanded Shah to "either prove his statements or withdraw the same and apologise before public". "While giving your speech, you had made several wild allegations which have no basis and/or legs to stand. However, this letter relates to the personal remarks and statements made by you against Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal and the Chairperson of All India Trinmool Congress. You had in the open meeting charged her of earning crores and crores of rupees from her paintings. You had also stated that the money received by her was the proceeds of Chit Funds. You had alleged that while renowned painters sell their paintings at some thousands rupees, she sells her paintings in crores", an excerpt of the letter reads. Earlier on Tuesday, Shah had also demanded that Mamata should clear her stand on the Citizenship Amendment Bill, while accusing that her government welcomes infiltrators, but has no place in the state for refugees. "Later vehicles used for taking audience for Shah's rally were also vandalised by some miscreants when they were parked outside the venue," police said. BJP supporters also staged a demonstration in Kolkata, condemning the attack on the parked vehicles. Police said the miscreants lobbed stones on the vehicles and also torched some vehicles. Amit Shah, addressing the rally in West Bengal's Kanthi, launched a scathing attack on the TMC government and vowed to uproot it. Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress (TMC) party office was ransacked and vehicles ferrying Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were set on fire in clashes that broke out following a rally by BJP chief Amit Shah at Kanthi in East Midnapore district of West Bengal on Tuesday, the parties claimed. Sources in the two parties said three persons were injured in the clashes. No confirmation was available from the police. The BJP alleged that buses in which party workers were returning from Shah's rally were ransacked and set on fire allegedly by TMC activists. The TMC on the other hand claimed that BJP workers had attacked a local party office in Kanthi and vandalised it. "Irked TMC supporters then retaliated and clashes broke out," they said. "When our supporters were returning from Amit Shah's rally they were attacked by TMC activists. This is a shame. We condemn it," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said. Senior TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed that the BJP is trying to disturb peace and stability in the district. "BJP workers attacked our party offices and this led to retaliation by our workers. If our party office is attacked are we going to offer sweets?" he said. Shah, addressing the rally, launched a scathing attack on the TMC government and vowed to uproot it. He had alleged that TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee's paintings were bought by chit fund owners for crores of rupees. The grand rally at Kolkata put together by Mamata Banerjee has received considerable attention among political analysts, poll watchers and the general public The grand rally at Kolkata put together by Mamata Banerjee has received considerable attention among political analysts, poll watchers and the general public. Turning out to be a hodgepodge assemblage of as many as 22 political parties, the event in a matter of few hours saw some of the leaders aspiring for the top post of the country managing to bring down political discourse to the lowest levels seen in recent years. The only agenda that came through each of those speeches apart from the obvious political grandstanding was to "Keep Narendra Modi out", no matter what it takes to achieve that end. That the event in its entirety was focused on the ouster of Modi is evident from the fact that the same name was taken by speakers more than 50 times, an absurdly large figure, given that the speeches lasted for just about 160 minutes! Arvind Kejriwal, interestingly, spoke less than 10 minutes and took the name of Modi the maximum number of times apart from MK Stalin, compared to other politicians gathered at the rally. The man who had named many of the same leaders present on the stage with him as 'corrupt', went onto attack the government that does not have a single credible corruption allegation against it. In fact, this anti-Modi obsession has been so rabidly fierce that while the speakers took Modi's name around 50 times, they used the word 'poor' whose cause they claim to espouse (merely around seven times). As opposed to this Modi fixation, positive words such as 'vikas' or 'development' were almost not heard at all. Furthermore, the positive words of trade and industry which indicate political earnestness and some socio-economic thought process featured in negligible numbers. This clearly exposes the lack of any alternative formulations and self-evident bankruptcy of ideas among Opposition parties. Speaking of the BJP, the party's name was taken around 30 times, again reinforcing the single point negative agenda of the Opposition parties. That they used 'Modi' or 'BJP' more than 80 times in less than three hours says a lot about their vision. The irony was that the word 'democracy' was used around 30 times by parties that are one-family parties with no sense of inner democracy. Mamata Banerjee who wont even allow BJP rallies in West Bengal and whose party routinely indulges in violence as a means of political intimidation must have been laughing within even as politicians in her rally claimed to be saviours of democracy. 'Concern' for farmers was evident by the fact that they used the word 'farmer' around 40 times. However, most of these parties are state-level parties and have ruled states for many years. Agriculture being a state subject, one only has to look at the dismal state of farmers in their states. Take HD Kumaraswamy for example. In his state of Karnataka, he joined hands with the Congress that presided over 3,500 farmer suicides in its five-year rule. Arrest warrants are being issued against farmers even as the Congress-JD(S) government delays the sham loan waiver. On the other hand, the Modi government is working on landmark initiatives in the short span of four years to address the structural problems of the agriculture sector and to double farmer incomes by 2022. There was almost nothing offered in terms of an alternate vision or policy focus in this rally. However, there were lies spoken that were brazen and even outlandish. For instance, there were claims that the petrol prices have gone up thanks to the Modi government. Nothing could be further from the truth. A simple researching of any oil or gas PSU's website would tell you that there has indeed been a fall in fuel prices between the advent of the Modi government in 2014 and now. Then, of course, the harping on Rafale when even the highest court has already cleared the government is an attempt to peddle lies endlessly. There were even bizarre claims that GST and demonetisation led to a loss of jobs for seven or eight crore people, made by Sharad Yadav. The list of lies goes on and on. Erstwhile rivals who bitterly fought one another for years in state and Central elections coming together in a ridiculously unwieldy formation is nothing but a desperate attempt at remaining politically afloat. That there is no common ideology, no common minimum programme and no cohesive action plan on the ground is already universal knowledge. There is also no common consensus on leadership because that is an issue which would end their misadventure even before it begins. The only thing common to all these parties is desperation for political survival in an era where Modi has made governance an electoral issue. The hallmark of a true democracy is that the public discourse revolves around real issues, issues that concern the everyday lives of common citizenry. That there there was no semblance of this in the rally at Kolkata where more than 20 political parties had gathered, speaks for itself. What they do not realise is the wisdom and astuteness of the new age voter cant be taken for granted any more: Ye public hai, ye sab janti hai, ye public hai. New age voters who value performance over political opportunism can surely see through all this. The author is a public policy analyst and a commentator on current affairs. The Shiv Sena, which has been continually taking potshots at the BJP, said on Monday that it would be the 'big brother' in the alliance, while not making it clear whether it will have a fresh tie-up with the saffron party Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader and junior minister in Maharashtra Arjun Khotkar said on Tuesday that he will contest Lok Sabha election against Raosaheb Danve, the state unit president of the ally BJP, from Jalna seat. Khotkar's announcement came even as his party is giving mixed signals as to whether it would form alliance with the BJP for the coming polls. "The BJP government is arrogant, hence I have decided to contest the Lok Sabha election against sitting MP Raosaheb Danve. I have got the nod from Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray," Khotkar said. Khotkar, the minister of state for textile, animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries, represents the Jalna assembly constituency at present. "When BJP's state-level meeting was being held in Jalna on Monday, police were beating up a farmer's family in the same district. This shows the party has no sympathy for farmers and their woes," he said. Asked whether he would back down if the BJP and Sena formed alliance, Khotkar said, "I am still going to contest election against Danve. I have Uddhav Thackeray's support." The Shiv Sena, which has been continually taking potshots at the BJP, said on Monday that it would be the "big brother" in the alliance, while not making it clear whether it will have a fresh tie-up with the saffron party. Following the attacks, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Mamata of unleashing 'terror' in the state and called her 'Talibani Didi'. New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called up West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and expressed serious concern over reports of violence near the venue of the rally of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah. The public rally was addressed by Shah in East Midnapore district. Citing reports of large scale violence and arson against people who participated in the rally, the Home Minister also asked Mamata that those who indulged in violence should be booked. The vehicles used for taking audience to Shahs rally in East Midnapore on Tuesday were vandalised by some miscreants when they were parked outside the rally venue. BJP supporters also staged a demonstration, condemning the attack on the parked vehicles. Police said the miscreants lobbed stones on the vehicles and also torched some vehicles. Following the attacks, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Mamata of unleashing "terror" in the state and called her "Talibani Didi". "We have seen as to how Mamata Banerjee has unleashed the terror of TMC on the BJP and the ordinary people of West Bengal," Patra told reporters in New Delhi. The Congress scored over its rival by setting an agenda around its poll promise and forcing the BJP to respond. Until now, the BJP was acting and the Congress was merely reacting to the agenda set by regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Modi demonetised high value currency. The Congress called it a disaster. Modi government introduced the Goods and services Tax (GST). Calling it a Gabbar Singh Tax, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said that he would bring an improvised version. There was no in principle objection to the GST. In fact, former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram called this mega tax reform as authored by the Congress. Modi brought in the constitutional amendment reserving 10 percent for economically weaker sections. Despite expressing reservation over the political intent of the move, the Congress had to fall in line and support the measure as it cannot afford to antagonise the upper castes. Thus, on almost every occasion, Congress was caught responding to the agenda set by BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Such a reactive strategy will not yield any electoral dividend as the electorate finds it hard to comprehend what the Congress is really offering them. At best, it can help create an anti-incumbency for Modi. The Congress cannot be the chief beneficiary of this unless it is in a direct fight with BJP. The results of several elections and by-elections since 2014 stand testimony to this. But for the first time in the recent past, the Congress led by Rahul made the BJP respond to its agenda. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was brought in. The BJP leaders were seen running from pillar to post to say everything they could. The frantic response of the saffron brigade only indicates that they acknowledge the impact of Priyanka much before the people deliver their verdict. But this is merely political and confined to the political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress. The people do not have any direct stakes in this war of words over Priyanka's entry. Rahul last night launched another salvo by announcing that the Congress, if voted to power, would bring in minimum income guarantee scheme. Truly speaking, this is not a Congress innovation. It is no different from the much touted Universal Basic Income scheme (UBI) discussed at length in the earlier Economic Survey presented by Modi regime. However, the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rejected the idea, calling it unimplementable. The timing of Rahul's announcement is also significant for many reasons. Of course, the elections are round the corner, every political party has to invent something afresh to lure voters. But there's more with regards to the timing. The Modi government is to present budget on 1 February. Normally, the parliamentary conventions tell us that governments should only present an interim budget called vote-on-account in an election year. This is to allow the government assuming office after elections to pursue its own public finances trajectory. Though there is no constitutional mandate that prevents an incumbent government from presenting a full budget, it is not fiscally prudent and politically upright to do so. The government cannot make any big policy announcements or launch new schemes in an interim budget. The vote-on-account normally confines to payouts on the account of salaries, pensions, debt servicing and other routine administrative expenses. But all indicators point to the BJP government laying to rest these time-tested parliamentary conventions and bringing out a full budget. The ruling party leaders may defend this as the "confidence of the party" to return to power post the 2019 polls. The Opposition is certainly perturbed over the Modi government's attempt to use the budget to make election eve promises that can have a positive impact on ruling party's political fortunes. Obviously, the ruling party has this additional advantage. In a bid to checkmate the BJP's grand plan, the Congress president came out with the promise of minimum income guarantee as his unique selling proposition (USP) for the 2019 elections. Whether or not it will impact voters remains anyone's guess. But the Congress scored over its rival by setting an agenda around its poll promise and forcing the BJP to respond. In fact, reports indicate that the BJP was preparing to unravel few more goodies to lure the electorate. Ravi Shankar Prasad made it very clear in Parliament that the Modi government has many more "sixes to hit" before the elections. As per sources in the BJP, the government was contemplating a direct cash support to farmers on the lines of Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao's Rythu Bandhu scheme that worked wonders in the recent state Assembly elections where the government credited Rs 8,000 per acre for every farmer, irrespective of his or her economic and land holding status. The Modi government is also expected to raise the personal income tax limit to Rs 5 lakh, thus fulfilling a long-standing demand of the middle class, which has been a core electoral constituency of BJP and especially Modi. In a bid to thwart all this, the Congress president came out with this major policy announcement a few days before the budget. The victory of Congress in three Hindi heartland states provided the perfect backdrop to the election eve announcement. The Congress-led UPA regime enacted National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme which guaranteed not only 100 days of work, but even a minimum wage. The Congress hopes that given this history, it can convince the voters of its intentions. Now, the electorate has to decide whether it believes this promise of Congress and render its judgement. For now, the grand old party succeeded in piloting the election agenda. Rahul Gandhi has not just seized the initiative with his announcement but has also quietly declared a new phase of aggressive campaigning With his promise of minimum income guarantee at a public meeting in Chhattisgarh on Monday, Congress president, Rahul Gandhi has set the political agenda for the interim budget aka vote-on-account to be presented by second-time stand-in finance minister, Piyush Goyal on 1 February. With speculations over the government considering going beyond convention in an election year and announcing fresh sops including ushering in Universal Basic Income in some form, the Congress realised that such an announcement in the Budget would be difficult to criticise and the BJP would run away with the kudos. The party has seen the success of these schemes in some form or the other. Recently, the Telangana government's Rythu Bandhu scheme had a significant electoral impact. There is a possibility of a similar influence of Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation or KALIA scheme in Odisha. The Jharkhand government too hopes to overcome anti-incumbency and rising unpopularity with Mukhya Mantri Krishi Yojana. Rahul's announcement, however, goes beyond these programmes because the promise of minimum guaranteed income is for all sections and not just farmers. If the Congress party had not pre-empted such a possible declaration, Rahul may well have been presented with a fait accompli just as his party was caught in a bind when Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised adversaries by extending reservation to the economically poorer sections among the upper castes. By making such a poll promise, the Congress stands to gain by claiming that its announcement forced the Modi government into accepting the demand. Contrarily, if the government makes no such announcement and after the build-up, if Goyal offers nothing that meets the expectations of the people, Rahul will be armed with a jumla which can be used at will during the party campaign. In any case, Rahul has the advantage of being the challenger which was with Modi in 2014 and he either made promises which were not easy to meet or raised expectations of people without weighing the problems in case of being unable to deliver on pledges. Back then, Modi was the challenger making a bid to storm the power citadel while the Congress was the incumbent defending a none-too-happy performance. Now that the roles are almost completely reversed, Rahul has decided to embark on a bold path insofar as promises are concerned. We are possibly seeing the beginning of a new phase of politics where Modi will be paid back in the same coin. But on Universal Basic Income, or what the Congress president declared, is not just his party's proposal. Modi's chief economic adviser, Arvind Subramanian, who quit some months ago citing family commitments, while presenting the Economic Survey of FY2017 devoted an entire chapter on Universal Basic Income. He argued that the proposal if accepted by the government had the capacity to wipe "every tear from every eye". Rahul took this forward by claiming that the introduction of his proposed scheme would ensure "there will be a minimum income in the bank account of every poor Indian. This means that nobody in India will stay hungry, or will be poor". Immediately after the populist announcement, former finance minister, P Chidambaram tweeted "Congress President Rahul Gandhis announcement at the farmers rally in Chhattisgarh is historic and will mark a turning point in the lives of the poor". If the government declares any sop or scheme which transfer a fixed amount every month to the bank accounts of the poor, the Congress will be able to claim that although the wheels of the government run on Modi's back, it was Rahul who steered the turn in policy and people's lives. Rahul has not just seized the initiative with his announcement but has also quietly declared a new phase of aggressive campaigning where he is likely to not just criticise the Modi government and the prime minister personally, but will also begin showcasing his alternate model. At Raipur, he reminded people that UPA had provided for minimum employment guarantee which Modi had initially wanted it to be scrapped. He also served a reminder to people right to food (security) and right to information provided under the Congress party's leadership. Last year at one of his public interactions, Rahul candidly admitted that Congress' defeat in 2014 was somewhat precipitated by the party's inability to alter its wares even though the existing products were beyond their "sell-by date". Minimum income guarantee is one such 'new product' and possibly many more are on the anvil because we are witness to a more determined Congress. It is not as if the BJP is the only one which has been outsmarted by the Congress for the moment. Rahul has obviously taken note of criticism at his party's failure to capitalise on the disenchantment with the BJP in the three states where the party lost power. Critics contended in the aftermath of the verdict that the Congress had failed to enthuse people with an alternative development model. Rahul has realised that he must have an elaborate to-do list by the time his party begins changing gears on the campaign trail. This would enable the Congress to secure the confidence of people even in states dominated by satraps who are refusing to include the Congress in the anti-BJP alliance. At the Unity of India rally at Kolkata's Brigade Ground the opposition leaders' speeches were low on content as barring criticism of Modi, how he has destroyed institutions and failed to deliver, no one offered a peep into what they proposed to do if they got a run to steer the government at the Centre. By beginning to make public his manifesto, Rahul has taken the pole position as regional parties jostle at the starting block by positioning itself as a party capable of governance because among BJP's challengers only it has a national perspective. The others, on the other hand, remain limited to Modi hatao and local narratives. The resurgence of ideas as evidenced in Rahul's new approach is somewhat reminiscent of Sonia Rahul's tactics in 2004 in which the slogan Congress ka haath, aam aadmi ke saath was central to the pre-eminence of the Congress among opposition parties. In that election too, there was no clear alternative to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Congress president has refused to be drawn into a 'Modi versus who' debate so far and his ability to steer clear of this will be crucial to its performance. Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the Women's Reservation Bill would be passed in Parliament on a priority if voted to power in the 2019 General Election. Kochi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the Women's Reservation Bill would be passed in Parliament on a priority if voted to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "The first thing we will do when we win the 2019 election is to pass the Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament," he said at the booth-level party workers meet in Kochi. He was responding to a suggestion from a party worker that there was need for more women candidates. "We want to see women in position of leadership," he added. The bill seeking to reserve 33 percent of seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures has been pending for a long time in view of lack of consensus. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said, Congress MLA ST Somashekar has apologised to HD Kumaraswamy for his comment against the chief minister. Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said, Congress MLA ST Somashekar has apologised to HD Kumaraswamy for his comment against the chief minister. On Twitter, the KPCC president said: "Our MLA Sri ST Somashekar has made statements which crosses the lakshmanrekha of coalition politics. It cannot be tolerated, especially when he is holding a responsible position. Its an act of indiscipline and action will be initiated. "MLA ST Somashekar came to KPCC office and explained his statement to me. He has expressed his regret and apologised to the CM for any anguish caused. However Im warning all the leaders of @INCKarnataka to be careful in their comments and not to cross the laksmanarekha," he added. Rao strongly stated that any act of indiscipline will not be tolerated and action will be taken against the defaulters. "Any act of indiscipline by way of comments or behaviour will not be tolerated and discipline action will be initiated. Our coalition with the JDS is to take on the communal forces and unseat the anti democratic forces ruling this country, not to indulge in petty politicking," Rao said in a series of tweet. An MLA from Yeshwantpur, ST Somashekar said that development work in Bengaluru had slowed down under the coalition regime-led by Kumaraswamy. The newly appointed chairperson of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) had said that the development of roads in the city is not progressing well, unlike in the past when Siddaramaiah was the chief minister of the state. Earlier in the day, Kumaraswamy threatened to quit, voicing anger over certain remarks by some legislators of the Congress and said they "are crossing the line." He asked the Congress to control its MLAs, after two of them, ST Somashekar and MTB Nagaraj, said on Sunday that they consider only former chief minister Siddaramaiah as their leader, and not Kumaraswamy. "Congress leaders...They have to watch all these issues. It is left to them. You ask Congress leaders. I am not the concerned person for all these things," a visibily-angry Kumaraswamy told ANI when asked to comment on the remarks made by Somashekar and Nagaraj. "Same thing if they want to continue to (do) all this, I am ready to step down. I am ready to step down. Congress leaders must think about all this. They are crossing the line, they must control," the chief minister said. The Congress immediately went into damage control mode, with its senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge, asking the leaders not to make unnecessary comments. Karnataka deputy chief minister and Congress leader G Parameshwara said that his party was happy with Kumaraswamy but found nothing wrong in MLAs expressing their opinion. In the 224-member Assembly, JD(S) has 37 seats and Congress has 80 seats. Ever since the Congress-JD(S) jointly formed the government in Karnataka in May, 2018, there have been murmurs rift in the coalition. BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday demanded that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee should clear her stand on the Citizenship Amendment Bill, while accusing that her government welcomes infiltrators but has no place in the state for refugees. East Midnapore: BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday demanded that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee should clear her stand on the Citizenship Amendment Bill, while accusing that her government welcomes infiltrators but has no place in the state for refugees. Addressing a public rally, Shah said, "I would like to ask Mamata ji if she will support Citizenship Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha or not, and tell that to people of Bengal. They welcome infiltrators and Rohingya but there's no place here for the refugees who come to save themselves! I would like to tell all the refugees in Bengal that BJP and Narendra Modi government will grant them the citizenship." Asserting that no state can progress unless the roots of democracy are strengthened, he said that the present generation is missing the past glory of the state. "This land of West Bengal has led the nation for many years. It provided cultural leadership, political leadership and commercial leadership but what has happened to that Bengal? Where did shonar Bangla go? Bengalis in India are searching for it. All are looking towards Bengal...For this nation, it might be an election to make Modi ji PM once again but for Bengal, the election means to re-build "shonar Bangla","said Shah. He also criticised the state government for creating an obstruction in BJP's planned Yatras. He said, "I want to ask people of West Bengal, does a political party have a right to campaign or not? BJP wanted to reach out to the people by taking out five raths to all villages. But we were not allowed to go to people and meet them. I want to tell Mamata Banerjee that no matter how hard she tries to stop us, BJP workers will go to each home and village to propagate the message of lotus. She cant stop us because there is democracy in the country." Shah also challenged the West Bengal chief minister that if she has to vent out anger she should do it take it out on him rather than on officials. He said, "I have been told that the ADM of this region was transferred at midnight yesterday because he didn't stop the buses for the rally. I want to ask the Mamata as to why is she taking out the anger on the ADM, if she wants to vent out her anger, I am standing here and I am not afraid." Referring to the incidents of the alleged murder of BJP party workers, Shah intensified his attack on the state government and called upon people to "strive for a change". "They can do as many transfers as they want but BJP workers will go to people of Bengal and would reinstate democracy in the state. If they keep on transferring administrative officials like this because of the large crowd gathering in the BJP rallies, there will soon be no District Magistrate left in the state," he said. "People of the state want a change now. Over 65 party workers of BJP have been killed here. Their only fault is that we oppose the syndicate of the Mamata Banerjee and we oppose their anarchism," he added. The BJP had earlier alleged that the TMC government in West Bengal tried to obstruct party president Amit Shah's rally in Jhargram amid reports that Shah's chopper was not allowed to land in the district. The government approved the chopper to land at a nearby helipad on 23 January. In December, 2018, the BJP's proposed Rath Yatra was refused permission by the state government citing intelligence reports of possible communal violence. The Jind bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the by-election. Jind/Jaipur: A high voter turnout was recorded in both Haryana's Jind and Rajasthan's Ramgarh Assembly constituencies Monday, where the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are locked in a battle of prestige. "In the Jind Assembly by-election, the turnout was recorded at 75.77 percent," officials said. The turnout was 78.9 percent in Ramgarh, where the election was deferred following the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh a few days before the 7 December Assembly polls in the state, which installed a Congress-led government in place of a BJP-led dispensation. The officials said the turnout in both seats is likely to increase as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 pm, the scheduled time for voting to end. "Final figures are expected later in the day or Tuesday morning," they said, adding counting of votes will take place on 31 January. The election was multi-cornered in Jind in Haryana, ahead of parliamentary and Assembly elections are due in later in 2019. All four major contenders in Jind - the ruling BJP, Congress, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD - have pulled out all the stops for a victory, which could prove to be a morale booster for the rank and file. The Jind bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the by-election. The Congress fielded its chief national spokesperson and sitting MLA from Kaithal constituency Randeep Singh Surjewala. The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat. The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party. For the BJP, Congress, INLD and the JJP, the outcome would help in a self-assessment exercise ahead of 2019 General Election. The high-stakes election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Twenty-one candidates, including two women, are in the fray. Nearly 1.7 lakh people, including 80,556 women, were eligible to vote. As many as 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 polling booths in urban areas had been set up. Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of polling. "Nearly 3,000 policemen had been put on duty," a senior police official said earlier. According to police, the polling remained peaceful. In the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls, Jind constituency had registered 75.91 poll percentage. In Rajasthan's Ramgarh constituency, the polling was peaceful and no untoward incident took place. The BSP has fielded former union minister Natwar Singh's son and former MLA Jagat Singh, while former Alwar Zila Pramukh Shafia Zubair Khan is contesting as Congress candidate and Sukhwant singh as the BJP candidate. As many as 278 polling booths were set up in the constituency and more than 2,500 policemen were deployed for maintaining law and order. If the Congress wins the seat, the party's tally, which at present is 99, will increase to 100 in the House of 200 and the party will remain in a comfortable position with the support of its alliance partner RLD, which has one MLA. In case the ruling party loses, it will have to bank on the support from Independent MLAs and other non-BJP parties. Congress leaders on different occasions have said that the party has support from Independents, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Hanuman Beniwal's Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLTP). At present, Congress has 99 members in the Assembly, RLD 1, BJP 73, BSP 6, RLTP 3, CPI(M) and Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP) 2 each and 13 Independents. Tesla announced the opening of a brand new design studio in China. The Chinese based studio will be in charge of designing cars for the ... Within 24 hours since he launched a fresh attack on Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar over his role in the Rafale deal, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Parrikar on Tuesday. Fewer than 24 hours after launching a fresh attack on Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar over his role in the Rafale deal, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Parrikar on Tuesday, reports say. Rahul visited Parrikar, who has long since been ailing, at the chief minister's office at the Goa Assembly, at around noon, reported ANI. Parrikar has been suffering from a pancreatic ailment and is undergoing treatment at his residence since he returned to the state in October last year following hospitalisation at New Delhi's All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Goa: Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives at the Chief Minister's office in Panaji pic.twitter.com/DBsDqukOhO ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 The meeting lasted 15 minutes and is believed to be a courtesy call, reported News18. Congress MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar told ANI, "He (Rahul Gandhi) visited the chief minister to check on his health. I also requested him to meet our Congress MLAs. He obliged and met all of them." Parrikar has attended only a few official functions since returning to the state and has hardly been seen in public. Rahul is on a private visit to Goa with mother Sonia Gandhi, reported NDTV. On Monday, Rahul had demanded action be taken against Parrikar as he is allegedly in possession of files related to the Rafale deal. On Twitter, Rahul wrote, "Thirty days since the Goa Audio Tapes on RAFALE were released. No FIR or enquiry ordered. No action against the Minister either! It's obvious that the tapes are authentic & that Goa CM, Parrikar, is in possession of explosive RAFALE secrets, that give him power over the PM." The Congress, earlier in January, had released an audio clip claiming that Parrikar possessed all files related to the deal. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had claimed that Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane can be heard speaking in it to another person about the deal. In the audio, Rane, as claimed by Congress, divulged that Parrikar, who was the defence minister when the Rafale deal was signed in 2016 between India and France, had "all files related to the deal in his bedroom". With inputs from agencies While Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, praised George Fernandes for his role during the Emergency, Congress leaders stayed clear of any mention of the 'E' word or the former Union minister's anti-Indira Gandhi stance. Former defence minister George Fernandes passed away at the age of 88 on Tuesday. While tributes poured in on social media as politicians condoled the socialist leader's demise, there was an interesting distinction between the messages shared by the BJP leaders and those by the Congress. While senior BJP leadership, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Rajnath Singh, party president Amit Shah, praised the socialist leader for his role during the Emergency, Congress leaders stayed clear of any mention of the 'E' word or the former Union minister's anti-Indira Gandhi stance. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said, "Im sorry to hear about the passing of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief." In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered "George Sahab" as one of the "most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised". "Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised," he said. He further said, "When we think of George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary railway minister and a great defence minister who made India safe and strong." During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 President Ram Nath Kovind hailed the former Union minister as "a champion of democracy". Distressed to learn of the passing of Shri George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 29, 2019 Saddened to know about the demise of great leader George Fernandes. He was an icon of socialist movement, a great fighter for freedom and democracy during Emergency and an outstanding defense Minister of India. My deep condolences. Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) January 29, 2019 His stint in public offices saw him make some defining changes, particularly Railways. The most abiding memories of Fernandes ji are those of his fierce opposition to the emergency in 1975. He stood steadfastly to protect Indias democratic values. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 29, 2019 National general secretary of the BJP Ram Madhav called Fernandes "a man of the masses." "He rose from them, lived like one throughout his life, kept his doors open to them 24/7, and practised politics of principles. A great nationalist, he was the right hand man of Atalji in managing a very difficult 23-Party NDA coalition. Railways to Defence - his contribution to governance and nation-building was yeomen. Tributes to the inspiring life of a great leader." . Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) January 29, 2019 While Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot offered him a "tearful tribute", Textile Minister Smriti Irani tweeted that Fernandes' contribution towards strengthening democracy "will be etched in the hearts & minds of Indians forever". Saddened by the demise of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. An able administrator, a distinguished politician, his contribution towards strengthening democracy will be etched in the hearts & minds of Indians forever. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. Om Shanti Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 29, 2019 Congress spokespersons Abhishek Manu Singhvi who tweeted quotes by Fernandes and Randeep Singh Surjewala also condoled the death. "A politician should not be written off till he or she is cremated." - George Fernandes#TuesdayMotivation Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 29, 2019 "One should learn from the past, but one should not live in the past. My concern is to look to the future, learn from the past, and deal with the present." - #GeorgeFernandes The national has lost a veteran political fighter. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/i0frvozoYV Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 29, 2019 Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that after spending an evening with "the fiery trade unionist", he was "hugely impressed by his ideals, decency and integrity". I spent one evening with George Fernandes in NY & was hugely impressed by his ideals, decency& integrity. The fiery trade unionist of my childhood had mellowed into the statesman& effective Minister. His passing away at 88 marks the end of an era. RIP https://t.co/157xBZpJ6b Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 29, 2019 National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Rest in peace, George Fernandes Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised & for those that needed someone in their corner. You called a spade a spade and did so unabashedly. You were always a friend and well wisher of the people of Jammu and Kashmir." Calling Fernandes his role model, Sharad Yadav said that the two were associated for more than four decades. Former chief minister of Gujarat Shankersinh Vaghela joined NCP in the presence of party chief Sharad Pawar and called the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government 'cruel, corrupt and run by conspirators'. Ahmedabad: Former chief minister of Gujarat Shankersinh Vaghela on Tuesday joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and termed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government as "cruel, corrupt and run by conspirators". Vaghela joined NCP in the presence of party chief Sharad Pawar. "People of Gujarat have given me immense love and I want to give it back to them, that is why I am joining NCP. In coming times I can see an anti-BJP government, similar to UPA III in the country. In this, we want to play whatever role possible. The current government is cruel, corrupt and run by conspirators. They say nothing but lie and people are exhausted with this government," said Vaghela on Tuesday. Attacking the government further, he said, "Youth is unemployed, women are insecure, farmers are committing suicide and business community has been destroyed by demonetisation. To save the democracy and to save the people from BJP rule, I have decided to join NCP." Alleging that BJP is trying to kill democracy, he said, "Independent institutions like Parliament are amending Constitution within a day. Parliament, be it Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, has been reduced to non-entity. Supreme Court judges have said that things are not right. Things are well known about CBI, ED, CVC, EC and CAG. There is a conspiracy by BJP to kill democracy in the country." In October 2018, Mahendrasinh Vaghela, son of former Gujarat chief minister and ex-Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela, resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a letter to state BJP president Jitubhai Vaghani, Mahendrasinh had said that he was resigning from the party due to some "personal reasons". Mahendrasinh, who was a Member of Legislative Assembly of the Congress party, joined the BJP in July 2018 in the presence of party president Amit Shah. Regional parties across the Northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati to discuss the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill. Guwahati/Shillong/Aizawl: Regional parties across the Northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday to put forth their objections to the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill. They will be joined by the JD(U), NDA's major ally in Bihar, and the AGP, which recently snapped ties with the BJP in Assam over the proposed legislation that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. Meghalaya chief minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma is taking the lead role in convening the all-regional-parties meet on Tuesday and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is the co-convenor of the meeting, Meghalaya's ruling party NPP leaders said on Monday. The MNF from Mizoram, NDPP from Nagaland, IPFT from Tripura, SDF from Sikkim besides NPP leaderships from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur have confirmed their participation in the meeting, they said. KC Tyagi, general secretary of the Nitish Kumar's headed JD(U), arrived in Guwahati. Party's national vice president Prashant Kishore is expected to reach the city. Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga left Aizawl on Monday for Guwahati to attend the meeting of chief ministers and regional parties of the Northeast to be held on Tuesday on the issue of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) party sources said. The regional parties across Northeast which are meeting on the Citizenship Bill are members of BJP-led NEDA (North East Democratic Alliance). Protests against the Bill have rocked the Northeast region, with those opposing it contending that it would harm the rights of the indigenous people. The gathering is to put forth their objections to the Citizenship Bill, which is piloted by the BJP, is bound to create more uneasiness for the party as the Northeast together accounts for 25 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP which either on its own or with NEDA allies is in power in all the eight Northeastern states is eyeing them in the coming parliamentary polls. "The chief minister (Sangma) has invited all political parties, mostly regional parties in the NE region, to discuss on the amendment of the Citizenship Bill. The meeting will be held at Vivanta Taj in Guwahati," Meghalaya state president of the NPP Wanweiroi R Kharlukhi told PTI. All regional parties in Meghalaya, which are part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, have confirmed their participation at the event, he said. Regional parties from Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura are also attending the meeting, he added. The NPP, which is the main ally of the BJP in the Northeast and part of the NEDA, had met Union home minister Rajnath Singh last month to oppose the Bill. The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, also led by the NPP, has passed a resolution in the cabinet opposing the Bill. The leaders of the AGP had last week met Sangma at his residence at Tura. A report from Aiwazl said that that the meeting, jointly convened by the AGP and the NPP, would deliberate on how to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill unitedly. "The cabinet meeting chaired by Zoramthanga had adopted a resolution resolving to oppose the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and the chief minister had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh that the state government and the people of Mizoram were opposed to the legislation of the proposed amendment," sources said. Majority of the Northeastern states have come up with resolutions against the Citizenship Bill. Even the BJP-led government in Manipur has expressed strong reservation against the Bill. The JD(U) has supported the AGP and the AASU on the issue and has even announced that it would vote against the Bill in Rajya Sabha. Tyagi told reporters in Guwahati Monday that his party would vote against the Citizenship Bill when it will come up in the Upper House. AGP president Atul Bora said that a convention of Northeast political parties has been convened in Guwahati on Tuesday to voice their protest against the Bill together. He said that "the entire Northeast is protesting the Bill and it's unfortunate that the Assam government has ignored sentiments of the indigenous people and is instead attacking and harassing people and organisations opposing the Bill". By moving the Supreme Court seeking to restore, revert and hand over 67 acre 'superfluous or excess' land outside of disputed 0.333 acre land in Ayodhya to those who owned and occupied same chunk of land prior to its acquisition in 1993, the Narendra Modi government has addressed a long pending demand of Hindutva groups and its core social constituency. By moving the Supreme Court seeking to restore, revert and hand over 67 acre 'superfluous or excess' land outside of disputed 0.333 acre land in Ayodhya to those who owned and occupied same chunk of land prior to its acquisition in 1993, the Narendra Modi government has addressed a long pending demand of Hindutva groups and its core social constituency. Incidentally, Centre's demand comes on a day when a five-judge Supreme Court bench was scheduled to hear the Ram temple case but cancelled it due to unavailability of one judge. The government petitioned the court a day after law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned Supreme Court's delay in Ram Temple hearing while showing urgency in taking up cases like Sabarimala, adultery, gay rights, urban Maoists and vote of confidence by Yeddyurappa in Karnataka. The apex court is yet to give dates for hearing in both the cases, the title suit on disputed site and the latest petition by the Union government. After being in office for almost five years, the Modi government has finally made a move on its own to send a message that it is serious about fulfilling its commitment, which it claims was an article of faith for them. The prayer which comes in last quarter of Modi government, thus, can have loaded political and social implications. Legality of the issue will be debated in days and months to come in the court but with Lok Sabha elections due in a few months, the politics of it all will be far more gripping as it will play out in public domain till the final phases of polling. Let us first understand what this plea is all about: After demolition of Babri masjid on 6 December, 1992 (which the BJP has referred to as the "disputed structure"), the then Kalyan Singh government in Uttar Pradesh was dismissed and President Rule was imposed by Centre led by Narshimha Rao. Decision on the land is decision for the State to take. However, since the State was under President Rule, the Narshimha Rao government through 'Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act 1993' acquired 67.703 acre land including 0.333 acre disputed land. The Centre became its custodian. The areas outside of what is called the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site was placed under tight security cover. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled that no activity can take place in the acquired area (even outside of disputed area). A receiver was appointed. Massive boundary wall was erected around the whole 67.703 acre land and sentry posts at various points were erected. As of today, this area is guarded by Central para-military and UP-PAC forces. Modi government is now seeking to undo two things previous Supreme Court order dated 31 March, 2003 and reclaim the land acquired by Narshimha Rao government in January 1993. Current prayer before the court says pending final verdict of the Supreme Court on title suit, ownership of disputed 0.333 acre land (or 2,77 acre which broadly taken as disputed land) and rest of the land be returned to the original owners. It is interesting to note why Modi government has put its weight behind this plea a few months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Most of this 67-acre-land belongs to Hindu groups. Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, currently headed by Sant Ram Vilas Vedanti, a former BJP MP, for instance owned approximately 42 acres of 67 acre land prior to acquisition by the Rao government. This has been a long standing demand of VHP and Hindu groups that since there was no dispute over this vast chunk of land, these should be freed for development and construction peripheral structure of Ram temple. If the court gives its nod to the plea, then the land will be returned to Hindu groups, like the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, and construction of Ram temple other than Garbh Griha would begin immediately. This also comes two days ahead of VHP sponsored two-day Dharm Sansad at Kumbh in Prayagraj where seers are expected to take a strident position on the issue. Allahabad High Court has ruled that a temple existed at the site as proved by Archeological Survey of India findings. Even today a de-facto Ramlalla temple (a temporary tarpaulin structure) exists where a priest offers daily puja. The puja at the site is going on since the time Ramlalla statue was placed at the disputed site in December, 1949. There is an argument by Hindu groups, most recently by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who said that the Hindus were feeling insulted due to delay in resolution of issue by the apex court and the patience of majority community was running out. Modi government has now sought to address concerns of its ideological fountainhead and its core constituency. Given the remaining time Modi is in office and the longevity of the 16th Lok Sabha, an ordinance couldn't be brought. The government also couldn't bring a regular bill for same reasons, also because it couldnt bring a law as the case is sub-judice. This was thus perhaps best way forward for Modi government to convey a message that it was serious about construction of Ram temple. Yogi government has taken a series of steps for development of Ayodhya and also approved construction of an over 200-metre tall statue of Lord Ram. The Centre has approved building of a Ram museum in Ayodhya. Modi government's move in court will have interesting fallout in terms of public perception, depending on way how the Supreme Court responds. If court rejects the application then it will possibly create an angst among the Hindu community and has the potential of becoming an electoral issue with somewhat polarising effect, particularly in politically crucial state like Uttar Pradesh. Secondly, if the Supreme Court accepts the application and agrees to hear it then it would be termed as an achievement for the Modi government. Again it may have its own impact in run up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Uttar Pradesh minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Tuesday showed disagreement with the Centre's recent decision on giving 10 percent reservation to economically weak section of general category in education and jobs. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Tuesday showed disagreement with the Centre's recent decision on giving 10 percent reservation to economically weak section of general category in education and jobs. While speaking to ANI, Rajbhar gave an ultimatum to the government till 24 February to make amendments in its decision, failing which his political party will withdraw its support to BJP in Uttar Pradesh. "There are poor in every category, what about them? When will they (BJP) implement report on a division of reservation to backward classes? Will wait for the BJP to do the work till 24 February if they fail to do so, we will give divorce to the BJP," he said. A few weeks ago, Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati too stated that the reservation should also be extended to the poor, who belong to the various minority religious groups. "Reservation to the poor, tribals, Dalits should not be confined to the education sector or jobs but also other sectors in which till now it has not been introduced," she added. Mayawati also demanded that the Centre should chalk out a new reservation policy for the backwards and poor after taking note of their increasing population. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister was referring to the writ petition filed by the central government in the Supreme Court to transfer 'excess', undisputed land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday welcomed the Centre's recent move on the Ram temple issue, saying the move was needed for the country's "prestige". The Uttar Pradesh chief minister was referring to the writ petition filed by the central government in the Supreme Court to transfer 'excess', undisputed land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. "I congratulate the Centre's decision and this is in the country's favour. The dispute has been going on for many years, and my government has been telling this from the beginning. An application has been submitted by the Centre. Now we must get permission to work on the undisputed land. We welcome this move of the central government. This was needed for the country's prestige," he said. While addressing the media, Adityanath also spoke about the decisions taken by the cabinet pertaining to the road connectivity of the state and said that they have given nod for the construction of Ganga Expressway. "Ganga Expressway that connects Prayagraj with western Uttar Pradesh, will be the world's longest expressway at about 600 kilometres on 6556 hectares of land and Rs 36,000 crore will be required for the project," he said. Adityanath also assured government efforts to double the income of the farmers by rolling out new policies. He added that people who have contracted leprosy will be allotted one house under Chief Minister's Housing Scheme. This is likely to benefit 3,791 leprosy patients. In addition to this, the cabinet also agreed to construct the Gorakhpur link of Purvanchal Expressway. As much as Rs 5,555 crore is slated to be invested to link the 91-kilometre long highway. The state government will also undertake the move to beautify parks and will build Nishadaraj's statue in the vicinity of one of the park. The constructions of a statue of Maharishi Valmiki and the Ramayana Research Institute in the hills between Chitrakoot and Prayagraj were given approval in the cabinet meeting. In an attempt to woo people, the chief minister further announced that no taxes will be levied on the 'Uri' movie ticket. "We have lifted the taxes on the film Uri which is based on surgical strikes," he said. In his concluding remark, he lauded the prime minister for making efforts to clean river Ganga under the Swachh Bharat campaign. "Kumbh is special this year because of many reasons. We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for cleaning River Ganga under the Swachh Bharat campaign," he said. Notably, this is the first time that Adityanath held a cabinet meeting in Prayagraj during the ongoing Kumbh Mela in the city. He along with other cabinet ministers are likely to take a holy bath at Sangham Ghat later in the day. Addressing BJP workers at Kulia in Cuttack district, party president Amit Shah said the BJP will retain power at the Centre because the Narendra Modi government has sincerely worked unlike the BJD government of Naveen Patnaik in Odisha. Cuttack: BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed Odisha's ruling BJD party, saying the state has not benefited from the flow of huge amount of funds from the Centre due to the "inefficiency" and "inaction" on the part of the Naveen Patnaik government. He also heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to surgical strikes and his address in Hindi at the UN General Assembly. "Pakistan attacked Uri by sending its terrorists. Within 10 days, Prime Minister Modi took the revenge through surgical strikes. This only he can do. The Congress can't do this. When Prime Minister Modi speaks in Hindi at the UN General Assembly, every Indian feels proud," said Shah, while addressing a rally. Projecting BJP as the true custodian of marginalised sections of the society, he said: "BJP-led Central government is for the poor, tribal people and Dalits. Congress ruled India for decades but the poor did not get even basic amenities such as gas connections, medical benefits and electricity." "After Narendra Modi became the prime minister, many houses got LPG connections. We made toilets for eight crore houses and two crore electricity connections were given to the poor people," said the BJP chief. Shah heavily criticised Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik for allegedly restricting the people from taking direct benefits of Central government's various welfare schemes. "In Odisha, the poor people are unable to benefit from the schemes of Central government due to the narrow mindset of the state government led by Naveen Patnaik. I want to ask the chief minister why poor people in the state are not getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat," he said. "The state government is afraid because if they will allow people to benefit from Ayushman Bharat, then prime minister Modi will become famous and the BJP's roots will get stronger. The Panchayat elections show that the next government will be made by BJP in the state," said Shah. Talking about how the BJP has been generous in giving funds to Odisha, Shah said, "In 13th Finance Commission, Congress gave around Rs 79,000 crore to the state. When the BJP came to power at the Centre, we gave Rs 2,11,510 crore for development works in Odisha as per the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission." "Apart from this, we also gave Rs 51,000 crore more. In total, we have given Rs 5,13,000 crore for Odisha's development. Has this money reached the villages in Odisha? Do you get electricity for 24 hours in your villages? Do you get drinking water from taps," he asked. Talking about the much-hyped grand alliance of opposition parties, BJP chief Shah said, "BJP is all set to contest the coming Lok Sabha election under prime minister Modi's leadership. We have more than 26 parties with us in the NDA. On the other hand, there is a grand alliance, which is fake. All these parties under Congress' leadership do not have even a leader and a positive agenda for development." In a bid to infuse confidence in the BJP workers, he said: "I want the party workers to go home today with the vision of creating a "new Odisha" by taking motivation from Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das. Also, take the pledge that in the next Vidhan Sabha elections Odisha will get an Odia speaking chief minister." George Fernandes had many strategies for waging war against that woman, as he referred to Indira Gandhi. He felt the primary objective was to remove fear from the minds of the people. The following excerpt from Coomi Kapoor's The Emergency: A Personal History has been republished here with due permission from Penguin Randomhouse The forty-five-year-old Fernandes was in the remote fishing village of Gopalpur-by-the-Sea in Orissa, visiting his in-laws, when he heard the news of the Emergency on the radio. He had no intention of being a sitting duck for the police. He escaped immediately, dressed in a lungi, looking like a local fisherman. He left a letter for his wife, Leila, and their son. After that he was on the move constantly, changing his address and appearance often. As a much-wanted underground leader Fernandes took precautions to keep the police off his trail. He did not permit foreign journalists who met him to take his photograph. He avoided speaking on the telephone. He changed disguises frequently. By August 1975, his hair had turned grey and his beard was long enough for him to transform himself into a Sikh. His turban was kept arranged for him in a special hatbox. He travelled from town to town, all over the country, often as a Sikh. In cities, he often disguised himself as a sadhu in a saffron kurta and lungi. So completely did he alter his appearance that he was unrecognizable. Once he was staying at a guest house in Bangalore when the sales tax department raided the place and turned it upside down. Fernandes did not move and continued to nonchalantly eat his toast at the table. Fernandes spent considerable time in Gujarat, considered a safe haven because the Opposition was in power there. He also moved around extensively in the south, including his home town of Mangalore. During his trips Fernandes was able to establish contacts with his socialist and trade union colleagues as well as family and friends. On 15 August 1975 Fernandes issued an appeal. He pointed out: Everyone must by now have realized that you cannot have committee meetings and mutual consultations in the prevailing situation . . . the president and general secretaries of all the parties are in prison, so are most of the members of the national executives, state executives, even district committees of these parties. Those who have evaded arrest are not easily available. He suggested that in the circumstances there should either be quick mutual consultations, or people should simply assume leadership at various levels. He felt that a debate on the nature of the movement against Indira Gandhis dictatorship was unnecessary, and often a cover for inaction or a rationalization of cowardice. In a letter to Socialist leader N.G. Gore, for circulation among all political parties, he said that he was increasingly fearful that most people in the Opposition were not willing to face the realities of a totally fascist dictator having taken over the country. If Parliament has been reduced to a joke, the so-called opposition parties members, who still refuse to resign their seats from that illegitimate Lok Sabha, are only playing the part of circus clowns. I believe it is a contradiction in terms to say that we shall provide a democratic alternative to a fascist dictatorship. Such a position only means that we are all mixed up in our priorities. Fernandes had many strategies for waging war against that woman, as he referred to Indira Gandhi. He felt the primary objective was to remove fear from the minds of the people. To this end he believed that the underground should undertake acts of defiance, which might even be violent but which should not result in any casualties. He also advocated sabotage of a kind that would not inconvenience people. Eleanor Henderson's Everything I Have Is Yours is a love story and a medical mystery all in one book Everything I Have Is Yours is above all else, the story of a marriage that, like any, is filled with both an abundance of love and an abundance of obstacles. A previously unusable area of space has now been converted into a picnic terrace at Sun Hill Junior School thanks to a donations from a local merchant. Covers Timber and Builders Merchants Alresford branch delivered items including artificial grass to the school, helping it to create a new all-year-round useable space complete with picnic tables. Emma Polglaze, who is the chair of the PTA at Sun Hill Junior School, said: With school budgets more and more stretched, it is extremely difficult to make much needed improvements to our facilities. Its only from the generous donations of others, including Covers, that we are able to make the differences that will benefit our teachers and children. Thank you Covers for your support! Michael Sheath, Depot Manager at Covers Alresford, said: Its a pleasure to help Sun Hill Junior School with this project. We hope the teachers and pupils enjoy their new picnic area for many years to come. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) Imagine this: you sneak out of your house to meet your "barkada" (group of friends) for a midnight party at the house of one of your buddies. Loud music is blaring. The group is belting out favorite songs heartily and swinging to the coolest pop beat. Chips, drinks, and sweets are everywhere. Who can forget such a fun moment with their clique? Alas, things change or slow down as everyone grows old and face more serious chapters in life. Gone are the days when a mere group message had the magical power to gather the whole group for a night of endless fun and singing. Gone are the days when everyone had time on their hands to join in all of the group's trips. Today, more often than not, every person in the group is preoccupied with their work, complying with adulting duties and trying to look for a purpose in life. Some are even in the next life phase living with their own families with most of their time devoted to their kids and partners. Indeed, things change as time goes by. It's a given. But there are things in life that people should not allow to change, much less vanish. One of these is friendship. San Miguel Pale Pilsen, the country's classic beer brand, aims to relive the best and most unforgettable moments among Filipino barkadas with its new campaign dubbed as "Kahit Kailan, Walang Iwanan." San Miguel Pale Pilsen, in the campaign, lets Filipinos revisit old memories that built or strengthened their relationship with their friends. Filipino bonding is more fun with an "inuman," a typical gathering of friends where everyone enjoys drinking while sharing stories. This has been embedded in Filipino culture not only as a simple get-together, but a time to catch up and learn life lessons. Aside from the food and drinks, friends also share slices of life, making every "inuman session" memorable. And for the longest time, San Miguel Pale Pilsen has been part of this tradition, witnessing different milestones and heartbreaks that everyone in the barkada has experienced. Through the campaign, San Miguel Pale Pilsen hopes to inspire Filipino 'barkadas' to have enduring friendships. Kahit kailan, #WalangIwanan The National Green Tribunal Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the cleaning of river Yamuna and directed Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 10 crore each within a month New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the cleaning of river Yamuna and directed Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 10 crore each within a month. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the state governments to furnish a performance guarantee with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure there was no further lapse in this regard. The tribunal also warned that chief secretary of all the three states would be personally liable for any non-compliance. The green panel made it clear that the amount will be forfeited if the work was not carried out as per the recommendations of the monitoring committee constituted by it and asked the panel to expeditiously submit its final report. It directed that steps be taken by the three states at the earliest for disposal of municipal solid waste, cleaning of drains and ensuring cleaning of garbage. The order came after perusing the interim report filed by the monitoring committee comprising retired expert member BS Sajwan and former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra. The monitoring committee in its action plan submitted has recommended a study to assess the environmental flow of the Yamuna river for the stretch between Hathanikund and Okhla. It said the river was "fighting to stay alive" and it would not be possible to rejuvenate it unless minimum environmental flow was provided. With regard to idol immersion, the committee has asked the authorities in the city to look for the possibility of creating artificial ponds and pits in various localities. The NGT had earlier asked the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to consult the members of the monitoring committee appointed by the tribunal for constituting their own full-time committees. The tribunal had expressed displeasure that despite its specific order, the status of the compliance was unknown, and said there appeared to be a failure of the authorities in performing their duties, thus undermining the rule of law. The green panel had said pollution in the Yamuna was of serious concern as it was highly contaminated with industrial effluents and sewage. It had also asked the Haryana pollution control board to conduct a study of water quality and the flow of Yamuna at the point it enters Haryana, and submit the list of industries located in the catchment area. The green panel had noted that almost 67 per cent of the pollutants that enter the Yamuna would be treated by two sewage treatment plants at Delhi Gate and Najafgarh under the first phase of the Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project. Two independent members of the National Statistical Commission, PC Mohanan and JV Meenakshi, have resigned over a disagreement with the government on certain issues, an official said on Tuesday. New Delhi: Two independent members of the National Statistical Commission, PC Mohanan and JV Meenakshi, have resigned over a disagreement with the government on certain issues, an official said on Tuesday. Mohanan was also the acting chairperson. With the two members quitting, the NSC now has only two members Chief Statistician Pravin Srivastava and NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. "The two members have resigned from the National Statistical Commission and tendered their resignation on 28 January, 2019," an official said. The NSC, under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is to have seven members, as per its website. Already, three posts were vacant. The tenure of Mohanan and Meenakshi was to end in June 2020. They joined as members in June 2017. Reportedly, these two members are said to have resigned over a disagreement with the government on some issues, the official said. In November in 2018, the NITI Aayog had come under fire for announcing the revised GDP data of the UPA years. NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar and Chief Statistician Srivastava had announced the back-series data by the government. Priya Ramani was one of the first women to come forward about the MJ Akbar's harassment Months after journalist Priya Ramani levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against former Union minister MJ Akbar during the #MeToo campaign in India and a subsequent criminal defamation complaint against the scribe by Akbar, Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday summoned Ramani to appear as an accused on 25 February. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal issued the direction on Akbar's plea. On 22 January, the Delhi court had reserved its order on whether to summon Ramani as an accused in the defamation case. Reacting to the summon, Ramani sent out a tweet saying it was time to tell "our side of the story." Time to tell our side of the story https://t.co/q5H9jTZ4UJ Priya Ramani (@priyaramani) January 29, 2019 Coming out in support of Ramani was also Kenyan poet and activist Shailja Patel, who thanked her for "leading the battle for justice". Standing with you, @priyaramani, and with all the women MJ Akbar harmed. Thank you for leading this battle for justice. https://t.co/Go033RvvSC Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) January 29, 2019 Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on 17 October, 2018, had filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media when he was in Nigeria as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. Ramani has accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago, which was denied by him. She was one of the first women to come forward about Akbar's harassment, who is the former Minister of State for External Affairs. In all, 20 women had accused him of sexual misconduct when he worked as editor of The Asian Age. The Editors' Guild of India had earlier suspended Akbar from membership till the defamation case came to its logical conclusion. Akbar had claimed these allegations "false and fabricated." To prove that Ramani's tweets had tarnished his reputation, Akbar also recorded the statement of six witnesses who had worked with him closely on a professional and personal level. The witnesses backed Akbar and said they had never heard of any complaint against the BJP leader. They also supported his statement saying Ramani's statements were "scurrilous" in nature. Thereby, senior advocate Geeta Luthra and Sandeep Kapur, appearing for him, had told the court that Ramani "damaged" Akbar's reputation. Its a surreal sight, and yet in a state that has been on a renaming overdrive, it is perhaps the very image of a Hindutava culture being embodied. Approximately 200 people set off from various parts of Bundelkhand, in what is essentially a state-sponsored caravan, to the ongoing Kumbh Mela in erstwhile Allahabad, now Prayagraj. Its a surreal sight, and yet in a state that has been on a renaming overdrive, it is perhaps the very image of a Hindutava culture being embodied. Approximately 200 people set off from various parts of Bundelkhand, in what is essentially a state-sponsored caravan, to the ongoing Kumbh Mela in erstwhile Allahabad, now Prayagraj. The procession were reporting on is similar to many others across the state, and the country, journeying towards Pragyaraj in Uttar Pradesh for a cleansing dip in the holy rivers of Ganga and Yamuna; after all, the total number of visitors this year is estimated at a whopping 150 crore. We left the Ashram on 19 December, there are 200 of us, said devotee Pashuram, who is travelling hundreds of kilometeres from Vidhisha, Madhya Pradesh to attend this years Kumbh Mela, a 55-day festival, touted as the biggest peaceful religious gathering in the world. The festival started off on 15 January and concludes on 4 March. All the devotees try to reach Kumbh before the designated days, said Nageshwar from Chitrakoot, who was also part of the procession. What might be unique to this caravan, however, is that it is funded, unofficially, by official sources it is the culmination of a month spent in the badlands, where everyone, from local health workers to reporters, was being wooed by government officials to join them on the trip. Including travel and food expenses, we need a total of 6-8 lakh, said Pashuram, who is in-charge of everyone's food and stay provisions, And for our stay in Kumbh, it will cost extra. It seems to be a case of do-the-Math-and-politicking in a state that has set aside a budget of Rs 4200 crore, three times more than that of the 2013 Mela. The Uttar Pradesh government, after all, has been prepping for the Kumbh much like the faithful, including those treating the journey as a junket. Roads have widened, encroachments razed, dividers constructed, and half a dozen flyovers have been built in the city. 6000 state buses have been deployed to ferry pilgrims to and fro from Kumbh. 800 special trains are running to Pragyaraj to make it more accessible to those who'd like to attend. Massive accommodations for stay, beyond just the basic facilities and makeshift tents from the past editions, have been erected on Mela grounds. All of it spearheaded and massively pushed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his administration. Sahab aaj duty par nahi hai, snaan ke liye gaye hai (The officer is not at work today, hes gone for the ritual bath), is a common enough excuse we hear these days, even at the district level, as we scramble for official bytes. Not that it should be a thing of shock or surprise, given how all the important party leaders have made and/or are making a beeline for Kumbh, including the President of India a first in Kumbh history. With larger than life posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modis smiling face, helpfully complemented with information about flagship BJP campaigns, it is clear that this years Kumbh Mela is laden with clear political intent and import. Something that was also evident to Devdas, a saint who had previously attended Kumbh in Pragyaraj, Nasik, Haridwar and Ujjain. The government must play a role in Kumbh, he explained, but with this one I can see that this government is far more involved. Uttar Pradesh government has relentlessly advertised the Mela, especially to NRIs. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have waxed poetic about the holy dip, in the lead-up to January 15. With a push to provide luxury, hotel-like accommodation, experience packages and curated tours, the attempts to please and coax economically well-off are no secret. With the 2019 elections mere months away, a commitment to making Kumbh larger than life seems to be an attempt to secure votes from the Hindu belt. As for the renaming exercise? The Mela itself hasnt been spared. As Pashuram explained, Actually, this is the Ardhkumbh, which is organised every six years. The main Kumbh Mela only comes once every 13 years. But as per Yogi jis orders, Ardhkumbh has been renamed Kumbh and the larger one will now be called Mahakumbh. But why so, we ask. No comments, said Pashuram, urging the caravan to move on from its long break. Onwards, Prayagraj! Khabar Lahariya is a women-only network of rural reporters from Bundelkhand. A meeting among representatives of ten political parties of the northeast along with the Janata Dal (United) at Guwahati, unanimously decided that the parties would oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said. Ten political parties of the North East, along with the Janata Dal (United), have unanimously decided to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said after a meeting among representatives of the parties at Vivanta Taj in Guwahati on Tuesday. Besides the JD(U), which forms the Bihar government with the BJP, the 10 political parties that met to discuss the bill on Tuesday are members of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). Among them is the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which recently snapped ties with the saffron party in Assam over the proposed legislation. "Mainstream parties have always failed to look after the concerns of the North East," News18 quoted JD(U) general secretary KC Tyagi as having said from Bihar after the meeting. The JD(U)'s North East in-charge NSN Lotha represented the party at the meeting in Guwahati. The 10 parties from the North East that participated in the meeting are the Mizo National Front (MNF), United Democratic Party (UDP), AGP, Naga Peoples' Front (NPF), National Peoples' Party (NPP), National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP), Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), Indigenous People Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Khnam. "This meeting is the outcome of a natural process as we felt we must come together and oppose the bill in one voice," NPP president and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma told the Hindustan Times. Sangma said it was decided at the meeting that representatives will approach President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request them to withdraw the bill. Protests against the bill, which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India, have rocked the region. AGP president and former state agriculture minister Atul Bora, who recently resigned from the Sarbananda Sonowal Assam Cabinet, was quoted by News18.com as having said that "every political party in the region has realised the way the ruling party is trying to impose the bill" upon them. "They do not have the consent of the people of the region. This meeting will surely give a major momentum to the ongoing movement against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the region," Bora had said. Those opposing it have held that the bill, passed by the Lok Sabha on 8 January, would harm the rights of the indigenous people and lead to an influx of immigrants in the region. Earlier on Tuesday, the Nagaland Cabinet rejected the bill following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies. The announcement is bound to make the BJP distinctly uneasy as the North Easy together accounts for 25 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP, either on its own or with NEDA allies, is in power in all the eight states in the North East at present. With inputs from agencies A Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operative, who was wanted in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, was arrested by the NIA in West Bengal's Hooghly district New Delhi/Kolkata: A Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operative, who was wanted in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in West Bengal's Hooghly district, officials said Tuesday. Kadar Kazi, 32, was arrested Monday night from the Arambagh police station area of the district, they said. "He was wanted in the Burdwan blast case and was also declared a proclaimed offender," an NIA official said. Kazi's associate Sajjad Ali, who was also involved in the activities of the JMB, has also been arrested in the late night operation, he said. Two persons were killed and another was injured in a bomb explosion at a house in the Khagragarh locality of Burdwan on 2 October, 2014. Later, it was revealed that these two individuals and others, believed to be members of the JMB, present in the house were engaged in preparation of bombs, arms and ammunition, maintaining hideouts and organising terrorist training camps in pursuance of a larger conspiracy to carry out terrorist attacks in different parts of India and in Bangladesh, the NIA said. The JMB is a terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh. It was banned by the government of Bangladesh in 2005. A police head constable was suspended for showering money on girl students performing at a Republic Day function in a Nagpur school Nagpur: A police head constable was suspended for showering money on the girl students performing at a Republic Day function in a school here. Pramod Walke, who was in an inebriated state, came under the radar of the authorities after his shameful act was caught on camera in a school situated in Nagpur. The video is doing rounds on social media. In the video, Walke who was posted at Nand police chowki under Bhiwapur police station can be seen, in uniform, showering money on students performing to the song Aye watan tere liye. The incident has come to light just days after the Supreme Court allowed dance bars to reopen in Mumbai - but imposed regulations such as barring CCTV surveillance inside them. The judicature had stated that the performers could be tipped, but the guests are not allowed to shower them with cash. The Citizenship (Amendment) BIll, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier in January, has been an issue of concern in Nagaland and triggered protests across the northeastern region, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy said. Kohima: The Nagaland cabinet has rejected the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy, in a press release, said that taking into account the will and desire of all sections of the people, the cabinet meeting on Monday made it amply clear that the state government remains opposed and rejects the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier in January, has been an issue of concern in Nagaland and triggered protests across the northeastern region, they said. The people of the state have expressed their opposition to the bill in various forms in a democratic manner and the Cabinet discussed the bill at length on Monday, they said in the release. The Cabinet had earlier said that the CAB was not applicable to the state. The National Democratic People's Party-led People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in the state had said that Nagaland enjoys protection under provisions of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution and the Inner Line Permit (ILP), according to which, any person who acquires Indian citizenship will be ineligible for acquiring property or settling down in the state. The state government from the very beginning had expressed its opposition to the bill and conveyed the same to the Centre, they said. The PDA government has also assured the people that it will leave no stone unturned to constantly protect the rights and privileges of the people, the chief minister and the chief secretary said. Regional parties across the northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday to put forth their objections to the controversial bill. They will be joined by the JD(U), NDA's major ally in Bihar, and the AGP, which recently snapped ties with the BJP in Assam over the proposed legislation that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. NDPP president Chingwang Konyak will be attending the meeting, convened by Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is the co-convenor of the programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not taken a day's leave during his tenure so far, Union Culture minister Mahesh Sharma claimed as he took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for their vacation in Goa. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not taken a day's leave during his tenure so far, Union Culture minister Mahesh Sharma claimed as he took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for their vacation in Goa. The Gandhis' trip, described as a "private visit" by the party, came into the public domain when Rachna Fernandes, a local resident, posted a photo of herself with Rahul Gandhi and said she was "awed by his charm and modesty". In response to a question by reporters on the trip. Sharma said, "Our prime minister has not taken leave even for one day during his four-and-a-half-year tenure. (Whereas) it is a matter of research where these people go when they are on vacation." Accusing the Congress of double standards, Sharma said the party wants to portray itself as a national party, but it essentially remains a "mother-son party". "On one hand they say they want to remove corruption and on the other hand have become icons of corruption. On one hand they talk of security of women and on the other behave in this manner," Sharma said, referring to an incident in which former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah was caught on video involved in a verbal spat with a woman during a public interaction in Mysuru. In the video which has gone viral, the Congress leader is seen snatching the microphone from her and in the process, taking off her dupatta. The Union minister further alleged that the Congress president was "immature" and that "no one takes him seriously" and said that the opposition party does not want strong governments to be formed in states. "It is because of this that when these people who talk of gathbandhan (alliance) and mahagathbandhan (grand-alliance), even their so-called allies are not ready to stand with them," said Sharma. "For them the betterment of the family, their party and personal gains are more important than the betterment of the country," he said. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) of Maharashtra will come under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta, said Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan Mumbai: The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) of Maharashtra will come under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta, said Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan in Mumbai on Tuesday. Talking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Mahajan said: It has been decided that the Chief Minister's office will come under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill that we are going to bring in. This will be a step towards greater transparency and reducing corruption. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Maharashtra was the first state to introduce the Lokayukta through the Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act in 1971. It is worth mentioning that anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has announced to start his fast for the formation of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states from January 30, also the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which is observed as Martyrs Day. Hazare said on Tuesday that he decided to sit on a fast at his village Ralegan Siddhi as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government at the Centre failed to put in place a competent Lokpal to effectively deal with the menace of corruption. It has been five years, but Prime Minister Modi led government at the Centre is making excuses. If they wanted, they could have done the needful by now, said Hazare. As per the provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, a Lokpal as anti-corruption authority or ombudsman would be set up at the Central level, while Lokayukta will be set up in each state. I will begin my hunger strike from my village Ralegan Siddhi. I will not be fasting against a party or a person. I will be protesting for the betterment of the nation, said Hazare. Earlier Hazare had said that if the Lokpal would have been appointed, then cases like Rafale would not have occurred. It is a revolutionary bill under which every officer will be investigated if citizens complaint against them, he said. The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Lokpal Search Committee to complete its task of short-listing the names for Lokpal by February end and submit the list for consideration to the Selection Committee. Now, the apex court will hear the plea on 7 March. University of Bristol law students Charles Archer, Zachary Bourne, and Alice Grimley Evans reached the final four in the international KK Luthra Memorial Mooting Competition held in Delhi on 18-20 January. A team from University of Bristols Law School posted an impressive performance at Indias sole international criminal law mooting contest, reaching the semi-final of the KK Luthra Memorial Mooting Competition, held in Delhi on 18-20 January. Researcher Charles Archer, in the second year of his law degree and mooters Zachary Bourne and Alice Grimley Evans, in their third years, formed one of 50 teams whose strong memorials qualified them for the oral rounds of the high-profile event. The standard of mooting was high, given the contests huge prestige for students in India, said Ms Grimley Evans. We were honoured and delighted to reach the semi-final, where it was some consolation to be knocked out by the team that went on to win, she said. Were very proud that Bristol University was the most successful overseas team in the event, now in its 15th year, which is a key fixture in the legal calendar in India. Eight of the 28 sitting judges on the countrys Supreme Court come from the University of Delhis law school. Its not unusual, we discovered, for teams to spend six months preparing. As well as teams from India, the Bristol University team competed with squads from Northumbria University (UK), University of Colombo (Sri Lanka), University of Lusaka (Zambia), University of Gondar (Ethiopia), and Tribhuvan University (Nepal). The event revealed considerable differences between English and Indian courts, said Mr Bourne. In almost every aspect, we were confronted with unfamiliar procedures, such as the prayer to the Court added at the end of submissions, he said. The judges also expressed their views with surprising vehemence and the style of advocacy was far, far faster than you would find in an English moot. Equally striking, though, was the incredible hospitality we encountered. Everyone at the Campus Law Centre was welcoming, making for a truly wonderful time in Delhi. The mooting question on the cross-border implications of money laundering and the powers of investigating agencies also provided insights into legal differences between jurisdictions, said Mr Archer. Preparing materials for the moot was highly challenging as international criminal law is outside the law curriculum at Bristol University. We are deeply grateful for the kind support of professors who helped us, he said. We were also required to produce memorials, not just skeletons. I warn anyone whos planning to compete next year, that youll be up against teams that cite 80 cases and produce 25-page memorials, in stark contrast to the usual 1-page skeleton arguments used in British mooting. We all came away impressed by the dedication of our opponents. Charles Archer, Zachary Bourne, and Alice Grimley Evans also took part in an advocacy workshop by professor Susan Karamanian, the Dean of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. After three days of mooting, the law students visited Jaipur and Agra, concluding a trip that Ms Grimley Evans described as highly enjoyable. I would strongly recommend any ambitious mooters at Bristol to consider this event next year, she said. This is the second straight year that Bristol University has performed well at this moot. And whatever your performance, you can expect to come home with warm memories of amazing hospitality and an intellectually challenging moot. In a significant move, the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday decided to bring the office of Maharashtra chief minister, Cabinet ministers and Opposition leaders under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta. Mumbai: In a significant move, the Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday decided to bring the office of Maharashtra chief minister under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Talking to reporters after the meeting, state Water Resources minister Girish Mahajan said that apart from the chief minister, ministers and Opposition leaders will also be brought under the ambit of Lokayukta. "This is a very good initiative to ensure corruption-free governance," he said. The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organisation which mainly helps people publicise corruption among the politicians and government officials. Many acts of the Lokayukta have resulted in criminal or other consequences for those charged. Maharashtra was the first state to introduce the institution of Lokayukta through The Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act in 1971. In another decision, the council of ministers approved a grant of Rs 323 crore for setting up additional 5625 CCTV cameras in Mumbai as part of the CCTV Surveillance Project. At present, 5,000 CCTVs are operational in different parts of the state capital, an official said. The Cabinet also decided to give 15 percent margin money, of the total cost of proposed business ventures, to those belonging to Scheduled Caste and other backward communities. The government also relaxed agriculture land holding ceiling for development of integrated township projects. In another decision, the title of the government land approved for industrial use can be changed by paying premium. India reels under the swine flu menace, with deaths and cases being widely reported in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana India is reeling under the swine flu menace with around 2,500 cases being reported all across the country in 2019, according to PTI. In Rajasthan, over 1,911 have tested positive, with 75 dead (till 28 January). Jaipur alone accounted for 41 cases, with two doctors of the citys Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital also testing positive for swine flu. Gujarat recorded 20 swine flu deaths and 572 positive cases (till 27 January), as per a report in The Times of India. Forty percent of cases were reported from Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Rajkot. As per a report in India Today, arrangements for medicine have been made and leaves of doctors and paramedical staff cancelled in Rajasthan. The government issued a high alert, as per the report. Wherever a case of swine flu is found the whole area is screened, Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma told ANI. However, former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje reacted sharply, blaming the Congress government for not being alert. New Delhi is also suffering, with 267 cases till 20 January, according to data released by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. Elevene across eight districts of Maharashtra succumbed to the virus and 66 tested positive, according to a report in Asian Age. Haryana reported 272 cases till 24 January. In Himachal Pradesh, swine flu is only compounding the problems brought on by the cold wave of the past week. While former chief minister Virbhadra Singh was diagnosed with the swine flu, a two-year-old girl died of the illness on 25 January, taking the states toll to four, according to PTI. In 2018, 14,992 cases of swine flu were reported across the country, with 1,103 succumbing to the disease. Swine flu or the H1N1 flu was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation in 2009. It is contagious and spreads when someone with the flu sneezes or coughs and the virus is contracted by another person. The symptoms include cough, fever, headache, body aches, fatigue and a sore throat. Antiviral drugs are used to treat swine flu, with the most commonly used medicine in India being Tamiflu. The health ministry has started strict surveillance to ensure early detection. However, efforts are hampered by a lack of sufficient testing facilities which impacts the speed of diagnosis and treatment, as per an Indian Express report. Although the new government in Madhya Pradesh promised a slew of measures to tackle the problem, the ground reality is much grimmer. Editor's note: The issue of illegal sand mining has affected many states in terms of revenue, law and order and environmental hazards. Despite promises by parties and government alike, none of them has succeeded in uprooting the menace. Further, even the media hasn't been spared when covering the matter. In this four-part series, the impact of illegal sand mining in the four states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Bihar will be examined. The first part deals with Madhya Pradesh. *** Bhopal: Before the 2018 Assembly elections, the Congress went hammer and tongs after BJPs Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh government over rampant illegal sand mining in the state. But it appears that even after a change of guard Kamal Nath promising to curb the menace and reform the mining sector, while taking charge as the chief minister has done nothing to improve the scenario. Though the new government has promised a slew of measures to tackle the problem, the ground reality is much grimmer. A volley of allegations Ajay Singh, Congress leader of Opposition in the last Assembly, had attacked Chouhans government alleging that the latters kin were involved in illegal mining. [The] chief minister [Chouhan] must be aware that his nephew is illegally excavating sand in Jahajpura, without environmental clearances. Also, 450 out of 586 sand mines have been allotted to two companies. The information about who owns these companies must be made public, Singh had said in his speech in the Assembly in March 2017. Now, with the two parties swapping places, BJPs Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Gopal Bhargav has alleged the same the (Congress) government is involved in illegal sand mining. He said, I dont know whether or not the allegations against our government were true, but it is a fact that Congress-backed contractors are illegally digging at protected mining sites. He also raised concerns over the high price of sand. Congress-backed sand mining mafia has hiked the rate, due to which many development works have stopped. This has impacted Centre-sponsored schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he claimed. Killing the rivers, says Medha Patkar Explaining the impact illegal sand mining has on the ecology, activist Medha Patkar, who has been waging the Narmada Bachao Andolan for years, said, Any kind of excavation activity is strictly prohibited near a water source, like a river, as per a Supreme Court order. Permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is mandatory for sand excavation, irrespective of the scale of the work. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority gives permission for sand mining if the site is less than 50 acres. Patkar accused the previous dispensation of violating norms for allowing mining activities. Thats why rivers in Madhya Pradesh are nearly dead. If you excavate Narmadas riverbed for sand, it will kill its water cycle. Im at the banks of Ganga in Uttarakhand now, and the condition here is the same, she said. In 2012 and 2013, most of the anti-mining judgments the National Green Tribunal (NGT) passed were against the state of Madhya Pradesh. Patkar said, Madhya Pradesh was the only state that challenged NGTs August 2013 order, seeking an exemption from the ban imposed on the mining of minor minerals, including sand, without environmental clearance from the MoEF. Though the green court dismissed the appeal, despite the ban, the state government allowed illegal mining to flourish. The new government has a big and complex job on its hands if it wants to curb this menace. The sand mining mafia is divided into three sections excavation, storage, and transportation. The government needs to introduce a stricter punishment, as, currently, the administration simply arrests the tractor drivers and imposes a nominal fine on the contractors. This is not enough. Of environment damage and revenue loss Vinayak Parihar, a Madhya Pradesh-based activist who has been fighting for the Narmada for years, made an assessment of the loss of revenue. The recent CAG report estimated a revenue loss of Rs 600 crore due to illegal sand mining. Its just a sample report. The actual loss may be hundredfold. According to our assessment, the state has lost over Rs 2 lakh crore in the last 10 years, which is more than the debt burden on the Madhya Pradesh government, he said, claiming that 90 percent of sand mining sites in the state is illegal. As per the latest figures released by the government, in 2016-17, the state earned Rs 240 crore royalty from sand mining. Talking about the ecological loss, Parihar said, Sand mining has destroyed the Narmada. There are over 20 spots in a 15-20-km stretch where the river dries up for a few months. We are demanding a CBI probe or a state-level SIT from the new government. He is, however, not hopeful of any action from the new government, and suspects that its ministers and MLAs are involved in the illegal activity. In the grip of ruthless sand mafia Authorities and activists arent blind to the influential sand mafia either, well aware of their brutality to ensure no one stands in their way. As per a reply given in the Rajya Sabha by the government on 7 February, 2018, Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of attacks on media persons in 2015 and 2016, recording 19 and 24 cases, respectively. And most of the attacks were related to illegal sand mining cases. In December 2017, at least six journalists were attacked and injured in Chhatarpur district while they were covering illegal sand mining. In March 2018, a journalist investigating the same in Bhind district was run over by a truck in broad daylight. And in the most tragic incident, the charred body of Sandeep Kothari, a Madhya Pradesh-based journalist who frequently investigated the illegal activity, was found in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Talking about the challenges in dealing with law and order issues, retired DGP Nandan Dubey said, The biggest challenge is vested interests of local administration at ground level. If the administration and local police had the will to solve the problem, they would have been able to do it. The police have been facing all kinds of pressure, including political, to stay away from the sand mafia. A single agency cant fight this; a joint operation involving all stakeholders is the most effective solution. Sehore superintendent of police Rajesh Singh Chandel said, We have carried out a few successful raids this month with the help of other agencies. The most challenging part in such an operation is coordination, as sand mines are open from all sides and spread over a large area. But with help from the district collector, we have been able to ban the transportation of sand at night to deter illegal miners. Another senior IPS officer, who has been working in a crucial sand mining area, revealed the challenges in fighting it, on condition of anonymity. The sand mafia is so influential that if an officer wants to take action, mafia members deploy a spy to keep tabs on him/her. They are aware of every police move and flee from the spot before or during the raids, he explained. Apart from excavation, the mafia also plan transportation very precisely. If they come to know that the police plan to set up checkpoints along their route, they generate invoices via ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) online at the last minute in a bid to legitimise it. It is very difficult to prove a case of illegal mining in court and impose the penalty. However, a driver working for a transportation company gave his side of the story. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he revealed the risks and hazards involved in the activity. I worked in the Chambal region, where theres a perennial danger of fights erupting between two contractors over territory. Due to heavy machines used for excavation, very few take up this mining nowadays. Drivers are the ones who face problems at every step, what with the police stopping them anytime, and then, having to face legal hassles in case the vehicle is seized. As contractors want to stock as much sand as possible, drivers and labourers are forced to work an average of 18 hours per day, he said. Construction industry unhappy too Although sand mining is a lucrative business, it becomes impossible for common businessmen, due to the risks involved in excavation and transportation, said Mahendra Tyagi, a Sehore-based construction material supplier. Tyagi, for years, was a sand supplier but has now shifted to other construction material. Paying royalty is not the issue. From policemen to mining officers to local goons, everyone has a share in this work. A businessman has to pay at every step to get sand from the mine to the godown. If the government can make the process hassle-free, the industry can create more jobs. New governments plan of action The new Minister for Mineral Resources Pradeep Jaiswal agreed that illegal sand mining is the biggest challenge for the government. A few big companies enjoy a monopoly in this activity. We plan to focus on eliminating that along with illegal mining. We are planning to empower the local bodies and strengthen them to give permits for excavation of sand. Jaiswal added that he is working on a new policy, to be named Navin Khanij Kar Evam Ret Niti (New Minerals and Sand Policy), which will be implemented soon. Also, to create employment for the local youth, control over sand excavation will be given to village-level societies. The government is trying to double the revenue from sand mining by minimising the role of middlemen. We are also planning to restore the powers of mining officers to make the system simpler, Jaiswal said. The author is a Bhopal - based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com. There is no doubt that Fernandes belonged to a genre of socialist leaders who were exceptionally deft at defending the indefensible It was some time in 2011. Lal Krishna Advani was in his chamber waiting to receive George Fernandes, long-time friend and a political comrade-in-arms. Fernandes was ushered in assisted by his wife, Leila Kabir, and sundry aides. His walk was infirm. Advani looked at him quite pensively and asked, "Do you recognise me, George?" Fernandes showed no signs of familiarity. Disappointed, Advani lamented: "You see George, I am in a strange position. I cannot talk to Atalji (Bihari Vajpayee) and Jaswantji (Singh). Now you also don't recognise me." Vajpayee died in August last year after being bed-ridden for around a decade during which time he could not recognise anybody. Singh continues to be in a similar state. Just as Advani was giving up hope, Fernandes strained his memory for a while and finally uttered, "Lalji". "Yes," said a delighted Advani, but his happiness was was short-lived. Almost immediately Fernandes withdrew into his own world. But the Fernandes that the world and Advani, who narrated this incident to me, will remember was anything but infirm. Fernandes was a stalwart of Indian politics. Jailed during the Emergency, he roared like a lion from inside the cage. The picture showing him handcuffed inside the jail evoked sympathy across the country. Coming from a Christian family from Karnataka, he imbibed the true spirit of India. He transcended the boundaries of region, religion and caste. Fernandes was as much at ease in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai or Kolkata as in the backwaters of Bihar Muzaffarpur, Nalanda or Barh. In Bihar, he was even called George Fernandes "Mahto", a surname he acquired on account of his close association with Nitish Kumar who belongs to Kurmi caste. In fact, the family of Fernandes bore the brunt of the Emergency excesses. His brother Lawrence Fernandes was arrested and tortured for months on end as the firebrand leader gave the police a slip and went underground. His name figured in the famous Baroda dynamite case in which he was arraigned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for smuggling in explosives to blow railway tracks and government facilities to protest against the Emergency. Perhaps Fernandes' implication in the Baroda dynamite case signaled the brazen misuse of the government agencies to target political rivals. The then prime minister Indira Gandhi triggered the decline of the CBI which became irreversible till now. There is no doubt that Fernandes belonged to a genre of socialist leaders who were exceptionally deft at defending the indefensible. No doubt, he emerged as hero in the post-Emergency era and became industry minister in the Morarji Desai government. Coming from a trade union background, he invoked the Swadeshi spirit of Mahatma Gandhi to ban MNCs like Coca-Cola. Fernandes was endowed with the rare gift of gab that proved to be his asset... and liability as well. During the turmoil in the Janata Party government when Chaudhary Charan Singh revolted against Desai, Fernandes had shown his inclination to side with Desai. He gave a long speech in the Lok Sabha in support of the Desai government. He, however, conveniently switched his loyalty when Charan Singh formed the government with the help of Indira. Perhaps nothing caused as much damage to his credibility as that moment of political vacillation. He carried the image of a leader whose political beliefs were always on shifting ground. Except for the fact that he was a die-hard proponent of anti-Congressism, Fernandes was not averse to any tie-ups to grab power. He was with VP Singh during the Janata Dal government and later aligned with the BJP to oust Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar. In effect, his political constituency in the later phase of life was confined to Bihar, owing to his proximity to Bihari leaders who ranged against Lalu. Given Fernandes' tall stature, he became the pivot around which anti-Lalu politics revolved. He formed the Samata Party which later became Janata Dal (U) in which Nitish occupied the pre-eminent position. Till the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Fernandes maintained his relevance although he was marginalised within the NDA fold. After the NDA lost power in 2004, once again the CBI was used to implicate him in a dubious case of defence deals. In the 2005 Bihar Assembly election, he seemed quite desperate to retain his political hold. That was the time when Nitish Kumar was declared the NDA's chief ministerial candidate by Advani, then BJP president and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. Fernandes was not initially in favour of declaring any chief ministerial candidate but bowed to people's pressure. That was the time for him to realise the great truism of politics: Every great career in politics tends to end eventually in a failure. George Fernandes served as the defence minister in the NDA government between 1998 and 2004. He was out of the public glare after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Former defence minister George Fernandes passed away at his New Delhi residence on Tuesday. He was 88. Fernandes was unwell and bed-ridden for the past few years. According to India Today, the former Union minister was suffering from swine flu and breathed his last at 7 am. According to The Hindu, the family is awaiting his son Sean Fernandes' arrival from the United States to proceed with funeral arrangements. Funeral to be held in New Delhi. Fernandes served as the defence minister in the NDA government under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee between 1998 and 2004. He was out of the public glare after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. His last stint as a Parliamentarian was as a Rajya Sabha MP between August 2009 to July 2010. A native of Mangaluru, Fernandes was the founder of the Samata Party. He rose to fame as an anti-Emergency crusader and civil rights activists and served as a Union minister in the Janata Party government headed by Morarji Desai that came to power in 1977 to 1980. His name figured prominently in 'Operation West End', a sting operation by Tehelka. Fernandes stepped down as the defence minister in 2004 after the "coffingate" scam broke out. The alleged coffin scam was based on allegations that poor quality aluminium caskets were bought from the US at rates 13 times more than the actual price, to transport the bodies of slain soldiers after the Kargil War. He was later absolved by two commissions of inquiry. Several politicians including Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and NCP leader Nawak Malik condoled the demise of Fernandes. Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of former Defence Minister Sh. George Fernandes. My thoughts and prayers are with his family...May his soul rest in peace. Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 29, 2019 A dynamic grass root leader who always lead from the front. Indian politics has lost a stalwart today. Rest in Peace Mr. George Fernandes.@PTI_News @ANI @NCPspeaks pic.twitter.com/LxKoCyXH5e Nawab Malik (@nawabmalikncp) January 29, 2019 "One should learn from the past, but one should not live in the past. My concern is to look to the future, learn from the past, and deal with the present." - #GeorgeFernandes The national has lost a veteran political fighter. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/i0frvozoYV Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) January 29, 2019 During the 1975 Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government, Fernandes was arrested for what was dubbed the "Baroda Dynamite Conspiracy" and jailed along with hundreds of other political activists. He contested the 1977 election from jail and won the Muzaffarpur constituency by a landslide. This piece recalls George Fernandes' tenure as defence minister of National Democratic Alliance-I Former trade unionist, socialist leader and defence minister George Fernandes died on 29 January, 2019, at the age of 88. He had been suffering from Alzheimers and Parkinson's for some time and lived as a recluse for the past few years. His passing marks the end of a generation of leadership, which saw and experienced the transition from the Cold War and the turning of the new millennium. This remembrance is nothing to do with his political career or adventurism as a trade unionist. It only recalls his tenure as defence minister of National Democratic Alliance-I because that's the way I'd like to remember him. Many others may prefer to remember him by his revolutionary ways. I met Fernandes only once, although I attended several briefings for him at Srinagar during the Kargil crisis. Our meeting was at the lounge of Mumbai airport and I was no more than a senior Colonel in the Army then. It should never have resulted in a conversation, but Fernandes had a penchant for speaking with the rank and file of the armed forces and gleaning for himself the state of preparedness and morale through such discussions. I had loathed and admired him at different times. His wayward and revolutionary ways in the 70s never appealed to my strict military upbringing through which I imposed on myself discipline and implicit obedience to authority. However, in later years as he emerged as a more mature politician and leader, one kept hearing better things. This meeting at the lounge was at the early part of his tenure as defence minister. Fernandes had just been to the Siachen glacier and it was beginning to fascinate him; I had commanded my unit at the glacier and was only too keen to share my knowledge. He seemed fascinated by things such as the Indian Armys deployment at the Saltoro ridge, much against his own perception and that of the common people of India that our army only held the glacier at the lower heights. I told him of the deployment at razor sharp peaks, the intense cold, how kerosene oil was the lifeline, the manner in which helicopters took only a single jerrican of kerosene in the first sortie to a higher post when its own aviation fuel was filled to the brim, and complained a bit about the poor allowances as compensation. I told him of snow scooters and how important these were for the effort to collect the parachuted oil barrels at the flat stretches. I related the story of how the body of a Gurkha soldier could not be taken off the glacier for almost a fortnight because mortal remains of the dead were the last priority for evacuation. He was a keen listener and I could see he absorbed it all and even noted one or two issues in a small diary. Later, Fernandes was to set a record with 18 visits to the Siachen glacier in his tenure as defence minister. He had little time for ceremony, but in each visit many officers related how he enquired about the rectification of issues raised in previous visits. Learning that some spares for snow scooters had not been delivered in the priority desired, he decided to send bureaucrats to go and experience the conditions for themselves before refusing anything the army demanded. I think the construction of the oil pipeline at the Northern Siachen glacier was a work of his time. I did not witness any generic briefings given to him at Delhi; only the specific ones dealing with the Kargil intrusions, but those who did recalled his inquisitiveness and ability to spot the core issues. He appeared to have an innovative mindset and was known for the respect he carried for men in uniform. Of course, he never admitted that the Kargil intrusions were any kind of intelligence failure perhaps because it was something that went with his political responsibilities. One can always question his wisdom and unwillingness to tolerate dissent from the unfortunate episode of the sacking of a very senior officer regarding a difference of opinion about the appointment of another senior officer. Post Kargil, Fernandes was a member of the group of ministers (GoM) set up to comprehensively review the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) report drafted under the supervision of K Subramaniam. The implementation of the various recommendations of the task forces the GoM set up remains a contentious issue. Some recommendations are discussed to this day more for their non-implementation; especially the integration of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the appointment of a Chief of the Defence Staff and the setting up of a National Defence University (NDU). Two alleged scandals besmirched Fernandes reputation to a great extent. The first was the so-called Coffingate which had allegations of overpricing of funeral caskets purchased from the US; it was never proven. The second was the infamous Tehelka scandal which revealed the murky nature of procurements in the Indian security system and forced Fernandes to hand over his resignation to then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Although he returned to the same office after six months, the ghosts of Tehelka could not be easily exorcised from his persona and allegations continued to cling due to differences in his own Samata party, a constituent of the NDA-I. Vajpayee and his political advisers calculated that Fernandes' re-induction was worth more than the storm of protests it would trigger not only from the Congress-led Opposition, but also within the BJP. Yet, one cannot forget that it was Fernandes who pushed the fast-track acquisition process for the purchase of a large number of defence-related hardware immediately after Kargil. Among these were the thermal imagers which were later to become the most crucial equipment for effective conduct of counter-infiltration operations. Most would also be unaware that the Rs 1,100 crore fencing at the Line of Control (LoC) was approved and executed to a major extent during the tenure of Fernandes. The fence went on to become a force multiplier and succeeded in reducing infiltration across the LoC. It was not easy making available the money so quickly and then executing the task on a war footing. His full confidence in the military hierarchy in a period when Jammu and Kashmir was being subjected to resurgence of intense violence helped in the conduct of counter-terror operations. Two other issues relating to Fernandes are worth mentioning. First, there is often an accusation that ideologically, he changed colour for the sake of office. An ardent opponent of military nuclearisation when the prime minister Indira Gandhi conducted the first Pokhran test, Fernandes later chose to support nuclear tests conducted by the NDA government. However, this can always be dismissed under changing perceptions that occur with reality of power. The second was the massive mobilisation under his watch in 2001-02 in an operation codenamed Operation Parakram. The Indian Army faced a large number of non-operational casualties, especially in mine laying and lifting, an issue never really discussed. However, again this could always be passed off as collective responsibility and not constituting the task of just the defence minister. Clearly Fernandes tenure as defence minister was among the most eventful in Indias history notwithstanding the fact that a full-scale war was never fought under his watch. However, the Indian Armed Forces and especially the leadership appeared reasonably satisfied with his stewardship of the Ministry of Defence, although civil-military relations remained an ever-present problem. What Fernandes probably brought most to the office of defence minister was a strategic sense, sharpness of mind and willingness to exert his political control rather than leave the security of India in bureaucratic hands. Rest in peace, George Fernandes. You did your bit and did it well. The Centre's writ petition in the Supreme Court maintains that the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas had sought the return of this 'excess' land to it. In 2003, the court had ordered that the status quo be maintained on this 67-acre plot. Within a day after the Supreme Court cancelled a hearing on the Ayodhya land dispute, which was scheduled for 29 January, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has once again gone into campaign mode on the issue. The Supreme Court's notification cancelling the hearing cited an unavoidable reason: the unavailability of one of the judges Justice SA Bobde of the five-judge Constitution Bench. That hasn't seemed to deter the attempts at brinkmanship. This time around, the difference is that it is the BJP-led government that is pushing the envelope now, while it had earlier left matters to the party and other members of the Sangh Parivar. On Monday, the central government filed an additional plea in the apex court, requesting that an earlier order on 67 acres of land surrounding the disputed site (0.313 acres), which was acquired by the government in 1993, be lifted. The Centre's writ petition maintains that the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas had sought the return of this "excess" land to it. In 2003, the Supreme Court had ordered that the status quo be maintained on this 67-acre plot. Now, the Centre has pleaded that the status quo order be lifted and the land be returned to its "original" owners the Nyas, a trust formed to promote and oversee the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Before getting to the political aspects of the case, a few technicalities must be disposed of. The Centre acquired the land in 1993, the same year the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had set up the trust specifically to build a temple at the disputed site. The trust had sought the return of the 67 acres to the 'original' owners. The BJP government at the Centre is now echoing this view. But given the timeline, it brings into question how the nyas can be the 'original' owner. The second is that the land was acquired in 1993, incidentally by a Congress government. Why has this government suddenly popped up 28 years or so later seeking the reversal of a 15-year-old order so it can "return" the land to the trust? After all, that is what will happen if the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, indeed, owns it. The court will just lift the order decreeing that the status quo verdict be withdrawn, and the BJP government will gift the land to the nyas. While arguing its case, it must specify the grounds on which this gift is to be made, or present cogent arguments in favour of the construal that the trust is the "original" owner. That, of course, is where the political context comes in. The BJP and the government is desperate to have a verdict delivered on the Ayodhya case in time for its campaign for the impending elections. That is clearly why Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, on Monday, said the Ayodhya case should be disposed of as early as possible and be heard on a priority basis. Prasad did clarify that he was speaking as a citizen, but that's bunkum. The law minister of the country does not speak on such politically and judicially sensitive matters as an ordinary citizen of the country. Prasad was reacting explicitly to the cancellation of the hearing. It is quite clear by now that the BJP leadership has despaired of a verdict arriving at their headquarters in time to boost their communal plank. With the cancellation of the 29 January hearing and an announcement on a rescheduled one uncertain as far as timing goes, any hopes that a verdict will be delivered 'in time' seems dead in the water. Why the BJP has been assuming, as it seems to have been doing, that the verdict, whenever it is passed, will be favourable for its political project, is a different question altogether. Failing a timely verdict, the BJP is prepared to employ any stratagem to bypass it. For the past few months, the central government has been under the cosh with regard to the construction of a Ram temple at the very spot where Lord Ram was putatively born in Ayodhya. It has been under pressure from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, various cousins in the Sangh Parivar, ally Shiv Sena and the BJP itself to promulgate an ordinance or pass a law to build the temple. By now, it has possibly figured out that that particular demand is meaningless. The Ayodhya case is essentially a property dispute. All that the Supreme Court will do is pronounce a verdict on the contending claims by revisiting the Allahabad High Court order of 2010. It doesn't have to say anything about a temple or a mosque. What can the Centre hope to achieve by promulgating an ordinance or passing a law? Pretty much nothing. What it can do is acquire the land and build a temple there. The problem is that until the Supreme Court decides on the title, it can't even acquire the land because it will not know whom to acquire it from, which leaves the BJP and its government in a bind. This is precisely why it has filed this new petition. Politically, the BJP is probably guessing that it is on a sticky wicket. Its hopes of returning to power with a majority have vanished. Even the National Democratic Alliance's hopes of getting a majority seem remote. Faced with an Opposition that is gaining momentum, and parties stitching up regional alliances, the ruling party's prospects look bleak. It sees the Ram temple as its electoral deus ex machina, never mind that the Ayodhya issue doesn't look like it has much traction. But what does it hope to achieve by giving this land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas if the court lifts the order on the status quo? What will probably happen is that all kinds of construction related to the putative Ram temple will begin at the disputed spot. Huge crowds will likely congregate there. And the BJP will be able to claim that work on the temple has begun and its promise has been fulfilled. It's a desperate gamble because even if they get a favourable order, the Opposition will be able to point out that this is sham electoral symbolism. That it is also dangerous brinkmanship is another matter, and there is no guarantee that it will go down well with a discerning electorate. George Fernandes transcended the boundaries of region, religion and caste. George Fernandes was a die-hard proponent of anti-Congressism, but with shifting loyalties Fernandes was a stalwart of Indian politics. Jailed during the Emergency, he roared like a lion from inside the cage. The picture showing him handcuffed inside the jail evoked sympathy across the country. Coming from a Christian family from Karnataka, he imbibed the true spirit of India. He transcended the boundaries of region, religion and caste. Congress looks to checkmate BJP through Rahul Gandhi's minimum income pledge The Congress-led UPA regime enacted National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme which guaranteed not only 100 days of work, but even a minimum wage. The Congress hopes that given this history, it can convince the voters of its intentions. Now, the electorate has to decide whether it believes this promise of Congress and render its judgement. Emboldened Taliban, and impending US drawdown means India must engage terrorist outfit in talks There is no doubt that the peace negotiations are not going to be a smooth affair. As the talks continued, the Taliban recently struck with A devastating suicide terror attack on an Afghan intelligence base, killing around 100 members of security personnel, exposing the fragility of the Kabul regime as well as the peace process itself. The beleaguered Afghan security forces are not capable of defeating the Taliban militarily. Viswanathan Anand on completing 30 years since his maiden Wijk aan Zee victory Looking back at this three-decade-long journey, Vishwanathan Anand said, "Its one of those tournaments that I know the best. I have also played some other events very often. Amber is another one, and there is Frankfurt-Mainz. These are the tournaments that I have played the most and in such long streaks. Its a special atmosphere. I mean, you know the tournament. Its a really old tradition; its a bit like coming home." Call Me By Your Name author Andre Aciman on writing about love, desire, longing, and loss Born in Alexandria, Andre Aciman and his family moved to Rome as refugees. This journey was explored in detail in his memoir, Out of Egypt. Today, he is a professor of Comparative Literature at the Graduate Centre, and the author of four novels. He was recently in India, to attend the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Centre and Delhi government to order investigations by a special investigation team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the supervision of the court into incidents of sexual abuse of children and nuns allegedly by members of the Catholic clergy. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Centre and Delhi government to order investigations by a special investigation team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the supervision of the court into incidents of sexual abuse of children and nuns allegedly by members of the Catholic clergy. The court said, "There are no specific allegations in the plea. We are not going to look into it. Kerala matter is before the Supreme Court." The plea had also sought directions to the Delhi Police to set up a clergy abuse hotline number so that Catholic churches, sexually abused victims and survivors may come forward to seek justice by registering their grievance and any person may give leads or tips to the law enforcement agency. The plea also sought directions to churches and dioceses, both at the national capital and all over India, to display the clergy abuse hotline number and an email address for victims. MJ Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on 17 October, 2018, filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India New Delhi: A Delhi court Tuesday summoned scribe Priya Ramani to appear on 25 February in a defamation case filed by former Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal issued the direction on Akbar's plea. Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on 17 October, 2018, filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago, which was denied by him. The Centre has filed a writ petition in SC, requesting it to modify a 2003 order so it can transfer the 'non-disputed' parts of land acquired in Ayodhya to the Ram Janmabhoomi trust. The Narendra Modi government has filed a writ petition, requesting the Supreme Court to modify a 2003 order on a plot in Ayodhya. The Centre has sought the release of "surplus", "non-disputed" land from the 67 acres it had acquired near the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya, of which around 0.313 acres is the disputed land, as mentioned in the petition. The controversy around Ayodhya has existed for decades. In December 1949, Hindu devotees placed idols inside the mosque at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The plot was subsequently attached under Section 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Interim orders, which were passed in the civil suits that followed, restrained the parties from removing the idols from the mosque or interfering with their worship. So in effect, the structure was not used as a mosque from 23 December, 1949, till 6 December 1992, when it was demolished by Hindu 'karsevaks'. The Ayodhya dispute case is basically about who is the rightful owner of the 2.77 acres of land, which includes the 0.313 acres where the dome of the masjid stood and its surrounded areas. What is the 'non-disputed' plot in Ayodhya that the Centre is referring to? The Centre had acquired 67.703 acres in Ayodhya, including the site where the Babri Masjid stood, by the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act, 1993. In its writ petition, the government has now said that as the dispute pertains to only the 0.313 acres where the mosque once stood, the "surplus" and "excess" land should be allowed to be transferred to its rightful owners. In 2003, the Supreme Court denied permission for a 'Shila Pujan' ceremony to be organised at Ayodhya for the construction of a Ram temple, and ordered a status quo on both the disputed site and the 67-odd acres of acquired land. In their latest petition, the Centre wants to release this land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, a trust set up to promote and oversee the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. It referred to the Supreme Court's Ismail Faruqui judgment from 1994, which said that the State could consider returning the 67 acres of acquired land surrounding the disputed plot after the Allahabad High Court passed its order on the civil suits pertaining to the Ayodhya case. The 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment was on the dispute over whether the 2.77 acres belongs to the Sunni Central Waqf Board, the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha or Ram Lalla. In its verdict, the court had ruled that the portion below the central dome under which Hindu devotees had placed the idols of Lord Ram and other gods belonged to Hindus. Now, among the appeals in the Supreme Court are petitions filed by the Sunni Waqf Board and Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, challenging the high court order dividing the 2.7 acres equally among the two parties and Ram Lalla. In its writ petition, referring to the Ismail Faruqi case, the Centre pointed out that as the Allahabad High Court had given its verdict and appeals against the ruling are pending before the Supreme Court, it won't serve any purpose for the Centre to keep the "excess" land in its control, and that it would be better to return it to its original owners. The government also assured the court that it will provide an entrance and exit path to the disputed site so that whosoever wins the Ayodhya title suit does not lose access to the core 0.313 acres because of the transfer of the surrounding 67 odd acres to the Ram Janmabhoomi trust. Centre approved the release of Rs 7,214 crore to Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, UP, Gujarat, Puducherry following disasters New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday approved the release of Rs 7,214 crore to six states and a Union Territory, including Rs 4,714 crore to Maharashtra, for floods, drought and cyclone damage. A statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said a high-level committee, headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, sanctioned the additional central assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) of Rs 7,214.03 crore to six states and one Union Territory. Among the sanctioned amount, Rs 4,714.28 crore will be given to Maharashtra (drought), Rs 949.49 crore to Karnataka (drought), Rs 900.4 crore to Andhra Pradesh (drought), Rs 317.44 crore to Himachal Pradesh (flood and landslides), Rs 191.73 crore to Uttar Pradesh (flood), Rs 127.60 crore to Gujarat (drought) and Rs 13.09 crore to UT of Puducherry (cyclone). The meeting was held here to consider the additional central assistance to these six states and one UT, which were affected by floods, landslides, cloudburst and cyclone Gaja and drought during kharif season 2018-19, the statement said. Union Finance Minister Piyush Goel, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and senior officers of the ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, Agriculture and NITI Aayog were present in the meeting. Fed up with lack of basic amenities and proper infrastructure at NIT Manipur, all the 912 students of the technical institute have threatened to quit if the authorities fail to address their grievances Fed up with lack of basic amenities and proper infrastructure at NIT Manipur, all the 912 students of the technical institute have threatened to quit if the authorities fail to address their grievances. The students, who have been on sit-in-protests outside the institute's administrative block since 21 January, are demanding proper classrooms, hostel facilities, books in the library, a functional auditorium, and well-maintained campus. Sumit, a second-year civil engineering student from Bihar, said NIT Manipur is a disgrace to the idea of NIT. Pointing at hole-punctuated walls, dilapidated ceilings and broken tables and benches in classrooms, Sumit said that the campus lacks even functional drainage and a garbage management system, causing great inconvenience to the students. We come here after a lot of hard work and a long, competitive process. But what we have found here are broken walls. The campus is similar to a jungle. During the rains, it gets flooded compelling us to fold our trousers up to our knees to go to class," he informs. The engineering student also complains of poor accommodation being provided in the institute-run hostels, and how eight to seven students are compelled to share a room. "Were only demanding proper classroom and proper accommodation. If you see our accommodation you will be shocked. Were literally living like animals, he said. Abhay Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, a second-year student at NIT Manipur, says that he was delighted when the Centre announced 10 percent reservation for economically weaker sections from the General category in national institutes, however, his optimism is nipped by the condition prevailing in the institute. He says that all the 912 students enrolled in NIT Manipur have resolved to quit the institute if the concerned authorities fail to listen to their demands and make earnest efforts to address their grievances. "The 10 percent reservation would have no meaning if one lands up in an institution like this. This is a great loss for us. If the authorities continue to ignore our grievances, we may have to quit the college, he says. NIT Manipur was established by the MHRD in 2010 along with 10 other NITs, whereas, the construction started in 2011 at an approved cost of Rs 250 crore. However, a revised proposal of Rs 330 crores was put up before the ministrys expenditure finance committee. However, a panel of the ministry, which visited the campus, raised questions over the manner in which the money was spent even when the suitability of the site was in doubt. Insisting that the suitability of the site, needs to be reassessed because of problems of waterlogging, the panel has called for an inquiry so that responsibility can be fixed for the "lapses" in decision making. A project monitoring unit (PMU) of the MHRD also visited the site and recommended an audit of expenses incurred towards the creation of facilities on the site. Besides the MHRD, NIT Manipur director Goutam Sutradhar, who took charge of the institute last year, had also reported diversion of funds. The Director had revealed that the quality of construction, carried out by a state government agency was poor with cracks being noticed on the walls and the floors. The MHRD then ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of misappropriation of funds and banned all construction work on the site. This, however, created a lot of problems for the 912 students who are currently enrolled in the institute. Reacting to the students protest, Professor Khumanthem Manglem Singh, the registrar-in-charge of NIT Manipur, said that the institute is the Government of India's responsibility and that it should ensure that the institute progresses in the right direction and that students, faculty and all members of staff of the institute do not suffer due to cases of "some financial misappropriation". Admitting lack of proper facilities, and that the institute is being run using temporary infrastructure, Singh also questions the suitability of the site. The problem is that whatever weve built is slowly sinking down as the campus is located in a low-lying area. And because the MHRD has imposed a restriction, we cannot go for other constructions," he says. The lack of infrastructure has also affected NIT Manipurs ranking amongst the NITs in the country. Students claim that the NIT Manipur's ranking has dropped from 15th position to 28th because of lack of proper infrastructure. However, Singh claims that out of the 10 NITs created in 2010, NIT Manipur is doing quite well. "All the 10 NITs which were established in 2010, including Manipur, have poor infrastructure. The Delhi NIT is an exception as it is located in the national capital. As far as NIT Manipur is considered, it does not lag much behind the other newly established NITs. Comparatively, we have more classrooms, more hostels and we certainly have one of the largest numbers of students. Weve 912 students. This is because weve started offering BTech in five different engineering branches and three MSc courses Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Currently, we are offering B Tech, MTech and PhD courses. Singh said that the MHRD needs to complete the investigation as soon as possible and take steps to address the grievances raised by the students. He added that vacancies in faculty also need to be filled soon. So far, out of the 54 sanctioned posts for teaching staff, NIT Manipur has only 32 members as part of the regular teaching staff. If one were to consider the national teacher-school ratio, the sanctioned posts should go up to 76, he claims. While it is unclear as to when the students will return to their classes, a bright side to the development in the status of NIT Manipur is that MHRD officials who recently visited the campus assured that some funds could be provided to complete some of the priority building. Brexit: How to keep the Irish border free-flowing has proved to be the toughest issue to resolve in negotiating Britain's exit from the European Union. How to keep the Irish border free-flowing has proved to be the toughest issue to resolve in negotiating Britain's exit from the European Union. The Brexit deal between London and Brussels overwhelmingly rejected this month by British MPs contains a so-called backstop provision ensuring that if all else fails, the border will remain open. The boundary on the island of Ireland between Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland is currently free from infrastructure. London, Brussels, Dublin and Belfast all want it to stay that way, but making this compatible with Brexit is a circle yet to be squared. Why is this an issue? Both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are EU member states. After the UK leaves, the Irish border will become an EU external frontier. Because the British government aims to leave the EU's customs union and single market, checks would be required on products coming in and out. Britain, Ireland and the EU have pledged to avoid any physical infrastructure, or "hard border". Many fear it could upset the delicate peace process that ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar on Friday warned that Britain leaving without an official deal could lead to "people in uniform" being stationed on the border. Residents and businesses on both sides of the 500-kilometre frontier also emphasise the importance of maintaining the free flow of trade and passenger traffic. What was agreed? The withdrawal agreement concluded in December rejected last week by British MPs included a position of last resort on the Irish border, intended as a guarantee. London and Brussels aim to strike a permanent trade deal in the time between Britain leaving the EU on 29 March and the end of 2020, when the transition period covered by the withdrawal agreement runs out. But if that proves impossible, Britain would remain aligned with the EU customs union after 2020, while Northern Ireland would further stay aligned to some single market rules, in order to keep the Irish border open. Neither London nor Brussels can end the arrangement unilaterally. May's Conservative minority government is propped up by the Democratic Unionists (DUP), Northern Ireland's pro-British and pro-Brexit party. Many Conservative MPs and the DUP have rejected the draft deal. They argue it would effectively carve off Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK by giving it a different economic status, and hamper free trade deals with other countries. Where do key players now stand? European states will not agree to any arrangement that undermines the EU's cherished single market. Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Monday floated putting a five-year time limit on the backstop, but Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney immediately rejected the idea. The DUP will not accept Northern Ireland following trade rules set by the EU, or new barriers to mainland Britain. The British mainland accounts for 58 percent of Northern Ireland's sales outside the province nearly four times the value of exports to the Republic of Ireland in 2016. As Britain will be unable to leave the arrangement without the EU's say-so, Conservative Brexiteers fear being permanently trapped in EU structures. They have been encouraged by recent comments from Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator. Barnier said on Wednesday that "we will have to find an operational way of carrying out checks and controls without putting back in place a border" in the event of a no-deal, raising questions about the backstop's necessity. But Brussels is unenthusiastic about tinkering with the Brexit deal. Is there a security risk? British and Irish army checkpoints along the border were removed after the 1998 Good Friday peace accords, which largely ended three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland in which around 3,500 people were killed. During "The Troubles", the border was a flashpoint for attacks and a lucrative smuggling route that helped fund paramilitaries. Police have warned that any new infrastructure along the border could become a target for paramilitary activity by dissident militants who did not sign up to the peace deal. This month's car bomb in the Northern Irish border city of Derry, being blamed on dissidents, emphasised that the threat has not gone away. BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha alleged that the attack was the handiwork of TMC supporters. He alleged that the TMC supporters also attacked women travelling in these vehicles. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of unleashing "terror" in the state and called her "Talibani Didi". "We have seen as to how Mamata Banerjee has unleashed the terror of TMC on the BJP and the ordinary people of West Bengal," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters in Delhi. Referring to the damage caused to parked vehicles at the rally venue of Amit Shah in East Midnapore, Patra said: "Workers of the BJP were pulled out of the buses and were beaten up by TMC goons." "Is this democracy? Police were watching the whole unfortunate incident as a mute spectator. The BJP workers were beaten up by the supporters of Mamata Banerjee. She is behaving like a Talibani Didi," he said. Patra also claimed that Mamata was capable of halting any event organised in the state to criticise Pakistan over Kashmir matter, fearing that the neighbouring country would get worried and the situation in West Bengal could get tense. "Chief Minister Banerjee supports Rohingyas, Bangladeshis, and all those forces which are against India," said the BJP spokesperson. Condemning the attack on the vehicles used to ferry the audience for Shahs rally, Patra said: "It is Mamata Banerjee who very well knows that the vote share of BJP is consistently increasing in Bengal. That is the reason as to why she is behaving like this. We condemned this behaviour of Mamata Banerjee, which is undemocratic and also lethal for democracy," he said. The vehicles used for taking audience to Shahs rally in East Midnapore on Tuesday were vandalised by some miscreants when they were parked outside the rally venue. BJP supporters also staged a demonstration, condemning the attack on the parked vehicles. Police said the miscreants lobbed stones on the vehicles and also torched some vehicles. BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha alleged that the attack was the handiwork of TMC supporters. He alleged that the TMC supporters also attacked women travelling in these vehicles. Sinha told ANI, "The TMC is afraid of our strength. That is why they indulged in violence. Unfortunate that everything happened in front of the police, and attackers did not even spare women workers." Mamata-led TMC government had earlier denied permission for the BJP presidents chopper to land in Malda district where he eventually held a rally on 22 January. The Malda district administration, however, said that it was not possible to grant permission to land VVIP helicopters owing to the construction work. Earlier, the state government had raised apprehensions that law and order would be compromised and communal harmony would be disturbed if the BJP were allowed to hold "Rath Yatras" in the state. Later, the Supreme Court allowed the BJP to hold rallies across West Bengal. The tribal council elections have just ended in Assam, and the BJP has swept the polls. This may have come as a surprise for those who expected the BJP to be punished for its misadventures with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. News emerging from Assam painted a bleak picture of the BJP's 'mismanagement' and blunders with a bill that apparently further marginalises the indigenous tribes of Assam and endangers their identity. The tribal council elections have just ended in Assam, and the BJP has swept the polls. This may have come as a surprise for those who expected the BJP to be punished for its misadventures with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. News emerging from Assam painted a bleak picture of the BJP's 'mismanagement' and blunders with a bill that apparently further marginalises the indigenous tribes of Assam and endangers their identity. The curious thing is that the opposite seems to have happened. If the tribes were up in arms against the BJP, as has been reported, the results belie the narrative. In the recently-held autonomous tribal council elections for the Mising Autonomous Council (MAC), the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) and the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council (SKAC), the BJP and its ally whitewashed their rivals. According to media reports, the BJP, along with the Jautha Sangram Samity, pocketed 34 of the 36 seats in the RHAC. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Congress won one seat each. In the SKAC, the BJP bagged 18 seats, while in the MAC, the BJP and Ganashakti party together managed to win 34 of the 35 seats. #Assam marches on with @BJP4India Delighted at stupendous performance of BJP in The election of Tribal Councils A)Rabha Jautha Sangram Samity +BJP 34 of 36, AGP & @INCIndia 1 each; B)Sonowal Kachari: BJP 18, Cong 5, Ind 3; C)Mishing: Ganasakti +BJP 34 out of 35, Ind-1 Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 28, 2019 The @BJP4India is fully committed towards the development and prosperity of Assam. We will always protect the interests of the state. Several initiatives of the Central and Assam Government have contributed towards transforming lives of the citizens of Assam. @BJP4Assam Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 There are elections and narratives about elections, and often, these don't match. The reasons are many. One good reason is that instead of letting reality shape the narrative, narratives seek to shape reality. In the process, narratives reveal less about the real issues that need attention and more about those who build it. Narratives need not always have an agenda. Sometimes, the pressure to break down the complexity of an election into a simple storyline also leads to mistakes. We have been told that Assam is burning, and the BJP is chiefly responsible for it. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha on the last day of the Winter Session of Parliament on 8 January, has caused massive unrest among the aboriginal tribes because it promises to open India's borders to non-Muslim refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and reinforce the demographic changes. Even as Assam is busy updating its National Register of Citizens to identify illegal immigrants from Assam, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, we are told, is seeking to put the "very idea of Assam at stake". One such article among a clutch of pieces, carried in HuffPost India, says that the BJP has "betrayed" the people of Assam by pushing through a bill that divides Assam on communal lines, and for this mistake, "if not anything, at least in the 2019 elections, the BJP will be taught a lesson". Another one, carried in Firstpost, says the BJP has "misread Assam and North East's socio-cultural fabric" by bringing in a communal bill, and the party may pay a heavy price in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "What it failed to read is the mismatch between Hindutva ideology and Assamese sub-nationalism, the two things the BJP has tried to unite vehemently. Not surprising then that the results are starker. People have refused to buy the religion-based Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, that promises to grant citizenship to Hindu refugees, among others," it reads. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has sought to re-imagine the contours of Assam, a troubled state where immigration has wreaked havoc to the state's social and cultural fabric. The charge against the BJP is that it rode the promise to solve the problem of illegal immigration and came into power, but it now wants to implement its own version of social engineering by excluding Muslim immigrants and granting citizenship to Hindu refugees, thereby "betraying" its original promise. This, say critics and protestors against the bill, doesn't solve Assam's problems but adds an extra communal angle to it. There is no question that the bill is contentious. The AGP broke its alliance with the BJP just a day before the Lok Sabha passed it. There have been protests all over Assam; three AGP ministers have resigned from the Assam Cabinet; and fissures have emerged even from within the party. BJP MLA from Bihpuria Debananda Hazarika said he cannot accept the bill because "a foreigner is a foreigner". "Religion cannot be the basis on which a section of foreigners can be granted citizenship," he said. But does this present the full picture? Or are we missing the wood for trees? Former Assam chief minister and senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi is confident the BJP will bite the dust in the Lok Sabha elections and his party will "more than double its seats". He told The Print that the BJP may feel it "will benefit from this bill, but according to me, they won"t. "People are agitating If the BJP had support, why would people be on the streets? The bill isn't acceptable to the people, so how will the BJP win in a democracy? Indian people are not so communal, particularly not the people of Assam," he said. The results don't match Gogoi's optimism. Monday's results are part of a larger trend that indicate that the BJP's political fortunes in Assam are improving, not waning. In the other tribal council poll held on 19 January the election to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) the BJP won 19 of the 28 seats, the Congress got two and the AGP, one. Incidentally, in 2013, the BJP had drawn a blank in the NCHAC polls, while the Congress and Independent candidates had won 10 seats each. Not to mention the fact that the BJP's sweep of the autonomous tribal council elections comes less than two months since it won the three-tier Assam panchayat polls by bagging 42 percent of the total seats in the fray. The BJP bagged 11,325 of the total 26,784 polls cast in the elections held on 9 December with an 82 percent voter turnout. The Congress came second, securing 34 percent of the seats, according to the Assam State Election Commission. Clearly, the existing political narrative that the BJP is burning Assam and the state's ethnic tribes and secular citizens are up in arms against its social and communal engineering cannot adequately explain the factors that determine elections. Whether that is due to inadequacy of data or wilful shaping of reality to suit the narrative is moot. One can draw a larger inference from this gap between electoral narratives and reality. A larger canvas may actually serve to make the distortion even bigger if there is a narrative-induced distortion to begin with. It might be worthwhile to take the poll predictions with more than a pinch of salt. The Modi government has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, asking it to release the 'excess' land the government had acquired in Ayodhya around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Uttar Pradesh. The Centre on Tuesday filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court in connection with the Ayodhya dispute. It has requested the court to release the "excess vacant land" the government had acquired around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Uttar Pradesh so it can transfer this "non-disputed" plot to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas organisation. The organisation is a trust that was formed to promote and oversee the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The government had acquired 67 acres at the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site through an act in 1993, but the Supreme Court had ordered a status quo in 2003 on the entire land in Ayodhya where the 16th Century mosque stood before it was demolished by Hindu activists in 1992. The Babri Masjid stood on 0.313 acres of these 67 acres, which constitutes the disputed land. #NewsAlert Centre files writ petition in the Supreme Court on the Ram janmabhoomi issue. Detailed inputs by @maryashakil and @utkarsh_aanand. | #RamMandirPolitics pic.twitter.com/p0tvqTFf2O News18 (@CNNnews18) January 29, 2019 Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, this writ petition is being seen as the BJP-led government's move to reaffirm its commitment towards building a Ram temple in Ayodhya. CNN-News18 reported that the government will make efforts to return this undisputed land to its "Hindu" owners after ascertaining the exact area of the disputed plot. In its petition, the Centre said the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas had sought the return of this excess land in 1991. It pointed out the Supreme Court's Ismail Faruqi judgment of 1994, in which it had said the government could consider returning the acquired land after the Allahabad High Court passed its order on the disputed plot. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who on Saturday had said that the matter should be handed over to the state government so that it can be resolved "withi 24 hours", welcomed the Centre's move and said, "We welcome the move by the Centre. We have been saying that we should get permission to use the undisputed land." BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav also supported the petition saying the Supreme Court "should allow" the government to return the land. "This is a much-awaited move. The Supreme Court should allow it as it's the least that can be done in the face of the inordinate delay by the court." Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy said the "initial work" on the Ram temple could be started. He tweeted, "There is already a Ram Mandir standing on the on the Ram Janmabhoomi but it is in a tent. Till title suit is decided we will build all other parts of the temple is built. Then thereafter we will construct the sanctum sanctorum." He also tweeted that at a meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, he had discussed "his approach" to the issue. "But the Centre was keen to obtain prior permission to start the construction." Uttar Pradesh minister Siddharth Nath Singh said the "government wants what the people want". According to CNN-news18, he said, "The government believes that the Ram mandir should be built as soon as possible, so it is trying all constitutional methods to make the process faster." The report also quoted Iqbal Ansari, a petitioner in the case, as saying that there was "no problem" with the Centre's move to transfer the undisputed land to the Ram Janmabhoomi trust. However, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said that the government was "threatening the judicial process". In a tweet, he said, "In 2003, the Supreme Court held that unless the dispute is resolved, status quo has to be maintained over surplus land. The government knows this. Threatening the judicial process like this is another (failed) attempt to save BJP from their rapidly diminishing political fortunes." he said. The petition comes the day the Supreme Court was supposed to begin the long-anticipated hearing on the Ayodhya title dispute case, but the court cancelled the hearing due to the unavailability of one of the judges on the five-judge Constitution Bench. On Monday, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had disapproved of the slow pace of hearing on the Ayodhya title suit in the Supreme Court. He had appealed to the court for an "expeditious decision" as had been done in matters related to adultery and the Sabarimala temple. "It is the wish of the people of the country that a Ram temple be built at Ayodhya. Our prime minister and our party president have also made it clear that this will take place within the constitutional framework," Prasad had said. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked parents not to expect their children to fulfil their unfulfilled dreams as he interacted with a number of students, teachers and parents in the second edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha event at New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium. New Delhi: Parents should not treat the "report cards" of children as their "visiting cards" or expect them to fulfill their unfulfilled dreams, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he interacted Tuesday with around 2,000 students, teachers and parents in the second edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha. He encouraged parents to be a factor of motivation and encouragement for their children. "I would request parents, do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths... It is important to understand these positives of every child. Parents often treat the report cards of their children as their visiting cards and that adds extra pressure on them which is very unreal and unhealthy," he said. "Only when you take it in spirit and encourage your child a 60 percent holder moves towards 70 or 80 percent. If you only criticize and scold your child for not getting 90 percent you will demotivate your child to start believing that they are incapable. This will take their grades further down towards 40 percent," the prime minister added. With less than a month to go for the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, Modi discussed ways to handle the exam stress in the interactive session at the Talkatora Stadium where students from across the country got a chance to participate. "Our learning cannot be reduced to exams only. Our education must equip us to face various challenges of life as well. I sincerely believe that anything that challenges us, polishes us too. If there is nothing to test us, then we become complacent. There must always be something to challenge us," he said. Jairpeet Singh, a student based in Tehran, asked the prime minister about the need to encourage students constantly and how it makes children happy. "Compare yourself with your old record, you are your own competition, you break your records, you will never have the chance to drown in a trough of despair if you break your records yourself," Modi replied. "Exams are important in life, but one should not be stressed by it. Ask yourselves if this an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class 10 or 12. Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce," he added. The prime minister advised the students to aim big in life but do not get carried away in the process of realising them. "While aiming big in life is good, but don't get so carried away by it that your dreams remain dreams, and you become too old just thinking about it. We must understand ourselves. We must be true to ourselves, questions ourselves frequently to see how we stand periodically as compared to our ambitions and dreams in life. "If you see yourself far from it, then you know what to do. You must break your dreams into phases and give it a time frame to achieve. You must cross one milestone at a time. Climb from a smaller peak to a larger one," Modi said. The prime minister said technology should lead to expansion of the mind and be seen as a means to innovate, but, he also asked students not to forget the playing field. Responding to a question about how he manages to work continuously for over 17 hours a day, he said, "We work hard, but we all go through some setbacks in life. You work 17 hours a day, how do you keep yourself motivated?" "What keeps a mother motivated and energized through the day, doing so many things tirelessly? She does it for her family and their wellbeing. Similarly, I truly consider all my fellow countrymen as my family. That is what keeps me encouraged and motivated." The Indian Army has joined Navy, NDRF in operations to search for miners trapped inside a coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district Shillong: The Indian Army has joined the multi-agency operations to search for the remaining 13 miners trapped inside a 370-foot-deep coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, officials said on Tuesday. "The Indian Navy had requested the Army to assist in rescue operations by providing administrative support and it has now set up camps at the site," defence spokesperson Ratnakar Singh told PTI. An Army team comprising about 20-25 members has been deployed to support the Navy, he said. "This is only administrative support to the Navy in case need be, for efficient, smooth and round-the-clock operations," Singh added. Nearly 200 rescue personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Navy, Odisha Fire Service and state agencies are involved in the search-and-rescue operation. Although two decomposed bodies of the miners have been found over 200 feet away from the bottom of the main shaft, only one of them could be pulled out and was handed over to family members in Assam. Efforts are underway to retrieve the remains of the second miner, but the operation is taking longer as there are many obstacles like the turbidity of water, the officials said. On December 13, water from the nearby Lytein River flooded a network of tunnels in the illegal rat-hole coal mine in Lumthari village of East Jaintia Hills, trapping the 15 men and prompting the multiple-agency rescue attempt. The owner of the mine, Krip Chullet, was arrested from his home on December 14. His accomplices are on the run. Known best for his role as the anti-Emergency crusader and a firebrand socialist leader of Independent India, former defence minister George Fernandes passed away in his Delhi residence on Tuesday Known best for his role as the anti-Emergency crusader and a firebrand socialist leader of independent India, former defence minister George Fernandes passed away in his Delhi residence at 7 am on Tuesday. Reports have said that the former Union minister was suffering from swine flu. In a political career spanning over three decades, Fernandes served several times as a Union Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios such as communications, industry, and railways, besides defence. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1967. He served as the defence minister in 1998-99 and then between 1999 and 2001. Described as a "livewire", Fernandes' role in the post-Independence era is indisputable. Fernandes was also the figure of hope for the rising middle class. An article in DailyO notes that Fernandes was a boy from Mangaluru when he "worked as a hotel worker in Bombay, slept on the streets until P D'mello took him under his wings, and rose to become the most powerful union leader in the financial capital of India. He had more than 1.5 lakh municipal workers, BEST employees and taxi drivers under his control. He could shut Mumbai down with a single call. From the chief minister to the municipal commissioner, Fernandes had the might to take on everyone." Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet called Fernandes 'frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted". Arrested during the Emergency, Fernandes was the industries minister in the first non-Congress government that came to power after the Janata Party defeated Indira Gandhi whom Fernandes once called a "congenital liar". #GeorgeFernandes was trending on Twitter and Twitterati shared the famed image of Fernandes where the former Union minister is handcuffed and has his fist in the air. Fernandes did not believe that non-violent resistance worked in every situation or was not the "only weapon to be used in a battle for justice." Reportedly, when asked whether violent means were justified, he said, "Anything is justified to save democracy." Even after the Emergency was lifted, Fernandes languished in prison for some time and was not released even during the 1977 Lok Sabha elections. Fernandes fought the elections from jail and won the Muzaffarpur constituency with historical margins. A rebel all his life, Fernandes grew up in erstwhile Mangalore and was trained to be a Catholic priest. In The Emergency: A Personal History, Coomi Kapoor writes, "Disillusioned by what he considered the hypocrisy of the church, he left the seminary at eighteen and drifted to Bombay in search of employment. He slept at night on the benches at Chowpatty beach and became actively involved with the trade union movement and the Socialist Party. Ram Manohar Lohia, the unconventional and outspoken socialist leader, was his inspiration." Fernandes mastered Hindi, Marathi and other languages and was known for the ability to forge (or break) alliances. The Wire notes, "...the sheer magnetism that could command lasting loyalty, marked him with a heroism that would endure. It would endure because behind the dazzle and the sparkle lay a core of genuine moral courage." Fernandes came to Lok Sabha in 1967 after defeating SK Patil from Bombay South indicating to the country that he was not just a trade union leader. Then came the 1974 railway strike. The strike was a result of railway workers pent up emotions that spilled over in what can be termed as a major uprising. In spite of the benefits given by the Third Pay Commission, the condition of workers did not improve and as a result under the leadership of Fernandes, who was then president of All India Railwaymens Federation (AIRF), railwaymen went on strike. In its report from then (published on 8 May, 1974), The New York Times wrote: "The restless mood in New Delhi was underscored in a message from prison by George Fernandes, a 44-year-old Socialist party leader and organizer of the strike. Mr. Fernandes, who is one of the more than 1,000 union leaders and railway workers recently arrested, said: The time for action has come. For railwaymen it is now do or die." Thousands of railway workers in the metro cities of Bombay, New Delhi, Calcutta and Madras walked off their jobs and there was a huge crisis in the country as disruptions in Indian Railways could cripple the nation of 570 million. His unfaltering dislike for Indira Gandhi, whom he referred to as "that woman", was not hidden. According to Kapoor, "He (Fernandes) felt the primary objective was to remove fear from the minds of the people. To this end he believed that the underground should undertake acts of defiance, which might even be violent but which should not result in any casualties." Fernandes as the industry minister was solely responsible for banning Coke in India which in turn enabled the birth of Thumbs Up. In VP Singh's cabinet in 1989, he marked his legacy as railways minister by introducing the historic Konkan Railway, along with the then finance minister Madhu Dandavate. Fernandes' downfall began after he backed the Morarji Desai government. Unlike Lalu Prasad Yadav, Fernandes could only bank on his popularity and despite being a Christian rarely played the minority card. According to observers, Fernandes drifted towards the BJP to sustain his relevance in national politics and even as the former union minister shared an excellent rapport with two BJP stalwarts, joining BJP was the "last nail in the coffin of his credibility." Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said he has already started preparations about the scheme. Gehlot said that the country is capable of providing such a guarantee to its citizens. Jaipur: Welcoming Congress president Rahul Gandhi's announcement of minimum income guarantee to poor, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said he has already started preparations about the scheme. Gehlot said that the country is capable of providing such a guarantee to its citizens. "This is a historic announcement. I have started preparations from today that how this scheme can be implemented, how this should be implemented and what model should be there for the implementation," Gehlot told reporters. He said that the governments formed by the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are fulfilling the promises made by Rahul; ahead of the state polls. "Whatever promises he made during assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, we are fulfilling them, be it farm loan waiver or allowance to unemployed youths. The announcement of minimum income by Rahul is historic," he said. "Everything is possible if a government has willpower," he added. Rahul on Monday promised his party would ensure minimum income guarantee for every poor person if it comes to power at the Centre, echoing the 'Garibi Hatao' ('Remove Poverty') slogan coined by his grandmother Indira Gandhi during the 1971 general elections that she won. A firebrand trade unionist and socialist, George Fernandes belonged to a rare bunch of political leaders who rose above caste, religious and regional identities to leave an indelible mark on Indian politics. New Delhi: A firebrand trade unionist and socialist, George Fernandes belonged to a rare bunch of political leaders who rose above caste, religious and regional identities to leave an indelible mark on Indian politics. Born in Mangaluru in a Christian family in 1930, he was a staunch anti-Congress leader. His tie-up with the BJP in mid 1990s was crucial in ending the saffron party's isolation in alliance politics as many "secular" parties followed his cue and propelled it to power twice under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership. His underground crusade against the Emergency catapulted him among the leading opposition figures. A photograph of Fernandes, with his shock of unkempt hair, raising a manacled hand in defiance remains one of the most enduring images of those times. Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Fernandes' colleague for years in several socialist parties, said his unimpeachable commitment to democracy and willingness to go to any length to propagate his cause was an inspiration to him and many others during the Emergency. Fernandes entered electoral politics with a bang after he, as the Samyukta Socialist Party candidate, defeated seasoned Congress leader SK Patila in Bombay South constituency in 1967. An active trade unionist, he was involved in the railway strike in 1974, which disrupted train services across the country and invited a massive government crackdown. He later shifted his political base to Muzaffarpur in Bihar and won the election from there in 1977. He was appointed the industries minister in the Janata Party government, and his tenure was marked with multinational firms Coca Cola and IBM shutting down their Indian operations as he pushed hard government regulations. Long a trenchant critic of the BJP and its ideological parent Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, he warmed up to its top leaders LK Advani and Vajpayee as the national politics saw the rise of regional chieftains, including Lalu Prasad in Bihar. It is believed that he played a key role in bringing Nitish Kumar, who like Fernandes had begun drifting away from Prasad, then Bihar chief minister, to the BJP-led alliance after the 1995 assembly polls in the state. He became the defence minister in the Vajpayee government and it was under his tenure that the nuclear test in Pokhran was conducted in 1998 and India fought the Kargil war against Pakistan in 1999. With Alzheimer's disease afflicting him, he was out of the public eye for close to a decade as his family members nursed him at home. Some will say that it was, in a way, a fitting end to his political career when he fought a lonely battle from Muzaffarpur in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls after his party JD(U) denied him a ticket as Alzheimer's hit him. Sadly, it was one electoral battle he lost. Twelve people, including three children, died after two cars had a head-on collision at Ujjain's Ramgarh village late on Monday night. Ujjain: Twelve people, including three children, died after two cars had a head-on collision at Ujjain's Ramgarh village late on Monday night. While speaking to ANI, Ujjain Chief Superintendent of Police Rawat said, "Twelve people died after two cars collided in Ujjain. One person has sustained injuries. The investigation into the matter is underway." The deceased have been identified as the residents of Tilakeshwar Colony and its surrounding regions. They were returning home after attending a wedding in Nagda. While expressing grief over the incident, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath announced compensation of Rs two lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased killed in the accident. In addition, he also announced free treatment for the injured. Yes Bank said recently select senior board of directors of the bank had interacted with Kapur and her family. New Delhi: Yes Bank promoters Rana Kapoor and Madhu Kapur have agreed to nominate one representative director each on the bank's board as part of truce being under the works, the private lender said Tuesday. The bank in November had said that efforts were underway for mutual resolution and truce between Rana Kapoor group and Madhu Kapur and her family, the two co-promoters groups of the private sector lender. Yes Bank said recently select senior board of directors of the bank had interacted with Kapur and her family. "Madhu Kapur Group and Rana Kapoor Group have agreed to nominate one representative director each on the bank's board, subject to the completion of the necessary documentation," Yes Bank said in a regulatory filing. The two new appointed directors will be announced at the next scheduled Board meeting in April 2019. "This is intended to ensure better coordination and support by the two promoter groups with the new MD & CEO and the board of directors of the bank," it added. Yes Bank also said that its board and recommended the name of a senior board member of the bank to the Reserve Bank to temporarily hold the office of the MD and CEO as an interim special duty officer. The senior official will hold the position as "Board Director on Interim Special Duty (MD & CEO's responsibilities)' from 1 February 2019 till such date Ravneet Gill assumes office in March, 2019," it said. Last week, Yes Bank had appointed Deutsche Bank India head Ravneet Singh Gilll as its Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO) as incumbent Rana Kapoor is required to step down on 31 January. As per sources, the bank has named Ajai Kumar, the non-executive non-independent director on its board to be acting an interim MD&CEO for the RBI's recommendation. In September, the Reserve Bank had asked Kapoor to find a replacement for himself. Kapoor had co-founded the bank in 2004 along with his late brother-in-law Ashok Kapur, who died in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, post which his wife Madhu Kapur became the co-promoter of the bank. Kapoor and Kapur have been caught-up in a legal battle since 2015 on some issues including nominating members of their choice on the board of the bank. Madhu is sister of Rana Kapoor's wife Bindu and the two co-promoters of the bank have been working towards reaching a settlement. To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. The 2016-17 economic survey had estimated that implementation of UBI will cost India 4.9 percent of the GDP Universal basic income (UBI) was only an economists wishful thinking and till now a theoretical idea that prominently appeared in the 2016-17 economic survey. But with Congress President Rahul Gandhi making it official that his party will endorse minimum income to all adult citizens if voted to power in 2019 general elections, the UBI is no longer a theory but a real near-term possibility. It also tells us that the dangerous politics of free money is the final answer Indian politicians have found to bring prosperity to a nation that has so far failed to generate enough jobs even for the educated youth, has worryingly high level of income inequality, has no system in place to sort out a developing agrarian crisis and is yet to learn the trick to combat gross unemployment. Before discussing UBI, lets look at where Indias 1.3 billion population stands in the economic hierarchy. According to a recent Oxfam study, the divide between poor and rich in India is already too big and widening even further. The bottom 60 percent of the population own merely 4.8 percent of the national wealth. One major reason for such divide is the lack of availability of factory jobs even to the skilled youth. Unemployment has been on the rise. According to Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India lost 11 million (1.1 crore) jobs in 2018 alone. Separately, a Business Standard report on 2016-17 Labour Bureau's Sixth Annual Employment-Unemployment Survey shows that unemployment in India rose to a four-year high in 2016-17 at 3.9 percent as against 3.7 percent in 2015-16 and 3.4 percent in 2013-14. On the other hand, an agrarian crisis is brewing. As per the census of 2011, 263 million people are engaged in the agriculture sector and over half of them are now agricultural labourers. Now the problem is that this job is not so rewarding as a services sector job or a manufacturing job. India doesnt have a robust market infrastructure to assure the farmer that he will able to market his produce in a manner that benefits him. In such a scenario, the over-dependence of the population on the farm sector makes sure that income appreciation remains only as a hope. India is growing at close to 7 percent even now but the fruit of GDP growth is too small to go around in a country of 1.3 billion, where one-third of the population (going by the C Rangarajan panel) is estimated to be in the poor category. Will the government providing a minimum income for all adult citizens offer a cure to the economic woes India currently faces? Consider the following points: One, India already has nearly 950 centrally sponsored schemes. These schemes target the economically weak in each area and assist them through state funding. It is nearly impossible and unwise to go back from this targeted approach and fix minimum income to all because then the purpose of addressing specific problems is lost. The first is about empowering needy with targeted assistance and the second about destroying the incentive to work and excel, not looking at specific segments of economically distressed. The moot question here is whether this idea will help the nation to grow the skill-level of the people and become a more efficient society or do we want to become a nation of freebies where the bottom half would be in no hurry to grow their skills because they know the government anyway will give them free money. This will be counterproductive in the long-term. There are good chances that households will end up using UBI money for consumption, not for education or skill development. Two, clearly, India doesnt have the fiscal resources to implement such a large populist scheme with scant revenue resources. The 2016-17 economic survey had estimated that implementation of UBI will cost India 4.9 percent of the GDP. Even though this is lesser than what the centre presently shell out for various schemes, replacing close to thousand schemes with minimum wages to all isnt a good idea. Also, as Firstpost columnist, Madan Sabnavis, argued in this column, the fiscal liability will be huge on the state. If the concept is universal, then it means that everyone is entitled to this income and suppose the World Bank's new threshold of $1.90 per day is used, it would mean Rs 133 per capita per day (approximately Rs 50,000 per annum) which will translate to a daily cost of Rs 17,300 crore of outflow for 130 crore of population!, Sabnavis has said in the column. But the bigger problem is not the fiscal liability. Gandhis comment re-emphasises that Indian politicians give far greater weightage to freebies and will go to any extent to win votes by totally undermining good economics. The idea seems to be throwing free money to all. The strategy Gandhi is now relying on is UPAs old trick of pushing social welfare schemes to win hearts and votes. There is no national roadmap on skill-development or creation of more jobs. No one is interested in finding structural reforms to revamp the agricultural market infrastructure so that the farmer is able to sell his produce in a way that he gets the fair value for the crop. Similarly, there is no talk on how to generate private investments by addressing problems in labour, land acquisition laws. Of course, UBI isnt the first free money scheme; we already have seen a series of farm loan waivers where yet again politicians chose to appease the vote bank with instant, a temporary solution rather than empowering the distressed with a long-term view. No major country in the world, India can be compared with, has implemented the idea of universal basic income in its naked form. This is not even a desirable option for a developing, fiscally-constrained, immature economy like India which needs to focus more on investing in skills, education and employment creation. The merit of a political party is now decided based on how bigger is their plate of freebies, not on a long-term vision they offer to build the nation. Thats sure good politricks but damning economics. The poor Indian needs avenues to grow his skills and earn his income, not begging bowls. To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. The idea of a universal basic income (UBI) is not really new and entered the Economic Survey in 2016-17. With general elections coming this year and all parties keen to reach out to the poor for their votes, it is but natural that the pitch is being made to giving an income to them directly. The Congress party president Rahul Gandhi has now given this assurance that the poor will get a transfer if it comes to power. How feasible is this idea? "The Congress has decided to take a historic decision... The Congress-led government is going to give a minimum income guarantee. This means each poor person in India will have a minimum income. This means there will be no hungry, poor people in India," Gandhi said on Monday at the Kisaan Abhaar Sammelan held in Raipur. The idea of a universal basic income (UBI) is not really new and entered the Economic Survey in 2016-17. If the concept is universal, then it means that everyone is entitled to this income and suppose the World Bank's new threshold of $1.90 per day is used, it would mean Rs 133 per capita per day (approximately Rs 50,000 per annum) which will translate to a daily cost of Rs 17,300 crore of outflow for 130 crore of population! This will be a humongous amount on an annual basis and hence cannot be universal but targeted to the lowest section. Assuming this holds for only 20 percent of the population, then the cost of the scheme will be Rs 12.6 lakh crore per annum or around half the size of the Union Budget. This is not workable for sure. Quite clearly the UBI in a modified form of not being universal but specific will not be a unique scheme but a regrouping of existing schemes into this basket as there is no excess money in the system. This has been done for various social schemes in the past by different governments where new schemes announced under various names replace existing schemes on schooling, health, girl education, irrigation, insurance, environment, seeds, women, and backward castes and so on. The allocations follow the same path though there are variations in the specifics of the schemes. This is how government budgets work as the state is not a panacea for all problems. The UBI in a way would then be a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme where a targeted household is given some money and asked to spend on whatever it wants. This gives freedom to the individual though there would be diversion based on social norms followed. A poor family may prefer not to send their daughter to school and use the money for something else which otherwise would have had the child going to the school when the mid-day meal scheme was in operation. As it is not possible for the UBI to be universal or even specific without merging existing schemes, it would be necessary to see which ones can be merged and the resources used for the modified UBI programme. All social and economic schemes cannot be merged because a large part of the Budget is quite committed through salaries (teachers, doctors, nurses etc.). For example, the Rs 24.4 lakh crore of total outlay for FY19, around half is used for the establishment and interest payments, while another Rs 3 lakh crore is for capex. Another Rs 3 lakh crore goes as revenue expenditure of the Defence Ministry while centrally-sponsored schemes and other transfers are around Rs 5 lakh crore. Therefore, there is not much room left except for subsidies and employment programmes which are big ticket ones. A conundrum for the government (not just this one, but any government) would be if existing schemes are to be done away with and the amounts transferred to the UBI fund, what would happen to the machinery that is attached to the schemes. This holds especially true for the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for instance, which is the nodal agency for procuring food grains. Attached to the food subsidy are the warehouses that store these grains and the Fair Price Shops (FPS) which are the consumer touch-points. If the government wants to give only cash transfers, then the entire procurement system has to be changed where limited quantities are taken from farmers only for buffer stocking. The ration shops (FPS) have to be turned into private shops that have to fend for themselves. In fact, there are over 5.3 lakh outlets which have to reinvent themselves. The same would hold for the ministries involved which have to redeploy staff as not much will be required in the new scenario. Further, some schemes like say Ayushman or Bima Fasal cannot be merged after being just launched and hence will have to continue. In fact, a change in guard will mean that priorities can be different. Ideally, the states should also be merging schemes into this UBI fund for higher coverage. But politically this may not be feasible as states would like to push forward their priorities. MGNREGA is probably an easier scheme to integrate and probably makes sense too as there are allocations of Rs 55,000 crore which goes anyway for less productive purposes. But this can cover only around 11 million individuals going by the $1.90 perday formula. This is not much but can be an easy beginning. Identification will, however, be a challenge as well as finally managing the transfer as the poorest would not be having any of the JAM facilitiesJan Dhan account, Aadhaar identification and mobile phone. A major problem in merging schemes is that on paper all of them are well-targeted though the implementation is poor. A mid-day meal scheme ensures children go to school and the same holds true for girl children. Ration shops ensure that grains are provided while a cash transfer can lead to diversion of money for liquor by the man of the household. This is the reality and cannot be brushed aside. By merging schemes to provide for a basic income, other objectives of the government will have to be skipped. This really means that while the budget of the Centre or states can talk of such an approach, there are no incremental funds available given the other responsibilities like the creation of infrastructure besides the fixed commitments. Moving money from one scheme to the UBI will also erode scope for future sloganeering and hence is unlikely to be touched. DBT works when it comes to pensions, but when used for food grains can lead to chaos in institutional structures if done on a wide scale as prices would move up once the entire populace rushes to the market to buy rice or wheat. Therefore, UBI will have to start as rhetoric and can only be gradually introduced with states also giving their buy-in. This is the only way to make it work. (The writer is Chief Economist, Care Ratings. He is the author of: Economics of India: How to fool all people for all times) To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. Assuring full support to public sector lenders (PSBs), Piyush Goyal said bankers have also got confidence from the amendment in the Prevention of Corruption Act that bonafide actions are protected by the law. New Delhi: Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday exhorted state-run banks to step up lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, agriculture and housing sectors and also assured these lenders of all kinds of support. Observing that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has helped the public sector banks (PSBs) recover over Rs 1 lakh crore in the three quarters of the current fiscal, the minister exuded confidence that it would make them more profitable in days to come. "We have discussed how working of IBC has helped them recover large amount of money both through the IBC mechanism and NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), and in many cases without having going to NCLT through the pressure that is built up on the large borrowers," he told reporters after his first meeting with the heads of PSU banks after taking over as interim finance minister. Goyal further said the meeting also discussed internal mechanism to resolve cases under the Reserver Bank of India (RBI) guidelines and within the framework set in the bankruptcy court and see how there can be a faster resolution so that business can turnaround and banks can turnaround. Assuring full support to public sector lenders (PSBs), the minister said bankers have also got confidence from the amendment in the Prevention of Corruption Act that bonafide actions are protected by the law. Anybody indulging in bad practice will not be spared but genuine commercial decision taken by bankers will be protected, he said referring to the changes made in the Prevention of Corruption Act. The minister also said that banks have had discussions on various matters with RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. They have also discussed various ways in which the operations of the banks can become more efficient, customer-friendly and profitable, besides ensuring that the stated goals of this government are directed towards reaching financial inclusion of every Indian anywhere in the country, he said. "We would like them to look at ways to improve delivery of services to our farmers. We would like them to be more proactive in encouraging retail businesses. We are going to see a far more vibrant, a far more proactive and a far far more profitable banking sector in the days to come," he said. Talking to reporters, SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar said RBI Governor Das was very receptive to whatever bankers have submitted. He, however, did not share details of the deliberation with the RBI governor. Punjab National Bank Managing Director Sunil Mehta said there was discussion with regard to efficacy of recovery so that public sector banks can help boost economy. Talking about the review meeting, Goyal said banks under Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework were advised to maintain the trend of improvement in performance, with a view to bringing them out of the PCA framework at the earliest. In this connection, the significant reduction in stressed assets and significant de-risking of their credit portfolios during the current financial year were taken note of, he said. Banks agreed to work further on increasing use of advanced data analysis and where possible, artificial intelligence algorithms for better, faster and hassle-free credit decisions and monitoring of accounts, Goyal said. Citing a number of positives, the finance minister highlighted the need for each and every PSB to ensure that recent gains are sustained and better service delivered to all stakeholders. Banks also committed to step up their efforts for financing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana which is aimed at securing Housing for All by 2022. Banks were asked to leverage the pipeline of Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) to provide better access to financial inclusion products and services to accelerate the realisation of a digitalised, financially-included and insured society, Goyal said. On the back of recapitalisation of PSBs by over Rs 2.6 lakh crore and recovery of over Rs 2.8 lakh crore including record recovery of over Rs 1 lakh crore in the first three quarters of the current financial year since clean-up began in 2015, and comprehensive reforms for better underwriting of loans, PSBs committed to significantly step up the level of domestic credit growth from 9.1 percent year-on-year at the end the second quarter of the current financial year. Earlier, RBI Governor Das highlighted importance of PSBs for the economy at all times and especially at the present juncture in helping meet broader economic goals. He also flagged the need for PSBs to extend credit while observing prudential norms but without excessive conservatism. Das asked banks to take advantage of the MSME restructuring scheme to support viable MSME units. The RBI governor flagged the need for further strengthening various aspects of banking, including underwriting standards, capacity building, use of technology and governance. To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. This month, the state-run oil marketing companies reduced petrol and diesel prices just three times due to the rise in crude oil rates in the international market and a weak rupee. After remaining stable for nearly a week, petrol and diesel prices declined on Tuesday by up to 9 paise and 11 paise respectively in major cities across the country following the dip in crude oil rates during the past few days. Following the revision in fuel rates on Tuesday, petrol was priced in Delhi at Rs 71.19 a litre, Mumbai Rs 76.82, Chennai Rs 73.90 and Kolkata Rs 73.28 per litre, according to data available on Indian Oil Corporation website. Similarly, diesel in Delhi was retailing at Rs 65.89 per litre, Mumbai Rs 69, Chennai Rs 69.61 and Koklata Rs 67.67 a litre. Fuel prices remained unchanged for six straight days after they went up on 22 January. This month, the state-run oil marketing companies reduced fuel prices just three times due to the rise in crude oil rates in the international market and a weak rupee. Petrol and diesel rates hit the highest level of this month in Delhi at Rs 72.27 per litre and Rs 66 on 22 January. Petrol and diesel rates rose by Rs 2.54 and Rs 3.23 respectively in Delhi since the beginning of this month. Meanwhile, crude oil prices crept up on Tuesday after Washington imposed sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA in a step set to severely curb the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members crude exports to the United States. Despite the move, which comes as the US government looks to pile pressure on sitting President Nicolas Maduro to step down, traders said ample global oil supply and an economic slowdown especially in China were keeping crude prices in check. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $52.12 per barrel at 0351 GMT, up 13 cents, or 0.3 percent, from their last settlement. International Brent crude oil futures were at $60.05 per barrel, up 12 cents, or 0.2 percent. The United States has remained a major destination for Venezuelan oil despite their political differences, although volumes have declined over the past years amid Venezuelas economic crisis and as the US government has started targeting the South American nation with sanctions. The US government is supporting Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim president last week and is demanding the resignation of Maduro. As a result of todays action, all property and interests in property of PDVSA subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, the US Treasury said late on Monday. Persons operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy may be subject to sanctions, it added. Venezuela has the worlds biggest proven oil reserves and is a member of the OPEC. Despite its huge reserves, Venezuelas exports declined to little more than 1 million barrels per day in 2018 from 1.6 million bpd in 2017, according to Refinitiv ship tracking data and trade sources. The decline comes amid an economic crisis which has seen investment plummet, power and key equipment supplies disrupted, and salaries left unpaid. While news of the sanctions against Venezuela grabbed headlines, analysts said the fundamental issue for global oil trade remained plentiful supply. The more significant issue is (global) supply, and despite OPECs best efforts (to reduce output) there seems to be plenty of it, said Jeffrey Halley of futures brokerage OANDA in Singapore. Global oil supply remains high largely due to a more than 2 million bpd increase in US crude oil production last year, to a record 11.9 million bpd. There are also concerns in the oil industry that crude demand could stutter amid an economic slowdown. With Reuters inputs To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp on Monday accused Bombardier Inc of using 'anticompetitive conduct' to limit competition for planes with under 100 seats, as the Japanese company works to bring its long-delayed regional jet to market. In October, the Montreal-based plane-and-train-maker sued the aircraft unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, alleging that former Bombardier employees passed on trade secrets to help with the development and certification of the company's new MRJ regional jet. The MRJ would compete with regional jets produced by Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer SA (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp on Monday accused Bombardier Inc of using "anticompetitive conduct" to limit competition for planes with under 100 seats, as the Japanese company works to bring its long-delayed regional jet to market. In October, the Montreal-based plane-and-train-maker sued the aircraft unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, alleging that former Bombardier employees passed on trade secrets to help with the development and certification of the company's new MRJ regional jet. The MRJ would compete with regional jets produced by Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer SA. Mitsubishi said in a counter-filing claim that Bombardier tried to coerce it and Seattle-based Aerospace Testing Engineering & Certification (AeroTEC) to sign no-poach agreements in 2016 that would stop them from hiring the Montreal-based company's employees. Bombardier Chief Executive Alain Bellemare also implicitly threatened the continuation of its "supply relationship" with Mistubishi Heavy in a 2016 letter to board chairman Hideaki Omiya unless the Japanese company "ceased the solicitation of Bombardier employees," Mitsubishi said in the claim. "We believe that in response to the threat posed by the MRJ, Bombardier has chosen to engage in a pattern of anticompetitive conduct instead of competing on the merits of its product," said Mitsubishi in a company statement. "Bombardier has threatened, pressured and sought to coerce Mitsubishi Aircraft, its U.S.-based partners, and individual employees working on the MRJ programme." Mitsubishi's regional jet programme, Japan's first passenger plane since the 1960s, has been delayed by several years, with first customer ANA Holdings Inc now expecting the 90-seater plane in 2020, rather than in 2013 as originally envisaged. Bombardier has said it hopes to make a decision this year on the future of its money-losing CRJ regional jet as it "aggressively" pursues new orders to secure its industrial future. In the October lawsuit, Bombardier accused Mitsubishi Aircraft of violating the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 by trying to use the confidential data and documents obtained from former employees to accelerate the "extremely complex and costly" process of getting its planes certified. Mitsubishi Aircraft asked a U.S. court in December to dismiss Bombardier's lawsuit, arguing that the allegations were baseless and designed to "disrupt development" of its rival jet. (Reporting by Allison Lampert in MONTREAL; Editing by Christopher Cushing) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. With three more planes taken out of operations, the number of aircraft on the ground due to non-payment of lease rentals by Jet Airways now stands at six Mumbai: Crisis-ridden Jet Airways was Tuesday forced to ground three of its Boeing 737 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals, leading to the cancellation of around 20 domestic flights, according to sources. With three more planes taken out of operations, the number of aircraft on the ground due to non-payment of lease rentals by the carrier now stands at six in the last two days, the source added. "Jet Airways has defaulted on aircraft lease rentals and it has been forced to ground three more narrow-body Boeing 737 planes," a source in the know of the development told PTI. A response from the airline, which struggling with cash- crunch since the past many months, is awaited. Due to the fresh grounding of the planes, the airline, which is negotiating with its partner Etihad for additional cash infusion, has cancelled as many as 19 flights to/from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Port Blair and Bengaluru, the source added. To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. More reforms are on the cards in order to introduce multi-year budgeting and change the budget year; these would be important attempts towards addressing the gaps in the Indian budgeting practices at this juncture India is a federal country, but the Constitution renders a strong unitary bias in many spheres, including the domain of Centre-state fiscal governance. The institutional measures to augment resources, over the years, including the recent Constitutional amendment on Goods and Services Tax (GST) were steps that have strengthened this hallmark of strong centralisation. The resource transfer pattern from the Centre to states, too, until very recently, favoured the former, whereby the states, particularly the poorer states, are dependent on the resource devolution from the Centre to discharge their Constitutional obligations. In consideration of the foregoing, the incumbent governments initiatives towards strengthening cooperative federalism can be said to be moving in the right direction. The higher degree of untied resource devolution from the divisible pool of resources flowing to states, and the increased quantum of grants provided to the local governance units, as per the Fourteenth Finance Commissions recommendations are praiseworthy attempts. Along with these changes in the fiscal federal architecture, a host of other budgetary reforms have been initiated at the national and sub-national level during this governments regime. We have noticed changes in the nature of budgeting processes, both on planning and programme budgeting in last couple of years. Measures introduced in the countrys budgeting practices in recent years include merger of plan and non-plan distinction of programme budgeting, focus on administrative and scheme-based budgeting, importance to outcome budgeting and advancing the date of Union Budget presentation. These decisions are going to go a long way in improving the degree of budget transparency in the country. Following the recommendations of various committees, major policy reforms have been set in during the last couple of years. To list the major ones, channelising resources through state treasuries since 2014-15, re-structuring of the Centrally sponsored schemes, integration of treasury operations with that of banks as part of public finance management system and introduction of direct benefit transfers (DBT) on several schemes are significant here. Initiation of the above reforms in order to make the PFM (public finance management ) system in the country robust has been welcomed by various quarters from the lens of transparency and accountability towards advancing good governance in the country. More reforms are on the cards in order to introduce multi-year budgeting and change the budget year (fiscal year); these would be important attempts towards addressing the gaps in the Indian budgeting practices at this juncture. Since the enactment of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) legislation, a number of disclosure statements are produced and put in the public domain to enhance a transparent system of budgeting. There is a huge potential for analysis of the immensely useful information shared in these statements in the course of policy discourses. One such statement, the medium-term expenditure framework which is prepared every year as part of the requirement under the FRBM Act 2003, has been the most useful for understanding the expenditure priorities of the Union government for the next couple of years. Whats missing is a discussion on the resource augmentation strategies and projection of the same in a multi-year perspective, which can be considered as a multi-year budgeting framework. A close look at the overall expenditure of the ministries and departments of the Union government, including schematic allocations in the latest statement reveals that the government has been following incremental budgeting, without explaining justifications of such an increase in the coming years. It is important to mention that a multi-year budgeting framework provides fiscal projections both on resource augmentation and expenditure priorities for various sectors, which are of great significance for decisions on investment destination (expenditure priorities) with clear strategies to achieve specific development outcomes. The essential feature of a multi-year budgeting framework is to include revenue forecasts and expenditures estimates for two or three years beyond the current year. Many countries have moved to develop their annual budget process in a strategic multiyear budgeting framework. It has been argued that with the enactment of FRBM legislation, India has been producing a medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) which can be considered a partial multi-year budgeting exercise). However, the framework is presented to the Parliament as a tool of monitoring the extent of expenditure and not setting expenditure projections for various purposes in the coming years. It is well-documented that a multiyear dimension of planning and programme budgeting is not only a fiscal policy management tool, but also valuable for effective delivery of public services and monitoring of public provisioning. However, there are capacity issues pertaining to preparation of a multi-year budgeting; having a robust framework in place would require overhauling the entire process of institutional arrangements and also substantial time and energy. The time has come to rethink on introducing multi-year budgeting and setting rolling targets for administrative departments to achieve desired outcomes. This would go a long way in enhancing budget transparency in the country. (The writer is research coordinator with Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability) Follow full coverage of Union Budget 2019-20 here To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. Domestic rating agency India Ratings Tuesday expects the interim budget to announce an income support scheme for the poor Mumbai: Domestic rating agency India Ratings Tuesday expects the interim budget to announce an income support scheme for the poor which may at least cost the Centre Rs 1.5 trillion per annum or 0.7 percent of the GDP for the Centre and states combined and is better than any farm loan waivers. In comments that come a day after the Opposition Congress promised to roll out an income support scheme if voted to power after the summer elections, the agency said it expects the forthcoming budget to have such a measure. "The roll-out of income support as a core centrally sponsored scheme is a better option than debt waivers," it said, adding that the government may announce a relief package for farmers while presenting the vote on account for FY20 in line with the Rythu Bandhu scheme of Telangana. Stating that agrarian distress is not new and various governments deployed a number of tools to fight the same in the past such as an increase in public spending in rural areas, increasing minimum support price, enhancing agricultural credit and enhanced extension activities, launching the rural employment guarantee scheme, writing off farm loans, providing direct income support and/or a combination of the ways. In view of the upcoming general elections, the agency said the focus of both the Centre and the state budgets will be on measures to address the farmers' woes. If the interim budget announces income support of say Rs 8,000 per acre per annum for marginal and small farmers, a marginal farmer and a small farmer would receive Rs 7,515 and Rs 27,942 per annum on average, respectively. "The levels are significantly lower than the amount conceptualised under the universal basic income scheme for the poor proposed in the Economic Survey 2016-17. The support would cost the Centre Rs 14.68 trillion or (0.70 percent of GDP)," it said. If it is rolled out as a core centrally-sponsored scheme, the cost would be split between the Union and states, with the Centre bearing 0.43 of GDP as its cost, and the states coughing out 0.27 percent of GDP. It is not an easy option either ways, it said, as states finances will come under pressure. If it is rolled out as a core centrally-sponsored scheme, Andhra, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, MP, Odisha, Telangana and UP will be under pressure as they have already announced farm loan waivers, and only Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have "some fiscal space" to accommodate such expenditure. Follow full coverage of Union Budget 2019-20 here To keep watching Indias No. 1 English Business News Channel CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day. Air New Zealandhas flagged a fall in revenue growth and profit for the 2019 financial year.The airline says higher costs after problems with some Rolls-Royce engines are to blame for the profit downgrade.The company says it expects pretax earnings of between NZ$340 million and NZ$400 million for the year to June 30, down from an initial guidance range of NZ$425 million to NZ$525 million.CEO Christopher Luxon says management has commenced a review of its network to ensure the business is on a strong footing going forward.Shares in Air New Zealandclosed 0.96 per cent higher at $3.15 yesterday. This news release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2019 / Pelangio Exploration Inc. (PX:TSX-V; OTC PINK:PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company")is pleased to announce that it has completed the non-brokered Flow-Through Financing previously announced on January 24, 2019. The Company raised a total of $150,000 for the issuance of 566,038 common shares issued on a "flow-through" basis (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.265 per share (the "Offering"). The shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one day hold period and will not be sold in the United States. The Company paid a cash finder's fee to Leede Jones Gable Inc. and Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., both arm's length finders, in aggregate equal to $6,970.00. The Offering is subject to customary closing conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)). The gross proceeds of the Offering will be primarily used to incur qualifying Canadian Exploration Expenses (the "Qualifying Expenses") on the Company's Dome West property strategically located approximately 800 metres west of the Dome Mine open pit, in the city of Timmins, Ontario, and on our other Ontario properties. The Qualifying Expenses are to be incurred by no later than December 31, 2020 for renunciation to investors in the Offering effective December 31, 2019. The Dome West Property Pelangio recently acquired the rights to earn 100% interest in the Dome West property located in the Timmins - Porcupine Gold Camp. The property comprises 10 mining cells covering 56 hectares and is strategically located adjacent to both Goldcorp's Dome Mine property, and the former Paymaster Mine property. Pelangio intends to evaluate the more prospective aspects of the Dome West property and is planning the first-phase diamond drill program to begin this winter, as soon as surface access permission for exploration work on the property is granted (see Pelangio news release dated January 22, 2019). 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 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 jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offering made will be pursuant to available prospectus exemptions and restricted to persons to whom the securities may be sold in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions, and by persons permitted to sell the securities in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions. About Pelangio Pelangio acquires and explores large land packages in world-class gold belts in Canada and Ghana, West Africa. In Canada, the company is focusing on the 25 km2 Birch Lake Property located in the Red Lake Mining District and the Dalton Property located 1.5 km from the Hollinger Mine in Timmins. In Ghana, the Company is focusing on two 100%-owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo Property, the site of seven recent near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi Property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine. Ghana is an English-speaking, common law jurisdiction that is consistently ranked amongst the most favourable mining jurisdictions in Africa. For additional information, please visit our website at www.pelangio.com, or contact: Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO Tel: 905-336-3828 / Toll-free: 1-877-746-1632 / Email: info@pelangio.com Forward Looking Statements Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Private Placement generally, the proposed use of proceeds and the Company's exploration plans. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about our ability to close the Private Placement in a timely manner, if at all, and the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the ability of the Company to meet the conditions of closing, our ability to conduct our exploration programs as planned, our ability to spend the proceeds of the flow-through financing by December 31, 2020, and that the expenditure of the proceeds of the flow-through financing will not be considered Qualifying Expenses, changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward- looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/533902/Pelangio-Exploration-Completes-150000-Flow-Through-Financing Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - CapGain Properties Inc. (TSXV: CPP) ("CapGain" or the "Company") has recently completed an initial restructuring transaction which has resulted in a change of management and board of directors. Recent activities include: Settlement of two outstanding lawsuits for payment by the Company of US$150,000; Resignation of Mr. Brian Knight and Mr. Michael Loprieno as officers and directors of the Company; Cancelation of approximately 16,287,328 common shares controlled by Mr. Knight, Mr. Loprieno and another third party, representing approximately 33% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company; Cancelation and forgiveness by Mr. Knight and Mr. Loprieno of all amounts owing by CapGain to them and their related companies; Entering into a secured loan agreement with Mr. Arthur Kwan and Mr. Peter Cheung for a total of C$200,000; Appointment of Mr. Kwan as director and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Cheung as director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company; and Entering into an unsecured loan agreement with 2091431 Alberta Ltd., a company owned by Mr. Cheung, for up to C$100,000 for working capital purposes. About CapGain Properties Inc. CapGain is an investment company with a focus on the acquisition of income producing businesses. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Arthur Kwan, Chief Executive Officer CapGain Properties Inc. Email: ak@astoncapitaladvisors.ca NO SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42528 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Fremont Gold Ltd. (TSXV: FRE) (FSE: FR2) (OTC Pink: USTDF) ("Fremont" or the "Company") announces that it has agreed to settle $75,000 in outstanding liabilities owed to Dennis Moore, the Company's President and a director of the Company, through the issuance of 500,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.15 per share (the "Debt Settlement"). As the common shares will be issued to a non-arm's length party to the Company, the Debt Settlement will constitute a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Debt Settlement is exempt from the formal valuation requirements and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to Section 5.5(a) and Section 5.7(1)(a) as the value of the common shares issued in the Debt Settlement will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Dennis Moore currently owns 4,093,350 common shares of Fremont or 7.7% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares. After the shares for debt have been issued, Mr. Moore will own 4,593,350 common shares or 8.6% of Fremont's issued and outstanding shares. The liabilities relate to unreimbursed expenses incurred by Mr. Moore on behalf of the Company that have accumulated since early 2018. Completion of the Debt Settlement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Shares issued in connection with the Debt Settlement will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. Gold Bar and Gold Canyon Exploration Update Drill contractors have been selected for the 1,000-metre reverse circulation drill program at the Gold Bar project and the 500-metre diamond drill program at the Gold Canyon project. Drilling at Gold Bar is expected to begin within the next week, with drilling to start at Gold Canyon soon thereafter (see the January 18, 2019, news release). Fremont's Gold Bar and Gold Canyon are both past producing gold mines in the Gold Bar District, Eureka County, Nevada. About Fremont Gold Fremont's mine-finding management team has assembled a portfolio of high-quality gold projects in Nevada with the goal of making a new discovery. Fremont's Gold Bar and Gold Canyon are past producing gold mines adjacent to McEwen's Gold Bar project, where mine construction is underway. Other projects include North Carlin, Goldrun, Hurricane, and Roberts Creek. We are aligned with our shareholders: Insiders own approximately 20% of Fremont. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Blaine Monaghan" CEO Telephone: +1 604-676-5664 Email: blaine@fremontgold.net www.fremontgold.net __________________ 1 Internal report, Atlas Precious Metals, Mines, December 13, 1995, prepared by Pincock, Allen & Holt 2 The Company has not verified these historical resources and is not treating these historical estimates as current mineral resources 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. Forward looking statements Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", "hope", "will be", "expected" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements in this and other press releases include but are not limited to statements and information regarding the settlement of debt with Dennis Moore and Mr. Moore's resulting ownership of the Company, the start of drilling at Gold Bar within the next week, and Gold Canyon soon thereafter, and the amount and type of drilling. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Fremont undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42531 GoviEx and Windiga sign MOU for solar hybrid power feasibility study Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - GoviEx Uranium Inc. (TSXV: GXU) (OTCQB: GVXXF) ("GoviEx" or the "Company") announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Windiga Energy Inc. ("Windiga") to jointly evaluate the feasibility of powering the Company's flagship Madaouela Project using a dedicated and renewable hybrid solar power solution. Windiga is Canadian energy developer focused on developing, owning and operating renewable energy facilities and off-grid smart power systems on the African continent. The Company's Chairman, Govind Friedland, commented: "We are pleased to begin exploring cleaner energy alternatives to power our future development activities in partnership with Windiga. The benefits of renewable, lower-cost energy are obvious, and we look forward to updating our stakeholders on the results of these studies." Initial discussions and collaboration between the Company and Windiga will target energy solutions for the Company's flagship Madaouela Project - with the intent to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20,000 tons per annum and provide sustainable, renewable power at approximately 25% lower cost than traditional coal-fired options currently available in Niger. Coal-fired power costs are currently forecast at approximately 4% of total life of mine operating costs1. GoviEx has requested that Windiga determine the feasibility of a solution to power the Madaouela Project and the surrounding local community through a hybrid power plant combining photovoltaic solar panels and diesel generators with total installed capacity of at least 20 MW. Under the terms of the MOU, following a favourable result from a feasibility study, GoviEx will have an opportunity to negotiate a power purchase agreement for the priority supply of electricity for an initial term of 21 years, extendible at the request of GoviEx. Notes: 1. See: An independent NI 43-101 technical report was prepared for the Madaouela Project in 2015 to a prefeasibility level of confidence. The report titled "An Updated Integrated Development Plan for the Madaouela Project, Niger" has an effective date of August 11, 2015, and a revision date of August 20, 2015, and is available at GoviEx's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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. About GoviEx Uranium GoviEx is a mineral resource company focused on the exploration and development of uranium properties. GoviEx's principal objective is to become a significant uranium producer through the continued exploration and development of its Mine Permitted Madaouela Project and its other uranium properties in Africa. About Windiga Energy Founded in 2010, Windiga Energy Inc. is Canadian-based independent power producer focused mainly on developing renewable energy facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Windiga Energy's founding partners have over 25 years of experience in the development and realization of major mining, construction and infrastructure projects in Africa. Windiga and GoviEx have a director in common. Information Contacts Website: www.goviex.com Govind Friedland, Executive Chairman Daniel Major, Chief Executive Officer T: +1 604-681-5529 E: info@goviex.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All information and statements other than statements of current or historical facts contained in this news release are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in GoviEx's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information. Forward-looking statements include those with respect to the expected ability for the Company to be able to target energy solutions for the Company's flagship Madaouela Project - with the intent to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20,000 tons per annum and provide sustainable, renewable power at approximately 25% lower cost than traditional coal-fired options currently available in Niger. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Such assumptions, which may prove incorrect, include the following: (i) the results of the PEA and feasibility study on the Power Plant will demonstrate that the Power Project may feasibly be developed and that the sale price for firm, uninterrupted and uncurtailable electricity generated by the Power Project to GoviEx will be competitive; and (ii) the price of uranium will remain sufficiently high and the costs of advancing the Company's mining projects will remain sufficiently low so as to permit GoviEx to implement its business plans in a profitable manner. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include (i) the failure of the Company's projects, for technical, logistical, labour-relations, or other reasons; (ii) the failure of the PEA or feasibility study on the Power Plant to demonstrate that the Power Project may feasibly be developed as contemplated in the MOU; (iii) a decrease in the price of uranium below what is necessary to sustain the Company's operations; (iv) an increase in the Company's operating costs above what is necessary to sustain its operations; (v) accidents, labour disputes, or the materialization of similar risks; (vi) a deterioration in capital market conditions that prevents the Company from raising the funds it requires on a timely basis; and (vii) generally, the Company's inability to develop and implement a successful business plan for any reason. In addition, the factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Financial Risks and Management Objectives" in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2017, of GoviEx, which is available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release. Although GoviEx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance, or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances, or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this news release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that GoviEx will derive therefrom. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and GoviEx disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42527 NNIT launches new ambitious 2022 strategy with adjusted long term guidance and implements new organization Having completed a deep strategic review throughout the second half of 2018, NNIT is now launching a new ambitious strategy. To support the new strategy, we will change the global organization in order to rapidly respond to customer needs and remain fit for accelerated growth. The fundamentals in our value proposition to our shareholders are kept intact, but with our new 2022 strategy we intensify our focus on IT for international life sciences and Private & Public sector in Denmark. Profitable organic growth will still be imperative, but so will strategic acquisitions supporting our core competencies. NNIT is the third largest IT services provider in Denmark, and global macro trends continue to impact our own business as well as our clients. Digital transformation and the need to digitally transform to fuel growth by innovation are key factors in order to remain competitive. We will continue to embrace innovation in several ways, from the business case approach to internal entrepreneurship, and from co-creation to the use of strategic acquisitions. Common to our approach is the desire for increased customer proximity, and we are therefore changing our organization to make it even more customer centric and to support accelerated growth in life sciences. CEO, Per Kogut: "During the past four years we have executed our business in line with the direction set at our IPO. We are now launching a new strategy and changing our organization to increase customer centricity and enable further innovation to accelerate our growth within international life sciences and Danish clients supported by strategic acquisitions primarily within international life sciences." Key elements of the new strategy Grow revenue through life sciences In general, the international life sciences market is characterized by high entry barriers for competitors. This is due to the complexity, the high levels of regulation and the high quality requirements. In NNIT we are very well-positioned because of our strong domain knowledge that originates from our own life sciences legacy. We were born out of life sciences. This is why it is an attractive market for NNIT to compete in. Historically, we have delivered more than 20% organic growth in international life sciences. We have an ambitious plan to continue this growth as we are scaling up our operations in Europe, US and China. In addition to organic growth, we also pursue acquisitions within our core international life sciences markets of Europe and the US, which can help accelerate our growth in this segment even further. Grow NNIT core revenue Our core offerings within infrastructure and application outsourcing, advisory, business solutions and support constitute the main part of our business. This full scale service offering enables us to provide both focused specialist support and broader integrated solutions. With continued stable operations and agile delivery we want to continue growing our market share within both the private and the public sector in Denmark. Grow revenue through increased innovation The IT market and customer needs continue to transform at increasing speed. We will build on and strengthen our innovation capabilities to significantly grow the level of new high margin offerings that we bring to the market. In 2022 we target 500m DKK of our revenue to come from new innovative offerings. Efficiency through automation and artificial intelligence Technology within automation and artificial intelligence, AI, is steadily maturing. At NNIT, we leverage this technology to enable less manual work, more streamlined processes and lower costs while minimizing the risk of errors. We will continue to build capabilities internally while leveraging external partnerships to ensure access to the latest technology. Cost efficient delivery, sales and support functions To ensure that NNIT's business remains competitive, we constantly optimize our delivery, sales and support functions. Through our excellence programs, we will continue to challenge and improve the way we work. Through our flexible global delivery model with around 50% of our full time employees based in offshore and nearshore countries, we will ensure that we are able to meet our clients' requirements of cost efficient, high quality and flexible delivery. Maintaining and nurturing a strong relationship with Novo Nordisk NNIT was born out of Novo Nordisk in 1998, and Denmark's largest pharmaceutical company remains an important client for us. Through innovative solutions and state-of-the-art delivery models we are committed to remaining relevant and competitive within our current services as well as new services supporting Novo Nordisk' digital transformation. New long-term financial targets Since the IPO in 2015, NNIT has pursued two key long-term financial targets: Organic revenue growth of at least 5% Operating profit margin of at least 10% These targets have served NNIT well as an integral part of the strategic planning and have guided NNIT to strong financial performance. The segments to drive revenue growth for NNIT going forward is our international life sciences and the Private & Public segments. Combined with continued uncertainty regarding sales to the Novo Nordisk Group, the long-term financial target for organic revenue growth is adjusted giving the following targets: Organic revenue growth of 6-8% excluding revenue from the Novo Nordisk Group Operating profit margin of at least 10% is maintained There is no long-term revenue target for the Novo Nordisk Group, but a short-term guidance for total revenue growth will be provided at the beginning of each year in connection with the release of the annual report. New organization enabling increased customer focus and efficient delivery To support the strategy, NNIT will change the global organization in order to rapidly respond to customer needs and remain fit for accelerated growth. To enable increased customer focus, efficient delivery and greater focus on life sciences growth we have established two new business units: A dedicated Life Sciences unit delivering to both the Novo Nordisk Group and our other life sciences clients in Denmark as well as internationally. A Private and Public unit delivering to our clients within the enterprise, public and finance segments in Denmark These two units will be responsible for both sales and delivery management. They will have full P&L responsibility for all clients. To enable efficient operations and project execution we will establish two new delivery units, which will be cost centers: A Projects and Consulting unit with the responsibility of delivering all projects and consulting engagements. To enable our increased focus on innovation and digital transformation these development initiatives will be driven by this unit An Infrastructure and Application Services unit with the responsibility for operations for all clients. The focus of this unit will be continued high operational stability and efficient operations for our clients Supporting the four business units will be two group functions: Finance, Legal, Investor Relations and Procurement People, Communications, Marketing, IT and Quality The new organization will be effective as of March 1, 2019. Changes to NNIT Group Management As a result of the organizational changes, NNIT Group Management will be extended and responsibilities aligned with the new organization. Per Kogut will continue as CEO and President. Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen will continue as CFO, Executive Vice President, heading the Finance, Legal, Investor Relations and Procurement unit. Brit Kannegaard Johannessen will continue as Senior Vice President, heading the People, Communication, Marketing, IT and Quality unit. The Life Sciences unit will be headed by Senior Vice President Ricco Larsen. The Private & Public unit will be headed by Senior Vice President Jacob Hahn Michelsen. The Projects and Consulting unit will be headed by Senior Vice President Claus Middelboe Andersen. The Infrastructure and Application Services unit will be headed by Sren stergaard, who is appointed Senior Vice President. He has been with the company for more than nine years, most recently as General Manager for NNIT's operations in China since June 2017. With the appointment of Sren stergaard, NNIT's Group Management now consists of Per Kogut, CEO and President, Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen, CFO and Executive Vice President, Brit Kannegaard Johannessen, Senior Vice President, Ricco Larsen, Senior Vice President, Jacob Hahn Michelsen, Senior Vice President, Claus Middelboe Andersen, Senior Vice President and Sren stergaard, Senior Vice President. Executive Management is still Per Kogut, CEO and President and Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen, CFO and Executive Vice President. New segment reporting structure Following our new strategy and reflecting our new organization, from Q1 2019, we adapt our segment information in the following way: Revenue will be reported for: Life sciences International life sciences Life sciences in Denmark The Novo Nordisk Group Private and public Enterprise Public Finance Operating profit will be reported for: Life sciences Private and public clients in Denmark Operating profit margin in the life sciences segment will be substantially higher than in the Private & Public segment due to the regulated nature, high complexity and our strong domain knowledge within the life sciences segment. Comparison figures for 2018 will be restated to the new reporting structure above when reporting Q1 2019. Contacts for further information Investor relations: Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen CFO Tel: +45 3075 1415 ckth@nnit.com Media relations: Helga Heyn NNIT Communications Tel: +45 3077 8141 hhey@nnit.com About NNIT NNIT A/S is one of Denmark's leading IT service providers and consultancies. NNIT A/S offers a wide range of IT services and solutions to its customers, primarily in the life sciences sector in Denmark and internationally and to customers in the public, enterprise and finance sectors in Denmark. As of December 31, 2018 NNIT A/S had 3,214 employees. NNIT has approximately 400 clients of which around 150 are located outside Denmark. Some 20% are international life sciences clients Attachment NEW DELHI, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and L-Incubator, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow has partnered with Auxesis Group to host Blockchain Summit India on 22-23 February 2019 at IIM Lucknow Noida Campus. The initiative is being taken in order to harness the country's potential around blockchain technology and crypto economy. The agenda of the summit will help to better understand the new technology as well as drafting out policies to develop a blockchain ecosystem and shape up cryptocurrencies for a new India. Policymakers of the country including ministers & bureaucrats from Departments of Science & Technology, Law, Commerce, and HRD will be joining in at the event. The summit is observing the presence of senior faculties from the country's premium academic institutions in order to focus on technology & ecosystem development at education levels. Global crypto economists, technology pioneers, and community builders, academicians across the world have been invited to help India gain expertise and experience of blockchain leaders. The summit is designed for a high level of interactivity and premium networking across the event. Global brands including Google, Entrepreneur, and ISB have partnered for the summit to make it a grand success. To celebrate the growing ecosystem of blockchain technology globally, the summit is hosting an expo for the world's top blockchain & cryptocurrency companies. BSI 2019 is targeted to understand the Global Blockchain space and pick the Blockchain solutions to accelerate the growth of the Indian market. Selected companies and startups are being provided a stage to present themselves to ministers and policy maker to get a chance to work with the government to expand in the Indian market. Startup and companies will also be provided with grants and funding from L-Incubator, IIM Lucknow and other Indian accelerators and public companies. With over 5,000 delegates and 100s of blockchain investors coming together, we are delighted to invite entrepreneurs and blockchain enthusiasts to extract most out of the summit. Cashaa welcomes this initiative, and as a partner is looking forward to joining the event to make it a great success. For more details on the summit and to register, please visit www.blockchainsummitindia.co Media Contact Sunny Kumar sunny@auxesisgroup.com +91-799-233-1351 Janina Lowisz janina@cashaa.com +44-7955929720 GECI International expands its cyber security platform and signs an agreement with ODI-X LTD, an Israeli cyber security start-up. Present in CYBERTECH - TEL AVIV where 15 000 visitors from 80 different countries are expected, this conference is an opportunity for GECI International teams to discover innovative solutions in response to the most acute cyber security issues of the Economic and industrial world. Faced with these new challenges, the goal for GECI International is to continue its strategy of expanding its cyber security Solutions and Services platform in order to offer its customers, large industrial and SME, a coherent set of defense of their assets and heritage. In this context, GECI International, specializing in the consulting on digital technologies and transformation, has signed with ODI-X LTD, an Israeli company of disarmament and reconstruction technologies (CDR-content disarmament & Rebuilding), an agreement to commercialize its products. ODI-X Ltd neutralizes targeted cyber-attacks embedded in files before they enter the network of companies and institutions of all sizes. It thus guarantees the integrity of the processed data and is a complete protection against known and unknown threats, which gives it a real competitive advantage. The offer is deployed in different forms: OdiX kiosk, an interactive kiosk for removable media Add-on OdiX Mail, integrated with the messaging gateway for secure attachments OdiX Netfolder, a shared directory API OdiX Engine, to integrate CDR technology into developed applications These solutions are easily and quickly integrated into all organizations and conform to the RGPD regulations. With this agreement, GECI International and its subsidiary in Israel, GECI Advanced Technologies, intend to strengthen their offer with proven solutions and products, and confirm their commitment to continue partnerships with the leading Israeli high-tech ecosystem in cybersecurity. A second trade agreement has been signed at the CYBERTECH trade fair, which is awaiting authorization to release the corresponding communique. More information GECI INTERNATIONAL - SMART SOLUTIONS FOR A SMART WORLD GECI International is addressing the key technological challenges facing our society by offering its clients an integration platform, from R&D through to project implementation, against a backdrop of industrial and information system security. For 35 years, GECI International has successfully demonstrated its ability to lead major complex projects, bringing together a global network of technological and strategic partners and innovative high-growth companies. GECI International is listed on the regulated market Euronext Paris - Compartment C - and is part of the CAC Small and CAC Technology indices. GECI International is eligible for the SRD long-only deferred settlement service. ISIN (shares): FR0000079634 - GECP / ISIN (BSAR A warrants): FR0013266764 - GECBT Contacts: GECI INTERNATIONAL - Cecile Beckerich: Tel.: +33 (0)1 46 12 00 00 / cecile.beckerich@geci.net Agence CALYPTUS - Cyril Combe: Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 65 68 68 / geci@calyptus.net ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Recevez gratuitement par email les prochains communiques de la societe en vous inscrivant sur www.actusnews.com Communique integral et original au format PDF:Telecharger le PDF Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Boreal Metals (TSXV: BMX) (FSE: 03E), a mineral exploration company with a portfolio of zinc, copper, silver, gold, nickel and cobalt projects in Scandinavia, has reported assay results from the first four holes of a recently completed diamond drill program at its 100% owned Gumsberg project, located in the prolific Bergslagen Mining District in southern Sweden. InvestmentPitch Media has produced a "video" which provides a brief overview of this news. If this link is not enabled, please visit www.InvestmentPitch.com and enter "Boreal" in the search box. Cannot view this video? Visit: http://www.investmentpitch.com/video/0_u62txv6n/Boreal-Discovers-New-Zone-of-High-Grade-Zinc-Silver-Lead-Gold-Mineralization-at-Gumsberg-Project-in-Sweden The strategically situated Gumsberg project consists of six exploration licenses in the Bergslagen Mining District of southern Sweden totaling over 18,300 hectares, where multiple zones of VMS style mineralization occur. The project is road accessible year-round with nearby access to skilled labour, power and rail. The VMS mineralization at Gumsberg was mined from the 13th century through the early 1900s, with over 30 historic mines present on the property, most notably the Ostra Silvberg Mine which was the largest silver mine in Sweden between 1250 and 1590. Despite its long-lived production history, relatively little modern exploration has taken place on the project. In December 2018 and January 2019, Boreal completed nine diamond drill holes, totalling 1,621 metres, in the vicinity of the past producing Ostra Silvberg Mine. Diamond drilling tested prospective stratigraphy east and west of a previously reported intercept from BM-17-005, which returned 10.94 metres of 16.97% zinc, 656.7 grams per tonne silver, 8.52% lead and 0.76 grams per tonne gold south of the main Ostra Silvberg mine workings. Drill holes GUM-18-003 and GUM-18-004 were drilled to the east and west of the high grade mineralization identified by Boreal in BM-17-005. These intercepts are interpreted to be part of a steeply eastward plunging mineralized body that is spatially separated from the historically defined Ostra Silvberg Mine footprint. Drill holes BOL-009, BM-17-005, GUM-18-003 and GUM-18-004 demonstrate over 130 metres of down plunge continuity This table shows that both holes returned 11.0 metre high grade intercepts containing veinlet, disseminated, semi-massive and massive sulphide mineralization. Table 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2189/42526_25ae1b0bb4964b58_002full.jpg Together, this group of six drill intercepts constitutes an expanding zone of newly recognized mineralization that remains open to the east and at depth. Results from holes GUM-18-006 and GUM-18-008 are expected in the coming weeks. Karl Antonius, President and CEO, stated: "Boreal has made a new discovery of high grade mineralization near the historic Ostra Silvberg Mine on our Gumsberg project in Sweden. Boreal has multiple high grade zinc-silver-lead-gold intercepts in the new South Zone, which remains open at depth and along strike. This is a very exciting development for the Company and is a welcomed reward of our exploration efforts in Sweden." For more information, please visit the company's website at www.borealmetals.com contact Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, at 604-922-8810 or email alexandra@borealmetals.com. About InvestmentPitch Media InvestmentPitch Media leverages the power of video, which together with its extensive distribution, positions a company's story ahead of the 1,000's of companies seeking awareness and funding from the financial community. The company specializes in producing short videos based on significant news releases, research reports and other content of interest to investors. CONTACT: InvestmentPitch Media Barry Morgan, CFO bmorgan@investmentpitch.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42526 MOSCOW, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Andrey Guryev, member of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO and CEO of PhosAgro, one of the world's leading producers of phosphate-based fertilizers, took part in the official opening ceremony of the International Year of the Periodic Table held today at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, which took place with PhosAgro's support. The UN proclaimed 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table, which was developed by the great Russian scientist Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev 150 years ago. The initiative to hold the International Year of the Periodic Table was launched by the Mendeleev Russian Chemical Society, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and by scientists from Russia and all around the world. PhosAgro, one of UNESCO's long-standing partners in the fields of science and sustainable development, was chosen by the UN as the official sponsor of the initiative. As part of UNESCO's International Year of the Periodic Table, a large number of events are planned all around the world - scientific conferences, thematic exhibitions, competitions for young scientists and educational initiatives - the goal of which are to strengthen international cooperation in science, technology and innovation, as well as to interest young people in studying the natural sciences. The official Opening Ceremony to launch International Year of the Periodic Table took place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and was attended by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Russia's Minister of Science and Higher Education Mikhail Kotjukov, President of France's Academie des Sciences, Pierre Corvol and PhosAgro CEO Andrey Guryev. As part of the opening, a conference was held where some of the world's leading scientists and young representatives of the future of science shared their vision for the development of the natural sciences and technology in the modern age. UNESCO Director-General Azoulay said: "Science is a public good and as such, must benefit all humanity. This conviction is the driving force behind UNESCO's mandate. Science is a vehicle for progress, provided that its benefits are distributed fairly and that its applications are governed by ethical principles." In his speech, PhosAgro CEO Andrey Guryev noted: "We are proud and grateful for the fact that the UN chose PhosAgro to be a partner of the International Year of the Periodic Table. For me and my colleagues at PhosAgro, this is a great honour and recognition of our solid long-term partnership with UNESCO in the field of science and education. "Eight years ago, during the International Year of Chemistry, it was in this very room that the historic decision was taken to launch the Green Chemistry for Life global programme, which has been life-changing for dozens of young scientists from all around the world. This project was the first joint step on the path of long-term cooperation between PhosAgro and UNESCO, a path that now includes not only science but also our concern for the environment and the fight against hunger, two integral parts of the UN's sustainable development goals. At the foundation of this system are discoveries made by Dmitri Mendeleev 150 years ago. "As one of the leading companies in the global fertilizer industry, PhosAgro is delighted to be involved in the continuation and development of the tremendous scientific heritage of this great Russian scientist in an effort to solve global problems, primarily to ensure food security in Russia and in the world. PhosAgro's efficient and pure fertilizers are in high demand in 100 countries throughout the world. "Our work doesn't end once our fertilizers have been sold; we share our knowledge and experience with consumers to ensure that our fertilizers are used in the most efficient way possible. We are responsible for the quality, safety and environmental friendliness of our products, which is why we devote significant resources to innovation and scientific developments. "PhosAgro is also home to one of the world's leading specialised research institutes for fertilizers and agrochemicals and the only institution of its kind in Russia, which de facto created the mineral fertilizer industry in our country and is now developing innovations that are enabling Russian fertilizer producers to successfully compete in every corner of the world. In addition, we also cooperate with the Russian Academy of Sciences and leading scientific institutions, and we invest at least 5% of our revenue into research and development. "We are also confident that the events that will take place to mark Mendeleev's discovery during the International Year of the Periodic Table will be extremely beneficial for the further development of technologies in the fields of green chemistry, sustainable development and food security. And, of course, we expect this year to introduce us to many new names and discoveries that will benefit humanity." BERLIN, January 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vodafone Institute today published the results of a global study that found that employees globally feel that they don't have the digital skills they need for jobs in the future. The 'Industry and Employment' report is the second part of the 'Digitising Europe' study, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Vodafone Institute, which examines whether the different degrees of digitisation correlate with the attitudes of the population. 9,000 people across 9 countries were surveyed for one of the first global studies on technology acceptance against the background of digitisation. Key findings: Globally, 85% of respondents said they need digital skills in their job, but 56% said their skills need expanding and only 29% said their skills are sufficient. 78% of respondents in China and 70% in Bulgaria see a need to expand their digital skills, in contrast to 42% in the USA, 42% in the UK, 43% in Germany. Only 32% of European respondents learned their digital skills at work or during their studies, with 67% saying they had to teach themselves. 83% of Indian respondents and 76% in China get up to five or more hours of digital training each week, compared to less than 50% in Western Europe. According to experts interviewed as part of the study, there are two factors that explain why Europeans feel less inclined to enhance their skills. Firstly, an individual's efforts to acquire new skills are not met with sufficient merit or financial reward. Secondly, the idea that one person takes one job for life is still prevalent in Europe. In contrast, individuals in China and India have directly benefited from the rapid growth of digitisation in recent years. Joakim Reiter, Chairman of the Advisory Board, Vodafone Institute, and Group External Affairs Director, Vodafone, said: "Digitisation is rapidly changing the world of work and the results of this study show that digital skills are now essential for every job. However, the expansion of digital skills must keep pace with the ever changing world of technology, which requires a major shift in the way we teach digital skills in schools, universities and the workplace." The 'Industry and Employment' study, which includes expert commentary, is available here: https://www.vodafone-institut.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/The_Tech_Divide_2_Industry_and_Employment_WEB.pdf Press contact Friedrich Pohl Head of Communications Mobile: +49-172-71-55-900 friedrich.pohl@vodafone.com Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications Office Berlin Behrenstrae 18 10117 Berlin http://www.vodafone-institut.de Social Media: facebook.com/VodafoneInstitute twitter.com/vf_institute youtube.com/VodafoneInstitute The global herbicides market is expected to post a CAGR of over 6% during the period 2019-2023, according to the latest market research report by Technavio This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005665/en/ Technavio has released a new market research report on the global herbicides market for the period 2019-2023. (Graphic: Business Wire) Glyphosate is mainly used to kill weeds, especially the annual broadleaf weeds and grasses, and facilitates a simple, flexible, and cost-effective weed control. The effectiveness of glyphosate-based herbicide has also lessened the manual labor involved in plowing of weeds. Also, glyphosate-based products are widely available in various forms, such as gels and powders, because they are convenient to use. As per Technavio, the increased adoption of bio-herbicides will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This global herbicides market 2019-2023research report also analyzes other important trends and market drivers that will affect market growth over 2019-2023. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Global herbicides market: Increased adoption of bio-herbicides Bio-herbicides create minimal residue and ensure rare resistance development. They reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides and are extremely environment-friendly. These advantages of bio-herbicides make them a preferred choice for farmers to increase yield by killing weeds, insects, and unwanted pests. Factors such as the target-specific activity and minimal side effects of bio-herbicides on beneficial plants, the increasing government support for the development of bio-based crop control chemicals, and the phasing out chemical-based synthetic products are some other key aspects that drive the growth of the market. "Apart from the increased adoption of bio-herbicides, the increasing population and the ever-rising demand for food, the increased demand from APAC, the increasing use of dicamba, and rise in mergers and acquisitions are some major factors that are boosting the growth of the market largely," says a senior analyst at Technavio. Global herbicides market: Segmentation analysis This market research report segments the global herbicides market by application (cereals and grains, oilseeds and pulses, fruits and vegetables) and geographical regions (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, MEA). The APAC region led the market in 2018 with a market share close to 39%, followed by Europe, North America, South America, and MEA respectively. During the forecast period, the APAC region is expected to continue dominating the global market as well as register the highest incremental growth. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market size and forecast Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Geographical Segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005665/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 www.technavio.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Fogler, Rubinoff LLP would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #717 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. For further information: Fogler, Rubinoff LLP Kaley Green 416.864.7628 kgreen@foglers.com www.foglers.com A renowned customer intelligence solutions provider, Infiniti Research, has recently announced the completion of their new market trend analysis engagement for a company in the telecommunications industry.The study highlights how understanding past market behavior and expected future innovations through market trend analysis can help companies to collect relevant market data and predict the upcoming trends for 2019. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005627/en/ Market trend analysis engagement for a company in the telecommunications industry. (Graphic: Business Wire) With the rising opportunities for companies operating in the telecommunications industry and related market segments, the need to identify telecommunications industry trends has also increased significantly. Companies of today must capitalize on upcoming opportunities to sustain profitability. This compels them to leverage trend analysis methods and formulate an effective market trend analysis template. At present, companies in the telecom industry are required to make crucial decisions, possess in-depth knowledge of market trends, and key developments to stay competitive in the market. Get in touch with our experts and know how our market trend analysis template can help you address all such issues. The business challenge:The client is among the top five privately-held telecommunication companies in Berlin. The intensifying market competition was creating the need for the company to develop a market trend analysis report and predict the upcoming trends and opportunities for 2019. However, the company was facing difficulties in analyzing the past and current market behavior and dominant patterns of the market and consumers. The lack of relevant data regarding telecommunication industry trends and the adoption of technology was declining revenues for the company. They were not able to predict the future of telecommunications and adapt quickly to them. According to the experts at Infiniti Research, "Businesses are required to gain in-depth insights into- the current trends in the telecommunication industry, preferences of consumers, and the macroeconomic environment to predict the efficacy of their current business operations." Insufficient data and market knowledge can decline revenues of companies, significantly. Request a free proposal and know how trend analysis can help you access relevant market data. The solution offered:The experts at Infiniti Research helped the client to identify the dominant patterns of the market over time and devise an effective strategy that can analyze customer behavior. They evaluated the strategies of their competitors and determined possible areas that can help the client differentiate themselves by offering products and services that fill gaps that their competitors have not addressed. The market trend analysis template helped the company to reduce costs by implementing a flexible resource ramp-up or ramp-down strategies based on future business plans. It also helped the client to analyze their key performing areas that were underperforming and make well-informed decisions. Infiniti Research's market trend analysis template helped the client to: Determine consistent trends by comparing the company's current market behavior and dominant patterns of the market. Analyze key performing areas that were underperforming. Wondering how your business can adapt itself to the rapidly evolving telecom industry trends? Request more information from our experts! Infiniti Research's market trend analysis template offered predictive insights on: Gauging the future market potential and the company's market position. Mitigating challenges and devising effective strategies. Interested in achieving high growth for your business? Request a free proposal to know how market trend analysis can help you with the necessary insights. About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. To know more, visit:https://www.infinitiresearch.com/about-us View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005627/en/ Contacts: Infiniti Research Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 844 778 0600 UK: +44 203 893 3400 https://www.infinitiresearch.com/contact-us Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Alliance Growers Corp. (CSE: ACG) (FSE: 1LA) (WKN: A2DFYX) (OTCQB: ALGWF) ("Alliance Growers" or "the Company") is pleased to report that it has finalized the definitive agreement with WFS Pharmagreen Inc. ("Pharmagreen"), and its subsidiary 1155097 BC Ltd. (BC Ltd.), to acquire an equity interest in Pharmagreen's subsidiary BC Ltd. (the "Transaction"), the entity which will build and operate the Cannabis Biotech Complex on a 25-acre property near Mission in British Colombia. This definitive agreement solidifies the terms of the Binding Letter of Intent ("LOI") between Pharmagreen and Alliance which was first reported on December 28, 2017 and amended on April 13, 2018 and December 21, 2018. Alliance Growers has invested $1,350,000 toward the Transaction to date, representing an initial 10% equity and profit-sharing interest in the Cannabis Biotech Complex, based on the original estimated construction costs. Alliance Growers has the option to acquire up to 30% of the Complex based on actual final Construction and Equipment Costs. The Parties agreed to enter into an addendum to this Agreement by June 30, 2019 (the "Addendum"), setting out the terms of the final Purchase Price for 30% of the Complex minus the $1,350,000 already paid. The Cannabis Biotech Complex, being jointly developed by WFS Pharmagreen Inc., the wholly owned Canadian Subsidiary of Pharmagreen Biotech Inc. and Alliance Growers, is in the construction phase, forecast for completion in Q1 of 2020. Alliance Growers has been and continues to be a strategic partner in the development of the Biotech Complex at Deroche, BC. The funds advanced to date, by Alliance have been instrumental in the completion of the project design and engineering stage including permit application approvals from municipal and regional districts. The primary component of the Deroche Cannabis Biotech Complex is the 63,000 sq ft Cannabis Biotech Centre featuring a state-of-the art laboratory tissue culture facility expected to generate $100 Million in revenue from the sale of 10 Million genetically perfect, disease free tissue culture plantlets annually with a cost of production estimated at $10 Million. This complex will serve as a model for future locations that Pharmagreen plans to build globally. With the recent passage of the farm bill in US, and the subsequent rapid growth of the "high CBD hemp" industry in the southern United States, Pharmagreen and Alliance see an opportunity to build additional facilities to service that market. Commenting on the definitive agreement, Alliance Growers' President and CEO, Dennis Petke, stated, "Executing the definitive agreement to acquire a 30% interest and profit sharing of the Cannabis Biotech Complex solidifies our commitment to follow through on this acquisition which, together with other strategic arrangements with Pharmagreen, will provide long term sustainable profitability for the company and in turn creating value for all stakeholders of Alliance. The profit sharing from this investment will form a significant component of the Alliance Growers' revenue model and the equity interest will bolster the Company's balance sheet. Due to the significant demand for cannabis starts coupled with the superiority of tissue cultured plantlets versus clones, Alliance looks forward to funding the additional interest in the Cannabis Biotech Complex as this will ensure Alliance Growers maintains a strong presence in the cannabis space for many years to come. We are fortunate to have attracted directly and indirectly, multiple sources of funding due to the unique and innovative nature of this extremely valuable service to the cannabis and hemp markets both domestically and globally." About Pharmagreen Biotech, Inc. and WFS Pharmagreen Inc. WFS Pharmagreen Inc. is a wholly owned Canadian based subsidiary of Pharmagreen Biotech, Inc., a publicly traded company. WFS Pharmagreen Inc. is a cannabis company that is becoming the largest producer of cannabis plantlets through a proprietary tissue culture process with opportunity to become one of the largest players globally. Pharmagreen's mission is to advance the technology of tissue culture science and to provide the highest quality 100% germ free, disease free and all genetically the same plantlets of cannabis and other flora while offering full spectrum DNA testing for plant identification, live genetics preservation using low temperature storage for various cannabis and horticulture plants; extraction of botanical oils mainly CBD oil, and to deliver laboratory based services to the North American Cannabis and agriculture sectors. For further information on the company progress on the construction of a 63,000 square foot "Cannabis Biotech Complex" please visit www.pharmagreen.ca About Alliance Growers Corp. Alliance Growers is a Diversified Global Medical Cannabis Company driven by the Company's 'Four Pillars' Organization Plan - Cannabis Biotech Complex, Strategic ACMPR Investments, CBD Oil Supply and Distribution, and Research and Technology. Alliance Growers is working with Pharmagreen Biotech Inc. advancing a new business partnership, to jointly develop and operate a 63,000-square foot facility, to be the first of its kind in Western Canada to house a DNA Botany lab, extraction facility and Tissue Culture Plantlet Production facility to service the Cannabis market and agriculture market in general. The proposed Cannabis Biotech Complex's main facility is the Cannabis Biotech Centre which will grow Cannabis plantlets using proprietary tissue culture propagation, specifically utilizing the "Chibafreen Invitro Plant Production System", which allows for more tissue cultured plantlets to be produced in less space and less time. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.alliancegrowers.com or the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. If you would like to be added to Alliance Growers' news distribution list, please send your email address to newsletter@alliancegrowers.com. For more information contact: Dennis Petke CEO, President and Director Tel: 778-331-4266 DennisPetke@alliancegrowers.com Rob Grace Communications Consultant Tel: 778-998-5431 RobDGrace@gmail.com FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, the news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to Company's corporate strategy. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company's ability to carry out its business plan. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to identify and complete additional suitable acquisitions to further the Company's growth as well as risks associated with the medical marijuana industry in general, such as operational risks in development and production delays or changes in plans with respect to development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of the capital markets; the uncertainty of receiving the required licenses, production, costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; marketing and transportation; loss of markets; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of the potential market; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws and regulated regulations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the Canadian Securities Exchange. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42518 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) -TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) ("TransCanna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to acquire Goodfellas Group, LLC, ("Goodfellas") a full service advertising and marketing agency for the cannabis and hemp industries, from which the Company is already acquiring 23 branding agreements. The acquisition price will be derived from two times the previous 12 months revenues, at the time of execution of definitive agreements, as set forth in the audited financial statements of Goodfellas. 60% of acquisition price will be paid at closing, of which will be payable in cash and will be payable through the issuance of the Company's common shares, and the remaining 40% of the acquisition price will be paid 12 months following the closing. The Company also anticipates retaining key members of the Goodfellas staff. Formed in 2017, Goodfellas includes a team of design, marketing and retail experts who are driven to assist their clients find success in the marketplace. The company currently works with twenty five clients at various stages of their business development. "It's critically important that in order for our future brands to be successful in the cannabis and hemp space, we have to have relationships with the dispensaries and retailers, who in turn have the relationships with the end users. Through GoodFellas, we'll have immediate access to many of the most successful dispensaries in California, and retailers throughout the US. In addition, we'll be examining GoodFellas clientele to determine if there are potential acquisition candidates that fit our extremely critical vetting process," states Jim Pakulis, CEO of TransCanna. "We watched first hand how Jim took TransCanna go from the inception stage in 2017 to overseeing a successful IPO. We believe TransCanna long term vision aligns with ours which is to build a portfolio of extremely successful brands, and have the distribution and sales teams already in place as the brands come online," said Nam Tran, president of Goodfellas. About Transcanna Holdings Inc. TransCanna Holdings Inc. is a Canadian based company providing branding, transportation and distribution services, through its wholly-owned California subsidiaries, to a range of industries including the cannabis marketplace. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com or email the Company at info@transcanna.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors James Pakulis President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 609-6199 The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to the future leasing plans of the company. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward looking statements or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42517 SpendEdge, a well-known procurement intelligence solution provider, has announced the completion of their lateststudy on the significance of supply chain management services for a consumer goods company.The report gives an overview of how an unproductive supply chain management system can result in increased error rates and poor supply chain visibility for companies. It also provides information on how supply chain management services can be leveraged to provide unique insights into market risks, supplier information, and procurement strategies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005595/en/ Supply chain management services for a consumer goods company. (Graphic: Business Wire) The escalating market competition is compelling leading players in the consumer goods sector to enhance their market value through an improvised supply chain management process. Companies that sell CPGs are realizing the need to have an agile supply chain management system that can help them adapt to the changing consumer demands. Also, availing customized supply chain management services can help businesses utilize their resources efficiently, reduce manufacturing lead times, and develop better collaboration with suppliers. According to the procurement experts at SpendEdge, "Supply chain management services are critical for companies to efficiently address procurement challenges and mitigate procurement risks." The Business Problem:The client is a leading company in the consumer goods sector and has business units spread across different parts of Europe. Being one of the largest consumer goods manufacturers in Denmark, the existing process of the company was proving inefficient in terms of supply chain visibility and digital capabilities. This was substantially increasing their error rates and leakage due to lost invoices. Inefficient supply market intelligence was posing difficulties for the company in generating unique insights on their supply chain activities. The inadequacies in the delivery and reconciliation processes were contributing to the poor customer experience and were dwindling their customer base. Is poor supply chain visibility becoming a hurdle for your business? Talk to our experts and know how our supply management services can help you with detailed insights on supply chain activities. The Solution Offered:To address the needs of the client, the experts at SpendEdge focused on developing strategies to enhance supply chain visibility. They offered actionable insights into inventory and point-of-sale (POS) data that empowered the client to manage volatile demand. They also devised a supply chain management strategy to improve the company's supply chain performance. The solutions offered equipped the client with better supply market intelligence capabilities and predictive supply market insights on a regular basis. SpendEdge's supply chain management services also aided the company with several other benefits such as better savings, inventory management and supply chain risk identification. Supply chain management services directly impact the efficiency of companies' procurement processes. Request a free proposal and know how you can leverage our supply chain management services for the growth of your organization. SpendEdge's supply chain management services helped the client to: Identify supply chain risks proactively. Achieve better savings. Want to gain actionable insights into markets risks, supplier information, and procurement strategies? Request a free demo now! SpendEdge's supply chain management services also offered predictive insights on: Enhancing supply chain visibility Improving inventory management through accurate forecasts. Read the complete article to know more: https://www.spendedge.com/casestudy/supply-chain-management-services About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more, https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005595/en/ Contacts: SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 984 7340 UK: +44 148 459 9299 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us CORAL GABLES, FL / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2019 / With the cannabis boom just getting underway, analysts at Piper Jaffray believe we could be looking at a market value of between $250 billion to $500 billion a year. 'We believe the long-term growth can be significant - both from transitioning illicit trade to legal sales, medical sales, and from transitioning sales in health [and] wellness categories to CBD-infused products,' said the analysts, as quoted by MarketWatch. Most notably, as millions of people living all over the world look to embrace the medicinal properties of cannabis, related companies are quickly gaining the attention of cannabis investors. Some of those companies include Pure Global Cannabis Inc. (TSX.V: PURE) (OTC PINK: PRCNF), CannTrust Holdings Inc. (TSX: TRST) (OTC: CNTTF), and Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED). Pure Global Cannabis' (PURE)(PRCNF) subsidiary, PureSinse Inc. has agreed to purchase all of the outstanding shares of SPRQ Health Group Corporation, otherwise known as SPARK, a Brampton-based cannabis clinic helping patients obtain safe access to medical cannabis with in-person nurse based consultation. PureSinse is also further expanding its patient reach through its partnership with HelloMD, offering convenient access to online telehealth medicine services, seven days a week. 'Through our acquisition of SPARK and our partnership with HelloMD, we are building a platform to enable personalized medical consultation, education and medical access to patients across Canada as part of our continued commitment to the health and wellness needs of medical cannabis patients.' said Malay Panchal, CEO of Pure Global. SPARK currently cares for over 2,500 active patients, with an average patient prescription of approximately 2 to 3 grams per day. With a leading-edge practice, SPARK offers personalized and innovative team-based care, leveraging clinical tools such as genetic testing in order to ensure that effective and safe cannabis strains with the appropriate dosage regimens are prescribed to patients. Physicians and pharmacists can refer patients to SPARK for consultations and specialized care involving medical cannabis at no cost. For More Information on Pure Global Cannabis, Click Here. CannTrust Holdings (CNTTF) (TRST) produces and distributes pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis products in Canada. It sells dried cannabis and oil extractions to the client based on the medication document provided by health care practitioner. It also serves up to 50,000 active patients at this time. In addition, over the last few weeks, the company applied to list its shares on the NYSE. "CannTrust has firmly established itself as one of the top licensed producers in Canada with a global platform rooted in trust, science and innovation," CannTrust CEO Peter Aceto said. "A listing on the NYSE is a natural step forward in our evolution as we look to broaden our investor base, increase the company's exposure and expand our business on an international scale." For More Information on CannTrust Holdings Inc., Click Here. Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC) (WEED) stock has been moving aggressively higher after Piper Jaffray analysts raised its price target by 50% and said the company is well-positioned in the growing markets for legal and medical marijuana. In addition, the company also plans to invest between $100 million and $150 million in its New York operations 'capable of producing tons of hemp' on an annual basis, notes CNBC. According to analysts at Cowen, "We expect continued growth in newly established U.S. states, and more robust growth in Canada as more supply comes online and new form factors hit the market," analysts at Cowen noted. Among the likely beneficiaries, will be Tilray Inc. and Canopy Growth, which it believes will 'finally start to see the true benefits of adult use sales and the lapping of upfront investments made in calendar 2018 to scale up ahead of adult use.' For More Information on Canopy Growth (NYSE: CGC), Click Here. Legal Disclaimer Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this article contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from aressed or implied by such statements. Winning Media which has a partnership with www.MarijuanaStox.com is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Winning Media, which has a partnership with www.MarijuanaStox.com, is only compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation. Pursuant to an agreement between Winning Media (partners of MarijuanaStox.com) and Pure Global Cannabis, Winning Media has been paid sixty thousand dollars for advertising and marketing services for Pure Global Cannabis. We own ZERO shares of Pure Global Cannabis. Please click here for full disclaimer. CONTACT: 281-804-7972 ty@wallstreetnation.com SOURCE: MarijuanaStox.com View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/533871/Three-Top-Medical-Marijuana-Stocks-to-Watch-as-Market-Balloons-to-500-billion ABI Research's Dominique Bonte to Moderate Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything Panel OYSTER BAY, New York, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Six ABI Research analysts will be on-site at Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, from Feb. 25-28 to conduct press interviews and one-to-one business meetings about transformative technologies, announced ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm providing strategic guidance on the most compelling transformative technologies. Also at Mobile World Congress on Feb. 27 from 9:25 a.m. to 10:40 a.m., ABI Research's Dominique Bonte, Vice President of Verticals and End Markets, will moderate the panel "C-V2X Ready to Roll at Global Level." The Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) panel is part of the Connecting the Mobility World with C-V2X session and presented by the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA). Bonte's panel will focus on China, the European Union, Japan, and the United States; a go-to-market timeline also will be discussed. The analysts in attendance and their associated research areas include: Dominique Bonte , Vice President, Verticals & End Markets , Vice President, Verticals & End Markets Dimitris Mavrakis , Research Director, Mobile Network Infrastructure , Research Director, Mobile Network Infrastructure David McQueen , Research Director, Handsets & Devices , Research Director, Handsets & Devices Jamie Moss , Research Director, M2M, IoT & IoE , Research Director, M2M, IoT & IoE Phil Sealy , Principal Analyst, Digital Security , Principal Analyst, Digital Security Pablo Tomasi , Senior Analyst, 5G & Mobile Network Infrastructure Organized by the GSMA, Mobile World Congress is the world's largest gathering for the mobile industry. For biographies of all the analysts attending Mobile World Congress, download the PDF. ABI's analysts envision Mobile World Congress to highlight: 5G smartphones making an appearance, and mobile service providers will announce 5G deployments for 2019 AI (Artificial Intelligence) capabilities being featured, but most will focus on network optimization rather than new 5G use cases eSIM being addressed, not only with M2M (machine-to-machine)/industrial applications but also with a stronger presence of consumer solutions in the wake of Apple eSIM support within its latest range of smartphones Innovations being deployed in smartphones, such as flexible displays, full-screen bezel-less designs, gesture control, and smart biometrics If you would like to schedule a press interview or 1:1 business meeting with an ABI analyst, visit https://go.abiresearch.com/2019-mwc-schedule-a-briefing. Resources: Learn more about transformative technologies, download the PDF: "2 nd Annual Big Trends Impacting the Most Compelling Transformative Technologies: 19 1-Minute Reads" Annual Big Trends Impacting the Most Compelling Transformative Technologies: 19 1-Minute Reads" Discover the trends and "bright ideas" that the ABI analysts identified at CES 2019, download the PDF: https://go.abiresearch.com/2019-ces-1-minute-reads." About ABI Research ABI Research provides strategic guidance for visionaries needing market foresight on the most compelling transformative technologies, which reshape workforces, identify holes in a market, create new business models and drive new revenue streams. ABI's own research visionaries take stances early on those technologies, publishing groundbreaking studies often years ahead of other technology advisory firms. ABI analysts deliver their conclusions and recommendations in easily and quickly absorbed formats to ensure proper context. Our analysts strategically guide visionaries to take action now and inspire their business to realize a bigger picture. For more information about ABI Research's forecasting, consulting and teardown services, visionaries can contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific or visit www.abiresearch.com. Contact Info: Global Deborah Petrara Christopher Leary Tel: +1.516.624.2558 Tel: +1.516.624.2544 pr@abiresearch.com pr@abiresearch.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/276887/abi_research_logo.jpg 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. Arix Bioscience Plc - Update on Harpoon proposed IPO in the United States THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE EU MARKET ABUSE REGULATION NO.596/2014 Arix Bioscience plc Update on Harpoon proposed IPO in the United States LONDON, 29 January 2019 Arix Bioscience plc (LSE:ARIX) ("Arix"), a global healthcare and life science company supporting medical innovation, today notes that Harpoon Therapeutics Inc. ("Harpoon") has filed an amended registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to a proposed underwritten initial public offering in the United States of shares of Harpoon's common stock. The registration statement discloses an expected pricing range for the proposed offering of U.S.$13.00- U.S.$15.00 per share of common stock. This would represent an increase in value of Arix's current shareholding in Harpoon (compared to the 20.2 million sterling holding value) of 4.2 million - 7.9 million[1]. The proposed maximum aggregate offering amount specified in the filing is U.S.$93.15 million, which assumes that the public offering price is at the top of the expected pricing range and includes the option that is proposed to be granted to the underwriters to purchase additional shares of common stock. Arix has indicated an interest in purchasing shares of common stock in the offering, subject to agreement with the underwriters. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC, but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. The registration statement can be accessed through the SEC's EDGAR database. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale 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 that state or jurisdiction. These securities are to be offered only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus can be obtained from: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at (800) 831-9146; or SVB Leerink Partners LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6132, or by e-mail at syndicate@leerink.com. For the avoidance of doubt, such prospectus will not constitute a "prospectus" for the purposes of Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent implemented in each relevant EU member state) and will not have been reviewed by any competent authority in any EU member state. ENDS Enquiries For more information on Arix, please contact: Arix Bioscience plc Charlotte Parry, Head of Investor Relations +44 (0)20 7290 1072 charlotte@arixbioscience.com Optimum Strategic Communications Mary Clark, Supriya Mathur +44 (0)203 714 1787 optimum.arix@optimumcomms.com About Arix Bioscience plc Arix Bioscience plc is a global healthcare and life science company supporting medical innovation. Headquartered in London and with an office in New York, Arix Bioscience sources, finances and builds world class healthcare and life science businesses addressing medical innovation at all stages of development. Operations are supported by privileged access to breakthrough academic science and strategic relationships with leading research accelerators and global pharmaceutical companies. Arix Bioscience plc is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. About Harpoon Harpoon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a novel class of T cell engagers that harness the power of the body's immune system to treat patients suffering from cancer and other diseases. T cell engagers are engineered proteins that direct a patient's own T cells to kill target cells that express specific proteins, or antigens, carried by the target cells. Using its proprietary Tri-specific T cell Activating Construct ("TriTAC"), platform, Harpoon is developing a pipeline of novel T cell engagers, or TriTACs, initially focused on the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. [1] All amounts shown are at an exchange rate of GBP 1.0000: USD 1.3150 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2019 / Broadcast Management Group, Inc. (BMG) expands it's broadcast consulting, engineering, and broadcast system integration division by acquiring Vegas Wireworks and naming founder Megan Kirst their Vice President of Engineering. Kirst, a veteran of Sony's systems integration group, has worked on system design and integration projects around the world, from the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, to an HD upgrade for the National Broadcast Services ZIZ in St. Kitts. Kirst also designed on-board video and radio system on the US Navy's CVN79 aircraft carrier, the John F. Kennedy. Megan has worked with major broadcasters and networks, including MTV, CBS News, Fox TV, and DirecTV. Vegas Wireworks offers systems design, build-out, integration, training, and maintenance. In addition to extensive design-build and integration projects at fixed facilities, Vegas Wireworks has also built full-size mobile production trucks, production Sprinter vans, and custom flight packs. Broadcast Management Group will be taking over the Vegas Wireworks office and warehouse located just off the Las Vegas Strip. "We are excited to be joining the Broadcast Management Group family. Now as part of BMG, we will be extending their systems integration and maintenance services to broadcast clients all over the world. With our Engineering, Design, AutoCAD, Integration, Training and Maintenance team based in Las Vegas, we will be able to offer a complete system from concept to fully functioning broadcast facility" said Kirst. "Vegas Wireworks and its team, by Megan will be a great addition to our team as we continue to grow our consulting, engineering and integration business", said Dave Weiler, Senior Vice President of Broadcast Management Group. Dave continues, "Megan will lead our engineering design, build, and integration team and expand our manufacturing relationships." "This is a great strategic step for BMG", said Todd Mason, Chief Executive Officer of Broadcast Management Group. "We are adding great talent to our growing consulting, engineering and integration group and establishing a west coast operation for deployment of flight packs that support our live production division." The fast paced Las Vegas market continues to grow and BMG's new Las Vegas operation will support that market growth by providing live production services, event management, engineering design, build-out and integration, and production staffing. Broadcast Management Group is a global media company with five practice groups: live production, broadcast consulting, creative content development, long-term production staffing, and event management. The company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Washington, D.C. Contact: Jonathan Clark Public Relations, Marketing Broadcast Management Group, Inc. Phone: 703.855.4896 jclark@broadcastmgmt.com SOURCE: Broadcast Management Group, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/532745/Broadcast-Management-Group-Acquires-Vegas-Wireworks-Founder-Megan-Kirst-Joins-BMG-as-VP-of-Engineering Complete carrier-grade router appliance with FPGA-based ACE-NIC100 SmartNIC utilizing COTS servers Ethernity Networks (AIM: ENET.L), a leading innovator of software-defined network processing and security solutions on programmable hardware, today introduced its ENET vRouter network appliance, enabling 100Gbps routing functionality in inexpensive commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. It is ideal for communications service providers, internet service providers, and enterprise data center administrators designing next-generation programmable networks. The ENET vRouter combines Ethernity's comprehensive embedded vRouter software with its ACE-NIC100 FPGA SmartNIC and cost-efficient COTS servers to deliver a carrier-grade switch/router appliance, thereby utilizing existing investment in data center hardware. By simply plugging Ethernity's solution into COTS servers, operators and network administrators can avoid heavy investment in purchasing rigid proprietary router equipment and gain an all-programmable switch/router platform. Moreover, Ethernity's FPGA-based data plane acceleration within the ENET vRouter appliance fully offloads networking and security functions from the server CPUs, which are better appropriated to the control plane. This not only offers enhanced networking performance, but also optimizes CPU utilization by freeing the server CPUs to handle user applications. "Ethernity's vRouter network appliance is the first product that integrates server-based carrier-grade switch-router functionality with FPGA acceleration into a COTS x86 platform," said Eugene Zetserov, Vice President of Product Marketing at Ethernity Networks. "It reflects Ethernity's strategy to integrate comprehensive network software with FPGA hardware acceleration in a single solution." The ENET vRouter network appliance is available in two convenient ordering options: Ethernity vRouter software and a pluggable ACE-NIC100 SmartNIC, for installation in third-party COTS servers, and a ready-to-use turnkey appliance that includes a server with the vRouter software and ACE-NIC100 SmartNIC installed. The ENET vRouter is currently under evaluation by multiple potential Asian customers. To see a demo of the ENET vRouter, please meet us at the IMA Pavilion 2E50 in Hall 2 of the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, February 25-28. For further information, please visit our website. About Ethernity Networks Ethernity Networks (AIM: ENET.L) provides innovative software-defined networking and security solutions on programmable hardware for accelerating telco/cloud networks. Ported onto any FPGA, Ethernity's software offers complete data layer processing with a rich set of networking features, robust security, and a wide range of virtual functions to optimize your network. Our ACE-NIC smart network adapters, ENET SoCs, and turnkey network appliances offer best-in-class all-programmable platforms for the telecom, cloud service provider, and enterprise markets. We offer our customers complete solutions that quickly adapt to their changing needs, improving time-to-market and facilitating the deployment of edge computing, 5G, IoT, and NFV. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005540/en/ Contacts: Kevin Tanzillo Email: media@ethernitynet.com Tel: +1-903-865-1078 Mitsubishi Motors is famous for carving its own niche. Soon its latest creation will be revealed, bringing more SUV capability, EV efficiency, technology and style to the lineup. Named after a beautiful, rugged Alpine town with a history of sporting success, the MITSUBISHI ENGELBERG TOURER will make its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 5, 2019. Official press days are March 5 and 6, and the show is open to the general public from March 7 to March 17. For more information, please see: https://www.gims.swiss/ About MITSUBISHI MOTORS Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has a competitive edge in SUVs and pickup trucks, electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Since the Mitsubishi group produced its first car more than a century ago, we have demonstrated an ambitious and often disruptive approach, developing new vehicle genres and pioneering cutting-edge technologies. Deeply rooted in Mitsubishi Motors' DNA, our brand strategy will appeal to ambitious drivers, willing to challenge conventional wisdom and ready to embrace change. Consistent with this mindset, Mitsubishi Motors introduced its new brand strategy in 2017, expressed in its "Drive your Ambition" tagline a combination of personal drive and forward attitude, and a reflection of the constant dialogue between the brand and its customers. Today Mitsubishi Motors is committed to continuous investment in innovative new technologies, attractive design and product development, bringing exciting and authentic new vehicles to customers around the world. About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. Through a network of approximately 355 dealer partners across the United States, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for the sales, research and development, marketing and customer service of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in the U.S. 2018 marked the brand's sixth consecutive year of sales growth. Located in Cypress, Calif., MMNA is a part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the largest automaker alliance in the world. Mitsubishi continues to lead the way in the development of highly efficient, affordably priced new gasoline-powered automobiles, while using its industry-leading knowledge in battery-electric vehicles to develop future EV and PHEV models. For more information on Mitsubishi vehicles, please contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005287/en/ Contacts: Jeremy Barnes Senior Director, Communications and Events jeremy.barnes@na.mitsubishi-motors.com Desk: 714-372-6008 Vicky Van Guyse The Brand Amp vicky@thebrandamp.com Desk: 949-438-1101 Data governance and catalog leader to accelerate growth and double down on machine learning and artificial intelligence NEW YORK and BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan. 29, 2019, a leader in enterprise data governance and catalog software, today announced $100 million in series E funding at a post-money valuation of more than $1 billion, bringing the company's total venture funding to $233 million. CapitalG, Alphabet's growth equity investment fund, led the round, with participation from existing investors ICONIQ Capital, Index Ventures, Dawn Capital and Battery Ventures. The funding comes on the heels of a record revenue year, with an 80 percent increase in annualized recurring revenue and rapid expansion across the globe. The investment is expected to be used to fund the expansion of the product portfolio and to accelerate growth across the business. Collibra plans to extend its artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities both within its cloud-native platform - building more automation into its smart catalog product - and in its support of data science teams for their own advanced analytics initiatives. "Collibra is putting organizations back in control of their data, helping them comply with changing legislation, embrace emerging technologies and capture the information that will enable them to design services and solutions built for the future," said Derek Zanutto of CapitalG. "We look forward to partnering with Collibra and marrying Google and Alphabet's machine learning and AI expertise with Collibra's leadership in data collaboration, workflow management and risk management." More than 300 global customers in industries ranging from financial services to healthcare, retail and technology, are leveraging Collibra's platform to bolster their data-driven digital transformations. Collibra has become the de-facto choice for chief data officers tasked with implementing a strategic approach to their data and maximizing its value for their organizations. "Now more than ever, we live in an economy where the most innovative companies are fueled by data. It has become our most valuable asset," said Felix Van de Maele, CEO and co-founder of Collibra. "This investment is a testament to Collibra's leadership and our ability to help customers transform their market proposition through data-driven insight. With this latest round, we are well-positioned to leverage our heritage in understanding data to help our customers utilize the most cutting-edge innovation to power their digital transformation journeys." Collibra continues to receive significant accolades from the data and technology community, and was recently named to Forbes' Cloud 100 listfor the second consecutive year. It was also named a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Metadata Management Solutionsfor the third consecutive year, as well as in The Forrester Wave: Machine Learning Data Catalogsand The Forrester Wave: Data Governance Stewardship and Discovery Providers. About Collibra As the leader in data governance and catalog software, Collibra helps organizations across the world gain competitive advantage by maximizing the value of their data across the enterprise. Collibra is the only solution purpose-built to address the gamut of data stewardship, governance, and management needs of the most complex, data-intensive industries. Our flexible and configurable cloud-based or on-premises solution puts people and processes first - empowering every data citizen to find, understand and trust the data to unlock business value. Learn more at www.collibra.com. RALEIGH, North Carolina, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global market for carbon black is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5 - 4 percent until 2022, according to Beroe Inc., a procurement intelligence firm. The market for carbon black is mainly driven by the tire industry in Asia and specialty carbon black industry across the globe. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/777512/Beroe_Logo.jpg ) The U.S. carbon black producers profited from the tire plants expansion in regions such as Mexico, which resulted in an increase in the export volume, and a growth of 4 - 5 percent is expected from this sector. Producers in regions such as Russia, China, and Europe are actively seeking export in order to offset the surplus supply prevailing in the regions. Moreover, for the regions such as Russia and China, there is a lack of heavy oil-based feedstock; thus they import carbon black from other regions such as the U.S. https://www.beroeinc.com/category-intelligence/carbon-black-market Beroe, which is based in North Carolina, further stated that procurement experts can access this report on its recently launched market intelligence platform Beroe LiVE: live.beroeinc.com There are a considerable number of substitutes of carbon black and many companies are on the look-out for commercializing such products. These products are costlier than carbon black; therefore, producers have started investing in large projects to commercialize these products on a great scale. In the long run, the availability of substitutes would be high, which would be a threat to the carbon black industry. Globally, companies such as Cabot and Aditya Birla are setting up plants in Asia to take advantage of the increase in demand in the region by utilizing the coal-based carbon black feedstock advantage. Furthermore, western producers have low operational cost due to their better process technology, which gives them a 35 percent reduced input cost than the Asian players. Key Findings: The plastics industry is expected to have high growth rate until 2022, as carbon black products are more economical and physically suitable to use. This would indirectly provide 4 - 5 percent of the growth in the carbon market industry from this sector for the next five years. Specialty carbon black finds wide use as carburizers for such products as tungsten carbide and high purity silicon carbide, and as reducing agents for the production of high purity metals such as solar grade silicon. The production cost of carbon black is lowest in Asia due to the availability of cheap feedstock and low labor rates. Feedstock holds nearly 60 percent share in the cost structure of carbon black production. due to the availability of cheap feedstock and low labor rates. Feedstock holds nearly 60 percent share in the cost structure of carbon black production. About 0.91 MMT of carbon black capacity is expected to be added to the global production base by 2022. Other than Russia , all the other capacities are concentrated primarily in the developing regions. , all the other capacities are concentrated primarily in the developing regions. Cheaper raw materials, low labor tariffs, and lenient environmental regulations also support the shift in carbon black production to Asia . . Precipitated silica is the most widely used substitute replacing nearly 20 percent of carbon black to make a 'green tire'. The research methodology adopted for the report included: Experts with twenty years of domain experience Interaction with buyers Inputs from supply chain partners The production of carbon black base has moved to Asia from the developed markets, as Asia remains to reemphasize its position as a global automobile hub. Furthermore, 0.91 MMT of carbon black capacity is expected to be added to the global production base by 2022. The report also includes: Market Analysis: Value Chain Analysis Global Market Outlook - Current Market Size Demand - Supply Trends and Forecast Key End-use Industries Trade Dynamics Regional Market Outlook ( North America , Europe , and Asia ) , , and ) Current Market Size Demand - Supply Trends and Forecast Key End-Use Trade Dynamic Industry Analysis: Industry Outlook ( North America , Europe , and Asia ) , , and ) Drivers and Constraints for the Industry Mergers & Acquisitions Innovations Porter's Five Forces Analysis Cost & Pricing Analysis: Cost & Price Analysis ( North America , Europe , and Asia ) , , and ) Cost Structure Analysis Cost Drivers for Carbon Black Supplier Analysis: Key Global and Regional Suppliers Key Supplier's Capability Analysis Capacity Product Portfolio Expansions, If Any Geographical Footprint Supplier Market Share - Global Detailed Supplier Profiling of the Top Five Global Suppliers SWOT Analysis for the Top Five Global Suppliers Industry Best Practices: Contract Structures Engagement Models About Beroe Inc.: Beroe's unique business model involves providing market intelligence and analytics to the procurement teams of businesses across the globe. Beroe leverages its deep domain expertise in 300 + categories across 14 industries. It boasts of more than 80 of the Fortune 500 companies as its clients. To learn more about Beroe Inc, please visit http://www.beroeinc.com Media Contact: Debobrata Hembram debobrata.hembram@beroe-inc.com Emerging markets are the most digitally mature, based on the latest Digital Transformation Index with 4,600 business leaders from 40+ countries ROUND ROCK, Texas, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- News summary Just 5% of businesses globally have been defined as Digital Leaders - indicating no improvement since 2016 Emerging markets are faring better than developed markets with India , Brazil and Thailand gaining the highest digital maturity scores , and gaining the highest digital maturity scores 78% report digital transformation should be more widespread throughout their organization 51% believe they'll struggle to meet changing customer demands, while one in three worry they'll be left behind in five years 91% are held back by barriers such as 1) data privacy and security 2) lack of budget and resources and 3) insufficient workforce skills Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8356754-dell-technologies-digital-transformation-index-research/ Full story Despite the relentless pace of disruption, the latest Dell Technologies Digital Transformation (DT) Index shows many businesses' digital transformation programs are still in their infancy. This is evidenced by the 78% of business leaders who admit digital transformation should be more widespread throughout their organization. More than half of businesses (51%) believe they'll struggle to meet changing customer demands within five years, and almost one in three (30%) still worry their organization will be left behind. Dell Technologies, in collaboration with Intel and Vanson Bourne, surveyed 4,600 business leaders (director to C-suite) from mid- to large-sized companies across the globe to score their organizations' transformation efforts. The study revealed that emerging markets are the most digitally mature, with India, Brazil and Thailand topping the global ranking. In contrast, developed markets are slipping behind: Japan, Denmark and France received the lowest digital maturity scores. What's more, emerging markets are more confident in their ability to "disrupt rather than be disrupted" (53%), compared to just 40% in developed nations. Behind the curve The DT Index II builds on the first ever DT Index launched in 2016. The two-year comparison highlights that progress has been slow, with organizations struggling to keep up with the blistering pace of change. While the percentage of Digital Adopters has increased, there's been no progress at the top. Almost four in 10 (39%) businesses are still spread across the two least digitally mature groups on the benchmark (Digital Laggards and Digital Followers). "In the near future, every organization will need to be a digital organization, but our research indicates that the majority still have a long way to go," says Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies. "Organizations need to modernize their technology to participate in the unprecedented opportunity of digital transformation. The time to act is now." Benchmark groups Description Today global 2016 global Digital Leaders Digital transformation is ingrained in their DNA 5% 5% Digital Adopters Have a mature digital plan, investments and innovations in place 23% 14% Digital Evaluators Gradually embracing digital transformation; planning and investing for the future 33% 34% Digital Followers Make very few digital investments; tentatively starting to make plans 30% 32% Digital Laggards Do not have a digital plan; limited initiatives and investments in place 9% 15% Barriers to transformation and confidence The findings also suggest business leaders are on the verge of a confidence crisis, with 91% held back by persistent barriers. The top five barriers to digital transformation success: Data privacy and security concerns (from 5th place in 2016) Lack of budget and resources Lack of the right in-house skill sets and expertise Regulation and legislative changes (from 9th place in 2016) Immature digital culture Almost half (49%) believe their organization will struggle to prove it's trustworthy within the next five years. Nearly a third (32%) don't trust their own organization to comply with regulations (such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation). One in three don't trust their own organization to protect employee or customer data. Plans to realize their digital future Leaders have reported common priorities and investments to aid future transformation, including an increased focus on workforce, security and IT. Forty-six percent are developing in-house digital skills and talent, by teaching all employees how to code for instance, up from 27% in 2016. Top technology investments for the next one to three years: Cybersecurity Internet of Things technology Multi-cloud environment Artificial intelligence Compute centric approach How organizations fare in the future will depend on the steps they take today. For instance, Draper, a Dell Technologies customer, was traditionally focused on department of defense research but it's starting to move into more commercial areas such as biomedical science. "Technology enables us to keep solving the world's toughest problems; from the infrastructure and services that underpin our innovation, to the experimental technologies that we wield to prevent disease for instance," says Mike Crones, CIO, Draper. "We couldn't push boundaries, and call ourselves an engineering and research firm, without being a fully transformed and modern company from the inside out." Notes to editor Most digitally mature countries: India Brazil Thailand Mexico Colombia Least digitally mature countries: Japan Denmark France Belgium Singapore Research methodology During the summer of 2018, independent research company Vanson Bourne surveyed 4,600 business leaders from mid- to large-size companies across 42 countries/sub-regions to gauge their organizations' place on the Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index. Vanson Bourne classified businesses' digital business efforts by examining their IT strategy, workforce transformation initiatives and perceived performance against a core set of digital business attributes. Additional resources Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index II local results and additional information on the 2016 Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index Additional information on Dell Technologies Realizing 2030 program Follow the latest news on Twitter from @DellTech, @Dell and @DellEMC About Dell Technologies Dell Technologies is a unique family of businesses that provides the essential infrastructure for organizations to build their digital future, transform IT and protect their most important asset, information. The company services customers of all sizes across 180 countries - ranging from 99 percent of the Fortune 500 to individual consumers - with the industry's most comprehensive and innovative portfolio from the edge to the core to the cloud. About Vanson Bourne Vanson Bourne is an independent specialist in market research for the technology sector. Its reputation for robust and credible research-based analysis is founded upon rigorous research principles and an ability to seek the opinions of senior decision makers across technical and business functions, in all business sectors and all major markets. For more information, visit www.vansonbourne.com. Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved. Dell, Dell EMC, Dell Technologies and the Dell Technologies logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/455191/DellTech_Prm_Blue_rgb_Logo.jpg Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Aura Resources Inc. (TSXV: AUU) ("Aura" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Minaurum Gold Inc. (TSXV: MGG) ("Minaurum") and its Mexican subsidiary whereby Minaurum will acquire an interest in the Company's East Taviche property located in Oaxaca, Mexico. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, Minaurum will acquire an initial 80% interest in the East Taviche project for the following consideration: the issuance of 100,000 common shares in the capital of Minaurum; re-imbursement of all Taviche project concession fees paid by Aura during 2018 and payment of the remaining concession fees to bring the property into good standing until January 31, 2019, to a maximum of US$80,000; and the issuance of an additional 100,000 common shares in the capital of Minaurum upon receiving all relevant approvals and consents required to be obtained for the commencement of exploration and drilling activities at the East Taviche project. Additionally, Aura will grant to Minaurum an exclusive option to acquire the remaining 20% of the project for a total purchase price of CDN$1,000,000. Until exercise of that option, Aura's 20% interest shall be free-carried with no obligation to co-fund project costs and will not be subject to dilution (together, with the sale of an 80% interest in the East Taviche Property described above, the "Transaction"). Upon acquiring the initial 80% interest, Minaurum will act as operator of the project having exclusive authority and control over the direction and management of the business and operations of the East Taviche project. The Transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Aura initiated involvement with the Taviche project during 2006 and has operated the project since 2010. Both Aura and Minaurum recognize that the property holds good potential for the further discovery of silver and gold along the prospective Mezcal structure. Robert Johansing, CEO of Aura stated, "We are very pleased to have Minaurum advance the Taviche project. Minaurum is a regional explorer focused on the exploration and development of high-grade gold and silver projects in Mexico and is led by experienced exploration and management teams. This transaction assures that exploration will continue at the Taviche project allowing Aura to realize value for its investment in the project and to focus on new opportunities." Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo. is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. About Aura Aura is a TSX Venture Exchange listed company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious metal prospects in North America including: in Nunavut, Canada (45.17% interest in the Greyhound project operated by our partner, Agnico Eagle); in Oaxaca, Mexico (20% owned Taviche project operated by Minaurum Gold); and, in Arizona, USA (the Gold Chain project subject to option to earn a 100% interest). Aura has 27,490,128 common shares outstanding. For further information regarding this press release contact: Robert Johansing, President and CEO at (805) 455-4775 or by e-mail at rjohansing@gmail.com. Aura's web site is located at www.aurasilver.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release may contain forward looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business including the uncertainty as to whether the Transaction is completed on a timely basis or at all, whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, share consolidation, the private placement financing activities of the Company, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Aura does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42501 First two HHP sites are currently being installed in the UK Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Smartcool Systems Inc. (TSXV: SSC) (OTC Pink: SSCFF) (FSE: R3W) are pleased to announce that Smartcool UK have successfully secured orders to install for Hall Hunter Partnership in the UK and are expecting significant energy savings to be delivered. Hall Hunter Partnership have implemented and are currently installing Smartcool's technology as part of its on-going drive to reduce energy consumption and to achieve significant energy reductions. Smartcool engineers are currently deploying ESM and ECO3 systems that will see a quick and positive energy reduction across the first two HHP sites. Further sites are planned and are expected to come on line in the very near future. Most fruit and vegetable crops require refrigeration to slow the ripening process while being transported to market. Smartcool's' proprietary optimization technology reduces the cost of this refrigeration process. Nick Weedon, National Sales Agent for Smartcool, states, "Hall Hunter Partnership are a significant player in the berry growing world and deliver exceptional quality fruit across the UK and Western Europe, they also deliver quality and excellence through an approach that combines decades of experience, expertise and passion with modern, innovative techniques. This is achieved through family core values that Smartcool have been pleased to embrace, I look forward to delivering some very significant reductions across the HHP estate." About Hall Hunter Partnership Hall Hunter Partnership (HHP) is a family business started by Mark & Mary Hall and located in Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex. HHP was started in 1966 and is now a leading UK grower of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries; the major customers being Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Tesco and marketed through Farm Fresh PO Ltd. During the harvest season HHP employs over 2,000 workers spread across seven production sites; 4 traditional farms and 3 glasshouse sites. In other news, Smartcool is pleased to announce that following the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on December 19, 2018, the board of directors of the Company appointed Mr. Damian Smith as an additional director of the Company effective December 19, 2018. Mr. Damian Smith was the founder, owner and President of Total Energy Concepts Inc., (TEC) that was acquired by Smartcool Systems Inc. on August 27, 2018. Damian successfully grew TEC over 15 years including the development of proprietary Power Factoring and Voltage Conditioning technologies. Damian continues as President of the newly formed, 100% owned subsidiary of Smartcool Systems Inc., responsible for all activities in the USA. About Smartcool Smartcool Systems Inc. provides cutting edge energy efficient and energy cost reduction solutions for businesses around the world. The ECO3, ESM and ECOHome are Smartcool's unique retrofit technologies that reduce the energy consumption of compressors in air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump systems by up to 40%. Total Energy Concepts (TEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Smartcool, is a national leader in Power Protection, Energy Management, Power Quality, Facility Grounding, and Lighting Solutions that help companies improve their bottom line by reducing expenses that drastically cut into company profits. TEC focuses on a holistic approach to energy efficiency with proprietary technologies for power factor correction and third-party technologies including LED, voltage conditioning and intelligent motor controls. For more information please visit www.smartcool.net and www.totalenergyconcepts.com For further information WEB www.smartcool.net and www.smartcooleco3.comEMAIL info@smartcool.net Investor inquiries Mike Kordysz Vice President, Investor Relations TEL +1 604 904 8632EMAIL mike.kordysz@smartcool.net Legal Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements are projections of financial performance or future events. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "estimate" and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and they are subject to risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those concerning the company's belief in the growth opportunities in the UK. These statements are subject to risks that may cause the actual results to be materially different in future periods from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Risks that may prevent or delay the forward looking statements from coming to fruition as anticipated include the availability of working capital, risks inherent in product development, as well as market factors that may increase costs or time to market. It is our policy not to update forward looking statements except to the extent required under applicable securities laws. Further information on the Company is available at www.sedar.com or at the Company's website, www.smartcool.net. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider 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/42510 LONDON, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme reaffirmed itself as the most trusted and safeguarded economic citizenship programme in the world at a high-profile 'meet and greet' held in Dubai, the capital of Middle Eastern business, creativity, and commerce. On Monday, 28 January 2019, senior representatives of the St Kitts and Nevis Government spoke with several Dubai-based citizenship by investment agents, economic citizens, and prospective economic citizens at an event led by the Honourable Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Foreign Minister of the Federation, and attended by the Honourable Vincent Byron Jr, the nation's Attorney General. The limelight shined on Minister Mark Brantley, who made clear the Federation's regard for its Citizenship Programme as a national institution of the highest quality. Citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis has always stood in high regard, said the Minister, but never to the extent that it does today. In the past four years, he underlined, the Government added 19 visa-free travel destinations to its already-extensive list, and established diplomatic relations with 30 nations. "This speaks volumes to the confidence that foreign countries have in St Kitts and Nevis," he said, revealing that he expected the nation's passport to be ranked number one in the Caribbean by June 2019. St Kitts and Nevis already ranks 27th in an index using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Minister Brantley did not shy away from what some expected might be the difficult topic of real estate investments under the Citizenship by Investment Programme, and the recent discovery that some real estate projects are being advertised at unauthorised prices. "The Government has not sanctioned any discounts or advertisements by any agent or developer," he said, outlining that minimum investments remain unchanged at US$200,000 for a seven-year investment and US$400,000 for a five-year investment. "Two, evidence-based examples of forgery were brought to the Government's attention. These constitute less than 0.01 percent of the business handled annually by St Kitts and Nevis, yet we have taken the matter very seriously. The police has launched a full investigation, and it is our intention those responsible are brought to justice," he noted. The event was a timely opportunity for Minister Brantley to allay any fears concerning the Citizenship by Investment Programme, and to further impress his audience with his plans for the nation's future. Eager responses, for example, followed the Minister's indication that the Government would open a full Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2019. "St Kitts and Nevis was the first Caribbean nation to establish a diplomatic presence in the United Arab Emirates, and, with this physical platform, we hope to better serve all those Kittitians and Nevisians who live in the GCC and wider Middle East." The event was well-attended, and also saw the Attorney General handle questions on the Programme and its strong legal foundation. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 29, 2019 / Renforth Resources Inc. (CSE: RFR) ("Renforth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results for the first three holes drilled at Parbec in the December 2018 program, which includes 11.56 g/t Au over 1.1m in PAR-18-88 the first hole in that program. The December 2018 program was designed to test the presence of shallow mineralization with grade and continuity outside of a 50m buffer zone from the rail line, and to extend and increase the mineralized zones. Each of PAR-18-88, PAR-18-89 and PAR-18-90 successfully intersected mineralization as targeted, defining shallow mineralization and expected to result in positive impact to the resource at Parbec upon recalculation. Results are still pending for the other 4 holes in the December 2018 program, these will be released once available. Hole # from to Length (m) Au g/t PAR-18-88 17.85 26.6 8.75 1.96 includes 25.5 26.6 1.1 11.56 PAR-18-88 33.4 34.5 1.1 0.759 PAR-18-88 88.6 106 17.4 0.6 includes 92 93 1 2.24 includes 102.7 106 3.3 1.24 PAR-18-89 32.3 33.1 0.8 0.56 PAR-18-89 53 60.8 7.8 1.94 includes 55.1 60.8 5.7 2.43 includes 58.6 59.9 1.3 7.67 PAR-18-89 97.3 100.3 3 0.99 PAR-18-89 136.1 137.6 1.5 1.13 PAR-18-90 44.8 52.2 7.4 2.18 includes 46.5 52.2 5.7 2.58 includes 51.1 52.2 1.1 6.55 PAR-18-90 73 74 1 3 PAR-18-90 97.75 110.2 12.45 0.9 includes 97.75 102 1.09 4.25 includes 105.9 110.2 4.3 1.23 PAR-18-90 126 127.5 1.5 1.11 *Drill results presented above are as measured in the core box, not "true width" PAR-18-88 This drill hole on line 4975E was designed to drill under PAR-17-69 (22.3m of 0.6 g/t Au including 4.7m of 1.26 g/t Au press released Jan. 23 2018) and over PAR-18-84 (14m of 3.06 g/t Au press released Sept. 11 2018), effectively in between, designed to fill in the steeply vertical mineralized zone seen on that section. This hole, with the results noted above, was a successful infill drill hole, including mineralization in two zones intersected above a vertical depth of 90m, outside of the 50m setback from the rail line. PAR-18-89 This hole, on line 5000E, was an overcut of PAR-18-70 (intervals including 14.1m of 1.26 g/t Au and 3.7m of 3.16 g/t Au press released Feb. 26 2018), designed to expand the zones seen in the hole. PAR-18-89 successfully did this, extending the mineralized zone up-dip on line 5000E as demonstrated in the assays noted above. Mineralization encountered was above a vertical depth of 75m, outside of the 50m setback from the rail line. PAR-18-90 This drill hole, also on line 4975E, now the deepest hole on that section line, is an undercut of PAR-18-84, specifically targeting a deeper intersection of the interval in PAR-18-84 which assayed 4.66 g/t Au over 9.45m in that hole (press released Sept 11 2018), which was successfully intersected in PAR-18-90 with 2.18 g/t Au over 7.4m, interpreted as a depth continuation of the PAR-18-84 zone. This intersection was also outside of the 50m buffer zone. "These initial results support our hypothesis that, Parbec, with 80% of its NI 43-101 Resource Estimate sitting above a vertical depth of 200m, in the NW largely outside of the 50m setback from the rail line, is a similar setting to the former East Amphi pit, on the Canadian Malartic Mine Property contiguous to and on-strike of Parbec to the east. This setting may offer a "fast track" to production option in a mature mining camp with several time, and cost, saving toll-milling options available" states Nicole Brewster, President and CEO of Renforth. Samples reported on in this press release were selected in the field, cut, bagged and tagged under the supervision of Francis Newton P.Geo and Mark Wellstead P.Geo and then personally transported to Bourlamaque Laboratories where they were fire assayed for gold. The lengths given in this press release refer to core lengths as measured in the core box. Brian H. Newton P.Geo, a qualified person pursuant to the guidelines contained in National Instrument 43-101, has approved the technical information found in this press release. For further information please contact: Renforth Resources Inc. Nicole Brewster President and Chief Executive Officer T:905-831-9606 E: nicole@renforthresources.com #269 - 1099 Kingston Road, Pickering ON L1V 1B5 No securities regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'expect', 'believe', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'intend' and similar words referring to future events and results. Such statements and information are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the risks of obtaining necessary approvals, licenses and permits and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in the Company's securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the reader is cautioned against placing undue reliance thereon. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and the Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. SOURCE: Renforth Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/533812/Renforth-Obtains-1156-gt-Gold-over-11m-at-Parbec-in-Malartic-Quebec NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, RUSSIA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF THE RELEVANT SECURITIES LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or offering memorandum or an offer in relation to any securities of First Sentinel Plc or of any other entity and should not be considered as a recommendation that any person should subscribe for or purchase any such securities. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU No. 596/2014) ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain and shall therefore cease to be inside information. 29 January 2019 First Sentinel Plc ("First Sentinel" or the "Company") Issue of up to 4,000,000 sterling denominated 7.0% Secured Bonds due 28 February 2023 ("Bonds") Issue of the tenth tranche of Bonds Issue of Bonds First Sentinel Plc ("First Sentinel" or the "Company") (NEX: FSEN), the alternative investment company focused on providing growth capital for public and private company investments, announces that it has raised approximately AUD$2,069,839 (1,152,094) from the issue of 1,152,094 Bonds at 1 per Bond, being the tenth tranche of Bonds to be issued and it is anticipated that the Bonds will commence trading on NEX Exchange on or around 30 January 2019 under the symbol FSBN. The proceeds of the Bond issue will be deployed by the Company in accordance with its investment policy. The Company announced on 1 February 2018 that it intended to issue up to 4,000,000 sterling denominated 7.0% Secured Bonds due 28 February 2023, to be admitted to trading on the NEX Exchange Growth Market. The Bonds are redeemable each year, and at a 5% premium if held to maturity, and Bondholders' interests are partially protected by a credit insurance policy provided by Equinox Global, which covers (subject to a 1 million aggregate cap per policy year) the risk of insolvency of certain underlying debtors of the Company's subsidiary, Perennial Enterprise PTY Ltd. Accordingly, the Company published the Information Memorandum in connection with the Bonds, a copy of which is available from the Company's website at www.first-sentinel.com. The application form can be found on https://first-sentinel.nevilleregistrars.co.uk/ The Company announced that it expected to issue the Bonds in tranches over the course of 2018 and intended to make an application for admission of the Bonds to trading on the NEX Exchange Growth Market as and when further funds are raised ("Admission"). The issue of this tenth tranche will bring the total Bonds in issue to 3,941,549. The Company will make a further regulatory news announcement at the point of any further Bond issue(s). About First Sentinel First Sentinel is an alternative investment company, registered with the FCA as a small authorised UK AIFM, which provides growth capital for public and private company investments. First Sentinel invests in a range of debt and equity instruments in target portfolio companies. The Company's website is www.first-sentinel.com For further corporate information, please contact: Mr. Brian Stockbridge CEO First Sentinel Plc Tel: + 44 (0) 7876 888 011 NEX Corporate Advisor Beaumont Cornish Limited James Biddle / Roland Cornish Tel: +44(0)20 7628 3396 BOCA RATON, Florida, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cendyn, the leading provider of hotel CRM and hotel sales platforms in the hospitality industry, has been voted as North America's Leading Hotel CRM Technology Provider and North America's Data Driven Marketing Agency for 2019. The prestigious World Travel Awards recognizes companies, organizations and brands that push the boundaries of hospitality industry excellence. Cendyn was presented with the accolades at the World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony at Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica. This is the second year in a row Cendyn has won top honors for these two categories in North America and follows four big wins for Cendyn in the 2018 world competition for World's Leading Hotel CRM Technology Provider, World's Leading Data Driven Marketing Agency, World's Leading Hotel Sales Proposal Platform and World's Leading Hotel Event Management Platform. "We are overjoyed to receive these accolades once again in North America, arguably the most competitive region for our industry," says Charles Deyo, CEO & President of Cendyn. "Hotels must have the right technology to differentiate themselves in this marketplace. Using Cendyn's CRM and data-driven digital marketing solutions, hotels can push the art, science and passion of hospitality to drive home their unique value, reach new customers and nurture loyal guests to keep coming back." Cendyn's CRM Suite caters to every hotelier from large brand to small boutique properties. Using multiple integrations, Cendyn consolidates numerous data points from disparate data transactions to engage with travelers throughout the guest journey. Business rules-based automation combined with dynamic personalization and upsell opportunities drive revenue through multiple channels and helps hotels acquire new customers. eInsight CRM provides enterprise marketing automation and guest intelligence for multi-property/multi-brand hotels and Cendyn's Guestfolio CRM provides intuitive marketing automation and guest intelligence for boutique and independent hotels. Cendyn's unique Data-Driven Digital Marketing Suite enables hoteliers to learn about and target their most valuable guests. By targeting the right guests, at the right time, with the right message, hoteliers cut through the noise of the crowded hospitality industry with personalized multi-channel campaigns that showcase and drive awareness of your brand. Hotels are continuing to evolve in how they engage with their guests. By using technology and data to drive this engagement with guests, hoteliers can revolutionize how they interact with guests, use tools to drive direct bookings, maintain brand presence with their most valuable guests and stay competitive in their market. Cendyn's integrated Digital Marketing Suite and Hotel CRM Suite enables hoteliers to keep their guests at the forefront of what they do and concentrate on providing exceptional, personalized customer service at all times. About Cendyn Cendyn is a cloud-based software and services provider that develops integrated technology platforms for driving sales and marketing performance in the travel and hospitality industry. The Cendyn Hospitality Cloud offers the most complete set of innovative software and services in the industry, covering hotel marketing, guest engagement, group sales, and event management. With offices in Boca Raton, Atlanta, Boston, San Diego, Toronto, Whistler, London, Munich and Singapore, Cendyn proudly serves more than 30,000 clients in 143 countries with enterprise spend levels in excess of $1 billion. For more information on Cendyn, visit www.cendyn.com. Media Contact Michael Bennett SVP, Global Marketing mbennett@cendyn.com 561-419-2286 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/514869/Cendyn_Logo.jpg Capital for Colleagues plc - Notice of AGM Capital for Colleagues plc / EPIC: CFCP / Market: NEX / Sector: Investment 29 January 2019 CAPITAL FOR COLLEAGUES PLC ('Capital for Colleagues' or the 'Company') NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Capital for Colleagues, the investment vehicle focused on opportunities in the Employee Owned Business ('EOB') sector, is pleased to announce that Notice convening the Company's Annual General Meeting for 11.00 on Tuesday, 26 February 2019 at 8th Floor, 111 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2HY, has been posted to shareholders in the Company. The document will also be available on the Company's website at www.capitalforcolleagues.com. The Directors of the Company are responsible for the contents of this announcement. **ENDS** For further information, please visit www.capitalforcolleagues.com or contact: CAPITAL FOR COLLEAGUES PLC Richard Bailey, Chairman John Eckersley, Chief Executive 0161 464 3260 PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED Mark Anwyl Duncan Vasey 020 7469 0930 Capital for Colleagues Capital for Colleagues is an investment company focused on the UK EOB sector. The Company has a proven management team, with a wide network of contacts and affiliates, as well as established access to investment opportunities, enabling the Company to execute its strategy and capitalise on EOB-focused investment opportunities. The Company's joint venture, Castlefield Corporate Advisory Partners, educates and assists companies which are looking to launch employee ownership schemes, advising them, amongst other things, on how to secure investment and achieve their objectives. Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. NXM combines blockchain tools with advanced cryptography to enable secure IoT implementations that are fully automated, scalable, and economical SANTA CLARA, California, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the North American Internet of Things (IoT) cybersecurity market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes NXM Labs, Inc. with the 2019 North American Visionary Innovation Leadership Award for addressing the cybersecurity needs of IoT devices by combining blockchain with advanced cryptographic methodologies. NXM enables the creation of highly secure, fully distributed, decentralized ecosystems of self-governing, autonomous IoT devices. The company's software-based technology is anchored in silicon and makes the most of the hardware-accelerated security capabilities of new-generation chips. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/814474/NXM_Labs_Award.jpg Click here to view the full multimedia release: https://best-practices.frost-multimedia-wire.com/nxmlabs "The NXM SecureSuite addresses the full spectrum of security, device deployment, and data management requirements of IoT operations by leveraging a unique offensive security model," said Vikrant Gandhi, Industry Director for IoT and Digital Transformation at Frost & Sullivan. "The solution has been purpose-built for enterprise IoT deployments. Its autonomous security technology employs networks of self-governing IoT devices, wherein each device assigns its own machine ID and acts as an intelligent node in a consensus-based, secure P2P network." In NXM's system, interactions through smart contracts require cryptocurrency gas (tokens), which allows gas to be used as a control mechanism to delimit interactions and influence device behavior. Gaining unauthorized access to a single NXM-enabled device will require extremely large amount of cryptocurrency, which tends to deter most hackers. In addition, by cutting the source of cryptocurrency, any bad actor can be immediately stopped and contained programmatically, without the need for human intervention. Because the ledger of devices is distributed in NXM-enabled deployments, a compromised device cannot erase traces of its activity from all other nodes, thereby endowing the solution with efficient post-incident forensics capabilities. NXM has begun commercial deployments in the automotive vertical where it offers a high-speed blockchain-enabled cellular router to deliver secure wireless connectivity and connected car applications. The company's high-speed blockchain-enabled automotive router is another important proof point that demonstrates the way NXM's technology can work at scale. NXM secures the IoT ecosystem and enables the monetization of fully anonymized and targeted machine data. NXM's solution can work with other platforms, such as IBM Hyperledger Fabric and Corda, as well as those of other leading solution providers, thus expanding the total addressable market opportunity. In addition, the company has started licensing its technology to original device manufacturers to create secure edge devices that can be warrantied against unauthorized hardware access. "NXM is designed for scalable global machine-to-machine communications," noted Gandhi. "By adopting a 360 degree approach to IoT cybersecurity, NXM ensures cybersecurity all the way from the hardware to the cloud (chip-to-cloud), which is a clear differentiator for the company. Although there are several competing approaches to handle authentication and encryption at scale in IoT, NXM's solution will experience greater demand with the rising ubiquity of autonomous IoT." Each year, Frost & Sullivan bestows this award upon the company that demonstrates excellence in growth and customer value. The award recognizes the superiority of the product/service as well as the overall customer, purchase, ownership, and service experience that result in the recipient company seeing above-market growth and greater share of wallet. The award lauds the company's growth, diversification, and sustainability strategies. The full report on NXM Labs from Frost & Sullivan is available for download at: https://best-practices.frost-multimedia-wire.com/files/7215/4868/9666/NXM_Labs_Award_Write_Up.pdf Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About NXM Labs, Inc. Founded in 2016 by serial tech entrepreneurs, NXM Labs is a deep tech company with research and development efforts in 5G, blockchain, cryptography, machine learning and quantum proofing with leading international research organizations. It's full-stack autonomous security platform is being commercialized with major carriers, ODMs, chip designers, insurance firms, cloud service providers and application developers. The company is a member of the MOBI Alliance and Linux Foundation's Automotive Grade Linux Group. More information can be found at www.nxmlabs.com and www.nxmwave.com. Contact: Shelly Sofer P. 647-767-9420 E. shelly@nxmlabs.com About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, collaborates with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, Frost & Sullivan has been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion . Contact: Samantha Park P: 210.247.2426 E: samantha.park@frost.com 57 percent say the biggest cybersecurity challenge is communicating threats internally 64 percent say the fallout from attacks like WannaCry helps explain the impact of poor cybersecurity to leadership Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today revealed that IT executives responsible for cybersecurity feel a lack of support from company leaders, and 33 percent feel completely isolated in their role. IT teams are under significant pressure, with some of the challenges cited including prioritizing emerging threats (47 percent) and keeping track of a fractured security environment (43 percent). The survey showed that they are feeling the weight of this responsibility, with many (34 percent) stating that the burden they are under has led their job satisfaction to decrease over the past 12 months. "Company leaders must recognize that any individual responsible for cybersecurity will be feeling the strain," said Bharat Mistry, Principal Security Strategist, Trend Micro. "As cyber-attacks increase in volume and sophistication, accountability needs to be shared. No business can afford for the IT function to be an island, because it will inevitably buckle. This means shifting the mindset from cybersecurity being a standalone initiative to a shared responsibility across an organization." While 72 percent stated that cybersecurity is represented at the board level, many are still not benefitting from having a seat at the table, and the issue appears to be ineffective communication. Trend Micro's survey showed that 44 percent struggle to translate complex threats to their organization's leadership, and 57 percent say internal communication is the biggest cybersecurity challenge for their business. Respondents revealed that it often takes a prominent cyberattack to get their voice heard, with 64 percent saying communication becomes easier in the wake of a high-profile cyberattack like WannaCry. This raises the question of how IT teams can break down these communication barriers before an incident occurs. Mistry continued: "Taking a place in the boardroom is only step one. IT professionals need to find ways to communicate the value of having security expertise embedded across the breadth of the organization. They could also strive to learn more from other business leaders about how they can better communicate risk, so they can make sure cybersecurity is front of mind in every department." About Trend Micro Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, helps to make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Our innovative solutions for consumers, businesses, and governments provide layered security for data centers, cloud workloads, networks, and endpoints. All our products work together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected threat defense with centralized visibility and investigation, enabling better, faster protection. With more than 6,000 employees in 50 countries and the world's most advanced global threat research and intelligence, Trend Micro enables organizations to secure their connected world. For more information, visit www.trendmicro.com. Research methodology Research carried out by Opinium, commissioned by Trend Micro. Online survey among 1,125 IT decision-makers responsible for cybersecurity across the UK, US, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, France, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium and Czech Republic. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005003/en/ Contacts: Erin Johnson 817-522-7911 media_relations@trendmicro.com WUXI, China, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, EuPD Research announced that Suntech has been awarded the "Top Brand PV" honor in Europe. Since the expiry of the "MIP" in the EU, the competition of the PV industry in Europe has increased. Suntech was awarded the "Top Brand PV," which is not only the recognition of top market performance in 2018, but also the brand satisfaction and loyalty in Europe. EuPD Research plays an important role in the PV industry, and the company is known for providing authoritative market intelligence for the new-energy industry. Therefore, many new-energy enterprises regard its analysis as a weather vane for business development. The winner of the "Top Brand PV" honor is chosen through two steps: firstly, a multilevel process of surveys and scientific analysis among mainstream installers and intermediaries for PV power stations is conducted; and secondly, manufacturers with outstanding performance in multiple dimensions, including brand satisfaction, brand loyalty, product quality and distribution, are chosen. In recent years, Suntech was awarded "Top Brand PV" seals in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. At the beginning of 2019, Suntech was awarded the "Top Brand PV" seals again in Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, France and Australia. All of the survey respondents are installers and distributors from mature markets, a testament to Suntech's reliable product quality and strong market reputation. In 2018, Suntech had good performance in global markets including India, Australia, and Mexico. In Eastern Europe and Western Asia, implementing the "Global & Local" market-development strategy, Suntech also worked closely with local partners and gradually established local distribution systems and achieved good performance. Compared to 2017, Suntech's overseas shipments in 2018 grew by 100%. Based on the good performance in overseas markets in 2018, Suntech will further optimize overseas distribution and expand its overseas markets in 2019. The "Top Brand PV" honor means a lot to Suntech. It not only affirms Suntech's continuous efforts in overseas markets over 18 years, but also sets a foundation for Suntech's future development in overseas markets. CHICAGO, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Vehicle Inverters Market Propulsion Type (BEV, HEV, and PHEV), Output Power Type (<=130 kW and >130 kW), Technology Type (IGBT and MOSFET), Semiconductor Materials Type (GaN, Si, and SiC), By Vehicle Type (PC and CV), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Global Vehicle Inverters Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.57% from USD 2.5 billion in 2018 to reach USD 7.7 billion by 2025. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=59207794 Browse in-depth TOC on"Vehicle Inverters Market" 65- Tables 60- Figures 160- Pages The growth of the Vehicle Inverters Market is influenced by factors such as a rise in stringent emission norms to prevent environmental impact, technological advancements in electric vehicles, increasing subsidies and tax rebates offered by various governments, and growing electric vehicle production. BEVs: Increased BEV sales and technological advancement in electric vehicles are expected to drive the Vehicle Inverters Market The BEV segment is the largest of all the segments of the Vehicle Inverters Market and is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The increased awareness among OEMs and consumers regarding reducing carbon emissions has driven the growth of the BEV market of vehicle inverters. Moreover, the growing trend of high performance and range coverage extension has created the need for more energy efficient inverters. Silicon Carbide (SiC): Increasing use of wideband gap semiconductor materials in electric vehicles is expected to drive the SiC-based Vehicle Inverters Market in future SiC-based power semiconductor devices are state-of-the-art in high efficiency and high frequency applications. With the advent of the era of electric vehicles, the automotive industry is keen toward opting SiC's advanced features, in terms of power efficiency at high voltages, high reliability, and flexibility. With respect to these aspects, the SiC devices are much smaller, lighter, and simpler than the silicon devices that were used before. Moreover, SiC-based vehicle inverters help in tremendous size and weight reduction of an inverter compared to other semiconductor devices. These features, thus, drive the SiC-based Vehicle Inverters Market. Asia Pacific: China is expected to lead the Asia Pacific market The Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the largest growing Vehicle Inverters Market. The region comprises some of the fastest developing economies of the world such as China and India. The Asia Pacific region especially China is considered to be technologically more active toward the production of electric vehicles and also houses various key electric vehicle manufacturers such as SAIC, BYD, and Geely. Asia Pacific also houses various key suppliers of vehicle inverters such as Denso (Japan), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), and Hitachi (Japan). Factors such as the availability of cheap labor and favorable government policies help undertake the mass production of electric vehicles in Asia Pacific, which results in the lower prices complemented by developed charging infrastructure. Thus, providing growth opportunities to the vehicle inverters' manufacturers in this region. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Purchase/purchase_reportNew.asp?id=59207794 The global Vehicle Inverters Market is dominated by major players such as Denso (Japan), Delphi Technologies (UK), Continental AG (Germany), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), Toshiba (Japan), and Hitachi (Japan). 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: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/vehicle-inverter-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Deveron UAS Corp. (CSE: DVR) ("Deveron" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into a service agreement with A & L Canada Laboratories Inc. ("A & L") in which A & L will engage Deveron to administer, manage and execute A & L's soil sampling collection business. The initial term of the agreement is for 5 years and has an anticipated value of $3.8 M over the term of the agreement. A&L has historically maintained a soil sampling service for numerous farmers and enterprise customers. Pursuant to this agreement, A&L will outsource the physical collection of soil samples to Deveron. Deveron's personnel will collect samples as part of a larger portfolio of services offered to farmers in regions across North America. Since A&L is transferring current and existing collection activity to Deveron, the revenue impact for Deveron will be immediate and begin with the 2019 crop season. Deveron and A & L believe that one of the major limiting factors to maximizing yield on the farm is the understanding of soil. This agreement will allow A & L to continue offering industry leading soil analysis while allowing Deveron to leverage its network of on-demand data acquisition experts to collect soil samples. Ultimately, both companies believe current and prospective customers will benefit from this integrated relationship which will see an expansion in the coverage of soil sampling services across North America. A & L is a leading agricultural testing lab in North America and has been providing soil sample testing for the last 30 years to some of the largest and most innovative agricultural companies and farmers in North America. The agreement today marks another strategic initiative between the two companies since they first announced their intent to work together in Q3, 2018 (see press release dated, September 12, 2018). Deveron has built a leading drone data network throughout Canada and the mid-west United States over the last three years that leverages proprietary software to manage its complex network of licensed drone operators. This agreement marks the launch of another data acquisition product, soil sampling, that will continue to provide the agriculture industry with a scalable solution to acquiring data on the farm as digitization continues to become a necessary investment for farmers. The service agreement with A & L immediately increases the Company's access to paid-acres under management while expanding the portfolio of products available to Deveron's customers. "A & L's expertise and capabilities are an excellent complement to Deveron's data collection and analytic platforms. This new agreement will provide greater service to clients and help advance their farming operations," said Greg Patterson, CEO and founder of A & L Canada Laboratories. "We are excited to be working with A & L to support their data collection needs with respect to soil sampling," reported David Macmillan, President and CEO of Deveron. "We look forward to building lasting relationships with A & L's customers in the years ahead as well as launching this service to new customers. As we integrate soil sampling into our offering, we also think there will be additional value-add by providing these current relationships with access to Deveron's other digital suite of product offerings." About A & L Laboratories: We are an innovative, research driven technology company focused on sustainable development. Through leading expertise, modern laboratory facilities and strong customer focus, A & L serves a wide range of industries including Agriculture, Environmental, Food & Pharma -- globally. In Agriculture, A & L provides comprehensive analytical services for soil, plant tissue, feed, fertilizer and water. A & L's services also include production recommendations, remote sensing and precision agriculture capabilities. The company operates two world class analytical laboratories serving clients throughout Canada, the U.S. and Internationally. About Deveron UAS: Deveron is a leading agriculture technology company focused on providing data acquisition services and data analytics to the farming sector in North America. Through its on-demand network of drone pilots and soil sampling technicians, the company is providing scalable data acquisition solutions in the imagery and soil space. Additionally, through its wholly owned subsidiary Veritas Farm Management, the company provides growers in North America with independent data insight on the data it collects and is being generated on today's farm. For more information and to join our community, please visit www.deveronuas.com or reach us on Twitter @DeveronUAS or @MyVeritas_HQ David MacMillan President & CEO Deveron UAS Corp. 416-367-4571 ext. 221 dmacmillan@deveronuas.com This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of agricultural commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in agriculture, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties we face are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial results and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42496 Multi-year Contract Expands Speedcast's Relationship with Fred. Olsen into New Market STAVANGER, Norway, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA), the world's most trusted provider of remote communication and IT solutions, announced today that the company has been awarded a new multi-year, fully-managed communications contract with Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, an entity of Bonheur ASA providing jack-up vessels used for offshore wind farm construction. Speedcast serves Fred. Olsen related companies on a global scale in both the Cruise and Energy segments, and the two companies have been partners for over three years. This new contract will provide a unique communications solution onboard Fred. Olsen Windcarrier's two offshore assets, Brave Tern and Bold Tern, combining VSAT and 4G/LTE to deliver data and voice services for corporate, operator and crew welfare networks. In addition, Speedcast will deploy an SD-WAN solution integrating multiple carriers seamlessly to deliver the best available connectivity and maximum network efficiency at all times. "We look forward to serving as the trusted communications provider on Fred. Olsen Windcarrier's jack-up installation vessels for the wind energy market," says Keith Johnson, Speedcast's EVP of Energy. "Our partnership has been strong in the Cruise and Energy drilling segments for years. We have made significant investments in our robust, multi-access network technology and performance optimization solutions and both will be used onboard these jack-ups to provide reliable, secure connectivity for both Fred. Olsen Windcarrier and other onboard operators' personnel. As one of our most valued global customers, we are proud to continue adding services throughout Fred. Olsen related companies' diverse set of assets and building our customer base in other subsegments such as wind energy." "The Fred. Olsen related companies' relationship with Speedcast is a critical component of our daily operations in multiple business segments," says Svein Bjrnstad, CIO Fred Olsen & Co. "We have worked together on IT solutions and fully-managed communications onboard our drilling vessels and cruise ships for a number of years, and Speedcast's trusted global network will now give us the multi-carrier solution we need in the dynamic, growing market where Fred. Olsen Windcarrier operates." For more information about Speedcast's global capabilities in the Energy sector, please contact marketing@speedcast.com. About Speedcast International Limited Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) is the largest provider of remote communications and IT services in the world. Speedcast's fully-managed service is delivered via a leading global, multi-access technology, multi-band and multi-orbit network of 70+ satellites and an interconnecting global terrestrial network, bolstered by extensive on-the-ground local support from 40+ countries. This global "network of networks" allows customers to fully rely on the most robust, integrated infrastructure available in the market for their mission critical applications. Speedcast is uniquely positioned as a strategic business partner, tailoring communications, IT and digital solutions to meet unique customer needs and enable business transformation. Speedcast extends its managed services through differentiated technology offerings including cyber-security, crew welfare, content solutions, data and voice applications, and network systems integration services. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 2,000 customers in more than 140 countries in sectors such as Maritime, Energy, Mining, Enterprise, Media, Cruise, NGOs and Government. Learn more at www.speedcast.com. Speedcast is a trademark and registered trademark of Speedcast International Limited. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners. 2019 Speedcast International Limited. All rights reserved. Contact Information: Toni Lee Rudnicki Vice President, Global Marketing Speedcast International Ltd ToniLee.Rudnicki@Speedcast.com +1-832-668-2634 About Fred. Olsen Windcarrier: Fred. Olsen Windcarrier provides innovative and tailored services for the transport, installation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Building on 170 years of offshore and marine experience, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier was established in 2008 to service the growing offshore wind sector. The company now operates three class leading purpose-built jack-up vessels; Bold Tern, Brave Tern and Blue Tern, and owns a fleet of seven modern service vessels for transporting crew and equipment to and from offshore wind farms which is operated by Northern Offshore Services. In addition, the company is a majority owner (75,5%) of Global Wind Service, providing a team of more than 900 highly experienced wind turbine technicians. The Fred. Olsen Windcarrier vessels have installed more than 400 wind turbines offshore and gained extensive experience installing the latest generation offshore wind turbines on some of the world's largest wind farms. The company provides complete project management services and carries a vast engineering expertise in-house and is capable to provide complete turnkey installation solutions for offshore wind turbines with in-house personnel. Fred. Olsen Windcarrier is wholly owned by Fred. Olsen Ocean Ltd. employing over 1400 people in offshore wind. Fred. Olsen Ocean is wholly owned by the Norwegian stock listed company Bonheur ASA. The company has offices in Oslo - Norway, Fredericia - Denmark, Lowestoft - United Kingdom, Hamburg - Germany and Pieta - Malta. Lifting Offshore Wind www.windcarrier.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/610079/Speedcast_International_Ltd_Logo.jpg The EMA's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products has granted orphan drug designation to AC102, concluding that AudioCure's lead compound may be of significant benefit for patients suffering with the rare and chronically debilitating disease of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Comprehensive preclinical in vivo data provide strong evidence of efficacy in a model of acute hearing loss. The German pharmaceutical company AudioCure Pharma GmbH announced today that their first in class molecule AC102 has received orphan drug designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). The EMA exclusively grants orphan drug designation to medicinal products intended to treat a severely debilitating condition of low prevalence when there is sufficient evidence that the drug has the potential to bring significant benefit to affected patients. Dr. Reimar Schlingensiepen, CEO of AudioCure commented: "The orphan drug designation is a major milestone in the development program of AC102, enabling a more efficient and cost-effective regulatory pathway, and is therefore an important step in pursuing our goal of developing treatments for hearing disorders with significant unmet medical needs. Preparations for our Phase I clinical trial with AC102 are well underway and we look forward to future interactions with the EMA in our effort to develop our lead compound to the market." SSNHL is a form of hearing loss with a rapid onset. In most cases the cause is unknown. The prevalence of the disorder is considered rare with 4 out of 10,000 people affected. Prof. Dr. Stefan Plontke, Head of Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at Martin Luther University, Halle, Germany explained: "Hearing loss affects peoples' quality of life much more than one would expect. Even mild levels of hearing loss can increase the long-term risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Nevertheless, there are no approved drugs on the market for acute hearing loss. As a medical doctor I am in urgent need of a treatment with a proven efficacy and safety profile that I can offer to my patients." AC102's mode of action is unique in addressing, in parallel, three of the pathological processes that lead to hearing loss: it protects cells and restores functionality of the inner ear not only by preventing cell death of outer hair cells but also by enabling the repair processes of inner hair cells and reducing inflammation. For further information, please visit https://www.audiocure.com/newsroom/news-in-brief/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005058/en/ Contacts: AudioCure Pharma GmbH Frauke Luers Phone: +49 30 2218 397-0 E-Mail: pr@audiocure.com LONDON, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The successful enterprises of the future will be those that fully integrate the human and technological dimensions. Even in our digitally enhanced landscape, employees remain the driving forces of the workplace. With increasing competition for people with critical skills, nurturing employee talent whilst embracing the digital transformation is essential. Implementing digital technology can increase motivation and work performance. For example, cloud-based HR software such as SAP's SuccessFactors, advances the way employees are trained by tracking interaction and providing continuous feedback. Feedback in the form of reward and recognition programmes will also help companies cultivate a culture of personal development whilst retaining top talent. Although digitalisation has enabled us to work more efficiently, technology still lacks one important characteristic: empathy. Therefore the integration of technology and effective people management is the algorithm for empowering digital leadership. To keep up with the demands of a changing business landscape, organisations will need to foster new ways of working to reflect our digitalised workplace. About Business Reporter Business Reporter is distributed with The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and City AM, each of our publications reaches an average of 1.5 million people. Our content is also published through the Business Reporter and TEISS websites, which includes video debates, online articles, and digital magazines. This content is meant to deliver news and analysis on the issues that are affecting businesses to our global audience. In addition to publications, Business Reporter hosts conferences, breakfast meetings, and exclusive summits. These events bring together some of the most influential decision makers and innovators in modern business. These exclusive events for business leaders complement the content and direction of editorial projects, allowing them to have direct contact with their readers. Above all, Business Reporter's commitment is to make meaningful analysis for every business owner. Whether individuals are running a small business, the head of a local company or an executive in a multinational corporation, there will be something for them at Business Reporter. Transporeon Group ("Transporeon" or "the company"), a leading global cloud-based business network for industrial logistics, today announced that Hg has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in the company from existing investor TPG Capital ("TPG"), the private equity platform of global alternative asset firm TPG. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Headquartered in Ulm, Germany, Transporeon is the leading cloud-based logistics platform, linking manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers with logistics service providers via the largest network of its kind. The group digitizes the entire logistics supply chain, providing software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that connect a global network of over 1,000 shippers and trading companies, almost 90,000 carriers, and over 100,000 users in over 100 countries. TPG invested in Transporeon in 2016. Throughout the partnership, TPG supported management in expanding the company internationally, doubling its investment into research and development, and growing its suite of platform-enabled visibility, data and data-related products both organically and through the acquisition of market intelligence provider TIM Consult in 2018. "We are delighted with the progress that Transporeon has made over recent years," said Marc-Oliver Simon, co-founder and CEO of Transporeon. "Today we have one of the world's leading networks for logistics connectivity offering best-in-class execution, visibility, and data products to more customers than ever before." "Our partnership with TPG has been hugely rewarding and their experience in developing software companies has been very beneficial to Transporeon's continued momentum," said Martin Mack, co-founder and CTO of Transporeon. "We now look forward to working with Hg on the next step of our journey." "In Transporeon we saw an opportunity to partner with a strong management team to invest in a company that was well-positioned to emerge as a leader in the rapidly growing supply chain technology space, a sector that we've been closely following for many years," said Malte Janzarik, Partner at TPG Capital. "It has been a pleasure working with the entire Transporeon team and we wish them all the best for the future." TPG's technology team invests across a variety of high-growth sectors globally. Select current and past investments include C3 IoT, EverFi, LLamasoft, Noodle.ai, Transplace, Wind River, and Zscaler. About TPG TPG is a leading global alternative asset firm founded in 1992 with more than $103 billion of assets under management and offices in Austin, Beijing, Boston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Moscow, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, and Singapore. TPG's investment platforms are across a wide range of asset classes, including private equity, growth venture, real estate, credit, and public equity. TPG aims to build dynamic products and options for its investors while also instituting discipline and operational excellence across the investment strategy and performance of its portfolio. For more information, visit www.tpg.com. About Transporeon Transporeon is the worldwide cloud platform for intelligent transport logistics. Transporeon creates a digital connection between shippers and their logistic partners and supports transparent and cost-efficient goods flows across the globe. Transporeon also enables effective communication and cooperation in the worldwide shipper and logistics provider community through the digitalization of the entire logistic-supply chain. The business connects a global network of over 1,000 shippers and trading companies, over 65,000 carriers (logistics and transport providers, third party logistics providers, carriers and brokers) and over 100,000 users in over 100 countries through a series of software-as-a-service-solutions, currently in 24 languages. Unique on the market, the solutions of the Transporeon Group include onboarding, regular advice and support with multilingual customer support. This guarantees an individual, customized solution for every customer, improves the performance of the shippers/logistics providers and lowers the costs with simultaneous optimization of the logistics providers' margins and reduction of CO2 emissions. The services of the Transporeon platform are ISO-27001 certified. The group has international offices in Europe, Russia, Asia and the USA. The headquarters of the Transporeon Group is in Ulm (Germany). www.transporeon-group.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005463/en/ Contacts: TPG (US) Luke Barrett media@tpg.com TPG (Europe) Alex Jones tpg@greenbrookpr.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Provenance Gold Corp. (CSE: PAU) (FSE: 3PG) ("Provenance", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it is initiating a phased exploration program on its newly acquired Silver Bow property in Nevada after receiving very encouraging assessment work and associated positive assay results from field samples on the property. The Silver Bow property is located approximately 40 miles east of Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada. Recent work from the Company's surface sampling field program in November yielded assays up to 74 oz/t silver and 0.71 oz/t gold. The work identified three key areas of focus for the follow-up program that is planned to start in February. Work this autumn supported and strengthened the Company's belief that the property has potential to host bulk tonnage silver and gold targets as well as the potential to host high grade silver vein targets based on local historically mined high-grade silver veins within the two major sheer zones. The field work also recognized the potential for a separate sizeable bulk tonnage deposit with gold as the primary mineralization. The property contains strong and extensive mineralization and numerous past producing mines in which the areas with the strongest silicification and alteration are still mostly undrilled. A more comprehensive understanding of the property's geology has defined new exploration targets and modified the previously identified targets. The mineralization extends outside the two east-trending mineralized shear zones, and likely extends under younger rhyolitic flow-dome rocks that occur between the zones. A detailed mapping and sampling program will give a clearer picture of two partial calderas associated with the mineralization and should help to better define specific targets for a planned and staged drilling program which will be initiated this summer. Silverbow is in a region of Nevada that has produced significant amounts of silver and gold historically. The nearby Tonopah district has produced over two hundred million ounces of silver and over two million ounces of gold to date. Also nearby is the Goldfield district that has produced over five million ounces of gold. "We look forward to analyzing and exploring the untested targets we have recognized in this large strongly mineralized silver and gold system," said Provenance's CEO, Rauno Perttu. The Company continues to look for additional high quality gold and silver properties which include ones with reported resources of over a million ounces of gold to early stage gold and silver projects with mineralized drill intercepts driving excellent targets. Rauno Perttu, P. Geo., a Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101) has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this News Release. About Provenance Gold Corp. Provenance Gold Corp. is a precious metals exploration company with a focus on gold and silver resources within North America. The Company currently holds interests in Nevada, USA and Yukon, Canada and is actively involved and working within both jurisdictions. For further information, sponsorship or funding enquiries please visit the Company's website at http://www.provenancegold.com or contact Rob Clark @ rclark@provenancegold.com. On behalf of the Board, Provenance Gold Corp. Rauno Perttu, Chief Executive Officer Neither the CSE, nor its regulation services provider, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42503 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 29, 2019) - Bluestone Resources Inc. (TSXV: BSR) (OTCQB: BBSRF) ("Bluestone" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the Independent Feasibility Study ("Feasibility Study") prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") for its 100% owned high-grade Cerro Blanco Gold project (the "Project"). The Feasibility Study demonstrates that the Project represents a robust, rapid pay-back, high-grade underground mining operation. Darren Klinck, President and CEO commented, "The Feasibility Study outlines a robust development-ready, underground gold mine with a modest capital expenditure demonstrating superior economics. The mine plan supports the original conviction that the Project can be developed into a small footprint, low impact operation that will provide significant opportunities for local stakeholders and generate attractive returns for investors. Furthermore, over the next six months as we optimize the project and work to establish adequate project financing, we will see significant opportunity to continue with our objective to upgrade Inferred Resource ounces and then update the mine plan to incorporate potential meaningful mine life extension, further enhancing project economics." Feasibility Study Highlights Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are stated in U.S dollars ("$"). Base case was completed at a gold price of $1,250/oz and a silver price of $18/oz. Average annual production of 146,000 ounces gold over the first three years of production. Average life of mine ("LOM") all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of $579/oz (net credits), which would place the Project in the bottom end of the lowest quartile of the global cost curve. Average annual free cash flow of $91 million (CAD$117 million) per year over the first three years of production. After-tax internal rate of return ("IRR") of 34%. Net present value ("NPV") of $241 million after-tax (CAD$309 million). Initial capital of $196 million with an after-tax payback period of 2.1 years. Life of mine production of approximately 902,000 ounces over 8-year mine life. Proven & Probable Mineral Reserves of 940,000 ounces of gold and 3.6 million ounces of silver (3.4 million tonnes at 8.5 g/t Au and 32.2 g/t Ag). The Feasibility Study excludes an additional 357,000 ounces of Inferred Resources (1.4 million tonnes at 8.1 g/t Au and 23.6 g/t Ag). "The Feasibility Study is a major milestone on the path to development for the Project. In a very short 18 months, we have assembled a terrific team in Guatemala and Canada, completed a significant amount of technical work, and delivered a Feasibility Study that demonstrates a materially de-risked project with attractive economics. Advancing the Cerro Blanco Project represents a tremendous opportunity to our many stakeholder groups including local communities in Guatemala, government partners, and our shareholders," commented Darren Klinck, President and CEO. A corporate video presentation discussing the Feasibility Study is available for viewing by clicking this LINK or by visiting the Bluestone website, www.bluestoneresources.ca. Project Enhancement Opportunities Although Bluestone considers the Feasibility Study as providing a robust basis for moving forward with attractive returns and payback, opportunities have been identified to further enhance the Project economics and optimize the engineering. The Company intends to focus on the following opportunities over the next six months in parallel with project financing initiatives: Mine life extension through the potential conversion of a portion of the 360,000 ounces of Inferred Resources (per the press release dated September 11, 2018) to Measured and Indicated Resources through infill drilling (currently ongoing) , followed by an updated mineral resource and mine plan. Potential resource growth from step-out drilling along existing veins that extend beyond the current resource envelope (currently ongoing). Identification of new high-grade veins during infill drilling program underway as illustrated in the press release dated January 9, 2019. Further optimization of the mine plan and sequencing through basic engineering and trade-off study review. Review opportunities to optimize backfilling assumptions including evaluating alternatives to paste fill which could reduce capital and operating expenditure. Preliminary test work in evaluating the potential of using ore sorting technologies was very successful and highlighted an opportunity as a cost-effective method to help reduce potential dilution and enhance the production profile by allowing new areas of the orebody to be economically mined. A drilling program is currently underway as announced on November 13, 2018 and ongoing results will be incorporated into an updated resource estimate in Q3 2019 followed by an updated Feasibility Study. Cerro Blanco Feasibility Study The Feasibility Study provides a compilation of the geological, engineering, and hydrology work performed by the previous owners between 1997 and 2017, as well as work undertaken by Bluestone. The results of the Feasibility Study incorporate the infrastructure in place, including 3.2 kilometers of underground development decline, fully functional water treatment plant, maintenance shops, warehouse and office facilities, and a total of 580 holes and over 128,000 meters of drilling. Bluestone engaged a consortium of independent consultants, led by JDS Energy & Mining Inc., an international engineering firm with extensive experience in both the construction and operation of mining projects. The Feasibility Study was supported by additional leading consultants with expertise in various fields, including: Capuano Engineering, Hatch Ltd., Kirkham Geosystems Ltd., and Stantec Inc. An independent Technical Advisory Committee ("TAC") was established to act as a peer review over key technical aspects of the Feasibility Study. The TAC is a group of internationally recognized technical experts who have been engaged with management and the Engineering Area Leads throughout the Feasibility Study. Chaired by Alf Hills, the additional TAC members are Scott Donald (Water Management, Hydrogeology, and Groundwater Modelling), Allan Moss (Mining and Geotechnical), Roger Nendick (Processing and Infrastructure), Robert Sim (Resource Estimation), and Dr. Ward Wilson (Water and Tailings Management). Table 1 - Summary of the Economics of the Cerro Blanco Feasibility Study Gold price (base case) $1,250/oz Silver price (base case) $18.00/oz Exchange rate (Guatemala Quetzal to US Dollar) 7.5:1 Exchange rate (CAD to US Dollar) 0.78:1 Average annual gold production (years 1-3) 146,000 ounces Average annual gold production (LOM) 113,000 ounces Total gold production (LOM) 902,000 ounces Average gold head grade 8.5 g/t Average silver head grade 32.2 g/t Average gold recovery 96.0% Average silver recovery 85.0% Throughput 1,250 tonnes per day Mine life 8 years Operating costs Mining - $67.01/tonne mined Processing - $19.79/tonne milled Site Services (includes dewatering) - $19.21/tonne milled G&A - $11.76/tonne milled Total operating costs $117.78/tonne milled Cash costs (LOM net credits) $424/oz Au All-in Sustaining Cash Costs (LOM net credits)* $579/oz Au Initial capital (including contingency) $196 M Sustaining capital, including closure costs $140 M Average annual after-tax free cash flow $91 M per year (years 1-3) Total production after-tax free cash flow $538 M NPV 5% (pre-tax) $292 M IRR (pre-tax) 40% NPV 5% (after-tax) $241 M (base case), $301 M ($1,350/oz gold) IRR (after-tax) 34% (base case), 40% ($1,350/oz gold) *all in sustaining cash costs (net credits) = (operating costs + offsite costs + royalties + sustaining and closure capital - value of payable silver ounces) / payable gold ounces Table 2 - Economic Sensitivities Gold price ($/oz) $1,200 $1,250 $1,300 $1,350 $1,400 After-tax NPV 5% $212 M $241 M $271 M $301 M $331 M After-tax IRR 31% 34% 37% 40% 43% After-tax Payback 2.3 years 2.1 years 2.0 years 1.9 years 1.8 years Comparison to the February 2017 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) The February 2017 PEA presented a scenario at the time of acquisition with the information available from the previous owners. Since Bluestone acquired the Project, a comprehensive review of the geology and structural controls of the deposit has been completed and formed the basis for the new resource estimate (see press release dated September 11, 2018). This included an infill drilling program undertaken as part of the resource estimate update exercise and was successful in refining the resource model thereby confirming the understanding of the deposit. Dewatering, ventilation, and cooling are important aspects of the mine design at the Project and were investigated in detail with the Feasibility Study. A fully calibrated numerical ground water model was developed, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the hydrogeological regime and optimization of the underground mine dewatering requirements, and development of a site-wide water balance. Precedents from existing mining operations that manage and control similar underground mining environments were benchmarked against and have validated Bluestone's assumptions and approach. Key differences between the PEA and Feasibility Study include: Total ounces in the mineral resource remain virtually unchanged; however, slightly fewer ounces converted into the mine plan with the refined resource model. An infill drilling program is currently underway to convert Inferred Resources into Measured and Indicated Resources. Operating costs were affected with a shift in the split of mining methods driven from the new mine plan, resulting in an increase to the amount of cut and fill mining. With a better understanding of the groundwater conditions, operating costs increased to ensure the mine dewatering could be fully and properly managed in parallel with the mine plan. In addition, enhanced ventilation has been included to ensure underground mine air quality and temperature are consistently managed. Additional pre-production and sustaining capital requirements are also necessary for dewatering infrastructure. FEASIBILTY STUDY DETAILS Geology and Mineral Resource Estimate The Project is a classic hot springs-related, low sulphidation epithermal gold-silver deposit comprising a system of moderate to steeply dipping quartz-adularia-calcite veins. The Mineral Resource estimate has a footprint of 800 x 400 meters between elevations of 525 meters and 200 meters above sea level. The bulk of the high-grade veins occur as two upward-flared vein arrays (North and South Zones) that converge at depth into master feeder veins, that appear to define a positive flower structure. Most of the veins are hosted in a gently dipping sequence of siltstones, limestones, conglomerates, and andesitic tuffs (Mita Unit) that are overlain by approximately 100 meters of silicified conglomerates and sinter beds (Salinas Unit) representing an un-eroded paleosurface that forms the low-lying hill at the Project. The Salinas rocks are host to a tabular zone of low-grade disseminated gold and silver mineralization. The updated Mineral Resource estimate is the result of 128,220 meters of drilling at the project (580 drill holes) by previous operators and Bluestone, including 104 holes (18,033 meters) drilled from underground. The Mineral Resource estimate is based on a new and robust geological and structural model, supported by over 3 kilometers of underground infrastructure. The Mineral Resource estimate was disclosed in a press release dated September 11, 2018. Table 3 - Cerro Blanco Mineral Resource Estimate at a 3.5 g/t Au Cut-Off Resource Category Tonnes (000's) Au Grade g/t Ag Grade g/t Contained Gold (000's Oz) Contained Silver (000's Oz) Measured 290 10.31 39.14 96 365 Indicated 3,426 10.03 37.79 1,105 4,164 Measured & Indicated 3,718 10.05 37.89 1,201 4,529 Inferred 1,373 8.09 23.58 357 1,041 All Mineral Resources have been estimated in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) definitions, as required under NI 43-101, with an effective date of September 10, 2018. Mineral Resources reported demonstrate reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction, as required under NI 43-101. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Underground Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 3.5 g/t Au. Cut-off grades are based on a price of US$1,250/oz gold, US$16/oz silver, and a number of operating cost and recovery assumptions, plus a contingency. Numbers are rounded. The Mineral Resources may be affected by subsequent assessment of mining, environmental, processing, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, and other factors. Mineral Reserves and Mining The estimated Mineral Reserves presented by reserve class are shown in the following table. The overall diluted gold grade of the mineralized material going to the mill is estimated at 8.5 g/t. These Mineral Reserves support an initial 8-year mine life. An infill drill program is currently underway (as per the press release dated November 13, 2018) that is targeting the conversion of Inferred Resources into Measured and Indicated Resources. The Project deposit is expected to be accessed by the existing 3.2 kilometers of underground development. The current decline will serve as the primary access to the mine for personnel, materials, and haulage of mineralized material to the plant site. Annual ore production of up to 460,000 tonnes is planned from a combination of long-hole stoping and cut and fill mining methods. Table 4 - Cerro Blanco Mineral Reserves as at January 29, 2019 Category Tonnes (000's) Au Grade g/t Ag Grade g/t Contained Gold (000's Oz) Contained Silver (000's Oz) Proven 313 8.3 31.4 83 315 Probable 3,131 8.5 32.3 857 3,254 Total 3,444 8.5 32.2 940 3,570 The Qualified Person for the Mineral Reserve estimate is Michael Makarenko, P. Eng., of JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Effective date: January 29, 2019. All Mineral Reserves have been estimated in accordance with CIM definitions, as required under NI 43-101. Mineral Reserves were estimated using a $1,250 /oz gold price and gold cut-off grade of 3.5 g/t. Other costs and factors used for gold cut-off grade determination were mining, process, and other costs of $109.04/tonne, transport and treatment charges of $5.00 /oz Au, a royalty of $24.84 /oz Au, and a gold metallurgical recovery of 95%. Silver was not used in the estimation of cut-off grades but is recovered and contributes to the revenue stream. Tonnages are rounded to the nearest 1,000 tonnes, metal grades are rounded to one decimal place. Tonnage and grade measurements are in metric units; contained gold and silver are reported as thousands of troy ounces. Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in summation differences. Dewatering, ventilation, and cooling are important aspects of the mine design at the Project. The water in the immediate mine area will be lowered by a series of surface and underground dewatering wells. Any remaining water underground will be captured and pumped to surface through the collection at underground sumps. Currently, approximately 40% of the Mineral Reserves sit above the water table and are accessible through the 3.2 kilometers of lateral underground development. Precedents from existing mining operations that manage and control similar underground mining environments have validated Bluestone's approach and assumptions. In addition to the existing surface dewatering wells, a series of new dewatering wells are planned to draw down the water around the deposit. A portion of the mine water will be treated and discharged, and the balance disposed of through a series of new reinjection wells. Initial estimates of dewatering rates to meet the needs of the mine plan were estimated from a detailed numerical ground water model, which included steady state and transient state calibration. The number of wells required to achieve the desired dewatering will comprise five of the existing wells and eight new dewatering wells. Processing The Feasibility Study is based on a process plant capable of treating 1,250 tonnes per day of ore. The comminution circuit includes three-stage crushing and two stage ball mill grinding to produce a target grind size of 80% passing 50 microns. Processing will incorporate a rate of 460,000 dry tonnes per year at an average feed grade of 8.5 g/t gold and 32.2 g/t silver. Based on recent test work, the optimized flowsheet includes pre-oxidation, a 48-hour leach circuit, followed by a 6-hour carbon-in-pulp adsorption circuit with expected recoveries of 96% gold and 85% silver. Capital & Operating Costs Initial capital to fund construction and commissioning is estimated at $196 million. The Project benefits from a significant amount of underground development already in place, a water treatment plant, maintenance and warehouse facilities, offices, and communications. The project is located eight kilometres from the Pan American Highway and an under-utilized electrical substation. Table 5 - Cerro Blanco Capital Cost Estimate Initial Capital ($M) Sustaining Capital ($M) Life Of Mine ($M) Mining $32.4 $67.7 $100.1 Site Development $5.3 $0.4 $5.7 Mineral Processing $44.7 $4.2 $48.9 Tailings Management $2.5 $5.1 $7.6 On-Site Infrastructure (dewatering) $19.2 $44.5 $63.7 Off-Site Infrastructure $5.6 - $5.6 General Directs $8.4 - $8.4 Project Indirects $39.3 $7.0 $46.3 Owners Costs $15.6 - $15.6 Closure Costs $10.6 $10.6 Contingency $22.7 - $22.7 Total $195.7 $139.6 $335.2 Table 6 - Cerro Blanco Operating Cost Estimate Cost Per Payable Au Ounce ($/oz) Cost per Tonne Milled ($/t) Mining $256.63 $67.01 Processing $75.82 $19.79 Site Services (includes dewatering) $73.57 $19.21 G&A $45.03 $11.76 Total Direct Operating Costs $451.05 $117.78 Refining & Transport $6.02 - Royalties $26.83 - By-product Credits ($60.06) - Total Cash Costs (net credits) $424 - Table 7 - All-in Cash Costs Including Sustaining Capex Mining $230.8 Processing $68.2 Site Services $66.2 Site G&A $40.5 Refining & Transport $5.4 Royalties $24.1 Sustaining Capital $139.6 By-product Credits $54.0 Total ($M) $521 M All-in Sustaining Cash Costs (net of credits)($/oz) $579/oz Au All-in sustaining costs are presented as defined by the World Gold Council less corporate G&A. Calculated as: (refining costs + third party royalties + operating costs + sustaining capital costs + closure capital costs - payable silver ounces value) / payable gold ounces. Infrastructure The Project is located approximately 160 kilometers southeast of Guatemala City. The site is accessible via the Pan-American Highway (CA1) through the town of Asuncion Mita. Existing infrastructure is in place to provide year-round access, a new 5 kilometer-long access road and 8.2 kilometer power transmission line will be installed as part of the construction of the Project. The topography is flat with rolling hills. Guatemala has 400 kilometers of coastline, with the closest deep-water port (Puerto Quetzal) on the Pacific Ocean, which is connected by good highway access to the Project. Corporate Social Responsibility and Economic Benefits Bluestone is a values-based company where environmental and community stewardship are integral to our core values. We live in the communities we operate in and follow best practices to minimize impacts to the environment. The Project and local team have been part of the local community for over a decade and Bluestone is active in engaging with the stakeholders around the Project. The development of the Project is expected to provide substantial economic benefits to Guatemala, both locally and at a national level. During the 18 to 24-month construction period, the Project is expected to generate direct employment of 500+ people, and once in operation, direct employment of 400+ people. It is estimated that during production the mine will inject approximately $60 million annually and contribute approximately $500 million to the Guatemalan economy through direct employee wages, consumables, taxes, and royalties. In addition, the project is expected to generate several hundred additional indirect jobs with local suppliers and service providers. A key priority will be to train and develop skills of the local workforce as the Project advances which is in-line with Bluestone's philosophy of working with our stakeholders and communities. In 2018 Bluestone engaged a third -party consultant to lead an updated social baseline assessment as well as an IFC performance gap assessment. Bluestone is committed to following best practices and international standards. Next Steps With the Feasibility Study now completed, Bluestone will advance the Project toward development over the next few quarters. Key next steps include: Optimization and trade-off studies to be undertaken. Infill drilling as part of the resource conversion and expansion program currently underway. Commence engineering and design activities. Update resource estimate and mine plan. Advance project financing activities. Technical Information The Technical Report summarizing the results of the Feasibility Study is being prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release. The Qualified Persons have reviewed and verified that the technical information in respect to the Feasibility Study in this press release is accurate and approve the written disclosure of such information. The Qualified Persons who will prepare the Technical Report are: Qualified Person Company QP Responsibility Maz Mohaseb, P.Eng. JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Project Management, Environmental/ Permitting/Social, CAPEX, OPEX, Economic Analysis Michael Makarenko, P.Eng. JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Mineral Reserve Estimate, Mining Methods Michael Levy, P.E. JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Underground Geotechnical Kelly McLeod, P. Eng. JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Metallurgy, Recovery Methods Richard Boehnke, P.Eng. JDS Energy & Mining Inc. Infrastructure Garth Kirkham, P.Geo. Kirkham Geosystems Ltd. Geology, Mineral Resource Estimate Hhan Olsen, P.G., CPG Stantec Consulting Inc. Water Management Bryan Ulrich, P.E. Stantec Consulting Inc. DSTF, Waste Rock Facility Other than as set forth above, all scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by David Gunning, P.Eng., a mining engineer, and the Vice President Operations, or David Cass, P.Geo., and the Company's Vice President Exploration, both Qualified Persons under NI 43-101. About Bluestone Resources Bluestone Resources is a mineral exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its 100%-owned Cerro Blanco Gold and Mita Geothermal projects located in Guatemala. A Feasibility Study on Cerro Blanco returned robust economics with a quick pay back. The average annual production is projected to be 146,000 ounces per year over the first three years of production with all-in sustaining costs of $579/oz (as defined per World Gold Council guidelines, less corporate general and administration costs). The Company trades under the symbol "BSR" on the TSX Venture Exchange and "BBSRF" on the OTCQB. On Behalf of Bluestone Resources Inc. "Darren Klinck" Darren Klinck | President, Chief Executive Officer & Director For further information, please contact: Bluestone Resources Inc. Stephen Williams | VP Corporate Development & Investor Relations Phone: +1 604 646 4534 info@bluestoneresources.ca www.bluestoneresources.ca 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. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that Bluestone Resources Inc. ("Bluestone" or the "Company") believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation: the conversion of the inferred mineral resources; increasing the amount of measured mineral and indicated mineral resources; the proposed timeline and benefits of further drilling; the proposed timeline and benefits of the Feasibility Study; statements about the Company's plans for its mineral properties; Bluestone's business strategy, plans and outlook; the future financial or operating performance of Bluestone; capital expenditures, corporate general and administration expenses and exploration and development expenses; expected working capital requirements; the future financial estimates of the Cerro Blanco Project economics, including estimates of capital costs of constructing mine facilities and bringing a mine into production and of sustaining capital costs, estimates of operating costs and total costs, net present value and economic returns; proposed production timelines and rates; funding availability; resource estimates; and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to Bluestone and often use words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "may" or variations thereof or the negative of any of these terms. All forward-looking statements are made based on the Company's current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. Generally, these assumptions include, among others: the ability of Bluestone to carry on exploration and development activities; the price of gold, silver and other metals; there being no material variations in the current tax and regulatory environment; the exchange rates among the Canadian dollar, Guatemalan quetzal and the United States dollar remaining consistent with current levels; the presence of and continuity of metals at the Cerro Blanco Project at estimated grades; the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices and within estimated delivery times; metals sales prices and exchange rates assumed; appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in economic analyses; tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; the availability of acceptable financing; anticipated mining losses and dilution; success in realizing proposed operations; anticipated timelines for community consultations and the impact of those consultations on the regulatory approval process. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Bluestone. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the mineral identified as mineral resources from that predicted; risks and uncertainties related to expected production rates, timing and amount of production and total costs of production; risks and uncertainties related to ability to obtain or maintain necessary licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with mining development activities; risks and uncertainties related to the accuracy of mineral resource estimates and estimates of future production, future cash flow, total costs of production and diminishing quantities or grades of mineral resources; risks associated with geopolitical uncertainty and political and economic instability in Guatemala; risks and uncertainties related to interruptions in production; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; uncertain political and economic environments and relationships with local communities; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; developments in world metals markets; risks related to fluctuations in currency exchange rates; as well as those factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Amended and Restated Annual Information Form. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Bluestone disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although Bluestone believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures The Company has included certain non-International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") measures in this new release. The Company believes that these measures, in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company and to compare it to information reported by other companies. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. All-in sustaining costs The Company believes that all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") more fully defines the total costs associated with producing gold. The Company calculates AISC as the sum of refining costs, third party royalties, site operating costs, sustaining capital costs and closure capital costs all divided by the gold ounces sold to arrive at a per ounce amount. Other companies may calculate this measure differently as a result of differences in underlying principles and policies applied. Differences may also arise due to a different definition of sustaining versus non-sustaining capital. Total cash costs Total cash costs is a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry but has no standard meaning. The Company reports total cash costs on a gold ounce sold basis. The Company believes that, in addition to measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, such as revenue, certain investors can use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its mining operations. Management uses this metric as an important tool to monitor operating cost performance. Total cash costs include (cost of sales such as mining, processing, maintenance and site administration, royalties, selling costs and by-product credits) to arrive at total cash costs per ounce of gold sold. Other companies may calculate this measure differently. AISC and total cash costs reconciliation ASIC and total cash costs are calculated based on the definitions published by the World Gold Council ("WGC") (a market development organization for the gold industry comprised of and funded by 18 gold mining companies from around the world). The WGC is not a regulatory organization. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42502 Associations from Around the World Join in Support of Updated Terminology WASHINGTON and BOSTON, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) and Cambridge Associates (CA) today pledged, and encouraged other stakeholders in the private equity and venture capital industries, to employ the term "key person" in all legal references on a go-forward basis. The gender-neutral term will permanently replace "key man" in all Limited Partner Agreements as well as other documents and best practice discussions which refer to executives vital to the operation of a fund. Joining ILPA and CA in their support of the future use of this terminology are more than a dozen private equity and venture capital associations from around the world including: The American Investment Council (AIC), the Australian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL), The Brazilian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (ABVCAP), the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA), the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA), the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (HKVCA), the Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (IVCA), Invest Europe, the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America (LAVCA), the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), the New Zealand Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (NZVCA), and the Singapore Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SVCA). "This focused change is one that ILPA is committed to advance in the private equity industry and we applaud all those who join us in doing so. Words matter and the term 'key man' is outdated and overdue for replacement. ILPA will continue to use 'key person' in our resources, guidelines, model documents and principles, and we encourage our members as well as our partners in the legal community to do the same," said Steve Nelson, CEO of ILPA. "Research has shown time and again that diversity of thought and perspective leads to better investment returns, better business strategies and stronger organizations overall. We're committed to helping the investment industry become more diverse and inclusive. A small step is to apply 'key person' exclusively in all legal references, and we ask our clients and others in the ecosystem to commit to the same standard," said Andrea Auerbach, Head of Global Private Investments at Cambridge Associates. As part of the campaign to effect change and establish the "key person" terminology as the industry standard, GPs, LPs, advisors, fund-of funds, law firms and others are invited to share their own commitment in a public statement and on social media using the hashtag keypersonpledge. About ILPA The Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) engages, empowers and connects limited partners to maximize their performance on an individual, institutional and collective basis. Visit www.ilpa.org for more information. About Cambridge Associates Cambridge Associates is a leading global investment firm. We aim to help endowments & foundations, pension plans, and private clients implement and manage custom investment portfolios that generate outperformance so they can maximize their impact on the world. Visit www.cambridgeassociates.com for more information. Contact: Emily Mendell, ILPA emendell@ilpa.org 610-565-4692 LONDON, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Push Doctor, the UK's leading digital health provider, has selected Datix as its patient safety software provider, moving patient safety beyond the physical walls of the healthcare provider and into the burgeoning virtual healthcare space. Push Doctor will deploy three Datix modules - Incident, Dashboard, and Risk Register - which will enable the digital physician practice to transform its current reporting system by improving accuracy of incident reports, standardising reports, and triangulating incident and risk data to identify improvement opportunities. Push Doctor provides digital consultations to hundreds of thousands of patients each year. Push Doctor selected Datix not only for its established expertise and credibility, but also for the patient safety best practices Datix has developed from more than 30 years of working with healthcare providers to reduce preventable patient harm. "A key differentiator was that the Datix system could be configured around our individual policies, processes, and culture," said Wais Shaifta, CEO of Push Doctor. "The connectivity between incident and risk data is key to us, as it will provide us with a complete overview of all of our data and allow us to more accurately pinpoint areas for improvement, something that we couldn't do with our previous system. We're keen to start standardising our processes and improving accuracy with Datix." Push Doctor's GPs are located remotely throughout the UK, which has posed a challenge in creating a clear or easy process for reporting incidents or risks. With Datix, however, all users will now have access to an instant incident reporting function, which will improve reporting rates, accuracy, and - ultimately - safety. The three modules being implemented will provide Push Doctor with a user-friendly system that will make for easy engagement and standardisation of best practices for the diverse background that make up the online service. Employing a strong incident management tool will mean users can focus on their specialities and automate event notification. In addition, reports will be simplified, making them easier to understand, and stored in a central repository, eliminating challenges Push Doctor has previously experienced with management reporting. "Datix is on the leading edge of revolutionising healthcare's approach to patient safety, and Push Doctor is on the leading edge of transforming the healthcare delivery system - which is why we are so excited about this partnership," said Claire Aldred, Datix Vice President Commercial UK and EU. "Two innovative companies working together to enhance the fast-growing online healthcare sector will create learning opportunities that this new alliance will open up for the benefit of patients across the UK." About Datix Datix has been a global pioneer in the field of patient safety over the past three decades and today is the leading provider of software for patient safety, risk management and incident reporting for the healthcare sector. Datix aims to build and promote a culture of safety within healthcare organisations, recruiting professionals who are passionate about improving healthcare and championing technological innovation. Datix continually invests in its software and services, maintaining a leadership position at the forefront of the worldwide patient safety movement. Datix is focused on the health and social care sector. Its customers include public and private hospitals, primary care providers, GP surgeries, mental health and ambulance service providers. Within the UK this includes over 80% of the National Health Service. Internationally the Datix client base is growing rapidly and includes large scale deployments in the USA and Canada as well as customers in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Datix has offices in London, Chicago and Washington DC, with partners in the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. About Push Doctor Push Doctor was the UK's first platform to offer video consultations with patients online and via smartphone - offering quick, easy and convenient access to NHS trained doctors. Today, Push Doctor connects thousands of patients each week with a UK GP, with appointments available in just minutes. The service treated over 1,000 different condition types last year including a wide range of infections, gastric, respiratory and mental health conditions. 9 out of 10 people got the help they needed first time. The brand continues to evolve to encompass a broader range of medical conditions, health, wellness and lifestyle products / services as it treats the nation, with the core goal of enabling its customers to live happier, longer lives. American credit specialist CIFC has launched a UCITS fund as it builds its presence in Europe The CIFC Global Floating Rate Credit Fund opens up access to the firm's structured credit expertise for the first time in a UCITS format. It will invest in some of the more liquid tranches of collateralised loan obligation (CLO) bonds, investing at least half of its funds in BBB-rated bonds. The fund, which has launched with commitments of over 50 million, is managed by structured credit veteran Jay Huang and is targeting a return of 7-8% pa1 Domiciled in Dublin, it is the first fund launched in Europe by CIFC since the firm opened its office in London in 2018. European Managing Director Joshua Hughes said: "We believe, many European investors, as well as those further afield in Asia, favour or require the liquidity and regulatory oversight that the UCITS regime brings, so we're pleased to have been able to create the fund within this structure." He added: "This fund will enable discretionary wealth managers, funds of funds managers and family offices to access the enhanced returns that the CLO market offers but without the liquidity and diversification challenges that direct investments in CLOs would entail. The fund will be diversified across 50 to 100 CLOs and actively managed, which adds an additional layer of risk management." At inception the CIFC Global Floating Rate Credit Fund, which is valued daily and has weekly trading, will hold around 70% of its assets in CLOs managed in the US and 30% in Europe. Portfolio manager Jay Huang said: "The asset allocation will change depending on market conditions we will have the flexibility to invest in the best opportunities in the US and Europe." Huang added: "The CLOs are investing in the senior debt of major corporations, including household names like Dell and Dunkin' Donuts. The debt is secured and we're also monitoring underlying company performance closely. We're investing on a long-only basis, so it's a useful way for portfolio managers to add diversification and compelling relative returns to portfolios." The fund is US$ denominated, with hedged currency share classes in sterling, yen and euros. It is also open to US investors. 1 There can be no assurance that the target return of the Fund will be achieved. In considering the target return, prospective investors should bear in mind that such targeted performance is not a guaranteed projection or prediction and is not indicative of future returns of the Fund. Actual performance may differ substantially from the target performance shown. About CIFC Founded in 2005, CIFC is a credit manager with over $21 billion of assets under management* specialising in US corporate and structured credit strategies. Headquartered in New York, CIFC is a SEC registered investment adviser. Serving institutional investors globally, CIFC is one of the largest managers of senior secured corporate credit. For more information, please visit CIFC's website at www.cifc.com. *As at 31 December 2018 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005201/en/ Contacts: Media Europe Martin Stott, Bulletin PR Martin.stott@bulletin.co.uk T +44 (0)115 907 8413 M +44 (0)7956 917 978 United States Amanda Klein, Gasthalter Co. AK@gasthalter.com T (212) 257 4170 AuA has grown organically, with zero acquisitions Private Capital, the largest growth area in recent years Continued expansion into APAC The Citco Group of Companies ("Citco"), a leading provider of asset servicing solutions to the global alternative investment industry, today announced that global assets under administration ("AuA") have hit the US $1 trillion mark. An important footnote to this achievement is that the milestone was reached purely through organic growth, an industry first amongst alternative asset service providers. The growing drive to streamline operations is leading managers to outsource more functions, including: front office risk reporting, middle office treasury and collateral management, back office financial statements, and tax and regulatory reporting. Simultaneously, growing diversification across asset classes, moves into hybrid strategies and the launch of a wide range of investment vehicles will continue to translate into growing complexities for fund administration. Staying at the forefront of these developments has been the driver of Citco's investment in expanding internal talent and building out service platform solutions, all with a view to ensure that clients have access to the right tools in pivotal moments. Citco's philosophy, dubbed the 'Citco Way', is a commitment to investment in the right people, and ensuring they are provided with the means to succeed (e.g. investment in training and career management initiatives). It also includes significant and sustained investment in proprietary technology. Citco's in-house team of technologists combine expertise in developing award-winning technology products (xeo Technology, xeo Investor, CitcoOne, Citco Waterfall, CitcoConnect) with the latest advancements in cloud-based technology, to produce commercially available software. In November 2018, Citco launched xeo Treasury, an inaugural "born-on-the-cloud" solution that gives alternative fund managers a state-of-art method of managing treasury functions through a SaaS tool running on Amazon Web Services (AWS). xeo Treasury enhances operational efficiencies and workflows, and provides a secure, centralized module for treasury operations. The combination of Citco's commitment to service excellence and technology results in a "Fintech+" approach, which will continue to ensure that clients' interaction and information assets are safe and secure. The Citco Way has provided an edge that will allow the company to stay at the forefront of industry innovation and provide clients with solutions that are both efficient and scalable. Citco's growth strategy, sustained by investment in proprietary technology, has enabled the firm to focus on building solutions which center on the needs of its clients, as opposed to spending time trying to integrate multiple cultures and platforms. "As a private company focused on servicing alternative investment firms, and with the support of our ownership, the Smeets family who founded the business in 1948 we have been able to adopt a long-term mindset when it comes to investing in our people and proprietary technology. We have leveraged that support to form relationships with clients that span decades. Our ability to deliver the right solutions in support of our clients' businesses and investors has been of paramount importance to our success story," said Jay Peller, Head of Fund Services at Citco. Peller also added, "As the regulatory framework increases in complexity, and investors demand heightened levels of transparency from managers, we expect our clients to increasingly rely on Citco for front-to-back technology solutions that will allow them to focus on delivering outsized returns for their investors." Citco currently operates across North America, Europe and Asia, with specialized teams situated around the globe. Asia has been a strong driver of growth for Citco, with AuA having grown 18% year to date across all lines of business. The growth is a direct result of increasing demand from Asian managers for Citco's proprietary technology and subject matter expertise, who are looking towards the further institutionalization of their operations. Citco is continually recognized and awarded as an industry leader in just the past 12 months they have been awarded the following: HFM US Hedge Fund Services Awards Winner 2018: Best administrator Fund of hedge funds HFM US Hedge Fund Services Awards Winner 2018: Best administrator Best Treasury Management Solution HFM European Services Awards Winner 2018: Best administrator over $30bn overall The Drawdown Private Equity Services Awards Winner 2018: Fund administration (Innovation) The Drawdown Private Equity Services Awards Winner 2018: Fund administration (Technology) About Citco Group of Companies The Citco Group of Companies is a worldwide network of independent financial service companies serving the world's elite hedge funds, private equity and real estate firms, institutional banks, Global 1000 companies and high net worth individuals. Citco companies service these sectors in their respective geographic areas by offering fund administration, custody and fund trading, financial products and corporate and trust planning solutions. Citco has offices in over 40 countries with more than 6,000 staff. For more information, please visit:http://bit.ly/2RoJ2Ky View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005388/en/ Contacts: New York Kseniya Melnikova Kseniya.Melnikova@PeregrineCommunications.com +1 646 274 1423 London Aryna Kastavetskaya aryna.kastavetskaya@peregrinecommunications.com +44 (0) 20 3040 0871 Rob Enright rob.enright@peregrinecommunications.com +44 (0) 20 3040 0874 CHICAGO, January 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Vehicle Scanner Market by Scanner (fixed, portable), Structure (drive-through, UVSS), Application (Critical Infrastructure Protection, Commercial), Technology (Sensing, Illuminating, Scanning, Imaging, Processing), Component - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Vehicle Scanner Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.28% from USD 1.5 billion in 2018 to reach USD 2.3 billion by 2025. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=255473881 Browse in-depth TOC on"Vehicle Scanner Market" 44- Tables 43- Figures 131- Pages The growth of the automotive Vehicle Scanner Market is influenced by factors such as rising safety and security concerns, huge investments in infrastructure, and securing border premises. Drive-through vehicle scanner: Increasing air and sea cargo trade is expected to drive the Vehicle Scanner Market The drive-through vehicle scanner segment is the largest market and is expected to witness a significant growth during the forecast period. The growing trend of transportation of goods through air and water modes has resulted in the higher demand for drive-through vehicle scanners. Also, the use of advanced technology in drive-through vehicle scanners such as scanning cargo with X-ray technology has enhanced the security level. Government/Critical infrastructure protection: Securing the borders and premises The government/critical infrastructure protection segment is expected to be the largest Vehicle Scanner Market. The growth is due to factors such as continuous rise in military expenditure and securing borders by installing safety and security products. Cross- border security is one of the highly sensitive security aspects considered for the safety of any country. Illegal entry of migrants by crossing the borders in shipping containers, boxcars, and trucks can be minimized by installing vehicle scanners. Thus, the demand for vehicle scanners is high for the government/critical infrastructure protection segment. Asia Pacific: China is expected to lead the Asia Pacific market The Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the fastest growing market. The region comprises some of the fastest developing economies of the world such as China and India. The Asia Pacific region is home to key suppliers of vehicle scanners such as Vehant (India), Safeways Systems (China), Dahua Technology (China), and ParkNSecure (India). The countries in this region are investing huge amount to develop and maintain the infrastructure. With infrastructure, a country is able to create macroeconomic conditions in order to reduce poverty. A well-developed infrastructure helps in developing the economy and enhancing the standard of living. The development in infrastructure leads to the rise of safety and security concerns such as terrorism, illegal activities, bombs, and threats. Thus, to combat rising security concerns, the demand for vehicle scanners in the region has increased. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Purchase/purchase_reportNew.asp?id=255473881 The global Vehicle Scanner Market is dominated by major players such as Gatekeeper Security (US), SecuScan (Germany), UVIScan (Netherlands), Leidos (US), and IRD (Canada). 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: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/vehicle-scanner-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Aiming to have the most accurate results, Metrovacesa teamed up with HMG, a Google partner MADRID, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Metrovacesa, a main player in the national real estate sector, has released a new case study that illustrates the importance of segmenting geographically in order to drive lead generation and conversions. The study, conducted throughout 2018, chronicles Metrovacesa's newly launched digital strategy which had the goal of improving the brand's positioning and business leads and conversions. To read the full case study, visit: https://metrovacesa.com/en/blog/google-chooses-metrovacesa-as-a-case-of-success/ With 100 years of business history, Metrovacesa entered a new stage of growth in 2018. Mindful of its presence in both large and small cities across multiple industry sectors from tourist towns to commercial hubs, the far-reaching company wanted to launch a new digital strategy based on geolocation that would generate business leads and subsequent conversions. Metrovacesa extended this concept to its customers: anyone who would have shown interest in any of the houses listed in different channels without having bought it yet, similar to Google Ad Search campaigns. "The best strategy of marketing will be the one that efficiently integrates the capture of leads in the online world with personalized attention within the relationship model with customers," said Carmen Chicharro, Innovation and Marketing Director at Metrovacesa. Collaboration and Results Metrovacesa teamed up with HMG, a Google partner, and together they segmented the campaign by type, status, target, and by geolocation, then adapted its ad content to each specific case. One example of this strategy was an experiential and immersive bus that traveled throughout Spain where customers could view promotions with VR. After the campaign, Metrovacesa saw an 80% increase in conversions from geolocated Google Ads, with assisted conversions up 140%. The company found that by segmenting geographically, they were able to convert 45% of leads, while non-segmented campaigns only converted 25%. Visit Metrovacesa's blog to read more about the findings in this study as well as other digital innovations at the company. In the near future, Metrovacesa aims to reach international customers with their newly enhanced digital strategy, positioning themselves correctly in the countries where they have an interested public, thus improving the profitability of their leads. https://metrovacesa.com/en/ COMMERZBANK AG - Pre-stabilisation State of Berlin bmk 2029 Pre-Stabilisation notice 29 January 2019 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. The German State of Berlin EUR Benchmark LSA due 2029 Pre-Stabilisation Notice Commerzbank AG (contact: Daniela Olt-Farrelly; telephone: +49 69 13623492) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014). The security to be stabilised: Issuer: The German State of Berlin Guarantor (if any): none Aggregate nominal amount: EUR benchmark Description: senior, unsecured fixed rate, 10 years Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: fixed rate senior, unsecured Notes due 2029, denoms 1k/1k, Rating Aa1/AAA/AAA, settlement 5 February 2019 Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG DekaBank LBBW TD Securities UniCredit Stabilisation period expected to start on: 29 January 2019 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Berlin regulated market In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. LINKOPING, Sweden, Jan. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud and SaaS revenue increase of +300% YoY Net revenue leapt 23% YoY to $606M License revenue up 22% YoY, driven by organic growth in the business Maintenance revenue up 13% YoY Consulting revenue up 10% YoY A solid investment with profitable revenue growth: EBITDA was 21%, achieving a YoY improvement of 27% IFS, the global enterprise applications company, today announced its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2018. IFS CEO Darren Roos commented, "We are outpacing large and medium-sized competitors in the ERP space and our robust 2018 financial results reflect that. Our major engines of growth for the year ahead include IFS Aerospace & Defense, IFS Field Service Management and IFS Applications. Alongside these innovations will be a firm commitment to continue challenging the status quo while providing world-class customer service. Building on the momentum created in 2018, we enter 2019 with a renewed sense of purpose and a future guided by our customers." IFS CFO Milena Roveda added, "Our financial performance in 2018 doesn't just make a nice headline. It's a testament to a business built on innovation and an unrelenting commitment to providing customer-focused solutions. This is how we set ourselves apart from the competition. With an increase of 300% in cloud sales, and a net revenue improvement of 23% versus 2017, we are outpacing the market by a factor of more than three." Business Performance: Financial and Operational Highlights for FY 2018 Driven by a double-digit increase in product revenue, net revenue growth soared to 23%, outperforming the projected market growth of 7%. Cloud and SaaS saw a revenue increase of a remarkable 300%. Results like these don't happen on their own. A number of major transformation projects were carried out in 2018 with the expressed aim to facilitate global growth and ever-happier customers. Projects included harmonizing customer service and support as IFS has continued to grow its footprint in the medium-to-large enterprise segments. 2018 also saw the launch of key products, including IFS Applications 10, IFS Field Service Management 6, and SaaS-based solutions in the IFS Aerospace & Defense product line. These dramatic gains were ushered in following the appointment of IFS CEO Darren Roos in early 2018. To complete the company's global leadership team, Roos recruited talent from some of the best-known technology brands including SAP, Oracle, Software AG and Hewlett Packard. Chief Product Officer Christian Pedersen, who assumed the role in September 2018, also brings IFS's focus on investing in sensible but forward-thinking technologies to the next level. Among the other visionary hires were Milena Roveda as Chief Financial Officer, Jane Keith as Chief People and Culture Officer, and Michael Ouissi as Chief Customer Officer. With 2018 in the rearview mirror, IFS has emerged hungry and ready, a company structured to scale as it continues to equip challenger companies everywhere with sensible enterprise solutions. Learn more at www.ifsworld.com/corp/company/financial-results/. Contact: Lyndsey Rojas, IFS Director of Communications. Phone: 1 888 437 4968, press@ifsworld.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com The following files are available for download: Extension to framework will allow development of future proofed, custom apps Adoption of Typescript for increased performance Support for cloud-native, open source BPM project Activiti 7.0 and front-end web app Angular 7.0 Alfresco, a leading open source provider of process automation, content management, and information governance software, has announced the availability of the latest release of its ADF 3.0 (Application Development Framework) during its annual developer conference, DevCon 2019, in Edinburgh, Scotland. John Newton, Alfresco Chief Technology Officer and Founder, noted: "We are focused on helping our customers create, access, and exchange business-critical information in the most agile and secure ways possible. To this end, we added some major extensibility features to our Alfresco ADF to simplify the path to building modern, content-rich web apps rapidly and securely. The foundation of a digital business is the data it uses and the content it exploits across a network of applications and platforms." The Alfresco ADF enables developers to rapidly build custom web apps that deliver outstanding user experiences and personalized customer journeys using the Alfresco Digital Business Platform. It provides a rich set of reusable Angular-based UI (user interface) components and services, command-line tooling, and client APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that surface Alfresco process, content and governance services. According to Forrester, "a focus on customer journeys requires much greater attention to user experience and application design to ensure users stay engaged and the business realizes benefits. Why? The higher level of automation for customer journeys and experiences will lead to many more employees using process applications." John Newton continued: "We believe a digital business needs more than a content repository, it needs a Digital Business Platform that developers can extend and customize to meet the needs of their enterprise. Alfresco provides such a platform that people can easily collaborate on content most relevant to them as well as move between the apps they use with ease to complete their work. Enterprises today need a single source of truth for information across their end-user apps and back-end systems. That's the power of process-led, cloud-native content management a single platform to manage, secure, and collaborate on content." ADF 3.0 extends Alfresco's content market leadership with significant performance enhancements designed to increase user satisfaction and adoption, serve up deeper insights securely, and connect content, processes and people more rapidly. ADF 3.0 new functionality includes: Significant Extensibility Developers will now be able to extend the main ADF components with their own code. This new extensibility mechanism makes it easier to maintain code customizations while remaining up-to-date with the latest ADF versions. By including this new extension framework, developers can isolate their custom work and easily upgrade ("future proof") to later versions of ADF without losing their original code. Taking advantage of this new extensibility mechanism, Alfresco partners, such as Zia, Wipro, Geolang and Snowbound, have extended ADF by adding additional components leveraging AI (Artificial Intelligence), Machine Learning, Blockchain and Digital Signature to deliver customer-centered digital transformation. App Performance With Javascript API in Typescript Alfresco has rewritten the Javascript API in Typescript so that packaging of App Source Codes is optimized for better performances. Typescript, designed for large app development, is also supported by Angular and uses it as its primary language. This ensures significant performance improvements of ADF apps when deployed in production. Support for Activiti 7.0 Alfresco's ADF 3.0 now supports the newest version of the cloud-native, open source BPM project, Activiti 7.0. Developers can leverage ADF to rapidly build process-led, custom web applications using Activiti. With a cloud-native, microservices-based architecture plus a modern user interface developer kit within ADF, the Activiti community is armed with a powerful toolkit in the world of digital process automation Support for Angular 7.0 With the support for Angular 7.0, developers will gain immediate access to the performance improvements and several major improvements and new design features comprising Virtual Scrolling, Drag and Drop, and many others. Newton added: "Creating apps that delight the customer in the user's digital journey requires designing an experience that generates positive emotions at multiple points along that journey. There are a few ways to do this, but the most important one is to provide a meaningful experience that intuitively connects with the customer by developing 'fit-for-purpose', relevant apps that create higher engagement and positive customer behavior. With the customer at the center of any digital transformation, developers can use the Alfresco ADF to rapidly build 'delight-driven' functional apps that positively influence customer behavior." DevCon 2019 DevCon 2019 is the forum where Alfresco's growing community of developers, partners, and users from around the world come together to connect, network, collaborate and learn. This year's event focuses on major new capabilities for the Alfresco Digital Business Platform. As part of the more than 60 scheduled technical sessions, ADF 3.0 will be explored in both technical and product roadmap presentations, illustrating the benefits of migrating to the latest editions of the Alfresco Digital Business Platform. Presentations will include "Extensibility for ADF Applications" by Alfresco Applications Platform Developer Denys Vuika and "Let's Play with ADF 3.0," an exploration of the extensibility features in the new Alfresco Digital Workspace (ADW), presented by Alfresco's Eugenio Romano, an architect and full stack developer. "Refocus Process Automation To Rescue Your Digital Transformation", Forrester Research, Inc., May 17, 2018 Alfresco Software, Inc. Alfresco Software, Inc. ("Alfresco") is an enterprise open source software company focused on advancing the flow of digital business. The company provides a better, more effortless way for people to work, making sure they have the information they need, exactly when they need it most. The Alfresco Digital Business Platform is used to digitize processes, manage content and securely govern information. Alfresco helps over 1,300 industry-leading organizations, including Cisco, Bank of NY Mellon, Capital One, US Department of Navy, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and NASA, be more responsive and competitive. Founded in 2005, Alfresco has its U.S. headquarters in San Mateo, California, and European headquarters in Maidenhead, UK. For more information on Alfresco, please visit http://www.alfresco.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005303/en/ Contacts: Sara Black 213.618.1501 Sara@bospar.com An investment in the offered shares involves substantial risks and uncertainties. Prospective investors should read the entire Prospectus that will be prepared by the Company, and, in particular, should see the section "Risk Factors" of the Prospectus for a discussion of certain factors that should be considered in connection with an investment in the offered shares. The risk factors that will be described in the Prospectus will include the risks that Sequana Medical has incurred operating losses, negative operating cash flows and an accumulated deficit since inception and may not be able to achieve or subsequently maintain profitability, that Sequana Medical's future financial performance will depend on the commercial acceptance of the alfapump (Sequana Medical's only commercial-stage product to date), the alfapump DSR and/or any future products in target markets, that Sequana Medical will likely require additional funds in the future in order to meet its capital and expenditure needs and further financing may not be available when required or could significantly limit Sequana Medical's access to additional capital, and that, not taking into account any proceeds of the Offering, Sequana Medical does not have sufficient working capital to meet its working capital needs for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the Prospectus. All of these factors should be considered before investing in the offered shares. Prospective investors must be able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the offered shares and should be able to sustain a partial or total loss of their investment. Press Release Sequana Medical receives Breakthrough Device designation from the FDA for its alfapump Administrative process for the move of its business from Switzerland to Belgium completed Ghent, BELGIUM - 29 January 2019 - Sequana Medical NV ("Sequana Medical", the "Company"), a commercial stage medical device company focused on the development of innovative treatment solutions for the management of liver disease, heart failure, malignant ascites and other fluid imbalance disorders, announces today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Device designation for the alfapump for the treatment of liver recurrent or refractory ascites. The FDA's Breakthrough Devices Program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of devices that provide more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions, and to provide patients and healthcare providers with timely access to these medical devices. Devices that receive this designation are eligible for more frequent interactions with the FDA's experts to identify areas of agreement in a timely way and are eligible for prioritized review of the submission package to obtain regulatory approval in the U.S. Ascites, a key complication of liver cirrhosis, is the accumulation of ascitic fluid in the abdomen. Patients may accumulate as much as 10 to 15 litres of ascitic fluid within the abdomen every 15 days. Patients suffering from liver recurrent or refractory ascites have limited treatment options and often have severely impacted quality of life due to the severe swelling of the abdomen, resulting in pain, difficulty breathing, moving, sleeping and eating, severe nausea and constipation. Existing treatment options carry the risk of significant or life-threatening side effects, provide only short-term symptomatic relief or have very limited availability. The alfapump is a fully-implanted, programmable, wireless, CE-marked system that automatically pumps ascites from the peritoneal cavity into the bladder, where the body eliminates the ascites naturally through urination. The potential of the alfapump to address this unmet medical need in patients with liver recurrent or refractory ascites has been demonstrated in multiple clinical studies showing a significant reduction in the need for large volume paracentesis, which is paracentesis where at least 5 litres of fluid is removed (i.e., the current standard of care), and a significant improvement in patients' quality of life. A feasibility study in North America in patients with liver refractory or recurrent ascites has been completed and results were presented at the AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) annual meetings in October 2017 and November 2018. Preparations are underway to start a North American pivotal study in the second half of this year for approval of the alfapump in North America. Dr Patrick S. Kamath, Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine and Science Rochester MN commented: "This is encouraging news for patients and their families. Patients suffering from recurrent or refractory ascites currently have limited treatment options. Ascites significantly reduces quality of life and requires frequent visits to a medical facility for treatment. The alfapump treats ascites at home without the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and is associated with improved quality of life. The designation of FDA Breakthrough Device status for the alfapump could make a much needed effective treatment of refractory or recurrent ascites available sooner for doctors and their patients." Ian Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer at Sequana Medical, added: "The designation of Breakthrough Device status by the FDA is a recognition both of the high unmet medical need in patients with recurrent or refractory ascites and the potential for the alfapump to improve the lives of these patients. The forecast growth in liver cirrhosis resulting from NASH makes the need for improved treatments all the more important. We look forward to continuing to work with the FDA to expedite the development process and bring the alfapump to U.S. patients as quickly as possible." Update regarding the status of the Initial Public Offering on Euronext Brussels: The administrative process for the move of Sequana Medical's business from Switzerland to Belgium has been completed. Meanwhile, the IPO preparations continue being progressed according to plan, and the Company will provide a further update on the IPO process in due course. Contacts: Sequana Medical Lies Vanneste Director IR Tel: +32 Consilium Strategic Communications Alexandra Harrison, Marieke Vermeersch, Sukaina Virji Tel: +44 ENDS Note to Editors About Sequana Medical: Sequana Medical is a commercial stage medical device company focused on the development of innovative treatment solutions for the management of liver disease, heart failure, malignant ascites and other fluid imbalance disorders. Sequana Medical's alfapump is a fully implantable, programmable, wirelessly-charged, battery-powered system that is CE-marked for the management of i) refractory ascites (chronic fluid build-up in the abdomen) due to liver cirrhosis and ii) malignant ascites (with a life expectancy of six months or less). The number of patients with liver refractory ascites is forecast to increase dramatically due to the growing prevalence of NASH (Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis). Over 650 alfapump systems have been implanted and since April 2018, the alfapump has been included in the EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver) clinical practice guidelines for decompensated cirrhosis. The alfapump MOSAIC North American IDE feasibility study in patients with liver refractory or recurrent ascites has been completed and results were presented at the AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) annual meetings in October 2017 and November 2018. The alfapump has not yet received regulatory approval in the United States (the "U.S."). The alfapump is one of the first safe and effective, long-term alternatives to large-volume paracentesis which is a lengthy, invasive and painful procedure, only providing short-term symptomatic relief, requiring hospital visits and placing a significant burden on the healthcare system and patient quality of life. By automatically and continuously moving ascites to the bladder, where the body eliminates it naturally through urination, the alfapump prevents fluid build-up and its possible complications, improving patient quality of life and nutrition, and potentially reducing hospital visits and healthcare costs. The alfapump DirectLink technology allows clinicians to receive pump performance information and more effectively manage patients treated by the alfapump. Sequana Medical is developing the alfapump DSR, built upon the proven alfapump platform, to deliver a convenient and fully implanted system for Direct Sodium Removal ("DSR") therapy, a novel and proprietary approach for the management of volume overload in heart failure. Data from animal studies presented at EuroPCR 2018 and HFSA 2018 indicate that DSR therapy is effective and safe. A first-in-human study for DSR therapy is ongoing. Treatment of volume overload in diuretic-resistant heart failure patients is a major clinical challenge. There are an estimated one million hospitalisations due to heart failure in the U.S. each year, of which 90% are due to symptoms of volume overload. The estimated cost of heart failure-related hospitalisations in the U.S. is $13 billion a year. Sequana Medical is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium and investors include NeoMed Management, LSP. Important Regulatory Disclaimer Any statement in this press release about safety and efficacy of the alfapump does not apply to the U.S. and Canada because the device is currently undergoing clinical investigation in these territories. Important Information This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for shares of Sequana Medical NV. This announcement is not a prospectus. The information contained in this announcement is for informational purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. Investors should not subscribe for any securities referred to in this document except on the basis of information contained in the Prospectus that the Company expects to publish after its approval by the Belgian Financial Services Markets Authority. The Prospectus will contain detailed information about the Company and its business, management, risks associated with investing in the Company, as well as financial statements and other financial data. This announcement cannot be used as basis for any investment agreement or decision. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or to any U.S. person within the meaning of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). It does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. The Company has not registered, and does not intend to register, any portion of the intended offering of the offered shares in the United States, and does not intend to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. This announcement is only addressed to and directed at persons in member states of the European Economic Area ("EEA") other than Belgium who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent implemented in the relevant Member State of the EEA, and together with any implementing measure in each relevant Member State of the EEA, the "Prospectus Directive"). In addition, in the United Kingdom, this announcement is only addressed to and directed at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities, etc. falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, and (iii) any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The intended offering, as the case may be, will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for, purchase, or otherwise acquire securities will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. This announcement and the information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities of the Company and it does not constitute a prospectus or a similar communication within the meaning of article 752, 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. This announcement and the information contained herein are not for publication, distribution or release in, or into, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any other jurisdiction where to do so would be prohibited by applicable law. The date of completion of listing on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels may be influenced by things such as market conditions. There is no guarantee that such listing will occur and investors should not base their financial decisions on the Company's intentions in relation to such listing at this stage. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing the entire amount invested. Persons considering such investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the intended offering. The value of the shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the intended offering for the person concerned. No action has been taken by the Company that would permit an offer of Company's shares or the possession or distribution of these materials or any other offering or publicity material relating to such shares in any jurisdiction outside of Belgium where action for that purpose is required. The release, publication or distribution of these materials in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which they are released, published or distributed, should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions. The issue, the subscription for or purchase of shares of the Company can be subject to special legal or statutory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company is not liable if the aforementioned restrictions are not complied with by any person. The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategies, plans, objectives, targets, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, its results of operations, prospects, growth, strategies and dividend policy and the industry in which the Company operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. New risks can emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such risks, nor can the Company assess the impact of all such risks on its business or the extent to which any risks, or combination of risks and other factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Given these risks and uncertainties, the reader should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Without prejudice to the Company's obligations under applicable law in relation to disclosure and ongoing information, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update forward-looking statements. KBC Securities NV/SA, Kempen & Co N.V. and Mirabaud Securities Limited (the "Underwriters") are acting for the Company and no one else in relation to the intended offering, and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections offered to their respective clients nor for providing advice in relation to the intended offering. The Company assumes responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. None of the Underwriters or any of their respective affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the Company, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Each of the Underwriters and each of their respective affiliates accordingly disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise which they might otherwise be found to have in respect of this announcement or any such statement or information. No representation or warranty express or implied, is made by any of the Underwriters or any of their respective affiliates as to the accuracy, completeness, verification or sufficiency of the information set out in this announcement, and nothing in this announcement will be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether or not to the past or future. Nanterre (France), January 29, 2019 Faurecia LAUNCHES ITS TENDER OFFER ON CLARION to become a global leader in cockpit electronics systems As per the announcement made on October 26th, 2018, following clearance from relevant antitrust authorities, Faurecia today announced that it will launch its tender offer for the acquisition of all shares of Clarion Co, Ltd, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, tomorrow, January 30, 2019. The Clarion shareholders will be offered to tender their shares by February 28, 2019 at a price of 2,500 yens per Clarion share. The board of Clarion fully supports Faurecia's tender offer and recommends its shareholders to tender their shares to Faurecia's offer. Pursuant to the agreement signed on October 26, 2018, Hitachi committed to tender all of its shares, representing 63.8% of the share capital of Clarion, to Faurecia's offer. Faurecia intends to implement a squeeze-out procedure to acquire all the remaining shares of Clarion, to the extent needed after the tender offer process. With the acquisition of Clarion, Faurecia intends to create a new Business Group headquartered in Japan, named "Faurecia Clarion Electronics" regrouping Clarion, Parrot Faurecia Automotive and Coagent Electronics. This Business Group would employ almost 9,200 people and more than 1,650 software engineers. With this strategic and complementary acquisition in terms of technology offer, geographic presence and customer portfolios, Faurecia is positioned as a leading player for cockpit systems integration, able to offer unique user experiences. Contacts Media Eric Fohlen-Weill Head of Corporate Communications Tel: +33 (0)1 72 36 72 Eric.fohlen-weill@faurecia.com (mailto:Eric.fohlen-weill@faurecia.com) Analysts/Investors Marc Maillet Vice-President Investor Relations Tel: +33 (0)1 72 36 75 70 marc.maillet@faurecia.com (mailto:marc.maillet@faurecia.com) About Faurecia Founded in 1997, Faurecia has grown to become a major player in the global automotive industry. With 290 sites including 30 R&D centers and 109,000 employees in 35 countries, Faurecia is now a global leader in its three areas of business: automotive seating, interior systems and clean mobility. Faurecia has focused its technology strategy on providing solutions for the cockpit of the future and sustainable mobility. In 2017, the Group posted total sales of 17.0 billion. Faurecia is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC Next 20 index. For more information, please visit www.faurecia.com (http://www.faurecia.com) Notice to Clarion Shareholders This press release is to announce the commencement of the Tender Offer to the public and has not been prepared for the purpose of soliciting an offer to sell shares. If shareholders wish to make an offer to sell their shares, they should first read the Tender Offer Explanatory Statement for the Tender Offer, as it may be amended from time to time, and make their own independent decision. This press release does not constitute, nor form part of, any offer to sell, solicitation of a sale of, or any solicitation of any offer to buy, any securities. In addition, neither this press release (or any part of it) nor the fact of its distribution shall form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any agreement thereof. Although the Tender Offer will be conducted in accordance with the procedures and information disclosure standards prescribed in the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act In Japan, these procedures and standards may differ from the procedures and information disclosure standards in the United States. In particular, Sections 13(e) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the "U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934"), and the rules prescribed thereunder do not apply to the Tender Offer, and the Tender Offer does not conform to those procedures and standards. Any financial information contained in this press release or in the Tender Offer Explanatory Statement may not necessarily be comparable to the financial statements of U.S. companies. It may be difficult to enforce any right or claim arising under U.S. federal securities laws because Faurecia and Clarion are incorporated outside the United States and their directors are non-U.S. residents. Shareholders may not be able to sue a company outside the United States and its directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that shareholders will be able to compel a company outside the United States or its subsidiaries and affiliates to subject themselves to the jurisdiction of a U.S. court. Unless otherwise specified, all procedures relating to the Tender Offer shall be conducted entirely in Japanese. While some or all of the documentation relating to the Tender Offer will be prepared in English, if there is any inconsistency between the English documentation and the Japanese documentation, the Japanese documentation will prevail. English translations of the Tender Offer materials may also be obtained at http://www.faurecia.com/en/newsroom (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.faurecia.com_en_newsroom&d=DwMFJg&c=ptMoEJ5oTofwe4L9tBtGCQ&r=u4x_dWFm7EZ60eAgObQ0nRIpLajZx94240TyMTSXNnZhBX3pmQkh2YSVUSP_ecWo&m=XA-yC4APJiYsVo-3w7NvDYYjPSc3tQqvFkSZDr7bfKE&s=ARjUSa9PhA2E8TIL7HoDSRjD353rFvecBYp64jR0VKA&e=). This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ substantially from the projections and other matters expressly or impliedly set forth herein as "forward-looking statements." None of Faurecia, Clarion or any of their respective affiliates assures that such express or implied projections set forth herein as "forward-looking statements" will eventually prove to be correct. The "forward-looking statements" contained in this press release have been prepared based on the information held by Faurecia or Clarion as of the date hereof and, unless otherwise required under applicable laws and regulations, none of Faurecia, Clarion or any of their respective affiliates assumes any obligation to update or revise this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances. Some countries or regions may impose restrictions on the announcement, issue or distribution of this press release. In such cases, please take note of such restrictions and comply with them. In countries or regions where the implementation of the Tender Offer is illegal, even upon receiving this press release, such receipt shall not constitute a solicitation of an offer to sell or an offer to buy shares relating to the Tender Offer and shall be deemed a distribution of materials for informative purposes only. The financial advisor and the agent for the Tender Offer (including their affiliates) to Faurecia may purchase shares in Clarion for its own account or for the account of its clients or take actions for such purchase prior to the Tender Offer or during the Tender Offer Period outside the Tender Offer to the extent permitted under Japanese and U.S. securities laws and regulations. Such purchase may be made at the market price through market transactions, or at a price determined by negotiation outside the market. PDF version (http://hugin.info/143691/R/2232599/878021.pdf) This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: FAURECIA via Globenewswire BELIMO Holding AG / Louis Scheidegger to become Member of the Group Executive Committee of the Belimo Group . Processed and transmitted by West Corporation. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The Board of Directors of the BELIMO Holding AG has appointed Louis Scheidegger (53) a member of the Group Executive Committee as of March 1, 2019. Louis Scheidegger joined Belimo's Engineering department as an Electrical Engineer in 1991 and was nominated Assistant to the Head of Operations afterwards. In 1998, he was promoted to Head of the Spring Return and Fire Protection Actuators department. In September 2000, Louis Scheidegger was appointed Head of the newly created division Manufacturing, which at the time was part of the Technology business unit. Since then, he has shown a great deal of commitment in shaping and leading the areas of production, planning, and purchasing at Belimo globally. At the beginning of 2008, Louis Scheidegger took over the lead of the newly created Group division Production and has been a member of the extended Group Executive Committee since then. In his role as Head of the Group division Production, Louis Scheidegger is responsible for more than 400 employees and the entire purchasing volume. After his studies in Electrical Engineering at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur, Louis Scheidegger completed 1993/1994 his postgraduate degree and obtained the title of Operations Engineer STV at the KS Kaderschule AG in Zurich. Additionally, in 2001/2002, he completed the Internatio-nal Senior Management Program at the St. Galler Business School and in 2015/2016, over a period of 18 months, the Asia Executive Certificate Program at University of St. Gallen alongside his professional commitments. The Belimo Group is a leading global manufacturer of innovative electrical actuator, valve, and sensor solutions for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The Company reported sales of CHF 642 million in 2018 and has over 1,700 employees. Information about the Company and its products is available on the Internet at www.belimo.com (http://www.belimo.com) The shares of BELIMO Holding AG have been traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1995 (BEAN). Contact Lars van der Haegen Phone +41 43 843 65 12 AgendaMedia and Financial Analysts Conference March 11, 2019 Annual General Meeting 2019 April 1, 2019 Louis Scheidegger Personal details Age 53 Nationality Swiss Place of residence Ruti, ZH, Switzerland Marital status married, two children Education 2015 - 2016 Asia Executive Certificate Program, University St. Gallen 2001 - 2002 International Senior Management Program, St. Galler Business School 1993 - 1994 Postgraduate degree in Operations Engineering STV, KS Kaderschule AG, Zurich 1986 - 1989 University studies in Electrical Engineering at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur 1983 -1986 Electronic technician, Landis & Gyr Zug AG, Zug Professional experience 2008 - current BELIMO Automation AG, Hinwil Head of Group division Production, Member of extended Group Executive Committee 2000 - 2008 BELIMO Automation AG, Hinwil Head of division Manufacturing 1998 - 2000 BELIMO Automation AG, Hinwil Head of department Spring Return and Fire Protection Actuators 1997 - 1998 BELIMO Automation AG, Hinwil Assistant to the Head of Operations 1996 Period abroad 1991 - 1996 BELIMO Automation AG, Hinwil Electrical Engineer at Engineering department 1989 - 1990 Siemens Schweiz AG, Zurich various positions Press Release (PDF) (http://hugin.info/100133/R/2232555/877991.pdf) Group sales based on preliminary figures up 13.2% to 1.57 billion euros; earnings 1) increase overproportionately by 14.7% to 405.0 million euros Growth in both divisions and across all regions; Bioprocess Solutions and the Americas especially strong Positive outlook for 2019: Management forecasts that revenue will increase by 7% to 11% and the earnings margin will further rise Sartorius, a leading international partner of biopharmaceutical research and the industry, continued on the growth track in 2018 in both divisions and across all geographies, and thus achieved its forecast raised considerably at mid-year. According to preliminary figures, Group sales revenue rose in constant currencies by 13.2% to 1,566.0 million euros (reported: +11.5%). The non-organic share of the increase in consolidated sales was around one percentage point.Order intake rose in constant currencies by 12.5% to 1,662.5 million euros. "Sartorius demonstrated its operational strength again in 2018 by its dynamic development. We achieved our ambitious revenue and earnings targets that we had raised as of the first half last year and further extended our strong international market position," said Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius AG. "We are very optimistic about 2019, despite weaker economic indicators and a few macroeconomic risks, and plan to continue on our profitable growth track." The Group's underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (underlying EBITDA) increased overproportionately by 14.7% to 405.0 million euros. Its corresponding margin rose by 0.8 percentage points to 25.9%. Relevant net profit2) for the Group surged 21.9% from 144.0 million euros a year earlier to 175.6 million euros. This yielded earnings per ordinary share of 2.56 euros (2017: 2.10 euros) and earnings per preference share of 2.57 euros (2017: 2.11 euros). Regionally, the Americas showed the highest dynamics following moderate development in the previous year. Here, Sartorius increased its sales revenue by 16.6% to 520.1 million euros. The Asia Pacific region achieved a gain of 15.5% to 388.2 million euros compared against a very strong previous year. In the EMEA region (Europe Middle East Africa), sales revenue was up 9.4%, to 657.7 million euros. (All regional figures in constant currencies.) Key financial indicators The Sartorius Group continues to have a very sound financial base. Its equity ratio at year-end was 38.5%, above the previous year's level of 35.1%, and its ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA edged down slightly from 2.5 in 2017 to 2.4 despite its extensive investment program. Capital expenditures rose by 13.6% from the already high prior-year figure to 237.8 million euros. Investing activities focused on the expansion of production capacity levels at the company's site in Yauco, Puerto Rico, and on the extension of Group headquarters as well as manufacturing capacity in Gottingen, Germany. The ratio of capital expenditures to sales revenue was 15.2% relative to 14.9% in the previous year. Growth of the Group is also reflected by the increase yet again in the number of employees. For the year ended December 31, 2018, a total of 8,125 people were employed at Sartorius worldwide, representing a year-over-year gain of 600 new employees or 8.3%. Business development of the divisions The Bioprocess Solutions Division, which offers a wide array of innovative technologies for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals, grew very dynamically and even better than expected at the beginning of the year. It increased its sales revenue in constant currencies by 14.8% to 1,143.1 million euros (reported: +13.1%). The division's highly competitive product portfolio and rising demand across all product categories fueled growth, which was mainly organic, while acquisitions contributed about half a percentage point of non-organic growth. Order intake in constant currencies was up 14.9% from the year-earlier figure. The division's underlying EBITDA rose slightly overproportionately by 15.7% to 326.9 million euros. Its underlying EBITDA margin increased accordingly by 0.6 percentage points to 28.6% due to economies of scale. The Lab Products Services Division, which offers laboratory instruments and technologies for R&D and quality assurance primarily in the life science sector, developed robustly following a very strong year earlier. Despite softer demand in Europe since the second half of 2018, the division increased its sales revenue by 9.1% (reported: +7.3%) to 423.0 million euros. Essen Bioscience acquired in March 2017 contributed some 2.5 percentage points of non-organic growth. In constant currencies, order intake for the division was up 6.3% from 2017. The division's underlying EBITDA climbed 10.4% to 78.1 million euros; its earnings margin was positively influenced by economics of scale and product mix effects, and stood at 18.5%, half a percentage point above the prior-year figure. Further profitable growth expected for 2019 Sartorius expects to grow profitably in 2019 as well. Consolidated sales revenue is thus projected to grow by about 7% to 11%. This forecast considers the changes to the sales alliance with the Lonza group in the area of cell culture media. Without these changes, sales growth would probably be some 2 percentage points higher. Regarding profitability, management forecasts that the company's EBITDA margin will increase to slightly more than 27.0% over the prior-year figure of 25.9%, with the operating gain projected to be about half a percentage point and the remaining increase expected to result from a change in the accounting rules.3) The ratio of capital expenditures to sales revenue is forecasted to be around 12%, down from the 2018 figure of 15.2%. For the Bioprocess Solutions Division, management expects dynamic growth to continue. It anticipates that sales will increase by about 8% to 12% over the previous year's high revenue base (without considering the modification of our partnership with Lonza, between approx. 11% and 15%). Management forecasts that the company's underlying EBITDA margin will increase to slightly more than 29.5% relative to the prior-year figure of 28.6%. The operating gain is expected to account for around half a percentage point.3) The Lab Products Services Division is partly dependent on the development of economic cycles. A number of indicators now signal that economic development is slowing in important economic regions. Against this backdrop, management forecasts that the division's sales revenue will increase by about 5% to 9% and the underlying EBITDA margin to slightly more than 20.0% (previous year: 18.5%), with the operating gain accounting for about half a percentage point.3) All forecasts are based on constant currencies, as in the past years. A no-deal exit of the U.K. from the E.U. might impact our supply chains in both divisions to a certain degree in spite of the measures already taken to counteract this development. A reliable prognosis concerning possible effects cannot be made at the current time. 1) Sartorius uses underlying EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items) as the key profitability indicator. 2) After non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and corresponding tax effects. 3) IFRS 16 required to be applied as of 2019 regulates accounting of leasing contracts. Ultimately, this will result in the disclosure of longer-term lease payments as depreciation and, accordingly, to a somewhat higher EBITDA, among other things. This will not entail any material changes concerning the Group's relevant net profit or earnings per share. This press release contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Group. The content of these statements cannot be guaranteed as they are based on assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties. This is a translation of the original German-language press release. Sartorius shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original German press release is the legally binding version. Furthermore, Sartorius reserves the right not to be responsible for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information that is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. The numbers mentioned above are still subject to final review by the auditors. Preliminary Key Performance Indicators for Fiscal 2018 Sartorius Group Bioprocess Solutions Lab Products & Services In millions of , unless otherwise specified 2018 2017 ? in % Reported ? in % cc1) 2018 2017 ? in % Reported ? in % cc1) 2018 2017 ? in % Reported ? in % cc1) Sales Revenue and Order Intake Sales revenue 1,566.0 1,404.6 11.5 13.2 1,143.1 1,010.3 13.1 14.8 423.0 394.2 7.3 9.1 - EMEA2) 657.7 604.5 8.8 9.4 464.7 413.8 12.3 12.7 193.1 190.7 1.2 2.2 - Americas2) 520.1 455.5 14.2 16.6 410.0 357.1 14.8 17.1 110.1 98.4 11.9 14.5 Asia | Pacific2) 388.2 344.6 12.7 15.5 268.4 239.4 12.1 15.0 119.8 105.2 13.9 16.6 Order intake 1,662.5 1,501.4 10.7 12.5 1,233.7 1,091.3 13.0 14.9 428.8 410.1 4.6 6.3 Earnings EBITDA3) 405.0 353.2 14.7 326.9 282.4 15.7 78.1 70.8 10.4 EBITDA margin3) in 25.9 25.1 28.6 28.0 18.5 18.0 Net profit for the period4) 175.6 144.0 21.9 Financial Data per Share Earnings per ordinary share4) in 2.56 2.10 22.0 Earnings per preference share4) in 2.57 2.11 21.9 1) In constant currencies, abbreviated as "cc" 2) Acc. to the customer's location 3) Adjusted for extraordinary items (underlying) 4) After non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and corresponding tax effects. Current image files https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/newsroom/downloads-publications Conference call Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius, and Rainer Lehmann, CFO, will discuss the company's business results with analysts and investors on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. Central European Time (CET) in a teleconference. You may register by clicking on the following link: http://services.choruscall.de/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=4454566&linkSecurityString=1ee1e8ebe Alternatively, you can dial into the teleconference, without registering, at: +49 (0) 69 566 03 7000 The presentation will be available on January 29, 2019, starting at 3:15 p.m. CET, for viewing on our website at: https://www.sartorius.com/us-en/company/investor-relations/sartorius-ag-investor-relations Upcoming financial dates February 19, 2019 Annual press conference March 28, 2019 Annual Shareholders' Meeting April 18, 2019 Publication of first-quarter figures for 2019 A profile of Sartorius The Sartorius Group is a leading international partner of biopharmaceutical research and the industry. With innovative laboratory instruments and consumables, the Group's Lab Products Services Division concentrates on serving the needs of laboratories performing research and quality control at pharma and biopharma companies and those of academic research institutes. The Bioprocess Solutions Division with its broad product portfolio focusing on single-use solutions helps customers to manufacture biotech medications and vaccines safely and efficiently. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In fiscal 2018, the company earned sales revenue of some 1.6 billion euros according to its preliminary figures. Currently, more than 8,100 people work at the Group's approximately 60 manufacturing and sales sites, serving customers around the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005797/en/ Contacts: Petra Kirchhoff Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations +49 (0)551.308.1686 petra.kirchhoff@sartorius.com Cyber security stakeholders are expected to meet this Thursday to appraise each other on the progress made with regards to cyber security, challenges faced, as well as to lay out a plan for 2019. Stakeholders will also look into the National Cyber security Strategy (NCS) that was developed by government in partnership with the private sector back in 2015. The NCS was to provide a framework for a secure cyberspace in Botswana. It was also aimed at the public, to raise awareness and build capacity among them to safeguard against cyber threats, for the private sector and government to be prepared to prevent, defend and act against any cyber attacks. The development of the NCS would also enable the government and other stakeholders to establish appropriate measures that would ensure Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) of networks, systems and data as ICT services are offered to the public. Despite the NCS, the prevailing environment indicates that cyber crime is a real problem in Botswana with statistics indicating an increase in registered cases for the past four years - 56 registered cases by September 2018, 39 registered in 2017, 25 in 2016 and 23 in 2015. In the four years, a total of 143 cases were recorded, according to the Botswana Police Service. Botswana is also faced with the challenge of shortage of digital forensic examiners, which inhibits the prosecution of cybercrime offences with offenders going unpunished and companies and individuals losing millions of pula through such offences. Currently, there are said to be less than 30 certified practicing digital forensic examiners in the country with almost 80 percent of them in law enforcement agencies including; Botswana Police Service, Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Directorate of Intelligence and Security and the Botswana Defense Force. Douglas Sekgweng, Managing Director of Cloud Trade Botswana, a company that specialises in cyber security training and certifications says cyber crime has the potential to close down a company and cripple a countrys economy if gaps in the cyber infrastructure are not attended to, worse still, individuals and companies may never know the exact impact of breaches. Trends have also revealed that finance industry and governments are among the most attacked sectors. Experts have attributed this to the fact that there is an ongoing focus on targets in the financial services industry as a result of large amounts of digital assets and sensitive customer data. Gaining access to it enables cyber criminals to monetise personally identifiable information and credit card data in the underground economy. Attacks on government and government agencies have been attributed to the fact that among other factors; government agencies hold vast amounts of sensitive information, ranging from personnel records, budgetary data, and sensitive communications to intelligence findings. The stakeholder workshop is organized by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, through the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services. Group sales revenue up 13.7%; earnings margin 1) up by 0.9 percentage points to 28.2% Dynamic development fueled by strong demand across all product categories and geographies Ambitious guidance for 2019 backed by strong order intake Regulatory News: According to preliminary figures, Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) (Paris:DIM), a leading partner of the biopharma industry, continued on its profitable growth track in fiscal 2018. Sales revenue rose in constant currencies by 13.7% to 1,212.2 million euros (reported +12.1%). SSB therefore reached the upper end of its guidance, which had been raised significantly at mid-year 2018 to 11% to 14%. Its positive development was based on its very competitive product portfolio and fueled by strong demand across all product categories and geographies. Most of this increase was organic, whereas the acquisition of the software company Umetrics contributed around 0.5 percentage point of non-organic growth. Order intake increased dynamically 14.2% in constant currencies to 1,307.3 million euros (reported +12.5%). "Following the previous year's comparably moderate performance, our strong underlying growth trends became fully apparent in 2018 again, and we even performed somewhat ahead of initial expectations," said Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, Chairman of the Board. "With our broad portfolio, we are very well prepared to meet the growing demand of the rapidly expanding biopharma market. We are optimistic about the future and have set ourselves ambitious goals for 2019." Geographically, all regions contributed to consolidated growth. EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa) recorded a gain of 10.7% to 508.2 million euros. In the Americas region, sales increased dynamically by 16.9% to 422.6 million euros after a rather weak previous year. The Asia Pacific region also grew significantly by 14.7% to 281.3 million euros following already strong performance in 2017. Due to economies of scale, underlying EBITDA1) surged overproportionately relative to sales by 16.1% to 342.4 million euros. The Group's respective margin therefore rose to 28.2% (2017: 27.3%). Underlying net profit2) after non-controlling interest for the Group rose strongly by 21.5% from 180.4 million euros a year ago to 219.3 million euros in fiscal 2018. Underlying earnings per share thus surged from 1.96 euros a year earlier to 2.38 euros. Key financial indicators The Group continues to have a very solid financial position. Driven by strong earnings, equity of Sartorius Stedim Biotech grew from 879.5 million euros at year-end 2017 to 1,044.9 million euros. Its equity ratio rose to 66.5% (December 31, 2017: 62.6%) and thus continued to remain at a very comfortable level. At 0.4, the ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA was at the previous year's low level and in line with expectations. The ratio of capital expenditure to sales revenue was 14.6% (December 31, 2017: 12.6%). Investment activities focused on the expansion of the plant for manufacturing single-use bags and filters in Puerto Rico, the extension of production capacities in Gottingen, Germany, and on IT and digitalization projects. Positive outlook for 2019 Sartorius Stedim Biotech expects continued profitable growth in 2019. Consolidated sales revenue is projected to grow by about 7% to 11%. This forecast reflects the changes to the sales agreement with the Lonza group for cell culture media. Without these changes, sales growth would probably be approximately 3 percentage points higher. Regarding profitability, management forecasts that the company's underlying EBITDA margin will increase by slightly more than one percentage point over the prior-year figure of 28.2%. Of this figure, approximately half a percentage point is expected to be an operational increase, whereas the remainder will result from changes to the IFRS accounting rules.3) The ratio of capital expenditures to sales revenue is projected to be around 11%, down from the year-earlier figure of 14.6%. All figures in this outlook are given in constant currencies. In spite of countermeasures already taken, a disorderly exit of the United Kingdom from the EU may have a certain impact on our supply chain, yet a reliable forecast of possible effects cannot be given at the present time. 1) Underlying EBITDA earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and adjusted for extraordinary items 2) Underlying net profit net profit after non-controlling interest; adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on a normalized financial result and tax rate 3) IFRS 16 required to be applied as of 2019 regulates accounting of leasing contracts. Ultimately, this will result in the disclosure of longer-term lease payments as depreciation and, accordingly, to a somewhat higher EBITDA, among other things. This will not entail any material changes concerning the Group's relevant net profit or earnings per share. All figures given above are subject to a final audit by statutory auditors. This press release contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. We cannot guarantee that the content of these statements will actually apply because these statements are based upon assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties. Preliminary Figures for the Full Year of 2018 in millions unless otherwise specified Unaudited figures 2018 2017 Growth in Growth in % const. fx Sales revenue 1,212.2 1,081.0 12.1 13.7 EMEA1) 508.2 460.7 10.3 10.7 Americas1) 422.6 368.8 14.6 16.9 Asia Pacific1) 281.3 251.6 11.8 14.7 Order intake 1,307.3 1,162.3 12.5 14.2 EBITDA2) 342.4 294.9 16.1 EBITDA margin2) in 28.2 27.3 Net profit3) 219.3 180.4 21.5 Earnings per share3) in 2.38 1.96 21.5 1) According to customers' location 2) Underlying EBITDA earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and adjusted for extraordinary items as well as based on a normalized financial result and tax rate 3) Underlying net profit net profit after non-controlling interest; adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, Press Images https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/newsroom/downloads-publications Conference call Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group, will discuss the company's results with analysts and investors on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at 3.30 p.m. Central European Time (CET), in a teleconference. You may register to the teleconference at: http://services.choruscall.de/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=4454566&linkSecurityString=1ee1e8ebe Alternatively, you can dial into the teleconference, without registering, at: +49 (0) 69 566 03 7000 The presentation will be available on January 29, 2019, starting at 3:15 p.m. CET, for viewing on our website at: https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/investor-relations/sartorius-stedim-biotech-sa-investor-relations Upcoming events February 19, 2019 Publication of the Annual Report 2018 March 26, 2019 Annual Shareholders' Meeting Aubagne April 18, 2019 Publication First-Quarter Results 2019 A profile of Sartorius Stedim Biotech Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry. As a total solutions provider, the company helps its customers to manufacture biotech medications safely, rapidly and economically. Headquartered in Aubagne, France, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is quoted on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America and Asia and an international network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech has a global reach. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In 2018, the company employed approx. 5,600 people, and earned sales revenue of 1,212.2 million according to preliminary figures. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005795/en/ Contacts: Petra Kirchhoff; Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Phone: +49(0)551.308.1686; petra.kirchhoff@sartorius.com ST. LOUIS, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's largest car rental provider, Enterprise Holdings, today completed the purchase of Deem, an innovative managed-travel technology platform. The Deem platform includes Deem Work Fource and Deem Ground Work, a suite of online booking and travel technology products for business travelers, travel managers, travel-management companies and suppliers. Since 2011, Deem has provided the technology behind Enterprise Holdings' EHIDirect travel booking platform for small- and medium-sized corporations. Enterprise has been a minority investor in Deem since 2016. Most recently, Enterprise and Deem partnered together to offer National Car and Driver in China through the National Car Rental brand. Earlier this month, Enterprise Holdings announced its intent to acquire Deem. "We recognized Deem as a company that can bring better solutions to the travel industry," said Greg Stubblefield, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Enterprise Holdings, which operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car , National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. Under Enterprise Holdings, Deem now has access to an infusion of capital and resources to help further expand its product roadmap and increase the pace of product development and enhancements. Deem will continue to operate autonomously from its Silicon Valley headquarters and offer its suite of business travel technology including air and hotel as well as ground transportation options across major rental car, black car, ride-hailing and rail service providers. John F. Rizzo will remain in his role as Chief Executive Officer, as will the rest of the Deem executive team. About Enterprise Holdings Enterprise Holdings - through its integrated global network of independent regional subsidiaries and franchises - operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands at more than 10,000 fully staffed neighborhood and airport locations. Combined, Enterprise Holdings and its affiliate Enterprise Fleet Management accounted for $24.1 billion in revenue and owned 2 million vehicles throughout the world in fiscal year 2018. Enterprise Holdings' regional subsidiaries and Enterprise Fleet Management currently employ 100,000 worldwide. Enterprise Holdings currently is ranked as one of America's Largest Private Companies . Furthermore, if it were publicly traded, Enterprise Holdings would rank on Fortune's list of the 500 largest American public companies. About Deem Deem is designed for the entire business travel ecosystem using machine learning, AI and predictive analytics. Deem's suite of tools range from a dynamic traveler booking platform, travel manager cost controls, travel agency service technology, and supplier revenue opportunities, including the world's largest car service affiliate network and operator solutions. Deem's Work Fource, Ground Work and Emerging platforms service more than 50,000 corporate customers in 61 countries, speaking 14 languages - including the world's largest travel management companies. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif. with offices in Bangalore, India. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/557711/Enterprise_Holdings_Corporate_Brands_Logo.jpg Ex-Bigg Boss contestant, Sabyasachi Satpathy celebrated his birthday yesterday (January 29). He shared a few pictures and videos on social media, in which he was seen celebrating his special day with friends. He was seen cutting the cake, while his loved ones cheered him. He captioned the pictures as, "And the prayers and cake cutting " On his special day, he looked like a diva in a black dress. The picture is going viral on social media. Sabyasachi was quoted by TOI as saying, "I'm happy the way my fans are welcoming me the way I'm. I don't want to stay in controversy. I always seek to make people happy and smile. That's the reason even in Bigg Boss journey each and all contestants loved me. The makers didn't telecast my part so the people couldn't know me much." On wearing the cross-dress, he said, "I enjoy the beauty in me. I'm talented and can anchor television shows, can play a female character beautifully. I keep designing outfits. I live a life my heart asks me too." Regarding his birthday plans, he had said, "I'm going to give a party on Sunday.. today I'm working and will enjoy a small celebration with family and very close ones." Recently, Ex-Bigg Boss contestant Arshi Khan launched 2019 The Iconic Calendar. Sabyasachi Satpathy and Akash Dadlani were also present at the occasion. Arshi had said, "Doing the shoot for this calendar in Bangalore was lots of fun. But let me tell you, 11th season of Bigg Boss was iconic. We were the best." Most Read: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: Is Disha Vakani's Husband The Reason Behind Her Delayed Re-entry? Ranveer Singh gets TROLLED for This weird Picture ; Check out here | FilmiBeat Ranveer Singh gets slammed by netizens as they feel his pose with the Mumbai copes was 'inappropriate'. In the picture, Mumbai cops can be seen carrying Ranveer in their arms, while he is looking at the camera. Known for his power-packed energy and enthusiasm, Ranveer can be seen posing in quirky clothes. Social media went berserk and blasted Ranveer Singh for his pose with the Mumbai Police as they felt Ranveer is disrespecting the 'uniform'. Have a look at the picture. Here's how netizens reacted to Ranveer's picture.. @vihan_parab: "@asma.cheema777 this is called overacting every time everywhere he does overacting." [sic] @kunal.m.95: "@sousha13 ranveer bhavnani and these police all of them they have insulted uniform. A 3rd grade actor should never be lifted by an qualified IPs officers . These police men are insulting i wont blame this sindhi papad ." [sic] @_insta_lover_30_: "This is digusting very shameful." [sic] @_aish.__: "Over confidence ki dukkan ...he's irritating sometimes." [sic] @raga_abcde: "These policemen degrading themeselves for lifting an actor. Shameful." [sic] While some called his picture 'disgusting', some defended Ranveer. An user named sousha13 wrote, "@kunal.m.95 Like, seriously? It's an insult? If it was so humiliating, that's also according to you, why they lifted him up? Aren't they respectful towards their uniforms? They themselves have lifted him up, and, I can clearly see in the picture they are extremely happy and joyful about it, then why are you getting so curious about it? This 'Umang' programme is to celebrate Mumbai police, and as seen in the picture, they are laughing, I think the soul purpose of the whole programme is getting fulfilled by this, then I don't think it is any kind of insult or disrespect towards them. And, yes, I am not glorifying anybody's act here, I am making my viewpoint clear to you, so that you can stop manipulating it." [sic] 'I Had To Remain Quiet For The Sake Of The Film' "You mean what you see on screen? I saw the film. I'd say more than 70 percent is mine. I remained quiet until the release. I had to remain quiet for the sake of the film and for the entire team which worked so hard on the film. But now if I don't speak about what Kangana did to the film, I'd be doing a disservice to all our hard work. Many people advised me to talk after the film was taken away from me. I'd say what I directed was pure gold. Kangana turned it into silver." Krish On Why He Left The Film On The Verge Of Its Completion "You know, every time I am asked this, my heart sinks to the ground. Let me say this outright. I did not leave the film incomplete. I left it when it was almost complete. I shot Manikarnika for 109 days whereas I completed NTR biopic in half that time. Then we did the dubbing post-production, everything for Manikarnika. Only then did I move to my other commitment (the NTR biopic). For me, the film was complete. Everyone had dubbed except Kangana. Once I finished, she promised to do some patchwork completely under my guidance. She promised she'd shoot for 4-5 days extra and send me all details of the shooting. No such thing happened. And she says she had to re-shoot many portions because my cinematographer Gnana Shekhar had not done a good job. What nonsense is she talking?! Every actor, every technician gave his/her life and breath to their film." 'At The End Of The Day, Manikarnika Is My Baby' "At the end of the day it is my baby. I have seen the film. And I am relieved that the grandeur vision and scale that I imagined for the film remains intact. The climax in Jaipur (doubling up for Gwalior) was shot entirely by me. I charged half of the fee that I get for my Telugu films as I wanted to be a part of this historical attempt to bring Rani Laxmibai's story to screen. This is the highest number of days I've shot for any film. And I've directed complex costume dramas like Kanche and Gautamiputra Satarkarni. In Kanche, I had shot five war scenes. So I know the complexities of shooting a period film. We shot a huge battle scene in Hyderabad. We shot in Jaipur and Jodhpur, etc. The film was supposed to release on August 15, 2018. I completed the film in June; only a small portion remained which we agreed to shoot later and then I had to direct the NTR bio-pic since the director who was supposed to do that project was shifted out. Then that whole thing with Sonu Sood happened." Krrish Reveals Details About The Sonu Sood Episode "Kangana decided to re-shoot Sonu's entire portion. He had shot for 30 days! So you can imagine what she wanted to remove. I remember when she saw the first cut the first thing she said even before praising the film was, Sonu Sood is too overpowering na?' Because as an antagonist, Sonu Sood was very strong. That's how we had designed the film. For the protagonist to appear powerful, the antagonist has to be strong." 'I Knew Sonu Was Right' " I must tell you how this whole tamasha of the credits unfolded. In the beginning it was just my name Krish' on the poster. In fact I remember we released a poster on my birthday November 10. Kangana cut the cake with me, we hugged, etc. Anyway....But on the second poster and in the trailer achanak mera naam Radha Krishan Jagarlamudi ho gaya. Perhaps to confuse the audience about my identity. I asked why my name was being changed in the poster. She said I hadn't supported her when Sonu Sood spoke against her so why should she bother. Why should I have supported her, when I knew Sonu was right and he took a stand and said he won't shoot the film with her?" 'Kangana Did Her Own Thing With Sonu's Role Just To Satisfy Her Ego' "In Telugu cinema they know me as Krish. Then in the trailer her name came as director after mine. And then at the time of the film's release her name came first as director, then mine.When I rang her up to confront her. She said, No No I've shot so much'. What she did basically was remove Sonu Sood's role, reduce it substantially and replace him with another actor Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, and then she shot the new actor's close-ups and inserted them in scenes that I had shot. I am telling you 70 percent of what you see on screen is mine. Please understand, this is my fourth period film. And I was given to do Manikarnika because of what I had achieved in the other three period films. It was (the scriptwriter) Vijayendra Prasadji who called me to direct this film. He had seen my work and knew what I was capable of. In fact I am the one who suggested the title Manikarnika. I read close to twenty books on Rani Laxmibai before directing this film. I worked closely with Vijayendraji. We began shooting at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad after the puja. I was the director. Then Kangana Ranaut ...inki himmat toh dekho (look at her guts). When people ask me why I left the film. I get very upset. I didn't leave. I shot 95 percent of the film. She did her own thing with 5 percent of the film. She did her own thing with Sonu Sood's role just to satisfy her ego." 'I Feel Very Angry & Sad' "I never wanted a confrontation. I am not that kind of a person. But when I see what was done to my vision I feel very angry and sad. I am talking now regardless of how the film has fared because that's how I had planned to speak. I remember Sonu Sood's character was introduced with a kushti (wrestling). Kangana wanted to know why he should do kushti. I wanted the action to be raw and real. Even the fights with the women were designed as raw. This film was not made to glorify Kangana Ranaut. It was mean to extol our great freedom fighters. The film is great even now. But I had made a greater film. She didn't understand that. She didn't understand that she couldn't play God with history. Yeh yahan se nikalo, who yahan dalo.... It doesn't work that way." 'It Is Easy For Anyone To Come At The Last Minute & Claim Credit' "What authority did she have to remove Sonu Sood? Have you ever heard of anything like this? She was of course the protagonist. But I am a reputed director directing a genre that I know. What gave her the right to tamper with what I did? And the team's hard work, the sleepless nights, the toil...More than anything else, when you are working on an epic film, it is easy for anyone to come at the last minute and claim credit. Sonu Sood also directed 5 shots. He can also claim to be co-director. The few scenes that needed to be shot after I left were to be done by my assistant director. Suddenly I discovered she is co-director. What happened?" It was pre-decided, an elaborate plan to undermine my directorial status. On August 15, 2018 I am director. October 1, 2018 I am director. Then suddenly she's also the director. I argued with the producer Kamal Jain. But he stood by her. I don't want to say anything about him as he's in the hospital. What was the necessity of taking out Sonu Sood and doing her own thing?" 'Would Sonu Sood Or Atul Kulkarnika Have Signed The Film If Kangana Was The Director?' "I had to set the record straight. I needed a proper closure for my film. Manikarnika is my baby. Would Sonu Sood or Atul Kulkarni have signed the film if Kangana Ranaut was the director? They put their heart and soul in it. It is my team's hard work being undermined. It's not about shooting. It's about executing. Many people from Mumbai have called to congratulate me. What I made was to perpetuate the phenomenon of Jhansi Ki Rani. Not Kangana Ranaut." Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category A petition which calls on the government to introduce agriculture as a compulsory subject up to year 9 and an option for GCSE has been launched. The petition was launched this week, and needs 10,000 votes for a government response and 100,000 to trigger a debate in parliament. It says: Agriculture on a whole is an extremely important industry, it is used by everyone across the country, across the globe and it's not just for food. Hopefully, teaching children and young adults correct and factual information will help support UK and worldwide farmers and the industry in the future. The petition highlights how the UK is seeing a rise in 'false and skewed information' used to attack food and farming. Numerous organisations, industry figureheads and even celebrities have called for the re-introduction of an agriculture or related subject. Adam Henson, one of Britains best-known farmers, has called for it to be brought back, saying: You can get a GCSE in religious studies and business, so why not in agriculture? Henson said he hoped to do for farms what Rick Stein has done for fish, and make agriculture a permanent subject on the school curriculum. The British public overwhelmingly back such a proposal, with most people believing that young people need to learn more about the origins of their food. Recent figures by UCAS even shows agriculture at degree level is starting to gain popularity. Higher education courses in the agriculture, horticulture and animal care sector rose by 117 per cent in 2017. The Countryside Alliance is also amongst those who have called for the introduction of a GCSE in agriculture and for 'great collaboration' to make land-based subjects available. Even politicians have admitted it would be a worthwhile move. Conservative MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, said teenagers around the country should be offered a GCSE in agriculture to help Britain gain a more productive workforce. According to the MP, who is an ex-farmer, the course could help create a 'better skilled and more productive workforce' for Britain. New EU rules to stop supermarket giants squeezing suppliers will continue to protect UK farmers and growers after Brexit, a British MEP has said. An agreement on the Unfair Trading Practices Directive to help promote fair practices in business-to-business relationships in the agriculture supply chain has been confirmed, following intensive talks by the EU's institutions. Anthea McIntyre MEP, Conservative agriculture spokesman in Brussels, encouraged legislators to follow the model of the UKs Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) which protects farmers in their dealings with the top 12 biggest supermarkets. She told the EU's Agriculture Committee: I have been proud to see the commission and the parliament use the UKs Code of Practice GSCOP as one of the bases for this legislation. The EU has recognised the UK as a good example and a leader in combatting unfair trading practices. The directive will protect suppliers with a turnover of up to 350 million from buyers who are substantially larger than they are. I believe this will cover all the Producer Organisations (POs) in the UK. Most importantly, the directive covers suppliers who are outside the EU supplying buyers inside the EU. This ensures that even when the UK leaves the EU our farmers and growers will be protected when trading with our European partners, she said. The directive represents a minimum harmonisation, which means that EU member states may go further to protect their farmers and growers if they choose. In its detail, it groups all suppliers and retailers into six categories according to their turnover in euros from 0 to 2 million, 2-10 million, 10-50 million, 50-150 million, 150-350 million, and 350 million upwards. Each supplier will be protected in the event that its buyer falls into a higher turnover category. The unfair trading practices that are outlawed are: The non-respect of a 60-day payment term for non-perishable products; Payment for services not provided; Buyer refusal to provide a written contract on request. Misuse of suppliers confidential information by the buyer; Commercial retaliation or even the threat of such retaliation if the supplier makes use of the rights guaranteed. Payment by the supplier for the examination of customer complaints which are not due to the negligence of the supplier. Payment delays for perishable products (over 30 days); Unilateral and retroactive changes to supply agreements; Cancellation of orders for perishable products with short notice; Payment for the deterioration of products already sold and delivered to the buyer. The directive is now expected to be voted upon in the European Parliament in March. Portia Tjipo Loeto (34) is one of the few and proud feminists who continue to push back against the amassing wall of patriarchy in Botswana. The most recent wave of violations perpetrated against women in Botswana ignited her open stance against any injustice suffered by women and girls in the country. Recently Loeto added her voice to the few echoes defending Botswanas First Lady Neo Masisi from online trolls which condemned the length of the skirt she was wearing as culturally unacceptable for her knees to be exposed. There have since been numerous outcries from women and girls in Botswana adding their support for #JusticeforZinedine. Loeto is currently based in Australia where she is doing her PhD in Gender and Cultural Studies at the University of Sydney; a specialisation that is helping to sharpen her advocacy for gender equality. Her attitude towards feminism is centred in creating a just society for all women, a society free from all forms of gender based violence and any discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, social class, ethnicity and physical inability. To me feminism emphasises choice and the ability to exercise that choice, says Loeto. When she was pressed to identify a woman who reflects her feminist values Loeto pointed to a black African American woman, Audre Lorde. Lorde was a civil rights activist and writer who vocalised that, I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own. Loetos impression of feminism in Botswana is that it has a significant history with numerous women who similarly made a positive impact on the local movement, there are those that came before us and fought other battles that we are benefitting from today. Loeto knows that not all women are feminists, and that feminism itself is not a one-size fits all glove which is why she emphasises the need for the feminist movement to reflect the complexities and uniqueness of emerging social issues as they present themselves. Patriarchy keeps reinventing itself, taking all sorts of forms and shapes to keep women silently in their place, observes Loeto, adding this is why other feminists must stay vigilant. Another observation she has made is that although it is visible, the feminist movement in Botswana is slightly fragmented which she attributes to the different lived experiences leading to different standpoints and values. Her envisioned solution is that there needs to be more robust strategies implemented particularly to create synergies within the local movement. Patriarchy works day and night to undo what feminism does and we need to keep this in mind in our collective strategies in order for us to stay solid in the fight, says Loeto. In her view the most critical aspect to reinvigorating the local feminism movement is not to be apologetic, we need to be in a constant state of rage until something happens. The advent of social media and technological devices such as the smartphone has been both a plus and a negative to the feminist movement. Here she specifically applauds and recognises the strategic thinking of the young woman who recorded a private conversation (detailing the covering up of a rape case) on a smartphone and leaked the contents to the Botswana Gazette which shared the recording on Facebook page. That is why she believes that social media will definitely help the movement gain momentum as has been the case with #MeToo #HearMeToo movements. We need these extra platforms, given the systematic and deliberate hostility, violence and war on womens bodies, says Loeto. She says that the spirit of activism is within all of us, and that a feminist is anyone who recognises the injustices caused by the systematic operation of patriarchy, that all individuals who work at dismantling patriarchy are feminists. I am deliberately not going to get to the can men be feminists because that will derail us from what we are here for. They (men) can sure be allies and call each other out on their misogyny. And yes not all women are feminists, says Loeto. What is critical to Loeto is ridding society of the many and multifaceted issues that leave women vulnerable to patriarchal power such as the lack of access to deliberate, emancipatory and result oriented education for women, and unemployment. We need deliberate efforts to counter these problems, adds the young feminist. Despite Botswana being signatory to several gender equality tools including the SADC Protocol on Gender and Equality, in Loetos observation these policies have not translated into action on the ground.Firstly, I would like to see more political will in addressing gender issues in their entirety. We rely heavily on the government to drive for change but that is not working right now: probably because we have a very weak if not non-existent civil society to take the government to task and keep it on its toes. So deeply entrenched is patriarchy in Botswana that Loeto believes even the ideological state apparatuses themselves are holding women hostage. Police officers give very sexist and biased statements. The national media is censored and we seldom hear any robust conversations about key gender issues. She reckons that this stifles any prospects of decent, honest and raw discourse which is needed to change mindsets. The young activist concludes by pointing to the deafening silence of prominent figures with regards to the plight of women or when they churn out unbelievable statements. This is why I say patriarchy is deeply rooted, says Loeto, The open and deliberate institutionalisation of patriarchy needs to be dealt with. We cannot have this going on and on like this. We cannot make any strides as far as gender transformation is concerned if the status quo prevails. We need jobs. We need safe streets. We need to go out at night and not fear for our lives. We need to wear what we want. We need to be full citizens. MPs have tabled amendments to the Agriculture Bill aimed to ensure tenant farmers are not left out from accessing new scheme after the UK leaves the EU. The Agriculture Bill sets out both the framework for transition from the Common Agricultural Policy schemes currently in place, towards new schemes focusing on public payments for public goods and productivity. However, in many cases, tenant farmers may be precluded from taking advantage of these new arrangements due to clauses within their tenancy agreements. The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has now welcomed the support it has received from a number of MPs in tabling 'important' amendments. TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, said With 30% of all farmland being tenanted, it is really important that all farmers have there is fair access to the new schemes being developed in both England and Wales. Where tenants are restricted from entering into new schemes by the terms of their agreements, they must have the right to overturn those restrictions subject to landlords being able to make reasonable objections. Labour's Shadow Agriculture Minister, David Drew, has tabled an amendment, backed by several other MPs, enabling tenants to pursue any objection from a landlord to arbitration or expert determination. The TFA has now asked the government to support the amendment. Mr Dunn said: Although Defra Ministers have acknowledged the issues, we have yet to receive any assurance that the amendment will be accepted or if the Government will come forward with its own amendment. Another important set of amendments has been tabled by Bishop Auckland MP, Helen Goodman to ensure that any payments available through new schemes are only made to active farmers. Mr Dunn added: We have seen, in the past, that individuals farming land, often lose out to those who own the land when schemes are available to support agri-environment objectives, diversification and productivity. We want the assurance that payments can only be made to individuals who are in occupation of the land being used for the scheme, taking the entrepreneurial risk of the activities on that land and in day-to-day management control. The Agriculture Bill is due to have its report stage and third reading on a date to be announced. Welsh farmers remain 'second class citizens' when it comes to accessing broadband and mobile coverage, with nearly half saying they don't receive sufficient speeds. In a survey, conducted by the NFU Cymru in October 2018, 46% of those questioned didnt believe they received sufficient broadband for the needs of their business. Findings show that 50% of respondents had download speeds of 2Mbps or lower, while 37% didnt believe they received sufficient mobile signal for the needs of the business. It follows a statement issued by Superfast Cymru which highlighted how Wales now enjoys over 95% broadband access coverage to homes and businesses. And while the average download speed in Wales is 33.4Mbps, NFU Cymru said it is 'unacceptable' that farmers remain 'second class citizens' when it comes to accessing sufficient broadband. The survey also shows that only 16% of respondents reported that they had reliable mobile signal in all outdoor locations when on farm, with 9% saying they have no reliable locations for mobile signal when outdoors. With farmers often working long hours alone in isolated locations, NFU Cymru said it is 'vital' that farmers have access to reliable mobile coverage to call for help. NFU Cymru President, John Davies said: In this digital age, where technology is moving so quickly, I find it extremely frustrating to hear of members who still fail to open an email or receive a phone call due to poor broadband or mobile coverage on farm. This is absolutely unacceptable and is holding farmers back from maximising business opportunities. Welsh Government continues to push the need for Welsh farmers to become more resilient - especially ahead of Brexit - and this is exactly what the industry is striving for, but broadband and mobile coverage is holding us back. With the industry facing so much uncertainty, it is clear that farmers need as many tools as possible to maintain business resilience, and having access to digital connectivity is paramount if they are to compete with our international neighbours in the global market, he said. With digital technology now playing a central role in peoples lives, farmers are increasingly finding that it is necessary to be proactive in addressing the problem of slow connections. Some farmers are seizing the initiative by investing in their own private high-speed networks. Acting President Slumber Tsogwane says government highly recognises Bogosi as a unifying force in forging and maintaining national identity.To this end a five-year Strategic Plan 2018-2023 has been prepared for the Department of Tribal Administration with a view to heighten its value proposition and elevate the powers of Dikgosi to be commensurate with their responsibilities and relevance in the governance structures of the country. Slumber indicated that in 2017/18, government took the decision to review the Bogosi Act, and progress has been satisfactory as the Draft Bill is under discussion by key stakeholders. The Bogosi institution is enshrined in the Constitution, and is one of the key achievements of our multicultural society and democracy. In this regard, the democratic Botswana recognises the important place of our Dikgosi in the lives of many of our society. As Dikgosi, you know that the economic wellbeing of people is important. The challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality continue to afflict Batswana. The global economy remains stagnant and our own country faces the problem of slow growth, said Tsogwane when addressing a capacity building workshop for members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi in Gaborone this week. The Acting President expressed hope that the workshop will enhance the understanding of the functions of Ntlo ya Dikgosi. It will also make clear distinction between the Constitutional requirements and the Bogosi Act with regard to Bogosi and Kgosi operatives, Tsogwane explained.He added that members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi would be empowered to approach critical issues affecting people and the country from different dimensions. He said that at a highly successful consultative meeting with the members in Maun last year President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi urged them to continue to help in instilling unity, social cohesion and nation building. The president also urged you to emphasise your value systems which are informed by your rich customs and traditions. Part of our value systems are Botho, Tlotlo ya molao and kagiso among others. He also cautioned you against being partisan as this can erode the peace and stability which we are accustomed with, he said. Tsogwane told the workshop that the country recently has been engulfed by horrific violence against women and children which goes against the countrys custom and the respect of human rights. According to Tsogwane the government has declared all crimes against women and children as priority crimes to be dealt with. He appealed to Dikgosi to pioritise the fight against Gender Based Violence and crime in general. The acting president pledged his support to Bogosi as government is aware that the Bogosi institution will not be able to successfully perform its roles without proper support. Erik Ahlgren, lawyer for Ashby Farmers Elevator Cooperative, on Oct. 15 tells members he has filed a civil suit against former general manager Jerry Hennessey and his wife, Rebecca, and has urged a federal Department of Justice to investigate possible criminal bank fraud. Seated second from left is Russell Dewey, the co-ops board chairman. It is Tuesday again, and I am struggling to come up with a new way to talk about commodity prices, But prices are stagnant, looking for news. The news is all about trade negotiations with China, and there is no real news. Prices change based on a general optimism that trade talks will succeed to our favor. Prices are juggled a little depending upon current rumors of talk progress. Normally in early January, we see fundamental news coming from USDA in the form of final inventory reports, which lock in the actual size of the old crop. We also see some Supply and Demand information, and eventually some preliminary news about new crop planted acres, expected production, and next years carryout. That supply of news has been stopped until recently by the partial government shutdown, which included the Department of Agriculture. Some of our January reports will now come out on Feb. 8. This dominant stagnant news and price condition was predicated by a meeting between representatives of the U.S. and China. (I refuse to refer to it as the Peoples Republic, when it is neither controlled by the people nor a republic.) The meeting was on the sideline of the G-20 meeting in Argentina, and took place on Saturday, Dec. 1. The meeting was in response to trade breaking down between the two countries as we put tariffs on their products and they countered with a 25 percent tariff on our beans. Their response was predictable, as soybeans were our second biggest export to them, after planes and plane parts. And, they got a lot of bang for the buck by hurting Midwest soybean farmers, who mostly had supported President Donald Trump. Much of the trade discussion is not about grain at all, but about loss of intellectual property to China through theft and through forced joint ventures with any American company that chooses to operated in China. (We would be glad to have to here, and, by the way, all your secrets are now also our secrets.) At that Argentine meeting, the two parties declared they would continue to meet over the next three months and continue to work toward a long-term trade agreement. That three-month period ends on March 1, depending on how you are counting. At this point, unless procedures and policies of diplomacy established over the last few hundred years are changed, it would appear that any agreement will come some time in the last day of the three months. That leaves traders with their optimism and rumors. Some of the rumors are fantastic, but possible. The greatest of these is that we will do $50 billion a year in agricultural trade, and the trade deficit will be cut to zero in six years. One can only dream. It this rumor is to believed, we would have to export to China large amounts of chicken and pork, along with increasing volumes of grain. This would include cargoes of corn, which would be a new thing. All I can say is, dont count your chicken legs before they are shipped to China. They may be hatched, but they may not get shipped to China. As talks and rumors have progressed, prices for soybeans and corn have been sideways in a narrow band. Soybeans have gotten back to the recent highs on feelings of optimism. This has provided an opportunity to catch up sales at good levels. Or, if you believe the best rumors, current trading is providing levels to tempt you, but the boom is coming and you should wait for sales. You pay your money and you take your chance. Soybean prices peaked Friday, then have been lower Monday and Tuesday. Friday March futures traded to 9.26 1/4. That was still below the 9.41 of Dec. 12. Currently we are trading on Tuesday morning at 9.18 1/4. The last low was at 8.91 1/4 on Jan. 16. Looking at the chart, we can draw a line that comes close to the last five lows, starting with 8.39 3/4 on Sept. 18. That means we have strong support at this line, and it is moving higher. November soybeans show a similar pattern, but we actually passed the last high Friday, reaching 9.64 3/4, a penny higher than the Jan. 9 high. The recent high is 9.71 on Dec. 12. COLUMBUS A historical marker commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is now on display on the campus of The Ohio State University. Marker The plaque is outside Jennings Hall, the former Botany and Zoology building, where in 1919 representatives of 76 county farm bureaus, with the assistance of university and county Extension leaders, established the organization. The fact that the meeting took place on the campus of The Ohio State University was appropriate, said Ohio Farm Bureau President Frank Burkett III, during the presentation of the new marker. At that first annual meeting, Ohio Farm Bureau pledged its support to its friends at Ohio State, and as you can see, Ohio State University, its Extension service and Ohio Farm Bureau are lifelong partners. The marker displays Ohio Farm Bureau logos, past and present, and highlights farm bureaus first resolutions to support farm legislation, press for organization of a national farm bureau, support expansion of county Extension agent work and cooperate with Ohio States College of Agriculture and Experiment Station. Cathann Kress, OSUs vice president of Agricultural Administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, highlighted the ability to work collaboratively for the betterment of their organizations and their communities. Farming and its related industries have always been fraught with challenges, and you cant easily accomplish something so ambitious as harnessing the only energy source for our planet, the sun, and converting it to use for the collective human species, who want it cheaply, fast, sustainable, delicious and high in value, Kress said. We have our own set of challenges today but we also have resources, technology and communications that our predecessors would have envied. That is why our partnership with Ohio Farm Bureau is so important. It was 100 years ago, it was 50 years ago and it is today. Nationwide Another partner of both Ohio Farm Bureau and Ohio State University is Nationwide. In 1926 OFBF formed the Ohio Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, which in 1955 changed its name to Nationwide. Mark Berven, Nationwides president and COO, said the values shared by the company and Farm Bureau helped grow Nationwide into one of the nations largest insurance providers. Ohio Sen. Bob Peterson, also a former Ohio Farm Bureau president, presented a proclamation from the Ohio Senate recognizing the achievements of Ohios largest farm organization over the past century. Proclamations were also given by the Ohio House of Representatives and on behalf of U.S. Congressman Steve Stivers and the Ohio delegation of the U.S. House of Representatives. Additional information about Ohio Farm Bureaus yearlong centennial celebration can be found at ofbf.org/centennial. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Mostly cloudy with occasional rain...mainly in the morning. Cooler. High 68F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 45F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. AUGUSTA, MT Mills Wilderness Adventures, a family-owned and -operated outfitting business that offers backcountry pack trips in Montanais offering brand-new custom roving trips in the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall wilderness areas for summer 2019. Weve been operating in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex for more than 40 years, said Tucker Mills, owner and manager of Mills Wilderness Adventures of Montana. These trips allow us to offer something new to our clients and provide them with a different way to see one of Montanas most spectacular places. Two styles of roving trips are available in 2019including full-service outfitted trips and stock-assisted excursionsfrom mid-June through August, with custom date options being offered to fit the needs of guests. With the new styles of roving trips being offered, it lets us give our guests options and flexibility when it comes to budget and physical activity, added Mills. On traditional full-service pack trips, we spend a lot of time on horses, while our new pack-supported trips allow for a more flexible experience that is ideal for hikers. Full-service trips vary in length from three to seven days, are designed for groups of four to 10 guests and include the use of a well-trained horse, meals, gear transport and experienced guides and wranglers. Trips five to seven days in length are $355 per person per day, while trips under five days are $400 per person per day. Customized pack-supported trips are designed for groups of six to 10 guests and include a pack string that transports gear and supplies between camps, as well as guides and wranglers that cook meals, allowing guests to enjoy hiking the trails in Montanas backcountry. Pack-assisted trips are available in three to seven-day itineraries, with customized dates based on guest availability and group interest. Trips five to seven days in length are $210 per person per day, while trips five days and under are $255 per person per day. For more information, or to inquire about date availability, call 800-560-3576 or visit www.MillsWildernessAdventures.com. About Mills Wilderness Adventures of Montana Mills Wilderness Adventures is a family-owned and -operated business along Montanas Rocky Mountain Front in Augusta, Montana. With more than 40 years of experience guiding guests into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, Mills Wilderness Adventures offers outfitter-guided pack trips, roving trips and hunting trips into the heart of Montanas backcountry, with destinations that include White River and Lost Cabin. For a look into one of the countrys best adventures, follow Mills Wilderness Adventures on Facebook and Instagram. Humana Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health and well-being company in the United States. It operates through Retail, Group and Specialty, and Healthcare Services segments. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It also has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits. In addition, the company provides commercial fully-insured medical and specialty health insurance benefits comprising dental, vision, and other supplemental health benefits; and administrative services only products to individuals and employer groups, as well as military services, such as TRICARE T2017 East Region contract. Further, it offers pharmacy solutions, provider services, predictive modeling and informatics services, and clinical care services, such as home health and other services to its health plan members, as well as to third parties. As of December 31, 2020, the company had approximately 17 million members in medical benefit plans, as well as approximately 5 million members in specialty products. Humana Inc. was incorporated in 1964 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Read More Zendesk, Inc., a software development company, provides software as a service solutions for organizations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Its flagship product is Zendesk Support, a system for tracking, prioritizing, and solving customer support tickets across various channels. The company also offers Zendesk Chat, a live chat software to connect with customers on Websites, applications, and mobile devices; Zendesk Talk, a cloud-based call center software; Zendesk Guide, a knowledge base that powers customer self-service and support agent productivity; Zendesk Gather, a community forum software that allows customer end-users to connect and collaborate; Zendesk Sell, a sales customer relationship management (CRM) product solution to enhance productivity, processes, and pipeline visibility; and Zendesk Explore, which provides analytics for organizations to measure and enhance the customer experience. In addition, it provides Zendesk Sunshine, a CRM platform; Sunshine Conversations, a messaging platform solution; Zendesk Embeddables, which allow developers to embed experiences on the Web and mobile applications; Zendesk APIs that allow users to build custom integrations and interact with Zendesk data; and Zendesk Apps that enable organizations to customize Zendesk product and platform solution interfaces and optimize workflow through plug-ins, as well as Zendesk Suite, an omnichannel offering, which combines its solutions. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Read More Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates in two segments, Exploration and Production; and Midstream. The company primarily holds interests in the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. It also operates the Eagle Ford shale play in South Texas; and the Haynesville shale and Cotton Valley plays in Northwest Louisiana. In addition, the company conducts midstream operations in support of its exploration, development, and production operations; provides natural gas processing and oil transportation services; and offers oil, natural gas, and salt water gathering services, as well as salt water disposal services to third parties. As of December 31, 2020, its estimated total proved oil and natural gas reserves were 270.3 million barrels of oil equivalent, including 159.9 million stock tank barrels of oil and 662.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The company was formerly known as Matador Holdco, Inc. and changed its name to Matador Resources Company in August 2011. Matador Resources Company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Read More State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. It offers investment servicing products and services, including custody; product accounting; daily pricing and administration; master trust and master custody; depotbank; record-keeping; cash management; foreign exchange, brokerage, and other trading services; securities finance; deposit and short-term investment facilities; loans and lease financing; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors. The company also engages in the provision of portfolio management and risk analytics, as well as trading and post-trade settlement services with integrated compliance and managed data throughout. In addition, it provides investment management strategies and products, such as core and enhanced indexing, multi-asset strategies, active quantitative and fundamental active capabilities, and alternative investment strategies. Further, the company offers services and solutions, including environmental, social, and governance investing; defined benefit and defined contribution; and global fiduciary solutions, as well as exchange-traded fund under the SPDR ETF brand. The company provides its products and services to mutual funds, collective investment funds and other investment pools, corporate and public retirement plans, insurance companies, foundations, endowments, and investment managers. State Street Corporation was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Read More 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. Read More STAMFORD The controversial closing of Kosciuszko Park after elementary school students were relocated to the building next door has prompted questions about the hours of city parks. Even members of the Parks and Recreation committee on the Board of Representatives were surprised last week to find out all city parks next to schools are closed during school hours, per Director of Operations Mark McGrath and Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski. David Winston, the Parks and Recreation Commission chairman who spoke before the committee, said he himself was shocked to learn about the park he frequents: Michael J. Drotar Park near Springdale Elementary School. Im going into that park and having my lunch. I dont know its closed and Im on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Winston said. This is a very poorly communicated policy in the operations department and theres definitely a lack of communication with the Parks and Recreation Commission. Winston was at the Jan. 22 meeting to discuss the closing of Kosciuszko Park, which came as a surprise to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Winston said mold task force member Mike Handler (who was invited to the meeting but did not attend) explained the park was closed because of the emergency relocation of Westover Magnet Elementary School to Elmcroft Road where students are now sharing office space with Building and Land Trust employees after their old school was closed to address a mold infestation. City officials determined the director of operations had the power to close Kosciuszko Park. At the time, mold task force member and special assistant to the mayor Cindy Grafstein was taking over parks-related duties for the director of operations. We took (Handler) at face value, Winston said. After about a month, things are still the same. It dawned on me, we got a closed park here. I still have a concerned resident whod like a few answers. Board of Representatives Nina Sherwood, who is a member of the Land Use and Public Health and Safety committees, was also at the meeting and questioned the hours of Droter Park, as well as Northrop Field near Julia A. Stark Elementary School. Sherwood, who attended Stark herself, said she recalls members of the public being allowed to use the park when school was in session. At her question, Jankowski suggested the board go into executive session, citing school security as the reason. I can or I cant (go into the park)? Sherwood said in response. There are residents who could walk in (there) tomorrow. I dont think its a secret. Is that our city secret? Is that our plan to keep kids safe? Its childrens safety and security at hand, Jankowski said. I dont think its a laughing matter. I dont either, Sherwood replied. Thats a really general question. Im shocked it cant be answered in a public setting. Questions about the hours of parks next to schools, as well as the fate of the Kosciuszko Park, remained unanswered by the end of the meeting with representatives electing to discuss to the matter at a later date. But Winston said hed like to see documentation proving the parks are closed. Theres nothing on that, he said, adding there is no signage at the parks indicating theyre closed during school hours. Nor does the citys parks and recreation website show hours listed for any of the city parks. Like Winston, Kevin Murray, the manager of parks and facilities, was surprised by the stance taken by McGrath and Jankowski. When asked after the meeting, Murray said his understanding of park hours was that they were open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The school properties that border a park are not closed during school hours, besides the new (Westover) school, he said. Jankowski did not respond to requests for further comment by press time. At the Jan. 22 meeting, board members and citizens also felt strongly that Kosciuszko Park should remain open, despite Westover Magnet Elementary School being relocated next door. Suggestions included more parks police in the area or closing off the playground area of the park. Chris Woodside, a Stamford teacher, said the closing of the park represents a history of ignoring the needs of South End residents. The reality is either we dont care about those residents or its incompetence, Woodside said. Closing the park until 3 isnt going to do anything. Pedophiles dont go on vacation after 3 oclock. There are kids in the park after 3. Child murderers dont have union-mandated breaks. If its about safety, close the parks forever ... but theres no logical consistency to say everything gets better after 3:30. This is not the first time a school has been built on the same property where a park stands and I trust teachers to keep an eye on their kids. Janksowski said the park was closed because it was an emergency situation and police had concerns about traffic near the school. A decision should be made about the park by April 1. But in the meantime, city representatives are asking for clarity and consistency when it comes to the citys public green areas. Its a problem that we have a situation with a park that affects a lot of people and we apparently have similar situations in other communities and theyre being handled completely differently, Sherwood said. Theres no real good explanation for that ... there is a lack of commitment to what exactly is going to happen going forward and that concerns me. erin.kayata@stamfordadvocate.com; (203) 964-2265; @erin_kayata Low cost carrier Wizz Air has seen its passenger numbers increase in Serbia during 2018 despite limited network growth throughout the year. The budget airline handled close to 800.000 travellers on flights to and from Belgrade and Nis, representing an increase of 6% on 2017. It held a 13% passenger share and was the busiest low cost airline in Serbia in 2018, ahead of Ryanair in second place and easyJet in third. Furthermore, it was the second busiest airline in the country overall, behind only Air Serbia. In 2018, Wizz Air introduced new flights from Nis to Vienna but also discontinued services from Belgrade to Friedrichshafen and from Nis to Eindhoven. In addition, it downgraded its year-round operations between the Serbian capital and Larnaca to seasonal summer flights. Wizz Air noted it carried over four million passengers from Serbia since launching services to the country in 2010. It currently has two aircraft based in Belgrade and maintains seventeen routes to eight countries from both the Serbian capital and Nis. The airline says its operations this year will support more than 500 jobs in associated industries in the country. Wizz Air will put just over 900.000 seats on sale from Serbia this year. "We are totally committed to the [Serbian] market and we hope to see some improvements of commercial terms in the marketplace. That would certainly attract us with more capacity", the carrier's CEO, Jozsef Varadi, told EX-YU Aviation News late last year. Wizz Air has said that high airport costs and government protectionism of Air Serbia are preventing it from developing at its Belgrade base. "I think the significant issue in Belgrade that has hindered our development there is the cost of the airport relative to its peers. It is a high price airport and we need to see costs coming down. As we are bringing in more passengers and operations to the airport, we need to be at least in line with what we are paying at similar places. I think that is one issue. We will see what VINCI will bring into the party. I don't know", Mr Varadi said last month. He added, "I think the Serbian government has taken steps towards protecting Air Serbia's business and I think they are trying to put some pressure on competitors like ourselves. These two factors are really holding us back in Belgrade". Airport operator VINCI has previously said it will keep Belgrade's fees unchanged for the first three years of its 25-year concession. However, the operator can make change the airport's incentive plan. The partial government shutdown is over, but the dysfunction that spawned it remains. For instance, a three-week spending measure reopened the government, which means we might have another shutdown at the end of that period. For instance, the presidents desire for a border wall is unsated, which means he is threatening to declare a national emergency to get the money he wants to begin building the wall. Legal challenges will ensue. For instance, the GOP Senate doesnt quite get that it is a co-equal branch of government, which means that if the president again threatens a shutdown or that national emergency Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is unlikely to challenge him. This is signaled by McConnells pledge that he will only consider bills the president will sign. A shutdown must never happen again. To that end, the nation should demand legislation that will essentially outlaw shutdowns. Sen. Ron Portman, R-Ohio, has sponsored a bill that would have the government remain open in the event of failure to pass spending measures. Agencies would be funded at existing levels. To prompt a break in any impasse, funding would be reduced 1 percent after 120 days and another 1 percent every 90 days. Another bill by Sen. Mark Warren, D-Va., would maintain existing spending for all but Congress and the White House. In other words, members of Congress and the White House wouldnt get paid. This approach strikes us as the most effective. Including this one, there have been at least four shutdowns since Newt Gingrich launched his in the 90s, three that Republicans including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2013 got credit for and one by Democrats, a three-day closure last year. We repeat: There is never a good reason for a shutdown. They should never happen. The pain from this one will remain with the nation for a while, particularly for the 800,000 federal workers who were furloughed or had to work with no pay. Even with back pay, it will take some time for them to become whole with creditors. It shouldnt surprise anyone if this shutdown causes an exodus of talent from the federal ranks. President Donald Trump deserves credit for this last shutdown, which he ended in a surprise move on Friday when he agreed to that three-week spending measure. About that national emergency he is now threatening. Its a bad idea. It sets a precedent that could have chief executives continuously circumventing Congress. It will likely be challenged on the grounds that, according to the Constitution, Congress passes spending bills and the president executes the laws. In this last shutdown, Democrats were adamant that they would not bargain until the president caused the government to reopen. This was an entirely reasonable position because there is never a good reason to shut down the government in the first place, and doing it to force a concession on a border wall that is virtually useless and unnecessary is a particularly bad reason. The presidents negotiations to end the shutdown were a sham in any case. His proposed deal on Dreamers was a poor one. It would have affected 700,000, but that is significantly lower than the 1.8 million who need the help. And it would have been temporary help. Other sweeteners in the Trump deal were similarly more bitter than sweet. For instance, he would have given three more years of reprieve for some 325,000 immigrants who have fled countries beset by natural disaster or violence. These are people mostly from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua here under Temporary protected status. But these people have been here for many years and many have U.S. citizen children. Their protection should not be temporary. And the proposal would have also dramatically changed the process for asylum-seekers from Central America. Those younger than 18 would have to apply in their home countries. The measure would have capped the number who would be permitted in at 15,000 when multiples of that are applying and prohibited appeals in the courts for those denied entry. In other words, accepted asylum practices worldwide would be subverted. U.S. law is clear: Asylum-seekers can present themselves at the border to begin the process, and appeals are part of that process. Trumps leverage on Dreamers was severely weakened by a U.S. Supreme Court refusal Tuesday to hear an administration appeal to overturn lower court rulings that prevented the president from dismantling the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program implemented by President Barack Obama. Again, a shutdown should never happen again. Led by the Texas congressional delegation, Congress should guarantee that with legislation. Many of the most interesting and consequential Americans of the 20th century found greatness in politics, military service and diplomacy. Only one took the path of the recently deceased Harris Wofford. After a precocious childhood, including extensive global travel, and a stint in the Army Air Forces during World War II, Wofford went to India for several months to absorb teachings about nonviolent social change from disciples of Mohandas K. Gandhi. He soon became one of the main conduits of that theory to the American civil rights movement and to Martin Luther King, Jr. Wofford found a place advising Sen. John F. Kennedys 1960 presidential campaign. Nearing Election Day, the young activist urged Kennedy to call and comfort Coretta Scott King when her husband was in prison. This gesture helped secure African-American votes that may have tipped the a razor-tight election in Kennedys favor. (It is, by the way, the secret dream of every staffer to offer that one bit of wisdom that changes history.) Robert Kennedy called Wofford at that point a White House adviser on racial issues a slight madman. It was this intensity of conviction that Wofford then brought to the civil rights movement, in which he earned one of the proudest American boasts: I marched at Selma. That is one thing boasting that Wofford hardly ever did. But people were often carried along by the upward pull of his idealism. Things he set his mind to do tended to happen. He helped found the Peace Corps, and VISTA (a kind of domestic Peace Corps), and AmeriCorps, and Senior Corps. All the corps, under different theories and acronyms, were trying to encourage service to the country, the cause he advocated with evangelical zeal. Other than what he called his brief Republican period at age 12, Wofford was a progressive. But of a certain type. He was not an activist because he found his country to be inherently flawed. He was an activist who loved his country so deeply that he could not bear to see it desecrated by racism and despair. The content of Woffords communitarian liberalism has always had significant overlap with a kind of civil society conservatism. In both approaches, solving social problems is not just the work of government professionals; it is the work of citizens. Countless small acts of service can add up to a more just and welcoming society. And one hopeful role for government is to catalyze volunteerism employing government to encourage self-government. On this common ideological ground, Wofford built bipartisan consensus say, on AmeriCorps that few thought possible. Woffords theory of social change is compelling. It speaks to the individual. No life lived in service to others is empty. Service is a good way to launch young people into responsible adulthood. A good way for seniors to share undiminished wisdom and skills. A good way for anyone to give purpose to their freedom and direction to their gifts. It offers improvement at the social level. Service, as Wofford viewed it, is a source of grassroots solutions to lingering social problems. Many of our worst challenges are deepened by apathy and passivity. They are overcome by committed, organized community effort. And service is a way to cultivate something less tangible: the practice of citizenship. We are a nation that talks a great deal about who should be a citizen. There is less emphasis on how to be a citizen. And that is often learned in the company of others who share a public goal. Bonds of common purpose become ties of civic friendship, reaching across political divides. In a time of bitterness, choosing to serve others offers a kind of healing grace. Wofford carried these ideals in a manner that amplified their influence. Cynicism melted around him, as if he were a bonfire in the snow. He was kind but tenacious as anyone discovered when he wanted them to sign a letter, or serve on a commission, or attend a summit. Encountering him always left the question: How can someone so gentle be so influential? Along the way, he left a country strewn with people who were shaped in some way by his example. So many found a meeting or conversation with Wofford to be a turning point in their lives. Perhaps because he saw service to others not as a grim duty, but as the path of joy. His path has led onward. And so passes Harris Wofford, citizen. michaelgerson@washpost.com San Antonio Missions National Historical Park has reopened with a full staff, though local officials are ready to keep it running if federal funds run out again next month. Since the partial government shutdown began Dec. 22, Bexar County parks employees have collected trash and cleaned restrooms at the missions. The city, county, San Antonio River Authority and nonprofit Mission Heritage Partners were prepared to step up further, starting Friday, to reopen the parks main visitors center and smaller ranger contact stations when Congress passed a continuing resolution last week to fund the government through Feb. 15. P. Daniel Smith, National Park Service deputy director, announced the agency would resume regular operations nationwide at federal parks, which had remained largely accessible to the public, but not staffed. Without rangers present, churches at missions Concepcion and San Juan were typically closed during the shutdown when not in use for worship services. Churches at Mission San Jose, which had security rangers and parish staff present, and Mission Espada, with the parish office by the sanctuary, stayed open during park hours, said Father David Garcia, administrator at Concepcion. Security is important to us. Weve had incidents of vandalism in the past, said Garcia, who also raises funds to preserve mission church structures as director of Old Spanish Missions. On ExpressNews.com: Bathrooms open at missions The missions, including the state-owned Alamo, are the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. The Alamo was not affected by the federal shutdown. A lot of visitors were very disappointed to see the churches closed, he added. For many of them, seeing the inside of the church is the highlight of the visit. Theres a wow factor, Garcia said. Rosebud Coffey, executive director of Mission Heritage Partners, the parks friends group, said her board had agreed to take on the costs, at up to $11,000 per week, to pay five federal park employees to run the Mission San Jose visitor center. Those private funds normally support major maintenance projects or docents, visiting artists or other programs of the missions, which typically attract 1.5 million visitors annually. On ExpressNews.com: Federal workers hope truce lasts The city had offered to help reopen and staff ranger stations at the other three missions, and SARA was ready to help with mowing and landscaping at San Juan and Espada. The missions friends group and local officials were all totally willing to step up to the plate, but are now on standby, she said. Were ready to take action, if we need to, in the next three weeks. The opening of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Feb. 7 brings an expected seasonal uptick in tourism, Coffey said. Betty Bueche, Bexar County heritage and parks director, said the National Park Service recently resumed its contracted cleaning of restrooms, using funds from other federal parks that collect entry fees. In prior weeks during the shutdown, the county had redirected workers from its nearby parks to collect trash and clean the restrooms, which had gotten pretty unkempt several days into the shutdown, Bueche said. The county really wants to see the missions open to the public, she said. Scott Huddleston 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. | shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA A third defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser federal charge than his co-defendants for his role in vandalizing two San Antonio missions with graffiti. Andres Castaneda, 19, entered the plea Monday to a misdemeanor charge of depredation or damage of government property less than $1,000. He faces no more than a year in prison when hes sentenced this spring by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez. Castaneda admitted that on June 21, 2018, he, Gabriella Petra Fritz, 21, and Sydney Elizabeth Faris, 22, 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. Related: Two women plead guilty to spray-painting two San Antonio missions Faris and Fritz pleaded guilty last week to a felony charge of depredation of government property and face up to 10 years in prison. All three, however, will be jointly responsible for $10,483 in restitution, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka said Monday. This particular defendant, for a number of reasons, we are offering him a lesser included charge, Wannarka told U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad, who took Castanedas plea. Based on the totality of the circumstances, this particular defendant is pleading to a misdemeanor charge. On ExpressNews.com: Trio in missions graffiti case charged by feds 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, which Fritz admitted she did. A growing number of Bexar County families have incomes above the poverty line but struggle just to get by, according to a new study that examines financial hardship statewide and locally. Some 36 percent of households earn too much to qualify for government assistance but not enough to cover basic living expenses, such as housing, food, transportation, child care and other essentials, the study found. Their number in the county is up sharply in recent years, increasing from 1 in 4 households to more than 1 in 3. In San Antonio, the ratio is more than 1 in 2. People in such financial straits are commonly called working poor, but the study, conducted by the United Ways of Texas and other groups, coined a new term ALICE, which stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. Statewide, 28 percent of households or about 2.6 million fell into the ALICE category in 2016. On ExpressNews.com: Read how child care services fail the working poor ALICE families often work in the service or retail sectors and arent paid enough to prosper or even subsist, said Adrianna Cuellar Rojas, president and CEO of United Ways of Texas. These are the folks who make coffee for you, clean hotel rooms, take care of other peoples children, she said. They are individuals who are working very hard but still having a difficult time. We hope this study puts a face and name on these hard-working Texans. Crystal Guevara-Alvarado of San Antonio, 30, was recently in the ALICE group working but barely keeping her family financially afloat. A single mother of four who grew up in the foster care system and lacks a college diploma, she held a relatively well-paying job $21 an hour as a security guard at the South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall for seven years. But she had to leave her house every morning at 3 a.m. to drive her kids to a relatives home in order to get to work on time. Over the years, the stress of the commute and her 12- to 16-hour shifts took a toll on the family. And her salary, while triple the minimum wage, still left her on an economic knife edge, worried that any extra expense could cause things to topple. There was no money for extras, like saving for her kids college fund or buying them the things their friends got new video games, new shoes. It was great not to have to live on food stamps, to have health insurance, but the stress was getting to all of us, including my 7-year-old daughter, who fell into a depression, she said. She had to miss work when one of her children was ill, she said. She quit her job in November and now lives with her sister. Shes hoping to find a job that pays well but doesnt require such a long drive or long hours. I stayed so long because the safety net was good, but I was working myself to death, she said. She and her daughter are receiving counseling through a United Way agency in addition to other services. A household survival budget Toni-Marie Van Buren, senior vice president at United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, said the percentage of the ALICE population in the city itself, minus the surrounding affluent bedroom cities, is even larger than in the county 55 percent, or almost 500,000 households. That was surprising to me, she said. I thought the local boom in technology, with its high wages, would have filtered down more. But it shows that the San Antonio economy is still overly dependent on the service sector, with its low wages and odd hours. In Texas, ALICE households plus families living at or below the federal poverty line make up 42 percent of the population, or more than four million households. Both populations struggle to meet the so-called household survival budget, the study found. The survival budget is a conservative estimate by the studys researchers of what it takes to get by in the state or a particular county the bare minimum, one researcher said. On ExpressNews.com: Read about poverty in a special Express-News series To qualify as ALICE in Bexar County, a household would earn below $59,952 annually for a family of four, or below $20,196 for an individual. Michael Fisher Rojas identified a scarcity of training in high-skilled jobs, an increase in the cost of living, stagnant wages and a shortage of living-wage jobs as causes for the rise in ALICE and poverty-level households in the state. The study found a big part of the problem is the predominance of low-wage jobs in Texas about 62 percent of jobs pay less than $20 an hour. Much of employment today is temporary in nature, often part-time and contract labor, it found. The report tracked families over two different time periods. It found that struggling households in Texas grew by 14 percent through the Great Recession, 2007 to 2010, and 17 percent more after it, from 2010 to 2016. Although the numbers vary by county, the basic overall cost of living in Texas that same year was $52,956 for a family of four and $19,428 for a single adult, according to the study. That equates to $26-an-hour wage in households where only one parent works or $13-an-hour in homes where two parents work, Rojas said. Thats just a basic survival income, she said, and doesnt take into account things like saving for a childs college, birthday parties and even something like a needed car repair or an illness. We know those last two things can devastate a family, throwing them off the rails. Even as limited as the survival budget is, its more generous than what people living at the federal poverty line must get by on $24,300 for a family of four and $11,880 for an individual. Families in poverty are often eligible for various government benefits, such as food stamps and subsidized housing, unlike many of the working poor. Rojas said the goal of the study is to get a conversation going around the state about how to address the needs of ALICE households, and not to promote any one solution like, say, raising the wages of the working poor. We do have to focus on the widening education and skills gap in Texas, she said. Van Buren said her agency and its participating partners are focused on helping the working poor take advantage of such things as the earned-income tax credit and free classes on budgeting and saving. Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje The states claim that nearly 100,000 non-citizens are on Texas voter rolls continued to unravel Tuesday as county officials discovered that many of them are in fact U.S. citizens and a civil rights group went to court to prevent a threatened voter purge. The League of United Latin American Citizens filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court in San Antonio against Texas Secretary of State David Whitley and Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking to block the officials efforts to remove voters from the rolls. LULAC called the threatened purge a witch hunt designed to intimidate minority voters. Thats all theyre doing, said Luis Vera, LULACs national general counsel. Theyve done it in Florida; theyve done it in Arizona and other states. Its voter intimidation. Around the same time, Whitleys office began calling county election officials who had received lists of suspected non-citizen voters Monday, advising that some on the lists shouldnt be there because they had already proven their citizenship when they registered to vote at naturalization ceremonies or at a Texas Department of Public Safety office. That concession significantly reduced the number of people at risk of being purged. In Harris County, officials removed more than 60 percent of the names as a result of the states call Tuesday. The list initially had nearly 30,000, so that left only about 11,000 names. Our experience with these mass lists from the secretary of states office is that theyre very questionable, so we have to treat them very carefully, said Douglas Ray, an assistant Harris County attorney who specializes in election issues. Bexar County officials said that in light of the lawsuit it would take no action on the secretary of states initial request that the counties send letters to those on the list advising them to prove their citizenship within 30 days or be removed from the voter rolls. More than 5,000 of the people affected are in Bexar County, according to County Judge Nelson Wolff. It was unclear how many would be removed as a result of the states back-tracking Tuesday. Paxton announced last Friday that the secretary of states elections office had discovered about 95,000 people who had secured drivers licenses or personal ID cards from the Texas Department of Public Safety with documentation showing they were legal residents but not citizens who also had registered to vote. Roughly 58,000 of them had voted in one or more Texas elections. A county-by-county list of those identified by the state showed a total of 98,017 potential voters in question. Related: Texas moves to purge nearly 100,000 from voter rolls We look forward to appearing in court to defend Texas right to limit the states voting registration rolls to those actually eligible to vote, Marc Rylander, director of communications for the Texas Attorney Generals Office, said by email. Numerous elected officials and voter rights advocates criticized the methodology used to create the list; and some election administrators balked at taking action. A major concern is that the states initial list, which included names dating back at least 23 years, failed to account for people who applied for licenses as legal residents and then became naturalized citizens and registered to vote afterward. LULAC made a similar argument in its lawsuit. In fiscal 2014, for example, nearly 53,000 people became U.S. citizens in Texas alone, the suit cites. If each of those people had applied to DPS for a drivers license or personal ID card before 2014 (even going back to 1996), and registered to vote after naturalization (which would be expected in most instances), they would still show up in the SOS matching even though they are fully legitimate registered voters, the suit stated The secretary of states office said it cannot comment on pending litigation. But agency officials acknowledged they had contacted local election administrators over discrepancies in the numbers since last weeks advisory. As part of the process of ensuring that no eligible voters are impacted by any list maintenance activity, we are continuing to provide information to the counties to assist them in verifying eligibility of Texas voters, agency spokesman Sam Taylor said in a statement. On ExpressNews.com: Galveston County sends notices to wrong people Galveston County election officials had already sent out notices before the state reached out Tuesday to advise them of the errors. Of the nearly 100 notices mailed out, more than half went to people that state officials told them Tuesday shouldnt have been on the list. We managed to retrieve the second batch of letters that we were going to mail today, said Cheryl Johnson, whos in charge of elections. She said her office plans to send another letter to those who shouldnt have received the first one. Many county election administrators said they wanted to do independent research before contacting voters. We dont want to jump the gun on anything, said Yvonne Ramon, who leads the elections office for Hidalgo County, one of the states largest border counties. We dont want to assume. Ramon said 3,311 Hidalgo County residents were on the list provided by the state Monday, but by Tuesday afternoon her staff had determined there were 100 duplicates and 1,266 people with no voting history. She said its too early to know how many people shouldnt have been on the list at all. Were going to take our time, Ramon said. Were going to research one by one. Cameron Countys list had a little more than 1,600 people on it but Elections Administrator Remi Garza said he got a call Tuesday morning from the Secretary of States office that 1,590 people a very staggering figure, he said were wrongly on the list. But Tuesday afternoon, he got another call from the state saying the 1,590 figure was incorrect. He wasnt given a new one. We have internally been able to verify that 300 shouldnt be on there, Garza said, adding that his office is continuing to check the names because the states recommendation is an extreme measure of challenging a voters citizenship. In Bexar County, District Attorney Joe Gonzales office said it was directing the elections department to hold off on sending notifications in light of the LULAC lawsuit. From our perspective, that puts a freeze on pretty much everything until we get some clarification, said county attorney Larry Roberson. Wolff, who broached the issue at the regular Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday after he got word of the lawsuit, agreed the county needs to be careful about how it proceeds. The question becomes, legally, what have these people done wrong, Wolff said. At one point in time they didnt have their naturalization. Probably, they do now We want to be cooperative, we want to do the right thing, but we want to be sure before we do that that we know were doing the right thing legally. Top hits: Get San Antonio Express-News stories sent directly to your inbox LULACs lawsuit is also seeking to release the data used by the state to create the original list. It describes the states method as flawed, misguided and inaccurate. The suit said the state ignores that between 2007 and 2017, about 7.5 million people became naturalized citizens in the United States. Because of the animus toward immigrants in the current presidential administration, the suit claims, the number of naturalizations skyrocketed to 87 percent compared with the previous presidential administration. On ExpressNews.com: Harris County pushes back against states call for voter purge By its very design, the entire arrangement and its carefully designed rollout by two of the states top officials, has led to their control of the public posturing and messaging of the effort, the suit said. The inevitable effect and no doubt the intended effect, though intent is not required is to intimidate voters who are more likely to be swept up, or fear being swept up, in an election-related witch hunt. LULACs Vera said it will have a chilling effect, for instance, on people who were legal permanent residents who had undocumented immigrant relatives. While those permanent residents may have gained full citizenship and registered to vote in recent years, they may have to face choosing between voting and protecting their families. People are already calling (local election offices) and asking them to take them off the voter rolls, Vera said. Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said her staff hadnt received calls from people asking to be taken off the rolls. Travis County Registrar Bruce Elfant, whose list had about 4,500 names, said he wouldnt send out any notices until his office has exhausted its research abilities. The state made a serious charge that there could be a number of people on the voter rolls who arent citizens, Elfant said. We have a responsibility to get to the bottom of it. The public has a right to know. 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 Dylan McGuinness covers local politics and the Bexar County government for the Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinness Veteran narcotics officers broke down the door of a suspected drug den in southeast Houston Monday afternoon, armed with a warrant and hoping to arrest heroin dealers operating out of the Pecan Park home. 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. They were met by a hail of gunfire, instead, as one of the suspects inside unleashed a barrage of bullets that wounded four officers, two critically. "This is never one of the calls you want to get as a chief," Police Chief Art Acevedo said outside Memorial Hermann Hospital hours later, while flanked by top police brass, Mayor Sylvester Turner and a host of other city officials. Now Playing: 4 Houston police officers were shot, 1 injured and 2 suspects killed during a narcotics search warrant. Video: Fox 26 Houston Two suspected drug dealers were killed in the incident by return fire from officers, Acevedo said, explaining a tip from a concerned neighbor led to the raid. The two killed by police were not identified. A fifth officer injured his knee in the operation. Late Monday, two of the officers remained in critical condition but stable while undergoing surgery . One is the 54-year-old case agent leading the investigation, the police chief said. Two others were in good condition, while the last officer shot in the shoulder had already been released from the hospital. The chaos on the tree-lined Harding Street began about 5 p.m., Acevedo said, when a dozen narcotics officers backed by a squad of uniformed patrol officers descended on the Pecan Park home to serve the search warrant. Narcotics officers had developed a case against the dealers suspected of selling black tar heroin after making several undercover buys, according to law enforcement sources. As officers rammed through the door to serve the warrant, their colleagues in marked patrol cars sounded their sirens and turned on their lights. They were immediately shot at by at least one gunman inside, the chief said, detailing the firefight. Radio scanner traffic captured audio of one gunshot ringing out and an officer calling for help. "We have an officer down," she yelled into her radio. "We need more ambulances, more ambulances." MORE ON SHOOTING: JJ Watt, Greg Abbott, others send concerns to HPD officers involved in shooting The shooter briefly vanished into the home, in the 7800 block, then came back to the door to shoot at the wounded officers again. Another officer managed to return fire. Two officers both critically wounded with gunshot wounds to the neck were airlifted to Memorial Hermann to undergo surgery, while the others were rushed by ambulance. As news of the shooting spread, scores of police officers rushed to the neighborhood, to cordon off the area. A SWAT team also responded and used two robots to search the small wood-frame building. At about 7:25 p.m., police said the threat was over. At Memorial Hermann, however, surgeons were treating the critically injured officers. The most senior of the narcotics squad the case agent has been shot twice previously in the line of duty since joining HPD in 1984, once in 1992 and again in 1997. During the 1992 incident, he took a bullet to the cheek. Acevedo declined to publicly identify the officer. "Most people would call it a day after being shot and surviving, but this man is 54," Acevedo said. "He's the case agent and he was there on the front lines." Now Playing: Warning: This audio captured from Houston Police Department radio traffic may be upsetting to some people. HPD radio traffic from a shooting in Southeast Houston on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Police say multiple officers have been shot. This audio has been condensed for time and content. Video: via Broadcastify The shooting came as many Pecan Park residents were leaving work, Sofia Franco among them. She was almost home when she got a text from her husband, warning her to stay clear. "Be careful," he wrote. "They're shooting police officers two blocks down from the house." Law enforcement taped off the surrounding streets, as other residents milled about and watched the commotion. One handed out bottles of water to officers from a red wagon. The lethal incident infuriated city leaders and cast a pall over the day in which they had celebrated a modest drop in crime in the past year. "This has been a tough day for our city," Turner said, urging residents to pray for the wounded officers, and vowing not to tolerate "drug activity or drug trafficking" in Houston. Now Playing: Officers rushing along South Loop to get to the scene and assist where multiple officers were shot. Police fighting traffic to get to scene. Video by Jay R. Jordan. Video: Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle The incident soon drew national attention, and several of the state's top political leaders issued statements in support of the officers and the department. "This evening's horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe," Gov. Greg Abbott said. "I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for the officers injured, and for the continued safety of all law enforcement officers who protect our communities." Attorney General Ken Paxton said he was "deeply troubled" by the shooting. "The thoughts and prayers of countless Texans are with the officers, their families, and the Houston Police Department," he said. "May this tragic event serve as a reminder of the courage with which law enforcement officials serve each day." While politicians offered prayers, dozens of officers from HPD and other local agencies rushed to the hospital. Some didn't even know the wounded individuals, but said they wanted to be there anyway. "We heard officers down and we came over," one said, declining to be identified. Created by Jordan Rubio and Rachael Gleason/Houston Chronicle. The last time a Houston police officer was shot on duty in a similar incident was in 2017, when two gang officers were wounded in an operation in southwest Houston. A year later, retired officer John Barnes was nearly killed as he rushed to confront a school shooter in Santa Fe, where he was working as a school resource officer. An irate Houston Police Officers' Union President Joe Gamaldi said Monday's shooting left his officers feeling vulnerable, and like they were "being targeted." "We are sick and tired of dirt bags trying to take our lives when all we're trying to do is protect this community and our families," he said. "Enough is enough." Jay R. Jordan, Stephen Paulsen, Massarah Mikati, Todd Ackerman, John Tedesco and Brian Rogers contributed reporting for this story. 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. Tuesday, January 29, 2019 We have this expression that "idle hands are the devil's workshop." Change the word from "hands" to "money" and this principle can be used to explain the disaster area America has become since 1980. Reagan freed the rich from high taxes while unleashing an all-out war on the unions that gave America its middle class. The resulting excess "idle money" began the rich people's war on the middle class. Unlimited riches gave rise to unlimited campaign donations and right-wing institutes. Four decades later, the 99% are increasingly being left behind by the top 1%, or more accurately, the top 0.1%. Corruption of the American system has grown everywhere during these four decades of the rich not sharing America's productivity growth with the rest of us 99%. We have developed a working-class austerity "mean" mentality that supports this ongoing plundering of the middle class by the rich by using resentments to divide us into warring tribes. Existing Structure The prevalent divide of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat tends to favor a perspective of the top 20% versus the bottom 80%. This is very misleading. By focusing on the top 20% it can be shown certain things, like the fact that a college degree leads to significantly higher income. That this top 20% can be shown to have a good lifestyle while 40% of America lives from paycheck to paycheck completely hides the fact that the top 1% has more than quadrupled their incomes relative to the rest of us 99% the last forty years. The professional class is fooling themselves that they have done well, while even they have shown little improvement over forty years ago. This new pattern, so drastically different than the forty years prior to 1980, is so entrenched that classic divide and conquer strategies like pitting the millennials against the boomers make sense to the millennials who have never known another America like the one the boomers grew up in. They fail to see that the boomers did not take advantage of them, the rich did, the top 1% and the deluded 12% that think they are in the top 1% and the next 23% that expect to be 1% someday, engineered the election of Ronald Reagan to once and for all time put the rich back in charge by lowering the top tax rate from 70% to 28% and the capital gains tax rate lowered as well. Together with a union busting strategy and heel dragging on raising the minimum wage. Further the working class has been led to believe that immigrants and affirmative action recipients are taking their jobs, when the rich and the lost growth from militarization of society into an empire has led to their disadvantage. The automation excuse ignores the Germany example of how advanced manufacturing can replace automated jobs with new manufacturing and engineering jobs. Just as manufacturing and productivity shrink with every military buildup, the overseas placement of jobs proceeds with the cost-free aid of military protection and financial investment enrichment of the rich 1% class. The Wall Street Journal showed that all New York Stock Exchange stocks from 2000-2010 added 3 million jobs overseas, reducing 900,000 at home. People are overpaid one third in weapons industries, whether they are blue collar, while collar or engineers, and top financial jobs helping the rich exploit the rest of us are extremely lucrative topping many best jobs lists. The financial industry has grown to ten times its share of national profits since 1980. Meanwhile, the auto industry and manufacturing in general have faded away, as the richest city in American moved from Detroit (autos) in 1960 to Boston (MIT top military research institution) in the Cold War eighties to the Washington DC area today where seven of the ten richest counties in America are now located. Wall Street and the Pentagon enable our government to exploit the rest of us in the name of rising inequality going straight to the top 1%. The red states resist, but they are shooting at the wrong enemy, unwittingly voting in the exploiters. Ironically, the college degree and up educated are trying to put America back into balance, unfortunately with piecemeal improvements rather than a return to taxing the rich as in our "Glory Days" before 1980. Billionaires Always the rich and famous have been with us and influential. Perhaps never more since the Gilded Age of the late Nineteenth century have the rich been in control of America. Long have the rich been kingmakers. Since the Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court in 2010 there has been a flood gate of big money into politics for both parties, a trend that started around 1980. Ralph Nader wrote "Only the Super Rich Can Save Us" noting this trend favored the rich and corporate interests, but enough rich people existed that valued democracy enough to try and right the balance. Lately, the internet and small donor only fundraising by candidates have been able to fight back with an unusual number of underfunded candidates beginning to win this way. On the left, George Soros provides money, Warren Buffett has suggested the 30% minimum tax on the rich, and Jeff Bezos of Amazon has bought the Washington Post, and Tom Steyer has waged an aggressive impeachment campaign. On the right, the Mercer family has funded Trump, while the Koch brothers have founded the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and promoted right wing academic organizations on campuses across the country. Sheldon Adelman is another major conservative donor. The Bradley Foundation leads in right wing funding even over better-known Heritage and CATO. Many of these right-wing institutions started in the seventies making the post-1980 changes possible. Nobel Peace Prize The economy draining properties of military spending, proven by the Reuschlein science, are perfect for filling the need to reduce armies, as called for in Nobel's will. As such several people have nominated me for the Nobel Peace Prize starting with 2016 and each subsequent year. This is your chance to join them in the history that will be confidential for 50 years. Many qualify including social science professors and associate professors, including law, history, and theology and others. Also, members of national governments and legislatures and many others can nominate. Deadline this year is midnight GMT time on 1-31-19, 5pm Chicago time. But act immediately because they must reply to your application first before you can submit it. Social Science Associate Professors May Nominate Reuschlein for Nobel Peace Prize: https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/Nomination/Nominator-application-form List of Empire Economics Special Findings by Reuschlein: https://www.academia.edu/37217512/Findings_and_Special_Claims_November_2017_2_pages Please cite this work as follows: Reuschlein, Robert. (2019, January 29), "Idle Money Devil's Workshop", Madison, WI: Real Economy Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/Idle-Money-Devil's-Workshop,2019167038.aspx Dr. Peace, Robert Reuschlein, Real Economy Institute Nominated Vetted 2016 (2 Web Looks), Given Odds 2017 (3 Web Looks), Strongly Considered 2018 (48 Web Looks, one million words) Nobel Peace Prize, a favorite in 2019 (pace well ahead of last year) for Nobel Peace Prize to be announced Friday October 4th, 2019. Contact: bobreuschlein@gmail.com, Info: www.realeconomy.com From: American Evaluation Association (AEA) For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Elise Garvey, a senior management auditor from the King County Auditors Office in Seattle, Washington. I have become a huge fan of using data placemat sessions for my projects ever since learning about them at Eval 2015 and learning more from Kylie Hutchinsons On a recent project, I decided to hold multiple data placemat sessions using the same data, but at different stages of the project and with different stakeholders within the organization. Here are some hot tips and rad resources for doing the same for your projects: Hot Tips: Consider doing data placemat sessions at multiple levels, especially if you are working with a large organization where not everyone talks to each other frequently. Holding multiple sessions can help to use this tool for different purposes. For example, our first session was with the program staff who knew the program and the data well, so we really wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to see if our data cleaning and basic analysis made sense and to learn about their reflections on the data. The second session was with agency leadership, so we were better able to understand what this data meant to them as leaders thinking about the context of the whole organization. especially if you are working with a large organization where not everyone talks to each other frequently. Holding multiple sessions can help to use this tool for different purposes. For example, our first session was with the program staff who knew the program and the data well, so we really wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to see if our data cleaning and basic analysis made sense and to learn about their reflections on the data. The second session was with agency leadership, so we were better able to understand what this data meant to them as leaders thinking about the context of the whole organization. Adjust the placemats for your audience: For that first session with program staff, I kept the data and visualizations simple and a little more raw, like this: For the second session, which was with agency leadership, the placemats became a little more akin to dashboards, but still presented in a way to solicit feedback and generate discussion about what the data meant to them. So there are more visualizations and fewer tables or raw data, like this: Rad Resources: I still rely on the 2016 NDE article by Veena Pankaj and Ann Emery on data placemats- its well-written guidance to help you get started! AEA 365! Use placemat as a search term and you can find a bunch of other posts on this tool with more great tips and resources! The American Evaluation Association is celebrating Govt Eval TIG Week with our colleagues in the Government Evaluation Topical Interest Group. The contributions all this week to aea365 come from our Govt Eval TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the About AEA The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association and the largest in its field. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products and organizations to improve their effectiveness. AEAs mission is to improve evaluation practices and methods worldwide, to increase evaluation use, promote evaluation as a profession and support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action. For more information about AEA, visit www.eval.org. Hello, Im, a senior management auditor from the King County Auditors Office in Seattle, Washington. I have become a huge fan of using data placemat sessions for my projects ever since learning about them at Eval 2015 and learning more from Kylie Hutchinsons tips and tricks . Data placemats are large sheets of paper with themed snippets of raw or basic data analysis, and a data placemat session is when you review and discuss those placemats with stakeholders. This has been a really valuable tool for ensuring Im understanding the data Im using and getting the perspective of people closest to the data.On a recent project, I decided to hold multiple data placemat sessions using the same data, but at different stages of the project and with different stakeholders within the organization. Here are some hot tips and rad resources for doing the same for your projects:For the second session, which was with agency leadership, the placemats became a little more akin to dashboards, but still presented in a way to solicit feedback and generate discussion about what the data meant to them. So there are more visualizations and fewer tables or raw data, like this:The American Evaluation Association is celebratingwith our colleagues in the. The contributions all this week to aea365 come from our Govt Eval TIG members. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. FREE Caregiving LIVE Online Support Group February 2, 2019 https://events.genndi.com/channel/PamelaDWilsonCaregivingSupport CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson 888-393-7754 Email: Inquiry_For_Pamela@pameladwilson.com Golden, Colorado January 29, 2019 Pamela D. Wilson, the caregiving expert, will be hosting FREE live online monthly support groups for family caregivers. Caregivers interested in joining the support groups can join by visiting the main page of the website https://www.pameladwilson.com in the section for Online Support Group or by clicking on the link associated with this press release. The first FREE online support group begins on February 2, 2019, at 9 a.m. MST. The groups will be scheduled each month. The pressures of caregiving are limitless. Caregivers are stressed and time-limited. The responsibilities and tasks of caregiving, working, and caring for their own families leaves caregivers little time for other activities. Caregivers know they need support but find it difficult to set aside time to drive and attend local support groups. Caregivers in small towns or rural areas may have no local support options. Attending in-person support groups is complicated by finding someone to sit with a loved one, who cannot be left at home alone so that the caregiver can leave home to attend the group. Options for Real Online Caregiving Support Are Limited Most caregiver online support programs are "message board type programs." In message board programs, caregivers post questions to the group, and other caregivers in the group respond with their experiences. Many of the groups run on a" self-help model" meaning that there is no caregiving expert involved to respond or connect with caregivers in the group. While message board groups are helpful, caregivers seeking information online become easily frustrated with generic information. When problems exist, caregivers prefer answers or directions for problem-solving that is specific and actionable from a trusted source. Embracing Life's Transitions Information, scheduling, and access to the live online support group are available at on the main page of the website. The format for the group is a discussion of timely caregiving subjects in addition to Pamela responding to questions submitted by caregivers into the group. The benefits for caregivers participating in support group programs include: Acknowledging and listening to the feelings and experiences of caregivers. It is rare that caregivers are asked by anyone how they are feeling. Instead, the question is posed about the care recipient. For example, "how is your mom or dad?" The emotional and physical stress of caregiving can be debilitating. Receiving solutions, suggestions, and direction for problem-solving. There are few places where caregivers can ask a broad range of questions and receive reliable answers. Pamela's 20 years of expertise as a court-appointed guardian, power of attorney, and care manager is authentic, rare, and valuable in supporting caregivers. Creating community, camaraderie, and the opportunity to communicate with other caregivers. Caregivers are a rare group of individuals who are empathetic to other caregivers because they understand that caregiving doesn't get easier. Pamela believes humor and laughter are part of caregiving. She turns negatives into positives and brings light and hope into caregiving situations. Pamela is committed to caregiving support. Her personal and professional experience helps caregivers and aging adults to avoid common pitfalls, reduce stress, and gain confidence in managing care. Through her website, www.pameladwilson.com she offers support groups and programming for caregivers. Monday, January 28, 2019 DATELINE: Los Angeles Disabilities Are The New Abilities New Report Suggests disabled workers can contribute huge benefits to the bottom line. "When companies bring disabled workers onto a team productivity soars" says Michael J. Herman, author of the forthcoming How to Succeed In College with A Disability. The book scheduled for release Feb 22, aimed at college-bound and college students is a first with a clear roadmap to diploma. "Navigating to graduation without a clear route of success is like sailing blindly in a storm" offers the bestselling author. "The diploma is the goal of college" says college speaker James Malinchek. The book targets not only disabled students, but any student young or old seeking a success in Higher Education. To schedule an interview or request a review galley of How To Succeed In College With a Disability, phone or text Michael J. Herman ((818) 441-9288 BooksOnBooks@Aol.Com My wife is applying for FLR(M). I am filling up the new online application form. In the section for our (British citizen) daughter, it requires us to list "details of other countries [child] has visited or lived in". It specifically says: "Include all countries no matter how long the visit or stay." My daughter has travelled extensively in her life. Many (over 10) of the visits she has made to a another country have been for less than a day. When I try to enter a visit such as this: Country they visited or lived: Singapore Date they visited or lived there from: 21/09/2016 Date they visited or lived there to: 21/09/2016 ...it gives me an error: "change the to date - from is after to" Meaning it wants all visits to be more than a day. What am I supposed to do? They want everything "no matter how long" but then they don't allow me to enter a visit less than a day. I can't extend it to more than a day (i.e. 21/09/2016 - 22/09/2016) because that would not reflect the visa stamps she has in her passport that I'll be submitting. I can't ignore it because that would be omitting extensive travel history that they seem to be very keen on with their "no matter how long" stipulation. this news is not available VTT and the leading European space organisation ESA have made an agreement on strategic partnership with an aim to develop 5G communications networks for the needs of the space industry. The three-year agreement will further deepen the long-term cooperation between VTT and ESA. The collaboration between VTT and ESA supports the Finnish Space Strategy. The strategic partnership between VTT and ESA provides excellent support for the objectives of the Finnish Space Strategy and responses to its priorities. Furthermore, the agreement shows that ESA has confidence in VTT's ability to develop cutting-edge technology for the space sector. ESA strives to collaborate with the kind of actors with competences that may have major impacts for the whole of Europe. "Integrating satellite into 5G is vital both for the growth of the commercial space industry and for making 5G truly ubiquitous. Our intent is to encourage European space and non-space industry to make use of the live trial platforms that VTT have developed, which are necessary to enable and demonstrate satellite/5G integration," says Senior Telecommunication Systems Engineer Maria Guta from ESA. Aiming at integration of terrestrial and satellite networks VTT and ESA are currently examining what would be the requirements and the necessary technologies for the integration of 5G satellite networks and terrestrial networks, and the common use of 5G pioneer bands. VTT and ESA intend to implement several projects within the sector under the Letter of Intent over the next three years. "The key aspect of the projects is the use of VTT's extensive test networks. This is one of the most important means in the development of communications systems," explains Team Leader Marko Hoyhtya from VTT. "We will also leverage VTT's strong expertise in simulations and emulations during the projects." The functioning of many everyday services is based on satellites The integration of satellite and terrestrial networks would benefit the whole society, since even many everyday services are based on data produced by satellites. The systems being developed can be used anywhere where communications systems or, for example, positioning services are needed. "Satellite connectivity is needed particularly in areas where it would not be economically feasible to build terrestrial networks, such as sparsely populated or distant areas, including the sea, air traffic or frontier areas, lists Hoyhtya. "Autonomous and remotely controlled ships operating far away from the shore are a natural example of a target where the integration of 5G satellite networks and terrestrial networks is needed in the future." This area of application has also been selected as one of the key development targets in the collaboration between VTT and ESA. In addition to communications applications, VTT is also actively developing remote sensing technologies, such as the world's first miniature infrared hyperspectral imager for the Reaktor Hello World satellite. The importance of satellite industry increasing VTT has selected the satellite industry as one of its strategic focus areas and aims to increase relevant operations in collaboration with the Finnish industry. VTT is also actively recruiting employees for promoting the 5G satellite integration. According to the Working Group on Space Business Opportunities in Finland set up by the Finnish Government, space operations offer new business and growth opportunities for Finnish companies. The goal of the Finnish Space Strategy is to place Finland among the global leaders in space operations within the chosen sectors. For example, the following have been identified as spearhead actions: satellite positioning that supports intelligent transport, and raising the level of scientific research within the sector through, for instance, ESA programmes and international networking. Business Finland's New Space Economy programme, on the other hand, provides funding for the development of products and services in the space sector with an aim to put Finland on the world map as an expert in space technology. ### More information: Marko Hoyhtya Team Leader +358405489204 marko.hoyhtya@vtt.fi More information on the matter available in the 5G SatCom publication. 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. University of Utah engineers will develop sensors that know when cornfields are getting attacked by insects or weeds Jan. 29, 2019 -- Plants have important things to say, and University of Utah electrical and computer engineering associate professor Hanseup Kim wants to listen to them. He leads a team of U engineers who have received a $2.2-million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to design and build small chemical sensors that can "sniff" out when a plant is being attacked by insects or overwhelmed by weeds. The research is to benefit the production of biomass from corn, which is used to create ethanol for gasoline. "I want to communicate with plants, and I want to know what they are feeling or know what they are going through," Kim says. "I believe that my research team can do this by building a communication loop with these sensors and the corn." The research is based on a concept that corn stalks emit certain organic compounds when they are broken or damaged. So when insects like grasshoppers begin to chomp on corn stalks, these compounds are discharged so that predators can sense when insects are nearby, a type of natural defense mechanism for the plant, Kim says. The team will be developing a low-power sensor that detects when these chemicals are present, alerting a farmer that insects must be attacking a section of the cornfield. The sensors, which will be connected to a network, will also potentially reveal when weeds begin to grow because those pesky plants also emit gases when they germinate. Near the end of the three-year research project, Kim wants to conduct a trial with the sensors on a 200-by-200-meter section of a cornfield at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which is collaborating with the University of Utah. Other researchers on the team include U electrical and computer engineering professor Carlos Mastrangelo, assistant professor Mingyue Ji, U materials science and engineering professor Ling Zang and University of Nebraska-Lincoln agronomy and horticulture assistant professor James Schnable. The chemical sensors will be based on a design that Kim has already been working on -- devices that operate on only 100 picowatts (a picowatt is one million millionth of a watt) as a standby power and turn on only when they detect a trace of the chemical. These sensors could operate in a cornfield for an entire season without having to change a button-sized battery. They were developed for hard-to-reach areas such as in water pipes to look for toxins or in forests to detect fires. While the grant, which is from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), is focused on the production of corn for biomass, Kim says this technology could benefit all forms of farming. This type of high-tech system for agriculture, known as Smart Farming, can help farmers produce the best crops through the use of data analysis, drones, robotics and the Internet of Things. "Farmers can use less pesticides and herbicides, and that means lower costs for them while producing a higher yield of healthier foods," Kim says. "Currently, a major loss in crops is because of insects and weeds." In 2017, biomass fuels provided about 5 percent of total primary energy use in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Of that, about 47% was from biofuels (mainly ethanol from corn). Most car gasoline sold in the U.S. uses about 10 percent ethanol. ### Tampa, FL (Jan. 29, 2019) - The 2014-16 Ebola virus epidemic that ravaged Western Africa, killing thousands, was the largest in history. An analysis of the epidemic found that not all individuals played an equal role in spreading the deadly infectious disease - just 3 percent of patients caused more than 60 percent of infections in other people. "Superspreaders" have also been implicated in other outbreaks, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Now, an international study led by a University of South Florida professor provides a new model to help identify and understand superspreaders and other forms of extreme competence, including less studied "superdiluters" that may protect individuals against infection risk. The research is published today in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution. "The relationship between physiology and behavior in individual hosts determines the dynamics of how infectious disease emerges and spreads in the community," said lead author Lynn Martin, PhD, a professor at the USF Health College of Public Health who studies disease ecology. "Individuals are not the same - and distinguishing how they differ within the context of host-parasite interactions is critical. This new framework might help us better target vaccinations, hygiene and other measures to those individuals most likely to influence the spread of infections during epidemics." Simple epidemiological models for infectious diseases have been unable to explain or predict the behavior of some outbreaks, often because they don't account for variation in individual host competence. Competence represents the capacity for one human or animal host to cause new infections either in other hosts, or in vectors - biting insects and other carriers that can transmit viral, bacterial, and other infections. (For instance, Culex mosquitoes are the vectors that transmit West Nile and other viruses to humans.) The model developed by Martin and his Australian colleagues elucidates various aspects of host competence that may increase or decrease the risk of effectively spreading disease. It breaks down host competence into four key stages - exposure to, susceptibility for, suitability for, and transmissibility of infectious organisms - and proposes that various combinations of these factors among individual hosts will determine how a disease circulates and evolves within a community. For example, a single human genetic mutation, linked with increased ingestion of malaria parasites by white blood cells, might make some humans who are otherwise exceptionally susceptible to infection incapable of attaining a high enough volume of parasites in their circulating blood to transmit the parasites to mosquito vectors. Human hosts with this particular mutation may act as superdiluters, significantly weakening the risk of malaria in their communities. By contrast, human (or animal) hosts very attractive to malaria-infected mosquitos and also highly able to replicate parasites might act as superspreaders. The interplay between host behavior and physiology in individual hosts is very important, Martin said. For instance, traditional funeral practices emphasizing washing and dressing a body that retains the blood, sweat and other bodily fluids of the Ebola virus prolonged West Africa's deadly epidemic. Differences among individuals in these behaviors probably influenced that Ebola epidemic, Martin said. For several infections, research indicates that asymptomatic people who do not feel sick yet travel great distances or remain socially active in their communities may be more effective spreaders of infections than infected individuals who stay home because they feel lethargic and sick. In a second paper published the same day in Trends in Parasitology. Dr. Martin (senior author) and co-investigators used the new framework to investigate how host body size effects on competence might influence disease risk for others. The researchers revealed that large species appear to be disproportionately better at generating infections like West Nile virus and Lyme disease than smaller species based on how effects of body size on host traits combine to impact competence. However, they emphasized that the lower population density of large hosts may sometimes diminish amplifying effects of body size on disease risk. ### USF Health is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and the physicians of USF Health, the largest multispecialty group practice on Florida's west coast. The University of South Florida, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. USF ranks in the top 25 nationally for research expenditures among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. In 2018, the Florida Board of Governors designated USF as a Preeminent State Research University, placing USF in the most elite category among the state's 12 public universities. An endangered Queensland bird is at risk of extinction because environmental legislation is failing to protect its habitat, according to a University of Queensland-led study. Researchers reviewed Australian and Queensland laws that protect threatened and endangered species, in light of a more than 80 per cent reduction in the distribution of the southern black-throated finch's population. They found that despite the protection laws, extensive finch habitat loss has continued to be approved - with more in the pipeline. Dr April Reside, from UQ's Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, said the best of the bird's remaining habitat was now under threat. "Extensive clearing for agriculture and grazing has been allowed in the finch's open woodland habitat - from north of Townsville to New South Wales," Dr Reside said. "Australia and Queensland have laws to protect threatened species, but they're failing to do just that. "Two Australian mammals and a lizard have gone globally extinct in the last ten years, and with extensive habitat destruction still being approved by governments, the finch may be next." The study found that more than 700 development projects overlapping the finch's habitat have been referred to the Federal Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Only one out of the 775 projects - a housing development near Townsville - was refused because of an unacceptable impact on the finch. "All of these proposed projects for the finch's habitat were assessed independently, so the cumulative impact is not properly considered - it's death by a thousand cuts. "And an additional 500,000 hectares of likely finch habitat was cleared without referral to the Federal Government. "This species is now in a very perilous situation, but recently approved developments will clear much of the best remaining habitat for the southern black-throated finch." Dr Reside said approved developments had relied on 'habitat offsets' to compensate, but a recent study showed offsets were failing to provide habitat for the endangered bird. The spotlight is on Australia's record of extinctions, with a Senate Inquiry hearing in Brisbane this Friday (1 February) to investigate the ongoing decline of Australia's 457 threatened animal species. "Often extinctions happen because we just weren't watching," Dr Reside said. "This time we have charted the steep decline of this Australian bird, but so far we have permitted the decline to continue. "Under our current state and federal environmental policy, southern black-throated finch habitat continues to disappear. "If we're to prevent yet another extinction in Australia, we need to halt the decline of this bird's habitat, otherwise we may lose them forever." The research is published in Environmental Science and Policy (DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2019.01.005). ### URBANA, Ill. - Corn is planted on approximately 90 million acres across the United States every year. With all that data, it takes months after harvest for government agencies to analyze total yield and grain quality. Scientists are working to shorten that timeline, making predictions for end-of-season yield by mid-season. However, fewer researchers have tackled predictions of grain quality, especially on large scales. A new University of Illinois study starts to fill that gap. The study, published in Agronomy, uses a newly developed algorithm to predict both end-of-season yield and grain composition - the proportion of starch, oil, and protein in the kernel - by analyzing weather patterns during three important stages in corn development. Importantly, the predictions apply to the entire Midwest corn crop in the United States, regardless of corn genotypes or production practices. "There are several studies assessing factors influencing quality for specific genotypes or specific locations, but before this study, we couldn't make general predictions at this scale," says Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, research assistant professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at U of I and co-author of the study. As corn arrives at elevators across the Midwest each season, the U.S. Grains Council takes samples to assess composition and quality for their annual summary reports, which are used for export sales. It was this comprehensive database that Butts-Wilmsmeyer and her colleagues used in developing their new algorithm. "We used data from 2011 to 2017, which encompassed drought years as well as record-yielding years, and everything in between," says Juliann Seebauer, principal research specialist in U of I's Department of Crop Sciences and co-author of the study. The researchers paired the grain-quality data with 2011- 2017 weather data from the regions feeding into each grain elevator. To build their algorithm, they concentrated on the weather during three critical periods - emergence, silking, and grain fill - and found that the strongest predictor of both grain yield and compositional quality was water availability during silking and grain fill. The analysis went deeper, identifying conditions leading to higher oil or protein concentrations-- information that matters to grain buyers. The proportion of starch, oil, and protein in corn grain is influenced by genotype, soil nutrient availability, and weather. But the effect of weather isn't always straightforward when it comes to protein. In drought conditions, stressed plants deposit less starch in the grain. Therefore, the grain has proportionally more protein than that of plants not experiencing drought stress. Good weather can also lead to higher protein concentrations. Plenty of water means more nitrogen is transported into the plant and incorporated into proteins. In the analysis, "above-average grain protein and oil levels were favored by less nitrogen leaching during early vegetative growth, but also higher temperatures at flowering, while greater oil than protein concentrations resulted from lower temperatures during flowering and grain fill," the authors say in the study. The ability to better predict protein and oil concentrations in grain could influence global markets, considering the growing domestic and international demand for higher-protein corn for animal feed applications. With the new algorithm, it should be theoretically possible to make end-of-season yield and quality predictions weeks or months ahead of harvest simply by looking at weather patterns. "Other researchers have achieved real-time yield predictions using much more complex data and models. Ours was a comparatively simple approach, but we managed to add the quality piece and achieve decent accuracy," Butts-Wilmsmeyer says. "The weather variables we found to be important in this study could be used in more complex analyses to achieve even greater accuracy in predicting both yield and quality in the future." ### The article, "Weather during key growth stages explains grain quality and yield of maize," is published in Agronomy [DOI: 10.3390/agronomy9010016]. Authors include Carrie Butts-Wilmsmeyer, Juliann Seebauer, Lee Singleton, and Frederick Below. Financial support for the work was provided by USDA NIFA, the Illinois Agriculture Experiment Station, as well as the U.S. Grains Council. Delayed labor increases the risk of a caesarean section, even among women who receive oxytocin for augmentation of labour. The rate of caesarean section among first-time mothers is not reduced if the administered dose is doubled either, according to a dissertation from Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. In her dissertation Lotta Selin, a midwife, studied data on a total of 2,775 births in Sweden. She has focused on the risk and outcomes of delayed labor and how augmentation of labour with oxytocin is managed. "Other methods of treatment need to be explored more, such as dosages of oxytocin adapted to specific groups of women and methods applied during labou that can stimulate the body's own production of the oxytocin hormone," says Lotta Selin. Delayed labor is common among first-time mothers, which may lead to a caesarean section and a negative birth experience. In the material studied, the rate of emergency cesarean section among first-time mothers with delayed labour was 17.1 percent compared with 2.3 percent for women in the group with a normal progress. A higher dose of oxytocin, compared with the dose routinely administered today, did not reduce the rate of caesarean section nor did it affect the birth experience. On the other hand, labour was shortened by an average of 23 minutes. No other differences could be demonstrated. In health care in Sweden, it is common to administer synthetic oxytocin as an intravenous drip for augmentation of labour. According to the dissertation, however, there was substantial overuse and misuse of oxytocin. "Women whose labour progress was normal also received augmentation with oxytocin to speed up the progress, a treatment that can stimulate excessively frequent uterine contractions, which in turn can cause fetal distress," Selin points out. However, when guidelines and controls are carefully followed, i.e. both the woman's contractions and the baby's heart sounds are continuously monitored during administration of oxytocin, no adverse effects on the mother and child has been seen. The fact remains that unnecessary treatment can limit the woman's ability to move freely and in particular diminish her confidence in her own ability to give birth, Selin maintains. Selin has worked as a midwife in obstetric care for 27 years and has conducted research on delayed labour and treatment with oxytocin for 17 years. ### BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA and CARDIFF, UK - Today SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and Chinese Laser Press (CLP), published the inaugural issue of Advanced Photonics, a collaborative, open-access journal, featuring the most impactful fundamental and applied research across optics and photonics technologies. Articles in the first issue cover exciting and innovative research, from using light-sheet microscopy for imaging of large biomedical specimens and deep learning for digital holography, to real-time spectroscopy for ultrafast fiber laser design and optimization and a new approach for creating high-Q cavities for trapping light. Other topics include a pinhole-array-mask diffractive imaging method, and the size and energy-efficiency challenges of semiconductor nanolasers. The initial lineup also includes an interview with Sir John Pendry of Imperial College London discussing his work in transformation optics and metamaterials; this interview complements a review article, "Transformation optics from macroscopic to nanoscale regimes," authored by Yu Luo, Jingjing Zhang, and Pendry. The issue also features an insightful perspective on the future of photonics by Eugene Arthurs, a former SPIE CEO. Advanced Photonics, designed to address a growing demand within the photonics community to publish and share significant, innovative research results as rapidly, accurately, and accessibly as possible, will highlight scientific and technological discoveries as well as news and commentaries by leading experts and visionaries in the field. In addition, Advanced Photonics will incorporate a personal approach to science, such as the interview with Pendry: "We will also publish personal views of our authors who will explain how their new ideas emerged," write the journal's editors-in-chief, Anatoly Zayats, of King's College London, and Xiao-Cong Yuan, of Shenzhen University, in their editorial. "We hope this will make an exciting mixture of scientific and general material for our readers.... The Editors' aim and their only brief is to make Advanced Photonics a trusted source of groundbreaking research in optics and optical technologies." ### About SPIE SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology. The Society serves 257,000 constituents from 173 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals, and the SPIE Digital Library. In 2018, SPIE provided more than $4 million in community support including scholarships and awards, outreach and advocacy programs, travel grants, public policy, and educational resources. http://www. spie. org . About CLP Chinese Laser Press (CLP), established by Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics and Chinese Optical Society in 2009, is dedicated to promoting the development of optics and photonics in research institutions and industry. CLP publishes seven journals besides Advanced Photonics, including three in English: Photonics Research, High Power Laser Science and Engineering, and Chinese Optics Letters. CLP manages http://www. opticsjournal. net , the most active online platform in optics in China, holds conferences, and offers continuing education courses. Contact: Daneet Steffens Public Relations Manager daneets@spie.org +1 360 685 5478 @SPIEtweets There's no such thing as a "good" case of dengue fever, but some are worse than others, and it's difficult to determine which patients will make a smooth recovery and which may find their condition life-threatening. Now, after scouring the gene expression of hundreds of patients infected with dengue virus -- a mosquito-borne virus that can cause fever and joint pain, among other symptoms -- scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have found a set of 20 genes that predicts who is at the highest risk of progressing to a severe form of the illness. Every year, between 200 million and 400 million people in tropical and subtropical regions of the world contract dengue fever, and about 500,000 of those cases are fatal. For the most part, people with the disease recover after receiving some fluids and a few days' rest, said Purvesh Khatri, PhD, associate professor of medicine and of biomedical data science. "But there's a smaller subset of patients who get severe dengue, and right now we don't know how to tell the difference." Anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of dengue cases will advance to severe. Currently, the standard of care boils down to watching and waiting: To diagnose severe dengue, doctors wait to observe specific symptoms and results of laboratory tests that typically emerge in the late stages of the disease. "These practices are not nearly sensitive or accurate enough, and some patients end up admitted to the hospital unnecessarily, while others are discharged prematurely," said Shirit Einav, MD, associate professor of medicine and of microbiology and immunology. Using their newly identified set of genes as a foundation, Einav and Khatri aim to identify predictive biomarkers that can help doctors reliably gauge the likelihood of severe dengue in patients who are newly symptomatic and use that information to provide more accurate care to help guide therapeutic clinical studies and, in the future, to guide treatment decisions. A paper detailing the study's findings will be published Jan. 29 in Cell Reports. Einav and Khatri are co-senior authors. Postdoctoral scholar Makeda Robinson, PhD, and former research associate Timothy Sweeny, MD, PhD, share lead authorship. Mining old data Adept at sleuthing out new findings from old data, Khatri used five previously published papers, which reported information on about 450 individuals collectively, to identify the severe-dengue gene set. Each study catalogued groups of dengue patients, tracking the "transcriptome," or record of gene expression, at the onset of symptoms for each case. "The papers had data on dengue patients from multiple countries. We looked at the data and asked, 'Irrespective of the patient's genetic background, age and the genetics of the dengue virus itself -- different regions have different forms of dengue -- what is the molecular response that always shows up when you have a dengue infection?'" Khatri said. "But we weren't comparing healthy versus infected patients; we compared those who had an uncomplicated dengue infection with those who developed severe dengue." In analyzing data from the five studies, Khatri and Einav identified 20 genes that stood out. In all of the patients who developed severe dengue, these genes showed a specific expression pattern, or signature: Seventeen were underexpressed, whereas three were overactive. But predicting severe dengue is more complex than whether patients expressed this pattern; there's variability. Some of the genes were down-regulated to a greater extent in some patients, and less so in others; likewise, there was variability in the degree of overactivity in the overexpressed genes. "This prediction method is more of a continuum than a binary," Khatri said. To make sense of the continuum, the researchers developed a score that accounted for this gene-expression variability, essentially evaluating the patients' risk for severe dengue based on dips and piques of expression in these 20 genes. The higher the score, the higher the risk of severe dengue. Then they tested their dengue-prediction method on data from three separate, previously published cohorts of dengue patients, whose transcriptome data was public, and found that the 20-gene set predicted 100 percent of the patients who developed severe dengue. Among those predicted to come down with severe dengue, 78 percent did. Testing the test Next, the researchers wanted to see if their predictive measure would succeed in a real-world patient population. So in partnership with the Clinical Research Center of the Valle del Lili Foundation, in Colombia, they set up a prospective cohort of 34 participants with dengue to assess the efficacy of the predictive gene markers. Each of participants' transcriptome information, which came from a simple blood draw, yielded a predictive score based on the 20-gene set, and again, Einav and Khatri saw the same levels of accuracy in their test: The test predicted the participants with severe dengue, and there were only a few patients predicted to develop severe dengue who did not. "Of course, these population samples are small, and we want to confirm our findings in larger cohorts," Khatri said. The researchers plan to conduct larger trials as they aim to bring the evaluation into clinical use. They're already expanding trials into Paraguay. "With a larger cohort, there's also an opportunity to refine the signature; we could potentially bring down the number of genes," Einav said. "There's no perfect test, but we're encouraged by these numbers, and this is already performing better than the current standard of care." It's likewise possible that the genes could serve as a basis for a targeted therapy for dengue, Einav said -- but that's far on the horizon. For now, the researchers are starting to pursue the mechanisms behind these 20 genes, trying to understand why they seem to foretell the fate of dengue patients. The work is an example of Stanford Medicine's focus on precision health, the goal of which is to anticipate and prevent disease in the healthy and precisely diagnose and treat disease in the ill. ### Print media contact: Hanae Armitage at (650) 725-5376 (harmitag@stanford.edu) Broadcast media contact: Margarita Gallardo at (650) 723-7897 (mjgallardo@stanford.edu) Other Stanford co-authors are research associate Rina Barouch-Bentov, PhD; research scientist Malaya Sahoo, PhD; graduate student Larry Kalesinskas; postdoctoral scholar Francesco Valliania, PhD; Jose Montoya, MD, professor of medicine; and Benjamin Pinsky, PhD, associate professor of pathology. Researchers from the Valle del Lili Foundation also contributed to the research. The study was funded by Stanford Bio-X; the Stanford Translational Research and Applied Medicine program; Stanford SPARK; the Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute; the Stanford Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Vir Bio; and the National Institutes of Health (grants AI125197, U19AI109662 and U19AI057229). Stanford's departments of Medicine, of Microbiology and Immunology, and of Biomedical Data Science also supported the work. Black holes consume everything that falls within their reach, yet astronomers have spotted jets of particles fleeing from black holes at nearly the speed of light. New computer simulations have revealed what gives these particles such speed: cosmic robbery. The particle escapees steal some of the spinning black hole's rotational energy, accomplishing this through two main mechanisms involving magnetic fields, the simulations' creators report in the January 25 issue of Physical Review Letters. As a black hole spins, its dense mass distorts and twists the surrounding fabric of space and time. The simulations show that magnetic fields at the poles of the black hole become coiled and spring outward, flinging jets of particles into space. At the equator, magnetic fields collapse into clumps. This tangling creates areas that act like particle accelerators, boosting some particles into the edges of polar jets at high speeds and others into the maw of the black hole. The results are the most detailed look yet at the processes that power a black hole's jets, according to study co-author Alexander Philippov, an associate research scientist at the Flatiron Institute's Center for Computational Astrophysics in New York City. "No one has been able to push these simulations so hard in curved space-time," says Philippov, who worked on the project alongside Kyle Parfrey of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Benoit Cerutti of the Universite Grenoble Alpes in France. Upcoming data releases from observational missions such as the Event Horizon Telescope will put the simulations to the test, Philippov says. That telescope focuses on the supermassive black hole that inhabits the heart of the Milky Way galaxy and is designed to capture images of the regions where the jet forms. Tracking the formation of jets is tricky because of the complexity of the physics involved. Black holes bend space-time and generate powerful magnetic fields. Particles on the outskirts of the black hole zip around untethered from atoms in a state of matter called plasma. New particles can pop into existence, such as pairs of electrons and their antimatter doppelgangers known as positrons. Previous attempts to understand the source of a black hole's jets used a simplified model of plasma. Parfrey, Philippov and Cerutti instead employed new numerical techniques that provide the first representation of collisionless plasma around a black hole. In a collisionless plasma, individual particles don't bump into each other often enough to be treated uniformly and represented simplistically. The new simulations begin with a spinning black hole surrounded by intense magnetic fields. Around the fringes of the black hole, the simulations create pairs of electrons and positrons. Because these particles have an electric charge, they are pulled along by electromagnetic fields. As the simulations progress, a previously predicted mechanism called the Blandford-Znajek process occurs near the north and south poles. During this process, the black hole twirls the fabric of space-time. This distortion twists the magnetic fields into coils near the poles. These coils then spring outward into space like a jack-in-the-box, extracting spin energy from the black hole and launching jets of particles. Near the black hole's midsection, a different and unexpected particle-boosting mechanism appears. Magnetic field lines operating in opposing directions like a two-lane highway meet at the equator. This congregation causes the lines to twist and tangle. In the space between these bundles, the magnetic field is relatively weak compared with the black hole's electric field. The electric field, now the strongest force at play, accelerates particles. Some fly outward, following a curved trajectory into the peripheries of the polar jets. Others speed into the black hole. From afar, the descending particles appear to have negative energy. As the black hole eats them, the black hole loses a bit of its rotational energy in what's called the Penrose process. Overall, the simulations suggest that roughly 80 percent of the jet's energy comes from the corkscrewing magnetic field at the poles, with the remaining 20 percent originating from the particles accelerated near the equator. The researchers hope to further hone their simulations by adding a more realistic portrayal of when and how electron-positron pairs appear around a black hole. They also plan to model the flow of material crossing the black hole's event horizon. ### ABOUT THE FLATIRON INSTITUTE The Flatiron Institute is the research division of the Simons Foundation. Its mission is to advance scientific research through computational methods, including data analysis, theory, modeling and simulation. The institute's Center for Computational Astrophysics creates new computational frameworks that allow scientists to analyze big astronomical datasets and to understand complex, multi-scale physics in a cosmological context. The American Physical Society (APS) is recognizing Rochester Institute of Technology's Carlos Lousto for significant contributions to physics research and the advancement of underrepresented minority scientists. Lousto, a professor in Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Mathematical Sciences and co-director of the Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation (CCRG), will receive the 2019 Edward A. Bouchet Award. The award recognizes a distinguished minority physicist who has made significant contributions to physics research and the advancement of underrepresented minority scientists. The APS recognized Lousto "for contributions to both numerical relativity, conducive to the solution of the binary black hole problem, and the understanding of the first detection of gravitational waves and service to the Hispanic scientific community, including the establishment of the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy, the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2003." Lousto will receive the award during an award ceremony on April 14 at the APS April Meeting in Denver. As part of the award, Lousto will receive funding to deliver talks at academic institutions to help more minority students to succeed in the field. "I have thrived for excellence since I was an undergraduate student and continue to do so as a professor and researcher at RIT," said Lousto. "As a first-generation university student, I see this award as an encouragement to members of underrepresented communities that like me at the time are now looking for an opportunity to achieve their dreams." Lousto added that from his first RIT advisee to his recent top students, "I have tried to convey students this idea of hard work to achieve high ideals." Lousto joined RIT in 2007 as a founding member of the CCRG. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. Lousto, who received a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of La Plata and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Buenos Aires, conducts research in numerical relativity, relativistic astrophysics, black hole physics and perturbation theory. Lousto is a key author of the 2005 breakthrough research on binary black hole simulations. His research discovered that supermassive black holes can be ejected from most galaxies at speeds of up to 5000km/s. He is also the designer of the NewHorizon and BlueSky supercomputer clusters at RIT to perform binary black hole simulations, and the Funes cluster at the University of Texas as Brownsville. ### Researchers have created a new testing ground for quantum systems in which they can literally turn certain particle interactions on and off, potentially paving the way for advances in spintronics. Spin transport electronics have the potential to revolutionize electronic devices as we know them, especially when it comes to computing. While standard electronics use an electron's charge to encode information, spintronic devices rely on another intrinsic property of the electron: its spin. Spintronics could be faster and more reliable than conventional electronics, as spin can be changed quickly and these devices use less power. However, the field is young and there are many questions researchers need to solve to improve their control of spin information. One of the most complex questions plaguing the field is how the signal carried by particles with spin, known as spin current, decays over time. "The signal we need to make spintronics work, and to study these things, can decay. Just like we want good cell phone service to make a call, we want this signal to be strong," said Chuan-Hsun Li, a graduate student in electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University. "When spin current decays, we lose the signal." In the real world, electrons don't exist independently of everything around them and behave exactly how we expect them to. They interact with other particles and among different properties within themselves. The interaction between a particle's spin (an intrinsic property) and momentum (an extrinsic property) is known as spin-orbit coupling. According to a new paper in Nature Communications, spin-orbit coupling and interactions with other particles can dramatically enhance spin current decay in a quantum fluid called Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). "People want to manipulate spin formation so we can use it to encode information, and one way to do this is to use physical mechanisms like spin-orbit coupling," Li said. "However, this can lead to some drawbacks, such as the loss of spin information." The experiment was done in the lab of Yong Chen, a professor of physics and astronomy, and electrical and computer engineering at Purdue, where his team created something like a mini particle collider for BECs. Using lasers, Rubidium-87 atoms within a vacuum chamber were trapped and cooled nearly to absolute zero. (Physics junkies may recall that laser cooling technologies won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1997. Laser trapping won the Prize in 2018.) At this point, the atoms become a BEC: the coldest and most mysterious of the five states of matter. As atoms get colder, they start to display wave-like properties. In this quantum state, they have an identity crisis; they overlap with one another and stop behaving like individuals. Although BEC isn't technically a gas, this might be the easiest way to picture it - physicists casually refer to it as quantum fluid or quantum gas. Inside the mini quantum fluid collider, Chen's team sent two BECs with opposite spins smashing into one another. Like two clouds of gas would, they partially penetrate each other, delivering a spin current. "A lot of fascinating phenomena occur when you collide two condensates. Originally, they're superfluid, but when they collide, part of the friction can turn them to thermal gas," Chen said. "Because we can control every parameter, this is a really efficient system to study these kinds of collisions." Using this system, researchers can literally turn spin-orbit coupling on and off, which allows them to isolate its effect on spin current decay. This can't be done with electrons in solid-state materials, which is part of what makes this system so powerful, Chen said. So-called quantum gas is the cleanest system man can make. There's no disorder, which makes it possible to create a pure spin current and study its properties. Chen hopes to keep using this experimental testing ground and their bosonic spin current to further explore many fundamental questions in spin transport and quantum dynamics. "One important challenge for spintronics and other related quantum technologies is to reduce decay so we can propagate spin information over longer distances, for longer times," he said. "With this new knowledge of the role of spin-orbit coupling, this may help people gain new insights to reduce spin decay and potentially also design better spintronic devices." ### This research was supported by Purdue University, the Purdue Research Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Defense and Hong Kong Research Council. It's hard to believe that a tiny crack could take down a gigantic metal structure. But sometimes bridges collapse, pipelines rupture and fuselages detach from airplanes due to hard-to-detect corrosion in tiny cracks, scratches and dents. A Northwestern University team has developed a new coating strategy for metal that self-heals within seconds when scratched, scraped or cracked. The novel material could prevent these tiny defects from turning into localized corrosion, which can cause major structures to fail. "Localized corrosion is extremely dangerous," said Jiaxing Huang, who led the research. "It is hard to prevent, hard to predict and hard to detect, but it can lead to catastrophic failure." When damaged by scratches and cracks, Huang's patent-pending system readily flows and reconnects to rapidly heal right before the eyes. (Watch video.) The researchers demonstrated that the material can heal repeatedly -- even after scratching the exact same spot nearly 200 times in a row. The study was published today (Jan. 28) in Research, the first Science Partner Journal recently launched by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in collaboration with the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). Huang is a professor of materials science and engineering in Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering. While a few self-healing coatings already exist, those systems typically work for nanometer- to micron-sized damages. To develop a coating that can heal larger scratches in the millimeter-scale, Huang and his team looked to fluid. "When a boat cuts through water, the water goes right back together," Huang said. "The 'cut' quickly heals because water flows readily. We were inspired to realize that fluids, such as oils, are the ultimate self-healing system." But common oils flows too readily, Huang noted. So he and his team needed to develop a system with contradicting properties: fluidic enough to flow automatically but not so fluidic that it drips off the metal's surface. The team met the challenge by creating a network of lightweight particles -- in this case graphene capsules -- to thicken the oil. The network fixes the oil coating, keeping it from dripping. But when the network is damaged by a crack or scratch, it releases the oil to flow readily and reconnect. Huang said the material can be made with any hollow, lightweight particle -- not just graphene. "The particles essentially immobilize the oil film," Huang said. "So it stays in place." The coating not only sticks, but it sticks well -- even underwater and in harsh chemical environments, such as acid baths. Huang imagines that it could be painted onto bridges and boats that are naturally submerged underwater as well as metal structures near leaked or spilled highly corrosive fluids. The coating can also withstand strong turbulence and stick to sharp corners without budging. When brushed onto a surface from underwater, the coating goes on evenly without trapping tiny bubbles of air or moisture that often lead to pin holes and corrosion. ### "Self-healing microcapsule-thickened oil barrier coatings" was supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR N000141612838). Graduate student Alane Lim and Chenlong Cui, a former member of Huang's research group, served as the paper's co-first authors. MOSS LANDING, CA - Using data from underwater robots, scientists have discovered that beaked whales prefer to feed within parts of a Navy sonar test range off Southern California that have dense patches of deep-sea squid. A new study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, shows that beaked whales need these prey hotspots to survive, and that similar patches do not exist in nearby "sonar-free" areas. For decades, the U.S. Navy has used high-powered sonar during anti-submarine training and testing exercises in various ocean habitats, including the San Nicolas Basin off Southern California. Beaked whales are particularly sensitive to these kinds of military sonars, which sometimes result in mass stranding events. Following legal action from environmental activists related to these risks, the Navy modified some training activities, created "sonar-free" areas, and spent more than a decade and tens of millions of dollars trying to find ways to reduce the harm to beaked whales and other mammals. The new research, led by Brandon Southall at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Kelly Benoit-Bird at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, aimed to better understand why whales keep returning to the test range despite the risks. The researchers equipped an underwater robot with echosounders to measure the abundance, density, and sizes of deep-sea squids in different parts of the Navy test range, as well as in nearby waters. They also developed an "energy budget" for beaked whales, showcasing the costs--in time and calories--of hunting for squid. This helped the researchers estimate how many dives the whales needed to make in order to get enough food to survive in different areas. "Beaked whales work very hard to obtain their food. They are essentially living paycheck to paycheck," said Benoit-Bird. Unlike many baleen whales with significant energy reserves, beaked whales can't afford to expend too much energy on a dive that doesn't result in capturing many squid. In areas where the concentration of prey is low, the beaked whales must work harder and expend more calories--making reproduction and raising young that much more challenging. Some of the areas under study were so poor in terms of prey that whales likely could not meet their basic energetic requirements if they only fed there. "Despite how things might look from the surface, the deep sea is not uniform," Benoit-Bird added. "There are pockets of wealth where squid are abundant, and beaked whales know exactly how to find those hot spots." It turns out that a portion of the Navy test range off Southern California encompasses one of these hot spots--an area rich in squid. In fact, squid were 10 times more abundant higher in the area preferred by the whales. In this preferred area, the whales could get enough food by making just one dive a day. In a nearby sonar-free area (established with the idea that beaked whales could shelter in these areas while the sonar tests were underway) the whales would need to make between 22 and 100 dives per day to get enough food--something that would be difficult or impossible to do. "Our findings, based on a novel integration of active sonar imaging and passive listening technologies, have multiple management implications," explained Southall. "They provide direct information to the Navy and federal regulators to better manage important and impacted habitat areas off California. And they give us new data on foraging ecology for population-level models of disturbance that have been at the heart of recent debate and litigation over spatial management and proposed sonar exclusion zones." This study is the first to link habitat quality with beaked whale behavior in such fine spatial scales. It also demonstrates that scientists can't assess the quality of deep-sea habitats by simply making measurements at the ocean surface, or even by measuring the physical and chemical properties of the deep ocean. Direct measurements of the prey environment at the depths where animals are feeding, coupled with observations of when and where animals are foraging, are critical. Until now, collecting such detailed data, even over small time and space scales, was virtually impossible. The researchers are now working on tools that will help them study predators and prey over longer time periods, and in other areas where the Navy operates high-powered sonar. Similar field-research and modeling techniques could also be used to assess the potential impacts of other human activities that may disturb ocean animals, such as shipping traffic or offshore oil and gas development. ### The paper, entitled "Quantifying deep-sea predator-prey dynamics: Implications of biological heterogeneity for beaked whale conservation" appears in the most recent volume of the Journal of Applied Ecology. New Rochelle, NY, January 29, 2019--Smoked cannabis as an adjunctive second-line therapy to treat chronic peripheral neuropathy can be both effective and cost-effective. The results of a new study simulating its use in one million patients are published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. Click here to read the full-text article free on the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research website. In the article entitled "A Cost-Effectiveness Model for Adjunctive Smoked Cannabis in the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain," David Grelotti, MD, University of California San Diego (La Jolla) and coauthors from UCSD, University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (San Diego), and Columbia University (New York, NY) created a computer simulation to compare the cost of usual first-, second-, and third-line care with those supplemented with smoked cannabis. They modeled efficacy and adverse events based on clinical trial and other existing study data, and derived cannabis cost from retail market pricing. "With the opioid crisis continuing unabated, it is essential to understand whether cannabis might offer a safe, effective, and economically sound approach to pain management. This article offers new data that will help evaluate this possibility," says Editor-in-Chief Daniele Piomelli, PhD, PharmD, University of California-Irvine, School of Medicine. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 1TL1TR001443. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. ### About the Journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research is the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the scientific, medical, and psychosocial exploration of clinical cannabis, cannabinoids, and the biochemical mechanisms of endocannabinoids. Published quarterly in print and online and led by Editor-in-Chief Daniele Piomelli, PhD, PharmD, the Journal publishes a broad range of human and animal studies including basic and translational research; clinical studies; behavioral, social, and epidemiological issues; and ethical, legal, and regulatory controversies. Complete tables of content and a sample issue is available on the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research website. About the Publisher Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Journal of Palliative Medicine, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, and Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website. For the first time, a team of researchers has demonstrated that laser-generated crystals confined in glass retain controllable ferroelectric properties, key to creating faster, more efficient optical communication systems A team of researchers from Lehigh University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Lebanon Valley College and Corning Inc. has demonstrated, for the first time, that crystals manufactured by lasers within a glass matrix maintain full ferroelectric functionality. "This includes the ability to uniformly orient and reverse orient the ferroelectric domains with an electric field?despite the fact that the crystal is strongly confined by the surrounding glass," says Volkmar Dierolf, Chair of Lehigh University's Department of Physics and one of the scientists who worked on the experiments that resulted in these findings. Dierolf, who holds a joint appointment with Lehigh's Department of Materials Science and Engineering part of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, is co-Principal Investigator on a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project, Crystal in Glass, along with Principal Investigator Himanshu Jain, Diamond Distinguished Chair of Lehigh's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The group has become a world leader in producing single crystals in glass by localized laser irradiation. Read more about their work: "Crossing a critical threshold" and "Lehigh scientists fabricate a new class of crystalline solid." The team conducted the first detailed examination of the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of laser induced crystals confined in glass. They found that the as-grown crystals possess a complex ferroelectric domain structure that can be manipulated via the application of a DC bias. The findings have been published online today in MRS Communications in a paper called "Ferroelectric domain engineering of lithium niobate single crystal confined in glass." "The findings open up the possibility of a new collection of optical devices that use fully functional laser-fabricated crystals in glass which rely on the precise control of the ferroelectric domain structure of the crystal," said Keith Veenhuizen, currently Assistant Professor, Department of Physics at Lebanon Valley College and the lead author of the paper, which builds on the work he did as a graduate student at Lehigh. Applications for such technology include use in modern fiber optic technology used for data transmission. "Being able to embed such functional single crystal architectures within a glass enables high efficiency coupling to existing glass fiber networks," says Dierolf. "Such low loss links?that maximize performance?are of particular importance for future quantum information transfer system that are projected to take over the current schemes for optical communication," adds Dierolf. ### In addition to Dierolf, Jain and Veenhuizen, the paper's co-authors are: Sean McAnany, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University; Rama Vasudevan, Stephen Jesse and Sergei V. Kalinin, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and, Daniel Nolan and Bruce Aitken, Corning Incorporated. Financial support for this research is provided by the National Science Foundation via the GOALI program for collaboration between Lehigh University and Corning Incorporated (DMR-1508177). Dr Adam Taylor of Lancaster Medical School in the UK has become the first person outside North America to receive the American Association of Anatomists' Basmajian Award. This award recognizes health science faculty who "teach human or veterinary gross anatomy, can document excellence in their contribution to the teaching of gross anatomy, and have outstanding accomplishments in biomedical research or scholarship in education." He will travel to Florida in April for the award ceremony. Dr Taylor said he was delighted to receive such a prestigious award. "Anatomy is one of the broadest subject areas to have to teach and the level of knowledge and work involved in delivering anatomical education is huge. Recognition for my work is really nice to receive, and really appreciated. "It's the icing on top of a cake that is the reward of educating students who will use the knowledge you instil in them during their careers in medicine and healthcare to improve the lives of others." Dr Taylor began his career in Anatomy Education in 2007 as Demonstrator whilst doing his PhD. In 2011 he joined Lancaster Medical School as a Lecturer in Anatomy and in 2013 he took the lead for Anatomy as the Director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre. In 2016 Dr Taylor and his colleague Dr Quenton Wessels received the Lancaster University Student's Union Undergraduate Teaching Award in recognition of their high-quality, engaging teaching. In 2017 he was awarded the Lancaster University Pilkington Teaching award for excellence in teaching anatomy and the integration of novel teaching technologies such as Ultrasound and Anatomage Virtual Dissection Table in the curriculum. In 2018 he teamed up with Zooniverse - the world's largest platform for people-powered research - for an online citizen science project entitled "Where are my body organs?' This involves up to 100,000 members of the public taking part in a quiz about human anatomy. Dr Taylor is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and in 2018 he was nominated by Lancaster University for A National Teaching Fellowship, through AdvanceHE. He is frequently invited to speak at conferences nationally and internationally and he also has a regular media profile publicising health and anatomy topics to a wider audience. ### The goal of PRINTPERO is to develop digitally printed, highly efficient and stable solar modules that can be integrated into roofs, facades, and windows. In the project coordinated at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), German and Greek researchers and industrial partners are demonstrating the technological feasibility of solar modules based on perovskite absorbers. They work on prototypes that can be freely designed in size, shape, and color. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research supports the project within the framework program Research for Sustainable Development (FONA). Perovskite semiconductors are currently among the most promising materials for highly efficient and cost-effective next-generation solar modules. Thin-film solar cells based on these perovskites already achieve efficiencies of more than 23 percent in the laboratory. However, the processes currently used in research to manufacture perovskite solar cells cannot be transferred to industrial standards. "One goal of our project is therefore to replace laboratory processes by digital printing processes that run at low temperatures and are suitable for industrial production," explains Dr. Ulrich W. Paetzold, head of the research group "Advanced Optics and Materials for Next Generation Photovoltaics" at KIT's Institute for Microstructure Technology (IMT) and KIT's Light Technology Institute (LTI) and coordinator of PRINTPERO (short for Printed Perovskite Modules for Building Integrated Photovoltaics). In the PRINTPERO project, researchers and industrial partners from Germany and Greece are cooperating to develop digitally printed solar modules based on perovskite semiconductors that are not only highly efficient and stable, but also meet a wide range of architectural requirements for integration in buildings. They work on prototypes which can be designed in different shapes and colors. To achieve these goals, the participating researchers use the potential of digital inkjet printing. In addition, they develop printable luminescent layers to realize different color impressions and protect solar cells from harmful UV radiation (see photo). Together with the project partners, the Karlsruhe researchers are also working on improving the stability of the perovskite solar cells, connecting several of these cells in series to form large-area solar modules, and encapsulating the modules to protect them from moisture and the resulting decay. PRINTPERO includes the research institutes KIT and the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece as well as the solar industry companies SUNOVATION Produktion GmbH (Aschaffenburg/Germany) and Brite Hellas S.A. (Thessaloniki/Greece). Within the framework program Research for Sustainable Development (FONA), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the three-year German-Greek cooperation project that was launched in 2018. ### Publication on the subject: Design and Color Flexibility for Inkjet-Printed Perovskite Photovoltaics. Stefan Schlisske, Florian Mathies, Dmitry Busko, Noah Strobel, Tobias Rodlmeier, Bryce S. Richards, Uli Lemmer, Ulrich W. Paetzold, Gerardo Hernandez-Sosa, and Efthymios Klampaftis: ACS Applied Energy Materials. 2018. https:/ / pubs. acs. org/ doi/ pdf/ 10. 1021/ acsaem. 8b01829 More about the KIT Energy Center: Press contact: Martin Heidelberger, Redakteur/Pressereferent, Tel.: +49 721 608-21169, Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association", KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information. For this, about 9,300 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 25,100 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. New York, NY (January 29, 2019) - The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting innovative, early career researchers, named 18 new Damon Runyon Fellows at its fall Fellowship Award Committee review. The recipients of this prestigious, four-year award are outstanding postdoctoral scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research in the laboratories of leading senior investigators across the country. The Fellowship encourages the nation's most promising young scientists to pursue careers in cancer research by providing them with independent funding ($231,000 total) to work on innovative projects. The Committee also named six new recipients of the Damon Runyon-Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists. This award provides additional funding to scientists completing a Damon Runyon Fellowship Award who have greatly exceeded Damon Runyon's highest expectations and are most likely to make paradigm-shifting breakthroughs that transform the way we prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Each awardee will receive $100,000 to be used toward their research. 2019 Recipients of the Damon Runyon-Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists: Brian J. Beliveau, PhD (Damon Runyon HHMI Fellow '16-'18) University of Washington Dr. Beliveau has developed transformative single-cell imaging technologies to analyze how chromosomes inside the nucleus are organized. He will use these tools to investigate the causes and consequences of genome organization in health and disease. This technology may provide a clearer picture of the difference between the structure of genes that are turned "on" for protein production and genes that are "off." As many cancers are driven by the abnormal expression of genes such as oncogenes and tumor suppressors, information about how DNA structure can control gene expression and protein production may aid in the development of novel cancer therapies. Tera C. Levin, PhD (Damon Runyon HHMI Fellow '15-'18) Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Dr. Levin is studying the interaction of host cells with the pathogens that infect them. These interactions cause repeated cycles of evolution, leaving "signatures" in both host and pathogen genomes specifically at molecular interfaces of host-pathogen binding. Evolutionary signatures can be used to pinpoint genes critical to disease progression. She is specifically examining the interactions between the pathogenic bacteria Legionella pneumophila and its and amoeba hosts. Her research will inform ongoing efforts to control this pathogen and reduce outbreaks. In addition, her studies have the potential to help cancer patients, who are immunocompromised after undergoing chemotherapy; they are susceptible to Legionella infections that can result in a life-threatening, pneumonia-like disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Sigrid Nachtergaele, PhD (Damon Runyon HHMI Fellow '15-'19) University of Chicago Dr. Nachtergaele is investigating the roles of RNA methylation, a process that chemically tags mRNA to alter gene expression and protein production. She has discovered a novel enzyme (m1A) that modifies RNA in this way and aims to uncover how malfunctions in this process can lead to cancer. Her investigations will expand the understanding of how mRNA modifications are regulated and result in altered cell signaling and growth in normal and cancer cells. Building on this knowledge, her goal is to identify novel therapeutic targets for cancer. Thomas M. Norman, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow '15-'18) University of California, San Francisco Dr. Norman aims to build a computational model of cancer genetics and understand the roles played by the complex interaction of genes. Though some cancers are characterized by very specific mutations, other cancers display a host of relatively common mutations, along with a string of infrequent mutations. He has developed technology to collect and integrate large data sets of experimental results with patient data to create a predictive model. This can be used to understand how a patient's unique spectrum of mutations combine to give rise to cancer. In addition, his work may help to prioritize therapies in precision oncology and uncover hidden gene targets leading to new therapies. Alistair B. Russell, PhD (Damon Runyon-Merck Fellow '15-'19) Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Dr. Russell is investigating the mechanisms by which immune cells recognize influenza infection. Yearly influenza epidemics threaten immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients, who are at an increased risk of complications following infection. His research combines virology, single-cell transcriptomic approaches, and computational biology to study innate immunity to viruses. Specifically, he aims to address the question of why immune responses to different influenza pandemics have differed so much--exploring why some strains are more or less immunogenic. He will expand his work by suggesting viral variants to create more effective vaccines that can bolster the immune response and better protect patients. These findings might suggest other therapeutic avenues, including the possibility of using such viruses in oncolytic anti-cancer therapy. Justin L. Sparks, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow '15-'19) Harvard Medical School Dr. Sparks is investigating the cellular machinery that carries out DNA replication and how this process can go awry in cancer cells. Specifically, he is focusing on the eukaryotic replisome, which is a complex of enzymes that helps cellular DNA replicate during cell division. He has found that the replisome can overcome bulky obstacles on a DNA strand, such as DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs), during replication to maintain genome integrity. DPCs, generated from cellular metabolites and environmental mutagens, are likely important for cancer etiology. Faulty DNA replication and repair are hallmarks of all cancers. Thus, his research has the potential to uncover new drug targets that can prevent genome instability and the evolution of cancers leading to therapeutic resistance. November 2018 Damon Runyon Fellows: Amelia N. Chang, PhD, with her sponsor Michael E. Greenberg, PhD, at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, is investigating the role of activity-regulated gene expression in human brain evolution. Activity-regulated pathways control critical brain functions and modulate tumor growth in multiple cancers. These pathways are broadly conserved across all mammals, but newer studies have identified features that are unique to primates and may influence important aspects of brain function and tumor progression. Dr. Chang will study the function, regulation, and evolution of primate-specific genes. Through these experiments, she aims to uncover molecular insight into what makes humans susceptible to cancer. Elizabeth Costa, PhD [Robert Black Fellow] with her sponsor Sebastian Lourido, PhD, at the Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, is studying how cells interact with one another through cell-surface adhesion molecules. During cancer progression, cancer cells can change expression of some of these molecules to metastasize and evade the immune system. Dr. Costa is using the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can recognize and invade nearly all mammalian cells, to uncover novel proteins involved in this recognition. By characterizing the specificity of these interactions for different host cells, she hopes to expand the ability to recognize and mark specific cells, which could be harnessed for cancer diagnostics and therapeutic intervention. Gregory P. Donaldson, PhD [Robert Black Fellow] with his sponsor Daniel Mucida, PhD, at The Rockefeller University, New York, is investigating the difference between a healthy mucosal surface and a tumor-promoting surface in the gut. Bacteria in the gut associate intimately with the surface of the intestine, where they exert a constant influence on the immune system throughout an organism's life. Studies indicate that certain gut bacteria in cancer patients reside in the mucus of the intestinal surface and may promote (or potentially inhibit) the growth of tumors, perhaps through effects on the immune system. Uncovering specific "molecular conversations" that maintain a healthy community of mucosal bacteria may lead to novel therapies to prevent the origin of colorectal cancers in addition to treating existing tumors. Yuan Gao, PhD [HHMI Fellow] with his sponsor Tom A. Rapoport, PhD, at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, aims to understand the mechanism that proteins inside the cell use to enter peroxisomes. Peroxisomes are organelles that play important roles in fatty acid degradation, ether-phospholipid biosynthesis, and breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. Mutations in genes that cause faulty peroxisome function, particularly those that affect matrix protein import, result in a variety of severe inherited human diseases referred to as peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD). Cancer cell lines also strongly depend on peroxisomes for survival, which suggests that pharmacologic targeting of peroxisomes could be a novel cancer therapy. Dr. Gao is using a combination of biochemical and biophysical approaches to investigate the peroxisomal import machinery with the goal of deciphering its mechanism and developing better cancer therapies. Thomas H. Mann, PhD, with his sponsor Susan M. Kaech, PhD, at the Salk Institute, La Jolla, is investigating why the "killer" T cells of our immune system gradually lose the ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy aims to revitalize these dysfunctional "exhausted" T cells, but a better understanding of how T cells recognize markers on cancer cells called antigens is needed. Dr. Mann is testing the response of engineered T cells to antigen stimulation at different durations, frequencies, and intensities. These studies will focus on understanding the role of calcium signaling in the failure of T cell response. Unraveling the molecular mechanism of T cell exhaustion may help in the design of therapies to prevent or alter its progression, potentially leading to improved immunotherapies. Aaron Moye, PhD, with his sponsor Carla Kim, PhD, at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, is studying early-stage lung cancer. Specifically, he is investigating the cell-to-cell cross talk between lung cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment and how this cellular communication promotes early-stage lung cancer initiation and progression. Dr. Moye aims to discover secreted factors that can be used in diagnosis and to identify new targets for drug development that interfere with the lung cancer microenvironment. Alexandra Nguyen, PhD, with her sponsor Iain M. Cheeseman, PhD, at the Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, aims to identify the molecular differences between cancer cells and healthy cells, using large-scale genetic approaches in acute myeloid leukemias. Cancer cells exhibit a high degree of diversity in the cellular pathways utilized for survival. Identifying these cellular differences could provide a method to strategically target and kill cancerous cells while minimizing the off-target effects to healthy cells. Abigail Overacre-Delgoffe, PhD, with her sponsors Timothy W. Hand, PhD, and Olivera Finn, PhD, at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, is utilizing unique tools to address how the interaction between the host's immune system and gut microbes affects colon tumor progression and patient responsiveness to current immunotherapies. Currently, colon cancer patients show an extremely limited response to immune-based therapies and have very poor survival rates. The colon is a unique environment that is composed of host cells and numerous bacteria and microbes that have evolved with the host. Dr. Overacre-Delgoffe aims to understand the basic mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance due to microbiome-immune system interactions, which may aid in developing more effective therapeutics for colon cancer. Juhee Pae, PhD, with her sponsor Gabriel Victora, PhD, at The Rockefeller University, New York, is investigating the regulation of immune B cell proliferation in Germinal Centers (GCs). While this process is critical for bodies to resist infection, it must be carefully regulated. On one hand, not having enough B cells can lead to immunodeficiency and susceptibility to infections. Conversely, inappropriate activation is a major driver of malignant transformation and cancers such as B cell lymphomas. Dr. Pae's research has the potential to shed light on how lymphomas form and to aid in the rational design of cancer therapeutics. Ariana Peck, PhD [The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research Fellow] with her sponsor Grant Jensen, PhD, at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, is developing a new method to determine the three-dimensional structures of proteins. Though X-ray crystallography has determined protein structure for decades, many proteins involved in cancer form crystals that are a million-fold too small to be studied by this method. Applying the microscopy technique of electron cryotomography to these nanocrystals holds the potential to overcome this limitation and resolve the atomic architectures of these difficult-to-characterize proteins. Such detailed structural information is critical for understanding the molecular basis of cancer and accelerating drug discovery. Jessica Sheu-Gruttadauria, PhD, with her sponsor Ronald D. Vale, PhD, at the University of California, San Francisco, is investigating the assembly and function of an important but poorly understood class of cellular compartments called membrane-less organelles. Classically, cellular activities are efficiently organized in membrane-bound compartments. Membrane-less organelles utilize newly discovered mechanisms for molecular organization that allow them to function in the absence of a membrane. Disruption of membrane-less organelles is a hallmark of many cancers, but how they are structured and regulated is a mystery. Dr. Sheu-Gruttadauria aims to determine how the unique assembly features of these important cellular structures contribute to biological function and how they may be co-opted to drive cancer growth. Sukrit Silas, PhD with his sponsors Jonathan S. Weissman, PhD, and Carol Gross, PhD, at the University of California, San Francisco, is investigating how naturally occurring microbial and viral proteins might be utilized in the fight against cancer. Complex interactions in bacterial communities (such as the gut microbiome) can often lead to genetic information being exchanged, modified, and reused by competing species. Dr. Silas will develop strategies to control the composition and behavior of these communities, potentially helping to mitigate the threat from antibiotic resistance and infectious disease, which can result in serious clinical complications in patients. Digvijay Singh, PhD, with his sponsor Elizabeth Villa, PhD, at the University of California, San Diego, is using cryo-electron tomography for structural investigations of the phase-separated transcriptional sites inside the cells. Faulty regulation of transcription from DNA to RNA is one of the major hallmarks of cancer. Dr. Singh aims to gain knowledge about the transcriptional sites to explain how different components come together to carry out transcription, their relationships with the rest of the cell, and what can go wrong in the process to cause disease. Sharanya Sivanand, PhD, with her sponsor Matthew G. Vander Heiden, MD, PhD, at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, aims to study how metabolic alterations impact pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastases. Pancreatic tumors primarily metastasize to the liver and the lung. It is known that genetics, tissue of origin, and tumor microenvironments can impose metabolic demands on cancer cells. However, it is unclear whether primary tumors and associated metastases during disease progression are metabolically different. Her research will provide insight into metabolic demands of tumors originating in the pancreas and identify metabolic liabilities that may restrict metastatic growth to certain tissue types. Adam J. Stevens, PhD [HHMI Fellow] with his sponsor Wendell A. Lim, PhD, at the University of California, San Francisco, aims to discover how engineered immune cells may be applied to the treatment of solid tumors that limit the infiltration of endogenous T cells. Dr. Stevens is using protein engineering to design synthetic receptors that direct T cells to tumor-associated antigens and facilitate penetration into the tumor. Once inside the tumor, the engineered cells should serve as signaling hubs to recruit additional immune cells and kill the cancer cells. Jonathan G. Van Vranken, PhD [The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research Fellow] with his sponsor Steven Gygi, PhD, at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, is focusing on the metabolic alterations associated with human cancers. In order to support normal physiology, all cells must obtain nutrients from the environment and allocate them toward both the production of energy and synthesis of cellular building blocks. Cancer cells often reprogram their metabolism to support the uncontrolled growth associated with tumors. Dr. Van Vranken is using mass spectrometry-based approaches to investigate the mechanisms underlying the changes in cellular metabolism. His research will shed light on how metabolites interact with the proteome (all the proteins in a cell) to support cell growth and proliferation. Jingyi Wu, PhD, with her sponsor Bradley Bernstein, MD, PhD, at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, is studying the epigenetic profile of glioma brain tumors at single cell resolution. Epigenetic alterations, which change gene expression without any changes to the underlying DNA sequence, can affect cancer driver genes in many tumor types, including gliomas. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations are often reversible and are promising drug targets. Dr. Wu aims to determine whether there are various subpopulations of cells with distinct epigenetic features within a tumor, and whether the epigenetic differences endow these subpopulations with distinct properties, such as propensity for growth or drug resistance. These studies will lay the groundwork for precision treatment strategies targeting the fast-growing and drug-resistant cells within gliomas, and potentially other tumor types. Ge Zheng, PhD [HHMI Fellow] with her sponsor Stuart Orkin, MD, at Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, is taking an interdisciplinary approach to understand how transcription factors that regulate the transcription of DNA to RNA malfunction in human cancers. The B cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A) gene encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor, which plays a critical role in silencing fetal globin expression in the fetal-to-adult switch in red blood cells and is implicated in cancer. Dr. Zheng aims to develop novel approaches to interfere with BCL11A function, which will provide a general strategy to manipulate transcription factors as molecular targets for therapeutic benefit. ### DAMON RUNYON CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION To accelerate breakthroughs, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation provides today's best young scientists with funding to pursue innovative research. Damon Runyon has gained worldwide prominence in cancer research by identifying outstanding researchers and physician-scientists. Twelve past awardees have received the Nobel Prize, and others are heads of cancer centers and leaders of renowned research programs. Each award program is extremely competitive, with less than 10% of applications funded. Since its founding in 1946, Damon Runyon has invested over $360 million and funded over 3,700 young scientists. This year, it will commit approximately $19 million in new awards to bold and brilliant young investigators. 100% of all donations to Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation support scientific research. Administrative and fundraising costs are paid from its Damon Runyon Broadway Tickets Service and endowment. For more information visit http://www. damonrunyon. org CONTACT Ronni Berke Director of Communications and Marketing Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Ronni.berke@damonrunyon.org 212.455.0504 (NEW YORK) January 29, 2019 -- A study conducted by Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania sheds light on the factors that influence young people's access to and use of alcohol, and subsequent engagement in safe or unsafe sexual behaviors. The results showed that alcohol use intersects with a spatial dimension in relation to where youths are consuming alcohol and subsequently engaging in sex which, in turn, influences their likelihood of using condoms and practicing safer sex. The findings are published online in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. "Our study aimed to understand the spaces in which young people are engaging in sex after drinking alcohol, the ways in which space is influenced by social and cultural perspectives and the economic realities of their lives and, that in turn, influence their likelihood of using condoms in such contexts," said first author Marni Sommer, DrPH, RN, associate professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia Mailman School. The researchers explored the experiences and perspectives of 177 adolescent girls and boys in and out of school in four sites across Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These included in-depth interviews with the adolescents as well as adults; mapping alcohol density outlets and advertising around schools and youth centers, and participatory activities conducted with adolescent boys and girls in and out of school. Very frequently described spaces for sex after alcohol included guesthouses and rented rooms--both articulated as spaces more likely to be used when there was some advance planning or preparation with regard to the likelihood of a sexual encounter after drinking. Young people said these spaces were preferred for their convenience, comfort, and for the ready availability of condoms. By contrast, youth described a range of situations in which they might have sex after drinking and no condoms would be available, such as cars, toilets in bars, the beach, classrooms after school, and alleys. Young people described gendered norms around adolescent girls' ability to be away from home, with the expectation that they return to their houses by a certain hour, added an additional pressure of time that pushed for more rushed sex in whatever convenient spaces might exist after drinking. Poorer youth may also be more likely to engage in "rushed sex" due to cost of safer spaces, such as guesthouses. The alcohol context in Tanzania, as in many sub-Saharan African countries, has been under-studied, despite data indicating heavy episodic drinking (21 percent males; 14 percent females) among Tanzanians. Sommer and colleagues felt it was important to conduct research to better understand the ways in which the use of alcohol among young people in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those with a high-density of alcohol outlets, is intersecting with their sexual encounters, and how this dynamic is influencing the practice of safer sex. An earlier study led by Sommer and Dr. Sylvia Kaaya at MUHAS of adolescent boys in rural and urban Tanzania revealed the intense peer pressure boys experience from older adolescent boys and men to consume alcohol to demonstrate their manhood, and how the use of alcohol helped them to overcome their shyness around approaching or "seducing" girls. Unique to the latest study was the inclusion of adolescent girls and boys in a range of participatory activities, such as photovoice, mapping, and story writing, that enabled insights into the alcohol-sex dynamics from the perspectives of young people themselves. Sommer recommends that future research identify new and innovative ways to assure that condoms are more widely accessible for youth engaging in sex. She also sees a critical need for structural and environmental interventions that both reduce youth access to alcohol, and increase the availability and accessibility of condoms in spaces and situations where alcohol is sold or consumed. "It is key to keep youth at the center of public health research focused on improving their sexual and reproductive health," said Sommer. "They are the knowers of their own lives, and often have the most useful insights for how to best address the vulnerabilities they encounter in daily life." ### The study was supported by the National Institutes on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Cardiff University researchers have uncovered new information about the underlying mechanisms for gastric cancer, providing hope of potential new therapies in the future. The team, at the University's European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, found they could stop gastric cells dividing and growing by deleting a particular cell-surface receptor implicated in the function of stem cells. Dr Toby Phesse, Cardiff University, said: "The prognosis of gastric cancer is very poor, with very few treatment options available to patients, and thus we desperately need new clinical treatments for this disease. "Some patients with gastric cancer have mutations in genes that are involved in the regulation of Wnt - a cell signalling pathway involved in cell division. It drives the development of cancer and the spread of cancers throughout the body. "We also see an increase in some of the Fzd receptors, which transmit Wnt signalling, and this is linked to poor prognosis in gastric cancer. "Despite this evidence, there is limited research investigating the potential of targeting Wnt receptors as a treatment for gastric cancers. We aimed to understand the implications of inhibiting Wnt by targeting Fzd receptors and whether this could be used as an effective treatment." The scientists targeted a specific Fzd receptor called Fzd7, as this was identified the predominant Wnt receptor responsible for the function of stem cells in the stomach and intestine. They found that deletion of Fzd7 in gastric cells made these cells unable to respond to Wnt signals and they failed to divide and grow. Dr Phesse added: "This information gives us a potential new therapeutic route for gastric cancers, as we could target Fzd7 and consequently inhibit Wnt signalling and tumour growth. In fact, Vantictumab is a drug known to inhibit several Fzd receptors, including Fzd7, and is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of other cancers - like pancreatic, lung and breast. "We have now shown in this work that Vantictumab has potent anti-tumour effects in gastric tumours with and without mutations to the Wnt pathway. "This research extends the scope of patients that may benefit from this therapy, to now include gastric cancer patients, and future work will establish if we can proceed with clinical trials targeting Wnt receptors for this devastating disease." ### This research, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Institute of Medical Biology Singapore, and Oncomed Pharmaceuticals, is published online in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Researchers in Singapore have built a refrigerator that's just three atoms big. This quantum fridge won't keep your drinks cold, but it's cool proof of physics operating at the smallest scales. The work is described in a paper published 14 January in Nature Communications. Researchers have built tiny 'heat engines' before, but quantum fridges existed only as proposals until the team at the Centre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore chilled with their atoms. The device is an "absorption refrigerator". It works without moving parts, using heat to drive a cooling process. The first absorption refrigerators, introduced in the 1850s, cycled the evaporation and absorption of a liquid, with cooling happening during the evaporation stage. They were widely used to make ice and chill food into the 20th Century. Albert Einstein even held a patent on an improved design. Today's fridges and air conditioners more often use a compressor, but absorption refrigerators still have their uses - science experiments included. "Our device is the first implementation of the absorption refrigeration cycle on the nanoscale," says co-author Stefan Nimmrichter. To create an absorption fridge with just three atoms took exquisite control. "As an experimental scientist, it's a pure joy to be able to manipulate individual atoms," says Gleb Maslennikov, the paper's first author. First, the researchers caught and held three atoms of the element Ytterbium in a metal chamber from which they'd removed all the air. They also pulled one electron off each atom to leave them with a positive charge. The charged atoms - called ions - can then be held in place with electric fields. Meanwhile, the researchers nudge and zap the ions with lasers to bring them into their lowest energy state of motion. The result is that the ions are suspended almost perfectly still, strung out in a line. Another laser zap then injects some heat, making the ions wiggle about. The ions interact with each other because of their like charges. The result is three patterns of wiggle - squishing and stretching along the line, like a slinky, rocking like a seesaw pivoting about the central atom, and zig-zagging out from the line like a waving skipping rope. The energy in each wiggling mode is quantized, with the energy carried by a number of 'phonons'. By tuning the wiggling frequencies, the researchers set up conditions for refrigeration: making it such that a phonon moving from the see-saw to the slinky mode will drag a phonon from the zig-zag mode with it. The zig-zag mode thus loses energy, and its temperature drops. At its coldest, it is within 40 microKelvin of absolute zero (-273C), the coldest temperature possible. Each round of preparing the ions and counting phonons took up to 70 milliseconds, with cooling happening for around 1ms. This process was repeated thousands of times. Studying such small devices is important to see how thermodynamics - our best understanding of heat flows - may need tweaking to reflect more fundamental laws. The principles of thermodynamics are based on the average behaviours of big systems. They don't take quantum effects into account, which matters for scientists building nanomachines and quantum devices. To test quantum thermodynamics, the researchers made careful measurements of how phonons spread through the modes over time. In particular, the researchers tested whether a quantum effect known as 'squeezing' would boost the quantum fridge's performance. Squeezing means the team fixed more precisely the position of the ions. Because of the quantum uncertainty principle, that increases the fluctuation in momentum. In turn, this boosts the average number of phonons in the see-saw mode that drives the cooling. To the team's surprise, squeezing didn't help the fridge. "If you have a finite amount of energy to spend, it's better to turn it directly into heat than use it preparing a squeezed state," says Dzmitry Matsukevich, who led the experimental work. However, they find the maximum amount of cooling, achieved with a method dubbed 'single shot', exceeds what classical equilibrium thermodynamics predicts. In this approach, the team stop the refrigeration effect by de-tuning the wiggling modes before it reaches its natural endpoint. The cooling overshoots the equilibrium. Physicist Valerio Scarani, another member of the team, is looking forward to taking things further. "The next question is, can you cool what you want with it? So far, we have the engine of the fridge, but not the box for the beer," he says. ### Reference: "Quantum absorption refrigerator with trapped ions" Nature Communications 10, 202 (2019) https:/ / www. nature. com/ articles/ s41467-018-08090-0 This research is supported by the Singapore Ministry of Education through the Academic Research Fund Tier 2 (Grant No. MOE2016-T2-1-141) and Tier 3 (Grant No. MOE2012-T3-1-009); by the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister's Office, Singapore, through the Competitive Research Programme (Award No. NRF-CRP12-2013-03); and by both above-mentioned sources, under the Research Centres of Excellence programme. Media contacts: Gleb Maslennikov Senior Research Fellow Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore cqtmg@nus.edu.sg Dzmitry Matsukevich Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore phymd@nus.edu.sg Valerio Scarani Principal Investigator and Professor Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore physv@nus.edu.sg Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a cellulose material produced by microbial fermentation with a unique porous network structure. Functionalized BC has application prospects in many fields, such as chemical sensing, biological imaging, and oil adsorption. At present, BC is often functionalized through physical coating or chemical modification. Physical coating can provide a mild modification condition, but functional moieties potentially suffer from shedding. Chemically modified materials are difficult to implement for industrial-scale production, due to their poor performance and serious environmental pollution. Recently, a research team led by Prof. XIAN Mo and ZHANG Haibo from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a new method for bacterial cellulose functionalization. BC with unnatural fluorescent functionality was obtained through in situ fermentation of Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans (K. sucrofermentans, a microorganism that produces BC), using 6-carboxyfluorescein-modified glucose (6CF- Glc, a modified glucose molecule that has fluorescence) as a substrate (Fig. 1). The method proved the feasibility of in situ synthesis of functional materials by microbial fermentation, achieved the microbial synthesis of fluorescent functional cellulose materials and successfully extended synthetic biology to the field of material functionalization. The excellent properties of the functional materials were analyzed by various methods and compared with that of cellulose obtained by traditional modification methods. The results showed that the new method had the advantages of environmental protection, low cost, controllable and uniform distribution of functional moieties, and solving the bottleneck problem in the synthesis and performance of functional materials. The new method was also expected to achieve the chiral modification of functional molecules on specific molecular sites. This work provides not only new insights and ideas for the biosynthesis of functional BC materials, but also a new perspective for the in situ synthesis of other functional materials by microorganisms. ### The study, published in Nature Communications, was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Youth Promotion Association, the Hainan Provincial Key Research and Development Program and the Shandong Taishan Climbing Program. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - Smart knee implants may soon be a reality thanks to research conducted by a team including faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Knee replacement surgery is the most common joint replacement procedure, with the number of surgeries increasing every year. Many of those surgeries are done to replace an older implant or one that has worn out. Increasingly, this surgery is being performed for younger, more active patients who are faced with a dilemma. When they undergo the surgery, they are expected to remain physically active for their overall health, but that activity can also wear down the new implant. Often, doctors don't know if patients are overexerting themselves until they begin to develop symptoms. By that point, the damage to the implant has already been done. For a young patient, going through knee replacement surgery every five or 10 years is a daunting task, but finding the perfect balance of activity levels to maintain the integrity of the implant has been equally daunting. Researchers decided it was time to create smarter knee implants that could monitor changes in activity as they happened. Assistant Professor Sherry Towfighian from Binghamton University served as the lead principal investigator on the study, which has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "We are working on a knee implant that has built-in sensors that can monitor how much pressure is being put on the implant so doctors can have a clearer understanding of how much activity is negatively affecting the implant," said Towfighian. The sensors allow doctors to tell patients when a certain movement has become too much for the implant so patients can quickly adjust and avoid further damage to the implant. It helps them find the sweet spot of activity for each particular patient. While the sensors solved one problem, they brought in another. The researchers did not want to power the sensors with a battery that might need to be replaced periodically and therefore, defeat the purpose of a smart implant. Instead, they worked on an energy harvesting mechanism that can power the knee implant from motion. Wathiq Ibrahim, a postdoc in Towfighian's group, developed a prototype of the energy harvester and tested that under a mechanical testing machine to examine its output under equivalent body loads. They used triboelectric energy, a type of energy that is collected from friction. Once someone walks, the friction of the micro-surfaces coming into contact with each other can be used to power the load sensors. Associate Professor Emre Salman from Stony Brook University designed the circuit and determined that it would need 4.6 microwatts. The preliminary testing showed the average person's walk will produce six microwatts of power, more than enough to power the sensors. This part of the research was complemented by Assistant Professor Ryan Willing from the University of Western Ontario, who worked on the implant design and the package of the sensor. These smart implants will not only give feedback to doctors but will help researchers in the development of future implants. "The sensors will tell us more about the demands that are placed on implants, and with that knowledge, researchers can start to improve the implants even more," said Towfighian. Towfighian is hopeful that the combination of activity sensors and a self-powered system will increase the life span of knee implants and reduce the need for follow-up surgeries. For young patients looking at the possibility of knee replacement surgery, this development has the potential to be life-changing. ### This research has been supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institute of Health under award number R21AR068572. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The research was published in Smart Materials and Structures. TEL AVIV, Israel...January 29, 2019 - Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), today announced a strategic, multi-year research collaboration, in which Rafael will collaborate with BGU in a variety of fields, including cyber security, smart mobility, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). The agreement was signed at the Cybertech 2019 conference in Tel Aviv by Netta Cohen, chief executive officer of BGN Technologies, and Dr. Ran Gozali, executive vice president and head of Rafael's R&D and Engineering Division. This partnership follows Rafael's decision to build an R&D center of excellence in Beer-Sheva's high-tech park, which is located adjacent to BGU, to benefit from the University's talents and expertise in these fields. The new center--to be launched later this year--will focus on different aspects of advanced autonomous systems. "Rafael's decision to have a significant presence at the high-tech park adjacent to BGU, together with the partnership signed today, is a clear indication of our researchers' leadership in hardware and data related innovation," Cohen said at the signing ceremony. "We are looking forward to closely working with Rafael, a world leader in advanced defense systems, on a variety of cutting-edge projects in different disciplines." The first two projects will focus on exploring the risk of cyber security breaches in sensors of autonomous cars and how these threats might be mitigated. Autonomous driving requires the use of multiple sensor systems including cameras, radars, and lidar-based systems, all of which can be targets of cyberattacks. AI and machine learning techniques will be used for identifying and mapping the different possible security breaches, and then solutions to protect against these threats will be developed. Dr. Ran Gozali said, "Cyber security is one of the biggest challenges in almost every aspect of modern-day life. This partnership will help support our advanced autonomous solutions, by working with prominent experts in the field, such as the researchers at Ben-Gurion University. We are certain that the collaboration will help maintain the qualitative edge and innovative solutions that are offered by Rafael to its customers." Rafael has had vast experience in the cyber arena over the past 25 years. As a leader in the field, Rafael has implemented cyber defense projects around the world. In Israel, this includes the national Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT), considered one of the world's most advanced, and the cyber defense system for Israel National Central Credit Registry and Israel's Railways Authority. Rafael has also been awarded a cyber defense contract by the Ministry of Defense of Argentina. ### About Rafael Rafael develops and manufactures advanced defense systems for the Israel Defense Forces and the defense establishment, as well as for foreign customers around the world. The company offers its customers a diversified array of innovative solutions at the leading edge of global technology, from underwater systems through naval, ground and air defense systems to cyber and space systems. These include the Iron Dome and the David's Sling Air Defense system, the Trophy Active Protection System for armored vehicles, and many others. Rafael was established in 1948 as Israel's Defense Ministry national research and development laboratory. Rafael's systems are based on vast expertise, technological know-how and a thorough understanding of specific operational requirements. Today, Rafael is one of Israel's largest defense companies, employing 8,000 workers and hundreds of sub-contractors, with a 2017 net profit of $124 million and sales totaling $2.2 billion. Visit Rafael's website. About BGN Technologies BGN Technologies is the technology transfer company of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the third largest university in Israel. BGN Technologies brings technological innovations from the lab to the market and fosters research collaborations and entrepreneurship among researchers and students. To date, BGN Technologies has established over 100 startup companies in the fields of biotech, high-tech and cleantech and has initiated leading technology hubs, incubators and accelerators. Over the past decade, BGN Technologies has focused on creating long-term partnerships with multinational corporations such as Deutsche Telekom, Dell-EMC, PayPal, and Lockheed Martin, securing value and growth for Ben-Gurion University as well as the Negev region. For more information, visit the BGN Technologies website. About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more. Turkish concerns over N. Syria must be resolved Revolutionary Guards commander, meanwhile, hails Ankara for acting independently of US policy. Turkeys anxieties regarding northern Syria must be resolved through negotiations, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday. ASTANA PROCESS At a press conference held in Tehran, Bahram Qassemi noted Ankaras earlier pledges to respect Syrias territorial integrity. Turkey understandably has concerns about northern Syria, which must be resolved through negotiations within the framework of the Astana process, he said. At a 2017 meeting in the Kazakh capital, the three guarantor countries -- Russia, Turkey, and Iran -- agreed to establish a network of de-escalation zones inside Syria in which acts of aggression were to be expressly prohibited. In a related development on Monday, Hossein Salami, second-in-command of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, was quoted as saying that Turkey appeared to be acting independently of the US. Ankara now appears to be acting independently of US policy, Salami said. Meanwhile, he added, the US is moving towards extinction, despite its appearance of power -- a fact that is betrayed by its planned withdrawal from Syria. Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected severity. Turkey is ready to take action in Syria Turkey will take new actions against terrorists across the border in Syria "when the time comes," the country's defense minister said on Tuesday. Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that Turkey's preparations for possible operation east of Euphrates River, Syria are ready. "TURKISH ARMY TARGETS ONLY TERRORISTS" "When the time comes, the necessary actions will be taken both in Manbij and east of the Euphrates," said Hulusi Akar, referring to a counter-terrorist operation long pledged by Turkish leaders. He added that the only target of the Turkish Armed Forces is terrorists. Akar also said Turkey welcomed the Kurdish Regional Government's "timely" reactions and measures against an attack on a Turkish base in Iraq. On Saturday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said a base belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq was attacked due to provocation by the PKK terrorist group. Since 2016, Turkeys Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in northwestern Syria have liberated the region -- including Al-Bab, Afrin, and Azaz -- of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists, making it possible for Syrians who fled violence there to return home. France's Macron visits bombed-out church in Cairo At least 29 people were killed in suicide bombing in a Cairo church in 2016. French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday visited a church that was the target of a suicide bombing in Cairo in 2016. MACRON HAD CRITICIZED EGYPT'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD At least 29 people were killed when a bomber blew himself inside the Botroseya Church, which is adjacent to Cairo's St Mark's Cathedral, the capital's largest church and seat of the Coptic papacy, in 2016, for which the Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility. Macron was accompanied by Coptic Pope Tawadros II during the visit, according to a statement issued by the Cathedral Church. Macron is scheduled to conclude a three-day visit to Egypt on Tuesday, during which he held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. On Monday, Macron criticized Egypt's human rights record, while al-Sisi insisted that his authorities were respecting human rights, saying his country was facing a violent insurgency. Belgium calls for credible elections in Venezuela Peaceful political process must precipitate elections, foreign minister tells reporters. Belgiums foreign minister on Friday called for credible elections in Venezuela. Didier Reynders told the press at UN headquarters in New York that his country supports Venezuela's National Assembly, saying that a peaceful political process should precipitate elections. MADURO HAD SLAMMED THE DECISION Opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president Wednesday following mass demonstrations across Venezuela over the countrys economic crisis, invoking a clause in the Venezuelan Constitution. The announcement was followed by a statement from US President Donald Trump recognizing Guaido as the countrys acting president. Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay followed suit while Bolivia and Mexico continued to recognize the countrys elected president, Nicolas Maduro. Maduro slammed Washingtons decision to recognize Guaido, saying his country was cutting off diplomatic relations with the US and giving American diplomats three days to leave the country. The services celebrating and honoring the life of Loretta Ball, 91, of Enid are pending under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family online at WWW.Brown-Cummings.com. UK study investigates plastic uptake in scallops A UK scientist says its too early to tell whether the presence of nano-plastics in scallops is a cause for concern. A study by the University of Plymouth revealed that billions of the tiny particles, invisible to the human eye, can accumulate in the shellfish in just six hours, but are also quickly released. Using a radioactive tracer, the researchers followed the plastic to see how it passed through the filter feeders digestive system. The university chose scallops because theyre a large shellfish, making them easier to study, and conducted the experiments in a controlled environment. Professor Richard Thompson led the study; he says it was an attempt to scope the horizon of nano-plastics in the marine environment. In his view, the study has no implications for the fishing industry at this stage, and wouldnt stop him enjoying a few scallops for dinner. Professor Thompson says the next step is to investigate whether the results in scallops are the same for other creatures, and then look at whether the particles are benign or harmful. The academic, who cut his teeth at the Marine Biological Centre in Port Erin, has been explaining the scallop study to Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne: Media Manx Trust Tourism businesses urged to consider Equality Act Local tourism businesses will be able to find out more the Equality Act during a special session tomorrow. The first phase of the Equality Act 2017 came into force on 1st January. The Act aims to protect individuals from discrimination, harassment and victimisation in both the workplace and the provision of goods and services. For tourism business operators, this means that you will need to consider how the Equality Act affects you when delivering your services and /or if you employ people. Visit Isle of Man is hosting the information session for local tourism businesses at the iMuseum, Kingswood Grove on Wednesday at 6pm. Cracked windscreen forces emergency landing at Ronaldsway A plane flying from the Isle of Man to London was forced to make an emergency return to the island yesterday. Loganair's BA Cityflyer flight to London City Airport had to turn around over the Irish Sea after the aircraft's windscreen cracked. The airline said none of the 22 passengers or three crew on board the plane were injured. You will receive full, ad-free access to ElkValleyTimes.com as well as full access to the Electronic Edition of the newspaper. ONLY $3.00 per month for the first 3 months! Only $3.25 per month after promotional period. Or ONLY $33.75 per year for the 1st year Only $36.75 per year after promotional period. Mexico City, Jan 28 (efe-epa).- President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday that Mexico will maintain its principle of nonintervention and the right of national self-determination in its approach to the crisis in Venezuela. "Our position is the same. It is what our constitution establishes. We are not going to move from there," he said during his daily press conference. Mexico has to respect "the principles of non-intervention, self-determination of people and peaceful settlement of disputes," the president said. He also mentioned that Mexican diplomats have recommended acting according to these principles and being "very careful." In this way, Lopez Obrador said, it will also be possible to "strengthen sovereignty" and to ensure that "there will not be any foreign government wanting to interfere in Mexico's internal affairs." Venezuela's long-running political crisis moved to a more acute phase last Wednesday when the speaker of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself interim head of state. The opposition, supported by the United States, Washington's allies in Latin America and many European nations, said that last May's presidential election was illegitimate and they refuse to recognize leftist incumbent Nicolas Maduro as president. Last Thursday, Maduro accepted an offer from Mexico and Uruguay to mediate between the parties. Guaido says that the incumbent must step down as a precondition for talks. Ever since he took office as Mexico's president on Dec. 1, Lopez Obrador has said that he will adhere to the principle of non-intervention in foreign affairs. Based on this principle, Mexico did not sign the Lima Group declaration in early January, a declaration in which the member countries agreed not to recognize the legitimacy of a new Nicolas Maduro government and urged him not to take office on Jan. 10. The governments of Spain, France, Germany, Portugal and the United Kingdom on Saturday issued an ultimatum giving Maduro eight days to call new elections, saying that if he fails to do so, they will recognize Guaido as president of the country. Clashes over the past week between opposition protesters and Venezuelan security forces have led to at least 35 deaths and 850 arrests, according to figures from human rights organizations. La Paz, Jan 29 (epa-efe).- Hundreds of Bolivian troops were deployed Tuesday on the streets of La Paz to collect some 1,500 tons of garbage that had accumulated due to a dispute between the city government and a neighboring town. With faces and hands protected by cloth masks and rubber gloves, the soldiers were out working before dawn. Sopocachi was one of the neighborhoods visited by the soldiers, with residents expressing their relief upon seeing the piles of garbage disappear from the street corners. "This problem should have been solved sooner, not after waiting so many days for the trash to pile up. It was already causing infections," resident Hernan Garcia told EFE. Defense Minister Javier Zavaleta confirmed that for the time being 1,000 soldiers have been deployed, along with dump trucks and backhoes, to help clean up the city. "As we need more troops, we will incorporate as many as necessary," he said in remarks reported by state news agency ABI. In addition to the military, personnel with the cleaning company hired by the municipality are also out collecting garbage. For almost the past two weeks, on the streets of this city of nearly 1 million inhabitants, some 1,500 tons of garbage has been accumulating, spreading unpleasant smells and increasing public health risks. The mobilization of the military was part of the agreement signed Monday by La Paz Mayor Luis Revilla and Achocalla Mayor Damaso Ninaja in the presence of President Evo Morales. The dispute arose after a landslide in the capital's sanitary landfill on the city's outskirts adjacent to Achocalla, resulting in the spread of garbage and the leaching of noxious liquids for hundreds of meters. Achocalla residents blocked garbage trucks' access to the dump demanding that it be permanently closed, something that the mayor of La Paz agreed to do last Friday. The agreement signed on Monday stipulates that La Paz has 30 days to submit a plan for closing the dump and during that time it may continue to deposit waste at the site, but it must be definitively closed within 60 days. "The series finally brought to light that we're not the only ones being impacted, that this is a serious problem across the board, and that the industry should be held accountable." Ronald E. O'Dell, 60, of Altamont, died at 1:08 p.m., Sunday, June 13, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Sidener Cemetery, rural St. Elmo with Robert O'Dell officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., F . Nedbank lived up to its slogan as the green bank in a decision to withdraw its funding of two proposed new coal-fired power stations in South Africa, Thabametsi and Khanyisa. This decision fits with the banking groups commitment to green funding, responsible lending and supporting sustainability initiatives. The bank says its initial proposal for funding the construction of the Thabametsi and Khanyisa independent power producers (IPPs) has lapsed and will not be renewed. This follows a corporate policy announced in early 2018 that the bank would no longer fund the construction of any new coal-fired power plants beyond its existing commitments to fund Thabametsi and Khanyisa, which were included as part of the new coal IPP programme in the South African Department of Energys draft integrated resource plan for electricity, Draft IRP 2018. The proposed Thabametsi 557 MW coal-fired power station, which would be largely owned by Japans Marubeni and South Koreas Kepco, was planned to be built near Lephalale in Limpopo, while the Khanyisa 306 MW power station was to be sited near eMalahleni in Mpumalanga. The biggest shareholder of Khanyisa would be Saudi-owned Acwa Power. Nedbank appears to prefer to offer financing for projects in energy efficiency and renewable energy, such as landfill gas, solar, hydro and wind projects. The bank says in its core business of lending and investing, it has a crucial role to play in transforming the economy and addressing climate change and that it seeks to use [its] financial expertise to do good for individuals, businesses and society. Nedbanks announcement follows reports in September 2018 of Standard Banks withdrawal of financing the construction of coal-fired power. Currently, it appears that FirstRand, ABSA and the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) are still willing to offer funding for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa projects, but this may change. Nedbank and Standard Bank have followed the global trend of financial institutions refusing to fund the construction new coal-fired power plants. Funding is not the only challenge faced by the two new coal IPPs. Credible high court challenges (reviews of the environmental authorisations) are underway, and atmospheric emission licences, water-use licences and generation licences for both projects are either outstanding or being challenged. Has a tipping point been reached? Bloomberg reports that global clean energy investment may finally have reached a tipping point having exceeded US$300-billion over the past 5 years. At the same time, the LA Times reports that Germany is set to close all 84 of its coal-fired power stations over the next 19 years, and will rely primarily on renewables by 2038. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that environmental concerns and dramatically falling technology costs are making renewables the most cost-effective source of new power generation in much of the world. According to the International Energy Agencys report Coal 2018 , electricity from coal is growing in Southeast Asia and India, but is flat or declining in most other parts of the world including South Africa. The latest edition of the World Banks Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) finds that in the past decade, the number of countries with strong policy frameworks for sustainable energy has more than tripled since 2010, with a dramatic increase in the uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency targets. A possible way ahead It is possible that the Chinese will offer to fill the gap resulting from Nedbank and Standard Banks withdrawal of funding for the two new coal-fired power plants, and if they do, it will be especially interesting to see what the terms and conditions of such alternative funding would entail. South Africa, as a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changes Paris Agreement, is duty-bound to reduce its reliance on coal for electricity generation and to close at least the five worst offending emitters of particulates and toxic gasses in Eskoms fleet of coal-fired power stations as soon as possible. One wonders if the decision by two of the countrys biggest banks to decline from funding new coal-fired electricity generation might cause the DoE to remove the two new coal-fired power from the Draft IRP 2018 which is still to be promulgated. Send your comments to energize@ee.co.za Related Articles (Photo: Reuters)Former South African President Nelson Mandela lays a wreath in the "Hall of Remembrances" with Chairman of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Azner Shalez (2R) October 18, 1999 as Mandela honoured the six-million Jews who perished at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. Earlier Mandela toured the Holocaust Museum. Mandela will meet Prime Minister Ehud Barak this evening and tomorrow travels to the Palestinian self-rule area of the Gaza Strip. South African Jews are worried that anti-Israel sentiment is increasingly degenerating into anti-Semitism that is used to scapegoat them in their country. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies has informed a parliamentary committee in Cape Town informed that due to a growing trend of anti-Semitism in the country Jews are being made to feel unwelcome in their own country. Mary Kluk, chair of the executive committee of the Jewish board briefed the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation in the South African Parliament Nov. 25 The Jewish body was informing the committee on its views regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, AllAfrica.com reported. Kluk said, "It has been more than 20 years since democracy but some organizations like the BDS SA [Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions South Africa] are intolerant of Jewish people. "These protests are issues that are supposed to be about Israel. There are some Jews who associate themselves with the message of the BDS movement. "We welcome their opinions, but calling for Jews to be fired from universities and be killed is not tolerance," she said. South Africa's Jewish population has dwindled to less than 70,000, but Jews have paid a prominent life as business leaders. During the apartheid era Jews were prominent in supporting the liberal opposition to the ruling National Party and a number of them were prominent in the African National Congress when it was a liberation movement. Two day earlier the National Coalition for Palestine came to brief the Committee on a petition it had sent two years ago where it spoke of human rights abuses committed by Israel on Palestinians were raised. It called for disinvestments to Israel and the cut off of all ties with that country. DIALOGUE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE Another representative from Jewish board, told the parliamentary committee that Israel is a place of refuge for Jews around the world and that the board supports a dialogue between Israel and Palestine. "Israel has a right to exist alongside a future Palestine State. It will be a phenomenal privilege if Israel exported its technology on water to South Africa for, example," he said. Members of the parliament wanted to know if there were steps being undertaken by the board to promote the two-State solution in the country. They also wondered about the possibility of applying South Africa's approach of dialogue until solutions are found. The chairperson of the committee from the ruling African National Congress, Siphosezwe Masango, said it did not seem that the board and the pro-Palestine organizations have a common advice that they could provide. Whatever position one takes on the matter, it will always be viewed with suspicion. Palestine and Israel must settle the land question in a manner satisfactory to both sides. As long as the land question is not settled, it will always give rise to extremism, Masango said. There was outrage earlier in November following the discovery of anti-Semitic graffiti at one of South Africa's top universities while student riots were continuing across campuses over disatisfaction with education and the government. Phrases such as, "Kill a Jew" and "F*** the Jews" were found spray-painted on a main building at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg Nov. 1, The Jerusalem Post reported. It said this was not the first incident of anti-Semitism to take place at Wits (as the university is known) during the recent protests. Two weeks earlier a student wearing a kippa, a brimless cap often worn by Jews was walking out of a lecture hall, when he encountered a group of protesting students. When he stepped aside, he was verbally accosted and called a "Mother F****** Jew" by members of the crowd, the Post reported. Wits University spokeswoman Shirona Patel said it is aware of the offensive graffiti sprayed on two walls on Wits' campuses. "The graffiti has been removed from our campus walls. The university condemns the offensive messages being propagated, and we deeply regret the insult that it may cause to members of the Wits community," she said. "Should we identify any of the perpetrators, they will be held accountable for their actions." The South African Union of Jewish Students said in a statement that it "unequivocally condemns the antisemitism being demonstrated on campus. "There can be no justification for such hateful, ignorant and offensive acts," it said. Outgoing Wits Student Representative Council spokeswoman Fasiha Hassan condemned this act and referred to it as "deplorable" and "hate speech." She denied that the SRC had any involvement in the graffiti. However, in 2015, former student council leader Mcebo Dlamini openly expressed his love for Adolph Hitler. Dlamini said he admired the Nazi German dicatator, who sent millions to their death during the Holocaust, for his "charisma" and "organizational skills." "Dlamini's anti-Semitic utterances are based on the import of a prejudice deeply rooted in European history," Wits faculty member Vashna Jagarnath wrote in South Africa's Daily Maverick Nov. 3. "The most sophisticated histories of the emergence of racism in Europe show that it developed out of the persecution of Jews and Muslims by Christians. For hundreds of years, when Jews and Muslims had to flee the often severe intolerance of Christian Europe, the more open societies of North Africa and the Middle East provided refuge," said Jagarnath. Supermarkets around the world should be commended for banning plastic bags, but there's another single-use foe on the environmental radar: produce packaging. For eco-conscious shoppers, one of the most frustrating things about the grocery store is seeing things like a lone potato spud shrink-wrapped in plastic. That's why in New Zealand, a group New World supermarkets has ditched plastic wrap for nearly all of their fruits and vegetables as part of a "food in the nude" projectand seeing stunning sales as a result, NZ Herald reported. After the concept was introduced at a New World store in Bishopdale, Christchurch, "we noticed sales of spring onions, for example, had increased by 300 percent," owner Nigel Bond told NZ Herald. "There may have been other factors at play but we noticed similar increases in other vegetable varieties like silver beet and radishes," he noted. Bond said he and his store manager Gary May devised the idea two years ago after noticing an increasing amount of fresh produce coming in plastic wrap. "We thought this was crazy and vowed and declared to do something about it," he said. Bond decided to visit Whole Foods supermarkets in the U.S. and took notes about what they were doing with fruits and veggies. Although it's standard for many American grocers to have refrigerated displays and misting systems to keep foods fresh, that wasn't the case for New World stores. Bond then installed his own refrigerated shelves and misters at his store in New Zealand. He also spoke to growers and suppliers about the plastic-free switch, and most were happy to provide unwrapped fruits and vegetables. Although some of the produce such as berries, grapes and some tomatoes still comes in plastic containers, most of this packaging is recyclable, Bond said. The "food in the nude" program, which has since expanded to about eight or nine more New World stores, is part of a larger sustainability effort from parent company Foodstuffs, according to NZ Herald. Efforts such as theseincluding bans on plastic straws, utensils and other single-use plasticsare part of a larger and necessary movement to stop plastic pollution, which has ballooned into a 6.3 billion-ton problem. Although one could argue that plastic-wrapped produce "may be a necessary evil" to prevent food waste and spoilage, a recent study from Friends of the Earth Europe found that wrapping, bottling and packing food in plastic does not systemically prevent food waste, and may even cause it. "What this study shows," Julian Kirby, lead plastics campaigner at Friends of the Earth UK, told Sky News "is that between 2004 and 2014 we've seen a 40 to 50 percent increase in plastic packaging, and we've seen a doubling in food waste." "What that really casts into quite serious doubt I think is the argument that the food packaging industry use quite often which is that we need plastic to avoid food waste," Kirby added. "Too often the industry is using plastic packaging in order to market food, to encourage us to buy more than we even need." Many food and beverage companies are under increased public pressure to turn off the plastic tap. Last week, food and consumer goods giants such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle, PepsiCo, Unilever, Mars Petcare, The Clorox Company, The Body Shop, Coca-Cola, Mondelez, Danone launched a new e-commerce platform called Loop to move away from disposability and single-use waste. Got a question or tip? Contact us at bizmojoidaho@gmail.com. The upper midwest is bracing for some dangerously cold weather this week. Wind chills are expected to reach levels not seen since the 1990s in parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Dakotas, the National Weather Service predicted. Temperatures will dip 20 to 40 degrees below average Tuesday through Thursday, and wind chill temperatures could hit -60 degrees in the upper Midwest and -55 in the upper Mississippi Valley, U.S. News and World Report reported. "You're talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds," NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Brian Hurley told The Associated Press. The Chicago NWS said the forecast was for "life-threatening extreme cold," The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang reported. The dangerous cold snap could potentially break records, with forecasts for Chicago, Des Moines, Cleveland, Detroit and Minneapolis putting temperatures within one degree of the coldest ever recorded. In Chicago, some forecasts on Monday put temperatures at -29 degrees, two degrees below the lowest on the books. Minneapolis Public Schools are closing through Wednesday to protect students, as are some schools in eastern Iowa, and the Chicago Public School system is keeping an eye on the thermometer, The Associated Press reported. Homeless shelters are also gearing up for the onslaught. Organizations in Minneapolis are working to increase hours and beds. "The charitable organizations responsible for operating shelters are adding emergency capacity as they do whenever dangerous extreme temperature events occur," Hennepin County emergency management director Eric Waage told The Associated Press. The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang explained why cold weather is so dangerous: "A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that cold weather is responsible for the majority of weather-related fatalities. The wind chill temperature is more than a catchy forecast term. The wind blows away the insulating layer of warm air around us generated naturally by our bodies. Wind chill attempts to quantify the effect in terms of how it feels on our skin, which is why you'll sometimes hear it called the "feels like" temperature. A wind chill of minus-20 degrees can cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes." The freezing temperatures are caused by something called a polar vortex, an area of low pressure and cold air that circulates around the poles. As warm air from Morocco entered the Arctic last month and caused it to warm about 125 degrees, this influx of warm air divided the polar vortex, sending one of its pieces down to freeze the Midwest, atmospheric environmental research expert Judah Cohen told The Associated Press. Some scientists also think that climate change is making the polar vortex increasingly unstable, as warmer temperatures in the Arctic cause the jet stream to push more cold air further south, National Geographic explained. Despite this, President Donald Trump once again used the predicted cold snap as an excuse to deny climate science. "In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In coming days, expected to get even colder. People can't last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Waming? Please come back fast, we need you!" he tweeted. This prompted journalists to repeat the truth that climate and weather are not the same thing. "The globe as a whole is still much warmer than normal, and scientists say the cold snap in parts of the U.S. in no way invalidates the overwhelming scientific evidence showing global average temperatures are increasing due to the burning of fossil fuels for energy," Axios' Andrew Freedman wrote. Correction: An earlier version of this story said that temperatures could hit -60 degrees in the upper Midwest and -55 in the upper Mississippi Valley. The story has been updated to specify that those are wind chill temperatures. By Howard Hsu The Tulalip Indian Reservation sits on the east side of the Puget Sound, about 40 miles north of Seattle, Washington, where the change in seasons is marked by the arrival and departure of salmon. At the heart of the reservation is Tulalip Bay, where salmon return every spring and fall before swimming upstream to spawn. In tribal folklore, the Tulalip people are descended from salmon. As Cary Williams, who works at the tribe's cultural center, tells the story, the ancient salmon saw people walking on land and wanted to become human. When they asked the grandfather salmon to give them human form, he granted their wish and told them, "I will take care of you, but you must take care of me." But it has become increasingly difficult for the Tulalip people to care for the salmon. Since the 1980s, wild Pacific salmon have faced a sharp decline due to overfishing, habitat loss and pollution, leaving several local populations threatened or endangered. Now, climate change is further imperiling the fish. Climate Change Is Cooking Salmon in the Pacific Northwest youtu.be Recent summers in the Pacific Northwest have been beset by record heat, and higher water temperatures are killing the adult salmon before they can reproduce. Pacific Salmon are anadromous, meaning they spend their juvenile years in freshwater streams and rivers, before moving on to estuaries, and then, in their adult years, the open ocean. Adults return to the streams where they were born at the end of their lives to spawn. Extreme heat has made this journey particularly treacherous. "The biggest issues we've had are the warm summers," said Trevor Jenison, who manages the Wallace River State Hatchery in Washington state. "Salmon don't like warm water. They're a cold water fish. Once we start getting up past 65 degrees, they're still okay, but we start running into disease issues." The impact of the warmer waters can be seen at state and tribal hatcheries like the one Jenison operates. Hatcheries boost wild salmon populations by harvesting the adult salmon that return each year and incubating their eggs under optimal conditions to release the following year. Hatcheries also raise and release juvenile fish to rivers and streams, helping to ensure they make it to adulthood. While some experts have suggested that hatcheries threaten the long-term health of the species by breeding fish who are ill-adapted for life in the wild, salmon fishing in the Pacific Northwest depends on hatcheries. More than 75 percent of all salmon caught in Puget Sound are hatchery fish. The Washington Department of Fish and Game does not track the number of fish who make it to spawning grounds but die before they can reproduce. However, hatchery workers say they seen have more and more adult fish perish in stream beds before they can spawn. It's not just heat that is threatening fish. Dwindling winter snowpack has deprived the rivers and streams where salmon spawn of a key source of water. "With lower water [levels] and higher water temperatures, it makes it a lot harder for them to find the safe places to survive until they're ready to spawn," said Ashley Caldwell, a fisheries biologist for the Tulalip Tribes, who explained that increased rain in cooler months is making life difficult for the salmon as well. "Climate change has created much higher rains in the fall and winter months that wipe out their spawning grounds," she said. "It's not ideal. It's not the constant rain that we're used to here in Washington. It's these monsoon-type rains that we're getting. Everything's getting thrown out of whack." A juvenile Chinook Salmon. Now, tribal hatcheries are accounting for climate change in their management plans and working to mitigate its impact on salmon. Measures include surveying the number of salmon in streams, adding aerators to keep oxygen levels up, and cooling the water by increasing the rate of flow. "We're looking for more sources of water to add more flow during those crucial times," said Jesse Rude, assistant manager for the Tulalip Hatchery. "There are concerns in the future, that it could get worse, that the weather would be drier and hotter than usual, or flows would drop even more, but we're actively taking steps to prepare for that. " In the Pacific Northwest, salmon is more than just food. It's a keystone species that helps keep ecosystems in balance. Salmon provide food for killer whales, birds, bears and other wildlife, and when they die, they supply nutrients to the old-growth forests. "Salmon is the giver of life. It's what provides our people to sustain life," Rude said. "Before colonization, that's what our people centered their lives around. We are called the people of the salmon for a reason." Reposted with permission from our media associate Nexus Media. By Sara Amundson It is no secret that moving legislation over the finish line in Washington, DC, has not been easy of late. However, members of Congress did come together to pass the 2018 Farm Billa massive public-spending package that funds agriculture, conservation and food policy. It was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 20, 2018, just two days before the government shutdown began. While Big Agriculture with its factory farming model is not too kind as a general rule, the Farm Bill did right by animals in several important respects. First and foremost, animal advocacy groups and concerned citizens successfully worked to remove an anti-animal provision that Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) added to the House version of the bill. Of greatest concern to animal advocates was that Representative King's amendment would have nullified thousands of duly enacted laws concerning puppy mills, horse slaughter for human consumption and extreme confinement of farm animals. In its overreach, however, King's measure also threatened to undermine child labor laws and fire-safe cigarettes. King repeats messages of "pro-states' rights" rhetoric, yet the legislation he introduces year after year threatens those very liberties. Recognizing that Americans care about the humane treatment of animals, Congress wisely opted to reject his dangerous amendment. The Farm Bill also incorporated legislation addressing pet protection and domestic violence, and the inhumane practice of slaughtering dogs and cats for human consumption, among other things. The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act will extend current federal domestic violence protections to pets and empower people trapped in domestic violence situations to leave abusive relationships. Currently, only 3 percent of domestic violence shelters provide pet accommodations, which can delay victims from leaving a dangerous environment. Pets can be a source of comfort and support, but tragically, abusers will frequently exploit the emotional bond between a victim and a pet to gain psychological control. Congress also included elements of The Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act in the Farm Bill. Around 30 million dogs and untold numbers of cats are victims of this brutal global industry every year, with animals often snatched off the street or stolen from loving families and subjected to unspeakable abuse only to end as someone's supper. In November, Humane Society International assisted government authorities in a shutdown of the largest dog slaughterhouse in South Korea. This bill will prevent this appalling practice from taking hold in the U.S., and strengthen the case for ending it worldwide. There is much more to the Farm Bill, of course, and there are measures in it that give us pause. But in putting the King amendment out to pasture, and in taking up popular measures that had garnered tremendous bipartisan support, Congress has set a standard that we hope will continue in 2019. With the terrible threat of King's measure set aside, and these other priorities made law, Congress should advance a legislative agenda in 2019 that tackles other urgent challenges in humane work, based on the premise that any decent nation is good to the animals in its care. Sara Amundson is the president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. This article was produced by Earth | Food | Life, a project of the Independent Media Institute, and was originally published by Truthout. In Dec. 2010, President Obama signed a law that made it a federal crime to create and distribute animal torture videos. That law, however, did not ban the underlying act of animal torture itself. That's why Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) re-introduced the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, or (PACT) Act that prohibits "intentional acts of crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling or otherwise subjecting animals to serious bodily harm," according to a press release, and makes it easier to prosecute those involved in the horrific acts. Those who are convicted face federal felony charges, fines and up to seven years of jail. While all 50 states have their own laws against animal cruelty, and an existing federal law prohibits animal fighting, the PACT Act will allow prosecutors to go after criminals who torture animals across state lines and on federal property, CNN noted. According to the bill's text, it criminalizes those who "intentionally engage in animal crushing if the animals or animal crushing is in, substantially affects, or uses a means or facility of, interstate or foreign commerce." "The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law," Rep. Buchanan said in the press release. "Protecting animals from cruelty is a top priority for me and I look forward to working with Congressman Deutch on this important issue." Rep. Deutch called the legislation a "commonsense" effort to "bring some compassion to our animal laws." "For many Americans, animal welfare is an important policy issue, and the idea of animal abuse is abhorrent," he continued. "By building on state and local laws, Congress should act to guarantee a level of protection for animals across the country by criminalizing these inhumane acts. We've acted in the past to stop the horrific trend of animal abuse videos; now it's time to make the underlying acts of cruelty a crime as well." The legislation includes exceptions "for normal veterinary care, hunting and conduct necessary to protect life or property from a serious threat caused by an animal," the press release said. The bill has been endorsed by the National Sheriffs Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and national animal welfare groups including the Humane Society of the United States. "All 50 states now have felony penalties for malicious cruelty, and there are federal statutes on animal fighting and crush videos," the Humane Society wrote in a petition to draw support for the bill. "But there is no federal law prohibiting the underlying act of malicious cruelty when it occurs on federal property or in interstate commerce, and we need to close this gap." Decode Your Future with an Online Computer Science Degree from Drexel Drexel University's online computer science programs are designed to prepare you for work on the cutting edge of technology. The curriculum is designed for students with any level of experience or previous knowledge. Choose the program thats right for you. Learn More. Authorities can't force people to unlock their biometrically secured phones or other devices, a federal judge in California ruled Thursday. "The Government may not compel or otherwise utilize fingers, thumbs, facial recognition, optical/iris, or any other biometric feature to unlock electronic devices," Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore wrote in an opinion for the U.S. District Court for Northern California. An attempt by law enforcement authorities in Oakland, California, to force two suspected extortionists to unlock their mobile phones with biometrics violated Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination, Westmore found. Passcodes used to unlock devices already are protected by the Fifth Amendment, which prevents the government from forcing people to testify against themselves, she explained. "Biometric features serve the same purpose of a passcode, which is to secure the owner's content, pragmatically rendering them functionally equivalent," Westmore wrote. "It follows, however, that if a person cannot be compelled to provide a passcode because it is a testimonial communication, a person cannot be compelled to provide one's finger, thumb, iris, face, or other biometric feature to unlock that same device." More Than Physical Evidence While compelling someone to give up their fingerprints or DNA to law enforcement is an accepted practice, Westmore argued they're not the same as compelling someone to unlock a phone with a biometric security feature. "Requiring someone to affix their finger or thumb to a digital device is fundamentally different than requiring a suspect to submit to fingerprinting," she wrote. "A finger or thumb scan used to unlock a device indicates that the device belongs to a particular individual. In other words, the act concedes that the phone was in the possession and control of the suspect, and authenticates ownership or access to the phone and all of its digital contents," Westmore noted. "The act of unlocking a phone with a finger or thumb scan far exceeds the 'physical evidence' created when a suspect submits to fingerprinting to merely compare his fingerprints to existing physical evidence (another fingerprint) found at a crime scene, because there is no comparison or witness corroboration required to confirm a positive match," she wrote. "Instead, a successful finger or thumb scan confirms ownership or control of the device, and, unlike fingerprints, the authentication of its contents cannot be reasonably refuted," Westmore found. Step Forward for Privacy Rights The protection of personal phone data and control over biometric information are two of the most important emerging privacy issues in the criminal justice system, said Alan Butler, senior counsel with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a civil liberties advocacy group in Washington, D.C. "The decision from the Northern District of California is an important step forward for constitutional privacy rights," he told TechNewsWorld. "The judge rightly recognized that traditional constitutional principles must be adapted as technology changes in order to preserve privacy and other rights ensured by the Fourth and Fifth Amendments," Butler said. "Law enforcement officials are charged with upholding the Constitution and cannot act contrary to its limitations, so there cannot be any legitimate law enforcement activity that violates these important Constitutional rights," he maintained. "The government must use legitimate means subject to proper judicial oversight if they want to obtain evidence for an investigation." Think Outside the Phone Although Westmore rejected law enforcement's reasoning for forcing suspects to unlock their phones by using a part of their anatomy, she wasn't insensitive to law enforcement's position. "While the Court sympathizes with the Government's interest in accessing the contents of any electronic devices it might lawfully seize, there are other ways that the Government might access the content that do not trample on the Fifth Amendment," she wrote. In the case before the court, Facebook Messenger was used in a suspected extortion attempt. Law enforcement officials could have obtained the information they wanted from Facebook under the federal Stored Communications Act or through a warrant based on probable cause, Westmore suggested. "While it may be more expedient to circumvent Facebook, and attempt to gain access by infringing on the Fifth Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination, it is an abuse of power and is unconstitutional," she wrote. "Law enforcement is creative and diligent," said Justin Kay, an attorney in the Chicago law office of Drinker Biddle & Reath. "Law enforcement will find a way to get in even when they can't get in through cooperation," he told TechNewsWorld. SCOTUS Bound? Although Westmore's opinion doesn't have the weight of a higher court decision, it could be very influential. "Defendants and potential defendants are going to be citing this," Kay said, "and other courts will invoke its reasoning." For the most part, the issue of passwords and unlocking electronic devices has been kicking around lower federal courts and state courts -- but that could change. "As the judge in this case acknowledges, there have been other decisions concerning compelled disclosure of passwords, and this decision is consistent with many earlier judgments," EPIC's Butler observed. "However, this issue does come up more frequently each year, given the widespread use of mobile devices with biometric locks," he observed. "So I would expect that courts of appeals -- and eventually the U.S. Supreme Court -- will weigh in on this in the near future." Legislative Inertia The reason the courts have had to take an aggressive stance on electronic device privacy is that lawmakers have failed to address the problem. "Our legislative system is not keeping up with the rate of technological change," said French Caldwell, CFO of The Analyst Syndicate, an IT research and analysis group based in Washington, D.C. "The courts are saying, 'We can't wait for the legislature to sort all this out,' so they're being forced into a position of creating new law because there's no law on this," he told TechNewsWorld. The issue eventually will land before the Supreme Court, Caldwell sid, and "it's going to take a long time before it gets to the Supreme Court, which gives legislators time to act." Aside from protecting citizens' rights, there may be a security lesson to be learned from Westmore's decision. "Biometric authentication is just one layer in what should be multifactor authentication," said Drinker Biddle's Kay. "The technology should be used with a passcode. It should be used to make sure that the person inputting the passcode is the person that should be inputting the passcode." John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John. 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! E-commerce fraud is an ongoing problem for online merchants and credit card companies. It has been growing at twice the rate of e-commerce sales. Identity theft traditionally has been one of the most common sources of e-commerce fraud, but online merchants increasingly have been suffering more from chargeback fraud, which requires them to absorb the costs of disputed credit card transactions. As phony chargebacks continue to rise, it becomes more difficult than ever to manage losses, including effective ways to prevent and track chargeback costs. There needs to be better policing of online credit card transactions and new strategies implemented to prevent false chargebacks. There also needs to be more transparency in billing for fraud detection services, so merchants can track and project chargeback losses accurately. New billing technologies have been making it easier to manage chargebacks, but before delving into those solutions let's take a closer look at chargeback fraud and how it works. The Problem With Chargebacks E-commerce merchants are especially susceptible to chargeback fraud since they are further removed from the actual credit card holder. Card-not-present transactions are a particular problem for etailers, since with fraudulent chargeback transactions of this type, the burden falls to the merchant to make good on the payment. In a card-present transaction, the cardholder physically presents the card to make a purchase. With an in-store card-present purchase, the merchant can verify the cardholder's identity using a driver's license or another form of identification, and can collect a signature for verification. With today's chip-enabled cards, the transaction is even more secure, since the chip card generates a unique transaction code for each purchase. If the merchant follows proper procedures in handling the transaction, the liability for any fraud lies with the card issuer -- that is, the credit card company or the bank. Unfortunately, in e-commerce, it's the merchants who have to deal with card-not-present transactions, because the cardholder is not physically present with a credit card. Since there is no way to verify the cardholder's identity or the validity of the card using a chip, the sale is considered less secure. Fraudulent online transactions are the merchant's liability -- the rationale being that it's the merchant's option to accept a less secure credit card transaction. The fees to merchants for accepting fraudulent transactions often are more than twice the cost of the sales, since the merchants can't recover the shipped goods. They suffer the loss of the fraudulent shipments, as well as refunds to the consumers who were scammed. Chargeback fraud isn't limited to stolen cards. Fifty percent of chargeback fraud is classified as "friendly fraud," according to Juniper's estimates. That occurs when a consumer orders and pays for goods online, but then disputes the charges once the products are shipped. Sometimes friendly fraud is an honest error. One member of a family may have placed an order, but the credit card holder is another member of the same household who mistakenly reports it, resulting in a chargeback. More often than not, friendly fraud results in re-shipping, so the merchant loses twice -- once for the chargeback, and once for the loss of shipped goods. Online merchants need to be more aware of chargebacks -- not just because of the losses incurred, but also because of the impact of chargebacks on their credit rating. If the number of chargebacks exceeds 1 percent of transactions, then it's a warning to credit card issuers that the business is high risk. As a result, the credit card companies start imposing financial penalties and other restrictions to encourage the etailer to reduce the number of chargebacks. Once an e-merchant develops a reputation for having too many chargebacks, payment processors may be less likely to work with them. New Ways to Combat Chargeback Fraud There are ways to combat chargebacks. An obvious move is tightening transaction security by adding tools to verify the customer's identity, such as credit card CVV verification and address confirmation to ensure that billing and shipping addresses match. 3D Secure is a new technical standard created by Visa and MasterCard to secure card-not-present transactions. The system verifies the buyer's identity by requesting a personal code, usually sent as a text message or email with a one-time PIN. "3D" stands for "3 Domain Secure," because it verifies the three parties in the transaction: the vendor, the bank, and the credit card company (Visa or MasterCard). It also excuses fraud liability for merchants that use the system. Another innovative approach to fighting chargebacks is identifying potentially fraudulent transactions in real time. Using a centralized database of confirmed fraud information reported by credit card issuers, merchants can query the system to verify credit card transactions in real time, giving them a window to stop the sale and refund the money before the chargeback takes place. Instead of incurring losses due to chargebacks, merchants pay a nominal fee for the database service to validate transactions in advance, saving thousands of dollars, eliminating chargeback disputes, and improving the customer experience. What to Look for in Chargeback Prevention Services In addition to prevention, e-commerce merchants need to account for chargeback losses and understand how their business is being affected by chargebacks. Part of the objective is to eliminate disputes with credit card providers. To accomplish that requires a level of transparency that reveals everything there is to know about a transaction, including the costs to prevent fraud. When shopping for a solution for chargeback monitoring and prevention, online merchants want a security platform that offers reliability -- that is, the ability to monitor every transaction in real time and flag those that are potentially fraudulent before chargeback fees can be incurred. They also want transparency, with detailed reports and a view into specific transactions to identify patterns and reduce chargeback attacks. Moreover, they want accuracy, ensuring that billing for chargeback services is structured, so merchants are being charged only for problem transactions, so that chargeback fraud prevention costs don't escalate. They also want a fair and accurate billing model to optimize costs to fight fraud. Rather than paying for a simple service subscription or a flat rate per month, it makes more sense to charge based on the level of activity. A one-price-fits-all model can't accommodate for variables such as the number of transactions that need to be processed, or the number of incidents detected. For both fraud prevention services and online merchants, there has to be a more equitable billing model based on usage and activity levels. There are different pricing models for different types of chargeback prevention services that will suit different types of merchants, but they all require complex billing solutions. Billing can be based on credit card transaction volume, and pricing for real-time chargeback monitoring. Detection can be billed per transaction, per transaction value, by transaction outcome, or using other criteria. Global businesses also have to accommodate international currencies, including exchange rates. As with the fraud prevention services themselves, billing for chargeback monitoring has to be reliable, transparent and accurate. Reliability means that billing reflects all transactional traffic, and the system is monitoring -- and therefore billing -- for everything. Billing transparency means e-commerce users get detailed reports of activity. Fraud protection services may even provide real-time dashboards to allow their customers to monitor activity. Billing accuracy is based on monitoring performance based on the specific customer contract. However services are charged, accurate billing not only ensures accurate payments, but also provides metrics to demonstrate changes in the volume and nature of chargeback fraud. The Value of Agile Billing in Chargeback Fraud Prevention Working with companies that support complex, agile billing models for services such as chargeback fraud prevention offers e-commerce customers many advantages. Versatility and the ability to structure complex billing to suit different e-commerce models is essential. Different etailers have different business models, so they want to buy services based on transaction volume, transaction value, and other criteria. Etailers also are attracted by the ability to pay only for those services they consume, which requires reliable service monitoring and a highly flexible monetization engine on the back end. Flexibility in pricing models is essential, because it can affect an online merchant's credit rating. Consider that the standard industry maximum for chargebacks is 1 percent of monthly transactions. You can calculate the chargeback rate using a simple formula: Total chargebacks per month / Total transactions per month = Chargeback rate. If you exceed that 1 percent, then you become a higher-risk vendor to the credit card companies. However, chargeback rates vary, because different card companies use different criteria for calculations. For example, Visa uses the number of transactions in the same month as a baseline, whereas Mastercard uses the number of transactions from the preceding month. The difference can have a significant impact on the chargeback rate, so be sure that your fraud prevention billing system can accommodate those differences to reflect the most accurate chargeback rates. Speed in billing for chargeback fraud prevention is also important, especially for merchants that need to dispute transactions with credit card companies. Automating complex billing and revenue recognition eliminates the need for accounts receivable spreadsheets and manual processes that slow down the billing cycle as well as reduce accuracy. The billing platform behind the fraud engine has to be able to generate accurate invoices that reflect contracting activity quickly (e.g., by a transaction, value or volume), as well as allow for various currencies and variables, such as chargeback rate calculations. To rein in chargeback fraud, merchants need to tighten security, including contracting for a chargeback monitoring solution. They also need to have a clear understanding of the types and volume of chargebacks incurred. A good chargeback security partner will not only provide real-time monitoring, but also offer accurate, timely billing with the transparency needed to understand the sources of fraud, whether it's merchant error, criminal fraud or chargeback fraud. James Messer is founder and CEO of Gotransverse, creators of intelligent billing and agile monetization solutions that increase accounting accuracy and shorten time to revenue. 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! Supermicro CEO Charles Liang on Tuesday informed customers that a leading third-party investigations company found "absolutely no evidence of malicious hardware" on its motherboards. The investigation was undertaken in response to Bloomberg's recent claim that bad actors had inserted spy chips in the firm's motherboards on behalf of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, China's armed forces. Investigators tested a representative sampling of Supermicro's motherboards, including the specific type of motherboard referenced in Bloomberg's article, and motherboards purchased by "companies referenced in the article, as well as more recently manufactured motherboards," Liang wrote. Apple and Amazon are the referenced companies. The findings "were no surprise to us," Liang noted, because "our process is designed to protect the integrity and reliability of our products." The following requirements are established in Supermicro's process: Employees must be on site with assembly contractors; Products go through multiple inspections, including automated optical, visual, electrical and functional tests; Each board is tested repeatedly against its design throughout its supply chain, to detect any aberration; Every layer of every board is tested; No single employee, team or contractor has unrestricted access to the complete board design; and Supermicro regularly audits contractors for process, quality and controls. The company had no comment beyond the letter and video, company rep Sofia Mata-Leclerc told TechNewsWorld. The Plot Thickens Tainted motherboards were discovered in 2015, when Amazon enlisted a third party to scrutinize security at Elemental Technologies, a maker of software for compressing video files and formatting them for different devices, prior to purchasing the company, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. Some troubling issues surfaced, which led Amazon to pursue an examination of some of Elemental's video compression servers. Testers found the servers' motherboards, which were made by Supermicro, included a microchip that was not part of the original design, according to Bloomberg's report. The chip, designed by the Chinese military, essentially provided a backdoor allowing access to networks. Elemental's servers are deployed in the United States Department of Defense's data centers, the CIA's drone operations, and in U.S. naval warships' onboard networks, Bloomberg said, noting that Amazon reported its findings to U.S. authorities. Almost 30 companies -- including a major bank, government contractors, and Apple -- were affected by the tainted motherboards, Bloomberg said, citing unnamed U.S. officials. Apple found malicious chips on Supermicro motherboards in the summer of 2015, according to the Bloomberg report, which cited three unnamed senior insiders at the company. Apple, which reportedly had planned to order more than 30,000 Supermicro servers in two years for a new global network of data centers, severed ties with Supermicro in 2016 for unrelated reasons. Bloomberg claimed to have spoken to 17 unnamed sources for the story, which it developed over a period of years. "The number of witnesses attesting it is true is impressive, but, with a lack of actual names, the veracity of the witnesses can't be confirmed by a third party," remarked Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. "This now reads like some kind of orchestrated attack on China and Supermicro, suggesting Bloomberg was duped," he told TechNewsWorld. "Not a good thing for its reputation." Conflicting Reports Apple, Amazon and Supermicro immediately disputed the Bloomberg report, while the Chinese government stated that supply chain safety in cyberspace was an issue of common concern, and that China was also a victim. Apple and Amazon stated their internal investigations showed no evidence of the spy chips. "As we shared with Bloomberg BusinessWeek multiple times over the last couple months, this is untrue," AWS CISO Steve Schmidt maintained in an online post. "At no time, past or present, have we ever found any issues relating to modified hardware or malicious chips in Supermicro motherboards in any Elemental or Amazon systems. Nor have we engaged in an investigation with the government." The investigation commissioned before purchasing Elemental "did not identify any issues with modified chips or hardware," Schmidt pointed out, adding that "Bloomberg has admittedly never seen our commissioned security report nor any other (and refused to share any details of any purported other report with us)." "Apple has never found malicious chips, 'hardware manipulations' or vulnerabilities purposely planted in any server," Apple said in a statement provided to Bloomberg in advance of its publication of the report. "Apple never had any contact with the FBI or any other agency about such an incident. We are not aware of any investigation by the FBI, nor are our contacts in law enforcement." Over the course of the past year, Bloomberg contacted Apple "multiple times with claims, sometimes vague, and sometimes elaborate, of an alleged security incident at Apple," the statement notes. Each time, Apple conducted "rigorous internal investigations based on those inquiries and each time we have found absolutely no evidence to support any of them." However, six unnamed veteran national security officials, current and former, countered the companies' denials, Bloomberg reported. One of those officials and two unnamed people from Amazon provided extensive information on how the attack played out at Amazon and Elemental. Further, the official and one of the Amazon insiders described Amazon's cooperation with the government investigation, Bloomberg claimed. Four of the six U.S. officials also confirmed that Apple was a victim. On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the UK's National Cyber Security Center both said they had no reason to doubt the veracity of Apple's and Amazon's statements. "The alleged hardware-based attack wouldn't seem to be prudent, given that servers remain in place for up to 10 years and security software is constantly changing, making it almost certain this [chip], if it existed, would eventually be discovered," Enderle pointed out. Apple CEO Tim Cook demanded that Bloomberg retract its story, saying there was no truth to its assertions about Apple. Amazon later joined Apple's call, but Bloomberg stood by its story. If any part of the report should prove true, the consequences could be drastic. The furious response from Supermicro, Apple and Amazon is understandable, because the story "created the specter of a serious unreported breach which could lead to massive customer exists and government fines, particularly in Amazon's case," Enderle observed. Further, given that Supermicro dominates the server motherboard market, the story -- if true -- "should have put every single customer on alert that they need to audit their servers or be found negligent, and they'd need to take every compromised server offline to prevent a breach," Enderle said. "We should have seen massive slowdowns, a huge financial hit on Supermicro, who would have had to pay to swap the machines out, and the number of people aware of this effort alone would have been impossible to contain. Yet we saw zip. You'd think we'd have one or two security companies, or a different Supermicro customer, screaming bloody murder at this point." Supermicro shares fell 50 percent the day Bloomberg's report was published. "I'd say the chances this is a well orchestrated attack on Supermicro and/or Amazon and Apple," said Enderle, "are better than 50 percent." Richard Adhikari has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2008. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, mobile technologies, CRM, databases, software development, mainframe and mid-range computing, and application development. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including Information Week and Computerworld. He is the author of two books on client/server technology. Email Richard. Where are the best places to shop? Who gives the best haircut? Who cooks the best burger? Join our readers in selecting the "Best of Windham." Make your picks! Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form Readers Survey As our valued readers, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. - Thank you, Eastern Arizona Courier Click Here On 4 and 5 June 2019, the Netherlands and the United States will organise the ninth Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES2019) in The Hague. It is the first time the summit will be held in Europe, bringing together the top scale ups of the world with investors, stakeholders, policy makers and experts from the industry. Entrepreneurs with new solutions for the major issues in energy, water, food & agri, health and connectivity can pitch their inventions at the summit. The deadline to apply for a pitch is 1 March. The ninth edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit will take place in The Hague in June. Will you be there? Do you have a technological solution on agri-food, connectivity, energy, health, water that can transform the world? Is your company ready for investment and do you want to scale up internationally within five years? Then come to GES2019 and pitch your solution to some 400 investors from around the world that are expected to come to The Hague. Entrepreneurs and investors Since the first summit, GES engaged 20,000 entrepreneurs and delivered 1 billion US dollar in new capital. Over 1,200 entrepreneurs will be invited to attend GES2019. Of these, 400 are from the USA, 200 from the Netherlands, 200 from the rest of Europe and 400 from the rest of the world. Some 400 investors from around the world are expected, as well as 400 opinion makers and government representatives. In addition, around 200 journalists will be present. Water as special theme One of the four special themes is water and the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) will take the lead in the scheme of this theme. The two central issues are securing water supplies (infrastructure) and managing urban water issues (extreme weather events such as floods and droughts). Managing Director Bianca Nijhof of NWP calls upon innovators to come to The Hague with solutions to solve the global issues of too much, too little or too polluted water. The global stage for start ups and scale ups. Here seen are Ivanka Trump and prime minister Narendra Modi at the opening of the 2017-edition in Hydrabad, India. "We challenge you to come up with investor-ready solutions to have a positive impact on infrastructural and cities related challenges we face and share them at GES2019", she says. Nijhof: "Water should be front and centre in what we do on this globe. Be it water quality, too much or too little water, we face challenges in many different ways." To sign up Put in a few sentences about who you are, what you do and what your company aims for. And awaken the interest of the organisers with the possibilities that your solution offers. On 1 April you will hear if you have been selected for participation in GES2019. Because GES2019 wants to be an inclusive event, you do not have to pay access as a participant. If you want to participate you must meet the criteria. (Photos: GES) Read also on this website Wetsus and Greenwater Solution amongst four finalists Barley prize to combat algae bloom, 26 October 2018 SWWW 2018: Latest generation water-related apps for small farmers shown at African Spatial Delight, 4 September 2018 Dutch start-up wins half a million euros for air bubble curtain to combat plastic soup, 14 September 2018 Water Tech Fest: Caught in the battle between game changers and game keepers, 27 May 2016 More information Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2019 www.ges2019nl Join the road to GES in The Hague. Louth man Dominic Hannigan has revealed that he is to run for the Labour Party in Mays European elections for the Midlands-North-West constituency, which contains all of County Louth. Hannigan, who was born and reared in Louth, was selected at a convention for members in Mullingar, which took place last Sunday. The event was attended by many Dundalk members, who were strongly supportive of their Countyman. A former Councillor, Senator and TD, Hannigan was the Oireachtas Chair of both the Good Friday Agreement Committee and the European Union Affairs Committee. Speaking after the event Hannigan said: I am delighted and honoured to be selected to run for the European Parliament. As Chair of the Oireachtas Committee I commissioned the first Oireachtas report which examined the impact of Brexit on Ireland. I believe it is vital that we elect someone to the Parliament with a knowledge of Brexit, and who has access to the network of alliances that exist in the Parliament. Hannigan will be running for Labours group in Europe, the Party of European Socialists. It holds 25% of the Parliaments seats. At the moment Ireland has no MEPs in this influential group, and Hannigan hopes to change that. Being an MEP means working with other MEPs from across Europe to build alliances and promote our interests. Independents cant do that. I will use the Parliament to push Irelands causes and defend our citizens rights. he said. A member of the SIPTU trade union, Hannigan is keen to enhance workers rights across Europe. For me, Europe should be more than just a political and economic union. It needs to be more focused on social issues as well. I will push hard for better workers rights and social rights, and will work with my allies in the Parliament to change Europes direction so it becomes more progressive. he said. Newry & Dundalk Samaritans are searching for new volunteers who might like to get involved with the charity and give something back to the local community, while making a difference to peoples lives. The local charity are looking for men and women, of all ages and walks of life, to join its current volunteers in dedicating around three or four hours a week to those most in need. Newry & Dundalk Samaritans will be holding an Information Evening on Wednesday, 13th February at 7pm in our branch 19 St Colmans Park, Newry BT34 2BX. Eileen Campbell, the newly appointed Director of Samaritans in Newry said: Newry & Dundalk Samaritans offer round-the-clock emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope with whatever it is that life has thrown at them. Over the Christmas period, our amazing volunteers were helping people 24/7, with 14 volunteers on duty in Newry on Christmas Day itself. For example, Samaritans in Northern Ireland answered 350 calls on Christmas Day alone with many emails and SMSs also replied to. As the new year begins, we are asking people across the South/Mid Down, South Armagh and Dundalk areas to consider making a difference to someones life by volunteering with us. It takes a huge number of volunteers to keep our service operational so if you are thinking about volunteering and making a difference to peoples lives in 2019, please have a look at http://www.samaritans.org/volunteer to find out if you have what it takes to be a Samaritan. Established in Ireland in 1962, Samaritans is based in 21 towns across the island of Ireland, with over 1,800 active volunteers on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. One volunteer, Enda, has been volunteering since 2012: Anyone can be a Samaritan as long as you believe in what youre doing and youre willing to listen, he said. Allowing someone the space to talk, and really listening to what they want to talk about, are skills Ive tried to adhere to both on and off duty. What really drives me though are the callers and knowing that by being there to pick up the phone I may have given them a beacon of hope. No matter where you are in life, the need to be heard and the need for empathy are things that will be with us always. To find out more about becoming a volunteer with Samaritans in Newry, you can contact them on 03705 627282 from the UK (1890 200 091 from the Republic of Ireland) or email volunteering@samaritans.org. Samaritans are best known for the vital support given to callers on its 24-hour telephone service and volunteers can also offer support by SMS, email and face-to-face in communities, festivals and outreach events. 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 I progressed through the readers, one through four. I tried to skip five and go straight to six, but it was too much, so I went back to five and learned it, he said. Mechanics in Nigeria are known as engineers. Over time, Righto became known for his diligent work and attention to detail as the right engineer. Friends eventually began to call him Righto Engino. - - - - Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Righto came to the United States in February 2000 at the age of 36. He began to search for work and walked into the downtown office at Mike Schmitz Automotive in April. He was hired as a temporary fill-in for a worker who was on a two-week leave. Righto spent two weeks cleaning the floors. When the worker returned from leave, no one wanted to see Righto go. So they decided to keep him. Righto began to help with oil changes and tire rotations, but expressed a desire to learn more. He began saving money and bought tools to help him begin doing some minor diagnosis and repair work. But Righto wanted to know more. I was told that those kind of visas are no longer good. They were going to be faded out, she said. That would have left me with nothing. Im already here 30-something years. I decided to go ahead and get the citizenship. Around Christmas, Byrne received notice that her final interview and swearing-in would occur on Jan. 18 in Montgomery. As the day neared, though, doctors discovered Byrne had cancer and some bleeding that required immediate hospitalization. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Some nerves and concerns about her citizenships status followed the diagnosis. I couldnt do anything because they were trying to stop the bleeding, and my daughter was trying to get a hold of the immigration office and let them know I had an emergency coming up, she said. We have a very hard time getting somebody. Initially officials told Byrne an interviewer would visit her at Southeast Health, but the official oath would be administered at a later date. Adkison, a radiation oncologist, contacted U.S. Rep. Martha Robys office to see if the Congresswoman could provide some assistance, according to Mark Stewart, Southeast Health public relations director. After Byrne completed the interview Friday, the immigration officer shared a different scenario than had been previously communicated to her. Six years ago on Jan. 29, 2013, the Poland familys lives changed forever. What was anticipated to be a normal bus route for school bus driver Charles Albert Chuck Poland Jr., ended up being the last day of Polands life. Poland was shot and killed while protecting his student passengers from an armed intruder who took a 5-year-old boy hostage for nearly a week in Midland City. The standoff ended with the 5-year-old safely rescued and his captor dead. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} My daddy stood in front of that man that day to protect the children on his bus, said Polands daughter, Lydia Poland Hancock. As the man demanded children, my daddy told him no. That day, my daddy did everything he could to protect the students on that bus. Although it has been six years since the family lost Poland, the family is still dealing with the pain of losing a husband, a father, a paw-paw, a son, and a brother. The Houston County Road and Bridge Department is getting a few extra hands from Coffee County as it tries to clean up Hurricane Michael debris. The Houston County Commission ratified a mutual aid agreement with Coffee County Monday, a pact through which Coffee County will send up to eight additional dump truck drivers a day to assist in debris cleanup. Houston County received a new shipment of dump trucks earlier than anticipated, but Houston County does not have enough drivers to man the fleet, said Barkley Kirkland, Houston County chief engineer. The drivers from Coffee County will likely pilot the new fleet of dump trucks as the county makes its final push to remove all of the debris Hurricane Michael left in its wake. All areas north of U.S. Highway 84 have been cleaned, and most of the southern portions of the county have been reached as well. Kirkland said crews will turn their attention to areas south of Ashford and Cottonwood this week. He believes his department is ahead of schedule on debris cleanup, but the extra help from Coffee County will further expedite hurricane recovery efforts. Houston County will reimburse Coffee County for the labor used. The agreement then allows Houston County to seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Kirkland said. DALE COUNTY A Feb. 4 trial date for a Dale County man charged with his wifes death will be rescheduled. According to Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams, Circuit Judge Kimberly Clark will reschedule the murder trial for Carl Harris Jr. for a special set jury term in July. Harris was charged in 2016 for a 26-year-old cold case murder of his wife, Tracy Harris. The trial was previously postponed in September allowing time for the state and defense attorney to locate all witnesses. In January 2016, the Ozark Police Department reopened the investigation into the 1990 death of Harris, who had initially been reported missing. According to Ozark Police Chief Marlos Walker, investigators were able to locate multiple witnesses who provided information that led to the developing a person of interest in the investigation. Police arrested Carl Harris in September 2016 in South Carolina, where he had been living for two months. An apparent road rage incident in Jackson County led to the shooting of a man in view of a Chipley police officer Monday evening. According to a release from the Chipley Police Department, an officer saw two vehicles partially blocking traffic in the 1300 block of Main Street in Chipley. The officer pulled behind one of the vehicles (a black Dodge Ram) and saw a man standing outside near the second vehicle, a white Ford F250. Upon arrival, the officer saw a single shot from the Dodge Ram strike the man standing outside the rear drivers side passenger door. The officer immediately took the alleged shooter into custody. Shawn T. Gainey, 47, of Chipley, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The victim, Dan Reidel, 31, of Chipley, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and is in critical condition, according to the release. A preliminary investigation by the Chipley Police Department indicates the two men were traveling north on Florida Highway 77 and were involved in an altercation that led to a minor collision between the two vehicles. The two drivers stopped at One South Bank in Chipley and the argument escalated. Chipley Police Chief Scott Thompson said the investigation remains active and asks residents with additional information about the incident to call the Chipley Police Department at 850-638-6310. Get Breaking News Alerts Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. For the third year, the Eufaula City School system is offering a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Camp for fourth through eighth grade students, and a parent or guardian. "We are so excited about the opportunity to offer this STEAM Camp for the third year in a row for Eufaula City Schools' students and parents in grades 4-8. This one-day camp led by the Eufaula City Schools Workforce Development Council is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Eufaula City Schools' teachers, community partners, and business/industry leaders. Our goal is to foster a love of STEM in hopes that more students will pursue high-demand, high-paying STEM careers." -Michele Eller, Director of Secondary Instruction, Eufaula City Schools. The Camp will be held on Saturday. Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Eufaula High School located at 530 Lake Drive in Eufaula. It will be free for Eufaula City School students thanks to grants that were received from Walmart in Eufaula, Edgenuity, American Buildings, Barbour County Extension Service, Keystone, AMSTI- Auburn Region and Willy Ts, which will pay for supplies needed for the camp. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} MONTGOMERY Governor Kay Ivey has issued a State of Emergency effective at 3 p.m. Monday for all Alabama counties in preparation for potential winter weather. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory for a large portion of Alabama in anticipation of rain, snow, and freezing temperatures. By declaring a State of Emergency, Governor Ivey is directing the activation of the Alabama Emergency Operations Center in Clanton and the Alabama National Guard to assist with emergency transportation needs. Governor Ivey is also directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory authority to assist communities and entities affected by the winter storm. George Fernandes: the end of a fiery, colourful leader Former defence minister, fiery trade union leader and socialist veteran George Fernandes passed away on Tuesday morning at his home in Delhi. He was 88. Fernandes, who has been suffering from Alzheimers disease for several years, was down with swine flu. According to Jaya Jaitly, his long-time associate, the last rites will be performed on Wednesday at his home after his son returns to India. The once-fiery trade union leader was born in Mangalore in Karnataka on June 3, 1930. He came to Mumbai in search of a job when he was 19. He struggled in the beginning, sleeping on the pavements and later landed a job as a proof-reader in a newspaper. Fernandes emerged as a powerful trade union leader in the city in the 1950s and was frequently engaged in verbal and physical battles with goons after he called for strikes. He got elected to the Mumbai civic body in 1961. The trade union leader made his mark on national politics when he contested the parliamentary elections from Bombay South constituency, unexpectedly defeating the veteran Congress strongman SK Patil. He then joined the Socialist Party and was a senior leader. The all-India railway strike that he organised in 1974 catapulted him to the national league as a major trade union leader. After the declaration of the Emergency in June 1975, he went underground. Fernandes was arrested in 1976 in Kolkata and charged with smuggling dynamite to blow up government establishments. In the 1977 elections post the Emergency, though he was in jail, stood for elections and won the Muzaffurpur seat in Bihar with a massive margin of over 300,000 votes over his rival. He was appointed as the industries minister in the Janata Party regime and soon got into controversies with his threats to throw out American multinationals including IBM and Coca-Cola. Both corporates then packed up from India. Fernandes joined the Janata Dal in 1988 and became railway minister in Prime Minister VP Singhs tenure. A few years later he broke away from the party and set up his Samata Party, which soon allied with the BJP. In the Atal Behari Vajpayee government, he handled the crucial Defence portfolio. But with the UPA coming to power in 2004, he gradually lost his political clout and disappeared from public life. Ex-Starbucks chief Howard Schultz's bid for Presidential race slammed by Democrats Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultzs bid to run as an independent candidate in US Presidential elections has been blasted by many in the Democratic party, who believe it would boost the prospects for Donald Trump. Billionaire Schultz, who has been a lifelong Democrat, announced that he was considering running as an independent in the Presidential elections. But Democrats fear that it would cause disarray in the party and split the anti-Trump vote of the party. I am seriously thinking of running for president, Schultz told an interviewer. I will run as a centrist independent, outside of the two-party system we're living at a most-fragile time; not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be the president, but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what's necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged, every single day, in revenge politics. Expectedly, President Trump hit back at Schultz and tweeted: Howard Schultz doesnt have the "guts" to run for President! Watched him on @60Minutes last night and I agree with him that he is not the 'smartest person.' Besides, America already has that! I only hope that Starbucks is still paying me their rent in Trump Tower! Critics within the Democratic Party were also incensed with Schultz. If Schultz entered the race as an independent, we would consider him a target, said Patrick McHugh of Priorities USA, which spent $200 million in the 2016 Presidential elections. We would do everything we can to ensure that his candidacy is unsuccessful. McHugh was also the chief strategist for former President Barack Obama. Dismissing Schultz, he said Americans were not looking for another selfish billionaire to enter the race. Around 37% of frequent travellers claim to have taken a solo trip in the past. When it comes to booking a holiday (or adventure) for one, AARP statistics show that 81% of them are likely to take another solo trip in the next 12 months. But when you plan a round world trip, one tends to picture luscious palm fronds and vacant beaches. Or maybe snow capped mountains and remote hiking trails. Either way, chances are you wouldnt think of checking out Venezuelas currency crisis, South Sudans political unrest or Mexicos cartels. Just in case you were (or if you were interested in Venezuelas scuba dive spots, Sudans national parks or tequila-tasting in Mexico), a new report outlines the 10 riskiest destinations for solo travellers in 2019, as well as handy advice from the UKs Foreign and Commonwealth Office on topics from how not to get kidnapped, to dating apps and travel insurance. The report compares the population of each countrys feeling of safety and security, sourcing its data from the Gallup Global Law and Order Report and Global Peace Index 2018, which asked residents of 142 countries about; how safe they feel walking alone at night, their confidence with local police, whether they had been assaulted or mugged and more. The responses were then compiled into a Law and Order Index score for each country, from which the safest and riskiest rankings were born. 10. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone used to attract upwards of 100,000 visitors a year, attracted to the countrys white sandy beaches, blue waters and swaying palm trees, until the blood diamond trade and associated civil war (from 1991 to 2002) firmly removed it from peoples itineraries. Almost 20 years on, Sierra Leone is still recovering from the wartime horrors, but as its position on this list shows, it is slowly getting its stability back. Coming in at number 10, Sierra Leone received 61 Gallup Law & Order Index points (the lower the score, the lesser proportion of the population reports feeling safe). So compared to the rest of the world, the citizens of Sierra Leone dont feel particularly safebut still reported feeling more secure than the residents of the other nine countries on this list. 9. Botswana Endowed with some of the most majestic wildlife spectacles on earth, Botswana is one of the great safari destinations of Africa, and (currently) a relatively safe place to visit. However, as Australias Department Of Foreign Affairs points out, conditions can change suddenlyhence the Gallup score of 61 (on par with Sierra Leone). 8. Dominican Republic The Dominican republic received a score of 60, indicating a similar (although slightly lower) level of trust indicated by Gallup poll respondents. This may be down to: on and off tensions along the Haitian border, street crime, and the presence of cholera and HIV. The US Department Of State issued a warning last year advising visitors to exercise increased caution. Violent crime, such as robbery, murder, and sexual assault, is common. The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality. 7. Mexico On 58 trust points, Mexico is ranked as equally risky as the Dominican republic by the US Department Of State. However, according to this recent Gallup poll, it is slightly riskier. This could be down to: crime, cartels, corruption etc (however this also depends on the region). 6. South Africa Tied with Mexico on 58 points, South Africa was the 6th riskiest country, according to Gallup respondents. And when you consider South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world (30 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants) you see why it has a negative reputation for safety. However, as pointed out by the travel website The Common Wanderer (and the same might be said for various other countries on this list); What you really have to understand as a traveller here is that 80% of all homicides happen within a specific social context. (Homicides happen) mostly between people who know each other in certain neighbourhoods. Often, this is gang violence that occurs in townships. For the most part, this violence doesnt spill into other areas, and when it does it tends to still occur between members who know each other not random attacks on strangers. 5. Liberia On 56 points, Liberia was ranked slightly less safe than South Africa. 4. Gabon Crime, road safety & interruptions to power & water are just some of the things travellers need to consider when travelling to Gabon, World Nomads tells us. Which may help explain their score of 55 in the Gallup poll. 3. South Sudan One of the countries where residents reported most crime and vulnerability was South Sudanmore even than Venezuela, which ranked (for different reasons) as the riskiest country to visit. South Sudan received a poll score of 54. 2. Afghanistan Like South Sudan, residents of Afghanistan reported some of the highest levels of theft in the list, and is said to be signifcantly riskier even than South Sudan, its score dropping to 45. 1. Venezuela If you are thinking about going to Venezuela, which received a trust rating of 44, the authors of this report recommend you exercise a high degree of caution. This reflects a country in crisis, and although poll respondents might be exaggeratedly despondent (due to a deep seated dissatisfaction with their government), some facts speak volumes: Just 17% of residents said they felt safe walking alone at night where they live, and 24% expressed confidence in their police. At the same time, more Venezuelans (42%) reported having had property or money stolen in the past year, the report continued. If you decide to visit Venezuela anyway, you are advised against all in country travel within 80 km of the Colombian border and 40 km of the Brazilian border, Due to drug traffickers and illegal armed groups that are active along the border with Colombia and Brazil and a risk of kidnapping (Foreign Commonwealth Department). The FCO advises against all but essential travel to remaining areas of Venezuela due to unrest, instability and ongoing crime. RELATED: The Worlds Most Scary Travel Destinations For Those Who Fear Nothing MDU Resources Group, Inc. engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. The company's Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Its Natural Gas Distribution segment distributes natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming; and offers supply related value-added services. The company's Pipeline segment provides natural gas transportation and underground storage services through a regulated pipeline system primarily in the Rocky Mountain and northern Great Plains regions; and cathodic protection and other energy-related services. Its Construction Materials and Contracting segment mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates; produces and sells asphalt mix; and supplies ready-mixed concrete. This segment is also involved in the sale of cement, liquid asphalt, finished concrete products, and other building materials and related contracting services. The company's Construction Services segment designs, constructs, and maintains electrical and communication wiring and infrastructure, fire suppression systems, and mechanical piping and services; and overhead and underground electrical distribution and transmission lines, substations, external lighting, traffic signalization, and gas pipelines, as well as engages in the utility excavation activities. This segment also manufactures and distributes transmission line construction equipment; and constructs and maintains renewable energy projects. It serves manufacturing, commercial, industrial, institutional, and government customers, as well as utilities. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota. Read More Highlights: TRAI could release regulatory recommendations for OTT apps by Feb-end. OTT apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Duo, Skype could face more scrutiny. Telecom service providers want OTT apps to come under the licensing ambit. For years, almost five to be exact, there has been talk of regulating OTT apps like Facebook, WhatsApp and Skype in India. Telecom providers have been demanding that these apps, which provide similar services like calling and messaging, should pay connectivity charges to telcos as the infrastructure on which these apps function has been paid for and brought to customers by telcos The TRAI first proposed floating a consultation paper on the same back in 2014. At the time, the government had made it clear that it had no intentions of regulating OTT players. Fast forward to now and reports say that TRAI will be posting recommendations for regulating OTT apps in India by February-end. According to PTI, TRAI chairman RS Sharma has said that the regulator will be organising open house discussions on the subject soon, with a possibility of recommendations by February-end. TRAI had floated a consultation paper to explore the possibility of regulating apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype and Google Duo last November. The consultation paper invited comments from stakeholders regarding the issues related to regulatory imbalance between Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and OTT players providing services that can be regarded as same/similar to services offered by TSPs and issues related to economic aspects of such OTT services. Since 2015, OTT services have witnessed a significant increase in adoption and usage. Technologies and networks for delivery of such services have also evolved during this period. The demand for examination of regulatory imbalance between OTT players and TSPs need to be taken up in this context, the paper noted. While TSPs argue that OTT apps need to be regulated since the entire burden of licensing, equipment and spectrum fee falls on the former, the fact of the matter remains that internet users in India are ballooning and telecom companies are also providing services like unlimited calling and free texting to their customers, just like OTT communication services. Also, TSPs are witnessing internet subscriber growth because OTT communication services are very attractive for their customers. As such, both TSPs and OTTs are codependent. COAI, the body that represents telecom companies in India, argues that OTT services like WhatsApp, Facebook, etc should be brought under the licensing regime. On the other hand, organisations like the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Broadband India Forum (BIF) are opposed to the idea. It remains to be seen how TRAI walks the thin line, keeping OTTs, TSPs and consumers happy at the same time. Highlights: Oppo may launch F11, F11 Pro and R17 Neo in India soon. The Oppo F11 and F11 Pro may have 10x hybrid zomm technology. The specs of these phones are not known yet. Oppo may launch the F11 and F11 Pro as well as R17 Neo smartphones in India soon, a media report has said, without confirming a specific release timeframe. Mysmartprice reported that the Oppo F11 and F11 Pro smartphones may feature triple rear cameras with 10x optical zoom technology, which has been a talking point lately. The specifications of these smartphone remain a mystery at this time. If true, these could be the first devices to sport the 10x optical zoom technology. Previously, it was reported that the Oppo F19 and the Oppo F19 Pro may have this technology. In the 10x Hybrid optical zoom technology, Oppo uses a series of lenses to focus light on to the sensor. While the traditional sensor receives light just like any other smartphone camera, the pivoted sensor redirects light like a prism. The tech uses the width of the phone to get the zoom. Last week, the Oppo F11 Pro, a mid-range smartphone with model number CPH1969, was certified by the NBTC certification agency in Thailand, a report said, adding that the CPH1969 was also reported to be certified by Indonesias TKDN agency alongside the CPH1909 a few days back. Meanwhile, the Oppo R17 Neo had already made its debut in Japan in October last year with mi-segment hardware. The Oppo R17 specifications: The Oppo R17 Neo features a 6.41-inch Full HD+ AMOLED on-cell display offering a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The smartphone is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 660 processor manufactured by a 14nm process. The processor is complemented by an Adreno 512 GPU. The R17 Neo comes in a single variant, that is, 4GB RAM and 128GB local storage. The storage can be expanded up to 256GB via a memory card. In the camera department, the smartphone features an AI-powered rear dual camera setup with a 16MP sensor and a 2MP lens. On the front, there is 25MP AI selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture. The phone draws power from a 3600mAh capacity non-removable battery. In Japan, the phone was launched for JPY 38,988 in Japan, which translates to Rs 25,500 approximately. There is no confirmation on the price of the device in India. Related Read: Explaining Oppo's 5x dual camera optical zoom technology for smartphones Escalating the tensions in trade relations between the United States and China, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. was charged with wire fraud to violate sanctions against Iran. A 13-count indictment was filed in New York where the Justice Department claimed Huawei had misled a global bank as well as the US authorities about its relationship with two subsidiaries, Skycom Tech and Huawei Device USA Inc to conduct business in Iran. The Chinese telecom company was also charged with ten counts of stealing trade secrets and obstructing justice in a separate case. Huawei allegedly stole robotic technology from T-Mobile US Inc thats used to test durability of smartphones. The charges was filed in Washington. The charges unsealed today clearly allege that Huawei intentionally conspired to steal the intellectual property of an American company in an attempt to undermine the free and fair global marketplace. To the detriment of American ingenuity, Huawei continually disregarded the laws of the United States in the hopes of gaining an unfair economic advantage. As the volume of these charges prove, the FBI will not tolerate corrupt businesses that violate the laws that allow American companies and the United States to thrive, said FBI Director Christopher Wray in a statement. Huawei is presently the worlds largest supplier of telecom equipment and the number 2 in smartphone market globally, behind Samsung. After a heightened scrutiny, the United States have already banned Huawei from selling networking equipment, alleging the company for spying on US citizens on behalf of China. Other countries too have already ceased business with the company in fear of the same. Huawei, meanwhile, has denied of any wrongdoing. The companys engineers reportedly took pictures of Tappy, the phone-testing robot from T-Mobile, violating non-disclosure agreements. The engineers allegedly took measurements of the robot and even stole a piece of it. T-Mobile allegedly found out sued Huawei. T-Mobile eventually won the case and the jury awarded the company $4.8 million. The Chinese telecom giant can now be fined over five million dollar, or three times the value of the stolen tech along with $500,000 for wire fraud and obstruction of justice. Huaweis Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was also charged with financial fraud. Meng was detained in Canada at the behest of the US Justice Department, but she was later released on bail. Vietnams market leader Viettel has been granted a licence by the countrys Ministry of Information and Communications to conduct 5G trials in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Valid for one year, the licence will enable the military-run operator to assess various facets of the technology to determine how viable it would be to deploy a commercial 5G network, reported the Vietnam News Agency. The Information and Communications minister Nguyen Manh Hung has previously indicated that the ministry plans to issue four 5G trial licences. He noted that the government is looking to expedite the approvals process for the permits. Viettel launched its 4G service last April, stating that its coverage reached 95% of the countrys population. The US Department of Justice has issued several criminal charges against Huawei, claiming that the vendor has defrauded banks, violated trade sanctions, and stolen trade secrets. The allegations were detailed by Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker in a press conference. Whitaker claimed that the misconduct went back at least ten yearsall the way to the top of the company. A grand jury in New York has issued 13 indictments against Huawei, its affiliate Skycom Tech, and the vendors CFO Meng Wanzhou. The companies face counts of bank and wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, money laundering, and violating US trade sanctions on Iran. Huawei and its CFO stand accused of misleading international banks by implying that the company did not control Iranian firm Skycom Tech in order to secure approvals on transactions that in fact contravened US sanctions against Iran. US officials confirmed that Meng faced charges related to her own actions rather than being held to account for other Huawei executives, and noted that the US is looking to extradite her from Canada. After being detained in Canada on 1st December last year, Meng has been charged with bank & wire fraud and conspiracy. Her arrest has soured relations between Canada and China, with two Canadian citizens being detained and allegedly abused since her arrest. US attorney for the Eastern District of New York Richard Donoghue said that Huawei and its affiliates had displayed serious fraudulent conduct with both the knowledge and personal involvement of top level executives, claiming: For over a decade, Huawei employed a strategy of lies and deceit to conduct and grow its business. Meanwhile a separate grand jury in Seattle has accused Huawei of a further ten counts, including IP theft, obstruction of justice and wire fraud. The FBI claims to have viewed emails from 2013 in which Huawei offered employees bonuses proportional to the value of information stolen from rival companies and repatriated via a dedicated encrypted email server. Through this method, Huawei is accused of stealing information related to US carrier T-Mobiles mobile device testing robot, including photos and measurements, in violation of non-disclosure agreements. It is even alleged that Huawei engineers stole a part of the robots arm in an attempt to replicate it in China, and that - upon being caught - the employees in question were unfairly painted as rogue operators and dismissed by Huawei. Theft of trade secrets is typically punishable with a fine of three times the value of the stolen material, or $5 million if this is a greater amount. Wire fraud and obstruction of justice typically incur fines of up to $500,000. Chinas foreign ministry has hit back against the charges, claiming that as a result of strong political motivation and political manipulation, US authorities had mobilised state power to blacken the reputation of Huawei and other Chinese firms such as ZTE in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations. Foreign Ministry representative Geng Shuang stated: We strongly urge the United States stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei and treat Chinese companies fairly and justly. China will also continue to uphold the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. Huawei itself has also refuted the claims, saying: The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate has committed any of the asserted violations of US law set forth in each of the indictments. Additionally, it noted that a civil suit relating to the trade secret charges had already been settled, with a Seattle jury determining that there had been no damages or malicious conduct. Filing charges against Huawei will further damage relations between the US and China ahead of trade talks scheduled to begin on 31st January. China has warned of retaliation if the US does not drop its extradition request for Meng, and called for her to be released. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has stated that the charges against Huawei are wholly separate from our trade negotiations with China. Nonetheless, Huawei has long been viewed as a threat to US security, particularly against the backdrop of the 5G arms race. The administration has ordered domestic firms not to use Huawei components in building their 5G networks and has asked allies to follow suit. SALT LAKE CITY Making sure the entire Utah Constitution is gender neutral is "just common sense," said the sponsor of a resolution that would start the amendment process. "Most of it, even back then, was written in this way that included both genders. But theres just these few little sections that dont, so I thought why not," the sponsor of SJR7, Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, said. Henderson said only six sections of the 45-page Utah Constitution need to be amended. Her resolution, if passed by two-thirds of the Legislature, would go before voters in November 2020. She said the issue was brought to her by a constituent who said one part of the constitution says, "All political power is inherent in the people" but the section just above says, "all men" have inherent and inalienable rights. It turned out there are other sections where only men are referred to, including those dealing "with criminals and legislators who need to be impeached or not take bribes. Those just say, 'his or him,'" Henderson said. "I think it's fair to assume not all criminals are male," Henderson said, nor are all members of the Legislature. So far, the response has been mixed to the resolution that has been assigned to the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee for an as-yet unscheduled hearing. "Im getting a lot of positive feedback," Henderson said. "Im also getting some people who are worried that theres some kind of broader agenda here, which there is not, to remove gender altogether, which is not whats happening." She said she's not sure how the resolution will fare this session. "I dont know. The people that Ive talked to individually about it right now have no problem with it because its just common sense. Theres nothing nefarious about it," the senator said. Her goal is to get the issue before voters. "There will be some people who dont like it, but ultimately I think the people should decide. This is the peoples document and they should decide whether or not they want it to reflect reality," Henderson said. The bottom line is that the constitution should consistently use language that makes it clear it applies to everyone, she said, noting history suggests that's what was intended. "One of the things that I think is really cool about our constitution is that they fought back in 1896, they really fought, to make sure that it included womens suffrage," Henderson said. While Wyoming ended up being the first state to give women the vote by a few weeks, Utah was the first state where women voted, on Feb. 14, 1870, 150 years ago next year. "What Im doing is taking the parts that just say 'his or him,' that are supposed to apply to everybody, and putting in 'persons' or 'his or her' in those spots," she said. "It's not something new to our constitution." LOGAN Utah State Universitys Jon M. Huntsman School of Business has won a first place award from the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship for its Small Enterprise Education and Development program, known as SEED. The program sends student interns to Ghana, the Philippines, Peru and the Dominican Republic to teach local entrepreneurs professional skills and help them grow their small businesses. The award was for excellence in co-curricular innovation. With 53 universities competing for four national USASBE awards, were thrilled that our entrepreneurship program has been singled out for its innovation, Dan Holland, an associate professor of entrepreneurship at the USU Huntsman School, said in a statement. It is a real credit to the team of student interns, in-country business owners, faculty mentors, generous donors and strategic partners that have built SEED into such an impactful learning opportunity. It is educational innovation at its best. Students who intern with SEED study entrepreneurship, micro-finance and small business consulting for one semester, and then visit a country for three months. They help individuals write business plans, launch new ventures, set goals, create budgets, develop accounting practices and organize inventory management systems. The students are mentored and then solidify their learning by mentoring others through the new venture creation process. SALT LAKE CITY Utah Commissioner of Higher Education David Buhler announced Tuesday he will retire from the position at the end of 2019, and return to teaching at the University of Utah. Buhler, in a statement, said serving as commissioner has been "the professional opportunity of a lifetime." Buhler informed the Utah State Board of Regents of his decision to step down late last week. A national search for his successor will be launched in the spring. "After more than 19 years in the Utah System of Higher Education, over seven of those as commissioner, my family and I concluded its time to begin a new chapter in our lives. I believe change is good for organizations and individuals, and I am looking forward to returning to teaching at the University of Utah in 2020. It was important to me to share my decision as soon as possible, he said. Before stepping down, Buhler will guide the system through the legislative session, seeking support and funding for the system's priorities, which include placing a college access adviser in every high school. Utah has an opportunity to be the first state in the nation to place a college access adviser in every high school to help more students reach their higher education goals. By repurposing funds, we will increase the number of high schools with these access advisers this year from 12 to 33. If the Legislature funds the initiative this session, there will be a college access adviser for every Utah high school within three years," he said. Buhler said he is also committed to participating in the states Higher Education Strategic Planning Commission, expected to complete its work in November 2019. He was named Utahs eighth commissioner of higher education in June 2012, after serving as an associate commissioner for 12 years. Buhler taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Utah from 1990 to 2006, and served in the Utah Legislature as a state senator from 1995 to 1999. He also was a Salt Lake City Council member from 2000 to 2008. A Salt Lake City native, Buhler earned a doctorate in political science from the U. He and his wife, Lori, are the parents of five children and have two grandchildren. Regents Chairman Harris H. Simmons thanked "Buhler for his superb service to Utah higher education. Under his leadership, the board adopted a strategic plan in 2016, which articulated our priorities of affordable access, timely completion, research and workforce, and growth and capacity." Simmons noted that Buhler has overseen 10 presidential searches during his tenure as commissioner, four in the past year alone. "We appreciate Commissioner Buhlers thoughtfulness in providing us sufficient time to conduct a thorough search for his successor after the conclusion of the legislative session and to allow for a smooth transition. We look forward to continuing to work closely with him between now and December," Simmons said in a statement. U. President Ruth V. Watkins said it has been a privilege to work with Commissioner Buhler. His constant focus has been on the advancement of individuals and our state through increasing access to higher education, and working closely with both regents and presidents to identify and implement strategies that increase completion. His work as a higher education leader has improved individual lives and advanced the collective good. Matthew S. Holland, former Utah Valley University president, said Buhler "is a public servant who leaves a tremendous mark. Buhler serves on the executive committees of the State Higher Education Executive Officers, the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education and the board of the National Association of System Heads. SALT LAKE CITY For 32 years, the body of Patricia Barrett went unidentified. The 45-year-old mother was found dead and wrapped in carpet near the old Salt Lake Beach near Saltair in October 1978. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office investigated that case. Meanwhile, Salt Lake police took a missing persons report in 1979 of a woman originally from Texas named Patricia Barrett who had been in the Salt Lake area for just a couple of months. "For 32 years, we didn't talk to (the sheriff's office), and they didn't talk to us. It wasn't until 2011 so 32 years that family wondered and worried, and finally they made the connection between those two cases," Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said Tuesday. To make sure that failed connections like that don't happen again, state lawmakers, police chiefs and sheriffs from several agencies stood together at the state Capitol Tuesday to announce the launch of the Utah Department of Public Safety's new Cold Case Database. The database is the result of SB160, which was passed during last year's legislative session. The new law makes it mandatory for Utah law enforcement agencies to enter their cold cases and missing persons cases into the database. Any case that remains unsolved for three years must be submitted to the database. "Now we have to put the information in so connections will be made," Brown said. There are more than 400 cold cases in Utah, according to the state, including homicide and missing people cases, and deceased people who have yet to be identified. After testing the database for the last month, state officials said they are now ready to make it "live." The new database will include both a public section and a private section for law enforcement use only. The public section will include just enough information, without revealing key evidence that has been collected, for the public to try and help with tips. It was a member of the public who helped Utah investigators recently connect the dots between a missing person in Ohio and a 20-year-old cold case homicide in Utah. In November, officials were able to positively identify a woman known for 20 years only as the "Maidenwater victim." The woman was the victim of a homicide on April 20, 1998. Her body was found wrapped in several layers of plastic and duct tape and rolled in a sleeping bag and a piece of carpet on the side of state Route 276 about 40 miles north of Lake Powell in Garfield County near Maidenwater Spring. The woman died of a gunshot wound. In October, thanks to a series of separate events that happened about the same time, investigators were finally able to identify the body as Lina Reyes-Geddes, 37, who disappeared after leaving on a trip from Ohio to Dallas and then to Mexico to visit her family. Reyes-Geddes' sister traveled from Mexico to attend Tuesday's press conference announcing the launch of the new database. She stood in the back of the room and listened, but declined to answer questions from the media. The state already had a cold case and missing person website for many years. But Karra Porter, head of the nonprofit Utah Cold Case Coalition a group dedicated to helping solve cold cases in Utah that was consulted during the formation of the new database said the old state website hadn't been updated since 2007. "Cases like Sherry Black are not mentioned on any publicly available website anywhere," she said. On Nov. 30, 2010, Black, 64, the mother-in-law of former Larry H. Miller Group CEO Greg Miller, was found stabbed to death inside her bookstore, B&W Billiards and Books at 3466 S. 700 East. To date, there is no known motive for the killing, and police have not identified a suspect or a person of interest. Porter said when talking with lawmakers when the database was proposed, she printed a list of cold cases that her group had compiled, and compared it to the state database. "The first 14 on our list were not on a public database. So there was a signficant need for this," she said. Now that the database is a reality, Porter said the result is "beyond my wildest hopes." "This should prevent another Saltair Sally incident where you have remains found here, missing person here, and a decade goes by where the two are not connected. That shouldn't happen with this database," she said. In 2000, human remains were found by duck hunters near Saltair along with a few items, including a blue choker-style necklace. The body was dubbed "Saltair Sally" by investigators because of where she was found. It wasn't until 2012 that she was identified as 20-year-old Nikole Bakoles. The new cold case database will be supported by several divisions within the Utah Department of Public Safety, including the Utah State Crime Lab, the State Bureau of Investigation, the State Information and Analysis Center, and the Bureau of Criminal Identification. Kathy Mackay, a criminal analyst, will help oversee the database. She said the goal is to get law enforcers to input as much information about their cold cases as they can. "The database is only as good as we make it," she said. "They will also be able to enter all their cold cases, missing and any unsolved homicides into the database to share with other law enforcement agencies in an effort to connect and solve cases because we have so many over 400 in Utah." Once the information is in the database, investigators will be able to search key words to see if they match with any other cases in either Utah or the nation. For example, Utah Department of Public Safety investigator Brian Redd said if a green car was seen leaving one crime scene, and a green car may have been involved in another case, an investigator could enter "green car" into the database to see if there are any matches. The same could be true for suspects or other pieces of evidence only known to law enforcers. Mackay said a schedule to train officers on the new database is currently being prepared. PROVO A Provo man who killed his father in 2016 has severe schizophrenia and mistakenly believed that his dad was allowing people into their mobile home to beat and rape him, his attorney said Tuesday. Twenty-nine-year-old Omar Carmona has improved with therapy and medication, but his illness causes him to hallucinate. He believed for a time that his father was still alive and he could fight the murder charge he originally faced, his attorney, Dustin Parmley, said during a sentencing hearing in 4th District Court. "This is a really sad case," Parmley said. He asked a judge on Tuesday to consider sending his client back into the custody of state health managers for more treatment before he goes to prison. But 4th District Judge Christine Johnson said doctors' notes show Carmona is stable, even though he has rejected medication from time to time. He does not pose such a risk to himself or others that he should avoid going directly to prison, she said. The judge ordered Carmona to serve at least six years and up to life. After roughly two years in the Utah State Hospital, Carmona was declared competent to stand trial in December. He immediately admitted to killing his father and then taking his wallet and buying soda, entering pleas of guilty and mentally ill to reduced charges of manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony. Like the judge, prosecutors believe more time in an inpatient treatment program is not necessary, said deputy Utah County attorney Randy Kennard. Still, he said, "it is a tragedy." A bearded Carmona was in shackles Tuesday, speaking only once during the brief hearing when the judge asked if he wished to say something before being sentenced. "Not today," he replied. Carmona was originally charged with strangling his father, Marco Carmona, 57, and hiding the body in a freezer on June 8, 2016. He faced counts of murder, a first-degree felony, and desecration of a body, a third-degree felony, but those were amended as part of the December plea deal. Prosecutors had said that despite his mental illness, he knew his actions would lead to his father's death. But they later agreed to reduce the charges in an effort to acknowledge the role schizophrenia played but still ensure a prison term of up to life, Kennard said Tuesday. Marco Carmona's body was found the next day inside a deep freezer in his home after his wife reported him missing, investigators said. Roughly two years earlier, Carmona had attacked his father with a razor blade in an incident driven by his mental health issues, court records show. Marco Carmona asked prosecutors to seek mental health treatment for his son as part of the 2014 criminal case. His son ultimately entered a plea in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge and a kidnapping charge was dismissed. He graduated from mental health court, a program that seeks to balance penalties with rehabilitation, about a year before he killed his father. The judge sentenced Carmona on Tuesday to at least five years and up to life on the aggravated robbery conviction and at least one and up to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter conviction, ordering them to run one after the other. She granted him credit for more than 2 1/2 years he has spent in custody. SALT LAKE CITY The second day of the 2019 legislative session on Tuesday brings the first hearing on two bills addressing Proposition 3, which Utah voters approved in November to direct lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage to the full extent allowed under the Affordable Care Act. Representatives advanced a resolution to officially appoint Kade Minchey as the state's legislative auditor general. READ MORE: Utah House approves formal appointment of new legislative auditor general The Utah House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday that would make changes to the state's criminal code, including a repeal of the criminal offenses of adultery and sodomy. READ MORE: Utah House passes criminal code cleanup bill that would repeal laws against adultery, sodomy The Senate Health and Human Services Committee is considering SB96 and SB97. On Monday, hundreds rallied to protest any changes to Proposition 3. Members of the committee voted 6-2 Tuesday to advance SB96, sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, after a 1 1/2-hour hearing before a standing-room only audience. Christensen's SB96 advances to Senate floor, 6-2, with Democrats opposed. #utpol #utleg DNews Politics (@DNewsPolitics) January 29, 2019 READ MORE: Bill replacing Prop. 3 Medicaid expansion passes committee The House Government Operations Committee considered several bills dealing with campaigns and lobbyists, including HB129 allowing the use of campaign funds for child care and HB64 establishing limits for a lobbyist's expenditures on a local official or education official. The committee voted to advance a bill that would allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay for child care during their bids for office. After pushback from organizations like the Utah Taxpayers Association and @LibertasUtah, the House gov. ops committee votes to hold a bill that would require corporations to disclose certain donations made for political purposes. #utpol #utleg https://t.co/xOBmku2YTV Katie McKellar (@KatieMcKellar1) January 29, 2019 READ MORE: Utah House panel advances bill to allow candidates to use campaign funds for child care The Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee has been assigned Senate Joint Resolution 7, which proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to modify gender-specific terminology to make it gender neutral. READ MORE: Resolution would make Utah Constitution gender neutral A bill to limit regulations on reselling event tickets passed unanimously through the Senate Business and Labor Committee Tuesday. Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, said SB69 is meant to ease restrictions on consumers that prevent them from transferring or reselling tickets, or dictate specific ticket platforms for resale. Henderson said this is a discriminatory behavior that is not consumer friendly. READ MORE: Bill to stop regulation on resale of event tickets passes through Utah Senate committee Here's what happened yesterday on Jan. 28, the first day of the 2019 session: Newly sworn-in House Speaker Brad Wilson began his first few minutes on the dais Monday calling for an even larger tax rate cut. The Utah State Board of Education announced its priorities for the 2019 Legislative Session along with several massive asks for funding amid a year the state is seeing more than $1 billion in budget surplus. Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant gave the annual State of the Judiciary report Monday afternoon. He told lawmakers the justice system is changing, but it should continue to be accessible to the citizens of Utah. READ MORE: A rundown of Day One at the 2019 Utah Legislature SALT LAKE CITY The Utah House passed a bill Monday that would make it a misdemeanor offense to lie about an emotional support animal. The bill, HB43, was proposed by Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, and makes a clear distinction between service animals and emotional support animals. According to Dunnigan, there is no penalty under the current law for falsely claiming to a landlord a tenant has an emotional support animal, and his bill would change that. "It's becoming a problem, I've heard a lot from service animal owners that the people with emotional support animals are kind of damaging their brand, because more and more people are saying, 'I qualify for an emotional support animal, you need to rent housing to me,' when they do not," Dunnigan said. The penalty for providing false information to a medical provider to get a support or service animal or falsely claiming an animal is a support or service animal would be changed under Dunnigan's bill to a class C misdemeanor. Under current law, lying about a service animal is already a class B misdemeanor, meaning the penalty for that offense would be reduced by the bill. The bill would also not allow landlords to require a larger deposit from renters with service or emotional support animals. However, landlords would be able to charge for damages to a property. I started the 2019 legislative session the way I usually do by taking FrontRunner to the North Temple Station and grabbing bus No. 500 to the State Capitol. And, just as in previous years, I sat mostly alone on that bus, with the exception of two or three well-dressed people and, notably, one lawmaker. Together, we took maybe three or four cars off the morning freeway rush, which probably didn't do much to stem the mounting haze in the valley below. I'm not trying to portray myself as exceptionally virtuous. I live where mass transit is nearby and convenient. I've also done the math and calculated how much I can save by leaving much of my commute to UTA (I still have to drive to the station). But if I were in a hurry, as sometimes happens, I would shamelessly drive and use my press parking pass to get a good spot. I'm a red-blooded American, after all. Mass transit isn't always convenient. Even if it was, nudging people onto a bus or train is an art form few, if any, bureaucrats or politicians have mastered. And yet air quality remains near the top of issues the public would like state lawmakers to address. The subject came up Monday in the midst of talk about tax cuts and possibly changing the Medicaid expansion voters approved in November. Both Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Brad Wilson opened the new legislative session by also mentioning that they hope the state office building, an architecturally out-of-place structure directly north of the Capitol, could be razed and rebuilt in a way that allows for a lot more parking on the hill. Anyone trying to get near the Capitol during the Legislature's annual 45-day session knows the ordeal, and the eventual hike either up or down a sometimes-slippery hill. But to mass-transit advocates, building parking spots is the same as encouraging people to drive. Make parking scarce and they will seek alternatives, the theory goes. That's probably about 1/3 right. Another other part of the equation would be to provide reliable and frequent transit alternatives. And another third would be to change the culture. Those last two are doozies. In an afternoon meeting with the media, Adams confronted the question by saying, "I think the cars are here anyway." He also defended the Legislature's work in recent years to bolster transportation, including mass transit. Indeed, it's hard to find many metro areas this size, or larger, with a rail transit system comparable to TRAX and FrontRunner, or with dedicated bus lanes such as in Provo or West Valley City. Wilson said it's a question of treating members of the public right when they want to participate in free and open government. "It's actually not that we're encouraging more people to drive," he said at a separate afternoon press conference. "We'd like them to come up here any way they can. Right now they're driving up here and they're parking a mile away. The press and us, we don't have to deal with that, but our poor constituents are parking clear up the streets half a mile, three quarters of a mile away, and they don't feel like it's a welcoming and easy place to get to. "I don't actually think we're being very good neighbors either, to be honest," he said. "We put all these cars in front of people's homes clear up the hill." Like so much else that happens at the State Capitol this time of year, this discussion can get a bit distorted. Capitol parking is an issue 45 days out of the year, and plentiful the other 320. It's just that those 45 days happen to coincide with what typically is the worst air-quality season each year. And then there is the symbolic factor. Lawmakers this year are likely to consider monetary incentives to convert wood-burning stoves and fireplaces to natural gas, maybe outlaw wood burning completely during the winter or perhaps do other things that would help the air. One year from now, major gas retailers and refineries will be switching to cleaner Tier III gasoline in Utah, to reduce pollution from automobiles. These will be much more effective than anything related to getting to the Capitol. Adams and Wilson are right, the cars already are up there, scattered all over the place. They pollute as they slowly drive around, looking for a place to stop. So go ahead, build more parking, but it also wouldn't hurt to fund more frequent buses to and from downtown during these 45 days. My guess is more people would ride them if they were convenient. Sometimes, little things can send a big message to people who want a sign their politicians hear their concerns about the air. SALT LAKE CITY Utah lawmakers have been grappling since 2012 with solutions to avoid a full and what many of them believe would be a costly Medicaid expansion. With already a few different bills filed to change what about 54 percent of Utah voters in the last election wanted, which was full expansion, it seems Utah legislators want to debate it all yet again. If nothing happens, as has been the result for so many years, voters can be encouraged that Proposition 3 to expand Medicaid will stand, with eligibility starting April 1. But lawmakers are saying something has to change. Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said Monday that none of the bills that have surfaced so far have the backing of Republican legislative leadership. Instead, he said, they're working on an alternative with Gov. Gary Herbert's office. Their goal, the newly installed Senate leader told reporters, is to provide coverage to the same population as called for by the ballot initiative also beginning April 1, but "in a fiscally prudent way." Adams said that could mean implementing a hospital tax, as called for in the more limited Medicaid expansion bill passed in 2018 that never took effect because needed waivers were not granted by the Trump administration. Senate Minority Whip Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said Democrats are committed to "protect as much of Prop. 3 as possible," but are also looking at addition sources of funding. She said Democrats are being left out of the discussions. Two bills, which are scheduled to be heard by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday at 2 p.m., are already getting plenty of attention. Sen. Allen Christensen's bill, SB96, aims to keep Proposition 3, but put enrollment caps in place to protect limited available funding, which would require waivers to be filed with the federal government and potentially delay the April 1 start date. It would also only reach 100,000 of the 150,000 in need of access to health care. The adjustments, Utah Health Policy Project Executive Director Matt Slonaker said, would leave tens of thousands of Utahns "who finally had a light at the end of the tunnel" still trapped in the coverage gap. "(Christensen's) plan adds provisions that would indefinitely delay enrollment and risk legal challenge," Slonaker said. "Utah voters are smart, they are informed and they chose to support full Medicaid expansion without caps, red tape or delays." Christensen, R-North Ogden, wants to implement a "bridge plan" that would cover up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level with the money that Utahns voted on, a 0.15 percent sales tax increase, to fund it, at least until the waivers are approved. The Legislature, he said, would provide "a cushion" to fund anything beyond what the tax increase would not. The Trump administration, however, declined to address any waivers last year, which could be the case again, but Christensen said he has heard from Washington's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that there's "an excellent chance" it will come through this time. "I'm not an expansion fan. Never have been. I fought against it forever," Christensen said Monday, adding that he has legislative leadership support for his current proposal. But, he said, if "(voters) want it in and they want to tax themselves for it, we'll implement it. But we have to have some safeguards in there." Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, presented SB97, which would not only repeal Proposition 3, but also get rid of the limited expansion plan lawmakers approved last year. That plan was to cover about a third of childless and poor adults, who are mostly homeless, specifically to help with mental health and substance abuse disorders among that population. His idea is to replace them with "nothing, because I don't know how we can afford it." The latest projections show that the cost of full Medicaid expansion as approved by voters would reach $400 million in five years, so the $92 million raised by the sales tax increase that was part of the ballot initiative "just isn't going to cut it," Anderegg said. He also questioned whether voters knew there was a tax increase in the ballot initiative. "I think voters didn't realize they were raising the tax," he said. And even if they did, Anderegg said, "they had no idea it was only covering a quarter of the total expense. According to projections." Anderegg said colleagues in the House and Senate encouraged him to present his bill to repeal expansion, but didn't suggest he had enough support to get it passed this session. "I will live with that. But the reality is, I just don't know how we can pay for this. It's not that I hate poor people or sick people or old people," he said. "This is going to bury us. I don't know how to get around that." Advocates see it another way. I fear for my son. He can't live a normal life. Mary Ann Ericksen, a single mom in West Valley City "These bills that would repeal Proposition 3 are harmful to Utahns and run contrary to the will of the people," Slonaker said. His nonprofit group has long been an advocate of the uninsured, pushing for expansion every year since it was an option. It also helps Utahns apply for limited coverage under the federal health care exchange. Mary Ann Ericksen, a single mom in West Valley City who has been waiting for years for coverage options to help her grown son with his debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder issues, doesn't want to get her hopes up that the voters' will will stick, but really needs the coverage. "I fear for my son," she said. "He can't live a normal life." Ericksen works at and attends Salt Lake Community College and is also without health care. She and her son are two of an estimated 140,000 Utahns who do not have health insurance, either because they make too much to qualify for state programs or not enough to get subsidies to help pay for insurance offered on the federal health care exchange that was created when the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010. Every day spent waiting, Ericksen said, she fears the worst. "When you're dealing with PTSD it paralyzes you, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally to where you can't function," she said, adding that her 32-year-old son, who was severely abused as a child, has obtained some mental health counseling. But it wasn't enough. "Without dealing with the issues for so long, he's right back where he started from," she said. "The majority of the time, he just sits in his room." Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, has been a proponent of full Medicaid expansion since it was first offered to the states by the federal government in 2012. For the past three years, he's run the same bill to offer health care benefits to every Utahn who qualifies with full expansion. He's disappointed it hasn't happened. "We've lost billions of dollars in the state of Utah over the years," Davis said. The federal government promised to pay 100 percent of the cost of expanding Medicaid up until 2017. Utah lawmakers said they couldn't trust the money to come through, and the match rate has now dwindled to 95 percent. It will get to a 90-percent match rate, where it will stay, in 2020. "I think it is really necessary," Davis said. "This will take care of those folks who can't get coverage, can't get benefits at work and can't get the services they need." Utah Decides Healthcare, which backed Proposition 3, released a statement saying Utah's voters need to be respected and repealing "the will of the people" would harm "hardworking families who are expecting access to lifesaving care." "We can do better than this, and we look forward to working with lawmakers to support the implementation of Medicaid expansion in a way that is consistent with the intent of Utah voters," the nonprofit group stated Monday. A recent UtahPolicy.com poll found that 47 percent of voters want the Legislature to leave Medicaid expansion alone. About 41 percent say some amendments are necessary, according to the website's pollster, Dan Jones & Associates, which doesn't give the Legislature much to go on, UtahPolicy.com states. "I don't want to see any changes," Davis said. "I believe the people got it right, following what was put in place by federal law. Let's make sure that the voters of Utah, who have voiced their compassion for people who don't have access to what they need, get what they voted for." All but one of the many, many iterations of partial expansion plans presented by Utah lawmakers over the years, including one presented by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, have failed to get the necessary votes to pass. The plan approved last year never came to fruition without a federal decision on a waiver. It could be that nothing happens and Ericksen, who isn't getting her hopes up, said she will continue doing what she can to help her son on the very limited budget that they have. "It's been trying, but it's made me strong," she said. "I'm fighting for my son. It's all for him." SALT LAKE CITY Utah shelled out a fraction of what it did in 2013 to keep the state's national parks open during the latest federal government shutdown. The state spent $66,000 to keep national park services running during the 35-day partial shutdown that ended last Friday, according to the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. The state had agreed to spend up to $80,000. The Utah Department of Transportation plowed snow-covered roads in Arches and Canyonlands national parks on Jan. 15 and Jan. 22 at a total cost of $3,500. Outside of that $69,500, Utah did not incur any other "hard" costs, according to the budget office. In 2013, Utah sent about about $1.67 million in state reserve money to reopen five national parks and three other sites for 10 days. The shutdown ended six days later, and the federal government repaid Utah about $666,000 in unused funds, but has yet reimburse the state for the remaining $1 million. During the most recent shutdown, the state's money was combined with private donations to keep Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches the state's three most popular national parks open to visitors. The Zion National Park Forever Project, the Canyonlands Natural History Association and the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association provided donations to help keep the parks open throughout the month. Last Thursday, a day before the shutdown ended, Salt Lake-based Alsco Inc., a international linen and uniform rental company, donated $100,000 to be split among those three nonprofit organizations to fund the parks through Presidents Day. That money could now be used for other projects. In the days before the shutdown ended, state officials were working on a long-range plan had the federal impasse persisted, including dipping into the state's $820 million Rainy Day Fund. President Donald Trump and congressional leaders agreed to re-open government for three weeks while they work on a permanent spending bill and a deal on border security. The White House has not ruled out the possibility of another shutdown if an agreement isn't reached by the Feb. 15 deadline. SALT LAKE CITY A South Jordan real estate agent found dead in one of his rental properties was shot three times in the back and once in the groin, according to charging documents. On Monday, Manuel Velasquez, 31, of South Salt Lake, was charged in 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony, in the death of 40-year-old David Stokoe. In addition, Velasquez was charged with two counts of firing a gun and causing serious injury, a first-degree felony, obstructing justice, a second-degree felony, and possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a second-degree felony. Diana Yvette Hernandez, 30, of South Salt Lake, was charged with obstructing justice, a second degree felony. On Jan. 18, Salt Lake City police responded to 878 E. Princeton Avenue to look for Stokoe, who had been reported missing, according to charging documents. "In an upstairs apartment, they observed that the living room carpet had been ripped up and rolled into a bundle and there was apparent blood stains on the floor," the charges state. "In a crawl space inside a closet, investigators located Stokoe's body, partly wrapped in a sheet and blanket." Detectives looked at Stokoe's phone and discovered his last communications were with a number registered to five people, including Velasquez and Hernandez, the charges state. Police recognized some of the names as aliases for the same person. A plastic bag from WinCo with an empty package of latex gloves led investigators to a nearby WinCo where they reviewed surveillance video. In the video, Hernandez is seen purchasing the gloves, the charges state. Police later interviewed the person who picked up Hernandez and Velasquez from the Princeton apartment. "Hernandez made statements to (the driver) that something had happened and the guy 'got what he deserved,'" according to charging documents. When police interviewed Velasquez, he said that he and a woman named Jessica Miller, 38, who has also been identified as Jessica Reese, had been arguing with Stokoe through text messages about rent and that Stokoe wanted them out of the house by 6 p.m., the charges state. When Stokoe arrived, Velasquez claimed that Miller got into a fight with him, and Velasquez "jumped into the fight" and "shot at the landlord at least 3-4 times," according to the charges. After unsuccessfully attempting to clean blood from the floors, the defendants ended up cutting out pieces of carpet, the charges state. As of Monday, no charges had been filed against Miller, who was initially arrested for investigation of obstructing justice. A friend of Stokoe stated earlier that the real estate agent was trying to help Velasquez and Miller and began renting his upstairs apartment to them in December. But he later felt he was being taken advantage of, that rent wasn't being paid on time and more people were living there than agreed on, according to the friend. Salt Lake police said there was no evidence of Stokoe kicking in the door or putting anyone in a chokehold, as Velasquez originally claimed. Velasquez was previously convicted of witness tampering in 3rd District Court in 2011, making it illegal for him to own or posses a gun, according to court records. His long criminal history also includes being convicted last year of attempted forgery, attempted theft in 2015, and attempted drug possession in 2011, according to court records. In 2010, Velasquez was charged with attempted murder. But the case was dismissed right before it was scheduled to go to trial because the state's witnesses disappeared, according to court documents. SALT LAKE CITY The justice system is changing, Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant told lawmakers Monday, but it should continue to be accessible to the citizens of Utah. "While our fast-paced society and advances in technology may, at times, seem overwhelming, both lawmakers and judges must continue to carefully enact and faithfully adjudicate the law with fidelity," Durrant said. He said one of the challenges faced by legislatures and courts is to create and apply laws in a way that will improve public trust. "Let me say clearly fidelity to the law should never be shaped by or subjugated to a political agenda. Sadly, this is not a universally respected principle. Some seem to forget, or willfully ignore, that the rule of law is a bedrock principle upon which our country and our state have been established," Durrant said. Durrant stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law, which he said is the foundation and source of greatness in this country. Speaking to Utah legislators, Durrant said the rule of law is their shared enterprise. Legislators make the law, and judges interpret and make sure the law is applied fairly and consistently. "For the rule of law to have meaning, the public must be able to trust that the right outcome is reached. In this process, each party must have a voice and be respectfully heard," Durrant said. Public trust is just as important as it has ever been, he said, and is only possible with enough time and resources given to the judicial system. Durrant told the legislators this cannot be done without their support. "Utah is fortunate to have superb judges, and it's important that we continue to attract new judges of the same caliber. For this reason I urge you to adopt the recommendation on judicial salaries of the Elected Official and Judicial Compensation Commission. I also urge you to support our budget request for an increase in salaries for our dedicated clerical staff," Durrant said. Durrant also discussed the challenge of ensuring the citizens of Utah have access to the justice system. He cited studies which suggest about 80 percent of civil justice needs go unmet, a gap which he called unacceptable. He discussed a new class of legal professionals, the licensed paralegal practitioner, or LPP, who would be able to give legal assistance in certain cases including landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection actions and family law matters. "LPPs can provide this legal assistance without undergoing the expense of three years of law school, so they'll be able to offer the public a lower-cost option than is now available, thereby increasing access to competent legal representation. The first LPPs will begin work later this year," Durrant said. He also said there will be an increased access to the courts online through online dispute resolution, providing a way parties in small claims matters can resolve legal disputes without entering a physical courthouse with help from a court-trained volunteer facilitator. "The benefits of this flexible approach are obvious. Simply put, many people never engage in the litigation process because it requires them to take time off work, go to what they often see as a strange and intimidating courthouse, and to interact with an adversarial party face-to-face. (Online dispute resolution) provides them a convenient, quicker and less stressful way to engage in the judicial process," Durrant said. West Valley City Justice Court began this program in September 2018 and there have been over 600 cases filed. Durrant said they have received strong participation and positive feedback. According to Durrant, the innovations he discussed are designed to expand access to and affordability of justice in ways that are responsive to what Utah's citizens want, not necessarily what is convenient for courts. "By using our constitutional responsibility to govern the practice of law and by leveraging rapidly expanding technological advancements, we are delivering new ways of overcoming barriers to justice," Durrant said. SALT LAKE CITY Salt Lake police are investigating the death of a University of Utah doctor as a murder-suicide. Travis Geddes, 30, and Sarah Hawley, 27, were found dead Sunday inside a Sugar House home, 1825 E. Ramona Ave. (1925 South). Investigators believe Geddes killed Hawley and then killed himself, said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer. Shearer said the couple had lived together for a while. Other details, such as causes of death, were not released Monday. Hawley, who graduated from the University of California, San Francisco Medical School, had recently begun a residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine. "Today, University of Utah mourns the tragic loss of one of our bright young family medicine residents, Sarah Hawley, MD. Dr. Hawley was a first-year resident who was focusing on continuing her studies in family and preventive medicine," the U. said in a prepared statement Monday. Her adventurous spirit and love of learning will be missed by all those who knew her," said Dr. Kolawole Okuyemi, chairman of the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine. The dean of the U. School of Medicine, Michael Good, called her "a promising young physician" and said her death was a "senseless act of violence." Police were called just after 8 p.m. Sunday by a neighbor. The woman heard a "disturbance" and possibly a woman screaming, Shearer said. She thought the house was possibly being burglarized and called 911. When officers arrived, they found the couple dead inside the home. Family members, who live out of state, were notified. Shearer said Geddes and Hawley are not believed to be originally from Utah. Police had no record of domestic violence with the couple, he said. According to her online University of Utah biography, which lists her hometown as San Francisco, Hawley enjoyed cooking, swimming and "absolutely anything outdoors, such as camping, backpacking, white water rafting, and most notably bird and tree identification." On her Facebook page, Hawley posted many pictures of hikes and other outdoor adventures she had been on. "Sarah made it a priority to stay in touch with her family, constantly talking about them and always mentioning her love of family," said Dr. Brian Vukelic, Hawley's residency adviser, in a statement. "At the same time, she was excited about the opportunities Utah offered to her, particularly the ability to spend time doing all the outdoor activities she loved so much. Sarah was friendly, fantastic and hardworking. She always gave everything her all." Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting the YWCA's Women in Jeopardy program at 801-537-8600, or the confidential statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online at udvc.org. Correction: In an earlier version, photo captions said Sarah Hawley was killed on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2018. She was killed on Jan. 27, 2019. G. Terry Madonna is professor of public affairs at Franklin & Marshall College, and Michael Young is a former professor of politics and public affairs at Penn State University and managing partner of Michael Young Strategic Research. Morning Briefing: Winter weather on the way today; Woman busted for theft from elderly mother; Sen. Leach fires back at accuser Bottled water from the Chester Water Authority was handed out during a board meeting. Crisis-ridden Jet Airways was on Tuesday forced to ground three of its Boeing 737 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals, leading to the cancellation of around 20 domestic flights, according to sources. With three more planes taken out of operations, the number of aircraft on the ground due to non-payment of lease rentals by the carrier now stands at six in the last two days, the source added. "Jet Airways has defaulted on aircraft lease rentals and it has been forced to ground three more narrow-body Boeing 737 planes," a source in the know of the development told PTI. A response from the airline, which struggling with cash- crunch since the past many months, is awaited. Due to the fresh grounding of the planes, the airline, which is negotiating with its partner Etihad for an additional cash infusion, has cancelled as many as 19 flights to/from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Port Blair and Bengaluru, the source added. Washington: Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has hit back at critics who accuse the Democratic presidential hopeful of being a Hindu nationalist, saying questioning her commitment to America while not probing non-Hindu leaders creates a double standard that can only be rooted in religious bigotry. Gabbard, the four-term lawmaker said from Hawaii, wrote an op-ed for the Religious News Services on Sunday, describing the campaign against her, supporters and donors as profiling and targeting of Hindu Americans and ascribing to them motives without any basis. The 37-year-old on Jan. 11 announced that she would be running for the White House in 2020. Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to the US Congress, noted that she has been accused of being a Hindu nationalist. Tomorrow will it be Muslim or Jewish Americans? Japanese, Hispanic or African Americans? she asked. To question my commitment to my country, while not questioning non-Hindu leaders, creates a double standard that can only be rooted in one thing: 'religious bigotry'. I am Hindu and they are not, Gabbard said. I am proud to be the first Hindu-American to have been elected to Congress, and now, the first Hindu-American to run for president, she said. Washington: Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris launched her 2020 presidential bid on Sunday with a scathing criticism of President Donald Trump's policies, saying that the US is at an inflection point in the history due to the attack on democracy like never before. Harris, 54, who was elected to the Senate in 2016, announced her run for presidency last week. She has been voted on top of the list of Democratic leaders aspiring to defeat Trump in the November 2020 election. Harris, the second African-American woman elected to the US senate, has drawn comparisons to Barack Obama since early in her political career. We are at an inflection point in the history of our nation. We are here because the American dream and our American democracy are under attack and on the line like never before, she said. When we have leaders who bully and attack a free press and undermine our democratic institutions, that's not our America, she said, without mentioning Trump's name. She criticised the arrogance of power she saw in wealthy bank executives after the foreclosure crisis, and said that Americans needed to be honest about the country's problems with racism, sexism, anti-semitism and transphobia. Harris spoke of an America where we welcome refugees. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load The citys taxi drivers started the protests last week against the private services. Hundreds of taxis blocked a central traffic artery in Madrid during Mondays morning rush hour, in their biggest show of strength yet as a protest seeking tighter regulation of Uber and other ride-hailing services entered its second week. Anti-riot police backed by a fleet of tow trucks took several hours to clear the vehicles from the capitals Paseo de la Castellana. Stoppages are expected elsewhere as the protest drags on. The citys taxi drivers started the protests last week against the private services, which offer rides that often undercut taxi prices and can be hailed via the internet rather than in the street. In September, Spains government gave ride-hailing companies four years to comply with regulation granting them just one new licence for every 30 taxi licences. The cab drivers are demanding stricter regulations now. They (ride-hailing services) cant do the same services that a taxi does. They cant pick up people on the streets. That is illegal but nothing happens, said taxi driver Juan Mateos. Taxi drivers in Barcelona ended a strike last week after regional authorities proposed the ride-hailing services can only be booked a short time in advance and cannot be hailed in the street. Negotiations there remain ongoing, and some ride-hailing platforms say they may be forced to leave Barcelona if the new rules take effect. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. On December 19, 2018, US President Donald Trump reversed American policy in Syria. He announced that US troops would return home in 30 days since the Islamic State had been decisively defeated. Four days later, responding to concerns that some ISIS fighters remained in the country, President Trump tweeted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria. Mr Trump immediately lost his defence secretary James Mattis and his special envoy for the fight against ISIS, who both swiftly resigned in protest. Mr Trump then diluted the timeline for the soldiers return, saying on December 26 that it would be a strong, deliberate and orderly withdrawal from Syria, and that US troops would remain in Iraq to handle any possible ISIS resurgence and to watch over Iran. Two of his seniormost officials secretary of state Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton agreed that Mr Trumps withdrawal plan left the Syrian Kurds at the mercy of the Turkish Army and attempted to assure the Kurds that no harm would come to them. But Mr Pompeo affirmed that there would be a quick withdrawal from Syria, while Mr Bolton insisted on conditions relating to the Kurds safety being met by Turkey. President Erdogan sharply rejected these conditions, saying: Turkeys national security is non-negotiable. Mr Bolton was also rebuffed in Washington responding to queries relating to conditions set by him for the withdrawal, the military spokesman said: We dont take orders from Bolton. With the US committed to withdrawal, Turkey faces two immediate challenges. The first is how to handle the threat from the Syrian Kurds who, with US support, have carved out a large chunk of Syrian territory in northeast Syria as their homeland. The second pertains to Idlib in September last year, Turkey and Russia had agreed to delay the Syrian governments assault on this last rebel enclave. This was based on the assurance that Turkey would separate the extreme jihadis from Hayat Tahreek al Shaam (HTS), the new name of the Al Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Nusra that controls this town, from the moderate rebels made up of the Turkish-sponsored Free Syrian Army (FSA). Four months later, Turkey can show little success at Idlib in early January, HTS militants attacked FSA forces, evicted them from Idlib and now control large parts of the western countryside. This has provided the opportunity for the Syrian government to launch its much-delayed attack on Idlib. Observers see in this development a considered Turkish decision to prioritise confronting the Kurds over maintaining influence in Idlib. This could be part of a Turkish-Russian grand bargain: Russia has always been most concerned about the proliferation of jihadi elements in Syria. As recently as January 11, the Russian foreign office spokesperson noted that Idlib had become a shelter for thousands of terrorists. On the Kurdish front, Turkish leaders have been threatening to take the town of Manbij once it is vacated by the Americans and then move against the Kurds east of the Euphrates. However, Turkeys generals know that military action will pose serious difficulties it will require more forces than Turkey has in Syria, they will have to move deeper into Syrian territory, and above all they will have to accept heavy casualties. Here, Mr Trump appears to have resolved Mr Erdogans dilemma. On January 14, Mr Trump posted a tweet in which he threatened to devastate Turkey economically if they hit the Kurds. He also referred to the need to set up a 32-km buffer zone along the Syria-Turkey border. Showing uncharacteristic self-restraint, Mr Erdogan refused to attack Mr Trump and instead focused his remarks next day on the buffer zone idea. He recalled that this had been proposed by him to President Barack Obama earlier and that he had repeated it to President Trump in a recent telephonic conversation. He added that the buffer zone will be formed by us (Turkey), though he later clarified that nothing had been finalised and all aspects would be discussed with parties concerned. The situation in northern Syria has just been complicated by two ISIS attacks, one on January 16 and the other on January 21. In the first attack in Manbij, four US soldiers and five Kurd fighters were killed, while in the second suicide attack on a US-Kurdish convoy near Hasakeh, five Kurds were killed. Fearing that these attacks might delay the US withdrawal, Mr Erdogan has hastened to assure Mr Trump that Turkey could immediately assume responsibility for security at Manbij. As of now, the US response remains unclear. Amid the competitions and uncertainties in Syria, the Gulf Arab countries have initiated restoration of diplomatic ties with the Bashar al-Assad regime the UAE opened its embassy in Damascus on December 27, and this will be followed shortly by Kuwait and Bahrain. This is clearly aimed at countering the influence of both Turkey and Iran, though Turkey is viewed as the more immediate challenge. In the coming months, more Arab nations are expected to affirm ties with Syria based on their shared Arab identity and the promise of generous funding for reconstruction, while maintaining a strong outreach to Russia. Russia remains at the centre of regional diplomacy, with Moscow still the go-to capital for all West Asian players. Its principal challenge is to reconcile the competing interests of Turkey and Iran, keep intact the Astana peace process and ensure that its own interests in Syria and the region are safeguarded. Given the priority it attaches to maintaining Syrian integrity and sovereignty, it is opposed to Turkeys territorial ambitions in the north. It will seek to address Turkeys security concerns by promoting Kurdish interests not through a homeland but through autonomy in a united, federal Syria. It will also back the buffer zone idea but insist that it be under the Syrian government rather than Turkish control. This makes sense because the border has a mixed population of Arabs, Kurds and Turkomen. Mr Trumps withdrawal announcement has set all interested parties scampering to seek the best advantage for themselves, but Americas own interests and intentions still remain confusing and uncertain, even obscure. Welcome to the Trump era! One of the most characteristic and stirringly evocative symbols of Islam is the azaan ((literally meaning announcement,, also called in Turkish: ezan), the Arabic call to prayer, dramatically intoned in a resonant cadence by a muezzin (Arabic muaddin, prayer caller) who summons the faithful to prayer, traditionally by climbing to the top of a minaret to issue his call. There is also a tradition of reciting azaan into the ear of a newborn. The root of the word is adhina, meaning to listen, to hear, and be informed about. Another derivative of this word means ear. To summon worshippers, the Jews use a trumpet and the Christians use a bell, but the Muslims use the human voice. Prophet Muhammads mace-bearer and steward, Bilal ibn Rabah, an Egyptian Negro, was the first muezzin to call the azaan at Mecca. The azaan was originally a simple Come to prayer, and Bilal would roam the streets to remind people about prayer time. After the emigration of the Prophet and his followers from Mecca to Medina, a companion of the Prophet named Abd Allah ibn Zaid had a vision in which he tried to buy a wooden clapper to summon people to prayer. But the man who had the clapper advised him to call out to the people instead and to intone a short message. Ibn Zaid went to the Prophet with his story and he, while approving it, told him to ask Bilal, who had a marvellous voice famous for majestically sonorous renditions of the Quran , to perform the task. The sonorous cadence continues to stir 1.6 billion Muslims, from Morocco to Jakarta, five times a day: Come to prayer. Rise up to your welfare! And in the last hours of darkness just before dawn: Come to prayer. Rise up to your welfare. For prayer is better than sleep. Responding to this call, praying in the mosque, and making the pledge to God is the only thing need to become a Muslim. At this point one crosses over from Dar ul Harb, the house of the pagan, into Dar ul Islam, and the house of Islam (submission). This is a very simple exercise. The emphasis is on not making a verbal mistake rather than on believing something. The prayer carpet is carried by the Muslim when he travels abroad. At the times of prayer, he will determine the direction of Mecca, roll out his prayer carpet, and say his prayers to Allah. Muslims are instructed to turn to the Kaaba shrine in Mecca during prayers. The words of the azaan succinctly embody the basic principles of Islam and its teachings. The standard azaan can be translated as: Allah is most great. I testify that there is no god but Allah. I testify that Muhammad is the prophet of Allah. Come to prayer. Come to salvation. Allah is most great. There is no god but Allah. The first phrase is proclaimed four times, the final phrase once, and the others twice, the worshippers making a set response to each phrase. With no fixed melody or meter, the sound of azaan is a function of certain linguistic features. Long vowels occur in the last words in most phrases of the azaan, and these can often be melismatically extended, while the timbre of azaan is influenced by the pronunciation of various letters in Arabic. The azaan pervades the entire Muslim culture, and remains a highly pivotal and evocative symbol of the Islamic faith. Congress president Rahul Gandhis declaration on Monday that, if elected to power, his party would provide the countrys poor with a minimum income, came as a surprise, much as his earlier announcement about bringing his charismatic sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into the picture just weeks before the coming Lok Sabha polls. Mr Gandhis recent moves can leave no one in doubt, especially secular regional parties, that he is playing for real. As for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leaders plan is likely to increase pressure on his government to throw more promises to the electorate in the Budget that will be presented on February 1. In government and BJP circles, some amount of panic had set in after Mr Gandhi led his party to victory in three Hindi heartland states last month, primarily on the basis of the Congress promise to waive farmers loans in view of the prevailing agricultural distress. Making good within days of victory only served to raise the stakes for the BJP-led NDA government. In principle, the BJP has shown itself not to favour loan waivers and subsidies, but is likely to revise its stand on ground of tactical considerations. We must wait for the Budget so see how far the Modi government is ready to go to appease the electorate. The 10 per cent reservation for upper castes too is a step in that direction. Mr Gandhi has indicated that details of his partys plan for the poor will be spelt out in the partys manifesto, the job of writing which has been left to a team coordinated by former finance minister P. Chidambaram. Chances are that the basic outline has already been prepared and that the document will be hammered into shape after looking at the Budget pronouncements. What the Congress president has revealed so far is that a certain basic sum of money will be transferred into the bank accounts of all unemployed persons in the country, to be followed by all poor persons, regardless of age. As Mr Gandhi noted at his Raipur farmers rally where he disclosed his partys stand, a New India cannot be built when millions in the country suffer the scourge of poverty. This is a dig at the PM, who has spoken of a New India without specifying any pro-poor plans. For Mr Gandhi, what he proposes appears to be a hark back to his grandmother Indira Gandhis famous Garibi Hatao campaign of 1971. Mr Chidambaram says that existing schemes like MNREGA (brought in by the UPA earlier) will not be affected by the rollout of a minimum income for the poor, which may well cover 75 per cent of the country. Fiscal prudence too can be maintained. There may be pressure on the government to better this. The X factor in recent politics has been the arrival of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on the scene. This appears to have spread the uncertainty factor, especially in the Uttar Pradesh BJP as well as the SP-BSP coalition arrangement in that state. Its not clear if, as a result, there might be some realpolitik-induced changes that allow for electoral adjustments between UPs anti-BJP pre-poll coalition and the Congress without the Congress entering the coalition as a formal third ally. The Congress may be wary of such an eventuality for two reasons. The past shows when the Grand Old Party combines with the so-called social justice parties in UP, it ends up facilitating an upper caste consolidation around the BJP. The second major reason is that the Congress is seeking to emerge once again as an independent force with a modicum of credibility in several states where it is now only a pale shadow of its earlier self. UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and to an extent Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, fall in this category. In each of these, the political dynamics are different. But the Congress, under Rahul Gandhis new leadership, is seeking to fight the Lok Sabha election in each of these states with a view to regaining its personality so that the post-poll party-building exercise becomes a realistic exercise. If the party performs well enough, it may find that some of the secular parties against which it will be fighting the Lok Sabha election may become post-poll allies. Congress president Rahul Gandhis interaction with the media in Amethi last week, where he declared his party would be batting on the front foot in a number of states that he named, is indication that he is not looking for too many secular camp pre-poll allies. Since these parties are all regional, with exceptions, they cannot be each others allies either. As such, the whole idea of a mahagathbandhan against the BJP becomes too extravagant to remain realistic. The Congress has tied up with the NCP in Maharashtra. All indications are that it will ally with the DMK in Tamil Nadu. In Bihar, going together with Lalu Prasad Yadavs RJD cannot be ruled out, but the picture isnt entirely clear. Much may depend on the degree of flexibility that the RJD is prepared to exhibit. In short, the prospect of a single candidate from amongst the BJPs opponents in constituencies across the country that some political idealists had hoped for is nowhere near being realised. Of course, its just as true that the BJP too, unlike 2014, will be without some of its key NDA allies of the past. A good example is the Telugu Desam. The situation regarding the Shiv Sena isnt also very clear yet. All in all, a major poll battle lies ahead. Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samitis Medchal MLA Ch. Malla Reddy, was heard admitting in a video recording that all land-grabbers are our leaders. The MLA was in conversation with residents while addressing civic issues. While answering a question on illegal buildings, the legislator said, Dongalu, land-grabbers andaru mana leaders a!I However he did not name any leaders. The incident occurred on January 28, when a group of residents from Jawaharnagar met the legislator at his residence with a bunch of civic complaints, such as lack of power connectivity, bad roads and rampant illegal construction. The conversation was being recorded, and the legislator is heard saying, I know there are no electricity poles in Jawaharnagar, and there are several illegal buildings which will be demolished. Illegal construction of buildings is happening during night hours and the cheaters and land-grabbers are our leaders. The video went viral in no time and netizens shared the conversation on the Tik Tok application. Tweeple called it an honest confession, and secret out. When DC contacted the MLA, he denied making the statement. I have seen the video. I never said land grabbers are our leaders. On Monday morning, I was listening to civic issues of the residents. I informed them about the rampant illegal construction in Jawaharnagar. It is seen that several builders are unauthorisedly constructing houses on government property during the night and selling them later at a low price. The buyer will be a victim as the district collectors office will demolish such buildings. The participants at the meeting said that crops in about 35,000 acres were damaged in Telangana state due to rains and demanded that the government immediately take necessary steps to help the farmers. Hyderabad: State governments should focus more on agriculture, said Congress leaders on Tuesday at the Congress Kisan Cell meeting of the Southern states held at Gandhi Bhavan. The participants at the meeting said that crops in about 35,000 acres were damaged in Telangana state due to rains and demanded that the government immediately take necessary steps to help the farmers. The leaders also alleged that the government had not done any review. Discussions were held on Minimum Support Price, Comprehensive Seed Policy, Crop insurance, Agriculture Commission, farmer suicides, land survey and records, support during natural calamities and welfare of farm labour. All India Kisan Congress vice chairman M. Kodanda Reddy said, It is the Congress that introduced farm loan waiver in the country. The insurance scheme that was introduced by the BJP government was helping insurance companies rather than farmers. The Congress had waived loans in a single settlement in the states of MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Chairman of All India Kisan Congress Mr Nana Patole said, The Fasal Bima Yojana is meant to benefit the Reliance. In the BJP-ruled states, farmers were shot dead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working for Ambani and Adani. He will waive the loans of the richest people in the country but will not come forward to waive the loans of farmers struggling for their lives. New Delhi: As the BJP faces heat over the Citizenship Bill in the northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his party will always protect the interests of Assam. Taking to Twitter, he also thanked the people of the state for supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party in elections to three tribal autonomous councils. "Gratitude to my sisters and brothers of Assam for the strong support to @BJP4Assam in polls to three Tribal Autonomous Councils in the state. The @BJP4India is fully committed towards the development and prosperity of Assam," he said. The BJP has won several seats in the autonomous council polls. Modi said the government will "always protect the interests of the state." "Several initiatives of the central and Assam government have contributed towards transforming lives of the citizens of Assam," he wrote. Several BJP allies in the northeast will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Hyderabad: Telangana state chief secretary S.K. Joshi has requested the Election Commission of India to sanction 19,000 police personnel from the neighbouring states and 276 companies of Central forces for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. Mr Joshi informed the ECI that he was planning hold a meeting with the officials from the neighbouring states on February 5. He said this when chief election commissioner Sunil Arora on Monday held a video conference with chief Secretaries, DGPs, CEOs and other officials to review the states preparedness for the Lok Sabha elections. Mr Joshi told the ECI that Telangana Assembly elections were conducted in December last year peacefully after the state was sanctioned 19,000 police personnel from neighbouring states, in addition to 276 companies of Central forces. He said the same amount of forces would be required for the forth coming Lok Sabha elections too. The chief secretary said the state administration was taking every step to conduct Lok Sabha elections peacefully. Central election commission officials will tour all the states to review the steps taken by state governments to conduct Lok Sabha elections. Mr Joshi said the state electoral rolls would be published on February 22. He said the state government would allocate the budget required to conduct the elections. DGP Mahendar Reddy informed the election commission that the police force was ready to conduct the Lok Sabha elections without any incidents like it did in the recent Assembly and ongoing panchayat elections. He said the force would implement a action plan for Maoists-affected areas along with the forces in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. He also spoke about setting up interstate checkposts and steps taken to resolve election-related cases and exchange of information with other states. He said the police had identified sensitive polling stations. Cuttack: BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to surgical strikes and his address in Hindi at the UN General Assembly. Pakistan attacked Uri by sending its terrorists. Within 10 days, Prime Minister Modi took the revenge through surgical strikes. This only he can do. The Congress cant do this. When Prime Minister Modi speaks in Hindi at the UN General Assembly, every Indian feels proud, said Shah, while addressing a rally here. Projecting BJP as the true custodian of marginalised sections of the society, he said: BJP-led Central government is for the poor, tribal people and Dalits. Congress ruled India for decades but the poor did not get even basic amenities such as gas connections, medical benefits and electricity. After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, many houses got LPG connections. We made toilets for eight crore houses and two crore electricity connections were given to the poor people, said the BJP chief. Shah also criticised Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for allegedly restricting the people from taking direct benefits of Central governments various welfare schemes. In Odisha, the poor people are unable to benefit from the schemes of Central government due to the narrow mindset of the state government led by Naveen Patnaik. I want to ask the Chief Minister why poor people in the state are not getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat, he said. The state government is afraid because if they will allow people to benefit from Ayushman Bharat, then Prime Minister Modi will become famous and the BJPs roots will get stronger. The Panchayat elections show that the next government will be made by BJP in the state, said Shah. Talking about how the BJP has been generous in giving funds to Odisha, Shah said: In 13th Finance Commission, Congress gave around Rs 79,000 crore to the state. When the BJP came to power at the Centre, we gave Rs 2,11,510 crore for development works in Odisha as per the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission. Apart from this, we also gave Rs 51,000 crore more. In total, we have given Rs 5,13,000 crore for Odishas development. Has this money reached the villages in Odisha? Do you get electricity for 24 hours in your villages? Do you get drinking water from taps, he asked. Talking about the much-hyped grand alliance of opposition parties, BJP chief Shah said: BJP is all set to contest the coming Lok Sabha election under Prime Minister Modis leadership. We have more than 26 parties with us in the NDA. On the other hand, there is a grand alliance, which is fake. All these parties under Congress leadership do not have even a leader and a positive agenda for development. In a bid to infuse confidence in the BJP workers, he said: I want the party workers to go home today with the vision of creating a new Odisha by taking motivation from Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das. Also, take the pledge that in the next Vidhan Sabha elections Odisha will get an Odia speaking Chief Minister. Southwest Airlines to Pull Plug on Mexico City Flights Mexico City - Southwest Airlines last week announced that they will stop flying to Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport, saying its leisure markets are outperforming this business-heavy travel destination. The airline began offering flights to Mexico City in 2014 and now plans on ceasing operations on March 30, 2019. "Mexico City was showing very nice improvement," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's chairman and CEO. "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." The airline will continue service to popular Mexican vacation destinations, including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas; and many other tropical international locales, including Belize, Costa Rica and Jamaica. According to Kelly, beginning service to Hawaii is a priority for Southwest. The airline is working to initially offer flights between California and four destinations in the islands. "We are [also] working on better commercial capabilities in terms of marketing in foreign countries, accepting foreign currency and all of those things... which would support service to a place like Mexico City better than what we have today." Southwest has faced 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; and Interjet, a well-known lower-fare airline. On January 11, three more witnesses in the case recorded their statements in the court (File Photo) New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday issued summons to Priya Ramani as an accused in the defamation case filed by former junior external affairs minister MJ Akbar against her. Ramani, who was the first woman to accuse Akbar of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement, has to appear before the Patiala House Court on the next date of hearing, slated on February 25. On January 11, three more witnesses in the case recorded their statements in the court. In total, seven people (including Akbar) have recorded their statements in the criminal defamation complaint. All the witnesses who concluded their statements in favour of Akbar said that his impeccable reputation built over the years was tarnished in their eyes and caused grave damage to his reputation by tweets and publications. All these witnesses have been associated with Akbar for many years. Akbar resigned as the Minister of State for External Affairs in October last year after Ramani and other women accused him of sexual harassment. Chennai: Ruling out any truck with the national parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, AMMK leader T. T.V. Dhinakaran has said that his party would soon hold talks with friendly regional parties and finalise the alliance. We have already identified our candidates for the Lok Sabha election. We are not looking for aligning with the national parties, Dhinakaran said while speaking to reporters here on Tuesday. The AMMK deputy general secretary said his party is in talks only with some regional parties, and that the outcome would be announce once it is finalised. Dhinakaran said his AMMK is fully geared up to face the Lok Sabha polls. The party has been ready to face any polls since the last six months, he said before commencing his two-day tour of Thiruporur, Chengalpet, Maduranthakam and Cheyyur Assembly constituencies in neighbouring Kancheepuram district. On Prime Minister Narendra Modis Sunday visit to Madurai, Dhinakaran said the people of the State were not bothered about his visit and it had gone unnoticed. Why should I waste my time talking about it? he asked. A week ago, Dhinakaran during his tour of Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu as part of his Reaching out to people programme, had ruled out merging his party with the ruling AIADMK. Reacting to Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athwales suggestion that both the AIADMK and AMMK should join hands and become part of the BJP-led NDA for the Lok Sabha election, Dhinakaran had ruled out a merger with the AIADMK for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as the AIADMK is a party of betrayers. The AMMK will not join hands with the BJP just because it is in power, said Dhinakaran. Mysuru: Making light of Mondays incident in a village in Varuna constituency, where he snatched the microphone from a former taluk panchayat president, along with her dupatta in anger at her remarks, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Tuesday that there was nothing to it. The BJP has no issue to raise and so it has made it one. Jamlar (the former taluk panchayat chief) is our party worker and she herself has explained what happened. Lets leave it there, he told reporters here. Also dismissing BJP leaders comparing his behaviour to that of characters in the Mahabharatha, he snapped, Yes they do it and the media does it too. Ms Jamlar, for her part, told reporters that she had nothing to say against Mr Siddaramaiah and he had merely reacted to her rude behaviour at the public event. Mr Siddaramaiah is a very good man. He was the best Chief Minister. While sharing problems of the revenue department, I behaved in a rude manner and banged on the table with my hand. I should not have done that in front of a former Chief Minister. So he got a little angry and snatched the mike from my hand, she said, adding, I didnt mean that MLA, Dr Yathindra does not visit the constituency. He does, but I have not been able to meet him, thats all. It is not Dr Yathindras fault, but of the party workers, who dont intimate us. Ms Jamlar said that she had apologised to Mr Siddaramaiah. The former CM ad lost his temper when she accused his son Yathindra, Varuna MLA, of not being available to the people of the constituency in her speech, hitting the table to emphasise her point, at the public event in the constituency. Meanwhile, condoling the death of former Union Minister, George Fernandes, Mr Siddaramaiah, called him a tall leader, who had worked for many causes, especially during the Emergency. He was very close to me and helped me a lot in 1983 and 1985. We used to meet him whenever he was in Bengaluru. He was unwell for the past few years and could not recognise me when I met him a year ago, he added. The Bench specifically pointed out that roads in the Metro Rail (HMRL) stretch viz. Miyapur to Assembly, and LB Nagar sector were not properly maintained. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday expressed its concern over the inadequate coordination between the various departments of the state government on maintenance of roads in Hyderabad. It directed the Chief Secretary to solve this issue and submit a report within 4 weeks. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice A. Rajasekhar Reddy was dealing with the plea of former MLC N. Ramchander Rao on the deplorable condition of the roads in Hyderabad which were leading to a huge number of fatal accidents. More concerned over the stretch, where the Metro Rail works were underway, the bench impleaded the Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited(HMRL), Union ministry of Highways and Roads and Chief Secretary of Telangana and asked them to place a comprehensive report. The Chief Justice Radhakrishnan orally observed When the citizen is paying tax, it is the responsibility of the governments to facilitate them with proper roads. Why are the various limbs of the Telangana government not co-ordinating and why are they are not ensuring that roads are properly maintained, paving for a safe journey for citizens when they travel. In view of the Metro Rail works in various parts of Hyderabad , the roads abutting both sides of the metro rail are damaged and when it comes to repairing them, the GHMC, Roads and Buildings and the Metro Rail are passing the buck to each other and in the interregnum, utimately, it is the citizen who loses his life, said C.J. Radhakrishnan. The Bench specifically pointed out that roads in the Metro Rail (HMRL) stretch viz. Miyapur to Assembly, and LB Nagar sector were not properly maintained. The Court made it clear that it needs a cohesive and comprehensive input on actual works done and modalities formulated for laying and maintenance of roads. It directed the state government to file a short report on actual and anticipated works which still have to be done. To address the concerns of engineering students, Anna University has decided to allow students under 2017 regulations to write arrears (reappearance) immediately following semester exams. Chennai: To address the concerns of engineering students, Anna University has decided to allow students under 2017 regulations to write arrears (reappearance) immediately following semester exams. The academic council of Anna University which met here on Monday approved these changes and it would come into immediate effect once the Syndicate of Anna University approves them. According to the new changes, the students will be allowed reappearance immediately following the semester. They also would be permitted to appear for exams in which they failed in the previous semesters without a maximum credit limit. To give more opportunities to students to clear their arrears, the academic council has decided to allow the students to reappear in the subsequent semesters. There will also be no maximum credit limit in the semester, said M.K. Surappa, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University. Students should pass all papers in first semester He added that if a student who failed to clear a subject in the first semester, would be allowed to reappear for the subject in the second semester itself. As per 2017 regulations, Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) was introduced in affiliated engineering colleges during 2017-18. Under this system, students who failed in the theory course could only reappear along with regular students when that course was offered the next time. It meant that if a student could not clear a course in an odd semester, he or she could only reappear for the exam when the course was offered next year. Further, the total number of credits that a student was allowed to register per semester could not exceed 36. However, to improve the quality of engineering education, the university plans to introduce a new rule from the next academic year. The students who don't have any arrears in the first semester alone will be allowed to study in the fourth year or seventh semester. The students need to clear all arrears in the five opportunities. This is to ensure a minimum quality, Professor Surappa said. Opposing the reappearance rules, engineering students across the state protested at several places including in front of Anna University's main campus on January 18. The affiliated engineering colleges witnessed a steep decline in their November 2018 semester results and the students feared they could not finish their course within four years under the existing regulations. After holding discussions with senior academicians and the board of studies, the standing committee of Anna University suggested changes in the 2017 regulations and the university has convened an academic council meeting to discuss the issue. Sources said the academic council also approved the open day revaluation for the students studying in the university departments. To bring transparency in the revaluation, the answer scripts would be re-evaluated in front of students. It would be applicable only to the students studying in the four campuses of Anna University including College of Engineering, Guindy, Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet and Alagappa College of Technology, sources added. What do 2017 regulations say? As per 2017 regulations, Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) was introduced in affiliated engineering colleges during the last academic year. Under this system, if a student could not clear a course in an odd semester, he or she can only reappear for the exam when the course is offered next year. Also, the total number of credits that a student is allowed to register per semester cannot exceed 36. Bengaluru: In a sign that the Janata Dal (S) maybe exploring options outside the coalition with the Congress in the state or simply rattling the Congress cage ahead of upcoming negotiations on seat-sharing for parliamentary polls, JD(S) supremo Mr H.D. Deve Gowda's son and Minister H.D. Revanna reportedly met BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa at his Dollars Colony home on Tuesday, setting off fresh speculation that the coalition government could be on its last legs. Sources in the BJP however have denied the meeting even took place on Tuesday, saying BSY was ill through the day, while allowing that it may have happened on Monday, shortly after senior Congress leaders had been openly critical of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, saying that for them 'their chief minister was still Siddaramaiah," leading the CM, to threaten to step down and bring the government down with him. Amid reports that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had on Tuesday cautioned former chief minister and Congress legislative party chief, Mr Siddaramaiah from creating any rift between the coalition partners, Mr Siddaramaiah himself took all State Congress leaders who had been openly criticizing the chief minister, to task, as Mr Revanna's secret meeting with the BJP raised the very real possibility that the JD(S) could pull the plug on the government, and lead to fresh elections. Though the nature of the discussion was kept secret, sources also said that this was no more than a ploy by JDS supremo Mr Deve Gowda to keep the Congress on the back foot in the run up to the discussion between the coalition partners on sharing of Lok Sabha seats. Mr. Revanna's visit reportedly took place while the JD(S) was in the midst of a high level National Executive in the city, discussing strategy on how to defeat communal BJP in forthcoming Parliament elections. After meeting Mr Yeddyurappa, Mr Revanna is said to have re-joined the meeting, when it was in its last stages. Sources said that Mr Revanna went to Mr Yeddyurappa's Dollars Colony house at around 6 pm. It was a one on one meeting between the two and by the time Mr Revanna returned to the JD(S) conclave, it was around 8.30 pm. Meanwhile Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has reportedly spoken to AICC president Rahul Gandhi complaining against the State Congress leaders, which prompted Mr Gandhi to pull up state leaders. New Delhi: In a move that is big on optics ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led-Central government on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to hand over 67.39 acre of non-disputed and superfluous excess land adjacent to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid area to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas or the trust overseeing the Ram temple plan. The move could see some form of construction of a Ram temple by Hindu groups if the handover is allowed, amid pressure from the RSS and Hindutva groups on the Centre to facilitate this step. Seeking modification of the apex courts 2003 order for maintaining status quo on the entire 67.39 acre land, including the disputed 2.77 acre site, the government asked the top court to carve out the exact extent of land necessary to access the disputed area and allow it to give the excess land back to the Nyas. In its application, the Centre also said that the entire 2.77 acre premises, within which the disputed structure stood before its demolition on December 6, 1992, cannot be termed as disputed. The Centre it its application claimed that only 0.313-acre plot, on which the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure stood, is disputed. Later, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said that the plea before the Supreme Court is a legal decision taken in sync with the BJP stand on Temple. He clarified that the government has not touched the disputed land. Today the government has taken a very important in-principle decision to return the excess land which was acquired in 1994 to the original landowners. One of the land owners of 42 acre, out of 67 acre, is Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. The government wants to return the land to its original owners and they want to build the Ram temple there, he said. The 33-page application showcases the BJP-led governments commitment to the Ayodhya cause as rightwing groups intensify their campaign for a temple at what they believe is the birthplace of Lord Ram. After the destruction of the Babri mosque, the then Congress government acquired 67.703 acre, including the land measuring 2.77 acre, through a legislation in 1993. The 67.703 acre land, mainly belonging to Hindus, is vested with the Centre as its custodian under the Acquisition of Certain Area in Ayodhya Act of 1993. The Union home ministry said in the application filed on Monday that instead of confining the order of status quo to the disputed land the Supreme Court had extended the restraining order to adjacent acquired land as well. The Centre also referred to the SCs verdict in the 1994 Ismail Faruqui case, saying the top court had observed that if the Centre wants to return the acquired land to its original owners then it may do so. Dubbing the Centres move as an insidious attempt, AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi accused it of trying everything in their capacity to prevent a fair and independent adjudication of the dispute. Bhopal: BJP on Tuesday prepared a plan to organise a series of public meetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and partys national president Amit Shah in Madhya Pradesh in February ahead of forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, due in April-May this year. The party seems to have given more focus to the areas where BJP fared poorly in the November assembly elections. Accordingly, the party strategists have decided to organize public meetings of Mr Modi and Mr Shah in Gwalior-Chambal and Mahakashol areas, where BJP suffered severe drubbing in the recently held assembly polls denying the party the fourth successive term in power. We have identified the two regions as our weak spots and hence wanted our star campaigners, Mr Modi and Mr Shah, to address a series of public meetings in the areas to retain the saffron base in the upcoming elections in the ar-ea, a senior BJP leader said. Bengaluru: Cutting across party lines, corporators paid rich tributes to the Walking God, Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, at the monthly BBMP council meeting on Tuesday. They observed a two-minute silence before starting the meeting. Ruling party leader Shivaraj said Shivakumara Swamiji was a veritable God to hungry children, pursuing education. He lamented that the Swamiji was not given the Bharat Ratna when he was alive. Breaking all barriers of caste, creed and religion, the Swamiji educated thousands of children every year, Mr Shivaraj said. Palike has reserved `1 crore for the birthday celebrations of the Swamiji and has renamed a stretch of Tumakuru Road after him, he said. Ridiculing the BBMP, leader of opposition Padmanabha Reddy said that the Palike with its budget outlay of Rs 10,000 crore struggles to run its schools and colleges at certain standards, while the Swamiji not only provided education, but also ensured food and accommodation to poor children. Mayor Gangambike said the 'anna dasoha' initiated by the Swamiji is an inspiration to the government to serve free food. Terming the Swamiji the modern Basavanna, she said the Siddaganga Matha seer empowered women and provided education to the needy. The Council also mourned the death of socialist leader and former Union Defence Minister George Fernandes. Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has indicated that his party is willing to forge an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if there is a respectable proposal from its ally. Mr Thackeray had called upon a meeting of its party MPs at his residence, Matoshree, in Mumbai to gauge their mood on alliance talks. According to party sources, the Sena chief was favourable towards forming an alliance, but not at the cost of self-respect. The BJP has expressed its willingness to form an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. However, there is no concrete proposal from it so far. If the BJP is ready to forge an alliance by respecting the self-esteem of the party, then we are ready for it, he said in the meeting. During the meeting, several MPs expressed the fear that the election would be a difficult one if the party did not form an alliance with the BJP. Replying to them, the party chief claimed that it would be very difficult to convince Shiv Sainiks about the alliance as they have been hurt by the BJPs dominating attitude. However, after the meeting, the Sena MP Sanjay Raut sang a different tune before the media, saying Sena is the big brother and would remain so. Talking on reports of the BJP and Shiv Sena fighting an equal number of seats, Mr Raut said, We have no information about it. We dont have any such proposal. We reiterate that Shiv Sena will play the role of a big brother and will remain the big brother. In the meeting, we discussed the Rafale deal and the drought in the state. On the 10 per cent Economically Weaker Sections quota to General Category, Uddhavji said people with annual income of `8 lakh must be exempted from paying income tax. Since you have labelled them poor, they must be exempted, said Mr Raut. It looks more like businesses and wealthy people are giving to her coffers and it would be interesting to know if they lived in Baltimore or just profited on the back of Baltimore. A contractor and his firm gave her $11,500, a law firm gave her $13,000, a McDonalds franchise owner and company gave her $18,000 and the chief executive of an e-cigarette company in San Francisco and his wife gave her $12,000. A group of Korean businessmen, many owning liquor stores, gave her $50,000. Oh by the way, she linked liquor stores to crime. Wonder if that will soften her tone on liquor stores? And on it goes with her campaign with another donation by Columbia financier J.P. Grant of $29,000. Chennai: Glass major Saint Gobain on Monday inaugurated three key facilities, including a third float glass manufacturing plant at its Sriperambudur factory near here. This expansion involves an overall investment of `1,200 crore and would meet the growing demand of both the domestic and international glass markets, the company said. Inaugurating the new facilities, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami recalled that while launching its second float glass plant during her term as CM in 2006, Jayalalithaa had expressed confidence of the companys growth over the years. Her prediction had come true, Palaniswami noted, adding, I am happy that it has committed more in Tamil Nadu among its global investments. Besides, said he, the company in the just concluded Global Investors Meet committed had committed further investment of `750 crore in the state. Saint Gobain said the facilities now launched at its World Glass Complex were the firms third float glass manufacturing unit, an advanced magnetron coater and glass solutions line and a 72 million litre capacity rainwater harvesting reservoir. These initiatives would take the companys cumulative investment here to over `3,000 crore, it said. As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India was an important market and investment destination for Saint-Gobain, Pierre-Andre de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, France, said. Over the past two decades the company has consistently invested in developing new markets, new world-class manufacturing facilities and technology and human capital, he said. The companys earlier investment in Saint-Gobain Research India, located here, was aimed at developing innovative solutions, not only for markets such as India, but also for the world, he said, adding that India has consistently encouraged and supported us. Our products are well accepted, our businesses have leadership positions.. the brand recall of Saint-Gobain in India is as good as that in France. Indeed, we are as much an Indian company as we are French, he said. Anand Y Mahajan, Chairman, Saint-Gobain India Private Ltd, said the company has endeavoured to develop the markets in India by bringing the best technologies and building world class manufacturing facilities in line with the Governments Make in India mission. According to the company, the third float glass plant will be the largest in India and the region and is equipped to manufacture a wide range of complex products that cater to the needs of sustainable habitats and affordable luxury. Chennnai: An MDMK functionary, Sathiyaraj Balu, was arrested on Monday for uploading an allegedly defamatory post on Facebook on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Balu, who was arrested in Nagapattinam district, has been booked under IPC Sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 505 (2) (statements conducing to public mischief) among others, following a complaint filed by BJP leaders. Balu, according to sources, had allegedly posted on his Facebook page a morphed picture of Mr Modi with a begging bowl a day before the PMs visit to Madurai on Sunday. A news agency quoted a senior Nagapattinam district police officer as saying: We received a complaint against him (Mr Balu) and took action as per the law. Balu was being remanded pending a police investigation. The MDMK, one of the vociferous critics of the BJP, had staged a black flag demonstration against the Prime Minister shortly before he arrived at the temple city to lay the foundation stone for the AIIMS project, accusing him of betraying the interests of Tamil Nadu. Several MDMK cadres led by party chief Vaiko were detained by the local police. The members had released black balloons besides raising slogans against Mr Modi, denouncing him for allegedly betraying the interests of the state on Cauvery and other issues. Slogans like go back Modi, and counter hashtags Madurai thanks Modi and TN welcomes Modi trended on micro-blogging site Twitter. Tamil Nadu State president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and Union minister of state for finance and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan strongly condemned the MDMK for staging the protest. In April last year, the MDMK members staged a black flag agitation condemning Mr Modi when he visited Chennai to inaugurate the defence expo. While replying to a submission on the issue in the state assembly, Vijayan said such raids were not usually carried out at the party offices in the state. (Photo: File) Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday slammed a woman IPS officer who searched the office of the ruling CPI(M), saying some vested interests had a tendency to "tarnish" the image of those in politics. His criticism comes amid a raging row over the LDF government ordering a departmental probe against the young officer Chaitra Teresa John after she came to the CPI(M)'s district office on January 24 midnight in search of some accused in a case. A police team, led by Chaitra, had come tracing some leaders of DYFI, the youth wing of CPI(M), who were reportedly involved in the alleged stone pelting of a police station in the city, following which a probe had been ordered against her, based on the complaint of the party district leaders. While replying to a submission on the issue in the state assembly, Vijayan said such raids were not usually carried out at the party offices in the state. It was necessary in a democratic society to create a conducive environment for the smooth functioning of party offices and the safeguarding of such institutions was generally viewed as the duty of the police, he said. "Some vested interests have an inclination to tarnish the image of those in politics and there have been occasions when some people have fallen for such tendencies. A democratic society can go forward only after rectifying such outlooks," he said, adding that the government was viewing the search at the CPI(M) party office with the same approach. A complaint had been received from the party district secretary in this connection and it was the responsibility of a government to consider it with seriousness in a democratic society, he said. "So the DGP has been directed to carry out a probe into the complaint. The government's policy is to ensure a smooth environment where all political parties can function freely. The government will take appropriate action if anyone adopts a stand different from it," the Chief Minister added. Presenting the issue as a submission in the House, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the search was legal and any action against the officer would send a wrong message and amounted to demoralising the police force. New Delhi: With less than two months left for Class 10 and Class 12 exams, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0' on Tuesday, requested parents not to force children to "fulfil" their "unfulfilled" dreams. The interactive session with the Prime Minister was held at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi. While interacting with a cross-section of students, teachers and parents, Prime Minister Modi said: "I request parents, do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths. It is important to understand these positives of every child". He added, "I hope parents do not make the report card of their children their own visiting cards because if that is the aim then the expectations from children become unreal," he added. While answering a question asked by a mother about the negative effect of technology on studies, the Prime Minister said that technology should lead to the expansion of the mind. "I will not say exposure to technology is a bad thing for students. It is good that students are getting acquainted with new technology. Technology should lead to an expansion of the mind and as a means to innovate," he said. Prime Minister Modi, while talking about the pressure of result, said: "Exams are important in life, but one should not be stressed by it. Abhi nahi to kabhi nahi (if not now, it means never), should not be the only motto. Ask yourselves if this is an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class 10 or 12? Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce". "Society should be aspirational, not negative. If people have expectations from us, it shows that they have some trust in us. We have to make ourselves capable, not get bogged down by expectations. We must take it positively," emphasised Prime Minister Modi. Emphasising that time management is important, the Prime Minister said: "One thing that is most important for all of us is time management. Time is our own, and we decide what to do with our time and how to get things done. That is totally in your control. We all have the same 24 hours. But those who manage their time well set themselves apart. You have to prioritise from time to time. Those who master the art of time management seem to go through life effortlessly. Time management is the most important factor. If we have 10 things to do, sometimes we need to know which are the six or seven that need priority". A few days back, a 'Catchy Caption Contest' was also organised for students below 25 years of age including students between Class IX and XII, graduates and undergraduates. Unlike 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2018, this year only the selected students, parents and teachers who had won the contest interacted with Prime Minister Modi. At today's event, participants also included college students from 24 states and Union Territories, according to a statement of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. As many as 675 students from across the country have reached Delhi for the event. Fernandes rose to prominence after his surprise victory in the 1967 parliamentary elections, over a Congress veteran in Mumbai. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and leaders across political parties paid homage to former union minister George Fernandes, who died today after a long illness on Tuesday. PM Modi said that the former minister represented the best of India's political leadership. George Sahab represented the best of Indias political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 "Very saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers," West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted. President Ram Nath Kovind, along with several other leaders across the political spectrum, also paid tribute to George Fernandes. Distressed to learn of the passing of Shri George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 29, 2019 Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of former Defence Minister Sh. George Fernandes. My thoughts and prayers are with his family...May his soul rest in peace. Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 29, 2019 Deeply saddened by the passing away of Indias former Defence Minister George Fernandes ji. Today we have lost a stalwart of Indias socialist movement. He devoted his entire life for the welfare and uplift of the poor and marginalised. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 29, 2019 Saddened by the demise of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. An able administrator, a distinguished politician, his contribution towards strengthening democracy will be etched in the hearts & minds of Indians forever. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. Om Shanti Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 29, 2019 Fernandes rose to prominence after his surprise victory in the 1967 parliamentary elections, over a Congress veteran in Mumbai. KOLLAM: Hundreds of cashew workers and entrepreneurs took out a march here on Monday protesting against the alleged coercive steps adopted by banks, including the State-Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC), against cashew processors despite the directives from the state government. The march was held from the head post office junction at Chinnakkada to the Federal Bank office near Iron Bridge. The banks are raising threats against some three lakh workers depending on the industry and small -scale entrepreneurs who run their business by pledging their assets. The governments attempts to sustain the industry have not been effective, said joint protest council state convenor K. Rajesh. The protesters have threatened to launch a hunger strike by the employees and entrepreneurs if the government did not prevent banks from taking coercive action against loan defaulters. The government had promised to support the private cashew sector by pumping in money and allocated Rs 20 crore in the budget for it. A committee was formed to scrutinise each account that has been declared as non-performing asset (NPA) and restructure the financial liabilities with the banks. With the banks sabotaging the revival efforts, the entrepreneurs will not get fresh loans as additional working capital to restart the industry. Some 160 entrepreneurs are in trouble with the declaration of NPA by the banks. Around 700 out of 834 registered cashew factories are closed due to huge operational costs and losses. Rural women will collect liquor sold illegally in their respective villages and wards and burn it to support jail bharo andolan and protest against violation of the Constitution. (Representational Image) Bengaluru: States well-known personalities will start jail bharo andolan with women activists to intensify the ongoing liquor ban movement on Mahatma Gandhis Martyrdom Day January 30. On the occasion, thousands of rural women will take out a padayatra to Bengaluru to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha. On the same day, women activists in every taluk and district centre will protest in support of the andolan. This decision was taken during a huge public convention held at Siddaganga Matha on January 26 in the presence of Sanehalli Sri Panditaradhya Swamiji. One of reasons behind the protest against sale of liquor is domestic violence that women go through at the hands of their husbands and relatives. Rural women will collect liquor sold illegally in their respective villages and wards and burn it to support jail bharo andolan and protest against violation of the Constitution. Article 47 of the Constitution clearly specifies liquor ban along with prohibition of consumption of intoxicating drugs. However, since Independence, no ruling party has banned the sale of liquor. Madya Nishad Andolan alleges that political parties want the downtrodden society to spend on liquor, and this results in people getting addicted. A huge protest movement consisting 40,000 people was held in Raichur, Karnataka in October 2016. The release states that despite such efforts, the ruling parties gave licences to open additional 500 liquor shops in the name of revenue generation. Hyderabad: An improperly maintained high-tension electricity wire claimed the life of a young territorial Army aspirant on Monday. The youngster had gone to relieve himself when he ran into a low-hanging wire and got electrocuted. The police identified the person as Saika Aravind, 19, of Mulamalla in Atmakur mandal of Wanaparthy district. He was a second-year graduate student at Sri Vani Degree College in Wanaparthy. According to Malkajgiri police, Aravind had come to the city with six friends on Sunday night to attend the recruitment drive of 125 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army). The recruitment rally was being held at the 1105 Railway Engineer Regiment office at Moula Ali under Malkajgiri police station. The six youngsters, all residents of Government BC Welfare Boys Hostel in Wanaparthy, were waiting in an open area near the venue for the recruitment drive to begin. There were around 10,000 aspirants. Around 4 am, the youth went near the bushes to relieve themselves when the incident occurred. Because of the darkness and thick fog, Aravind could not see the wire, said Ramanjaneyulu, a friend of Aravinds, who was with the group. There was a loud noise followed by a flash where Aravind was walking. The wire hit his throat. His body was flung in the air and his left leg also came in contact with the wire. Aravind died on the spot. Army personnel and the police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area to prevent a big crowd from gathering. Based on a complaint from Aravinds father Anjalanna, a case has been registered under Section 304 A of IPC (causing death due to negligence) for the probe. The body was handed over to his father after performing the autopsy at Gandhi Hospital mortuary. The facilities for the participants in the recruitment rally would be provided after the recruitment process starts, but not before that. It is not easy to provide the amenities to all the participants before the recruitment, said an army official. A police official from Malkajgiri said The Army have said that they would only provide the amenities inside the campus but not before the drive start. And, there are also no public toilets available in the vicinity of the place of recruitment. Bengaluru: City children thanked the traffic police for their tireless work and celebrated the 14th Traffic Police Day at the Traffic Management Centre at Vasanth Nagar on Monday. Around 50 students from across the city and about 50 traffic policemen attended the event. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) P. Harishekaran too was present. Children showered the policemen with praises, saying that the policemen show tenacity and zeal despite facing numerous challenges every day. Several students presented the policemen with thank you cards and handwritten poems. Mr Harishekaran said, Bringing the traffic police and children together will enable the children to see who we are. With that, barriers are broken and trust is built, and CMCA makes this happen. Our collaboration with CMCA goes way back and I commend them for what they do. CMCA Director Ashish Patel said, Traffic Police Day is an initiative in building trust and fostering better relationships between the police and children. It is aimed at thanking the traffic police for their tireless services to the community. The future of India lies in the hands of our children and we want to give them experiences that will go a long way in community building and participation. Around 5,000 students from 115 private and government schools across the city will either visit traffic police stations or invite the traffic police to their schools to celebrate and express their gratitude throughout the month. Bengaluru: A one-and-a-half-year-old girl child succumbed to her injuries after slipping out of her grandfathers hand, falling over the railing of the escalator and going through the gap between the escalator and the wall. The accident occurred at the Srirampura Metro station on Sunday night. The child, Hasini, a resident of Prakash Nagar and daughter of Jayachandra, suffered serious head injuries after crashing to the road 50 feet below. She was rushed to Indira Gandhi Hospital, where she battled for life till Monday morning. On Sunday around 8 pm, Hasini was being carried by her grandfather Balakrishna, also accompanied by her grandmother when the incident took place. Balakrishna was carrying Hasini and stepped on the escalator at the Metro station. He tripped slightly and Hasini slipped out of his hands and fell through the gap between the escalator and the wall and hit the Mahakavi Kuvempu Road 50 feet below. The CCTV footage clearly shows the baby slipping out of his arm and falling through the gap. An official from the Srirampura Metro station, claiming anonymity, said, One of the reasons for the accident is the uncovered gap. The gap was supposed to be covered, but it was left open for unknown reasons and we cannot comment on it. The senior officers will have to look into the matter before another tragedy occurs. Another official at the station also said that it was an unfortunate incident and never expected something like this would occur. The gap is left for the free movement of the escalator and it should have been covered. At the same time, the gap cannot be completely covered as it would hamper the movement of the escalator. Now, the engineers will have to look into the issue and come up with a solution, the official said. An officer said that the CCTV footage is being examined and also the officials who were on duty will have to give statements. The senior officers will soon hold a meeting and will ensure that such gaps are covered. We will inspect all the Metro stations. We cannot comment anything more on this issue, as the police have taken over the case, he said. Girl was taken to KC General Hospital , 18-month-old Hasini, who fell from the hands of her grandfather at the Srirampura Metro Station on Sunday, was immediately rushed to KC General Hospital and was referred to Nimhans. Due to lack of spare ventilators, she was referred to Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in the night. Dr Mahantesh, a resident medical officer at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, said, She died due to severe head injuries. The police video appears to show Black to have been pinned down by a very heavy officer while handcuffed and shackled face-down during a several minute period when he became still and then unresponsive. This is similar to hogtie restraint positioning in which cuffed arms and shackled legs are tied together from the back. Hogtie restraint has been banned in most major police jurisdictions due to risks for asphyxiation. Agitated and obese individuals are at increased risk. Bengaluru: Discourse on womens modesty reached its lowest ebb, with union minister of state for Skill Development, Ananth Kumar Hegde Monday in his tweet describing Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundu Rao as a guy who ran behind a Muslim lady. The twitter war broke out between the duo when, Mr Gundurao tweeted in response to a news report about Mr Hegde courting controversy over his remarks that the hand that touches a Hindu girls body should not be there and asked him to show his contribution as an MP and minister in Karnataka. Mr Hegde hit back at Mr Gundurao with his twitter on the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief, who is married to a Muslim. Seeing this comment, Mr Gundurao responded in a dignified manner stating that Sad to see @AnantkumarH stoop to such low levels as to bring in personal issues. Guess its his lack of culture. Guess he hasnt learnt from our Hindu scriptures. Time hasnt run out, he can still try and become a more dignified human. This set off a war of words with several Congress leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi standing by Mr Gundurao on Twitter. Mr Gandhi slammed Mr Hegde for his controversial remarks about the Congress leaders wife, saying he is unfit to be a Union minister and deserves to be sacked. Mr Gunduraos wife, Tabu Rao, who was the target of Mr Hegdes remarks, posted a lengthy rebuttal on her timeline in Facebook, stating that these were misogynistic and provocative remarks made by Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde. Sources said, In a Facebook post, Ms Gundurao said she seemed to have become a soft target for Bharatiya Janata Party leaders who are unable to politically take on her husband. Hyderabad: The Commissioners Task Force team on Tuesday arrested a priest from the Old City for the murder of two women with the motive of robbing them of their gold ornaments, and recovered the property from him. The man, identified as Ankuri Giri, 34, a priest presently working as a GHMC sweeper, murdered and dumped the dead bodies of Yadamma, 50, and Sumitra, 45, near Musi canal in the Langer Houz area and fled with their gold earrings on January 21. About 10 years ago, Giri claimed he had been converted as a priest (Shiva Satti) and started performing poojas in temples. From 2010, he started working as a sweeper in GHMCs Chandrayangutta Circle, in Hyderabad. According to the police, Giri frequented a toddy shop at Dathu Nagar where on January 21 he saw the two women and noticed the gold ornaments they were wearing. He began talking to them and told them that he knew how to perform special poojas and that he could train the women in it. Believing him, the women went with him to the Musi riverbed in Langer Houz. The trio consumed toddy there and after asking them to apply turmeric on their faces as a ritual, Giri attacked them with a stone and dragged their bodies into the water and left the place with the gold earrings before anybody could see him. The bodies were discovered by M Sunder Singh, an agricultural labour, said police commissioner of Hyderabad Anjani Kumar. Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue, the Police Commissioner instructed the Task Force to assist the local police with the investigation. Their efforts resulted in the arrest of Ankuri Giri on Tuesday. The information was passed on to the Kotturpuram police, who rushed to the spot and broke open the door only to find him hanging dead from the ceiling. (Representational Image) Chennai: A student of IIT Madras allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room at IIT campus on Monday night. The deceased, G.Gopal Babu, 26 was a native of Uttar Pradesh and a son of Guru Chand. He was pursuing first-year M.tech programme . According to the police, on Tuesday morning, Gopal's friend first informed the IIT management. The information was passed on to the Kotturpuram police, who rushed to the spot and broke open the door only to find him hanging dead from the ceiling. Probably he ended his life due to depression, said sources. Pramod Walke, who was in an inebriated state, came under the radar of the authorities after his shameful act was caught on camera in a school situated in Nagpur. (Photo: ANI) Nagpur: A police head constable was suspended for showering money on the girl students performing at a Republic Day function in a school here. Pramod Walke, who was in an inebriated state, came under the radar of the authorities after his shameful act was caught on camera in a school situated in Nagpur. The video is doing rounds on social media. In the video, Walke who was posted at Nand police chowki under Bhiwapur police station can be seen, in uniform, showering money on students performing to the song Aye watan tere liye. The incident has come to light just days after the Supreme Court allowed dance bars to reopen in Mumbai -- but imposed regulations such as barring CCTV surveillance inside them. #WATCH Police constable showers cash on students during Republic Day function at a government school in Nagpur district's Nand. The police constable was suspended following the incident. (26 January) #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/nyTZeRCznO ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 The judicature had stated that the performers could be tipped, but the guests are not allowed to shower them with cash. He has left behind a death note in which he says he could not bear the harassment from his teacher Bala Krishna and was ending his life. (Representational Image) Bengaluru: A 16-year old student ended his life after his teacher allegedly insulted him in front of the class in Uttarahalli. The deceased, Dhanush, was a Class 10 student of a public school in Talaghattapura police limits. The police said that Dhanush was dejected over the alleged harassment from his teacher Bala Krishna, who on Saturday allegedly insulted the boy in the class. After returning from school on Saturday, he remained quiet and ended his life on Sunday. He has left behind a death note in which he says he could not bear the harassment from his teacher Bala Krishna and was ending his life. His parents lodged a complaint with the Talaghattapura police against the teacher. Director Prem Kumar, debuting in Tollywood with the remake of his breezy, romantic Tamil drama 96, quashes rumours that the Telugu version will not have the well-worked school portions and instead it will have college episodes. As first reported by this newspaper, Tollywood actor Sharwanand would be reprising the role of Ram, made memorable by Vijay Sethupathi in Tamil 96, in the T'wood version. This was officially revealed by the filmmaker Dil Raju. The wait for who would work in place of Trisha who gave a striking performance in Tamil is also over. Samantha Akkineni has been roped in to play the female lead of the remake. The filmmaker went on to say, People have been spreading rumours like this. There is not an iota of truth in reports claiming that the Telugu remake of 96 would explore college episodes instead school portions. The very essence of 96 was the emotional romantic journey from school. Even as Dil Raju sir bought the remake rights, we decided to just replicate the same theme with few nuanced changes to suit Telugu nativity. He wanted a notch higher than Tamil film and is all out to make it happen, Prem Kumar told this newspaper. Talking about the rest of the cast who would be the batch mates of the lead pair and the younger version of Trisha and Vijay Sethupathi, the director says, We are looking at various options. First, we want to finalise the four main friends characters and later would go for actors who would match up in school episodes. The first time director could extract the best not only from the lead pair of Sethu and Trisha but also from everyone including Gowri, Adithya Bhaskar and Devadarshini who were part of the film. That was possible because I don't enact any scene. I just told them the mood of the scene and let them be free to get into that feel and portray it. Perhaps that worked wonders. And in all probability, Govind Vasantha's brilliant music, one of the main stays in 96 will be making his debut in Tollywood with the remake. The shooting is likely to commence by end of February. While the city reunion part will be shot in Hyderabad, the school portions would be canned in a government school somewhere in Rajahmundry or outer portion of Vizag, an inside source adds. Rubaru Roshni tells three stories through interviews with the people one, the assassination of politician Lalit Maken; second, the murder of Sister Rani Maria Vattalil; and third, the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai. The film, produced by Aamir Khan, follows the story of three individuals coming to terms with the death of their loved ones and eventually getting healed after forgiving them. In the exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, director Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal talked about her experience of the film, her journey as creative person, producer Aamir Khan's involvement in the film and more. Excerpts: Rubaru Roshni is a rare documentation of humaneness - that revolves around a virtue of forgiveness. Is that one of your core belief too? It is very much my core belief, which has grown over the time. It is not that I started with this belief but somewhere I had been struggling for some time now to understand that there is such a cycle of violence and counter-violence going on in the world; even small things spark off, a simple thing like road-rage - a cycle will scratch a car and somebody gets killed. I was thinking how we, as human race, can find the exit from all of these because I am a peace-loving person, but I never thought about the link between peace and forgiveness. I hadnt actually understood it. Then I came across an article in the newspaper which spoke about the story of Avnatika and there was a mention about Samundar as well and I was very struck by it and I really wanted to understand more. At that time, I myself was not necessarily a very forgiving person but when I read that article I wondered if this can be true then this is a road or possibility or a path that we have to explore and understand. Through the journey of the film, I actually changed. I could not be the person that I was. I had been carrying a huge grudge against somebody because of something which hurt me very much. I realised that I was wrong to hold that anger and desire for attribution. And I let it go. You have played different roles in your career from a journalist, into publishing, television and now directing a film. Tell us about your journey as a creative person. I started my professional life a journalist. I started as a trainee reporter with Free Press Journal, and I started pretty early when I was in the final year of my graduation. I had some disagreements with my parents during this time over my career. I asked a college friend to find me a job and he referred me to Free Press. They told me to write something and come back. So, there was some student agitation going on at that time. I wrote about it and my friend helped me to edit the copy. I went back to Free Press and they published that piece and hired me. And thats how my journey as journalist started. I wasnt very keen on doing journalism because I was studying Economics. But I was extremely happy doing journalism, as I learnt so much. Also Read | Aamir Khan reveals why he is mysterious about Rubaru Roshni Later when I became a mother, I could not sustain journalistic career on field. Then I got into publishing which allowed me a little more flexibility in my career. My life has actually taken me in different directions and thats really a good thing because theres fluidity and freedom in my creative work. I have found that as long as my work is substantial and my output is meaningful, I am very happy in any medium. You were creatively involved with Aamir Khans Satyamev Jayate. You had earlier said that the confidence you gained from that show helped you for Rubaru Roshni. Tell us more about it. Satyamev Jayate was one of the most enriching things to my life. I was the head of field research and also co-directed the show. When Aamir Khan was considering the idea, he asked Satya, my husband, to help him shape the show. The idea was to see what the reality throws at us rather than going out with a format. We were handful of people. Satya asked me to join the team as I was on the break from my job at that time. We all took one-one topic to research with 2-3 of us. I was given the topic of female feticide. I picked up the camera and started travelling around India. I started moving around and talking with the women at many informal places such as temple, marketplace, social gathering or wherever I got the opportunity to speak with these women. I being a woman and a mother, it was very heartbreaking to hear what all they are going through. During all this while, I learnt how to use a camera with my cameraman Shanti Bhushan Roy. He has now also collaborated with me on Rubaru Roshni as DOP. We both travelled across India for 40 days and I had no clue about shooting but I learnt quite a lot. We came back with our material and shaped into a kind of documentation and that became the basis for the first episode of Satyameva Jayate. Also Read | Rubaru Roshni marks Aamir Khan's first film to release on Television When the show went on-air, I strongly realised the power of audio-visual medium in changing mindsets. For next four years, I was doing lot of shooting and I also learned technicalities of the medium. When I was gathering stories for Rubaru Roshni, I decided to make it in documentary style because people would not believe the authenticity of the stories otherwise. What propelled you to make this film? When I first read these stories in the newspaper, I wanted to meet these people, know their truth and find out more about their lives. Once I met them, there was no stopping. I just knew that I must do it. Aamir had said that he find this film very introspective in nature. Were you always intended to do so? I think whatever the film has turned out into, the major credit for it goes to the people who have spoken in the film. If they had not spoken the way they spoke, the film would not be introspective. It became introspective because they have been introspective. It mainly because of the nature of the conversations we had that have guided the tone of the film. I never set out to make an introspective film, I just wanted to tell these stories with complete honesty. The people in the film have actually shaped the film. What kind of inputs Aamir Khan gave to the project? Aamir was a solid support. I was feeling that these stories are really important to tell and both Aamir and Kiran felt the same way. That worked as a great confidence boost for me. I was able to refer to both of them at various point of time on creative decisions. Wherever I felt stuck or wherever I needed their help, I relied on them. My editor Hemanti Sarkar had multiple ideas about how to cut the material. She is very experienced and extremely good at her job. We used to discuss our ideas with Aamir and Kiran, and get their inputs in so many things. It was really amazing to know that there is such proactive team behind you. The film is steer clear of making any sort of political commentary on the political events. Was that a conscious decision? The film is about the stories of these people. It is mainly about human lives. Sure, there are certain political events in the stories and they are very much present in the film. If I had to inject political commentary into the narrative, the film would be little artificial. All I wanted to do is to tell their stories with conviction. I am nobody to make any political commentary. What is the single most gratifying aspect of doing a film like this? I got to meet some really amazing people. I have become friends with all the people I met during the making of this film. It is such a privilege to be able to get a deep glimpse into anyones life. It is an honour for me when somebody shares their stories. Secondly, I started the journey of this film when I was 50 year old and the film has come out when I am 54. So, to have a debut at this age with a piece of work which is receiving so much of love is just incredible. I am full of gratitude. Everyday I am getting lots of messages, e-mails, reading articles where people are saying positive things. One person found sister Selmis convent and went to meet her to tell how her story impacted on his life. All this is really wonderful. What message you would like the viewers to take away from Rubaru Roshni? I just want every viewer to take away exactly what they feel. I have been very clear about one thing that there is no hammering of any single message. Every life is different; every single human beings experience is different. Say when I read a book or you read a book, something different will strike each one of us. Thats the beauty of life that there so many shades to it. I have no desire that you take away this and you take away that. As long as you go away with feeling that you got something, I am satisfied. The cost to the union government exchequer would be 0.43 per cent of GDP, while the cost to the combined state government exchequer would be 0.27 per cent of GDP. (Representational Image) New Delhi: The roll-out of income support as a core centrally-sponsored scheme is a better option than debt waiver, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) said on Tuesday. The ratings agency said that there is likelihood that the Union government may announce a relief package for farmers while presenting the vote on account for 2019-20 in line with the Rythu Bandhu scheme of the Telangana government. Ind-Ra said that in case the FY20 interim budget announces an income support of Rs 8,000 per acre per annum for marginal and small farmers, a marginal farmer and a small farmer would receive Rs 7,515 and Rs 27,942 per annum on average, respectively. It said that the levels are significantly lower than the amount conceptualised under the universal basic income scheme for the poor proposed in the Economic Survey 2016-17. It said that the support would cost the union government exchequer Rs 1,46,800 crore (0.70 per cent of GDP). However, if it is rolled out as a core centrally sponsored scheme, the cost would be split between the union and state governments. The cost to the union government exchequer would be 0.43 per cent of GDP, while the cost to the combined state government exchequer would be 0.27 per cent of GDP. Either way, it is not an easy option," it said. Besides the Union government, the states whose finances will come under pressure if it is rolled out as a core centrally sponsored scheme are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, MP, Odisha, Telangana and UP. Only Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have some fiscal space to accommodate such expenditure, it said. In addition to the fiscal challenge, Ind-Ra believes that the implementation of such a scheme will depend on a proper land record. The government of Telangana was able to successfully implement the Rythu Bandhu scheme because the state had such records. Ind-Ra said that the agrarian distress is not new for India and the governments in the past have responded to such a situation in a variety of ways including by increasing public spending in rural areas, increasing minimum support price (MSP), enhancing agricultural credit, launching the rural employment guarantee scheme and giving loan waivers. It said that in view of the upcoming general elections, Ind-Ra believes the focus of both union and state budgets 2019-20 would be on measures to address farmers woes. Last week brokerage firm Anand Rathi had said that roll-out of a pure Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme in the interim budget next week would be prohibitively expensive costing Rs 22 lakh crore or 11 per cent of the GDP. In its most extensive form, UBI entails unconditional (no quid pro quo), universal (no targeting), periodic (not one-time), cash (not in kind/coupons) payments to individuals (not per family). However, its impact could be softened and yet target poorest segments by bringing it into the DBT scheme with the use of JAM (Jandhan, Aadhaar and mobile), the report had. This and consolidation of existing subsidies and welfare schemes would reduce the fiscal impact to Rs 4-4.5 trillion, said the report. Mumbai: As part of its strategic plan to exit non-core markets and focus more on the fast-growing home market, Tata Steel Monday signed an agreement to sell 70 per cent stakes each in its two Southeast Asian arms to the HBIS Group of China for around $480 million. The company runs NatSteel Holdings in Singapore and Tata Steel Thailand, through a Singapore-based fully-owned subsidiary TS Global Holdings, which signed a definitive agreement with an HBIS Group-controlled entity-the second largest alloy maker in China to divest its majority stakes in these two arms a move closer to mark the Tatas long-awaited exit from these two markets. The Chinese steel major will $327 million in cash to the Tatas and take over $150 million combined debt of these companies. Still the deal is 1.5 times the book value of these companies. This is the second major deleveraging that Tata Steel has done in as many years having merged its heavily loss-making European operations with ThyssenKrupp last year by creating a new giant joint venture with the German engineering and alloy major. The agreement was signed in Beijing, the company said, adding post-deal, the Tatas will continue to hold 30 per cent each in these two companies through TS Global Holdings. As per the agreement, the divestment will be made to a company in which 70 per cent equity will be held by an entity controlled by HBIS and 30 percent will be held by TS Global Holdings, the company said. While the enterprise value of the deal is estimated at around $685 million, Tata Steel is expected to get only around $327 million along with deleveraging of debt of around $150 million on both the entities. CBI first information report (FIR) filed on Thursday has not named Upasani as one of the accused and booked Chanda Kochhar on charges of criminal conspiracy. New Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the high profile fraud allegedly involving former ICICI MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar is set to take a new twist with setting up a new investigation team. Sources said that armed with fresh evidence, the new CBI team is set to bring in former Maharashtra chief secretary Sharad Upasani under its scanner for a possible role in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities in loans sanctioned by the bank to the Videocon group in 2012. As per preliminary enquiry (PE) done by CBI, it was Upasani who introduced Deepak Kochhar, husband of Chanda Kochhar to Videocon group managing director Venugopal Dhoot, a fact that has also been corroborated by Dhoot in his earlier public interactions. However, CBI first information report (FIR) filed on Thursday has not named Upasani as one of the accused and booked Chanda Kochhar on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and abuse of official position for dishonestly sanctioning loans to the Videocon Group. The FIR also named Deepak Kochhar and VN Dhoot and mentions unknown public servants without booking them. The PE established allegations of quid pro quo in the loans granted to Videocon by ICICI Bank. But more players seem to be involved in the deals between ICICI Bank and Videocon. The allegation of nexus between Upasani, Kochhars and Dhoot will now be investigated by CBI before filing of the charge sheet against the accused, said the source quoted earlier. The agency is also now expected to widen the scope of its probe by bringing into picture benami properties bought in Brazil. These could have links with the accused in the case and agency is moving ahead with leads. Sources said that a team of CBI would shortly visit the Latin American country to explore whether illegal gratification received by the accused was used for buying benami property in a third country. The agency is also expected to move at fast pace to complete investigations into fresh leads that have surfaced, as the CBI wants to file charge sheet within the stipulated 90 days. It needs to be seen whether the CBI charge sheet will make offences against the accused bailable or non-bailable. This will also depend on the outcome of investigations by the new team. With general elections round the corner, it needs to be seen whether government will push CBI to complete its probe on the fraud quickly and get a charge sheet filed or linger on for new government to take a call in May this year. Through changes at CBI have given the agency strength to go ahead with the probe in the high profile case, sources said the fresh investigations will have to be done meticulously resist pressure and dissentions within the agency. Given that CBI was a divided house, with some officers showing allegiance to ousted CBI director Alok Verma and others with interim director Nageshwar Rao. Kochhar, who was MD of ICICI Bank until last October, is accused in the CBI FIR of allegedly receiving illegal gratification through her husband, Deepak Kochhar from Videocons VN Dhoot for sanctioning a term loan of Rs 300 crore to Videocon International Electronics Ltd. This apart, her alleged role in influencing disbursal decisions in relevant committees of the bank has also come under scrutiny. The agency has also booked Deepak Kochhar and VN Dhoot in its FIR. It is probing allegations of quid pro quo in the loans granted to Videocon by ICICI Bank. FIR has also brought to fore role of senior ICICI bank officials including former chairman KV Kamath, current ICICI Bank MD Sandeep Bakhshi, K Ramkumar, Sonjoy Chatterjee (CEO, Goldman Sachs India), NS Kannan, Zarin Daruwala (CEO, Standard Chartered India), Rajiv Sabharwal (CEO, Tata Capital) and Homi Khusrokhan, in the case. These individuals were part of the sanctioning committee that cleared loans amounting to Rs 1,575 crore. CBI had reportedly searched Nariman Point offices of Deepak Kochhars company, NuPower Renewables Limited (NRL), the Videocon Group and Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd (SEPL). Videocons offices in Aurangabad have also been searched. Assuming he meant Warming and that Waming was a typo, this is patently idiotic. That it can get really, really cold in late January is no more an indicator of whats happening with climate than the disappearance of the sun at night marks the end of the world. There are all kinds of intelligent debates to have about climate change, but pretending that theres nothing going on with all those trillions of pounds of man-made greenhouse gases that have been pumped into the atmosphere isnt one of them. The mocking tone doesnt make him sound like an authority, it makes him sound like like a courtroom extra in a community production of The Crucible cheering for the accused to be hanged for witchcraft. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The Clinton, Branford, Guilford, Madison Police Departments and the Connecticut State Police Troop F Westbrook, will hold the second Annual Shoreline Diaper Drive during the month of February. The departments will be working in a collaborative partnership with the charitable organization Bare Necessities to collect diapers and wipes for families in need living in shoreline communities. Helping to provide these basic hygiene items promotes better health for both infants, children and their families. The drive runs from Feb. 1-16. During that period anyone may drop off diapers and/or baby wipes at their local police departments lobby. Westbrook residents can drop off diapers at the Town Hall or the State Police Barracks on Spencer Plains Road. On Saturday, Feb. 9, each of the participating police towns will be hosting a simultaneous collection of diapers/baby wipes between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Locations include Stop & Shop in Clinton Madison and Branford, and WalMart in Guilford. A Wrap-up Appreciation Breakfast is set for Friday Feb. 15, 8:30 a.m. at the Bare Necessities warehouse, 170 Fort Path Street, Unit 14, Madison. There will also be a Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bare Necessities warehouse. COST presents Town Crier Awards to lawmakers PLANTSVILLE The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST), which represents 110 smaller communities throughout Connecticut, presented two lawmakers with Town Crier Awards at its annual meeting on Jan. 16 at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, Connecticut. COSTs Town Crier Award was established to honor state lawmakers, municipal officials, and others who have distinguished themselves as outstanding advocates on issues affecting Connecticuts small towns. This years recipients are Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) who represents Durham, Guilford, North Branford and Wallingford, and Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) who represents Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, Granby, Hartland, Harwinton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury and Torrington. We are honored to present Rep. Candelora with COSTs Town Crier Award, said Tom Banisch, First Selectman of the Town of Madison and COSTs Vice President. Rep. Candelora is very responsive to the needs of Connecticuts small towns. He understands how changes in municipal funding and burdensome unfunded mandates affect property taxpayers and the delivery of critical local services, such as education, said Banisch. We appreciate his longstanding commitment to fighting for Connecticuts small towns. The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) is an advocacy organization committed to giving small towns a strong voice in the legislative process. Milford announces homeowners tax credit program MILFORD Applications for the State of Connecticut Homeowners Tax Credit Program and the City of Milford Local Tax Credit Benefit are being taken in the Assessors office at the Parsons Government Complex, 70 West River St. Eligibility for benefits shall be based upon applicants proof of ownership as of Oct. 1, 2018, resident status and financial eligibility. A qualified applicant must be 65 years of age by Dec. 31, 2018. also those persons under age 65 who are considered 100% Social Security Disabled may apply. If you are qualifying as 100% disabled, please bring a current printout from Social Security which must include a statement of your disability and when it began. Ask for a BPQY. To receive a printout, please call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. The application filing period is Feb. 1-May 15, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Qualifying income is defined as all taxable and nontaxable income. This definition includes taxable income as may be reported for Federal Income Tax purposes, as well as nontaxable income. All monies received are to be considered part of qualifying income, unless specifically exempted. Residents should bring their 2018 federal tax return, social security or railroad retirement earnings, andpa 2018 SSA-1099 (for both spouses). Those receiving veteran pensions and veteran disabiity pensions must provide a letter from the VA (1-800-827-1000) stating total earnings for 2018. Those who did not file must bring all proofs of income for 2018: statements of wages, bonuses, commissions, fees, gratuities, payment for Jury Duty, lottery winnings, annuities and pensions, IRA distributions, interest, dividends, net rent or proceeds from sales of property, Veteran Pensions and Veteran Disability Pensions, and any other proofs of income (taxable and non-taxable). Those receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement earnings, bring the 2018 SSA-1099 (for both spouses). Those who are currently on the program and fail to renew by the deadline on your year to report, will have the benefit removed. For information, contact the Assessors office at 203-783-3215. Superintendents policy on closings The Bethany, Orange, Woodbridge and Amity school districts will continue a regional transportation collaboration that allows elementary schools to dismiss at similar times, and the Orange and Bethany middle schools to open and dismiss at the same time in coordination with Amity Regional High School, school superintendents said in a press release. When one district closes, delays the opening of school, or dismisses early because of inclement weather, all BOWA school districts will follow. A delayed opening for elementary, middle and high school will be two hours. The BOWA superintendents try to make the decision on opening by 5:30 a.m., based upon what is expected to happen in the next two-eight hours. Notifications will be distributed by district automated messaging services (SwiftK12), radio, television and Internet sites. Stay tuned when a delay has been announced since it may turn into a cancellation if weather conditions do not improve. Early dismissals may be occasionally necessary because of unexpected deterioration of weather or at an individual school because of an emergency. In these situations, an announcement will be issued by 10:30 a.m. Weather-related early dismissal for middle school and high school students will be at 11:45 a.m. Bethany and Woodbridge elementary school students will be dismissed at 1:10 p.m. Orange elementary school students will be dismissed at 1 p.m., and Orange kindergartnerss will be dismissed at 12:50 p.m. and will go to their respective schools to take their neighborhood buses at 1 p.m. Families should have an emergency back-up plan and make sure children understand where they should go in the event of an early dismissal. Child-care arrangements at home or on the same bus route should be made in advance of the early dismissal since it will be impossible for the school staff to personally contact each parent. On days when the weather may be a problem, in addition to announcements on local radio, TV stations, parents can expect notification from district automated messaging services. As alternate drop-off and pickup vary from school to school, parents should follow the established procedure. Unless otherwise indicated, when school is delayed, all morning activities and meetings are canceled. Also, unless otherwise indicated, when school is canceled or dismissed early, all afternoon/evening activities and meetings are also canceled. The school buildings will be closed. During inclement weather when an administrative decision to open school has been made, this is not meant to preclude a familys choice to keep their student(s) home and families may use their own judgment. After spending 33 years in finance, Thomas Volpe wanted to stay busy during his retirement. The 78-year-old Darien resident began by volunteering. "A position opened up on the Darien Board of Finance, which I applied for, and was appointed to fill," said Volpe, who has lived in town for 38 years. Volpe served 10 years with the Board of Finance, and also was on the Town Pension and Police Pension committees, deliberating on the new high school, Tokeneke Elementary School and the library. But Volpe also wanted to try his hand at sculpting. "When I retired, I also wanted to pursue my interest in art, something that I could never do while I was employed," he said. Volpe found a sculpture studio 15 minutes north in New Canaan's Waveny Park. The studio, which is housed in the Carriage Barn Arts Center on the property, provides a second home for 20 other sculptors and instructors. It was there that Volpe started working -- enthusiastically, he said -- and experimenting with various mediums in his sculptures. More Information Fact box See More Collapse "I started in water-based clay, then oil-based clay, carved marble and alabaster," Volpe said. "I made large plaster casts; a Greek-like torso and a 4-foot ballerina. I had four of my sculptures cast in bronze." Volpe, who's had an artistic nature since childhood when he frequently sketched, didn't try his hand at sculpting until years before he retired. He bought a home sculpting kit that could be fired in the kitchen oven to try his first sculpture. "I worked on it and worked on it," said Volpe, who was still employed as the vice president of tax affairs at Champion International Corp. "I had a real interest in sculpting and I had worked on it so long. When I finally got it done, I was so thrilled with it." Volpe finished his sculpture of a baby one winter night and left the clay sculpture out to dry before firing it the next morning. However, come morning, the sculpture had dried too quickly and pieces of it had fallen off and cracked. "I just wasn't knowledgeable about how to protect (the sculpture) and let it dry slowly," Volpe said. Volpe's time spent in the Carriage Barn isn't just a hobby. His work has been featured in shows in Connecticut and in Westchester County, N.Y., and he's won many blue ribbons for his work, though he doesn't sell it. Volpe is not the only one in his Pasture Lane house with an eye for art. Cecilia, his wife of 28 years, is an acrylic and watercolor painter. "Our house has become somewhat of an art gallery," Volpe said. After he retired, Volpe again set to work on sculpting a baby in the arms of an adult figure. "I wasn't very experienced, but it was coming along very good," Volpe said. "I had trouble making the features of the baby because they're all so different and round and their head is so big." Nevertheless, Volpe entered the final product in a local show and came home with a prize, though he can't remember if it was second place or honorable mention. "I had somebody once comment on it that it was so cute and that it looked like Winston Churchill," Volpe said with a laugh. Volpe's second piece -- "Best Friends" -- was inspired by Victoria and Heather Volpe, of Monroe, his oldest granddaughters. The sculpture is of two young girls with their arms around each other. The older of the two girls has her arm behind her back with her hand slightly opened. When Volpe shows the piece at exhibits, he's sure to place fresh wildflowers in the open hand. During the winter months, Volpe and his wife retreat to their Sarasota, Fla., home, but when he is home in Darien, he can be found at Waveny Park every Friday with fellow sculptors. The Volpes frequently visit museums and galleries to learn more about art. The three-dimensional aspect of sculpture is what interests Volpe. "I work a lot with my hands and I really feel like I'm creating a piece of art," Volpe said. "When you're all finished, it's almost alive." mspicer@bcnnew.com; 203-330-6583; @Meg_DarienNews Fire damaged the cyclone system that collects the recycled corrugated material at the Wiscon Baltimore, with its high rates of poverty, fared the worst in the region with just 39 percent of kids who took a readiness test exhibiting the necessary skills. The results ranged wildly in other parts of the region, with Carroll County having the highest percentage with 61 percent of its students prepared. It went downhill from there, with Howard County at 56 percent; Baltimore County, 49 percent; Anne Arundel, 48 percent; and Harford, just 43 percent. Thats right, Harford County is doing only marginally better than Baltimore City, despite having fewer than half the percentage of students who are eligible for free and reduced price meals, a measure of poverty. Barr described the Pence conversations in response to a question from Whitehouse about whether he had ever discussed Mueller's investigation with anyone at the White House. He has also acknowledged that he discussed Mueller with Trump himself when he turned down an opportunity to represent the president in the special counsel's investigation. Venezuelan oil exports to the U.S. have declined steadily over the years, falling particularly sharply over the past decade as its production plummeted amid its long economic and political crisis. The U.S. imported less than 500,000 barrels a day of Venezuelan crude and petroleum products in 2017, down from more than 1.2 million barrels a day in 2008, according to the Energy Information Administration. A self-described dirty trickster and longtime confidant of the president, Stone is the sixth Trump aide charged in Mueller's investigation. The indictment does not accuse Stone of coordinating with Russia or with WikiLeaks on the release of hacked Democratic emails. But it does allege that he misled lawmakers about his pursuit of those communications and interest in them. The anti-secrecy website published emails in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election that the U.S. says were stolen from Democrats by Russian operatives. The state last month passed legislation allowing communities to reduce the use of fireworks. Royal Oak is among the first cities in the state to do so. Here is a look at some of the recent local stories you will want to check out. Gerald Hill, left, superintendent of the West Bloomfield School District, and Virinder Moudgil, president of Lawrence Technological University, cut the ribbon on the new 'Tech Hub' at West Bloomfield High School. "It was something that touched down, and then took off again. It was like a tower," she said, describing it as displaying colors of red and green. "It was here for two-three seconds, nothing more. They were the most frightening seconds of my life." The Virginia House of Delegates voted last week to require public schools to make Election Day a school holiday. The bill is a safety measure aimed at keeping unknown people out of school buildings while children are present. "It's impossible for the schools to properly screen each individual entering the building without slowing down the voting lines," Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, the bill's patron, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "This creates a security concern because it potentially allows strangers unwarranted access to the school building." The widely supported bill stems from recommendations made by the school safety committee House Speaker Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, convened after last year's school shooting in Parkland, Florida. It was approved on a 97-1 vote. Local election officials have voiced approval for the bill; so has the Virginia Education Association, which notes that it would also protect teachers. Del. Steve Landes, R-Augusta, chairman of the House Education Committee, says it will provide "more opportunities for different spaces within the schools and less problems with traffic and parking and all that stuff." 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. Updated, 5:35 p.m.: Charlottesville police said Tuesday evening that the family of 2-year-old Daniel Burnett is no longer concerned with his wellbeing after they made contact with him and his mother, Casey Carter. After detectives spoke to family members, they no longer consider the boy to be missing. An earlier version of this story follows: Charlottesville police are looking for a 2-year-old boy they say may have been taken by his mother and might be in danger. Police are looking for Charlottesville resident Daniel Burnett, last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt emblazoned with Oshkosh, and his mother, Casey Carter. Daniel has blue eyes and blonde hair. He is 2 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 35 pounds. His mother has brown hair and blue eyes and is 5 feet 6 inches tall and 120 pounds. Give me a scoop of the ginger and a scoop of pistachio, please, I said. One out of two should be edible, I thought. To my surprise, ginger ice cream is delicious and not sharp at all. With the pistachio, it made a perfect combination. Further along in our trip Down Under, we visited a ginger farm near Brisbane, Australia. It seems that many tourists visit both New Zealand and Australia in one sojourn. After all, it is so far away. It took us 23 hours from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia not just a weekend excursion. Ginger can be classified as a true Asian spice. It originated in the fields of Southern Asia. For years, it was transported via caravan routes to Europe, where it was in great demand for its pungency and aroma. Arabian traders also brought ginger from India to East Africa, where it is grown today. In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers of the West Indies brought ginger to Jamaica, where it is still grown. The most recent country to cultivate ginger is Australia, where the soil and climate conditions are ideal. The medicinal use of ginger for vertigo and stomach disorders originated with the Greeks. Food historians tell us that the Greeks invented gingerbread. However, it was the Romans, with the help of Asian traders, who introduced ginger to the rest of Europe. Even though the workers would have to pay the state back if they received back pay, that can take months or years, and the state still might not get all that it paid out,Freeman said. During a shorter federal government shutdown in 2013, Maryland issued about $2.3 million in unemployment benefits that became overpayments once federal workers got paid. The state has collected most of that money from the workers, but $250,000 is outstanding. Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates in Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farm operations in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More TelefAnica Brasil S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides mobile and fixed telecommunications services to residential and corporate customers in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, and 4.5G, as well as mobile value-added services and wireless roaming services. The company also offers data services, including broadband and mobile data services. In addition, it provides pay TV services through direct to home satellite technology, IPTV, and cable, as well as pay-per-view and video on demand services; network services, such as rental of facilities; other services comprising internet access, private network connectivity, computer equipment leasing, extended service, caller identification, voice mail, cellular blocker, and others; wholesale services, including interconnection services to users of other network providers; and digital services, such as entertainment, cloud, and security and financial services, as well as sells wireless devices and accessories. Further, the company offers multimedia communication services, which include audio, data, voice and other sounds, images, texts, and other information, as well as sells devices, such as smartphones, broadband USB modems, and other devices. Additionally, it provides telecommunications solutions and IT support to various industries, such as retail, manufacturing, services, financial institutions, government, etc. It markets and sells its solutions through own stores, dealers, retail and distribution channels, door-to-door sales, and telesales. The company was formerly known as TelecomunicaAAes de SAo Paulo S.A. - TELESP and changed its name to TelefAnica Brasil S.A. in October 2011. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in SAo Paulo, Brazil. Read More Raymond James Financial, Inc., a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments. The Private Client Group segment provides securities brokerage services, including the sale of equities, mutual funds, fixed income products, and insurance products to their individual clients; and borrowing and lending of securities to and from other broker-dealers, financial institutions, and other counterparties. The Capital Markets segment offers securities brokerage, trading, and research services to institutions with a focus on sale of the United States and Canadian equities and fixed income products; and manages and participates in underwritings, merger and acquisition services, and public finance activities. The Asset Management segment engages in the operations of Eagle, the Eagle Family of Funds, Cougar, the asset management operations of Raymond James & Associates, trust services of Raymond James Trust, and other fee-based asset management programs. The RJ Bank segment provides corporate loans, SBL, tax-exempt loans, and residential loans. The Other segment engages in private equity activities, including various direct and third party private equity investments; and private equity funds. Raymond James Financial, Inc. was founded in 1962 and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Read More During his first term, the Republican governor supported tax cuts to military pensions, reductions to tolls on state highways and expanding tax refunds for the working poor totaling about $900 million in reductions to tolls, taxes and fees. Hogan often credits his administration with providing $1.2 billion in tax cuts, though that figure includes hundreds of millions of refunds from a Supreme Court ruling on a lawsuit that was filed before he took office. 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. PPG Industries, Inc. manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and specialty materials worldwide. The company's Performance Coatings segment offers coatings, solvents, adhesives, sealants, sundries, and software for automotive and commercial transport/fleet repair and refurbishing, light industrial coatings, and specialty coatings for signs; and coatings, sealants, transparencies, transparent armor, adhesives, engineered materials, and packaging and chemical management services for commercial, military, regional jet, and general aviation aircraft. It also provides coatings and finishes for the protection of metals and structures, such as metal fabricators, heavy duty maintenance contractors, and manufacturers of ships, bridges, and rail cars; paints, wood stains, and purchased sundries for painting and maintenance contractors, and consumers for decoration and maintenance of residential and commercial building structures; and thermoplastics, pavement marking products, and other technologies for pavement marking. The company's Industrial Coatings segment provides coatings, adhesives and sealants, and metal pretreatments, as well as services and coatings applications for appliances, agricultural and construction equipment, consumer electronics, automotive parts and accessories, building products, kitchenware, and transportation vehicles and other finished products; and on-site coatings services. It also provides coatings for metal cans, closures, plastic tubes, industrial packaging, and promotional and specialty packaging; amorphous precipitated silica for tire, battery separator, and other end-uses; TESLIN substrates for labels, e-passports, drivers' licenses, breathable membranes, and other loyalty and identification cards; and organic light emitting diode materials, displays and lighting lens materials, and optical lenses and color-change products, as well as photochromic dyes. The company was founded in 1883 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Textron: AAI Corporation, AAI Services Corporation, ALSTOM Gears, Able Aerospace Services Inc., Able Engineering & Component Services, Aeronautical Accessories LLC, Airborne Tactical Advantage Company, Airborne Tactical Advantage Company LLC, Arctic Cat, Arctic Cat ACE Holding GmbH, Arctic Cat Deutschland GmbH, Arctic Cat Espana SL, Arctic Cat France SARL, Arctic Cat GmbH, Arctic Cat Inc., Arctic Cat Italia srl, Arctic Cat Production LLC, Arctic Cat Production Support LLC, Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Arctic Cat Shared Services LLC, Arctic Cat UK Ltd., Arkansas Aerospace, Arkansas Aerospace Inc., Avco Corporation, Avco Rhode Island (2002) Inc., Aviation Service servis letal, Aviation Service servis letal doo Ljubljana, Aylesbury Automation, B/K Navigational Equipment sro, Beech Aircraft Corporation, Beech Enterprises, Beech Enterprises Holding, Beech Holdings, Beechcraft, Beechcraft Australia Pty Limited, Beechcraft Corporation, Beechcraft Defense Company, Beechcraft Defense Support Holding, Beechcraft Defense Support Holding LLC, Beechcraft Domestic Service Company, Beechcraft Germany GmbH, Beechcraft Holdings, Beechcraft India Private Limited, Beechcraft International Holding LLC, Beechcraft International Service Company, Beechcraft New Zealand, Beechcraft Service Company UK Limited, Beechcraft Singapore Pte. Ltd., Bell Helicopter Asia (Pte) Ltd., Bell Helicopter Canada International Inc., Bell Helicopter GK, Bell Helicopter India Inc., Bell Helicopter KK, Bell Helicopter Korea Inc., Bell Helicopter Miami Inc., Bell Helicopter Prague, Bell Helicopter Prague a.s., Bell Helicopter Rhode Island Inc., Bell Helicopter Services Inc., Bell Helicopter Supply Center B.V., Bell Helicopter Supply Center BV, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited/Limitee, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Bell Technical Services Inc., Benzlers, Brazaco Mapri Industrias, Burkland, CCP Holdings (ATAC), Cadillac Gage Textron Inc., Cam Tool LLC, Cessna Aircraft Company, Cessna Aircraft Rhode Island Inc., Cessna Citation European Service Center S.A.S., Cessna Citation European Service Center SAS, Cessna Consulting (Shenyang) Co, Cessna Consulting (Shenyang) Co. Ltd., Cessna Dusseldorf Citation Service Center GmbH, Cessna Finance Corporation, Cessna Finance Export Corporation, Cessna Mexico S de RL de CV, Cessna ServiceDirect, Cessna Spanish Citation Service Center SL, Cessna Zurich Citation Service Center GmbH, Citation Parts Distribution International, Citation Parts Distribution International Inc., Cushman, Cushman Inc., Datacom Technologies, David Brown Group, Doncaster Citation Service Centre Limited, E-Z-GO (Jiangsu) Electronic and Technology Co., E-Z-GO Canada Limited, EM Systems, ETOPS (AS) UK Limited, ETOPS Aviation Services Malaysia SDN BHD, ETOPS SAS, Endura-Greenlee Tools (Shanghai) Co., Energy Manufacturing, Flexalloy, Greenlee Communications Limited, Greenlee Textron Inc., Gustav Klauke GmbH, HBC LLC, HD Electric Company, Hawker Beech International Services de Mexico S de RL de CV, Hawker Beech de Mexico, Hawker Beech de Mexico S de RL de CV, Hawker Beechcraft Argentina SA, Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support, Hawker Beechcraft do Brasil Assessoria e Intermediacao de Negocios Ltda., Howe & Howe Technologies Inc., Howe and Howe Technologies, Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), Industrial Technology Inc., InteSys Technologies, International Product Support Inc., Jacobsen Professional Lawn Care Inc., KSB Annecy SAS, Kautex, Kautex (Changchun) Plastics Technology Co, Kautex (Changchun) Plastics Technology Co. Ltd., Kautex (Chongqing) Plastic Technology Co., Kautex (Chongqing) Plastic Technology Co. Ltd., Kautex (Guangzhou) Plastic Technology Co., Kautex (Guangzhou) Plastic Technology Co. Ltd., Kautex (Pinghu) Plastic Technology Co. Ltd., Kautex (Shanghai) Plastic Technology Co., Kautex (Shanghai) Plastic Technology Co. Ltd., Kautex (Wuhan) Plastic Technology Co., Kautex (Wuhan) Plastic Technology Co. Ltd., Kautex Corporation, Kautex Craiova srl, Kautex Inc., Kautex Japan KK, Kautex Plastic Technology Gujarat Private Limited, Kautex Poland Sp. z.o.o, Kautex Shanghai GmbH, Kautex Textron (UK) Limited, Kautex Textron Benelux B.V.B.A., Kautex Textron Benelux BVBA, Kautex Textron Bohemia spol sro, Kautex Textron Bohemia spol. s.r.o., Kautex Textron CVS Limited, Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG, Kautex Textron Iberica, Kautex Textron Iberica SL, Kautex Textron Management Services Company de Puebla, Kautex Textron Management Services Company de Puebla S. de RL de CV, Kautex Textron Portugal Produtos Plasticos, Kautex Textron Portugal Produtos Plasticos Ldas., Kautex Textron de Mexico S de RL de CV, Kautex Textron de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Kautex Textron do Brasil Ltda., Kautex of Georgia Inc., Kaywood Products Corp., King Atmosphere General & Industrial Services and Project Management, King Atmosphere General & Industrial Services and Project Management LLC, Klauke, Klauke France SARL, Klauke Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H., Klauke Polska Sp. z o.o., Klauke Slovakia sro, Klauke Textron (Jiangsu) Electrical Connection Technology Co., Klauke UK Limited, LLC Hawker Beechcraft International RSA, LLC Textron RUS, Maag, McCord Corporation, McTurbine Inc., Mechtronix Systems, Medical Numerics, Medical Numerics Inc., Midland Industrial Plastics, MillenWorks, MillenWorks Themed Technologies, MotorFist LLC, OPINICUS Simulation and Training Services, OPINICUS Simulation and Training Services LLC, OmniQuip International, Opinicus Corp., Optical Boring Co., Opto-Electronics, Opto-Electronics Inc., Overwatch Systems, Overwatch Systems Ltd., PEINER Umformtechnik, Pirelli Tyres - General Rubber Goods (GRG) division, Progressive Electronics, Ransomes, Ransomes America Corporation, Ransomes Inc., Ransomes Investment LLC, Ransomes Jacobsen France S.A.S., Ransomes Jacobsen France SAS, Ransomes Jacobsen Limited, Ransomes Limited, Ransomes Pensions Trustee Company Limited, Ransomes Property Developments Limited, Replacement Part Solutions, Replacement Part Solutions LLC, Ring Screw Works, Rotor Blades Limited, STE Holding Inc., Sherman + Reilly, SkyBOOKS Inc., Suekosim Verbindungselemente, TRAK International, TRAK International Inc., TRU Simulation & Training Spain, TRU Simulation & Training Spain SL, TRU Simulation + Training Canada Inc., TRU Simulation + Training Inc., TRU Simulation + Training LLC, TUG Technologies Corporation, TekGPS Engineering Srl, Textron Acquisition Limited, Textron Airborne Solutions Inc., Textron Airland, Textron Airland LLC, Textron Atlantic Inc., Textron Atlantic LLC, Textron Aviation Australia Pty. Ltd., Textron Aviation Canada Ltd., Textron Aviation Defense LLC, Textron Aviation Finance Corporation, Textron Aviation Inc, Textron Aviation Inc., Textron Aviation Rhode Island Inc., Textron Capital BV, Textron China Holdings S.R.L., Textron China Inc., Textron Communications Inc., Textron Far East Pte, Textron Far East Pte. Ltd., Textron Fastening Systems Inc., Textron Finance Holding Company, Textron Financial Corporation, Textron Financial Corporation Receivables Trust 2002-CP-2, Textron Fluid and Power Inc., Textron France E.U.R.L., Textron France EURL, Textron France Holding S.A.R.L., Textron France Holding SARL, Textron Germany Holding GmbH, Textron Global Services Inc., Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc., Textron Ground Support Equipment UK Limited, Textron IPMP Inc., Textron Iberia, Textron India Private Limited, Textron Innovations Inc., Textron International Holding, Textron International Holding BV, Textron International Inc., Textron International Mexico, Textron International Mexico S de RL de CV, Textron Limited, Textron Management Services Inc., Textron Motors GmbH, Textron Motors North America Inc., Textron Outdoor Power Equipment Inc., Textron Realty Corporation, Textron Rhode Island Inc., Textron Shared Service Centre (Canada) Inc., Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., Textron Sweden AB, Textron Systems Australia Holding Pty Ltd, Textron Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Textron Systems Canada Inc., Textron Systems Corporation, Textron Systems Electronic Systems UK (Holdings) Limited, Textron Systems Electronic Systems UK Limited, Textron Systems Rhode Island (2001) Inc., Textron Trading (Shanghai) Co., Textron Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Textron UK Pension Trustee Limited, Textron Ulasm Alet ve Parcalar Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Textron Verwaltungs-GmbH, Travel Air Insurance Company, Turbine Engine Components Textron (Newington Operations) Inc., United Industrial Corporation, United Industrial Corporation Limited, Westminster Insurance Company, Williams Machine & Tool, and Wuxi Textron Specialized Vehicles Co. Ltd.. JPMorgan Chase & Co. operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit and investment products and services to consumers; lending, deposit, and cash management and payment solutions to small businesses; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit card, auto loan, and leasing services. The CIB segment provides investment banking products and services, including corporate strategy and structure advisory, and equity and debt markets capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication; wholesale payments and cross-border financing; and cash securities and derivative instruments, risk management solutions, prime brokerage, and research. This segment also offers securities services, including custody, fund accounting and administration, and securities lending products for asset managers, insurance companies, and public and private investment funds. The CB segment provides financial solutions, including lending, investment banking, and asset management to small business, large and midsized corporations, local governments, and nonprofit clients; and commercial real estate banking services to investors, developers, and owners of multifamily, as well as to office, retail, industrial, and affordable housing properties. The AWM segment offers multi-asset investment management solutions across equities, fixed income, alternatives, and money market funds to institutional clients and retail investors; and retirement products and services, brokerage, custody, trusts and estates, loans, mortgages, deposits, and investment management products. The company also provides ATM, online and mobile, and telephone banking services. JPMorgan Chase & Co. was founded in 1799 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Australia 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 MSCI Australia ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Her bill would allow a doctor to prescribe drugs to a patient who had six months or less to live and asked for medication they could take to end their life. The patient would have to be at least 18 years old and ask for a prescription on three separate occasions, including at least once in writing with witnesses. The person also would have to be able to take the medicine by themselves. 5 Secrets to Making Winning Trades (Ad) Regular people are pouring into the market 10 million people became traders last year alone. But most do it WRONG... and lose big-time. Thats why you need to see the five secrets for making winning trades. Get the list of all five now. First Republic Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides private banking, private business banking, and private wealth management services to clients in metropolitan areas in the United States. It operates through two segments, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management. The company accepts deposit products, such as checking, money market checking, savings, passbook deposits, and individual retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It also offers a range of lending products that comprise residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, multifamily loans, commercial real estate and construction loans, personal and business loans, single family construction loans, and other loans and lines of credit to businesses and individuals. The company's loans are secured by single family residences, multifamily buildings, and commercial real estate properties. In addition, it provides wealth management services, which include various investment strategies and products, online investment management services, trust and custody services, full service and online brokerage, financial and estate planning, and access to alternative investments, as well as investing, insurance, and foreign exchange services; and treasury services. Additionally, the company offers online and mobile banking services; refinancing services; and ATM and debit cards. As of December 31, 2020, the company offered its services through 92 offices, including 80 licensed deposit-taking offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, and San Diego, California; Portland, Oregon; Boston, Massachusetts; Palm Beach, Florida; Greenwich, Connecticut; New York, New York; and Jackson, Wyoming, as well as 12 additional offices that provided lending, wealth management, and trust services. First Republic Bank was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Read More Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry primarily in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics, and Production Facilities. The company engineers, manages, and conducts well intervention operations that include production enhancement and abandonment, and construction in water depths ranging from 200 to 10,000 feet; and offers remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), trenchers, and ROVDrills for offshore construction and well intervention services. It also provides intervention engineering; inspection, repair, and maintenance of production structures, trees, jumpers, risers, pipelines, subsea equipment, and related support services. In addition, the company offers reclamation and remediation services; well plug and abandonment services; pipeline abandonment services; and site inspections. Further, it engages in the installation of flowlines, control umbilicals, and manifold assemblies and risers; trenching and burial of pipelines; installation and tie-in of riser and manifold assembly; commissioning, testing, and inspection activities; and provision of cable and umbilical lay, and connection services. Additionally, the company offers oil and natural gas processing facilities and services to oil and gas companies; and fast response system. It serves independent oil and gas producers and suppliers, pipeline transmission companies, renewable energy companies, and offshore engineering and construction firms. The company was formerly known as Cal Dive International, Inc. and changed its name to Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. in March 2006. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More 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. First BanCorp. operates as the bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico that provides a range of financial products and services to retail, commercial, and institutional clients. The company operates in six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Mortgage Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations. The Commercial and Corporate Banking segment offers commercial real estate and construction loans, floor plan financing, and cash and business management services. The Mortgage Banking segment engages in the origination, sale, and servicing of various residential mortgage loan products and related hedging activities; and acquisition and sale of mortgages in the secondary markets. The Consumer (Retail) Banking segment provides auto, boat, and personal loans; credit cards; lines of credit; deposit products comprising interest bearing and non-interest bearing checking and savings accounts, individual retirement accounts, and retail certificates of deposit (CDs); finance leasing and insurance services. The Treasury and Investments segment engages in the treasury and investment management activities, such as funding and liquidity management. The United States Operations segment offers savings, checking, and money market accounts, as well as retail CDs; and residential mortgages, home equity loans, lines of credit, and term loans, as well as Internet banking, cash management, remote data capture, and automated clearing house transaction services. The Virgin Islands Operations segment is involved in the consumer, commercial lending, and deposit-taking activities. As of December 31, 2020, the company operated 73 branches in Puerto Rico, 11 branches in the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands, and 10 branches in the state of Florida. First BanCorp. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Read More 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. Read More Anyone who may have information or been a victim of Wangs or know her by another name is asked to contact police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDcrimetips@howardcountymd.gov. Could This Be the Biggest US Gold Discovery in Years? (Ad) See how this tiny, unknown gold company secured a prime land package right next door to the worlds two largest gold producers in Nevadas famed Carlin Trend where 84 Million gold ounces have already been extracted. Best of all, investors can still get in well below US$0.50 per share. Details Here. The following companies are subsidiares of BP: 200 PS Overseas Holdings Inc., 563916 Alberta Ltd., ACP (Malaysia) Inc., AE Cedar Creek Holdings LLC, AE Goshen II Holdings LLC, AE Goshen II Wind Farm LLC, AE Power Services LLC, AE Wind PartsCo LLC, AM/PM International Inc., ARCO, ARCO British International, ARCO British Limited, ARCO Coal Australia Inc., ARCO El-Djazair Holdings Inc., ARCO Environmental Remediation L.L.C., ARCO Exploration Inc., ARCO Gaviota Company, ARCO International Investments Inc., ARCO International Services Inc., ARCO Midcon LLC, ARCO Oil Company Nigeria Unlimited, ARCO Oman Inc, ARCO Resources Limited, ARCO Trinidad Exploration and Production Company Limited, ARCO Unimar Holdings LLC, Actomat B.V., Advance Petroleum Holdings Pty Ltd, Advance Petroleum Pty Ltd, Air BP Albania SHA, Air BP Brasil Ltda., Air BP Canada LLC, Air BP Croatia d.o.o., Air BP Finland Oy, Air BP Iceland, Air BP Limited, Air BP Norway AS, Air BP Sales Romania S.R.L., Air BP Sweden AB, Air Refuel Pty Ltd, Allgreen Pty Ltd, AmProp Finance Company, American Oil Company, Amoco (Fiddich) Limited, Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company LLC., Amoco Bolivia Petroleum Company, Amoco Bolivia Services Company Inc., Amoco Canada International Holdings B.V., Amoco Capline Pipeline Company, Amoco Chemical (Europe) S.A., Amoco Chemicals (FSC) B.V., Amoco Cypress Pipeline Company, Amoco Destin Pipeline Company, Amoco Environmental Services Company, Amoco Exploration Holdings B.V., Amoco Guatemala Petroleum Company, Amoco International Finance Corporation, Amoco International Petroleum Company, Amoco Leasing Corporation, Amoco Louisiana Fractionator Company, Amoco MB Fractionation Company, Amoco MBF Company, Amoco Main Pass Gathering Company, Amoco Marketing Environmental Services Company, Amoco Netherlands Petroleum Company, Amoco Nigeria Exploration Company Limited, Amoco Nigeria Oil Company Limited, Amoco Nigeria Petroleum Company, Amoco Nigeria Petroleum Company Limited, Amoco Norway Oil Company, Amoco Oil Holding Company, Amoco Olefins Corporation, Amoco Overseas Exploration Company, Amoco Pipeline Asset Company, Amoco Pipeline Holding Company, Amoco Properties Incorporated, Amoco Remediation Management Services Corporation, Amoco Research Operating Company, Amoco Rio Grande Pipeline Company, Amoco Somalia Petroleum Company, Amoco Sulfur Recovery Company, Amoco Tri-States NGL Pipeline Company, Amoco Trinidad Gas B.V., Amoco U.K. Petroleum Limited, Amprop Illinois I Limited, Amprop Inc., Anaconda Arizona Inc., Arabian Production And Marketing Lubricants, Aral Aktiengesellschaft, Aral Luxembourg S.A., Aral Services Luxembourg Sarl, Aral Tankstellen Services Sarl, Arco Mediterraneo Inversiones S.L., Areas Noriega S.L., Areas Singulares Reyes S.L., Aspac Lubricants (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Atlantic 2/3 UK Holdings Limited, Atlantic Richfield Company, Atlantic Richfield Companyd, Autino Holdings Limited, Autino Limited, Auwahi Wind Energy Holdings LLC, B2Mobility GmbH, BASS Management Pty Ltd, BP (Abu Dhabi) Limited, BP (Barbados) Holding SRL, BP (Barbican) Limited, BP (China) Holdings Limited, BP (China) Industrial Lubricants Limited, BP (GTA Mauritania) Finance Limited, BP (GTA Senegal) Finance Limited, BP (Gibraltar) Limited, BP (Guangzhou) Advanced Mobility Limited, BP (Hunan) Petroleum Company Limited, BP (Indian Agencies) Limited, BP (Shandong) Petroleum Co. Ltd, BP (Shanghai) Trading Limited, BP - Castrol (Thailand) Limited, BP AMI Leasing Inc., BP Absheron Limited, BP Advanced Mobility Limited, BP Africa Limited, BP Africa Oil Limited, BP Akaryakit Ortakligi, BP Alaska LNG LLC, BP Alternative Energy Holdings Limited, BP Alternative Energy Investments Limited, BP Alternative Energy North America Inc., BP Alternative Energy Trinidad and Tobago Limited, BP America Chembel Holding LLC, BP America Chemicals Company, BP America Foreign Investments Inc., BP America Inc, BP America Inc., BP America Limited, BP America Production Company, BP Amoco Chemical Company, BP Amoco Chemical Holding Company, BP Amoco Chemical Indonesia Limited, BP Amoco Chemical Malaysia Holding Company, BP Amoco Exploration (Faroes) Limited, BP Amoco Exploration (In Amenas) Limited, BP Andaman II Ltd, BP Angola (Block 18) B.V., BP Argentina Exploration Company, BP Argentina Holdings LLC, BP Aromatics Holdings Limited, BP Aromatics Limited, BP Asia Limited, BP Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., BP Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, BP Australia Capital Markets Limited, BP Australia Employee Share Plan Proprietary Limited, BP Australia Group Pty Ltde, BP Australia Investments Pty Ltd, BP Australia Nominees Proprietary Limited, BP Australia Pty Ltd, BP Australia Shipping Pty Ltd, BP Australia Swaps Management Limited, BP Aviation A/S, BP Benevolent Fund Trustees Limited, BP Berau Ltd., BP Biocombustiveis S.A., BP Bioenergia Campina Verde Ltda., BP Bioenergia Ituiutaba Ltda., BP Bioenergia Itumbiara S.A., BP Bioenergia Tropical S.A., BP Biofuels Advanced Technology Inc., BP Biofuels Brazil Investments Limited, BP Biofuels Louisiana LLC, BP Biofuels North America LLC, BP Biofuels Trading Comercio Exportacao Ltda., BP Bomberai Ltd., BP Brasil Ltda., BP Brazil Tracking L.L.C., BP Bulwer Island Pty Ltd, BP Business Service Centre Asia Sdn Bhd, BP Business Service Centre KFT, BP CIV Pty Ltd, BP Canada Energy Development Company, BP Canada Energy Group ULC, BP Canada Energy Marketing Corp., BP Canada International Holdings B.V., BP Canada Investments Inc., BP Capellen Sarl, BP Capital Markets, BP Capital Markets America, BP Capital Markets America Inc., BP Capital Markets p.l.c., BP Car Fleet Limited, BP Caribbean Company, BP Castrol KK, BP Castrol Lubricants (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., BP Central Pipelines LLC, BP Chembel, BP Chemicals (Korea) Limited, BP Chemicals East China Investments Limited, BP Chemicals Investments Limited, BP Chemicals Limited, BP China Exploration and Production Company, BP Comercializadora de Energia Ltda., BP Commodities Trading Limited, BP Commodity Supply B.V., BP Company North America, BP Company North America Inc., BP Containment Response Limited, BP Containment Response System Holdings LLC, BP Continental Holdings Limited, BP Corporate Holdings, BP Corporate Holdings Limited, BP Corporation North America, BP Corporation North America Inc., BP D-B Pipeline Company LLC, BP D230 Limited, BP Danmark A/S, BP Developments Australia Pty. Ltd., BP Dogal Gaz Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, BP East Kalimantan CBM Limited, BP Eastern Mediterranean Limited, BP Egypt Company, BP Egypt East Delta Marine Corporation, BP Egypt East Tanka B.V., BP Egypt Production B.V., BP Egypt Ras El Barr B.V., BP Egypt West Mediterranean (Block B) B.V., BP Energy Asia Pte. Limited, BP Energy Colombia Limited, BP Energy Company, BP Energy Europe Limited, BP Energy Solutions B.V., BP Energy do Brasil Ltda., BP Energia Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., BP Espana S.A. Unipersonal, BP Estaciones y Servicios Energeticos Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, BP Europa SE, BP Exploracion de Venezuela S.A., BP Exploration & Production Inc., BP Exploration (Absheron) Limited, BP Exploration (Alaska), BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., BP Exploration (Algeria) Limited, BP Exploration (Alpha), BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited, BP Exploration (Angola), BP Exploration (Angola) Limited, BP Exploration (Azerbaijan), BP Exploration (Azerbaijan) Limited, BP Exploration (Canada) Limited, BP Exploration (Caspian Sea), BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited, BP Exploration (D230) Limited, BP Exploration (Delta), BP Exploration (Delta) Limited, BP Exploration (El Djazair) Limited, BP Exploration (Epsilon) Limited, BP Exploration (Gambia) Limited, BP Exploration (Greenland) Limited, BP Exploration (Madagascar) Limited, BP Exploration (Morocco) Limited, BP Exploration (Namibia) Limited, BP Exploration (Nigeria Finance) Limited, BP Exploration (Nigeria) Limited, BP Exploration (Psi) Limited, BP Exploration (STP) Limited, BP Exploration (Shafag-Asiman) Limited, BP Exploration (Shah Deniz) Limited, BP Exploration (South Atlantic) Limited, BP Exploration (Xazar) Pte. Ltd., BP Exploration Angola (Kwanza Benguela) Limited, BP Exploration Argentina Limited, BP Exploration Australia Pty Ltd Level 15, BP Exploration Beta Limited, BP Exploration China Limited, BP Exploration Company (Middle East) Limited, BP Exploration Company Limited, BP Exploration Indonesia Limited, BP Exploration Libya Limited, BP Exploration Mexico Limited, BP Exploration Mexico S.A. De C.V., BP Exploration North Africa Limited, BP Exploration Operating Company, BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BP Exploration Orinoco Limited, BP Exploration Personnel Company Limited, BP Exploration Peru Limited, BP Express Shopping Limited, BP Finance Australia Pty Ltd, BP Finance p.l.c., BP Foundation Incorporated, BP France, BP Fuels & Lubricants AS, BP Fuels Deutschland GmbH, BP GOM Logistics LLC, BP Gas & Power Investments Limited, BP Gas Europe S.A.U., BP Gas Marketing Limited, BP Gas Supply (Angola) LLC, BP Ghana Limited, BP Global Investments, BP Global Investments Limited, BP Global Investments Salalah & Co LLC, BP Global West Africa Limited, BP Greece Limited, BP Guangdong Limited, BP High Density Polyethylene - France, BP Holdings (Thailand) Limited, BP Holdings B.V., BP Holdings Canada, BP Holdings Canada Limited, BP Holdings International B.V., BP Holdings North America, BP Holdings North America Limited, BP Hong Kong Limited, BP India Private Limited, BP Indonesia Investment Limited, BP International, BP International Limited, BP International Services Company, BP Investment Management Limited, BP Investments Asia Limited, BP Iran Limited, BP Iraq N.V., BP Italia SpA, BP Japan K.K., BP Korea Limited, BP Kuwait Limited, BP LNG Shipping Limited, BP Latin America LLC, BP Latin America Upstream Services Inc., BP Lubricants KK, BP Lubricants USA Inc., BP Luxembourg S.A., BP Malaysia Holdings Sdn. Bhd., BP Management International B.V., BP Management Netherlands B.V., BP Marine Limited, BP Mariner Holding Company LLC, BP Maritime Services (Singapore) Pte. Limited, BP Marketing Egypt LLC, BP Mauritania Investments Limited, BP Mauritius Limited (in liquidation), BP Middle East Enterprises Corporation, BP Middle East LLC, BP Middle East Limited, BP Midstream Partners GP LLC, BP Midstream Partners Holdings LLC, BP Midstream Partners LP, BP Midwest Product Pipelines Holdings LLC, BP Mocambique Limitada, BP Mocambique Limited, BP Muturi Holdings B.V., BP Nederland Holdings BV, BP Netherlands Upstream B.V., BP New Ventures Middle East Limited, BP New Zealand Holdings Limited, BP New Zealand Share Scheme Limited, BP Nutrition Inc., BP Offshore Gathering Systems Inc., BP Offshore Pipelines Company LLC, BP Offshore Response Company LLC, BP Oil (Thailand) Limited, BP Oil Australia Pty Ltd, BP Oil Espana S.A., BP Oil Hellenic S.A., BP Oil International, BP Oil International Limited, BP Oil Kent Refinery Limited (in liquidation), BP Oil Llandarcy Refinery Limited, BP Oil Logistics UK Limited, BP Oil New Zealand Limited, BP Oil Pipeline Company, BP Oil Senegal S.A., BP Oil Shipping Company, BP Oil UK Limited, BP Oil Venezuela Limited, BP Oil Vietnam Limited, BP Oil Yemen Limited, BP Olex Fanal Mineralol GmbH, BP One Pipeline Company LLC, BP Pacific Investments Ltd, BP Pakistan (Badin) Inc., BP Pakistan Exploration and Production Inc., BP Pension Escrow Limited, BP Pension Trustees Limited, BP Pensions (Overseas) Limited, BP Pensions Limited, BP Petrochemicals India Investments Limited, BP Petroleo y Gas S.A., BP Petrolleri Anonim Sirketi, BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc., BP Pipelines (BTC) Limited, BP Pipelines (North America) Inc., BP Pipelines (SCP) Limited, BP Pipelines (TANAP) Limited, BP Pipelines TAP Limited, BP Polska Services Sp. z o.o. Ul., BP Portugal -Comercio de Combustiveis e Lubrificantes SA, BP Poseidon Limited, BP Products North America, BP Products North America Inc., BP Properties Limited, BP Raffinaderij Rotterdam B.V., BP Refinery (Kwinana) Proprietary Limited, BP Regional Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd, BP River Rouge Pipeline Company LLC, BP Russian Investments Limited, BP Russian Ventures Limited, BP SC Holdings LLC, BP Scale Up Factory Limited, BP Senegal Investments Limited, BP Services International Limited, BP Servicios de Combustibles S.A. de C.V., BP Servicios territoriales S.A., BP Shafag-Asiman Limited, BP Shipping Limited, BP Singapore Pte. Limited, BP Solar Energy North America LLC, BP Solar Espana S.A., BP Solar International Inc., BP Solar Pty Ltd, BP South America Holdings Ltd, BP Southern Africa Proprietary Limited, BP Southern Cone Company, BP Subsea Well Response (Brazil) Limited, BP Subsea Well Response Limited, BP Taiwan Marketing Limited, BP Technology Ventures Inc., BP Technology Ventures Limited, BP Train 2/3 Holding SRL, BP Transportation (Alaska) Inc., BP Trinidad Processing Limited, BP Trinidad and Tobago, BP Trinidad and Tobago LLC, BP Turkey Refining Limited, BP Two Pipeline Company LLC, BP UK Retained Holdings Limited, BP Venezuela Investments B.V., BP West Aru I Limited, BP West Aru II Limited, BP West Papua I Limited, BP West Papua III Limited, BP Wind Energy North America Inc., BP Wiriagar Ltd., BP World-Wide Technical Services Limited, BP Zhuhai Chemical Company Limited, BP+Amoco International Limited, BP-AIOC Exploration (TISA) LLC, BPA Investment Holding Company, BPNE International B.V., BPRY Caribbean Ventures LLC, BPX (Eagle Ford) Gathering LLC, BPX (KCS Resources) LLC, BPX (Karnes) Gathering LLC, BPX (Permian) Gathering LLC, BPX (WSF Operating) Inc., BPX Energy Inc., BPX Midstream LLC, BPX Operating Company, BPX Production Company, BPX Properties (GP) LLC, BPX Properties (LP) LLC, BPX Properties (NA) LP, BTC Pipeline Holding Company Limited, BXL Plastics Limitedv, Bahia de Bizkaia Electridad S.L., Baltimore Ennis Land Company Inc., Black Lake Pipe Line Company, Brian Jasper Nominees Pty Ltd, Britannic Energy Trading Limited, Britannic Investments Iraq Limited, Britannic Marketing Limited, Britannic Strategies Limited, Britannic Trading Limited, Britoil Limited, Burmah Castrol, Burmah Castrol Australia Pty Ltd, Burmah Castrol Holdings Inc., Burmah Castrol PLC, Burmah Castrol South Africa (Pty) Limited, Burmah Chile SpA, Butamax Advanced Biofuels, CASTROL Austria GmbHb, CH-Twenty Inc., CNAA, Cadman DBP Limited, Casitas Pipeline Company, Castrol (China) Limited, Castrol (Ireland) Limited, Castrol (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Castrol (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Castrol (Tianjin) Lubricants Co. Ltd., Castrol (U.K.) Limited, Castrol Australia Pty. Limited, Castrol B.V., Castrol BP Petco Limited Liability Company, Castrol Brasil Ltda., Castrol Caribbean & Central America Inc., Castrol Colombia Ltda., Castrol Del Peru S.A., Castrol Egypt Lubricants S.A.E., Castrol India Limited, Castrol Industrie und Service GmbH, Castrol KK, Castrol Limited, Castrol Lubricants RO S.R.L, Castrol Mexico S.A., Castrol Namibia (Pty) Limited, Castrol Offshore Limited, Castrol Pakistan (Private) Limited, Castrol Philippines Inc., Castrol Servicos Ltda., Castrol Ukraine LLC, Castrol Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, Centrel Pty Ltd, Charge Your Car Limitedc, Chargemaster, Chargemaster (Europe) GmbH, Chargemaster Limited, Charging Solutions Limited, Clarisse Holdings Pty Ltd, Coastwise Trading Company Inc., Consolidada de Energia y Lubricantes (CENERLUB) C.A., Conti Cross Keys Inn Inc., Coro Trading NZ Limited, Cuyama Pipeline Company, DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH, Dermody Developments Pty Ltd, Dermody Holdings Pty Ltd, Dermody Investments Pty Ltd, Dermody Petroleum Pty. Ltd., Dome Beaufort Petroleum Limited, Dome Wallis (1980) Limited Partnership, ECM Markets SA (Pty) Ltd, Elektromotive Limited, Elite Customer Solutions Pty Ltd, Elm Holdings Inc., Energy Global Investments (USA) Inc., Enstar LLC, Estacion de Servicio Alto Campoo S.L., Estacion de Servicio Ganzo 10 S.L., Estacion de Servicio Reocin 9 S.L., Estacion de Servicio Santillana II S.L., Estacion de Servicio Sardinero S.L., Estonian Aviation Fuelling Services, Europa Oil NZ Limited, Exomet Inc., Expandite Contract Services Limited, Exploration (Luderitz Basin) Limited, Exploration Service Company Limited, FWK (2017) Limited, FWK Holdings (2017) LTD, Finite Carbon, Flat Ridge 2 Holdings LLC, Flat Ridge Wind Energy LLC, Foseco Holding Inc., Foseco Holding International B.V., Foseco Inc., Fosroc Expandite Limited, Fotech Solutions Ltd, Fowler Ridge Holdings LLC, Fowler Ridge I Land Investments LLC, Fowler Ridge II Holdings LLC, Fowler Ridge III Wind Farm LLC, FreeBees B.V., Fuel & Retail Aviat ion Sweden AB, Fuelplane- Sociedade Abastecedora De Aeronaves Unipessoal Lda, GOAM 1 C.I S. A .S, Gardena Holdings Inc., Gelsenkirchen Raffinerie Netz GmbH, Grampian Aviation Fuelling Services Limited, Guangdong Investments Limited, Highlands Ethanol LLC, Hosteleria Noriega S.L., IGI Resources Inc., Insight Analytics Solutions Holdings Limited, Insight Analytics Solutions Limited, Insight Analytics Solutions USA Inc., International Bunker Supplies Pty Ltd, Iraq Petroleum Company Limited, Jupiter Insurance Limited, Ken-Chas Reserve Company, Kenilworth Oil Company Limited, Kingbook Inversiones Socimi S.A., Latin Energy Argentina S.A., Lebanese Aviation Technical Services S.A.L., Limited Liability Company BP Toplivnaya Kompania, Limited liability company Setra Lubricants, Lubricants UK Limited, Lytt Limited, Manormaker (Nominee No. 1) Limited, Manormaker (Nominee No. 2) Limited, Manormaker GP Limited (99.90%) 11 Black Horse Lane, Mardi Gras Transportation System Company LLC, Markoil S.A., Masana Petroleum Solutions (Pty) Ltd, Mayaro Initiative for Private Enterprise Development, Mehoopany Holdings LLC, Mes Tecnologia En Servicios Y Energia S.A., Minza Pty. Ltd., Mountain City Remediation LLC, No. 1 Riverside Quay Proprietary Limited, Nordic Lubricants A/S, Nordic Lubricants AB, North America Funding Company, OMD87 Inc., OOO BP STL, Omega Oil Company, OnSight Analytics Solutions India Private Ltd., Orion Delaware Mountain Wind Farm LP, Orion Energy Holdings LLC, Orion Energy L.L.C.b, Orion Post Land Investments LLC, Oyambre 1 S.L., PRODUITS METALLURGIE DOITTAU, PT BP Petrochemicals, PT Castrol Indonesia, PT Castrol Manufacturing Indonesia, PT Jasatama Petroindo, Pacroy (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Peaks America Inc., Pearl River Delta Investments Limited, Petrocorner Retail S.L.U., Phoenix Petroleum Services Limited, Pozuelo 4 S.L., Prospect International C.A. (In liquidation), Puente Arce 4 S.L., Remediation Management Services Company, Richfield Oil Corporation, Rio Corvo 2 S.L., Rolling Thunder I Power Partners LLC, Romax Insight Korea Ltd., Ropemaker Deansgate Limited, Ropemaker Properties Limited, Ruhr Oel GmbH, Rusdene GSS Limited, SOFAST Limited, SRHP, Saturn Insurance Inc., Sherbino I Holdings LLC, Sherbino Mesa I Land Investments LLC, Sociedade de Promocao Imobiliaria Quinta do Loureiro SA, Societe de Gestion de Depots d'Hydrocarbures - GDH, South Texas Shale LLC, Southeast Texas Biofuels LLC, Southern Ridge Pipeline Holding Company, Southern Ridge Pipeline LP LLC, Sp/f Decision3 (GreenSteam) Company, Standard Oil Company, Standard Oil Company Inc., Standard Oil of Ohio, Stryde Limited, Sunrise Oil Sands Partnership, TISA Education Complex LLC, TJKK, Taradadis Pty. Ltd., Telcom General Corporation, Terre de Grace Partnership, The Anaconda Company, The BP Share Plans Trustees Limited, The Burmah Oil Company (Pakistan Trading) Limited, The Standard Oil Company, Toledo Refinery Holding Company LLC, Torrelavega 7 S.L., Union Texas International Corporation, Vastar Pipeline LLC, Veba Oel AG Veba Oel, Verenium, Viceroy Investments Limited, Villacarriedo 8 S.L., Warrenville Development Limited, Water Way Trading and Petroleum Services LLC, Welchem Inc., West Kimberley Fuels Pty Ltd, Westlake Houston Development LLC, Whiting Clean Energy Inc., Windpark Energy Nederland B.V., and Winwell Resources L.L.C. Since its opening in 1975, Tersiguels has charmed local diners with its focus on hospitality and cuisine from the French countryside, from pork rillettes to duck confit. The pretty white building that houses the restaurant was damaged in Ellicott Citys two recent floods, but following a major renovation last year, its more beautiful than ever and will be a lovely setting to enjoy classic dishes, carefully prepared, from the four-course chefs menu that will be available this Valentines Day. Barnes Group Inc. provides engineered products, industrial technologies, and solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments: Industrial and Aerospace. The Industrial segment offers precision components, products, and systems used by various customers in end-markets, such as transportation, industrial equipment, automation, personal care, packaging, electronics, and medical devices. This segment also designs and manufactures hot runner systems, mold cavity sensors and process control systems, and precision high cavitation mold assemblies for injection molding applications; provides force and motion control solutions for various metal forming and other industrial markets; and designs and develops robotic grippers, end-of-arm tooling systems, sensors, and other automation components for intelligent robotic handling solutions and industrial automation applications. In addition, it manufactures and supplies precision mechanical products, including mechanical springs, and high-precision punched and fine-blanked components used in transportation and industrial applications, including mechanical springs, and high-precision punched and fine-blanked components. This segment sells its products primarily through its direct sales force and distribution channels. The Aerospace segment produces fabricated and precision machined components and assemblies for turbine engines; and nacelles and structures for commercial and defense-related aircraft. It also provides aircraft engine component maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for turbine engine manufacturers, commercial airlines, and defense market; and manufactures and delivers aerospace aftermarket spare parts. This segment serves original equipment manufacturing industry. The company was founded in 1857 and is based in Bristol, Connecticut. Read More Ad Resource Stock Digest 1,557 Interested This Week Could This Be the Biggest US Gold Discovery in Years? See how this tiny, unknown gold company secured a prime land package right next door to the worlds two largest gold producers in Nevadas famed Carlin Trend where 84 Million gold ounces have already been extracted. Best of all, investors can still get in well below US$0.50 per share. The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. 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Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. She is not alone. For 15 weeks about a dozen students, mostly women, pore over their lessons, taught by a Korean instructor in a program sponsored by the Howard County Library and funded by the Korean Education Center in Washington, D.C. Come April, at semesters end, Sardesai and her classmates hope their grasp of the language, and Korean culture, will help them reach out to a rapidly growing populace in the region. Informa plc operates as a business-to-business exhibitions and events, learning, and information services company worldwide. It operates through five divisions: Informa Connect, Informa Intelligence, Informa Markets, Informa Tech, and Taylor & Francis. The Informa Connect division provides content-driven events and digital platforms that allow professionals to meet, connect, learn, and share knowledge. This division operates events in finance and investment, biotech and pharma, and other specialist markets. The Informa Intelligence division offers digital intelligence and data-based products, consultancy, and research services in the areas of pharma, financial, maritime, and asset intelligence, as well as Barbour ABI, a provider of construction market intelligence and building project leads for built environment specialists. The Informa Markets division creates platforms for international markets, which provide businesses to research trends, find and showcase products, generate leads, and complete sales through exhibitions, virtual events, specialist digital content, and data solutions to customers operating in specialist markets to meet and trade. The Informa Tech division offers research, media, training, and events that inform, educate, and connect businesses and professionals working in technology. The Taylor & Francis division publishes books for upper level university students, researchers, and academic institutions in a range of specialist subjects; and journals under imprints such as Routledge, Taylor & Francis, and Cogent OA. This segment has a portfolio of approximately 160,000 book titles and 2,700 journals. The company was formerly known as T&F Informa plc and changed its name to Informa plc in August 2005. Informa plc was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Dont Buy Options. Follow My #1 Rule Instead. (Ad) Most Options traders lose 7 out of 10 trades. This investing legend has flipped options trading upside down... making money on 85% of his trades. Hes agreed to share his secret with a small group of investors. It could help you make as much as $185 a day on average in as little as 9 minutes a week Get the full details here Allergan plc, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, and commercializes branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical, and regenerative medicine products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: US Specialized Therapeutics, US General Medicine, and International. It offers a portfolio of products in various therapeutic areas, including medical aesthetics and dermatology, eye care, neuroscience, urology, gastrointestinal, women's health, and anti-infective therapeutic products. The company also offers breast implants and tissue expanders; and RM-131 (relamorelin), a peptide ghrelin agonist for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. In addition, it develops medical and cosmetic treatments; therapies for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and other liver diseases; inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders; atopic dermatitis drug candidate; peri-ocular rings for extended drug delivery and reducing elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; and treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Further, the company develops RST-001, a novel gene therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa; small molecule therapeutics for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases; topical medicines for fat reduction; and delivery system and botulinum toxin-based prescription products. It has collaboration, option, and license agreement with Lyndra, Inc.; and strategic alliance and option agreement with Editas Medicine, Inc. Allergan plc also has licensing agreements with Assembly Biosciences, Inc.; MedImmune; and Heptares Therapeutics, Ltd. The company was formerly known as Actavis plc and changed its name to Allergan plc in June 2015. Allergan plc was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More 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. Humana Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health and well-being company in the United States. It operates through Retail, Group and Specialty, and Healthcare Services segments. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It also has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits. In addition, the company provides commercial fully-insured medical and specialty health insurance benefits comprising dental, vision, and other supplemental health benefits; and administrative services only products to individuals and employer groups, as well as military services, such as TRICARE T2017 East Region contract. Further, it offers pharmacy solutions, provider services, predictive modeling and informatics services, and clinical care services, such as home health and other services to its health plan members, as well as to third parties. As of December 31, 2020, the company had approximately 17 million members in medical benefit plans, as well as approximately 5 million members in specialty products. Humana Inc. was incorporated in 1964 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Read More 1+ days ago | June 17th, 8:38 AM Does Nike (NYSE: NKE) Have What It Takes To Get Back Running Again For a company whose shares powered to new highs on what felt like a daily basis for much of last year, Nike (NYSE: NKE) has surprised many with its sluggish performance in the first half of 2021. Their shares are trading down more than 10% from the most recent all time high that they tagged at the end of December. In the grand scheme of things, this 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. Celanese Corporation, a technology and specialty materials company, manufactures and sells high performance engineered polymers in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Engineered Materials, Acetate Tow, and Acetyl Chain segments. The Engineered Materials segment develops, produces, and supplies specialty polymers for automotive and medical applications, as well as for use in industrial products and consumer electronics. It also offers acesulfame potassium, a sweetener for use in various beverages, confections, and dairy products; and food protection ingredients, such as potassium sorbate and sorbic acid for use in foods, beverages, and personal care products. The Acetate Tow segment provides acetate tows and flakes for use in filter products applications. The Acetyl Chain segment produces and supplies acetyl products, including acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomers, acetic anhydride, and acetate esters that are used as starting materials for colorants, paints, adhesives, coatings, and pharmaceuticals; and organic solvents and intermediates for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical products. It also offers vinyl acetate-based emulsions for use in paints and coatings, adhesives, construction, glass fiber, textiles, and paper applications; and ethylene vinyl acetate resins and compounds, as well as low-density polyethylene for use in flexible packaging films, lamination film products, hot melt adhesives, automotive parts, and carpeting applications. In addition, it manufactures ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Celanese Corporation was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Read More 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. Read More Ive seen a woman who I consider empowering, Ive seen a woman nearly defeated, broken, time and time again apply for a position and you were told no, you cant do this. That didnt stop you, Joseph said. You, Diane, Mom, youre a testament not just to me, not just to Julia, but to everybody in this room that if you have a dream, you can do it. And to anybody that tells you no, you cant do it for whatever reason comes to mind, they can shove it. And thats why were here today. Congratulations Mom, youve earned it. Finish this article for as low as $1 when you purchase a day pass. Just click the sign up button to purchase. If you are already a subscriber, just click log in to continue reading. 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. Read More Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asked parents not to expect their children to fulfil their unfulfilled dreams as he interacted with a number of students, teachers and parents in the second edition of "pariksha pe charcha". In this programme, Modi speaks to them about studies and examination-related issues. "I would request parents, do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths... It is important to understand these positives of every child," he said. He also described the townhall as a "mini-India, a place where we have in our midst the future of India". The prime minister said technology should lead to expansion of the mind and be seen as a means to innovate, but, he also asked students not to forget the playing field. Ten political parties of the north-east, most of which are members of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), along with the saffron party's key ally in Bihar, the JD(U), on Tuesday unanimously decided to jointly oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. At a meeting of the parties, it was also decided that a delegation comprising representatives of all the outfits would meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise them of their opposition to the bill that sought to provide Indian citizenship to those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsees and Christians, who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, after six years of residence in the country. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on whose initiative the meeting was called, and his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga also attended the meeting. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which has pulled out of the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government in Assam over the issue, was also associated with the convening of the meeting. The 10 political parties that participated in the meeting from across the north-east were -- the Mizo National Front (MNF), the United Democratic Party (UDP), the AGP, the Naga People's Front (NPF), the National People's Party (NPP), the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), the People's Democratic Front (PDF), the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Khnam. The Janata Dal (United) was represented at the meeting by its north-east in-charge, NSN Lotha. "The meeting was a natural process, considering the opposition of the north-east states to the bill and it was not politically motivated," Sangma told reporters here after the meeting. "Most political parties in the region are protesting against the bill in their respective states and so, we decided to come together and discuss measures to protect our people and the region," he added. On being asked about continuing in the NEDA, Sangma said it was premature to discuss political issues and they would "take a call if the situation arises. As of now, we have not come here to discuss politics but to address a very sentimental issue which concerns the people of the region". He pointed out that NEDA convenor and Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was aware of the meeting, adding, "We are communicating with all as the primary responsibility of political parties is towards the people and the region." Asked whether a new regional alliance was in the offing in the north-east, Sangma said, "We will take a decision at an appropriate time." He also refused to comment on whether the bill would be a defining factor in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, saying, "It is premature to comment on it." "We are here not to make political statements but to discuss the issue and take the voice of the people to the government," the NPP leader added. The eight states of the north-east account for 25 Lok Sabha seats and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eying to bag those in the Parliamentary election. Referring to the meeting, Sangma said, "We spoke to each other over phone and decided to come together to oppose the bill in one voice and we hope that after today's meeting, the Government of India will understand the sentiments of the people of the north-east." The meeting adopted five resolutions, including one for the unanimous opposition to the bill and another for a delegation comprising representatives of all the parties present to meet the president and the prime minister. In the unfortunate scenario of the Centre failing to respond to the sentiments of the people, it was decided that the parties would continue to oppose the bill and meet again to chalk out the future course of action, Sangma said. It was also decided at the meeting that a committee would be formed to reach out to all the political parties. The meeting thanked all the political parties who "opposed the bill and supported our cause both inside and outside Parliament". "We are here to work with all political parties who are opposed to the bill and will reach out to everybody. This is not about politics but about people," Sangma said, when asked whether they would reach out to the Congress, which is in the opposition in the states represented by the political parties at the meeting. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who was also present at the meeting, said a resolution was adopted to unanimously oppose the bill, which was dangerous and harmful for the people of the north-east. AGP president Atul Bora said the meeting was "historic" as the political parties had unanimously decided to oppose the bill and ensure that it was not passed in the Rajya Sabha. He hoped that all regional and other political parties would unitedly fight against the bill. Corruption is a systemic disease and the existing social relationships permit it to grow and flourish. It takes different forms and is imbibed as a part of the prevalent culture. The disease having crept into the system, it is very difficult to uproot it unless there is a social movement to eradicate such rampant distortions in our sociological framework. Many have dreamt of India free of corruption. Newer mechanisms like Lokpal, etc., are yet to be implemented though quite a few years have elapsed. This shows our sincerity in eradication of corruption and in bringing in a new era. In the international scenario, our position is not flattering. Several laws claiming to be having sufficient teeth have been brought into the statute books. Even the juristic attitude in the anti-corruption cases appears to be coloured in some ways. It is laughable when warrants for search and seizure are handed out for the asking. Every Indians house is not treated as his own castle. Search and seizure are not treated as measures of last resort. A media report then circulated stating that household goods and cars worth lakhs have been seized. There is no car below rupees one lakh available in the Indian market. Therefore, having properties worth lakhs, may be financed by loans, cannot, per say, disclose corruption. It is more hype than the truth. One common option to understand corruption is to employ a cultural perspective. It is attributed to something like national character. For instance, it seems suggestive that all the least corrupt nationals, with the exception of Singapore, are European or are European-settler states. Even Singapore has a highly Europeanised structure. Another common explanation is basically historical: For instance, one can refer to the top-down power structures of feudal or colonial regimes in places like Morocco, China and India until just a few decades ago. The cultural ethos and historical precedence play a role. After all, both abiding by the law and lawlessness have a dominant effect: if you follow the law, other people around you are more likely to do so; if you break the law, other people around you are also more likely to do so. A history of unresponsive authoritarianism might increase the tendency to break laws if one can get away with it because the citizen has nothing invested in the status quo. Only fear upholds the law; and the moment the citizen can get away with it, he or she breaks the law. This can also lead to a greater tendency towards corruption. Transparency International, a global anti-corruption coalition, ranked India 81 out of 180 countries in its corruption index of 2017. The least corrupt nations New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore, Sweden, Canada, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the UK appear just above India. In the list are China, Serbia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ghana (less corrupt). And below India are Morocco, Turkey, Argentina, Benin, and Kosovo (as corrupt or more corrupt). 81 out 180 might not seem too bad especially to skeptical Indians, but it is misleading: often the same rank is occupied by as many as three countries (for instance, rank 71). As such, in terms of numbers, India is placed in the bottom third of the list if not the last quarter. This should not surprise skeptical Indians. However, ranking the corruption level of a country is less of a science and more of an art. It is an art that naturally occludes the advantages, which others might see in terms of invisible corruption of the rich First World nations, where polity and economy, Parliament and corporation often have long-established uncontroverted relationships. This does not mean that nations like Ghana, India, Morocco and Turkey do not have considerably more corruption than nations New Zealand and Denmark. What it means is that the ranking game is not sufficient to understand corruption at the global, national and local levels. Culture and history are misleading as primary explanations. Far more important is another factor that few people talk about. If you look at India and the countries around it on the index and at the top 10 (least corrupt) countries, you realise that the former group contains nations with huge socioeconomic inequalities and the latter contains nations with a high degree of social and economic justice. In that sense, Singapore belongs to the European and European-settler countries ranked as the 10 least corrupt nations. In short, corruption is directly proportionate to the socioeconomic gap in a nation. Cultural and historical factors add to this or subtract from this, but the greater the socioeconomic disparities, the greater the incentive towards corruption. This happens in many ways, both among the rich and poor. For instance, in country where, say, Rs.10,000 is nothing for the rich, it is easy for the rich to offer a bribe of that sum. But it, in the same country, Rs.10,000 is what a poor man may earn in an entire month, it is difficult for him to refuse a bribe of that amount. This leads to the gradual erosion of morality and ethics on both sides. Some find it easy to spend money to get things done; others find it difficult to refuse to accept that money. On both sides, there builds up a disrespect for the system and for each other. The system itself is seen as thoroughly corrupt because of such individual acts of corruption. This further justifies the corruption on both sides. Moreover, the poor look at the affluence of the rich as basically a consequence of corruption, which is by no means the case all the time. The rich look at the vulnerability of the poor as the sequence of a corrupt morality, which is again by no means the case all the time. Such a nexus saps the entire social fabric of a country, also creating apathy towards a demand for greater transparency in the corridors of power. This further leads to the spread of corruption. If we in India want to cut down on corruption, we have to start working far more seriously on reducing the huge (and some say, widening) chasm between the rich and the poor. According to a report of Oxfam, one per cent of Indians own 51 per cent of the income and wealth of the society. Such a disparity in income levels, coupled with conspicuous consumption on the part of the super-rich, bring to the fore the distorted position of the social structure. Money becomes the common denominator for buying the services, unethically and illegally. The system breeds within itself the maladies that come to the forefront a few months later. As Harold Laski once said, Charity is a price that the rich must pay to maintain their position in relation to the poor. This scenario has not been altered despite the anti-corruption tirades. The youth power is the biggest loser in the bargain. They must rise to the occasion and not be corrupted by the elders but stand erect for a corruption-free India and a transparent India. (The writer, a Senior Advocate, is a former All India Service officer, a former diplomat, a former editor, a former President of Orissa High Court Bar Association and a former Advocate General of Odisha. jayantdas@hotmail.com) All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has decided to oppose the Centres petition on transferring 67 acres of undisputed land around the disputed site at Ayodhya to Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. The court has put a blanket ban on any construction near the disputed site. Seeking permission for releasing the 67-acre acquired land is against the courts ruling. The AIMPLB will oppose the petition and will not allow the Centre to go against the courts ruling, said AIMPLB member and lawyer in Ayodhya case, Zafaryab Jilani, in Lucknow on Tuesday. AIMPLB member and Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, also opposed the move saying, It appears to be politically motivated and taken ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections by the National Democratic Alliance government. Muslim clerics also questioned the Centres intention months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. They claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government was not at all serious about solving the Ayodhya dispute, and instead it was entangling the issue further with such petitions. In its application, the Centre, while seeking apex courts permission to return the undisputed 67-acre acquired land to the original owners, has also sought modification of Supreme Court orders of 2003 and 2011 by which a complete status quo was imposed on the land acquired by then PV Narasimha Rao government in 1993. The government has submitted that 42 acres of acquired land belongs to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and they are entitled to get it back. Sunni cleric Maulana Sufiyan Nizami said, The land for which the Central government has filed a writ is already covered by an apex court judgement that no worship or prayer can be done on it. Now the Central government is trying to entangle the issue by a new dispute which shows that it is not at all serious at solving the dispute. Whenever the matter is on the edge of getting resolved, the government is derailing the issue. Also, the government belongs to everyone. However, when the government starts becoming partisan, democratic values are endangered. The Supreme Court should take cognisance of the issue, he said. Echoing similar sentiments, Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas said, I think, till the entire issue is resolved, any kind of construction will not be in the interest of anyone. The Supreme Court should not entertain the petition filed by the Centre. The move of the Narendra Modi government has proved that it intends to go to the polls over the temple issue rather than its commitment of sabka saath sabka vikas. UP Shia Central Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi, however, welcomed the decision of the NDA government and appealed to Muslims to support the move. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Chhattisgarh in the first week of February for addressing a public meeting. The Prime Minister is expected to kick start the Lok Sabha election campaign for the party in the State. State BJP Spokesperson Nalinesh Thokne when contacted said that the date of arrival of the Prime Minister in the State and venue has not been finalized but is expected in the month of February. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs to submit a report in six weeks on the progress for inclusion of some communities of Koraput and Sundargarh districts in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list of Odisha. The NHRC passed the order based on a petition and subsequent submissions filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy. Earlier, the NHRC asked the Registrar General of India (RGI), to expedite action in respect of recommendation of the Tribes Advisory Council, Odisha, for inclusion of Putiya, Putia,Dulia, Dhulia, Putiya Paik,Dulia Paik, Dhulia Paik communities of Koraput district and Bhuiyar, Bhuihar, Bhuinyar, Bhuinhar communities of Sundargarh district in the Scheduled Tribes list of Odisha. In Odisha, the people belonging to these communities are being denied basic necessities, like education, food and shelter due to the fact that they have not been included in the list of Scheduled Tribes by the Government of Odisha, stated Tripathy in the petition. Putiya, Putia,Dulia,Dhulia, Putiya Paik,Dulia Paik,Dhulia Paik, as sub-tribe of Kotia (ST) in caste hierarchy have not figured in the STs, SCs, OBCs or SEBCs list of Odisha from 2003. As a result of which over 20,000 Putiya people living in the undivided Koraput district are deprived of getting any benefits in terms of reservation, education, health, livelihood and employment. The State Government had recommended the Centre to include the community in the ST list, Tripathy contended. He requested the commission to intervene into the matter to protect the human rights of the poor people belonging to these communities by including them in the Scheduled Tribes list and provide them benefits of social schemes by the Government of Odisha in the State. After maintaining a stoic silence over the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in active politics, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Tuesday took a swipe at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for his promise of providing a minimum income to poor. She wondered whether it was another cruel joke like the promises of garibi hatao by Congress in the 1970s or achhe din promised by Narendra Modi. Attacking the Congress chiefs allurement to the poor of providing a guaranteed minimum income to everyone, the BSP chief advised Rahul to first implement schemes related to poverty alleviation and welfare of people in Congress-ruled states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh so that peoples faith was restored. The Congress promise just before Lok Sabha elections of guaranteed minimum income has led to surprise and created doubts among countrymen, Mayawati said in a press statement issued in Lucknow on Tuesday. The record of both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress has not been good so far poll promises are concerned. Even if some of them (promises) have been implemented, they have proved to be mere eyewash. Both these parties should not make promises which they cannot fulfil, the BSP chief said. People of the country have tested both the Congress and the BJP in the last 72 years and hence the BSP appeals that they should believe a party which works more and makes less claims and promises, she said. On Monday, Rahul Gandhi had said his party would ensure guaranteed minimum income for every poor in the country if it returned to power after Lok Sabha polls in April-May this year. Capt condoles demise of george Fernandes Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday condoled the death of former Union Defence Minister George Fernandes, who passed away in Delhi at the age of 88, following a prolonged illness. Capt Amarinder said that Fernandes will be remembered as one of the most prominent leaders of 1970s socialist movement. Corporation Bank Karnal shifted Karnal: Corporation Bank, Karnal branch, has been shifted to new premises opposite to Bus stand on Monday. Corporation Bank Karnal has been functioning at Karnal from 1998 onwards and has been shifted to new premises for more customer facilities. The premises has been inaugurated by Delhi circle General Manager DVS Varma along with Chandigarh Zonal Office deputy general manager HS Nagendra. Banks customers have attended the function. Varma explained about various digital products of the Bank to the customers. Glamzone unisex beauty salon in Panchkula Panchkula: Indias finest beauty and hair salon, Glamzone Unisex Beauty salon, opened its eight salon in the tricity at Panchakula Sector 10 after Chandigarhs Sector 21, Sector 32, Sector 27, Sector 35, Zirakpur, Mohali Phase-V and Phase XI. Famous beauty therapist and hair artist Anil Kumar, Sarfraz, Mayur and Sameer tells about latest hair trends. The Schwarzkopf professional's products, and services will be available at Glamzone Unisex beauty salon. CU launches MBA in Strategic HR with SHRM Chandigarh: Chandigarh University, Gharuan, in association with Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), on Monday launched two-year MBA degree in the field of strategic HR. It is first of its kind MBA Program in North India to be jointly launched by SHRM which is worlds largest HR Professional society with three lakh members in more than 165 countries and a premier university of the region. CU Vice-Chancellor Dr RS Bawa, SHRM CEO Achal Khanna exchanged the formal MoU on Monday. Punjab VB nabs ASI for taking bribe Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Tuesday nabbed an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) posted at EOW Police Lines, Ludhiana, red handed while accepting Rs 20,000 bribe. Spokesperson said that ASI Mohinder Singh was nabbed red-handed on the complaint of one Rachpal Singh Pali of Lohara village in Ludhiana. Bestech square mall salutes real heroes Mohali: The ongoing Republic Day celebration at Bestech square mall Salute the Real Heroes concluded with a flag hoisting ceremony by Mohali MC Joint Commissioner Kanu Thind on Tuesday. A performance of bagpipers band was also held who generated a patriotic fervour among visitors with heir melodious tunes. The high point of the festivity was an exhibition of war memorabilia which paid tribute and a special salute to Brigadier KS Chandpuri, the hero of Battle of Longewala with Pakistan. Prof Chand gives lecture Chandigarh: Prof Ramesh Chand, member of NITI Aayog and Centres Fifteenth Finance Commission, on Tuesday said that the agriculture sector has been neglected after economic reforms which has resulted in a continuous decline in farm incomes. Prof Chand, delivering Brij Narain Memorial lecture organized by Panjab Universitys Economics Department, said that the transformation is not taking place in this sector because of institutional bottlenecks in the import of inputs and technology for the farm sector, which have been removed in other sectors in the recent past. PU to celebrate Jaishankar Prasads birth anniv Chandigarh: Panjab Universitys Department of Hindi will organize Jaishankar Prasad Jayanti on January 30 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the celebrated author and dramatist, Jaishankar Prasad. Department chairperson Dr Gurmeet Singh said: We have initiated an effort to involve the colleges in the city by encouraging their participation in the literary events conducted by the Department. In continuation with this, students of GCG, Sector 11, will be participating. BBMB inaugurates rooftop solar pv plants Chandigarh: Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has planned to implement grid connected rooftop solar PV projects on the roofs of its buildings or offices, ground mounted and floating solar PV Plant as a part of its contribution to renewable energy initiatives of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. As a part of the same, the Union Power Ministrys secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday inaugurated Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV Plant of 80kWp capacity at 220kV Substation BBMB Delhi and of 20kWp capacity at 220kV substation BBMB Narela. Both plants are estimated to generate 1.60 lakh units of energy per annum. vacancies to be filled soon in electricity companies Bhopal: Directives have been issued to the Managing Directors of the electricity companies to initiate an action to fill all the vacant posts against the sanctioned posts. Minister for Energy Priyavrat Singh has informed that the manifesto mentions about starting an action to fill the vacant posts within 60 days. He told the officials to complete the recruitment process within the stipulated time. committee constituted in Energy Department Bhopal: A committee comprising officers has been constituted in Energy Department to redress problems of the outsource workers. VK Sahu, the Additional General Manager (HR and Administration) MPPMCL has been made Chairman of the committee. AK Pandey, General Manager (Enforcement) Poorva Kshetra VVCL, Abhay Khare Superintendent Engineer, MP Power Transmission Co Ltd, Rajendra Kumar Khade, Additional General Manager (Establishment) Madhya Kshetra VVCL, Narendra Kumar Dubey, Deputy General Manager, Pashchim Kshetra VVCL and Sanjay Jain, Executive Engineer (Production), MP Power Generating Co Ltd have been made members of the committee. CM expresses grief over Fernandess demise Bhopal: Chief Minister Kamal Nath has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former Union Minister George Fernandes. The Chief Minister said in his message that Fernandez was a symbol of simplicity and gentleness in politics. Special lecture to be held on Shaheed Diwas Bhopal: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya will organise a special lecture on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas and 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In memory of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle of India, two minutes of silence will be paid tribute, on Wednesday at 11 am at office premises. Free Medical Health Check-up camp held Bhopal: Under the aegis of BHELs Corporate Social Responsibility, a Free Medical Health Check-up and Medicine distribution camp was organised at village Adampur Raisen Road, Bhopal. A team of doctors and nurses led by Dr Nutan Hemrom from Kasturba Hospital examined the villagers and offered free medicines. A total of 103 villagers were given medical advice during the camp. Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0 screened live at SBPS Bhopal: Sagar Public School Gandhi Nagar, Saket Nagar and Rohit Nagar screened live telecast of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0 for Sagarites at the school auditorium. The screening lasted for more than 95 minutes in which faculty members were also present. During the screening, Sagarites felt Pariksha Pe Charcha Townhall meet as representation of the future of India. Three killed, three injured in road mishap Mandsaur: Three persons were killed and three others were injured after their car fell from a river bridge in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh. The mishap took place between Dodiyamina and Kolva villages when the victims were returning home after attending a birthday party at a hotel on Monday night, YD Nagar police station in-charge Vinod Kushwaha said. Cop attacked after he stopped 3 to commit crime Jabalpur: A junior police officer was seriously injured when he was allegedly stabbed by three persons whom he tried to stop from assaulting a man here in Madhya Pradesh. The incident occurred on the intervening night of January 28 and 29 when Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Dasai Ram Gotia (57) intervened in a scuffle while he was returning home from duty. Delmarva Poultry and the Annapolis-based Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment are together putting up $500,000 to pay for the new air monitoring equipment, which Maryland environmental regulators will operate and gather data from. Officials said they would use EPA guidelines to decide where to place the monitors, one upwind and one downwind of a farm or farms. And they also plan to use two existing monitors to establish a baseline for ammonia and particulate matter in the air more widely across the shore. The State Government will accept more proposals from officers for constructing roads in the interior pockets of insurgency infested regions and remote locations, PWD Minister Tamradwaj Sahu said on Tuesday. He also directed to submit proposals for converting single lane roads into double as per the current needs. Reviewing the work of his Department, the Minister said that quality should not be compromised in construction works and advised stern action against contractors who do not follow the directives. The tendering process for works should be not be delayed unnecessarily and all parameters need to be followed, Sahu said. The maintenance work for all government houses need to be completed within two months , he said. A strong infrastructure is needed for overall development of the State, the Minister said. He also directed to start a light and sound show at the Saheed Samarak as soon as possible. The Delhi Government on Tuesday organised Agriculture Conference to devise a mechanism to implement Minimum Selling Price (MSP) on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report (2006). Various issues pertaining higher wages, input costs, transport charges and cost of other allied services peculiar to Delhi were discussed. Importantly, the proposed MSP with 50 per cent margin at the cost of production is Rs 2616 per quintal for wheat and Rs 2667 quintal for paddy. It is likely incur an additional liability of Rs 96.38 crore, if implemented. Around 20,000 kisan families in Delhi will benefit from this scheme, quoted the Delhi Governments statement. According to governments spokesperson, further consultations will be done through Kisan Jansunwai (scheduled in the first week of February) and suggestions from the general public and a committee comprising of various stakeholders will also be considered. The recommendations of the committee will be submitted to the Chief Minister for further action. Citing the incidents of framers suicide, Gopal Rai, Development minister, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pointed out the severity of the present agrarian crisis in the country. In order to save farmers, a realistic MSP mechanism as per the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Committee and the requirements of the local farming environments, needs to be effectively introduced, Rai asserted. The Delhi Government acknowledged higher cost of production in the farming sector due to higher wages, input costs, transport charges and cost of other allied services in Delhi. Taking these factors into account, the government re-calculated the cost of production of wheat at Rs 1744 per quintal and paddy at Rs 1778 per quintal. The proposed MSP with 50percent margin at the cost of production, is Rs 2616 per quintal and Rs 2667 quintal for wheat and paddy respectively, The proposed MSP structure is higher than the Government of India MSP by Rs 776 per quintal for wheat and Rs 897 per quintal for paddy. It is likely to incur an additional liability of 96.38 crore, if implemented. There will be a separate mechanism for vegetable growers in Delhi, Said Rai interacting farmers. In the conference, the representatives of Directorate of Agriculture of Government of Telangana made a presentation on the innovative and technology driven Agriculture Investment Support Scheme (Raythu Bandhu). A 55-year-old BJP leader and close aide of Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, became first time MLA by defeating Congress stalwart Ramnivas Rawat in the Assembly elections held in November, last year. A newly-elected MLA from Vijapur Assembly constituency falling in Sheopur district is now planning to get a house built up. Till date, he lives in a kuchcha house While talking to The Pioneer MLA Sitaram Adivasi told that he has come to know that he would soon get his fist salary of Rs 1.10 lakh, with which he would construct his house. He said that some locals have also come up to support him for constructing a new house. The locals support Adivasi for fighting for their causes and looking after their welfare. People are donating from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 for building a house for him. When I won the election, the people of my constituency weighed me with coins. That money is also being used to build a small house, he added. The BJP leader, even before getting elected always stood for the cause of the people and known for his good behavior in the whole region. The MLA, overwhelmed by the gesture of locals, said when he gets his first salary from the government, he will use it for the welfare of the poor in his constituency. The affidavit filed with the Election Commission before contesting the Assembly polls, Adivasi pointed out that he was in possession of assets worth Rs 46,733, including Rs 25,000 in cash and the remaining amount in two banks deposits. Besides, he owns a 600 sqft piece of land on which his hut is situated and another two acre irrigable land. Kolhan commissioner Vijoy Kumar Singh on Tuesday sought detailed clarification from Tata Steel on civic amenities provided to urban slums (denotified areas under company lease). He also demanded clarification on registration amount charged for transferring name of subleased units to another party. During a three- hour long review meeting held at district collectorate, Vijoy Kumar Singh asked the company officials to submit the details within 15 days. Tata Steel vice-president corporate services Chanakya Chaudhary and Tata Steel chief corporate services, Rituraj Sinha were present on the occasion. On the directive of the State Land Reform and Revenue Department the meeting was caIIed. I have asked the Tata Steel senior officials to submit the detailed clarification on what civic amenities they have been provided to the more than 86 urban slums and also the amount charged for transfer of name of subleased units to other parties within 15 days which would then be submitted to the land reform and revenue department, the commissioner said. As per 2005 lease agreement between state government and Tata Steel they should provide similar civic amenities to urban slums which would be chargeable. In addition, as per the lease agreement, Tata Steel can only sublease units but cannot allow sale of sublease land to other parties. For the record, between 2006 and 2011, after Tata Steel lease was renewed by the state government in 2005, 59 parties had been granted the steel majors sublease by the district administration after a nod from the Appropriate Machinery Committee (AMC)- a government-sponsored panel that decides on the allotment of Tata Steel sublease land. Incidentally, on September 18, 2012, the State Government had banned construction on subleased land via a notification, bringing to an abrupt halt many projects of malls, buildings, multi-layered parking and so on. We have come to know that Tata Steel has charged amount for transfer of names, thereby allowing sale of subleased units to other parties. The deal is in crores and in more than 15 years. It is a violation of lease norms. The government wants to know how many violation have taken place in such manner, said Vijoy Kumar Singh. Chief Minister Kamal Nath today reviewed the Jai Kisan Crop Loan Waiver scheme at Mantralay here on Monday and instructed the collectors to take action for timely completion of the loan waiving process. The Chief Minister also asked the collectors to take only those documents from the eligible farmers, which are necessary. Do not insist on such documents which are not necessary. On reports of slow process of disposal from some districts, the Chief Minister instructed the collectors of respective districts to speed up the process saying that the laxity will not be tolerated. Kamal Nath said that the complaints received from the farmers at the control room set up in the districts should be immediately addressed. He instructed the collectors to take up the responsibility and complete the task. Senior officers of concerned departments attended the meeting. Expressing happiness over the announcement of All India Congress Committee, President Rahul Gandhi, in which he had announced on Monday that every poor will get right of minimum income guarantee if Congress Party will come to power, party MLA and former State president Sukhdeo Bhagat said on Tuesday that it is historic decision. Addressing a press meet Bhagat said the party is taking steps that no government has taken before in the world. The Congress party has decided to give every poor person a minimum income guarantee if it comes to power in 2019. This means each poor person in India will have minimum income and the money will be transferred into his bank account. There will be no hungry, poor people in India. Citing example of former economic advisor to Government of India, Arvind Subramanium, Bhagat said that he had given suggestion of Universal Basic Income Scheme in 2016-17 but Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi and Finance Minister (FM), Arun Jaitely had not paid attention on his suggestion. Criticising the PM and the FM he said that they are only thinking about friends of corporate world. Rahul Gandhi always fulfills his announcement as in three States Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan he has not taken more than 10 days in loan waiver schemes similarly, he will not take long time to implement minimum income guarantee scheme. Lauding work done by previous Congress Government Bhagat said, During 2004 to 2014 the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had uplifted 14 crore people from below poverty line. It is first rights of poor on the resources of India. The party has started its effort in this direction. In country like India where disparity persist in large numbers this scheme will be very effective. Two miscreants involved in attacking with a sharp-edged weapon and robbing a suitcase carrying cash at Shivaji Nagar were nabbed by police. The 62-year-old employee of a pathology lab was attacked in his nose with sharp-edged weapon, said SP South Sampat Upadhyay while speaking with media persons here on Tuesday. He said that the nabbed accused persons were identified as Saalam Khan (25) of Banganga and Kartik Rajput (19) of Ratibad while third accused Anas Khan managed to escape with the briefcase carrying cash. Saalam and Anas have worked as drivers for Dr Rajesh Mehra and were aware of his routine carrying cash at the end of the day and before committing crime they have recce the area and later planned the crime. The injured attacked was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was provided primary treatment and is reportedly stable. Police said that the victim Shosmani Pathak was robbed and attacked while he was trying to keep briefcase carrying and documents in car owned by Dr Rajesh Mehra who runs Venus Mri & Mdct Centre Pvt Ltd at Shivaji Nagar. The victim was working as his daily routine of keeping the belongings of Dr Rajesh Mehra in his car and when he was keeping the briefcase miscreants attacked him and tried to snatch briefcase but he opposed and caught one of the accused and to rescue the caught accused other miscreant attacked him with a sharp edged weapon and escaped the spot. Twelve Haryana Congress MLAs, owing allegiance to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday met partys in-charge for Haryana, Ghulam Nabi Azad and demanded change in party state leadership. With Lok Sabha polls nearing, the Congress MLAs met the Congress veteran in New Delhi and apprized him about the current scenario in the state party unit and need of restructuring ahead of elections. Former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was appointed as All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary incharge for Haryana during last week. The party state unit had been without an incharge following Kamal Naths appointment as MPCC chief in April last year. Those who were present in the meeting included RS Kadian, Anand Singh Dangi (Meham), Kuldeep Sharma, Karan Singh Dalal, Lalit Nagar, Jai Tirth Dahiya, Krishan Hooda, Geeta Bhukkal, Jagbir Malik, Shakuntala Khatak, Udai Bhan and Jaiveer Singh. While the former two-time Chief Minister Hooda was not present in the meeting, his supporters (MLAs) raised the issue of change in state leadership. The MLAs have apprized Ghulam Nabi Azad that various committees are not constituted in the state party unit and there is need of restructuring of organization, said an MLA, who was present at the meeting. He said that few MLAs also urged Ghulam Nabi Azad that former CM Hooda should be made state party president ahead of crucial Lok Sabha polls. The MLAs also congratulated Ghulam Nabi Azad for his new responsibility related to Haryana party unit, he added. Notably, Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar, a dalit leader, and Hooda, an upper caste Jat, do not see eye to eye and have been at loggerheads since 2014 polls. The former Chief Minister Hoodas loyalists, who include 12 MLAs out of total 17 had been demanding a change in the state leadership since long. However, their demand has so far been ignored by the central party leadership. Ghulam Nabi Azad, while talking to the mediapersons on Tuesday said that he is confident that the party will perform well in Haryana in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and assembly polls scheduled later this year. About factionalism in state party unit, he claimed that there is no infighting and if there are any issues, it will be resolved. When asked about Jind bypoll, he claimed that we are confident that the party candidate Randeep Surjewala will win the byoll. The senior Congress leader also attacked the Manohar Lal Khattar Government and said that the performance of BJP Government in Haryana is worst among all the states. There is nothing as government in Haryana, he added. On demand of change in state party leadership, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that at present, there are no deliberations ongoing in this regard. The Congress is desperately looking to make a comeback in the state. The party could retain only one Lok Sabha seats out of 10 in Lok Sabha polls 2014. In assembly polls held later that year, the party was reduced to 15 seats, even losing the status of the main opposition party to the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in the state assembly. The number of Congress MLAs had later increased to 17 after Kuldeep Bishnois HJCs merger in the party in 2016. In the faction-ridden Haryana Congress, all senior leaders have been holding party functions separately. While Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with his 12 loyalists MLAs had last year began his rath yatra to connect with the people of all 90 constituencies, his detractor Ashok Tanwar had kicked off a cycle yatra in the state. CLP Leader Kiran Choudhry and senior leader Randeep Surjewala had also been holding separate public meetings in the state. All the regional officers of Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) should ensure strict implementation of Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) provisions for control of pollution in the State. The online system for pollutionmonitoring should be updated, Housing and Environment Minister Mohammed Akbar directed officials on Tuesday. He was chairing the second review meeting with regional officers from Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg-Bhilai, Raigarh, Korba, Ambikapur and Jagdalpur within a month at CECB headquarters here. The Minister while appreciating the urban solid waste management practices taken up in Bilaspur, he directed the officials to implement it in all other Municipal Corporations of the state. Akbar said, Make sure that as per Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) ,specified quantity in bio-mass plant instead of hay should be burnt and more coal is not burnt. The regional officers should inspect all the bio-mass plants. The Minister directed the officials to ensure time-bound action against all the industries violating the environmental laws. Reviewing the status of plantation by industries, the Minister directed the Regional Officers to submit the status of plantation carried out by major industries by March 15. The fly ash should be used for filling the open cast mines while pollution should be minimised during transportation from coal washeries, he said. Adding a new leaf to the history of governance in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath Government held its Cabinet meeting in the Kumbh Mela area on Tuesday and took several decisions to beautify the Sangam city and install statues of saints related to Lord Ram, besides constructing the worlds longest Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Prayagraj. The Government also approved the much-hyped Bundelkhand Expressway and the Gorakhpur Link Expressway to connect with the Purvanchal Expressway. The Cabinet meeting started after around 30 Ministers took a holy dip in the Sangam and had darshan of the century-old Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop. Yogi, who himself briefed the media about the Cabinet decisions, said it was decided to approve the 600-kilometre Ganga Expressway connecting Meerut, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Kannauj, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj. He said it would be a four-lane access control greenfield expressway which could be expanded to six lanes. The Chief Minister said the proposed Ganga Expressway would be laid out on 6,556 hectare land and would have eight rail overbridges and 18 flyovers costing around Rs 36,000 crore. Earlier in 2007, the then Mayawati Government had launched a 1,047-km access controlled eight-lane Ganga Expressway running along the Ganga. The Expressway was slated to connect Greater Noida to Ballia, connecting major cities like Varanasi, Mirzapur, Allahabad, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Unnao, Kanpur, Kannauj, Hardoi, Farrukhabad, Shahjahanpur, Budaun, Bulandshahr, etc. But, the Allahabad High Court had stayed its construction as there was no environmental clearance for the project at that time. The Cabinet also approved the much-hyped 297 km-long Bundelkhand Expressway. For this expressway, 3,641 hectare land would be required and the total cost would be around Rs 14,716 crore. Starting from Etawah, the Expressway will connect with Agra-Lucknow Expressway and pass through Auraiya, Jalaun, Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda to culminate at Chitrakoot. The Cabinet also approved Gorakhpur Link Expressway to connect with Lucknow-Ghazipur Purvanchal Expressway. The 90-km-long link Expressway will pass through Azamgarh and Ambedkarnagar and its total cost is expected to be Rs 555 crore. The CM said a statue of Maharishi Balmiki, who scripted Ramayana, would be constructed at his ashram near Chitrakoot on Prayagraj highway. The Government will also set up a research institute and beautify the place. Similarly, the Government will install a statue of Lord Ram and Nishad Raj Milan at Shringaverpur in Prayagraj, besides constructing a park and beautifying the area. The Government also decided to beautify Bharadwaj Muni ashram in Prayagraj. Recently, a statue of the Muni was unveiled by President Ram Nath Kovind. In another decision, the Cabinet gave its nod to AIIMS-like facilities for doctors and employees of State-run Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow. The SGPGIMS employees had threatened to strike work over the disparity in their emoluments as compared to AIIMS staffers. Besides, to make the functioning of Mandi Samiti more transparent, the Government made a rule that registered farmers would be made chairperson and vice-chairperson of mandi samitis. The Government also decided to provide 3,791 registered leprosy-affected people in the State with houses under PM Awas Yojana as was done for Musahar and Tharu communities. The Cabinet also passed a condolence resolution on the sudden demise of former convener of National Democratic Alliance and former Union Minister George Fernandes and observed a two-minute silence before the meeting started. Later addressing media persons, Yogi said that Kumbh Mela had proved that change had taken place and the congregation had turned out to be a unique event. We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his effort and support to the state government for making this Kumbh a grand success and popularising it globally due to which envoys of 70 countries participated in it, Yogi said. However, politics had its share in this event too, as Cabinet minister and Suheldeo Bharatiya Samaj Party president Om Prakash Rajbhar boycotted the meeting. A critic of the Yogi government, Rajbhar has set a deadline of February 24 to snap ties with the BJP. The next day, a male student went to campus police and said he was the person who entered the room but did so by accident, police said. The male student said he was drunk and staying with friends, police said. When he went to the bathroom, he returned to the wrong room and brushed the sleeping womans arm, police said. Seeks approval to give back 67.390 acres non-disputed land to owners In a significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Centre on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking modification of its 2003 order to allow it to return to original owners the 67.390 acres of non-disputed acquired land around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure in Ayodhya. The 0.313 acres plot, on which disputed structure stood before it was demolished by kar sevaks on December 6, 1992, was within the 2.77 acres plot. The Government had acquired 67.703 acres, including the 2.77 acres, through a legislation in 1993 but the Supreme Court had ordered a status quo in 2003 on the entire land in Ayodhya where the 16th Century mosque stood before it was demolished in 1992. The Babri Masjid stood on 0.313 acres of these 67 acres, which constitutes the disputed land. The application filed by the BJP-led NDA Government on Tuesday claimed that only 0.313 acres land on which the disputed structure stood before the demolition was disputed portion of the land. The Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (RJN) is the owner of as much as 42 acres of the acquired non-disputed land. The organisation is a trust that was formed to promote and oversee the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The applicant (Centre) is filing this application seeking permission of this court to permit the applicant to fulfil the duty to revert/restore/hand over the excess/superfluous land acquired under the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act, 1993, the plea said. It sought modification of the apex court order of March 31, 2003, by which the Central Government was directed to maintain the status quo with regard to entire land, including the non-disputed acquired plots. The Modi Government in its 33-page application said modification would enable it to determine the exact extent of land required from out of the superfluous/excess land to ensure that the successful party in the dispute pending regarding the disputed land can have proper access to and enjoyment of rights in the disputed land. The petition comes the day the Supreme Court was supposed to begin the long-anticipated hearing on the Ayodhya title dispute case, but the court cancelled the hearing due to the unavailability of one of the judges on the five-judge Constitution Bench. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, this writ petition is being seen as the BJP-led Governments move to reaffirm its commitment towards building a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Centres petition comes at a time when the newly formed Constitution Bench is set to hear the title dispute. This Bench initially comprised Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, UU Lalit and DY Chandrachud, and was scheduled to hear the matter on January 10. However, Justice UU Lalit recused himself from the case. This was after Senior Advocate Rajiv Dhavan, who represents the Sunni Waqf Board, pointed out that Justice Lalit had represented former UP CM Kalyan Singh, in a contempt of court case 24 years ago. Referring to the earlier order of March 31, 2003, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the apex court instead of confining the order of status quo to the disputed land had extended the restraining order to adjacent acquired land also. The Centre also referred to the Supreme Courts verdict in the 1994 Ismail Faruqui case, saying the top court had observed that if the Centre wanted to return the acquired land to its original owners then it may do so. The Constitution Bench of this court has held that the superfluous area which is other than the disputed area of 0.313 acres shall be reverted/ restored to its original owners, the plea said. The plea has said the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas had sought return of excess land acquired in 1991 to original owners. One party namely Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas whose land measuring approximately 42 acres (which is a part of the superfluous/excess land) was acquired, has moved an application relying on the constitution bench judgment of this court, the plea said. The applicant is seeking permission of this court to discharge its duty as earmarked in the judgment of the Constitution Bench by suitably modifying/vacating the order dated 31.3.2003, the plea said. The Centre has said in its plea that it has no objection in returning the land to its actual owners. Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, 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. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who on Saturday had said that the matter should be handed over to the State Government so that it can be resolved within 24 hours, welcomed the Centres move and said, We welcome the move by the Centre. We have been saying that we should get permission to use the undisputed land. Meanwhile, describing the Centres plea in the Supreme Court to return excess land acquired by it in Ayodhya to their original owners as insidious, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the NDA Government was trying to prevent fair adjudication of the dispute. This insidious attempt by the Central Government should not be ignored. Theyre trying everything in their capacity to prevent a fair and independent adjudication of the Babri Masjid dispute, the All India Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader tweeted. Veteran socialist leader Defence Minister in the Vajpayee Govt was suffering from Alzheimers and had recently contracted swine flu Veteran socialist George Fernandes, who was the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government, passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged illness. He was 88. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimers disease, which had forced him out of the public eye for last many years. He had recently contracted swine flu. Fernandes died at his residence here. He was Indias Defence Minister in the NDA Government headed by Vajpayee when India fought the Kargil war in 1999. It was during his tenure that India conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998. He was the Industry Minister under the Janata Party Government which had defeated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1977. The doctors declared Fernandes dead at his home already before he could be moved to a private hospital. Fernandes was attended to at his home by a Max Healthcare team, which found him unresponsive and declared him dead on Tuesday at 06:42 am, the hospital said. Fernandes, who was born to a Christian family in Mangalore, Karnataka, burst into national limelight when as a firebrand trade unionist in Mumbai he organised a Railways strike in 1974 that brought the country to a standstill. Ironically, he became the Railways Minister in 1989 under VP Singhs National Front coalition Government, comprising mostly Left leaning parties. Despite being a staunch critic of the RSS, Fernandes joined the BJP-led NDA Government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and 1999, in which he was appointed the Defence Minister. It was also during his tenure that India conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998. He was also the Industries Minister under the Janata Party Government which had defeated former Prime Minster Indira Gandhi in 1977. Soon he was at loggerheads with industrialists and demanded that Coca-Cola and IBM comply with foreign ownership regulations, which forced them to shut down their operations and quit India. He faded away from public consciousness after unsuccessfully fighting the 2009 Parliamentary elections, ending a political career that had begun with him defeating veteran Congress MP SK Patil from Bombay South in the 1967 Lok Sabha Elections. He subsequently represented Muzzafarpur and Nalanda constituencies in Bihar, and was also a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010. A wave of sorrow swept across Bihar, which Fernandes had virtually adopted as his second home and political karmabhoomi, representing its various constituencies in Parliament for a period spanning over four decades. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has declared a two-day State mourning. Fernandes had played a critical role in the anti-Emergency movement of the Opposition parties that ousted Indira Gandhi in 1977. During the 1975-77 Emergency, when civil liberties were severely curtailed and Opposition throttled, Fernandes was arrested in the so-called Baroda Dynamite case. Fernandes found refuge in Tamil Nadu during the Emergency and worked form a house there. Fernandes made good friends with late M Karunanidhi and after Karunanidhi opposed the emergency his DMK Government was dismissed on January 31, 1976. When Karunanidhi was arrested in 2001 during the AIADMK regime, Fernandes, who was then the convener of the National Democratic Alliance, had visited the DMK patriarch at the Central Prison here and then Union Minister Murasoli Maran at a hospital. Fernandes alos expressed his great for Vietnam and stated that If there is a rebirth, I would like to be born as a Vietnamese. Addressing the annual conference of Karnataka Planters Association about one and half decades ago in Bengaluru as Defence Minister he described Vietnamese people as a disciplined, committed and determined lot. He was Indias first Defence Minister to have visited Vietnam. Fernandes studied in Bengaluru to escape from his fathers legal profession. Born in Mangalore, Fernandes joined the St Peters Seminary at the age of 16 in 1946 after doing high schooling here but stayed there only for two years. His parents sent him to the seminary so that he can become a Roman Catholic priest, a wish that did not materialise. Free thinking and independent that he was from an early age, Fernandes left the seminary after he felt there were blemishes in the Church which he found hard to compromise with. He though there was a lot of difference between words and practice in the institution of Church and that rectors got better food than seminarians. According to a published account of his wife Leila Kabir Fernandes on a website, he was excommunicated from the Church for his bold views. He joined the trade union movement where PD Mello became his mentor. The former Defence Minister was a polyglot who conversed in Tulu, Kannada and Konkani whenever he interacted with people from the Dakshina Kannada region. However, in his political career, he never contested from the region. Fernandes was fluent in Hindi and English. The non-initiation of dialogue is an immense disservice to our security forces. The momentum of internal talks must be matched by reviving the same with Pakistan A deeply poignant moment of the 70th Republic Day parade was the spellbinding citation of Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani for the award of the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award, which is a terrible misnomer in war-ravaged Kashmir. A terrorist-turned-soldier, Wani is the first Kashmiri to bag this medal for conspicuous valour. Having won two Sena Medals earlier, he is the bravest son of the soil. An equally poignant moment was captured in the highly emotive picture of Wanis Commanding Officer of Rashtriya Rifles battalion clutching his father, consoling him. Kashmiri soldiers and terrorists gunning for each other is not a new normal in the Valley. The stunning irony of this epic encounter is that very few, if any, Kashmiris are celebrating his martyrdom for fear of reprisals. Only a handful attended his funeral in Kulgam; whereas when another Wani, Kashmirs poster boy, Burhan Wani, was killed in 2016 by the security forces, crowds of sympathisers, fellow terrorists and overground workers were among an unprecedented 30,000 (by one account) and 150,000 (by another estimate) mourners. Such is the striking chasm in commemorating trauma and tragedy in Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik was right. It is not the militants that have to be killed but militancy. Military commanders in the State have for long been agonised over this dilemma body count but also securing the support of the people. Unfortunately, local support is diminishing, converting to public disrupting military operations to enable the terrorists escape. And when they are killed, it is the same civilians who publicly glorify their martyrdom. But no Kashmiri leader no one had a word of praise for soldier Wanis bravery and sacrifice. When terrorist Wani was being described as a cat with nine lives, he was also being paired with the academic hotshot, UPSC topper Shah Faesal two Kashmiris on divergent paths to stardom. While Faesal has abandoned the civil service for politics, for reasons he has principally attributed to the environment of siege in Kashmir, he has said a lot more: Like the roots of conflict are deeper than mere radicalisation; Kashmir is not a development issue (even as the Governor was promising 40 new colleges and five medical colleges); Hurriyat is a stakeholder and without its participation, a peace process is unrealisticFaesal has been more blunt in admitting he quit his Government job to protest the unabated killings in Kashmir, subversion of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Reserve Bank of India and National Investigation Agency; and marginalisation of Muslims. We will see if he becomes a topper in politics. Another Wani, journalist Khurshid Wani, who writes for The Pioneer, declared 2018 annus horribilis. On Republic Day, he noted: Transition of power four times, highest levels of violence in a decade, lowest economic activity and unending political uncertainty marked one of the most tumultuous years in the recent history of Jammu & Kashmir. For the security forces, though, there was cause to celebrate. With the elimination of three remaining terrorists, Baramulla became the first of 13 police districts in Kashmir to become militant-free. The last time a district was declared militant-free was Kulgam in 2008 but that was short-lived. Srinagar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Anil Bhatt, who was awarded UYSM on Republic Day, hailed the Ramzan ceasefire, the holding of local elections and the extending duration of an incident-free Amarnath Yatra as outstanding achievements of 2018. Further, accounting for 257 terrorists at an attrition rate of 1:8 (soldiers:terrorist), capturing 54 terrorists and killing 26 terrorist leaders are highest military successes since 2010. Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat is pleased with the strong counter-infiltration grid; though 140 infiltrators got through while nearly 100 were killed. Rawat asked: Will Faesal ask misguided youth to give up the gun? In tit-for-tat killings, the advantage was claimed by Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Army Commander in Jammu & Kashmir and the mentor of surgical strikes. Revenge for Pakistan taking out our soldiers with sniper fire has been taken with interest, he said. The military continues with its mission of ridding the Valley of terrorists bringing down the threat from the present 300 terrorists to zero and declaring the Valley terrorist-free while simultaneously regaining local support to bring back normalcy. Alienation and Islamist radicalisation are galloping ahead without any effective steps to arrest their momentum and rollback. A former BSF intelligence chief, SS Guleria, has said Salafism backed by Pakistan has sounded the death knell of Kashmiriyat, which is being eroded by a fanatic Islam, and Wahabi preachers are systematically propagating the Salafi ideology among village youth on Fridays and encouraging students to hate non-Muslims. The Hurriyat, Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahl-i-Hadith and other similar organisations have spread extremist ideologies in the Valley. Guleria has recommended the re-opening of cinemas, bars and liquor shops as well as staging concerts, playing IPL matches and restructuring the madrasa curriculum. It is time to target the instigators/abettors of violence and hatred. The overall picture at the beginning of 2019 is bleak and chilly as the weather in the Valley. Every couple of years, say in a decade, the clock moves a full circle. Security forces do what they are best at: Putting the lid on violence and reducing the terrorist population to a manageable level. In other words, creating conditions conducive to resuming a political process with all stakeholders, including the Hurriyat. Non-initiation of dialogue is immense disservice to the security forces, who ultimately carry the can. The momentum of internal dialogue has to be backed up with reviving the talks process with Pakistan. Ideally, the two have to operate in tandem. Pakistan Army Chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has reportedly sent feelers for talks to Gen Rawat, who is ready to take a leap of faith. After the Central elections and elections in Jammu & Kashmir, both strands of the Kashmir dialogue can be started sometime in mid-2019. The start of a peace process in Afghanistan shows there is no military solution. Radha Kumar noted in her book, Paradise at War: For the sake of Kashmiris, we must hope that a peace agreement is arrived at, sooner than later. The state of conflict in which theyve had to live for the past 30 years with only brief interregnums of peace is intolerable. A young Kashmiri architect told Kumar recently: I just want to be left alone in my Kashmir. Given the 70 years of India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir, that might be too much to ask. But that should not be, Kumar concludes. (The writer is a retired Major General of the Indian Army and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the revamped Integrated Defence Staff) On the eve of the Budget, experts from the education field share expectations with PIONEER AVENUES on how to improve the sector Women-friendly workplace According to the India Skills Report, 2018, the economic participation of women in the workforce has decreased from 32 per cent in 2016 to 23 per cent in 2018. Typically, the low-level jobs opted by women are now being automated and fewer women seem to be entering high-growth employment areas, as reported by WEFs The Global Gender Gap Report, 2018. JobsForHer conducted an online survey for women restarters and 38 per cent of them cited childcare as one of the biggest challenges to restarting their careers. With the Indian Governments 400 crore proposal this year to reimburse employers for seven of the 26 weeks of extended maternity leave, we hope to see an increase in female participation in the workforce. Outdated skill sets are yet another reason women are keeping out of the workforce. Thirty-four per cent of the women on our survey mentioned reskilling as a necessity for their career restart, progression and job role changes. We hope to see budget 2019 focus on skills development programs for women, a focus on reducing or eliminating hiring biases, family leave policies that include both parents, diversity and inclusion initiatives, equal pay policies to close the gender pay gap, recruiting more senior women leaders and board members and compulsory anti-harassment training to ensure safer working environments for all women. Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO, JobsForHer Support e-learning The budgetary allocation for education in 2018 stood at 3.5 per cent of the entire budget, with a special focus on digitised classrooms, ICT-enabled learning, and quality teacher training programmes. However, the overall improvement of the education sector requires more prioritised attention and funding. The prerequisite for quality education becoming available to all is the free and easy access to quality e-learning resources. This can be initiated by the government through technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality and cloud computing. It is also important to ensure that internet access provided to rural areas is functional so that students from those parts can use it for effective self-learning. Training teachers on the latest pedagogies and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the need of the hour as they are expected to employ innovative teaching methods and make use of digital tools in the classrooms. However, there is a dearth of 11 lakh adequately qualified teachers in the K12 segments. Even though the Government is trying to tackle the situation with initiatives such as Teacher Professional Development courses on the digital platform Diksha, this issue also needs prioritising in the upcoming budget. We also hope that the Government provides the infrastructural support for a system of education that is on a par with global standards, and help Indian students face the challenges of tomorrow. Beas Dev Ralhan, CEO, and Founder, NextEducation India Pvt. Ltd Need for reskilling & upskilling Indias vast young population is one of its biggest assets but keeping in line with the recent disruptions in the education sector, there is a pressing need to skill our youth so that they are equipped with the right skill-sets that complement the countrys growth story. Creating digital content, VFX, animation will continue to grow and thus more training and skilling to supplement jobs in this field shall grow. Growing adoption of newage technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality and data science have set the stage for new jobs which might not be very common today. To leverage this opportunity in the near future, Government should prioritise re-skilling and up-skilling of not just the existing workforce but also the students in Indias schools and colleges. This would need sufficient funds, more push from the government for vocational training and effective execution at the ground level of the initiatives in order to maximise the results. Anil Pant, MD & CEO, Aptech Limited boost to ed-tech As expected, we will have 735 million internet users by 2021, so the Edtech sector has a more significant opportunity to penetrate millions of students both in urban and rural areas seeking education. For the next year, we are expecting growth in the Ed-tech sector in terms of reaching students through distance learning and reducing the cost of education. In the overseas education industry, we are expecting collaboration opportunities between public and private sector institutions in India by introducing policies for more expansion in infrastructure, funds availability, private investment, easily accessible quality education, which will be bringing thousands of aspirant students from abroad to Indian institutes for education. Not only this will contribute to our GDP but will also help us rank among the top study destinations and have institutes ranking top in the list of top 100. Rohit Sethi, Director, ESS Global Study Abroad Consultant. Make it tax-free Two key steps need to be made Education needs more funding by the government, and it must be tax-free. The budget reserved for education reforms has been constantly declining over the last five years. In fact, education has been one of the least valued sectors, at 3.7 per cent of the total budget. This number is quite low when compared to other developing countries that spend over seven per cent of the total budget on education, despite higher literacy rates. Currently, ed-tech is taxed at 18 per cent GST which limits affordability to high-income groups. Education is not a luxury. In fact, online learning is the only way to cater to individual needs at a fraction of the cost. This should be made tax-free to lower after-school education costs for students. The budget should be used to digitise schools at a mass level so that every student can access quality education. It should also be used to up skill teachers and close the gap between the education system and current employer demands. Zishaan Hayath, CEO & co-founder, Toppr Invest in teacher training The Government needs to identify more opportunities for better teacher training and for R&D in higher educational institutes in Budget 2019. More funds allocation for training the teachers is the need of the hour, especially with various professional skills as they play a major role in shaping the students future. The budget must also look at ways to improve the basic infrastructure of schools, along with setting up of infrastructure for ICT to help the students in receiving engaging and powerful learning content. Also, there is a strong need of passing on the benefits of various student schemes directly to them under DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). This will plug leaks and will result in more efficiency and effectiveness in the process. Monica Malhotra Kandhari, MD, MBD Group for the education sector. Manchester United are in talks with an unnamed Chinese club over the sale of Marouane Fellaini, Press Association Sport understands. The 31-year-old has been with the Old Trafford giants since 2013, with the former Everton midfielder establishing himself as a key figure under Jose Mourinho. Fellaini was rewarded over the summer with a new and improved deal until 2020, with the option of a further year, but a move to China is now on the cards. Manchester Uniteds Marouane Fellaini (centre) in action at Old Trafford (Martin Rickett/PA Images). Press Association Sport understands that United are speaking to an unnamed side about the permanent transfer of the divisive midfielder. Whereas Premier League clubs cannot sign players after Thursday evening, teams in China are able to complete deals until February 28. Fellaini has only managed 31 minutes since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took caretaker charge last month, although a calf injury has ruled him out of recent matches. Solskjaer said on Monday that he did not expect any United exits before Thursdays transfer deadline and recently praised the midfielders X factor. Hell probably be at least three or four weeks (out), the United boss said of Fellaini on January 18. Hes got a calf problem and thats sad because theres X factors in different players and we all know Fellis X factor. Then again, hell be working hard to get back in when all the big games are coming as well. Labour is backing a plan which could delay Brexit in order to prevent the chaos of a no-deal departure from the European Union. Jeremy Corbyns party will back an amendment tabled by senior backbencher Yvette Cooper which would result in the extension of Article 50 to keep the UK in the EU until the end of the year in order to reach a deal. Former Cabinet minister Ms Coopers plan has cross-party support, including from senior Tory Nick Boles, and would allow MPs to call for the delay if no deal had been approved by February 26. The UK is currently expected to leave with or without a deal on March 29. The Prime Minister said that Ms Coopers plan would not succeed in ruling out a no-deal Brexit but merely delays the point of decision. She also warned about the constitutional dangers of seeking to usurp the Government. Yvette Cooper (Danny Lawson/PA) Heres the Bill. It gives the Govt til end of Feb to sort things out, but if they havent, then Parliament would get a vote on whether to extend article 50 & get a bit more time. It gives Govt & Parliament a chance to avert No Deal in March if time has run out pic.twitter.com/P2rMfDuEZ3 Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) January 23, 2019 Labour has been cautious about officially throwing its weight behind the plan, with the partys leadership nervous about alienating Leave-supporting voters in some of its heartlands. But Labour MPs will now be told to vote for it as the Commons considers a series of options for the next phase of the Brexit process. However, the Opposition will seek to limit the delay to the UKs departure from the bloc. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the plan was a fallback to guard against a no-deal Brexit. The issue is how long an extension could be and the general view is as short as possible, he said. But it is literally just a fallback in case there is no deal agreed. He suggested that the party was looking at an extension of around three months, shorter than the period envisaged by Ms Cooper and Mr Boles. Parliament has an important chance today to reduce the risk of a no deal Brexit. Labour will support amendments, including @YvetteCooperMPs, which will allow Parliament to fill the void of leadership left by the Prime Minister. Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 29, 2019 Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the plan will allow Parliament to fill the void of leadership left by the Prime Minister. Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald told BBC Radio 4s World At One that a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic and it was inevitable that more time would be needed to reach an agreement with Brussels. He acknowledged there were legitimate concerns that delaying Brexit until December 31 would be offensive to many people, who will level the charge that what we are trying to do is defeat Brexit and we are not. Mr McDonald suggested that the delay could be limited to around three months. .@YvetteCooperMP has presented a Bill which would allow the @HouseofCommons to instruct the Prime Minister to seek extension to #Article50 in certain circumstances. Our new briefing explains how this would work https://t.co/QbAvApnhj2 Commons Library (@commonslibrary) January 23, 2019 Under the plan, the Commons would consider Ms Coopers European Union (Withdrawal) (No 3) Bill on February 5, rather than any Government business. The legislation would give MPs the chance to instruct Theresa May to seek an extension to Article 50 until the end of 2019 if she has not secured a deal by February 26. A senior Labour source said: Were backing the Cooper amendment to reduce the threat of the chaos of a no-deal exit. Ms Cooper has insisted her Bill is not an attempt to prevent Brexit but it gives Government and Parliament a chance to avert no deal in March if time has run out. Any extension to Article 50 would have to be approved by all 27 remaining EU states. Remaining in the EU until the end of the year could also mean participating in elections to the European Parliament in May. Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said Ms Coopers plan would allow Parliament to usurp the proper role of the executive. Such actions would be unprecedented and could have far-reaching and long-term implications for the way the UK is governed and for the balance of powers and responsibilities in our democratic institutions, she said. Ms Coopers plan would also not resolve the difficulties faced in getting any solution through Parliament it does not rule out no deal, it simply delays the point of decision, she said. Mrs May added: The EU are very unlikely to agree to extend Article 50 without a credible plan for how we are going to approve a deal. A United Nations human rights expert has visited the vicinity of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of her investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard and her team of experts toured around the consulate but did not enter, saying they were waiting for permission from Saudi officials they were in communication with. The expert on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary killing said she would present her report in June to the UNs Human Rights Council. Jamal Khashoggi (Johnny Green/PA) Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. His remains have not been found. Ms Callamards team is on a week-long visit to Turkey and is expected to meet with Istanbuls chief prosecutor. They have also met the countrys foreign and justice ministers. Turkish officials have been frustrated over what they say is a lack of cooperation by Riyadh and has called for an international inquiry. Saudi Arabias crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (Victoria Jones/PA) In a tweet, the Turkish presidents communications director, Fahrettin Altun, welcomed the visit: We still do not know where Khashoggis body is, who ordered the hit and who the local collaborator was. After denying Mr Khashoggi was killed in the consulate for several weeks, Saudi Arabia indicted 11 people in the killing, including members from the crown princes entourage, and is seeking the death penalty against five of them. Turkey says Saudi Arabia must reveal the identity of a person who is thought to have disposed of the journalists body and hold all involved accountable. People in Scotland are having to choose between feeding their families or heating their homes, according to an SNP MSP. James Dornan, who is convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee at the Scottish Parliament, made the comments as he highlighted the need for fuel poverty to be eradicated. The committee announced its support for the Fuel Poverty (Target, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday but called for additional measures to fully address the issue. As part of an inquiry, the committee held focus groups in Dundee and Stornoway to hear first-hand from people who had experiences of fuel poverty. In its report, the committee stated that there should be a separate target to focus on people living in extreme fuel poverty defined as those spending more than 20% of their income on fuel. The committee also highlighted concerns that the Bill may not reflect the reality of living in islands and remote areas, including much higher living and travel costs. The committee has been considering the Fuel Poverty Bill at the Scottish Parliament (Peter Byrne/PA) Mr Dornan said: We know that Scotland is an energy-rich country, yet during our evidence we talked to people who faced the impossible decision of either feeding their families or heating their homes. The stark reality is that over a quarter of households in Scotland still face extreme difficulties heating their homes and this can rise to well over double that in rural and island communities. The committee welcomes the Fuel Poverty Bills core purpose, which could make a real difference to the life of thousands of Scottish families. However, the longer-term ambition should be the eradication of fuel poverty. We have outlined a number of ways to improve the Fuel Poverty Bill to ensure that Scotland can better tackle fuel poverty issues, so that no-one has to struggle in cold, draughty and sometimes unliveable homes in the future. Carolynn McQueen, 54, from Guardbridge, Fife, took part in the committees focus group in Dundee. Ms McQueen said: I spoke to committee members about the realities of living in fuel poverty and the serious impact it had on my physical and mental health. Im pleased theyve taken action after listening to our experiences, particularly on extreme fuel poverty in rural areas as this is something I experienced when I lived in a rural farm cottage outside of Anstruther. I hope that no-one has to go through what Ive been through and that this new legislation can change peoples lives for the better. Emma Grant McColm, of Citizens Advice Scotland, said: We welcome the committees recommendation for a separate target to support those who suffer the most extreme levels of fuel poverty. It is unacceptable in 21st-century Scotland that people should have to choose between food and heating their home. We are campaigning for the Bill to recognise the fact that those Scots living in remote rural areas face higher living costs, including fuel costs. We know that over half of all Scottish households which rely upon electric heating are estimated to be in fuel poverty, and many of those homes tend to be in rural areas, off the gas grid. Poland has broken ranks with the rest of the European Union by suggesting that the Brexit deadlock could be ended by putting a five-year time limit on the controversial backstop. The move came as Downing Street confirmed that Theresa May is focusing on possible improvements to the backstop designed to keep the Irish border open after Brexit as a means to winning parliamentary approval for her EU Withdrawal Agreement. But Number 10 dismissed reports that the Prime Minister might seek a separate bilateral deal with Dublin, or even rewrite the Good Friday Agreement to neutralise the issue. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney met chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels on Monday and said he received assurances that the EU remains firmly supportive of the Withdrawal Agreement in full, including its guarantees of no hard border in Ireland. Mr Barnier himself said: We are working 27 as a team, a single team and we negotiate as one. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney held talks with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels (European Commission Audiovisual Services/PA Images) But Polands foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz signalled a different approach from Warsaw, telling the Rzeczpospolita newspaper: If Ireland asked the EU to amend the agreement with the British on the backstop so that it would apply temporarily lets say five years the matter would be solved. It would obviously be less favourable for Ireland than an indefinite backstop, but much more advantageous than no-deal Brexit. Mr Czaputowicz said that London and Dublin were playing chicken over the border and risked a head-on collision in which Ireland stood to lose the most. Following the crushing Commons defeat last week of her agreement with Brussels, the Prime Minister will make oral and written statements to the House explaining how she intends to proceed. And her official spokesman made clear that she is focusing on the possibility of changes to the backstop mechanism, designed to ensure there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic if a broader trade deal cannot be agreed. Its clear already that a significant number of colleagues have expressed concerns around the backstop, said the spokesman. Thats one of the areas that we are going to be looking at. Following the defeat of Mrs Mays Withdrawal Agreement by 230 votes last week, he said, it is clear that if we are going to get Parliament to support the deal, we are going to have to come forward with something that is different. Sympathy, patience & readiness to wait until the UKs position will be clarified are of utmost important to avoid the worst. They should not be misused for party politics. Large majority wants to exclude hard #Brexit - in the interest of the UK & beyond. Peter Altmaier (@peteraltmaier) January 21, 2019 Meanwhile, a senior member of Angela Merkels Government, industry minister Peter Altmaier, warned against trying the EUs patience for political reasons. Sympathy, patience and readiness to wait until the UKs position will be clarified are of utmost important to avoid the worst, warned Mr Altmaier. They should not be misused for party politics. Large majority wants to exclude hard Brexit in the interest of the UK and beyond. And the European Commission made clear that Brussels believes the ball is now in Londons court on Brexit. A spokesman told reporters: Dont look for answers from Brussels. Now is the moment for London to speak, not for us. (PA Graphics) Unusually, MPs will be able to amend the so-called neutral motion being tabled by the Prime Minister, with votes due to take place on January 29. One group, including senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper and Tory former minister Nick Boles, is seeking to give time for a Bill to suspend the Article 50 withdrawal process if there is no new deal with Brussels by the end of February. Another more radical amendment drawn up by former attorney general Dominic Grieve would allow a motion by a minority of 300 MPs from at least five parties and including 10 Tories to be debated as the first item of Commons business the next day. Mr Grieve said it would enable the Commons to stage a series of indicative votes on the various alternatives, such as a soft Norway-style deal or a second referendum to establish which could command a majority. Ms Cooper told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that she believed the Prime Minister was hoping Parliament would rule out no-deal on her behalf. She said: I think she (Mrs May) knows that she should rule out no-deal in the national interest because it would be so damaging. Shes refusing to do so and I think shes hoping that Parliament will do this for her that is not leadership. Business Minister Richard Harrington warned that crashing out of the EU without a deal would be an `absolute disaster (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) Business minister Richard Harrington warned that crashing out of the EU without a deal would be an absolute disaster, telling Today he was afraid of car-makers Jaguar and Mini closing as a result. Its not a road to a free trade agreement, its not a road to anything, said Mr Harrington. Its an absolute disaster for the country and its supported by a minority of a minority of people. Cross-party talks were continuing in Whitehall, with Mrs Mays effective deputy David Lidington speaking to MPs who support a second referendum. Labour MPs Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker and Luciana Berger defied Jeremy Corbyns plea for the partys MPs to boycott the talks. Facebook has announced 1,000 new jobs will be created in its Irish offices in 2019. The social media giants COO Sheryl Sandberg announced the major job creation at an event in Dublin on Monday. Ms Sandberg announced the company aims to add 1,000 jobs in Dublin, bringing the total number employed by the company in Ireland to around 5,000, across sites in Dublin, Meath and Cork. Ms Sandberg was speaking at Facebooks Gather event for small businesses, attended by more than 500 SMEs from Ireland and across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In her address, Ms Sandberg reiterated the companys continued commitment to its Irish operation, which is its largest outside of its California headquarters. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook) Today, Im really excited to share that were going to be hiring an additional 1,000 people in Ireland, in the next year alone, Ms Sandberg said. We have 4,000, by the end of the year were going to have 5,000, those are people whose jobs it is to help keep people safe and to do all the work it takes to both allow the good and prevent the bad. Facebook has had a hard time the last few years and thats because we need to do a better job of keeping people safe on our platform. Were not the same company we were and thats something we need to prove, and were not going to prove that with words alone. If you want to know what a company cares about, look where that company spends its money. Facebook has come under intense scrutiny in both Ireland and abroad for its alleged lack of urgency in tackling online harassment and graphic content. In August last year, Niamh Sweeney, head of public policy of Facebook Ireland, apologised to an Irish Government committee after disturbing content was allowed to remain on the social media site. Later in the day, Ms Sandberg announced a new partnership between Facebook, Dublin City University and the Irish Anti Bullying Centre to tackle online abuse, during a speech at Dublin City University. Ms Sandberg also met with Irish Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee and the Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon. Facebook, whose main Dublin HQ is situated at Grand Canal Dock, is currently in the process of creating a new campus in Ballsbridge in Dublins affluent Southside. In November 2018, the company announced it was taking over the The Bank Centre, previously occupied by Allied Irish Bank. The Bank Centre will give Facebook capacity for up to 7,000 employees. University System of Maryland has yet to begun to search for President Wallace Loh's replacement, with less than six months from Lohs scheduled departure, the system has yet to form the committee. (Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun video) The Ministry of Defence failed to address the risk posed to soldiers deployed to Afghanistan by what is known as the Helmand group fevers, a court was told. Wayne Bass, a private from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment, said his life has been ruined after serving in Helmand Province in 2011-2012 without being given antibiotics by the Army. Humans can catch Q fever after breathing in dust from the faeces of infected farm animals such as sheep, cattle and goats. During his tour, Mr Bass was in contact with goats and sheep and was often required to take cover and jump through ditches and crawl along the ground, coming into contact with animal products and excrement, his lawyers said. Mr Bass, 34, was medically discharged from the Army in 2014 because of his Q fever and chronic fatigue symptoms. Theo Huckle QC told the court his clients case was that there was a well-established known risk to soldiers deployed to the area of developing Helmand group fevers, including Q fever. Wing Commander Matt Radnall, Officer Commanding 7 Force Protection Wing, carries a carefully folded Union Flag under his arm and back home to the UK as he walks out towards helicopter as the last British boots to leave Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as UK and Coalition forces carry out their Tactical Withdrawal finally leaving the base and handing it over to Afghan National Army. Opening the case, he said: What he says, is the obligation of the MoD as his employer was to identify the risks to him in that regard, and to consider and to take all reasonable steps to minimise, remove or minimise the risks. In court documents setting out the case, it is argued that the MoD should have considered using doxycycline, an antibiotic used to treat Q fever, as an anti-malarial drug. Mr Huckle told the court: In essence, the complaint that the complainant makes is that the MoD failed to address the relevant risks, concerned itself with its policy on anti-malarial protection, it did not properly address the risk of Helmand group fevers to the men, and having failed to address the risk, unsurprisingly failed to take any steps to deal with that risk. Wearing a navy suit displaying two medals, with his hands clasped around a walking stick, Mr Bass sat at the back of the courtroom behind his legal representatives. Introducing the claimant to Judge Heather Baucher QC, Mr Huckle QC said he sometimes could be in quite considerable discomfort. She replied that he was free to leave the courtroom whenever he wished for a break. It is the first case to test the MoDs duty to protect against Q fever, said Hilary Meredith Solicitors, the firm acting for Mr Bass, 34. The five-day trial, which started at the Central London County Court on Monday, will examine the extent of any duty owed by the Army to Mr Bass in relation to Q fever, and whether that duty was breached. Mr Basss lawyers said he was disabled, suffers from anxiety and depression and symptoms that greatly affect his life and his functional capacity. In a document setting out the claim, lawyers said: The claimant remains severely limited in his physical function. He is unable to work. He cannot carry out domestic activities. There has been no meaningful recovery. In a statement setting out the defendants case, lawyers for the MoD acknowledged the risk of Q fever was foreseeable. But it said the claimant cannot come close to showing that using Doxycycline as an anti-malarial was the only reasonable option The defence will argue that the claimant cannot show that the decision not to use Doxycycline as a prophylactic against malaria and Q fever was unreasonable so as to amount to a breach of duty at common law, or that he would not have sustained injury if he had been prescribed Doxycycline. Police have arrested a lookalike of Friends star David Schwimmer, who failed to attend court before Christmas. A warrant was issued by a district judge for the arrest of Abdulah Husseini, 36, when he did not attend his hearing at Blackpool Magistrates Court on December 18 accused of theft and fraud last September. On Monday, Lancashire Police said Husseini was arrested in Wimbledon, London, by the Metropolitan Police on January 17. The force added Husseini was also being sought by the Met after failing to appear at court to answer a charge of handling stolen goods and an outstanding theft matter. Social media users pointed out the likeness to Schwimmers character Ross Geller in the popular US sitcom when police in Blackpool posted an image of a man leaving a restaurant on September 20 and carrying what appeared to be beer cans. Officers, I swear it wasn't me. As you can see, I was in New York. To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation.#itwasntme pic.twitter.com/EDFF9dZoYR schwim (@DavidSchwimmer) October 24, 2018 Schwimmer responded by posting a video to his Twitter account that showed him scurrying through a convenience store carrying a carton of beer before looking up furtively at a CCTV camera. An alleged thief in Blackpool (left) bearing a resemblance to Friends star David Schwimmer (Blackpool Police/@DavidSchwimmer) He captioned the video: Officers, I swear it wasnt me. As you can see, I was in New York. To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation. He added the hashtag #itwasntme to the post. Husseini is said to have stolen a coat, a phone and a wallet from Mr Basrais restaurant in Blackpool. Husseini has been remanded to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on January 23, said Lancashire Police. Theresa Mays efforts to find a Plan B for Brexit which might secure parliamentary support appear to be focusing on changes to the backstop arrangement. But what is the backstop and how could it be amended? What is the backstop? The backstop is effectively an insurance arrangement required by the EU to ensure the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic remains open if no wider deal is agreed on future UK/EU trade. It would see the UK enter into a temporary customs union with the EU if no trade deal is sealed by the end of a transition period after Brexit, which lasts until December 2020 and could be extended to the end of 2022. The backstop would ensure there is no need for customs checks on goods travelling between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland would also abide by EU single market rules on goods, to avoid any need for regulatory checks of products crossing the border. Who opposes it? Brexiteers argue that the arrangement, if ever triggered, could lock the UK into a permanent customs union with the EU thus preventing Britain from striking lucrative new trade deals and fulfilling the promises of the 2016 referendum. The Democratic Unionist Party, which gives Theresa May crucial Commons support, fears that the backstop would see new regulatory checks introduced on goods travelling between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, thus placing a border down the Irish Sea. In Scotland, conversely, there are concerns that preferential access to EU markets might give Northern Ireland an unfair competitive advantage. What does the Government say? Theresa May has consistently said that the backstop, if it comes in at all, would only be temporary. She continues to insist that she expects the UK and EU to reach an agreement over future trade within the transition period, meaning the backstop would never be activated. And ministers say that Brussels would have an incentive to ensure the backstop is ended as soon as possible, because it is not a comfortable arrangement for the EU. What could Mrs May do to placate her critics? The Prime Minister appears to have very little room for manoeuvre without tearing up some of the red lines which underpin her Brexit deal. Downing Street made clear on Monday that the PM sees the backstop as a central issue that needs to be addressed to make her Withdrawal Agreement acceptable to Parliament. But a spokesman dismissed suggestions that she was planning to neutralise the problem by striking a separate deal with Dublin or amending the Good Friday Agreement. My reply to @theresa_may, together with @eucopresident, providing clarifications to the #Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration. pic.twitter.com/f0PalJkRVu Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) January 14, 2019 A concerted effort over Christmas to secure assurances from Brussels resulted in a letter from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker stating that the backstop would be in place only for as long as strictly necessary and that Brussels would use its best endeavours speedily to conclude a trade deal. However, this was not enough to persuade MPs to back her deal in the Commons last week, and her hopes now appear to be resting on securing a unilateral exit mechanism or a hard end-date for the arrangement. Brussels has indicated it is reluctant to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement, but Polish foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz has suggested that the deadlock could be broken by setting a five-year time limit on the backstop. Kamala Harris, a first-term senator and former California attorney general known for her rigorous questioning of US President Donald Trumps nominees, has entered the Democratic presidential race. The 54-year-old, who vowed to bring our voices together, would be the first woman to hold the presidency and the second African-American if she succeeds. Ms Harris, who grew up in Oakland, California, and is a daughter of parents from Jamaica and India, is one of the earliest high-profile Democrats to join what is expected to be a crowded field. She made her long anticipated announcement on ABCs Good Morning America. I am running for president of the United States, she said. And Im very excited about it. Kamala Harris (Sait Serkan Gurbuz/AP) Ms Harris portrayed herself as a fighter for justice, decency and equality in a video distributed by her campaign as she announced her bid. Theyre the values we as Americans cherish, and theyre all on the line now, Ms Harris says in the video. The future of our country depends on you and millions of others lifting our voices to fight for our American values. On ABC, she cited her years as a prosecutor in asserting: My entire career has been focused on keeping people safe. It is probably one of the things that motivates me more than anything else. Ms Harris launched her presidential bid as the nation observes what would have been the 90th birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a deep conviction about what our country could be. He understood that racial justice was not attainable without economic justice. That everyone deserves access to a good job & safe working conditions. This MLK weekend, lets keep his legacy alive. pic.twitter.com/EsJJeXETb9 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 19, 2019 The timing was a clear signal that the California senator who has joked that she had a strollers eye view of the civil rights movement because her parents wheeled her and her sister Maya to protests sees herself as another leader in that fight. She abandoned the formality of launching an exploratory committee, instead going all in on a presidential bid. Ms Harris plans a formal campaign launch in Oakland on January 27. The campaign will be based in Baltimore, with a second office in Oakland. Ms Harris joins what is expected to be a wide-open race for the Democratic presidential nomination. There is no apparent frontrunner at this early stage and Ms Harris will face off against several Senate colleagues. Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have both launched exploratory committees. Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are also looking at the race. If Mr Booker enters the race, he and Ms Harris could face a fierce competition for support from black voters. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who unsuccessfully sought the 2016 Democratic nomination, is also considering a campaign. Several other Democrats have already declared their intentions, including former Maryland Representative John Delaney and former Obama administration housing chief Julian Castro. Ms Harris launches her campaign fresh from a tour to promote her latest memoir, The Truths We Hold, which was widely seen as a stage-setter for a presidential bid. She is already planning her first trip to an early primary state as a declared candidate. On Friday, Harris will travel to South Carolina to attend the Pink Ice Gala in Columbia, which is hosted by a South Carolina chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which Ms Harris pledged as an undergraduate student at Howard University. The sorority, founded more than 100 years ago, is a stronghold in the African-American community. South Carolina, where black voters make up a large share of the Democratic electorate, is likely to figure heavily in Ms Harriss prospects. And early voting in Ms Harriss home state of California will overlap with the traditional early nominating contests, which could give her a boost. Ms Harriss campaign team is already taking shape and includes several veterans of Democratic politics. Juan Rodriguez, who ran Ms Harriss 2016 Senate campaign, will manage her presidential bid. Her sister Maya Harris, a former top adviser to Hillary Clinton, will be the campaign chairwoman. Veteran campaign finance lawyer Marc Elias will serve as the Harris campaigns general counsel, and Angelique Cannon, who worked for Mrs Clintons 2016 campaign, will serve as national finance director. David Huynh, who was Mrs Clintons director of delegate operations in 2016, will serve as a senior adviser. Lily Adams, a Clinton campaign alum who has worked as Ms Harriss spokeswoman, will be communications director. Her staff say she plans to reject the assistance of a super PAC, as well as corporate PAC money. She has invested heavily in cultivating a digital, small-dollar donor network before her presidential bid. Before her 2016 victory in the Senate race, Ms Harris made her career in law enforcement. She served as the district attorney in San Francisco before she was elected to serve as attorney general. Ms Harris is likely to face questions about her law enforcement record, particularly after the Black Lives Matter movement and activists across the country pushed for a criminal justice overhaul. Ms Harriss prosecutorial record has recently come under fresh scrutiny after a blistering opinion piece in The New York Times criticised her repeated claim that she was a progressive prosecutor, focused on changing a broken criminal justice system from within. Ms Harris addressed her law enforcement background in her book. She argued it was a false choice to decide between supporting the police and advocating for greater scrutiny of law enforcement. She knew that there was an important role on the inside, sitting at the table where the decisions were being made, she wrote. When activists came marching and banging on the doors, I wanted to be on the other side to let them in. Ms Harris supported legislation that passed the Senate last year that overhauled the criminal justice system, particularly when it comes to sentencing rules. She is framing her campaign through her courtroom experience. The theme of her nascent campaign is Kamala Harris, for the people, the same words she spoke as a prosecutor, trying a case in the courtroom. A soldier who died from suspected suicide in Northern Ireland was feeling down after the deaths of colleagues in Afghanistan, witness testimony before an inquest disclosed. A colleague used rhyming slang to describe the barracks where two servicemen are believed to have taken their own lives as Bally Kill Yourself, a lawyer told an inquest. Lance Corporal James Ross, 30, had discussed the loss of personnel during overseas armed combat, written testimony before counsel for the victims families disclosed. He was found hanging in his room at Ballykinler Army base in Co Down in December 2012. Two months later, Rifleman Darren Mitchell, who was 20 and also served in Afghanistan, was also discovered hanging. Karen Quinlivan QC, a barrister for the dead mens families, wants Noel Walker to give oral evidence at the pending inquest. She said: He saw James Ross and discussed his demeanour, he discussed that they had lost people in Afghanistan and described him as feeling down. He may have been the person who referred to Ballykinler as Bally Kill Yourself. It would appear to us that he is an important witness that should be called. Additional cases of alleged self-harm have also emerged at the base, previous preliminary hearings of the inquest have disclosed. Lance Corporal Ross, from Leeds, served in Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion the Rifles. Mondays preliminary inquest before coroner Joe McCrisken in Belfast dealt with a number of legal matters and was expected to be the last preparatory hearing before the inquest proper opens in Ballymena, Co Antrim, early next month. Ms Quinlivan raised the prospect of subpoenaing another witness, Chris Ingram, who has not responded to letters seeking his attendance. Mr McCrisken asked his lawyer to contact Mr Ingram by telephone and warn him the coroner holds powers to ensure he attends the inquest. Dozens of witnesses are to be called and the inquest is expected to last three weeks. A discussion was also held about the legalities of returning a finding of suicide. At one stage, more British soldiers and veterans took their own lives than died fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan over the same period, the BBC has reported. Time is running out for a general election to take place before the UK leaves the European Union on Friday March 29. Elections in this country take place on a Thursday. To hold an election on Thursday March 28 the day before the UK exits the EU would not be feasible, and Thursday March 21 is also too close to exit day, especially if the election result turns out to be inconclusive and no party has an overall majority. Thursday March 14 is a possibility, though it would leave only two weeks for a new government to hold talks with the EU about changes to the Brexit deal and potentially extending or revoking Article 50. By law, Parliament is dissolved 25 working days before a general election. If an election was scheduled for March 14, dissolution would therefore take place on February 7. (PA Graphics) Before dissolution, however, MPs have to debate and vote on a motion to hold a general election. The motion would pass only if two-thirds of the total number of seats in the Commons (currently 434 out of 650 MPs) vote in favour. In 2017, there was a gap of two weeks between MPs voting to hold a snap election and the date of dissolution. A similar gap this year would mean the vote to hold an election needs to take place this week, on January 24 with the announcement to call an election coming the day before, on January 23. Even if MPs agreed to a shorter gap, there would still need to be a few days to allow any outstanding legislation to clear its passage through Parliament. MPs are due to debate Theresa Mays revised proposals for leaving the EU on January 29. One scenario could see the Prime Minister calling for an election the day after this debate, or even the same evening. This would leave roughly a week to clear up parliamentary business before dissolution on February 7. In short, were an election to take place smoothly before the UK leaves the EU, it would almost certainly need to be called by the end of this month. Jeremy Hunt has welcomed new sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russians blamed for the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury. The Foreign Secretary said the decision to place travel bans and asset freezes on nine people delivered on the UKs pledge to take tough action against the reckless and irresponsible activities of the Russian military intelligence organisation. Four Russians including the two men accused of planting Novichok in Salisbury last March, Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, and their superiors, the head and deputy head of the Russian military intelligence unit the GRU have been sanctioned, the European Council said. Sanctions were also imposed on Syrias Scientific Studies and Research Centre and five Syrian officials directly involved in the centres activities. Mr Hunt said: Todays new sanctions deliver on our vow to take tough action against the reckless and irresponsible activities of the Russian military intelligence organisation, the GRU, which put innocent British citizens in serious danger in Salisbury last year. Work continues on the home of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury (Andrew Matthews/PA) We have also imposed sanctions on individuals and an organisation responsible for the Syrian regimes abhorrent use of chemical weapons over many years, including in Douma in April 2018. The UK has been at the vanguard of this EU action. We will continue to show our willingness to stand up for the international rules that keep us safe, and which the Kremlin and the Assad regime seek to undermine. The Council said in a statement that the decision contributes to the EUs efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, which poses a serious threat to international security. Former KGB spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia collapsed on a bench at The Maltings shopping centre on March 5 last year. Mr Skripal and his daughter survived the attack, which Prime Minister Theresa May said had almost certainly been approved by the Russian state. A fifth man has been arrested by detectives investigating a car bomb blast outside a court in Londonderry. The man, 50, was detained under the Terrorism Act. Four men arrested on Sunday remained in police custody on Monday afternoon. Officers probing the dissident republican bombing on Saturday night arrested the latest suspect for questioning about an armed robbery in the city last Tuesday. The arrest came as police investigated two vehicle hijackings in the Creggan area of Derry on Monday. In the first incident, three masked men reportedly hijacked a white Transit van in the Circular Road area at around 11.30am before throwing an object in the back and abandoning the vehicle. Just over two hours later, at 1.45pm, police received a report that four masked men one allegedly armed with a gun hijacked a delivery drivers vehicle on Southway. Forensic investigators at the scene of the bomb blast on Bishop Street (Niall Carson/PA) Homes evacuated in Circular Rd area of Derry/Londonderry after vehicle hijacked around 11:30am; 3 masked men hijacked white Transit van, before abandoning it. Community centre in Central Dr open to those evacuated. Cordons in place. We appreciate your patience. Updates to follow Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 21, 2019 Police said the two occupants of the van were ordered to drive the vehicle to the Lonemoor Road and leave it there. Both incidents have prompted significant security alerts, with nearby residents evacuated and Army bomb disposal experts deployed. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Superintendent Gordon McCalmont warned of widespread disruption. We understand the effect this will have on the local community, but we will not take any chances when it comes to keeping people safe, he said. A dissident republican grouping that styles itself as the New IRA has been blamed for the bombing on Bishop Street. Dramatic CCTV footage of the incident released by police showed a group of people walking past the car containing the bomb just minutes before the explosion. A leading SNP MP has called on the partys leadership to drop calls for a second European referendum and instead put the case for a fresh vote on Scottish independence to the fore. Angus MacNeil made the plea in the wake of former first minister Alex Salmond urging Nicola Sturgeon to put an end to the uncivil war within the SNP and focus on making the case for leaving the UK. Mr Salmond told his successor that with Theresa May struggling to get her Brexit plans through the House of Commons, there is not likely to be a better time to force the issue of independence. Oh well @theSNP you tried but #EuroRef2 not wanted ... So now it is the referendum with the mandate #Indyref2 to come to fore... Change in media strategy now? https://t.co/1VZwF2Dmyg Angus B MacNeil MP (@AngusMacNeilSNP) January 21, 2019 Mr MacNeil, who has represented the Western Isles since 2005, retweeted the findings of a poll which showed the majority of Britons are opposed to a second Brexit referendum something Ms Sturgeon and the SNP leadership have been calling for. A Sky News data national poll indicated 44% of people think there should be another vote on leaving the European Union, with 56% against this. Mr MacNeil tweeted: Oh well @theSNP you tried but #EuroRef2 not wanted So now it is the referendum with the mandate #Indyref2 to come to fore Change in media strategy now? The SNP won the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections on a manifesto that explicitly stated there should be a fresh vote on independence if there was a material change in circumstances from the 2014 referendum making clear this should be the case if Scotland was removed from the EU against its peoples wishes. Ms Sturgeon has already pledged she will make her views known on the possible timing of a second independence referendum in a matter of weeks. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. (Andrew Milligan/PA) However, the First Minister is facing questions in the wake of Mr Salmonds legal victory against the Scottish Government, after the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled its handling of sexual misconduct allegations against the former SNP leader to be unlawful. The allegations which are strenuously denied by Mr Salmond have caused a split within the party which he led for 20 years. The former first minister insisted his supporters were not getting involved in an internal SNP spat telling the Sunday National: This uncivil war stops now. He stated: Nicola should be concentrating all her energies on the independence agenda where we will never have better circumstances. As far as I am concerned Westminsters Brexit difficulty should be Scotlands opportunity. Ms Sturgeon made clear to MSPs at Holyrood that she believes support for independence is growing with every day that passes. Speaking at First Ministers Questions, she said: I think it is essential, given the catastrophe that Scotland faces to our economy, to our society, to living standards, to prospects for the next generation, to our reputation in the world that the option of independence must be open to people in Scotland. An SNP spokesman said: The SNP believes that independence for Scotland is the best way to protect our interests and to see our democratic decisions respected. Brexit has brought the failure of the current UK system into sharp focus, with Westminsters shambolic handling of the current situation making the case for independence stronger by the day. Of course, in 2016 Scotland voted by a clear majority to stay in the EU. We continue to fight to protect that status and for the jobs, economic benefits and better living standards that being part of the EU gives us. If theres to be another vote which allow us to remain in Europe, then we should back that opportunity. The Countess of Wessex has become patron of the air ambulance service that helped save her life. Sophie was airlifted to hospital from her home in Bagshot Park, Surrey, by Thames Valley Air Ambulance in 2001, when she suffered a potentially life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. We are delighted to announce that HRH The Countess of Wessex @RoyalFamily has officially become our Royal Patron! The appointment as Patron recognises The Countess' long-standing involvement with our charity. Find out more: https://t.co/cdWnuQ9WAc pic.twitter.com/dhYDokkbQI Thames Valley Air Ambulance (@TVAirAmb) January 21, 2019 The countess, who was six weeks pregnant at the time, underwent a two and a half hour emergency operation at the King Edward VIIs Hospital, but lost her baby. Sophie, who is married to the Queens youngest son the Earl of Wessex, has been a long-standing supporter of the service over the 18 years since then. The charity, which has announced that the countess has become its royal patron, said in a statement: Having personally benefited from its expert crew in 2001, the countess knows only too well how every day, anyone in the community could be in urgent need of the organisations vital emergency service. The countess personally thanked the crew who flew her to hospital pilot Andy Busby and paramedic Tim Goddard in 2002 at a dinner to raise funds for the service then known as the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. Mr Busby said at the time: She realises that it was very fortunate that the air ambulance was flying that day and was able to take her to hospital. Sophie leaving hospital in 2001 after her ectopic pregnancy (Matthew Fearn/PA) Thames Valley Air Ambulance delivers advanced medical care to the most critically ill and injured patients across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. It receives no government or national lottery funding and now operates 19 hours a day, 365 days a year. Its red helicopter is staffed with an expert pilot, doctor and paramedic and can reach anyone in need in the region within 15 minutes of take-off, while its road vehicles, known as Critical Care Response Cars, carry the same equipment as the helicopter. Sir Tim Jenner, Thames Valley Air Ambulances chairman, said: We are delighted that Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex has accepted our invitation of Royal Patronage. It reflects her long-standing interest in our service and formally recognises how vital our emergency service is to our community. With the countess support, we will continue to push the boundaries of advanced pre-hospital care to give our patients the best possible chance of survival and recovery. The Countess of Wessex with daughter Lady Louise Windsor, son Viscount Severn and husband the Earl of Wessex at church on Christmas Day in Sandringham, Norfolk (Joe Giddens/PA) Sophie has gone on to have two children 15-year-old Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and 11-year-old Viscount Severn. The Duke of Cambridge, who was an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, recently became patron of the London Air Ambulance Charity 30th Anniversary Campaign. During the burglaries, the man will sit on the front steps of a home for a short period of time before using the mail slot to unlock the door. Police released surveillance footage that shows the man robbing a home in the 1800 block of S. Charles St. Downing Street has dismissed reports that Theresa May is considering rewriting the Good Friday Agreement or seeking a separate deal with Dublin in order to break the Brexit deadlock over the so-called backstop. Mrs May is due to come back to the Commons to spell out her next steps to build a Commons majority for a Brexit deal, amid signs she is still unwilling to give ground on her central demands. Following the crushing defeat last week of her agreement with Brussels, the Prime Minister will make oral and written statements to the House explaining how she intends to proceed. And her official spokesman made clear that she is focusing on the possibility of changes to the backstop mechanism, designed to ensure there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic if a broader trade deal cannot be agreed. Its clear already that a significant number of colleagues have expressed concerns around the backstop, said the spokesman. Thats one of the areas that we are going to be looking at. Following the defeat of Mrs Mays Withdrawal Agreement by 230 votes last week, he said, it is clear that if we are going to get Parliament to support the deal, we are going to have to come forward with something that is different. Asked whether the PM was considering changes to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the spokesman said: No. The Prime Minister has been clear on multiple occasions that we are committed to upholding the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and to delivering a solution that avoids a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Sympathy, patience & readiness to wait until the UKs position will be clarified are of utmost important to avoid the worst. They should not be misused for party politics. Large majority wants to exclude hard #Brexit - in the interest of the UK & beyond. Peter Altmaier (@peteraltmaier) January 21, 2019 On the prospect of a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Ireland, the PMs spokesman said: Its not something we are looking at. European Parliament vice-president Mairead McGuinness, an MEP for Taoiseach Leo Varadkars Fine Gael party, said a new treaty between the UK and Ireland to replace the backstop was not an option. And the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who held talks with Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney in Brussels, ruled out the prospect of a separate deal between London and Dublin, telling RTE: As you know we are working 27 as a team, a single team and we negotiate as one. Polands foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz suggested the deadlock could be broken by setting a five-year time limit on the backstop. He told Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita: If Ireland asked the EU to amend the agreement with the British on the backstop so that it would apply temporarily lets say five years the matter would be solved. It would obviously be less favourable for Ireland than an indefinite backstop, but much more advantageous than no-deal Brexit. Mr Czaputowicz said that London and Dublin were playing chicken over the border and risked a head-on collision in which Ireland stood to lose the most. A senior member of Angela Merkels Government, industry minister Peter Altmaier, warned against trying the EUs patience for political reasons. Sympathy, patience and readiness to wait until the UKs position will be clarified are of utmost important to avoid the worst, warned Mr Altmaier. They should not be misused for party politics. Large majority wants to exclude hard Brexit in the interest of the UK and beyond. (PA Graphics) And the European Commission made clear that Brussels believes the ball is now in Londons court on Brexit. A spokesman told reporters: Dont look for answers from Brussels. Now is the moment for London to speak, not for us. Mrs May is set to table a neutral motion to be debated and voted on along with any amendments tabled by MPs on January 29. Neutral motions are usually unamendable, but in this instance MPs will be able to express an alternative to the Governments plan. Government sources said she would be holding further talks with MPs, as well as business leaders and trade unionists, throughout the week in an attempt to find a way forward. Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker and Luciana Berger defied Jeremy Corbyns plea for the partys MPs to boycott the talks, as they joined Tory backers of a second referendum including Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston in discussions with Mrs Mays effective deputy David Lidington. There was anger among pro-Leave MPs at moves to enable backbenchers to take control of the Commons business from the Government in breach of normal conventions through a series of amendments to the neutral motion. One group, including senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper and Tory former minister Nick Boles, is seeking to give time for a Bill to suspend the Article 50 withdrawal process if there is no new deal with Brussels by the end of February. Ms Cooper told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that she believed the Prime Minister was hoping Parliament would rule out no-deal on her behalf. She said: I think she (Mrs May) knows that she should rule out no-deal in the national interest because it would be so damaging. Shes refusing to do so and I think shes hoping that Parliament will do this for her that is not leadership. Business Minister Richard Harrington warned that crashing out of the EU without a deal would be an `absolute disaster (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) It came as Business Minister Richard Harrington warned that crashing out of the EU without a deal would be an absolute disaster as he urged Mrs May to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Mr Harrington told Today he was afraid of car-makers Jaguar and Mini closing if there was a no-deal Brexit. Crashing out, in my view is an absolute disaster, he said. Its not a road to a free trade agreement, its not a road to anything. Its an absolute disaster for the country and its supported by a minority of a minority of people. Another more radical amendment drawn up by former attorney general Dominic Grieve would allow a motion by a minority of 300 MPs from at least five parties and including 10 Tories to be debated as the first item of Commons business the next day. Mr Grieve said it would enable the Commons to stage a series of indicative votes on the various alternatives, such as a soft Norway-style deal or a second referendum to establish which could command a majority. Meanwhile, Sir Stephen Laws, a senior research fellow at the Policy Exchange and a former Government law chief, said MPs seeking to delay or stop Brexit could risk involving the Queen. Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry suggested Labour might not back a second referendum unless the UK is about to hit the wall of no-deal. She told the BBCs Victoria Derbyshire show that there were other things that also need to be done, saying: If we have got to the end of January and we still havent got anything that is the slightest bit agreed they really will need to start thinking about extending Article 50, wont they? She added: If we end up where we are absolutely about to hit the wall of no-deal then of course we will try anything we can to make sure that we protect our country. The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russians blamed for the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury as the bloc steps up its action against the use of chemical weapons. EU foreign ministers slapped travel bans and asset freezes on nine people and on Syrias Scientific Studies and Research Centre. Five of those targeted are linked to the Syrian centres activities. The four Russians on the list are the two men accused of planting Novichok in Salisbury last March and their superiors, the head and deputy head of the GRU, Russias military intelligence unit. Alexander Petrov, left, and Ruslan Boshirov (Metropolitan Police/PA) The two suspects known by their aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were caught on CCTV in Salisbury the day before the attack. Former KGB spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia collapsed on a bench at The Maltings shopping centre on March 5 last year. Yulia Skripal (Dylan Martinez/PA) Mr Skripal and his daughter survived the attack, which Prime Minister Theresa May said had almost certainly been approved by the Russian state. The ministers said in a statement that the sanctions move contributes to the EUs efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, which poses a serious threat to international security. Rescuers are making slow progress in exceptionally difficult conditions trying to reach a two-year-old boy who fell into a narrow, deep borehole in the countryside eight days ago, Spanish officials said. Angel Garcia, the leading engineer co-ordinating the search and rescue operation, said work had to stop briefly early on Monday to perform maintenance on a drill being used to create a vertical shaft. Mr Garcia said the rocks are extremely hard and the drill has been working non-stop for many hours at the site near the town of Totalan in Malaga. Drill machines and excavating machinery on top of the mountain near Totalan (Gregorio Marrero/AP) The shaft runs parallel to the borehole and aims to go down 60 metres (197ft) roughly to where the boy is believed to be. The drill has so far reached 53 metres. After that, miners will be lowered down the shaft to dig a horizontal tunnel to the boys presumed location. DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia man being sentenced for child molestation argued for leniency, saying he was drunk at the time of the attacks, which went on for two years. The judge disagreed, sending 51-year-old Joseph Raul Montesdeoca off to prison for 40 years. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Montesdeoca requested a 10 year sentence on Monday for molesting four boys, arguing "among other things that because he was drunk at the time he was less culpable." He was arrested in 2017 on allegations of molestation that started in 2015. The Douglas County judge also sentenced him to 30 years of probation if and when he's released. ___ Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - The United Nations refugee agency says more than 30,000 Nigerians fled the border town of Rann over the weekend to seek safety in Cameroon as attacks by Boko Haram extremists continue. Spokesman Babar Baloch said Tuesday that thousands more have fled to neighboring Chad because of the violence in northeastern Nigeria. Refugees began fleeing to Cameroon earlier this month when extremists attacked and seized Rann, in Borno state, on Jan. 14. Increased violence in Borno also has forced 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in overcrowded camps or towns inside Nigeria. The refugee agency says the violence is not abating and is forcing aid workers to pull out of some areas. The U.N. calls on countries in the region to keep borders open. BRUMADINHO, Brazil (AP) - Authorities arrested five people Tuesday in connection with the collapse of a Brazilian mine dam, while the death toll rose to at least 84 and the carcasses of fish floated along the banks of a river downstream that an indigenous community depends on for food and water. The dam that held back iron ore waste, owned and operated by big mining company Vale SA, collapsed Friday, burying a company cafeteria and other Vale buildings and inundating part of the small southeastern city of Brumadinho. Grieving relatives buried some of the victims in Brumadinho and rescue teams continued a delicate search through swaths of muck for more victims or survivors. Lt. Flavio Godinho of the Minas Gerais state civil defense agency said Tuesday evening that the number of confirmed dead had risen to 84 from 65. He said the number of missing stood at 276. The dead fish and trash were seen by a reporting team for The Associated Press about 18 kilometers (11 miles) downstream from the dam along the banks of the Paraopeba River. The Pataxo Indians living alongside the river who use it to fish, bathe and gather water for the plants they cultivate as food were told by Brazilian environmental officials that they should no longer do so, said Hayo, the village chief who goes by one name. A Pataxo Ha-ha-hae indigenous woman points toward the Paraopeba River as she speaks to a member of the Brazilian Environmental Institute (IBAMA) in her village, in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Mining giant Vale representatives insisted that the slow-moving mud spreading down the Paraopeba River following the Jan. 25 collapse is composed mostly of silica, or sand, and is non-toxic, but environmental groups contend the iron ore mine waste contains high levels of iron oxide that could cause irreversible damage. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) "We used the river to take baths, to fish, to water our plants and now we can't do any of that," said Hayo, wearing a large feathered headdress and a red and black-beaded necklace. "We can't even water our plants because they say it damages the soil." Two agents with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, the country's environmental enforcement agency, took water samples and talked with tribe members but said they were not authorized to speak about their findings. In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Tuesday, the agency said it asked Vale to "remove the dead fish, which are having an impact on the indigenous population." The statement gave no details about the water tests and did not say whether tribal members had been told the water was unhealthy. The signs of possible ecological consequences came as the arrests of company workers with links to the dam were made in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais. Three of the arrested worked for Vale, the company said, adding that it was cooperating with investigating authorities. A German company that has inspected the dam said two of its employees were arrested. The Munich-based TUEV Sued company declined to specify whether the arrested staff were from its German headquarters or its Brazilian branch. In ordering the arrests, Minas Gerais state judge Perla Saliba Brito wrote that the disaster could have been avoided. It's not believable that "dams of such magnitude, run by one of the largest mining companies in the world, would break suddenly without any indication of vulnerability," the judge wrote in the decision, according to news portal UOL. Authorities said the five will be detained for 30 days while officials investigate possible criminal responsibility. At a cemetery in Brumadinho, 15 freshly dug graves awaited the remains of some of those killed. Wailing in grief at the cemetery was the wife of Edgar Carvalho Santos, one of the mining company's workers whose body has been found. "He did not deserve this, he did not deserve it!" she sobbed. Friends and family members prevented reporters from approaching the woman. One woman told Santos' wife that "this was not a tragedy, it's a crime." It was a sign of the growing anger directed at Vale over the disaster. Vale is the world's largest producer of iron ore, which is the raw ingredient for steel. The company is one of Brazil's largest businesses and a key employer in Brumadinho, but many residents have complained that a siren which should have gone off to warn people to evacuate never sounded Friday. Military police Col. Evandro Borges told reporters that most of the people missing were Vale employees. Many employees were eating lunch when the dam collapsed, burying a cafeteria and other company buildings. The company's American depository shares on the New York Stock Exchange were up 3 percent Tuesday afternoon on the New York Stock Exchange, to $11.54 each, after falling nearly 18 percent on Monday. ___ Associated Press writer Marcelo Silva da Sousa reported this story in Brumadinho and AP writer Peter Prengaman reported from Rio de Janeiro. Video journalist Renato Domingues and AP photographer Leo Correa in Brumadinho contributed to this report. A dead fish floats in the Paraopeba River, full of mud that was released by the collapse of a mining company dam near a community of the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae indigenous people in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Mining giant Vale representatives insisted that the slow-moving mud spreading down the Paraopeba River following the Jan. 25 collapse is composed mostly of silica, or sand, and is non-toxic, but environmental groups contend the iron ore mine waste contains high levels of iron oxide that could cause irreversible damage. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Friends and relatives carry the coffin with the body of Vale SA contractor Edmayra Samara, victim of the collapsed dam, during her burial in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Officials said the death toll was expected to grow "exponentially," since no had been rescued alive since Saturday. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Hayo, chief of the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae indigenous community, walks toward the Paraopeba River days after the collapse of a mining company dam, near his village in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Mining giant Vale representatives insisted that the slow-moving mud spreading down the Paraopeba River following the Jan. 25 collapse is composed mostly of silica, or sand, and is non-toxic, but environmental groups contend the iron ore mine waste contains high levels of iron oxide that could cause irreversible damage. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Friends and relatives carry the coffin with the body of Vale SA contractor Edmayra Samara, victim of the collapsed dam, during her burial in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Officials said the death toll was expected to grow "exponentially," since no had been rescued alive since Saturday. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Hayo, chief of the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae indigenous community, stands over the Paraopeba River on a rail bridge near his village in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Mining giant Vale representatives insisted that the slow-moving mud spreading down the Paraopeba River following the Jan. 25 collapse is composed mostly of silica, or sand, and is non-toxic, but environmental groups contend the iron ore mine waste contains high levels of iron oxide that could cause irreversible damage. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Cemetery workers prepare burial sites for the victims from the collapsed dam, in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Officials said the death toll was expected to grow "exponentially," since no one had been rescued alive since Saturday. (AP Photo/Andre Penner Cemetery workers prepare burial sites for the victims from the collapsed dam in Brumadinho, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Officials said the death toll was expected to grow "exponentially," since no had been rescued alive since Saturday. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Faced with potentially ruinous lawsuits over California's recent wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in a move that could lead to higher bills for customers of the nation's biggest utility and reduce the size of any payouts to fire victims. The Chapter 11 filing allows PG&E to continue operating while it puts its books in order. But it was seen as a glimpse of the financial toll that could lie ahead for the industry because of climate change , which scientists say is leading to fiercer, more destructive blazes and longer fire seasons. The bankruptcy could also jeopardize California's ambitious program to switch entirely to renewable energy sources within a few decades. PG&E, which supplies natural gas and electricity to 16 million people in Northern and central California, cited hundreds of lawsuits over fires in 2017 and 2018 and tens of billions of dollars in potential liability when it announced earlier this month that it planned to file for bankruptcy. The blazes include the nation's deadliest wildfire in a century - the one in November that killed at least 86 people and destroyed 15,000 homes in and around the Northern California town of Paradise. The cause is still under investigation, but suspicion fell on PG&E after it reported power line problems nearby around the time the fire broke out. Last week, however, state investigators determined that the company's equipment was not to blame for a 2017 fire that killed 22 people and destroyed more than 5,600 buildings in Northern California wine country. That finding spared PG&E from billions in liability. Amanda Riddle, an attorney representing wildfire victims, speaks with a reporter outside of a Federal Courthouse in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Faced with potentially ruinous lawsuits over California's recent wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in a move that could lead to higher bills for customers of the nation's biggest utility and reduce the size of any payouts to fire victims. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) PG&E said the bankruptcy will not affect electric or gas service and will allow for an "orderly, fair and expeditious resolution" of wildfire claims. "Throughout this process, we are fully committed to enhancing our wildfire safety efforts, as well as helping restoration and rebuilding efforts across the communities impacted by the devastating Northern California wildfires," interim CEO John R. Simon said in a statement. The wildfire lawsuits accuse PG&E of inadequate maintenance, including not adequately trimming trees and clearing brush around electrical lines, and failing to shut off power when fire risk is high. The bankruptcy filing immediately puts the lawsuits on hold and consolidates them in bankruptcy court, where legal experts say victims will probably receive less money. "They're going to have to take some sort of haircut on their claims," said Jared Ellias, a bankruptcy attorney who teaches at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. "We don't know yet what that will be." In a bankruptcy proceeding, the victims will have little chance of getting punitive damages, and their claims will almost certainly be heard by a judge, not a jury. They will also have to stand in line behind PG&E's secured creditors, such as banks, when the judge decides who gets paid and how much. Jeffrey Hammond said he is pessimistic that he will collect any money from the company now that it has filed for bankruptcy. His home in Napa County was destroyed in 2017 in a fire that investigators say started when an oak tree fell onto a PG&E power line. He said the house could have been sold for $500,000, but his insurance company paid only $100,000 - the most recent county assessment. He sued PG&E hoping to "close the gap." "I'm 76, going to be 77 soon," he said. "And this will take years to sort out." Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that his administration will work to ensure that "Californians have access to safe, reliable and affordable service, that victims and employees are treated fairly, and that California continues to make forward progress on our climate change goals." Amanda Riddle, an attorney representing victims of a deadly 2015 wildfire, said that even before the bankruptcy filing, PG&E had stopped making settlement payments to her clients. They will now have to fight for their money in bankruptcy court, she said. "It shows PG&E does not actually have the best interests of the wildfire victims in mind," she said. Riddle attended the first court hearing on PG&E's bankruptcy Tuesday. Judge Dennis Montali did not rule on any requests by PG&E, including approval for up to $5.5 billion in bankruptcy financing. He said he would give the public a chance to weigh in on the case in the future and set another hearing for Thursday. "For me and for most of you by my calculation we haven't even had 14 hours to absorb what was filed just after midnight," he told a packed courtroom. Legal experts said customers could also be hit with higher rates to help PG&E cover its costs. PG&E would not speculate about the effect on customers' bills, noting that the state Public Utilities Commission sets rates. Part of the company also filed for bankruptcy in 2001 during an electricity crisis marked by rolling blackouts. It emerged from court protection three years later but obtained billions in higher rates. Utilities around the nation are preparing for the potential effects of climate change, taking such steps as fortifying substations and burying power lines against severe hurricanes and wildfires. The costs are high, but the risks of catastrophic damage appear to be growing. The PG&E bankruptcy "is sort of a test case for how utilities and other major infrastructure players are going to deal with climate change, and who's going to be responsible for it, and who's going to be accountable," said John MacWilliams, a fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. "I would be surprised if this is the last utility that's going to have to deal with this." California has set a goal of getting 100 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources such as wind, solar and hydropower by 2045. To achieve that, utilities must switch to buying power from renewable sources. PG&E, for example, made agreements in 2017 to buy electricity from solar farms. But because of its bankruptcy, some experts have questioned the company's ability to pay what it agreed to, or to make investments in grid upgrades and batteries necessary to bring more renewable energy online. "PG&E's bankruptcy is going to make it a lot more costly for California to meet its environmental goals, and could make it more challenging just to get the infrastructure built to help cut emissions and increase renewable energy," said Travis Miller, an investment strategist at Morningstar Inc. PG&E's stock is down 70 percent from about a year ago amid fears about the effects of the wildfires. ___ Bussewitz contributed from New York. Paul Zumbro, an attorney representing Pacific Gas & Electric Corp., exits a Federal Courthouse in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Faced with potentially ruinous lawsuits over California's recent wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in a move that could lead to higher bills for customers of the nation's biggest utility and reduce the size of any payouts to fire victims. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) A man holds up a sign at a rally before a California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. California regulators have approved a measure allowing Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. to immediately obtain credit and loans while the company is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Brandon Harami, center, and others yell during a California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. California regulators have approved a measure allowing Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. to immediately obtain credit and loans while the company is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Mindy Spatt, a spokeswoman for The Utility Reform Network, speaks with reporters before a California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. California regulators have approved a measure allowing Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. to immediately obtain credit and loans while the company is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Jessica Tovar, right, speaks at a rally before a California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. California regulators have approved a measure allowing Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. to immediately obtain credit and loans while the company is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) ATLANTA (AP) - The Latest on snow coming to Atlanta along with Super Bowl (all times local): 7 a.m. Atlantans awoke to mild weather five days before the Super Bowl, but forecasters say temperatures will soon plunge as a winter storm front moves eastward, threatening to coat the streets in ice. National Weather Service meteorologist Sid King says the storm system moving into Atlanta has slowed somewhat, but is still expected to usher in temperatures in the 30s by Tuesday afternoon. By evening, it could be in the 20s. Less than an inch of snow is expected in Atlanta, but emergency officials say they're more concerned about the potential for ice. Delta Airlines canceled about 175 of Tuesday's flights in Atlanta because of the possibility. FILE-In this Jan. 29, 2014 aerial file photo, abandoned cars at I-75 headed northbound near the Chattahoochee River overpass are piled up in the median of the ice-covered interstate after a winter snow storm, in Atlanta. A winter storm watch goes into effect at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, for Atlanta, a city known for its ability to grind to a halt even in relatively light snowfalls. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File) Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp closed state offices in more than 30 counties, including the Atlanta area. The storm comes five years after vehicles were stuck on Atlanta freeways in what became known as "snow jam." ___ 1:15 a.m. More than 100 flights have been canceled at Atlanta's airport and city leaders say they fear ice could slicken streets and freeways just as thousands of fans begin pouring into town for Super Bowl 53. A winter weather advisory goes into effect at 3 a.m. Tuesday for Atlanta, a city known for grinding to a halt in relatively light snowfalls. Delta Air Lines is "proactively" canceling about 170 flights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, its main hub, the Atlanta-based airline announced late Monday. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday said state offices in more than 30 counties in the northern part of the state would be closed Tuesday, including those in the Atlanta area. BITLIS, Turkey (AP) - For the buffaloes in eastern Turkey, the hot springs in the mountainous Bitlis province are a welcome refuge from the freezing wintry weather. Residents in the tiny village of Budakli walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs near the dormant Nemrut volcano in the winter. The animals already know the way and spend hours in the steamy 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) waters - so much so that the young men herding them struggle to get the massive animals out of the water and go home. The hot springs help keep the animals clean as they go through the winter. In the summer, the buffaloes swim in the cool waters of the plains. One caretaker likened the bathing to a form of therapeutic meditation for buffaloes. The men can also take a break from winter and enjoy the swim. It's mostly children who take care of the animals, taking them to fields to graze and to their swim. The children often don't receive an education beyond middle school because they need to help their families in the small village, covered in snow for nearly half the year. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their udders and make quality milk. Tourists, mostly local, also come to bathe, especially for rheumatic diseases and skin ailments. In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, Muhammed Toren, 18, left, and Berkan Toren, 20, enjoy a hot spring along with their water buffaloes near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter.Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, Muhammed Toren, 18, washes his horse in a hot spring along with his water buffaloes near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Muhammed, one of 9 siblings, studied until middle school and he takes care of the family's herd. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, Berkan Toren, 20, enjoys a hot spring along with his water buffaloes near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, Muhammed Toren walks his family's water buffaloes to a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Muhammed, 18, one of 9 siblings, studied until middle school and he takes care of the family's herd. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, a water buffalo belonging to the Toren family is pictured in a stable in the village of Budakli, of the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, Ayten Toren, left poses for a photograph with two of her 9 children, Dilan, centre, 15 and Muhammed, 18, in the village of Budakli, of the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. As all the residents of the village with some 60 homes, the family owns 14 water buffaloes. During the winter Muhammed often walks his family and others' buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, Muhammed Toren, rides his horse after a bath in a hot spring along with his water buffaloes near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Muhammed, 18, one of 9 siblings, studied until middle school and he takes care of the family's herd. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) In this Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 photo, water buffalos bath in a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. Residents of the village with some 60 homes walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs in the winter. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes' wounds, alleviate discomfort in their breasts and make quality milk. The village's main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) LONDON (AP) - Britain's press is urging social media users to tone down inappropriate criticism of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. Palace officials have been seeking help from Instagram to monitor and remove offensive comments about the two duchesses, who are married to Prince Harry and Prince William. Palace aides have been spending hours each week moderating comments on the official Palace Instagram account and removing racist and sexist content. There have been rumors in recent months that Meghan and Kate have been feuding, which could have partly fueled online abuse with fans of one duchess criticizing the other online in very personal terms. Meghan, an American actress who married Harry in May, is pregnant with their first child, and some on social media and in the press have taken to criticizing her for cradling her "baby bump" during public engagements. The Times newspaper reported Tuesday in an editorial called "Vile Abuse" that many of the comments made about Meghan and Kate are too vicious to publish and have included threats. FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018 file photo, Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, left, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England. The British press on Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019, is urging social media users to tone down inappropriate criticism of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File) "Women receive more abuse online than men and this sad truth seems to apply just as much to the royal family," the newspaper said. The paper also condemned the treatment of Rachel Riley, a British television personality who has complained about a torrent of anti-Semitic abuse on Twitter. In response to the rise of abusive comments directed at the royal women, Hello! magazine this week launched a "kindness" campaign urging posters to think twice before posting nasty comments. "For us, it's not acceptable to pit two women against each other," the magazine's royal correspondent Emily Nash said in a video announcing the campaign. "It's not acceptable to post abusive, threatening, racist or sexist comments online. And it's not acceptable to attack other users just because they disagree with you." Charles was represented Tuesday by Alexander Cruickshank, an attorney with the Carroll County Public Defenders Office. In order to adjudicate charges from the Sept. 23 crash as well as a separate arrest in August in which Charles was accused of stealing an ATV and other equipment, Cruickshank told the court the defense wished to waive the right to a speedy trial for scheduling reasons. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz on Tuesday launched his campaign to be prime minister, presenting himself as a moderate alternative to Benjamin Netanyahu with a message of unity at home, a search for peace and a tough line against the country's many enemies. Gantz, a tall, telegenic ex-general with salty hair, delivered his keynote speech to an ecstatic crowd of thousands of people. His speech included gestures to Israel's many interest groups - religious and secular, right wing and left wing, Arab and Jew - as well as repeated jabs at Netanyahu, who is facing the possibility of indictment in a series of corruption scandals. "No Israeli leader is a king," he said to wild applause, adding that Netanyahu could not continue to serve if indicted. Thanking Netanyahu for his past decade in office, Gantz said: "We'll take it from here." The political newcomer has emerged as the most serious challenger to Netanyahu's lengthy rule, highlighting how security rules supreme in the minds of most Israeli voters. Gantz is still untarnished by partisan politics and has been riding a wave of popularity, even while saying little and presenting a vague platform. But the shine could quickly wear off following Tuesday's speech. Netanyahu took to Twitter to brand Gantz as weak. "Whoever says they are not right and not left - is left," he said. For many voters weary of Netanyahu's long rule, Gantz's fresh face is enough of a draw, as evidenced by the crowd at Tuesday's speech, which was repeatedly interrupted by boisterous applause. Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz speaks at the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) In the speech, Gantz accused Netanyahu's hard-line government of dividing the nation by inciting against its rivals and failing to address the high cost of living. He also took aim at Netanyahu's recent boasts of Israeli military action against Iran in neighboring Syria, saying: "Security is done in deeds, not in words." Gantz vowed to take a different approach toward the Palestinians, who Netanyahu has largely ignored while turning his focus toward Iran. "The government I lead will strive toward peace and will not miss an opportunity to create a regional change," Gantz said. But he also vowed tough action against Israel's foes, including Iran and the Hamas militant group in Gaza. He also said that Israel would never leave the Golan Heights or the Jordan Valley, a large strategic area of the occupied West Bank sought by the Palestinians. Israel captured both areas, along with east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war. He said Israel would continue to develop settlement blocs in the West Bank and maintain its control of Jerusalem. The Palestinians view the settlements as a major obstacle to peace and want east Jerusalem as their capital. Gantz criticized Netanyahu's policies in the Gaza Strip, saying that Israel's actions to contain Hamas had also punished the civilian population. He promised to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza and assist in economic development. "But I won't allow protection payments of money in suitcases," he said, referring to Netanyahu's agreement to allow Qatar to deliver tens of millions of dollars to Hamas in exchange for pledges of quiet. Gantz made no mention of his own role in Gaza. Under his leadership, Israel fought a bruising 50-day war against Hamas militants that killed over 2,000 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction. In one of the few political ads he has put out, he stressed how as military chief he pummeled Hamas in the 2014 Gaza war. The U.N. says over 1,400 Palestinian civilians were killed and war crimes may have been committed. Most polls show Gantz's new party, "Israel Resilience," coming in second to Netanyahu's Likud in a crowded field of contenders in the April 9 vote. A second-place finish would position Gantz for either a top Cabinet post in a Netanyahu-led coalition or to be a high-profile opposition leader. Some polls have him almost even with Netanyahu as far as fitness to be prime minister. None of Netanyahu's many other would-be challengers come close. In the past three decades, the only prime ministers to emerge from the left were both former military chiefs - Yitzhak Rabin and Ehud Barak. On Tuesday, Gantz introduced a new political ally, Moshe Yaalon, another former military chief. "The appeal of the generals is beyond rational, it is emotional," said Amir Bar-Or, an expert on civil-military relations in Israel at Sapir College. "Everyone in Israel knowns that security comes first, so the only realistic alternative to Netanyahu is a military man." Israel has long been fascinated with iconic warrior-statesmen like Rabin, Moshe Dayan and Ariel Sharon. But their prominence in political life has withered in recent election cycles as the country has focused on a more civic agenda. With Netanyahu seemingly unbeatable, and the country dealing with security challenges on its northern and southern borders, the 2019 election has seen a revival in generals jumping into politics. In addition to Gantz and Yaalon, two other former military heads, and two other prominent ex-generals, are also considering political forays. "It marks the return of the generals' popularity," said Yohanan Plesner, head of the non-partisan Israel Democracy Institute and a former lawmaker and military commando. "History teaches us that generals have the best chance of passing the test of public confidence." Even so, Gantz's hope of hopping straight into the job of prime minister is unprecedented. Rabin, Barak and others had to work through the political party machinery for several years before coming to power. Gantz, 59, was a paratrooper who rose up the ranks to head special operations units and other various commands before serving as military attache to the United States and ultimately becoming Israel's 20th military chief from 2011-2015. His term was marked by two wars with Hamas in Gaza and a covert air campaign in Syria against Iranian arms shipments to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon. ____ Follow Heller at www.twitter.com/aronhellerap Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz reacts at the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz greets supporters at the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz, center, raises his hand during the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz, right, and also retired military chief Moshe Yaalon raise hands during the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz walks at the podium during the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz speaks at the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz speaks at the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz speaks at the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz speaks at the official launch of his election campaign for the April 2019 elections, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Gantz launches his long-awaited political campaign, positioning himself as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lengthy rule. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) ISTANBUL (AP) - A United Nations human rights expert visited the vicinity of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul Tuesday as part of an investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. She has yet to be allowed to enter the premises. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard and her team of experts said they were waiting for permission from Saudi officials to go to the consulate and meet with Saudi authorities in Istanbul. "We are respectfully calling on the authorities to give us access at some stage," she said with regard to her weeklong visit to Turkey. She said their request to enter the building had come "quite late" and that as a result "we need to give them a bit more time to process our request." Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming wedding. He was killed in what Turkish and U.S. officials have described as an elaborate plot. Also Tuesday, Callamard met with Istanbul's Chief Prosecutor Irfan Fidan who is heading the investigation. The team met with the country's foreign and justice ministers Monday. United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard, surrounded by members of the media walks around the Saudi Consulate, background, in Istanbul, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Callamard and her team of experts on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings is in Turkey for a weeklong visit over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about the Saudi crown prince, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018. (Cemal Yurttas/DHA via AP) Turkish officials have been frustrated over what they say is a lack of cooperation by Riyadh and have called for an international inquiry. In a tweet, the Turkish president's communications director, Fahrettin Altun, welcomed the visit: "We still do not know where Khashoggi's body is, who ordered the hit and who the 'local collaborator' was." After denying Khashoggi was killed in the consulate for several weeks, Saudi Arabia indicted 11 people in the killing, including members from the crown prince's entourage, and is seeking the death penalty against five of them. Turkey says Saudi Arabia must reveal the identity of a person who is thought to have disposed of the journalist's body and hold all involved accountable. The expert on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killing said she would present her report in June to the U.N.'s Human Rights Council and the report would be made public ahead of the meeting. MOSCOW (AP) - Russia says it expects Venezuela to have problems repaying debt ahead of an upcoming payment on a Russian loan. Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak told Russian state news agencies Tuesday "there will probably be problems," adding that "everything now depends on the army, on the soldiers, on how true they will be to their service and oath." Storchak says Venezuela owes Russia $3 billion with repayments twice a year of around $100 million, with the next due in March. Russia also has extensive commercial interests in Venezuela, including state oil company Rosneft's partnership with Petroleos de Venezuela SA, a state company placed under sanctions Monday by the United States. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says the Kremlin shares the view of the Venezuelan government that the sanctions are "illegal." He said Moscow views these sanctions as a tool of unfair competition on part of the United States. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Tuesday that proceeding with a multibillion-dollar China-backed rail link project would impoverish the country, saddling the government with excess debt for the next 30 years. Since winning a historic vote last May, Mahathir's government has axed or reviewed large-scale infrastructure projects to rein in a surging national debt that it blames mostly on corruption in the previous government. But there is confusion over the status of the $20 billion East Coast Rail Link following recent conflicting statements by two Cabinet ministers. Mahathir's comments Tuesday suggested it might be called off but he later said a final decision hasn't been reached. Mahathir said the cost of the project could exceed 100 billion ringgit ($24.3 billion) upon completion. "It is not that we do not want to honor our contracts, but we just cannot pay," Mahathir said. "It will impoverish us so we seek understanding of the parties concerned, that it is not because we just want to frustrate or throw out a contract, but because we are really tied in terms of finance." Paying compensation won't be as much as "the amount of debt we will carry for the next 30 years," he added. FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, file photo, Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrives for meeting at the federal chancellery in Vienna, Austria. On Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, Mahathir says that proceeding with a multi-billion-dollar rail link project backed by China will "impoverish" the country, saddling it with heavy debts for the next 30 years. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File) At another event late Tuesday, Mahathir said negotiations are still ongoing as both sides have different perspectives on the project, and the government hasn't made a final decision. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the project had been agreed to "on the basis of mutual respect and equality." He said the two sides were discussing the issue. The 688-kilometer (430-mile) rail link is a key part of China's regional Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. It would connect Malaysia's west coast to rural eastern states. It is largely financed by China and the main contract was awarded in 2016 to the China Communication Construction Company, or CCCC, by former Prime Minister Najib Razak. Officials have said the project's final cost is about 50 percent higher than estimated by the previous government. During a trip to China last August, Mahathir initially said the project would be canceled. He later said negotiations were underway about scaling down the project or delaying it. The situation was muddled when Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali on Saturday said the Cabinet had agreed to terminate the project but Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng disputed that. Mahathir said Tuesday that Azmin was merely trying to explain the importance of maintaining good ties with China as it is Malaysia's top trading partner and key investor. He said Lim will make an announcement on the matter but didn't say when. The government has also said it is investigating whether any money in the rail project has been channeled by Najib's government to repay debts at the 1MDB state investment fund. A massive financial scandal at 1MDB led to the ouster of Najib's coalition. Najib is facing multiple corruption charges linked to 1MDB. BEIJING (AP) - China on Tuesday questioned the appropriateness of an email sent by a Duke University medical school administrator warning Chinese students to speak in English. Asked about the controversy, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang compared it to a Chinese university demanding that English-speaking students talk only in Chinese. "If a Chinese university required that American students not use English to communicate, I think this would not be normal," Geng said at a daily briefing. Duke University in North Carolina moved quickly to offer apologies, launch an investigation and reassure a core group of graduate scholars after the email raised an outcry at home and abroad. The story drew thousands of comments in China on social media. Some called it racial discrimination and said Chinese universities should ban speaking English, while a few said it was not a big deal. The administrator's message came at a time when elite U.S. universities are trying to remain attractive to top international students despite negative rhetoric toward foreigners by President Donald Trump and other politicians. An entrance to the main Duke University campus is seen in Durham, N.C., Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. The University's medical school has issued an apology and launched a review after an administrator admonished students over speaking Chinese in a school building. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Protests mounted after the email was sent Friday by Megan Neely, who teaches in the biostatistics master's degree program and served as its director of graduate studies. Neely's message to an email list for about 50 biostatistics students said two faculty members approached her to complain about students speaking loudly in Chinese in a common area. She wrote that both were disappointed the students weren't working to improve their English and wanted their names. The email urged international students to "keep these unintended consequences in mind when you choose to speak in Chinese in the building." Amid the angry response, Neely stepped down as the program's director of graduate studies, according to a letter from Mary Klotman, the medical school dean. Klotman apologized to students in the program in her letter, saying there was no restriction on using foreign languages in conversations. Neely, who remains an assistant professor, apologized in an email to program members, saying: "I deeply regret the hurt my email has caused. It was not my intention." This Jan. 28, 2019 photo shows the entrance to the main Duke University campus in Durham, N.C. The Duke University professor and administrator who sparked an outcry by admonishing students for speaking Chinese has issued a personal apology amid an internal review by the school. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The Latest on the bankruptcy filing by Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. (all times local): 4:15 p.m. Jeffrey Hammond's family home in Northern California was destroyed in an Oct. 8, 2017, blaze that state fire investigators say started when an oak tree fell onto a Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. power line. Hammond believed the Napa County house could have been sold for $500,000, but his insurance company paid only $100,000 - the most recent county assessment. He has sued PG&E hoping to recoup the additional $400,000, but he's pessimistic that he'll collect anything now that the utility has filed for bankruptcy. He says he's nearly 77 and believes his case will take several years to resolve because of the bankruptcy filing. A man crosses the street in front of a Pacific Gas and Electric building in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Faced with potentially ruinous lawsuits over California's recent wildfires, Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in a move that could lead to higher bills for customers of the nation's biggest utility and reduce the size of any payouts to fire victims. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Hammond also expects any settlement payment to be far below what he would have received if PG&E avoided bankruptcy. ___ 3:45 p.m. A U.S. judge says he will give the public a chance to weigh in on Pacific Gas & Electric Corp.'s bankruptcy. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali made the comment at a hearing Tuesday, hours after the nation's largest utility filed for Chapter 11 reorganization. Montali did not rule on any requests by PG&E, including approval for up to $5.5 billion in financing. He said he had not yet had a chance to catch up with all the paperwork PG&E had filed. He set another hearing for Thursday. The courtroom was packed with attorneys for PG&E, wildfire victims and the company's creditors. PG&E has said it is facing billions of dollars in potential damages from California wildfires. ___ 2:55 p.m. After Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed for bankruptcy, S&P Global Ratings lowered the utility's credit rating to D, which is below junk status. It's a standard response when a company files for bankruptcy protection, as the utility did Tuesday amid billions of dollars in potential liability from deadly wildfires in California in 2017 and 2018. ___ 11:15 a.m. The interim chief executive of Pacific Gas & Electric said after the company filed for bankruptcy that its most important responsibility is to safety. John R. Simon said in a statement Tuesday that the country's largest utility is dedicated to rebuilding California communities devastated by wildfires. He said PG&E needs to find a more sustainable way to deliver energy. Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed documents in a U.S. court Tuesday seeking Chapter 11 reorganization. It faces billions of dollars in potential damages from California wildfires. The company has pointed to hundreds of lawsuits it's facing from victims of fires in 2017 and 2018. ___ 10:20 a.m. A U.S. judge in San Francisco is wasting little time as he begins to address Pacific Gas & Electric Corp.'s bankruptcy filing. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali scheduled a hearing in the case for Tuesday, hours after the nation's largest utility filed for Chapter 11 reorganization. Montali said in a brief order that he wouldn't make any decisions or hear arguments on numerous PG&E requests. The company is asking the judge to approve up to $5.5 billion in financing and allow it to keep paying employees, among other requests. Montali said the sides will discuss the scheduling of important court hearings in the days and weeks ahead. PG&E filed for bankruptcy as it faces billions of dollars in potential damages from wildfires in California. ___ 1:30 a.m. The largest utility in the U.S. has filed for bankruptcy as it faces billions of dollars in potential damages from wildfires in California. Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. filed documents in a U.S. court Tuesday seeking Chapter 11 reorganization. The move comes despite state investigators determining last week that the utility's equipment was not to blame for a 2017 fire that killed 22 people in Northern California wine country. The company cited hundreds of lawsuits from victims of that blaze and others in 2017 and 2018 when it announced this month that it planned to file for bankruptcy. It's already facing lawsuits over a November blaze in the town of Paradise that killed at least 86 people and destroyed 15,000 homes, though its cause is still under investigation. ___ 12 a.m. California regulators are poised for a bankruptcy declaration by the nation's largest utility as it faces billions of dollars in potential damages from wildfires in the state. Pacific Gas and Electric Corp. had said the decision could come Tuesday. The California Public Utilities Commission scrambled ahead of the deadline to ensure PG&E would have financing that the company says it would need to continue providing electric and gas service under Chapter 11. The four members of the commission voted unanimously Monday at a raucous, hastily announced meeting to exempt PG&E from a longer approval process for bankruptcy credit and loans. The decision cleared a major obstacle to the company's planned bankruptcy filing, but also likely set off a yearslong court battle. Brandon Harami, center, and others yell during a California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. California regulators have approved a measure allowing Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. to immediately obtain credit and loans while the company is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) BEIJING (AP) - U.S. criminal charges against Chinese electronics giant Huawei have sparked a fresh round of trans-Pacific recriminations, with Beijing demanding Tuesday that Washington back off what it called an "unreasonable crackdown" on the maker of smartphones and telecom gear. China's foreign ministry said it would defend the "lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies" but gave no details. Huawei is the No. 2 smartphone maker and an essential player in global communications networks. A day earlier, U.S. prosecutors criminally charged Huawei and several of its officials for allegedly stealing technology secrets and violating Iran sanctions. That followed the detention in Canada of the Huawei founder's daughter - a top company official who was named in one of the U.S. indictments, and who is now awaiting possible extradition to the U.S. Huawei has denied wrongdoing. All that has further complicated U.S.-China relations amid attempts to defuse a trade war instigated by President Donald Trump and clashes over alleged Chinese theft of trade secrets and other intellectual property from U.S. firms. A new round of trade talks are planned for Wednesday in Washington. The nearly two dozen charges unsealed Monday by the Justice Department accuse Huawei of trying to spirit a robot arm and other technology out of a T-Mobile smartphone testing lab. They also allege that Huawei, two subsidiaries and a top executive misled banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions. The allegations mark a new phase in the dispute between the two countries over global technological dominance. The U.S. has reportedly waged a campaign to discourage other nations from using Huawei telecommunications equipment for next-generation "5G" wireless networks, based on concerns that the Huawei gear might compromise national security. FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2018, file photo, a worker holds a sign promoting a sale for Huawei 5G internet services at a mobile phone retail shop in Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong province. China has called on the United States to 'stop the unreasonable crackdown' on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment on charges of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) U.S. intelligence chiefs who briefed Congress on worldwide threats Tuesday sounded the alarm about China's efforts to gain an edge over the United States. "China's pursuit of intellectual property, sensitive research and development plans ... remain a significant threat to the United States government and the private sector," Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "While we were sleeping in the last decade and a half, China had a remarkable rise in capabilities that are stunning," Coats said. "A lot of that was achieved - a significant amount was achieved by stealing information from our companies." On Tuesday, Australia's TPG Telecom said it abandoned plans to build what would have been the country's fourth mobile network because of a government ban on Huawei over security concerns. Last week Vodafone, one of the world's biggest mobile phone companies, said it would stop using Huawei gear in its core networks. U.S. officials have long harbored suspicions that Huawei could be used by Beijing to eavesdrop on sensitive communications and questioned whether the privately-owned company has ties to China's ruling communist party because its founder is a former military engineer. Monday's U.S. charges did not allege that Huawei worked at the Chinese government's direction. A 10-count indictment in Seattle centers on a T-Mobile phone-testing robot dubbed "Tappy." The robot, developed in 2006, helped spot problems in phones before they hit the market by mimicking how people actually use them. Prosecutors say Huawei began a scheme to steal Tappy technology for its own phone-testing robot after T-Mobile rejected its request to license the machine for broader use. The indictment detailed efforts by Huawei engineers to sneak into the highly-restricted Tappy lab. One engineer succeeded in taking unauthorized photos of the robot. Another managed to sneak it out of the lab to take measurements and photos to send back to China. He returned it after being questioned by T-Mobile, prosecutors said. Huawei allegedly offered bonuses in 2013 to employees who stole information from other companies around the world, according to the Seattle indictment, citing emails obtained by the FBI. The bonuses were based on the value of information, which was sent to Huawei using an encrypted email address. In the second indictment, Brooklyn prosecutors charge Huawei with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. They allege Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, lied to banks about those dealings. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested Dec. 1 in Vancouver, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to free her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning an earlier 15-year prison term. Huawei overtook Sweden's LM Ericsson in 2017 to become the No. 1 global seller of network gear. The company says it supplies 45 of the top 50 global phone companies and has signed contracts with 30 carriers to test its next-generation technology. Its smartphone brand, launched in 2010, surpassed Apple Inc. in two quarters of 2018 to become the world's No. 2 seller behind Samsung Electronics Ltd. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders denied that the criminal charges were part of a carrot-and-stick approach to the trade talks. "Those two things are not linked," she said. "They are a totally separate process." Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed Dec. 1 to put off further sanctions against each other's exports while they negotiated a new trade pact. If they don't reach an agreement by March 1, U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese products are set to rise from 10 percent to 25 percent. That prospect has rattled financial markets for months. The Trump administration has accused Beijing of deploying predatory trade tactics, ranging from requiring U.S. and other foreign companies to hand over technology in return for access to the vast Chinese market to outright cyber-theft. The number of economic espionage investigations the FBI is handling has doubled over the last three to four years, "and almost all of them lead back to China," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. ___ Chan reported from London. AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing and AP writers Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Michael Balsamo, Eric Tucker and Christopher Rugaber in Washington, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Tali Arbel in New York contributed. In this Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, photo, staff members work at a mobile phone production line in Huawei factory in Shenzhen city, south China's Guangdong province. China's government called on Washington on Tuesday to "stop the unreasonable crackdown" on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment in the U.S. on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) In this Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, photo, Ren Zhengfei, founder and CEO of Huawei, listens to reporters questions during a round table meeting with the media in Shenzhen city, south China's Guangdong province. China's government called on Washington on Tuesday to "stop the unreasonable crackdown" on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment in the U.S. on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is out on bail and remains under partial house arrest after she was detained Dec. 1 at the behest of American authorities, leaves her home to attend a court appearance regarding her bail conditions, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2018, file photo, a woman browses her smartphone as she walks by a Huawei store at a shopping mall in Beijing. China has called on the United States to 'stop the unreasonable crackdown' on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment on charges of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) FILE - In this July 4, 2018, file photo, the Huawei logo is seen at a Huawei store at a shopping mall in Beijing. China has called on the United States to 'stop the unreasonable crackdown' on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment on charges of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE - This Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, file photo, shows company signage on display near the Huawei office building at its research and development center in Dongguan, in south China's Guangdong province. A federal indictment accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, in the form of a robot designed to automatically test phones for problems. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) ATLANTA (AP) - Budweiser is touring its iconic Clydesdales around Georgia before the Super Bowl starts in Atlanta this weekend. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the large horses were in Marietta on Monday and will appear in Lithia Springs on Tuesday afternoon. Budweiser says its Clydesdales were first introduced in 1933 after Prohibition was repealed. It says the horses serve as symbols of the "unconquerable American spirit," as well as the brand. The Clydesdales head to Sugar Hill on Wednesday and Norcross on Thursday before appearing in Atlanta. The beer company says it will also be donating clean energy to Atlanta throughout the week. The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams will face off Sunday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which was under a winter weather advisory early Tuesday. ___ FILE - In this July 27, 2014, file photo, Budweiser Clydesdale horse named "Victor" is pet after Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. Budweiser is touring its iconic Clydesdales around Georgia before the Super Bowl starts in Atlanta this weekend. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the large horses were in Marietta on Monday and will appear in Litha Springs on Tuesday afternoon. (Jay LaPrete/AP Images for Budweiser, File) Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com PARIS (AP) - Intolerance and conspiracy theories have haunted the margins of France's "yellow vest" movement since the first protests over fuel taxes roused the discontented middle of French society. The men and women in fluorescent safety vests blocking traffic and intimidating shoppers on the famed Champs-Elysees Avenue vent a range of grievances against the government. But over 11 weeks of yellow vest protests, views from the fringes have bubbled through the diffuse and leaderless movement and have been amplified: anti-Semitic rants about banking, a Holocaust survivor harassed on the subway, assaults on journalists, and claims the government concocted terrorist attacks or deadly accidents to divert attention from the demonstrations. There has been scattered violence at the protests, with clashes between participants and riot police, and authorities worry that the extremists have taken over the center of the movement, risking a return to the darker episodes from France's past. On Saturday in Paris, a man in a yellow vest turned toward a journalist filming at the sidelines of an otherwise quiet match, hurled a homophobic epithet and added: "You work for the Jews." No one in the march joined in, but neither did they contradict him. In a more positive sign, a group of several hundred protesters forming a human chain in central Lyon inadvertently converged with a Holocaust commemoration that was planned separately by the city. After the boisterous protesters largely complied with a moment of silence for Holocaust victims, Deputy Mayor Jean-Dominique Durand, who organized the memorial, urged the group to "clean house" of any extremist views. FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 file photo, Herve Ryssen, left, close to the ultra-right and convicted for antisemitic and racist comments, wearing a yellow jacket, clashes with riot police officers on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. Intolerance and conspiracy theories have haunted the margins of France's "yellow vest" movement since the first protests over fuel taxes roused the discontented middle of French society. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu, File) "It was an important moment to show that anti-Semitism has no place here," said yellow vest protester Thomas Rigaud, according to Europe 1 radio. Marchers at one of the first yellow vest rallies in Paris in November held the French flag aloft while chanting "This is our home!" - a double-edged slogan that resonates with the far-right National Rally party, whose leader Marine Le Pen calls it a "cry of love" for France; critics see only anti-immigrant overtones. In December, a group of marchers in Paris' bohemian Montmartre neighborhood proffered an anti-Semitic salute. They sang lyrics associated with Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, a French comedian convicted several times of racism and anti-Semitism. The hand gesture and song are both called the "quenelle," with the gesture mimicking an inverted Nazi salute and the song hinting at Zionist plots. Dieudonne describes them as anti-establishment symbols. On that same day, men in yellow vests harassed an elderly Holocaust survivor on a subway train when she asked them to stop making the gesture, and one of them replied that the gas chambers that had killed her father never existed. A journalist who saw the exchange said no one took the woman's side. France's interior minister said the train operator was trying to identify the men, saying "whether hidden by a yellow vest or in the anonymity of Twitter, anti-Semitism must be fought with all strength." Some of France's most notorious anti-Semitic personalities have been seen at the forefront of some of the Paris protests. One of them, Herve Ryssen, appeared on the cover of the weekly Paris Match, facing police as he stood before the Arc de Triomphe. Ryssen has been convicted repeatedly of anti-Semitism and provoking acts of discrimination. He was convicted again last week for Holocaust denial, a crime in France for decades that harkens back to the country's history of surrendering French Jews to the occupying Nazis to be killed. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux acknowledged that protests varied from town to town, but said last week that some were marked by "paramilitaries close to the extreme right." Among them were Victor Lenta, a former soldier who fought alongside pro-Russian separatist forces in Ukraine. Maxime Nicolle, a YouTube personality who goes by the handle Fly Rider, and Eric Drouet, a trucker who was among the early yellow vest organizers, also have emerged as prominent voices. The Jean Jaures Foundation, a think tank connected with the Socialist Party, studied online activity by Drouet and Nicolle, and said both are tacitly affiliated with France's far-right party. It said Drouet shared anti-migrant videos and provided a Facebook platform for discuss plots involving Zionists, banks, and the media. The study said Nicolle had repeatedly liked videos linked with the party that lost to President Emmanuel Macron. Nicolle has publicly expressed doubts about French authorities' account of a gunman killing five people near a Strasbourg Christmas market in December. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which derailed the next weekend's yellow vest protest. He, like others in the yellow vest movement, said he did not believe it was terrorism and mused that the government benefited from the timing. "I don't trust anything I cannot see," he said. Organizations that track racist and anti-Semitic incidents in France say more of both were reported in 2018, though they haven't finished compiling the data. SOS Racisme, a coalition of groups co-founded by French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy, said it received 587 reports last year, compared with 508 in 2017. The government has not made its final figures public for the year. "I would not say that the movement is anti-Semitic, but I say that these mass movements are always exploited by anti-Semites," said Francis Kalifat, president of CRIF. That was a danger sign for France that the movement "will try to win in the streets what they lost in the vote," he said. Conspiracy videos about the Rothschilds, a French Jewish banking family that frequently is at the center of global conspiracy theories, appear prominently on many of the yellow vest Facebook feeds. Macron - the chief target of the weekly protests because of policies seen as benefiting the wealthy - used to work for the family's investment bank. The Jewish banker-as-scapegoat theme came up repeatedly in conversations with yellow vest marchers Saturday in Paris. Still, several peaceful marchers expressed concern about actions by the radical fringe. The grassroots movement is increasingly seeing divisions between its moderates and extremes. To join two of the most popular Facebook groups for the yellow vests, members must agree to rules including being kind and courteous, and to not incite hatred or harass or insult other participants. On Saturday, at a meeting in northern France, there was little the about 100 delegations could agree upon except an affirmation that they were "neither racist, nor sexist, nor homophobe" - an apparent pushback against the recent allegations. That hasn't stopped Dieudonne, on his 10-minute YouTube shows, from selling his own version of a yellow vest printed with a vulgar reference to Macron and the song heard on the steps of Montmartre. He said he has sold out of the vests, but has ordered another shipment. ___ Associated Press writer Angela Charlton contributed. FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 file photo, Victor Lenta, a former soldier who fought alongside pro-Russian separatist forces in Ukraine, 2nd left with a red beret, demonstrates with yellow vest protesters during a march in Paris. Intolerance and conspiracy theories have haunted the margins of France's "yellow vest" movement since the first protests over fuel taxes roused the discontented middle of French society. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu, File) FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 file picture, activists dressed like Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic, face riot police officers during a yellow vests protest, in Paris. Intolerance and conspiracy theories have haunted the margins of France's "yellow vest" movement since the first protests over fuel taxes roused the discontented middle of French society. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu, File) NEW YORK (AP) - Chinese tech company Huawei went so far as to steal a robot's arm in its bid to get its hands on T-Mobile's trade secrets, the U.S. government alleges. The case over Tappy, T-Mobile's phone-testing robot, portrays a company going to what the government calls illegal lengths to gain access to others' intellectual property. "This indictment shines a bright light on Huawei's flagrant abuse of the law," Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes in Seattle said in a statement. The criminal charges in Seattle were announced the same day the U.S. government unveiled a case in New York that accuses Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive of misleading banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions. Huawei is China's first global technology competitor and one of the world's biggest cellphone companies and makers of telecommunications parts. Huawei has rejected accusations by Washington and some other governments that it is controlled by China's ruling party and might facilitate spying. Some experts say there's no major revelations in Monday's charges, however. "If Tappy is as far as they've gotten on (intellectual property) theft, that seems to be pretty thin gruel for waging a large campaign against Huawei," said Adam Segal, a cybersecurity expert at the Council on Foreign Relations who follows China closely. FILE - This Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, file photo shows a T-Mobile store in New York. A federal indictment accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, in the form of a robot designed to automatically test phones for problems. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) T-Mobile declined to comment. Huawei said in an emailed statement Tuesday that it denies any violations of U.S. law, and that the Tappy allegations were already a settled matter between it and T-Mobile. In a civil lawsuit against Huawei over the robot, a federal jury in Seattle awarded T-Mobile $4.8 million in damages in 2017. Tappy was developed by T-Mobile in 2006 to help spot problems in phones before they hit the market by mimicking how people actually use them. Its aim was to save the company money by having fewer customers return problematic phones. T-Mobile, which is based in Bellevue, Washington, considered Tappy superior to competitors' phone-testing systems, including those using humans. Allegedly, so did Huawei. To try to protect its robot, T-Mobile allowed only a few people from outside the company to have access to Tappy in a special area of its lab. After being approved and trained, these people were subject to confidentiality agreements that forbade them from taking photos or videos of Tappy, or trying to reverse-engineer the robot. Meanwhile, Huawei was looking to break into the U.S. market and improve the quality of its phones. It struck a deal with T-Mobile to sell its devices. Starting in September 2012, T-Mobile let Huawei engineers into the Tappy chamber to test their phones, after Huawei agreed to T-Mobile's conditions. Huawei first asked T-Mobile if it could license Tappy for broader use, but T-Mobile declined. The government says Huawei then began a scheme to steal Tappy technology and apply it to its own phone-testing robot, called xDeviceRobot, in China. Prosecutors say Huawei China pushed employees in the U.S. to find out technical details on Tappy, like the sliding speed of its mechanical arm. But T-Mobile gave only limited answers to their questions. According to the indictment, Huawei employees in the U.S. sent back unauthorized photos of the robot, but ran into roadblocks. One Huawei employee, identified in the indictment only as "R.Y," wrote in a January 2013 email to Huawei China that, "Once again, we CAN'T ask TMO any questions about the robot. TMO is VERY angry the questions that we asked. Sorry we can't deliver any more information to you." The employee suggested Huawei China send its own engineer to the Seattle lab. In May 2013, a Huawei China engineer identified as "F.W." arrived in Seattle and sneaked into T-Mobile's Tappy lab two days in a row, helped by authorized Huawei employees. He was kicked out and banned by T-Mobile, but managed to take photos of Tappy. T-Mobile then banned all Huawei employees from its lab, except for one engineer identified as "A.X," according to the indictment. On May 29, A.X. took a Tappy robot arm out of the lab in his laptop bag. When questioned by T-Mobile, he said he found it in his bag and returned the arm the next day. T-Mobile then took away his access badge. The government says F.W. took detailed measurements and photos of the robot arm while it was missing and sent the details to China. Huawei later told T-Mobile that A.X. and F.W. acted on their own, violated Huawei policies and were fired. The government, however, says it was a broader conspiracy. ___ Frank Bajak in Boston contributed to this report. Our school resource officer was immediately notified and requested additional police assistance, Holmes wrote. As a result, several emergency vehicles arrived at school to assist with handling the situation. At no time were students in danger and there was no disruption to the instructional day. BEIJING (AP) - Huawei is China's first global tech brand and a growing source of tension between Washington and Beijing. Huawei Technologies Ltd. is the biggest supplier of network switching gear used by phone and internet companies. It has spent a decade battling U.S. accusations it is a front for Chinese spying or poses other security risks. Other governments including Australia and Japan are imposing their own curbs on use of Huawei technology. A look at Huawei and controversies surrounding the company: Q: What is Huawei? A: The company founded in 1987 by a former military engineer is a national champion at the head of an industry Beijing is promoting as part of efforts to transform China from a low-wage factory into a technology creator. FILE - In this July 4, 2018, file photo, the Huawei logo is seen at a Huawei store at a shopping mall in Beijing. China has called on the United States to 'stop the unreasonable crackdown' on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment on charges of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) That makes Huawei a political star in China but puts it at the center of tensions over the Communist Party's technology ambitions. Washington and other trading partners say those violate its market-opening obligations and might be based on stolen know-how. Huawei passed Sweden's LM Ericsson in 2017 to become the No. 1 global seller of network gear. The company says it supplies 45 of the top 50 global phone companies and has signed contracts with 30 carriers to test its next-generation technology. Its smartphone brand, launched in 2010, passed Apple Inc. in mid-2018 as the world's No. 2 seller behind Samsung Electronics Ltd. And it has kept growing despite weakness in the global smartphone market. Apple's Jan. 3 announcement of weaker-than-forecast iPhone sales jolted financial markets, but Huawei said its 2018 sales rose 30 percent to more than 200 million handsets. The company says 2018 global revenue should exceed $100 billion. This year's target is $125 billion. Headquartered on a leafy campus in Shenzhen, adjacent to Hong Kong, Huawei has China's biggest corporate research-and-development budget at 89.7 billion yuan ($13 billion) in 2017 - 10 percent more than Apple Inc.'s. Its foreign customers can draw on a multibillion-dollar line of credit from the official China Development Bank. Huawei is more important to Chinese leaders than ZTE Corp., a smaller rival that was nearly driven out of business after Washington blocked it from buying U.S. technology over exports to Iran and North Korea. President Donald Trump restored access after ZTE paid a $1 billion fine, replaced its executives and hired U.S.-picked compliance officers. ___ Q: What are the controversies surrounding Huawei? A: U.S. warnings about Huawei drew attention when a 2012 congressional report said American phone carriers should avoid doing business with the company and with ZTE. Washington gave no evidence but Huawei's U.S. business vanished. The same year, the Australian government barred Huawei and ZTE from bidding on a planned national broadband internet network. On Tuesday, a telecom company that was planning to build Australia's fourth mobile phone network said it would scrap those plans due to a government ban on using technology from Huawei, its main contractor. Japan's cybersecurity agency said last month Huawei and suppliers deemed risky are off-limits for government purchases, effective April 1. U.S. charges unsealed Monday accuse Huawei of violating American sanctions by using a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran. The company is also accused of stealing trade secrets, including technology for a robot used by T-Mobile to test smartphones. The company announced plans in 2017 to start selling smartphones for the first time through a U.S. carrier. Those plans were later canceled, reportedly because of U.S. government pressure on the American partner. Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who is Ren's daughter, was arrested Dec. 1 in Canada on U.S. charges that she lied to banks about Huawei's dealings with Iran. A European Union official, Andrus Ansip, expressed concern last year about Chinese rules requiring tech companies to cooperate with intelligence services. Ansip suggested that might lead to "mandatory backdoors" to allow eavesdropping on computer or telecom systems. China's foreign ministry has complained the security accusations are unfounded and are being promoted by other governments to shield their own companies from Chinese competition. ___ Q: How is the company responding? A: The company denies accusations it is controlled by China's ruling Communist Party, modifies its products to facilitate spying or helps Chinese spies gather information. Huawei, which is privately held and says it is employee-owned, has stepped up efforts to defuse security concerns since Meng's arrest. Ren rarely appears in public. But he spoke to foreign reporters in a 2-hour-long interview on Jan. 15 at Huawei headquarters. He sought to lay to rest accusations Huawei might help Beijing spy on its customers by saying he would reject any government request to disclose their secrets. One of three executives who take turns as Huawei's rotating chairman, Ken Hu, gave a similar interview in December in which he challenged the United States and other governments to disclose evidence to back up accusations about security risks. Huawei also has allowed foreign reporters and photographers to visit some of its research centers for the first time. Huawei has tried to reassure customers by setting up laboratories in Britain, Canada and Germany for governments there to conduct security tests on its software and hardware. ___ Q: What is Huawei's role in next-generation telecom technology? A: Huawei is one of the biggest global developers of fifth-generation telecoms technology, along with Finland's Nokia Corp. and Sweden's LM Ericsson. The 5G technology is meant to vastly expand the reach of networks to support internet-linked medical devices, factory equipment, self-driving cars and other devices. That makes it more politically sensitive and raises the potential cost of security failures and requires more trust in suppliers. Annual sales of 5G network gear are forecast to reach $11 billion by 2022, according to IHS Markit. Huawei has agreements to test 5G equipment with Deutsche Telekom, Bell Canada, France's Bouygues, Telecom Italia, India's Bharti Airtel and carriers in Singapore, South Korea and Ireland. The United States, Australia and Taiwan have barred Huawei from working on 5G networks. Industry analysts and some telecom executives warn that will drastically reduce competition and raise prices for consumers. Washington is pressing allies to shun Huawei, but Germany, France and Ireland say they have no plans to ban any 5G network suppliers. BEIJING (AP) - The Latest on U.S. allegations against Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies (all times local): 3 a.m. A top Chinese executive facing extradition to the United States has appeared in a Canadian court to change one of people who put up bail for her. When Meng was originally granted bail last month, one of the people putting up her bail did not have the proper paperwork needed to pledge his house, so another person stepped forward to supply cash. Tuesday's hearing was to formalize that. Meng is scheduled to return to court on March 6 as she awaits her extradition proceedings to proceed. In this Dec. 18, 2018, photo, a surveillance camera is mounted near the Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong province. The U.S. Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging the company stole trade secrets, misled banks about its business and violated U.S. sanctions. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Huawei also is charged with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. The U.S. alleges Meng lied to banks about those dealings. Meng was arrested Dec. 1 in Vancouver, setting off a political firestorm between China and Canada. ___ 4 p.m. China's foreign ministry has called on Washington to withdraw its request for Canada to extradite a Huawei executive to face charges of lying to banks about possible dealings with Iran. A ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, complained that Washington "has shown disregard for the stern representations" from Beijing over the case of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer. Meng was arrested Dec. 1 in Vancouver. Geng said, "We urge the U.S. to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests." ___ 2:15 p.m. China has urged Washington to "stop the unreasonable crackdown" on Huawei and other companies following the U.S. indictment of the Chinese tech giant. A foreign ministry statement read Tuesday on state TV news complained U.S. authorities "mobilized state power to blacken" some Chinese companies "in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations." It said there was a "strong political motivation and political manipulation." The statement says, "We strongly urge the United States stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei and treat Chinese companies fairly and justly." It says Beijing will "firmly defend" Chinese companies but did not indicate how it might respond to the U.S. indictment of Huawei. ___ 12:35 p.m. Chinese tech giant Huawei denies committing any of the violations cited in a U.S. indictment that accuses the company of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. Huawei Technologies Ltd. said in a statement Tuesday asked to discuss the investigation with U.S. prosecutors following the arrest of its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada in December but that request was rejected. The company noted the allegations in the trade secrets charge already were the subject of a U.S. civil lawsuit that was settled. "The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments," the company statement said. It said Huawei is "not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion." FILE - This Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, file photo, shows company signage on display near the Huawei office building at its research and development center in Dongguan, in south China's Guangdong province. A federal indictment accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, in the form of a robot designed to automatically test phones for problems. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) FILE - This Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, file photo shows a T-Mobile store in New York. A federal indictment accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, in the form of a robot designed to automatically test phones for problems. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) In this Dec. 18, 2018, photo, the logo of Huawei stands on its office building at the research and development centre in Dongguan in south China's Guangdong province. The U.S. Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging the company stole trade secrets, misled banks about its business and violated U.S. sanctions. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Justice Department charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei (all times local): 11:35 p.m. Chinese tech giant Huawei denies committing any of the violations cited in a U.S. indictment that accuses the company of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. Huawei Technologies Ltd. said in a statement Tuesday it asked to discuss the investigation with U.S. prosecutors following the arrest of its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada in December but that request was rejected. The company notes the allegations in the trade secrets charge already are the subject of a U.S. civil lawsuit that has been settled. The statement says, "The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, center, with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray speak Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at the Justice Department in Washington. The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) It also says Huawei is "not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion." ___ 4:45 p.m. The U.S. Justice Department is filing charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei. A 13-count indictment was unsealed Monday in New York charging Huawei, two of its affiliates and a top executive at the company. The charges include bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. A separate case filed in Washington state charges Huawei with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. Meng Wanzhou, the company's chief financial officer, was arrested in Canada on Dec. 1. Prosecutors allege she committed fraud by misleading American banks about Huawei's business deals in Iran. Prosecutors charge Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia's prime minister on Tuesday raised the prospect of the nation suffering its first economic recession in 28 years if the opposition wins general elections due by late May. Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined his conservative government's economic credentials in a speech in which he promised to detail in April Australia's first surplus annual budget in a decade. "Only half of those of voting age at this election will have ever experienced a recession during their working lives," Morrison said. "I don't want them to learn how important a strong economy is to each and every single one of them by having them endure the cruel lessons of a weaker economy that would occur under the Labor Party," he added. Opposition leader Bill Shorten accused Morrison of fearmongering. "They've run out of anything to say about themselves, all they can do is talk about us," Shorten told reporters. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison grimaces during a speech in Brisbane, Australia Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Morrison has raised the prospect of the nation suffering its first economic recession in 28 years if the opposition wins general elections due by late May. (Darren England/AAP Image via AP) Australia had not experienced recession - defined at consecutive quarters of economic contraction - since July 1, 1991. Updated Treasury Department forecasts released last month showed Australia's economy is expected to expand by 2.75 percent in the current fiscal year ending June 30 and by 3 percent the following year. Deloitte Access Economics, an economic forecaster, predicted on Tuesday Australia's economy will be affected by slower global growth in the next two years. The forecaster also said Australia's growth would be weighed down by tightening credit, widespread drought and falling rates of housing construction. The government argues the center-left Labor Party opposition was a threat to the economy through its policy of reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The government's target is a reduction of 26-to-28 percent in the same timeframe. The government also opposes Labor plans to reduce tax deductions for landlords as property prices moderate in Australia's largest cities. Morrison argues that Labor would raise 200 billion Australian dollars ($175 billion) with new and higher taxes that would weaken economic growth. The government has been trailing Labor in most opinion polls since in the last election in 2016. The ruling coalition lost its single-seat majority in the House of Representatives - where parties form governments - when former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull quit politics after colleagues ousted him as leader in August last year. The respected Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper on Tuesday showed 53 percent of respondents supported Labor and only 47 percent supported Morrison's coalition. The poll was based on a nationwide survey of 1,634 voters last weekend. It had a 2.5 percentage-point margin of error. ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of a Christian woman who spent eight years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy, dealing a blow to radical Islamists who had staged violent mass protests last year calling for her execution. Aasia Bibi watched from a secret location as the decision was announced on television, according to a friend who was on the phone with her at the time. He said Bibi's first thought upon hearing the news was that she would soon be able to join her daughters in Canada, where they have been granted asylum. The friend spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety. Bibi, her lawyer and the Supreme Court judges who eventually freed her have all received death threats from radical Islamists, and a small army of police and paramilitary Rangers was on hand to guard the courthouse and surrounding area on Tuesday. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and the mere accusation can spark mob violence and lynchings. A provincial governor who defended Bibi was shot and killed, as was a government minority minister who questioned the blasphemy law. Thousands of Islamists took to the streets and clashed with police after Bibi's initial acquittal on Oct. 31, but there were no such protests this time, perhaps because of the heightened security presence and a nationwide police sweep that arrested hundreds of supporters of radical religious parties from their homes on Monday. Since her acquittal, Bibi has lived in hiding at an undisclosed location protected by Pakistani security forces who have kept her confined to her quarters, unable to even open a window. She speaks daily to her daughters in Canada, and worries about her 19-year-old, who has learning challenges, the friend said. Pakistani troops surround the Supreme Court building as security is beefed up during the hearing of blasphemy case against Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Pakistan's top court is to decide Tuesday whether to uphold its acquittal of the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, a move that would finally set her free and allow her to join her daughters, who have fled to Canada where they have been given asylum. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) "I am really grateful to everybody. Now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters," he quoted Bibi as saying after the ruling was announced. Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Malook, who returned to Islamabad for the hearing after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistan's constitution and rule of law. The three-judge Supreme Court panel had "insisted on very strict proofs of blasphemy" and found none, Malook said, expressing hope that Bibi's acquittal would deter false allegations. "This case is a milestone for Pakistan, given that the law is often unkind to religious minorities," said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center. He cautioned that Pakistan's courts are still susceptible to political pressure, but said the Supreme Court's actions represented a "legal watershed." The court did not question the blasphemy law itself, which critics say is often used to settle scores or intimidate followers of minority religions, including Shiite Muslims. Bibi's ordeal began on a hot day in 2009 when she brought water to fellow farmhands who refused to drink from the same container as a Christian woman. Two of her fellow farmworkers argued with Bibi and later accused her of insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Bibi, who has always denied the allegations, was sentenced to death the following year. Pakistan's Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, who led the panel that upheld Bibi's acquittal, said in court that Bibi's accusers were guilty of perjury and that if the case had not been so sensitive, they should have been jailed for life. "The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow," Khosa said. Much of the evidence presented against Bibi was suspicious, and some of it appeared to be fabricated, he said, adding that the cleric who lodged the initial charge of blasphemy gave contradictory statements that were unchallenged in the trial. Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer representing the cleric who petitioned for a review of the sentence, denied that any witnesses had given false testimony. Following Bibi's initial acquittal, radical religious parties took to the streets in mass protests, calling for the killing of the judges behind the ruling and for the overthrow of Prime Minister Imran Khan's government. They also filed the last-minute appeal for a review of the acquittal. The protests were spearheaded by the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik party, whose single point agenda is protection of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. After days of protests, authorities arrested radical clerics Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Mohammad Afzal Qadri, both leaders of the party, and several of their followers for destroying public property during rallies against Bibi and for inciting their followers to violence. The clerics and the others remain in custody. The group called for protests again, but Pakistani media say police arrested hundreds of party activists in Lahore, Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi on Monday in an apparent attempt to prevent a repeat of last year's unrest. After the court ruling, Mohammad Shafiq Amini, the acting chief of Tehreek-e-Labbaik, issued a video message rejecting Tuesday's decision as "cruel and unjust." He said Muslims should feel ashamed that Bibi was not executed and asked the Prophet Muhammad for "forgiveness that we could not do anything, and that blasphemers are alive." He again asked the party's supporters to fill the jails across Pakistan by getting arrested for protesting, but by late Tuesday there were no signs of mass protests. Joseph Francis, a Christian activist who attended Tuesday's hearing, said the decision was good news for Pakistan's minority Christian community. "I am happy because the judges spoke out strongly against giving false evidence," he said. Human rights activist Tahira Abdullah said religion and politics have become a "horrible jumble" in Pakistan. Tuesday's decision could have a "deterrent effect," she said, "but knowing the political mileage to be gained from false charges of blasphemy, I doubt it." ___ Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed. FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2010 file photo, Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman, listens to officials at a prison in Sheikhupura near Lahore, Pakistan. Pakistan's top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of Bibi, who had been sentenced to death for blasphemy, clearing the last legal hurdle and freeing her to leave the country in a move that dealt a blow to radical Islamists who had demanded her execution. (AP Photo, File) Saiful Malook, center, lawyer of Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi who is facing blasphemy charges, arrives at the Supreme Court, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Bibi acquitted of blasphemy faces a final legal hurdle in the court that could guarantee her freedom, allowing her to join her daughters. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) Pakistani troops surround the Supreme Court building as security is beefed up during the hearing of blasphemy case against Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Pakistan's top court is to decide Tuesday whether to uphold its acquittal of the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, a move that would finally set her free and allow her to join her daughters, who have fled to Canada where they have been given asylum. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) Saiful Malook, center, lawyer of Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi who is facing blasphemy charges, arrives at the Supreme Court, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Bibi acquitted of blasphemy faces a final legal hurdle in the court that could guarantee her freedom, allowing her to join her daughters. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) Pakistani human rights activists Tahira Abdullah gives the victory sign after the Supreme Court's decision in favor of Aasia Bibi who was facing blasphemy charges, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Pakistan's top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, clearing the last legal hurdle and freeing her to leave the country in a move that dealt a blow to radical Islamists who had demanded her execution. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) Saiful Malook, left, lawyer of Aasia Bibi shakes hands with Pakistani Christian leader Joseph Francis after the Supreme Court's decision in favor of Bibi who was facing blasphemy charges, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Pakistan's top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, clearing the last legal hurdle and freeing her to leave the country in a move that dealt a blow to radical Islamists who had demanded her execution. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) Saiful Malook, left, lawyer of Aasia Bibi, who was facing blasphemy charges, speaks to reporters with Pakistani Christian leader Joseph Francis after the Supreme Court's decision in favor of Bibi, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Pakistan's top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, clearing the last legal hurdle and freeing her to leave the country in a move that dealt a blow to radical Islamists who had demanded her execution. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, left, the lawyer for the cleric who lodged the charge of blasphemy against Aasia Bibi, addresses a news conference with his team, at the Supreme Court, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Pakistan's top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, clearing the last legal hurdle and freeing her to leave the country in a move that dealt a blow to radical Islamists who had demanded her execution. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) Pakistani police officers arrest a man at a protest against the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who was facing blasphemy charges, in Lahore, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Pakistan's top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of Bibi. Radical Islamists protesters were stymied by sweeping arrests and the deployment of a small army of police and paramilitary Rangers outside the Supreme Court in the capital Islamabad. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australian company TPG Telecom said on Tuesday it had abandoned the rollout of what would have been the country's fourth mobile network because of a ban on Chinese giant Huawei, which would have been the main equipment vendor. In light of the ban announced in August, "that upgrade path has now been blocked," TPG's statement said. Australia blocked Huawei and Chinese mobile device maker ZTE Corp. from its 5G network due to security concerns. The government said involvement of a company "likely to be subject to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government" presented too much risk. Several governments have been scrutinizing Huawei over its links to the Chinese government. The private Chinese company started by a former People's Liberation Army major in 1987 suffered a setback in the U.S. market in 2012 when a congressional report said it was a security risk and warned phone companies not to buy its equipment. The U.S. Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions. The company is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. A bus branded with TPG ads goes past as a man uses his phone at a bus stop in Sydney, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. TPG Telecom said it had abandoned the rollout of what would have been Australia's fourth mobile network because of the government's ban on Chinese giant Huawei, which would have been the main equipment vendor. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on Dec. 1 in Canada. TPG said it had explored other options but concluded "it does not make commercial sense to invest further shareholder funds ... in a network that cannot be upgraded to 5G." TPG executive chairman David Teoh said: "It is extremely disappointing that the clear strategy the company had to become a mobile network operator at the forefront of 5G has been undone by factors outside TPG's control." Some analysts suspect TPG's abandonment of its mobile network plan could be focused on a deal to merge the company with Vodafone Hutchison Australia, Australia's third largest telecommunications provider. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the competition watchdog, raised concerns last month that the 15 billion Australian dollar ($11 million) deal which would give Vodafone a majority stake in the merged entity would reduce competition in the Australian market. TPG not going ahead with a fourth mobile network could ease the watchdog's competition concerns about TPG sharing a network with Vodafone, telecommunications analyst Paul Budde said. "That's an easy way out for them to now go to just simply one network," Budde told Australian Broadcasting Corp. "It's really a sad day for competition because you're left with three players." TPG said it is the second largest internet service provider in Australia and is the largest mobile virtual network operator. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging the company stole trade secrets, misled banks about its business and violated U.S. sanctions. In a statement, Huawei denied committing any of the violations cited in the indictment. The charges were announced just before a crucial two-day round of trade talks between the United States and China are scheduled to begin in Washington. Trade analysts say they could dim prospects for a breakthrough. The sweeping indictments accuse the company of using extreme efforts to steal trade secrets from American businesses - including trying to take a piece of a robot from a T-Mobile lab. The executive charged is Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested in Canada last month. The U.S. is seeking to extradite her, alleging she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. David Martin, Meng's lawyer in Canada, didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver and her case is due back in court Tuesday as she awaits extradition proceedings to begin. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, center, with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray speak Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at the Justice Department in Washington. The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. "The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments," the company statement said. Huawei is "not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng," it added, "and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion." Prosecutors say Huawei did business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and Meng misled U.S. banks into believing the two companies were separate. "As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August, we need more law enforcement cooperation with China," acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said at a news conference with other Cabinet officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. "China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies - and China should take action." The officials provided details from a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. Among the accusations, prosecutors say Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device that T-Mobile used to test smartphones. Beginning in 2012, Huawei hatched a plan to steal information about T-Mobile's robot, named "Tappy," and Huawei engineers secretly took photos of the robot, measured it and tried to steal a piece of it from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state, according to prosecutors. T-Mobile declined to comment. The Huawei case has set off diplomatic spats among the United States, China and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China. But Ross said Monday that the indictments are "wholly separate from our trade negotiations with China." The two countries agreed Dec. 1 to negotiate for 90 days in an effort to defuse worsening trade tensions. Trump has postponed a scheduled increase in U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent during the talks. A breakdown in negotiations would likely lead to higher tariffs, a prospect that has rattled financial markets for months. Monday's announcement of criminal charges "is certainly not a propitious sign for U.S.-China trade tensions and could hamper prospects for even a partial deal in the coming weeks," said Eswar Prasad, an economics professor and China expert at Cornell University. There is no allegation Huawei was working at the direction of the Chinese government. In past instances, the U.S. government has singled out Beijing in corporate or digital espionage and has recently charged several Chinese hackers and intelligence officials. The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder at Vancouver's airport, has led to the worst relations between Canada and China since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. ___ Associated Press writers Christopher Rugaber in Washington, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Tali Arbel in New York contributed to this report. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - NBC's Tom Brokaw drew strong criticism for saying that Hispanics needed to work harder at assimilating and learning English. Megan Neely, a Duke University graduate studies director, also sparked anger for warning international Asian students in an email against speaking Chinese in public. Both later apologized. Beliefs that Hispanics and Asians living in the U.S. won't assimilate or refuse to speak English are based on stereotypes that scholars say are linked to notions of white supremacy. Throughout American history, Hispanics and Asians have been pressured to adopt the customs of the mainstream white population. The pressure came even as some laws forbade them from voting, intermarrying and having access to education and public facilities. Here's a look at how stereotypes have been levied at Latinos and Asians over generations: CULTURE AND LAND Missouri-raised Stephen F. Austin convinced the government of Mexico in 1822 to allow 300 white American families to live in Texas. The area already had Mexican settlers. FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2018, file photo, journalist Tom Brokaw speaks during the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awards ceremony in New York. Brokaw says he feels terrible that he offended some Hispanics with his comments on "Meet the Press" Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, that Hispanics should work harder at assimilation. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File) After American southern whites and Tejanos successful defeated Mexico's Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to gain Texas independence, Tejanos were looked upon with suspicion for using two languages and keeping their Catholic faith and traditions. White settlers violently removed Tejanos from some lands on the beliefs that their refusal to adopt American southern traditions showed remained "loyal" to Mexico. David Montejano's 1987 book, "Anglos and Mexicans in the Making of Texas, 1836-1986," showed that some poor whites married into the remaining Mexican-American elite families. Through marriage, whites took over large ranch holdings while those Hispanic families slowly lost their ethnic identities. Some Latinos in California were subjected to state's ban on interracial marriage. ASIAN MIGRANTS According to the Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project at Stanford University, thousands of Chinese migrants came to the U.S. to help build the nation's first transcontinental railroad in the mid-1800s. The migrants took agricultural jobs, join factory work and became entrepreneurs. Most sent money back to China or worked to repay merchants who brought them to the U.S. As the migrants' number grew, so did anti-Chinese sentiment over their economic successes. California passed a number of measures targeting Chinese migrants from requiring special business licenses and work permits aimed at preventing them from becoming U.S. citizens. Facing the exclusion into American life, Chinese migrants also faced criticism for an alleged lack of desire to adopt white mainstream customs from religion to learning English. Amid the discrimination, the migrants formed tight-knit communities as a means of support. Finally, the U.S. Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, limiting all immigration of Chinese laborers. WORLD WAR II Facing intense discrimination, Mexican Americans and Asian Americans used the war to prove their loyalty to the U.S. by volunteering to serve. They joined the U.S. Army and Marines even as restaurants refused to serve their families and the federal government began detaining Japanese Americans in internment camps. The populations emphasized their desire to speak English and civil rights groups celebrated examples of bravery overseas. When Latino and Asian American soldiers returned home, they found old racial barriers still in place and joined forces to fight discrimination in the court. The 1947 Mendez v. Westminster case, which ruled that segregation of school children in California was unconstitutional, came as a result of Latino and Japanese-American civil rights groups working together. In Texas, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a returning veteran, formed the American G.I. Forum aimed at helping Mexican American veteran fight discrimination and poverty. The group encouraged Latinos to speak English, to remain loyal to the U.S. and sought restrictions against immigrants in the country illegally. Despite his emphasis on assimilation, Garcia received death threats. "No matter how hard Latinos and Asian Americans go out of their way to assimilate and perfect their Americaness, race always comes up," Anthony C. Ocampo, a Cal Poly Pomona sociology professor, said. ____ Associated Press journalist Russell Contreras is a member of the AP's race and ethnicity team. Follow Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras FILE - In this May 1943 file photo, Aiko Sumoge, an assistant teacher, leads a kindergarten class in singing an English folk song at the internment relocation center for Japanese Americans in Tulelake, Calif., during World War II. Beliefs that Hispanics and Asians living in the U.S. won't assimilate or refuse to speak English are based on stereotypes that scholars say are linked to notions of white supremacy. Throughout American history, Hispanics and Asians have been pressured to adopt the customs of the mainstream white population. The pressure came even as some laws forbade them from voting, intermarrying and having access to education and public facilities. (AP Photo, File) FILE - This Dec. 7, 1941 file photo shows a Japanese man under arrest in the roundup at Norfolk, Va., being searched by a policeman after Japan's declaration of war on the U.S. Beliefs that Hispanics and Asians living in the U.S. won't assimilate or refuse to speak English are based on stereotypes that scholars say are linked to notions of white supremacy. Throughout American history, Hispanics and Asians have been pressured to adopt the customs of the mainstream white population. The pressure came even as some laws forbade them from voting, intermarrying and having access to education and public facilities. (AP Photo, File) UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that hatred of Jews is getting worse, saying that "we must rise up against rising anti-Semitism." He told the U.N.'s annual commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day that anti-Semitic incidents in the United States increased 57 percent in 2017, according to the Anti-Defamation League. He said the European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency reported last year that 28 percent of Jews experienced some form of harassment just for being Jewish. The U.N. chief also pointed to attempts to rewrite the history of the Holocaust, during which 6 million Jews and many others were murdered by Adolf Hitler's forces during the Nazi occupation of Europe in World War II. Guterres also warned that neo-Nazi group are proliferating and recruiting the disaffected and people with military experience. The massacre three months ago at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh by a heavily armed man shouting "All Jews must die" was in keeping with the neo-Nazis' "advocacy of violent, so-called 'lone wolf' attacks," the secretary-general said. The man killed 11 worshippers in the worst anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. "Inevitably, where there is anti-Semitism, no one else is safe," Guterres said. "Across the world, we are seeing a disturbing rise in other forms of bigotry." Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of United Nations addresses the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) He pointed to attacks and persecution aimed at Muslims in several countries, at Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, at the Yazidi minority in Iraq, and at others, "simply for who they are." "Intolerance today spreads at lightning speed across the internet and social media," Guterres said. "Perhaps most disturbingly, hate is moving into the mainstream - in liberal democracies and authoritarian systems alike." He said political discourse is being coarsened and "the demonization of others rages on." "Such hatred is easy to uncork, and very hard to put back in the bottle," he warned. International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the liberation of the Nazi's Auschwitz death camp 74 years ago, and Guterres said it is imperative to heed the lessons of the Holocaust, especially by keeping its memory alive. But he cited a recent poll in Europe that said one-third of people surveyed reported knowing "little or nothing about the Holocaust." Among millennials, "some two-thirds had no idea Auschwitz was a death camp," he said. "Education is crucial - about the Holocaust, about genocide and crimes against humanity, about racism and the history of slavery," Guterres said. "And we must stand up to those who disseminate hatred," he said. NEW YORK (AP) - The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, its harshest economic punishment to date against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. and other countries no longer recognize as the legitimate leader of the South American country. Here's a look at how the measures might affect both the U.S. and Venezuela. ___ WHAT SANCTIONS DID THE U.S. ANNOUNCE? The Trump administration did not directly ban imports of Venezuelan crude oil. Instead, it blocked U.S. companies from entering into financial transactions with the state-owned oil company that's known by its acronym PDVSA. That's for as long as PDVSA remains under control of Maduro's government. That means that any payment for Venezuelan crude imports will go to blocked bank accounts, according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The measure almost certainly means Maduro's government will seek to redirect its U.S. exports to other countries. FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2015 file photo, the sun sets behind an oil well in a field near El Tigre, a town within Venezuela's Hugo Chavez oil belt, formally known as the Orinoco Belt. Venezuelan oil exports to the U.S. have declined steadily over the years, falling particularly sharply over the past decade as its production plummeted amid its long economic and political crisis. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File) ___ HOW DEPENDENT IS THE U.S. ON VENEZUELAN OIL? Venezuelan oil exports to the U.S. have declined sharply in recent years as its production plummeted amid an economic collapse. The U.S. imports less than 500,000 barrels a day of Venezuelan crude, down from more than 1.2 million barrels a day in 2008, according to the Energy Information Administration. Venezuela is still among the top four suppliers of crude oil to the United States, though it now only supplies about 6 percent of imports. Most Venezuelan exports go to refineries in the Gulf Coast, which are equipped to process the type of heavy grade crude that Venezuelan produces. Many of those companies gradually reduced Venezuelan imports over the past two years, though Gulf Coast refineries still depend on Venezuelan crude for about a quarter of their imports, according to data from the EIA. ___ HOW WOULD THE U.S. REPLACE VENEZUELAN OIL? There's no shortage of oil in the world right now, with global supplies hitting a record last summer. The International Energy Agency said in September that the global oil supply reached 100 million barrels a day for the first time ever in August, boosted by rising production in the U.S. and several OPEC nations. A report from the American Petroleum Institute last week said that the U.S. has surplus gasoline stockpiles that "could approach burdensome levels" and force gas prices down further. But supply is tighter for heavy crude oil, which is what the U.S. imports from Venezuela. Production of heavy crude in Mexico has been declining, and although there is a strong supply in Canada, there are challenges to getting that crude to the Gulf Coast refineries. Heavy crude production the Middle East also declined with the most recent round of OPEC output cuts. John Auers, executive vice president of the refining consultancy Turner, Mason & Company, said Gulf Coast refineries have been switching to lighter or medium grade crude amid the tight supply of heavy crude. But the tighter market for heavy crude also means that those companies that are most reliant on Venezuelan crude will have a harder time finding alternatives. Auers said they would likely turn to the Middle East, particularly Iraq. He also said that more supply from Colombia and Mexico could be redirected to the U.S. if Venezuela redirects its own exports to Asian customers. ___ WHAT U.S. BUSINESSES WOULD BE MOST AFFECTED BY AN EMBARGO? Refineries along the Gulf Coast are set up to process heavy crude and they may end up spending more money buying it elsewhere. Valero, Chevron and Citgo are among the largest importers of Venezuelan crude. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which represents 95 percent of the refining sector, has lobbied hard over the past two years against any attempts to restrict imports of Venezuelan oil, arguing it would hurt U.S. companies while Venezuela could redirect its exports to other markets. However, the group has been less public in its opposition in recent weeks as the Trump administration hinted at looming oil sanctions. The association offered a muted response Monday, promising to work with the U.S. government "to minimize any unnecessary disruptions or negative impacts to the market and American consumers." Directives sent Friday to the U.S. Federal Reserve will make it very hard for Maduro to access Venezuela's overseas assets and earnings, including those from Citgo, a major source of revenue for the bankrupt government. The future of Citgo, a Texas company that is a subsidiary of PDVSA, hangs in the balance. It is expected that the U.S. will hand control of the company to people selected by Juan Guaido, the interim president recognized by the U.S. Maduro would then likely stop paying back loans to Russia's Rosneft, which in turn could execute a lien giving it 49.9 percent control of company. ___ WOULD GAS PRICES GO UP? Consumers probably won't feel much pain at the pump. While a cutoff of Venezuelan imports would raise prices for refiners in the Gulf Coast, the market is competitive enough that producers are unlikely to pass along much of the cost to consumers, experts said. ___ HOW WOULD SANCTIONS AFFECT VENEZUELA? With these sanctions, Venezuela stands to lose one of its most important sources of income and desperately needed foreign currency. National security adviser John Boston said he expects the sanctions will result in more than $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year. Venezuela sends 41 percent of its oil exports to the U.S. Critically, U.S. refiners are among the few customers that pay cash to Venezuela for its oil. That's because Venezuela's oil shipments to China and Russia are usually taken as repayment for billions of dollars in debts. The U.S. sanctions are certain to make it more difficult for Venezuela to purchase food and more imports, deepening a severe recession that has forced millions of people to flee the country. Venezuela has already virtually stopped paying $65 billion in outstanding government and PDVSA bonds. Ask local politicians what they think should be done to encourage investment at Security Square Mall located in Woodlawn at the intersection of Interstate 70 and the Baltimore Beltway and theyll say that Security Square is a prime location, in part because it is designated as a Maryland Opportunity Zone that provides federal tax incentives to those who invest in certain communities around the state. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A private school in Maryland confirmed Monday that 10 adults in positions of authority engaged in sexual misconduct or inappropriate relationships with students from the 1970s through the early 1990s, and that the school failed to protect students from them. The Key School said at least 16 former students were subjected to the abuse. Officials there released the report on the school's website after an investigation that began in April, initiated by the school. School officials said in a statement the report's findings "left us in shock" and described them as "inexcusable." The school's administration and board of trustees said they took steps after becoming aware of social media posts discussing inappropriate interactions between former faculty members and students in the 1970s. "Reading this report is incredibly difficult," said a letter sent from Key to the school's community along with the 41-page report. "Actions, and inaction, described within are hard to process and have left us in shock and dismay. It is clear that adults at Key in the past abused, mistreated and failed to protect children entrusted to them." The letter also said it is evident that reports of misconduct from the past, made years later, were neither acknowledged nor addressed as they should have been by previous leaders at the school. In this Jan. 14, 2019, photo, Carolyn Surrick poses for a photo on the back porch of her home in Annapolis, Md. Surrick has spoken publicly about being sexually abused by two teachers in the 1970s at Key School and wrote about her experience on social media using the hastag #KeyToo, a reference to the #MeToo movement. The Associated Press doesn't normally name victims of sex crimes, but Surrick said she wants to be identified. (AP Photo/Brian Witte) "What happened is inexcusable," the letter said. Investigators from a Baltimore law firm interviewed 57 people over eight months. The school said there are no allegations of misconduct against any current member of the school's faculty, staff or administration in the report. "Key School today is a very different place than the environment described in the report," the school wrote in the letter. "Our commitment to our students and families is our top priority, and we work proactively to ensure the safety and well-being of all students." Carolyn Surrick, who said she was abused by two teachers beginning when she was 13 in the 1970s, has been trying to make the misconduct public for more than 25 years. Surrick, 59, has spoken publicly about her experience and wrote about it on social media last January using the hashtag #KeyToo, a reference to the #MeToo movement in which women have spoken out about sexual harassment and assault. "Because of #MeToo and because it's finally time, people started talking about this, and I held on to this history in my head for so many years and now I don't have to," Surrick said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. "People have said their truth. They have told the truth, and it's a completely new world." The Associated Press doesn't normally name victims of sex crimes but Surrick said she wants to be identified. One other accuser had spoken publicly before the woman's efforts to raise awareness. Five additional women later came forward to say they were sexually abused by teachers in the 1970s. The school was founded in 1958 by professors from nearby St. John's College, known for its course of study founded on discussions of the Great Books of western civilization. With more than 600 students, it engages children from 2.5 years of age through grade 12 in what its website describes as a progressive, coeducational college-preparatory program. Annual tuition is $28,350 for the upper school. The report noted the school fostered an atmosphere of independent thinking even in young children, as well as an informal and progressive social atmosphere. "As set forth below, however, our investigation confirmed allegations that in the 1970s a group of teachers took advantage of this atmosphere, abusing their roles as teachers to sexually exploit students and targeting in many cases students who were members of families suffering from various pressures resulting in less family supervision." The report also found that the school failed to protect students from those teachers, and there were adults in the Key School community, including members of the faculty and staff, administrators, and board members "who were aware of the abuse and inappropriate conduct and chose not to intervene." The report marks the latest investigation outlining abuse that occurred decades earlier at a private school. In 2017, an investigation at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, detailed abuse by at least a dozen former educators who sexually molested students over four decades. St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island, agreed in 2017 to a sexual abuse settlement that provided compensation for up to 30 former students who were assaulted. In 2015, an investigation at the elite Horace Mann School in New York City identified more than 60 former students who said they were sexually abused from the 1960s through the 1990s. The Boston Globe found in 2016 that 67 private schools in New England faced accusations of sexual misconduct since 1991. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Civil rights groups demanded Monday that Texas officials walk back their recent suggestion that tens of thousands of non-citizens may have voted in the state since 1996, an announcement that spurred President Donald Trump to renew unsubstantiated claims of rampant voter fraud. The ACLU, along with a dozen other voter and minority rights groups, sent state election officials a letter calling the state's method for identifying non-citizens "deeply flawed" and warning that local officials who took voters off their rolls based on those records risk violating federal law. The backlash came after the Texas secretary of state's office announced Friday that 95,000 people identified as non-citizens in the state's driver's license and ID databases appeared to match individuals in voter registration records. About 58,000 of those people voted in at least one election, state officials said. Trump seized on the announcement over the weekend, tweeting: "58,000 non-citizens voted in Texas, with 95,000 non-citizens registered to vote. These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. All over the country, especially in California, voter fraud is rampant. Must be stopped. Strong voter ID!" But on Monday, several Texas county election chiefs said they didn't know how many of these alleged matches would hold up once they investigated. Even Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Trump ally who said last week his office was ready to prosecute cases, told supporters in a fundraising email that "many of these individuals may have been naturalized before registering and voting, which makes their conduct perfectly legal." FILE - In this May 1, 2018, file photo, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference in Austin, Texas. Civil rights groups are asking Texas officials to walk back a letter that questioned the citizenship of thousands of voters and prompted President Donald Trump to renew unsubstantiated claims of rampant voter fraud. Paxton told supporters in a fundraising email Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, that many of those people could have become citizens and voted legally. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File) Nearly 16 million people in Texas are registered to vote. The potential non-citizen matches found by the state go back as far as 1996, said Sam Taylor, a spokesman for the Texas secretary of state's office. Taylor said Monday that his office used "our strongest possible matching criteria to make sure each of the matches was the same person." He said that although county election chiefs were instructed Friday in a written advisory to treat the names as "WEAK matches" while they investigate, Taylor said it did not "mean the criteria used to match the names was weak." But voting rights groups remain skeptical about the list, which has not been made public. "The methodology your office apparently employed to identify such voters looks deeply flawed, and its origins and intent are highly suspect," the letter reads. Lisa Wise, the election administer in El Paso County along the U.S.-Mexico border, said she received a list of 4,100 potential non-citizens. She said her office would investigate, but that after a first scan she could tell all of the names wouldn't hold up. Wise said that at naturalization ceremonies for new U.S. citizens, her office registers between 150 and 200 to people alone. "Anything is possible," she said. "But I can tell just from our list, and I don't know what anyone else's looks like, but I can tell that universe is going to continue to shrink." ___ Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber FILE - In this March 6, 2018 file photo, voters take to the polls in the primary election at West University Elementary in Houston. The ACLU and other groups slammed Texas elections officials who say they found 95,000 people identified as non-citizens who had a matching voter registration record. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton now says many of them could have become citizens and voted legally. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, File) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Tens of thousands of parolees would be allowed to vote under a state constitutional amendment proposed Monday by California's secretary of state and Democratic lawmakers who called it the next civil rights issue. The proposal intended for the 2020 ballot would help nearly 50,000 felons who have served their time adjust to being back in the community, said California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and other advocates. Parolees currently are prohibited from registering to vote in local, state or federal elections. California is one of several states that have or are considering expanding voting rights for felons. The proposal would include murderers, rapists and others convicted of violent crimes. It would not affect criminals until they are released from custody, unlike in some other states. The proposal continues California's pattern in recent years of reducing sentences and increasing earlier releases from prison, said Christine Ward, executive director of the Crime Victims Action Alliance. "Why should the individuals who committed these horrible crimes be given the same rights as the rest of us who are following the rules?" Ward said. Democrats control the two-thirds legislative majorities needed to put the measure on the ballot, but the amendment's author, Assemblyman Kevin McCarty of Sacramento, predicted it will not be an easy vote. Reality star Kim Kardashian tweeted a photo of herself with McCarty on the Assembly floor supporting the proposal. She did not attend his amendment announcement, but McCarty's office said she was in the Capitol supporting criminal justice reforms. Secretary of State Alex Padilla discusses a proposed constitutional amendment to allow parolees to vote as the amendment's author, Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, right, looks on during a news conference at the Capitol, Monday Jan. 28, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) It advances California's efforts to make voting easier and more inclusive while some other states are limiting voting rights, said Padilla, who noted that inmates are disproportionately minorities. "What we know all too well (is) that the inmate population and those in the justice system throughout California are disproportionately people of color, both men and women," said Padilla, a Democrat starting his second four-year term as the state's chief elections official. Advocates said about 6 million Americans are unable to vote nationwide because they are felons or ex-felons. Fourteen other states and Washington, D.C., already allow felons to vote after their release from prison, said Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove of Los Angeles, who called it "the civil rights issue of the day." "I'm citizen enough to tax but I'm not citizen enough to vote," said Michael Mendoza, policy director for the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. He said he was released on lifetime parole in 2014 after he was convicted as an adult of a second-degree murder he committed at age 15. The pool of potential voters in the battleground state of Florida grew by as many as 1.4 million people earlier this month after nearly two-thirds of voters there allowed registration by ex-convicts who completed their probation or parole, with the exception of those convicted of murder or sex offenses. Starting in March, Louisiana will allow anyone on probation or parole to vote once they've been out of custody for five years, unless they've been convicted of a felony election offense. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon earlier this month proposed restoring voting rights for felons when they are released from prison instead of when they finish supervised release. The proposed California constitutional amendment contains no exemptions based on type of crime. But the California amendment would not go so far as Maine and Vermont, which allow felons to vote while they are behind bars. Lawmakers in Nebraska and New Mexico have proposed allowing voting in prison. Crime victims groups plan to fight the measure, though both sides may have limited financial resources. Voting should be an incentive for ex-convicts to successfully complete their parole, said Nina Salarno, president of Crime Victims United of California. "Just because they've are out on parole doesn't mean they have completed their sentence," she said. Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, discusses his proposed constitutional amendment to allow parolees to vote as Secretary of State Alex Padilla, right, looks on during a news conference at the Capitol, Monday Jan. 28, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Duke University moved quickly Monday to offer apologies, launch an investigation and reassure a core group of graduate scholars after a medical school administrator sent an email warning Chinese students to speak in English. The administrator's message - which suggested students could face consequences - came at a time when Duke and other elite U.S. universities are working hard to remain attractive to top international students despite negative rhetoric toward foreigners by President Donald Trump and other politicians. "Duke's engagement with China, with Chinese students and with Chinese scholars is broad, deep and longstanding," Duke Vice President for Public Affairs Michael Schoenfeld said in an interview Monday. "We deeply regret that this particular incident might have compromised the very valuable and mutually beneficial relationship that Duke has with its Chinese students." Across all of Duke's graduate and professional programs, 1,300 of about 8,500 students come from China, according to university data. Duke also partners with Wuhan University on Duke Kunshan University in China, which began enrolling students in 2014. Outcry mounted after an email sent Friday by Megan Neely, who teaches in the biostatistics master's degree program and served as its director of graduate studies. This Jan. 28, 2019 photo shows the entrance to the main Duke University campus in Durham, N.C. The Duke University professor and administrator who sparked an outcry by admonishing students for speaking Chinese has issued a personal apology amid an internal review by the school. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Neely's message to an email list for about 50 biostatistics students said two faculty members approached her to complain about students loudly speaking Chinese in a common area. She wrote that both were disappointed the students weren't working to improve their English and wanted their names. The email urged international students to "keep these unintended consequences in mind when you choose to speak in Chinese in the building." She had also sent an email last February to students saying that "many faculty" noticed students were speaking other languages in break rooms. "As a result they may be more hesitant to hire or work with international students because communication is such an important part of what we do as biostaticians," she said in the email. Since the weekend, screenshots of the emails and stories about them have received wide attention in the U.S. and China. The thousands of comments on Chinese social media included some calls for Chinese universities to ban speaking English. A petition demanding a thorough investigation has drawn more than 2,000 signatures of students, alumni and others, organizers said. The Duke Asian Students Association also issued a statement slamming Neely's emails as discriminatory and harmful. "For international students, speaking in their mother tongue is a means of comfort and familiarity with a home and culture that is already oftentimes suppressed within the United States," the association said. Amid the angry response, Neely stepped down as the program's director of graduate studies, according to a letter from Dr. Mary Klotman, the medical school dean. Klotman apologized to students in the program in her letter, saying there was no restriction on using foreign languages in conversations. She said the university's Office of Institutional Equity would conduct a review of the biostatistics master's program. It's expected to examine which faculty members complained to Neely. Neely, who remains an assistant professor, also apologized in an email to program members, saying: "I deeply regret the hurt my email has caused. It was not my intention." Thirty-six of the 55 students in the biostatistics master's degree program are from China, and Chinese scholars represent one-fifth of the program's approximately 50 faculty members, Duke said. International students are particularly attractive to U.S. graduate programs because many countries abroad place more emphasis on math and science education, and because foreign students with the means to study in the U.S. often can pay full tuition rather than seek financial assistance, said Scott Jaschik, the editor of Inside Higher Ed. He commended Duke for moving quickly to investigate, but said the school's reputation could still suffer. "There is a quite a grapevine of information about international students back home," he said in an interview. "You can be sure people will hear about this." Chi Liu, who's pursuing a chemistry PhD at Duke, said the university can maintain a good reputation abroad if it shows it's taking the situation seriously. Liu, who's from China's Hunan Province, believes Duke should fire Neely and the two unnamed faculty members who complained to her. "All of us are angry. We feel offended," he said, referring to the reaction among students from China. "You have this email to the Chinese students saying ... if you speak Chinese you will be remembered and identified, and that will affect your performance. That is very serious." Diana Sojda, a 27-year-old Duke nursing student, said language used outside of the classroom shouldn't be restricted. Sojda grew up speaking Spanish in her Chicago household with a mother from Mexico and a father from Poland. "It's their free time, so they should be able to talk among themselves in whatever language they feel most comfortable with," she said. ___ Associated Press researcher Shanshan Wang in Beijing contributed to this report. ___ Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew An entrance to the main Duke University campus is seen in Durham, N.C., Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. The University's medical school has issued an apology and launched a review after an administrator admonished students over speaking Chinese in a school building. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) - Officials with the powerful political network led by conservative billionaire Charles Koch said Monday that they are promoting a state-level education strategy that they hope educators and teachers unions will support. The Koch network is launching a new group next month that will focus on 15 million kindergarten through 12th-grade students in five unnamed states, chairman Brian Hooks said. Hooks didn't give details on the policy priorities but said the initiative will focus on curriculum, technology and uniting a broad coalition that will include outreach to teachers. "It includes investments in curriculum to better support teachers and students, new technology to help families find the right options for their kids, and in public policy reforms that begin to get at the root causes and not just the symptoms of the challenges we see in the education system today," Hooks said. The announcement was made during a private retreat for wealthy donors who have committed to giving at least $100,000 annually to the sprawling Koch network of political, policy, educational and philanthropic organizations. The Koch education effort follows a national educators uprising that began last year over teacher pay and classroom conditions and escalated to major teacher strikes that shut down schools in multiple states. Los Angeles teachers in the nation's second-largest school district recently reached a deal, and teachers in Denver have plans to strike. FILE - In this photo May 22, 2012 file photo, Charles Koch speaks in his office at Koch Industries in Wichita, Kan. Hundreds of wealthy donors gathered by billionaire industrialist Charles Koch will be meeting this weekend of Jan. 26, 2019, for the first time since the influential conservative political network announced it won't spend any money on the 2020 presidential race. (Bo Rader/The Wichita Eagle via AP, File) "They're expressing legitimate concerns, but the current approach means that nobody wins, so they need better options," Hooks said. "And we see an opportunity to come into this conversation and really shake things up." Longtime Koch network donor Frank Baxter, a former charter school executive in California, said he was thrilled the organization was digging into K-12 issues. He said private school scholarships, charter schools and online learning could be important avenues to reform failing schools. "We're just beginning to evolve to work on K-12 education and trying to promote good policy but also to again unleash entrepreneurial ideas throughout the community," said Baxter, who is also a retired banking executive and former U.S. ambassador to Uruguay. The Koch network said school choice will likely be one of a dozen or more priorities of the new initiative but said it's too early to discuss its comprehensive policy agenda, which is a work in progress. Some teachers have in recent years been vocal about rejecting the money and influence of billionaire philanthropists in the education system, especially when it comes to steering public money toward private and charter schools. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said the union welcomes genuine interest in public education but that it's skeptical of the new program because of Koch's support for anti-union efforts. "(O)nly time will tell whether the paradigm shift in favor of public schooling is forcing the Kochs to pivot - to work with those they have tried to destroy - or whether this is simply a PR stunt," Weingarten said in a statement. Outside education, Hooks said the Koch network will push for permanent legal status for young immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed their visa. He also noted goals for tackling poverty, criminal justice reform, trade and foreign policy, among other issues. The meeting held at a luxury resort in the California desert featured seminars revealing the network's latest work and agenda, as well as elected officials and other influencers. ___ Follow Sally Ho on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_SallyHo . VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Public health officials scrambling to contain a measles outbreak in the U.S. Northwest warned people to vaccinate their children Monday and worried that it could take months to contain the highly contagious viral illness due to a lower-than-normal vaccination rate at the epicenter of the crisis. The outbreak near Portland has sickened 35 people in Oregon and Washington since Jan. 1, with 11 more cases suspected. Most of the patients are children under 10, and one child has been hospitalized. Health officials say the outbreak is a textbook example of why it's critical to vaccinate against measles, which was eradicated in the U.S. after the vaccine was introduced in 1963. In recent years, however, the viral illness has popped up again from New York to California and sickened hundreds. Clark County, Washington, has a vaccination rate of 78 percent, well below the level necessary to protect those with compromised immune systems or who can't get vaccinated because of medical issues or because they are too young. Misinformation is circulating on social media, said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County public health director. "What keeps me up at night is eventually having a child die from this completely preventable situation," he said. "It's still out there, even though it's been debunked, that the measles vaccine results in autism. That's nonsense." FILE - This Feb. 6, 2015, file photo, shows a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine on a countertop at a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. A measles outbreak near Portland has sickened dozens of people in Oregon and Washington, with several more cases suspected, and public health officials scrambling to contain the virus say low vaccination rates are making the situation worse. Clark County Public Health said Sunday, Jan. 28, 2019, that the majority of the cases involve children younger than 10. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) Before mass vaccination, 400 to 500 people in the United States died of the measles every year, 50,000 people were hospitalized and 4,000 people developed brain swelling that can cause deafness, Melnick said. One to three cases out of every 1,000 are fatal, he said. People may have been exposed to the disease at about four dozen locations, including Portland International Airport and a Portland Trail Blazers game, officials said. They announced Monday that others could have been infected at the popular Oregon Museum of Science & Industry in Portland and a Wal-Mart Supercenter in the bedroom community of Vancouver, Washington. Thirty-one of the confirmed patients had not been vaccinated against measles. The vaccination status of four others who were infected is unknown. The 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, and travelers infected abroad can bring the virus back and spread it, causing periodic outbreaks. Last year, there were 17 outbreaks and about 350 cases of measles in the U.S. Officials still are not sure where the Northwest outbreak began. The first known patient sought medical care on Dec. 31, but it isn't known if other people may have gotten sick before that and did not seek treatment. Children receive the first vaccine between 12 and 15 months old and the second vaccine between ages 4 and 6. One vaccine provides 93 percent immunity from measles, and two shots provide 97 percent protection. But the vaccine is less effective in those under a year old and is generally not given to infants. Jocelyn Smith is terrified her youngest son, who is 11 months, will get measles. They live in Camas, Washington, where at least one infected person spent time while contagious. Smith has an appointment to get her son vaccinated as soon as he's eligible - the day after he turns 1. "I haven't taken the baby in public for 10 days. I'm just so scared," she said. "Everybody's staying inside." 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, health officials said. Those who may have been exposed should watch for early symptoms of high fever, malaise and red eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head and moves down the body. ___ Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus In this December 2018 photo, Jocelyn Smith poses with her four children, from left, Tucker, 6, George, 3, Mason, 11 months old, and Lucy, 9, in Camas, Wash. Smith says she hasn't gone out in public with Mason for 10 days because he's still too little to be vaccinated against the measles and she's afraid he will be exposed to the virus. A measles outbreak near Portland has sickened dozens of people in Oregon and Washington, with several more cases suspected, and public health officials scrambling to contain the virus say low vaccination rates are making the situation worse. Public health officials scrambling to contain a measles outbreak in the Pacific Northwest warned people to vaccinate their children Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. (AP Photo via Jocelyn Smith) TORONTO (AP) - Canada's foreign minister said Monday the country's ambassador to China was fired because he expressed views that were contrary to the federal government's position on the detention of a Chinese tech executive. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the central job of an ambassador is to represent accurately the government's position. She said John McCallum didn't do that and that is why his position was untenable. Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have stressed that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou is the subject of a legal proceeding that is not politically motivated. The U.S. wants Meng extradited to face charges that she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. But McCallum told the Toronto Star Friday it would be "great" if the U.S. dropped its extradition request. That came a day after he issued a statement saying he misspoke about the case earlier in the week and regretted saying Meng has a strong case against extradition. Canada's Department of Justice confirmed late Monday that officials had received the formal U.S. request for Meng's extradition to the United States. The arrest of the daughter of Huawei's founder at Vancouver's airport on Dec. 1 has led to the worst relations between Canada and China since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2018, file photo, Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou arrives at a parole office with a security guard in Vancouver, British Columbia. China on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, demanded the U.S. drop a request that Canada extradite the top executive of the tech giant Huawei, shifting blame to Washington in a case that has severely damaged Beijing's relations with Ottawa. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File) China detained two Canadians shortly after her arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. McCallum told Chinese-language media in the Toronto area last week that the extradition of Meng to the U.S. "would not be a happy outcome." But on Thursday he walked back the remarks before doubling down again Friday. McCallum's remarks surprised many and fueled speculation that Canada might be trying to send a signal to China to reduce tensions. But Trudeau clearly had enough after the envoy spoke off script again and fired him Friday night. Trudeau has been calling leaders around the world in a campaign to win the release of the two detained Canadians and seek clemency for the Canadian facing the death penalty. Many countries, including the United States, Britain and Australia, have issued statements in support. "We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada for its assistance and for its steadfast commitment to the rule of law," U.S. acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said at a news conference to announce new charges against Huawei on Monday. Whitaker was joined by other Cabinet officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Track Palin, the elder son of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, has won an early release from custody after his conviction for assaulting his father. Palin reported to an Anchorage halfway house in December to serve a year for the 2017 attack on his father. But he was released after a judge granted a motion Thursday for credit for time spent on electronic monitoring. Palin, 29, was released Thursday evening, according to Trey Watson of the correctional management firm the Geo Group, which operates the halfway house. TMZ.com first reported Palin's release over the weekend. Palin's attorney, Patrick Bergt, and prosecutors did not immediately comment Monday. Palin, who served a year in Iraq, was previously enrolled in a veterans' therapeutic court program for the assault on his father. But he was dismissed from the program following new assault charges in September. FILE - In this Oct. 3, 2018, file photo, Track Palin, left, talks with his lawyer Patrick Bergt before a hearing in Anchorage, Alaska. Palin, the elder son of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, has been released from custody at an Anchorage halfway house after his conviction for assaulting his father. (AP Photo/Rachel D'Oro, File) In that case, a female acquaintance said Palin told her she couldn't leave his Wasilla house, took her phone and then hit her in the head. Misdemeanor charges including assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct are pending in that case. In December 2017, Palin was accused of breaking into his parents' home and leaving his father, Todd, bleeding from cuts on his head, authorities said. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal trespass. That plea arrangement called for him to serve 10 days in jail if he completed the veterans therapeutic program and a year behind bars if he did not. Palin also was accused of punching his then-girlfriend in 2016. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of a firearm while intoxicated. Sarah Palin, the state's former governor, has suggested her son's post-traumatic stress disorder might have been a factor in that case. ___ Follow Rachel D'Oro at https://twitter.com/rdoro PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Democrats champing at the bit to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins are organizing, raising money and going on the attack. All they need is a strong candidate. Behind the scenes, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is fundraising, and a Democratic group is launching television attacks on Collins over the partial government shutdown. There's also a crowdsourced nest egg awaiting her challenger. But so far, no high-profile Democrat has announced a challenge to Collins next year, even though the expectation is that a serious candidate will emerge soon. Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon, one of several Democrats mulling a run, said she anticipates a strong candidate who represents "the next generation of leadership." Critics are still incensed over Collins' vote for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh , for which protesters rallied at her office and a letter that mentioned ricin was sent to her home. They're angry over the government shutdown, among other things. They say she has veered to the right and are no longer confident she will stand up to President Donald Trump. Democratic voter Sarah Gaba said she used to give Collins the benefit of the doubt, and voted for her once. But she described Collins' vote for Kavanagh as "abhorrent" and said the senator's deliberative, independent approach is a "dog and pony show." FILE- In this Sept. 21, 2018 file photo, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks to news media at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.Democrats are eager to unseat Collins. Critics are still incensed over the prominent centrist's vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and are angry over the government shutdown. They say she has veered to the right and are no longer confident she'll stand up to President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) Collins, a self-described centrist in an era of increasingly polarized politics, is the last Republican member of Congress from New England. Nationally, the ranks of moderates have thinned with the retirements of Sens. Jeff Flake, of Arizona, and Bob Corker, of Tennessee. Her position makes her vulnerable from attacks on both sides. She has angered Democrats, as well as those within her own party. "Is there a big bull's-eye on her seat? You're darned right there is," said William Mayer, a political science professor at Northeastern University. The race is still early, and Collins herself hasn't formally announced she'll seek re-election. But her staff is laying the ground work for a campaign, and she remains a formidable incumbent. She was first elected to the Senate in 1996, and she won her last two elections with more than 60 percent of the vote. "No matter who her opponent may be, two things are certain: Nobody will outwork her, and nobody will have her extraordinary command of federal issues," said spokeswoman Annie Clark. Susan Rice was the first candidate to express interest, in October. The national security adviser under Democratic former President Barack Obama said Collins' support of Kavanaugh "betrayed women across this country" and prompted her to contemplate a bid to unseat her. Rice, who visited Maine in the summers when she was a girl and owns property in the state, said previously that she'd make her announcement after the midterm elections. So far, she hasn't elaborated on her intentions, and her office said she had no comment. Other Democrats thinking about the race are Maine's 1st District U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree; her daughter, Hannah Pingree; businesswoman Rosa Scarcelli; Daniel Kleban, co-owner of Maine Beer Co.; and Emily Cain, executive director of Emily's List. Whoever runs will have plenty of financial backing. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is already raising money, and the crowdsourced fundraising by Maine People's Alliance, Mainers for Accountable Leadership and activist Ady Barkan has raised more than $3.5 million. "There's going to be a tremendous amount of attention on this race," Scarcelli said. "It's going to be a very expensive race." For now, the only person to declare candidacy is independent Danielle VanHelsing, who hopes to become the first transgender member of Congress. The only Democratic challenger, Dr. Cathleen London, of Milbridge, has suspended her campaign. At this point, there are many variables at play in the race. Among them, the Democratic electorate is energized, and that energy shows no sign of waning. The economy and Trump's presidency are wild cards. So is the political fight over a wall at the Mexican border. John Pitney, a political science professor from Claremont McKenna College in California, said the "center is a lonely place." "The Trump people aren't happy with her. Democrats aren't happy with her. At times like this, the center may not hold," he said. ___ This story has been corrected to show that a former candidate's name is Cathleen London, not Cathy London. FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2014 file photo, Emily Cain, Democratic candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, speaks at a rally at Scarborough High School in Scarborough, Maine. Democrats angry over Republican Sen. Susan Collins' vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are champing at the bit to unseat her and there's a crowd-sourced nest egg awaiting her challenger. But so far, no big-name Democrats have formally announced they'll challenge Collins, in 2020. Emily Cain, executive director of Emily's List, is among those Democrats who have stated interest in the race. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) FILE - In this May 7, 2015 file photo, Dan Kleban, a co-owner of the Maine Beer Company, poses in the company's tasting room in Freeport, Maine. Democrats angry over Republican Sen. Susan Collins' vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are champing at the bit to unseat her and there's a crowd-sourced nest egg awaiting her challenger. But so far, no big-name Democrats have formally announced they'll challenge Collins, in 2020. Kleban is among Democrats who've stated interest in running for the seat. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) FILE - In this June 2, 2010, Rosa Scarcelli gestures during the Democratic gubernatorial debate at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine. Democrats angry over Republican Sen. Susan Collins' vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are champing at the bit to unseat her and there's a crowd-sourced nest egg awaiting her challenger. But so far, no big-name Democrats have formally announced they'll challenge Collins, in 2020. Kleban is among Democrats who've stated interest in running for the seat. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, File) FILE - In this July 18, 2009, file photo, Maine House majority leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, speaks at a rally for health care reform in Portland, Maine. Susan Collins' vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are champing at the bit to unseat her and there's a crowd-sourced nest egg awaiting her challenger. But so far, no big-name Democrats have formally announced they'll challenge Collins, in 2020. Pingree is among Democrats who've stated interest in running for the seat. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) FILE - In this July 7, 2016, file photo, National Security Adviser Susan Rice follows President Barack Obama across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, to board Marine One. Democrats angry over Republican Sen. Susan Collins' vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are champing at the bit to unseat her, but so far no big-name Democrats have formally announced they'll challenge Collins, in 2020. Susan Rice was the first to express interest in the race for the seat. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) FILE- In this Sept. 21, 2018 file photo, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks at Saint Anselm College, in Manchester, N.H. Democrats are eager to unseat Collins. Critics are still incensed over the prominent centrist's vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and are angry over the government shutdown. They say she has veered to the right and are no longer confident she'll stand up to President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) FILE -- In this Oct. 6, 2018 file photo Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, heads to the Senate floor for the vote on the confirmation vote of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, on Capitol Hill, in Washington. Democrats angry over Republican Sen. Susan Collins' vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are champing at the bit to unseat her and there's a crowd-sourced nest egg awaiting her challenger. But so far, no big-name Democrats have formally announced they'll challenge Collins, in 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) FILE -- In this Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, file photo Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, arrives in the House Chamber after being re-elected Speaker of the House, at the State House, in Augusta, Maine. Democrats angry over Republican Sen. Susan Collins' vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are champing at the bit to unseat her and there's a crowd-sourced nest egg awaiting her challenger. But so far, no big-name Democrats have formally announced they'll challenge Collins, in 2020. Gideon is among Democrats who've stated interest in running for the seat. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local): 11:55 a.m. The Venezuelan opposition leader who has declared himself the country's rightful president says U.S. sanctions against the state-owned oil company fall in line with requests lawmakers have made to "protect" the nation's assets abroad. Juan Guaido said in an interview with CNN in Spanish on Monday evening that Venezuela's opposition-controlled congress approved a measure in January asking foreign nations to ensure the country's assets aren't "looted" by President Nicolas Maduro. Guaido is the leader of the National Assembly, which is the only branch of Venezuela's government recognized by the U.S. and other nations. Guaido said the measure's only purpose is to ensure that Maduro's government "doesn't continue robbing the people of Venezuela." Members of the opposition hold up a Venezuelan flag and sing their national anthem before handing out explainers to soldiers and police about an amnesty law, near Ft. Tiuna military base in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Opposition National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president, said Friday that he would release the text of an amnesty law that would pardon members of the military who cooperate in restoring democracy and asked Venezuelans to share it with officers they know. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) The United States announced sanctions against Petroleos de Venezuela SA earlier Monday, cutting off a vital source of income for the distressed nation. ___ 11:35 p.m. The Venezuelan opposition leader challenging Nicolas Maduro's claim to the presidency says he has spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview Monday night with CNN in Spanish, Juan Guaido confirmed that he had spoken with Trump "and other presidents in the region." He didn't provide any details on when the conversations took place, nor did he reveal what specifically was discussed. He said only that all his talks with heads of state have focused on resolving Venezuela's humanitarian crisis and restoring democracy. Guaido rejected accusations from Maduro and others that the U.S. is staging a coup, saying Venezuelan citizens are simply exercising their constitutional rights. Guaido is the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly and proclaimed himself Venezuela's interim president before thousands of supporters last week. He has been recognized as the nation's rightful leader by two dozen nations that contend Maduro's re-election last May was not legitimate because his strongest opponents were barred from running. ___ 11:05 p.m. Colombia's foreign minister says his government doesn't know why U.S. national security adviser John Bolton had "5,000 troops to Colombia" written on a notepad he held during a news conference announcing new Venezuela sanctions. In a brief address Monday evening, Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes said Colombia does not know the "importance and reason" for Bolton's note. He added that Colombia will continue "acting politically and diplomatically" so that democratic order is restored in Venezuela and new elections are held. Colombia shares a 1,370-mile (2,200-kilometer) border with Venezuela and has joined U.S. President Donald Trump in backing Venezuelan congress leader Juan Guaido, who has proclaimed himself interim president in the opposition's confrontation with President Nicolas Maduro. When asked to explain the words in Bolton's notepad, the White House said in an email that "as the President has said, all options are on the table." ___ 8:15 p.m. The Mexican government says it disagrees with a map displayed by the White House that shows Mexico among those countries that support Venezuela's embattled president, Nicolas Maduro. National security adviser John Bolton held a press briefing Monday with a map that showed in red the countries supporting Maduro and in blue those nations supporting the Venezuelan congress leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself Venezuela's interim president. Mexico's ambassador to the U.S. told reporters in Washington that her government isn't taking sides in the crisis. In Ambassador Martha Barcena's words: "We are not against the U.S. regarding the position on Venezuela. We are not siding with Maduro. We are not siding with Guaido. We think a third way of a peaceful solution can be found." ___ 7:55 p.m. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is calling potentially crippling U.S. sanctions against the troubled nation's state-owned oil company "criminal." In remarks televised Monday on state TV, Maduro accuses the United States of robbing Venezuelans of oil riches that rightfully belong to them. In a direct message to President Donald Trump spoken in broken English, Maduro says forcefully: "Hands off Venezuela!" His increasingly isolated government would lose access to one of its most important sources of income and foreign currency along with $7 billion in assets under the U.S. sanctions. The embattled leader is fighting for his political survival as a growing list of nations recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Maduro says he will be announcing a range of measures in response to the U.S. sanctions within the coming hours but has provided no details. ___ 7:40 p.m. The White House is not elaborating on the phrase "5,000 troops to Colombia" that could be seen on a notepad held by national security adviser John Bolton at a news conference announcing new sanctions for Venezuela. Asked to explain the words, the White House said in an email to The Associated Press that "as the President has said, all options are on the table." The statement did not say anything further about the note. The phrase could be seen during a portion of a White House news conference Monday during which Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company. Colombia borders Venezuela and its government has sided with the U.S. in opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump and other administration officials have repeatedly said "all options" are under consideration as they seek to pressure Maduro to give up power. But there has not been any announcement of any direct U.S. military involvement in the situation. ___ 7:15 p.m. A legal pad held by U.S. national security adviser John Bolton at a White House news conference on Venezuela contained the phrase "5,000 troops to Colombia." Bolton held the legal pad so the phrase was showing during a portion of Monday's announcement that the U.S. was imposing sanctions on the Venezuelan state-owned oil company. There was no mention during the news conference of any plans regarding troops in Colombia, which borders Venezuela. But an image was captured by a photographer from The Associated Press and other news outlets. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The Pentagon has not announced any plans to send U.S. forces to the South American nation. ___ 5:45 p.m. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is repeating his offer of "good offices" to facilitate dialogue and negotiations between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido (gwah-DOH). U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric says the U.N. chief reiterated the offer during a meeting Monday with a delegation from the Caribbean Community on the situation in Venezuela "and its implications for the region." The delegation was led by Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harris, who is chairman of CARICOM. Barbados' ambassador to the United Nations spoke on behalf of CARICOM leaders at Saturday's meeting of the Security Council on Venezuela and reaffirmed the group's principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states. Elizabeth Thompson said the leaders' view is that Venezuela's political crisis "can only be resolved peacefully through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy." ___ 5:15 p.m. U.S. national security adviser John Bolton says sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company will ensure the government of socialist President Nicholas Maduro can "no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people." Bolton says he expects Monday's actions will block $7 billion in assets and cause more than $11 billion in lost export proceeds during the next year. The U.S. and Venezuela broke relations last week after President Donald Trump recognized opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido (gwah-DOH) as the legitimate Venezuelan president. The embattled Maduro still holds the reins in Venezuela, but the U.S. and allies are using economic and diplomatic pressure to push him out. Maduro is accusing the U.S. of openly leading a coup against him. Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin briefed reporters at the White House. ___ 4:30 p.m. Sen. Marco Rubio says the U.S. will hit Venezuela's state-owned oil company with sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to step down from office. The Florida Republican and two people briefed on the administration's plans say Treasury will impose penalties as early as Monday on the company known by its acronym PDVSA. The sanctions will include a freeze on any assets the firm may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with it. The two people briefed on the sanctions were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Rubio praised the Trump administration for taking the action, which follows its earlier decision to recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. - Matthew Lee in Washington. ___ 3:30 p.m. Canada plans to host an emergency meeting of the 14-nation Lima Group next week to discuss options for the crisis in Venezuela. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday the meeting will be in Ottawa on Feb. 4. The regional group was created in Lima, Peru, in 2017 to try to hope resolve the crisis in Venezuela and nearly all of the nations now have thrown their support behind opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela, deciding that last year's re-election of President Nicolas Maduro was invalid. Canada has been a key presence the effort to have Guaido recognized as president pending new elections. Freeland says Venezuela has been a top foreign policy priority for Canada. ___ 2:50 p.m. A Venezuelan diplomat in Miami says she's abandoned embattled President Nicolas Maduro, throwing her support behind opposition leader Juan Guaido. Consular officer Scarlet Salazar issued a videotaped statement Monday saying she's living up to her constitutional duty as a career diplomat. Opposition lawmaker Guaido last week declared that he had assumed presidential powers and will hold fresh elections to restore democracy. The U.S. and several other countries have recognized him as interim president, though Maduro is recognized by most nations, as well as the country's military leadership. Miami, a stronghold of Venezuelans living in exile. Salazar says she's staying and will continue to perform her consular duties at the Miami office. National security adviser John Bolton listens during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) In this photo released to the media by Miraflores presidential palace press office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro raises his fist from an amphibious tank as he poses for photos alongside first lady Cilia Flores and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, center right, at the Naval base in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has declared himself Venezuela's legitimate leader, as embattled socialist Maduro holds the reins of power. (Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores presidential palace press office via AP) In this photo released to the media by Miraflores presidential palace press office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, wearing a blue shirt, third from left in the front row, poses for photos with soldiers as he visits Ft. Paramacay in Carabobo state, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has declared himself Venezuela's legitimate leader, as embattled socialist Maduro holds the reins of power. (Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores presidential palace press office via AP) National security adviser John Bolton speaks as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin listens during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., left, with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks to the media after their meeting with President Donald Trump about Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Each attempt to reduce and mitigate her sentence traumatizes my sister and her family anew, Rock wrote. As this trauma will affect them for the rest of their lives, its only appropriate that Heather Cook serve out her time in prison not only for the act of killing Tom, but for leaving him there as he died. NEW YORK (AP) - Some of the most influential forces in Democratic politics revolted Monday against former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's prospective presidential bid, insisting that an independent run would unintentionally help President Donald Trump win another four years in office. The critics included the Democratic chairman of Schultz's home state, another billionaire businessman who long flirted with an independent run of his own, former President Barack Obama's chief strategist, and the most powerful super PAC in Democratic politics. "If Schultz entered the race as an independent, we would consider him a target. ... We would do everything we can to ensure that his candidacy is unsuccessful," said Patrick McHugh, executive director of Priorities USA, which spent nearly $200 million in the 2016 presidential contest. Specifically, he seized on Schultz's apparent willingness to cut entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security to narrow the federal deficit. "The bottom line," McHugh said, "is that I don't think Americans are looking for another selfish billionaire to enter the race." The intense pushback in the early days of the 2020 campaign reflects the passion Democrats are bringing to the race to deny Trump a second term. Rank-and-file voters and party officials alike are anxious about any hurdle that would prevent them from seizing on Trump's unpopularity. FILE - In this March 22, 2017 file photo, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz speaks at the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting in Seattle. For someone who has given about $150,000 to Democratic campaigns over the years, Schultz is generating tepid, or even hostile, responses within the party as he weighs a presidential bid in 2020. That's because reports have suggested he's considering running as an independent, a prospect that could draw support away from the eventual Democratic nominee and hand President Donald Trump another four years in office, many fret. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) While no independent has won the presidency since George Washington, Democrats fear that Schultz would almost certainly split their vote and give Trump an easier path to re-election. Yet Democrats concede that they had few tools to dissuade Schultz from launching an independent campaign - as he told CBS' "60 Minutes" on Sunday he was considering - though many were skeptical that he would actually follow through. Schultz felt the passion of the anti-Trump resistance moments after he took the stage Monday evening in New York City to promote his new book. "Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire!" a protester shouted before being ejected by security. In an interview with The Associated Press after the appearance, he acknowledged that his prospective run might be "threatening" to some Democrats, but said, "my heart's in the right place." The 65-year-old billionaire confirmed that he has identified as a Democrat his entire life. But Schultz suggested his moderate approach might attract a significant number of Republican voters frustrated with Trump in addition to Democrats turned off by the party's embrace of liberal policies, such as universal health care and free tuition at public universities. "Who's to say that lifelong Republicans given the choice between Donald Trump and a far-left liberal, progressive Democrat - if they had a better choice where are they going to go?" he asked. "My views are squarely in the middle." Schultz said he would make his decision in the "summer-fall" after spending the coming months traveling around the country - in part promoting a new book - to test whether there's interest in an independent presidential candidate, according to a person familiar with his planning. Asked how much of his personal fortune he'd be willing to spend on the election, he said only: "I'm going to do what's necessary." Schultz's team has polled on the viability of a third-party run and believes there is an opening, though they have not shared the specifics of their internal surveys. He's being advised by a team with experience in both parties, including Steve Schmidt, who worked on Republican John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, and former Obama adviser Bill Burton, who joined Schultz at his Monday appearance in New York. Schultz's team also includes Republican pollster Greg Strimple, GOP strategist Brooks Kochvar, former journalist Erin McPike and Rajiv Chandrasekaran, another former journalist who has worked closely with Schultz since 2015. Yet history - and the reality of a political system designed to favor major-party candidates - suggests that Schultz may do little more than play spoiler should he decide to run. Bloomberg, who studied the possibility of an independent run of his own in the past, offered Schultz a direct message based on his own experience. "The data was very clear and very consistent. Given the strong pull of partisanship and the realities of the electoral college system, there is no way an independent can win. That is truer today than ever before," Bloomberg, who is considering a Democratic 2020 bid, said in a statement. He continued: "In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the president. That's a risk I refused to run in 2016, and we can't afford to run it now." The angry voices were far and wide, and they included Obama's former chief strategist, David Axelrod, along with Democrats from Schultz's home state. "If Schultz decides to run as an independent," Axelrod tweeted, Trump "should give Starbucks their Trump Tower space rent free! It would be a gift." Tina Podlodowski, the Democratic chairwoman in Washington state, where Schultz has lived for decades, discouraged him from running as an independent. "A billionaire buying his way out of the entire primary process does not strengthen democracy," she said. "It only makes it more likely that our democracy will be further strained under another four years of President Donald Trump." Perhaps trying to elevate Schultz, who is not well known among Democratic primary voters, Trump himself weighed in on Monday, tweeting that Schultz "doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!" The Seattle billionaire was in New York Monday to promote his latest book, "From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America." After New York, he has stops this week in Tempe, Arizona; Seattle; and San Francisco - but no dates listed for the early voting states of Iowa or New Hampshire. On paper, Schultz offers a number of qualities that might appeal to voters. He grew up in public housing in New York City's Brooklyn borough and became the first person in his family to graduate from college. He's also been a longtime Democratic donor, contributing to the campaigns of Obama, Hillary Clinton, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, among others. In Monday's interview, he said McCain was the only Republican he had ever donated money to. The soft-spoken businessman has also criticized Trump, telling employees that the president was creating "chaos" and hurting business; calling Trump's tax cuts for corporations unnecessary and reckless; and vowing to hire 10,000 refugees after Trump issued an executive order banning travel from seven mostly Muslim nations. The Democratic National Committee declined to address Schultz directly. Spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa offered only this response: "We are focused on defeating Donald Trump, and anyone who shares that goal should vote for the Democrat nominee in 2020." ___ Johnson reported from Seattle. AP writer Julie Pace in Washington contributed to this report. FILE - In this March 22, 2017, file photo, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz speaks at the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting in Seattle. For someone who has given about $150,000 to Democratic campaigns over the years, Schultz is generating tepid, or even hostile, responses within the party as he weighs a presidential bid in 2020. That's because reports have suggested he's considering running as an independent, a prospect that could draw support away from the eventual Democratic nominee and hand President Donald Trump another four years in office, many fret. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - More than 700 opponents of President Nicolas Maduro have been arrested during the latest push by Venezuela's opposition to oust the socialist leader. But there's one anti-government activist security forces notably haven't touched: Juan Guaido, the lawmaker who declared himself interim president in a direct challenge to Maduro's rule. Maduro's refusal, at least so far, to order Guaido's arrest reflects mistrust in his own security forces as well as the Trump administration's warning that any harm to the man the U.S. recognizes as Venezuela's legitimate leader would be crossing a dangerous red line. The U.S. administration reiterated that threat Monday in announcing sweeping sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company. Any actions taken against U.S. diplomats, Guaido or the National Assembly he presides over would be considered a "grave assault" that "will be met with a significant response," U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said. While he didn't specify what actions the U.S. might take, he reaffirmed that all options for dealing with Venezuela's crisis remain on the table, including use of the military. Opposition National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, right, who declared himself interim president, greets supporters as he leaves church after attending Mass in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Guaido says he is acting in accordance with two articles of the constitution that give the National Assembly president the right to hold power temporarily and call new elections. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) "They won't dare touch Guaido," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. "There's a new dynamic at play. Even while Maduro's government continues to brutally repress the poor and invisible, they won't harm Guaido because he has so much international support." Maduro's government on several occasions has threatened to arrest the 35-year-old lawmaker, accusing him of violating the constitution and acting as a "puppet" of a U.S. coup attempt. But every day that Guaido is allowed to move freely around Caracas, holding rallies and building a parallel government complete with foreign ambassadors and a presidential-looking office from which he delivers videotaped messages, he looks statelier and undermines Maduro's authority in the eyes of ordinary Venezuelans, Vivanco said. On Monday, a consular officer in Miami joined Venezuela's military attache in Washington, Col. Jose Luis Silva, in ditching support for Maduro and recognizing Guaido. "I'm always at the service of my beloved country. I'll continue to provide consular services in Miami," Scarlet Salazar said in a video announcing her allegiance to Guaido as she stood in front of a Venezuelan flag. "This is our country's moment." It's not clear what security precautions Guaido is taking to avoid arrest. But he's not exactly been hard to find. On Friday, he held a news conference in a Caracas plaza announced hours in advance on social media, and on Sunday he attended a church service for victims of anti-government unrest. In both instances he spoke with a studied coolness, seemingly unconcerned about the enormous risks he was taking by openly defying Maduro. In 2014, his political mentor, Leopoldo Lopez, was arrested during an outdoor rally, and numerous other politicians, activists and even two small-town firefighters who published an online video mocking Maduro as a mule have been arrested over the past year. Foro Penal, a local rights group, said Monday that in a single week of unrest more than 700 people have been detained. Another 35 have been killed during the unrest, many in poor neighborhoods where the opposition traditionally dominates. The government has yet to comment on the report but socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello on Monday tried to turn the tables on Guaido, saying his security was now in the hands of the U.S. Embassy. "If something happens to this man, or any leader from the opposition, it's part of the imperialists' plans," Cabello said at a rally Monday in the central city of Barquisimeto. Francisco Gonzalez, a pro-government analyst, said that while Maduro's weakness and Venezuela's economic and social problems are self-evident, many in the country resent the heavy-handed role the Trump administration is playing in the fast-unfolding crisis. "The discontent is real," said Gonzalez. "But at this stage it's more about Trump looking for a foreign policy win to counter the decline in the U.S. geopolitical influence." __ Joshua Goodman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APjoshgoodman Opposition National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president of Venezuela, prays next to his wife Fabiana Rosales, second from right, during Mass at a church in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Guaido says he is acting in accordance with two articles of the constitution that give the National Assembly president the right to hold power temporarily and call new elections. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Opposition National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president of Venezuela, prays next to his wife Fabiana Rosales, second from right, during Mass at a church in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Guaido says he is acting in accordance with two articles of the constitution that give the National Assembly president the right to hold power temporarily and call new elections. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) In this photo released to the media by Miraflores presidential palace press office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, wearing a blue shirt, third from left in the front row, poses for photos with soldiers as he visits Ft. Paramacay in Carabobo state, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has declared himself Venezuela's legitimate leader, as embattled socialist Maduro holds the reins of power. (Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores presidential palace press office via AP) In this photo released to the media by Miraflores presidential palace press office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro raises his fist from an amphibious tank as he poses for photos alongside first lady Cilia Flores and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, center right, at the Naval base in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has declared himself Venezuela's legitimate leader, as embattled socialist Maduro holds the reins of power. (Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores presidential palace press office via AP) In this photo released to the media by Miraflores presidential palace press office, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, jogs alongside his Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers as he visits Ft. Paramacay in Carabobo state, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has declared himself Venezuela's legitimate leader, as embattled socialist Maduro holds the reins of power. (Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores presidential palace press office via AP) A worker who has "God" tattooed on his back talks to a customer at his vegetables stand at a wholesale food market in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Economists agree that the longer the standoff between the U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro drags on, the more regular Venezuelans are likely to suffer. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Workers and customers gather at a wholesale food market in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Economists agree that the longer the standoff between the U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro drags on, the more regular Venezuelans are likely to suffer. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Saudi Arabia says nearly 40 agreements worth $53 billion were signed Monday at the second major investment conference held in the kingdom since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi sparked an international outcry. The government's National Industrial Development and Logistics Program said a further 29 deals worth $960 million in sectors such as mining, logistics and energy were announced at the event. The initiative is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030, a blueprint for transforming the economy and weaning it off oil. The crown prince looked on from the front row Monday evening as foreign and local investors walked across a stage at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh to shake hands with Saudi officials. After the ceremony, the prince was surrounded by Saudis who held jostled for selfies with the 33-year-old heir to the throne. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said 20 "deal rooms" were created so that investors could sit and discuss the various investment opportunities and air their concerns. "We addressed many of the issues they're concerned with when it comes to institutions, procedures, facilitation, and what's left of that is on the path to being resolved, God willing," he said. It was the second major investor conference in Saudi Arabia since Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The killing of Khashoggi, who'd been a critic of the crown prince, prompted leading Western CEOs and officials to back out of attending the prince's flagship investment forum in October. Investors have also expressed concern over an unprecedented anti-corruption sweep launched by the prince in 2017 that targeted senior royals, leading businessmen and officials. Monday's investment forum comes as Saudi expenditures are set to hit a record-high this year of $295 billion, even as declining oil prices have forced the kingdom to adopt austerity measures. Facing several more years of deficit, the government is looking to the private sector and investors to help spur new domestic industries and create millions of new jobs for young Saudis entering the workforce in coming years. The kingdom is aiming to attract more than $426 billion in investment and create 1.6 million new jobs in its manufacturing, mining, logistics and energy sectors. Saudi Arabia, which is home to around 30 million people, two-thirds of whom are Saudi nationals, wants to build new airports and sea ports, metro lines and railways to play a leading logistics role in connecting Asia with Europe. Saudi Arabia also wants to start producing its own pharmaceuticals, renewables and much of its military procurement. One of the agreements signed Monday includes a partnership agreement between chemicals companies Alrafiyah and Eastman Chemical of the U.S. to set up a factory for hydrocarbon resins worth nearly $500 million. RENO, Nev. (AP) - A 19-year-old Salvadoran man suspected of being in the country illegally was charged Monday with killing four people in Nevada, including a couple who employed him as a landscaper at their Reno home where he fatally shot them with a gun he stole from them earlier, authorities said. Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman told investigators he used a .22-caliber revolver stolen from the property of 81-year-old Gerald David and 80-year-old Sharon David less than two weeks before he killed them on Jan. 16. "The lady was coming out. I got scared and shot at her," Martinez-Guzman is quoted telling a Washoe County detective in an affidavit filed in Reno on Monday. It alleged that he first broke into "outbuildings" or a trailer on the sprawling David property on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 and made off with a cache of rifles and the handgun. Martinez-Guzman had worked for a landscaping company at the Davids' property for four months, ending last July. It was not immediately clear if the job linked him to two women he is accused of killing in nearby Gardnerville. The affidavit was used to obtain an arrest warrant for Martinez-Guzman, who was arrested Jan. 19 in Carson City and is jailed there on charges that he possessed weapons and other items stolen from the Davids and sold jewelry belonging to Gerald David and another victim. Martinez-Guzman admitted also killing Gerald David, and the affidavit alleges that his DNA was found on the .22-caliber gun also used to kill Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken in their homes. Koontz was found dead Jan. 10. Renken's body was found Jan. 13. FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2019 file photo, Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, 19, of El Salvador, is escorted into the courtroom for his initial appearance in Carson City Justice Court in Carson City, Nev. Prosecutors say Martinez-Guzman, a Salvadoran immigrant accused of being in the U.S. illegally, has been charged with murder in shooting deaths of four people in their homes in Nevada. District attorneys from two counties announced the charges against Martinez-Guzman on Monday, Jan. 28. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner, File) The Davids were prominent Reno Rodeo Association members, and Martinez-Guzman is accused of possessing several Western-style belt buckles bearing their names stolen from their home. Someone using an Apple account belonging to Martinez-Guzman's mother tried to activate an Apple watch stolen from Koontz, the affidavit said. The mother, identified in the affidavit as Sonia Guzman, hasn't been charged with a crime. She was questioned by immigration authorities following her son's arrest and was given a hearing date, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said. Guzman was the registered owner of a 2006 BMW 325i that Martinez-Guzman was driving when he was arrested, and in which authorities say they found the murder weapon. The .22-caliber revolver was recovered from the car, and the affidavit said a .22-caliber bullet with DNA matching Martinez-Guzman was found on the kitchen floor at the David home. Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson told reporters Monday that investigators in Douglas and Washoe counties had "a high level of confidence" that Martinez-Guzman acted alone in the killings. Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks refused to comment on his immigration status. President Donald Trump tweeted a week ago that the four killings in Nevada showed the need for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, which was at the center of the federal government shutdown. "What someone's status is in this country has nothing to do with how we are proceeding in this case," Hicks told reporters Monday. "We are looking to hold an alleged murderer accountable for the murders he committed. That's all." Hicks said it would be more than a month before prosecutors decide whether to pursue the death penalty against Martinez-Guzman. The 30-day clock on that decision deadline doesn't begin until he's formally arraigned in district court on the murder charges along with five burglary charges added in the new criminal complaint. Hicks said they intend to extradite Martinez-Guzman to Washoe County to face those charges as soon as possible and that he will be held without bail in the county jail in Reno but that his initial arraignment in Reno Justice Court has not yet been scheduled. He's currently being held in the Carson City jail on the theft and burglary charges on $500,000 bail. His appointed public defense attorney there, Karin Kreizenbeck, has declined comment. Furlong said earlier that Martinez-Guzman's only known contact with authorities was a speeding ticket last February. Each of the district attorneys told reporters during a news conference in Reno on Monday they would co-prosecute the case personally as their "highest priority." ___ Ritter reported from Las Vegas. Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, right, answers a reporter's question during a news conference in Reno, Nevada on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, about murder charges filed against Wilber Martinez-Guzman in the killings of four people in northern Nevada earlier this month as Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley, left, and Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson, center, look on. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner) Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, right, answers a reporter's question during a news conference in Reno, Nevada on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, about murder charges filed against Wilber Martinez-Guzman in the killings of four people in northern Nevada earlier this month as Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson looks on. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner) MANILA, Philippines (AP) - President Rodrigo Duterte and his top security officials on Monday visited a Catholic cathedral in the southern Philippines where suspected Islamic militants set off bombs that killed 20 people and wounded more than 100. The first blast sent people, some of them wounded, fleeing out the church's main door. Army troops and police were rushing inside when the second bomb exploded a minute later. The explosions scattered wooden pews inside the main hall, blasted out window glass panels and hurled human remains and debris across a town square fronting the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, witnesses said. The attack occurred in the Sulu provincial capital on Jolo island, where Abu Sayyaf militants have carried out years of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings and have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack. Duterte walked slowly into the bombed cathedral, where the wooden pews were still in disarray. At one point he looked at the ceiling, where many panels were ripped off by the blasts. Duterte ordered the armed forces to crush the Abu Sayyaf. The group has an estimated 300 to 400 members, mostly in Sulu where it is holding several foreign and Filipino kidnap victims. Duterte later met with families of the victims at a military camp in Jolo where coffins were laid side by side. In this photo provided by Malacanang Palace, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, center, condoles with relatives of bombing victims during his visit Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, a day after two bombs exploded at a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu province in southern Philippines. The attack occurred during a Sunday Mass in the Sulu provincial capital on Jolo island, where Abu Sayyaf militants have carried out years of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings and have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack. (Malacanang Palace via AP) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was with the president, blamed the attack on Abu Sayyaf commander Hatib Sawadjaan, who he said has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. "This is an act of terrorism," Lorenzana said. "This is not a religious war." Sawadjaan is based in the jungles of Patikul town, near Jolo, and has been blamed for ransom kidnappings and beheadings of hostages, including two Canadian men, in recent years. Police put forces around the country on heightened alert to prevent similar attacks. The bombings came nearly a week after minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation endorsed a new autonomous region in the southern Philippines in hopes of ending nearly five decades of a separatist rebellion that has left 150,000 people dead. Although most Muslim areas approved the autonomy deal, voters in Sulu province rejected it. The province is home to a rival rebel faction that is opposed to the deal as well as smaller militant cells that are not part of any peace process. A statement by the Islamic State group posted on social media claimed the attack was carried out by two suicide bombers who wore explosive belts, one detonating at the gate and the other in the parking lot. Police said at least 20 people died and 111 were wounded. The fatalities were 15 civilians and five troops. Among the wounded, about 90 are civilians. The United Nations and others denounced the attack. The U.N. Security Council late Monday condemned "the heinous and cowardly" attack and "underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors" of the attacks accountable. Western governments have welcomed the autonomy pact in part to ease concerns that Filipino militants could ally themselves with foreigners and turn the southern region into a breeding ground for extremists. Aside from Abu Sayyaf, other militant groups in Sulu include a small band of young jihadis aligned with the Islamic State group. Government forces have pressed on sporadic offensives to crush the militants, and Duterte has extended martial law in the entire southern third of the country to allow troops to finish off radical Muslim groups and other insurgents, but bombings and other attacks have continued. In this photo provided by Malacanang Palace, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, center wearing a cap, inspects a Roman Catholic Cathedral on Jolo, Sulu province in southern Philippines, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, a day after two bombs exploded during a Sunday Mass. The attack occurred in the Sulu provincial capital on Jolo island, where Abu Sayyaf militants have carried out years of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings and have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack.(Malacanang Palace Via AP) In this photo provided by Malacanang Palace, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, center, touches one of the caskets of victims of Sunday's bombings of a Roman Catholic Cathedral on Jolo, Sulu province in southern Philippines, during his visit Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. The attack occurred in the Sulu provincial capital on Jolo island, where Abu Sayyaf militants have carried out years of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings and have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack.(Malacanang Palace Via AP) Police investigators examine the site after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) Soldiers examine the site after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) Police remove a body of a victim from the scene after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) Soldiers attend the scene after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) Police investigators and soldiers attend the scene after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) Police investigators and soldiers attend the scene after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) Police investigators and soldiers attend the scene after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Two bombs minutes apart tore through a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island where Muslim militants are active, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 80 others during a Sunday Mass, officials said. (AP Photo/Nickee Butlangan) In this photo provided by WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines, bomb victims receive treatment in a hospital after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines where militants are active Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. The Philippine government says it will "pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators" behind bomb attacks that killed over a dozen people and wounded many more during a Sunday Mass at a cathedral on the restive southern island. (WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines Via AP) In this photo provided by WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines, bomb victims receive treatment in a hospital after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in southern Philippines where militants are active Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. The Philippine government says it will "pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators" behind bomb attacks that killed over a dozen people and wounded many more during a Sunday Mass at a cathedral on the restive southern island. (WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines Via AP) In this photo provided by WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines, a soldier views the site inside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines after two bombs exploded Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. The Philippine government says it will "pursue to the ends of the earth the ruthless perpetrators" behind bomb attacks that killed over a dozen people and wounded many more during a Sunday Mass at a cathedral on the restive southern island. (WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines Via AP) COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Sweden's foreign minister said Monday she hopes talks between American, South Korean and North Korean diplomats her country is hosting "will serve as a good preparation for an upcoming summit" between U.S President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told Swedish news agency TT that experts in nuclear disarmament, economic development and regional security attended the diplomats' meeting in Sweden. The first meeting ever to bring the leaders of North Korea and the United States face-to-face took place in June when Kim and Trump met in Singapore. Trump said Saturday he is aiming to have a second summit in late February with the goal of producing a deal attractive enough to persuade Kim to give up North Korea's nuclear weapons. Lee Do-hoon of South Korea and Steve Biegun, U.S. special envoy for North Korea negotiations, planned to attend "small format" talks with North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said Sunday The Swedish government and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, an independent think-thank focused on research on conflicts, armaments and arms control, were co-hosting the talks. Wallstrom didn't disclose the venue or schedule for the talks. Swedish media said they were thought to be underway at Hackholmssund, a conference center northwest of Stockholm on Lake Malaren. Sweden has had diplomatic relations with North Korea since 1973 and is one of only a few Western countries with an embassy there. It provides consular services for the United States. CAIRO (AP) - Human Rights Watch is urging Italy and the European Union to condition their support to Libya on tangible improvements in detention conditions for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The New York-based rights group says in a report Monday that unquestioning foreign support for Libya's coast guard leads to migrants being held in "arbitrary, abusive detention." It condemned such efforts to stem migration to Europe as contributing "to a cycle of extreme abuse" against people fleeing war and poverty. The report documents "severe overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, malnutrition, and lack of adequate health care" in detention centers, including at least four instances of violent abuse by guards. It says children have also been seen to be held in poor conditions. In this photo taken on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, rescued migrants are assisted by Sea-Watch rescue ship's personnel in the Mediterranean Sea. A private rescue boat with dozens of migrants aboard sought permission for a second day to enter a safe port Sunday, but said so far its queries to several nations haven't succeeded. Another vessel crowded with panicking migrants and taking on water, meanwhile, put out an urgent, separate appeal for help in the southern Mediterranean. Sea-Watch 3, run by a German NGO, said Sunday it has contacted Italy, Malta, Libya as well as the Netherlands, since the boat is Dutch-flagged, asking where it can bring the 47 migrants it had taken aboard. Sea-Watch tweeted that Libyan officials had hung up when it asked for a port assignment. (Doug Kuntz/Sea-Watch via AP) ADEL, Iowa (AP) - A former Iowa school district official has been given three years of probation for embezzling nearly $217,000 over the course of several years. Dallas County District Court records show 35-year-old Melissa Lantz was given a 10-year suspended prison sentence during a hearing Friday in Adel. The judge also ordered her to pay restitution and perform community service. Lantz had pleaded guilty to theft from Woodward-Granger Community School District. She was hired in 2012, assigned to payroll duties and eventually became business manager. Her arrest followed a state audit that identified improper and unsupported disbursements by the district over five years, including 101 checks that Lantz issued to herself on top of her authorized paychecks. The district serves around 1,000 students about 20 miles northwest of Des Moines. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia's government is reviewing the president's decision to release radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, the top security minister said Monday, following domestic and international criticism. The minister, Wiranto, told a hastily called news conference that President Joko Widodo had asked him to coordinate a review of all aspects of the planned release. Bashir, the spiritual leader of bombers who attacked nightclubs on Bali island and other violent extremists in Indonesia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2011. Widodo on Friday said he had agreed to release 80-year-old Bashir on humanitarian grounds. The announcement came during campaigning for a presidential election due in April in which opponents of Widodo have tried to discredit him as insufficiently Islamic. One of the pivotal lobbyists for Bashir's release was Yusril Ihza Mahendra, an adviser to Jokowo's re-election campaign who also heads an up-and-coming Islamic party. Bashir had previously been considered ineligible for parole because of his refusal to renounce radical beliefs. His family had requested his release since 2017 because of his age and deteriorating health. "On the basis of humanitarian considerations, the president is very understanding of the family's request," Wiranto said. "However it still needs to be considered by other aspects." The firebrand cleric was arrested almost immediately after the 2002 Bali bombings. Most of the 202 people killed in the bombings were foreigners, including dozens of Australians, leaving a deep scar on that country. But prosecutors were unable to prove a string of terrorism-related allegations, and Bashir was instead sentenced to 18 months in prison for immigration violations. In 2011, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for supporting a military-style training camp for Islamic militants. Bashir, an Indonesian of Yemeni descent, was also a founder of an Islamic boarding school in the central Javanese city of Solo that terrorism experts regarded as a factory for violent extremists. Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley threw his support behind a study from the Urban Land Institute, released Tuesday. The report, a result of two days of interviews with residents, lawmakers and business owners, suggests Annapolis should preserve the existing envelope of buildings near City Dock, but move forward with development that would honor the citys working-class maritime history and attract visitors to the waterfront. Buckley held a Market House news conference Tuesday alongside Historic Annapolis President Robert Clark perhaps for the first time since Buckley crashed Clarks conference announcing Annapolis as one of the countrys most endangered districts. The city and the nonprofit are partners, Buckley said, in the vision for City Dock, to be guided by the Urban Land Institute recommendations. The conference marks progress from last spring, when Historic Annapolis balked after Buckley introduced legislation changing the zoning along the downtown waterfront. The change would have loosened restrictions on height and bulk along City Dock, but failed to pass the council. After the failed effort, discussions of a mid-rise hotel on Dock Street dampened and Historic Annapolis invited a panel of Urban Land Institute experts to interview community stakeholders and assess conditions. Buckley called the plan the citys new gold standard. The report recommends maintaining the size and scale of buildings along City Dock, creating a park to link the Market House with the water, establishing a remote parking program and hiring a resilience officer within city government. Historic Annapolis chose Eileen Fogarty, former city planning and zoning director, and Jim Reid, a recently retired executive with CBRE real estate to lead an action committee, which will help implement the reports recommendations. Reid is also vice chairman of the Historic Annapolis board of trustees. (Reid) has a wealth of knowledge, nationally and internationally, on economic development, said Karen Theimer Brown, the Historic Annapolis vice president of preservation. And Eileen has worked on historic seaport towns on both coasts. Fogarty and Reid will begin searching for community members to serve on the action committee. Buckley at the conference also announced his intentions to purchase the Capt. William H. Burtis house from the state. The Burtis House houses the Sailing Hall of Fame which will be relocating to Newport, R.I. No date has been announced for that move. The city has been lobbying state lawmakers as well as Gov. Larry Hogan to surplus the historic watermans home. The house can be used to test some recreational paddle-board or kayaking rentals, but is also a key connector to the Naval Academy and any potential seawalls they might erect. The state, by law, has to offer the property to other state entities first, but could sell the house to Annapolis if those agencies dont bite, said chief of staff Susy Smith. The Urban Land Institute report recommends relocating the harbormasters office to the Burtis house, while expanding the structure to include a museum. The report also recommends expanding the marina near the Burtis house to accommodate large yachts and other boats, potentially generating revenue for the city. Buckley, in the meantime, has a few ideas for drawing grass and feet to the area now hosting asphalt and wheels. He said hed like to see stand-up paddleboard rentals run out of the Burtis house. Hes floated taking away a row of parking to install a temporary beach, bocce ball courts and other recreational activities near the water. Ironically, he invoked Henry Ford the founder of the Ford Motor Company in calling on the gathered residents to kick cars off City Dock. If everyone is moving forward together, he quoted Ford, then success takes care of itself. CAPTION United States Naval Academy plebes crawl through trenches and clamber over obstacles in the annual Sea Trials, a roughly 14 hour challenge that is part of the culmination of their first year. United States Naval Academy plebes crawl through trenches and clamber over obstacles in the annual Sea Trials, a roughly 14 hour challenge that is part of the culmination of their first year. CAPTION United States Naval Academy plebes crawl through trenches and clamber over obstacles in the annual Sea Trials, a roughly 14 hour challenge that is part of the culmination of their first year. United States Naval Academy plebes crawl through trenches and clamber over obstacles in the annual Sea Trials, a roughly 14 hour challenge that is part of the culmination of their first year. CAPTION USMC veteran Clark Cavalier, who lost both legs in Afghanistan in 2011, is being honored by Ted Levitt's Faces of Valor this year at the organizations big fundraiser-car-show-bike-ride on June 23. The money raised will be used to build a new workshop for Cavalier. USMC veteran Clark Cavalier, who lost both legs in Afghanistan in 2011, is being honored by Ted Levitt's Faces of Valor this year at the organizations big fundraiser-car-show-bike-ride on June 23. The money raised will be used to build a new workshop for Cavalier. CAPTION The Eleventh Annual Planet Walk was held along the B&A Trail between Glen Burnie and Severna Park with NASA scientists, astronomers and other experts presenting information and activities about each of the planets at stations along the trail. The Eleventh Annual Planet Walk was held along the B&A Trail between Glen Burnie and Severna Park with NASA scientists, astronomers and other experts presenting information and activities about each of the planets at stations along the trail. CAPTION People attend a candlelight vigil at the Colonial Square Apartments in Glen Burnie for Tyrique Hudson who was killed at the complex. (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun video) People attend a candlelight vigil at the Colonial Square Apartments in Glen Burnie for Tyrique Hudson who was killed at the complex. (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun video) CAPTION The funeral procession for Michael Busch, speaker for the Md. House of Delegates. (Karl Ferron / Baltimore Sun video) The funeral procession for Michael Busch, speaker for the Md. House of Delegates. (Karl Ferron / Baltimore Sun video) twitter.com/DTOhl BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on four Russians blamed for a nerve agent attack in Britain as well as a Syrian research center and its staff as the 28-nation bloc stepped up its action against the use of chemical weapons. EU foreign ministers slapped travel bans and asset freezes on nine people and on Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Center. Five of those targeted are linked to the Syrian center's activities. Britain's foreign office said they "have played a central role in the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime against their own people." The four Russians on the list are the two men accused of planting the nerve agent in Salisbury last March, Anatoly Chepiga and Alexander Mishkin, and their superiors, the head and deputy head of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence unit. The ministers said in a statement from their meeting in Brussels that the sanctions move "contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, which poses a serious threat to international security." It's the first time the EU has imposed sanctions to combat chemical weapons. European Union Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini, centre, talks to The Netherlands' Foreign Minister Stef Blok, left, next to Poland's Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz during an European Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) "Today's new sanctions deliver on our vow to take tough action against the reckless and irresponsible activities of the Russian military intelligence organisation, the GRU, which put innocent British citizens in serious danger in Salisbury last year," British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement. "We will continue to show our willingness to stand up for the international rules that keep us safe, and which the Kremlin and the Assad regime seek to undermine," he added. ___ AP writer Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report. Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, center, talks to France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, right, and Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn during an European Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) MADRID (AP) - Spanish officials say rescuers are making slow progress in exceptionally difficult conditions to reach a 2-year-old boy who fell into a narrow, deep borehole in the countryside eight days ago. Angel Garcia, the leading engineer coordinating the search-and-rescue operation, says work had to stop briefly early Monday to perform maintenance on a drill being used to create a vertical shaft. Garcia says the rocks are extremely hard and the drill has been working nonstop for many hours. The shaft runs parallel to the borehole and aims to go down 60 meters (197 feet) - roughly to where the boy is believed to be. The drill has so far reached 53 meters. After that, miners will be lowered down the shaft to dig a horizontal tunnel to the boy's presumed location. BEIRUT (AP) - The Latest on developments in Syria (all times local): 2:35 p.m. The European Union is adding 11 businessmen and five companies to its list of Syrians under sanctions for backing President Bashar Assad's government. EU foreign ministers imposed travel bans and asset freezes on them, saying they "are involved in luxury estate development and other regime-backed projects, and as such support and/or benefit from the Syrian regime." Monday's move in Brussels means the EU sanctions list now includes 270 people and 72 "entities," which are usually companies, organizations or agencies. The EU began imposing sanctions on Assad and his supporters in 2011. They are reviewed every year. The measures include an oil embargo, investment restrictions, a freeze on Syrian central bank assets held in the EU, and export bans on equipment that could be used to crack down on civilians. ___ 1:40 p.m. Turkey's president has told his American counterpart, Donald Trump, that Turkey's "ready to take over the security" of a key northern Syrian town "without losing time." A statement from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office says the two leaders spoke on the telephone early Monday about the town of Manbij in Syria. The fate of the Syrian town, controlled by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters whom Turkey considers terrorists, has been a source of tension between Ankara and Washington. Turkey insists on the withdrawal of the Syrian Kurdish militia, which liberated Manbij from the Islamic State group in 2016. Erdogan also called last week's suicide attack in Manbij that killed four Americans a "provocation meant to affect the U.S. decision to withdraw from Syria." The statement says Trump and Erdogan agreed their military chiefs would "speed up" consultations about a safe zone in northeastern Syria. ___ 1:20 p.m. Syrian state media and a war monitoring group are reporting that an explosion has gone off in Syria's northeastern province of Hassakeh, inflicting casualties. The state news agency SANA and the Kurdish Hawar news agency, based in northern Syria, say the blast was a suicide bombing that targeted a Syrian Kurdish checkpoint near the town of Shaddadeh. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the blast targeted a convoy of the U.S.-led coalition and U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters, adding that five people were killed in the blast. There was no immediate confirmation of that report. Monday's attack came days after a suicide attack killed 16 people, including four Americans, in the northern town of Manbij in Syria. BEIJING (AP) - Chinese investigators have determined that the doctor behind the reported birth of two babies whose genes had been edited in hopes of making them resistant to the AIDS virus acted on his own and will be punished for any violations of the law, a state media report said Monday. Investigators in the southern province of Guangdong determined Dr. He Jiankui organized and handled funding for the experiment without outside assistance in violation of national guidelines, the Xinhua News Agency said. Along with the birth of the twins, another embryo yet to be born reportedly resulted from He's experiment. All three will remain under medical observation with regular visits supervised by government health departments, Xinhua said. It didn't say which laws He might have violated but said he had fabricated an ethical review by others. "This behavior seriously violates ethics and the integrity of scientific research, is in serious violation of relevant national regulations and creates a pernicious influence at home and abroad," the report said. Then little-known, He attended an elite meeting in Berkeley, California, in 2017 where scientists and ethicists were discussing a technology that had shaken the field to its core - an emerging tool for "editing" genes, the strings of DNA that form the blueprint of life. FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2018, file photo, He Jiankui is reflected in a glass panel as he works at a computer at a laboratory in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong province. A Chinese investigation says Chinese scientist He, behind the reported birth of two babies whose genes had been edited in hopes of making them resistant to the AIDS virus, acted on his own and will be punished for any violations of the law. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) He embraced the tool, called CRISPR, and last year rocked an international conference with the claim that he had helped make the world's first gene-edited babies , despite a clear scientific consensus that making genetic changes that could be passed to future generations should not be attempted at this point. China called an immediate halt to He's experiments following his announcement. Gene editing for reproductive purposes is effectively banned in the U.S. and most of Europe. In China, ministerial guidelines prohibit embryo research that "violates ethical or moral principles." The chief of the World Health Organization said last year his agency is assembling experts to consider the health impact of gene editing. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said gene editing "cannot be just done without clear guidelines" and experts should "start from a clean sheet and check everything." "We have a big part of our population who say, 'Don't touch,'" Tedros told reporters. "We have to be very, very careful, and the working group will do that." Syrian air defence batteries respond to what state media said were Israeli missiles targeting Damascus early on January 21, 2019 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday held talks with two Russian officials on reinforcing their military coordination in Syria in order to avoid any "friction" there, his office said. The talks focussed on "Iran and the situation in Syria, and strengthening the security coordination mechanism between the militaries in order to prevent friction," said a statement from his office. At the meeting, the Kremlin's Syria envoy Alexander Lavrentiev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin "reiterated Russia's commitment to the maintenance of Israel's national security," it added. On January 17, officials from both countries held talks in Israel to improve coordination between their armed forces to avoid "friction" in Israel's operations against Iran in Syria. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria in the past few years against Iranian and Hezbollah targets, and the Jewish state and Russia have set up a "de-confliction" hotline aimed at avoiding accidental clashes. That mechanism was stretched when a Russian military aircraft was mistakenly shot down by Syrian air defences after an Israeli raid in September. Fifteen Russian soldiers were killed and the Russian army accused Israeli pilots of using Moscow's plane as cover to evade Syrian gunfire. As part of its response, Russia announced new security measures to protect its military in Syria, including supplying Syria with an S-300 air defence system and jamming the radars of nearby warplanes. Netanyahu has told Russian President Putin that Israel is determined to prevent Iran from entrenching militarily in Syria, according to his office. Both Russia and the Islamic republic, Israel's arch-enemy, are allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and have helped his forces inflict numerous defeats on rebels and jihadists. Gina Haspel (L), director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence, testify on Worldwide Threats during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing Iran is still abiding by the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal despite the US pullout from the multinational agreement, Central Intelligence chief Gina Haspel said Tuesday. "At the moment technically they are in compliance" with they Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Haspel told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "I think the most recent information is the Iranians are considering taking steps that would lessen their adherence to JCPOA as they seek to pressure the European to come through with the investment and trade benefits that Iran hoped to gain from the deal," she said. "They are making some preparations that would increase their ability to take a step back if they make that decision," she noted. "But we do see them debating amongst themselves as they failed to realize the economic benefits that they hoped for from the deal." The United States withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, 2018, after President Donald Trump concluded it was not in US interests. The administration argued that the windfall from trade would go to finance Iran's regional military activities, and there was no guarantee it would not resume nuclear weapons development after the deal expired. Washington has since restored tough sanctions that were in place before the deal was reached. The remaining five signatories to the JCPOA -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- have distanced themselves from Trump's move and have supported continued commercial engagement with Tehran. But, as a number of European companies have pulled out under pressure from US sanctions, those countries have backed an EU effort to set up a special payment system in an attempt to continue trade and business ties with Iran. Former Israeli chief of staff Benny Gantz attends an electoral rally in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2019 A former Israeli military chief vowed Tuesday to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while taking care not to alienate right-wing voters ahead of an April election. Benny Gantz promised a conservative diplomatic and security policy, pledging to keep the strategic Jordan Valley area of the occupied West Bank under Israeli rule, along with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and east Jerusalem. He also promised to keep up a tough stance on Iran and its military presence in Syria, which borders Israel. "In the harsh and violent Middle East surrounding us, only the strong win," he told several hundred supporters in Tel Aviv. He answered critics who have said that he was likely to take a job in Netanyahu's next government if he could not beat him at the polling booth. "Four years after completing my service as commander in chief, I am asking for your confidence so that I may lead Israel," he said. His new party, Israel Resilience, could emerge as the second largest in parliament in the April 9 general election, according to polls taken since its launch in December. On Tuesday, Gantz announced an alliance with another former chief of staff and ex-defence minister, Moshe Yaalon, bringing him on to the podium at the end of his speech. Neither revealed details of the new partnership. Yaalon served as Netanyahu's defence minister from 2013 to 2016, but has since become a critic of the premier. He has also unveiled his own party, Telem. - 'Zero tolerance' of graft - Benny Gantz with supporters in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2019 Generals are revered in Israel, though many who cross into political life after their military service discover that their army experience does not prepare them for the challenges of civilian decision-making. Gantz, widely respected as army chief, has kept his cards close to his chest and made few public comments since December. Opinion polls predict Netanyahu's Likud party will win the April election, but the veteran premier faces potential corruption charges that could cost Likud valuable seats. Gantz made several references to the cases against Netanyahu in his speech, pledging "zero tolerance for corruption" if he wins the election. "I thank the prime minister for his 10 years of service," Gantz said. "We shall carry on from here." Commentators had been predicting that in the event of a Netanyahu victory, the centrist Gantz might join a coalition led by the man who has been premier since 2009 -- including from 2011-2015, when Gantz was chief of staff. A poll last week said Gantz's Israel Resilience could win 15 seats out of the Knesset's 120, with Netanyahu's Likud remaining the largest faction with its 31 lawmakers. - 'No more right or left' - Benny Gantz (C) stands alongside his electoral ally, former defence minister Moshe Yaalon (C-L), in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2019 Gantz has committed to amending a contentious law defining Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, in order to accommodate its Druze minority. That prompted Netanyahu to call him a "leftist". Gantz has also been the target of a campaign from the harder right of the Israeli political spectrum. Naftali Bennett of the newly founded Hayamin Hehadash used a recording from 2015 in which Gantz said he "risked Israeli soldiers" to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians, in a bid to dub the general as part of the "weak left". Apart from messages on social media promising "something different" for Israel and a song pledging "no more right or left", Gantz had hitherto revealed little beyond his military credentials. He has boasted in videos of the number of Palestinian militants killed and targets destroyed under his command in the 2014 war with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers. In another video, Gantz stressed the need to strive for Arab-Israeli peace. UNRWA runs schools and provides life-saving humanitarian aid The UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Tuesday appealed to nations to help it maintain a $1.2-billion budget in 2019 after it was hit last year by the withdrawal of US funding. The organisation, known as UNRWA, was able to fully fund a budget of the same amount in 2018, despite a dramatic initial shortfall when the administration of US President Donald Trump announced it was withdrawing nearly all support. "The campaign last year was successful," agency chief Pierre Kraehenbuehl told reporters in Geneva. "We closed the entirety of the shortfall, which was an almost existential shortfall of $446 million, ... thanks to the remarkable and generous mobilisation of member states" and others, he said. The US, which was previously UNRWA's largest contributor, last year cut a full $300 million in funding to UNRWA, and has said it will not repeat the $60 million it did provide. In the void, the European Union, followed by Germany and Saudi Arabia were the biggest donors, with a total of 40 governments providing funds to the UN agency. Kraehenbuehl told reporters he had come to Geneva to appeal to governments to repeat last year's "extremely generous contributions" and allow the vital core services and life-saving humanitarian aid for some 5.4 million Palestinian refugees across the Middle East to continue. He said he had already received indications from several countries, including France, that they aimed to increase their donations this year. "It is essential to preserve the key services carried out by courageous UNRWA staff in some of the most difficult and polarised regions of the Middle East," Kraehenbuehl said. Around $750 million of the amount requested would go to UNRWA's core services, including running 711 schools catering to 535,000 children between the ages of six and 16. The remainder, he said, would go to emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as for Palestinian refugees inside war-torn Syria. UNRWA was set up in 1950 to help Palestinian refugees who lost their homes because of the 1948 Middle East conflict. Its assistance includes schools, healthcare centres and food distribution. More than 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation. They and all their descendants are deemed by the UN agency to be refugees who fall under its remit. Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah speaks during a visit to the Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank on July 14, 2018 Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas accepted the resignation of his government Tuesday, in a reshuffle seen as a bid by the ageing leader to strengthen his position as a decade-old political split deepens. Analysts view replacing prime minister Rami Hamdallah after five years as part of Abbas's efforts to further isolate his political rivals Hamas, who run the Gaza Strip. Hamdallah's government will remain in place while a new administration is formed. "The government of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah submitted on Tuesday its resignation to President Mahmud Abbas," official news agency Wafa said in English following a cabinet meeting. Late Tuesday a Wafa statement confirmed Abbas had accepted the resignation, but asked the government to continue "conducting business until the formation of a new government." It said Abbas, 83, saw a new government as a step towards parliamentary elections, which have not been held since 2006 due to the political schism. It was unclear how the change of government could impact on policy. Secularist Abbas remains the primary decision-maker and interlocutor with the international community. Palestinian politics has essentially been paralysed since 2007, when Islamist group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip from Abbas's forces in a near civil war, a year after winning parliamentary elections. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas at the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah on January 29, 2019 Since then Abbas's governments have maintained limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, while Hamas has led a rival government in the strip. Israel and Hamas -- which is considered a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union and others -- have since fought three wars in Gaza. The division between the Palestinian parties is seen as a key issue preventing progress in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and improving the situation in the impoverished enclave. Hamdallah's government has also faced major street protests over a proposed social security law that would have forced private employers and employees to pay into a government-managed fund. Abbas issued a decision scrapping the proposal late Monday. - Reconciliation blow - Multiple attempts to reach a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas have failed. It was during one such attempt in 2014 that Hamdallah formed what was labelled a national unity government, with both Fatah and Hamas backing a government made up nominally of technocrats. Since then relations have again worsened and Hamdallah survived an assassination attempt in 2018 when an explosion hit his convoy during a rare visit to Hamas-controlled Gaza. Palestinian government officials accused Hamas of responsibility, claims the Islamist group denied. The new government is expected to be made up only of parties that are members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, which does not include Hamas or its allies Islamic Jihad. Hamas condemned the government's resignation, saying Abbas was seeking to establish a "separatist government" to serve his interests. "Our people need a national unity government," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said. Fatah officials said they had begun consultations regarding forming a new government, though no timeframe was announced. Abbas has taken a series of punitive measures in recent years to try, in vain, to force Hamas to hand over the reins of power in Gaza. Analysts say such measures increase suffering in the strip, which is already under a crippling Israeli blockade. Israel maintains a military occupation of the West Bank, but Hamdallah's government has self rule in key cities. The change in government comes amid an historic breakdown in relations between Abbas and the United States. US President Donald Trump has pledged to propose a peace agreement but Abbas has refused to talk with his administration since he broke with decades of international consensus and moved his country's Israel embassy to Jerusalem in May last year. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state. President Bashar al-Assad's forces control nearly two-thirds of Syria after gaining ground against rebels and jihadists Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Tuesday hailed an economic deal with key ally Iran as a bulwark against what he described as an "economic war" waged by the West. Assad spoke the day after the allies signed a string of agreements including a long-term "economic cooperation" deal ahead of reconstruction in the war-torn country. "These deals... will help consolidate Syrian and Iranian resilience against the economic war waged against them by some Western states", the presidency quoted him as saying. Assad called for "intensifying common efforts to stave off these countries that keep trying to weaken both countries", it said. The United States has reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, while it and the European Union have also blacklisted several Damascus officials and Syrian businessmen. The 11 deals and memoranda of understanding signed on Monday covered fields including the economy, culture, education, infrastructure, investment and housing. They were signed during the visit of Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri to the Syrian capital. Iran and Syria had already signed a military cooperation agreement in August while Tehran has supported Damascus economically during the conflict through oil deliveries and several lines of credit. With help from allies including Iran and Russia, the regime has gained ground against rebels and jihadists since 2015 and controls nearly two-thirds of the country. The 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 also taken an enormous toll on the Syrian economy and infrastructure, with the United Nations estimating the cost of war-related destruction at about $400 billion. One of the main reasons was that he had dared to speak the truth about some of our nations isms that he felt were holding us back from being the people and the nation we said we were, Tillett said. David Young, Managing Director of Bradfords Building Supplies and Tony France, Sales Director of Ibstock Brick will take part in in a lively Industry Forum debate at this years All-Industry Conference. The Industry Forum is one of the most popular sessions at the BMFs biennial Conference, which takes place in June in Dubrovnik. Bringing together delegates from every sector of the industry to debate key business issues of the day. The scene is set with initial presentations by four industry leaders, with many years of experience between them, before the debate is opened to the floor Of the first two speakers to be named, Tony France will give a suppliers view, while David Young will draw on his current role, heading one of the countrys largest independents, and his earlier merchanting career within the Wolseley Group. Tony France (pictured right) is Sales Director of Ibstock Brick, the UKs market-leading brick manufacturer with 21 factories producing over 800 million bricks a year. He is also Supplier Advisor to the BMF Board and the BMBI Expert for Bricks. Tony has worked in the brick industry for 34 years since joining the sales team of Steetley Brick & Tile in 1985. Having worked through the acquisitions of Steetley by Redland in 1992, then of Redland by Ibstock in 1996, he has seen a lot of change in the industry most of which, he says, for the good. He has always worked closely with Builders Merchants, forming strong relationships and a deep passion for the sector. He has also attended every BMF Conference since his first in Barcelona in 1994. David Young (pictured left) specialises in developing businesses through strong relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. He has been Managing Director of Bradfords Building Supplies since 2015, heading a business that encompasses 43 builders merchants, 23 plumbing and heating branches, 23 toolhire branches and seven kitchens and bathroom showrooms. He has worked in the construction materials industry throughout his career, joining the Wolseley UK graduate sales management training scheme in 1996. He ran his first branch the following year and undertook a number of sales and operational roles within the Build Center brand, becoming Build Center trading director for the southwest in 2006 before moving to a national role with Drain Center five years later. He joined Bradfords Building Supplies in 2014 as Business Development Director before taking up to his current role. John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: With our Conference theme of Building Excellence we will be exploring how our industry can thrive no matter what the challenges presented by external environments beyond our control. Im delighted that David and Tony, who both have a wealth of experience in managing through change, have accepted our invitation to help set the agenda for this unmissable debate. The sold-out BMF All Industry Conference takes place in Dubrovnik from 13-16 June 2019. Further details are available on the Conference website, www.bmfconference.co.uk Baloch said a recent upsurge in violence in north-eastern Nigeria had already driven more than 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in already crowded camps or in towns in Borno State More than 30,000 people have fled the northeast Nigerian town of Rann and across the border to Cameroon in recent days because of fears of renewed Boko Haram attacks, the UN, civilian militia and residents said on Tuesday. The latest mass movement comes as the world body voiced renewed concern about the effect of the bloody conflict on civilians and launched a longer-term plan to help those made homeless by the fighting. Rann, in northern Borno state, near the border with Cameroon, has been repeatedly attacked by Boko Haram, most recently on January 14, when the jihadists targeted a military base. UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva that recent fighting in Borno had forced more than 80,000 people to flee their homes. "Nigerian refugees continue to arrive in very remote and impoverished communities in neighbouring countries," he added. "All the population seems to be panicking and they are on the run as a preemptive measure to save their lives." - Troop withdrawal - Humanitarian organisations working in Rann said the attack earlier this month forced some 9,000 people to flee into Cameroon. But they were sent back, as Cameroon deployed troops to reinforce the town as part of the regional military response against the Islamist militants. "It was a bit peaceful but as far as we understand now, that multinational taskforce has left," said Baloch, adding that refugees had told aid workers Boko Haram "promised to return". Walid Abdallahi, who was among those who fled, said there was now "not a single resident in Rann" and that Boko Haram had been "in control" of the town since Monday. "We all left the town as soon as the Cameroonian soldiers withdrew because we knew we were vulnerable to Boko Haram who would no doubt launch an attack," he told AFP. Abadallahi said the remaining Nigerian soldiers also withdrew "because their number was too small to face Boko Haram when they attacked". His account was supported by an aid worker who left Rann after the January 14 attack but remains in contact with those in the area, and a civilian militia source. "There were over 35,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) in Rann and all of them have fled to Cameroon," the aid worker added. The civilian militia source said Cameroonian soldiers withdrew on Sunday and Nigerian troops were now based in Ngala, nearly 40 kilometres (25 miles) away. "The terrorists set fire to most houses in the town and have taken strategic positions in anticipation of military operations to push them out," he added. - Funding appeal - News from Rann came as the UN in Abuja launched an appeal for $848 million (741 million euros) to fund projects in Borno and two other northeast states over the next three years. An additional $135 million was required to help the 228,500 Nigerian refugees who have fled to neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, it said. Nigeria's government has said Boko Haram has been virtually defeated, despite persistent attacks against the military and civilians. The UN said aid agencies' access to people in hard-to-reach areas was largely unchanged in the last year, indicating security conditions had not improved. Some 260 aid workers have been forced to pull out of three local government areas in Borno in recent months because of fighting. Many IDPs have had to move several times as a result of attacks and are unable to return home. An average of 4,500 people were displaced every week in 2018,it added. "Civilians still bear the brunt of a conflict that has led to widespread forced displacement and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law," said the UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon. "New and protracted displacement, triggered by the conflict, continues to affect access to basic services and disrupts the livelihoods of millions of people." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech at a cyber security conference in Tel Aviv Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday accused arch-foe Iran of regularly launching cyber-attacks on Israel that the Jewish state blocks each day. "Iran attacks Israel on a daily basis," he told a cyber conference in Tel Aviv. "We monitor these attacks, we see these attacks and we foil these attacks all the time." The head of Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency is reported to have warned that Israel was bracing for a state-driven cyber intervention in its April 9 general election. "Any country can be attacked today with cyber-attacks and every country needs the combination of a national cyber defence effort and a robust cyber security industry," Netanyahu said. "I think Israel has that... in ways that are in many ways unmatched," he said. Earlier this month, Israel carried out an air strike on what it said were Iranian targets in Syria, after a missile attack from Syria it blamed on Iran. Israel has carried out hundreds of air raids in Syria against what it says are Iranian military targets and advanced arms deliveries to Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah. The aftermath of the bombing of the Catholic cathedral on Jolo island which killed 21 people is seen in a handout photo released by the Philippines military A male suicide bomber and his wife carried out a Catholic cathedral attack that killed 21 people in the country's restive south, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday. Duterte told reporters a woman who remains at large left a device that exploded during mass at the cathedral in the remote Muslim-majority island of Jolo on Sunday, and her husband later blew himself up outside. The president's account differed from earlier statements by security officials. He said military intelligence told him Tuesday the second bomb was strapped on to the body of the male suspect who detonated it as survivors of the first explosion ran for their lives. "They (investigators) could not find any part of the body because it exploded, because that was terrorism and that was a suicide," the president said. If Duterte's account is confirmed it would be among the few suspected cases of suicide bombings in the Philippines. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the cathedral blast, saying two suicide bombers detonated explosive belts, according to the SITE Intelligence Group which monitors jihadist activities. President Duterte said a woman who remains at large left a device that exploded during mass at the cathedral in the remote Muslim-majority island of Jolo on Sunday, and her husband later blew himself up outside Duterte said the Jolo attack was carried out by the Abu Sayyaf, a kidnap-for-ransom group that has also been blamed for the Philippines' deadliest attacks and some of whose factions have declared support for the Islamic State. "We are sure of that," he said. Security officials said earlier Tuesday that a group affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf carried out the cathedral attack with two explosive devices, one left behind by a woman inside the church and the other hidden on a motorcycle outside. Duterte said the woman wore a necklace "with a large cross" pendant, like a Catholic worshipper, which he suggested was the likely reason she was not intercepted. "It's not the norm in this country to frisk a woman inside the church," the president said, adding he has ordered the military to "go into a punitive action" against the Abu Sayyaf. The Jolo attack was carried out days after voters overwhelmingly approved expanding Muslim self-rule in the south aimed at ending a decades-old rebellion for independence or autonomy for the sizeable Islamic minority of the mainly Catholic nation. The church attack came despite Duterte putting the southern Philippines under martial rule after pro-IS militants seized the southern city of Marawi in May 2017. Abu Sayyaf, which is based on Jolo island, has been blamed for the Philippines' deadliest attack, a 2004 ferry bombing in Manila Bay that claimed 116 lives. UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths arrives at Sanaa's international airport during a previous visit, on January 5, 2019 The UN envoy for Yemen briefly visited the flashpoint city of Hodeida Tuesday, an official said, the diplomat's first trip there since warring parties agreed to a ceasefire last month. Martin Griffiths was in the Red Sea port city "for a few hours" to oversee the truce deal's implementation and "follow up on preparations" for a new monitoring mission, the UN official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Yemen's government and Huthi rebels reached a deal over Hodeida at peace talks brokered by Griffiths in Sweden last month. The agreement stipulates a full ceasefire, followed by the withdrawal of rival forces from the city -- two clauses that have yet to be fulfilled. The United Nations Security Council this month unanimously adopted Resolution 2452, which calls for the deployment of up to 75 monitors to oversee the fragile ceasefire and pullback of forces from Hodeida. Held by Iran-backed Huthi rebels since 2014, the Red Sea city is home to the impoverished Yemen's most valuable port, a vital conduit for life-saving aid to a country on the brink of famine. Hodeida was for months the main front line in the Yemen war after pro-government forces, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, launched an offensive to capture it in June. But since the ceasefire agreement came into force on December 18, a precarious calm has returned to the city, despite each side accusing the other of violations. Griffiths said Monday that the deal's timeline had also been extended. "That momentum is still there, even if we have seen the timelines for implementation extended, both in Hodeida and with regard to the prisoner exchange agreement," he told Saudi-owned Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. The Yemen conflict has killed some 10,000 people since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the beleaguered government in March 2015, according to the World Health Organization. Human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The war has pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II (R) meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Coptic Church headquarters in Cairo French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday held a surprise second meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after talks with the country's top clerics, ending a three-day visit aimed at boosting ties while raising human rights concerns. Before travelling on to Cyprus for a summit of southern EU countries, Macron and Sisi held an unscheduled 45-minute meeting at Cairo airport. Earlier, Macron met with Pope Tawadros II at St. Mark's Cathedral, seat of Egypt's ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. They both stressed the need for "dialogue between religions". "I decided that a new conference will be held in Paris to see how to act more effectively," he said, without giving details. A diplomatic source said the French capital would host a forum on religious minorities in the Middle East, but without giving a date. Macron visited the church adjacent to the cathedral that was the site of a December 2016 jihadist attack which killed 29 people. He also met in Cairo with Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the most prestigious seat of Sunni Islamic learning in Egypt. Their talks centred on "the training of imams (prayer leaders) in France and the fight against the misguided vision of religion", the French presidency said. - Activist, Brotherhood arrests - Also on Tuesday, Macron lunched with civil society members "active in the areas of judicial protection of detainees, press freedom, gender equality and children's defence", the presidency said. Egyptian authorities arrested six activists critical of Sisi's government this week, including members of Karama, according to lawyer Negad al-Borai and Mohamed al-Bassiouni, a member of the opposition party. There was no immediate confirmation of the report from the interior ministry, which for its part announced the arrest of 54 suspected members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The human rights situation in Egypt was at the centre of talks between Macron and Sisi on Monday. Their different visions were on show at a joint news conference where Macron said respect of freedoms was inseparable from stability while Sisi said security was the priority for Egypt's 100-million population. A member of the Egyptian security forces stands guard outside St Mark's Cathedral, at the Coptic Orthodox Church's headquarters in Cairo During the visit, Macron and Sisi oversaw the signing of some 30 deals worth nearly a billion euros (dollars) including in transportation, education and health. No arm deals were signed. But Amnesty International on Tuesday stood by a 2018 report that French security equipment including armoured vehicles were used by the Egyptian government in "violent repression" of protests, charges that Sisi denied at the press conference. "French vehicles were not merely assisting the security forces, but were themselves tools of repression, playing a very active role in the crushing of dissent," Amnesty's report said in October. The Egyptian president said: "It's not possible to use weapons against an unarmed citizen unless they take up and use a weapon." Macron also said Egypt only used French weapons for military purposes. A year after Sisi took office in 2014, Egypt signed deals worth six billion euros ($6.8 billion) to buy 24 Rafale fighters from France as well as other military hardware such as Mistral warships and missiles. The blasphemy issue created the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan party that has paralysed the country with violent protests Politicians have been assassinated, European countries threatened with nuclear annihilation and students lynched, all in the name of combating blasphemy in Pakistan, where the legal punishment for insulting the Prophet Mohammed is death. Few issues are as inflammatory in the conservative Islamic republic as blasphemy. Here's a brief history of where the law came from and how it has changed the country over the years. Who made the law? The country's first blasphemy law was originally passed down from Pakistan's former colonial masters and was largely aimed at keeping the peace between different religious communities on the subcontinent. A vigil for Pakistani governor Salmaan Taseer, assassinated by his bodyguard in 2011 after he called for reform to the blasphemy law The framework was later given a boost during the rule of former hardline Islamist dictator Zia-ul-Haq in the mid-80s. His military government passed a series of new statutes that included a provision for capital punishment in cases where the Prophet Mohammed was insulted. However, to date no one has actually been executed for blasphemy, with most punishments commuted to life sentences. But mere accusations of insulting Islam have sparked mob lynchings and murders. What have been the consequences? International rights groups have long criticised the legislation as a tool of oppression and abuse, particularly against minorities. In recent years, it has also been used to smear dissenters and even politicians. The topic is so inflammatory that even calls to reform the law have provoked violence, most notably the assassination of Salmaan Taseer -- the governor of Pakistan's most populous province -- by his own bodyguard in 2011. His murder was followed the same year by the killing of minority affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, who had also vowed to maintain his opposition to the laws in defiance of death threats. Khadim Hussain Rizvi's far-right religious party has weaponised the ultra-sensitive blasphemy issue The blasphemy issue has also created a new religious extremist movement that has dictated terms to successive governments and paralysed the country at will with violent protests. In less than two years the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan party (TLP) -- or the Movement at the Service of the Prophet -- has become one of the most powerful groups in Pakistan. Led by firebrand cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the far-right religious party has weaponised the ultra-sensitive blasphemy issue in the Muslim-majority nation. This has sparked fears the TLP is radicalising the country's heartland and opening a dangerous new chapter in Pakistan's brutal confrontation with extremism. Its leaders have gone on to threaten to "wipe Holland off the face of the earth" with nuclear weapons, call for the assassination of Pakistan's top judges and mutiny in the military ranks. What's next? Activists have long demanded reform, saying the legislation is too often abused to settle personal scores and target religious minorities. Violence erupted in Karachi in November after the arrest of firebrand cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi The law is so vaguely written that defining blasphemy can be difficult if not impossible and criticism of the law could be perceived as blasphemy itself. Following the murders of Taseer and Bhatti, mainstream politicians have steered clear of renewing calls for reform of the blasphemy law, fearing violent reprisals. The recent uptick in violence, along with prosecutions of alleged offenders, comes as Washington added Pakistan this month to a blacklist of countries it says wantonly violate religious freedom. Islamabad later dismissed the US move as politically motivated. Protests by workers to demand higher wages in the $30 billion garment industry saw police fire rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators Nearly 5,000 low-paid Bangladeshi garment workers stitching clothes for global brands have been sacked by factory bosses for joining strikes over wages this month that turned violent, police said Tuesday. Thousands of labourers walked out of factory floors across the country in days-long protests that disrupted the $30 billion industry -- and saw police fire rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators. One worker was killed and more than 50 injured in clashes in Ashulia, a key industrial town outside Dhaka where clothes are sewn for retail giants H&M, Walmart and many others. Police say thousands of factory workers accused of looting and vandalism during the protests have been fired, but unions have accused the industry of intimidation and a crackdown. "So far the factories have dismissed 4,899 workers due to the unrest," a senior police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. More than 1,200 garment workers -- whose wages start at $95 a month -- were dismissed from a single factory. Unions say the real number fire is much higher, closer to 7000, and that nearly a hundred more have been arrested in roundups. Salauddin Shapon, general secretary of industry body IndustriAll Bangladesh Council, said many workers were afraid to return to work. "Cases have been filed against 3,000 unidentified workers, which has created panic. Many have opted to stop going to factories," he told AFP. Police would not comment on allegations of widespread arrests. Bangladesh is home to 4,500 clothing factories employing 4.1 million workers, and is the second-largest exporter of garments worldwide after China. Roughly 80 percent of Bangladesh's export earnings come from clothing sales abroad, and the industry wields considerable power. Police were deployed in a bid to break the strikes, which only ended when the government agreed to a paltry pay rise -- as little as a few cents a month for some workers. "The fact remains that, even after recent amendments, workers in Bangladesh still earn poverty wages," said Ben Vanpeperstraete, from the Amsterdam-based activist movement Clean Clothes Campaign, on Monday. "The government of Bangladesh is undertaking to intimidate workers and squelch any attempt of workers to organise." The strikes spurred demonstrations outside Bangladeshi embassies and consulates around the world, and came just weeks after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was re-elected. Hasina -- who won a landslide victory disputed by the opposition -- has been accused of increasing authoritarianism in the South Asian nation of 165 million. Baloch said a recent upsurge in violence in north-eastern Nigeria had already driven more than 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in already crowded camps or in towns in Borno State Over 30,000 people fled the Nigerian town of Rann and across the border to Cameroon over the weekend amid fears of renewed attacks by Boko Haram jihadists, the UN said Tuesday. "All the population seems to be panicking and they are on the run as a preemptive measure to save their lives," UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva. Rann, near the border with Cameroon in northern Borno state, already saw an exodus of some 9,000 people earlier this month after a Boko Haram attack on January 14 left 14 people dead. Baloch said that Cameroon had sent back the 9,000 refugees and had initially sent in troops that are part of a multinational taskforce to protect the town. "It was a bit peaceful, but as far as we understand now, that multinational taskforce has left," he said. Refugees had told aid workers that Boko Haram militants had "promised to return to Rann," he said, explaining the panic. He said UNHCR was reiterating its call to Cameroonian authorities "to keep the borders open, as we see thousands fleeing every day." Baloch said that a recent upsurge in violence in northeastern Nigeria had already driven more than 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in already crowded camps or in towns in Borno State, "where they are surviving in tough living conditions." Rann, he said, had already been housing some 80,000 displaced people. "The escalation in the conflict has thwarted people's intention of returning to their homes," he said, adding that some refugees who had attempted to return home from Cameroon had been displaced multiple times inside Nigeria or forced to become refugees again in Cameroon. "The hostilities have strained humanitarian operations there and forced aid workers to pull out from some locations," he said. Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, meanwhile told reporters that we have "260 aid workers who were withdrawn from three locations in Borno state" since early December. A cyclist rides past a political campaign poster of former Israeli chief of staff Benny Gantz in Jerusalem, ahead of April 9 polls A former Israeli military chief regarded as the only serious challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to formally launch his election campaign on Tuesday. Benny Gantz was to deliver a speech in Tel Aviv to "discuss all the issues at hand" and respond to claims made against him by political opponents, a source close to the retired general said. His party, Israel Resilience, is set to be the second largest in parliament in the April 9 vote, according to a series of polls since its launch in December. The widely respected former military chief of staff, seen as a political centrist, has kept his cards close to his chest and made few public comments. In a rare remark, he committed to amend a contentious law defining Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people in order to accommodate its Druze minority, leading to Netanyahu calling him a "leftist". Apart from messages on social media promising "something different" for Israel and a song pledging "no more right or left", Gantz has played up his military credentials. Gantz has boasted in videos of the number of Palestinian militants killed and targets destroyed under his command in the 2014 war with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers. In another video, Gantz stresses the need to strive to make Arab-Israeli peace. Opinion polls show Netanyahu winning the April polls but the long-serving premier faces potential corruption charges that could shake up the campaign. Maurice Kamto, who heads the opposition MRC, came second in Cameroon's presidential election last year Amnesty International on Tuesday called for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Maurice Kamto, leader of Cameroon's opposition MRC, after his arrest in the country's economic capital Douala. Kamto, who came second in October's presidential election which he claims was rigged, was detained on Monday at the home of another politician, prompting some 300 people to protest outside. Cameroon's ruler Paul Biya, in power in the central African nation for more than three decades, won the election with 71.2 percent. But the MRC has since held sporadic protests after the poll was marred by fraud allegations, low turnout and violence. Party treasurer Alain Fogue was also arrested on Monday and over the weekend, Paul-Eric Kingue, who ran Kamto's election campaign, and rapper Valsero were also detained alongside 115 others for attending opposition protest marches in several towns. Amnesty International warned the arrest of Kamto and his staff "signals an escalating crackdown on opposition leaders, human rights defenders and activists in Cameroon". "The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release them, as well as peaceful protesters detained at the weekend simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," said Amnesty's West and Central Africa director Samira Daoud. "Instead of taking steps towards improving the countrys human rights record, we are witnessing the authorities becoming less and less tolerant of criticism. This must stop." Following Saturday's demonstrations, Paul Atanga Nji, minister for territorial administration, said the party had "crossed the red line". Communications Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi accused Kamto and the MRC of trying to "destabilise" the government. Kamto's Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon also denounced his detention. "(The party) strongly condemns these unjustified... political arrests whose hidden aim is to decapitate the MRC and Maurice Kamto's winning coalition," party vice president Emmanuel Simh said in a statement. Cameroon's SNJC journalists' union said in a statement Tuesday that two people arrested on Monday evening were reporters covering a story who had been mistaken for political activists. It called for their immediate release. Rights group REDHAC, which covers central Africa, called Kamto's arrest a "flagrant violation" of the law. It called for his "immediate and unconditional" release along with the others detained at the weekend. The MRC called Saturday's marches over the weekend as a protest against the re-election of Biya. On the same day, protesters forced their way into the Cameroonian embassy in Paris, breaking portraits of the president and causing other damage. There were also incidents at the embassy in Berlin. Cameroon said Tuesday it had summoned both the French and German ambassadors to protest the incidents. A French foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday it condemned the intrusion at the embassy. It was following Kamto's case closely, he added. The MRC has organised several unauthorised demonstrations in Cameroon since October, when Biya won a seventh consecutive term in the presidential election. Kamto has insisted he was the rightful winner. Some of the most serious allegations were brought against five male teachers, one of which was honored at a memorial service at the school in 1993. Investigators say a former student and survivor at the service claimed the late teacher had sex with her when she was 14-years-old. Asia Bibi's acquittal ignited days of violent demonstrations, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading Asia Bibi, the Christian woman at the centre of a blasphemy row which has ignited violent protests, been linked to two assassinations and spotlighted religious extremism in Pakistan, is expected to leave the country after its top court Tuesday upheld her acquittal. When she will leave and where she will go remain to be seen, however, with rampant unconfirmed speculation she will seek asylum in a North American or European country. Bibi, a labourer from Pakistan's central Punjab province, spent eight years awaiting execution before the Supreme Court overturned her death sentence for blasphemy in October last year -- prompting days of violent Islamist demonstrations. As part of a deal with protesters to end the violence, the government allowed a petition demanding an appeal against the court's acquittal. Bibi has been held in protective custody since, with authorities refusing to reveal her whereabouts for fear she will be targeted by vigilantes. Bibi's lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook dismissed the petition as "frivolous" as he walked into the court But Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa -- considered Pakistan's top expert in criminal law -- threw the petition out "on merit" Tuesday, lifting the last legal hurdle in the case and paving the way for her to leave the country. Moments after the ruling was announced, Bibi's lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook hinted that his client's move could be imminent. "I think at this time she is here (in Pakistan) -- but by tonight, I don't know," he told reporters outside the court. Extremists "said they would kill her despite the judgement of the Supreme Court," he said. "Therefore, I think she should leave the country." "She should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice," Amnesty International said in a statement echoed by other rights activists. Unconfirmed Pakistani reports claim her children have already fled to Canada. France said it was ready to welcome Bibi and her family "if they wish". - Judge frustrated - Earlier Tuesday the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, which led violent protests demanding Bibi's execution last year, called for its members to be ready for action. Small protests were reported in some cities late Tuesday. But most of its leaders remain in detention after a government crackdown, and few protesters could be seen at the court in Islamabad, where security appeared normal. Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 in what swiftly became Pakistan's most infamous blasphemy case That did not prevent the handful who did show up from calling for violence against Bibi prior to the court's ruling. "If she goes abroad, don't Muslims live there?" Hafiz Ehtisham Ahmed, an Islamist activist linked to the extremist Red Mosque in Islamabad, told AFP. "If she goes out of Pakistan... anybody can kill her there." Chief Justice Khosa expressed frustration at the furious reaction to Bibi's case by an extremist minority. "Is this the face of Islam that we want to show to the world?" he told the packed courtroom. He had harsh words for those who first brought the case against Bibi, and the Islamists who over the years have used it to ignite violence, threaten judges, and call for mutiny within the military. As for the protesters, he was incredulous. "You block the entire country because a decision is not in your favour?" he told the court. Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer who filed a petition on behalf of the cleric who made the original complaint against Bibi in 2009, remained unmoved. "All religious scholars also verified later that this agreement was wrong. This was wrong," he said outside court. - 'Justice! #AsiaBibi' - Blasphemy remains a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings. Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims, and rights activists say blasphemy charges are frequently used to settle personal scores. Minorities -- particularly Christians -- are often caught in the crossfire. Calls to reform colonial-era laws against blasphemy have provoked violence. In 2011 Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province who offered to support Bibi, was assassinated by his own bodyguard in Islamabad. Blasphemy remains a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings "Justice! #AsiaBibi" his son Shehryar tweeted after Tuesday's decision. Taseer's murder was followed the same year by the killing of minority affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, who had also defended Bibi. "This shameful delay in enforcing Asia Bibi's rights only reinforces the need for the Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy laws as soon as possible," Amnesty stated. The EU called on Pakistan's government to protect Asia Bibi and her family, "as they would do for any Pakistani citizen". The allegations against Bibi date back to 2009, when Muslim women accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed. The accusation emerged from an argument after Bibi was asked to fetch water while working in the fields, but the women objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim. Bibi has denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures. Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor Pope Francis. Alain Robert, dubbed the 'French spiderman' climbed the 47-storey GT Tower without safety equipment French urban freeclimber Alain Robert was arrested on Tuesday, police said, after he scaled one of Manila's tallest towers in his latest high-risk ascent. The 56-year old adventurer dubbed the "French spiderman" climbed the 47-storey GT Tower without safety equipment, leaving watchers on the ground staring in amazement. The freeclimber was taken into custody when he reached the ground after the roughly two-hour climb up and down the building "This is my path, this is my way of living. It is as important to me as eating, sleeping. I need that. It keeps me alive," he told reporters after completing the climb. Police were less enthusiastic about the stunt and took him into custody as soon as he reached the ground after the roughly two-hour climb up and down the building. He is being held on a charge of public disturbance but will post bail on Wednesday, his lawyer Howard Calleja told AFP on Tuesday night. Robert has scaled more than 100 structures without ropes or other safety equipment, setting a record for "most buildings climbed unassisted" according to Guinness World Records. Robert has scaled more than 100 structures without ropes or other safety equipment His successes include many of the world's tallest skyscrapers and iconic buildings, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai -- where he used suction devices and a safety rope as it has no hand or footholds. However, in June he was foiled when he attempted to ascend a Seoul skyscraper, getting more than halfway up the 123-storey Lotte World Tower before security forced him to abort. Robert said he first intended to scale the GT Tower on Saturday but changed his mind when he saw building security men armed with guns, normal in the Philippines but not in most of the 70 countries where he said he had climbed. "I'm just climbing a building. I'm not killing anybody. It's not a bank robbery," he said. "I saw thousands of people inside the buildings. I did brighten their day. They will remember that their whole life." Robert has suffered several severe falls while climbing and estimates his accidents have left him 66 percent disabled. He has been arrested numerous times for his exploits. He said Tuesday he wanted to climb in Chile and Panama in the future. Lee Ching-Yu says she has been stopped from seeing her jailed husband Lee Ming-Cheh in China The wife of a Taiwanese democracy activist jailed in China condemned Beijing on Tuesday after she was banned from visiting him in prison for three months in a case that has strained cross-strait ties. NGO worker Lee Ming-che was sentenced to five years in prison in November 2017 on charges of subverting state power by a court in central Hunan province, as activists face increased pressure from authorities under Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lee was arrested in March that year during a trip to the mainland and held incommunicado for months. Taipei has called his jailing "unacceptable" and a serious blow to relations with Beijing, while his wife Lee Ching-yu has called his trial a "political show". After visiting him in jail, Lee Ching-yu publicly criticised prison conditions last month saying her husband had lost weight because food was often rotten, that he was denied warm clothing and had to work over ten hours daily. On Tuesday she said she had since been temporarily banned from seeing her husband because of the criticism, citing a notice from prison authorities who accused her of a "serious distortion of the facts". "Lee Ming-che is a prisoner of conscience," she told reporters. "I only truthfully recounted what I saw and heard about his situation," she said. "I remember he asked me urgently... to 'go everywhere and tell everybody' of his treatment in prison," she added. During his trial, Lee admitted the charges, stating that he had written and distributed online articles that criticised China's ruling Communist Party and promoted democracy. He had shared "Taiwan's democratic experiences" with his Chinese friends online for many years and often mailed books to them, according to the Taiwan Association for Human Rights. Lee Ching-yu urged the Chinese government to allow international rights groups and the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's top China policy-making body, to visit her husband if she was now banned. Amnesty International and Taiwanese rights groups have maintained that Lee is innocent and called for his immediate release. "When families can't visit (Lee) in prison, we are most worried that he could be subject to torture or other inhumane treatment," said Annie Huang, Amnesty International Taiwan's acting section director. China has accused the US of 'political manipulations' in the Huawei case China on Tuesday decried the "political manipulations" behind the US case against Huawei as Washington indicted the tech giant's chief financial officer and levelled sweeping charges against the company. "For some time, the US has used state power to discredit and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle the enterprises' legitimate and legal operations," China's foreign ministry said in a statement attributed to spokesman Geng Shuang. "There are strong political motivations and political manipulations behind the actions," Geng said. The US Justice Department unveiled 13 charges against Huawei Technologies, its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou -- the daughter of the company's founder -- who is currently out on bail in Canada, and two affiliates related to violating US sanctions on Iran. In addition, 10 US federal charges were filed against two Huawei affiliates for stealing robot technology from T-Mobile. China said it is "highly concerned" about the lawsuit against Huawei and called on the justice department to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Meng. "We strongly urge the US to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei and treat Chinese enterprises objectively and fairly," Geng said. Geng also called on Canada to release Meng. Packs of stray dogs are increasingly adding to Cairo's urban woes Alaa Hilal was out shopping in Cairo when she was attacked by a stray dog in broad daylight -- an increasing problem of daily life in Egypt which is stirring debate. "I got out of my car and saw an exceptionally large street dog," the 38-year-old housewife told AFP at her home, northeast of Cairo. "He approached me and bit me without barking or doing anything else," said Hilal, adding that she had been injured in the thigh. An overpopulated mega-city of more than 20 million people, Cairo is already plagued by monster traffic jams, widespread waste problems and rampant pollution. Packs of stray dogs are only adding to the city's challenges. Complaints about dog attacks, exposure to rabies and in some cases even deaths over the years have triggered calls for the animals to be brought under control. - Hounds unleashed - Commonly referred to as "baladi dogs", strays are widely viewed as unsanitary and dirty. They are typically seen running around the streets and scavenging garbage for food. Complaints about dog attacks and exposure to rabies have triggered calls for the animals to be brought under control According to the agriculture ministry, there were around 400,000 cases of dog bites in 2017, up from 300,000 in 2014. And 231 people died over the past four years from the wounds they received, mainly as a result of rabies. A bite from a dog carrying the rabies virus can be fatal within 24 hours as it damages the humans nervous system, said Shehab Abdel-Hamid, the head of Egypts society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA). Hilal, who had never feared dogs having had several pets when growing up, was rushed to a nearby hospital only to discover that she was the ninth person to be bitten by the same dog. "Due to the trauma caused by this incident, I became worried and I no longer want to be in the same place with them," she said. There are no official data on the numbers of stray dogs, but activists say they are running loose in their millions. A survey by the SPCA showed that the number of stray dogs "may reach up to more than 15 million", Abdel-Hamid said. Animal rights advocates have tried to offer solutions, actively removing dogs from the streets and giving them homes, such as the Hope shelter west of Cairo And though street dogs appear to fear the most crowded areas, they can be loud and aggressive in poorly lit and rubbish-strewn suburbs. In November, a video widely circulated on social media showed a car hitting a teenager who was being chased by two stray dogs. "Garbage is the main reason behind the stray dogs' crisis in Egypt," said Abdel-Hamid, highlighting how the problem was exacerbated when the rubbish men stopped working during the 2011 uprising. - Government mauled - The SPCA, however, lacks resources. Its headquarters in downtown Cairo was looted during the uprising and has not been renovated since, Abdel-Hamid added. And Egyptian authorities say they can only intervene on a case by case basis. A survey by Egypt's society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) showed that the number of stray dogs may be "more than 15 million", its head Shehab Abdel-Hamid said "We do not go around the streets looking for dogs to kill them," said the agriculture ministry spokesman Hamed Abdel-Dayem. "We only take measures following complaints." He didn't specify what measures are taken to bring the stray dog population under control. But animal rights advocates often lambast the government, accusing it of mass culls. In 2017, authorities killed more than 17,000 stray dogs following multiple complaints of dog "disturbances" and "biting" in Beni Sueif, south of Cairo, according to an August report by the governorate's veterinary directorate. The Red Sea governor even offered a 100 Egyptian pounds ($5.58) award to those who capture and hand over at least five strays. Rubbish is the main reason behind the stray dogs crisis, according to Shehab Abdel-Hamid, the head of Egypt's society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) Animal rights defenders also accuse the government of killing dogs using a drug, known as "strychnine", a chemical substance listed as "unacceptable on animal welfare grounds" for euthanasia by the World Organisation for Animal Health. But Abdel-Dayem denied that the government imported banned substances. "Is it logical that we (the ministry) allow internationally prohibited substances to enter the country?" he told AFP when asked about the strychnine claim. - 'Shelter of Hope' - Animal rights advocates have sought to offer solutions, actively removing dogs from the streets and giving them homes. Ahmed al-Shorbagi,(pictured), who has opened two dog shelters, says the solution lies in dog sterilisation programmes, providing rabies vaccinations and removing the garbage Ahmed al-Shorbagi, 35, opened two dog shelters in a desert area west of Cairo, near the famed Giza pyramids. The buildings with sheer concrete walls have kept more than 250 dogs safe for the past three years. Shorbagi contributes 40 percent to the funding of the shelters while the rest comes from donations. "At first I followed the animal rescue pages on Facebook," Shorbagi told AFP, rubbing one dog's belly as she wagged her tail in joy. "I saved a dog that I called 'Hope' and when I opened the shelter, I named it after her." Shorbagi believes the solution lies in dog sterilisation programmes, providing rabies vaccinations and removing the garbage. "Instead of the government paying millions of dollars to import poison, it should consider sterilisation," he said. "We, as associations, proposed to the ministry of agriculture to solve the problem but it refused." The ministry's spokesman denied however refusing to cooperate with private entities and hailed their work to help resolve the crisis. Crowds lined the streets of Tehran on February 1, 1979 hoping to catch a glimpse of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as he returned from exile "It's been 40 years, but I still remember climbing the fences of Tehran University so I could see what was happening," recalled Majid Heidarnik, now a teacher in Iran's holy centre of Qom. He was among the millions who lined the streets of the Iranian capital on February 1, 1979, hoping to catch a glimpse of their beloved "Imam", Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, as he returned from more than 14 years in exile. Just 10 days earlier, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi had fled Iran following mass uprisings and now the country was braced for the return of the man who had spearheaded the Islamic revolution and would soon bring an end to 25 centuries of monarchical rule. Caught up in the revolutionary fervour, Heidarnik would soon abandon his computing major at university to join a seminary. "We were there to see the one person who dared to resist and protest. We were about to see our leader in the flesh," he told AFP. Nearly three decades after his death, many still come to pay their respects at Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's mausoleum There was excitement, but also anxiety -- would the plane carrying Khomeini back from Paris be allowed to land, would it be shot out of the sky by the military who were still nominally supporting the shah? Visiting Khomeini's mausoleum in southern Tehran recently -- as he does once a year -- 62-year-old farmer Golberar Naghipour remembered it as a nervous time. "We were crying out of happiness, but we were worried as well. The country was still under the control of the shah's regime." - 'Revolutionary vision' - The Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, where many opponents of the shah were buried, was Khomeini's first destination after his Air France plane landed. It was there that he made a fiery speech declaring the monarchy must finally be ended. "I will designate the government, I will slap this (shah's) government in the face," Khomeini declared. An austere and charismatic cleric, Khomeini had wedded the fashionable rhetoric of the radical left at the time -- anti-Western, anti-colonial, oppressed versus oppressor -- with the historic imagery of Shiite Muslim martyrdom, to build a revolutionary vision of politicised Islam. Pilgrims visit the tomb of Iran's late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini at his mausoleum in southern Tehran ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution His mausoleum built next to the cemetery, where he was buried after his death in June 1989, is a sprawling and magnificent building decorated in the traditional Islamic manner. Even now, nearly three decades after his death, which prompted the biggest funeral in modern Iran's history, many come to visit the newly renovated building to pay their respects. But 40 years on, Khomeini's vision of the Islamic Republic is still a work-in-progress for some. "It is called the Islamic Republic, but it has yet to be realised," said Heidarnik. The anniversary of the revolution comes at a difficult time, with Iran's economy hit by the return of sanctions following US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. That has added to long-standing problems of mismanagement and corruption, which has brought criticism from all sides of the political spectrum -- with many accusing Iran's current officials of abandoning the ascetic example of their revolutionary founder. "When the people see the cost of living rising, they should see that everyone is suffering, there shouldn't be any difference (between classes). There are some people who preach about Islamic and austere living and yet they live like aristocrats," Heidarnik said. - Model for today - For the pilgrims at Khomeini's mausoleum, it is above all his image as a selfless and incorruptible leader that remains most powerful. Some 40 years on, Khomeini's vision of the Islamic Republic is still a work-in-progress for some "The Imam made so many sacrifices for the country, but wanted nothing for himself," said Maryam Yazdan-nejad, a 57-year-old housewife from the northwestern city of Mashhad, who visits the shrine every year or two. "If only -- if only! -- some of the officials today had the same nature as the Imam had," she added. For Heidarnik, there is no question the blame lies squarely with Iran's enemies, who he says are seeking to divert the country away from Islam. "Unfortunately infiltrators have penetrated, be it in the economy, the education system or the political system," he said. "But we were subjugated to the rule of monarchies for 2,500 years. It has only been 40 years since the revolution -- that's nothing in comparison. "God willing, we will realise the Islamic Republic in its entirety." A man walks past graffiti reading "Revolution" in Caracas -- where political crisis is swirling The United States announced sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company Monday in a coordinated effort with the main opposition leader to cripple embattled President Nicolas Maduro's power base. The measures against state-owned PDVSA were presented as a way of preventing the leftist strongman from looting the coffers in his economically ruined country before he is replaced by the man Washington says is the rightful interim president -- opposition leader Juan Guaido. "The purpose of sanctions is to change behavior," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. "So when there is a recognition that the company is the property of, the rightful rulers, the rightful leaders, then indeed that money will be available to Guaido." Guaido, who heads the National Assembly legislature and has named himself acting president, issued his own statement, saying he was taking "orderly control of our republic's assets abroad" to prevent a departing Maduro from trying "to empty the coffers." Venezuela was once a Latin American success story and has the world's largest oil reserves, but has been driven into the ground during years of hardline leftist rule. With millions short of food and other basic resources, there is widespread discontent. However, so far, Maduro has retained the backing of the powerful armed forces, as well as support from Russia and China. National Security Advisor John Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin briefed reporters on the latest US efforts to ramp up pressure on Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro Washington has moved decisively to seek the exit of Maduro by recognizing Guaido and urging the military to switch loyalties. President Donald Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton, called for security forces "to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power." "We've seen Venezuelan official and military personnel heeding this call," he added, citing the defection this weekend of the country's military attache to Washington. Bolton also would not rule out the use of US troops. "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he told reporters. - Pope's 'bloodbath' fears - An image released by the Venezuelan presidency shows a Russian-made T-72 tank taking part in military exercises in Carabobo state on January 27, 2019 Guaido called for a two-hour strike Wednesday "to demand that the armed forces side with the people" ahead of a "big national and international rally" on Saturday. His remarks came as the death toll in last week's protests rose to 35, according to NGO workers, with the government security forces accused of killing another eight in "extra-judicial executions." Following a trip to Panama, Pope Francis said he was afraid the escalating crisis would become "a bloodbath." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, offered to step in, saying he could provide "good offices to facilitate dialogue and negotiation between the parties." Along with China and Russia, Turkey and leftist regional allies Bolivia, Cuba and Mexico still back Maduro. But a dozen Latin American countries have recognized Guaido and six European nations -- Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain -- have said they would follow suit unless Maduro calls elections by February 3. - US: PDVSA must drop Maduro - Mnuchin said PDVSA must cut itself off from Maduro in order to see sanctions dropped. "The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent, democratically elected government," he said. Venezuela, Maduro vs Guaido PDVSA's US-based subsidiary Citgo will be able to continue operations, as long as its earnings are deposited into a blocked account in the United States. Guaido, who declared himself acting president Wednesday, said he will begin the process of naming new boards for PDVSA and Citgo to "start recovering our industry that is going through a dark time." Lawmakers will be asked to take "the necessary measures to guarantee the greatest transparency and control of the use" of the assets, Guaido added. "We took this decision to ensure that Citgo stays in the hands of Venezuelans." An angry Maduro nevertheless accused the United States of trying to "steal Citgo" and pledged to file legal action over the new sanctions. Since being elected head of the National Assembly legislature last month, Guaido has managed to rally a previously disunited opposition. Maduro has been in charge since 2013 but his re-election in May was branded illegitimate by the European Union, United States and Organization of American States. Several opposition leaders had been forced into exile, jailed or barred from standing in the election, leading the opposition to boycott the poll. burs-sms/sst/oh National guard members seen in Caracas as supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaido hand out leaflets offering amnesty to members of the military who defect to his camp The United States announced sanctions Monday against Venezuela's state oil company in a coordinated effort with the main opposition leader to cripple embattled President Nicolas Maduro's power base. The measures against state-owned PDVSA were presented as a way of preventing the leftist strongman from looting the coffers in his economically ruined country before he is replaced by the man Washington says is the rightful interim president -- opposition leader Juan Guaido. "The purpose of sanctions is to change behavior," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. "So when there is a recognition that the company is the property of, the rightful rulers, the rightful leaders, then indeed that money will be available to Guaido." Guaido, who heads the National Assembly legislature and has named himself acting president, issued his own statement, saying he was taking "orderly control of our republic's assets abroad" to prevent a departing Maduro from trying "to empty the coffers." Venezuela was once a Latin American success story and has the world's largest oil reserves, but has been driven into the ground during years of hardline leftist rule. With millions short of food and other basic resources, there is widespread discontent. However, so far Maduro has retained the backing of the powerful armed forces, as well as support from Russia and China. National Security Advisor John Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin briefed reporters on the latest US efforts to ramp up pressure on Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro Washington has moved decisively to seek the exit of Maduro by recognizing Guaido and urging the military to switch loyalties. President Donald Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton, called for security forces "to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power." "We've seen Venezuelan official and military personnel heeding this call," he added, citing the defection this weekend of the country's military attache to Washington. Bolton also would not rule out use of US troops. "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he told reporters. - Pope's 'bloodbath' fears - Guaido called for a two-hour strike Wednesday "to demand that the armed forces side with the people" ahead of a "big national and international rally" on Saturday. His remarks came as the death toll in last week's protests rose to 35, according to NGO workers, with the government security forces accused of killing another eight in "extra-judicial executions." An image released by the Venezuelan presidency shows a Russian-made T-72 tank taking part in military exercises in Carabobo state on January 27, 2019 Roman Catholic Pope Francis said Monday following a trip to Panama that he was afraid the escalating crisis would become "a bloodbath." United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, offered to step in, saying he could provide "good offices to facilitate dialogue and negotiation between the parties." Russia, China, Turkey and leftist regional allies Cuba, Bolivia and Mexico continue to back Maduro. However, a dozen Latin American countries have recognized Guaido and six European nations -- Britain, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands -- have said they would follow suit unless Maduro calls elections by February 3. - PDVSA must drop Maduro - Mnuchin said PDVSA must cut itself from Maduro in order to see sanctions dropped. "The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent, democratically elected government," he said. Venezuela, Maduro vs Guaido PDVSA's US-based subsidiary Citgo will be able to continue operations, as long as its earnings are deposited into a blocked account in the United States. Guaido, who declared himself acting president last Wednesday, said he will begin the process of naming new boards for PDVSA and Citgo to "start recovering our industry that is going through a dark time." He said he will ask lawmakers to take "the necessary measures to guarantee the greatest transparency and control of the use" of the assets. "We took this decision to ensure that Citgo stays in the hands of Venezuelans," added Guaido. Since being elected head of the National Assembly legislature last month, Guaido has managed to rally a previously disunited opposition. Maduro has been in charge since 2013 but his reelection last May was branded illegitimate by the European Union, United States and Organization of American States. Several opposition leaders had been forced into exile, jailed or barred from standing in the election, leading the opposition to boycott the poll. burs-sms/ec After a postponement due to the US government shutdown, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has invited President Donald Trump to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on February 5, 2019 The top Democrat in Congress said Monday that President Donald Trump has agreed on February 5 as the new date to deliver his State of the Union address, now that the US government has fully reopened. The date is just 10 days before the deadline for lawmakers and the president to agree on a border security package that averts a subsequent government shutdown. "I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to Trump, saying they had mutually agreed on the date. Pelosi had originally invited Trump to deliver his speech this Tuesday, but disinvited him over security concerns during the government shutdown and told the president there would be no address to Congress until federal operations resumed. The spat between the president and his main adversary in Congress came at the height of the partial government shutdown that left some 800,000 federal workers without pay for five weeks. The employees will be paid retroactively, but the disruption caused the US economy to take an $11 billion hit, the independent Congressional Budget Office said in a report Monday. Trump had insisted that Congress fund his long-sought wall on the US border with Mexico to the tune of $5.7 billion, declaring it a top national security priority. But Pelosi and her Democrats refused to budge. Trump eventually blinked, and signed a temporary measure opening the government's shuttered agencies, but only until February 15. If the opposing sides have not come to an agreement on a plan for US border security by that date, the same agencies could be shut down once more. Trump at the weekend signaled that border wall negotiations "will not be easy," with "both parties very dug in." "Only fools, or people with a political agenda, don't want a Wall or Steel Barrier to protect our Country from Crime, Drugs and Human Trafficking," he tweeted Saturday. "It will happen - it always does!" Shortly before Pelosi made her letter to Trump public, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said at a press briefing that the president "looks forward to addressing the American people" in his annual speech before Congress. Asia Bibi's acquittal ignited days of violent demonstrations, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading The fate of a Christian woman enmeshed in a years-long blasphemy row could finally be decided Tuesday, when Pakistan's Supreme Court will decide whether to allow an appeal against its decision to acquit Asia Bibi. Judges -- including Pakistan's new chief justice -- are expected to toss out the petition against their decision last October to free Bibi from death row, where she languished for eight years. If they do, it could lift the last legal hurdle between her and a possible deal for asylum abroad. Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 in what swiftly became Pakistan's most infamous blasphemy case. The Supreme Court overturned her conviction last year, but she remains in protective custody as a prime target in conservative Muslim Pakistan, where blasphemy is a hugely sensitive charge. With the government refusing to reveal her whereabouts, speculation has been rampant that she may seek asylum with a European or North American country. Bibi's acquittal ignited days of violent demonstrations, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading. The government has since launched a crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, the Islamist group driving the protests. Its chief, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, has been under detention for weeks. However authorities also struck a deal to end the violence which included allowing the petition seeking an appeal against the Supreme Court's judgement. On Tuesday, "the court will determine if our appeal against her acquittal is admitted" said Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer who filed the petition on behalf of a cleric. Petition reviews are usually settled on the same day they are heard by the court. Experts say it would be highly unusual for the court to allow an appeal against its own ruling. The three-member bench hearing the petition will be headed by new Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa -- considered the country's top expert in criminal law -- who helped draft the decision to acquit Bibi. - Inflammatory issue - Blasphemy remains a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings. Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims, and rights activists say blasphemy charges are often used to settle personal scores. Asia Bibi's acquital last year sparked massive protests by Muslim hardliners Minorities -- particularly Christians -- are often caught in the crossfire. The allegations against Bibi date back to 2009, when Muslim women accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, a charge punishable by death under Pakistan law. The accusation emerged from an argument after Bibi was asked to fetch water while working in the fields, but the women objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim. Bibi has consistently denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures. Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor Pope Francis. Unconfirmed Pakistani media reports claim Bibi's two daughters have already gone to Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in November that his government was in talks with Pakistan over an asylum deal, but neither side has confirmed any details since. Diagnosed with a form of anemia last fall, Jaharo had been responding well to treatment and had been eating, drinking and behaving normally for the past several weeks, zoo officials said. His condition, however, began declining rapidly Sunday morning. He died in the early afternoon. Many Moroccans turned out for vigils or left tributes and wreaths for the victims in the days following the murders The Moroccan ambassador attended the funeral Monday of the Norwegian woman hiker murdered last December in Morocco along with her Danish friend, reading messages of sympathy from her country's citizens. Ambassador Lamia Radi joined the mourners for 28-year-old Maren Ueland, including Norway's health minister and several dozen students from the University of Southeastern Norway, where the two women studied. The church service took place in the southeast town of Time. During the service, Radi denounced the "barbary" and "ignominy" of the killings, and read aloud messages from Moroccan people expressing their sadness. "Morocco wanted to be present today to express first its solidarity, to share the sorrow of the family," she told Norway's TV2 ahead of the ceremony. "At the same time, (we want) to make it very clear that we strongly condemn the horrible murders of those innocent girls," she said. Moroccan authorities have said that Ueland was killed together with 24-year-old Louisa Vesterager Jespersen of Denmark in a "terrorist act". They were attacked as they camped overnight Dec 16-17 at an isolated hiking spot in the High Atlas mountains. Their bodies were found the following day, beheaded. Moroccan authorities have arrested a total of 22 people in connection with the murders. They include four main suspects and a Spanish-Swiss man who had links to some of the suspects and who subscribed to "extremist ideology", Moroccan officials say. The main suspects belonged to a cell inspired by Islamic State group ideology, but none of the four had contact with IS members in Syria or Iraq, Morocco's counter-terror chief Abdelhak Khiam told AFP. Jespersen's funeral was held on January 12 in Denmark. Kenya Four people were wounded when gunmen opened fire on a Chinese construction site in Kenya's remote northeast, before being quickly repelled, police said on Monday. Eight attackers opened fire on the construction site near the town of Garissa late on Sunday evening, said David Kerina, regional police chief. "The attackers were repulsed because officers were called on time, they escaped with injuries and there are blood traces on the route they used to escape," he said. "We had four people who were injured during the incident and they were taken to hospital." National police chief Joseph Boinnet said there had been another attempted attack on a second construction camp which was also thwarted. "We suspect that the attackers are either dead or fled with serious injuries," he told AFP. The attack, suspected to be the work of Somali Islamists al-Shabaab, comes less than a week after the group killed 21 people at the Dusit hotel complex in the capital Nairobi. A suicide bomber and four gunmen with the Al-Qaeda affiliate stormed the hotel and office complex, leading to a dramatic 20-hour siege in which 700 civilians were rescued and another 28 injured. Police have made numerous arrests in connection with the attack but are still hunting for other suspects. So far, six people have appeared court but not yet been charged. "We have interrogated more than 30 people since the day of the attack, and some end up being suspects and some not," a police source said. Police on Sunday released a list of eight suspects believed to be connected to the attack, four of whom turned themselves in on Monday. Yemen is a signatory to the international Mine Ban Treaty but the deadly munitions still pose a major threat Five demining experts killed in a weekend explosion in Yemen were from South Africa and several European countries, a Saudi-run organisation in charge of the project said Monday. The state-run King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) said two South Africans, a Croatian, a Bosnian and a Kosovan were killed Sunday when a vehicle carrying mines to be destroyed exploded in the central province of Marib. A British national was injured in the explosion, KSRelief said without naming the casualties. War-torn Yemen is home to what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 24 million people in need of assistance and millions on the brink of famine. The World Health Organization estimates that around 10,000 Yemenis have been killed since 2015, when a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the government in the fight against Iran-backed rebels. Rights groups say both sides have committed potential war crimes. The Huthi rebels have been accused of the widespread and indiscriminate use of landmines, while the Saudi-led coalition has faced criticism for deadly air raids on civilians. Yemen is a signatory to the Mine Ban Treaty, an international pact which came into force in 1999 and aims to eliminate landmines and clear up vast tracts of affected land. Shivakumara Swami was the head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt, a highly influential monastery which runs hundreds of schools across southern India Tens of thousands of people thronged the streets of an Indian town on Monday to pay their last respects to the 111-year-old head of a Hindu religious sect known as "the walking god" to his followers. Shivakumara Swami was the head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt, a highly influential monastery which runs hundreds of schools across southern Karnataka state. His body, wrapped in saffron robes and flower garlands, was held aloft and paraded through crowds in Tumakuru, an industrial town near Bangalore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those to pay tribute to Swami, who died on Monday in a local hospital. "(Swami) lived for the people, especially the poor and vulnerable. He devoted himself towards alleviating ills like poverty, hunger and social injustice," Modi said on Twitter. "He represents the best of our traditions of compassionate service, spirituality and protecting the rights of the underprivileged." Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi offered his own condolences, describing the religious leader's death as leaving "a deep spiritual void" in the country. Swami remained a revered figure in the region even though his advanced age kept him from public appearances for several years. The many educational institutions established by Swami's monastery provided free shelter, food and education for poor students in Karnataka. The state government announced three days of mourning to mark his death. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walks with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa during a major investment conference in Riyadh, in a photo provided by the Saudi palace on October 24, 2018 The International Monetary Fund on Monday lowered its 2019 economic growth forecast for Saudi Arabia and the region over low oil prices and crude output along with rising geopolitical tensions. In its World Economic Outlook update for January, the global lender lowered its projection for Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product growth this year to 1.8 percent, down from 2.4 percent in its October report. However it raised its forecast for next year by 0.2 percentage points, to 2.1 percent. Riyadh has projected 2.6 percent GDP growth for 2019. The world's top crude exporter, the kingdom has been hit hard by tumbling oil prices and saw its economy shrink by 0.9 percent in 2017. It has since rebounded, with healthy 2.3 percent expansion in 2018, mainly thanks to higher oil prices and output. The IMF also lowered its 2019 growth forecast for the region including the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan by 0.3 percentage points to 2.4 percent. The report only provides a detailed country forecast for Saudi Arabia. Weak oil output growth, tightening financing conditions in Pakistan, US sanctions on Iran and regional geopolitical tensions were at the root of the forecast, the IMF said. Major Gulf oil exporters, including Saudi Arabia, have posted budget deficits since the crash of the global oil market in 2014. Riyadh has posted an accumulated budget shortfall of $313 billion over the past five years and projects a $32 billion deficit for 2019. Neighbouring Kuwait approved its national budget on Monday, projecting a significant deficit for a fifth year in a row due to low oil prices. Kuwaiti Finance Minister Nayef al-Hajraf told reporters the 2019-2020 budget projected a shortfall of $20.1 billion, or 13 percent of gross domestic product. Brent crude had hit $85 a barrel in early October, but prices plunged more than 40 percent over the following two months on oversupply and fears a trade war between the United States and China could slash demand. They partially rebounded to just above $60 a barrel since a new deal came into effect, under which OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers agreed to trim output by 1.2 million bpd. Oil prices have remained volatile in recent months, hitting $55 a barrel in early January. The IMF said that "markets expected prices to remain broadly at that level over the next 4-5 years". The poisoning of former agent Sergei Skripal in England in March sparked a crisis in relations with Moscow The European Union imposed chemical weapons sanctions on nine Russian and Syrian officials on Monday, including the chief of the powerful GRU military intelligence agency. The EU blamed the Russians -- two agents and the head and the deputy head of the GRU -- for the "possession, transport and use" of the nerve agent used in the attack in Salisbury, England last March. In addition to an assets freeze and travel ban for the Russian officials, the bloc announced sanctions on an alleged Syrian chemical weapons agency and five Syrians, EU states said in a statement. "This decision contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons which poses a serious threat to international security," the statement said, after a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Full details of those targeted were to be placed in the EU Official Journal later Monday. Russian agents have been blamed for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city in March last year using the Soviet-developed nerve agent Novichok. The Salisbury attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II, caused an international outcry and prompted a mass expulsion of Russian diplomats by Western nations. The Skripals survived the attack but a woman died in June after her partner picked up a discarded perfume bottle that British investigators believe was used to carry the Novichok. Moscow denies involvement in the poisoning and has offered numerous and varied alternative explanations and counter-accusations. The builder of Sydney's damaged Opal Tower is hopeful more residents could soon move back into their apartments after a meeting with engineers. Icon met with the body corporate's engineers Cardno and design engineers WSP on Tuesday to continue to the progressive re-occupation of the apartments. "We trust that Cardno will be in a position to release further apartments for reoccupation imminently," Icon said in an update to residents on Tuesday. It follows Cardno's declaration late last week that 74 units were safe to occupy with Icon on Sunday stopping payment for temporary accommodation and food for those residents. Icon on Tuesday said it extended its temporary accommodation to February 2 for residents whose units have not yet been cleared for reoccupation. A group of residents who own units in the tower on Monday sent a letter addressed to the prime minister, NSW premier and state planning minister about the "pain, loss and deceit" they have experienced since they were evacuated on Christmas Eve. They called on the state government to assess the habitability of Opal Tower and to ensure those behind the "crisis" take responsibility. Some of the residents of the 74 units cleared for return have refused to move back because they say the building is still a "construction zone". "All residents have already experienced enough serious mental and financial stress during this crisis," the letter, seen by AAP, says. "We should not be further subjected to the noise, dust, heavy machinery, loose construction materials, and the large amount of workers moving in and out of our building while Icon fixes problems that never should have been there in the first place." WSP last week said a reoccupation schedule had been established for apartments that are "physically remote" from repairs, strengthening works or propping. It maintains the building is structurally sound overall - a verdict also made by the government's independent engineering experts. The NSW opposition says it will ensure all new public primary schools are equipped with preschool or day care services if elected - but the government claims the ALP is stealing its policies. Opposition Leader Michael Daley on Tuesday said a Labor government would build "multi-purpose education precincts" increasing child care services and saving parents from doing two drop-offs. He said all new school facilities would include either a preschool, long day care centre or out of school hours care. But Education Minister Rob Stokes accused the opposition of reheating four-year-old government policy. Mr Stokes said the government in 2015 had committed to offering schools a grant to build child care facilities. "Labor has been caught out again announcing something the NSW government is already delivering to create more before and after school care places across the state," Mr Stokes said in a statement. Labor argue their policy is different because it makes building child care facilities mandatory at new schools. "Labor will consult with local communities to determine the appropriate mix of services for each new education precinct," Mr Daley said. Meanwhile, Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday promised to wipe out the state's school maintenance backlog by July 2020 if re-elected. Labor claims that the average maintenance backlog had quadrupled under the coalition government's watch. Energy giants and industry investors are warning the federal government's proposed laws to lower power prices will instead lead to increased bills for Australians. The draft laws include penalties and the potential forced break-up of companies, which the government argues are needed to ensure power retailers and generators do not make decisions which deliberately jack up the price of electricity. "The bill is unworkable, confusing, discourages investment, is an overreach into a free market, and a potentially costly burden on taxpayers," Origin Energy wrote to the Senate committee scrutinising the draft laws. A self-radicalised university student yelled "Allahu Akbar" and said he wanted to die during a knife attack on a passer-by near his Sydney home, a jury has heard. Ihsas Khan, 25, is on trial in the NSW Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to committing a terrorist act and wounding with intent to murder at Minto in 2016. Crown prosecutor Carolyn Davenport SC during her opening address on Tuesday said the alleged victim was walking near his house in September 2016 when Khan, then 22, attacked him with a knife. She expected there'd be evidence that Khan was heard to say "Allahu Akbar" and "I want to die today" in the lead-up to his arrest. The federal agency charged that the state insurance regulator had paid the women lower salaries than it paid to several male fraud investigators who performed the same work. The payments were based on gender, in violation of the Equal Pay Act, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for Maryland after an attempt to reach a pre-litigation settlement. Small businesses will get an extra tax break with the Morrison government giving another extension to the instant asset write-off, to mid-2020. The tax break will also be lifted immediately to cover assets worth up to $25,000, up from $20,000, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday. "This measure will allow the more than three million eligible small and family businesses ... to keep $750 million of their own money so they can reinvest it in their business and support the jobs and wages of their 5.7 million employees," he told an audience in Brisbane. If Australia is the "lucky country" then it may have found its perfect match in this year's Lunar New Year zodiac - the pig. A symbol of prosperity, fertility and good luck, the pig is the hero of Sydney's 2019 lunar festival, the largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia. "They're said to be happy, to be honest, sincere and brave people who are born in the Year of the Pig," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore told reporters on Tuesday. The 10-day festival begins on Friday and is expected to attract upwards of 1.3 million people. Festival curator Valerie Khoo said the festival was not only an event for Australians with Asian heritage but also the wider community to learn more about the culture. "The pig symbolises strength and abundance - they're qualities and characteristics that are important to me but I think the wider community would resonate with as well," Ms Khoo told AAP. This year's festivities include the largest dragon boat races in the southern hemisphere, culinary events, workshops, lion dancing and live cultural performances celebrating Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian cultures. All 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac will be on display in the Lunar Lanterns exhibition throughout Circular Quay, Pitt St and Green Square, including an eight-metre stack of monkeys and a six-metre inflatable ox on the foreshore. Nightly lion dancing will also take place around the lanterns and each weekend in Chinatown. Surf Life Saving NSW will use the festival to raise awareness of water safety around the state. Chief executive Steven Pearce said last year more than 10 per cent of drowning deaths on the NSW coast were international tourists. Jack Bird says he will be out to prove a point at left centre for Brisbane this NRL season after an injury ravaged year to forget. The former NSW star said he was primed to fire in a centre combination with James Roberts in 2019 after being limited to just eight games due to shoulder and sternum injuries in his debut Broncos season. "Last year was one to forget but it makes me stronger. I am confident I can prove to everyone that I can get back to the footy I am capable of playing," the former Cronulla premiership winner said. Vietnam has confirmed it is holding prominent Australian democracy advocate Chau Van Kham, who has not been heard from in more than two weeks. Mr Kham has been detained while authorities "conduct investigations into violations of Vietnamese law", a Vietnam foreign ministry spokesman said in an emailed statement on Monday, the dpa reports. Mr Kham is a member of the pro-democracy group Viet Tan, which first raised the alarm. The authorities also confirmed it was holding Nguyen Van Vien, a member of the Brotherhood for Democracy, whom Mr Kham had arranged to meet in Ho Chi Minh City. "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 on Friday. Mr Kham, an Australian citizen, is a well known member of the Vietnamese community in Sydney with a long history of campaigning for human rights. Indonesia's security minister says the decision to release alleged Bali bombing mastermind Abu Bakar Bashir is being reviewed, hours after Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged President Joko Widodo to show respect for Australia. Mr Wiranto, the minister, told a hastily called news conference on Monday night Mr Widodo had asked him to co-ordinate a review of all aspects of the planned release, The Associated Press reports. Bashir, 81, is considered the spiritual leader of Islamist group Jemaah Islamiah, which was implicated in the 2002 Bali bombings. The radical Muslim cleric was convicted of terrorism charges in 2010 over links to militant training camps in Aceh province and jailed for 15 years. But Mr Widodo said on Friday Bashir would be granted early release from jail on humanitarian grounds. Mr Morrison and other members of the federal government have been in direct contact with their Indonesian counterparts over Bashir's impending release. "Australians died horrifically on that night, and I think Australians everywhere would be expecting that this matter was treated with the utmost seriousness by our government, which it is," the prime minister told reporters on Monday. "But also that the Indonesian government would show great respect for Australia in how they manage this issue." Eighty-eight of the more than 200 people killed in the 2002 bombings of Bali nightclubs were Australians and Canberra has previously urged against leniency for Bashir. "We have been consistent always - governments of both persuasions, over a long period of time - about our concerns about Abu Bakar Bashir," Mr Morrison said. "He should serve what the Indonesian justice system has delivered to him as his sentence." The prime minister said it was not uncommon for prisoners who have served two-thirds of their Indonesian prison sentences to get parole. "But we have been very clear about the need to ensure that as part of our joint counter-terrorism efforts - we have an excellent counter-terrorism partnership with Indonesia - that Abu Bakar Bashir would not be in any position or in any way able to influence or incite anything," he said. "Let's not forget that Bali bombing led to the deaths of Indonesians as well." Australians will have the opportunity to view a replica of the Endeavour when it circumnavigates the country next year to mark the anniversary of Captain James Cook's first voyage to Australia and the Pacific. "As the 250th anniversary nears we want to help Australians better understand Captain Cook's historic voyage and its legacy for exploration, science and reconciliation," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement on Tuesday. "From Far North Queensland and the Cooktown 2020 Festival across to Bunbury and down to Hobart, our government will ensure Australians young and old can see first-hand the legacy of Captain Cook and the voyage of the Endeavour." Projects for the Cooktown 2020 Festival will receive $5.45 million for the development and upgrade of sites but also to celebrate local indigenous culture as the region becomes the focal point of the anniversary. "Our region has an incredible connection to Captain Cook's voyage and we want the rest of Australia to hear our stories," LNP Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said. The Australian National Maritime Museum gets $6.7 million to sail the replica of the Endeavour from Sydney in March 2020, heading south to Hobart before turning north and sailing right around the country's coastline. It will call in at some ports, anchor at others or sail by specific locations, with 39 stops proposed where it will host a series of events and activities. Minister for the Arts Mitch Fifield says the circumnavigation would be managed sensitively, and will present both the view from the ship and the view from the shore of Cook's historic voyage. The circumnavigation is being funded from the existing $48.7 million set aside to mark the anniversary, with Mr Morrison saying the events would offer new generations an insight into Captain Cook, the Endeavour and the experiences of indigenous Australians. The Australian economy is set to be hit by slower than expected global growth over the next two years. The International Monetary Fund has revised its global economic growth forecast for 2019 to 3.5 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points on its previous estimate, and 3.6 per cent for 2020 (down 0.1). In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF warns risks to global growth include tightening financial conditions, trade tensions between the United States and China, a possible "no deal" exit by the UK from the European Union and a stronger than expected slowdown in China. "If countries resolve their differences without raising distortive trade barriers further and market sentiment recovers, then improved confidence and easier financial conditions could reinforce each other to lift growth above the baseline forecast," the report says. "However, the balance of risks remains skewed to the downside." Apart from resolving trade issues, the IMF has recommended countries look at their domestic financial and economic policies as a buffer. "Across all economies, measures to boost potential output growth, enhance inclusiveness, and strengthen fiscal and financial buffers in an environment of high debt burdens and tighter financial conditions are imperatives," the report says. Launching the report, the IMF's Gita Gopinath said: "Where fiscal space is low, fiscal policy needs to adjust in a growth-friendly manner to ensure public debt is on a sustainable path while protecting the most vulnerable." Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said it was an important and timely warning. "Labor is the only major party with economic and tax policies designed to restore the fiscal buffers and pay down debt in a fair way," Mr Bowen said. "While the Liberal Party looks to cut without notice the spending on basic services that hits low income earners the hardest, the Labor Party is seeking a mandate from the Australian people for tough decisions and tax reform. "That includes reforms to negative gearing, capital gains tax discount, trusts and excess franking credits, but it also includes bigger tax cuts for low and middle income Australians as well as the Australian Investment Guarantee to encourage business to invest more." Protecting the most vulnerable also demanded better spending on schools and hospitals, he said. Today's birthday, January 22: American actor Gabriel Macht (1972 - ) Gabriel Macht's parents wanted him to become either a lawyer or a doctor and to some degree, he's managed to fulfil both these wishes. The actor, now best known for his role as slick lawyer Harvey Specter in the swaggering US legal drama Suits, didn't score the career-defining role until he was 38 years old - despite appearing in his first movie at eight. Born on January 22 1972 in the Bronx, New York, Macht grew up as one of four children to a museum curator mother and actor father. The family moved to California when Macht was five where he attended high school in Beverley Hills before going on to study at the Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts. After performing for his father and his actor friends to rave reviews, Macht followed his father into the business. After roles in Behind Enemy Lines (2001), The Good Shepherd (2006), Because I Said So (2007) and Love and Other Drugs (2010), he finally scored the role of Harvey Specter in 2010. But it was almost not to be with the Suits team already having cast someone in the role by the time Macht put his hand up for the part. But the other man turned it down and Macht quickly impressed the creator and producers and scored his big break. Now eight seasons in, Suits has spawned successful careers for many of it's leading ladies and men. Ironically, Macht is most comfortable while not wearing a suit - and though the character of Harvey Specter may have many fans, he's not among them. "There was a guy in New York who was like, 'I adore you, you're my everything.' And I was like, 'Really? You adore the totally insecure guy who's got to put people in their place in a really aggressive, angry way?'" he once told Fairfax Media. Macht married Australian actress Jacinda Barrett in 2004 and the couple has two children together, a daughter Satine and a son Luca. The pair together attended the royal wedding of Prince Harry to Macht's former Suits co-star Meghan Markle in May 2018. Advertisement It's billed as being one of the must-see exhibitions of the year. And Jenna Coleman was leading the star-studded guest list at the gala dinner celebrating the new Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at The V&A museum in London on Tuesday evening. The Cry actress, 32, was joined by a host of famous faces including Bond beauty Olga Kurylenko and fellow actress Gemma Arterton at the glitzy event. A-list affair: Jenna Coleman, Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton (from left to right) were leading the star-studded guest list at the gala dinner celebrating the new Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at The V&A museum in London on Tuesday evening Jenna was the picture of elegance in a glamorous black gown at the event, which was hosted by the Board of Trustees and Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tristram Hunt. The gorgeous frock featured subtle glittering detailing and a sheer tulle skirt, perfectly complemented with simple black heels and a tousled blow dry. Also turning heads at the gala was Olga, wearing a pretty pastel coloured dress featuring intricate floral applique on the skirt. The stunning off-the-shoulder star was set off with a pair of pointed nude stilettos and a metallic blue clutch. Glamorous: Jenna and Olga were both the picture of elegance as they arrived at the glitzy event in style Beautiful in blush: Gemma was sophisticated as ever in her floor-length blush gown with contrasting black detailing on the bodice and sheer sleeves Strike a pose: Gemma caught up with model mother and daughter duo Amber and Yasmin Le Bon at the exhibition She's a vision: Felicity Jones commanded attention when she graced the V&A with her glamorous entrance in a black ballgown with shimmering embellishments Sparkling delight: The Northanger Abbey actress pinned her fringe off her face and in turn showed off her statement drop pearl earrings when she arrived at the star-studded event Perfect pair: Felicity was accompanied by her very dapper husband Charles Guard, who she married last year, and the couple looked closer than ever as they posed inside the venue Meanwhile, Gemma looked sleek and sophisticated in a stunning floor-length gown with sheer sleeve detailing. The nude number featured a printed bandeau bodice and she carried a coordinating black clutch bag. Veteran model Eva Herzigova was also being treated to a VIP preview of the exhibition. She was rocking a geometric print dress, accessorised with an oversized leather belt and a satin jacket. Edgy arrival: Veteran model Eva Herzigova was also being treated to a VIP preview of the exhibition Dapper chaps: Eddie Redmayne (left) and Count Nikolai von Bismarck (right) put in appearances at the gala dinner Date night: Eddie was accompanied by his wife Hannah as they enjoyed a sneak peek at the must-see new exhibition Looking lovely: Eddie didn't let his wife down on the style stakes as he looked dashing in a blue two-piece suit but he went without the tie for the occasion Glamorous night out: Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis looked sensational in a flowing black ballgown as she joined dapper Nicholas Kirkwood Big group: Nicholas Coleridge, Daniel Chatto, Lady Sarah Chatto, Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon, David Armstrong Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowden and Georgia Metcalfe posed for a snap inside the venue The likes of Eddie Redmayne and Kristin Scott Thomas were also seen putting in appearances at the A-list event. Before dinner was served, the Earl of Snowdon shared memories of his mother, Princess Margaret, in a heartfelt speech. A highlight of the exhibition, Princess Margarets 21st birthday dress, designed by Christian Dior in 1951 - and which she would later refer to as her favourite dress of all - is on display for the first time in many years. Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A said: 'Combining our unrivalled couture collections with the House of Diors own remarkable archive this is a defining moment for fashion at the V&A. Joining forces: Accompanying Gemma to the event was her sister Hannah, a fellow actress Suave: Oscar-winning actor Eddie cut a nonchalant figure, posing with his hands in his pockets Golden girls: Kristin Scott Thomas (left) and Caroline Issa (right) were dressed to impress in sparkling metallic numbers Glittering: Kristin was impeccably dressed in a sequin embellished green gown with flowing sleeves Classic elegance: Yasmin (left) and Bianca Jagger (right) opted for black numbers with subtle colour accents 'There is a long history of shared knowledge between the V&A and Dior, from the late 1950s to the present day, and it has been an honour to collaborate with the House of Dior on the development of this exhibition. ' Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition ever staged in the UK on the House of Dior the V&As biggest fashion exhibition since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015. From 1947 to the present day, the exhibition traces the history and impact of one of the 20th centurys most influential couturiers, and the six artistic directors who have succeeded him, to explore the enduring influence of the fashion house. Catching up: Charles Guard, Felicity Jones, Olga and Ben Cura were spotted mingling at the show Fashion forward: Noomi Rapace and Lea Colombo (left) and Hamish Bowles and Cordelia de Castellane (right) were seen at the exhibition If the shoe fits: Roland Mouret was seen helping Stephanie Phair with her shoes as the event got underway Posing: Edward Enninful joined Stephanie and Roland (left) while Ben Elliot and Mary-Clare Winwood (right) also attended Over 500 objects and 200 rare Haute Couture garments will be on display, as well as accessories, fashion photography, film, perfume and personal items belonging to Dior. Oriole Cullen, the V&A's fashion and textiles curator, said: 'In 1947, Christian Dior changed the face of fashion with his New Look, which redefined the female silhouette and reinvigorated the post-War Parisian fashion industry. 'More than seventy years after its founding, the V&As exhibition will celebrate the enduring influence of the House of Dior and uncover Diors relationship with Britain.' Heading off: Eddie and his wife Hannah were spotted making a departure from the museum, braving the rain Radio star Kate Langbroek and her family uprooted their lives to move from Melbourne to Bologna, Italy on Sunday. Despite now being based on the other side of the world, the 53-year-old will continue to co-host her Hughesy & Kate radio show. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Kate shared a glimpse of her new 'studio', a relatively meagre space in comparison to her former headquarters in Australia. Scroll down for video 'First show from Italy!' Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Kate Langbroek provided a peek at her new radio studio in Bologna - and it's nothing like her former headquarters in Melbourne The photo showed a simple white table loaded up with computers and other equipment, including a microphone. 'Getting ready to broadcast first @hughesyandkate show from Italy,' she excitedly captioned the shot. Earlier this week, the mother-of-four shared another photo of herself, husband Peter Lewis and their children walking through the streets of Bologna. 'First day walking to school... 0 degrees... #sixtakeitaly,' Kate wrote in the caption. A bit different! Kate was previously based in Melbourne, and worked in a modern, expansive and professional radio studio at the Hit Network 'First day walking to school': Earlier this week, the mother-of-four shared another photo of herself, husband Peter Lewis and their children walking through the streets of Bologna The Langbroek family made their big international move on Sunday, just days after Kate admitted she wasn't entirely sure why she was doing it in the first place. Appearing on The Project last Wednesday, Kate confessed: 'I can't tell you why because I've got NFI [no f**king idea].' She added: 'But at the time it seemed like a good idea that we would take our four children and got to live in Italy for a year. 'Why? I don't know. I'm hanging by a thread.' Bologna bound! Kate and her family (pictured) made their big international move on Sunday 'I'm hanging by a thread': Several days before moving to Italy, Kate confessed on The Project that she had no idea why she was heading overseas for a year Kate was originally going to resign from her job hosting Hughesy & Kate, but her colleague Dave Hughes, 48, encouraged her to keep working. 'The reason that we left KIIS FM [at the end of 2017] was because I only wanted to sign a one-year contract because I knew that we wanted to go and live overseas this year,' Kate told News.com.au last Monday. While she assumed she would have to quit working in the Australian media, Dave told her, 'You're crazy, we've got to keep doing the show.' Making it work! She was going to resign from her job, but her colleague Dave Hughes (right) encouraged her to keep working A yearlong investigation of Sweet Leaf's sales practices centered 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. Many a parent has found themselves baffled during one of those awkward chats with a teenage son or daughter. Now Zoe Balls 18-year-old son Woody reveals that he flummoxed his mother when he revealed to her that he was bisexual. Woody says his mother who this month took over from Chris Evans as host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show was confused about his sexuality and initially told him he was straight. The student, whose father is Norman Cook, aka DJ Fatboy Slim, revealed he had liked both boys and girls for three years. Zoe Balls 18-year-old son Woody reveals that he flummoxed his mother when he revealed to her that he was bisexual I told my mum and her first reaction was, You cant be, you like girls, he told Boys By Girls magazine. I got her to look back upon her group of friends and she started to realise she knew more bi people than she thought. I think it was a bigger thing in her time. Some people assume its an in-between before you are gay. But really, its a thing on its own. Woody, who grew up in his parents beachfront home in Brighton, believes a lot of gay and straight people in his parents generation are probably bisexual, but havent ever realised. He added: None of my grandparents know, and they might be finding out after this interview. Its something Ive known for three years. I always felt, growing up, that I had all these thoughts and I just shook it off. The teenager, pictured above with his mum, said that while his friends have been really supportive, he did get a bit of s*** at school for a while. He now attends a sixth form college near his home where there is a large LGBTQ community and is signed up to modelling agency PRM. He said he hasnt yet been out with a boy and that he is currently more attracted to girls. On why he is attracted to both sexes, he said: The dynamic is really different with the two of them. Guys are much more straightforward with everything, but I prefer the dynamic with girls. Boys are more open to hanging out together and getting to know each other. Ball, 48, and her husband married in 1999 but separated in 2016 and are now divorced. Granny would be proud: Baby joy for Tessas boy Ella Woodward, 27, pictured beaming with pride next to hubby Matthew Mills, 35, who is showing off a scan of their unborn child Just eight months after the tragic death of former Labour minister Tessa Jowell, her son Matthew is celebrating happy news. He and his food entrepreneur wife are expecting their first baby. Ella Woodward, 27, of Deliciously Ella fame, is pictured here beaming with pride next to hubby Matthew Mills, 35, who is showing off a scan of their unborn child. Baby Mills coming in August, says Ella. Were completely over the moon and just feel like the luckiest people in the world. Matthew and Ella, owners of London deli Mae, married three years ago on the Caribbean island of Mustique after being introduced by Ellas father, ex-politician Shaun Woodward. Described as a turncoat, Woodward is a former Labour MP who began his political career on the Tory benches. Woodward has four children with his former wife, Sainsburys heiress Camilla. Their 28-year marriage ended in 2015 after he was said to have forged a close relationship with the grandson of Sir Michael Redgrave. The huge crowds who clamoured to see beauty blogger James Charles on a visit to Birmingham last weekend appear to have inspired the teenage daughter of underwear tycoon Michelle Mone. Bethany Mone, 18, has set up her own YouTube channel, where she posts videos of her doing her make-up. Proud of my wee girl Bethany, gushes her mother, Baroness Mone of Mayfair. Love it that social media can help our young generation follow their dreams. Floyd star sells guitar collection A 1969 Fender Stratocaster played by David Gilmour is expected to sell for more than 100,000 when the Pink Floyd axe-wrangler auctions his extensive instrument collection at Christies. These guitars have been very good to me. They have paid for themselves many times over, but its now time that they moved on, laments the musician, who will donate the proceeds to charity. The sale of around 120 instruments in New York this June will free up space on the Astoria, Gilmours houseboat studio moored on the Thames at Hampton. But the rocker is already regretting his decision to part with his beloved guitars. It will be a wrench to see them go and perhaps one day Ill have to track one or two of them down and buy them back! Model Daisy enjoys a very starry 30th Model and socialite Daisy Lowe once admitted she felt so insecure about her physique she was unable to get out of bed. Happily, the daughter of textile designer Pearl Lowe and rock star Gavin Rossdale rose to the challenge for her 30th birthday at The Pig Hotel in Devon twinning her low-cut black dress with an ornate silver star headpiece. Pixie Geldof was among Daisys friends who posted her birthday wishes online. She wrote: Youre 30 and more full of love, kindness and beauty than ever before. Model and socialite Daisy Lowe once admitted she felt so insecure about her physique she was unable to get out of bed Fancy working out how much tax the royals should pay? The Royal Household is advertising for an accountant. Youll produce management information and financial accounts for a number of entities including retail, charitable bodies and private accounts, states the advertisement on the royal website. The successful candidate will be paid around 40,000 per year. Good news for Michael Gove his favourite hip-hop group Public Enemy is joining forces with Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul for a Gods Of Rap UK tour. Chris Wareing, the music promoter who secured the alliance, says: If you think the Brexit negotiations look like hard work, trust me when I say that getting three of the biggest rap groups of all time on the same bill was challenging Wu-Tang Clan alone have nine different managers. Thats more than even the European Research Group. Jenny Agutter has spoken of her sadness that she only became a mother once and was not able to have more children. The Call The Midwife star, 66, was pregnant with her only child Jonathan, now 28, when she married Swedish hotelier Johan Tham in 1990 after a whirlwind romance. Alas the couple did not manage to add to their family. We intended to have more than one child, but thats just the way it turned out, she says. I got pregnant in a flash but never became pregnant again. Prince Philips secret lucky spoon Psychic spoon-bender Uri Geller has a royal fan Prince Philip. The 72-year-old illusionist tells me how he presented the Duke with a spoon from a Concorde flight some years ago and bent it before his eyes. He was delighted and gave me one of his spoons in exchange, Uri, who moved back to his homeland, Israel, three years ago, recalls. Ive been told he takes the one I bent with him wherever he goes as a good luck keepsake, popping it in his jacket pocket when he remembers. I just hope he didnt have it with him when he had his car accident. Nicky Haslam says that more men should have facelifts. I had a full facelift in 1999 and I havent had anything done since, the 79-year-old interior designer told me at the Oldie awards. All men should have it done as it will change their life. Vanity is when you think youre perfect. Not vain is when you want to change it because you dont think you look good. A lot of people say, I wouldnt dream of having anything done theyre the ones that think theyre perfect. Drag queen puts Duchess in the shade The Duchess of York was upstaged by Germanys most famous drag queen yesterday. The 6 ft 5 in cross-dresser Olivia Jones, real name Oliver Knobel, rubbed shoulders with Sarah Ferguson, 59, at a dinner in Cologne hosted by biscuit king Hermann Buehlbecker, boss of baker Lambertz. Despite having a leg shortening operation two years ago to reduce her height by a couple of inches, Olivia still towers above Fergie and out-gingers her with her orange and red hair. She was recently spotted dropping engagement hints on social media. And it appeared that Lucy Mecklenburgh and Ryan Thomas were strong than ever as they attended a performance of La Boheme at the English National Opera on Tuesday evening. The 27-year-old former TOWIE star looked stylish in a chic tweed dress as she posed arm-in-arm with her boyfriend at the glitzy event. Stronger together: Lucy Mecklenburgh and Ryan Thomas were strong than ever as they attended a performance of La Boheme at the English National Opera on Tuesday evening Lucy's thigh-grazing number featured a sheer cut-out panel and a decorative collar, in orange, white and black hues. She added further glitz with a small clutch bag and a pair of hoop earrings, even her heels were adorned with gems. Lucy's glossy locks were stylish in loose curls, while she ensured to accentuate her pretty features with a glamorous coat of make-up in warm tones. Meanwhile, Ryan looked dashing in a navy two-piece suit which he wore with a white shirt and accessorised with a maroon scarf. Chic: The 27-year-old former TOWIE star looked stylish in a chic tweed dress as she posed arm-in-arm with her boyfriend at the glitzy event What's that? Lucy's thigh-grazing number featured a sheer cut-out panel and a decorative collar, in orange, white and black hues According to new!, Lucy has been looking at inspiration and has liked lots of wedding themed snaps on Instagram, including dresses, flower arrangements and table layout ideas. Lucy was pictured looking very cosy with a man in a Dubai nightclub, believed to be her friend and business associate Adam Rossiter. In the same week the video of Lucy and Adam emerged, at the end of last year, Ryan had told OK! magazine that Lucy is keen for him to get down on one knee. Glam: She added further glitz with a small clutch bag and a pair of hoop earrings, even her heels were adorned with gems Striking: Lucy's glossy locks were stylish in loose curls, while she ensured to accentuate her pretty features with a glamorous coat of make-up in warm tones In the same week the video of Lucy and Adam emerged, at the end of last year, Ryan had told OK! magazine that Lucy is keen for him to get down on one knee. He said: 'Shes always dropping hints about what she wants to happen. I think Lucy wants me to propose next year! And Lucy said: 'Youd better get saving because I want a really heavy left hand!' Perfect partnership: Meanwhile, Ryan looked dashing in a navy two-piece suit which he wore with a white shirt and accessorised with a maroon scarf Wedding on the brain: Lucy has been looking at inspiration and has liked lots of wedding themed snaps on Instagram, including dresses, flower arrangements and table layout ideas Oops! The pair fiddled with a grey umbrella before fully shielding themselves from the rain Date night: The couple appeared in high spirits as they left the venue Sweet: The TV personalities held onto each other as they enjoyed an evening stroll in the English capital In fact, back in October last year, Lucy dropped a major hint regarding what sort of ring she would like Ryan to choose for her, liking the same jewel 20 times. Feeling tap happy on various accounts, it was an oval cut diamond by Jean Dousset, the great-great grandson of Louis Cartier. Lucy and Ryan began dating after taking part of Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls last year and have been enamoured ever since. The couple are currently on holiday in Mykonos for one of the Corrie hunk's best friend's wedding. The star shares nine-year-old daughter Scarlett with his former co-star Tina O'Brien, having dated from 2003 to 2009, while Lucy was previously engaged to her TOWIE fellow Mario Falcone, before they split in 2012. All smiles: Alan Carr appeared in high spirits as he posed alongside pal Melanie Sykes Looking good: Natalie Rushdie, Victoria Pendleton and Nathalie Emmanuel opt for androgynous chic in two-piece black suits Cool girl: Portia Freeman made a statement in a camel mac and stylish hooped earrings Stunning: Nathalie looked effortlessly chic in an all black ensemble including a pair of pointed stilettos Chic: Melanie Sykes beat the chill by wrapping up in a chic black wrap coat and opaque tights Bang on trend: Victoria Pendleton looked sensational in a shiny suit and statement velvet jacket With her past relationships including 75-year-old Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, it's clear Noor Alfallah has a thing for older men. However the 23-year-old has strongly denied she is dating 88-year-old Clint Eastwood, after the two were pictured heading off from a night out together. On Monday evening the Oscar-winning actor and director was seen leaving celeb hotspot Craig's in West Hollywood with movie producer Noor in the back seat. However rather than any romance, Noor was keen to insist Clint was just a family friend, telling DailyMail.com 'There is no relationship.' Surprise companion: Clint Eastwood, 88, left Craig's restaurant in West Hollywood with 23-year-old Noor Alfallah on Monday night Where's Clint's girlfriend? Christina Sandera, whom the Oscar-winning star has been dating for several years, was nowhere in sight as they left the venue Former fling: Noor with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, far left, Ronnie Wood and his wife Sally Humphreys in a picture she shared on her Instagram account last year 'There is no relationship, we're not dating. There is no relationship,' Noor told DailyMail.com. 'We're family friends, and my family was there and that's it. 'My parents were there, other friends were there. Trust me there's no relationship.' When asked who she is dating now, she added simply: 'no comment'. Noor was last linked to 57-year-old billionaire Nicolas Berggruen - who calls himself a philanthropist and investor - whom she was reportedly dating as of early December. He has not been featured on her Instagram pages since November. Meanwhile Clint has been dating Christina Sandera for the past several years. Not in the mood to be noticed: Clint seemed to have his hair in disarray as he tried to move the car. The Hollywood legend was clad in a brown jacket over a blue shirt Mind the gap: The Hollywood icon and the pretty movie producer have 65 years between them On Monday night Hollywood legend Clint was clad in a brown jacket over a blue shirt. University Of Southern California graduate Noor had on a black leather jacket and slacks as well as heels with her glam fully done. It is not known if he is still dating Sandera, whom he was last pictured with at The Mule premiere in early December. Days earlier, on January 26, Clint was seen with Noor's parents outside Nobu in Malibu. Her father is Kuwaiti and her mother is an American named Alana. The looker's dad wore a beige sweater with caramel colored slacks. Her mother had on a black jacket and long purple scarf with her blonde locks worn down. Her folks: On January 26 Clint was seen with her parents outside Nobu in Malibu: her father is Kuwaiti and her mother is American A good old time: Clint was flagged by Noor's father and her mother as she looked on Ready to pay: The Dirty Harry star had money in hand as he walked to his car Noor started dating Mick in 2017 after they were introduced through director Brett Ratner. In 2014, Alfallah created her first film. It was an awareness documentary about homeless people called Streets Of Life. She also worked on a TV short called Brosa Nostra. In her last Instagram photo posted on January 1 she was at a bonfire. The caption read, 'HNY. 2019. HomeRun Ranch.' Now an ex? She last dated 57-year-old billionaire Nicolas Berggruen, who calls himself a philanthropist and investor Hot in early December: Eastwood and Sandera held hands at The Mule premiere on December 10 in LA Her sister Remi used to date Michael Jackson's son Prince Jackson. This comes one month after Clint debuted his eighth child. He posed with his first born child Laurie at The Mule premiere in LA on December 10. Clint's eight children are split between six women, including his two past wives. Laurie Eastwood, as she identified herself to photographers, was pictured surrounded by her seven younger siblings in a group shot. She was also seen enjoying a drink with Clint as the two chatted together during a reception at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles. Pictured: Eastwood was seen for the first time with 'secret daughter' Laurie as all EIGHT children support him at The Mule premiere in Los Angeles in December Family ties: Clint's youngest child, 22-year-old Morgan, confirmed that Laurie is her sister with this heartfelt Instagram post Party of eight: Siblings Kimber Lynn Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood, Francesca Eastwood, Alison Eastwood, Laurie Eastwood (circled), Kathryn Eastwood, Morgan Eastwood, Scott Eastwood Clint's youngest child, 22-year-old Morgan Eastwood, confirmed that Laurie was her sister as she celebrated the family reunion. 'SO RARE for all 8 Eastwood siblings to be in one room!!!' she wrote, posting a picture of the group to Instagram. Alison Eastwood, Clint's daughter with first wife Maggie Johnson, also wrote about the reunion on Instagram. 'I'm not sure there has ever been a picture of all 8 kids together but here it is,' she wrote in the caption. Laurie is thought to have been born while Clint was having a secret affair with a woman in Seattle while he was engaged to Johnson in 1953. Her existence was first revealed by Eastwood biographer Patrick McGilligan, who said Laurie's mother had a serious relationship with the future star. 'Clint has a way of bringing his progeny - his big extended family - together and he's been doing this for a long time,' McGilligan told DailyMail.com on Tuesday. 'One of the things that's interesting about him is that, after a certain point in time, they were no longer hidden from public view. He, in various ways, tried to be a father to them.' 'He seems to be very comfortable with it, and I think to some extent that's admirable.' Special moment: Francesca also marked the occasion, adding: 'love my brothers and sisters so much' Johnson, who was married to Clint from 1953 to 1984, came to the premiere with Alison, 46, and the couple's son Kyle, 50, to show her support. Clint's 55-year-old girlfriend Christina Sandera, who is 33 years his junior, also made an appearance. The actor, who directs and stars in The Mule, was pictured between his long-term girlfriend and ex-wife in a family photo that included Clint's children, granddaughter, and various in-laws. But it was the sibling shot which was most surprising, as Clint's eight children all smiled happily as they posed together. In addition to Laurie, Alison, and Kyle was Kimber Tunis, 54, who Clint fathered during a 14-year-affair with her mother Roxanne Tunis. Also joining the siblings were Clint's two children with air hostess Jacelyn Reeves, actor Scott Eastwood, 32, and his 30-year-old sister Kathryn Reeves. Morgan, born to Clint's second wife Dina Ruiz, completed the group. One big happy family: Clint's granddaugher Graylen Spencer Eastwood, Alison Eastwood's husband Stacy Poitras, Clint's daughter Alison Eastwood, son Scott Eastwood, girlfriend Christina Sandera, Clint Eastwood, his first wife Maggie Johnson, son Kyle Eastwood and his wife Cynthia Ramirez THE MANY LOVES (AND CHILDREN) OF CLINT EASTWOOD From a blind date that turned into a first love to a 14-year affair that ended in a very ugly - and public - court battle, Clint Eastwood's love life has been as varied as his film career. The actor was an unabashed ladies' man in Hollywood, living with mistresses while he was still married - only to break their hearts with headlines about secret children. Fast-forward decades later and it seems most of that is under the bridge, with even Eastwood's first wife electing to join him at his latest movie premiere with all eight of his children. But just who were Eastwood's many loves? MAGGIE JOHNSON Before he was famous, Eastwood fell in love with a model named Maggie Johnson - who he met on a blind date when he was 23 Johnson was on hand to support Eastwood during the premiere of his film on Monday Before he was famous, Eastwood fell in love with a model named Maggie Johnson - who he met on a blind date when he was 23 years old. The year was 1953, five years before the actor received his breakthrough role in the CBS series Rawhide. Eastwood and Johnson quickly got engaged and married just six months after their first date. Eastwood and Johnson had two children including Kyle Eastwood (pictured with his mother in 2007) They also gave birth to daughter Alison, who appears in her father's new film The Mule (and is pictured here at Monday's premiere) It was during their engagement that Eastwood had an affair with a woman in Seattle, who got pregnant and gave up their child for adoption. Eastwood and Johnson separated in 1964 after he had an affair he had with a Rawhide stuntwoman, but briefly rekindled their romance and welcomed children Kyle Eastwood in 1968 and Alison Eastwood in 1972. The couple officially divorced in 1984. ROXANNE TUNIS Eastwood met Roxanne Tunis on the set of his show Rawhide. She gave birth to Eastwood's second child Kimber (pictured on Monday with her younger siblings Kyle, Francesca, and Alison) Eastwood met Tunis on Rawhide, where she was a regular stuntwoman and extra on the show. The pair quickly hit it off and began having an affair, which lasted into the 1970s. She even appeared in Eastwood's film Every Which Way But Loose in 1978. Tunis gave birth to Eastwood's second child, Kimber Lynn Eastwood, in 1964. SONDRA LOCKE Eastwood had a 13-year affair with actress Sondra Locke, who he met in 1972 on the set of The Outlaw Josey Wales Eastwood had a 13-year affair with actress Sondra Locke, who he met in 1972 on the set of The Outlaw Josey Wales. Locke lived with Eastwood from 1975 to 1989, while he was still married to Johnson. The couple never had any children but she later claimed that he forced her to get two abortions. Locke lived with Eastwood from 1975 to 1989, while he was still married to Johnson Locke said she also got her tubes tied because Eastwood said parenthood didn't fit their lifestyle, only to find out that he had fathered two children with another woman during the last three years of their relationship. Things turned ugly after Locke learned of Eastwood's affair and in 1989 she filed a palimony lawsuit after he changed the locks on their Bel-Air home and put all her possessions into storage. They eventually settled. Jacelyn Reeves During his relationship with Locke, Eastwood had an affair with flight attendant Jacelyn Reeves, who gave birth to their children Scott Eastwood (who she is pictured with here in 2016) It was flight attendant Jacelyn Reeves who Eastwood had an affair with while he was with Locke. Reeves went on to give birth to their son Scott Eastwood in 1986 and daughter Kathryn Eastwood in 1988. The couple reportedly ended their relationship in 1990 after it came out in an expose published by The Star. Reeves and Eastwood also share daughter Kathryn (pictured together on Monday) Kathryn and Scott grew up with their mother in Hawaii but still had a relationship with their father. Scott, an actor, has auditioned to be in a number of his father's films and appeared in Gran Torino and Invictus. FRANCES FISHER The same year that Eastwood broke things off with Locke and Reeves, he fell for a woman named Frances Fisher (pictured) The pair lived together for five years and Frances gave birth to their daughter Francesca Fisher-Eastwood in 1993. She is pictured here with her father on Monday The same year that Eastwood broke things off with Locke and Reeves, he fell for a woman named Frances Fisher. As with many of his romances, Eastwood met the actress on set of a film together. The pair lived together for five years and Frances gave birth to their daughter Francesca Fisher-Eastwood in 1993. DINA EASTWOOD Shortly following his split from Fisher, Eastwood fell for TV news anchor Dina Ruiz. They were married for 17 years, splitting in 2013 Shortly following his split from Fisher, Eastwood fell for TV news anchor Dina Ruiz after she was assigned to interview him about the film Unforgiven. The pair married three years later in 1996 and Dina gave birth to their daughter Morgan that same year. Dina starred in the E! reality show Mrs Eastwood & Company, which centered around her life in Los Angeles with Morgan and step-daughter Francesca. Eastwood only made a few appearances on the show, which premiered in 2012. The couple filed for divorce after 17 years of marriage in 2013. The pair married three years later in 1996 and Dina gave birth to their daughter Morgan (pictured with Eastwood and Francesca) that same year Advertisement While Clint has been working behind the scenes directing movies, The Mule marks his first starring role since 2012's Trouble With the Curve. The Mule is based on the true story of Leo Sharp, who was arrested in 2011 at 87 years old with 200 pounds of cocaine hidden in his truck. He had been transporting drugs for the Sinaloa Cartel for over 10 years and was sentenced to three years in prison, but he only served a year due to his failing health. Sharp passed away in 2016 at the age of 92. Eastwood kids: Alison was wearing an elegant grey dress to the event She puts on a tipsy display in the Birds of Prey teaser, released on Monday, which shows her laughing and sipping on a cocktail while dancing to EDM music. And back on set of the all-female Suicide Squad spin-off this week Margot Robbie appeared worse for wear as she got into character as the iconic Harley Quinn in downtown Los Angeles. The Australian star was clad in her red, white and blue garb with stars adorning her chest, striped pants and a long sequinned duster - unmistakable as the DC Comics villain. Out of it: Margot Robbie is pictured being carried across set in Los Angeles as Harley Quinn during filming for her new Suicide Squad spin-off Birds of Prey Appearing disoriented the 28-year-old star closed her eyes as one of her castmates took her by the arm and carried her across an alley to a waiting van. Margot's mass of platinum blonde hair was pinned up in a bun with blue tinted tresses showing at the top. Margot revealed she would reprise her role as demented doctor Quinn back in September, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The starlet also confirmed she would produce the Cathy Yan directed film alongside Sue Kroll and Bryan Unkeless. Action! Appearing disoriented the 28-year-old star's eyes were closed as one of her castmates took her by the arm and carried her across an alleyway to a waiting van Villainous: The actress was unmistakable as Harley Quinn in her red, white and blue costume with stars and stripes The movie revolves around a group of female supervillains and also stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Huntress and Black Canary respectively. Rosie Perez stars as Renee Montoya and Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain. The Mindy Project star Chris Messina takes on the role of Batman villain Victor Zsasz and Ewan McGregor is playing the villain Black Mask. Ali Wong, Steven Williams, Derek Wilson, Dana Lee, Francois Chau, Matthew Willig and Michael Masini round out the cast. Girls just wanna have fun: In a teaser released on Monday the tipsy star is seen sipping cocktails On set: The duo stood opposite each other for a while before Harley Quinn (aka Dr. Harleen Quinzel) was carried off by the unidentified gent Worse for wear: Margot leaned in as her castmate proceeded to carry her away The plot follows Harley after she frees herself from the Joker and find new allies in Black Canary and Huntress. They team up to rescue teen superhero-to-be Cassandra Cain from villains Black Mask and Victor Zsasz. The sequel comes two years after Margot played crazed former psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel/ Harley Quinn in the Warner Bros.' DC Comics film Suicide Squad. Birds of Prey is scheduled to be released in theaters February 7 2020. On Sunday, Kate Beckinsale was hospitalized after suffering a ruptured ovarian cyst. And on Tuesday, a well-wisher sent a very naughty Get Well gift to the 45-year-old English stunner. The Underworld star's mother Judy Loe took receipt of a bunch of penis-adorned balloons at Kate's Los Angeles home. Re-member me? On Tuesday, a well-wisher sent a very naughty Get Well gift to Kate Beckinsale following her hospitalization The gift contained ten brightly colored, helium-filled balloons. Some were shaped like a phallus, while others had male members stenciled on them. Beckinsale's 71-year-old mom seemed extremely amused as she accepted the gift, presumably on behalf of her Pearl Harbor-starring daughter. The London-born beauty took to social media Saturday night to share a pair of Instagram shots from inside a hospital, where she was being treated amid the health issue. The actress 'is already out of hospital' according to People. Where do I sign? Beckinsale's 71-year-old mom seemed extremely amused as she accepted the gift, presumably on behalf of her Pearl Harbor-starring daughter Happier times: On Sunday, Kate Beckinsale was hospitalized after suffering a ruptured ovarian cyst. Seen here earlier this month Been better: The London-born beauty took to social media Saturday night to share a pair of Instagram shots from inside a hospital, where she was being treated amid the health issue 'Turns out a ruptured ovarian cyst really hurts and morphine makes me cry,' she wrote, adding that she was 'so thankful to everyone who looked after' her,' and the hashtag, #wobbly. The post included two images, one of the actress with a nasal breathing tube in, and another shot of her resting in a hospital bed. The selfie showed the actress with smudged mascara on her cheeks while she still sported glam gold eye shadow. The hospitalization came just three nights after the London native made a special appearance at a St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital fundraiser at the LA Art Show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Kelly Brook put on yet another stylish display on Tuesday as she arrived to host her radio show at Global Studios. The 39-year-old has been temporarily sitting in alongside Jason King for the weekday drive time show on Heart FM and was sure to cut a stylish figure for her day of broadcasting. Kelly flashed her trademark smile as she strutted into the building in a black sweater and charcoal pencil skirt, which she teamed with a black leather jacket. Day at work: Kelly Brook was spotted heading to Gloral's radio studios in London on Tuesday She wore black tights, matching ankle boots, and accessorised with a small black leather handbag with a gold chain. She highlighted her natural beauty with a warm palette of makeup, while she wore her chestnut brown locks in a loose, wavy style. Kelly's outing comes after she 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'. Stylish: The 39-year-old has been temporarily sitting in alongside Jason King for the weekday drive time show on Heart FM Corporate chic: Kelly flashed her trademark smile as she strutted into the building Coordinated: She wore a black sweater and charcoal pencil skirt, which she teamed with a black leather jacket Making an entrance: The star highlighted her natural beauty with a warm palette of makeup, while she wore her chestnut brown locks in a loose, wavy style 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 Los Angeles 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. Posing up a storm: The model posed up a storm outside the studios before making her way in Guest host: She has served as a guest presenter on Heart FM for much of the winter, joining Jason King (JK) for the weekday drive time show Upbeat mood: The star appeared to be in an upbeat mood as she prepared to check in for work 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, Kelly, who is dating Frenchman Jeremy Parisi, has lost 15lbs and 4 inches from her hips. Day at the office: Kelly looked pleased with herself ahead of the stint on the radio show Beaming: Kelly appeared in high spirits hours later as she was spotted leaving the radio station Strut: The show appeared to have gone well for Kelly who branded a beaming smile Lisa Snowdon has sent viewers wild over her incredible bikini body. The TV presenter, 47, made a sensational cameo on Tuesday's instalment of This Morning, where she slipped her envy-inducing figure into a tiny black bikini while promoting a competition segment. 'Welcome to Barbados baby,' the brunette said as she put her former modelling days to good use by sending temperatures soaring in the skimpy two-piece. Wow: Lisa Snowdon, 47, has sent viewers wild over her incredible bikini body in a competition segment on Thus Morning Lisa's sensational cleavage was on full display, with the barely-there bikini top and the matching bottoms. She continued her sultry display be saying: 'This year it's all about new year, new you. Let us help to invigorate your life with our big January a bonanza. 'A family of five could enjoy a stunning holiday here in Barbados,' she informed her viewers. 'Welcome to Barbados baby: The brunette put her former modelling days to good use by sending temperatures soaring in the skimpy two-piece 'Incredibly beautiful': Her viewers rushed to Twitter to note how stunning the former Britain's Next Top Model host looked And her viewers rushed to Twitter to note how stunning the former Britain's Next Top Model host looked: '@Lisa_Snowdon in her Bikini on #ThisMorning is a thing of beauty, lots more of that please. '@thismorning how incredibly beautiful is @Lisa_Snowdon.' '#ThisMorning Blooming Nora, Lisa Snowdon in her bikini. That's made Monday Morning better.' '@Lisa_Snowdon in her Bikini on #ThisMorning is a thing of beauty, lots more of that please.' 'Yesssssss big Lisa with bonanzas #ThisMorning.' Lisa shot the sizzling segment back in November, and she took to Instagram at the time with saucy snap. Teresa Giudice was all smiles as she hit the town on Monday night for some girl time. The 46-year-old TV star headed to The Nice Guy in West Hollywood and was pictured leaving the hotspot looking in very high spirits. Teresa, who recently showed off the impressive results of her grueling bodybuilding training, wore tight black pants and a tiered sequinned top. Lots to smile about: Teresa Giudice enjoyed a night on the town in West Hollywood on Monday night The Real Housewives of New Jersey star finished the look with some strappy heels and her glossy locks styled in gentle waves around her shoulders. Meanwhile there are rumors Teresa is already planning her solo reality career after her jailbird husband Joe is deported back to Italy. It's being reported that Teresa is hoping to get her own 'single mom' spin-off. 'Teresa wants to have her very own Bravo spinoff show,' an insider told Radar Online. The mother-of-four is apparently hoping she can earn a better living with her own show. Painting the town red: Teresa looked stylish in a white tiered top and tight pants as she got into a waiting ride Loving life: The 46-year-old TV star headed to The Nice Guy in West Hollywood and was pictured leaving the hotspot looking happier than ever 'Her role on RHONJ just doesnt pay enough, and Teresa needs the extra cash to be able to buy Joe out of his portion of the ownership of their mansion,' The spin-off would document Teresa's life as a mom to her four daughters, her fitness career and living life as a single woman for the first time since she was a teenager. A network source told Radar, 'Teresa has held back a lot of intimate details about her personal life from viewers and is pitching Bravo that this project would allow her to be essentially reintroduced to the audience.' Girls' night: The mother-of-four finished her look with some strappy black heels The reality star is apparently already getting her finances together in preparation and will apparently sign the new deal before her divorce from Joe is finalized. 'She has already had her accountant do the analysis of how much she is currently worth, and potentially what she will owe Joe.' the source dished. 'Endorsement deals, or any new projects beyond her reality show, wouldnt be signed until after the divorce is final because she doesnt want to give Joe any additional money,' she added. Joe is serving 41-months in prison for mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud and is due to be released in March. Meanwhile there are rumors Teresa is already planning her solo reality career after her jailbird husband Joe is deported back to Italy Going it alone: The spin-off would document Teresa's life as a mom to her four daughters, her fitness career and living life as a single woman for the first time since she was a teenager Back in October it was revealed that a judge officially ruled that Joe, 46, must go back to his native Italy once his sentence is complete. And earlier this month Teresa told Bravo host Andy Cohen at a season nine taping that the couple would 'go their separate ways' if Joe leaves the country. An insider told People:'Teresa told Andy that if Joe gets deported, she's not going.' The source added: 'She said that she and Joe had talked about it over the phone, and that he understood.' Teresa and Joe, who wed in 1999, are parents to four children: Gia, 18; Gabriella, 15; Milania, 14; and Audriana, 10. Fraud: Back in October it was revealed that a judge officially ruled that Joe, 46, must go back to his native Italy once his sentence is complete Tina Malone stepped out in Liverpool on Tuesday, as she faces contempt of court proceedings after re-tweeting a photograph allegedly showing James Bulger's killer Jon Venables. The Shameless actress, 55, cut a sombre figure as she walked down the street in a leopard print coat, black dress, and woollen hat. The outing comes days after the actress, who has appeared in Brookside, posted a series of messages on Facebook saying she had been served papers by the High Court. Sighting: Tina Malone stepped out in Liverpool on Tuesday, as she faces contempt of court proceedings after re-tweeting a photograph allegedly showing James Bulger's killer Jon Venables One read: 'I need a lawyer ASAP! I've been committed to the High Court!' Another said: 'I've had a wonderful day until I opened my front door five minutes ago! The High Court have served me!' The Attorney General's Office confirmed it had sent a summons to Malone, and she is due to to appear on March 13. Appearance: The Shameless actress, 55, cut a sombre figure as she walked down the street in a leopard print coat, black dress, and woollen hat Downcast: The outing comes days after the actress, who has appeared in Brookside, posted a series of messages on Facebook saying she had been served papers by the High Court Malone allegedly posted the images just under a year ago, but has not received a summons until now due to the length of the investigation the AGO carried out. Meanwhile there are two other people due at the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court in London next Thursday for also allegedly posting pictures of a man claimed to be Venables online. Richard McKeag and Natalie Barker, whose ages and addresses are not known, will be at court after allegedly posting the images on a website and Twitter respectively. Comment: One read: 'I need a lawyer ASAP! I've been committed to the High Court!' Venables and fellow killer Robert Thompson were given new identities following the murder in 1993, which are strictly protected under the terms of a lifelong injunction. The worldwide injunction bans any images or information relating to their identities being published or shared online. Although the offence has a maximum punishment of two years in jail, earlier cases would suggest Malone would likely receive a suspended sentence if found guilty. Jon Venables (left) and fellow killer Robert Thompson (right) were given new identities following the murder, which are strictly protected under the terms of a lifelong injunction Message: Malone posted messages on Facebook saying she had been served papers by the High Court In April 2013, two men who published photos said to show James's killers received nine-month sentences, suspended for 15 months, for being in contempt of court. Neil Harkins, 35, and Dean Liddle, 28, admitted to posting pictures on Facebook and Twitter respectively in February 2013 - two days after the killing's 20th anniversary. Victim: James Bulger was murdered in 1993 aged two Today, Malone has been accused of retweeting an image of Venables last year, prompting the police to launch an investigation. Speaking in March 2018, she defended her actions - saying he should be 'wiped from this earth'. She told the Daily Star Sunday: 'The police are only doing their job and if they're going to caution me, arrest me, pull me in, or give me a slap on the wrist, I get that. 'They'd better be going for the two million other people who have shared Venables' picture.' 'Here I am posting a picture of a self-confessed paedo child-killer who has built a manual on how to rape a baby, yet I'm the one being threatened and vilified and possibly going to prison. You know what, do the crime, do the time.' TV star: Liverpool-born actress Malone played Mimi Maguire in Channel 4 TV series Shameless (above) Malone, who is an ambassador of The James Bulger Memorial Trust and is friends with James's mother Denise Fergus and her husband Stuart, also claimed she 'didn't have a clue' that sharing the image was illegal, adding: 'I'm not au fait with the law.' Law on publishing the new identities of killers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were given new identities following the murder of James Bulger in 1993. These are strictly protected under the terms of a lifelong global injunction. It means anyone publishing images or details relating to their identities online could face up to two years in jail. The law had traditionally been followed by traditional publishers such as newspapers and broadcasters but since the invention of social media it also applies to Twitter and Facebook. Proceedings for contempt are brought by the Attorney General, the Government's law officer with the responsibility of policing contempt. Advertisement Venables and Thompson, then aged just ten, abducted, tortured and murdered two-year-old James in 1993. Venables was released on licence from prison in 2001 but has been sent back to jail twice, in 2010 and 2018, for possessing indecent images of children. An Attorney General's Office spokesman confirmed it had summoned the actress to appear at the High Court and the summons related to a social media post last year. He added: 'The law officers will review contempt of court allegations made to them, but they cannot comment on the nature of any investigations. 'The law officers remind everyone that an injunction is in place which prevents publication of any images or information claiming to identify anyone as Jon Venables or Robert Thompson.' Her summons comes just days after Ms Fergus was left furious by a film about her son's murder being nominated for an Oscar. Devastated: The father of the murdered toddler, Ralph Bulger, has spoken of his devastation that producers have released a film about his son's killing without the family's consent Film: 'Detainment' is made up of almost entirely of verbatim quotes from interview transcripts and depicts Venables and Thompson crying and asking for their parents as detectives quiz them 'Detainment', written and directed by Irish filmmaker Vincent Lambe, has been nominated for the 91st Academy Awards in the 'best live action short' category. The film is based on transcripts of police interviews with Venables and Thompson. Ms Fergus said: 'It's one thing making a film like this without contacting or getting permission from James family but another to have a child re-enact the final hours of James's life before he was brutally murdered and making myself and my family have to relive this all over again.' The 30-minute film is made up of almost entirely of verbatim quotes from interview transcripts and depicts Venables and Thompson crying and asking for their parents as detectives quiz them over James's death. James's father, Ralph Bulger, claimed he found the film 'offensive', and said nobody behind the making of the drama contacted him or anyone else in James's family prior to its release. She gripped the nation with her steely portrayal of Home Secretary Julia Montague in BBC's Bodyguard. But in a striking departure from her racy Bodyguard role, Keeley Hawes will play a frumpy, bespectacled civil servant in a new spy drama. And Keeley Hawes stars in a new spy period drama, Traitors, where she plays a member of the post-war Civil Service, set to air on Channel 4 next month. The actress, 42, stars in Traitors as Priscilla, a member of the post-war Civil Service, who is seen with combed-back hair, sparse make-up and demure clothes in a trailer for the Channel 4 show. Drama: Keeley Hawes stars in a new spy period drama, Traitors, where she plays a member of the post-war Civil Service, set to air on Channel 4 (pictured L-R:Luke Treadway, Emma Appleton, Keeley, Garrick Brandon P Bell) The prim and proper look is in marked contrast to her glamorous and often steamy turns in BBC series Tipping the Velvet and Ashes to Ashes, as well as Bodyguard. Traitors, which will be broadcast later this year, follows Miss Hawes as she suspects colleague Feef Symonds, played by Emma Appleton, of spying on the 1945 Labour government for the Americans. Her ambition to make something of her life goes unrecognised by her family, and is further complicated by her American lover. She agrees to spy on her own government for the Americans, who want to make sure Englands burgeoning Socialist ambitions dont play into Soviet hands. Thrilling: Keeley gripped the nation with her steely portrayal of Home Secretary Julia Montague in BBC's Bodyguard (pictured with Richard Madden) Secrets and lies: The actress, 42, plays Priscilla, who becomes concerned that new recruit Feef Symonds is working undercover in her own government for the Americans Glamour girl: Keeley Hawes in BBC series Tipping the Velvet (left) and Ashes to Ashes (right) The cast also includes Brandon P Bell and Matt Lauria and the series will air on Channel 4 later this year. The drama is Boardwalk Empire creator Bash Dorans first original commission for British TV. Directed by Dearbhla Walsh, it also stars The Shape Of Water actor Michael Stuhlbarg, Ordeal By Innocences Luke Treadaway and Stephen Campbell Moore. Last week, Bodyguard's Richard Madden paid a touching tribute to co-star Keeley Hawes at the National Television Awards as he scooped the coveted prize for Best Drama Performance. The Scottish actor branded his job a privilege after left speechless by the prize, which came after the record-breaking BBC miniseries also scooped the award for Best New Drama. This also came as Richard teased that a second series of Bodyguard was already in the works, as he told Digital Spy showrunner Jed Mercurio was 'in talks' for a follow-up. Working undercover: The story revolves around Feef (pictured) bold 20-something woman who joins the Civil Service in 1945, just as the Labour party sweeps to victory, Suspicious: Feef agrees to spy on her own government for the Americans, who want to make sure Englands Socialist ambitions dont play into Soviet hand Concerned: Feef's ambition to make something of her life goes unrecognised by her family, and is further complicated by her American lover, which causes concern for Keeley's character Paying a touching tribute to the show's cast and crew, Richard gushed that it had been a 'privilege' to work as an actor, while also paying tribute to co-star Keeley, who played Home Secretary Julia Montague. Finally beginning his speech he said: 'Thank you very very much, what an honour I didn't expect thank you to every single person that voted.' 'Big huge thank you to my team, it's a privilege everyday, Jed Mercurio for writing this incredible character. And the biggest thank you to Keeley Hawes I couldn't ask for a better more talented actress.' Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller discusses the priorities for Democratic lawmakers in the 2019 Maryland General Assembly session during a news conference in Annapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Jenny Slate has moved on from Chris Evans after splitting one year ago. The SNL vet was seen getting cozy with art curator Ben Shattuck this week while in Sundance for the film festival in Park City, Utah. The two had their arms around each other on Sunday as they sat down at a table. He was also seen kissing her head. Smooch: Jenny Slate was seen getting cozy with art curator Ben Shattuck this week while in Sundance in Park City, Utah. The two had their arms around each other on Sunday. He was also seen kissing her head. Hot event: They were at Beachside Film's private dinner For The Sunlit Night hosted by the RAND Luxury Escape at St. Regis Deer Crest Resort They were at Beachside Film's private dinner For The Sunlit Night hosted by the RAND Luxury Escape at St. Regis Deer Crest Resort. She had on a sheer sweater with black slacks and minimal makeup with her brown hair parted to the side and worn down. He wore a grey sweater over a black T-shirt with scruffy facial hair. This is the first big relationship Jenny has had since parting ways with Evans. They started dating in May 2016 but then split up only to get back together again months later. They looked happy in early 2018 but then parted ways in March 2018. Casual gal: She had on a sheer sweater with black slacks and minimal makeup with her brown hair parted to the side and worn down 'The hardest thing to reconcile is that just because you have good intentions, doesnt mean its your time to have a voice,' Evans told writer Reggie Ugwu of the Times. The couple made their debut at the New York premiere of The Secret Life of Pets in 2016. In 2017 Jenny had wonderful things to say about the Massachusetts native: 'I first really liked Chris as a person because he is so unpretentious. He is a straight-up 35-year-old man who wants to play [board] games. Thats it. I was like, "Id better not discount this, because this is purity."' She continued: 'Whats the same about us is not just that were from Massachusetts, which was such a delight, but Chris is truly one of the kindest people Ive ever met, to the point where sometimes I would look at him and it would kind of break my heart. Repeat: Slate and Chris Evans broke up in March 2018; seen in April 2017 'Hes really vulnerable, and hes really straightforward. Hes like primary colors. He has beautiful, big, strong emotions, and hes really sure of them. Its just wonderful to be around. His heart is probably golden-colored, if you could paint it.' Chris and Jenny played each other's love interests in the film Gifted, and became romantically involved in real life. It was a relationship that even took Jenny, who started dating Chris after splitting from husband Dean Fleischer-Camp, by surprise. His big movie franchise: Evans in Avengers - Age Of Ultron in 2015 'To be quite honest, I didn't think I was his type,' she told Vulture. 'Eventually, when it was like, ''Oh, you have these feelings for me?,'' I was looking around like, ''Is this a prank?'' I mean, I understand why I think I'm beautiful, but if you've had a certain lifestyle and I'm a very, very different type of person I don't want to be an experiment.' Chris also opened up about his past love and claimed he's never had a bad breakup. He told Elle Magazine: 'It's very rare. But I've had no bad breakups in my life. Typically, if I see an ex, I give a big hug, and it's wonderful to catch up'. Jenny was previously married from 2012 to 2016 to Dean. The Chase's Anne Hegerty has admitted she likes to keep men 'at arm's length' as she finds them 'claustrophobic.' Speaking on Tuesday's Loose Women, the much loved star, 60, admitted that while she has dated several men in the past, she prefers to have men 'write to her.' It came as Anne also spoke about re-adjusting to life back in the UK following her stint on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, which earned her much praise from fans as she confronted her fears and spoke openly about her battles with autism. Truthful: The Chase's Anne Hegerty has admitted she likes to keep men 'at arm's length' as she finds them 'claustrophobic' During the interview, Anne admitted that she while she has dated men in the past, she isn't openly looking for love. She explained: 'There's several blokes out there going 'hang on a minute,'' but never say never. 'I find I get claustrophobic in a relationship, like ''wait he wants to phone me every day?'' I'm much more an arms length person. 'We didn't have email in those days, I prefer being contacted in writing. You don't actually have to send me a letter through the post or anything! 'People who know me know the first question is ''is this a good time to talk?'' Candid: The much loved star, 60, admitted that while she has dated several men in the past, she is not particularly on the lookout for love Open: She said: 'I find I get claustrophobic in a relationship, like ''wait he wants to phone me every day?'' I'm much more an arms length person' Hilarious: Anne also joked that she would prefer potential suitors write her a letters Anne then cleared up previous rumours that she was planning to quit TV as she found it 'overwhelming,' insisting: 'Every time I look in my email there are more emails, but what I mean is give me a chance to get my head straight.' Despite her strong following as The Governess on The Chase, Anne won a whole new army of fans after her stint on I'm A Celebrity, having spoke candidly about her struggles with autism. The star also touched on her return to the UK last month after finishing seventh on the show, confessing that between her work in panto, and as a host of Britain's Brightest Family, work has been non-stop. 'It just kind of feels like nothing has stopped yet, came out, went home went pretty much straight into panto, which would have been more difficult if I didn't have such an absolutely brilliant cast, since then it's been up and down between home (Manchester) and London.' Back to business: Following her stint on I'm A Celebrity, Anne returned to the UK, and has been hard at work filming Britain's Brightest Family Much-loved: Anne won a new army of fans as she spoke candidly about her struggles with autism Anne also confessed that despite her introverted nature, she found it surprisingly easy to interact with her fellow camp mates, especially as they all formed such a close bond. She said: 'It was less of a challenge than I expected I expected to be surrounded by people and that was the deal and you were never going to have anything else, you were just focusing on these people.' 'I apologise to my family and friends, but there wasn't anyone I missed terribly.' Laura Anderson has hit out at a troll who told her that she is 'too thin' and accused her of being a part of a 'fake generation'. The 29-year-old Love Island star slammed her critic and told them to 'get over themselves', because everyone's body is different and she was just trying to have fun with her friends while holidaying in Dubai. In the picture which Laura shared to her Instagram page, she posed up a storm on her sun lounger in a white bikini, sipping a a drink in her luxury resort. Sunshine break: She spent all of last summer in a bikini thanks to Love Island. And on Tuesday Laura Anderson was back in her skimpy swimwear as she jetted to Dubai for a luxury break However one follower who evidently took umbrage with Laura's decision to post the sizzling snap, wrote: 'U obviously no u look too thin yet ul still post it to make other young impressionable girls[sic]. 'This is not the dream girls this is the prime example of what society wants u too be. Well done for being part of this fake generation.' But Laura was quick to hit back, writing: 'Eek like sorry my body offends you I honestly dunno what to say to be accepted. Oh yeah I don't give a flying. This pic isn't about my body resembling anything. 'I'm having a fun day with my friend. When people read into everything and take life too seriously. Every human on this planet is beautiful and different. Get over yourself.' Laura, who admitted that she had been upset by the comment, added: 'Also just because I'm fuming with this comment. This is what you call double standards. 'If I was bigger, curvier, fat, whatever you think is ok to call someone I'd be praised for showing off my body in a bikini. No1 is happy with there body. 'I'm skinny, I'd love to be curvier so yes you are a troll and currently upsetting me. No point. Just stop.' Dancing up a storm: Laura showed off her figure in a tiny white bikini, flaunting her tan and her elaborate tattoos as she headed straight to the pool after landing to party Many of Laura's followers jumped to her defence, including former TOWIE star, Mario Falcone, who wrote: 'Would you be as quick to jump on a picture of someone overweight? 'I mean that's extremely unhealthy. And would signify to 'impressionable girls' that's ok? How about live and let live and be happy in your skin.' Showing off her humorous side, Laura joked about her pose in the caption, quipping: 'It's all glam until you gotta a wedge.... thank you @djchriswright @inside.lifestyle @ladiesday_dubai.' On her Instagram Stories Laura shared videos of herself singing along to music with a friend and admiring fellow pool-loungers from the comfort of their VIP section. Later she got into the tunes, showing off her moves in her skimpy swimwear. This is the life:On her Instagram Stories Laura shared videos of herself dancing with a friend and admiring fellow pool-loungers from the comfort of their VIP section Laura revealed her plans last week to have her 32E breast implants removed 11 years after she had a boob job. The Scottish siren, who has previously discussed her cosmetic enhancements, insisted she needed a 'break' from her surgically-enhanced assets. Laura wrote in the candid post: 'This is a bit random to do on social media but can anyone recommend a good surgeon in London. 'I need to get these big babilon baps removed that I've had for 11 years.' (sic) Body confidence: Laura revealed her plans last week to have her 32E breast implants removed 11 years after she had a boob job Laura joked in the caption with laughing emojis: '#TITSMCGEE needs a break.' Since leaving the Love Island villa, the blonde bombshell has had a 'few tiny tweaks' to her appearance including cheek and lip fillers as well as a rhinoplasty. In a historic interview with the Star magazine, the former air hostess praised her 'great' boobs and she shared how breast implants improved her sex life. She said in 2009: 'I can barely walk down the street without someone saying how great my t**s are. 'The sex gets better the bigger your puppies are because you to try naughtier things.' She is known for her slim, gym-honed physique. And Amanda Holden, 47, took a break from her health and fitness regime as she stuffed some cakes into her mouth in a snap shared on Instagram on Tuesday. The Britain's Got Talent star looked in high spirits as she balanced a yummy looking treat in her mouth while smiling at the camera. 'Trying out puddings': Amanda Holden, 47, took a break from her health and fitness regime as she stuffed some cakes into her mouth in a snap shared on Instagram on Tuesday 'Taking one for @marksandspencer! Back with the gang selflessly trying out the puds for You!!' she captioned the snap. The star later shared some more snaps of herself joined by Rochelle Humes, Paddy McGuinness and Emma Willis as they worked on a secret project together. Posing over afternoon tea during filming, the foursome looked in great spirits as they tucked into some cake. Chums: The star later shared some more snaps of herself joined by Rochelle Humes, Paddy McGuinness and Emma Willis as they worked on a secret project together Having a blast: Posing over afternoon tea during filming, the foursome looked in great spirits as they tucked into some cake This comes after Amanda got into the circus spirit over the weekend as she threw a Greatest Showman-themed bash to celebrate daughter Hollie's seventh birthday. The star even dressed up as the iconic ringmaster for the lavish party, which included plenty of personalised treats and a carousel-themed buffet. In one video Amanda could be seen getting into the party spirit as she enjoyed a spot of hula-hooping in her party outfit, joking to fans she was trying to burn off all the cake. Loving it: This comes after Amanda got into circus spirit over the weekend as she threw a Greatest Showman-themed bash to celebrate daughter Hollie's seventh birthday Clad in her circus master - complete with top hat - Amanda showed off her sensational hula-hooping skills in the playful boomerang video. The mother-of-two captioned the funny video: 'Working off the #hrh #thegreatestshowman party.' Another snap also showed Hollie looking incredibly cute in a pink party dress and braided pigtails for the fun-filling occasion. Fun time: The Britain's Got Talent judge, 47, even dressed up as the iconic ringmaster for the lavish party, which she proudly documented on social media Sensational: The party was based on the 2017 musical - which starred Hugh Jackman as the real-life ringmaster PT Barnum Amanda certainly went all-out to celebrate Hollie's big day, with the bash including a carousel covered in circus-themed personalised treats such as cookies and lollipops. The party was also themed around the colours of red, gold and purple, and included all manner of balloons and games to entertain Hollie and her pals. Last week Amanda marked Hollie's birthday with a sweet social media post, writing: 'Cannot believe Our beautiful , very funny and confident little #HRH turns 7 today... loved to bits by us all.' Hollie is Amanda's youngest daughter with her husband Chris Hughes, and the couple are also parents to Lexi, 13. The party was a welcome break for the star as she is currently back working as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, after filming for the auditions began in London earlier this month. The show marked host Ant McPartlin's return following his recent break from presenting, and was greeted with a standing ovation from the audience as he reunited with co-host Declan Donnelly. Jonathan Cheban came up through the ranks as Kim Kardashian's best friend on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. But over the years the New Jersey native has been savvy about parlaying that TV fame into his own empire, which has resulted in the 2016 birth of FoodGod. And the charismatic star talked at length with the Los Angeles Times about his view on covering food. Money on his mind: Jonathan Cheban came up through the ranks as Kim Kardashian's best friend on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. But over the years the New Jersey native has been savvy about parlaying that TV fame into his own empire, which has resulted in the 2016 birth of FoodGod Ca-ching: And the charismatic star talked at length with the Los Angeles Times about his view on covering food 'I would consider myself more of a modern-day food critic. I want to go to a place where somebody sends me this insane cotton candy burrito and I'm like, this is amaaazing,' the Spin Crowd vet told the publication. 'I can't believe people even read food reviews and even listen to somebody that is so dated. It is so 2000. Literally. I didn't even know that still exists. 'It's all, like, "It was dry, while the kitchen was backed up heavily during the maitre d' running around while the fish was not fully cooked with ratatouille on the side,"'he said. 'Like ratatouille: Are you serious? No. I want to know about how far the cheese pull was that day in the restaurant. No one cares about the texture of food.' Yummy: 'I would consider myself more of a modern-day food critic. I want to go to a place where somebody sends me this insane cotton candy burrito and I'm like, this is amaaazing,' the Spin Crowd vet told the publication Fast food fun: 'I can't believe people even read food reviews and even listen to somebody that is so dated. It is so 2000. Literally. I didn't even know that still exists,' he said Now his is shaping his empire. According to the Times, he will legally change his name to Foodgod; he is organizing a Foodgod awards show, a Foodgod Food Truck Frenzy video game, in which players trick out food trucks, is in production with Atari; and he is starting a Foodgod candy subscription club and a line of CBD edibles. He also got seven figures for being the face of BurgerIM. Three years ago he was smart to branch out. 'I was like, "I feel like this is the time for me," 'he told The Times. 'And then I was like, "What's my thing?" I eat all day. I love to eat. My whole day revolves around food,' he said. Miami heat: Jonathan and Kim in 2010 with Kanye West and Angie Martinez With the Bravo crowd: With Margaret Josephs, Melissa Gorga, Cynthia Bailey, Dorinda Medley and John Mahdessian at the DailyMail.com and DailyMailTV Holiday Party at Gramercy Terrace at The Gramercy Park Hotel in December And he has people listening. The star has 3 million Instagram followers, and asks for $30,000 appearance fee minimums according to the LAT. One of the top New York Times food critics has only 35K Instagram followers, the paper noted. 'I give the food with fun,' he says. 'It's not just like, here's a beautiful cheese souffle. Don't go to me for that. I want the cheese souffle to explode.' Kris Jenner also talked to the Times. 'When we started shooting our show there was barely Twitter,' she said. 'The way the social media platforms have evolved has given everybody a whole new set of opportunities.' Cheban says he buys his own food too. 'I drove 25 minutes to go get this cotton candy burrito. They don't pay me. I lose money for the $50 Uber back and forth plus the foot massage that I stopped for on the way there. So it's very, very authentic.' She previously showed her support to the Los Angeles firefighters, heading out to the shops to buy them supplies when wildfires ravaged California in November. And Khloe Kardashian paid a visit to the LA County Fire Department on Monday and brought along her baby daughter True and niece Dream, two. Taking to Instagram, the reality star, 34, was simply brimming with pride as the tots posed behind the wheel of a fire engine. Riding in style: Khloe Kardashian paid a visit to the LA County Fire Department on Monday and brought along her baby daughter True and niece Dream, two She told her 85.5million followers: 'Yesterday we took the girls to our local fire station. We wanted to say thank you to our local heroes for all that they do for us! 'They drew cards and brought cookies for their visit. 'They loved every moment! Thank you to ALL of our brave service men and women.' The tots appeared to be having the time of their life as they sat on the front bumper of the vehicle, before Khloe made them pose behind the wheel of the truck. At your rescue: Taking to Instagram, the reality star, 34, was simply brimming with pride as the tots posed behind the wheel of a fire engine Sweet: Khloe told her 85.5million followers: 'Yesterday we took the girls to our local fire station. We wanted to say thank you to our local heroes for all that they do for us!' Nine-month-old True looked adorable in a pink princess tutu, Timberland boots and a unicorn headband, while Dream rocked a cute yellow pinafore. The pair giggled with glee as they were given a tour of the engine by officers. True also posed in front of the Brent Junction department's logo, pointing up to the cartoon design of a wolf. The Good American jeans co-founder welcomed daughter True Thompson on April 12, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio with Tristan, 27, while Dream is Khloe's brother Rob's only daughter, who he shares with ex Blac Chyna. Two days prior to Khloe giving birth, Tristan's cheating scandal came to light, exclusively revealed by Dailymail.com. Having a blast: The pair giggled with glee as they were given a tour of the engine by officers He was seen kissing strip club worker Lani Blair before heading to a hotel with her in New York City. Despite the scandal, Khloe and Tristan remained a couple; they spent Halloween, Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve together. She reportedly wants a second child with Tristan because daughter True 'changed her life,' a source told People magazine. Sailor Brinkley Cook has been enjoying some fun in the sun in Australia and has been sharing her swimwear looks on social media. The 20-year-old daughter of Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel posted a couple of very cheeky snaps of her sandy bottom while wearing a skimpy leopard print bikini. She captioned the image with the words: 'One happy cheeky monkey.' Uptown girl: Sailor Brinkley Cook shared a picture of her very sandy bottom as she relaxed on the beach in Australia, wearing a leopard print thong bikini All things bright: She also shared a series of snaps of herself wearing a canary yellow bikini, writing: 'It's a scorcher' She also shared a series of snaps of herself wearing a canary yellow one-piece which had sexy cut-out details, writing: 'It's a scorcher.' Sailor previously told Att.net that she was coming Down Under for the first time, for a shoot and various other projects. She said: 'Ive always wanted to go. I want to expand out of New York and meet new people.' Golden girl: Sailor looked incredible as she posted a series of playful snaps All in the details: Sailor matched her yellow manicure to her swimwear Sailor really appears to be enjoying her time in Sydney and recently wrote: 'Greetings from Aus! 'Where I can work in a bustling city then take a 10 minute Uber [ride] to the most beautiful beach for a dip,' she wrote on Instagram on January 8. 'Three days into living here and I f***ing love it.' A nice getaway: Sailor appears to be thoroughly enjoying her time in the sun In March last year, Sailor admitted that growing up in her mother Christie's shadow left her torn apart by doubt and self-loathing. She previously told the Mail: 'I've never brought it upon myself that I have to be like her that's not possible. She's had a career for 50 years. 'I'm just trying to live my life. I want people to realise I have my own things going for me.' Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek have been pranking one another for years. And on Tuesday, the comedian shared footage of a recent prank he played on Kate which left her terrified. Dave shared footage on his show Hughesy, We Have a Problem, which showed a prankster wearing a balaclava and jumping out of a bin as Kate walked past. 'He had a gun!' Kate Langbroek is left terrified during Dave Hughes' 'robbery' prank... after she was injured in a home invasion last year Wearing all black, the 'robber' suddenly popped out of the bin while pointing a fake gun towards her. Kate screamed, while throwing her arms up in the air, and then attempted to scare off the 'robber' by splashing him with bottled water. Dave then revealed himself to Kate, who was left completely startled. Terrified: Dave shared footage on his show Hughesy, We Have a Problem, which showed a prankster wearing a balaclava and jumping out of a bin as Kate walked past The prank comes after Kate was the victim of a home invasion last year. She previously recalled how a man tried to break into her home, while she and her husband Peter Lewis were home with their children. 'This intruder was on us, like violent, raving, tried to open the front gate and I was behind the gate, Peter was out on the street and so we got into this tussle over the gate,' she said last year on Hughesy We Have A Problem. Frightening: Wearing all black, the 'robber' (left) suddenly popped out of the bin while pointing a fake gun towards Kate (right) 'Then I realised I had left the front door open ... so I ran back into the house, I slammed the door shut, I didn't know if he was behind me or not. 'I braced the door with my leg ... a couple of seconds later he tried to kick the front door in. 'I was yelling at Annabelle to call Triple-0.' Water? A frightened Kate screamed, while throwing her arms up in the air, and then attempted to scare off the 'robber' by splashing him with her bottled water Kate said her husband was outside with the man for a 'terrifying period' where the man was trying to lure him away from the house like the 'Pied Piper of violent idiots.' The co-host of the top rating Melbourne radio show Hughesy & Kate said their neighbours called the police who arrived within three or four minutes. She's heading back to screens for the first time since Love Island when her reality show What Camilla Did Next airs on ITVBe this week. And Camilla Thurlow hinted wedding bells with long-term boyfriend Jamie Jewitt could be on the cards while revealing the secret to the couple's happy relationship 18 months after leaving the villa as she spoke about her latest project to MailOnline. The humanitarian, 29, discussed being 'lucky' to have found such a connection with the male model, 28, on the reality show, her work as a bomb disposal expert and why she and Jamie could be the next Love Island couple to make it down the aisle. The next step? Love Island's Camilla Thurlow hinted at wedding bells with her boyfriend Jamie Jewitt while revealing the secret to their happy relationship (pictured in November 2018) The couple have now been dating for 18 months and Camilla hinted a reality TV wedding could be possible in the not too distant future. When asked whether she and Jamie plan to tie the knot, she told MailOnline: 'We havent said if it's on or off the cards so were just seeing how were getting on. Well see whats happening.' Camilla added that she and Jamie love hearing about other Love Island marriages after series two runners up Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen tied the knot in September, followed by Jess Shears and Dom Lever from her season in October. She said: 'Its about being in the right place at the right time.' Camilla was initially unlucky-in-love during her stint on Love Island, but things turned around towards the end of the series when she met former Calvin Klein hunk Jamie, with the pair finishing in second place behind Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay. Close bond: The humanitarian, 29, discussed being 'lucky' to have found such a connection with the male model, 28, on the reality show (pictured in July 2017 on Love Island) The Scottish beauty admitted she feels very lucky to have met her long-term love on the show. She told MailOnline: 'We were quite fortunate in that we met and had this amazing time on the show which was three weeks from the end, so we had this incredible experience on Love Island. I was just really lucky.' The television personality is now continuing her reality TV run with ITVBe show What Camilla Did Next, which will follow the daily lives of her and Jamie while also documenting her return to the minefields of Cambodia. Camilla said her upcoming show will give viewers an insight into their relationship outside of Love Island and said she's excited for the public to see a different side to Jamie. She said: 'People always think were so glamorous but they dont see us stuffing our faces or covered in dog hair. New project: The television personality is now continuing her reality TV run with ITVBe show What Camilla Did Next (pictured in October 2018) 'Were very lucky because weve been able to truck along, living our lives together, seeing how things go'. The loved-up couple found that their relationship 'naturally progressed' outside of the reality show when they found similarities between themselves, but credited an 'incredible experience on Love Island' for bringing them together. Camilla told MailOnline: 'We were just so so lucky with meeting each other. We both say its really bizarre that in the last 18 months theres so many moments where well find these odd little crossovers between us.' The charity worker won over a legion of fans when she stood up for her feminist principles during a debate with her villa partner, Jonny Mitchell - who later dumped her for Tyla Carr. Camilla explained staying true to herself during her time on the show is the way she found lasting love. 'Be true to yourself: Camilla explained staying true to herself during her time on the show is the way she found lasting love (pictured in November 2018) She said: 'Be true to yourself. Theres just no way you can keep up an act. If you want to find love the best thing is to be yourself otherwise its not worth it for either of you. Its a really intense environment and there will be ups and downs.' Camilla said she didn't go on the show expecting to find love, but to get out of her comfort zone after struggling to socialise after living an isolated life while destroying bombs in the likes of Afghanistan, Cambodia and Zimbabwe. She said: 'When Id been outside my comfort zone that is when I progressed and things really changed for me and so Love Island was the most terrifying thing. 'It was all of the things I could imagine I was bad at, it seemed like the perfect place to push myself to re-socialise. 'Theres no way to avoid it when youre in a villa with a group of other people, theres just nowhere to hide, but in the best way possible when its like I have to confront this kind of fear and push through it. Dangerous: What Camilla Did Next follows the humanitarian as she juggles her relationship with Jamie with heading back to Cambodia to destroying bombs (pictured in November 2018) 'I ended up coming out with a relationship, which was a very happy turn of fate but certainly nothing I expected going onto the show and I was very very lucky on that side of things'. In What Camilla Did Next, the TV personality will be seen back on the frontline as she works with charity HALO trust clearing out mines, which she admitted was an 'amazing experience'. Camilla said: 'It's a story basically, the first half is mine and Jamie's life here and our experiences post-Love Island, what it's like being a couple in the public eye. 'The second half is the Cambodia side of things, I meet families who have been affected by landmines and you get to see a land mine being destroyed on the show and what the process of clearance is. 'Its very interesting, its the two different sides of my life coming together'. Meant to be: Camilla was unlucky-in-love during her stint on Love Island, but things turned around towards the end when she met former Calvin Klein hunk Jamie (pictured in July 2017) Aside from potential wedding bells, Camilla said she and Jamie are looking forward to travelling together in the coming year. She told MailOnline: 'Jamie and I have got a couple of big trips planned this year but to be honest we just want to try and enjoy the moment and live in it. 'I always think thats why Jamie and I have been so lucky since Love Island because a lot of the experience weve had, weve really got to go and enjoy. 'Weve both taken our time with it and waited to see what happens.' What Camilla Did Next Airs on ITVBe on Wednesday at 9pm She may have supported him at Dancing On Ice on Sunday despite their split, but things appear to have gone sour between Wes Nelson and Megan Barton Hanson. Wes, 20, has now started following a series of scantily-clad models on Instagram, just a day after he and Megan, 24, unfollowed one another. The girls all share racy pictures on the social media site, with one in particular, Lacey Montgomery, looking a dead ringer for Megan in her red latex dress. Moving on: Wes Nelson has followed a string of scantily-clad models on Instagram... a day after he and Megan Barton Hanson UNFOLLOWED one another on the social media site There for him: The latest comes just two days after Megan supported Wes at Dancing On Ice This comes after the pair said they were determined to maintain a friendship after deciding to go it alone. A spokesperson for Wes declined to comment to MailOnline. Megan and Wes have been dating for seven months, since they appeared on Love Island together, and had moved in with one another. New vibe: Wes's recent follows on social media include a group of attractive models Racy: Wes is now following Megan lookalike Lacey Montgomery, posing in a red latex dress Stunning: Ruby Sophia Blake also got a follow from Wes, after posing a series of sexy lingerie snaps Another follow: Meg Emily Murray also caught Wes' eye, unfortunately she has the same name as his ex Megan struggled with Wes's relationship with his professional skating partner on Dancing On Ice, Vanessa Bauer, but has said she wasn't the cause of their split. She was mad that Vanessa didn't reach out to her, said she got the best of Wes due to his intense training schedule and said SHE wanted to be on the ice with him. A source close to Megan Barton Hanson claimed she and Wes split because 'their sex life was suffering' thanks to his grueling Dancing On Ice rehearsal regime. A place in his heart: While Wes is no longer following Megan, their best social media moments remain in his highlights section The Sun has reported that Megan's pal said: 'Their relationship moved too quickly they couldnt keep up with it. One minute they were on [Love Island] together and the next Wes is moving out of his family home to live in a London flat with her. 'It all became very intense and whats worse is that their sex life started to suffer. As soon as Wes started to train for Dancing on Ice he became too tired for anything in the evening. Meanwhile, Megan said she had the 'worst day' of her life following the split. The Love Island star parted ways with her other half last week and admitted her anxiety has risen as a result. Mature: Megan has said that despite them previously not getting on, Vanessa is not the reason for her split with Wes Meanwhile Wes isn't letting the break-up get to him as he shared a cryptic uplifting Instagram post on Monday about 'being happy'. Sharing a snap of himself smiling at the beach, Wes wrote: 'Being happy is a way of life, not a destination.' His upbeat outlook comes hot on the heels of Megan cancelling a scheduled radio appearance on Heart FM at the last minute. Megan also shared several messages of support she has received from members of the public, commending her for being open about her prior battles with anxiety. She later shared another message thanking people again for their words. Megan wrote: 'Hands down been one of the worst days of my life. I cant thank you all enough for the support' John Malkovich is slated to star play inspired by the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations, marking his return to the London stage. The play has been dubbed Bitter Wheat and tells the story of a film mogul's fall from grace after being hit with allegations of sexual misconduct. Although the idea for the play first sparked after the Weinstein allegations came to light, Malkovich insisted that the central character he plays is 'not particularly Harvey Weinstein', he told the BBC. New play: John Malkovich is slated to star play inspired by the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations, marking his return to the London stage David Mamet, whose plays include 'Glengarry Glen Ross' and 'Oleanna,' also directs the production. It runs at London's Garrick Theatre from June 7 to Sept. 14. Scores of women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. He denies allegations of non-consensual sex. Since October 2017, Weinstein has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by more than 80 women, including prominent actresses such as Ashley Judd and Angelina Jolie. Plot: The play has been dubbed 'Bitter Wheat' and tells the story of a film mogul's fall from grace after being hit with allegations of sexual misconduct As well as taking to the stage in the Weinstein-inspired play, Malkovich will also co-star alongside Jude Law. who will reprise his role of Lenny Belardo, the former Archbishop of New York, in The New Pope. His youth and novel status as an American resulted in his election as the first American pope, and is renamed Pope Pius XIII. Rather than being a force for rejuvenation, the new Pope Pius XIII doubles down on the Vatican's gamesmanship and intrigue, threatening to upend the organisation's top chain of command. The 10-episode one-off series was created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, who also helms each episode of its follow-up, The New Pope. The Italian auteur is best known for his 2013 film The Great Beauty, which captured the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and was nominated for the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The series takes up after The Young Pope's cliffhanger ending, which saw Pope Pius XIII confronted with a moment of weakness that threatened to destroy his papacy. Little has been revealed about the plot of this follow-up series, and Malkovich's character has yet to be confirmed. However, the stage and screen veteran was seen filming from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where he appeared to be giving an Urbi et Orbi papal address to the crowds in November. The series is expected to return in 2019. Advertisement Love Island hunk Jonny Mitchell has given fans an inside look at his romantic Spanish break with fiancee Danielle Zarb-Cousin, after spending a month soaking up the sun in Lanzarote. The couple - who announced their engagement just before Christmas - have been documenting their break at the stunning resort, complete with delicious dishes, incredible views and a private jacuzzi. Jonny, 27, and his bride-to-be Danielle announced their engagement after just nine months together, with the star revealing to MailOnline their romance began after they met through mutual friends. Loved-up: Love Island hunk Jonny Mitchell has given fans an inside look at his romantic Spanish break with fiancee Danielle Zarb-Cousin, after spending a month soaking up the sun in Lanzarote Jonny hasn't held back from documenting his break with Danielle as they enjoyed the blazing sunshine, staying at a luxury resort with a private room, looking out on the beautiful swimming pool with the beach in the distance. The hunk's room boasts a private jacuzzi on the balcony so he and Danielle can enjoy the bubbles with an ice-cold beverage, with the brunette beauty flaunting her incredible figure in a slew of chic looks. The resort also boasted a swim up pool overlooking the beach and its crystal clear oceans, and an Old European-style interior for its dining areas despite the resorts modern feel. So romantic: The couple have spent a month soaking up the sun after announcing their engagement just before Christmas, with their resort boasting incredible views and a swim-up pool Romantic: Their room even has a private balcony with exclusive sunbeds, which proves to be an incredible sight both during the day (left) and night Look at that: Jonny has been heavily documenting his break on Instagram stories, which includes showing a view of the hotel's beautiful beaches As well as soaking up the sun, Jonny and Danielle have also been enjoying some of the hotels little luxuries, including an endless minibar in their room and poolside. The couple have also been tucking into plenty of delicious dishes, bottomless champagne, and some perfectly presented cocktails. After one of their meals, Jonny also revealed that he and Danielle were surprised by some special champagne and rose petals scattered across their hotel bed. Gorgeous: Danielle has been flaunting her trim figure in a slew of different looks on the break, which came just after she and Jonny announced their engagement Classic: The hotel's interior boast a more Old-Hollywood feel as Jonny and Danielle sit down for dinner together Jonny announced his engagement to Danielle in December after just nine months together, popping the question whilst on a romantic getaway in Switzerland. Taking to Instagram he wrote: 'It sounds cliche, but I knew from the first time I met this girl that I was going to marry her.. I probably wouldve proposed to her within the first month of knowing her if it wasnt totally weird! 'Shes basically the girl version of me and gets me in every way humanly possible.. Shes a beautiful, caring soul inside and out.. 'Shes there for me through thick and thin and puts up with all my c**p.. and now shes my fiancee and I couldnt be happier @daniellezarbx #shesaidyes'. Cheers! The champagne has been constantly flowing on Jonny's month-long break with his bride-to-be, as they gushed about staying in the Lanzarote resort A toast to us! As well as tucking into plenty of delicious dishes, Jonny and Danielle have been enjoying a slew of yummy cocktails Danielle shared the same sweet snap on her profile as she wrote: 'Were engaged!! 'I get to marry my best friend @jonny_mitchell1991 Id choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, Id find you and Id choose you. 'Wow what a magical day. After an early morning and long drive we arrived at a beautiful hotel in the mountains in Switzerland .. and then my best friend proposed to me #imoncloudnine #loveofmylife #letscelebrate'. Surprise! After one of their dinners, Jonny also showed that he and Danielle were surprised with some more champagne and rose petals in their hotel room Loved-up: Back in December Jonny announced his engagement to girlfriend Danielle, which came after just nine months of dating Happy couple: Jonny revealed his romance with model Danielle - the ex of TOWIE star Elliot Wright - in March, and admitted to MailOnline he had been crazy about her for some time, before their romance blossomed Jonny revealed his romance with model Danielle - the ex of TOWIE star Elliot Wright - in March, and admitted to MailOnline he had been crazy about her for some time, before their romance blossomed. He said: 'Danielle is from the same area as me, and we didnt know each other but we had mutual friends. It kind of happened like that. But she was on my radar, I had known of her, shes a beautiful girl.' While he rose to fame on Love Island, Jonny added the pair had decided to keep their relationship under wraps, as he feels publicity only hinders romance. He said: 'Im such a new kid on the block. I have found that publicity doesnt do a relationship a lot of good. If Im seen with any girl, Im automatically conceded as that person.' 'But I knew I couldnt keep it a secret forever, Im crazy about that girl!' They have just returned from a sun-soaked trip to Indonesia. And back on home turf, Caitlyn Jenner cut a casual figure as she was joined by her partner Sophia Hutchins, 22, for a romantic meal at Kristy's in Malibu on Monday night. The former Olympian, 69, clad her statuesque figure in a long grey knit, which she teamed with blue denims as she joined her other half, who opted for a cool slogan top. Heading out: Caitlyn Jenner, 69, cut a casual figure as she was enjoyed a romantic meal at Kristy's in Malibu on Monday night Caitlyn completed her low-key look with a pair of trainers, while accessorising with studs and a necklace. Sophie also looked stylish in a white top which read 'just a girl who decided to go for it'. The blonde bombshell teamed it with a a pair of clingy khaki shorts which showed off her long bronzed legs to perfection. The duo didn't share much from the trip to Indonesia but posted pictures of the stunning view from the balcony of their accommodations. Making a statement: The former Olympian's girlfriend Sophie, 22, looked stylish in a white top which read 'just a girl who decided to go for it' Low-key: Caitlyn clad her statuesque figure in a long grey knit, which she teamed with blue denims 'Good morning! Can any of you guess where I am?' Caitlyn captioned one of the snaps Monday. Back in October Sophia dished on her relationship with the former Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, revealing that they simply share a life together. 'I wouldnt describe it as a romantic relationship. I would describe our relationship as were partners, were business partners,' she explained on Hidden Truth with Jim Breslo. Sophia works as the executive director of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation. 'Can any of you guess where I am?' The duo didn't share much from the trip to Indonesia but posted pictures of the stunning view from the balcony of their accommodations 'We have so much in common; we see the world so similarly and we both are such a good match for each because we challenge each other,' Sophia added. 'She challenges me in so many ways, has allowed me to grow in so many ways and I hope I challenge her to grow and I think because we share so many of the same passions and views, its just a great match, a great partnership.' While the duo do live together, Sophia insists that they don't need a label. 'I dont think we need to talk about, "Is it romantic or not?"' she said. 'Were partners in everything we do, were inseparable, were business partners, we live together, we share a dog, we share family, we share a life together.' 'We see the world so similarly': Back in October Sophia dished on her relationship with the former Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, revealing that they simply share a life together She's been inseparable from her beau since they rekindled their romance last year. And Charlotte Dawson looked happier than ever with beau Matthew Sarsfield as they packed on the PDA at Taylor Ward's 21st birthday at Manchester's Rosso Restaurant on Monday. The reality star, 26, couldn't keep her hands or lips off her dapper boyfriend as they passionately kissed outside the eaterie before laughing out loud. PDA: Charlotte Dawson looked happier than ever with beau Matthew Sarsfield as they packed on the PDA at Taylor Ward's 21st birthday at Manchester's Rosso Restaurant on Monday Celebs Go Dating star Charlotte looked sensational for her night out on the town, as she flashed her braless cleavage in a black bodycon dress with a cut-out detail. As well as flashing her ample bust, the cross-over gown teased her slender waist, while the pencil skirt revealed her toned and tanned legs. The brunette beauty added height to her look with perspex heels. Her raven tresses were styled in tumbling waves while her pretty features were enhanced with fluttery lashes, peachy blush and a slick of rose lipstick. Racy: Celebs Go Dating star Charlotte looked sensational for her night out on the town, as she flashed her braless cleavage in a black bodycon dress with a cut-out detail Matthew matched his girlfriend's stylish ensemble by donning a black jacket and skinny jeans, paired with slate grey loafers. The buxom brunette recently shared a snap of the pair kissing passionately with their arms wrapped around one another, calling Matt her 'cheekeh cherub'. The Celebs on the Farm star captioned the image, which was shared on her Instagram account: 'Unbreakable... had a tough few months but with the bad there always comes the good babayy the rough with the smooth n all that... (sic). 'Cant wait for our next chapter now the only way is up my cheekeh cherub face love you forevs.' [sic] In August, Matt narrowly avoided jail for punching a stranger outside a club. He was left 'sickened' in court, after hearing details of how he drunkenly landed a single blow to Daniel Jackson's bottom lip on April 2 this year, which may leave him with permanent scarring. He hit the aspiring actor without warning in an unprovoked attack, Wigan and Leigh magistrates heard. It came months after Matt rekindled a romance with Charlotte, who confirmed the news in December 2017. Matt was sentenced to six months in prison which has been suspended for two years, as well as being handed a community order and hefty fine. Smitten: Matthew matched his girlfriend's stylish ensemble by donning a black jacket and skinny jeans, paired with slate grey loafers She was left heartbroken when footage emerged showing her fiance John Noble getting close to a bevy of beauties during a lads' trip to Dubai. Yet through her heartache, Vicky Pattison managed to chronicle her pain on her forthcoming TLC show, which was originally tipped to detail the lead-up to her wedding yet John's betrayal saw the show film her split. A teaser clip from Vicky Pattison: The Break Up, saw the reality star, 31, seek solace from her pal Ferne McCann, although she admitted she struggled to open up to her as Ferne went through a horrific split herself from acid attacker Arthur Collins. Way back when: Vicky Pattison managed to chronicle her pain after her split from fiance John Noble on her forthcoming TLC show, which was originally tipped to detail the lead-up to her wedding yet the betrayal saw the show film her split Vicky was left bereft in November when John, who she has been dating for two years, was spotted getting close to a series of partygoers in Dubai. She has since announced that she has had no contact with him since and plans to buy him out of their shared house - much to her heartbreak and devastation. In her TLC show, her heartache plays out while she has sought comfort from friends - including TOWIE star Ferne, who she shared the stage with at a body confidence event shortly after she found out about the betrayal. While she was looking for comfort, Vicky admitted she felt guilty asking Ferne, who split from her one-year-old daughter Sunday's father Arthur Collins after he committed a horrific acid attack at an east London nightclub in 2017. Help me: A teaser clip from Vicky Pattison: The Break Up, saw the reality star, 31, seek solace from her pal Ferne McCann, although she admitted she struggled to open up to her as Ferne went through a horrific split herself from acid attacker Arthur Collins Speaking on the show, Vicky said: 'Ferne is a very important part of my life and she knows a thing or two about break ups. A thing or two about nasty public breakups.' While she was happy to be with her friend, Vicky admitted she felt guilty for measuring her own dramas up to Ferne's: 'I feel very proud of her and I feel very guilty when I a offload on her because of what she's been through.' Ferne lauded her friend for still appearing at the event, as she said: 'Bloody hell you're here you're being professional. I think its so hard that one minute you think your life is on track and then like that its gone.' Tough times: Shocking: While she was looking for comfort, Vicky admitted she felt guilty asking Ferne, who split from her one-year-old daughter Sunday's father Arthur Collins after he committed a horrific acid attack at an east London nightclub in 2017 Shocking: Ferne's ex Arthur was convicted of GBH and ABH against 14 people after he sprayed party-goers with acid following an argument at the Mangle E8 nightclub in east London during the Easter weekend last April Ferne's ex Arthur was convicted of GBH and ABH against 14 people after he sprayed party-goers with acid following an argument at the Mangle E8 nightclub in east London during the Easter weekend last April. The attack left several clubbers hospitalised and scarred for life, while some required skin grafts. Arthur is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence for the act. The horrific incident left 22 innocent clubbers injured, several of whom confronted him in court, with one woman recalling the moment she felt her skin 'come off'. Arthur claimed he thought he was throwing a date rape drug, but he was labelled a 'calculating liar' who has not shown the 'slightest remorse' by the judge. A friend in need... Ferne proved herself to be an endless source of support for her friend Off camera, she then said: 'I take my hat off to her because the irony of being at a body confidence event while were all trying to be brave and confidence.' Ahead of the show's release, Vicky, who admits she is ready to date again, revealed to MailOnline that John demanded she return her 3.6-carat marquise-cut diamond ring while she is also in the process of buying him out of their home. Speaking to MailOnline, she said: 'I don't think about him anymore. I don't know that man. He's rang me a couple of times since. Unfortunately we own a house together... 'He's very keen to get the money out of this house and have his ring back and just wanting to move on with his life. I think the ring is cursed, mate... 'I haven't wanted to see him, it's still very raw and very sore and the thought of sitting down with him to discuss our financials is making me very anxious and very stressed. I don't think I'm ready for that.' Moving on: Ahead of the show's release, Vicky, who admits she is ready to date again, revealed to MailOnline that John demanded she return her 3.6-carat marquise-cut diamond ring while she is also in the process of buying him out of their home When asked about her wedding plans and if she had put any deposits down, Vicky pushed: 'Luckily for us we were at the cusp of doing things, we had a lucky escape... 'We owned the house in Newcastle for a year together. It's my house now and I kicked him out the day I found out.' Vicky's marriage was fast turning into a business opportunity as well as the happiest day of her life after she launched her Vicky's Bridal Bod Instagram, kicked off a wedding column and scooped a show documenting the wedding lead-up. A helping hand: Vicky and Ferne were talking through the painful split However she admitted her career and her romance were getting too close. The heartbroken star said: 'My life was John and our subsequent marriage was becoming quite intrinsically linked to my career... 'I had a column just announced in The Sun documenting the lead up to our wedding, the Instagram account, the day the news broke we were going to sign the contract for our wedding venue... 'The show was meant to be about the wedding. It was so hard for me. First I felt it as a woman, I was heartbroken, lost, I felt a sense of bereavement. A part of me died.' Vicky Pattison: The Break Up premieres Wednesday at 10pm exclusively on TLC Tom Burgess' model girlfriend, Tahlia Giumelli, 25, has announced she's pregnant with the couple's first child. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, the social media influencer said she and Tom, 26, are thrilled with the 'happy surprise'. 'I'm three months along, so we've just hit that 13 week mark,' she said. Scroll down for video Baby joy! NRL star Tom Burgess' model girlfriend Tahlia Giumelli announces she's pregnant with the couple's first child on Tuesday 'I'm showing a little bit, but I don't know if it's just all the food I've been gobbling up or if it's a Burgess baby, they are quite large kids.' The former Miss Universe Australia finalist said they plan to find out the baby's gender soon. 'I want to keep it (the gender) as a surprise, but Tom has been begging me every single day, so I think just to shut him up I'm going to find out for him and do something nice to celebrate that.' Bun in the oven: Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the social media influencer said she and Tom, 26, are thrilled with the 'happy surprise' 'I'm showing a little bit, but I don't know if it's just all the food I've been gobbling up or if it's a Burgess baby, they are quite large kids' she said Tahlia revealed that she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. She said she was bedridden most of her first trimester and was even sent to hospital due to her Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and fatigue. Gender reveal? 'I want to keep it (the gender) as a surprise, but Tom has been begging me every single day, so I think just to shut him up I'm going to find out for him and do something nice to celebrate that' Morning sickness: Tahlia shared that it wasn't all smooth sailing with her pregnancy, after admitting she was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum Despite this, Tahlia said she's finally gotten over the morning sickness and 'easing her way back to work.' It comes after some not so happy news that his older brother Sam Burgess and his wife Phoebe called it quits on their marriage. In December last year, reports claimed Phoebe and Sam's marriage split as 'pretty messy'. It's over: It comes after some not so happy news that his older brother Sam Burgess and his wife Phoebe called it quits on their marriage last month (both pictured) Marriage over: A close friend of the former couple told The Daily Telegraph that 'things [had] been bad for a while' A close friend of the former couple told The Daily Telegraph that 'things [had] been bad for a while'. The insider explained that the breakup was particularly hard on Phoebe because Sam's mother, Julie Burgess was standing by her son. 'It would have been hard for Phoebe because Julie would have completely stuck by Sam... and there's talk she didn't offer Phoebe much support,' they claimed. The couple first met at an Avicii concert in Sydney in January 2014, before marrying in December 2015. She shot to fame as a lads' mag pin-up in the early Noughties. Yet Lucy Pinder proved her days of scanty bikinis and topless shoots were long behind her at the British Photography Awards at the Savoy Theatre on Monday. The 35-year-old stunner showed off her elegant style as she sported a floral gown with leather boots - which showed her bold style evolution. Stunner: Lucy Pinder proved her days of scanty bikinis and topless shoots were long behind her on Monday at the British Photography Awards at the Savoy Theatre Lucy soared to prominence when she was scouted in 2003 and went on to frequent the pages of FHM, Loaded, Nuts and the Daily Star as well as a starring on Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 and featuring in a host of promo shoots. Now however, the brunette beauty's Instagram pages detail her love of photography and her wholly more neutral look from her days of glamour modelling. Toning down her look further, she also covered up her legs in a pair of boots, which added to the overall muted feel of the look. She was living it up alongside Vikings actor Elijah Rowen, who she greeted with a fond hug while cosying up further beneath a camel coat. Happy days: The 35-year-old stunner showed off her elegant style as she sported a floral gown with leather boots - which showed her bold style evolution Woah! In March 2015, the busty brunette was said to have been dating Captain America actor Chris Evans and one newspaper claimed at the time that she was 'smitten' (pictured in 2006) No comment: Though their relationship was never confirmed, the British Page 3 model was spotted enjoying a day date with the hunk at Disneyland in January 2015 In March 2015, the busty brunette was said to have been dating Captain America actor Chris Evans and one newspaper claimed at the time that she was 'smitten'. Though their relationship was never confirmed, the British Page 3 model was spotted enjoying a day date with the hunk at Disneyland in January that year. In the same year, Lucy played a web-cam girl named Justine Cyfiawnder who blackmails a high powered businessman in thriller LiveJustine. It was her first starring role, having previously acted alongside Martin Kemp, Sylvester McCoy and Robert Englund. Brit-born Lucy was discovered as a model on Bournemouth beach in 2003, at the age of 19, when she was working as a secretary. She was approached as she sunbathed in a black bra and the pictures of her were printed in the Daily Star newspaper. Happy days: She was living it up alongside Vikings actor Elijah Rowen, who she greeted with a fond hug while cosying up further beneath a camel coat Ahem! Talking about her sizable, all natural chest to the newspaper in 2008, she said: 'They're 32FF. They used to be 32G but they're going down a bit as I get older' (pictured in 2006) Talking about her sizable, all natural chest to the newspaper in 2008, she said: 'They're 32FF. They used to be 32G but they're going down a bit as I get older.' She added: 'They are 100 per cent real. They always generated a reaction. When I was at school, just 13, I'd cram them into these white school shirts... 'Pupils and teachers just didn't know where to look. Luckily I was calm about myself. I always felt quite comfortable being busty.' Lucy went on to model for now defunct magazines Nuts and FHM, featuring in the latter ranking of 100 Sexiest Women in the World three times. She also appeared on the sixth series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 but she was the first person to be evicted. They're big names on the London big circuit. And Holly Valance and Nick Candy looked delighted to be spending their Monday evening at celeb-favourite haunt The Arts Club in Mayfair. The Australian star and her property mogul husband were spotted leaving the plush spot hand in hand after enjoying a night with Tamara Ecclestone and Jay Rutland. Date night: Holly Valance and Nick Candy looked delighted to be spending their Monday evening at celeb-favourite haunt The Arts Club in Mayfair The dinner was in support of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organisation and hosted by Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy the former United States Attorney General who was assassinated in 1968. Ex Neighbours star Holly, 35, looked elegant in a long black fur coat which she teamed with a pair of red heels and a black clutch bag. She styled her brunette locks into a sleek sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of make-up and a set of gold hooped earrings. Meanwhile, her businessman beau, looked equally as stylish in dark trousers, a grey knitted waistcoat, white shirt and a blue embroidered blazer, he completed his look with a grey scarf. Chic: The Australian star looked elegant in a long black fur coat which she teamed with a pair of red heels and a black clutch bag Holly and Nick met in 2009 at a mutual friend's dinner party. The songstress and Nick welcomed their first child Luka Violet Toni at the end of 2013, one year after their lavish nuptials in London. Their second daughter Nova Skye Coco was born in September 2017. Holly starred as Felicity 'Flick' Scully in Neighbours in 1999 before leaving the show in 2002 to focus on her music career,. Picture perfect: She styled her brunette locks into a sleek sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of make-up and a set of gold hooped earrings Long-term love: Holly and Nick met in 2009 at a mutual friend's dinner party. The songstress and Nick welcomed their first child at the end of 2013, one year after their lavish nuptials. Her notable hits include Kiss Kiss and Naughty Girl. Billionaire Nick and his brother Christian are best known for creating the luxury One Hyde Park apartment complex in Knightsbridge, London. The property developers boast an estimated joint net worth of $2.7 billion, according to Estates Gazette rich list 2010. Julia Roberts beamed as she cozied up to her Ben Is Back co-star Lucas Hedges at a WSJ Magazine Talents And Legends Dinner held in his honor Monday. The 51-year-old Oscar-winning actress slipped into a navy dress and a pair of blue print boots for the event at the Beverly Hills hot spot Mr. Chow. Letting her wavy hair down, she accentuated her features with makeup and added a splash of contrast with a pink Coach Top Handle bag. Together again: Julia Roberts beamed as she cozied up to her Ben Is Back co-star Lucas Hedges at a WSJ Magazine Talents And Legends Dinner held in his honor Monday Julia, who plays the mother of Lucas' drug-addicted character in Ben Is Back, posed with him and WSJ Magazine editor Kristina O'Neill against a floral backdrop. This trio were also seen posing with Magnus Berger, an erstwhile model who has gone on to become creative director of WSJ Magazine. Lucas and Julia also stood for the shutterbugs with 21-year-old actress Kathryn Newton, who plays his title character's sister in Ben Is Back. Kathryn modeled a saffron jumpsuit to the swank affair, wrapping up in a faded brown leather coat and balancing on open-toed heels. She looks fabulous: The 51-year-old Oscar-winning actress slipped into a navy dress and a pair of blue print boots for the event at the Beverly Hills hot spot Mr. Chow All that sweet affection: Letting her wavy hair down, she accentuated her features with makeup and added a splash of contrast with a pink Coach Top Handle bag Place to be: Julia, who plays the mother of Lucas' drug-addicted character in Ben Is Back, posed with him and WSJ Magazine editor Kristina O'Neill against a floral backdrop Quartet: This trio were also seen posing with Magnus Berger, an erstwhile model who has gone on to become creative director of WSJ Magazine Family photo: Lucas and Julia also stood for the shutterbugs with 21-year-old actress Kathryn Newton, who plays his title character's sister in Ben Is Back Girl on fire: Kathryn modeled a saffron jumpsuit to the swank affair, wrapping up in a faded brown leather coat and balancing on open-toed heels She stood for a duo snapshot with 22-year-old Lucas, who teamed a navy suit with a flesh-toned sweater and a pair of walnut brown dress shoes. Lucas, whose father Peter Hedges wrote and directed Ben Is Back, rose to prominence and got an Oscar nod via the 2016 tearjerker Manchester By The Sea. While at Mr. Chow, Kathryn and Lucas posed between Bria Vinaite of The Florida Project fame and Spider-Man: Homecoming actress Laura Harrier. Side by side: She stood for a duo snapshot with 22-year-old Lucas, who teamed a navy suit with a flesh-toned sweater and a pair of walnut brown dress shoes Claim to fame: Lucas, whose father Peter Hedges wrote and directed Ben Is Back, rose to prominence and got an Oscar nod via the 2016 tearjerker Manchester By The Sea Rising talent: While at Mr. Chow, Kathryn and Lucas posed between Bria Vinaite of The Florida Project fame and Spider-Man: Homecoming actress Laura Harrier Laura, 28, arrived to the inner in a showstopping black and scarlet pinstriped suit, wearing her hair down and accessorizing with a choker. The One Live To Live alumna lent herself a bit of added stature with midnight blue stilettos that complemented her lighter blue leather handbag. Venture capitalist Vivi Nevo was seen posing with model and actress Amber Valletta. Amber pulled on a nude and rust-colored mini, then threw a black net dress dripping with fringe over it, going for a minimal look makeup-wise. Stealing the scene: Laura, 28, arrived to the inner in a showstopping black and scarlet pinstriped suit, wearing her hair down and accessorizing with a choker Glamour: The One Live To Live alumna lent herself a bit of added stature with midnight blue stilettos that complemented her lighter blue leather handbag Swanking about: Venture capitalist Vivi Nevo was seen posing with model and actress Amber Valletta What a look: Amber pulled on a nude and rust-colored mini, then threw a black net dress dripping with fringe over it, going for a minimal look makeup-wise Jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer slid into a pair of midnight blue slacks and a matching blouse that glinted under the lights. Her father Ron Meyer, the vice chairman of NBC Universal, swung by the party in socks and sandals, wearing a black dress shirt with casual jeans. Jennifer and Ron got together and beamed for the cameras in a heartwarming family snapshot, each of them putting an arm around the other. The event also played host to Erin and Sara Foster, who are the daughters of music mogul David Foster Radiant: Jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer slid into a pair of midnight blue slacks and a matching blouse that glinted under the lights Keeping it casual: Her father Ron Meyer, the vice chairman of NBC Universal, swung by the party in socks and sandals, wearing a black dress shirt with jeans Not far from the tree: Jennifer and Ron got together and beamed for the cameras in a heartwarming family snapshot, each of them putting an arm around the other Sister act: The event also played host to Erin and Sara Foster, who are the daughters of music mogul David Foster Erin, wearing a set of overalls over a white tee, sat on the back of a chair as she got snapped with Sara and Jennifer. Troye Sivan, Lucas' co-star in his 2018 gay conversion drama Boy Erased, went for monochrome in an untucked white dress shirt and black trousers. Lana Condor, who shot to fame in the Netflix high school movie To All The Boys I've Loved Before, rocked a sea green trouser suit and nude top. Trio: Erin, wearing a set of overalls over a white tee, sat on the back of a chair as she got snapped with Sara and Jennifer Elegance: Troye Sivan, Lucas' co-star in his 2018 gay conversion drama Boy Erased, went for monochrome in an untucked white dress shirt and black trousers They play LAPD detectives in the Spectrum original series LA's Finest, a spin-off from the movie Bad Boys II. And on Monday, Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba were hard at work on a location shoot. The actresses were seen in character investigating a murder scene in a park. Filming: They play LAPD detectives in the Bad Boys II spin-off LA's Finest. And on Monday, Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba were hard at work on a location shoot The pair were seen squatting down to inspect a deceased man lying on his back on the grass. There was yellow crime scene tape and extras dressed as forensics officers. Union stars as Syd Burnett, the character she played in Bad Boys II opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Last seen on the big screen in Miami, she's now in LA paired with partner Nancy McKenna (Alba). While the relationship between the two isn't always easy, they are both committed to taking down the bad guys. Spin-off: Union stars as Syd Burnett, the character she played opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Last seen in Miami, she's now in LA paired with Alba's Nancy McKenna On character: The pair were seen squatting down to inspect a deceased man lying on his back on the grass as co-star Duane Martin looked on Investigation: There was yellow crime scene tape and extras dressed as forensics officers Drama: While the relationship between the two detectives isn't always easy, they are both committed to taking down the bad guys, according to the show's synopsis LA's Finest marks Alba's return to a leading role in a TV series since the end of her breakthrough role in Dark Angel, which ended in 2002. Meanwhile, Union is coming into the show after a successful five season run on the show Being Mary Jane. LA's Finest is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer for Sony and also stars Duane Martin, Zach Gilford, Jake Busey and Ernie Hudson. Episodic: LA's Finest marks Alba's return to a leading role in a TV series since the end of her breakthrough role in Dark Angel, which ended in 2002 She founded the smash hit drinks brand Skinnygirl. And Bethenny Frankel served as keynote speaker this Saturday for the Nazarian Institute conference about the luxury business in Los Angeles. The 48-year-old Real Housewife Of New York City also sat for an onstage conversation with plastic surgeon Sheila Nazarian, who founded the conference. Place to be: Bethenny Frankel served as keynote speaker this Saturday for the Nazarian Institute conference about the luxury business in Los Angeles Bethenny arrived at the event in a powder pink cocktail dress, cinching the ensemble with a maroon belt that played up her enviably trim figure. The I Suck At Relationships So You Don't Have To author added a splash of dazzle to the ensemble with a stack of bracelets, a watch and a necklace. It was her commitment to this conference that reportedly kept her from attending the baby shower of Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen. Chit chat: The 48-year-old Real Housewife Of New York City also sat for an onstage conversation with plastic surgeon Sheila Nazarian, who founded the conference Simple elegance: Bethenny arrived at the event in a powder pink cocktail dress, cinching the ensemble with a maroon belt that played up her enviably trim figure Although several of the other Real Housewives from various franchises were in attendance, an insider told People 'Everyone knew' Bethenny would not be there. 'The speaking engagement was booked way before Andys party and it was at the same time. All the Housewives knew she was not going to be at the party because of this,' the source explained to the magazine. Another attendee who spoke onstage at the Nazarian Institute this Saturday was fashion designer Alana Hadid, the half-sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. Added touches: The I Suck At Relationships So You Don't Have To author added a splash of dazzle to the ensemble with a stack of bracelets, a watch and a necklace High demand: It was her commitment to this conference that reportedly kept her from attending the baby shower of Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen Alana, whose former stepmother Yolanda Hadid used to be a Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills, threw a colorful open shirt over a charcoal denim jumpsuit. The Nazarian Institute also got a visit this Saturday from fashion blogger and swimwear designer Shea Marie, who posed up a storm by the backdrop. Shea teamed a fitted back turtleneck with high-waisted skintight jeans, popping on a pair of snakeskin-print high-heeled boots and a pair of necklaces. Starry family: Another attendee who spoke onstage at the Nazarian Institute this Saturday was fashion designer Alana Hadid, the half-sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid Swanking about: Alana, whose former stepmother Yolanda Hadid used to be a Real Housewife Of Beverly Hills, threw a colorful open shirt over a charcoal denim jumpsuit Lacey Sculls, who was seen on Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, has been named in a lawsuit over her alleged actions in a Hollywood, California bar brawl two years ago. The Dallas native, 42, and her husband Jonny were named in a suit stemming from the January 2017 altercation that took place at Boardner's, a long-standing Los Angeles bar, TMZ reported Monday citing court docs. The plaintiff, a woman named Erin Skold, said that she was at the venue in a VIP booth when the couple rumbled in and picked a fight with people in the vicinity. Legal problems: Lacey Sculls, who was seen on Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, has been named in a lawsuit with her husband Jonny over her alleged actions in a Hollywood, California bar brawl two years ago. The two were snapped in LA in 2016 Skold said she was struck by a beverage Jonny hoisted, and also was knocked down in the skirmish - leading to a concussion after she struck her head - in addition to a twisted ankle and bruising. Skold said the reality star and her husband instigated the brawl which led to her injuries, and is claiming battery against them. She has also named Boardner's in the suit, according to the outlet. The couple has also been named in a separate suit by a man named Jorge Magana stemming from a January 2018 incident, the outlet reported last month. In that exchange, Magana claims the duo, in a road rage-fueled meltdown, pulled him out of his vehicle and beat him up, with Lacey biting off a piece of his ear. Both Jonny and Lacey were arrested in connection with the incident. Colgate smile: The one-time TV star recently posted this selfie to Instagram Posing: The red-headed reality TV starlet donned a black skirt and fishnets on the red carpet in 2016 in LA The couple sued Magana, claiming that he was brake-checking them in hopes of getting rear-ended, the outlet reported. Magana was the one who assaulted Jonny, the duo said. The couple claimed Magana hit Jonny in multiple instances in the incident, at one point hitting his face; Jonny said he did not punch at Magana. From her native city of Los Angeles all the way to the The White House in DC, Kim Kardashian has been on a much-publicized crusade for criminal justice reform. And on Monday she added to the cause with a visit to the California Capitol in Sacramento for a visit with Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins of San Diego and some of his lawmaking colleagues. Of course, the meeting came after the working mom of three spent some quality time with daughter North, five, and son Saint, three. Lobbying: Kim Kardashian visited the California Capitol on Monday as part of her criminal justice reform crusade ; she documented the trip with a photo on her Instagram Story During her time in the Senate Chambers, the reality star also spoke with lawmakers who had proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow parolees to vote earlier in the day, according to The Sacramento Bee. If approved, the 'Free the Vote Act' would allow about 48,000 California parolees the legal right to cast ballots. Being the mega-celebrity that she is, Kardashian's visit created some excitement among some legislators. Causing a stir: The reality star's visit created some excitement in the Senate Chambers Lobbying: Kardashian talked with lawmakers who had proposed a criminal justice reform bill earlier in the day Assemblymember Todd Gloria (D-San Diego) tweeted a group photo featuring the reality star and several lawmakers and wrote: 'When you show up to work and @KimKardashian is there.' There was also a tweet from Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Los Angeles) who said is was 'always nice to see one of his constituents from the 45th Assembly District to the State Capitol. Thanks @KimKardashian for stopping by!' And Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) shared a selfie of himself with the superstar and wrote: 'Look who's here to here to endorse criminal justice reform and #FreeTheVote @KIm Kardashian.' Welcome support: This legislator got in on one of the reality star's favorite pastimes, selfies Movers and shakers: Kardashain also shared a picture of the Capitol building on Insta-Story Kardashian had previously lobbied for criminal justice reform in the California Capitol, when she tweeted last July that she hoped then-Governor Jerry Brown (D-California) would sign a bill that would prohibit male correctional officer from conducting pat-downs searches on female inmates; Brown did sign that bill the following month. Her most famous plea for reform came when she visited President Donald J. Trump in the oval office of The White House last last year. The President went on to sign the First Step Act in December, which reduces mandatory minimum sentences in certain instances and expands on 'good time credits' for well-behaved prisoners looking for shorter sentences, as reported by The Hill. Mommy duties: The mother of three attended to North and Saint before heading to Sacramento to talk with lawmakers Easy does it: The 38-year old star looked to be cool and calm with her parenting in a parking lot Growing family: Kardashian and Kanye West are expecting a fourth child via surrogate Before the 38-year old star made her way to Sacramento, she was spotted with two of her children, North and Saint, in Los Angeles. Dressed much more casually then when she visited Sacramento, Kardashian looked to be cool and calm with her parenting in a parking lot. She and her husband, Kanye West are expecting their fourth child via surrogate this year, and it's a boy. The couple welcomed their daughter Chicago West via surrogate last January. Stranger Things couple Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton coordinated in white floral ensembles for the Hollywood premiere of her film Velvet Buzzsaw at American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre on Monday. The Nashville-born 22-year-old portrays a mousy character called Coco in Dan Gilroy's supernatural horror film, which starts streaming this Friday on Netflix. The former NYU student slipped her slim 5ft4in figure into a long-sleeved flower-applique dress and bowed Louboutin heels selected by stylist duo Brad Goreski + Daniela Viviana Romero. Twinning! Stranger Things couple Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton coordinated in white floral ensembles for the Hollywood premiere of her film Velvet Buzzsaw at American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre on Monday Coffee girl: The Nashville-born 22-year-old portrays a mousy character called Coco in Dan Gilroy's supernatural horror film, which starts streaming this Friday on Netflix Hairstylist Gregory Russell coiffed Natalia's brunette bob into a partial updo. And make-up artist Lilly Keys made sure Dyer's baby blues popped and her pout was bright red for the red carpet event. The 24-year-old Englishman looked flamboyant in a silk blouse covered in colorful flowers, white trousers, and black patent leather loafers selected by stylist Samantha McMillen. This month marks the SAG Award-winning couple's second year publicly dating each other, and even their characters Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers are in love on the binge-watching favorite. Blossom: The former NYU student slipped her slim 5ft4in figure into a long-sleeved flower-applique dress and bowed Louboutin heels Pretty as a petal: Hairstylist Gregory Russell coiffed Natalia's brunette bob into a partial updo Natural beauty: Make-up artist Lilly Keys made sure Dyer's baby blues popped and her pout was bright red for the red carpet event According to Deadline, Natalia and Charlie earned between $100K-$150K for each of the eight episodes in the upcoming third season of Stranger Things. Missing from Heaton's side was his four-year-old son with ex-girlfriend Akiko Matsuura, whom he met while drumming for the band Comanechi. The Mountain Rest actress told MTV News on Sunday that season three will be 'bigger, darker, and scarier' when it starts streaming July 4 on Netflix. 'It's set in the summer, it's in [1985],' Dyer explained. In bloom: The 24-year-old Englishman looked flamboyant in a silk blouse covered in colorful flowers, white trousers, and black patent leather loafers selected by stylist Samantha McMillen Still going strong! This month marks the SAG Award-winning couple's second year publicly dating each other, and even their characters Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers are in love Ka-ching! Natalia and Charlie reportedly earned between $100K-$150K for each of the eight episodes in the upcoming third season of Stranger Things Babydaddy: Missing from Heaton's side was his four-year-old son with ex-girlfriend Akiko Matsuura, whom he met while drumming for the band Comanechi 'It does feel bigger, just filming it. Obviously, I haven't seen any of it, but it does feel bigger, darker, scarier. It felt like they noticeably bumped it up to a different level this season. So I'm excited to see it, too. I don't know how [creators Ross & Matt Duffer] do it, but yeah, I'm excited!' Stranger Things season three - centered around Hawkins' brand new Starcourt Mall - will introduce three new actors to the talented ensemble: Maya Hawke, Cary Elwes, and Jake Busey. Natalia posed alongside her Velvet Buzzsaw producer Betsy Danbury and castmates Jake Gyllenhaal, Tom Sturridge, Zawe Ashton, Billy Magnussen, writer Dan Gilroy, Daveed Diggs, and producer Jennifer Fox. 38-year-old Jake looked handsome as ever in a black suit over an untucked green-and-yellow button-up and black patent leather loafers selected by stylist Michael Fisher. 'It felt like they noticeably bumped it up to a different level': The Mountain Rest actress told MTV News on Sunday that season three will be 'bigger, darker, and scarier' when it starts streaming July 4 on Netflix 'I'm excited to see it, too!' Stranger Things season three will introduce three new actors to the talented ensemble - Maya Hawke, Cary Elwes, and Jake Busey Groomer Kristan Serafino made sure the Oscar nominee's complexion, hair, and stubble was just right for his big night. The Wildlife actor shared a laugh with 59-year-old Dan, who also wrote the screenplay to Gyllenhaal's 2014 film Nightcrawler. In Velvet Buzzsaw, Jake heads up the cast as art critic Morf Vandewalt, his second gay character since Ang Lee's 2005 cowboy drama Brokeback Mountain. Speaking of bromances, the brother of Maggie Gyllenhaal got bum-rushed into a sandwich by his castmates 33-year-old Tom and 33-year-old Billy. Group shot: Natalia posed alongside her (from L-R) Velvet Buzzsaw producer Betsy Danbury and castmates Jake Gyllenhaal, Tom Sturridge, Zawe Ashton, Billy Magnussen, writer Dan Gilroy, Daveed Diggs, and producer Jennifer Fox Hunk: 38-year-old Jake looked handsome as ever in a black suit over an untucked green-and-yellow button-up and black patent leather loafers selected by stylist Michael Fisher Dreamy eyes: Groomer Kristan Serafino made sure the Oscar nominee's complexion, hair, and stubble was just right for his big night Reunited! The Wildlife actor shared a laugh with 59-year-old Dan, who also wrote the screenplay to Gyllenhaal's 2014 film Nightcrawler Leading man: In Velvet Buzzsaw, Jake heads up the cast as art critic Morf Vandewalt, his second gay character since Ang Lee's 2005 cowboy drama Brokeback Mountain The Lambeth-born Londoner - who plays Jon Dondon in the flick - looked every bit the dapper English gent in his grey plaid suit, white top, and black necktie. And the Queens-born blond - who plays Bryson in the movie - hammed it up in his own grey plaid suit and white top sans necktie. Gilroy wrapped his arms around his wife of 27 years, Rene Russo, with whom he has a 25-year-old daughter Rose. The SAG Award nominee - turning 65 next month - rocked edgy black PVC pants with a matching sheer-sleeved peasant blouse and booties. Bring it in! Speaking of bromances, the brother of Maggie Gyllenhaal got bum-rushed into a sandwich by his castmates 33-year-old Tom (L) and 33-year-old Billy (R) Plays Jon Dondon in the flick: The Lambeth-born Londoner looked every bit the dapper English gent in his grey plaid suit, white top, and black necktie Hollywood smile: The Queens-born blond - who plays Bryson in the movie - hammed it up in his own grey plaid suit and white top sans necktie In Velvet Buzzsaw, the Get Shorty alum plays a character called Rhodora Haze, having also acted in her husband's 2014 film Nightcrawler. 34-year-old Zawe - who plays Josephina - bared her shoulders in a ROKSANDA gown featuring layers of graphic-printed chiffon, which was selected by stylist Steph Wilson. 37-year-old Daveed - who plays Damrish - donned a bizarre bow-tied, three-piece suit featuring ruched Capri pants with clashing baby-blue sneakers. Mark Leslie Ford - who plays Mark/Basel Staffer #2 - suited up in sapphire alongside his date, Emma Caulfield. His muse: Gilroy wrapped his arms around his wife of 27 years, Rene Russo, with whom he has a 25-year-old daughter Rose Vamping it up! The SAG Award nominee - turning 65 next month - rocked edgy black PVC pants with a matching sheer-sleeved peasant blouse and booties Red pout: In Velvet Buzzsaw, the Get Shorty alum plays a character called Rhodora Haze, having also acted in her husband's 2014 film Nightcrawler British beauty: 34-year-old Zawe - who plays Josephina - bared her shoulders in a ROKSANDA gown featuring layers of graphic-printed chiffon, which was selected by stylist Steph Wilson Hamilton thespian: 37-year-old Daveed - who plays Damrish - donned a bizarre bow-tied, three-piece suit featuring ruched Capri pants with clashing baby-blue sneakers Kristen DeVore Rakes - who plays German Woman #1 - looked leggy in her leather-infused LBD and strappy stilettos. And Mike Ostroski - who plays Patron - paired a blue blazer with dark-rinse jeans and brown loafers. Kids in the Hall funnyman Dave Foley checked out the premiere with his leather-clad on/off wife, Crissy Guerrero. The movie screening was also date night for Allison Holker and Stephen Boss as well as David Dastmalchian and Evelyn Leigh. Date night: Mark Leslie Ford - who plays Mark/Basel Staffer #2 - suited up in sapphire alongside his date, Emma Caulfield Little black dress: Kristen DeVore Rakes - who plays German Woman #1 - looked leggy in her leather-infused LBD and strappy stilettos Castmember: Mike Ostroski - who plays Patron - paired a blue blazer with dark-rinse jeans and brown loafers Comedy legend: Kids in the Hall funnyman Dave Foley checked out the premiere with his leather-clad on/off wife, Crissy Guerrero Influencer Alisha Marie wore a pink off-the-shoulder belted mini-dress with black Louboutins. Other ladies glamming up for the premiere were 18-year-old singer Baby Ariel, The Rich & the Ruthless actress Elizabeth J. Carlisle, and vlogger Ashley Nichole. Also celebrating all things Velvet Buzzsaw was the Walking Dead's Zach McGowan dressed in all black aside from his cowboy boots. PDA pairs: The movie screening was also date night for Allison Holker and Stephen Boss (L) as well as David Dastmalchian and Evelyn Leigh (R) Rosy: Influencer Alisha Marie wore a pink off-the-shoulder belted mini-dress with black Louboutins Attendees: Other ladies glamming up for the premiere were (from L-R) 18-year-old singer Baby Ariel, The Rich & the Ruthless actress Elizabeth J. Carlisle, and vlogger Ashley Nichole. The second episode of Married At First Sight saw more couples tie the knot, but one bride in particular stole the show. Melissa had a series of meltdowns in the lead up to her wedding to Dino, 35, getting lost in her apartment building, sleeping in on her wedding day, and breaking down in tears while trying on dresses. Speaking about her single status, the talent agent said it was especially hard to meet men as a single 38-year-old woman. Scroll down for video Stressed: The second episode of Married At First Sight saw more couples tie the knot, but one bride stole the show. Melissa had a series of meltdowns in the lead up to her wedding 'All those guys are going for girls half your age. So what are you going to do? Back out of my gene pool, b****es!' she said. Melissa admitted she had watched many of her friends get married and start families, which only made her 'want it so much more'. The experts matched her with Dino, claiming the meditation expert would 'balance out her energy'. Perfect match: The experts matched her with Dino, claiming the meditation expert would 'balance out her energy' 'What I look for in a woman is beauty on the inside. I believe in appreciating women the way that they are and not trying to change them in any way,' he said. Given Melissa had been single for eight years, the experts were worried she would put 'too much pressure' on the relationship. Trying on dresses, Melissa broke down in tears and went running back into the changeroom after declaring that finding the perfect wedding dress was 'everything'. Overwhelming: Trying on dresses, Melissa broke down in tears and went running back into the changeroom after declaring that finding the perfect wedding dress was 'everything' 'A lot of years for this day. It's my wedding day and it's also the first time I'm going to meet my husband,' she tearfully explained. She was then seen crying hysterically in the changeroom, claiming she was 'stressed out' she wouldn't find the perfect dress. On the morning of her wedding to Dino, Melissa slept in, leaving her running two hours behind schedule. Late: On the morning of her wedding to Dino, Melissa slept in, leaving her running two hours behind schedule 'I think I've locked myself out of my apartment. Whoops,' she said, as she frantically rummaged through her bags looking for her keys. But she was able to see the funny side, laughing and declaring the mishap 'so me'. Melissa then got lost in her own apartment building, claiming it was because she had 'just moved in'. Confused: Melissa then got lost in her own apartment building, claiming it was because she had 'just moved in' Trapped: Unable to find the exit, she ended up in the building's carpark with all of her suitcases in tow Unable to find the exit, she ended up in the building's carpark with all of her suitcases in tow. Getting flustered, she then stood in from of the electronic garage door, waving her arms around while asking how it opened. Eventually, a car pulled up and opened the door, leaving Melissa with an escape route out of her garage. Chilled out: By comparison, Dino appeared relaxed ahead of the couple's country nuptials. 'If you can keep that calmness up as well, that's the most important thing,' he said By comparison, Dino appeared relaxed ahead of the couple's country nuptials. 'If you can keep that positivity up, if you can keep that calmness up as well, that's the most important thing for the wedding ceremony,' he said. Meanwhile, Melissa's bridesmaids arrived at the venue with no sign of the actual bride. Phoning it in: Melissa's bridesmaids arrived at the venue with no sign of the actual bride. Her sister, Rebecca phoned her to see where she was Checking in: Before hanging up, Rebecca asked Melissa if she had everything, and the bride-to-be assured her she did Her sister, Rebecca phoned her to see where she was, but seemed unimpressed by Melissa's explanation that she slept in. 'We're here. We're here. We just got here,' Rebecca told her down the phone. Before hanging up, Rebecca asked Melissa if she had everything, and the bride-to-be assured her she did. Forgetting something: After hanging up the phone, Melissa started to question whether she'd remembered to pack her wedding dress in between mouthfuls of her muesli bar But after hanging up the phone, Melissa started to question whether she'd remembered to pack her wedding dress in between mouthfuls of her muesli bar. 'Oh, God. I don't know. I think because I'm so stressed out... I don't know if I've brought my wedding dress,' she confessed, while clutching her head and hyperventilating. She then asked the driver to pull into an emergency stopping bay so she could check that she'd packed her wedding dress. Double checking: She then asked the driver to pull into an emergency stopping bay so she could check that she'd packed her wedding dress Unpacking: Pulling her suitcases out of the boot of the car, Melissa proceeded to open them on the side of the freeway, rifling them through until she finally spotted her dress Pulling her suitcases out of the boot of the car, Melissa proceeded to open them on the side of the freeway, rifling them through until she finally spotted her dress. Still running late, Melissa arrived at her wedding venue in a panic, before being told she only had half an hour left to do her hair and makeup. 'I would rather be two hours late than only have half an hour to do all of that,' she admitted. Rushed: Still running late, Melissa arrived at her wedding venue in a panic, before being told she only had half an hour left to do her hair and makeup With time ticking on, the bridal party told her she only had five minutes until they had to leave. A clearly stressed Melissa told them she'd be 'ready when I'm ready'. Taking deep breaths in the hair and makeup chair, Melissa told her bridesmaids she didn't want to talk anymore. Keeping calm: Meanwhile, Dino and his groomsmen were practicing meditation exercises in the backseat of their limo 'I can't get ready any faster! This is my wedding day, do you think I want to be late? F***,' she told them. After being told she needed to 'take a deep breath', Melissa stormed off and locked herself in a room. Meanwhile, Dino and his groomsmen were practicing meditation exercises in the backseat of their limo. Do over: Returning to Melissa, the bride-to-be said she wished she could have redone her disastrous morning 'I'd say Dino is one of the most chilled out, relaxing guys I know,' his best man Tendai said. 'He's doing what he usually does, which is just relax and try not to overthink things.' Returning to Melissa, the bride-to-be said she wished she could have redone her disastrous morning. Bad mood: Walking out to the limo, she then snapped at the limo driver, who commented that she looked 'amazing' 'I don't feel as confident or great after this morning, but I can't take it back,' she admitted. Walking out to the limo, she then snapped at the limo driver, who commented that she looked 'amazing'. 'I bet you say that to all the brides. But that's okay. Here,' she told him, handing him her bouquet as she climbed inside the car. Freaked out: Sipping wine in the backseat of the limo, Melissa told her dad, Emilio, it had been 'very stressful' Sipping wine in the backseat of the limo, Melissa told her dad, Emilio, it had been 'very stressful'. 'Being this age and single, I am putting a lot of pressure on this. It's my last chance. I will be devastated if it doesn't work,' she said. Later walking down the aisle, Melissa cheerfully apologised to everyone for being late. All alone: There was a moment of terror when she realised the groom still hadn't arrived, prompting her to believe she'd 'been left at the altar' There was a moment of terror when she realised the groom still hadn't arrived, prompting her to believe she'd 'been left at the altar'. 'Do you know what's happening? No? No? Excellent,' she asked the marriage celebrant, who only shook her head. But Melissa's mood soon changed after she spotted Dino riding in on a decorated white horse. Knight in shining armour: But Melissa's mood soon changed after she spotted Dino riding in on a decorated white horse 'I have arrived!' he announced, prompting Melissa to laugh. A besotted Dino described Melissa as 'the most beautiful woman I've ever met', before telling her he'd 'hit the jackpot'. He then got down on one knee and proposed, telling his bride he believed a proposal was something every woman deserved 'at least once in her life'. Proposal: He then got down on one knee and proposed, telling his bride he believed a proposal was something every woman deserved 'at least once in her life' 'What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do?' Melissa responded in between fits of laughter. Dino instructed her to give him her hand as they started their 'beautiful journey' together. He then kissed her hand, with Melissa calling the proposal 'very cute'. Soft spot: 'That was really lovely. And he's very soft,' she commented, while stroking the sleeve of his velvet suit 'That was really lovely. And he's very soft,' she commented, while stroking the sleeve of his velvet suit. She added: 'You smell good! He smells good.' They then exchanged vows, with Melissa telling Dino 'some people say I can be a handful'. Attraction: After sharing a quick kiss following the ceremony, Dino said Melissa was his type 'physically' 'But luckily you've got two hands, and I promise to never be more than you can carry,' she added. After sharing a quick kiss following the ceremony, Dino said Melissa was his type 'physically', but he would have to find out if they were compatible 'mentally' and 'spiritually'. Posing for photos together, Melissa admitted she was apprehensive about getting too close with Dino given they'd only just met. Awkward: Posing for photos together, Melissa admitted she was apprehensive about getting too close with Dino given they'd only just met 'Give him an inch, he'll take a mile! He's ready to go in,' she said, describing the romantic photos as 'awkward'. But Dino had a different take on the situation, saying it 'felt natural' and raving about their 'physical connection'. Walking hand-in-hand into the reception, Dino introduced Melissa to his mum. Meeting the family: Walking hand-in-hand into the reception, Dino introduced Melissa to his mum 'Something I do is touch her feet. It's a sign of respect,' he said, before bending down to do just that. Touching the feet of elders is considered a sign of respect in the Indian culture. Responded Melissa: 'I thought you were fixing her shoes! That's nice.' Bad joke: Dino then introduced Melissa to the rest of his family, including one relative named Hashew. 'Like, achoo!' she joked Admitting she was confused by the custom and whether or not it was something she also needed to do, Melissa added, 'No one's touched my feet!' Dino then introduced Melissa to the rest of his family, including one relative named Hashew. 'Like, achoo!' she joked. Breadwinner: Melissa then started shoveling dinner rolls into her mouth. 'I'm right into the rolls. If anyone doesn't want theirs, I'll have it,' she announced But Dino's family was able to laugh off the gaffe, before Melissa then started shoveling dinner rolls into her mouth. 'I'm right into the rolls. If anyone doesn't want theirs, I'll have it,' she announced, before snatching up Dino's roll, too. Added Dino: 'What's mine is yours now.' Unsure: He then started discussing astrology, meditation and past lives, with Melissa clearly skeptical about it all He then started discussing astrology, meditation and past lives, with Melissa clearly skeptical about it all. Later on, Melissa told Rebecca she thought Dino was 'spiritually smart', which made her feel 'dumb'. 'I still don't know what "namasta" means, and he said that in the vows,' she added. Insecure: Later on, Melissa told Rebecca she thought Dino was 'spiritually smart', which made her feel 'dumb' Voicing her concerns with her bridesmaids, they assured her that Dino's spirituality 'balanced' her out. 'That is what you deserve. You just don't know that yet. He's probably the best person to hold your hand. Because you need to be open, and just let someone like that, who just seems really nurturing, and really calm, gentle and kind, just look after you,' her bridesmaid Tahnee told her. Despite their attempts to put her at ease, Melissa later pulled Dino aside to tell her she was concerned they weren't spiritually compatible. Balancing act: Voicing her concerns with her bridesmaids, they assured her that Dino's spirituality 'balanced' her out But Dino assured her that he only wanted her to be herself, telling her they were 'on this journey together'. 'You are so confident in yourself, and that's beautiful. Never change that,' he told her. After returning to their hotel, Dino took a shower, while a nervous Melissa drank champagne. Speaking out: Despite their attempts to put her at ease, Melissa later pulled Dino aside to tell her she was concerned they weren't spiritually compatible They then crawled into bed together, and while Dino was in the mood to snuggle, Melissa wasn't feeling it, inching towards the edge of the bed. 'I feel like you're taking up a lot of room,' she told him, prompting him to move over. The episode also saw Jules and Cameron waking up in bed together the day after their wedding. Too close for comfort: They then crawled into bed together, and while Dino was in the mood to snuggle, Melissa wasn't feeling it, inching towards the edge of the bed Giving her space: 'I feel like you're taking up a lot of room,' she told him, prompting him to move over Clearly smitten with his new bride, Cameron, 34, described their first night together as 'wonderful'. 'It was the perfect day and the perfect evening. It was a dream, a genuine dream,' he added. And after spending the morning cuddling up to each other in bed, Jules, 36, echoed his sentiments. Morning after: The episode also saw Jules and Cameron waking up in bed together the day after their wedding 'There's so much chemistry there and attraction. He's exactly the kind of guy I would want to marry,' she said. But a laughing Cameron confessed he 'didn't get lucky' the night before. 'I think she's hot. I think there's certainly chemistry. We just had an instant connection. There's no way it feels like we just met each other yesterday,' he continued. Getting used to it: While Jules and Cameron already felt like an old married couple, it was more of an adjustment for Cyrell and Nic While Jules and Cameron already felt like an old married couple, it was more of an adjustment for Cyrell and Nic. Although Nic, 28, said he felt a 'connection', Cyrell, 29, admitted it felt a bit weird waking up to a stranger. Cyrell said she's holding out on intimacy, claiming she wants to get to know her partner better first. Looking for love: Fans were then introduced to Jessika, a 27-year-old executive administrator and model She also said she was concerned they might clash because they're 'so alike'. Fans were then introduced to Jessika, a 27-year-old executive administrator and model. 'I would love someone to fall in love with my personality first rather than how I look,' she confessed. Farmer needs a wife: The love experts matched Jessika with Mick, a 31-year-old plasterer and farmer. Mick said living on a farm made it difficult for him to meet women 'I feel like men see me more as an accessory and not as a life partner.' The love experts matched Jessika with Mick, a 31-year-old plasterer and farmer. Mick said living on a farm made it difficult for him to meet women, and while he'd been trying his luck with dating apps, he said they were 'about as reliable as a secondhand lawn mower'. Unsure: Mick spent the morning finishing off his vows, while Jessika got her makeup done. But Mick's groomsmen seemed skeptical about the whole experiment Things seemed to be a little more laidback for Jessika and Mick on the morning of their wedding day. Mick spent the morning finishing off his vows, while Jessika got her makeup done. But Mick's groomsmen seemed skeptical about the whole experiment. Speaking out: His best man Daniel 'Broxy' said he didn't think Mick was ready for marriage, and admitted the bride would probably 'run' His best man Daniel 'Broxy' said he didn't think Mick was ready for marriage, and admitted the bride would probably 'run'. 'Hope for the best, but I'm expecting the worst,' added Broxy. After an emotional reunion with her beloved father, Troy, who she hadn't seen in a year, Jessika made her way over to the ceremony. Daddy's girl: After an emotional reunion with her beloved father, Troy, who she hadn't seen in a year, Jessika made her way over to the ceremony But it wasn't just her protective dad she had to worry about, Jessika's older brother, Rhyce, said he'd have no hesitation in intervening at the wedding. 'She's dated a lot of people that I haven't approved of in the past. If it's someone I don't like, then as the older brother, I'm going to step in and intervene,' he admitted. As Mick made his way down to the front of the altar, Jessika's friends and family sized him up, and some of them weren't impressed with what they saw. First impressions: As Mick made his way down to the front of the altar, Jessika's friends and family sized him up, and some of them weren't impressed with what they saw 'Oh, God. She won't like him,' Jessika's sister, Eliza said. Clearly sensing everyone's disapproval, Mick said: 'Sorry to disappoint already.' As Eliza stared him down, Mick could do nothing but shake his head at her in disbelief. Awkward situation: Clearly sensing everyone's disapproval, Mick said: 'Sorry to disappoint already' On the drive over to the ceremony, even Jessika started having doubts. 'I'm starting to think, am I making the right decision? Probably not the best to start thinking that right now,' she told her dad, who informed her it wasn't too late to 'turn around'. After meeting Jessika at the front of the altar, Mick undoubtedly liked what he saw. Questioning things: On the drive over to the ceremony, even Jessika started having doubts. 'I'm starting to think, am I making the right decision?' she wondered 'Jessika's a Maserati compared to the Datsun,' he said. And while Jessika said he wasn't her usual type, she said she found him 'hilarious'. Mick even managed to win Eliza over, with the previously judgmental bridesmaid declaring he was 'another Jess'. Laughing all the way: While Jessika said he wasn't her usual type, she said she found him 'hilarious' Love at first sight: After meeting Jessika at the front of the altar, Mick undoubtedly liked what he saw The wedding ceremony went off without a hitch, with Jessika admitting she was 'excited' for their future together. At their wedding reception, Broxy clearly approved of his best friend's new bride, and made it known. 'When I first saw Jess, I was pretty impressed. He hasn't won lotto, but it's pretty close to it,' Broxy said. Looking forward: The wedding ceremony went off without a hitch, with Jessika admitting she was 'excited' for their future together Broxy then quizzed the couple, cheekily asking where they'd been, but Jessika took it in her stride, telling him it was none of his business. 'My role is to tell a few stories to people to make sure they know what he's like, because I have plenty, and they are gold,' added Broxy. Keeping a close eye on Mick during the reception, both Troy and Rhyce made it clear they had some serious reservations about the groom. Cheeky: Broxy then quizzed the couple, cheekily asking where they'd been, but Jessika took it in her stride, telling him it was none of his business 'He's a bit country, bogan-ish. I think Jess can do a lot better than that, but that's me, her brother,' said Rhyce. He added: 'I'll tell you what, mate, even if they work out or they don't work out, if he hurts her, I'll f***ing kill him.' But Jessika said she was 'really happy', with Mick 'ticking every box'. Protective: Keeping a close eye on Mick during the reception, both Troy and Rhyce made it clear they had some serious reservations about the groom Broxy then took to the microphone for his best man speech, but not before guzzling a bottle of beer. Clearly already worried about what he would say, Mick told Jessika to cover her ears. Broxy then recounted a boys trip, where Mick decided to take a Viagra before bed one night. Drop the mic: Broxy then took to the microphone for his best man speech, but not before guzzling a bottle of beer Something to hide: Clearly already worried about what he would say, Mick told Jessika to cover her ears 'Obviously the Viagra's worked, and I'm asleep, but I could hear bloody noises,' recalled Broxy. 'I open my eyes and he's created a bloody tent over himself, and he's having a go.' The crude story left Jessika's dad and brother furious, with Rhyce branding it 'disgusting'. Falling flat: The crude story left Jessika's dad and brother furious, with Rhyce branding it 'disgusting' 'Why would he bring up Viagra? I don't want to think about you having sex with my sister. Obviously I'm very protective, and from what I've seen from his best mate, I don't really think that highly of him at the moment,' added Rhyce. Jess agreed it 'probably wasn't the best story to tell at a wedding', while her dad branded it 'total f***ing bulls***'. 'There's a time and place for that sort of talk, with a group of boys, out in a paddock, having a p*** up. Not with young ladies around... W***er. You stole my baby,' added Troy. 'There's a time and place for that sort of talk, with a group of boys, out in a paddock, having a p*** up. Not with young ladies around... W***er. You stole my baby,' said Troy Stepping outside to talk to a producer, Troy informed her he was a professional boxer. 'To fly around Australia and punch people in the head. That was my job. So don't think I'll back away from that f***ing sheep farmer,' he told her. Later, Troy said he was worried Broxy was a reflection of Mick: 'Maybe Mick's a w***er as well.' Issuing a warning: Stepping outside to talk to a producer, Troy informed her he was a professional boxer The upset prompted Broxy to comment that his speech 'didn't go down too well', with Jessika sitting stony-faced alongside her groom. Admitting her family's opinions were 'important' to her, Jessika said she didn't think she could make it work with someone they didn't approve of. And Rhyce said that while he hadn't 'spoken one word to him', he was certain he didn't like Mick. 'I'm definitely going to pull him aside and say, "You are definitely not good enough for my sister,"' said Rhyce 'If he takes advantage, I'll kill him, straight away,' he added. 'I'm definitely going to pull him aside and say, "You are definitely not good enough for my sister."' Rhyce was then seen approaching Mick, who was having a laugh at the bridal table, telling him he needed to have a word. Nervous: Sensing the tension, Mick admitted he was 's***ing bricks' after being summoned outside by Rhyce The two stepped outside, with someone telling Broxy to 'go rescue Mick'. 'Ooh, s***,' said Broxy, before taking off in the opposite direction. Sensing the tension, Mick admitted he was 's***ing bricks' after being summoned outside by Rhyce. 'I just want to know what your intentions with my sister are. I want to make sure this all rolls smoothly, and you're not here to f*** her around and break her heart' 'I just want to know what your intentions with my sister are. I want to make sure this all rolls smoothly, and you're not here to f*** her around and break her heart. Because I don't want to have to...' Rhyce informed him. 'I'll tell you right now, I don't want to get beat up by you,' Mick responded. After finding out about the conversation taking place outside, Troy decided to intervene. Stepping in: After finding out about the conversation taking place outside, Troy decided to intervene 'What did you think of your best man's speech? I thought it was inappropriate at a wedding like this,' Troy told him. Mick paused before explaining that while he loves his friends, Broxy's speech was 'just stupid'. 'It's not something you say in a best man speech. Especially me, being the big brother and protective. She's dated a lot of d***heads in the past and I've had to sort that out for her. I just want her to meet someone nice that looks after her,' explained Rhyce. Unimpressed: 'What did you think of your best man's speech? I thought it was inappropriate at a wedding like this,' Troy told him Added Troy: 'I'm a very protective father, and I'll tell you straight up. Treat her right, mate, because you know what I mean, I'm a thunder clap.' Jessika admitted that while there were a lot of things she liked about Mick, her family's concerns were an issue for her, causing her to be 'apprehensive'. Her sister admitted she was also disappointed by the best man speech. Worrying: Jessika admitted that while there were a lot of things she liked about Mick, her family's concerns were an issue for her, causing her to be 'apprehensive' 'It wasn't very tasteful for a wedding. Especially someone you've just met. It doesn't look very good on Mick's behalf,' said Eliza. Speaking to Jessika, Eliza added that she was worried Mick might 'take life as a joke'. 'I didn't even think about that,' admitted Jessika. 'I feel like Mick is putting on a little bit of a facade tonight. I'm worried he might not be ready to step out of that boy phase of, like, out with the boys, having a drink' She added: 'I feel like Mick is putting on a little bit of a facade tonight. I'm worried he might not be ready to step out of that boy phase of, like, out with the boys, having a drink.' Jessika voiced her concerns to Mick, who assured her Broxy's speech was a complete fabrication. After what Jessika referred to as 'a beautiful chat', she said she was feeling much more 'relaxed' about the whole situation. Relief: After what Jessika referred to as 'a beautiful chat', she said she was feeling much more 'relaxed' about the whole situation 'Having a woman like Jess, makes you want to do the upmost to respect her,' said Mick, admitting he was developing feelings for her. After leaving the reception together, Mick admitted that while he'd thought about sex, he wasn't expecting it on their wedding night. 'You don't pull the icing sugar out to pour it on the cake if you haven't baked it yet,' he added. She's 64 years old. But Rene Russo looked decades younger on Monday night when she strode the Velvet Buzzsaw red carpet in PVC trousers. It was a family affair for the Nightcrawler actress, as she was joined by director husband Dan Gilroy and their 25-year-old daughter Rose Gilroy. Back in black! Rene Russo looked decades younger than her 64 years on Monday night when she strode the Velvet Buzzsaw red carpet in PVC trousers. Seen here with husband Dan Gilroy The Major League actress paired the flashy pants with a black long sleeve blouse and high heeled boots. She wore her wavy auburn tresses in a shaggy bob. The centerpiece of the star's impeccable makeup was a slash of deep red lip liner. Well-heeled: The Major League actress paired the flashy pants with a black long sleeve blouse and high heeled boots Lippy: The centerpiece of the star's impeccable makeup was a slash of deep red lip liner Her Roman J. Israel, Esq. director husband of 26 years looked dapper in a suit for the debut of Netflix new film, which is available to stream Friday. The couple were joined by their only child, daughter Rose, who looked magnificent in a green velvet dress. Velvet Buzzsaw also stars Jake Gyellenhaal, who is reuniting with the married creative team for the second time, after starring in their 2014 film Nightcrawler. They were also joined by co-stars Billy Magnussen, Tom Sturridge and Zawe Ashton on the red carpet. The film centers on a series of paintings that are discovered by an unknown artist, which are connected to a supernatural force that gets revenge on anyone who puts greed before art. Dapper Dan: Her Roman J. Israel, Esq. director husband of 26 years looked handsome in a suit for the debut of Netflix new film, which is available to stream Friday She has been contemplating retiring from acting in recent years and there was even talk that her upcoming sequel to Maleficent may be her last starring role. So it comes as a bit of surprise that the 43-year old actress has signed on to star in the thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead, according to multiple publications like The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. The flick is expected to be loosely based on the book written by Michael Koryta. She's back! Angelina Jolie has signed on to star in the thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead Taylor Sheridan, who made his directorial debut with Wind River, adapted the script and will also be at the helm for the picture. The story follows a 14-year old boy who witnesses a brutal murder. He is subsequently given a false identity and hidden in a wilderness skills program for troubled teens while the killers go to any lengths necessary to find him. The film is expected to begin shooting in May, when Sheridan wraps up the second season of his series Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner. Leading the charge: Taylor Sheridan (left), who made his directorial debut with Wind River, adapted the script and will also be at the helm for the film; he is pictured with wife Nicole last week at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah Classic: Most recently Jolie reprised her role for Maleficent II, which wrapped in August 2018 Jolie was last seen in a live action film in the 2015 drama By the Sea, which she directed and starred alongside then husband Brad Pitt. She most recently wrapped on filming for Maleficent II in late August 2018. It is set to premiere in the US May 29, 2020. The 43-year old star has previously said on a number of occasions that she wants to retire from acting and focus more on writing, directing and raising her six children. The last hurrah: Jolie was last seen in a live action film in the 2015 drama, By the Sea, which she directed and starred alongside then husband Brad Pitt 'Ive never been comfortable as an actor; I've never loved being in front of the camera, Jolie said in an interview with Du Jour magazine in 2014. 'I didnt ever think I could direct, but I hope I'm able to have a career at it because I'm much happier.' There was more chatter about her moving on from action in the years since. Jolie has also directed films that include: In The Land Of Blood And Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014) and First They Killed My Father (2017). Camping actress Jennifer Garner was spotted strolling through the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles on Monday with her Marlborough-clad 13-year-old daughter Violet. The 46-year-old Golden Globe nominee also picked up her son Samuel - turning 7 next month - and 10-year-old daughter Seraphina, who clutched a copy of Ben Guterson's 2018 novel Winterhouse. For her errands - the Texan-born, West Virginia-raised beauty went casual in a grey blazer jacket over a white top, black scarf, skinny blue jeans, and black brogues. Repping Marlborough: Camping actress Jennifer Garner was spotted strolling through the Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles on Monday with her 13-year-old daughter Violet Out and about: The 46-year-old Golden Globe nominee also picked up her son Samuel - turning 7 next month - and 10-year-old daughter Seraphina, who clutched a copy of Ben Guterson's 2018 novel Winterhouse Jennifer went make-up free for her domestic duties, which did not include her ex-husband #2 Ben Affleck, whom she officially divorced on October 4. That same morning, Garner - who boasts 6M Instagram/Facebook followers - posted a sweater-clad selfie captioned: 'Im having a little trouble with Mondays. #coffeecoffee.' It was mere hours after the Denison University grad went on a hot date to Blue Ribbon Sushi with Cali Group chairman John Miller, whom she's been quietly romancing since May. The ballet enthusiast and the 40-year-old attorney-turned-CEO reportedly keep their relationship on the down low by mostly spending time together inside her $17.6M Pacific Palisades home. Errands: The Texan-born, Virginia-raised beauty went casual in a grey blazer jacket over a white top, black scarf, skinny blue jeans, and black brogues Fresh-faced: Jennifer went make-up free for her domestic duties, which did not include her ex-husband #2 Ben Affleck, whom she officially divorced on October 4 'Jen is extremely happy,' a source told Hollywood Life on Saturday. 'What she really loves about him is hes normal and not in the industry. It makes her feel so good to just be with a regular, normal guy in a normal relationship.' Miller recently divorced violinist Caroline Campbell, with whom he has a daughter Violet and a son Quest. Career-wise, Garner will next voice June's (Brianna Denski) mother in Paramount Pictures' animated comedy Wonder Park, which hits US theaters March 15 and UK theaters April 8. That same morning, Garner - who boasts 6M Instagram/Facebook followers - posted a sweater-clad selfie captioned: 'Im having a little trouble with Mondays. #coffeecoffee' 'He's normal and not in the industry': It was mere hours after the Denison University grad went on a hot date to Blue Ribbon Sushi with Cali Group chairman John Miller, whom she's been quietly romancing since May David Feiss replaced Dylan Brown as director of the amusement park flick - which also features Mila Kunis, Kenan Thompson, John Oliver, Ken Jeong, Matthew Broderick, and David Cross. For her gun-toting action role in Peppermint, the Alias alum is up for the worst actress trophy at the 39th Golden Raspberry Awards, which will be unveiled February 23. Jennifer faces heavy competition against London Fields' Amber Heard, The Happytime Murders' Melissa McCarthy, Winchester's Helen Mirren, and The Clapper's Amanda Seyfried. Voiceover gig: Garner will next voice June's (Brianna Denski) mother in Paramount Pictures' animated comedy Wonder Park, which hits US theaters March 15 and UK theaters April 8 Tisha Campbell-Martin says estranged husband Duane Martin has 'been emotionally, mentally and physically' abusive in her successful bid for a domestic violence restraining order against him. The Martin actress, 50, told a Los Angeles court January 24 that Martin, 53, has been abusive over the course of their 22-year marriage, and that she's had to report his actions to police as recently as January 12, according to court docs acquired by The Blast. Duane 'grabbed me by my arm to try to get me in the bedroom' last month, Campbell-Martin told the court, which set an order commanding Campbell-Martin to remain 100 yards away from her until another hearing in the matter slated for next month. The latest: Tisha Campbell-Martin, 50, says her estranged husband Duane Martin (R) has 'been emotionally, mentally and physically' abusive in her successful bid for a domestic violence restraining order against him in an LA court The Oklahoma City-born entertainer, who shares two children with Martin - Ezekiel, 17, and Xen Martin, nine - said that he was verbally abusive toward her in regards to her weight, and how it impacted her career. She claimed Martin said of her: 'Shes not Sherri Shepard or Kim Whitley, those girls know how to book for fat girls. Tisha cant compete with them for those roles because she was never a big girl.' Campbell-Martin said Martin punched her in the chest amid an argument over the issue. 'I had been emotionally, mentally and physically abused,' she said in an affidavit, according to The Blast. 'I kept things hidden from my family his family our friends and the public, save a few very close friends and people who may have witnessed, over the past two decades, filing it away in the back of my mind to protect my family, the community and the publics persona of my spouse.' Better times: The couple was snapped in 2014 at Vivica A. Fox 50th birthday bash Pending: Campbell-Martin, seen in New York in November 2018, will be back in court next month for a hearing She continued, 'I can no longer live in fear of retaliation, the need to press criminal charges for his acts overshadows the embarrassment of making his crimes against me public through this report.' Relatives and friends issued the court statements in support of Campbell-Martin, according to the outlet. Campbell-Martin said that Martin has made false allegations against her, including alcoholism and depression, to shift the focus from the domestic violence allegations. The couple, who has been married since 1996, have been in a court battle for nearly a year since Campbell-Martin filed for divorce last February. Erin Bateman and Zoe Hendrix rose to fame on the first two seasons of Married At First Sight before returning to the spotlight with an official YouTube show last year. And it was during a new episode of that online show that Erin made a rather awkward comment about Zoe's appearance, leaving her co-host visibly shocked. Zoe, who is an Australian of Ethiopian descent, was stunned when Erin casually told her that she looked 'ghetto fabulous' for having braided hair. That's awkward: Married At First Sight's Erin Bateman (right) made a rather awkward comment about Zoe Hendrix's (left) appearance - one that left Zoe visibly shocked 'You look gorg!' remarked Erin. 'Very ghetto fabulous over here.' A shocked Zoe replied: 'Excuse me? I'm not from the ghetto, I'm from Melbourne.' Erin, trying to laugh things off, replied: 'I know, babe. I know where you're from.' They then changed the subject and started to discuss what they'd done over the holidays, with Zoe revealing she'd traveled to Ethiopia - where she had her hair braided. Awkward! 'Very ghetto fabulous over here!' Erin said that Zoe, who is of Ethiopian descent At one point, Erin and her partner Bryce Mohr, and Zoe and her ex-boyfriend Alex Gardner were the last remaining couples from Married At First Sight. However, Erin and Bryce are now the only couple left standing following Alex and Zoe's sudden split last year. In September, Erin and Bryce spoke to New Idea magazine about their baby plans. Oh, dear! A shocked Zoe replied: 'Excuse me? I'm not from the ghetto, I'm from Melbourne' Moving swiftly on! Erin, trying to laugh things off, replied: 'I know, babe. I know where you're from' 'No plans just yet,' said Erin. 'I am still quite young, but when the time is right we definitely want kids. 'Bryce will make a great dad, hes the mature one, he's the sensible one of the two of us. I'm the highly strung one and he's the chilled one, so we'll make a good team.' Bryce added: 'Erin will make a great mum... yes, we'd love to have kids one day.' Kourtney Kardashian was glimpsed Monday emerging from SEV Laser in Calabasas. The 39-year-old reality star kept herself bundled up against the chill. The mother of three donned a charcoal puffy jacket over a black top and olive green sweats. Care: Kourtney Kardashian was glimpsed Monday emerging from SEV Laser in Calabasas Kourtney shares three children with her on-off ex Scott Disick - a six-year-old daughter Penelope, and sons Mason, nine, and Reign, four. The dynamic duo, who were introduced by Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis in 2006, last ended their romantic relationship in 2015. On a recent trip to the posh ski town Aspen, Colorado over the holidays, Kourtney was joined by her rumored beau, 21-year-old model Luka Sabbat. When he was asked about the talk regarding him and Kourtney in October, Luka responded vaguely about being a public figure. Keeping it simple: The 39-year-old reality star kept herself bundled up against the chill Staying warm: The mother of three donned a charcoal puffy jacket over a black top and olive green sweats 'Its all public. It doesnt even matter. Theres no such thing as privacy in 2018,' explained the young man, according to a report in Us Weekly. Prodded further about his romantic life, he refused to give any more details than: 'I dont even know. Its my life. People read stuff.' Since her latest breakup with Scott, Kourtney spent a while dating 25-year-old Algerian model Younes Bendjima, but they broke up last year. Family matters: Kourtney shares three children with her on-off ex Scott Disick - a six-year-old daughter Penelope, and sons Mason, nine, and Reign, four History: The dynamic duo, who were introduced by Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis in 2006, last ended their romantic relationship in 2015 Scott is himself dating somebody dramatically younger - he has been running around for over a year with Lionel Richie's 20-year-old daughter Sofia. Before her Aspen trip, Kourtney attended a star-studded Christmas party thrown by Kim and the latter's third husband Kanye West. Kim and Kanye are now expecting their fourth child, who will be their second baby born via surrogacy. Word on the street: On a recent trip to the posh ski town Aspen, Colorado over the holidays, Kourtney was joined by her rumored beau, 21-year-old model Luka Sabbat On Sunday night, she put on a glamorous show as she attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards in LA in a stylish black strapless gown. On Monday, though, it was back down to earth with a bang for Amy Adams as she went grocery shopping. The actress, who shares an eight-year-old daughter Aviana with husband Darren Le Gallo, was dressed in a black blazer over a white top and skinny blue jeans. Real life: On Sunday night, she put on a glamorous show at the SAG Awards in LA. But Monday, though, it was back down to earth with a bang for Amy Adams as she went grocery shopping She stepped out in heels and sported sunglasses. Amy, 44, has been nominated for her sixth Academy Award, for her portrayal of Lynne Cheney in the film Vice. It's her third time starring opposite Christian Bale, who plays former US vice president Dick Cheney in the Adam McKay feature. Bale, who's also nominated for an Oscar, and Adams previously worked together on 2010's The Fighter, which earned Bale a best supporting actor Academy Award, and 2013's American Hustle. Casually stylish: The actress was dressed in a black blazer over a white top and skinny blue jeans. She stepped out in heels and sported sunglasses Oscar bound: Amy, 44, has been nominated for her sixth Academy Award, for her portrayal of Lynne Cheney in the film Vice At the SAG Awards, Amy revealed one of the ways she deals with the intensity of her roles is by breaking into song. 'It's one of the things I do to keep light,' the actress explained to People. 'I sing on most sets, but it was really fun to sing as Lynne Cheney.' She added that her 'go-to song' was Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me. In addition to Vice, Amy recently wrapped production on the crime drama The Woman in the Window opposite Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie and Julianne Moore. It's slated for a theatrical release in October. Good at her craft: At the SAG Awards, Amy revealed she deals with the intensity of her roles by breaking into song. 'I sing on most sets, but it was really fun to sing as Lynne Cheney,' she said Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger are riding the wave of their recent engagement with a trip across the pond. The couple were spotted eating at Scott's, one of Central London's oldest seafood restaurants, with actor Rob Lowe on Monday night. And they couldn't have appeared any happier when they hopped out of their car and headed towards the entrance. Across the pond: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger left LA for London, England Looking like his ruggedly handsome self, the Jurassic World star stepped out dressed in slim-fitting pants, a grey sweater, a knee-length overcoat and black boots. He quickly grabbed his lady's hand just as she finished wrapping a grey scarf around her neck. She looked to be in great spirits in a stylish black coat and a pair of stunning black leather thigh-high boots. The most telling part of their ensembles was the big smiles on both of their faces as they entered the restaurant. Date night: The couple were spotted eating at the upscale restaurant, Scott's Movie star charisma: The couple flashed big smiles when they were greeted at the door Celeb Vet: The Jurassic World star seemed to take all the attention in stride The couple were led to their table where they were eventually joined by Rob Lowe, who previously starred alongside Chris in Parks & Recreation. After some good eating, The Avengers star and Katherine held hands as they walked out of the upscale venue and into the street. They gave a nod and wink to photographers gathered outside and jumped into their car and drove off. Gentleman: Chris and Katherine held hands as they walked to their table The couple announced their engagement on January 13, about seven-months after they were first spotted together on a date. 'Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! Im thrilled to be marrying you. Proud to live boldly in faith with you,' the actor shared on Instagram about their pending nuptials. Chris, 39, shares his six-year old son Jack with ex-wife, actress Anna Faris, 42; they split from in August 2017 after eight years of marriage. The actor has a big year ahead of him on the career front: he has three new movies set for release that include The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, Avengers: Endgame and The Kid. Katherine is an author and eldest child of actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and broadcast journalist Maria Shriver. Couple in black: Both went with a black theme that included Katherine's thigh-high boots Smooth: The actor seemed to give nod and wink to photographers as he jumped into his car Anthea Turner looked effortlessly chic as she joined pal Lizzie Cundy at the 2019 British Photography Awards at the Savoy Hotel, London, on Monday. The presenter, 58, and radio host, 50, led the glamour as they joined the likes of Billy Zane and John Altman at the event. Anthea looked effortlessly chic in a bottle green patterned wrap jumpsuit for the glamorous event. Work it: Anthea Turner looked effortlessly chic as she joined pal Lizzie Cundy at the 2019 British Photography Awards at the Savoy Hotel, London, on Monday She teamed the item of clothing with a pair of barely-there silver heeled sandals, necklace and bracelet. Anthea styled her blonde locks into a voluminous blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up. Meanwhile, Lizzie stunned in a figure-hugging asymmetrical midnight blue jumpsuit which she teamed with a diamond choker. Strike a pose: The presenter, 58, and radio host, 50, led the glamour as they joined the likes of Billy Zane and John Altman at the event Stylish: Anthea looked effortlessly chic in a bottle green patterned wrap jumpsuit for the glamorous event Chic: She teamed the item of clothing with a pair of barely-there silver heeled sandals, necklace and bracelet She completed her look with diamond accessories and a pair of silver sparkly high heeled sandals. Lizzie styled her brunette locks into voluminous and textured blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of make-up. Also attending the event was Billy Zane who looked dapper in a black tuxedo-style suit with a crisp white shirt and black tie. Strictly Come Dancing!: Meanwhile, Lizzie stunned in a figure-hugging asymmetrical midnight blue jumpsuit which she teamed with a diamond choker Details: She completed her look with diamond accessories and a pair of silver sparkly high heeled sandals Handsome: Also attending the event was Billy Zane who looked dapper in a black tuxedo-style suit with a crisp white shirt and black tie Dapper: The Titanic star, 52, completed his smart look with a pair of thick-framed black glasses, dress shoes and a white pocket square The Titanic star, 52, completed his smart look with a pair of thick-framed black glasses, dress shoes and a white pocket square. EastEnders star John Altman also attended as he wore a black tuxedo with a white shirt and black bowtie underneath. The British Photography Awards showcases work from across 14 categories and raises money for important charities in the UK. The police were called on Blac Chyna and new boyfriend Kid Buu after a physical altercation according to a new report. TMZ reported on Monday that the Lashed founder and rapper, both 30-years-old, were in a heated argument that turned violent during their vacation in Hawaii. Law enforcement arrived to their Four Seasons hotel room in Honolulu in the wee hours of Monday morning. Tough times: The police were called on Blac Chyna and new boyfriend Kid Buu after a physical altercation according to a new report from TMZ TMZ's source said that Chyna had accused Kid Buu of cheating and just before 7AM it became physical. Chyna scratched the rapper and then he slammed her against the wall several times and choked her according to the insider. The police were called and law enforcement and paramedics came shortly thereafter. The make-up mogul was not taken to the hospital as TMZ reports that no one was seriously hurt according to their sources. They also said that Kid Buu left the hotel. Wow factor: The alleged incident hasn't stopped Chyna from making money moves on social media as she shared very racy snaps of herself Showing off: She donned lacy Fashion Nova lingerie with a link to buy the negligee Swipe up: It was a very revealing look The alleged incident hasn't stopped Chyna from making money moves on social media as she shared very racy snaps of herself in lacy Fashion Nova lingerie with a link to buy the negligee. This all comes hours after the mother-of-two posted a video of herself twerking away on him by the pool In Hawaii. Meanwhile the former reality star was missing court-scheduled time with daughter Dream to take the trip, according to a report on TMZ. Dream's father Rob Kardashian is said to have only discovered Chyna was out of town when he prepared to drop off their two-year-old on Saturday. MIA: This came after Chyna twerks in Hawaii 'after going awol during her scheduled time with Dream' Out of town: Saturday was the day to hand over Chyna's daughter Dream, but instead the former stripper was out of town The former couple no longer have any direct contact, with Dream's nannies handling drop offs. But after Chyna's nanny failed to respond, Rob reached out to Chyna's management company and eventually discovered she had gone to Hawaii, a source tells TMZ. Rob was apparently not pleased with the were handled as a source told People: 'Chyna planned on having Dream stay with a nanny in L.A. while she was in Hawaii. Rob is mad because if either parent is out of town, the other parent is supposed to have the option to keep Dream longer.' Having fun: Videos shared to Chyna with her new boyfriend Kid Buu at the Ritz-Carlton in Hawaii, where she twerked by the pool in a cabana The insider added that Rob doesn't want his daughter to stay alone with a nanny as Chyna parties it up in Hawaii. 'This it what he is mad about,' the source said. 'She needs to tell him when she wont be in L.A. so Rob can keep Dream longer. Rob is getting his lawyer involved.' The source added: 'This situations not in Dreams best interest.' Videos shared to Instagram show Chyna with her new boyfriend Kid Buu at the Ritz-Carlton in Hawaii. Dream's mom: Rob and Chyna share 50/50 custody of their daughter, after a highly contentious split and resultant custody battle They are pictured dining on the balcony, before Chyna wears a white lace bodysuit and aggressively twerks in a cabana by the pool. Buu is even seen squeezing Chyna's spots in one image. Rob and Chyna share 50/50 custody of their daughter, after a highly contentious split and resultant custody battle. The two split in December 2016, about one month after the birth of their daughter. Just last week reality star Chyna was visited by police after an anonymous caller claimed she was drunk and neglecting Dream. After investigating the situation, it was determined that no one at the home was drunk and that Dream had been properly cared for, which included a nanny on site for extra help. Shared custody: Dream is seen in an Instagram post by her father, Rob Kardashian They turned heads when they walked the red carpet together at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. And Hugh Grant and his wife Anna Eberstein both cut casual figures as they arrived at LAX Airport to board a flight back to London on Monday. The actor, 58, sported a black blazer which he paired with a white shirt and dark trousers. Homeward bound: Hugh Grant and his wife Anna Eberstein both cut casual figures as they arrived at LAX Airport to board a flight back to London on Monday Carrying a black briefcase, he also wore a pair of shades. Anna, 39, looked sensational, donning a black blazer and matching skinny jeans for the couple's journey back to the UK. She added to her ensemble with a black and red-striped jumper and added height to her frame with a pair of black boots. Letting her golden brown locks hang loose down her shoulders, the TV producer accessorised with a black handbag and a pair of shades. Dapper: The actor, 58, sported a black blazer which he paired with a white shirt and dark trousers Hugh was up against Anthony Hopkins in King Lear and Bill Pullman in The Sinner in his category at the awards ceremony. The three-part drama tells the story of Liberal Party member Jeremy Thorpe, who fell from grace after he was put on trial for conspiracy and incitement to murder in connection to an attempted hit on his ex-lover, Norman Scott - played by Ben. Speaking of the racy scene a few months earlier, Hugh admitted that while his father Captain James Murrary Grant, 89, supported him with the venture - he wasn't too keen on seeing the scene. Hugh told the Edinburgh Television Festival: 'My father had been very supportive and I go to see him every Sunday night and that first Sunday night it was broadcast he said "isnt your poof film on tonight?" hes ex military, you see. Style: Anna, 39, looked sensational, donning a black blazer and matching skinny jeans for the couple's journey back to the UK 'And hes 89. And I said "yes, Dad" and he said we should watch it, I have got a television set upstairs and we should go up and dust it off and watch it. And we did. 'Hes very loyal, he said Im determined to support you always. And we got as far as the Vaseline and he said: "I really am quite tired, I might go to bed",' he revealed. Meanwhile, Jeremy, who was MP for North Devon from 1959 to 1979 and leader of the Liberal Party between 1967 and 1976, was later acquitted on all charges. Despite his acquittal, the high-profile trial marked the end of his political career. He passed away in 2014, aged 85. Kate Hudson took a break from her workout Monday to breastfeed her three-month-old daughter Rani Rose on her friend Erin Foster's Instagram Stories. In the clip, the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days actress, 39, was clad in a mauve turtleneck top with black leggings and red sneakers in a home studio with Foster, the 36-year-old stepsister of her musician beau, Danny Fujikawa. Foster wrote, 'Motherhood doesnt slow us down' in the series of clips, as the ladies exercised to the tunes of Cardi B's Money and Post Malone's Wow. Multitasking mama: Kate Hudson, 39, took a break from her workout to breastfeed her three-month-old daughter Rani Rose on her friend Erin Foster's Instagram Stories Monday Kate earlier on Monday took to Instagram to clarify her past remarks amid an uproar after she told AOL that she and her musician beau Danny Fujikawa, 32, were not factoring in gender in their parenting after welcoming daughter Rani Rose this past October. In the interview, the A-list actress opened up on raising her first daughter after having two sons - 15-year-old son Ryder with rocker Chris Robinson, and seven-year-old son Bingham with her former fiance, Muse's Matt Bellamy. 'It doesnt really change my approach, but theres definitely a difference. I think you just raise your kids individually regardless - like a genderless [approach].' She told the outlet that the baby 'is incredibly feminine in her energy, her sounds and her way,' adding, 'Its very different from the boys, and its really fun to actually want to buy kids clothes.' Let's get physical: The How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days actress, 39, was clad in a mauve turtleneck top with black leggings in a home studio Pump it up: The ladies exercised to the tunes of Cardi B's Money and Post Malone's Wow On Monday, the Almost Famous star was on social media clarifying the remarks after she believes they were misconstrued amid the headlines. 'Recently someone asked me something along the lines of, if having and raising a girl is different from boys,' she wrote, adding she felt the inquiry to be 'little antiquated' as 'not all girls want to be a princess, some want to be king' in contemporary times. Kate continued: 'My response was simple. Not really. This whole click bait tactic of saying I'm raising my daughter to be "genderless" is silly and frankly doesn't even make sense.' Hudson, the daughter of legendary Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn, explained via social media that she was intending to refocus 'the conversation in a direction that could exist outside of the female stereotype' in the AOL interview. Speaking out: Hudson addressed the controversy in a series of posts on Instagram She said, 'I raise and will continue to raise my children, both my boys and girl to feel free to be exactly who they want to be. To feel confident in their life choices and feel loved and supported no matter what.' Hudson said that people shouldn't try and overanalzye the interview, as her parenting goals are not that complex. 'I recognize some want to take a headline earnestly as if I have some new age method of raising my kids and I really do hate disappointing people but, I don't,' Kate said. 'I just try to raise my kids to be good people with the best tools to face this big crazy world.' She recently returned to Los Angeles following her New Year's family trip in Mexico. And Tamara Ecclestone looked effortlessly chic as she enjoyed a date night with her husband Jay Rutland in London on Monday. The Formula One heiress, 34, looked sensational in a figure-hugging black ribbed jumper dress as she visited The Arts Club in Mayfair with the likes of Nick Candy and Holly Valance also attending. Chic: Tamara Ecclestone looked effortlessly chic as she enjoyed a date night with her husband Jay Rutland in London on Monday The dinner was in support of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organisation and hosted by Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy the former United States Attorney General who was assassinated in 1968. Tamara teamed the item of clothing with a pair of matching coloured thigh-high black heeled boots. Tamara styled her auburn locks into a sleek curly blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of sun-kissed and metallic make-up. Meanwhile, her husband Jay looked dapper in a navy blue waist coat, trousers and matching tailored coat, he completed his look with a crisp white shirt. Gorgeous: The Formula One heiress, 34, looked sensational in a figure-hugging black ribbed dress as she visited The Arts Club in Mayfair with the likes of Nick Candy and Holly Valance Details: She teamed the item of clothing with a pair of matching coloured thigh-high black heeled boots Also attending The Arts Club was Holly Valance and her businessman husband Nick Candy. The Neighbours star, 35, looked elegant in a long black fur coat which she teamed with a pair of red heels and a black clutch bag. Holly styled her brunette locks into a sleek sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of make-up and a set of gold hooped earrings. Meanwhile, her businessman beau, looked equally as stylish in dark trousers, a grey knitted waistcoat, white shirt and a blue embroidered blazer, he completed his look with a grey scarf. Glamorous: Tamara styled her auburn locks into a sleek curly blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of sun-kissed and metallic make-up Handsome: Meanwhile, her husband Jay looked dapper in a navy blue waist coat, trousers and matching tailored coat, he completed his look with a crisp white shirt Star-studded: Also attending The Arts Club was Holly Valance and her businessman husband Nick Candy Only recently, Tamara's sister Petra's fiance Sam Palmer posted a sweet tribute to the socialite after exclusively announcing the couple's engagement to MailOnline. Meanwhile, Sam recently posted a sweet tribute to the socialite after exclusively announcing the couple's engagement to MailOnline. The art gallery manager took to Instagram, posting a snap of the couple and telling his followers the socialite accepting his proposal was one of his personal highlights of 2018. The vintage car dealer wrote: 'A personal thank you to everyone that made opening Maddox Gallery Los Angeles possible. Loved-up: The Neighbours star, 35, looked elegant in a long black fur coat which she teamed with a pair of red heels and a black clutch bag Elegant: Holly styled her brunette locks into a sleek sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of make-up and a set of gold hooped earrings 'I hope everyone had as an amazing year as us and that 2019 brings lots of love,health and happiness to all. 'My personal highlights have been opening the gallery in LA with the woman I love and her agreeing to marry me Here is to a fantastic 2019.' Petra and Sam announced their engagement on New Year's Eve after one year of dating, and just 14 months on from her acrimonious divorce from James Stunt, with whom she shares three children. In an exclusive statement to MailOnline, a representative said: 'Petra Ecclestone and Sam Palmer are delighted to announce their engagement and look forward to spending 2019 together.' Aside from her A-list acting career, Demi Moore has also been known as an age-defying career woman, with a keen flare for fashion. And on Monday, she put all of those skills on display when she hit the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah for the world premiere of her new comedy film Corporate Animals. Looking as youthful as ever, the 56-year old actress created a stir on the street when she went to meet up with co-stars Ed Helms, Jessica Williams, Karan Soni and director Patrick Brice at a presser. Making an entrance: Demi Moore was unmistakable in her multi-colored ensemble at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Monday Opting for eye-catching color, Moore stepped out in yellow and black plaid pants that hung off her slender figure loosely, and a blue sweater. She added an amazing Ports 1961 pink overcoat that hung off her shoulders and a pair of black Malone Souliers boots. The GI Jane star styled her trademark raven tresses long and flowing to where her back meets her lean waistline. For an added touch, she donned stylish sunglasses that had a light tint, allowing her to wear them indoors. Stylish: The actress wore yellow and black plaid pants, with a blue sweater, a chic Ports 1961 pink overcoat, and black Malone Souliers boots Glowing: The GI Jane star styled her raven tresses long and flowing to her lean waistline Star struck: Fans quickly recognized Moore as she walked down the street Catching up: Moore posed with friend and fellow actor Blythe Danner Colleagues: The GI Jane star also spent some time with actor John Lithgow The former Mrs. Bruce Willis eased her way down the street in the snowy town, which is located 25-miles southeast of Salt Lake City. After the short walk, Moore arrived at The Vulture Spot at Acura Festival Village to find a number of friends and fellow-actors gathered, that included actors Jon Lithgow and Blythe Danner. Eventually she joined her colleagues of Corporate Animals for a question-answer session with The Los Angeles Times. The A Few Good Men star couldn't have been more enthusiastic and joyous while in the spotlight. During the interview it was revealed that Britney Spears made a secret cameo in the movie, as reported by the LA Times. Turns out a character played by Calum Worthy is obsessed with the pop star and reaches the point where he hears Brit talking to him through the walls. 'Through a series of connections we were able to get 10 minutes of her time to record this, which was so awesome,' director Patrick Brice said. Keen eye: The fashionista was able to make the multi-color ensemble come together Corporate Animals: (l to r) Director Patrick Brice and co-stars Karan Soni, Moore, Ed Helms and Jessica Williams sat down for a photo at the presser Promo: Moore took part in a question-answer session for the film In the film, Moore plays an egotistical CEO named Lucy who, in her infinite wisdom, leads her staff on a corporate team-building weekend in New Mexico. Eventually disaster strikes and they get trapped underground with their useless guide, Brandon (Ed Helms). This mismatched and disgruntled group have to pull together in order to survive, amidst sexual tension, startling business revelations and casual cannibalism. It's being dubbed as hilarious and sometimes shocking. Working it: The actress couldn't have been more enthusiastic and joyous while in the spotlight She's reportedly no stranger to debt collectors. And Tori Spelling is at it again, this time allegedly being pursued by American Express for monies owed, according to Us Weekly. The former 90210 star 'has been ordered to pay more than $88,000' to the credit card company, says the gossip site. Oops she did it again! Tori Spelling is at it again, this time allegedly being pursued by American Express for monies owed, according to Us Weekly. Seen here in April last year The 45-year-old is being pursued for exactly $88,246.55, according to documents obtained by Us Weekly. This is just the latest in a long line of financial woes for Tori and husband Dean McDermott. Back in November Tori was ordered to pay a credit card debt that was originally owed to Citibank. According to documents obtained by The Blast, Calvary SPV, a company that buys debt, obtained a default judgement against Torie. She owes the company $5,043.32. Debts: The 45-year-old is being pursued for exactly $88,246.55, according to documents obtained by Us Weekly. Seen here in August 2017 As The Blast first reported, the Franchise Tax Board in California claimed Tori still owed them $338,595.78 in unpaid taxes from 2014-2015. Plus, she and husband Dean McDermott were slapped with a $220,000 default judgement in November 2017, in a battle with City national Bank over an unpaid $400,000 loan. The pair also reportedly owed almost $1million in taxes in 2017, and sources told Radar Online that the IRS drained their bank accounts to pay off the debt. In January 2016, Tori was sued by American Express for failure to pay a $37,981.97 balance that had been piling up, including interest and fees, since the previous summer. The two now have five children: Liam, 11, Stella, 10, Hattie, six, Finn, five, and Beau, one. She regularly dazzles onlookers when she's out and about. And Donna Air looked nothing short of sensational as she stepped out in style at the Celebrating China Pop-Up at Park Chinois restaurant in Mayfair on Monday. The TV star, 39, donned a oriental-inspired dress for the event, which marks the Chinese new year and celebrates the creative talent of ten Chinese fashion designers. Style: Donna Air looked nothing short of sensational as she stepped out in style at the Celebrating China Pop-Up at Bicester Village in London on Monday The former Dancing On Ice star donned a red ensemble, which featured an array of animted nature scenes and a pleated lower half. She completed the look with black heels and accessorised with a matching clutch bag. Last year, she sparked up a new romance with property developer Ben Carrington, just a few weeks after confirming the end of her five-year on-off romance with James Middleton. She told The Mail on Sunday: 'James and I are no longer an item. We parted ways in December but remain the very best of friends and always will be.' Fashion: The TV star, 39, donned a Chinese-inspired dress for the event, which marks the Chinese new year and celebrates the creative talent of ten Chinese fashion designers Ensemble: The former Dancing On Ice star donned a red ensemble, which featured an array of animted nature scenes and a pleated lower half Donna shares daughter Freya, 14, with Damian Aspinall - the heir of a casino and wildlife park who she dated for six years. Last year, James was seen in the audience of ITV reality show Dancing On Ice, cheering Donna on as she made her debut with partner Mark Hanretty. Speaking of the former relationship, a source told the MailOnline: 'Donna's down-to-earth nature helped to ease any concerns James's mother Carole might have had about them being together. Pop-up: She completed the look with black heels and accessorised with a matching clutch bag Family: Donna shares daughter Freya, 14, with Damian Aspinall - the heir of a casino and wildlife park who she dated for six years 'Donna has also been a rock to James as he has worked on his start-up business over the years and has taken him back each time he has had a wobble about their future. Now she is ready to move on.' The pair met in London private members' club 5 Hertford Street in February 2013, and burst on to the social scene as a couple at the Serpentine Summer Party later that year. Speculation grew that the blonde beauty had been pushing for an engagement with James. But the businessman said last year: I love Donna very much. Marriage is absolutely not something Im scared of, but it isnt necessarily the be-all and end-all. An insider at Dancing On Ice has claimed Gemma Collins blacked out before she took her mid-routine tumble on Sunday night's show. Speaking to The Sun, the source alleged that it was this that caused the fall, which saw her land face-first on the ice amid her Celine Dion performance. 'Gemma had been wired up to a heart monitor before she went on stage. She believes she blacked out while she was skating, which is what caused her to crash into the ice,' the source reportedly said. 'She didnt know what had happened when she got back up her blood sugars were low and she didnt feel right.' Into darkness: An insider at Dancing On Ice has claimed Gemma Collins blacked out before she took her mid-routine tumble on Sunday night's show This new development comes as judge Jason Gardiner - who Gemma, 37, has been feuding with for weeks - has gone on a 'liking spree' on Twitter, giving the thumbs up to social media users who have branded Gemma's fall 'karma'. One catty tweet aimed at Gemma, and supporting Jason, 47, read: 'Keep going as you are, the likes of Gemma Collins make me sick. She shouldnt be in the show. Vile. You're a brilliant judge and know what you're taking about.' Jason liked this. Another snide tweeter posted: 'Oh @officialJasonG how we all laughed, that's what ya call karma. Just cannot believe she's still there!' Jason likes this: This new development comes as judge Jason Gardiner - who Gemma, 37, has been feuding with for weeks - has gone on a 'liking spree' on Twitter, giving the thumbs up to social media users who have branded Gemma's fall 'karma' Catty: Another snide tweeter posted - 'Oh @officialJasonG how we all laughed, that's what ya call karma. Just cannot believe she's still there' Jason liked this. Gemma's Dancing On Ice injuries are now so bad that she is being forced to use a wheelchair. The TOWIE legend, who tumbled alongside pro partner Matt Evers, was whisked straight to the physiotherapist... and it seems that things have taken a turn for the worse. There are even rumours that she will have to quit the competition. From bad to worse: Gemma's Dancing On Ice injuries are now so bad that she is being forced to use a wheelchair Her boyfriend James 'Arg' Argent has told The Sun: 'Gemmas black and blue all over. She's struggling to walk so I had to carry her to the car earlier, and she's been using [her mother] Joan's wheelchair on and off all day because she's in so much pain. 'Shes seeing a private doctor tomorrow who will determine what will happen next. It will be her worst nightmare if she's forced to pull out of the show, she doesn't want to be a sick note, she wants to continue and we strongly believe she's a real contender to win.' Gemma was mostly surrounded by support from social media users on Sunday, but some hit out at her, claiming she was faking it for publicity - something Arg has since vehemently denied. 'Anyone who thinks Gemma faked the fall and risked life-threatening injures is an idiot. She had a feeling that something was going to go wrong on the night... and she was right!' Off her feet: 'She's struggling to walk so I had to carry her to the car earlier, and she's been using [her mother] Joan's wheelchair on and off all day because she's in so much pain,' Arg explained Support: Gemma was mostly surrounded by support from social media users on Sunday, but some hit out at her, claiming she was faking it for publicity - something Arg has since vehemently denied She admitted she was 'devastated, embarrassed and in absolute agony' after her fall when she emerged on Instagram on Monday morning. She compared herself to Tyson Fury after she managed to get up after face-planting the ice during the final moments of her routine to Celine Dion's All Coming Back To Me. Her concerned boyfriend James Argent she showed off her bruised and swollen legs on Instagram on Monday, while Gemma told fans she is 'heartbroken'. In pain: Gemma admitted she is 'devastated, embarrassed and in absolute agony' after her Dancing On Ice fall on Sunday night Sharing the moment she took a tumble, she wrote: 'Absolutely devastated and embarrassed, My heart is broken but when I went down I thought of Tyson Fury and knew I had to get back up & carry on. Gemma continued: 'Cant thank you enough for your support on social media and picking up the phone to vote! I'm in a lot of pain but bring on fantasy week!!!' Meanwhile Arg voiced his concern about her injuries as he showed off her bruising on Instagram. He said: 'Gemma's legs are terrible, look. All round her knees, they're in a bad, bad way. This one isn't so bad, but that one I'm worried about.' Ouch: Gemma's boyfriend Arg voiced his concern about her injuries as he showed off her bruising on Instagram Bad way: Arg said: 'Gemma's legs are terrible, look. All round her knees, they're in a bad, bad way. This one isn't so bad, but that one I'm worried about' Scary: The reality star was rushed to physio after it happened but then returned to the rink for the vote results, with her and Matt getting through to next week despite the tumble Determined: The TOWIE star, 37, compared herself to Tyson Fury (pictured last month) after she managed to get up after face-planting the ice Ice, ice, baby: After the show ended, Gemma was seen brandishing a glass, tucking into a curry, with one leg raised and a bag of ice on it He also shared a snap of them with her skating partner Matt Evers, and wrote: 'I LOVE YOU @missgemcollins. When I saw her fall like that face first I honestly thought she might be unconscious or lost some teeth! The way she got up & carried on was AMAZING!!! You worked so hard this week & improved so much!' The GC fell in the final moments of her performance with partner Matt, in what appeared to be a nasty knock to her face and her confidence. Viewers watched the reality star hold on to Matt and nestle into his shoulder after her fall but managed to compose herself for her chat with the judges afterwards - gaining the highest score she has received yet this season- 16.5. Head judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean both commented Gemma had 'worked hard and improved' since last week. She was rushed to physio after it happened but then returned to the rink for the vote results, with her and Matt getting through to next week despite the tumble. Following her performance, Gemma brushed aside her Dancing On Ice woes by heading straight out for a curry - and not one, but six large brandies. Proud: Arg also posted a snap with Gemma and Matt, rink-side, after the show and said he was worried she was unconscious and had lost teeth after her fall The star had an ice pack on her knees in a bid to reduce to swelling. While the TOWIE star, was left in floods of tears following her painful tumble, Piers Morgan commended her for having the 'balls to get back up' and continue her performance on Good Morning Britain on Monday. He said: 'That took balls, I'm serious. You fall on national TV, you fall flat on your face on the ice. 'This is why I don't ice skate, I couldn't do what she does. She's been fat shamed so badly on social media, the amount of people just mocking her. Praised: While the TOWIE star, 37, was left in floods of tears following her painful tumble, Piers Morgan commended her for having the 'balls to get back up' on Good Morning Britain Fighting back the tears: Piers Morgan praised the Essex diva for getting back up on her feet to finish the routine Guts: Gemma was instantly tearful after suffering the shock trip but Piers said 'She's my idea of what a contestant should be, people saw that she's getting better, then they saw the guts of her getting back up' Backing her: He added: 'This is why I don't ice skate, I couldn't do what she does. She's been fat shamed so badly on social media, the amount of people just mocking her' 'But compare her to Tess Holliday, who puts pictures on Instagram eating cakes or whatever and has no desire to lose weight. 'Gemma Collins is actually trying, she'll lose weight doing this, this is a hard, gruelling show to do.' He added he thought her improvement on the show this week, exemplified how she was the perfect contestant. He said: 'She's my idea of what a contestant should be... people saw that she's getting better, then they saw the guts of her getting back up. Giving it her all: Gemma managed to gain her highest score of the series despite the tumble 'They can mock her all they like but I couldn't do what she did. 'If you're a professional trained dancer doing these shows, it's fine ,it's entertaining but this is far more interesting 'Watching Gemma Collins progress in this show is far more interesting to me.' Hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield also touched upon the moment on This Morning. 'It's such a disappointment, I felt disappointed for her, the routine to that point was great, she had worked so hard. She left the GC behind and that was Gemma on the rink.' Holly added: 'It's funny though we see lots of tumbles in rehearsals, but when it comes to the live show it doesn't actually happen. 'Matt skated in front of her because she fell so close to the barrier. ' The pair then showed a clip of her skating partner speaking backstage shortly after the fall. Matt said: 'I'm just so gutted for her, because she has worked so hard this week, and technically she has raised the bar, she's devastated because she really wanted to give everything to this performance.' Married At First Sight and My Kitchen Rules went head-to-head in the ratings on Monday night. And it seems love really does conquer all, with Channel Nine's 'social experiment' smashing its cooking show rival by over 180,000 metro viewers. According to OzTam overnight ratings, MAFS reigned supreme with an audience of 1,003,000 in the five capital cities. Australia falls in love... again! Married At First Sight SMASHED My Kitchen Rules in the ratings on Monday - with Channel Seven's cooking show serving up its lowest-rated episode ever Meanwhile, MKR came in second place with just 816,000 viewers - which happened to be the series' worst-rated episode ever. The results also mark the first time a MAFS premiere hasn't been beaten by a rival show's season debut. Morale at Channel Seven is likely to be low on Tuesday, given that the network had shifted MKR's time slot up by half an hour in order to get a head start in the ratings. The biggest season yet! The overnight ratings results also mark the first time a Married At First Sight premiere hasn't been beaten by a rival show's season debut Both programs have traditionally premiered in direct competition at 7:30pm, but this year MKR moved its season 10 premiere to 7pm. On Saturday, Channel Nine producer Victoria Owens took a swipe at MKR for the decision, writing on Instagram: 'Nice try, MKR. But starting early won't stop people watching MAFS.' Despite a growing interest in the controversial show, Channel Nine executives are far from complacent. Has MKR fizzled out? MAFS reigned supreme with an audience of 1,003,000 in the five capital cities, while MKR came in second place with just 816,000 viewers Too little too late? Morale at Channel Seven is likely to be low on Tuesday, given that the network had shifted MKR's time slot up by half an hour in order to get a head start in the ratings 'Any given year, MKR is a difficult opponent,' Married At First Sight's executive producer John Walsh told the Sydney Morning Herald over the weekend. 'And no doubt they're going to put out the noisiest show they can to challenge us this year,' he continued. 'We're not sure what sort of impact that will make... It'll be game on from Monday.' Camille Grammer has revealed that she has been living in a trailer-home after her Malibu mansion was destroyed during the California wildfires back in November. The 50-year-old reality star recently took to her Instagram to share a video of her new digs while expressing concern over the high winds. She wrote: 'Insane winds today in Malibu. Since my home was lost in the Woolsey fire I have been living in a beautiful trailer-home overlooking the coastline. Moving on: Camille Grammer has revealed that she has been living in a trailer-home after her Malibu mansion was destroyed Sad: The 50-year-old reality star shared this image of her property being destroyed back in November Tough times: The 50-year-old reality star recently took to her Instagram to share a video of her new digs while expressing concern over the high winds 'Its cozy but todays winds are unsettling. Im blessed to have a roof over my head but I wish the winds would stop.' There are still widespread effects from the Woolsey Fires as she explained that there is still ash and debris from it. She concluded: 'Not to mention the deck furniture is now in the neighbors yard.' In the clip she shared on social media, several plants and an umbrella could be seen moving violently due to the wind. Relevation: She captioned the clip: 'Since my home was lost in the Woolsey fire I have been living in a beautiful trailer-home overlooking the coastline' Oh no: A patio umbrella could be seen that was almost completely destroyed by the wind Shambles: Plants could be seen completely knocked over Camille originally bought the 6,000-square-foot, gated Malibu community property in April 2015 following her 2011 divorce from Kelsey Grammer. Prior to being evacuated, the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star managed to grab all her 'jewelry, documents, birth certificates, and passports.' 'I also took some photographs that meant something to me,' she told PEOPLE. 'We packed as much as we could into three cars.' LAFD reportedly retrieved some of Grammer's priceless artwork, collected over 20 years, as well as two Ferraris in the garage. Salvage: Prior to being evacuated, the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star managed to grab all her 'jewelry, documents, birth certificates, and passports' 'It has been an emotional and stressful couple of weeks,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I have been going through the items I retrieved from what is left of my home. The pictures of my children put a smile on my face' 'They were so brave to do that. They did whatever they could. They are incredible,' she said. 'It's a total loss. Most everything is gone. We'll see if there is anything to salvage.' According to CBS Los Angeles, more than 3,000 firefighters were dispatched to tame the flames. Just a month prior to the fire Camille married attorney David C. Meyer on Hawaii's Big Island. 'I went from one of the best days of my life, to such a tragedy. It's so sad,' Grammer told the magazine. The Woolsey Fire burned more than 93,000 acres of land and destroyed more than 400 structures. Mercedes Corby was locked in to appear on this year's season of Married At First Sight - before producers changed their minds at the eleventh hour. The sister of convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby made it to the final stages of casting, but the show's experts were apparently 'unable to find her a suitable match'. Speaking on The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Tuesday, Mercedes confirmed she applied for MAFS back when she was single and narrowly missed out on a starring role. That's surprising! Mercedes Corby was confirmed to appear on Married At First Sight 2019 - before being cut at the last minute because producers 'couldn't find her a suitable match' Had Mercedes, 44, walked down the aisle, viewers would have likely been treated to extraordinary scenes of her younger sister Schapelle acting as a bridesmaid. The mother-of-three, who separated from her husband Wayan Widiartha in 2014, is now dating somebody new and has no plans to reapply next year. 'They couldn't find a match in my age group,' she explained on air, before adding that she might have been 'a bit picky' in her application form. A gift from the TV gods! Had Mercedes walked down the aisle, viewers would have likely been treated to extraordinary scenes of her younger sister Schapelle (right) acting as a bridesmaid She said of the casting process: 'I was contacted [by producers] and was umming and ahh-ing for a while and then I thought, "Why not? What have I got to lose?" 'I went to Sydney and I met the producers, and they were really nice. But they do try to match you with somebody suitable. They do try to do the right thing. 'They take it seriously and won't just set you up with anyone.' Missed opportunity: The mother-of-three, who separated from her husband Wayan Widiartha (left) in 2014, is now dating somebody new and has no plans to reapply next year. Pictured leaving Bali's Kerobokan Prison on February 7, 2014 Taking a chance: Mercedes said of the casting process: 'I was contacted [by producers] and was umming and ahh-ing for a while and then thought, "Why not? What have I got to lose?"' Pictured at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport on May 12, 2017, just days before Schapelle's deportation Back in September, Woman's Day first reported that Mercedes was 'in talks' with producers to appear on the Channel Nine dating show. 'She's desperate to settle down and she's a fan of the show, so it's a process she's open to,' a TV insider claimed at the time. Mercedes and her former husband Wayan share three children together: sons Wayan Jr. and Nyoman, and daughter Nyeleigh. Felon: Mercedes' sister Schapelle served nine years behind bars at Bali's Kerobokan Prison after being found guilty in May 2005 of smuggling 4.2 kilograms of marijuana into Indonesia. Pictured: Schapelle in a holding cell at Denpasar District Court on August 25, 2006 After previously living in Bali, she moved back to Queensland's Gold Coast in August 2016, where she opened a tapas restaurant. Following Schapelle's release on parole in 2014, the Corby sisters have maintained a relatively low profile. Schapelle served nine years behind bars at Bali's Kerobokan Prison after being found guilty in May 2005 of smuggling 4.2 kilograms of marijuana into Indonesia. Claim to fame: During Schapelle's arrest, trial and aftermath, Mercedes was featured prominently in the media and even appeared on the cover of Ralph magazine in 2008 The former beauty student, 41, was released on parole in February 2014 and deported back to Australia in May 2017. She has always maintained her innocence. During Schapelle's arrest, trial and aftermath, Mercedes was featured prominently in the media and even appeared on the cover of Ralph magazine in 2008. Vicky Pattison was left heartbroken in November when she discovered her fiance John Noble had grown close to a bevy of beauties during a lads' trip to Dubai. And despite feeling 'mortified', the former Geordie Shore star, 31, has managed to fight through the pain as she spoke to MailOnline ahead of documenting her split on TLC show Vicky Pattison: The Break Up on Wednesday. During her candid chat, Vicky, who admits she is ready to date again, revealed John has demanded she return her 3.6-carat marquise-cut diamond ring while she is also in the process of buying him out of their home amid other financial implications. Pain: Vicky Pattison was left heartbroken in November when she discovered her fiance John Noble had grown close to a bevy of beauties during a lads' trip to Dubai Vicky's world was turned upside down in November when images and footage emerged showing John getting up close and personal with a bevy of other women. After the images came to light, the reality personality revealed she immediately chucked him out of their home, which they purchased last year, however he is now demanding she return her ring and buy him out of the property they bought in 2017. Speaking to MailOnline, she said: 'I don't think about him anymore. I don't know that man. He's rang me a couple of times since. Unfortunately we own a house together... 'He's very keen to get the money out of this house and have his ring back and just wanting to move on with his life. I think the ring is cursed, mate... Pained: During her candid chat, Vicky, who admits she is ready to date again, revealed John has demanded she return her 3.6-carat marquise-cut diamond ring while she is also in the process of buying him out of their home amid other financial implications Out and a pout: And despite feeling 'mortified', the former Geordie Shore star, 31, has managed to fight through the pain as she spoke to MailOnline ahead of documenting her split on TLC show Vicky Pattison: The Break Up on Wednesday 'I haven't wanted to see him, it's still very raw and very sore and the thought of sitting down with him to discuss our financials is making me very anxious and very stressed. I don't think I'm ready for that.' When asked about her wedding plans and if she had put any deposits down, Vicky pushed: 'Luckily for us we were at the cusp of doing things, we had a lucky escape... 'We owned the house in Newcastle for a year together. It's my house now and I kicked him out the day I found out.' Speaking about he legalities, Jonathan Casey, solicitor, McAlister Family Law, said: 'As far as demanding back the engagement ring from Ms Pattison, the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970 states: "The gift of an engagement ring shall be presumed to be an absolute gift; this presumption may be rebutted by proving that the ring was given on the condition, express or implied, that it should be returned if the marriage did not take place for any reason.' Vicky's marriage was fast turning into a business opportunity as well as the happiest day of her life after she launched her Vicky's Bridal Bod Instagram, kicked off a wedding column and scooped a show documenting the wedding lead-up. Hot property: After the images came to light, the reality personality revealed she immediately chucked him out of their home, which they purchased last year, however he is now demanding she return her ring and buy him out of the property they bought in 2017 Shocker: Vicky's then-upcoming marriage was fast turning into a business opportunity as well as they happiest day of her life after she launched her Vicky's Bridal Bod Instagram page, launched a wedding column and scooped a show documenting the lead-up However she admitted her career and her romance were getting too close. The heartbroken star said: 'My life was John and our subsequent marriage was becoming quite intrinsically linked to my career... 'I had a column just announced in The Sun documenting the lead up to our wedding, the Instagram account, the day the news broke we were going to sign the contract for our wedding venue... 'The show was meant to be about the wedding. It was so hard for me. First I felt it as a woman, I was heartbroken, lost, I felt a sense of bereavement. A part of me died.' That was then: The heartbroken star said: 'My life was John and our subsequent marriage was becoming quite intrinsically linked to my career' Way back when: John's proposal was Vicky's second, after her Geordie Shore co-star Ricci Guarnaccio proposed to her during a Cancun MTV special in 2012 On how the show helped her, Vicky said: 'It's exciting having your own show and it's a big thing and I'm so excited but the subject matter is sensitive and I'm talking about things I want to move on from so it is difficult to talk about but I found the process very cathartic... 'How unfeeling and inconsiderate he was is unthinkable. The only way I could turn it round and not want to hide in bed and cry into my Prosecco... 'I felt so embarrassed and the only way i could grasp some control was with this show. I stand by my decision. It gave me a creative outlet and it kept me focused. I*'d still be crying now if I didn't have the show.' John's proposal was Vicky's second, after her Geordie Shore co-star Ricci Guarnaccio proposed to her during a Cancun MTV special in 2012. Moving on: Vicky has stayed strong amid the heartbreak of the split She said: 'Clocking the engagements up aren't I? I think it would be dead easy to become twisted and I've not had the best relationship with men and I've had some shockers but if I changed myself they'd be winning... 'I love so much and probably too much. If I really care about them they become more important than me. That's a lot for some people to take but if I changed, they'd be winning... 'If I can love the wrong men as much as I have, imagine how much I'll love the right one, it'll be amazing. The best revenge is living well. I'm not going to give up.' Earlier this month, Vicky attended her sister Laura's wedding in Mexico, however sparked controversy when she shared a snap while posing in front of the bride - yet she later explained it was due to a stain on her sister's dress. Strong: While it would be easy to become bitter while watching her loved ones get married, she admitted she stayed strong She said: 'I couldn't do anything right at my sister's wedding! What killed me in Mexico was the time difference, I thought I'm putting up this nice picture with my sister and friend and I'd wake up to a barrage of comments... 'I did these Insta stories trying to explain. I shouldn't have had to explain myself, I talk so much and show her so much how much she means to us... 'People would have thought it would have been difficult to be on the beach watching Laura and Danny but it wasn't... 'It was what love is meant to be and it showed me that love was out there. It hurts that people would take it and make it bad and evil. She had a bit of make-up on her dress and told me to stand a bit in front of her... Uh oh: Earlier this month, Vicky attended her sister Laura's wedding in Mexico, however sparked controversy when she shared a snap while posing in front of the bride - yet she later explained it was due to a stain on her dress 'She loved the picture and she checked it in the morning. She was laughing while I was crying. She said everyone who was being horrible are crackers. when your love for your sister is being questioned its easy to get angry.' While it would be easy to become bitter while watching her loved ones get married, she admitted she stayed strong. She said: 'Laura was always meant to be getting married before me and there were moments when my friends were getting engaged over Christmas but I have to think of the universe having a bigger plan... 'I will get engaged in the future. Really I'm grateful to John for showing his true colours before we got any further.' Upset: Vicky has now admitted she is ready to date again yet insisted she is in no way ready for a boyfriend - instead just wanting to be called pretty Vicky was also slammed for her bikini pictures on the trip, as she insisted with her staunch hatred for body shaming she was shocked to be on the receiving end. She said: 'I don't like body shaming in general I think it's boring and petty and defining a woman how she looks in a bikini, I think it's boring and it's not cute. I have no desire to be someone I'm not... 'God forbid I put forward the best image of myself! When you've taken your Instagram picture you've taken 85 pictures. you've filtered it... 'Your friend has stood on a chair. I'm very honest on social media, I put up pictures without make-up, I put up pictures while I'm training, I celebrate other women. The world would be such a nicer place if we all just celebrated each other!' Vicky has now admitted she is ready to date again yet insisted she is in no way ready for a boyfriend - instead just wanting to be called pretty. Vicky Pattison: The Break Up airs on TLC on Wednesday evening at 10pm She's the hardworking businesswoman who juggles her career with motherhood. And fitness mogul Rachael Finch revealed her secret shame during an interview with Tuesday's Daily Telegraph. The mother-of-two, 30, admitted that she's surprisingly not nervous about her five-year-old daughter Violet's first day of school. 'I kind of feel ashamed to admit it': Mother-of-two Rachael Finch (right) revealed she isn't nervous about her daughter Violet (left), five, starting school during an interview with Tuesday's edition of The Daily Telegraph 'I kind of feel ashamed to admit it, but no, I'm not nervous about her going to school,' she told the publication. Rachael explained that the youngster is quite independent and that the mother-and-daughter duo have spent time preparing for the big day. 'She's very inquisitive about reading the time and learning street names and I know she needs the stimulation,' the brunette beauty said. 'We have been learning how to tie our shoes, braiding our hair, learning the difference between a recess and lunch box, and, of course, stranger danger.' 'She's very inquisitive about reading the time and learning street names and I know she needs the stimulation,' the brunette beauty said of her daughter Meanwhile, Rachael is known for being very health conscious, with the model regularly sharing her very healthy meals to social media. Rachael has previously said she also makes sure her daughter Violet and son Dominic, one, eat healthy. In April last year, Rachael admitted Violet rarely has lollies or sugar and opts for fruit, sushi or sandwiches at birthday parties. Speaking to Stellar magazine, the model said: 'For the first two-and-a-half years of her life Violet didn't know what sugar tasted like, and she still hasn't had lollies.' 'For the first two-and-a-half years of her life Violet didn't know what sugar tasted like, and she still hasn't had lollies,' Rachael said of her kids, Violet, five, and Dominic, one. Pictured: Rachael with Michael and their kids 'Sometimes at birthday parties, parents don't have sandwiches or sushi or fruit,' she tells the publication. 'So before she goes, I make sure she is full of healthy food. Rachael's fitness app, Body By Finch, is popular with several local celebrities, including Home and Away's Sam Frost. The brunette beauty married professional dancer Michael Miziner in 2013 after they met on Dancing with the Stars. The upcoming season of Married At First Sight is set to be one of the most highly-anticipated and controversial yet. And among the scandalous cast preparing to tie the knot with a complete stranger is Queensland-based farmer Mick Gould. In a series of raunchy photos that have emerged, the TV-husband-to-be, 31, appears to have indulged in a wild lifestyle not too long ago. Topless women, drunken nights and nude selfies: A look inside MAFS star Mick Gould's VERY wild life... as bizarre photos from his past have emerged. Pictured cuddling up to topless mystery blonde in April, 2008 Getting frisky! Party pictures appear to show the dark and handsome hunk flirting up a storm with this topless blonde while wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs. Pictured in April, 2008 Party pictures appear to show the dark and handsome hunk flirting up a storm with a topless blonde while wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs. In the racy images, which appear to be taken inside a living room, Mick's chest appears to be covered in a glistening white substance. Other photos show the upcoming reality TV star wrestling in a front yard with a male friend. Peachy! Mick is often seen flaunting his bare backside in racy photographs from his past such as these Happy chap! Having a blast in another photo, Mick is seen pulling his pants down to expose his underwear, which featured this cut-out design Antics! Other photos show the upcoming reality TV star wrestling in a front yard with this male friend. Pictured in August, 2010 Having a blast, Mick pulled his pants down to expose his underwear, which appeared to be ripped. The party-goer seemingly is no stranger to stripping down in the nude, wearing just a bed sheet in one picture and a polka-dot dress in another. Contrary to recent images of the lothario, Mick appears worse for wear in his younger years, often posing with his eyes half-closed. Young and free! The party-goer often strips down in the nude, wearing just a bed sheet in this picture from 2010 Feeling tired? Contrary to recent images of the lothario, Mick appears worse for wear in his younger years, often posing with his eyes half-closed Meanwhile, fans won't be disappointed by this year's MAFS offering, with a Nine producer promising to deliver juicer scandals than ever seen before. 'If fans thought last year was 'juicy' they'd best prepare themselves for what's in store, there will be more than one couple swap and some really juicy back stories!' an unnamed producer told The Sun-Herald last week. MAFS launched in Australia in 2015, featuring just four couples over six episodes. Since then, it has become one of the most popular programs on Australian TV - with season five featuring 11 couples and 32 episodes. Married At First Sight returns Monday, January 28 at 7:30pm on Channel Nine A bold look: Mick even experimented with his fashion choices, opting for this polka dot dress teamed with boxer shorts on one occasion Old versions of lesson plans, dried up markers and broken pens, books students havent read in yearsthings unused and forgotten can pile up quickly in a classroom. And when teachers need to keep track of hundreds of student assignments and bins of materials, staying organized can be a hard challenge to surmount . Now, some teachers are turning to Marie Kondo for help. Kondo, the internationally famous Japanese organization consultant, is the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. In her book, and the new Netflix reality series based on it, Kondo outlines instructions for organizing and culling household items, from clothing to books to paperwork. She uses a process she created called the KonMari method. The goal is to clean up mindfully: Tidiers go through their things one-by-one, keeping only items that spark joy. In the popular Netflix show, Kondo helps people declutter their homes. But some teachers say that the method has allowed them to organize their classrooms, tooand in the process, create better learning environments for their students. Andrea Clark, a 5th grade teacher at the International School of Texas in Austin, started using the KonMari method in her classroom about a year ago, after she read Kondos book. She had also been tidying up at home, she said, but her focus was different at school. The question is a little bit different than Does it bring me joy? Its more, Is it useful for my students and me? she said. Is it worth holding onto this resource? Is it helping students learn? See also: Setting Up a Classroom Is Hard. See the Creative Ways These Teachers Did It With those guiding questions in mind, Clark has organized student materialslike pens and pencilsand gotten rid of most of the papers she had stored around her room. She has a few hanging storage units for math assignments, but she stores most of her worksheets digitally. Decluttering in this way has helped students take ownership over the classroom, she said. I dont always want them asking me, Where are the pens? said Clark. When there are fewer resources and everything has a consistent place, students can find things on their own, she said. Bringing students into the process has also given them a voice in shaping their own learning, she said. In their classroom library, Clark enlists students in periodically culling books. They pull the collection off the shelves and spread them out on the floor. Then, she asks her students to place sticky notes on all of the books theyre interested in reading. At the end of the process, Clark has a clear visual representation of her students interests. Books that have sticky notes go back on the shelves. With the others, Clark considers if the book has an important instructional purpose and deserves to be in the classroom library. If so, she asks herself: How can I introduce it or discuss it with my students so that theyll be interested? If not, she can take it out of the bookcase to make room for new titles. I think about the things that are important to us as a community, and I try to put that forward, she said. Its more about the classroom not being my classroom, but our classroom. Sparking Joy in the Classroom It starts with things, but it really is so much deeper than that, Kylee Fiorante, a 5th grade teacher at Mike Davis Elementary School in Naples, Fla., said of Marie Kondos method. Fiorante first turned to KonMari when she and her wife moved in together, and they both had to downsize. She thought that introducing the method to her class could be a good way for her students to reset in the New Year. First, she and her 5th graders tidied their physical space. They discarded old flyers and cleaned out cubbies. Then we got more into: What brings you joy out of school? she said. She asked her students to write down the joys that they wanted to find at home and at school, and to list what they wanted to leave behind in 2018. They could choose to share their answers with a partner. I have been watching @MarieKondo s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on @Netflix . Im trying to tie some of the ideas into the classroom. Bringing joy into 2019 and leaving behind clutter in 2018. Our class is sharing the joys they want to keep or find in 2019. @MDE_Stars pic.twitter.com/acLFerJu5M Mrs. Fiorante (@MrsFiorante5th) January 4, 2019 Some goals were personalmeet new people, or bake more at homewhile others focused on academic aspirations, like reading for 25 minutes a day or finally mastering multiplication tables. Several students listed problems or stressors at home as things that they wanted to leave behind. Getting this insight into her students lives helped Fiorante plan how to better serve her kids, she said. The exercise also helped her set academic priorities. A lot of students wrote goals related to reading, said Fiorante, so shes tried to select a greater diversity of texts to bring into the classroom. Top image: Marie Kondo introduces her new line of storage boxes during a media event in New York. Seth Wenig/AP Second image: Andrea Clarks classroom library. Photo courtesy of Clark. No, this isnt a scene from a Star Wars game. Its actually flight-deck footage of a landing at Maniitsoq Airport in Greenland. And the internet is quite rightly mesmerised. Other-worldly footage of a plane landing at Maniitsoq Airport has caused a stir on YouTube The clip was filmed on board an Air Greenland Dash 8 aircraft as it made an approach at dusk. The cameraman was Malik Niemann, a helicopter pilot for Air Greenland, who was sitting in the jump seat. He told MailOnline Travel that the aircraft was supposed to land in Nuuk, the capital, but that bad weather forced it to divert to Maniitsoq, where it refuelled. The footage begins with the runway just visible on the very edge of the snowy mainland. The cameraman was Malik Niemann, a helicopter pilot for Air Greenland The aircraft was supposed to land in Nuuk, the capital, but bad weather forced it to divert to Maniitsoq, where it refuelled As the plane gets nearer its clear that there is no margin for error whatsoever. Since the clip was posted to YouTube it has been viewed over 80,000 times. One viewer likened the landscape to a Stars Wars game. Is that Star Wars: Battlefront? asked user SwordOfTheSamurai. The landscape certainly does have Hoth-like qualities. Meanwhile cclayhammer was simply bowled over, writing in the comments section: One of the best landing videos Ive seen well done! U.S pilot and author of the best-selling Cockpit Confidential, Patrick Smith, told MailOnline Travel: 'According to Wikipedia, the runway at that airport is under 3,000 feet long. Thats exceptionally short for any type of commercial airport. Therefore, only certain aircraft, at certain weights, would be permitted to take off or land there. 'This is such a special case - you cant really compare operations at a location like this to operations at a normal commercial airport.' Advertisement NASAs asteroid-chasing spacecraft has released the most detailed views yet of its oddly-shaped target from more than 1.4 billion miles away from home. Since OSIRIS-REx reached orbit around asteroid Bennu at the beginning of this year, its snapshots have brought us closer and closer to the nearby asteroid. At just 1,600 feet across, Bennu is the smallest object ever to be orbited by a spacecraft. The latest batch of images shows Bennu in staggering new detail from when OSIRIS-REx was just one mile above the surface. Scroll down for video NASAs asteroid-chasing spacecraft has released the most detailed views yet of its oddly-shaped target from more than 1.4 billion miles away from home. Since OSIRIS-REx reached orbit around asteroid Bennu at the beginning of this year, its snapshots have brought us closer and closer to the nearby asteroid. The view is over Bennu's southern hemisphere Images shared on the OSIRIS-REx Twitter account show Bennus south pole as the spacecraft zipped by in an initial survey. As I fly around Bennu during Orbital A, my scientific cameras are not collecting data, the account tweeted this week. But my navCam 1 imager is taking OpNav (short for optical navigation) images like these to help monitor my path around the asteroid. OSIRIS-REx left Earth more than two years ago on its mission to study an asteroid and, hopefully, bring a sample back home in 2023. The craft will spend the next year in orbit around its target before dropping down briefly so it can get close enough to scoop up a sample of dirt and rock from the surface. Images shared on the OSIRIS-REx Twitter account show Bennus south pole as the spacecraft zipped by in an initial survey. At just 1,600 feet across, Bennu is the smallest object ever to be orbited by a spacecraft OSIRIS-REx left Earth more than two years ago on its mission to study an asteroid and, hopefully, bring a sample back home in 2023. As I fly around Bennu during Orbital A, my scientific cameras are not collecting data, the account tweeted this week. The above view comes from its latest batch of images Right now, the craft is over a billion miles away. For those keeping track at homeIve traveled just under 2.2 billon km (1.4 billion miles) since leaving home in Sept 2016, the account tweeted. Ill remain in orbit around Bennu until late February when I begin a series of flybys for Detailed Survey. Osiris-Rex ultimate goal is to bring back a regolith sample of at least 2.1 ounces. Asteroid Bennu is said to be a carbon-rich hunk of rock that might contain organic materials or molecular precursors to life. The craft will spend the next year in orbit around its target before dropping down briefly so it can get close enough to scoop up a sample of dirt and rock from the surface 'Analyzing a sample from Bennu will help planetary scientists better understand the role asteroids may have played in delivering life-forming compounds to Earth,' NASA explains. 'We know from having studied Bennu through Earth- and space-based telescopes that it is a carbonaceous, or carbon-rich, asteroid. Carbon is the hinge upon which organic molecules hang. 'Bennu is likely rich in organic molecules, which are made of chains of carbon bonded with atoms of oxygen, hydrogen, and other elements in a chemical recipe that makes all known living things. 'Besides carbon, Bennu also might have another component important to life: water, which is trapped in the minerals that make up the asteroid.' Australian scientists are working on a revolutionary new wetsuit to protect people from fatal shark attacks. Experts at Flinders University, Adelaide, are busy developing a prototype made from strong synthetic fibers, similar to those found in bullet-proof vests. Although it couldn't withstand the force of the predator's jaw, it may help limit tissue damage and reduce blood-loss, which often causes death. The ambitious project has been supported with a $90,000 (48,000) government grant. Scroll down for video Ambitious: Although it couldn't withstand the force of the predator's jaw, the new wetsuit may help limit tissue damage and reduce blood-loss, which often causes death 'The majority of fatalities from shark bites is due to blood loss, or the shock from blood loss,' Charlie Huveneers, associate professor at Flinders University, told 9News. 'We want new technologies, a new way of doing business when it comes to interacting with sharks. 'If we can reduce that blood loss from minimising injury, and with rapid emergency responses, we can hopefully increase the survival rate of people being bitten by sharks.' Testing of the material is due to start later this year in a common shark hotspot off the Spencer Gulf, west of Adelaide. A Great White Shark exerts roughly 4,000 pounds of force through its jaws via 50 razor-sharp teeth, making a suit fit to withstand this an engineering feat. Power: Great White Sharks exert 4,000lbs of force through jaws with 50 razor-sharp teeth. The ambitious project has been supported with a $90,000 (48,000) government grant Despite tens of millions of trips to the beach taken in Australia every year, shark attacks are extremely rare, but each incident sets off public debate about beach safety. There were 27 shark attacks in Australian waters last year, according to data compiled by Sydney's Taronga Zoo, including one fatal incident in popular tourist destination Whitsunday Islands, near the Great Barrier Reef. Many experts point to the increased number of people going into the water as a reason for any increase in attacks. A French soldier who died more than two-hundred years ago has been brought back to life with a digital reconstruction of his face. The unnamed man survived a vicious facial wound from the sabre of a foe before succumbing to disease and infection several months later. Archaeologists used cutting-edge technology to build an approximation of the warrior's long-lost features, providing fresh human insight into the Grande Armee's bloody history. The detailed impression depicts a man with a round-shaped face, brown hair and brown eyes, which was typical of Western European men at the time. Born circa 1785, the ill-fated fighter is thought to have died in his twenties while retreating from Moscow alongside Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812. Scroll down for video Archaeologists used cutting-edge technology to build an approximation of the warrior's long-lost features, providing fresh human insight into the Grande Armee's bloody history His injured remains were originally unearthed in 2006 and suggest he was savagely wounded by a military-grade blade across his lower face. Although his injuries could've been fatal, skull analysis shows that he actually survived for two months beyond the incident. Signs of healing on his jaw imply he underwent emergency surgery after the attack, which involved disinfecting the wound and repairing tooth loss with dental braces. Experts believe his cause of death was most likely to be a multitude of factors, including an outbreak of typhus and trench fever. Extreme Russian weather conditions also likely played a role, with scores of military personnel perishing to the inclement conditions. 'This wounded soldier was on the way to recovery when he died, possibly from a comorbid [accompanying] cause, [as] epidemic outbreaks of typhus and trench fever occurred in Konigsberg in late 1812 and early 1813,' study first author Dany Coutinho Nogueira, a doctoral student of biological anthropology at the Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, told Live Science. Napoleon began his mission with an army of 500,000 men, but only 20,000 returned to France - meaning a loss of 480,000 soldiers. Many of them were buried together in mass graves at Konigsberg, the capital city of Eastern Prussia, which is now known as Kaliningrad, Russia. The soldier's skull shows partial damage to the jaw, although this didn't kill him. Experts believe his cause of death was most likely to be a multitude of factors, including an outbreak of typhus and trench fever In order to recreate the late warrior's face, the researchers and his colleagues used a two-tier approach. First, they employed digital mirror imaging, which allows them to accurately model missing parts of the jaw from the opposite side of the skull. Then, they surveyed hundreds of CT scans from modern-day Frenchman of the same age. This allowed them to replicate specific facial features which result from certain skull characteristics. The man's body is shown being recovered from a mass grave, where hundreds of thousands of bodies were buried in their uniforms 'This facial reconstruction, even if it may not correspond entirely to reality, has allowed us to focus our empathy on a face,' paleoanthropologist Dany Coutinho Nogueira told Buzzfeed News. 'It is a sad story, but unfortunately it is also the story of hundreds of thousands of young soldiers of the Grande Armee and of other European armies. '[This] young man suffered a lot, died far from his family and never returned home.' The research was published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. Napoleon began his mission with an army of 500,000 men, but only 20,000 returned to France - meaning a loss of 480,000 soldiers. Many of them were buried together in mass graves at Konigsberg, the capital city of Eastern Prussia, which is now known as Kaliningrad, Russia A machine that can read your mind and convert thoughts into speech has been built and tested by scientists. The creation is being heralded as 'life-changing' for those unable to communicate, such as stroke victims. The pioneering system combines the power of speech synthesisers and AI (artificial intelligence) to turn brain activity into intelligible sentences. It is based on the same technology used by Amazon Echo and Apple Siri. It offers hope of patients paralysed after a stroke or accident communicating with friends and loved ones - despite being unable to speak. Ultimately, it is hoped the system could be part of an implant, similar to those worn by some epilepsy patients, that translates the wearer's thoughts directly into words (stock photo) Electrical engineering Professor Dr Nima Mesgarani at Columbia University, New York, hopes it will be life changing for thousands of stricken individuals. He said: 'Our voices help connect us to our friends, family and the world around us, which is why losing the power of one's voice due to injury or disease is so devastating. 'With today's study, we have a potential way to restore that power. 'We've shown that, with the right technology, these people's thoughts could be decoded and understood by any listener.' Ultimately, he hoped their system could be part of an implant, similar to those worn by some epilepsy patients, that translates the wearer's thoughts directly into words. Added Professor Mesgarani: 'In this scenario, if the wearer thinks 'I need a glass of water,' our system could take the brain signals generated by that thought, and turn them into synthesised, verbal speech. 'This would be a game changer. Electrical engineering Professor Dr Nima Mesgarani (pictured) at Columbia University, New York, hopes the new technology will be life changing for thousands of stricken individuals 'It would give anyone who has lost their ability to speak, whether through injury or disease, the renewed chance to connect to the world around them.' People with locked in syndrome, for instance, cannot move any muscles voluntarily apart from the eyes - making conversation impossible. British cosmologist Professor Stephen Hawking used a speech generating device activated by a muscle in his cheek after he was struck down by severe motor neurone disease. But Dr Mesgarani's technique described in Scientific Reports is completely different - reconstructing the words a person hears with unprecedented clarity. It lays the groundwork for helping those who cannot speak regain their ability to converse with the outside world. New ways could also be devised for computers to communicate directly with the brain. When people talk - or even imagine doing so - telltale patterns of activity appear in their brain. Distinct, recognisable signals also emerge when we listen to, or imagine, someone speaking. Experts who record and decode them see a future in which thoughts need not remain hidden inside the brain - but instead could be translated into verbal speech at will. British cosmologist Professor Stephen Hawking (pictured) used a speech generating device activated by a muscle in his cheek after he was struck down by severe motor neurone disease. But Dr Mesgarani's technique described in Scientific Reports is completely different - reconstructing the words a person hears with unprecedented clarity Early efforts by Professor Mesgarani and others that focused on simple computer models of sound frequency scans called spectrograms failed. So his team turned to a computer algorithm known as a 'vocoder' that can synthesise speech after being trained on recordings of people talking. Professor Mesgarani said: 'This is the same technology used by Amazon Echo and Apple Siri to give verbal responses to our questions.' He taught it to interpret brain activity by teaming up with US neurosurgeon Dr Ashesh Mehta whose epileptic patients have allowed him to implant their brains with electrodes to find the source of their seizures. Explained Prof Mesgarani: 'Working with Dr. Mehta, we asked epilepsy patients already undergoing brain surgery to listen to sentences spoken by different people, while we measured patterns of brain activity. These neural patterns trained the vocoder.' The pioneering system is based on the same technology used by Amazon Echo (pictured) and Apple Siri. It combines the power of speech synthesisers and AI to turn brain activity into intelligible sentences The researchers then asked the patients to listen to speakers reciting digits between 0 to 9, while recording brain signals that could then be run through the vocoder. The sound produced by the vocoder in response to those signals was analysed and cleaned up by neural networks, a type of AI that mimics the structure of brain cells. The end result was a robotic-sounding voice reciting a sequence of numbers. To test the accuracy of the recording, Professor Mesgarani and his team got individuals to listen to the recording and report what they heard. He said: 'We found people could understand and repeat the sounds about 75 per cent of the time, which is well above and beyond any previous attempts.' The improvement in intelligibility was especially evident when comparing the new recordings to the earlier, spectrogram-based attempts. Professor Mesgarani said: 'The sensitive vocoder and powerful neural networks represented the sounds the patients had originally listened to with surprising accuracy.' The researchers now plan to test more complicated words and sentences next, and want to run the same tests on brain signals emitted when a person speaks or imagines speaking. Scientists have unearthed a brand new species of cave-dwelling life. Experts from Texas A&M University, Galveston, participated in 10-day research trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where they discovered the 'swimming centipede'. Lasionectes, as it has been called, is a previously-unknown form of crustacean from the Remipede family and further expands the scope of ocean life. It comes at a time when many saline-rich caves in the Caribbean are in danger of pollution or destruction. New discovery: Remipede Lasionectes, a species previously known from the Caicos Islands, uses its paddle-like appendages to gracefully glide in a tight turn through the cave water 'We collected what we believe is a new remipede species, likely related to those found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico,' says professor Tom Iliffe, who co-led the investigation. 'Other new species of cave and marine life will likely be found once further examination is complete.' At first glance, remipedes may be mistaken for swimming centipedes rather than crustaceans. They have a head and long body with 15-42 similarly shaped segments, each with paddle-shaped limbs. The remarkable animals are eyeless and lack body pigmentation typical adaptations to life in the depths of lightless saltwater caves. Researchers say the next step is to carry out detailed molecular and morphological analyses of the creatures. Teamwork: Paul Heinerth (left) and Jon Ward (right) scramble up the near vertical wall of a 50 ft. deep pit in the Caicos Islands Left to right: Brett Gonzalez, B. Naqqi Manco, Tom Iliffe and Paul Heinerth prepare for an early morning dive to collect remipedes Location: Experts from Texas A&M University, Galveston, participated in 10-day research trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands WHAT ARE REMIPEDIA? Remipedia is a class of blind crustaceans, lacking eyes and pigmentation. Remipedes are 14 centimetres (0.41.6 in) long and comprise a head and an elongate trunk of up to thirty-two similar. They are typically found in coastal aquifers which contain saline groundwater, with populations identified in almost every ocean basin so far explored, including in Australia, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. Advertisement However, due to various risk factors, this will need to be done quickly. 'Time is critical and running out for this research,' Dr Iliffe said. 'Many of these caves are in danger of pollution or destruction. 'One cave in which we found a rich assortment of marine animals on our last trip here, is now polluted and lifeless. If we dont obtain this information now, it may be lost to us forever.' Dr Iliffe has explored more than 1,500 underwater caves, more than anyone else in the world. During his 40-year career, he has discovered more than 350 species of marine life. He noted that there is a sense of urgency surrounding his research. Apple has disabled group FaceTime following the discovery of an embarrassing bug which allowed people to eavesdrop on iPhone users. A vulnerability in the software for the video calling facility reportedly let users hear audio and see video of the person they are calling irrespective of if they pick up. The company's system status website now lists FaceTime as having an ongoing issue, with a message attached confirming Group FaceTime is 'temporarily unavailable'. Scroll down for video The glitch affects devices using versions iOS 12.1 or later. Apple has taken its Group FaceTime feature offline following the discovery of the bug (file photo) The bug is affected devices using versions of iOS 12.1 or later and was first reported by the website 9to5mac. It was also claimed the calls must be made in a particular way in order to exploit the glitch. It appears to involve the 'add person' function of the FaceTime app, confusing it into activating the call recipient's microphone even before the call is accepted. In some cases, 9to5mac reported video from the recipient's device can also be sent before the call is accepted and without the call recipient's knowledge if they press the power button while on their phone's lock screen. The iPhone maker had earlier said it was 'aware' of the issue and planned to release a software update later this week to fix the problem. The incident is embarrassing for the technology giant as it was discovered on Data Privacy Day in the United States, which Apple chief executive Tim Cook had tweeted about, calling for 'vital privacy protections'. The incident is embarrassing for the technology giant as it was discovered on Data Privacy Day in the United States, which Apple chief executive Tim Cook had tweeted about, calling for 'vital privacy protections' (pictured) Twitter boss Jack Dorsey took to Twitter to lend his advice to users. He suggested disabling the feature until a fix was issued by Apple A newly discovered FaceTime bug lets people hear and even see those they are reaching out to on iPhones using the video calling software even if the other person doesn't pick up Apple has also recently been highlighting its credentials as a company that protects user privacy, using a large billboard overlooking the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas last month to declare 'what happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone'. The incident also comes ahead of Apple releasing its latest round of financial results, with investors bracing for bad news after Mr Cook issued a warning in January over falling iPhone sales in China, which he said would impact the company's revenue. In the meantime, industry figures including Twitter founder Jack Dorsey have urged users to disable the FaceTime feature as a precautionary measure until Apple fixes the issue. A sister company of Google plans to collect and sell the mobile phone location data of its users to help model patterns of movement within cities, it has been reported. The initiative, devised by Sidewalk Labs, hopes to give planning agencies access to information helpful in making decisions on transportation and land use. Known as Replica, the program to able to ascertain the total number of people on a road, what mode of transport they are using and what the purpose of their trip is. Scroll down for video Replica will reportedly be able to ascertain the total number of people on a road, what mode of transport they are using and what the purpose of their trip is Nick Bowden, project lead at Sidewalk Labs, explained to Medium: '[This is] a user-friendly modeling tool that uses de-identified mobile location data to give planning agencies a comprehensive portrait of how, when, and why people travel in urban areas.' He cites 'costly household surveys conducted years ago' as just one of the reasons for using the new programme, which can provide a more complete sense of city movement patterns. But as The Intercept has reported, this does raise some concerns over how the data will be used - and in an email to the news website, Ben Green, an urban technology expert, said 'the privacy concerns are pretty extreme.' Nick Bowden, project lead at Sidewalk Labs, said that the tool able to provide a more complete sense of city movement patterns than other methods But Sidewalk Labs has made significant attempts to ensure the harvested data does not have an identifying characteristics - and is therefore unable to determine people's identity. As Mr Bowden explained to The Intercept: 'The program gathers and de-identifies the location of cellphone users, which it obtains from unspecified third-party vendors. 'It then models this anonymized data in simulations creating a synthetic population that faithfully replicates a citys real-world patterns.' Sidewalk Labs, which is owned by Alphabet Inc - also the parent company of Google - has the general aim of improving urban infrastructure through technological solutions. And already has a project under consultation in Toronto. In October, Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto proposed to erect mid-rise apartments, offices, shops, and a school on a 12-acre site. Sidewalk Toronto's design for a proposed development of a rundown part of Toronto's waterfront, which would be done in partnership with Alphabet - Google's parent company Sidewalk Labs wants to completely transformed the run-down eastern waterfront of Toronto (pictured in an undated photo) Many Canadians are fearing what kind of privacy implications the urban community could have. Pictured is Jesse Shapins, director of public realm with Google affiliate Sidewalk Labs, taking questions at a public forum about the proposed development on Toronto's waterfront The plan also envisioned a dream city where ice melts on contact from heated streets, sensors protect pedestrians from traffic, and driverless shuttles carry people to their doors. But there are currently no plans to use Replica in Toronto just yet, a spokesman for Sidewalks Labs told The Intercept. But the possibility has raised some concerns, with Brenda McPhail, director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Associations Privacy, Technology, and Surveillance Project, voicing hers. She said: 'Replica is a perfect example of surveillance capitalism, profiting from information collected from and about us as we use the products that have become a part of our lives.' Instagram is unavailable for users around the world. The Facebook-owned site crashed for users around the world. According to the website Down Detector, users in North America were worst hit, and it showed thousands of users reporting errors, which began at 7:21pm. Many users took to Twitter to vent their disappointment. Instagram has debunked a rumor claiming it limits the reach of users' posts. The viral posts warn that the site's algorithm means their post is only seen by a fraction of their followers Users trying to access the site on the web were met with a server error message, while on mobile they were told 'feed cannot be refreshed'. Last week it was revealed Facebook is planning to merge Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp by letting users message one another across all the services, according to the New York Times. Many users took to Twitter to vent their disappointment Users trying to access the site on the web were met with a server error message, while on mobile they were told 'feed cannot be refreshed'. The shock decision would mean that all of Facebook's sprawling social media properties would be integrated for the first time. Each of the services would remain as standalone apps, but Facebook would create a new way for users to communicate with others across the apps. The company is still in the early stages of the work and plans to complete it by the end of this year or in early 2020, the report said. After the changes, a Facebook user, for instance, will be able send an encrypted message to someone who has only a WhatsApp account, according to the report. End-to-end encryption protects messages from being viewed by anyone except the participants in the conversation. According to down detector, users in North America were worst hit, and it showed thousands of users reporting errors. Users trying to access the site on the web were met with a server error message, while on mobile they were told 'feed cannot be refreshed'. Thousands of Facebook employees will likely be working on the effort, as it requires them to reconfigure how the apps 'function at their most basic levels,' according to the Times. Facebook expects it to be a 'long process,' however. '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,' a Facebook spokesperson told CNBC. Nobel prize winner Craig Mello stayed on as advisor to disgraced Chinese scientist He Jiankui's biotechnology firm despite learning of the heinous research it was doing. Dr Jiankui announced last year he had successfully used Crispr-Cas9 - the powerful genome editing technique - on human embryos which had successfully been born. The work garnered worldwide condemnation for its disgraceful approach to scientific ethics and breaching international guidelines on gene-editing. Dr Jiankui claimed to used the method to make them resistant to HIV from their parents. The claims were widely slammed by scientists who said that gene editing on human embryos for reproductive purposes was 'unethical' and 'monstrous'. Scroll down for video Nobel prize winner Craig Mello, pictured, apparently knew that Chinese scientist He Jiankui was carrying out work to have edited the genes of twin girls. He Jiankui announced to the world that he was the first person to carry out gene-edited babies became public The practice is banned in most countries, including China, and investigators say that Dr Jiankui faces serious punishment for forging ethical papers and 'acting on his own'. But, emails obtained under a public records request, appear to show that Professor Mello stayed on as an adviser despite objecting to the experiment. Professor Mello, who won the Nobel Prize in 2006 for genetics research learned about the pregnancy last April and failed to report it. In an email titled 'Success!', Professor Mello seemed to congratulate Mr Jiankui but object to the experiment citing the medical involved as the reason. 'I'm glad for you, but I'd rather not be kept in the loop on this,' he wrote. 'You are risking the health of the child you are editing... I just don't see why you are doing this. I wish your patient the best of luck for a healthy pregnancy.' Professor Mello stayed on as a scientific adviser for Professor Jiankui's Direct Genomics company for eight months until the announcement in December. The news of the births drew international scorn from the scientific community. It emerged that he forged an ethical review and was fired from his university. It is now thought that he is under the surveillance of armed guards. The claims were widely condemned internationally by scientists who said that gene editing on human embryos for reproductive purposes was 'unethical'. The practice is banned in most countries, including China and investigators say that Jiankui, pictured, faces serious punishment Emails obtained under a public records request, appear to show that Mello objected to the experiment but stayed on as an adviser to Jiankui's biotech company. The Nobel Laureate, a professor of molecular medicine, learned about the pregnancy last April and failed to report it This graphic reveals how, theoretically, an embryo could be 'edited' using the powerful tool Crispr-Cas9 to defend humans against HIV infection He altered the genes of twin girls to help them resist possible future infection with HIV, the AIDS virus. His claims have not yet been verified. Several US researchers knew or strongly suspected was considering trying embryo gene editing, and his disclosure to Professor Mello in April is notable because it specified the pregnancy had been achieved, and came on the day Professor Jiankui himself said he learned of it. Editing embryos intended for a pregnancy is not allowed in the US and many other places because of the risk of harming other genes and concerns that these DNA changes can be passed to future generations. But there's no certain way to stop a rogue scientist from experimenting, no matter what rules are in place, because the gene-editing technology is cheap and easy to use. In another email obtained by the Associated Press, Professor Mello seemed to anticipate that reaction, telling Professor Jiankui that he was taking a 'big risk' - and that he didn't want others to think that he approved of the work. 'I think you are taking a big risk and I do not want anyone to think that I approve of what you are doing,' he wrote. 'I'm sorry I cannot be more supportive of this effort, I know you mean well.' In a statement provided through his university, University of Massachusetts, Professor Mello said that he had no idea that Professor Jiankui was 'personally interested' in human gene editing that their discussions were 'hypothetical and broad.' He resigned from the Direct Genomics' scientific advisory board because he felt that a company led by Professor Jiankui could 'no longer be effective'. It's not clear how someone would have raised concerns about Professor Jiankui's project, according to University of Wisconsin bioethicist Professor Alta Charo. Another bioethicist Doctor Leigh Turner said the lack of action by scientists who learned of his intentions indicates a broader culture of silence. 'There seems to have been multiple lost opportunities,' Turner said. These extraordinary photographs show how police had to stop a car in Scotland which was being driven with just a small square of windscreen cleared of snow. The car's rear windscreen and side windows were completely covered with snow while only a small area had been cleared on the front windscreen when it was stopped at Thurso in Caithness. The driver was spotted on the A9 trunk road this morning, and police issued them with a fixed penalty noticeof up to 100. Police urged motorists to clear their vehicles of snow and ice properly before beginning journeys. Officers posted pictures of the snowy car on social media and said: 'Winter has been biting for most of us this week, which means it is more important than ever that your vehicle is suitably prepared for the roads. 'Unfortunately not everyone follows this advice - officers on patrol stopped this car which was being driven on the A9 at Thurso in the early hours of this morning. 'Appropriate action has been taken against the driver in relation to road traffic offences. It is important before you set off to make sure your windows are clean, properly demisted and clear of all snow and ice before you drive.' Oluwaseyi Dada, 21, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 17-year-old girlfriend Katerina Makunova A county lines drug dealer is facing jail for killing his 17-year-old girlfriend after she begged police for help six times before she died. Katerina Makunova was killed the day after telling her family that she was ending her abusive relationship with Oluwaseyi Dada, 21, a crook who called himself Capone. Five officers are being probed over their handling of complaints from the teenager who told police she was being assaulted and harassed. Dada had just been released from a 30-month sentence for dealing heroin and crack cocaine in Norwich when he killed Miss Makunova in Camberwell, south London. During a row he pushed her on to a Versace handbag containing a knife which fatally punctured her chest. Her family said he had previously thrown her out of his flat naked and battered her in an attack. Relatives believe the drug dealer brutally controlled the trainee hairdresser who was a shy 15-year-old when they met on Instagram. During a row, Dada pushed Katrina Makunova (pictured) onto a handbag containing a knife, which punctured her chest Dada pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Southwark Crown Court. Yesterday prosecutor Allison Hunter QC read out a statement from the victim's sister Nicola Makunova telling Dada: 'You have not just killed her you have killed us too.' Dada will be sentenced later this week. Katrina Makunova, 17, died from a single stab wound to her chest as she grappled with Oluwaseyi Dada. The 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to manslaughter Ms Makunova, believed to be the 82nd victim of the epidemic of knife crime in London last year, had been working at Aroma Hair and Beauty in Farnborough, Hampshire, and aspired to become a beautician. Detective Inspector Domenica Catino of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: 'A young woman has lost her life and my thoughts are with her family and friends, who have been devastated by Katrina's death. 'This is another young person who has been killed as a result of a knife and we need our communities to work with the police to end this scourge.' Britain's foreign aid spending target is unsustainable in its present form, Penny Mordaunt admitted yesterday. In a presentation to the Cabinet, the International Development Secretary pledged to overhaul how the 14.1billion budget is used. She suggested profits from the UK's investments abroad should count towards the target of spending 0.7 per cent of national income on aid and be spent on the health service to reduce the burden on the public purse. Miss Mordaunt vowed to turn the Department for International Development (Dfid) from being a 'spending department' to a 'fundraising' one. Penny Mordaunt vowed to turn the Department for International Development (Dfid) from being a 'spending department' to a 'fundraising' one She also told her Cabinet colleagues that she wanted other Whitehall departments, such as the Ministry of Defence, to play more of a role in spending the cash. The move by Miss Mordaunt, who has been tipped as a potential future Tory leadership contender, will fuel speculation she is attempting to boost her standing with the party membership by shaking up the controversial foreign aid target. More than 4billion of foreign aid is currently invested in private sector projects overseas through Dfid's finance arm CDC. This is aimed at creating jobs in the poorest countries of Africa and Asia. But any profits made on schemes do not get counted towards the 0.7 per cent target if they are re-invested and are subtracted from the total if they are withdrawn. Miss Mordaunt told ministers that she would seek to get the international rules on foreign aid rewritten so the profits could be used on the NHS or other domestic priorities. She said that this would bring 'more return directly to British taxpayer' and place 'less of a burden on the public purse'. Miss Mordaunt told ministers she would seek to get the international rules on foreign aid rewritten Under the target brought in by then Prime Minister David Cameron, the UK is committed to spending 0.7 per cent of national income on international development every year, but many Conservative MPs resent the commitment. The rules on what can be counted towards the target are set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Any changes need the unanimous support of all 30 Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member countries. Miss Mordaunt is likely to face resistance from other nations to her proposal. In November she faced disappointment as the committee refused to change the rules to allow the money to be used to provide emergency humanitarian relief on countries hit by devastating hurricanes. Britain requested the change after it was prevented from using the aid budget to help Caribbean islands hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria the previous autumn but Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and the Turks and Caicos were all deemed too wealthy. Britain's foreign aid budget increased by 682million to a record 14.1billion in 2017. Of the increase, 232million came from Dfid and 450million from other departments such as the Foreign Office and the Department for Business. It means 67.7billion has been spent on foreign aid since the goal was first met in 2013 2,300 per household. Schemes funded included conservation projects to help protect the Chinese giant salamander and the Bengal bustard. Venezuela's self-styled leader has called on the Bank of England to block the sale of 1billion in gold to the troubled South American country. Juan Guaido, rival to current president Nicolas Maduro, has written to Prime Minister Theresa May and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, urging them to keep hold of the stocks. He fears the corrupt Maduro regime may try to loot the countrys offshore assets as his grip on power wavers. Mr Guaido said: I am writing to ask you to stop this illegitimate transaction. If the money is transferred ... it will be used by the illegitimate and kleptocratic regime of Nicolas Maduro to repress and brutalise the Venezuelan people. Juan Guaido has called on the Bank of England to block the sale of 1billion in gold to Venezuela, which he says would be used by President Nicolas Maduro to 'repress and brutalise the Venezuelan people' Juan Guaido (left) declared himself interim leader of Venezuela last Wednesday but Maduro (right) has refused to hold fresh elections or relinquish power Neither the Bank of England nor Downing Street would comment. Mr Maduro has been disowned by several Western nations and Latin American neighbours that accuse him of undermining democracy and a growing number of countries have recognised Mr Guaido as legitimate interim leader of the nation. A crackdown on mass protests in the country has seen more than 40 people killed, the United Nations said. Fears of military intervention in Venezuela were heightened yesterday after a slip-up by a top Donald Trump aide. Mr Guaido, the head of Venezuelas National Assembly, says he has spoken repeatedly with President Trump and called for great pressure on the repressive Maduro regime. US National security adviser John Bolton holds his notes during a press briefing at the White House, which read '5000 troops to Colombia' Mr Bolton has warned that any violence against Mr Guaido would be met by a significant response from the United States And the prospect of the US using force to oust Mr Maduro increased after White House national security adviser John Bolton was seen on TV holding a notepad containing the note 5,000 troops to Colombia, which neighbours Venezuela. The Trump administration made clear yesterday that it may use military action against Venezuela as it strengthened the hand of opposition leaders in the collapsing country. Mr Bolton and a White House spokesman said that all options were on the table. Mr Bolton has warned that any violence against Mr Guaido would be met by a significant response as the US gave him control of Venezuelan assets and property held in US bank accounts. A New Mexico man has been accused of raping three different children in a week after being released on bail twice by the same judge then going on the run. Raymond Hernandez, 29, was arrested for a third time on Monday morning after a state-wide manhunt. He was first taken into custody on January 15 after allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl and beating her friend. He was released on a $10,000 bond which had been agreed by Judge Ernest Ortega. Raymond Hernandez, 29, was arrested for a third time on Monday. He is accused of raping three girls over the course of a week Two days later, after being allowed out on the basis that he wear an ankle monitor, he was arrested again for allegedly molesting a 19-month-old girl who lived in the same home as the teen he is said to have raped, The Taos News reports. Judge Ernest Ortega granted the accused predator's release twice Shockingly, Ortega granted him bail of $20,000, which he paid, and he was released again. On January 24, after being released, he allegedly raped a five-year-old girl. He then fled the town of Penasco, where he is from, and was not arrested until January 28 in Colorado. He was taken into custody 88 miles from where he fled. Further details of his arrest were not immediately available on Tuesday afternoon. It is unclear when he will be extradited back to New Mexico to face the charges and if he will be granted bail again. No other information about him was immediately available. The Pentagon is planning to send thousands more troops back to the U.S. border with Mexico, acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday, as Democrats in Congress questioned the merits of a mission that had declined in size. The U.S. military says the new deployment will be largely on top of the roughly 2,350 active duty troops already involved in the border mission. Officials told Reuters the additional deployment could add 2,000 or more troops to the current total but declined to offer a final figure. Still, U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not expect troop levels to return to their peak of about 5,900 active duty troops last November. Razor wire installation: U.S. troops deployed to the border have been installing razor wire as part of their mission Build that wire: Some of the razor wire being put in by troops was in Brownsville, TX, which already has steel fencing along the border Shanahan said the upcoming increase in troops would help the Department of Homeland Security meet its goals of stringing up more concertina wire and expanding surveillance at the border. 'DHS has asked us to support them ... and we've responded with: 'Here's how many people it would take',' Shanahan told a news conference. The Pentagon says the U.S. military will operate mobile surveillance cameras in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas, a mission that is scheduled to run through Sept. 30. Some of the additional troops will also string up 150 more miles of concertina wire by March 31. The Pentagon first approved the high-profile deployment of active-duty U.S. troops to the Mexico border in October, ahead of U.S. midterm congressional elections. It was embraced by Trump's supporters, including Republicans in Congress. However, critics assailed the deployment as a political stunt to drive Republican voters to the polls and scoffed at Trump's comparisons of caravans of Central American migrants, including women and children, to an 'invasion.' Democratic Representative Adam Smith, the new chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, held a hearing on Tuesday with Pentagon officials to shed light on the costs, scope and goals of the deployment. He dismissed Trump's assertions of a crisis at the border. 'There really isn't much evidence of that crisis,' Smith said at the hearing, noting that the number of migrants apprehended in the United States after illegally crossing the border has fallen sharply in recent years. Smith is skeptical about sending U.S. troops to deal with a crisis he believes would be better handled by judges. He told Reuters his committee may consider future funding restrictions for such missions. 'It's undeniable that we have a significant increase in asylum seekers,' Smith told Reuters in an interview. Move: Trump's acting defense secretary Patrick Shanahan said he is ordering more troops to the border 'But that's not so much a job for the military as it is: we need more judges. We need to process them (the asylum seekers) more quickly,' he said. He also noted that previous presidents had sought to mainly deploy National Guard forces to the border, as opposed to active-duty troops. Vice Admiral Michael Gilday, director of operations at the U.S. military's Joint Staff, told the hearing active-duty troops were chosen over National Guard largely because they could deploy the fastest. He said the active-duty mission cost $132 million to date. A separate, less controversial border mission involving the National Guard that began in April 2018 was expected to cost about $550 million by the end of September 2019. Shanahan acknowledged Smith's concerns. 'I've had lots of conversations with Chairman Smith ... He wants to ensure that there's transparency and oversight in his role,' Shanahan said. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali Editing by Paul Tait and James Dalgleish) The devastated father of a 17-year-old boy stabbed to death on a north London street yesterday say his family have no idea why he was killed. Nedim Bilgin had gone out on his bike along Caledonian Road, Islington at around 6pm before he was savagely attacked and killed outside a Ladbrokes bookies. Neighbours described him as a 'polite, happy and well-spoken' boy and his local councillor said he was a victim of 'a cycle of violence that is traumatising our neighbourhood'. Nedim's father, Nusret, told the Evening Standard: 'He went out on his bike and never came home. 'We don't know whether they were stealing his bike or what. That's what someone said. We were told a car pulled up and they stabbed him. We have no idea why. He was just minding his own business. He was a good boy.' Detectives arrested two boys aged 16 and 17 on suspicion of murder near the scene - with another 18-year-old later arrested at a house nearby. Nedim Bilgin was stabbed to death in Islington. He is London's eighth murder victim this year Nedim's mother wept as she visited the scene, supported by relatives, this afternoon The 17-year-old Londoner's friends visited the scene in Caledonian Road, Islington, where he was murdered Nedim, who was out riding his bike, was set upon and stabbed with a giant 'Zombie' knife outside a betting shop he was passing, where flowers were laid for him today The victim's father Mr Bilgin added: 'Nedim's mum called me at 7pm. Someone with a big knife had killed him. 'His friends were bad. He didn't listen to me and he didn't listen to his mum. He was still a baby. My boy, he was a good boy. 'Some of his fiends were terrible, there was always some problem. [His mother] Reziye [and I] are not bad parents. 'She said to me she found out when my son's two friends came to my home and said there was a very big accident.' Victim Nedim was described as 'a good boy' by his heartbroken father today His mother, Reziye, visited the scene in Caledonian Road but was too overcome with grief to pay tribute. Nedim was stabbed in the chest on a road lined with shops less than half-a-mile away from his family home. An eyewitness said: 'I was leaving the shop and I saw a group of boys charging up towards the pub. 'They usually hang out there, some of them selling drugs, on their mopeds and bikes. 'There was a lot of shouting and everybody started running off. It all happened very quickly.' Police and paramedics were called just before 7pm yesterday, but the victim was pronounced dead outside of a Ladbrokes betting shop. A lifeguard who had been at a nearby bar gave him CPR at the scene after seeing him laying on the pavement bleeding. An eyewitness said the weapon was 'more than a knife' and caused terrible injuries. Others described it a 'Rambo knife'. Police at the scene today, where it is thought two knives were discarded after the attack Police have closed off the road and have arrested three teenagers over the attack A police forensics tents stands at the spot where the 17-year-old boy died yesterday evening Local resident Michelle Ley, 51, said: 'Nedim was a polite, happy boy. What happened was a complete shock. 'He was a friend of my son's and he would always say hello - he was very well mannered.' Caledonian Ward councillor Paul Convery said last night: 'In the morning I'll walk my nine-year-old to school. 'Like scores of other families who pass the very cold pavement spot where a teenager died tonight. 'Cally [Caledonian Road] continues to face a cycle of violence that is traumatising our neighbourhood, a family is in tears tonight - this has to stop.' The two suspects, who were held nearby, remain in custody. The victim is the eighth person to be murdered in London this month. Pictured: Emergency services in Islington Forensic specialists at work in Islington, north London, yesterday evening An eyewitness saw the third suspect arrested just outside her home in Islington. Evelyn Nnabuife-Wilson said: 'One of the young boys was arrested on my road. I stood outside with the police trying to understand what happened. 'They held him in handcuffs waiting for sniffer dogs to locate where the knife had been ditched. 'He stood there and looked like he just received a parking ticket. No remorse and not a care in the world.' Islington police had placed a section 60 stop and search order until 3am this morning. This gives them emergency powers to stop and search at will. Police say the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Pictured: Police at the scene A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed that detectives arrested three teenagers on suspicion of murder. He said: 'Police were called at 6.49pm on Tuesday, January 29 to a report of an assault in Caledonian Road, by the junction with Tilloch Street, N1. 'Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and found a 17-year-old male suffering stab injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 'Although we await formal identification officers are confident they know the identity of the deceased. 'Next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be arranged in due course. 'Detectives from the Central North Command Unit are investigating alongside colleagues from the Homicide and Major Crime Command. 'Two males aged 17 and 16, were arrested near to the scene on suspicion of murder. They were taken into custody at separate north London police stations. 'Following initial enquiries a third male, aged 18, was arrested on suspicion of murder at a residential address in Islington. He also remains in custody at this time. A crime scene remains in place. Enquiries continue.' Russia could amend its anti-corruption laws to decriminalize certain acts if they are deemed to be unavoidable. The Ministry of Justice opened a public consultation period on Friday for its proposal, which would make officials exempt from punishment if 'objective circumstances' made corrupt activity unavoidable. There would be no liability if the official's failure to comply with restrictions, prohibitions or requirements to combat corruption was the result of 'force majeure', the proposal states. The new proposal to decriminalize some forms of corruption in certain circumstances was created to execute the 'National Anti-Corruption Plan for 20182020', a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin (pictured) in June last year The proposal, which is published online, does not provide any detail on what these unavoidable circumstances might look like. It is part of a plan to execute the 'National Anti-Corruption Plan for 20182020', a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin in June last year. The amended law could see punishments waived for a string of corruption offences including bribery and fraud. It comes as Transparency International released its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018, which put Russia at 138th in the world with a score of 28 out of 100 (with 100 being the cleanest score). The index cited Russian cronyism and lack of adequate civil rights' protections, NPR reported, commenting that there is a 'lack of trust among experts and business people in the ability of the government to yield sustainable anti-corruption action.' Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018 puts Russia at 138th in the world with a score of 28 out of 100 More than 790 employees of the Russian Ministry of the Interior were charged with bribery in 2018 - an increase on the year before. In October, top anti-corruption Russian police officer Yevhenia Shishkina was shot down and killed after leaving her home in Moscow. Colonel Shishkina had previously been threatened by criminal gangs and reported that her car had been torched in an arson attack earlier this year. She was approached by a gunman as she left her apartment in Arkhangelskoye, on the outskirts of Moscow, and shot in the neck. The 15-day public comment period on the Ministry of Justice proposal runs until February 8. Weeks before the 2017 General Election, Jeremy Corbyn high-tailed it to Cambridgeshire to meet the local candidates. Or, to be precise, one of the local candidates. 'I urge all of you do everything you possibly can to get this wonderful woman elected as the MP,' Mr Corbyn as a young black woman joined him on stage to pose for photographs. A ringing endorsement from the Labour leader, particularly given that few people in the room, let alone further afield, would have known the first thing about Fiona Onasanya. Corbyn told voters to do 'everything you possibly can to get this wonderful woman elected as the MP' prior to the 2017 general election Eighteen months on, how things have changed. For one, everyone knows who she is she's the Labour MP who got flashed by a speed camera while driving her car and then chose to lie about who was at the wheel. Not once, but over and over again. Found guilty of perverting the course of justice before Christmas, she then refused to stand down as an MP, vowing to fight on for the sake of her constituents and comparing herself to Jesus Christ. This month, the convicted criminal even returned to the Commons to cast her vote against Theresa May's Brexit deal. No surprise, then, that Mr Corbyn has spent the past few weeks desperately trying to distance himself from 'this wonderful woman'. But the fact remains that she rose to the top under his patronage first as an MP, then further promoted to the front bench as a whip, responsible for party discipline and order. All of which raises serious questions over the ability of the Labour leadership to run their party, let alone the country. Onasanya was imposed as the Labour candidate for Peterborough by the party's ruling national executive committee (NEC). Sources have told the Mail that she was not even interviewed in person, but was chosen on the basis of her CV. Fiona Onasanya arrives at the Old Bailey, London for sentencing after lying to avoid speeding points on January 29, 2019 And of the three people on the panel that chose her, key to her selection was the backing of Peter Willsman. A long-term friend and hard-Left ally of Mr Corbyn, last year he was caught up in a bitter row after being caught on tape describing some members of the Jewish community as 'Trump fanatics' who were 'making up' problems about anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. 'Willsman knew her politics and pushed the others to select her,' said a source. 'He said it is what the Leader of the Opposition's office wanted.' In other words, she could be relied upon to be loyal to Mr Corbyn, a man she praised gushingly as a 'visionary'. 'It looks like they chose in haste and picked someone whose credentials seemed reasonable on paper,' one party member said. From the start, Onasanya was desperately out of her depth. After her shock victory in 2017 she beat Tory incumbent Stewart Jackson by just 607 votes constituents were quick to criticise her performance. For starters, they couldn't get hold of her. 'I've contacted her twice since June and she doesn't have the manners to answer,' read a message left on her Facebook page. 'Not even a thank you for your letter. Dreadful... all a big show beforehand and nothing after.' Another wrote: 'I've been trying to contact her for four weeks either by phone or email and nothing back. It's a disgrace for our MP to ignore people that voted for her.' One staff member recalled seeing 5,000 unanswered emails in her inbox. There was further controversy when Onasanya promised to personally tackle the problem of fly-tipping in her constituency. Festus Onasanya, the 33-year-old brother of Labour MP Fiona Onasanya. He pleaded guilty to the charge relating to his sister's car and two other similar offences In August 2017, she announced she would pay 800 for a bulky waste collection to be carried out each month out of her own pocket. Eight months later, the Tory county councillor in charge of refuse collections publicly challenged her as to why so few of the collections had taken place. Soon after, the project was quietly shelved. Onasanya also racked up eye-watering expenses, spending 9,000 of taxpayers' money staying in hotels in London in her first seven months in the job. It wasn't until January 2018 that she rented an apartment in the city at a fraction of the cost. Her excuse for her disorganisation was that she was overwhelmed by the job of an MP, admitting she 'didn't have any idea what it would be like'. Perhaps this was to be expected. After all, her entry to politics was accidental. In 2011, she was with a friend in a pub talking about the London riots when the secretary for the Cambridge Labour Party overheard her and asked her to join them. In 2013, she was elected as a Labour county councillor, going on to become deputy leader of the Labour group on the council (less of an achievement than it sounds, given she was one of only a handful of Labour members). When the snap election was called in 2017, her name was among a number submitted to the NEC for consideration.Clearly, they liked what they saw. As a Labour insider observed: 'Being a fresh outsider helped her she hadn't alienated anyone with her views.' They must have assumed that Onasanya a church-going solicitor would be a morally-upstanding individual. 'I am motivated in all that I do by my abiding faith in God,' she said in her maiden speech to Parliament. Her faith has its roots in her childhood when she was badly injured in a collision with a speeding car. Rather than taking her to hospital, her mother took her home and prayed until she got better. Onasanya's mother Paulina was born in London but met her father, Frank, in Nigeria before the couple settled in the UK. The MP went to state school, leaving with 11 GCSEs and four A levels, 'mostly Bs', after which she went to the University of Hertfordshire to study law, qualifying as a solicitor in 2015. She chose commercial property law because it was the least 'contentious', saying other areas of law, such as criminal law, didn't always have a 'happy ending'. How true. Within weeks of her election to Parliament, the seeds of her downfall were sown. On July 24, 2017, at 10.03pm, a speed camera on the B1167 at Thorney, Cambridgeshire, flashed into action, capturing the MP's speeding car doing 41mph in a 30mph zone. A week later, a notice of intended prosecution form was sent to Onasanya. Had she replied honestly, telling police she was the driver, she would likely have received three points on her licence and a small fine. But, throughout the police investigation, Onasanya offered no credible explanation as to who was driving the car other than to claim it wasn't her. During dozens of questions at Bedfordshire Police headquarters, she remained completely silent. In his sentencing comments, the judge said: 'By the time you met a police investigator, you knew you were providing information you knew to be untrue. You deliberately committed the offence of which you are convicted.' Onasanya and her brother were charged with perverting the course of justice. They had been due to stand trial together. But a week before the hearing, Festus pleaded guilty to the charge relating to his sister's car and two other similar offences. It meant Onasanya appeared in the dock on her own, allowing her to heap all the blame on her sibling. 'You are grateful to Festus,' said David Jeremy QC, prosecuting. 'The truth comes a very distant second to your personal ambition, doesn't it?' Onasanya denied that, claiming Festus had 'set her up', that she was completely unaware of her brother's criminal behaviour and was shocked when she learned what he had done. Of course, if Onasanya had any decency, her conviction would have marked the end of her political career, and an end to any further burden on the public purse. Instead, she made it clear that she believes she is the victim of a miscarriage of justice and has refused to stand down as an MP. In an extraordinary WhatsApp diatribe sent to fellow MPs, she even compared herself to Jesus, claiming: 'Christ was accused and convicted by the courts of his day and yet this was not his end but rather the beginning of the next chapter in his story.' That was followed by a column in her local paper in which she vowed to continue as an MP. Labour has expelled her from the party, which means Onasanya has been sitting as an independent MP. As such, she is entitled to continue drawing her 77,000-a-year salary. As for her staff, a source told the Mail that those who work for her continue to be employed. In her first eight months as an MP they received almost 70,000 in wages. This month, a video surfaced in the Daily Mirror of Onasanya pretending to snort 'cocaine'. The footage shows her facing the camera and saying: 'I've just come out of a meeting and I feel inspired.' She then uses a card the size of a credit card to perform a chopping motion. The MP can then be seen bending towards the table as she mimes snorting the imaginary substance. She gave no comment on the video when approached by reporters. Given her three-month custodial sentence, Onasanya has plenty of time to consider her next move. She is the first female MP to ever be jailed. She once said she aimed to become the first black, female Prime Minister. If she achieves that, it would be a comeback to use the sort of biblical analogy of which she is so fond that even Lazarus would be proud of. A respected former high school teacher raped one of his victims as many as 100 times, a court has heard. Timothy Richardson, 82, was a trusted and well-liked teacher at Dandenong High School, southeast of Melbourne, in the 1960s and 1970s. But he was secretly assaulting several former students and last month, he was found guilty of buggery, buggery with person under 14, attempted buggery and indecent assault. A Dandenong High Scool teacher has been found guilty of molesting his students in the 1960s and 1970s. Pictured is the school during the latter stages of construction Richardson fronted a plea hearing on Tuesday, where the court heard how the former teacher would convince his students' parents over a cup of tea that it was safe to stay alone with him at his remote farm. Richardson would force his victims, which included two brothers, to share a single bed with him where he would rape and indecently assault them, the Greater Dandenong Leader reported. One of his victims told the court that he was met with 'disdain' and told not to throw around accusations when he tried to tell another teacher what had happened to him. The student, now aged 67, said Richardson had given him 'a life sentence of shame and depression' after molesting him when he was only 12 years old. 'This predator did not take my age into account when he raped me 80 to 100 times over a two-year period. 'He just wanted to satisfy his own sexual urges.' Another victim said he blamed himself for not doing anything to protect his brother from the sickening and 'excruciating' attacks. One of the former teacher's victims told a court he had been handed a 'life sentence' of shame (stock image) Judge Paul Higham dismissed the plea that Richardson's 'good character' and lack of prior criminal history should be taken into account when sentencing. He said that same 'good character' is what landed Richardson a job as a teacher, saying his victims were sought out. 'The message has to be sent out, that even decades later, offending against children has to be punished.' Richardson pleaded not guilty to the charges in October but was found guilty two months later. He will be sentenced next week. A desperate search for a missing little boy has ended in tragedy after he was found dead in a wastewater pond. Police in Gore on New Zealand's South Island received reports about a missing three-year-old boy at around 9.30pm on Tuesday. A search had already been started by family, friends and neighbours. The boy was found in a pond almost two hours he was reported missing to police (stock image) Police and LandSAR began a land search in the area and the boy was unresponsive when they located him almost two hours later in a wastewater pond owned by Gore District Council. The little boy was unable to be resuscitated, despite the best efforts of emergency workers. Police thanked volunteers and neighbours who assisted in the search. The New Zealand town of Gore was rocked by the tragic drowning on Tuesday night 'Our condolences are with the family who have asked for privacy at this time,' a police statement read. 'Police continue to make inquiries into the death on behalf of the Coroner and are not in a position to make any further comment on the circumstances of the death.' Gore District Council notified Worksafe about the death and started an urgent review of the security and fencing at the pond, Stuff reported. 'This is an absolute tragedy and will be felt by many in our small, close-knit community,' Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks told the publication. The tragedy occurred in the town of Gore (pictured) on New Zealand's South Island The tragedy comes just weeks after a toddler drowned outside at an Ashburton farm on the South Island's east coast. Grace Marie Griffin, 14 months, was found unresponsive in a body of water on January 6, and later died in Christchurch Hospital. 'Grace was an amazing beautiful girl loved and cherished deeply by her family,' said a Give A Little fundraising page set up to help relieve the financial burden on her heartbroken parents Katy and Dima. A new mother who endured a traumatic labour lasting 17 hours was horrified when she later received a parking fine for $170 because she couldn't move her car. Rachael Betteridge-Lucky and her mother rushed to Ipswich Hospital in Brisbane's south-east in August 2018 to deliver baby Clara. After driving around the hospital's multi-storey, paid-parking facility they had to settle for a three-hour parking spot on nearby Walker St, The Courier Mail reported. Rachael Betteridge-Lucky (pictured) and her mother rushed to Ipswich Hospital in Brisbane's south-east to deliver baby Clara in August Ms Betteridge-Lucky rushed inside the hospital at 3.30am and endured a traumatic labour that ended at 8.30pm that night. More than a month after giving birth, the young woman was furious when she received a $170 fine for parking in the spot for longer than three hours. 'This was only three-hour parking and it doesn't take three hours to have a baby,' Ms Betteridge-Lucky said. Her mother intended to move the car, but was afraid to leave her daughter's side as the labour was difficult. 'Because my birth didn't go very smoothly Mum stayed with me I just wasn't so healthy,' she said. In an attempt to get the fine waived, the young mother called council and explained the situation. A woman talked Ms Betteridge-Lucky through the process but the council never responded to her request. After driving around the hospital's multi-storey, paid-parking facility Betteridge-Lucky (pictured) and her mother had to settle for a three-hour parking spot on nearby Walker St She heard nothing back from the council until she was issued a final notice of demand in January. The young mother is urging Ipswich City Council and the hospital to make parking easier for patients as she said it's not something people should need to worry about. 'They're visiting someone who is about to lose their life or someone who is bringing new life, it's a big stress on people,' Ms Betteridge-Lucky said. A spokesperson from Ipswich City Council told Daily Mail Australia they had no record of paperwork which contests the fine. 'Our compliance team is in the process of contacting Rachael to help her lodge her case, at which point they will be in a position to assess whether the fine can or should be waived. 'Council interim administrator Greg Chemello said cases of special circumstances arose from time to time and needed to be measured with an element of common sense.' An Indian national has been charged with possessing child pornography after Australian Border Force officers allegedly found videos containing explicit content on his mobile phones. The 32-year-old was caught with the alleged exploitative materials on two devices when he arrived at Perth Airport, in Western Australia, on Saturday. The man, who has not been named, had arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur when Border Force officials stopped him for a baggage check. An Indian national (pictured right) has been charged with possessing child pornography During the luggage examination, it's alleged officials found a total of five videos, two of which are believed to be child abuse and the others are thought to contain further illegal content. The officers seized the man's phone and cancelled his visitor visa. In addition to the child pornography charge, he also faces one count of importing objectionable goods. Border Force officers had stopped the man, who has not been named, for a baggage check when they discovered the footage (stock image) ABF Regional Commander for Western Australia Rod O'Donnell has expressed his concern over the number of individuals found in possession of illegal materials, Perth Now reported. 'Visitors need to be aware that possession of objectionable material is viewed very seriously under Australian law. 'The maximum penalty for the importation of child exploitation material is 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $525,000,' Mr O'Donnell said. The man had arrived in Perth Airport on Saturday on a flight from Kuala Lumpur (stock image) 'Tackling child exploitation is an operational priority for the ABF and our officers are highly skilled at identifying people at our airports who are attempting to carry this abhorrent material across the border,' he added. The man appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Sunday. He was remanded in custody, and is due to reappear on Tuesday. The incident comes after a total of 223 passengers at Australian airports had child exploitation material seized in 2018, as authorities work to crack down on paedophiles. A man suspected of carrying out a deadly weekend shooting spree has confessed to gunning down five people, including both his parents and his girlfriend. Dakota Theriot told Louisiana authorities he used a gun he stole from his father as the murder weapon, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard told reporters on Tuesday. Ard said that while the 21-year-old was cooperating and had provided authorities with information about the killings, it not determined exactly why he acted. 'We don't really know what the motive is. We just know what he did,' Ard said. Confession: Officials in Louisiana on Tuesday said Dakota Theriot, 21, has confessed to killing five people, including his parents, girlfriend and her father and brother Authorities say Theriot shot his parents Keith and Elizabeth Theriot, both 50, (pictured) after killing the other three victims Saturday Theriot allegedly shot Summer Ernest, 20, (above) once in the head Authorities said Theriot had been living with Summer's family for a few weeks. Her brother Tanner, 17 (pictured with sister left), and father Billy (right), 43, are pictured here Autopsies performed on three of the victims - Theriot's girlfriend Summer Ernest, 20; her 17-year-old brother, Tanner; and their father, Billy Ernest, 43 - revealed that each of them was shot once in the head. Autopsies for Theriot's parents, Keith and Elizabeth Theriot, both 50, are still pending. Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said of Theriot during Tuesday's joint conference with Sheriff Ard: 'this is a monster.' Theriot is due in court on Friday in Virginia for an extradition hearing and will eventually be sent back to Ascension Parish, Louisiana, to face two counts of first-degree murder, home invasion, and illegal use of weapons. He will then be transferred to Livingston Parish to be charged with three counts of first-degree murder and theft of a motor vehicle. Authorities have said Theriot shot dead the Ernests in Livingston Parish on Saturday, then drove Billy's pickup truck 30 miles to Ascension Parish, where he shot his parents inside their trailer home they shared with another family. He then drove 16 hours and more than 1,000 miles to his grandmother's house in Warsaw, Virginia, where he was arrested at gunpoint at 7am Sunday. Kim Mincks and Jacob Chastant lived in the trailer and were friends with the Theriots, and say Dakota had struggled with drugs over the years, had violent outbursts, and had recently been kicked out of the trailer. Kim Mincks and Jacob Scott Chastant look into the room inside their home in Gonzalez, Louisiana where two of their housemates, Keith Theriot and his wife Elizabeth Theriot, were murdered while she slept Theriot was arrested at his grandmother's house in Warsaw, Virginia just after 7am on Sunday morning after a 16-hour manhunt Kim Mincks walks down a blood stained hallway inside her home in Gonzalez. Keith and Elizabeth Theriot were her housemates Rosalina Chastant, 5, walks across a blood stained floor, next to her father Jacob Scott Chastant, who was also a housemate of Keith and Elizabeth Theriot Theriot was arrested at his grandmother's house at gunpoint on Sunday morning 'We know he had a drug problem. He got kicked out last Monday because of the drug problem. His dad kicked him out of here. He did have a violent streak,' Mincks said. Mincks said she was in the house at the opposite end of the trailer when the shooting happened but added she didn't hear anything. Law enforcement officers came into her room Saturday morning and woke her. 'They said something terrible happened here. "Get up, get dressed and walk outside",' she recalled them saying. Mincks said she'd known Keith and Elizabeth Theriot for about two years and described them as wonderful people. Keith was a disabled veteran who played a wicked guitar, and Elizabeth worked at a nearby Dollar General Store, they said. The couple had four children, all boys, they said. Kim Mincks cried after learning two of her housemates, Keith Theriot and his wife Elizabeth Theriot, were killed in another room yesterday while she slept Tina Chastant holds her daughter Rosalina Chastant, 5, after they arrived to comfort Kim Minck The Theriot's were two of five people murdered yesterday, and their son Dakota Theriot has been apprehended in Virginia this morning at his grandmother's home, as a suspect in all five murders, which spanned two Louisiana Parishes. His roommate Kim Mincks is pictured here Tina Chastant hugs her daughter Rosalina Chastant after arriving at the scene of the murders 'Give you the shirt off their back. They loved everybody. Never met a stranger. Loved each other. Just a happy couple,' she said. But the relationship between Dakota and his parents, especially his father, was troubled. She and Chastant described an incident in which Chastant had to pull Dakota off his parents during a physical altercation. Minks said Dakota and his mother seemed much closer. They'd laugh and joke and tell each other 'I love you'. But even that relationship had problems. Mincks and Chastant said at one point Dakota pulled a gun on his mother who called Chastant for help. 'I think just the drugs took over,' Mincks said. Theriot's grandmother in Warsaw, Virginia, had checked into a hotel Saturday night, fearing he might show up there after the killings. Photos show the bloodied bedroom where 21-year-old Dakota Theriot allegedly murdered his parents after killing his girlfriend, as well as her father and brother, in Louisiana on Saturday The pictures show a blood-stained mattress and bullet holes in the bedroom where Elizabeth and Keith Therior, both 50, were killed at their home in Gonzales The woman asked authorities to check her house Sunday morning to ensure it was safe before she returned. While deputies were there, Smith said, Theriot drove up with a firearm pointed out the window of a pickup. A sheriff's statement said deputies sought cover and challenged Theriot, who then dropped the gun and was arrested without incident. Smith said the pickup Theriot drove apparently was the one taken in Louisiana. In Louisiana, at a trailer where the suspect's parents lived, drops of blood trailed out to the front steps from the bedroom where Keith and Elizabeth Theriot were shot. In the bedroom, blood-soaked pillows were strewn on a bed, and patches of what appeared to be dried blood were on the floor. Dozens of stuffed animals decorated the room. Billy Ernest (left) and his son, Tanner, were killed inside their home in Ascension Parish Authorities said earlier that Keith Theriot survived the shooting long enough to call 911 and then telling responding deputies who shot him. According to Webre, officials got a 'dying declaration from him, and only enough information to let us know that it was his son that committed this act.' Theriot and Summer Ernest had only recently started dating, according to investigators Mincks and Chastant only returned to the trailer Sunday morning, worried Dakota Theriot might come back. Chastant and Mincks said Dakota Theriot had just met Summer Ernest about three weeks ago at Chastant's sister's funeral. Summer Ernest was there as a friend to Jacob Chastant's 20-year-old daughter, Sierra. Sierra said she warned her friend to stay away from Dakota, calling him 'trouble.' But she never expected anything like what unfolded Saturday. Summer Ernest had an outgoing personality and was planning to return soon to college, Sierra said. 'She was bubbly, always friendly ... She's just a great person,' she said. 'If you asked me what his motive was.... I don't know what it would be,' she said. 'It's just unbelievable.' The mobile home where Theriot allegedly killed his parents is pictured above. Authorities said Theriot's parents had recently kicked him out Investigators are pictured at the scene of Keith and Elizabeth Theriot's murders on Saturday A seven-year-old and one-year-old child were also at the scene. The seven-year-old took the baby to the house of neighbor Charlene Bordelon and asked for help. Bordelon called 911 after the seven-year-old told her that their father, brother, and sister were dead. 'It's so heartbreaking,' Bordelon told The Advocate. 'She was terrified.' Bordelon said she heard a truck speed away from the home just moments before the seven-year-old girl knocked on the door. Theriot had stolen Billy Ernest's truck and drove to his parents' home 30 miles away in Gonzales, shooting them both in their bedroom before fleeing the scene, authorities said. Elizabeth Theriot, who was shot dead this weekend, is pictured working behind a bar Elizabeth Theriot is pictured last August celebrating her birthday At one point she showed Elizabeth Theriot's community college identification card (pictured) Police released a picture of Ernest's stolen 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck, as well as pictures of Theriot's tattoos, and said he was 'armed and dangerous'. Now two families are trying to make sense of the horrific tragedy. Crystal DeYoung, Billy Ernest's sister, said her family had only just met Theriot last week at a birthday party. 'They didn't get good vibes from him,' DeYoung told the Associated Press. 'My mom is a good judge of character and she just thought he was not good.' DeYoung said her brother, niece, and nephew all had 'very good hearts'. 'They trusted people too much,' she added. 'They all loved unconditionally.' Michael Logan, who lives next door to the mobile home where the Theriots were killed, said he had overheard several arguments at night in the home recently. 'There's been a lot of yelling matches,' he said, also revealing that police had checked his barn on Saturday morning to see if Theriot was hiding there. 'Any time you hear of a shooting this close to home, it's never good,' he added. 'It never gives you a good feeling.' Authorities said Theriot had driven through the night to Virginia in the 2004 Dodge pickup truck he allegedly stole from Billy Ernest . Authorities released a photo of the truck (pictured) while Theriot was still at large Both authorities and Billy Ernest's wife, who had been at work at the time of the shooting, said there were no red flags regarding Theriot before Saturday's massacre. Theriot had been arrested in April 2017 for marijuana possession and fleeing authorities during a traffic stop. And past posts uncovered from his Facebook page revealed turbulence in Theriot's life. 'If you have a problem with me, tell me. Not everyone else,' he wrote in May. 'I don't care what people say about me I know who I am and I don't have to prove anything to anyone,' another post read. In June, Theriot posted that he wished he could 'clear my mind just for one day', adding a sad face emoji. The mother of Summer and Tanner Ernest has launched a GoFundMe page to help her with her children's funeral expenses. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $15,000 has been raised. The Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher, of the Church's environmental working group, insisted he would ask churchgoers to do their bit The Church of England has given its blessing to the Mails Great British Spring Clean and will ask parishioners to join the campaign. It is hoped a staggering 500,000 volunteers will clear the country of litter between March 22 and April 23 in the campaign, which is run in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy. The drive is one of the biggest environmental initiatives the country has ever seen. The depressing sight of litter is an increasing threat to the natural world and makes the country look like a rubbish tip. But our army of caring readers is determined to fight the blight on our streets, in the countryside and on beaches and seas to make Britain beautiful again. So far more than 19,250 people have signed up to join the battle after the campaign was launched by the Daily Mail on Saturday. Volunteers can pledge to pick up litter individually or take part in a group. Pictured: pupils from Alsager Highfields Foundation Primary School in Cheshire on a litter-picking walk Praise for the initiative has already come from Theresa May, Prince William, TV wildlife expert Sir David Attenborough and even the United Nations. Now the Church of England which has 16,000 congregations said it would encourage as many people as possible to sign up. The Bishop of Dudley, Graham Usher, of the Churchs environmental working group, insisted he would ask churchgoers to do their bit. He stressed: Im delighted to support the Great British Spring Clean and to commend it to church communities across the country. To sign up to the campaign, visit gbspringclean.org Advertisement As a society, we are having more conversations than ever about the damage plastic waste causes and this is one of the ways communities can take an active stand in reversing one aspect of humanitys negative impact on Gods creation. Churches have an enormous convening power and I encourage as many as possible to sign up to the initiative and encourage teams of litter heroes as well as continuing to think creatively about vastly reducing our consumption of single-use plastics. Last year, 370,000 people took part in the Great British Spring Clean. Evans! DJ Chris is backing us, too Chris Evans said the campaign was great Chris Evans yesterday threw his weight behind the Great British Spring Clean, telling listeners to join our fight. The radio presenter said the campaign was great and there was no reason everyone should not get involved. He even suggested it could operate like the national Parkrun scheme, where people run together in a local park every weekend but instead volunteers would collect litter. The former BBC star, who now fronts the breakfast show on Virgin Radio, told his listeners: The Mail launched this national litter pick on Saturday, which is a great idea. I think it should be every month. Why would you not? Why would you not pick? Advertisement The Daily Mail has campaigned against the use of plastic for years long before it was fashionable. We helped to pile on pressure which led to the introduction of charges on single-use plastic bags and the ban on toxic plastic microbeads from cosmetics. The Church of England last year highlighted the issue. It encouraged worshippers to give up single-use plastics during Lent. It also suggested using a fountain pen instead of a plastic ballpoint and buying music electronically instead of compact discs. The Roman Catholic Church has also focused on the danger. Last September, Pope Francis warned: We cannot allow our seas and oceans to be littered by endless fields of floating plastic. Tory MP Victoria Prentis yesterday urged her constituents in Banbury and North Oxfordshire to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean. She said: I often return from a walk through the countryside with pockets full of litter to dispose of at home. She added: I am looking forward to getting out to do my bit. Yesterday the Local Government Association, which represents 415 councils in England, 21 Welsh authorities, and seven national parks, endorsed the Great British Spring Clean. Martin Tett, of the LGA, said: [Councils] are taking a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping and this means using every power at their disposal to tackle those who think their laziness is more important than the environment in which they live. He added: Cleaning parks and streets and closing highways to collect litter is costing taxpayers nearly 1billion each year. Harvey Weinstein suffered a major setback this week in his bid to push back his civil trials until after the completion of his criminal trail. Judge Paul Engelmayer not only upheld the sex-trafficking charges which Weinstein and his lawyer had sought to dismiss, but also declared that the disgraced mogul could not push back the trial just because he was set to stand trial in a separate case. That case involves Alexandra Canosa, a producer on the Netflix series Marco Polo who alleges she was forced to have sex with Weinstein for years at locations around the globe. This setback has not caused Weinstein and his team to change their ways however, and on Monday a motion was submitted to dismiss the class action lawful filed against him by multiple women. That suit was refiled at the request of the judge, during which time Weinstein's team claims the women 'took the opportunity to replead to grab more headlines.' Scroll down for video Strong words: Harvey Weinstein said that the women who have filed a class action lawsuit against him are 'desperate to grab headlines' in a motion to dismiss charges Accusers: The six women who filed the class action lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein last December had previously been trying to prohibit the release of personal email exchanges (Louisette Geiss left and Melissa Sagemiller right) Furthermore, Weinstein's lawyers argue that the 'headline grabbing allegations' are not timely. This is the same language and arguments the team tried in their first response to the suit almost a year ago, in which they stated that 'Plaintiffs own pleading on its face shows that the claims are all based on conduct that occurred a decade or more ago, and therefore the limitation periods for all of Plaintiffs claims expired years ago.' That was followed by another familiar line, as the filing argues that 'Plaintiffs conclusory allegations of a secret criminal sexual enterprise may make for good newspaper copy, they fail to satisfy the pleading requirements.' Lawyers for the women had previously requested an order of protection that would block any communication being released on the heels of Weinstein's lawyer Ben Brafman including emails with two of the women accusing him of rape in court filings. Those filings were then obtained by members of the media, including DailyMail.com, and published in stories. The request for a protective order that has been filed states that Brafman 'told Plaintiffs' counsel he intended to unleash these emails in the media to sway the court of public opinion.' It continues: 'Despite these threats, Weinstein has not produced any of the documents with Plaintiffsand discovery is not open in this case.' The filing goes on to state: 'These are hardly the actions of a Defendant concerned about his Fifth Amendment rights.' The women filed their suit in December of last year. In it, they stated that Weinstein had a network of people who allowed his alleged sexual harassment and assault go unchecked for decades. Class action: That filing came after Weinstein's legal team released emails from accusers in his criminal case which they hope will lead to charges being dismissed (Sarah Ann Masse above) Allegation: Winstein's lawyer Ben Brafman 'told Plaintiffs' counsel he intended to unleash these emails in the media to sway the court of public opinion' (Zoe Brock left and Kathrine Kendall right) That network included staff, board members, hired corporate spies and other investigators, attorneys, casting directors and agencies, National Enquirer writers and others who allegedly facilitated the abuse through what it calls the 'Weinstein Sexual Enterprise.' Their work to 'facilitate and conceal his pattern of unwanted sexual conduct' violates the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the filing alleges. 'Each participant in the Weinstein Sexual Enterprise had a systematic linkage to each other participant through corporate ties, contractual relationships, financial ties, and the continuing coordination of their activities,' state court papers. Hagens Berman said the six women named in the complaint - Louisette Geiss, Katherine Kendall, Zoe Brock, Sarah Ann Masse (Thomas), Melissa Sagemiller and Nannette Klatt - were 'lured' by Weinstein or his staff for meetings or auditions, or to discuss their role in a project. 'Harvey Weinstein is a predator. Bob knew it. The board knew it. The lawyers knew it. The private investigators knew it. Hollywood knew it. We knew it. Now the world knows it,' the women said in a statement last December. 'Let's finally do something about it.' Lawyers said the women were 'assaulted, imprisoned in hotel rooms, airplanes and his home, and faced career-ending threats if they refused his unwanted advances and requests.' Weinstein has denied all claims of illegal sexual activities. A Minnesota man has been arrested after his wife was found dead in their home following a meth-fueled 'death party' that he threw for her when he checked her out of a nursing home. Duane Arden Johnson, 58, was arrested Friday for criminal neglect after he called 911 to report that his 69-year-old wife Debra Lynn Johnson had died. Police found Debra's body inside the couple's home in the small town of Searles, south west of Minneapolis, last Thursday. Johnson told police that he had medicated his wife with meth and they had a 'death party' because she didn't want to die in the nursing home where she'd been living, the Free Press reports. Duane Arden Johnson, 58, was arrested Friday for criminal neglect after he called 911 to report that his 69-year-old wife Debra Lynn Johnson had died in Minnesota He said they took the drugs, were 'rocking out' to metal band Quiet Riot and had sex in the hours before Debra died. Johnson said his wife, who had stopped taking various medications, started having convulsions but she allegedly wouldn't let him call police. He said he had to hold her body down on their bed until she stopped convulsing and later died. Johnson said he then washed his wife's body and wrapped her in a sheet 'like the Bible told me to do.' Debra had been prescribed anti-psychotic medication and had a history of heart attacks, diabetes and high blood pressure. When police arrived at the couple's home, they found the words 'Death Parde God Hell' scrawled on the door, as well as several stolen guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside. A naked Johnson allegedly ran out of the home and told police his wife was dead before running back inside to take a bath. He told the officers that he was washing white and black 'things' from his skin. Johnson told police his wife died at about 8.30am but he waited several hours to call 911 because he wanted to make sure she was dead. He had checked her out of the nursing home in the days leading up to it. Johnson was arrested on suspicion of criminal neglect. He has been charged with felony counts of theft and receiving stolen property in relation to the guns. An autopsy is being carried out to determine Debra's cause of death. Author and ex-White House staffer Cliff Sims slapped back at the president on Tuesday after Donald Trump claimed that he was a 'gofer' and not an insider by tweeting close-access photos of himself and the leader of the free world. He attached photos of himself and Trump in the Oval Office and even the rarely-seen private dining room to a tweet promoting his book 'Team of Vipers,' which he linked to and told his followers to 'Enjoy!' He said the book was 'written by the most famous "gofer" in the world' as he took a jab at Trump. One of the photos showed him standing in an Oval Office meeting behind White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders and former National Economic Council head Gary Cohn. Author and ex-White House staffer Cliff Sims slapped back at the president on Tuesday after Donald Trump claimed that he was a 'gofer' and not an insider by tweeting close-access photos of himself and the leader of the free world Room where it happened: Sims showed himself in the Oval Office with some of what were then the president's most powerful advisers - celebrating the birthday of Hope Hicks, Trump's then director of communications . From left - John Kelly, then chief of staff; Sims; unnamed man; Gary Cohen, then top economic adviser; Sarah Sanders, press secretary; Hicks Rarely-seen: Sims showed himself sitting at the president's left hand in the private dining room which neighbors the Oval Office, The picture from April 2017 was during a visit at the White House by NASA astronauts, including Kate Rubins, who can be seen from behind in the photo President Donald J. Trump talks with senior staff prior to addressing over 100 mayors from across the country at a working session in this January 24, 2018 photo that shows Cliff Sims speaking to him In this photo just after a presidential debate, Sims stands near the president and the president's family, including Melania Trump and Eric Trump Former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is in the photo, too, as is former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks and Treasury spokesman Tony Sayegh. Hicks famously left the White House last year in March, as did Cohn, meaning the photo was taken almost a year ago. One of Sim's photos shows him sitting at the president's left hand and dates back to an April 2017 visit at the White House by NASA astronauts, including Kate Rubins, who can be seen from behind in the photo he tweeted. Other photos that he included in the book provide evidence of the fact that he was known to the president as he stands near him at campaign events. Sims departed in May of 2018 when he was warmly ushered out by Sanders in a statement as a 'valuable' member of the team. The president suggested Tuesday, as Sims made the rounds on TV, that the former aide was actually a nobody. Trump's re-election campaign organization meanwhile said that it was preparing to sue Sims for sharing secrets in the tell-all book that reportedly left the president swinging between outraged and injured. 'The Trump campaign is preparing to file suit against Cliff Sims for violating our NDA,' campaign Chief Operating Officer Michael Glassner said Tuesday in a tweet, hours after the book 'Team of Vipers' went on sale. The campaign required most employees to sign non-disclosure agreements, but legal analysts disagree about whether they are enforceable. Campaign officials predicted a lawsuit following the August 2018 release of Omarosa Manigault-Newman's explosive White House memoir but none materialized. The president couldn't sit still on Tuesday as Sims took a TV victory lap, writing on Twitter that he was 'nothing more than a gofer' and protesting that he, like Manigault-Newman, had signed an NDA. Trump has become 'angrier and angrier' in recent days at Sims, his former director of message strategy, according to a White House official who said Tuesday morning that 'he's half hurt and half outraged.' Sims says of this photo from the book: The President looks at me as he talks on the phone with Rupert Murdoch on election night President Donald Trump's frustration with tell-all author Cliff Sims boiled over on Tuesday in a tweet that accused his one-time messaging guru of being a low-level 'gofer' Trump vented on Twitter that Sims' books is 'based on made up stories and fiction,' a claim that's bound to drive sales even higher 'P***ed' Trump is fuming at the contents of Sims' book, a volume that has lifted the lid on chaos, infighting and double-dealing Michael Glassner, the chief operating officer of Trump's campaign, announced that a lawsuit is being prepared against Sims Great reviews for a gofer: Trump sent Sims this signed New York Times front page as thanks for his part in the Republican tax cut The president vented his anger on Twitter, complaining that '[a] low level staffer that I hardly knew named Cliff Sims wrote yet another boring book based on made up stories and fiction.' 'He pretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer. He signed a non-disclosure agreement. He is a mess!' Sims appeared Monday night on Stephen Colbert's show, and Tuesday morning on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe.' Trump has lashed out at other authors in the past most notably Manigault-Newman and journalist Michael Wolff, who he called 'a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book.' Both Wolff's 'Fire and Fury' and Sims' 'Team of Vipers' quickly became Amazon best-sellers after paying their authors seven-figure advances. Politico reported Monday that a White House aide described him as 'very p***ed off' and 'really hopping mad.' Some former colleagues of Sims believe he may have joined the administration specifically to secretly report on what he saw and write about it afterwards. 'Team of Vipers' is full of embarrassing anecdotes about the administration. Trump considered refusing to accept the results of the 2016 election if he was going to lose, Sims writes. And when he realized he won, his first thought was retribution against former Ohio governor John Kasich, one of his Republican challengers. Trump supposedly said: 'When I get to Washington I'm gonna shove it up Kasich's a**.' What a night: Cliff Sims gives an account of election night 2016 which details how Trump, before the results came in, wanted to tweet preemptively that he would not accept them if he lost and was only talked down by Steve Bannon. He called Rupert Murdoch 'Rupy' in a call that night. Sims was at Trump's side with Kellyanne Conway at the other Vengeance is mine: Trump's first words of victory were to say: 'When I get to Washington I'm gonna shove it up Kasich's a**.' Election night appearance: Trump spoke to Rupert Murdoch to call him 'Rupy' and say the election result was not in the bag; he was scathing about Ohio governor John Kasich Sims' role in the White House was director of White House message strategy and a special assistant to the president. He also helped the President with his weekly video and radio addresses and now Trump is dismissing him as 'The videographer'. Trump has reportedly been telling his advisers: 'Who is this guy? Why is he writing this book? He wasn't even in meetings.' But 'Team of Vipers', which is already a hit on Amazon, has achieved the rare honor of uniting warring White House officials against it, Politico reported. A former senior official said: 'You wouldn't believe the text chains. The best part is the president is sort of chomping at the bit to tap this guy and tweet something to the effect of: 'I didn't know who this guy was. He taped videos.' For now Trump is heeding the advice of his advisers that Tweeting about Sims is not worth it - they are telling him to 'go run the world' but that may change as his media tour continues. Sims kicked off his book launch on ABC's Good Morning America and then went on The View. He was due to appear on CBS' 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on Monday night. In his book he claims that there were 'scenes of chaos, dysfunction and duplicity among the president, his family members and administration officials' on a daily basis. And Kellyanne Conway, he writes, was such a laughably obvious leaker that she had him draft a statement denying leaking it as he watched her dish dirt in real time. And Trump's briefly employed director of communications, Anthony Scaramuccci, was hardly a tough guy, in fact being pestered by his mother. Scaramucci got harassed by his mom the phone his second day in the job midway through threatening to fire everyone. 'Mom, Im trying to work here. Mom, Mom, Mom, okay, Mom,' he pleaded. 'Mom, give me a second, okay. Here talk to Kellyanne.' The Mooch lasted nine more days. Conway however is now furious at her portrayal - but has not denied it. This will only enrage him: Cliff Sims started a media tour by appearing on ABC's Good Morning America and then The View before a scheduled appearance on Stephen Colbert's CBS Late Show Not so tough: Anthony Scaramucci was pursued by his mother on his second day in office as communications director, eventually passing her off to Kellyanne Conway Sims, in his forthcoming memoir 'Team of Vipers,' describes a scene where the White House counselor is texting multiple reporters about her conversations with the president while he writes a statement denying she is a leaker on her laptop. She was apparently unaware that he could read her texts in live time as she sent and received them because her phone and laptop were both linked through the iCloud. 'The fact of the matter is, you can talk to anybody in Washington, D.C., it's about the worst kept secret in town, really. So, I wrote the truth about that,' he told ABC's 'Good Morning America' Monday. His recollection paints an unflattering portrait of the adviser, whom he calls a 'cartoon villain brought to life'. Conway angrily slapped back at allegations that she was the leaker when they surfaced last week. Conway asked: 'Do I leak to you?' as she looked reporters in the eye one by one. 'Do I leak to most of you? I'm looking around. You know who the real leakers are. And if I revealed them, past and present, I'd also have to reveal who they leaked to very often. 'And that would be not a lot of fun, I guess, so I won't, but you know the answer to that, you all do.' She did not say what she thought the answer in fact was. Another revelation says that Trump freaked out on election night when he thought he might lose and was about to Tweet that that he would challenge the results but was talked down by his ex-strategist Steve Bannon. Bannon told Trump to be 'patient' but Trump reasoned that it would 'just look like sour grapes if I do it after' the result came in. Sims claims Trump said: 'Somebody get (media mogul and Fox News owner) Rupert (Murdoch) on the phone and tell him to get ready to make this a big deal if we need to'. At 11.13pm when Murdoch called to congratulate him, Trump, who is, apparently, known for being superstitious, said: 'Not yet, Rupy. We have a three-stroke lead with one hole left. We can't celebrate until we're in the clubhouse.' Sims writes vividly about the Presidential debate when the Trump team brought four of the women who accused Bill Clinton of raping or sexually assaulting them into the chamber Clinton saw them immediately in the audience when he entered and Sims writes that 'I don't believe I have ever witnessed a man look that shaken'. The book says: 'Of all the things he'd seen and done as president.I'm not sure anything was more traumatizing than the moment he locked eyes with a woman who'd accused him of raping her almost forty years earlier.he looked like he was melting'. Sims claims that Trump's strategy for dealing with the opioid crisis was to shock users out of their addiction with gruesome videos. Trump supposedly told White House counselor Conway to give the job to Sims and said he should make 'the most horrifying ads you've ever seen'. Trump said: 'No, I mean it. We need people dying in a ditch. I want bodies stacked on top of bodies...do it like they did cigarettes. They had body bags piled all over the streets and ugly people with giant holes in their faces and necks'. Trump concluded: 'Next thing you know, the kids don't want to be cool and smoke anymore'. Among the other anecdotes in the book is the bizarre episode when Disney came to record Trump's voice for the animatronic version of himself, a tradition with every President. Trump supposedly wanted them to add something to his spoken list of 'achievements of the American spirit' - the skyscraper - because of his background in real estate. Disney balked because America had not invented the skyscraper and Trump let it go. After the Access Hollywood tape came out Republican National Committee research director Raj Shah texted a brutal assessment of Trump to his counterpart on the campaign, Andy Hemming. Shah wrote: 'I'm kinda enjoying this, some justice. I honestly don't think it's the worst thing he's done but somehow he got passes for the other acts.' Borrowing Hillary Clinton's phrase for Trump supporters, he added: 'Trump is a deplorable.' Shah later became Deputy Press Secretary and recently quit to work with Bill Clinton's one-time State Department spokesman James Rubin. Other characters who appear include Stephen Miller, the president's senior policy advisor, who is known to be anti-immigration. He is recorded as saying: 'I would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched American soil.' Sims writes that, any time a refugee or immigrant committed a "gruesome" crime, Miller would walk over to the White House press office to demand that press releases be issued about the cases. Sims says Miller made the comment about refugees during a conversation the two were having about immigration. When Sims left his job last year White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said he was 'a valuable member of President Trump's team on the campaign and for 15 months in the White House'. Now his book is out the White House is refusing to comment officially and the pushback from his former colleagues could be due to them 'panicking' about how they are presented. One official admitted that Sims was 'with the President quite often alone' and played a key role in presentation of the 2017 tax cuts. A former White House official said: 'The president's close relationship with Sims wasn't a secret to anyone in the building'. Unlike others who served in Trump's White House Sims says that he prefers to 'knife people in the front' - and has put his name to his claims. Extracts already released show that in 2017 Trump was so paranoid about leakers that he asked Sims to give him lists of people who were giving information to journalists. Sims writes: 'Give me their names', he said, his eyes narrowing. 'I want these people out of here. I'm going to take care of this. We're going to get rid of all the snakes, even the bottom-feeders.' 'The President proceeded to name White House staffer after White House staffer. Almost no one was deemed beyond reproachnot his chief of staff, not senior aides, almost no one other than those with whom he shared a last name. He wanted me to help him judge their loyalty. How, I wondered, had it come to this?' Conway is singled out by Sims who accuses her of secretly trashing Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and ex-White House officials Reince Priebus, Sean Spicer and Bannon. Sims writes that she 'stood in a class of own in terms of her machinations' and that he 'had to admire her sheer gall.' His withering assessment was that she was a 'cartoon villain come to life' who would do the very thing she criticised others for - gossiping anonymously. Former White House chief of staff John Kelly confided in Sims that it was the 'worst f****** job' he had ever had, 'Team of Vipers' says. Kelly hated his post so much that he said that being fired would be the 'best day I've ever had'. In his first speech to staff Kelly told them that their loyalty should be to their country first, not the President, a line which caused alarm among Trump's supporters. Elsewhere the book says that during one bruising phone conversation Trump berated then House Speaker Paul Ryan and asked him why 'Democrats have been kicking your a** for decades?' Trump told Ryan: 'Because they know a little word called 'loyalty'...why can't you be loyal to your president, Paul? 'I remember being in Wisconsin and your own people were booing you. You were out there dying like a dog, Paul. Like a dog! And what'd I do? I saved your a**.' Judge said that the couple had made 'some progress on some difficult issues' but that there were still particulars of the settlement they needed to work out Robert De Niro appeared in court for a divorce hearing on Tuesday - but tried hard to make sure nobody else found out. The Raging Bull star attempted to avoid any attention by shielding his face with a newspaper as he walked through Manhattan Supreme Court. De Niro, 75, is currently fighting for joint custody of the seven-year-old daughter he shares with his estranged wife Grace Hightower. The couple split in November after 21 years of marriage. Robert De Niro appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court for a divorce hearing on Tuesday - but tried hard to make sure nobody found out The Raging Bull star tried to avoid any attention by shielding his face with a newspaper as he walked outside of Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday De Niro, 75, is currently fighting for joint custody of the seven-year-old daughter he shares with his estranged wife Grace Hightower (pictured together in 2017) The hearing lasted for three hours, with De Niro and Hightower, 63, sitting on opposite ends of the courtroom, according to the New York Post. Sources said De Niro read his newspaper during the hearing while Hightower read a book as their lawyers spoke with the judge. At one point De Niro could be heard trying to quiet his lawyers down as they discussed details of the couple's custody arrangement in the courtroom gallery. Justice Matthew Cooper said that although De Niro and Hightower had made 'some progress on some difficult issues', there were still 'particulars' of the settlement they needed to work out. Cooper added that the couple must also exchange statements of their net worth. They are due back in court on February 7. De Niro was dressed down for his day in court, wearing a bright blue polo shirt. Sources said De Niro read his newspaper during the three-hour hearing while Hightower read a book as their lawyers spoke with the judge At one point De Niro could be heard trying to quiet his lawyers down as they discussed details of the couple's custody arrangement in the courtroom gallery But news of his presence quickly spread, and sources said that lawyers and court staffers could be seen sticking their heads into the courtroom to get a glimpse of him. Outside De Niro wrapped up against New York's winter chill with a long navy blue coat, a black and grey striped scarf, and a navy beanie pulled down to his brows. He also continued to try and cover his face with a newspaper, although it helped little to shield him from fans and press. De Niro eventually confronted the reporters who were waiting outside the courthouse, telling one photographer 'You're an old man, you should know better'. 'You're not smart doing your job like this,' he told a reporter, declining to comment on the ongoing custody battle. De Niro has tried hard to keep any details of the divorce under wraps, even filing for it under 'Anonymous vs Anonymous' in December. Anonymous filings are not given lightly in the district. A judge granted the Oscar winner's request for the nameless paperwork before Christmas. De Niro was dressed down for his day in court, wearing a bright blue polo shirt. Outside he wrapped up against the chill with a long navy blue coat, a black and grey striped scarf, and a navy beanie pulled down to his brows De Niro reportedly asked for visitation with his daughter Helen Grace on the same day he filed for divorce. The actor confirmed the couple's split in November, saying he honored Grace as a 'wonderful mother'. 'Grace and I have two beautiful children together. We are entering a period of transition in our relationship which is a difficult but constructive process,' he said in a statement. 'I honor Grace as a wonderful mother and ask for privacy and respect from all as we proceed to develop our roles as partners in parenting.' It is not the first split for the couple, who first tied the knot in 1997. De Niro filed for divorce two years into their union, however the arrangement was never finalized. The pair eventually reunited, renewing their marriage vows in 2004. De Niro has tried hard to keep any details of the divorce under wraps, even filing for it under 'Anonymous vs Anonymous' in December The Casino star and his wife share 20-year-old son Elliot as well as Helen, who they had via surrogate. In 2016, De Niro released a statement to the public explaining that their son had been diagnosed with autism. At the time, there was controversy around an anti-vaccination documentary that was set to be screened at the actor's Tribeca Film Festival. The movie was later pulled. 'Grace and I have a child with autism and we believe it is critical that all of the issues surrounding the causes of autism be openly discussed and examined,' De Nirosaid in a statement. The Casino star is notoriously private about his relationship with Grace but the pair had been outspoken in the past about their belief that Elliot's autism is linked to vaccinations. De Niro reportedly asked for visitation with his daughter Helen Grace on the same day he filed for divorce Explaining how Grace believes the his son 'changed overnight' after being vaccinated as a child, Robert told Today in 2017: 'The vaccines are dangerous to certain people who are more susceptible. 'Nobody seems to want to address that, or they say they've addressed it and it's a closed issue but it doesn't seem to be.' 'There are many people who will come out and say I saw my kid change overnight. I saw what happened, I should have done something and I didn't. There's more to this than meets the eye, believe me.' De Niro was previously been married to actress Diahnne Abbott, from 1976 to 1988. The pair had a son, Raphael, in 1976. He also adopted Abbott's daughter Drena from a previous relationship. De Niro also has two children, twin boys Aaron and Julian, with his ex Toukie Smith. A school staff member has been found dead in the grounds of a crisis-hit school just hours before pupils arrived for class. The man, in his 50s, was found dead at Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College in Rugby, Warwickshire, as it was unlocked at 5.40am today. Warwickshire Police have closed the school, which caters for 1,000 pupils aged 11-16, while investigations continue. The man, in his 50s, was found dead at Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College (pictured) in Rugby, Warwickshire The man's death is not being treated as suspicious and his identity remains unclear. Police were called to the school following concerns for the man's safety. Headteacher Alison Davies said: 'It is with the greatest sadness that, following police advice, the decision has been made to close the school following the death of a colleague on the school's site. 'Early in the morning, as the school was being unlocked, a member of the school's site team was found dead. 'The police have been informed and have advised us to close the school for the day. 'This is a huge shock for our entire school community and our thoughts and prayers go to our colleague's, family and friends at this very sad time. 'The school will be actively offering emotional support to staff and pupils who have been affected by the tragic incident in the days and weeks ahead.' The tragedy is the latest in a string of problems at the school, rated 'Good' by Ofsted inspectors, stretching back more than a decade. In June 2004 the original school building was destroyed after an arson attack. A year later the school was rebuilt after receiving a 5million from the government. But months after the official opening, a 21-year-old man was jailed for repeatedly stabbing a security guard. In 2005 headteacher Mark Braine quit after disciplinary proceedings were taken against him. In 2006 arsonists struck again when they caused 10,000 of damage. Most Democratic voters can't name the candidate they want to replace President Donald Trump, a new poll revealed on Tuesday and it also showed the president is vulnerable in his reelection efforts. When asked whom they would support for the Democratic presidential nomination, 56 percent of self-identified Democrats did not offer a name, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found. A long list of high-profile names couldn't even garner double digits from the party faithful, including former Vice President Joe Biden, former first lady Michelle Obama, liberal star Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former contender Sen. Bernie Sanders, rising star Beto O'Rourke, and newly-announced candidate Sen. Kamela Harris. Former Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Sen. Kamala Harris (center) garnered the most support while Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who's announced a bid, came in at 2 percent Neither Sen. Bernie Sanders (left) nor Beto O'Rourke (center) have said if they'll run in 2020 while Michelle Obama (right) has ruled out a bid Biden and Harris did top the pack with 9 percent and 8 percent respectively. Sanders received 4 percent, O'Rourke clocked in at 3 percent, followed by Obama and Warren at 2 percent each. Of the six names, only Harris and Warren have formally announced bids for the 2020 nomination to take on Trump although the poll was conducted before Harris officially announced on Sunday. Biden told a crowd in Florida on Monday night he's 'closer' to making a decision. 'The answer is that I'm running the traps on this. I don't want to make this a fool's errand,' Biden said. 'I'm a lot closer than I was before Christmas, and we'll make the decision soon.' Sanders and O'Rourke are said to be considering bids but have offered no timetable on announcing a decision. Obama has said she will not run for president. But the numbers in the poll aren't great for President Trump either with 56 percent of Americans saying they would 'definitely not vote for him,' while 14 percent would consider voting for him and 28 percent would definitely vote for him. Among independent voters - an important voting bloc that can decide elections - 59 percent would not support the president for a second term. There has been limited talk of GOP primary challenge to the president: former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan are two names mentioned. And on person took himself out of the running. Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake said Tuesday morning it will not be him. 'I have always said that I do hope that there is a Republican who challenges the president in the primary. I still hope that somebody does, but that somebody won't be me. I will not be a candidate,' Flake said on 'CBS This Morning.' He has signed on to be a CBS contributor. The numbers in the poll aren't great for President Trump either with 56 percent of Americans saying they would 'definitely not vote for him' Former Sen. Jeff Flake on Tuesday said he wouldn't challenge President Trump in the 2020 Republican primary Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in Nashua, N.H., on Tuesday The Republican National Committee on Friday passed an unprecedented pledge to give Trump its 'undivided support' - stopping short of a formal endorsement but making it clear the president has the party's support. The November 2020 general election is 21 months away meaning the polling numbers can - and most likely will - change. A few other Democrats garnered a mention but with less than 1 percent: Sen. Cory Booker, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Oprah Winfrey. Meanwhile, 4 percent of Democrats said they wanted someone 'other' to run. The poll was conducted January 21-24 among 1,001 adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Other Democrats who have announced bids - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and former House secretary Julian Castro - didn't even break the 1 percent mark in the poll. Neither did former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was in New Hampshire on Tuesday, and said he would decide on his 2020 prospects in the next month. Bloomberg told WMUR that he'll make a decision 'sometime within the next, two, three, four weeks - something like that. Certainly before the end of February.' He added: 'Today is part of that process.' 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'. 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 Financier Shele Danishefsky approached an attorney at her New York Upper West Side synagogue to cut her backgammon pro husband Rod Covlin out of her will just five days before Covlin allegedly strangled her, a jury heard Tuesday. Her estate was valued at $5.4 million, prosecutors told Manhattan Supreme Court. Attorney Jonathan Herlands, who specializes in trusts and estates, told Covlin's murder trial at Manhattan Supreme Court Shele was with her children at the Lincoln Square Synagogue when she came up to him and asked for a consultation. Herlands said that on Dec. 26, 2009 Shele told him, I need to change my will. I want to make sure Rod doesnt get any part of my estate. They were on a landing outside a social event following Sabbath services and Herlands asked her for an email address because he didnt want to do business on the Sabbath or discuss that type of matter with other people around, he said. Rod Covlin, accused of murdering his wife 10 years ago, is seen in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday Trust and estate lawyer Jonathan Herlands testified on Tuesday at Manhattan Supreme Court that Shele Danishefky wanted to cut estranged husband Rod Covlin out of her will Shele gave him her address at Gmail. Two days later he emailed her to test the address, explaining he was barred from carrying a pen on the Sabbath, and asked her to acknowledge receipt, a prosecution exhibit of their email exchange showed. She replied on her UBS account the next day two days before her death that she had received it and wanted to know what his rates before they had a meeting in the interest of making sure no ones time is wasted. Herlands replied he got $465 an hour, going up to $485 an hour beginning Jan 1, 2010. 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 Herlands then said he would need to review her current trusts and will because it is not as cut and dried as you described your needs when we spoke briefly at shul. Herlands said he did not hear back from Shele, who was found dead in her bathtub two days later. Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Hannah Pennington, an assistant commissioner at the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence, testified that while was Sheles neighbor in their West 68th Street apartment building, Shele had confided in her she was concerned that Covlin was using different ways to get information about her. She [Shele] pointed to the molding in the hallway and said she had a fear of him putting in surveillance equipment to monitor her, Pennington testified, On Tuesday morning, the woman who claimed Rod Covlin raped her told the jury she realized she had been assaulted after backgammon pro Covlin whipped out a 'big bag of drugs' that had put her in a 'drug-induced coma'. Shele's neighbor Hannah Pennington told the trial on Tuesday Shele was concerned Covlin was using surveillance equipment on her Patricia Swensen, testifying for the second day, said the revelation came during an August 2009 trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during which she was filmed driving by Covlin. Swensen said she could not remember what happened at the end of her first two dates with Covlin, then 35, but put 'two and two together' when Covlin offered her medication on the third. 'I told him I was feeling nervous because he was putting the camera on me,' Swensen told the jury. 'He said, 'I have anxiety pills.' He took out this black bag with a bunch of different pills in there.' She told defense attorney Robert Gottlieb that was when she understood she had been raped. Patricia Swensen (pictured at the stand) told a Manhattan jury Tuesday how, while dating Rod Covlin, he took out a 'big bag of drugs' Patricia Swensen (pictured at the stand) told Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday she had no idea what drugs Rod Covlin gave her that caused, using air quotes, 'a drug-induced coma' 'I didn't know until Gettysburg when he pulled out a black bag with a whole bunch of different drugs in it,' she said. 'I blacked out when I was with your client a drug-induced coma,' using air quotes for emphasis. Later, she said she had 'no idea' which drugs were in the pouch, but saw 'blue ones, yellow ones, tiny circle ones' loose in the pouch. Swensen had testified Covlin started to come unglued in Gettysburg when discussing his wife and contentious divorce and that he wanted to kill her Swensen invented an excuse to leave. Patricia Swensen urged Rod Covlin (pictured in court Tuesday) to seek help for his anger On the way home from Pennsylvania, she told him that he should talk to God, she testified Tuesday. 'When you're feeling angry, talk to God something right now is really wrong with you,' she told Covlin according to her testimony. She said she dropped him off in Westchester and she balked at first when he tried to kiss her, telling him, 'I'm not ready for a relationship.' But, she said, she relented and kissed him once. Patricia Swensen (seen above) told Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday Covlin gave her drugs when she became anxious after he video recorded her driving him to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in August 2009. She believes Covlin raped her while she was drugged. 'I didn't want to get him angry,' she said. 'To me, he was mentally unstable at this point.' Retired police detective Shirley Figueroa testified that she interviewed Covlin after he made allegations that Shele had sexually abused their son Myles, then 2 years old. He spent much of the interview complaining about his wife and decaying marriage before saying that Myles told him Shele had touched his genitals and bottom and that it had hurt. Retired NYPD detective Shirley Figueroa testified on Tuesday at Manhattan Supreme Court there was no proof to Covlin's claims Shele had sexually abused son Myles, then 2 years old There was no finding of abuse by the police and, according to a stipulation read into the record by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos, the Administration for Children's Services marked the allegation 'unfounded.' Figueroa also testified Covlin disclosed to her that he took Ambien and had a prescription for Vicodin. Shele, a UBS executive, was found dead in her bathtub on December 31, 2009, the apparent victim of a fall in the tub where she drowned. She was 47 Shele Danishefsky, 47, was found dead in the bathtub of her Upper West Side apartment on New Year's Eve in 2009. Prosecutors allege estranged husband Rod Covlin murdered her She was buried without an autopsy after her Orthodox Jewish family waived the post mortem examination at the advice of a rabbi. When Shele's body was exhumed months later, an autopsy revealed the hyoid bone in her neck was fractured, a hallmark of strangulation. The 23-year-old Florida man who broke into a farm and was bitten by a 9ft-long crocodile, was sentenced to a year in jail after pleading no contest to charges including trespassing on Friday. Brandon Keith Hatfield was charged with burglary, damaging property and criminal mischief after being caught on camera jumping into a crocodile enclosure November 5. He was caught wandering around a residential neighborhood in his underwear after employees at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park came to work the next day to find a trail of blood, $5,450 worth of damaged property and a Crocs shoe belonging to the man. Scroll down for video Brandon Keith Hatfield, 23, was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest to charges including trespassing and criminal mischief on Friday His sentence stems from a November incident at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Hatfield was jumped into the crocodile enclosure which housed three of the creatures. But he was bitten by one of the reptiles in the water The Green Cove Springs man will also have to pay for the damages - which include a broken statue valued at $3,000 - and faces two years of community control once he is freed. He could be seen on surveillance video after breaking into the venue at around 7.45pm when it was closed. Hatfield put himself in serious danger by plunging into the pool with the three creatures ranging from 9ft to 12ft. Footage showed Hatfield scaling a high fence at the Nile Crocodile exhibit where on the other side of the pit he invaded was a lagoon with hundreds of alligators, reported First Coast News. After knocking down the expensive swim-up statue in the middle of the pit he could be seen escaping with his life after one of the crocodiles attacked. He was bitten on his left foot. Hatfield also faces two years community control once he is freed from jail in a year Cops said he had no idea what he'd done when they questioned him in November The man had sneaked his way into the venue fully clothed but was spotted around 7am the following day in a neighbor's back yard with shorts halfway down his backside. A woman called law enforcement about the man 'doing a slow, creeping crawl' around outside her home. 'There's a man with only gym shorts crawling,' the wife of resident Jeff Black said during the call to emergency services. 'He's just crawling with his shorts halfway down his [butt] and no other clothes.' Black said he was prepared to release his dogs on him. 'A little weird to see somebody that early in just boxers going over your wall into your property,' he said. 'He kept saying, "I was held hostage in a pool with gators." 'He says, "Yeah, I got bit by alligators." Everybody's looking at him like, "OK, he's got to be on something".' Neighbors found him with only a pair of shorts on and called the cops around 7am Hatfield caused damages in the incident where he knocked over a statue When staff at the alligator farm arrived at the venue they initially believed someone was playing a prank when looking at the state of the pool. They later discovered a break-in had occurred when they found 'a lot' of blood at the top of the zip line platform that goes over the croc enclosure. When police found the man he was bloodied and he was rushed to Flagler Hospital. He was later arrested when law enforcement realized how he had obtained the injuries and Fire Rescue confirmed he had been bitten shortly afterwards. Hatfield was then charged with two counts of violating probation on previous drug possession and theft charges. St. Augustine Police Officer Dee Brown said 'he was possibly high on something'. A police report stated Hatfield was unaware the crocodile tried to eat him. When asked if he had been at the alligator farm he replied: 'Oh no sir, I wasn't.' Hatfield told police an 'old man had the alligator on a leash and he was surrounded by all these baby alligators in the old man's garage'. He continued to say 'the old man was feeding him to his alligators' and 'began forcing him to drink this Black concoction' His arrest report added Hatfield told officers an 'old man had the alligator on a leash and he was surrounded by all these baby alligators in the old man's garage'. It continued stating 'the old man was feeding him to his alligators' and 'began forcing him to drink this Black concoction'. While Hatfield may have no idea how risky his stunt was, the park director said he was fortunate to have gotten away. 'It was pretty clear that he had an encounter, and he's lucky to still have his foot,' John Brueggen said to ActionNewsJax.com. In the park's 125 years it was the first time any trespassing like that had happened. 'I would think he's on some sort of drugs,' Brueggen added. Confirming none of the crocodiles were harmed in the incident, he continued: 'I'm concerned about an individual who literally climbs up a wall that's meant to keep you from crocodiles and leaps over the wall into the water with them.' Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward in the murder of a Colorado teenager burned alive inside her family's home in 2017. At a press conference Monday, Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw revealed that detectives believe 17-year-old Maggie Long was purposely set on fire. 'We believe this was a targeted crime and that there are at least three suspects still at large,' McGraw said. 'Hundreds' of persons of interest have been ruled out over the nearly 14-month investigation by the Park County Sheriff's Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). A website where people can submit tips was unveiled on Monday as the hefty reward was offered for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest. 'Somebody knows what happened,' said McGraw. 'Every tip will be addressed.' The sheriff said it's believed the suspects targeted Long's family home in Bailey but didn't necessarily have prior intention to target the teen. It's unclear whether the suspects knew Long, but 'it's a possibility', McGraw said. Scroll down for video Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward in the murder of 17-year-old Maggie Long (above), who was set on fire and burned alive at her home in Bailey, Colorado, in December in 2017. Investigators launched a website seeking tips in Long's murder on Monday Investigators believe the fire was intended to cover up evidence of a 'physical altercation' between Long and three suspects. Scorch marks can be seen at the home where Long's body was discovered on December 1, 2017 A task force made up of investigators from the Park County Sheriff's Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) released the sketches above of two suspects seen in the area after the fire Long was reported missing after she failed to show up to a concert at her high school on December 1, 2017. Her body was discovered at the burned home by police that night, but it wasn't until three days later that the county coroner publicly identified Long as the deceased. The death was ruled a homicide based on the fact that the area surrounding Long's body was so badly damaged by fire. Last year, investigators said that several guns, a gun safe and jade figurines were stolen from the home before it went up in flames. They elaborated on Monday, revealing that they believe there was a 'physical altercation' between Long and the suspects, which the suspects tried to cover up with the fire. 'Law enforcement believe the intent of the fire was to conceal actions of these assailants, such as the physical altercation and subsequent robbery,' the tip website says. Long was reported missing after she failed to show up to a concert at her high school on December 1, 2017. Her body was discovered at the burned home by police that night and she was publicly identified by the county coroner three days later Last year, investigators said that several guns, a gun safe and jade figurines were stolen from the home before it went up in flames Authorities said the suspects targeted Long's home (above) but didn't necessarily have prior intention to target the teen This week authorities released sketches of two alleged suspects in the case along with new photos of vehicles resembling those spotted near Long's family home in Bailey on the day she was killed. According to the site, one sketch shows a man who was seen in the passenger seat of a Chevrolet Astro-type work van. A witness also reported seeing vehicles similar to an early-90s Ford Aerostar van and a late-80s Ford F-150 leaving the neighborhood. McGraw said he believed all three suspects may have significantly altered their appearances, sold their vehicles and moved away from the small Colorado town after the murder. He said billboards will be posted throughout the state asking for information about the case and directing people to the website, maggielongtaskforce.com. A description on the site reads: 'This website was created to allow the Maggie Long Task Force to engage with the community and provide a venue for community members to share any information they may have directly with the task force. 'Oftentimes, members of the community have information of value but do not come forward because of concerns that it may not be important or may be information law enforcement already has. 'Please provide any information you have or other details you are aware of, even if you have previously provided the information.' Update On Unsolved Murder Of Maggie Long Investigators with Park County are providing an update on the unsolved murder of Maggie Long. https://cbsloc.al/2GbteJd Posted by CBS Denver on Monday, 28 January 2019 Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw (above) led a press conference about the case on Monday 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. An inquest into the horrific murder of a Vietnamese woman by two convicted killers will look at whether the police and Probation Service missed chances to prevent it. Quyen Ngoc Nguyen, 28, was found in a burning car in Shiney Row, near Sunderland, in August 2017. She had been lured into a trap, sexually abused, tortured for her bank card pin numbers, and set on fire as she lay dying in a car. Stephen Unwin and William McFall were sentenced to full life term sentences after they were convicted of murder at Newcastle Crown Court last year. Quyen Ngoc Nguyen, 28, was lured into a trap, sexually abused, tortured for money and set on fire as she lay dying in a car in Sunderland in 2017 They met in prison while both were serving life sentences for separately murdering pensioners, and teamed up after they were released. Miss Nguyen suffered a five hour torture ordeal at the hands of the two men, who had spent days or weeks planning her sexual degradation and eventual murder. The sick pair ate a curry as she lay on the floor and then set her alight in her car near allotments while she was still alive. As they drove to the bank afterwards to use her cash card they took a selfie, with McFall grinning into the camera while Unwin was at the wheel. William McFall, left, and Stephen Unwin, right, were both given full life terms for her gruesome murder but an inquest will determined whether police or probation officers could have stopped the known criminals committing the crime Ms Nguyen's sister Quyhn, pictured with family members, asked the court why her sister's killer were ever released Sunderland Coroner Derek Winter held a pre-inquest review into the case ahead of a full hearing set to start on May 28. Sitting at the Civic Centre in Sunderland, he said the inquest will look at whether the risk posed by her killers was properly assessed by the authorities. Mr Winter will also consider what intelligence the police and Probation Service held about Unwin and McFall associating together and if they could have been recalled to prison. The inquest will probe whether police could have stopped convicted killers Stephen Unwin and William McFall from torturing Quyen Ngoc Nguyen (pictured) to death In this selfie taken shortly after the murder the evil pair drove to the bank to use her cash card McFall grins into the camera while Unwin drives the car. He will ask a probation expert to give evidence and has ruled that the hearing will not need a jury. The victims sister Quynh attended the hearing and followed proceedings with an interpreter. When the vicious pair were jailed for life, the victim's sister, Quynh Ngoc Nguyen, asked the court why Unwin and McFall were ever released. Mother-of-three Ms Nguyen, 35, sat in the public gallery clutching a framed picture of her sister before taking the stand to give a personal statement. She broke down in tears as she told of her sister's love for her own two children. And she said: 'We cannot comprehend how men like this can live freely in this country. My sister believed as I did that she came to this country for a safer life with better opportunities for herself and her children. Our lives have been blighted by these two terrible men forever.' She added: 'My sister did not deserve to die in this horrific way, she was a good person. 'My family is very angry about the actions of these two men towards my sister. They did not act like human beings, they are evil. 'Quyen was not involved in any criminal acts and she never had a sexual relationship with Mr Unwin, she would not have considered a relationship with this type of man or exposed her children to it.' Quyen, a mother of two who entered the country in 2010 to study business at a London university, was murdered on August 14th 2017 after coming into contact with Unwin and McFall when they were carrying out work as handymen on flats she was renting out. Quyen was beaten, throttled with a ligature by the men, who also used a gas-powered pistol and a Star Wars light-sabre toy as part of the degrading assault. After she had been in the house for five hours she was wrapped in a sheet and carried out to her black Audi A4 which was then driven by Unwin to a lane leading to allotments. They doused her in petrol and set both she and the car ablaze. Forensic tests later revealed that Quyen was still alive when she was set alight. The pair used her bank cards and PIN numbers, which they had forced out of her, to make a number of withdrawals from her account. Unwin later falsely claimed that he and Miss Nguyen had been in a sexual relationship together. Unwin and McFall, who first met in HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, were arrested by police who tracked them on CCTV. A stab victim's cousin tonight appears on Channel 4's 24 Hours in A&E after falling near his grave and injuring her knee. Tube driver Katrina Burton, 26, tore the ligaments in her leg after jumping over a fence to tend the grave of her cousin Devoy Stapleton. She underwent an operation at St George's Hospital, in Tooting, south West London, and is now back at work on the Northern Line. 'I just wanted to put some flowers and some soil on his grave,' she told the Channel 4 programme. 'I left the cemetery to get some more bits and pieces. Tube driver Katrina Burton, 26, tore the ligaments in her leg after jumping over a fence She underwent an operation at St George's Hospital, in Tooting, south West London Ms Burton was on her way to visit the grave of Devoy Stapleton, pictured, who was stabbed to death in London last year 'But by the time I came back the cemetery had closed so I thought: 'Gosh I'm just going to climb over and get the stuff'. 'I just wanted to do something nice for my aunts, my cousins and my uncle. I wouldn't expect that I would have ended up in A&E.' Devoy, 20, a former student at West Thames College, was the 31st person to be fatally stabbed in London last year. He bled to death on Easter Sunday in a suburban street near Wandsworth Common as he walked home from a bar in the early hours of the morning. Katrina, who grew up with her younger cousin, described how her 'world stopped' the moment that her father told her that he was dead. 'I miss him all the time,' she said. 'I just want a minute, just a minute, just a minute, and that would be enough but I'm not going to get that minute. 'He had such a beautiful heart - and even bigger ears. I used to tease him about his ears all the time. 'Every time I saw him I was like: 'You haven't grown into your ears yet.' We always used to banter. Whenever I saw him, it was hugs, kisses. 'I just wanted to put some flowers and some soil on his grave,' she told the Channel 4 programme 24 Hours in A&E 'I just wanted to do something nice for my aunts, my cousins and my uncle. I wouldn't expect that I would have ended up in A&E,' she said 'He wanted to travel. He wanted to see different places. He was going to go travelling this year. 'It's a shame that he was cut short before he knew what his potential could have been.' Katrina, who lives in Wandsworth, is now fearful that another relative will be killed in Wild West Britain. 'I'm scared for my brothers,' she added. 'I'm scared for my cousins, I'm scared for my male friends. 'When someone has stabbed someone and killed them, for me two lives are ruined, the individual who has passed away and the person who did it. 'The only person who should be taking any lives is the man upstairs, it's God. It's a horrible time that we are living in at the moment. 'Nothing will ever replace him, nothing. But the fact that we're a strong family unit now and we're pushing forwards, that means a lot.' 24 Hours in A&E is screened on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight. A secondary school is cracking down on its uniform policy and confiscating children's coats at the gates - as they arrive wrapped-up warm for snow. Harris Academy has been accused of stripping children of winter clothing which fail to meet its harsh new policy which demands students wear black coats only. The Orpington secondary school, in south east London, banned hoodies under any circumstances and parents claim their children are being put into isolation for wearing the wrong coloured coat. New rules published on the school's website said: 'Students should have an appropriate and sensible black outdoor coat. Harris Academy (pictured) has been accused of stripping children of winter clothing which fail to meet its harsh new policy which demands students wear black coats only 'Hoodies are NOT allowed under any circumstances and will be confiscated. 'No sleeveless jackets or leather jackets. Coats must be removed before entering a classroom so that students are ready to learn.' The school believes wearing a uniform helps students develop 'a sense of loyalty and belonging' and encourages them to take pride in their appearance. Black fleece gloves and scarves and a selection of black coats are available to purchase from the website including a 29 waterproof coat and a 15 reversible fleece jacket. But parents blasted the new policy they claim is putting their children's education at risk. They said the rules started being enforced this term despite them not being informed of any changes and that their children wore different coloured coats last year. Shaun Pender arranged for his daughter to wear her grey coat until payday when he could buy her a new black one, but she was put into isolation and her coat was confiscated last Tuesday. Parent Bradley Petken, whose son attends the academy, met with the headteacher last week. He said: 'The headteacher said the children can wear whatever coat to and from school but the minute they come into the school gates, if it is not black they take the coat away until the end of the day. 'My son's coat is dark navy blue and plain Nike - nothing else - but still not allowed.' Another parent said her son was 'coughing and chesty' after having his khaki coat taken away at the school gate. Ceejae Eastwood commented on Facebook and wrote: 'Bit naughty that school is full of kids off an estate where most parents rely on small amounts of benefits.' Pupils have also been falling foul of the rules on what shoes they can wear. Another mum said her daughter was sent home for wearing the wrong footwear, even though she had a written note to explain she had an open wound that was healing. She said: 'I understand schools have rules and I always back them. 'But to send my daughter home for wearing black trainers that are discreet and having a note from me and a visible open wound on her heal is not reason to send her home.' The Harris Academy replaced The Priory School in 2016 after it was judged inadequate by Ofsted. A spokesman said: 'At the time, and as part of our wider efforts to ensure better standards for pupils, we implemented a clear set of rules on uniform. 'Many schools stipulate a colour of coat for pupils to wear and we chose black as this is the easiest option for parents to find and buy. 'Many families welcome the rule as it removes the pressure to buy their children expensive items of clothing.' The school provides financial assistance for families to buy a coat when needed and maintain the 'only way to be fair to the many parents and follow the rules is to be consistent.' The spokesperson added: 'School policy would not be to exclude a pupil for breaching our uniform policy. 'However, if a pupil either refuses to cooperate or is abusive when they are reminded of our rules, then they would need to be appropriately sanctioned. 'Any parents who are unhappy with the uniform policy are encouraged to speak to the executive principal of the academy about their concerns.' This is the shocking moment a motorcyclist and a bus driver fight in the street in a road rage scuffle as a female conductor tries to pull them apart. Commuters were travelling home when a motorbike rider became furious after claiming the bus had veered into his lane in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 26. He blocked the road with his bike and then stormed up to the bus to demand a fight from the driver - who leaps from his seat and begins to throw punches. Commuters were travelling home when a motorbike rider became furious after claiming the bus had veered into his lane in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 26 He blocked the road with his bike and then stormed up to the bus to demand a fight from the driver - who leaps from his seat and begins to throw punches They end up rolling around on the street throwing punches and kicks - as shocked passersby shout and scream at the chaos. A female bus conductor tries in vain to pull the two fighting men apart - and grabs on to the motorcyclists shorts pulling them down in the process. Despite successfully breaking up the fight, the rider later returned and banged on the closed bus door, sparking yet more angry scenes as the driver resumed the scrap. The two men were eventually separated and the residents were able to continue their journey. Passenger Thida Watchara who witnessed the scuffle said she was 'scared'. A female bus conductor tries in vain to pull the two fighting men apart - and grabs on to the motorcyclists shorts pulling them down in the process She added: 'I thought the motorcycle rider might come on the bus. I think the driver was just trying to protect his passengers. 'I am proud of the lady for trying to help. I was a little bit scared and I was late home but it's OK. This doesn't happen every day.' The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority which operates the buses in the Thai capital said it had launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesman said: 'CCTV onboard the bus number 510 shows the full incident between the driver and a motorcycle rider. BMTA has set up an investigation committee.' Wannabe YouTube star Ryan Nihart, 26, was sentenced to 10 days in a jail and a year probation on Monday A wannabe YouTuber from Florida has been sentenced to 10 days in jail and a year on probation for attacking a mentally disabled man who was dressed as a children's cartoon character. Ryan C. Nihart, 26, harassed and attacked 41-year-old Jamie Roehm who was dressed up as a Minion from the film Despicable Me for work on Daytona Beach's boardwalk on July 8, 2018. Nihart, who describes himself as an Instagram star, claimed the incident was just a harmless stunt. He concocted the prank as a gimmick to get attention from the crowds on the boardwalk, witnesses said. He was arrested afterwards and on Monday Nihart pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal mischief in the attack, according to a statement by the State Attorney's Office for Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit. On Monday Nihart pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal mischief in the attack that unfolded on July 8, 2018 where he attacked 41-year-old Jamie Roehm who was dressed up as a Minion from the film Despicable Me (above) Nihart pictured above on surveillance footage of the attack crouching over Roehm in a Minion costume after spinning him around He was then sentenced to 10 days in jail followed by a year of probation. He was also ordered to pay for damage to Roehm's costume and enroll in a 'moral recognition therapy course'. The act was recorded on surveillance and cellphone video and shows Nihart pick up Roehm, who is mentally disabled and partially blind, as he was working on the boardwalk in the Minion costume for a nearby Jungle George gift shop. Nihart spins Roehm around then drops him and kicks him when he tried to get back up. Nihart told police he was just playing a prank and identified himself as 'Bouje Ratche' an 'Instagram star' to the crowd around him. Contrary to his claims of stardom, he only has 1,875 followers on Instagram and 48 YouTube channel subscribers. 'I was just kidding, bro. We were just doing a prank,' he's heard saying on the video. Following the alleged attack, Roehm's boss, George St. Pierre - who owns the nearby Jungle George gift shop - along with another bystander helped detain Nihart until police arrived Witnesses told police that Nihart (center in black) launched the attack to get attention from the crowds. He's a self-described Instagram star Nihart will now serve 10 days in jail, a year on probation and pay $324 to Jungle George gift shop (above) and $280 to Roehm for the attack In the video Roehm can be heard telling police he declined Nihart's invitation to wrestle and yet Nihart grabbed him anyways and spun him around then kicked and hit him. He was eventually stopped by bystanders who tackled him and called police. Nihart faced up to a year in jail for the incident, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. County Judge Belle Schumann pronounced him guilty on Monday and in addition to jail time Nihart must pay $324 to Jungle George and $280 to Roehm. Roehm was left shaken following the summer attack. He cried and worried whether he would lose his job and his boss, George St. Pierre, assured him he would remain employed. Nihart's Instagram under 'Bouje Ratche' pictured above. In this post he's eating soap Despite claiming to be a social media star, he only has 1,875 followers on Instagram Philip Green (pictured in London) has dropped his lawsuit against the Telegraph Sir Philip Green has dropped a lawsuit over sexual harassment claims made against him as it would have done more harm than good to his public image, the High Court has heard. He was named in Parliament last year as the British businessman accused of sexual harassment against employees. He has paid out to settle some of the claims out of court but warned of 'further legal action' if the alleged victims broke non-disclosure agreements. Seeking permission to discontinue proceedings today, lawyers representing the Topshop owner and two of his companies told Mr Justice Warby that going ahead with a trial would have been 'worse' than ending the action. James Price QC said the decision was prompted by Lord Hain's identification of Sir Philip in the House of Lords in October last year, a day after the Daily Telegraph ran a front-page story saying it was prevented from naming a 'mystery businessman'. He said the article described the case as 'the British Me Too scandal' and compared Sir Philip to Harvey Weinstein. The US film mogul has been accused of a number of serious sex offences, while the allegations against Sir Philip reported in the newspaper were of sexual harassment. Scroll down for video Sir Philip Green with his daughter, Chloe Green, and his wife, Lady Tina Green in New York The barrister told the court: 'So the position once Sir Philip ... was revealed was that public perception (of him) was a great deal worse than the actuality, so that the continuation of confidentiality would curiously have produced the result of concealing the facts which would correct the public image.' He added: 'Keeping the lid on all this was worse than not.' Mr Justice Warby said he will give a ruling on the case after hearing further argument on Thursday. The injunction was first sought after Sir Philip and an executive at his Arcadia firm were contacted by a Telegraph journalist in July last year. The newspaper intended to publish allegations of misconduct made against Sir Philip by the employees - who all received substantial payments after settling their claims. In all five cases, the employees had agreed to keep the details of their complaints confidential under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The injunction was initially refused by a High Court judge, but was later granted by the Court of Appeal in October pending a full trial of the issues, which was due to begin on February 4. Mr Price said the reason for not dropping the litigation immediately after Lord Hain's revelation was that it was 'perfectly proper to test the water' by seeing what the defence case was. Conservative MP Maria Miller (left) and Labour's Jess Phillips (right) have both called for Philip Green's former employees to be able to speak out He also said it was legitimate to see what information Telegraph lawyers disclosed ahead of the trial, as there may have been a basis for seeking damages against the newspaper for the 'consequences of what we alleged were their actions'. However, he told the court: 'It is as plain as it could be that the rug was substantially pulled from under this action by the action of Lord Hain.' Mr Price argued certain court documents prepared for the trial should remain private even after the litigation is formally ended, because it would be 'quite wrong' for confidential information to be published 'in national newspapers'. Desmond Browne QC, representing the Telegraph Media Group, said the court should only agree to the end of the legal action on the condition no further challenges are brought against the employees. He said: 'The one thing that should not happen is that Sir Philip should be able to retire from the battlefield, reserving his right to start proceedings at some stage in future against the employees.' Sir Philip Green (pictured, left, with his wife Tina), has dropped his legal battle over sexual harassment and discrimination claims. Peter Hain (right), the politician who named him, says he feels vindicated Mr Browne also argued the case was being dropped because Sir Philip and his companies believed they would lose at trial. He said: 'If, as is now asserted, the action lost its point after Lord Hain's speech in the House of Lords on October 23 then we say they have no justification for carrying on litigating, at great expense, for another three months.' He argued the explanation for why the claim continued is 'simply baffling'. The barrister added: 'We say that the inference is overwhelming, that the claimants realised they were never going to be able to defeat the Telegraph's public interest defence in light of the situation as it developed.' Mr Justice Warby said reporting restrictions regarding the identity of the employees and the confidential information will remain in place pending his decision. Court of Appeal judges temporarily barred the newspaper from identifying the tycoon or revealing 'confidential information' relating to allegations of misconduct made against him by five employees. Outlining their decision for granting the injunction, Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton, Lord Justice Underhill and Lord Justice Henderson said there was a 'real prospect' that publication would cause 'substantial and possibly irreversible harm' to the claimants. But former Cabinet minister Lord Hain named Sir Philip in the House of Lords two days after the court's ruling in October. The Labour peer said he had been contacted by someone 'intimately involved' in the case and felt it was his 'duty' to use parliamentary privilege to identify the retail mogul. In August last year, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave refused to gag the newspaper, but a challenge was mounted by Sir Philip - then identified in court papers as ABC - and the two companies. The defense case for Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman has ended after just 30 minutes despite a lengthy 11-week trial filled with 50 prosecution witnesses and its share of bombshells. A lawyer for El Chapo called just one witness and put one document into the record on Tuesday before resting the case at his U.S. drug-trafficking trial in Brooklyn, New York. The witness was an FBI agent who was questioned about a report he wrote on a debriefing of one of the cooperators who testified against Guzman. The brevity of the defense stood in stark contrast to a prosecution case that involved more than 50 witnesses and spanned 11 weeks. His former beauty queen wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, 29, was in Brooklyn Federal Court to hear the defense case rest. A lawyer for Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman (above in a court sketch on Tuesday) called just one witness and put one document into the record on Tuesday before resting the case at his U.S. drug-trafficking trial in Brooklyn The jury was sent home for the day and is set to hear closing arguments on Wednesday and Thursday, with deliberations set to start as soon as Friday afternoon. It's not unheard of for defense lawyers to call few or even no witnesses. But Guzman's fleeting defense was striking because it followed a sweeping one by the government that featured 56 witnesses, including colorful cooperators who described how the notorious boss of the Sinaloa cartel ran his cocaine-dealing empire with an iron fist. There were tales of Guzman running naked through an underground tunnel to evade a manhunt, of hefty cash bribes to top Mexican government and military officials and of the defendant personally torturing and assassinating his enemies in fits of rage. By contrast, jurors watched El Chapo's attorney Jeffrey Lichtman briefly question an FBI agent about a 2017 debriefing of one of Guzman's cocaine suppliers - government witness Jorge Cifuentes - who has given shifting accounts about his claim that a U.S. intelligence officer once revealed sensitive investigative information to him. It appeared to be an effort to both attack Cifuentes' credibility and support the theory that Guzman was the victim of a conspiracy by the U.S. and Mexican governments to single him out for prosecution. During cross-examinations of prosecution witnesses, defense lawyers grilled the cooperators about their own criminal backgrounds and the deals they cut with prosecutors that could shorten their sentences. The lawyers have claimed that's incentive to frame Guzman - a point that is certain to be a central theme of the defense closing argument. El Chapo told the judge on Monday that he would not be taking to the witness stand in his own defense His former beauty queen wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, 29, was spotted walking into Brooklyn Federal Court on Tuesday to hear her husband's defense case It comes after El Chapo told the judge on Monday that he would not be taking to the witness stand in his own defense, ending speculation that he might go for broke and build on a notorious reputation already cemented by the sprawling government case against him. 'Your honor, me and my attorneys have spoken about this and I won't testify,' Guzman said through a Spanish interpreter in a rare instance of him standing up and speaking in court. The decision means the trial will be brought to a sooner-than-expected conclusion. Guzman's lawyers say he's being framed by a cadre of cooperators who were far more culpable in the Sinaloa cartel's wildly lucrative cocaine-smuggling enterprise. As the government was finally concluding a case that began in mid-November, an actor who played El Chapo on a popular Netflix series caused a minor stir Monday by showing up in the courtroom as a spectator. The drug lord cracked a smile and waved when 'Narcos: Mexico' cast member Alejandro Edda was pointed out to him. 'It was a very surreal moment, I have to be honest,' the actor said. Surreal was an apt description for many aspects of the government's case, including testimony from several cooperators that made El Chapo's delight at seeing Edda seem understandable. Some of the more than 50 government witnesses said El Chapo had spoken often of his dream of being portrayed on film or being the subject of an autobiography about his rise to power as the Sinaloa cartel boss. The highlights of the government case offered plenty of potential material, starting early in the trial with testimony by a former Sinaloa cartel lieutenant describing how a car carrying El Chapo into Mexico City shortly after he escaped prison in 2001 got a police escort by highway officers. Actor Alejandro Edda on Monday attended the trial of Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, whom he portrays in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico The drug lord cracked a smile and waved when 'Narcos: Mexico' cast member Alejandro Edda was pointed out to him in court on Monday A suspected informant claimed he had survived several attempts on his life ordered by El Chapo, including a knife attack at a jail right after he heard a brass band ominously playing a favorite 'corrido' folk song of El Chapo's - 'Un Puno De Tierra' - over and over. A former Colombian kingpin who once supplied the cartel with tons of cocaine, Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia, made an impact solely by the way he looked while testifying - with his face distorted by an extreme makeover meant to hide his identity. Ramirez explained that he had undergone at least three plastic surgeries that altered 'my jawbone, my cheekbones, my eyes, my mouth, my ears, my nose.' Much of the testimony was devoted to how corrupt Mexican authorities had a voracious appetite for drug money. One cooperator said El Chapo had paid former President Enrique Pena Nieto $100,000, a claim Pena Nieto denied. Three of the latest witnesses kept the drama alive: A former cartel computer tech who testified how, after being flipped by the FBI, he showed them how to intercept the syndicate's phone calls and texts that El Chapo had monitored with spyware; a member of the cartel security team who alleged El Chapo shot a kidnapped victim before having the man buried alive; and an ex-girlfriend who described how they evaded a manhunt - one of his specialties - using a trapdoor underneath a safehouse bathroom that led to a drainage tunnel that he used to run away, naked, in 2014. El Chapo was captured in 2015 and escaped jail through a tunnel dug into his prison cell before he was sent in 2017 to the U.S. He's been in solitary confinement ever since. He could face life in prison if convicted of the charges that his lawyers say are fabricated. The EU shot down Theresa May's hopes of renegotiating Brexit tonight insisting the deal on the table is already the 'best available'. European Council chief Donald Tusk, French president Emmanuel Macron and the Irish government moved to kill off the PM's hopes despite her emerging victorious in a series of Commons votes. The PM won approval from MPs for her plan of returning to Brussels to demand more concessions on the Irish border backstop. But Mr Macron warned the deal was 'not renegotiable', and Mr Tusk also underlined the challenge the premier now faces by immediately rejecting the idea. 'The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation,' he said. The French President (pictured left in Greece today) and Donald Tusk (right) immediately shot down Theresa May's hopes of renegotiating Brexit tonight, insisting the deal on the table is already the 'best available' Emmanuel Macron's (centre in Greece today) intervention comes as the EU appears set to rapidly kill off the Prime Minister's hopes of salvaging her two year negotiation Speaking in Cyprus, Mr Macron said: 'As the European Council in December clearly indicated, the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the UK and EU is the best agreement possible. 'It is not renegotiable.' Mr Macron called on Mrs May to present the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier with her next steps for avoiding a no-deal Brexit on March 29, which he said 'no-one wants, but ... we must all, despite everything, prepare for'. Mrs May spoke to EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker this morning before vowing to her Brexiteer rebels she would push for a renegotiation. He is thought to have repeated the EU position there would be no renegotiation. In a statement issued following the outcome of tonight's Westminster votes the Irish government said: 'The EU position on the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, is set out in the conclusions of the December meeting of the European Council. It has not changed.' 'The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation.' Earlier Manfred Weber, a senior MEP tipped to succeed Mr Juncker as European commission president, suggested Spain could make a new grab for Gibraltar and the 39billion divorce bill could be pushed up. Mrs May spoke to EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured in Brussels today) this morning before vowing to her Brexiteer rebels she would push for a renegotiation Manfred Weber, a senior MEP who could succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission President, said fishing rights, Gibraltar and the 39billion divorce bill would all need to be looked at again The Prime Minister has said the deal must be re-written if she has any hope of overturning the 230-vote drubbing MPs inflicted on it two weeks ago. Mr Weber's warning comes a day after EU negotiator Michel Barnier's deputy Sabine Weyand warned the deal could not be re-opened at all. Mr Weber, who heads the biggest group in the European Parliament, said the existing deal is a 'compromise between many interests'. Mr Weber said: 'If there is now a unilateral attempt to reopen the agreement, the consequence will be that not just the backstop has to be renegotiated - then the Gibraltar question, the question of how much money Britain has to pay for exiting, the question of citizens' rights will have to be renegotiated.' Mr Weber, the German leader of the European People's Party, added: 'If we reopen (it), then everything will be reopened. 'And to be honest, I don't see much sense in that.' He said what is needed from Britain is 'clear orientation' on the two sides' long-term relationship. Emmanuel Macron's intervention comes as the EU appears set to rapidly kill off the Prime Minister's hopes of salvaging her two year negotiation Yesterday, Ms Weyand said the British government needed to change position if there was to be a deal in time for exit day on March 29. The German diplomat, who has been the deputy to Mr Barnier during the Brexit negotiations, said Brussels had a 'margin' for movement on the political declaration about the future trade deal. But speaking at a conference in Brussels she said the divorce deal was locked and there would be 'no more negotiations' - ruling out a time limit on the backstop demanded by Tory Brexiteer MPs. She said the negotiation was 'finished' and dismissed calls for changes to the Irish backstop as 'like Groundhog Day'. The intervention is a fresh blow to Theresa May's hopes of salvaging her deal following the 230-vote drubbing two weeks ago. Downing Street said today the deal had to 'change' if it were ever to be agreed by MPs. Sabine Weyand (left with Michel Barnier) said the British government needed to change position if there was to be a deal in time for exit day on March 29 She told the European Policy Centre think-tank: 'It is quite a challenge to see how you can construct from a diversity of the opposition a positive majority for the deal.' She said there appeared to be a lack of 'ownership' in Britain of the agreement struck between the two sides in November, and that there was insufficient transparency in the prime minister's moves. And Ms Weyand warned: 'There will be no more negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement.' The diplomat said some of the problems caused by opposition to the so-called 'Irish backstop' - designed to keep open the EU-UK land border on the island of Ireland - by changing some of its demands on post-Brexit trade. 'Where we do have margin is on the political declaration,' she said. Britain remaining in a customs union, or even the EU single market, could help reach a final agreement, Ms Weyand said, adding: 'We need decisions on the UK side on the direction of travel.' Ms Weyand said the ratification of the EU-UK deal would build the trust necessary to build a new relationship. She ruled out bowing to British calls to set a time limit to the backstop beyond which this insurance policy would lapse. She said: 'A time-limit on the backstop defeats the purpose of the backstop because it means that once the backstop expires you stand there with no solution for this border.' Ms Weyand continued: 'We are open to alternative arrangements' on the Irish border, she told a conference. 'The problem with the Brady amendment is that it does not spell out what they are. 'It's not a criticism of them because they don't exist.' However, she urged British lawmakers not to view the backstop, which would keep the UK in a customs arrangement with the EU until a better way is found to avoid checks on the Irish border, as pre-judging how a better trade deal may be struck: 'The backstop is not a prerequisite for the future relationship,' she said. 'We are open to alternative proposals.' She also said if and when EU leaders discuss delaying Brexit by agreeing to extend negotiations, they 'will require certain elements of information... and one of them is the purpose of extension'. 'They would want to be reassured about that at the end of the extension there will be clarity,' she said. 'The idea of going into serial extensions is not very popular on the EU side.' Police have identified two suspects who were killed during a shootout with officers serving a search warrant at a 'drug house' in Houston. Rhogena Nicholas, 58, and Dennis Tuttle, 59, died at the scene of Monday night's shooting, Police Chief Art Acevedo announced at a press conference Tuesday morning. Acevedo described the residence in southeast Houston as a 'drug house' and said police recovered weapons, marijuana and a white powdery substance believed to be either cocaine or fentanyl on the scene. Nicholas and Tuttle were suspected of trafficking black tar heroin. Four narcotics officers who were shot and a fifth who was injured during the confrontation are all in stable condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Their names have not been released as they were all working undercover. Scroll down for video Rhogena Nicholas, 58, and Dennis Tuttle, 59, have been identified by police as the two suspects killed during a shootout with officers who were serving a search warrant at an alleged 'drug house' in southeast Houston on Monday evening Narcotics investigators had reason to believe Nicholas and Tuttle were dealing black tar heroin at the house in southeast Houston, according to law enforcement officials Police are can be seen responding to reports of the shooting at what authorities have described as a 'drug house' on Harding Street in southeast Houston. Four narcotics officers who were shot and a fifth who was injured during the confrontation are all in stable condition After an investigation turned up evidence that black tar heroin was being sold from the house (pictured), a group of 15 narcotic officers and six additional officers arrived at the home around 4.15pm Monday Officers announced themselves as Houston Police before entering, but as they opened the front door they immediately came under fire from either one or two suspects (pictured are bullet holes in the wall of the house) Dr Michelle McNutt offered condition updates on the officers, who range in age from 33 to 54, at the Tuesday morning press conference. She said one of the officers who suffered a wound to face is recovering after surgery and will need more surgeries in the future. A second officer with a knee injury underwent surgery and a third officer with a facial wound will not need surgery, McNutt said. On Monday night it was reported that fourth officer shot in the neck was in stable condition and the fifth had been released. Acevedo became emotional as he described visiting one of the officers, a 54-year-old who had been shot twice before in the line of duty. He said the officer passed him a note that read: 'I had to get in there.' The police chief said: 'This officer is a teddy bear, and tough as nails. The only thing bigger than his body is his courage.' Police Chief Art Acevedo (above) gave updates on the shooting at a press conference Tuesday One of the injured officers was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition Officers listen as Chief Acevedo comes outside of the emergency department at Memorial Hermann Hospital after visiting injured officers Houston officials are expected to disclose more details about the suspects in the coming days. Acevedo said police began investigating the home after receiving a tip from a neighbor about suspicious activity. 'We don't just ignore that,' the police chief said. 'We immediately passed it on to our narcotics division that began this investigation.' After an investigation turned up evidence that black tar heroin was being sold from the house, a group of 15 narcotic officers and six additional officers arrived at the home around 4.15pm Monday. Acevedo said officers announced themselves as Houston Police before entering, and as they opened the front door they immediately came under fire from either one or two suspects, and one officer was attacked by a pit bull, ABC13 reported. One of the suspects retreated to the back of the room and returned to shoot at the officers. After the initial shootout, robots were used to go inside the residence and survey the scene. Both suspects were pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by return gunfire. One woman Jasmine Castro lives nearby and said she heard about 15 rounds of gunfire in the neighborhood, according to ABC Action News. Video from one bystander shows officers on the ground and hit. Snapchat footage showed officers on the ground outside of the home where the shooting occurred after officers went inside to serve a search warrant Police reportedly recovered weapons, marijuana and a white powdery substance believed to be either cocaine or fentanyl at the scene Acevedo said police began investigating the home after receiving a tip from a neighbor about suspicious activity Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the shooting a 'horrific attack on police officers' in a statement. 'This evening's horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe,' Abbott said. Harris County Sheriff's deputies and ATF agents assisted at the scene. Houston mayor Sylvester Turner asked for prayers for the several injured officers. The attack resembled a 2016 shooting in Dallas that saw Micah Xavier Johnson ambush and kill five officers while injuring nine others. That shooting was the deadliest incident for US law enforcement since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Theresa May claimed there was a 'way forward' on Brexit tonight after snatching a surprise victory from a minefield in the Commons. The latest showdown over Brexit dawned with the Prime Minister facing the prospect of humiliation at the hands of MPs for the second time in a fortnight. Mrs May pleaded with her party for support last night and ordered them to rally round a plan by Sir Graham Brady, the influential chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs. But she had issued her ordered just minutes after Jacob Rees-Mogg, the shop steward of Tory Brexiteers, had told MPs to do the opposite. The Prime Minister made her first move as she gathered her Cabinet in Downing Street this morning. Theresa May claimed there was a 'way forward' on Brexit tonight after snatching a surprise victory from a minefield in the Commons A diagram showing how Graham Brady's amendment - calling on Theresa May to renegotiate the Irish backstop - won the support of the House of Commons Government whip Craig Whittaker read out the seventh and crucial vote on the Brady amendment at 8.40pm, ending a successful day for the Prime Minister as she bought herself more time to get a Brexit deal She told ministers she was ready to demand Brussels reopens the Withdrawal Agreement to seek legally-binding changes to the backstop. The U-turn - which Mrs May has repeatedly warned against for fears it would risk British success in the negotiations on Gibraltar and fishing - was a key demand of Brexiteers last night. Mrs May also set a new deadline of February 13, telling her Cabinet that there would either be a new vote to approve her deal or another round of votes on what to do instead. It was a crucial concession to Remain ministers such as Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd who had threatened to resign to vote in favour of blocking no deal tonight. The moves combined with the surprise emergence over night of a new Brexit compromise between Mr Rees-Mogg and Remainer Nicky Morgan built a basis for tonight's success. It was not all one way traffic: shortly after Cabinet broke up, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn finally clambered off the fence and announced he would back the amendments against no deal. The move was a huge boost to the plan tabled by Labour MP Yvette Cooper to tear up the Commons rules and try to change the law next week. Her amendment would have scrapped the decades-old rule that only ministers set the timetable of the Commons and given MPs the chance to pass a law saying if there was no deal by February 26, the PM must delay Brexit. If the Cooper amendment carried, Mrs May's hopes of getting a renegotiation in Brussels would have been bleak. With Labour votes, Tory Remain rebels were confident they could use Parliament to seize control of the Brexit process to prevent no deal and significantly soften Brexit. A crucial moment came when Speaker John Bercow selected all of the main plans at the start of the debate - ending fears he would ignore the Brady plan favoured by No 10. The efforts of Tory whips appeared to be working - even Boris Johnson said he would vote for the Brady plan if Mrs May was sincere about reopening talks on the divorce deal Amendments from Labour's Yvette Cooper and Tory Dominic Grieve aimed to frustrate a no deal Brexit and had appeared to have a strong chance of success at the start of the day It meant when Mrs May arrived at the Despatch Box at 1.51pm this afternoon both main amendments - Brady and Cooper - were in with a fighting chance when the votes came at 7pm. In her speech, Mrs May repeated her promises to Cabinet about demanding the Brexit deal was reopened and told MPs: 'I will never stop battling for Britain, but the odds of success become much longer if this House ties one hand behind my back.' She tells Parliament the Brady amendment 'will give the mandate I need to negotiate with Brussels'. The PM used her appearance to support the apparent 'Plan C' from Mr Rees-Mogg and Ms Morgan - saying it was a 'serious proposal'. Behind the scenes, Tory whips pressed MPs hard to vote down the no deal plans and instead endorse Mrs May's hopes of renegotiating. The effort appeared to be working - even Boris Johnson said he would vote for the Brady plan if Mrs May was sincere about reopening talks on the divorce deal. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds also spoke up in favour of the PM's new position, while Mr Rees-Mogg thanked Mrs May for her shift. Again there were blows against Mrs May - with Tory Remain supporters Sarah Wollaston and Ed Vaizey insisting they could not vote for renewed talks on the backstop. After more than five hours of debate, Mr Bercow finally called the Commons to order at 7pm. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn finally clambered off the fence and announced he would back the amendments against no deal - but his effort failed as the main Cooper amendment was defeated Amendments from Mr Corbyn and SNP leader Ian Blackford were both dispatched with ease - 327 MPs filed into the Government lobby both times, enough to win any vote. The third vote was crucial as a plan from Tory MP Dominic Grieve - to hand MPs the power to debate and vote on Brexit every Tuesday until there is a deal - was tested. Fifteen Conservative MPs rebelled - the usual Remain rebels including Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry - but they were cancelled out by 14 Labour MPs. The Labour group included Brexit supporters like Kate Hoey and Dennis Skinner, and those from Leave-voting areas like Caroline Flint. It meant the Government won again - 321 to 301 - and by a bigger margin than many had expected. It set the stage for the Cooper amendment to fail in the fourth vote of the night. This time 17 Tories rebelled but again they were cancelled out by the same bloc of 14 Labour MPs. Ms Cooper's plan lost by a slightly larger margin of 321 to 298 - a majority of 23 and a clear signal the Commons would back Mrs May to renegotiate the deal. A fifth vote on an amendment from Rachel Reeves - to make a political statement saying the same as Ms Cooper's proposed law - was seen off 322-290. The sixth vote on Dame Caroline Spelman's amendment tarnished the night for Mrs May. The amendment set out a statement that a no deal Brexit would be unacceptable - but made no effort to change the law or force the Government to do anything. The same 17 Conservative MPs rebelled to support the motion but this time only three Labour MPs went the other way. It meant the rebels won 318 to 310 - a symbolic blow to Mrs May that could encourage the EU not to give ground in any new negotiations. But it did not stop Mrs May securing the most important victory of the night when the Brady amendment was finally called to a vote at 8.26pm. The results meant Theresa May could return to the Despatch Box at 8.41pm to hail a way forward on Brexit The motion carried 317 to 301, with just eight Tory rebels voting against sending Mrs May back for a final push on the border backstop. Seven Labour MPs voted the other way, joining forces with all 10 DUP MPs and three Independents to get Mrs May over the line. She told the Commons: 'A fortnight ago, this House clearly rejected the proposed Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration with just 202 members voting in favour. 'Tonight a majority of Honourable Members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop. 'Combined with measures to address concerns over Parliaments role in the negotiation of the future relationship and commitments on workers rights, in law where need be, it is now clear that there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. 'We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.' SIR GRAHAM BRADY'S PLAN TO FIX THE BACKSTOP BY DEMANDING CHANGES FROM THE EU - BACKED BY MAY WHAT IT DOES: Proposes replacing the Northern Ireland backstop with 'alternative arrangements' to avoid a hard border. Also supports leaving with a deal. WHOSE PLAN? Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee. HOW IT WORKS: Allows Mrs May to go to Brussels and say the EU must make concessions on the backstop or get rid of it. WHAT HAPPENED: Passed 317 to 301, majority 16. YVETTE COOPER'S PLAN TO DELAY BREXIT IF THERE IS NOT A DEAL WHAT IT DOES: Forces ministers to extend Article 50 beyond March 29 to stop No Deal. WHOSE PLAN? Labour's Yvette Cooper, former Tory ministers Nick Boles and Sir Oliver Letwin. HOW IT WORKS: Ministers lose the power to decide what is debated on February 5, which passes to backbench MPs. Miss Cooper proposes a law forcing Mrs May to ask for a delay on Brexit if No Deal is agreed by February 26. WHAT HAPPENED: Defeated 321 to 298, majority 23. DOMINIC GRIEVE'S PLAN TO HAND POWER TO MPS WHAT IT DOES: Give control over Parliamentary business to MPs. WHOSE PLAN? Dominic Grieve QC, former attorney general and ardent Remainer, and MPs who want a second referendum. HOW IT WORKS: Government loses power over the Commons every Tuesday from February 12 to March 26 so backbench MPs could vote on Brexit. Could delay Article 50 or change the deal to include a customs union or second referendum. COULD IT SUCCEED? Could pass with the support of pro-Remain Tories, Labour WHAT HAPPENED: Defeated 321 to 301, majority 20. DAME CAROLINE SPELMAN'S PLAN TO RULE OUT NO DEAL WHAT IT DOES: Stops the UK leaving without a deal. WHOSE PLAN: Former Tory Cabinet minister Caroline Spelman and Labour MP Jack Dromey. HOW IT WORKS: Rejects No Deal. WHAT HAPPENED: Victory, 318 to 310, majority eight WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT? This is a major symbolic victory for the forces against No Deal and may encourage the EU to hold its line in hope of avoiding Brexit. RACHEL REEVES' PLAN TO DELAY BREXIT IF THERE IS NO DEAL WHAT IT DOES: Just like the Cooper plan, this demands the Government ask for an extension to Article 50 if there is no deal by February 26 - but does so only in political terms without trying to change the law. WHOSE PLAN: Labour MP Rachel Reeves HOW IT WORKS? Makes a political statement to put pressure on the Government. WHAT HAPPENED: Defeated 322 to 290, majority 32. JEREMY CORBYN'S PLAN TO FUDGE THE VOTE BY DEMANDING CHANGE BUT HINTING AT A REFERENDUM WHAT IT DOES: Demands changes to the deal and hints at a second referendum. WHOSE PLAN? Corbyn, Labour frontbench. HOW IT WORKS: Ministers must let Parliament discuss No Deal, and proposes staying in a permanent customs union. If that fails, it suggests a second referendum. WHAT HAPPENED: Defeated 327 to 296, majority 31 IAN BLACKFORD'S PLAN TO MAKE A POINT ABOUT SCOTLAND WHAT IT DOES: Notes that the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Commons all voted against the deal and Scotland voted Remain WHOSE PLAN? SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford HOW IT WORKS: Makes a political declaration about Scotland's right to determine its own future. WHAT HAPPENED: Defeated 327 to 39, majority 288 Rebecca Sparrow, 37, was sentenced to two years behind bars on Monday for having sex with a 17-year-old student A former Ohio guidance counselor has tearfully apologized for having sex with her 17-year-old student while being sentenced to two years behind bars. Rebecca Sparrow, 37, appeared at her sentencing hearing on Monday where she apologized for her 'betrayal and broken trust' before jurors. The recently-divorced mother-of-two was sentenced to two years in jail by Summit County Common Pleas Judge Amy Corrigall Jones after pleading guilty to one count of sexual battery in November. Judge Jones called her acts 'perverse'. 'I'm so sorry for my betrayal and broken trust. You all expected more from me and I let you down,' she told the court and the student's family, according to The Columbus Dispatch. 'I know no words can heal the pain Ive caused,' she added. Sparrow was a counselor at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Summit County, Ohio when she had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student from February to May 2016, according to WJW. The student, now 20, was not present in the courtroom but did write a letter to the court. Sparrow cried in court as she was sentenced to two years behind bars for sexual battery and apologized to the victims family saying: 'I know no words can heal the pain Ive caused' She was a guidance counselor at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Ohio and had a sexual relationship with student, then 17, from February to May 2016 The student was referred to the high school counselor because his parents were going through a divorce and he expressed suicidal thoughts. But instead of helping him, Sparrow had sex with him, prosecutors said. 'She fully understood what she was doing and the wrongfulness, and continued to do it over and over and over,' Assistant Prosecutor Felicia Easter said during Sparrows sentencing. She said that Sparrow knew that the student was underage and was in a 'fragile mental state' due to his family problems. She also told the boy multiple times that she'd lose her job and go to jail if they ever got caught. Sparrow was placed on administration leave in January 2018 and she later resigned. Sparrow was hired by the district in 2006 and first worked in special education at Bolich Middle School. She became a guidance counselor at the high school in 2015. Sparrow claimed the student initiated the relationship and consented to it in a psycho-sexual evaluation. The evaluator said Sparrow failed to display empathy or remorse for her actions and instead fixated on her humiliation. Summit County Judge Amy Corrigall Jones called her acts 'perverse' and ignored pleas for Sparrow (above) to avoid jail time and be given probation instead Sparrow became a guidance counselor at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Summit County, Ohio in 2015 Sparrow had no prior criminal record and says following the event she's had to attend weekly counseling sessions. Her attorney argued that she deserved probation rather prison time. The former student also didn't think Sparrow deserved prison time. 'He has had time to reflect on what happened, how this affects him, and it is his belief she should not be incarcerated,' Sparrow's attorney Mike Callahan said. Still she was sentenced to two years in prison and the judge noted that probation department officials found her to be a moderate risk for reoffending given her attraction to teenage males. She originally faced up to five years in jail for the relationship. She was designated as a Tier III sex offender and will have to register her address with sheriff's officials every 90 days for the rest of her life. Sparrow is set to apply for early release from prison. 'This has taken a great toll on her and her family,' her lawyer said. With her conviction, she won't be able to work as a school counselor after she's released. A 13-year-old girl who went missing before she was found hanged in a hedgerow had told teachers she didn't have 'anything happy to write about' two years before she fled her home. Amber Peat ran away from her home in Nottingham, when she was ordered to clean out a cool box after returning from a family holiday to Cornwall. A huge search was launched for the schoolgirl involving hundreds of police officers and members of the public. But three days after she disappeared, Amber's body was found hanging in undergrowth less than a mile from her home. Today a court heard evidence from the teenager's former teachers who said she had been very sullen when first starting school. On day two of the hearing, at Nottingham Coroner's Court, Amber's former teachers gave evidence and presented an insight into the teenager's school life. Amber Peat, 13, from Mansfield was not found hanged for 72 hours despite going missing in the early evening of May 30 Amber's mother Kelly is pictured left and her stepfather Daniel right with an unknown woman leaving Nottingham Coroner's Court earlier today Her Year 6 teacher at Town End Junior School in Tibshelf, Derbys, told the hearing how Amber arrived suddenly in April 2013 with no information from her previous school. Keeley Vardy said Amber, then 11, was 'quite sullen' on her first day and when asked to focus on a particular aspect of her life for a project the class was doing on autobiographies, replied: 'I haven't got anything happy to write about.' Miss Vardy added Amber 'was finding it difficult to think of something happy' but did eventually write about her grandma. She said Amber had 'quite a lot of potential' academically and 'shone' with her reading. However, on the morning of her SATS tests she arrived at school without having had any breakfast and staff were forced to find her some biscuits so she was able to concentrate and 'perform at her best'. Miss Vardy added: 'We wanted to make sure she had had food and could do that.' Asked by coroner Laurinda Bower if any other children had turned up that day without having had any breakfast, the teacher replied: 'No.' On the first day of the inquest - it was revealed her mother and stepfather waited almost eight hours until they finally reported her missing at 12.56am on May 31, 2015. Amber Peat, 13, from Mansfield was not found hanged for 72 hours despite going missing in the early evening of May 30 Flowers had been left in tribute to Amber Peat who was found dead after fleeing her home Witnesses told how she felt 'very put upon at home' and had 'lots of jobs to do' - and had been threatened with violence by her stepfather, Danny Peat, hours before she ran away during the family's drive back from Cornwall. The inquest also heard about an incident when a sibling of Amber's, who cannot be named, was taken out of a 'Britain's Got Talent'-style school show because of misbehavior at home. Miss Vardy said: 'That request came from Mr Peat. 'I spoke to the head teacher because I did not think it was right, to be punished at school for something that had happened at home. It is not something we would normally do.' Beverley Wilson, who was head of Town End Junior School while Amber was a pupil there, told the hearing Amber and her sibling were picked up late from school 'more often than not'. She said: 'There seemed to be some issue with some banking arrangements, some meeting possibly in Chesterfield, I don't know, that ran on. 'But there was never a phone call to school to say there would be a late pick-up and I could not get hold of anyone at home on the phone to ask where an adult was.' Mrs Wilson added that on the occasions a parent failed to pick her up, Amber was 'quite sullen'. She said: 'She was not very happy. She would put her back against the wall and slide down to her haunches. She put her hand to her head. She was fed up, basically.' Mrs Wilson went on to tell the hearing that when Mrs Peat finally arrived to pick her children up, there was 'no apology, it was just a matter of beckoning to her children. They ran along and she would turn and walk away.' Mother Kelly Peat, and step father Danny Peat appealed for missing Amber to return to their home Amber's family and friends searched for her but she was not found dead for 72 hours Amber and her sibling would also often be dropped off late in the morning with no attempt to hurry them into class, added Mrs Wilson. And she told of an occasion when she phoned the family home because Amber's sibling was found with some jewellery she had brought into school. Mrs Wilson said: 'It was Mr Peat who answered the phone. He seemed quite a disciplinarian and gave an assurance it would not happen again and he would deal with it. 'I was a little taken aback because it was very straightforward, very full on.' After finishing at Town End, Amber moved up with her year group to Tibshelf Secondary School. Her form tutor there, Joanne Holland, told the inquest Amber displayed 'attention-seeking' behaviour, and had a 'reluctance' to go home at the end of the day. She said: 'Amber was concerned about going home, and I had to call on one occasion when I found her in the library. 'She had lost the belt off her coat and was scared she was going to get told off. I had to talk to her mum and assure Amber it was okay. 'She often liked to sit corners of the library, especially at the end of the day, and we had to get her to go home.' Mrs Holland describing meeting with Mr and Mrs Peat to discuss her concerns about Amber. She added: 'Her mum did not really involve herself and was distant. 'Mr Peat was more involved. I got the impression he was on the ball and would sit with her doing homework intensely, and could be quite intimidating. Volunteers from the local community (pictured above) had helped in the search for Amber 'I got the impression she would rather do it at lunchtime or stay after school rather than at home with him watching over her.' Asked by Ms Bower what she believed the cause of Amber's behaviour to be, Mrs Holland replied: 'I did say she did not get as much attention at home as would be considered normal. 'It was maybe more due to the fact there was a lack of routine and positive attention at home. 'The attention was more, 'get your homework done', not fun attention, and maybe she was trying to seek that at school.' Mrs Holland said that towards the end of Year 7 Amber suddenly announced she was moving house and would be leaving the school. She added: 'I was quite surprised because she had settled down and the form as a whole was sad to see her go. We collected photos and made a collage for her. 'I didn't know why she was going. It felt like a backward step because she had made great progress. I know she did not feel particularly happy about going.' On Monday, the immediate background to the tragedy was described to the inquest by Detective Constable Tina Gilfoyle, of Notts Police. Amber's mother and natural father, Adrian Cook (pictured), never married and separated when Amber was a young child She told how Amber, her parents, and two siblings had been on a week-long trip with other relatives to a caravan site in Cornwall during the school holidays, returning home on May 30, 2015 the day she vanished. Det Con Gilfoyle said that the family 'reported having a wonderful holiday and wonderful time'. However, she added that while Amber was missing, police interviewed a 'child witness' who revealed how she had 'been in trouble quite a lot' during the break. The officer told the hearing: 'There had been arguments and Amber had been prevented from going to the beach. 'Together with a cousin she had written a 'runaway list' on a laptop. It was quite a childish list with a wig, torch and rope. The cousin thought it was a joke. 'There had been an apparent incident in the car on the way home where Amber had taken some Cherryade without asking and had been scowling at Danny Peat, and had been told to sit in the back of the Zafira. 'Danny Peat said if she scowled at him again he was going to hit her. 'She (the witness) said Amber was only allowed sandwiches and not nice things as a result of her behaviour, because she had been misbehaving and cheeky. 'As a punishment when she got home she had to clean the car out herself. 'The family then go about their business, picking up pets and the like, and they, according to the child witness, go to Danny Peat's mum's home, and Amber is told to sit on a chair in the corner and told not to talk to them. 'They eventually go home and Amber is told to clean the cool box out that they had their sandwiches in. She was not happy about it and objected to it. 'She is reported as complaining and trying to get her mum's attention, and so her mum shuts the door, leaving Amber alone in the hallway. A short while later the door slams and Amber is gone. 'They went intending to look for Amber but could not see her. They went to Tesco and did some shopping and had their tea.' Det Con Gilfoyle said the 'best estimate' for the time Amber, who had only turned 13 a month earlier and was less than 5ft tall, left the house was 5.10pm. She was finally reported missing by her mum at 12.56am the following day. The inquest heard it was likely Amber died shortly after she was seen by a member of the public entering the hedgerow at around 5.50pm that day. But her body wasn't discovered for 72 hours when the sighting was finally reported to police on June 2. The inquest, which is expected to last around a month, continues. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article then you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, alternatively you can visit the website at by clicking here. Some House Democrats are whispering about a party-backed primary challenger to freshman firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex next year, a sign of frustration among her colleagues about her alignment with a progressive group threatening incumbent lawmakers. 'Meh,' Ocasio-Cortez told DailyMail.com off the House floor on Tuesday when asked about the party's alleged primary plans. She shrugged her shoulders and went in to vote. But at least one House Democrat has privately urged members of the New York delegation to recruit someone from the Bronx or Queens to challenge the social media sensation, who shocked the party last June when she beat Rep. Joe Crowley in their June primary, it was revealed on Tuesday. 'What I have recommended to the New York delegation is that you find her a primary opponent and make her a one-term congressperson,' a Democratic lawmaker told The Hill newspaper. 'You've got numerous council people and state legislators who've been waiting 20 years for that seat. I'm sure they can find numerous people who want that seat in that district.' Some House Democrats are muttering about finding a primary challenger to freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Ocasio-Cortez slapped back at the report Ocasio-Cortez slapped back at the report. She noted the 'waiting 20 years' line in the story and wrote on twitter: 'That broken mentality, that public office is something you wait in line for, instead of earning through hard organizing, is exactly what voters want to change. Shows you how disconnected some folks here are,' she posted Tuesday morning. Sparking the anger was a report from Politico that Ocasio-Cortez and a grassroots group with close ties to her, Justice Democrats, were considering backing a primary challenge to fellow New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, among other lawmakers. And Congressional Democratic leaders have expressed frustration with Ocasio-Cortez and other freshman progressives whose fiery messages and social media posts have sucked up attention. Jeffries is a longtime insider, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and he succeeded Crowley in his leadership role as Democratic caucus chairman. In a video posted by Justice Democrats, who helped Ocasio-Cortez defeat Crowley in their primary, the freshman lawmaker called on fellow activists to challenge incumbent lawmakers. 'If you're a one-term Congress member, so what?' Ocasio-Cortez says in the video. 'You can make 10 years worth of change in one term if you're not afraid.' As for Jeffries, Ocasio-Cortez was said to be unhappy that a campaign donation to her from Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee was allegedly used in a whisper campaign against Lee before she lost that Democratic leadership position to Jeffries. But those involved in that intra-party contest claimed the charge is false. One person who spoke with Ocasio-Cortez and her staff about Jeffries told Politico she was targeting her fellow New York Democrat. 'It's personal for Ocasio,' the person said. 'And she's going to go all out to take him out.' But the congresswoman's spokesperson denied the December report. 'We're not looking at recruiting people to run campaigns, we're looking at building a congressional staff,' Corbin Trent told Politico at the time. Other targets of Justice Democrats are said to include Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, a conservative Democrat. Ocasio-Cortez, however, denied she was interested in knocking off her fellow Democrats. And Jeffries said none of his House colleagues have asked him about recruiting a primary challenger to Ocasio-Cortez. 'I don't think that is something the New York delegation would contemplate. As you can see, we are totally united behind each other. The New York delegation sticks together,' Jeffries told The Hill. He noted Ocasio-Cortez denied the news report that she was backing a challenger to him, 'so there was nothing to work through. I haven't seen a primary candidate emerge, so I assume when she denied it, she was correct that there was nothing to it.' Ocasio-Cortez's office has denied she wants to knock off her fellow lawmakers in primaries Rep. Harkeem Jeffries (seen here with Rep. Katherine Clark) said none of his House colleagues have asked him about recruiting a primary challenger to Ocasio-Cortez No official challenger to the self-described socialist has emerged but there are some names being thrown around by Democrats in the New York district, particularly by those angry she knocked off Crowley, who was a political power player on Capitol Hill and in-line to be speaker one day. 'She's pissing off a lot of people and has probably made a lot of enemies. A lot of people who are furious with her are Joe's allies, including some named Crowley,' one insider told the newspaper in reference to Crowley's cousin, Elizabeth Crowley, a former New York City councilwoman. 'She is a woman. She's been moving more to the left. She would be someone interesting.' Ocasio-Cortez's spokesperson told The Hill the congresswoman was not worried about facing a primary challenger should it happen. 'We believe in primaries as an idea. We're not upset by the idea of being primaried. We are not going to go out there being anti-primary they are good for party,' said Corbin Trent, a campaign spokesman for Ocasio-Cortez and a co-founder of Justice Democrats. The secrets of the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty who own the company accused of sparking America's opioid crisis with its mass production and aggressive marketing of OxyContin, will be laid bare in court despite their efforts to keep them private. On Monday, Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders rejected the family's attempts to keep the lawsuit filed against them and their company, Purdue Pharma, by the state of Massachusetts sealed, saying the details they seek to protect belong in the public domain. The full lawsuit - which has been heavily redacted and has not been released publicly - must now be released, free of redacts, by February 1. It will expose for the first time the tactics the family used to not only push the highly addictive painkiller through the pharmaceutical industry and in to millions of American homes and hospitals, but also the efforts they took to try to 'circumvent safeguards put in place to stop illegal prescription,' according to Sanders. It was Arthur Sackler, the oldest of the brothers, who boosted their pharmaceutical business with his knack for marketing and instincts about consumers in the 1960s. He died in 1987, before OxyContin had been made and his descendants say he would not have approved of how his brothers carried on the business Raymond, left, and Mortimer, right, were at the helm of the business when the drug was created. They died in 2017 and 2010 respectively Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey welcomed the judge's decision on Tuesday, saying in a statement: 'For many years, Purdue, its executives, and members of the Sackler family have tried to shift the blame and hide their role in creating the opioid epidemic. Judge Janet Sanders ruled against the family's attempts to keep the lawsuit sealed on Monday 'We are grateful to the court for lifting the impoundment on our complaint so that the public and families so deeply impacted by this crisis can see the allegations of the misconduct that has harmed so many.' In pages of the lawsuit already made public, Healey claims the family aggressively pushed the painkiller to doctors despite knowing how addictive it is. Family members even claimed the tens of thousands of deaths attributed to their drug were only the tip of the iceberg but still pressed hard for more sales, the lawsuit claims. In 1997, Richard Sackler, Kathe Sackler, and other Purdue executives determined and recorded in secret internal correspondence that doctors had the crucial misconception that OxyContin was weaker than morphine, which led them to prescribe OxyContin much more often, even as a substitute for Tylenol, says Healey. In her judgement, Judge Sanders said the family's argument to keep the lawsuit redacted was 'hardly compelling'. [The contents of the lawsuit] appear to be discussions of tactics that could be used to promote the sales of OxyContin (particularly in higher doses), to encourage doctors to prescribe the drug over longer periods of time, and to circumvent safeguards put in place to stop illegal prescriptions Judge Janet Sanders According to her, the contents of the suit 'appear to be discussions of tactics that could be used to promote the sales of OxyContin (particularly in higher doses), to encourage doctors to prescribe the drug over longer periods of time, and to circumvent safeguards put in place to stop illegal prescriptions.' The family's legal team has already sought an appellate review of the judge's order. The Sacklers have long contested that they are not to blame for the crisis. They say Purdue is responsible for just 2 percent of opioid prescriptions in the country that the drug, which was approved by the FDA in 1995, brings 'needed pain relief' to millions. Their family is divided in their stance on the issue and their connection to Purdue. The dynasty was started by brothers Arthur, Mortimer and Raymond in 1952. They were doctors when they acquired Purdue Frederick but thanks to Arthur's flare for advertising and marketing, the business boomed. Under his guardianship, the company marketed Valium and antibiotics for other pharmaceutical companies. Arthur died in 1987 before OxyContin ever hit the market. His brothers bought his share of the business and spearheaded Purdue as it grew to the mammoth, $14billion company it now is. Arthur's widow Jillian and his daughter Elizabeth have long sought to distance themselves from the other side of the family now being sued. Jillian has said in the past that her late husband would not have approved of the widespread sale of the drug that is commonplace today. Mortimer died in 2010 and Raymond in 2017. The drug OxyContin has been widely blamed for the opioid crisis Now, the Sacklers facing action are; Theresa and Beverly, Mortimer and Raymond's widows, Ilene and Kathe, Mortimer's two daughters, Mortimer David Alfons Sackler, ; Jonathan and Richard Sackler, Raymonds two sons; and David Sackler, Raymonds grandson. Eight other company executives, including CEO Craig Landau are also named. The Sacklers live glamorously in New York City, London and Texas among other places, attending exclusive parties in each city and donating to charity and the arts. Their life is so charmed that Forbes named the Sacklers as #19 on its list of Americas richest families in 2016 four spots above the Rockefellers. It is not the first time that Purdue has been in trouble with the law. It paid more than $600 million in 2007 to settle federal charges that it had misbranded OxyContin as safer and less addictive than it actually is. Eight years later it paid over $24 million in a suit brought in Kentucky but admitted no wrongdoing. Dozens of other suits are pending as cities throughout the country try to recoup some of the money lost to the opioid epidemic that kills nearly 150 people every day. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Purdue said Healeys lawsuit irresponsibly and counterproductively casts every prescription of OxyContin as dangerous and illegitimate. It said Healey had cherry-picked from tens of millions of documents to make the company look bad. The complaint is littered with biased and inaccurate characterizations of these documents and individual defendants, often highlighting potential courses of action that were ultimately rejected by the company. In a rush to vilify a single manufacturer whose medicines represent less than 2 percent of opioid pain prescriptions rather than doing the hard work of trying to solve a complex public health crisis, the complaint distorts critical facts and cynically conflates prescription opioid medications with illegal heroin and fentanyl, which are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Massachusetts. The late Mortimer Sackler with his widow, Dame Theresa Sackler who is among members of the family being sued Theresa spends most of her time in London but she owns this building on the Upper East Side The company also pointed out that it has been working for more than a decade to develop a new version of OxyContin with abuse deterrent properties. The FDA has directly addressed many of the issues within the Massachusetts complaint and has continued to determine that Purdue Pharma's opioids are safe and effective for their intended use, the company said. The family's story as one of the pharmaceutical power houses of the world began in 1952 when brother Mortimer, Raymond and Arthur started Purdue by purchasing a smaller firm in Manhattan. Among those being sued for the push of OxyContin are Raymond and Mortimer's widows, Beverly and Theresa. Theresa, 69, owns a $45million Upper East Side apartment building but lives mostly in the UK on a 10-acre estate in the Berkshire countryside. She is known in the UK as Dame Theresa Sackler, a title she was awarded for her sustained philanthropy and support of the arts. Theresa is more visible than her sister-in-law. Beverly Sackler is Raymond's 94-year-old widow. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut Beverly owns a sprawling, waterfront estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, which is worth an estimated $50million Beverly owns a sprawling, waterfront estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, which is worth an estimated $50million Until recent years, she was frequently photographed on the New York City and London party circuit hob-knobbing with the likes of the late architect Zaha Hadid. Ilene is Mortimer's oldest daughter. She is pictured in 1999 opening the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology Beverly, 94, is Raymond's widow. She lives on a Greenwich, Connecticut waterfront estate which has an estimated land and property value of almost $50million. She also owns a 17-floor Fifth Avenue building in Manhattan. When her husband was still alive, they donated the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Institute for Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences at Yale. It now employs 50 people across 20 departments. Five of the brothers' children are also being sued, including Ilene, Mortimer's eldest daughter with his first wife. She was listed as a director of Purdue's sister company, UK-based Napp Pharamaceutical Holdings, as of December 2016. She lives in an apartment in an iconic Upper West Side which she owns. Its total value is estimated to be more than $122million. Ilene owns the iconic San Remo building on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It is valued at $122million Her children, 42-year-old Karen Leftcourt Taylor and 47-year-old Jeffrey Lefcourt, are not involved in the family business. Kathe Sackler, 70, lives in New York City and owns property in Connecticut with her wife Karen is a psychotherapist and Jeffrey works in the restaurant industry as the CEO of the group which owns The Smith. Kathe, Mortimer's second daughter with Muriel, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. She is one of the directors of Napp, a UK-based company which also sold OxyContin. She owns two suburban properties in Connecticut which are separated by another owned by someone else and she lives in an Upper East Side townhouse with her wife, Susan Shack Sackler. The house was owned by both Raymond and Mortimer. Their children share it. Kathe and Ilene had a brother, Robert, is deceased. Kathe and her half-brother Mortimer are both named on the deed for this $2.6million Upper East Side townhouse (pictured) Mortimer David Alfons Sackler, 47, with his wife, Jaqueline. Their Hamptons home has been featured in Vogue. Jacqueline is shown, right, with Ivanka Trump in 2007 The sisters' half-brother, Mortimer David Alfons Sackler, is also being sued. He is the only son of founding brother Mortimer, Mortimer II's mother is Gertraud Wimmer, Mortimer's second wife. Mortimer David owns a luxury condo building in Boston and lives in New York City with his 42-year-old wife Jacqueline. The couple are a regular fixture on the Manhattan social circuit. Their Amagansett home has also been featured in Vogue and Jacqueline has been pictured rubbing shoulders in the past with socialites including Tinsley Mortimer and Ivanka Trump. Their visibility has seemed to shrink as the opioid crisis intensified across the country. Also named as defendants are his cousins, brothers Jonathan, 63, and Richard, 73. They are Raymond and Beverly's two sons. Jonathan and his wife live in Greenwich, Connecticut, in a property next to his mother's. Richard 's former family home is not far away in neighboring Stamford. They have a cancer research center named after them at Yale and have both held positions at Purdue. Brothers Jonathan, left, and Richard, right. Richard headed Purdue from 1999 to 2003 and oversaw much of the increasing sales of OxyContin as it was being advertised Richard moved to this sprawling Texas estate after his divorce. It features six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a pool and stunning views of Lake Austin 'My father raised Jon and me to believe that philanthropy is an important part of how we should fill our lives,' Richard said of the pair once. Richard headed Purdue from 1999 to 2003 and oversaw much of the increasing sales of OxyContin as it was being advertised. As of December 2016, he was still listed as a director of sister company Napp Pharmaceuticals and now lives on a sprawling estate outside of Austin, Texas that features six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a pool and stunning views of Lake Austin. David is extraordinarily private but his glamorous wife Joss, pictured, is a regular on the Manhattan social scene He moved there after his divorce from his wife Beth. Richard is identified as a micro-manager who aggressively sought higher sales of the drug even as the opioid crisis was sweeping the country. He personally went to doctors offices with company sales reps, the lawsuit says. But he was never satisfied. I had hoped for better results, he wrote in an internal memo after OxyContin sales were double the companys own forecast. In 2012, the companys then-sales vice president Russell Gasdia who is not personally named in the suit agreed that sales reps who did not increase sales would be fired to send a message to others. The only third generation Sackler named in the suit is David Sackler, 38, Richard's son. Last year, he paid cash for a $22.5million Bel Air mansion set in a 10,000 acre estate. He owns a 20 floor apartment building in the Upper East Side and two other apartments in the city too. Last year, David, who was extremely private, paid cash for this $22.5million Bel Air mansion set in a 10,000 acre estate In March, a group of protesters descended on the Sackler Wing at the Met to shame the family The group threw bottles of opioid into a water feature at the monument which is partly named after the family David is married to Joss Sackler, an Instagram-enthusiast who runs the members-only women's social club, LBV. Elizabeth Sackler told DailyMail.com last year she had nothing to do with the company Among its events are group workouts at the model haven gym Dog Pound and talks such as 'how to have the money talk with your kids.' While Arthur was the brother who sparked the family's booming wealth with his marketing instincts, his children and widow have been eager to distance themselves from Purdue since OxyContin spread after his death. Jillian, his widow, has said in the past that he would not have approved of the widespread sale of the addictive drug. His children have told DailyMail.com in the past that they have never profited from Purdue nor been a part of it. 'I, nor my siblings, nor my children have ever owned or benefited from Purdue Pharma or OxyContin or oxycodone. Its another branch of the family. 'Purdue Pharma was owned by my uncles and my cousins. I have no relationship to it whatsoever,' Elizabeth Sackler told DailyMail.com last year. They have instead devoted most of their time to philanthropy, something the rest of the family balances with their profiteering. A man who worked for the government up until last March has revealed how he left his job in Washington DC to start a new life free from most of his material possessions in a hut he built himself in Western North Carolina. Matt Colombo admitted he survives off roadkill cooked on an open fire and a sleeping bag with plenty of woolen blankets, but hasn't given up his cellphone or car since the big switch. The former Environmental Protective Agency worker made the decision aged 31 when he heard about the Ardea Homestead Sanctuary. Scroll down for videos Matt Colombo left his Environmental Protective Agency job in Washington DC last March, aged 31, to start a new life in the Southern Appalachians A former government employee has shared how he ditched his possessions to live in a wigwam hut in North Carolina like indigenous tribes 'I also eat deer that get hit by cars. Not that are run over, but that get hit in the head and die on the side of the road,' he told the Charlotte Observer. He eats freshly picked vegetables stored in an outdoor pantry. Colombo built the wigwam hut with trees and covered it in bark, modeling it off the indigenous tribes of the North Carolina Piedmont, but used some modern materials to help him along the way. In fact, his primary home is located in woods behind a much more luxurious modern home, prompting some people in Colombo's life to believe he's simply going through a phase. 'I have some family members that are waiting until this break from regular life is over and I'll go back to what I was doing before, but I just don't see that happening,' he continued. Colombo lives with a sleeping bag and plenty of woolen blankets inside the wigwam hut In a blog post last June, Colombo shared how he had no regrets a few months after ditching his job which involved obtaining signatures and he suggested was more suitable to a 'third-grader'. Despite having a master's degree, he much prefers to reflect and read in his simple hom. 'One day, I sat and meditated and watched asparagus grow. I saw a change in the length of the asparagus spear in 45 minutes. I checked back 8 hours later, and it had grown over an inch! I felt calm, peaceful, connected,' he wrote in his 2018 blog post. In the online post he spoke of how his computer and using money is something he's not ready to give up quite yet. But he hasn't given up his cellphone, car, computer and other modern inventions Colombo is learning to heal ailments with herbal medicine instead of visiting doctors He has made progress in ditching modern medicine throughout his time in the foothills of the Southern Appalachians though. 'Machines support the individualistic culture that exists: MY car, MY computer, MY cell phone, MY money. These things do connect me to the wider world, and sharing some of them is a catch-22 that I'm still sorting through,' he confessed. 'When I had a swollen eyelid, I immediately thought that meant I needed to see a doctor and get antibiotics. But, I tried a compress of usnea and calendula instead. 'I religiously compressed that eye and the swelling and itching eventually subsided. I read an interesting passage in an herbal book about how I should support my body during the infection, because it has the tools to fight it.' Sickening pictures have emerged showing three man dressed up as victims of the deadly Mexican pipeline explosion for a street party. The trio sparked a furious backlash after they were seen wearing ripped t-shirts and jeans and carrying mock fuel containers. The pals, who have not been identified in reports, also wore face and body paint to make them look as though they had been badly burned. The controversial images were taken at a carnival party in the town of Putla Villa de Guerrero in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. The three men carried fake fuel containers and wore ripped clothes and face paint to appear as though they had been badly burned The men can be seen dancing and drinking during the street party as they lift the mock jerrycans into the air. According to local media, the controversial costumes were a reference to the fuel pipeline explosion, which occurred around 600km away in the town Tlahuelilpan in the state of Hidalgo, which has claimed at least 117 lives. The controversial images were taken at a carnival party in the town of Putla Villa de Guerrero in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico Reports state that the high death toll was because locals had gathered to steal fuel from a leak in the pipeline. Online commentators were quick to condemn the trio for being insensitive to the victims. The trio were seen dancing and drinking while lifting their fuel containers in the air during the carnival The costumes sparked a furious backlash online as the men were accused of mocking the victims of the fuel pipeline explosion 'Eunis Flores' said: 'To me this is not funny at all,' while 'Lou Mart' added: 'I do not agree with what they have done, in the end it was a robbery and they have died as a consequence of their actions... but to make fun of such tragedy, you are the same or worse than the dead thieves.' But 'Ivonne Ojeda Zarate' wrote: 'What a good idea for the next Halloween.' A prominent lawyer who identifies as a 'radical feminist' has claimed that transgender activism and ideology is actually a 'men's rights movement'. Lawyer Kara Dansky, a spokeswoman for the Women's Liberation Front (WoLF), condemned the transgender rights movement on Monday. 'This is a men's rights movement, this is really a men's rights movement,' Dansky declared as she spoke at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think tank, in Washington DC. Hacsi Horvath, who once identified as transgender and presented as a woman for several years, claimed that women have been 'overwhelmingly' resisting transgender activism. 'It's really shocking how many men on the internet are defending the whole trans thing,' Horvath, another speaker on the Heritage panel, said. Scroll down for video Lawyer Kara Dansky, a spokeswoman for the Women's Liberation Front (WoLF), condemned transgender activism and called it a 'men's rights movement' 'This is a men's rights movement, this is really a men's rights movement,' Dansky declared as she spoke at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy think tank, on Monday 'Straight men are all about the trans, and you have to wonder what the heck is going on.' Hovarth said he refused to use transgender people's chosen pronouns, saying he doesn't 'play along' with it. 'I don't say transwoman, I don't say she, her [when speaking about a male],' he said. 'I don't care if it hurts their feelings. This is reality and it gaslights everybody else.' Dansky specifically denounced the Equality Act, which aims to ban anti-LGBT discrimination in the likes of employment, housing, and education, among other services, as she spoke on Monday. The Equality Act would specifically add both sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which currently bans discrimination on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. Rep Nancy Pelosi has stated that passing the act will be a priority in the Democrat-controlled House this year. Hacsi Horvath, who once identified as transgender and presented as a woman for several years, claimed that women have been 'overwhelmingly' resisting transgender activism Dansky spoke specifically of her belief that the term 'gender identity' would cause women's rights to 'utterly disappear'. WoLF sued the Obama administration in 2016 after it issued a recommendation stating that Title IX protected the rights of transgender students to use restrooms that match the gender they identify with. Under Title IX, schools that receive federal funding cannot discriminate on the basis of sex. The Obama administration ruled that sex also includes 'gender identity'. Dansky claims this was an 'unmitigated disaster' for women and girls and would mean they 'no longer exist as a coherent category worthy of civil rights protection'. 'Title IX's intention is specifically to protect women and girls in the educational arena,' she said. 'Feminists and other women fought very hard to get Title IX enacted into law in 1972. It's specifically to protect women and girls.' Dansky specifically denounced the Equality Act, which aims to ban anti-LGBT discrimination in the likes of employment, housing, and education, among other services 'If sex is construed to mean "gender identity", what that means is nearly all sex-segregated spaces - colleges, sports, dormitories - and women's rights in general will utterly disappear,' she claimed. 'It is not possible to both enshrine gender identity in civil rights law and protect women and girls as a distinct legal category.' WoLF received a $15,000 donation in support of the lawsuit against the Obama administration from the Alliance Defending Freedom, which has been classified as an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The case was dismissed after the Trump administration rescinded the protections for transgender students. Monday's panel also featured Julia Beck, a lesbian who claimed she had been kicked off Baltimore's LGBTQ commission for 'stating biological facts'. Beck was removed from the commission because she used male pronouns while referring to a transgender woman. The panel also featured Julia Beck, a lesbian who claimed she had been kicked off Baltimore's LGBTQ commission for 'stating biological facts' after using male pronouns for a trans woman 'I got kicked off the Baltimore mayor's LGBTQ commission - as the only lesbian - simply for stating biological facts,' she said. 'I was found guilty of "violence". My crime? Using male pronouns to talk about a convicted male rapist who identifies as transgender and prefers female pronouns.' Beck said she was removed from the commission after referring to Karen White, a British transgender woman who was convicted for raping two female inmates after she was moved to a woman's jail, as a 'he' Beck appears to be referring to the case of British transgender woman Karen White, who was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to raping two female inmates after she was transferred to a woman's jail due to her declared gender change. 'It doesn't matter that he sexually assaulted two women in a women's prison after being transferred there on account of his "gender identity"', Beck said. 'Oh no, it is far more criminal for me to call a male rapist "he" than it is for him to rape.' Beck also hit out at the president of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance, a transgender woman that she repeatedly referred to as a 'man'. 'The man who led my inquisition also identifies as "transgender,"' she said mockingly. 'He is the president of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance and claims to be a lesbian. I find that almost funny because everything he does makes life for women, girls, and lesbians worse.' 'The meeting made one thing crystal clear: Inclusivity means all voices are welcome, except women's, except lesbians,' she claimed. 'Everything is about the T now, entirely eclipsing the L, G, and B.' 'The T is diametrically opposed to the first three letters in the acronym, and especially to the L.' Diane De Marzo (pictured above) used 150,000 inheritance money from her late husband Michael Ball to purchase a house in Kent with her step-son A wealthy property investor's widow has won a bitter legal battle with her stepson over a 450,000 home, despite admitting faking her late husband's will at a 'drunken party'. Diane De Marzo used 150,000 inheritance money from her late husband Michael Ball to purchase a house in Kent with her step-son Sonny. However, the arrangement soon turned sour when 33-year-old Sonny Ball and his wife Leahann claimed that Ms De Marzo, 57, had gifted them the money and that she had no right to claim a share of the property. The couple said the money represented inheritance from his father and that Ms De Marzo had no claim to a stake of the property. Ms De Marzo said she was ordered out of the property in Abbey Wood, Kent, like a dog, with the dispute leading to court, and Ms De Marzo claiming her 450,000 share. Judge Simon Monty QC declared her claim valid - but in a bittersweet ruling, reported her to the attorney general for forgery. Judge Monty said Ms De Marzo had confessed to forging wealthy property investor Michael Ball's will. Central London county court heard that when Mr Ball died in 2013 he owned a large family villa, a rental house and two beachside apartments in southern Spain, plus a flat in Kent. He died without making a will and his widow was told that would make it difficult for her to turn his Spanish property portfolio into cash, said the judge. 'She had no money at the time, and could not look after the properties; she had debts to pay but no money,' said the judge. 'Diane took advice from an unidentified financial advisor, who told her that the only thing she could do was to 'get an English will'. Leahann Ball (left) and Sonny Ball (right) outside Central London county court following case involving Sonny's stepmother 'When she said she didn't have one, the reply was: 'Well, find one'.' The court heard that Ms De Marzo then drafted a will in the name of her late husband, using her own home-made will as a template and inserting his name in place of hers and naming her as sole beneficiary. 'At a drunken party...she produced the will and said words to the effect of: 'Who wants to sign it?' 'She was unable to say who signed it.' The judge continued: 'It is clear that Diane's behaviour was dishonest. 'She drew up a will purporting to be the last will of her deceased husband, after his death, and arranged for it to be signed in his name and for two persons to put their name to it as having witnessed his signature. 'She obtained a grant of probate in her name based on that false will. She used the grant of probate, the false will and her status thereunder as sole beneficiary of her late husband's estate to enable her to sell the properties in Spain.' He added: 'I direct...that the matter be referred to the attorney general to consider whether any criminal proceedings should be brought against Diane or others; and to consider whether to bring proceedings for contempt of court.' The house in Abbey Wood (pictured above), which is at the centre of a dispute between Sonny and Leahann Ball, and Sonny's step-mother Diane De Marzo The court heard Ms De Marzo had moved in with Sonny and Leahann after the purchase of the Abbey Wood property in 2015. But the relationships became strained when the house became crowded, and the couple asked Ms De Marzo to leave. They insisted she had no right to a share of, or to stay in, the house because the 150,000 was Sonny's rightful inheritance from his father. But in her evidence, Mrs De Marzo - who has known Sonny since he was five years old - insisted that the money was hers and not a gift to her step-son. Had she given him 150,000, it would have meant less ultimately going to her husband's five other children, three of whom he had with her. She and the couple had signed a house purchase agreement, which detailed her right to a 37.5% stake in the property, she told the court. Sonny and Leahann admitted signing a document in a pub, but denied it had anything to do with ownership of their home. Ruling on the case, Judge Monty accepted Ms De Marzo's claim that the agreement was genuine and that despite the forgery, that Ms De Marzo was actually entitled to the claimed share of the couple's house. However, she did not have a right to live there, meaning the couple were entitled to ask her to leave, the judge added. 'Diane was not entitled to occupy the property following the purchase. She was excluded from the property. Sonny and Leahann were entitled to exclude her,' he said. Although he found her 'dishonest' in having faked the will, he said it would be wrong to deprive her of her share in the property. 'The central issue here is whether, by putting the money into the property, there was an agreement that Diane acquired an interest,' he said. 'As I have found, there was, and Sonny and Leahann have wrongly denied the existence of the house purchase agreement. 'I do not think that the agreement between the parties, recorded in the house purchase agreement, should be defeated by Diane's dishonesty in relation to the will. 'That would in my view be a disproportionate response.' He ruled that Mrs De Marzo is entitled to enforce her interest in the couple's home, but said more evidence is needed before deciding if the house should now be sold so that she can be paid her share. A former landscaper has admitted to the grisly murders and dismemberment of eight men he met in Toronto's Gay Village district. Bruce McArthur, 67, wearing a black sweater, stood up pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder in Toronto Superior Court of Justice on Tuesday. Police last year found the remains of seven of the men in large planters at a property where McArthur had worked. The remains of the eighth victim were found in a ravine behind the same property in midtown Toronto. Prosecutor Michael Cantlon said the cases, ranging from 2010 to 2017, involved sexual assault or forcible confinement and said the bodies were hidden and dismembered. Several of the victims were apparently strangled. McArthur faces an automatic life sentence for each of the murders and sentencing will begin on February 4. Scroll down for video. Bruce McArthur (left and right) admitted to the grisly murders and dismemberment of eight men he met in Toronto's Gay Village district McArthur, 67, wearing a black sweater, stood up pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder in Toronto Superior Court of Justice on Tuesday (pictured in court sketches) McArthur faces an automatic life sentence for each of the murders and sentencing will begin on February 4 Cantlon said the serial killer photographed his victims and kept their jewelry and a notebook. He added that the killings were 'sexual in nature' and said there was evidence he tied the victims up during the murders. The now 67-year-old moved to the Toronto area around 2000 and previously lived in a suburb where he was married, raised two children and worked as a traveling salesman of underwear and socks. His landscaping business was small, but he periodically hired workers, including a 40-year-old man who disappeared in 2010. Police set up a special task force to look into the disappearances of men in the Gay Village area of Toronto shortly after some went missing. McArthur was arrested six months later. McArthur is said to have trolled bars in Toronto's 'Gay Village' and gay dating apps for victims, predominantly targeting Muslim men from South Asia or the Middle East. He has admitted to killing Andrew Kinsman, 49, Selim Esen, 44, Majeed Kayhan, 58, Soroush Mahmudi, 50, Dean Lisowick, 47, Skandaraj (Skanda) Navaratnam, 40, Abdulbasir Faizi, 42, and Kirushnakumar Kanagaratnam, 37. Police investigate outside a house in Toronto, where Bruce McArthur did landscape work Cops say he stalked bars in Toronto's 'Gay Village' as well as gay dating apps for victims McArthur was initially charged with the murders of Andrew Kinsman, 49, and 44-year-old Selim Esen. Positive identifications were made on the seven sets of human remains recovered in large planters - those of Esen, 44-year-old Abdulbasir Faizi and Dean Lisowick, a 43-year-old homeless man whose murder McArthur has already been charged with. Forensic specialists also identified three sets of remains from the planters: Kinsman; Soroush Mahmudi, 50; and Skandaraj 'Skanda' Navaratnam, 40. Majeed Kayhan, was not linked to the remains from the planters, but McArthur has was also charged with his murder. The victims fit a pattern with most of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent. They lived on the margins of Canadian society and their disappearances attracted little attention. One victim hid the fact that he was gay from his Muslim family. Another was a recent immigrant with a drug problem. Another alleged victim was homeless, smoked crack cocaine and worked as a prostitute. But then Andrew Kinsman vanished. The 49-year-old LGBQT activist and former bartender in Toronto had many friends. When he suddenly went missing the day after Toronto's gay pride parade, his friends noticed quickly, and so did the police. Police set up another special task force to look into the disappearances of men in the Gay Village shortly after Kinsman went missing. Members of the LGBTQ community were long voicing concerns about a potential serial killer and pushing for answers in light of the disappearances, which were deemed suspicious. An initial police task force in 2012 didn't lead to an arrest. He was last seen on a surveillance video getting into McArthur's van on June 26, 2017, and his DNA was later found inside, as was the ligature with which he was apparently strangled. Karen Fraser, who lives at the home where McArthur stored the body parts, said he was evil, but hadn't known that version of him. McArthur worked at the home for 10 or 12 years for Fraser and husband. He used the home as storage for his landscaping business and would often visit the garage several times a day. A duffle bag containing duct tape, rope, zip ties, a surgical glove and syringes was found by police in his bedroom, according to police. Friends begin posting his image in the area and surrounding neighborhoods soon after Andrew Kinsman (pictured) disappeared Abdulbasir Faizi, left, was last seen leaving his workplace at about 7pm on December 28, 2010. Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam, right had Immigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka in 2010 and lived in Scarborough and had no immediate family in Canada 'Terrible things were done,' she said. 'This is just a shuffling, broken man. As he should be.' Fraser, who said she had met two of the victims, said she didn't see any remorse in McArthur in court. 'We call it Bruce A and Bruce B,' she said. 'Bruce A was a man who seemed to have made decisions about his life and was very happy with it. He enjoyed his job, his clients and never got bored with the plants. He was very talented at it. He was very fond of his children and was a great grandfather.' She called him the best friend, neighbor and relative that anyone could have. 'Bruce B? Who was that? I don't know,' she said. 'I never saw a temper. Just a happy guy. You would never every think. I believe all his other clients said the same.' Toronto police Det. David Dickinson called the guilty pleas the best possible outcome. Asked if there should be a public inquiry, Dickinson said if police made mistakes in the investigations, they should learn from them. Haran Vijayanathan, a community activist and the executive director of the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention in Toronto, said there is a sense of relief among the families. 'But there is also confusion and questions as to why,' he said. When Abdulbasir Faizi went missing on December 29, 2010 his Muslim family accessed his computer and was shocked to discover he had been secretly going to bathhouses in the Gay Village and was on gay dating apps for older and large men. When Faizi's family went to police, officers suggested he had probably just left, a relative said. His car was found a short distance from the house McArthur used as storage. Faizi's wife divorced him, thinking he abandoned her and their two young daughters. The family of Kirushnakumar Kanagaratnam cry beside his coffin after McArthur was charged with first-degree murder in his death Investigators sift through compost looking for human remains in a property linked to the Bruce McArthur murder investigation The family of a Michigan murder suspect who was seen on body camera video being shot dead by police in 2016 have filed a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force. Police in Kentwood said Lamont Gulley, 43, murdered his girlfriend Casey Kempker, 41, with a steak knife in their apartment on the night of April 8, 2016. The woman's autistic seven-year-old son witnessed the grisly killing. Gulley fled the scene but responding officers tracked him down by following his footsteps in the snow from the apartment on Pheasant Ridge SE Road. This screenshot from a body camera video shows murder suspect Lamont Gulley, 43, being cornered by police in Kentwood, Michigan, on April 8, 2016 Police said Gulley disregarded repeated commands telling him to drop a knife. The deadly incident is now the subject of a federal lawsuit The 43-year-old was Tasered after refusing to surrender to police and was then shot after attacking a police dog Bodycam footage later released by the Kentwood Police Department showed that several patrol vehicles and multiple officers surrounded Gulley at Edington Drive and Breton Road, Mlive.com reported. Officers repeatedly ordered Gulley to drop the blood-stained serrated steak knife, but he refused. A K-9 handler then sicced his dog, Aero, on Gulley and the animal tackled the suspect to the ground. Gulley stabbed at Aero with his knife, but the dog was wearing a protective vest and was unharmed. The suspect was lying on his back when officer Darrin Cline opened fire, shooting him twice. Gulley was disarmed and later taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead from gunshot wounds to the abdomen and back. Police said Gulley (left), who had a history of mental illness, stabbed to death his girlfriend, Casey Kempker (right), in front of the woman's young son A K-9 handler sicced his dog, Aero, on the suspect to help with the apprehension Police said the use of deadly force was justified because Gulley threatened officers standing in close proximity to him. Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth agreed, writing in an opinion clearing Cline that the cop was protecting his colleagues, including K-9 handler Tim Hoornstra and his dog, from the knife-wielding suspect. But a federal lawsuit filed by Gulley's estate on Monday argues that the 43-year-old man was already in custody and no longer posed an immediate threat to anyone when officer Cline opened fire on him, acting as 'judge, jury and executioner.' According to the court papers, Gulley had been Tasered and he was being attacked by a 'vicious' police dog. An officer then fired two rounds at Gulley, fatally shooting him in the back and abdomen The lawsuit accuses police of violating Gulley's constitutional rights and claims the City of Kentwood and the local police department failed to properly train officers in the use of deadly force, or discipline officer Cline. The civil complaint is asking a judge to award Gulleys estate unspecified damages. Gulley had a history of mental illness and a prior criminal record. In 2007, he was stopped by police and charged with possession of cocaine and a firearm, to which he pleaded guilty. A judge sentenced him to nine years in federal prison, followed by nine years of probation. This is the shocking moment a Mercedes flew some 180ft after emerging from a tunnel at 125 mph - and landed upside down on the roof of a building. Driver Boris Dzhioev, 24, was killed after losing control of his high speed car and ploughing into snow covered concrete bollards which acted as a ramp. Unbelievable footage shows the Mercedes flying at a height of some 16ft over a roadway and parked cars. The Mercedes is pictured in a crumpled heap on top of a building after soaring through the air The car (circled) ploughed into snow-capped bollards which acted as a ramp and catapulted it into the sky It struck four stationary vehicles before coming to rest on the roof of a single storey building some 180 ft from where it took off. The horrific incident was at border between the Russian region of North Ossetia and the breakaway Georgian republic of South Ossetia which is in the hands of pro-Moscow rebels. Dzhioev suffered serious injuries and died on the way to the hospital, say reports. His passenger Denis Bitiev, 20, miraculously survived but suffered grave injuries. He was rushed to hospital in Vladikavkaz with a fractured skull and pelvis, and is now in intensive care. It smashed into four parked cars before flipping onto the roof of the one-storey property The front end of one parked car was caved in following the horror high-speed crash which killed driver Boris Dzhioev There were no other victims. The dead driver and his passenger were from Gufta village in South Ossetia. Dzhioev had driven through the Roksky - also called Roki - a Soviet-built tunnel in the Caucasus Mountains. It is the only road linking North Ossetia - part of Russia - and South Ossetia which has broken away from Georgia. The tunnel is at an altitude of 6,600 ft and is some 12,240 ft in length. The mangled remains of the Mercedes were shown on a video. The other damaged vehicles were also seen. This is the terrifying moment a man lies still on the tracks while a train speeds over him. Footage, filmed at Jehanabad station in Bihar, India, on January 27, shows the unidentified man lie on his front as the freight train passes over him before getting up and walking away unscathed. According to reports, the man had been distracted by his mobile phone when he fell into the path of the oncoming train. The unidentified man lies between tracks as the train speeds over him at Jehanabad station in Bihar, India The man stays as still as possible after falling in front of the train as he crossed the tracks to collect water During the clip, the man remains still as the moving train hurtles over him. After the train passes, the man then stands up unscathed and anxious onlookers rush over to his aid. The onlookers then take the lucky man to the train's platform and out of harm's way. It later emerged that the man had arrived at the station with a plastic container in order to collect water. The man remains still as the train speeds over him in India before later emerging unharmed Once the train has passed the man stands up unscathed and onlookers rush to his aid After failing to pay attention to the oncoming train, he fell between the tracks and lay still in an effort to save his life. He left the station fearing that officials might take action against him for crossing the tracks illegally. North Korea will try to keep its nuclear weapons and is still working on them, Donald Trump's director of national intelligence warned Tuesday - directly contradicting the president's claim about his relationship with Kim Jong Un. In an assessment casting doubt on President Donald Trump's goal of a nuclear-disarmed North Korea, U.S. intelligence agencies told Congress that the North is unlikely to entirely dismantle its nuclear arsenal. The North Korea warning came as the heads of the FBI and the CIA and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats also warned that Russia and China were certain to attempt to hack the 2020 elections; and that ISIS has 'thousands of fighters' who remain loyal to it. The three were giving evidence to the Senate Intelligence Committee when Coats contradicted his boss, the president, on North Korea's nuclear plans. Coats said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed support for ridding the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons and has not recently test-fired a nuclear-capable missile or conducted a nuclear test. 'Having said that, we currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD (weapons of mass destruction) capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capability because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival,' Coats said in an opening statement. 'Our assessment is bolstered by our observations of some activity that is inconsistent with full denuclearization,' he added, without details. This skepticism about North Korea is consistent with the intelligence agencies' views over many years and runs counter to Trump's assertion after his 2018 Singapore summit with Kim that North Korea no longer poses a nuclear threat. Contradiction: Dan Coats (right), the Director of National Intelligence, told the Senate Intelligence Committee, that Kim Jong Un still wants nuclear weapons so his regime can survive. Coats testified beside (from left) Christopher Wray, the FBI Director, and Gina Haspel, the CIA Director Another summit: After this meeting in Singapore in June 2018, Trump said that Kim Jong Un had committed to full denuclearization but was contradicted Tuesday by his own Director of National Intelligence Plans for a follow-up summit are in the works but no agenda, venue or date have been announced. The report also said that Kim Jong Un is wooing China and South Korea to support its push for Washington to loosen sanctions pressure without making significant nuclear concessions. 'Kim has also sought to align the region against the US-led pressure campaign in order to gain incremental sanctions relief, and North Korean statements have repeatedly indicated that some sanctions relief is necessary for additional diplomacy to occur,' the report said. The annual Worldwide Threat Assessment from the Directorate of National Intelligence (DNI), released by Coats, noted that North Korea had not conducted any nuclear or missile tests in over a year and had declared its support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang had also 'reversibly dismantled' parts of its infrastructure for weapons of mass destruction, the report said. The DNI report said that in his 2019 New Years address, Kim pledged that North Korea would 'go toward' complete denuclearization and promised not to make, test, use, or proliferate nuclear weapons. However, it said Kim conditioned progress on 'practical actions' by the United States and added that Pyongyang had in the past tied the idea of denuclearization to changes in diplomatic ties, economic sanctions, and military activities. A landmark first summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore in June produced a promise by Kim to work toward the complete denuclearization of the divided Korean Peninsula. But progress has been scant. Washington has demanded concrete action, such as a full disclosure of North Korea's nuclear and missile facilities. Pyongyang is seeking a lifting of international sanctions and an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War that ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Messenger: Kimg Jong Un's regime released this photograph last week of him meeting Kim Yong Chol, who had talked with Trump in Washington D.C. on January 19. The president called the meeting with the North Korean delegate 'incredible' The White House has said Trump will hold a second summit with Kim around the end of February, but economic sanctions will be maintained. On Jan. 19 Trump said he had had 'an incredible' meeting with North Korea's nuclear envoy Kim Yong Chol in Washington and the two sides had made 'a lot of progress' on denuclearization. Earlier Tuesday, North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Han Tae Song, said relations with the United States would develop 'wonderfully at a fast pace' if Washington responded to Pyongyang's efforts on denuclearization with trustworthy measures and practical actions. More broadly, the intelligence report on which Coats and the heads of other intelligence agencies based their testimony predicted that security threats to the United States and its allies this year will expand and diversify, driven in part by China and Russia. It says Moscow and Beijing are more aligned than at any other point since the mid-1950s and their global influence is rising. The report also said the Islamic State group 'remains a terrorist and insurgent threat' inside Iraq, where the government faces 'an increasingly disenchanted public.' In Syria, where Trump has ordered a full withdrawal of U.S. troops, the government of Bashar Assad is likely to consolidate control, with Russia and Iran attempting to further entrench themselves in Syria, the report said. Asked for her assessment, CIA director Gina Haspel said of ISIS: 'They're still dangerous,' adding that they still command 'thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria.' ISIS danger: The intelligence report warns ISIS still commands 'thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria.' This suicide attack in Manbij, Syria, claimed four American lives, earlier this month The intelligence assessment of Afghanistan, more than 17 years into a conflict that began after the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., projected a continued military stalemate. Without mentioning prospects for a peace deal, which appear to have improved only in recent days, the report said, 'neither the Afghan government nor the Taliban will be able to gain a strategic military advantage in the Afghan war in the coming year' if the U.S. maintains its current levels of support. Trump has ordered a partial pullback of U.S. forces this year, although no firm plan is in place. Coats told the committee that Russia and perhaps other countries are likely to attempt to use social media and other means to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election. 'We expect our adversaries and strategic competitors to refine their capabilities and add new tactics as they learn from each other's experiences, suggesting the threat landscape could look very different in 2020 and future elections,' the intelligence report said. The report specifically warned about Russia, which U.S. intelligence agencies determined had interfered in the 2016 election to sway voters toward Trump. 'Russia's social media efforts will continue to focus on aggravating social and racial tensions, undermining trust in authorities, and criticizing perceived anti-Russia politicians,' it said. 'Moscow may employ additional influence toolkits - such as spreading disinformation, conducting hack-and-leak operations, or manipulating data - in a more targeted fashion to influence U.S. policy, actions, and elections.' The intelligence assessment, which is provided annually to Congress, made no mention of a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, which Trump has asserted as the basis for his demand that Congress finance a border wall. The report predicted additional U.S.-bound migration from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, with migrants preferring to travel in caravans in hopes of a safer journey. Theresa May today welcomed 'serious' proposals from Tory MPs that attempt to bridge the chasm inside her party. The idea, dubbed Plan C, has been drawn up by Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg and Remainer Nicky Morgan. It is also backed by the DUP, which has repeatedly rejected Mrs May's plan. If it went ahead, Brexiteers would get to remove the backstop they say is unacceptable while Remainers still get the transition period they say is essential. The two part plan emerged overnight just hours before Mrs May opened a debate on her plan B to salvage the Brexit deal crushed by MPs two weeks ago. Under Plan C, the UK would also ask for the transition period to run for an extra year to the end of 2021 and EU citizens living in Britain would have their rights protected. The UK would also demand the EU negotiates a new Irish border backstop that is acceptable to Brexiteers. They suggest a technology-based system for goods crossing the Irish border that has already been rejected by the EU. If this proves impossible, the group would then suggest a no deal exit based on keeping the transition period from the existing plan in return for paying some of the divorce bill. Both sides would then use the transition period to prepare for an exit on basic World Trade Organisation rules, while negotiating a final trade deal. Dubbed the 'Malthouse Compromise' by supporters the idea appears to have bridged the gap between Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nicky Morgan Theresa May welcomed 'serious' proposals from Tory MPs that attempt to bridge the chasm inside her party today The peace plan was overseen by Housing Minister Kit Malthouse and leading figures from both sides of the Brexit divide have briefed Mrs May on the scheme. Downing Street today welcomed the work by MPs across the party but has stopped short of endorsing it - insisting it was focused on today's debate and votes. As debate began in the Commons today, Mrs May said it was a 'serious proposal' and promised to 'sit down and work through it'. MPs will vote on up to seven different proposals from 7pm tonight with Mrs May urging them to back a plan demanding changes to the Irish border backstop. The Prime Minister wants to use such a vote to pressure the EU into amending the current deal before putting it up for a new vote in around two weeks. Ms Morgan said the plan involved a 'recasting' of the Northern Ireland backstop as 'free trade agreement-lite' with a commitment on all sides there should be no hard border on the island of Ireland and an extended transition period to December 2021. She told the Today programme: 'The Prime Minister has been aware of the discussions. At some point there has to be compromise on all sides in order to get a deal over the line. 'That is what most of us want to see - a negotiated settlement with the EU.' Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, said: 'We believe it can unify a number of strands in the Brexit debate including the views of Remainers and Leavers. 'It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union which would split the United Kingdom or keep the entire United Kingdom in the customs union and single market. 'Importantly, this proposal would also offer a route towards negotiating a future trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.' Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, has also endorsed the plans as a way forward her party could support 'People like me want to avoid a no-deal outcome, a crashing out on March 29. We have to look for ways to do that. We are all prepared to compromise on that.' The plan has already been dismissed by EU and Whitehall sources. 'This is no plan at all. This is simply ditching the backstop in exchange for an extra year of transition period,' a senior EU official told The Times. A Whitehall source branded the package 'bonkers' and said: 'It illustrates that many MPs simply do not understand where we are. 'To put it crudely, the financial settlement, budget payments for 2019 and 2020, in the withdrawal agreement are for the 21-month transition. 'This amendment wants a longer three-year transition for half the money and then tells the EU ''see you court for the rest''.' Trade Secretary Liam Fox reacted coolly to the prospect of the compromise agreement today. He told Today: 'There are all sorts of ideas being put out, but Parliament cannot take a decision unless it is on the order paper, and it is not on the order paper. 'We have had a long time to get to today. It is time that we actually made progress. It is getting close to March 29. Voters want Parliament to make a decision.' More than 1,200 flights have been canceled across the U.S. as extreme cold and record-breaking temperatures affect two-thirds of the country and powerful snowstorms pound the Midwest. Air traffic across the country has been affected by the frigid weather with 1,200 flights canceled on Tuesday, according to flight tracking site FlightAware. There were also 1,500 flight delays as a result of the weather. Delta Air Lines and United both said they would waive flight change fees for passengers affected by the winter weather in Chicago, Detroit and areas of the Upper Midwest. Scroll down for video Air traffic across the country has been affected by the frigid weather with 1,200 flights canceled by Tuesday morning. Pictured above is Chicago's O'Hare airport blanketed in snow on Monday More than 100 flights were canceled at Atlanta's airport alone as city leaders feared ice could slicken roads and freeways as thousands of fans began pouring into town for Super Bowl 53. Delta announced Monday night that it was 'proactively' canceling flights ahead of a winter weather advisory that went into effect at 3am on Tuesday for Atlanta - a city known for grinding to a halt in relatively light snowfalls. Two-thirds of the country will be a frozen ice box Tuesday, as the so-called polar vortex of frigid arctic air spins across the Midwest, clips the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley and pushes on into New England. The sub-zero cold and bitter winds will stick around for several days, possibly bringing dozens of record lows with a life-threatening freeze before dissipating by the weekend. The polar vortex is a mass of freezing air that normally spins around the North Pole, but has slipped southward and swirled into the United States, forecasters said. The hardest-hit area will be the Midwest, where wind chill could bring temperatures as low as negative 50 in the Chicago area by Tuesday evening. One-to-two feet of snow was forecast in Wisconsin and six inches in Illinois. Delta Air Lines and United both said they would waive flight change fees for passengers affected by the winter weather in Chicago (above), Detroit and areas of the Upper Midwest Snow plows worked around the clock on Monday to remove snow from the tarmac at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport Even Alabama and Mississippi could see snow. Blizzard conditions were predicted across parts of the western Ohio Valley and snow was expected through Wednesday from the Great Lakes region into New England. States of emergency have been declared from Wisconsin and Michigan, down to Alabama and Mississippi. Parts of north and central Georgia are expecting about 2 inches of snow or more in the coming days, along with freezing rain and ice-slicked highways. Minneapolis Public Schools officials have canceled classes through Wednesday, when the region is expected to experience frigidly low temperatures not seen in a quarter century. Hundreds of Michigan schools were closed Tuesday, including in Detroit, while Chicago Public Schools canceled Wednesday classes because of the anticipated cold snap. 'You're talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds,' said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. A man has been sentenced to jail for pretending to be a doctor and raping a sedated female patient at a private hospital in south-west China. Luo Ping had used a fake ID and medical licence to get a job at the Shuangliu Hengkang Hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan province, according to Chinese reports. Luo was found guilty of rape, theft and using a false identity by the Shuangliu People's Court on Monday. He was sentenced to six years and four months in jail and fined 4,000 yuan (450). A man has been sentenced to six years and four months in jail for pretending to be a doctor and raping a sedated female patient at a private hospital in south-west China (file photo) The man worked at the hospital from 2016 until his arrest last year, and also owned a clinic in the area. The patient, surnamed Li, sought treatment for body odour at the hospital last May, according to China Daily. Luo took her to the examination room and injected her with a sedative, the court heard. Once the woman was asleep, he raped her. When Li woke up, she realised she had been sexually assaulted and wanted to call police, but Luo took her phone away and convinced her not alert the authorities. After the woman refused, Luo the fled the scene as the victim called for help. As he ran, Luo tossed the woman's phone and his uniform in a garbage bin outside. A red banner in protest of the incident was displayed at the Shuangliu Hengkang Hospital following the rape incident. Luo Ping had used a fake ID and medical licence to get a job there The man then fled Chengdu and was arrested in Nanchong - about 250 kilometres (155 miles) away - on May 12. Chinese social media users were outraged by the relatively light sentence Luo received. 'Only six years for rape? He should get at least 60 years!' one comment read on Chinese microblogging site Weibo. 'He ruined someone else's life and all he's getting is six years of jail time. This is ridiculous,' one user said. 'What kind of hospital is this? Didn't they check his documents before hiring him?' another questioned. In 2015, a doctor surnamed Hao was detained in Qingdao, Shandong province for raping a woman who had been seeking treatment for infertility. Chinese lawyers have explained these crimes are difficult to prosecute because there is often a shortage of physical evidence or eyewitness testimony. Chicago's notoriously brutal winter nearly took the lives of a man and his dog after they got trapped in ice walls on the edge of partially frozen-over Lake Michigan. Chicago Police were called to Foster Beach on the city's north side after receiving an emergency call about a man and his pet trapped on the lake. On Sunday the man, who requested anonymity, jumped into the lake to save his nine-month-old dog who was playing on the ice on the lake and ended up in the freezing water. Chicago saw a high of 12 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and a low of -2 degrees. Body cam footage shows the moments Chicago cops rescue a man stuck in the freezing waters of Lake Michigan on Sunday A man was walking his dog Pika on Foster Beach on Sunday when the animal dropped into the water and he dived to rescue it but got stuck The man was stuck in the freezing water as he couldn't get past the ice blocks that formed on the outer edge of the lake Footage from responding officers' body cameras shows the heart-pumping rescue around 1.05pm on Sunday. The owner was able to rescue his American Eskimo mix dog Pika but was unable to get out of the cold water himself due to large ice walls that formed along the lake's edge. Cops threw a rope to the man in the water who looped it around his arm and was then pulled to safety. The man is seen yelling out in pain as he's pulled out of a tight crevice in the ice walls by two officers. 'Thank you so much,' he says, panting, after he's rescued. Cops threw him a rope that he tied around his arm and pulled him to safety Chicago saw a high of 12 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and a low of -2 degrees The man fell on the ice and groaned 'thank you so much' after he was miraculously rescued A cop tends to the man who was soaking wet in the freezing temperatures on Sunday Then he lies on an ice sheet on the edge of the lake for a minute. The man was wearing a full winter coat but was completely soaked after he was stranded in the freezing water. Officers then hold him and guide him through the icy terrain of the beach to get to safety. He was placed in a squad car and his 19-pound dog Pika was placed in his lap. 'They (CPD) absolutely saved my life. I will be forever grateful to them,' the man said. Both the man and his dog are doing well following the incident. Cops then helped walk the man through the snow-blanketed beach to safety Mexican police officers have abandoned the scene of an altercation where a shirtless man pulled a minor from a police truck and attacked a cop with a metal pipe. A short glimpse of the chaotic situation was recorded on a cell phone by a resident on Saturday afternoon in Gustavo Madero, a neighborhood in Mexico City. Mexican news outlet Milenio reported that the 39-year-old man, whose name was not provided by law enforcement agents, was originally detained for drinking in alcohol public along with a minor before the pair were able to escape custody. According to Mexico City police, a 39-year-old man (pictured left) was detained for drinking in public along with a minor (pictured center) on Saturday. The pair managed to evade police custody before the adult male attacked the police officers and their vehicles with a metal pipe The shirtless man could be heard screaming, 'let him out, let him out,' in Spanish. The adult suspect then walked up to the police truck and opened the door for the minor to exit. A viral video clip captured the moment the livid Mexican man smashed the police cruiser with a metal pipe. A female officer stepped out of from the driver's seat holding her service gun to the side but never fired it or attempted to stop the man. A resident in the Mexico City neighborhood of Gustavo Madero recorded the shocking scene in which a man (pictured right) helped a minor walk out of the back seat of a police cruiser while a female cop (pictured center) stands back with her service weapon pulled out The patrol truck then sped off and another squad car started to pull away before the man ran up to it and attacked a cop with the metal pole. He jammed the metal pole through the window at the law enforcement agent seated in the front passenger seat before the vehicle drove away. The woman who recorded the astonishing attack said: 'it can't be possible that they are scared of him.' According to the Public Security Secretary's office, the man and the minor were later apprehended and charged with vandalizing an official vehicle. A female police officer has claimed she pressed the accelerator by mistake when she accidentally ran over a grandmother. A CCTV camera near an intersection in Buenos Aires, Argentina, captured the moment the pedestrian was struck by a red pickup truck while crossing the road on Sunday afternoon. The force of the impact sent the grandmother crashing to the ground right in front of a pair of police officers standing just feet away. A grandmother (pictured in front of the red pickup truck) was hit by a motorist in Argentina on Sunday A surveillance camera near an intersection in Buenos Aires, Argentina,captured the shocking moment a woman is hit by a pickup truck driven by a female police officer The force of the impact sent the grandmother crashing to the ground right in front of a pair of police officers standing just feet away A few seconds later the driver, identified as police officer Giselle Elbas by Argentine news outlet Cronica, jumped out of the vehicle to help the grandmother. Elbas told the police officers at the scene of the horrifying accident that she was not accustomed to driving her husband's new truck. The law enforcement agent added that she got confused when she tried to suddenly come to a sudden halt before she stepped on the gas and struck the grandmother. Miraculously, the grandmother only suffered bruising to her knees, according to Todo Noticias. Elbas is expected to face an administrative review over the accident. Nathaniel Hendren, a St Louis police office accused of killing a colleague during a twisted game of Russian roulette, has been arrested and booked into jail. The 29-year-old is seen in his mugshot (above) with a black eye he reportedly sustained by headbutting a police vehicle after the fatal shooting early Thursday morning A St Louis police officer accused of killing a colleague during a twisted game of Russian roulette has been arrested and booked into jail. Nathaniel Hendren, 29, has been charged with manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 24-year-old fellow officer Katlyn Alix last Thursday. Hendren's bail was set at $50,000 on Monday, according to the St Louis Police Department. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday morning via video from jail. Sheriff's officials said he is being moved to a jail outside the city for his own protection. The 29-year-old and his police partner were at his home early Thursday when they were reportedly on duty and supposed to be patrolling a neighborhood. According to a probable cause statement, Alix, who was off duty, went to Hendren's home sometime before 1am and the pair began taking turns pulling the trigger on his revolver while pointing it at each other, according to court documents. Alix was shot in the chest and Hendren and his partner, also 29, rushed her the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Hendren was also hospitalized following the shooting after he headbutted the back window of a parked police SUV at the hospital, sources told the St Louis Post-Dispatch. He reportedly broke the window and suffered minor head injuries. The booking photo released by police shows him with a blackened left eye. Officer Katlyn Alix, 24, (left) died from a gunshot to the chest on Thursday around 1am. She and Hendren (right) had been taking turns pointing his revolver at each other and pulling the trigger while there was one bullet in the chamber Hendren has been charged with manslaughter and armed criminal action in Alix's death. The 24-year-old military veteran, who married a fellow police officer in October, is pictured above Police tape is pictured at the scene of the shooting at Hendren's St Louis home on Thursday Hendren was not present at the hearing Monday morning, where his attorney, Talmage Newton IV, asked the judge for a reduction in bail terms that would allow him to be freed after posting 10 percent of the $50,000. A decision on that request is expected to be announced at a hearing later this week. Newton IV declined to comment after Monday's hearing but released a statement offering condolences to Alix's family. 'The death of Officer Katlyn Alix was a tragic accident that has unalterably impacted the lives of everyone involved,' the attorney's statement said. 'I urge the public, as well as members of the police department, to wait until the investigation is complete, and all of the facts have been presented, before coming to any conclusions about what they believe happened that unfortunate morning.' Alix's family has hired legal counsel to 'ensure that a thorough investigation is performed', according to the Post-Dispatch. 'Certainly, were looking into all avenues... including, potentially, civil litigation,' attorney Scott Rosenblum said. 'The family is convinced that with Katlyns training, both police and military, there remains a substantial amount of unanswered questions about the circumstances of the event.' Newlywed Alix married fellow police officer Anthony Meyer in October. It is not known why she was at Hendren's home on the night of her death. Alix and fellow St Louis police officer Anthony Meyer had just gotten married in October Alix and Meyer are seen above center with her parents in a Facebook photo Both Hendren and his partner have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure any time an officer is involved in a shooting. Department policy requires immediate drug and alcohol testing for officers involved in shootings, but a police spokesperson would not say whether the officers in the home were tested. Toxicology results for Alix could take 12 to 16 weeks, according to the St Louis medical examiner's office. St Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M Gardner questioned whether police tried to block Hendren and his partner from undergoing drug and alcohol testing after the shooting in a letter to Chief John Hayden and Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards released Tuesday. In the letter, Gardner writes that there was 'probable cause at the scene that drugs or alcohol may be a contributing factor in a potential crime'. She claimed that a police lieutenant erroneously told her office that a hospital would not honor a search warrant for the officers' blood. The letter says the officers later took urine and breath tests, but not blood tests, which are more accurate. Gardner also said that the tests were taken in a manner that may render them unusable in court proceedings. She wrote that the testing 'appears as an obstructionist tactic to prevent us from understanding the state of the officers during the commission of this alleged crime'. The prosecutor also faulted law enforcement officials for initially characterizing the shooting as an 'accident', which she said was an 'inappropriate' 'pre-disposed conclusion about the potential outcome of a case'. Gardner said there were additional issues concerning the investigation that she would like to discuss with both officers. Hendren's attorney declined to comment after his client's bail hearing on Monday but released a statement offering condolences to Alix's family. 'The death of Officer Katlyn Alix was a tragic accident that has unalterably impacted the lives of everyone involved,' he wrote According to a probable cause statement, Hendren had pulled out a revolver, which was not his service weapon, and emptied the cylinder of rounds before replacing a single bullet in the weapon. 'He spun the cylinder and pointed it away and pulled the trigger,' Sgt R Hellmeier wrote in the statement. When the gun did not fire on the first trigger pull, Alix took the weapon, pointed it at Hendren, and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened, the affidavit states. Investigators say that Hendren took the gun, pointed it at Alix, and pulled the trigger for a third time. The gun discharged, striking the female officer in the chest. The affidavit says that Hendren's partner, a 29-year-old male who has not be named, claims that he protested that 'they shouldn't be playing with guns and that they were police officers.' The partner said he was walking out of the room when he heard the gun go off. Alix's family has hired legal counsel to 'ensure that a thorough investigation is performed' as they raise questions about the Army veteran's death Initially, the shooting was being investigated as accidental, St Louis Metro Police Chief John Hayden said at a press conference soon after Alix died. In a statement on Friday, Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner said that she would 'hold people accountable who violate Missouri law regardless of their profession, public status, or station in life.' 'Today, much as it saddens my staff and me to file these charges, Katlyn and her family deserve accountability and justice,' Gardner said. Hendren had been on the police force for about a year. He faces three to 10 years in prison if convicted on the felony counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. In a statement, the St Louis Police Officers Association said: 'We know that the press and the public want to understand what happened. So do we. But for now, we wait; we wonder; and we weep. 'We ask that the media and the public respect the privacy of this young officer's family, friends and co-workers as they mourn.' A GoFundMe for Alix's memorial has raised nearly $9,000 as of Tuesday morning. This crazy cat may look like she partied a little too hard last night - but her adorable expression has won her an army of online fans. Short-haired tabby Olive seems permanently perplexed with her crossed eyes and lopsided smile. But the rescue kitty doesn't let her unique looks slow her down as she's amassed more than 30,000 Instagram followers. Tabby Olive's crossed eyes and lopsided smile leave her looking permanently perplexed The rescue kitty lives in New York with communications worker Michelle Traynor, 27, left The moggy's crossed eyes and funny smiles means her face seems to perfectly capture every emotion. The New York kitty lives with owner Michelle Traynor, 27, who works in communications. The moggy's unique expression means her face seems to perfectly capture every emotion Michelle said: "Olive was alone and covered in tree sap and very sick when she was found. "After a lot of baths and medication, she was finally well enough to come live with me. Owner Michelle says Olive was alone, covered in tree sap and very sick when she was found 'Despite her eyes, she can see well but she does have a bit of an underdeveloped jaw which causes her overbite. 'She can be shy, but loves to burrow under blankets.' A Disney restaurant employee at the Fort Wilderness Resort has been diagnosed with the highly contagious infection Hepatitis A, sparking health fears at the Orlando resort. The unnamed employee worked at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue where diners can eat while watching a show. Disney has not closed the facility despite the scare but insists it has been thoroughly sanitized. The worker has not yet returned to the restaurant and will not be allowed to until they have been cleared of the virus, the company said. The employee has not worked since they were diagnosed with Hepatitis A and the park remains open The case was reported to Florida's Department of Health on January 24. Tests were carried out in its laboratories and this week, it was confirmed that the worker had contracted the virus. In a statement, Disney said that all of its employees had been offered vaccinations for the virus but it remains unclear if they all took them. 'Nothing is more important to us than safety. Upon learning this news, we immediately began working with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. 'The impacted cast member has not worked since being diagnosed and will not return until officially cleared by the Department of Health. 'We are not aware of anyone else becoming ill and continue to be engaged with the Department of Health to ensure we have all of the right processes in place to protect our cast members and guests,' a spokesman told DailyMail.com. A disability support worker has called out rangers who fined him $130 for driving through a 'restricted road' to pick up an ailing wheelchair-bound man on a hot day. Mikey Loaniddes admitted to using a restricted road through Centennial Parklands in Sydney on the Australia Day public holiday on Monday. But he said rangers at the event should have shown some discretion instead of fining him for trying to help ease his friend's discomfort. Rob (pictured) struggles to speak and requires a wheelchair after he suffered a stroke He was on his way to pick up a man named Rob from the park, who struggles to speak and requires a wheelchair after he suffered a stroke. Temperatures reached 28C and the pair weren't up to wheeling Rob through uneven grassland to get to the car, so Mr Loaniddes brought the car closer for convenience. But on site rangers said they had a duty of care to almost 30 million visitors each year, including children, and said the fine was an appropriate cause of action. A disability support worker has called out rangers who fined him $130 for driving through a 'restricted road' to pick up an ailing wheelchair-bound man on a hot day 'I had a look at the rules and they state that you can't cross this road unless there is a zebra crossing. Now there is no zebra crossing,' Mr Loaniddes told 7News. 'I just felt it was greedy, it was just about greed. There was no humanity in it.' Management have since released a statement claiming to 'balance enforcement with the respectful treatment of our guests.' They have also confirmed they will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the fine, and will retract it should they find any wrongdoing or injustice. Centennial Parklands prides itself on being a disability friendly and inclusive park. Donald Trump's re-election campaign organization said Monday that it is preparing to sue Cliff Sims, a former White House official whose tell-all book a West Wing aide says left the president swinging pendulum-like between feeling outraged and injured. 'The Trump campaign is preparing to file suit against Cliff Sims for violating our NDA,' campaign Chief Operating Officer Michael Glassner said Tuesday in a tweet, hours after the book 'Team of Vipers' went on sale. The campaign required most enployees to sign non-disclosure agreements, but legal analysts disagree about whether they are enforceable. Campaign officials predicted a lawsuit following the August 2018 release of Omarosa Manigault-Newman's explosive White House memoir, but none materialized. The president couldn't sit still on Tuesday as Sims took a TV victory lap, writing on Twitter that he was 'nothing more than a gofer' and protesting that he, like Manigault-Newman, had signed an NDA. Trump has become 'angrier and angrier' in recent days at Sims, his former director of message strategy, according to a White House official who said Tuesday morning that 'he's half hurt and half outraged.' President Donald Trump's frustration with tell-all author Cliff Sims boiled over on Tuesday in a tweet that accused his one-time messaging guru of being a low-level 'gofer' Trump vented on Twitter that Sims' books is 'based on made up stories and fiction,' a claim that's bound to drive sales even higher 'P***ed' Trump is fuming at the contents of Sims' book, a volume that has lifted the lid on chaos, infighting and double-dealing Michael Glassner, the chief operating officer of Trump's campaign, announced that a lawsuit is being prepared against Sims Great reviews for a gofer: Trump sent Sims this signed New York Times front page as thanks for his part in the Republican tax cut The president vented his anger on Twitter, complaining that '[a] low level staffer that I hardly knew named Cliff Sims wrote yet another boring book based on made up stories and fiction.' 'He pretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer. He signed a non-disclosure agreement. He is a mess!' Sims appeared Monday night on Stephen Colbert's show, and Tuesday morning on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe.' Trump has lashed out at other authors in the past most notably Manigault-Newman and journalist Michael Wolff, who he called 'a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book.' Both Wolff's 'Fire and Fury' and Sims' 'Team of Vipers' quickly became Amazon best-sellers after paying their authors seven-figure advances. Politico reported Monday that a White House aide described him as 'very p***ed off' and 'really hopping mad.' Some former colleagues of Sims believe he may have joined the administration specifically to secretly report on what he saw and write about it afterwards. 'Team of Vipers' is full of embarrassing anecdotes about the administration. Trump considered refusing to accept the results of the 2016 election if he was going to lose, Sims writes. And when he realized he won, his first thought was retribution against former Ohio governor John Kasich, one of his Republican challengers. Trump supposedly said: 'When I get to Washington I'm gonna shove it up Kasich's a**.' What a night: Cliff Sims gives an account of election night 2016 which details how Trump, before the results came in, wanted to tweet preemptively that he would not accept them if he lost and was only talked down by Steve Bannon. He called Rupert Murdoch 'Rupy' in a call that night. Sims was at Trump's side with Kellyanne Conway at the other Vengeance is mine: Trump's first words of victory were to say: 'When I get to Washington I'm gonna shove it up Kasich's a**.' Election night appearance: Trump spoke to Rupert Murdoch to call him 'Rupy' and say the election result was not in the bag; he was scathing about Ohio governor John Kasich Sims' role in the White House was director of White House message strategy and a special assistant to the president. He also helped the President with his weekly video and radio addresses and now Trump is dismissing him as 'The videographer'. Trump has reportedly been telling his advisers: 'Who is this guy? Why is he writing this book? He wasn't even in meetings.' But 'Team of Vipers', which is already a hit on Amazon, has achieved the rare honor of uniting warring White House officials against it, Politico reported. A former senior official said: 'You wouldn't believe the text chains. The best part is the president is sort of chomping at the bit to tap this guy and tweet something to the effect of: 'I didn't know who this guy was. He taped videos.' For now Trump is heeding the advice of his advisers that Tweeting about Sims is not worth it - they are telling him to 'go run the world' but that may change as his media tour continues. Sims kicked off his book launch on ABC's Good Morning America and then went on The View. He was due to appear on CBS' 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on Monday night. In his book he claims that there were 'scenes of chaos, dysfunction and duplicity among the president, his family members and administration officials' on a daily basis. And Kellyanne Conway, he writes, was such a laughably obvious leaker that she had him draft a statement denying leaking it as he watched her dish dirt in real time. And Trump's briefly employed director of communications, Anthony Scaramuccci, was hardly a tough guy, in fact being pestered by his mother. Scaramucci got harassed by his mom the phone his second day in the job midway through threatening to fire everyone. 'Mom, Im trying to work here. Mom, Mom, Mom, okay, Mom,' he pleaded. 'Mom, give me a second, okay. Here talk to Kellyanne.' The Mooch lasted nine more days. Conway however is now furious at her portrayal - but has not denied it. This will only enrage him: Cliff Sims started a media tour by appearing on ABC's Good Morning America and then The View before a scheduled appearance on Stephen Colbert's CBS Late Show Not so tough: Anthony Scaramucci was pursued by his mother on his second day in office as communications director, eventually passing her off to Kellyanne Conway Sims, in his forthcoming memoir 'Team of Vipers,' describes a scene where the White House counselor is texting multiple reporters about her conversations with the president while he writes a statement denying she is a leaker on her laptop. She was apparently unaware that he could read her texts in live time as she sent and received them because her phone and laptop were both linked through the iCloud. 'The fact of the matter is, you can talk to anybody in Washington, D.C., it's about the worst kept secret in town, really. So, I wrote the truth about that,' he told ABC's 'Good Morning America' Monday. His recollection paints an unflattering portrait of the adviser, whom he calls a 'cartoon villain brought to life'. Conway angrily slapped back at allegations that she was the leaker when they surfaced last week. Conway asked: 'Do I leak to you?' as she looked reporters in the eye one by one. 'Do I leak to most of you? I'm looking around. You know who the real leakers are. And if I revealed them, past and present, I'd also have to reveal who they leaked to very often. 'And that would be not a lot of fun, I guess, so I won't, but you know the answer to that, you all do.' She did not say what she thought the answer in fact was. Another revelation says that Trump freaked out on election night when he thought he might lose and was about to Tweet that that he would challenge the results but was talked down by his ex-strategist Steve Bannon. Bannon told Trump to be 'patient' but Trump reasoned that it would 'just look like sour grapes if I do it after' the result came in. Sims claims Trump said: 'Somebody get (media mogul and Fox News owner) Rupert (Murdoch) on the phone and tell him to get ready to make this a big deal if we need to'. At 11.13pm when Murdoch called to congratulate him, Trump, who is, apparently, known for being superstitious, said: 'Not yet, Rupy. We have a three-stroke lead with one hole left. We can't celebrate until we're in the clubhouse.' Sims writes vividly about the Presidential debate when the Trump team brought four of the women who accused Bill Clinton of raping or sexually assaulting them into the chamber Clinton saw them immediately in the audience when he entered and Sims writes that 'I don't believe I have ever witnessed a man look that shaken'. The book says: 'Of all the things he'd seen and done as president.I'm not sure anything was more traumatizing than the moment he locked eyes with a woman who'd accused him of raping her almost forty years earlier.he looked like he was melting'. Sims claims that Trump's strategy for dealing with the opioid crisis was to shock users out of their addiction with gruesome videos. Trump supposedly told White House counselor Conway to give the job to Sims and said he should make 'the most horrifying ads you've ever seen'. Trump said: 'No, I mean it. We need people dying in a ditch. I want bodies stacked on top of bodies...do it like they did cigarettes. They had body bags piled all over the streets and ugly people with giant holes in their faces and necks'. Trump concluded: 'Next thing you know, the kids don't want to be cool and smoke anymore'. Among the other anecdotes in the book is the bizarre episode when Disney came to record Trump's voice for the animatronic version of himself, a tradition with every President. Trump supposedly wanted them to add something to his spoken list of 'achievements of the American spirit' - the skyscraper - because of his background in real estate. Disney balked because America had not invented the skyscraper and Trump let it go. After the Access Hollywood tape came out Republican National Committee research director Raj Shah texted a brutal assessment of Trump to his counterpart on the campaign, Andy Hemming. Shah wrote: 'I'm kinda enjoying this, some justice. I honestly don't think it's the worst thing he's done but somehow he got passes for the other acts.' Borrowing Hillary Clinton's phrase for Trump supporters, he added: 'Trump is a deplorable.' Shah later became Deputy Press Secretary and recently quit to work with Bill Clinton's one-time State Department spokesman James Rubin. Other characters who appear include Stephen Miller, the president's senior policy advisor, who is known to be anti-immigration. He is recorded as saying: 'I would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched American soil.' Sims writes that, any time a refugee or immigrant committed a "gruesome" crime, Miller would walk over to the White House press office to demand that press releases be issued about the cases. Sims says Miller made the comment about refugees during a conversation the two were having about immigration. When Sims left his job last year White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said he was 'a valuable member of President Trump's team on the campaign and for 15 months in the White House'. Now his book is out the White House is refusing to comment officially and the pushback from his former colleagues could be due to them 'panicking' about how they are presented. One official admitted that Sims was 'with the President quite often alone' and played a key role in presentation of the 2017 tax cuts. A former White House official said: 'The president's close relationship with Sims wasn't a secret to anyone in the building'. Unlike others who served in Trump's White House Sims says that he prefers to 'knife people in the front' - and has put his name to his claims. Extracts already released show that in 2017 Trump was so paranoid about leakers that he asked Sims to give him lists of people who were giving information to journalists. Sims writes: 'Give me their names', he said, his eyes narrowing. 'I want these people out of here. I'm going to take care of this. We're going to get rid of all the snakes, even the bottom-feeders.' 'The President proceeded to name White House staffer after White House staffer. Almost no one was deemed beyond reproachnot his chief of staff, not senior aides, almost no one other than those with whom he shared a last name. He wanted me to help him judge their loyalty. How, I wondered, had it come to this?' Conway is singled out by Sims who accuses her of secretly trashing Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and ex-White House officials Reince Priebus, Sean Spicer and Bannon. Sims writes that she 'stood in a class of own in terms of her machinations' and that he 'had to admire her sheer gall.' His withering assessment was that she was a 'cartoon villain come to life' who would do the very thing she criticised others for - gossiping anonymously. Former White House chief of staff John Kelly confided in Sims that it was the 'worst f****** job' he had ever had, 'Team of Vipers' says. Kelly hated his post so much that he said that being fired would be the 'best day I've ever had'. In his first speech to staff Kelly told them that their loyalty should be to their country first, not the President, a line which caused alarm among Trump's supporters. Elsewhere the book says that during one bruising phone conversation Trump berated then House Speaker Paul Ryan and asked him why 'Democrats have been kicking your a** for decades?' Trump told Ryan: 'Because they know a little word called 'loyalty'...why can't you be loyal to your president, Paul? 'I remember being in Wisconsin and your own people were booing you. You were out there dying like a dog, Paul. Like a dog! And what'd I do? I saved your a**.' Chinese authorities are accused of protecting fishermen and harassing local activists. Many monasteries dot the area near the lake and Tibetans traditionally do not eat fish. The central government has declared the area a tourist zone and the fish a protected species. However, the influx of ethnic Han settlers has led to increasing violations. Xining (AsiaNews) Chinese authorities have detained and questioned Tibetan activists trying to stop illegal fishing in Qinghai Lake, saying the Tibetans are taking the law in their own hands, local sources say. The lake is located in Qinghai province, in the north-eastern-most part of the Tibetan Plateau. Chinese fishermen caught fishing in the lake are frequently released, after complaining that Tibetans have seized their nets and other fishing gear, one local resident told Radio Free Asias Tibetan Service. When the Tibetan activists take away the fishing nets and hand them over to the police, this results in disputes with the fishermen, the source said. Chinas central government has declared the area of Qinghai Lake, also called Kokonur (In Oirat, a Mongolic language), a tourist area and the lakes fish a protected species, and has promised that anyone caught fishing in the lake would be punished in accordance with the law. But since the fishermen have good relations with the local police, they are quickly set free, while the Tibetans are held for questioning. Some of the local activists have been held for several days on charges of bad behaviour, though most are released after being questioned for a few hours. One activist was recently held for four days, and was asked if he and his group had sent pictures or video clips to contacts outside the country, and whether they were being organised and directed by outside forces. Teams of volunteers from many communities around the lake have been working around the clock to stop fishing in the lake. Tibetans are against it because they consider the Qinghai Lake a sacred place. Many monasteries can be found in the lake area and Tibetans traditionally do not eat fish. Incidents of illegal fishing have increased in recent years around Qinghai Lake, with local Tibetans stepping up monitoring activities in response. Directives from Chinas central government urging protection of Tibets vulnerable environment are often flouted at the local level by Han Chinese settlers to the area, experts say. A top German plastic surgeon who caused the death of a woman by sprinkling cocaine on his penis before she performed oral sex on him has been jailed. Dr Andreas David Niederbichler, 43, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm leading to the death of 38-year-old Yvonne M., and sentenced to nine years in prison. Hairdresser Yvonne M. died of a cocaine overdose after she performed the sex act on Dr Niederbichler in his home in Halberstadt, southeast of Hanover, last February, unaware he had laced his genitals with the Class A drug. Guilty: Dr Andreas David Niederbichler, 43, was sentenced to nine years in jail in Magdeburg, Germany, after causing the death of 38-year-old Yvonne M. Yvonne M., a 38-year-old hairdressed who met the doctor online, performed oral sex on Dr Niederbichler unaware he had sprinkled cocaine on his genitals Dr Niederbichler's apartment was located withing the grounds of the plastic surgery clinic where he worked, but despite the proximity to a medical facility, she died soon after being admitted to hospital. Friends of Yvonne M. told the court in Magdeburg, northwest of Halberstadt, that she had met the surgeon online and that they had been having an affair for some time. Yvonne M. had even indicated that she intended to leave her husband for Dr Niederbichler. The court heard that the Dr Niederbichler had carried out similar actions when having sex with other women. The court heard that the Dr Niederbichler had carried out similar actions when having sex with other women The plastic and reconstructive surgeon worked at the Ameos hospital in Halberstadt in the east-central German state of Saxony-Anhalt Prosecutors said he put cocaine on his genitals before having sex with three other women on several occasions between 2015 and 2018, and that he had drugged them with the Class A substance by putting it into glasses of Champagne. Dr Niederbichler has been working as a head physician at the Ameos Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery in Halberstadt in the east-central German state of Saxony-Anhalt in 2016. Before that he was appointed head physician for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery at the Dessau Municipal Hospital. A comedian from Benghazi who is in the United States legally was pulled off of a Greyhound bus in Washington state on Sunday morning and detained by federal officials who reportedly branded him 'illegal'. Mohanad Elshieky, 27, was traveling home to Oregon when Customs and Border Patrol agents boarded the bus he was riding in and asked him and a few others to step off. Elshieky is a citizen of Libya who came to the US on a student visa in 2014 and was granted asylum in October, according to NBC News. But Elshieky didn't have proof of asylum with him, and he said officials accused him of lying, and told him the documents he presented were not sufficient to prove he was here legally and could easily be faked. 'It was an another reminder that even though I have been here for 5 years working my a** off, I was still considered 'Other' and I have never felt as alone as I did in that station full of people,' Elshieky tweeted on Sunday. CBP confirmed that Elshieky was stopped, and said the documents he carried, which were an Oregon driver's license and an Employment Authorization (EAD) Card, were not adequate to prove he was in the country legally. What he needed was a copy of his I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, CBP said. Lybian comedian Mohanad Elshieky, 27 (pictured), was pulled off of a Greyhound bus in Washington state on Sunday by Customs and Border Patrol agents who he said refused to believe he had asylum in the US 'It was an another reminder that even though I have been here for 5 years working my a** off, I was still considered 'Other' and I have never felt as alone as I did in that station full of people,' Elshieky tweeted on Sunday Elshieky shared how shaken up he was by the encounter in a tweet thread that he posted, following the incident. 'To be honest, I have never felt as terrible as I did today. I have never imagined that I would have to go through this,' he wrote. Elshieky described the 20 minutes during which he was detained by what he first called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, but later corrected himself to say identify as CBP agents. Elshieky painting a picture of a confrontational and frightening experience. Elshieky shared how shaken up he was by the encounter in a tweet thread that he posted, following the incident, writing, 'To be honest, I have never felt as terrible as I did today. I have never imagined that I would have to go through this' Elshieky described the 20 minutes during which he was detained by CBP agents (pictured), painting a picture of a confrontational and frightening experience. 'This morning, ICE agents got on my Greyhound bus that was headed from Spokane to Portland. They walked around before they asked me and few others to step outside and took my documents and interrogated me for around 20 mins then claimed my papers were fake and that I'm 'illegal,'' he wrote Elshieky wrote: 'I explained to them that I was granted Asylum here in the United States, and that the work permit they currently hold and the license are impossible to get unless your presence here is legal. They told me that I was lying and these could pretty much be falsified' He wrote: 'They got on the phone with immigration and gave them my name and document number and I can hear the person on the end of the line saying that yes they can see my name and yes, I entered the country legally' 'This morning, [BCP] agents got on my Greyhound bus that was headed from Spokane to Portland. They walked around before they asked me and few others to step outside and took my documents and interrogated me for around 20 mins then claimed my papers were fake and that I'm 'illegal,'' he wrote. 'I explained to them that I was granted Asylum here in the United States, and that the work permit they currently hold and the license are impossible to get unless your presence here is legal. They told me that I was lying and these could pretty much be falsified. 'They got on the phone with immigration and gave them my name and document number and I can hear the person on the end of the line saying that yes they can see my name and yes, I entered the country legally.' But that didn't seem to be enough for the agent, according to Elshieky. 'The [BCP] agent ended the call and then said 'there are no records of your Asylum' and I again said that was impossible. Then said I should had my Asylum approval on me which is ridiculous, why would I carry that where I have my IDs,' the performer wrote He wrote: 'I kept it together and told them that what they are doing now is illegal and that they must hand me my documents back or I will have to call my lawyer and take legal action' He wrote: 'Another [BCP] agent then started yelling at me to take my hands out of my pockets and I did which is stupid because it was snowing and they were wearing gloves and my hands were freezing cold' 'They handed my documents back and said 'next time, have your papers on you' which means nothing because I did and they said they were fake,' he added Elshieky (pictured) addressed misidentifying the CBP agents as ICE agents later on Sunday and again the next day 'The [BCP] agent ended the call and then said 'there are no records of your Asylum' and I again said that was impossible. Then said I should had my Asylum approval on me which is ridiculous, why would I carry that where I have my IDs,' the performer wrote. 'I kept it together and told them that what they are doing now is illegal and that they must hand me my documents back or I will have to call my lawyer and take legal action. 'Another [BCP] agent then started yelling at me to take my hands out of my pockets and I did which is stupid because it was snowing and they were wearing gloves and my hands were freezing cold. 'They handed my documents back and said 'next time, have your papers on you' which means nothing because I did and they said they were fake.' Elshieky addressed misidentifying the CBP agents as ICE agents later on Sunday and again the next day. 'Last night I have added to my thread that it was CBP and not ICE and that was a mistake I made on my part and I admitted to that. I am not an expert in uniform colors. Just like those officers claim, I don't see 'color' too when it comes to immigration agents,' he wrote on Monday. 'Last night I have added to my thread that it was CBP and not ICE and that was a mistake I made on my part and I admitted to that. I am not an expert in uniform colors. Just like those officers claim, I don't see 'color' too when it comes to immigration agents,' he wrote on Monday After sharing what happened to him, Elshieky added a message to those who have been criticizing him over social media on Monday After sharing what happened to him, Elshieky added a message to those who have been criticizing him over social media on Monday. 'I have survived a revolution and a civil war and lived in Benghazi my whole life and managed to get through that and come here and start a comedy career that has been taking off well,' he wrote. 'So stop sending me hate mail and racist s**t into my DM because you're not gonna break me fools.' In his initial account of the experience, the comedian shared images of the agents who detained him, referring to them as 'the racist trash Fox News call 'heroes.'' In his initial account of the experience, the comedian shared images of the agents who detained him, referring to them as 'the racist trash Fox News call 'heroes'' CBP (pictured) provided a less colorful account of what happened, through a spokesperson CBP provided a less colorful account of what happened to Willamette Week. 'While performing transportation checks, agents made contact with Mohanad Elshieky,' a spokesperson told the outlet. 'Mr. Elshieky stated he was from Libya and presented the agents with an Oregon driver's license and an Employment Authorization Card (EAD). As with anyone who needs to have their immigration status verified, Mr. Elshieky was asked to exit the bus. After the approximately 20 minutes needed to verify his status, Mr. Elshieky was allowed to board the bus and continue his travels without delay.' The spokesperson said a copy of an I-94 document is sufficient, which can be obtained online here, dating back five years, with a passport number. Elshieky shared an image of his ticket to prove that he was on the bus when he was detained Elshieky also hit out at Greyhound following the incident in the thread he posted on Twitter, writing, 'The ironic part is that I though that smell on the Greyhound bus was gonna be the worst part of the trip. Also, f**k you @GreyhoundBus. You could have easily not let those agents on the bus but you're just as sh**ty as you smell' Elshieky also hit out at Greyhound following the incident in the thread he posted on Twitter, writing, 'The ironic part is that I though that smell on the Greyhound bus was gonna be the worst part of the trip. Also, f**k you @GreyhoundBus. You could have easily not let those agents on the bus but you're just as sh**ty as you smell.' That's not accurate, however, because current law states that federal officials may stop and board an intercity bus like the one Elshieky was on, within 100 miles of any border. Parts of Spokane, Washington, where Elshieky was departing from on his way home to Portland, are within 100 miles of the Canadian border. Greyhound tweeted on Monday that it supported a change to that law. 'We encourage anyone seeking changes to contact their congressperson,' the company said. Current law states that federal officials may stop and board an intercity bus like the one Elshieky was on, within 100 miles of any border. Greyhound tweeted on Monday that it supported a change to that law The company also included a link to information on its website intended to assist passengers who may be detained while traveling with Greyhound The company also included a link to its website intended to assist passengers who may be detained while traveling with Greyhound. 'You may be asked questions and/or for documentation,' the website warns. 'If this happens, you have the following rights: You have the right to remain silent. When in doubt, do not answer questions about your citizenship or immigration status or sign any paperwork without the advice of a lawyer. If you have valid immigration documents, provide them. Never provide false documents. 'You have the right to ask agents if you are being detained and why. You can refuse a search of your belongings by saying 'I do not consent to a search.' You have the right to record video of immigration agents but do not to interfere with their activities.' Individuals who have sought asylum in the US can now check their application status online through a website operated by the Department of Homeland Security. Seven friends and relatives of a Mexican gang member accused of killing a California cop were indicted on federal charges for allegedly helping the man attempt to flee to Mexico, federal officials said Friday. The group allegedly aided Gustavo Perez Arriaga, 32, after he shot and killed 33-year-old Newman Police Cpl Ronil Singh during a traffic stop the day after Christmas last year. 'When individuals act to thwart law enforcement's efforts, they undermine the safety of those officers and the public as a whole,' U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott in a statement. 'Today's indictment is a significant step toward holding accountable those who chose to harbor and conceal the man accused of killing a police officer in Newman Corporal Ronil Singh.' Arriaga's brother Adrian Virgen, 25, (left) and co-worker Erik Razo Quiroz, 32, (right) were arrested earlier this month and have now been indicted for helping Gustavo Perez Arriaga Arriaga's girlfriend Ana Leyde Cervantes, 30, and his brother Conrado Virgen Mendoz, 34, were also indicted for their roles Gustavo Perez Arriaga, 32, (left) was charged with murder earlier this month in the death of Newman Police Department Corporal Ronil Singh (right) Those indicted include: Erik Razo Quiroz, 29, of Merced; Adrian Virgen-Mendoza, 25, of Fairfield; Conrado Virgen Mendoza, 34, of Chowchilla; Erasmo Villegas-Suarez, 36, of Buttonwillow; Ana Leydi Cervantes-Sanchez, 31, of Newman; Bernabe Madrigal-Castaneda, 59, of Lamont; and Maria Luisa Moreno, 57, of Lamont. All of those indicted were charged with conspiring to hide Arriaga and smuggle him back into Mexico. They allegedly helped him by giving him clothes, money, a phone and even hiding his pickup truck. Razo Quiroz was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and being an alien in possession of a firearm, court documents said. The seven also face state charges for helping Perez Arriaga try to flee to avoid prosecution and lying to investigators. Arriaga, 32, was officially charged with murder earlier this month over Singh's death. Singh was a native of Fiji and lived in Modesto with his wife Anamika and their five-month-old son (all pictured together) Singh had pulled over Arriaga, who authorities said was in the country illegally, on suspicion of driving under the influence. Arriaga's charges included a special circumstance enhancement that would make his case eligible for the death penalty. The last execution that took place in California was in 2006. The complaint also included enhancements for allegedly using a gun in Singh's death and acting with premeditation, according to the Modesto Bee. It is not yet known if prosecutors will plan to seek the death penalty. Seven people total have been arrested for helping Arriaga evade police before he was finally arrested on Friday following a 55-hour manhunt. Officials said Arriaga had been preparing to flee to Mexico before his arrest. Singh's brother Reggie delivered a tearful speech earlier this month after Arriaga was finally arrested Singh's brother delivered an emotional speech earlier this month after Arriaga was arrested. Reggie Singh broke down in tears before speaking in a news conference as police informed the public that Arriaga was in custody. He had to be physically helped up by authorities for support as he showed gratitude to police for Arriaga's capture. 'Please bear with me, this is not easy for me. Ronil Singh was my older brother. Yes, he's not coming back but...' Reggie trailed off as he wept. 'There's a lot of people out there that miss him and a lot of law enforcement people that I don't know that worked days and nights to make this happen. I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.' Clutching the left side of his chest, Reggie's appeal to the public was mostly a show of appreciation for the investigating cops. Arriaga, 32, was officially charged earlier this month in the death of the 33-year-old officer after a prolonged manhunt 'I wish I could thank all the law enforcement agencies, Homeland Security in San Francisco, everyone. Bakersfield team...' he continued to sob. 'I was waiting for this to happen. I'd like to thank you for working day and night to make this happen. Thank you.' Singh was married and had a five-month-old son. He was also an immigrant, coming to the US legally from his native Fiji to pursue his dream of serving in law enforcement, authorities said. He joined the 12-officer Newman police force in 2011. 'He was living the American dream,' said Stanislaus County sheriff's Deputy Royjinder Singh, who is not related to the slain officer but knew him. 'He loved camping, loved hunting, loved fishing, loved his family.' Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said Arriaga illegally entered the US through Arizona several years ago and was a part of the notoriously violent Surenos street gang. Christianson said that the motive behind the shooting is not clear and cops believe Arriaga was alone at the time of the suspected murder. Arriaga worked various farm labor jobs and had a track record of two previous DUIs. Singh was killed the day after Christmas after he pulled over a Arriaga on suspicion of driving under the influence Arriaga, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in Bakersfield after a 55-hour manhunt. He is pictured above being taken in Sheriff Christianson blamed California's sanctuary laws from preventing police from reporting Arriaga to federal immigration officials following his previous DUI arrests. He said if Arriaga was deported, Singh could still be here today. Cops at first did not release Arriaga's name or age because he goes by several aliases and has several Facebook pages under different names. He had to be identified by fingerprint with police, according to The Modesto Bee. For Newman Police and Singh's family, Arriaga's arrest is a step towards justice. Cops launched a massive manhunt for the suspect and his Dodge pickup truck (above) which was found 13 hours later abandoned at a River Road mobile home park Authorities released surveillance images of the suspected gunman sought in the shooting death, now revealed to be Arriaga Singh stopped the car after noticing it had no license plate. After Singh approached Arriaga's gray Dodge pickup truck in Newman, he called 'shots fired' over his radio. Singh fired back to defend himself. He was found with multiple bullet wounds and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Arriaga had already fled the scene before backup arrived. The Sheriff's office released surveillance photos of the suspect shopping at a local store and pictures of his Dodge pickup truck. Ariaga has a tattoo with the phrase '$ur3no$' which means Surenos, the name of a Mexican-American street gang linked to murders and human smuggling along the US-Mexico border This photo compilation on social media shows a closer look at Ariaga's Surenos tattoo Arriaga's Dodge truck was found 13 hours later abandoned at a River Road mobile home park registered to his brother Conrado Mendoza. The car gave investigators plenty of evidence including fingerprints, DNA, and gunshot residue. Outgoing California Gov Jerry Brown offered condolences to Singh's family after his death and said flags at the Capitol would fly at half-staff in his honor. 'Our hearts are with the entire community of Newman and law enforcement officers across the state who risk their lives every day to protect and serve the people of California,' Brown said. A memorial fund has been set up by the police department in his honor. Ariane Borg, 38, has been charged with killing the family cat in front of her crying children and bruising her daughter's arm A mother-of-two from Utah has been charged with brutally killing the family cat in front of her crying children last fall. Ariane Borg, 38, of Holladay, was arrested on January 17 on counts of felony torture of a companion animal, felony child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury and two misdemeanor counts of child abuse. According to court documents, police arrived at Borg's home on September 25, 2018, to find her children, a 10-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, crying hysterically and telling them that their mother was 'going crazy.' The brother and sister reported seeing Borg holding their cat by the legs and repeatedly pounding the animal against the table. The woman's daughter said she tried to save the pet but claimed her mother grabbed her by the arm, inflicting a large bruise. Borg then reportedly snapped the cat's neck, killing it, and dumped the corpse in the front yard where police found it. According to the charging documents cited by Deseret News, when the responding officers entered the family's home, they found the place in disarray, with broken items and bloodstains throughout the premises. Borg's 10-year-old daughter (pictured together) told police her mother was 'going crazy' and that she bruised her arm when the child tried to save the cat The officers then discovered that Borg had self-inflicted stab wounds on her wrists and abdomen, which required medical attention. Both of the woman's children were removed from the home. The daughter has since been diagnosed with acute stress disorder stemming from multiple traumatic events, according to the documents. A therapist reportedly told police that both of Borg's children (seen together in this undated photo) sustained abuse at her hands A therapist informed police that Borg's children had sustained 'multiple abuse/trauma at the hands of their mother.' Borg's defense attorney, Steven Burton, said in a lengthy written statement sent to multiple media outlets, including KUTV, that his client is a loving mother who has battled depression throughout her life. Burton claimed that in July 2018, Borg's then-doctor improperly adjusted her medications, which caused her mental health to spiral out of control, resulting in what he described as a 'critical manic episode' on September 25. According to the lawyer, on that day, Borg was delusional and came to believe that she and her family were under attack. Since then, the attorney said the mom-of-two has been receiving mental health treatment and has returned to being a good, kind person. She has launched a makeup business and has been attending therapy sessions five times a week, which is why Burton said it was devastating when his client was arrested and charged without any warning earlier this month. It is disappointing to see that after all we have learned about mental illness, our system still re-victimizes those who are struggling and increases the risk that they will suffer further setback, the lawyer said in his statement. Indigenous leader Warren Mundine has slammed ABC host Yumi Stynes as 'stupid' for labelling Kerri-Anne Kennerley a 'racist' Indigenous leader Warren Mundine has defended television personality Kerri-Anne Kennerley for her remarks on 'Invasion Day' protesters, and says there are more serious issues than the date of Australia Day. Kennerley came to verbal blows with author Yumi Stynes on Monday, during a panel discussion on Studio 10 about people protesting to change the date of Australia Day, as it holds a dark significance for Indigenous Australians. Kennerley said those involved in the protests would be better off focusing their energy on Outback Australia, where Aboriginal women and children were raped at levels higher than the national average. Stynes said the veteran presenter was 'racist' for her remark, sparking protests outside the Channel 10 studio and death threats directed at both women. Mundine said he and many other Indigenous Australians completely understood what Kennerley was trying to say, and told The Daily Telegraph it was 'stupid' to label her comments racist. 'We are sick and tired of all this whingeing when we want to confront the real issues that are being dealt with in communities,' he said. Scroll down for video Yumi Stynes (left) made the comment after Kennerley (right) questioned how genuine Invasion Day protesters were about making life better for Indigenous Australians The politician said there were 'more than a hundred' issues more important to Indigenous communities than the date of Australia Day - citing the recent spate of youth suicide as a particularly prominent issue. 'Suicide, jobs, economic development, getting kids to school, health stuff - it all comes well in front of changing the date,' he said - though he noted he would like to see the national celebration moved. Mundine is not the only high-profile person to speak out in Kennerley's defence. Indigenous scholar Dr Anthony Dillon told Sky News people often snapped back at arguments like Kennerley's because they found the discussion uncomfortable. 'They don't want to know about those problems - it's much easier to shout racist than to address those problems,' he said. 'Kerri-Anne mentioned a few unmentionables, [like] abuse, rape... people don't like to talk about that. 'It's a truth in their own backyard people don't want to consider.' Protesters gathered outside the network's Sydney headquarters on Tuesday morning (pictured is a post the group made on Facebook) Kennerley, who has since said she stands by her comments, was branded a racist for asking what protesters were doing about pressing issues facing Indigenous Australians. 'OK, the 5,000 people who went through the streets making their points known, saying how inappropriate the day is,' she said on Monday. 'Has any single one of those people been out to the outback, where children, babies, five-year-olds, are being raped? 'Their mothers are being raped, their sisters are being raped. They get no education. What have you done?' The panel sat in shocked silence for several seconds before Stynes jumped in and scolded her. 'That is not even faintly true, Kerri-Anne. You're sounding quite racist right now,' she said. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 3.4 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than non-Indigenous Australians. Indigenous women are hospitalised due to family violence at rates 32 times higher than the wider population, a 2018 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report found. In January, five Indigenous children took their own lives over a period of just nine days. Weeks earlier, a remote community in Western Australia was forced to use GoFundMe to source clean drinking water, after the government deemed the issue 'too expensive' to fix. Last year, Indigenous Australians accounted for 28 per cent the country's prison population despite making up about two per cent of the general population, and more than a third of female inmates across Australia's jails were Indigenous. Aboriginal children are seven times more likely to be victims of child abuse or neglect than non-Indigenous young people. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday that ex-Starbucks exec Howard Schultz should seek the Oval Office to split the anti-Trump vote and deliver a win in 2020 to the current occupant of the White House. Christie encouraged Schultz to mount an independent campaign for the presidency next year while promoting his memoir Tuesday morning on Fox News. 'God bless Howard Schultz. Run, Howard, run,' Christie taunted. 'Run, Howard, run.' He spoke as Elizabeth Warren attacked Schultz in a sign of growing Democratic concern at the possibility of him running. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday that ex-Starbucks exec Howard Schultz should seek the Oval Office to split the anti-Trump vote and deliver a win in 2020 to the current occupant of the White House Once the head of Trump's transition team, Christie was pushed out of the operation over bad blood he shares with the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Christie put Kushner's father away as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey long before Trump's presidential bid brought them together again. Christie remains loyal to the president, though, and promised not to challenge him for the Republican nomination in 2020. 'With Howard Schultz in the race, he will have an absolutely smashing victory over whoever the Democrat is,' Christie predicted on 'Fox & Friends.' His encouragement to Schultz was matched by an all-out attack from Elizabeth Warren, one of the Democrats' presidential hopefuls after Schultz said her plan for a levy on the wealthiest was 'ridiculous' when he appeared on CBS This Morning. 'What's 'ridiculous' is billionaires who think they can buy the presidency to keep the system rigged for themselves while opportunity slips away for everyone else,' she tweeted. 'The top 0.1%, who'd pay my #UltraMillionaireTax, own about the same wealth as 90% of America. It's time for change.' Christie's attack was following the president's lead. Trump also dared Schultz to challenge him for the presidency on Monday morning after the businessman plainly stated his interest in becoming the nation's chief executive in an interview that aired the night prior. Trump seized on Schultz's acknowledgement on '60 Minutes' on Sunday that he's 'not the smartest person in the room' and has succeeded by surrounding himself with talented advisers. 'Howard Schultz doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President! Watched him on @60Minutes last night and I agree with him that he is not the 'smartest person.' Besides, America already has that!' Trump bragged. 'I only hope that Starbucks is still paying me their rent in Trump Tower!' Donald Trump dared former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to challenge him for the presidency on Monday morning after the businessman plainly stated his interest in becoming the nation's chief executive Trump mentioned Starbucks' coffee shop in Trump Tower in New York City in the attack Schultz said Trump is not fit to be president and he's considering running as an independent in the 2020 presidential race in a sit down interview with 60 Minutes interview that aired on Sunday Schultz said in the latest episode of '60 Minutes' that he has a 'long history of recognizing, I'm not the smartest person in the room, that in order to make great decisions about complex problems, I have to recruit and attract people who are smarter than me and more experienced, more skilled, and we've got to create an understanding that we need a creative debate in the room to make these kind of decisions.' He also said that Trump, a billionaire and a former real estate mogul, is 'not qualified' to lead the country. Schultz said that if he runs, he would do it as an independent, even though one has never won the Oval Office. Schultz also said that if her ran that a 'complete separation' between himself and Starbucks would take place. 'I am seriously thinking of running for president. I will run as a centrist independent, outside of the two-party system we're living at a most-fragile time not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be the president,' he said, 'but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what's necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged, every single day, in revenge politics.' President Trump has picked his moments this year as Democrat after Democrat has formalized exploratory committees and presidential campaigns. He ignored an announcement from Sen. Kamala Harris that she's seeking the Democratic nomination but hammered Schultz, a fellow businessman, on Monday morning on Twitter. Schultz stepped down as Starbucks' CEO in 2017. He is rated by Forbes as one of the richest Americans and had a net worth of $3.4 billion as of Monday. That means he is actually wealthier than President Trump, who has a real net worth of $3.1 billion. Trump's assets are in a revocable trust that he established before taking office to satisfy concerns about conflicts of interest pertaining to his businesses. He can take money out of the fund and knows what's in it, so that it is not functionally blind. He retains ownership of the company that operates the Trump Tower building in New York City from which Starbucks leases space. His tweet on Monday morning took aim at the company of which Schultz is still currently the chairman emeritus. Schultz revealed Sunday on '60 Minutes' that he's strongly considering a presidential run as an Independent and blames Democrats and Republicans alike for failing to address the nation's crippling debt. The 65-year-old billionaire who led Starbucks for 24 years says that the nation's 'greatest threat domestically' is its mounting debt in a summer interview. Schultz has been an outspoken critic on Trump's landmark tax legislation that slashed corporate tax rates. 'I would not have given a free ride to business, from 35 percent or 37 percent to 21 percent. It would've been more modest,' he said on '60 Minutes' on Sunday. Although he's yet to announce that he'll run for president, he's been dropping plenty of hints that he'll mount a presidential bid. Speaking to CNBC last June he said, 'President Trump has given license to the fact that someone who is not a politician could potentially run for the presidency.' Schultz is a life-long Democrat but is leaning toward running as an independent. He has criticized Democrats for proposals such as the single-payer health care and guaranteed income schemes, which he says are too left-wing. 'Every American deserves the right to have access to quality health care. But what the Democrats are proposing is something that is as false as the wall. And that is free health care for all, which the country cannot afford,' he told Scott Pelley in the interview on Sunday. Late last year, Schultz, began assembling a crack PR-team, including the campaign manager for John McCain's 2008 presidential run. The 65-year-old billionaire says if he does go for the presidency, it'll be as an independent and has slammed Republicans and Democrats alike for failing to tackle the nation's $21 trillion debt Schultz said that Trump is 'not qualified' to sit behind the Resolute Desk at the White House The businessman worth $3.4 billion pictured above with wife Sheri Kersch Schultz He brought on board Steve Schmidt, a former vice chairman at public relations powerhouse Edelman, who previously managed the McCain's presidential campaign. The public relations and advisory team Schultz has brought on is a signal that he is seriously considering a run, despite the fact that he had not visited Iowa or New Hampshire, where other candidates are already campaigning. Democratic operatives, however, worry that if Schultz runs as an Independent it will only split anti-Trump votes and help Trump get re-elected, a The Atlantic reported. The idea's already proved unsettling to Democrats in his home state. 'I have two words for Howard Schultz on a potential run for president as an independent: Just. Don't,' Tina Podlodowski, chairwoman of the Washington Democratic Party said in a statement to the Seattle Times. Washington State Democrats urged Schultz not to get in the race over the weekend. It posed a picture of a Starbucks cup that said: 'Don't do it Howard!' The state is home to the Starbucks empire. It is headquartered in Seattle. Former Fugees rapper Pras has become the latest American celebrity to find himself tangled up in a massive Malaysian embezzlement scandal. Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel, a founding member of the hit 1990s group, is now fighting the US government over a $38million civil forfeiture complaint. Michel is accused of aiding a scheme to try and get the Justice Department to drop an investigation into embezzlement from a Malaysian investment fund, according to the complaint. It claims Michel was looped into the scheme by the brother of Jho Low, a fugitive Malaysian financier who was charged by the Justice Department last year with embezzling from the fund - known as 1MDB - to finance his luxurious lifestyle. It is believed more than $4.5billion was misappropriated from 1MDB, with Low using the fund to finance a private jet, $250million superyacht, Picasso paintings that were gifted to Leonardo DiCaprio, and even funding for the actor's film The Wolf Of Wall Street. Former Fugees member Prakazrel 'Pras' Michel is now fighting the US government over a $38million civil forfeiture complaint The complaint claims Michel was looped into a Malaysian embezzlement scandal by the brother of Jho Low, a fugitive Malaysian financier who once partied with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured together in 2013) Michel allegedly opened bank accounts under false pretenses to help finance a lobbying campaign that unsuccessfully tried to shut down the investigation into 1MDB. George Higginbotham, a former Justice Department official, pleaded guilty in November for his role in the lobbying effort, admitting he helped transfer tens of millions of dollars into the US to finance the campaign. Prosecutors say Higginbotham, who worked on the congressional affairs staff in the Justice Department's Office of Justice Programs, helped open bank accounts and created false loan documents for shell companies as part of the scheme. It was the first public acknowledgement of a secret attempt to pressure American officials to drop their probe of the fund. Prosecutors claim that Michel and Higginbotham worked together to open the accounts at US banks, and that Michel also distributed money to those involved in the campaign. Justice Department officials are now trying to recover roughly $38million from Michel that they say can be connected to that effort. Michel, who shot to fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the Fugees with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean (all pictured together), allegedly opened bank accounts to help finance a lobbying campaign that unsuccessfully tried to shut down the investigation into 1MDB Michel has denied any wrongdoing, claiming last month that his name is being 'dragged through the mud'. 'I have never conspired to commit any crime, nor defraud any organization, in this case or otherwise,' he told the Washington Post. Barry Pollack, a lawyer for Michel, asked for the complaint to be dismissed on Monday. Pollack claimed the Justice Department failed to present sufficient allegations of bank fraud, conspiracy and false statements, or that the funds in the accounts the government wants to seize were proceeds of fraud. Many have been tangled in the web of Jho Low, once known for partying with the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and DiCaprio. Low, 38, was an expert at cultivating his image, surrounding himself with stars who were attracted to his $250million superyacht and famous parties. It is believed more than $4.5billion was misappropriated from 1MDB, with Low using money for a private jet, Picasso paintings, and parties with celebrities (he is pictured here with Alicia Keys in 2013) Low was also accused of using the money to purchase a $250million superyacht (pictured) With so much money flowing around him, celebrities were quickly drawn into Low's world. Even the likes of DiCaprio couldn't resist Low and his $400million promise to help finance The Wolf of Wall Street. But everything about Low's life changed when he was accused of draining billions of dollars from 1MDB. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak purportedly set up 1MDB to support Malaysia's economic development. But authorities believe Razak, with the help of his Hollywood movie producer stepson Riza Aziz as well as Low, embezzled billions of dollars from the fund. Investigations into 1MDB were reopened after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad returned to power in a stunning election victory in May, ending Najib's reign. Najib, who has denied wrongdoing, was charged for money laundering and abuse of power in connection with funds transferred from a former unit of 1MDB in July. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) purportedly set up 1MDB to support Malaysia's economic development. But authorities believe Razak, with the help of Low and his Hollywood movie producer stepson Riza Aziz (right), embezzled billions of dollars from it In November Low was also charged in the money laundering and bribery scheme. Justice Department documents cite multiple instances in which Low allegedly siphoned funds from bond offerings for kickbacks and bribes to Malaysian officials. They say many of the transactions were done through shell companies, which often are used to obscure origins and destinations of illicit activities. Low has been in hiding since July. Authorities have seized his superyacht and put it on auction to help recoup some of the huge debts created by 1MDB. DiCaprio has since returned a Picasso painting, a photograph by Diane Arbus, a Jean-Michel Basquiat collage, and an Academy Award won by Marlon Brando that Low had given to him as gifts. DiCaprio said that he intended to auction off the pieces to raise money for his charity. The family of an unarmed black man shot to death by Sacramento cops in his grandmother's backyard has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $20million. Stephon Clark, 22, was racially profiled and the officers used excessive force in the shooting, according to the federal lawsuit filed Monday. The suit names officers Terrence Mercadal, Jared Robinet and the city as defendants after dad-of-two Stephon was killed in a hail of around 20 bullets. The federal lawsuit alleges officers Mercadal and Robinet failed to identify themselves as officers. It also accuses them of giving Clark no proper warning before firing their guns. Scroll down for video. The family of Stephon Clark, 22, the unarmed black man shot to death by Sacramento cops filed a $20m wrongful death lawsuit against the city and two police officers on Monday Rev. Al Sharpton, left, comforts Stephon's devastated brother Stevante during his funeral service in March last year. Stephon's death sparked widespread outrage and protests It reads: 'Plaintiffs have also been deprived of the lifelong love, companionship, comfort, support, society, care and sustenance of [Clark] and will continue to be so deprived for the remainder of their natural lives.' The lawsuit, filed by attorneys Dale Galipo, Brian Panish and Ben Crump, adds: 'Both Officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet did not give (Clark) a verbal warning that deadly force would be used prior to shooting (Clark) multiple times, despite it being feasible to do so and they did not issue appropriate commands to (Clark). 'Further, the involved officers did not announce themselves as police prior to the shooting. (Clark) never verbally threatened anyone prior to being fatally shot by Officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet.' It follows an earlier claim against the city seeking at least $35million, The Sacramento Bee reports. An autopsy by the Sacramento County Coroner's office revealed Clark was hit seven times, including three times in the back. Clark's family say their independent autopsy found he was shot eight times, six times in his back. Clark, pictured with his two children, was shot dead on March 18 last year in the backyard of his grandmother's home. Officers were responding to a 911 call of someone breaking car windows when they encountered Clark Officers fired 20 times at Clark, after chasing him through the streets at night, into the backyard of his grandparents' house (pictured after being shot) Video via Fox 40. Police shot Clark on March 18 last year in the backyard of his grandmother's home. Officers said they thought he had a gun but later found he was holding only a cell phone. Clark was running away from officers when he shot 20 times. The officers were responding to a 911 call of someone breaking car windows when they encountered Clark. Police have revealed bodycam video footage of the horrific shooting that saw the two cops shout 'Gun! Gun! Gun!' before opening fire in the darkened backyard. In the clip, they do not identify themselves as officers and hail down fire while still asking Clark to raise his hands. Another clip, taken from the police helicopter and shot in infrared, shows Clark jumping a neighbor's fence to get into his family's backyard. Two officers are spotted moving along the side of the house. They then confront him and open fire. Clark collapses to the ground. Cops said they opened fire because he was walking towards them holding an object they believed to be a gun, saying they feared for their safety. It was found to be a cell-phone. City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood said in a statement: 'Out of deference to the judicial process and because this is a matter of active litigation, we must respectfully decline to comment.' Sequita Thompson, center, discusses the shooting of her grandson, Stephon Clark, shortly after his death in March last year Clark's distraught brother spoke to the congregation and chanted his sibling's name at the funeral. He is pictured here speaking before a meeting of the Sacramento City Council Attorney Benjamin Crump, who represents the family of police shooting victim Stephon Clark Protests took place near daily following Clark's death, calling for cops responsible to face criminal charges Marchers calling for the indictment of two Sacramento police officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark, make their way through downtown Sacramento in April last year Stephon's death sparked widespread outrage and protests. Stevante Clark, his distraught older brother, took over the mic from Alice Huffman of the California NAACP as she spoke during his funeral at a Sacramento church. The 25-year-old led the crowd of around 500 to chant his dead sibling's name, while vowing that the 'Clark family will not be forgotten'. A group of Black Lives Matter protesters crashed the wedding of one of the officers after learning his identity. As the officer and his groomsmen got ready ahead of the ceremony, the protesters barged into the room yelling 'murderer'. DailyMail.com have contacted Sacramento police for comment. McDonald's has unveiled plans to inject $500million into the Australian economy by building at least 45 new stores across Sydney and Melbourne. Sites across NSW and Victoria have been snapped up based on population growth figures and overall demand, McDonald's development director Josh Bannister said. The proposed new restaurants and current establishment refurbishments will be spread out across the next three years in both metro and regional areas, he told Sydney Morning Herald. McDonald's has unveiled plans to inject $500million into the Australian economy by building at least 45 new stores across Sydney and Melbourne 'The things we consider for potential locations include the availability of sites, suitable zoning, access to major thoroughfares, population growth and local demand,' he said. The company has already purchased highly sought-after land across Melbourne, with 20 stores earmarked for the state in coming years. They are less inclined to invest in shopping centre locations and are instead moving more toward free-standing buildings with drive-thru options, highway service centres and high-traffic railway stations. But eventually, they hope to expand into residential buildings. They are less inclined to invest in shopping centre locations (pictured) and are instead moving more toward free-standing buildings with drive-thru options, highway service centres and high-traffic railway stations In 2018, McDonald's entered into a joint venture with Stockland and a 350-unit apartment complex was built on top of an already existing McDonald's restaurant in Parramatta, in Sydney's west. The building was the first of its kind for McDonald's Australia, but McDonald's southern region development manager Tom Veale said the business hopes to develop more within the next five to 10 years. The brand has already acquired 20 sites in total across the two states, with a handful of others currently in negotiations. Up to half the costs associated with building new stores come from the cost of the land in most cases, Mr Veale said. There are currently 981 outlets open for business Australia wide, five of which were opened in 2018. Jeremy Corbyn suffered a double humiliation last night as MPs roundly rejected his plans to delay Brexit and he finally had to agree to talks with the Prime Minister. Fourteen of the Labour leader's own MPs voted against a proposal which he had backed just hours earlier to keep Britain in the EU beyond March 29 if no deal is agreed by the end of the month. It was one of a string of defeats, with the only vote Mr Corbyn's side winning being a non-binding expression of will that the UK should not leave without a deal. And just two weeks after rejecting Theresa May's invitation to discuss the way forward for Brexit, he performed a U-turn and agreed to see her in Downing Street. Jeremy Corbyn finally agreed to Brexit talks with Theresa May tonight after the Prime Minister navigated a minefield of seven votes on Plan B A diagram showing how Graham Brady's amendment - calling on Theresa May to renegotiate the Irish backstop - won the support of the House of Commons Mr Corbyn told MPs: 'Now that the House has voted emphatically to reject the No Deal option the Prime Minister was supporting could I say we are now prepared to meet her to put forward the points of view from the Labour Party of the kind of deal we want from the European Union. To protect jobs, to protect living standards and to protect rights and conditions in this country.' Amid remarkable scenes, the Labour leader lost a series of amendments thanks to a string of rebellions by backbenchers, many of them in Leave seats. It meant the Commons voted 321 to 298 against the main proposal, tabled by senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper, which would have seen the UK staying in the EU beyond March 29. Mr Corbyn had confirmed at lunchtime that his party would be supporting a delay of three months, saying it was important to avoid a No Deal Brexit and ensure there was time for renegotiation. But 14 Labour MPs rebelled, giving the Government a majority of 23 against the extension of Article 50. They included serial Corbyn opponents such as John Mann and Ian Austin along with hard-Left supporters of the leader, such as Dennis Skinner. And not enough rebel Tory MPs just 17 voted with former Conservative minister Nick Boles, who had also advocated the delay. Yvette Cooper, pictured on her way to Westminster this morning ahead of her no deal amendment tonight, which has the backing of ten rebel Tories including former Minister Nick Boles Miss Cooper's plan would have allowed MPs to call for a delay to Article 50 if no deal had been approved by February 26. But Mrs May said the amendment was 'deeply misguided' and warned of the constitutional dangers of seeking to 'usurp' the Government. Labour had been cautious about officially throwing its weight behind the plan, with the party's leadership nervous about alienating Leave-supporting voters in some of its heartlands. But Mr Corbyn told the Commons: 'The Labour Party will back that amendment tonight because to crash out without a deal would be deeply damaging for industry and economy.' He added that he was 'backing a short window of three months to allow time for renegotiation'. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the plan 'will allow Parliament to fill the void of leadership left by the Prime Minister'. If the amendment had gone through, it would have taken away the Government's right to set the business of the Commons to allow Miss Cooper's bill to be debated. The MP insisted her bill was not an attempt to prevent Brexit, merely to 'give Government and Parliament a chance to avert No Deal in March if time has run out'. Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said the plan would 'allow Parliament to usurp the proper role of the executive'. 'Such actions would be unprecedented and could have far-reaching and long-term implications for the way the UK is governed and for the balance of powers and responsibilities in our democratic institutions,' she said. 'So, while I do not question their sincerity in trying to avoid a No Deal Brexit, to seek to achieve that through such means is, I believe, deeply misguided, and not a responsible course of action. 'Neither amendment actually delivers on the best way of avoiding No Deal, which is, as I have said, for the House to approve a deal with the European Union.' The PM said the amendment would also not resolve the difficulties faced in getting any solution through Parliament. 'It does not rule out No Deal, it simply delays the point of decision', she said. Pro-Brexit former Cabinet minister Dominic Raab also attacked the amendment, saying it would lead to 'understandable fears that actually it is a ruse to reverse or frustrate Brexit'. Miss Cooper said: 'I am really worried that the delay and the drift and the chasing of unicorns mean we could now end up with No Deal by accident.' Unless the Prime Minister changes direction and changes approach, she said: 'I fear we will reach the brink.' Her amendment, she said, would 'make sure there is a safety net to prevent No Deal on March 29'. In another vote, MPs ordered Theresa May not to lead the country towards a No Deal Brexit. They backed a cross-party amendment, championed by Tory Dame Caroline Spelman, which rejects the UK leaving the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement by 318 votes to 310. However, the motion was not binding. The UN Special Rapporteur visited the neighbourhood where the Saudi consulate is located but was not allowed to enter its premises nor speak to its staff. Turkey is pushing for an international inquiry. A report is expected by May. Istanbul (AsiaNews) Saudi authorities are trying to hinder, if not block, the work of the UN team investigating into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed last 2 October in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Various international observers believe that the assassination took place on the orders of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), Saudi Arabias number two, a charge rejected by Saudi authorities. This morning, Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on executions in charge of the Khashoggi inquiry, said her request to visit the Saudi consulate in Istanbul had not been approved. So far, she has not had any meeting with Saudi officials to assess the facts. Ms Callamard arrived in Turkey yesterday for a week-long mission to look into the brutal murder, as head of an independent international inquiry with a three-member team of investigators, including a forensic specialist. Results of the inquiry should be available in May to be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council but there is uncertainty about the date. The senior UN official visited the Istanbul neighbourhood where the Saudi consulate is located, but she was not allowed in. We just wanted to have a sense of it, she told reporters. Speaking outside the building, Callamard noted that she had requested access to the site from the Saudi government and to meet Saudi authorities both in Turkey and in the kingdom. To be fair the request to them has come quite late, so we need to give them a bit more time to process our request, she added. Ahead of Ms Callamards visit, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said it was high time for an international inquiry. In Davos, at the World Economic Forum, the Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said his government wants justice as well, but so far little has been done. To help the rapporteurs inquiry, Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, called for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to share its intercepted recordings of the crime, which should show how brutal the killing was. For their part, the Turks have said nothing about what they made available to the UN representative. A man told a Tinder date he allegedly raped in a Brisbane CBD unit during New Year's celebrations he was 'trying to push her limits'. Christopher Nicholas Bassett is being tried for three counts of rape in Brisbane District Court over the five-hour encounter with the then 19-year-old woman early on January 1, 2017. Prosecutors say the woman was open to having sex with Bassett when she went to the building unit overlooking the Brisbane River, believing he was 'good-looking'. The pair engaged in sexual acts soon after meeting, but he allegedly became increasingly violent. He twice forced his penis into her mouth and once into her anus, the court heard, as well as slapping and choking her, leaving her with neck, breast and buttock bruises. A man told a Tinder date he allegedly raped in a Brisbane CBD unit during New Year's celebrations he was 'trying to push her limits' When his alleged victim objected to his violence and began crying, he became 'apologetic and gentle' before escalating into rough sex again, according to the Crown. 'She'll say (in giving evidence) he told her he was sorry and was trying to push her limits,' crown prosecutor Ben McMillan said in opening submissions on Tuesday. 'She'll say never in the course of this evening did she discuss with the defendant they were going to have rough sex that night or that she wanted to have rough sex with him, or indeed at all.' During a phone call with her two days later, Bassett said his behaviour during their meeting was 'so not like me' but he did not deny the alleged anal and oral rapes, the trial heard. '(The victim) confronts the defendant with what happened that night, including the 'surprise anal'', Mr McMillan said. 'He is apologetic and tries to smooth things over. Prosecutors say the woman was open to having sex with Bassett when she went to the building unit overlooking the Brisbane River (pictured), but things got increasingly violent 'Over the course of the conversation, the defendant says he is sorry nine times. He says it is out of character.' When she said there wasn't consent, he replied: 'For sure.' Bassett pleaded not guilty to all three charges on Tuesday, with his defence lawyer arguing he believed there was consent. The woman was 'happily laughing' throughout their meeting and when the sex got too rough, Bassett would ease back, the court heard. The trial continues. Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd, 31, pictured today at a court hearing in Tbilisi, Georgia Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd blocked attempts to extradite him swiftly yesterday, claiming he would be tortured if he is sent back to the UK. At an emergency court hearing in Georgia, he was asked directly if he would consent to a fast-track extradition. Speaking in a strange mix of Georgian and English, he replied: Thank you for explaining the procedure but I wish to decline. It means that Shepherd, 31, will spend up to three months in a maximum security jail in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, while his lawyers prepare for a full extradition hearing. Prosecutors called the hearing after the Georgian government was put under pressure by British embassy officials in Tbilisi, sources said. But Shepherds legal team blocked the move by insisting that the killing of Charlotte Brown, 24, was not a crime under Georgian law even though he has been found guilty of her manslaughter in a British court. They also claimed there would be a serious chance he will be tortured and treated cruelly back in the UK. Last night Miss Browns father Graham, 55, of Sidcup, Kent, said the decision to block a fast-track extradition showed that Shepherd is determined to stay in Georgia. People could look at this and conclude that Shepherd is continuing to evade justice in the UK and is motivated by self-interest, he said. Shepherd sits behind his lawyer Mariam Kublashvili (left) at Tbilisi Central Court this afternoon We as a family just want to see Jack Shepherd extradited back to the UK however long it takes. Shepherd, who received a six-year sentence for manslaughter in his absence in July, indicated yesterday that he would prefer to serve this sentence in Tbilisi. But British police and prosecutors are determined to bring him back. They also want him to face charges of absconding and of glassing a barman with a vodka bottle in a pub last March. Shepherd, who wore a nautical striped jumper, a pastel shirt and beige trousers, appeared calm as he was led into court handcuffed to a guard for the 25-minute hearing. He told the court he is married even though his wife has disowned him and is bringing up their two-year-old child by herself. Prosecutors had wanted Shepherd (pictured today) to be extradited quickly to Britain Mariam Kublashvili (pictured) spent more than three hours with Shepherd at Gldani Number Eight maximum-security prison in Tblisi yesterday When asked to confirm his name, he replied Jack Sebastian Shepherdi, using the Georgian way of saying his surname. He spoke in Georgian to give a fake address, which police say does not exist. His lawyer Tariel Kakabadze said: There is a serious chance he will be tortured and treated cruelly back in the UK. If in an extradition case the accused is in a risk of danger then it should not take place. Mariam Kublashvili, a former swimwear model who also represents Shepherd, said his team was still waiting for court transcripts and other evidence from the UK. She insisted that Shepherd has not committed a crime under Georgian law. However, she did not mention that he is a fugitive or that he is accused of glassing a barman. The appearance today comes after his lawyer claimed the death is not a crime in Georgia Shepherd in court in Tbilisi today, in the latest stage of the bid to extradite him to the UK Jack Shepherd (left) has continuted to blame Charlotte Brown (right) for the speedboat accident on the River Thames in London that killed her The speedboat owned by Shepherd who was found guilty of killing his date on the Thames It was a tragic accident, he was not driving the boat, so the death of Charlotte Brown didnt happen because of Shepherds deliberate actions. Based on this, Georgian law doesnt find him guilty. Outside court, she added: We know that our government wants to be friendly with the UK, which wants Jack as soon as they can. But we are against it because its a political step. He will not be safe in the UK. He is a human being, he is not an animal. He is not a criminal that should be subject to an attack. He prefers to serve his sentence in Georgia. For him it is better to stay here if it is possible. Shepherd had fled Britain before an Old Bailey jury found him guilty of causing Miss Browns death when his speedboat flipped on the Thames in 2015. His case sparked outrage when he claimed legal aid to appeal against his conviction while a fugitive. After ten months on the run and following a Daily Mail campaign for justice, Shepherd finally turned himself in to police in Georgia a week ago. A senior Vatican priest who oversaw sex abuse cases has resigned after being accused of making advances towards a nun during a confession. Austrian Father Hermann Geissler, 53, a top official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said he was stepping down 'to limit the damage already caused to the Congregation and its Community'. He professed his innocence and asked that a canon trial - which has already started - should continue. Austrian Father Hermann Geissler, 53, is accused of coming on to a nun at an event for women who survived clerical sex abuse in 2009 Geissler - whose office oversaw sex abuse cases - said he would consider legal action to protect his reputation. He's accused by German former nun Doris Wagner of soliciting sex with her in 2009 during an event for women who had survived clerical sex abuse. 'He kept me for hours, kneeling before him, he told me that he loved me and that he knew that I loved him and that even if we couldn't marry, there were other ways,' Wagner said. 'He tried to take me in his arms and kiss me. I panicked and ran.' Geissler - whose office oversaw sex abuse cases - said he would consider legal action to protect his reputation Soliciting sex in a confessional is considered a grave crime in the church, given that the penitent is in a vulnerable state, asking for forgiveness for sin from a priest in a Catholic sacrament. Wagner also accused another priest of raping her in 2008. He was removed from the Vatican but remains a priest in a community where 'many young nuns live', according to Wagner. Three people are dead and five are injured after a suspected drunk driver in a pickup truck crashed into a crowded Honolulu intersection. Police say alcohol and speed may have played a role in the collision that killed two pedestrians and a bicyclist shortly before 6.30pm Monday in the Kakaako neighborhood of Hawaii's capital. The 27-year-old male driver of the pickup and the driver of a truck he slammed into were both in serious condition following the crash, according to the Star Advertiser. Two female adult pedestrians were in critical condition and one male adult was in good condition. Scroll down for video A suspected drunk driver in a pickup truck crashed into a crowded Honolulu intersection on Monday night, killing three people and injuring five others, according to authorities Police say the truck sped across three lanes of traffic in the intersection before driving over an island where pedestrians were waiting to cross, knocking over a light pole and striking another pickup truck. Emergency personnel are pictured at the scene of the crash The victims killed included a 26-year-old man, a man in his late 30s or early 40s and a 46-year-old female. Both pickup truck drivers were in serious condition, two female adult pedestrians were in critical condition and one male adult was in good condition The driver had not yet been arrested as of Monday night. 'With the suspect being injured, (theyre) taking care of treatment first,' Lt James Slayter of the Hawaii Police Department's Traffic Division told the Star Advertiser. Slayter said the pickup truck had hit other cars several blocks away before speeding across three lanes of traffic in an attempt to turn onto Kamakee Street. The truck then drove over an island and knocked over a light pole where the pedestrians were waiting to cross. The victims who died were a 26-year-old man, a man in his late 30s or early 40s and a 46-year-old female who was walking her bike. Slayter said that it appeared that one tourist was among the pedestrians hit and the rest were local. No names have been released as of early Tuesday morning. The driver had not yet been arrested as of Monday night because he was being treated for injuries, according to Lt James Slayter of the Hawaii Police Department (above) A large emergency personnel presence remained at the scene for several hours after the crash Witness Gemma Alonzo said the truck that caused the crash was speeding 'really, really fast' as it entered the intersection. 'It kind of looked like the movies, like everything was falling down. It looked like a hurricane,' Alonzo said. 'You see all the debris just like falling down, and it hit the truck.' Washington state tourists Elona and Irina Fabyanchuk told the Star Advertiser they were sitting on the shore at Ala Moana Beach Park when they heard screeching tires and a loud bang. They ran to the scene and watched police and fire personnel performing CPR on the victims. Elona Fabyanchuk, who works as a technician in an emergency room, said she would have volunteered but it appeared that plenty of first responders were on the scene. 'It is such a busy intersection with so many people crossing,' she said. 'To see something happen that fast is so sad. It makes you more aware and cautious about crossing the street.' Kakaako is a rapidly-expanding neighborhood designed to be pedestrian-friendly, according to the Star Advertiser. The three fatalities brought the total number of 2019 traffic deaths in Oahu to eight, Slayter said. Pedestrian fatalities are the sixth-leading cause of injury-related deaths in Hawaii, according to the state Department of Health. A nurse has been arrested on suspicion of making hundreds of thousands of dollars illegally selling 20,000 opiate pills through the dark web. Carrie Alaine Markis, who lives in California, was arrested after her online pharmacy was discovered trading in Bitcoin for lethal drugs, such as fentanyl. The 46-year-old earned tens of thousands of dollars selling drugs via a marketplace on the darknet, called Farmacy41. Markis of Rancho Cordova was arrested last week and could face charges including distribution and conspiracy. Markis allegedly claimed in online chats with customers that she got the prescription pills from people who bought them from patients who obtained them from a doctor. California nurse, Carris Alaine Markis, has been arrested on suspicion of illegally selling thousands of opioid pills on the dark web Court papers shows Markis began selling thousands of fentanyl patches, hydrocone, oxycodone and morphine pills, and other medication in 2013. In private messages to customers, Markis allegedly left an incriminating trail, explaining that her front business was selling Nutrivite vitamins, the Sacramento Bee reports. The illicit pharmacy made 393 sales on the Pandora marketplace, collecting 206 Bitcoin, or around $122,000 at the time of the transactions, court records say. Farmacy41 also operated on the AlphaBay market from November 2015 to April 2016, selling nearly 3,000 pills and 64 fentanyl patches worth about $74,235, court papers state. The pharmacy also traded on the now defunct Silk Road marketplace, where it sold nearly 13,000 pills and other drugs worth more than $232,000 in around 700 sales, according to court papers. The home in Rancho Cordova where Carrie Markis was arrested on suspicion of illegally selling opiates on the dark web Many of the transactions generated from the Silk Road account, that was last active in May 2014, were paid in Bitcoin. Drugs sold included, 8,723 hydrocodone pills, 2,690 oxycodone, 839 methadone, 70 morphine tablets and 16 Fentanyl patches. The affidavit states: 'User reviews of Farmacy41 are overwhelmingly positive. The majority of the users' ratings are five out of five stars.' Markis is identified in court papers as holding a master's degree in nursing science and health care leadership from the University of California, Davis. She is listed in California records as a registered nurse who was licensed in 1996, but was classified as 'inactive' and had no record of ever having been disciplined. The US Attorney's Office in Sacramento has led efforts nationwide to crack down on hidden websites that purport to offer untraceable sales of drugs. Her arrest came from a large scale investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office into dark web sites offering drugs and illegal weapons, through transactions it claims cannot be traced. A man accused of murdering his mother and aunt in Argentina made a desperate plea for help to find them while sitting above the grave he allegedly buried them in. The mutilated bodies of Lily Pereg, 53, and her sister Pyrhia Sarusi, 63, were found in a shallow grave in the city of Mendoza on January 26. Only two days prior to the grim discovery, Ms Sarusi's son Gilard Pereg, 36, gave a press interview begging for their return in which he posed for a photo sitting next to a pile of rubble where the bodies were later found. The photo was circulated by local media as the family pleaded for information regarding the pair's disappearance. Scroll down for video Gilard Pereg, 36, has been charged with murdering his mother and aunt. A chilling photo taken two days before their bodies were found shows him sitting above their shallow grave (pictured) The bodies of Australian university professor Lily Pereg (left) and her Israeli citizen sister Pyrhia Sarusi (right) were found in Argentina on Saturday, two weeks after they disappeared Dr Pereg, a microbiology professor from Australia, was in the country with her sister visiting Ms Sarusi's son when the pair disappeared. Dr Pereg's partner, John Finlay, had spent two weeks scouring Argentina in the hope of finding the pair, only for the search to come to an abrupt end on Saturday. Mr Finlay said he spoke with Gilard while he was overseas, who assured him he had no idea what had happened to the two women. Both Dr Pereg and Ms Sarusi's bodies were found in the abandoned lot featured in the photograph, next door to Mr Pereg's unit. Police have since charged Mr Pereg with the murder of his mother and aunt, and allegedly found a bag covered in spots of blood during a search of his home. Ms Sarusi's son Gilard Pereg (pictured being arrested) has been charged with murder, but has reportedly denied any involvement in their deaths - placing the blame on Bolivian gangs Several registered guns, a cut security camera cable and dissected cats were also found inside the home, the ABC reports. Prosecutor Claudia Rios told local media there was allegedly security vision showing the two missing women entering the property with him. 'We don't have vision of them leaving the property,' Ms Rios said. Local media allege Mr Pereg has denied having any involvement in the killings, placing the blame on criminal criminal gangs from Bolivia and Israel. Mr Pereg, a former Israeli soldier, was allegedly drowning in debts owed to criminal organisations and told his mother he was bankrupt before she arrived in the country. Other reports claim he had a fascination with Nazi Germany and often introduced himself as Floda Reltih - which is Adolf Hitler spelled backwards. Dr Pereg's partner John Finlay (pictured together) had spent two weeks scouring Argentina in the hope of finding the love of his life and her sister Local authorities told media the killings were committed with 'extreme cruelty'. Sources close to the investigation say the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition and could only be identified by DNA. One body had sustained three gunshot wounds, while the other had been dragged. Both women allegedly had iron spikes 'staked' through them in various places. Friends say Dr Pereg 'weirdly' stopped replying to daily messages about two weeks before she was found dead. The two sisters had been renting an apartment in Mendoza, Ms Sarusi's daughter Vered said in a Facebook post. Dr Pereg was brought up in Israel where she obtained her undergraduate degree, later moving to Australia in the mid 1990s. The bodies of Ms Pereg and Ms Sarusi were found on a lot next to the home of Mr Pereg near the city of Mendoza on Saturday (local time) John Finlay (left), who spent two weeks searching for his partner Dr Pereg (right), said she had recently been promoted at work and had gone to the country to help her sister, who was also found dead She completed a PhD in the Department of Agricultural Science at Sydney University and later moved to the University of New England where she was recently made a professor. She also chaired the soil, microbiology and biodiversity subdivision of the European Geosciences Union. Shocked friends and colleagues have taken to a Facebook page for Dr Pereg to pay tribute to their lost loved one. 'She had been a wonderful presence and highly regarded in her field of research,' one person said. 'I am devastated like all of their family and friends. Nothing will bring them back now,' another said. The elderly couple had been watching the sunset together for 20 minutes by hauling himself out of the half-open car window A grandmother drowned after her husband sent car plummeting into the ocean A grandmother has drowned after her elderly husband accidentally hit the accelerator and drove the pair into the ocean as they watched the sunset. Ken Forsey drove the car into the ocean in Fremantle, Western Australia on Monday evening. The 81-year-old survived by hauling himself through the half-opened driver's seat window - but his wife Barbara sadly drowned. The husband, 81, drove the car off South Mole into the ocean at Fremantle on Monday evening The 81-year-old survived by hauling himself through the half-opened driver's seat window, however his wife Barbara sadly drowned. Pictured: Mr and Mrs Forsey A grandmother has drowned after her elderly husband accidentally hit the accelerator and drove the pair into the ocean as they watched the sunset The car quickly sank into the ocean leaving little chance of Mrs Forsey, who was in the passenger seat, to escape. Several witnesses helped to pull the husband from the waters using an extension cord, and hauled him onto the groyne. Witnesses Rhys Wells and Alana Newman recalled how Mrs Forsey had called for help in her final moments. 'We were yelling at her and we could hear her call 'help',' Ms Newman told Perth Now. 'Then she just looked at us and gave us a smile and the car was gone.' 'It's something we'll never forget.' Witnesses Rhys Wells and Alana Newman recalled how Mrs Forsey had called for help in her final moments. Pictured: Mrs Forsey Mr Wells said they watched the tragic incident unfold as the elderly husband reversed their Mitsubishi Magna over the curb and the wheels went up onto the rocky edge. Instead of accelerating forwards, the 81-year-old accelerated while still in reverse, sending the car plummeting into the ocean. The couple had reportedly been sitting in the car for over 20 minutes watching the sunset over the ocean before the incident occurred. A bus hijacker who killed eight people in a road rampage on Christmas Day has been sentenced to death in China. Qiu Rihui, who was armed with a knife, reportedly attacked a female passenger before taking control of the bus in the city of Longyan, in south-eastern China's Fujian Province. He then rammed the vehicle into passing motorists and pedestrians, killing eight people including a policeman and a local official. The incident also left 22 injured. The news comes as Chinese authorities today executed a man who killed 15 people after ramming a car into a crowded square in central Hunan province last September. Qiu Rihui attacked a passenger before hijacking a bus on Christmas Day in Longyan, China. He then crashed the vehicle into passing motorists and pedestrians, leaving eight people dead. Stills from videos of the incident shows the wrecked bus and Qiu being captured by police Qiu, who is reported to be 49 years old and a local, was convicted of the crimes of intentional homicide and endangering public safety by dangerous means yesterday by the Longyan Intermediate Court. In a video circulating on social media, several injured people were shown lying on the street near a crashed bus, its front badly damaged. It also showed police wrestling a person to the ground. Blood could also be seen on the steps of the bus, which had been stopped in the middle of a road. The hijacked bus crashed into motorists and pedestrians in Longyan, south-eastern China Police said Qiu took extreme measures after harbouring a grudge against the workers at his neighbourhood committee, according to a previous report by China News. On the day of the attack, the workers reportedly had come to Qiu's home to process some paperwork for his father and Qiu had got into an argument with them. The furious man then took a knife, rushed out of his home and started attacking people. In an online statement today, the Longyan Intermediate Court said Qiu's means of crime was extremely cruel and the situation of his crime was especially serious. It also said Qiu had brought great harm to other people and the consequences of his crime were particularly severe, therefore he was given the capital penalty. The decision was made by a judge in a first trial. Yang Zanyun (centre), 54, was found guilty of deliberately driving his red Land Rover into crowds before attacking pedestrians with a shovel and a dagger in Hengyang, Hunan province China suffered a spate of similar incidents last year. In late November, a car ploughed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in the northeastern Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring at least 19. The driver said he 'chose his victims at random' and had reportedly been contemplating suicide due to domestic troubles before the tragedy occurred. In October, three people were killed when a man fleeing after committing a stabbing drove into a crowd and attacked onlookers in the eastern province of Zhejiang. The month before, a man ploughed a Land Rover into a crowd in Hunan province and went on a rampage, attacking onlookers with knives and a shovel. Fifteen died and 43 were injured. The 54-year-old criminal, Yang Zanyun, was executed by the Hengyang Intermediate People's Court today. Advertisement Fascinating photographs have revealed the changing face of one of London's most famous social housing districts as the 'town of tomorrow' reaches 50 years of age. Rising from London's Erith marshes in the late 1960s, Thamesmead was London County Council's bold attempt to build a new town to address the city's housing shortage after the Second World War. Its brutalistic architecture was initially the envy of housing estates around the country, with its futuristic appearance seeing it used as the backdrop for Stanley Kubrick's dystopian crime film A Clockwork Orange. Noted for its daring, experimental design concrete modern terraces and blocks of flats built around a system of lakes and canals the south-east London town received attention from architects and sociologists alike. Scroll down for video A photograph taken in 1973 shows a children's playground and the Lakeside Health Centre near Tavy Bridge in Thamesmead. The image perfectly illustrates the town's unique architecture, with poured concrete and large blocks of flats dominating the landscape, which is made accessible to inhabitants through elevated walkways Slide me An aerial photograph taken during the 1970s (left) and recently (right) shows the brutalistic architecture of Thamesmead. Noted for its daring, experimental design concrete modern terraces and blocks of flats built around a system of lakes and canals the town received attention from architects, sociologists and politicians Slide me Youngsters pictured on Thamemead's infamous raised walkways in an undated photograph (left). Features such as these soon fell into disrepair shortly after the estates opened and were eventually considered unsafe places to walk, soon becoming a symbol of urban decay (shown today, right) Slide me Coralline Walk is among the most famous architectural areas in Thamesmead, with photographs shortly after its construction in 1969 and one from today showing how not much has changed in the past 50 years, barring some imaginative murals and paintings on the side of one of the units Thamesmead's iconic Pyramid Club, built in 1971, has since been demolished. In its day, it was a community facility that derived its name from its unique roof. The club proved popular as social club for both youngsters and adults at a time when there was not many pubs in the area The photo project to document the changing face of Thamesmead also included images representing its current inhabitants. Pictured is with Brandon, Luke, Ellie, Richard, Tayler and Killian outside The Link, a youth centre in the arches under Harrow Manorway last year The cast of A Clockwork Orange are pictured walking along the water's edge at Binsey Walk in Thamesmead. Its brutalistic architecture became the envy of housing estates around the country, with its futuristic appearance seeing it used as the backdrop for Stanley Kubrick's dystopian crime film Today, Thamesmead is home to more than 40,000 people, but over the years, economic, political and social pressures have left their mark. Features such as its famed elevated walkways soon fell into disrepair and were considered unsafe places to walk, soon becoming a symbol of urban decay. In the 1980s, as opinion turned against the modernist concrete architecture, the focus shifted to more conventional red-brick homes, with Thamesmead's appearance deemed less and less desirable. The face of Thamesmead has slowly changed through the early 21st century, with an increase in blocks of private flats popping up along the water's edge in and around what had traditionally been only council-run housing. Now, a new book entitled The Town of Tomorrow: 50 Years of Thamesmead looks to capture the architecture of the town and its inhabitants with archive photographs and new images by Tara Darby. Through interviews with new and old inhabitants, the book seeks to convey the story of the often misunderstood town, from the dreams and excitement of its original vision to the complex realities of living there today. Slide me Three tower blocks at Southmere lake are pictured during their construction in the late 1960s (left) and today (right). The face of Thamesmead has slowly changed through the early 21st century, with an increase in blocks of private flats popping up along the water's edge in and around what had traditionally been only council-run housing. A photograph taken in 1977 shows a man standing in a grassy area available for development next to Beveridge Court, The Mooring situated on the left. In the 1980s, as opinion turned against the modernist concrete architecture, the focus shifted to more conventional red-brick homes, with Thamesmead's appearance deemed less and less desirable Slide me A photograph taken from Yarnton Way, looking east from Eynsham Drive, in 1970 shows the area before the town's large roundabout was added years later. Also pictured are the town's infamous concrete walkways, which have remained largely unchanged in the years since Sheniz Bayraktar is pictured while posing for a photograph with her brothers at a celebration of The Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. A new book entitled The Town of Tomorrow: 50 Years of Thamesmead looks to capture the architecture of the town and its inhabitants with archive photographs and new images by Tara Darby. A leaflet circulated in the 1980s promoting Thamesmead as 'a place in London's future'. Through interviews with new and old inhabitants, the book seeks to convey the story of the often misunderstood town, from the dreams and excitement of its original vision to the complex realities of living there today A photograph taken in Lensbury Way in 1970 reveals the typical setting those living in the town's various concrete blocks or terraced homes. One man is shown enjoying a cup of tea outside his front door, in what would have served as a walkway for the various people living next door and above Youngsters are pictured playing in one of Thamesmead's numerous lakes and canals. Rising from London's Erith marshes in the late 1960s, Thamesmead in south-east London was London County Council's bold attempt to build a new town to address the city's housing shortage after the Second World War Rising from London's Erith marshes on the bank of the River Thames during the late 1960s, Thamesmead in south-east London was London County Council's bold attempt to build a new town to address the city's housing shortage after the Second World War The Town of Tomorrow: 50 Years of Thamesmead is available now from Here Press A two-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being found face down and unconscious in an inflatable backyard pool. The boy was discovered by his family in a critical condition at a home in Ropes Crossing, west Sydney on Tuesday evening. Emergency services including the CareFight helicopter were called to the scene shortly after 7pm. A two-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being found face down and unconscious in an inflatable backyard pool The toddler was rushed by ambulance to the Children's Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition, 9 News reported. The two-year-old remains unconscious and in a critical condition. Emergency services including the CareFight helicopter were called to the scene shortly after 7pm by Felix Machado Vasai (AsiaNews) Mgr Felix Machado is the archbishop of Vasai and president of the Office for Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. For him, It is not just where Catholics are that the Church must go. The papal visit is not a waste of time. He will be in Abu Dhabi from 3 to 5 February along with the pontiff for an international interfaith meeting called Human Brotherhood. This will be the first visit by a pope to the Arabian Peninsula. The archbishops comments follow. The visit of the Pope to UAE is very important. There are conservative and politicized voices which criticize Pope's visit, saying that it is a waste of time to invest Pope's efforts on a visit to a place where there is no native Catholic. It is not just where Catholics are that the Church must go. We must go to such places where there are no Catholics, precisely to explore the possibilities for the future. The Holy Father is investing in a precious future and he should be lauded for it. It is also a question of his universal leadership. The recent Popes have brought a lot of credibility to the Papacy and the tempo must be maintained and solid edifice of trust and confidence must be built. Pope Francis is doing that and we all Catholics and people of good will should support him. Pope Francis is the one who said that the Church must not be self-centred but must look outside of herself. That is what he is doing. I am Catholic Archbishop and I will be there as a Catholic Archbishop vested in Catholic Bishop's dress. But I will participate, together with leaders of other religions, especially the Muslim leaders. This group of the World Muslim Elders Council has prepared the Pope's visit and they would like that the leaders of all religions sit and reflect on how there could be peace among religions and reflect that peace in the world at large. Such initiative has come from Sunni Muslims whose leader is the Grand Imam of Al Azaar Mosque in Cairo, Egypt. He will be leading this interreligious group and seek Pope's support and counsel; because Pope Francis himself is personally committed to building peace in society and the world. "Firstly, I must thank God for this invitation from the World Muslim Elders Council to attend the ceremonies on the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis to United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi. This visit is, once again, an open statement of the Catholic Church expressing the desire to meet believers of other religions, in this case the followers of Islam. The Church has made this commitment during the Second Vatican Council and it is irreversible because it has become part of the Church's teachings. Pope Francis wants to encourage the Catholics throughout the world to continue to put into practice the teachings of the Church regarding dialogue with Muslims. There are some beautiful things the documents of the Second Vatican speak about Muslims (especially Nostra Aetate and Lumen Gentium). I have not met the Council as a whole but some members of the Council know me and I have met them individually at different occasions. The Council is headed by the Grand Imam of Al Azaar. I have met the Grand Imam (who changes according to their terms). Imam Tantawi was a good friend of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious dialogue (PCID), Vatican. He was also a great scholar and leader. I met the Grand Imam twice at the Peace Meetings which the Community of Sant'Egidio organizes every year. Last October I met the Grand Imam in Bologna, Italy. The Al Azaar has a continuing dialogue with PCID. There are annual formal meetings. Much is done during these meetings which are cordial and friendly. The place of the meetings alternates between the two bodies. Pope Francis was specially invited in 2017 to Al Azaar and he has given a very good address there. That, I think, was the first time that a Pope has entered Al Azaar Mosque, the central authority of Sunni Muslims. The Grand Imam will be there in Abu Dhabi and will lead the discussions (also one day with the Holy Father) in Abu Dhabi. The theme is "peace and harmony". What is expected is some concrete acts from all religious believers towards establishing peace. My experience is that we, as Christians, cannot go with our expectations as structures are different among Muslims. The Muslims also do not accept the "binding" authority of "heads" (that is their religious understanding. Therefore, as a Christian I go with hope and open mind. One step at a time. We have to take things as they stand and what is before us. We cannot make apriory plans. Dialogue is respect and openness and therefore we allow things to happen rather than impose or keep unrealistic expectations. Dialogue is like relationships. We keep on meeting, listening, talking and hoping. We cannot give up. That is the nature of dynamics of dialogue. I see that much good has happened over the years but I have no criterion to judge "how much" or "how little"; or "good" or "bad", etc. The Church wants to build relationships and Pope Francis is doing whatever is possible to extend helping hand. Isn't that wonderful? I have travelled several times to the Middle East. These are countries with majority Muslim populations and ruled under the law of Sharia. Islam is official religion. Therefore, the culture is very Islamic. But different parts are ruled by different rulers and under different systems. E.g. Bahrain is not Saudi Arabia and UAE is not Bahrain. Actually, the Sheikhs are ruling these countries and therefore they are the rulers. They are Muslims but they also are rulers by their own rights. Aware that they have petrol but need manpower they welcome immigrants (only to do the work but not to become permanent citizens). They are good to the immigrants but on their own terms. So, one who accepts to go there to work must remain totally under their rule and administration. So, one can hardly speak of "human rights" as one would speak in democratic countries. The Muslims are late comers to dialogue but they have been open throughout the world. Obviously, where they are majority, as I wrote above, they impose their laws. They have the petrol which the world needs and they call the shots. But, my experiences with Muslims have been that of friendship and cordiality. They are wonderful people when we take them for who they think they are. In Europe and America, the Muslims tend to be more open and friendly. I think we must emphasize that the Indian Islam is a brand in itself. We have had great leaders from this community and the world praises the openness of Indian Muslims. The students of Islam study Indian Islam as a phenomenon by itself. There are also divisions among Muslims (Sunni, Shia, Bohra, and other smaller groups, sometimes not enjoying good relations among themselves). God bless you. A fearless shopkeeper in east China has been hailed a hero for tackling and successfully chasing away a knife-wielding robber. The brave man in his 60s, surnamed Xu, was sitting behind the counter when the suspect walked in the store and pulled out a large blade on him last Tuesday in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. Unfazed, Xu started wrestling with the robber with his bare hands and was eventually able to chase him out of the corner shop. The store owner in his 60s, surnamed Xu, was sitting behind the counter when the suspect walked in and pulled out a large blade on him last Tuesday in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province Unfazed, Xu started wrestling with the robber with his bare hands and was eventually able to chase him out of the corner shop. His brave actions were commended on social media Xu was left with a cut on his finger after the struggle and police have detained the suspect, according to Chinese reports. Surveillance footage of the dramatic incident shows the robber entering the shop and drawing a large knife at Xu. 'I was sitting on a couch and playing on my cell phone when the man walked in,' Xu told video news site Pear. 'I stood up and started to push him out of the shop with all my strength,' the shop owner said Xu was left with a cut on his finger in the struggle and police have detained the suspect 'He held up a knife and yelled "This is a robbery". I actually thought he was joking and didn't pay attention to him.' But then the suspect pointed the knife at Xu's neck and started to push him around. 'I then stood up and started to push him out of the shop with all my strength,' the brave shop owner said. The pair struggled for nearly 20 seconds before Xu reached for a metal pipe for self-defence. The robber then left the shop, empty-handed. The pair struggled for nearly 20 seconds before Xu reached for a metal pipe for self-defence Xu told reporters that he ran after the man for more than 100 metres (110 yards) but stopped after he ran out of breath. Police have arrested the man and are conducting further investigations. Xu's actions were commended on social media. 'What a brave man! Thank goodness he wasn't hurt,' one user commented. 'I'd be scared to death if it were me getting robbed!' another user said. This is the heartwarming moment an emergency dispatcher helped an Indiana boy who called 911 to report 'a bad day at school' and ended up solving his math equation. Antonia Bundy told the youngster 'we're always here to help' after he called to report that he had a 'ton of homework' and was struggling with fractions. Lafayette police released an audio recording of the call on Twitter in which the boy says: 'I'm sorry for calling you, but I really needed help.' Antonia narrowed down that he was having trouble with fractions and helped the child solve the equation: three-fourths plus one-fourth. She had him take out a piece of paper to figure out the answer: one. Emergency dispatcher Antonia Bundy, pictured, helped an Indiana schoolboy who called 911 to report 'a bad day at school'. She ended up solving his math question on fractions When asked about his emergency the boy replies: 'I had a really bad day and, I don't know.' Antonia, who has been a dispatcher since April 2016, patiently questions: 'You had a bad day at school?'. 'Yeah', the boy, who has not been identified, answers, 'I just came to tell you that'. Police tweeted: 'Our dispatchers never know what the next call might be. They train for many emergency situations, homework help is not one they plan for. 'We don't recommend 911 for homework help but this dispatcher helped a young boy out and brightened his day.' Antonia, pictured at work, told the boy 'we're always here to help' after he said he had a 'ton of homework' and was struggling with the equation Lafayette police released an audio recording of the call on Twitter in which Antonia helped Antonia, pictured with her husband, helped the child solve his math equation over the phone Lafayette Police Sergeant Matt Gard said: 'We get a lot of unusual call requests but this one kind of stood out. She's very much a dedicated employee, it doesn't surprise us that she goes above and beyond on a regular basis.' Police are now trying to find the boy - who cannot be identified as his cell phone cannot be traced - 'to make sure everything is good'. Gard, who said officers think they know the school he attends, added: 'He's not going to be in trouble.' He told Inside Edition: 'He didn't sound like he was in good spirits. That, in itself, that's what we're trained to do. We're trained to help people in their worst time.' Bundy said: 'Thankfully I was able to dedicate the time to help him. I hope I didn't give him the wrong answer and I hope he had a better day.' She told WTHR: 'I never had a child call in for math help before so it was a first for me.' Police say they don't recommend calling 911 for homework help. Americans are being warned not to travel to Venezuela by the State Department over 'crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and the arbitrary arrest of US citizens'. The department's decision to raise the advisory level to 'do not travel' came after President Donald Trump became one of about 20 world leaders to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president. Washington has also withdrawn non-emergency personnel from Venezuela and imposed sanctions on the state-owned oil firm as the nation is dragged into economic and political crisis. The sanctions will hit state-owned PDVSA, Venezuela's largest source of revenue, as President Nicolas Maduro faces a challenge from Mr Guaido, who has won the backing of the US and other Western nations. Russia condemned US sanctions as 'illegal' while China has warned they will hurt the livelihoods of ordinary people and complicate the situation in the crisis-hit country. The warnings from Beijing have been echoed by the former president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, who said 'the drums of war are sounding strong,' and that Venezuela is facing 'imminent open conflict'. Eastern backing: Russia and China has come out in support of embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Vladimir Putin's Russia has condemned US sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company as 'illegal', while Xi Jinping's China warned that they would hurt the livelihoods of ordinary people Guaido declared all options are on the table when asked about a possible military option in Venezuela during an interview with CNN. The opposition leader said he believed he could achieve a peaceful transition away from Maduro and eventually free elections. However, he also said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump a number of times and, when asked about possible military options in Venezuela, said all options were on the table. Speaking to an Argentine newspaper on Tuesday Guaido's wife Fabiana Rosales said Guaido just needs the country's military to back him in order to bring down the government. Rosales told La Nacion that 'very little' was missing to bring down Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chavez as Venezuela's president in 2013. 'What's missing here is what we've said every day: the military. We have everything else: the international community, the people on the streets and the resources that will be repatriated,' Rosales said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later certified that Guaido has been given authority to take control of bank accounts that Venezuela's government has in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any other US-insured banks. Sanctions: President Donald Trump has said a military intervention in Venezuela is an option Running for president: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, jogs alongside his Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers as he visits Ft. Paramacay in Carabobo state on Sunday Backed by the West: Opposition leader Juan Guaido said he hoped for a peaceful transition, but echoed US President Donald Trump when he said 'all options are on the table' Pompeo said Tuesday the certification will 'help Venezuela's legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.' Maduro responded by addressing the US President directly in a speech in Caracas today. Foregoing his native Spanish for English, Maduro said: 'Donald Trump, do not get involved with Venezuela! Hands off Venezuela! Donald Trump, hands off Venezuela!' Maduro has strong backing from Russia, with Moscow 'wholly supporting' his view that the sanctions are illegal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the sanctions an 'overt intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs' and a case of 'illegal competition'. Protesters arrive at the control post of the presidential residence, known as La Casona, to deliver the Amnesty Law, approved by parliament, which tells troops they are guaranteed protection if they defy Maduro Supporters of Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido attend a rally with members of the Venezuela's National Assembly regarding an amnesty law project for members of the military, in Caracas, Venezuela Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the sanctions 'violate all possible international norms' and show a course toward regime change in embattled Venezuela. 'The US has... publicly taken a course toward illegal regime change,' he said Tuesday, adding that Russia will 'do everything to support the legitimate government of president Maduro.' In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said his government opposes unilateral sanctions against Venezuela. 'Historical experience has proved that external interference or sanctions will only complicate the situation and will not help solve practical problems,' Geng said. The sanctions 'will lead to a deterioration of the people's livelihoods in Venezuela, and (those who imposed them) should be responsible for the serious consequences.' Uruguay's former President Jose Mujica, pictured in October, said Venezuela faces 'imminent open war' and that Trump declaring a military option as on the table had 'the smell of oil' At least 40 people are believed to have been killed in Venezuela's recent violence, including 26 shot by pro-government forces, the United Nations said today. More than 850 people were detained between January 21 and January 26, including 77 children, some as young as 12. On January 23, 696 people were detained across the country, the highest daily number of detentions in Venezuela in 20 years. In an interview with Uruguayan newspaper El Periodico, ex-President Mujica said 'the drums of war in the Caribbean are sounding strong because of the Venezuelan situation'. He called it 'childish' to discuss the legitimacy of either Maduro or Guaido, and said the 'the painfully serious thing is the imminence of open war' facing Venezuela. In the wake of Donald Trump's declaration that 'all options are on the table' - echoed by Guaido today - Mujica said 'interests always move behind the war', and that in the case of Venezuela, these had 'the smell of oil'. 'The raw, hard and naked truth is that the most conservative in the United States cannot accept that China and Russia end up handling the fate of Venezuelan oil, which is the root cause of the sudden impatience [to depose Maduro] that has attacked the United States.' BBC viewers have blasted 'smug' David Cameron as the 'worst diplomat ever' after watching a documentary about his failed attempts to negotiate with the EU before calling the 2016 referendum. The first episode of Inside Europe: 10 Years Of Turmoil tells the story of how the Prime Minister was pushed by Brexiteers into announcing the vote, and how he negotiated with EU leaders to secure the concessions he thought he needed to win. But many Twitter users thought the programme exposed Mr Cameron's incompetence, with one claiming it showed him up as a 'lightweight PR man who got far on luck and contacts'. Scroll down for videos. Many Twitter users thought the BBC's Europe: 10 Years In Turmoil exposed Mr Cameron's incompetence Adam Dennett tweeted: 'Watched the Inside Europe documentary on BBC2 last night. 'Aside from an unavoidable urge to punch David Cameron's shiny smug face every 5 minutes, I was struck by the idiotic Tory negotiating MO: demand stuff until red faced while Europeans tell you it doesn't work like that.' David Hughes said: 'Overwhelming impression: David Cameron even more of a shallow charlatan than had thought. Always tactical, never strategic, prepared to incur lasting damage to address minor problems better left alone.' And David Timoney wrote: 'Watching Inside Europe on BBC2 you realise that David Cameron was never anything more than a lightweight PR man who got far on luck and contacts. 'You also get a sense of the mutual contempt between George Osborne and Theresa May.' During the episode, Brexiteers Douglas Carswell and Daniel Hannan reveal how they sought to turn up the heat on the Prime Minister. And for the first time on television, William Hague, George Osborne and Nick Clegg reprise the arguments inside Government that led to the decision which sparked the biggest political crisis since World War Two. Osborne warned against a gamble that could be a 'disaster for Britain', but Hague thought there was no other option, saying: 'This was coming. Either we had to lead that or be the victims of it'. Meanwhile, EU leaders including Francois Hollande and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte describe warning Mr Cameron about the risks of holding the referendum. James Gale tweeted: 'Inside Europe is a gripping watch - brilliantly exposes David Cameron's reckless arrogance in handling the EU, immigration and Tory Eurosceptics. Do not let Danny Dyer see this.' Mr Cameron meets Georgios Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Brussels on March 20, 2011 The first episode of Inside Europe: 10 Years Of Turmoil tells the story of how the Prime Minister was pushed by Brexiteers into announcing the vote, and how he negotiated with EU leaders. Pictured are viewer comments about how Mr Cameron came across Alan MacDougall wrote: 'Inside Europe exposes that at every important moment over the last 10 yrs Cameron has made fatal political mistakes.' Others were equally scathing, with James Stark writing: 'Watching Inside Europe on @BBCTwo every minute makes Danny Dyer's views on David Cameron seem more and more apposite.' Samanthab1970 said: 'It is very clear that Cameron's motivation was always and only ever about placating the Eurosceptics in his own party and absolutely nothing to do with the UK's national interest.' And another added: 'I'm so glad that Inside Europe is reminding people of the reason we are in the mess we're in - because of the arrogance and weakness of @David_Cameron and those in his close circle. 'An appalling lack of judgement and backbone that he should never be forgiven for. #InsideEurope.' It comes as recently filed accounts revealed Mr Cameron's new company has amassed nearly 800,000 after he quit as prime minister. They show Cameron has amassed 790,000 in The Office of David Cameron Limited of which nearly 630,000 is held in cash at the bank. The figures cover the period from the beginning of November 2016, soon after he quit as MP to the end of April last year. The company had assets of more than 1 million, but owed creditors around 210,000 so was left with the profit. A common refrain among viewers commenting on Twitter was that Mr Cameron appeared 'arrogant' and 'reckless' over his handling of the issue The bulk of the money owed was tax and social security costs of 191,000, the accounts stated. The limited accounts do not give details of any salary or dividend payments made to Cameron, who owns all the companys shares. Laurence Mann, Camerons former political private secretary between 2010 and July 2016, when he stepped down as PM, is the companys only director. Mann is one of the companys five employees, according to the paperwork. Since quitting as PM and stepping down as MP for Witney in the aftermath of the June 2016 referendum Cameron has taken up a number of lucrative posts. But because he left Parliament he did not have to reveal this work in the register of MPs financial interests. He is understood to work for the US electronics payments firm First Data Corporation, working two or three days a month, he is also leading a billion-dollar investment initiative agreed between the UK and China. Initially he was thought to be concentrating on writing his memoirs and taking up a number of voluntary jobs, including posts as president of Alzheimers Research Uk and chair of the National Citizen Service. But he also earned money from a series of speeches, reportedly getting up to 120,000 for addresses booked by Washington Speakers Bureau. A dog has had to be rescued by police after getting trapped in a metal gate because it's 'too portly'. The pooch was stuck between two steel bars as it tried to squeeze through the gate in a Chinese city last week. The dog was so tightly jammed police officers couldn't move it at all. They had to saw off one bar to free the animal. The dog gets trapped in a metal gate while trying to pass it in the city of Xuzhou in China A police officer tries to pull the pooch out of the gap, but apparently its neck is 'too thick' The incident took place last Saturday in the city of Xuzhou in eastern China. Footage of the rescue effort was released by Xuzhou Police through their social media account yesterday. According to the police, officers at the Donghuan Police Station were alerted in the afternoon by the locals who claimed a 'fat dog' had been stuck in a metal gate. Officers who arrived at the gate were initially amused by the scene. A police officer who is amused by the scene tells the trapped dog 'you have been naughty' The rescuer tries to remove a rusty bar after borrowing a saw from the local residents One of them is heard saying to the dog 'you have been naughty' in the footage as he tried to pull the dog out of the gap. However, he failed after a few attempts. Officers said the dog's neck was 'too thick', therefore they borrowed a saw from the local residents hoping to remove a bar. One officer slowly cut through one rusty bar while comforting the dog 'it is going to be okay'. The officer carries the dog after freeing it from the metal bars. The animal then runs off Cao Yang, one of the policemen who attended the rescue operation, told btime.com that the dog was likely to be a pet. Cao said: '[It] appeared to be well-fed, clean and fat. It should have an owner.' The officer said after the dog was freed, it turned around to look at him before running off. It's believed the dog was not injured. John Alford arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in North London for his sentencing today Former London's Burning actor John Alford was handed a community order today after resisting arrest while yelling at police officers. The 47-year-old rose to fame on Grange Hill but his career was left in tatters when he was convicted of supplying cocaine to now-discredited journalist Mazher Mahmood, known as the 'Fake Sheikh'. Alford developed a 'siege mentality' because of the case and struggled with officers who tried to arrest him after he smashed a refuse lorry's windscreen with a bin, Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard. Alford, of Holloway, north London, was ordered to serve a 12-month community order after he admitted two counts of resisting an officer. The court heard he drunkenly shattered the windscreen after taking a seat at the vehicle's wheel at about 7.15am on September 1 in York Way, not far from the ex-actor's home. Officers were called and Pc Darren Baker and Pc Miranda Narcin attempted to arrest him but he resisted. The judge was played one officer's bodycam footage that showed the struggle with Alford, who claimed he was trying to stop the lorry rolling backwards. Police strapped his legs together and he was heard shouting that he was 'fighting corrupt police officers'. 'In cahoots with News of the World,' he shouted. 'In cahoots with Mazher Mahmood.' The former TV star was pictured today holding his mobile phone up to his ear, back to front The court also heard him yell: 'Did Rupert Murdoch (former News of the World proprietor) send you here to kill me?' In mitigation for Alford, Geoff Payne said the 'significant entrapment' at the hands of Mahmood created a 'siege mentality' for his client, giving him a problem with authority. 'It's something that unfortunately he's never managed to put behind him, never managed to come to terms with,' Mr Payne added. Judge Gillian Allison ordered Alford to complete a 25-day rehabilitative activity, pay 400 compensation and serve a 14-day curfew on an electronic tag between 8pm and 6am. But she agreed that the curfew could begin a day later than she initially intended so Alford could take his two children to an Arsenal match as a 'Christmas treat'. Alford previously admitted criminal damage with regard to the windscreen, with a repair bill estimated at 300. His career was largely destroyed when he was jailed for nine months in 1999 after being convicted of supplying cocaine to Mahmood, the News of the World's 'King of the Sting'. Mahmood was jailed for 15 months in 2016 for tampering with evidence in the collapsed drugs trial of pop star Tulisa Contostavlos. Alford's drugs case was referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, but a spokesman for the commission said the matter was closed in December without being recommended for an appeal. Advertisement These are some of the crumbling but charming homes in a picturesque village on the island of Sicily being put on the market for just one euro. After suffering from years of depopulation, the village of Sambuca is now offering up several properties for less than 90p, with the caveat that prospective buyers have three years to refurbish the homes. Since news broke of the sales scheme, the Mayor Leo Ciaccio's office has been inundated with tens of thousands requests to purchase one of the houses on offer. Location, location, location: This is one of the homes in the village of Sambuca di Sicilia which has been put on the market for one euro - just 87p - in the hopes it can help repopulate the area Homes available: The mayor of Sambuca, Leo Ciaccio, shows one of the properties for sale, left The sales comes with a caveat that prospective buyers have three years to refurbish the homes for at least 15,000 euros (13,000) Sambuca, which was named Italy's most beautiful village in 2016, has been suffering from depopulation, with several homes in the village left empty. The local authorities hope that by selling the homes cheap and getting new owners to commit to refurbishing the properties, they can solve both the population issue and scrub up the village at the same time. The homes up for sale in Sambuca are in dire need of refurbishing, as many have effectively been left abandoned for years. Each one euro purchase comes with a commitment to put down a 5,000 euro deposit (4,350) and to spend at least 15,000 euros (13,050) on renovations. Renovations must be completed withing three years, after which the security deposit is paid back. Winner winner: The village of Sambuca was named Italy's most beautiful in 2016 Come one, come all: Mr Ciaccio's deputy claims the village has been inundated with requests to purchase the one euro homes Lovely scenery: This picture shows the village church, in the area where the homes are on sale Looking around: The village authorities said they had been approached by non-Italians looking to move to Sicily Quaint area: While the one euro homes need refurbishing, the other parts of the village are well maintained Since the news broke of the town's Case1Euro [Homes1Euro] scheme last week, the council has had tens of thousands of requests. Giuseppe Cacioppo, Sambucas deputy mayor and tourist councillor, told Yahoo Finance they received 39,000 requests in a single day. Sambucas location is one of its prime selling points as it is close to major Sicilian attractions like the Valley of the Temples and the seaside towns of Sciacca and Menfi. A mother who was viciously attacked by her knife-wielding ex-partner has praised her hero daughter for 'standing between them' and saving her life. Beata Karchnakova, 36, thought she was going to die as her former partner Safet Hasanovic broke into her home and stabbed her several times in 20 minutes. CCTV footage recorded the mother screaming for help as the defendant carried out the attack, which has left her with serious injuries to her head, neck, hands and leg. The court heard that her 15-year-old daughter intervened on several occasions to stop the horrifying attack in Etwall, Derbyshire. She said her daughter threw an electric heater at the defendant, punched him and stood between her and the blade, which she believed saved her from being killed. Scroll down for video Beata Karchnakova is pictured outside court (left) and with paramedics (right) shortly after she was nearly killed in the attack Judge Jonathan Bennett praised the courageous youngster and stated she should be given a 500 High Sheriff Award for her bravery. Hasanovic, 46, who needed a Bosnian interpreter, was handed a 10 year and eight month prison sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent. Following the sentencing, Ms Karchnakova spoke of her relief, but said she would be scared for the rest of her life, in fear of Hasanovic returning. Ms Karchnakova, who filmed the blood-spattered aftermath of the attack, said: 'He deserved his sentence, but I wish he had been put away forever. 'The injuries have had a massive effect on my life. I can no longer hold my youngest daughter or pick her up. 'I can't even make myself a cup of coffee, as I don't have the strength to pick up the kettle.' Reliving the attack, she added: 'He came upstairs and he stabbed me. My daughter threw an electric heater at him to save my life the first time. Hasanovic (pictured), who needed a Bosnian interpreter, was handed a 10 year and eight month prison sentence 'She then stood in between me and him as he was trying to stab me, she punched him in the face too. 'This has had a massive effect on her. She has lost her strength, she doesn't go to school any more as she is just so scared. 'I am so proud of her. If she hadn't have intervened I would not be here right now, she is incredible.' Sarah Slater, prosecuting, stated that Ms Karchnakova was at home with her daughters and two of her younger daughter's carers when Hasanovic, who breached a restraining order, broke in to the house on October 3, at 1.47am. She said: 'The defendant gained entry to the property and makes his way upstairs. She (Ms Karchnakova) closes the door to him, but he kicks it in and starts attacking her. 'She is hit around the head and puts her hands up to protect herself. She realises that he has a knife and she recalls seven blows from the defendant, with stabs to the head and stabs to the hand. There was blood everywhere.' The court heard how Ms Karchnakova's daughter then entered the bedroom and threw a heater at Hasanovic to stop him attacking her mother. Between them, they were able to calm him and took him downstairs where they had coffee. Meanwhile, the two carers, who are in another bedroom, called the police. Officers arrive just after 2am and after seeing the blue lights, Hasanovic began attacking Ms Karchnakova again. Ms Slater said: 'Police were not able to enter the property at first, but they could see through the doors. CCTV footage recorded the mother screaming for help as the defendant carried out the attack, which has left her with serious injuries to her head, neck, hands and leg 'He grabbed her and tried to stab her neck. 'When asked why he was doing this by police he replied 'she ruined my life'. 'Police broke a window to get into the property and arrested Hasanovic.' Ms Karchnakova needed eight stitches in her head, two of which had to be glued. She also had to have a metal plate fitted into her right hand. She can only bend two of her fingers on her left hand due to the damage caused to her bones in her fingers and her tendons. The mother has not been able to return to work as a carer. Judge Bennett, jailed Hasanovic for the attack and stated that he was a danger not just to the public and the victim, but to any future partners he may have. He said: 'You entered the property belonging to the victim where there were three females and two young girls. Ms Karchnakova had to have a metal plate fitted into her right hand (left) following the attack 'You were armed with a knife and during twenty minutes you carried out two separate incidents. 'Ms Karchnakova had fled upstairs. She was stabbed repeatedly. The injuries to her are going to have a long-term effect. 'The CCTV was shown in court this afternoon and it is one of the most chilling pieces of CCTV I have had the misfortune to watch. 'I do accept you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and I will give you maximum credit for that. 'I have to ask myself if you are dangerous and whether you pose a risk to the public. 'It is clear to me that you do pose such a risk, not just to the victim and the public, but any future partners. Christopher Hallas, mitigating, stated that Hasanovic had a drink problem and that the attack had been fuelled by alcohol. Photographs taken at the scene of the attack show blood on the walls and carpet of Ms Karchnakova's home He said: 'I appreciate that this in no way explains his behaviour and no way helps to assist the complainant and the damage this has caused to her family. He can't stop thinking about what he did that night. 'He apologised to the victim. Looking at his psychiatric report, he was truly remorseful and sorry for what he had done. 'It is clear that this defendant has a drink-related problem and that is what resulted in this horrific behaviour. 'He is going to get a lengthy prison sentence and this means he will be abstaining from alcohol.' Judge Bennett handed Hasanovic a 10-year and eight-month prison sentence, with a four-year extended licence. A new restraining order was also placed on Hasanovic, stating that he could not contact Ms Karchnakova or her daughters. He was also banned from entering Etwall for ten years. A document would also be sent to the secretary of state which could see him deported once his sentence had been completed. He was also handed one year in prison for carrying an offensive weapon and one year for breaching the original restraining order, which would run concurrently. Advertisement This lioness got a rude wake-up call when a conniving male lion crept up on her and bit her on the bottom as she slept. The female was catching 40 winks in the Maasai Mara in Kenya when one of the males in her pride started stalking her, using all of his focus to stay silent and go unnoticed. The plotting male got within touching distance of the sleeping lioness before chomping down on her rear and startling her. The fast-thinking female sprung up instantly and started ferociously swiping at him with her razor-sharp claws. Safari guide Joshua Loonkushu, who captured it on film, revealed in his eight years of guiding he'd never seen anything like it. The 32-year-old said: 'I couldnt imagine that the male lion was going to behave like this! He got up and kept on creeping towards the lioness, almost stalking. 'He was taking all effort to keep as silent as possible. I told my guests that we are up to something quite interesting here. As he got to the lioness, he bit her! It took the lioness exactly two split seconds to go from fast asleep to be in defense mode and ready to attack. 'In my 8 years of guiding, this was the first sighting of its kind! Ive never seen something like this. Soon after this scuffle, the rest of the pride joined the two, hugging them as if they were asking what was the matter.' The male lion takes a bite out of the sleeping lioness in the Maasai Mara in Kenya after creeping up behind her She immediately springs to her feet, spins and starts attacking the lion - who is also from her pride The lioness quickly turns defence to attack and puts the male on the back foot by scratching his face with her sharp claws These are the most wonderful photographs ever to have been captured of the remarkable tattooist George Burchett, whose name will never be forgotten. Burchett's work is beautifully captured in these monochrome images, which while failing to capture the vivid colours synonymous with his work, his skill is clear to see. Such was his reputation, King Frederick IX of Denmark commissioned Burchett to draw a fiery dragon on his chest. George Burchett, pictured, was a legendary tattoo artist who had a studio in London As these amazing pictures show, Burchett was renowned for his artistry, although they do not adequately represent his ability to use colour Burchett, pictured tattooing a man in his studio, began his career after being expelled from school for inking his classmates More conventionally, Burchett tattooed sailors and was not adverse to drawing a butterfly on a young woman. Luckily for humanity, a photographer visited Burchett in his studio in 1951, when petrol was still rationed, and made a permanent record of his artistry. He began his tattooing career in the Royal Navy having been expelled from school aged 12 for inking his class mates. Yet, he found naval life difficult and jumped ship in Palestine, opening up a tattoo parlour in Jerusalem. He returned to Britain before the start of the First World War, opening up a parlour in the East End and later near Waterloo Station. Later in his career, Burchett developed a technique for permanently darkening women's eyebrows. He died in 1953 aged 80. Burchett, pictured, ran away and joined the navy aged 13 but jumped ship and went AWOL Burchett developed a technique for permanently tattooing eyebrows for female clients Burchett opened his first tattoo parlour in Jerusalem after he left the Royal Navy Burchett offered clients the opportunity of having their 'crude' tattoos removed The Supreme Court judges are meeting. The district magistrate ordered Pakistans Rangers to ensure the safety of certain sensitive areas. There is fear of renewed violence by Islamic radicals who have obtained a revision of the acquittal sentence from the government. Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is on maximum alert where today the hearing to review the acquittal of Asia Bibi takes place at the Supreme Court. The authorities have not revealed whether the Christian mother, who was acquitted at the end of October of the blasphemy charge, for which she had been sentenced to death and spent nine years in prison, will be present in the courtroom. What is certain is that her lawyer Saiful Malook will be. He returned from voluntary exile in Holland, where he had taken refuge to save his life after the acquittal. He has high hopes for a positive resolution of the story that has occupied the headlines for years. The plaintiffs, he says, "have no thesis against my client". Today the court is in charge of evaluating the petition presented by Qari Muhammad Salaam. President Asif Saeed Khosa is presiding over a jury composed of him, Qazi Faez Isa and Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel. It is the same three who have already considered Asia Bibi "not guilty". Salaam instead is the Islamic preacher of the mosque in the village of Nankana Sahib, the one who in 2009 filed a denunciation for contempt of the Prophet Muhammad against Asia Bibi. In all likelihood, as has already happened with the acquittal, the judges could secret their decision, to quell the passions of the radicals. Yesterday, the capital's district magistrate ordered National Rangers to be deployed in sensitive areas, including Judges Colony, the ministry's enclave and the diplomatic zone. The goal is to ensure security in Islamabad during the hearing on the "sensitive case" and "avoid any deplorable incident". There are hundreds of agents deployed. What worries the authorities is the probable violent reaction of the Islamic radicals of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (Tlp) party who in November set the country on fire protesting Asias aquittal. She was sentenced to death on 7 November 2010 by a Punjab court. She had been arrested for contempt of the Prophet Muhammad in June of the previous year, after an argument with some of her colleagues in which she defended her religion. To prevent the escalation of violence, the government of Imran Khan came to terms with the demonstrators and granted the revision of the verdict of the supreme judges. In October, the Christian woman was released but cannot leave the country on the basis of an agreement with Islamic radicals. From that moment she lives in Islamabad in a place of maximum security, escorted and protected. Of her family, only her husband could re-embrace her, unlike her four daughters. When it comes to student learning, money matters, a growing amount of research shows . But what matters even more, those same experts say, is how that money is spentand the vast majority of K-12 dollars today are spent in very outdated, inefficient ways. This has frustrated teachers, district officials, and state politicians who in many states have called for complete overhaul of their states spending methods. But replacing a states funding formula is both complicated and politically contentious, and past efforts, for a variety of reasons, have fallen flat in many states. This year is different, or so advocates hope. Its an off-election year, some states, including Kansas, Wisconsin and Idaho, have huge surpluses, and teachers across the nation are demanding state politicians provide higher pay and more school resources. That makes for the right political climate to push through a funding formula, school finance experts say. So what could be some of the hot spots this year as legislatures and governors get down to the business of how to best allocate billions of dollars in K-12 funding? Here are a few states to watch: Idaho: Earlier this month, legislators from both chambers convened at the state capitol in Boise to hear a two-hour presentation from the states top legislators that detailed a new school funding formula. The proposed funding formula would replace a formula created more than 20 years ago and instead distribute money to districts based on how many students are enrolled in their schools. Many students in the mostly rural state today attend a charter school, a local community college or are home-schooled, something that the existing funding formula doesnt account for. The new formula, being championed by newly elected Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, is already getting pushback from some districts that stand to lose millions of dollars under the plan. Kansas: For years, Kansas has been mired in a legal battle over the logistics of its funding formula. The states supreme court has repeatedly said the state has failed to provide an adequate amount of money for its schools and distributes that money to districts in an inequitable way. The legislatures attempt last year to provide its schools with $548 million more over the next five years was still not enough , the supreme court said. The justices gave the state another year to come up with more money or face sanctions. The most-recent estimate is that the state needs to provide $360 million over the next four years. Newly elected Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, wants to provide $90 million more next year to schools, but plans to refinance the states pension system in order to do so, a strategy her opponents say is built on a house of cards. The states legislature is expected to draw up an entirely new funding formula to replace the existing one, which legislators say will save the state money and cut taxes for residents. At issue is what to do with $900 million surplus found in the states budget. Maryland: Maryland actually has one of the nations newest funding formulas and features many of the things advocates in other states want to replicate. Established in 2002, the formula provides more money to schools that serve at-risk students, such as those with special needs and poor students. But a task force led by former University of Maryland Chancellor William E. Kirwan has said that the way the state funds its schools still leaves certain student groups with fewer resources than other students. Among the findings, for example, is that the more black students attending a school, the less funding the school can expect to receive. While the legislature tried to delay for another year the commissions final report, Kirwan, in a bluntly-worded presentation to the legislature last week, said the state needs to provide more than $3.8 billion to its schools over the next decade in order to provide its students with an adequate education. This is a really critical moment for our state, Kirwan said. We can continue making incremental changes on, quite frankly, our mediocre status or we can be bold and change the future of our children and our state. The NAACP and ACLU followed that presentation with a strongly-worded letter to Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, urging the state to adopt the commissions recommendations. The two organizations successfully sued the state in 2000 over the way it funds its schools. Massachusetts: Massachusetts has gotten lots of praise for its efforts a quarter century ago to upend the way it distributes K-12 funds and holds schools accountable. Its the reason why, many policy makers and researchers say, the state consistently lands at the top of national academic rankings, including Education Weeks annual Quality Counts. But within Massachusetts, frustration has built in recent years over that very funding formula, which many educators say leaves schools serving its most at-risk populations without the necessary resources to provide an adequate education. A 2015 study showed that the state is underfunding the states public schools by $1 billion. Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, has proposed a new formula that would provide an additional $1.1 billion to schools over the next five years. It has backing this year from Bostons mayor, the states teachers union, and several other school advocates. New Mexico: Last year, a New Mexico district judge ruled that the state doesnt provide enough money to its schools to provide an adequate education for low-income children, English-language learners, Native American students, and students with disabilities. The state has until April 15, a month after the states legislative session ends, to prove to District Judge Sarah Singleton that it has made improvements to its system. She did not specify how much the state needs to provide schools. Recently elected Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said this month she wants to overhaul the funding formula , including boosting teacher pay by 6 percent and increasing the states K-12 spending by more than $500 million. Nevada: School finance experts recommend state funding formulas to be replaced once every decade, even though most states funding formulas are more than 20 years old. Nevadas funding formula was established in 1967 and is, arguably, one of the nations oldest. The state evenly divies up money between its 11 counties. But that money is too little, and fails to account for the different needs of student groups such as students with special needs and English-language learners, advocates say. The funding formula is equitable because everyone is actually equally poor, Michelle Alejandra Booth, a spokeswoman for the advocacy group Educate Nevada Now said in an interview with Education Week. A new funding formula is being pushed by recently elected Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, that would result in, among other things, a 3 percent raise for the states K-12 teachers, and more money for supplies, higher education, new buildings, scholarships, and increased school safety. But the proposal is already getting pushback from the rural districts that would stand to lose money. Its not beneficial to Elko at this point from the numbers they have given us, Elko County Superintendent Todd Pehrson told the Elko Daily Free Press last week. However, there are a million uncertainties out there. Texas: The state has long been known for the way it takes money from its oil-rich school districts and gives it to its resource-poor districts, whats commonly referred to as the Robin Hood effect. The Texas supreme court ruled in 2016 that, while the state doesnt provide enough money for its schools to provide an adequate education, it isnt the courts place to tell the legislature how to spend its money. Last week, the states House of Representatives released a plan to scrap the Robin Hood system and replace it with one that would be heavily reliant on state funds instead of local funds. It would ultimately provide schools with $9 billion more over the next two years. The proposal would also result in decreased property taxes for many of the states citizens, something the states Republican Party has promised to do for several years. The state Senate is expected to release a plan of its own in the coming weeks. A committee tasked with coming up with a new funding formula declined late last year to provide a price tag for a new funding formula in order to avoid a legal battle with the courts. Wisconsin: Newly elected Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, won partly based on a new funding formula he floated on the campaign trail that would pump more than $1.4 billion into schools over the next two years. The states Republican-controlled legislature has promised to propose a separate school spending plan of its own. But Evers recently got a political boost after a bipartisan, blue-ribbon panel came out with recommendations that effectively said Evers is right: the states schools are severely underfunded. Among its recommendations is that the state provide signficantly more money schools to serve students with special needs, English-language learners, and low-income students. The state has a $588 million surplus , but its residents have been historically hostile toward taxes. Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics. A sex offender who violently beat a woman, may have left to walk the streets and murder a separate victim due to a police clerical error. Linden Beaton brutally beat Beatrice Kaliku as she walked to a prayer meeting on January 5, but he did not get arrested until last Friday. Two days after his arrest police found the body of Johynita Jordan in an abandoned house about half a mile from where Kaliku was attacked. The 69-year-old had been missing since January 18 and was last seen going into an abandoned house with Beaton - just days after he attacked Kaliku. But as his earlier assault on the 57-year-old home-health aide was incorrectly marked as closed by a NYPD civilian employee - without Kaliku even being interviewed - he was allowed to walk the streets. Linden Beaton was not arrested for weeks after a brutal attack on a 57-year-old woman as the case was closed in error by an NYPD civilian employee Beatrice Kaliku (left) said she was chocked from behind and repeatedly slammed into a fence by her attacker, who was not arrested until weeks later. Police suspect the same man could be behind the killing of Johynita Jordan who was found in an abandoned house CCTV footage collected by police showed a man believed to be Beaton walking into the vacant house with Jordan in Stapleton, New York state, and what appeared to be the pair fighting, police said. The mistake only came to light when Kalikus family contacted police to see why she had not been interviewed following her release from hospital. Investigators finally released a photo of Beaton on January 22 and he was taken into custody three days later. When the 31-year-old was arrested he was found hiding in his sisters closet, who lives not far from where Kaliku and Jordan lived. No suspect has been charged over Jordan's death and authorities have not yet determined how she died. Yesterday officials at the NYPD said both the civilian employee and a supervisor who also did not spot the error have been disciplined, the New York Daily News reports. CCTV footage of a man believed to be Linden Beaton showed him going into a vacant house with Jordan and what looked like a struggle between the pair Beatrice Kaliku was not interviewed by police after her release from hospital, leading her family to question officers about the status of the case The two victims lived about a block from each other but never met. Kaliku said she was choked from behind and her head was slammed into a fence. She told the New York Daily News: 'It is scary and it made me sad. How sad that she [Jordan] didn't get a chance to live.' Describing the attack she added: 'It was horrible to have somebody hold you from behind like that. 'I tried to fight back and scream but he kept on beating me and punching me. He would say, "Shut up. Stop talking".' Beaton is a registered sex offender after he was convicted of attempted rape and sentenced to seven years in prison in 2010. He raped two women, aged 19 and 27, within half an hour of each other, police said. A father has been caught on camera putting his toddler son in the boot of his car before driving off on a busy road in Beijing. The man told the police he wanted to punish his son who is two and a half years old, because he had been naughty while sitting in the car. The boy had, at one point, tried to grab the steering wheel, claimed the parent. It is understood the child had not been put in a car seat. The man was spotted stuffing a child into the boot of a car before driving off last Wednesday on a busy road in Beijing. Police found out he was the father of the boy and was punishing him The shocking scene was captured last Wednesday in the Daxing district of the Chinese capital by a passing motorist from another car. The 11-second clip was later posted onto China's Twitter-like platform Weibo by the eyewitness, who wondered if the driver could have been a human trafficker. Police launched an investigation after noticing the video. According to a report by Beijing TV Station, the eyewitness told the police that several cars were waiting for the green light when the man suddenly came out of his vehicle, bringing the child. The father, known by his surname Zhu, claimed he was taking his son out by himself and the boy had been naughty and throwing a tantrum in the car, so he wanted to teach him a lesson Apart from the child, a woman was allegedly sitting on the back row of the man's car when he stuffed the boy into the car boot. The man then returned to the car before driving off, the eyewitness said. Upon investigation, police discovered that the man and the child in the video were father and son, said the report. The father, known by his surname Zhu, was about to go to the police station to explain the situation when officers found him in a residential complex in southern Beijing. The still from a programme aired by Beijing TV Station shows a neighbour talking to the father and the son after officers given oral education to the man for his inappropriate behaviour Mr Zhu told police officers he was taking his son out by himself that day and the child was throwing a tantrum in the car. Therefore he wanted to teach him a lesson. 'There was no other way (than putting him in the boot),' said Mr Zhu, adding he only drove for a few minutes before letting his son out. Officers gave oral education to Mr Zhu and suggested he should buy a car seat for his son. Mr Zhu expressed regret for his inappropriate behaviour. President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on Senator Richard Blumenthal on Monday, after the Connecticut Democrat helped introduce a bill to ensure special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation is released to the public. The president mockingly referred to Blumenthal as Da Nang Dick as he questioned his position on the Senate Judiciary Committee after the Democrat lied about his military record in the Vietnam War. How does Da Nang Dick (Blumenthal) serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee when he defrauded the American people about his so called War Hero status in Vietnam, only to later admit, with tears pouring down his face, that he was never in Vietnam. An embarrassment to our Country, Trump wrote. President Donald Trump has lashed out at Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal (pictured) The president mockingly referred to Blumenthal as Da Nang Dick in a Tweet (pictured) Blumenthal, who was elected to the Senate in 2010, regularly referenced his supposed Vietnam service in the 2000s as he served as Connecticut attorney general. The Senator reportedly said he 'served during the Vietnam era when speaking at a Vietnam War memorial in 2008. However he was never deployed to Vietnam, having served in the US Marine Corps Reserve, and later confessed that he had misspoken about my service, and I regret that and I take full responsibility. He also questioned his position on the Senate Judiciary Committee after the Democrat lied about his military record in the Vietnam War Earlier in the day, Blumenthal, along with fellow Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Chuck Grassley, introduced legislation to ensure work by any special counsel appointed by the Justice Department, including Mueller, would be available to both Congress and the public. The legislation would also require a report within two weeks if a special counsel is fired, resigned, or gets transferred. A Special Counsel is appointed only in very rare serious circumstances involving grave violations of public trust. The public has a right and need to know the facts of such betrayals of public trust, Blumenthal said in a statement. Muellers report, which Trump has repeatedly branded a witch hunt, is investigating any possible collusion between the president and Russia during his 2016 campaign. A European Parliament committee is expected to propose on Tuesday that Britons enjoy visa-free travel to Europe after Brexit, regardless of whether or not there is a 'deal' in place. EU visa exemptions cover short trips of up to three months and currently some 60 countries in the world benefit from the system from Argentina to Japan to Ukraine. It is mostly designed for business and tourism and does not cover the right to work in the EU. The EU visa exemptions being suggested for Britons post-Brexit, cover short trips of up to three months, and a number of countries already benefit from this, including Japan The committee's decision must then be endorsed by the full parliament next month, which is also likely as other EU institutions have backed a move to relaxed visa requirements for Britain after Brexit, provided London reciprocates. The parliamentary notion covers both a scenario under which Prime Minister Theresa May breaks the deadlock at home and manages to get the divorce deal she had negotiated with the EU ratified in the UK parliament, as well as a no-deal Brexit. It will also have to be agreed to by the EU's executive Commission and the European Council, which represents all member states of the union. Parallel talks among EU states on letting Britons visit without visas following a no-deal Brexit were delayed last week, diplomatic sources said, after Spain raised objections over Gibraltar, a British territory to which Madrid lays claim. The dispute between Madrid and London has already threatened to derail the whole Brexit negotiation process once, but a last-minute deal with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cleared the way in November for the 27 EU states' approval of their divorce package with Britain. Now, however, Britain is struggling to ratify the deal, with a series of votes due late on Tuesday in the House of Commons to seek alternatives to May's troubled plan. Christian mother Asia Bibi spent eight years on death row after being accused of blasphemy A Christian mother who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy has been acquitted after winning her final appeal and can now begin a new life in Canada with her daughters. Pakistan's Supreme Court rejected challenges against its decision to acquit Asia Bibi after she was cleared last October. Ms Bibi, who spent eight years on death row and who has been under guard at a secret place since her acquittal last October, was overjoyed at the news. 'I am really gratefully to everybody, now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters,' a friend quoted Mrs Bibi as saying. She will be reunited with her three daughters who earlier fled to Canada where they were granted asylum. But first she faces a perilous 48 hours as a secret operation gets under way to spirit her out of the country. A source close to Mrs Bibi said: She is not safe until she gets out. There are powerful people who want her dead. The daughters of Mrs Bibi pose with an image of their mother while standing outside their home in Pakistan in 2010 Islamist protesters (pictured protesting her in November 2018) have called for the 53-year-old to be lynched. One said today: 'She deserves to be murdered, according to Shariah' The ruling has infuriated Islamist protesters who say the 53-year-old 'should be murdered' for her crimes. They have warned the mother she won't be able to escape, as there are 'Muslims everywhere who want to kill her'. Her lawyer, Saiful Malook, said: 'I think at this time she is here (in Pakistan) - but by tonight, I don't know.' He told reporters outside the court that he thought she should flee in the face of danger from the extremists. 'She deserves to be murdered according to Shariah,' Hafiz Ehtisham Ahmed, an Islamist activist linked to the extremist Red Mosque in Islamabad. Protesters call for Mrs Bibi to be hung during protests in October last year. Today's decision likely means she will be able to seek asylum in Europe or North America 'If she goes abroad, don't Muslims live there? If she goes out of Pakistan... anybody can kill her there.' Mrs Bibi's lawyer, who returned to Islamabad after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistan's constitution and rule of law. The three-judge Supreme Court panel had 'insisted on very strict proofs of blasphemy' and found none, Mr Malook said. Pakistan's Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa who led the panel of judges dismissed the petition filed by radical religious leaders. The extremists had petitioned the court to overturn its acquittal and send her back to prison for execution. He said in court that Ms Bibi's accusers were guilty of perjury and if the case had not been so sensitive, they should have been jailed for life. 'The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow,' Mr Khosa said. A supporter of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), a hardline religious party, stands over an image of Mrs Bibi as they protest her acquittal last November The Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, which led violent protests demanding Bibi's execution after her acquittal, called for its members to be ready today for action in a message sent to journalists. But most of its leaders remain in detention after a government crackdown, and few protesters could be seen at the court in Islamabad, where security appeared as normal. That did not prevent those who did show up for the hearing from calling for violence against mother-of-five Bibi, however. 'It's neither in accordance with Supreme Court's former verdicts nor in accordance with law, it will be dismissed Allah willing,' Mulook said. Bibi, a Roman Catholic from Punjab province, was sentenced to death in 2010 in what swiftly became Pakistan's most infamous blasphemy case. Mrs Bibi was accused of defiling the name of the Prophet Mohammed when she rejected calls from Muslim women to convert to Islam Blasphemy remains a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings. Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims, and rights activists say blasphemy charges are frequently used to settle personal scores. Minorities - particularly Christians - are often caught in the crossfire. The allegations against Bibi date back to 2009, when Muslim women accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, a charge punishable by death under Pakistan law. The mother of five was harvesting fruit with a group of Muslim women when a row broke out over a bucket of water. The mother of five (pictured) was harvesting fruit with a group of Muslim women when a row broke out over a bucket of water. The women said that because she had used a cup they could no longer touch it, because her faith had made it unclean and a row over religion ensued The women said that because she had used a cup they could no longer touch it, because her faith had made it unclean. Prosecutors alleged that in the ensuing row the women said Mrs Bibi should convert to Islam. It was claimed she made offensive comments about the Prophet in response. At her home she was given a beating, during which her accusers say she confessed to blasphemy. Police arrested her and she was sentenced to death. Bibi has denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures. Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor Pope Francis. Unconfirmed Pakistani media reports claim Bibi's two daughters have already gone to Canada. A convicted knife killer who had 'turned his life around' died in a horrific jet ski crash on the first day of a Caribbean holiday, an inquest heard. Jordan Mayers, 29, was studying business management in an attempt to get his life back on track after he spent years behind bars for the killing of a teenager. But he suffered a fatal head injury when he crashed into his cousin's jet ski in Barbados just three days before Christmas. Mayers had been jailed for life after he stabbed Emmanuel Odenewu in the head, neck and chest in a row over drugs at a bus stop in Lewisham, south east London in December 2006. Jordan Mayers, 29, suffered a fatal head injury when he crashed into his cousin's jet ski in Barbados while visiting his mother's family just three days before Christmas He then had his sentence cut by two-thirds in 2009 when a Law Lords ruling on the use of anonymous witnesses led to his murder conviction being quashed. Prosecutors decided not to pursue a re-trial because eyewitnesses were too afraid to give evidence openly against him. Mayers instead pleaded guilty to manslaughter in May 2009 and was jailed for 10 years. The convicted killer was just one day into a family reunion when he was killed after accidentally colliding with his cousin's jet ski, Southwark Coroners Court heard yesterday. Coroner Doctor Andrew Harris said the only report of the fatal accident, in December 2016, came from the Royal Barbados Police. He told the hearing: 'It says they rented the jet skis for 30 minutes and instructions were given to both of them. 'Jordan's cousin, Samuel Joshua, slowed down and Jordan reached him; Samuel was stationary. 'Given the rainy conditions, Jordan drove the jet ski towards Samuel. but didn't stop. 'He collided into the jet ski and was thrown into the water. 'Samuel Joshua went to his aid and he was assisted by two American tourists - but could not be revived.' Mayers was jailed for life after he stabbed Emmanuel Odenewu (pictured) in the head, neck and chest in a row over drugs at a bus stop in Lewisham, south east London in December 2006 Dr Harris said there were concerns over the rough sea and rain and whether the jet ski vendor, Ricardo Clarke, was licenced. He said: 'We have been trying to find out if the company was licensed. We would normally explore these matters but we do not have the evidence to do that. 'The full details of the autopsy report were also not disclosed.' Mayers' father Winston Trew, who was not on the holiday and is estranged from his son's mother, told the hearing that he remains 'cut up' that there were no lifeguards on duty at tourist spot Welches Beach at the time. Mr Trew said: 'I keep on thinking that if there was a lifeguard there then Jordan might have been rescued and survived. 'The police report doesn't mention whether there were lifeguards. 'Jordan wasn't a risk taker, he was physically fit and a strong swimmer. 'I want to get closure, I want to know what happened. If he didn't have the head injury, he might not have drowned. 'I have to accept the fact that I don't know the circumstances.' Dr Harris ruled that Mayers died from a head injury caused by an accident. He told Mr Trew: 'I know you have waited two years for this and I'm sorry I couldn't give you more closure.' Speaking after the inquest, Mr Trew said his son had turned his life around after being released from jail, and was a 'good and well loved student'. Mr Trew said: 'He swung back from a lot of disasters. He was accused of murder but they realised the other guy attacked him first. He was twice his size and he did what he could. 'It was a low point in his life. He got 10 years for manslaughter, but we supported him through it. 'The university knew about it and they supported him. They gave him his diploma, even though he wasn't there to finish the course.' Somalia is the most corrupt country in the world, Denmark the least, while America's falling score is a 'red flag', according to a global corruption watchdog. Transparency International highlighted Hungary and the United States in their Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018, with America being knocked from the top 20 'cleanest' list. Trump's America lost four points and dropped out of the top 20 least corrupt nations for the first time since 2011, while Hungary's politics has taken on more autocratic overtones, according to the researchers. 'A four point drop in the CPI score is a red flag and comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balance, as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power,' the Berlin-based organization said. A map showing the most corrupt countries in red and the 'cleanest' countries in yellow, Europe is the best continental region, while Africa is mired in corruption at the top levels of government Their list shows Denmark at the top with Somalia placing at the bottom, the data is based on data from the World Bank and World Economic Forum among other institutions The top five countries in each category can be seen above, with Denmark leading the 'cleanest' nations and Somalia falling bottom of the list along with other infamous countries 'If this trend continues, it would indicate a serious corruption problem in a country that has taken a lead on the issue globally -this is a bipartisan issue that requires a bipartisan solution.' Zoe Reiter, the watchdog's acting representative to the US, said they had serious concerns over the Trump administration but that corrupution had been a mounting problem for years. 'Conflict of interest wasn't a new problem, but it was illuminated in its glory when you have someone who is basically breaking norms. 'Trump is a symptom not a cause. His presidency is illuminating some of the problems.' The US, Hungary and Brazil were all listed as countries to watch. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets a rally for his AK Party in Antalya on Sunday The most improved were Estonia, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Guyana; and decliners included Australia, Chile, Malta and Mexico. Somalia was rated the most corrupt with a score of 10, followed by Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, North Korea, Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Afghanistan and Libya. Many of the most corrupt regions are in throws of warfare which has ravaged government and any prospect of democracy. The Corruption Perceptions Index showed more than two-thirds of countries scoring below 50, on its scale where 100 is very clean and zero is very corrupt. In a cross-analysis of its survey with global democracy data, Transparency said a link could be drawn between corruption and the health of a democracy. Full democracies scored an average of 75 on the corruption index, flawed democracies averaged 49, and autocratic regimes averaged 30, the organization said. The US score dropped from 75 to a below average 71. It noted that Hungary dropped eight points and Turkey nine over the past five years, to scores of 46 and 41, respectively. The watchdog said that the Trump administration was the symptom of a wider corruption problem in the United States which had been brewing for years Viktor Orban is pictured on the front of the new Magyar Hang newspaper, created by Hungarian journalists to combat Orban's crackdown on the press and printed across the border in Slovakia At the same time, the report cited Freedom House's annual democracy survey, noting Turkey was downgraded from 'partly free' to 'not free,' while Hungary registered its lowest score for political rights since the fall of communism in 1989. The ratings reflect the 'deterioration of rule of law and democratic institutions, as well as a rapidly shrinking space for civil society and independent media,' the organization said. 'Our research makes a clear link between having a healthy democracy and successfully fighting public sector corruption,' said Delia Ferreira Rubio, the head of Transparency. 'Corruption is much more likely to flourish where democratic foundations are weak and, as we have seen in many countries, where undemocratic and populist politicians can use it to their advantage.' Overall, Denmark led the survey as the least corrupt nation, with a score of 88, followed by New Zealand, Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland. Rounding out the top group were Norway, Netherlands, Canada, Luxembourg, Germany and Britain. Since 2012, only 20 nations had significantly improved their scores, including Argentina and Ivory Coast, which scored 40 and 35 respectively, up from 35 and 29. A vehicle burns after an explosion set in the vehicle detonated in front of Premier Bank in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu on January 23 Western Europe and the European Union scored best while Sub-Saharan Africa performed terribly on the index At the same time, 16 have declined significantly in that time, including Australia, which slipped from a score of 85 to 77, and Chile, which dropped from 72 to 67. The index is calculated using 13 different data sources that provide perceptions of public sector corruption from business people and country experts. These include the African Development Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, the World Bank Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, the World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey and the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index Expert Survey. North West Tonight weather presenter Dianne Oxberry died on January 10 aged 51 The heartbroken husband of late BBC weather presenter Dianne Oxberry has revealed she died of ovarian cancer, as he launched a fund in her name. The North West Tonight presenter fell ill over Christmas, and died on January 10 aged 51, leaving behind husband Ian Hindle and two young children. Now Mr Hindle has launched a JustGiving page to raise awareness of her condition - saying she died 'after a very short battle with ovarian cancer'. The cameraman told how he hoped to 'kick start a charity' to raise awareness about the 'appalling disease'. More than 2,500 was raised in the first 20 hours. Under a photograph of the couple on a beach, Mr Hindle wrote on JustGiving: 'Dianne died in early January after a very short battle with ovarian cancer. 'The tragic impact was felt not only by her family and friends, but also by the wider public whose lives she touched across more than 20 years' TV and radio presenting. 'The money raised will be used to help families and individuals who have, or are suffering from, this aggressive disease. 'The aim is also to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and its after-effects, particularly where families have suffered sudden loss, which can often be the case with this appalling disease.' Ian Hindle posted a photograph on JustGiving of him on a beach with the late Miss Oxberry Just six weeks before her death, she had been well enough to take part in a 100-mile charity relay for Children In Need, and was joking with colleagues on Twitter. However, Miss Oxberry declined rapidly and did not return to work after Christmas. BBC staff were only told of her illness about three days before her death. BBC reporters including fellow weather presenter Simon King were in tears earlier this month as they paid tribute to her live on air following the sudden death. Mr King said: 'It's devastating, absolutely devastating. It has been such a quick process, this whole thing. It has hit us like a tonne of bricks, it really has.' Oxberry (right) with her BBC North West Tonight colleagues (from left) Richard Askam, Roger Johnson and Annabel Tiffin Miss Oxberry's children are still of primary school age. Following her death, Mr Hindle, paid tribute to an 'amazing wife and mother', who had left a 'massive void'. 'She was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her but also to the people who watched and welcomed her into their homes each night as if she were part of their family too. 'She will leave a massive void in our lives but because of the remarkable person she was she will forever live on in our hearts. The children and I will miss her more than anyone can imagine.' Miss Oxberry was also famously adored by comedian Peter Kay, who once crawled on his hands and knees to get close to her as she gave a forecast on live TV. BBC staff were only told of Miss Oxberry's illness about three days before her death Many of the BBC presenter's colleagues broke down when they were told of her death at the Christie Hospital in Manchester. What is ovarian cancer and what are symptoms of the 'silent killer'? Ovarian cancer affects more than 6,500 women in the UK each year. It is the fifth most common cancer among women. It is most common in women who have had the menopause but it can affect women of any age. About 80 per cent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease. At the time of diagnosis, 60 per cent of ovarian cancers will have already spread to other parts of the body, bringing the five-year survival rate down to 30 per cent from 90 per cent in the earliest stage. Its diagnosed so late because of its location in the pelvis. The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognise, particularly early on. They're often the same as symptoms of less serious conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). These can include feeling constantly bloated, a swollen tummy, discomfort in your tummy or pelvic area, feeling full quickly when eating, or needing to use the toilet more often or more urgently than normal. Women should see their GP if they have been feeling bloated most days for the last three weeks. Advertisement A source told the Daily Mail: 'Everyone is so shocked. It is all so sudden. Members of the North West Tonight team were in tears when the news came through yesterday. 'No one can believe it. She seemed so healthy and was tweeting about life and work as recently as the beginning of December.' Another said: 'It's absolutely awful. No one had any idea that anything was wrong - that she was unwell. You almost have two reactions. There is the horror and grief and sadness. And then there is the realisation that, '******** hell, life can do that'. North West Tonight presenter Roger Johnson, who walked the Children In Need relay with Miss Oxberry last November, said that she would be missed 'terribly'. 'We are heartbroken by Dianne's death. It is almost impossible to comprehend. Dianne was North West Tonight. It's hard to imagine the programme without her.' Miss Oxberry, who was born in Sunderland and lived in Sale in Greater Manchester, had become one of the best known figures on the BBC's North West television and radio services. She joined North West Tonight nearly 25 years ago after studying at the Met Office, and became its main weather presenter. She also fronted Inside Out North West, its regional current affairs programme and presented a number of programmes on BBC Radio Manchester including its breakfast show. Before that, Miss Oxberry cut her teeth presenting the weather on Radio 1, alongside Steve Wright and Simon Mayo. She eventually moved north to present the children's show, The 8.15 from Manchester. Mr Mayo - who now works on Radio 2 - said earlier this month that he was 'devastated' by the news of Miss Oxberry's death. 'She was a wonderful, joyous part of our breakfast team at Radio 1. I loved working with her.' Miss Oxberry had also left a strong impression on her female colleagues, as a strong supporter of their fight for equal pay. Dianne (right with Pudsey) was working as recently as December and took part in a 100-mile relay walk for Children In Need with co-hosts Roger Johnson and Annabel Tiffin Radio 5 Live host Rachel Burden said earlier this month: 'I got to know her as part of the network of BBC Women. We shared experiences together. 'She was fiercely bright and funny and generous with her time, and she was a highly supportive colleague to others in the BBC.' It is understood that Miss Oxberry was fighting her own equal pay case with the BBC, which remained unresolved at the time of her sudden death. Broadcaster Clare Balding added that Oxberry was 'a courageous warrior on behalf of women fighting for equality'. 'Her star will shine on,' she said. The parents of a missing 14-year-old girl who disappeared two weeks ago have urged their daughter to come home as multiple states join Tennessee authorities in their search. Savannah Leigh Pruitt was last seen at her Madisonville home on January 13 at around 11pm. She is said to have two mobile phones with her which last pinged the morning after her disappearance near a welcome center in Corbin, Kentucky, around 130 miles from her family's house. Savannah Leigh Pruitt (pictured), described as 5ft 3in with blonde hair and blue eyes, was last seen at her Madisonville home on January 13 at around 11pm Life has just ceased for us since the day she left, her father, Randall Pruitt (pictured with his wife Christina), said during a press conference Detective Jason Fillyaw with the Monroe County Sheriffs Office in Tennessee said on Friday that the youngsters phones are no longer turned on, and she has not posted on social media since before she went missing. Life has just ceased for us since the day she left, her father, Randall Pruitt, said during a press conference. Its like having your soul ripped out of your body. You cant think, you cant eat, you cant sleep, you cant rest. The heartbroken father (pictured with his daughter) added: Its like having your soul ripped out of your body. You cant think, you cant eat, you cant sleep, you cant rest. Savannah is described by officials as 5ft 3in with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is said to love horses and music It is believed that the teenager, who has not officially been classed as endangered as officials have no information suggesting she is in direct danger, may have been travelling north to an unknown destination He added: 'She has never misbehaved or been a bad kid ever. This is way out in left field for her. Please come home, we do miss you terribly.' The teenagers distraught mother Christina Pruitt begged her daughter to return home and added: She was my sunshine, and now my sunshine is gone. Please help us find our baby, please. We're very heartbroken. I miss her. I don't understand...none of us understand. She also added that Savannah's three siblings very heartbroken. They miss her. They don't understand. 'Course none of us understand. Authorities in Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia are now all involved in the investigation, with the Atlanta bureau of the FBI confirming it was also assisting with the case. Detective Jason Fillyaw said Savannah has two phones with her, which last pinged the morning of January 14 near a welcome center in the Corbin, Kentucky area Authorities in Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia are now all involved in the investigation, with the Atlanta bureau of the FBI confirming it was also assisting with the case This is because the Pruitt family lived in Lawrenceville, Georgia, before relocating to Tennessee in December Police dont believe the missing teenager was in communication with anyone who wanted to abduct her or intended to run away This is because the Pruitt family lived in Lawrenceville, Georgia, before relocating to Tennessee in December. It is believed that the teenager, who has not officially been classed as endangered as officials have no information suggesting she is in direct danger, may have been travelling north to an unknown destination, NBC News reported. Ive been in an investigative position with this agency for three years now, and this is the first time weve had a missing juvenile go to this level, the detective said. Usually, we locate them within 24 to 48 hours and theyre home safe. Police dont believe the missing teenager was in communication with anyone who wanted to abduct her or intended to run away, Fillyaw added. Savannah is described by officials as 5ft 3in with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is said to love horses and music. A Filipino father rescued his son from a crocodile by biting the dangerous predator in the leg until it let go of the boy. Diego Abulhasan, 12, had been swimming with his younger brother in a river near the family home in Balabac town, in the Palawan region the Philippines, when a crocodile attacked and dragged him underwater. Their father Tejada Abulhasan heard the calls for help, and sprinted the 100 yards from the home to the river and dived in, armed with a plank of wood. Survivor: Diego Abulhasan, 12, was attacked by a crocodile and his father came to his rescue, armed with a plank - and his teeth Mr Abulhasan began battering the killer animal with the plank and repeatedly punching its snout - but it would not let go of Diego. In an act of desperation, Mr Abulhasan grabbed hold of the beast and bit into its leg several times 'like a Rottweiler'. Miraculously, the crocodile released the boy and swam away in the murky water, and Mr Abulhasan could bring his injured son to shore and take him to hospital Mr Abulhasan told police that he 'did not hesitate' to jump into the river and wrestle the crocodile. He said: 'There was so much adrenaline in my body I had no time to think. I was hitting the crocodile and it would not release my boy. I was wrestling the crocodile and we looked in each others eyes. Hero dad: Tejada Abulhasa, seen left in shorts and t-shirt, hit the crocodile with a plank and punched it in the snout, but when this did not work, he bit it in the leg Show me your teeth: Mr Abulhasan fought off the crocodile attack in the river in Balabac, pictured, by 'grabbing its leg and just biting as hard as I could like a Rottweiler dog' 'Then out of nowhere I had the idea to bite him. I grabbed his leg and just bit as hard as I could like a Rottweiler dog.' Diego spent two nights in hospital before being released. He has several scars but no lasting serious injuries. Superintendent Socrates Faltado, spokesman from the MIMAROPA (Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) regional police said: 'Fortunately and due to the bravery of his father, the victim did not drown and only suffered wounds from crocodile bites. 'Investigations revealed that while the victim and his younger brother were cleaning themselves in the river, the crocodile suddenly snapped his left arm and pulled him into the deeper area and dragged his body causing several cuts in the different parts of his body. 'Accordingly, his younger brother ran and told his father that the victim was bitten and taken by the crocodile. 'Immediately, his father ran to the river, came to his rescue and bit the crocodile continuously which made the crocodile released his son.' Donald Trump's envoy and Taliban held talks in Qatar. The US has 14,000 soldiers on the ground, out of 16,000 NATO forces. Italian Defence Minister Trenta causes row, announcing the withdrawal of Italian contingent by the end of the year. Kabul (AsiaNews) The United States and the Taliban have agreed to a framework for a peace deal that would end the war in Afghanistan, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times after six days of talks with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar. If implemented, the deal would see US troops pull out in exchange for the Taliban agreeing not to allow Afghan territory to be used by terrorists and to engage the Afghan government in direct talks. Fr Giuseppe Moretti, chaplain at the Italian embassy and responsible for the missio sui iuris of Afghanistan until 2015, spoke to AsiaNews about the news. "It is absurd to exclude the Afghan government from the talks. Until proven otherwise, President Ashraf Ghani was democratically elected. His exclusion is not only a discourtesy to him, but also a mistake in international diplomacy." Yesterday, Donald Trump's envoy was in the Afghan capital to talk to Afghan authorities about the progress in the Doha negotiations. The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals, Khalilzad told the New York Times. According to the latest information, the United States has 14,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, out of a total of 16,000 NATO troops. For the US, this is the longest war ever, with thousands of lives lost since 2001, both civilians and military (3,400 civilian deaths in 2017 alone). Unlike his predecessors (including Barack Obama) who always increased the number of troops, President Trump opted to cut US troop deployment by 5,000 at the end of December, right after announcing a pullout from Syria. Fr Moretti noted that "for now there is only talk of an agreement in principle between the US and the insurgents; no official document has been signed". However, "it is very dangerous that Kabul was not included. Afghanistan was never an American colony. If one day the Taliban were to return to power, it is precisely with the government that they must find a compromise." The priest goes on to reiterate that "the only clear point in the Afghan question is that all [foreign] soldiers will leave, not just the Americans. The crucial point is to negotiate the way for the Taliban to return. "If Ghani stays, it is clear that the Taliban cannot repeat what they did between 1996 and 2001. If they want to come back to power like in the 1990s, then Afghan women will be the real political refugees, deprived of their human rights." News of the US-Taliban deal has already had repercussions in the NATO countries that have forces in Afghanistan, like Italy. Italian media today report a statement by Italian Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta who yesterday announced that she wanted to pull out all 900 Italian soldiers. This triggered a spat within her government after official sources at the Foreign Ministry said there was no talk on the matter between Trenta and the Foreign Ministry. "It is surprising that the Foreign Minister was not informed, Father Moretti said. One thing must be said: if the Americans were to withdraw, what would Italian soldiers be doing there? Their mission is to train local troops, but they are well trained after 15 years." The countrys future "is very different from the military presence. If we really want to start on the path of democracy and peace, things must be different. People need work, schools, hospitals, roads. But above all work, and a safer life." Edward Gallagher is currently being held in a military prison in California Seven Navy SEALS have been granted immunity to testify against a decorated veteran who is accused of murdering a 15-year-old Afghan boy with his knife. Up to 13 additional witnesses are expected to testify against Edward Gallagher, who is currently being held in a military prison in California amid accusations he repeatedly plunged a knife into the wounded body of a young ISIS fighter in 2017 and fired sniper rounds at innocent civilians in Iraq. During a motion hearing Friday, prosecutors said witnesses told NCIS investigators Gallagher bragged about killing up to 200 people 'three a day' he allegedly said during his 2017 deployment to Mosul, Iraq, the San Diego Tribune reported. Prosecutors also revealed they have recovered a knife that tested positive for DNA, although they did not reveal whose DNA was found on the weapon - or say conclusively that it related to the incident in question. Gallagher will now stand trial starting February 19, and the judge has been asked to suppress several aspects of the case - including aspects of the witnesses' testimony. Gallagher, an experienced veteran who served both in Iraq and Afghanistan, is accused of murdering a 15-year-old ISIS fighter In November last year, prosecutors presented accounts from several other SEALs in Chief Gallagher's platoon describing his behavior as reckless and bloodthirsty. They said he fired into civilian crowds, gunned down a girl walking along a riverbank and an old man carrying a water jug, and threatened to kill fellow SEALs if they reported his actions. In May last year, Iraqi forces in Mosul caught an Islamic State fighter aged in his teens, who was left battered and bloody from the combat. Investigators allege while the teen was receiving medical treatment from SEAL medics, Gallagher walked up and stabbed him in his neck and side with a knife, killing the fighter. Several Navy SEALs will be granted immunity to testify against Gallagher as his trial gets underway next month Then, they say, he posed for photographs with the fighter's body, holding his head in one hand and his blade in the other and sent one of the images to a fellow SEAL with the caption: 'I got him with my hunting knife'. Gallagher is a married father-of-three and a highly lauded special warfare operator who has racked up numerous awards during his eight tours of duty. After his latest tour, fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq, he was named the top platoon leader in SEAL Team 7 and nominated for the Silver Star, the military's third-highest honor. He fought in Iraq and Afghanistan several times and has been a Navy Seal for 14 years. The Navy has charged Chief Gallagher with premeditated murder, attempted murder and nearly a dozen other offenses, including obstruction of justice and bringing 'discredit upon the armed forces'. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Mark Johnson, 39, pictured, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire repeatedly raped a 13-year-old girl after grooming her. He was arrested after his estranged wife found messages outlining the abuse on his mobile phone A man who groomed a 13year-old girl before repeatedly raping her has been jailed for more than five years. Mark Johnson, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire was also given an indefinite court order to prevent him posing a threat to other children. The 39-year-old appeared at Teesside Crown Court and pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of a child on Friday. Johnson groomed the young girl, and later raped her. The police became aware of the offences in September 2018 when Johnson's estranged wife found messages on his phone which suggested that he was abusing the young girl. His wife confronted Johnson about the messages and told him she was contacting the police. Johnson immediately wiped the handset and visited a local phone store where he exchanged his device in an attempt to cover his tracks. He was arrested and during his interview under caution he presented a prepared statement in which he denied the assaults or exchanging messages with her. He claimed that the victim was obsessed with him. Johnson was charged and remanded in custody. North Yorkshire Police's Digital Forensic Unit and Force Intelligence analyst examined the telephone and found overwhelming evidence in the form of messages which confirmed that Johnson had raped the young girl repeatedly. Johnson entered an early guilty plea when the case reached court. He was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment and received an indefinite sexual harm-prevention court order. Johnson was jailed for five years and three months at Teesside Crown Court and was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life The terms of the order mean he has to tell police about his whereabouts, such as any holidays or house moves, and if he stays in a house where children live. He will also have to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for the rest of his life. Speaking afterwards, Detective Constable Jason Roper of North Yorkshire Police, said: 'Mark Johnson is an arrogant predator who tried to claim that a girl whom he had groomed was lying and was obsessed with him. 'I welcome the sentence which the court has imposed upon him and I hope that this brings some closure to the victim. 'I would like to thank the amazing courage which the victim has shown throughout these proceedings. This has been an extremely difficult time for her. 'I sincerely hope that with time and continuous support from our partner agencies and her family she is able to rebuild her life.' Cele chef Dan Doherty, 33, opened the Royal Oak restaurant in Marylebone, London last summer A celebrity chef who stars alongside Mary Berry in a BBC series has been sacked after he was accused of demanding oral sex from a junior female colleague and sexually harassing other workers. Dan Doherty, 33, opened the Royal Oak restaurant in Marylebone, London last summer and also appears as a judge on Britain's Best Home Cook on BBC One, the show that was made to replace the Great British Bake Off. He left the gastropub last November after being accused of creating a culture of harrassment, with an external firm investigating the claims. Two former members of staff say that four female workers left the gastropub because of Doherty's behaviour. Last month, Doherty was forced to apologise in front of staff in a meeting, after being found guilty of misconduct. His actions prompted a full investigation into his conduct which has resulted in his sacking. A spokesman for the bar told MailOnline: 'We can confirm that Dan Doherty is no longer working at The Royal Oak with immediate effect. 'We will not be making any further comment about the reported incidents. 'Our focus is on the wellbeing of our team and business.' Female bar and kitchen staff were asked during the investigation about claims that Doherty demanded oral sex and told them that he wanted to see them without their kitchen whites on. According to the Sunday Times, Doherty said at the meeting: 'I am sorry for causing any distress'. He had been initially moved from head chef to executive chef to reduce his interaction with kitchen staff before the decision to fire him. Women were told they could leave with 'no questions asked' following the investigation into Doherty, though this was later denied by the company. Earlier Doherty released a statement about the claims : 'I would never intentionally make offensive comments to anyone I work with, female or male. 'I have apologised to the whole team for any offence I may have inadvertently caused. It would never be my intention.' He recently announced plans to open a new restaurant in New York and will also appear in a new series of Britain's Best Home Cook with Berry and Claudia Winkleman. Doherty apologised on Twitter and said he was not going to feature on the next series of 'Britain's Best Home Cook' He appears as a judge on Britain's Best Home Cook on BBC One, the show that was made to replace the Great British Bake Off In the past, Doherty was forced to apologise for making homophobic comments online, where he told one fan 'don't be gay'. However, he is also co-founder of Chefs of Tomorrow, a group promoting young talent in the industry. He also runs events for women to 'get together and discuss the unique pressures of this industry and how that may affect them'. Doherty has also spoken out about women's issues in the industry. Private firm HR180, based in Yorkshire, wrote to staff as they investigated the claims about Doherty. They wrote: 'An issue of alleged inappropriate communication with members of staff working at The Royal Oak has recently come to our attention. 'The incident could constitute misconduct, which may lead to the company taking disciplinary action. We ask you to bear with us whilst we conduct our investigations and reiterate that all parties are presumed innocent of any possible charges unless evidence determines otherwise. 'We reserve the right to change or add to these allegations as appropriate and in light of the results of our investigation.' Urban Inns Limited, the company that runs the Royal Oak, said: 'We take allegations of misconduct in any form very seriously and we used an independent HR company to thoroughly investigate some suggestions of inappropriate communications. 'Urban Inns Limited has acted, and continues to do so, on these recommendations, following which Dan returned to work.' Married father-of-three Dr Alan Lees, 64, pictured arriving at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester last June A churchgoing family GP had an affair with a patient after grooming her with intimate hugs during consultations at his surgery, a medical tribunal has heard. Married father-of-three Dr Alan Lees, 64, had illicit secret sexual liaisons with the woman at a shopping centre and cinema after he gave her cuddles at repeat appointments - claiming they would 'make her feel better,' it was claimed. The woman, who is a mother of one, was said to have fallen 'madly in love' with the doctor during their two-year affair. She said in one encounter that Lees, of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, hugged her and gave her a prolonged kiss on the cheek in front of fellow parishioners at their local church where he played the organ and sang as a bass in the choir. They allegedly swapped up to 40 texts a day, with Lees saying how he loved her - and he would turn up at her home to have sex with her before heading off to surgery. Lees eventually ended their romance, claiming he wanted to save his marriage - but he slept with his mistress again, and police were called when she went to confront him at a house where he was seen, only to find another woman there, it was claimed. No action was taken but the mistress, known as Patient A, made a complaint to the General Medical Council - branding the GP a 'pathological liar' who had 'deceived a number of people', adding: 'I was attracted to him and he wrecked my life.' The illicit romance began after Lees began treating the patient in 2010 at the Ashby Turn Primary Care Centre after she suffered a series of headaches following the death of her mother, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester heard. GMC lawyer Elizabeth Dudley-Jones said: 'She was diagnosed with tension headaches and was said to be very tearful. Her blood pressure was very high and she was very upset. 'Patient A remembers Dr Lees asked her if a hug would make her feel better and she said 'no not really' but he said 'I'm going to hug you anyway' and he hugged her. 'She thought at the time it was just friendly but acknowledges her head was 'all over the place'. Repeat appointments were then made with Dr Lees. 'She said during the appointments they discussed everything and nothing and she also says every time she saw the doctor he gave her a hug. 'She thought it was friendly but candidly acknowledged the hugs were different than that of a friend. She described in every occasion he would hold her and nuzzle his head into her neck. 'She said she never expected it but it happened at every appointment. She said she was at a truly low ebb and did find him comforting. 'Her friend became concerned about their relationship. She said her friend hadn't been herself and she just wasn't right. 'Another friend said she struggled to function with everything in life and she didn't work. Her friends suggested she should get some counselling and patient A told them she was receiving counselling from the doctor and described him to be 'great' and 'brilliant'. 'Friends noticed that patient A had seemed to change and was much brighter when she spoke about him. Dr Lees would continue to hug her every time he saw her. He told her he was hugging her because he thought she 'needed it'.' Lees began treating the patient in 2010 at the Ashby Turn Primary Care Centre in Scunthorpe 'During Christmas of 2014 he invited her to a Christmas concert but when she arrived he greeted her with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Patient A knew Dr Lees's wife attended the church too. 'During the interval he stood with patient A and at the end of the concert he gave her an intimate hug and a prolonged kiss on the cheek.' The hearing was told Patient A left Lees' surgery in August 2015 as she moved house but he asked if she wanted to meet him for a coffee. Miss Dudley-Jones added: 'She accepts they had banter and chit chat and she thought something of it. She gave him her phone number and he gave her a tight hug. She thought he was going to kiss her. 'She describes that she had become attached to him through the hugging and comfort he gave to her. Two weeks and two days later she received a text from Dr Lees stating: 'Hi, This is me, yes it really is. Can you confirm this is the right name?' and Patient A said it was the right name. 'Dr Lees responded asking to meet for coffee and she responded yes, 'whenever wherever'. It is the GMCs case that Patient A was vulnerable and that Dr Lees knew she was vulnerable. That vulnerability didn't cease after she left the practice. 'She said they had a generally chatty conversation, there was a lot of banter and he hugged her after she left. She remembers he got in contact with her again and told her he found her attractive and wanted to meet up. Patient A said she had never done anything to encourage that and she was very surprised about that. 'But after that they were in contact everyday sending over 40 texts a day. They saw each other two to three times a week. This then developed into a sexual relationship. He told her he loved her and she said the same, she knew he was married and he said he wanted to leave his wife. 'She said on one occasion he was concerned about being seen in public after they saw another member of staff from the practice but he reassured her that she wouldn't say anything. They went on dates to the cinema and shopping precinct and he would come to her house. 'But in July 2016 he told her his wife had talked to him and said she wanted to give the marriage another go and their children needed him. Dr Lees told Patient A his wife knew what was going on, and after this the contact gradually deteriorated. Upset was caused to Patient A and she messaged Dr Lees and asked him if there was someone else. 'He didn't say 'yes' or 'no', but he began crying on the phone. He then messaged her asking her to put the kettle on and he came round to her house - they resumed the sexual relationship and told her how much he missed her. 'In May 2017 she still suspected something wasn't right and she saw him drive to an address and texted him asking if he was going to see his daughter and he didn't text her back. At 9.30pm that day she knocked on the address and a woman answered the door and Patient A asked if he was in and she was told he wasn't. 'She then asked for him to come out and sort things out with her. The woman then said she would call the police and Patient A said she had done nothing wrong. Dr Lees didn't come out so she left and she was very upset. The police did attend but there were no arrests and no further action was taken. Patient A left and went to her friends house. 'On May 14, 2017 she received a text from Dr Lees who asked Patient A not to contact him again as she had caused a scene and upset people. Patient A said she was devastated as she received no apology or no explanation from him as to why he deceived her. 'She described his behaviour, stating he had deceived a number of people and she said he was a pathological liar. She said Dr Lees had comforted her and that's why she was attracted to him, she said he wrecked her life. She said it was unacceptable and inappropriate. 'She said he met her and maintained contact with her, there was immediate banter and flirty behaviour. He then hugged her and this grew to the point she fell madly in love with him. 'She said this was an abuse of his position of trust when she was at her most vulnerable. She said she was involved in an inappropriate emotional relationship when she was at a low ebb. 'He provided her treatment which was inappropriate as a sexual relationship began shortly after she left the practice. She was sharing her bad trauma and he sensed a relationship and began behaving inappropriately towards the patient. 'She said she was in a vulnerable low state and his contact towards her was unprofessional and unethical and done to satisfy his own gratification. 'She said this was akin to grooming for a subsequent sexual relationship. Her friends have said that Patient A has never recovered from this.' Lees who has since retired did not attend the hearing but a letter read to the tribunal said: 'He has accepted his relationship with Patient A from September 2015 to May 2017 was wholly inappropriate. He deeply regrets his error of judgement and he apologises for the impact of his actions. 'But he strongly refutes that his actions were sexually inappropriate when patient A was a patient at the practice.' Lees also denies kissing her at the Christmas concert. The hearing continues. Fiona Onasanya, pictured arriving at the Old Bailey this morning. She will be leaving in a prison van this afternoon after she was handed a three-month jail sentence Disgraced Labour MP Fiona Onasanya has been urged to 'do the decent thing' and resign after she was jailed for three months. The 35-year-old was found guilty of lying to police to dodge a speeding ticket but has so far refused to step down from her Peterborough seat. Her constituents could force a by-election if 10 per cent of them sign a petition which is triggered automatically by the prison term. But the petition cannot begin until Onasanya has appealed against her conviction, which could take months. Onasanya, who has been expelled by the Labour Party, will continue to draw her 77,000 salary in prison if she does not vacate the seat. Parliamentary rules dictate that only MPs jailed for 12 months or more are automatically forced to step down. After the jail term was announced some of her constituents took to social media to demand their MP's resignation. Steven Farndale tweeted: 'And to think... @FionaOnasanyaMP Is supposed to be my MP. 'The sooner the bloody liar steps down and stops taking tax payers for a ride the better.' Another Twitter user said: 'Labour have already sacked her as will the constituents of Peterborough. Get the LIAR out of parliament.' Both Labour and Conservatives joined constituents urging her to 'do the decent thing' and step down. A Labour Party spokesman said she had 'let the voters of Peterborough down' and should have resigned when she was convicted in December. He said: 'However, today's sentence gives Fiona one last opportunity to act honourably and resign from Parliament. She should do this without delay and not take another penny in salary from the public purse. Tories target by-election The jailing of Fiona Onasanya could lead to a dramatic by-election in one of the countrys most marginal seats. An MP is automatically removed from Parliament only if he or she is sentenced to 12 months or more in prison. But under laws introduced in 2015 the disgraced Labour MPs three-month sentence means a petition will eventually be triggered, paving the way to a parliamentary race. The petition can be started only once Onasanyas appeal against her conviction has finished a process that could take several months. Once the petition is initiated it will remain open for six weeks, with the MP losing her seat and a by-election triggered if 10 per cent of the electorate add their names. This means about 7,000 voters in the Peterborough constituency will need to sign the register in order for another parliamentary race to go ahead. Labours Peterborough branch yesterday said it would shortly select a candidate after a robust procedure involving the partys national executive committee. The Conservatives already have an eye on the constituency, having chosen Paul Bristow as a candidate last October. Onasanya won the seat by only 607 votes in 2017. Advertisement 'If Fiona does not resign, Labour will support local residents in their efforts to trigger a by-election through a recall petition.' Daniel Zeichner, the Labour MP for Cambridge, admitted his party had been forced to rush through Onasanya's selection during the snap election campaign in 2017. He said Onasanya had been chosen as Labour candidate in a 'shortened process when the Prime Minister called a snap General Election in 2017'. A Conservative Party spokesman said: 'She cannot possibly represent her constituents from prison and should do the decent thing and immediately step down. 'If she doesn't, we will campaign to use a recall petition to ensure that the residents of Peterborough can have their say in a by-election for a new MP. 'Labour are ignoring the democratic vote of Peterborough and are doing all they can to frustrate Brexit for political purposes. The people of Peterborough deserve a Conservative MP who will respect their views.' Earlier Onasanya became the first sitting female MP to be jailed, after lying to investigators when her car was caught doing 41mph in a 30mph zone in July 2017. The judge told her: 'It is not one law for those in a position of responsibility and power and another for those that are not.' Onasanya's Nissan Micra was caught doing 41mph in a 30mph zone, an offence which would usually attract a fine. However, her attempts to evade justice have landed her in prison Her brother Festus (left) was also jailed after colluding with his sister Fiona Onasnya (right). He was jailed for 10 months She has refused to apologise since she was convicted at the Old Bailey last year and - in an extraordinary outburst - likened herself to Jesus and Moses. Jailing her today, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith said he had taken into account that the MP suffers from multiple sclerosis and her career was over. 'It is a tragedy that you find yourselves and here in this predicament, but it is a tragedy that you have bought upon yourselves,' he added. 'You have not simply let yourself down, you have let down those who look to you for inspiration, your party, your profession and Parliament.' He lawyer, Christine Agnew QC, told the court: 'She will inevitably be struck off as a solicitor. Her life as a politician and as a solicitor have effectively come to an end. 'The point that has cried out from this case from the outset - why on earth put everything at stake for the sake of, at most, three penalty points and a fine?' Onasanya plotted to dodge penalty points with the help of her brother Festus, who admitted perverting the course of justice and was jailed for 10 months. An appeal will add to the public bill for the case, which has already involved court costs of 500,000. Onasanya had previously indicated she intends to stay an MP, despite her criminal conviction What are the rules on jailed MPs? Under the Representation of the People Act, any MP jailed in the UK or Ireland for more than a year is disqualified from membership of the House of Commons. Their seat will automatically be vacated and a by-election will be held to elect a replacement. The rule was brought in after IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands was elected as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone while imprisoned. However, under laws introduced in 2015, any prison term, even a suspended sentence, leads to a recall petition, which can force a by-election if signed by 10% of constituents. Delays to this process while an appeal is heard could mean that, in Onasanya's case, she continues to be paid to be as an MP while sitting in the prison cell. Advertisement The guilty verdict against the MP was delivered in a retrial after a previous case ended in a hung jury. Onasanya notified the Court of Appeal of her plans to appeal against her conviction on New Year's Eve. It is not clear what grounds she will use. The court was previously told that she was sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to fill out, but it was sent back naming the guilty driver as Aleks Antipow, an acquaintance of her brother Festus, who was away visiting his parents in Russia. Festus pleaded guilty to three counts of perverting the course of justice over speeding, including over the July 24 incident. In the wake of the guilty verdict, Onasanya was expelled from the Labour Party and has launched an appeal against her conviction. Onasanya had previously indicated she intends to stay in the House of Commons, writing in her column in the Peterborough Telegraph that constituents should 'rest assured' that she would remain their representative fighting injustice in the corridors of power. The 35-year-old solicitor took the marginal Peterborough seat with a majority of just 607 from Tory Stewart Jackson at the 2017 election just 18 months ago. The trained solicitor will be unable to practise law upon her release. Labour and Conservatives demand she stand down and let people of Peterborough elect a new representative The two main political parties today both demanded Fiona Onasanya do the honourable thing and quit as a MP. A Labour Party spokesman said: 'Fiona Onasanya has let the voters of Peterborough down. 'When she was found guilty she should have immediately done the decent thing and resigned. 'However today's sentence gives Fiona one last opportunity to act honourably and resign from Parliament. 'She should do this without delay and not take another penny in salary from the public purse.' Onasanya was expelled from Labour after her conviction and the party vowed to support a recall petition and 'fight any by-election vigorously'. A Conservative Party spokesman said: 'Labour's Fiona Onasanya has let Peterborough down. She cannot possibly represent her constituents from prison and should do the decent thing and immediately step down. 'If she doesn't, we will campaign to use a recall petition to ensure that the residents of Peterborough can have their say in a by-election for a new MP.' A Queensland postman has been forced to tearfully sign an agreement he will leave the country after stealing thousands of dollars' worth of mail. Pradeepan Logandan, who came to Australia from his war-torn home in Sri Lanka via boat in 2012, had worked at a post-sorting facility in Toowoomba as an employee of Australia Post for four years, police prosecutor Rowan Brewster-Webb told the court on Tuesday. Missing mail prompted Australia Post to contact police ahead of Christmas last year, and officers later discovered numerous parcels and mail crates destined to be delivered to homes on Logandan's mail route at his home and in his car, The Toowoomba Chronicle reported. Along with the mail, police also uncovered multiple electrical goods, which they allege had been taken from the packages the 29-year-old was supposed to deliver. A 29-year-old Sri Lankan man will voluntarily leave the country after pleading guilty to stealing thousands of dollars worth of mail from his job with Australia Post (stock image) There was still allegedly more than $5,000 worth of electronics and mobile phones missing from allegedly stolen packages. Logandan was $AU 95795.99 in debt to his uncle after numerous failed attempts at leaving Sri Lanka, and had been trying to repay the debt when he stole the packages, the court heard. His lawyer, Emma Aldersea, said the man had made a 'foolish decision' to try and make some fast cash that would allow him to pay off the debt. 'This will end his journey in this country,' she said. Logandan pleaded guilty to possessing tainted property and stealing by a clerk or servant. No conviction was recorded, but he has had to sign an understanding with the Federal Government he will leave Australia. The man will also need to pay a $500 fine and $5187 in restitution. A Lyft passenger in Arizona stabbed his pregnant driver to death and killed her unborn child before driving off in her car, police have said. Kristina Howato, 39, was in her third trimester when she was allegedly attacked by Fabian Durazo, 20, on January 27. Durazo stabbed the mother-of-three with a knife while she was inside the car before continuing the attack once she exited her sport utility vehicle, Tempe police said. Police said they don't believe Durazo and Ms Howato knew each other and a motive for the fatal attack remains undetermined. Kristina Howato, 39, was in her third trimester when she was allegedly attacked by Fabian Durazo (pictured), 20, on January 27 Durazo drove nearly 150 miles before being arrested near the California line and was being held at La Paz County jail on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of kidnapping and armed robbery, authorities said. Ms Howato was working when she received a pickup request in west Tempe, said Sgt. Ron Elcock, a police spokesman. The suspect allegedly attacked Howato when they arrived at an apartment complex around a half-mile away before fleeing in her SUV. Police officers responded to the apartment complex around 1:30am after receiving reports of a woman screaming in the parking lot. They found Ms Howato suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a hospital where both she and the unborn baby died. Arizona Department of Public Safety officials used GPS tracking to locate the stolen SUV on Interstate 10 near Quartzsite, about 25 miles from the Arizona-California line and Durazo was taken into custody on January 27. Police (pictured) said they don't believe Durazo and Ms Howato knew each other and a motive for the fatal stabbing remains undetermined Throughout our careers as officers, we have incidents that really, really touch our hearts and stay with you throughout your careers, Elcock said at a news conference. This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time. A statement from officials with San Francisco-based Lyft said: We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims. Lyft said it is assisting with the investigation, adding that the passenger's account has been permanently deactivated. It was unclear Monday if Durazo has a lawyer yet who could speak on his behalf. Ms Howato is survived by two other young children, aged two and four, according to The Arizona Republic. A 'drunken' passenger was hauled off an easyJet flight by police following an emergency landing after he reportedly snapped his iPhone in half and abused fellow passengers. The flight from Manchester to Reykjavik in Iceland had to make a sudden landing in Edinburgh after the witnesses said the yob starting smoking an e-cig and shouting at cabin crew. Police boarded the plane after it put down in Edinburgh and the man was arrested. An air passenger was detained after he forced his flight to make an emergency landing A video posted online showed the man exchanging words with fellow passengers, one of whom told him to 'get the f*** off', before saying 'what a k******d'. The mother of a teenager on the flight tweeted: 'My 19 yr old daughter was on that flight. Scary. Well done EasyJet. I do wonder tho how someone so obviously drunk can be allowed on in the first place?' Others praised the response of the flight crew. One passenger tweeted: 'That escalated quickly! Well done to easyJet though. Zero Tolerance!! 'Now waiting at Edinburgh airport after forced landing and ejection of a drunken, aggressive passenger.' One air traveller on the plane told The Sun: 'He was walking up and down the aisle puffing on his e-cig. Shouting abuse at the passengers at the front of the plane... he seemed drunk.' Flight trackers show how the plane was forced to spin around and land in Edinburgh An easyJet spokesman said: 'We can confirm that flight EZY1805 from Manchester to Keflavik was required to divert to Edinburgh and was met by police on arrival due to a passenger behaving disruptively. 'EasyJet's cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time. 'Whilst such incidents are rare we take them very seriously and do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour onboard. 'The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always EasyJet's priority.' A British lawyer representing speedboat killer Jack Shepherd has received a death threat warning him, 'Remember Jo Cox'. The sick message sent to Richard Egan included references to stabbing and petrol bombs as well as the words 'Heil Hitler' next to a swastika. It was condemned as 'completely unacceptable' by Justice Secretary David Gauke, while a former Lord Chief Justice described it as an attack on the rule of law. Jack Shepherd, seen behind bars at a court in Georgia on Friday, is fighting extradition back to Britain The letter, which is being investigated by police, told the lawyer he had 48 hours to announce he was 'no longer supporting or providing legal aid' to Shepherd before referencing the murdered Labour MP. Mr Egan said he had received torrents of abusive letters in recent weeks but this particular one was 'of a different order'. He told The BBC: 'It threatens my family. It suggests that I have been followed and that the writer knows where I live and where I work. 'There is a specific threat to firebomb my firm, endangering the lives of my colleagues.' Mr Egan said it was vital the public realised everyone accused of a crime by the state was entitled to legal representation. His views were echoed by Lord Thomas, who said: 'You simply can't have a fair trial without a lawyer who is prepared to put the defendant's case. What is essential is that we do nothing to undermine the position of such lawyers.' Justice Secretary David Gauke has condemned the sick message sent to Jack Shepherd's lawyer, Richard Egan (seen in London in 2014). His Georgian lawyer, Mariam Kublashvili, is on the right Law Society president Christina Blacklaws said: 'Ensuring the defendant is properly advised and represented is a vital component of a fair trial. 'Often that advice will lead to a client pleading guilty; but if a client maintains their innocence, it is absolutely essential that a defence representative can challenge a case brought by the state. 'Criminal justice is at the heart of a democratic society and solicitors ensure a fundamental part of the justice system is upheld. 'While it may seem counter-intuitive, it is in the best interests of all concerned - particularly victims and their families - that defendants have proper legal representation. Without it a fair trial would be jeopardised and cases could collapse.' Charlotte Brown and sister Katie in an undated photo Shepherd has been remanded in custody in Georgia before a judge hears Britain's request to extradite him. In recent days, it emerged Shepherd had written a letter to his victim's family in which he claims to reveal what really happened on the night of Charlotte Brown's death. Shepherd left the note with a close friend shortly before handing himself in to police in Georgia last week. His Georgian lawyer, Mariam Kublashvili, claims that the letter 'answers all the questions everyone has'. Miss Brown's father Graham said on Sunday: 'I've heard nothing about any letter, but in any case the time to have answered what happened to Charlotte that night was at his trial which he was absent from. I do not welcome or seek any contact from Shepherd.' Shepherd, 31, claimed Miss Brown, 24, was driving the speedboat when it flipped on the River Thames in December 2015. He fled to Georgia after being charged with manslaughter and was jailed for six years in his absence. Mariam Kublashvili is seen on the left in court on January 25. Shepherd is pictured on the same day Shepherd (seen in court) has written a note to his victim's family, it recently emerged Miss Brown's mother Roz Wickens, 53, has urged Shepherd to 'stop lying' and 'tell the truth about what happened'. Shepherd fled Britain last March but, after a campaign by the Mail, he handed himself in. The web designer is being held for three months at Gldani Number Eight maximum security prison in Tbilisi. In 2012 guards were filmed beating inmates and carrying out sexual humiliation punishments with broom handles. Shepherd is sharing a room with two other inmates and must use communal toilet and shower facilities. He has started reading The Count of Monte Cristo an Alexandre Dumas novel in which the main character breaks out of a prison. Despite claiming in court he handed himself in 'to draw to a close this horrible accident and the terrible consequences', Shepherd is still not cooperating with the authorities. He supplied a fake address in Tbilisi and police sources say they are still trying to find out where he was living. Media at the court in Tbilisi Central Court when Shepherd appeared there on January 25 Incredible images from the American Civil War have been brought back to life in a series of startling colour animations. The photographs taken by the esteemed 19th-century American photographer Mathew Brady on his four lens camera would have allowed him to take more pictures and stay ahead of the competition. Colouriser Matt Loughrey, from Ireland, spent hours examining a catalogue of Brady's negatives, that had originally been dismissed as duplicates, to discover that there were minute difference between each set of four. Mr Loughrey colourised the images before overlaying them to create the impression of movement. Among Brady's famous pieces was his portrait of American President Abraham Lincoln before he became the 16th President of the United States in 1861. Abraham Lincoln (left) was pictured by Mathew Brady in a statesman-like pose before the Civil War broke out. The photograph helped paint an image of him as a future contender for the Oval Office before he finally became the 16th President in 1861. Cavalry Commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars George Armstrong Custer (right), was a prominent figure in the Union army who became known for his foolhardy characteristics. He entered the Civil War as a second lieutenant before leading the Michigan Cavalry Brigade Photographer Mathew Brady's (left) original images would appear as four photographs (right) on one glass negative and had been dismissed as duplicates. However it soon became apparent to photographer Matt Loughrey that the duplicates were in fact ever so slightly different Now brought back to life, the fascinating images from the America Civil War (1861-1865) reveal the subtle movements made in each shot by each of the historical figures Brady was able to picture. Mr Loughrey, who couldn't believe his discovery of Brady's work, finally completed the project around three months ago. He said: 'It took days to colourise them. 'In my opinion, Mathew Brady is one of the greatest photographers from the 19th century and when you look at his photographs they are phenomenal. 'Brady didn't take the images to animate them. They were a time building exercise and made to look like he had taken lots of pictures at once.' After John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln in 1865, Sergeant Boston Corbett (left) was sent to capture the assassin and bring him to justice. He later found Booth inside a barn and decided to shoot him in the neck. Anna Surratt (right) was the daughter of Mary Surratt- one of the co-conspirators involved in Lincoln's assassination. After his death her mother was convicted of being part of the conspiracy to kill the President and hanged General James Garfield (left) was made 20th U.S. president in 1881. He died in the same year after he was shot by an assassin. During the Civil War, General Garfield fought for the Union and went on to represent his home state in the U.S. House of Representatives. James Hepburn Campbell (right) was US congressman and delegate to the 1844 Whig National Convention. After the Civil War broke out he also joined the Union war effort. He was appointed as United States Minister to Sweden in 1864 by President Lincoln William Tecumseh Sherman (left) was made colonel of the 13th United States Infantry at the outbreak of the Civil War. He remained a soldier until the war was over and moved up to the rank of lieutenant general. General Ambrose Burnside (right), born in Indiana in 1824, is best known for being the major general of the Union army in the Civil War In 1845, photographer Mathew Brady, who owned a portrait studio in New York, started to take pictures of well established figures in society including Edgar Allan Poe, and James Fenimore Cooper. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, the esteemed photographer decided to capture the war's impact through photography and became a pivotal figure in war photography and in capturing generals involved in the American Civil War. Among his famous pieces were his portraits of American President Abraham Lincoln before his nomination for the Republican Party candidate in 1861 and Cavalry Commander George Armstrong Custer. The portrait, which captured Lincoln in a statesman-like pose before the Civil War, helped present him as a future contender for the Oval Office. Mr Loughrey added: 'In my opinion Mathew Brady inadvertently created a recipe for parallax animations and it has enabled his civilian and army subjects to be brought to life like never before.' by Paul Nguyen Hung Across the country, those who could not leave were involved in a number of initiatives. Seminars and conferences for young people in the diocese were held in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Vinh. "We must study and work hard for our lives, families, society and local Church, young Catholics say. Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) The participation of young Vietnamese Catholics in the 34th World Youth Day (WYD) was marked by a "desire to learn and a spirit of prayer". Mgr Peter Nguyen Van Vien, auxiliary bishop of Vinh and president of the Episcopal Commission for Youth, and Fr John Le Quang Viet, led the Vietnamese delegation of 30 young men and women. Throughout the country, parishes, dioceses and Catholic associations got those who could not leave for Central America involved in initiatives designed to promote a "spirit of communion" with the 100,000 pilgrims from 156 countries in the world. For months, the young Vietnamese participants prepared for the WYD in Panama. "Already in March 2018, during Lent, we invited them to learn about the event, Fr John Le Quang Viet told AsiaNews. Since then, the Youth Ministry Office newsletter proposed them articles and documents about the event. Young men and women spoke about it and shared their opinions about the issues that would be dealt with at WYD." The contribution the Vietnamese delegation brought to Panama can be summarised in the words With Our Lady Maria, we respond yes! Vietnams Catholic youth always pray for world peace and todays complex society." During the WYD celebrations, the Tan Son Nhi district (Diocese of Ho Chi Minh City) organised a meeting entitled Yes. The aim of the initiative was to share ideas, testimonies and prayers. The Diocese of Can Tho, in the Mekong Delta region, held a youth conference in order to strengthen youth ties with the Church. Last week, Catholic students in the Diocese of Vinh (in north-central Vietnam) held a series of seminars on the theme Youth, Faith and Vocation in Yen ai parish. Some of the participants noted that "In today's world, young people face many challenges. We have dreams, and we must study and work hard for our life, families, society and local Church." An anonymous donor has given $62,500 to have the cache of guns the Las Vegas shooter used to kill 58 people destroyed. Described as a 'software executive' from San Francisco, the mystery donor put up the money to make sure the firearms used in the massacre are destroyed. Stephen Paddock amassed a collection of at least 47 guns of varying size and power when he opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel on October 1, 2017, in what was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The 64-year-old died without a will, leaving his mother under Nevada law as the heir to his assets, which she agreed to give to the families of the dead victims last March. This meant the victims' families were faced with either selling the weapons to raise money, which could have put them back into the community, or destroying the weapons as an anti-gun violence symbol. The stash of weapons in the inside of Stephen Paddock's 32nd floor room of the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas Killer Stephen Paddock massacred 58 people when he opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017 The collection of firearms and equipment was valued at $62,340 in a recent inventory of Paddock's nearly $1.4 million estate by a court-appointed special administrator. But the families no longer have to make that decision as the donor, who wished to keep their identity secret, has covered the cost of the weapons' destruction. The businessman contacted the New York Times after reading an article by the newspaper about the family's dilemma. Stephen Paddock killed himself in his hotel room the day of the massacre He told the New York Times: 'It was tugging at my heart strings and it seemed like a horrific situation for the families to deal with this choice. 'I wanted to alleviate some of the pain or at least not allow it to get worse. No credit in the face of pain. This was about heartbreak and wanting to help. Alice Denton, the attorney for the special administrator of Stephen Paddock's estate, confirmed to CNN that the money had been deposited into her trust account. But the special administrator needs court approval for anything regarding the estate, Denton said, including the potential destruction of the guns. If the judge approves the destruction of the guns, the donor's $62,500 would then go into Paddock's estate and eventually be disbursed to the families of the victims, Denton told CNN. But if the judge does not allow the weapons to be destroyed, the money would be returned to donor, said Denton, who described him only as a 'very compassionate person'. It took 11 minutes for the gunman, Stephen Paddock, in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history to kill 58 people But a lawyer representing many of the victims' families said the guns used during the mass shooting should not be destroyed because they are evidence in multiple pending litigation. Robert Eglet with Eglet Prince Law told Fox 5 Vegas: 'I commend this donor from Silicon Valley who has offered this but we can't destroy the guns now. 'Those guns and the bags and the containers they were brought into the hotel with are evidence. They're not looking at the big picture. They don't represent these victims. But I do. And I have to make sure the evidence is preserved.' A hearing before a probate judge is expected to taken place in early March. Conservative commentator Ann Coulter has hit out at former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for attacking her over her criticism of the President. Speaking on Fox & Friends, Gingrich accused Coulter of being in 'fantasy land' and 'being noisy to help sell her books' as he blasted her for criticizing his border wall deal. But Coulter pushed back in a series of tweets on Monday in which she claimed said she and Gingrich had 'picked different camps'. Scroll down for video Prominent conservative Ann Coulter hit out at Donald Trump on Friday after he ended the government shutdown without securing the $5.7billion promised for his border wall After being criticized by former House speaker Newt Gingrich, Coulter hit back on Twitter on Monday 'Newt Gingrich claims I'm in 'fantasyland' for criticizing the president for breaking his central campaign promise,' she wrote, 'It has now come to my attention that Trump HAS built the full border wall & it's working BEAUTIFULLY. That is why Trump is sailing to re-election! 'Newt's right -- I'm just selling books. But at least I don't have to kiss Trump's ass to do so. 'Trump voters have fallen into 2 factions: The Tell the Truth faction and the Kiss the Emperor's Ass camp. Newt and I have picked different camps.' In his fiery TV appearance earlier this week Gingrich was asked whether Trump should pay attention to critics like Coulter. Gingrich said in an interview with 'Fox & Friends' that Coulter was just 'trying to sell her books' with her opinions on the President Coulter also said she and Gingrich had 'picked different camps' over the controversial border wall dispute 'He should not pay any attention to Ann Coulter,' Gingrich responded. 'Ann Coulter's never run for office,' he continued. 'She doesn't know anything about how you put a majority together. She's off here in some fantasy land where she gets to be noisy, which helps her sell books. 'The fact is, the president's base is with the president,' Gingrich continued. 'If he goes to them and says, 'I got this done for the wall, I got this done to protect America, I'm doing these good things you believe in,' the base is going to say, 'fine'.' The argument came as Trump agreed to end the partial government shutdown last week after taking a short-term spending deal - which did not include any of the $5.7billion promised for the border wall. After the announcement the President faced criticism from many prominent conservatives, including Coulter. She tweeted after Friday's revelation: 'Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States.' A Jewish community leader became the target of vile anti-Semitic abuse during a late-night road rage incident. The Melbourne-based rabbi stopped at a set of lights on the Nepean Highway on Monday and checked his phone before the driver of another car began abusing him. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, was told 'Hitler should have killed you all' and called a 'dirty jew' during the expletive-laden tirade, the Herald Sun reported. The man went so far as to threaten physical violence, stating he would 'get out and show you what Hitler did.' 'You should have died in the Auschwitz.' The rabbi was left shaken and frightened after the incident, saying he never expected that type of treatment from Australians. He felt threatened and he said it pained him that people could be so intolerant. Anti-Semitic abuse in Australia has significantly spiked in recent years. Incidents in Victoria alone grew from 79 in 2017 to 105 the following year, the annual anti-Semitism report from the Council of Australian Jewry concluded. Nation-wide incidents also increased by 60 per cent. Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), Australia's leading civil rights organisation, said in a statement: 'In a week in which we commemorate the Holocaust, I am gravely concerned that the virus of anti-Semitism is spreading like wildfire in Melbourne and is becoming a fact of life. 'It may be an uncomfortable truth for some, but over the last year, the level of hatred, and the number of reported incidents against Jews are on a scale I have not witnessed before in Australia. The driver of the car next to him (pictured) set upon the Melbourne based rabbi with an expletive-laden tirade 'We know that violent words can turn deadly, and such disturbing outbursts, which shock the conscience, not only traumatise the victim, but shake the affected community and leave them scared and vulnerable. 'Australians of all faiths and nationalities should feel secure on our streets, without the fear of being singled out for abuse because of their appearance or religion. This terrifying incident provides further evidence that racists and extremists are less inhibited about expressing their poisonous bigotry in public, and that we must redouble our efforts to address the growing threat of anti-Semitism in Australia. 'This is a time to unite around our core values of inclusiveness and respect and to move beyond words. I call on the state and federal governments to come up with a concrete action plan, with effective educational and prevention strategies, so as to ensure that this stain our society, will never become normalised.' The grief-stricken families of a teenage boy and a 24-year-old cheerleader, who died in a freak incident on Australia Day last year, have formed a unique friendship and helped each other through their pain. Both families were among a group of 50 celebrating Australia Day on a Queensland property with 50 other revellers when the pair mysteriously drowned. Kirsty Cini, 24, was sliding along a 40m makeshift waterslide into a dam when her body went limp and she disappeared in the muddy water. Kirsty Cini, 24, vanished after she was seen going down a water slide on the edge of a dam in rural Julatten, about 85km north-west of Cairns, on Australia Day last year During a desperate search for the woman, the body of a second victim, 15-year-old Zack Jenkins, was found Despite the efforts of emergency service workers, both Zack and Kirsty were unable to be revived No one had noticed that Zack Jenkins, 15, had also disappeared. A frantic search to find Kirsty led to the discovery of Zack's body too. Both bodies were pulled from the water. Despite the efforts of emergency service workers, both Zack and Kirsty were unable to be revived. The double tragedy left both families distraught but they have found comfort with each other. 'We've become pretty good mates with Kirsty's mum and stepdad, which has been quite nice because we know what each other are going through,' Zack's mother Natalie told The Courier Mail. Their lives may have been changed forever since last Australia Day but both families still spent the national day celebrating this year they celebrated the lives of those who died. The director of Cobra All Starz Cheerleading told the Brisbane Times she had known Kirsty (pictured in uniform) since she was child The teenage boy and 24-year-old cheerleader were celebrating Australia Day on a Queensland property with 50 other revellers when they mysteriously drowned Neither family has pushed for a coronial inquest into the deaths. As there were 50 people, including children, present during the incident and the families are hoping to avoid causing them more trauma 'It's not Australia Day, to us it's Zack Day,' Natalie said. She described Zack as a boy who was happy all the time and made everyone around him happy. The Cini family were at Bribie Island, remembering the fun-loving, outdoorsy girl who loved spending her days at the beach. 'We want to make it a celebration because she was a fun, happy girl and thats the way she would want us to remember her by,' Kirsty's mother Glynnis said. Neither family has pushed for a coronial inquest into the deaths. This is because there were 50 people, including children, present during the incident and the families are hoping to avoid causing them more trauma. A friend of Zack (pictured) wrote, 'Today mate, you have changed my life. At such a young age, you did not deserve to die' Advertisement Theresa May hailed a 'way forward' on Brexit tonight after emerging victorious from a dramatic Commons showdown where she pushed her plan past MPs and saw off Remainer bids to delay the UK's departure. The PM triumphed in four critical votes, including defeating by 321 to 298 a cross-party amendment that would have paved the way for the UK's departure date to be pushed back from March. There was crumb of comfort for Remainers as they won a symbolic vote urging no deal is ruled out - although it is not binding on the government. After the bombshell results, which give her a mandate to return to Brussels and get concessions on the Irish border backstop, the premier vowed to 'redouble her efforts' - while admitting it 'will not be easy'. Mrs May repeated her invitation for Jeremy Corbyn - whose own amendment was put to the sword by MPs - to join talks on how to proceed with Brexit, and he grudgingly accepted. However, EU council chief Donald Tusk underlined the challenge the premier now faces by immediately rejecting the idea. 'The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation,' he said. Theresa May (pictured in the Commons today) told MPs the Withdrawal Agreement will be reopened, as MPs backed her plan to go to Brussels and demand changes to the backstop Pro-EU MPs and businesses voiced misery at the setbacks, while the Pound dipped as markets assessed that the chances of no deal have risen. But Boris Johnson was elated, boasting that Parliament had made Mrs May accept that the backstop 'has got to come out' and saying Brussels must 'listen'. 'The government set its face against that for some time,' he told Sky News. 'Parliament has clearly said that has got to happen.' The results came after Mrs May urged wavering Tories to hold off rebelling, promising it would not be their 'last chance' to avoid no deal. 'I will never stop battling for Britain, but the odds of success become much longer if this House ties one hand behind my back,' she said. As the night unfolded, Mr Corbyn's amendment pushing Labour policy was defeated by 327 to 296. An SNP call for Scotland to stay in the EU was also soundly thrashed by 327 to 39. An effort from Conservative MP Dominic Grieve to force 'indicative votes' on Brexit policy went down by 321 to 301 - significantly more than the government's effective majority of 13. Yvette Cooper's plan to pave the way for Brexit to be delayed was then lost by 23, with 14 Labour MPs defying Mr Corbyn to kill it off - while just six Tories rebelled. Mrs May's proposed way forward, of going back to Brussels to renegotiate her deal, was passed by 317 to 301. Just eight Conservatives went against the plan, and they were cancelled out by seven Labour who jumped the fence. The results started flowing in at around 7.15pm tonight - with the government comfortably winning the first four contests Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured left in the Commons today) is set to back the Prime Minister's deal if she manages to renegotiate the Irish backstop. Mr Corbyn (right) said the PM must rule out no deal altogether A diagram showing how Graham Brady's amendment - calling on Theresa May to renegotiate the Irish backstop - won the support of the House of Commons What happens next after MPs backed Plan B? Later this week: Theresa May is expected to return to Brussels to ask for changes to the Irish backstop, after MPs backed an amendment calling for 'alternative arrangements'. Her office has not yet confirmed when she will travel to meet EU leaders, who have already said they will not renegotiate the deal. February 13: If no new deal has been reached, Mrs May will address MPs again on this date and her Government will put a further motion before the House of Commons. MPs would then be able to vote on further amendments, potentially on February 14. March 29: Brexit day. The European Union (Withdrawal) Act of 2018 fixed 11pm on March 29 as the time and date when Britain will leave the EU. If no agreement has been reached by then, the UK - in spite of the Commons vote against a cliff-edge Brexit last night - will leave without a deal. Advertisement After the votes came in a clearly jubilant Mrs May said there was a 'route' to a deal that can get a 'sustainable' majority in the House. 'Tonight a majority of members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop combined with measures to address concerns over Parliament's role in the negotiation of the future relationship and commitments on workers' rights in law where need be,' she said. 'It's now clear there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. 'We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.' Mrs May also played down the vote against no deal, saying: 'I agree that we should not leave without a deal. However, simply rejecting no deal is not enough to stop it.' On another emotionally-charged day of high drama at Westminster: EU council chief Donald Tusk flatly dismissed the prospect of renegotiating the Brexit deal, but welcomed the Commons vote against no deal; French president Emmanuel Macron said the current deal was the 'best agreement possible and is not renegotiable'; A close ally of Angela Merkel warned that the 39billion divorce bill could rise and Spain will make another grab for Gibraltar if the current agreement is not kept; The Pound dipped sharply on the news from the Commons before regaining some of the ground. Speaker John Bercow set the stage for a titanic showdown by accepting the PM-backed amendment tabled by senior Tory Sir Graham Brady, as well as Ms Cooper's plan backed by Mr Corbyn. But to secure the support of Tory Eurosceptics including Mr Johnson and the DUP Mrs May had to admit publicly that she must renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement and replace the backstop. The premier had previously dodged explicitly saying the package she had thrashed out with Brussels would be fundamentally changed - instead suggesting there could be 'legally binding' add-ons. Mrs May also vowed to look 'seriously' at a Plan C hammered out by pro-EU and Eurosceptic Tories - which would involve demanding a much looser backstop, and if that could not be agreed asking for a longer transition period to seal other trade arrangements. Brexiteers believe approving the Brady plan could be a first step towards securing their vision. Mr Corbyn tried to put a brave face on the embarrassing losses, insisting Mrs May must still 'face the reality that no deal is not an option'. 'I will meet the Prime Minister and others from across Parliament to find a sensible Brexit solution that works for the whole country,' he told the Commons after Mrs May repeated her invite to talks - which he previously snubbed. 'That solution should be based around Labour's alternative plan of a customs union with a UK say, a strong single market relationship and a cast-iron guarantee on workers' rights, consumer standards and environmental protections.' But a spokesman for Mr Tusk said: 'We welcome and share the UK Parliament's ambition to avoid a no-deal scenario. 'We continue to urge the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to its next steps as soon as possible. Macron warns current Brexit deal is 'not renegotiable' Emmanuel Macron's (centre in Greece today) intervention comes as the EU appears set to rapidly kill off the Prime Minister's hopes of salvaging her two year negotiation The French President shot down Theresa May's hopes of renegotiating Brexit tonight insisting the deal on the table is already the 'best available'. Emmanuel Macron's intervention comes as the EU appears set to rapidly kill off the Prime Minister's hopes of salvaging her two year negotiation. Speaking in Cyprus tonight, Mr Macron said: 'As the European Council in December clearly indicated, the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the UK and EU is the best agreement possible. 'It is not renegotiable.' Mr Macron called on Mrs May to present the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier with her next steps for avoiding a no-deal Brexit on March 29, which he said 'no-one wants, but ... we must all, despite everything, prepare for'. Mrs May spoke to EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker this morning before vowing to her Brexiteer rebels she would push for a renegotiation. He is thought to have repeated the EU position there would be no renegotiation. Earlier Manfred Weber, a senior MEP tipped to succeed Mr Juncker as European commission president, suggested Spain could make a new grab for Gibraltar and the 39billion divorce bill could be pushed up. Advertisement 'The Withdrawal Agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. 'The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation.' The PM spoke on the phone to EU commission president Jean-Claude Juncker this morning, and could head for Brussels as early as this week. Emmanuel Macron insisted the current deal was the 'best' available and 'non-renegotiable'. Mrs May's leverage in negotiations with Brussels could have been seriously undermined if the Cooper plan had been accepted by MPs. Ms Cooper and Tory MP Nick Boles issued a joint statement expressing disappointment, and suggesting they will try again next month. 'The Prime Minister promised a new meaningful vote on 13 Feb and a new amendable motion in the event that this motion is defeated or the government does not secure a new deal,' they said. 'But we are running out of time. 'She will need to reflect the Commons opposition to No Deal. We will consider what amendments will be needed if at that point no progress has been made. 'We remain committed to ensuring that we don't reach the cliff edge on 29 March without a deal.' Labour MP Chuka Umunna, who has regularly campaigned for a second referendum, called the defeat of the Cooper and Grieve amendments 'a bad day for Parliament'. Writing on Twitter, he said: 'There is no point claiming you are opposed to a 'no deal' Brexit if you are not prepared to will the legal means to stop it happening. 'Non-binding motions are not the same as legally binding laws. The Cooper and Grieve amendments addressed this. A bad day for Parliament.' However, Mr Johnson said the EU now had to change its stance. 'I hope that our friends in Brussels will listen and that they will make that change,' he said. 'It is no skin off their nose to do it, there is no reason at all why at this advanced stage in the negotiations they shouldn't give the UK the changes that we need.' Mrs May had been due to close the Brexit debate tonight with a final plea not to derail her strategy. But instead she opened the session with a statement explaining why she was backing Sir Graham's amendment as a means to achieving her goals of overhauling the backstop. She warned MPs that they could not simply keep saying things were unacceptable. 'We need to send a message about what we do want,' she said. Allies hope that a strong vote by MPs will give her 'firepower' to go back to Brussels and secure concessions that can satisfy the DUP and Brexiteers. However, first Mrs May had to fend off a potentially catastrophic challenge from the Remainer wing of her party - which has been pushing her to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Mr Corbyn looked downcast as he was whisked away from the House of Commons tonight following the crushing defeats The premier defused the situation by reassuring MPs that they will have another chance to stop the UK crashing out, and did not need to support the Cooper amendment, which would have dramatically reduced her leverage in talks with the EU. Mrs May said she will return to the Commons 'as soon as possible' with a revised deal which will be subject to a 'meaningful vote' by MPs. If this is rejected by MPs, she will table a further amendable motion for debate the next day. If no new deal has been reached with the EU by February 13, Mrs May will make a statement to the House that day and table an amendable motion for Despite what she acknowledged was a 'limited appetite' in Europe for reopening talks, she insisted: 'I believe with a mandate from this House... I can secure such a change in advance of our departure from the EU.' The amendment from Sir Graham - the chair of the influential Tory backbench 1922 Committee - was one of seven selected by Mr Bercow for consideration and possible votes on Tuesday evening. The cross-party proposal from Ms Cooper and Tory Nick Boles - backed by the Labour frontbench - would have handed control over the Brexit process to Parliament, potentially delaying departure day from March 29 to the end of the year. During the debate, Mrs May acknowledged that the Commons defeat of the Withdrawal Agreement she agreed with EU leaders last November had been 'decisive'. And she told MPs: 'I listened.' It was in the interests of the whole House to back the Brady amendment, which would resolve the main obstacle to Britain securing a smooth and orderly exit from the EU, she said. Mrs May said it was time for Parliament to 'speak as one'. 'I call on this House to give me the mandate I need to deliver a deal this House can support. 'Do that and I can work to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. Do that and I can fight for a backstop that honours our commitments to the people of Northern Ireland in a way this House can support. Do that and we can leave the EU with a deal that honours the result of the referendum. 'So the time has come for words to be matched by deeds. If you want to tell Brussels what this House will accept, you have to vote for it. If you want to leave with a deal, you have to vote for it. If you want Brexit, you have to vote for Brexit.' She warned those considering voting for the 'cacophony' of rival amendments to rule out no-deal: 'Unless we are to end up with no Brexit at all, the only way to avoid no-deal is to agree a deal. The PM kicked off a dramatic showdown in the House of Commons this afternoon, with tempers running high as the future of the country hangs in the balance. Dominic Grieve (pictured speaking) had one of the key Remainer amendments 'That is why I want to go back to Brussels with the clearest possible mandate to secure a deal that this House can support. That means sending the clearest possible message not about what this House does not want but what we do want.' Sir Graham said after the Withdrawal Agreement was defeated there was a 'fashionable idea that there was simply nothing that the House could agree on'. He told MPs: 'I don't believe that is true, and what I hope to demonstrate with my amendment today is that there is an agreement which can win majority support in the House of Commons. 'And by voting for amendment, we can send the Prime Minister back to Brussels to negotiate having strengthened her hand.' But ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve attacked the Brady proposal as 'displacement activity'. The Tory MP for Beaconsfield said: 'It's very tempting to be told you should just vote for (the Brady) amendment N and send some message that we could just be very close to resolving our disagreements with the EU and doing it collectively. 'I do fear that what we're being asked to do this evening in supporting amendment N is a piece of displacement activity, something which I'm afraid this House has specialised in over the last two-and-a-half years. 'Firstly it's quite clear the EU will not negotiate on it, although I do accept that if you don't ask you don't get. 'Secondly even if we were to get the backstop removed... there is a lack of trust about future intention which makes the 29th March completely irrelevant, because the truth is disputes will arise immediately afterwards about the nature of our state and how we relate to those around us.' Father of the House Ken Clarke described Brexit as an almost 'unique political crisis' with MPs facing a constitutional crisis about the credibility of Government and Parliament in its ability to resolve such matters. He said: 'I think we ought to be aware that the public at the moment are looking upon our political system with something rather near to contempt.' Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith said he had voted against the Prime Minister's deal, but would now support the Brady amendment. He said: 'I do believe it is necessary for us now to send the Prime Minister back with a fair wind and a sense that this House has agreed that they want her to go and renegotiate and to take that change and that desire to deliver Brexit on time on (the) 29th, with her over there to Brussels, and achieve what I hope and believe with strength and with determination she will be able to achieve in those negotiations. 'I wish her well and I therefore am voting tonight to support that amendment because I think it will be for me the greatest expression of my goodwill for a Prime Minister, that, not withstanding sometimes our disagreements, I have the greatest respect for.' Mrs May clashed with Jeremy Corbyn (pictured top centre) as he called for Article 50 to be extended by three months Labour's Yvette Cooper tabled a plan that could have given Parliament control and allow MPs to delay the Brexit process Mr Johnson said earlier that he would 'gladly support the Brady amendment' if Mrs May made a commitment to rewrite the Withdrawal Agreement. Mr Rees-Mogg and the DUP have also lined up behind the plan in the light of the PM's words. However, it is thought that after backing the amendment the hard Brexiteers will then try to force their own 'Plan C' through. The scheme has been engineered by Brexiteers including Mr Rees-Mogg and Remainers such as Nicky Morgan. It has been branded the 'Malthouse Compromise' because it was brokered by minister Kit Malthouse - would see the UK honour its 39billion divorce payment in return for an extended Brexit transition lasting until the end of 2021. This would allow time to thrash out a free trade deal and work out an 'acceptable' solution to the Irish border issue that would avoid 'hard' checks. Boris Johnson (pictured in the Commons today) has been stepping up the pressure on Mrs May amid the Brexit endgame In a message on a Tory WhatsApp group, Boris Johnson described the proposed peace deal as 'a breakthrough', adding: 'I really hope the government adopt this as soon as possible.' In the Commons, Mrs May said the group had put forward 'a serious proposal that we are engaging with sincerely and positively'. She added: 'We will sit down and work through the proposal that has come forward.' Some Remainers, however, warned it was most likely to result in a no-deal Brexit. Questions were immediately raised over the idea's chances of success, after some Remainers gave it short shrift. Tory backbencher Anna Soubry said: 'The prospect of the EU ripping up the Withdrawal Agreement or allowing a transition period without the backstop is very remote - and for good reason given the risks to the Irish peace process. 'Instead, this scheme backed by Jacob Rees-Mogg is a recipe for the no-deal Brexit that the hard Brexiters have always craved.' Former minster Guto Bebb said: 'It is nonsense on stilts to think that that can actually be a way forward at this point in time.' Mrs May is also battling Remainers in her cabinet including Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and Justice Secretary David Gauke, who say she has a fortnight to get her deal done or they will quit to prevent the no deal Brexit. Mrs May had an extraordinary row with Mr Johnson last night after he tried to derail attempts to save her Brexit deal. Mrs May and Chancellor Philip Hammond (right) taunted Mr Corbyn as he attacked the government's position on Brexit Protesters had gathered outside the Houses of Parliament tonight as the moment of truth on the votes approached Speaker John Bercow set the stage for a titanic showdown tonight by accepting the PM-backed amendment tabled by senior Tory Sir Graham Brady, as well as Ms Cooper's Labour-backed plan The colourful protests appeared to be largely good natured, but there was no doubt about the passion about the Brexit issues French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed the chances of a renegotiation even before the Commons votes had been completed tonight In a dramatic clash, the PM rounded on her leadership rival when he openly questioned her strategy during a tense meeting of Tory MPs in the Commons. With Labour threatening to back bids to delay or even block Brexit, Mrs May appealed to her MPs for unity after months of damaging infighting prompting Mr Johnson to openly challenge her authority. As astonished MPs looked on, the former foreign secretary questioned her decision to back a Commons amendment by Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady, which would demand that Brussels find 'alternative arrangements' to the hated Irish backstop. According to witnesses, Mr Johnson directly challenged the PM, asking her: 'What DO you want, Prime Minister? What will this amendment achieve?' In a withering response, Mrs May hit back, saying: 'We won't know unless you support us Boris.' As loyalist MPs cheered her on, she added: 'I am happy to battle away Boris get behind me and we'll do it together.' Advertisement Britain faces an evening of travel chaos ahead of a widespread whiteout tomorrow as a blanket of heavy snow sweeps across the country amid -11C temperatures. Some 2,000 gritters have dug into a three million tonne salt mountain, while the RAC forecast 37,000 breakdowns tomorrow - bringing 'the worst cold weather travel chaos since last winter's Beast from the East'. Age UK has urged people to check on vulnerable friends and families, as well as urging the elderly to stock up on medicine and ensure they have food in the cupboard or freezer amid a Public Health England cold weather alert. Up to 4in (10cm) of snow is expected tonight and forecasters warn icy conditions could bring travel chaos and cut off some villages. There are also fears of power cuts and mobile phone masts being put out of operation. The snow is expected to cause major disruption on Britain's roads and railways tomorrow, with dramatic photos today showing police officers holding vehicles on the A6 near Shap in Cumbria which had to be closed. A severe weather warning is in place across the UK, with one for the South East of England for 2in (5cm) brought forward four hours to 5pm. Forecasters say London will see snow showers although they are unlikely to settle. Forecasters say up to 1in (2.5cm) of snow is likely across much of England and Wales, with more on higher ground. Commuters have been warned to take care tomorrow as snow turns to black ice in sub-zero temperatures. The Met Office has warned the country faces 'very significant snowfall' this week- with the forecast for Thursday possible set could break this winter's current record low and bring up to four inches (10cm) of snow to parts of southern England. The Met Office has warned the country faces 'very significant snowfall' this week. A driver in Manchester in the difficult snowy conditions this evening A police car next to an overturned vehicle in Shap, Cumbria, today amid terrible conditions for driving in the county Vehicles struggle to get up the A53 near Axe Edge as heavy snow begins to fall between Buxton and Leek in Derbyshire The snow falling this evening in the game between Luton Town v Portsmouth. Three yellow weather warnings are currently in place A man walks in snowy conditions at the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire, as up to 10cm of snow could fall on higher ground as temperatures drop across large parts of the UK this week Lorries and cars are held in the snow on the A6 near the village of Shap in Cumbria today Highway workers struggle to keep the A66 across the North of England open this afternoon as heavy snow continues to fall A crashed car this afternoon on the snowy in Royton, Greater Manchester. Snow and ice are continuing to cause disruption and incidents, with weather warnings continuing into tomorrow A car gets pulled out a ditch on the Newmill and Canthill Road, between Shotts and Kirk of Shotts in Scotland today Sheep huddle together in the snow whitened landscape of Offa's Dyke on the Welsh Border today Mother Katrina and daughter Kendall Woodward enjoy the snow near Kirk of Shotts Church in Scotland today A car is driven on a snow-covered road on Mam Tor near Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District today Snow storms from the west bring blizzard conditions to the Weardale moors near Stanhope in County Durham today The wintry conditions arrived as rain moving eastwards across the country turned to snow with temperatures down to -5C (23F). In Scotland, it could drop as low as -11C (12F) - colder than St Petersburg at -4C (25F). Police had to stop a car in Scotland which was being driven with its windows still covered in snow. Only a small area had been cleared on the front windscreen when it was stopped by detectives at Thurso in Caithness. Three yellow weather warnings have been issued across the UK. But they might be upped to amber, and vulnerable people are warned to take extra precautions. As the day progresses the wintry weather will move across the Midlands and into the South East. Snow showers could return tomorrow and there is a risk of further snow and ice towards the end of the week. Some 13 schools in the Highlands were shut. Graham Madge, from the Met Office, said: 'All of England and Wales has the potential to see snow of between 1cm (0.4in) and 3cm (1.2in) in the early hours of Wednesday morning. This #UKSnow graphic shows where people are posting on Twitter about snow falling across the UK today A car is driven on a snow-covered road as it passes through Winnats Pass near Castleton in Derbyshire today The M62 near Oldham in Greater Manchester is covered with snow amid warnings for motorists to take extra care today Snow sits on top of homes in the town of Kelty in Fife as much of Scotland sees heavy snow falling this morning Heavy snow showers in Cumbria this morning catch out a BMW motorist who skidded off the A686 near Hartside Climbers start off on a track up to the summit of Snowdon in North Wales in the blizzard conditions this morning A train between the village of Shap and Carlisle in the snow on the West Coast Line in Cumbria today 'The band of snow will work its way eastwards on Tuesday night and there could be up to 10cm (4in) in higher areas like the Chilterns. Temperatures will drop very dramatically and snow will turn to ice. 'It will be very cold on Wednesday it is unlikely to be above freezing anywhere in the country. In the South East we could see lows of -3C (27F) while in rural parts of the North it will drop below -5C (23F). 'The weather will continue to be unsettled until the weekend and there is a risk of further snow and ice on Thursday and Friday.' In the Scottish Highlands, the A9 is likely to be badly hit by snow showers. Further south, the M74 through Dumfriesshire and the M77 in Ayrshire are vulnerable because parts of the roads occupy higher ground. Rail services are at risk because signals are unreliable in very cold conditions. The RAC was expecting 8,500 breakdowns across the UK today 20 per cent more than usual and has all 1,500 patrol teams available. The weather front on Thursday will follow a band of snow, rain and sleet across the country on Tuesday night. Mr Berkill said: 'Looking further ahead, it's what happens on Thursday that has the potential to be more disruptive. 'It does have the potential to bring some very significant snow. We have already got a warning out in force for it. 'It's currently just a yellow warning, but it's not out of the question that will be ramped up nearer the time. 'It's looking like it will be a spell of persistent snow.' Thursday is expected to start off 'very cold' as the weather system pushes eastwards from the south west. Drivers endure a hazardous commute to work this morning in parts of the country where snow had been falling overnight Three of the Met Office yellow weather warnings which have been issued today cover most of the UK Snow is forecast across much of the country today (left) - with more on the way tomorrow (centre) and on Thursday (right) Temperatures will remain low for today and the next few days - with a maximum of just 8C (46F) in the South West expected Angus the cocker spaniel enjoys the snow in North Wales today - even if it does get everywhere, causing him to shake it off A snowplough clears a lane on the M6 near the village of Shap in Cumbria this morning amid forecasts for severe weather Lorry drivers stuck on the Newby Head pass near Hawes as drivers face difficult conditions this morning in the Yorkshire Dales Snow in the Denshaw area of Oldham, Greater Manchester, today with cars struggling to get up to the top of Rippedon Road Heavy snow falls this morning in County Durham with the village of Nenthead having up to three inches of snow in places A lorry struggles in the snow on the A6 near the village of Shap in Cumbria today as it faces severe weather conditions Mandy and Mindy enjoy the snow near Kirk of Shotts Church in Scotland today as a snow storm hits the Central Belt Snowy conditions near Thwaite in North Yorkshire today, as up to four inches could fall on higher ground A man walks in snowy conditions at the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire today amid severe weather conditions A three-wheel Reliant Robin in the snow off the A6 near the village of Shap in Cumbria this morning The Reliant Robin is pictured next to a police car in the snow off the A6 near Shap in Cumbria today Cars make their way along a snowy road today in Blairforge, Fife, as motoring groups warned drivers to take extra care Heavy snow falls this morning in St John's Chapel, County Durham, after the Met Office issued a series of weather warnings A gritter clears the roads in St John's Chapel, County Durham, this morning as parts of Britain face up to four inches of snow Snowy conditions at the 17th century Tan Hill Inn, Britain's highest pub, on the Pennine Way in North Yorkshire this morning Councils have prepared for heavy snowfall, with more than 1.4 million tonnes of salt stockpiled, the Local Government Association said. Public Health England has also warned at-risk people, including the elderly, to take precautions. Dr Emer O'Connell, a public health consultant, said: 'If you can, check on family, friends and neighbours who are older, have heart and lung conditions or young children as all these groups are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cold.' Rail firms plan to run empty 'ghost trains' at night to clear snow and ice, while Network Rail had 34 de-icing trains prepared. The AA told motorists to 'drive to the conditions', with parts of Scotland already under snow. Where are the Met Office weather warnings today? Three separate yellow weather warnings have been issued today which cover most of the UK: Western Scotland Snow and ice, 3pm today until 11am tomorrow South East England Snow and ice, 5pm tonight until 12pm tomorrow England (except SE) and Wales Snow and ice, 12pm today until 11am tomorrow Advertisement Police Scotland urged drivers to 'exercise extra caution' and check for updates online. Inspector David Hynd said: 'Make sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours.' The cold snap comes after the country was battered by winds of up to 82mph over the weekend. Terrifying photographs and videos showed planes struggling to take off at Newcastle Airport. The top wind speed recorded on Sunday was 82mph at Berry Head in Devon, followed by Orlock Head in County Down, Northern Ireland, at 71mph. The coldest night in the UK so far this winter was January 18 when Braemar in Aberdeenshire plunged to -10.8C (12.6F), but that could be beaten this week as air blown 2,500 miles from near the North Pole arrives. A temperature colder than the -14.1C (6.6F) recorded on February 14, 2016 at Braemar would be Britain's coldest for seven years, since the -15.6C (3.9F) observed on February 11, 2012 at Holbeach, Lincolnshire. * Have you taken any photos of the snow in Britain today? Please email: pictures@mailonline.co.uk * Police stop car on main road being driven with just a small square of windscreen cleared of snow These extraordinary photographs show how police had to stop a car in Scotland which was being driven with just a small square of windscreen cleared of snow. The car's rear windscreen and side windows were completely covered with snow while only a small area had been cleared on the front windscreen when it was stopped at Thurso in Caithness. The driver was spotted on the A9 trunk road this morning, and police issued them with a fixed penalty noticeof up to 100. Police urged motorists to clear their vehicles of snow and ice properly before beginning journeys. Officers posted pictures of the snowy car on social media and said: 'Winter has been biting for most of us this week, which means it is more important than ever that your vehicle is suitably prepared for the roads. 'Unfortunately not everyone follows this advice - officers on patrol stopped this car which was being driven on the A9 at Thurso in the early hours of this morning. 'Appropriate action has been taken against the driver in relation to road traffic offences. It is important before you set off to make sure your windows are clean, properly demisted and clear of all snow and ice before you drive.' The driver was spotted on the A9 trunk road at Thurso in Caithness this morning, and police issued them with a fixed penalty notice Advertisement Heavy snow falls this morning in the County Durham village of St John's Chapel as an Arctic blast hits the UK this week A Land Rover in snowy conditions near Tan Hill in North Yorkshire today, as up to four inches of snow could fall Snow on the hills in Blairforge, Fife, this morning as the UK faces a bout of severe weather and sub-zero temperatures Drivers near Kirk of Shotts in North Lanarkshire struggle through snow today as much of the UK faces difficult conditions Snow covers the County Durham hamlet of Lanehead this morning as drivers and pedestrians are urged to take extra care Chris Gunns, a railway employee from Chesterfield, tweeted this picture of the snow on a train in the Peak District today Snow falls overnight in the Rossendale district of Lancashire, with up to four inches expected in parts of Britain today Snow falls overnight in the High Peak market town of Glossop in Derbyshire as the severe weather sweeps in Dr. Brian O'Toole, principal of the School Of Nations in Georgetown, Guyana, was shot twice outside his home on Sunday evening The British director of a private school in Guyana has been shot outside his home, hours after a student was expelled for threatening to 'shoot up' the school. Dr. Brian O'Toole, principal of the School Of Nations in the capital of Georgetown, was shot twice after returning from a dinner on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day, he had hosted an emergency meeting with parents at the school to discuss a the threat made against the lives of other students by a pupil. The unnamed student had posted a WhatsApp message threatening to 'Shoot Up' the school. This was reported to teachers and Dr O'Toole, and although the student said the message had been a joke, he was expelled from the fee-paying school. According to reports the student recently returned to Guyana from the United States where he had been living for three years. Dr. O'Toole was rushed to hospital where he remains in a stable condition, according to a post on the social media network. Writing on Monday, Dr. O'Toole thanked parents and students at the School of Nations for their support and revealed he was 'getting the best possible treatment'. The unnamed student, who recently returned to Guyana after three years in the U.S., posted a WhatsApp message threatening to 'Shoot Up' the school, pictured, and was later expelled Describing the Sunday evening incident, he added: 'There were three bullets fired at me. I was struck by two of them. 'One did minor damage on the right arm and the other was more serious on the left where the bone was badly damaged. I am getting better and will likely be in the hospital for a few days.' In a separate Facebook post, the school wrote it would be putting security measures in place following the shooting. Dr. O'Toole helped open the private school and who have been living in Guyana for 40 years. A police spokesman said they are investigating both incidents. A beloved horse has been saved by a team of firefighters after he was found submerged in a septic tank. The 16-year-old horse, named Trooper, plunged into the sewage outside a house in Berkshire Park, 55km northwest of Sydney on Monday. The gelding fell in after his hind legs tilted the lid of the septic tank and had to be hoisted out with a harness. Scroll down for video The 16-year-old horse (pictured), named Trooper, plunged into the sewage in a Berkshire Park residence It took over two hours for the officers, with the help from a forklift, to lift the horse back onto dry land. 'With the help of the SES [State Emergency Services] and RFS [Rural Fire Service], we put slings around the horse and was able to lift it out,' Bob Mey, a Fire and Rescue officer told 7News. A local veterinarian, from Agnes Banks Equine Clinic, was also on hand to check on Trooper's well-being after his accident. 'I just had to assess him and sedate him so that he doesn't injure himself any further while he's stuck in the hole,' veterinarian Laura Lee said. It took over two hours for the officers, with the help from a forklift, to lift the horse (pictured) back onto dry land Trooper's owner, Arron Maher, had a hand in keeping the horse calm while he was being lifted out of the waste water Trooper's owner, Arron Maher, had a hand in keeping the horse calm while he was being lifted out of the waste water. It's thought Trooper only suffered superficial injuries, but is being taken to the vet for a precautionary X-ray on his back. Firefighters also decontaminated Trooper. Fire and Rescue NSW later shared images of the horse on its official Facebook page after the incident Fire and Rescue NSW later shared images of the horse on its official Facebook page and attributed the positive outcome to the numerous agencies that had worked together. 'Berkshire Park 1 and a crew assisted with [an] animal rescue this morning in the local area. 'A multi-agency approach with Fire and Rescue NSW Hawkesbury State Emergency Service and Agnes Banks Equine Clinic resulted in the horse being lifted out, and he is currently in the care of a vet on site,' it read. 'All crews worked well together to reach a successful outcome,' an additional post said. Author Yumi Stynes has been sent brutal messages encouraging her to 'kill herself' as her feud with television personality Kerri-Anne Kennerley continues. Ms Stynes shared a screenshot to her Instagram on Tuesday revealing a message she had been sent that read: 'You are a rubbish person and should promptly kill yourself'. She captioned the photo 'fun times.' On Monday, Stynes and Kennerley came to blows over 'Invasion Day' protesters during a panel discussion on Studio 10. Kennerley said those involved would be better off focusing their energy in the outback of Australia, stopping Aboriginal women and children from being raped, and Stynes called her a racist. Since then, protesters have flooded the area outside Studio 10, and both women have been mercilessly trolled on social media. Yumi Stynes failed to turn up for her scheduled slot on a Studio 10 panel on Tuesday, after a heated discussion about 'Invasion Day' protests with Kerri-Anne Kennerley on Monday Stynes shared a message she had received from a defender of Kennerley, telling her she should 'promptly kill herself' Protesters gathered outside the network's Sydney headquarters on Tuesday morning (pictured) to rally against Kennerley's comments, which Stynes branded 'racist' the day before As the debate raged on during Tuesday's episode, Kennerley said she would spend time in a remote indigenous community in Alice Springs. Saying she wants to 'stop rape of Aboriginal women and children', Kennerley told Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price she would be 'very happy' to spend a night in the town. The panel discussion on Indigenous disadvantage featured Kennerley and Ms Price, as well as former Victorian MP Lidia Thorpe. Both Ms Price and Ms Thorpe have Aboriginal heritage. As the discussion began heating up, Ms Price invited the panel members to visit the town camp. 'I will educate you. I will take you to a community, you can stay the night in a town camp, if that's what you want. You can see first hand what is going on, on the ground.' Ms Thorpe agreed to Ms Price's invitation on the condition that Kennerley also joined them. 'I will. I'd be very, very happy to,' Kennerley said. Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) was present on the panel on Tuesday, where discussion over Invasion Day continued. Price invited members of the panel to come and stay in the remote community Meanwhile, Stynes spoke to Kyle and Jackie O about Monday's blow-up, dismissing the idea her use of the term 'racist' could have long-term consequences for Kennerley. 'She's been around forever,' she said. 'She's like a cockroach, she can't be extinguished. I mean she's invincible - she's an Aussie TV legend.' During the broadcast, the radio hosts tried to call Kennerley, who answered despite being in the middle of filming Studio 10. She and Stynes had another heated phone call, where Kennerley expressed her disappointment that the author had cancelled her appearance on the show and then appeared elsewhere. Stynes told her Instagram followers she would not be appearing ahead of the show going to air, explaining she 'decided to give herself the day off'. 'This is not because of what happened today between Kerri-Anne and I,' she said. I am feeling stable and calm and like Im on the right side of history. Everything is ok. 'Im not coming in because I really urgently want to lie around and do nothing. Its very important.' Kyle Sandilands called Kennerley during an ad break as she sat in her chair on the Studio 10 set, having already got Stynes on the line When she received the phone call, Kennerley addressed Stynes directly, asking: 'What the heck are you doing there and why arent you in here? I thought you wanted to stay in bed'. She also told the radio presenters she was: 'Still deeply offended by being called a racist, which is completely untrue'. Before hanging up the phone, she told Stynes she was 'sorry' the author did not return to the show to continue the debate. When Kennerley left the conversation, Stynes said: 'Hey Kyle, you know what I love? White people telling me about racism'. Kennerley had also addressed Stynes's absence on the show, calling the author 'unprofessional'. 'I think not turning up for work when you've been booked is seriously unprofessional,' she told the rest of the panel. Stynes called Kennerley a 'cockroach [who] can't be extinguished' during her spot on the radio show, and said it appeared she hadn't changed her mind on the issue She said in her more than 40 years of TV she had only cancelled twice because she was 'flat out and sick' and otherwise showed up under all circumstances. 'I don't get people who don't turn up,' she added. Kennerley then insisted she was not a racist and the statement she made was about 'the tragic abuse of women and children in some indigenous communities. 'That is a fact, it's backed up by a lot of people, it's not a judgement... throwing words around can be dangerous and very hurtful,' she said. 'More importantly it is detrimental to solving this horrible issue. Forget what side you're on, just help find a solution to rape, which can lead to suicide in some of the most vulnerable people. 'I am, always have been, and always will be, Australian.' A toddler sitting in the back of his mother's car was killed when a drunk-driver crashed into them - flipping and landing on the roof above where the youngster was sat. Andrew Vass, 31, tailgated and overtook vehicles on a twisting country road in Totnes, Devon before crashing into another car on December 12 2017. His Honda Civic flew through the air at 79mph and landed directly on Francesca Gould's roof. The impact crushed her three-year-old son Reuben Williams who was sitting in the back - killing him instantly. An inquest into his death yesterday heard how little Reuben's compartment took the 'full force' of the collision and he died from his injuries within seconds. The coroner was told Vass, who was on licence from prison over the death of a cyclist, admitted to police officers at the time: 'I'm going to jail for sure. I can't believe I killed a kid', reports The Mirror. Reuben Williams, three, (pictured) died instantly when his mother's car was crushed by Andrew Vass's vehicle in Totnes, Devon on December 12 2017 The inquest heard how Vass had 98 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - well over the legal limit of 80 and was on his way to work with a colleague that afternoon. South Devon Coroner Ian Harrow said that the toddler's death 'serves as a warning of the dangers of driving while intoxicated and at excessive speed' A pathologist who spoke at the hearing said Reuben would have been rendered 'instantly unconscious' by the impact of Vass's car. He added that he suffered severe head injuries, including open-shell brain damage and cerebral contusions. Vass was jailed for five years and four months over the death of the toddler His mother Ms Gould's left arm was injured and Vass's work colleague in his car was also hurt, he added. The coroner was told that Reuben's father Thomas Williams was forced to identify his son's body at Derriford Hospital just five days before Christmas Day. Vass, of HMP Parc in Cardiff, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on December 20 2017, along with causing serious injury to Francesca Gould and driving a motor vehicle over the legal alcohol limit. He was jailed for for five years and four months after a trial at Plymouth Crown Court. The trial heard Vass had been drinking beer on the day of the crash and he had also been bought a bottle of vodka by a colleague. He was on licence from prison for a manslaughter conviction after attacking and killing a cyclist in Pontypool in 2013. Reuben's mother Francesca Gould said in a heartbreaking statement read at his trial: 'I will never see Reuben grow up, start school, make friends, develop his own personality and interests. I feel like I have been punched in the stomach and been winded.' Judge Peter Johnson jailed him, saying: 'The inevitable happened and you lost control. His Honda Civic (pictured) flew through the air at 79mph and landed directly on Francesca Gould's roof 'You were over the speed limit and you had just overtaken a tipper lorry when you hit a bank and your car became airborne, crashing into a Volvo coming in the opposite direction. 'You were over the prescribed limit for alcohol and you had two defective tyres. 'This was a blatant disregard for the rules of the road. It is a matter of prolonged, persistent and aggressive driving. 'You were determined to get to your destination no matter what the cost, and whoever would pay that cost.' Reuben's mother added: 'It feels like every minute of my life has been altered by Reuben's death. There are no toys under my feet, there is no toddler chatter, there is no wild child to play with, to feed, to comfort, to bathe, to put to bed. 'I was responsible for looking after Reuben on that day and as his mother always. I find it hard not to feel like I have failed in my job as I did not manage to keep him safe.' 'I have been told that I did all I could given the situation.' 'Being a mother was a huge part of my identity. Now I am a mother who no longer has a child. 'Three-year-old Reuben filled my daily life. He was waking me up in the morning, wanting to play. Asking for food and needing cuddles and stories, coming with me to the shop and to the park. 'I have not just lost my three-year-old child. I have not just lost my role as a mother. I have lost his future. I have lost my dreams for his life, the big beautiful caring boy he would have become.' "Long-term strategic cooperation" is also included in the package. The agreements cover various sectors, including economy, culture, education, infrastructure, investment and housing. Syrian Premier: A "message to the world". An agreement that will exacerbate tension with the United States and Israel. Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Late yesterday evening, Syria and Iran signed 11 agreements and memoranda of understanding. Within the package a "long-term strategic cooperation" is envisaged, aimed at strengthening the collaboration between Damascus and its key ally (together with Moscow) in the civil war - with jihadist drifts and regional implications - that for over seven years has upset the country. According to the official Sana agency, the agreements cover a wide range of sectors including economy, culture, education, infrastructure, investment and housing. The signing came in the context of the official visit to Damascus by the Iranian Vice-President, Eshaq Jahangiri. The Syrian premier Imad Khamis speaks of a "message to the world" on the real consistency "of the collaboration between Syria and Iran". He also cites "legal and administrative structures" that will benefit the Teheran companies that intend to invest in Syria with a view to "post-conflict" effective reconstruction. In the context of the agreement there are two railway projects signed by the respective national companies. Added to this, the Prime Minister continues, there is a work to restore the ports of Tartus and Latakia, in addition to the construction of a 540 megawatt power plant. Finally, there are "dozens of projects in the agricultural sector and in the oil sector". The war in Syria has caused almost 500,000 victims, over seven million displaced people and enormous damage to the country's economy and infrastructure, once among the most modern and advanced in the entire Middle Eastern region. According to UN estimates, the cost for reconstruction is estimated at 400 billion dollars. Iranian vice-president Jahangiri promised that the Islamic Republic "will stand next to Syria in the next phase, which will be marked by the reconstruction program". Last August Damascus and Tehran had already signed a military partnership and in recent years the Islamic Republic has supported the Syrian ally with oil supplies and various lines of credit. A strengthening of the cooperation that will exacerbate the clash with Washington - which promoted sanctions against Iran and representatives close to the Syrian President Assad - but especially Israel, which recently launched several raids in Syrian territory to hit Iranian targets. Anna Mae Blessing, 93, of Fountain Hills, Arizona, died before going on trial for killing her son after he threatened to put her in a nursing home An 93-year-old Arizona woman charged with killing her son because he wanted to put her into assisted living has died . Anna Mae Blessing who went to Maricopa County Jail after her arrest in the July 2 shooting death of 72-year-old Thomas Blessing at the home they shared in Fountain Hills, Arizona, died in hospice care, according to the Arizona Republic. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office filed a motion to dismiss the case without prejudice on January 10, citing her death, but it was unclear when exactly she passed. Blessing had a stroke on November 9 and was released into hospice care shortly after, where she remained until her death. Blessing, who had also turned 93 in November, missed multiple court dates since her arrest due to her ailing health. 'Miss Blessing has significant health issues that I think will be impacting the scope of this case in the near future,' her public defender Jennine Burns told Maricopa County Superior Court in a December conference. Blessing ended up in hospice care despite having been upset about her son's plans to put her into an assisted living facility and arguing with him over the way she was being treated last summer. Police said Blessing shot her 72-year-old son on July 2 with one of two pistols she stored under her bed in her room in his girlfriend's condo. Blessing appeared in court earlier this month, in a wheelchair and orange jumpsuit, to face charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping They moved her there six months ago and Anna had become worried that the pair were plotting to move her into a home. On the morning of the incident, Blessing hid two pistols inside her house robe and walked into her son's room and shot him twice. One bullet struck his neck and the other pierced his jaw. She then turned the gun towards her son's girlfriend, who was not been named, but the 57-year-old was able to wrestle it out of her hands. It was at that point, Blessing allegedly reached into her robe pocket and pulled out her second weapon, which the girlfriend also managed to wrestle out of her hand. The court heard that Blessing had been worried about her son's plans to put her in a home because she 'had become difficult to live with' When detectives asked Blessing what she thinks should happen to her 'she replied she should be 'put to sleep' as a result of her actions' All out of guns, Blessing simply took a seat in a recliner chair and waited for the police to arrive. As she was arrested, she announced: 'You ended my life, so I'm taking yours.' Blessing told officers she had wanted to kill herself but was out of weapons. When detectives asked Blessing what she thinks should happen to her 'she replied she should be 'put to sleep' as a result of her actions.' She explained that both the guns she used, a revolver and a .25 caliber pistol, were hers but that she hadn't fired either since the 1970s, before July 2. Blessing's husband, Billy Blessing, died in 2007 in Florida. Pacific Gas & Electric, the nation's largest utility company, filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday morning as it braces for billions of dollars in payouts to victims of the 2018 November wildfires which claimed dozens of lives and destroyed thousands of homes. The utility company filed documents in a U.S. court seeking Chapter 11 reorganization on Tuesday citing hundreds of lawsuits from victims of the November Camp fire and others. The official cause of the Camp fire - the deadliest in the state's history which claimed 86 lives and razed 15,000 homes in Paradise - has not been determined but speculation is rife that PG&E, which had reported power line problems in the weeks before it started, may be to blame. In its Chapter 11 filing, the company listed assets of $71.39 billion and liabilities of $51.69 billion. It has insisted that normal service for its 16million customers across the country will continue. PG&E is facing at least four separate lawsuits including a class action suit over the Camp fire which could cripple the business. Now, those plaintiff will have to grapple with the company's creditors and will receive less money if their suits are successful. The markets responded favorably to the news and shares rose by 5.2 percent on Tuesday shortly after the opening bell. The Camp fire in Paradise claimed 86 lives in November and destroyed 15,000 homes. PG&E has filed for bankruptcy in anticipation of liability it may be responsible for once an investigation into the cause of the blaze is complete In conjunction with the filing, it asked for a bank bailout of $5.5 billion to tide its operations over while the lawsuits play out in court. That financing, known as a debtor-in-possession financing, will be given by J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Barclays, Citi, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, MUFG Union Bank and Wells Fargo if approved. It will be decided on later this week. As the news emerged on Tuesday morning, the utility company's shares plummeted in pre-market trading by about five percent. Disappointed shareholders who had urged the company to avoid seeking a Chapter 11 spoke furiously of the decision, calling it 'reckless' and 'irresponsible.' They urged the company to wait until investigations into the cause of the fire were complete to move ahead and took a recent finding that PG&E was not to blame for a separate 2017 fire as hope that it may not be found liable for the much deadlier, 2018 blazes. The Camp fire claimed 86 lives and razed 15,000 homes in November this year. Above is the aftermath of the deadly blaze The company had been facing $30million in damages from the 2017 fire but was found not to be liable earlier this month. In as statement on the company's website on Tuesday interim CEO John R. Simon said: 'Throughout this process, we are fully committed to enhancing our wildfire safety efforts, as well as helping restoration and rebuilding efforts across the communities impacted by the devastating Northern California wildfires. 'To be clear, we have heard the calls for change and we are determined to take action throughout this process to build the energy system our customers want and deserve.' The bankruptcy filing immediately puts a halt to the wildfire lawsuits and consolidates them in bankruptcy court, where legal experts say victims will likely receive less money. Wildfire victims have little chance of getting punitive damages or taking their claims to a jury in a bankruptcy proceeding. Instead, they will have to tussle with PG&E's creditors, including bondholders, for a payout from the company. Consumer activist Erin Brockovich, who famously took on PG&E in the 1990s, had urged California lawmakers not to let the utility go bankrupt because it could mean less money for wildfire victims. The utility company, which is the largest in the US, listed assets of $71billion and liabilities of more than $51billion on Tuesday in its Chapter 11 filing Protesters attended a California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco on Monday to beg regulators not to bail the utility company out Legal experts say the bankruptcy will likely take years to resolve and will result in higher rates for PG&E customers. The company provides natural gas and electric service to 16 million people over a 70,000-square-mile area in Northern and central California. A bankruptcy filing would not affect electricity or natural gas service but allow for an 'orderly, fair and expeditious resolution' of potential liabilities from the wildfires, the company has said on its website. PG&E said it was committed to helping those affected by the wildfires and could not speculate on any changes to customers' bills, noting that the California Public Utilities Commission sets electric and gas rates. The utility also filed for bankruptcy in April 2001 near the height of an electricity debacle marked by rolling blackouts and the manipulation of the energy market. PG&E emerged from bankruptcy three years later but obtained billions of dollars in higher payments from ratepayers Among disgruntled shareholders on Tuesday was BlueMountain Capital Management. The company said it was 'deeply disappointed' with the move which it said 'ignored calls from multiple parties to abandon its reckless and irresponsible plan to file for bankruptcy. 'Today's filing is the latest example of how the Board continues to fail the Company, wildfire victims, customers, employees, creditors, shareholders and the people of California 'We urge all stakeholders to support change at PG&E and will be proposing a "New Slate" of highly-qualified and impartial director,' it said in a statement. In a damning open letter earlier this week, the company said of PG&E: 'The Current Board has not only failed the Company and its shareholders; it has failed its customers; it has failed its employees; and, it has failed the people of California. 'The Company has lost the publics trust, and it has severely damaged its relationship with regulators and elected officials.' Other major stakeholders include The Vanguard Group, Blackrock, Inc, and T.Rowe Price Associates. None have commented on its Chapter 11 yet. Blackrock is its largest shareholder with a 9.37 percent stake. A Melbourne father struggles with the image of having his blood splattered on the walls of his home after he was stabbed in the neck by a Bangladeshi homestay student in an ISIS-inspired attack. Roger Singaravelu has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the brutal attack on February 9 last year. He takes a cocktail of medications and self-medicates with alcohol to try to forget, his statement to the Supreme Court of Victoria said. Roger Singaravelu (pictured) has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since the brutal attack on February 9 last year Momena Shoma, 25, came to Australia on a student visa and had been in the country only a week when she took a 25cm kitchen knife and plunged it repeatedly into Mr Singaravelu's neck Momena Shoma, 25, came to Australia on a student visa and had been in the country only a week when she took a 25cm kitchen knife and plunged it repeatedly into Mr Singaravelu's neck. Mr Singaravelu was sleeping beside his five-year-old daughter at the time. Shoma pleaded guilty to intentionally engaging in a terrorist act 'with the intention of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause, namely violent jihad' in September. She faces the maximum sentence of life in prison and will be sentenced at a later date. 'I relive the attack, the look on her face and the blood splattered on the wall,' Mr Singaravelu's statement said Shoma was dressed in a black Niqab showing only her eyes during the pre-sentencing hearing on Tuesday. Mr Singaravelu's statement to the court revealed the horror he and his family has faced since the ordeal. 'I relive the attack, the look on her face and the blood splattered on the wall,' his statement said. 'I feel unsafe all the time ... and we are ashamed as parents that we could not do more to protect (our daughter)' He said his five-year-old daughter also suffered PTSD, flashbacks and nightmares. The young girl is still too scared to sleep in her own bed, almost one year on from the attack. Mr Singaravelu was sleeping beside his five-year-old daughter when he was stabbed in the neck by a homestay student Shoma has previously pleaded guilty to engaging in a terrorist act in the name of violent jihad Mr Singaravelu's , Maha, bravely read a statement to court, fighting back tears. 'We opened our hearts to her but little did we know she had an agenda outside anyone's comprehension,' she said. The foreign student was placed in their home by the Australian Homestay Network. She was studying at La Trobe university at the time of the attack. Piers Morgan: Mr Greer, thank you for joining us, can you just explain to our viewers why your categorisation of Sir Winston Churchill's life and career came down to 'he's a white supremacist mass murder' interposed in your tweet with seven or eight 'clapping emojis', applauding your own genius. Ross Greer: Absolutely, so lets make a comparison. Piers you're a sensitive soul, yesterday you accused me of being a racist for pointing out that you look like honey glazed gammon. If you want an example of real racism, you just have to look to Churchill. He talked about his belief in the triumph of the Aryan race. He hated Indians with a passion. He said they were a beastly people with a beasty religion. When a famine broke out three million people starved to death he was significantly to blame. He said they brought it on themselves for breeding like rabbits. He advocated using poison gas on people he described as uncivilised tribes. He said that native Americans, Australians and black Africans deserved genocide and the domination that they suffered at our hands because whites were a superior race. That's why I said white supremacist. I said mass murdered because he always advocated the most violent the most destructive option. He used poison gas against Kurds against Afghans. He was a strong advocate of Britain's concentration camps in the Boer War when 28,000 people died. He's always advocated the use of aerial bombardments in what he described as terror bombing campaigns. In fact his own cabinet in the 1920s had to stop him from bombing protesters in Ireland. That was how he wanted to deal with problems in Ireland. Susanna Reid: Piers, are you persuaded? PM: Well let's just take one of those points, which I heard you espousing on the BBC yesterday, that Winston Churchill was to blame for the Bengali famine. That is a complete and utter lie. He was not to blame for the famine starting or gathering momentum. In the middle of the Second World War he actually went to great lengths, if you bothered to check your history, and Sir Martin Gilbert, actually went back and read the cabinet papers to see the culpability or otherwise of Churchill in Bengal. He found some interesting things, in which repeatedly, Churchill is seen in the papers to be very concerned about the famine in Bengal, he is going to Canada, Australia, to Roosevelt in America trying to get them help. Does get them help, does get them food. RG: That's not true. PM: It is true. It's in the cabinet war papers. So you can sit there laughing and besmirching the great Winston Churchill. Here's my point on a wider issue. You can take any number of things you find distasteful about Churchill and I'm not here to defend everything that Churchill did. But what you fail to do is offer any perspective. Your sneering little tweet diminished Churchill to again you're laughing now because people who lived through the war don't laugh. Winston Churchill was voted the greatest Briton of the last century for a reason. It's because people see that single-handedly, through the power of his rhetoric, saved this country in World War Two from the Nazis. Again you laugh, that sneering little laugh. RG: It wasn't him who won the war, it was the soldiers and the sailors and the airmen who voted him out when they came home. PM: Churchill was the Prime Minister. He was the one making decisions and allowed this country to save itself from Adolf Hitler. At no point do you offer any balance, any perspective, any sense that anything Winston Churchill ever did was actually good for this country. A lot of people who look at that tweet think what a nasty, sneering young men who got elected to represent a country that frankly you, we, would all be speaking German and would be goose-stepping your way to Holyrood. So let me go from you to an MP and ex-Army sergeant Bob Seely, whose uncle served alongside Churchill. This enrages me, Bob Seely, because there is a creeping attempt now to besmirch everything Churchill stands for. I have a brother who is a colonel in the British Army who I talked to about this last night and he was spitting with rage from where he is currently serving for this country. This just gets everybody's goat up. I don't defend everything Churchill did, I think he's a difficult, complex character. SR: As any historical hero will be. PM: We heard a rant then that didn't offer any balance, any attempt to say anything positive. Bob Seeley MP: If you want an example of racism, read some of Gandhi's work. Does it make Gandhi a racist? No PM: Or Nelson Mandela's BS: Mandela said and did things in his early years that he would have regretted in his later years. So if you want to portray someone as a racist in the way that Ross does with his eloquent stupidity it's very easy to do so. But if you want portray Churchill as a racist, my great, great uncle and he when they served as Conservative MPs they crossed the floor to the Liberals because they were outraged by the treatment of Chinese in South Africa. Now Ross if he checked his history, would know that. You can say Churchill was an old guard Conservative and yet he supported the people's budget in 1911, he campaigned for better treatment for coal miners, shop workers. He did many things that we now regard as being central to the foundation of the welfare state. With the Bengal famine, they had a choice between feeding Bengal and feeding the Balkans and at the time he Churchill, one of his great attributes, was he focused this nation. Ross in his very crude misunderstanding of history says 'oh it was the servicemen who won the war', well of course it was, but our political leadership was not willing to fight that war in the first place. On Bengal, in these papers we have a direct message to Lord Wavell his new Viceroy of India, from Churchill, every effort must be made to deal with local shortages in India. Then there are copies of letters he sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, Australia to Franklin D Roosevelt over the next two years in which he is beseeching them to help the people of Bengal. For you to take that and blame him for the deaths of 3,000 people in Bengali is not just offensive, it is a downright now. RG: No Piers, you just don't understand history. PM: I'm reading history. RG: You mentioned who was then the Viceroy of India, when Wavell was in Churchill's war cabinet, he was planning how to get food to the people of Bengal. Churchill came into that room and stopped them. In fact Churchill spent so long stopping people from getting aid to Bengal. And to go back to Bob's point, it wasn't to feed people in the Balkans it was to stop pile food in the Balkans while three million Indians were starving to death. PM: Here he is begging F D Roosevelt to help, but he was unable to give it to him. RG: But that was after he destroyed 46,000 boats. He let that famine happen. PM: Let me explain to you do you know what Winston Churchill was actually doing during World War Two? Do you realise Why do you keep smirking and laughing? What is funny about any of this? About your attempts to smear the reputation of a great leader like Winston Churchill? Why do you get a kick out of this? Why do you not have any sense of honour about you that allows you to offer any balance. RG: It's brave about you to talk about honour Piers when the one thing the British public knows about you is that you were sacked from a British newspaper for lying about British troops on the front page and refusing to apologise for it. PM: I knew you would do this. So let me explain what happened there. I was sacked from the Daily Mirror for publishing those photographs of troops, rogue elements of a regiment, who had been abusing Iraqis. They were held to account and some of them were imprisoned for the abuse that they enacted. I never apologised because the abuse happened. I then sat down with General Nick Carter, the head of the British Army, several years ago, in northern France and he told me I was right to publish what I published. So I'm sure you know more than the head of the British Army, but I suspect you don't, like you don't know what happened in Bengal. But let me come to a wider point where you're going to talk about things in my life. RG: Oh, I've lost interest in your life. PM: Do you believe that Winston Churchill did anything positive in World War Two? RG: Yes, he showed strong leadership but let's not pretend that wipes out anything else he did. Because of Churchill, I nearly didn't exist, because of Churchill's hatred of the workers on the Clyde, my gran was almost killed in the Clydebank Blitz. Clydebank was the only place in the UK completely destroyed by the Blitz, because Churchill hated the workers and he hated the unions. Bob mentioned what he did for miners. Miners in Wales hate Churchill because he set police officers against them when all they were doing was campaigning for their own rights. PM: I asked him to say something positive but BS: If Churchill was a white supremacist and clearly Hitler was a white supremacist, is there some kind of moral equivalence between them? SR: I just wonder whether that was the deliberate intention of the two phrases you used, because as has been pointed out what does that make us think? Hitler was the white supremacist mass murder responsible for the deaths of millions of people, and if it wasn't for Winston Churchill who knows what would have happened to Great Britain. RG: It wasn't just Churchill, if it wasn't for Roosevelt and Stalin in the Soviet Union, but we don't pretend he was a decent man? He was a scumbag. You're not a Stalinist are you Piers? BS: Thank you, that's the first word of sense you've come up with this morning mate. RG: This is about us taking a rounded view of history. PM: You have no rounded view of history, you're just a Churchill hater. RG: You're throwing a tantrum Piers? That's very snowflake of you. PM: I'm not a snowflake about Winston Churchill, I know he was a flawed character, but I also know he almost single handedly pulled this country from the abyss in World War Two. RG: That's wildly ahistorical. SR: I think the thing is Ross, you seem to be articulating a very unique, isolated version of history. RG: No, not at all. SR: Well you are, aren't you. Everyone celebrates Sir Winston Churchill. RG: No they don't if you go to India, Ireland or Kenya, they absolutely don't. If you come to communities like Clydebank that I represent if you got South Wales Valleys. These points of view that have been long held haven't been voiced. Because the prevailing narrative is to not speak ill of this 'war hero'. SR: You can be critical of him but the way you're talking about him White supremacist mass murderit's an equivalcence with Hitler. People find that very offensive. PM: It's disgusting. SR: Nobody is denying that every historical hero should be scrutinised but the use of language is so offensive. BS: I was going to completely agree what you were saying. But there is a difference between a great historian summarising and revaluating a great man's life and the rather infantile tripe sloganeering. Putting a racist tag on that person or a sexist tag on that person. This is not history, this is just silly slogan politics. PM: It's become worse than that. There's a younger generation that you epitomise, that decide to twist history to suit a narrative that people like Churchill are evil people that should be condemned. You have not presented a single positive argument. I know 95 per cent of our viewers will be hearing what you're saying and seeing it with utter revulsion. Why does this kid, who's 24, and has been elected to represent Scotland, why does he not appreciate what Winston Churchill did, even if he didn't like him. And when you call Churchill a white supremacist, in your tweet with all these clapping emojis, you are doing an equivalence with Adolf Hitler. You are saying the man who saved us from the Nazis was no better than a Nazi himself. Do you believe that Winston Churchill was better than a Nazi? RG: Of course he was. PM: But you called him a mass murderer, that's what Nazis are. So when you say of course he was better actually you want the world to believe he was no better than a nazi. RG: He was less worse. But his own cabinet minister for India said I cannot tell the difference between Winston Churchill's views on race and Adolf Hitler's. I wouldn't make that comparison because I think it's crass. He was so revolted he felt he had to make that comparison. PM: Do you know what I find revolting? You. I find what you said about Winston Churchill, your sneering performance today, revolting. Nearly 1,000 people attended the funeral of Air Force veteran, Joseph Walker (pictured), after learning that the war hero had no family Nearly 1,000 people attended the Texas funeral of an Air Force veteran after learning that the war hero had no family. Joseph Walker died of natural causes in November at the age of 72. Last week, the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery announced that they didn't expect anyone to attend the Vietnam-era veteran's funeral. Walker was then classified as an 'unaccompanied veteran' because he had no family or loved ones to come forward following his death. 'If you have the opportunity, please come out and attend,' the cemetery told its followers on social media. 'We do NOT leave Veterans behind.' And on Monday, nearly 1,000 complete strangers did just that. Video shared on the Texas General Land Office's Facebook page, showed veterans, members of the armed forces and families of the Killeen, Texas, community arriving to Walker's funeral. Photos showed dozens of cars lining the road that led to the cemetery. Walker died of natural causes in November at the age of 72. Last week, the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery announced that they didn't expect anyone to attend the Vietnam-era veteran's funeral. Pallbearers carry Walker's casket on Monday 'Today we are not strangers. Today we are family. This is our brother, Joseph Walker,' Marc George (pictured) of the Christian Motorcyclists Association said during the funeral 'Today we are not strangers. Today we are family. This is our brother, Joseph Walker,' Marc George of the Christian Motorcyclists Association said during the funeral. 'Like a lot of other vets, he signed a blank check for our nation,' George added. Other images showed attendees carrying American flags as they listened to Walker's service. George read off what little information he was able to find out about Walker, which included how long he served in the Air Force. Walker served from 1964 to 1968, before receiving an honorable discharge. He's believed to have a brother whose last known whereabouts was in Austin, Texas. The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery made sure to coordinate with the Fort Hood Casualty Office to ensure that Walker received full military honors. The ceremony ended with a representative from the Veterans Land Board accepting the folded flag that was used during the service. George read off what little information he was able to find out about Walker, which included how long he served in the Air Force. Walker served from 1964 to 1968, before receiving an honorable discharge China's government called on Washington on Tuesday to 'stop the unreasonable crackdown' on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment in the US on charges of stealing technology and violating sanctions on Iran. Beijing will 'firmly defend' its companies, the foreign ministry said in a statement read on state-run TV news. It gave no indication whether Beijing might retaliate for the charges against Huawei, China's first global tech brand and the biggest maker of network switching gear used by phone and internet companies. Huawei Technologies Ltd. denied committing any of the violations cited in Monday's indictment, the most serious escalation yet of pressure on Huawei, which has spent a decade battling US accusations it is a front for Chinese spying and a security risk. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou (pictured in December), and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on December 1 in Vancouver The foreign ministry complained Washington has 'mobilised state power' to hurt Chinese companies 'in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations' for political reasons. 'We strongly urge the United States to stop the unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies including Huawei,' the ministry statement said. It said Beijing will defend the 'lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies' but gave no details. The charges unsealed Monday accused Huawei of trying to take a piece of a robot and steal other technology from a T-Mobile lab that was used to test smartphones. Huawei also is charged with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of US trade controls. Prosecuteors allege the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, lied to banks about those dealings. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker (centre) unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating US sanctions A federal indictment accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile (file photo pictured in 2015) in the form of a robot designed to automatically test phones for problems Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested Dec 1 in Vancouver on US charges related to Iran, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. 'The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of US law set forth in each of the indictments,' a Huawei statement said. Huawei is 'not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms Meng, and believes the US courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion,' it said. There was no allegation Huawei was working at the Chinese government's direction. The US government previously has accused Beijing of involvement in cyberspying and theft of industrial secrets. It has charged several Chinese hackers and intelligence officials. Huawei said US prosecutors rejected a request to discuss the investigation following Meng's arrest. It also noted the allegations in the trade secrets charge were the subject of a US civil lawsuit that already has been settled. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver and is due in court Tuesday as she awaits extradition proceedings. Her case has set off diplomatic spats between the United States, China and Canada. China has called on the United States to 'stop the unreasonable crackdown' on Huawei following the tech giant's indictment on charges of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks The latest charges could dim prospects for US-Chinese trade talks due to start Wednesday in Washington. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed Dec 1 to put off any further sanctions against each other's exports while they negotiated. A breakdown in negotiations would likely lead to higher tariffs, a prospect that has rattled financial markets for months. While US authorities stress that courts are independent, 'ordinary Chinese people all believe it is a deliberate crackdown on Huawei,' said Lu Feng, an economist at Peking University. 'From the US perspective, it is a law enforcement issue, but from China's viewpoint, it has a link to Chinese-US trade relations,' said Lu. 'The difference in understanding will bring about complicated problems.' The Justice Department officials provided details from a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in New York. The Seattle charges allege that beginning in 2012, Huawei plotted to steal information about T-Mobile's robot, known as 'Tappy.' It says Huawei engineers secretly took photos of the robot, measured it and tried to steal part of it from T-Mobile's lab, according to prosecutors. T-Mobile declined to comment. Liu Feiyue was arrested in late 2016 and charged with inciting subversion A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced the founder of a website that reported on human rights abuses to five years in jail for 'inciting subversion' of state power, a verdict decried by a rights group as part of a campaign to bury grassroots activism. Since coming to power in 2012, President Xi Jinping has overseen a sweeping drive to stifle activism that challenges the ruling Communist Party. Liu Feiyue, the founder of msguancha.com, a news portal that covers government corruption, police abuses and human rights issues, was arrested in late 2016 and charged with 'inciting subversion of state power'. The Intermediate People's Court sentenced Liu to five years in prison and seized more than one million yuan (112,808) of his personal assets, according to the website of the court in Suizhou city in Hubei province. It was not possible to contact Liu for comment. 'I really can't understand it. All I know is that Liu Feiyue just set up a website for internet users to write about social issues and inequality,' Liu's mother Ding Qihua, 76, told Reuters by phone. She said the sentence was harsher than expected, given that the family had hoped for leniency by complying fully with the court's requests. There was no response when Reuters called the Suizhou court on Tuesday. China rejects criticism of its human rights record, saying it is a country with rule of law and that jailed rights lawyers and activists are criminals who have broken the law. Since coming to power in 2012, President Xi Jinping has overseen a sweeping drive to stifle activism that challenges the ruling Communist Party (file photo) Hundreds of rights lawyers have been detained and dozens jailed in a series of arrests commonly known as '709' cases, referring to July 9, 2015 when a countrywide operation rounded up core members of the group. On Monday, in the last of the '709' cases to go to trial, a court jailed rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang for 4-1/2 years on charges of subversion. Aside from targeting lawyers, Beijing has also in recent years clamped down on grassroots activism and muckracking websites, in what rights groups say is an attempt to cut off rights activism at its roots. 'Prosecuting the editor of a human rights website shows just how frightened the Chinese government is about independent reporting on abuses from inside China,' Yaqiu Wang, a Hong Kong-based researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. Internet provider TPG has ceased its planed rollout of Australia's fourth mobile phone network after the Federal Government banned the use of Huawei equipment. The government made the decision to ban the use of equipment made by the Chinese technology company in Australia's new 5G network over espionage concerns. The company had planned to offer extremely cheap mobile data plans, even going so far as to give consumers free data for the first six months. Internet provider TPG has ceased its planed rollout of Australia's fourth mobile phone network after the Federal Government banned the use of Huawei equipment The company had planned to offer extremely cheap mobile data plans, even going so far as to give consumers free data for the first six months The publicly listed company announced the cancellation of its mobile network via a statement to the ASX on Tuesday morning. TPG had previously asked Australians to register their interest in testing their new mobile network in May last year. They were remarkably offering the service at no cost for the first six months for unlimited data and then just over $9 per month after that. Traditional voice calls would not have been available on the network as the data only plans would allow the provider to enter the market at a lower cost by using fewer base stations and small cell technology. Calls could still have been made using voice over internet apps such as Whatsapp or Facetime. The company had planned on becoming the fourth mobile phone service provider in the country by installing their own antennae towers. The rollout to consumers had been scheduled for the second half of 2018 but was delayed and the company has already spent over a billion dollars buying spectrum licenses and installing infrastructure. Huawei Australia's Director of Corporate Affairs, Jeremy Mitchell, said the move highlighted the fact that consumers will miss out on cheaper and more affordable mobile services. 'As predicted the Australian government's 5G ban on Huawei will lead to reduced competition and higher prices for Australia consumers and businesses,' he said via the company's official Twitter account. The Bourke Street attacker has come face to face with his victims' families in court as they told the killer they'll never forgive him for what he has done. James Gargasoulas drove a stolen car through Bourke Street in Melbourne on January 20, 2017 and killed six people. Gargasoulas was found guilty of six counts of murder and 27 counts of reckless conduct endangering life in November. James Gargasoulas (pictured) drove a stolen car through Bourke Street in Melbourne on January 20, 2017 and killed six people Jess Mudie, 22 (pictured), was one of the women intentionally hit during the rampage, and her family made it clear at the Victorian Supreme Court today they are still coming to terms with the loss Yosuke Kanno, 25 (pictured), was the first victim of the terrifying attack as the Japanese student was killed instantly outside the Royal Arcade Though the verdict seems to have done nothing for the families who will have to carry the heartbreak of loss with them forever, news.com.au reported. Jess Mudie, 22, was one of the women intentionally hit during the rampage, and her family made it clear at the Victorian Supreme Court today they are still coming to terms with the loss. 'I sometimes forget (she died),' twin sister Emily said through tears. 'I go to message her about what she's having for dinner or how her day was.' Her mother Robyn was so distraught her statement was read on her behalf. In it, she told Gargasoulas, 'You will never be forgiven'. Yosuke Kanno, 25, was the first victim of the terrifying attack as the Japanese student was killed instantly outside the Royal Arcade. His devastated father Masayuki said he and his wife lamented allowing their son to study in Melbourne. He said the pair found it impossible to hold back their anger towards Gargasoulas. An unmoved Gargasoulas reportedly sat motionless in the dock as the statement was read out in front of him. For most of the hearing, Gargasoulas rested his head on his arms with his face down. Even Justice Mark Weinberg stopped briefly to check he was awake - he was then told Gargasoulas' medication made him tired. Up to fifty victim impact statements are expected to be read over the coming days ahead of Gargasoulas' sentencing. Included in the statements is one from the families of three-month-old baby victim Zachary Bryant with sister Zara, who was injured (pictured) The family of victim Bhavita Patel, 33 (pictured) is expected to read a statement Included in the statements is one from the families of three-month-old baby victim Zachary Bryant, Thalia Hakin, 10, Matthew Si, 33, and Bhavita Patel, 33. At his trial last year, Gargasoulas pleaded not guilty to the attack on the claim God had permitted him to mow down the victims. He said he had lived seven lives in the past - and in his most recent one he was in jail when a comet crashed onto earth and 'burned us all'. On top of that, he said the exact same thing would happen in mid 2020. Either that or people would storm his jail cell and liberate him. Despite a diagnosis of treatment-resistant paranoid schizophrenia, Gargasoulas' was deemed fit to stand trial. In the ensuing trial the jury returned a guilty verdict in less than an hour. Gargasoulas has been kept in solitary confinement in the Spring Unit at the Melbourne Assessment Prison. Thalia Hakin (pictured) was only 10 years old when she was killed during the Bourke Street rampage A witness called to give evidence at the inquest into the death of William Tyrrell has spoken to A Current Affair. Widower Paul Savage lived near the home that William disappeared from more than four years ago. A reporter for the program asked Mr Savage why he had been called to give evidence at the inquest into William's disappearance. Scroll down for video William (pictured) disappeared on September 12, 2014, while he was at his foster grandmother's home in Kendall, south of Port Macquarie in New South Wales Widower Paul Savage (pictured) lived near the home that William disappeared from more than four years ago 'It's getting sorted out,' Mr Savage replied. Mr Savage is not a suspect or person of interest and there is no suggestion he has done anything wrong. William disappeared on September 12, 2014, while he was at his foster grandmother's home in Kendall, south of Port Macquarie in New South Wales. A directions hearing was held at Glebe Coroners Court in Sydney in December, ahead of the inquest into the three-year-old's disappearance and suspected death. The inquest will begin with a week-long hearing in Sydney in March 2019 before resuming in August. Counsel assisting the coroner, Gerard Craddock SC, told the court it wasn't possible to conclude William was dead. 'The police investigation into his disappearance is ongoing and police are following active leads at present,' Mr Craddock said. He said William was in foster care and it was that, combined with the circumstances of his disappearance, that meant there was jurisdiction to hold an inquest. Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame also told the court William could be alive. 'It isn't presently possible to conclude that he is dead. [The inquest] will seek to determine if he is alive or dead,' Ms Grahame said, according to Fairfax. William's foster parents, who attended the hearing, made no comment as they left the court. The CJP said lawyer of Qari Salim, a cleric who made the first official complaint against Bibi in 2009, had failed to find any flaw in the verdict. Islamabad: Pakistans Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected review petition against Christian woman Aasia Bibis acquittal in blasphemy case. Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa announced: Based on merit, this review petition is dismissed. The CJP stated that there was clear contradiction in statements of all the witnesses and they could be jailed for life or given death sentence for lying to the court in such a sensitive case. We are taking sensitivity of the case into consideration, otherwise, witnesses would have been behind bars over false statements, he added. The CJP said lawyer of Qari Salim, a cleric who made the first official complaint against Bibi in 2009, had failed to find any flaw in the verdict. Aasia Bibi, a farm worker, was condemned in 2010 over allegations that she made derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours working in the fields with her objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. Incited by Qari Salim, a mob accused her of committing blasphemy. Police responded by arresting Bibi, who was sentenced to death in November 2010. Chinese authorities on Tuesday executed a man who killed 15 people after ramming a car into a crowded square in central Hunan province last year. Last September, Yang Zanyun ploughed a Land Rover into pedestrians at a public square in Hengdong city before slashing at people with a shovel and dagger. Fifteen people were killed and 43 others were injured. The news comes as another Chinese court yesterday sentenced a man who rammed a hijacked bus into passers-by and killed eight people in south-east China on Christmas Day. Yang Zanyun (centre), 54, was found guilty of deliberately driving his red Land Rover into crowds before attacking pedestrians with a shovel and a dagger in Hengyang, Hunan province The Hengyang Intermediate People's Court in Hunan province said Tuesday it 'carried out the death penalty' on Yang Zanyun for 'endangering public security through dangerous methods'. Local police had called him a 'vengeful repeat offender' at the time, naming drug charges, theft and intentionally causing hurt as previous offences in their statement. Videos of the fatal incident carried by Chinese media showed a red SUV driving across the busy square at a high rate of speed, striking multiple people. Another clip showed several bodies on the ground as bystanders rushed to their aid. China has experienced violent attacks in public places in recent years, including bombings and arson of buses and buildings, sometimes by people trying to settle personal scores or grievances against society. Police have detained the driver of the car, who they say had a criminal record, according to the local government. The incident took place shortly before 8pm local time on a busy square A clip of the incident in September shows people fleeing from the scene at the plaza Chinese law restricts the sale and possession of firearms, and mass attacks are generally carried out with knives or homemade explosives. In late November, a car ploughed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in northeastern Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring at least 19. The driver said he 'chose his victims at random' and had reportedly been contemplating suicide due to domestic troubles before the tragedy occurred. In December, eight people were killed and 22 injured after a man hijacked a bus and crashed into pedestrians in eastern Fujian province. He had killed a local official and police officer before commandeering the bus, according to reports by Chinese media. The 49-year-old criminal, Qiu Rihui, was sentenced to death yesterday by the Longyan Intermediate Court. Kerri-Anne Kennerley's firm stance against Invasion Day protesters has continued, with the controversial television personality now agreeing to spend a night in an Aboriginal town camp. The Studio 10 presenter's agreement to stay an evening in Alice Springs, a remote indigenous community in the Northern Territory, came during yet another heated panel discussion on Tuesday. Saying she wants to 'stop rape of Aboriginal women and children', Kennerley told Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price she would be 'very happy' to spend a night in the town. Scroll down for video TV personality Kerri-Anne Kennerley has accepted an invitation to spend a night in an Aboriginal town camp The invitation was issued by Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) The panel discussion on Indigenous disadvantage featured Kennerley and Ms Price, as well as former Victorian MP Lidia Thorpe. Both Ms Price and Ms Thorpe have Aboriginal heritage. As the discussion began heating up, Ms Price invited the panel members to visit the town camp. 'I will educate you. I will take you to a community, you can stay the night in a town camp, if that's what you want. You can see first hand what is going on, on the ground.' Ms Thorpe agreed to Ms Price's invitation on the condition that Kennerley also joined them. Kennerley has been at the centre of an 'Invasion Day' controversy after being branded a 'racist' by radio personality Yumi Stynes on live television Monday. The subject of the controversy wasted no time also accepting. 'I will. I'd be very, very happy to,' Kennerley said. Earlier in the same broadcast, Kennerley labelled Stynes 'unprofessional' for skipping the show's broadcast. Former Victorian Greens MP Lidia Thorpe (pictured) said she would accept the invitation on the condition that Kennerley also attend Stynes took to Instagram to explain that she would not be on the panel, but insisted it wasn't because of the row with Kennerley. Their spat began on Monday, when the veteran TV host told the protesters they would be better off in the Outback stopping Aboriginal women and children from being raped. 'You're sounding quite racist right now... every time you open your mouth you're sounding racist,' Stynes responded to the shock of the in-studio audience. Deciding to give the Tuesday morning broadcast a miss, she said she was overdue for an off day. 'I was booked come in to showcase a recipe from one of my cookbooks INSTEAD, I decided to give myself the day off,' she wrote. 'This is not because of what happened today between Kerri-Anne and I. I am feeling stable and calm and like I'm on the right side of history. 'Everything is OK. I'm not coming in because I really urgently want to lie around and do nothing. It's very important.' She later revealed on social media she has received death threats from anonymous online profiles. 'Fun times,' she captioned a photo, showing a troll calling her a 'rubbish person' and telling her to 'promptly kill your self.' Stynes called Kennerley a 'cockroach [who] can't be extinguished' and said it appeared she hadn't changed her mind on the issue As the show began without Stynes, Kennerley slammed her for not showing up regardless of what happened the previous day. 'I think not turning up for work when you've been booked is seriously unprofessional,' she told the rest of the panel. She said in her more than 40 years of TV she only cancelled twice because she was 'flat out and sick' and otherwise showed up under all circumstances. 'I don't get people who don't turn up,' she added. Kennerley then insisted she was not a racist and the statement she made was about 'the tragic abuse of women and children in some indigenous communities. 'That is a fact, it's backed up by a lot of people, it's not a judgement... throwing words around can be dangerous and very hurtful,' she said. 'More importantly it is detrimental to solving this horrible issue. Forget what side you're on, just help find a solution to rape, which can lead to suicide in some of the most vulnerable people. 'I am, always have been, and always will be, Australian.' Kerri-Anne Kennerley doubled down on her belief that Australia Day activists should do more to help indigenous communities after she was labeled a 'racist' Yumi Stynes skipped her appearance on Studio 10 on Tuesday, a day after she called Kerri-Anne Kennerley a racist live on air for her view on Saturday's protests Both warring parties said they discussed the issue afterwards off air on the Studio 10 set and there was 'no bad blood'. However, they were right back at it on the Kyle and Jackie O show after the KIIS FM hosts called them both on Tuesday morning. Stynes called Kennerley a 'cockroach [who] can't be extinguished' and said it appeared she hadn't changed her mind on the issue. Kyle Sandilands responded by calling Kennerley during an ad break as she sat in her chair on the Studio 10 set. 'I am still deeply offended with being called a racist, which is completely untrue,' she said, before putting everyone on hold while she went back on air. Protesters gathered outside the network's Sydney headquarters on Tuesday morning (pictured is a post the group made on Facebook) The protesters were soon joined by police officers trying to keep them under control Kennerley was seen with her phone in her hand in front of her while live on air, and in the next break she was back to continue insisting she was 'not racist for having a point of view'. 'Debates do get a little heated and I think it crosses the line when somebody calls you a racist because obviously to be the words I stated are fact,' she said. 'A racist is somebody who thinks another bunch of people are inferior, which is not what I said. 'I said there is a lot of abuse with women and children in certain indigenous communities - that is a fact. That is not fiction, it's a fact.' Stynes brought the conversation back to Kennerley's criticism of the protesters, who she on Monday said were 'better off doing something positive'. 'You're saying those people shouldn't be protesting, that they're wasting their time when they should be out fighting rape and abuse - you can actually do both things,' she said. Kyle Sandilands called Kennerley during an ad break as she sat in her chair on the Studio 10 set, having already got Stynes on the line Kennerley was seen with her phone in her hand in front of her while live on air between the two the two sections of her call-in with KIIS FM 'Another thing that you said that was racist, was that Aboriginal people should just 'get over it'. 'It's a really really an insensitive thing to say, and drawing on your own past being the daughter of migrants is a really, really whack comparison, it's a totally different experience to being disenfranchised the way indigenous people have.' Stynes then clarified that she didn't go on Studio 10 because it was 'not for me to argue for indigenous rights', which was better done by Aboriginals themselves. Kennerley retorted that prominent Aboriginal figures Jacinta Price, mayor of Alice Springs, and former Victorian MP Lydia Thorpe would be on the show that day. 'It's 2019, how come this issue has not been solved before - enough money has been thrown at it,' she said, summing up the topics of discussion. 'I'm very sorry, Yumi, that you didn't come in to be part of this, because it is an important debate,' she said. 'We are all grown ups, but I was highly offended and hurt by it, so that's the way it is... I'm probably way too sensitive, but everybody has a point of view and I think we all have to recognise it. 'The only thing I seriously want is to have the issue solved - no child, no woman, should be raped and abused no matter who they are.' Kennerley then said she was about to be back on air and needed to go, but Stynes was able to get the last word after she hung up. 'Hey Kyle, you know what I love? White people telling me about racism,' she said. As the show began on Tuesday without Stynes, Kennerley slammed her for not showing up regardless of what happened the previous day Kennerley said in her more than 40 years of TV she only cancelled twice because she was 'flat out and sick' and otherwise showed up under all circumstances Meanwhile, a gaggle of a dozen or so activists were outside Studio 10's offices. They were soon joined by police officers. 'Calling out Kerri-Anne and the mainstream media who have no representation of our people,' they wrote on Facebook. 'Kerri-Anne your racist remarks to Yumi over the Invasion/Australia Day protesters are ill informed & no factual back up. 'Bring your flags bring your posters and your signs.' Kennerley insisted she was 'just stating a fact' when Stynes accused her of racism after she spoke out against child abuse statistics in rural Australian communities. The veteran presenter told Ben Fordham on Monday that she made no mistake when she discussed increased sexual assaults in the Outback - and called for more to be done. 'She [Stynes] mentioned it happens in our community... but it is rampant out there. Alcohol is at the base of it and we have to find a way to protect these children,' she said. 'If we do not protect these children that leads onto youth suicide, paedophilia, abuse of children creates so many horrible divisions in life and their life is never the same.' 'I can only assume that Yumi doesn't know that it is a fact of life because I never made a racist comment.' Earlier on Monday, Kennerley and Stynes both joined the Studio 10 panel during discussions over Saturday's 'Invasion Day' protests. Kennerley called out protesters at the event and questioned whether they could be doing more to help the people they were defending. Kerri-Anne Kennerley said Australia Day protesters should be doing something about the high rate of sexual assault among Aboriginal women instead of focusing on the date Thousands took to the streets on Saturday to protest against Australia Day and demanding the date be changed because January 26 represents 'Invasion Day' 'Has any single one of those people been out to the Outback, where children, babies, five-year-olds, are being raped? 'Their mothers are being raped, their sisters are being raped. They get no education. What have you done?' Stynes fired back and accused her of racism. 'That is not even faintly true, Kerri-Anne. You're sounding quite racist right now,' she said. Kennerley responded by stating she was offended, but Stynes doubled down on her insult. 'Well keep going then, because every time you open your mouth you're sounding racist.' Kennerley wasn't prepared to cede any ground, either, and again went after the protesters who she accused of only caring one day of the year. 'These people are desperate for help. Aboriginal elder women are desperate for help, and they're not getting it. 'Where are these people doing [other than] one day of the year? You'd be better off doing something positive.' With the argument threatening to boil over, host Sarah Harris tried to defuse the situation. 'Take it back a notch everything's going to be cool,' she interjected. Harris said it is an issue that really 'fires people up', but maintained 'everyone has their hearts in the right places and everyone wants to do the right thing'. Stynes told Kennerley many of the protesters would have previously gone out into the Indigenous communities, but Kennerley demanded exact numbers. She also claimed Kennerley was glossing over women and children also being raped in cities, stating it wasn't just a rural problem. Australia's 700,000 or so indigenous people track near the bottom of its 25million citizens in almost every economic and social indicator (demonstrators in Melbourne over the Australia Day long weekend, pictured) Kennerley insisted she wasn't racist just because she 'had a point of view', but Stynes objected to her making assumptions about 5,000 people. 'Yeah, you're actually connecting rape, child abuse, you're drawing a straight line and you're implying those 5000 protesters, none of whom you know personally, are all lazy and idle,' she said. 'You're asking if any of them have ever done anything as though it's clear they haven't.' Kennerley in turn accused her of 'drawing a line that isn't there', but Stynes said she 'saw it quite clearly'. 'Well get new glasses,' Kennerley snapped back as Stynes sat stony-faced and stared out at the audience. Harris finally managed to get control of the segment and beg the panelists to stop calling each other names. 'This is just an issue that Yumi and I have. There are probably 20 other things that we do agree on this is just one that we don't,' Kennerley replied. While opinion polls suggest up to half the country supports changing the date of Australia Day, the federal government is under pressure to legally entrench January 26 as a national holiday (protesters in Brisbane on Saturday, pictured) National Security Advisor John Bolton has been photographed Monday holding a notepad that included the handwritten line: '5,000 troops to Colombia.' Bolton spoke to White House reporters while holding the yellow notepad and discussing the crisis in Venezuela, where the US now recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president. The United States also announced sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company Monday in a coordinated effort with the main opposition leader to cripple embattled President Nicolas Maduro's power base. It was not until after the briefing with Bolton that observers spotted the black scrawl. Scroll down for video National Security Advisor John Bolton takes part in a briefing at the White House holding a yellow note pad After the briefing, the lines 'Afghanistan -- welcome the talks' and '5,000 troops to Colombia' were noticed by observers on the note pad Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a US official said 'we are not seeing anything that would support' a potential troop deployment to Colombia, which neighbors Venezuela. The Pentagon referred a query back to the White House. During the briefing, Bolton would not rule out use of US troops in Venezuela calling for security forces 'to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power.' 'We've seen Venezuelan official and military personnel heeding this call,' he added, citing the defection this weekend of the country's military attache to Washington. Opposition National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president of Venezuela, prays next to his wife Fabiana Rosales, second from right, during Mass at a church in Caracas, Venezuela Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged on January 28 to retaliate against the United States for its new sanctions on state oil company PDVSA Bolton also would not rule out the use of US troop 'The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table,' he said. The US military's Southern Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bolton's notepad also had the line: 'Afghanistan -- welcome the talks' -- a reference to a potential breakthrough in discussions with the Taliban. The sanctions against state-owned PDVSA were presented as a way of preventing the leftist strongman from looting the coffers in his economically ruined country before he is replaced by the man Washington says is the rightful interim president -- opposition leader Juan Guaido. An angry Maduro accused the United States of trying to 'steal Citgo' and pledged to file legal action over the new sanctions. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, center, jogs alongside his Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers as he visits Ft. Paramacay in Carabobo state, Venezuela Venezuela, Maduro vs Guaido Maduro holds a copy of the Venezuelan constitution while he speaks during a meeting with members of the Venezuelan diplomatic corp after their arrival from the United States 'The purpose of sanctions is to change behavior,' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. 'So when there is a recognition that the company is the property of, the rightful rulers, the rightful leaders, then indeed that money will be available to Guaido.' Guaido, who heads the National Assembly legislature and has named himself acting president, issued his own statement, saying he was taking 'orderly control of our republic's assets abroad' to prevent a departing Maduro from trying 'to empty the coffers.' Shock and fear swept through the headquarters of Venezuela's state-owned oil firm, PDVSA , on Monday, employees said, after the US imposed sanctions aimed at limiting President Nicolas Maduro's access to oil revenues. A high-level manager said PDVSA President and Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo was ensconced in his office. Several employees and union leaders wondered how much worse PDVSA's situation could get now that President Trump's administration had frozen its crucial US-based assets. 'There is total shock. This company is already too beat-down,' the manager said on condition of anonymity. PDVSA was once among the world's leading oil companies, but has suffered years of mismanagement and output declines. Maduro shared an impromptu performance with a live salsa band on his Twitter account with an English written tweet boasting to his supporters and challenging the opposition government and international countries seeking to remove him from office: 'WE ARE INDESTRUCTIBLE! They cannot take away the joy of living, enjoying, struggling [fighting] and working' Facing mounting pressure from the international community to step down, Maduro was caught on video behind conga drums as a salsa orchestra entertained pro-government backers during a youth rally on Saturday. The embattled Venezuelan president shared images on his personal Twitter account along with a defiant caption in English that read: 'WE ARE INDESTRUCTIBLE! They cannot take away the joy of living, enjoying, struggling [fighting] and working.' Venezuela was once a Latin American success story and has the world's largest oil reserves, but has been driven into the ground during years of hardline leftist rule. With millions short of food and other basic resources, there is widespread discontent. However, so far, Maduro has retained the backing of the powerful armed forces, as well as support from Russia and China. A Queensland doctor allegedly raped of one of his female patients during an appointment to discuss her abdominal pain. Samitha Sudusinghe appeared in the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday where he pleaded not guilty to three charges of sexual assault, rape and attempted rape. It's alleged the GP touched and inserted a finger into the single mother's vagina through her underwear after she complained of abdomen pain. Sudusinghe is accused of attempting to do it again after the woman told him no. A Queensland doctor allegedly raped of one of his female patients during an appointment to discuss her abdominal pain (stock image) He also allegedly slapped her on the bottom as she picked up her young son on a previous occasion. Prosecutor Christopher Cook said in his opening address to the jury that Sudusinghe was working at a practice in Brisbane's northern suburbs in 2015 when the alleged incidents occurred. Mr Cook said the patient started seeing Sudusinghe in July after her regular doctor returned to India. The court heard she saw the accused eight times over a five-month period, but the alleged assaults did not occur until after she had already seen him multiple times. Mr Cook said the woman would give evidence she did not consent and that she moved his hands and clenched her legs when he tried to assault her. The jury is also expected to hear a recorded conversation that occurred between the pair following the alleged incidents, where the woman asked him why he had touched her without her permission. Mr Cook said Sudusinghe 'made no denials'. However, his defence barrister said there were several phrases that were undetectable on the covert recording and that when he referred to 'crossing the borders' he meant going over her naval. The trial is expected to run until Friday. A student nurse who drunkenly assaulted a stranger in a nightclub has pleaded guilty to the unprovoked attack. Madeline Shay Ryan, 24, faced Caloundra Magistrates Court, in the Sunshine Coast Region, and admitted to brutally bashing a man after consuming too much alcohol. The University of Newcastle student, who hoped one day to carve out a career in the Royal Flying Doctor Service, repeatedly hit an unknown man in the face, outside a Caloundra club bathroom. Madeline Shay Ryan (pictured) pleaded guilty to assaulting a stranger outside a nightclub bathroom The court heard the victim needed medical assistance for the pain caused to his mouth and face, and had been left so distressed by the incident he is now worried about being assaulted by other strangers. Nightclub CCTV footage captured a brief interaction between the student nurse, who claimed she had drunk a 'large amount of alcohol', and the victim. It was claimed that Ryan (pictured) doesn't normally drink, and on that night she consumed a large amount of alcohol Ryan is alleged to have asked the stranger if there was a man wearing a blue hat in the bathroom, and when he replied 'yep, there is' she started hitting him on the left side of his face, according to Police prosecutor Stuart Lydford. Solicitor Remy Kurz claimed Ryan was sincerely sorry and embarrassed about the 'out of character' attack, reported the Sunshine Coast Daily. 'She doesn't normally drink, on the night she consumed a large amount of alcohol and had been celebrating moving up to the Coast to join her partner,' Mr Kurz said. Ryan, who attends The University of Newcastle (pictured), was ordered to pay an $800 fine He also claimed that if a conviction was recorded, Ryan who is hoping to transfer to the University of the Sunshine Coast to continue her studies would be put at a social disadvantage. He also noted it would impact her future employment prospects. Ryan pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm. She was subsequently fined $800, and told to pay her victim $500 compensation immediately or face five days behind bars. Magistrate Stephanie Tonkin did not record the conviction. A community group has complained that party boats on Sydney Harbour are creating 'unbearable noise' for residents. The Friends of Sydney Harbour community group ran a survey asking harbour side residents their thoughts on party boats on the water since lock out laws started. It won't be the first time the group has taken to issue to the Department of Roads and Maritime Services who initially were sceptical about the severity of the issue. Scroll down for video A community group has announced it will again meet with government officials to address party boats on the Sydney Harbour which they claim create 'unbearable noise' Director of The Friends of Sydney Harbour, David Morris said they received a 'number of complaints' in their survey about 'unbearable' noise from party boats This time the group will take their survey results to the government meeting. Director of The Friends of Sydney Harbour, David Morris, told The Sydney Morning Herald they received a 'number of complaints' in their survey about 'unbearable' noise from party boats. 'A lot of partygoers were forced out of the traditional areas onto the harbour where there is often the misapprehension that because you're on the harbour there are no rules or regulation,' he said. 'We have taken the complaint to maritime before, but one question they have always raised is how bad the issue actually is, so we decided to find out accurately.' A spokesman for the Keep Sydney Open political party told Daily Mail Australia it was interesting that the Friends of Sydney Harbour acknowledged that lock out laws have had an affect on how people entertain themselves. He said it seemed as if some segments of society weren't content unless they were 'targeting people having a good time'. 'Where any kind of fun is happening and people are trying to enjoy themselves others are just trying to regulate it out of existence,' he said. 'A bunch of cashed up wealthy residents living on the harbour are trying to stop five million people from enjoying the harbour which has become more evident through this action.' A spokesman for the Keep Sydney Open political party told Daily Mail Australia it was interesting that the Friends of Sydney Harbour group acknowledged that lock out laws have had an affect on how people entertain themselves 'Where any kind of fun is happening and people are trying to enjoy themselves others are just trying to regulate it out of existence,' the spokesman told Daily Mail Australia The spokesman said the political party had spent the better part of half a decade fighting back against over-regulation and lock out laws. 'The ramifications (of lock out laws) run quiet deep, you can feel the atmosphere of the city change which affects jobs and the economy,' he said. 'People move to the city for work and only stick around for a year or two before they start to look for greener pastures.' The party is of the belief that the vibrancy, sense of creativity and the rich sub-cultures that have grown up around Sydney over the years have been stifled since lock out laws and over regulation. The spokesman said the political party had spent the better part of half a decade fighting back against over-regulation and lock out laws and gained enough support to register the party The party is of the belief that the vibrancy, sense of creativity and the rich sub-cultures that have grown up around Sydney over the years have been stifled since lock out laws and over regulation 'It has become a strong enough issue that we got enough support to register as a political party,' he said. 'These are very powerful people and it's an issue that people wanting to enjoy the natural gifts we have here are being controlled by a select few, and with quiet a bit of outrage.' The spokesman said it was also a worrying trend that all seemed to take now was one or two vocal people to shut down a live event that thousands of people could be enjoying. 'It's a really selfish agenda against those enjoying the harbour,' he said. Daily Mail Australia attempted to contact The Friends of Sydney Harbour for comment. A former alleged ISIS supporter who stabbed his neighbour with a hunting knife near his Sydney home has pleaded not guilty on the grounds of mental illness. Ihsas Khan, 24, appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, where he was charged with engaging in a terrorist act and wounding with intent to murder. The charges relate to the stabbing attack of Khan's neighbour Wayne Greenhalgh, 57, in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Minto on September 10, 2016. Ihsas Khan, 24, (pictured) appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, where he was charged with engaging in a terrorist act and wounding with intent to murder Mr Greenhalgh was on his way home when Khan, then 22, allegedly came out of his house and chased the victim with a hunting knife, stabbing him in the doorway of a hair salon, news.com.au reported. Crown prosecutor Caroline Davenport SC said during her opening address the alleged victim was walking near his house when Khan attacked him with a knife. When police arrived the former alleged self-radicalised Muslim was heard to say 'Allahu Akbar' and 'I want to die today', the court heard. Wayne Greenhalgh (pictured) was on his way home when Khan, then 22, allegedly came out of his house and confronted him face-to-face, before he attacked him with a hunting knife. Mr Greenhalgh was left with permanent damage to his hands (pictured) and other injuries Justice Geoffrey Bellew said on Tuesday he didn't anticipate there would be any debate that Mr Greenhalgh was stabbed with a knife on the date in question. But when the 24-year-old fronted the court on Tuesday, the jury heard he has pleaded not guilty to both charges on the grounds of mental illness. The trial is expected to take about three weeks. Asylum seekers have been given free taxpayer-funded childcare for the first time ever in Australia. Nine children are already participating in the 12-month pilot project with the Canterbury Bankstown Council, south west of Sydney. The program which first launched in October welcomes vulnerable children at the Lakemba Children's Centre, Punchbowl's Children Centre and Carrington Occasional Care. Nine children from asylum seeking families are already participating in free childcare offered by the Canterbury Bankstown Council The Lakemba Children's Centre (pictured), Punchbowl's Children Centre and Carrington Occasional Care have opened their doors to asylum seeking children Arshad, who is the son of Myanmar refugee Aziza, is the first to use the free services at Lakemba Children's Centre. 'We feel very fortunate, being in a difficult position financially' Ms Aziza told the Canterbury-Bankstown Express. 'It is a good thing for Arshad because he will learn English and make some friends.' Asylum seeking families don't have access to the Government's childcare subsidy, according to Mayor Khal Asfour. Families who fled from war torn countries had to pay $100 or more a day to put their child in a centre before the initiative launched. Many struggled to afford costs due to unemployment. 'By investing in these children, we help set them up for a better future and provide them with the opportunity to learn and grow in the same way Australian-born children can,' said Mr Asfour. The Canterbury Bankstown council has 78 asylum seeking families with Lakemba having the highest number in New South Wales. The council is working alongside the Asylum Seekers Centre, Sydney Alliance and Uniting Church through the Links to Early Learning Program. Asylum seeking had to pay $100 or more a day to put their child in a centre before the initiative launched in October Uniting's Director of Mission, Communities and Social Impact Doug Taylor said the program was an important first step in helping asylum seeker children rebuild their life. 'We underestimate the challenges people seeking asylum face living and participating in the community,' he said. Free childcare for asylum seekers does not mean local families will be locked out of centres as none are at full capacity. Advertisement The daughter of tobacco tycoon Travers 'Candyman' Benyon has been spotted flaunting her model looks at one of his infamous Candy Shop Mansion parties. Benyon, 46, hosted a pool party at his lavish 15-bedroom, 19-bathroom mansion on Queensland's Gold Coast over the Australia Day long weekend. His daughter Lucciana, 17, was spotted wearing an Australian flag bikini, swimming and playing beer pong at the party. The daughter of tobacco tycoon Travers 'Candyman' Benyon, Lucciana (pictured), has been spotted flaunting her model good looks at one of his infamous Candy Shop Mansion parties She appears to have inherited the knack for striking a good pose from her mother Ninibeth Leal (pictured), who was crowned Miss World in 1991 Originally from Venezuela, Ms Leal, 47, married Benyon (pictured) and moved to Australia before the couple divorced in 2008 She has signed with a modelling agency and appears to have inherited the knack for striking a good pose from her mother Ninibeth Leal, who was crowned Miss World in 1991. Originally from Venezuela, Ms Leal, 47, married Benyon and moved to Australia before the couple divorced in 2008. The couple share two children, daughter Lucciana and son Valentino, 20. Both siblings were spotted partying it up with friends at their father's mansion over the weekend. Valentino was seen wearing an open white shirt, matching short shorts and large visor sunglasses while posing with three female friends. In December, Lucciana was seen inhaling from a large shisha pipe during a party at the house. The couple share two children, daughter Lucciana (pictured) and son Valentino, 20 Both siblings were spotted partying it up with friends at their father's mansion over the weekend Venezuelan model Ninibeth Leal is pictured after being crowned Miss World in 1991 Benyon's son Valentino was seen wearing an open white shirt, matching short shorts and large visor sunglasses while posing with three female friends The Candyman's parties are notorious on the Gold Coast, attracting hundreds of invited guests and scantily-clad women The Candyman's parties are notorious on the Gold Coast, attracting hundreds of invited guests and scantily-clad women. Benyon lives in the lavish property with his wife Taesha, 28, and other permanent girlfriends. On the weekends up to 30 other women - who message him on Instagram - are invited to join the party and spend the night. Benyon lives in the lavish property with his wife Taesha, 28, and other permanent girlfriends. Pictured: Lucciana Benyon Benyon was handed a $13,000 fine in December for erecting a topless statue of the Virgin Mary during his annual Christmas party Lucciana shared a picture of herself with her father when she was younger to her Instagram Valentino, Travers and Lucciana Benyon are pictured in a photo shared by Lucciana to her Instagram account Benyon was handed a $13,000 fine in December for erecting a topless statue of the Virgin Mary during his annual Christmas party. A former model himself, Benyon helped his parents set up the FreeChoice tobacco store chain. In July, he announced he was considering running for mayor of the Gold Coast. A former model himself, Benyon (third from left) helped his parents set up the FreeChoice tobacco store chain Valentino Benyon is pictured at a party at his father's house, the 'Candy Shop Mansion', during the Australia Day weekend A Brisbane woman feared the worst when she noticed what appeared to be a headless torso dumped on her nature strip. But horror quickly turned to amusement when Sonia Adolphs discovered what had actually been left outside her home in Annerley in the city's south on Monday. Ms Adolphs was taking out her own garbage for the annual council kerbside collection when she came across the headless life-size latex sex doll, complete with painted toenails. A woman's shock turned to amusement when she realised what she originally thought was a headless torso on her nature strip turned out to be an abandoned sex doll (stock image) She told The Courier Mail she had the best laugh in a long time over the discarded and lonely item. 'I was taking out two birds of paradise to the nature strip with other items and then I found a bird of paradise, all right,' Ms Adolphs told the publication. 'She wouldn't have been cheap. It was full on latex and she was a heavy thing.' The sex doll wasn't abandoned for long and and has since found a new friend after it mysteriously disappeared from Ms Adoplhs' Chester Road nature strip on Tuesday morning. 'It's funny to think someone took her,' she said. An abandoned sex doll was dumped in a cardboard box on a nature strip in Chester Road, Annerley (pictured) on Sunday night Latex sex dolls are prohibited items for kerbside collections, according to Brisbane City Council guidelines. A recent report by an Australian online adult toy retailer found that Queensland accounted for 22 per cent of sex toy sales. While more purchases were made in NSW, Queensland was rated top in terms of per capita sales due to its smaller population. His martyrdom brought to fore the result of unrestrained hatred. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was not born a saint but achieved it through readings and by leading a disciplined life. Several political leaders and true Gandhians will gather today at Rajghat to pay floral and prayerful tribute to the Father of the Nation. As long as I was in Delhi, I used to be a part of the multi-religious prayer meeting that takes place at the samadhi of the great Indian saint. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhis assassination, it is instructive to remember what Albert Einstein said on Gandhis 70th birthday. Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth. What really shocked the world then and continues to remain a paradox even today is that a powerful advocate of peace and non-violence should have met such a violent end. Gandhi had once said, I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. His martyrdom brought to fore the result of unrestrained hatred. While much has been written on and about the Mahatma and his own profound thoughts and inspirational writings make for commendable readings, the question is, if the lapse of 71 years after he last pronounced Hey Ram has blurred or even blocked our minds and hearts to his noble teachings? It would not be an exaggeration to say that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was not born a saint but achieved it through readings and by leading a disciplined life. Gandhi was greatly influenced by Leo Tolstoy, through his book, The Kingdom of God is Within You, the title from Lukes Gospel and his essay on Christianity and Patriotism.Tolstoys ideal of simplicity of life and purity of purpose influenced Gandhi deeply. In that book, Tolstoy speaks of the principle of nonviolent resistance when confronted by violence, as taught by Jesus Christ. When Christ says to turn the other cheek, Tolstoy asserts that Christ means to abolish violence, even the defensive kind, and to give up revenge. Three other important persons who influenced his life were John Ruskin through his book, Unto this Last; his personal relationship with Raychandbhai and Gopal Krishna Gokhle, whom Gandhi considered as his teacher. Gandhi once told Millie Polak, a pastor friends wife in South Africa: I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith, The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck The Mahatmas life continues to inspire and challenge us even today. His appeal to be truthful and to work for peace and to preserve the multi-religious fabric of Indias proud civilisation that he wrestled with till his last breath remains an unfinished task worth pursuing for all of us. One of the 'gypsy' Brits accused of terrorising New Zealand is wanted by police after skipping a court date for a string of charges. The unnamed man is charged with assault and reckless driving at a beach his family is accused of trashing, and with dishonestly using a document. The 26-year-old was supposed to face Auckland District Court on Tuesday to change his bail address after being released on Friday. However, he was nowhere to be found and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A British 'gypsy' who is accused of assault and reckless driving at a beach his family allegedly trashed has been slapped with another charge (group of British tourists being questioned by New Zealand police, pictured) The 26-year-old man, whose name has not been released, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday facing fraud charges He was granted name suppression when he appeared in court on Thursday for allegedly trying to run down a woman with a car on January 13. 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 British family made headlines across the world since arriving in New Zealand before Christmas, and most of them finally left last weekend. They have been accused of trashing an apartment, leaving restaurants without paying and stealing from shops. 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 The British family (pictured) has been causing trouble in New Zealand since arriving before Christmas The clan became so notorious that a hire car they crashed and abandoned in Auckland was stripped by souvenir hunters Images show members of the family standing in public smoking and spitting, some drinking Red Bull while others carried six-packs of beer. The clan, who have lived in caravan parks across the East Midlands in the UK, became so notorious that a hire car they crashed and abandoned in Auckland was stripped by souvenir hunters. 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. An Israeli company is about to sell bulletproof backpacks to schoolchildren in the United States. The company, called AmorMe, has ties to the Israeli military and security services and have specifically developed a backpack aimed at students. Then Kevlar-covered backpack will be on store shelves from next month and is designed to protect pupils from surprise shooters. A bulletproof Kevlar-covered backpack from an Israeli company called ArmorMe will soon be hitting American shelves to protect students from school shootings or terrorist attacks A single-paneled backpack costs between $160 to $190 with coverage from neck to waist when worn in front or back. The double-paneled backpack costs $210 to $250 and provides coverage for both sides of the torso or from the neck to the knees on their front or rear The Israeli company said that the design was spurred on after an alarming uptick in school-centered violence, as well as other terror-oriented attacks. 'We never know when violent attacks may occur,' as Israeli Security Specialist and retired IDF Colonel Dr. Gabi Siboni said. 'We designed this bag for every student and have given them one or two panels of Kevlar to provide safety.' The backpacks will be available in stores this February and comes with two Kevlar panals on each backpack The company says the backpacks can work in various attack scenarios and even comes with a demonstration guide about how to properly use the backpack The packs are designed with safety in mind and for the most common attack scenarios. They include a guide demonstrating how the pack can be fitted over the front of one's body. The Kevlar used apparently exceeds the global standard for safety for handgun attacks, with coverage from neck to waist when worn in front or back. The backpack is expected to cost around $160-190 for a single paneled backpack, while a double-paneled version will costs between $210 to $250 and provides coverage for both sides of the torso or from the neck to the knees on their front or rear. 'We built this backpack to address the daily reality of student life,' Siboni. 'We wanted a pack that had style, was light, could carry a laptop, would last multiple academic years, and could breathe to ensure kids were comfortable. At the same time, we built this backpack to withstand a handgun attack.' A British tourist has been charged nearly $1,000 for a five-minute taxi ride from a New Zealand train station to his accommodation. The shocking error happened when Scotsman John Barrett paid with his credit card for a lift from Wellington Railway Station to an apartment 1km away last Monday. The taxi driver said he made an innocent mistake when he omitted the decimal point on the EFTPOS machine, skyrocketing the fee from $9.30 to $930 (485). Scottish couple John and Susan Barrett (pictured) were overcharged more than $900 for a taxi Their five-minute trip took them from the Wellington train station to an apartment 1km away Taxi Federation Executive Director John Hart said the massive overcharge was the worst he'd heard of, saying they were receiving complaints on a daily basis. But fortunately for Mr Barrett and his wife Susan, the taxi driver was tracked down and the fee refunded. 'We're receiving complaints every day. Barrett has been very lucky to get his money back in this case,' Mr Hart told Stuff New Zealand. Before his money was recovered, Mr Barrett was 'exasperated' that the issue was left unresolved for so long, with travel authorities laying the blame on each other. 'I honestly don't know what else to do, there was nothing at the time that made us think anything was wrong,' Mr Barrett said. The miscue happened when a taxi driver omitted the decimal point while entering the $9.30 charge (stock image) He said when he and his wife arrived at their destination on January 21, the reading on the meter said $10. But when he went to pay, the screen had been obscured. Only hours later, his card was declined at the supermarket and he realised he had been wildly overcharged. More than a week later, the entire charge has been refunded, as well as a $50 payment as an 'apology'. The recovery of the money was executed by Wellington Taxi's Hassan Mohamed, whose company leases the EFTPOS machines to independent taxis. The couple left the Wellington Railway System early on January 21, only discovering hours later that they had been wildly overcharged He says the delay was due to 'every' taxi in Wellington being independent, even if the car bears the 'Wellington Cabs' signage. Because there was no name attached to the Barretts' trip, Mr Mohamed said he had to go through every transaction registered on his EFTPOS machines that day. He blames the deregulation of the taxi industry for the miscue - which resulted in a lack of drivers requiring to be registered with companies. A woman who woke to a man raping her at a Brisbane party screamed when she realised it wasn't her boyfriend. Patrick Ajok, 26, has been handed a five-and-a-half-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to raping the then 23-year-old woman at a Stafford home in August 2016. With time already served, he will be eligible for parole in June this year. A woman who woke to a man raping her at a Brisbane party screamed when she realised it wasn't her boyfriend (file picture) The woman thought she was dreaming when she woke during the incident before her scream alerted two other party-goers. Some pushing and shoving ensued before Ajok, who did not wear a condom, locked himself in a bathroom for an hour before leaving. He fled to Victoria before being found and extradited to Queensland a year later. He was also charged with wilful damage after vandalising his jail cell. In Brisbane District Court on Tuesday, Judge Brad Farr SC noted Ajok had a history of drug and alcohol use and grew up in foster care. But he said he had 'no regard' for his victim, who had been left traumatised. 'There can be no doubt about the seriousness of the offending conduct,' Judge Farr said. Ajok would likely be released into supervision, the court heard. A young reveller has called for 'death to all cops' because he blames them for ruining a summer festival by arresting people on drug charges. The man attended the Rainbow Serpent music festival which was held in Lexton, Victoria, 161km north of Melbourne, from Friday to Monday. He took to the Facebook group 'Melbourne Doofers' to slam the actions of police at the event. A young reveller has called for 'death to all cops', blaming them for ruining a summer festival by arresting people The man attended the Rainbow Serpent music festival (pictured) which was held in Lexton, Victoria, 161km north of Melbourne, from Friday to Monday '[Rest in peace] Rainbow. Who in there (sic) right mind arrests people at a festival. Which can potentially ruin there (sic) life just for trying to have fun,' he said. 'It is meant to be a safe place where you should have no worries or paranoia and having your friends get arrested. There is no stopping the war on drugs.' The man said Australia was turning into a 'nanny state'. 'Take a page out of Europe's book and stop making this. . . country more of a nanny state then (sic) it already is,' he said. 'People are going to [do] drugs. There are just some idiots that go to[o] hard. And there always will be. 'Death to all cops.' There were two sexual assaults, two other assaults and seven people were taken to hospital due to drug use during the four-day festival. Rainbow Serpent organisers denied they were to blame for the issues, saying authorities and governments had created a 'very difficult drug landscape'. Pictured: Revellers at the festival Ten people were arrested for drug trafficking while 54 drug notices were issued. Rainbow Serpent organisers denied they were to blame for the issues, saying authorities and governments had created a 'very difficult drug landscape'. Festival spokesman Tim Harvey said '30 years of failed drugs policy' was behind the overdoses and crimes. 'We are the people trying to do our best to meet these challenges and we are waiting for governments and other organisations to get on board with this rather than continuing the same zero-tolerance message that has caused the problem we face at the moment,' he told ABC Radio. Pyrenees Shire Council mayor Robert Vance has threatened to cancel the festival in future if drug problems got 'out of control'. As former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz considers running for president, details of his past are subject to scrutiny as they begin to come to the forefront. Journalist Tom Robbins tweeted Monday a photo of a page from the 2013 book Mob Boss, which he co-authored with Jerry Capeci, which claims Schultz played cards with mob bosses in Brooklyn. The passage speculates that Schultz would frequent a mob social club in Canarsie in the early 1980s, where he would associate with mobsters and hitmen with ties to the Gambino crime family. Schultz's bid for president has already caused controversy with anti-Trump activists and Michael Bloomberg warning that if the coffee boss runs for president as an independent, he would pave the way for Trump's re-election. A 2013 book claims Howard Schultz played card with mobsters in the 1980s One of the book's author, journalist Tom Robbins, rehashed parts of the book amid Schultz's presidential bid The book titled Mob Boss says the Starbucks CEO would associate with hit men with ties to the Gambino crime family The book follows the life of Alfonso 'Little Al' D'Arco, who became a government witness and is said to have taken down the New York mafia. The passage that mentions Schultz reads: 'Al wasn't a card player but he enjoyed sitting around the club. You never knew who was going to turn up there. 'In the early 1980s he had been sitting at a table with Bruno's brothers, icky and Louie, when a businessman from the neighborhood joined them.' The book is referring to Bruno Facciola, an Italian-American mobster in the Lucchese crime family and Louis Facciolo, a hitman with the Gambino crime family. 'The guy's name was Schultz and he was often in the club playing cards,' the passage continues. 'He was a friend of Bruno's. His business was selling coffee filters. His biggest customer was Macy's'. In Robin's tweet, he said Schultz remained mum about the connection to the mob when he and his co-author asked about it. The passage goes on to further identify Schultz by naming Howard Schultz as the 'Starbucks owner'. This may be just one hurdle Schultz is facing on the race to presidency. DailyMail.com has reached out to Schultz for a comment and has yet to hear back. 'Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world! That's not what democracy needs,' the heckler (pictured) yelled before being ejected from the Manhattan bookstore by security Just moments after he took the stage Monday evening in New York City to promote his new book, a heckler embarrassed the CEO. 'Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire!' a protester shouted inside the Barnes & Noble. 'Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world! That's not what democracy needs,' the heckler yelled before being ejected from the Manhattan bookstore by security. The 65-year-old Seattle billionaire launched a tour Monday to promote his latest book, From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America. After New York, he has stops this week in Tempe, Arizona; Seattle; and San Francisco - but no dates listed for the early voting states of Iowa or New Hampshire. However, Schultz may not make a final decision on running until the fall, when the direction of the Democratic primary may be somewhat clearer. Billionaire Michael Bloomberg fired a warning shot in Schultz's direction on Monday, saying he shouldn't mount an independent campaign for president because he could prevent the Democratic Party from defeating President Donald Trump in 2020. Third-party White House runs tend to peel votes away from major-party candidates, splitting the support from one side in a way that benefits the other. Trump himself suggested he would welcome Schultz in the race as a foil, tweeting that he did not have the 'guts' to run and was not 'the smartest'. Democratic activists have begun to openly suggest boycotting Starbucks, a company in which Schultz maintains significant ownership, until he commits that he won't disrupt the Democrats' chances to unify behind a single anti-Trump challenger. Netflix users have been warned of a new email scam claiming their accounts have been deactivated. The email, which began infiltrating Australian inboxes on Monday, directs the user to a fake Netflix 'sign in' page, where they are encouraged to update payment details and personal information. The email threatens to delete subscribers' accounts permanently if they don't hand over their details. Scroll down for video The email, which began infiltrating Australian inboxes on Monday, directs the user to a fake Netflix 'sign in' page, where they are encouraged to update payment details and personal information (pictured) Subscribers are warned their accounts will be permanently deleted if they fail to give their bank details and personal information (stock image) 'We've temporarily suspeneded [sic] your account due to some issues in the automatic verification process,' the email reads. 'We will provide you with all the steps you need to unlock your account. Please follow these instructions after you click on the link below.' The malicious sender displays the name 'NETFLlX' with a lower case 'L' to replace the 'i'. The link provided resembles the real Netflix 'sign in' page. Cybercriminals have gone to painstaking lengths to duplicate the original page by using the same colour scheme, logo, fonts and popular covers of shows and movies. Web and email security service MailGuard was the first to detect the scam. They have warned Netflix subscribers to be wary of the spelling and spacing errors in the email. 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 backgammon pro accused of murdering his financial whiz wife drugged and raped a woman he was dating during the couple's separation, according to the alleged victim who testified Monday afternoon in Manhattan Supreme Court. Patricia Swensen told the jury of six women and six men that she went on three dates with Rod Covlin, who is on trial for the alleged 2009 murder of his wife Shele, who had contacted her online. She said initially rebuffed him because he was married, but relented after he informed her he was separated. Swensen admitted during direct examination that she is a functional alcoholic who consumes six to 12 tins of Coors Light each night and had been convicted of drunk driving. On cross examination, defense attorney Robert Gottlieb was delving further into the alcohol issue, inquiring whether Swensen had headaches or hangovers when she blurted out that Covlin had assaulted her. 'The only time I felt like a zombie was after my date with your client,' she exclaimed. 'He drugged and raped me.' She said she checked herself into rehab after their first date in March 2009. Rod Covlin, accused of murdering his wife 10 years ago, is seen in court on Monday above Patricia Swensen (seen in court Monday) dated Rod Covlin who told her his plans to kill his wife The court was played video (seen above) from a trip Patricia Swensen took to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in August 2009 with Covlin 'I went into rehab a month and a half after I met your client,' Swensen told Gottlieb. 'I checked myself in because I couldn't remember how I got home from our first date.' But she went out again with Covlin several weeks after she got out of rehab and went away with him to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in August 2009. The trip started well enough, with Covlin filming and flirting with Swensen as she drove. But things turned darker on the second day of the trip when Covlin flipped out at brunch over his contentious divorce. The trip started well enough, with Covlin filming and flirting with Swensen as she drove in this video seen above The court was played the video from the road trip in August 2009. Swensen is seen right as she gave testimony Monday The video was played to the courtroom on Monday which showed scenery from the road trip above 'He was very angry, very angry,' Swensen said during her direct testimony. 'He was saying she (Shele) took all the money out of a safe and drained the joint account. 'His face was beet red. He was talking very loud and getting into my face.' Swensen also testified that Covlin said he wanted to kill her (Shele) or he wanted her dead. 'His face his eyes, they were starting to get glossy like he was getting psychotic,' she said. NYPD Sergeant Crystalee Vargas testified at the Rod Covlin murder trial on Monday, saying Shele Danishefsky was in tears when Covlin did not return home with their children Earlier Monday, an NYPD sergeant testified that Shele flung herself into the her arms a cop and sobbed when Covlin failed to bring the kids home from visitation on time, while unbeknownst to either woman, the children's father was at a hospital reporting suspected child abuse. Covlin was hours late bring the children back to his wife when she called the police to report the apparent violation of a court ordered visitation schedule, Sgt. Crystallee Vargas told the jury Monday morning. Vargas said she was called to Shele's Upper West Side apartment in the early hours of July 9, 2009, after Shele had made several phone calls to the 20th Precinct regarding the children's absence. 'She (Shele) was very worried,' Vargas said. 'As she spoke her voice trembled. She was very nervous.' After calling a sergeant to the scene Vargas was a police officer at the time and completing the required paperwork, Vargas and the other members of the NYPD left the apartment to file paperwork at the station house. But in the hallway, Vargas said, she felt uneasy about leaving. 'I went back to the apartment and I knocked on the door,' Vargas said. 'She threw herself into my arms, she hugged me, she was crying She began to sob profusely, she was uncontrollable.' Vargas was allowed to testify that during the hug, Shele blurted out, 'Oh my God, I'm so scared, I'm so scared.' But Judge Ruth Pickholz said the sergeant was not allowed to tell the jury that Shele told her Covlin was going to kill her, ruling it inadmissible hearsay. Shele Danishefsky, 47, was found dead in the bathtub of her Upper West Side apartment on New Year's Eve in 2009. Prosecutors allege estranged husband Rod Covlin murdered her Shele, a UBS executive, was found dead in her bathtub on December 31, 2009, the apparent victim of a fall in the tub where she drowned. Prosecutors say Shele had planned to write her estranged husband out of her will and $5million fortune just one day before her death. She was buried without an autopsy after her Orthodox Jewish family waived the post mortem examination at the advice of a rabbi. When Shele's body was exhumed months later, an autopsy revealed the hyoid bone in her neck was fractured, a hallmark of strangulation. While Shele waited frantically at home for word of her children's location, Covlin brought the two Anna, then nine; and Myles, then two to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital complaining that Shele had been sexually abusing Myles. 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 The pediatrician on duty that night, Dr. Robert Best, had difficulty remembering the events of the hospital evaluation, but was emphatic that they were in no danger at their mother's home. 'Out first duty is to protect the children,' Best said. 'And in this case, they were sent home to their mother.' But Angelberth Ezeogu, a child protection specialist with the Administration for Children's Services, said Covlin baled at allowing the children to return to Shele. After more than an hour of persuasion, Covlin relented and the kids were reunited with their mother around 5.30am. Ezeogu said he interviewed Shele and inspected the apartment to make sure the kids would be looked after. 'It was OK,' he said. 'I felt comfortable dropping the children off.' A junior athlete has allegedly gone to desperate lengths to evade police after he was caught in possession of drugs at a popular music festival. Frederick Solo, 19, was allegedly found with a small quantity of white powder as he entered the FOMO Festival at Parramatta, in Sydney's west, at 4.45pm on January 12. But as Solo was led away to be searched by police he allegedly ran and jumped over a two-metre high fence, before trying to swim across the Parramatta River to escape. Despite the talented rugby league player's best efforts police caught him stranded in the middle of the river, before he made his way to the bank where he was arrested. Scroll down for video Frederick Solo (left) allegedly jumped a two-metre fence and swam into the Parramatta River after being caught with drugs at the FOMO Music Festival, in Sydney, earlier this month A star athlete and rugby league player, Solo, 19, was charged with escape police custody after his desperate effort to evade officers failed. He was also charged with possess prohibited drug Following his arrest, Solo was charged with one count of possess a prohibited drug, as well as a single count of escape police custody. After almost two weeks in custody following his festival arrest, Solo appeared in the Parramatta Local Court on Friday. During a brief appearance via video link, the teenager's barrister Stephen Molly said the teenager admitted he had a drug problem. 'He acknowledges he's got a drug problem and wants to do something about it,' Mr Molloy told the court. 'He's got a forklift certificate, he's involved in sport and plays rugby league. He wants to get his life back on track.' The court also heard Solo was on parole at the time of his alleged festival offence. While the prosecution claimed their case against Solo was 'pretty strong', Magistrate Peter Feather said he believed the teen would likely avoid jail. 'Objectively it's not most serious offence and he was found in possession of a small quantity of a prohibited drug,' Magistrate Feather said. A heavy security and police presence at the entrance to the festival led to Solo and 35 other relevellers being caught with drugs Five young people have died at music festivals across NSW since September, including two at the Defqon1 festival (pictured) MUSIC FESTIVAL DEATHS: September 15 - Defqon1 dance music festival: Diana Nguyen, 21, and Joseph Nguyen Binh Pham, 23, died. December 8 - Knockout dance event: Callum Brosnan, 19, died on a platform as he waited for a train home after consuming drugs. December 29 - Lost Paradise music festival: Joshua Gerard Tam, 22, died after taking a suspected cocktail of ecstasy and alcohol. January 12 - FOMO music festival: Alex Ross-King died after attending event in Parramatta. Advertisement 'We're talking about him being a music festival he's got a small quantity of drugs on him and he's tried to escape police custody and was found in the Parramatta River.' Magistrate Feather granted Solo bail under strict conditions, including that he moves back in with his mother, reports to police daily and forfeits a $2,500 surety. Solo was a record-breaking high jumper as a 15-year-old, while he also led his school Chifley College to victory in the NSW Buckley Shield in 2013. At the same festival where Solo was caught with a small quantity of drugs, Alex Ross-King, 19, died after a suspected overdose on MDMA. Ms Ross-King, who according to her friends was not a regular drug user, was the fifth reveller to die of a suspected drug overdose at festivals in NSW since September. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz felt the passion of the anti-Trump resistance just moments after he took the stage Monday evening in New York City to promote his new book. 'Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire!' a protester shouted inside the Barnes & Noble. 'Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world! That's not what democracy needs,' the heckler yelled before being ejected from the Manhattan bookstore by security. The 65-year-old Seattle billionaire launched a tour Monday to promote his latest book, From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America. After New York, he has stops this week in Tempe, Arizona; Seattle; and San Francisco - but no dates listed for the early voting states of Iowa or New Hampshire. 'Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire!' a protester (left, center) shouted at former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz (right, on stage) inside a Barnes & Noble 'Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world! That's not what democracy needs,' the heckler (pictured) yelled before being ejected from the Manhattan bookstore by security The 65-year-old Seattle billionaire (pictured on at Barnes & Noble) launched a tour Monday to promote his latest book, From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America The mood was tense for the rest of his question-and-answer session as the packed audience applauded at times both for Schultz's insistence he could win the presidency if he ran and suggestions that he couldn't. 'If I decide to run for president as a president,' Schultz told his interviewer, 'I will have the courage and conviction to believe I can win.' He added: 'I'm certainly not going to do anything to put Donald Trump in the Oval Office.' Schultz plans to spend the next month traveling around the country - in part promoting a new book - to test whether there's interest in an independent presidential candidate, according to a person familiar with his planning. However, Schultz may not make a final decision on running until the fall, when the direction of the Democratic primary may be somewhat clearer. Billionaire Michael Bloomberg fired a warning shot in Schultz's direction on Monday, saying he shouldn't mount an independent campaign for president because he could prevent the Democratic Party from defeating President Donald Trump in 2020. Third-party White House runs tend to peel votes away from major-party candidates, splitting the support from one side in a way that benefits the other. Trump himself suggested he would welcome Schultz in the race as a foil, tweeting that he did not have the 'guts' to run and was not 'the smartest'. Democratic activists have begun to openly suggest boycotting Starbucks, a company in which Schultz maintains significant ownership, until he commits that he won't disrupt the Democrats' chances to unify behind a single anti-Trump challenger. Bloomberg himself toyed with an independent presidential campaign in 2008 and 2016. He is now 76 years old and says he will run in the Democratic primary if he decides to enter the 2020 field. 'I faced exactly the same decision now facing others who are considering it,' he said in a statement Monday. 'The data was very clear and very consistent. Given the strong pull of partisanship and the realities of the electoral college system, there is no way an independent can win.' Billionaire Michael Bloomberg (pictured on Friday) fired a warning shot in Schultz's direction on Monday, saying he shouldn't mount an independent campaign for president because he could prevent the Democratic Party from defeating President Donald Trump in 2020 Schultz said on 60 Minutes that he believes there are enough moderate voters from both parties to coalesce around a single middle-of-the-road candidate and defeat both the left and the right 'In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the President. That's a risk I refused to run in 2016 and we can't afford to run it now,' he added. 'We must remain united, and we must not allow any candidate to divide or fracture us. The stakes couldn't be higher.' Schultz believes that enough moderate voters from both parties are disenchanted with the status quo to coalesce around a middle-of-the-road candidate like him. 'I believe that lifelong Democrats and lifelong Republicans are looking for a home,' he told Axios on Sunday night, while acknowledging that talk of a vote-splitting campaign 'is going to create hate, anger, disenfranchisement from friends, from Democrats.' The prospect of Schultz, 56, unintentionally playing a spoiler role and helping Trump stay in office isn't sitting well with would-be Starbucks boycotters. Center for American Progress president Neera Tanden tweeted: 'Vanity projects that help destroy democracy are disgusting. If he enters the race, I will start a Starbucks boycott because I'm not giving a penny that will end up in the election coffers of a guy who will help Trump win.' Her organization mobilized an editor at its newsy blog, Think Progress, to second the motion. President Trump could benefit in 2020 from a third-party or independent challenger who peels votes away from the Democratic Party's nominee Trump dared Schultz on Monday to challenge him, tweeting that he 'doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!' 'If Howard Schultz gets into the presidential race, @MoveOn, @IndivisibleTeam, the @DNC, the major unions, and the major presidential campaigns should all use their email lists to promote a Starbucks boycott until he drops out,' Ian Millhiser wrote on Twitter. Not everyone is behind the idea. Author and radio host Carol Roth, who writes about business entrepreneurship, criticized would-be boycotters for being willing to 'impair the livelihood of myriad workers to bully someone out of running for office'. Bloomberg has been making the rounds, speaking to Democratic groups about what he sees as an unacceptable danger associated with four more years of Trump. 'The presidency is not an entry-level job,' Bloomberg told the Democratic Business Council of Northern Virginia on Friday. 'There is just too much at stake.' 'The longer we have a pretend CEO who is recklessly running this country, the worse it's going to be for our economy and for our security. This is really dangerous,' he said. Sunday on 60 Minutes, Schultz suggested that his frustration with America's two-party political system has him 'seriously thinking of running for president' as an independent. 'I will run as a centrist independent outside of the two-party system,' he said, speaking in what-if terms. 'We're living at a most fragile time,' Schultz said. 'Not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be the president, but also the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what's necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged every single day in revenge politics.' President Trump fired off a tweet on Monday seemingly designed to bait Schultz into committing to a presidential campaign. He seized on Schultz's acknowledgement on 60 Minutes that he's 'not the smartest person in the room' and has succeeded by surrounding himself with talented advisers. 'Howard Schultz doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President! Watched him on @60Minutes last night and I agree with him that he is not the 'smartest person'.' 'Besides, America already has that!' Trump bragged. 'I only hope that Starbucks is still paying me their rent in Trump Tower!' Center for American Progress president Neera Tanden and Justice editor of the organization's blog Think Progress both suggested a Starbucks boycott could be an effective way to keep Schultz out of the 2020 race Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, a Democrat who has also announced he is running for president in 2020, said on CNN: 'I have a concern that, if he did run, that, essentially, it would provide Donald Trump with his best hope of getting reelected' Schultz's team has polled on the viability of a third party run and believes there is an opening, though they have not shared the specifics of their internal surveys. He is being advised by a team with experience in both parties, including Steve Schmidt, who worked on Republican John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, and former Obama adviser Bill Burton, who joined Schultz at his Monday appearance in New York. Schultz's team also includes Republican pollster Greg Strimple, GOP strategist Brooks Kochvar, and Rajiv Chandrasekaran, a former journalist who has worked closely with Schultz since 2015. He has discussed with his team how much of his own money he's willing to plunge into a campaign, though the person familiar with his planning would not disclose the amount. On paper, Schultz offers a number of qualities that might appeal to voters. He grew up in public housing in New York City's Brooklyn borough and became the first person in his family to graduate from college. He's also been a longtime Democratic donor, contributing to the campaigns of Obama, Hillary Clinton, New York Sen Chuck Schumer, and Washington Sens Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, among others. He has also criticized Trump, telling employees that the president was creating 'chaos' and hurting business; calling Trump's tax cuts for corporations unnecessary and reckless; and vowing to hire 10,000 refugees after Trump issued an executive order banning travel from seven mostly Muslim nations. But some of his views might clash with a Democratic Party gearing up to unseat Trump. Schultz on Monday criticized proposals for single-payer health care and free tuition at public colleges as unrealistic and instead emphasized expanding the economy and curbing entitlements to get the national debt under control. 'If I ran as a Democrat I would have to say things in my heart I do not believe,' he said of the increasingly popular liberal policies. The Democratic National Committee declined to address Schultz directly. Spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa offered only this response: 'We are focused on defeating Donald Trump, and anyone who shares that goal should vote for the Democrat nominee in 2020.' Count former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro among the Democratic naysayers. He said Sunday on CNN that a Schultz run 'would provide Donald Trump with his best hope of getting reelected'. Trump's poll numbers in recent months have mostly stayed at or below 42 per cent, he said, regardless of who is cited as his hypothetical Democratic opponent. 'So his only hope, if things stayed the same and that's a big if is essentially to get somebody else, a third party, to siphon off those votes,' Castro explained. 'And I don't think that that would be in the best interest of our country. We need new leadership. And so, you know, I would suggest to Mr. Schultz to truly think about the negative impact that that might make.' Patrick McHugh, executive director of the liberal Priorities USA super PAC, told the Associated Press that 'if Schultz entered the race as an independent, we would consider him a target... We would do everything we can to ensure that his candidacy is unsuccessful'. 'The bottom line,' said McHugh, 'is that I don't think Americans are looking for another selfish billionaire to enter the race.' What is more feasible is for Reliance Industries is to roll out its online shopping platform that will take on both Amazon and Walmart Incs Flipkart. Speaking the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Ahmedabad last week, and addressing the creme of Indian and foreign businessmen and political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reliance Industries boss Mukesh Ambani, the richest and most powerful corporate leader in the country, made an unexpected and unusual demand to the government. Mr Ambani said that data is a new oil and new wealth, and therefore must be controlled and owned by Indian people and not by corporates, especially global corporations. He added: Gandhiji led Indias movement against political colonisation. Today, we have to collectively launch a new movement against data colonization For India to succeed in this data driver revolution, we will have to migrate the control and ownership of Indian data back to India in other words, Indian wealth back to every Indian. Brave words that sound as if they are coming from a left-wing radical and not the man who controls a large telecom enterprise. If we examine what is likely and what would remain a challenge for Indian corporates, a more complex picture emerges. What is more feasible is for Reliance Industries is to roll out its online shopping platform that will take on both Amazon and Walmart Incs Flipkart. Reliance plans to take on the worlds largest retailers by combining its Jio telecom service, mobile devices and a vast physical retail network of grocery, electronics and other stores. The Indian conglomerate will join Amazon and Flipkart in aggressively trying to capture a larger share in the worlds fastest-growing major e-commerce market. Reliance has begun trials of the companys new e-marketing venture in six cities, including the big metros. It also plans to enlist small neighbourhood shops as delivery centres. It also has long years of experience in getting the governments support to change policies to benefit it. Last month, India tightened the rules that would disallow foreign-owned online retailers from selling products via companies in which they own equity. These are expected to affect the operations of Amazon as well as its rival Walmart, and are expected to benefit local enterprises such as Reliance. With its vast monetary resources and managerial skill at its disposal, there seems little reason why the company cannot become a major player in the e-commerce space. The problems arises when we consider data which is a new oil and new wealth, and therefore must be controlled and owned by Indian people and not by corporates. First, it is not clear how this hidden wealth, based on the ordinary persons life and preferences, can be owned and controlled by such a person. This valuable data is gleaned by sophisticated mathematical algorithms from what the person sees or wants from the Internet. Big Internet giants like Google or Facebook offer their services for free and make money by offering their findings for a fee to those whether corporations or governments who want it either to market their wares or to corner a part of the popular vote during elections. They consider this information to be very valuable since their profits and influence are based on it, and they would not want competitors to get hold of it. That is the main reason why this is stored in secure servers in their home countries. Google and Facebook are among the largest and wealthiest corporations in the world, more so even than Reliance, and have resisted the Indian governments attempts to keep the data on Indian users on servers in India, where the government or its agents could access it. Facebook has been involved in campaigning for the BJP and for Mr Narendra Modi since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and now has an expert team of its executives in India preparing a campaign of news feeds for the BJP to discredit the Opposition parties. Facebook has in recent years supported six right-wing parties around the world. Bloomberg reports: In India, the company helped develop the online presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who now has more Facebook followers than any other world leader. In the Philippines, it trained the campaign of Rodrigo Duterte, known for encouraging extrajudicial killings, in how to most effectively use the platform. And in Germany it helped the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party (AfD) win its first Bundestag seats. Other leaders that Facebook has supported include the Scottish National Party, Argentine President Mauricio Macri, and Polands nationalist President Andrzej Duda, who has presided over a crackdown on press freedom in the country. Bloomberg further adds: India is arguably Facebooks most important market, with the nation recently edging out the United States as the companys biggest Since his election, Modis Facebook followers have risen to 43 million, almost twice Trumps count. As Modis social media reach grew, his followers increasingly turned to Facebook and WhatsApp to target harassment campaigns against his political rivals. Now Google, which is much bigger than Facebook, promises to start searching for political ads and is likely to follow Facebook in a bid to influence politics. Despite his wealth and political influence, Mr Ambani is not likely to outgun Facebook or Google, and hence his concern over data colonisation. A woman was booted off a United Airlines flight after she was caught fat shaming fellow passengers because she was stuck between them in a middle seat. The unnamed blonde passenger was on a flight from Las Vegas to Newark on January 2 when she was caught on camera moaning about being stuck in the middle of two 'big' passengers. Her tirade has been posted to Facebook by registered nurse from New Jersey Norma Rodgers who was sitting next to the woman and subjected to the abuse. It has since gone viral. 'Oh my goodness, I don't know how I'm going to do this for the next four hours,' the unidentified foul-mouthed woman says. 'This is just impossible cause they're squishing me. Like, friggin' just unbelievable. 'I can't sit here because they're both so big on left and right,' she complains. 'I can't even sit here.' She also jokes: 'At least they'll keep me warm.' This passenger disparages her seatmates during her phone call from the middle seat of a United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark on January 2 Norma Rodgers, who filmed the footage, from New Jersey describes herself as a 'Nursing Leader: Advocating for nurses and the nursing profession/ Healthcare Advocate' on her Facebook page Rodgers and her partner, McKinley Frink, were booked into the window and aisle seats on the United flight when the woman sat down between them The irate passenger continues to make remarks about the man to her right, believed to be her partner McKinley 'Mac' Frink, who was traveling with Rodgers. This prompts Rodgers to respond with, 'b***h, please, ok?' but the woman just carries on laughing on the phone. When someone off screen catches her attention about a potential window seat, she asks them to get her window and get her out of there before hanging up the phone and stating out loud, 'I can't do this.' After a minute or so, the person returns and apparently there are no other seats that he could find which prompts her to again mention that she was being 'squished'. Mac says something that can't be made out on the video and she responds with, 'well, I eat salad'. The unnamed woman (left) continued to make loud remarks as Norma Rodgers (right) recorded her on her own phone During an awkward quiet moment, the complaining passenger looked directly at the phone Norma Rodgers was carrying The video posted on Facebook has been viewed more than 2.3 million times since being posted a week ago garnering over 12,000 comments. Rodgers is seen above Rodgers then flags a flight attendant and says: 'Excuse me, can you find her another seat? Because I will not be verbally abused by this b***h or anybody else. 'I will not be verbally abused by anybody. I'm not tolerating it.' When the flight attendant asks the foul-mouthed flyer if she would like to wait in the back so that she could look to see if there was another seat available, the woman says 'thank goodness' and again blasts 'I eat salads.' 'You should be ashamed of yourself, madam,' another passenger says calling her out. 'What you're doing is so terrible, you should be ashamed of yourself.' 'I'm not politically correct,' she quips back as another passenger says to her 'Make America great again, that's a good example.' To someone else she says 'why don't you try and sit between those two big pigs.' 'B***h, kiss my fat ass,' Rodgers shouts back at her. The rude passenger makes her way down the aisle and continues to verbally spar with other passengers Rodgers asks who she can report the blonde woman's behavior. 'I am not starting my new year off with this kind of negativity,' she says to the flight attendant. As a flight attendant asked if she would like to step to the back to wait for another seat when she continued to make comments to other passengers in front of Frink The complaining passenger twice stated she eats salads presumably as another dig at the size of her fellow passengers The woman stated that she was 'not politically correct' and asked other passengers if they would like to sit in her former row In her own Facebook post, Rodgers expresses how angry she is about her middle seat antagonist. 'My old days would have been to beat the b***h's ass. The politically correct Norma called to speak with supervisors and asked that she be moved,' Rodgers wrote. In her own Facebook post, Rodgers expresses how angry she is about her middle seat antagonist. 'My old days would have been to beat the b***h's ass. The politically correct Norma called to speak with supervisors and asked that she be moved,' Rodgers wrote Rodgers describes herself and her partner Mac, pictured, as 'plus size people' after they were verbally abused and accused of 'squishing' the woman 'Another passenger requested she be taken off the plane. Several passengers informed the supervisor of her behavior.' The woman was then taken off the flight. The video posted on Facebook has been viewed more than 2.3 million times since being posted a week ago garnering over 12,000 comments. A request for comment was sent to United Airlines regarding the incident. Rodgers shared the video to Facebook above and said that she was 'feeling angry' Fox News anchor Julie Banderas has lashed out at President Donald Trump after the commander-in-chief attacked her newsroom colleagues on Twitter this weekend. President Trump who regularly berates and belittles media outlets including CNN and NBC turned on his favorite news network, Fox's White House Correspondent John Roberts and Washington-based correspondernt Gillian Turnerreporters John Roberts and Gillian Turner. 'Never thought I'd say this but I think [Roberts] and [Turner] @FoxNews have even less understanding of the Wall negotiations than the folks at FAKE NEWS CNN & NBC!' the president tweeted after watching a their segment on the fight for funds during the government shutdown. The President criticized White House Correspondent John Roberts (left) and Washington-based correspondent Gillian Turner (right) in a tweet on Sunday after their segment on the fight for funds during the government shutdown Fox News host Julie Banderas slammed Donald Trump tweeting 'Bullying journalists is not presidential' The President criticized two of Fox News reporters - White House Correspondent John Roberts and Washington Correspondent Gillian Turner - in a tweet on Sunday Trump did not specify which aspects of the commentary by the Fox News correspondents he found problematic, but Banderas was having none of it and quickly rose to the defense of her colleagues calling Trump out for 'bullying' and 'insulting' her fellow journalists. '@realDonaldTrump This is NOT right. I stand by my colleagues @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner They don't deserve this No reporter does. They are doing their jobs and reporting the facts. They are not opinion journalists and deserve the respect from the @WhiteHouse they cover,' Banderas tweeted first. 'Our jobs are not meant to please others. But the office of the @POTUS ought not to be the one lashing out. That's not how this country works. That's not how Freedom of the Press works. ... Bullying journalists is not Presidential. Period,' She added. However, Banderas wasn't finished and ended up tweeting three more times in response to feedback from her original tweet: 'We can and do stand plenty of criticism every day which is fine coming from everyday viewers. Our jobs are not meant to please others. But the office of the @POTUS ought not to be the one lashing out. That's not how this country works. That's not how Freedom of the Press works.' Banderas blasted Trump after he accused two of her Fox colleagues of being 'less understanding' of his border 'wall' The tweet resulted in a back-and-forth with some of her followers which led to another defensive tweet from the Fox anchor. 'By going on Twitter and insulting two of our journalists @realDonaldTrump is putting a target on their backs. In turn his followers will then attack @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner in support on Twitter. Bullying journalists is not Presidential. Period'. One follower asked by Banderas had been silent, until now. 'Where have you been the last few years? Trump has criticized virtually EVERY OTHER REPORTER ON THE PLANET (other than Fox). Where were you when targets were being put on their backs? 'I have always stood up for journalists no matter what network they work for. We all should support each other,' Banderas affirmed in her final tweet on Monday. Banderas's remarks came in response to a Sunday tweet from Trump that said Roberts and Turner 'have even less understanding of the Wall negotiations than the folks at FAKE NEWS CNN & NBC!' Banderas' tweet resulted in plenty of back-and-forth with her twitter followers Banderas got a lot of support for her tweets but many asked her where she had been Trump has been known to call in to his favorite Fox News personalities who are solely on the opinion side of the network, including Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Jeanine Pirro, and the hosts of Fox & Friends. In a follow-up tweet, Trump wrote: 'After all that I have done for the Military, our great Veterans, Judges (99), Justices (2), Tax & Regulation Cuts, the Economy, Energy, Trade & MUCH MORE, does anybody really think I won't build the WALL? 'Done more in first two years than any President! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Since running for office, Trump has waged a public relations war against news outlets whose reporting he doesn't like - among them CNN, NBC News, and others. Trump and his allies have branded those news organizations as 'fake news' in an attempt to discredit their reporting. It should be noted that Roberts and Turner work on the news-gathering side of the Fox News operation, which is separate from the opinion-commentary department. President Donald Trump (seen at the White House on Friday) did the unthinkable on Sunday and criticized his favorite cable news channel, Fox News Trump routinely tears into reporters and tries to undermine the free press by accusing the 'fake news' media of acting as the 'enemy of the people.' In November, the White House was forced to restore press credentials for CNN's Jim Acosta after it stripped him of his pass following a heated exchange with Trump during a press conference. The president tweeted earlier this month that he had told White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders 'not to bother' with press briefings, claiming without evidence that reporters often cover her 'rudely' and 'inaccurately.' 'This retreat from transparency and accountability sets a terrible precedent,' White House Correspondents' Association President Olivier Knox said in a statement at the time. 'Being able to question the press secretary or other senior government officials publicly helps the news media tell Americans what their most powerful representatives are doing in their name.' In a follow-up tweet, Trump wrote: 'After all that I have done for the Military, our great Veterans, Judges (99), Justices (2), Tax & Regulation Cuts, the Economy, Energy, Trade & MUCH MORE, does anybody really think I won't build the WALL?' Trump's tweet critical of Roberts and Turner was posted after 8pm Eastern time, which likely means the President watched a taping of the show which is replayed on the Fox News Channel on cable Even Trump's most ardent supporters say that the President 'caved' in agreeing to reopen the government even though he did not receive any funding for his planned border wall. Conservative columnist Ann Coulter called Trump the 'biggest wimp' in the history of the office following his concession on Friday. Coulter, an immigration hawk and early Trump supporter, reacted with swift fury to Trump's announcement on Friday that he would reopen the government for three weeks without any commitment from Congress to fund a southern border wall. 'Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States,' Coulter wrote on Twitter. Bush, who died in November aged 94, was widely ridiculed in office for going back on his 'read my lips' vow not to raise taxes. Among the hardest core of Trump's base, many had expected the President to push forward with declaring a national emergency in order to build the wall, a proposal he had floated for weeks. Thursday's deal to reopen government came as a shock to this group and a potential blow to Trump's reelection chances. Taking to Twitter, Trump defended his move and insisted that an emergency declaration was still on the table if Democrats in Congress do not cut a deal to fund the border wall before the three-week deadline. Ann Coulter, seen on Real Time on Friday night, lashed out at Trump for making a deal to reopen the government without securing any funding for a border wall Couler declared that Trump backing down from his wall demand to end the shutdown made him an even bigger 'wimp' than George HW Bush, who famously reneged on a tax promise 'I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. 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 wrote on Friday night. He continued to battle base backlash on Saturday morning, writing: '21 days goes very quickly. Negotiations with Democrats will start immediately. Will not be easy to make a deal, both parties very dug in. The case for National Security has been greatly enhanced by what has been happening at the Border & through dialogue. We will build the Wall!' In her interview with HBO's Bill Maher on Friday, Coulter said that all of her concerns about Trump would be forgiven if the wall gets built. 'Just keep your promises and I'm right back in your camp,' she said. Otherwise, speculation has circulated that Coulter might mount a primary campaign against Trump. Asked about the possibility by Maher, Coulter joked: 'I'm against women working, so I can't.' More than half of boys held in young offender institutions in 2017-18 were from a black or minority ethnic background (BME), a watchdog report has indicated. The percentage of BME detainees was the highest recorded since HM Inspectorate of Prisons began carrying out the analysis in 2001. The figure of 51 per cent was three percentage points up on the previous year's 48 per cent. Only two years ago a landmark review by Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy raised concerns that the proportion of black, Asian and minority ethnic youth prisoners had increased despite an overall fall in under-18s in custody. Commenting on the latest findings, Mr Lammy said: 'This is deeply alarming and now must be viewed as an urgent national crisis. 'We are not only failing to make progress to address these racial inequalities; things are getting significantly worse. 'From childhood right through to courts and adult prisons, our justice system entrenches and exacerbates the divides in our society.' The findings show an increase over the previous year and a dramatic jump over the last decade Researchers found the proportion of boys who identified as being from a black or minority ethnic background varied significantly from facility to facility. At the Keppel Unit - Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institute (YOI) Wetherby, a male juvenile prison outside York - it was one-in-five (21 per cent). At HMP Feltham, a male juvenile jail in Hounslow in west London, in was nearly three-quarters (71 per cent). The figures are detailed in a study of perceptions of those between 12 and 18 who were held in YOIs or secure training centres (STCs) in England and Wales from April 2017 to March 2018. The assessment, published today, covers the experiences of boys in five male YOIs, plus a specialist unit for boys; and children, including a small number of girls, held in three STCs. Black and minority ethnic children accounted for 42 per cent of the STC population, according to the paper. The percentage identifying as being from a BME background also varied between STCs, from 33 per cent at Oakhill in Milton Keynes, to 55 per cent at Medway in Rochester. David Lammy MP, a campaigner on this issue, called the findings 'deeply alarming' saying they must be viewed as 'an urgent national crisis' Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: 'For the first time, more than half of boys in prison identify as being from a black or minority ethnic background. 'Sixteen months after the Lammy Review was published, it is disturbing that disproportionality it is growing.' In other findings: More than half of children (56 per cent) in STCs [and 50 per cent in YOIs] reported they had been physically restrained in their establishment. Three in 10 STC respondents had been 'victimised' by other children by being shouted at through windows. Children in STCs were more likely to report that staff treated them with respect (87 per cent compared with 64 per cent in YOIs) Between 2013-14 and 2017-18, the number of children, including 18-year-olds, held in YOIs, STCs and secure children's homes fell by 24 per cent from 1,318 to 997, the report found. The watchdog warned that too many youngsters feel unsafe while in custody. It found that signs of improvement have yet to translate into a significant shift in children's perceptions of their treatment and conditions. Three options for young offenders There are three types of secure accommodation in which a young person can be placed: Young Offender Institutions YOI's are facilities run by both the Prison Service and the private sector and accommodate 15- to 17-year-olds. Young people serving Detention and Training Orders can be accommodated beyond the age of 17 subject to child protection considerations. The majority of YOI's accommodate boys, although there are four dedicated female units Secure Training Centres STC's are purpose-built centres for young offenders up to the age of 17. STC's can accommodate both male and female young people who are held separately. They are run by private operators under contracts, which set out detailed operational requirements. There are four STC's in England; Secure Childrens Homes SCH's accommodate children and young people placed there on a secure welfare order for the protection of themselves or others, and for those placed under criminal justice legislation. SCH's are generally used to accommodate young offenders aged 12 to 14, girls up to the age of 16, and boys 15-16 assessed as vulnerable. Source: Lancashire Safeguarding Children's Board Advertisement HMIP's analysis, based on a survey of 686 children detained in 2017-18, found just over a third (34 per cent) of those held in STCs reported feeling unsafe at some point since arriving at the centre. Forty per cent of those in YOIs had felt unsafe during their time there. Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke said: 'I trust that the details of this report will prove useful to those whose responsibility it is to provide safe, respectful and purposeful custody for children. 'As we all know, the perceptions of children in custody, will, for them, be the reality of what is happening. 'That is why we should not allow the recent improvement in inspection findings to give rise to complacency.' A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'We are fundamentally reforming youth custody to make it safer and more focused on rehabilitation and, as the Chief Inspector recognises, there have been encouraging signs of improvement in safety. 'As part of our reforms, we are increasing frontline staff in public-sector YOIs by 20%, improving training for officers working with young people, and have recently announced a 5 million investment in a new secure school at Medway. 'But we recognise there is still more to do, including tackling disproportionality in the justice system, and a dedicated team is addressing this issue head-on.' Kieron Stacey, 30, uploaded an image of the woman's genitals and buttocks onto Facebook, captioned with the comment: 'Coming soon to yet another bloke near you' A thug who previously beat his ex-partner posted an 'upskirt' photo of her genitals on Facebook when she refused to get back together with him, a court heard. Kieron Stacey, 30, uploaded an image of the woman's genitals and buttocks onto Facebook, captioned with the comment: 'Coming soon to yet another bloke near you.' The victim's face was not visible in the photo, but she could identify it by the bed sheets in the image. Stacey, from Scunthorpe, sent her a number of texts afterwards, saying he was going to call social services and tell them 'what she was like'. The victim received a notification about the photograph, which was online for under an hour, before it was deleted by Stacey when he realised what he had done, the court heard. The 30-year-old - a father who has a previous conviction for domestic violence against the same ex-partner while she was pregnant - appeared in court after pleading guilty to an offence of disclosing a private sexual photograph with intent to cause distress. He was spared jail and was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Manchester Crown Court heard that the couple's relationship had been happy, and they had an 18-month-old child together, but Stacey became 'abusive and violent'. Previously he received a suspended prison sentence after attacking her while she was 12 weeks pregnant, the court heard. Then in November 2017, Stacey posted an image of the woman's genitals and buttocks onto Facebook. Rachel White, prosecuting, described it as an 'upskirting' image taken while she was on a bed. Previously Stacey (pictured) received a suspended prison sentence after attacking her while she was 12 weeks pregnant, the court heard His lawyer said he uploaded it in a 'moment of madness', after he had stayed with his ex-partner and thought they may be getting back together. In a statement read to the court, the victim said: 'Posting this on Facebook was a disgusting thing to do. 'It caused me considerable embarrassment and distress. It made me feel ashamed and horrible.' After being arrested, Stacey lied to officers and said he hadn't uploaded the image. Then he said the image was of a different woman, then claiming he had uploaded it by mistake. Stacey, who also has a previous conviction for battery against another ex-partner, later pleaded guilty. Defending, Suzanne Hargreaves said Stacey, originally from Manchester, is in a new relationship with another woman and is remorseful. The couple have just had a baby and they now live together in Scunthorpe. Ms Hargreaves said Stacey's partner knows about his convictions through Clare's Law, which the Government last week said will become official following a trial period. It was named after Clare Wood from Salford, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton, who had a history of violence against women. Sentencing, Judge Timothy Smith told Stacey: 'You have a history of violence towards those with whom you are in a relationship. 'What you did as a consequence of her actions to you was to react in a way that was petulant, and can properly be seen as some degree of revenge against her. 'You did that motivated by a desire to embarrass, humiliate and to cause distress, and that's exactly what you did.' Stacey, from Scunthorpe, was ordered to complete 175 hours of unpaid work, complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay a fine of 300. A British man convicted of murdering his wife and nine-month-old baby has written to his dead partner's parents from prison to claim she was behind the deaths. Neil Entwistle, now aged 40, was found guilty in 2008 of killing his 27-year-old Rachel and their daughter Lillian in Hopkinton, near Boston, Massachusetts. But former IT consultant Entwistle has written to Rachel's parents from prison to insist she had killed their baby before turning the gun on herself. The letter is revealed in a book by Entwistle's 62-year-old father Cliff, who also maintains his son's innocence, the Mirror reported. Neil Entwistle, now aged 40, was found guilty in 2008 of killing his 27-year-old Rachel and their daughter Lillian (pictured together) In the letter he wrote: 'I did not kill Rachel and Lilly but I do carry the guilt and in no way blame Rachel. And this is where it is difficult for me to share openly. 'For over seven years, I have never shared what I saw and what I know of all that transpired on the day we both lost Rachel and Lilly, the two most wonderful people ever to bless our lives.' Offering to speak to Rachel's parents in person Entwistle said he wanted to 'share with you all I know' about the deaths. The Nottingham engineer is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders on January 20, 2006. Autopsy results showed that Rachel died of a gunshot wound to the head and Lillian of a gunshot wound to the torso. Entwistle fled the country hours after the deaths, boarding a British Airways flight to London at 8.15am on January 21 after withdrawing $800 in cash. Entwistle pictured with his wife Rachel. He has written to Rachel's parents from prison to insist she had killed their baby before turning the gun on herself Neil Entwistle is led from district court in Massachusetts in 2006 during his murder trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison He was later arrested at Royal Oak underground station in London and extradited to the United States to face trial for murder. Prosecutors argued at the murder trial that Entwistle killed his wife and daughter because he was upset about his failure to find employment. The trial heard that he was heavily in debt and lying to his wife about his job prospects while secretly looking for extra-marital sex on the internet. Shortly before the killings he had searched the web for instructions on how to kill someone, prosecutors said. He is serving the two life sentences at the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Entwistle had claimed in a taped phone call from Britain that he found his wife and baby dead after returning from a shopping trip. The Entwistles met as students at the University of York in 1999, where American student Rachel was studying abroad. Neil Entwistle's father Clifford Entwistle, mother Yvonne Entwistle and brother Russell leave the courtroom after the guilty verdict. His father has maintained his innocence Rachel Entwistle (right) and daughter Lillian, who were murdered in Hopkinton, Massachusetts The two married in in 2003 after she graduated from College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and returned to the UK to earn a teaching certificate and be with her husband. Months after their daughter's birth, the couple moved to Massachusetts and rented their own four-bedroom home in 2006. Cliff Entwistle has insisted ever since his son's conviction that Neil was innocent of the murders. He has previously said: There is no way on God's Earth that my son would murder his wife and child. 'He was not given a fair trial, key evidence that proves his innocence was swept under the carpet and people are finally beginning to realise this.' Cliff Entwistle said flying home hours after the deaths had been a 'natural instinct' after a traumatic situation. The Huntington Fire Department rushed to met a makeshift boat that was holding at least 12 people after it came ashore on Monday afternoon at the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach, California. 'Huntington Beach crews on scene to a Multi-Casualty incident, 9 patients arrive on boat more information to come. PIO en route,' read a tweet posted by the public information officer. Those individuals were revealed to be 10 Chinese nationals and two Mexican nationals. One of the Mexicans is a known smuggler. It is still unclear where the boat originated from before making landfall 100 miles north of the Mexican border and 35 miles south of Los Angeles. Captured: 10 Chinese nationals and two Mexican nationals were arrested after they came ashore at Naval Weapons Reserve in Seal Beach, California on Monday (seven of the suspects above) Scene: Hundreds of people are arrested in the region annually trying to smuggle drugs and people into the area, 100 miles north of Mexico and 35 miles south of LA Hand-off: The Huntington beach Fire Department responded to the scene at first but now the Department of Homeland Security has taken over the case Out of luck: One of the Mexicans is a known smuggler according to reports, but it is unclear where the boat originated from The Huntington Fire Department announced about an hour after reporting to the scene that the Department of Homeland Security had taken over the case. Video and photos posted by CBS Los Angeles show the men and women who arrived on the boat being treated by firefighters on the scene and then later placced in handcuffs. A short while later they were taken away from the scene by local police before being place in federal custody. It is being reported that the group traveled through Anaheim Bay while making the trip, which is US Navy property. That entrance point is just north of where the boat made landfall. Hundreds of arrests are made annually in the region of people who come ashore with drugs or illegal aliens, hoping to smuggle them into the country. More than a dozen people were trapped in lift which kept plunging down several floors at a time, for nearly an hour. The scene on Saturday night at St Davids Shopping Centre in Cardiff was described as something from a horror film, as the lift travelled up and down more than 25 times. The lifts occupants were found screaming, panicking and sweating as they sat on the floor to avoid any serious injuries. It has been claimed to have lasted around 40 minutes. A young girl had a panic attack and was left crying and shaking, while another woman described it as an absolute horrific and life changing experience. Taris Chapman, 19, and her friends Amy Hitchins, Wallis Owen and Olivia Oldham were all stuck in the lift at St Davids Shopping Centre in Cardiff Firefighters from South Wales Fire and Resuce Service were called to the scene, and St Davids has since apologised to those involved. But those who were trapped say they only received a bottle of water and an offer of free parking as a result of the ordeal. Four people involved in the incident on Saturday night, included Taris Chapman, 19, and her friends Amy Hitchins, Wallis Owen and Olivia Oldham, who were making their way back to their car after a meal at TGI Fridays. The girls, who are all from the Rhondda, posted about the frightening experience to Facebook, in a bid to warn others about how dangerous lifts can be. Miss Chapman wrote: Myself, three of my friends and nine other people were in the lift in St Davids shopping centre this evening when it stopped working. This resulted in 40 minutes of the lift going to the top floor and just plunging us down seven floors with force, whilst jolting. Not to mention, how frightening it was as we couldnt get hold of the of the help line 10 minutes into the lift breaking. The scene on Saturday night was described as something from a horror film, as the lift travelled up and down more than 25 times When we did manage to get hold of them, the speaker kept cutting off and due to no signal we couldnt even get through to the emergency services. Around 20 minutes later, the fire service came and helped us get out. This was the most terrifying thing we have experienced and want to warn others as it was very distressing. Miss Chapman and her friends said the experience was like something from a horror film. It felt like there was no control over the lift, she added. Everyone was screaming and panicking. It felt like the cord that holds the lift wasnt working properly. The girls said Miss Oldham, who was already petrified of lifts, was left having a panic attack and was crying and shaking throughout the ordeal. Megan Jones, 19, and her mother Alyson Jones, 53, from Aberdare, were also in the plunging lift They described how the lift hit the top floor, before jolting and dropping back to the bottom - but the doors would not open. We were all crying and decided to sit on the floor in case it hit the bottom hard, Miss Chapman said. It honestly felt like we were never going to get out. We couldnt get through [to emergency staff] and when we did we just couldnt understand what was being said. It was boiling in there. Everyone was sat down, panicking and sweating. We had no drinks and it felt like there was no air in there. Another two people stuck in the lift on Saturday, was Megan Jones, 19, and her mother Alyson Jones, 53, from Aberdare, south Wales. Miss Jones, described the ordeal as an absolute horrific and life changing experience. She said: Not being able to contact anyone whilst we were being thrown up and down with no way of stopping the lift was honestly the worst experience of my life. We went down to the first floor and then right up to the top. It all happened so fast. We hit the top and came down with a judder. We must have gone up and down continuously around 25 to 30 times. Everyone was screaming. It was the worst experience of my life. Miss Jones compared the horrific experience to the Tower of Terror - a Disneyland ride which includes sudden drops within a dark, enclosed space. If there were any more people, there would have been some serious injuries, Miss Jones added. We were all sat on the floor to keep safe. Steven Madeley, General Manager for St Davids said: We can confirm there was a fault with a lift in the centre Saturday evening, and the Fire Service attended in line with our usual protocol. Wed like to apologise to those affected and thank them for their patience. We will be liaising with those customers directly. We would like to reassure that the incident was a fault, and there was no risk or danger to those involved. A spokesman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a crew from Cardiff Central were called to St Davids Shopping centre at around 6.57pm. A spokesman said: We obtained the lift keys and the people inside were released safely. The boy who fathered a baby with a 12-year-old girl in Western Australia is himself just 14 years old, it has been revealed. The new revelation in a case that has shocked Australia has led to calls for more detailed sex education to be given to younger children. The young girl went into labour at a home in Perth, where the baby was delivered, before she was transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital with her healthy child earlier this month. She told staff she had no idea she was pregnant when she arrived at the Peel Health Campus, and has since been discharged. The boy who fathered a baby with a 12-year-old girl in Western Australia is just 14 years old, it has been revealed (stock photo) Sharyn Burns, from Curtin Universitys school of public health, said the case was a 'one-off' but showed the importance of in-depth sexual education at schools. 'Having good relationship and sexuality education in schools is always going to be a positive, because some kids may not get that experience from their parents,' he told The West. Over the weekend, it emerged that both the girl and the baby's father could face charges. Youth Legal Service WA solicitor Sally Dechow said the charges could be brought against the pair as the conception was considered illegal under state law. 'Legally they could both be charged, but in practice weve found its usually the boy who is charged. 'You have to look at the welfare of these kids and whether its in the public interest to prosecute children of this age.' The young girl went into labour at a Perth home, where the baby was delivered, before she was transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital (pictured) with her healthy child earlier this month Ms Dechow pointed out that even though the pair are both under the age of 16 and were willing participants at the time, the law states they were below the age of consent. She went so far as to say a charge and conviction could land someone on the registered child sex offender list. Police have the ability not to prosecute after considering supervision and support options and whether laying charges will be in the public interest. The WA department said they are working with the Department of Communities, Department of Health and the girl's family and said priority would be placed on family support. '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,' a police spokeswoman said. Former Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon said children giving birth is a concern. While he was not speaking about this particular case, he said some young girls tried to hide their pregnancy out of denial. In other cases, they had no idea they were even pregnant. 'People find it extremely hard to understand how a pregnancy can be concealed, but it can happen,' he said. He pointed out children at the age of 12 were still developing physically and a skeleton that wasn't properly formed posed risks during childbirth. 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, according to WA Health Department records. In 2017 there were three registered births to girls aged 13 or younger, seven to 14-year-olds, and 21 to 15-year-olds. The young girl has become one the youngest mothers in the state's history. 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. Adverts for chocolate bars, ice creams and chips will be banned from billboards and bus stops across an entire borough. The councils initiative the first of its kind will also see advertising space used to encourage residents to walk more and eat less sugar. The Department of Health has given Lewisham in south-east London 10,000 to draw up plans for the ban. With 40 per cent of its 11-year-olds overweight, the borough has one of the worst childhood obesity rates in the country. Adverts for chocolate bars, ice creams and chips will be banned from billboards and bus stops across a London borough (stock image) The ban, which is aimed at any food or drink high in sugar, salt or fat, would cover all billboards, bus stops and phone boxes across the councils 13.5 square miles of territory. Products covered include chocolate bars, ice creams, chips, mayonnaise, puddings, honey and cola. Lewishams feasibility study is expected to be completed within the next three months and the ban could be in place by April. If it is deemed a success, other councils will be encouraged by health officials to follow suit. In November, London mayor Sadiq Khan announced that junk food adverts would be banned across the capitals transport network. Edinburgh is also considering a council-wide advert ban and is investigating how it could work and how much it would cost. Chris Best, deputy mayor of Lewisham and cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: We are one of 13 councils that are part of this initial stage out of 102 that applied, so we are thrilled to be able to take our ideas forward. 'In Lewisham, we are making progress to reduce childhood obesity across the borough. However, nearly one in five children are already overweight or obese on entering reception, rising to more than one in three in Year 6. Tackling obesity is part of our agenda to reduce health inequalities it is unacceptable that, nationally, children from the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to be obese than children in the least deprived areas. Research demonstrates that the development of childrens food preferences and behaviours are influenced by advertising and through working in this space we have a real opportunity to positively shape their behaviours and impact child obesity rates. Regulators and brands recognise that they have a role to play. A report released yesterday said big corporations were driving the obesity crisis by promoting junk food in the way tobacco firms push cigarettes (stock image) Public health minister Steve Brine said: We know that when it comes to improving the health of local communities, local leaders are the real experts. We need innovation, ambition and passion to tackle childhood obesity, particularly in deprived areas, where children are more than twice as likely to be an unhealthy weight. The measures could hit councils through lost advertising revenue. Their budgets have shrunk by a quarter since 2010 due to reduced government funding and many have had to slash adult social care, childrens services and road repair. A report released yesterday said big corporations were driving the obesity crisis by promoting junk food in the way tobacco firms push cigarettes. Compiled by 43 academics from 14 countries, the Lancet Commission on Obesity accused politicians of inertia and said there was a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between much of the food industry and the health of the nation. Unlimited numbers of EU migrants will still be able to come to Britain for up to three years even if there is no deal, the Government admitted last night. Sajid Javid said that citizens from the bloc would be allowed to enter the UK to visit, work or study after Brexit day on March 29. Outlining immigration arrangements for no deal, the Home Secretary said he was committed to honouring the referendum result by ending free movement. Sajid Javid, pictured, has said EU citizens will be allowed to enter the UK to visit, work or study after Brexit day on March 29 But some critics warned that the latest proposals, set out as MPs debated the long-awaited Immigration Bill, risked betraying the hopes of those who wanted to dramatically curb migration. For a 21-month transitional period, EU citizens and their families - plus those from Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - will be able to visit for three months at a time without a visa. If they want to stay longer than three months, they will need to apply for permission and receive a new immigration status which is valid for three years - European Temporary Leave to Remain. However, they would not be eligible if they were a serious or persistent criminal or a threat to national security. EU migrants wanting to stay more than three years will need to apply again under new immigration rules which will come into force on January 1, 2021. But they would have to meet a salary threshold which workers must earn before being allowed to come to Britain on new five-yearlong skilled worker visas - currently proposed at 30,000. Ministers announced in December that, for the first time, everyone coming to Britain to work or study would require a visa after EU freedom of movement rules finally end. Citizens from the EU will no longer have preferential access to the UK. Mr Javid said: If we leave the EU without a deal we will continue to deliver on the referendum result and end free movement once and for all - giving us full control of our borders for the first time in decades. For a 21-month transitional period, EU citizens will be able to visit for three months at a time without a visa, says the Home Secretary (pictured with Border Force staff at Dover) However, we need to take a practical approach and minimise disruption to ensure the UK stays open for business. That is why we will introduce time-limited transitional arrangements and grant EU citizens coming after March 29 temporary leave. The policy does not apply to EU citizens in the UK before Brexit, whose rights to live and work will be protected by the EU Settlement Scheme. Mr Javid said: We want them to stay and value them hugely. Non-EU family members who wish to accompany an EU citizen with European Temporary Leave to Remain will need to apply in advance for a family permit. Home Office guidance points out that anyone who does not hold valid immigration permission to be in the UK face deportation. It is not clear yet whether EU citizens who receive leave to remain will be able to access benefits and public services such as the NHS. Under Brussels rules, EU workers arriving under free movement rules can claim the same benefits as UK citizens, including for unemployment, housing or children benefit. Mr Javid, pictured with Jeremy Hunt at Downing Street, said: If we leave the EU without a deal we will continue to deliver on the referendum result and end free movement once and for all' Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of the Migrationwatch think-tank, which campaigns for balanced migration, said: This is free movement in all but name. Yet again the Government has entirely caved in to the business lobby. This is an astonishing concession before the situation of the 1million British people living in the EU has even been considered. Most of the public want to see a reduction in immigration, not to see it prolonged for years on end. Mr Javid confirmed that the Tories controversial goal to reduce net migration below 100,000 a year - a key plank of the Conservative election manifesto - was not in the bill. However, Prime Minister Theresa May has always said the tens of thousands pledge was still in place. Meanwhile, Labour were in disarray over their response to the Immigration Bill. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said the party would not oppose the bill at its second reading - only to perform a U-turn half-an-hour later. Commenting on the myth of mouth-burning Mughlai cuisine laced with chillies, Hashmi says there was no such possibility in the Mughal period. Of late, people and the Supreme Court have intervened off and on to discourage the use of polluting firecrackers to celebrate Lord Rams return to Ayodhya on Diwali. (Photo: Pixabay/ Representational) INDIAN culture as any other is a malleable commodity, which makes it happily difficult to define as yours and mine. In essential ways, it is the opposite of what todays rigid advocates of nationalism want to pass off as Indian or Pakistani, Muslim or Hindu cultures. Muslim women dont wear saris, ran the myth in Pakistan. We didnt need Bangladesh to prove it wrong. What we, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claim to be Indian culture may more often than not have roots in a faraway land and its people, which holds true also for others. Who doesnt in India and Pakistan as elsewhere fuss over tea, how it should be brewed or boiled, if or how much milk should go into a cup, how much sugar, at what temperature, and, of course, which pedigree of leaf? Its conveniently forgotten here that the habit is a recent colonial legacy brought to the subcontinent by the British from China, but only after forcing the Chinese to buy and consume opium they took from India. Tea, like gunpowder, is a Chinese innovation of patently Chinese origin. And since in Chinese culture using milk beyond infancy was alien, the original notion of tea was clearly bereft of it. (It was India, under a Li Peng-P.V. Narasimha Rao pact, that gave China its buffaloes in 1993 to usher a dairy culture several years ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.) Industrial sugar too came to India from England and not before the Muslim and Hindu clergy issued countless edicts against its use since animal bones were involved in its production. Previously, people exchanged fruit, a tradition Ghalib rejoiced in, not sweets that came to be made by the halwais, an Arabic word. Of late, people and the Supreme Court have intervened off and on to discourage the use of polluting firecrackers to celebrate Lord Rams return to Ayodhya on Diwali. What is missed in this grand advice is the fact that gunpowder came to India via China and was first used in a major conflict in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 by Mughal adventurer Babar against a defenceless sultan of Delhi. The other day, friend and historian Sohail Hashmi sent me four episodes of short films Hindostan ki Kahani (Story of India) in which he has made in a reasoned effort to disabuse Indians and others of their vague sense of national pride. What we take for granted as the core of Indias culture in food and clothes and architecture are put on display in an audio-visual framework with each element assigned a foreign shore. Cauliflower came to India from France and cabbage was a British import. Commenting on the myth of mouth-burning Mughlai cuisine laced with chillies, Hashmi says there was no such possibility in the Mughal period. Thats because chillies came to India from Latin America with the Portuguese. Lalu Prasad Yadav had a slogan: Jab tak samosa mein aaloo rahega, tab tak Bihar mein Lalu rahega. (As long as there is potato in the samosa, Lalu will rule the hearts of Bihar.) Even the nationwide cultural icon called potato was ushered in as batata with the arrival of Europeans 400 years ago. As for the samosa, it travelled to India from Uzbekistan where it is called samsa. Before sugar, India had khandsari, powdered gur, which travelled to the Middle East as qand and transformed into candy in Europe. The pyjama and kurta that Mr Modi wears, as well as the famous coat he flaunted during the Barack Obama visit, are all foreign in origin. In architecture, the advent of pillar-less halls contributed greatly to the rise of democracy. Roman senators sat as equals inside the chamber though they played Caesar and other roles outside. Indias Parliament House was made with the same technological facility. Hashmi says the minar was never an integral part of a mosque. To test that he asked his friends from the National School of Drama to climb onto a minaret in Delhis mediaeval Jama Masjid. They went hoarse with shouting but could not be heard by anyone on the mosque floor. The loudspeaker started a different ballgame in the realm of religion for as many sides as there are. By arrangement with Dawn A self-confessed 'Aussie bogan' who kept a record of his Australia Day parties over the last three years has shared his wildest 'Straya Day' videos online. Troy Williams - widely known as Candy Man 2.0 - this week shared details of his recent trip to the Yarra Valley for the Australia Day long weekend on social media. Footage on his Instagram stories showed him partying with scantily clad women at an exclusive Yarra Valley wine estate and taking a boozy Hummer ride. Scroll down for video Troy Williams (pictured right with his partner Anita Cassin) this week shared details of his recent trip to the Yarra Valley for the Australia Day long weekend on social media Self-confessed 'bogan' Troy Williams (pictured far right) has shared his wildest 'Straya' day videos online Footage on his Instagram stories showed him partying with scantily clad women at an exclusive Yarra Valley wine estate and taking a boozy Hummer ride He then shared footage of a wild trip to Lake Eildon National Park, where the 'True Blue' Aussies filmed themselves downing cold beers and hooning around on jetskis. The group also skolled vodka and champagne in a new trend known as 'snorkelling', where you drink from a bottle being held vertically upside down. Mr Williams told A Current Affair that while he really gets into the spirit of Australia Day, he performs the outlandish stunts to gain more of a following on social media. 'I'm an Aussie bogan at heart,' Mr Williams said. 'Being a public holiday, it's a time to get your group together (and) have some drinks.' While Williams didn't hold back from having a boozy Australia Day weekend this year, it pales in comparison to his previous 'Straya Day' celebrations. Instagram stories from years gone by show him and his mates egging each other on as they perform outrageous acts, including riding a dirt bike and jetski into a pool. One of the videos showed Candy Man and his mates downing shots of booze while toasting to 'Straya' before it cut to them urinating on the side of a freeway. Candy Man shared footage of a wild trip to Lake Eildon National Park, where the 'True Blue' Aussies filmed themselves downing cold beers and hooning around on jetskis 'Just found somewhere real private for s puss (sic),' the accompanying video caption stated. A second video post showed the men hooning around the streets in a purple car and doing burnouts, before heading back to the bottle-o for the 'fifth time'. Next, Candy Man filmed one of his mates taking a swig from a bottle of Sambuca before he revved up and rode the bike straight into a backyard swimming pool. 'Oh my god c***, oh my f***ing god. What the f***, what the f***,' someone in the background is heard saying. While Candy Man (pictured with his girlfriend) didn't hold back from having a boozy Australia Day weekend this year, it pales in comparison to his previous 'Straya Day' celebrations In the Australia Day video posts, Candy Man and his mates take turns hooning around on jetskis while being filmed Another Instagram video showed a man hooning around the pool on a jetski before a second man jumps on board with an inflatable kangaroo and bottle of booze. The pair do a few laps around the pool before the jetski eventually tilts sideways and they fall off into the pool. Candy Man's latest shenanigans comes after Perth model Bambi Le Fist caused controversy by posting a video of herself drinking beer through a didgeridoo on Australia Day. 'So we're doing didgeridoo funnels this evening. This is why the didgeridoo was originally invented so the Aboriginal community could do funnels,' Ms Le Fist said. The post caused an intense social media backlash, after which she posted a follow-up video message trying to convince her audience that it wasnt offensive. Four Houston police officers have been shot and another injured while serving a search warrant at a home where it's believed heroin was being sold. Police chief Art Acevedo confirmed two suspected drug dealers were killed at the scene in southeast Houston during a shootout between the gunmen and officers which began about 5pm Monday. Two of the officers underwent surgery and remain in a critical condition after being struck in the neck, while the other three are stable. The injured officers, who range in age from 33 to 54, have not been named as they were working undercover. Scroll down for video Officers listen as Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo comes outside of the emergency department at Memorial Hermann Hospital after visiting injured officers after the shooting that injured five Police investigate the scene where five Houston Police officers were shot and one injured in southeast Houston on Monday Four Houston police officers were been shot, and another injured, around 5pm Monday Snapchat footage shows officers on the ground outside of the location where the shooting occurred after officers went to a home to serve a search warrant One of the officers, a 54-year-old with 34 years on the force, had survived previous shootings, ABC13 reported. 'He is a very tough-minded individual and he's always willing to go hard, charging at the criminals even when he gets hit in the line of duty,' former officer Thomas Nixon said. 'He won't stop.' The other critically injured officer, 50, served alongside Nixon in the military, and is a has spent the past 25 years with Houston police. 'We are all praying for him, and I hope he makes it through this,' Nixon said. Chief Acevedo said in a press conference that a group of 15 narcotic officers and six additional officers arrived at the home around 4.15pm. Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo updates the media outside of the hospital where the five officers were being treated Aerial view shows the shooting occurred in a residential area near Harding Street The team has reason to believe that people were selling black tar heroin from the home on Harding. Acevedo said that officers announced themselves as Houston Police while entering the home. As they opened the door, officers immediately came under fire from either one or two suspects. One of the suspects retreated to the back of the room and returned to shoot at the officers. After the initial shootout, robots were used to go inside the residence and survey the scene. Both suspects were pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by return gunfire. The Houston Mayor arrived at Memorial Hermann Medical Center where the officers are being treated This attack resembles the 2016 Dallas shooting that saw Micah Xavier Johnson ambush and kill five officers while injuring nine others. That shooting was the deadliest incident for US law enforcement since the September 11 terrorist attacks. The officers are being treated at Memorial Hermann Medical Center and one is expected to be discharged tonight. One woman Jasmine Castro lives nearby and said she heard about 15 rounds of gunfire in the neighborhood, according to ABC Action News. Video from one bystander shows officers on the ground and hit. One of the injured officers were taken to a hospital by helicopter. Three are in stable condition while the other two critical Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the shooting a 'horrific attack on police officers' in a statement. 'This evening's horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe,' Abbott said. Harris County Sheriff's deputies and ATF agents assisted at the scene. Houston mayor Sylvester Turner asked for prayers for the several injured officers. Police chief Art Acevedo tweeted: 'We have had several officers shot please pray for officers on the way to the scene now more information to follow.' The fourth and biggest launch of the federal government's cashless welfare card trial for Centrelink recipients has divided a community. From Tuesday, more than 6700 Newstart, Youth Allowance and parenting payment recipients in the Queensland towns of Bundaberg and Hervey Bay began to receive 80 per cent of their payments on a debit card that can't be used for alcohol or gambling. The Wide Bay region is the first urban area to be part of the controversial trial, which was previously rolled out with mixed results in Western Australia's Kimberley and Goldfields regions along with Ceduna in South Australia. While many opponents claim recipients will be worse off, others insist the community will benefit. 'It's not going to help me. It's just going to cause more problems': Jodie McNally (pictured) says she will be left with $65 per week in cash under the cashless welfare card trial rolled out in the Wide Bay region Newstart recipient Jodie McNally claims the new system will make her life harder. Lack of access to money is her biggest concern as she will be left with $130 cash each fortnight. 'Life is stressful enough without having to consider a private company taking control of my finances that I already manage perfectly fine myself,' she told A Current Affair. 'It's not going to help me. It's just going to cause more problems.' A damning Australian National Audit Office report released last July blasted the cashless welfare card trial and described the Department of Social Services' monitoring and evaluation of the scheme as 'inadequate'. 'As a consequence, it is difficult to conclude whether there had been a reduction in social harm and whether the card was a lower-cost welfare quarantining approach,' the report stated. The report also noted that key activities were not undertaken or fully effective, and that the level of unrestricted cash available in the community was 'not effectively monitored'. 'There was a lack of robustness in data collection and the departments evaluation did not make use of all available administrative data to measure the impact of the trial including any change in social harm,' the report stated. Federal MP Keith Pitt (pictured) has welcomed the introduction of the trial in his electorate But Keith Pitt, federal MP for the seat of Hinkler, hopes the card will address the region's high rates of intergenerational welfare. 'I've had reports from principals, from school teachers, that have kids that tell them that they want to go on Newstart, that's just terrible,' he told A Current Affair. Queensland Council of Social Service acting chief executive Laura Barnes believes the scheme is 'fundamentally flawed'. 'Taking people's ability to manage their own money away does not address any issues financial management itself let alone complex issues such as drug, alcohol, and gambling issues,' Ms Barnes told the ABC. 'To address these complex issues requires a mixture of responses including wraparound services in communities that are tailored to individual need and build on community strength.' The expansion of the controversial scheme sparked a mixed response on social media. 'What wastage. Imagine $67,000,000 injected into the Bundaberg economy, instead of to Indue, one Toowong Brisbane company! Because the one thing income support people must do is spend,' one person tweeted. Another added: 'What about a celebration gift. Target the problem, not all.' Around 80 percent of recipients' welfare payments go onto a debit card (pictured) which can't be used for alcohol or gambling But many taxpayers welcomed the trial. 'It's not your money, it's my money and that of every taxpayer in the country. We GENEROUSLY, allow the government to give it to you. Why do you think you should not be accountable for how you spend my money?,' one man tweeted. One woman added: 'The unemployment rate in the Wide Bay region of Queensland was 8.5 per cent in November, and the youth unemployment rate was 20.4 per cent.' Under the scheme, 80 per cent of Centrelink funds are locked onto the card while the The other 20 per cent is added to the recipient's nominated bank account. The card is run by private financial institution Indue. The system is far from perfect, as 5000 card users found out earlier this month when they were unable to access any of their welfare money when Indue's system crashed. More than 6700 Newstart, Youth Allowance and parenting payment recipients in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay became part of the cashless welfare card trial on Tuesday (stock image) Among those affected was a young Western Australian mother stranded by the side of the road with her five children in 37C heat after her car broke down. The federal government announced last month that it will extend the welfare card trials for another 12 months. Blacktown in western Sydney, Mildura in regional Victoria and Frankston on Melbourne's outskirts have been earmarked as possible locations for the government's fifth trial. Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten promised he would try to stop the controversial scheme if he wins the next federal election. 'I can't unscramble the egg of what this government does, but what we can do if elected, is we will do what we can to roll it back,' he told a town meeting in Bundaberg last week. Michael Cohen agreed Monday to voluntarily talk to House lawmakers but behind closed doors after concerns a public hearing would endanger his family. He has, however, tentatively agreed to testify in public after, last week, he canceled that scheduled appearance. Cohen will appear before the House Intelligence Committee on Friday, February 8, but in a private sit-down with lawmakers. Michael Cohen agreed to voluntarily talk to House lawmakers but behind closed doors House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff said they will work with law enforcement to keep Cohen and his family safe 'I want to thank Michael Cohen for agreeing to appear voluntarily before the Committee for closed testimony on February 8, 2019,' panel chairman Rep. Adam Schiff said in a statement on Monday. 'We will continue to work with Mr. Cohen and law enforcement in order to protect Mr. Cohen and his family,' he added. And President Donald Trump's former fixer has tentatively agreed to go through with his planned public testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Cohen's new lawyer Michael Monico told CNN. Cohen was originally scheduled to testify before a joint House Oversight and House Judiciary Committee hearing on February 7 in his first public testimony since he plead guilty to lying to Congress. But he canceled that appearance last week citing 'ongoing threats against his family' from the president and the president's lawyer. Lawmakers, however, made it clear they were unwilling to let Cohen off the hook and mulled subpoenaing to appear. Monico said Cohen wants to cooperate with all of the congressional inquiries, including one before the Senate. The scheduled appearances mean Cohen will talk to House members before he is grilled by senators. The Senate Intelligence Committee subpoenaed him to testify on Feb. 12. He will likely face different topics of inquiry in each setting. Schiff said he wanted Cohen behind closed doors to speak about his dealings with Russia while the House Oversight panel made it clear Cohen would not speak about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation in a public setting. Cohen got cold feet last week after Trump claimed during a photo-op with reporters that Cohen has 'always been threatened by the truth,' and claimed that his former lawyer 'doesn't want to tell the truth for me or other of his clients.' '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,' his attorney Lanny Davis said in a statement last Wednesday. Cohen has been ordered to report to prison on March 6 to start serving a three-year sentence for bank and tax fraud and campaign finance violations. After Cohen canceled last week, Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings mulled subpoenaing Cohen before he reports to federal prison. Both Cummings and Schiff said last week in a joint statement that '[n]ot appearing before Congress was never an option.' 'We will not let the president's tactics prevent Congress from fulfilling our constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities. This will not stop us from getting the truth. We expected Mr. Cohen to appear before both Committees and we remain engaged with his counsel about upcoming appearances.' Trump said last Wednesday during a photo-op that Cohen has 'only been threatened by the truth'; he previously suggested Cohen's father-in-law could have organized crime connections that prosecutors should investigate Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani (right) went to bat for the president on Sunday in a CNN interview, saying that he's only protecting himsef by throwing hardballs at Cohen Cohen's attorney said his family's safety came first. 'This is a time where Mr. Cohen had to put his family and their safety first,' Davis said. Trump suggested in a Fox News Channel interview via telephone on January 12 that investigators have ignored a rich vein of criminal activity in Cohen's father-in-law, whom he didn't name. 'He should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because that's the one that people want to look at,' Trump told host Jeanine Pirro. 'Because where does that money? That's the money in the family. And I guess he didn't want to talk about his father [-in-law]. He's trying to get his sentence reduced.' Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said Sunday on CNN's 'State of the Union' program that focusing attention on Cohen's family is just Trump 'defending yourself,' especially 'if the father-in-law is a criminal in the Southern District of New York. He may have ties to something called organized crime.' Cohen's father-in-law Fima Shusterman pleaded guilty to federal income tax fraud in 1993. The charge stemmed from his taxicab business in New York. Shusterman's more recent business ventures are linked to taxi companies in Chicago. The New York Times has reported that Shusterman introduced Cohen to the industry. Cohen had already limited the scope of what he would be willing to discuss with members of Congress, ruling out anything currently 'under investigation.' That would preclude him from talking about the Trump Tower Moscow project, his payoff to porn star Stormy Daniels, or his business dealings with the president. Cohen has been cooperating with the special counsel's probe of Russia's role in the 2016 election. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York was the lead federal prosecutor earlier this year when Cohen pled guilty to eight counts, including tax fraud and campaign finance violations. He also has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the timeline of conversations he had with Russian officials about building a Trump Tower Moscow as part of separate investigation by Mueller's team. He was sentenced to three years in prison and is free on bail until that time. Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland (left) chairs the House Oversight Committee and California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff (right) leads the House Intelligence Committee and both want to hear from Cohen Cohen was not expected to be able to testify about his election-year hush money payoff to porn actress Stormy Daniels (pictured) on Trump's behalf Cohen's guilty pleas included a charge of lying to Congress about a Trump Organization real estate project that was slated for Moscow, Russia and discussed through the fall of 2016 while the president was running for office. He testified in a closed congressional interview that the project he pursued on Trump's behalf was abandoned by the time of the Iowa Caucuses in January 2016; that would be consistent with Trump's 'political messaging.' Mueller later filed documents revealing Cohen said he discussed the proposal with Trump on multiple occasions and with members of the president's family, later in the year even after Trump became the Republican nominee for president. Cohen said he lied out of loyalty to Trump. 'I made these misstatements to be consistent with Individual 1's political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual 1,' Cohen said at his plea hearing late last year. 'Individual 1' is Mueller's name for Trump in the investigation. Cohen was also the central figure in a plot to buy the silence of pornographic actress Stormy Daniels, who claimed that she had an affair with Trump in 2006. Daniels signed a nondisclosure agreement in exchange for $130,000 from Cohen, a transaction that he admitted was a violation of campaign finance laws since it amounted to an illegally large contribution benefiting Trump's White House hopes. He said in court that Trump directed him to make the payment, suggesting the president was guilty of a crime. In August he pleaded guilty to eight separate charges related to tax dodges, falsifying bank documents and the campaign finance violations involving Daniels and another woman, former Playboy magazine model Karen McDougal. Cohen claims that at Trump's request, he arranged for the publisher of The National Enquirer to pay McDougal another self-described past Trump paramour for the exclusive rights to her life story. The magazine never published anything, engaging in a practice known as 'catch and kill' in order to help Trump avoid new scandals in the final weeks of the 2016 campaign. Trump has denied ever having a sexual relationship with either Daniels or McDougal. A woman who demanded compensation after she found a needle in her punnet of strawberries has admitted she planted it there herself. Mother-of-two Jaydean Temperley, 26, lied about finding a needle in a strawberry from a Pak 'n' Save store in Timaru, New Zealand, on December 10 at 8.51am. Temperley received a refund and a $20 Pak 'n Save voucher for the two punnets she purchased after she posted the false claim on Facebook and called police. The Pak 'n Save supermarket threw out 2,040 punnets of strawberries worth $3,565 after her complaint, the NZ Herald reported. Jaydean Temperley (pictured) demanded compensation after she found a needle in her punnet of strawberries but later admitted she inserted it herself Temperley received a refund and a $20 from Pak 'n Save after she made the false complaint She initially said in a written police statement that she found the needle while cutting up the strawberries. Speaking to Stuff in December, Temperley claimed she was planning on feeding the strawberries to her 15-month-old daughter. She denied planting the needle herself when she was asked by the reporter. Temperley later claimed a friend planted it, but changed her story again. In a second statement to police two days later, she eventually admitted to inserting the needle herself. She was charged over making a false complaint to police and with causing loss by deception in December 2018. The mother-of-two pleaded guilty to both charges at Timaru District Court on Tuesday morning. Judge Joanna Maze remanded Temperley on bail for sentencing on April 4. The Pak 'n' Save supermarket threw out 2040 punnets of strawberries worth $3,565 after Temperley's complaint (stock image) The mother-of-two (pictured) faced Timaru District Court and pleaded guilty to two charges The Ministry for Primary Industries said they received a number of similar complaints around the same time of Temperley's grievance. A pin was found in a strawberry purchased at Pak 'n Save on Cameron Road in Tauranga on December 25. Strawberry punnets purchased at a FreshChoice supermarket in Geraldine and a store in South Canterbury on November 25 were also contaminated with needles. The incidents occurred after more than 100 reports of tampered fruit across Australia sparked a recall of strawberries late last year. Sir Nick Clegg began his new job spinning for Facebook yesterday by claiming it has been a force for good that has helped save thousands of troubled young people. Confronted with an array of gruesome images found on Instagram which is owned by the US social media giant the former deputy prime minister said some posts help those in distress to find support. The sickening pictures he was shown during a BBC interview included graphic images of self-harm that can be accessed by children. Sir Nick Clegg, pictured, who is now vice president of global affairs at Facebook, was shown pictures found on Instagram during an interview and asked if he'd let his children near them Handing them over one by one, BBC media editor Amol Rajan said: 'Slit wrists, smeared blood, a girl cuddling a teddy bear with 'This world is so cruel and I don't want to see it any more'... 'You've got three children, would you let them anywhere near that?' Sir Nick, 52, who has sons aged 16, 14 and nine, admitted: 'No, of course not.' The former Liberal Democrat leader promised Facebook will do 'whatever it takes' to make its sites safer. But last night he faced accusations he has 'clearly already drunk the Facebook Kool-Aid' as he defended a company criticised for repeatedly failing to meet its pledges to remove horrific posts that glorify self-harm and suicide. The father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, pictured, who took her life after viewing posts about suicide, has also accused Instagram of playing a part in her death In his first public comments as vice president of global affairs at Facebook, Sir Nick admitted it 'had a lot more work to do' about the thousands of such images that are still available. The father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her life after viewing posts about suicide, last week accused Instagram of playing a part in her death. Sir Nick, who has bought a 7million home in San Francisco as a base for his lawyer wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, 50, and their sons while he works for Facebook, told the BBC: 'It is as distressing to me as anyone to have heard about the awful tragic cases of teenagers taking their lives in the way that has come to light in recent days. 'What we have to do is look at this from top to bottom, without any prejudice we will do whatever it takes to try and make this environment safer online, particularly for youngsters. 'I would not have joined Facebook if I did not believe that it's a company that wanted to and is going to change.' He argued that some experts had advised that it is wise to keep certain images up because they can show how to find support. 'At the moment, they have said that even some of these distressing images are better to keep if it helps young people reach out for help,' he said. The ex-MP, who lost his Sheffield Hallam seat at the 2017 election, added: 'Over the last year 3,500 people who were displaying behaviour liable to leading to the taking of their own lives on Facebook were saved by early responders being pointed to those people and intervening at the right time.' Facebook's billionaire founder Mark Zuckerberg, 34, hired Sir Nick at a time when his firm's reputation is in tatters and governments across the world want web giants to be regulated. Sir Nick's appointment in October was met with criticism, with some accusing him of hypocrisy having previously poured scorn on Facebook for paying too little tax. Less than three years ago he described its 'messianic Californian new-worldy-touchy-feely culture' as 'a little grating'. Yesterday Sir Nick said he believed the company should pay more tax outside of the US but said the onus was on governments to change the rules. He also defended Facebook's business model of using personal data to sell targeted advertising rather than charging users a subscription, which some would be unable to afford. The collection and sharing of personal data, such as users' location, shopping habits and holiday plans, was now 'routine' among many private companies and public sector organisations, Sir Nick said. Instagram makes millions feel unhappy Instagram has damaged the mental health of many of its users, a survey shows. Endless glossy pictures depicting the supposedly 'perfect lives' of others have made two in three of its estimated 23million monthly UK photo-sharers feel irrelevant and unhappy. By comparison, around a third of Facebook account holders feel negatively about the site and a fifth of those on Twitter. Researchers commissioned by MoneySaving-Heroes.co.uk examined the impact of regular use on 2,421 Britons aged 18 and over. More than half said the minimum age for access to social media sites should be increased to at least 16. Advertisement 'The data-driven economy is here to stay and we have to find ways of managing its harms while preserving its benefits,' he said. 'It is, for better or worse, how the internet works.' Later, during a speech in Brussels, Sir Nick said that while Facebook's fast growth meant it had 'undoubtedly made mistakes', the site had learned some 'hard lessons' and was now entering a new phase of 'reform, responsibility and change'. 'Everyone has a role in this. Facebook doesn't have all the answers,' he added. 'But nor do governments or regulators either. We must learn from each other and work together. I know there are few debates that are as important as this. The time is ripe to bring together the best ideas from Europe, from Silicon Valley and beyond, to set the rules for an internet that works for all.' Last night Damian Collins, who chairs the Commons digital, culture, media and sport select committee, tweeted: 'Nick Clegg has clearly already drunk the Facebook Kool-Aid. He speaks about the 'serious legal and ethical obligations' that Facebook has. It's a shame that Facebook has failed to meet these time and time again. This is all too little, too late.' In an interview on Radio 4, Mr Collins added: 'In terms of what he had to say, he did not really say anything different to Facebook executives have been saying for some time, which is to express regret when they are caught out. 'But we have been raising these sorts of issues for years, there have been other cases of harmful content that has been available to vulnerable people, and the company always say 'Well it should not be there and we will do better', but they never do. 'We want to know what more is going to be done now, we have reached a point where we cannot just rely on the goodwill of companies like Facebook to police their own platforms properly or even enforce their own rules.' The members of Nxivm facing criminal charges for a number of alleged offenses ranging from wire fraud to sex trafficking got some bad news in court on Monday. Judge Nicholas Garaufis told the lawyers that the group was almost out of money, a little over one month after ruled that he would allow billionaire heiress Clare Bronfman to create a legal fund to pay counsel for the other defendants in the case. The exact amount of that fund has never been revealed, and the number has been reported as somewhere between $5 and $10 million. Unfortunately, Judge Garaufis informed counsel that three-quarters of the fund was gone already, and with the trial set to start in late April there was no conceivable way that the defendants would be able to pay their attorneys once the money was gone from the fund. Scroll down for video Going Clare: Heiress Clare Bronfman (above on Monday) will not replenish a legal fund she created to pay the lawyers representing Nxivm members facing federal charges Somebody save me: Smallville star Allison Mack (above on Monday) may soon be getting court-appointed representation Saved: Raniere's lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in court on Monday that he would see the trial through regardless of his client's financial situation (Raniere above in a 2012 promotional video for Nxivm) That is because Bronfman has elected to not replenish the fund she created, meaning that only she and Raniere are assured high-profile representation when the case heads to trial. Smallville star Allison Mack, Lauren and Nancy Salzman, and Kathy Russell on the other hand may soon be getting court-appointed representation. Raniere's lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in court on Monday that he would see the trial through regardless of his client's financial situation. Judge Garaufis pointed out however that Agnifilo, unlike the others, was given a sizable retainer fee when he came on as counsel. That fee is believed to be in the low seven figures. The other attorneys must now submit an ex-parte letter that details how they plan to move forward, with the judge urging anyone who wishes to step down to do so quickly so new counsel can get caught up ahead of the trial. A superseding indictment released in July revealed that Raniere, Mack and Lauren Salzman were being charged with wire fraud. It was also revealed that Raniere and Salzman allegedly locked a woman in a room for two years because she was affectionate for a man who was not her master. 'Raniere and Lauren Salzman trafficked a victim, who was once a sexual partner of Ranieres, for labor and services,' read a statement released by the US Attorney's Office. 'The victim was confined to a room in Clifton Park, New York, for nearly two years as punishment for having romantic feelings for a man who was not Raniere. 'The victim was told that if she left the room she would be sent to Mexico without any identification documents. 'As threatened, she was driven to Mexico and her family was instructed by co-conspirators, including Lauren Salzman, not to send the victim her identification documents.' High and dry: He asked that each attorney submit an ex parte letter declaring what their plan was, encouraging them to leave soon if they will not stay through the trial (Nancy Salzman on Monday with a friend) Poor little rich girl: The judge pointed out that Agnifilo, unlike the other lawyers, was given a sizable retainer fee when he came on as counsel (Lauren Salzman on Monday) The women who are out on bail are under home confinement, while Raniere has not been granted bail in the case. The six members have all entered pleas of not guilty to the charges against them, which carry considerable prison time. 'Raniere and his inner circle, including the defendants Clare Bronfman, Allison Mack, Nancy Salzman, Lauren Salzman and Kathy Russell also known as 'Prefect,' and others known and unknown, comprised an organized criminal enterprise (the 'Enterprise'),' reads the new indictment. 'The principal purpose of the Enterprise was to obtain financial and personal benefits for the members of the Enterprise by promoting the defendant Keith Raniere, also known as 'Vanguard,' and by recruiting new members into the Pyramid Organizations. 'By promoting Raniere and recruiting others into the Pytu-id Organizations, the members of the Enterprise expected to receive financial opportunities and increased power and status within the Enterprise.' Among the criminal offenses that members of this group allegedly carried out are 'identity theft, harboring of aliens for financial gain, extortion, forced labor, sex trafficking, money laundering, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.' The 1920s KKK robe, seen here, was sold to an unidentified buyer in Pennsylvania for $3,000 A decades-old hood and robe worn by the Ku Klux Klan was a top ticket item at at the Beaver Creak Auction Center in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, selling for $3,000 on Saturday that surprised even the auctioneers. Dawn Miller, the auctioneer, and her husband Frank initially thought the mid-1920s apparel would sell for about $250, according to the Sunbury Daily Item. After word got out about the sale, the auction center received complaints about the garments, including one from a local pastor who told Dawn Miller that the auction was inappropriate, according to WNEP. 'My reasoning is it's a historical item,' Dawn said. 'They're very valuable and they're very collectible and it is strictly historical.' Other locals disagreed, noting that the KKK is not something as buried in the past as Miller might make it seem. 'There are supporters of that who still, you know, exist and believe in it and act on it and so it's not that historical,' said Joanne Landis of Troxelville to WNEP. 'It's not a historical treasure. It's more of a threatening image to me.' Dawn Miller, who has been in the auction business The media attention and negative response would end up sending the auction price up to what Frank Miller believed would be about $750. 'I was totally surprised,' said Frank Miller about the final sale. His wife, however, a veteran of auctioning business, believed the price on the artifact was going to be quite large. 'The sky's the limit. (KKK items) are rare,' she said before the auction. The bidding began with Dawn telling the crowd of about 100 people who came to the auction that 'We don't mean to offend anyone.' The iconic white conical hood along with the robe was worn by the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan to disguise themselves while terrorizing African-Americans and other minorities Dawn and Frank Miller, shown, auctioned the controversial garments on Saturday to a buyer that was not identified Despite the preamble, Miller went ahead with the sale of the disguise worn by white supremacists who terrorized black and Jewish people in America. 'It's rare to see around here,' said one bidder after missing out on the racist garb. The unnamed buyer claimed he was a collector of similar items and would have likely given the hood and robe to a museum featuring white supremacist artifacts. 'It's a part of history. You can't erase it,' he told the Daily Item without revealing information about the alleged museum. 'It has to be someone with more money than brains,' local Clay Kreiger said about the so-called historical significance of the items. 'Who would want it and for what reason? It's like having a brick from Auschwitz. I wouldn't want it.' The item was auctioned on consignment, meaning that a seller, also anonymous, put the hood and robe up for sale with the Millers and receives the cash excluding the auction house's percentage. A remote rural community in Ireland is rallying around the families of four men who were killed in a road crash. The men, who were in their 20s, died after the car they were travelling in left a narrow country road in the north west of County Donegal. Emergency services were called to the scene near Magheraroarty, Gortahork, at 8.40pm on Sunday. Gardai and fire and rescue and ambulance services worked to save the men on a mountain bog road but they all died at the scene. The men have been named locally as John Harley, 24, and Shaun Harkin, 22, from Falcarragh, Michael Roarty, 24, from Gweedore, and Daniel Scott, 23, from Gortahork. The men, who were in their 20s, died after the car they were travelling in left a narrow country road in the north west of Co Donegal. Pictured: Daniel Scott Emergency services were called to the scene near Magheraroarty, Gortahork, at 8.40pm on Sunday. Pictured: John Harley Gardai and fire and rescue and ambulance services worked to save the men on a mountain bog road but they all died at the scene. Pictured: Michael Roarty Members of their families gathered at the scene on Sunday night and were comforted by a local priest. Pictured: Shaun Harkin Emergency services were called to the scene (pictured) near Magheraroarty, Gortahork, at 8.40pm on Sunday Members of their families gathered at the scene on Sunday night and were comforted by a local priest. The road was cordoned off for much of Monday as Garda forensic collision investigators examined the site. The bodies of two of the men were due to be returned to their families on Monday evening, with the other two expected early on Tuesday. Wakes are due to be held this week ahead of funeral services. Gortahork parish priest Father Sean Gallagher said he expects the local community will show the families enormous support during the wakes. He described a feeling of disbelief in the area with three neighbouring parishes - Gortahork, Falcarragh and Gweedore - impacted. 'Everybody is numb,' he said. 'There is complete disbelief at the loss of the four young men. It has been the only topic of conversation. 'There have been terrible events in other parts in Donegal, but this is the biggest loss of life in this area. 'But I know people will be good at showing the families support from the community, there will certainly be a lot of support for them during the wakes.' The school three of the men attended, Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola in Falcarragh, expressed its sadness in a statement on its Facebook page. 'As a school community we are heartbroken and in shock over the tragic loss of the four young men who passed away, three of whom were past pupils of our school. We would like to extend our sympathy to all the families, friends and community at this sad time.' Superintendent David Kelly told a press conference on Sunday night: 'Garda attended the scene and found a single vehicle, a silver Toyota hatchback, at the scene. 'Four young men were receiving medical attention, also in attendance were the Donegal Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service. The road was cordoned off for much of Monday as Garda forensic collision investigators examined the site Four men who are believed to be in their 20s have died in a car crash in Ireland (file photo) Pearse Doherty, the TD for Donegal, tweeted his condolences after hearing of the car crash Sinn Fein councillor Paul Donnelly also took to Twitter over the crash, saying: 'The news breaking from Donegal is just beyond heartbreaking' 'Unfortunately the four young men were pronounced dead at the scene. 'It was a difficult scene, as you can imagine, 9 o'clock at night, it was dark, people gathering, family members attended. It was a tragedy unfolding. 'I would like to offer our condolences to the families of the deceased, their friends and the local community. 'I'd also like to make an appeal for information. If anyone had seen the silver Toyota Corolla prior to 8.40pm or earlier in the evening to contact the gardai at Millford Garda station on 074 9153060.' Pearse Doherty, the TD for Donegal, tweeted his condolences, saying: 'Devastating news from Gaoth Dobhair tonight. 'A cloud of sadness over the area. Thoughts and prayers are with those involved and their families.' Father Brian O'Fearraigh, from Gweedore parish, comforted the families at the scene. 'We stood still and we spoke and we embraced. Sometimes in tragedies like this, words can fall silent and I think that your presence and the presence of one another is what's important,' he told RTE. 'These communities have been plunged into the depths of grief and mourning in this most tragic of events.' Mr Roarty was a well-known figure in GAA circles. Dublin City University, where he had attended, tweeted that he and the other victims of the crash were being remembered during meetings and games. Donegal Fine Gael public representative Joe McHugh tweeted: 'Terrible news from West Donegal. Thoughts with families & friends of the 4 men & all who knew them.' Sinn Fein representative Pearse Doherty said there was a 'cloud of sadness' over the area. Fianna Fail TD for Donegal Pat the Cope Gallagher said the community was 'reeling in the aftermath of this tragedy'. 'It is shocking to think that four young men, with their whole lives ahead of them, have died in this horrific incident,' he said. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these men. I know the community will rally around the families over the tough days and weeks ahead.' A man in his 80s died following a separate road crash in Co Kilkenny on Sunday. Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, said 10 people died on Irish roads in the last week. 'Our deepest sympathies are not only with the families of the bereaved who have lost their loved ones over the weekend but indeed with all the families of victims of road crashes so far this year,' she said. Donald Trump is 'very p***ed off' at the tell-all book by one of his former aides which claims his White House is 'absolutely out of control', it was reported Monday. The President is 'really hopping mad' over Cliff Sims' account of his time as his special assistant, the latest former White House official to turn on him, Politico reported. Trump is supposedly holding back from Tweeting about it but is likely to be enraged by the media tour that was arranged for Sims, a former journalist who received a seven-figure advance. Politico reported that former colleagues of Sims believe that he could have joined the administration specifically to secretly report on what he saw and write about it afterwards. Sims' book, 'Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House', which is out on Tuesday, is full of embarrassing anecdotes about the administration. According to extracts see by DailyMail.com Trump considered refusing to accept the results of the 2016 election if he was going to lose, a warning which foreshadows what could happen in 2020. When Trump realized he won his first thought was retribution of former Ohio governor John Kasich, one of his Republican challengers. Trump supposedly said: 'When I get to Washington I'm gonna shove it up Kasich's a**.' 'P***ed': Donald Trump is fuming at the contents of ex-aide Cliff Sims' tell-all on his time at the White House which has lifted the lid on chaos, infighting and double-dealing What a night: Cliff Sims gives an account of election night 2016 which details how Trump, before the results came in, wanted to tweet preemptively that he would not accept them if he lost and was only talked down by Steve Bannon. He called Rupert Murdoch 'Rupy' in a call that night. Sims was at Trump's side with Kellyanne Conway at the other Vengeance is mine: Trump's first words of victory were to say: 'When I get to Washington I'm gonna shove it up Kasich's a**.' Election night appearance: Trump spoke to Rupert Murdoch to call him 'Rupy' and say the election result was not in the bag; he was scathing about Ohio governor John Kasich Sims' role in the White House was director of White House message strategy and a special assistant to the president. He also helped the President with his weekly video and radio addresses and now Trump is dismissing him as 'The videographer'. Trump has reportedly been telling his advisers: 'Who is this guy? Why is he writing this book? He wasn't even in meetings.' But 'Team of Vipers', which is already a hit on Amazon, has achieved the rare honor of uniting warring White House officials against it, Politico reported. A former senior official said: 'You wouldn't believe the text chains. The best part is the president is sort of chomping at the bit to tap this guy and tweet something to the effect of: 'I didn't know who this guy was. He taped videos.' For now Trump is heeding the advice of his advisers that Tweeting about Sims is not worth it - they are telling him to 'go run the world' but that may change as his media tour continues. Sims kicked off his book launch on ABC's Good Morning America and then went on The View. He was due to appear on CBS' 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on Monday night. In his book he claims that there were 'scenes of chaos, dysfunction and duplicity among the president, his family members and administration officials' on a daily basis. According to extracts seen by DailyMail.com, Kellyanne Conway us a leaker so laughably obvious that she had him draft a statement denying leaking it as he watched her lie in real time. And Trump's brietly-employed director of communications, Anthony Scaramuccci, was hardly a tough guy, in fact being pestered by his mother. Scaramucci got harassed by his mom the phone his second day in the job midway through threatening to fire everyone. 'Mom, Im trying to work here. Mom, Mom, Mom, okay, Mom,' he pleaded. 'Mom, give me a second, okay. Here talk to Kellyanne.' The Mooch lasted nine more days. Conway however is now furious at her portrayal - but has not denied it. This will only enrage him: Cliff Sims started a media tour by appearing on ABC's Good Morning America and then The View before a scheduled appearance on Stephen Colbert's CBS Late Show Not so tough: Anthony Scaramucci was pursued by his mother on his second day in office as communications director, eventually passing her off to Kellyanne Conway Sims, in his forthcoming memoir 'Team of Vipers,' describes a scene where the White House counselor is texting multiple reporters about her conversations with the president while he writes a statement denying she is a leaker on her laptop. She was apparently unaware that he could read her texts in live time as she sent and received them because her phone and laptop were both linked through the iCloud. 'The fact of the matter is, you can talk to anybody in Washington, D.C., it's about the worst kept secret in town, really. So, I wrote the truth about that,' he told ABC's 'Good Morning America' Monday. His recollection paints an unflattering portrait of the adviser, whom he calls a 'cartoon villain brought to life'. Conway angrily slapped back at allegations that she was the leaker when they surfaced last week. Conway asked: 'Do I leak to you?' as she looked reporters in the eye one by one. 'Do I leak to most of you? I'm looking around. You know who the real leakers are. And if I revealed them, past and present, I'd also have to reveal who they leaked to very often. 'And that would be not a lot of fun, I guess, so I won't, but you know the answer to that, you all do.' She did not say what she thought the answer in fact was. Another revelation says that Trump freaked out on election night when he thought he might lose and was about to Tweet that that he would challenge the results but was talked down by his ex-strategist Steve Bannon. Bannon told Trump to be 'patient' but Trump reasoned that it would 'just look like sour grapes if I do it after' the result came in. Sims claims Trump said: 'Somebody get (media mogul and Fox News owner) Rupert (Murdoch) on the phone and tell him to get ready to make this a big deal if we need to'. Revising his opinion? Trump sent Cliff Sims this signed New York Times front page for his part in the Republican tax cut but is now being talked down from tweeting that he did not know Sims At 11.13pm when Murdoch called to congratulate him, Trump, who is, apparently, known for being superstitious, said: 'Not yet, Rupy. We have a three-stroke lead with one hole left. We can't celebrate until we're in the clubhouse.' Sims writes vividly about the Presidential debate when the Trump team brought four of the women who accused Bill Clinton of raping or sexually assaulting them into the chamber Clinton saw them immediately in the audience when he entered and Sims writes that 'I don't believe I have ever witnessed a man look that shaken'. The book says: 'Of all the things he'd seen and done as president.I'm not sure anything was more traumatizing than the moment he locked eyes with a woman who'd accused him of raping her almost forty years earlier.he looked like he was melting'. Sims claims that Trump's strategy for dealing with the opioid crisis was to shock users out of their addiction with gruesome videos. Trump supposedly told White House counselor Conway to give the job to Sims and said he should make 'the most horrifying ads you've ever seen'. Trump said: 'No, I mean it. We need people dying in a ditch. I want bodies stacked on top of bodies...do it like they did cigarettes. They had body bags piled all over the streets and ugly people with giant holes in their faces and necks'. Trump concluded: 'Next thing you know, the kids don't want to be cool and smoke anymore'. Among the other anecdotes in the book is the bizarre episode when Disney came to record Trump's voice for the animatronic version of himself, a tradition with every President. Trump supposedly wanted them to add something to his spoken list of 'achievements of the American spirit' - the skyscraper - because of his background in real estate. Disney balked because America had not invented the skyscraper and Trump let it go. After the Access Hollywood tape came out Republican National Commitee research director Raj Shah texted a brutal assessment of Trump to his counterpart on the campaign, Andy Hemming. Shah wrote: 'I'm kinda enjoying this, some justice. I honestly don't think it's the worst thing he's done but somehow he got passes for the other acts.' Borrowing Hillary Clinton's phrase for Trump supporters, he added: 'Trump is a deplorable.' Shah later became Deputy Press Secretary and recently quit to work with Bill Clinton's one-time State Department spokesman James Rubin. Other characters who appear include Stephen Miller, the president's senior policy advisor, who is known to be anti-immigration. He is recorded as saying: 'I would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched American soil.' Sims writes that, any time a refugee or immigrant committed a "gruesome" crime, Miller would walk over to the White House press office to demand that press releases be issued about the cases. Sims says Miller made the comment about refugees during a conversation the two were having about immigration. When Sims left his job last year White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said he was 'a valuable member of President Trump's team on the campaign and for 15 months in the White House'. Now his book is out the White House is refusing to comment officially and the pushback from his former colleagues could be due to them 'panicking' about how they are presented. One official admitted that Sims was 'with the President quite often alone' and played a key role in presentation of the 2017 tax cuts. A former White House official said: 'The president's close relationship with Sims wasn't a secret to anyone in the building'. Unlike others who served in Trump's White House Sims says that he prefers to 'knife people in the front' - and has put his name to his claims. Extracts already released show that in 2017 Trump was so paranoid about leakers that he asked Sims to give him lists of people who were giving information to journalists. Sims writes: 'Give me their names', he said, his eyes narrowing. 'I want these people out of here. I'm going to take care of this. We're going to get rid of all the snakes, even the bottom-feeders.' 'The President proceeded to name White House staffer after White House staffer. Almost no one was deemed beyond reproachnot his chief of staff, not senior aides, almost no one other than those with whom he shared a last name. He wanted me to help him judge their loyalty. How, I wondered, had it come to this?' Conway is singled out by Sims who accuses her of secretly trashing Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and ex-White House officials Reince Priebus, Sean Spicer and Bannon. Sims writes that she 'stood in a class of own in terms of her machinations' and that he 'had to admire her sheer gall.' His withering assessment was that she was a 'cartoon villain come to life' who would do the very thing she criticised others for - gossiping anonymously. Former White House chief of staff John Kelly confided in Sims that it was the 'worst f****** job' he had ever had, 'Team of Vipers' says. Kelly hated his post so much that he said that being fired would be the 'best day I've ever had'. In his first speech to staff Kelly told them that their loyalty should be to their country first, not the President, a line which caused alarm among Trump's supporters. Elsewhere the book says that during one bruising phone conversation Trump berated then House Speaker Paul Ryan and asked him why 'Democrats have been kicking your a** for decades?' Trump told Ryan: 'Because they know a little word called 'loyalty'...why can't you be loyal to your president, Paul? 'I remember being in Wisconsin and your own people were booing you. You were out there dying like a dog, Paul. Like a dog! And what'd I do? I saved your a**.' During the meeting, several MPs expressed the fear that the election would be a difficult one if the party did not form an alliance with the BJP. Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has indicated that his party is willing to forge an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if there is a respectable proposal from its ally. Mr Thackeray had called upon a meeting of its party MPs at his residence, Matoshree, in Bandra to gauge their mood on alliance talks. He also briefed them on various issues that they should be taking up in the last session of this current Lok Sabha. According to party sources, the Sena chief was favourable towards forming an alliance, but not at the cost of self-respect. The BJP has expressed its willingness to form an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. However, there is no concrete proposal from it so far. If the BJP is ready to forge an alliance by respecting the self-esteem of the party, then we are ready for it, he said in the meeting. During the meeting, several MPs expressed the fear that the election would be a difficult one if the party did not form an alliance with the BJP. Replying to them, the party chief claimed that it would be very difficult to convince Shiv Sainiks about the alliance as they have been hurt by the BJPs dominating attitude. However, after the meeting, the Sena MP Sanjay Raut sang a different tune before the media, saying Sena is the "big brother" and would remain so. Talking on reports of the BJP and Shiv Sena fighting an equal number of seats, Mr Raut said, We have no information about it. We don't have any such proposal. We reiterate that Shiv Sena will play the role of a big brother and will remain the big brother. In the meeting, we discussed the Rafale deal and the drought in the state. On the 10 per cent Economically Weaker Sections quota to General Category, Uddhavji said people with annual income of `8 lakh must be exempted from paying income tax. Since you have labelled them poor, they must be exempted, said Mr Raut. Two kindhearted boys have handed in a wallet filled with $600 in cash to police after discovering it on the side of a road. Lachlan Heng, 12 and Dardayne Russie, 14, stumbled across the wallet in Byford, south-east of Perth, on January 16 at 5.20pm. The pair immediately turned over the large sum of money to officers in Mundijong so it could be returned to its 36-year-old rightful owner. Lachlan Heng (pictured second from left) and Dardayne Russie (second from right) have been given awards for their kind efforts The boys found an abandoned wallet with $600 in cash and immediately handed it in to police (stock image) 'Honesty, integrity and respect in our young Australians is a benchmark in our future. Thanks boys,' Mundijong Police tweeted. The good Samaritans were given framed awards for their efforts by Armadale Police District. The boys' mother, Vanessa Heng, took to Facebook to thank everyone for their comments of praise and encouragement. 'Staying humble, kind and respected by the morals they have been brought up with will make them even more stronger young outstanding men,' she wrote. 'We are so very proud of them both. Take care all and thank you again!' The boys' mother Vanessa Heng took to Facebook to thank everyone for their comments of praise and encouragement The selfless act was posted on Mundijong Police's Twitter page with many positive reactions from users The post, which was also shared on Facebook, garnered nearly 5000 likes and over 1000 shares. 'Parenting done right. Great job kids,' one user wrote. One user on twitter referred to the young boys as 'future leaders'. 'Hard to find good people doing good things in the world today good work to the young fellas involved,' another tweeted. Australia's biggest threat from the drug war appears to be coming from beyond its borders, rather than within. The latest Illicit Drug Data Report has revealed the number of home-grown drug lab busts in the country are declining while drug detections at the border skyrocket. According to the report released late last year, drug lab busts in Australia continued to dip for the fifth consecutive year. Australia's biggest threat from the drug war appears to be coming from beyond its borders, rather than within (stock photo) The latest Illicit Drug Data report indicates as much, with the number of home-grown drug lab busts on the decline and drug interceptions at the Australian border on the rise (stock photo) Police only uncovered 463 labs in the year to 2017, a 19.5 per cent dip compared to 2015-16 when 575 labs were raided. Of the laboratories busted, only eight were producing MDMA, down from 17 between 2015-16. New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory all had decreases in drug lab busts while South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory recorded an uptick. In New South wales, 53 drug labs were raided compared to 83; 135 labs were cleared out in Victoria, down from 144; 150 labs overturned in Queensland, a drop from 234; and 81 labs shut down in South Australia, a plummet from 69. 'The NSW Police Force is committed to removing prohibited drugs from our streets and arresting those who shamelessly peddle these poisons in the community,' NSW Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman told Daily Mail Australia. 'Part of our work includes investigating those who co-ordinate the importation of prohibited drugs, chemicals and precursors. 'Our investigators have strong partnerships with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police, and we work together to seize these harmful substances before they reach our streets.' While drug lab detection in Queensland plummeted 35.9 per cent, the Sunshine State remains While drug labs in Queensland dipped 35.9 per cent, the Sunshine state remained for the highest rate of drug lab detection in the country. Most of the drug labs busted were producing Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), such as methylamphetamine. While the overall dip may be good news for authorities, another sector appears to be coming under increasing pressure as Border Security works to stave off imported contraband. MDMA detections at the Australian border increased to a record 4,763, up from 2,863 during 2015-16. Of the MDMA supply that arrives from overseas, 60 per cent comes through international mail. Cannabis detections sky rocketed to a record 10,987, an uptick of 46.4 per cent. Heroin detections rose by 36.5 per cent and cocaine detection jumped 33.8 per cent. Bucking the trend were ATS drug detections, which dropped 3.7 per cent. Only 2,905 ATS detections were made at the Australian border between 2016-17, down from 3,017 the previous year. While drug labs in Queensland dipped 35.9 per cent, the Sunshine state remained for the highest rate of drug lab detection in the country (stock photo) Florida nurse Grant Amato, 29, allegedly killed his parents and brother after stealing $200,000 to wire to a Bulgarian webcam girl A Florida nurse accused of murdering his parents and brother allegedly stole $200,000 from them to send to an online webcam girl. Grant Amato, 29, has been charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the shooting deaths of Chad Amato, 59, Margaret Amato, 61, and 31-year-old Cody Amato. In the three months before the shooting, the suspect stole $200,000 from the victims to fund an online pornographic relationship with a woman in Bulgaria, according to a Seminole County arrest warrant. Grant allegedly wired the stolen funds to the woman, with whom he had been communicating since June on the adult website, Cam Girls. The suspect's surviving brother told investigators that Amato had been sending the woman large sums of money and that she knew where the family lived, which concerned Margret Amato. Grant has been charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the deaths of Chad Amato, 59, Margaret Amato, 61, (left) and Cody Amato, 31, (right) Grant Amato told investigators his parents gave him an ultimatum after discovering the theft: Complete a 60-day internet and sex addiction program, or leave the family home. Grant Amato checked into a facility in Fort Lauderdale on December 22, two days after he was reported missing by his mum and dad. They told Seminole County Sheriff's Office deputies their son was suffering from depression, had access to firearms and they were '100 percent convinced he will try to harm himself', according to the incident report seen by Click Orlando. Grant Amato checked out of the facility on January 4, according to the arrest warrant. A motive for the gruesome triple homicide has not yet been released. Grant's brother Cody is circled in the middle, Grant is circled on the far-right The three victims were discovered in the home that Grant Amato shared with his parents in Chuluota after a coworker reported Cody Amato, who lived in Orlando,. hadn't shown up for work. Police discovered bodies in the garage, kitchen, and an office in the home on Friday morning. They had all suffered gunshot wounds. Several weapons were found at the property, but police say a number of them seemed to be missing. Amato was arrested without incident around 1am on Monday. Several weapons were found at the property, but police say a number of them seemed to be missing. Grant is pictured Grant (pictured) was arrested without incident around 1am on Monday. He is being held without bond He has been booked into the John E Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford and is being held without bond. Grant was initially named a person of interest in the case after his parents and brother's bodies were found on Friday morning. Authorities believe the family members were killed sometime between 10pm on Thursday and 7am on Friday. Authorities named Grant a person of interest in the case on Friday and released a photo of his white 1996 Honda Accord in the hope of tracking down the suspect There were no signs of forced entry, so investigators immediately believed the murderer was likely known to the victims. Grant had previously been arrested in June on a graft theft charge at AdventHealth Orlando, where he had worked as a nurse Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma publicly named Grant a person of interest in the case on Friday. He said Grant was armed and dangerous and released an image of his white 1996 Honda Accord leaving the area. Police located Grant at a hotel in Orange County on Saturday and he was taken into investigative detention. He was released on Sunday after cooperating with investigators, but was taken into custody on Monday after deputies obtained a warrant for his arrest. Grant had previously been arrested in June on a grand theft charge at AdventHealth Orlando, where he had worked as a nurse. Colleagues had accused Grant of stealing vials of Propfol, a powerful sedative. Authorities were summoned to the hospital on reports of a suicidal person, but after an examination Grant was deemed not to be a threat to himself. Grant admitted to stealing the drugs, claiming he administered them to patients who weren't 'adequately relaxed' by their prescribed medication. He was not prosecuted for the theft. The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating US sanctions. The company is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on December 1 in Canada. The criminal charges in Brooklyn and Seattle come as trade talks between China and the US are scheduled for this week. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker (center) unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating US sanctions Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou (pictured in December), and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on December 1 in Canada 'As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August_we need more law enforcement cooperation with China,' acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said at a news conference with other Cabinet officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. 'China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies_and China should take action.' US prosecutors charge that Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions. Huawei had done business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and alleged that Meng misled US banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. The announcement Monday includes a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. 'As you can tell from the number and magnitude of the charges, Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect U.S. law and standard international business practices,' said FBI Director Chris Wray. A Huawei spokesman did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. Prosecutors also allege that Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device that T-Mobile used to test smartphones, prosecutors said. A jury in Seattle ruled that Huawei had misappropriated the robotic technology from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state. Huawei (file image) is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors Meng (pictured in court last month) is out on bail in Vancouver and is due to back in court February 6 as she awaits extradition proceedings to begin The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the US and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China and told Reuters in an interview in December that he would 'intervene if I thought it was necessary'. The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder at Vancouver's airport, has in particular led to the worst relations between Canada and China since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. David Martin, Meng's lawyer in Canada, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver and is due to back in court February 6 as she awaits extradition proceedings to begin. Canada arrested Meng at the request of the United States. The Chinese have been furious at Canada ever since and arrested Canadian ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor on December 10 on vague allegations of endangering national security. A cinema advertisement has caused a stir among viewers with some claiming it's 'Chinese propaganda' that promotes socialism to impressionable young moviegoers. At a recent screening of How to Train Your Dragon 3 viewers at the George Street Event Cinema in Sydney were shown an advertisement by Chinese film distribution company TangRen. The Daily Telegraph claims that viewers complained the advertisement was 'promoting socialism with Chinese characteristics and aimed at increasing Chinas "soft power" within Australia'. A cinema advertisement has caused a stir among viewers with some claiming it's Chinese 'propaganda' that promotes socialism to impressionable young moviegoers Viewers at the George Street Event Cinema in Sydney were shown an advertisement from Chinese film distribution company TangRen at a recent screening of the children's movie How to Train Your Dragon 3 The advertisement, which is voiced over in Mandarin, talks about 'promoting Chinese political philosophies' along with 'producing an important influence on Western society' before finishing with mentions of 'enhancing cultural soft power and promoting Chinese culture to the world!'. Sydney is not the only place the advertisement has been run, with a social media user form Perth taking to the 'Hong Kong and China Not The Same' Facebook page to voice her concerns. 'Went to my local cinema in Perth, Australia, to watch the new Dragonball Super movie,' the user wrote. 'Suddenly lo and behold there was a china (sic) propaganda commercial from this 'tangren cultural group (sic)' with voice over in mandarin telling xi jinping propaganda. Wtf?!' TangRen, a prominent film group within Australia and New Zealand, is responsible for two thirds of all Chinese and Korean films distributed in the two countries. Daily Mail Australia attempted to contact the TangRen Cultural Film Group for comment. Soft power is defined as 'a persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence'. It can also be defined as 'the ability to affect others to obtain the outcomes one wants through attraction rather than coercion or payment'. The advertisement talks about 'promoting Chinese political philosophies', 'producing an important influence on Western society' and 'enhancing cultural soft power and promoting Chinese culture to the world!' The idea of soft power rests on the foundation of an ability to shape the preferences of others by employing the 'power of attraction' through seduction. The concept of soft power derives from the fifth century Chinese philosopher Laozi (Lao-tzu) who said that 'a leader is best not when people obey his commands, but when they barely know he exists'. University of Technology Sydney associate professor Chongyi Feng told The Daily Telegraph the advertisement was designed to spread China's 'Grand External Propaganda in Australia. 'The task is to tell the story along the party lines and (control the) narrative around China that will project the right image to the world,' he said. Mr Feng was detained in China in 2017 until 'top government officials' pushed for his release after global outcry. Upon his return to Australia Mr Feng was met by the media at the airport to tell his story. 'Australia is a beautiful multicultural democracy that respects cultural diversity and promotes equality among all ethic and cultural groups he said. 'However, even my freedom in Australia is increasingly under threat from Chinas 'soft power'. The federal government continues to fall behind Labor in the latest Newspoll, despite its best primary vote under the leadership of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Labor Opposition is ahead 53 per cent to 47 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, meaning the government could lose 14 seats on a uniform swing if an election was held now, the poll published in The Australian on Tuesday shows. The government has increased its primary vote by two points since the last Newspoll in December, which had Labor leading 55 per cent to 45 per cent. However, Mr Morrison's approval rating continues to plummet, despite leading Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister at 43 per cent compared to 36 per cent. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) preferred to discuss job creation rather than the latest Newspoll results when he appeared on Channel Nine's Today show on Tuesday Voter satisfaction levels with Mr Morrison fell by two points to 40 per cent, while Mr Shorten's satisfaction rating improved slightly. The latest Newspoll of 1634 voters was taken between Thursday and Sunday. The coalition's primary vote is up two points to 37 per cent while Labor's was down three points to 38 per cent. The Greens' primary vote remained unchanged at nine per cent while One Nation fell one point to six per cent. The prime minister refused to comment directly on the results on Tuesday morning, preferring to talk up his election promise to create 1.25 million jobs if the Coalition is returned to power. 'I'm announcing today our pledge for 1.25 million jobs over the next five years. They are the numbers that matter,' Mr Morrison told Nine's Today Show. 'People getting in jobs. We have an outstanding record of job creation. Over 1.2 million since we were first elected, and we will generate another 1.25 million jobs over the next five years and we will do that exactly the same way we have got the jobs so far.' Mr Morrison will laud the government's economic record as a 'jobs government' in a speech in Brisbane later on Tuesday as part of a week-long visit to Queensland's south-east, where he will make a number of infrastructure project announcements. Bill Shorten (pictured) trails Scott Morrison as preferred prime minister but the Opposition Leader's voter satisfaction levels are rising The prime minister will also flag an ambitious plan to get rid of Australia's debt over 10 years. Ministers Kelly O'Dwyer, Michael Keenan and Nigel Scullion will retire from politics at the election due to be held in May with growing speculation more will follow suit. Mr Morrison isn't concerned about the growing exodus and angrily defended their decisions when asked if they're rats leaving a sinking ship. 'This is not unusual. In fact, the number of retirements going into this election is no different to previous elections,' he told The Today Show. 'Their decisions have nothing to do with the next election and its result.' Scott Morrison (pictured) will be in Brisbane on Tuesday as part of a week-long visit to Queensland's south-east, where he'll make a number of election promises He also accused Mr Shorten of casting doubt on the genuine reasons his ministers are quitting politics. 'Their decisions have to do with deeply personal family issues which they have raised with me which are exactly the same reasons why Kate Ellis from South Australia has decided not to contest the election, while Jenny Macklin, a longstanding member of the Labor Party is not contesting this election,' Mr Morrison said. 'There are members on both sides who have made these decisions for deeply personal reasons and I respect that. I'm disappointed that Bill Shorten can't respect it when it is not people on his own side of politics.' Advertisement The hair was high, the colors bright, the dresses flouncy, and the glasses were round and large and not being worn ironically. In 1980s San Francisco, the streets pulsed with parades and protests many in reaction to then President Ronald Reagans policies while big boomboxes banged out the beats. Photographer Janet Delaney was living in the Mission, and from 1982 to 1988, she took to the boulevards with her Rolleiflex camera to chronicle the neighborhood and the community. It was more of a just a response like you might make snapshots for your family album, Delaney told DailyMail.com. I dont think I had a specific project fully formed in my mind, I just knew I wanted to document what was going on around me. Im kind of obsessive about recording things. Delaney was working on other projects, but on weekends and weekdays when the light was phenomenal and I would just be pulled out to take pictures kind of a love story of sorts. And when events happened I would show up and photograph, you know, just out of compulsion. For decades, the pictures were squirrelled away in a box. The Mission District during the 1980s was a less expensive place to live than today, Delaney said. Like the rest of San Francisco, the mural-filled neighborhood, now known for its robust art scene, trendy bars and restaurants, has gentrified and has higher rents. Even so, homeless encampments have cropped up with residents telling a local news station they feel under siege, and there has been a surge in crime. Last year, the city vowed to clean up the area. From 1982 to 1988, photographer Janet Delaney was living in the Mission, a neighborhood in San Francisco, and she told DailyMail.com that when the light was phenomenal... I would just be pulled out to take pictures kind of a love story of sorts. And when events happened I would show up and photograph, you know, just out of compulsion. Above, 'Three Contestants,' from 1988. 'I love the women, you know, what they picked to wear. But Miss Ulapa wasnt really buying it, she said, then laughed. It speaks volumes to that moment For years, the photos that Delaney took during that time period were stored in a box. During the 2016 election, Delaney started scanning those images, which are now part of her recently released book, 'Public Matters.' She said that it took her a year and a half to find the book in that box, and how she wanted to best present them. Above, 'Crowd Waiting,' from 1986. For me, personally, this picture embodied who the people were of the community, I mean you can read that they are primarily Latino, Latinx, she told DailyMail.com. Looks like a group of working class, middle-class citizens of San Francisco Above, Boom Box, 24th Street, from 1986 was taken in front of a store called Discolandia, a much-beloved music store that has since closed, Delaney explained. There were often neighborhood festivals and parties, and Delaney thinks that was why the street, above, was crowded. For me, the idea of carrying a boombox, which was likely playing, was really a part the culture of street life, where you go into a neighborhood and you feel the beat of that neighborhood,' she told DailyMail.com Delaney spent time in Central America, including Nicaragua. During the Cold War with the Soviet Union, the Reagan administration was funding the Contras, which were rebel groups fighting the socialist Sandinista Nicaraguan government. In the Mission, people protested against the United States backing the Contras, and this can be seen in the above photo, Cookies not Contras, taken during a Peace, Jobs, and Justice parade in 1986. In it, two men don light green dresses to evoke Girl Scout uniforms, for 'troop 69,' complete with protest pins. One holds a sign that states, Cookies not Contras' In around 2016, Delaney decided to go through her contact sheets and scan the images. It took me a year and a half to find the book in the box. But I just kept combing over the work more and more and zeroing in on how I thought it might best be presented, she said. The images are now part of her book called Public Matters. But initially, she said, the project was amorphous. When Trump rolled in, I just find his positions about immigrants so odious that I had to figure out a way to respond and I came across these photographs, and, I thought, you know, theres something going on here, she explained. Political activism has always been a part of Delaneys work as a photographer. She grew up in Compton, lived a few years in Long Beach, and then moved to San Francisco. She now resides in Berkeley. There was a general drift north like so many of us in the 70s arriving on the shores of San Francisco, lulled by the dock of the bay, she said. Delaney also spent time in Central America, specifically in Guatemala and Nicaragua. Delaney said that many immigrants from Central America were living in the Mission during the 1980s. Her work abroad would soon tie into her photography at home. During the Cold War with the Soviet Union, the Reagan administration was funding the Contras, which were rebel groups fighting the socialist Sandinista Nicaraguan government. That was also a parallel story that was happening in my life in a very big way because I had been to Nicaragua and I spoke Spanish and I understood Central America politics pretty well, Delaney explained. In the Mission, people protested against the United States backing the Contras, and this can be seen in one of Delaneys photos from 1986. In it, two men don light green dresses to evoke Girl Scout uniforms, for 'troop 69,' complete with protest pins. One holds a sign that states, Cookies not Contras. Delaney said that the man with his arms flung out, sporting one green sock, was a man named Charlie Halloran, a dancer and fashion designer who died from AIDS a few years after the photo was taken. He could have been just focused on AIDS at this moment in 1986 - that would have definitely been the conversation people were having but they were also embracing this big issue, the Contra war, she said. The burgeoning AIDS crisis and the movement to continue to fight for gay rights were prominent issues in San Francisco, Delaney said. You know, the streets were really lively and full of enthusiasm. I tried to respond to what people saw as the kind of crushing blow of the conservative Reagan regime that came in after there had been a lot of forward movement during the 70s to bring social justice and environmental justice to bear. People knew that we had to make our voices heard. When photographer Janet Delaney was living in the Mission from 1982 to 1988, she took to the boulevards with her Rolleiflex camera to chronicle the neighborhood and the community. It was more of a just a response like you might make snapshots for your family album, Delaney told DailyMail.com. Above, 'Three Young Women' from 1985. There were often street parties in the neighborhood, she said, and the three young women their hairstyles the epitome of 1980s chic stand and watch some type of performance on stage Such chutzpah, Delaney said of the woman in red, center, in 'Foxy Lady' from 1983, probably taken at a Cinco de Mayo parade. Its such... a wonderful streetscape combination of things going on in this photograph that I just loved her sense of connection still to Mexico with her flag,' Delaney said, noting that the Foxy Lady is still a part of the neighborhood. Delaney pointed out that the image has a little bit of an Al Hitchcock moment for her because the woman to the right with her two children could have been Delaney. So that little tiny vignette on the side is also really important to me cause it sort of represents where women, what women looked like at that moment in time,' she said Delaney said that the man in the photo, 'Playing Dominos, Folsom Pawnshop, Mission Street,' from 1984 was her neighbor. So every single Saturday practically somebody was having a birthday or some fiesta down there. Not often but occasionally wandered in and because I spoke Spanish I was able to navigate its a very small space and I took photographs. I have a number of pictures of him, he was very excited, I think, to have me see his gun and in that particular photograph, hes more subtle but in the others, hes kind of making more of an effort to point it out to me, she recalled In the above image, 'Pawnshop, Mission Street,' from 1984, Delaney said the woman, center, is looking at the sparkly things intently, and has her hand pushed against the glass. So I think its about desire and about longing, when you press your face up against a window. Delaney wondered if it was a Sunday, and what she was checking out - things she herself had pawned or something new she wanted to buy. One never knows and thats both the magic and mystery of photography, she said While there was a political element to Delaneys portrait of the Mission during the 1980s, it was also a depiction of the neighborhood, its denizens and everyday life. It isnt just a simple political diatribe its really looking at how we live in the streets and how we interact with strangers and how we (presented) ourselves back then, Delaney said. Its not so far away, its not ancient. So there was a lot that I felt was still relevant so I just wanted to celebrate community, celebrate the migrant population that's so integral to our daily life. There were often festivals and street parties in the neighborhood, and in one image, a large silver boombox rests on a mans shoulders as people mill about the front of a store called Discolandia, which was a much-beloved music store that has since closed, Delaney explained. In another, three young women their hairstyles the epitome of 1980s chic stand and watch some type of performance on stage during a street party. There were also carnivals for kids, Delaney recalled, which were held in a big parking lot, and would have rides and cotton candy. In one photo, a little girl, wearing a light purple dress replete with ruffles and tiny flowers, grips a dollar. She has this one dollar and I watched her. She was taking care probably of two younger siblings or relatives that she was very attentive to, and she would have them wait and she would go and get tickets and then she would come back, take them on a ride or get them something to eat, Delaney recalled. She was very adult in what she had to do. At a different event, the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in 1986, a young boy holds a Voltron toy to his head while three older boys look on from the side. One of the things about going to a march with a camera is that you get sort of pass to be in the parade. At that point, everyone didnt have a camera and so it allowed me to have a front row seat, Delaney said. I think probably a lot of people notice things but photographers take pictures of them and then bring them home so you can sort of be a voyeur for a longer period of time, you know, this powerful thing of just capturing these moments that live indefinitely, and you can revisit and you can puzzle over them and they become iconic in a way because theyre just a split second. In 'Two Greetings,' above, from 1984, Delaney said: We can assume theyre kissing... I mean that is such an embrace and then on the other side are the guys shaking hands. The image was taken at a street fair. I think probably a lot of people notice things but photographers take pictures of them and then bring them home so you can sort of be a voyeur for a longer period of time, you know, this powerful thing of just capturing these moments that live indefinitely, and you can revisit and you can puzzle over them and they become iconic in a way because theyre just a split second' For the above image, 'Boy with Voltron,' Delaney said that she stood at a corner where people were making a turn for the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in 1986. One of the things about going to a march with a camera is that you get sort of pass to be in the parade. At that point, everyone didnt have a camera and so it allowed me to have a front row seat,' she told DailyMail.com. Above, a young boy holds the Voltron toy to his head while the three older boys look on Delaney kept the images, like the one above, 'Three Young Men with Beers,' that she took during the 1980s in a box until around 2016 when she started to scan them and go through them. At first, it was unclear what type of book would come out of the images. The photos were recently published in her book called 'Public Matters.' While there was a political element to Delaneys portrait of the Mission during the 1980s, it was also a depiction of the neighborhood, its everyday life, and denizens, such as the three men above enjoying a beer in 1986 California Sen. Kamala Harris carved out a liberal position on medical insurance on Monday night, telling an audience of Iowa Democrats that the United States should 'eliminate' all private plans and move everyone to a single-payer system. 'We need to have Medicare for all. That's just the bottom line,' Harris said during a CNN town hall event, declaring that she feels 'very strongly' about it. 'The idea is that everyone gets access to medical care, and you don't have to go through the process of going through an insurance company, having them give you approval, going through the paperwork, all of the delay that may require,' she explained, concluding that private insurers should not be part of the system. 'Let's eliminate all of that. Let's move on,' said Harris. Senator Kamala Harris of California made her first town hall appearance as a Democratic presidential candidate on Monday, saying she wants to abolish private health insurance Harris is advocating a 'Medicare for all' platform that would put government agencies in charge of health coverage; that's an approach that goes further than the Obamacare system, and had Bernie Sanders as its main advocate in 2016 Republicans were quick to mock what they typically call socialized medicine, something that has become more mainstream in the Democratic party since the early part of the 2016 presidential campaign cycle. GOP spokesman Michael Ahrens tweeted a dig at Harris that also doubled as a jab at former president Barack Obama's frequent promises about his namesake health law. 'Dems in 2009: If you like your plan, you can keep it,' Ahrens mocked. 'Dems in 2019: If you like your plan, we're eliminating it.' Harris also defended other positions she took as California's attorney general that are unpopular with some Democrats, saying at the Drake University event in Des Moines that they reflected her duty as the state's top law enforcement officer. CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked her about prosecuting death penalty cases, and about legislation requiring her office to investigate all fatal police-related shootings. Harris, who was attorney general from 2011 until she became a U.S. senator in 2017, said she enforced the death penalty despite opposing it. Republican National Committe spokesman Michael Ahrens tweeted a preview of the GOP's likely response to Democrats who promote socialized medicine systems this year Harris spoke with reporters at Drake University on Monday night after the town hall event, hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper Drake University students listened to Sen. Harris; some asked questions 'It's a flawed system. It is applied unequally based on race and based on income,' she said in reply to one student questioner. Harris said she chose not to take a public position on the fatal shootings legislation in 2015 because her office would write the law and enforce it. She did say at the time, however, that she did not support the notion of superseding local prosecutors. Fatal shootings by police of unarmed black men have become a rallying point among a swath of Democratic-leaning voters. DOES KAMALA HARRIS HAVE A POINT? HOW U.S. HEALTHCARE COMPARES TO CANADA'S AND THE UK'S SOCIALIZED SYSTEMS CANADA WHO PAYS AND HOW Each of the 13 provincial or territorial governments provides insurance called Medicare which can be used universally, with doctors or other providers billing the government insurance scheme for treatment. Almost all hospitals are public bodies paid for out of taxation, with almost all care delivered in them paid for from general taxation. Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, dentistry, ambulance costs and long term care and private health insurance is generally used to pay for them. BY NUMBERS (2017) Health care spending per capita: $4,826 Percentage of GDP spent on healthcare: 10.5% Percentage of healthcare spending by government: 70.5% Life expectancy: 81.9 Infant mortality (deaths per thousands before age of one): 4.5 WHAT SUPPORTERS SAY Income is not a factor in the quality of treatment; prescription drugs costs are far lower than in the U.S.; user fees are minimal WHAT CRITICS SAY Wait times are used to ration care; mental health care is badly underfunded; innovation is not rewarded; other countries have more cost-effective systems UNITED KINGDOM WHO PAYS AND HOW: National Health Service (NHS) is free at the point of access throughout the UK for primary, hospital and outpatient care. It is funded from general taxation and regulated by the UK government. Prescription drugs are covered with a copay of $11.50 in England and are free in the rest of the UK; other co-pays are rare. Subsidized dental care is available but supply is less than demand. Private health insurance or paying out of pocket can be used to pay for non-emergency care and elective procedures. Long-term care is broadly not covered by the NHS. BY NUMBERS (2017) Health care spending per capita: $4,246 Percentage of GDP spent on healthcare: 9.7% Percentage of healthcare spending by government: 79.4% Life expectancy: 80.8 Infant mortality (deaths per thousands before age of one): 4.3 WHAT SUPPORTERS SAY UK: Income is not a factor in the quality of treatment; healthcare is not a cost factor for businesses; the NHS has huge popular support WHAT CRITICS SAY UK: Care is rationed by waiting time and shortages; health outcomes vary radically from area to area; innovation in treatment is not incentived; some patients abuse the system because they are financially engaged in it; political rather than rational decisions affect the quality and availability of care; the current system is going to be unable to cope with growing demand due to an aging population USA WHO PAYS AND HOW Hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers bill insurance companies or providers for care of those with insurance. Private insurance by employers covers almost 50 per cent of Americans. Those over 65 are insured additionally through Medicare which is a combination of federal and state spending. Medicaid provides insurance for some on low incomes or with limited resources, 76 million in 2016. Most healthcare comes with co-payments or deductibles regardless of insurance provision. Provision varies from state to state. Long term care is covered for some by Medicaid. Military and veterans, and their dependents, have their own free at point of access healthcare funded from general federal taxation. BY THE NUMBERS (2017) Health care spending per capita: $10,224 Percentage of GDP spent on healthcare: 17.3% Percentage of all healthcare spending by government: 64.7% Life expectancy: 80.0 Infant mortality: (deaths per 1,000 before age one: 5.8 WHAT SUPPORTERS SAY More effective treatments are incentived by letting people choose where they are treated; innovation is financially rewarded for individuals and institutions; U.S. hospitals pull in the best talent from around the world and draw in foreign cash for treatment WHAT CRITICS SAY Millions live without insurance; millions more cannot afford co-pays for treatment or drugs; healthcare costs are a leading cause of personal bankruptcy; health outcomes are closely linked to income; healthcare is a high cost for private companies; government is already spending more than other advanced countries per capita with less to show for it Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, the World Bank, the CIA Factbook, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Advertisement Harris has faced scrutiny of her background as a prosecutor early in the 2020 presidential discussion. The town hall Monday night was her first public event in Iowa - the state will host the first presidential caucuses of the primary season - since she declared her candidacy. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who have taken steps toward presidential bids of their own, also have been confronted with questions about their political liabilities during appearances in Iowa this month. The 'Medicare for all' concept has caught fire this year thanks to unabashed advocacy from New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a delf-described democratic socialist. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was the plan's loudest proponent in 2016 but lost the Democratic presidential nomination to Hillary Clinton who was seen as more centrist and electable. Almost a year ago Gary Oldman was the king of the Oscars after bagging his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. The British star then delighted viewers with an emotional speech during which he told his 98-year-old mother, 'put the kettle on I'm bringing Oscar home', before thanking her for her support. Sadly, just three months later Oldman's elderly mom Kathleen passed away. Now for the first time, the veteran actor has opened up on his loss, admitting that his devoted mother held on to her life to see him pick up the award for his breathtaking performance as British wartime Prime Minister Churchill. Speaking exclusively to DailyMailTV in Las Vegas, the London-born star added Kathleen had a 'good innings' - an English term referencing a long and prosperous life. Gary Oldman has opened up for the first time about the loss of his mother Kathleen, who died three months aged 98 after he won his first Oscar last year. He looked emotional as he told DailyMailTV his mother 'always said I would win one. 'I wasn't so optimistic but I think she was holding out' Oldman, 60, won hearts with his on stage speech at last year's Oscars thanking America 'for the many wonderful gifts it has given me - my home, my livelihood, my family and now Oscar' Looking emotional, Oldman revealed that his mother always expected her son to win the highest honor in Hollywood. 'Well she always said I would win one. At least she was optimistic,' Oldman said. 'I wasn't so optimistic but I think she was holding out. Yeah, I won the Oscar and her health started to fade very quickly so I think she was hanging on.' Oldman, who also starred in the hit movie JFK, added that he enjoyed a very close relationship with Kathleen, who lived with him in her final years. She was a retired cafe owner who moved to Los Angeles after he moved her out of the family's home in Deptford, South East London. 'She brought me up from seven or eight so that's a long time to actually know someone, it's a long time to be with someone,' he said. 'She lived with me the last five years of her life, she was living in California the last 25 years so she had a good time...nearly 99 so it was a good innings as they say.' Oldman, 60, won hearts with his on stage speech at last year's Oscars thanking America 'for the many wonderful gifts it has given me - my home, my livelihood, my family and now Oscar.' Oldman, who also starred in JFK, added that he enjoyed a very close relationship with Kathleen, who lived with him in her final years. She was a retired cafe owner who moved to Los Angeles after he moved her out of the family's home in Deptford, South East London But it was his words to his mother, which was one of the most memorable moments of the night He said: 'I would like to thank my mother, who is older than the Oscars, she is 99 years young next birthday and she's watching the ceremony from the comfort of her sofa. 'I say to my mother, thank you for your love and support, put the kettle on - I'm bringing Oscar home.' Afterwards Oldman told DailyMail.com his mother was his 'champion' she raised him and his two sisters alone after her husband walked out when Oldman was seven, and encouraged her son to take up acting. After her death in June last year a heartfelt tribute was posted on the Instagram account Oldman shares with his wife Gisele Schmidt. The tribute referred to Kathleen as 'Kay' - as she was known affectionately by her loved ones. It read: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Kay Oldman, Mother of Gary Oldman, Jacqueline Wyles, and Maureen Lesley Bass. 'Kay was a woman of great talent and mirth, keeping her loved ones smiling with her quick wit and ready repartee until the end. For her family and friends she was a source of warmth, inspiration, amusement, support and she will be deeply missed. But it was his words to his mother, which was one of the most memorable moments of the night He said: 'I would like to thank my mother, who is older than the Oscars, she is 99 years young next birthday and she's watching the ceremony from the comfort of her sofa. 'I say to my mother, thank you for your love and support, put the kettle on - I'm bringing Oscar home' 'We were very fortunate to have her in our lives and were given time to say goodbye. The past few days have been heartbreaking but also filled with love, laughter, and celebration of a life fully lived. 'We mourn and grieve but loved ones never leave us as long as we keep their memories with us. Kay touched so many of us, so she goes on in our thoughts and in our hearts!' Oldman spoke as he supported close friend Criss Angel's opening night of MINDFREAK at Planet Hollywood resort, Las Vegas. Angel admitted that Oldman 'is a truly great friend' who supported him as his son Jonny Crisstopher battled cancer. The pair is planning a fundraising event for cancer charities later this year at the PH Resort. Oldman says that his friend Angel is an 'icon' magician in Sin City thanks to his 'Charisma, charm, commitment.' 'He's very tenacious, he's very inventive, because it's a very, like anything, at the top it's competitive, so he's always coming up with new illusions. But he's a great well rounded entertainer. He's an actor and a showman and I think that's part of the longevity.' First she saved herself and her unborn baby, and now, Brianna the Cow could go on to save hundreds of pregnant farm animals from being slaughtered - with a new bill in her name. The bovine became internet famous last month after she narrowly escaped death by jumping from a moving double-decker trailer that was on its way to a New Jersey slaughterhouse. Brianna was rescued and brought back to Skylands Animal Sanctuary & Rescue in Wantage where vets discovered she was pregnant and she gave birth two days later. And now, John Decando, the Chief Animal Control Officer in Paterson, tells DailyMail.com, talks are underway for 'Brianna's Law' which will prohibit selling 'gestating' cows for slaughter. Brianna the Cow could go on to save hundreds of pregnant farm animals from being slaughtered if 'Brianna's Law' is passed Over the moooon: Brianna saved herself and her unborn calf Winter last month after escaping from a truck that was on its way to the slaughterhose 'I feel great,' Decando said. 'I have been doing this for 40 years and I knew I had to do something for the sake of these animals. I feel like Brianna was trying to give us all a message.' Decando got the ball rolling by sending off letters to state representatives after learning Brianna was after her dramatic rescue. The bill will now be discussed before a committee and then go in front of the assembly in Trenton, New Jersey where it will be voted on. 'I want everyone to come out and support the bill. Call the New Jersey senate and assembly and express your support for these pregnant farm animals. Write letters. I never ever want to see this happen again to another animal,' Decando added. 'Hopefully other states will jump on the bandwagon and make it a national law for all pregnant farm animals, Decando adds. 'Just like people, I believe animals have souls and it's our job to help them.' Brianna and her calf Winter are living at the animal sanctuary where they both remain in the good care and good health. The sanctuary is home to 70 cows, along with goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, a goose named Ted and three miniature donkeys. Its founder Mike Stura told DailyMail.com he's eager to see a new law created. The bovine became internet famous last month after she narrowly escaped death by jumping from a moving double-decker trailer that was on its way to a New Jersey slaughterhouse She was taken to Skylands Animal Sanctuary & Rescue in Wantage, New Jersey where she was discovered to be pregnant Udderly adorable: Brianna gave birth to baby Winter two days later Brianna and her calf Winter are living at the animal sanctuary where they both remain in the good care and good health 'We can't even begin to imagine what's going thru the minds of these pregnant animals knowing they and their babies are going to be slaughtered. There's power in numbers, so let's all send in letters and take action. Let's do what we can to protect these and all animals.' The baby cow was born on December 29 with the help of Stura who made sure both mom and baby were safe after the delivery. 'Oh she was happy, she was so relieved you could see it,' Stura says. 'Mom came right over and licked the baby clean. I dried the baby with a towel and then the vet arrived about 20 minutes later. I stayed with her and the baby for a long time, for hours. The baby tried to stand up in just 15 minutes, and was successful in about 25 minutes. I led her to mom's teat and she took right at it. Winter goes everywhere mom goes.' The bill proposes slaughtering a gestating cow is a crime of the fourth degree, and provides for the imposition of a minimum fine of $3,000 to a maximum of $10,000 for each conviction. Fadnavis was addressing the state executive committee meeting of the party in Jalna on Monday. Mumbai: While the Shiv Sena is still non-committal towards forming an alliance for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now invoked the Hindutva plank to persuade its ally. Those who follow Hindutva will come together with us, others will not, said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The BJP is not helpless to seek alliance. But we need the coalition to keep the Hindutva forces intact. We also want to keep together the forces against the corruption. Those who are anti-Hindu will not support us, but others will. We will march forward with those who will come together with us, said Mr Fadnavis. Mr Fadnavis was addressing the state executive committee meeting of the party in Jalna on Monday. His attempt to invoke the Hindutva plank is being seen as a desperate effort to urge Sena to form an alliance for the LS polls. The Sena, which is the ally of BJP in both the governments at the Centre and the state, has so far turned a cold shoulder towards BJPs pleas for fighting the LS polls together. Our goal is not aimed at grabbing the power. But we want to serve Bharatmata amd Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fighting for people, Mr Fadnavis added. Mr Fadnavis also dared Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to come with concrete evidence of corruption in crop insurance schemes. Rumours of TPG starting an unlimited $9.99 a month mobile phone plan have been circulating for months. But Thursday's merger between TPG and Vodafone Australia could see the plan cancelled before it even begins. The plan was supposed to offer unlimited data, calls and texts across Australia, and compete with Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. But after the merger into Vodafone's customer base, industry experts say the company doesn't need to lower their prices heavily to compete. The new merged entity will allow TPG and Vodafone Australia to better compete with Telstra and Optus (stock image) Tommy Wu, a Senior Industry Analyst at IBISWorld, told Daily Mail Australia TPG's aggressive customer marketing isn't necessary anymore. The reports of the plan first came to light in May 2018, when TPG was attempting to build Australia's fourth mobile network. They tentatively stepped into the mobile phone plan market, offering customers six months free on an unlimited data plan to try the network. At the time, Optus, Telstra and Vodafone were the only major Australian mobile companies. TPG only had 1.9million subscribers, compared to nearly 10million for Optus. However, the merger with Vodafone means that they no longer need to force their way into the market with cheap phone plans. Vodafone Australia is set to merge with TPG Telecom into one $15billion company (stock image) 'With this merger we will be a more formidable competitor against Optus and Telstra,' TPG chairman and chief executive David Teoh said in a statement. But when he was asked by the Sydney Morning Herald whether a $10-a-month plan could go forward, he said: 'Who knows?' 'TPG were trying to push into the mobile market, (and) that risked crowding out the mobile market,' Mr Wu said. 'If TPG continued, they would likely push forward the $10 plan, but now they have a foot in the door of the mobile market, they don't have to.' TPG were planning on releasing a $9.99 unlimited monthly plan, but now the company doesn't need to compete so aggressively for mobile customers (stock image) Earlier on Thursday, Mr Teoh said the merger announcement was an 'exciting step-change'. 'Together we will become a more effective industry challenger that strives to create competitively priced consumer products with the high levels of customer service that differentiates us in the market,' he said. Vodafone chief executive Inaki Berroeta told The Sydney Morning Herald: 'We are doing this to really compete harder (with Optus and Telstra), we want to grow our market share'. In a statement, he added 'We are confident that this merger will be highly beneficial to customers, shareholders and other stakeholders'. 'The big winners of this will be Australia's consumers, with the new company able to deliver even greater competition and value.' TPG shareholders will own 49.9 per cent of the new merged group, with Vodafone Hutchinson Australia shareholders owning the rest. Vodafone chief executive Inaki Berroeta (pictured) said 'We are doing this to really compete harder (with Optus and Telstra), we want to grow our market share' '(The) merger will provide scale and financial strength to compete more effectively with Telstra and Optus, and be better able to invest and drive innovation, service and product improvement to benefit Australian telecommunications customers,' a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange said. It has been described as a 'merger of equals transaction to establish Australia's leading challenger full-service telecommunications provider'. TPG, which also own iiNet and Internode, has more than 1.9million subscribers in Australia, while Vodafone has about 6million. The new company will be named TPG Telecom Ltd. The merger is expected to be completed next year, subject to regulatory approval. Shocked relatives of a 'self-radicalised' woman who allegedly stabbed a father in Melbourne are struggling to come to terms with the allegations against her. Bangladeshi national Momena Shoma, 24, is accused of stabbing nurse Roger Singaravelu in the neck and shoulder in front of his five-year-old daughter at his Mill Park home in Melbourne's northeast. Shoma has been charged with engaging in a terrorist act over the allegedly Islamic State inspired attack. Scroll down for video Momena Shoma wanted to become a university teacher and was previously a student at one of the top private universities in Bangladesh Her uncle Mohammed Abdul Aziz, a senior university official in the capital of Dhaka says he doesn't know what would cause such a change in his niece who he described as a 'brilliant student'. 'She did not have anxiety, she was comfortable where she was. What went wrong, I don't know,' Dr Aziz told the Age. She arrived in Melbourne this month on her first overseas trip to study linguistics at La Trobe University. She had been lodging with Mr Singaravelu for one day before the alleged attack took place. Dr Aziz said he had last talked to his niece on the phone in early February and she had told him everything was fine. The father allegedly stabbed by a burqa-wearing woman inspired by Islamic State has been revealed as Roger Singaravelu (pictured) Momena Shoma allegedly turned on the 56-year-old about 4.25pm Friday and allegedly stabbed him in his sleep while his five-year-old daughter watched on. Pictured: Court sketch of Shoma Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was told the alleged stabbing was an isolated incident but says it's a reminder of the relevance of terrorism. 'It does remind us that terrorism is not some distant concept that isn't relevant to us. It is,' he told reporters on Sunday. The victim is in a stable condition after he underwent surgery at Royal Melbourne Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Shoma appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday and didn't apply for bail. She appeared in a blue jumper with her black hair tied back and the court heard she had suffered an injury to her hand. She was remanded in custody to reappear in court on May 2. Mr Singaravelu has been described as a dedicated family man who opened his doors to international students, including Shoma. Nearby residents described him as a 'nice guy' from a caring family who would share food with their neighbours. Bangladeshi national Shoma was one student to take advantage of Mr Singaravelu's generosity, staying with the nurse at his home (pictured) in Mill Park, northeast Melbourne 'They are an absolutely beautiful family, they are very kind,' neighbour Aga told the Herald Sun. 'They always bring us around food, they're very kind.' Another neighbour James told the publication Mr Singaravelu's partner is 'distraught' after recently opening their home to Shoma. He added: 'He's a nice family man, he's a nice guy, it's so strange.' Neighbour Safia said Mr Singaravelu called them to his home for help, where they found him lying in the garage in a pool of blood. 'Roger called us and just said 'run, run, run I've been stabbed',' Safia said. Police arrested the 24-year-old woman following the alleged stabbing (Pictured is a chair from the Melbourne home) The Bangladeshi national was arrested at the Melbourne home where she had been staying while studying Detectives at the scene allege Shoama dressed in a black burka - used a knife to attack the father as his daughter watched on. How and why the young Bangladeshi woman became radicalised will remain the subject of investigation, police said. The horrified family of Mr Singaravelu have spoken out after the alleged stabbing. 'At this time our focus is on our the welfare of our family and his recovery. We would like to offer our thanks to our family, friendly neighbours and emergency services for their support and kindness,' they said in a statement. 'This is a very upsetting time and we ask that our privacy is respected to allow time to heal.' Ian McCartney, AFP acting Deputy Commissioner, National Security, confirmed the incident was linked to Islamic State (Victoria Police stock pictured) A teenage boy and a 24-year-old cheerleader were celebrating Australia Day on a Queensland property with 50 other revellers when they mysteriously drowned. Kirsty Cini, 24, vanished after she was seen going down a water slide on the edge of a dam in rural Julatten, about 85km north-west of Cairns. During a desperate search for the woman, the body of a second victim, 15-year-old Zack Jenkins, was found. The teen, from Mossman in Queensland, was last seen 20 minutes prior to the disappearance of Ms Cini. The body of the Brisbane woman was discovered soon after. Zack's body was found during the desperate search for Kirsty (pictured) who disappeared after going down a water slide A police investigation into the double drowning has been launched, with detectives looking at whether the water slide or alcohol played a role in the deaths. Friends and family took to social media to express their grief following the tragedy on Friday afternoon. Oscar, a friend of Zack's, wrote: 'Today mate, you have changed my life. At such a young age, you did not deserve to die.' Ms Cini's brother, Adam, dedicated a heartfelt tribute to his sister: 'Today is the worst day of my life, to find out that I will never see my beautiful sister again.' 'I have experienced so much pain in my life but nothing knocks me down like this, I am so lost now. RIP Kirsty Cini. I'll love you always.' Police were called to the property shortly after 4pm but tragically both victims died at the scene A friend of Zack (pictured) wrote, 'Today mate, you have changed my life. At such a young age, you did not deserve to die' Stepfather Bruce Baker described Kirsty (pictured) as 'outgoing and very active and very happy 99 per cent of the time' Ms Cini's stepfather Bruce Baker described Ms Cini as 'outgoing and very active and very happy 99 per cent of the time'. '[We are] just coming to terms with it. I hope we get there,' he told the ABC. Mr Baker said Ms Cini's mother was too shattered to publicly speak, revealing: 'She's her only daughter.' The director of Cobra All Starz Cheerleading told the Brisbane Times she had known Ms Cini since she was child. Mr Baker said Kirsty's mother was too shattered to publicly speak, revealing: 'She's her only daughter' The director of Cobra All Starz Cheerleading told the Brisbane Times she had known Kirsty (pictured in uniform) since she was child Kirsty took to social media the day before she died to wish her mother a happy birthday '(Kirsty) was very kind and generous. Her personality just bubbled and she loved cheerleading so much,' Ms McCarthy said. 'She was the most lovely, caring person I've ever met. Ms Cini took to social media the day before she died to wish her mother a happy birthday. Police and rescue crews were called to the property just after 4pm and were told that Zack was deceased when he was pulled from the water Kirsty (pictured left) took to social media a day before to wish her mother a happy birthday Police officers were called to the property just after 4pm and were told that Zack was deceased when he was pulled from the water. Despite the efforts of emergency service workers, both Zack and Ms Cini were unable to be revived. 'It's a typical Australia Day event where everyone is enjoying themselves,' Queensland Police Service spokesman Duane Amos told Sunrise . 'Unfortunately, there is alcohol that's mixed with water and we have the tragic deaths of a 23-year-old and 15-year-old.' The double tragedy shocked partygoers and left the small tight-knit community in grief A German nurse who is already serving a life sentence for two murders has now been charged with killing 97 more patients. The nurse, who has been dubbed the 'Angel of Death', killed his 99 victims over several years at two hospitals in northwestern Germany, according to prosecutors. In November, officials said that nurse Niels Hoegel may have killed more than 100 patients while working at a clinic in Oldenburg between 1999 to 2002 and in nearby Delmenhorst from 2003 to 2005. Niels Hoegel covering his face at a 2015 court appearance after he was given a life sentence for two murders and two attempted murders Hoegel was convicted in 2015 of two murders and two attempted murders in Delmenhorst and was given a life sentence. During his trial, Hoegel had said he intentionally brought about cardiac crises in about 90 patients in Delmenhorst because he enjoyed the feeling of being able to resuscitate them. He later told investigators that he also killed patients in Oldenburg. Those statements prompted investigators to carry out toxicological examinations on dozens of other patients who died at the hospitals, leading to the new charges. It wasn't immediately clear when a new trial at the state court in Oldenburg might start. Additional convictions could affect Hoegel's possibility of parole, but there are no consecutive sentences in Germany. In general, people serving life sentences are considered for parole after 15 years. The 'Angel of death' nurse claimed he intentionally brought about cardiac crises in patients because he enjoyed the feeling of being able to resuscitate them Of the new cases, 62 involve patients who died in Delmenhorst and 35 patients in Oldenburg. Prosecutor Martin Koziolek said that, in three further cases investigators viewed as suspicious, tests didn't produce enough evidence to add them to the charge sheet. Hoegel used a variety of drugs in his resuscitation attempts, Koziolek said. He added that prosecutors believe Hoegel 'in all cases at least accepted the death of the patients as a result of the effect of the drugs.' As part of a wider investigation involving both hospitals, police and prosecutors reviewed more than 500 patient files and hundreds more hospital records. They also exhumed 134 bodies from 67 cemeteries, and questioned Hoegel six times. Police have said if local health officials hadn't hesitated in alerting authorities, Hoegel could have been stopped earlier. Authorities are already pursuing criminal cases against former staff at the medical facilities. The man who allegedly bashed a two-year-old girl in a 'shocking' assault had only been dating the toddler's mother for six weeks, police say. Mohammed Khazma, 22, was arrested at Fairfield in Sydney's west just before 5pm on Monday and charged with reckless assault causing grievous bodily harm. He did not come up from the cells during a brief appearance at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday. He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. Scroll down for video Mohammed Khazma (pictured), 22, was arrested at Fairfield in Sydney's west just before 5pm on Monday and charged with reckless assault causing grievous bodily harm Witnesses (pictured) said the woman arrived with her bloodied and bruised daughter before yelling: 'Your son hit me, your son killed my daughter' Mr Khazma had been living with the mother, and they had only been together for six weeks,Daily Telegraph reported NSW Police said. The mother discovered the girl on Monday afternoon at a home in Guildford West and then drove with the child to a relative's home, police said on Tuesday. Neighbours described how a woman pulled up at the front of a home on Monday screaming 'you've killed my baby'. She reportedly collapsed with the toddler unresponsive in the back of the car. Emergency services were called and paramedics commenced CPR on the child who had gone into cardiac arrest. The home in Guildford West where the baby discovered the two-year-old girl The two-year-old was given CPR before being taken to hospital in critical condition where she is now being kept on life support Acting superintendent Glen Parks said the mother is 'very upset' and is helping the police investigation. 'This is going to be a long process and we need to work with her,' Supt Parks told reporters. He described the assault on the girl as 'shocking'. 'It is a human instinct to care for the young and the vulnerable and when instances like this occur it is often very difficult to comprehend,' he said. 'Any incident like this is very difficult.' A NSW Police spokeswoman said the girl remained at Westmead Children's Hospital in a critical and unstable condition. Mr Khazma had been living at the home with the mother of the two-year-old girl The home where the two-year-old girl was found. She remains in hospital in a critical condition Police were called to an address in Guildford West at around 3.30pm where they found a two-year-old girl unresponsive in the back of a car A Sydney grandfather who was allegedly stabbed by a 'religious fanatic inspired by ISIS' was approached by the young Muslim man hours before he was attacked. Wayne Greenhalgh, 59, was on a morning walk with his wife Bronwyn when Ihsas Khan, 22, eerily stepped off his verandah and came face-to-face with the pair. In an interview with ACA, Mr Greenhalgh recalled how he had initially thought Khan may have been approaching him to ask for directions, but became spooked when he turned around without saying a word and retreated to his red-brick home. He had no idea that come 4pm later that day, during a second walk down Ohflsen Road, Minto, the same man would allegedly stab him in the abdomen, chest and neck - leaving him in such a bad condition that surgeons doubted he would survive. Scroll down for video Wayne Greenhalgh, 59, has recalled the bizarre moment he came face to face with a man who allegedly nearly stabbed him to death - hours before he was attacked The grandfather and cabinet maker said he was walking with his wife and their dog (pictured) when Ihsas Khan, who has been charged with his attempted murder, silently walked up to him and stared at him in the face He had no idea that come 4pm later that day, during a second walk down Ohflsen Road, Minto, the same man would allegedly stab him multiple times in the abdomen, neck and hands. Khan was allegedly captured on CCTV footage brandishing a large knife Mr Greenhalgh was left with permanent damage to his hands (pictured) and other injuries 'We were about fifty metres from this fellas house (Khan's) and he came off his verandah - it looked like he was reading a little maroon bible,' Mr Greenhalgh said. 'As he was coming to me I whispered to my wife, 'I think he's going to ask us for directions to a shop or something". (But) he just came up to my face, closed his bible, turned around, walked away up to his driveway and went inside.' 'I said to my wife, "Christ, that was weird, I wonder what he wanted there? I thought he was going to ask me something. He didn't say a word ... Bloody hell!"' Mr Greenhalgh said that on his second walk of the day he watched on in horror as Khan sat on a fence outside his home and pulled a hunting knife from his backpack. He was then allegedly repeatedly stabbed by Khan, who witnesses claimed was shouting 'Allahu Akbar, this is a good day to die' during the alleged attack. After suffering multiple stab wounds Mr Greenhalgh managed to escape to a nearby property where he was taken into an adjoining hairdressing salon by the owner. An image from CCTV footage shows the moment Mr Greenhalgh (left) escaped his attacker into a nearby hair salon Mr Greenhalgh's neighbours came to his aid during the attack, holding off the attacker while they waited for police to arrive The moment Ihsas Khan was arrested by police. Circled in red is the alleged weapon used in the attack Alleged terror attacker Ihsas Khan, 19, pictured in an earlier image A local resident said she watched in horror as property owner Duyen Phan barricaded the entrance as Khan allegedly attempted to smash his way inside before local heroes intervened. Mr Greenhalgh was recovering well mentally, but was phyisically 'messed up', A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw said on Monday. He couldn't use his hands and had received two puncture wounds to his torso - one which penetrated his lung - and a large gash to his right arm during the attack. A doctor believed his two little fingers on his right hand would be 'ultimately useless to him', Ms Grimshaw said. 'He's a cabinet maker... he needs every cent that he earns to survive - to keep the family going.' His left hand was 'useless' to him because all the skin was stripped off his middle finger and he thought his left hand could 'come good', but not his right, she said. Khan has been charged with committing a terrorist act and attempted murder. A Current Affair captured the moment Mr Greenhalgh embraced neighbour Sivei Ah Chong, who came to his rescue and saved his life EE has been crowned Britain's leading major mobile operator - winning, or sharing, all six mobile performance categories tested in a new comprehensive report. The BT-owned company's impressive rankings in the second half of 2018 were based on the testing of reliability, speed, data, call and text performance, receiving a score of 94.5 out of 100. The research was conducted by RootMetrics by purchasing Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9 smartphones. They walked and drove around with the phones both in the day and at night to measure their performance on four of the main UK networks: EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone. EE has named as the UK's leading mobile operator after winning - or sharing - all six awards in comprehensive testing Testing focused on the activities consumers typically use their smartphones for, including data, call, and text usage. RootMetrics - alongside London-based global information provider IHS Markit - performed 600,476 tests, drove 20,294 miles, tested 652 indoor locations and covered 100 per cent of the population. EE has now won the UK overall award in 11 consecutive rounds of testing, dating back to when RootMetrics first began UK-wide testing in the second half of 2013. Britain's largest mobile phone provider has plans to roll out 5G across 16 cities in 2019, including London, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester. An EE spokesperson said: 'We know how important it is for people to be connected, and we're working to keep our customers connected 100 per cent of the time once again being named the UK's best mobile network is evidence of that work. 'Today's report shows our continued investment in bringing our customers the best possible mobile experience as we lay the foundations for the UK's 5G leadership.' Vodafone took second place for overall performance, helped along by strong results in network speed, data performance and text performance and received another impressive score of 92.9 out of 100. Three came third, falling one place since the first half of last year, scoring 91.1 out of 100. SPEED OF PHONE NETWORKS IN HIGH CONGESTION AREAS Market Fastest median download speed Slowest median download speed Edinburgh high-congestion areas (outdoors) EE 26.3 Mbps Three 8.2 Mbps London high-congestion areas (outdoors) EE 39.6 Mbps Three 3.6 Mbps Manchester high-congestion areas (outdoors) Vodafone 79.8 Mbps Three 6.8 Mbps The network showed improvement in call performance testing and kept its position as a strong network for reliability only narrowly trailing EE in this category. Its UK-wide results were generally strong with a shared win in the call category and second-place finishes for network reliability and text performance. However, when its download speed was tested in high congestion areas across the country, it was found to be the slowest out of the other networks in every city. The testing by RootMetric covered 100% of the population looked at text, call and data usage O2, the UK's second largest network, ranked last in four out of the six test categories, scoring 89.5 out of 100, staying identical to the prior round of testing conducted in the first half of 2018. The provider also finished second, in a three-way tie, in the text performance category for the third straight test period. Ranked 1. EE, 94.5 out of 100 2. Vodafone, 92.9 out of 100 3. Three, 91.1 out of 100 4. O2, 89.5 out of 100 It ranked fourth in the categories of overall performance, network reliability, network speed, and data performance for the fifth consecutive test period. According to RootMetrics, O2 could improve at both nationwide and UK-wide levels by expanding its 4G footprint. Kevin Hasley, head of product at RootMetrics and executive director of performance benchmarking at IHS Markit, said: 'EE's strong performance in testing is testament to the consistent investment into improving its 4G network. 'Vodafone and Three are also making improvements as they vie for market position. Although O2 ranks fourth in our testing, it is well placed to improve, having secured key parts of the 5G spectrum in 2018.' Vodafone came a close second, after EE, for overall performance, scoring 92.9 out of 100 As well as testing the UK's 16 most populated metro areas, RootMetrics also conducted testing in highly congested areas of three cities in the second half of 2018, including Edinburgh, London and Manchester. These additional tests focused on where most people spend their leisure time. The testing was performed in popular tourist areas, travel destinations, business districts and other areas with a high concentration of traffic. Hasley added: 'The latest data suggests that download speeds are highly influenced by variables such as network capacity, demand, time of day and location. 'Our latest approach to testing in highly congested areas enables consumers and businesses to be better informed before making key buying decisions, such as where to visit, shop, eat and work. 'This type of analysis will be key to providing accurate data on 5G experience when it rolls out in earnest.' A former stripper turned regional sales director for Insys Therapeutics Inc gave a doctor a lap dance during negotiations persuading him to prescribe an addictive fentanyl spray, a court heard today. Sunrise Lee took Paul Madison, an Illinois-based anesthesiologist, to the Underground, a top nightclub in Chicago, in 2012 with two other sales reps after a business dinner to discuss the drug, Subsys. During the night, one of the other reps, Holly Brown, claims she saw Lee 'sitting on his lap, kind of bouncing around.' Madison 'had his hands sort of inappropriately all over her chest,' Brown told the federal court in Boston today. The testimony is the latest to emerge in the first criminal trial of painkiller manufacturer executives as authorities try to find culprits of the opioid abuse epidemic that has killed so many it even lowered the US life expectancy. Sunrise Lee, an ex-stripper turned sales executive for Insys, is accused of performing a lap dance for a doctor who was being persuaded to prescribe a fentanyl spray to people who did not have cancer. The spray, Subsys, was approved by the FDA to relieve pain for cancer Madison, who received at least $70,800 in speaker fees from Insys, was convicted in November in another, unrelated case for taking money from insurers for chiropractic operations that he never performed. But now, he is one of a handful of doctors at the center of the Insys case, which is just beginning to unravel. According to prosecutors, the doctors were targeted with bribes to push Subsys on patients without a prescription. They have all pleaded not guilty to racketeering and deny any wrongdoing. Subsys is a highly-addictive under-the-tongue spray only approved by the FDA to treat cancer pain. But prosecutors say doctors prescribed it to patients without cancer, allegedly after receiving payments from Insys. Those alleged payments, dinners and other persuasive gifts, prosecutors say, came from Lee as well as Insys founder and ex-chairman John Kapoor, as well as Michael Gurry, Richard Simon and Joseph Rowan. The executives' lawyers insist everything described in this case was above board. They say doctors are allowed to prescribe medications for off-label purposes. And accepting speaker fees is not illegal. Pharmaceutical companies routinely contract experts to speak at events to share their knowledge and further drug development. Today's testimony, reported by Reuters, slightly skewered those claims. Brown said the dinners were hardly professional affairs. They were held at a Chicago restaurant owned by Kapoor, and they were not attended by clinicians, but by friends. 'The idea was these weren't really meant to be educational programs but were meant to be rewards to physicians,' Brown said. Jurors were shown an email Brown sent in 2012, describing Madison's medical practice as a 'shady pill mill.' Brown stuck by her assessment, saying the center was 'notorious.' Lee's attorney, Peter Horstmann, asked Brown if Madison 'appeared to be taking advantage of Ms Lee.' Brown said yes. Israeli scientists claim they will develop a cure for cancer within the next year - an unlikely prospect, according to world leaders in cancer care and treatment innovation. In December, Nobel Prize winner James Allison, who helped develop immunotherapy, said: 'Soon we'll get close with some cancers,' citing progress against some forms including melanoma. But, 'the world will never be cancer-free.' Today, Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies Ltd in Israel claims to have proved him wrong, using a web of small protein fragments called peptides which can wrap around cancer cells like an octopus, attacking tumors from multiple angles and reaching areas that other treatment molecules are too big to get to. They say the peptides are so delicate that they should fly under the immune system's radar, preventing counter attacks from the tumor and side effects like nausea and 'chemo brain'. Critics say the method is promising and not unheard-of but claims of a 'cure' are wildly overstated, since the only study was performed in mice, nobody has seen the results of that study, and even the inventors admit human trials will take years to start and complete. What's more, it's improbable that we will ever develop one singular cure for all cancers, which vary widely. Peptides have long been considered for cancer care, and many scientists are working on similar approaches, But claims of a 'cure' are overstretched because they have only conducted a 'first exploratory trial in mice' and some tests in petri dishes 'It goes without saying, we all share the aspirational hope that they are correct,' Len Lichtenfeld, MD, chief medical officer of the ACS, told DailyMail.com in an email, and since published on his blog. 'Unfortunately, we must be aware that this is far from proven as an effective treatment for people with cancer, let alone a cure.' The researchers have not published data to back up their claim that this is the most promising treatment to date. The only words published on their 'exploratory experiment in mice' is an interview they gave to local paper The Jerusalem Post, claiming success. That is not enough to warrant excitement or even intrigue, says Dr Vince Luca, assistant professor of Cancer Biology at Moffitt Cancer Center. 'Peptides are a rapidly growing class of therapeutics, yet very few peptide-based drugs have received FDA approval for oncology indications,' Dr Luca told DailyMail.com. 'The Israeli scientists reports of a universal cancer cure have not been substantiated through publications in peer-reviewed articles, nor have they been demonstrated in human clinical trials, and their claims should be met with extreme skepticism.' That's not to say it couldn't work as a treatment in some capacity. But Dr Lichtenfeld warns there is a big difference between finding a treatment with potential and making it work. 'Our hopes are always on the side of new breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer,' Dr Lichtenfeld said. 'We are living in an era where many exciting advances are impacting the care of patients with cancer. We hope that this approach also bears fruit and is successful. 'At the same time, we must always offer a note of caution that the process to get this treatment from mouse to man is not always a simple and uncomplicated journey. 'As experience has taught us so many times, the gap from a successful mouse experiment to effective, beneficial application of exciting laboratory concepts to helping cancer patients at the bedside is in fact a long and treacherous journey, filled with unforeseen and unanticipated obstacles.' PEPTIDES ARE PROMISING FOR CANCER CARE - BUT SCIENTISTS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO MAKE THEM WORK THIS WAY Even despite the huge gains made in cancer treatment innovation, we are still far off eliminating the disease, with more than 18 million new cases a year and 8.2 million deaths. Immunotherapy is the new wonder treatment, winning the Nobel Prize last year, as it trains the patient's immune system to fight cancer itself, getting around the issues of the patient's immune system reacting to drugs. But that is expensive, still being rolled out into mainstream care, and even the inventors, James Allison of the US and Tasuku Honjo of Japan, would not market it as a cure. Aside from that, there have been steps to more directly deliver drugs like chemotherapy to the tumor to prevent arduous and sometimes excruciating side effects. Currently, the top FDA-approved method to do that is with antibodies, which have been perfect vehicles for delivering targeted drugs. However, the antibody molecules are often too big to reach the brain for brain tumors. And antibodies have a tendency to bind to parts of the immune system that can have toxic effects on the liver and bone marrow. Peptides, amino acids connected in a chain, have been held up as a perfect alternative. They are cheap to make and regulate, are less likely to cause side effects, and they can effectively home in on specific sites without affecting surrounding areas. Three peptides are already used to treat elements of cancer - mainly targeting hormones that feed tumors, while other drugs do the tumor-killing. However, many see the potential in peptides to one day do everything in a multi-pronged attack - and that is what the Israeli team claim to have achieved. The big problem with peptides, according to a study published last year, is that they are often too delicate to be a match for tumors, and they have short half-lives, meaning they don't have the stamina to deliver a sustained attack on tumors. Attempts have been made to extend their half life and strengthen them, but thus far to no avail. 'My colleagues here at ACS tell me phage or peptide display techniques, while very powerful research tools for selecting high affinity binders, have had a difficult road as potential drugs,' Dr Lichtenfeld said. 'If [the Israeli group] is just beginning clinical trials, they have some tough experiments ahead.' WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE ISRAELI TEAM'S ATTEMPTS - AND WHAT ARE THE CAVEATS? Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies Ltd (AEBi) has not conducted any human clinical trials, and has only completed one study on mice, according to their profile in the Jerusalem Post. That is far from what is needed to establish a worthy treatment, let alone a cure. As a result, most cancer experts will dismiss the study as, at best, a work in progress. Claims of a cure are, at best, an overstretch. However, the methods do build on research into peptides for cancer care, and deliver some fresh ideas on how they could be made stronger. CEO Dr Ilan Morad compared the method, which he calls MuTaTo (multi-target toxin), to the drug cocktails used to target the AIDS virus from multiple angles at the same time. He says the delicate chain of just 12 amino acids at a time would consist of 'several cancer-targeting peptides for each cancer cell at the same time' and would contain 'a strong peptide toxin that would kill cancer cells specifically.' 'The probability of having multiple mutations that would modify all targeted receptors simultaneously decreases dramatically with the number of targets used,' Morad said. 'Instead of attacking receptors one at a time, we attack receptors three at a time not even cancer can mutate three receptors at the same time.' COULD THIS TREATMENT EVEN REACH CLINICS WITHIN A YEAR? There are many elements to complete, that are a tall order for a 12-month schedule. First, AEBi says it is trying to patent specific peptide structures. Second, they are aiming to conduct human trials which, they say, will take a few years. Thus far, they have conducted petri dish tests and their 'first exploratory mice experiment'. Third, the aim is for the treatment to be personalized, taking biopsies from the patients to work out which receptors need targeting. That will take time to craft. Dan Aridor, chairman of the board of AEBi, insisted their results are 'consistent and repeatable', adding: 'We believe we will offer in a year's time a complete cure for cancer. 'Our cancer cure will be effective from day one, will last a duration of a few weeks and will have no or minimal side-effects at a much lower cost than most other treatments on the market.' But Dr Lichtenfield warned readers should take the claims with a sizeable pinch of salt. It is hardly the first time a team has said the same. He recommends a 'well-established program of experiments' to 'better define how this works - and may not work - as it moves from the laboratory bench to the clinic.' 'It will likely take some time to prove the benefit of this new approach to the treatment of cancer,' he explains. 'And unfortunately - based on other similar claims of breakthrough technologies for the treatment of cancer - the odds are that it wont be successful.' WE PROBABLY WON'T EVER DEVELOP ONE SINGLE CANCER CURE More importantly, it's unlikely cancer will ever be cured with one silver bullet given the myriad of different types of tumors, locations and diseases. 'There's lot of things we can't control,' Dr Shelley S Tworoger, associate director of the Population Science division at Moffitt Cancer Center, explained to DailyMail.com in an interview last month. Many types of cancer could be prevented with lifestyle changes, Dr Tworoger said, such as 'stopping smoking, improving diet, more physical activity, better weight control, and HPV vaccines.' That could allow us to push the preventable types 'off the table' and focus resources on other types. One day we may be able to better control cancer, and perhaps reach a point where they become similar to a chronic disease, like HIV. But one pill to nip them all in the bud like antibiotics - as this Israeli team envision - is improbable. Health workers in South Sudan are being vaccinated against Ebola amid fears the deadly virus will spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Front-line responders in high-risk areas of South Sudan - including the capital Juba - started receiving the jab yesterday. Merck - the pharma giant behind the vaccine - delivered 2,160 doses to the African nation. No countries neighbouring the DRC have yet been affected by the ongoing outbreak, which has killed hundreds. Health workers in South Sudan are being vaccinated against Ebola amid fears the deadly virus will spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Front-line responders in the cities of Tombura, Yambio, Yei, Nimule and the capital Juba - which border the DRC - have had the jab As of last Sunday, there were 682 confirmed Ebola cases and 54 probable incidences across the DRC, according to its Ministry of Public Health. Some 459 people have died from the virus, of which 405 fatalities are confirmed. 'It is absolutely vital we are prepared for any potential case of Ebola spreading beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo,' said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Orgnization's (WHO) regional director for Africa. 'WHO is investing a huge amount of resources into preventing Ebola from spreading outside DRC and helping governments ramp up their readiness to respond should any country have a positive case of Ebola.' Vaccination began in Yambio, but health workers in Tombura, Yei, Nimule and Juba will be offered the jab. The vaccine protects against the Zaire strain of the virus. Zaire is behind the DRC's ongoing tenth outbreak, which began on August 1 last year. As well as the WHO, the Ministry of Health of South Sudan; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; UNICEF; and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention are also supporting the vaccination programme. On top of the vaccinations, the WHO has also deployed more than 30 staff to these high-risk areas and has helped train 60 health workers to administer the jab - which is yet to be licensed. 'Although research is ongoing, the evidence so far suggests the Ebola vaccine is a highly effective tool to help stop epidemics and can be used to prevent this national outbreak from becoming a regional one,' Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, said. 'Vaccinating front-line workers and health workers in South Sudan border regions will be crucial. An outbreak in South Sudan would be deeply concerning.' Gavi - which has donated $2million (around 1,518,090) to support the vaccination efforts - is offering the jab under 'compassionate use' as part of recommendations from the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. The same jab was used in the Equateur province of the DRC last May and June to combat another outbreak. The Ministry of Health has also set up 17 screening points to assess travellers entering South Sudan who may be infected with Ebola. Nearly one million people have been screened so far. Protective gear for responders is also being stockpiled in a specialist warehouse. Uganda began vaccinating its front-line workers last November, with more than 2,600 medics across eight high-risk areas receiving the jab. In the DRC, over 66,000 people have been vaccinated, of which more than 21,000 are health or front-line workers. Rwanda is also planning to vaccinate its first-line responders. As of last Sunday, 459 people are thought to have died from the Ebola outbreak in the DRC Ebola is spreading within the DRC, with nine new cases being reported in Katwa - a city of several hundred thousand people just outside Butembo - earlier this week. The ongoing outbreak's death count is second only to the 2013-to-2016 epidemic that decimated West Africa. The health ministry said in a daily bulletin that the area near the Ugandan border has emerged as the outbreak's new epicentre. Health officials have already expressed concern about Ebola travelling south and reaching the DRC city of Goma, which sits on the border with Rwanda. Goma has almost double the population of Butembo, meaning there is a much higher potential for the virus to spread quickly. If Ebola does make it to the major city of Goma then 'all bets are off' for the bid to control the outbreak, one health official said earlier this month. In preparation, the WHO and the DRC's health ministry have already sent rapid response and vaccination teams to Kayina. Health officials have described the DRC as 'one of the most complex settings possible', largely due to widespread militia violence in eastern Congo, which experts claim has hampered the response from aid workers. First-line workers have been kidnapped, had to dodge bullets, been confronted by armed groups and seen treatment centres ransacked. Mistrust among the locals to comply with health officials has also been a challenge. Experts have said people's unwillingness to come forward and be screened leads them to believe the number of cases could be even higher. Laurie Garrett, former senior fellow of global health at think-tank Council on Foreign Relations, said cases keep 'popping up unexpectedly out of thin air' in a piece for Foreign Policy. The outbreak - the second worst in history after the 2013-to-2016 epidemic - was declared in August. Pictured is the funeral of a baby with suspected Ebola in Beni last December 18 A worker is pictured being decontaminated after carrying an ill baby in Beni last December 18 Ebola can be transmitted between humans via blood and the other bodily fluids of patients, as well as contaminated surfaces. With women at the forefront of care in communities in the DRC, gender disparities have meant two-thirds of Ebola patients have been women. The country is predicted to have at least six more months of suffering ahead before the outbreak comes to an end. But if the disease spreads out of the north-east region, where it has so far been contained, it could rage on for even longer. Meghan Markle is making ethical jewellery her fashion statement. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, waves as she leaves after visiting the Mayhew animal welfare charity in London. (Photo: AP) Washington: It turns out that the Duchess of Sussex is making statements with jewellery like no other royal ever has. According to People magazine, on a visit to Birkenhead last week, Meghan was seen sporting three different jewellery designs, all of whom share contemporary values of sustainability and giving back. The mum-to-be was seen wearing Bar Jewellery's bracelet on one occasion. Bar Jewellery is a sustainable label that uses recycled silver and avoids chemicals in the manufacturing process. Speaking to People magazine about it, Mckay said, "Its amazing that high-profile people like Meghan are promoting brands like mine. In addition to the elegant bracelet, Meghan re-wore a pair of gold earrings from her go-to ethical jewellery brand, Pippa Small. Furthermore, Meghans Nosheen Stud Earrings are made by the artisans of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, an Afghanistan-based charity set up by Prince Harrys father, Prince Charles. The foundation trains and employs young people within the arts and crafts industry in Kabul, providing stability and income for many families in the war-torn country. Finally, the royal wore a delicate gold ring on her thumb by contemporary jewelry line i+i Jewellery. The ring is handmade in 14-karat gold. The founder, Kirsty Patterson, who trained under Mick Jaggers daughter, Jade Jagger, donates 10 per cent of all profits to the Indian charity Set Beautiful Free, an initiative that helps free women and children from sex slavery. A growing number of schools are offering free menstrual products, hoping to meet the needs of low-income students who dont have ready access to tampons and sanitary pads. And, as state and federal education laws put a growing emphasis on school attendance, more schools may consider providing such products in an effort to address every obstacle that may keep students out of the classroom. Beyond attendance, addressing period poverty by providing such products in school restrooms is a way of building safe and trusted learning environments for students, a group of youth and womens activists told U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos this week. The United for Access campaign brought together groups like Period, which advocates for education and access to menstrual products; female celebrities; and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. The campaign was led by menstrual product company Thinx, which held a public demonstration Monday. Menstrual hygiene products are basic necessities, and the inability to access them affects a students freedom to study, be healthy, and participate in society with dignity, the groups letter to DeVos said. It calls on the federal agency to fund programs that provide free menstrual products in schools and to champion education about periods in schools. Some schools have already taken such steps. New York City began offering free products in schools in 2016, and New York State later followed its lead in 2018. Schools in New York State will now be required to provide free menstrual products in restrooms for girls in grades 6 through 12. Menstrual products are as necessary as toilet paper and soap, but can be one expense too many for struggling families. pic.twitter.com/PJHBpEmLn4 -- Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) April 3, 2018 Illinois has a similar law, and California mandates free feminine products in schools with large numbers of low-income students. Individual teachers and school nurses have also long kept tampons and pads on hand on an ad-hoc basis, often using their own money to buy such supplies along with snacks, Band-Aids, and other student necessities. And some students have organized efforts to provide feminine supplies for classmates. Will more schools consider formal initiatives like New Yorks in the future? Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, the new federal education law, schools have new requirements to publicly report rates of chronic absenteeism. And 36 states included the measure in their school accountability plans . Though states adopted varying definitions, chronic absenteeism is often defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days for any reason, including excused absences due to illness and suspensions. Those absences add up quickly. Attendance advocates point to all kinds of school-based efforts to boost attendance, especially for students from low-income families. A group of Texas districts, for example, worked with community organizations to offer free flu shots for students and their families to lower rates of acute illness. Free menstrual products may fit within such strategies. On the other hand, stocking up on supplies that half of students use on a monthly basis could prove to be quite costly, which may cause some schools and districts to shy away from such broad efforts. When New York adopted its policy, some members of the public were concerned schools would be forced to channel funds from other activities to meet the unfunded mandate. Photo: Getty Images Hong Kong: $500m in funding set for HA The Government has earmarked $500 million in additional funding for the Hospital Authority to implement measures to relieve the manpower shortage in public hospitals. Making the announcement ahead of todays Executive Council meeting, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the funding could go towards recruiting part-time doctors and nurses, including some retirees, streamlining procedures, reducing the clerical and administrative work, putting more money into the hospitals, and using a Special Honorarium Scheme to engage more staff. All these are valid measures which the Hospital Authority will undertake, which the Government supports. So in order to ensure all these short-term measures could be implemented more smoothly and effectively, I am announcing now that, like last year, the Government has reserved a one-off allocation of $500 million that the Hospital Authority can come back anytime to apply for the use of funding in order to effect those measures. The Chief Executive also expressed her deepest gratitude to all the medical nursing, allied health and supporting staff in the citys public hospitals, who she acknowledged have been shouldering extreme pressure and workload on a continuous basis, particularly during this winter flu season. This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Morning people have few problems springing out of bed bright and early to face the day. Now it has emerged they are less likely to suffer from depression and are generally happier too. A study has found morning larks are up to 35 per cent less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms, based on their genes. These people, who are more likely to be older and female, also have better wellbeing. The silver lining for night owls is their late riser genes may also make them more intelligent, perhaps because they spend more time reading when they are up late. Early risers are less likely to develop certain mental health problems than 'night owls' (stock) Scientists have discovered 327 new genetic regions which determine whether people are larks who get up early in the morning or owls with later bedtimes who naturally lie in for longer. They have found for the first time that larks and owls may process caffeine differently, so that a morning cup of coffee may stay in a night owls system for longer and keep them up at night. While shift workers who work at night were already known to be more prone to depression, this is the largest genetic study to find those with night owl genes are more at risk. Professor Mike Weedon, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said: The large number of people in our study means we have provided the strongest evidence to date that night owls are at higher risk of mental health problems, such as schizophrenia and lower mental wellbeing, although further studies are needed to fully understand this link. Dr Sam Jones, of the University of Exeter, said: The link with depression could be explained by the fact that night owls are forced by their jobs and everyday life to get up early. Constantly having to fight against your natural body clock could have negative effects on your mental health. Experts believe around 15 per cent of people are night owls, another 15 per cent are larks and the rest of us are morning or evening types to a lesser degree. SLEEP MAKES YOU LESS SENSITIVE TO PAIN Just a single night's lack of sleep can make people more sensitive to pain, researched warned earlier this month. It activates neurons in an area of grey matter that senses afflictions - and switches off those that dampen them down, according to the study. Researchers - of California University, Berkeley - say their findings provide the first brain-based explanation for the well-established between shut-eye and physical discomfort. And they suggest more attention should be paid to the importance of decent rest in the recovery of patients in hospital. Disturbed nights on the noisy ward could prolong the agony of sickness and injury, say neuroscientists. Advertisement The largest genetic study of peoples body clocks took in almost 450,000 British people from the UK Biobank genetic database and close to 250,000 people from the US who had used genetic testing service 23andMe. Scientists found 351 genetic locations thought to make people early or late risers, of which 327 were previously unknown. People with lark genes appeared up to 11 per cent less likely to be schizophrenic and had up to a third lower risk of depression. The larks genetic profiles were compared to those of people in a previous study on wellbeing and happiness. This showed larks were significantly more likely than night owls to be content with their lives. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, show for the first time that night owls have differences in their genes which are also linked to intelligence. Some night owl genes are active in the retina and the part of the brain which detects light. Researchers now suspect night owls may be kept awake more by the artificial light in our homes, which may affect their eyes differently and disrupt signals to the brain telling them it is night-time. The experts do not yet know how genes for light recognition and caffeine metabolism differ in larks and owls. But the differences they have found suggest night owls could be more strongly affected by caffeine, so it wakes them up more or lasts longer in their system, making them sleepy later on. The findings show at least 13 per cent of whether someone is a night owl or morning lark is inherited from their parents. The highest number of lark genes can make someone get up 25 minutes earlier in the morning compared to the highest number of owl genes. However the study found no link between night owl genes and obesity and type 2 diabetes, despite previous evidence. The findings could lead to drugs to help people avoid depression, and sleep earlier, by blocking troublesome genes. A 'fat pill' that could help millions beat the bulge could be available within five years, researchers believe. The capsule works by suppressing the appetite, tricking a person into thinking they are full. It has already been tested in the laboratory for over four years, but researchers are now beginning human trials. Should it work, scientists claim it holds potential as a 'major weapon' for solving the global obesity crisis. A 'fat pill' could be available within five years as researchers at Queen Mary University of London ask people to come forward for a trial Forty volunteers aged 18-75 will be recruited by scientists at Queen Mary University of London. The first phase, involving 20 participants who are overweight, but not necessarily obese, will confirm if the pill does reduce appetite and to observe any side effects. They must not have had bowel surgery, a bowel disorder or be taking medication for type 2 diabetes. The second phase, a further 18 months, will test the efficacy of weight loss long-term on 20 participants who are obese or on the waiting list for a gastric bypass. The capsule, taken before every meal, is packed with a mix of natural oils, although the exact ingredients are not revealed under patent conditions. It would send special food supplements directly to the lower bowel, bypassing the small intestine, causing the release of hormones such as insulin which suppress appetite. Dr Madusha Peiris, from QMoL, said: 'Getting the body to release hormones that make you feel full will reduce appetite and reduce food intake. IS OBESITY IN YOUR GENES? A study has found being thin is very much in your genes, so that many people can stay slender with no willpower required. Scientists led by the University of Cambridge have identified a series of genes which may speed up someones metabolism or help them burn fat more quickly. These genes were found in more than 1,600 thin but healthy people, including women around a size eight and men with a 35ins waist. In almost two-thirds of these people, it is believed these genes make them less interested in food. However the results also confirm what less slender people have long suspected. In 40 per cent of the study group, thin people said they loved food and ate whatever they wanted without putting on weight. Researchers now believe these people have particular genes of their own and are planning a separate study to see what happens in their bodies when they overeat. It could lead to new drugs which mimic the effects of these thinness genes and are used to help less lucky people keep the weight off. Advertisement 'It works in the same way as gastric bypass surgery but without the irreversible, expensive surgery which is often only available to obese patients. 'The "fat pill" is just like swallowing a fish oil capsule. It's a totally novel idea and we're very excited to be proceeding to human trial. 'We are hopeful that the treatment will be widely available in the next five years.' Professor Ashley Blackshaw, from QMoL, said: 'If the trials work, this could be a major weapon in tackling the obesity crisis and type 2 diabetes. 'It could also cut the need for gastric bypass surgery which costs the NHS millions every year.' Weight-loss surgery has increased 30-fold in the last decade, with more than 8,000 operations take place annually on the NHS, and many more through private clinics. Also called bariatric surgery, it is used as a last resort to treat people who are dangerously overweight. Privately the costs are 5,000-8,000 for a gastric band, and up to 15,000 for gastric bypass surgery. The human trials are being funded through the charity Bowel and Cancer Research with the support of the JP Moulton Charitable Foundation. Deborah Gilbert, chief executive of Bowel and Cancer Research, said: 'Being overweight is now recognised as a major risk factor for bowel cancer.' Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK. More than one in 20 cases of cancer are caused by excess weight, associated with two of the most common cancers - bowel and breast cancer. At the same time, obesity levels are increasing; millions of people in the UK are obese around a quarter of adults and a fifth of children. To take place in the study, email trials@bowelcancerresearch.org before 1 March 2019. Have you ever wondered what your name tastes like? An author with the condition synaesthaesia, which she says makes her sense words, faced thousands of requests on Twitter from people desperate to know. Ross, who apparently tastes of a Greggs sausage roll, can count himself luckier than Donald, who produced the effect of a rubber duck dipped in vinegar. While Jesus tastes like a Malteser, others produce sensations or images rather than tastes the name Paddy reminds her of a fat, squishy notepad with damp pages. Julie McDowall, an author and journalist from Glasgow, received more than 15,000 replies to a tweet encouraging people to ask her what senses their names trigger Julie McDowall, a freelance journalist and writer, tweeted on Sunday: 'I have synesthesia which means I can "taste" words. Ask me what your name tastes like.' She has since had more than 15,000 replies, among them people curious to know how she senses their name. As well as tastes, many names conjure up images and feelings for Ms McDowall, from Glasgow, whose condition is a well-documented phenomenon. Scientists believe synesthaesia is triggered by crossed wires in the brain extra neural connections with areas designed to process signals from one sense also being connected to another. This means senses vision, hearing, feelings, smells and tastes get mixed up. Ms McDowall, who says she can taste or somehow sense words, claims the name Jesus tastes to her like a Malteser chocolate Paddy Patterson may have been disappointed to find out his name reminded Ms McDowall of a 'fat squishy notepad' with damp pages Donald tastes like a rubber duck sliced in half and dipped in vinegar, according to Ms McDowall WHAT DOES YOUR NAME TASTE LIKE? These are some examples of the tastes produced by certain names, according to Ms McDowall. Some names produce images, feelings or smells instead of tastes there are more on her Twitter account @JulieAMcDowall. Aaron - A stale chocolate bar Amelia - Muesli Brandon/Brent - Flat Coke Brian - Little shreds of coconut Charlotte - Raspberry lollipop Danielle - Spaghetti hoops Donald - A rubber duck dipped in vinegar Duncan - A smoky bacon crisps burp Gavin - Smooth, silky vinegar Grace - A soft turnip in vegetable soup Graham - Cold stew Hannah - A tasteless banana Jeanne - Salty pea soup Jesus - Maltesers Katie - Madeira cake Keith - Minty chewing gum Lee/Leah - Custard Lindsey - A cold can of Lilt Madison - Ear wax with chocolate Mia - Rice pudding Nick/Nicole - A biscuit dipped in vinegar Oliver/Olivia - Watery, tasteless onion Ross - Greggs sausage roll Sam - Tuna Sandra - A green Polo fruit sweet Sean - A mouthful of furniture polish Sebastian - Lovely soft caramel Sharon - A stale Cadbury's Flake Timmy - A fizzy Refreshers sweet Wendy - Watered-down orange juice Advertisement Ms McDowall has synaesthesia, meaning there is crossover between her senses the condition is a well-documented medical phenomenon thought to affect one in 5,000 people. She claims the name Charlotte tastes like a raspberry-flavoured lollipop from the 1980s Anybody named Duncan might be best off avoiding the author the name produces the taste of 'a burp after eating smoky bacon crisps', she said WHAT IS SYNAESTHESIA? Synaesthesia is a condition which causes people to experience different senses at the same time. For example, the most common type of synesthesia, colour-graphemic, causes those with the condition to associate words and numbers with colours. Across the world, one in every 5,000 people have synesthesia, according to Boston University. But lexical-gustatory synaesthesia in which someone experiences a taste or smell when they read or hear a word is a rare form of the condition and affects less than one in 100,000 people. Experts believe the condition is caused by 'crossed wires' in the brain when signals intended for part of the brain interpreting a particular sense are also sent to something controlling another. This means a single stimulus can trigger multiple sensations at once. James Wannerton, the president of UK Synaesthesia Association said: 'Synaesthesia is caused by cross activation between two normally separate areas of the brain. 'An individual with synaesthesia has extra neural connections linking these separate areas. 'The stimulation of one sense causes an involuntary reaction in one or more of the other senses. 'Someone with synaesthesia may for example, hear colour or see sound.' Advertisement Ms McDowall said Catherine tastes like a rusk dipped in chocolate and coffee, while Katie is a 'sensible cake, like Madeira'. 'Keith is minty chewing gum', she added, Duncan is 'a burp after eating smoky bacon crisps', and Hannah is 'a gray tasteless banana'. Danielle reminds Ms McDowall of spaghetti hoops, she claimed, Amelia is muesli, Graham is cold stew, Austin a 'cold and slightly flattened sausage roll' and Sabine tastes like soap. Other people conjured sensations or images for Ms McDowall, who revealed her sister also has the condition. Ian and Darren produce the feeling of an earache, she said, while Dominique 'gives the smooth feel of a domino... accompanied by the smell of disinfectant'. Joe is a 'leathery chunky button on an old man's cardigan,' and Colleen could be 'a little wooden puppet's legs'. The name of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Conservative MP from Somerset, reminds Ms McDowall of a dry cream cracker, tinsel and 'sodden cats', she said. Ms McDowall said her own name corresponds to the image of a 'watery eyeball', while Jack is 'very specific. It's an old leathery footstool my Gran used to have.' After becoming overwhelmed by people asking her to describe their names, Ms McDowall has stopped doing it on Twitter. She is now offering to do three names for someone in return for a donation to her podcast. And yesterday morning she appeared on BBC Radio 1's breakfast show, when she told DJ Greg James his name was 'tasted shortbread with the sugar dusted off'. A woman was left throwing up blood when a freak snowboarding accident 'tore her pancreas in half'. Sophie Gillett, 34, from Vancouver, Canada, was a highly experienced snowboarder when she hit the slopes in December 2014. But with little snow on the ground, a protruding rock launched her forward onto hard snow and ice, leaving her in agonising pain. After a two mile (3.2km) walk back to safety, her symptoms worsened before she was rushed to hospital. Screaming in excruciating pain for hours, scans eventually revealed her pancreas had torn in two with the impact of hitting the hard ground. The brand coordinator has been left with a five-inch scar following surgery, but was initially terrified to face 'losing her life'. The pancreas is an uncommon organ to be injured, occurring in less than two per cent of blunt trauma cases, data shows. Sophie Gillett, 34, was left throwing up blood when a freak snowboarding accident 'tore her pancreas in half'. She had emergency surgery soon after the incident Ms Gillett, pictured showing her scar, was screaming in excruciating pain for hours before scans revealed her pancreas had torn in two with the impact of the hard ground The snowboarder, pictured in Whistler before her accident, had hit the slopes when there was not much snow. She hit a rock which launched her into the air Ms Gillett had been a keen snowboarder since the age of 15, even living next to a slope for four years during her twenties so she could snowboard five times a week. In December 2014, Ms Gillett and her now fiance, Farren, were driving out of Vancouver to the mountains in Whistler so they could go snowboarding. They noted how little snow covered the mountains and how poor the terrain was, before finding a less crowded area they wanted to ride down. HOW CAN YOU DAMAGE THE PANCREAS? Traumatic injury to the pancreas is rare and difficult to diagnose. In contrast, traumatic injuries to the liver, spleen and kidney are common and are usually identified with ease. Pancreatic injuries are usually subtle to identify by different diagnostic imaging modalities, and these injuries are often overlooked in cases with extensive multi-organ trauma. The alterations of post-traumatic pancreatitis may not be visualized within several hours following trauma as they are time dependent. Delayed diagnoses of traumatic pancreatic injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, only five per cent of the pancreatic injuries are directly related to the fatal outcome. Pancreatic trauma occurs commonly in connection with multiple injuries after motor vehicle accidents in adults and bicycle handlebar injuries in children. Blunt trauma to the pancreas is, in most instances, caused by a sudden localized force to the upper abdomen that compresses the pancreas against the vertebral column. Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology Advertisement Ms Gillett, who was a snowboard distributor at the time, said: 'Farren had just driven out to visit me for the holidays and back then, going up to the mountains to ride was our passion. 'When we got to the area we initially wanted to ride on it was heavily crowded. So we took a detour to find somewhere else. 'As I had lived in Whistler for years, I knew the mountain terrain quite well. That day the snow was barely even half way up the mountain, with large rocks protruding everywhere. 'The actual run I was hurt on even had a flowing stream as it wasn't cold enough and there wasn't enough snow. 'The mountain itself was in horrible condition and to this day I believe it shouldn't have been open. But despite her concerns, Ms Gillett took the risk and went snowboarding. She collided with a protruding rock which launched her forwards onto hard-packed snow and ice. 'I was the first to go down the run and I remember seeing the large rock,' Ms Gillett said. 'I remember hitting the rock and then being in the air before hitting the ice and it knocking the wind out of me. Something felt instantly weird inside.' Ms Gillett was assessed by ski patrol on the spot who saw nothing wrong with her. They said if she wanted further assessment, she either had to walk to the chair lift, or wait two hours for more ski patrol staff. Ms Gillett opted to walk the two miles to the chair lift, unaware that her pancreas was split in two. Ms Gillett, who has been snowboarding since she was 15 years old, said the run shouldn't have been open that day, as the mountains were in 'horrible' condition with lack of snow Ms Gillett and her fiance drove to the mountains near Vancouver in December 2014 Ms Gillett was rushed to hospital when her condition worsened. Ski patrol denied to give her any help at the scene or after a two mile walk back to the ticket office Ms Gillett left hospital a lot sooner than was expected. Doctors were baffled by her story and repeatedly asked her to re-tell how it happened, according to Ms Gillett After other members of the ski patrol at the ticket office refused to see her, presumably believing her symptoms were nothing other than bruising, Ms Gillett returned home. She said: 'After the impact, my friend went to get ski patrol while my boyfriend stayed with me. 'I walked over two miles to the nearest chair lift, since at the time I was unaware my pancreas was split in two parts. 'Once down, I told them I was hurt and asked to see ski patrol again but was denied.' A few hours later Ms Gillett began suffering with abdominal pain and throwing up blood, by which point Farren took her to the hospital. 'I started having intense abdominal pain and went into the bathroom to throw up blood,' Ms Gillett said. 'As soon as that happened Farren took me straight to the medical centre.' 'I spent hours in excruciating pain, yelling and screaming for someone to help me and figure out what was wrong. I had multiple MRIs and a CT scan which showed my pancreas had been damaged.' Ms Gillett was told that 35 per cent of the tail of her pancreas - the thin tip - was split in two. She was immediately sent for emergency trauma surgery, called distal pancreatectomy, to remove the tail. 'My insides had all been moved around in order to get far back enough to reach my pancreas,' Ms Gillett said. 'Then they removed the tail and hoped my digestive system would still work. 'I honestly thought I was going in and would be out the next day. I was an emotional wreck and I cried endlessly at first. 'It was very hard to process everything and the seriousness I faced of almost losing my life.' Ms Gillett's bizarre injuries were a shock to much of the hospital staff who couldn't understand how her pancreas was so severely damaged. 'I was classed as a "freak accident",' Ms Gillett said. 'Doctors asked me over and over to explain how I fell as they were stumped on how I hurt my pancreas falling forward. 'I had student doctors and nurses visiting me to hear my story.' A pancreas injury, which can be caused by blunt trauma, is not common. The organ sits at the back of the abdomen. It is more common in children, typically caused by bicycle accidents, as they have less protective fat, according to World Journal of Gastroenterology. 'Essentially I should have hurt my stomach or spleen as they come before your pancreas,' Ms Gillett said. Despite the dangers of her injury, Ms Gillett was up and walking the day after her emergency surgery, much to the surprise of the doctors. Ms Gillett, showing her scar recently, was out of hospital a lot quicker than doctors expected The brand coordinator refuses to let her scar knock her confidence, and still wears crop tops and bikinis. But she said people are critical thinking she 'wants attention' Ms Gillett, pictured walking her dog, got back into light exercise soon after her surgery to help with her recovery It took months for Ms Gillett, pictured with Farren, to cope with the five-inch scar. She said the incident was 'hard to process' and she 'faced almost losing her life' Ms Gillett made an Instagram account to connect with other trauma survivors She said: 'Eating was a daily battle though. I would get some food down, but then it wouldn't sit due to the pain killers I was on making me feel nauseous, plus my digestive system wasn't yet ready to process food. 'When I vomited, it hurt as my abdomen would convulse and I had a fresh five-inch scar and staples. 'Even in the hospital I shocked doctors by asking to walk the day after my surgery. I knew moving my body would help me recover and save me mentally.' Ms Gillett kept on top of an exercise routine to help her through recovery. She said: 'When I was home, I started doing light exercises including lunges in the hall, sitting squats on a chair or holding a plank for five seconds. 'I went out on walks because fresh air never felt fresher once you spend time in hospital, and walking promotes circulation which helps heal and recover.' Ms Gillett wasn't quite ready to cope with the five-inch scar in her abdomen. She said: 'At first I would cry every time I got out of the shower and looked at my broken body in the mirror. 'But something in me told me I needed to still be me. So, I continued to wear things like crop tops or bikinis at the beach. 'I would get stares and questions about what happened, and some people thought I was doing it for attention.' You can see more of Ms Gillett's recovery journey by visiting @surgery2strong. Market has exploded in recent years, and services are available on high street Patients are at serious health risks from practitioners with no medical training Plastic surgeons are demanding tighter regulation over dermal fillers, which are used to reduce wrinkles in the face and plump up lips. Currently, the injections, which can cost as little as 99 in high street beauty salons, can be administered by practitioners with little training in the UK. But MPs, backed by The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, are set to challenge the rules over dermal fillers today. Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, spoke of his concern over the lack of regulation over non-surgical treatments. Tighter rules on dermal fillers in the UK will be discussed in government as complaints have almost tripled in two years, data shows Mr Costa was alarmed to hear a constituent, Rachael Knappier, had experienced side effects after having dermal fillers. He said: 'Not only was I shocked to hear Rachael's experience but similarly I was very concerned to hear that there are almost no regulations or safeguards in place for those who receive these kind of non-surgical treatments.' In 2018, there were 934 complaints about non-surgical procedures. Botox and fillers make up around nine out of 10 non-surgical treatments performed in the UK. Of these, 616 were for dermal fillers - 72 per cent for lips - with 387 needing corrective procedures, and 11 ending up in A&E. In comparison, there were 378 complaints in 2016, according to a report last year from Save Face, a government-approved register of accredited practitioners. Problems included swelling and bruising, infections, uneven results, unsightly lumps and nodules, and people saying their lips looked 'worse than before'. Dermal fillers are currently classified as 'medical devices', but Botox is classed as a medicine. Dermal fillers have not undergone the same level of clinical trials. All that is needed for it to be administered is consent from the patient. In the US, only ten dermal fillers are approved for use by the FDA, but in Europe, the number of lip and face plumping gels used is closer to 160. With loose regulations, the injectables can be administered by people with little training, and easily accessible by people, experts have long warned. Niall Kikpatrick, a BAPRAS member, said the products used by the practitioners were often 'cheap, even bought from the internet, and unregulated'. The craniofacial plastic surgeon at The Portland Hospital said: 'I see significant complications arising from the use of dermal fillers in almost every clinic I hold. MOST HAVE BOTOX TO GET A 'COMPETITIVE EDGE' AT WORK The boom in Botox is being driven by patients wanting to look better at work, a small survey found last August. To get a better idea of the trend, researchers at Northwestern University polled 511 people to get an idea of what's motivating them, in the first multi-center observational study ever performed. They found one of the most common reasons for patients getting Botox or fillers was to look 'better' in a professional context, while those who wanted the procedures for themselves were in the minority Dishearteningly, the vast majority (69.5 per cent) had turned to cosmetic surgery 'not simply to look attractive, but to address serious psychological and emotional issues'. Advertisement 'Due to a lack of patient records however, it is often difficult to track exactly which materials have been injected into the patient and by whom.' Dr Tamara Griffiths of the British Association of Dermatologists said: 'Dermal filler injections have been trivialised as just a "beauty" treatment, but chronic, life-ruining complications can occur if they are not used properly. 'Tightening up the regulations around fillers would make it harder for untrained individuals to get hold of them in the first place.' Simon Eccles, a specialist in complex craniofacial surgery at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, said: 'Most patients that come to see me with filler complications have not been informed of the risks. 'There needs to be a greater push for education for both the public and for those administering the filler injections.' Mr Eccles said there is also a rise in people going abroad for treatment, returning to the UK with problems that need fixing on the NHS. A Daily Mail investigation in 2017 revealed rogue beauticians were widely advertising cosmetic procedures with few checks in the UK. Treatments - often given by beauticians or hairdressers, sometimes at 'Botox parties' - are often offered via social media and with discount vouchers. And cosmetics chain Superdrug now offer the skin treatments to customers aged over 25, with prices starting at 99, in their London stores. It says its nurse that administers the injections is fully trained. But customers must be psychologically assessed with a questionnaire to see if they are mentally fit to have the service. The growth in popularity has also been attributed to normalisation of its use in celebrities, such as reality TV stars who talk openly about their experiences. Experts have stressed the importance of educating people on the risks for reducing the number of complaints. Safeguards have already been put in place by the NHS after Superdrug's announcement of cosmetic procedures in August received criticism. A grandmother blacked out in a church car park, only to wake thinking it was 1980 and she was just 18 years old. Kim Harris Denicola, 56, was leaving her weekly bible study group in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last October when her vision suddenly became blurry. After losing consciousness, Mrs Denicola woke in hospital, unable to recall the four decades beyond her last day of secondary school. Mrs Denicola - who runs a food packaging business - could not even recognise her husband of 14 years David, 60, and was devastated to discover her parents had died several years earlier. Doctors diagnosed Mrs Denicola - who does not know who Donald Trump is - with transient global amnesia and warned her she will unlikely ever be able to recall the past 40 years. Mrs Denicola, who remembers life since the ordeal three months ago, has even been forced to relearn who her children and four grandchildren are. Kim Harris Denicola (pictured) cannot remember the past four decades of her life after she blacked out in a church car park, only to wake thinking it was 1980 and she was just 18 The last thing Mrs Denicola can recall is the final day of secondary school, as she headed for her car following an exam. She is pictured in the back row second from the left aged 15 When she woke in hospital, Mrs Denicola did not even recognise her husband of 14 years David Denicola, 60, who is pictured right with his wife and her stepson Matthew, 19, last December Mrs Denicola began to feel unwell shortly after leaving the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. 'I called my husband and told him I had a really bad headache, one of those excruciating, don't-know-what-to-do headaches,' she said. 'He told me not to drive and to ask one of the ladies to take me to the hospital. 'Apparently I went up to my bible study friend and said: "Is there any possible way you can take me to hospital?" and she did.' WHAT IS TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA? Transient global amnesia (TGA) is defined as sudden, temporary memory loss that cannot be attributed to a common neurological condition, like a stroke or epilepsy. TGA affects around five in every 100,000 people each year. During an episode, sufferers cannot recall recent events, such as where they are or how they got there. They may also draw a blank when asked about what happened a week, month or even a year ago. Sufferers also often do not recognise their loved ones. Although distressing, TGA is not serious with most patients' memories gradually returning. TGA's cause is unknown, however, there is a link between sudden memory loss and a history of migraines. Overfilling of the veins due to a blood blockage or another abnormality with blood flow may also be to blame. In rare cases, TGA has been reported to be triggered by: Sudden immersion in cold or hot water Strenuous exercise Sex Medical procedures, such as an endoscopy Mild head trauma Emotional distress TGA is more common in people over 50. There is no treatment or known prevention. Advertisement But Mrs Denicola does not remember any of this and is just recalling what others have told her. When she woke at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Centre in Baton Rouge, the last thing Mrs Denicola remembered was her final day of school. 'I was leaving school and heading for my car,' she said. 'I had just taken an exam because I was graduating my senior year. 'The nurse asked me: "Do you know what year it is?" I said: "Yes, ma'am it is 1980". 'She asked me who the president was and I said: "Ronald Reagan".' Concerned, the nurse fetched Mrs Denicola's husband, who cried as his wife failed to recall who he was. As well as not recognising her own husband, Mrs Denicola also had no recollection of her children Justin, 35, and Jonathan, 34, or her stepchildren Nicholas, 23, Megan and Matthew, both 19. She was also heartbroken to learn that her mother, Lucille Vickers, and father, Jay Harris, had both died years earlier. 'I felt lost,' she said. 'I kept waiting for my mum and dad to show up. When you are 18, that's what happens. 'It kept going on and they never showed up. I didn't know they had passed away. I didn't remember either of my children. I didn't know my grandchildren.' When Mrs Denicola went to look in the mirror, she was horrified to see the reflection gazing back at her after she was convinced she was still a teenager. 'The awakening came when I went to the restroom and looked in the mirror,' she said. 'It wasn't the me I had remembered. It was a 56-year-old woman.' Mrs Denicola (pictured recently) was devastated to discover her parents had both died several years before her amnesia episode. Thinking she was 18, she waited in hospital for them to arrive. Feeling 'lost', she looked in the mirror to see her 56-year-old reflection staring back Mrs Denicola thought it was 1980 - the year she graduated (left) - and Ronald Reagan was president. Pictured left with her stepdaughter Megan on her graduation day in May 2017, she had to be reintroduced to her loved ones via Facetime, which she calls 'the coolest thing' For three days Mrs Denicola underwent scans and a host of medical examinations to try and get to the bottom of what caused her sudden amnesia. But doctors are still none the wiser as to why her memories suddenly vanished. 'Nobody really wants to say for sure what happened,' Mrs Denicola said. 'It could have been a small stroke they can't see or a small, traumatic brain injury. 'Or it could even have been a reaction to the medicine I took to help with muscle pain the night before the incident.' Without an exact diagnosis, Mrs Denicola has been told she is suffering from transient global amnesia - sudden memory loss. The extent of her amnesia is rare, leading doctors to believe she will never get those memories back. Dr Tasha Shamlin, who specialises in internal medicine at The Medical Spa of Baton Rouge, said: 'The time period of memory loss is longer. 'She's recalling back to where she doesn't remember computers, so that was back in the 80s or 90s, so that's really unusual that you have that type of memory loss associated.' Doctors are unsure what caused Mrs Denicola sudden amnesia but believe it is likely due to a minor stroke or a reaction to medication to ease her muscle pain. But she does remember her childhood, and is pictured left aged ten with her cousins Whitney (centre) and Tracy (right) Mrs Denicola (pictured with her friend Ricky in 1977 on their way to a school dance) has been told her amnesia is so extreme she will unlikely ever recall her lost memories. Determined to stay positive, she determinedly said she is 'learning how to live in 2019' Now home, Mrs Denicola's husband is trying to jog her memory by showing her family photographs and reintroducing his wife to her loved ones via FaceTime. 'There's the coolest thing called FaceTime,' she said. 'I saw my oldest son Justin for the first time just before Christmas. I haven't met my son Jonathan yet because he is in the navy.' Mrs Denicola is amazed by how tiny mobile phones are and has had to be retaught how to use them. She even thought her computer was a TV. 'The last TV I remember was a box on the floor, and you had to go up and change the channel,' she said. 'But now our TV is hanging on the wall, and it is very narrow and thin. Watching TV is a whole new experience. There are way too many commercials.' 'The last computer I remember was in the school library. It was a big white box and you put a floppy disk in it for information.' Although flabbergasted by 2019 technology, Mrs Denicola has mixed thoughts on Facebook. 'It can be fun but it also seems like people argue a lot and fuss a lot, and tell their personal business a lot,' she said. Mrs Denicola's husband has also been slowly educating her on modern politics. 'I didn't know who Donald Trump was and I didn't know who Barack Obama or Bill Clinton were either,' she said. 'It's been very interesting to see how different it is from the 80s now, how much things have changed.' Despite her ordeal, Mrs Denicola is determined to stay positive about the future. 'I have been through so much pain but my husband and my family's support has seen me through it,' she said. 'Maybe one day I'll get those memories back, maybe I won't. But I'm taking each day as it comes.' 'I am slowly putting names and faces together, and I'm learning how to live in 2019.' Fast food apps like Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats may be fuelling childhood obesity, council leaders have warned. While takeaway outlets have been banned near some schools, this has had little impact on the waistlines of youngsters. Council execs have warned they are fighting a losing battle because the apps are 'undermining' attempts to tackle the childhood obesity crisis. Fast food apps like Just Eat (left) and Deliveroo (right) may be fuelling childhood obesity, council leaders have warned. They are exempt from rules banning takeaways near schools Council execs have warned they are fighting a loosing battle after Uber Eats (logo pictured) couriers were recently found delivering McDonald's meals to schools Official data released last October revealed English children are fatter than ever, with a record number of 10-to-11 year olds now being classified as severely obese. More than a third of children in this age group are overweight, according to 'totally unacceptable' statistics. And the proportion of children who are in the 'worrying weight category' has jumped by more than a third since 2007, NHS statistics reveal. Obese children are around five times more likely to become obese adults, studies have shown. Carrying too much weight also raises a person's risk of developing illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer in later life. An analysis by The Times looked at the effectiveness of 13 schemes that began being introduced in 2008. HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO STOP OBESITY Proposed plans to restrict the number of calories in pizzas, pies and ready meals were last year revealed as part of drastic Government moves to try and cut down on obesity. A tax on added sugar in drinks came into force in April, requiring companies to hand over more of the money they make from drinks which contain more than 5g of sugar per 100ml of liquid. As a result, many soft drinks have had their recipes changed in order to avoid paying the tax and putting prices up. Sugary drinks are the biggest single source of sugar for children and teenagers. The Government is also considering making it compulsory for all restaurants and fast food outlets to display the number of calories in each meal on their menu. Some food outlets already do this but there can be unexpected numbers of calories in popular dishes, and the Government is consulting on the plans before a decision is due in spring. In March this year, Public Health England warned Brits to crack down on the number of calories they're eating, advising people to consume no more than 1,600 per day. The watchdog says adults shouldn't eat any more than 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner this would allow for some snacks, experts said. Examples of 600-calorie meals include a tuna pasta salad and a small cereal bar, a chicken salad sandwich and a pack of crisps, or half a pepperoni pizza with a quarter of a garlic baguette and a banana. Advertisement These include banning fast food vans outside schools, limiting the opening hours of takeaway shops near the buildings and rejecting planning applications for junk food outlets within 400m of a school. Despite these efforts, obesity rates have soared among children in their final year of primary school in nine council areas, according to government data. Leicester city council banned fast food vans near schools in 2008 - but obesity among its year six pupils has still risen from 17.8 per cent to 23.3 per cent. A spokesperson said the council is shifting its focus to encourage youngsters to opt for healthier options from food delivery apps. Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, said: 'Deliveries ordered via apps undermine both schools' and councils' public health responsibilities. 'While also raising child protection concerns over couriers attempting to enter school premises.' Just Eat holds talks in schools about how to pursue a career in technology, however, the company insists this is not a ploy to turn children into customers. Both Just Eat and Uber Eats state customers must be 18 or over, with the latter app claiming it permanently deactivates accounts if the holder is found to be younger. Deliveroo added only children who are old enough to have a bank account can use its service. A spokesperson said: Deliveroo is committed to giving people the best choice of amazing local food, including specially-designed menus of healthy meals. 'If a school raises concerns with Deliveroo we will work with them to ensure our operations support the school's policy. Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, claims it will take multiple efforts to overcome childhood obesity and takeaway shops should continue to be banned near schools. But Chris Snowdon, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, argues there is no evidence takeaway outlets are fuelling childhood obesity, adding such bans 'destroy businesses'. Official data released last October revealed English children are fatter than ever, with a record number of 10-to-11 year olds now being classified as severely obese (stock) Data from NHS Digital in October revealed more than 24,000 10 to 11-year-old children in England are severely obese - and the problem is worse in poorer areas (Map shows the percentage of severely obese year 6 children in local authorities across England) WHICH REGIONS HAVE THE FEWEST SEVERELY OBESE CHILDREN? Richmond-upon-Thames (1.5%) Dorset (2.3%) West Berkshire (2.3%) Surrey (2.3%) Wokingham (2.4%) East Riding of Yorkshire (2.4%) West Sussex (2.5%) Cheshire East (2.5%) Wiltshire (2.6%) Buckinghamshire (2.6%) Hertfordshire (2.6%) Source: NHS Digital Advertisement Most of us have relied on antibiotics at some point. But, for all the help they provide, are some doing more harm than good? Last week, the Government ordered GPs to cut antibiotic use by 15 per cent to battle the spread of drug-resistant superbugs. However, thats not the only problem some antibiotics can cause. One class known as quinolones and fluoroquinolones is commonly used to treat everything from chest infections to urinary tract bugs. Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is the most prescribed of these. Others include levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and norfloxacin. Less is more: Last week, the Government ordered GPs to cut antibiotic use by 15 per cent to battle the spread of drug-resistant superbugs GPs like the fact they can tackle a wide range of bacteria. In 2017, its estimated that more than 675,000 quinolones and fluoroquinolones were dispensed by GPs and other practitioners in England alone, and about the same amount again in hospitals. But there have been claims the drugs can have devastating side-effects, such as tendon rupture, joint problems and nerve pain. Its thought that because fluoroquinolones act on the mitochondria (powerhouses in cells responsible for releasing energy), effects can be felt all over the body, sometimes permanently. Laboratory research also suggests the drugs can provoke a reaction specifically in tendon cells, producing enzymes that cause the tendon to break down. As Good Health has reported, UK campaigners have been battling for years to raise awareness and for authorities to acknowledge the extent of the risk to patients. Back in October, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which oversees regulation across the EU, imposed new restrictions on the drugs use. It said they should only be used when there are no alternatives, with better education for doctors on the risks and improved care for patients struck with adverse reactions. However, the campaign group, Quinolone Toxicity Support UK, says these recommendations fall short of whats needed. It doesnt go anywhere near far enough, says Miriam Knight, who helped set up the group in 2015. If anything, its a step backwards. The patient information leaflets for these drugs already state that side-effects such as ruptured tendons and nerve damage are rare. Estimate: In 2017, its estimated that more than 675,000 quinolones and fluoroquinolones were dispensed by GPs and other practitioners in England alone The wording of the EMA recommendation describes them as very rare, which means doctors are, if anything, even less likely to take the risks seriously. The campaigners believe that the EMA and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK have made a fundamental mistake by basing the new restrictions on adverse drug reactions reported through the Yellow Card Scheme. From 1990 to 2018, there were nearly 11,000 adverse reactions and 107 deaths reported in the UK for ciprofloxacin one of the most common fluoroquinolones. But even the MHRA acknowledges as little as 10 to 15 per cent of serious adverse drug reactions are reported through the scheme so it could mean the real figure is in excess of 100,000 people. Campaigners fear telling doctors adverse reactions are very rare means theyre unlikely to consider the drugs as a cause when they see patients with problems such as ruptured tendons after having been treated for a chest infection. We are not calling for a complete ban on the drugs, says Miriam Knight. We believe there should be clearer warnings about the risks. German authorities are considering a ban, apart from in exceptional circumstances, and, in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration has issued five warnings to doctors over the past decade, since alerting them to the risk of serious side-effects, including ruptured Achilles tendons and the latest, in July last year, the risk of mental health problems and hypoglycaemia a dangerous drop in blood sugar in people with diabetes. There is also evidence certain genetic deficiencies might leave some patients more at risk. One such defect is G6PD, an enzyme involved in cellular energy production, which can be detected with a blood test. Miriam Knight says patients should be screened for this and tracked for side-effects for five years afterwards. In 2013, Jane Allan, 50, a mother of two from Romford, Essex, fell ill within days of taking ciprofloxacin for a chest infection, with excruciating burning pain in her joints, bones and muscles. Five years on, she is still in frequent pain and has had to give up work as a hospital pharmacist because of it. Jane was bitterly disappointed by the EMA review. This recommendation is pathetic and should have gone much further, she told Good Health. These drugs should always be the last line of defence. My life has been changed for ever, and I am not alone. However, Neal Millar, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and lecturer in immunology at the University of Glasgow, who gave evidence at the hearing, says the EMAs wording is as strong as anyone could realistically expect. Yet he, too, was disappointed by its failure to include advice to GPs to always urgently refer patients affected by these antibiotics to specialists. A lot of these patients come to us up to two years after side-effects started, he says. GPs often fail to acknowledge these patients need specialist help. The NHS has launched a TV advert encouraging people to phone 111 or visit the website if they feel unwell instead of going straight to a doctor or hospital. Its entertaining 'Help Us Help You' commercial shows a man with stomach pain being given conflicting advice by different medical staff in his imagination. Health officials hope the new online service will direct people to the right type of medical care instead of people going straight to A&E unnecessarily. The advert comes as cold weather has arrived in Britain and the NHS faces extra pressures over the winter. The television advert shows a man confronted by a doctor, nurse and surgeon version of himself all giving him conflicting and confusing information about his stomach ache in the end he gives up and uses the NHS app In the 30 second video, a man is sat on his sofa suffering from stomach pain when he imagines himself as a surgeon rushing into the room telling him: 'This is an emergency,' while washing his hands in the fish tank. A doctor also the same man appears beside him on the sofa munching an apple and says: 'It's probably nothing, we don't want to waste anybody's time'. He then appears as a nurse, using a laptop and telling him his pain could be indigestion or an exploding appendix. The patient then becomes overwhelmed by the medical blabbering before he turns to the NHS 111 app on his phone. People can now use the 111 website 111.nhs.uk for official advice on how to get medical help, or phone 111. Both ask questions about their symptoms and some personal information like age, sex and location, to work out how they can best be treated. A doctor also the same man appears beside him on the sofa munching an apple and says: 'It's probably nothing, we don't want to waste anybody's time' The patient then becomes overwhelmed by the medical blabbering before he turns to the NHS 111 app on his phone STAFF AND CASH SHORTAGES ADD TO NHS PRESSURES Higher numbers of people visit doctors and hospitals in the winter, making staff busier, but too few staff and funding gaps make it even more difficult for hospitals to run smoothly. There were more than 100,000 empty job posts in September 2018 and analysts feared the situation would only get worse. NHS trusts across England were also 814 million in deficit at the end of June, a shocking quarterly report also revealed. Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said trusts which run local services and spend money 'are doing all they can'. Commenting on the figures, he added: 'However hard they run, they don't seem able to outpace the increase in demand. 'Trusts tell us they are most worried about the workforce shortages they face, and it's a real concern that these figures have shown such a big increase in vacancy levels. 'It's worrying this problem is getting worse rather than better.' Advertisement Between November 27, 2017, and March 4, 2018, people made 3,500,310 phone calls to the NHS helpline. The system is designed to prevent people from unnecessarily going to see their doctor or A&E if they can get appropriate treatment another way. An NHS England spokesperson said: 'NHS 111 is available 24/7 offering urgent health care advice but many people dont know how it can help or that they can now access it online. 'This new campaign uses a scenario that everyone can identify with and shows in a humorous way how NHS 111 could help them, we hope this will make even more people stop and consider using NHS 111 instead of, for example, heading straight to A&E.' The advert comes as the NHS is facing another tough winter, with thousands of patients every week waiting more than an hour to be seen at A&E after arriving by ambulance. In the second week of January, overloaded hospitals set up diversions sending ambulances elsewhere 38 times the highest number this winter. And 19 out of 20 hospital beds in the country were full higher than the safe operating level and the busiest they had been this season. Inpatient cases of norovirus and vomiting bugs were also at their highest so far. A total of 4,318 hospital beds were closed because of the highly contagious illnesses, with 915 of those beds empty and going to waste. But the NHS is believed to be coping better than last year, which the then-Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt called the 'worst winter ever' for the health service. A spokesperson said: 'NHS staff continue to pull out all the stops with flu and norovirus cases continuing to rise as expected in January. 'Thanks to closer working between hospitals, local health groups and councils, fewer people are spending long periods in hospital compared with this time last year. 'With temperatures set to drop, its more important than ever that people help doctors, nurses, paramedics and other frontline staff provide care to the most seriously ill, by getting the free flu jab if youre eligible, and by using the NHS 111 service as the first port of call for non-emergencies.' Sativa Investments has got planning permission for the 7.5-acre facility Cannabis will soon be grown legally in the UK as plans have been revealed for the first farm to be set up in the West Country. A 10million 7.5-acre greenhouse will be built in rural Wiltshire, where cannabis will be grown for use in medicines which became legal in November. The law now allows specialist doctors to prescribe medications based on cannabis, which are most commonly used to treat epilepsy or chronic pain. But all the drugs the NHS can dish out are currently imported because it has been illegal to grow the drug here for decades. The company intending to set up the greenhouse, Sativa Investments, owns a company in Frome, Somerset, and said its previous growing trials were discovered by 'hoodlums' from the town its new facility is expected to be built nearby in the Wiltshire countryside Sativa Investments, a London-based company, has been given planning permission for the pioneering facility, which could earn it 32million per harvest. The firm owns a cannabis-testing lab in Frome, Somerset PhytoVista Laboratories and the greenhouse is expected to appear nearby in the neighbouring county. Its exact location has not been disclosed. Test fields were last year discovered by 'hoodlums' who posted a video of their location online, the company's chief executive Geremy Thomas said. 'Last year it was all about trialling 10 acres of industrial hemp that we were licensed to grow by the Home Office,' he told Radio 4's Farming Today programme. 'One of the problems we had is a security issue where three of the local hoodlums from Frome spotted the fields from afar and started dancing around with their cameras and published that on Facebook, which prompted us to plough the crop into the ground very quickly.' The greenhouse could be hugely profitable, with 200,000 square feet of it designated for growing cannabis. Each square foot will be able to yield 40 grams of cannabis, with one gram selling for about 4 on the wholesale market last year 160 per square foot. If the market rate continues, Sativa could make millions on its first harvest alone once the 10.5million build cost is accounted for. A Canadian company, Veritas, is expected to advise Sativa Investments on which strains of cannabis would be most useful to grow. Drugs from Canada are currently being shipped to the UK to cater to patients who have obtained prescriptions since Home Secretary Sajid Javid legalised the drugs on November 1, 2018. He changed the law following a high-profile campaign by the parents of children suffering severe forms of epilepsy. Numerous families had been travelling abroad to get their children medicines containing the psychoactive chemical THC, which was illegal in the UK. Sativa Investments CEO, Mr Thomas, added: 'We have a test facility here which will allow us to grow different strains of cannabis to assess with our laboratory. 'But also were interested in testing different forms of hydroponic mediums and were also looking at different forms of lighting.' Farmers who own the land the greenhouse is built on will be offered shares in the company for 5p each the current share price is 11.9p. It is significant that the Northeast states account for 25 Lok Sabha seats and the BJP was hoping to grab 20 of them through the NEDA route. Guwahati: In what will put more pressure on the Centre to scrap the controversial Citizenship (Amend-ment) Bill 2016, 10 political parties from the Northeast and the Janata Dal (United) decided here Tuesday to intensify their efforts to block the controversial legislation. The political parties, several belonging to the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), resolved to oppose the bill in the larger interest of the people of the Northeast. While the meeting called by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma was attended by representatives and leaders of 11 political parties, prominent among them was the Asom Gana Parishad, National Peoples Party, Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura, Naga Peoples Front, Mizo National Front and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party. Clarifying that they have come together not for any political purpose but only to oppose the Citizenship Bill, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, who is also the president of NPP, told reporters: This meeting is the outcome of a natural process as we felt we must come together and oppose the bill with one voice. He said: The meeting resolved to meet the President and Prime Minister and appeal to them to withdraw the bill, which has turned into a sentimental issue for the entire Northeast. Mizoram CM and MNF chief Zoramthanga, who also attended the mmeting, said: We took a strong resolution to condemn and totally oppose the bill intended to be passed by the Central government. The bill is dangerous and harmful for the people of the Northeast. In a related development on Monday, JD(U) general secretary K.C. Tyagi, who was here to attend a meeting with the AGP, announced that his party would not only oppose the bill but also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders to persuade them to scrap the controversial legislation. He said his party will vote against the bill if it is brought to the Rajya Sabha. The controversial bill, that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, has led to fears in the Northeast about an influx of illegal immigrants into the region. Asserting that it was not any realignment of regional political parties in the wake of the Lok Sabha polls, AGP president Atul Bora said: We have been opposing the bills separately in our respective states. Now we have come together for a common cause. The bill has already been passed in the Lok Sabha and is expected to come up for voting in the Rajya Sabha in the Budget Session which begins from January 31. It is significant that the Northeast states account for 25 Lok Sabha seats and the BJP was hoping to grab 20 of them through the NEDA route. The 10 parties which participated in the meeting were Mizo National Front (MNF), United Democratic Party (UDP), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Naga Peoples Front (NPF), National Peoples Party (NPP), National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP), Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Khnam. No-deal Brexit will lead to thousands of deaths by driving up the price of fruit and vegetables, experts have calculated. Increased prices will mean British intake of fruit and vegetables could drop by as much as 11 per cent, according to researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Liverpool. This would lead to more than 12,000 extra deaths caused by heart attacks and strokes between 2021 and 2030, they estimate. Critics described the study as 'Project Fear at its very worst'. Any deal under which the UK exits the EU will push up prices, cutting the amount of fresh produce people buy, a report said But the academics, writing in the BMJ Open medical journal, said the UK is vulnerable to price rises because so much fresh produce is imported. Some 84 per cent of fruit and 48 per cent of the vegetables consumed in Britain is imported. The extra tariffs and transaction costs that a no-deal Brexit would involve would see the cost of bananas go up 17 per cent, lemons and oranges by 14 per cent and tomatoes by 15 per cent, the researchers calculated. Even at present, only 27 per cent of adults achieve daily recommended fruit and veg intakes. But price rises would see this plummet, with intake dropping 11 per cent. Because low fruit and vegetable intake is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, this would impact heart and stroke deaths, the researchers warned. They said a no-deal Brexit scenario would see heart attack deaths rise by 0..9 per cent - some 4,110 deaths - and strokes go up 2.9 per cent - 8,290 deaths - between 2021 and 2030 in England alone. Professor Christopher Millett, from the School of Public Health at Imperial, who jointly led the research, said: 'The UK's exit from the European Union has long been framed in terms of its political and social importance. 'But this study shows that the impact of Brexit will reach far beyond the economy and may affect people's risk of disease. 'The UK Government must consider the public health implications of Brexit trade policy options, including changes to the price of key food groups.' But Edgar Miller, convenor of the Economists for Free Trade group, said: 'This is Project Fear at its very worst - a report written by a group of generally junior medical researchers none of whom have any discernible expertise in trade theory or experience in modelling trade flows. 'They have missed the key point: the EU exists to protect EU, the majority French, farmers from market forces in the rest of the world. 'Getting rid of EU protectionism through free trade agreements and unilateral elimination of tariffs on fruit and vegetables that are not produced in the UK will result in an immediate fall in food prices, as exporters around the globe supply food at lower world prices. 'Food producers from the EU will then have to cut prices to stay competitive; they will not be in a position to raise prices in Britain, even if Britain imposes tariffs against the EU. 'In addition, the UK will see a seven per cent gain in GDP and an overall 8 per cent fall in consumer prices.' Dr Zeshan Qureshi (pictured) has slammed the appalling rate of suicide among doctors A prominent paediatrician has slammed the appalling rate of suicide among doctors. Dr Zeshan Qureshi, 33, claims doctors are twice as likely to take their own lives as a non-medic - a fact few take seriously. Working as a paediatrician, Dr Qureshi has tragically gone to the funerals of many sick youngsters, but has also mourned the loss of colleagues who passed away from suicide. 'I have attended the funerals of children who have died under my care but equally tragically I have attended the funerals of my colleagues, who were perfectly fit and well, that took their lives by suicide,' Dr Qureshi said. Speaking at a TED talk, the medic added: 'If there was a drug that doubled the rate of suicide it would be a scandal. It would be taken off the market immediately.' But doctors taking their own lives is just the 'tip of the iceberg', with many experiencing everything from depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug addiction as a result of their grueling workloads. Dr Qureshi recalled watching a colleague work a 72-hour shift with just six hours of respite - where she was forced to sleep on a hard floor. The medic himself admits to being so overworked he fell asleep at the wheel after a night shift, but was forced to try and save the life of a toddler who was not breathing just hours before. Dr Qureshi graduated with a distinction in medicine from Southampton University in 2009. He is signed up to a training programme that means he is based in London but changes hospital every six months. Speaking of when he applied for his university course, Dr Qureshi told MailOnline: 'When you're 17 you think of medicine as a privilege that everyone wants to do if chosen for it.' But once qualified, Dr Qureshi began to understand the pressure medics are under, with him 'regularly' arriving at work early, leaving late, skipping breaks, not eating - and even going all day without a drink. As well as being exhausted, the emotional turmoil of caring for sick patients, particularly children, takes a real toll on a doctor's mental health, Dr Qureshi claimed. 'Ive seen two babies die in just one day,' he said. 'The families arent going back to work the next day and nobody would ask them to. 'After that shift I had no space to grieve. I went on to six further night shifts.' Unable to cope, Dr Qureshi's mental health took a battering following the death of his father and the emotional turmoil of caring for sick newborns. 'Youd think having the knowledge of mental health means you can spot it straight away but doctors are trained to be the healer and you forget youre vulnerable to the same pressures,' he said. Dr Qureshi completed a short course of counselling, but felt unsupported at work and wants to see therapy offered to doctors as standard. 'People told me to turn my emotions off a work,' he said. 'They presented it as a choice between being human and being a doctor. 'To me I am human and Im a doctor.' As well as doctors themselves suffering from their overwhelming workloads, Dr Qureshi stressed medics cannot properly care for patients if their own wellbeing is compromised. 'Burnt out staff leads to decreased quality of care,' he said. 'We need healthy doctors to have healthy patients.' To combat the NHS' understaffing problem, Dr Qureshi is calling for more medics to be hired, as well as better working conditions. He also wants to see hospitals paying for emergency cover and universities opening up more spaces for people to study medicine. And finally - Dr Qureshi is urging doctors to look after themselves and speak up if it all gets too much. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. At just nine month's old it seems that Prince Louis is already growing up fast as his doting mother Kate revealed today. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today paid a visit to Dundee where they toured the city's new V&A museum. According to royal photographer Mark Stewart, Kate, 37, told crowds that she would 'love' to bring her children to the museum. She also revealed that her youngest, nine-month-old Louis is 'already a fast crawler.' Louis was, of course, last seen on the Cambridge family Christmas card alongside his parents and siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte in the grounds of their Norfolk home of Anmer Hall. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the new V&A in Dundee on Tuesday where she opened up about her youngest Prince Louis Speaking to crowds outside the museum Kate said that Louis was 'already a fast crawler'. Pictured: The mother and son on the Cambridge family Christmas card It was the baby's fifth appearance since his birth with the public likely to see him next on his first birthday. Kate marked both Charlotte and George's birthday's by sharing a photograph of them that she had taken and is expected to do the same when Louis turns one on April 23. Today saw Kate and William officially open Scotland's first design museum, the V&A, which is just half an hour's drive from St. Andrew's University where they first locked eyes. The new museum, which is at the heart of a 1 billion waterfront regeneration plan, is already bringing significant economic and social benefits to the local area, helping to reshape the city's future as a hub for the creative industries. We are next likely to see Louis (pictured shortly after his birth) on his first birthday with the Duchess typically sharing photos of her children when they turn one Today saw Kate and William officially open Scotland's first design museum, the V&A, which is just half an hour's drive from St. Andrew's University where they first locked eyes The duchess, a keen amateur photographer, made a short speech during her visit, celebrating the addition of the new cultural centre for Scotland and the UK in her role as patron of V&A The duchess, a keen amateur photographer, made a short speech during her visit, celebrating the addition of the new cultural centre for Scotland and the UK in her role as patron of V&A. She said: 'Last February, I was delighted to become Patron of The V&Ain London. Now, nearly a year later, Im thrilled to be standing in a brand new V&A; one which has been built for the city of Dundee and for Scotland, and which is already picking up international awards. 'In its first four months alone, it welcomed over 360,000 visitors a truly remarkable feat.' Kensington Palace said the visit would build on Kate's keen interest in the visual arts, and highlighting the value that public institutions like V&A Dundee can offer local communities, particularly in terms of increased accessibility to world-class art and design. Netflix is chastising some viewers of its new Ted Bundy documentary after thousands have tweeted about how attractive the infamous serial killer was. The streaming service's social media manager was alarmed that so many people who have watched the series so far have focused on Bundy's looks rather than his heinous crimes, and tweeted a friendly but firm reminder on Monday. 'I've seen a lot of talk about Ted Bundys alleged hotness and would like to gently remind everyone that there are literally THOUSANDS of hot men on the service almost all of whom are not convicted serial murderers,' read the tweet. Don't do that! Netflix has chastised some viewers of its new docu-series Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes He's a bad guy! After Twitter users called the serial killer 'hot' and 'sexy,' Netflix directed their attention to other hot men who haven't committed murder Burn! The Twitter account even helped set up someone else's joke Netflix's docu-series, Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, debuted on January 24 and has been an immediate hit with viewers, who've discussed it in depth on Twitter. Bundy confessed to killing 30 women in seven states and escaped custody twice. He was executed for his horrific crimes in 1989. But one of the early trends in viewer reactions was commentary on the killer's good lucks. Several tweeted that he was 'hot' and 'sexy,' with some including photos or even screengrabs from the documentary itself. 'I know hes a murderer but we can say Ted Bundy is hot right? I mean Efron is going to play him. Feel like thats OK,' wrote Kelly Keegs, referring to the feature film that is also set to be released in theaters. 'Ted Bundy was very attractive and no one can tell me different,' added a woman named Ash. Looks: Since the docu-series hit Netflix, people have been remarking on how attractive he was a narrative that was popular in the media during his trial, too Tweets: Lots of Twitter users have zeroed in on the way he looks It's certainly not the first time that people have remarked on his attractiveness. In fact, his ability to woo so many victims has been attributed in large part to his looks and charm. What's more, during his trial and time on Death Row, he received letters from many female admirers. A woman named Carol Anne Boone even married him while he was on trial for multiple homicides. But just as soon as some viewers commented on his attractiveness, others rushed in to express disgust and crack jokes at their expense. 'Ladies I may not be as hot as ted bundy but I will also not murder you,' wrote a man named Trey. 'Straight ppl thinking ted bundy is hot is just further evidence that we must ban heterosexuality,' added another Twitter user. Kendra James shared a whole thread of 'Men Who Were Actually Hot In The 1970s And Were Not Named Ted Bundy' including Harrison Ford, Bruce Lee, Jack Nicholson, Richard Roundtree, Burt Reynolds, Robert Redford, and Warren Beatty. Um, no: Others, though, have criticized those who find him 'hot' and cracked jokes at their expense 'Y'all......... Ted Bundy was not hot. Love yourselves more,' tweeted Jen Bartel. 'NO S*** Ted Bundy was charming, NO S*** those charms helped him murder his victims, when I say "love yourself more" I'm talking to YOU PEOPLE in 2019 WHO ARE SAYING HE'S HOT KNOWING HE WAS A RAPIST MURDERER NECROPHILIAC oh my gOD.' The Twitter furor over the real-life Bundy portrayed in Netflix's docu-series is occurring alongside another social media firestorm this one about the feature film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, starring Zac Efron as Bundy. The first trailer was released Friday, and has quickly been criticized for being 'sexualized' and a 'punch in the face' to the serial killer's victims. Critics took to Twitter to slam the footage, which shows Efron portraying the mass murderer with his shirt off and in a romantic clutch with his wife Liz Koefle, who is played by Lily Collins. One person tweeted: 'That's exactly what Ted Bundy wanted. posthumous fame for his cruelties. You can count on Hollywood to make the worst human beings immortal.What's next? The Harvey Weinstein biopic? What a punch to the face for the victim's families after all these years.' Another firestorm: Movie fans flocked to YouTube to watch the trailer for new Ted Bundy (left) movie starring Zac Efron (right) Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile was released Critiques: Some on Twitter complained the Zac Efron casting looked like a 'hyper-sexualized' film Angry opinions: Others said the 90-second clip was disrespectful to the families of the women Ted Bundy killed 'Can we not sexualize Ted Bundy? He raped, murdered, and decapitated women and had sex with their dead bodies,' wrote another user. 'Not here for this hyper-sexualized Zac Efron film. I know the youth of twitter will obsess over him, and I'd prefer not to read thirst tweets about a serial murderer,' another person chastised. 'Truly amazing how white male serial killers are romanticized,' yet another wrote. And one more tweeted: 'I feel so bad for the families of the victims that have to sit there and see their terrors revived as a witty romantic thriller. Yet some people have defended the casting, pointing out that the former Disney star heartthrob was on-point casting for a man who lured his victims using his good looks and charm. Charmed: Social media users were appalled at how charming Efron looked in the 90-second clip Quick peek: Some Twitter uses showed outraged over how the trailer appeared to glorify killer Ted Bundy They also pointed out that the character's attractiveness should be unsettling as it was for people victimized by Bundy. One person compared it to seeing real footage of the murderer in episodes of Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, which came out on Netflix this week. 'And in this moment, watching the ted bundy tapes, I realized just how spot on casting zac efron as ted bundy was this is unsettling,' Joanna wrote. Others also defended the casting because of how they say Bundy was romanticized by the media as his slayings of the 70s were reported. 'People are missing the point that Zac Efron was most likely cast as Ted Bundy because he's a "pretty boy" and no one would think he's capable of those acts,' wrote another. 'Just like what happened in real life. One person wrote: 'Psst, hey woke twitter, in real life Ted Bundy was romanticized by the media and everyone he knew. That's what the Extremely Wicked trailer is reflecting and what the movie will attach head on.' But they didn't appear to understand the Efron's performance was to reflect the way Bundy was viewed at the time They approve: But some saw how the choices made reflected the way Bundy was seen in the media and by his wife Liz Koefler and defended the portrayal in the film as being spot-on Another added: 'I hope people know this movie isn't glamorizing/romanticizing ted bundy. This film is through the eyes of his girlfriend liz kloepfer who refused to believe he was anything but a good guy and that he never did anything wrong. That's why the trailer seems the way it does.' What some may not know is that the Netflix documentary and the new feature film share the same director, Joe Berlinger. At Sundance, Berlinger said it's likely to be received well at general release, judging by the reactions at screenings on Saturday and Sunday morning. 'Audiences are loving it, which is great. You could just feel it. People really seem to be connecting and getting something out of it,' Salt Lake City Tribune reports he said. He explained that by telling the story through the eyes of his devoted partner, it was important to not highlight the horrifying details of his murders at the beginning stages of the motion picture. 'Were giving the audience the same experience Liz had in their encounter with Ted,' Berlinger explained. That experience being 'able to be deceived by somebody whos so believable and charismatic'. 'I certainly dont think were glorifying him because he gets his due,' he said. His take: The flick's director, Joe Berlinger, said it's important to not show too many horrifying details early on in the film because it's through the eyes of his wife Liz British food writer Jack Monroe has been left disgusted after finding 'several inches' of plastic in a Linda McCartney vegetarian sausage. The Cooking on a Bootstrap author, 30, shared several snaps of the blue piece of plastic to Twitter after discovering it in the middle of a meal. Jack, who is a prominent activist campaigning on poverty issues and identifies as transgender, said the unappetising find had put them off the red onion and rosemary sausages. The writer also joked about 'trying to reduce plastic use' and said they way forward is to 'chop it up like a toddler first' before tucking into any more Linda McCartney products. Other Twitter users joined Jack in expressing their horror at the discovery, with one saying: 'Ahhh that sucks! Love those sausages!' MailOnline has contacted Linda McCartney Foods for comment. Food writer Jack Monroe, pictured in November, has shared their disgust after they pulled 'several inches' of plastic from a vegetarian sausage Jack shared several snaps of the unappetising find on Twitter. They later joked they may eat other products by Linda McCartney Foods but 'chop it up like a toddler first' Jack, who is from Southend-on-Sea in Essex, tweeted the pictures with the caption: 'Was not expecting to find several inches of plastic in my @LindaFoods sausage this evening!! 'Check your sausages before you chew them folks [about to be sick emoji].' They added: 'I said to Mrs J: what's that bluey thing in my sausage, is it a weirdly coloured red onion? Pulled it and it came out like a magicians handkerchief [vomiting emoji].' Jack went vegan in January 2016, giving up meat and dairy products as part of their New Year's Resolutions. The journalist is currently working on a vegan cookbook, and is set to release a book of recipes from tinned and dried ingredients called Tin Can Cook later this year. Jack, who is a prominent activist campaigning on poverty issues, went vegan in January 2016, giving up meat and dairy products as part of their New Year's Resolutions They also joked that they were 'trying to reduce my plastic use' and that the plastic came out like a 'magician's handkerchief' Other Twitter users shared their disgust at the revolting find in a pack of Linda McCartney's frozen red onion and rosemary sausages Fellow Linda McCartney Food fans shared their disappointment at the find. One Twitter user wrote: 'Well that's just disgusting.' Kate Armitage joked: 'Looks like a piece of glove. Maybe the finger is in there too. I've heard we do taste sausagey...' Guy Smallman added: 'Oh man, those are my favourites to make things worse...' One user claimed they had found plastic in their sausages before, and said the food brand told them it was part of a bag some of the ingredients come in. The Linda McCartney Foods Twitter account replied to Jack's tweet, saying: 'Hi Jack we're really sorry this happened. 'Please DM us with some contact details and we'll get in touch first thing tomorrow when our offices open to look into this for you. Thanks Graeme.' A sexual abuse survivor says she 'would not be here today' if it weren't for her pet capuchin monkey. Lauren Elizabeth McAna from Loxahatchee, Florida, has two Brazilian tufted capuchin monkeys: three-year-old Emerson Alexander and five-year-old rescue Chica Morey. The 23-year-old veterinary technician has suffered from mental health problems following nearly 15 years of sexual abuse, and she sees her capuchin monkey Emerson as her support animal. Bond: Lauren Elizabeth McAna, from Loxahatchee, Florida, insists her emotional support animal, a Brazilian tufted capuchin monkey named Emerson, has saved her life Close relationship: The 23-year-old, pictured with her monkey Emerson, was abused between the ages of three and 17, and suffers from crippling PTSD as a result 'Raising a capuchin monkey is very similar, I would assume, as to raising a human infant,' Lauren told Barcroft TV. 'They are all time inclusive; they require huge commitment and a lot of time.' 'In the wild a capuchin would stay with mom for about two years, so in captivity, it is very important that you spend a lot of time with them as infants. So much so that the first year I had Emerson in my life I didn't work. 'I stayed home with him 24/7 to raise him. He was more or less attached to me at the hip. 'He went everywhere that I did, from cooking dinner to showering. Everything in the house, he was on my shoulder riding my arm. 'Once he got past about a year and a half, I did accept a position as a vet technician at a local exotic clinic under the pretense that Emerson could come to work with me every single day,' she explained. 'He came to work with me every day for about a year after that. So all in all, about two and a half years of his life I was with him 24/7.' Lauren is a trained veterinarian technician and exotic animal trainer. She got into the animal training profession after seeing the number of monkeys being mistreated and rehomed. 'I got into exotic animal training when I realized that there is a huge need in the primate community for assistance and for information, a lot of states are not like Florida,' she said. 'In Florida, we have tight regulations when it comes to requiring a primate, but in some states, there are no regulations. People can just go out in impulse and buy a monkey from a breeder and no questions asked. Past trauma: Lauren relies on her pet monkey to comfort her when she is depressed or having a panic attack Dedicated: The veterinary technician said raising a capuchin monkey is very similar to raising a human infant Lauren said there is a huge need for training, and with her background, she has been able to specialize in working in the private sector with primate owners. 'The way I see it is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and when you invest the time and commitment into training - these monkeys are so intelligent - they need that. They thrive on it; it is an awesome outlet for them to really be enriched and express themselves.' Lauren's troubled past has resulted in her suffering from panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder, but she said her monkeys have helped her through it. 'I was a sexual assault victim from the time I was three till the time I was 17, so I had a very tough childhood,' she explained. 'I have horrible flashback nightmares and Emerson has been a huge help through all that. 'When I have a very hard day and I am depressed from crying, he knows. He will get up to me, give me kisses, and climb my face and kiss my belly; he starts to act very sweet. 'If I am having a panic attack, then he crawls up to me and will never leave my side. He is definitely able to read my emotions - we are very, very connected that way.' Due to the support her little monkey has given her, Lauren believes that there should be more recognition for monkeys as service animals 'Emerson is a register support animal. I suffered from panic attacks because of my CPTSD, which is absolutely crippling for the people who haven't experienced one,' she said. Heartwarming: When she is having a panic attack, Emerson will crawl on her and stay by her side until it passes Support: If she had a hard day, the monkey will give her kisses and climb her face Look of love: Lauren insists Emerson is able to read her emotions and is always there when she needs him Lauren stressed that Emerson is intelligent to have the ability to understand and interpret the human emotion. 'One thing about service animals that they differ from ESA [emotional support animals] is services animals are allowed in the public sector, meaning they are allowed to accompany and assist their human caretakers out in public. 'Emotional support animals are not, which, to me, is not fair to those who do have invisible illnesses that could really benefit from having our ESAs with us all the time. 'Obviously, with ESAs being allowed in public, there has to be much heavier regulation,' she said. 'But I believe that something that really should be looked into. 'Currently, serving monkeys are not allowed to be service animals. The animals that are allowed to be service animals are dogs and miniature horses, not primates.' While there is a human element to Lauren and her monkeys' relationship, she still ensures they have the freedom to be monkeys. 'I try to allow my monkeys to be monkeys as much as possible,' she said. 'I see them with what they are and respect them for what they are. I love them like they are my kids. But they are still monkeys so I try to give them that freedom. Little family: Lauren also has a five-year-old rescue capuchin monkey named Chica Morey Views: Lauren believes emotional support animals should be allowed in the public sector like service animals Nap time: Lauren said she tries to allow her 'monkeys to be monkeys' as much as possible Respectful: Lauren said the monkeys are 'very well behaved' in her house 'I give them a lot of time to be themselves, and in turn, they're very well behaved in my house and they are very respectful of the rules when they do come in the house. 'And they've kind of made that correlation that this is their space; they can do what they want out here. 'But when they're inside they have to listen to me, so there really is a huge benefit to having those outdoors play areas for them as well as having an indoor area that's just truly theirs.' After her traumatic experiences, Lauren has a simple 'American Dream' - to live in a nice house with a husband and her monkey family. 'I live in Florida now, but I see Tennessee or South Carolina in our future - a lot of land, a big cage for my monkeys, even larger than I have now, just a happy family,' she said. 'That's all I've always wanted in life. My biggest dream is a nice house, a husband, my monkey family, maybe kids someday, just the average American dream. 'I never wanted anything special,' she noted. 'I just wanted my happy little family and this is my happy family; it includes two monkeys. 'I firmly believe that if Emerson would have not come into my life I would not be here today, without question, and I still say that today. 'He absolutely saved me, so I feel like I owe it to him to give him the best possible life I can. He did so much for me, and I won't be able to do anything near as much as he did for me.' Queen Maxima of The Netherlands brightened up a dull day in bright purple today as she visited AFAS Software in Leusden, Amsterdam. The royal, 47, who arrived solo without husband King Willem-Alexander by her side was all smiles as she walked down the blue carpet. Donning a deep purple woolen trouser suit, the mother-of-three tucked a smart three-quarter-length sleeve top into a pair of elegant trousers - which featured a stylish turn-up feature. She completed the look with a coordinating smart coat, patent high-heeled shoes and added a touch of fun to her regal look with statement elegant tassel earrings. Queen Maxima opted for an aubergine-coloured woolen trouser suit as she arrived in Leusden, Amsterdam earlier today. She completed the look with a coordinated belt and jacket, and tassel earrings The Dutch Queen mixed up her regal look by wearing a fun pair of purple tassel earrings to match her outfit The mother-of-three was making a working visit to AFAS Software after it was announced as the winner of the prestigious King Willem I Prize. AFAS won in the large company category and was rewarded for its 'courage, decisiveness, sustainability and perseverance'. Queen Maxima made the royal visit as she is honorary chairman of the foundation. AFAS software is a Dutch family-owned company which started in 1996 and supports small and large businesses and consumers in the automation process. It designs innovative software that helps companies perform better, and also helps consumers to keep track of their personal finances. Queen Maxima made the royal visit as she is honorary chairman of the foundation which was founded in 1958. The prize is awarded every two years in two categories - the large enterprise and small and medium-sized enterprises During the visit, the Dutch royal was given a tour of the company - which focused on ICT, product development and the training of young talent who have joined the AFAS Academy The award-winning company design innovative software that helps companies perform better, and also claim to help consumers keep track of their personal finances Queen Maxima listened closely as she was given a talk on the ins and outs of the successful Dutch software company During the visit, the Dutch royal was given a tour of the company - which focused on ICT, product development and the training of young talent who have joined the AFAS Academy. The award-winning software business also demonstrated how the automation process helps the work of their 450 employees and more than 11,000 business customers be both fun and quick. Stylish Queen Maxima also received an explanation of the work of the AFAS Foundation and a talk on the newly built head office. The King Willem I Foundation was founded in 1958. The purpose of the prestigious award is to give force to the national economy and as a result, increase the prestige of the Dutch business community. The foundation is supported by both the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The prize is awarded every two years in two categories - the large enterprise and small and medium-sized enterprises. The award-winning software business which Maxima visited (above) has over 450 employees and more than 11,000 business customers The prestigious prize is awarded every two years in two categories - the large enterprise, of which AFAS software were announced the winners, and small and medium-sized enterprises With her loose blonde hair and tassels blowing in the wind, Maxima opted for neutral make up complete with a layer of rose-coloured gloss on her lips Queen Maxima engaged in conversation as she arrived along and walked up the blue carpet into the building of the software company Princess Madeleine of Sweden has written her first children's book, she announced this week. The seventh-in-line to the Swedish throne, who currently lives in Florida, is set to publish Stella och hemligheten (Stella and the Secret) in June in collaboration with her mother's charity, the World Childhood Foundation. Announcing the news on Instagram on Monday, she wrote: 'I'm very excited to finally share with you a book which will hopefully show children how important it is to stand up for themselves and to tell someone when something doesn't feel right.' Written under her maiden name, Madeleine Bernadotte, the book is published by Bonnier Carlsen and will mark the 20th anniversary of the World Childhood Foundation, launched by Queen Silvia in 1999. Scroll down for video Princess Madeleine of Sweden (pictured in Stockholm in September 2017) has written her first children's book in partnership with a child sexual abuse charity, she announced this week Announcing the news on Instagram on Monday, Princess Madeleine wrote: 'I'm very excited to finally share with you a book which will hopefully show children how important it is to stand up for themselves and to tell someone when something doesn't feel right' According to Svensk Dam, the story will touch on issues surrounding sexual abuse such as 'integrity, self-esteem and trust'. It was produced in partnership with Madeleine's friend and long-term collaborator Karini Gustafson-Teixiera, children's author Marie Oskarsson and illustrator Stina Lovkvist. The mother-of-three was met with an outpouring of support from her followers, racking up almost 20,000 likes as fans congratulated her on the 'wonderful work'. Madeleine, 36, whose full title is Duchess of Halsingland and Gastrikland, moved from London to Miami, Florida with her young family last summer. The Swedish royal household said in a statement at the time: 'The time and opportunity for the United States is good for the family when the children are still in pre-school age. The daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf is married to Christopher O'Neill and the couple share three children - Princess Leonore, four, Prince Nicolas, three, and ten-month-old Princess Adrienne (pictured at Adrienne's christening in Stockholm, June 2018) Madeleine was living in New York City when she first met Chris (pictured together in Borgholm, Sweden in July 2017), having famously fled to America in 2010 to escape a broken heart Princess Madeleine in Stockholm, July 2017. The seventh-in-line to the Swedish, throne, who currently lives in Florida, is set to publish Stella och hemligheten (Stella and the Secret) in June 'Princess Madeleine has a great commitment to childrens rights and will continue working with the World Childhood Foundation and, through the move, be able to focus more on the activities in the United States.' The daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf is married to Christopher O'Neill and the couple share three children - Princess Leonore, four, Prince Nicolas, three, and ten-month-old Princess Adrienne. The royal's financier husband was born in London and has dual UK and US citizenship, with his work taking him between the United States and Europe. Madeleine was living in New York City when she first met Chris, having famously fled to America in 2010 to escape a broken heart after her split from Swedish attorney Jonas Bergstrom. Advertisement This is the moment a little girl reached out to stroke the Duchess of Cambridge's hair during a meet and greet in Dundee. The youngster couldn't resist touching Kate's locks as she and William met a crowd of schoolchildren outside the city's Crescent Community Centre amid chilly 2C temperatures. Wrapped up warm in a tartan Alexander McQueen coat and green scarf, the Duchess was all smiles despite the chilly temperatures as she joined her husband for their first joint engagement of the year. Hair today, gone tomorrow! This is the moment a little girl reached out to stroke the Duchess of Cambridge's hair during a meet and greet in Dundee. The couple met crowds outside the Crescent Community Centre after visiting the V&A One youngster couldn't resist touching Kate's locks as she and William met a crowd of schoolchildren outside the city's Crescent Community Centre amid chilly 2C temperatures after being given a whistlestop tour of the new V&A museum Meet the locals! After a brief pit stop at the V&A (pictured), the couple travelled to the Crescent Community Centre in Dundee, where they were met by the Lord Provost Ian Borthwick, local Councillor John Alexander and centre staff Earlier, the couple officially opened Scotland's first design museum, the V&A, which is just half an hour's drive from St. Andrew's University where they first locked eyes. Man behind the move The Duke of Cambridges new private secretary left a job trying to sort out the thorny Brexit issue of the Irish border for the calmer waters of Kensington Palace, where he is the princes most senior official. Simon Cases appointment last summer, replacing Williams long-serving aide Miguel Head, was considered an astute one. A well-respected career civil servant working in the Department for Exiting the European Union, he had been director general for Northern Ireland and Ireland, responsible for one of the most difficult areas of the Brexit negotiations. Said to be serious but with a good sense of humour, the father of two started in the Ministry of Defence as a policy adviser in 2006. In 2012 he headed the Olympic Secretariat, overseeing the delivery of the London Games, before joining No 10 as private secretary to David Cameron. He was promoted to Mr Camerons principal private secretary four years later, before moving to the Brexit department. Advertisement The blue and green design is understood to be at least six years old, with the duchess having previously worn it on a visit to St Andrew's in November 2012 and on Christmas Day at Sandringham in 2013. Today, she paired the coat with black gloves, a pair of block heels and a 452.20 Manu Atelier crossbody bag, hair styled in her signature bouncy blow dry. The new museum, which is at the heart of a 1 billion waterfront regeneration plan, is already bringing significant economic and social benefits to the local area, helping to reshape the city's future as a hub for the creative industries. The duchess, a keen amateur photographer, made a short speech during her visit, celebrating the addition of the new cultural centre for Scotland and the UK in her role as patron of V&A. She said: 'Last February, I was delighted to become Patron of The V&Ain London. Now, nearly a year later, Im thrilled to be standing in a brand new V&A; one which has been built for the city of Dundee and for Scotland, and which is already picking up international awards. 'In its first four months alone, it welcomed over 360,000 visitors a truly remarkable feat.' She added: 'The partners involved in this project from the local area, Scotland, and the UK more broadly all deserve enormous credit for the way you have collaborated to make this happen. 'I hope that this museum will serve as an inspiration to others, by showing how great things can be achieved when different communities all pull together. With this thought in mind, I am pleased to declare V&A Dundee "officially" open.' Kensington Palace said the visit would build on Kate's keen interest in the visual arts, and highlighting the value that public institutions like V&A Dundee can offer local communities, particularly in terms of increased accessibility to world-class art and design. Kate spent time chatting to local children who had waited in the cold to meet her in Dundee today. Wrapped up warm in a tartan Alexander McQueen coat and green scarf, the Duchess was all smiles despite the chilly temperatures The Duchess of Cambridge, known as the Duchess of Strathearn in Scotland, does a high five as she meets school children outside a community centre in Dundee. Her blue and green coat is understood to be at least six years old Clutching a bouquet of bright red roses, Kate was all smiles as she took part in a meet and greet with locals on the waterfront with William. It marked the couple's first joint engagement of the year as the Duke and Duchess braved chilly temperatures Making friends: The Duchess of Cambridge, who is known as the Duchess of Strathearn in Scotland, meets local children during Tuesday's visit to officially open the V&A Dundee, Scotland's first design museum Prince William meets with workers and trade union leaders as 850 Michelin staff face jobs losses as devastating closure of doomed tyre plant looms By Rebecca English The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a meeting of the Michelin Action Group at a community centre in Dundee Prince William took the unusual step yesterday of sitting down with union leaders, officials and families affected by the devastating closure of a Michelin tyre factory. With his wife the Duchess of Cambridge, he met some of the 850 workers due to lose their jobs after the French company suddenly announced its intention to close the plant in Dundee last November. The couple also attended a meeting with the Michelin Action Group comprising union officials, management, and government and council representatives which is looking for ways to reuse the site and save livelihoods. With feeling over the loss of the factory running high, the afternoon could have proved to be a tricky one for William, 36, who also spoke at the meeting. But in an assured performance, he told those gathered around the table that he was willing them to succeed and praised the way that management, unions and workers alike were trying to find a constructive way forward. According to royal sources, the prince was keen to reassure local people they arent forgotten and wants to carry out similar visits in the future. There are suggestions that Williams greater statesman-like role may be down to his new private secretary, Simon Case, who joined his office last year from the Brexit Department. The position of private secretary is the most senior one in a royal household and Mr Cases appointment was seen as crucial for William as he moves forward in the next stage of his life as a full-time working royal and future Prince of Wales. Kate also won fans during a walkabout in the city. In a tartan coat by Alexander McQueen with a Black Watch-style pattern, she laughed as she allowed a young girl to reach out from the crowd and stroke her hair. William told the action group: We have come from a meeting with many of the workers and families that will be directly affected by the decisions on the future of the Michelin factory. The factory has been a huge part of Dundees very fabric. It has been a key employer for generations, and has helped sustain the local economy for nearly 50 years. For everyone affected, the hope is that all of you sat in this room can find a positive way forward. You all deserve enormous credit for sitting around this table together to find a constructive way forward. It is understandable that there are different views about what is the right course to take. As I have just heard, when a community faces uncertainty, people feel more optimistic when leaders such as yourselves work together for that community. Michelin announced last year that it would close its factory, the biggest left in Dundee, by mid-2020 after it was deemed unsuitable. The company said the facility, which opened in 1971 and specialised in smaller tyres, has suffered because of a shift in the market towards low-cost products from Asia. The Unite union called it a hammer-blow to the city and workers were left bitter. But since then the company has joined the taskforce to find a solution for the site and made a deal with Scottish ministers to repurpose the factory in an effort to secure a future in low-carbon transport and manufacturing. Advertisement Kate meets locals outside the V&A this afternoon. The new museum, which is at the heart of a 1 billion waterfront regeneration plan, is already bringing significant economic and social benefits to the local area, helping to reshape the city's future as a hub for the creative industries Kate was glowing in an Alexander McQueen coat. The blue and green design is understood to be at least six years old, with the duchess having previously worn it on a visit to St Andrew's in November 2012 and at Sandringham in 2013 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the V&A this afternoon. The establishment of the new museum was made possible thanks to a collaboration between organisations including the V&A, the University of Dundee and Abertay University Kate arrives in Dundee with her husband William this afternoon. Later, the couple will attend the Michelin Action Group, which is aiming to find and take solutions for repurposing the plant and providing a sustainable future for its workforce Firm favourite: Kate's structured coat is understood to be at least six years old, with the duchess having worn it on a visit to St Andrew's in November 2012 and on Christmas Day at Sandringham in 2013, while the crossbody bag is a new addition The duchess, a keen amateur photographer, made a short speech during her visit (pictured) in which she celebrated the addition of the new cultural centre for Scotland and the UK in her role as patron of V&A During the Duchess' speech today, she said: 'Last February, I was delighted to be asked to be the V&A's Patron. Now, nearly a year later, Im thrilled to be standing in a brand new V&A; one which has been built for the city of Dundee and for Scotland' The Duke and Duchess at the V&A today, where Kate told guests: 'I hope that V&A Dundee will serve as an inspiration to others by showing how great things can be achieved when different communities pull together and work for the common good' The Duke and Duchess were left red-faced as they were shown a rather risque dress from Scotland-based designer Christopher Kane, featuring entwined naked bodies based on sketches made during life drawing classes in his studio The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet visitors inside the V&A Dundee this afternoon. The 80 million landmark building - billed as Scotland's first design museum - first opened to the public in September and has proved a huge success Kate inside V&A Dundee this afternoon. The duchess, a keen amateur photographer, made a short speech during today's visit, celebrating the addition of the new cultural centre for Scotland and the UK in her role as patron of V&A Kate opts for tartan as she arrives in Dundee with William. The Duchess of Cambridge, a keen amateur photographer, also made a short speech celebrating the addition of the new cultural centre for Scotland and the UK in her role as patron of V&A The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are all smiles as they arrive in Dundee. The couple were welcomed this afternoon by locals who lined the street outside the 80 million landmark building, which opened to the public in September The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrives in Dundee on Tuesday. Kate turned to an Alexander McQueen number - wearing a green and blue tartan coat in a nod to her Scottish hosts - as she arrives to officially open the new V&A museum Smiling Kate paired her old Alexander McQueen coat with black gloves, a pair of block heels and a 452.20 Manu Atelier crossbody bag, wearing her hair in her signature bouncy blow dry as she arrived in Dundee today with William The Duchess of Cambridge's speech in full 'William and I are so pleased to be back here in Dundee to celebrate the opening of this wonderful museum today. Thank you so much for inviting us. Kate is all smiles at a reception to officially open Dundee's new design museum during which she gave a speech to V&A staff Last February, I was delighted to become Patron of The V&A in London. Now, nearly a year later, Im thrilled to be standing in a brand new V&A: one which has been built for the city of Dundee and for Scotland, and which is already picking up international awards. In its first four months alone, it welcomed over 360,000 visitors a truly remarkable feat. 'Walking around this world-class space, its easy to see how Scotlands first dedicated design museum is already inspiring the next generation, by providing a new learning space for discovery. I have been captivated by the breathtaking architecture, and the sheer range of design on display. 'But most of all Ive been moved by the passion of the people who work here, and the dedication of all those who have helped make this important project to succeed. 'I believe we should celebrate all our leading galleries, museums, and cultural centres playing a greater role in communities, not just in London, but up and down the country too. The cultural riches of the UK belong to all people of the UK. 'This is what V&A Dundee has achieved. The partners involved in this project from the local area, Scotland, and the UK more broadly all deserve enormous credit for the way you have collaborated to make this happen. 'I hope that this museum will serve as an inspiration to others, by showing how great things can be achieved when different communities all pull together. With this thought in mind, I am pleased to declare V&A Dundee "officially" open. I wish you all every success for the future.' Advertisement Kate and William arrives at the V&A. The new museum, which is at the heart of a 1 billion waterfront regeneration plan, is already bringing significant economic and social benefits to the local area, helping to reshape the city's future The couple, who are known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn when in Scotland, wave to onlookers as they arrives to the newly-opened V&A museum in Dundee on Tuesday afternoon William and Kate are all smiles as they arrives in Dundee. Today's visit will build on Kate's keen interest in the visual arts, and highlighting the value that public institutions like V&A Dundee can offer local communities The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are given a tour of the site by local dignitaries. The couple were welcomed to Dundee by locals this who lined the street outside the 80 million landmark building, which opened to the public in September The couple are given a private tour of the V&A Dundee. William and Kate, who are known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn when in Scotland, were met by museum director Philip Long before entering the museum for a tour The Duke and Duchess are all smiles as they explore Dundee's new museum today. V&A Dundee, which is at the heart of a 1 billion waterfront regeneration plan, is already bringing significant economic and social benefits to the local area The Duke of Cambridge waves at well-wishers who gathered at Dundee's waterfront today. Later, the couple will meet with employees from the Dundee Michelin factory, to hear first-hand how the factory's planned closure is affecting them Outfit details: Kate paired her Alexander McQueen coat with black gloves, a pair of block heels and a 452.20 Manu Atelier crossbody bag (left), hair styled in her signature bouncy blow dry, and added a pair of diamond earrings (right) Kate and William, who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Strathearn in Scotland, speak to members of the Michelin Action Group at a community centre in Dundee after meeting with employees and their families from the local tyre factory The couple travelled to the Crescent Community Centre in Dundee, where they were met by the Lord Provost Ian Borthwick, local Councillor John Alexander and centre staff (William is pictured speaking to centre staff) The establishment of the new museum was made possible thanks to a collaboration between the V&A, the University of Dundee, Abertay University, Dundee City Council, the UK and Scottish governments, the National Lottery and Scottish Enterprise. After meeting crowds outside the V&A - and putting on scarves to guard against the cold - the couple travelled to the Crescent Community Centre in Dundee, where they were met by the Lord Provost Ian Borthwick, local Councillor John Alexander and centre staff. There, they met with employees and their families from the Dundee Michelin factory, to hear first-hand how the factory's planned closure is affecting them. Following these discussions, Kate and William will attend the Michelin Action Group, which is aiming to find and take forward solutions for repurposing the plant and providing a sustainable future for its skilled workforce. The Duke will thank the action group for its dedicated work to date, and will highlight what has already been achieved elsewhere in the city thanks to different communities working as a collective. The action group meets regularly and includes representatives from the local council, the Scottish and UK Governments, Union officials, Scottish Enterprise and Michelin. They are among the brightest minds in Britain, but sometimes even University Challenge contestants are shocked when they answer a tricky question. Lewis Barn, of Glasgow University, was left wide-eyed with disbelief after he correctly guessed the answer to a Shakespeare question on last night's episode. The student, who was visibly skeptical about his response, 'almost fell off his chair' when host Jeremy Paxman revealed he had scored points for his team. Lewis Barn, of Glasgow University, looked skeptical when he guessed the answer to a tricky Shakespeare question on last night's episode of University Challenge, pictured The student was left wide-eyed with disbelief and almost 'fell off his chair', pictured, when host Jeremy Paxman revealed he had scored points for his team The theatrical moment tickled fans of the BBC Two quiz show, with dozens taking to Twitter The theatrical moment tickled fans of the BBC Two quiz show, with one tweeting: 'Barn looking so shocked to be correct. Im not sure theyre supposed to look so surprised when they get one right.... thats my job!' Another added: 'Dictionary definition of 'astonishment': Barn of Glasgow answering "Icarus"'. #UniversityChallenge.' A third wrote: 'Nice guess by Barn with Icarus! Always nice when they come off! #UniversityChallenge.' Even the University Challenge fan account was impressed by Barn's over-the-top reaction, with one tweeting a clip with the caption: 'It's always worth answering, cause you never know...' Many fans shared their relief at learning even the brightest contestants struggle with answers Last night's quarter final tie saw Glasgow face a formidable team from Durham University. With just 45 points separating them in the final minutes of the show, Paxman offered up a 5-point starter question. He asked: 'In Shakespeare's Henry VI Pt III, which figure of Greek mythology does the future Richard III say was "taught the office of a foul and yet for all his wings, the fool was drowned".' Last night's quarter final tie saw Glasgow face a formidable team from Durham University With just 45 points separating them in the final minutes of the show, Paxman offered up a 5-point starter question about Shakespeare - and a hesitant Barn, pictured, ventured a response Paxman checked his answer card and revealed, with some surprise, pictured, that 'Icarus' was the correct answer Barn's theatrical reaction, pictured, made Paxman and the viewers at home smile The questions left the contestants stumped, with Barn's team captain Hampson even hanging his head in his hand. But Barn, a quiz show veteran of The Chase and Only Connect, was determined to take a stab at it and buzzed in to venture 'Icarus'. His brow remained furrowed as Paxman checked his answer card and revealed, with some surprise, that 'Icarus' was the correct answer. But while the gamble paid off it was not enough to win the quarter-final match for his team, who eventually lost to Durham 170-110. They are among the eight teams still left in this series of the show. It was at that point of time that taluk Panchayat member Ms Jamlar spelt out her list of grievances. Mysuru: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah landed in a controversy on Monday when he engaged in a wordy duel with a woman and snatched the microphone from her, dislodging her dupatta in the process, at an event in Varuna in Mysuru. The incident which occurred during a public interaction organised by Mr Siddaramaiah, his MLA son Yathindra who represents Varuna assembly constituency, and others, was caught on camera with the video of it going viral. Mr Siddaramaiah was quick to apologise to Ms Jamlar, a Congress worker and former taluk panchayat president involved in the incident, as he flung the dupatta back to her. But the entire back and forth between the former chief minister and Ms Jamlar had already been marred by Siddaramaiah repeatedly asking her to sit down and stop talking, all in a raised tone. For damage control Mr Siddaramaiah tweeted: The incident which occurred while trying to stop the huge speech of a party worker, was accidental. There was no bad intention in it. I know that party worker for past 15 years and she is like my sister. The fraught interaction occurred at Gargeswari village on Monday when Mr Siddaramaiah visited the village for the inauguration of a development project. It was at that point of time that taluk Panchayat member Ms Jamlar spelt out her list of grievances. As other Congress workers tried to shout her down, Mr Siddaramaiah could be heard telling her, I have worked for your constituency. Yathindra is available thrice a week. And you can come and meet me whenever I am available in Mysuru. There is a way to share the problem. Banging the table is not right. However, she told the leaders of the village that this was the first time Mr Siddaramaiah had made himself available to her after elections, and it was an opportunity for her to bring several issues to his notice and she would not stop. When Mr Siddaramaiah asked if Varuna MLA Mr Yathindra was not available, she banged the table in front of the former chief minister and shouted, No, Sir, leading Mr Siddaramaiah to lose his cool, and grab the mike. Clean eating blogger Ella Mills has delighted fans with the news that she is expecting her first child. The food writer, who is married to the son of the late Baroness Jowell, announced the happy news on Instagram on Monday, writing: 'Baby Mills is coming in August. 'We're completely over the moon and just feel like the luckiest people in the world.' She accompanied the announcement with a picture of the couple holding a picture of their baby scan. It has been a difficult year for the couple, who lost Matthew's mother Tessa, a Labour former Cabinet minister, to brain cancer last May aged 70. Ella Mills, who is married to the son of the late Baroness Jowell, announced on Instagram on Monday that she is expecting her first child, writing: 'Baby Mills is coming in August' It has been a difficult year for the couple, who lost Matthew's mother Tessa, a Labour former Cabinet minister, to brain cancer last May (pictured right, with Ella and Matthew) Ella, nee Woodward, later paid tribute to the 'warmest and kindest soul' who 'generously' welcomed her into the family. Speaking on Tuesday, the Brain Tumour Charity's chief executive Sarah Lindsell said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to hear Ella and Matt's happy news and send them our congratulations and warmest wishes. 'We are proud to have worked alongside them since Matt's mother, Tessa Jowell, lost her life to brain cancer last year, and we are very grateful for their continuing support as we honour her legacy by striving to improve the life of everyone diagnosed with a brain tumour.' It comes as Matthew hinted he may follow his mother into politics, telling the Evening Standard: 'My mum, before she died, said she wanted me to be an MP.' While the businessman says he is too busy helping his wife run her food empire to run for office, he has not ruled out a career in politics in the future, adding: 'Mum always wanted her kids to contribute as much as they possibly could.' 'I'm so happy for you both!' Fans flocked to Ella's Instagram on Monday evening to congratulate the couple on the imminent arrival of 'Baby Mills', who is due in August 2019 Ella became Mrs Mills in April 2016 after marrying Matthew in a beachside ceremony in Mustique where her mother, supermarket heiress Camilla Sainsbury, has a house. She promptly changed her name to Ella Mills on Instagram, before sharing a picture of some bright pink trainers with 'Mrs Mills' emblazoned on the back, writing: 'We did it!' The bride wore an elegant silk tulle 'Marina' bridal gown with capped sleeves from Jenny Packham, costing around 4,030, which she accessorised with a simple netted veil and a pair of silver drop earrings. Ella, a former model, became engaged to her boyfriend in the Cotswolds in 2015 after just four months of dating. They met when her father, former Labour MP Shaun Woodward, introduced them and had their first date at London's Soho House. Clean eating blogger Ella Mills (pictured with her Plant-Based Cookbook in London, August 2018) has delighted fans with the news that she is expecting her first child Former model Ella Mills (pictured in New York in October 2017) became engaged to her now-husband in the Cotswolds in 2015 after just four months of dating Ella recalls: 'Matt ordered an almond milk latte and I immediately thought, 'This is my kind of guy.'' Despite a relatively small guest list, the celebrations are said to have gone on for four days, with the wedding accommodation - a set of private villas - costing up to 50,000 each. The loved-up pair, who met in 2015, opened their joint business venture, a deli in Marylebone called Mae, and Ella has recently launched her second cookbook (her first was the fastest-selling debut cook book on record). Ella has previously confessed that she wouldn't 'ever' have believed she would marry at such a young age, but it was 'love at first sight' with Matthew and the pair felt there was no point in holding back just for the sake of it. An Australian airline passenger has been left disappointed after being served a 'sad' Cajun chicken and cheese sandwich that didn't meet his standards of a 'meal'. Paul Carlin posted an image of a sandwich he received on an Emirates flight on Facebook after a similar incident with a Jetstar passenger went viral. 'Not as bad as my Emirates food on a flight from Dublin to Brisbane,' Mr Carlin, who is from Ireland, said about his snack. An Australian airline passenger has been left disappointed after being served a 'sad' Cajun chicken and cheese sandwich that didn't meet his standards of a 'meal' 'Yep, yours is definitely worse,' one person wrote beneath the image. 'Where's the chicken?' Asked another. A third individual said: 'Lol, that's just sad'. One of the more creative responses to the saga read: 'Looks like that cheese could pass for an outdoor floor tile mate.' The sandwich itself was described as a 'multi-seed roll' - although there are barely any seeds in sight - and had a small slice of chicken on it. One man argued that because Mr Carlin didn't have to pay extra for the meal - because it's included in Emirates in-flight service - that he shouldn't be complaining One man argued that because Mr Carlin didn't have to pay extra for the meal - because it's included in Emirates in-flight service - that he shouldn't be complaining. 'You didn't have to pay extra and you got more than one meal,' he said matter-of-factly. But Mr Carlin begged to differ, stating: 'I wouldn't call this a meal. It wouldn't fill a hole in my tooth.' Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Emirates Airlines for comment. Last week Howard Priestley slammed Jetstar for its take on an egg sandwich that cost him $9 on a flight from Bali to Perth. 'The thing was basically devoid of filling other than a perfunctory smear of margarine, a tiny bit of lettuce and a bit of egg,' Mr Priestley told The West Australian. A Perth man who was travelling on a Jetstar flight slammed the airline for serving up a $9 sandwich (pictured) that didn't meet his 'egg-spectations' He said while his expectations had been low, the subpar sandwich was basically inedible and there couldn't possibly be one person who would consider it decent. Mr Priestley took a photo of the sandwich, which shows a barely there smear of margarine along with a pinch of lettuce and scraping of egg on one side. A Jetstar spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they were aware of the complaint and agreed the sandwich was not up to the usual standard of service on board. He said Mr Priestly didn't mention the problem to crew on board, but after he complained, he received a $50 voucher, which is five times the price of the snack. Australian TV personality Sami Lukis has revealed the worst dating advice she constantly receives from her married friends. Appearing on Channel Seven's breakfast program The Morning Show, the 48-year-old said she was told to 'go and get yourself a widower'. 'I have not been hanging out at funeral homes but I can tell you, that's the serious advice I've been getting from my married friends,' she said. '[They say] the best option for me is to find a man, and I'm sorry to be so brutal about this but this is what the theory is - a man whose wife has died is not single by choice so there's a good chance that he might still be a decent bloke.' Scroll down for video Author Sami Lukis has revealed the worst dating advice she receives from married friends The author of Romantically Challenged - who previously opened up about being a 'serial dater' for 30 years - said she's fed up with married couples 'meddling' with her dating life. 'Our married friends meddling with our dating lives to a degree,' she said. 'We love our married friends but two things happen - you become single in your 40s or your 50s, often it's the case you end up finding yourself as the only single person in your social group. 'One thing that becomes clear when you're a single person at this age is married people like to hang out with married people so unfortunately the invitations kind of dry up and a lot of us start to feel ostracised from your married friends.' 'But when you do engage with us, it's usually to give us ridiculously unwarranted, outdated dating advice, which you have no idea about because you haven't dated for 20 years. 'You don't get it because the dating scene has changed dramatically in the last 10 to 20 years.' The author of Romantically Challenged - who previously opened up about being a 'serial dater' for 30 years - said she's fed up with married couples 'meddling' with her dating life The self-confessed 'serial dater' said another common piece of advice she often receives from her friends is 'you've just got to get out there' The self-confessed 'serial dater' said another common piece of advice she often receives from is 'you've just got to get out there'. 'We know that. We know that he's not going to come knocking on our door, okay. That's very simple,' she said. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, Sami said she will be celebrating 'Galentine's Day'. 'There's a new thing called Galentine's Day where you hang out with your girlfriends and do dinner with your girlfriends,' she said. A school canteen menu from 1974 has been shared online, showing the vast difference between the simple food 44 years ago and the gourmet options served today. At Berala Public School, based in NSW, pupils could indulge in devon, peanut butter, banana, spaghetti or baked bean sandwiches for prices as low as 11 cents. Sweet treats like lamingtons, finger buns and vanilla slices - much-loved Australian classics - were on offer for nine cents and a plain donut was just seven cents. Scroll down for video At Berala Public School, based in NSW, pupils could indulge in devon, peanut butter, banana, spaghetti or baked bean sandwiches for prices as low as 11 cents If you were feeling lavish you could splash out on a chocolate eclair or custard tart for 13 cents, or an apple pie for 15 cents. Hot foods from that era included meat pies for 20 cents or a sausage roll for 12 cents. To cool down on warmer days there was Glug, Razz, Sunny Boy or Zap for five cents, Icicles for three cents and Snow Pops for eight cents. Hot foods from that era included meat pies for 20 cents or a sausage roll for 12 cents Fruit like oranges, apples and mandarins were also rotated depending on what was in season and chips like plain and salt and vinegar were 12 cents. A number of people who had been at school during that era commented about the 'good old days' and how simple the food used to be. 'I remember the tuckshop menu from my primary school circa 1978-79 with prices not too much more than these! Pies, party pies, saveloys, hot cheese rolls, savoury rolls and sandwiches,' one person wrote. 'Spaghetti sandwiches need to make a comeback,' another said. 'Back when getting a lunch order was a treat and then getting the change in the paper bag to spend at the canteen,' a third added. To compare, FEMAIL consulted the menu from an Adelaide-based school who released their salads and sandwiches online for this year To compare, FEMAIL consulted the menu from an Adelaide-based school that released their salads and sandwiches online for this year. There were far more health-conscious meals pertaining to children who were gluten, dairy or sugar-free, as well as vegetarian options. You could 'build your own' sandwich starting from just $4 and add things like Tandoori chicken, falafel, mint yoghurt and Kalamata olives. Or you could choose a burger from their selection of four, including a Mexican one with smashed avocado for $5.90. Bolognaise and bechamel sauce baked with pasta sheets is $5, spinach and ricotta ravioli topped with a tomato and roasted capsicum sauce is similarly priced Hokkien noodles are the same. In the salad department there was a range of healthy choices, including a dukkah crusted pumpkin one, another with marinated fetta cheese and seared chicken. The most expensive of these is $6.90. Australian singles tired of swiping endlessly on dating apps have now outsourced their love life to professionals. Holly Bartter, the founder of Matchsmith, offers a service that sees her paid as much as $1,500 a month to take over people's dating app accounts, flirt with matches and set up dates. Ms Bartter revealed on Sunrise that her clientele is 60 to 70 per cent female and most are corporate workers between 29 and 52 years of age. Holly Bartter, the founder of Matchsmith, is paid as much as $1,500 a month to take over people's dating app accounts, flirt with matches and set up dates 'I am very excited to say I have met a few interesting people and, finally, I am getting somewhere,' Anna Resnik, one of Ms Bartter's clients, told Sunrise. She said she knows many people who could benefit from the service. Ms Bartter told hosts David 'Kochie' Koch and Samantha Armytage that flirting online can come with a lot of baggage. 'I think having someone else do it for you [means] you can go into a date really confident knowing they are interested in meeting you,' she said. Ms Bartter said this helps combat concerns about whether you messaged too much, not enough or if the recipients liked your photos. 'I think having someone else do it for you [means] you can go into a date really confident knowing they are interested in meeting you,' Ms Bartter said (stock image) What does Matchsmith do? Profile Polish - $79 This level allows Matchsmith to review two of your favourite dating apps, curate your photos and redesign you bio for maximum impact. Matches & More - $190 This includes what is offered in the Profile Polish as well as look at how you approach the app, and recommended tips and conversation starters for five matches. Monthly Membership - $1,500 This includes everything offered in options one and two, as well as the service taking over your favourite app. This option also adds additional personal phone and messaging support for before and after dates. Advertisement Anna Resnik (pictured left with Ms Bartter), one of Ms Bartter's clients, told Sunrise: 'I am very excited to say I have met a few interesting people and, finally, I am getting somewhere' She said some of her rules including always maintaining emotional momentum with people and moving off the app as soon as you can into a real-life date. Ms Bartter said she builds a full client profile to find out what people do and don't like. She said she wouldn't spend more than a week talking to one potential suitor so that she doesn't get into topics that are too deep. 'They know I am keeping it light and friendly to gauge whether this is the right person and then we'll go from there,' she said. While she doesn't have any 'classic pick-up lines' she does recommend making a comment about photographs such as asking where it was taken. A devastated mother has revealed how she's spending the final moments with her three-year-old daughter after doctors discovered cancerous tumours on her brain. Queensland mother Mariah Ebsworth, 22, said her toddler Kalietah Evans was diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours in March 2018 after she started suffering fevers, seizures and vomiting. She went through eight months of gruelling chemotherapy following her shock diagnosis. On the morning of January 15, the little girl was rushed to hospital after her terrified mother found her unresponsive in bed when she failed to wake up. Following a CT scan, the distraught family were told there was nothing doctors could do after results found an aggressive growth on her brain. Queensland mother Mariah Ebsworth has revealed how she's spending the final moments with her three-year-old daughter Kalietah after doctors discovered cancerous tumours on her brain When Kalietah was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in March 2018, scans found a tumour measuring 7cm by 5cm (pictured) and she underwent surgery to have it removed. But on January 15, 2019 doctors found another aggressive growth on her brain 'It's hard, stressful. We're very sad... heartbroken,' Ms Ebsworth told Daily Mail Australia. Little Kalietah underwent her second surgery after doctors found bleeding on her brain earlier this month. 'During the surgery, the surgeon did a biopsy of the thin outer layer of her brain,' Ms Ebsworth said. 'I had a meeting with the doctors just to be told that biopsy results came back with tumour cells all through it which means there's nothing they can do for her no more.' As her condition deteriorates, little Kalietah - who's currently in hospital - will return home on Thursday to spend time with her family. Despite the heartbreaking ordeal, Ms Ebsworth said her brave daughter has remained positive during her battle. 'She says she's very happy to me everyday and she's always smiling,' she said. Little Kalietah (pictured left with her grandmother Irene and right with her mother Mariah) underwent her second surgery after doctors found bleeding on her brain earlier this month Little Kalietah is seen spending quality time with her six-year-old brother Jaleel in hospital 'As on Thursday this week, they are letting me take my baby girl home to spend the rest of her life,' Ms Ebsworth said. 'We don't know how long she's got because the tumours are rapidly growing.' At the age of two, Kalietah underwent a nine-hour surgery to have a tumour measuring 7cm by 5cm removed after she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer called embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes in March, 2018. In an emotional post on Facebook, the mother made a desperate plea for help after she set up a GoFundMe page seeking money for medical expenses. 'I pray to God he's going to get me and my little girl through this, no little child should deserve what she's going through,' the mother said. 'Please donate to help me make the rest of her life as fun as possible.' A man who almost died during a holiday to the Amazon has revealed how the experience lead to him relocate there for good. Born in Scotland Chris Clark, 58, now calls Xixuau, one of South America's most remote areas, his home living on a strip of river bank with his family. Presenter Ben Fogle make the two day long journey out to his home to spend a week with Chris in the final episode of his Channel 5 series, New Lives in the Wild. But while Chris describes his current dwelling as a kind of 'utopia' his first introduction to the rainforest was a rocky one that nearly resulted in his death. Chris Clark calls Xixuau, one of South America's most remote areas, his home. He moved there after falling in love with the Amazon back in 1983 despite a near-death experience after becoming lost in the rainforest for three days After spending most of his youth in Italy, at 23 Chris spent two years travelling the world with Brazil being one of his destinations. But a hike in the forest took a nasty turn when he and a friend became lost for a total of three days and three nights. Speaking to Ben in tonight's episode he explains: 'We didn't have anything to eat and there was really hilly terrain - all swampy in the middle, (and there were) millions of mosquitoes. We had to spend the night in the forest.' After another night sleeping rough in the forest Chris and his pal had an encounter with a jaguar and decided to build a raft in order to float upstream before they were rescued. He began commuting back to Brazil six times a year before moving there permanently with his Italian wife and two daughters (pictured with their dad) Chris has since divorced his former wife and remarried a local woman named Artemisia with whom he lives with his step-son Ray and their daughter Shania Chris continued: 'I was just thinking 'hey God get me out of this I don't know if I can handle another night in the forest like this', it was such a relief when we were found.' But far from deterring Chris, he said it helped cement his love of the area. He added: 'In certain times of crisis you learn a lot about yourself, you learn a lot about the people that you're with, in a way I sort of fell in love with the Amazon during those four days I think.' Leaving a lasting impression Chris continued to return to the Amazon, commuting up to six times a year from his renovations business in Italy to work with the local community. Chris (pictured as a schoolboy) was born in Scotland but spent most of his youth in Italy Chris (pictured with his ex-wife) sold his renovation company in 2004 in order to move to the Amazon permanently with his family In 2004 Chris sold his company and moved permanently to Xixuau with his Italian wife and two daughters. Fast forward to 2019 and Chris' life looks a little different having remarried a local woman Artemisia. The couple live in a wooden house on stilts, which Chris built himself, with their daughter Shania and Chris' step son Ray. The family rely on a small generator for their electricity, and with the nearest shop a 24 hour boat ride away, normally fish and hunt for their food with delicacies including wild pig and piranhas. Chris now lives in a wooden house on stilts, which he built himself, and Ben Fogle came and stayed with the family for a week With most shops a 24 hour boat ride away Chris relies on the environment for his food, seen here piranha fishing with Ben As well as running a small tourism business Chris has focused his efforts on local conservation campaigning for the area to become a federal nature reserve. This became a reality last year and Chris saw 10,000 hectares of the local forest protected. However, this saw the father faced with a new threat when he began to challenge the behaviour of some of the younger locals. He explains to Ben: 'In the past the threats came from outside, we had a lot of problems with commercial fishing boats and turtle hunters. 'Unfortunately that's changed and its like the enemy is from within, (with) some of the new generations of local people here.' Chris said that he has challenged the turtle hunters in the village, but is now being faced with death threats. He continued: 'We live getting threatened all the time - even the children get threatened. He says that while he would like to take his wife and children to see Scotland he has no intention of ever leaving Chris concentrates his efforts on local conservation, and revealed that clashes with local turtle hunters has seen his family receive death threats 'We travelled to town recently and left one of the girls to look after the house and one of the guys from the village came over saying he was going to burn the house down and that she better get out or she would die.' But despite the tensions with some of the fellow visitors Chris says he has no intention of leaving. I would like to take Artemisia and the kids to visit Europe and Scotland - but not to live no. I'll be buried under some big old tree out the back.' Ben questions whether he is ever worried about growing older in such a wild environment, but it seems Chris is accepting of his fate. He says: 'I think getting older in a place like this you have to accept that you're not going to get the level of medical attention that you would get in the first world. If you're going to spend the rest of your life in a place like this it's probably going to be a couple of years shorter but what the hell. 'I would rather live somewhere where I'm happy than prolong my life somewhere where I'm not happy.' The final episode in the series of Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. Catch up on My5. An Australian couple were recently forced to re-organise their wedding in just seven hours after a freak lightning strike sparked a bushfire near their planned venue. Teagan Dwyer, 26, and Aaron Hamilton, 25, met in high school in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, got engaged in May, 2018, and immediately started planning their dream day. And over the Australia Day long weekend Ms Dwyer and Mr Hamilton, his family and Ms Dwyer's parents went to the rural Victoria venue Howqua Valley Views in 43C heat to set up the space. Scroll down for video An Australian couple were recently forced to re-organise their wedding in just seven hours after a freak lightning strike sparked a bushfire near their planned venue After the rehearsal the couple and their closest family and friends headed to a nearby town to have dinner. 'Following dinner, at approximately 8:30pm, I checked my phone and noticed I had a voicemail from Lynden [the venue owner],' Ms Dwyer told FEMAIL. 'She stated that a lightning bolt had struck and started a bushfire and for me to call her back as soon as possible.' When Ms Dwyer called back she was told the venue owners Lynden and Ian, who also lived at the establishment, were evacuating but would grab the wedding dress and tuxedo. Lightning strike: A lightning bolt had struck and started a bushfire, meaning it was unsafe to be at the venue. The couple were forced to find a new place for the reception. Pictured before (left) and after (right) When Ms Dwyer called back she was told the venue owners Lynden and Ian, who also lived at the establishment, were evacuating but would grab the wedding dress and tuxedo. Pictured: The fire at Howqua Valley Views Ms Dwyer was told it was unsafe to return to the venue that night and would have to find accommodation elsewhere. If the fire wasn't under control the next day they wouldn't be able to have their wedding there, but Ms Dwyer was confident that the fire would be under control by the next morning. However a text a 6.30am alerted her that this wouldn't be the case as the fire was in fact growing. Determined: 'I was distressed on the inside but calm as I could be on the outside as I knew if I did not stay calm, we would not be getting married that day and I was not having that,' Ms Dwyer said 'I barely slept that night, had an upset stomach due to stress and when I got the venue owner's text I knew instantly that the odds were not in our favour or theirs,' Ms Dwyer said. 'I was distressed on the inside but calm as I could be on the outside as I knew if I did not stay calm, we would not be getting married that day and I was not having that!' Ms Dwyer quickly leaped into action to ensure she would be walking down the aisle, having already called her celebrant in case she needed to make back-up plans. They made plans to meet at another venue, Mansfield Botanic Park, in the morning to figure out whether it would be a suitable spot for their ceremony, and quickly that became the new place they would have their wedding. 'Between 7am and 7:45am I attempted to contact all vendors including hairdresser, makeup artist, florist, caterer, photographer and videographer to let them know of a possible relocation before jumping in my car to meet the celebrant at 8am,' she said. Lynden and Ian suggested the Mansfield Showgrounds could work as a place to hold the reception, and by 9.40am she had a new place for her ceremony and reception. 'When it was confirmed we would have to relocate the Lynden and Ian thankfully said that if we could get there quickly we could get out all of our things including tables, chairs, decorations, clothes, two cars, and our cool room full of drinks,' Ms Dwyer said. The venue owners from the initial establishment suggested a spot that could work as a reception, and by 9.40am she had a new place for her ceremony and reception Race to get it set up: 'When it was confirmed we would have to relocate the original venue owners thankfully said that if we could get there quickly we could get out all of our things including tables, chairs, decorations, clothes, two cars, and our cool room full of drinks,' Ms Dwyer said 'I sent my husband-to-be to contact all family members and friends that had already arrived that owned a ute or trailer to convoy up to the venue. In the end there was a convoy of eight cars that got everything out of there in less than two hours.' Over the next six hours around 30 members of the bride and groom's family transformed the reception. Ian Lynch from Howqua Valley Views told Daily Mail Australia he and Lynden were disappointed the couple couldn't have the wedding at their establishment. 'We did everything we could to help them as they were such a lovely couple,' he said. He said they had a terrific day in spite of the fire raging a kilometre from their original venue. Mr Lynch told Daily Mail Australia the couple came to have tea with him the next day and give him a card to thank him. The shift in venue meant the couple had to change the wedding's entire timeline. 'Aaron and I were always going to have a first look photo shoot before the ceremony but there was absolutely no time and so the feeling of seeing him for the first time standing at the alter was absolutely incredible,' Ms Dwyer said. Over the next six hours around 30 members of the bride and groom's family transformed the reception and change the wedding's entire timeline She said it was a miracle and many guests commented that it couldn't be known that the wedding wasn't supposed to be there the entire time 'Then to walk into the reception hall and see the space absolutely transformed and unrecognisable from what it was that morning took my breath away and brought me to tears.' She said it was a miracle and many guests commented that it couldn't be known that the wedding wasn't supposed to be there the entire time. 'Now in the aftermath, we feel so loved and so exhilarated. We are incredibly grateful to our hardworking families that pulled together when we needed them without a second thought.' Online shopping has its pitfalls when what you ordered looks very different in the flesh, but now shoppers have hit out at PrettyLittleThing for sending the wrong item completely. Three separate customers have angrily tweeted the online retailer after receiving completely pieces of clothing to what they ordered, including a pair of pink trousers instead of a bodycon dress. Another got a leopard print coat instead of a snakeskin trench, while another received the correct dress, but found it was labelled as both a size 10 and a size 14. One of the unhappy customers was Sophie Hurren from Norwich who ordered a champagne satin cowl neck ring detail bodycon dress from the online clothing giant, but received a pair of pink flares instead. Posing in the trousers online, Sophie wrote: ' Ordered a dress from @OfficialPLT and got these ? Flares or what. Fml' Sophie Hurren from Norwich ordered a champagne satin cowl neck ring (left) detail bodycon dress from the online clothing giant, but received a pair of pink trousers instead (right) Posing in the trousers online, Sophie wrote : ' Ordered a dress from @OfficialPLT and got these ? Flares or what. Fml' Her friend Anais Bentley, who was with her at the time, told Femail, that recieving the wrong dress was 'very annoying' as it was for a party that evening. She said: 'We laughed about it because the trousers were completely different to the dress that she ordered but we were so annoyed because it was just a few hours before we were going to a party and she planned to wear that dress. 'We have shopped there quite a lot before and I dont think Ill be shopping there again for a while'. Adding that Sophie was forced to wear old clothes to the party, Anais said that PrettyLittleThing need to 'sort this out'. And Sophie wasn't the only one to receive a completely different item. Jess Eve ordered a white pearl and chain detail scuba body con dress for 25.00 (left). But in it's place, Jess was sent a 100 tassel bodycon dress (right) 'What I ordered vs what I received, thanks @OfficialPLT' Jess tweeted sarcastically after receiving the dress Jess shared this image of the dress (left) which was a completely different frock to the one she ordered. Right, how the dress is advertised online Jess Eve ordered a white pearl and chain detail scuba body con dress for 25.00. But in it's place, she was sent a 100 Cia Gold Premium Lace Panel Tassel Bodycon Dressdress. 'What I ordered vs what I received, thanks @OfficialPLT' Jess tweeted sarcastically after receiving the dress. Ellicee Rose said she'd been 'coatfished ' after forked out 50 on a brown snakeskin trenchcoat which looked nothing alike to how it was online (left, how it looked online, right, how it arrived) And a third shopper said they'd been 'coatfished' after forking out 50 on a brown snakeskin trench that arrived looking totally different. Online, the coat had a snakeskin print and a waterproof finish, but the item that arrived was matte and leopard print. Sharing online, the shopper called Ellicee Rose wrote: ' Ive been COAT CATFISHED from @OfficialPLT.' Natalie Bragg shared an image of a black dalmatian print rib roll neck long sleeve bodysuit, which she ordered in a size 10. While the bodysuit was labelled a 'size 10' in the neck, the lower label said it was a 14 Natalie Bragg wrote : 'Think you need to review how your product sizes are labelled' And the retailer has come under fire for more than just the wrong items arriving. One shopper shared an image of a black dalmatian print rib roll neck long sleeve bodysuit, which she ordered in a size 10. While the bodysuit was labelled a 'size 10' in the neck, the lower label said it was a 14. Natalie Bragg wrote: 'Think you need to review how your product sizes are labelled. Tag and label at top say size 10 (which was ordered), but the lower inside label says 14?! This could seriously affect people, if youre a size 10 and the "14" doesnt fit. Who knows what size this is.' Femail has contacted PrettyLittleThing for comment This is just the latest slew of complaints the clothing company has faced with a whole host of shoppers recently coming forward with their disappointing purchases... The coat that looked three sizes too big Twitter user @SophiaCK ordered an oversized 60 red coat expecting expecting a statement piece for winter. But when she received the garment it appeared to be at least three times too big, drowning her in fabric. She shared a hilarious side-by-side comparison of herself in the coat alongside the model in the coat with the tweet: 'The very rare occasion when the plus size item you ordered online is way bigger than expected,' later adding: 'Who wore it better?' And the responses were just as witty, with one person writing, 'Great way to sneak snacks into the cinema,' while another jokingly added: 'Don't you dare send this rare piece of haute couture back.' Sophie later followed up with two more photos, adding a funny tweet: 'Who was the designer who thinks fat people's bodies are just expanded out from thin peoples in a way that would make this collar and these sleeves make sense. I just want to talk.' Twitter user @SophiaCK from the US took the retailer to task over a plus-size jacket which was ridiculously over-sized in a series of hilarious tweets. She is the latest in a string of shoppers to have been left disappointed with the clothes they received from PrettyLittleThing She shopper ordered an oversized 60 red coat expecting expecting a statement piece for winter. But the garment she received was so large it left her drowning in fabric, pictured Twitter users were quick to offer their playful takes on the jacket, with one saying it could be a re-purposed Elmo costume Twitter users were quick to suggest playful takes on the jacket. 'I feel like they just repurposed those Elmo costumes from amusement parks,' wrote one, while someone else penned, 'It also looks like it could be used as a robe/towel .' Another added: 'Girl that looks cozy as hell though! I want to zip it up and snuggle in there with you!' while one more commented: 'Those sleeves! You could get an entire chicken in one of those pockets, should you need to.' The mini dress that fell below the knees Megan Leese, from Glasgow, asked the retailer to 'reevaluate' what a size four was after an oversized asymmetric blazer dress arrived and was so big it past her knees The 30 dress that was advertised online is very different to how it appeared on Megan Megan is one of many shoppers to hit out at the fashion giant for poorly sized clothing Shopper Megan Leese, from Glasgow, asked the retailer to 'reevaluate' its sizes after a mini blazer dress bought in her regular size 4 fell well below her knees and barely covered her breasts. The advert of the 50 dress online is shown as just skimming the model's thighs, with a V-neck that shows just a glimpse of cleavage. Air hostess Megan also ordered a second item - a pair of 20 houndstooth trousers - which were similarly oversized. Indeed the trousers were so long they came up far past the models chest, despite being advertised as being snug around the model's waist online. Megan also ordered a monochrome dog tooth wide leg trouser, that were so big they reached her chest The trousers, advertised for 20, are shown online as snug around the model's waist and draping down to her feet - nothing like they appeared on arrival Shopper Megan Leese, from Glasgow, asked the retailer to 'reevaluate' its sizes after a mini blazer dress bought in her regular size 4 fell well below her knees and barely covered her breasts. The advert of the 50 dress online is shown as just skimming the model's thighs, with a V-neck that shows just a glimpse of cleavage. Air hostess Megan also ordered a second item - a pair of 20 houndstooth trousers - which were similarly oversized. Indeed the trousers were so long they came up far past the models chest, despite being advertised as being snug around the model's waist online. The jumpers with sleeves down to the knees Two shoppers have been recently caught out when they ordered jumpers with sleeves so long they stretched down to their knees. Lauren Tomlinson, 20, shared an image online of herself in the 20 stone loose knit oversized jumper from the online retail giant in a size small. A picture advertising the garment online shows the loose-fit number still clinging to the model's body, with the sleeves stopping at her wrists. However, Lauren from Cambridge found the jumper fit very differently, as she was completely engulfed by the beige number. Lauren Tomlinson, 20, asked PrettyLittleThing 'who's arms are that long' as she shared an image online of herself in the 20 oversized jumper from the online retail giant in a size small An image advertising the jumper online shows it as a snug fit on the model with sleeves stopping at the wrists Lauren took to social media to describe her experience with the retailer and insisted she ordered the same size as the model, but it completely engulfed her Posting a side-by-side picture with the image online, she wrote: '@OfficialPLT are you having a laugh? Small Oversized same size as the model. Who has that long arms?' A second shopper had a similar experience. Carla Ryan, 21, from Dublin ,accused the brand of 'scamming' after she bought a 28 (24.80) pink oversized colourblock jumper. PrettyLittleThing's website shows a model looking cosy in the pastel-coloured garment paired with purple trousers. But on arrival Carla discovered the sleeves of the knit completely enveloped her, and while the body of the jumper stopped at her waist, the sleeves went past her knees. Carla Ryan, 21, from Dublin accused the brand of 'scamming' after she bought a 28 jumper from the retailer PrettyLittleThing's website shows a model looking cosy in the pastel-coloured garment paired with purple trousers Referencing the many times PrettyLittleThing has experienced sizing fails, she wrote 'OfficialPLT scamming us all again' '@OfficialPLT scamming us all again' she wrote as she shared side-by-side images of the model and herself. The item's description reads: 'Can't decide on a colour? No problem, rock this colourblock jumper and wear them all. Featuring a pink, blue and lilac knitted fabric in an oversized style. Team this with more pastels for a totally on-trend look that will get you noticed. PrettyLittleThing has reached out to both Lauren and Carla, and Femail have contacted all three parties for further comment. Beauty mogul Huda Kattan has revealed she almost got a divorce because of her obsession with working. Huda met her husband Christopher Goncalo at university, and the pair married in 2008 - but it hasn't always been plain sailing, reports Cosmopolitan. The influencer, who launched her wildly successful cosmetics brand Huda Beauty in 2013, said that it took Chris falling ill and spending two weeks in the hospital to save their relationship. She told the magazine: 'I'm really obsessed with working like my dad and in the beginning, Chris and I almost got divorced. 'He got a perforated ulcer and was in the hospital for two weeks. I think he thought I was going to leave him and go back to work, but I stood by him every single day. Beauty mogul Huda Kattan says that her 'obsession' with work almost caused her to get a divorce as she graces the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine Huda met her husband Christopher Goncalo, pictured together earlier this month, at university, and the pair married in 2008 'He thought of me differently then. Family always comes first.' The 35-year-old makeup artist, who was born in Oklahoma but now lives in Dubai, is the CEO of the billion-dollar makeup brand and has 32 million followers on Instagram. She built her brand by discovering a gap in the market, launching premium fake eyelashes that quickly sold out before expanding into other cosmetics. Huda told Cosmopolitan that it took Chris falling ill and spending two weeks in the hospital to save their relationship. She said: 'He thought of me differently then. Family always comes first' On her blog and social media accounts, Huda talks openly about her plastic surgery and lip fillers. Speaking about surgery, Huda said: 'I have fillers in my cheeks, face and lips, but I've been dissolving them recently because I want it more natural. 'I'm not ashamed [of cosmetic work] I think if you want to do it, you should not be ashamed. 'I did my nose and my boobs together, when we launched the brand, because I had breast-fed and felt ashamed to show them to my husband. 'I was scared when I went to do it, but I'm really happy [with the results]. I know a lot of celebrities deny they've had work but I don't understand why you would lie.' Huda was born in Oklahoma City, but moved to Cookeville, Tennessee, and then Boston, Massachusetts. She went to university in Michigan before moving to Dubai and then to Los Angeles, where she studied makeup. As an Iraqi-American, Huda struggled to fit in as a child, facing cruel taunts from bullies. She told Cosmopolitan: 'From the beginning, I didnt feel as though I fitted in. Some kids went out of their way to make me feel like an outsider. Huda, 35, also revealed that she struggled with her identity, and was bullied by cruel kids who said she was hairy 'like a monkey'. But now she thinks the experience shaped her as a woman 'They didnt invite me to things and made fun of me for being hairy "like a monkey". I didnt know how to react because I just wanted to be liked.' Although she struggled with her identity, Huda thinks the experience shaped her as a woman. She added: 'I always felt like an Arab in America. Then, when I moved to the Middle East [she moved from the U.S. to Dubai after university], I felt like an American Arab. 'It was a feeling of not belonging anywhere. I had this sense of not being good enoughIm happy I went through it, because honestly its shaped me.' The full interview appears in the March 2019 issue of Cosmopolitan, on sale January 31. The CMs outburst is yet another indication of the simmering rivalry between him and Siddaramaiah, according to party sources. Bengaluru: In an indication that the Congress-JD(S) coalition could be close to an implosion and could face its biggest test yet ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offered to quit on Monday if his style of functioning was not acceptable to some Congress leaders, signaling that his own patience with running the fractious partnership was also running thin. Having faced constant challenges to his government over the past eight months from rebels in the Congress Party, Mr Kumaraswamy seemed in no mood to entertain more criticism as he responded to claims by some Congress legislators on Sunday that he was doing little for the states development and that former CM Siddaramaiah had done a better job while in office. I dont want to stick to my chair. Congress and JD(S) leaders decided to form the government to give good governance and we are doing a good job. The deputy chief minister, I and several ministers are working hard. For Bengaluru, we have already taken a decision to go ahead with the PRR, elevated corridor and suburban railway. We expect an investment of over one lakh crores in the city, he said. The CMs outburst is yet another indication of the simmering rivalry between him and Mr Siddaramaiah, according to party sources. The JD(S) has long suspected that the former CM was behind the Congress MLAs hobnobbing with the BJP and triggering the Operation Lotus scare, to keep Mr Kumaraswamy in check. With the parliamentary elections now fast approaching, Mr Siddaramaiahs supporters are reportedly feeling uneasy as the original Congressmen, like Mr D K Shivakumar and Mr Dinesh Gundurao, are steadily regaining the ground they had lost to him when he was chief minister. Also, with the JD(S) bargaining for at least 10 to 12 parliamentary seats, including Bengaluru North, that its party surpremo H.D. Deve Gowda is reportedly eyeing for himself, they are feeling more threatened, they reveal. Not only is Mr Siddaramaiah hoping the ticket for the constituency will go to his close ally, H.M. Revanna, but also to all four Congress MLAs from the constituency, RDPR minister Krishna Byregowda, S.T. Somashekhar, Byrathi Suresh and Akhanda Srinivas Murthy, who are his supporters, say sources. Sundays attack on the chief minister was meant to signal that Mr Deve Gowda was not welcome in Bengaluru North, they add. However, the incident has reportedly not been viewed kindly by the Congress leadership. The Duchess of Sussex stunned onlookers with her appearance during a black tie reception hosted by the president of Fiji, Jioji Konrote, last October. And the dazzling yellow diamond earrings Meghan Markle, 37, wore for the lavish occasion, along with a 1,095 dress by designer designer SAFiYAA, have now been revealed as being by celebrity designer Butani. At the time Kensington Palace would only say the earrings were 'borrowed' and would not reveal anything more, but recently the bloggers behind Meghans Mirror finally identified the brand. Now an expert has revealed to FEMAIL that the generously sized multi-tier earrings, could be worth up to 500,000. An array of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Kate Beckinsale, Rihanna, Christina Hendricks even Michelle Obama have also been spotted wearing the Hong Kong-based brand. Members of the royal family attending official engagements are not usually seen wearing jewellery borrowed from designers. The dazzling yellow diamond earrings Meghan Markle, 37, wore for her banquet with the president of Fiji Jioji Konrote last October have now been revealed as being by celebrity designer Butani and are thought to be worth 500,000 Speaking about the opulent earrings, Deborah Papas, gemologist at Prestige Pawnbrokers of Channel 4s Posh Pawn, said: 'The Duchess of Sussex never ceases to amaze us with the beautiful jewellery she wears. 'In Fiji she chose to wear an absolutely stand-out pair of chandelier style diamond drop earrings in three strands set with white and yellow coloured diamonds. 'Most are round but some are pear shaped to give the stepped drop effect and all set in white gold. 'These drops appear very heavy, almost pulling down the lobe, but sparkle beautifully even with the slightest turn of the head and are truly stunning. They could easily be worth 500,000 or more.' A string of celebrities are fans of the designer and Ariana Grande was pictured wearing a pair of large solitaire studs by the designer to the Met Gala in December 2018 Explaining the etiquette on royals wearing jewellery, William Hanson told FEMAIL: 'For grand events like state banquets and formal dinners, royalty usually wear more lavish, priceless jewellery. 'For less showy daytime events the 'bling' is often toned down to something more subtle and discrete, with the exception of any engagement or wedding rings.' He added: 'Royal women do have it very difficult - we all want them to look like royalty but if they wear anything too over the top or expensive they are criticised for being out of touch. They can't win.' Butani was founded in 1977 by brothers Manoj and Mukesh Butani from Hong Kong. An expert told FEMAIL that the generously sized multi-tier earrings, which Kensington Palace confirmed at the time that the pregnant duchess had borrowed, could be worth up to 500,000 William Hanson told FEMAIL: 'For grand events, like state banquets and formal dinners, royalty usually wear more lavish, priceless jewellery The brand is popular on the A list circuit, with an array of celebrities seen wearing their jewellery on the red carpet. Rihanna wore a pair of their earrings in her Love On The Brain video in 2016, which famously saw her soaking in a tub wearing nothing but jagged diamond earrings and black lipstick. Elsewhere Ariana Grande was pictured wearing a pair of large solitaire studs to the Met Gala in December, while Kate Beckinsale wore a pair of diamond string earrings to the premiere of The Only Living Boy in New York in 2017. That same year, Jennifer Lopez sported a pair of her trademark hoops embellished with diamonds by the designer for the World of Dance premiere. FEMAIL have contacted Butani for comment. A brave little girl who faced her five-year battle with cancer by 'walking tall with a big smile' is continuing to help other sufferers, eight years after losing her own fight. Rachel Ollerenshaw, 48, from Warwick, recalled how her daughter Molly was just three-years-old when an innocent fall landed her in hospital in 2006, where a rare form of kidney cancer was detected following an ultrasound scan. The brave youngster had her kidney removed, but 18 months later, in 2008, she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and forced to undergo a gruelling chemotherapy course, before being given the all-clear at the end of 2009. Tragically the family's joy didn't last long, and a new tumour appeared on Molly's liver in 2010, and despite a further operation, heavy duty chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant a fourth tumour appeared in March 2011. Sadly Molly died just months later, aged 8 however her family has praised the little girl's determined attitude, revealing that she always faced her battle 'head-on' and did what she could to help others. This month, the charity her family set up in her name reached its 2million milestone. Heartbroken Rachel said: 'We miss Molly so very much and words cannot describe the pain we feel no longer being able to hug her, have her with us and enjoy her perspective on life.' Molly Ollerenshaw, from Warwick, was just three-years-old when an innocent fall landed her in hospital in 2006, where a rare form of kidney cancer was detected following an ultrasound scan (pictured in Devon in 2007) The charity has helped her family through the pain, and speaking about her daughter's inspirational attitude and infectious character, Rachel said: 'Molly had an amazing spirit and such determination through it all. 'The impact that she made in her short eight years astounded us. To witness how she touched the lives of friends and strangers alike and how she inspired so many good acts led us to start this charity and continue her good work.' 'She stopped wearing her wigs all the time and walked tall, always with a big smile.' Recalling her daughter's brave journey, Rachel continued: 'It was only a few weeks off Molly's fourth birthday in 2006, when [husband] Tim and I noticed the first signs of her illness following a fall. 'While on a family day out Molly became increasingly uncomfortable and the situation quickly escalated when, the next day, she found herself in A&E. The brave youngster had her kidney removed, but 18 months later, in 2008, she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and forced to undergo a gruelling chemotherapy course, before being given the all-clear at the end of 2009 (seen in 2011) 'What followed was the worst possible news. It had been diagnosed as a rare kind of kidney cancer called a Wilms tumour and she was admitted to Birmingham Children's Hospital to begin a six-month course of chemotherapy before undergoing an operation to remove the kidney. 'From early 2007 we hoped that would be it and that we could put it all behind us as Mollys cancer was supposed to be one of the most treatable and luckily we had caught it early. 'Molly was given the all-clear and life began to return to normal for the Warwickshire school pupil, until the news came just 18 months later that the cancer had returned, this time on her bowel.' Speaking about her daughter's fight to cope with the gruelling sessions for the second time, Rachel said: 'More chemotherapy followed and the tumour was again removed, but Molly struggled to cope with her treatment the second time around.' But despite her own struggle, the little girl was determined to help those around her. 'It was during this time that Molly joined the CLIC Sargent Youth Advisory Group to help improve the lives of children with cancer and, in 2010, narrated an Ardmann Studios short animated film designed as a guide for coping with radiotherapy. Rachel said: 'It is being widely used today in the UK and overseas to help improve the patient experience.' Pictured: Molly, far left, with parents Tim and Rachel, and younger sister Maeve, centre, and older brother Ben. The family is heartbroken, but forming a charity in her name has helped them through it Molly was the middle child of three and for brother Ben, now 17, and sister Maeve, now 14, it's also been the steepest of emotional learning curves- her siblings pictured in 2018 with parents Tom, 60, and Rachel, 48 Free from cancer for a few more months, May 2010 was to bring the news the family had dreaded the cancer had returned again to Molly's liver. And, despite a further operation, a stem cell transplant and a further aggressive round of chemotherapy, another fourth tumour appeared in March 2011. It was to be just two and a half precious months until Molly lost her brave battle and slipped away at the family home in Hatton Park on 15th June 2011, with mum and dad by her side. Molly was the middle child of three and for brother Ben, now 17, and sister Maeve, now 14, it's also been the steepest of emotional learning curves. Rachel said: 'Molly was a bright child. She understood the seriousness of her illness and we were always honest with her, but to tell her and her siblings that she was going to die was truly heartbreaking. 'We had two and a half months. Molly died at home in our arms on 15th June 2011.' Mother Rachel has released a book in her name as part of the charity in Molly's name. Throughout her battle, Molly continued to 'smile and stand proud', narrating and taking part in a film which continues to help children through radiotherapy Pictured: Molly, right, and little sister Maeve, are seen dressed up as nurses as they played, in 2007 Talking about Rachel's siblings, Rachel said: 'Maeve was two when Molly was diagnosed and Ben was five. 'I never told them untruths. So while we might not have been blunt in saying this is what it is, we never skirted around the truth and when they asked 'Is Molly going to die?' 'I said 'yes' because I didn't want them to hear it from somebody else. I wanted to be the one to deliver that information to my children. It helps them to come to terms with things.' 'All four of us dealt with it very differently. We're a close family but all of us reacted differently and I think it's about accepting that. There is no right or wrong way necessarily. It's about letting people come to terms with things in their own time.' Brave Molly is seen performing ballet in 2006, shortly after her diagnosis, and her family said she kept her smile throughout the battle Molly is pictured with short hair after ditching wigs and narrating and starring in a short film to help other young sufferers deal with radiotherapy Tim and Rachel had spent a large part of those five years in and out of hospital and soon realised that many of the patients they met did not benefit from the emotional or financial support that they had received for Molly and her siblings. Driven by this and a determination to keep Molly's legacy alive -Molly Olly's Wishes was officially born in September 2011. Rachel said: 'We take massive comfort from helping other children and their families in their dark days and that keeps Molly in all our hearts.' The charity has come a long way in eight years, and the 2 million milestone is one of which Rachel and Tim are justifiably proud. During a visit to an Enrique Iglesias concert at the NEC just days after receiving the news that she was going to die in 2011, Molly was invited both backstage and on stage with him Tim Ollerenshaw said: 'When we started The Charity I never anticipated that there would be a day when we could announce that 2m had been raised. What a testament to all those who have contributed for the benefit of children and their families challenged by serious illness. 'One of my fears when Molly died is that she would be forgotten but everyday she lives on with the help the charity provides to others. Molly was full of smiles, positivity and thoughtfulness and incredibly determined. The charity aims to mirror those traits in our work.' Having gained its charity status in 2012, the charity has so far helped more than 1,500 children from newborn to age 18 by granting individual wishes. They may take the form of equipment to help a child live day to day with their condition; an alternative therapy treatment to complement traditional medicine, or even a special occasion or day out. Mascot of the charity is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane that helps to explain and normalise the hair loss that comes with many types of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly the Brave pack that has now been handed out to 40 hospitals across the UK along with a book Olly The Brave And The Wigglys. Pictured: Molly, shortly after her tragic diagnosis, aged three with her brother Ben A mother-of-two has debuted her new body after flying overseas for a 'mummy makeover' procedure. Kacey Louise, from New Zealand, travelled to Thailand to undergo a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and get fat transferred from her body to her face. The package cost her $13,000, which covered accommodation and medical treatments in a Thai hospital. She decided to undergo the extensive procedures following the birth of her two children which were delivered via Caesarean section. Kacey Louise from Christchurch (pictured left) said the birth of her two children had left her with excess skin which affected the way she felt about her body Ms Louise (right) reveals her new body post-surgery and says that while she has no regrets the process was 'a bit of an emotional rollercoaster' What is an umbilical hernia? An umbilical hernia occurs when the abdominal wall layers don't join completely, and the intestine or other tissues from inside the abdominal cavity bulge through the weak spot around the belly button. Source: Healthline Advertisement 'My body was literally taken over by my children and I think a lot of mums will be able to get where I'm coming from with that one,' she told Seven Sharp. She has since undergone her procedures, which also included the removal of an umbilical hernia. The mum-of-two, who was in Thailand in early January for the surgery, has since returned home to New Zealand where she's recovering. It was an experience Ms Louise described as a 'bit of an emotional rollercoaster'. 'After surgery, I was like, "What the heck have I done?"' Ms Louise said. 'I was too scared to look. I looked at my boobs and I was like, "Yeah, mean".' In order to create a line-free stomach, surgeons needed to create an entirely new belly button She also said after the anaesthetic wore off she suffered an emotional meltdown - something that was fairly common among patients. This happened on day five of her recovery process. While she flaunted her new physique on the show, she explained some bruising is still yet to heal. Two scars on either side of her hips also revealed where she had liposuction. Surgical procedures to remove excess skin also meant doctors needed to fashion a new belly button. This too was also in the process of healing. While Ms Louise said she was pleased by the results, she stressed surgery like hers should only be done if the person is 100 per cent sure they are doing it for themselves. 'Make sure it's for you and not for someone else,' she said. 'Make sure it's for you and not for someone else. Make sure it's legit for you,' said Ms Louise In Australia, cosmetic tourism - a term used to describe travelling overseas for surgical procedures in combination with a holiday - is on the rise. A study found that each year 15,000 Australians travel off-shore for surgery and will spend and will spend an estimated $300m, consumer watchdog CHOICE reports. And while saving money was a big drawcard when it came to choosing an off-shore location, it was also found there was a belief the work itself was better overseas. 'Most people are attracted to it because it is cheap overseas but the agents are beginning to tell us that they are servicing people who are choosing to go overseas because they think they will get better work done,' said Dr Meredith Jones from the University of Technology, Sydney, who worked on the study. Caramba, there was crossness in the Commons over Venezuela. Some of it was even directed at Nicolas Maduro, alleged election-fixer and communist president of that unhappy country. Rather more of yesterday's aggro' was of a red on red variety, with Labour MPs laying into top Corbynites. To complete the banquet we had some vintage indignation from Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan, a man whose whole being seems to cry 'why am I not Foreign Secretary?' An urgent question on Venezuela had been granted to Mike Gapes, a lumbering Blairite who is vehemently opposed to Brexit. Just the man, therefore, to argue respect for democracy. Sir Alan, pinkening, pursed his lips with anger. Odd to think that he used to be known for his lightness of touch Mr Gapes (Ilford S) was revolted by a pro-Maduro letter in the Guardian newspaper signed by 'assorted Stalinists, Trotskyists, anti-Semites and members of Labour's frontbench'. They included Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and other Labour MPs. 'Poundland Lenins,' boomed Sir Nicholas Soames (Con, Mid-Sussex). John Bercow, Speaker, felt Mr Gapes had made a speech with too few questions. He had been 'slightly more interested in what he had to say to the House rather than in what the minister had to say to him'. We could never say this about Bercow himself, could we? Mr Gapes had pronounced the 'Nicolas' of Maduro's name without the letter S. Sir Alan failed to observe that delice but he was not to be outdone on the condemnation front, accusing 'Maduro and his cronies' of a regime in which judicial executions and political imprisonment were rife. Venezuela's opposition leader should become interim president unless new elections were announced within eight days. As for the Guardian letter-writers, they were 'a list of signatures of shame'. Sir Alan, pinkening, pursed his lips with anger. Odd to think that he used to be known for his lightness of touch. He approvingly cited the European Union's view that 'the voice of the people could not be ignored'. Blimey. Has that position been cleared with the European Commission? Lady Wobbles, aka shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, stepped with care. She deplored Venezuela's failing democracy but it would be 'a mistake to think changing the leader will solve every problem'. There was crossness in the Commons over Venezuela. Some of it was even directed at Nicolas Maduro (pictured), alleged election-fixer and communist president of that unhappy country Those words fell from her lips in, you might almost say, a practised way. She noted tartly that the Foreign Office was happy to sell arms to and do trade with the iffy regime in Honduras. Sir Alan gave her a patronising spiel about what 'right-thinking people' thought. This dubious phrase was also voiced by Angela Smith (non-Corbynite Lab, Penistone & Stocksbridge). She added that her friend Lady Massey's name had been wrongly affixed to the Guardian letter. Shades of the Daily Beast sending for the wrong William Boot, perhaps. Dennis Skinner (Lab, Bolsover) signed the bad, bad letter but, having sniffed trouble on t' breeze, stayed firmly in his seat. Skinner didn't get where he is today by being brave. That was left to Chris Williamson (hard-Left Lab, Derby N), who said foreign involvement in the affairs of a sovereign country 'could precipitate civil war'. Sir Alan, spectacles misting with disgust, recalled Soames's 'Poundland Lenins' remark and said Mr Williamson was 'not even worth a penny, let alone a pound'. Chris Leslie (Blairite Lab, Nottingham E) glowered at Mr Williamson, saying those sort of Lefties 'should apologise'. Tom Tugendhat (Con, Tonbridge & Malling), the not entirely overwhelming chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, thundered about 'despots and dictators' being 'against democracy'. He's pro EU, by the way. We heard that the Bank of England holds much of Venezuela's gold reserves. Sir Alan did not quite threaten to seize it. Jim Shannon (DUP, Strangford) praised Sir Alan on a recent TV interview. Sir Alan said he was seen more on foreign TV than domestic channels these days. 'I'm more popular abroad than at home,' he sighed. In that, at least, he may have something in common with Senor Maduro. One of the defining characteristics of academics is that they notice things roughly 50 years after everyone else, and then trumpet their findings with enormous pride. True to form, it has just occurred to the new dean of the University of Buckingham School of Education, Barnaby Lenon, that former public school pupils tend to alter their accents so that they dont seem so posh. Being posh these days is not a good thing, says Mr Lenon, who was once Headmaster of Harrow. Margaret Thatcher grew up with a Lincolnshire accent. Before her parents enrolled her in elocution lessons, she pronounced mustard moostard and custard coostard [File photo] There has long been a tendency for schoolchildren at private schools to adopt their own language and certainly with an emphasis on mockney. It continues into adult life . . . they do not want to appear to be upper class because being upper class is not a good thing. If you are in politics, for instance, you want to be a man of the people. I would say that most Etonians and Harrovians these days go out of their way to employ an estuary accent. Stale buns! as my mother would say. George Orwell first noticed this tendency more than 70 years ago. In the early Sixties, when The Beatles first became famous, John Lennons Aunt Mimi wrote to one of his fans complaining that John had exaggerated his Scouse accent on television [File photo] After World War I he said the upper classes and lower classes began to moderate their accents, creating an artificial middle-class manner of speech, and losing a lot of poetry and character along the way. For years, people have been brushing their accents up or down in order to fit in. In the early Sixties, when The Beatles first became famous, John Lennons Aunt Mimi wrote to one of his fans complaining that John had exaggerated his Scouse accent on television. When he came home, I said, John, whats all this about, whats happened to your voice? . . . He didnt really talk like that. I brought him up properly, not to talk like a ruffian. Others took the more old-fashioned route, and tried to make their accents posher. Margaret Thatcher grew up with a Lincolnshire accent. Before her parents enrolled her in elocution lessons, she pronounced mustard moostard and custard coostard. Tony Blair was regularly criticised for going the other way, slopping up his public school accent in an attempt to make it more egalitarian, saying Peepaw for people and guvmun for government [File photo] Who can blame her for altering her accent to accommodate her social and political ambitions? The world was much more snobbish then. For centuries, snootier politicians had mocked others regional accents. Disraeli used to poke fun at Sir Robert Peel for his traces of Staffordshire accent, and William Gladstone (another Liverpudlian) was teased by his political opponents for retaining his accent: he used to pronounce nuts nots, for instance. Throughout his unhappy Premiership in the early Seventies, Edward Heath, the son of a carpenter, was mocked by snobbish comedians for his unsatisfactory attempts at making himself sound posher than he really was. Monty Pythons Flying Circus brought out a record called Teach Yourself Heath, in which Eric Idle poked fun at the way Heath pronounced out as ayot, down as dyain and housing as hayowsing. Twenty years after Heaths heyday, Tony Blair was regularly criticised for going the other way, slopping up his public school accent in an attempt to make it more egalitarian, saying Peepaw for people and guvmun for government. This is the creaky old phenomenon that Barnaby Lenon has just noticed. He has also pointed out that Prince William has turned his natural accent into something flatter and less fruity. At the same time, the Prince employs notably un-Royal phrases like Ill ask the Missus. But for the past half century the Queen herself has been slowly but surely dumbing down her accent. If you listen to her first televised Christmas broadcast, she speaks with an accent that would strike most people today as so over-the-top as to be parodic. She says hames for homes, for instance, and hape for hope, and menkind for mankind. Throughout his unhappy Premiership in the early Seventies, Edward Heath, the son of a carpenter, was mocked by snobbish comedians for his unsatisfactory attempts at making himself sound posher than he really was [File photo] Heppy Christmas, she begins. She then mentions that May ain femileh awfen gether rarnd to watch television . . . end thet is hay I imagine you now. Sixty years on, she is still no Danny Dyer, but her voice has become much less rarefied. These days, the only person whose accent is growing grander is Jacob Rees-Mogg. He says frayends for friends and acraws for across. He makes the Queen seem common. His direction of travel posh to even posher is much odder than Tony Blairs and Prince Williams. Yet it seems to pay dividends. Perhaps, in 30 years or so, the academics might tell us what it means. Before the big chill, we'll have some snow and rain to deal with Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi said Gadkaris statement on keeping promises seemed like it was meant for Modi. New Delhi: The BJP, which has been squirming over Union minister Nitin Gadkaris subtle digs at his own government, on Monday dragged in the Congress claming the ministers latest barbs were targeted at its main rival. On Sunday, Mr Gadkari had said political leaders who sell dreams to people but fail to make them a reality get beaten up by the public, which the Opposition parties claimed was directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. Asked to react to Mr Gadkaris comments, his Cabinet colleague Prakash Javadekar claimed that the former BJP chief was targeting the Congress and exposing how the Opposition party had damaged the country. Gadkariji was explaining how the Congress has damaged the country and was citing examples of how the country is progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi...He delivers impactful speeches to expose the Congress, said Mr Javadekar. In the recent past, Mr Gadkaris statements have put the BJP in a tight spot, including ones where he said the leadership should have the tendency to own up defeats and failures, which came days after the BJP lost the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, and that politicians should not interfere in other fields, that was soon after the controversy over the annual Marathi literary meet. Insisting that Mr Gadkaris remarks had been twisted, BJP spokesman and Rajya Sabha G.V.L. Narsimha Rao was quoted as saying: Nitin Gadkaris comments are now being twisted and political benefit being taken out of it. He was hinting towards the Congress, that only gave slogans of Garibi Hatao (remove poverty), but didnt do anything for poverty alleviation, and towards Rahul Gandhi, who makes empty promises. Reacting to Mr Gadkaris remarks, AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted: PMO India, Sir, Nitin Gadkari is showing you the mirror, and in a very subtle way. Claiming that the ministers remarks were an indication of voices being raised within the BJP over Mr Modis failures, NCP national spokesman Nawab Malik said: The way Gadkariji has become outspoken after the Assembly polls in the three states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh)... indicates that there will be no Modi and BJP government after the polls. Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi said Mr Gadkaris statement on keeping promises seemed like it was meant for Mr Modi. He claimed since so many promises had not been kept, Mr Gadkari had therefore hinted that the Prime Minister doesnt have the right to handle the leadership of the country. The Madhya Pradesh Congress tweeted to ask if Mr Gadkaris remarks were a direct attack aimed at the Prime Minister. Modiji, the people are coming, it said. In the Jind Assembly by-election, the turnout was recorded at 75.77 per cent, officials said. Jind/Jaipur: A high voter turnout was recorded in both Haryanas Jind and Rajasthans Ramgarh assembly constituencies Monday, where the Congress and the BJP are locked in a battle of prestige. In the Jind Assembly by-election, the turnout was recorded at 75.77 per cent, officials said. The turnout was 78.9 per cent in Ramgarh, where the election was deferred following the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh a few days before the December 7 Assembly polls in the state, which installed a Congress-led government in place of a BJP-led dispensation. The officials said the turnout in both seats is likely to increase as there were people in queues in several booths after 5 pm, the scheduled time for voting to end. Counting of votes will take place on January 31. The election was multi-cornered in Jind in Haryana, ahead of parliamentary and Assembly elections are due in later this year. All four major contenders in Jind the ruling BJP, Congress, the INLD and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD have pulled out all the stops for a victory, which could prove to be a morale booster for the rank and file. The Jind bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishna Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron partys candidate for the by-election. The Congress fielded its chief national spokesperson and sitting MLA from Kaithal constituency Randeep Singh Surjewala. The INLD is banking on Umed Redhu to retain the seat. The JJP has put its weight behind Digvijay Chautala, the younger son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala, who broke away from the INLD and floated the party. For the BJP, Congress, INLD and the JJP, the outcome would help in a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year. The high-stakes election is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections. In Rajasthans Ramgarh constituency, the polling was peaceful and no untoward incident took place. Twenty candidates, including two women, are in the fray. The BSP has fielded former Union minister Natwar Singh's son and former MLA Jagat Singh, while former Alwar Zila Pramukh Shafia Zubair Khan is contesting as Congress candidate and Sukhwant singh as the BJP candidate. Paul Kirby is a reporter for the Freeman, covering Kingston politics. He has been at the Freeman since August 1996. KINGSTON, N.Y. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein is resigning to take a job in the admi The judicature had stated that the performers could be tipped, but the guests are not allowed to shower them with cash. Pramod Walke, who was in an inebriated state, came under the radar of the authorities after his shameful act was caught on camera in a school situated in Nagpur. (Photo: ANI) Nagpur: A police head constable was suspended for showering money on the girl students performing at a Republic Day function in a school here. Pramod Walke, who was in an inebriated state, came under the radar of the authorities after his shameful act was caught on camera in a school situated in Nagpur. The video is doing rounds on social media. In the video, Walke who was posted at Nand police chowki under Bhiwapur police station can be seen, in uniform, showering money on students performing to the song Aye watan tere liye. The incident has come to light just days after the Supreme Court allowed dance bars to reopen in Mumbai -- but imposed regulations such as barring CCTV surveillance inside them. #WATCH Police constable showers cash on students during Republic Day function at a government school in Nagpur district's Nand. The police constable was suspended following the incident. (26 January) #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/nyTZeRCznO ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 The judicature had stated that the performers could be tipped, but the guests are not allowed to shower them with cash. 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 DAILY AMERICAN The Daily American Schurz Communications, the parent company of the Daily American, has sold its newspaper properties to GateHouse Media. The new owners plan to keep all of the employees in Somerset and continue offering the same services and products. The Daily Americans focus will not change because of its new ownership, said Becky Flyte, general manager of the Daily American. We will continue to be committed to providing strong, local news coverage and offer advertisers the best ways to connect with customers. If anything, we expect this change to make the Daily American even stronger and better equipped to succeed in the future. We have a great team here that does great work every day. That wont change. Schurz Communications, a privately held communications company formed in 1872, announced Monday its intention to sell its publishing division to GateHouse Media, of Pittsford, New York, and continue investing in cloud and managed IT services and broadband operations. GateHouse Media, one of the largest publishers of locally based print and online media in the United States, is expected to assume ownership during the first quarter of 20 regional papers and several special publications in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Our leadership team, Board of Directors and ownership group are dedicated to helping the company stay true to its roots of fostering communication and connections while charting a successful course for the future, Todd Schurz, president and CEO at Schurz Communications, said in a press release. This is a natural next step forward in our evolution as a company given our mission to help solve challenges by linking people, businesses and communities. We will continue to explore the types of investments that support our commitment to technology and anticipate adding new employees to our team and new companies to our portfolio in the near future. Schurz has owned the Daily American since October 1997. The newspaper was founded in Somerset in 1929. Most employees were informed of the ownership change Monday. MICHELLE GANASSI michelleg@dailyamerican.com GREENSBURG Three years after a brutal beating in her own home, authorities still do not know who attacked Rachel Moore. But Moore knows one thing for sure: Her assailant is a coward. To be able to do something like that to beat a woman . . . to catch them in the dark and overpower them like that. Only a coward can do that, she said three years after the vicious attack. Moore reached out to the media Monday in an attempt to find the person who attacked her in her Greenville Township home on Jan. 28, 2016. A press conference was held at the Greensburg state police barracks. Moore, whose last name was Mishler at the time, came home from her shift at Western Maryland Health System shortly after 11:04 p.m. Everything seemed fine, she said. As she moved through the home, she got a feeling that someone was behind her. As I turned to look at him, he was crouched behind the doorway and kind of lunged at me, she said. The man hit her and wrestled her to the floor, putting her in different chokeholds and beating her head off the concrete floor. She said she didnt know if it was adrenaline, or if he was on something, but he continued to punch her in the face. I dont know why he didnt just hit me and run, she said. Why it had to be such a brutal beating. She passed out for what she believes was about 20 minutes. The good Lord decided he wasnt ready for me yet, so I was able to get up, she said. She then called her now husband and recounted her story. At that point she didnt know if the man was still in the house. I just knew I had to get out of there, she recalled. Fortunately, I was able to drive. She went to Western Maryland Regional Medical Center and was transferred to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in West Virginia. (See SPEAK, A7) She had a brain bleed, multiple concussions and bruises on her face. Im just scared some day he will do something to someone else, she said. Moore is hoping that by coming forward someone with information will help police to solve the case. She said that he may have been bragging about attacking someone after the incident. If they realized the extent of the damage, I would hope they come forward, she said. She said the man did not say one word during the beating. I kept begging him, asking why are you doing this to me, she said. Basically, its everybodys worst nightmare. Although she did not get a good enough look at him to give a description, she said she does not feel as if he was someone she knew{&semispace}however, she questions whether he knew her because of the extent of the beating. Moore, a Somerset native, said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder but is fortunate she can travel with her husband. When she returns to Somerset, she said it takes two or three days to be comfortable knowing that he could be anywhere. I have to live with all the aftereffects, she said. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said that despite the fact that it as been three years since the attack, authorities have not made any progress solving the crime. Somebody out there can listen to Rachel and how horrible what she went through was and maybe they would want to come forward, he said. I can only imagine what she had to go through. He said police recovered some evidence, including footprints at the scene. They believe that Moores assailant may have some experience grappling given the different holds he used. Police declined to say if anything was stolen from the residence. Limani said there were other burglaries in the area, including an attempted home invasion while someone was in their home. At this point police are not able to connect the cases. He said it is rare that people break into homes with an occupant inside. In this particular case, it was like he was waiting there for her, he said. Police are asking anyone with additional information to contact them at 814-445-4104. A statement issued by Pakistans foreign officer said that Qureshi also emphasised that India should permit the visit of the commission of inquiry. SRINAGAR: Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday rang up separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to brief him on the efforts being made by Islamabad to highlight alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. A spokesman of Pakistans foreign office said in Islamabad that Mr Qureshi told the Mirwaiz that his country is highlighting the gross human rights violations being perpetrated by the Indian forces in J&K. In this context, he mentioned the report issued by the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in June 2018 and the recent APPKG report of UK Parliament, the spokesman added. A statement issued by Pakistans foreign officer said that Mr Qureshi also emphasised that India should permit the visit of the commission of inquiry, as envisaged in both the reports, and informed the Mirwaiz of upcoming events, including a planned Kashmir conference at the UK House of Commons and an exhibition being held in London on February 4-5, 2019, respectively. The Mirwaiz confirmed that Pakistans foreign minister called him up to say that his country felt concerned over the deteriorating human rights situation in J&K. He expressed his serious concern over the human rights situation here in Kashmir and said that Pakistan is highlighting it through a concerted endeavour at the international level. Pakistan observes February 5 as Kashmir solidarity day every year and in this connection he informed me about the proposed conference and exhibition being held in London, he said. Staff reports The Daily American Schurz Communications, the parent company of the Daily American, has sold its newspaper properties to GateHouse Media. The new owners plan to keep all of the employees in Somerset and continue offering the same services and products. "The Daily American's focus will not change because of its new ownership. We will continue to be committed to providing strong, local news coverage and offer advertisers the best ways to connect with customers. If anything, we expect this change to make the Daily American even stronger and better equipped to succeed in the future. We have a great team here who does great work every day. That won't change," said Becky Flyte, general manager of the Daily American. Schurz Communications, a privately held communications company formed in 1872, announced Monday its intention to sell its publishing division to GateHouse Media, LLC (GateHouse Media) and will continue investing in the areas of cloud and managed IT services and broadband operations. GateHouse Media, one of the largest publishers of locally based print and online media in the United States, is expected to assume ownership during the first quarter of 20 regional papers and several special publications in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Our leadership team, Board of Directors and ownership group are dedicated to helping the company stay true to its roots of fostering communication and connections while charting a successful course for the future, said Todd Schurz, president and chief executive officer at Schurz Communications. This a natural next step forward in our evolution as a company given our mission to help solve challenges by linking people, businesses and communities. We will continue to explore the types of investments that support our commitment to technology and anticipate adding new employees to our team and new companies to our portfolio in the near future. Schurz has owned the Daily American since October 1997. The newspaper was founded in Somerset in 1929. Schurz Communications technology focus began with the purchase of four broadband companies and the company is currently poised to complete the purchase of a fifth. In February 2018, Schurz Communications subsequently announced that it had acquired leading compliant hybrid cloud provider, Online Tech, LLC. An additional investment in the cloud infrastructure assets of Neverfail was announced in December 2018 and highlighted the companys interest in expanding Online Techs presence on a global scale. Moorgate Securities, LLC acted as exclusive financial adviser to Schurz Communications in connection with this transaction. About Schurz Communications Inc. Schurz Communications Inc. is a family owned corporation that has been helping businesses, communities and individuals make meaningful connections for five generations. The Schurz legacy began in newspaper publishing and today, the company remains committed to making information more accessible through the platforms and technology of the digital age. Schurz Communications recent investments include regional broadband companies, global data center solutions providers and digital media and marketing firms. The companys portfolio also includes a variety of minority investments. For more information, visit www.schurz.com. About GateHouse Media, LLC GateHouse Media, headquartered in Pittsford, New York, is a wholly owned subsidiary of New Media Investment Group Inc., which is focused primarily on investing in a high quality, diversified portfolio of local media assets and on growing existing advertising and digital marketing and business services. GateHouse Media is one of the largest publishers of locally based print and online media in the United States, as measured by its 145 daily publications. As of September 30, 2018, the company operates in over 555 markets across 37 states, reaching over 23 million people on a weekly basis and serves over 221,000 business customers. About Moorgate Securities, LLC Moorgate Securities, LLC is an independent merchant banking and advisory firm that looks to partner with industry leading executives and management teams to source and acquire middle market growth companies in the technology, media, and communications industries. Additionally, Moorgate provides independent, trusted advisory services and outsourced corporate development to a focused group of clients. Moorgate has offices in New York City and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.MoorgatePartners.com. Europes Most Hackable Election The EU faces hackers, trolls and foreign agents as it gears up for a vote in May. Three years after Russian disinformation campaigns disrupted the 2016 US presidential election and possibly influenced the result of the Brexit vote, European officials are worried the European Parliament election in May is next. In 2016 we stopped being naive, said Liisa Past, a former chief research officer at the Estonian Information System Authority who coordinated security preparations across Europe last year. Since then we have tested national systems for the security environment as we now know it. But the last European election was 2014 and that system hasn't been tested in this new security environment. The election, in which voters in 27 countries will install a new European Parliament and by extension a new crop of top EU officials, is uniquely vulnerable, officials say. Given the dispersed nature and comparatively long duration of the European Parliament elections, they present a tempting target for malicious actors, European Commissioner for Security Julian King told Politico. Everyone needs to take responsibility for this, a system is only as secure as the weakest link in the chain.The European election is in fact a series of simultaneous elections that will take place on May 23-26, in which the integrity of the vote depends on how 27 national governments fend off hackers and other threats. While some governments are better prepared than others, it would only take one successful act of disruption to cast doubt on the composition of the next European Parliament. A successful campaign against one-member state that includes cyber-enabled elements could mean that the assignment of seats cannot be confirmed thus compromising the entirety of election processes, said a recent EU report into the cyber risks to the election. A security incident "could impact the ability of the European Parliament to convene and thus could affect the very functioning of the European Union. Threats to the integrity include disinformation campaigns, cybersecurity breaches and digital tampering with the outcome of the votes. Trolling the Election Experts are most worried about the threat of disinformation. In Europe, automated bots, sometimes backed by governments, have shaped and shifted the online conversation. Bots have been used to influence the debates regarding independence in Catalonia and immigration in Italy. Misinformation linked to Russia's Internet Research Agency in St. Petersburg was deployed in the Netherlands to influence Dutch opinion against Ukraine, investigative news website Bellingcat reported. Disinformation and "fake news" has also been weaponised by domestic groups, used to influence the discussion around the Yellow Jacket protests in France and derail the hotly debated UN migration deal. If you're successful in your information operations you don't need to do decent cybersecurity or operational security, said Past. Using disinformation is the lower-hanging fruit right now, she said. The proliferation of fake news is a top concern among European citizens, according to a poll conducted in September: Seventy-three percent of respondents said they are concerned or very concerned about disinformation or misinformation. Companies like Twitter and Facebook acknowledge that fake accounts are a threat to the integrity of elections. Twitter added figures on platform manipulation in 2018 to its biannual transparency reports, hoping to increase public understanding of what it calls "attempts to disrupt the health of the public conversation via malicious automation and spam tactics." Between January and June 2018, the social media company detected more than 232,450,000 suspected fake accounts worldwide (the company doesnt provide a regional breakdown of the data). Seventy-five percent of the accounts were eventually suspended. Under pressure from the European Commission, social media platforms adopted a fake news code of practice. Google, Facebook, Twitter and Mozilla and a range of umbrella associations and industry groups are expected to release new figures on their fight against disinformation later this month. The report will include social media companies statistics on who has bought political advertisements, deployed fake news campaigns or spread disinformation through bot accounts and so-called troll farms. The tech firms will provide monthly updates from now until May. "The European Commission's exercise of soft power has already pushed the platforms further than is legally required of them," said Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Tech companies are often not legally liable for what happens on their platforms though electoral law is slowly being updated to include the online sphere. But, Nielsen added, commitments of more transparency, public scrutiny and third-party compliance are vague still. The Commission also asked national authorities to monitor disinformation and share their findings with other EU capitals through a rapid alert system that would be set up by March and would warn countries and media about a wave of fake news stories. Data Dumps With just months to go before Europeans head to the polls, recent news from Berlin highlighted another threat to the integrity of the May election: the hacking of politicians' data. German authorities this month arrested a 20-year-old student who confessed to having illegally accessed information about more than 1,000 public figures, including high-ranking politicians like the country's president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Green Party leader Robert Habeck and Chancellor Angela Merkel. The German breach is just the latest report of IT networks getting hacked, and its provenance illustrates just how easy it can be for cyber crooks to gather sensitive information that can disrupt a campaign. The investigation is ongoing, but Seehofer indicated that the hacker took advantage of politicians' poor password security to access a handful of online accounts to gather private conversations, mobile numbers and other personal information. The European political parties are one of the potential weak links, said Fabrice Pothier, senior adviser for the Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity. In addition to careless politicians allowing hackers access to sensitive information, he said theres a lack of transparency in how foreign influencers fund and support political parties in Europe. The source of the threat is widespread. Political rivals have an interest in hacking each other, in a modern-day version of the Watergate scandal. And cybersecurity companies, too, have an interest in demonstrating their services and counter-services in election times. US intelligence officials have accused Russia, China, Iran and North Korea of seeking to influence the countrys election process. And the German hack revealed that even so-called script kiddies acting alone can be a threat. Microsoft said technologies used in 11 EU countries shows the majority of governments stick to paper ballots and counting on paper. But many countries keep a voter registry online and disseminate results of the vote on the web. Countries like Belgium use voting computers for some citizens to cast their ballot, and many use electronic means to aggregate votes, whether it is to count paper ballots or send the result from local polling stations to a central electoral authority that does a final count. Estonia is the only EU country allowing for citizens to cast their vote online through its i-voting system. The tech-savvy country uses similar security checks deployed for a series of e-government services and claims the process is largely safe from hacking. Some countries like the Netherlands and Germany previously decided to cut computers from large parts of its electoral process. The Netherlands did so in 2017, after years of back-and-forth between the election organizers and hacktivists that kept coming up with new vulnerabilities. The European Commission has gathered national electoral councils for a meeting next Monday in Brussels. It is the first gathering of the councils since the Commission announced its plans to beef up election security in September. A second meeting is scheduled for February. Politico: You Might Also Read: Neither US, Russia Or China Will Sign Macron's Cyber Pact: STORY LINK Pound Sterling South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) Exchange Rate Slips despite Labour Supporting ?Cooper? Amendment Pound Sterling South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) Exchange Rate Slides despite Possibility of Article 50 Extension South African Rand (ZAR) Weighed Down by Increased Global Risk Sentiment GBP/ZAR Outlook: Will Brexit Anxieties Limit the Pound? Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: With the focus firmly on politics today the Pound South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate slipped over the course of the day, and is currently trading an inter-bank rate of R17.9540.This has occurred despite the UK Labour Party confirming it will back the Cooper amendment to Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit withdrawal agreement.A party source stated:Were backing the Cooper amendment to reduce the threat of the chaos of a no-deal exit. The Cooper bill could give MPs a temporary window to agree a deal that can bring the country together.We will aim to amend the Cooper bill to shorten the possible article 50 extension.However, Theresa May stated that extending Article 50 does not rule out no-deal which likely dampened sentiment in the UK currency.The risk-sensitive South African Rand suffered as a result of the fresh US-Sino tension that has continued this week.News emerged this morning that the US Department of Justice had filed criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, which threatens to undermine attempts by officials to restore relations.The US has filed 23 charges, including theft of technology, bank fraud and the obstruction of justice, all of which Huawei has denied.Former Singapore Foreign Minister, George Yeo suggested that the tensions between the US and China could continue for the next 20 years as the relationship between the two is currently oscillating between a cold war and a cold peace.Following this, the GBP/ZAR exchange rate slid before regaining momentum in the early hours of Tuesday morning.Tomorrow will see the release of the South African M3 money supply for December, which could help the Rand continue to push back against the Pound as the forecast suggests that the figure will increase by 5.78%.Decembers private sector credit figure for South Africa is also due for release on Wednesday, which could see the Rand slip against the Pound if the forecast of slightly slowed growth is correct.Brexit is also likely to remain in the spotlight as, depending on the outcome of the votes tonight, there could be fluctuations in the pairing, with the Pound likely to benefit from any further suggestions that the UK will avoid a no-deal Brexit.Also likely to cause movement in the pairing are the ongoing developments in US-China trade relations, with any indication that the relationship between the two powers is cooling meaning the risk-sensitive Rand could see an downswing in support. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Rand Forecasts Alan Melnick is frustrated and open to new ideas. The Clark County health officer and his staff are on the fourth week of a public health crisis that Washington hasnt seen before and he suspects that the measles outbreak that has already claimed 23 people at that point will only grow larger for the foreseeable future. But what has him so frustrated he is seeking input is that the rapid-fire spread of the sometimes-fatal disease is preventable. But for years the vaccination rates in Clark County have remained well below the threshold to stop a highly contagious disease like measles from ravaging a community. The bottom line is, theres no surprise were seeing this right now, Melnick said. If we dont get our immunization rates up, were going to see more of it in the future. The misinformation that has fueled the decline in vaccination rates, largely born from a debunked assertion that vaccines cause autism, seems to be as contagious as measles itself. Clark County, like other health agencies and news organizations, is bombarded on social media with myths and junk science about the dangers of vaccination. Melnick sees the links pop up on Facebook and spread because the articles seem well sourced and the websites look professional. Thats garbage, but its out there, and theyre making it look good, Melnick said in an interview Wednesday. By Saturday, the number of Clark Countys confirmed measles cases would jump to 31 since Jan. 1. The list of locations where people with measles might have spread it to others included nine health care facilities, nine schools, three churches, the Portland International Airport and a Portland Trail Blazers game. Infected people shopped at Costco and high-end grocery store Chucks Produce. They went out to eat and met with their financial planners. If the Vancouver area met what is called herd immunity, the number of people who need to be vaccinated to stop a contagious disease, those would be fine activities. But you need a vaccination rate of 93 percent to achieve herd immunity, and as of 2017, the Vancouver area's was at only 66. That means that people who have never received a vaccine, people who have weak immune systems, children too young to receive a vaccine or people who cannot for a medical reason are in danger of the air itself when they leave the house. Melnick has a store of immune globulin that can help stave off the disease, but he's rationing it out for the most dire cases, such as pregnant women, who run a much higher chance of miscarriage or stillbirth if infected with measles. Measles outbreaks generally go in 21-day cycles. The virus radiates out from the original carriers to their personal community first, then to the broader community through central locations, then from people who were infected second-hand and then spread it to their own communities. And its doing just that -- one man in King County with measles visited southwest Washington before he was diagnosed, and then Friday night, Multnomah County officials announced an Oregonian had been diagnosed with measles. Before the measles vaccine was widely available, between 400 and 500 people died every year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 1,000 people every year dealt with one of the most serious consequences -- swelling of the brain, which can cause lifelong problems. Nearly every child under 15 in the U.S. got measles before 1963. But after vaccination became widespread, that number dropped so low that the 30 people diagnosed in Clark County is one of the largest outbreaks nationally. At the same time, New York has more than 160 cases of measles in an outbreak that took hold in a orthodox Jewish community, where many people are unvaccinated and spend most days working, socializing and worshipping together. Melnick said that the Vancouver outbreak is not confined to any one religion or demographic population. But it still has the potential to be as large and dangerous as New Yorks. It is is what keeps me up at night, Melnick said. This could be exponential. Its like taking gasoline and throwing a match into it. Two states at risk Clark County and state health officials say they dont know yet how the outbreak started. Usually, measles is brought back by someone who traveled abroad and then unknowingly introduces it into the U.S. New Yorks outbreak has been linked to a measles outbreak in Israel, where members of the New York Jewish community visited or hosted guests. Health officials in Washington have not pinpointed a source and say that they are too busy right now trying to mitigate the reach of the outbreak to dedicate more resources to the investigation. And officials say they need more resources. Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency to access medical help from other states and deploy all available Washington state agencies to assist the response to the outbreak. State data and national research does show that there trends in who is vaccinated and who is not. The demographics are varied and make it hard to point to who might be a likely culprit. The resistance to vaccination often falls across political divides. Christian and Waldorf schools in Oregon report some of the lowest vaccination rates, though the parents who send their kids to each might vote for opposing political parties. Among the Vancouver-area churches with infected parishioners, many are evangelical. People resistant to vaccines also span the socioeconomic spectrum. While some outbreaks have been linked to more wealthy enclaves, rural parts of Washington show some of the lowest immunization rates. Washington Health agency spokeswoman Danielle Koenig said that is partly due to access. Some counties in Washington have so few places that can administer these vaccines that parents go without. But despite knowing which schools and regions of Oregon and Washington have low immunization rates, there is a growing sense that public health agencies are losing the battle to anti-vaxxers -- the label attached to those most fervently against vaccines. Koenig pointed out that Washingtons vaccination rates have held relatively stable for the past decade -- but that level is below what health officials want it to be. Oregon, too, suffers from chronically low vaccination rates. The Washington State Department of Health provides education and messaging about the benefits of vaccines. Officials remind parents that most do choose to vaccinate their children. Throughout the state, seven out of 10 people are fully vaccinated. While it does seem like a loud argument online, it really is just a small percent of people who are not choosing vaccinations, Koenig said. But a statewide average does not necessarily help Clark County, where just 77.4 percent of all public students have completed their vaccinations. Exemptions are easy Washington and Oregon laws require public school students to be vaccinated in order to receive an education -- mostly. Both states allow significant leeway for parents to obtain an exemption. Oregon and Washington, among many states, allow parents to enroll their children in school without vaccines by claiming a philosophical objection, as well as religious and medical ones. To balance that leniency, a parent must meet with a health care provider first. The intent was that perhaps a doctor could explain the serious risks in the choice not to vaccinate. But in Washington, parents can also opt out of that meeting if they claim they have a religious objection to any form of health care intervention. In Oregon, they can choose to watch a state-produced video instead. The trade-off is that children who lack required vaccinations can be barred from school, as they have been in the Evergreen School District during the measles outbreak. More than 100 students do not have necessary vaccinations, according to district spokeswoman Gail Spolar. Of those, the vast majority have philosophical or religious exemptions. The school district tries to send work home for the students to keep up with school while they must stay home, Spolar said, but cannot ensure they will stay on track. Once they are allowed back at school, staff try to help them catch up. Spolar said that school officials share the same harried problems as anyone trying to control the measles outbreak, but that pro-vaccination messaging is not the school districts job. Parents and guardians file the immunization paperwork when they enroll kids in school, and it would be impossible to try to convince each one of the cost of not vaccinating, Spolar said. That isnt something that were going to do, she said. Instead, they are focused on handling the current outbreak. Not even the 20-year veterans of the district can remember an outbreak like this one, Spolar said, so they have had to learn how to manage it on the fly. The school district is sending letters and emails in several languages, posting signs at schools, locking doors against unannounced visitors. The learning curve is steep, so any conversation about whether this situation will be commonplace in the future is left for later, Spolar said. It is a big deal But at the county health office, Melnick is ready. We need a cultural shift here and broad community consensus on this before this changes. He expects outbreaks to get worse before they get beter. The last confirmed measles case in Clark County was 2011 -- two children had the disease. In 2015, the first person to die of measles in 12 years was in Washington. Multnomah County had a measles case last summer, and Clark County had a suspected case that could not be confirmed. Meanwhile, mumps and chickenpox -- which children often get vaccinated for at the same time as measles -- have become more regular occurrences. Vaccination opponents point to the low number of people hospitalized or dying of measles as a sign that the risk is overblown. Only one person has been hospitalized so far in the current outbreak. But Melnick argues that one out of 30 is higher than it should be. Especially when the hospitalization comes from a disease that was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 and is expected to affect no people every year. If the airline industry was crashing two jumbo jets each year, I think people would be afraid to fly, Melnick said. It is a big deal. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Smart Financial Credit Union related to website accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. NAFCU had filed an amicus brief in support of the credit union in this case. In its decision, the court found that the plaintiff did have standing as he seemed to fall in the credit unions field of membership; however, the court determined that a website is not a physical place and the credit union would not be liable under the ADA. This decision reinforces the need for the Department of Justice to provide clarity on ADA website requirements as different courts continue to come to different conclusions, said NAFCU Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel Carrie Hunt. NAFCU will continue to press the department for guidance to ensure credit unions feel confident in their website offerings. NAFCU has filed 16 amicus briefs in seven different states to support credit unions targeted by ADA website accessibility litigation. So far, nine of the complaints in which NAFCU has supported the credit union have been dismissed, though many of the courts determined that the plaintiff lacked standing. The NCUAs amended Field of Membership rule obliterates the limitations that Congress placed on credit unions, state banking and community banking trade groups said, in a brief filed in a federal appeals court Friday. The Final Rule is simply further effort by NCUA to expand the competitive advantages of Community Credit Unions, the Independent Community Bankers of America, 50 state banking associations and 25 community banking groups, said in the brief. The American Bankers Association filed suit against the NCUA, charging that the agencys Field of Membership rule effectively removes all limits on credit unions. That gives credit unions an unfair competitive advantage over banks, since credit unions are text exempt financial institutions, the associations contend, in their brief that attempts to bolster ABAs case. In addition, the credit unions are not required to comply with the Community Reinvestment Act, as banks are required to do, they said. The blasts had left 81 people dead and 470 more injured. Guwahati: A special CBI court in Assam on Monday convicted National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) founder and self-styled commander-in-chief Ranjan Daimary and 14 others over the 2008 serial bomb blasts, in which 81 people were killed and 470 others injured. The outfit had triggered more than nine bomb blasts simultaneously in the marketplaces of Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta and the surrounding areas of western Assam on October 30, 2008 at around noon. The blasts had left 81 people dead and 470 more injured. CBI special judge Aparesh Chakraborty convicted Daimary and 14 others under various sections of the IPC. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Wednesday. Besides Daimary, the others convicted are George Bodo, B. Tharai, Raju Sarkar, Nilim Daimary, Anchai Bodo, Indra Brahma, Loko Basumatary, Khargeswar Basumatary, Prabhat Bodo, Jayanta Bodo, Ajay Basumatary, Mridul Goyary, Mathuram Brahma and Rajen Goyary. Advocate T.D. Goswami, special public prosecutor, said: There were two chargesheets one for 19 accused and another for three others. Seven accused are absconding of which, it has been unofficially learnt, at least two are no more. We produced 650 witnesses and 687 items of documentary evidence. The quantum of punishment will be announced on January 30. CBI investigating officer N.S. Yadav said: We have got the conviction for all 15. We have demanded the death penalty. The accused rigged two Maruti 800 cars and motorbikes with explosives and parked them strategically at nine locations. The blasts were triggered in a synchronised fashion across Assam before noon. The first explosion occurred hardly 300 metres from the Assam Secretariat at Ganesh Guri. The NDFB faction led by Ranjan Daimary is holding talks with the government now. Anjali Daimary, a human rights activist and Ranjan Daimarys sister, said this kind of judgement and the peace process cannot go together. Daimary is the only one among the 15 who is out on bail. The trial started in the fast-track court in 2017. PM Modi said that the former minister represented the best of India's political leadership. Fernandes rose to prominence after his surprise victory in the 1967 parliamentary elections, over a Congress veteran in Mumbai. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and leaders across political parties paid homage to former union minister George Fernandes, who died today after a long illness on Tuesday. PM Modi said that the former minister represented the best of India's political leadership. George Sahab represented the best of Indias political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 "Very saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers," West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted. President Ram Nath Kovind, along with several other leaders across the political spectrum, also paid tribute to George Fernandes. Distressed to learn of the passing of Shri George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 29, 2019 Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of former Defence Minister Sh. George Fernandes. My thoughts and prayers are with his family...May his soul rest in peace. Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 29, 2019 Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of former Defence Minister Sh. George Fernandes. My thoughts and prayers are with his family...May his soul rest in peace. Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 29, 2019 Saddened by the demise of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. An able administrator, a distinguished politician, his contribution towards strengthening democracy will be etched in the hearts & minds of Indians forever. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. Om Shanti Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 29, 2019 Fernandes rose to prominence after his surprise victory in the 1967 parliamentary elections, over a Congress veteran in Mumbai. Prasad qualified his views with the remark that he spoke as a citizen and not as the law minister. Patna: Union minister for law and justice Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday disapprove of the slow pace of hearing on the Ayodhya title suit in the Supreme Court, and appealed to it for an expeditious decision as had been done in the matters related to adultery and Sabar-imala temple. Mr Prasad qualified his views with the remark that he spoke as a citizen and not as the law minister. His remarks came a day after the apex court Sunday cancelled the January 29 hearing in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute case as one member of the five-jud-ge Constitution bench would not be available. Mr Prasad cited examples of expeditious decisions on the entry of women into Sabrimala temple in Kerala, the adultery law, social and cultural activists being dubbed urban Naxals and the intervention in the political turmoil in Karnataka, and wondered why the apex court could not come out with a mechanism to decide the Ayodhya petition. It is the wish of the people of the country that a Ram temple be built at Ayodhya. Our PM and our party president have also made it clear that this will take place within the constitutional framework, he told reporters here. School and family partnerships can be as important for students social and emotional development as for their academic progress, finds a new meta-analysis in the American Educational Research Associations Review of Educational Research journal. Researchers looked at 117 studies of interventions that aimed to improve students mental health and social-emotional development through partnerships between parents and schools. They included more traditional parent-engagement programs, such as school conferences and homework help, but also those with more targeted approaches, including those that involved parents in problem solving, setting goals, [and] discussing aspirations. Studies have long shown the benefits of parent involvement for students academic progress. The analysis suggests, however, that common parent-involvement programs affect students social-emotional development and mental health in different ways. For example, asking parents to volunteer in their students school or class significantly improved the students social skills, but it had no benefit for their mental health. And involving parents in their childrens homework, such as through family literacy programs, helped academically but had no social or emotional benefits. So what worked? Researchers found the most effective parent-school programs included: Home-based programs that taught parents how to model social and behavioral skills and mental-health support; Coordinating and training parents in behavior supports, such as positive reinforcement and goal setting; and Frequent collaboration between teachers and parents to set goals and monitor students progress. Partnerships between schools and parents tended to be slightly more effective in rural districts than in urban oneslikely because rural families have fewer mental health resources outside the school to fall back on than families in the city, researchers suggested. The researchers also found more-intensive parent involvement had stronger benefits for black students. Disagreements and lack of trust are disproportionately experienced by ethnic minority families, including African Americans, the researchers noted. Some suggest that this is due to certain practices that isolate and alienate families who lack access to traditional means of communication and engagement. ... Our findings demonstrating significant family-school intervention effects to enhance mental health outcomes for African-American students are very encouraging. Photo Source: Getty Related: Do you have a question about education research, or just want to know what the evidence says about that pesky instructional problem? Let me know! Drop me a line at ssparks@epe.org, or Difficulty accessing typical business banking services has plagued the cannabis industry since its inception. While cannabis remains a largely a cash-based industry in some states, numerous companies have managed to tactfully operate around financial obstacles with some success. The main concern banks face is that because marijuana remains on Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act, accepting deposits from cannabis businesses that actually handle the plant can be deemed money laundering. Under federal law, money obtained from illegal transactions cannot be FDIC insured, and banks are required to insure all their depository accounts. You see the problem. However, more banks are accepting of cannabis than ever before. As CEO of ONE Cannabis Group, I conduct business within the tangled federal parameters of a unique market. Banking in this industry requires deft maneuvering, to say the least. Cannabis companies across the country are constantly at risk of account closures, which some politicians have argued makes it harder to determine their legitimacy. In my 10 years in the legal cannabis industry, Ive been kicked out of 10 banks-- a good friend kicked me out of two of them. It happens, and you move on to the next one. Related: States Ask Congress to Allow Cannabis Access to Banks Its not fair to rattle our sabers at the banks, however. The ones that are taking on cannabis accounts are doing so at significant risk to themselves -- while it hasnt happened yet, the possibility of their FDIC insurance getting revoked is very much present. However, banking is possible when the correct strategies are applied. Weve successfully banked in multiple states and operated cash-only for just two years. Heres how to do it and what you can expect. Securing a bank account. This is big hurdle but clearing it is very doable. Many will tell you that opening a new account is simply out of the cards, but thats not true. Federal banks arent worth your time -- they absolutely will not take on cannabis accounts. Some credit unions and regional banks do offer their services, however. Like everything related to cannabis, it varies from state to state. Colorado banks are secretive on the matter -- there are at least seven banks currently handling cannabis accounts, but five of them wont consider opening any new ones. The other two have waiting lists of up to two years -- not ideal, but nothing in cannabis banking is. California has a similar structure in place. Recently legalized states are addressing the issue, but nothing concrete has been established. New hurdles have developed in the last year as well. The Cole Memo was rescinded in January 2018 and the IRS has put pressure on banks to cease opening accounts. Naturally, this is putting newcomers and small business owners at a disadvantage as the industry sees an increase in consolidation. Our ability to offer franchisees access to a bank is a major attractor to many prospective ONE Cannabis partners, which is an indicator of its difficulty. Newcomers have limited options, but options nonetheless. Determine which banks are viable in your state, tell them up front that you operate a cannabis-related business and start building a relationship. Youll need quality financial specs and patience. Too many red flags will mean the end of your banking chances, so every financial move must be accounted for. When you finally do get a bank account, start preparing for possible monetary freezes down the road. You can fly under the radar, but knowing your alternative options will save you from panic if the day ever comes. Related: 5 Routes the Cannabis Industry Could Take to Get Around Federal Banking Restrictions Managing your finances After securing a bank account, you can expect routine, multi-tier audits that will review your bookwork, metrics and compliance. Youll need efficient and astute accountants, which arent abundant in cannabis -- many auditors find shoddy work that barely passes for bookkeeping when examined. An adept financial team is the only chance you have. Your best option is to hire accountants that have been through an IRS audit or two with a marijuana business. Understanding additional costs After vault fees, additional bank charges and transportation, youre typically going to spend anywhere from $6,000 to $14,000 a month to house your money. Transportation can also be touchy-- in Denver, for example, only two companies are legally permitted to transport cannabis cash. The banks wont accept it from anyone else. Knowing your risks The nebulous banking situation can affect employees on a personal level. There have been instances of banks freezing employee accounts when they discovered their client worked for a cannabis company. Oftentimes, the account will be closed and employees wont see their money for up to two weeks. Masking the companys name isnt foolproof by any means; a simple inquiry into the IPN number of a direct deposit can reveal the origin. However, it safeguards your employees to some degree. Also, if you do have a bank account, you will likely have to sign a waiver foregoing insurance on your money -- if its gone, its gone. Related: Microsoft to Offer Software for Local Governments to Regulate and Tax Legal Cannabis Outlook on banking in cannabis Theres also a lot to be excited about. Enacting the STATES Act pending in Congress would be a large step forward. There havent been any policy improvements on the federal level as of late, but there are several indicators of a coming change. The fact that more financial institutions are working with cannabis doesnt mean your state has more open doors than last year -- it simply means more states have legalized. However, that indicates a growing acceptance of the plant. The American Bankers Association has also called for a change after surveying their members. They, too, see the faults in the current system and are beginning to call on legislatures to act. My in-house accountants also predict states will begin to push for a better solution in the near future. Add all of these factors together, and the possibility of improvement becomes much more likely. Related: Your Cannabis Company Can Get a Bank Account but Not Easily The Transformative Power of Blockchain in Finance Hong Kong Launches its First API Exchange Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has ousted his ambassador to China in the middle of a diplomatic feud with Beijing after a string of public remarks drew criticism. Trudeau asked for, and got, the resignation of John McCallum on Friday, according to a statement from his office issued Saturday. The move comes amid the fallout of Canada's arrest in December of Huawei Technologies Co. Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, at the request of the U.S., which has angered China. China has since seized two Canadians and sentenced a third to death, but there had been calls for McCallum's dismissal over the past week after the ambassador made contentious comments. Canada's deputy head of mission in its Beijing embassy, Jim Nickel, will represent Canada effective immediately, Trudeau said. "For almost two decades, John McCallum has served Canadians honorably and with distinction," Trudeau said in a press release which didn't address the former lawmaker's controversies of the past week. "I thank him and his family for his service over the past many years." McCallum issued a mea culpa on Jan. 24 for earlier comments made to Chinese media in Canada -- among them, that Meng could make a "strong case" in court against any U.S. extradition. He later said he "misspoke" and "created confusion." Canada's Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, Trudeau's top rival, said at the time that McCallum should have been fired, but Trudeau at first rejected that call, saying it would do nothing to help free the detained Canadians. McCallum then popped up in the news once again, saying Friday that it would be "great for Canada" if the U.S. dropped its extradition request, according to the Toronto Star newspaper. Canada arrested Meng in Vancouver on Dec. 1. On Dec 10, China seized two Canadians, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and tour operator Michael Spavor, on national security grounds. Meng is under house arrest at her $4.2 million mansion in Vancouver, while Kovrig and Spavor remain in custody and have received only rare visits from Canadian officials, including McCallum. A third Canadian, Robert Schellenberg, was sentenced to death by a Chinese court after initially receiving a jail term for alleged drug smuggling. Trudeau has called the Chinese arrests "arbitrary" and urged Beijing to release Kovrig and Spavor. The U.S. and a broad group of ex-envoys and academics have also called for their release. WESTPORT The Kings Highway Elementary School principal and several staff members have been placed on paid administrative leave for at least a few days while the district reviews unspecified allegations, Superintendent Colleen Palmer said in emails to Kings Highway families Monday. I am reaching out to share with you that your Principal, Dr. (Mary) Lou DiBella, and several other Kings Highway staff members will not be in the building for at least the next few days, Palmer wrote in the first email, sent around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 28. ... When I have additional information to share, I will notify the school community promptly, Palmer added. The song features a barrage of dancers, 150 to be exact along with some super fun steps too. Mumbai: A family that dances together, stays together! Welcome to Guddu and Rashmis life - a couple who doesn't want to dance or stay with the family! Kriti Sanon and Kartik Aaryans first song from their much anticipated film 'Luka Chuppi' is already making us groove on our seats! In true 90's style. The song features a barrage of dancers, 150 to be exact along with some super fun steps too. The couple is seen doing luka chuppi with the family, played by Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurrana amongst others. The foot tapping redux has been recreated by White Noise studios and has been choreographed by Vijay Ganguly. Dinesh Vijan says, "Poster Lagwa Do was the first song we selected for the album. Actually, much before we even knew how we could use it, we acquired it, it just so happened that it fit so aptly into our plot! The video has turned out to be super fun too. Its unlikely to use the full cast in a promotional song, as it isn't easy getting everyone back together! But it all worked out and its looking great! Dinesh Vijan presents Luka Chuppi, a Maddock Films production in association with Jio Studios, directed by Laxman Utekar, featuring Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon releases on 1st March, 2019. IFrame BRIDGEPORT Charged with killing 12-year-old Clinton Howell in a drive-by shooting last month, 18-year-old Tajay Chambers waived a hearing on probable cause Tuesday morning. Not guilty, Chambers said simply, when asked by Superior Court Judge Robert Devlin how he pleaded to the charges of murder with special circumstances, murder, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, illegal carrying or possession of a pistol or revolver without a permit, three counts of risk of injury to a child, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree larceny. Chambers then asked for a jury trial. If convicted of murder with special circumstances, Chambers could be sentenced to life without the possibility of release. In a hearing on probable cause, state prosecutors would have to present their evidence in the case before a judge to determine if they have probable cause to try Chambers for murder. However, Chambers lawyer, Michael Riley, told the judge they were waiving the hearing. The judge continued the case to Feb. 22. Riley declined comment as he left the Fairfield County Courthouse. Shortly after 9 p.m. on Dec. 18, Howell was standing outside his Willow Street home with an older cousin when he was shot in the chest. Police said Chambers had been aiming for the cousin, who had shot with BB gun at the stolen car Chambers was in. An undocumented immigrant from Jamaica, Chambers joined his family in Bridgeport 18 months ago. Enrolling in September at Central High School, he quickly formed his own gang with 16-year-old Alexander Bolanos Jr. and a 14-year-old and a 12-year-old whose names are not being released, police said. On Oct. 8, they attacked a 16-year-old boy in a stairwell of the high school, police said. Police said as the victim protested he was not involved in gang stuff, Chambers and associates pummeled him and then kicked him down the stairs. Police said Chambers gang had a rivalry with a supposed gang from the citys East Side calling themselves the BGs or Blitz Gang, and both sides were using Facebook and Snapchat to trade boasts and insults. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Chambers told Police Detective Adam Roscoe that on Dec. 18, Bolanos and the two other youths had picked him up in a Ford Escape they had previously stolen on Madison Avenue. Chambers took over the driving and they went to a location in Stratford to make a sneaker trade. While driving back, Chambers received a Snapchat video on his cell phone from Howells cousin, who Chambers told the detective is a member of the BGs. In the video (the cousin) showed them the Willow Street sign and they understood this to be a dare or challenge. Chambers stated that after receiving the video he said, they just hit me, they are on Willow, the affidavit states. With Bolanos now at the wheel, the four drove to Willow Street. At first, they didnt see any BG members, so they drove around the block twice, the affidavit states. On the third pass, they saw Howells cousin who they believed to be one of the captains of the BGs. He was coming back from the corner store with the younger Howell. When the cousin saw them, he fired at them with a pellet gun, the affidavit states. Bolanos then drove to the end of the block and made a U-turn. One of the other youths in the car handed Chambers a loaded 9mm handgun and Chambers told the detective he extended his hand out the rear passenger window and fired twice. I didnt know that he was 12 years old, police said Chambers told them. He said he didnt know he shot someone until he saw it on the website Doing It Local. Police said they later recovered the gun used in the shooting. Former Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz said he's seriously thinking of running for president in 2020 as a centrist independent candidate, a prospect that's already drawing objections from Democrats who say it may throw the election to Donald Trump. The Brooklyn-born billionaire, who dabbled with politics and thorny social issues as he built Starbucks into one of the world's largest restaurant chains, announced his possible long-shot bid on CBS's "60 Minutes" on Sunday. He said Americans are tired of the current system and looking for a better choice. "We're living at a most-fragile time," Schultz said. "Not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be the president, but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what's necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged, every single day, in revenge politics." Trump said on Twitter Monday that he watched Schultz's interview and doesn't believe the coffee chief has the "guts" to run. "I agree with him that he is not the 'smartest person.' Besides, America already has that! I only hope that Starbucks is still paying me their rent in Trump Tower!" Trump wrote. Besides the "60 Minutes" interview, Schultz also sent his first tweet on Sunday. He said, "it feels good to be here" and "my hope is to share my truth, listen to yours, build trust, and focus on things that can make us better." Schultz, 65, whose political ambitions have been widely rumored for years, would be making his first run for public office. Speculation that he would make a bid for the White House ramped up last June after he announced his retirement as the chairman of Starbucks, listing public service as an option for his next chapter. At the time, he also laid out a centrist vision for the U.S., calling Trump's tax cut reckless and knocking "vitriolic behavior" from the White House. Schultz is worth about $3.5 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, giving him the ability to keep a campaign funded as a field of potentially more than a dozen Democrats and the Trump campaign compete for donors over what will be almost two years of campaigning. Schultz said on "60 Minutes" that a price tag of as much as $500 million to win would not change his mind. "I'll say it this way: We'll be fully resourced to do what's necessary," he said. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of the prominent Democrats mounting a campaign, has criticized wealthy presidential hopefuls who might use their personal fortunes to fund campaigns and urged the party's voters to reject such efforts. "We ought to be building a movement [and] not having billionaires buy these campaigns, whether we're talking about super PACs or self-funders," Warren said earlier this month in her initial campaign trip to Iowa, which will hold the first official contest in the nomination race in February 2020. No independent candidate has made a successful run for the White House, and the structure of U.S. elections in terms of getting on ballots in all 50 states and fundraising heavily favors the two major parties. Third-party or independent candidates typical register only a few percentage points nationally in presidential elections. The last serious independent bid for the presidency was made by another billionaire, H. Ross Perot in 1992. He got almost 19 percent of the popular vote but won no Electoral College votes as Democrat Bill Clinton defeated incumbent GOP President George H.W. Bush. The Green Party's Ralph Nader received almost 3 percent of the vote nationwide in 2000, and many people blame his 97,000 votes in Florida for costing Democrat Al Gore the White House. Some Democrats are already saying another billionaire businessman and political neophyte who thinks he can solve U.S. problems as an independent would hive off votes in favor of Trump's re-election. "It would provide Donald Trump with his best hope of getting re-elected," Julian Castro, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and former San Antonio mayor, said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. Given Trump's approval rating in the low 40 percent range, "his only hope, if things stay the same -- and that's a big if -- is essentially to get somebody else, a third party, to siphon off those votes," Castro said. Siphoning Votes Asked on "60 Minutes" whether he's worried about siphoning votes away from the eventual Democrat candidate and ensuring a second term for Trump, Schultz said, "I want to see the American people win." "I don't care if you're a Democrat, independent, Libertarian, Republican," Schultz said. "Bring me your ideas. And I will be an independent person, who will embrace those ideas. Because I am not, in any way, in bed with a party." Schultz said while he's been a lifelong Democrat, the U.S. now has about $21.5 trillion of debt and both parties are guilty of "a reckless failure of their constitutional responsibility." He said he would "not have given a free ride to business" with the tax cut Trump and Republicans enacted in 2017, and he criticized Democrats for proposing "free healthcare for all." While Starbucks is ubiquitous, Schultz himself is not as well known to voters. His business record, though, could provide him with a way to illustrate his stances. Social Debates At Starbucks, Schultz increased benefits, including college tuition and healthcare coverage, for the chain's retail workers - including part-timers. And while running a coffee chain with locations across the U.S. and around the globe, Schultz was willing to thrust his company into contentious social and political debates over the years. In 2011, he enlisted other business leaders in a pledge to boycott U.S. political campaign donations until Congress could find a solution to growing national debt. More recently, Schultz enlisted baristas to write "Race Together" on cups to spur a national conversation on race, a move that was widely mocked on social media. In early 2017, Starbucks announced a plan to hire 10,000 refugees over five years. The decision was one of the strongest rebukes at the time against a Trump order suspending admission of refugees into the U.S. and barring citizens from seven mostly Muslim countries. The company's move sparked a boycott of the chain. In April, Starbucks came under fire after the arrest of two black patrons at a cafe in Philadelphia, forcing the company and Schultz to apologize. Schultz first came across Starbucks in 1981 while on a business trip in Seattle. At the time, the chain had just 11 locations. He joined the company the next year as director of retail operations and marketing. Schultz's real visionary moment, however, came in 1983 on a trip to Italy where he saw the popularity of the espresso bar and decided to build Starbucks into something similar in the U.S. - - - With assistance from Shelly Hagan. Happy Data Privacy Day! You will likely be hearing a lot about how companies care about your privacy, but as the Washington Post pointed out, its 2019 and big tech firms still dont care your privacy. Evidence: Websites need to make money, and many do that via ads that use your data for money. While you likely know ad tracking is creepy as can be, privacy-focused browser Brave added new evidence to an ongoing GDPR complaint that shows how ad categories used by Google and the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) profile you and apply potentially sensitive labels to you. This new evidence describes how ad auction companies, including Google, unlawfully profile Internet users religious beliefs, ethnicities, diseases, disabilities, and sexual orientation. When you visit a website that uses ad auctions, personal data about you is broadcast in bid requests. Loading one web page can trigger numerous bid request broadcasts. In fact, it was estimated that ad auction companies broadcast intimate profiles about an average U.K. internet user 164 times per day. These are received by thousands of companies, and there is no way of knowing what then is done with these intimate data. According to Michael Veale, University College London technology policy researcher, Actors in this ecosystem are keen for the public to think they are dealing in anonymous, or at the very least non-sensitive data, but this simply isnt the case. Hugely detailed and invasive profiles are routinely and casually built and traded as part of todays real-time bidding system, and this practice is treated though its a simple fact of life online. It isnt: and it both needs to and can stop. Other cybersecurity and privacy news Japanese government will hack into citizens vulnerable IoT devices Vint Cerf, one of the fathers of the internet, is concerned about the Internet of Things, specifically about all the buggy and insecure IoT devices being hacked. And hes enthusiastic about development tools that Google and other companies are working on that will help expose software bugs in the devices. On that note, thanks to a new law amendment, the Japanese government plans to hack into citizens IoT devices. In February, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology will begin testing the password security of more than 200 million IoT devices by using default passwords and password dictionaries. Easy-to-hack devices will be added to a list and shared with ISPs which are to notify users about making the devices secure. Although the goal is to better cybersecurity before the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020, the new law allows authorities to try to gain access to IoT devices over a five-year period. Cisco RV320/RV325 routers under attack; update firmware now As you know, routers are a part of the IoT, and two Cisco routers, Cisco RV320 and RV325 WAN VPN routers, are under attack. After Cisco released advisories for CVE-2019-1652 and CVE-2019-1653, thanks to RedTeam Pentesting for reporting the command injection and two information disclosure flaws, security researcher David Davidson released proof-of-concept code and the search was on to find and exploit these routers. Bad Packets published an interactive map of vulnerable devices that were found in 122 countries and on the network of 1,619 unique ISPs a hefty portion of which are in the U.S. Bad Packets explained, Using data provided by BinaryEdge, weve scanned 15,309 unique IPv4 hosts and determined 9,657 Cisco RV320/RV325 routers are vulnerable to CVE-2019-1653. 6,247 out of 9,852 Cisco RV320 routers scanned are vulnerable and 3,410 out of 5,457 Cisco RV325 routers scanned are vulnerable. Affected users are urged to upgrade to the latest firmware version and change the device password ASAP. Dailymotion suffers credential stuffing attack The video-sharing platform Dailymotion admitted to being a victim of a large-scale computer attack aimed at compromising the data of its users. Affected users have been contacted, were part of a forced log out, and were told to change their password. Uncover agents target internet watchdog CitizenLab Internet watchdog group CitizenLab has been targeted by international undercover operatives intent on honing in on CitizenLabs work, which repeatedly revealed details about surveillance by Israeli surveillance vendor NSO Group. NSO denied having anything to do with the undercover operations. Citizen Lab said, This failed operation against two Citizen Lab researchers is a new low. Citizen Lab research is public, and the evidence that we use to draw our conclusions is public as well. We have always welcomed debate and dialogue about our work, but we condemn these sinister, underhanded activities in the strongest possible terms. Such a deceitful attack on an academic group like the Citizen Lab is an attack on academic freedom everywhere. To help you smile Since theres little to make you smile about todays news, Ill leave you with this funny tidbit that was shared by security researcher Ankit Anubhav. Automation is enabling cybersecurity teams to work faster and smarter. By delegating tiresome, time-consuming tasks to machines, automation allows companies to extend their security efforts. For insurance giant Aflac, applying automation to its threat intelligence program keeps it up-to-date on threat actors and techniques, providing intelligence to constantly inform changes to its security posture and defenses. When you look at the levers we have to pull, most of them have historically been a wait and see what the bad guys are going to do, and then react to that, says Aflac CSO Tim Callahan. The company has over 10,000 employees and manages over $100 billion in assets. Prior to joining Aflac in 2014, Callahan served in the U.S. Air Force and held security-focused roles at financial institutions such as SunTrust Bank and Peoples United Bank. He and his security team of around 250 are responsible for all aspects of security, including compliance and risk, physical and logical security, threat management, incident response, business resiliency and disaster recovery. Callahan says cyber-criminals working for financial gain are the companys main nemesis and the one it spends the most time and effort countering. To get ahead of the cyber criminals, Aflac has adopted a program that combines traditional threat intelligence feeds, predictive analytics, dark web intelligence and automated preventative measures. Callahan says this allows Aflac to be more proactive and offensive in its security posture. Threat intelligence is one area where we can get ahead of that and we can start anticipating and being somewhat predictive on what the bad guys are going to do. The art of threat intelligence automation Through a combination of internally developed capabilities combined with off-the-shelf tools, Aflac takes data from a number of internal and external sources, runs analytics on the data, assigns confidence and risk factors determining the surety of the conclusion and the severity of the danger posed, and then uses that information to automatically apply protective measures. Vendors included on the project include Infoblox and Flashpoint, but Aflac ingests data from other partners as well, including the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance, various government programs, and the dark web. This information is then combined and processed with the companys internal data gathered from the network, applications and security tools. Various confidence scores will have different outcomes. A high confidence score about a bad domain will lead to blocking, while repeated failed logins will be noted and possibly combined with other data later. Its basically a team of individuals that are dedicated to studying and understanding what threat actors are doing, says DJ Goldsworthy, director of security operations and threat management, Aflac. This includes knowing who the threat actors are, what are their current tactics and techniques, and how are they changing and evolving. And as we gain new insight into threat actor capabilities and tactics, we're using that information to advise our defensive strategy. Although the threat intelligence team has only five members, the system is able to block over two million bad connections with just 12 false positives. The system has over five million indicators of compromise (IOCs) stored on record and is constantly ingesting information from millions of data points. The art, according to Aflac, is automatically tying threat intelligence to security orchestration to ensure the gathered data is valuable for example, automatically blocking known bad email addresses, domains, IP addresses or files. Aflac tracks about 10 million data points at any given time and blocks more than 300,000 connections labeled high risk a month. We don't just stop at blocking, says Goldsworthy. We take the information from those emails and we analyze it. If it's malware, we reverse-engineer it and take all the intelligence out of it and put that into our threat intelligence data sets. We can see, for example, when threat actors shifted to macro-enabled office documents to distribute ransomware and then shifted again to malicious URLs to steal credentials. That's something we cultivate ourselves, he adds, because from a threat intelligence standpoint, all the sharing that happens is very beneficial, but there's really no better intelligence that you can gather than what the threat actors are trying to send to your business on a day to day basis. While Goldsworthy says there are manual aspects to the program around some of the dark web monitoring and high-end malware analysis, it is necessary to have automation and orchestration to keep up with the pace of threats. The system also brings information together based on commonality. IOCs are grouped together threat actor or technique, meaning seemingly disparate data comes together to show wider patterns. Threat intelligence could always use more intel No system is perfect, and Aflac recently suffered an incident involving some of its sales representatives. In September 2018, the company revealed how Microsoft Office 365 email accounts belonging to independent contractor sales agents might have been compromised, leading to the leak of personal information such as names, addresses, social security numbers and some policy details. Our sales force is made up of independent agents, and we have an Office 365 instance that we offer, explains Callahan. The email incident was a phishing attack that a very few of our agents happen to fall for, but it was enough that it generated a lot of activity. He says Aflac aims to become more of a partner to its sales force of smaller companies selling Aflac products and do more around both educating them on how they may be a target for criminals but also help secure those companies. That incident highlighted the need for cloud solutions to achieve parity with the more traditional on-premise solutions in terms of integrations and security capabilities, says Goldworthy. They're maturing quickly but there are still some integrations points that don't exist and allow for native capabilities that security teams have built to extend to those cloud environments. While he wont say Aflac could have avoided the attack if it didnt involve an Office 365 instance, Goldsworthy believes that if there had been an integration point that tied into the companys threat intel platform, the system could potentially could have provided some additional visibility. Callahan and Goldsworthy say priorities for 2019 and beyond include being more interactive with customers in the digital space, which includes having a strong client validation and authentication program that doesnt impact customer experience. On the threat intelligence front, moving beyond largely atomic IOCs to more behavioral IOCs is also a goal. I think we'll see more intel automation that leads to technique- and tactic-based blocking, says Goldsworthy. So if you see this behavior, not specifically this IP or this domain but this behavior, this indicates an attack with a high confidence. One of our core strategies is reusing our security research and our threat intelligence to advise our strategy around controls. How do we continue to improve our email protection? How do we improve our endpoint protection? How do we improve our data loss prevention protection? All of those are tactic- and technique-based preventative or detective controls. Security support from the top down Aflacs approach to security has garnered it a host of awards in recent years. As well as two CSO50 Awards, Callahan has won a CISO award from SC Magazine and the Stevie award for Tech Innovator of the Year. When asked about the secret to the companys success, he cites how security is treated as a priority throughout Aflacs hierarchy. If I were going to assign a single causal factor, says Callahan, it would be our support from our executive leadership and board of directors. They're very active in our program, they want to know that we're doing the right things. One example Callahan gives was the time Aflac CEO Dan Amos personally launched a contest among employees to see if they could come up with good ideas for improving security within the company. The winning idea which received the $3,000 prize was to have cybersecurity advocates in each department, a scheme dubbed the cybersecurity ambassador program. That's just illustrative of the support that we get from our top execs, says Callahan. Because I have that support, every SVP and EVP in the company knows that it's a high priority and they want to make sure that they're supporting our program to that same degree that our CEO and top execs are. Ninety-five percent of the time when I watch videos about cybersecurity, hacking, privacy, or surveillance, they are videos from security conferences. In fact, some of the best out there are TED talks. While most of the great ones were made years ago (between 2008 and 2017), 2018 had several worth watching. Here's a look at some of them. What your smart devices know (and share) about you Kashmir Hill and Surya Mattu gave a worthy 2018 TED Talk called, What your smart devices know (and share) about you. Hill set up her one-bedroom apartment as a smart home for two months. She connected an Amazon Echo, the lights, her coffee maker, a baby monitor, her kids toys, a vacuum cleaner, her TV, her toothbrush, a photo frame, a sex toy, and even her bed. And Mattu was responsible for monitoring the Internet of Things (IoT) devices that were spying on Hill. Unsurprisingly, Mattu could see a lot. For example, with unencrypted data streams, such as when someone watched Hulu on the smart TV, he could see everything. For encrypted data streams, he could see only the meta data, but even that provides information. For example, he was able to figure out what time the family wakes up in the morning because the Amazon Echo would start playing songs from Spotify between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. How tech companies deceive you into giving up your data and privacy How tech companies deceive you into giving up your data and privacy is a somewhat related 2018 TED Talk that falls under the heading of TED Salon. In the September 2018 video, Finn Lutzow-Holm delves into the internet of sh*t and data collection, explaining alarming ways tech companies trick their users and how the personal data the companies collect are used at a scale you could never imagine. When technology can read minds, how will we protect our privacy? Another privacy-related TED Salon Talk from November 2018, given by bioethicist Nita Farahany, is titled, When technology can read minds, how will we protect our privacy? In it, she points out that the average person thinks thousands of thoughts each day. Already there are sensors in vehicles headrests that track driver concentration, distraction and cognitive load while driving. Insurance companies pretty much love tracking when attention wanes. There will be be more mind-reading tech to come in the future. Farahany said: I worry about the ability of our laws to keep up with technological change. Take the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech. Does it also protect freedom of thought? And if so, does that mean that we're free to alter our thoughts however we want? Or can the government or society tell us what we can do with our own brains? Can the NSA spy on our brains using these new mobile devices? Can the companies that collect the brain data through their applications sell this information to third parties? Right now, no laws prevent them from doing so. How dangerous are IoT devices? Ben Gurion University Professor Yuval Elovici, who is also head of its Cyber Security Research Center, also discusses the danger of IoT devices. In this January 2018 TEDx Talk, he takes us through a typical day just a few years from now and make us realize the power of connectivity, for good or for bad. As Elovici explains, IoT devices collect a lot of information about us that is stored in the cloud, where it will be analyzed to provide us with better services. However, if someone manages to get this data, they will be violating our privacy, plus they could use that data against us. In one potential scenario, Elovici describes one potential scenario in which the data from your smart watch, which measures your alcohol level, could be combined with data from your smart car and then shared with law enforcement officials in their connected/smart cars, who could charge us with driving under the influence. Its all things to consider as we connect our devices to the internet. How do we build trust into the IoT? While the scope of my search was limited to the above-mentioned topics, it was surprising to find so few TED Talks of new topics made in the last year. In fact, the hunt for many such talks made in 2018 generally fell under the scope of Tedx Talks, with the x indicating it was an independently organized TED event. A University of Nevada TEDx Talk you might enjoy is How Do We Build Trust into the Internet Of Things. In it, Daniel Price discusses the future of IOT technology, the network of social devices; what should we be excited about, and what should we watch out for? Neglect your smart toaster, and it might post itself for sale. If your environment knows who you are, say goodbye to anonymity and hello to a mailed ticket for jaywalking. (Hello, China!) He gives serious, funny, and even scary examples of the IoT future, as well as how IoT must have trust as its foundation. When cyber prevents security I also enjoyed the TEDxTufts (Tufts University) Talk When Cyber Prevents Security by Winnona DeSombre, who is a threat intelligence researcher at Recorded Future. In it she discusses how failing to include strong security when developing new, internet-connected devices can be disastrous. An example she gives are the hard-coded passwords built into routers, DVRs and other connected devices. When they all have the same unchangeable password, a hacker needs to figure out just one password to be able to get into all. Thats what happened with the Dyn attack on Oct. 21, 2016 a hacker got into over 100,000 devices and created a botnet that took down the internet for the northeast section of the United States and parts of Europe for an entire business day. This happened, she says, because companies were focused on pushing out the newest, hottest products the cheapest way possible and they failed to include security in the process. How we need to remake the internet Jaron Laniers April 2018 TED Talk How we need to remake the internet made it into a TED curators top 10 talks of last year. The synopsis reads, In this visionary talk, Lanier reflects on a globally tragic, astoundingly ridiculous mistake companies like Google and Facebook made at the foundation of digital culture and how we can undo it. We cannot have a society in which if two people wish to communicate, the only way that can happen is if it's financed by a third person who wishes to manipulate them, he says. Online privacy and the total freedom of the internet In Online Privacy and the Total Freedom of the Internet, a 2018 TEDx Talk out of Bucharest, security researcher Stefan Tanase asks, Do we want to live in a world where digital privacy is a human right or do we want to live in a world similar to George Orwell's 1984? Defend yourself in this digital world. No one else will do it for you Lastly, in the TEDx Talk Defend yourself in this digital world. No one else will do it for you, Dutch cybersecurity expert Arjen Kamphuis says we need to keep ourselves safe to take responsibility for our own defenses. "We can create our own IT systems that are independent and secure. We just need to decide to commit our resources to making them," he says. While the talk is interesting in its own right, it's made doubly so by the fact that Kamphuis went missing a few months after giving the talk. Its worth noting that WikiLeaks tweeted several times about Kamphuiss mysterious disappearance. Kamphuis is still missing, but friends and family members said in December 2018 they believe he is still alive that his disappearance is voluntary. They say he did this type of thing before when dealing with a personal setback. The corporate world was rocked by a number of high-profile data breaches and ransomware attacks in 2018. Juniper Research estimated that the quantity of data stolen by cybercriminals could rise by as much as 175 percent over the next five years. Add to that uncertainties in the global economy and 2019 looks set to be a challenging year for cybersecurity professionals. 1. Operationalizing GDPR The EU's general data protection regulation (GDPR) requires every business operating in the EU to protect the privacy and personal data of EU citizens. The penalties for non-compliance are high, and the GDPR takes a broad view of what constitutes personal data, making this a potentially onerous duty. An Ovum reporton data privacy laws from July 2018 suggested that two-thirds of businesses consider they will have to adapt their own procedures in order to become compliant, and over half fear they are likely to be fined for non-compliance. A proactive approach to data privacy is also beneficial for enterprises trading solely in the U.S. Will 2019 be the year we see the adoption of a comprehensive federal privacy law in the U.S.? 2. Managing managed and unmanaged devices As the number and range of mobile devices (both managed and unmanaged) employed by users continues to grow, enterprise networks have had an uphill struggle to mitigate the risks involved. The IoT has linked numerous connected devices, many of which have little or no built-in security, to previously secure networks resulting in an exponential rise in exploitable endpoints. The enterprise needs to come to grips with this trend and assert some control over the use of unmanaged devices and establish clear protocols for managed devices. 3. Take a complete inventory A survey conducted by Ponemon in 2018 found that even though 97 percent of security professionals agreed a cyber attack caused by an insecure device could be catastrophic for their company, only 15 percent had an inventory of the IoT devices connected to their systems, and fewer than half had a security protocol that would allow them to disconnect devices seen as high-risk. Its imperative that the enterprise take a proactive approach to this vulnerability. This year we expect to see more companies follow the best practice advice of NIST in establishing a real-time inventory of all connected devices. Not only those employing a physical connection, but also through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. 4. Targeted phishing attacks Personal data is an increasingly lucrative currency for hackers. Data mined from attacks on social media sites such as Facebook can be bought on the dark web and then leveraged to provide social engineers with the information they need to successfully target an individual. This results in increasingly sophisticated attacks by APT (advanced persistent threat) groups. Very few people today would fall for the Nigerian scam, but if a phishing email comes from a trusted source or makes reference to personal data you would not expect a spammer to have, it is harder to spot. Kapersky suggests that spear phishing will be one of the greatest threats to businesses and individuals in 2019. 5. Ransomware and cryptojacking While ransomware attacks are in decline, theyve been replaced to some degree by cryptojacking (hijacking a computer to mine cryptocurrency). These attacks employ similar tactics to ransomwarebut require less technical expertise. As the malware works in the background without the users knowledge, its hard to estimate the true scale of this problem, but all the evidence suggests it is on the rise. The high-profile attacks seen in 2018 (WannaCry,NotPetya) also suggest that while random low-level ransomware attacks are reducing in number, sophisticated targeted attacks will remain a problem for some time. We expect that 2019 will see the continued growth of cryptojacking and targeted ransomware. 6. User access rights Effective management of user privileges is one of the cornerstones of a strong security profile. Granting users unnecessary data access rights or system privileges can result in either accidental or deliberate misuse of data and create vulnerabilities to external attack. Leading the way in the fight to counter this risk are identity and access management (IAM) systems, which give administrators the tools to monitor and assess access to ensure compliance with government regulations and corporate protocols. Many of the solutions in this growth area are still in their infancy, but they are already proving their business worth. We can expect to see many more joining their ranks in the coming year. 7. Endpoint detection & response (EDR) Endpoint detection and response is an emerging technology that provides continuous monitoring of access points and a direct response to advanced threats. EDR solutions primarily focus on detecting events at the point of entry, containing the incident there to prevent network infection, investigation of any suspicious activity and remedial action to restore system integrity. Traditional endpoint protection platforms (EPP) are primarily preventative. EDR enhances threat detection far beyond the capabilities of traditional EPP solutions and actively hunts down anomalies using behavioral monitoring and AI tools. As the nature of the cyber threat morphs and changes, we expect to see a new wave of security solutions combining traditional EPP with emerging EDR technologies. 8. Deep fake videos Seeing is no longer believing. Automated AI technologies have been developed to both create and detect deep fake videos. Videos might depict a celebrity or politician engaged in illegal or pornographic activity or a head of state making inflammatory comments. Even when the images have been shown to be fake there could be lasting reputational damage or severe irredeemable consequences. Not only does this highlight the importance of fact checking, but there is a worrying undercurrent to this tech. Deep fake videos often go viral, making them an excellent tool for spreading malware and launching phishing attacks. In the coming year, we all need to watch out for this pernicious trend. 9. Cloud security The migration of service and computing solutions to the cloud has brought many benefits to the enterprise. However, it has also opened up new areas of risk. The cybersecurity skills gap remains worryingly wide, and a new generation of cybercriminals are enthusiastically probing cloud-based services for vulnerabilities. Many in the enterprise remain uncertain to what degree they are responsible for securing data, and even the best system can be compromised by a breach in protocol. We need to redefine security for the cloud and get proactive. 10. User awareness In almost all of the above areas, the final word is on user awareness. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and we all have to take ownership of the risks if we are to secure our data and networks. Above all, we hope the coming year will see an increased awareness on the part of all users, combined with more comprehensive education in threat limitation and remediation. Knowledge is power, and it is within our grasp. Regent Seven Seas Cruises today announced guests who book an Alaskan voyage on the Mariner of the Seas in 2019 will save up to $1,500 per suite and also enjoy a shipboard credit of up to $500 on 10 select voyages. Witness the iconic wildlife, experience the frontier culture and use your Shipboard Credit to pre-book a Regent Choice shore excursion like a helicopter ride over glistening glaciers, and then return home to indulge in the sophisticated comfort of Seven Seas Mariner where every luxury is included, said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. With unlimited shore excursions, roundtrip air, gourmet dining, fine wines and spirits and so much more included, there is no better way to experience Alaska than with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Thanks to her recent bow-to-stern refurbishment, Seven Seas Mariner is better than new. This promotion reflects increasing consumer interest in sailing in Alaska, Regent said, in a statement. Finance minister Arun Jaitley said the 10 per cent import duty on gold was levied to curb current account deficit (CAD). Mumbai: The gems and jewellery has sought reduction of gold import duty to 4 per cent, cut and polished diamonds and cut and polished gem stones to its 2.5 per cent and relaxation of credit norms for working capital requirements in the forthcoming budget. All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) chairman Anatha Padmanabhan in a letter to finance minister Arun Jaitley said the 10 per cent import duty on gold was levied to curb current account deficit (CAD). India's trade deficit narrowed more-than-expected to USD 12.96 billion in June, 2017, but the increased import duty on gold has given rise to the grey market, he added. He said, PAN card limit should be raised to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 2 lakh. As the PAN card holders are not even 50 per cent of our population and making it mandatory for purchase of gold jewellery above 2 lakh is difficult in rural areas especially as customers are either reluctant to share or do not have one, he added. Meanwhile, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) chairman Pramod Kumar Agrawal urged the government to reduce import duty on cut and polished diamonds as well as on cut and polished gemstones to 2.5 per cent from the current 7.5 per cent. He further asked the government to allow 5 per cent of the FOB (free on board price) value of exports of cut and polished diamonds to be re-imported duty free in the preceding licensing year for the exporters. GJEPC urged the government to change income tax regulations enabling foreign mining companies to sell rough diamonds through special notified zone. "We also seek authorities to notify GST rate of 0.25 per cent on input services (at least job work services and grading and certification services) and extend benefit of inverted duty structure to such services also. The GJEPC asked for an conducive banking environment for exporters of gems and jewellery sector in terms of relaxing credit norms for working capital requirements. "We also urge the government to introduce interest subvention of 5 per cent on export finance for the gem and jewellery sector," he added. India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) director and national vice president and PNG Jewellers CMD Saurabh Gadgil said he hoped elimination of commodity transaction tax (CTT) will curb 'dabba' trading. Kalyan Jewellers chairman and managing director T S Kalyanaraman said, he is expecting an uptick in discretionary consumable spends due to the expected move of increasing the tax exemption slab to Rs 5 lakh. This will augment disposable income and contribute to enhanced spending in items like gold and jewellery and other consumable sectors, he added. Victory Cruise Lines has announced its first two itineraries since being bought by American Queen Steamboat Company as the sailings on the 202-guest Victory I and Victory II feature all five Great Lakes and the Canadian Maritimes, according to a press release. Victory Cruise Lines will begin its upcoming season in May 2019 with a 10-day sailing on Victory I between Toronto and Chicago and a 10-day sailing on Victory II between Montreal and Detroit, the company said. Our goal with Victory Cruise Lines is to deliver a small ship experience with the same authenticity and passion for service that exists with our luxurious riverboat fleet, said John Waggoner, chairman and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. We look forward to bringing our award-winning experience to these northern waters and celebrating the beauty of this bountiful region. Among the options is a Great Lakes Grand Discovery on the Victory I; sailings will embark or disembark in Toronto with ports of call in Port Colborne, Niagara Falls; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, MI; Sault Saint Marie, MI; Little Current, Manitoulin Island (Ontario, Canada); and Mackinac Island, MI; concluding in Chicago, IL. The Victory II will sail to French Canada and the Great Lakes, exploring the St. Lawrence River onto Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Guests will cruise Thousand Islands corridor, tour Kingstons preserved Gothic cathedrals and explore the regions monuments. The ship will embark or disembark and overnight in Montreal, Quebec with ports of call in Quebec City, Quebec; Kingston, Ontario; Toronto, Ontario; Port Weller/Niagara Falls; Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, MI. A second cruise port could be coming to Saint Lucia soon, said Prime Minister Allen Chastanet. The new port, located in the south, could go along with a recently development international airport and host turnarounds for European cruise lines, which often use charter flights for fly-cruises during the winter Caribbean season. Prime Minister Chastanet also recently met with Carnival Cruise Line in Miami according to local reports, in which the minister said he had reached an agreement in principle with Carnival Cruise Line for the construction of a cruise ship port in Vieux Fort. The Prime Minister also reportedly met with MSC Cruises to discuss the islands existing cruise port. Saint Lucia recently expanded its main cruise port in Castries, Pointe Seraphine. Cruise business is up for the island, with 760,306 guests being reported in 2018, up from 669,217 a year prior, with 370 ship calls reported. Litchfield Township, MN (55355) Today Rain likely, heavy at times in the morning. High 68F. Winds ENE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 49F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. 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 The RBI governor asked banks to take advantage of the MSME restructuring scheme to support viable MSME units. New Delhi: In a bid to boost industrial growth and create jobs in the economy ahead of the Lok Sabha election, both the Centre and the RBI asked the state-run banks to step-up lending as its reluctance has impacted the liquidity situation in the market. In a meeting, the RBI governor Shaktikanta Das urged the CEOs of state-run banks to avoid excessive conservatism. while providing loans. The Centre too has been keen to increase lending especially to the medium and small enterprises (MSMEs), which are the major job creators in the country, were severely hit by the twin blows of demonetisation and GST. During the meeting, Mr Das underlined the importance of public sector banks (PSBs) for the economy especially at the present juncture in helping meet broader economic goals. The RBI governor asked banks to take advantage of the MSME restructuring scheme to support viable MSME units. Finance minister Piyush Goyal along with Department of Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar also reviewed the performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs). We have discussed measures to promote MSME loan, housing loan and agriculture lending, said Mr Goyal after the meeting. The Centre said that due to measure taken by it including recapitalisation, banks are now positioned to step up their support to meet the lending needs of a growing economy. PSBs committed to the government to significantly step up the level of domestic credit growth from 9.1 per cent year-on-year at the end the second quarter of the current financial year, said an official statement. PSBs committed to step up MSME lending. Banks committed to further improve on the robust growth in credit and reducing trend in turnaround time for loan applications through growing use of fintech and technology as evidenced by the success of the 59 minutes loan portal, through which over 1.25 lakh MSMEs have been accorded in-principle approval, said the statement. It said that banks agreed to work further on increasing use of advanced data analysis and where possible, Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms for better, faster and hassle-free credit decisions and monitoring of accounts. The banks were advised to maintain the trend of improvement in performance, with a view to bringing them out of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework at the earliest. Of the 21 state-owned banks, 11 are under the PCA framework, which imposes lending and other restrictions on weak lenders. The banks were asked to ensure that the benefits extended under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (overdraft facility and accidental insurance cover on RuPay cards) reach the common people, and ensure opening of accounts as per expanded focus from every household to every adult. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how. John Crisp - Just what do we mean by 'wall'? CBI wants to file charge sheet within the stipulated 90 days. CBI first information report (FIR) filed on Thursday has not named Upasani as one of the accused and booked Chanda Kochhar on charges of criminal conspiracy. New Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the high profile fraud allegedly involving former ICICI MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar is set to take a new twist with setting up a new investigation team. Sources said that armed with fresh evidence, the new CBI team is set to bring in former Maharashtra chief secretary Sharad Upasani under its scanner for a possible role in connection with alleged cheating and irregularities in loans sanctioned by the bank to the Videocon group in 2012. As per preliminary enquiry (PE) done by CBI, it was Upasani who introduced Deepak Kochhar, husband of Chanda Kochhar to Videocon group managing director Venugopal Dhoot, a fact that has also been corroborated by Dhoot in his earlier public interactions. However, CBI first information report (FIR) filed on Thursday has not named Upasani as one of the accused and booked Chanda Kochhar on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and abuse of official position for dishonestly sanctioning loans to the Videocon Group. The FIR also named Deepak Kochhar and VN Dhoot and mentions unknown public servants without booking them. The PE established allegations of quid pro quo in the loans granted to Videocon by ICICI Bank. But more players seem to be involved in the deals between ICICI Bank and Videocon. The allegation of nexus between Upasani, Kochhars and Dhoot will now be investigated by CBI before filing of the charge sheet against the accused, said the source quoted earlier. The agency is also now expected to widen the scope of its probe by bringing into picture benami properties bought in Brazil. These could have links with the accused in the case and agency is moving ahead with leads. Sources said that a team of CBI would shortly visit the Latin American country to explore whether illegal gratification received by the accused was used for buying benami property in a third country. The agency is also expected to move at fast pace to complete investigations into fresh leads that have surfaced, as the CBI wants to file charge sheet within the stipulated 90 days. It needs to be seen whether the CBI charge sheet will make offences against the accused bailable or non-bailable. This will also depend on the outcome of investigations by the new team. With general elections round the corner, it needs to be seen whether government will push CBI to complete its probe on the fraud quickly and get a charge sheet filed or linger on for new government to take a call in May this year. Through changes at CBI have given the agency strength to go ahead with the probe in the high profile case, sources said the fresh investigations will have to be done meticulously resist pressure and dissentions within the agency. Given that CBI was a divided house, with some officers showing allegiance to ousted CBI director Alok Verma and others with interim director Nageshwar Rao. Kochhar, who was MD of ICICI Bank until last October, is accused in the CBI FIR of allegedly receiving illegal gratification through her husband, Deepak Kochhar from Videocons VN Dhoot for sanctioning a term loan of Rs 300 crore to Videocon International Electronics Ltd. This apart, her alleged role in influencing disbursal decisions in relevant committees of the bank has also come under scrutiny. The agency has also booked Deepak Kochhar and VN Dhoot in its FIR. It is probing allegations of quid pro quo in the loans granted to Videocon by ICICI Bank. FIR has also brought to fore role of senior ICICI bank officials including former chairman KV Kamath, current ICICI Bank MD Sandeep Bakhshi, K Ramkumar, Sonjoy Chatterjee (CEO, Goldman Sachs India), NS Kannan, Zarin Daruwala (CEO, Standard Chartered India), Rajiv Sabharwal (CEO, Tata Capital) and Homi Khusrokhan, in the case. These individuals were part of the sanctioning committee that cleared loans amounting to Rs 1,575 crore. CBI had reportedly searched Nariman Point offices of Deepak Kochhars company, NuPower Renewables Limited (NRL), the Videocon Group and Supreme Energy Pvt Ltd (SEPL). Videocons offices in Aurangabad have also been searched. Since these reports, the U.S. administration announced new sanctions, which dont direct funds to opposition coffers but which do appear intended to prevent CITGO from remitting oil-related payments to Venezuela. Instead, the funds must be held in blocked accounts in the U.S. Heres Bloomberg on the sanctions, and the Wall Street Journal , and Reuters , and the New York Times . Even by the eccentric standards of its ongoing debt crisis, weird things are afoot in Venezuela. Opposition leader Juan Guaido has declared himself president and been recognized by the U.S. and other governments. Thats not especially weird. Whats odd is that the political convulsions in Venezuela are manifesting in part as a battle over control of the CITGO board. Guaido has said he plans to appoint a new board. Rumors are circulating that this is part of a plan, assisted by the U.S. government, not just to cut off the flow of oil revenues to the Maduro regime but to redirect that flow towards opposition coffers. As the Wall Street Journal previously reported : U.S. officials say they want to divert oil money--as well as control over other assets like gold reserves--away from Mr. Maduro to the new interim president without stopping crude exports from the country. Thats also consistent with a recent statement recently put out by the U.S. Treasury. We are skeptical that this is a first step towards putting any significant money in opposition coffers. To be sure, there would be historical precedent for an effort to pair an asset freeze with an attempt to fund opposition parties. In 2011, for instance, after freezing assets belonging to Qaddafi government, the Obama administration tried to divert some of these assets to fund the main opposition party. (Here are contemporary articles in the New York Times and on the Council on Foreign Relations website.) There are other historical examples of this, too. The problem is that we arent aware of significant U.S. assets controlled by Maduro and his croniesexcept, that is, for oil receivables. And if U.S. buyers cannot remit payment to Venezuela, the government will likely cause the company to stop oil shipments. Perhaps buyers are in arrears, and the amounts currently due will flow to the blocked accounts rather than to the government. But if PDVSA stops selling, these funds will quickly dry up. Moreover, the sanctions may also cause PDVSA to default on its 2020 bondsthe only ones it is currently payingwhich are collateralized by shares in CITGOs holding company. If this happens, the sanctions may cause Venezuela to lose control over CITGO. In addition, if the U.S. government attempted to force CITGO to pay its earnings to the interim government, we wonder what impact this would have on contractual triggers in the CITGO bonds (we have not checked the details). Might the U.S. create a basis for triggering an acceleration of debt? Its worth stepping back to acknowledge the larger stakes here. It seems to us that current events pose some fundamental questions. One important question is, Who owns assets that, at the moment, nominally belong to the Venezuelan government and its corrupt officials? The question has political, moral, and legal dimensions. We suspect many readers would answer--somewhat abstractly--the Venezuelan people. We would give that answer, too. The problem, however, is that the international law of sovereigntywhich, when the smoke clears, will decide who bears the costs of this debacleisnt very good at translating that intuition into reality. For instance, when a lender extends credit to a corrupt dictator who then absconds with the money, the doctrine of odious debt might, in theory, impose the loss on the lender. In reality, however, this is rarely the outcome; the countrys citizens and residents bear the loss. The best way to prevent this distributional inequity is to prevent corrupt leaders from dissipating or stealing assets in the first place. One benefit of the sanctions regime is that it will prevent the government from extracting further value from Venezuelan oil reserves, while possibly hastening its downfall. On the other hand, the new sanctions may also cause some lasting harm. If the sanctions cause Venezuela to lose control over CITGO, one might reasonably question whether this will help or hurt a future, democratically-elected government. We hope the administration has clear objectives here, other than scoring a political win. Longer-term, much more will be needed from the U.S. and other governments. Once a stable, new Venezuelan government is in place, it will desperately need to restructure its mountain of debt. The debt stock is bewilderingly complex, consisting of bonds (both the governments and PDVSAs), trade debts, promissory notes issued to trade creditors, arbitration claimants, bilateral official debts, etc. Imagine you are a bond creditor and that the government has presented you with a restructuring proposal that seems, on its face, to be reasonable. You are willing to accept, but not if some arbitration claimant is likely to come along and seize the governments oil receivablesgetting paid in full while disrupting the governments ability to sell the oil necessary to pay you. A similar dilemma is present in every restructuring but is dramatically magnified for Venezuela, because of the diversity of its creditor base and its dependence on oil exports to generate foreign currency. The solution to this problem is to immunize a new governments assets from seizure by creditors. Again, there is precedent. This is exactly what the U.S. and other countries did to facilitate restructuring of Iraqs debt. Unless something similar happens here, any attempt to restructure Venezuelas debt faces a serious threat from holdout creditors. Long story short, we arent sure what the U.S. governments strategy is here. In the short term, it will put pressure on the Maduro regime and hopefully speed a transition to a new government. Longer-term, we hope the administration is willing to take additional steps to ensure an orderly restructuring. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Community News 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 100% Website telekom.de uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 5572 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 214632 bytes (209.60 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-04-02, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. 60% Website cookpaintingllc.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: Boostrap. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 356608 bytes (348.25 kb uncompressed) and 87527 bytes (85.48 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-04-06, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. TPG Telecom will cease the rollout its mobile network following the decision of the Australian federal government to ban the use of Huawei equipment in 5G networks due to national security concerns. TPG Telecom made the announcement in a regulatory filing to the Australian Securities Exchange. TPG said it had selected Huawei as its principal supplier of 5G equipment because of the clear upgrade path for its current infrastructure, which also uses Huawei. Because the upgrade path is now blocked, TPG said it does not make economic sense for the company to continue investing in its current network either. TPG stated that it has not found any solutions to address the Huawei ban. Furthermore, TPG noted that has spent A$100 million in CAPEX. Prior to when the Huawei ban was announced in August 2018, is had purchased Huawei equipment for 1,500 sites. So far, it has completed the rollout to 900 small cell sites. TPG Executive Chairman David Teoh stated "It is extremely disappointing that the clear strategy the Company had to become a mobile network operator at the forefront of 5G has been undone by factors outside of TPG's control. Over the past two years a huge amount of time and resource have been invested in creating and delivering on a strategy that would have positioned TPG very favourably to exploit the opportunities that the advent of 5G will present." TPG does not expect the decision to bear on its FY19 guidance, nor does it expect to write-down the mobile network investment capitalised to date. 01/29/2019 Photo (c) NGUYENTHANHTUNG - Getty Images If youre going to borrow tens of thousands of dollars to secure a college degree, getting the best return on investment (ROI) takes on added importance. Each year, The Princeton Review ranks 200 U.S. colleges for ROI, looking not only at costs but also salaries earned by graduates. In short, The Review is a guide for college-shoppers looking for an affordable, academically outstanding college that has a record of guiding students to rewarding careers. Only 200 schools make the cut. Theyre selected on an analysis of things like covered academics, cost, financial aid, career services, graduation rates, student debt, and alumni support. Making the list doesnt mean a school is among the least expensive to attend. It only means that, in the opinion of the editors, its worth the money. "Only 7 percent of the nation's four-year colleges made it into this book," said Robert Franek, its lead author and The Princeton Review's editor-in-chief. "We salute them for their stellar academics and generous aid awards to students based on need and/or merit. They also provide their undergrads with career services from day one plus strong networks of alumni connections." Several different lists The book is not a single list but a number of them, with the editors ranking schools on different criteria. There is an overall main ranking list and it places the California Institute of Technology in the top spot. Stanford was second, followed by Princeton and MIT. Internships have been proven to be an effective pathway to securing a good job after graduation, and The Princeton Review ranks colleges on their ability to help students become interns. Bentley University is number one, followed by Franklin W. Olin College, Wabash College, and the University of Richmond. Just as important is assistance in getting jobs for graduates. Harvey Mudd College, in Claremont, Calif., ranks first, followed by the California Institute of Technology, Stanford, and MIT. Best financial aid If you are looking for a school with a generous financial aid package, theres a list for that as well. Bowdoin College of Brunswick, Maine is at the top of the list for financial aid. Its followed by Vassar, Princeton, and Yale. Other categories include the best alumni network, where Pennsylvania State University ranks first; and best schools for making an impact -- a list led by Wesleyan University. Of the 200 schools in the book, 137 are private and 63 are public institutions. The average cost of attending for in-state schools receiving need-based aid is $12,972 a year. The average admission rate is 54 percent, with 13 schools admitting over 70 percent who apply. The least bad outcome of todays Commons votes is that European Research Group members, and other Brexiteer MPs, vote for the amendment about which Graham Brady writes on this site this morning (assuming that the Speaker selects it). They may be right to object that adding a codicil in addition to the backstop, rather than simply scrapping the latter, would not provide the legal certainty required to guarantee an end to its effects. By floating the prospect of a codicil, Sir Graham thereby alienated some pro-Leave Tory MPs without necessarily persuading some pro-Remain ones. But Theresa May doesnt want to present the EU with the Brady proposal word for word. What she is aiming to do is to show it that the Commons isnt opposed to everything, but can agree on something and that at the core of that something is the removal of the backstop as it stands. Hence her decision to whip in favour of the Brady amendment a late decision, but better late than never. The new Malthouse compromise, agreed on by Conservative Soft and Hard Brexiteers alike, could then supplement the Brady proposal: in a nutshell, this seeks to replace the present backstop with a different one, which would either allow a smooth transition to a deal or put in place a triple safety net if there is no deal. Or else the Prime Minister could try the Bew plan, which may be more realistic. Either way, neither the EU nor the Irish Government will be willing, surely, to drop the idea of a backstop entirely. But replacing it, as the Malthouse idea proposes, or ameliorating and time-limiting it and, as Bew suggests, may be a different matter especially since Michel Barnier has now let the unicorn out of the bag over maxfac. If the Brady amendment is not carried, the following sequence of events is almost certain. Remainers and Soft Brexiteers in the Government and Commons will say that May tried to take the ERG with her, and failed; that the only option left for her is to go with them; and that this means extending Article 50, doing a deal with Labour MPs, and then accepting either Norway Plus or a second referendum. A further weakened Prime Minister would no longer be in a position to resist. The power pendulum within the Government would swing back to David Lidington, the group of pro-Soft Brexit Cabinet Ministers fronted by Amber Rudd, and the policy instincts of the civil service. And the Conservative Party would face the prospect of a formal split, paving the way for a Marxist government under Jeremy Corbyn. DUP MPs meet this morning. If they decide that the Brady amendment is at least a start, and declare that it should form the basis of an approach to Brussels, ERG members should take note. It may of course be that there is some procedural twist later today that ConservativeHome cant anticipate this morning, but the choice for pro-Brexit MPs as we write is a straightforward one. The stark truth is that by angling for everything they risk getting nothing whether the Cooper amendment passes today or not. Plus the risk of paving the way either for Brexit in name only, or for a second referendum that could tear the country apart, whatever the result. The Malthouse Compromise burst this morning upon an astonished world. At a time of increasing and perhaps even fatal acrimony within the Conservative Party, it has achieved the improbable feat of uniting Leavers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker with Remainers such as Nicky Morgan, Stephen Hammond and Robert Buckland. But who is Kit Malthouse, and how did he command the trust needed to act as the convenor of these opposed factions, and get them to agree on a way forward? He was elected to the Commons in 2015 as Sir George Youngs successor in North West Hampshire, is now Minister of State for Housing, but learned his politics first as a member of Westminster City Council and then from 2008 in City Hall, where Boris Johnson, the newly elected Mayor, was in desperate need of people who understood how the government of London actually worked. Malthouse was at both Westminster Council and City Hall a deputy: a position in some ways much trickier than being leader, for you have to interpret the leaders wishes, while often possessing not much more than your powers of persuasion and grasp of the issues to help you do so. You have to win the trust of those involved if you are going to make much progress. One who saw a lot of Malthouse at both Westminster Council and City Hall, and has since watched him taking questions in the Commons, says: Hes a great man. He has a good understanding of the issues. He is a Conservative, but he also has a presence. When he answers questions in the House he commands a certain sort of respect. Malthouse was born in Liverpool in 1966, educated at Liverpool College, read politics and economics at Newcastle University, qualified as a chartered accountant and has run his own business. A former colleague at City Hall says of him: He was quite arrogant, but not stupid. A Leaver, but because hes a business person, hes pragmatic and wants a solution, rather than standing on one side waving a Union flag. Another colleague described him as moody but great. Journalists recall that he would always ring for a chat if he thought anything to do with City Hall, and in particular to do with policing, for which as Deputy Mayor he was responsible, had been misreported: It was exhausting. A certain tenacity is evident, and a curious blend of tact and realism. In his description of himself on Twitter, he says: Given the volume I dont/cant reply on twitter sorry. A polite but unyielding formula. As Housing Minister, he has recognised the crucial importance of beauty: The only way we stand a chance of winning support for this output is if people like what we build beautiful buildings gather support; blank ubiquity garners protest and resentment. If you get the design right the scale, the context, the fitness communities will feel enhanced and respected, and will lay down their petitions and placards. Here too, one can see a Malthouse compromise being advanced. There will be many more houses than the protesters like the sound of, but these will be so good that a new consensus in favour of development will emerge. We shall soon know whether a consensus has emerged which favours the Brexit proposals he has helped to devise. Malthouse starts with the great advantage over Number Ten of being regarded, by both wings of the Conservative Party, as an honest broker. Henry Newman is Director of Open Europe. Guglielmo Verdirame is Professor of International Law at Kings College London and practises at 20 Essex Street Chambers. Last week, the EU managed to undermine its own position by arguing first that there would be a hard border in the event of No Deal and then that there would not be one thus calling into question why the backstop is required in the first place. Recent comments by European figures, including Jacek Czaputowicz, Polands Foreign Minister, suggested a growing realisation that it would be ironic if a deal couldnt be reached between the UK and EU, risking a harder border with Ireland, precisely because of a policy intended to avoid the need for such a hard border. Yet rather than sending the Prime Minister back to Brussels with a clear mandate to seek changes to the backstop, MPs risk giving a confused message in this evenings votes. Yesterday, ERG supporters denounced an amendment put forward by the 1922 Committee Chairman, Graham Brady, which would require the backstop to be replaced. There are now reports that agreement has been reached between backbenchers on possible alternative arrangements (the Malthouse Plan), but its unclear why the EU would support these. Replacing the entire backstop is something the EU is unlikely to ever accept. What can realistically be achieved? Although the backstop has various problems, the biggest is the weakness of its exit mechanism. The Government must improve this. Policy Exchange argued in a report in December and a paper today that the UK must reserve its rights to leave the backstop, under the Vienna Convention on the Laws of Treaties, if the EU did not meet its commitment to use best endeavours to find alternative solutions. The UK also needs clarity over what alternative solutions could replace the backstop. This is because of the European Commissions recent insistence that a subsequent agreement would ensure the absence of a hard border on the island of Ireland on a permanent footing [our italics], and because the EU has so far indicated that there are no alternatives to the backstop, besides full membership of both the Single Market and a Customs Union, or a reversion to a Northern Ireland-only backstop with an Irish Sea customs border. It would not be a good faith interpretation of the EUs commitment to find a subsequent agreemen were the only subsequent agreement to be substantively identical to the backstop. Nor would it be reasonable to refuse the UK any future relationship which had a unilateral right of withdrawal. It cannot be the case that the only way to replace the backstop is with a treaty with its own backstop. Some MPs are demanding a time limit on the backstop (something Theresa May was denied at the December European Council). However, a short time limit could create a cliff edge, working to the UKs disadvantage. As Open Europe has suggested, it could add unnecessary time pressure to the negotiations on the future relationship. So a clearer mechanism allowing the UK to leave the backstop, if the EU fails to negotiate in good faith on a future relationship, is preferable, not least because as Paul Bew and others have argued the backstop itself risks undermining the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Writing in yesterdays Daily Telegraph, Boris Johnson demanded what he called a Freedom Clause, saying it should be either a sunset clause or a mechanism for the UK to escape without reference to the EU and that this means reopening the text of the Treaty itself. But re-opening the text isnt the only answer, nor necessarily the best. The Withdrawal Agreement already has plenty of what could be called constructive ambiguity. Article 1 (4) states that the Backstop is intended to apply only temporarily and that the objective is not to establish a permanent relationship). However, it also continues to say, this Protocol shall apply unless and until they are superseded, in whole or in part, by a subsequent agreement. Although it might be helpful to tidy all this up with changes to the text itself, that might be a tall order, when the withdrawal agreement, warts and all, has been signed off by all EU leaders. A subsequent and more specific agreement with the EU clarifying things could be preferable to amending the existing treaty. In the event of a conflict between the two texts, the later and more specific one would prevail. And although some have dismissed the Exchange of Letters earlier this month between the UK and EU as legally worthless, they are incorrect. In international law, exchanges of letters or notes can be considered a treaty see for example the 1940 and 1941 Land-Lease Agreements with the US. Even if the Exchange of Letters were to be viewed as just short of a treaty (i.e. as a Memorandum of Understanding or a Joint Interpretative Declaration), it would be far from legally worthless. It would be very difficult for the UK, the EU, or any tribunal, to proceed on the basis of an interpretation that is contrary to what was set out in that Exchange. At this stage, an unfettered unilateral right of withdrawal may not be realistic. To address the exit from the backstop and what could replace it, the UK may need a further (and more robust) exchange of letters with the EU. International law does not have the same formal rigidity as domestic law, and MPs should be careful not to close the door to solutions that are politically achievable and legally viable. It is, in practice, possible to develop the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop with a subsequent treaty in the form of an exchange of letters or (as suggested by others) a protocol or codicil. But the UK is more likely to achieve a compromise, than a clear-cut exit clause. That would make the end-point one of sub-optimal mutual reassurance. Both sides would know that in a scenario where no progress is made on a replacement agreement, each would have an arguable case against the other. But to stand a chance of getting further clarifications, the Prime Minister will need to persuade Brussels and member states that she will actually be able to convince her critics to back her amended agreement. Thats difficult when MPs, such as Marcus Fysh declare that even securing a time limit to the backstop isnt enough. As long as the EU believes any concession will be in vain, they are unlikely to offer anything further. MPs have a key opportunity to send a message to the EU that there will have to be changes to the backstop they should support the Brady amendment. John Bald is a former Ofsted inspector and has written two books on the history of writing and spelling. He is Chairman of the Conservative Education Society. Haverhill Forum provides a regular meeting point for councillors in all branches of local government, in and around the town. The guest at last weeks meeting was local MP, Matt Hancock, speaking on his work as Health Secretary and taking questions, most of which were expressions of concern and complaint. Haverhill is under-provided with GPs, residents cant get appointments when and where they need them, travel to appointments is increasingly difficult, there is duplication between surgery and hospitals over basic services such as blood tests, people cant get through on the phone or think they cant and modern equipment, such as untrasound, is only beginning to be introduced. Even the allocation of 25m for new ambulances was questioned, on the grounds that the preferred supplier, Fiat, might not be the most reliable. Hancock was the model of patience. He had been tackling these problems as a constituency MP before his appointment, and was not arguing with anyone. The delays in getting ambulances to the must urgent cases had been reduced by a new classification system, but he also knew that it was quicker to find money for ambulances than to train ambulance crews. There was a brighter note in his reply to my question (as Vice-chairman of Linton Parish Council) about a scheme of advanced apprenticeship training for nurses, based at Anglia Ruskin University and financed by Addenbrookes NHS Trust. Nurses attend the university on day release, with fees paid by the Trust, obtain registration, and are paid a little over 15000 pa for their work on the wards. Trainees taking the normal university route are not only hit with the full 9,000 fee, plus interest, but spend long periods doing essentially the same work in the hospital, for which they are not paid at all. No surprise, then, that nursing courses, even in top teaching hospitals, are undersubscribed. The people who removed bursaries from nursing training do not understand nursing. Would not this scheme be an excellent model for training nurses nationally? Hancock did not disagree. He had developed it as Minister for Skills, and had fought hard to secure its acceptance by the Royal College of Nursing, which, he said, was now an enthusiastic supporter. Equally positive was the Conservative Education Societys meeting with Daisy Christodoulou, who has followed her brilliance as winning captain on University Challenge with a sparkling start to her work in education. This meeting was focused on tackling the problems of assessment in school, which have come to put a unreasonable workload on teachers, and covered many of the ideas in Christodoulous new book, Making Good Progress? (Oxford), which I recommend. A surprise was that one of the instigators of our current overloaded system, Professor Dylan Wiliam, wrote a foreword to this book, which challenges much of his work. Christodoulous crisp delivery let her cram a great deal into a 40 minute talk, including a system of assessment, used at Michaela School, which aims to improve reliability by having teachers compare series of paired examples of work, and decide which is better and why. The system is marketed by a company with, what I see as, the unfortunate title No More Marking, and offers good opportunities for training sessions for teachers. The basic framework is free. And then, over the weekend, an encounter with Labours new and organised left wing. Question Time, on Thursday, had struck me as a classic case of politicians deliberately failing to answer questions from the audience, and trying to make speeches instead, which Fiona Bruce, like Jeremy Paxman before her, did not allow. All of the panel were interrupted when they tried to do this, but Diane Abbott claimed that there was an element of racism in the way she was treated, which I couldnt see on the broadcast, and saw as playing a race card to disguise poor performance. Saying so on Twitter unleashed the dogs of war. One of our more celebrated opponents, who has a following of many thousands, decided my comment was itself racist, and drew it to the attention of his followers. I soon knew how Anna Soubry, and indeed Diane Abbott herself, must feel much of the time. The abuse, over a day or so, was straight from Lord of the Flies, clearly aimed at intimidation, and, if possible, destruction, of the person subjected to it. The instigator, who has been equally vicious to Diane Abbott over her decision to send a child to Westminster School, would probably have drawn the line at hacking my site and posting a pornographic picture on it then boasting that hed done so but the clear aim of most of the torrent was utter destruction rather than argument. A reminder that the extremes of politics are very much alike on Left and Right, and a warning of what we can expect if Corbyn, McDonnell, and their nasty supporters ever get into power. The Malthouse Compromise hopes to unite Leaver and Remainer backbenchers Tory Brexiteers and Remainers have thrashed out an olive branch solution to the impasse which was presented to Number 10 last week, involving an extension of the 21-month transition period with a reworded backstop clause. However the new idea, which has the backing of Brexiteers Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker and Remainers Nicky Morgan and Stephen Hammond, is likely to be held back as a plan C if Mrs May fails to win a breakthrough on Tuesday eveningThere was some good news for Mrs May, as she staved off a Cabinet rebellion over a vote on a no deal Brexit. Amber Rudd had warned that as many as 40 members of the Government could resign if they were not allowed to vote for an amendment tabled by the Labour MP Yvette Cooper that would postpone Brexit by nine months if no deal had been agreed by February 26. Instead, they agreed to vote against the amendment. Daily Telegraph >Today: The Moggcast. The backstop has to go. Rees-Mogg sets out his red lines. The ERG says it wont support Bradys amendment Mrs May threw the Governments weight behind Sir Graham Bradys call for the current Irish backstop to be removed to keep her deal alive as Parliament tries to seize control of Brexit. Giving it a majority in todays vote would give a very clear message around what Parliament wants and deliver her a mandate to take it back to Brussels, Mrs May insisted. But minutes earlier, arch-Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg declared his hardline European Research Group of Tory MPs would refuse to the unity plan. Instead, he demanded the PM spell out exactly what changes she would press the EU for. But that sparked a major split inside the ERG itself and a vicious bout of insults, as other members defied Mr Rees-Mogg to declare they would vote for the Brady plan. Boris Johnson also tried to pin down Mrs May during the tense meeting, several times yelling at her: But what do YOU want to do Prime Minister? The PM would only reply that shell continue to battle away. The Sun >Today: >Yesterday: WATCH: Jenkin The Brady amendment is very vague Labours support for the Cooper/Boles amendment is still uncertain Tax and regulatory policies hit the rest of the Union harder than London Several Labour MPs have said they have been reassured that the leadership will whip to support the amendment that Cooper devised with the Tory MP Nick Boles. A spokesman said no final decision had been made and the leadership was studying the proposal closely. Doubts were raised on Monday when Jon Trickett, the shadow Cabinet Office minister,said voters in his constituency would regard support for the measure on Tuesday as a failure to respect the result of the 2016 referendum. Over the weekend, I was speaking to some people in my constituency. They werent actually people who voted for leave, though the majority of people in my constituency had voted for leave. What they said was: people have struggled for the vote, people have died pursuing the vote. Other people have been sent to Australia or put in prison and the vote actually is a precious thing, Trickett said. What they said is: look, we voted remain, but weve had a vote; get on with it. And I think that probably does capture a large swath of opinion in the country. Thats how I feel about this amendment. I feel that it may look to people as if were trying to somehow remove the earlier decision, which was to Brexit. The Guardian Recent UK government policy has imposed a heavier burden on small businesses in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland than in London, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. The federations annual assessment of the cost of regulation and tax for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK found an increase in all devolved regions in 2017 but a small drop in London. UK-wide, the average SME faced an annual cost of 481,000, the same as last year, but up by 61,000, or 14.5 per cent, since 2011. Businesses in Wales (15.2 per cent) and Northern Ireland (14.9 per cent) and Scotland (14.7 per cent) have borne a higher increase in the cost of doing business because of government policy measures analysed in the index. In London the rise was 13.7 per cent. The annual Impact of Government Policy Index has maintained a record high thanks to rising business rates and government policy in areas such as pensions and insurance. These more than offset reductions in corporation tax. FT Stevens bids to scrap the NHSs four-hour emergency treatment target The UK leads the way on anti-microbial resistance FT Leader Concern over NHS gene tests The Times Extend Freedom of Information to private companies delivering public services, watchdog proposes The Times Police accused of trying to silence Conservative Tees Valley mayor Sick Brits may face longer delays for emergency treatment under NHS plans to axe the four-hour target. Health boss Simon Stevens claims the current administrative standard is outdated. And he hinted the existing target will be replaced with a two-tier system that could see life-threatening cases, such as heart attacks and strokes, prioritised. But A&E patients with less serious ailments, such as broken bones or minor cuts, may be forced to wait much longer than four hours. Emergency units have been expected to treat 95 per cent of people within this time yet hospitals have failed to meet this for the past three years. A panel of experts is now reviewing the targets, with recommendations due in March. But Mr Stevens, boss of NHS England, told the Commons Health Committee that new deadlines will be trialled next year. The Sun Ben Houchen, the mayor of Tees Valley, accused Cleveland of trying to stop him from publicly expressing his concern after Mike Veale became the fifth chief constable to leave in six yearsMr Veale resigned on January 18 after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were referred to the police watchdog by Barry Coppinger, the areas elected police and crime commissioner. Mr Houchen last week described Mr Coppinger, who hired Mr Veale despite his controversial handling of abuse claims against the late prime minister Sir Edward Heath, as inept and useless. He said in a radio interview that he was aware of details of the allegations against Mr Veale but did not elaborate. In response, Cleveland police complained to the Tees Valley Combined Authority that Mr Houchens comments were detrimental to the Veale complainants because they were entitled to confidentiality and anonymityMr Houchen yesterday said that he would not be silenced by the force and had done nothing that would jeopardise the anonymity of the complainants. He said that he was wrongly warned by the forces lawyers that he risked contempt last year when he called publicly for more information about an officer accused of sexual misconduct. The Times Rise in victims refusing to support prosecutions The Times A majority of young inmates are from an ethnic minority background The Guardian Civilian security guards trained to handcuff suspects in the Lake District The Sun Former prison inmate sues the MoJ over Wormwood Scrubs rats The Guardian US brings criminal charges against Huawei FT McDonnell and other Opposition frontbenchers oppose Venezuela action Chris Williamson, the Nosferatu of Derby North, supports Maduro in the Commons Daily Telegraph If Trump wants him gone, he needs a plan for what happens next Daily Telegraph Leader The US imposes sanctions of state-owned oil group FT Board of Deputies condemns Labour readmitting a string of anti-semites The Sun Corbyn gives the impression of not liking Jewish people, Carey says Daily Mail Onasanyas sentencing, today, could spark a by-election The Guardian Facebook to tighten rules on political advertising John McDonnell and other shadow cabinet members have signed a letter telling the far-right President Trump to stay out of Venezuelan politics. They are part of a group who attacked the US attempt at regime change but their position was lambasted by a government minister, who said the letter should be pinned on every wall as a list of signatures of shame. Writing to The Guardian Mr McDonnell and Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, Richard Burgon, the shadow justice secretary, and Dan Carden, the shadow international development secretary, said: The far-right governments of Trump and Bolsonaro [the Brazilian president] offer no hope to Venezuela or to the majority of people in Latin America. Whatever views people hold on Venezuela, there is no justification for backing the US attempt at regime change under way, which, if successful, could go the way of the disastrous interventions in Iraq and Libya. Instead the way forward is the call for dialogue from the Mexican and Bolivian presidents. The Times From March, the social networking giant will vet entities that buy political adverts across Europe and build a database of campaigns, the former deputy prime minister, who is now Facebooks chief spin doctor, said. Some of the rules apply already in the UK and US. Sir Nick said Facebook was creating a team at its international headquarters in Dublin to oversee electoral monitoring. In future, only registered organisations will be allowed to buy adverts deemed to be political or addressing controversial topics such as immigration. In a move that he said would increase transparency, a new database will show who paid for political promotions, what they cost and how many users saw them as well as their demographic profiles. The Times Its natural progression to allow the Electoral Commission powers to prosecute Bob Posner, The Times Clegg claims self-harm images can be helpful to people The Sun Children spend more time on YouTube than with friends Daily Mail Social media companies cannot escape responsibility The Guardian Leader Ofcom warns of bullying increase The Guardian Mallet: French protesters are united primarily by their dislike of Macron They used to cause chaos, now theyre in chaos Pauline Bock, The Guardian Many of todays gilets jaunes are not student anarchists or leftwing trade unionists but middle-aged, rightwing conservatives from country towns. They want lower taxes. They frequently express their distaste for immigration and are suspicious of globalisation. Ms Le Pens National Rally party has so far gained the most political capital from the protests. The gilets jaunes typically have more in common with contemporary supporters of President Donald Trump in the US, Brexit voters in the UK and the Italians who propelled the anti-immigrant League and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement to power in Rome. They live in one of the richest societies in history, but feel neglected and insulted by an out-of-touch metropolitan elite. Mr Macrons advisers sparked the crisis by failing to appreciate how their lofty environmental and road safety goals would hit the pockets of the millions of workers who commute by car. Victor Mallet, FT >Yesterday: International: Six cautionary lessons from Macrons France News in Brief MOH data leak: HIV status of 14,200 individuals disclosed online The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed that confidential information regarding 14,200 individuals diagnosed with HIV up to January 2013 as well as 2,400 of their contacts has been disclosed online by an unauthorised person. In a press statement on Monday, January 28, MOE said it has worked with the relevant parties to disable access to the information. The ministry apologised for the anxiety and distress caused by this incident, noting, "Our priority is the wellbeing of the affected individuals." MOE has been contacting the individuals to notify them and render assistance. 5,400 Singaporeans and 8,800 foreigners affected MOH was notified by the Singapore Police Force on January 22 that confidential information from the HIV Registry may have leaked. A police report was made the following day. On January 24, MOH ascertained that the information disclosed online matched the HIV Registrys records. The data leaked were those of 5,400 Singaporeans diagnosed with HIV up to January 2013 and 8,800 foreigners diagnosed with HIV up to December 2011. The information included their name, identification number, contact details, HIV test results and related medical information. While access to the confidential information has been disabled, it is still in the possession of the unauthorised person. This means that the data could still be publicly disclosed in the future. MOH is working with relevant parties to scan the Internet for signs of further disclosure of the information. Photo courtesy: unsplash Data is in possession of an American fraudster The confidential information is in the illegal possession of Mikhy K Farrera Brochez, a male US citizen who was residing in Singapore, on an employment pass, between January 2008 and June 2016. Brochez was remanded in Prison in June 2016. He was convicted of numerous fraud and drug-related offences in March 2017, and sentenced to 28 months imprisonment. The fraud offences were in relation to Brochez lying about his HIV status to the Ministry of Manpower, in order to obtain and maintain his employment pass, furnishing false information to Police officers during a criminal investigation, and using forged degree certificates in job applications. Brochez was deported from Singapore after he completed his sentence, and currently remains outside Singapore. The US citizen was a partner of Ler Teck Siang, a male Singaporean doctor, who was the Head of MOHs National Public Health Unit (NPHU) from March 2012 to May 2013. Ler had authority to access information in the HIV Registry as required for his work. This incident is believed to have arisen from the mishandling of information by Ler, who is suspected of not having complied with the policies and guidelines on the handling of confidential information. Ler resigned in January 2014, and was charged in Court in June 2016 for offences under the Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act (OSA). In September 2018, Ler was convicted of abetting Brochez to commit cheating, and also of providing false information to the Police and MOH. He was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment. Ler has appealed, and his appeal is scheduled to be heard in March 2019. In addition, Ler has been charged under the OSA for failing to take reasonable care of confidential information regarding HIV-positive patients. Lers charge under the OSA is pending before the Courts. Danville, IL (61832) Today Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing late. A few storms may be severe. Low 67F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. To approve a single suggestion, mouse over it and click "" Click the bubble to approve all of its suggestions. Handheld candles lit up the faces of dozens of students, faculty and community members at the Allen Street Gates on Monday. Standing At The Gates For Justice, a local movement, focused its weekly 4 p.m. gathering on those killed in last Thursdays shooting. Ben Wideman, campus pastor for 3rd Way Collective, is a leader of the group. Todays vigil was specifically focused on the loss of lives that happened here in our community on Thursday night, Wideman said. Honoring the victims, remembering their lives [and] dealing with the fact that gun violence is a part of all of us. On Jan. 24, 21-year-old Jordan Witmer killed four people, including himself, with a handgun. The deceased include Dean Beachy, 62; Beachy's son, Steven, 19; and George McCormick, 83. Nicole Abrino was also shot during the incident. Police last reported that Abrino, 21, is in critical condition at a Pittsburgh-area hospital. The vigil's atmosphere was somber, as classical music played before brief speeches were made. Wideman spoke about each of the individuals who died in the shooting, and Reverend Carol Cissel, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County, then led a prayer. Everyone touch someone, Cissel said. Join hands and come together for a moment. Attendees did just that, linking arms, holding hands and embracing one another in a moment of reflection. Michelle McMullen, a representative for Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, said she stepped forward to speak at the vigil because as a local she feels strongly about security, gun rights and her own childs safety. I was really happy with how many people [attended the vigil] and the whole tone of it, McMullen, 46, said. Im glad that people are sticking around to chat [afterward]. McMullen said the legislative changes she would like to see include universal background checks and concealed carry reciprocity. While some are allowing these senseless acts to take away their sense of security, I agree with State College Police Chief John Gardner, McMullen said. [He said,] We are safe, but we are not immune. Anna Oswald, an employee at P.J. Harrigans Bar and Grill, said that, while she was not present at the time of the shooting, the experience was traumatic nonetheless. She was on schedule to work that night but chose not to go. I wanted to make sure my coworkers were okay, Oswald, 23, said. [The hardest part of that night was] trying to get a hold of everybody and making sure it wasnt your loved ones who were hurt. You dont want it to happen to anybody, but thats the panic. RELATED The shooting hit close to home for many, but especially for Art Curtze, a neighbor of McCormick, who died after Witmer broke into his home on Tussey Lane and shot him. Curtze was exiting his home when Witmer was outside of his residence. Why him not me? Curtze, 73, said. All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind at that point. After living through the ordeal, Curtze said while change isnt definite, its necessary. We have to continue to stand up to these moments and not let these things go without comment, he said. Wideman and the group decided beforehand to include the accused shooter, Jordan Witmer, in the moments of silence to honor the deceased. Human life is human life, even if someone is so-called deserving of having their life taken, Wideman said. We need to remember that a life was lost here a member of area [was lost]. This is one of us [who] took that life. Wed be fooling ourselves if we chose not to acknowledge that. Wideman was adamant about the power of everyday citizens to create change. We remember [Witmer]...with the painful reminder of the ongoing need to be working to create a better culture, Wideman said. We are the people who can build a better world. The vigil was well-attended and saw a large media presence. I wasnt expecting so much media, Wideman said. I think that changed the shape and feel of it. Oswald had a message for residents in the area and for people across the nation. People need to hug their loved ones, Oswald said. They need to be nicer. They need to see through bullshit. Nothing is worth killing someone over. Its not a gun thing its a people thing. Its a people thing completely. Oswald hopes the mentality of society in terms of how individuals treat one another shifts. If people would just be kinder and spread positivity and not so much negativity, [fewer] things like this would happen, Oswald said. RELATED Members of Phi Sigma Sigma gathered in the former fraternity house located on 200 E. Beaver Ave. Monday night to celebrate "bid night" and the signing of their three-year lease at the house. A press release from Phi Sigma Sigma stated Phi Sigma Sigma will be "the first Pennsylvania State University sorority to provide official private residential housing to members." The chapter currently has on-campus dorm floor in South Halls. Sandy Grossman, the treasurer of National Housing Corporation for Phi Sigma Sigma, said the sorority will officially move into the house in the fall semester. According to the press release, the facility will provide housing for up to 44 members with a live-in house director and offer a full meal plan for residents. Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg, the international president of Phi Sigma Sigma, said Sigma Alpha Epsilon allowed Phi Sigma Sigma to host their bid night in the house for the night. Grossman said "it is a big day for [the sorority] to be here." "A lot of the house is going to be redone for the women to move into in the fall," Grossman said. Grossman said representatives from Penn State greek life spoke to Phi Sigma Sigma about the opportunity for new housing this past summer. "We just made the deal to move here last Friday," Grossman said. Grossman said the sorority made the decision to move off campus with the support from Penn State. "Phi Sigma Sigma's venture into off-campus housing is appealing on many levels," Damon Sims, the vice president for Student Affairs at Penn State, stated in the press release. "I'd like to think this venture will go well and add value to both Phi Sigma Sigma and our broader fraternity and sorority community. Perhaps it will prove to be a vanguard for other sororities. The house was previously occupied by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. As the first sorority to move into an off-campus house in Penn State history, Wonnenberg said it's a great new start to changing the culture on campus. "I think that we all know the last couple of years have been challenging for greek life and I think that there has been a need in how do we do something different in changing the culture on Penn State's campus and I think that the university felt as though moving women to off campus housing could do that," Wonnenberg said. "So we were happy to take this big first step and we're pretty excited for our women here." SHOWS February 22, 2021 10.00 am Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. Blue Apron CEO Matthew B. Salzberg speaks on the floor of the Exchange during the company's IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, June 29, 2017. Thousands of gadgets and gizmos were unveiled at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show, but the product taking top marks wasn't made of silicon or running on electricity. It was a hamburger. It turns out, the win is an apt metaphor for the growing presence of food companies in the tech space. Impossible Foods, creator of the meatless burger that Digital Trends named the Top Tech of CES 2019, debuted its second-generation recipe alongside considerably more "techie" products like a TV that can roll itself up and an Alexa-enabled toilet. But as tech has moved from a novelty to a staple of business, companies outside the strictly software and hardware space have been attracting tech dollars. Investors who put their capital behind food and tech companies say the sheer size of the opportunity in food is attractive. But recent stumbles for meal kit services and delivery-only restaurants known as virtual kitchens have forced investors to reassess where the opportunity lies. "Food is the biggest industry," said Greg Golkin, managing partner at the Kitchen Fund, which invests in restaurant brands like Sweetgreen and Cava. "Every human on earth needs to eat roughly three meals per day." U.S. consumers, businesses and government entities spent an estimated $1.62 trillion on food and beverages in stores and on away-from-home items in 2017, according to the Department of Agriculture. Annual spending on food far surpassed other essentials like health care and personal insurance for the average American that year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Venture capitalists have taken note of the huge opportunity, as venture funding for U.S.-based food tech companies has grown from about $60 million in 2008, to over $1 billion in 2015, according to PitchBook, which collects funding data. The money is coming from more and more sources, as the number of unique investors, including VCs and private equity funds, has doubled from 223 in 2015 to 459 in 2017, according to research firm CBInsights. "Technology is not its own industry anymore, it's part of every other industry," Golkin said. "So it's natural for tech investors to find that intersection." Food companies have also become more savvy at appealing to tech investors and taken on their high-growth mindsets. "Food has always been a technology; it's just that it wasn't branded like a technology," Impossible Foods COO and CFO David Lee said in a phone interview from CES. Speaking from his experience working at a legacy food company, Del Monte Foods, Lee said the industry used to be "driven by large strategic players who were seeking to maintain an incremental competitive edge." Now, he said, disruptive companies are seeking to grow "hundreds if not thousands of percents." A British Union flag, also known as a Union Jack, flies beside a European Union (EU) flag during ongoing pro and anti Brexit protests outside the Houses of Parliament in London, U.K., on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. This week will be crucial for Brexit as Prime Minister Theresa May sets out how she intends to take the departure process forward after her initial withdrawal agreement with the European Union was defeated. But as Westminster gets to grips with the Brexit process, and the media pores over the ramifications of parliamentary votes on proposed amendments to the deal, most of us are utterly bored of the Brexit drama just as the story's getting interesting. On what has been dubbed "Super Tuesday" by more enthusiastic Brexit-watchers, May will present an amended version of her Brexit deal in Parliament on Tuesday which is expected to focus on alterations to the contentious "backstop" policy aimed at preventing a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Whether it will be enough to appease rebels, Remainers and Brexiteers alike within Parliament is doubtful. Many MPs from both the Conservative and opposition parties have tabled, or supported, amendments aimed at forcing more far-reaching changes to May's deal. These range from ruling out a "no-deal" Brexit, postponing the departure date beyond March 29, holding a second referendum or creating a permanent customs union. House Speaker John Bercow is expected to select a handful of the amendments to be voted on by MPs and so the future of Brexit when it will happen, who decides what happens and what the future ties to the EU will be after it happens (if it happens) could be decided in Tuesday's showdown. In short, we are probably at one of the most pivotal and politically invigorating moments in the Brexit process and yet, bogged down in the nitty-gritty detail, unending news flow and technical details of Brexit, the public could be forgiven for tiring of it. Since 2016, Brexit has had the destructive power of a steam roller, but the snail-like pace of one too. Being "bored of Brexit" (or "Bobs") has become "a thing" now with members of the public, various politicians (including the prime minister) and least of all the EU urging the U.K. to "just get on with it" as if there's a single, tidy outcome for the characters, relationships and events within the Brexit plot. Brexit has proved itself to be a largely unscripted, improvised, messy drama with no predictable conclusion ahead of March 29. Britain now faces either a departure in which neither Remainer nor Leaver is satisfied, a delayed departure (I'm sure the public would relish more months of arguing over Brexit), another vote on departure or a general election, in which the only departure that takes place is that of the government. It's taken a few years, admittedly, but Brexit just got interesting. U.S. government debt yields fell on Tuesday morning amid trade war fears and ahead of a new meeting for the Federal Reserve. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to price, was lower at around 2.715 percent, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was lower at 3.046 percent. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Union National Bank (UNB) and Bank Al Hilal have announced a major three-way merger deal that will create the fifth-largest lender in the Middle East and North Africa with combined assets of $114 billion. The deal, confirmed at the close of trade on Tuesday, marks the second bank tie-up in Abu Dhabi in recent years and follows a wave of consolidation efforts in the sector. The new banking group is expected to have around 1 million customers, with a significant share of the UAE market: 15 percent share of total assets, 21 percent share of retail loans, and 16 percent of deposits. "This is a very exciting transaction that will create a larger, preeminent and resilient banking group. It is a landmark deal for the UAE that will contribute significantly to our national ambitions," Eissa Mohamed Al Suwaidi, the chairman of ADCB, said in a statement Tuesday. "The new banking group will carry the ADCB identity and will continue to benefit from strong institutional backing, through the Government of Abu Dhabi's majority ownership," a press release from Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange said. Al Hilal Bank will keep its current name and brand, operating as a separate Islamic banking entity within the group. The transaction, recommended unanimously to shareholders by the ADCB and UNB boards, is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals to be sought in the coming weeks, according to the release. The deal makes ADCB the third largest bank in the UAE, following First Abu Dhabi Bank and Emirates NBD. Shares of both listed firms were halted ahead of the announcement. All three banks have one mutual majority shareholder, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) which owns more than 60 percent of ADCB and 50 percent of UNB. It owns 100 percent of Bank Al Hilal, which is not publicly listed. ADIC is part of Mubadala, the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government, which has assets worth more than $225 billion. Through ADIC, the Abu Dhabi government will own 60.2 percent of the combined bank. Other ADCB shareholders will own 28.0 percent, and other UNB shareholders will own 11.8 percent of the combined bank. Stone, a 66-year-old self-described political dirty trickster and longtime Republican operative, is charged with five counts of making false statements, one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding and one count of witness tampering. Stone was arrested Friday during a predawn FBI raid on his home in Florida. The charges were part of Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. He did flash a double-handed victory sign, emulating his political hero Richard Nixon, to a crowd of people just before hopping into a car and leaving. The hearing lasted just 13 minutes, and the normally verbose and brash Stone did not make any comment to reporters when he entered or left the courthouse. Stone also said on that same show that the judge who will oversee his case going forward, Judge Amy Berman Jackson, "essentially ordered torture" for Stone's former lobbying partner, Paul Manafort, the ex-Trump campaign chief who is awaiting sentencing for a slew of charges lodged by Mueller. Defense lawyer Robert Buschel entered the plea on Stone's behalf during an arraignment in U.S. District Court in Washington. Stone later appeared on a conspiracy theorist's Internet show to call the case a "lynching" perpetuated by special counsel Rober Mueller "because I support Donald Trump," and because "I helped take down" Hillary Clinton. President Donald Trump's longtime friend and advisor Roger Stone pleaded not guilty Tuesday to criminal charges related to his alleged attempt to hide his efforts to have WikiLeaks release information stolen from Democrats by Russian agents during the 2016 presidential campaign. Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, arrives at the Prettyman United States Courthouse before facing charges from Special Counsel Robert Mueller that he lied to Congress and engaged in witness tampering January 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. A self-described 'political dirty-trickster,' Stone said he has been falsely accused and will plead 'not guilty.' Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson scheduled a status hearing for Friday afternoon in the case. The other judge, Jackson, will conduct that hearing. A prosecutor in Mueller's office said the case will be prosecuted by the special counsel's team and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Robinson allowed Stone to remain free on a $250,000 signature bond that was set at his first court appearance on Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The judge stressed that Stone should have no contact with witnesses in the case. She also continued an order restricting his travel to between Florida and his future court appearances in Washington and to the New York City area. In a barely audible voice, Stone said, "Yes, your honor," when Robinson reminded him of his release conditions. During the hearing, a crowd outside of the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse held signs with messages that included, "Free Stone Fire Mueller," "We Stand with Stone," "Lock him Up," and "Dirty Traitor." One person waved a Russian flag, and another played the Russian national anthem. Mueller accuses Stone of lying to Congress about his alleged efforts to have WikiLeaks disseminate Democratic National Committee communications that were hacked hacked by Russian agents. The indictment alleges Stone was was in contact with top-ranking Trump campaign officials about efforts to leak damaging information about the Democratic nominee Clinton right before Election Day. It also says a senior official in the Trump campaign "was directed" to talk with Stone about potential future releases by WikiLeaks. After his arraignment, Stone was interviewed by Alex Jones on Jones' InfoWars show, where he blasted the case against him. Jones routinely trafficks in unfounded conspiracy theories. The outspoken Stone noted that there was not, despite some peoples' speculation that there would be, a gag order slapped on him at his arraignment. "There was no suggestion of a gag order, but this would not have been the appropriate time, that, I suspect it would be coming from Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who essentially ordered torture for Paul Manafort, to torture him, and has rejected every challenge to Robert Mueller's authority," Stone said. " She at this point will be the judge in my case, we'll see about that." Jackson had revoked Manafort's $10 million release bond last June after he was charged with trying to tamper with witnesses while under house arrest awaiting two federal criminal trials related to crimes connected to his consulting work for pro-Russia politicians in Ukraine. After he was convicted of some charges at his first trial, Manafort pleaded guilty to other charges on the eve of his second scheduled trial. "This is a lynching," Stone said. "This is a legal lynching of me because I appear on InfoWars, because I'm friends with Alex Jones, because I support Donald Trump and I supported him for president and I still support him, because I helped take down the evil queen, the foul-mouthed, short tempered, self-centered kleptocrat Hillary Clinton." Stone echoed Jones when Jones called Clinton a "war criminal." "And the irony of course is that I'm charged with perjury, lying before Congress, which I'm not guilty of," Stone said. "They know that they have to take me down in order to take Donald Trump down, cause they know that they have to take InfoWars down because they don't want us to tell the American people what they're up to," Stone said. "It's insidious, it's ruthless- Alex, I'm facing potentially 45 years in jail." WATCH: Trump associate Roger Stone arrested for allegedly lying in Mueller investigation Roger Stone, a former advisor to President Donald Trump, speaks to the media after leaving the Federal Courthouse on January 25, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Roger Stone, the self-proclaimed dirty trickster and longtime friend of President Donald Trump, is due to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Washington on federal charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. Stone, who was arrested in Florida on Friday, is expected to plead not guilty to the seven counts against him, including making false statements to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing justice. Mueller says Stone, 66, lied to Congress about his alleged efforts to have WikiLeaks release material hacked by Russian agents from Democrats, including Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, during the 2016 campaign that ended with Trump's victory. A grand jury indictment charges that Stone was in contact with top-ranking Trump campaign officials about efforts to leak damaging information about Clinton right before Election Day. The indictment also says a senior official in the Trump campaign "was directed" to talk with Stone about potential future releases by WikiLeaks, following a release of stolen Democratic National Committee emails in July 2016: Stone claims he was merely engaged in constitutionally protected free speech when he touted information about the material in WikiLeaks' possession. After he was arrested last week, Stone was released on a $250,000 signature bond. His bail and release conditions could be modified at Tuesday's arraignment in Washington. "I will plead not guilty," Stone said Friday. "There is no circumstance whatsoever in which I will bear false witness" against Trump, he said. However, during an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Stone would not rule out cutting a cooperation agreement with Mueller, who has brought criminal charges against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, the president's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, and several other people in Trump's orbit. All of those other people have pleaded guilty in various charges. "If there's wrongdoing by other people in the campaign that I know about, which I know of none, but if there is, I would certainly testify honestly," Stone told ABC News. "I'd also testify honestly about any other matter, including any communications with the president," he added. "It's true that we spoke on the phone, but those communications are political in nature, they're benign, and there is there is certainly no conspiracy with Russia." Mueller is continuing to investigation possible collusion by members of the Trump campaign with Russian efforts to interfere with the 2016 election, and possible obstruction of justice by the president himself. Trump denies any wrongdoing. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday the U.S. expects to make "significant progress" in China trade war negotiations this week. "The critical issues that we've talked about is market access, making sure there aren't forced joint ventures, not forced transfer of technology, and that we have a mechanism that when we've reached an agreement we can monitor this agreement and they'll live up to it," Mnuchin said in an interview with Fox Business. "I expect we'll make significant progress this week on those issues." Chinese representatives are due to meet with a group of White House officials Wednesday and Thursday for the talks. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead the discussions, which represent the next step in negotiations begun after the U.S. and China agreed to a 90-day truce in their trade war. The tariff cease-fire expires March 2. Mnuchin was also asked about the criminal charges the U.S. filed against Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, but he said that is a separate issue. "Those are not part of trade discussions, forced technology issues are. ... Any issues as it relates to violations of U.S. law or U.S. sanctions are going through a separate track, which is the Justice Department," Mnuchin said. "We are focused on what are unfair economic practices." In a later interview on Fox Business, top White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said President Donald Trump is "moderately optimistic" about reaching a deal before the mutual U.S.-China tariff cease-fire expires March 2. Gas reserves in the Middle East can create opportunities for employment, business and peacemaking, according to Egypt's petroleum minister. Amid a push by Egypt to transform itself into a regional gas hub, the country hosted the East Med Gas Hub earlier in January and gathered officials from Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Italy and Palestine. Speaking Monday at the BHGE Annual Meeting in Florence, Italy, Egypt Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla told CNBC that the commodity can aid the peace process in the region. "We were very proud to host the Palestinians the Israelis, sitting together in one room, on the roundtable together with other neighboring countries like Greece, Cyprus, Jordan and Italy," he told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick. "So the benefit will be there and the welfare will cover all the countries because gas will be the cause of the revenues to generate opportunities, job opportunities, business opportunities and it will bless all the people there (in the Middle East) hence it is the catalyst and it will be the peacemaker really," he added. Women observe the Tenaga Satu, a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker owned by MISC Berhad, a Malaysian shipping company, as it sails northbound on the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. Bloomberg | Getty Images Cairo is expected to become a net gas exporter by the end of 2019 and El-Molla noted that the country is seeing outside interest into the sector particularly after the success of Egypt's Zohr gas field, an offshore natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea operated by Italian energy firm Eni. "We've seen a lot of interest from international oil companies coming into different opportunities we're offering in Egypt, whether in new frontier areas like the Red Sea, or the western side of the Mediterranean in Egypt." "We are still on track and we are really increasing and accelerating all the oil and gas activities in Egypt. We've got momentum and with the success of the first phase of Zohr (a natural gas field in Egypt), we are more confident that we can do much bigger, much better and similar projects," he said in Florence. IMF program Government supporters hold a rally in support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 26, 2019 in Caracas. The U.S. State Department says American's shouldn't travel to Venezuela, warning of unrest and the threat of being arbitrarily arrested. Tuesday's announcement raises the travel advisory to its highest level. Venezuela is gripped by escalating political instability as U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido presses to oust socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Officials have cleared the U.S. embassy in Caracas of everybody but essential staff. The travel advisory warns of the threat of kidnapping, robberies and mass demonstrations occurring with little notice. Opposition leaders have called for anti-government demonstrations this week. On Friday, President Donald Trump signed a deal to temporarily end the record-setting partial government shutdown that left more than 800,000 federal employees cash-strapped and struggling to pay bills. But those workers are not out of the woods yet: The deal only funds the government for three weeks, through Feb. 15. That means another partial shutdown could be around the corner. CNBC Make It asked Suze Orman, financial expert and best-selling author of "Women and Money," what federal employees should do and not do. Here's what she suggests. Build an emergency fund Ideally, Orman says, you should have eight months' worth of living expenses put away in an emergency fund. Even if you aren't able to contribute much right away, though, save what you can. "You do that by only buying needs, not wants, until you have accomplished that goal," says Orman. Remember, "something is better than nothing." Orman emphasizes that this advice applies regardless of your financial situation: "It's not just about the government shutting down. Everyone needs an eight-month emergency fund." Maximize your credit options For workers struggling to pay bills, Orman suggests a few ways to maximize the credit options available to you: Open a new credit card. If you have a good credit score, consider opening up a new card with a 0 percent interest rate. You can "use these cards to purchase goods and [pay for] as many needs and bills as possible if the government shuts down," Orman says. If you have a good credit score, consider opening up a new card with a 0 percent interest rate. You can "use these cards to purchase goods and [pay for] as many needs and bills as possible if the government shuts down," Orman says. Get a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, which allows you to borrow against the value of your home. But be sure to educate yourself on the downsides, which can include upfront costs and rising interest rates. or HELOC, which allows you to borrow against the value of your home. But be sure to educate yourself on the downsides, which can include upfront costs and rising interest rates. Be proactive. "Call all your creditors and try to just ask them for a shutdown leniency plan on your payments if it happens again," Orman says. At the very least, you'll be on record as having tried. Remember that relying on credit is a temporary fix to be used only in case of emergency, she says. Once your finances are stable again, paying off debt should become a top priority. Draw on your retirement savings If you have a Roth IRA, "you can take your original contributions out at any time with no taxes or penalties," Orman says, and traditional IRAs and SEP IRAs work in similar ways. As a last resort, you can take a loan from your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement account for government workers, similar to a 401(k) or 403(b). If your plan allows you to take a loan, you can take money directly out of your balance without paying taxes or other penalties. Then you develop a plan to pay it back, including interest, within one to five years. But, Orman warns, only use this option when you've exhausted all others. Even though you're paying back interest on the loan, when you sell, your shares are no longer growing in value, so you could lose a lot more than just interest. Plus, if you aren't able to replace the entire loan on time, you could also owe taxes or other penalties. Avoid payday loans The German software company SAP is still hopeful about the Chinese market despite other multinationals signaling slower demand from the world's second-largest economy. Apple, Nvidia and Caterpillar have all blamed recent weak earnings on the slowing Chinese economy which registered a growth rate of 6.6 percent in 2018 the lowest in 28 years. Economists argue that the ongoing trade war with the United States is one key factor behind the downshift. However, SAP's CEO Bill McDermott told CNBC Tuesday that China is still "the jewel in the crown" for the company. "We are not having challenges in China we are doubling down in China," he said, adding that Beijing is the fastest growing market for the German firm. Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights in the Midwest on Wednesday as a blast of what federal forecasters called "dangerous" cold snarled operations. Temperatures will remain well below zero degrees Fahrenheit in the Chicago area on Wednesday and early Thursday with "dangerously cold wind chills" of as low as minus 50 that can cause frostbite to exposed skin within five minutes, the National Weather Service said. tweet Airlines canceled more than 1,450 flights in and out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport scheduled for Wednesday, more than half of the day's schedule at the American Airlines and United Airlines hub, according to flight-tracking site Flightaware.com. More than 330 flights were canceled at nearby Chicago Midway Airport, about two-thirds of its schedule. American said "extreme temperatures" and a winter storm that hit the Northeast on Tuesday evening, prompted it to cancel 675 Wednesday flights, including 270 departures from O'Hare. WATCH: Why Airbus and Boeing dominate 99% of the large plane market Russia and China strongly criticized U.S. sanctions placed on Venezuela, with the former pledging to support the beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday the sanctions completely undermined confidence in a international financial system that is dominated by the U.S., Russian news agency Interfax reported. "Russia is doing everything to support the lawful government of Maduro," Lavrov added, calling U.S. sanctions against Venezuelan state energy firm PDVSA "cynical." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that the restrictions continue an "undisguised interference in its (Venezuela's) internal affairs," calling them "illegal." The U.S. administration announced sanctions against the state's dominant energy firm PDVSA on Monday in a bid to damage the socialist dictator, President Nicolas Maduro, who is clinging to power amid a leadership battle. Last week, the opposition leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, Juan Guaido, named himself interim president after street protests against Maduro. The U.S. recognized that claim and has been encouraging support for regime change in Venezuela, a country hit by the economic policies of Maduro. 'They should bear responsibility' Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro talks to the media after a meeting for signing an agreement on guarantees for the vote at the National Electoral Council (CNE) headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela March 2, 2018. Marco Bello | Reuters Earlier on Tuesday, China also voiced its opposition to sanctions, saying the U.S. should bear responsibility for their consequences. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said historical experience showed foreign interference "only makes situations more complicated," Reuters reported. "The relevant country's sanctions on Venezuela will lead to the deterioration of conditions of people's lives," Geng told a regular news briefing in Beijing, referring to the United States. Vested interests Both China and Russia have vested interests in the stability and the status quo in Venezuela. China has lent more than $50 billion to Venezuela through oil-for-loan agreements over the past decade, securing energy supplies for its fast-growing economy, Reuters noted. The news agency calculates that Russia too has lent Venezuela at least $17 billion in loans and credit lines since 2006. In November 2017, Russia agreed to restructure Venezuelan sovereign debt of $3.15 billion, with repayments lasting 10 years. Although PDVSA's debts were not thought to be part of this deal. On Tuesday, Russia's finance ministry said Venezuela is due to pay Russia $100 million in March and that debt servicing problems were possible, Interfax said. Russia is also heavily involved in Venezuela's energy industry with Russian energy firm Rosneft holding a large stake in a subsidiary of PDVSA. PDVSA used 49.9 percent of its shares in its U.S. subsidiary Citgo as collateral for loan financing from Russia's majority state-owned Rosneft in 2016. Russia thus stands to suffer from U.S. measures to freeze PDVSA's oil transactions and those of its U.S. asset Citgo (to which most of the Venezuela's exports destined for the U.S. go). Citgo has already become a focus for Maduro's rival Guaido. Just ahead of U.S. sanctions Monday, the self-proclaimed interim president ordered Congress to appoint new boards of directors to PDVSA and Citgo. A new 'cold war' Meanwhile, Helima Croft, the head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNBC Tuesday that the U.S.' decision to "finally pulling the trigger" with sanctions on Venezuela's energy firm was "a significant development." "This will effectively amount to an embargo on PDVSA products into the U.S.," she told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick in Florence. "It's going to create a lot of confusion for foreign IOCs (international oil companies) and how they deal with a now-sanctioned entity." As well as Russia and China's support, Maduro still has the support of the Venezuelan military which could prove vital to him holding on to power, although a high-profile Venezuelan diplomat to the U.S. defected at the weekend, encouraging others to do the same. Croft was uncertain about how long the military would continue to support Maduro. "The recovery of this country is going to be an enormous challenge and we're just not there yet. We keep saying, well will the military rise up against Maduro? Well, this is technically a military government ... So, the question is, will these sanctions put so much pressure on the Venezuelan military that they finally turn on Maduro? It's a real open question," Croft said. Maduro's hold on power also depended on whether he could get more financial backing from his international allies, she noted. "Is anyone going to step up and provide new financing (to Venezuela)? So again, look to Russia, look to China, they are the ones who can determine how long Maduro stays in power. If they give him a lifeline, he may have some more time," she said. 'The eighties are back' UPDATED President Donald Trump was originally scheduled to give his State of the Union address (or #SOTU for social media fans) Tuesday night. But Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the Speaker of the House, told him he needed to wait until an end to the government shutdown, citing security concerns. The shutdown is over, for now. Congressional negotiators will spend the next three weeks trying to reach a deal on border security. And on Monday, Pelosi invited Trump to deliver his address on Feb. 5. But how much will Trump have actually had to say about education anyway? And will Congress give him anything that he asks for? Heres a quick recap of his last two annual addresses to Congress and what happened after: Feb. 28, 2017 Trumps pitch In his very first address to Congress (which wasnt technically a State of the Union address) Trump called education the civil rights issue of our time, borrowing language from leaders in both parties, including Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. He asked lawmakers to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious, or home school that is right for them. He pointed to Denisha Merriweather, now an aide at the U.S. Department of Education, who failed 3rd grade twice before getting a scholarship from Floridas tax-credit scholarship program to attend a private, religious school. Merriweather has since graduated from college and received a masters degree in social work. And Trump said he wanted to work across the aisle, to make child care accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents have paid family leave. What actually happened Trump and his team pitched a $250 million competitive-grant program aimed at broadening school choice, but a Republican-controlled Congress didnt go for it. And while U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and her team worked behind the scenes on a federal tax credit scholarship program, similar to the Florida one that Merriweather benefited from, that didnt come to fruition either. Heres what school choice fans did get: a provision in the new tax overhaul law allowing parents to use 529 college-savings accounts to cover the cost of private school tuition. DeVos called it a step in the right direction, but acknowledged that it wouldnt meet the needs of low-income families or empower them in significant ways. There wasnt significant action on paid family leave. But the tax bill did increase the child tax credit, to $2,000 per dependent child. Jan. 30, 2018 Trumps pitch Trump called on Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration overhaul law that would create a path to citizenship for so-called Dreamers (undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children) while providing funding for a border wall and placing significant new restrictions on legal immigration. The pitch came after Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , giving temporary legal status to an estimated 700,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children. (That includes an estimated 9,000 teachers, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Whats more, 250,000 schoolchildren have become DACA-eligible since Obama unveiled the program in 2012, according to the organization.) Trump also gave a shout-out to vocational education, but didnt offer specifics on how his administration would strengthen it. Let us open great vocational schools so our future workers can learn a craft and realize their full potential, he said. What actually happened: The Dreamers remain in legal limbo. Federal judges have issued conflicting rulings on DACAs legality, and its future is currently tied up in the courts. Meanwhile a deal on comprehensive immigration overhaul has proved elusive. Congress did, however, pass a bipartisan update of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act , which allows states to set their own goals for career and technical education programs and make progress towards them. President Donald Trump steered clear of education specifics in his Jan. 30 address to a joint session of Congress. --Win McNamee/AP Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . German carmaker Porsche announced that buyers of its new all-electric Taycan model will get three years of free charging at stations across the United States. The deal is part of a tie-up with Electrify America which operates almost 500 highway charging stations spread across the U.S. Each Taycan owner will now receive three years of unlimited charges of up to 30-minutes at each use. Porsche has said its battery technology used in the Taycan car will be able to absorb charging rates of up to 350 kilowatts, almost three times greater than the current crop of Tesla batteries. It said in a statement Monday that Porsche drivers using Electrify America's fast charging points, will become the fastest at recharging across today's car market, and a quick charge of 4 minutes would allow drivers to add 60 miles of range. Investors shouldn't gauge the state of semiconductors on Nvidia's vulnerabilities because the overall market is still in a good position, T.J. Rodgers, co-founder of Cypress Semiconductor, told CNBC on Tuesday. "I wouldn't worry too much about Nvidia," he said on "Squawk Alley" a day after the chipmaker chopped its fiscal fourth-quarter sales forecast by more than 18 percent. "They make very specialized chips [for things like] bitcoin mining." Nvidia has joined a growing number of tech companies, including Apple, that are offering up dim outlooks because of a probable slowdown in China's economy. But Rodgers is looking past those names and keeping a careful eye on Micron, which he calls the best semiconductor maker in the world and a better indicator of China. Micron makes memory products for various industries, including automotive and consumer electronics, and has 51 percent revenue exposure in China. "If they're slowing down, you could scale the number of electronic products China's gonna make pretty much by watching what they do," Rodgers said. He acknowledged that a number of tech companies had mixed earnings for their latest quarters, such as Intel, which missed Wall Street's revenue projections by nearly 2 percent. Apple is scheduled to report after the bell Tuesday and semiconductor manufacturers like Nvidia and Micron will come out with their own releases in the next two months. Still, Rodgers insists that there is no fundamental threat to the market because the industry has been consolidating, making companies larger and more profitable. "The revenue is a little bit weak, but the earnings are fine," he said. "So, with regards to earnings, if you believe in price-to-earnings ratios, things are still fine and they will remain fine 'cause their industry is stronger right now." Rodgers stepped down as CEO of Cypress in 2016 after leading the company for more than three decades. The VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is up 16 percent from bottom the day after the Christmas, but the sector is down more than 12 percent in the last year. A cloud is hovering over the chip space that some say is about to burst. Nvidia shares cratered 14 percent Monday after the chipmaker cut its guidance, citing weakness in China. The plunge dragged down the entire chip space with the SMH semiconductor ETF falling 2 percent on the day. Oppenheimer technical analyst Ari Wald sees no reprieve just yet. "You have some [chip stocks] that are starting to turn up while some are still basing and have more work to do," he said Monday on CNBC's "Trading Nation." "We would put Nvidia in the latter. It still needs to base and there's more work that's needed." Wald is looking for Nvidia to retest its low of around $125 that it hit near the start of the year. That, to Wald, is when Nvidia will base and start to move up. It closed on Monday at $138.01 and was 1 percent lower in Tuesday's premarket. "What we want to see is the stock start to move sideways while its 200-day moving average, which is still north of the $200 catches down to price," Oppenheimer said. The stock's 200-day moving average currently sits at $222, much higher than the $125 level he's eyeing. "So I think it's still early here, too late to bet against it, too late to bet on it," he said. Chantico Global CEO Gina Sanchez also sees fundamental headwinds that could prevent an Nvidia rally in the shorter term. Not only does Sanchez believe the drop in cryptocurrencies hurt the chipmaker's revenues, but the slowdown in cloud computing could also hit the stock. "I think the general slowdown in China and the slowdown in cloud computing is actually going to be a bit of a cloud over the industry," she said on "Trading Nation." However, Sanchez said the company's efforts in the autonomous driving industry could be a boon for Nvidia. Despite Monday's plunge, shares of Nvidia are still up more than 3 percent this year. The phone rings and you run to pick it up, only to hear an automated recording. You are not alone. There are approximately 5 billion robocalls made every month, according to robocall blocking app, YouMail. That number has been consistent, but the context of those calls changes. The most recent scam? Robocallers were trying to cash in on the recent partial federal government shutdown. "The robocallers are marketers. You can think of them as marketers in the wrong business," said Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail. "They are always testing different ways to get people to respond to their calls." Days after the shutdown, two robocalls began about taxes. "I have an important update regarding your IRS tax debt. The recent government shutdown is affecting your standing with the IRS and although some IRS operations are down, billing and collections remain active. So give me a call back at this number," said one recording given to CNBC by YouMail. The second call was also about taxes. "I was actually calling because in lieu of the government shutdown, backed federal taxes are now being dismissed at just an unstoppable rate. We can take advantage of the situation and help you clear out not just your federal back taxes but also some state tax issues you might be facing. When you get this message please give me a call back," said another recording given to CNBC by YouMail. YouMail estimates more than 1 million people got the call with many people receiving it more than once. Quilici says with these type of calls, 3 to 5 percent of receivers call back. "Some fraction of those people are going to get scammed and it's going to be for real money," Quilici said. During the shutdown, if consumers tried to add their number to the Do Not Call Registry, a list of people who do not want to be called by telemarketers maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, they found the website shutdown. The websites to file complaints with the FTC, or Federal Communications Commission, which also has oversight of robocalls, were also shut. The websites quickly came back once the government reopened. This message appeared when trying to file a robocall complaint on the FCC's website. If the government were shutdown longer, Quilici expects there could have been greater effects. "The real impact for all of this is the long-term enforcement. So had the government shut down for a long time, the FCC isn't chasing the bad guys," he said. "These two examples make clear robocallers read the news and leverage events to dupe people and get their money. They are very similar to the IRS scam calls that scare people into thinking they owe back taxes, when they do not. Because of the government shutdown, the FTC was not funded and could not receive complaints from consumers. But, we are open and very much want people to report [such calls] to the FTC at donotcall.gov. These complaints are critical to our law enforcement work," said Lois Greisman, associate director of the FTC's division of marketing practices. The FCC directed CNBC to its website. The FCC is working to, as Chairman Ajit Pai said, "stop the scourge of illegal robocalls." He has made combating unlawful robocalls and malicious caller ID spoofing his "top consumer protection priority," the website reads. "Chairman Pai has launched several important public policy initiatives to help combat unlawful robocalls and malicious caller ID spoofing. The Commission under his leadership has also taken unprecedented enforcement actions to punish those who flout consumer protection laws." Robocallers also take advantage of other news. "The last election we saw the student loan scammers talk about how President [Donald] Trump was going to force people to pay back their money right away," Quilici said. "We've seen with Obamacare when there's the deadline Dec. 15 the scam calls pick up rapidly." The scammers can also take advantage of the government being open. "I actually expect to see more about the government being back open and we can now help you than we saw about the government being shut down," Quilici said. If the government shuts down again, Quilici expects the same tax calls to start up. The scammers behind the calls can be from anywhere, even the U.S., but Quilici says they most commonly come from India. To make the calls sound more professional, he says they sometimes hire voiceover talent from the U.S. online. 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. U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil firm will force the country to sell its energy products at steep discounts to buyers such as China and India, experts said. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration announced sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned energy company Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA. The move "will meaningfully dent the (Venezuelan) government's cashflow," wrote Risa Grais-Targow, Latin America director at Eurasia Group, a political consultancy. "PDVSA will have to deeply discount its barrels in order to displace the heavy Middle Eastern crudes that those refineries are currently processing. This will also carry extra transportation costs," she added. Washington's sanctions are aimed at putting pressure on socialist leader Nicolas Maduro to step aside. Venezuela was thrust into a political crisis last Wednesday, when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the rightful interim president, prompting world powers including Washington and many Latin American nations to recognize him as the country's "acting president." The move spurred Maduro to break relations with the U.S. and order all American diplomatic personnel to leave the country. The latest sanctions will transfer control of Venezuela's oil wealth to forces that oppose Maduro and deprive the strongman of resources that could prolong his grip on power. Several universities in the Midwest said they are canceling Wednesday classes in anticipation of an expansion of the polar vortex that will likely bring some cities their coldest weather in two decades. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which has canceled classes only a handful of times in the past few decades, sent an email to students and faculty canceling classes from Tuesday evening through Wednesday. The college town is expecting a high of minus 8 F and wind chills of minus 35 F. Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana, where the National Weather Service anticipates the low getting to minus 41 F, also canceled Wednesday classes. Other state institutions closing campuses late Tuesday and throughout Wednesday include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota, the University of North Dakota, the University of South Dakota and Iowa State University. The University of Michigan said it will make its decision later today. The Midwest will be the hardest-hit area, with a life-threatening wind chill bringing temperatures down as low as minus 50 in the Chicago area and northern Illinois by Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service reported, according to Reuters. Students at other schools that have yet to announce closures are demanding classes be canceled due to the frigid weather. A petition on Change.org called for classes to be canceled at Indiana University, where wind chills are expected to range from minus 20 F to minus 40 F. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, nearly 25,000 people have signed the petition. "These weather conditions are extremely unsafe for both students and faculty members on IU's Bloomington campus," wrote petitioner Josh Bromberg. "The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Warning for Indiana and it's time for the university to follow suit and take action." Indiana University's winter weather policy states, "Staff and Temporary employees are expected to use their best judgment if adverse weather creates extreme travel hazards when traveling to or from the workplace. They should not endanger themselves nor ignore the statements of local officials about traveling during adverse weather." A spokesman for IU said Tuesday the university was still evaluating whether to cancel classes. Reuters contributed to this report. Demonstrators rally against a partial government shutdown at a protest hosted by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is finally over. Now lawmakers from both parties are seeking a way to ensure it never happens again. Several proposals are on the table. They go beyond the immediate discussions over border security that will need to be resolved over the next three weeks, when the government could once again run out of money. Instead, these bills would guarantee that the lights stay on even if lawmakers can't reach a spending agreement by Feb. 15, or any future date. At the heart of the proposals are continuing resolutions that would keep government funding unchanged and automatically take effect during any lapse in appropriations. Lawmakers wouldn't have to debate whether to take action it would just happen. "We have to put an end to budgeting by crisis, and auto-CRs are a very reasonable approach," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. "Of course, our political leaders should actually do their jobs and pass thoughtful budgets, but given how often they routinely demonstrate that cannot be counted on, this would take the damaging shutdown threat out of the equation." One of the idea's most vocal supporters on Capitol Hill is Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who has introduced the proposal in every session of Congress since 2010. His bill has 19 co-sponsors, including Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley, Alaska moderate Republican Lisa Murkowski and GOP conference chairman John Barrasso. Portman said he is urging lawmakers to include the measure as part of any deal to fund the government by Feb. 15. "Let's do something about it now while the pain and inefficiency of this moment is fresh on our minds," he said Friday. House GOP leadership also signaled openness to the idea. On NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy said he supports an automatic funding measure but would amend it to ensure that lawmakers and their staffs would not get paid until a spending deal is reached. Democrats also appear to be warming to the plan. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed tentative support for the idea on Friday during a lunch with columnists, saying she hopes it's something "we might be able to put forward." Democratic Sen. Mark Warner introduced legislation earlier this month instituting an automatic continuing resolution. The bill is titled the Stop Shutdowns Transferring Unnecessary Pain and Inflicting Damage In The Coming Years Act, or simply Stop STUPIDITY. "Workers, business owners and tax payers are currently paying the price of D.C. gridlock and my legislation will put an end to that," Warner said in a statement. But there is still plenty of partisan politicking around a proposal that ostensibly aims to end the damaging effects of partisan politicking. One critical difference between the Republican and Democratic bills is the level of automatic spending. Portman's proposal would reduce federal spending by 1 percent if lawmakers do not reach an appropriation agreement within 120 days and another 1 percent every 90 days after that until a deal is reached. Experts say the cuts are intended to ensure that the automatic spending levels do not become an easy way out for lawmakers reluctant to wrestle with thorny appropriations bills. "It's probably not the right approach to fixing this issue," said Shai Akabas, director of the Economic Policy Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center. "A CR, while it's certainly better than a shutdown, is pretty much the next worst thing. If we make it easier to do a CR by making it automatic, we're probably going to have a lot of CRs." Portman's baked-in spending cuts also make his proposal a nonstarter for many Democrats. A spokeswoman for Warner called it "sequestration by another name." Warner's proposal would adjust the automatic spending level for GDP growth. The only portions of the government not covered would be the White House and the legislative branch. "It's a just more neutral default option," said Seth Hanlon, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and a former Obama aide. "Senator Warner's bill doesn't try to stack the deck one way or the other. It just aims to prevent shutdown." Still, the length and cost of the most recent shutdown are stoking growing interest in the idea. The Congressional Budget Office on Monday estimated the damage to the economy at $11 billion, with $3 billion of economic activity permanently lost. And in just three weeks, lawmakers could be standing on the brink of shutdown once more. "It's not supposed to be ideal," Hanlon said. "It's just a tradeoff between the need for Congress to set priorities and the need to prevent a shutdown." An Israeli biotech company said preliminary research on mice gives it hope of developing a cancer cure "within a year's time" but it still has years of testing ahead of it before it could get U.S. approval even if it works for humans. Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies (AEBi) told the Jerusalem Post it used peptides, which are a chain of amino acids, to target and kill cancer cells in mice. "We believe we will offer in a year's time a complete cure for cancer," the company's chairman of the board of directors, Dan Aridor, told the Jerusalem Post in an article published Monday. The company, however, has only tested the treatment in mice so far and it can take six to seven years to bring cancer drugs from "mouse to market," even when drugmakers receive special permissions from U.S. regulators to speed drug development, Les Funtleyder, health-care portfolio manager at E Squared Capital Management, told CNBC. Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds the gavel during the first session of the 116th Congress at the U.S. Capitol January 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. Under the cloud of a partial federal government shutdown, Pelosi will reclaim her former title as Speaker of the House and her fellow Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives for the second time in eight years. Mark Wilson/Getty Images As the shutdown damage grew more urgent for federal workers, consumers of government services, the economy so did the question: When will Republicans say, "enough"? GOP leaders, after all, hadn't supported President Donald Trump's shutdown strategy to begin with. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wasn't surprised it took 35 days, falling poll numbers and an air traffic slowdown. "We've been there before," Pelosi told a small lunch gathering of journalists on Friday. Pelosi recalled the 2013 debacle that preceded Trump's presidency by more than three years. Republicans were so intent on shutting government down that then-Speaker John Boehner wouldn't risk a floor vote even after Democrats agreed to lower, GOP-prescribed funding levels. Before Boehner surrendered, as Trump did under duress last week, his right wing kept insisting that President Barack Obama destroy Obamacare, too. "This is who they are," Pelosi said. "This has become an anti-governance party." US Representative John Boehner, Republican of Ohio, reacts after being re-elected as Speaker of the House alongside US Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California and returning Minority Leader, during the opening session of the 113th US House of Representatives at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 3, 2013. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images That description underscores the limits of her victory. Pelosi did not pass a Democratic policy objective like Medicare for All, tax hikes on the rich, or tuition-free college. She prevailed merely in reopening the government. It was not easy because, as a matter of belief and electioneering, traditional Republican skepticism of government has marbled into contempt. It was winnable because, once again, Republican demands pushed beyond the bounds of public sentiment. The pattern has grown familiar. Objections from their own constituents have repeatedly forced Republicans to roll back budget cuts they made Obama accept after triggering the 2011 debt crisis. Public resistance kept them from repealing Obamacare even after Obama left office. The late 2017 tax cut, by principally benefiting affluent Americans and corporations, became a GOP liability in midterm elections that flipped the House to Democrats last November. Fearing worse, Republican leaders haven't even tried to pursue their goal of reducing budget deficits by curbing Medicare and Social Security. In 2016, Trump touted a "great wall" financed by Mexico as his solution for immigration woes that "incompetent" previous administrations hadn't handled. The pledge, although transparently fanciful, galvanized campaign audiences. Then-Speaker Paul Ryan mocked it. Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina among those who egged on the Obama-era debt and shutdown crises called it "childish." After Trump won, the GOP Congress politely sidetracked the pledge for fear of angering his core supporters. Then, with his political and legal troubles mounting after Democrats won back the House, Trump decided to force the issue in December. With the gavel and majority support on her side, Pelosi drew her line against a White House policy of make-believe. Pelosi and Senate counterpart Mitch McConnell spent years as colleagues in the world of congressional appropriations. With granular control over checks written for specific projects and programs, it's the ultimate governing venue on Capitol Hill. That shared experience, she said, made it "particularly painful to see him kowtowing to the president" during the shutdown. Now, in defense of the congressional oversight prerogative, she seeks common cause with Republicans against tactics Trump used unsuccessfully against her. President Donald Trump makes a statement announcing that a deal has been reached to reopen the government through Feb. 15 during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House January 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. Olivier Douliery | Getty Images News | Getty Images U.S. criminal charges against Huawei are not directly tied to the ongoing trade negotiations between Beijing and Washington, according to one expert who told CNBC that's not how the American legal system works. The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday filed criminal charges against Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei and the daughter of its founder and president Ren Zhengfei. The U.S. was seeking Meng's extradition from Canada, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whittaker said. Those charges came just days before a Chinese delegation, led by Vice Premier Liu He, was set to meet with American officials to reach an agreement on tariffs before a March 1 deadline. "I don't think that we can say that this is directly tied to the trade negotiations, in that kind of transactional way. That's just not the way the U.S. law enforcement system works, it's not the way the Justice Department works," Robert Williams, executive director at the Paul Tsai China Center in Yale Law School, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday. There is no question that Huawei represents everything, all of the challenges that are facing the U.S. and China when it comes to this relationship. Alex Capri NUS Business School Criminal investigations into Huawei began "long before" the current trade negotiations, explained Williams, who once served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State. "We have to step back and view this as part of a larger effort within the Justice Department, in particular, to focus on what it sees as misbehavior on the part of Chinese firms and individuals in the United States for a variety of reasons," he said. The U.S. alleges that Meng, Huawei and a Hong Kong-based subsidiary Skycom Technologies, committed wire fraud, obscured justice, conspired to launder money and broke sanctions against Iran. The indictment also alleges that Huawei stole trade secrets from U.S. carrier T-Mobile. 'Poster child' of US-China challenges Some analysts, however, think that Huawei's case could cast a shadow over this week's negotiations. Huawei is a "poster child" of all the ongoing dispute between the two economic power houses, said Alex Capri, visiting senior fellow at the National University of Singapore Business School. "There is no question that Huawei represents everything, all of the challenges that are facing the U.S. and China when it comes to this relationship," Capri told CNBC's "Street Signs" on Tuesday. He explained that the charges provide an added incentive for Beijing to consider rolling back some of the structural sticking points in its relationship with Washington. They include intellectual property protection, forced technology transfers and subsidies provided to state-owned enterprises. Howard Schultz, Chairman of Starbucks at the grand opening of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai, China on Dec. 5th, 2017. Sorkin asked Schultz what he would do if it appeared in the polls that his presidential bid, if he launched one, would assist Trump's electoral odds. "Nobody wants to see Donald Trump removed from office more than me," Schultz said Monday night during an interview with CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin in New York City that was interrupted by sporadic outbursts from protesters. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said that he wasn't listening to those who said that a potential presidential bid as a "centrist independent" could boost President Donald Trump's re-election chances. "If I decide to run for president as an independent, I will believe and have the conviction and the courage to believe I can win," Schultz said. "I can't answer that question today. But I certainly am not going to do anything to put Donald Trump back in the Oval Office." Schultz faced a battering earlier in the day from top Democrats and political strategists, who criticized the billionaire for pursuing a long-shot campaign that some described as a vanity project. A lifelong Democrat, Schultz said on Monday that he no longer identifies with the party because he sees it moving too far to the left on issues including government spending and health care. One high-profile, if indirect, criticism came from Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, who has belonged to both the Republican and Democratic parties and has been floated as a possible presidential contender in 2020. "Given the strong pull of partisanship and the realities of the electoral college system, there is no way an independent can win. That is truer today than ever before," Bloomberg said in a statement that did not mention Schultz by name. "In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the President. That's a risk I refused to run in 2016 and we can't afford to run it now," the statement said. Schultz said that he had "tremendous respect" for Bloomberg, "but I don't agree with his conclusion." "Most people don't realize that about 42 percent of the electorate affiliate themselves as an independent," Schultz said. He said that his own analysis was based on "facts, not things that are made up." The idea of raising taxes on the rich, particularly after President Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress cut taxes for corporations and individuals, including the wealthy, in 2017, is quickly emerging as one of the most crucial topics of the 2020 campaign. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who is exploring a run for president, has proposed a wealth tax on Americans with more than $50 million in assets . However, polls have shown that voters generally approve of the idea of taxing the wealthy at a higher rate. Indeed, a recent Hill-HarrisX survey of 1,001 registered voters found that 59 percent supported Ocasio-Cortez's proposal . A Fox News poll published last week found that 70 percent of registered voters backed hiking taxes for families making more than $10 million a year. "I respect the Democratic Party. I no longer feel affiliated because I don't know their views represent the majority of Americans. I don't think we want a 70 percent income tax in America," Schultz told CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin in New York. In an interview Monday night, he cited her idea as one of the reasons he could never run for president as a Democrat. Schultz believes the party has moved too far left, and he doesn't believe in their tax and spending priorities. Billionaire former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is no fan of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's proposal to slap a 70 percent marginal tax rate on income above $10 million. Schultz's veiled criticism of Democratic socialist Ocasio-Cortez's idea to tax earnings over $10 million at 70 percent matched the concerns of many of the uber-rich who attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week. The billionaire elite expressed dismay at the direction the 29-year-old freshman firebrand from New York wants to take the nation. Earlier this month, Ocasio-Cortez told CBS' "60 Minutes" that a wealth tax could help pay for a "Green New Deal" that would transition the U.S. away from fossil fuels. In a "60 Minutes" interview that aired Sunday, Schultz, who built Starbucks into a global powerhouse during two tenures as chairman and CEO, said he's "seriously thinking" of running for president "as a centrist independent, outside of the two-party system." "The way I've come to this decision is, I believe that if I ran as a Democrat, I would have to say things that I know in my heart I do not believe, and I would have to be disingenuous," Schultz, a lifelong Democrat until now, further explained to Sorkin. Schultz said the nation cannot afford the priorities of far-left Democrats, including full government-paid health insurance and college tuition. "We are sitting right now with a national debt of $21.5 trillion on the balance sheet of our country," he said. "And if we were a company, if America was a company, at $21.5 trillion of debt, adding $1 trillion a year, we would be facing insolvency." The possibility of Schultz running as an independent has struck fear in the hearts of Democrats. A strong third-party candidacy from Schultz, provided he didn't win, could act as a spoiler for Democrats, taking votes away from their nominee and leaving the White House in the hands of Trump or another Republican. Some voices on the left, including in the wealthy donor class, called for boycotting Starbucks to protest a Schultz candidacy. Democrats want to avoid a situation like businessman Ross Perot's third-party run in 1992. Perot won nearly 19 percent of the popular vote in the three-way race against GOP incumbent President George H.W. Bush and Democratic challenger Bill Clinton. The enthusiasm around Perot was blamed for giving the presidency to Clinton. Trump himself weighed in on Schultz's flirtation with presidential politics. In a tweet Monday, Trump said Schultz "doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!" Schultz on Monday evening tried to reassure concerned Democrats, however: "I certainly am not going to do anything to put Donald Trump back in the Oval Office." WATCH: Protester says if Schultz runs for president, he will help Trump win Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch (L) and Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh await the arrival of former president George H.W. Bush at the US Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill on Monday, December 3, 2018 in Washington, DC. In an application submitted on Monday to Justice Samuel Alito and expected to be reviewed by the full court, the unnamed physicians, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, asked the court to prevent the law from going into effect, as it is scheduled to do next week. Alito on Tuesday gave Louisiana two days to respond to the application. The law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic. It would leave only one doctor in a single clinic to provide abortions in a state where 10,000 women seek the procedure each year, according to the plaintiffs. Two doctors in Louisiana are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to grant an emergency stay of a law they say could cripple access to abortions in the state starting next week. The case could prove to be a test of President Donald Trump's two nominees to the high court, who reproductive rights activists worry could hamstring abortion access. In 2016, the top court ruled 5-3 that a similar law enacted in Texas was unconstitutional. But that case, Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, was decided before Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh were confirmed to the bench. The majority included former Justice Anthony Kennedy, who retired in July. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, as well as Chief Justice John Roberts, dissented. Five justices are required to grant an emergency stay, if the full court acts on the matter, so at least one of the court's five conservatives will have to join the liberal wing in order to prevent the Louisiana law from going into force. The application follows a September decision from a divided panel of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that found that Whole Women's Health does not preclude the Louisiana law because "unlike in Texas, the [Louisiana law] does not impose a substantial burden on a large fraction of women." In Texas, the panel said, almost all hospitals require a doctor to admit a minimum number of patients annually in order to retain admitting privileges. In contrast, in Louisiana, only a few hospitals have the same requirement. Judge Jerry Smith, who wrote the panel's majority opinion, also reasoned that driving distances will not increase for women seeking abortions and that "at most, only 30 percent of women" seeking abortions will be affected. "We are of course bound by WWH's holdings, announced in a case with a substantially similar statute but greatly dissimilar facts and geography," Smith wrote in the 2-1 ruling. In a dissent, Judge Patrick Higginbotham criticized the majority for drawing "conclusions for which there is no support in the record" and for rejecting "the district court's well-supported findings." The district court had found that as many as 70 percent of women seeking abortions could be unable to obtain one under the new law. Higginbotham also challenged the majority's motives, suggesting there could be an ulterior justification. "In the absence of fit between the means (requiring admitting privileges) and the ends (ensuring women's health), I am left to conclude that, viewed objectively, there is an invidious purpose at play," Higginbotham wrote, suggesting a possible political intention. In a statement, Center for Reproductive Rights CEO Nancy Northup said the law "could be the last straw for the few remaining clinics." Two proposals have already been floated by Democrats. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who is exploring a run for president, wants a " wealth tax " on Americans with more than $50 million in assets. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is advocating a 70 percent marginal tax rate on income above $10 million. "I am fearful of it because in America we do not traditionally vilify success. We celebrate success," he said on " The Exchange ." Hensarling, a Republican who represented Texas from 2003 to 2019, told CNBC on Tuesday that the move to slap more taxes on the rich by the left wing of the Democratic Party is all about division and greed. Democrats have taken aim at the wealthy and that has former Rep. Jeb Hensarling afraid of what could come. "I'm not sure it will work but it is a very worrisome strain in American politics," Hensarling said. Polling generally supports higher taxes on the wealthy, an issue that is becoming one of the most crucial of the nascent 2020 election campaign. A recent Hill-HarrisX survey of 1,001 registered voters found that 59 percent supported Ocasio-Cortez's proposal. And a Fox News poll published last week found that 70 percent of registered voters backed hiking taxes for families making more than $10 million a year. Hensarling is certainly not alone in his concern. On Tuesday, former Starbucks CEO and possible independent presidential candidate Howard Schultz said Ocasio-Cortez's idea is one of the reasons he could never run as a Democrat. The elite financiers who descended on Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum last week also expressed misgivings. "It's scary," Scott Minerd, global chief investment officer of Guggenheim Partners, told CNBC about Ocasio-Cortez's plan. He spoke before Warren's "wealth tax" was announced. "By the time we get to the presidential election, this is going to gain more momentum," said Minerd, who added that he would probably be personally impacted by it. "And I think the likelihood that a 70 percent tax rate, or something like that, becomes policy is actually very real." Hensarling said it comes down to simple economics, calling the ideas "counterintuitive" because most Americans are enjoying the best economy of their lifetime. "There's a real a race to turn America into Venezuela," he said. Venezuela, which Hensarling called "a socialist paradise," is in the midst of a growing political crisis. Protests, sparked by the inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro, have led to violence that saw more than 40 people killed. Maduro was sworn in after disputed elections last year, but the U.S. and several other countries have recognized self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido as the legitimate head of state. CNBC's Matthew Belvedere, Hugh Son and Brian Schwartz contributed to this report. Reuters also contributed. An Alipay digital payment app logo and smartphone sit on a desktop at the Wirecard AG headquarters in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. Matthias Doering | Bloomberg | Getty Images China's push to encourage lending to smaller companies has created a business opportunity for large financial technology companies. As Beijing struggles to balance a crackdown on high debt levels with maintaining growth, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have both publicly announced support for privately-run companies. The central bank has also freed up cash for lending in recent months, and eased rules to help small businesses obtain funds more easily. Still, the business environment particularly in financing still favors state-owned companies, despite the fact that the private sector contributes to the majority of job creation and economic growth in the country. But there's money to be made for those willing to lend to smaller businesses, particularly if some of the risks can be mitigated. According to Tencent-backed online lender WeBank, roughly 80 percent of the nearly 90 million small and micro-sized enterprises in China don't have a credit with a bank. That's where fintech can play a greater role. Thanks to their close ties to Chinese technology giants, Alibaba-backed online lender MYbank and Tencent-backed WeBank can use hordes of payment information or social network data to ascertain the ability of a business to pay back its loans. That's the kind of basic credit information many companies in the private sector have been unable to provide, and partly why traditional banks prefer to lend to large, state-owned enterprises instead. Micro and small-sized enterprises do not get equal financial support relative to their contribution to China's economic growth Source: PBOC, CBIRC, Kapronasia In the past, banks have been unwilling to lend to small businesses due to their lack of collateral, limited profitability and greater business risks, said Felix Yang, analyst at financial services consulting and research firm Kapronasia. The process of taking out a loan from banks is also slow and complicated, giving companies more incentives to turn to other lenders, even if the interest rate is higher, Yang said. Smaller loans, quicker application In contrast, taking out a loan through an online service in China can take just a few minutes. "Platforms like MYbank, Su'ning Finance, and other internet finance providers may push one step closer to close the finance gap for MSEs (micro and small-sized enterprises) in China," Yang said in an email. He noted that traditional banks rarely issue loans of less than 1 million yuan ($148,385), while the average size of a loan on a fintech platform is often far smaller. The average size of a loan to small and medium-sized enterprises and individual businesses on MYbank is about 9,900 yuan ($1,469), according to minority stakeholder Ant Financial. As of the end of September 2018, the latest figures available, nearly 9.78 million of such businesses had received a cumulative total of more than 1.19 trillion yuan in loans through the online platform. The non-performing loan ratio was about 1 percent, according to Ant. Alibaba-affiliated Ant Financial, which is reportedly valued at $150 billion, also operates one of the prevailing Chinese mobile pay systems, Alipay. With authorization from the user, information on customer transactions can also be used to determine what kind of loan either through MYbank or another Ant Financial service a business can apply for. Tencent-backed WeBank has also been expanding its business with small and micro-sized enterprises. In late 2017, WeBank launched an online-based lending product for small businesses in Shenzhen, of which more than 200,000 have been reached in less than a year, Li Nanqing, WeBank president and party secretary, wrote in the People's Daily on Dec. 14, 2018. Nearly half of those companies are in manufacturing and high-tech, he said. "In order to provide enterprises with better loan support, WeBank thoroughly implemented the Party Central Committee's arrangements to support the development of small and micro-sized enterprises, actively using data technology to optimize costs," Li said in the article. The company currently offers loans to small and micro-sized enterprises in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu and Henan, according to its website. Partnerships with existing financial institutions As is often the case with the intersection of finance and technology, fintech has not always had a smooth relationship with the Chinese government. Beijing has tended to let technologies develop, before trying to push back with more stringent regulation. For large fintech companies such as Ant, their latest strategy has focused on partnering with existing financial institutions. "We are seeing a significant increase in demand for our technology products and services from banks, asset management firms, insurance companies and securities brokers that are looking for ways to better service their customers at a lower cost," an Ant Financial spokesperson said in a statement. "This includes banks that are trying to reduce the lending costs for (small and medium-sized enterprises) to help them survive and thrive." President Donald Trump touches a piece of equipment made by Caterpillar while touring a Made in America product showcase with Vice President Mike Pence on the South Lawn of the White House on July 17, 2017. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images Disappointing results from construction machinery giant Caterpillar and a pessimistic revenue forecast from chipmaker Nvidia point to a broader impact to the global business community from China's economic slowdown, analysts said on Tuesday. "Caterpillar and Nvidia are not the first companies to blame China for their afflictions, but both companies are seen as industry bellwethers," Rodrigo Catril, a senior currency strategist at the National Australia Bank, said in a Tuesday note. The outlooks from those companies Caterpillar joined Nvidia in issuing disappointing guidance "tend to be regarded as important" because they can "provide a macro/global growth guidance from a business perspective," Catril told CNBC. So, the commentary from both of those companies paints a worrying picture for Chinese growth. "Their disappointing results provide further evidence that this time China's slowdown is for real," he said in the note. On Monday, Caterpillar shares fell 9.1 percent after the industrial giant posted weaker-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter, and issued that disappointing guidance. The company said specifically that its sales in the Asia Pacific region declined because of lower demand in China. Nvidia, meanwhile, dropped 13.8 percent after slashing its fourth-quarter revenue guidance to $2.2 billion from $2.7 billion. The chipmaker said "deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, particularly in China," impacted demand for its graphics processing units. Those are not the only companies blaming China for slowing sales. Apple cut its sales forecast earlier this month, with CEO Tim Cook pointing to slowing iPhone sales in China. "(Caterpillar and Nvidia) highlight that, across a wide spectrum of businesses, China's faltering economy is also having an impact on the US," Tobin Gorey, a strategist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said in a note. Caterpillar derives 59 percent of its sales from outside of the U.S. and nearly a quarter of its revenue from the Asia Pacific region, according to figures from Goldman Sachs last year. 'Pain' spreads Slowing growth in China which has likely been made worse by the ongoing trade war between the world's two largest economies is hitting American companies hard, experts said. In fact, according to Gorey, the trade war "highlights a very fundamental truth about USChina relations." "The two are unavoidably symbiotic. Both are huge influences on the world economy. The pair thus cannot separate themselves," he said. "And the economic health of one correlates positively with the other. So if one inflicts pain on the other, they both eventually feel it too." In December, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to halt any further tariff increases on each other's products during a 90-day period in which both countries would continue to negotiate a trade deal. Margaret Yang, market analyst at CMC Markets, said the guidance from Caterpillar and Nvidia paints a weaker outlook for the peak earnings season. More than 100 S&P 500 companies are scheduled to report their earnings, including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook. "The trade and growth uncertainties surrounding markets over the past few months has started to materialise and Trump's radical trade policy has resulted in adverse economic impact to even the American companies," Yang said in a note. Goldman Sachs in a Friday note warned its clients about companies with big revenues from China. In addition to Nvidia, it called out Broadcom, Micron Technology, Qualcomm, Qorvo, Skyworks Solutions and Wynn Resort. China last week reported that its 2018 economic growth rate came in at 6.6 percent the slowest pace since 1990. J.P. Morgan wrote in a January report that the economic slowdown is likely to continue in 2019. The uncertainty about the outcome of trade negotiations between U.S. and China remains high, and the conflict could escalate again in the second half of this year, Haibin Zhu, J.P. Morgan's chief China economist and head of China equity strategy, said in the bank's report. Zhu, who warned that the trade war could even transition to "non-tariff actions," sounded a pessimistic tone on the future of U.S.-China relations. "In the long term, China and the US are unlikely to regain their past relationship. The negative impact on trade, business incentives, and the acceleration in global supply chain relocation could be postponed due to the temporary truce, but are unlikely to disappear," he said. WATCH: Is China's growth story over? The national flags of the U.S. and China. A Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He arrived in Washington, D.C. on Monday for economic and trade negotiations, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. The delegation includes China's central bank governor Yi Gang as well as the vice chair of China's state planner and the vice finance minister, the report said, without providing details on the agenda. FBI Director Christopher Wray; CIA Director Gina Haspel and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats arrive with other U.S. intelligence community officials to testify before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on "worldwide threats" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 29, 2019. Joshua Roberts | Reuters A new government report calls China the top cyber-espionage threat to government agencies and U.S. businesses, and warns that the country has "the ability to launch cyber attacks that cause localized, temporary disruptive effects on critical infrastructure such as disruption of a natural gas pipeline for days to weeks in the United States." A day after two landmark indictments against against China's Huawei, the Senate heard from leaders from the CIA, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Security Agency and FBI on the increasing threats from China, as well as new cyberthreats posed by Russia, Iran and North Korea. Legislators also discussed actions beyond the criminal cases like those brought against Huawei, including legislation meant to combat cyber espionage and other threats. Huawei and China responded to the Justice Department's allegations early Tuesday, questioning the allegations and saying they have tried to cooperate with U.S. authorities with little response. The Senate hearing gave new insight into the scope of the worst global cyberthreats, and some insight into action legislators and intelligence officials might take to prevent it. China and technology influence China was called out in the the Worldwide Threat Assessment, a yearly report by the U.S. intelligence community released at Tuesday's hearing. The report was commissioned by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, an umbrella organization that coordinates all the U.S. intelligence agencies. It also reported China is "improving" cyberattack capabilities and its ability to create influence campaigns, including "altering information online, shaping Chinese views and potentially the views of U.S. citizens." Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., cited the ODNI report and Huawei cases as cause to move forward with legislation meant to lessen China's cyber-espionage activities. Warner warned of consolidation of Chinese Communist Party power under President Xi Jinping, and an economic policy focused on beating the U.S. in areas like artificial intelligence and 5G. Warner and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., proposed a bill that would create an Office of Critical Technologies & Security. The agency would educate business leaders about "the threats to U.S. national security posed by the improper acquisition and transfer of critical technologies by foreign countries and reliance on foreign products such as those manufactured by Chinese telecom companies ZTE and Huawei that jeopardize the overall security of private sector supply chains." Several federal agencies already perform these functions within the U.S. government, including DHS, the FBI, NSA and the Secret Service. It is unclear how the Office of Critical Technologies & Security would interface or include these agencies. Russia also could disrupt infrastructure China was not the only nation called out by the report. The intelligence agencies also said Russia has been testing U.S. infrastructure and attempting to determine weaknesses that could be used to launch a destructive cyberattack. "Moscow is now staging cyber attack assets to allow it to disrupt or damage US civilian and military infrastructure during a crisis," according to the ODNI. "Russia has the ability to execute cyber attacks in the United States that generate localized, temporary disruptive effects on critical infrastructure such as disrupting an electrical distribution network for at least a few hourssimilar to those demonstrated in Ukraine in 2015 and 2016," according to the report. FBI Director Christopher Wray said Russia is also continuing to use social media platforms to continue influence campaigns, including the 2018 midterms. "Not only did they continue to do it, they are continuing to adapt their model and other countries are taking interest [in conducting similar campaigns]," he said. U.S. social media companies like Facebook and Twitter are increasingly but tentatively cooperating with U.S. intelligence on monitoring for misinformation campaigns, said ODNI director Dan Coates. "Our tech teams are working with their tech teams. I can't say that's worked with every social media company, but it's significantly better because there is information we can provide them that's in their benefit. I'm encouraged having made some trips to several of these companies with the openness and willingness to see what we can do," said Coates. Iran and North Korea Robert Long (L) and Ada Yu hold signs in favor of Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou outside her bail hearing at British Columbia Superior Courts in Vancouver, British Columbia on December 11, 2018. A spokesman at China's industry and information technology ministry said Tuesday that the U.S. government indictment against Huawei is "unfair" and "immoral," Reuters reported. The U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges Monday against Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of China tech giant Huawei and the daughter of its founder and president Ren Zhengfei. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker confirmed during a press conference that the Justice Department is seeking the extradition of Meng Wanzhou from Canada. The Justice Department also announced charges Monday against Huawei for allegedly stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. The charges stem from a civil trade secrets lawsuit filed by T-Mobile in 2014 over a robot called "Tappy," which was used in testing smartphones. Meng's lawyer, Reid Weingarten, said his client should not be used as a "pawn or a hostage" in the the U.S.-China relationship. She did not plot to break any U.S. laws, or violate American sanctions on Iran, he said in a statement to CNBC. China's foreign ministry, for its part, expressed its concerns about the charges and then characterized the actions as part of a U.S. plot to suppress the success of Chinese firms. Alex Capri, visiting senior fellow at NUS Business School, told CNBC he found Beijing's response notable. Leave means leave pro Brexit anti Europe demonstrator protests with a 'to delay is to betray' placard in Westminster opposite Parliament on the day MPs vote on EU withdrawal deal amendments on 29th January 2019 in London, England, United Kingdom. The British pound fell to its lows of the day Tuesday after an amendment that would have delayed the U.K.'s exit from the European Union in the event both parties did not have a deal in place was voted down by Parliament. Sterling fell 0.6 percent to $1.307 against the U.S. dollar following the vote. Prior to that, it had traded around the flatline versus the greenback. The so-called Cooper amendment was defeated by a vote of 321 to 298. Named after Labour opposition lawmaker Yvette Cooper, the amendment would have sought to rule out a no-deal Brexit by giving the government more time to reach a formal agreement with the EU. The Brexit deadline is currently set for March 29, but the bill would have pushed back that date to Dec. 31. Thus it would have diminished the chances of a no deal which is widely seen as being a negative for the U.K economy where the country would have to rely on World Trade Organization rules for trade. Like all amendments being voted on by the U.K. Parliament on Tuesday evening it would have required backing by the EU. Brussels has stated that it is not willing to budge on the Withdrawal Agreement that it agreed with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May at the end of 2018. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro delivers a speech during the appointment ceremony of the new heads of public banks, at Planalto Palace in Brasilia on January 7, 2019. - Brazil's Finance Minister Paulo Guedes appointed the new presidents of the country's public banks. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP) (Photo credit should read EVARISTO SA/AFP/Getty Images) Brazilian stocks have become one of Wall Street's favorite destinations for investing this year as investors bet on big changes taking place in Latin America's largest economy. The Bovespa index, Brazil's benchmark stock index, hit an all-time high on Monday and is up more than 8.5 percent thus far in 2019. The iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (EWZ), which tracks a basket of Brazilian stocks, has risen 12.2 percent this year. The EWZ is also outperforming EEM, the broader emerging-markets ETF, as well as funds tracking other emerging-market stocks. The EWZ fund was up almost another 2 percent on Tuesday. The jump in Brazilian shares comes as investors cheer the possibility of key reforms being passed by new President Jair Bolsonaro, including pension reform. However, Bolsonaro has a limited time period to make these changes. He is also a polarizing figure given racist and homophobic statements he has made in the past. Bolsonaro is "hitting all the right notes the market has been wanting to hear for years," said Chen Zhao, chief global strategist at Alpine Macro. "That's why I think the market reaction has been so positive. If he really delivers on what he promised, I think that could turn out to be a major supply-side story in the EM world." Brazil's new president was elected with overwhelming support. Bolsonaro won the presidency in October with 55 percent of the vote as Brazilians grew fed up with a spike in violence and lackluster economic recovery. The Brazilian economy contracted all throughout 2016 on the heels of a massive price drop in oil, one of Brazil's biggest exports. U.S. crude futures briefly traded around $26 per barrel in early 2016 before rebounding; they traded above $51 on Monday. The economy turned around in 2017, but only grew by 1.1 percent. Quarterly GDP growth did not reach 1 percent in the first three quarters, FactSet data show. Apple's revenue in China came in at $13.17 billion during the December quarter, a drop of nearly $5 billion from a year ago, when Apple reported $17.96 billion in China revenue. Apple's revenue is typically highest during this quarter, the first of its fiscal year. Apple saw a similar slowdown between the December 2015 and December 2016 quarters, when China revenue fell 12 percent. Apple's revenue in China was $11.41 billion during the September quarter, Q4 of its 2018 fiscal year. Revenue was also down slightly from last year in Europe and Japan. In an interview following the report, CEO Tim Cook told CNBC, "As we got into January, things have improved...from where they ended in December and that gives us some optimism. Of course you don't know what will continue but I would also point out that seems to map to trade tension as well, that there is a bit more optimism in the air in January, or certainly I feel that anyways. I'm encouraged by the comments coming out of both countries." Jeff Bezos, president and CEO of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post, speaks at the Economic Club of Washington DC's "Milestone Celebration Dinner" in Washington, September 13, 2018. Joshua Roberts | Reuters As Amazon searches for growth outside the U.S., its next big push is the Middle East. Amazon has been reaching out in recent weeks to large third-party sellers in North America, informing them of an upcoming opportunity to reach consumers, first in the United Arab Emirates and then in Saudi Arabia, according to several merchants who spoke with CNBC. They all asked not to be identified because the discussions with Amazon were private. With the launch of the Middle East marketplace in the coming months, Amazon is downplaying Souq.com, the Dubai-based online retailer it bought for $580 million in 2017 its priciest international acquisition. The company is telling North American sellers not to sign up to sell on Souq because it plans to have all that inventory on Amazon's own site. "Following Amazon's acquisition of Souq, I want to offer you participation in a groundbreaking new sales project in the Mid East," Amazon wrote in an invitation to a select group of sellers. "Our program is simple, straightforward and allows you to expand your selection to a new base of Amazon buyers." An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment. The move comes as Amazon seeks to find a formula for profitable growth in its retail business, which counts on North America for 69 percent of revenue. The U.K., Germany, and Japan account for the majority of international sales. Amazon has struggled to build substantial businesses in China and India because of local laws and hefty competition, and its retail division still loses money every quarter when excluding the U.S. and Canada. Sellers say that Amazon is most excited about getting beauty products like perfume, as well as electronics, into the two largest Middle East economies. In September, Amazon launched a local service in Turkey, marking the 17th global site. Brian Olsavsky, the company's finance chief, said on the earnings call in October that Amazon is "very pleased" with the international business, though the "story is different country by country." The new Middle East marketplace would look similar to Amazon's other international websites, like Amazon U.K. or Amazon Germany, giving it a more unified appearance and brand in the region, sellers said. It would also come with the same seller back-end system used in the U.S, and access to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), the company's storage and shipping service. As part of its outreach, Amazon has been hosting a series of educational webinars to a small group of U.S.-based sellers. In the invitation, Amazon describes the new service as a "groundbreaking" project, adding that it comes with a free dedicated account manager and steep discounts on commissions and logistics fees. Amazon said in the webinar overview that commissions will be 3 percent for FBA. That is substantially lower than Amazon's rate in North America. New international market If you're job hunting in certain high-growth fields, you're not just in luck you're in demand. A shortage of skilled workers in some fields is leading to stiff competition as companies hunt for talent. To help workers understand what they're worth, staffing firm Randstad US recently compiled a special salary guide highlighting what some of the most in-demand jobs pay across a range of industries. Young people, especially those with five or more years of experience, should study these numbers carefully, Jim Link, Randstad's chief human resources officer, told CNBC Make It. Knowing these salary benchmarks can help workers understand "how their own salaries stack up against national averages." Being armed with the right information can also help workers negotiate the next time compensation talks arise. Randstad US's guide is based on numbers from a range of sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Economic Research Institute, as well as Randstad's own proprietary data. The report breaks national salary information down by years on the job: entry level (one year of experience in the role); mid-level (five years of experience in a role); and senior level (10 years of experience in a role). Based on data from the newly-released guide, here are some of the most in-demand jobs and what they'll pay: [The stream is slated to start at 7 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz will be interviewed by CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin on Monday, one day after the business leader upset Democrats by saying that he is seriously considering an independent bid for the presidency. The interview, hosted at a Barnes & Noble in lower Manhattan, comes the same day that Schultz's newest book was released to the public. Schultz is under fire from Democrats who worry that Schultz's entrance into the race could bolster President Donald Trump's re-election odds. Independent candidates for president rarely muster much national support, but third parties have siphoned off enough votes to impact the vote shares of the major candidates. Among those concerned about Schultz's intentions are top Democratic donors in New York, who told CNBC on Monday that the run was likely to hurt other members of the party and had the potential to damage the Starbucks brand. The president appears to be goading Schultz. Trump, in a tweet Monday morning, responded to Schultz's weekend comments by accusing the businessman of not having the "guts" to run for president. The U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges Monday against Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of China tech giant Huawei and the daughter of its founder and president Ren Zhengfei. The Justice Department also announced charges Monday against Huawei for allegedly stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. The charges stem from a civil trade secrets lawsuit filed by T-Mobile in 2014 over a robot called "Tappy," which was used in testing smartphones. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said during a press conference that the Justice Department is seeking the extradition of Meng Wanzhou from Canada. "We plan to file our formal extradition request and all the necessary documentation under the extradition treaty in the appropriate time frame," Whitaker said. The Justice Department formally filed its request for extradition on Monday, Canadian authorities confirmed to CNBC. There was a Jan. 30 deadline for the request to be submitted. Huawei said in a statement provided to CNBC that it was "disappointed to learn of the charges brought against the company today." Here's the rest of that statement: After Ms. Meng's arrest, the Company sought an opportunity to discuss the Eastern District of New York investigation with the Justice Department, but the request was rejected without explanation. The allegations in the Western District of Washington trade secret indictment were already the subject of a civil suit that was settled by the parties after a Seattle jury found neither damages nor willful and malicious conduct on the trade secret claim. The Company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments, is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion. China, meanwhile, said through an industry ministry official that the indictment against the company is unfair and immoral, according to Reuters. FBI, DHS and Commerce officials announced the two actions on Monday, saying the allegations go back more than a decade. "Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect U.S. law," said FBI Director Christopher Wray, in Monday's press conference. "Huawei ... systematically sought to steal valuable trade secrets." A bill was introduced Monday in the California legislature that would give legal cannabis businesses a tax break to help them thrive and better compete with the underground market. Assembly Bill 286, dubbed the Temporary Cannabis Tax Reduction bill, would temporarily cut state excise taxes for legal marijuana retailers from 15 percent to 11 percent and also suspend cultivation taxes altogether through 2022. Supporters say the current taxes and costs that legal cannabis businesses face make for an uneven playing field with competitors from the grey and black markets. The proposed legislation, which is sponsored by state Treasurer Fiona Ma, follows California's tax revenue for the industry coming in $101 million below projections in the first six months of 2018. State officials have blamed the shortfall on exorbitant taxes placed on the legal pot industry as well as challenges due to limited access to banking. "We don't tax start-up businesses [from other industries] when they start," the state treasurer said. "We need to do better." Even though at least 30 states have legalized cannabis for medical or adult use, banks and financial institutions are hesitant to provide services to cannabis businesses because federal law still considers marijuana an illegal Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act. "AB 286 is an important step to ensure that we protect legitimate taxpaying businesses and stop the illegal black market in California," Assembly member Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, said Monday at a press conference announcing introduction of the cannabis tax relief legislation. He said the black market continues to undercut legal businesses that are complying with state regulations. In a release announcing the proposed bill, state officials said cannabis taxes can eventually generate $8 to $20 billion in annual revenue for California. The current taxes imposed on the state's cannabis industry were part of Proposition 64, the adult-use legalization measure passed by California voters in November 2016. California started selling legal marijuana last year, but some observers have blamed the aggressive state tax rates and overregulation for continuing underground pot sales. At the same time, another challenge for the legal pot industry has been local bans on commercial cannabis activity by municipalities have meant some Californians have to drive long distances to buy legal weed. There's also been licensing hiccups along the way and reports of product shortages. "The whole California system for adult-use legalization implementation has been a mess," said Troy Dayton, CEO of the Arcview Group, a cannabis investment and research firm based in Oakland, California. "California is the first state where the total retail sales went down after they transitioned to adult use because it's so complex and the taxes are so high and everything else." Dayton said the lower tax rate will result in more tax dollars for California and provide other benefits, including helping to improve public safety. "The whole aim of legalization is to compete with the illicit market and to get people to buy from the regulated establishments," he said. "You can't do that if the taxes are so high and onerous that people are driven out of that market." According to Bonta, California levies an estimated 45 percent tax on legal cannabis businesses when everything is added up. He said other states, including Oregon and Washington, have simplified and dialed back tax rates for regulated cannabis and as a result produced higher tax revenues. "Once the legal marketplace has established its roots, once it is on its way to success, the tax rates will return under this bill," said Bonta. WATCH: Six experts on the cannabis craze Prospective Students Celebrate Diversity at Carnegie Mellon January 29, 2019 High school students around the world are about to make one of their most important decisions as a young adult where to go to college. And with choices ranging from major courses of study to extracurricular activities to consider, the decision can be daunting. To help ease the pressure, Carnegie Mellon University invited prospective students to campus for Celebration of Diversity Weekend, a weekend designed to introduce them and their families to everything CMU has to offer. From Saturday through Monday, they had the opportunity to talk with campus representatives from their major of interest, learn more about campus life, and even get a taste of college with an overnight stay hosted by a current student. On Saturday evening, the prospective students and their families gathered for a reception where they heard from members of the CMU community. "Diversity is a hallmark of a great university," said Michael Steidel, dean of Admission at CMU. "Carnegie Mellon's commitment to diversity and inclusion is an important part of the fabric of this institution. It's part of our strategic plan, and the commitment really comes from the highest levels of this institution." Angela Campbell, executive director of CMU's Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, welcomed students and emphasized why diversity is so important to the success of CMU. "We are here because we believe that through diversity and inclusion, and through equity, we can build a better, brighter world," she said. "Diversity is fun. Diversity allows us to mix things up and become multicultural. Diversity also serves a primary function in innovation, which is a key theme to what we do at CMU," Campbell said. "Our hearts are in the work, as Andrew Carnegie said. Our hearts are in the work of innovating and creating and building a world in which you will want to lead." The students also got to hear from alumna Sasha Urquidi who was a senior in high school not too long ago. She told the audience about her prospective student weekend. "Little did I know then that attending CMU would be the most impactful decision of my life," Urquidi said. "The people I would meet at Celebration of Diversity Weekend and my time here would come to be my best friends, my family away from home, and some of the most influential people in my life." Urquidi, who at 26 became one of the youngest vice presidents on a portfolio management team at Goldman-Sachs, told the students about her academic journey at CMU, including studying abroad in Brazil instead of taking a summer internship with her future employer. While at the time studying abroad seemed like a great idea, Urquidi doubted her decision when her peers began to get full-time job offers. "Fast forward to November of that year. I'm in Brazil and I'm absolutely terrified because I don't have a full-time job lined up. All I could think was, 'Why didn't I take that summer internship? What is wrong with me?'" Jennifer Frick, Urquidi's career counselor at the time, offered this advice. "The experience abroad more than takes the place of an internship. Don't let your job search anxiety get in the way of having a fabulous experience in another country." Urquidi said CMU thinks about students' development holistically, prioritizing life experiences above cookie cutter definitions for success. She told students the work ethic she learned at CMU has led her to a seat at the table, where she is often the youngest person, only female and only person of color. Urquidi encouraged them to take the lessons in college and carry them throughout their lives, no matter what institution becomes their home for the next four years. To learn more about Carnegie Mellon's admission process, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and more, visit https://www.cmu.edu/student-admission/index.html. Clinton, IA (52732) Today Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then strong thunderstorms likely during the afternoon hours. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 82F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Beachwood, OH (44122) Today Scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. A few storms may be severe. Low 72F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Heather Drago, originally from California, tapped two friends, and the three are taking off in their Clever Girl Marketing business in Cleveland. "Moving to Cleveland was the best thing that ever happened to me," said Drago. "It's a gem of a place, great quality of life. I love Cleveland. I am a diehard Clevelander and will live here until I die. It's cost effective. Great business opportunities. Thriving culture. And not that expensive. I am loving raising my kids here." Well, how much more could you ask from someone to promote your Cleveland business? And promote she does. Drago went to art school, but had to drop out due to a temporary health issue. She stumbled into a data entry job at a direct marketing company. "I was like a sponge," she said. "It was my first real job, and I learned databases, database marketing, programming." Drago then went to a custom software development company and after that to a job at the Cleveland Clinic. After her first baby came along, she stayed home and took up painting again. Ever the entrepreneur, she got a studio in downtown Cleveland and was successful in selling her art. She even has work in the Cleveland Clinic art collection. Drago seems to be a rather unusual combination of both right- and left-brained, when most people seem to be categorized as either creative or more technically oriented. She is clearly both. Drago and her husband, John, an IT specialist, and their children moved to Westlake, where she became very involved in the community. As the economy crashed in 2008, she met a woman who owned a marketing business, who became her mentor and allowed her the flexibility to both work and take care of her growing family. As the mentor's business began to ebb, Drago took on some of her own clients and began to organize a "real" business. She named it Clever Girl Marketing in 2015. Things began to click, she said, and the business grew and grew -- fast. She hired a freelancer who had worked with her before. Next, what she calls a "social sorcerer," who worked with her at the Cleveland Clinic, also joined the team. They are Tiffany Skowronski, creative director, and Lilia Lipps, communications director. Now there is also a programmer and web developer, as well as a copy writer and an administrative assistant. Drago also partners with a woman-owned video production company for video work, and another woman who does public relations and media relations. As a strategy, Drago approaches marketing with clients as a "long game. It's an investment, and I think about all the different pieces for them," she said. Sharing space in Ohio City with other businesses, Drago shows it is definitely a strategic way to build one's business and a way to not spend too much as the business' growth happens. She said there are now a number of buildings available with shared business space. "The best ones," she said, "have conference space as well as offices. Clients take us more seriously now. "We are a small, strategic marketing agency, full service. We don't specialize in any particular industries, but in helping companies who have been around a little while and need to go to the next step and aren't sure where to go. I am a principal who likes to work with a principal." Drago's excitement is reflected in her vision for the very near future. "I see great things ahead for Clever Girl in 2019: more great work with our existing clients, meeting new people, learning new things, continuing to build the team, making all the puzzle pieces fit a little better," she said. "It's exciting. I love what I do and the people I get to work with. It's going to be a great year." One has only to look at the photos of the three women on their website to know that these "clever girls" are absolutely sure of exactly where they are going. STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- The city will lose about $750,000 a year in income tax revenue once Medical Mutual of Ohio vacates its Strongsville office building in 2020, according to city Finance Director Joe Dubovec. However, city officials are already working with the building's owner, Carnegie Management Group, to find a new tenant once Medical Mutual leaves, said Brent Painter, Strongsville's economic development director. "We're on top of it," Mayor Thomas Perciak said during a recent City Council budget hearing. Medical Mutual is preparing to consolidate some of its offices in the former American Greetings building in Brooklyn. Painter said those offices -- in addition to the one at 15885 W. Sprague Road in Strongsville -- include sites in Beachwood and Copley Township in Summit County. On Tuesday, Medical Mutual, attributing an unnamed company spokesman, said, "Our office consolidation brings cost efficiencies and added collaboration in a newly remodeled space." At the budget hearing, Dubovec told council that Medical Mutual's departure will leave a "big hole" in terms of city income tax revenue. Dubovec later told cleveland.com that Medical Mutual ranks third when it comes to income tax revenue in Strongsville. Painter said the insurer is one of Strongsville's top 25 employers by worker head count. But Painter said the city recently refilled Medical Mutual's former Strongsville office -- on Royalton Road across from SouthPark Mall -- with Foundation Software, a seller of software and payroll services targeting the construction industry. Medical Mutual moved out of that three-story, 125,000-square-foot building in 2016 and into the 88,000-square-foot West Sprague office. "Foundation Software is one of the fastest-growing companies in Northeast Ohio," Painter told cleveland.com in an email. "(It's) currently building out the Royalton Road office building for their new headquarters and will continue to occupy their current Strongsville building (on) Foltz Parkway." In November, council awarded Foundation Software a Job Creation Grant for relocating its headquarters while staying in Strongsville. The company, which now employs 300, plans to add 40 to 50 new fulltime jobs by the end of this year. The grant, given annually for 10 years, will equal 30 percent of Foundation Software's new payroll. "Similar to the Royalton Road reuse, we look forward to backfilling the current Medical Mutual space (on West Sprague) once it is vacant," Painter said. At the budget hearing, Perciak indicated that the city hopes to find a tenant with high-paying jobs for the West Sprague building. "If (the landlords) decide to put a telemarketing company in there, we'll be lucky if we get a third of (the income tax revenue) we have in there (now)," Perciak said. Medical Mutual's headquarters is in the Rose Building on East 9th Street in Cleveland. The company also has offices in Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. Crain's Cleveland Business reported in June that the city of Brooklyn has given Medical Mutual financial incentive to locate there. In exchange for bringing 750 jobs and at least $57 million in payroll to the former American Greetings building, Brooklyn will give the firm between $1.3 million and $5 million over six years. This story has been updated to include a comment from Medical Mutual. ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The January luncheon of the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce celebrated the swearing-in of the 2019 Board of Directors, as well as chamber members who have achieved distinction through the chamber's yearly awards. The luncheon for more than 100 members was held at the Emerald Event Center in Avon on Thursday (Jan. 24). Members of the Board of Directors who were sworn in included Julie Bialowas, Cleveland Magazine; Rick Gorski, Corporate Investigative Services; Meredith Hardington, Howard Hanna; Marc Hustek, Howard Hanna; Rick Joyce, Huntington Bank; and Sharon Spooner, FranNet of Northern Ohio. Awards winners for 2018 included: Quality Business Award: Deb Brink, Pure Enchantment. Natural, personal care products. Began manufacturing her own products in her basement. Store is now in Old Detroit next to Stino Di Napoli. Beautification Award: Normandy Senior Living Community. A family-owned and operated, continuing-care community, one of Rocky River's top employers. Outstanding New Member: Megan Lee, marketing manager, Odell Construction, remodeling and home improvement. Most Active Member: The Rev. Dr. Jon Fancher, Rocky River Presbyterian Church, pastor since 1991. Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce Bright Star Award: Dan Weist, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. Taste of River "Best of Food": Old Carolina Barbecue Company, second year in a row. Brian Bailey, co-founder. The chamber also recently held a new website launch party, according to Angela Dudek, the chamber's new executive director. The website has been freshened up with a new look, and advertising opportunities are available, she noted. Visit the site at www.rockyriverchamber.com. For more information on the chamber call 440-331-1140 or email info@rockyriverchamber.com. CINCINNATI, Ohio - A federal lawsuit aimed at redrawing Ohios politically gerrymandered congressional district map in time for the 2020 election faces a potential new hurdle - timing. The Ohio Attorney Generals office late Monday filed a request with the court to delay the March 4 start of the trial until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules later this year on gerrymandering cases from North Carolina and Maryland. Such a delay would severely jeopardize efforts to put a more fairly drawn map in place for next years election, even if the suit is successful, said Freda Levenson, lead attorney in the case for the ACLU of Ohio. The Supreme Court may not rule until late June on the gerrymandering cases brought by Democrats in North Carolina and Republicans in Maryland. The Ohio trial before a three-judge federal panel could last two weeks. Either party would have the option to appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, taking up more time. The state said in its court filing Monday that any new map needs to be in place by Sept. 20, 2019, in advance of the 2020 election. That deadline could be a matter of debate later, but it does illustrate how time could be limited. A map has to be in place in time for candidates to file petitions in time to run for the primary in 2020, Levenson said. The most compelling reason to deny this motion is that to delay consideration of this case creates a serious risk that even if we win, Ohio voters could still lose. At issue in the lawsuit is whether Ohios current congressional map, created with Republicans in control of the process in 2011, violated the constitution by drawing lines to specifically favor one party over the other. With the map, the GOP has consistently won 75 percent of the congressional seats statewide with a little more than half of the total vote. In its motion for delay, the Ohio Attorney Generals office argued that decisions in the Supreme Court cases could make the upcoming Ohio trial "a waste of time, money and resources, or provide a guide for how the Ohio case should be argued. The motion argued that even if the trial is delayed, there would still be enough time to resolve the case by Sept. 20. The Supreme Court is to hear arguments on the North Carolina and Maryland cases on March 26, with a ruling by the end of the courts term June 30. The lawsuit was filed in May 2018 on behalf of the Ohio League of Women Voters and others. Ohio voters in May overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to limit how much the majority party could control the process of drawing congressional lines, beginning in 2022 after results of the next census are available. The lawsuit attempts to force changes two years earlier. Cleveland.com federal courts reporter Eric Heisig contributed to this report. Rotunda Rumblings Help wanted: Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder has named lawmakers to a bipartisan group to vet candidates for a human resources professional, after recent allegations of sexual harassment and racism in the Ohio General Assembly. As cleveland.coms Laura Hancock reports, there are questions about how independent the HR employee will be. Like a Roger Stone: Before the flamboyant and infamous GOP consultant Roger Stone had made a name for himself and gotten indicted by the special counsel he made waves in Ohio politics. As cleveland.coms Seth Richardson writes, Stone worked on several Ohio statewide campaigns, most recently in 2014. Bid you farewell: Matthew Damschroeder, Gov. Mike DeWines director of the Department of Administrative Services, tightened restrictions to do away with no-bid contracts, the Columbus Dispatch reports. State agencies will now have to obtain three price quotes as opposed to just soliciting them. Rumpled: Thats everyones favorite word to describe Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, per Scott Wartman of the Cincinnati Enquirer, who broke down how the media describes the senators appearance. Electability: The Washington Posts David Byler analyzed data from Browns previous elections to gauge whether he is a viable candidate or not. Kara Vogt from Mother Jones examined Browns liberal credentials and whether he might be able to take the mantle of the progressive candidate from the likes of Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren. Back on the job: Check off the Census Bureau as one of the agencies promptly back to work on the first weekday after the end of the government shutdown. At 11:07 a.m. Monday, cleveland.coms Rich Exner received this email from the bureaus press office: Are you still in need of assistance? If so, let us know Almost forgotten, Exner left a message on Jan. 4 seeking help trying to track down some data for a story on economic trends during Gov. John Kasichs final term. Impostor! Peter Skurkiss of the conservative American Thinker did not live up to the magazines name when it published a story criticizing Republican political commentator and actor Ben Stein of Ferris Bueller fame for joining forces with the left-wing advocacy group Policy Matters Ohio. The problem? They were writing about the wrong Ben Stein, a much younger staff associate who never appeared in Planes, Trains & Automobiles or wrote speeches for Richard Nixon. Policy Matters Ohio Director Amy Hanauer had some fun with the story, though, tweeting, In other news its amazing that Senator Paul Simon could sell out so many concert halls. Five Questions Jillian Froment has been director of the Ohio Department of Insurance since 2017. 1. What are your thoughts about what you would like to see with the Department of Insurance? Do you have any priorities or goals with the job? The two areas that are super-exciting for us that are going to help shape our vision are, first, the governors focus on children and, of course, mental health and substance abuse addiction. The second thing is looking at our laws and our regulatory authority to sort of understand how to support those new innovations and technologies that insurers want to provide, whether it be a product or whether it be the way they sell it to you, using apps instead of old-fashioned paper. 2. What direction do you see Obamacare going, in terms of regulation for the state? I wish I knew [laughs]. Thats a great question. What we have seen over the last eight years that Ive been here is the only thing thats for sure is that theres going to be change each year. And I think thats what industry, consumers, and this department are still struggling with. 3. Is there anything your department can do pre-emptively to help bring in insurance companies to the Affordable Care Act marketplace? Or are you guys a reactionary department? What we do and I think we do very well is we are sort of what we call fair but vigilant regulators. We enforce the law, we work for compliance we want compliance with the law and we support insurers in understanding what our expectations are. We think that helps keep people here in Ohio. 4. Youre the chair of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission. What are some examples of what other states are facing in the insurance industry that Ohio also is facing, and what are some things that are different? We are very lucky in Ohio that we are not a coastal state. Were not a prime tornado state. Were not a prime earthquake state I hope [laughs]. ...Our homeowners policies are very the rates are some of the lowest in the nation because we dont face that. 5. What do you like to do in your spare time? I have a 5-year-old daughter whos a little bit of a spitfire, so thats about all I do in my spare time, is try to keep up with her. My husband says I sometimes have to use the director mommy voice. On The Move Lauren Hitt has been hired as communications director for former Colorado Gov. John Hickenloopers expected 2020 presidential campaign, per the Los Angeles Times Eli Stokols. Hitt is an alum of Ed FitzGeralds 2014 campaign for Ohio governor, which he lost to former Ohio Gov. John Kasich. (Dont hold your breath for an ironic Hitt-Kasich reunion during a Sunday appearance in Iowa, Hickenlooper finally put an end to the speculation over a Hickenlooper-Kasich unity ticket.) Birthdays President William McKinley (1843-1901) Straight From The Source The funny thing about it is when I tweeted about it, I realized people on both sides hate him. Because I guess Republicans hate him because hes like, you know, not fascist enough, and then obviously people on our side hate him because hes just a bad person. -Comedian Julie Klausner on former Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Klausner recently released her full account of how Kasich stole her airplane seat after refusing to be bumped from first class. NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio -- The city's estimated share of the cost to resurface Ohio 82 between York Road and the eastern border with Broadview Heights -- a project scheduled for later this year -- has risen from $234,000 to $634,750. That's because the city has added the repair of damaged catch basins and curbs to the work, said city Engineer Mark Schmitzer. Schmitzer said several catch basins along the 2.6-mile length of the project are older and made of brick, and some of the bricks have become dislodged. Catch basin frames have sunk in the road and are not allowing water into the storm sewers properly. Originally, the total cost of the Ohio 82 resurfacing was estimated at $1.2 million. A federal grant was to cover 80 percent of that amount, while the city was to pay 20 percent, or $234,000. However, the grant will help pay for the resurfacing only. The city must pay 100 percent of any additional costs, including the catch basin and curb repairs, Schmitzer said. Amanda McFarland, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation, which is managing the Ohio 82 resurfacing, said ODOT was scheduled to seek bids for the job by this week. Construction is slated to begin in May and end in October. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic during construction. The resurfacing is expected to overlap with the widening of Ohio 82 between York and West 130th Street at the western border with Strongsville. Workers will add a center turning lane to the two-lane road so that drivers waiting to turn left will no longer hold up through traffic. Work on the widening started last summer. McFarland said the estimated completion date is July 2021. DiGioia-Suburban Excavating LLC in North Royalton won the contract to widen Ohio 82 after submitting a low bid of $14.7 million. Federal money, administered through the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, will pay for about 72 percent of the costs, or $10.6 million, according to Schmitzer. The city and Cuyahoga County, which is managing the road-widening project, will "generally" split the remaining $4 million in costs, Schmitzer said, although the city will pay for 100 percent of some line items that weren't eligible for federal funds. In addition to the center turning lane, improvements to Ohio 82 will include: NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- With less than one year to go before retirement, Mayor David Gillock in reminiscing on his 16 years as mayor -- the accomplishments, what's yet to do and plans for the future. Gillock announced his retirement Jan. 18 at his 16th annual State of the City address, sponsored by the North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce. He said he will be retiring at the end of 2019 after 16 years -- that's four terms. He said he wants to check some things off his "bucket list," such as more time with family (four daughters, 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren), doing some traveling and having more time to fish. He said his family knew four years ago that this would be his last term. As a wrap-up to his time in office, Gillock sat for an interview on both the past and the future. Question: Before you leave, what projects to you want to catch up on? Well, you can never catch up, but it would be the Center Ridge Road and Lear-Nagel projects. Question: Why not go for just one more term? I was on council for four years and have 16 years as mayor. So, I am vested. And finally, there is just no reason to (run for another term). I am 72. I don't want to work until I am 76. Question: What do you see as the needs of the city going forward? The city needs a new city hall. That would require a ballot issue. It could be on the land right here or perhaps the southeast corner of Center Ridge Road and Route 83. We own a lot there. We also need to renovate the senior center and build a new police station. I will finish what I can and then I will start new things. Question: You have had a strong work ethic. Where did that come from? I haven't NOT worked in 60 years. I had paper routes, then worked with my dad from when I was 14 years old. He had a grain elevator and later a gas station and auto repair. (Having been born in Illinois), I went to college at Southern Illinois University. My bachelor's degree was in engineering technology. Math was my favorite subject. I liked solving problems with math, but with a math degree, the (only path) was teaching. Then I served in the Army from 1969 to 1971. Three times I had orders for Vietnam, but each time they were changed. I ended up in Guam and then went to non-commissioned officer school in Fort Benning, Ga. Then I worked the border patrol in Germany. My wife came over, and our oldest daughter was born there. I was sent home early with others at the time. Question: What did you pursue out of college? I came out and worked for Aetna Casualty and Insurance. Question: Why did you do that with an engineering degree? Well, a lot of the Aetna cases were power and chemical plants that had technical problems. I was like a safety consultant. Question: How did you get to Cleveland? After six years in Illinois, I was transferred to Cleveland for two years. I had thought the most likely place they would send me would be Washington State or Connecticut, where the home office was. Question: I understand you then started you own insurance company? Four of us started Cardinal Casualty. It had great potential. Product liability was our specialty. Two attorneys put up the money. In five years, we sold to Figgie International, so I worked there for five years, traveling six states and to Taiwan. After 10 years, I became an independent insurance agent. (City safety-service director) Jeff Armbruster was also from central Illinois. He ran seven Shell stations and my wife worked for him for (about) six years. Question: Sounds like life was going well. When and why did you decide to run for public office? My dad was very active in my home city. I lost by 17 votes when I ran for council in Ward 2. I ran twice. Two elections later, I was elected to an at-large council seat for a two-year term. Question: You won as mayor, but you said there were term limits at the time. In my second year as mayor, term limits were eliminated. I always opposed term limits. Question: Why? There are two problems. The learning curve: Time is needed to garner the knowledge needed. And two, many just go back and forth in offices (when there are term limits). (At both the local and state level), if they are doing a good job, let them do their job. Question: What do you say to people today who want to run for office? (You) need to have a thick skin. We don't have as many interested because it can get so nasty. There is more fear due to social media. One woman had a gas line break. She wrote on social media that the mayor wouldn't even give me a ride. The truth is I wasn't even there. But I (still) talk to others to run all the time. Question: You have been very busy all your life. What will you do in retirement? I would like to maybe be a delivery guy for donated organs. I won't be a Walmart greeter. There is also the possibility of running for a part-time office. I am also on the NOPEC (Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council). Maybe a spin-off from there. Question: What personnel changes are likely to happen when a new mayor is elected? Usually there is a new safety-service director, the director's administrative assistant and a new law director. Question: What other projects would you like to see accomplished in 2019, your last year as mayor? Nothing major. But I want another roundabout at Chestnut and Alternate Route 83. Also, an assessment of all streets as a baseline. An example is paving Broad Boulevard. The sewer is down the middle and is in bad shape. We have sanitary sewer money due to planning. Also, I know it won't be done, but Center Ridge Road is another. The contractor is nine months behind. We also need to hire a human resources director. We recognize the need. We have grown more as city, staff has grown and there are a lot more regulations. It's time. We now have around 234 staff. We brought the police up to 38 and hired three more firefighters. People have also been added in the service department. We now have 15 snow routes and need 16. Internally, we added a part-time floater who is now full-time, and a part-time prosecutor is now full-time. Question: What would you like to say to the residents of North Ridgeville as you retire? I am very appreciative and humbled that I was elected to four terms. There are so many dedicated people here who go out of their way in their accomplishments. There was originally a staff attitude that was against the residents. We changed that to "you work for the residents." We also established an open-door policy. Question: Several people have already taken out petitions to run for mayor in November. What do you think about that? The ward races will be interesting -- an exciting primary (election). For good politics, we need a primary. TOLEDO, Ohio Toledoans will vote Feb. 26 on whether Lake Erie has inalienable rights. The proposed Lake Erie Bill of Rights is a city charter amendment that would give Toledo residents guardianship over the lake, similar to a parent and child. So they could file lawsuits on behalf of the lake, to fight against pollution, invasive species and more. We take on that role of being stewards and guardians of this watershed, said Markie Miller, an organizer for Toledoans for Safe Water, which is backing the Bill of Rights. Weve got plenty of examples of times when the lake and watershed are used as property. Its like this big free regional toilet, and we want to change that. Organizers say the law would be the first Rights of Nature law in the United States to protect a whole ecosystem, though they compare it to initiatives around the world, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Other parts of the world are doing this, and its working, said Tish ODell, the Ohio community organizer for the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. Heres what the Bill of Rights says: It establishes irrevocable rights for the Lake Erie Ecosystem to exist, flourish and naturally evolve, a right to a healthy environment for the residents of Toledo, and which elevates the rights of the community and its natural environment over powers claimed by certain corporations. The charter amendment would apply to only Toledo, Miller said. But a Toledo resident could bring a lawsuit about anything harming the lake. But organizers hope other cities around the lake will pass their own bills of rights. Heres what the effort is all about. How did this start? Toledo in 2014 could not use its water supply for three days. People couldnt use city water to brush their teeth or take a shower or drink. Its not just us going, In case something bad happens. Something bad did happen, Miller said. Since the water crisis, communities have upgraded water treatment plants and improved warning systems. Theyre ready to treat any harmful bacteria with chemicals. So residents may think the danger is gone. Its been normalized, Miller said. Were of the position is that if theres a problem to be treated, theres a problem to be solved. What happened next? Toledoans for Safe Water collected more than 6,000 valid signatures for the grassroots initiative, but the Lucas County Board of Elections refused to put it on the November ballot. The Supreme Court backed the elections board. The group then asked the Toledo City Council to put it on the ballot in a special February election. Council did, and the move withstood a protest decided by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a core group of about a dozen organizers, plus more volunteers, have knocked on doors, attended meetings, distributed fliers and more. Who opposes the issue? Elections board members believe the Bill of Rights is outside the citys scope of power. A protestor named Josh Abernathy, a Toledo trades union member, took the issue to the Supreme Court, arguing that it would exceed cities home rule rights. Abernathys protest quotes the Ohio Constitution. Municipalities shall have authority to exercise all powers of local self-government and to adopt and enforce within their limits such local police, sanitary and other similar regulations, as are not in conflict with general laws. He argues a Lake Erie Bill of Rights exceeds a citys ability. There is no unfettered right to place a charter amendment petition on the ballot: it must comply with home rule authority. Cant a person sue over the lakes rights now? Its complicated, Miller said. Youd have to approach the state regulatory agency in charge of a specific activity. I dont have the standing to say youre hurting the water, she said. Its not set up in a way that you can be successful. We charge the argument. We change who has legal standing. Its not just about property rights anymore. Its about the existence and the quality and the health of this ecosystem. Its a legal tool. If this passes, how would a citys Bill of Rights work, since Lake Erie touches four states and a Canadian province? It does complicate things if we want to take this to a bigger scale, Miller said. But whether its state or federal or local, those issues are always going to be there that we have shared common space. Could a Toledoan sue over something thats happening in Cleveland? Say, wind turbines? Yes, organizers say. But thats not the first intent. We have so much to keep us busy in the western basin, Miller said, referring to the annual harmful algal bloom caused by phosphorus and nitrogen loads in the lake. More than 80 percent of the phosphorus in Lake Erie comes from agricultural land in the Maumee River Valley. We hope it inspires other cities to pass their own initiatives. Empowering them locally would be a goal, she said. Were willing to work with people directly affected by issues, but not reside directly in Toledo. So is there a specific lawsuit the group is planning to file, if the amendment passes? Not specifically, organizers say. Just setting it up is a challenge. Were not saying this is a magic wand, ODell said. It takes time. COLUMBUS, Ohio Three federal appeals judges are expected to hear arguments Wednesday on whether a lower court properly put on hold an Ohio law barring abortions if medical tests show a fetus has Down syndrome. The state is appealing the March 14 decision by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Black, who issued a preliminary injunction preventing the law from going into effect. Arguments are scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday before a three-judge panel at the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. The judges are Chief Judge R. Guy Cole, a Democrat, and Judges Bernice Bouie Donald, a Democrat, and Alice Batchelder, a Republican and wife of former Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder. House Bill 214, known as the Antidiscrimination Law, seeks to stop what the anti-abortion movement describes as discrimination against unborn children with Down syndrome. Physicians performing or attempting to perform an abortion who know a womans decision was partially or entirely because of a genetic test indicating the fetus may have Down syndrome face a fourth-degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $15,000 fine, and a loss of an Ohio medical license. Attorneys for the Ohio Department of Health and two officers of the Medical Board of Ohio, who would be responsible for revoking violating physicians licenses, argue that Black incorrectly applied the landmark Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade to the Ohio law. The district court refused even to consider Ohios compelling interest in preventing discrimination against those with Down syndrome because of the courts holding that Roe created a categorical right to a pre viability abortion, the state argues in a legal brief before the appeals court. The state argues Roe v. Wade and other significant abortion cases didnt consider a law like Ohios, focusing more on abortion and privacy rights than disability discrimination. The (lower) court.rejected Ohios interests in stopping discrimination against the disabled, its brief said. The state has an interest in stopping discrimination, protecting the medical profession from being being used to condone or justify social biases against vulnerable groups and in protecting the Down syndrome community, which is dwindling in population because of abortions, the brief states. Originally suing over House Bill 214, passed in 2017 and signed into law by then-Gov. John Kasich, are Preterm Cleveland, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio, Dayton-based Womens Med Center, Cincinnati physician Roslyn Kade and Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio. They want the appeals court to uphold Blacks ruling, which put the law on hold because of the likelihood that if there were a full trial, the abortion providers would prevail. Attorneys for Preterm and the other providers argue that H.B. 214 doesnt expand anti-discrimination or enforcement of discrimination laws, provide education or job training for Ohioans with Down syndrome, or educate parents of children with the condition. State law requires women who receive a Down syndrome diagnosis be provided with a state-created information sheet about the condition. Many people receive medical counseling, which goes beyond what state law requires, the attorneys write in a brief before the court. As such, H.B. 214 is nothing more than a mandate that women continue pregnancies to term against their will, the brief says. They argue that a womans rights to privacy outweigh the states interests in preventing discrimination and protecting the medical profession and the Down syndrome community. H.B. 214 is a ban on abortions that applies pre viability, they wrote. As such, it is unquestionably unconstitutional under more than four decades of unwavering Supreme Court precedent. National abortion rates after a woman learns of a possible Down syndrome diagnosis likely range from 50 to 85 percent, according to a 2012 survey of abortion studies published in the journal Prenatal Diagnosis. Three other states have a similar ban -- also on hold for court challenges. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago concluded an Indiana law, signed by Vice President Mike Pence when he was the states governor, was unconstitutional. The state wants the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. In Louisiana, a law prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of fetuses with genetic abnormalities or potential genetic abnormalities is being challenged. A trial is scheduled for September. In North Dakota, the law has not been challenged. There is only one abortion provider in the state. CLEVELAND, Ohio A 25-year-old man is accused of shooting and killing a drug dealer he wanted to rob, police say. Nicholas Aquino is charged with aggravated murder in the Dec. 30, 2017 shooting of Matthew Loyer, 33. He was arrested on Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. A court date has not yet been set. The shooting happened about 3 p.m. in the parking lot of a shopping plaza on East 79th Street and Euclid Avenue in the citys Fairfax neighborhood. Aquino set up a meeting with Loyer to buy drugs, but planned to steal his drugs and cash instead, according to court records. The two men got to the plaza and Aquino got inside Loyers car, according to police. Aquino pulled out a gun, robbed Loyer and shot him in the right shoulder and right hip, according to police and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. No one called police for the shooting but a passerby called 911 after noticing Loyer unconscious inside his car, police said. Aquino spent 30 months in prison for robbing a woman in Cleveland in 2012. To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio A gunshot was fired as two men fought over a gun during a dispute over a $1,400 check sent to a music producer, police reports say. Jaimes Davis-Evans, 24, is charged with aggravated robbery in connection with the home invasion that happened Thursday. Davis-Evans is not in police custody and a warrant was issued Friday for his arrest. The incident happened about 9 p.m. at home on East 165th Street, just south of St. Clair Avenue in the citys Collinwood neighborhood, where a 25-year-old man was babysitting two children, ages 1 and 3, police reports say. The 25-year-old man told police Davis-Evans and another man, who police have not yet identified, forced his way into the home. He said the dispute revolved around a $1,400 deposit the two made to a music producer for a show the two were supposed to perform. The two never performed, they never got paid for the show and were supposed to get the money back, but hadnt, police reports say. The 25-year-old man said he was getting ready to leave with the two young children when he heard a knock at the door, police reports say. He said that he opened the door and was confronted by two men holding guns, according to police reports. The duo forced their way into the home and demanded $2,000 from him, police reports say. The other man cut himself trying to force his way inside and used a tissue to clean up the blood, police reports say. Officers found the bloody tissue and took it as evidence, police reports say. The 25-year-old man told Davis-Evans that he wanted to check on the kids, police reports. Davis-Evans followed him and watched him as went to another room, police reports say. Davis-Evans turned his back and the man ran from the room into the kitchen to try and grab a knife, police reports say. Davis-Evans stopped him in the kitchen and the two men fought, police reports say. The two struggled over the gun and it fired, police reports say. The man told police Davis-Evans shouted that he had been shot, but police are unsure if he was hit by the bullet, police reports say. The second man ran out of the bathroom when the gun fired, grabbed Davis-Evans and the two ran out of the home, police reports say. Officers found a fired bullet casing inside the kitchen sink, police reports say. The two children were unharmed. To comment on this story, visit Tuesdays crime and courts comments page. NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio Two children were killed and multiple adults and other children were injured in a fire at a mobile home early Monday morning, according to reports. New Lexington Police Chief Scott Ervin tells the Columbus Dispatch that a 3-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl died in the fire. Two adults and up to five other children were in unknown condition after being taken to hospitals in Columbus. Ervin tells WHIZ the childrens ages range 6 months to 17 years old. Fox 28 reports the adults were expected to be released from the hospital Monday but at least two children were still hospitalized. The fire was reported at 12:30 a.m. Monday. There are no reports on a cause but the State Fire Marshals Office is investigating, the Associated Press reports. New Lexington is about 55 miles southeast of Columbus. To comment on this story, visit Mondays crime and courts comments page. MEDINA, Ohio -- The City of Medina has announced that it will make the Medina Community Recreation Center available as a place to stay warm during this week's frigid temperatures. The recreation center will allow people to gather in its community rooms from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. tonight (Jan. 29) through Friday (Feb. 1). People trying to stay warm will also have restroom access. The available area does not include any recreational areas or amenities without daily admission, which is $7 a person. You must present a photo ID to purchase a day pass. Mike Wright, director of the recreation center, said he spoke with Mayor Dennis Hanwell at Monday night's City Council meeting about the idea before implementing it today. Wright said the recreation center was able to adjust its schedule to make Community Room A, the largest room, available today. He said the staff will also be making coffee available for those who come to use the room. "It's really just an area for them to come in and get out of the cold for a few hours or however long they want to stay during our hours of operation," Wright said. Hanwell said the low temperatures, along with their expected duration, sparked the idea to open up the recreation center. He said he wanted to make sure people who didn't have access to heat, for whatever reason, had a place to warm up. "This is kind of unusual to have temperatures this low for this many days," Hanwell said. "With this duration, not that we necessarily have a huge homeless population, but I know things happen." Hanwell said the fact that the recreation center has its community rooms and that it is already open makes it easy to accommodate the warming area without putting an undue burden on staff. Wright also said there wouldn't be any disruption to daily operations at the recreation center due to opening its doors for this purpose. "It's a community building that we have available here, and if it could help some folks out, we just want to make it available," Hanwell said. MEDINA, Ohio -- City Council took the first steps toward putting a levy on the ballot, pushed back the issue of detaching land and celebrated two retirements at its meeting Monday (Jan. 28). Mayor Dennis Hanwell issued a proclamation to celebrate Sgt. George Horton's retirement from the Police Department. Horton has been with the Medina police for 27 years. He helped develop the city's K-9 program, as well as acting as the emergency services unit commander until Medina's SWAT team combined with the Medina County team. During an impromptu speech Horton gave after receiving his proclamation, he thanked many of the fellow police officers he worked with during his time in the department. "My career was a success because of what they brought to the table," Horton said. City Council also passed a resolution commending Kimberly Walter, who spent 30 years working as a Law Department secretary for the city. During her tenure, she worked with four different law directors and 19 different prosecutors. During the Finance Committee meeting before the regular session, council passed a resolution that would be the first step toward putting a renewal with increase levy on the ballot for the Medina Life Support Team. The levy was originally passed in 1990 and then replaced in 2000. Finance Director Keith Dirham explained that the 2.2 mills are based off of the land values in 1999. The amount of money the city receives has not increased since then, even though property values have risen, he said. According to Medina County Auditor Mike Kovack, the current levy costs homeowners $55.76 per $100,000 of home value. If the levy passed with an increase of 1 mill, it would cost homeowners an extra $35, bringing the total cost to $90.76 per $100,000 of home value if the levy passed. Since the Medina Life Support Team has been running at a deficit of about $15,000 to $20,000 a month, Dirham said a new 1-mill increase levy is needed in addition to the 2.2-mill renewal. Dirham and Life Support Services Director Mark Phillips explained in a video presentation with MedinaTV why the levy was needed. In the presentation that was shown at the Finance Committee meeting, they spoke about many of the increases in costs the Life Support Team is facing, including the price of ambulances, which rose to $187,000 in 2018 from the $87,500 an ambuance cost when the 1999 levy was first passed. The Finance Committee passed a resolution that would ask the Medina County auditor to certify the amount of the levy, which would be the first step in getting the two levies onto the November 2019 ballot. The increase levy wouldn't go into effect until 2021, if passed. Council also decided during the Finance Committee meeting to wait another two weeks before voting on the request for Medina to detach land to Lafayette Township. The detachment would allow GreenHaven Development to expand into land it owns in Medina. City Engineer Patrick Patton brought it to council's attention that the city would have to install a railroad crossing if the development was extended, as the road they would build would intersect with the Medina-owned tracks. The project would be an expense for the city, and could also potentially make the city liable if a crash were to occur. Ward 1 Councilman Bob Starcher said he wasn't in favor of the detachment. "What benefit is the city receiving?" he asked. Ward 3 Councilman Eric Heffinger commented along the same lines as Starcher, saying he didn't see what the city would gain by detaching the land. With the questions now raised about the detachment, council pushed the vote on the issue to the next meeting, so that Stanley Scheetz, the attorney who made the request for action to council, could find more information and address the issues. Patton also announced that the city has released the request for proposals to three design/build teams for the City Hall parking structure. Patton said they expect to receive the proposals in March. MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Through the years, Mayfield Heights McDonald's owner Tony Philiou has shown his belief in and support of the local community and school system by hiring dozens of employees who have been part of the areawide high school CEVEC program, based in Mayfield Heights. CEVEC, or the Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium, offers high school students facing various challenges full- and half-day programs in which they can gain real-life experience working for local businesses. In collaboration with more than 100 CEVEC business partners, students build their resumes while learning and determining what field might best fit their own particular interests, strengths, needs and preferences. Hillcrest Hospital, Progressive Insurance and Heinen's groceries are just three of the partners in the CEVEC program, which welcomes sophomores, juniors and seniors from 19 area school districts to learn in Mayfield Heights, at a building on the Mayfield City Schools grounds. There are currently five program participants working at Philiou's McDonald's, 6225 Mayfield Road. Philiou believes so strongly in the program, and what it does for the community that he will donate $20,000 to CEVEC operations at the upcoming Green Tie Gala to benefit Mayfield Schools. "We've had many good workers from (CEVEC) over the years," said Philiou. "There are so many skills they can learn working here that they can take with them into life." Nobody appreciates Philiou and what he has done, and continues to do for CEVEC more than Robert Ross, CEVEC principal since 2000. "Tony has been great for CEVEC and is a great supporter of the community," Ross said. "He's a true American success story." Philiou came to America as a child from Greece. He began working at the Mayfield Heights McDonald's on a part-time basis in 1961 while also working full-time at TRW's Valve Division in Cleveland. By 1977, after leaving TRW 12 years earlier, he had become the restaurant's owner. Ross said the Mayfield CEVEC consortium annually works with 250-300 students with challenges ranging from learning disabilities to difficulties in their home lives. Some of the youngsters, he said, just learn better by doing rather than studying books. After working with local companies, Ross said, some go on to get full-time jobs with the partner businesses. Ross said that Hillcrest Hospital has hired a number of CEVEC students for full-time jobs, with benefits. Philiou, a Korean War veteran and a longtime Mayfield Heights resident, said that he is a believer in a strong school system. ""Show me a community with a poor school system and I'll show you a poor community," he said. "I don't mean poor (as in) money. I mean that a community will stay strong as long as its school do. "Hopefully, other businesses will see what we're doing and will follow." "Tony really understands the importance of community and a school system's role in that community," Ross said. "He doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk by showing his commitment to our schools and has for many years, since before I got here." Three times per school year, Philiou's McDonald's brings breakfast to Mayfield High's CEVEC students and couples the food with experts who come to speak on important matters in young people's lives, such as drug abuse prevention. Further, Philiou offers two scholarships per year to deserving Mayfield High seniors. Philiou, 86, has been known through the years to care about his workers as people. Ed Kocsis began work at the store as a high school part-time employee and now, 36 years later, is the store's general manager. "When we talk," Kocsis said, "every day, the first thing (Philiou) asks about is the people (employees) and how they are doing, then we talk about business." Of the CEVEC program employees, Kocsis said, "They learn about what it means to have a job and be a good employee, how to handle money, how to be responsible adults. It helps them for the rest of their lives. "Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's, said we (McDonald's owners) should support our community," said Philiou. "We are very involved in our community." Philiou has employed more than a thousand people over the past 42 years, and with his latest gift to Mayfield Schools and the CEVEC program, he continues to work towards making the community a strong one. Therese Razzante is, along with Beth-Ann Coffin, a co-chair of the Green Tie Gala, set for 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven. She noted that Philiou's presentation of his $20,000 gift will be a highlight of this year's fourth annual gala. "Tony has been a big part of our community over the years," she said. "Each year, we've had 300-plus guests," Razzante said of the gala. "Our theme this year is 'CLE - Community Leading Education.' "The Green Tie Gala is when our community comes together and celebrates our schools -- our students, staff and residents celebrating together. "Our goal this year is to raise $75,000." In each of the last three years, the gala has brought in $60,000 for Mayfield Schools. Tickets are still available for the Green Tie Gala, at $125 per person, and $250- per couple. The evening includes dinner and the music of the band Sumrada. For tickets, call Mayfield Schools' Laurie Uhlir, at 440-995-7222, or the Mayfield City Schools' office at 440-995-6800. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Disney is hosting free screenings of the groundbreaking film Black Panther in celebration of Black History Month. The movie has made history of its own over the past year, becoming the first superhero film to feature an predominantly black cast, Marvels highest-grossing movie of all-time in the U.S., and the first film in the genre ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. "'Black Panther' is groundbreaking for many reasons, including the rich diversity of voices behind its success, Disney chairman Bob Iger said in a press release. The story also showcases the power of knowledge to change the world for the better, and the importance of ensuring everyone has access to it. Were proud to provide thousands of free screenings of Black Panther in hopes it will continue to inspire audiences. Iger also announced the company is making a $1.5 million grant to the United Negro College Fund. The screenings will take place at the AMC Classic Theatre in Solon from February 1-7. There are two showings each day, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. For tickets, follow this link. Black Panther is also available on Netflix and Blu-ray. CLEVELAND, Ohio The poll is now closed for determining the finalists in Clevelands Best Brewery contest. Thank you for voting! We asked you, our readers, to tell us which local breweries craft the best brews. You nominated 46 breweries. And now, you have had the final say in which breweries will compete in the final round. Stay tuned to cleveland.com/best as we announce the finalists later this week. How the remainder of the contest will work: Beginning the week of Feb. 4, Clevelands Best reporters Yadi Rodriguez and Brenda Cain will hit the road to visit the breweries in the finals, along with a special guest panel of judges who will taste test beers and determine the final rankings. The panel members are cleveland.com beer critic Marc Bona, Andrew Mitchell, a certified beer judge with the Society of Northeast Ohio Brewers (SNOBS) and cleveland.com reporters Hayden Grove and Seth Richardson. During each visit to the finalists, our judges will taste five beers, all selected by the brewery: four beers available year-round and one limited/seasonal offering. The ultimate winner and final rankings will be revealed on Feb. 26 during a surprise visit to the victor, which will be broadcast on cleveland.coms Facebook page. Youre invited to join us on our pub crawl. We will publish our visit schedule on Feb. 4. If you are tasting, we respectfully ask you bring along a designated driver. If you cant join us in person, be sure to tune into the Facebook Live broadcast from each location. We will also publish plenty of photos, videos and thoughts from our judges following each visit. Separately from the contest, Rodriguez and Cain will be checking out and reviewing other aspects of each finalist, such as atmosphere, events and menu to give you a broader look at the tap room and its offerings. Well publish our lists of superlatives next month too. CLEVELAND, Ohio Greg Barrow, who performs as DJ Nu ERA, is known for seamlessly spinning hip-hop, reggae, R&B and electronic dance music at his events. You might have seen Barrow performing at the monthly Sanctuary Cleveland dance night at Touch Supper Club, where hes a resident turntablist. (The next Sanctuary event is this Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 p.m.) Barrow also gave back to the DJ community in Cleveland by creating the Selector DJ Battle at B-Side Liquor Lounge. The event allows up-and-coming DJs to earn new audiences and hone their skills in competition. Barrow recommends albums that you might hear in one of his live shows -- Travis Scotts Astroworld, Erykah Badus Baduizm and MF Dooms Mm.. Food. Travis Scott Astroworld The energy is crazy with multiple songs for the club. This album will definitely go down as a classic of this generation. Erykah Badu Baduizm Its a timeless album full of soul and flavor. MF Doom Mm.. Food Its an album straight out of a comic book a project meant to be played without skipping tracks. Let it play and enjoy the ride. For more stories about the Cleveland music scene, past and present, sign up for our weekly local music newsletter, Listen Up Cleveland. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Richard Nixon worshiper and longtime Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone has been indicted on multiple counts by a grand jury in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of possible Russia-Trump campaign collusion. In the long anticipated indictment announced Friday, Stone has been charged on seven counts of making false statements, obstruction and witness tampering. All the counts revolve around Stone allegedly seeking insider information about WikiLeaks stolen Clinton Campaign emails, in coordination with Trump campaign officials. For President Trump and top officials in his campaign, the most potentially damaging part of the indictment is the section where it's alleged top Trump campaign officials were directed to find out from Stone when WikiLeaks (Organization 1) would next be dumping damaging Clinton emails. "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." In another part of the indictment, prosecutors write: "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 senior Trump Campaign officials and the person directing them, the indictment references, seem to point to possibly President Trump, Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Donald Trump Jr. or Jared Kushner. The period covered in the indictment is the same time Trump was publicly calling on Russia to find more Hillary Clinton emails. In addition to being a longtime adviser to Trump, Stone is a former business partner of Paul Manafort. After posting bond, Stone came out of the courthouse raising both arms giving Nixon's victory sign. He then professed his innocence, vowed to fight the charges and not testify against the president, as "Lock Him Up" and "Traitor" chants could be heard. Stone is a self-avowed "Dirty Trickster" who wears his support for Nixon literally on his back in the form of a grinning Nixon tattoo between his wingblades. But Stone has become so disreputable and infamous, even the Nixon Foundation has tried to distance itself from him. In tweets the foundation tried to refute claims Stone worked for Nixon: "This morning's 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. 1/2 Mr. Stone, during his times 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. 2/2" The Nixon Foundation needs to go back and check the FBI files from that period, because Roger Stone's name does appear there as a dirty trickster in training under the direction of Nixon aides and operatives implicated in the Watergate scandal. Veteran federal prosecutors say Mueller's case against Stone appears to be ironclad. Stone's testimony before Congressional Intelligence Committees was under oath and transcribed word for word. That can be compared to Stone text, email and phone messages Mueller has. Former federal prosecutor Peter Zeidenberg cites as an example Stone's interaction with Randy Credico. "On the very day that Stone testified that he had never sent or received emails or text messages from Credico, the two men had exchanged more than 30 text messages. Good luck spinning that." Zeidenberg was deputy special counsel in the prosecution of Scooter Libby. The Stone indictment may be the biggest "dot" Mueller has plotted yet to ultimately connect with all his other indictment dots in a final report spelling out a case of conspiracy against Trump and his cohorts. Stone entered politics as a 'Dirty Trickster' in training for Nixon, he'll likely exit it as a convicted 'Dirty Trickster' for Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. There's still room on his back to get tattoos of them in jail. WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A Warrensville Heights police officer is on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Investigation into a sexual assault accusation. The Warrensville Heights Police Department on Jan. 25 requested BCI investigate an allegation of sexual assault involving a police officer, Ohio Attorney General spokesman Dave ONeil said in a statement. Agents from the sexual assault kit and crime scene units are working the case, ONeil said. The investigation is ongoing. The city was made aware of possible misconduct that involves a Warrensville Heights on-duty police officer, the City of Warrensville Heights said a in a statement. Both BCI and the city declined to release the officers name. The city placed the officer on immediate administrative leave and enlisted BCI to take the lead role in investigating the incident. We take all reported allegations seriously and will investigate this incident to the full extent, Chief of Police Wesley Haynes said in a statement. We have no further comment on this pending investigation. To comment on this story, visit Tuesdays crime and courts comments page. "Are you Islamophobes?" "Why are you doing this?"If you have any of these questions, please visit On this website, we engage Muslims and the foundations of Islam without trying to be "PC". We feel honesty is better than disguised language. As you can read on our FAQ, this is out of love, not out of hatred. Thanks, and we're looking forward to seeing your comments! CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cleveland man is accused of using the online marketplace Letgo to lure a couple to the Ohio City neighborhood to take a $3,500 ring from them at gunpoint. Timothy S. Jackson, 32, is charged with aggravated robbery in the Dec. 6 incident on West 25th Street near Lorain Avenue, according to court records. He is not in custody but a warrant was issued Saturday for his arrest. A 50-year-old man and his 41-year-old girlfriend told investigators they arranged to sell a 3.5-carat white gold ring to someone they met through Letgo, according to a police report. They planned to sell the ring for $3,500. The couple planned to meet the supposed buyer in a parking lot outside a shopping plaza on West 25th Street near Lorain Avenue. The buyer told them he worked in a nearby barber shop. The couple drove to the parking lot in a black Chevrolet Silverado, and the robber got into the back seat of their truck. They handed him the ring and its paperwork so he could inspect them. The robber then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the couple, police reports say. He also forced them to hand over the keys to their truck before he got out and ran away. Cleveland police officers searched the area with a Cleveland Municipal Housing Authority police dog and found the robbers eyeglasses on West 25th Street near Walton Avenue, police reports say. They did not find the robber. The couple said the robber used the name Dejohn on Letgo. They also provided a phone number he used to contact them. Neither police reports nor court records say how investigators identified Jackson as a suspect in the robbery. Jacksons criminal history includes prior convictions for domestic violence, criminal damaging, and drug trafficking, according to Cuyahoga County court records. Other Northeast Ohio residents have also reported robberies involving people they met through online marketplaces such as OfferUp and Craigslist. In response, some area police departments have designated their stations as transaction safe zones where buyers can arrange to meet sellers. The Cleveland police department has not designated specific safe zones to meet an online buyer or seller, but recommends meeting in safe, well-lit public locations, a police spokeswoman said. To comment on this story, visit Tuesdays crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio A panel of federal appellate judges said Tuesday that a federal judge in Cleveland erred when he ruled that thousands of American Family Insurance agents across the country should be classified as employees instead of independent contractors. The panel from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, in reversing Senior U.S. District Judge Donald Nugents 2017 ruling, noted in a 2-1 decision that the judge misapplied the legal standards that dictate the legal status of a person performing work for a company. Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Danny Boggs noted that agents have authority over hiring, paying staff, paying rent for their storefronts and purchasing supplies. He also wrote that the skill of selling insurance is generally the same, regardless of the employer. These factors, along with others, weigh toward a ruling that the agents are not full employees, but rather contractors, Boggs wrote. Nugents ruling came from a class-action lawsuit filed in 2013 on behalf of thousands of current and former agents. The lawsuit sought federally-protected retirement benefits from the Madison, Wisconsin-based insurance giant. The case was filed in Cleveland because two of the plaintiffs who brought the original lawsuit are based in Ohio. The judge held a trial in April 2017 and treated the jurys decision as advisory. However, he agreed with the jury and later issued a ruling that said the company misclassified agents. Had the appeals court upheld Nugents ruling, the judge would have had to decide the best course to remedy any potential wrongdoing the company might have committed. A news release from Crueger Dickinson, a Wisconsin-based law firm that represented the plaintiffs, said in 2017 that the case could affect 6,978 current and former agents nationwide and could result in the company paying for more than $1 billion in retirement benefits. American Family Insurance Chief Strategy Officer Dave Holman said in a news release that we are pleased the court like other courts before it recognized our agents for who they are, independent business owners who decide how to run their agencies and serve their customers." A message left for an attorney for the plaintiffs was not immediately returned. Senior Circuit Judge John Rogers joined Boggs decision, while Judge Eric Clay dissented and said Nugents ruling should remain in place. Click here to read the ruling on a mobile device. ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Nearly 200 homes in Rocky River are without gas Tuesday as Dominion East Ohio Gas crews repair a gas main leak that was letting water enter the system. Service has been shut off at 195 homes and will remain off until repairs are complete, the City of Rocky River said in a news release. The situation is under Dominions control and they have relayed to us that it is not a safety issue, the city said. There is no estimated time for when gas will be restored. The following streets are impacted: Beachwood (south side of street) Brook Lane Elmwood Court Elmwood Road (900 to 1400 blocks) Erie Road Eriewood Drive Gatehouse Lane Homeland Drive Whittlesay Lane Morewood Parkway (some homes on 21400 block) If your home does not have gas, the Rocky River Recreation and Civic Center is open. Residents must provide photo identification with an address at the front desk. Residents can call City Hall at 440-331-0600 and leave their name, address, cell phone number and email address. City officials will stay in contact with residents as restoration begins. Dominion workers will need access to each home in the outage area to restore service. If residents leave when the temperatures start to drop, the city recommends opening cabinet doors and leaving water dripping from a faucet in the home to prevent pipes and water lines from freezing. CLEVELAND, Ohio City Council on Monday approved changes in an agreement with Cuyahoga County to make clear that it will not pay for jailing of prisoners arrested on the most minor of crimes by outside police agencies. The change allows Cleveland Public Safety Director Michael McGrath to approve per diem charges from the county for housing prisoners in the county jails when they are arrested by one of nine outside police agencies that operate within the city of Cleveland. But the change also limits those payments solely to arrests made under Clevelands codified ordinances (not the Ohio Revised Code) and not for prisoners arrested for fourth-degree misdemeanors or minor misdemeanors. Cleveland got out of the jail business last July, the culmination of years of negotiating with Cuyahoga County on a deal that would allow the city to shut down its lockup. Under the agreement, the city pays the county $99 a day per prisoner. The nine departments affected by City Councils action Monday are police agencies that operate within Cleveland under agreement with the city. In each case, those agencies have limited jurisdiction linked to the organizations for which they serve. They are the officers for the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority, Cleveland city schools, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth System, University Circle and University Hospitals. In an interview with cleveland.com, Police Chief Calvin Williams said Monday that the change was to make clear that while the city would pay the daily detention costs of the nine police agencies, it would do so only in line with its own policies. Cleveland does not detain people charged with minor or fourth-degree misdemeanors. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Arctic storm now jetting across the Midwest all the way to the East Coast and into the deep South wont be around that long, but it still poses a real threat and a challenge to the utilities that deliver your gas and electricity. It is going to be intense. There will be 40 to 45 degree departures from normal for this time of year, said Paul Pastelok, senior meteorologist and lead U.S. long range forecaster for AccuWeather. Temperatures in Cleveland could easily slide to 7 degrees below zero Wednesday night into Thursday morning and minus 10 in outlying areas, he said. Chill factors could dip to minus 30 degrees -- before the intense low pressure departs on the weekend. Some forecasters are predicting the lowest temperatures in 20 years. Dominion Energy Ohio, Columbia Gas of Ohio, FirstEnergy and AEP Ohio already have put special operations in place, staffing up control centers and assigning more tech teams and work crews to be ready to meet soaring demand and supply disruptions if they occur. Dominion noted that it has 64 billion cubic feet of gas in underground Ohio storage to add to transmission lines to meet disruptions or spikes in demand. Dominion nonetheless is asking all of its residential customers to turn down their thermostats and lower the temperature of their hot water heaters until Friday. Dominion is also asking businesses, especially manufacturers, to reduce gas usage if they can through Friday. Columbia said it expects gas demand will be 75 percent higher than on a typical winter day and that demand could approach an all time record set in 1994. PJM Interconnection, which manages the high-voltage transmission grid in Ohio and 12 other states, alerted power companies earlier to cancel maintenance shutdowns and began contacting them Monday asking them to increase staff in order to get all plants running before they will be critically needed to meet the expected record or near-record winter demand. The cold weather alerts were in addition to PJMs more routine winter preparations. In addition, the utilities have plenty of advice about what to do right and what not to do to stay safe in your homes. Here are a few, common sense tips culled from the utilities websites as well as the PUCO: 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 The greater Cincinnati area, which encompasses parts of Northern Kentucky, including Covington, is reliably Republican and deeply Catholic. How Catholic? asked Cincinnati Magazine in 2016. So Catholic that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, then the nations 38th most populous diocese, operated the sixth largest parochial school system in America. So Catholic that, in the 1960s, Cincinnatis first McDonalds franchise owner invented the Filet-O-Fish to correct for a decline in hamburger sales during Lent. As images emerged last Saturday showing a confrontation between students from Covington Catholic High School and a group of Native American demonstrators on the National Mall, it is perhaps no surprise then that local news outlets around Cincinnati faced a deluge of pressure to give the students the benefit of the doubt. By days end, for example, phones at WCPO, an ABC-affiliate station, were ringing off the hook. Some people just wanted to yell at us, Felicia Jordan, an editor at WCPO, recounted on the stations Hear Cincinnati podcast. Viewers accused the stations initial coverage of being one-sided against the Covington Catholic boys and wondered why WCPO wasnt airing new videos that seemed to show a more complicated series of events. I had to then attempt to explain to very angry people that we had yet to validate those videos, Jordan said. It seemed to escape many viewers that we cant just go on the internet and pluck out whatever we would like to show. ICYMI: The stories left untold in Americas newsrooms The Covington Catholic story moved fast online and in the national media. As the narrative warped and evolved, and as audiences retreated to well-worn corners of the American outrage cycle, outlets in Covington Catholics backyard wrestled with questions of how best to add value. In some respects, they succeeded laudably, identifying sources and adding context that could only be achieved with local insight. In others, however, outlets struggled to keep pace with the national narrative, while also negotiating the expectations of a fired-up local audience. Even as newsrooms labored to stick to the facts of the incident, bias sometimes crept in. What's bothering a lot of people is that we're seeing disproportionate empathy toward white students compared to minorities in similar situations. @JeffBlevinsPhD on #CovingtonCatholic 91.7 WVXU (@917wvxu) January 23, 2019 Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project Cincinnati is not quite a one-paper town. However, the Gannett-owned Cincinnati Enquirer, which also publishes The Kentucky Enquirer for audiences across the Ohio River, is the regions uncontested newspaper of record. Other mainstream outlets include the four major network television affiliates, typical of a city of Cincinnatis medium size, and a small handful of popular news-radio stations. In recent years, employees say, these outlets have frequently been lumped in with national media in accusations of bias and fake news by the local audience. Given our primary demographic and the narrative of the mainstream media being against them, were often playing from behind with our audience, Chip Mahaney, news director for WCPO, tells CJR. Yet none of these outlets is known for its liberal slant, either. When the Enquirer endorsed Hillary Clintons bid for president in 2016, for example, it was the first time the paper had backed a Democrat in nearly a century. And since the Covington Catholic incident, the Enquirer has run three op-eds that are either overtly sympathetic to the studentsor hostile to Nathan Phillips, the Native American elder at the head of the group that approached the students in DCversus only one that questions the exclusive nature of Catholic schools and one that calls for empathy across the board. Still, according to Beryl Love, executive editor of the Enquirer, evenhandedness is always the goal, and coverage of the Covington Catholic incident was no exception. Covington Catholic faces backlash over video, read the newspapers first headline on the incident. That early report was anodyne as could be, and purposefully avoided passing judgment. (The story has since been updated online.) People were going to look to us in this situation, Love says. We needed to show that we were going to be there to help them sort out these very complicated events. The Enquirer was the first outlet to produce a detailed and helpful reconstruction of the events on the mall. Along with the television stations, it also covered day-to-day developments pertinent to the story, including physical threats made against Covington Catholic and closures of both the school and the diocese. Nevertheless, the Rorschach quality of the events imposed themselves quickly; readers lashed out, accusing the Enquirer of defending the boys or contributing to the ruination of their lives. The issue has been oversimplified into a one side versus the other kind of thing, and the analysis has stopped there. Seeking out local voices to add new information and perspectives to the record would seem an obvious task for journalists in a story like this. But here it presented inherent challenges, not the least of which included a broad, if informal, communications lockdown across the Covington Catholic community. As outlets secured a few hard-won interviews, the prevalence of Covington-connected sources quickly made some local coverage seem one-sided in the students favor. The Enquirers front page coverage last Tuesday, for instance, elevated to the headline an allegation of conspiracy. Our boys were set up, chaperone says, the headline read, leading with a claim that is later refuted by a representative of the Indigenous Peoples Marchbut not sooner than 400 words into the story. (The same headline ran on the front-pages of The Kentucky Enquirer and the Louisville Courier-Journal, which is also owned by Gannett.) Love says the decision to use the quote for the headline did not represent an endorsement of the chaperones views. Rather, he says it was intended to follow-up on an unknown in previous days coverage: the whereabouts of Covington chaperones. WKRC, a CBS-affiliate and Cincinnatis top-rated news station, also sought out chaperones for their side of the story. Our boys were targeted, one chaperone claimed in a taped interview, seated beside two others. Our boys did nothing, another said. The segment also featured a Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition representative, Jheri Neri, who suggested that the boys might have walked away from the situation. However, Neri received just one-third of the time allotted to the chaperones, and his input was directly refuted by the anchors voice-over. Online, the WKRC segment was embedded in an article which contains the complete written statement of Nick Sandmannthe Covington Catholic student who faced off with Phillips in DCas well as lengthy quotes from two letters sent to the station by anonymous Covington Catholic students who claimed to have also been present on the mall. As we are an all-male school that loves to get hyped up we decided to do some cheers to pass time, wrote one. It was not until later that we discovered they would incriminate us as a publicity stunt. Addressing critics, the other wrote, You do not know us. Enough of this persecution. With over 1,800 words dedicated towards direct quotes of the students and hundreds more given to the chaperones, Nerithe lone voice not affiliated with Covington Catholicis all but muted. WKRC is owned by the famously conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group, which came under fire last year for pushing down mandatory segments and scripts to local stations. Sinclair excerpted WKRCs chaperone interview for a national segment, but that excerpt did not include Neris comments. WKRC representatives did not respond to multiple requests for comment from CJR. WCPO put out a call for local sources to come forward. We will dig into all sides of this issue and report them as fully as we can, an editor posted on the stations Facebook page. Please reach out to myself or anyone in our newsroom if you are willing to talk and want to share your story or thoughts or emotions. Asked if multiple interviews with Covington Catholic students and parents might give their side of the incident too large a platform or the opportunity to shape the narrative in their favor, Mahaney acknowledges that he is primarily interested in hearing from Covington Catholic students and families, who are the local connection to this story. Any attempts to mislead would ultimately be the responsibility of the interviewees, Mahaney says. If theyre saying what theyre saying, my assumption is its the truth. According to Jeffrey Layne Blevins, who heads the University of Cincinnatis journalism department, inherent bias is little surprise in the areas newsrooms. Cincinnatis Hamilton County is 68 percent white and less than one percent Native American. Covingtons Kenton County is 91 percent white. As in many national outlets, Blevins says there does not always seem to be a great deal of awareness in the Cincinnati media environment when white people and families are platformed or treated with sympathy in a way that is different from how people in communities of color would be treated. With respect to the Covington Catholic incident, it seems to Blevins that outlets need to deflect perceptions of being against the boys has resulted in an inadvertent self-censorship and, in turn, coverage giving outsized sway to Covington Catholic. Even though the initial incident proved to be more complicated, Blevins observes that there are still deeply troubling aspects to the videos that have not been deeply engaged in local outlets, such as the students tomahawk chops, their mocking chants, and their sexist jeers directed at a passing group of women. The issue has been oversimplified into a one side versus the other kind of thing, and the analysis has stopped there, Blevins says. This has come at the expense of more thoughtful reflections on perception and behavior, he says, in which there may not be another sideat least not one that can be personified by a member of a particular ethnic group. Will we see the local media follow up on these parts of the story? Or will they drop the whole thing and move on? Love, at the Enquirer, hopes, too, that as the dust settles there will be an opportunity for local media to help Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky process the cultural moment. We have to go beyond why this a viral story and get at issues of what were teaching our kids and how to talk to them about this experience. Not just Covington Catholic families, but for the whole area. On Sunday, the Enquirer published a lengthy piece that set out to explore how the culture at Covington Catholic might have contributed to the events on the Mall. What results is a survey of voices set against one anothersome alumni of the school, some people of color who have played against the school in gamesthat ultimately demurs from addressing its premise head on. Some sources in the story chalked racist slurs and students in full-body black paint up to school spirit, for example; others, the story noted, were made uncomfortable. If there is a thesis, it would seem to be that one cannot know if aspects of Covington Catholics culture ought to be reevaluated; if that culture did or did not contribute to the events on the mall; or, if it did, whether there would even be anything wrong with that. In the online version of the article, social media comments are embedded from Jack Posobeic, a known conspiracy theorist and alt-right troll, and Dana Loesch, of National Rifle Association and conservative talk radio fame, neither of whom is quoted in the piece. Love, who says he was not directly involved in the decision to embed the tweets, says they offer some balance to those critical of the school and its community, and show how polarizing this situation is. But such framing would also seem to undercut points Love made in a column, also published Sunday, that lamented the negative role social media and fake news played in shaping Americas understanding of the incident in DC in the first place. From the archives: Charlottesville one year later Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Andrew McCormick is an independent journalist and former CJR Delacorte Fellow. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, the South China Morning Post, and more. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewMcCormck. Shampoo the carpets, take the sheets off the chandeliers! Those words, emailed around by a pool reporter and shared on Twitter by the BBCs Jon Sopel, announced to the White House press corps that Sarah Huckabee Sanders, President Trumps press secretary, would hold a rare on-camera briefing yesterdayher first in 41 days. Since the heady days of Sean Spicer, record crowd sizes, banned cameras, and Skype drop-ins, the on-camera White House press briefing has become critically endangered, if not extinct. According to The New York Timess Karen Yourish and Jasmine C. Lee, the monthly frequency of briefings has tailed off sharply since last summer, leaving 2018s monthly average the lowest of any year since the Clinton administration routinized televised briefings in the 1990s. Last week, Hogan Gidley, the White House spokesman apparently known to Trump as Hogan Tidley, told Fox that regular briefings arent necessary because reporters have frequent access to the president. But past administrations havent treated the briefing as just a top-up. And later in the day, Trump publicly undercut Gidley, tweeting that hed told Sanders not to bother going to the podium because the press covers her so rudely & inaccurately. ICYMI: A problematic USA Today scoop about people in prison amid government shutdown It was thus a surprise when Sanders did emerge yesterday, telling the assembled press corps shed missed you guys. Whether the public had missed her is open to question. High-profile critics such as Jay Rosen, a professor at NYU, and Mike Allen, the co-founder of Axios, have argued since the early days of this administration that the briefing isnt worth serious journalists time. Last week, Bloombergs Joshua Green echoed that sentiment on Real Time With Bill Maher: Whats the point? Green asked. Sarah Sanders will get out and lie to journalists. There really isnt any value. True to form, Sanders used yesterdays briefing to stonewall on the shutdown, Roger Stone, and more, and take digs at reporters. I never thought Id be shutting down one reporter to go to Jim Acosta, she smirked at one point. Since I know so little about this, let me ask you a couple of questions and maybe I can educate myself, Foxs John Roberts, who is not currently in Trumps good books, said. At least were in agreement on something, Sanders replied. After a pause, she smiled and said, Joke. Roberts deadpanned a laugh. Ironically, Fox was the only cable network to carry the briefing live. MSNBC and CNN both stuck with scheduled programming. Sign up for CJR 's daily email As Martha Joynt Kumar, director of the White House Transition Project, told the Times, the Trump administration has tended to use the briefing to promote the president and his agenda rather than as a medium where reporters establish the subjects under discussion and call upon the White House to answer to the American public on topics of their choosing. Nonetheless, Kumar told NPR late last year that the briefing is an important forum for the public, and we shouldnt let it go. While the information on offer is rarely reliable, the briefing has remained a precious opportunity for reporters from smaller outlets to put their questions to power, and for reporters from bigger outlets to pose questions on a broad range of important topics. Yesterday, for example, The Washington Posts Josh Dawsey pressed Sanders hard on why Trump, the immigration hardliner, had consistently employed undocumented immigrants in his businesses. Yes, briefings often descend into unhelpful showboating and bluster, on both sides of the podium. When it comes to reporting on the White House, it is neither the only, nor the most important, spigot in town. But the White House press briefing isnt like a Trump TV address or rally, where falsehoods spew forth unchallenged. Instead, it is an opportunity to hold power to account, and we shouldnt urge it out of existence. As Olivier Knox, president of the White House Correspondents Association, told CNN last year, the briefing symbolically shows that the most powerful political institution in American life is not above being questioned. Below, more on the information flow from the White House: Other notable stories: ICYMI: The digital winter turns apocalyptic 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. 'Palestinian Premier Hamdallah steps down' Still unknown whether president will accept resignation (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JANUARY 29 - Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has resigned from the government of 'national reconciliation' between Al-Fatah and Hamas, the Palestinian Maan news agency reports. Maan said the announcement was made during a council of ministers. Hamdallah added that his government will continue operating until a new executive is formed. Political sources in Ramallah had expected the announcement since Monday and said the PLO is now working to form a new government to be led by a member of Al-Fatah. President Abu Mazen, however, has not said yet whether he has accepted Hamfallah's resignation. (ANSAmed) Last week, Farhad Manjoo wrote a column entitled Never Tweet, in which the New York Times writer argued that Twitter is toxic for journalists, and that we should disengage from it as much as possible. Twitter is ruining American journalism, he said bluntly. The column sparked been plenty of commentary agreeing with him (much of it on Twitter, ironically). But there has also been a significant amount of pushbackand not just from the usual Twitter-addicted cohort, but journalists from a variety of backgrounds, who see it as a valuable reporting tool. For example, HuffPost writer Ashley Feinberg said in an interview on CJRs Galley discussion forum that while Twitter may be a nightmare for journalism, its also allowed for some things that probably wouldnt exist without it. She continued: Whether we like it or not, Twitter is a huge part of how we do our jobs now, and you can either accept that its a necessary nightmare or you can try to pretend theres some healthy way to use it. Either way its still going to be hell. I think the best thing any of us can do is realize that someone is always going to be mad, some people are always going to be acting in bad faith, and theres really nothing we can do to game that, other than just being as honest as possible. City University of New York journalism professor Jeff Jarvis also disagreed with Manjoos piece, and expanded on why in an essay he published on Medium today, entitled Journalism is the conversation. The conversation is journalism. A journalists duty, he said, is to listen to the public they serve, and then bring journalistic value (reporting, facts, explanation, etc.) to the public conversation about those issues. Also, Jarvis criticized Manjoo and CNN media writer Brian Stelterwho wrote a piece agreeing with much of what the New York Times writer saidfor making their comments from a position of extreme privilege. It is fine for journalists with a public platform to make such pronouncements, Jarvis said, but Twitter serves a very real purpose for many others who dont have such a platform for the issues they care about: If you are an African-American who is shopping or barbecuing or eating lunch or going into your own home when a white person calls the police on you, you do not have a newsroom of journalists who look like you who will tell your story. The outlet you have is a hashtag on Twitter. These stories are now, finally, making it into mainstream media only because #livingwhileblack exists as a tool for those forever unrepresented and unserved by mass media. (Note: Were discussing this post on Galley if youd like to join in) Jarvis is seen by some as an apologist for technology companies, in part because CUNYs News Integrity Initiative project is funded primarily by Facebook, and because he often argues that journalists should do more to learn about technology and social networks instead of shunning them. But his point is a good one: even though Twitter is clearly dysfunctional in many ways, and encourages all kinds of bad behavior not just in journalists but in society at large, it still has powerful benefits when it comes to publicizing things that might not otherwise get attention from the mainstream media. Without Twitter, would movements like #BlackLivesMatter or #MeToo have gotten anywhere near the kind of traction they did? Likely not, as media writer Ron Mwangaguhung pointed out in our Galley discussion. Sign up for CJR 's daily email ICYMI: A brutal week for American journalism Surely, we should be seeking more contact with readers/listeners/viewers not less? As nasty as Twitter can be, I'd be much poorer without it. https://t.co/Vyr9UHnbnH Bobby Ghosh (@ghoshworld) January 24, 2019 Developer and entrepreneur Dave Winer, whose RSS technology was crucial to the rise of blogging and podcasting, argues that instead of turning its back on technology, the media industry should make up for its past mistakes and use tech of all kinds to create the kind of level playing field that the social networks dida playing field in which everyone can have a voice, not just journalists (something that CJR is trying to do on a small scale with Galley). Tech writer Simon Owens, meanwhile, argues that Manjoo is exactly wrong. Not only is Twitter not making journalism worse, he says it is actually making journalism betterby exposing journalists to their readers and giving once-marginalized groups a chance to influence the media conversation: Farhad seems to assume that its obvious that the Covington debacle being brought to light by Twitter was a bad thing. It wasnt. It exposed the casual, everyday racism thats endemic in this country. It exposed the powerful preying on the powerless. And the idea that Twitter is the main source of outrage culture and the pushing of bogus narratives is ludicrous. Remember the caravan story? It was pushed completely by mainstream news. Fox News has built a multi-billion dollar business on generating manufactured outrage. Even some of those who agree with Jarvis about the utility of Twitter, however, think his essay overlooks some of the built-in risks of the technology, especially when it comes to journalism and even discussion more broadly. Josh Young, a developer who helped create Galley and is working on it in partnership with CJR, argues that seeing Twitter as a simple tool that journalists can use to participate in discussion is naive, since the service also has its own internal agenda, as seen in the algorithmic filtering of posts, etc. And this kind of structural consideration, in many cases, incentivizes bad behavior, he says. Seeing anti-Twitter sentiment as just a case of moral panic, like the criticism of comic books or television, misses this crucial point. So then, do we have to choose sides in this debatewhether Twitter is inherently bad or inherently good? Not really. In fact, the urge to unquestioningly accept one hot take over the other is probably one of the negative aspects of a Twitter discussion about any reasonably complicated subject. Its entirely likely that Twitter, like so many other things the internet has brought us, is simultaneously hugely positive in many ways and hugely negative in other ways. Could we somehow arrange it so that we could have all the good aspects without the bad ones? Probably not. ICYMI: Reuters publishes ethically questionable story Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. Its a familiar scene: roughly a hundred journalists cram into the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, only 49 of them privileged enough to have a seat, competing like school kids for the attention of the president or, more often, his press secretary, wrangling with White House aides over the microphone and granted speaking privileges at the whim of whoever is at the podium. When he watches the White House briefings, Gregor Mayntz is happy to be a German. Whenever I see this, I think how lucky we are to have the Bundespressekonferenz. Mayntz is a Berlin-based political reporter for the German daily Rheinische Post. In his second, unpaid job, he is the president of the Bundespressekonferenz (Federal Press Conference, or BPK), a German institution that has no counterpart anywhere in the world. Since 1949, the federal government is our guest three times a week, we determine the rules, we pick who can ask a question, no matter how critical it is, whether they come from a small or a big media outlet. Everybody gets a seat in the spacious 200-seat auditorium. And the government cant revoke journalists credentials, like the White House tried to do with CNNs Jim Acosta. Journalists as the hosts, not the guests, of press briefings is a long-held tradition in Germany. It was exactly a hundred years ago, after Germany lost World War I, that the Berlin correspondents of the major newspapers decided they didnt want to keep depending on misleading government communiques that the emperor had provided during the war. Those were revolutionary times, and this revolution was one of the few that stuck. Until 1933, when Hitlers minister of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, liquidated the so-called Reichspressekonferenz. But after World War II, on the day that West Germanys parliament elected the first chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, a group of journalists got together and founded a new organization, the BPK. Adenauer was their first guest, and today no leading politician can afford not to expose themselves to the unfiltered and sometimes irreverent questioning of the press corps at least a couple of times a year. The public image of a politician depends at least in part on whether they are prepared to confront our questions, says Gregor Mayntz. The BPK is a membership organization. In order to join you have to prove that you make a living reporting on Berlin politics. A professional blogger can be a member, an industry lobbyist cant. Freelancers pay a membership fee of 24 ($27) per month, staff writers 36 ($41), and those fees make up the entirety of the BPK budget. In addition to the over 900 members, around 400 foreign journalists have access to the press conferences through their own organization. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:30am, the press secretaries of Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers sit on the podium at the BPK, which every German knows from television news. When there are important matters to be announced, the ministers themselves usually join the meeting, which is hosted by a BPK board member. The politicians give a brief statement about current government policies, then the floor opens to the reporters who are not limited in the scope of their questions. On slow days, the whole affair is over in 20 minutes, but in turbulent times, the meeting can last longer. The rule of thumb is to finish within an hour, but ultimately the host decides when its over. Sign up for CJR 's daily email And the politicians better be patient. Mayntz remembers a single case when a minister left the room early after some probing questions into a personal scandal: He wasnt the minister of transportation for a long time afterwards. And one day in 2011, the journalists walked out. The minister of defense, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who was accused of plagiarism in his PhD thesis, sent his press secretary instead of appearing in person. Of course the BPK is not the only way that politicians address the media in Berlin. Merkel only shows up a couple of times per yearshe prefers to hold traditional press conferences on her home turf, in the executive office of the chancellor. Merkel is known for her desire to keep things under tight control. As the host she can pick whom she invites and whom she calls for questions, just like her colleagues all over the world. But the BPK is the place where most of her administrations new initiatives and bills are presented to the public. And its not only the three government press conferences per week: the BPK board invites guests, like industry leaders or heads of political parties, that they deem interesting to around a hundred special conferences a year. In principle, the open character of the meetings, where questions are asked in the order that journalists raise their hands, no matter how fringe their publication might be, makes the BPK vulnerable to abuse by journalists. In practice, the whole thing works amazingly well. Seasoned members of the press corps raised their eyebrows when a video blogger named Tilo Jung started filming the conferences for his YouTube channel in 2014, testing his colleagues patience with a lot of unusual, sometimes bizarre questions, but now he is seen as a part of the routine. Gregor Mayntzs only worry at the moment are some of the Russian journalists in the international press pool. They are asking questions that sound journalistic, but they are financed by Putin and have a propaganda background, he says. Were keeping an eye on them. The BPK is a well-oiled journalistic machine that has been working for 69 years without major hiccups and without a lot of public attention. Even in Germany, few members of the public realize how unusual and unique this institution is. Most readers and viewers probably think that the press conferences in front of the familiar blue wall with the golden letters are hosted by the government. Only once a year the BPK makes big headlines itself, when it hosts the Bundespresseball (Federal Press Ball), one of the major social events in the German capital. Still, many in the German press corps cannot help but watch with bemusement as Sarah Huckabee Sanders continues to wield all the power in the White House Press Briefing in the US. Back in 1949, the founding of the BPK allowed German journalists to take control of the conversation. Those were times of political turmoil, weak government, and a wide-spread desire for change, and long before professional spin doctors came along and shaped the discourse. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Christoph Droesser was an editor and reporter for Germanys major weekly paper Die Zeit for many years. He moved to San Francisco in 2014 and works as a freelancer for print, radio, tv and online media. A. There needs to be a traffic light there instead. B. A roundabout will work just fine in that location. C. Roundabouts are confusing and terrible. It shouldn't happen. D. That intersection is not a priority for change, so just leave it the way it is. Vote View Results Felon and former state Sen. Carlos Urestis Helotes estate is heading for the foreclosure auction block. The 8,100-square-foot mansion, featuring six bedrooms and six full bathrooms, has been posted for the Feb. 5 foreclosure auction by a mortgage servicer for lender Security Service Federal Credit Union, records show. The property, at 15530 Spur Clip, is slated to be sold outside the Bexar County Courthouse. Uresti received court approval in September to sell the property, which is listed for $1.5 million. The matter is still before the court, according to Daryl Fields, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in San Antonio. As I understand it, the house is still under contract and was supposed to close at the end of the month. Stay tuned, Fields said in an email Monday. Uresti, the longtime Democrat, and his wife, Lleanna, had the house built in 2013 long before his 2017 indictment on charges that he was involved in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors in a now-defunct oil-field services company called FourWinds Logistics. A federal jury last February found Uresti, 55, guilty on 11 felony charges. A judge later sentenced Uresti to 12 years in prison and ordered him to pay $6.3 million in restitution to victims of the fraud. On ExpressNews.com: Uresti gets 12 years in prison The property was posted for foreclosure on Jan. 14. Were just enforcing the terms of the (loan) contract, said Brian Engel, an Austin attorney for the trustee conducting the foreclosure sale, San Antonio attorney Marty LaCoutoure. The Urestis had received an offer from an undisclosed party to buy the property in September. At the time, Uresti, along with the U.S. attorneys office, asked Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra for authority to sell the property. Ezras had issued a restraining order in March barring Uresti, his wife and other family members, representatives and others from disposing of any assets without court approval. Prosecutors asked for the order after alleging Uresti was selling furniture, statues and artwork, which they said could hinder his victims ability to recover their losses. The government also alleged that a divorce petition, filed by Lleanna Uresti shortly after her husbands conviction, was largely to avoid the lien that will arise at sentencing to enable it to apply their property to his restitution debt. Lleanna Uresti has denied the allegation. If the property is sold before the foreclosure, any monies remaining after payment of the outstanding mortgages, taxes and costs related to the sale would go into the courts registry and be applied to the restitution judgment. Mikal Watts, a lawyer for Uresti, didnt have any information on the foreclosure or why the property hasnt sold. This is the first Ive heard about this, Watts said. Juanita Pelaez-Prada, a lawyer for Lleanna Uresti, said she believed there is an ongoing effort to sell the property. I think the parties are still working to accomplish that, Pelaez-Prada said. The Helotes property is described in a Realtor.com listing as a Tuscan sanctuary with stylish Italian warmth (and) hints of royalty. Uresti last month sold his former law office building at 924 McCullough to Hill Country Real Holdings for an undisclosed price, property records show. Two weeks after the sale closed, signage bearing Urestis name was removed from the building. Uresti surrendered his law license following his conviction. On ExpressNews.com: Uresti sells former San Antonio law office building Uresti is awaiting sentencing next month in a public corruption case out of Reeves County in West Texas. He pleaded guilty to a single bribery charge, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. As part of his plea, he agreed to drop the appeal of his conviction and sentence in the case involving the oil-field services company. 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 Netanyahu annuls mission TIPH Hebron. PNA 'unacceptable' Erekat: 'Israel scraps each treaty, including Oslo' (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, JANUARY 29 - Israel will not extend the mandate of the TIPH (the temporary international presence in Hebron), in which Italy participates, Premier Benyamin Netanyahu has announced. Netanyahu said that "we will not allow the continuation of an international force that acts against us". The TIPH is an international monitoring group tasked with controlling the respect of agreements in Hebron, West Bank, between Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinians on Tuesday reacted to the decision. The secretary general of the PLO, Saeb Erekat, urged the UN to "guarantee security and the protection of the Palestinian people and deploying a permanent international presence in occupied Palestine, East Jerusalem included, until the end of the Israeli military occupation", he said. Erekat also said that "the Israeli decision not to renew the mandate in Hebron to the observers of TIPH, which operates since 1997, represents a further step towards the annulment by Israel of treaties it has signed, including the interim Oslo accords" and serves to consolidate what he described as "Israeli colonization projects". (ANSAmed) ROME - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Tuesday said he will only allow the 47 asylum seekers on the Sea-Watch NGO ship to disembark if "the Netherlands, which gave its flag to the Sea-Watch, or Germany, the country of the NGO", agree to receive them. "In Italy we have already received, and spent, too much", said Salvini. Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said "there isn't an Italian flag, but a Dutch" flag on the Sea-Watch. "Italy is the country that has saved the highest number of human lives in the past years, but the era of Renzi and Gentili is over", he said, referring to the two previous prime ministers. "It is obvious that we would open a port like a humanitarian corridor to make them disembark, but send them to the Netherlands immediately afterwards". Meanwhile the president of the opposition Democratic Party (PD), Matteo Orfini, and MP Fausto Raciti have filed a case, also signed by numerous PD members, against the government with prosecutors in Siracusa, Sicily. Orfini said the move is against "violations of the law that we believe were committed, like in the Diciotti case", in which over 100 migrants rescued by the coast guard were not allowed to get off the Diciotti ship during a 10-day standoff with the EU in August. Catania's court for ministers has asked the Senate for authorization to proceed in the Diciotti case in which Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is charged with kidnapping for refusing to let the migrants disembark. Orfini said "we believe the migrants are being held illegitimately on the Sea-Watch", adding that there are "other arbitrary and illegitimate points". Eric Gay, STF / AP Now that committees have been assigned in both chambers of the Texas Legislature, heres what to expect on Wednesday: HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS: At 7:30 a.m. the House Committee on Appropriations will meet to hear invited testimony on various budget matters. Agenda items include Sunset Commissoin recommendations affecting the budget, audits affecting the budget, state contracting, the Employee Retirement System, the Teacher Retirement System, cybersecurity and information technology. The meeting will be held in E1.030 of the Capitol Buildings extension. View the agenda here. The riders of the noisiest vehicles on the highway are trying to make their voices just as loud in the halls of the Texas Capitol. On Monday, around 200 motorcycle enthusiasts from around the state descended on Austin for Texas Biker Legislative Day, pushing a number of priorities for the ongoing session of the Texas Legislature. The crowd of vest-wearing activists listened to a number of speakers on the Capitol steps before heading inside to lobby against a bill that would require motorcyclists to wear helmets and to call for legislation to prevent police profiling of motorcyclists. I ride, and I care deeply about you independence and your ability to ride, Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, told the crowd. So, heres my pledge to you: You may not live in SD 14 but Im your senator. Watson was followed by Nueces County District Attorney Mark Gonzalez, who is a member of the Calaveras motorcycle club, and a number of politically inclined motorcycle riders. When we have somebody who shares our passions in the Senate and the House, it makes it a lot easier for us to be heard, said Lora Dame, chairwoman of the Austin Region 1 chapter of the Confederation of Clubs and Independents. Were mixtures of Republicans, Democrats, were a mixture of everything. One of the main targets of the rally was House Bill 748 by Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas. The bill would amend the Texas Transportation Code to make it a misdemeanor offense to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. Neave said she sees the arguments against a law requiring helmets as similar to the arguments against seatbelt laws. At one point there was a lot of resistance to wearing a seatbelt, Neave said. Were open to working with whoever but our utmost priority is saving lives. Related: House calls for $9B funding increase in education funding Sen. Watson said he did not support Neaves bill and he considers helmet-wearing an adult decision that motorcyclists have the right to make. The fallout from the Twin Peaks shooting in Waco, when nine motorcycle club members were killed during a shootout between rival clubs in 2015, was also considered by the attendees. Following the shooting, nearly 200 motorcycle club members were arrested in connection with the shooting, despite a smaller number actually being involved in the violence. Since the incident, motorcycle club members have been lobbying to prevent profiling of cyclists by police in Texas. Im not a bad person just because I ride, Dame said. Im a regular person, just like everyone else, but I just choose to wear a patch. Inside the Capitol, motorcyclists hoped to show legislators that they are a constituency that cant be ignored. (The legislators) listen, and at least they know that there are people involved, said Tony Mistretta, a member of the Sons of Liberty Riders and an engineer from Houston. I think thats the whole point. We let them know that there are people involved and that there is people that want things a certain way. We all vote, and our votes all count. The 35-day federal government shutdown cost NASA some employees, but Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Tuesday it could have been a lot worse. "It is absolutely true that when we have a shutdown we lose people. That did happen," Bridenstine said during a meeting with employees at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. "We did not have a mass exodus. Had this gone longer, that might have happened." EXPERTS: Government shutdown could drive NASA employees to the private sector The government reopened Monday for the first time since Dec. 22, when a political battle over funding a border wall caused a budgetary impasse. President Donald Trump and congressional leaders on Friday reached an agreement to reopen the government for three weeks. The 45-minute meeting was livestreamed on NASA TV, and Bridenstine fielded answers ranging from public perception of NASA to cybersecurity to the possibility of contractor back pay. 'HELPLESS:' About 50 people protest government shutdown at NASA's Johnson Space Center He did not specify how many federal workers NASA lost nationwide, but said it wasn't a large number. Bettina Inclan, a NASA spokeswoman said "it will take several weeks before we fully understand the impacts of the furlough." "Once we have more data and information to share, we will communicate, as appropriate," she said. About 16,700 space agency personnel or 96 percent of the federal workforce across the nation were impacted by the shutdown. "Because of you in this room, NASA still is the best place to work in the federal government," Bridenstine said. "People who work here stay." There are 3,055 federal employees who work at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, home of the nation's astronaut corps. Only about 200 individuals continued to work during the shutdown, largely to keep the astronauts living on the International Space Station alive. GLOVES PROVIDED: Unpaid workers at NASA's Houston center asked to clean toilets during shutdown Space industry experts, however, previously told the Houston Chronicle they were more concerned that workers would leave NASA for jobs in the private sector, which typically pay better, as the duration and frequency of shutdowns increase. "A lot of people take a salary cut to work at NASA," Keith Cowing, editor of NASA Watch, a website devoted to space news, previously said. "But when you can't pay the bills and you have to do chores for your landlord for rent, there's nothing worse than having your dream job taken away from you because of this." RELIEVED? NASA workers wary as shutdown ends -- for now And they have options. SpaceX and Boeing each are in the process of building spacecraft to carry humans to the International Space Station. Commercial companies have been tapped by NASA to construct unmanned probes destined for the moon. And there's talk of heavy commercial involvement in the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, a mini-space station Trump wants to build to orbit the moon. Bridenstine told employees during the meeting that he will work harder than ever to make sure the American public understands how vital NASA is to everyday life and other agency officials said NASA's cybersecurity held up pretty well during the shutdown. Federal employees will get their back pay this week, but Bridenstine said contractor back pay would be on a case-by-case basis, depending on the contract. He said hopes to standardize this process more over time, and asked that federal employees be sensitive and understanding during this time. "Every contract is different and so we're working through that right now, he said. "In the future, we'd like to standardize that more, but we're working with what we have right now." Bills have been filed in Congress to provide as much as $1,400 per week to contracted impacted by the shutdown. They have not yet been approved. 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. GALVESTON The capital murder trial of the accused Santa Fe school shooter could be delayed through the end of the year because federal agencies have not yet turned over key evidence in the case, officials said Monday. As the families of some of the victims looked on from the courtroom, Galveston County District Attorney Jack Roady told state District Judge John Ellisor that the state is still awaiting a substantial amount of evidence from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that has delayed the discovery process. The anticipated evidence includes information seized from the accused killers computer and possibly from family members, Roady said. The evidence could be presented within the next 90 days, he said. Family members of the 10 victims and at least one woman wounded in the shooting sat behind the prosecutors during Mondays hearing on a defense request to move the trial out of Galveston County. Among them was Flo Rice, a substitute teacher who was shot through the legs; Steve Perkins, whose wife, Ann Perkins, was killed; and Rosie Y. Stone, who lost her son Chris on May 18. Minutes before the hearing began, Stone rushed out of the courtroom stifling sobs, followed by her daughter Mercedes. Both wore T-shirts with CCC emblazoned across the front. The letters stand for the new family motto: Chris, Courage, Change. Stone returned after a few minutes and sat silently through the hearing. Dimitrios Pagourtzis, an 18-year old former student at Santa Fe High School, has been charged in the shooting rampage at the school that left 10 people dead and 13 wounded. The hearing offered the first public glimpse of the accused gunman since his arrest in May, though he appeared only through a video stream from the Galveston County Jail. Nick Poehl, Pagourtzis defense attorney, said the recent federal government shutdown and the possibility of another shutdown in three weeks could be a factor in the delay. I cant say that (the delay) was specifically affected by the shutdown I dont know for sure but given that a lot of the FBI has been working without pay, I cant imagine that it didnt impact it in some way, Poehl said. An FBI spokeswoman declined to comment on any speculation regarding the federal shutdown and said the agency was simply going through due process in submitting evidence to the state. ATF spokeswoman Nicole Strong said all the agencys evidence was turned over to the U.S. attorneys office. The uncertainty on a timeline for the remaining evidence has left the defense pessimistic that a trial would be scheduled before the end of the year. Early 2020, maybe very late 2019 would be realistic, but were just guessing, Poehl said. The issue surfaced during a hearing on the defenses arguments that extensive news coverage of the shooting means their client cannot get a fair trial in Galveston County. The hearing lasted less than 10 minutes. Roady told Ellisor that his office would submit its response by Friday to the request that the trial be moved. Poehl cited pervasive and factually baseless media coverage as contributing to a local prejudice that influence potential jurors. Poehl said after the hearing that he did not yet have a specific jurisdiction in mind for a venue change, but ruled out Harris County, saying the law does not favor contiguous counties. Roady declined to comment, saying prosecutors are restricted from commenting due to the ongoing investigation. Stone has said she will travel wherever the trial is held to make sure the accused shooter is held accountable for the death of her 17-year-old son. Every step that this killer takes, I will be right there with him, Stone said. He stole something very important to me and my family, and I will not let this rest until justice is served. At the hearing Monday, Pagourtzis was shown on video wearing a jumpsuit while seated next to one of his defense attorneys, Katy-Marie Lyles. His hair had grown out after having been shaved to the scalp while he was jailed over the summer. Poehl said the aftermath of the shooting has been very tough on Antonios Pagourtzis and Rose Marie Kosmetatos, the suspects father and mother, who are defendants in two civil lawsuits filed by victims of the shooting. Pagourtzis has continued to undergo psychiatric evaluation while in solitary confinement. Poehl said he was hopeful he would be able to assist in his defense at some point. nick.powell@chron.com shelby.webb@chron.com After breaking down the door of a suspected drug den in southeast Houston Monday afternoon, four Houston police narcotics officers, armed with a search warrant, were shot. Two are described as critical but stable. A fifth officer suffered a leg injury during the shootout, reports the Houston Chronicle. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message The incident has drawn national attention, with several of the state's top political leaders issuing statements in support of the officers and the department. Speaking out on behalf of local police is Houston Police Department (HPD) union president Joe Gamaldi. At a media press conference Monday, a visibly irate Gamaldi told reporters, "We're sick and tired of having targets on our backs. We are sick and tired of having dirtbags trying to take our lives when all we're trying to do is protect this community and our families," he said. "The ones that are out there spreading the rhetoric that police officers are the enemy, just know we've got your number," he added. Gamaldi expanded on his statement in on-air interview with Fox26 on Tuesday, saying, "We've never had anything like this happen in our history before, to have four officers shot at one time. I was just trying to verbalize what exactly all of our officers are feeling and what law enforcement is feeling across the country right now." Gamaldi hopes his strong words will be heard by citizens and officials across the country. "We need to speak out about the harmful, false narrative that has been made about police officers. We're the good guys, folks. We're out there trying to protect our communities every day," he told Fox26. Gamaldi also spoke about the support HPD has received from the community. "Once again, Houston shows why we are the best city in the world. The outpouring of support has been incredible," he said. Moving forward, what can Houston residents do to continue showing their support during this tragic time? "If you see a police officer out there today, go up and shake their hand and say, 'thank you.' I guarantee you'll make that officer's day, and probably his week," he told Fox26. 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 Voters in Texas 145th House District could choose a new state representative Tuesday for the first time since 2008, though the special election will head to a runoff if nobody emerges from Election Day with 50 percent plus one vote. The Harris County Clerks office is operating 27 polling locations across the district from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find the location that corresponds with their precinct on the clerks website, harrisvotes.com, or by calling the clerks office at 713-755-6965. The district runs from the Heights through downtown, along Interstate 45, to parts of Pasadena and South Houston. Eight candidates six Democrats, a Republican and a libertarian are seeking the open House seat, which was last occupied by state Sen. Carol Alvarado. The Houston Democrat vacated her position after she won a December special election to the Senate. Some of the candidates had anticipated Alvarados win and eyed the seat for months, though they have had little time to campaign since Gov. Greg Abbott set the special election Dec. 21. In the five weeks since, the race has remained subdued, with low turnout and little to no visible sparring between the candidates. A few have emerged as apparent frontrunners, though. City planning commissioner and funeral home CEO Christina Morales on Friday drew the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, the Houston Democrat replaced by Alvarado in the Texas Senate. Garcia left her Senate seat after she was elected to Congress in November. Morales, a Democrat, also had raised more than $56,000 through Jan. 19, more money than any other candidate. Democrat Melissa Noriega, a former Houston City Council member, had raised about $25,000 and loaned her campaign another $31,750. While Morales has touted her deep ties to the community and background as a small business owner, Noriega has emphasized her experience, which includes filling the House District 145 seat during the 2005 legislative session, and two special sessions, while her then-husband Rick Noriega was deployed to Afghanistan. Noriega has received endorsements from former Houston mayor Annise Parker and state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston. Meanwhile, Republican Martha Fierro is hoping to score an upset in the blue-leaning district after narrowly missing out on a runoff against Alvarado in the December election for Garcias seat. Alvarado barely secured enough votes to win outright, while Fierro finished third, just out of second place. The other Democratic candidates are Elias De La Garza, Oscar Del Toro, Ruben Gonsalez and Alfred Moreno. Libertarian Clayton Hunt is also running. So far, voters have been slow to head to the polls, with the county clerks office recording just 1,443 ballots during 11 days of early voting and another 83 votes coming by mail. Turnout increased sharply on Thursday and Friday, though, when a combined 663 people cast ballots on the last two days of early voting. jasper.scherer@chron.com twitter.com/jaspscherer Veteran narcotics officers broke down the door of a suspected drug den in southeast Houston Monday afternoon, armed with a warrant and hoping to arrest heroin dealers operating out of the Pecan Park home. 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. They were met by a hail of gunfire, instead, as one of the suspects inside unleashed a barrage of bullets that wounded four officers, two critically. "This is never one of the calls you want to get as a chief," Police Chief Art Acevedo said outside Memorial Hermann Hospital hours later, while flanked by top police brass, Mayor Sylvester Turner and a host of other city officials. Two suspected drug dealers were killed in the incident by return fire from officers, Acevedo said, explaining a tip from a concerned neighbor led to the raid. The two killed by police were not identified. A fifth officer injured his knee in the operation. Late Monday, two of the officers remained in critical condition but stable while undergoing surgery . One is the 54-year-old case agent leading the investigation, the police chief said. Two others were in good condition, while the last officer shot in the shoulder had already been released from the hospital. The chaos on the tree-lined Harding Street began about 5 p.m., Acevedo said, when a dozen narcotics officers backed by a squad of uniformed patrol officers descended on the Pecan Park home to serve the search warrant. Narcotics officers had developed a case against the dealers suspected of selling black tar heroin after making several undercover buys, according to law enforcement sources. As officers rammed through the door to serve the warrant, their colleagues in marked patrol cars sounded their sirens and turned on their lights. They were immediately shot at by at least one gunman inside, the chief said, detailing the firefight. Radio scanner traffic captured audio of one gunshot ringing out and an officer calling for help. "We have an officer down," she yelled into her radio. "We need more ambulances, more ambulances." MORE ON SHOOTING: JJ Watt, Greg Abbott, others send concerns to HPD officers involved in shooting The shooter briefly vanished into the home, in the 7800 block, then came back to the door to shoot at the wounded officers again. Another officer managed to return fire. Two officers both critically wounded with gunshot wounds to the neck were airlifted to Memorial Hermann to undergo surgery, while the others were rushed by ambulance. As news of the shooting spread, scores of police officers rushed to the neighborhood, to cordon off the area. A SWAT team also responded and used two robots to search the small wood-frame building. At about 7:25 p.m., police said the threat was over. At Memorial Hermann, however, surgeons were treating the critically injured officers. The most senior of the narcotics squad the case agent has been shot twice previously in the line of duty since joining HPD in 1984, once in 1992 and again in 1997. During the 1992 incident, he took a bullet to the cheek. Acevedo declined to publicly identify the officer. "Most people would call it a day after being shot and surviving, but this man is 54," Acevedo said. "He's the case agent and he was there on the front lines." The shooting came as many Pecan Park residents were leaving work, Sofia Franco among them. She was almost home when she got a text from her husband, warning her to stay clear. "Be careful," he wrote. "They're shooting police officers two blocks down from the house." Law enforcement taped off the surrounding streets, as other residents milled about and watched the commotion. One handed out bottles of water to officers from a red wagon. The lethal incident infuriated city leaders and cast a pall over the day in which they had celebrated a modest drop in crime in the past year. "This has been a tough day for our city," Turner said, urging residents to pray for the wounded officers, and vowing not to tolerate "drug activity or drug trafficking" in Houston. The incident soon drew national attention, and several of the state's top political leaders issued statements in support of the officers and the department. "This evening's horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe," Gov. Greg Abbott said. "I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for the officers injured, and for the continued safety of all law enforcement officers who protect our communities." Attorney General Ken Paxton said he was "deeply troubled" by the shooting. "The thoughts and prayers of countless Texans are with the officers, their families, and the Houston Police Department," he said. "May this tragic event serve as a reminder of the courage with which law enforcement officials serve each day." While politicians offered prayers, dozens of officers from HPD and other local agencies rushed to the hospital. Some didn't even know the wounded individuals, but said they wanted to be there anyway. "We heard officers down and we came over," one said, declining to be identified. Created by Jordan Rubio and Rachael Gleason/Houston Chronicle. The last time a Houston police officer was shot on duty in a similar incident was in 2017, when two gang officers were wounded in an operation in southwest Houston. A year later, retired officer John Barnes was nearly killed as he rushed to confront a school shooter in Santa Fe, where he was working as a school resource officer. An irate Houston Police Officers' Union President Joe Gamaldi said Monday's shooting left his officers feeling vulnerable, and like they were "being targeted." "We are sick and tired of dirt bags trying to take our lives when all we're trying to do is protect this community and our families," he said. "Enough is enough." Jay R. Jordan, Stephen Paulsen, Massarah Mikati, Todd Ackerman, John Tedesco and Brian Rogers contributed reporting for this story. 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. Siria: deadly car bomb attack in north-west - NGO Suicide attack, according to monitoring group (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, JANUARY 29 - A car bomb exploded Tuesday in north-western Syria, killing an unspecified number of victims, according to UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The NGO also said it was a suicide attack carried out in Idlib, which is outside the government's control and under Turkish influence. Militant forces of the Syrian wing of al Qaida are present in the area. (ANSAmed) Khashoggi: UN experts denied access to Saudi consulate Experts travelled to Istanbul yesterday to probe murder (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JANUARY 29 - Saudi authorities on Tuesday morning denied access to their consulate in Istanbul to a team of UN experts led by Agnes Callamard, the UN rapporteur on extra-judicial summary or arbitrary executions, who travelled to the Turkish city Monday to investigate the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Ntv reports. On Tuesday the team is also scheduled to meet with Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Irfan Fidan, who carried out a criminal investigation on the murder and asked for the extradition of suspected members of the hit squad believed to have killed the reporter. The UN rapporteur was quoted as saying by Hurriyet that she is "carrying out the investigation at my own initiative" given that "so far there has been no sign that the United Nations and member States mean to officially ask or conduct an international criminal investigation". The expert is expected to remain in Turkey until Sunday. The results of Callamard's investigation will be submitted to the June session of the UN Human Rights Council. "It is a scandal", commented Omer Celik, spokesman of the AKP party of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (ANSAmed). UAE companies eye Port of Bar, in Montenegro Visit by Abu Dhabi's ruling Al Nahyan family (ANSASmed) - PODGORICA, 29 January - Representatives of UAE-based companies run by Abu Dhabi's ruling Al Nahyan family will visit Montenegro this week to inquire about privatisation of the country's Port of Bar. Two UAE engineers will also be visiting Bar, Podgorica-based Vijesti daily said on its website. Montenegro's government is "accelerating the completion of all legal acts to be ready for the launch of a tender for the Port of Bar", the report said. Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic recently visited the Emirates to speak with companies interested in the Port of Bar, the daily said, recalling that UAE investors had also expressed interest in it in the past. (ANSAmed). An average day at Xavier Academy looks much different than an average private or public school day. Theres not really anything like us here, said Nadia Perla, who is the school director of the academys newest location in The Woodlands. The school is located in a shopping center in the Village of Grogans Mill. At the K-12 private school, there are two instruction rooms with students who circle around tables and complete their work, an elementary instruction room, an art room, a room for the schools licensed family therapist and an open space with tables where electives are taught. Theres also a therapy dog, Cora: a fluffy Maltese and miniature poodle breed that trots around the science and math room during instruction time and comforts students who need it. There are 12 students enrolled in classes at the location, most of whom are studyiung full time at the location. They complete the academic side of their schooling just like any other student, but they are offered more flexibility through Xaviers programming that isnt available many other places. Related: Science exposition returns for private and public school students We specialize in customized learning. We will create a program for each family, Perla said, referring to students who need more time to focus more on their extracurricular activities or those who missed school because of medical issues and need to catch up. Founder and Head of School Richard De La Cuadra explained the academy approaches learning by first developing relationships between the teachers and students while maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio. You can build that trust, that sense of comfort that then really allows (the students) to put their focus on performing academically, De La Cuadra said. De La Cuadra founded the school in 2007 after running a tutoring company and becoming frustrated that students werent achieving results in school that reflected their abilities. He wanted to turn school into a positive experience for kids who struggled in a more traditional setting. While De La Cuadra likes to use the term innovative instead of non-traditional, the latter term is reflective of what school officials which is considered non-traditional when compared to other schools. By paying attention to our kids well-being and development of character, helping them feel good about one another and creating a safe space, (it) leads to higher academic performance, De La Cuadra explained. In addition to the academic curriculum, the school also incorporates field trips, community service and social skill-building activities into the programming. One Xavier student, junior Deoante Williams, said this side of the school is the most fun hes had. He was at a charter school before he transferred to Xavier three years ago. Regular schools prepare you to be smart. Regular schools prepare you to do your work and know how to do it correctly, Williams said. This (school) prepares you to know how to do life. Williams said that since he started attending Xavier, hes grown in confidence, curiosity and his ability to have conversations with adults. Thats part of Xaviers approach students are encouraged to make their own choices, which De La Cuadra said helps them to be more successful. For example, De La Cuadra said about 20 to 25 percent of their students exhibit some form of anxiety. If they need to, theyre permitted to leave the classroom for a few minutes during their day to tell someone whats wrong or calm down. We treat our students as the young adults we want them to be, and they rise to our expectations. We give them choices, and as a result the kids learn that we trust them, De La Cuadra said. With three centers in Houston and one in Mexico City, the academy is growing: this center in The Woodlands opened up in August and De La Cuadra said they will be expanding to another center in Mexico City in the coming year. The academy as accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. jane.stueckemann@chron.com The Houston Police Department will have a new place to train its officers once the $10 million Tilman Fertitta Family Tactical Training Center officially opens in December. At a groundbreaking hosted on Monday near the Houston Police Academy campus in north Houston, billionaire businessman Tilman Fertitta said police officers need more training opportunities to respond to mass shootings. If theres any time in this country that we needed a facility like this, its right now so these officers can practice. Every officer out on the street has to know how to handle this type of situation, he said. Fertitta contributed the initial $2.5 million for the project, which was in the planning phase in 2015. Once completed, the center will be a 44,000 square foot, two-story building located beside the police academy on 17000 Aldine Westfield Road. Tilman Fertitta's empire: See all the businesses the Houston billionaire owns The facility will be one of only a handful of other similar training centers located in Fort Worth, Washington DC, Sacramento, and Chester County, Pa. Ziegler Cooper Architects, the firm that designed the training center, compared the future facility to the FBI training center, Hogans Alley. The center, which will be constructed by Comanche Contractors, will feature mock-ups of residences, offices, schools, banks, hotels and other types of businesses. Aside from active shooter training, the center will provide police officers with rappelling training from the second floor, as well as virtual training. When the state-of-the-art facility opens December 2019, it will better prepare officers in police tactics, including courses in threat response and infrastructure protection. The tactical training center will better prepare our officers to prevent crime, enforce laws and preserve the peace throughout our city, said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said the new center would help save lives. The life we may save is one of yours, your loved ones, your neighbors, your friend or your coworkers, but we will be better prepared, he said. mayra.cruz@chron.com Before Chanel Brown moved to Spring from Dallas, shed heard about the destruction some of the neighborhoods had experienced when Hurricane Harvey devastated homes with high flood waters. Brown was one of a handful of residents who arrived at a stormwater drainage improvement meetings for the North Park Forest subdivision in north Houston. I was seeing all this stuff on the news, she said. Although her family in Spring didnt suffer any damage to their home, Brown said she wanted to see the preliminary plans the Harris County Flood Control District had made that might potentially improve drainage in the subdivision. The countys flood agency is updating residents on the progress being made following the passage of a $2.5 billion bond in August to fund flood mitigation projects. As part of her job with the organization Children at Risk, Brown said she was researching the impact of the bond in different communities. We wanted to know what kind of updates were going to be made, how things were going, how people are reacting to these different improvements and changes, she said. Over 100 subdivisions in unincorporated Harris County will be provided with preliminary plans of flood mitigation strategies in meetings that will be hosted until the spring. Matt Manges, senior associate and regional stormwater manager with Lockwood, Andrews and Newman Inc., said the North Park Forest subdivision was prone extreme ponding during heavy rain events. According to preliminary plans, a proposed detention pond located south of Cypress Preserve Park Drive and west of Imperial Valley Drive may be added, along with other improvements. Whats being recommended is two-fold. It would be increased storm sewer systems and a detention pond to offset downstream effects, Manges said. While no preliminary budget was announced for this potential project, it would first need approval from the Harris County Commissioners Court before moving forward. Residents who missed the meeting can also view the preliminary plans and provide feedback at www.hcfcd.org/E06. Future meetings can be seen at https://www.hcfcd.org/2018-bond-program/community-engagement-meetings/. mayra.cruz@chron.com When does a library-sponsored event get crazy, drawing thousands of excited teens in fantasy character getups? When its time for the annual Brazcon Teen Comic Convention & Geek-fest an ever-growing free event for local teens to get out and embrace their inner comic book heroes. This year, the event is set for from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Manvel High School, 19601 Texas 6 in Manvel, and organizers promise food trucks, sessions with anime voice actors. and opportunities to learn movie-cool skills such as archery, light sabre prowess and fencing. The Brazoria County Library System has put on the event since 2016, spearheaded by Stephanie Williamson, children's program director for the Brazoria County Library System, and Erin Schuelke, the districts teen services librarian. Last years event drew a crowd of 5,000. The event takes about a year to pull off, but Williamson said that helping kids find common interests, develop friends and feel at home make all the work well-worth it. Brazcon is so important to us, said Williamson. Its important because the kids we built this event for are kids that may have interests a little off the beaten path. These are kids who find other like-minded kids interested in gaming, crafting, anime, comic books at Brazcon things that they might not know their peers are interested in until they see them here. Now theyre part of a community, and its something they can get excited about. Schuelke said that talking to the mother of one of the con-goers last year helped her understand the level of success the event was capable of reaching. This mom said that Brazcon was the first event in a long time her son wanted to get out of bed for, and thats significant, Schuelke said. Thats great positive feedback we all remember what it was like to be that age. As the con evolves, organizers keep current by getting feedback from participating teens and focus groups and by attending nearby comic cons to see whats new and popular. More Information BrazCon What: Brazcon Teen Comic Convention & Geek-fest Where: Manvel High School, 19601 Texas 6 in Manvel When: Feb. 23. Registration is at 8:45 a.m. Participants will be required to pick up and wear a wristband. Details: The target age for the event is ages 10-18, but all ages are welcome. Activities are based on Marvel, DC, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Dr. Who, Percy Jackson, Star Trek. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Prop weapons are prohibited. Food trucks will sell food for cash, with an ATM on the site. Tickets: https://bit.ly/2DFPJUS For more information: Visit the BrazCon Facebook Page, email: bclsbrazcon@gmail.com or contact Stephanie Williamson at stephaniew@bcls.lib.tx.us. See More Collapse We talked to the kids, and this year were putting a lot of emphasis on anime and manga, said Williamson. We have to keep it fresh. We need their input. It does us no good if we take on this event and say, This is how were doing it because this is what we think. We need to know what the kids think, what the kids want. Four anime voice actors will give workshops about their jobs, how they got them and tips on how to break into that line of work. Graphic novels and those who write them will be there, too. Our headliner this year is Nathan Hale, who is the author of Nathan Hales Hazardous Tales series, Williamson said. Hale will be sharing stories from his life and the inspiration behind his award-winning books. Cosplaying and crafting are still important components of the event. As always, everyone is welcome to cosplay, said Williamson. Well have a cosplay group there and theyll also judge the cosplay contest. Sessions will also be available that teach teens how to create cosplay personae. Well have a (live action role-playing) group there as well as a Pearland archery group to teach people archery skills, said Williamson, and theres also a segment on light saber training as well as fencing. Everything needed to participate in these events will be provided at Brazcon, and the event is free. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/2DFPJUS. The event will be held at Manvel High School, located at 19601 Highway 6 in Manvel on Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Food trucks will be on site. Houston, are you ready for the ultimate throwback bar experience? Get ready to mix Lego bricks and alcohol at Brick Bar, a pop-up venue coming to Houston for a limited time in July. Brick Bar boasts a one-of-a-kind experience with more than 1 million Lego bricks some used in massive sculptures and others available for patrons to show their childhood creativity. The pop-up is coming to Houston, but for a limited time only. The site of the bar has yet to be determined, but organizers plan on being in the city July 4 through 7. Tickets for the bar are $25 a piece but aren't quite available yet. To pre-register, visit www.thebrickbars.com. 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 Monday's shooting was the most violent attack on Houston police officers in at least the last decade. Four officers were shot while serving a warrant in a southeast Houston neighborhood. Another officer suffered a leg injury, while two suspects died from returning gunfire from police. RELATED: 4 HPD officers shot in southeast Houston narcotics operation, a fifth injured Since 2008, Houston police have been involved in 349 shootings that left 103 suspects dead and another 152 wounded, according to data on the city's website. Despite a continual downtown in the number of Houston police-involved shooting since 2012, the department recorded a slight uptick in 2018, when the number of such shootings jumped from 16 to 20. From 2008 to 2019, three officers have died in the line of duty with dozens more injured, according to the FBI's Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) report. Some of the most violent shootings in the last decade involved officers who were serving a warrant or investigating suspicious activity. Those incidents left up to two officers wounded. A shooting of four officers is a far rarer occurrence. The Houston Police Officer's Union history, which is available on its website, highlights an incident in December 1975 that resulted in four officers wounded by gunfire. The four officers survived serious injuries and returned to duty six months later. Their treatment after the shooting was a major factor in the police association's formation, the website says. Chron.com compiled a list of some of the most violent days for Houston police officers in recent history in the slideshow above. The list is based on data from the city's website, case details on the FBI's Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, and data from the Texas Justice Initiative. 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. Four Houston Police Department undercover police officers remain hospitalized Tuesday morning, the day after a gun battle at a suspected drug house in the city's southeast side that left two people dead. 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. Five Houston Police officers were wounded, two critically, in the gunfire Monday afternoon at the house in the 7800 block of Harding Street, where authorities said they believed black tar heroin dealers were and, armed with a warrant, went there hoping to arrest them. The five, four of whom were shot, were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. One, who was shot in the shoulder, was released Monday night. At a news conference Tuesday morning, Dr. Michelle McNutt, chief of trauma surgery at Memorial Hermann, said she was only allowed to discuss the conditions of three. The family of one of the officers who was shot requested that the hospital not disclose any information on him. She said of the two officers wounded in the face, one was sent to the operating room Monday night and will require more facial surgery. That officer is 54 and a 32-year veteran. The other, a 50-year old officer, is expected to be released today. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: 'We need more ambulances': Houston drug bust unravels in hail of bullets The third officer, also 50 and who suffered a knee injury, is recovering from surgery and is expected to be released later this week, McNutt said. Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said the fourth hospitalized officer is "in a fight" and the community needs to pray for him. All are undercover narcotics officers, and Acevedo said he would not release their identities at this time. Acevedo identified the dead as Rhogena Nicholas, 58, and Dennis Tuttle, 59. Property tax records indicate Tuttle is the owner of the house. Outside the house in Pecan Park early Tuesday, neighbor Daniel Ramirez said a couple had lived at the home for a while. Ramirez said the man who lived there often walked his dog. He didn't see the woman as much. The couple kept to themselves, Ramirez said, adding that he didn't see many visitors there. At the news conference Tuesday, Acevedo recounted the incident and added more details about it. The first officer entered the house about 5 p.m., armed with a shotgun. He shot and killed a pit bull that lunged at him, the chief said. At the same time, Tuttle, armed with a .357 Magnum revolver, came around from the back of the house, opened fire and struck the officer in the shoulder, Acevedo said. The officer fell on a sofa in the living room. At that time, Nicholas reached over the officer and made a move for his shotgun, the chief said. A backup officer shot at Nicholas, hitting her, Acevedo said. The exchange of gunfire continued, and eventually four officers were shot. One of them was the 54-year-old officer, who officials identified as the case agent, who breached the door while the first officers entered the house. That officer knew his partners were hit, Acevedo said, then went inside the house and was shot. The senior officer had previously been struck twice in the line of duty. After the officers were down or injured, fellow officers offered cover fire and pulled their colleagues out of harm's way, the chief said. Four other officers were there, but it is unclear how many of them fired weapons. HPD undercover officers previously bought black tar heroin at the location, which Acevedo described as a drug house, but didn't recover any on Monday. They recovered marijuana and a white powdery suspect, either cocaine or fentanyl, after the firefight. They also recovered two 12-gauge shotguns, a 20-gauge shotgun, a 22-caliber rifle and a second rifle. Godofredo Vasquez contributed to this report. 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. RABAT - Over 65 artists, both well known and emerging, and 18 galleries from 11 countries will be taking part in the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair on February 23-24 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The venue will be the Mamounia Hotel, where Winston Churchill painted his famous watercolors. For Italy there are the Milan galleries Officine dell'Immagine and Primo Marella Gallery. Dedicated to both local talents and ones in the diaspora, 1:54 - a nod at one continent for 54 countries - is a sort of platform for exchange and dialogue that is held in three places every year: in London, New York and Marrakech. The brainchild of Touria El Glaoui, who has organized it every year since 2013, the festival held its sixth London edition at Sommerset House in October, it will celebrate its fifth in May in its New York headquarters and the second in the Morocco one. The founder, who Forbes has listed among its 100 most powerful women of Africa, was born to the well-known painter Hassan, son of the last pasha of Marrakech. On the sidelines of the exhibition will be a forum curated by art historian Karima Boudou and dedicated to Ted Joans, an African-American surrealist, poet and jazz musician who was friends with Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. The exhibition will be open to the public on Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24, from 11 AM until 6 PM. When Elizabeth Ferrari spoke to her brother last week, he seemed fine. The 59-year-old Navy veteran was happy and, it appeared, life was good. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message His neighbors had spotted him out and about walking the dog. But, generally, he and his wife of 21 years kept to themselves. They didn't seem like troublemakers. Then on Monday, both Dennis Tuttle and his wife Rhogena Nicholas were killed in a shoot-out with police during a drug raid gone wrong. A day later his family offered kind words for the five lawmen wounded in the drug bust. "We are so sorry that this situation happened," Ferrari said. "My prayer is for the officers and their families." READ MORE: Acevedo pushes elected officials for gun reform But at the same time, Ferrari and others who knew the couple started asking questions: Had the quiet, Harding Avenue couple really gotten into heroin? "I don't buy it at all," Ferrari said. "Not one hot minute." The raid started around 5 p.m., when an undercover narcotics officer burst into the house with a shotgun and killed a pit bull that allegedly lunged at him, officials said. At the same time, Tuttle ran around from the rear of the house with a .357 Magnum revolver and opened fire, hitting one officer in the shoulder. When the shot lawman collapsed onto a sofa in the living room, a woman - later identified as 58-year-old Nicholas - reached over and allegedly made a move for his weapon, Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said Tuesday morning at a news conference at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. A backup officer shot at Nicholas and hit her, but the shoot-out continued. In the end, four officers were hit, including a 54-year-old, who officials identified as the case agent who breached the door while the first officers entered the house. READ MORE: 4 HPD officers shot in southeast Houston narcotics operation, a fifth injured It's not clear how many shots were fired, or how many officers fired their weapons. Afterward, authorities recovered marijuana and a white powder - possibly cocaine or fentanyl - along with two 12-gauge shotguns, a 20-gauge shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle and a second rifle. It's not clear whether the couple may have legally owned them, and police didn't specify what quantities of the suspected drugs were recovered. The whole thing, officials said, came about as the result of an undercover drug sale before the raid. In that instance, police allegedly bought black tar heroin from someone at the home. It's not clear if there were repeated sales or who the alleged seller was, but police said they first learned of the alleged drug den from complaints by neighbors. Police did not recover any heroin on Monday. To those who knew the long-time couple, it all came as a shock. "I can't believe she's dead," Monique Caballero, a friend of the couple, said, as she sobbed on the phone. "They were private people. They stayed at home. They loved their dogs; they loved their animals." UPDATE: Acevedo says one injured officer is 'in a fight' for survival She'd never gotten any indication the couple did or sold drugs, and forcefully questioned the official narrative. "I cannot believe this; she's not like that. " Caballero said. "She's not a drug addict or dealer." Instead, she said, officers killed "innocent people." Other friends and relatives offered similar disbelief. Nicholas grew up in Mississippi, and later moved to Texas where she got married in 1990. Her first husband, Bennie Valites, said Tuesday that he hadn't seen her in roughly a decade, but he had never known her to use drugs. After the two separated, Nicholas remarried in 1998, this time to Tuttle. She only had one prior arrest in Harris County - a misdemeanor charge for a bad check. She paid restitution for the $100, and a judge tossed the case, court records show. Tuttle doesn't appear to have any local criminal history at all, and his sister said he'd been honorably discharged from the Navy. He took prescription pills for injuries stemming from his time in the service, but there was no indication of any hard drug use, Ferrari said. "My brother was a fine human being," she said. "He was a kind human, it's just a sad, sad situation." keri.blakinger@chron.com Social media was abuzz Monday evening after four Houston police officers were shot and another was injured while serving a narcotics warrant in the southeast part of the city. Texans star J.J. Watt, Gov. Greg Abbott and Astros star Alex Bregman were among the notable Houstonians and Texans who sent their sympathies to the officers. Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle The Montgomery County Tax Office is urging residents to pay their 2018 property taxes by Jan. 31 to avoid incurring penalties and interest. According to Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector Tammy McRae there are several options to pay including online using credit/debit card, by phone at 1-866-549-1010 bureau code 7898505, e-Check, mail and in person at the of the five tax office locations. Transit officials were met with chants of no buses, no buses as the Metropolitan Transit Authority began a northwest Harris County community meeting on Monday night concerning the future of public transportation in the region. Some in the crowd of about 100 at the Klein ISD Multipurpose Center on FM 2920 in Spring have been concerned about the possibility of bus service extending north toward Montgomery County. Sandy Martinson, said her main concern is the potential of crime with the increased activity because of more public transportation. She also heard rumors of a bus service beginning at FM 2920 and ending at the Grand Parkway, but learned it was untrue at the meeting. Im just worried about the frequent stopping and maybe bringing in more apartment complexes, she said. I think there will be more activity and that leads to more crime. We just wanted to make sure. Related: MetroNext may lead to $3 billion bond vote Metro officials used the session to review their MetroNext project, which proposes to increase service on routes, double ridership and improve travel times. In the fall, voters may be asked to consider a $3 billion bond issue for the 20-year project. The initiative could add several new locations for northwest Houston residents, including new a park and ride near Texas 249, and a commuter bus traveling from Beltway 8 along the North Freeway to Springwoods Village, according to the plan. The plan also proposes a two-way HOV lane on Northwest Freeway. On HoustonChronicle.com: Metros plan a mix of transit services Additional plans for the MetroNext project include extension of the light rail system to Hobby Airport, the courthouse and North Shepherd Drive. Tom Lambert, Metro president and CEO, said the project does not have any specific pricing for projects yet. Were still trying to make sure were getting the right feedback, Lambert said. The board will take all this input, theyll have to then reshape the plan based upon what we heard and then well kind of take the next phase from there. Lambert said Metro is holding more meetings to gather more input and update the community. So far what Ive heard, from most of the people Ive talked to, theyre very pleased that Metro met with them two years ago, he said. We heard what they said and we adapted the plans. Metro will continue to hold public meetings to receive public comments until Feb. 13. The next meeting in northwest Harris County will be Thursday, Feb. 7, at SpringHill Suites, 20350 Northwest Freeway. Stage Right of Texas, resident theatre company at the historic Crighton Theatre, presents the quintessential musical comedy 42nd Street Feb. 8-24. With the book by Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin, the show has been called the ultimate show-biz musical. Aspiring 1930s chorus girl Peggy Sawyer comes to the big city from Allentown, Pennsylvania and soon lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show; Pretty Lady. But just before opening night, the leading lady breaks her ankle. Will Peggy be able to step in and become a star? The score is chock-full of Broadway standards, including Youre Getting To Be A Habit With Me, Dames, Were In the Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo and Forty-Second Street. Award-winning director Manny Cafeo has assembled an experienced and talented cast to bring this tale to life on the Crighton stage. Leading the cast as Peggy Sawyer is Montie Award-winning audience favorite Sara Preisler. Roles with Stage Right include Inga in Young Frankenstein, Ulla in The Producers, Wednesday in The Addams Family and her Montie Award-winning tapping turn as Kathy Seldon in Singin in the Rain. Related: Stage Right offers a glorious "My Fair Lady" Playing established star Dorothy Brock is Layne Roberts. She is making a quick return to the Crighton stage; she was last seen as Helen Haley in Glitz-The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical. Prior to that she was seen here as Enid in Legally Blonde and Magenta in the Rocky Horror Show at Lone Star College. Playing Dorothy Brocks leading man, Billy Lawlor, is Cain Hamilton. He appeared as Prince Charming in Into The Woods and Ambrose Kemper in Hello Dolly. Playing charismatic and demanding director Julian Marsh is Michael Martin. Michael was seen as the difficult and demanding Horace Vandergelder in Hello Dolly and difficult and demanding Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. Appearing as co-writers of Pretty Lady is Carolyn Wong as Maggie Jones and John Kaiser as Bert Barry. Wong was seen on the Crighton stage last season as Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly and Randa Covington in this seasons smash hit The Savannah Sipping Society. John Kaiser was the Mysterious Man in Into the Woods and has performed in many theatres throughout Houston including the Classical Theatre Company and Playhouse 1960. Playing choreographer Andy Lee is audience favorite Adam Isbell. Audiences have enjoyed Isbells appearances on stage including Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and Frederick in Young Frankenstein and his work behind the scenes in many productions as assistant director and hair/wig stylist. Appearing on the Crighton stage for the very first time is husband and wife team J. David LaRue as money man Abner Dillon and Debbie LaRue as dancer Diane Lorimer. The LaRues recently moved to the area prior to that they appeared in theatre in Dhahran Saudi Arabia. Returning to the Crighton stage as Dorothy Brocks love interest Pat Denning is Johnny Barton. A DJ at KSTAR Country radio, he has appeared on Conroe area stages for many years most recently in the Conroe Shakespeare Festival and as gangster Sonny Barbosa in Farce of Nature, and a gangster in Kiss Me Kate at the Owen. Playing Stage Manager Maxine is Becki Kinch. Her last appearance on stage was as Little Red Riding Hoods Grandma and cow Milky White in Into the Woods. Will Radcliffe has a dual role in this show as Oscar the piano player and the Doctor. A retired lawyer, he has performed on the Crighton stage many years most recently in multiple roles in Glitz-The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical. The multi-talented Dinah Mahlman appears as lead dancer Annie. She directed the wildly popular Savannah Sipping Society, she is also choreographer for 42nd Street and won a Montie Award for her choreography of Singin in the Rain. One of Mahlmans dancers is the lovely Abigail Hudson playing Phyllis. Abigail has performed in multiple shows Conroe including Hello Dolly and Mary Poppins here and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Owen. Also dancing in the show are Conroes favorite musical theatre twins; Monae and Monique Lott. The talented duo appear as Tessie and Jessie and were last seen at the Crighton as Oompa Loompas in Willy Wonka. Lydia Derksen is returning to the Crighton as dancer Lorraine. She is an aspiring artist and pianist. She last appeared here in Hello Dolly as did Melissa Cummins who appears in this show as dancer Millie. Cummins, a professor of music history at Sam Houston, was a high-kicking waiter in Hello Dolly. Also dancing in Hello Dolly was Hannah Gilchriest who appears in this show as Winnie. Her beautiful smile has lit up the stage previously in My Fair Lady and The Elephant Man. The talented Kristin Conrad is also dancing in the show as Gladys. Her dancing talent has been on display in numerous shows here including Young Frankenstein, Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde (Gaelen), The Producers, and Shrek the Musical. Katie Kelly is returning to the Crighton stage after moving back to the area in the ensemble. She has costumed shows for Stage Right and appeared in quite a few including The Carol Burnett Show, Mama Wont Fly and Singin in the Rain. New faces in the cast making their Crighton debut are Madison Mapes (who appeared at the Owen most recently as Logainne SchwartzandGrubennierre in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Emily Van Eaton (has appeared in many CYT shows including Annie Get Your Gun (Annie Oakley), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Ruth Sanders), The Little Mermaid (Ursula), Little Women (Amy March), and The Music Man (Zaneeta Shinn)), Sarah Steindl (who has appeared in shows at the Owen including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Dorcas), Steel Magnolias (Annelle Dupuy-Desoto), and Dial M for Murder (Margot Wendice), Rebecca Rodriguez Teater (a trained vocalists has appeared in many musicals and dramas in school, such as The Great Gatsby (Jordan Baker), The Song of Bernadette (Bernarde Casterote), and Seussical (Wickersham Brother), and Sebastian Tutt. He has never been in a musical before and is enjoying the experience of learning new things and making new friends - which is what community theatre is all about. Nonprofit spotlight Since 42nd Street is all about the desire to perform a very special group has been selected as the Spotlight Non-Profit - The Lynn Lucas Middle Schools Workshop Theatre. They will be in the side lobby with information and collecting donations for a special trip. Stage Right organizers hope patrons will consider making a donation to help get these kids to realize a dream. Their teacher is Susan Burge. The Lynn Lucas Middle Schools Workshop Theatre has been selected to perform their play 1984 at the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT) National Festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the week of June 18-22. The 1984 cast and crew of 18 students include students from Willis High School, Lynn Lucas Middle School, and Lake Creek High School. Only four youth groups from around the nation are selected. The selection process includes both school groups and community theatre groups. The AACTFest is the culmination of the adult community theatre competitions that occur around the nation. Workshop Theatre actors will be able to network and watch the national finalists in the adult community theatre competition during the week. Then, they will perform 1984 and be adjudicated as a learning and educational experience for all. During the festival week there will also be workshops, activities, and social events designed specifically for them. Performance information 42nd Street runs Feb. 8-24 Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The historic Crighton Theatre is located at 234 N. Main Street in downtown Conroe, Texas. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for youth under 16. Group discounts are available by calling the box office. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Crighton box office 936-441-7469 or online at www.stage-right.org. A teenager who was foiled in his attempt to rob a convenience store in northwest Houston has been arrested. After releasing a video of the attempted crime, investigators with Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap's office were able to track down the 16-year-old suspect. The juvenile was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. According to Precinct 5 Office, the suspect was arrested in a collaborative effort with Precinct 4 deputies who recently arrested the same suspect on charges of car burglary, credit card fraud and auto theft in an unrelated case. The teenager, arrested on Jan. 25, was not identified due to his age. The suspect allegedly attempted to hold up a convenience store in the 13200 block of West Little York on Sunday, Jan. 20. When he pulled a gun, the quick-thinking clerk closed the bulletproof glass window and the robber left the store on foot. According to a news release, investigators with Constable Ted Heaps Office reported the suspect entered the Fuel Expo convenience store in the 13200 block of West Little York on Sunday, Jan. 20. He walked around the store before approaching the counter. The suspect then pulled out a handgun on the night clerk, asking wheres the money? The clerk quickly shut the bulletproof glass window and motioned the would-be robber to leave the store. The suspect left on foot, running westbound on West Little York. The suspect was described as a white male between 13 and 16 years old. He is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and was wearing a black hoodie with blue text on the front and blue artwork on the back. Anyone has additional information on this investigation is asked to call Investigator V.K. Johnson at 281-463-6666 or submit information via the online crime tips webpage at https://constablepct5.com/index.php/online-crime-tips. rkent@hcnonline.com Love is a science according to Pheramor, a dating app that claims to use your deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to measure compatibility based on physical chemistry. Founded in February 2018, the Houston-based company is now spreading the love, expanding its matchmaking services nationwide, KHOU reports. Here's how it works: For $29.99, Pheramor ships you a DNA Kit. Then, in the name of love, swab your cheeks and return your cheek cells to the company in the mail. Once received, Pheramor sequences 11 genes allegedly linked to attraction to determine biological compatibility. "When Pheramor receives your swab back, we send it to our laboratory, where they isolate your cheek cells and take out the DNA. From the DNA, we sequence your human leukocyte antigen genes, or HLA genes. This is what predicts attraction," CEO and founder Dr. Brittany Barreto told KHOU. "These genes encode proteins for your immune system. Scientists have shown in dozens of publications that people are attracted to one another when their HLA genes are different. That's right! 'Opposites attract' is biologically true," she noted. Facebook's '10 Year Challenge': Reminding users about the potential perils of social media Pheramor also suggests that users connect their social media accounts to its app so that the company can data-mine for personality traits and mutual interests, according to Wired. Combining your DNA results and social media stats, the app sends you three potential mates in your area, daily, with profile photos blurred to discourage mindless swiping, Wired reports. How deep is your potential love? Profiles also include a score, between zero and 100, grading the likelihood of your love connection with each match. Of note, Pheramor users reportedly have more second dates than people on those other apps, reports KHOU. And while there's a buzz surrounding the privacy of your DNA results, Pheramor does not sell your data, according to KHOU. "We only sequence 11 genes related with physical attraction, so we don't know about data like diseases, eye color or ancestry," co-founder and chief technology officer Dr. Bin Huang said. 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 Shortly after five Houston police officers were injured after attempting to serve a warrant to suspected drug dealers, several Katy area officials sent messages of encouragement to the agency. The Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office, the Fort Bend County Fire Marshals Office, the city of Fulshear, the Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land and Katy ISD police departments were among the many who sent concerns to the men in blue who were shot at when they busted down a door of a suspected drug den in southeast Houston. State officials on Tuesday told voter registrars in several Texas counties that some of the nearly 100,000 names on a list of potentially ineligible voters should not have been included because they are U.S. citizens. Cheryl Johnson, Galveston county's tax assessor-collector, said her county started sending letters Monday asking people on the list to verify their citizenship. But on Tuesday, Johnson said, the Texas secretary of state's office notified her that some on on the list had been verified as citizens. "We managed to retrieve the second batch of letters that we were going to mail today," said Johnson. "The ones we sent yesterday, we're going to go back and check those." Johnson said 837 Galveston County voters were flagged by the state, and her office sent letters to a little over 85 of them on Monday with plans to mail more on subsequent days. The letters ask that the recipients provide a U.S. passport, birth certificate or citizenship papers to her office within 30 days, she said. Those who fail to do so could be dropped from voter rolls. Based on the source code that was given to her by the secretary of state's office, she said her office was able to pull 37 letters they planned to mail out on Tuesday. They were still planning to send out 50 letters to registered voters in the area. "We're not going to infringe on anybody's right to be a registered voter," said Johnson on Tuesday. "What we are trying to do is ensure the integrity of the voter roll for all citizens of Texas and all the citizens and voters in my county." In Fort Bend County, John Oldham, elections administrator, said roughly 8,035 voters in his county were flagged by the Secretary of State's office. But in a call Tuesday morning, Oldham said, his office was advised not to send letters to those on the list "until you review a little more." The secretary of state's office explained, Oldham said, that some voters went to the Texas Department of Public Safety to submit voter registration applications after a specified date "so they should not be on the list." Oldham said his office had not sent letters to any voters yet and would thoroughly review each flagged voter's record before doing so. Voter registration officials in Harris, Travis, Collin and Williamson Counties got similar calls Tuesday from the secretary of state's office, the Texas Tribune reported. The secretary of state's office, in a statement, said it was in touch with local counties "to assist them in verifying eligibility of Texas voters. This is to ensure that any registered voters who provided proof of citizenship at the time they registered to vote will not be required to provide proof of citizenship as part of the counties' examination." In Galveston, Johnson said it's not out of the ordinary to check voters' citizenship status. Voter registrars get monthly lists of jury summonses with information that some residents can't serve on a jury because they're non-citizens or they moved out of the county, she said. "I do not believe any of this would've affected the outcome of an election in Galveston County, but that would remain to be seen," said Johnson. In Harris County, officials said they would research more before sending out letters inquiring about citizenship to those on their list. "We are going to proceed very carefully," said Douglas Ray, a special assistant county attorney in Harris County who specializes in election issues. As the process unfolds, civil rights groups say the state could be violating federal law. The League of United Latin American Citizens filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Texas Secretary of State David Whitley and Attorney General Ken Paxton, asking for the state to release their data that claims 95,000 registered voters are not U.S. citizens. Florence - The Uffizi Gallery on Thursday will be celebrating the wedding anniversary on January 31, 1503, of Agnolo Doni and Maddalena Strozzi with discounts for couples who will be paying only one ticket that day, the gallery's director, Eike Schmidt, has said. The museum's collection includes the celebrated Doni Tondo, a round painting of the Holy Family commissioned by the Florentine merchant and his wife to Michelangelo, possibly to celebrate the birth of their daughter Maria. Schimdt said the museum wanted to offer couples an early Valentine's Day gift and "symbolically celebrate the greatness of love on the anniversary of a union, between Agnolo and Maddalena, which changed art history forever". Raphael in 1504-1505 painted two canvases of Doni and Strozzi, which are positioned next to the Doni Tondo in the Uffizi's "Raphael and Michelangelo Room". Raphael "portrayed the couple and for them the divine Michelangelo made the celebrated Tondo with the Holy Family", the director noted. As part of the 'Festa dei Doni', experts will offer a tour to visitors to explain the history of the couple's wedding and of the three masterpieces by Michelangelo and Raphael. The Gallery's Auditorium Vasari will also host a lesson on the Tondo on Thursday afternoon. Tonight there is an opportunity to view proposed road projects that could shape mobility in Liberty County. The Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a meeting tonight from 5:30-7 p.m. that highlights regional transportation projects that it could recommend for federal funding. The meeting will be held at the Liberty CenterCity Hall, 1829 Sam Houston St. in Liberty. The H-GAC is looking for public feedback. The H-GAC received 193 proposed transportation projects from various sponsors within the eight-county transportation management area it covers seeking federal funding through the 2018 Call for Projects application process. Approximately $920 million of flexible funding including the federal, state, and local match is authorized for programming in the next 10 years (FY 2019 - FY 2028). Application requests totaled $2.9 billion in federal funding requestsmore than the available fundsso its critical for Liberty County residents to be at the meeting to have their projects heard. The proposed highway, freight, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects requesting federal funding will be evaluated, ranked, prioritized, and released by H-GAC for public review and comment in January 2019, Adam Beckom, transportation program manager for H-GAC said. After the public review process, H-GACs Transportation Policy Council will make the final selection of projects for federal funding commitment. The selected projects will be programmed in the 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program, the H-GAC 10-Year Transportation Plan, and the Draft 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). H-GAC will seek public review and comment on the Draft 2045 RTP in early spring before it is finalized and adopted by the policy council. Public participation is an essential part of the transportation planning process and H-GAC will be hosting a series of public meetings for residents to review the draft selection of transportation projects for the region. During the public meetings, residents will have the opportunity to comment on the draft selection of the transportation projects and to learn whats next for the 2045 RTP, Beckom said. H-GAC will highlight an expert panel featuring Transportation 101: What You Need to Know. The panel will discuss future transportation projects in the region, air quality and transportation conformity, transportation performance measures, and an update on the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. Public comment period for 2018 Call for Projects draft selection will open on Jan. 16 and close on Feb. 28. Public comment period for the 2045 Draft Plan and Transportation Conformity will open on March 19, and close on April 16. General comments about the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan may be submitted anytime during the process. dtaylor@hcnonline.com Courtesy of Klein ISD Klein ISD has been selected as one of five finalists for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, earning the district $5,000 and a chance to receive $100,000 according to a press release from Klein ISD. H-E-B selected the school district as a finalist based on dedication to students, parent and community involvement and professional development for staff observed by the organization according to the H-E-B guidelines for the Excellence in Education Awards. Klein ISD was selected alongside other state school districts including Austin ISD, Socorro ISD, United ISD and Burleson ISD in the large school district category. Sysco Corp., the nation's largest food distributor, plans to acquire Waugh Foods, an Illinois-based frozen food company with about $40 million in annual sales. Houston-based Sysco, which has been on an acquisition spree, announced Tuesday it entered into an agreement to acquire Waugh, an East Peoria, Ill., company founded in 1948 that provides food products throughout central Illinois. Saudi Arabia expects to reduce oil output once again in February and pump for six months at levels well below the production limit it accepted under OPECs oil-cuts accord, Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said. The worlds biggest exporter targeted production of 10.2 million barrels a day in January and is aiming to pump about 10.1 million in February, he said. Saudi Arabias voluntary limit under the December cuts deal with Russia and other producers was 10.33 million barrels a day. Saudi Arabia will be well below the voluntary cap that we agreed to and will pump beneath its ceiling for the full six months of the December cuts accord, he said in a Bloomberg Television interview in Riyadh. SUPPLY: U.S. oil production is 23 years ahead of schedule The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, a coalition known as OPEC+, agreed to pare production starting this month in an effort to buttress sagging oil prices. Crude futures have gained this year as Saudi Arabia leads the way in curbing output amid a surge in U.S. shale-oil supplies. Benchmark Brent crude was trading 42 cents higher at $60.35 a barrel at 10:37 a.m. in Dubai. Demand will start picking up at the end of the first quarter and into the second quarter, Al-Falih said. The impact of OPEC+ output reductions will trickle down into the global markets over the next few weeks. U.S. Oversupply The U.S. is currently way oversupplied with its own output and with oil from other Western hemisphere producers, Al-Falih said. So, as we look at the oil market, and we see it in the price differentials, its really not rewarding us to export a lot of oil to the U.S. And as a result, as we make adjustments, it makes commercial sense that thats the market that gets the majority of our cuts. EARLIER: Saudis say OPEC+ oil cuts on 'right track' to balance the market Saudi Arabia and like-minded countries are determined to drive inventories below the five-year historical average, he said. Were going to do it by ensuring that supply is below demand for 2019." Its still unclear what effect political turmoil in Venezuela will have on crude markets, Al-Falih said. Output from the South American OPEC member has languished amid escalating tensions between forces loyal to President Nicolas Maduro and those supporting opposition National Assembly leader Juan Guaido. --With assistance from Hussein Slim and Vivian Nereim. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. The newly formed Houston pipeline and storage terminal company Clear Creek Midstream LLC is moving forward after securing $300 million of private equity funding. Launched in November, Clear Creek announced on Tuesday that the company has secured $300 million in private equity funding from EnCap Flatrock Midstream. Formed by three energy industry veterans with more than 50 years of combined experience, Clear Creek is pursuing infrastructure projects in shale plays across North America. Supersize Me: Moda Midstream to expand Ingleside crude oil export terminal Clear Creek Midstream CEO Rick Van Eyk has 17 years of experience in the industry that includes executive and management roles at companies such as EnLink Midstream and Occidental Petroleum. "The team at EnCap Flatrock understands that midstream is a service business," Van Eyk said in a statement. "Success depends on strong producer relationships, an innovative approach to problem-solving and developing reliable, cost-effective solutions that ensure delivery to premium markets." Fuel Fix: Get daily energy headlines in your inbox Porter and Hedges LLP served as legal adviser to Clear Creek while Locke Lord LLP served as counsel to EnCap Flatrock Midstream. The Houston region registered increases in new home sales and prices in December, bucking the trends in other large Texas cities, a new report showed. More than 1,300 new homes were sold in Houston in December, up 0.9 percent from 1,294 in November, according to HomesUSA.com, a Dallas-area company that lists and sells houses for more than 60 homebuilders in the state. The average price of a new home in Houston in December was $357,600, up slightly from $357,582 the month before. The figures are based on a 12-month rolling average of sales from local Multiple Listing Service and trade associations, including the Houston Association of Realtors and others in the Dallas/North Texas, San Antonio and Austin markets. RELATED: Houston dodges double-digit drops in new-home sales seen nationwide "Houston continues to show its comeback strength," HomesUSA.com owner Ben Caballero said in an announcement. Statewide, new home sales reached 3,808 in December, down from 3,842 in November. Sales in the Dallas-Fort Worth region fell by 24 for the month to 1,312. Austin registered 16 fewer sales at 670 in December, while the total in San Antonio fell to 519 in December, down eight for the month. The average price of a new home in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area fell to $375,960 in December from $376,458 the month before. Austin's average price declined slightly to $369,331 in December from $369,392 in November. The average price in San Antonio dipped to $296,019 in December from $296,155 in November. Statewide, pending new home sales dropped to 3,519 in December, down from 3,692 in November. All four markets tracked reported lower pending sales. Caballero said 2018 was still a record year for new home sales in the state. "Do these numbers reflect cooling in other markets? Or is a large part of this simply seasonal impact? Time will tell.," he said. Chevron Corp. agreed to buy a refinery in Pasadena, Texas, to process more of its West Texas crude, two sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters Monday. Chevron is expected to disclose the deal to acquire a 112,000 barrels per day refinery in Pasadena this quarter. The refinery is currently operated by Pasadena Refining System Inc., a Texas-based unit of Petrobras, Brazil's state-oil run firm. Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall declined to comment on Tuesday. Chevron previously said it was interested in buying or building an oil refinery in the Houston area. Though the second-largest energy company in the U.S., the oil major does not own any Texas refineries. RELATED: Chevron eyes Houston refinery The California-based company needs more capacity to handle shale coming out of West Texas, but most of its refineries process heavier crude -- like from Venezuela or Canada -- rather than the lighter crude of the Permian. The Pasadena refinery is 192 acres on the Houston Ship Channel and the purchase includes 274 acres of terminal and other land available for expansion, Reuters reported. The site's storage tanks can hold 5.1 million barrels and a marine terminal for exports. The employees working at the plant would become Chevron employees after the acquisition. Houston is the nation's largest refining hub. It was previously speculated that Chevron would buy either LyondellBasell's Houston refinery or Petrobras' Pasadena refinery. "An expansion of our Gulf Coast presence could be considered if the right opportunity presents itself at the right price," said Braden Reddall, Chevron spokesperson, in a previous statement about Chevron's interest in a refinery in Texas. After starting as West University Places new city manager on Tuesday, Jan. 22, David Beach sat down to talk about his new role, his priorities and the city he serves. Beach had served as the citys director of public works since 2015 and then also became the assistant city manager in January 2018. He came to West University in 2005 as the assistant to the city manager and said his years of working in local government beginning in Washington state in 1995 have equipped him well for the many hats a city manager must wear. Having a wide range of experience, I think, prepares you to be a (city manager) because youre really a jack of all trades and a master of none, Beach said. You have the ability to go focus on an issue, come up to speed on it really quickly, to become the resident expert, but you have to know what you dont know. A key, he said, is hiring competent people who know the details and have the proper expertise because a city manager can only do so much. No one can run the whole show by themselves, so I will be only successful as my employees are successful, Beach said. He named four priorities for his first six months: bettering communications and outreach to residents; addressing drainage issues and applying for grants; working toward the Buffalo Speedway replacement and drainage improvements; and promoting the citys alarm-monitoring service, DirectLink. Asked what West University does really well currently, Beach pointed to the citys services. I live in Houston, so you can compare it. We have one of the lowest tax rates in the county for the city portion of the tax, and we provide a very high level of service, I think, over that aspect, he said. We provide very good services. Can we improve them? Sure. Police and fire are good. Our solid waste, last time we did a survey, 93 percent of the residents it was a random survey, so calling around 93 percent of them were satisfied or very satisfied with trash service. The people who call West University Place home are what makes it a great place to live, Beach said, giving the example that some residents leave Gatorade and cold drinks out for garbage collectors during summer months and warm beverages and food around the holidays. Like anything, you have your naysayers and stuff like that, but the overwhelming majority of people are great. They care about the community. Theyre very involved, he said. They understand that we live in the fourth, possibly the third, largest metropolitan area in the nation, but retaining that small-town feel is very important to them. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com Deputies with Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosens office broke up an alleged cockfighting ring on Sunday. With the help of the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, deputies were able to seize almost 300 roosters, hens and chicks in addition to 176 eggs at the scene The raid took place in the 4300 block of Mooney Road. Also recovered were dozens of gaffs, which are affixed to a roosters leg during a fight to cause additional damage. The weapons are extremely sharp and tied to the legs of the roosters during the fights. Arrested at the scene was Armando Banderas Delgado, 76. He has been charged with cockfighting. Six others were detained and issued citations for being spectators at the cockfight on Sunday. He has bailed out of jail on a $1,000 bond. His next court date is set for Friday, Feb. 1, in Ronnisha Bowmans Criminal Court 2. His charge is a Class A misdemeanor. The Constables Office reports that this bust came from a single tip. Anyone needing to report animal cruelty is asked to call the HSPCA animal cruelty hotline, 24/7. Call 713-869-7722 or email animalcruelty@cn1.hctx.net. rkent@hcnonline.com TEL AVIV - Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has resigned from the government of 'national reconciliation' between Al-Fatah and Hamas, the Palestinian Maan news agency reports. Maan said the announcement was made during a council of ministers. Hamdallah added that his government will continue operating until a new executive is formed. Political sources in Ramallah had expected the announcement since Monday and said the PLO is now working to form a new government to be led by a member of Al-Fatah. President Abu Mazen, however, has not said yet whether he has accepted Hamfallah's resignation. In 2017, two suspects robbed a bank in Bellaire, starting a string of events that led to a high-speed chase through the streets of Houston to the Heights area. On Monday night, the officers involved in the incident were honored by the FBI for their work in the crime, from the quick response to the capturing of the suspects. The FBI extends its appreciation for your outstanding assistance in a joint investigative effort, according to a certificate awarded to one office. Your contributions were immeasurable, and you have the gratitude of the FBI for all you did to help accomplish the objectives of this investigation. You can be proud of the role you played, and I join my associates with whom you worked in congratulating you on a job well done. The certificate was signed by FBI Director Christopher A. Wray. The bank robbery occurred Friday, March 3, 2017, when a pair of suspected bank robbers driving a black Mercedes sedan sped across Houston highways and through some neighborhoods. The incident ended with a pair of civilians helping wrestling one of the suspects to the ground. Two men went into the bank with guns. A person inside the Amegy Bank in the 5300 block of Bissonnet hid during the robbery and called police to provide a description of the suspects. The incident further unfolded with Houston police joining the chase about 10:45 a.m. at the request of Bellaire police after the robbery, Houston Police Department spokesman Victor Senties said at the time. About 11:10 a.m. the car took drove into neighborhood streets in the Memorial Park area. The driver hit several other vehicles while ignoring stop signs and droving the wrong way on one-way streets. At the end of the chase, one suspect abandoned the wrecked Mercedes and attempted to carjack a second vehicle about 11:15 a.m. on Enid near the Loop 610 interchange with I-45. He was subdued by the two civilians. The second suspect reportedly ran from the Mercedes into back yards of a residential area near a church. Police officers pursued on foot and detained the second suspect within minutes. The day after four Houston police officers were shot while serving a search warrant in southeast Houston, Chief Art Acevedo once again called on lawmakers to find ways to reduce gun violence. 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. "I would express my personal frustration at lawmakers that know we have a public health epidemic in this country we call gun violence," Acevedo said at a news conference Tuesday morning related to the shooting. "It doesn't just impact law enforcement. It crushes communities, tears apart families, cuts lives short, every single day." Veteran narcotics officers broke down the door of a suspected drug den, armed with a warrant and hoping to arrest heroin dealers operating out of the Pecan Park home. They were met by a hail of gunfire, instead, as one of the suspects inside unleashed a barrage of bullets that wounded four officers, two critically. There are 3,353 gun deaths per year in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 609 children in Texas are killed or injured by guns each year, per the Department of State Health Services. RELATED: 4 HPD officers shot in southeast Houston narcotics operation, a fifth also injured This is far from the first time that Acevedo has spoken out urging policymakers to reform gun policies. After the Santa Fe shooting in May 2018, which killed 10 people and wounded 13 others, the police chief took to Twitter, excoriating elected officials for failing "to enact common sense statutes & policies & continue to fail our families & especially our children." His statements were soon refuted by the National Rifle Association, and Acevedo ended up engaging in arguments with the NRA's Dana Loesch and Grant Stinchfield via Twitter. "@ArtAcevedo plays the part of a police chief ... he says he wants to go after criminals, but for him apparently the easiest way to do that is to make new criminals that are easy to catch make criminals out of law-abiding gun owners," NRATV tweeted last May. READ MORE: Chief Art Acevedo battles NRA in heated exchanges after Santa Fe massacre Acevedo told the Houston Chronicle last year that the nation needs a "comprehensive approach" to rein in gun violence, including a national standard for background checks before all sales including at gun shows. He also called for "real consequences" for buyers and sellers trying to circumvent such checks, strict mental health requirements to notify law enforcement agencies if someone is a potential threat, and stricter requirements for storing firearms. "Gun violence is preventable. There are proven policies that work," Texas Gun Sense, an advocacy group for reforming gun violence, stated in a press release Monday. "Texas Gun Sense is at the Texas Legislature right now advocating for common sense, evidence-based policies that protect Texans from gun violence." Back at Memorial Hermann Hospital Tuesday morning, Acevedo told elected officials to save their prayers. "I appreciate your prayers, but frankly, we've got a community to pray for us," he said. "The question is, what are policy makers willing to do besides prayers to address a public health epidemic?" MORNING REPORT: Get the HoustonChronicle.com's top headlines delivered to your email Staff writer St. John Barned-Smith contributed to this report. This article was first published on NerdWallet.com. Credit card rewards can be your ticket literally your plane ticket to a dream destination. But even if youve earned what you need to get to where youre going, the accommodations could be a different story. What do you do if you dont have enough points or miles left for lodging? You can slash those costs, too, if youre willing to get out of your comfort zone. That might mean couch surfing with locals, agreeing to a home exchange or signing up for housesitting. Websites and apps can help you connect with frugal options domestically and abroad. You may be able to stay for free, or nearly free, if youre flexible with dates and can abide by house rules. MORE: How to choose a travel credit card Couch surfing This option works for solo travelers or couples looking to make new friends over a few nights. Since youre staying in someones home, youll likely need to check in and out at reasonable hours and clean up after yourself. For Alexander Salas, who runs the YouTube channel Alex Travelbum, giving up some freedom is worth it. He uses the app from Couchsurfing.com, which has allowed him to sleep in 15 countries for free. His trip to Naples, Italy, was the most memorable, he says. I stayed with this woman who was just the most generous, nice person in the world, and were still friends till this day, Salas says. She made me all of this authentic Italian food and took me around town. Home exchanges This option offers more privacy since youll swap your home temporarily with someone else. Melissa Conn, blogger at The Family Voyage, uses the GuestToGuest website. This service charges about $11 a night or around $147 annually (and youll have to pay a damage deposit). The host may also include additional charges or requests. Some hosts charge a cash cleaning fee, Conn says. Other places, theyll just leave a list of the five things that they want you to do before leaving. And then some people just say, Leave it tidy. You can offset the costs of such services by cooking in the kitchen to save money on meals. Some homeowners even let you borrow their car, Conn says. Housesitting If you dont mind pets or a few chores while you travel, you can see the world for less. Nik and Angel Rowell, YouTubers at Roadtrip with Nik, have traveled to Costa Rica and several U.S. states, among other destinations. They frequently use Trustedhousesitters.com, which also has an app and charges $119 for an annual membership. They suggest considering the responsibilities of each housesit beforehand and how it might affect your stay. If you have a weeklong housesit in Hawaii that included caring for a dog that needed to go out in the morning, afternoon and evening, you wouldnt be able to go explore the island all day long, Nik Rowell says. Wherever you stay, communicate with the host to match your expectations to the experience. If you need a kitchen or Wi-Fi, for example, ask whether youll have access. Take precautions If youre staying with strangers, screen them first. Some subscription services have a verification process, but its not always as robust as a traveler might like. Amanda Kelly, solo traveler and content creator at Amanda Round The Globe, generally seeks female hosts when she couch surfs. During a trip to Belgium, she says, she was deceived by a man pretending to be a female host. After that experience, I did take a lot more precautions by checking the reviews a lot more, she says. Other best practices: Look for hosts who have several positive references, photos and detailed descriptions. See how your host behaves on social media. Set up a video meet-and-greet. Make sure youre on the same page with house rules and expectations of privacy. Tell a family member or friend where youre staying. Have a plan B in case the accommodations arent a good fit. If that sounds like too much hassle or if youre just not interested in a strangers couch, house or chores consider ways to save on more traditional accommodations. Join a hotel loyalty program, for example, or consider applying for a hotel credit card. The right one can earn you rewards toward future stays, and many cards even offer a free anniversary night, usually in exchange for an annual fee. This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press. Melissa Lambarena is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: mlambarena@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @LissaLambarena. The article How to Sleep for Free (or Nearly Free) When Traveling originally appeared on NerdWallet. WASHINGTON - The economic hit on Venezuela from U.S. sanctions is unlikely to be as severe as projected by the Trump administration, an analyst with research firm Rystad Energy said Tuesday. "The sanctions will deal a meaningful blow to the Maduro administration's cash flow, but the effects will not be as harsh as the United States expects," said analyst Paola Rodriguez-Masiu. "Administration officials reportedly said the sanctions would result in more than $11 billion in export losses for Venezuela over the next year, but I believe this figure will be substantially lower." 3 1 of 3 Wood Partners Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Katherine Feser/Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Atlanta-based Wood Partners has broken ground on the Alta Med Main apartments about two miles south of the Texas Medical Center. The four-story project, at 9330 Main St. near NRG Park, will have a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. Planned to open in the spring of 2020, the apartments will surround a parking garage with direct access to the building. Pope Francis says he won't change Church rules on priestly celibacy Pope Francis on Sunday definitively ruled out any chance that he would change the Roman Catholic rule requiring priests to be celibate. But, speaking to reporters aboard a plane returning from Panama, he restated that he was open to further study of the possibility of ordaining older married men in exceptional circumstances in remote areas with a severe shortage of priests. 'Personally I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church. I am not in agreement (with those who say) optional celibacy should be permitted,' he said. Proponents of letting priests marry and have sex say it would attract more men to Holy Orders. Some also say that enforced celibacy could be linked to cases of sexual misconduct by priests. But opponents say celibacy allows a priest to dedicate himself entirely to the Church. Priestly celibacy was not widely enforced until the 12th century. It is not a formal doctrine of the Church and so can be changed. But the 82-year-old pope made clear that he will not be the one to do it. 'My decision is "no" to optional celibacy...that is what I think. I will not do it and this remains clear. Am I closed minded? Perhaps, but I don't feel that I can make this decision before God,' he said. Priests are allowed to marry in the Orthodox and Eastern Rite Churches as well as Protestant and Anglican Churches. Francis did leave open the possibility of ordaining so-called 'Viri Probati', Latin for men of proven character. Such men would be would be elderly, outstanding members of the local Catholic community and with grown-up children. 'I think the question should be open in places where there is a pastoral problem because of the lack of priests. I'm not saying that we have to do it, because I have not reflected and prayed about this sufficiently but theologians have to study this,' he said. He mentioned the problems of ministering to Catholics in remote areas such as Pacific Island and the Amazon. 'Viri Probati' is expected to be a main topic of discussion in a synod of bishops from the Amazon region due to be held at the Vatican in October. Pilgrimage: The ancient spiritual discipline that moves us nearer God Two summers ago one of my best friends walked a 60 mile journey. He began at Melrose Abbey, following the ancient route of St Cuthbert's Way and parts of Hadrian's Wall before ending his journey at Lindisfarne (Holy Island). He walked entirely alone for several days. At the end of each day he checked in with friends and family via social media. A keen photographer and thinker, he also shared highlights and brief reflections about his journey. The rain held off, the knees held up, he was rewarded with tranquil scenery and time alone with God. It was fascinating to follow the story. He was engaging in that ancient Christian practice, the pilgrimage. The National Trust describes a pilgrimage in this way: 'A pilgrimage is a devotional practice consisting of a prolonged journey, often undertaken on foot or on horseback, toward a specific destination of significance. It is an inherently transient experience, removing the participant from his or her home environment and identity. The means or motivations in undertaking a pilgrimage might vary, but the act, however performed, blends the physical and the spiritual into a unified experience.' Blending the physical and the spiritual into a unified experience, and becoming aware of that, sounds like an experience worth striving towards. And I suspect there's a universal appeal about the idea of taking yourself out of the familiar in the hopes of achieving precisely that. My home church, in the UK, currently employs team members who've travelled all the way from Germany, Poland, the USA and New Zealand. Some of the children who grew up in my church have now left the area to work further afield in Africa, Germany and Switzerland. Do these modern-day missionaries experience the spiritual elements of journeying towards something? Do they find new inspiration in being apart from their everyday lives, set loose from the limitations which home might place upon their identity? Do they experience, in part, what we might understand as pilgrimage? A good distance away from most of us is Iona, a tiny and beautiful Hebridean island off the west coast of Scotland, the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. It was there in 563AD the Irish monk Columba established a monastic settlement that evangelised large parts of Scotland and the north of England and became an important centre of European Christianity. In the Middle Ages it became the site of a Benedictine abbey, and over the centuries it has attracted many thousands of people on their own pilgrim journeys. The daily services of the Iona Community in the Abbey church and worship elsewhere on the island are open to all. There is a year-round population of over 100; long-established island families as well as more recent arrivals, including those who work for the Iona Community in its centres as staff or volunteers. The abbey is now managed by Historic Environment Scotland; the Iona Community remains in residence as a living, worshipping presence. The islanders, the Iona Community and Historic Environment Scotland, work together to maintain Iona as a place of welcome. There are lots of places to stay on Iona, retreat centres, hotels, B&Bs, camping and hostels. Alternatively, the Iona Community also has a centre on Mull at Camas which offers kayaking, abseiling, swimming and wild camping. The Abbey itself is open daily but the Abbey Residential Centre on Iona is temporarily closed for refurbishment and scheduled to reopen in 2020 when residential guests can enjoy a varied programme. The British Pilgrimage Trust has a fascinating website with a wealth of information about what it means to experience a pilgrimage. The website includes a huge selection of ancient routes to follow with variable duration. These are primarily walking pilgrimages with a wide range of interesting destinations. It suggests that the thousands of cathedrals, churches, and chapels of Britain, whether in use, redundant or ruined are holy places. Furthermore attending the glorious musical service of Evensong, performed free of charge in churches and cathedrals across Britain is a worthwhile addition to your personal pilgrimage. In addition to ancient buildings, water has historical links to pilgrimage. Britain was once famed throughout Europe as a land of water. Our freshwater springs were sweet and ever-flowing, providing mineral richness and clean drinking for all inhabitants of the land. Great trees, particularly the majestic yew, sometimes pre-dating the birth of Jesus, are a reminder of the beauty and strength of creation and hold a special meaning for many a pilgrim. Ancient monuments and hill tops are often considered to be holy places, where some find it easier to contemplate and pray. Glastonbury has longstanding connections with the myth that Christ himself may have visited the area with Joseph of Arimathea and 'walked upon England's mountains green'. It's part of an ongoing story which captured the imagination of many a pilgrim of old. Rich in history, heritage, myths, legends and spiritual enrichment there has been a church on the site of Glastonbury Abbey for at least 1500 years with evidence of even earlier occupation. Even though Glastonbury is perhaps best known for the revelry of its five day festival of performing arts (in June 2019) the area still boasts some tranquil spots worthy of the modern pilgrim. Glastonbury Tor, known for its Christian and pagan connections, is a hill just outside the town of Glastonbury with spectacular 360 views from the top. I recall Good Friday walks with fondness. My school friends and I would spend the whole day walking to the top of our local hill for a picnic. Everyone did it. It was a wonderful day out in the fresh air but I had absolutely no idea why we were doing it. There was no spiritual intentionality on my part, no sense of searching for something. It was a very long walk, but it wasn't a personal pilgrimage. Ancient pilgrims travelled using the transport methods of their day, mentioned earlier, such as 'on foot' and 'on horseback'. These relatively slow methods of transport made for journeys which might last for days on end. And while this slow journeying seems to be an essential component of the pilgrimage experience perhaps the intentional setting aside of time, the will to keep stepping away from something, and towards something else, also plays a key part. Friends of mine recently took time to take turns praying in a quiet room which was set aside for that very purpose. They reported deep spiritual connections and breakthroughs. Perhaps it's not only the physical distance covered during a pilgrimage which is restorative, it's the spiritual intentionality, the deliberate setting aside, the seeking after God and the determined quest for answers which generates fresh meaning. Val Fraser is an author and journalist. Follow her on Twitter @ValFraserAuthor. Philippines bishops seek forgiveness for silence on Duterte drug killings In a rare move, the largest group of Catholic bishops in the Philippines has sought forgiveness for its lengthy silence over 'disturbing issues', such as the president's bloody war on drugs and his attacks on the church and its doctrines. The church is highly influential and an important source of moral guidance in the Philippines, where about 80 per cent of a population of 105 million are Roman Catholic. Although known for speaking out in times of crisis and to rebuff doctrinal challenges, the bishops' silence over President Rodrigo Duterte's lambasting of the church and God, as well as his bloody crackdown on drugs, have raised questions about their unity and commitment to values. 'Forgive us for the length of time that it took us to find our collective voice,' the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said in a pastoral letter, issued late on Monday. 'We too needed to be guided properly in prayer and discernment before we could guide you.' In the letter headlined 'Conquering Evil with Good', the bishops admitted silence over 'disturbing issues about which you may have felt you urgently needed our spiritual and pastoral guidance'. It was not immediately clear why the CBCP issued the letter, which followed a plenary assembly. It opposed efforts led by Duterte's allies to lower the age of criminal liability for children, and said a 'culture of violence has gradually prevailed in our land,' referring also to a deadly church bombing on Sunday. The popular Duterte's tirades against the Catholic church are now famous. A self-confessed victim of sexual abuse by a priest, Duterte has called God 'stupid', characterised as 'silly' the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and accused bishops of concealing their homosexuality. The bishops said they understood the need to fight crime and drugs, but were concerned 'when we started hearing of mostly poor people being brutally murdered on mere suspicion of being small-time drug users and peddlers', while bigger players were left alone. Police say they have killed more than 5,000 people, all in self-defence, while trying to arrest drug dealers and deny that any were executions, as alleged by human rights groups. Some bishops have taken individual stands against the crackdown, denouncing it in sermons, issuing pro-life statements and supporting marches and calls for church bells to be rung in protest, but these remained sporadic efforts within the church. Asked about the letter, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte was serving and protecting the people. 'Rather than attack the president...I'd rather they issue a statement that they are praying for the president to succeed in his endeavour,' he said. (ANSA) - Rome, January 29 - The foreign ministry in Rome said Tuesday that it was not informed about an announcement that Italy is set to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that it was never informed of the intentions of the Minister of Defence, Elisabetta Trenta, before she released a statement to the press on the decision to withdraw the Italian military contingent from Afghanistan," the foreign ministry said in a statement. London church funds Oyster cards so homeless can find shelter underground A London church has launched an attempt to protect homeless people as cold weather and snow threatens the UK this week. Oasis Church Waterloo is calling on Londoners to help buy Oyster travel cards for rough sleepers who cannot access shelter so that they can at least keep warm on public transport overnight as the winter weather worsens. Church minister Rev Steve Chalke founder of the Oasis charity - asked his congregation last Sunday to donate the price of the coffees they would otherwise treat themselves to this week to buy Oyster cards for London's street sleepers. According to the church, this helps people get off the streets, out of the cold and onto a bus or a tube train in the warm. As a result, more than 2,000 was raised in a few minutes and a host of volunteers pledged their time to give out the cards through this week. However, with worsening weather warnings for the days ahead, it is feared that even this generosity will not be sufficient. Over the next few days snow, sleet and rain could all hit and the remainder of the winter is expected to be long and cold. The charity is therefore calling on people to donate 20 to the emergency 'Warm Up' appeal. The first 10 will go directly toward purchasing an Oyster card with adequate credit and the second, to help sustain the wider and longer-term response to homelessness and to support vulnerable people in communities. Chalke said: 'We are not pretending that this is a solution to homelessness. But this is an emergency. We have to do something to get people off the streets and out of the cold. It is impossible to walk through central London without seeing endless people begging, sleeping under cardboard and trying to shelter from the biting cold wind and freezing rain as best they can. We all pass them. And, if you are anything like me, often with no cash in your pockets, you just don't know what to do. 'Whatever the rhetoric, in truth there are just not enough accessible beds for everyone who is out there in the cold. And, even if there were, some people have been so abandoned that they just can't fit into institutional life. So, I am calling on all those of us who are fortunate enough to enjoy a warm home, good food and dry clothes, to give just 20 the cost of a few coffees to make what is potential a life-saving difference for someone else.' There are between 2,500 and 3,000 homeless people on London's streets. As temperatures fall this is not simply a serious threat to health but will also place increased strain on already overstretched Accident and Emergency Hospital departments across the city. Oasis also works on more long-term responses to homelessness and poverty in communities across to country supporting people from crisis all the way to independent living. For more about the Warm Up Appeal click here. For more about Oasis' wider response to the housing crisis, click here. Asia Bibi wins Supreme Court appeal and will be freed The acquittal of Asia Bibi, the Christian woman who for 10 years faced the death penalty over spurious blasphemy charges under Pakistan's notorious religion laws, has been upheld by the country's highest court. Her original death sentence was overturned last October but the court allowed an appeal by religious hardliners. However, Supreme Court chief justice Asif Saeed Khosar said in court on Tuesday: 'Based on merit, this petition is dismissed.' Among those welcoming the decision was Release International, one of the organisations that has campaigned on her behalf. 'We are delighted that the Supreme Court has stood firm over its principled and courageous decision to throw out the false blasphemy charges against Asia Bibi,' said chief executive Paul Robinson. 'Anything else would have been giving in to extremism and handing Pakistan over to mob rule.' The decision, which ends Asia's 10-year ordeal, was made amid tight security. It means she is now free to leave the country and seek asylum. Two of her daughters are reportedly already in Canada. Robinson called on the government of Pakistan to guarantee her safety, to safeguard the Christian minority against mob reprisals by stepping up security against any suggestion of rioting and violence, and review the case against every other prisoner who has been accused and jailed for blasphemy. 'Release partners in Pakistan say there are 218 other Christians who still face blasphemy charges a disproportionate number of those accused. And when they are accused, individuals, families and entire communities face violence at the hands of vigilantes,' he said. The British Pakistani Christian Association believes nine out of ten Pakistanis still consider Asia Bibi to be a blasphemer, making her a target for assassination. Robinson said: 'In the Asia Bibi case, the Supreme Court revealed what Release has been saying for years, that accusations of blasphemy can be malicious and built on lies, simply to settle scores. These blasphemy cases and the blasphemy law itself must now come under review.' Another campaign group, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, told Christian Today it welcomed the decision to overturn the conviction. 'We continue to call on the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety of Asia Bibi, her family, the Christian community and all involved in her case following, and to implement much-needed procedural amendments to prevent further misuse of the country's blasphemy laws,' it said. Open Doors' head of advocacy Zoe Smith said: 'We're absolutely thrilled with today's ruling by Pakistan's Supreme Court to uphold Asia Bibi's acquittal. We are overjoyed that justice has prevailed and are praying that this heralds a new era of equal rights for Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan.' Christian missionary could be tried for genocide after mistakenly entering land of remote tribe Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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? Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment On my New Years Day BreakPoint, I said that among the most important stories to watch this year is the ongoing conflict between religious freedom and LGBT rights. I quoted Chai Feldblum, a former Georgetown Law School professor and a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, who said years ago she couldnt think of a single instance in which gay rights shouldnt take precedence over religious freedom. Well, not all legal scholars suffer from such a lack of imagination. Even some progressive ones. Writing at Slate, a publication both liberal and pro-LGBT, Eric Segall of Georgia State University urged Colorado to cease its persecution of Masterpiece Cake Shop owner Jack Phillips. Segalls commentary was in response to a federal courts refusal to dismiss a lawsuit for damages filed against the Civil Rights Commission by the Alliance Defending Freedom. To be clear, Segall thinks Phillips shouldve baked the cake. In fact, he called Jacks refusal intolerance and bigotry. Even so, he concluded that Colorado should announce that vendors cannot be forced under state law to create expressive items and that custom wedding and birthday cakes are such items. Why? It certainly wasnt out of any sympathy for Phillips or his legal claims. It was because, as Segall wrote, the state will lose [Phillips case] if it reaches the United States Supreme Court again. This, in turn, will make matters much worse for gays, lesbians, and other minorities. Ive no idea what Segall means by other minorities. I dont know of any expressive item denied to someone on account of their race or ethnicity for religious reasons. But whats really important in this article is why Segall thinks Colorado will lose. In last years Masterpiece Cake Shop decision, Segall writes, Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch made it clear they wanted to rule for Phillips on the merits. Now that Justice Kennedy has been replaced by Brett Kavanaugh, Segall thinks that Phillips merits now has four votes. And, Segall continues, Chief Justice Roberts would make it five votes. Remember, his dissent in Obergefell was arguably the angriest of his career. Even more interesting is that Segall makes some of the same arguments that Jacks supporters have made all along. (G)ays, lesbians, and transgender folks have access to bakeries in Colorado, including Masterpiece Cake Shop, that are more than willing to serve them. That reality, he adds distinguishes this case, in the eyes of some, from racial segregation in the South in the 1960s, when many black Americans could not travel because there were few if any restaurants or hotels that would serve them. Exactly. I couldnt have said it better. Thats why Segall wants the Civil Rights Commission to settle with Phillips out of fear that the Supreme Court would issue a potentially far-reaching decision in his favor. Given everything Phillips and his family have endured, I hope the Civil Rights Commission take Segalls advice. Given the current state of Colorado politics, I doubt they will. So, if you are a resident of Colorado, call your state representatives and tell them to support the Justice for Jack legislation recently proposed by representative Dave Williams. Come to BreakPoint.org, to read it and learn more about how to support it. As for the rest of us, Segalls article should teach us not to compromise when it comes to religious freedom. The eagerness that too many show to mitigate the damage by compromising proceeds from an overly pessimistic view about the current state of things in our country. There may come a time when we should settle for minimal protections but, as Segall inadvertently shows us, that time is not now. We have a decent shot at enshrining the principle that state nondiscrimination laws cannot, or at least should not, be used by the government to coerce artists to express messages they disagree with into law. We owe it to our brothers and sisters to take that shot. We owe it to Jack Phillips. Hes done his part. Our part remains undone. If you live in Colorado, you can support Jack Phillips by clicking here to compose a message for your representative and senator. Resources Support Justice for Jack Phillips: Create a message to send to representatives and senators Its Time for Colorado and the Masterpiece Cakeshop Owner to Reach a Deal, Eric Segall | Slate.com | January 7, 2019 Originally posted at Breakpoint. T. Vaughn Walker, first African-American professor at SBC seminary, dies Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment T. Vaughn Walker, the first African American elected as a full-time professor at a Southern Baptist Convention seminary, passed away at age 68. Walker, who served as a professor at the Louisville, Kentucky-based Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for 30 years, died late Saturday evening. Many Southern Baptist leaders paid their respects on social media, including current SBTS President Albert Mohler. So thankful for the life and legacy of Dr. T. Vaughn Walker, longtime professor at @SBTS and the first African-American to be elected as full professor in an SBC seminary. He died late last night, tweeted Mohler on Sunday. A gracious, kind, constant friend to me. He loved teaching preachers. Russell Moore, president of the SBCs Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, also tweeted his condolences over the passing of his former colleague. He was the first tenured African-American seminary professor in SBC history. He was a godly leader, and a gracious Christian man, posted Moore on Sunday morning. A native of Heathsville, Virginia, Walker was born in 1950 as the eldest son of Thomas and Mary Walker. In 1984, he earned a Ph.D. from Oregon State University and became an educator. In 1986, Walker was appointed the first African-American professor at any Southern Baptist seminary, eventually being elected to the faculty in 1997. Walker initially worked as an assistant professor at the Carver School of Church Social Work, then moved to the School of Theology, and eventually to the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry in 2003. He retired from the faculty in May 2016, saying at a luncheon honoring him and two other retirees that he considered his signing the Abstract of Principles, which is the seminarys statement of faith, as the most compelling emotional moment for me here. I know I was the first African-American, at No. 200, to sign it. I even wondered whether an African-American had ever touched that book before, had ever had his hands on it, said Walker at the time. Last month, SBTS released a released a 71-page report, detailing their history of racism and support for slavery as part of an endeavor to recognize their past moral failings on race issues. We must repent of our own sins, we cannot repent for the dead. We must, however, offer full lament for a legacy we inherit, and a story that is now ours, wrote Mohler. In addition to being a professor, beginning in 1984 Walker also served as senior pastor of the First Gethsemane Baptist Church in Louisville. Our beloved Pastor Dr. T Vaughn Walker has transitioned home to be with the Lord. Please pray for his family, 1st G and all who knew him. Thank you Jesus for blessing our lives with this Mighty Man of God, posted the church on Facebook. Walker is survived by his wife Cheryl D. Walker, three children and six grandchildren. Satanic prayer hotline started as joke receives multiple calls asking for prayer Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A "Satanic prayer" hotline that was set up in Washington state as somewhat of a joke is being inundated with lots of calls. Local intercessors, however, insist it's better to stay focused on what God is doing, not what the devil is doing. In an episode of NPR's "This American Life" radio program, host Ira Glass recounted the activity of The Satanic Missionary Society, where, like Christian prayer hotlines, callers can phone in and leave voicemail messages requesting prayer. The satanic prayer hotline, hosted on a blog, was launched by a man in Olympia, Washington, named Chris Allert, who doesn't believe in God or Satan. Annoyed by Christians who wouldn't stop evangelizing, he began the prayer line out of curiosity to see who would call. He soon found out people were taking prayers to Satan really seriously and wasn't sure what to do with that, Glass explained. Those who call this hotline have the option to have their messages posted on the internet so others can pray to Satan on their behalf. With almost no publicity, voicemail messages soon started arriving, most of which ended with "Hail Satan." "Hello, satanists everywhere. I'm calling to put a hex on the 1230 Club in Olympia, Washington," one message read, "[b]ecause they start blasting the music really early every night." "Please make the 1230 Club go out of business, but make sure everybody that works there goes deaf, like, from playing their music so loud first. Hail Satan," the prayer request continued. Another caller asking for satanic prayer requested help to acquire his first-ever job. Yet another called in to complain that he had been robbed and wanted whoever stole his belongings to suffer for it. A teenage girl called in with a "sticky situation;' she believed she might be pregnant. "And I need you guys to pray against the pregnancy. And if there is a baby inside of me, for Satan to kill it. Because I can't have a baby right now. So I'm turning to Satan, and he is the only answer I have right now. So I'm just overwhelmed. So call me when you get the chance. So thank you so much. Hail Satan, right? OK, thank you. Goodbye," she said in her message. Other callers reportedly call in as a joke, or when they are intoxicated. Patrick Walton, lead pastor at the International House of Prayer NW, headquartered in Federal Way, Washington, is not moved by the satanic prayer hotline, and says the best thing to do is to stay tuned into God, not getting bogged down in fighting the devil. "Our simple answer would be, we pray prayers from the Bible, what we call (and many others) apostolic prayers, or prayers that the apostles prayed. We also pray prayers from the Old Testament as well," he said in an email to The Christian Post on Thursday, when asked how they intercede in light of the overt presence of demonic activity in the region. "We see these prayers are Godward in nature, mainly, if not all positive, and not asking for devils to be overthrown, but that God would change people, by way of changing the atmosphere," he added, Walton stressed that his comments not be taken as an official statement on behalf of the ministry but is generally "in a nutshell" how they see their prayers and intercession working in their environment. "We don't get into rebuking the devil, squirting oil everywhere, and shouting really loudly. We try and pray from the Bible, maintain a culture of devotion to Jesus and the whole of the Bible, and we ask, as Jude did, that the Lord would rebuke Satan," Walton added. "We don't get involved in speaking directly to Satan. We keep our conversation going toward God, and we see this as a biblical pattern." Will Rhode Island follow New York in legalizing abortion up to birth, for any reason? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment State legislators in Rhode Island have introduced a pair of bills to legalize abortion up to the moment of birth, echoing a new law in New York. Reportedly stoked by fears that the U.S. Supreme Court will soon reverse the landmark 1973 decision Roe v. Wade, rallies for and against the proposed legislation were held in Providence this week. State Representative Edith Ajello of Providence, who introduced the Reproductive Health Care Act earlier this month, said in a statement that she had an illegal abortion in 1965 and did not want to return to that time. I was extraordinarily lucky in those times to have been referred to a real doctor in a coal mining town in Pennsylvania for a safe abortion. Too many women back then were not so lucky, said Ajello. It is clear that Roe is in real danger with the U.S. Supreme Court changes and as this president has promised to strip away our reproductive rights. State Senator Gayle Goldin has introduced a matching bill, with Democrat Governor Gina Raimondo having expressed her support for the legislation on social media. On Tuesday, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the New York state Legislature passed a bill Tuesday making it legal for doctors and other health care professionals, such as midwives and physician assistants, to perform abortions up to birth for any reason. Known as the Reproductive Health Act, passed with a 38-28 vote in the state Senate chamber, the bill codified federal abortion rights guaranteed under Roe v. Wade and removed abortion from the state's criminal code. 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, read section 2 of New Yorks act. New York's Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law, prompting the Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Albany, to question the elected official's faith. 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, wrote Bishop Scharfenberger in an open letter to Cuomo. By that time, however, it may be too late to save the countless lives that will be lost or spare countless women lifelong regret. Would the Equal Rights Amendment threaten religious liberty? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A renewed push for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment has led to concerns that the measure would curb religious freedom. The much-debated amendment states that Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. However, some have expressed concern how this amendment will be interpreted, especially in regards to issues like religious liberty and abortion. Mat Staver, founder and chairman of the Liberty Counsel, told The Christian Post that he believed the ERA would absolutely threaten religious liberty if passed. Staver believes that if the ERA is passed, it could be used as a hammer against religious organizations including churches to provide abortion or abortion-inducing drugs or devices. I think also the ERA now would include an LGBT agenda that would conflict with churches and religious organizations with respect to biblical doctrines and beliefs of male and female in uniquely created and complementary sexes, added Staver. So I think in both the abortion area and in the LGBT arena, the ERA Amendment would be a direct assault on religious liberty, against religious organizations and churches. Staver also told CP that his organization and others are going to watch and see what kind of traction it gets, noting that we would definitely be opposed to it. The Virginia Catholic Conference also expressed concern over the ERA, warning that, if passed, the amendment would have unintended consequences. Legal challenges and uncertainty would arise over the lawfulness of programs and facilities that serve and assist women exclusively, stated the Conference. The ERA at first glance appears to be a neutral measure advocating for the equality of women which is a worthy endeavor; however, the ambiguity of the language disguises significant negative consequences and legal uncertainty particularly when it comes to protecting the unborn. The ERA traces its history back to 1923, when womens rights activist Alice Paul first introduced the amendment, then known as the "Lucretia Mott Amendment." In 1972, Congress passed the ERA and sent it to the states for ratification with a seven-year deadline and then an extension to 1982. When the deadline hit, the ERA failed to get the necessary 38 states for ratification by three states. Conservative religious groups have been critical of the ERA, warning that it could be used to undermine the distinctions between men and women found in Scripture. For example, in 1980 the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution that, while urging employers to seek fairness for women in compensation, advancement, and opportunities for improvement, also denounced the ERA. this Convention, reaffirming the biblical role which stresses the equal worth but not always the sameness of function of women, does not endorse the Equal Rights Amendment, concluded the resolution. Recently, the effort to pass the ERA experienced a resurgence, with the Nevada Legislature approving the ERA in 2017 and Illinois legislative branch doing so last year. Earlier this month, the Virginia Senate approved the ERA. A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee voted against the measure on Tuesday. However, it could still go to a full Privileges and Elections Committee vote. Krista Joy Niles of the Alice Paul Institute, which supports the ERA, told CP that there was indeed a renewed push for the federal ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, adding that several states have been very active in moving the ERA forward for state ratification. Niles directed CP to a 2018 Frequently Asked Questions paper which noted that the time limit on ERA ratification is open to change, meaning that the previous 35 states that approved the ERA can still count as part of the ratification process. Congress may be able to accept the validity of state ratifications that occur after 1982 and keep the existing 35 ratifications alive, according to the FAQ paper. Five states Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, Tennessee, and South Dakota have attempted to withdraw their approval of the Equal Rights Amendment. However, according to precedent and statutory language, a state rescission or other withdrawal of its ratification of a constitutional amendment is not accepted as valid. When asked by CP about the concerns some have about the ERA being used to curb religious liberty, Niles responded that these concerns were unwarranted. Religious freedom in the United States is a constitutionally protected right. The Equal Rights Amendment will have no negative impact upon those protections, continued Niles. Trump praises Bible literacy classes in schools amid legislative proposals in states Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment President Donald Trump thinks it is "great" that the option of Bible classes is returning to public schools. "Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great!" the president tweeted Monday. Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2019 In six states across the nation, bills to allow the Bible to be taught in the classroom, not as theology but on "Bible literacy" and historical grounds, are being considered. In an interview on Fox and Friends Monday morning, North Dakota state representative Aaron McWilliams explained that the bill is important because it permits students to study what provided the foundation for American society, including how it informed the Constitutional Congress. Yet groups like Americans United for Separation of Church and State are opposing the measures, asserting that they are part of a scheme to impose Christianity on public school students. While separation of church and state is important, McWilliams said, it is impossible to separate books from education, citing a 1963 Supreme court case in which the high court ruled that it was permissible to do Bible-reading in school provided that it was done from historical and literary context. "As long as we're not teaching faith in the school, we can go for it," he said, noting that the proposed Bible literacy class is not compulsory, but an elective. "When you look at the Bible on its influence on our history, the system of judges comes from Exodus 18," he added, referencing principles in the legal system that have biblical roots. In Missouri, state representative Ben Baker filed a bill to allow school districts in the state to teach the Bible as an elective. "The history of our country, a lot of it is tied to principles that are there, and so, from a historical perspective, and it would be something that is an elective that is an opt-in for students, so, and I think it's some great legislation that hopefully we can see move through the process. There's a lot of steps for that to get to where I'd like to see it, Baker said earlier this month. Similar bills are also presently being considered in Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia and Florida. Last year, Alabama, Iowa, and West Virginia considered bills but none were adopted. When schools disallow religious texts like the Koran and the Bible into the school, a secular religion is essentially established in the vacuum, McWilliams explained Monday. Soon after President Trump's tweet praising the Bible classes, a few jokes appeared online. "Biblical literacy would actually undermine Trump's support so not sure why he's promoting it," tweeted David Gibson, the director of Fordham University's Center on Religion & Culture. Transgender Policies Cause 'Erasure' of Females, 'Voyeurism,' 'Eugenics' on Children, Say Women's Rights Activists Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON A coalition of women's rights advocates across the political spectrum are blasting "gender identity" laws and transgenderism because, they say, it amounts to the erasure of women, voyeurism, and practicing eugenics on children. Gathered at the Heritage Foundation for a panel discussion titled "Biology Isn't Bigotry" Thursday afternoon, hosted by Heritage's Ryan Anderson, four women from diverse backgrounds and experiences, plus another woman whose prepared remarks were read in absentia, lambasted the notion that self-determined "gender identity" is the same as biological sex. Mary Lou Singleton, a licensed nurse practitioner and home birth midwife who is a member of the board of Women's Liberation Front, a radical feminist group, was distressed at the turn policy has taken, particularly in light of her long career of advocacy for women. "As a long-term leftist, I can't believe the next sentence I'm going to say: I would like to thank the Heritage Foundation," Singleton said, to many laughs in the audience. "My entire life work is fighting for the class of people who are oppressed on the basis of their biological sex," she began, mentioning the atrocities like forced child marriage, infanticide of baby girls, and female genital mutilation occurring all over the globe. The gender identity movement, she said, stole a comprehensive name for the group of people she fights for because it is now "transphobic" to label them "women" and "girls." "What we are seeing is the legal erasure of the material reality of sex and this redefinition of sex as a set of, in my opinion, odious sex role stereotypes you identify with," she added. When Singleton began speaking out against gender identity statutes, she told those in attendance, she endured vitriolic threats, a letter writing campaign, and boycotts. Some even wrote to her licensing board to get her nursing license revoked since she committed the "hate crime" of "refusing to honor the preferred pronouns of a serial child rapist." "This is a railroading of complete insanity," Singleton asserted. "For some reason I have friends on the left who will go on and on telling me that sex is just a social construct, it doesn't really exist. But for some reason, if they want to have backyard eggs they know to just get hens." Kami Mueller, communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party who was instrumental in defending the controversial HB2 law in that state, noted that the man who spearheaded the city of Charlotte's push to craft a gender identity ordinance opening up women's bathrooms to men identifying as women, is himself a registered sex offender. "Our whole state has been branded in a negative light simply because our former governor, Governor Pat McCrory, our state legislature and our awesome lieutenant governor Dan Forest have fought to protect women like me, little girls like my nieces from Charlotte," Mueller said. North Carolina's current governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has recently proposed a repeal of HB2, she said. "It's essentially a 'Look but don't touch' [bill] ... [he] is trying to make voyeurism legal, essentially," she continued. Singleton urged conservative allies not to fight this only on religious freedom grounds, while acknowledging the validity of First Amendment arguments, but on the basis of reason. With gender identity laws and the alarming normalization of sex changes and gender transitions today, where sometimes young people are taking bone-destroying hormone suppressants, "children are being sterilized, and it absolutely is eugenics that is happening," Singleton said. "We need to be calling this out as an atrocity, as a human rights violation, and as something completely unreasonable," she emphasized. The Christian Post asked the panel how they might respond to the most common argument many make in protest of policies opening up bathrooms to men identifying as women: that pedophiles will exploit such laws to prey on children. "I feel like there's going to be this pre-set form of talking points [people] are going to throw at you regardless, but that argument breaks down real quick when you talk about TSA at the airport," said Kaeley Triller Haver, a fellow panelist who is herself a sex abuse survivor and a former YMCA staffer who has conducted many predator screenings in locker rooms throughout her career. "There's already law that prevents people from hijacking an airplane. So I guess it's doing its job and we don't need to go through security clearance," she mused sarcastically. "You know, because if anything bad happens you can call the police. I mean, it's just nonsense." The most vital dimension of any of safety plan is prevention, she added, "and when you blur that line and prohibit women from speaking up in their own defense and you normalize the presence of males in their spaces you're removing that front line of policing." Singleton added: "If we lose this fight as women, we lose everything." (ANSA) - Rome, January 29 - The health situation aboard the Sea-Watch 3 NGO migrant rescue ship is "absolutely under control", Health Minister Giulia Grillo said Tuesday. Grillo said "in any case our country has supplied and will always supply health assistance. "Having said that," she added. "we believe that it cannot be we alone who every time have to take on an enormous job". She said "when we send our doctors, it is Italy as a country that pays while the others stand by and watch at the window, and that is not on, I think". To resist gender-transitioning of kids, be willing to lose friends, activists say Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON Radical feminists, a former trans-identified male and a lesbian who was kicked off the Baltimore mayor's LGBTQ commission are urging people to scrap social media conversation and start speaking to people face-to-face about the dangers of transgender ideology. Assembled before hundreds gathered at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, a panel of exclusively leftist, feminist, and lesbian voices urged those in attendance on Monday to speak out against the threat of gender identity legislation, particularly given the Equality Act, now being considered in Congress. The proposed bill is an update to the 1964 Civil Rights Act regarded by many as the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and would add "gender identity" as a protected legal category in civil rights law even though, the activists say, no one has ever defined that phrase or knows what it means. Radical feminists maintain the entire concept is a grave threat to hard-won rights they have fought for on the basis of biological sex. Among the speakers was Hacsi Horvath, who once identified as transgender and presented as a woman for several years and is an adjunct lecturer in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco. "Don't play along with it. I don't play along," Horvath said when asked by The Christian Post about how people on the political right and left might respond effectively together to the rapid spread of gender identity ideology in a polarized political climate. "I don't say transwoman, I don't say she, her [when speaking about a male]. I don't care if it hurts their feelings. This is reality and it gaslights everybody else. And it gaslights yourself, and you begin to internalize it." Jennifer Chavez, an attorney and a board member of the radical feminist group Women's Liberation Front, read stories from parents, who remained nameless, about how they lost their children to gender identity, how the health of their kids was wrecked by puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and how some children no longer speak to their parents. "Everyone who is here has a reason to be concerned that we will be attacked in our jobs or in our personal lives, lose friends, lose family even. I think we all have to start trying to give cover to each other and make room for there to be questioning [of trans ideology]," said Chavez. "And there has to be that kind of making room within the medical profession, where more and more people need to just speak up and create space for the questioning so that every time that happens that person isn't just slammed down." As The Christian Post reported in December, Dr. Michael Laidlaw, a Rocklin, California-based endocrinologist, indicated that a culture of fear shrouds the medical community and concerned physicians are reluctant to speak against administering puberty blockers to children. "I have been told by a Kaiser doctor: 'Well, I can't say anything about this or I may lose my job. I have a family to feed,'" Laidlaw told CP. "There have been few physicians willing to stand up and say, 'We need to question this, there is something wrong here." Kara Dansky, also an attorney and WoLF board member, concurred with Chavez, cautioning against Republican assumptions that gender identity legislation is so ridiculous that it will never become law. Many believe that the Equality Act will pass the Democratic-controlled House this year but will be stopped in the Senate where Republicans have a majority. "Republicans in general, do not understand what we are all up against here," Dansky stressed, pointing to her colleagues. "Feminists understand the unbelievable power and the money behind the movement to promote gender identity. It is massive. And we need to be prepared for a major fight." Julia Beck, a lesbian who during the panel explained how transactivists engineered her being kicked off the Baltimore city mayor's LGBTQ commission, urged people to forego social media and converse with people about the issue offline. "One thing we can do just as people and individuals is meet with each other. Talk to your neighbors, talk to your family," Beck said. "You're going to lose friends. It's going to happen. But that is a risk we should be willing to take. And I would also advise to move away from the internet. Get off Facebook, get off Twitter. That's not where great discussions happen. Great discussions happen when we get face to face. So meet with people in person." The panel of leftists spoke at the conservative Heritage Foundation because no organization on the left was interested in hosting them, it was explained. Pakistan high court upholds Asia Bibi acquittal Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Islamic Republic of Pakistans highest court has upheld the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five who was put on death row for eight years after being convicted of violating the nations blasphemy laws. Pakistans Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Bibi will not be retried after being found not guilty of insulting the Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a few Muslim colleagues. We are not hearing the case again, the lawyer was unable to point out a single error in the judgment, stated Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, as reported by CNN. We have to look at the value of the statements by witnesses, how can we hang someone on a false witness statement. Rimmel Mohydin of Amnesty International said in a statement released Tuesday that with the ruling, Bibi must finally get her freedom and an end to her ordeal. After nine years behind bars for a crime she didnt commit, it is difficult to see this long overdue verdict as justice. But she should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice, stated Mohydin. This shameful delay in enforcing Asia Bibis rights only reinforces the need for the Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy laws as soon as possible, as well as other laws that discriminate against religious minorities and put their lives in danger. In 2010, Bibi was sentenced to death after being found guilty of blasphemy against the Islamic faith, stemming from an incident with field workers in 2009 who claimed that she insulted Muhammad. Bibi denied the charge and appealed the decision, but remained in prison for years despite international pressure and the campaigns of human rights groups. Last October, Pakistans Supreme Court acquitted Bibi of wrongdoing, concluding that the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Violent protests took place in response to the news of Bibis acquittal, with many in the Islamic country seeking to murder her once she is freed. Not allowed to leave the country after a petition was submitted against her acquittal, Bibi has been living in hiding. Tuesday's decision allows her to finally leave. Qari Muhammad Salam, an Islamic cleric based in the same village as Bibi, said in a statement last year that he disagreed with the Supreme Court decision and believed that Bibi deserves the death sentence according to the law. If you start forgiving people on this issue, then it will become routine that people will commit blasphemy and just ask for forgiveness, stated Salam. We wish that if she had not uttered such remarks, and she had been living like before it would have been peaceful. But if someone says this, then there's no compromise on the dignity of the prophet [Muhammad]. Being Muslim, we believe that these are testing times and we should be ready for them. Some countries, including Canada, have offered asylum to Bibi. Many in the United States, among them former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, have called on President Donald Trump to grant Bibi and her family asylum. President Trump and his administration have been stalwart and vocal champions for religious freedom across the globe. And in Asia Bibis case, urgent action is needed RIGHT NOW, wrote Huckabee last December. Over 2,000 clergy urge Church of England to reconsider transgender affirmation guidance Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Church of England is giving serious consideration to an open letter signed by over 2,000 clergy that criticizes the denominations recent transgender affirmation guidance. The letter calls on the Church of Englands House of Bishops to revise, postpone or withdraw its controversialpastoral guidance issued last month that allows Anglican clergy to perform Affirmation of Baptismal Faith ceremonies during church services to symbolize a persons gender transition. The guidance also encourages clergy to refer to trans-identified people by their chosen name and preferred pronouns. The letter, which was signed by 2,251 signatories as of Tuesday afternoon, explains that while gender dysphoria has been recognized for decades, evidence from the medical and social sciences is often conflicting and poor quality. The letter stresses that controversial new theories regarding the relationship between biological sex and the meaning of gender have been linked to gender dysphoria. These ideas continue to be widely contested, with well-intentioned and thoughtful people on all sides of the debate, the letter states. The many ordinary parents and teachers who now express concern about these new theories do not wish to cause harm to the tiny number of children afflicted by gender dysphoria; but neither do they want to harm the potentially larger numbers of children by prematurely imposing untried and untested ideas on young children. The letter asserts that the December guidance raises some significant issues for the Churchs belief and practice. Although the proponents of the guidance claim that no new liturgy will be offered, those who oppose contend that it does create a new liturgy since existing wording is now being put to a new purpose. Traditionally, the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith is a ceremony for people who have already been baptized but want to re-affirm their commitment to Christ. The letter also voices concern about what they say could be a misuse of the liturgy since the reaffirmation of baptismal vows should be focused on celebrating new life in Christ instead of a new situation or circumstance. We are similarly concerned at the inclusion of new biblical readings within the guidance and their suggestion that the changes of name for biblical characters in the light of Gods salvific action and intervention offer a legitimate parallel to the change of name associated with gender transition, it reads. The idea of celebrating gender transition appears to be based on the rejection of the difference between male and female, it notes. This dimorphism is not only an almost universal biological reality (with the exception of a very small number who are biologically intersex) but has also been the basis of the Churchs understanding of Christian marriage, is seen as an important feature of Gods work as creator, and is a symbol of Gods covenant relationship with humanity. The guidance offers no theological reflection to justify this sort of revised narrative. Other concerns expressed include the rapid onset gender dysphoria (ROGD) particularly amongst girls who appear to lack confidence in their identity as female, and the negative and permanent effects that puberty blocking hormone therapies can have on gender-confused children as noted by health experts. The letter comes as the United Kingdoms National Health Service launched an investigation last year as to why the gender clinic referrals have increased 4,000 percent in the last 10 years. [T]here is no scientific or medical consensus that surgical and medical interventions (gender transition) effectively address the complex symptoms associated with gender dysphoria over the long term, the letter stresses. The bishops guidance offers no recognition of the wider issues at play here. Although Archbishop of Canterberry Justin Welby had previously said that the guidance is not mandatory, not a change of doctrine and that those who oppose the guidance can ignore it, that does not satisfy the concerns of the clergy who signed the opposition letter. Although the clergy members are grateful for the clarification, they say that the guidance remains a new policy statement by the House that is to be incorporated into Common Worship. If the guidance stands, the critics fear that it will be seen in the future as signifying a change in liturgical and therefore doctrinal understanding, whether or not that was intended. In a statement to The Sunday Times, the Church of England responded to the letter: The bishops will give the letter their serious consideration, especially in the context of the preparation of a major new set of teaching and learning resources on identity, relationships, marriage and sexuality, Living in Love and Faith which will be published next year. Transgender matters will be covered in those resources and the pastoral guidance does not pre-empt the work of the Living in Love and Faith process. The guidance is not a restatement or a new statement on matters relating to gender, nor does it change the Church of England's teaching. The Rev. Ian Paul, a member of the Archbishops Council, told The Sunday Times that the backlash to the transgender guidance was unprecedented. This is the voice of the Anglican core, he declared. It didnt take long after the guidance was released in December for theological conservative members of the denomination to denounce it. One of them is Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre. In a statement, she called the guidance a sign that the Church of England was continuing its "devastating trajectory toward an outright denial of God and His Word." As trans-identified individuals are already able to marry in the Church of England, the Church of Englands director of mission and public affairs in October backed the U.K. governments plan to make it easier for trans-identified people to get legal recognition of their preferred gender. "Trans people with gender recognition are already able to marry in our churches, he was quoted as saying. Being transgender does not prevent someone offering themselves for ordained ministry and we have transgender clergy as well as laity." JD Greear: 'White privilege' exists; here's what Christians can do Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In a culture where white privilege exists, Christians must work to ensure that all members of society have access to the same rights, Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear said. In a recent podcast, Grear, who is also the pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, answered the question, Is white privilege real? by acknowledging that while all Americans have access to the same laws and rights, there's this kind of invisible set of assets that I get from being a part of the majority culture. The pastor said that after talking with many of his brothers and sisters of color, he came to understand the issue on a deeper level. One of those individuals was George Yancey, an African-American sociologist from North Texas University, who explained that the term privilege was first developed by a white woman in the 1980s to talk not about race but male privilege in academics. So privilege is not an exclusively racial thing (those who are good looking also enjoy certain benefits). But the term was later applied to race. Is there a privilege that you get from being white? This white privilege, which was defined in the podcast as an invisible package of unearned assets that whites can count on cashing in each day, can range from something innocent to something harmful. Greear pointed out examples of where there is a social advantage in being white in the United States than in being non-white. When I get pulled over by the police, I've never one time questioned whether or not it was because of my race, he said. Every person of color I know has some story that goes back to this happening where ... there was a line of questioning that was being given to them because they were a certain race. "There is a clerk following you in the store because they assume maybe you'll steal something." When it comes to employment, the person who is hiring might naturally be drawn to people who look like them. And when it comes to the justice system, race may be a factor in a person's sentencing, Greear noted, citing evidence indicating that being a person of color increases the likelihood that the death penalty is given. Yancey said privileges are like rights meaning you dont want to take rights away from one and give them to somebody else, but you want the right that one experiences to be experienced by all. If there's a burden of being a person of privilege, of whatever kind of privilege it is, that is to leverage it so that others can experience what you experience, Grear said. So how should Christians respond? If I've been given any privilege in whatever situation, I'm going to leverage that not for self, but leverage it to lift others up," the pastor said. Grear pointed out that politicians are split on the issue; some will say that because of Americas history of exploitation and discrimination, the black community deserves certain benefits and privileges. Others, he said, will say that while government can provide access and opportunity and level the playing field, African-Americans are the only ones who can prosper themselves. Regardless of race, gender or class, if you follow the acronym DESK (diploma, employment, spouse, kids), then you will most likely succeed in life, Greear remembered someone saying. [Yancey] said, You know, we can talk about how to level the playing field and all these sorts of things. but really that's something that every person can do. And if they'll do that, they'll become a person of privilege. He said the more the government tries to get in and redistribute things, the worse it becomes. But many believe the playing field is so unequal to begin with. Still, Grear said hes not called or competent to discuss the political aspects of the issue, adding: As a pastor, I can say to all Christians, whatever privilege you have, it is your responsibility to leverage it to help others who are not as privileged. The pastor said that the dividing line on the issue isnt between liberal or conservatives strategies to empower people, but between people who care about others and them experiencing the same privileges we experience and those who don't. As a Christian, whether you adopt more of a progressive or a conservative approach, you can care about this issue and want to see all people in our culture treated with dignity and experience the same privileges that any of us do." Grear concluded by encouraging listeners to surround themselves with those of various backgrounds and cultures: "These things are only really learned about in relationship, he said. And so it's more than just podcasts and articles. You need to have friends that are not like you because they'll help you see things that are from a different angle than you're used to. A fellow Southern Baptist, Pastor Matt Chandler from Texas, has also spoken out about "white privilege" in recent years, lamenting its reality. "The challenge with white privilege is that most white people cannot see it," Chandler said in 2014 following the shooting of Michael Brown, an African-American teen, by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. "We assume that the experiences and opportunities afforded to us are the same afforded to others. Sadly, this simply isn't true." The Southern Baptist Convention has made efforts to acknowledge and seek forgiveness as part of an endeavor to recognize their past moral failings on race issues. In 2017, the groups flagship seminary released a report detailing their history of racism and support for slavery: We must repent of our own sins, we cannot repent for the dead. We must, however, offer full lament for a legacy we inherit, and a story that is now ours, wrote The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler, Jr., in the 71-page Report on Slavery and Racism in the History of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The SBC's public policy arm, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, has also been focused on racial reconciliation in recent years, with president Russell Moore calling racism "anti-Christ." "What would it say to the world around us if they saw our churches made up of every tribe and tongue and nation and language serving one another, loving one another?" he said. "What they would see is a sign of contradiction to the outside watching world." God sent a bear to protect missing 3-y-o boy, aunt says; church celebrates rescue Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Three-year-old Casey Hathaway was missing for more than two days before he was found tangled in vegetation last week. Family members say he was protected by a bear. The community at New Haven Church rushed the gates of heaven in prayer on Tuesday after discovering that Hathaway went missing after playing outside of a relative's home in Craven County, North Carolina, with two other children last Tuesday. According to WTVD, the boys grandmother and others looked for him for 45 minutes before they officially reported him missing. 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. As it got darker, it was scary out there. I just cant imagine a 3-year-old being out there. Shelley Lynch, a spokesperson for the FBI Charlotte field office, announced Hathaways rescue on Thursday night. EMS Captain Shane Grier and another rescuer found him in the woods as he was calling out for his mother. "Somebody looked after him," Grier said. "That was God at work." Breanna Hathaway, who identified herself as the boy's aunt, testified of his rescue on Facebook. 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. God is good God. Miracles do happen. She later shared that Hathaway's sister credited Jesus for finding her brother. Hathaway was treated at Carolina East Medical Center and was reportedly in good health despite not being dressed properly for the cold and rainy weather, Lynch stated. New Haven Church held a welcome home celebration on Friday night and they celebrated the miracle finding with songs of praise. Davey Blackburn's Resonate Church shuttered due to lack of successor, membership decline Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The interim pastor at Resonate Church in Indiana that was founded by Davey Blackburn admitted they were poor stewards of church finances and revealed that they ultimately decided to dissolve the church because of dwindling membership and an inability to find a successor to continue the ministry. This decision was not made lightly but was deemed best due to several factors. We do not have the right successor to lead and pastor and additionally we have experienced a decline in attendance and financial support, John Berry, interim pastor since Blackburns abrupt resignation a week ago, said in a statement to The Christian Post. Some three years after the murder of his first wife Amanda inside their Indiana home and a year after he remarried, Blackburn announced his decision to resign from the church he founded. Its with a heavy heart, a nervous apprehension, a trusting spirit, and yet an excited anticipation for the future that I must announce that Kristi and I are stepping away as the leaders of Resonate Church. We are doing this in order to answer a call God has placed on our lives to help people from all over the world find purpose in their pain through Nothing is Wasted, Blackburn said. A week later, on Sunday, Berry presented a dissolution plan to the congregation that was highlighted by Amy Smith, a sexual abuse survivor advocate, and fellow activist Traci Mosby, who shares at the Pink Haired Devil on Twitter. Mosby was at the church on Sunday. The plan showed that the church had liabilities of $73,817.97 and cash totaling only $38,154.48. It also showed that the church would sell off its worship, production, and other valuable equipment owned by the ministry to offset the deficit. Any funds remaining from the sale is expected to be donated to a church or nonprofit that is yet to be determined. In a recording from the meeting highlighted by RTV6, when a church official, identified as Berry, was asked if any funds from the church were misappropriated, he denied it but admitted they had been poor stewards. Absolutely not. Money and donations that came in the form of tithes and from the outside all went in. There are multiple checks and balances for every check that was written out of the church or coming in. There was no misappropriation whatsoever. There is no money that went places it shouldn't be. What we were not as a church is good stewards of what we had if you want to know the truth, he said. It was only a year ago that Berry, who formerly pastored at Liberty Baptist Church in Spring Lake, North Carolina, told friends and family on Facebook that he was moving to Indiana to be Gods answer to Blackburns prayers. Many of you have heard our family is moving to Indianapolis this week. Some have asked why? Some have asked, why would you move to Indiana where its so cold? Where youre so far away from family? Where youve never been before? Heres why! Take some time and listen to why we are trusting God in this, Berry said in January 2018. About 2 years ago Pepper and I began praying he would use our family to make a difference in His kingdom on earth no matter where we are. We positioned ourselves with open hands, knowing this could be life changing but hoping it wouldnt mean we had to leave. Then God. Then God heard the prayers of a pastor in Indianapolis and began making a way for the Berrys to be the answer." His wife, Pepper, revealed in a post on Facebook a week ago that her familys future is now uncertain. This picture is a memory from one year ago today. We had just emptied all our belongings here on Earth into a home in Indiana. And today I cant help but wonder what God is doing and what his plan is, she wrote in the post which included a photo of a moving truck. Ive just determined in the midst of this Im not gonna know the long term in my life and that is what God wants for me and I have to be ok. How can I live open handed if I have an expectation in place? So I just think its a day by day/week by week blind trust of a good and faithful God. That kinda trust is so outside my security but so inside the Word and the call of my life if I truly believe God to be who he says he is." John Berry said he will be helping Resonate Church members find new places of worship. We believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, activated through the local church, is the hope [of] the world. We are committed to helping people in our church family find and become part of new church homes where they can be a part of corporate worship, serve the Lord and take next steps in their relationships with Jesus, Berry told CP. Blackburn and his late wife, Amanda Blackburn, moved to Indianapolis in January 2012 to plant Resonate Church. Prior to that, he had spent four years on staff at NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina, under then Pastor Perry Noble. On the morning of Nov. 10, 2015, while Blackburn was away at the gym, police said his late wife was shot three times, including once in the head, during a home invasion. She succumbed to her injuries the following day along with her 13-week-old unborn daughter, Everette "Evie" Grace Blackburn. After Amandas death, Blackburn recast the vision of his church. She believed nothing was wasted and anything could be restored into a treasure. Now the vision of Resonate has taken on a deeper level and reach. We now spend every waking moment following Jesus in His plan to restore this tragedy into something beautiful. We've seen hundreds of people give their lives to Jesus as their personal savior since Amanda's death, the church says on its website. We're on a mission to turn Indianapolis upside-down for Jesus and we believe it is only just the beginning of our story. Our story is played out in the light of a greater Story Jesus Story. Scripture tells us in Jesus story that Nothing is Wasted, even the most tragic of situations." '6 truths about God's wrath': John Piper Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Bethlehem College & Seminary Chancellor and Desiring God founder John Piper recently gave a message about what he called six truths regarding the nature of Gods wrath. Piper opened his remarks at a conference on Wednesday by declaring that the greatest peril facing every person was the righteous wrath of God against guilty sinners, leading to everlasting suffering. Poverty, hunger, disease, war, crime, climate change, addictions, homelessness, ignorance, sex trafficking: these bring great global suffering and they pale in comparison to the peril of being under the wrath of God, stated Piper. They are all tragic, but they are all temporary. They may last a lifetime, but the wrath of God lasts forever. From there, Piper laid out the six truths: the wrath of God is righteous, terrible and eternal, coming in final judgment, owing to our sin, Gods prerogative instead of ours, and has already begun. In America today, it would not be wrong to say that we are collapsing morally at every level of society and ripening for judgment. That would be a true statement, I believe; its just misleading because the collapse itself is judgment, said Piper. And if you want to read how that works, just look at the rest of Romans 1, and you will see what Paul means by the present activity of the wrath of God giving men over to their sin. While stating that he believes America is currently undergoing judgment from God, Piper also stressed that Christians should still pray for revival and pray for awakening. Regarding that the wrath of God is Gods prerogative, not ours, Piper spoke about how believers should not take Gods prerogative and become the mediators of wrath. We die for our enemies; we dont kill them. We dont pronounce damnation on infidels; we evangelize them. We plead with them. We love them. We call them. We go to them, continued Piper. Were not those who go out looking to show wrath to our adversaries. That belongs to God, and he assigns us to love our enemies. The topic of the wrath of God can be a contentious one. In 2013, for example, Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Songs for the Presbyterian Church (USA) decided to not include the song "In Christ Alone" in their hymnal because of the lyrics on that cross as Jesus died / the wrath of God was satisfied. Brandon W. Peach of Lightworkers wrote a column published by The Christian Post earlier this week about the topic of Gods anger, listing three biblical truths about the subject for believers. These included Gods memory of sin being mercifully brief, how people should not confuse natural consequences with Gods anger, and that God is never angry with you. Romans 1:18 makes it clear that Gods wrath is reserved for sin itself, revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. He detests sin, but he does not detest sinners, wrote Peach. This is a critical distinction to make, because if Gods anger was toward us as individuals, we would be powerless to overcome it. Peach added that Gods gift to fallible humans comes to us through the redeeming work of Christ on the cross. When God became human in the form of His son, He emptied Himself of anger. In other words, theres no anger left somewhere on reserve for Him to take out on us when we disobey, Peach continued. Today the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld its decision to acquit Asia Bibi. In one of the most high-profile Christian persecution cases in the past decade, Bibi spent eight years in prison convicted of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammadwhich is a crime punishable by death in the Islamic Republicuntil the Supreme Court rejected her conviction last October. The acquittal stated that while blasphemy is a serious offense, truth tainted with falsehood could not be the basis for her conviction in a lower trial court. A review petition was filed the next day by the local cleric who levied the allegations against Bibi in the first place, Muhammad Salaam, demanding the three judges look at the case again and challenging Bibis freedom. Based on merit, this petition is dismissed, stated Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who heard the case in Islamabad today along with Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel. Akmal Bhatti, a Christian lawyer and chairman of Minorities Alliance Pakistan, attended the hearing and told CT that the judges observed that Salaams lawyer, Ghulam Ikram, failed to present any new facts or identify any mistake in the earlier decision in Bibis favor. Ikram made it a case of religious sentiment, while the judges required their counsel present any legal lacuna in the judgment, said Bhatti. The verdict was given on the basis of testimonies, the chief justice asked Ikram. Does Islam say that one should be punished even if they are found not guilty? The lawyer admitted that burden of proof was on the petitioner, so Khosa asked if he disagreed with the basic legal rule of jurisprudence. In their acquittal, the judges ruled that the Muslim cleric accusing Bibi of blasphemy had not witnessed the incident himself. Instead, Salaam based his legal complaint on the testimony of two sisters, and all gave inconsistent statements that cast a shadow of doubt on the prosecutions version of the facts. The alleged blasphemy occured during a dispute between Bibi and the women she worked alongside while picking fruit in their village. The judges also noted that the alleged extra-judicial confession was not voluntary but rather resulted out of coercion and undue pressure. Blasphemy is a serious offense, wrote Khosa in the October acquittal, but the insult of the appellants religion and religious sensibilities by the complainant party and then mixing truth with falsehood in the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was also not short of being blasphemous. It is ironical that in the Arabic language the appellants name Asia means sinful but in the circumstances of the present case she appears to be a person, in the words of Shakespeares King Leare [sic], more sinned against than sinning. The ruling also cited a supposed seventh-century covenant that Islams founder made with Christians. CT reported whether experts think such ancient treatises could be a basis for modern peace between Muslims and Christians, as well as whether Christians should quote Muhammad more to improve the religious freedom of fellow believers in Muslim-majority settings. The case was particularly contentious in Pakistan, among the worst-ranked countries in the world for Christian persecution. Islam is the state religion, and Christians make up less than 2 percent of the population. During Tuesdays hearing, the nations capital had tight security and was on high alert. However, no major protests are expected like those in the wake of her acquittal last fall. After the October 31 decision, nationwide protestsincluding threats to judges and army generalsparalyzed the country, and Bibi was moved to an undisclosed location. But now Pakistan is comparatively calm. The two main clerics responsible for inciting mobs, Pir Afzal Qadri and Khadim Hussain Rizvi, were arrested in November over charges of sedition and terrorism. Tuesdays Supreme Court decision comes shortly after more than 500 Islamic clerics in Pakistan signed the Islamabad Declaration condemning attacks on Christians and other sects. The historic document, which references Bibis case, declares terrorist violence and extrajudicial killings in the name of Islam to be violations of the religions teachings. More than 50 people who were charged with blasphemy in Pakistan have been murdered in attacks by vigilantes over the years, some beaten in the streets and some burned to death. Even after her acquittal, Bibi has remained under tight security to avoid violence at the hands of those who opposed the verdict. The Islamabad Declaration goes on to state that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure protection of life and property of non-Muslims living in Pakistan. Bibi was the first Christian woman in the country to be convicted of blasphemy and to have her case go all the way up to the Supreme Court. Saif-ul-Malook, Bibis lawyer, who fled the country amid the protests over her acquittal, appeared in court and contested the petition to overturn her release. Along with religious freedom advocates, Christians around the world have prayed for her protection and celebrated todays decision. We're delighted that Asia Bibi's acquittal has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Pakistan as @ReleaseInt and @OpenDoorsUK continue to call for her safe removal from the country and for protection for the Christian minority there, the United Kingdoms Evangelical Alliance stated on Twitter. The persecution of Christians must stop everywhere around the world, tweeted Senator Rand Paul on Tuesday. It is time for Pakistan to let Asia Bibi go. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has now reaffirmed her innocence. Her safety is paramount. Two of Bibis daughters were recently granted citizenship by Canada. Observers now expect Bibi and her husband Ashiq to fly to Canada after remaining in Pakistan for the recent hearing. At his CT blog, Billy Graham Center executive director Ed Stetzer advocated along with John Stonestreet that President Donald Trump grant asylum to Bibi. In the wake of Bibis acquittal, CTs Quick to Listen podcast examined why Pakistans Christians are so vulnerable Liberty Counsel Files Suit Against Maryland for Banning Gender-Confusion Counseling Share Tweet Christian religious freedom group Liberty Counsel is suing the state of Maryland, arguing that the states ban on gender-confusion counseling violates the constitutional rights of counselors, parents and youth. Liberty Counsel Assistant Vice President of Legal Affairs Roger Gennam said that the Maryland law makes it illegal for counselors to meet with youth to discuss gender identity conflicts. In other words, if a 17-year-old experiencing same-sex attraction wants to get some counseling to overcome or get through with it in order to confirm with that 17-year-olds sincerely held religious beliefs, the state of Maryland says that's illegal and it will go after the license of the counselor who provides any such counseling, he said. Liberty Counseling has asked for a preliminary injunction, which keeps the law from being implemented until the lawsuit is settled. According to WND.com, Liberty Counsel is representing Christopher Doyle, a licensed professional counselor in Maryland. The Maryland law went into effect in October 2018. California and New Jersey are two other states that share a similar law, but last year, the Supreme Court rejected those laws in those states. With the Supreme Courts rejection of Pickup and Brown, the therapy bans in California, New Jersey, and other jurisdictions are subject to constitutional challenge, Liberty Counsel said in a statement. Gannam also said that much of whats said about conversion counseling is untrue. "What you'll hear about, the narrative is that kids are taken kicking and screaming to church basements for shock therapy or some other egregiously wrong practice that simply isn't done," he said. "In 2019, you're not going to find stuff like that happening, and if you do, those people should be held to account for improper and unethical practices, but the kind of counseling that we are talking about the counselors whom we represent it's like any other kind of mental health counseling [where] they [serve] clients and help these clients resolve whatever distress is going on in their lives, [so] this isn't involuntary, [and] it's not coercive." Photo courtesy: Pixabay 'I'm Not Here to Represent a Religion': New York Governor Stands Behind New Abortion Law Share Tweet New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he stands behind the new state law that legalizes abortion up until birth. Cuomo told WAMC radio that he supported the Reproductive Health Act, which he signed last week. The law allows for abortions up to the point of birth if the life or health of the mother is at risk or the baby is not viable. With the signing of this bill, we are sending a clear message that whatever happens in Washington, women in New York will always have the fundamental right to control their own body, he said last week. Cuomo is Catholic, but some Catholic bishops have said they would support excommunicating him from the church. Tennessee Bishop Rick Stika of Knoxville tweeted: This vote is so hideous and vile that it warrants the act (of excommunication). However, Cuomo said in the radio interview that he doesnt represent the church. The Catholic Church doesnt believe in a womans right to choose...I understand their religious view, he said. Im not here to represent a religion. Im here to represent all the people and the constitutional rights and limitations for all the people, not as a Catholic. New York City Cardinal Timothy Dolan called the law ghoulish, grisly and gruesome. Any thinking human being that would want a baby, allow a baby, to be aborted right up to the moment of birth...anybody who thinks that a baby who survives a gruesome abortion procedure and that a doctor is no longer required to attempt to save that babys life you dont have to be a Catholic to abhor those types of things, he said. Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger told Fox & Friends that excommunication is a last resort. Excommunication is a last resort, and as the Governor continues to distance himself from our [Catholic] communion, it may, unfortunately, result in that, he said. My hope is that since his faith is important to him, he will reconsider the importance of maintaining that communion and not continue to distance himself. Photo courtesy: Luca Bravo/Unsplash (ANSA) - Belluno, January 29 - A Romanian woman living in Italy is standing trial for cutting off all her adolescent daughter's hair as punishment for her not getting up on time to go to school. The trial is taking place in Belluno and the incident occurred two years ago. The girl is being assisted by a lawyer and she may sue her mother. SEVEN HILLS, Ohio -- Ed Foley of Seven Hills is one of 10 community college professors nationwide to be named to the Faculty Advisory Council of the American Association of Community Colleges. Foley is a professor of business administration at Cuyahoga Community College. Ed Foley was named to the AACC Faculty Advisory Council. The council advises the AACC on ways faculty can accelerate college-wide reforms to increase student access and success. The panel also helps design professional development offerings for adjunct and full-time faculty. Members of the council are considered to be innovative educators and campus leaders. Foley, who earned his first degree from Tri-C, joined the college's business administration faculty in 1999 after having high-level management positions with several large, international companies. His professional experience offers students a unique insight into the world of business and leadership. He also served eight years as president of Tri-C's chapter of the American Association of University Professors. In that role, Foley represented full-time faculty. He also helped design and implement programs that helped increase student success rates. In 2018, the AACC awarded Foley one of its inaugural Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty awards in recognition of his difference-making work in the classroom. Valentine project: Independence Art Guild will have a valentine lavender wreath program at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Liberty Station. Participants will create a little heart wreath from dried lavender buds, accented with a small rose and ribbon. The wreath can be used as a gift or for personal use. Additional valentine craft ideas will be on display at the program. Entrance fee for members is $3; $5 for non-members. The supply fee for the wreath is $7. For reservations, call Carol at 216-524-1045. Get ready to vote: The second Best of Parma is under way. Nomination deadline is Jan. 31 and voting will take place Feb. 1 through March 1. The annual event is a way to recognize everything that makes Parma -- the seventh-largest city in the state -- a special place. There are dozens of categories, including apartment, barber, bar, fish fry, nail salon and more. Event organizers say there is plenty to be proud of in the city of nearly 80,000 residents. Best of Parma is sponsored by Mayor Tim DeGeeter, the City of Parma and All of Her Design. Nominees must be located with the Parma city limits. An independent vote audit will tally results and the winners will be announced on March 8. To make a nomination, visit BestofParma.org. For more information, send an email message to BestofParma@gmail.com. Reservation deadline: If you've ever wondered what a first-century Passover Haggadah Feast was like, Parma Lutheran Church will offer a celebration at 6 p.m. March 4 in the church's fellowship hall, 5280 Broadview Road. Tickets are $5; free for children 6 and younger. Reservation deadline is Feb. 10. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the church office between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays at 216-351-6376. Tax time: The AARP Foundation Tax Aide Program will be offered starting the first week in February through April 17 at several nearby locations. The IRS-supported, free tax service is available to all, with special attention given to those with low or moderate incomes and/or those who are 60 or older. AARP membership is not necessary. Parma sites offering the program include: The Parma Snow Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 2121 Snow Road, Parma, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays; visit the library to make an appointment. The Parma Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 6996 Powers Blvd., Parma, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; visit the library to make an appointment. Be a good neighbor: With bitterly cold temperatures in the forecast, be a good neighbor and check in on frail or elderly relatives and neighbors, just to ensure that all is well. Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Brooklyn, Independence, Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills for the Sun Postings column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com. Grieving Christians Baffled by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen Aggression in Nigeria Share Tweet JAGINDI, Nigeria, January 29, 2019 (Morning Star News) Christians in a village in Kaduna state, in north-central Nigeria, dont understand why Muslim Fulani herdsmen shot a 70-year-old Christians and wounded two others there last month. They do know the herdsmens cattle destroyed several of their crops last year, that since the attack many Christians have fled, and that many of those who have stayed are afraid to go to church meetings. Christians in Ginden Dutse village, near Jagindi in Jemaa County, reported the destruction of their crops by the Muslim Fulanis cattle, but they have not retaliated in any way, they said. We cannot fight back, because we as Christians are law-abiding citizens of this country, Abel Bako, 48, secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Gindin Dutse, told Morning Star News. However, it is the responsibility of the Nigerian government to protect us from terror activities of herdsmen. The herdsmen attacked at 11 p.m. on Dec. 4, according to the ECWA churchs pastor, the Rev. Williams Yakubu. John Karik of St. Johns Catholic Church was shot dead inside his house as he was sleeping, Pastor Yakubu said. Kariks son, 43-year-old Anthony John, also a member of St. Johns, was shot and wounded in the same house. A 16-year-old member of the ECWA church, Gideon Philip, was shot and wounded as he fled from his house, which is near the Karik home, the church leaders said. The sad thing is that it is only Christian communities that have come under these herdsmen attacks, church secretary Bako said. It clearly shows that there is a deliberate effort to cleanse Christians from this part of the country. Pastor Yakubu said the attack has reduced involvement in daily church programs. Some of our church members have fled the village, and those who have stayed back in spite of the dangers are scared to attend church programs out of the fear that the herdsmen might return to attack while we are inside our churches, he said. Average attendance at Sunday worship services has dropped from 300 to 120 people since the attack, he said. Apart from this, we have been forced to stop holding our churchs weekly activities of Bible study, those of other fellowship groups like choir, Boys and Girls Brigades and women and mens fellowships, Pastor Yakubu said. Bako, 48, said the attack was the first on the village, though the herdsmen have often attacked surrounding Christian communities. The attack on our Christian community of Gindin Dutse is the first, but our farms have on several occasions been destroyed by the herdsmen, he said. These Fulani would take their cows to our farms and destroy our crops. Sadly, in spite of reporting such cases to the police and government officials, nothing has been done to curtail these invasions on our communities. Esther Ibrahim, 55, a womens leader at the Gindin Dutse ECWA church, told Morning Star News that herdsmen have grazed their cattle on her farm several times, destroying crops. She planted beans in the middle of last year. Towards the end of the year when the beans were ready for harvest, the herdsmen took their cattle to the farm and destroyed all the beans, she said. I could not harvest anything on that farm. This to me, is genocide. What they want is to kill us either through using their guns, or if we survive such attacks, starve us to death. When Morning Star News visited the house of the slain Karik, it was deserted as surviving family members had fled the village. Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigerias population, while Muslims living primarily in the north and middle belt account for 45 percent. Nigeria ranked 12th on Open Doors 2019 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution. 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: Ovinuchi Ejiohuo/Unsplash California Megachurch Pastor Commits Suicide after Long Struggle with Mental Health Share Tweet A California megachurch pastor was found in his home on Wednesday, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Christian Post, Jim Howard of the 6,000-member Real Life Church took his life on Wednesday, ending his long-time battle with mental illness. Rusty George, another lead pastor at Real Life Church, released a statement on Facebook on behalf of the church announcing the heartbreaking news. George wrote, It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm we suffered a tragic loss on our church staff this week. On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, Jim Howard a beloved pastor here at RLC took his own life. George continued, Sadly, Jim suffered in private with mental health challenges some of which he bravely discussed in public and was wrestling with some personal issues in recent months. This week he made the tragic decision to end his pain. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, the RLC family and all those who were blessed to know him. According to The Signal, paramedics were dispatched to Howards home around 3:40 pm after receiving reports of a gunshot wound to the head. Homicide detectives evaluated the scene. On Thursday, Sergeant Tim OQuinn of the L.A. Sheriffs Departments Homicide Bureau said that he could not confirm the cause of death but he could only confirm that it was not a criminal incident. The Real Life Church confirmed later that day that Howard had committed suicide. In the post by Real Life Church, Howard was described as a tornado of energy and a wonderful man with a deep love for Jesus and a passion for sharing the grace of God with anyone he met. Comments on the Real Life Church post echoed these sentiments. Several Facebook users recalled the joyous time spent in college with Howard, while others personally identified with the pastors struggle and offered prayers to his friends and family. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness, consider calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Photo courtesy: Pixabay Asia Bibi Is Officially Free: Pakistani Court Upholds Acquittal Share Tweet Pakistani judges upheld their acquittal of Asia Bibi and she is now free to leave the country to join her family in Canada. After being imprisoned and placed on death row for some eight years for purportedly insulting Islam, the Christian mother is finally a free woman. As Christian Headlines previously reported Bibi was arrested in 2010 when several Muslim women sparked an argument with her for offering water to other Muslim women after she, a Christian, had already sipped from the cup. Bibi was arrested for insulting the prophet Muhammad under the Islamic countrys blasphemy laws. Bibi was held in prison until October 2018 when a panel of three-judges reversed her sentence for lack of evidence. After Bibi was released riots broke out in the streets, many people calling for her to either be killed or for the court to reincarcerate her. Protesters also called for the execution of the judges who acquitted her. Muslim radicals filled an appeal after the conviction was overturned which forced Bibi to stay in Pakistan. The Christian mother was immediately placed under protective custody in a discrete location while the court reviewed the overturned conviction. On Tuesday, nearly three months after being initially released, Bibi is finally free to leave Pakistan and join her daughters who are currently in Canada, CBN News reports. Reportedly, one of the Justices presiding over Bibis case said her accusers were guilty of perjury, though it does not appear that legal action will be taken against them because of the sensitive nature of the case. An anonymous friend to Bibi told the Associated Press that Bibi was over the moon with the decision. He told the AP she said, I am really grateful to everybody, now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters." Photo courtesy: Pixabay Pakistan high court upholds Asia Bibi acquittal 29 January, 2019 by Michael Gryboski , | The Islamic Republic of Pakistan's highest court has upheld the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five who was put on death row for eight years after being convicted of violating the nation's blasphemy laws. Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Bibi will not be retried after being found not guilty of insulting the Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a few Muslim colleagues. "We are not hearing the case again, the lawyer was unable to point out a single error in the judgment," stated Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, as reported by CNN. "We have to look at the value of the statements by witnesses, how can we hang someone on a false witness statement." Rimmel Mohydin of Amnesty International said in a statement released Tuesday that with the ruling, Bibi "must finally get her freedom and an end to her ordeal." "After nine years behind bars for a crime she didn't commit, it is difficult to see this long overdue verdict as justice. But she should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice," stated Mohydin. "This shameful delay in enforcing Asia Bibi's rights only reinforces the need for the Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy laws as soon as possible, as well as other laws that discriminate against religious minorities and put their lives in danger." In 2010, Bibi was sentenced to death after being found guilty of blasphemy against the Islamic faith, stemming from an incident with field workers in 2009 who claimed that she insulted Muhammad. Bibi denied the charge and appealed the decision, but remained in prison for years despite international pressure and the campaigns of human rights groups. Last October, Pakistan's Supreme Court acquitted Bibi of wrongdoing, concluding that "the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt." Violent protests took place in response to the news of Bibi's acquittal, with many in the Islamic country seeking to murder her once she is freed. Not allowed to leave the country after a petition was submitted against her acquittal, Bibi has been living in hiding. Tuesday's decision allows her to finally leave. Qari Muhammad Salam, an Islamic cleric based in the same village as Bibi, said in a statement last year that he disagreed with the Supreme Court decision and believed that Bibi "deserves the death sentence according to the law." "If you start forgiving people on this issue, then it will become routine that people will commit blasphemy and just ask for forgiveness," stated Salam. Continue reading about Asia Bibi on The Christian Post. If men got pregnant Christian Examiner Contributor | 29 January, 2019 by Mark Klages Over the weekend the LA Times ran an article titled "60 hours, 50 abortions: A California doctor's monthly commute to a Texas clinic." You can read it for yourself, but to save you time, the onus of the article is on the unequal availability of abortion clinics across the US. The article states there are more than 1,700 abortion providers across the US. California has more than 150 abortion clinics and Texas, the largest state in the contiguous United States, has fewer than 20. That means fewer than 5% of women in California live in a county without access to abortion, while 43% of women in Texas do. Another [woman], thrilled when the doctor informs her she has naturally miscarried, leaps off the exam table and exclaims, 'Thank you, Jesus!' The article also states Pew Research as claiming 58% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases while 37% believe it should be illegal in all or most cases. Those numbers are pretty polarizing. Would you be surprised to discover that 59% of Republicans (who more often than not identify as Conservative) who answered the survey believe abortion should be illegal in all cases while 76% of Democrats (who more often than not identify as Liberal, Socialist, or Progressive) think abortion should be legal in most cases? The disturbing fact here is that 70% of the religiously unaffiliated voted Democrat during the last election and 33% of self-identified Christians (Protestant/Evangelical) fall into the "legal in all or most cases" crowd. To spell it out, fully one third of self-professed Christians in the US believe it's ok to murder one person for the betterment of another. They call it supporting "mother's rights" or "women's rights." Arguing the point leads to exasperation on both sides because there is rarely any common or middle ground. A mother of three says, "I just want it out, is all," before asking how much the termination costs. The price varies based on how far along the pregnancy is, but is typically around $700. "It's expensive, but it's not as expensive as a baby," the patient says. "And diapers," the doctor says. "And waking up in the middle of the night," the woman replies. "If men got pregnant, you better believe that abortion wouldn't be that big of a deal." - California Abortion Provider Personally I cannot fathom making the choice to murder my child for my own convenience. But that's because I am a man, or so the article says. I disagree. I say it is because I think responsibly. I say it is because my wife and I had an adult conversation before performing an adult act and accepted the adult responsibility that goes along with it. I have three children, all three of whom were born when I was living below the poverty line. Never once did I consider aborting any of my children for my own convenience, or should I say never once did my wife consider aborting any of our children. Is the choice really about the cost of diapers versus a life? If that is the case, why not monetize the value of every American and dispose of those who fall below an acceptable ROI? But what about responsible couples who simply have accidental pregnancies? According to the LA Times article, half the women who have abortions were using contraception at the time of conception. Unlike the other half, they would be considered responsible people whose contraception plan failed. Should abortion be taken off the table for them too? Should they have to endure the lifelong burden of a child because their plan failed? Or what about victims of abuse and rape? Should abortion not be an option for forced pregnancy? "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer 29:11, NIV) "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matt 10:29-31, NIV) God has a plan for each of us, including unborn children. He valued each of us so much that he died on the cross for our sins. Who is to say that a child born of forced pregnancy won't be the best President these United States has ever known? Who is to say that child won't grow up to preach the gospel to millions of unreached souls? Who is to say that child won't grow up to discover the cure for cancer? Who are we to intervene in God's plan for a child who cannot even speak for herself? And finally... "You shall not murder." (Exod 20:13, NIV) If men got pregnant... abortion would still be murder. Mark Klages is an influential contributor, a former US Marine and a lifelong teacher who focuses on applying a Christian worldview to everyday events. Mark blogs at https://maklagesl3.wixsite.com/website under the title "God Provides where Hate Divides," with a heart to heal social, political, relational, and intellectual wounds through God's divine love and grace. Mark can also be found on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-klages-04b42511/. Blac Chyna has had run-ins with police quite a few times this month. According to officials, there have been multiple complaints of disturbances and they have all traced back to the model. Why exactly has Blac Chyna had to answer to police so much in the last two weeks and why cant the mother of two cannot seem to stay out of trouble? The police were asked to check on Blac Chynas children The first instance of Blac Chyna having to explain herself to officials happened on January 20 at her California home. Police responded to a disturbance at Chynas home after they received a call alleging the model was neglecting her two kids King, 6, and Dream, 2. The person who made the call remained anonymous and told police Blac Chyna was too intoxicated to even care for her children. When police arrived on the scene, they saw that the children were healthy and in no sort of danger. No one in the house was under the influence and a nanny was on site to help care for the children. No arrests were made. In a statement released by Blac Chynas lawyer, Lisa Bloom, on her behalf a few days after the incident, she states, Chynas 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. Bloom adds, I remind the public that anyone who submits a knowingly false report to Child Protective Services may be subject to criminal and civil liability. Police came back a second time A few hours after the police conducted a wellness check on the two children, they were called back to Blac Chynas home a second time. This time, they responded to a dispute between the star and her makeup artist. According to reports, the makeup artist called the police in order to help her retrieve her things from Blac Chynas home after a disagreement. The artists had stated that she tried to retrieve the items herself, but Blac Chyna was not allowing her to come back in her home which then escalated the situation. Once police arrived, the makeup artist was able to retrieve her belongings. Since no one in the home was injured arrests were not made. The police were called on Blac Chyna in Hawaii On January 28, police were called to the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Honolulu, Hawaii following a dispute Blac Chyna allegedly had with boyfriend, Kid Buu. According to an officer, Shortly before 9 a.m. today, a female visitor staying in Waikiki reported being assaulted by a male acquaintance. The victim reported that she and the suspect had been involved in an argument several hours earlier, and the argument had escalated to a physical confrontation. Sources have not confirmed what the argument was about but it had gotten to a point where someone in their group had called 911. Hotel security escorted police officers and paramedics to a suite, where Blac Chyna was with a group of people, the source revealed.It was more of a he said, she said situation. They both had complaints to the police, but in the end, no one was arrested or taken to the hospital. She might have to go back to court This incident comes right after Blac Chynas ongoing drama with ex Rob Kardashian. Kardashian is apparently very upset with his ex-fiancee after she decided to take a trip to Hawaii instead of retrieving their daughter. Rob Kardashian was supposed to drop Dream Kardashian off to Blac Chyna on Saturday but the model could not be reached. Chyna had planned for Dream to stay with her nanny until she returned from Hawaii but failed to inform Kardashian. Chyna planned on having Dream stay with a nanny in L.A. while she was in Hawaii. Rob is mad because if either parent is out of town, the other parent is supposed to have the option to keep Dream longer, an insider revealed. Rob doesnt want Dream to stay alone with a nanny while Chyna parties in Hawaii. This is what he is mad about, said the insider. She needs to tell him when she wont be in L.A. so Rob can keep Dream longer. Rob is getting his lawyer involved. Since Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna currently have a custody agreement, we can guess the former reality star is preparing to take his ex back to court. Kardashian wants what is best for his daughter and feels as though this situation with Blac Chyna is not in Dreams best interests. Ross Inia, bosun on Below Deck was arrested over the holidays after a booze-fueled evening of partying in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was partying with Below Deck alum, Joao Franco and another friend. Franco posted about the evening and the arrest on his Instagram story. Both Inia and Franco posted about the evening leading up to the arrest. Each image appeared as though the friends were having a great time merrimaking on the town. But then Francos story took a wrong turn as his Instagram story ended at the West Palm Beach Police Department. What happened since Inias arrest and will he serve any prison time? Inia is arrested on December 22 Francos Instagram story went from showing the friends partying on the town to Franco unable to locate Inia. Ross is in jailand weve been looking for him four hours and counting, Franco posted. His post looks almost comical as Franco and another friend are smiling in the image. The men dont look concerned that Inia is in custody, so Instagram followers werent sure if perhaps Franco was joking. However, he tries to explain what happened in an image. Looking for @Ross_Inia. Ross grabbed me as a mate, the police grabbed us and handcuffed us. Ross resisted arrest. F**k the police. Find the real criminals. Franco is next seen standing outside the police station in a video. So we are at what jail, he asks his friend. The West Palm Beach police department, they both say.And uh, weve been told we cannot find Ross, Franco says. Yep, the friend says. Apparently its going to take between five to 10 hours just to process him. Inia was arrested for disorderly intoxication, battery on an officer and crimes against a person/harm public servant. This may be what happened When The Cheat Sheet spoke to deckhand Colin Macy-OToole, he said Franco may not have fully understood the gravity of the situation. We didnt really talk about what happened but Joao is from Zimbabwe, Macy-OToole said regarding the arrest. Hes told me some insane stories that if you get arrested in Zimbabwe and you give the police officer $100, theyll let you go. Unfortunately, though America is tougher with the law. Inia punched a police officer when they witnessed Inia and his friends (in what appeared to be) fighting. Inia was eventually released on $15,000 bond. He returned to his home country of New Zealand for a holiday visit. Where does Inias case stand today? Inia entered a not guilty plea to the charges on January 9. The prosecutor decided not to press charges and no further action is taken. The case was closed. However, according to the Palm Beach County County Clerk, the case was recently reopened. Inia, while no longer charged with a felony, is now charged with a misdemeanor. So that means Inia may be facing additional legal entanglements. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Queen Elizabeth II typically keeps a neutral stance on politics and policies. Instead, she works to help all of her Prime Ministers no matter who they might be and what they believe. However, it seems like the drama surrounding Brexit has gotten her blood bubbling. From votes of no-confidence to Brexit deals that have continued to fall through, the United Kingdom is currently going through a bit of turmoil. So what does Queen Elizabeth really think about Brexit? What is Brexit? Brexit is an abbreviation for British exit. On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. It won by a very slim margin, 51.9% to 48.1%. The European Union was formed after World War II to foster cooperation between European countries on trade, economic and immigration issues. Currently, it holds 28 countries. It also has one currency, the euro and a parliament that agrees on various issues. Untangling years of treaties, laws, dealing with healthcare, and a slew of various laws have been a political nightmare for the U.K, and its left many of its citizens uncertain about whats next. What does Queen Elizabeth II think about Brexit? Typically, members of the British Royal Family keep their personal thoughts and feelings about politics to themselves. After all, the entire point of the royal family is that they remain neutral. However, it looks like Queen Elizabeth II has had enough of the drama. Recently, during a visit to the Sandringham Womens Institute the queen gave a speech calling for respecting different points of view. She said, 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. We dont think the Brexit drama is going to die down anytime soon. The Brexit deadline is March 29, 2019, and Prime Minister Theresa May and her party have not yet come up with a plan. Does Queen Elizbeth II support Brexit? Since the United Kingdom has been a part of the European Union since Queen Elizabeth became queen in 1952, we hardly doubt she supports Brexit. In fact, when The Sun reported that the queen had expressed anti-EU views at a dinnerBuckingham Palace sent a complaint to Britains press regulator, and The Sun was forced to issue a retraction. Can royals vote? Typically, royals remain silent about politics. Though there is no law that says that members of the British Royal family cant vote, they refrain from doing so. According to the U.K. parliament website, Although not prohibited by law, it is considered unconstitutional for the Monarch to vote in an election. Senior members of the royal family including, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince William, Duchess Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Duchess Meghan Markle also do not exercise their right to vote. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! There isnt any arguing that Taylor Swift is the most talked about music star of the 2010s, even if she wisely takes breaks to avoid having her name being overexposed. Even if this happens anyway during her comebacks, Taylor Swift has been producing some great music in recent years. Despite going pop, we forget she was originally a country artist when her career began. It really hasnt been long since Swift hit the music scene. Considering shes accomplished more in her career before age 30 than most other artists, her early days are almost a blur now. Just how old was Taylor when she signed her first music deal? She was younger than you remember. Swifts early love of musical theater and country music While still living in her native Pennsylvania, Swift grew to appreciate musical theater and country before even turning 10 years old. She even performed in some local stage musicals through Berks Youth Theatre Academy. About a year later, she sensed country music was more her calling. Shania Twain is cited as her biggest influence at the time. While Swift visited NYC for vocal lessons, she already knew before age 12 going to Nashville would be where she could make it in country music. Swift may also have indirectly learned from Twain how to incorporate personal relationships into songwriting. Its obvious Swift was a bit advanced for her years and mapped out a strategy for success. Her parents were also heavily involved in doing grassroots marketing to get their daughters name out there. Combining modeling with music Once in Nashville, Swift began to work with various music professionals to help build skills so she could stand out. She eventually found herself doing some modeling for Abercrombie & Fitch, including having one of her own songs on a CD produced through Maybelline. An artist development deal ensued through RCA, all before she was 14. Despite working with famous songwriting developer Liz Rose in creating original songs, Swifts destiny would switch to a different record label rather than RCA. Signing with Big Machine Records The connection to Swift signing with a big-name label was through Scott Borchetta who worked for DreamWorks Records. Once he announced he was starting his own label called Big Machine Records, Swift was convinced this was the right direction. At the age of 16, she was about to work for a fledgling yet promising label her family invested in, plus enjoy creative freedom creating her first album. Her debut album Taylor Swift released in 2006 before she turned 17. You may remember those early singles that took her into the stratosphere, all under a country niche. One of those was the single Tim McGraw. Some music execs criticized the idea of signing such a young girl with little proven experience. Yet, Swift tapped into a teen market for country record executives had overlooked. Creating drama through her songs https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/with_replies Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes! Today I finally get to show you something weve been working on for a while the trailer for the Reputation Stadium Tour! The entire concert film will premiere on @Netflix at 12:01AM PT December 31. pic.twitter.com/ZL3Kx2OUx8 Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 13, 2018 All Too Well was never a single, and it always blows my mind that it is consistently one of the loudest songs the crowd sings when I play it. Moments like this defined the Reputation Stadium Tour for me, and I cant wait for you to see it in full starting at 12:01 AM 12/31 PST pic.twitter.com/wgcV3oumje Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 29, 2018 Weve covered a lot of the celebrity feuds and scandals Swift has instigated throughout her career, mostly through her transparent and almost autobiographical songs. As you can see, it all started from the nurturing of her songwriting talent in those early days as a teen. Looking back, its a bit breathtaking Swift had two hit albums before she even hit 20. Before hitting 30, shes managed to keep herself relevant by switching to pop and maintaining a strong presence on social media. Recently, shes used her Twitter account to promote a new Netflix concert, thank her fans for their birthday wishes, and to discuss some of her favorite songs on her tours. We also give her credit for some positive things, like fighting for the rights of musicians relying on income from streaming outlets like Spotify. If you can say some musicians dont learn enough about the business until their 20s or 30s, Swift prepared herself by age 15 to navigate a constantly evolving music industry. What has Sundance done for you lately? Looking back at 2018, the answer was clear. Boots Rileys Sorry to Bother You and the Paul Dano directorial debut Wildlife delivered two very different but equally engaging looks at the world. Thats about all a low-budget film fan can ask for these days. Following the 2019 edition, it looks like Sundance has delivered another gem. This time around, fans will get The Report, a Steven Soderberg-produced film by writer-director Scott Z. Burns. Adam Driver, Jon Hamm, and Annette Bening star in the picture from Vice Studios. According to Variety, Amazon won the bidding war for distribution with a sum close to $14 million. The trade magazine noted that Amazon would be planning an awards push for the film, suggesting the festival enthusiasm is real. Heres a look at the films based-on-a-true-story plot and audience reaction. An angry, urgent thriller about CIA torture practices The film follows the work of Senate staffer Daniel Jones (Driver), who in real life put together the report on the CIAs enhanced interrogation techniques in the post-9/11 era. Jones works on the report for six years while checking in with Senator Diane Feinstein (Bening) and (we imagine) facing all sorts of blowback from the military. In a review for The Guardian, Benjamin Lee praised The Report as an angry, urgent film. Citing Burnss tight script and excellent work by Driver and Bening, the reviewer compared it favorably to The Post for its hard focus on the material. (Burns worked with Soderberg on The Informant!, among other films.) Other reviews express nearly as much enthusiasm. In addition to Hamm, the supporting cast includes Jennifer Morrison, Michael C. Hall, Corey Stoll, and Matthew Rhys. Plans for a fall 2019 release According to Variety, Amazon is planning to release The Report in the fall before mounting its awards campaign. The studio secured the global rights to the film following an intense bidding war with several other distributors. (Vice founder Eddy Moretti and Vice Studios heads negotiated the deal.) Besides Feinstein and other members of Congress who are household names, the audience gets a look at Gina Haspel (Maura Tierney) prior to her rise to the head of the CIA. Judging by reviewers takes on this film, it seems like a much more tightly wound approach to the subject matter of Adam McKays Oscar-nominated Vice. That approach certainly worked in Spotlight, Tom McCarthys film recounting the breaks leading to the Catholic Church abuse scandal in Boston. McCarthy relied on an all-star cast that featured Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel McAdams on top of their games. In The Report, Burns had the challenge of recreating a similar period in U.S. history with all his focus on the inside events. By most accounts, he managed to pull it off with an equally strong cast. It will be a film to put on the calendar for later this year. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a special one-hour talk exploring the science involved in Civil War artillery on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 pm. This is a free program and will take place at the DeLong Reservation on Missionary Ridge. "Artillery was essential to both the Union and Confederate Armies during the Civil War," organizers said. "In order for artillery to be an effective support during battle, the men attached to each cannon needed to understand the process of aiming and firing each piece. This required knowledge of mathematics, projectile motion and elemental mechanics. Unfortunately for some Confederate artillerists on Missionary Ridge, this knowledge was fleeting on Nov. 25, 1863. As the 64th Ohio attacked the ridge, a Rebel battery opened fire at the advancing troops, yet 'their range was poor,' noted one of the blue-clad captains. "Practice your artillery skills by joining a ranger in an introduction to some of the elements of physics that made artillery vital to the war." For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241 or the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786. The National Judicial Opioid Task Force, co-chaired by Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts Director Deborah Taylor Tate, recently launched a resource center to address the ongoing opioid epidemic featuring dozens of facts sheets, videos, and other resources for judges and the general public regarding the opioid crisis and substance abuse disorders including treatment and services; special populations, including children and veterans; and collaborative efforts and data sharing among law enforcement medical professionals and the judicial branch. These educational materials were created in response to our courts being flooded with cases from foster care to bankruptcy to theft due to the opioid crisis. While this resource center began with our judges in mind, it can also be utilized by families being impacted by this epidemic every day, said Director Tate. In 2017, there were 70,237 drug overdose deaths in the United States, up almost 10 percent in one year. In addition, millions suffer from addiction and deaths relative to heroin are up 533 percent since 2012. The tiniest victims include thousands of babies born each year with neonatal abstinence syndrome one every 25 minutes nationwide. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, 1,776 Tennesseans died from drug overdoses in 2017, more than died from automobile crashes. In addition, there were 7,943 nonfatal overdose inpatient stays in Tennessee in 2016. State courts nationwide have been overwhelmed with the opioid epidemic and the national task force was created to find solutions and resources for judges on the front lines, stated Indiana Chief Justice and National Co-Chair Loretta Rush. As a former juvenile judge, I have seen the impact on families and wanted to arm our Judges with life-saving tools to get citizens the right treatment for the right time in the right place." The National Judicial Opioid Task Force, created by state supreme court chief justices and court administrators, in 2017, has divided its work into three workgroups: Children and Families, Civil and Criminal Justice, and Collaboration and Education. All three workgroups contributed to the creation of the resource center. Some of the materials found in the resource center include information on involuntary commitment and guardianship laws for persons with a substance disorder; medication assisted treatment options; fentanyl, carfentanyl, and their analogs in the courthouse; and understanding the basis of addiction. There is also an ongoing series of educational webinars available. The work is supported by a grant from the State Justice Institute. The materials developed by the Task Force are excellent and professionally vetted by experts in each field and were specifically designed for judges and court staff to promote understanding and solutions, said Judge Duane Slone, a circuit court judge in the Tennessee Fourth Judicial District, who also chairs an eight-state regional effort. We encourage judges to make these resources available to families with loved ones entangled in the opioid epidemic. Every state judge in the country has been touched by the opioid epidemic, whether it is through criminal charges or addiction-related divorces, foster care placements, bankruptcies, or employment issues. Judge Slone and Tennessee addiction medicine expert Stephen Loyd M.D. are featured in a compelling video on the resource center on Understanding Addiction: A New Perspective, which explains the physiology of addiction and the science of cravings. Judge Slone is a nationally recognized leader in addressing the opioid epidemic in the courts and is also featured extensively on his creation of recovery oriented compliance strategy in the courts, which links defendants with addiction, mental, and behavior issues with resources while requiring accountability. The resource center also includes comprehensive information from a variety of other experts including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute for Drug Abuse, American Academy of Pediatrics, USDA rural opioid initiative and other federal and state agencies as well as service providers and nonprofit organizations. The judiciary is in a unique position to promote collaboration among different agencies, across branches and even between state judicial systems, Director Tate added. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done. But through innovation and cooperation, I know we can have an immeasurable impact on those who need us most.In addition to the creation of this extensive resource center, the National Judicial Opioid Task Force has also worked with federal and state law enforcement partners to create data sharing, partnerships, and policies; improved access to federal funding for state courts; and presented at numerous national conferences and summits to showcase innovative collaborations that are working across the nation. In addition to the creation of the resource center, the National Judicial Opioid Task Force has also worked with federal and state law enforcement partners to create data sharing, partnerships, and policies; improved access to federal funding to respond to the opioid epidemic; and presented a numerous national conferences and summits. Director Tate, Judge Slone and many others across the Tennessee judiciary have been involved in several other state and regional opioid projects. Judge Slone is the chair of the Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative, which includes eight states, and the Tennessee Judicial Opioid Initiative. Both organizations focus on bringing leaders and policymakers from different branches of government and sectors to share data and information that can lead to innovation, collaboration, and solutions. The judicial branch has also played a key role in the TN Together initiative. Current TJOI projects include the development of a discipline specific guide for justice systems stakeholders and mapping of treatment providers that commit to meet criteria established by TJOI in order to maximize our opportunities to help the justice involved population achieve the best outcomes. In the immediate future both RJOI & TJOI will be launching websites. The RJOI website will include information about our current projects as well as highlight initiatives related to the Opioid Driven Addiction Crisis of each of our member states. TJOI will highlight ongoing our current projects plus serve as a Resource Center for Tennessee justice systems stakeholders. To view the resource center, visit here. The Walker County Georgia Republican Party will convene a mass precincts meeting on March 9 at 9 a.m. to elect delegates and alternates for the Walker County Republican Party Convention at the Rossville Civic Center, 400 McFarland Ave. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m.All Walker County Residents who are legally registered to vote on or before the date of the Precincts Mass Meeting and who believe in the principles of the Republican Party are urged to participate in the process."The Walker County Republican Party Convention will convene at 9 a.m.on March 9 at the Rossville Civic Center at 400 McFarland Avenue in Rossville, Ga. for the purpose of (1) Electing Officers (2) Delegates and Alternates to the 14th Congressional District Convention; (3) Electing Delegates and Alternates to the Georgia Republican State Convention; (4) Adopting Rules of the County Republican Party; (5) Electing Officers for the 2019-2021 term; and conducting all business as necessary," officials said.For further information, contact Mike Cameron, Chairman of the Walker County Republican Party at cam759@epbfi.com. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan formally administered the oath of office to 15 new assistant U.S. attorneys, including three for the Chattanooga office. Kevin Brown joined the Chattanooga office as a Special AUSA working in the Violent Crimes Unit to prosecute firearms, drug and gang related offenses. He comes to the U.S. Attorneys Office via the Chattanooga Police Department, where he served as a special assistant city attorney. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorneys Office, he was an assistant district attorney in the 11th Judicial District of Tennessee, where he prosecuted violent crimes and served as Criminal Court Division Supervisor. Attorneys Office via the Chattanooga Police Department, where he served as a special assistant city attorney. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorneys Office, he was an assistant district attorney in the 11th Judicial District of Tennessee, where he prosecuted violent crimes and served as Criminal Court Division Supervisor. Frank Clark joined the Chattanooga office to prosecute violent crimes and narcotics offenses. He was a prosecutor for 13 years, first in his home state of Mississippi, and then in Gwinnett County, Ga. He has a law degree from Ole Miss and an undergraduate degree from Mississippi College. Just prior to joining the U.S. Attorneys Office, he worked at a law firm practicing civil defense litigation. In a workers compensation case, the Tennessee Supreme Court has affirmed an award of permanent partial disability benefits to Christopher Batey, an employee of Deliver This, Inc. For its reasoning, the Court adopted the opinion issued earlier by the Workers Compensation Appeals Board.In 2015, Mr. Batey sustained a back injury as a delivery driver for Deliver This, Inc. He sought disability benefits in 2016 by filing a Petition for Benefit Determination with the Tennessee Bureau of Workers Compensation. Following a compensation hearing, the Court of Workers Compensation Claims determined that Mr.Batey should receive permanent partial disability benefits. Mr. Batey filed a post-trial motion for prejudgment interest on the benefits awarded, but the trial court denied his motion.Deliver This, Inc. and its insurer, Auto-Owners Insurance Company, appealed the disability award, and Mr. Batey appealed the trial courts denial of prejudgment interest to the Workers Compensation Appeals Board. In an opinion filed February 6, 2018, the Workers Compensation Appeals Board held that the trial court erred in its application of the burden of proof for an employee under the relevant statute and in its interpretation of pre-injury occupation as provided in the statute. However, the Appeals Board determined that these errors were harmless because Deliver This, Inc., failed to meet its burden under the statute. The Appeals Board also affirmed the denial of prejudgment interest, stating that it could find no statutory authority for such an award.Deliver This, Inc. and its insurer appealed the judgment of the Appeals Board. The Supreme Court directed that the case bypass the normal procedure of first being heard by a Special Workers Compensation Panel and, instead, heard oral arguments itself from the parties in this case. In a unanimous opinion authored by Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the Appeals Board and adopted in its entirety the opinion of the Appeals Board.To read the Supreme Courts opinion in Christopher Batey v. Deliver This, Inc., et al., as well as the opinion of the Appeals Board set forth in the Appendix, go to the opinions section of TNCourts.gov Tom Neilson brings his satire and social commentary to the Unity Church, 105 McBrien Road in Chattanooga on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $10. For information, contact 423-892-4960 charlesandmyrtles@gmail.com. About the performer: Tom is a story teller who weaves an autobiographical sketch from his dairy farm roots to the Vietnam War, civil rights, liberation struggles in Central America and East Africa, border crossings, pipelines, guns, breastfeeding, parenting, sexuality, reproduction, humanism, lost loves and more. His work has resulted in his winning several music awards that includes two Song Of the Year Awards from Independent Musicians and a 2015 nomination for the United Nations Nelson Mandela Award for lifetime achievement in peace and justice. In 2017 he received the Arab American Women Association Award for Global Education Through Performance Art. Michael Stock of WLRN, Miami, Fl., says, Tom does a great job of reminding people of what is really important, and uses the power of folk music to say it." Tom will tell you he is just a farm boy with a guitar who likes a good ball game and human rights. Brittany and David Spence, founders of the Forrest Spence Fund, made a stop in Chattanooga to see first-hand how their foundation is making a difference in the lives of families at Childrens Hospital at Erlanger.Founded in memory of their newborn son who passed away in 2007, the Forrest Spence Fund was initially created by the couple to assist with the non-medical needs of critically or chronically ill children and their families in Memphis.Through the support of donors and volunteers, the fund is now able to provide assistance to childrens hospitals throughout Tennessee.All the hospitals do such a good job with the medical needs for their patients, said Ms.Spence. With our fund, we work with each family to find out what their needs are and find ways to support them. Providing assistance is a way for us to say, You are not alone, and we are here for you.During the last two years, the fund has contributed more than $30,000 worth of items to Childrens Hospital at Erlanger. Items include gas cards, meal vouchers, breastmilk warmers, bouncers, rocking chairs, celebration bags and a renovated kitchenette for families equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot and icemaker.We are very fortunate to have the Spence family and volunteers who support childrens hospitals throughout our state, said Don Mueller, vice president and CEO of Childrens Hospital at Erlanger. To have a partner in the Forrest Spence Fund is critically important to the overall well-being of the families we serve. The Bluebird Cafe, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, hits the road to host four open mic nights in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Johnson City during the first-ever Tennessee Songwriters Week in February. Songwriters can sign up beginning this Thursday at 10 a.m. CST. Registration is limited to the first 25 songwriters who sign up per venue. For more information and rules, visit tennesseesongwritersweek.com. Bluebird Cafes long-time open mic night host and songwriter Barbara Cloyd will serve as emcee, and a panel of local judges will select the top songwriter from each event. Tickets for the open mic night roadshows go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8. Events are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, Feb. 19 7 p.m. CT Lafayettes Music Room in Memphis Thursday, Feb. 21 7 p.m. ET The Camp House in Chattanooga Friday, Feb. 22 7 p.m. ET WDVX at Visit Knoxville in Knoxville Saturday, Feb. 23 7 p.m. ET The Down Home in Johnson City One winner from each of the four open mic nights will earn the chance to perform at The Bluebird Cafe on Sunday, March 31. Each winner also earns an additional prize pack. Songs will be evaluated and scored on a numerical scale considering both the song and the performance. Judges will look at the originality of the song and the songs ability to create an emotional connection with the listener. The fervent hope was that this week wisdom would finally flow through the Waste Water Treatment Authority debacle. This was to be the time the Environmental Protection Agency would gather every clown in this circus and come down on each with a hob-nailed boot and a very tight-fisted demand to stop this foolishness. Weve got a very serious sewage crisis in the north end of the county and not one elected person who I can identify is taking it seriously. I want the EPA to identify the ghost, tap it on the shoulder, and tell it the $6.5 million the county pays the city for sewage treatment each year aint squat compared to the real-life fines that are coming. What the County Mayor, the County Commission, the WWTA, and even our state legislature has done is an absolute embarrassment and the real reason is that not one person on any of those trees filled with wise owls can tell me the ghosts name. But look at this from my view: Yes, some will say Donald Trump, who now a good half of the United States blames for everything.But look at this from my view: * -- County Mayor Jim Coppinger appoints the members of the Waste Water Authority but he tells me they have their own board, that it has the same type of autonomy as Erlanger Hospital, or other groups that have their own sources of income instead of being funded by the county. Thats a plausible answer, but doesnt help me with the Ghost. Im hunting for the likes of the late president Harry Truman: The buck stops here! * -- The Hamilton County Commission, who my vote helps select, is almost laughable. Chairman Sabrena Smedley can stamp her high heels and sternly promise her constituents, Well look at every possible location for a Waste Water treatment site! Well, bully for Sabrena because in candor -- she and her crowd aint gonna have anything to do with it. Seriously, where is the commissions teeth? They dont have the authority to tell the WWTA not to run in the halls. Any WWTA official can most haughtily look at her and the other eight commissioners and giggle, which, incidentally, has been happening for the past five years. so sayeth the Ghost. * -- There is a mound of evidence the WWTA has been grossly derelict in its service to Hamilton County. In many instances, this Band-Aid bunch has delivered no more than hot air while snuggling up with the Regional Planning Commission to grant one development permit right after another. These people have not a speck of accountability. Every person in every RPA meeting knows full and well the sewer treatment system is grossly overloaded. Get this straight: There is no way it can work none! -- but you must add this to the list of truths: Not one person on the RPA or the WWTA is held in any type of accountability so who gives a diddly, right? Please, North Hamilton County is one of the hottest growth areas in the state. We all know this. Weve seen it coming for the past 10 years but the WWTA has done all of nothing. Oh, I know youve had meetings, put out raw sewage signs, but by now a concern has become a crisis. Forget the moratoriums, the out-to-lunch WWTA or the shade of deceit that falls over every decision. Whether they are ready to admit it or not, your WWTA cast of characters has hurt Hamilton County and I can easily predict there is no way this will not get much worse. With projections of a new sewer treatment plant taking four years before we can turn on the overhead lights, listen to me -- you aint seen nothing yet. * -- The Regional Planning Agency, now awash in shame after the stupids and the urbanites have totally embarrassed and enraged South Chattanoogas effort to obtain a fresh and invigorating Publix store, are trying to force the available land to be sold to a C store, which is a fancy name for a convenience store. It is so glaringly obvious and the RPAs sneer seems eager for all the fruit flies that come with it. Think! Youve got the thriving Calvary Chapel, with 400 kids under the age of 16 less than a block away, and across the street is Chattanooga Christian with over 1,000 darlings. But if the RPA has its way through its Variance academy blocking Publix, by demanding 12 different designs to create premier angst, Publix will withdraw. The C building, exempt from the stifling zoning regulations the RPA changed as a favor some years ago, can be in business much quicker and, from what I hear, the owners of the property are considering a lawsuit against deception. The C building promised snuff, cigarettes, loads of beer, vapors and lets not leave this out, tears. Please! I can only hope a conspiracy lawsuit on the Ghost will materialize, but where should it be served? Clearly the ghost is apparently in charge of this brain or pain? factory too, but with WWTA bungling, it is plumb easy to see that with a lack of accountability the Ghosts trick card is the WWTAs lack of direction. The Publix fiasco goes part-and-parcel against the dreams of over 90 percent of the South Chattanooga citizenry. The RPA is totally out of control, but whos? Its bike lanes, the biggest laugher of the city, its ability to turn every major ingress-egress street into downtown Chattanooga to now just one lane in either direction, and some design studio that begins every day three inches left of plumb. How did this happen, the crowd wonders? How can we let some little people foist their elite liberalism on Publix, surely one of Chattanoogas finest corporate citizens and honored nationally as one of the best places to work thwart the true vision and dreams of the great majority? The Ghosts latest salvo centers on a piece of property on Mahan Gap Road that the WWTA refuses to abandon as the site for a proposed sewage treatment plant. Im saying Satan himself is in cahoots with the WWTA because so many good and noble people will genuinely suffer by such an outrage. I sat down with my Prince of Figures, the Great Emilio, and he drew his compass from his pocket not one of those protractor deals but a big brass one with a True North. We plotted a two-mile radius around the Mahan Gap site and discovered 1,988 houses and 5,259 people would be affected. The WWTA has already defaulted on a $20,000 option for the property, which is expected to sell for something like $8 million. But, remember, the Great Emilio has a big N on his compass so lookey-lookey-lookey! If the realists go 18 miles to the north, where TVA is building that $238 million complex for its power division at the intersection of Highway 58 and Highway 60, there are 340 acres for sale for $1 million. The Mahan Gap parcel is rumored to be on the market for $8 million. So Im thinking we could save $7 million with a-change-of-mind and get six times the dirt. Better, a two-mile radius around the Highway 60 property would affect 338 dwellings and not quite 1,000 people. The Great Emilio says the Highway 60 sewage treatment plant would affect 1,600 fewer dwellings and about 5,100 fewer people. The greatest-ever deal would be to build a regional sewage disposal facility that would include our neighbors, Meigs and Bradley County. Cant you see us working together for the greater good? Governor Lee would be all over this, Federal monies could be used, wed be the envy (but, far better) the example for all of America. Would that be a heavenly godsend? But it wont happen until we are willing to work together. Right now ever faction is a planet unto its own. Lets force a recommitment! The problem is, nobody can find the Ghost who has the crayons for this connect-the-dots. How in the world did we ever reach this dilly of a modern-day paradox? The meeting with the EPA was scheduled for later this week but the word on the street is that it will be delayed in the wake of our dysfunctional government and the regretful shutdown where we cant find the Ghost either. But dont think our local ghosts have not been busy and, brother, this could go on late-night TV. A couple of weeks ago County Attorney Rheubin Taylor informed the County Commission that a gag order was in place - decreeing that all mention of the WWTA Sewage site and its conditions had been squelched by an attorney perhaps for the EPA -- in Atlanta. So nobody in any corner is talking. Scuse me during the government shutdown, the EPA shut down. If you can show me one government lawyer who works for free, Ill show you one who cant put a gag order on a Miller Park pigeon. It takes a judge and, in this case, a Federal judge. I am certainly no attorney but Im calling methane gas on this one. No attorney can install a gag order, thats a duty of the court and any competent jurist is going to demand a rigorous reason why. So with all respected to the ever-delightful Rheubin, I am calling B.S. ( blowing smoke.) Im thinking this is a poorly-scrubbed ploy because the WWTA is quickly being found out. No judge in this Land of Opportunity is going to prohibit any group elected by the people for the people from talking about the issues of the day. The first argument is freedom of speech so our good councilor Mr. Taylor Esq. most certainly should have made a public statement including that resounding phrase and the horse you rode in on. Secondly, in not less than a week after Mr. Taylor Esq. informed us of the gag order not one commissioner challenging its validity the WWTA bought a full page in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, for $6,000 scoffing the gag order, the mounting opposition it was now confronting in even the most conservative circles, and the heaping mistrust of the majority it serves who are fed up with nincompoops. Sadly, the bogus gag order stopped all conversation. You try to find out answers to a logical question and no one knows the answers. They havent been asked, havent been shared, but you can bet your boots that right now raw sewage is flowing into Rogers Creek. How can I get in touch with the Ghost? How can we stop this mockery of what I believe our nation is built on, and has revered for years? I want somebody, just one person, to do something other than talk for the first time in five years. All of us need you. Selah The Prudhomme Fort Chapter of Colonial Dames Seventeenth Century hosted an award event for a Quilt of Valor presentation at The Tea Cottage. Speaker, Karen Downer, Tennessee State coordinator for the QOV organization, presented a handmade patriotic quilt to U.S. Army MSGT (Ret.) Sandy Hughes. A second quilt was given to her husband (as a surprise), U.S. Army SGT (Ret.) Tom Hughes, Vietnam Veteran. The quilts were handmade, with added information sewed into the design to personalize the quilt. Several military friends were in attendance to celebrate the honors. Prudhomme Fort Chapter is active in the community to preserve American heritage by promoting patriotism and honoring veterans; providing scholarships for students seeking college degrees; and donating books to libraries for historical information and lineage research. Membership is attained by lineage proven to family ancestors who were colonists in the 1600s. For more information, please call 842-7774. Shelves are stocked in preparation for the Wednesday opening of the Ringgold/Fort Oglethorpe Food City. The 49,700+ square foot supermarket is located on Highway US-41 and will serve as the areas second location. The area residents in both Tennessee and Georgia have certainly been supportive of our company and were extremely excited to provide our loyal customers with a new, state-of-the-art Food City, says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer. Officials said, "The location includes an in-store bakery/deli, complete with a hot food bar, large cafe seating area, pizzeria and deluxe fresh food bar, featuring a wide variety of soup, wings, salad and fruit selections. Full service meat and seafood departments offer pre-marinated and seasoned oven ready products, plus a complete selection of top quality meats that are all-natural with no solutions added, including Certified Angus Beef and fresh sushi. In-house meat cutters hand cut steaks and fresh meat to order. Expanded grocery, frozen food and produce departments go well beyond the normal fare with a huge selection of gourmet, international and specialty items. The Food City Floral Boutique is staffed with a designer seven days per week, offering a full assortment of fresh-cut floral arrangements, bouquets, gift items and more. Rapid checkout service is provided by six traditional check-out lanes and four self-check-outs. "For added convenience, Food City is proud to continue its relationship with Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, offering an in-store branch banking option, a Food City Pharmacy providing a full range of services and a Food City Gas N Go featuring a large five pump station, including diesel fuel. "The new location also features several award winning energy saving concepts, ranging from energy efficient glass cooler doors, parking lot lights and refrigeration systems to motion sensors and 100 percent LED lighting, as well as an open rafter ceiling design." Our customers will find the same exceptional customer service, top quality products and competitive pricing they have come to expect from Food City, housed in a more energy efficient model, along with some exciting new features and conveniences, says Mr. Smith. The new store will also offer the added convenience of GoCart curbside pick-up. Customers can select their purchases on-line at foodcity.com and their order will be filled by a professional shopper and loaded into their vehicle when they arrive at the store. Payment can be made on-line or by credit or debit card at the time of pick-up. Bethany Dawn Schklar joined her parents, Patty Avery and John White, in 1981 in a small Illinois town where Heath bars are made. Waiting for her was her big brother, Sean White, who, seeing her smile, shortly thereafter decided all babies middle names should be Dawn. At two, she boarded a plane for London, and 35 years later, she stepped off another plane with her two-year old, Noah Micah, and onto the top of a double-decker bus. When she was almost six, living in Amsterdam, Bethany settled a months-long family debate by pronouncing, Hes David, the moment her just-born brother was placed in her arms. Back then, everyone thought the nuclear White family had been completed with David Isaac, but, unbeknownst to all, Bethanys Amiga, Aretha Natalie, was waiting in Brazil. By the time she was nine, Bethany had already learned to speak three languages and to call four countries home. Just like a dancer, in each new place, Bethany quickly grounded her feet, found her balance, and fixed her focal point before spinning and leaping with her whole self into new adventures. No difference in language, culture, color, faith, age, or identity could stop Bethany from flashing the guide star of her smile, drawing numberless travelers into the open home of her heart. Upon returning to America, intent upon studying dance and choreography, Bethany chose Hope College, whose symbol is an anchor. There she discovered her friend and traveling companion Mandy Olson and side by side they leapt in grand jete to Chicago, where Bethany found her footing as a teacher. In 2010, on a lark, she signed up for an eHarmony special and agreed to a date with Joshua Schklar. A year and a month later, he proposed to her on Passover, before his gathered family, who had already claimed her. Bethany and Josh married in 2012, sowed the seeds of a new community in Chattanooga in 2014, and were blessed with their Noah Micah in 2016. In her own time, through measured steps and joyful turns, delighting in her family, her friends, her students, and her own bright shining son, she found the unifying faith she had long been seeking. Ever wholly herself, just months after choosing her Hebrew name, it was she who pulled a partner onto the floor to start the Horah at a Schklar family wedding. In response to a 2018 Instagram montage, Bethany wrote, Apparently the best year of my life included dancing, becoming Jewish, a flexible-seating classroom, protesting, and chopping off my hair. Ill take it. Though Bethany has departed this temporal stage, she leaves, to dance on in her glow, her beloved Joshua and Noah; her parents, Patty and Dennis Avery and John White; her Just Grandma Phyllis Herzfeld and Bob; Joshuas parents, Susan Spencer, Raymond Schklar, and Toni and Kenneth Kanter; Grandmommy Lillian Schklar; her first siblings Sean, Aretha, and David White, and all the siblings who joined them in loving her Jessica, Aaron, Sarah, Hannah, Joanna, Barry, and Cam; her aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of her life will take place at Mizpah Congregation, 923 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28, and will be officiated by Rabbi Craig Lewis. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to honor Bethany with a contribution to Normal Park Spark Fund at normalpark.kindful.com, or Chattanooga Moms for Social Justice, or to the Mizpah Rabbis Discretionary Fund. Arrangements are by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, 1724 McCallie Ave., 423 265-4414. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading. California Department of Education News Release California Department of Education News Release State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Appoints New Deputy Superintendent of the Performance, Planning, and Technology Branch SACRAMENTOState Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that he has appointed Catalina Cifuentes as Deputy Superintendent of the Performance, Planning, and Technology branch of the California Department of Education (CDE). Her branch oversees programs promoting innovation and improved student achievement, including statewide student assessment, school and district interventions, state and federal accountability, and the collection and reporting of educational data. Cifuentes has a diverse background at multiple levels of the education systemincluding teaching middle and high school, counseling, and serving in leadership positions at the Riverside County Office of Education. I am excited to have Catalina join our CDE team. Thurmond said. She is a passionate, committed, and dedicated professional with a proven track record of improving outcomes for all students. Her accolades alone show how respected her work is, and we are lucky that she will continue that work here at CDE. Cifuentes most recently served as the Executive Director of College and Career Readiness at the Riverside County Office of Education. For her work coordinating counselors, leading career-readiness initiatives, and directing the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, she won the countys Education Administrator of the Year Award. Among others, she won the 2018 National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Inclusion, Access, and Success Award, honoring her work making post-secondary opportunities available to historically underrepresented students. She serves as Vice Chair of the California Student Aid Commission, the state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California. Cifuentes is also a California State Team Member of Michelle Obamas Reach Higher National Committee, which encourages students to complete education past high schoolwhether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. Prior to the Riverside County Office of Education, she was a head School Counselor at Santiago High School in the Corona Norco Unified School District. She started her education career teaching at Norco High School and Sierra Middle School. Cifuentes holds a bachelors degree in English Literature from California State University, San Bernardino and a masters degree in Educational Counseling from Azusa Pacific University. She earned her California Teaching Credential from the University of California, Riverside. # # # # Tony Thurmond State Superintendent of Public Instruction Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100 Last Reviewed: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Suspect who fatally shot 4, injured another in Polk County has been arrested Many of these cases were known by the holders to be "abusive to determine, ignorance of their functions, forms representing... Photo: CTV News A B.C. Supreme Court judge has sentenced Garry Handlen to life in prison, calling him a sexual predator who preys on the vulnerable and weak to commit barbaric crimes. Handlen was convicted by a jury earlier this month of the first-degree murder of Monica Jack, who disappeared while riding her bike on May 6, 1978. A conviction of first-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence of 25 years without parole, although Justice Austin Cullen noted that Handlen is eligible to apply for parole in 15 years through the so-called faint-hope clause because he killed the girl before the law was eliminated. Jack's cousin Debbie John told the sentencing hearing that she has carried enormous guilt about Jack's murder because she was the one to suggest they ride their bicycles into Merritt the day Jack disappeared. John says people in the Interior community searched rivers and mountains for any sign of the happy girl and continued to hope she would be found. Handlen's trial heard he grabbed Jack from a highway pullout, tossed her bike in a lake and then dumped her body on a hillside where some of her remains were found 17 years later. Chubb Ltd. is boosting its presence and digital capabilities in Latin America by way of a 15-year distribution agreement with Banco de Chile, the largest bank based in Chile. This partnership will meaningfully increase Chubbs already significant presence in Chile and in the important region of Latin America, Chubb Chairman and CEO Evan Greenberg said in prepared remarks. Similar to other strategic relationships, our partnership with Banco de Chile significantly extends our distribution in Chile, enabling us to reach and serve millions of new customers, including in digitally advanced ways. Terms of the agreement call for Chubb to distribute its general and life insurance products exclusively in Chile through Banco de Chiles multiple channels, including in-branch, automated teller machines, direct marketing and a number of digital channels including mobile, pending any applicable regulatory approvals. Banco de Chile will distribute Chubbs insurance products through its wholly owned captive broker, which Chubb said has a long track record of insurance sales success through bank channels. Chubb also gains exclusive rights to sell insurance products currently distributed by Banco de Chile, including credit life, home and fire, theft/personal protection, personal accident, supplemental health, travel, and a variety of commercial products. Chubb will also roll out new products over time as part of the partnership. Through Banco de Chile, Chubb gains a wide distribution networka Santiago-based bank with nearly 400 branches that serves more than two million customers across the country. The banks business lines include consumer and commercial banking, insurance and stock brokerage, asset management and financial advisory. Eduardo Ebensperger O., CEO of Banco de Chile, said that partnering with a first-class company such as Chubb will bring real benefits to its customers. Banco de Chile is proud of becoming a partner of a first-class company such as Chubb, and we know that our clients will benefit from Chubbs expertise, innovation capabilities, strong attention to detail and its service quality standards, all of which are crucial in the insurance business, he said. Source: Chubb U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May faces a series of votes on Tuesday that could change the direction of Brexit. Two rival factions in Parliament are trying to take control. If one wins, Brexit will probably be put on hold. If the other wins, May would claim a strong mandate to return to Brussels to renegotiate the most controversial part of the divorce deal the Irish border backstop. The chances of each side claiming victory depend on whether the relevant amendments are selected for a ballot and how May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn order their lawmakers to vote. Its up to Parliaments speaker John Bercow to pick which amendments go to a vote and he has a track record of surprising decisions. Hell announce which ones hes chosen on Tuesday. The Cooper-Boles Delay Labours Yvette Cooper and Conservative Nick Boles are trying to force May to delay Brexit day to avoid crashing out without a deal on March 29. Theyre asking Parliament to vote to change its own rules so that, for one day, it can debate a bill which would require May to seek from the EU an extension of Article 50 until the end of the year. What it means: If its approved, its just the beginning of a long parliamentary battle to pause Brexit. Its positive for business and the pound could rally. Its also good news for the EU, as it takes no-deal off the table, and means the bloc can continue its strategy of waiting for the U.K. to cave. It probably means a softer Brexit is on the way and increases the chances of Brexit being reversed. Chance of passing: High, if Labour supports it. Its been signed by several Tories who have recently joined the ranks of rebels and are determined to avoid a no-deal Brexit. Boles told BBC Radio on Monday that it has a great deal of support among ministers and in Cabinet. The latest Parliamentary order paper lists 103 supporters of the amendment. Scrap the Backstop Late Monday, after a week of behind-the-scenes negotiation, May attempted to unite her party by backing a proposal by Conservative backbenchers Andrew Murrison and Graham Brady. It calls for the Irish backstop, the most controversial part of the divorce deal, to be scrapped and replaced with alternative arrangements. What it means: Such an amendment wouldnt necessarily need to pass to have an effect. If it gained a lot of support from Tory MPs who voted against Mays deal two weeks ago, the prime minister might be able to go back to Brussels and argue that scrapping the backstop would get the deal through. The trouble is the EU has repeatedly said it wont budge. Chance of passing: Low. When she endorsed the amendment on Monday evening, May said it would give her a mandate to take back to Brussels. But it had been rejected minutes earlier by the pro-Brexit European Research Group, who said it is insufficiently meaningful. In any case, it might not even get voted on. A similar amendment wasnt selected for a vote earlier this month and theres no guarantee this one will be. Indicative Votes Labours Hilary Benn, who chairs Parliaments Brexit Committee, wants a series of free-standing votes on the Brexit options, as recommended by his committee. They include a customs union, though not Labours exact model. What it means: More parliamentary maneuvering to try to show what kind of Brexit would command a majority in Parliament. Chance of passing: Low, even if Labour swings behind it. Benns amendment so far seems to have little Conservative support. Give Parliament Control Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve, a Conservative and leading campaigner for a second referendum, is asking for six days of Brexit debate over February and March when back-bench members of Parliament are in control. The last of those is March 26, three days before Britains scheduled departure from the EU. Like the Cooper-Boles plan, this is designed to give rank-and-file politicians power to direct next steps, and could provide for a last-ditch attempt to avoid a no-deal Brexit. What it means: More parliamentary shenanigans that could make a soft Brexit, or no Brexit at all more likely. Probably positive for sterling. Chance of passing: Medium to high, if Labour supports it. Its been signed by more than 70 MPs, including Tories who arent habitual rebels. Rule Out No Deal Former Conservative minister Caroline Spelman has teamed up with Labours Jack Dromey to propose an amendment that rules out a no-deal Brexit. What it means: It would be further confirmation that Parliament doesnt want a no-deal scenario. But the market has probably already priced this in. Chances of Passing: High, if selected. The House of Commons already indicated in a vote on a Finance Bill amendment this month that a majority of lawmakers oppose a no-deal Brexit. As of Monday, more lawmakers had put their names to this amendment than any other: 129. Article 50 Extension Labours Rachel Reeves, who chairs Parliaments Business Committee, is also calling on May to seek an extension to the Article 50 exit process if she hasnt gotten a deal through Parliament by Feb. 26. What it means: Good news for business, though its not binding in the way the Cooper-Boles amendment aims to be. Chance of passing: Medium to high, depending again on Labours position. Labours Customs Union Or Second Referendum Corbyn is demanding Parliament hold a vote on different options. His amendment specifies two: staying in a customs union with the European Union (the model Labour favors), and a second exit referendum. What it means: It would be a surprise if it passes, and would reflect a significant rebellion in Tory ranks. But it would signal a path forward, with a softer Brexit more likely than a second referendum. Chance of passing: Low. Even Conservative politicians who back a second referendum are unlikely to support something with Corbyns name on it. And the Labour leader still looks more wedded to trying to force a general election. Citizens Assembly Labours Stella Creasy and Lisa Nandy want an extension of Article 50 to allow a 250-member so-called citizens assembly selected to be electorally representative to consider Brexit and make recommendations. Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown has backed the idea in the media. Chance of passing: Very low. Neither Mays Tories nor the Labour Party support it, and its conclusions would likely immediately be challenged by people who disagreed. Still, the model was adopted by Ireland ahead of its referendum on legalizing abortion. Second Referendum Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable is asking for the government to prepare for another Brexit referendum. Chance of passing: Very low. The proposal has only been signed by Liberal Democrats and is unlikely to be called. If it were, with neither main partys leadership backing a referendum, this would do well to get more than 200 votes. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. The Union Bank of India (UBI), a listed Public Sector Bank, has invited online applications from eligible ex-servicemen candidates for filling vacancies to the post of Armed Guard in the Subordinate Service Cadre through direct recruitment process. The application process towards the same will start from 23 January 2019 and will close on 18 February 2019. CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Armed Guard Organisation Union Bank of India (UBI) Educational Qualification Class 10/SSC or equivalent Job Responsibilities Perform Armed Guard duties, Operating gadgets, Operation and Maintenance of Fire Alarm systems and Fire-fighting equipment, Work in shifts including night shifts and other Skills Required Physical Fitness Job Location India Salary Scale Rs. 9,560/ - Rs. 18,545/- per month Industry Banking Application Start Date January 23, 2019 Application End Date February 18, 2019 Age Criteria And Fees Desirous candidates applying for the post of Armed Guard in the Subordinate Service Cadre through Union Bank of India Recruitment 2019 must have attained 18 years of age as on 01 January 2019, and not exceeded 25 years, with a relaxation in the upper age limit by 5 and 3 years for SC/ST and OBC candidates, and 9 years for divorced women, widows, and women separated (legally) from their husbands and who have not remarried. Candidates are required to pay a prescribed fee of Rs 100/- towards application cum intimation charges, payment towards which must be made through online (Internet Banking/Debit/Credit payment gateways) mode only. Also Read: Educational Criteria Candidates applying for the post of Armed Guard in the Subordinate Service Cadre through Union Bank of India Recruitment 2019 must have passed Class 10/SSC or equivalent but should not have qualified 10+2/HSC examination or its equivalent. He/she should have proficiency in the Official Language of the State/Union Territory in all its forms (read/write/speak) where he/she wishes to apply against the UBI Armed Guard vacancies. Selection And Pay Scale The selection of candidates as Armed Guard in the Subordinate Service Cadre through Union Bank of India Recruitment 2019 will be done based on a written test (online test) for 70 marks and physical fitness test for 30 marks. Candidates selected as Armed Guard in the Subordinate Service Cadre under UBI will be paid an emolument in the scale of Rs. 9,560/ - Rs. 18,545/- per month. Also Read: How To Apply Candidates applying for the post of Armed Guard in the Subordinate Service Cadre through Union Bank of India Recruitment 2019 must register online on the official UBI website at https://www.unionbankofindia.co.in/english/home.aspx in the 'Recruitment' Page. To Register/Apply click here For detailed notification about Union Bank of India Armed Guard Recruitment 2019 click here Do you have an athlete in mind that contributes to the team or sport, holds sportsmanship and team spirit, has epic playmaker moments and/or in general makes the the sports fun? If yes, please make your nominations for our edition of Athlete Spotlight. CLICK TO NOMINATE Everything you need to know about South Dakota government * Username This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Choose wisely! * First name * Last name Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! * Email Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else. * Password Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. remaining of Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe. Already have a paid subscription? Sign in Yes No Keep to the plan Should have never closed Vote View Results news, federal-politics Dinner with Rupert Murdoch has long been a rite of passage for Australian political leaders. But Opposition leader Bill Shorten has indicated he is not interested in a special meeting with the media mogul. Mr Shorten reportedly has a standing invitation to meet with Mr Murdoch if he is in the United States. But the Labor leader says he would prefer to meet with News Corp's Australia-based representatives. "News Limited [sic] and Mr Murdoch shouldn't take that as any view on him, in particular. I will deal with their local management, just as I deal with the local management of the ABC," Mr Shorten told the ABC's 7.30 program on Tuesday night. Former prime ministers Tony Abbott, Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd all met with Mr Murdoch in New York in a bid to encourage positive coverage of their governments. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not met Mr Murdoch during his five months in the job. But Mr Shorten said he would not worry about "things I can't change". "Some elements of the media are very aggressive critics of Labor. But I'm not going to whinge about that. When you're on the Labor side, when you're on the working people's side, you don't own the big banks, you don't own the big private health insurers and you don't own the big media." Labor's communication spokesperson Michelle Rowland said Mr Shorten was more focussed on policy problems, such as the concentration of media ownership, rather than personalities. "It's not like he goes out of his way to have anything as a conflict of personalities," Ms Rowland said. Sydney University Emeritus Professor in government and international relations Rodney Tiffen says it is unlikely that Mr Shorten has risked losing votes by knocking back Mr Murdoch's invitation. "The [News Corp] papers anti-Labor line has been consistent for quite some time," he said. "The readers of the Murdoch papers are not going to be the potential swinging voters." Mr Shorten's comments come amid fierce debate about the role of News Corp in Australian political debate. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull spoke to Mr Murdoch in the lead up to the Liberal leadership spill, asking the media tycoon to stop a campaign against him. Since leaving the Lodge, Mr Rudd has also become an outspoken critic of News Corp describing Mr Murdoch as "the greatest cancer on the Australian democracy". "Murdoch is not just a news organisation. Murdoch operates as a political party, acting in pursuit of clearly defined commercial interests, in addition to his far-right ideological world view," Mr Rudd wrote last year. News Corp Australia has been contacted for comment. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/89897c3b-ec83-4a02-9c5f-97487a60ce4a/r0_102_2000_1232_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news The Queensland paramedic killed when his ambulance crashed as he raced to a critical medical emergency was an experienced officer who had a young family. Craig McCulloch, 32, was driving alone in the vehicle when it veered off Mackay-Eungella Road in Benholme, west of Mackay, just after 8am on Monday. The ambulance rolled several times and hit a tree. Bystanders did what they could to save the man before fellow paramedics arrived but they could not save their colleague. Mr McCulloch left behind a partner and two young children who live on the Gold Coast. His death was the "most tragic day" for the Queensland Ambulance Service, acting deputy commissioner Gerard Lawler said. QAS commissioner Russell Bowles said Mr McCulloch had more than 10 years experience as a paramedic, having worked in London and the Gold Coast as well as in and around Mackay. "He touched a lot of people," Mr Bowles said. "These are very rare events, where an emergency responder is tragically killed in the line of duty and, of course, it has a deep-ranging effect on all of our staff." Mr Bowles believed this was the first time in the service's history that a paramedic had been killed while responding to a code one emergency. "This is something that I believe is probably a first in our state," he said. Mr McCulloch had an aunt and uncle in the Mackay region with whom he would stay while he was working and then travel back to the Gold Coast to be with his young family on his days off. Friends of Mr McCulloch posted tributes to the paramedic on social media describing their heartbreak. Yesterday we lost not only an amazing paramedic, but a wonderful man, friend and father, one of Mr McCullochs friends wrote on Facebook. I am still in shock along with so many people who he was so special to. A cheeky, fun, loving guy who will be missed immensely. Another wrote He was a paramedic on his way to help save another person. He leaves behind two beautiful children and many broken hearts. Mr Bowles said he had met with Mr McCulloch's family. Counsellors and psychologists were supporting the family and support staff had been flown in from Brisbane to support Mr McCulloch's colleagues in Mackay. "You can imagine the turmoil that the family that has been through such a horrible event will be in at this point," Mr Bowles said. The QAS commissioner said he and his colleagues appreciated the community's support. "Were just humbled as an ambulance service over the support that weve received from the community, our staff and members of the media," Mr Bowles said. "This is very sad and has been very difficult for people within the ambulance service to deal with." Mr Bowles said Mr McCulloch's death was a reminder of the dangers first responders faced. "Like any emergency service, we deal with risk each and every day," he said. Leading up to the crash, the Mackay area received significant rainfall on the back of a weather system that drenched the state's north, a factor police and the coroner were set to investigate. Mr Lawler declined to share details of the original medical emergency Mr McCulloch was responding to but gave assurances that other ambulances had continued to the scene. He said it was common for rural paramedics to be driving solo, with back-up from other vehicles. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her thoughts and prayers were with the paramedic's family. "An absolute tragedy to hear that the ambulance officer lost his life," she said. "Our thoughts are with the wider ambulance group today as well, I'm quite sure they're feeling it." Ms Palaszczuk said there would be an investigation into the incident. - with AAP /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/2b70a70f-df0b-41b2-842c-8171446ccf59/r0_519_472_786_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news We all need to be a bit more sceptical about our local pubs. We've always understood that people drank too much and got into fights but now there is a serious shift in pub culture, from places celebrated as warm and inclusive (except for Aboriginal Australians, except for women) to sites of miserable exploitation of staff and patrons. Late last week, we discovered Merivale, owned by the Hemmes family and a major operator of pubs, bars, restaurants and corporate venues, had cancelled its annual staff party. There was no set date but management, which denied the cancellation, had been talking up the event as recently as December, according to staff. News of the cancellation came on the same day as the Fair Work Commission ruled Merivale must start paying its 3000-strong workforce under the hospitality award from March. The company, led by chief executive Justin Hemmes, had been underpaying staff for years. In a submission to the commission, Merivales human resources manager, Kate Tones, wrote: Merivale will need to consider the viability of business practices which while viable under the EBA, may not be viable under the modern award. Translation: we want to ensure we keep boosting profitability at the cost of our workers. We also discovered last week that the manager of a bar in Perth sent a message to female staff insisting they wear new, low-cut tops. He wrote: If you dont feel comfortable you are welcome to find employment elsewhere." Translation: I alone will decide what women should wear to work without consulting them. He had to back down pronto. The ABC reported last week that Mitchell McNamee, the owner of Rorkes Beer, Wine and Food, in central Darwin, allegedly wrote to a senior staff member saying, "I told you no blacks in my f***ing bar. A number of staff have left the venue claiming they havent been paid for weeks. Translation: Nothing thats printable here. Three public incidents in the space of eight days and these are just the ones we know about. Seriously, we should be able to pop in to our local and expect that both staff and customers are being treated fairly. The moral bankruptcy of some in the hotel industry, mired as it is in problem drinking, problem gambling and violence, is underscored by its relationship to poker machines. For the first time, consumer losses on poker machines in pubs are growing at more than three times the rate of clubs nationally and pub losses now exceed $6 billion nationally. Pub managements develop ruthless loyalty schemes; and regulars find it difficult to resist particularly since pubs are likely to open for the maximum hours possible, says Stephen Mayne of the Alliance for Gambling Reform. Much of the serious impact on customers never makes the news, except for the list of most violent venues, where the Hemmes-owned Ivy makes an appearance. Pubs are places which work to make people feel included. Operators rely on that vibe and the culture is about pretending you are part of the family. Madeline Lucre, a young Hemmes whistleblower who eventually joined her union United Voice, had been trying to get breaks scheduled during eight hour shifts but, when she asked for one, was told to eat some bread and stop complaining. She found it hard to talk to her supervisor about working conditions. [Employers] create a culture where people feel like they cant complain. We are all such good mates and we all get on . . . you go out drinking with your bosses after work and its hard to raise those issues because we are quite close. If you do, it makes you feel a bit guilty. She became an unofficial union organiser towards the end of her time at Merivale and is now working for United Voice, where she deals with those experiencing exploitative management practice. The truth is if you make too much of a big deal you wont get shifts the next week, that is the nature of being casual. This is an industry which is not as tightly controlled as it should be and its now exploiting our young, so many of whom dont belong to unions and dont have the right protections. Diane Kirkby and Chris McConville cowrote the iconic social history The Australian Pub with Tanja Luckins. McConville reminds me that pubs have always been strictly controlled through liquor licensing laws. But the culture of the Australian hotel industry has benefited from boundaries getting blurred. Long hours, difficult situations, late at night, serving the public in a domestic setting and the majority of staff are casuals, so it has all the problems of the gig economy. Nearly no protections. Kirkby, a professor of both law and humanities at UTS and La Trobe, remembers reading Craig McGregor's Profile of Australia when he claimed Australian pubs were the most egalitarian places to be. She says he was wrong then, wrong now. Nothing changes in pubs, she says, reminding me that women have always been exploited in pubs. "Remember the topless barmaids of the 1970s?" But one aspect has changed significantly - a dramatic decline in workers who are union members. The power has shifted to the employer away from workers, away from unions. Workers should never have to negotiate for their rights one-onone. You should never have to negotiate with the people you drink with. The people who run pubs are not your family and they are not your friends. Some pub owners are now getting away with wage theft. They dont have your best interests at heart, whether you are a customer or a staff member, no matter what they say. Jenna Price is an academic at the University of Technology Sydney. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/bbfad8ce-d9aa-4639-a0ac-48991cb00f19/r0_109_2000_1239_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Curtin residents have denounced the government's approval of a five-storey building near the suburb's central square, vowing to overturn the decision at the Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The Curtin Residents Association, in its application for a review of the decision, said the "village-style atmosphere" and character of the area would be diminished by the building. The building's original proposal, which called for six storeys and 50 apartments, was knocked back in 2017. The current proposal calls for 36 apartments. "We don't yet have the information about how a building of five storeys will overshadow the square at important times," residents association president Chris Johnson said. "It's too close to the edge of the 25-metre-wide courtyard at five storeys, and it's too big of a building." The association's application said the south-western position of the 20.7 metre structure would cast too much shade over Curtin Square, preventing children from playing in the sun after school hours. It also said the lack of provisions for a safe pedestrian environment would pose a significant risk, as the site's proposed heavy-vehicle circulation route is close to car parking and pedestrian areas. "The conditions that were put on the proposal that's being accepted were quite vague. Parking is a crucial part of the development ... but they haven't mentioned design solutions for these issues," it said. Parking was mentioned as an issue in the building's development application but the Transport Canberra and City Services directorate said it supported the proposal as long as a risk assessment was carried out. The complex, the construction of which would see the 55-year-old Curtin shops demolished, has long been the subject of a major stoush between the community and the site's owner, the Haridemos family. Its original development application proposed three basement car park levels, as opposed to two in the approved plan, and a 26-metre height. The proposal was rejected by planning authorities in February 2017, but a second development application was submitted some 18 months later - well outside the requirement of 20 days. An extension was granted to the Haridemos family, and the application was eventually approved in December 2018 despite huge controversy and the development of a master plan for Curtin shops. The master plan was seen as a compromise between the site's owners and the community, with building heights being restricted to one storey around the square and up to five elsewhere. The residents association said the building's development application should have only been approved once the master plan was legislated. "The [Notice of Decision on Reconsideration] says the new master plan doesn't apply yet. But [the planning authority] applies some of the criteria, and then it fails to apply others, including about visual impact and character," Mr Johnson said. "It's trying to have it both ways." ACT Chief Planner Ben Ponton said the approved development proposal is consistent with the Curtin master plan, which protects access to sunlight in the town square. "Waiting for the release of the Draft Variation would not have changed the outcome for the development application because it meets the master plans intent," he said. "Furthermore, the planning and land authority was bound by statutory timeframes to make a decision on the revised development application and could not have waited for the Territory Plan variation to come into force." The Curtin shops were fenced off and retailers turfed from the building by the Haridemos family in January last year after the initial development application was rejected. Attempts were made to contact the Haridemos family via their spokesperson, Tania Parkes, but they did not respond. "We would like to see this development resolved quickly so the traders in the square get back to normal business and maybe enhance it as soon as possible," Mr Johnson said. "Having it fenced off has caused a lot of disruption." Curtin residents and retailers were given an opportunity to make submissions to the reconsideration prior to a decision being made on December 7 last year. The Curtin Residents Association is attending its first hearing at the Civil and Administrative Tribunal on February 11. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/9de424ce-3f38-4750-825d-ed3709619c4b/r0_149_2953_1817_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Become A Subscriber A subscription opens up access to all our online content, including: our interactive E-Edition, a full archive of modern stories, exclusive and expanded online offerings, photo galleries from Caledonian-Record journalists, video reports from our media partners, extensive international, national and regional reporting by the Associated Press, and a wide variety of feature content. China is encouraging insurance companies to invest more of their $2.65 trillion of assets in securities as part of the governments efforts to bolster liquidity and revitalize the gloomy capital markets. The commission wants insurance institutions to use their long-term funds to invest in more high-quality stocks and bonds and expand their investment through specialized equity-investment products, Xiao Yuanqi, a spokesman for the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), told media Monday. This will help ensure stability in the capital markets and will allow insurers to improve their investment portfolios, the CBIRC said in a statement on its website. Total assets of the insurance industry stood at around 18 trillion yuan ($2.65 trillion) at the end of 2018, according to official Xinhua News Agency. As economy cools and the stock market declines, the agency is stepping up efforts to widen capital market access for insurance funds. The CBIRC also said in late October that it was soliciting public feedback on a draft of new rules that would further remove limits on insurers investments in equities to enhance insurance capitals support to the real economy. Since 2017, China has tightened scrutiny of insurance investments and capped insurers investments in equities at 30% of total assets, rolled back from a previous cap of 40% to curb aggressive investments in stocks that fueled risk concerns. The regulatory agency will next allow insurers specialized investment products to invest in brokerages asset management plans and trust products, Xiao said. The Monday statement followed the agencys decision in October to allow insurance companies to invest in stocks through specialized products. Policymakers were seeking to help mitigate liquidity risks amid a stock market sell-off that sparked a crisis related to shares pledged for loans. Under the October rule, qualified insurers are allowed to set up specialized investment products through their asset management arms to invest in publicly traded shares and bonds of listed companies, as well as convertible bonds issued in private placements by listed companies. Since then, the asset management arms of 10 insurance companies have unveiled plans to set up specialized products with total funding of 116 billion yuan ($17.2 billion). Five of them have launched products and completed investments of 2.2 billion yuan, according to the CBIRC. China Life Asset Management Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of state-owned China Life Insurance Co., was the first to set up a 20 billion yuan specialized equity investment product in late October. Last week, the commission said it will allow insurance companies to buy perpetual bonds and Tier 2 capital bonds issued by certain banks, to bolster the banking industrys capital. As of the end of November 2018, Chinese insurers invested nearly 2 trillion yuan in mutual funds and stocks, or 12.4% of their total assets, according to the CBIRC. Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) Shop Local Florists Find the perfect arrangement for your loved one. We have a local listing below that is on click away... 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Sterling reversed early losses on Tuesday to strengthen against the euro and dollar after the speaker of the UK parliament chose amendments to be voted on, including two that would effectively take no-deal Brexit off the table. Prime Minister Theresa May also agreed that parliament did not want to leave the European Union without a deal. The speaker chose several amendments that will be voted on from 1900 GMT, including one which the opposition Labour Party is likely to support, which provides for delaying Brexit if parliament cannot agree a deal by Feb. 26. Sterling raced to a session high of $1.32, up 0.2 percent on the day, after having traded in a $1.3160-$1.3170 range beforehand. Against the euro, it rose to a session high of 86.560 pence, up 0.2 percent on the day "Given those amendments have been chosen, markets may have discerned a delay is a step closer," said Neil Mellor, FX strategist at BNY Mellon. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Ryanair could acquire one or two smaller airlines like its separately branded Polish and Austrian units in the coming years, but "nothing big", Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said on Tuesday. "You'll see in the next couple of years, I'd like to see Ryanair evolve as kind of a group of different airlines. We will have Ryanair based out of Ireland, you'll have Laudamotion based out of Austria, you'll have Ryanair Sun ... in Poland," he told a news conference. "That will I think allow us in the next number of years to maybe add one or two other airlines. Now, nothing big but if there were some small-scale opportunities that popped up like the Laudamotion opportunity then we could do it," he said, adding that they would have to bring new bases in Europe. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Ireland-based carrier Ryanair said on Tuesday its cabin crew in Spain had voted in favour of a recognition agreement with SITCPLA and USO workers' unions. Ryanair suffered a number of strikes last year by pilots and cabin crew, forcing it to cancel hundreds of flights across Europe, after the airline recognised unions for the first time in 2017. The airline and the unions are working on a collective labour agreement which they both hope to conclude on or before April 30, Ryanair said in a statement. Unions representing the cabin crew in Spain had called off plans to strike Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 after reaching a preliminary agreement on contracts earlier this month. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, yesterday announced a 36 million investment in ground-breaking research and development projects at the DePuy Synthes Ireland Innovation Centre, Loughbeg, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. Since launching a decade ago, the Centre has accelerated innovative technologies and new product introductions for the companys orthopaedic portfolio. New projects will focus on advancing material science in 3D printing, coatings and surface treatments to meet future needs. The expansion includes the establishment of a 3-D Printing Development and Launch Center on-site, as well as the Johnson & Johnson 3D Bioprinting Laboratory, launched last year in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin. The five year project is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation, through IDA Ireland. It will result in significant developments at the companys Materials and Surface Technology Centre, including co-location with Johnson & Johnsons 3D Printing Center of Excellence, creating 30 additional high-quality positions. Making the announcement in Ringaskiddy, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney said, "DePuy Synthes investment of 36 million in innovation and the addition of 30 jobs at the companys Materials Centre of Excellence is fantastic news for the region, and clearly demonstrates the strong commitment by DePuy to the site. This has been built on a solid track record of over 20 years of successful operations here in Cork." Shannon Crespin, VP, Global Supply Chain, DePuy Synthes added, "I'm delighted to be here for todays announcement, which marks the next phase in the exciting R&D activity being undertaken at this Innovation Centre. As the worlds most comprehensive medical devices business, our expert team continues to develop ground-breaking healthcare solutions, underlining our ongoing commitment to improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare delivery." Source: www.businessworld.ie The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging the company stole trade secrets, misled banks about its business and violated U.S. sanctions. The charges were announced just before a crucial two-day round of trade talks between the United States and China are scheduled to begin in Washington. Trade analysts say they could dim prospects for a breakthrough. The sweeping indictments accuse the company of using extreme efforts to steal trade secrets from American businesses - including trying to take a piece of a robot from a T-Mobile lab. Also Read: Honor View 20 with 48 MP rear camera to launch in India today; check out price, specifications The executive charged is Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested in Canada last month. The U.S. is seeking to extradite her, alleging she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. David Martin, Meng's lawyer in Canada, didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver and her case is due back in court Tuesday as she awaits extradition proceedings to begin. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. A spokesman did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment. The Justice Department charges that Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Huawei had done business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and alleged that Meng misled U.S. banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to prosecutors. "As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August, we need more law enforcement cooperation with China," acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said at a news conference with other Cabinet officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. "China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies - and China should take action." The officials provided details from a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. Among the accusations, prosecutors say Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device that T-Mobile used to test smartphones. Beginning in 2012, Huawei hatched a plan to steal information about T-Mobile's robot, named "Tappy," and Huawei engineers secretly took photos of the robot, measured it and tried to steal a piece of it from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state, according to prosecutors. T-Mobile declined to comment. The Huawei case has set off diplomatic spats among the United States, China and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China. But Ross said Monday that the indictments are "wholly separate from our trade negotiations with China." The two countries agreed Dec. 1 to negotiate for 90 days in an effort to defuse worsening trade tensions. Trump has postponed a scheduled increase in U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent during the talks. A breakdown in negotiations would likely lead to higher tariffs, a prospect that has rattled financial markets for months. Monday's announcement of criminal charges "is certainly not a propitious sign for U.S.- China trade tensions and could hamper prospects for even a partial deal in the coming weeks," said Eswar Prasad, an economics professor and China expert at Cornell University. There is no allegation Huawei was working at the direction of the Chinese government. In past instances, the U.S. government has singled out Beijing in corporate or digital espionage and has recently charged several Chinese hackers and intelligence officials. The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder at Vancouver's airport, has led to the worst relations between Canada and China since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. Launched with much fanfare four years ago, Modi Government's flagship silver bullet MUDRA scheme appears to have missed its target. Meant to 'fund the unfunded', the collateral free loan scheme is now a bad loan mess with 40% allocated funds remaining idle since the last financial year. An India Today TV investigation of MUDRA annual reports has found that even the intended job creation and income generation has been below par so far. The Modi government facing the heat employees of public-sector banks staged a massive protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in December last year. The bank unions are angry over what they allege are poor wage increases. They are also worried that schemes like MUDRA are bleeding their banks. And when India Today TV dug up deeper we found some of their concerns were genuine. In the recently concluded winter session of the Parliament, replying to a query raised by a member, Government divulged that out of the total 15.26 crore MUDRA loans sanctioned so far, the Shishu (loans upto Rs 50 thousand) component stands at ajist over 90% ! Bank employees allege that they were under government pressure to disburse these loans. Pankaj Kapoor, an officer with Bank of India told India Today TV said, ' We were under a lot of pressure from the ministry to show numbers, we were asked to provide a daily report of the number of MUDRA loans disbursed. In desperation our officers had to go out and request customers to sign up for the loan.' 'There was no loan proposal nor any repayment plan, we just had to follow orders without going into the procedures,' he added. The scheme is yet to spur job creation. The Government itself has admitted that there is no authentic survey to second its claims on this front. The MUDRA balance sheets from the last two years show its lending less than the priority funds it received from banks. RBI data on the sectoral deployment of bank credits shows that the growth in credit flow to MSMEs remains below par when compared with that of both the non-food sector and the priority sector. When compared with the situation in March 2015, a month ahead of MUDRA's launch, with that of March 2018, the data shows that while credit growth to the non-food and priority sectors were 28% and 27%, respectively, that of MSMEs (manufacturing and services) was only 24%. Similarly, if compared with the situation in November 2014 with November 2018 - the latest RBI data available - growth of credit to the non-food and priority sectors were 41% and 36%, respectively. As against this, growth of credit to MSMEs (manufacturing and services) was 33%. If the growth of credit to the manufacturing MSMEs alone are taken, it is actually in the negative (-2%) between March 2014 and March 2018 and just 1% between November. Bank unions allege a policy flaw. Ashwini Rana of the National Organisation of Bank Workers said, 'Unsecured loans once disbursed become a headache for bankers. Borrowers think that it is some sort of a government gift to them and they don't have to repay. Government fixes targets which should not be the case. There is policy flaw with MUDRA. That's why people have misused it and when they default, bankers are caught and penalised.' Worse, estimates suggest show income generated from Shishu and Kishore ( loans between Rs 50 thousand to Rs 5 Lakhs) loans is nowhere near the monthly minimum wage of an unskilled farm labourer. India Today TV analysed all the three loan categories. For Shishu loans the average loan size in 2017-18 was Rs 22516. At 20% of this loan amount, the assumed annual return would have been Rs 4617, which comes to just Rs 375 per month. Similarly monthly return from Kishore was Rs 3487 only. Both these returns are far below that even the monthly minimum wage (Rs 10650) for unskilled agriculture labour fixed by the Government. As for Tarun loans ( Between Rs 5 Lakh to Rs 10 lakh), the estimate is Rs 12687 which is just a little above the mark. The Union Government has recently admitted in the Lok Sabha that bad loans under MUDRA have almost doubled since the last fiscal. In financial year 2015-16, MUDRA generated bad loans worth Rs 596 Cr while in 2016-17 it rose to Rs 3,790 Cr but in 2017-18, it's bad loan volume climbed to a dangerous level of Rs 7,277 crore. And here's another irony of MUDRA numbers. Before the launch, bank loans to small and micro business stood at Rs 3,700 crore in 2015. After running the scheme for three years, loans under MUDRA have in fact gone down to Rs 3,600 crore. Economists say MUDRA is more of an accounting exercise than a fresh infusion to create jobs. Ved Jain, an Economist told India Today TV ,'It would have been more effective had the Government made it a scheme with budgetary backing. Right now it's mostly dependent on public sector banks for funds which is not a good thing to do. Banks should not be used to fund populist schemes. They are already witnessing high NPAs and such schemes are more likely to end up as farms loans. I am sure some government would come up and say we will waive MUDRA loans.' Yet, the government defends the project. Niti Aayog's Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar disagreed that MUDRA has failed to meet expectations. He told India Today TV, 'MUDRA scheme has been specially designed for borrowers, small trading or business startups. These small businesses drive job creation at the macro level. Wrong to say that there is no budgetary provision since MUDRA is backed by SIDBI which has a definite budget.' But MUDRA's latest annual report shows more than 40% of its allocated funds are lying un-utilised. While the total lending stands at Rs 10,555 crore as per official data, a huge sum of Rs 6719 crore remains unused. While recoveries from big defaulters like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi is still a challenge. The volume of bad loans from MUDRA borrowers could be a new headache for the Banks and micro finance groups. The first train on the completed track of the Konkan railway was flagged off on a Republic Day, on January 26, 1998. Twenty one Republic Days and three days later, on January 29, 2019, India lost George Fernandes, the man whose passion, administrative prowess and missionary zeal helped India execute that project, which was a "tryst with destiny" for many people in the coastal belt of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka redeemed in the 50th year of the nation's Independence. The visionary railway minister and a great defence minister, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes him in his condolence tweet, was suffering from prolonged illness. He was 88. Fernandes was the Defence Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government when India carried out successful nuclear bomb tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan, also in 1998, the year when his dream Konkan project took off. While credit to Pokhran tests will be shared, Konkan railway was a dream come true for Fernandes, who hails from Mangalore, one end of the Konkan coastal belt. "The very decisive steps he took as Railway Minister and financing strategy employed made his dream come true. This country would not have got this most useful railway line, which reduced travel time by 12 hours and travel distance by 650 Kms, but for his vision and passion. Konkan Railway will remain as an everlasting achievement of George Fernandes," says E Sreedharan, the first chairman-cum-Managing Director of Konkan Railway Corporation. Sreedharan, who was handpicked by Fernandes for this project, is none other than India's Metro Man, who steered Delhi Metro Rail Corporation during its initial phase. It was in December 1989 George Fernandez took over as the country's Railway Minister under V P Singh led Janata Dal government. In the very first week, he had a meeting with the members of the Railway Board. "I was then Member Engineering, Railway Board and was away to Kerala on a holiday. Sri George Fernandez made two demands in that meeting. One was construction of a Railway bridge linking Chithoni to Bagha across the Gandag river in Bihar, from where he was elected to the parliament. The second was construction of a Railway line connecting Bombay to Mangalore along the west coast - an important missing link in the Railway map of India," Sreedharan recalls. The main problem with the construction of a new railway line that now connects 741 kilometre stretch of coastal line in the three states, apart from the engineering challenges that it posed, was the budgetary requirement. Konkan railway project was expected to be 840 kilometers long with an estimated cost of Rs 1600 crores at a time when the annual railway budget for new lines used to be around 300 crores. Since there were already lines under construction in other parts of the country, any budgetary allocation above Rs 25 crore was considered to be too high. And with that budget, even after discounting for cost escalation, the construction time would have taken 20 to 25 years. Sreedharan says that he, therefore, had to suggest a new strategy for raising funds for the project. The plan was to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in which all the three States along the route and its Southern most beneficiary state Kerala could be equity partners on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis. While four state governments contribute to 1/3rd of the project cost, remaining 2/3 will be raised from the market. He placed this proposal before Fernandez on January 2, 1990. "Being a shrewd administrator rather than a politician, he jumped to grab this proposal wholeheartedly. Within 2 days of our return to Delhi, he was able to get the clearance from the Finance Minister Madhu Dandavate, vice chairman Planning commission Ramakrisha Hegde - both hailing from the Konkan region and finally the nod from the Prime Minister V P Singh," Sreedharan explains. The proposal was included in the Railways works programme for the year 1990-91, Konkan Railway Corporation was formed, and the new railway route passing through one of the most difficult terrains ever encountered in the history of railway construction in India got completed in a record short period of 7 years. As tributes flow in memories of Fernandes today, Konkan Railway will remain as the tallest tribute Fernandes has given to his nation. Also read: PM Modi memorabilia put on sale for 'Namami Gange' project; check out items on offer Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh lag behind Haryana in girl sex ratio at birth Modi govt likely to make big announcement for farmers! Here's what you can expect French glassmaker Saint Gobain today opened its third float glass manufacturing plant at the World Glass Complex, Sriperumbudur, Chennai. The plant was built at a cost of Rs 1200 crore and will cater to both domestic and international markets. With this, the company's cumulative investment in the Glass Complex?at Sriperumbudur has crossed Rs 3,000 crore, the single largest investment destination of Saint Gobain globally. Since its entry into India in 1996, the company has invested about Rs 7,500 crore. In 2018, the company had reported a net sales of over Rs 7000 crore. "India is one of the fastest growing markets for Saint Gobian and is a very profitable market. Indian sales account for close to 2 per cent of our global sales," said Pierre-Andre de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Gobain group to Business Today. "However we have very low penetration in India since glass penetration in the country is low -- 1.65 kg per head compared to China which is 30 kg per head." The company is planning to triple its sales revenue in next 10 years. "In last few years, the Indian market has been self funding itself as investments made here are funded from the profit we make here. The brand recall of Saint-Gobain in India is as good as it is in France. Indeed, we are as much an Indian company as we are French," Chalender said adding that the primary investment in India is for the local market and vast majority of the products the company manufactures will be sold here . On an average, 15 per cent of overall products are being exported. The company that started Indian operations in 1996 had recorded an average growth rate of about 19 per cent YoY till few years back. "Currently we are having a growth average of 10 per cent. The new facility adds around 400 new jobs, which takes the employee strength of the company to 6500," said B Santhanam, managing director, Saint-Gobain India. "The third float glass plant will be the largest in India in terms of capacity and will manufacture a wide range of complex products that cater to the needs of sustainable habitats and affordable luxury," Santhanam?added. The plant, according to the company, is also highly energy efficient and generates 1.2 MW of power from waste heat of the furnace and 3.5 MW from rooftop solar facility. "This will meet more than 80 per cent of energy for the plant," said Santhanam. The company also opened its second advanced magnetoron coater facility and glass solutions' lines. With this, the world glass complex will have a capacity to manufacture 140 million square ft of high performance energy efficient glass catering to businesses across Africa, Middle-East and ASEAN region. The company also had signed an MoU worth Rs 720 crore with Tamil Nadu government in the recently concluded global investors meet. By Matt Spetalnick and Brian EllsworthWASHINGTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Monday imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, aimed at severely curbing the OPEC member's crude exports to the United States and at pressuring socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down.Russia, a close ally of Venezuela, denounced the move as illegal interference in Venezuela's affairs and said the curbs meant Venezuela would probably have problems servicing its $3.15 billion sovereign debt to Moscow.Minutes before the sanctions announcement, Juan Guaido, the ... By David LawderWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday the United States expects significant progress this week in trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, but the two sides will be tackling "complicated issues", including how to enforce any deal.The talks, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Washington, will include a meeting between Liu and U.S. President Donald Trump and take place amid worsening tensions between the world's two largest economies.The U.S. Justice Department on Monday unsealed indictments against China's top telecommunications ... By Diane Bartz, Sarah N. Lynch and Sijia JiangWASHINGTON/HONG KONG (Reuters) - The United States on Monday announced criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, escalating a fight with the world's biggest telecommunications equipment maker which denies wrongdoing, and coming days before trade talks with Beijing.The Justice Department charged Huawei and its chief financial officer with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran by doing business through a subsidiary it tried to hide and that was reported on by Reuters in 2012 and 2013.In a separate case, the Justice ... WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, denounced Venezuela's attorney general on Tuesday for what he said were threats against opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognised by Washington as the country's interim president.Labeling Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab an "illegitimate former" Venezuelan official, Bolton said in a message on Twitter "there will be serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido."Earlier on Tuesday, Saab called on the Venezuelan top court to open an investigation into the ... By Isla BinnieMADRID (Reuters) - Wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa reported a 6 percent rise in first-quarter sales and though margins narrowed it forecast better ahead, sending its shares higher after an early fall.Revenue rose to 2.26 billion euros from 2.13 billion a year earlier but its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margin for the October-December quarter fell to 6.1 percent from 6.3 percent.The company, formed by a merger between Spain's Gamesa and the wind power business of Siemens, maintained its guidance for an EBIT margin of 7 to 8.5 percent for the full year.Chief ... By Aditi ShahNEW DELHI (Reuters) - Jet Airways creditor State Bank of India is likely to own 15 percent of the airline if the cash-strapped carrier's plan for a debt-for-equity swap is approved, Indian TV channels reported on Tuesday.With debts of about $1.14 billion, Jet has been hit by fierce competition from other low-cost carriers, a weaker rupee and high oil prices. It owes money to banks, pilots, vendors and lessors, some of whom are considering taking back aircraft, sources have told Reuters.Jet said on Monday it would seek shareholder approval next month to convert debt into equity, ... By Bart H. MeijerAMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The trade war between Washington and Beijing is forcing Dutch health technology company Philips to move "hundreds of millions" of euros worth of production from the United States to China, and vice versa, to avoid punitive tariffs."This is not peanuts", Chief Executive Frans van Houten told reporters on Tuesday. "These are serious changes to our supply chains," he said, adding the switches would take place in the first half of 2019. Philips, whose healthcare products range from high-tech toothbrushes to medical imaging systems, stuck to an earlier ... By Laila KearneyNEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices gained more than 2 percent on Tuesday after the United States imposed sanctions on state-owned Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, a move likely to reduce the OPEC member's crude exports and relieve some global oversupply worries. International Brent crude oil futures were up $1.39 to settle at $61.32 a barrel, a 2.32 percent rise, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased $1.32, or 2.54 percent, to settle at $53.31 a barrel.Venezuela is among the world's largest heavy crude oil producers, and the United States has been its ... By Laila KearneyNEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rallied above 2 percent on Tuesday after the United States put sanctions on state-owned Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, a move likely to curtail the OPEC member's crude exports and chip away at global oversupply worries. International Brent crude oil futures were up $1.42 to $61.35 a barrel, or 2.4 percent, by 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased $1.32 to $53.31 a barrel, or 2.5 percent."The Venezuelan situation is obviously supportive," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. ... The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) said on Tuesday banks are not wrong in rejecting the settlement plan proposed by the promoters of debt-ridden Essar Steel, Indian TV channels reported. Essar Steel India Ltd in October last year had said its board and shareholders had offered to pay Rs 54,389 crore ($7.64 billion) to creditors to settle their claims, allowing the company to exit from a bankruptcy process. TV channels also reported that the country's bankruptcy court said billionaire owner Ruia brothers' Rs 54,389 crore settlement plan for the steel maker is not ... WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Tuesday he expected to see significant progress in trade talks with Chinese officials this week and that U.S. charges against telecommunications giant Huawei were a separate issue."Those are separate issues and that's a separate dialogue," Mnuchin said in an interview with Fox Business Network. "So those are not part of trade discussions. Forced technology issues are part of trade discussions but any issues as it relates to violations of U.S. law or U.S. sanctions are going through a separate track." (Reporting by Doina ... NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Shares of home loan provider Dewan Housing Finance Corp fell 8 percent on Tuesday following a media report that alleged financial misappropriation by the controlling shareholders of the company.Dewan Housing, one of India's largest housing finance companies, said the Cobrapost website's report "appears to have been done with a mala fide intent to cause damage to the goodwill and reputation" and "resulting in erosion in shareholder value."Cobrapost said it stood by its reporting."I would like to see them rebut our stories point by point and also answer the detailed ... Huawei's CFO "should not be a hostage" in Sino-US relations, her lawyer said on Tuesday, after the United States announced criminal charges against herself and the Chinese firm just days before crunch trade talks with Beijing. The Justice Department charged Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and its chief financial officer with conspiring to violate US sanctions on Iran by doing business through a subsidiary it tried to hide and that was reported on by Reuters in 2012 and 2013. In a separate case, the Justice Department charged the telecommunications equipment maker with ... (Reuters) - Harley-Davidson Inc reported an 8.7 percent fall in fourth-quarter revenue on Tuesday, largely due to weak demand for its big-bikes in the United States, its top market.The company said it expects to ship 217,000 to 222,000 motorcycles in 2019, its lowest in eight years.Analysts on average were expecting 2019 shipments of 228,190 motorcycles, according to research firm Consensus Metrix. (Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Bate Felix and Wendell RoelfPARIS/CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Total is launching its biggest exploration campaign for years in 2019 as part of a turnaround plan that is ditching the company's focus on risky long-shots in favour of areas known to contain commercial levels of oil or gas.The French major aims to drill 23 wells this year, its senior vice president for exploration, Kevin McLachlan, told Reuters, in waters off Mauritania, Senegal, Namibia, South Africa, Guyana and Brazil.While the company declined to say how many wells it drilled in 2018, McLachlan said 2019 would be Total's largest ... Indian conglomerate JSW Steel and global trading firm Duferco are in advanced talks on a five-year cash-for-steel prepayment deal, four sources familiar with the matter said, in a rare move for the industry. JSW, India's biggest steelmaker, and Duferco had a prepayment deal in 2006 for $150 million in upfront cash that would be repaid over seven years with steel cargoes, but the scale of the proposed new deal is much larger. Two sources said the deal, expected to be signed this quarter, would be worth about $600 million. Switzerland-based Duferco, backed by banks, would ... By Erwin Seba and Jessica Resnick-AultHOUSTON (Reuters) - Chevron Corp has agreed to buy a Texas oil refinery with a troubled past and space to handle a coming flow of shale from its West Texas operations, two sources familiar with negotiations said on Monday.The U.S. oil major is expected to disclose the deal to acquire a 112,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery in Pasadena, Texas, this quarter, the sources said. The plant is operated by Pasadena Refining System Inc, a Texas-based unit of Brazil's state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA. Chevron spokesman Braden Reddall declined to comment on ... FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom said on Tuesday it is reviewing its network equipment procurement plans after the United States moved to restrict China's Huawei Technologies from accessing its next-generation mobile networks.Huawei is at the centre of a diplomatic row after U.S. officials briefed Western allies that Huawei's network equipment may contain "back doors" which enable cyber espionage. Huawei says such concerns are unfounded."Deutsche Telekom takes the global debate surrounding the security of Chinese network equipment very seriously. We have a multi-vendor strategy for ... (Reuters) - Axis Bank Ltd more than doubled net profit in its last quarter led by former Chief Executive Shikha Sharma, driven by higher interest income and recoveries from written-off accounts.The company said on Tuesday net profit rose to 16.81 billion rupees ($236.42 million) for the three months to Dec. 31 from 7.26 billion rupees a year earlier, beating the 11.97 billion rupees forecast on average by 24 analysts, I/B/E/S data from Refinitiv showed. India's banking sector has faced increased scrutiny amid issues including record-high bad loan levels and a $2 billion fraud uncovered at ... The Uttar Pradesh government Monday decided to give state GST exemption to Bollywood blockbuster 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting held in Allahabad, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who presided over the meeting, told reporters. "This is a movie on the surgical strikes, the cabinet has decided to exempt it from state GST. This film is about the country's valour and will instil a feeling of nationalism and patriotism... This will help youth and all citizens of the country to see it," Adityanath said. 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', written and directed by Aditya Dhar, is based on the Indian Army's surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan in 2016 as a retaliation for the Uri attack that claimed lives of 17 Army personnel. The film features Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Mohit Raina and Yami Gautam in lead roles. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yes Bank promoters Rana Kapoor and Madhu Kapur have agreed to nominate one representative director each on the bank's board as part of truce being under the works, the private lender said Tuesday. The bank in November had said that efforts were underway for mutual resolution and truce between Rana Kapoor group and Madhu Kapur and her family, the two co-promoters groups of the private sector lender. Yes Bank said recently select senior board of directors of the bank had interacted with Kapur and her family. "Madhu Kapur Group and Rana Kapoor Group have agreed to nominate one representative director each on the bank's board, subject to the completion of the necessary documentation," Yes Bank said in a regulatory filing. The two new appointed directors will be announced at the next scheduled Board meeting in April 2019. "This is intended to ensure better coordination and support by the two promoter groups with the new MD & CEO and the board of directors of the bank," it added. Yes Bank also said that its board and recommended the name of a senior board member of the bank to the Reserve Bank to temporarily hold the office of the MD&CEO as an interim special duty officer. The senior official will hold the position as "Board Director on Interim Special Duty (MD & CEO's responsibilities)' from Feb 1, 2019 till such date Ravneet Gill assumes office in March, 2019," it said. Last week, Yes Bank had appointed Deutsche Bank India head Ravneet Singh Gilll as its Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO) as incumbent Rana Kapoor is required to step down on January 31. As per sources, the bank has named Ajai Kumar, the non-executive non-independent director on its board to be acting an interim MD&CEO for the RBI's recommendation. In September, the Reserve Bank had asked Kapoor to find a replacement for himself. Kapoor had co-founded the bank in 2004 along with his late brother-in-law Ashok Kapur, who died in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, post which his wife Madhu Kapur became the co-promoter of the bank. Kapoor and Kapur have been caught-up in a legal battle since 2015 on some issues including nominating members of their choice on the board of the bank. Madhu is sister of Rana Kapoor's wife Bindu and the two co-promoters of the bank have been working towards reaching a settlement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Tuesday paid tributes to George Fernandes at his residence here and said he will stay in Delhi till the last rites are performed. Kumar, who arrived in Delhi from Patna, has already announced a two-day state mourning following the socialist leader's demise on Tuesday at his residence in Panchsheel Park after prolonged illness. Before flying to Delhi, Kumar recounted Fernandes' role in shaping his political career with the formation of the Samta Party in the 90s to challenge Lalu Prasad, who was heading the Janata Dal government in the state. "His guidance has been of great importance to all of us. It shall be our endeavour to live up to his expectations while we have the opportunity to serve the people," said a teary-eyed Kumar, who was accompanied by JDU state president Vashishth Narayan Singh and Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, in Patna. In Delhi, Kumar was among a host of senior leaders, who visited the bereaved family at their residence. Fernandes was a "great man, he was a 'margdarshak' (guide), and we are in pain after loosing a personality like him". "He had a strong will power. He was keeping unwell for several years. He was also our 'abhibwawak' (guardian)," Kumar told reporters after visiting his residence. His son is in the US and he is expected to come here soon. His funeral will take place after that. "I am staying in Delhi and won't go to Patna till his last rites are performed," he said. Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died at the age of 88. The last rites will be performed soon after his son arrives from the US, the former defence minister's wife Leila Kabir said Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A young Pakistani woman was allegedly raped by a ward attendant in Lahore's Mayo Hospital when she visited the medical facility for the treatment of her ailing son. An FIR has been registered against the three suspects. Police arrested the ward attendant, Shahid Butt, and two other suspects on Monday. According to the FIR, the victim visited Mayo Hospital for the treatment of her ailing minor son. Three suspects, including security guard of the hospital, took the woman to an office of the Albert Victor Hospital (AVH) of the Mayo Hospital where one of them, Butt, raped her. She told police that her relative Usman came to the hospital on Friday to attend her son. She said he mistakenly went to the admin block where the security guard stopped him and warned him of fine for entering the prohibited area of the hospital which was reserved for the VIPs only. The guard later threatened that the doctors would discharge her son as punishment and asked her to appear before the admin official for an inquiry early morning next day (Saturday). The victim said as she feared suspension of treatment she reached the hospital at the given time. "As soon as I entered the office, the three suspects locked it from inside and Shahid Butt raped her," she said. She said she reported the matter to the hospital's medical superintendent same day but he took no action against the suspects. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has also taken notice of the incident and directed the health secretary to hold inquiry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : A 43-year-old woman diagnosed with swine flu died in a state-run hospital here, health officials said Tuesday. The woman, hailing from Mahabubabad district, who was already being treated at a private hospital for the fever, was brought to Gandhi Hospital here Monday night, they said. She died within 20 minutes of her admission, the officials said adding it is the first death by swine flu, at the hospital this year. Six other people, including four women students of the city-based NALSAR University of Law, who tested positive for the flu, were under treatment at the Gandhi Hospital which has a special ward for treating the flu, a health official told PTI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump's national security advisor warned Tuesday of "serious consequences" if any harm comes to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. "Let me reiterate -- there will be serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido," Trump advisor John Bolton tweeted. Washington has recognised Guaido as the South American country's acting president and says that strongman President Nicolas Maduro should leave power. Bolton's warning followed a request by the Maduro government's attorney general for the Supreme Court to bar Guaido from leaving the country and to freeze his assets. That followed the United States' decision to hand control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaido, barring Maduro from accessing the funds. Guaido said on Monday that the US maneuver would stop Maduro from emptying the "coffers" if he is removed from office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After being allocated the railways portfolio in 1989 in the V P Singh government, George Fernandes refused to go to Rail Bhavan to attend office for three days. Reason: He had led the biggest railway strike in Asia in 1974 and headed railway unions and now how could he be sitting across them at the table. This anecdote was shared by his close aide Jaya Jaitly in her book "Life Among the Scorpions", published in 2017. Then after he joined office, the guard at the ministry's entrance did not let him in and told him to get an entrance slip made at the reception first. She also mentioned several other interesting facts about Fernandes - his love for Harry Potter books, he never owned a comb, and devouring economic surveys and carrying them wherever he went. Fernandes died Tuesday at the age of 88 here. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years and had recently contracted swine flu. On the V P Singh ministry, Jaitly wrote: "In late 1989, as the National Front government set itself up, the walls of power came up alongside. V P Singh, with his typical caginess, kept even his closest colleagues on tenterhooks, informing them that they would become ministers only half an hour before they were expected to be sworn in." Everyone seemed to be waiting anxiously for an advance indication from Singh but that did not happen. "George Sahib nonchalantly went upstairs for an afternoon nap and had no time to change into a fresh kurta when he was woken up and told to reach Rashtrapati Bhavan in 20 minutes. His colleagues and I sat in the office downstairs in his tiny apartment at Hauz Khas, amazed at the lack of dignity in the way this was done. Everyone felt ridiculous," she wrote. A day or so after the swearing in of the council of ministers, the portfolios were announced. "George Fernandes was astounded that he had been allocated the Ministry of Railways. He said he had led the biggest railway strike in Asia and headed railway unions. How could he be sitting across them at the table now? For three days he refused to go to Rail Bhavan to attend office," the book, published by Rupa, said. Finally, Singh assured him he would change his portfolio after three months but that never happened. "George Fernandes went to office in his old diesel Premier Padmini car driven by his Mumbai colleague Freddie D'Sa. The guard at the Ministry's entrance wouldn't let him in and told him to get an entrance slip made at the reception first. He hadn't recognised the new boss who had arrived with no prior information or pomp and splendour," Jaitly said. According to her, Fernandes was a man no one could ignore, his personality was such that he could never disappear into a crowd. In the book, she recalled an incident "when we were once rushing down a railway platform somewhere in Maharashtra to catch a train, and someone had shouted out to him in Marathi, 'Hey, sir, you look like George Fernandes!' He had stopped only for a fraction of a second to answer in Marathi, Yes, many people have told me so. She also wrote that Fernandes never owned a comb. "He was, in fact, presumed to be a rabble-rouser who never combed his hair or wore clean clothes. However, he was most sophisticated and meticulous about his personal appearance, bathing twice a day, and washing his own clothes every day till he was over 70 years old," she said. Jaitly recalled that Fernandes read the "first lot of the Harry Potter books alongside biographies of world figures, the writings of Dr Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill, philosophical tomes or legal histories involving complicated international human rights cases". "He particularly loved to devour economic surveys and carried them wherever he went, but occasionally bought the latest popular novel at an airport. He had a huge library in which there was no book he had not read at some time, including ones in Kannada and Hindi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British major Vodafone Inc top officer Nick Read is learnt to have met Department of Secretary Aruna Sundararajan on Monday to seek relief in spectrum payments of its Indian arm "The meeting between secretary and Read was held on Monday to discuss relaxation in spectrum payment for Vodafone Idea," a source privy to the development said. Vodafone Idea, along with Bharti Airtel, has requested the government to defer spectrum payment instalments with a two-year moratorium given the losses that these players are facing. Vodafone holds 45.1 per cent stake in the combined entity, while Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Aditya Birla Group controls 26 per cent and Idea shareholders own 28.9 per cent. is required to pay instalment of around Rs 10,000 crore for spectrum that it has acquired in the past five auctions. ALSO READ: Vodafone Idea board approves plan to raise Rs 25,000 cr via rights issue Vodafone and Idea have participated in five auctions that were held in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 before merging their mobile business. In five auctions, Vodafone alone had acquired spectrum worth Rs 79,343 crore, which is the highest in terms of value compared to bids made by any other operator. Idea too had purchased spectrum worth Rs 63,597 crore in those auctions. ALSO READ: Voda Idea seeks 2-year moratorium for paying Rs 10,000 cr spectrum charge After completion of merger on August 31, 2018, the spectrum payment liability is now on Vodafone Idea is in process of raising Rs 25,000 crore for investment in business. The British major has committed to contribute Rs 11,000 crore in the fund raising exercise while Aditya Birla Group will contribute Rs 7,250 crore. The US has slapped sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company that would potentially cost the country USD 11 billion in revenues, a move that seeks to force President Nicolas Maduro to give up power after the opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president. The sanctions on Monday prohibit most American businesses from engaging in transactions with the oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, SA, or PDVSA. The Trump administration officials said the financial penalties are expected to block USD 7 billion in assets and result in USD 11 billion in export losses over the next year for Venezuela's government, starving it from its most important source of revenue and foreign currency. Last week, the Trump administration recognised Guaido, the 35-year-old leader of the National Assembly, as his supporters took to the streets to demand new elections. Maduro has cut ties to the United States and has demanded that all American diplomats leave the country. US National Security Advisor John Bolton at a joint conference with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Maduro and his allies could "no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people". He called on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful democratic and constitutional transfer of power. Mnuchin said the US is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline. "We will continue to use all of our diplomatic and economic tools to support interim President Guaido, the national assembly, and the Venezuelan people's efforts to restore their democracy," he said. Observing that PDVSA has long been a vehicle for embezzlement, for corruption for Venezuelan officials and businessmen, he said the designation of PDVSA will help prevent further diversion of Venezuela's assets by Maduro and will preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela where they belong. "The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent democratically elected government who is committed to taking concrete and meaningful actions to combat corruption," he said. Venezuela has the largest amount of proven oil reserves in the world, and oil revenues account for about 98 per cent of the country's export earnings, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It is heavily reliant on the US for its oil revenue - sending 41 per cent of its oil exports there - while it remains in the top four crude oil suppliers to the US. Maduro later announced he had told PDVSA to launch "political and legal action, in US and international courts" to protect its US subsidiary Citgo. Meanwhile, Bolton's note on "5,000 troops to Colombia" as reflected in his notepad during the White House press conference raised question if the Trump administration is considering dispatching troops to the South American country. Later a White House spokesperson said that all options are on the table. Responding to questions, Bolton said, "The president has made it very clear on this--on this matter that all options are on the table." Asserting that stability and democracy in Venezuela are in the national interest of the US right, Bolton said under the Chavez-Maduro governments, civil society in Venezuela is disintegrating and the economy is in a state of collapse. In a separate statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged that Maduro and his cronies have used state-owned PDVSA to control, manipulate, and steal from the Venezuelan people for too long, destroying it in the process. "Today's action will prevent Maduro and other corrupt actors from further enriching themselves at the expense of the long-suffering Venezuelan people. It will also preserve the core pillar of Venezuela's national assets for the people and a democratically elected government, he said. Pompeo said these new sanctions do not target the innocent people of Venezuela and will not prohibit humanitarian assistance including the provision of medicine and medical devices, which are desperately needed after years of economic destruction under Maduro's rule. "The United States will continue to take concrete and forceful action against those who oppose the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela, and serve their own interests rather than those of the Venezuelan people," Pompeo said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top American lawmakers and spymasters on Tuesday expressed their concern over the increasing global presence of China through its ambitious 'One Belt One Road' or OBOR initiative, which they said has also a military dimension including in India's western neighborhood. Responding to lawmakers concerns in this regard, American spymasters during a Congressional hearing on worldwide threats refrained to talk about the OBOR's military dimension in Pakistan in open setting. "We can talk in a classified session about the nature of the relationship with Pakistan and I think that we can eliminate what you are seeking there," Defence Intelligence Agency Director Gen Robert Ashley told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He was responding to a question from Senator Michael Benet who wanted to know about the potential dual use capabilities that China may attain through OBOR. "Recently there were reports that China may press Pakistan for military access. As Pakistan falls more and more into China's debt, I'm concerned about data access China may control through digital infrastructure projects in countries around the world. What is the IC's assessment of potential dual use aspects of China's Belt and Road Initiative and what threats do they pose to US interests?" Bennet asked. In his reply, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said, "...You can look at the map and see a lot of strategic places where China has real interest in perhaps a dual effort to not only provide infrastructure support, loan support for ports, airports, roads, a lot of infrastructure loans to help with their economy but also interest in placing strategic military positions." China has been doing this across the globe, he said. According to Ashley, in terms of dual use technologies there is a multitude of things out there and it's not necessarily germane to the Belt and Road Initiative. "It's where they are investing and part of that investment is how they are garnering intellectual capital globally but think about quantum from a communication standpoint, from a computing standpoint, from a sensing standpoint what those advanced sensors could do," he said. Coats told lawmakers that China's pursuit of intellectual property, sensitive research and development plans, and the US person data remains a significant threat to the US government and the private sector. "China's military capabilities and reach will continue to grow as it invests heavily in developing and fielding advanced weapons and Beijing will use its military clout to expand its footprint and complement its broadening political and economic influence as we have seen with its One Belt One Road Initiative," he said. "As part of this trend, we anticipate China will attempt to further solidify and increase its control within is the immediate sphere of influence in the South China Sea and its global presence further abroad," Coats said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trump Administration has accused Chinese telecom giant Huawei of stealing trade secrets and violating US sanctions on Iran, just days before its crucial trade negotiations with the country later this week. However, the White House Monday denied that there was any link between the two. The US Department of Justice in its 13-count indictment charged Huawei and its chief financial officer (CFO) Meng Wanzhou with financial fraud. Meng, the daughter of the company's founder, is currently out on bail in Canada. Her case has sparked a major crisis between Ottawa and Beijing, with Washington in the middle. The indictment also accuses Huawei, its CFO, and other employees to deceive numerous global financial institutions and the US government regarding Huawei's business activities in Iran. "Today we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes Acting Attorney General Matthew G Whitaker said Monday. As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law, he said. Another 10-count indictment in Seattle, charged Huawei Device Co with theft of trade secrets, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of obstruction of justice. According to the indictment, in 2012 Huawei began a concerted effort to steal information about a phone-testing robot dubbed Tappy of Washington based T-Mobile USA. In an effort to build their own robot to test phones, Huawei engineers allegedly violated confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with T-Mobile by secretly taking photos of Tappy, measuring it, and even stealing a piece of it so that they could try to replicate it in China, the indictment said. The indictment alleges that Huawei was offering bonuses to employees who succeeded in stealing confidential information from other companies. Huawei "intentionally" conspired to steal the intellectual property of an American company in an attempt to undermine the free and fair global marketplace, said FBI Director Wray. To the detriment of American ingenuity, Huawei continually disregarded the laws of the United States in the hopes of gaining an unfair economic advantage. As the volume of these charges prove, the FBI will not tolerate corrupt businesses that violate the laws that allow American companies and the United States to thrive, he said. Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer broke the US law and have engaged in a fraudulent financial scheme that is detrimental to the security of the United States, said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. "They willfully conducted millions of dollars in transactions that were in direct violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, and such behaviour will not be tolerated," she said. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross alleged that for years, Chinese firms have broken the US export laws and undermined sanctions, often using the US financial systems to facilitate their illegal activities. This will end. The Trump Administration continues to be tougher on those who violate our export control laws than any administration in history, Ross said. This indictment shines a bright light on Huawei's flagrant abuse of the law especially its efforts to steal valuable intellectual property from T-Mobile to gain unfair advantage in the global marketplace, said First Assistant US Attorney Annette L Hayes of the Western District of Washington. After T-Mobile discovered and interrupted these criminal activities, and then threatened to sue, Huawei produced a report falsely claiming that the theft was the work of rogue actors within the company and not a concerted effort by Huawei corporate entities in the US and China, the indictment said. Another grand jury in New York returned an indictment alleging 13 additional crimes committed by Huawei, its CFO, its affiliate in Iran, and one of its subsidiaries here in the US. The criminal activity alleged in the indictment goes back at least 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. Beginning in 2007, Huawei employees lied about Huawei's relationship to a company in Iran called Skycom, falsely asserting it was not an affiliate of it. Huawei relied on its global banking relationships for banking services that included processing US-dollar transactions through the United States. US laws generally prohibited the banks from processing transactions related to Iran through the US, it said. Relying on the repeated misrepresentations by Huawei, these banks continued their banking relationships with Huawei. One bank cleared more than USD 100 million worth of Skycom-related transactions through the US between 2010 and 2014, it said. Applauding the Trump Administration, Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, urged the US to make China's rampant IP theft a top priority in ongoing trade negotiations "There is ample evidence to suggest that no major Chinese company is independent of the Chinese government and Communist Party and Huawei, which China's government and military tout as a national champion,' is no exception," Warner said. "It has been clear for some time that Huawei poses a threat to our national security, and I applaud the Trump Administration for taking steps to finally hold the company accountable, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the cleaning of river Yamuna and directed Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 10 crore each within a month. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the state governments to furnish a performance guarantee with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure there was no further lapse in this regard. The tribunal also warned that chief secretary of all the three states would be personally liable for any non-compliance. The green panel made it clear that the amount will be forfeited if the work was not carried out as per the recommendations of the monitoring committee constituted by it and asked the panel to expeditiously submit its final report. It directed that steps be taken by the three states at the earliest for disposal of municipal solid waste, cleaning of drains and ensuring cleaning of garbage. The order came after perusing the interim report filed by the monitoring committee comprising retired expert member B S Sajwan and former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra. The monitoring committee in its action plan submitted has recommended a study to assess the environmental flow of Yamuna river for the stretch between Hathanikund and Okhla. It said the river was "fighting to stay alive" and it would not be possible to rejuvenate it unless minimum environmental flow was provided. With regard to idol immersion, the committee has asked the authorities in the city to look for the possibility of creating artificial ponds and pits in various localities. The NGT had earlier asked the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to consult the members of the monitoring committee appointed by the tribunal for constituting their own full time committees. The tribunal had expressed displeasure that despite its specific order, the status of the compliance was unknown, and said there appeared to failure of the authorities in performing their duties, thus undermining the rule of law. The green panel had said pollution in the Yamuna was of serious concern as it was highly contaminated with industrial effluents and sewage. It had also asked the Haryana pollution control board to conduct a study of water quality and the flow of Yamuna at the point it enters Haryana, and submit the list of industries located in the catchment area. The green panel had noted that almost 67 per cent of the pollutants that enter the Yamuna would be treated by two sewage treatment plants at Delhi Gate and Najafgarh under the first phase of the Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation project. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN human rights office says security forces in Venezuela detained nearly 700 people in one day last week amid anti-government protests the highest such tally in a single day in the country in at least 20 years. Rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said Tuesday that 696 people were detained on Wednesday alone. Overall, some 850 were detained between Monday and Saturday, including 77 children. Colville said "more than 40 people" are now believed to have been in killed "in different manners" amid the recent protests, including 11 people reportedly killed by "unidentified individuals" linked to incidents of looting. He said one member of the Bolivarian Guard was reportedly killed in the state of Monagas.0 He told reporters in Geneva that officials were investigating reports of ill-treatment of detainees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Tuesday appealed to nations to help it maintain a USD1.2-billion budget in 2019 after it was hit last year by the withdrawal of US funding. The organisation, known as UNRWA, was able to fully fund a budget of the same amount in 2018, despite a dramatic initial shortfall when the administration of US President Donald Trump announced it was withdrawing nearly all support. "The campaign last year was successful," agency chief Pierre Kraehenbuehl told reporters in Geneva. "We closed the entirety of the shortfall, which was an almost existential shortfall of USD446 million, ... thanks to the remarkable and generous mobilisation of member states" and others, he said. The US, which was previously UNRWA's largest contributor, last year cut a full USD300 million in funding to UNRWA, and has said it will not repeat the $60 million it did provide. In the void, the European Union, followed by Germany and Saudi Arabia were the biggest donors, with a total of 40 governments providing funds to the UN agency. Kraehenbuehl told reporters he had come to Geneva to appeal to governments to repeat last year's "extremely generous contributions" and allow the vital core services and life-saving humanitarian aid for some 5.4 million Palestinian refugees across the Middle East to continue. He said he had already received indications from several countries, including France, that they aimed to increase their donations this year. "It is essential to preserve the key services carried out by courageous UNRWA staff in some of the most difficult and polarised regions of the Middle East," Kraehenbuehl said. Around USD750 million of the amount requested would go to UNRWA's core services, including running 711 schools catering to 535,000 children between the ages of six and 16. The remainder, he said, would go to emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as for Palestinian refugees inside war-torn Syria. UNRWA was set up in 1950 to help Palestinian refugees who lost their homes because of the 1948 Middle East conflict. Its assistance includes schools, healthcare centres and food distribution. More than 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation. They and all their descendants are deemed by the UN agency to be refugees who fall under its remit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UK Parliament will vote on a crucial set of amendments later on Tuesday to determine the future course of Brexit as British Prime Minister Theresa May agreed to go back to the European Union (EU) to reopen negotiations on a legally-binding Withdrawal Agreement. The British premier opened the latest round of Brexit debates in the House of Commons saying she had listened to the MPs who had voted down her previous deal struck with the EU earlier this month and that she would go back to Brussels to get a "significant and legally binding change" to the controversial Irish backstop proposal. The issue, an insurance policy against post-Brexit border checks between the UK and Ireland, has been the main stumbling block to striking a withdrawal agreement acceptable to most British MPs. The EU has repeatedly ruled out reopening the Withdrawal Agreement, something May admitted would be a struggle. "Reopening the Withdrawal Agreement would have limited appetite among European partners but with mandate from this House I can secure such a change," she told the Commons, soon after it emerged that she had told her Cabinet at Downing Street that she intends to go back to the EU to seek a change to the agreement after her historic defeat in the House on January 15. "The vote was decisive, and I listened. So, the world knows what this House does not want. Today we need to send an emphatic message about what we do want," she said in her opening statement to Tuesday's Brexit debate. May told Parliament that she hopes to bring a revised deal back as soon as possible. If no new deal is reached with the EU by February 13, the British PM will make a statement to the Commons and table an amendable motion for debate on February 14, once again re-opening discussions on how to move forward with Brexit. Meanwhile, Commons Speaker John Bercow announced a list of seven amendments that will be debated and move forward for a vote on Tuesday evening. The UK government has given its backing to a motion tabled by Conservative Party MP Graham Brady, calling for "alternative arrangements" to the backstop. May said backing it would "give the mandate I need to negotiate with Brussels an arrangement that commands a majority in this House not a further exchange of letters, but a significant and legally binding change to the Withdrawal Agreement". Another key amendment to be debated has been tabled by Opposition Labour MP Yvette Cooper to delay the Brexit deadline of March 29 by up to nine months. This amendment has the backing of the Labour Party and a number of other anti-Brexit MPs, which would create a bill enabling Article 50 the mechanism by which the UK leaves the EU to be delayed if the government does not have a plan agreed in Parliament by the end of February. The Labour Party said it was supporting the amendment because the bill it would create could "give MPs a temporary window to agree a deal that can bring the country together". Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn repeated his demand for the government to take the prospect of a no-deal completely off the table. However, plans for a no-deal scenario remain ongoing in the background, with some reports suggesting that thousands of defence officials are likely to be redeployed to help the government cope in the immediate aftermath of Britain crashing out of the EU without any agreement in place. Supplies of medicine and shipments of food are also likely to be hit, with UK ministers saying they are working on contingency plans in the event of such a scenario. Retailers have warned that a no-deal Brexit could threaten the UK's food security and result in empty supermarket shelves due to lack of products that currently travel smoothly across borders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British MPs on Tuesday voted to reject a chaotic 'no-deal' Brexit by 318 to 310 votes but backed British Prime Minister Theresa May's bid to change the withdrawal agreement already struck with the European Union (EU). Conservative Party MP Caroline Spelman and Labour MP Jack Dromey had tabled an amendment to try to prevent a crash-out exit of the UK from the EU, which won the support of MPs by eight votes, undermining the government's argument that Britain would be willing to crash out of the EU without an agreement. However, the vote is not legally binding - meaning it showed the view of the House of Commons but does nothing to change the Brexit date of March 29. Soon after, MPs also voted in favour of an amendment backed by the government to seek "alternative arrangements" to the controversial Irish backstop, which seeks to avert a hard border between Britain and Ireland after Brexit. May had said she was backing the amendment to re-open negotiations in Brussels with an "emphatic message" of what British MPs want. The amendment tabled by Tory MP Graham Brady passed by 317 votes to 301 - a majority of 16, which effectively calls on May to renegotiate her Brexit deal with the EU and find an alternative to the controversial Irish backstop. "We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. My colleagues and I will talk to the EU about how we address the House's views, May said in a statement after the vote. Earlier, the Commons had voted against a proposal to delay Brexit in order to prevent the UK leaving without a deal. The amendment had been put forward by Labour Party MP Yvette Cooper, but was rejected by 23 votes. If passed, the amendment would have secured time for MPs to vote on a draft bill that sought to hand Parliament the power to request an extension of the Brexit negotiations if Theresa May failed to secure backing of her Brexit plans by February 26. The votes came as part of changes sought to the British PM's current proposals before she seeks a re-negotiation of an agreement with the EU, which she will hope is more acceptable to a deeply divided UK Parliament. The House of Commons on Tuesday also rejected a bid by Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn to force a debate on Labour's Brexit plans. Corbyn's call for more time to be given for MPs to consider alternatives to the Brexit deal was the first in a series of amendments being put to the vote on Tuesday evening. Britain is set to exit the EU on March 29 and there is a scramble to secure a Withdrawal Agreement that is acceptable to all sides before that deadline to avoid a chaotic no-deal crashout of the UK from the economic bloc. Different Brexit factions have tabled amendments to Theresa May's exit plan, which she was forced to bring back to the Commons on Tuesday after MPs had overwhelmingly rejected her Brexit deal earlier this month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Days after the US and the Taliban held talks in Doha, the UAE on Tuesday slammed Qatar's role in the region and accused it of "hosting" and "exporting" terrorists. UAE Ambassador to India Ahmed Al Banna, at a press conference, said his country wants to see peace in the region and would help in the process of eliminating terror groups or reaching a solution on issues that will ease tensions. The envoy also announced that his country will mark 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. This year will be aimed at highlighting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a global capital for tolerance and its approach to be a bridge of communication between peoples of different cultures in a respectful environment that rejects extremism and emphasises on the acceptance of the other, he said. Asked about the US' talks with the Taliban in Qatar, he said that on January 9 the Taliban had a meeting with the US in Qatar, but rejected the participation of certain Afghani officials. In October last year, Taliban delegation was in Doha and it comprised of those released from Guantanamo Bay, Al Banna claimed. "That shows how the Qataris are hosting terrorists and exporting terrorists from within their country," he alleged. He said the UAE wants peace for the region and was willing to do its utmost for it. "Qatar supports terrorism and continues to interfere in the internal affairs of different countries. Qatar's policies are a threat to not only the Middle East countries, but to many other states," he said. The UAE had also hosted a round of US-Taliban talks in December. Talking about the 'Year of Tolerance' being marked by the UAE, he said it will focus on pillars such as deepening of the values of tolerance and co-existence among cultures by teaching the youth and to solidify the UAE as the global capital for tolerance through a series of initiatives. It aims to implement multiple cultural programmes and make contributions to build tolerant communities, focus on legislative and policy-oriented objectives that contribute to mandating cultural and religious tolerance via dialogue, and to promote tolerance through targeted media initiatives and projects, he said. Al Banna highlighted that his country also has designated the post of Minister of State for Tolerance, which was introduced in 2016 when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced structural changes to the 12th Cabinet. He said laws are in place that are intended to provide a solid legislative ground for the environment of tolerance, co-existence and acceptance. In this context, the UAE envoy also talked about initiatives such as 'Hedayah' which is aimed at countering violent extremism in Abu Dhabi and the 'Sawab Center', co-founded with the US, that seeks to give a platform for online engagement in support of the global coalition against extremism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Malian soldiers were killed and 10 wounded Tuesday in a suspected jihadist attack in the country's troubled north, the defence ministry said. A post in Tarkint, near the city of Gao "was the object of a sophisticated attack", a statement said. A 14,000-strong UN military and police mission has been deployed in Mali since 2013 to help counter jihadist activity. In his last quarterly report on Mali, UN chief Antonio Guterres said more than half of the attacks by armed groups targeted Malian security forces, especially in the central Mopti region and Timbuktu and Gao in the north. Mali, one of the world's poorest countries, has struggled to return to stability since extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of the north in 2012, prompting French military intervention. 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 its implementation has been slow and attacks have continued in the centre and north. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two persons were killed when their motorcycle was hit by a sugarcane-laden tractor in Ballipur village here, police said Tuesday. The incident took place on Makanava-Mankapur road on Monday when Shantanu Singh and his sister Garima Singh, both in their 20s, were returning home after appearing in an examination, they said. They were rushed to the Community Health Centre where the doctors declared them brought dead, police said. The driver fled the spot leaving the tractor behind, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives, wanted in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, were arrested by the National Investigation Agency in West Bengal's Hooghly district, officials said Tuesday. Kadar Kazi (32) and Sajjad Ali (21) were arrested Monday night from a three-storeyed under-construction building in the Borodongol More locality under the district's Arambagh police station area, they said. "They were wanted in the Burdwan blast case. Kazi was also declared a proclaimed offender while Ali was his associate," an NIA official said. "Acting on a tip-off, our officials along with the local police conducted a raid at a place in Hooghly's Arambagh Monday midnight and arrested these two JMB suspects who were under our radar for the Khagragarh explosion case," the official told PTI. The two were Tuesday produced before a special court in Kolkata that sent them to 14 days NIA custody, he said. Kadar hailed from Nanur in Birbhum district, while Sajjad was a resident of Kandi in Murshidabad district. The two were on the run since the explosion at a house in the Khagragarh locality of Burdwan town on October 2, 2014, killing two persons and injuring another, the official said. "The duo had returned to West Bengal a couple of months back. They were well-versed in manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and were hiding in Arambagh," he said. Asked whether the two were planning to carry out any terror activity in the state, the NIA sleuth said it was still unclear. "They are being questioned and the agency is testing the documents and materials seized from them," he said. An NIA spokesperson added Ali "was an associate of Kazi and was in touch with the other accused of JMB through encrypted communication of protected text/other social media apps, as revealed by him during initial questioning." "Incriminating articles like battery, wires, electronic circuit, electronic clocks and watches to be used for the preparation of IEDs were seized from his possession. It was also learnt that the NIA got information about Kadar and Sajjad and their whereabouts after grilling arrested JMB leader Kausar Ali. So far, the agency has filed charge sheet against 30 accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and several sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms and Explosive Acts. During investigation, it was revealed that the two deceased and the injured, believed to be JMB members, and present in a rented house, were engaged in preparation of bombs, arms and ammunition, maintaining hideouts and organising terrorist training camps in pursuance of a larger conspiracy to carry out attacks in different parts of India and in Bangladesh, the NIA said. The JMB is a terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh. It was banned by the government of Bangladesh in 2005. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump will deliver the State of the Union Address on February 5, as per the agreement reached between the White House and Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives. The traditional annual speech by President Trump was initially scheduled for this Tuesday but had to be postponed because of the largest government shutdown due to differences between the White House and opposition Democrats on the issue of US-Mexico border wall. "When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this year's State of the Union address, Pelosi said in a fresh letter to Trump dated January 28. "In our conversation today, we agreed on February 5th. Therefore, I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber, she added. In response, Trump said in a letter to Pelosi that he has accepted the new invitation. "It is my great honour to accept. We have a great story to tell and yet, great goals to achieve," Trump said in his letter, which was released by the White House. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Tuesday condoled the demise of former defence minister George Fernandes, hailing him as a "multi-faceted" personality. His demise is a "great loss" to the country, the chief minister said. Fernandes (88), who died Tuesday, was one of the politically important leaders in the country and had founded the Samata Party before going on to hold various posts in Janata Dal, Palaniswami said. Fernandes was elected as Lok Sabha MP nine times and had performed efficiently, he noted. "He was a multi-faceted personality, being a politician, trade union leader and journalist. He was a good administrator and a hard working person who was affable to all," the chief minister said in a statement. "The demise of former Union minister George Fernandes is a great loss for India," he said and extended his sympathies to the departed leader's family and supporters. Palaniswami also prayed for Fernandes' soul reaching the holy abode. Fernandes passed away Tuesday following a prolonged illness. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and had recently contracted swine flu. The socialist leader was the defence minister in the NDA government headed by late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Fernandes held the industry portfolio in the Jan Sangh government, which defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A TMC party office was ransacked and vehicles ferrying BJP workers were set on fire in clashes that broke out following a rally by BJP chief Amit Shah at Kanthi in East Midnapore district of West Bengal on Tuesday, the parties claimed. Sources in the two parties said three persons were injured in the clashes. No confirmation was available from the police. The BJP alleged that buses in which party workers were returning from Shah's rally were ransacked and set on fire allegedly by TMC activists. The Trinamool Congress on the other hand claimed that BJP workers had attacked a local TMC party office in Kanthi and vandalised it. Irked TMC supporters then retaliated and clashes broke out, they said. "When our supporters were returning from Amit Shah's rally they were attacked by TMC activists. This is a shame. We condemn it," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said. Senior TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed that the BJP is trying to disturb peace and stability in the district. "BJP workers attacked our party offices and this led to retaliation by our workers. If our party office is attacked are we going to offer sweets?" he said. Shah, addressing the rally, launched a scathing attack on the TMC government and vowed to uproot it. He had alleged that TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee's paintings were bought by chit fund owners for crores of rupees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Image source from: India9tv.com) Mahesh To Take A Final Call On His Next:- Superstar Mahesh Babu is shooting for his next film Maharshi and the latest schedule has been wrapped up recently in Pollachi. Mahesh Babu is back to Hyderabad and is on a break for a week. The next schedule of Maharshi will kick-start from the first week of February in Hyderabad. Mahesh has been in talks with talented director Sukumar for his next however the actor is yet to take a call. Sukumar will narrate the complete script this week after which Mahesh will decide about the film. Along with these, young directors Anil Ravipudi, Ajay Bhupathi and Sandeep Vanga will meet Mahesh and will narrate their scripts. Mahesh will spend ample time meeting young directors and will discuss about his upcoming projects. Mythri Movie Makers will bankroll the next film of Mahesh Babu. Ten people, including eight policemen, were injured on Tuesday when terrorists attacked the Deputy Inspector General's office in Loralai in the restive Balochistan province. "The terrorists attacked the office premises when a recruitment test for police clerks was underway," Inspector General of Police, Balochistan Mohsin Hassan Butt told reporters. He said terrorists initially opened gunfire and then detonated explosives. Medical Superintendent of the Loralai Civil Hospital Dr Saleem said that 10 injured were being treated at the hospital, among them eight are policemen and two civilians. "The condition of the civilians is not good," he added. The attack comes a day after the government announced raising of a 50,000-strong special security force to ensure unhindered exploration of oil and gas in the remote areas of Balochistan which has witnessed violence from the separatists and militants. In an attack on January 1, four security personnel were killed when terrorists tried to storm the Frontier Corps training centre in the province. Four terrorists were also killed in the gunfight. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The priority of the Trump Administration is to end the war in Afghanistan and to ensure the civil war-ravaged country never becomes a base for terrorism, the said amid reports of its negotiations with the Taliban. Our priority is to end the war in Afghanistan and to ensure that there is never a base for terrorism in Afghanistan again, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters on Monday at her first conference of the year. Negotiations are going to continue, she said. Earlier, The New York Times reported that the US and Taliban have reached an agreement in principle on Afghan peace deal. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters at the Pentagon that the talks with the Taliban by Special US Representatives Zalmay Khalilzad is encouraging. The Pentagon has not been asked to prepare for a full withdrawal from Afghanistan, he said. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg to the Pentagon said that the alliance continues to remain with the United States in Afghanistan. We welcome the talks with Taliban, he said, adding that Khalilzad briefed all allies a few weeks ago. The reason why NATO is in Afghanistan is to create a condition for peaceful solution to make sure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists and to send a message to Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield, so they have to sit down at the negotiating table, and therefore we are encouraged by what we see now, the progress and talks with Taliban, Stoltenberg said. NATO, he said, is in Afghanistan to create the conditions for a peaceful, negotiated solution.We are there to train and assist and advise the Afghan soldiers so they can take care of security and stability in Afghanistan themselves, he said. NATO will not stay longer than necessary, Stoltenberg asserted. But we will not leave before we have a situation which enables to leave or at reduce the number of troops without jeopardizing the main goal of our presence, and that is to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists once again, he said. Responding to a question, he said it's a bit too early to speculate on the result of the negotiations. We strongly support those efforts. Ambassador Khalilzad briefed all allies recently. We are in close contact with the United States. One of the issues we will discuss of course today is the peace efforts, he said. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Tuesday expressed grief over the demise of former Union Minister and veteran leader George Fernandes. Rao remembered the contribution of late Fernandes as a trade union leader and Union Defence Minister, a release from the CM's office said. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the near and dear of the departed soul, it said. Fernandes passed away Tuesday following a prolonged illness. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and had recently contracted swine flu. The socialist leader was the defence minister in the NDA government headed by late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Fernandes held the industry portfolio in the Jan Sangh government, which defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death toll due to swine flu in the country has soared to 169 this year while 4,571 people have tested positive for the virus, with Rajasthan accounting for over 40 per cent of the cases. According to data issued by the government, Rajasthan recorded 1,911 cases and 75 deaths till Monday followed by Gujarat with 600 cases and 24 deaths. Delhi reported the third highest number with 532 people being infected with the H1N1 virus. No death has been reported due to the flu in the national capital so far. Punjab has reported 27 deaths and 174 cases, followed by Haryana which recorded eight deaths and 372 cases. Maharashtra has recorded 82 cases and 12 deaths till Monday. With the numbers going up, the health ministry recently held a meeting with the states and asked them to strengthen their surveillance for early detection. It also asked them to keep beds reserved in hospitals to deal with acute cases. The official said states have not made any demand yet regarding drugs, diagnostic kits and other wherewithal to deal with the issue. "There is sufficient stock of swine flu drug Oseltamivir and also there is no scarcity of N95 masks and diagnostic kits. Further, states have been asked to issue advisories to people mentioning the dos and don'ts ," a senior health ministry official said. Delhi government also has issued an advisory in view of the rising cases of swine flu. The advisory states that seasonal influenza (H1N1) is a self-limiting viral, air borne disease spread from person-to-person, through large droplets generated by the act of coughing and sneezing, indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface (fomite transmission like telephone, cell phones, computers, door handles, door bells, pens, toys etc) and close contact, including hand shaking, hugging and kissing. The dos and don'ts mention covering nose and mouth with disposable tissue or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing, washing hands with soap and water frequently, avoiding crowding places, maintaining isolation, drinking plenty of liquid and consulting doctor. As per the advisory, one should not touch eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands or hug, kiss and shake hands while greeting, or spit in public places, dispose of used napkin or tissue paper in open areas or smoke in public places. Last year, the country reported 14,992 cases and 1,103 deaths due to the flu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Drug firm Strides Pharma Science Tuesday said it has decided to exit its investment in Arrow Pharmaceuticals for AUD 394 million (over Rs 2,000 crore). The company's step-down subsidiary Strides Pharma Global Pte Ltd has approved the sale of its entire Australian business to the Arrow-Apotex merged entity, Strides Pharma Science said in a filing to the BSE. "Strides will receive AUD 300 million as upfront payment at the closure of the transaction, while the balance AUD 94 million to be deferred through a secured instrument," it added. In a separate filing, the company said its step-down subsidiary Strides Pharma Inc has entered into an arrangement to acquire 100 per cent stake in US-based generics company Vensun Pharmaceuticals Inc. Founded in 2011, Vensun follows an asset-light partner-driven business model to develop products for the US generics markets, Strides Pharma Science said. In another filing, the company said its board of directors and its step-down subsidiary Strides Pharma Global Pte Ltd, Singapore, have approved to convert their 50:50 JVs with Vivimed to 100 per cent ownership. "Consequently, Strides will acquire balance 50 per cent stake in Vivimed Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, India and its step down subsidiary, Strides Pharma Global Pte, Singapore, will acquire the balance 50 per cent stake in Strides Vivimed Pte Ltd, Singapore to own and operate the erstwhile joint venture companies fully," it added. The company also said its step-down subsidiary Strides Pharma Canada Inc has entered into an arrangement to acquire 80 per cent stake in Pharmapar Inc for a consideration of CAD 4 million. Founded in 1998, Pharmapar specialises in generic medication to privately insured individuals in Canada, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) S&P Global Ratings Tuesday said Tata Steel's plan to sell majority stake in its Southeast Asia business will help the company reduce debt by about 3 per cent without impacting its business position. As part of its strategic plan to exit non-core markets and focus more on the fast-growing home market, Tata Steel Monday signed an agreement to sell 70 per cent stake each in its two Southeast Asian arms to the HBIS Group of China for around USD 480 million. Tata Steel's wholly owned subsidiary T S Global Holdings signed definitive agreements with HBIS Group to divest majority stake in its South-East Asia business. "We expect the stake sale to bring in cash of USD 327 million and transfer out USD 160 million in debt. This would help reduce debt by about 3 per cent, without having a major impact on Tata Steel's business position," the US-based rating agency said in a statement. The agreement to sell stake will also marginally improve leverage for the domestic steel giant, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Sikh community of Indiana State in the US distributed Indian food and gift cards to the employees of the federal Transportation and Security Administration who have not received their pay checks due to the partial government shutdown lasting for a record over 35 days. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security that has authority over the security of the travelling public in America. It was created as a response to the September 11 attacks in 2001. The federal government re-opened on Monday, but the employees are still a few days away from receiving their pay checks. "We are grateful for the support and selfless service of the Sikh community in Fishers," said Aaron Batt, Federal Security Director of the Indiana TSA. "The men and women at TSA have been in a very difficult situation, not knowing when they will be paid, but yet they have not allowed that uncertainty to get in the way of fulfilling our mission to protect the nation's transportation systems," he said on Monday. Led by community leader Gurinder Singh Khalsa, the Sikh community from the local Fishers city donated gift and grocery cards worth more than USD 6,000 to the more than 250 TSA employees at Indianapolis airport. Indian food and pizza were also served to TSA agents. "Their commitment and drive to protect the community are motivating when people like (Singh and the Sikh community) recognise their sacrifices and offer assistance," Batt said. Batt presented Singh with the TSA Indiana Challenge Coin which recognises those who exhibit core values of integrity, respect and commitment. One of the core principles of the Sikh community is selfless service to the needy by sharing our abundance with love and compassion, Singh told TSA employees. "Even though the government is temporarily open for the next several weeks, the TSA employees have already gone without a pay check for more than a month and will still be awaiting back pay," he said. "We need to put ourselves in their position and understand their struggles. The Sikhs may be small in number, but are very fortunate. Each one of us needs to incorporate the American values and step up our part in selfless service to our neighbours in need. We hope this will inspire others to come forward for humanitarian causes," Singh said. The Sikh community of Fishers has grown from five families to more than 500 families and have recently launched a USD 3 million building project. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The spectre of Chinese telecom giant hung large over Wednesday's crucial China-US talks to end the trade war as Beijing has accused Washington of "political intentions and manipulations" in launching criminal proceedings against the firm asked it to withdraw the arrest warrant against its CFO and stop extradition proceedings against her. A 30-member Chinese trade delegation, led by Vice Premier Liu He, arrived in Washington on Tuesday to resolve the deadlock over the current trade war between China and the US. Liu, a close confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is expected to meet US President Donald Trump before the two days of talks with his US counterpart Robert Lighthizer. However, ahead of talks, US caught China by surprise by issuing a criminal indictment against and sought the extradition of Meng Wanzhou from Canada. The charges include stealing trade secrets, which Chinese officials say would complicate efforts to negotiate an end to the bruising trade war. While both sides hinted at the talks to go ahead, China minced no words demanding the withdrawal of arrest warrant against Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Meng, the high-profile daughter of the Chinese telecom giant's owner Ren Zhengfei, who was arrested by Canada in December last year, following an extradition request by the US under a bilateral treaty between the two countries. Among other charges, Washington accused Meng of violating the US sanctions against Iran. The timing of the arrest of Meng by Canada complying with the US request coincided with a meeting between Trump and Xi at Argentina on the sidelines of the G-20 summit. The two leaders, during the summit, set March 1, 2019 as the deadline to find a solution to the bruising trade war under which Trump has imposed over USD 250 billion worth of Chinese exports. Trump threatened to slap additional tariffs on all Chinese exports unless China brings down the $375 billion trade deficit. Both sides were hopeful to find a solution after the recent Vice-Ministerial level talks and a deal was expected to be reached on January 30-31 talks. Earlier, China has lodged a diplomatic protest with US and Canada over the arrest of Meng, even arrested some Canadians, including a former diplomat, to pressure Ottawa to release Meng who is currently on bail. Again, the US came up with a detailed criminal indictment against Huawei and sought her extradition a day before the talks intensifying pressure on Beijing. "China highly concerned about those criminal charges," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told reporters during a media briefing here. "For some time, the US has used its state power to discredit and suppress a specific Chinese enterprise and attempted to interfere in the legitimate operations of an enterprise. Those acts contained strong political intentions and manipulations," he said. The Chinese government always demands its enterprises conduct economic cooperation on a legal basis, and requires all countries to create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the legitimate operations of Chinese enterprises, Geng said. "China will resolutely defend the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises," he added. For Meng's case, Geng said China has repeatedly stated its "solemn stance on the matter." US and Canada arbitrarily misused the bilateral extradition treaty between them to unjustifiably take compulsory measures against a Chinese citizen, which has severely violated her safety and legitimate rights and interests, he said. "We once again urge the US side to immediately withdraw its arrest warrant for Meng and stop seeking extradition for her so as to avoid steering on to the wrong course," the spokesperson said. China also urged the Canadian side to treat China's stance seriously, immediately release Meng and protect her legitimate rights, and not be a cat's paw for the US, he said. He also sounded ambivalent when asked if US' move would impact the trade talks. "On the Huawei case, we made our stand clear and US is clear about it. As for trade talks our position, I think the US is also quite clear about that," he said. On whether Meng's issue would figure in the trade talks, Geng said "we hope the trade delegation of both sides would follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of the state and make concerted efforts to reach solution that can be accepted by two sides. This is the common expectation of the community." On US decision to press for Meng's extradition, he said as US officially requesting Canada to extradite Meng, China has immediately issued stern representations with the US and Canada. Huawei Technologies said it is disappointed to learn of the criminal charges officially announced by the US Justice Department, and denied that it or its subsidiaries and affiliates have committed any of the asserted violations. Huawei also said it is not aware of any wrongdoing by its CFO and believes the US courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion. The statement said the allegations of stealing trade secrets were the subject of a settled civil suit, in which a jury found "neither damages nor willful and malicious conduct". Thousands more troops will head to the US-Mexico border, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said, as part of a controversial mission to enhance security along the frontier. Currently, about 2,350 active-duty troops are working along the border, where they are helping border patrol agents by providing logistical support and installing concertina-wire fencing. They were deployed under an order President Donald Trump gave before midterm elections in November as "caravans" of Central American migrants made their way to the border to seek asylum from violence and poverty in their own countries. At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Shanahan said "several thousand" additional troops would deploy on the border mission, which was supposed to wrap up January 31 but has been extended through September. The Department of Homeland Security has asked for additional help putting up fencing and with "expanded surveillance," Shanahan said. Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis later said the military is currently determining which units will be involved, and that there would be an increase of "a few thousand" troops. "We will provide more clarity on the numbers when we have it," Davis said. The border troop deployment was one of several issues on which Trump and former defense secretary Jim Mattis disagreed before he quit in December after Trump's shock decision to pull troops from Syria. Shanahan, who had been deputy defense secretary, succeeded Mattis on January 1. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena leader and junior minister in Maharashtra Arjun Khotkar said Tuesday that he will contest Lok Sabha election against Raosaheb Danve, the state unit president of the ally BJP, from Jalna seat. Khot's announcement came even as his party is giving mixed signals as to whether it would form alliance with the BJP for the coming polls. "The BJP government is arrogant, hence I have decided to contest the Lok Sabha election against sitting MP Raosaheb Danve. I have got the nod from Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray," Khotkar told PTI. Khotkar, the minister of state for textile, animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries, represents the Jalna assembly constituency at present. "When BJP's state-level meeting was being held in Jalna yesterday, police were beating up a farmer's family in the same district. This shows the party has no sympathy for farmers and their woes," he said. Asked whether he would back down if the BJP and Sena formed alliance, Khotkar said, "I am still going to contest election against Danve. I have Uddhav Thackeray's support." The Shiv Sena, which has been continually taking potshots at the BJP, said Monday that it would be the "big brother" in the alliance, while not making it clear whether it will have a fresh tie-up with the saffron party. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Image source from: Ap7am.Com) YSRCP's First Candidates List In February:- YSRCP Chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy completed Praja Sankalpa Yatra recently and is busy meeting crucial leaders and is finalizing the candidates for the Assembly and Parliament polls that are scheduled to take place during summer this year in Andhra Pradesh. A close source revealed that YS Jagan already finalized the list of candidates across all the constituencies and will announce the first set during the first week of February. YS Jagan will be holding Samara Sankaraavam meeting from February 6th to 8th. The first meeting will be held in Tirupathi on February 6th and YS Jagan will announce the first list during this meeting. The second meeting will be held in Kadapa on 7th and the third meeting will take place in Anantapur on February 8th. The list of candidates from these districts will be announced during these public meets respectively. YS Jagan is keen on announcing the candidates before so that they can focus and campaign across the constituencies. There are talks that YS Jagan is yet to finalize some of the candidates and they will be finalized next month. Security forces have launched a search operation following suspected movement along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, officials said Tuesday. The search operation was launched in Basantar river area in Ramgarh sector, they said. The operation was launched following reports of suspected movement in border areas of Ramgarh sector, officials said. Basantar riverine area along the International Border has been an infiltration route for militants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The contentious issue of seat sharing for the coming Lok Sabha polls between the ruling Congress-JD(S) in Karnataka is likely to be discussed in the first week of February. An indication to this effect was given by state Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao Tuesday. "Dates are getting fixed (to discuss seat sharing), we are in the process of confirming....we are discussing with everyone (leaders) for their availability...mostly in February first week a date will be fixed," he told reporters here. In the 2014 polls, BJP had won 17 seats in the state, the Congress nine and the JD(S), two seats. Rao said the four MLAs who did not attend the recent Congress Legislature Party meeting would be summoned to appear in person to give an explanation about their absence He warned party workers against crossing the 'Lakshman rekha' as he asked asked them to remain withing the framework of the coalition and not make any public statements against the government. Coalition coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah had said on January 24 that preliminary discussions on seat sharing have been held and a meeting would be held in three or four days to decide on the constituencies. JD(S) has already expressed its desire to contest 12 seats, over which the Congress has some reservations, as it has maintained that seat sharing would be based on 'merit'. Seat sharing is expected to be a litmus test for both parties, mostly in the old Mysuru region constituencies, where JD(S) has emerged as a dominant force in the recent past and Congress has nine sitting MPs. 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). Referring to the four MLAs who skipped the CLP meeting,he said another notice would be issued to them to appear in person and give an explanation. "Now they will have to come...they have not yet come to us, they have only written letters. So another notice will be issued...they will be asked to present themselves before the CLP and explain their absence. I'm hoping that they turn up physically and give their reasons on why they were not able to attend CLP and other meetings, and discuss with us," he said. The four MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli had skipped the CLP meeting on January 18 that was called as a show of strength in a counter to an alleged bid by the BJP to topple the coalition government. They were allegedly camping at a hotel in Mumbai with BJP leaders, planning to jump ship to the saffron party. Following this, notices were issued to the MLAs, seeking an explanation for their absence and why action should not be taken against them under the Anti-Defection law. Three of the MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra and Mahesh Kumatahalli responded to the notice, while Umesh Jadhav is yet to respond. On the alleged brawl between Congress MLAs J N Ganesh and Anand Singh at a resort here, Rao said Congress would act on the report submitted by a committee it constituted for the purpose, headed by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. "They (Committee) have had a preliminary meeting and I think they will be taking it forward and come out with a report. Based on that, we will definitely act. The party has no intention of protecting anybody or to try to keep anything under wraps. We will take action and whoever has done wrong will have to face action," he said. Police are on the lookout for Ganesh, who is allegedly absconding and is facing a case of attempt to murder for allegedly assaulting Anand Singh at a resort where Congress had herded its MLAs, fearing poaching by the BJP. Following the incident, a red faced Congress had suspended Ganesh from the party. The KPCC chief also said there was no 'argument' over the fact that the coalition governments Chief Minister was Kumaraswamy. Amid strains in Congress-JDS ties, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had on Monday threatened to step down over adverse comments by a Congress MLA, prompting the coalition partner to swing into damage control mode. Rao also welcomed Congress President Rahul Gandhis announcement of "minimum income guarantee" for every poor person if the party comes to power at the Centre, and called it 'revolutionary'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The AAP government told the Delhi High Court Tuesday that the South Delhi Municipal Corporation was shifting the responsibility of trapping and translocating monkeys from the city. The Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) of Delhi government said the civic agency cannot abdicate its responsibility on the pretext of a letter which is not valid in respect of trapping the monkeys from habitation areas. The CWW's submission came in an affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao which listed the matter for further hearing on March 6. "The contention of SDMC about the local body being not empowered to catch monkeys is not valid," said the affidavit, filed through Delhi government additional standing counsel Anuj Aggarwal. "By making such application, it is a move by the municipal corporation to shift the responsibility of trapping and translocation of monkeys from the inhabited areas and the civic agency cannot abdicate its responsibility on the pretext of a letter which is not valid in respect of trapping monkeys from habitation areas of Delhi," it said. It also stated that the monkeys in the inhabited areas in Delhi are commensal in nature and not those found in the wild and these commensal monkeys have evolved by adapting themselves to live close to human habitations and sustain on food provided by the residents of the nearby areas. The court was informed that in pursuance to earlier direction, a meeting of all the concerned authorities was held under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary (Urban Development) on January 23. The Delhi government said officials of all the civic agencies in the national capital had participated in the meeting and action points, which are to be followed, were decided to implement the judgement of the high court in tackling monkey menace here. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Meera Bhatia for directions to the authorities to take steps to deal with the menace of monkeys in the city. The court had earlier noted that the problem of increasing monkey population was "aggravating with each passing day" and that the increase in simian numbers would not wait for testing of the oral vaccine for sterilising them. NGO Wildlife SOS had earlier told the court that monkey population is rapidly increasing in urban areas due to the easy access to food, especially in garbage, as compared to forest areas where they have to forage for food. The SDMC had earlier told the court that it "lacked the expertise" and was ill-equipped to catch monkeys. Advocate Gaurang Kanth, appearing for the SDMC, had made the submission while seeking modification of the court's 2007 direction to it to catch monkeys and relocate them in the Ridge area of the city. The Delhi government, in the affidavit, added that that it had floated two tenders for catching and sterilising monkeys, but it found no takers. It said it has been decided in the January meeting that in case the bid fails for the third time, the animal husbandry department may be assigned the job of earmarking at least one animal hospital within each MCDs and New Delhi Municipal Council to start the work of laparoscopic sterilisation of monkeys at least in four such identified hospitals. The strength of doctors and other supporting staff may be enriched by the fund provided by Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), placed at the disposal of CWW, it said, adding that the animal husbandry department may strengthen infrastructure facilities for smooth process of sterilisation of simians. The affidavit stated that entire cost of sterilisation and post sterilisation care would be met by the funds give by MoEF and there would not be any burden of Delhi government or civic agencies. "The job of catching the monkeys, transporting them to animal hospital ear marked for sterilisation and then releasing them back to the same location would be done by the concerned civic agency under the supervision of enforcement committee headed by CWW," it said. It said that till the sterilisation process begins, the job of catching monkeys and releasing them in Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary will be continued by the civic agencies as per the high court's order. The high court had earlier asked the Delhi government to come out with an alternative plan to reduce the increasing monkey population in the national capital if it was not finding any bidders for its tenders to sterilise the simians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday called up West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and expressed serious concern over reports of violence against people who participated in BJP President Amit Shah's rally of in the state, officials said. During the telephonic conversation with Banerjee, Singh asked her to take action against those who indulged in the violence. The home minister called up the chief minister to express serious concern over the reports of large-scale violence and arson against people who participated in the rally of the BJP president in East Midnapore district, a home ministry official said. Vehicles ferrying BJP workers were set on fire in clashes that broke out following Shah's rally, party sources said. The sources said three persons were injured in the clashes. No confirmation was available from police. The BJP alleged that buses in which party workers were returning from Shah's rally were ransacked and set on fire allegedly by TMC activists. The Trinamool Congress on the other hand claimed that BJP workers had attacked a local TMC party office in Kanthi and vandalised it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan High Court Tuesday allowed a rape victim to abort her over 20-week-old foetus. Before arriving at the decision, the court sought a report from a medical board here. The report stated that the physical and mental condition of the victim was right to undergo the procedure of termination of pregnancy. "After receiving the report, Justice Ashok Kumar Gaur granted her the permission for termination of her pregnancy with immediate effect in order to avoid any further complications," said Ankur Mathur, counsel for the victim. The victim, a resident of Udaipur district, was raped about six months ago and learnt about her pregnancy last month. The matter was referred to the high court in Jodhpur by the District Legal Service Authority, Udaipur to which the matter had been reported for termination. "The court sought medical opinion considering the foetus to be over 20 weeks. The board in its report stated that the victim would be able to handle the termination procedure both physically and mentally," Mathur said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan High Court Tuesday sought stands of the Union and state governments on a plea seeking repeal of one of the provisions of their Goods and Services Tax on the grounds of being "unconstitutional". A bench of justices Sangeet Lodha and Dinesh Mehta sought the two governments' stands within four weeks on a plea by Lakhani Metal and Castings Pvt Ltd of Bikaner challenging the provision that empowers the government to deny the refund of "unutilized input tax credit" to a company without assigning any reason for the action. The firm challenged clause (ii) of the proviso of Sub Section 3 of Section 54 of the Central GST Act, 2017 and Rajasthan GST Act, 2017. Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Ramit Mehta argued before the court that the section 54 provision negates another provision of the law, Section 49(6) of the GST Act, 2017 that grants statutory right for obtaining refund after adjustment of tax, interest, fees and penalty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tuesday telephoned Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and discussed with him Islamabad's efforts to highlight the Kashmir issue. Though there was no immediate reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs but Qureshi's move may not go down well with India, which maintains that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and there is no space for any third party. The Foreign Office said Qureshi spoke with Mirwaiz and discussed with him the efforts of Pakistan's government to highlight the Kashmir issue. Qureshi also mentioned the June 2018 report issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and a report of the UK Parliament, the FO said in a statement. He also emphasised that India should permit the visit of the Commission of Inquiry, as envisaged in both reports. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's telephonic conversation with separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq reflected the duplicity in Pakistani leadership's approach on ties with India, official sources said here Tuesday. In Islamabad, the Pakistan Foreign Office said Qureshi spoke with the Hurriyat leader and discussed with him efforts of Pakistan government to highlight the Kashmir issue. The sources said people of India will defeat all "nefarious designs" aimed at creating disharmony and terrorist violence in India. Such an attempt by Pakistan Foreign Minister is a regressive step and is contrary to the overall perception which Pakistan leadership is trying to create, they said. "It reflects duplicity in Pakistan leadership's approach," said a source. The sources said media antics of Pakistani leadership cannot divert attention from the fact that its establishment's hands are "stained with the blood of innocent Indians", including in Jammu and Kashmir and in territory under its illegal occupation. After taking charge as Pakistan PM, Imran Khan has been saying that he wants to improve ties with India and that both sides should hold talks to resolve outstanding issues. India has been maintaining that Pakistan has to stop cross border terrorism for any meaningful engagement. The Pakistan Foreign office said Qureshi also mentioned the June 2018 report issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and a report of the UK Parliament. "Pakistan's repeated attempts to incite disharmony and violence in India continue. Pakistan needs to focus on addressing human rights situation within its own territory and promoting and protecting its own citizens, especially from minority community," the source here said. "The persecution and discrimination against different ethnic populations including Pashtuns, Baloch, Ahmediyas, Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan needs to end," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in Gujarat on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary Wednesday. During his day-long visit to the state, he will also lay foundation stone for extension of the terminal building at Surat Airport. "PM Modi will go to Dandi in Navsari district where he will dedicate the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial to the nation on Bapu's death anniversary," an official release said. "The memorial has statues of Mahatma Gandhi and 80 Satyagrahis who had marched with him during the historic Dandi Salt March. It also has 24-narrative murals depicting various events and stories from the historic 1930 Salt March," it said. Modi will address a public meeting later, it said. The Salt Satyagraha March, better known as 'Dandi March', was a landmark event in the freedom struggle. As part of the civil disobedience movement against the British rule, 80 Satyagrahis led by Gandhi marched 241 miles from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi and made salt from sea water, thus breaking the Salt Law imposed by the British. Before visiting Dandi, the prime minister will lay foundation stone for extension of the terminal building at Surat Airport. Modi will also inaugurate Smt Rasilaben Sevantilal Shah Venus Hospital in Surat. On return to Surat from Dandi, he will interact with participants at the New India Youth conclave. This will be Modi's second visit to Gujarat this month. He had visited the state on January 19 to dedicate the Armoured System Complex at Hazira besides attending the Vibrant Gujarat Summit on January 17 and 18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday expressed grief over the demise of his friend George Fernandes and paid rich tributes to him, lauding his fiery oratory and his contributions as Union minister and trade union leader. In his message, Pawar hailed Fernandes for "strengthening and giving new direction" to the workers' (labour) movement. Former defence minister Fernandes, 88, died in New Delhi on Tuesday following a prolonged illness. Pawar recalled that Fernandes, who hailed from North Karnataka, came to Mumbai in 1949 and "became one of Mumbai's". "He dedicated himself to voice concerns of workers and to ensure justice for them. He built a strong organisation of BMC (civic body) workers. He also ably led the union of railway workers," Pawar noted. Describing Fernandes as a "good parliamentarian", Pawar praised him for leaving behind mark as an "effective administrator" while discharging duties as the country's defence and industries minister. "George was an excellent orator. His command over several languages was praiseworthy. We have lost a leader who created an independent identity of himself and who consistently fought for the commoners and workers," he said. "He was my personal friend. With his demise, I have lost a senior colleague," Pawar added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Image source from: Apherald.com) KCR's AP Tour Schedule Locked:- Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) announced that he would intervene in AP politics in the coming days. KTR recently met YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in his Lotus Pond residence and wanted him to support KCR's Federal Front. Now KCR is all set to spend a complete day busy in Andhra Pradesh. KCR will attend the house warming inauguration of YS Jagan in Amaravati, the new capital of AP. The event will take place on February 14th in the new capital. KCR is in plans to conduct a series of meetings with some crucial AP leaders about the Federal Front. Soon, he will fly to Vizag for a special event in Vizag Sarada Peetham. Sree Swaroopananda Swamy personally invited KCR for an event in Vizag and KCR gave his immediate nod. The recent Chandi Yagam in KCR's farmhouse was held under the supervision of Sree Swaroopananda Swamy who is said to be guiding KCR and YS Jagan. KCR will spend a busy day in Andhra Pradesh in his one day tour and will return back to Hyderabad during the same day night. Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday condoled the demise of former defence minister George Fernandes, saying it is a great loss for the country, politically as well as intellectually. The 88-year-old former union minister and socialist leader died in New Delhi on Tuesday, after suffering from a prolonged illness. "Deeply saddened at passing away of former Union minister and stalwart leader George Fernandes. It is a great loss for the nation, both politically as well as intellectually," Patnaik wrote on Twitter. "Pray for his soul to rest in peace and my condolences for his family and followers," he said. Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram also expressed grief on the demise of Fernandes. "Deeply saddened by the passing away of former Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes. A veteran socialist leader, an Anti-Emergency crusader and a man of immense courage, his death leaves a big void in Indian Polity," Pradhan, the Union Petroleum Minister, said in a Twitter post. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this hour of grief," he added. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said Fernandes was a simple and open-minded leader, who served the country and the poor with dedication. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik, too, voiced grief. "My deepest condolences to the family, friends and followers of Former Union Minister Shri #GeorgeFernandes. May his soul rest in peace," he said on Twitter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday claimed that former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had clearly stated that he has nothing to do with the 'new deal.' "Friends, the ex-defence minister Mr Parrikar clearly stated that he has nothing to do with the new deal that was orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani," he told a booth-level party workers meeting here. His statement came hours after he met Parrikar, now Goa Chief Minister, at the state assembly complex in Panaji. The Congress President,however, did not clarify whether the issue was discussed duringhis meeting with Parrikar, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment. Gandhi made the remarks a day after he alleged that the "Goa audio tapes", cited by the Congress to attack the Centre on the Rafale issue, were authentic and that Parrikar was in possession of "explosive secrets" that give him power over Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reiterating his charge against Modi over the Rafale deal, Gandhi said he has taken Rs 30,000 crore of people's money and given it to his friend Anil Ambani. "Why was a plane that costs Rs 526 crore bought at a price of Rs 1,600 crore? he asked. The youngsters of the country, the youngsters of Kerala-- they get only one answer. And the answer is that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt," he said. The Congress has been targeting Modi on the deal,alleging that the price of each aircraft was sharply hiked from around Rs 526 crore, negotiated under the deal during UPA, to Rs 1,600 crore and that the contract would help Anil Ambani get Rs 30,000 crore benefit through offset contract. The government has denied the charges and has accused the Congress of spreading 'falsehood' on the issue. Gandhi questioned the removal of the CBI chief even after the Supreme Court reinstated him and alleged that the prime minister did it to "protect himself" and "ensure that no enquiry is carried out" against him in the Rafale deal. "Why did the ex-president of France tell the press clearly that he was told by the Indian prime minister to give the Rafale contract to Mr Anil Ambani. I want to ask why was a man who has no experience in building an aircraft given a contract after it was snatched away from those people (Hindustan Aeronautical Limited), who are building the aircraft for 70 years?" Gandhi asked. The Congress president said thousands of young Indians who could have got high paid jobs in HAL have now 'lost the opportunity.' No defence capabilities were going to be built in India due to Modi's actions, he alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-level team of Pakistani experts inspected the 1000 MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project being built on the Chenab river basin in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district Tuesday under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), officials said. The three-member team, headed by Pakistan's Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mehr Ali Shah, visited the site of the 1,000-MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric project (HEP), they said. The team, which arrived in Jammu on Monday, reached Kishtwar late in the evening, the officials said. The inspection is mandated under the treaty to resolve issues on the various hydro-electric projects. In August last year, India and Pakistan had high-level bilateral talks on the IWT to strengthen the role of the Permanent Indus Commission for matters under the 1960 treaty. After the talks, India had invited Pakistani experts to visit the sites of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai projects to address Islamabad's concerns. This tour is an obligation imposed on both the countries by the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 between India and Pakistan and under the treaty, both the commissioners are mandated to inspect sites and works on both the sides of Indus basin in a block of five years, a senior official had said. Since signing the treaty, a total of 118 such tours on both the sides have been undertaken by the commission. The last tours of the commission in Pakistan and India were held in July 2013 and September 2014, respectively. No tour could be held so far in the current five years block which ends in March 2020. This tour will be followed by a visit of Indian Indus Commissioner to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date decided between the two commissioners, the official added. This tour was originally scheduled in October 2018 but later postponed because of the local bodies and panchayat polls in J&K. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, waters flowing in three of Indus tributaries -- the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi -- have been allotted to India; while the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus waters have been allotted to Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Supreme Court is set to decide on Tuesday whether to allow an appeal against the acquittal of a Christian woman who was on death row for eight years on charges of blasphemy. The Supreme Court's decision in October last year to overturn the conviction of Asia Bibi sparked nationwide protests and death threats from hardline groups. Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa will head the three-member bench that will hear the review petition, filed by the complainant in the case Qari Muhammad Salaam. Security has been tightened in the capital Islamabad where the court is located. A security official told PTI that paramilitary Rangers will be deployed in addition to the regular police to deal with any unsavoury situation. Bibi's lawyer, who fled to the Netherlands after receiving death threats for defending her, has returned home to represent her in the case. Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, who is now in protective custody, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. She challenged the verdict in October 2014 in the Lahore High Court which upheld the death sentence. The apex court's decision to acquit her had sparked three-day-long mass protests led by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The protests were called off after the party reached an agreement with the government, the foremost condition of which was the placement of Bibi's name on the Exit Control List. The government, however, had only agreed to "initiate the legal process" to place her name on the list, while also agreeing that it would not oppose any review petitions being filed against the court judgement. After her release from Multan's women prison on November 7, Bibi was flown to Islamabad onboard a special aircraft. She was then taken to an undisclosed place amid tight security. Authorities have remained tight-lipped about her movement and whereabouts for security reasons. Qari filed the review petition in the case on November 1, 2018 at the Lahore registry of the apex court, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. In the petition, it has been argued that the Supreme Court's acquittal of Bibi did not meet the standards of jurisprudence as well as Islamic provisions and the "normal principle of justice with reference to application in blasphemy laws". It has also challenged the Supreme Court's dismissal of the alleged "confession" that Bibi was forced to make by the people of her village and argued that the Supreme Court should have applied the Law of Evidence differently in this case. Her case has been deeply divisive in Pakistan where there is strong support for the controversial blasphemy laws. The blasphemy laws were promulgated by former military dictator Ziaul Haq in 1980s. A person convicted under these laws is given death sentence. Bibi was accused of committing blasphemy in 2009. She was convicted in 2010 by the trial court and her death sentence was maintained by the Lahore High Court in 2014. Her case gained prominence when former governor of Pakistan's Punjab province Salman Taseer was killed in 2011 for supporting her and criticising the blasphemy laws. A month after Taseer was killed, Pakistan's religious minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian who spoke out against the blasphemy law, was shot dead in Islamabad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the review petition filed against the acquittal of a Christian woman who was on death row for eight years on charges of blasphemy. The apex court's decision in October to overturn the conviction of Aasia Bibi sparked nationwide protests and death threats from hardline groups. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, dismissed the review petition filed by Qari Muhammad Salaam, Dawn reported. During the hearing, Salaam's lawyer said that the matter of Aasia's acquittal is a matter concerning the Muslim clergy and religious scholars should also be called to present their point of view. "How is this a matter of religion?" the chief justice asked. "Has the verdict not been given on merit?" "The verdict was given on the basis of testimonies; does Islam say that one should be punished even if they are found not guilty?" he asked. "Prove to us what [you believe] is wrong with the verdict," said Chief Justice Khosa said. He further said that if testimonies of those involved in the case were not judged correctly, the court will review them and if the matter needs to be referred to a larger bench, the decision will be taken. "An FIR lodged five days after an incident is suspect," said Justice Khosa while referring to report lodged in the case and which formed the basis for Aasia's prosecution. He said that testimonies also differed in their account regarding the size and the place of the crowd which had gathered following the blasphemy accusation, the Express Tribune reported. The lawyer countered that late registration of an FIR does not necessarily mean ill intention. "Should we then hand an accused on the basis of such testimonies," questioned the chief justice. He dismissed the review petition filed against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi, saying the petitioner was not able to point out any mistake in the apex court verdict acquitting the 47-year-old woman. Security was tightened in Islamabad where the court is located. Paramilitary Rangers were deployed in addition to the regular police to deal with any unsavoury situation. Bibi's lawyer, who fled to the Netherlands after receiving death threats for defending her, returned home last week to represent her in the case. Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, who is now in protective custody, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. She challenged the verdict in October 2014 in the Lahore High Court which upheld the death sentence. The apex court's decision to acquit her had sparked three-day-long mass protests led by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Qari filed the review petition in the case on November 1, 2018 at the Lahore registry of the apex court, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. In the petition, it has been argued that the Supreme Court's acquittal of Bibi did not meet the standards of jurisprudence as well as Islamic provisions and the "normal principle of justice with reference to application in blasphemy laws". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan is facilitating the ongoing peace talks between the US and the Taliban as a shared responsibility and in good faith, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told Russia's Special Representative on Afghanistan. Qureshi held talks with Zamir Kabulov, Russia's Special Representative on Afghanistan, in Islamabad during which he appreciated the growing international consensus on the need to settle the decades old conflict through political process. "Pakistan is facilitating the ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban as a shared responsibility and in good faith," Qureshi told Kabulov. Qureshi also hoped that the talks will result in an intra-Afghan dialogue leading to lasting peace in the country. Highlighting the role of neighbours and the regional countries in the peace process, he lauded the important contributions Russia had made in the Afghan peace process including through Moscow Format of Consultations. Appreciating close coordination and regular engagements on regional issues and Afghan peace process, Kabulov said that Russia and Pakistan were important stakeholders in peace and stability in Afghanistan. "It was in the shared interest of both the countries to support all efforts for peace and stability in the country through close coordination," he said. He greatly appreciated Pakistan's role as a facilitator in the Afghan peace process. The two sides agreed to continue regular consultations on Afghan peace process and support regional initiatives to bring lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region, the Foreign Office said. It said that Kabulov also held in-depth consultations with the foreign secretary on regional political situation and Afghan peace process. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said there was no need to think about the prime ministerial candidate of the proposed grand alliance of opposition parties before the Lok Sabha polls. The previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had done well, though the coalition had not projected anybody as its leader before the 2004 general election, he said. Pawar was among the opposition leaders who attended a mega rally organised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata earlier this month. "There is no need to think about the prime ministerial candidate now," the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief told reporters here. "We (UPA) had not declared a candidate before the 2004 election. But we managed to give a successful government for 10 years," he said, when asked who would be the grand alliance candidate for the top post. "What we are trying to do in the grand alliance is to stand behind a strong party in each state. For instance, in Tamil Nadu, the DMK is strong, all the other parties will stand behind it. In Andhra Pradesh, the TDP is strong and all others will support it to fight the BJP, while in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress is strong," Pawar said. Asked about the Congress's role in the alliance, he said the party had a strong support base in states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, where it would play the dominant role. Speaking about Maharashtra, Pawar said the NCP and the Congress had arrived at an understanding as regards seat-sharing in most of the Lok Sabha segments. "We have arrived at an agreement with the Congress on 44 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats. On the remaining four seats, the matter will be sorted out in the next week," he said. All the opposition parties would probably meet in New Delhi on Wednesday for further talks, the former Maharashtra chief minister said. He added that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had failed to keep its promises. "The Nehru-Gandhi family has committed sacrifices for the country. But the leader of the BJP is going all around the world abusing the family," Pawar later said, addressing NCP workers. He, however, did not name Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been highly critical of the Nehru-Gandhi family. The BJP government had failed on every front, including economy, the former Union minister said. "So many farmers are committing suicide. When I was the agriculture minister for 10 years (in the UPA government), the number of farmers committing suicide was very small," he claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ten political parties of the north-east, most of which are members of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), along with the saffron party's key ally in Bihar, the JD(U), on Tuesday unanimously decided to jointly oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. At a meeting of the parties, it was also decided that a delegation comprising representatives of all the outfits would meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise them of their opposition to the bill that sought to provide Indian citizenship to those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsees and Christians, who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014, after six years of residence in the country. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on whose initiative the meeting was called, and his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga also attended the meeting. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which has pulled out of the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government in Assam over the issue, was also associated with the convening of the meeting. The 10 political parties that participated in the meeting from across the north-east were -- the Mizo National Front (MNF), the United Democratic Party (UDP), the AGP, the Naga People's Front (NPF), the National People's Party (NPP), the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), the People's Democratic Front (PDF), the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Khnam. The Janata Dal (United) was represented at the meeting by its north-east in-charge, NSN Lotha. "The meeting was a natural process, considering the opposition of the north-east states to the bill and it was not politically motivated," Sangma told reporters here after the meeting. "Most political parties in the region are protesting against the bill in their respective states and so, we decided to come together and discuss measures to protect our people and the region," he added. On being asked about continuing in the NEDA, Sangma said it was premature to discuss political issues and they would "take a call if the situation arises. As of now, we have not come here to discuss but to address a very sentimental issue which concerns the people of the region". He pointed out that NEDA convenor and Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was aware of the meeting, adding, "We are communicating with all as the primary responsibility of political parties is towards the people and the region." Asked whether a new regional alliance was in the offing in the north-east, Sangma said, "We will take a decision at an appropriate time." He also refused to comment on whether the bill would be a defining factor in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, saying, "It is premature to comment on it.""We are here not to make political statements but to discuss the issue and take the voice of the people to the government," the NPP leader added. The eight states of the north-east account for 25 Lok Sabha seats and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eying to bag those in the Parliamentary election. Referring to the meeting, Sangma said, "We spoke to each other over phone and decided to come together to oppose the bill in one voice and we hope that after today's meeting, the Government of India will understand the sentiments of the people of the north-east." The meeting adopted five resolutions, including one for the unanimous opposition to the bill and another for a delegation comprising representatives of all the parties present to meet the president and the prime minister. In the unfortunate scenario of the Centre failing to respond to the sentiments of the people, it was decided that the parties would continue to oppose the bill and meet again to chalk out the future course of action, Sangma said. It was also decided at the meeting that a committee would be formed to reach out to all the political parties. The meeting thanked all the political parties who "opposed the bill and supported our cause both inside and outside Parliament". "We are here to work with all political parties who are opposed to the bill and will reach out to everybody. This is not about but about people," Sangma said, when asked whether they would reach out to the Congress, which is in the opposition in the states represented by the political parties at the meeting. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who was also present at the meeting, said a resolution was adopted to unanimously oppose the bill, which was dangerous and harmful for the people of the north-east. AGP president Atul Bora said the meeting was "historic" as the political parties had unanimously decided to oppose the bill and ensure that it was not passed in the Rajya Sabha. He hoped that all regional and other political parties would unitedly fight against the bill. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee Tuesday said the government will ensure that new English medium schools have the requisite infrastructure before giving no objection certificate (NOC) to the institute. Chatterjee, after attending a review meeting of School department here, said before giving the NOC to an application for any new private English medium school, the state government will ensure that the concerned institute have the requisite infrastructure. "We will see if there is adequate building and accommodation, if there will be appropriate number of teachers. Whether the new institute will go by all the prescribed norms laid down by the government," the minister told reporters. Chatterjee was asked to comment on a large number of English medium schools coming up in different localities in recent years. To a question, the minister said his government will turn the entire process of monthly salary requisition of teachers online and gradually do away with the manual process. "We are planning to fully shift to this system, we have allotted funds for the same. And when we will achieve it 100 per cent, the manual process will be totally done away with," he said. The minister said the state government was committed to give pension benefits to every teacher on time. "If we have to pay the salary of those working by the first week of every month, why there should be different yardstick for those who bid adieu to their service life?", Chatterjee wondered. The minister said the government will build a girls' hostel at Belpahari in West Midnapore district, falling under the 'jangalmahal' belt. To a question about the Calcutta High Court having discharged the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) from contempt proceedings in connection with the publication of a merit list of candidates to recruit teachers for 12,905 vacancies, Chatterjee said "we have full confidence in the judiciary." "We are working to create more employment scope for the people of West Bengal," he added and blamed the previous Left Front government for the rise in unemployment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has directed a doctor to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to a patient for being negligent in treating him, wrongly billing him for the treatment and causing him "mental agony" and "pain". A bench of the apex consumer commission comprising President R K Agrawal and member M Shreesha asked the doctor, Geeta Jindal, to pay the compensation for the medical expenses incurred by the patient and the inflated billing. The New India Insurance Company Limited would be liable to pay the amount as the doctor was covered by an indemnity policy, the bench noted. The tribunal said the doctor was not only "negligent" in treating the patient but had also wrongly billed the victim for the "treatment that was never rendered" and therefore, it amounted to an unfair trade practice. The tribunal allowed the revision petition of Haryana resident Dinesh Joshi, seeking a review of the state consumer disputes redressal commission's order dated May 10, 2016 dismissing his complaint, in which he had sought a direction to the doctor to refund the amount charged from him on account of wrong and unnecessary treatment. According to the petition, Joshi had visited Jindal in Panchkula, Haryana on October 4, 2011 as he had a severe pain in his buttock. Jindal had given him medicines stating that he was suffering from fissures and that the pain would decrease within two days. However, after two days, Joshi, who was still in severe pain, was rushed to Jindal and was admitted to a hospital, where she charged him Rs 36,450 for the treatment, despite assuring him earlier that the total expenses for his treatment would not exceed Rs 7,000, the petition said. The doctor had charged Joshi Rs 12,500 towards ICU charges, though the latter was never put in one, and the patient was also billed for surgical instruments that were never used on him, it claimed. The tribunal noted that the normal practice in private nursing homes and hospitals was that the management would provide for all the medicines and surgical items likely to be used and the billing would be done subsequently, confined to the items used. "In the present case, as the surgery was not performed, the medicines/surgical items which were not used were billed. There is also no evidence on record that the patient was ever put in an ICU. "In fact, it is the main case of the treating doctor that surgery was not required to be performed and the question of putting the patient in an ICU did not arise. Therefore, the ICU charges of Rs 12,500 were wrongly billed. We are of the considered view that such a billing amounts to unfair trade practice," the tribunal said. "Having regards to the bills, the averments made in the written version, the information procured under RTI and the treatment rendered, we are of the considered view that the treating doctor is not only negligent in the treatment of the patient but has also wrongly billed the complainant with charges for which the treatment was never rendered and therefore, we are of the opinion that this act also amounts to unfair trade practice," it added. The district and the state consumer forum had ruled out any medical negligence on the doctor's part but had jointly held the scanning centre that had diagnosed Joshi and the insurance company liable for paying him compensation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alvin, TX (77511) Today Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High around 90F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight. Low 81F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The Nagaland Cabinet has rejected the citizenship bill, following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy, in a press release, said that taking into account the will and desire of all sections of the people, the Cabinet meeting on Monday made it amply clear that the state government remains opposed and rejects the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. The bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month, has been an issue of concern in Nagaland and triggered protests across the northeastern region, they said. The people of the state have expressed their opposition to the bill in various forms in a democratic manner and the Cabinet discussed the bill at length on Monday, they said in the release. The Cabinet had earlier said that the CAB was not applicable to the state. The National Democratic People's Party-led People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in the state had said that Nagaland enjoys protection under provisions of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution and the Inner Line Permit (ILP), according to which, any person who acquires Indian citizenship will be ineligible for acquiring property or settling down in the state. The state government from the very beginning had expressed its opposition to the bill and conveyed the same to the Centre, they said. The PDA government has also assured the people that it will leave no stone unturned to constantly protect the rights and privileges of the people, the chief minister and the chief secretary said. Regional parties across the northeast which are in alliance with the BJP will meet in Guwahati on Tuesday to put forth their objections to the controversial bill. They will be joined by the JD(U), NDA's major ally in Bihar, and the AGP, which recently snapped ties with the BJP in Assam over the proposed legislation that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. NDPP president Chingwang Konyak will be attending the meeting, convened by Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is the co-convenor of the programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George Fernandes was born in Mangalore, but it was Mumbai which shaped him as a fiery union leader and made him famous as the "giant killer" who defeated Congress stalwart S K Patil in the 1967 Lok Sabha elections. Recalling the veteran socialist's association with the city, CPI leader Prakash Reddy told PTI Patil, who represented the Bombay South Lok Sabha seat, was then called the "uncrowned king of Bombay". Mumbai at that time had a tradition of strong labour movement in the industrial sector, civic body and small businesses known as 'gumasta', he said. Fernandes stood up for the workers of the civic body, BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) undertaking and gumasta workers and fought for their rights. He made a name for himself among the labour class in the 1960s, Reddy said. "Patil was a very powerful leader. He was invincible. George said S K Patil can be defeated and decided to contest against him. He got the backing of the labour," the CPI leader recalled. But before that, it was the externment of union leader Placid D'Mello from Mumbai which got Fernandes into the labour movement, said Ranga Raichure, a long-time friend. "Thanks to the externment notice, D'Mello brought Fernandes, whom he knew as a sharp and intelligent boy, into the union. George was living on the footpath then," Raichure told PTI. During the Sanyukta Maharashtra movement in 1950s and 1960s, the mood of people in Mumbai was anti-Congress since the party was perceived to be against the inclusion of Bombay into the state of Maharashtra. "All major unions of the civic body, BEST and small businesses in Mumbai were set up by George Fernandes. This helped George defeat S K Patil, who was close to top industrialists," Prakash Reddy said. "Fernandes painted the walls with a simple message: Patil can be defeated. He got over 48 per cent of votes," 90-year-old Roza Deshpande, daughter of CPI founder S A Dange, told PTI. "Fernandes was one of the most upright trade unionists," she added. Before contesting the 1967 Lok Sabha poll, Fernandes had led a successful municipal workers' strike in Mumbai, Reddy mentioned. Interestingly, it was Fernandes who demanded that daily functioning of the Mumbai municipal corporation be carried out in Marathi and not in English, Raichure said. It is believed that the charismatic union leader's character in the Marathi film "Sinhasan", based on journalist Arun Sadhu's two political novels, was inspired by Fernandes. The Praja Socialist Party headed by Madhu Dandawate and Fernandes-headed Sanyukta Socialist Party merged to form the Socialist Party and supported the Shiv Sena in the 1968 civic polls in Mumbai. The Socialist Party and Shiv Sena alliance won the civic polls that year. "Fernandes was so much blinded by the anti-Congress and anti-Indira Gandhi sentiment that he compromised on his socialist ideology to support the dual membership of associating with the RSS, resulting in his fallout with trade union leader Sharad Rao," Reddy said. Fernandes had also shared a close relationship with Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray. He was among the very few to call the Sena patriarch 'Bal', senior journalist Yogesh Trivedi remembered. It was Fernandes who started a cooperative society for taximen when one of the union members was denied loan by a bank, reminisced film artist Jayant Dharmadhikari. "A furious Fernandes united taxi drivers and set up Labour Bank in mid-60s, collecting Rs 10 as share capital from every member of his taxi union. It succeeded and many members could buy their own cars," he said. Post Emergency, Labour Bank was renamed as New India Cooperative Bank. Deshpande says Fernandes' biggest strength was that he knew when to withdraw a strike, unlike some other union leaders whose obstinate stand led to destruction of entire industries. The former defence minister passed away in Delhi Tuesday following a prolonged illness. He was 88. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former defence minister George Fernandes first shot into national prominence when he defeated Congress stalwart S K Patil in the 1967 parliamentary elections. He also had a strong Mumbai connection. Recalling the veteran socialist's association with the city, CPI leader Prakash Reddy told PTI Fernandes had in 1967 emerged as the "giant killer" by defeating Patil, who was then called the "uncrowned king of Bombay" and represented the Bombay South Lok Sabha seat. Mumbai at that time had a tradition of strong labour force in the industrial sector, civic body and small businesses known as 'gumasta'. Fernandes stood up for the workers of the civic body, BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) undertaking and the gumasta workers and fought for their rights. He made a name for himself among the labour class in the 1960s, Reddy said. "Patil was a very powerful leader. He was invincible. George said S K Patil can be defeated and decided to contest against him. He got the backing of the labour work force," the CPI leader recalled. During the Sanyukta Maharashtra movement in 1950s and 1960s, the mood of people in Mumbai was anti-Congress since the party was perceived to be against the inclusion of Bombay into the state of Maharashtra. "All major unions of the civic body, BEST and small businesses in Mumbai were set up by George Fernandes. This helped George defeat S K Patil, who was close to top industrialists," he said. Before contesting the 1967 Lok Sabha poll, Fernandes had led a successful municipal workers' strike in Mumbai, he mentioned. The Praja Socialist Party was headed by Madhu Dandawate and Fernandes headed the Sanyukta Samajwadi Party. Both the parties merged to form the Socialist Party and supported the Shiv Sena in the 1968 civic polls in Mumbai. The Socialist Party and Shiv Sena alliance won the civic polls that year. "Fernandes was so much blinded by the anti-Congress and anti-Indira Gandhi sentiment that he compromised on his socialist ideology to support the dual membership of associating with the RSS, resulting in his fallout with trade union leader Sharad Rao," Reddy said. Fernandes had also shared a close relationship with Shiv Sena supremo late Bal Thackeray. He was also among the very few to refer the Sena patriarch as 'Bal', city-based senior journalist Yogesh Trivedi remembered. Fernandes passed away in Delhi Tuesday following a prolonged illness, his family sources said. He was 88. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and had recently contracted swine flu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A junior police officer was seriously injured when he was allegedly stabbed by three persons whom he tried to stop from assaulting a man here in Madhya Pradesh, police said Tuesday. The incident occurred on the intervening night of January 28 and 29 when Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Dasai Ram Gotia (57) intervened in a scuffle while he was returning home from duty, a senior police officer said. He said the accused trio were trying to snatch the motorcycle of the man near the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ordnance Factory's Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) estate. "The accused threw stones at the ASI in which he suffered injuries to his head," Superintendent of Police Amit Singh said, adding that the attackers stabbed Gotia before fleeing. He said two of the three accused have been identified. The injured police official is undergoing treatment at hospital, the SP said, adding that a case has been registered and further investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Tuesday said it has signed a pact with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) to improve the official statistical system in the country. MoSPI and NCAER have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to use new data technologies, knowledge generation and knowledge sharing, and capacity building, in official statistics, a ministry statement said. According to the statement, the MoU was signed here on Tuesday in the presence of MoSPI Secretary Pravin Srivastava, who is also the chief statistician of India; Central Statistics Office Director-General Jyotirmoy Poddar; NCAER Director-General Shekhar Shah; and other senior officers of both the organisations. The MoU would lead to strengthening and better monitoring of data quality and timeliness of various statistical products and services generated by the ministry including, gross domestic product, economic census, price statistics, Index of Industrial Production, and Annual Survey of Industries, among others. The key activities envisaged under the MoU are business process review of the existing official statistics system and development of an information and communication technology (ICT) plan for main-streaming data integration across various domains and agencies. Under the pact, both the organisations would use technology for survey instruments and processing of data for large-scale surveys and data analytics. They will create a national data warehouse to integrate administrative statistical data sets available up to the local government level. They will leverage administrative data to improve the quality and coverage of core statistics with technical support and collaboration with data producers. They will also set up common standards and protocols for data collection, its quality, meta-data and use across line ministries and sub-national entities. Development of a new ICT-based framework for measurement of social and economic indicators in the emerging knowledge-based economy is also covered under the MoU. Besides, there will be capacity building for statistical activities, including big data analytics and technical reporting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Tuesday summoned scribe Priya Ramani as an accused in a defamation case filed by former Union minister after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him in the #MeToo campaign. The court directed Ramani to appear before it on February 25 after noting that the allegations made against Akbar were "prima facie defamatory" and he had denied all the accusations as "false and imaginary". "The allegations of the respondent are prima facie defamatory and refers to complainant M J Akbar, therefore, he is an aggrieved person...to file this complaint. He has denied the allegations made against him by the respondent as false and imaginary," said Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal. "These defamatory statements have been published, widely read and particularly by the witnesses examined who deposed that the reputation of the complainant was lowered in their estimation," he said in a 23-page order. The court said that "at this stage, the court only has the version of the complainant, who has on oath deposed in court that all the allegations made are false and further brought witnesses to vouch for his impeccable and unblemished reputation". Immediately after the order was passed, Ramani wrote on the micro-blogging website, Twitter, "Time to tell our side of the story." Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago when he was a journalist. He has denied the accusations. The witnesses brought by Akbar also proved that the reputation of the complainant was lowered in their estimation, the court said. The three witnesses -- Tapan Chaki, Manjar Ali and Rachna Grover -- who were associated with Akbar earlier deposed before the court, saying they were extremely "distressed and dismayed" as grave damage has been caused to his reputation due to the allegations. The court had also recorded the statements of Akbar and Joyeeta Basu, the editor of Sunday Guardian, in the matter. It noted that the enquiry was duly conducted by examining Akbar and the witnesses appearing for him to arrive at the conclusion to summon the accused. "All that is necessary to take a prima facie view that the offence of defamation has been committed against the complainant by the respondent Priya Ramani exists on record and, therefore, there are sufficient grounds to proceed against her. "Accordingly Priya Ramani is summoned for the commission of an offence of defamation under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, returnable on February 25, 2019," the court said. Senior advocate Geeta Luthra and advocate Sandeep Kapoor, both appearing for Akbar, had told the court that the allegations made in the article in Vogue and the subsequent tweets were defamatory on the face of it as the complainant had deposed that the allegations were false and imaginary. The council had submitted that the subsequent publications based on the respondent's allegations further aggravated defamation. Akbar, who resigned as Union minister on October 17, last year had filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on social media when he was in Nigeria. Akbar had told the court in his statement that an "immediate damage" has been caused to him due to the scurrilous, concocted and false allegations of sexual misconduct. Multiple women have come out with accounts of alleged sexual harassment by him while he was working as a journalist. He had termed the allegations "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against them. / -- Stepping into 2019, Messe Frankfurt India has amped up its building technology portfolio and entered into a strategic partnership with MCHI-CREDAI for one of its flagship fairs - IEE Expo. The alliance aims to play a key role in providing real estate developers and builders access to intelligent transportation technologies, serving as a competitive sourcing hub. Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt. Ltd., one of India's leading exhibition organisers together with the apex body of Real Estate Developers in Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), CREDAI-MCHI, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership. Following the successful association in 2018, the two organisations have decided to work closely to provide a truly international business platform for real estate developers and builders. Under this alliance, all events organised by Messe Frankfurt in the architectural mobility and vertical transportation segment, namely IEE EXPO 2020 and E2 FORUM, will be strongly supported by CREDAI-MCHI facilitating stronger dialogue between industry stakeholders. The alliance will also see joint participation of CREDAI-MCHI and Messe Frankfurt India at procurement meetings with purchase directors during the year to better understand industry requirements and how IEE Expo could fill the technology and demand gap. The Messe Frankfurt Indian subsidiary which acquired the International Elevator & Escalator Show hosted the first edition under its arm in 2018. IEE Expo is part of Messe Frankfurt's global building technologies portfolio which includes 24 trade fairs on three continents in its building technologies area of expertise. In the space of urban mobility and vertical transportation solutions in particular, Messe Frankfurt organises the renowned E2 Forum in Italy and Frankfurt under its banner where innovations, digitisation and sustainability in the buildings of the future is paired with pioneering solutions and concepts from the lift and escalator industry. E2 Forum offers architects, planners and operators of lift and escalator systems the chance to obtain information, engage in dialogue and share ideas with manufacturers and developers. Bringing this successful concept to India, Messe Frankfurt India announced that E2 Forum will mark its launch in Mumbai in 2019. Mr. Winston Pereira, General Manager, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt. Ltd., shared: "The rapid pace of urban development and high-rises in India has brought the focus on vertical transportation technologies and innovations in 'Proptech'. We are glad to announce the launch of E2 Forum in India and together with IEE Expo are confident that the platforms will enable developers and builders to access architectural mobility solutions that address the critical elements of space availability, safety and sustainable urbanisation. We are, therefore, happy to join hands with CREDAI-MCHI in this endeavour which will enable us to bring the right stakeholders together." Additionally, the 2020 edition of IEE Expo will see a series of knowledge sessions and panel discussions co-organised by Messe Frankfurt India and CREDAI-MCHI that will bring real estate developers, builders, architects and town planners face-to-face with technology specialists to facilitate business and knowledge exchange within the industry. Under the alliance, IEE Expo will also host exclusive procurement meetings for OEMs with India's top builders and real estate developers during the fair. The key business event which has magnificent real-life product displays of elevators and escalators will give visitors a personalised experience of luxury, high-end and latest vertical transportation technologies. President CREDAI MCHI - Mr. Nayan Shah, said: "We are glad to partner with Messe Frankfurt which brings its expertise from some of the biggest trade fair brands for building technology. With high rise towers coming in, the most crucial part of purchase becomes a high speed elevator. Such tie-ups will help us address safety and performance technologies. Parking today is a crucial issue as number of automobiles have increased exponentially; this is where Messe Frankfurt's IEE Expo plays an important role in optimising." MCHI's procurement wing will have direct access and benefit from its building technology trade fairs in India and in particular for IEE Expo and E2 Forum, which will facilitate exchange of ideas between technology providers and builders for High speed, Parking and Fire Safety Elevator requirements. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) is the apex body of private real estate developers representing 12,500 members spread across 23 state level chapters and 205 city level chapters in India. The Mumbai Chapter - MCHI (Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry) - is a strong industry platform with membership of over 1,800 leading developers in Mumbai and MMR. The CREDAI-MCHI has expanded across MMR, having its own units in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Mira - Virar City, Raigad and Navi Mumbai. Members of CREDAI-MCHI account for 80% of the organised development of new residential and commercial properties in Mumbai and MMR. With a growth expectancy of over 50% in the next four years, the Indian elevator and escalator sector is scaling high making India one of the biggest markets for this industry. With the towering future this industry possesses, IEE Expo 2020 will be a key platform for both exhibitors and business visitors at witnessing technological innovations, aesthetic designs and the progress in the vertical transportation industry. For more information about the event, please visit http://ieeexpo.in.messefrankfurt.com. Messe Frankfurt makes the industry also meet at these conference and exhibition events in Italy and Germany - please visit for more information: http://www.e2Forum.it, http://www.e2forum.com, http://www.technology.messefrankfurt.com. Background information on Messe Frankfurt Messe Frankfurt is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With more than 2,500* employees at 30 locations, the company generates annual sales of around 715* million. Thanks to its far-reaching ties with the relevant sectors and to its international sales network, the Group looks after the business interests of its customers effectively. A comprehensive range of services - both onsite and online - ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent). For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.messefrankfurt.com *preliminary figures 2018 Source: Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt. Ltd. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission in its report has said that Marathas and Kunbis are one and the same community. As the Kunbis are already included in the Other Backward Class (OBC), the Marathas too should have been categorised as a Backward Class long ago, it said. The nine-member commission headed by retired Justice M G Gaikwad had submitted its report on November 2018. On the basis of it, the state legislature on November 30, 2018, passed a bill giving 16 per cent quota in government jobs and education to the Marathas, declared as a "socially and educationally backward class". The report was on Tuesday given to the petitioners who have moved the Bombay High Court challenging the decision to grant the reservation. In April 1942, a government resolution (GR) was issued by the then government of Bombay with a list of Backward Classes which included the Maratha community, the report said. "The GR included the Maratha caste as intermediate class for the purpose of education only. Thus the reservation for Maratha caste was for the first time given in the year 1942 for education purposes only," it said. However, in 1950, the central government prepared a list of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Communities. "The caste, Maratha, which was appearing in the 1942 list disappeared from the list of Other Backward Communities prepared by the Government of India," the report said, adding that in 1966, the state government prepared a modified list by which the Kunbi caste was included in the OBC. "The commission is of the considered and firm opinion that the Maratha and the Kunbi are not separate castes, but they are one and same caste that is Kunbi," it said. The Kunbis and Marathas being one and the same, the Maratha community should have been and should be included in the list of Other Backward Classes, it said. Citing information procured from the state Directorate of Archives, the report said, "The Maratha is not a caste in itself but consists of Marathi-speaking people. The caste of such people is Kunbi, who were agriculturists." The Maratha community is socially, economically and educationally backward so as to hold it a 'Backward Class', it said. The report also took note of high number of suicides among Maratha farmers. "As per the reports submitted by the collectors and commissioners, the percentage of Maratha farmers committing suicide is much more," it said. According to the report, between 2013 to 2018, there were 13,368 farmer suicides in the state, of which 23.56 per cent suicides were of Maratha farmers and 19.34 per cent were of Kunbi farmers. "From this statistic, it can be inferred that the distress and frustration of the Maratha community is to such an extent that they are forced to commit suicide. It shows that they are not respected in the society and as such they feel that their prestige is gone," the commission said in the report. The percentage of Marathas engaged in agriculture too is much higher compared to other castes, it said. "Maratha caste and persons from other castes engaged in and depending on agriculture are victims of natural calamities. Except the Marathas, all other such castes are included in the list of Backward Classes... So the Maratha caste should not have been an exception," the panel said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armed Maoists set fire to a private bus after asking the passengers to alight at Mundaguda village in Odisha's Malkangiri district, police said on Tuesday. About 20 to 30 Maoists intercepted the bus at the village under Mathili police limits late on Monday night, and set it ablaze for plying during a strike called by the banned CPI (Maoist), they said. The Naxals also beat up the driver of the bus, but did not harm the passengers and their belongings, a police officer said. The outlawed outfit has called a 'Bharat Bandh' from January 25 to January 31, and in posters, called on people to support it. Besides, they have also demanded withdrawal of BSF camps from remote areas of Malkangiri district. Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena said the bus incident could be the handiwork of Maoists from Bastar Division of neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Meena said a joint combing operation by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the BSF personnel has been launched in the area. Meanwhile, Malkangiri Private Bus Owners Association president Bhakta Rout said they were operating in the tribal-dominated area, even as state-owned buses remained off the roads in view of the bandh. Rout, however, said they have to now reconsider whether to operate buses in Maoist-hit areas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Tuesday taunted Nitish Kumar for his emotional outpourings over the death of George Fernandes, attributing these to the regret that the latter might be feeling for having denied a Lok Sabha ticket to his mentor towards the end of his political career. Manjhi made remarks to this effect at a condolence meeting arranged by his Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM). I do not have a way with words like Nitish Kumar has. But having known him at close quarters, I cannot help wondering whether his tears were caused by just sorrow or the regret over having snubbed the veteran, depriving him of a chance to serve the people of his constituency for the last time, Manjhi told reporters. Manjhi, who was then himself a minister in Nitish Kumars cabinet, was referring to the 2009 Lok Sabha polls when a decision was taken not to field Fernandes the sitting MP from Muzaffarpur in view of his failing health. The Bihar Chief Minister, who then did not hold any post controlled the party nonetheless, was accused of insulting Fernandes by allies-turned-adversaries like former Union minister Digvijaya Singh, who fought and won from Banka as an Independent in the general elections. Fernandes himself, however, fared miserably as he lost his deposit even as the Muzaffarpur seat was retained for the JD(U) by Jainarayan Nishad, who had recently defected from the RJD. Offering his take, Shivanand Tiwary who was then a Rajya Sabha member from the JD(U), told PTI Nitish may have erred in not talking to Fernandes himself and requesting him to hold back from contesting the polls. It is a fact that in 2004, Fernandes had barely scraped through in Muzaffarpur and a re-election would have been unlikely even if he had been considered for a ticket. But people of Muzaffarpur did feel bad when Nitish even campaigned in favor of the JD(U) candidate, Tiwary, who is now a national vice-president of the RJD, said. Tiwary, whose father Ramanand Tiwary a cop-turned-politician who went on to become the jail minister of Bihar had known Fernandes since the days he first shot to fame in the 1967 Lok Sabha polls wherein he defeated Congress heavyweight S K Patil in Mumbai South. Post-Emergency, George had become a hero of sorts and his photograph wherein he appeared smiling despite being heavily shackled became a symbol of resistance to the tyranny, a reason why Jayaprakash Narayan pushed for his candidature from Muzaffarpur overruling claims of some strong local aspirants, Tiwary said. A man of frugal habits who always washed his clothes with his own hands and always refused to get these ironed, Fernandes had also famously got the front gate of his Delhi residence removed so that visitors could have unhindered access, Tiwary recalled. But we cannot deny that he was a man of many contradictions. He was vocal over the issue of dual membership during the Janata Party regime which left socialists at loggerheads with those from the RSS background and yet later forged an alliance with the BJP, Tiwary said. Similarly, he strongly opposed a powerful brand like Coca Cola under Morarji Desais stewardship but looked the other way when a separate ministry of disinvestment came into being during Vajpayee era, Tiwary said. Although he stood in solidarity with Tibetan refugees, he, along with Nitish and Sharad Yadav, was guilty of remaining silent over the Gujarat riots, Tiwary claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Thane court has awarded 10 years' imprisonment to a 23-year-old man for raping a teenager, observing that the accused was not entitled to be acquitted merely because the victim turned hostile. Special court judge Kavita D Shirbhate, in her order last week, held the accused, Kishore Bhide, guilty under the Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The judge awarded the accused 10-year imprisonment each under three relevant sections and said all the three sentences will run concurrently. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 9,000 on the accused. The prosecution told the court that the victim, then aged 15 years and studying in class 8 at a school in Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, complained of stomachache on April 5, 2016, following which her parents took her to a hospital where doctors found that she was two months' pregnant. When her parents enquired, the girl revealed that she was in a physical relationship with a driver from Turbhe area in Navi Mumbai since seven-eight months. Later, the girl's parents filed a complaint against the accused. The prosecution said that the accused had raped the girl while promising to marry her. The girl's father also informed the court that the victim was admitted to the hospital for 15 days and her pregnancy was terminated. However, during her cross-examination in the court, the victim turned hostile. The prosecution urged the court to award maximum punishment to the accused as the offence was of serious nature committed against a minor. The accused prayed for leniency, saying he had to support his family and that he was ready to marry the victim, who is now an adult. After hearing both the sides, the judge noted that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt all the charges against the accused. "The DNA report clearly indicates that the accused committed the act of sexual intercourse with the victim. Merely because the victim turns hostile, the accused is not entitled for the order of acquittal," the judge observed while pronouncing the sentence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Condolences poured in Tuesday for former Union minister George Fernandes from politicians of various hues who credited the veteran socialist for strengthening the workers' movement and described him as a "fiery" leader. Fernandes, 88, who served as Defence Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, died in New Delhi this morning following a prolonged illness. Dubbing Fernandes as "a great Parliamentarian and a sincere leader of the masses", Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao said, "Shri George Fernandes was one of the fieriest leaders of the working class in Mumbai in the post-Independence era. He organised several successful agitations for securing the rights of workers in various organisations". Governor Rao also remembered working alongside Fernandes in the Vajpayee cabinet. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that various achievements of Fernandes apart, the latter was a trade union leader first who fought for the welfare and rights of workers and the poor. "He also served as Defence Minister in Atalji's Government. We lost a strong, visionary, dedicated and committed leader. This rare leader will be remembered forever. My deepest condolences to his friends & lakhs of followers... #GeorgeFernandes," Fadnavis tweeted. Remembering his "close friend" Fernandes, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said he was "deeply saddened" by the former's demise, and credited him for "strengthening and giving new direction to workers' (labour) movement in the country. "Fernandes plunged into workers' movement, voicing their concerns and fighting for justice. He was instrumental in setting up workers union in Mumbai Municipal Corporation and also organised railway strikes," he said in a tweet. "He was one of the best Parliamentarians and also made his mark as an able administrator during his stint as Union Minister of Industry and later Defence." Pawar stated. He also remembered Fernandes as a fluent orator who had a command on many languages. Union minister and Dalit leader Ramdas Athawale described the death of Fernandes as the "descension of a star of the socialist movement". Athawale also praised Fernandes for giving permission to his party, the RPI, to hold a rally at the Race Course in Pune in 1998 when the former was the Defence Minister. Athawale said only the rallies of late Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were allowed at the Race Course till then. "Fernandes also used to respect Dr BR Ambedkar a lot. He had formed the Samata Party," Athawale said in a statement. Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said the death of Fernandes marked "an end of a stormy era". "He was an excellent organiser, gritty and loyal-to- principles leader. The contribution he made to the workers' movement apart from will be remembered forever. My tributes to George Fernandes...#GeorgeFernandes," Vikhe-Patil tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged to retaliate against the United States for its new sanctions on state oil company PDVSA. "I have given specific instructions to the head of PDVSA to launch political and legal action, in US and international courts, to defend the property and assets of Citgo," PDVSA's US-based subsidiary, Maduro said on state television Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday held a surprise second meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after talks with the country's top clerics, ending a three-day visit aimed at boosting ties while raising human rights concerns. Before travelling on to Cyprus for a summit of southern EU countries, Macron and Sisi held an unscheduled 45-minute meeting at Cairo airport. Earlier, Macron met with Pope Tawadros II at St. Mark's Cathedral, seat of Egypt's ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. They both stressed the need for "dialogue between religions". "I decided that a new conference will be held in Paris to see how to act more effectively," he said, without giving details. A diplomatic source said the French capital would host a forum on religious minorities in the Middle East, but without giving a date. Macron visited the church adjacent to the cathedral that was the site of a December 2016 jihadist attack which killed 29 people. He also met in Cairo with Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the most prestigious seat of Sunni Islamic learning in Egypt. Their talks centred on "the training of imams (prayer leaders) in France and the fight against the misguided vision of religion", the French presidency said. Also on Tuesday, Macron lunched with civil society members "active in the areas of judicial protection of detainees, press freedom, gender equality and children's defence", the presidency said. Egyptian authorities arrested six activists critical of Sisi's government this week, including members of Karama, according to lawyer Negad al-Borai and Mohamed al-Bassiouni, a member of the opposition party. There was no immediate confirmation of the report from the interior ministry, which for its part announced the arrest of 54 suspected members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The human rights situation in Egypt was at the centre of talks between Macron and Sisi on Monday. Their different visions were on show at a joint conference where Macron said respect of freedoms was inseparable from stability while Sisi said security was the priority for Egypt's 100-million population. During the visit, Macron and Sisi oversaw the signing of some 30 deals worth nearly a billion euros (dollars) including in transportation, education and health. No arm deals were signed. But Amnesty International on Tuesday stood by a 2018 report that French security equipment including armoured vehicles were used by the Egyptian government in "violent repression" of protests, charges that Sisi denied at the press conference. "French vehicles were not merely assisting the security forces, but were themselves tools of repression, playing a very active role in the crushing of dissent," Amnesty's report said in October. The Egyptian president said: "It's not possible to use weapons against an unarmed citizen unless they take up and use a weapon." Macron also said Egypt only used French weapons for military purposes. A year after Sisi took office in 2014, Egypt signed deals worth six billion euros (USD 6.8 billion) to buy 24 Rafale fighters from France as well as other military hardware such as Mistral warships and missiles. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An eight-member search panel formed to select members of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal Tuesday held its first meeting, nearly four months after it was announced by the Modi government, officials said. The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is understood to have discussed modalities related to the appointments of the chief and members of Lokpal, they said, without citing further details. The meeting comes days after the Supreme Court set up February-end deadline for the search committee to send a panel of names who could be considered for the appointment as chairman and members of Lokpal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee. The committee, formed in September last year despite concerns raised by the Congress, has former chief of State Bank of India (SBI) Arundhati Bhattacharya, Prasar Bharati chairperson A Surya Prakash and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) head A S Kiran Kumar as members. Besides them, former Allahabad High Court judge Sakha Ram Singh Yadav; former Gujarat Police head Shabbirhusein S Khandwawala; retired IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre Lalit K Panwar; and Ranjit Kumar are the other members of the panel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Politicians are often associated with wealth, but a newly-elected MLA in Madhya Pradesh presents a different picture as does not even have a proper house, but will soon get one thanks to people in his constituency. Looking at Sitaram Adivasi's plight, who along with his wife lives in a thatched hut in Sheopur district, the people of his constituency are now donating money to get a proper house constructed for him. The 55-year-old BJP leader became a first time MLA after defeating Congress' local heavyweight Ramniwas Rawat from Vijaypur constituency in Sheopur in the Assembly polls held in November last year, and is waiting for his first salary. According to a state government official, an MLA gets Rs 1.10 lakh gross salary in Madhya Pradesh. Dhanraj, a resident of Piprani village in the constituency, said they felt ashamed that their MLA lived in a slum-like dwelling. "That is why we are donating money and also collecting from others and building a two-room house for him nearby," he said. The locals support Adivasi for fighting for their causes and looking after their welfare. "He stands by us without any condition in difficult times. That is the reason we are building a house for him," Dhanraj said. When contacted, the legislator admitted he does not have enough money to construct a proper house for himself. "People are donating Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 for building a house for me. When I won the election, the people of my constituency weighed me with coins. That money is also being used to build a small dwelling for me," he said. The MLA, overwhelmed by the gesture of locals, said when he gets his first salary from the government, he will "use it for the welfare of the poor" in his constituency. Adivasi's wife Imarti Bai said people of Vijaypur love him as he works hard for them. According to the legislator's affidavit filed before the Assembly polls, he has Rs 46,733, including Rs 25,000 cash and the remaining amount in two banks deposits. Besides, he was a 600 sqft land on which his thatched hut stands and another two acre plot, his affidavit stated. The market value of the two land plots, which the lawmaker has inherited, is around Rs 5 lakh. Adivasi had earlier unsuccessfully contested the state Assembly polls three times - once as an Independent and twice as a BJP candidate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) of Delhiites will be up by nearly three years if the target of the Clean Air Programme to improve by 20 to 30 per cent in the next five years is fulfilled, according to a new study. Union Environment Minister on January 10 launched the much-awaited Clean Air Programme to improve by 20 to 30 per cent in the next five years with 2017 as the base year. The NCAP has proposed multiple strategies to combat air in the 102 most-polluting cities in the country. The 102 cities singled out by the NCAP have higher levels than the average, so they stand to gain more if they follow through with their reduction action plans, according to a study by Life Index report on the 'Potential Benefits of India's War Against Pollution'. "If all of the 102 cities reduced particulate pollution by 25 per cent, their aggregate annual average PM2.5 exposure would be 14 g/m lower than 2016 levels. This would translate to an average gain in of 1.4 years," the report said. Among the 102 cities, a 25 per cent pollution reduction would translate to a 2-3 year gain in for the residents of 13 cities in Uttar Pradesh, two in Bihar, and Delhi, the report said. "In Delhi, reducing the annual average PM2.5 by 25 per cent, or 29 g/m, would translate to a gain in life expectancy of roughly 2.8 years for the average resident," the report added. "The payoffs from the successful implementation of NCAP could be substantial, with people in the most polluted areas - like Delhi - living almost three years longer," said Michael Greenstone, a professor, who created the Index along with his colleagues at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC). "For this reason, NCAP has the potential to become a historic and watershed moment in Indian environmental policy," he added. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has asked party MPs to focus on their constituencies and take up strongly farmers' problems while leaving the issue of alliance with the BJP to him. Shiv Sena's commitment is to the people of the state, Thackeray's close aide Harshal Pradhan said Tuesday quoting the party chief. Thackeray had met Sena MPs and MLAs at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra here on Monday. "The Sena will fight this election with all its strength. All the sitting MPs should focus on issues related to their constituencies and if they don't feel confident of winning again, they should make way for others," Pradhan said quoting Thackeray. "The issue of alliance with the BJP should be left to me," he quoted the Sena president as saying. He said Thackeray asked the MPs to work on the ground and review the crop insurance payments and waiver of loans to farmers. Pradhan also said that Thackeray has not received any communication from the BJP about discussion on alliance prospects. "Last year, BJP president Amit Shah visited Matoshree to meet Uddhavji and decided to keep in touch. However, after that there has been no communication from the BJP," he added. The Sena had last year announced to go solo in future elections. The party had on Monday said it would always be the "big brother" in an alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra. Till 2014, the BJP and Sena, allies for long, used to have an understanding under which the former would contest a larger share of Lok Sabha seats and the latter would get a greater number of Maharashtra Assembly seats to fight. In this way, both parties took the role of elder and younger sibling in the general and state polls in their political 'brotherhood'. The 2014 Assembly polls, however, ended this 'sibling' agreement as the BJP, on the back of a strong 'Narendra Modi wave' and contesting alone, won 122 seats against the Sena's 63 in Maharashtra. The BJP went on to form a government in the state under Devendra Fadnavis and the Sena had to contend being the junior partner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders cutting across party lines on Tuesday hailed former Defence Minister and socialist leader George Fernandes as a fearless and upright politician who fought for protecting democracy and raised his voice for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Fernandes "epitomised simple living and high thinking", said President Ram Nath Kovind who was joined by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders in condoling the demise of Fernandes on Tuesday at the age of 88. Recalling Fernandes' contribution, Prime Minister Modi said he was a simple, humble, frank and fearless leader who never deviated from his political ideology and resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which had forced him out of the public eye several years ago, and had recently contracted swine flu. "Distressed to learn of the passing of Shri George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him," President Kovind said. Describing Fernandes as a "fighter" for the working class, Vice President Naidu said he was a "multi-faceted personality" "Shri Fernandes was a fighter for working class, a trade unionist, an upright politician, an able administrator, a great parliamentarian and above all was a good human being," he said. In a series of tweets, Modi said, "George Sahab represented the best of India's political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised." "When we think of Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings," he said. "A visionary railway minister and a great defence minister who made India safe and strong. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy," the PM said. Former President Pranab Mukherjee said he was pained by the demise of his long time friend in the opposition and colleague in Parliament. BJP chief Amit Shah said the socialist leader stood steadfastly to protect the country's democratic values and his political persona left an indelible mark on country's political history. "The most abiding memories of Fernandes ji are those of his fierce opposition to the Emergency in 1975. He stood steadfastly to protect India's democratic values," Shah said. Congress President Rahul Gandhi also condoled the demise of former defence minister George Fernandes. Veteran BJP leader LK Advani recalled his long association with Fernandes and described him as a fearless and forthright leader who always fought for justice. He "took up the cause for the poor and was a very effective parliamentarian," Advani said in a statement. Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh, in his condolence message, said Fernandes was an indefatigable fighter all his life for freedom of expression, thought, justice and liberty for all. "His life and works shall always remain a forceful inspiration for the people even after his demise. He was a true socialist leader not only in his views but also in his down-to-earth style and personality," he said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar lauded Fernandes' fiery oratory and his contributions as Union minister and trade union leader. Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Fernandes was a much admired trade union leader. Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik said it is a great loss for the country, politically as well as intellectually. Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said Fernandes "held kept aloft the beacon of democracy in the darkest hour of the Emergency". Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami condoled the demise of the former defence minister, hailing him as a "multi-faceted" personality. The CPI also paid tributes to Fernandes, recalling his leader's contributions as a trade unionist. Condolences poured in from all quarters in Bihar, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was a long-time associate of Fernandes, declaring a two-day state mourning. Jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad tweeted, "Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of socialist leader, freedom fighter and former Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes". Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said on Twitter, "A great fighter and symbol of anti-Congressism. Architect of alliance between BJP and Samata Party which led to fall of RJD rule in Bihar. As convenor of NDA played an important role in Ataljis government. Nobody can match George. RIP". Former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah also paid tributes to Fernandes. "Rest in peace George Fernandes Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised & for those that needed someone in their corner. You called a spade a spade & did so unabashedly. You were always a friend & well wisher of the people of J&K. God speed," Omar tweeted. "Today we mourn the loss of a titan. He represented an era of leaders who were true statesmen and not just politicians," Mehbooba said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar Tuesday claimed that his party's candidate will be elected as the next MLA from Jind and defeat will trigger exodus of BJP legislators following which the Manohar Lal Khattar government in the state will fall. "Randeep Singh Surjewala will win the Jind bypoll with a handsome margin. Once the results are out on Thursday, a loss will trigger exodus of the ruling BJP MLAs because already resentment is brewing among several legislators and they themselves will bring down this anti-people regime," he claimed. The BJP government in Haryana has 47 MLAs in the 90-member House. Replying to a question, the former Sirsa MP said, "Some legislators of the BJP are also in touch with us." Tanwar said during his canvassing in the run up to the Jind bypolls, he found that there was "strong resentment among the public against the Khattar government". "There is a tsunami brewing up against this government. When the Congress gave a strong candidate in Surjewala, people supported him," he said. He accused the BJP and the INLD of failing to get development work done in Jind. "Despite being in power for the past four and a half years, the Khattar government ignored Jind and failed to provide even the basic infrastructure needs. Eighty per cent sewerage has not been laid in Jind," Tanwar alleged. When asked who will take responsibility in case the Congress fails to win the Jind bypolls, Tanwar replied, "As the party's state unit president, I will take the responsibility, but that situation is not going to come." Asked if he will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha polls, Tanwar said he is a dedicated soldier of the party and he will abide by whatever task he is assigned with. The Jind bypolls were dubbed as a prestige battle for all four major contenders ahead of the parliamentary and the assembly polls. The ruling BJP, Congress, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which was formed after a split in the INLD, pulled out all the stops for a victory, which could prove to be a morale booster for the rank and file. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chan Middha, whose son Krishan Middha recently joined the BJP and is the saffron party's candidate for the by-election. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday released the 'State Focus Paper' on exploitable credit potential prepared by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development here. Inaugurating the 'State Credit Seminar 2019-20', Vijayan said his government intends to rebuild a state which can withstand calamities like the deluge which Kerala faced last year. "We need to restore the livelihood which was lost to many people in the state. We intend to rebuild the state which can withstand further calamities like the one which we faced last year," Vijayan said. He also said the rebuilding exercise must be undertaken by utilising the knowledge from across the world. "By the development of Kerala, we mean a comprehensive development based on social justice which reaches out to every aspect of the society," Vijayan said, adding it was not possible to compare Kerala with other places in India. In other states, development might be focused at a major city and areas around it, he said. "But that's not the situation in Kerala. From the northern end to the southern end of the state, from hills to the sea shore, we have a similar kind of standard of living," the chief minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala is targeting to double the number of foreign tourist arrivals to over 20 lakh by the end of 2020 as it undertakes a number of initiatives to hard sell the state as a preferred tourist destination, a senior government official Tuesday said. The state is expecting a footfall of over 10 lakh foreign tourists in 2018. "We are targeting to double the number of foreign travellers to the state to 20 lakh by 2020 end," Kerala Tourism Tourist Information Officer B S Biju told PTI. To achieve the target, the state is taking a number of initiatives, he added. "We are doing various campaigns in our core foreign source markets --UK, USA, Germany, France and Middle East-- to attract more visitors," Biju said. For the promising markets such as Malaysia, China, Japan and Australia, the Kerala Tourism is doing campaigns there, including participating in fairs and organising business meets, he added. For domestic tourists, "we are taking initiatives such as TV and print campaigns, airport campaigns, partnership meets, participating in trade fairs and road shows," Biju said. The main source states for domestic visitors to Kerala have been Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi, he added. Kerala Tourism has embarked on an ambitious marketing campaign in 2019 with a series of partnership meets being organised in 10 cities across India, Biju said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Producers JJ Abrams, Jordan Peele and actor Reese Witherspoon are among the Hollywood A-listers who have pledged to work with at least one woman filmmaker in the next 18 months. The Time's Up movement, launched in the wake of Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal in 2017, and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative have come up with a new initiative, called the "4PercentChallenge" with an aim to increase the number of women directing major studio films. The initiative, formally launched by actor Tessa Thompson, derives its name from the study which recently stated that only four per cent of the top grossing movies in the past decade were made by women. "We are supporting women directors from all backgrounds in this challenge, as studies show that women-directed films are more inclusive in terms of girls and women on screen, female characters 40 years of age and older and underrepresented racial/ethnic groups," a statement posted on Time's Up website. "Women directors also hire other women in key behind-the-camera roles. The aim is to humanize production processes so that all groups can thrive at work in safe contexts. This is a step in that direction," it added. Lena Waithe, Rashida Jones, Olivia Wilde, Armie Hammer, Kumail Nanjiani, Josh Gad, Amy Pascal, Bryce Dallas Howard, Brie Larson, Eva Longoria, Rachel Brosnahan, Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez and Kerry Washington are among the people who have taken on the "4PercentChallenge". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operative, who was wanted in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in West Bengal's Hooghly district, officials said Tuesday. Kadar Kazi, 32, was arrested Monday night from the Arambagh police station area of the district, they said. "He was wanted in the Burdwan blast case and was also declared a proclaimed offender," an NIA official said. Kazi's associate Sajjad Ali, who was also involved in the activities of the JMB, has also been arrested in the late night operation, he said. Two persons were killed and another was injured in a bomb explosion at a house in the Khagragarh locality of Burdwan on October 2, 2014. Later, it was revealed that these two individuals and others, believed to be members of the JMB, present in the house were engaged in preparation of bombs, arms and ammunition, maintaining hideouts and organising terrorist training camps in pursuance of a larger conspiracy to carry out terrorist attacks in different parts of India and in Bangladesh, the NIA said. The JMB is a terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh. It was banned by the government of Bangladesh in 2005. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police have seized Rs 36 lakh in cash, suspected to be hawala money, and 1.4 kg gold from two men, officials said Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, police raided two men from West Bengal -- Kamal Kumar and Kashinath Choudhary -- at Baba Harishchandra Marg in the city on Monday night and made the recovery, police said. Officials said the duo were not being able to give satisfactory answers. The cash and the gold have been seized and income tax department has been informed, police said, adding that the men were allowed to leave after questioning. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 27-year-old Iran national, who is out on bail in a drug case, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 24-year-old woman in Goa's Arambol beach village, police said Tuesday. The accused Majid Azizi had met the woman, who hails from Kolkata, at a party in Arambol on January 21, a Pernem police official said. He said Azizi took the woman to his rented room after the party, and allegedly forced himself on her. "The accused was arrested on January 28 under various sections of the IPC, after the woman filed a complaint against Azizi," the official added. He said Azizi was earlier booked by the Goa Police's Anti-Narcotic Cell under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), and is currently out on bail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IndiGo said Tuesday it has selected Skyborne Airline Academy to train up to 100 pilots annually over the next five years under its cadet pilot programme. The airline was conducting the pilot training programme at CAE Gondia in Maharashtra earlier. In a statement, IndiGo said that the "18-month programme will enable selected cadets to train for a US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and Indian DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) Commercial Pilots Licence and Airbus A320 Type Rating", before advancing into employment and flying the line as a First Officer with IndiGo. A pilot with an "A320 Type Rating" is permitted to fly the A318, A319, A320, A321 and the latest A320neo aircraft with no further training. Skyborne cadets will undergo 13 months of "US FAA 141" commercial pilot training in Arizona, US, before returning to India to convert their US FAA licence to an Indian DGCA licence. Captain Ashim Mittra, Senior Vice President, Flight Operations, IndiGo said, "Our partnership with Skyborne will provide us with a steady flow of highly-skilled, internationally trained airline pilots over the next five years." "It is expected that airlines in India will require up to 10,000 new pilots by 2030 to meet demand, so we are delighted to have signed this agreement with Skyborne," he added. The first batch of selected cadets would start training at the UK-based airline academy Skyborne in April 2019, IndiGo said.? In 2011, IndiGo joined hands with CAE to provide training to "ab initio" pilot cadets at the CAE Global Academy Gondia, India and CAE type-rating training centres. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian tunes were the flavour of the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk on Tuesday with 26 performances by the bands of the armed forces and central and state police contingents which marked the culmination of the Republic Day celebrations. The function began with President Ram Nath Kovind arriving at the venue in his ceremonial motorcade. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Force Chief B S Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba were present on the occasion. The Army, Navy, Air Force, state police and Central Armed Police Force bands performed over two dozen tunes. There were 25 tunes composed by Indian musicians, including 'Indian Soldiers', 'Herana Heran', 'Mushkoh Valley', 'Tejas', 'The Great Marshal', 'Namaste India'. The only western tune played at the event was 'Abide with me'. The event will come to a close with the ever-popular tune 'Sare Jahan se Acha'. This year, 18 military bands, 15 pipes and drums bands from regimental centres and battalions participated in the ceremony. As the bugle was sounded for the retreat, the Raisina Hill complex lit up in a riot of colours, the illumination provided by LEDs rather than the traditional incandescent bulbs. Neighbouring buildings, like the Rail Bhawan and the Udyog Bhawan, however, had incandescent bulb lighting. After the event, Prime Minister Modi ventured out into a stand, leaving behind his VVIP security cover, and shook hands with people. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan were also present at the event. The principal conductor of Beating the Retreat ceremony was Cdr Vijay D'Cruz while Army Military bands conductor was Subedar Parwinder Singh. The Navy and Air Force band conductors were Master Chief Petty Officer Vincent Johnson and Junior Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar respectively. The ceremony held on January 29 every year marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. Beating Retreat marks a centuries old military tradition. At the sounding of retreat, the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield, returning to their camps at sunset. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday vowed to jointly combat the scourge of terrorism and collaborate on deradicalisation, while also stepping up ties in key fields such as defence, development partnership and trade. The two countries also reviewed their cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the UN during talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Kyrgyz counterpart Chingiz Azamatovich Aidarbekov, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The two ministers held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Noting the close cultural and historical ties between India and Kyrgyzstan and reiterating the importance the two countries attach to their bilateral relationship, they agreed to expand India-Kyrgyz cooperation in a number of areas, particularly in the field of development partnership, the statement said. "Acknowledging the threat posed by terrorism and radicalisation to their societies, the two ministers agreed to work together to fight the scourge of terrorism and cooperate in exchanging experience in the field of deradicalisation," it said. During the meeting, Aidarbekov briefed Swaraj on Kyrgyzstan's efforts to liberalise its economy, create business friendly conditions and attract foreign investment including that from Indian companies. Giving an overview of new infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan, including in the fields of railways and hydro-electricity, Aidarbekov invited India to participate in such projects, the statement said. Noting that more than 9,000 Indian students studying in various Kyrgyz educational institutions, it was acknowledged that there was potential to enhance cooperation in the field of education by encouraging collaboration between universities of both the countries. Defence cooperation, capacity building, training, IT and e-governance, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, tourism, movie production and culture were also discussed during the meeting, the MEA said. The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister and Swaraj hailed the initiative of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the level of foreign ministers with the participation of Afghanistan which was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from January 12-13, as creating a platform for region-wide cooperation which would bring benefits to all the participating countries in terms of enhanced trade and economic cooperation and connectivity. Foreign Minister Aidarbekov said that he was looking forward to participating in the next edition of the Dialogue which would be hosted by India in 2020. The External Affairs Minister conveyed her support to Kyrgyzstan in its work as the SCO Chair this year and for the success of the SCO Summit which the Kyrgyz Republic will host in June. The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister reiterated the invitation extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for participation in the SCO Summit and paying a bilateral visit to the Kyrgyz Republic. He also invited Swaraj to visit Kyrgyzstan. She had visited Kyrgyzstan in August 2018. Earlier, Foreign Minister Aidarbekov called on Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and also met the Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla. He is scheduled to visit to Taj Mahal before returning to Kyrgyzstan on January 31. On Monday, Aidarbekov had addressed the India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum here and said talks are going on with India over the possibility of creating a joint financial mechanism that will open up new prospects of business between the two countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Controversial Sale of Assyrian Antiquities The large Assyrian relief sculptures from Newbattle Abbey in Scotland. ( Dr J Stewart Stirling; Groves-Raines Architects.) A pair of large Assyrian relief sculptures, similar to those recently destroyed by Islamic extremists in Iraq, has been quietly removed from an historic mansion in Scotland and sold abroad for 8m, despite concerns that they were part of Scotland's heritage. The sellers were Newbattle Abbey College and the 13th Marquess of Lothian, better known as Michael Ancram, a Conservative peer and former party chairman. Dating from BC860, the reliefs were stripped of Victorian overpaint shortly before the sale. John Curtis, the British Museum's former keeper of the Middle East, says the removal of the paint is a "shocking and a tragic loss". He says that "in the stripping process vestiges of original Assyrian paint may have been removed". Curtis also privately advised that the reliefs were fixtures and he felt they should not have been taken out of Newbattle Abbey. Last November the reliefs were quietly exported from the UK. They are likely to go to a private collector or possibly to a museum in the Gulf, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi or the country's planned Zayed National Museum. The pair of reliefs, depicting winged protective deities, were set in the walls of the palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud, in present-day northern Iraq. Nearly one metre high, they are carved from gypsum alabaster. The panels were excavated by Austen Layard and were acquired in Baghdad in 1856 by the 9th Marquess of Lothian. He installed them in Newbattle Abbey, his 16th-century mansion in Dalkeith, ten miles southeast of Edinburgh. Some years later they were painted, to reflect how Victorian archaeologists believed they would have originally been decorated. They were then framed and set into the walls at the entrance to the mansion's crypt. In 1937, the 11th Marquess gave Newbattle Abbey to the Scottish nation, for use as an adult education college. At that time the reliefs were apparently considered to be modern replicas and for the rest of the 20th century they remained virtually unknown to Assyriologists. It was not until 2005, when Curtis inspected the reliefs and authenticated them, that their true significance became clear. By this time the family of the Marquess and the college had just begun discussing a possible sale with the London dealer Oliver Forge. It was unclear whether the reliefs affixed to the wall were the property of the marquess or the college, which needed funds to maintain the building. A private arrangement was therefore made to split any proceeds, with around two-thirds ultimately going to Ancram's family. Assyrian reliefs in Newbattle Abbey. ( Dr J Stewart Stirling; Groves-Raines Architects.) Another hurdle was to get permission to remove the reliefs, which were affixed to a wall in a listed building. Midlothian Council initially permitted them to be temporarily removed and it later allowed permanent removal, as long they were replaced with replicas. Although Historic Scotland was consulted, advice was not sought from National Museums Scotland. Christie's, which had been brought in to help find a buyer, advised that it would be easier to sell the reliefs with the Victorian overpaint removed. The panels were then sent to a London restorer. Although the stripping was done with care, Assyriologists believe that traces of ancient paint were lost. Last September the stripped panels were examined by specialists, who discovered traces of ancient Egyptian Blue pigment around the eyes. In 2015, a year after the stripping, the marquess and the college decided on a change of approach, dropping Christie's and entrusting the panels to Sotheby's for a private sale. Although the reliefs were valued for insurance purposes at 32m in 2016, a sale at 8m was finally concluded last June. It is believed that they were bought by a European dealer, for onward resale. Last October, Christie's offered a finer and larger relief of a winged deity from the very same palace in Nimrud. With an unpublished estimate of $10m, it sold for $31m at a New York auction. The Iraqi government tried to block the sale on the grounds that the relief had been looted, but this failed since the Layard excavations and removals appear to have been authorised by the Ottoman sultan. Following the Newbattle sale, the European dealer applied for a UK export licence. This was opposed by the Export Reviewing Committee's expert, Margaret Maitland, the senior curator for the ancient Mediterranean collection at National Museums Scotland. She argued that the reliefs fell under the so-called Waverley criteria and an export licence should be deferred, to allow a UK buyer to match the price. Maitland said that the reliefs were linked with British history, since they were part of an important decorative scheme in Newbattle Abbey. On aesthetic grounds, the carving is "exquisite". "The reliefs of the Northwest Palace of Nimrud have been described by art historians as 'magnificent', 'splendid', 'elegant'," she said. "Designed to inspire awe, these panels are no exception." With regard to further research, if there were surviving traces of ancient paint, "this would be of great importance to the scientific study of ancient pigments and reconstructing the original colour scheme of the [Nimrud] palace". But when the committee met last October it unanimously voted against the advice of its expert, deciding that the reliefs did not fall under the Waverley criteria. The committee noted that there were numerous other Assyrian reliefs in UK museums. Although the reliefs were part of a significant Neo-Assyrian decorative aesthetic, "their removal from Newbattle Abbey, and subsequent cleaning, had substantially lessened their significance". This committee's advice was accepted by the arts minister, Michael Ellis, and an export licence was then granted. It is assumed the reliefs went to Europe in November. Neither the marquess nor the college responded to enquiries from The Art Newspaper. From Assyrian palace to Scottish mansion Around 860BC The two reliefs are installed in room L of the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II in Nimrud 710BC The palace is abandoned and over the centuries is gradually covered by sand 1845-51 Excavation of the palace by Austen Layard 1856 Two reliefs (sawn from larger panels) are acquired by Lord Kerr, later 9th marquess of Lothian, who was then a diplomatic attache in the British Residency in Baghdad; he brings them to Newbattle Abbey in Dalkeith 1878 Rebuilding work leads to the reliefs being painted and displayed in frames flanking a fireplace leading to the crypt 1937 11th marquess of Lothian gives Newbattle to the Scottish people to create an adult education college 2004 London antiquities dealer Oliver Forge begins private discussions on a possible sale of the reliefs 2005 Authenticity is confirmed by John Curtis of the British Museum 2006 Midlothian Council allows temporary removal of the reliefs. They are stored at National Museums Scotland until 2007. 2010 Scholarly article on the reliefs published by Julian Reade in the journal of the British Institute for the Study of Iraq 2012 Midlothian Council allows their permanent removal, on condition they are replaced by replicas 2014 Replicas made by Scottish company Relicarte. Christie's becomes involved in a possible sale. Reliefs are stripped of Victorian paint by a London restorer 2015 On 5 March Islamic extremists bulldoze and destroy the Nimrud palace and the reliefs which had remained in situ. The Newbattle reliefs are delivered to Sotheby's 2016 Reliefs valued at 32m for insurance purposes 2018 In June Sotheby's completes a private sale at 8m. Pigment tests conducted on the stripped panels in September. On 17 October UK Export Reviewing Committee decides against recommending a deferral. In November the Newbattle reliefs are exported to a European dealer. An India-born onetime billionaire and founder of a drug company went on trial in the US along with four others on charges of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes to lure them into prescribing a highly addictive opioid painkiller meant solely for patients. John Kapoor, 75, plotted to bribe doctors across the country to prescribe a fentanyl spray in order to outshine competitors and line his own pockets, a federal prosecutor told jurors as the trial opened Monday in the District Court in Boston. Assistant US Attorney David Lazarus said Kapoor was so determined to make his Insys Therapeutics Inc a success that he turned it into a "criminal enterprise" to get the powerful painkiller in the hands of more patients, WGBH, a public radio station in Boston, reported. "This is not a complicated case. It's a case about greed about greed and its consequences and what happens when you put profits over people," Lazarus said at the closely-watched trial. Kapoor is the highest-level figure to face trial amid the opioid epidemic that's claiming thousands of lives every year. His lawyers say Insys is not responsible for the drug crisis, noting that its medication makes up a small fraction of the prescription opioid market. Kapoor and four other former employees of the Chandler, Arizona-based company, are accused of paying doctors millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks in order to boost sales for Subsys, which is meant for patients with severe The bribes were paid in the form of fees for sham speaking events that were advertised as educational opportunities for other doctors, prosecutors allege. Insys adjusted payments based on how many prescriptions doctors wrote, misrepresented patients' medical histories to dupe insurers into covering Subsys for people without cancer, and even hired a woman who was a former stripper and escort service manager as a key sales executive. Kapoor's lawyer told jurors that Insys was open about its speaker programme and even reported payments to doctors online. Paying doctors to teach others about a medication is not illegal and is a practice widely used by companies, Attorney Beth Wilkinson said. "There was nothing illegal about that and there was certainly nothing secret about that," Wilkinson said. She said Kapoor was motivated not by greed but by a desire to help people dealing with excruciating Kapoor watched his wife suffer from breast and was driven to provide other patients with a chance at relief, she said. "He did not want that to happen to anyone else," Wilkinson said. Wilkinson also sought to discredit the government's key witnesses: two former Insys executives who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors. Former sales executive Alec Burlakoff was the one cutting "side deals" with doctors and is willing to say anything prosecutors want him to in order to help himself, she told jurors. Kapoor and the other executives are charged with racketeering conspiracy, which carries up to 20 years in prison. The trial could last more than three months. 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 USD 150 million to settle a federal investigation into inappropriate sales. Patients say in a slew of lawsuits filed against the company that they 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. Prosecutors say Insys executives targeted doctors at clinics known for operating "pill mills" and pushed physicians to prescribe the drug at ever-increasing doses. Insys employees who managed to get doctors to prescribe higher doses were rewarded with bonuses, prosecutors say. Kapoor "demanded success at all costs," Lazarus said. And when the drug wasn't doing as well as Kapoor wanted, "he decided to get the success he demanded by breaking the law," he said. As President Nicolas Maduro's rule hangs in the balance in Venezuela, Russia risks losing its long-cultivated main ally in Latin America and billions invested in oil and arms contracts. Russian President Vladimir Putin spent years building up an alliance with Venezuela's late populist leader Hugo Chavez and his successor Maduro, often playing host to the two in Moscow. As pressure has built on Maduro from self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido and his Western allies, Russia has stood firm behind its man in Caracas. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday vowed Moscow would "do everything" to protect its ally. Behind this support, analysts say, is an understanding that if it loses Venezuela, Moscow will have few allies to speak of in Latin America. "Venezuela is practically the last thing that Vladimir Putin has left in Latin America," said Vladimir Rouvinski, a Russian international relations specialist at Colombia's Icesi University. Moscow likes to present itself as an "alternative" superpower in Washington's backyard. But while it has close ties with Venezuela and traditional ally Communist Cuba, Moscow's relations with Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina have been hit by recent changes of leadership there, Rouvinski said. Russia shored up its alliance with Venezuela as the second largest lender to Caracas after China, supplying it with tanks and Kalashnikovs and investing in the country's main asset, its oil resources. As recently as last month Maduro announced during a visit to Moscow that Russia would invest USD 6 billion in Venezuela's oil and mining sectors. Now Russia "runs the risk that all these long-matured relationships... will turn out to be devalued," said Nikolai Petrov, a professor at Moscow's Higher School of Economics. The rapprochement between Russia and Venezuela dates back to Chavez, who espoused what he called "21st century socialism". The relationship continued to thrive after Maduro took over following Chavez's death in 2013, with Caracas acquiring Russian arms and military equipment in deals worth $11 billion between 2005 and 2017. Moscow, along with China and Turkey, has maintained that support since Maduro's disputed re-election in May last year and opposition leader Guaido's naming of himself as interim president. With the United States and a dozen Latin American countries recognising Guaido -- and Europe demanding new elections -- Putin called Maduro last week to endorse the "lawful authorities". Reports have even surfaced of hundreds of mercenaries from the secretive Russian private military contractor Wagner deploying to Venezuela. Moscow has denied the reports but Rouvinski said they were likely to be true. "Everything suggests that Russian mercenaries have been present in Venezuela for a while, although most likely, far fewer than reported by media," he said. Russian television has given wide coverage to protests in Caracas, likening the events to Ukraine's 2014 popular uprising that toppled a pro-Kremlin president and led to Moscow's seizure of Crimea and a long-running separatist conflict. Given Russia's vehement opposition to such popular uprisings, "a limited Russian military operation cannot be ruled out" but only as the "very last option" for Moscow, Rouvinski said. "Such a scenario would set the whole of the rest of Latin America against Russia... for many years." Beyond its long-term strategic goals, Russia has billions in investments and loans at stake. State oil corporation Rosneft, led by Putin's ally Igor Sechin, has loaned around USD 6 billion to Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, investing in exploration and production Cash-strapped Caracas has struggled to pay back loans in the form of oil due to the poor state of its production facilities. Russia made such investments on the understanding that they were high-risk but could ultimately pay off, analysts said. "Rosneft stayed because it was ready to work for the long-term," said Dmitry Rozental, an expert on Venezuela at Moscow's Institute of Latin America. If Maduro's government does fall, Russia will "undoubtedly fight for contracts and debts," said Rouvinski, predicting that Russian non-oil-related investments "will most likely be lost". Forging political ties with a new regime will depend on how Moscow behaves now at the "critical moment" for Maduro, he said. Ordinary Venezuelans largely see Russia as propping up Maduro's government even if China is a larger investor, he said. Yet "today's opposition forces are pragmatic," he said, and the Kremlin for its part has hinted it could back a "legitimate" handover of power. In Russia, "the pragmatic approach prevails," said Rozental, and "working relations can remain" even if the opposition takes over. "The Russian leadership supports the government of Venezuela, in this case the legally elected president. This doesn't mean we won't support contacts with the opposition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Pollution Control Board Tuesday informed the National Green Tribunal that the bio-medical waste generated by the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) here was treated and disposed as per the provisions of Bio-Medical Waste Management (BMWM), Rules, 2016. The CPCB told a bench that the hospital has provided pre-treatment facility in the form of microwave system for lab waste as required under BMWM Rules, 2016 and sample of pre-treated bio-medical waste analysed by it was found complying with stipulated disinfection standards. "The bio-medical waste is disposed through common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal facility namely M/s SMS Water Grace Pvt Ltd, Nilothi, New Delhi. Waste water is treated through ETP which is complying with the discharge standards notified under BMWM Rules. The hospital was henceforth found complying with Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the recommendations of audit report of CPCB," CPCB said. Noting the submissions, the tribunal disposed of the plea alleging that the hospital was recklessly handling bio-medical waste and causing air pollution by burning garbage in the open. The NGT said,"We have no doubt that the situation will be regularly monitored by the concerned statutory authorities in future". The green panel had earlier ordered an audit of IHBAS and directed CPCB to inspect the institute and submit a report on management of waste at IHBAS. The panel had directed IBHAS to install and commission microwave waste treatment unit in its premises. It had also directed the Central Ground Water Authority to consider the institute's application for permission to extract groundwater. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Alliance Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, Tuesday said it would be introducing flights from Hyderabad to Ahmedabad via Nashik and in the return direction from February 1. The route has been awarded to Alliance Air to bolster regional connectivity under 'Connecting India' mission of the government, a press release said. The airline would commence daily flights between Hyderabad and Nashik. Operations from Nashik to Ahmedabad would be on all days except Sunday. All flights would operate with a 70-seater ATR-72, the release said adding there would be inaugural offers on fares. There has been a long-standing demand from business community for connectivity from Nashik and these flights would offer seamless connectivity to other domestic and major international connections from Hyderabad and Ahmedabad as well, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed grief over the death of former defence minister George Fernandes on Tuesday. In his condolence message, the governor said Fernandes was not only an exceptional trade union leader but also an upstanding journalist and politician. "He was one of the leaders who raised their voice against the Emergency. His valuable, frank and farsighted contributions to our country will always be remembered," Devvrat said. The chief minister said Fernandes was one of the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. His contribution for the defence of the country between 1998-2004 will always be remembered, "especially for his bold decisions towards strengthening the forces", the chief minister said. Thakur prayed for peace for the departed soul. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi's minimum income guarantee (MIG) proposal for the poor is a unique plan, the party's Himachal general secretary, organisation, Rajneesh Kimta said Tuesday. Talking to mediapersons here, Kimta said, "If Congress is voted to power in the upcoming Parliamentary elections, the MIG scheme will be implemented for the poor." Earlier, late prime minister Indira Gandhi had launched a poverty eradication programme and former prime minister Manmohan Singh had implemented MGNREGA during Congress governments, he recalled. "Senior party leader Kuldeep Singh Rathore has been touring the state after assuming charge as Himachal Congress president. He has already toured eight districts in three Parliament segments," Kimta said. The party has got new direction and strength which will ensure victory in all four HP Lok Sabha seats, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Calcutta High Court Tuesday refused permission to a woman to terminate her 26-week-old pregnancy on the ground of possible abnormality since the foetus has already developed most of its organs and that the mother's life is not at risk. A medical board at the state-run SSKM Hospital has in a report to the court said the prognosis of the baby is likely to be better if it is delivered near term, i.e., the full term of pregnancy. Refusing permission to terminate the pregnancy, Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty noted that the report said it does not appear that the petitioner's life will be in danger if her pregnancy is continued. The medical board said test reports have suggested that the foetus is suffering from Down Syndrome, along with problems in the oesophagus, heart and abdomen. Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that involves birth defects, intellectual disabilities and characteristic facial features and it often involves heart defects, visual and hearing impairments and other health problems. The severity of all these problems varies greatly among affected individuals. Passing the order, Justice Chakraborty observed that the rights of the foetus need to be considered vis a vis the mental trauma the woman will suffer in giving birth to a child with abnormality. The woman had moved the high court on January 22 after several tests indicated these abnormalities in the foetus and doctors whom she consulted had advised termination of pregnancy, her lawyers Kallol Basu and Apalak Basu said. According to the Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971, permission of high court is required to abort a pregnancy which is 20 weeks or more old. The woman's lawyers submitted that there is a meagre chance of a healthy baby being born. The couple already has a child born in 2004. While the husband works in a private firm, the woman is a housewife. The lawyers submitted that the couple will be financially constrained given the cost of nurturing the baby if it is born with deformities. Opposing the prayer, Additional Advocate General Abhratosh Majumdar submitted that it is not advisable to terminate the pregnancy at this stage since there is every possibility that the baby will survive. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aizawl bench of the Gauhati High Court Tuesday quashed the order of the Mizoram government banning sales of liquor from December 21 to March 1, and instructed it to allow vendors to sell alcohol as per the validity of their licences. The sitting judge, Justice Michael Zothankhuma, found the orders of the Commissioner of Excise and Narcotics department declaring the "dry days" for an extended period as "arbitrary" and set the order aside. The judge ordered the state government to allow the owners of the three bonded warehouses to import liquor on the basis of permits and the retail vendors to sell liquor as per the validity of their licences issued under the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Act, 2014. The government's contention that the prolonged dry days were declared due to observance of the Republic Day on January 26 and 'Chapchar Kut', the most prominent traditional festival of the Mizos on March 1, was not accepted by the court saying that the state government could declare dry days on such days in accordance with the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Act, but not for such a long period. The new Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, in a meeting of the council of ministers on December 18 last year, had declared dry days from December 21 to January 14. Another meeting of the council of ministers on January 10 decided to extend the dry days from January 15 till March 1 this year. The owners of the bonded warehouses and retail liquor vendors submitted petitions on January 17 challenging the orders of the state government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court on its own impleaded the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers Tuesday as respondents in a PIL seeking quashing of a state government order banning plastic from January 1. "The impugned order is liable to be set aside due to non-application of mind and contrary to central legislations like the (Protection) Act, 1986, (Protection) Rules, 1986, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016," the Tamil Nadu Plastics Manufacturers' Association and others said in their plea. Senior Counsel P Wilson, who appeared for the association, contended that the state government cannot issue the ban order "when the field is occupied by rules made by the Centre namely the Plastic Waste management rules". He further submitted that subject was a matter falling under the residuary power of the Constitution and only Parliament has legislative competence. "Consequently, the state can neither pass laws nor executive orders in this field and the ban is repugnant to the rules framed by the central government," he said. A division bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Krishnan Ramaswamy posted the matter for further hearing to February 5. The Tamil Nadu government had in June announced that it would ban the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable carry bags, from January 2019 to "gift a plastic-free" state to future generations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Tuesday dismissed a PIL for a thorough investigation by the CBI or an SIT into all allegations of sexual abuse made against the clergy. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao declined to entertain the plea, saying it contained no specific incidents other than the recent complaint of alleged sexual abuse of a Kerala nun by a Catholic priest which is already being looked into. "We'll not look into all this. Dismissed," the bench said. The plea had sought a thorough probe by CBI or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the ground that the nun's complaint was allegedly ignored by the Church. Petitioner Sanjjiiv Kkumaar had also sought a direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to set up a 'clergy abuse hotline' so that such sexually abused victims and survivors "may come forward to seek justice by registering their grievance and any person may give leads/tips to the law enforcement agency." He had also claimed there was an allegation of sexual abuse in a Delhi catholic retreat centre which was required to be investigated and the victim nun has written an anonymous letter to church authorities who chose not to act "against the perpetrator". The plea had alleged that the inaction of church authorities is against the principle of natural justice and the victims have found it impossible to get their allegations taken seriously by the Catholic churches. The plea had also referred to the case of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who is an accused in Kerala nun rape case and presently out on bail, and said Mulakkal was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi in January 2009. It had claimed there was a "possibility" that the bishop, who allegedly raped the Kerala nun 13 times between 2014 and 2016 during his visits to a convent in Kottayam district in Kerala, would have done the same with many children and women during his period as Auxiliary Bishop in Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Barry Rosenblatt and Susan Paige of the Mountain Bridge neighborhood in northeast Mesa are hosting a reception for their joint art show at their gallery in downtown Mesa on Saturday, Feb. 2. Social activist Anna Hazare has announced that he would launch a hunger strike from Wednesday over the "non-fulfillment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of Lokayukta Act in the state respectively. In his letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, dated January 28, Hazare said he would launch the agitation in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the Fadnavis Cabinet Tuesday decided to bring the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta. Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan, who has been acting as an emissary between the government and the activist, urged Hazare to cancel the agitation, claiming that almost all the demands made by the activist have been fulfilled. Hazare, however, said he would not call off the agitation till the Lokayukta Act becomes a reality. Apart from the appointment of Lokpal at the national level and Lokayukta in states, Hazare has been demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and some electoral reforms. "It has been five years since the Lokpal Act was passed. Yet the Narendra Modi government has not appointed Lokpal...Lokayukta Act has not been passed in Maharashtra for four years," Hazare observed in his letter dated January 28. The activist said the chief minister had mediated when he had launched the agitation at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in March last year. Hazare said he had withdrawn that agitation after the central government had assured in writing that it would fulfil the demands. "Nine months have passed, yet the demands have not been fulfilled. Hence, I will be on hunger strike in my village Ralegan Siddhi on January 30," Hazare said in the letter. Mahajan urged Hazare not go ahead with the agitation saying almost all the demands he had raised were fulfilled. "His first demand was implementing Swaminathan Commission recommendations, that farmers should get 1.5 times MSP. I think that demand has been fulfilled," Mahanjan told reporters here. Speaking in Ahmednagar, Hazare welcomed the government's decision to set rolling the process to appoint Lokayukta. "I thank them on behalf the people for taking the decision to appointment of Lokayukta through Constitutional process. But that does not mean I will not stage hunger strike tomorrow. The agitation will go on until the act is in place," Hazare added. In Delhi, an eight-member search panel formed to select members of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal Tuesday held its first meeting, nearly four months after it was set up by the Modi government. The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is understood to have discussed modalities related to the appointments of the chief and members of Lokpal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- The Board of Directors of GRUH Finance Ltd. (GRUH) - a subsidiary of HDFC Ltd. - has approved the accounts for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 at their meeting held in Mumbai on January 25, 2019. FINANCIAL RESULTS Profit after tax for the year amounted to Rs. 317.23 crores as compared to Rs. 274.12 crores for the previous year, an increase of 16%. Loan Portfolio The loan portfolio as at December 31, 2018 amounted to Rs. 16,852 crores as against Rs. 14,775 crores in the previous year - an increase of 14%. LENDING OPERATIONS Loan Disbursements Loan disbursements during the year were Rs. 3,603 crores as against Rs. 3,748 crores in the previous year. Looking to the liquidity position in the market, GRUH consciously adopted a conservative approach to disbursements and carried excess liquidity. Such approach resulted in a negative carry, adversely affecting the Net Interest Margin. However the spread on the loans continue to be sustained at 300+ bps. Cumulative loan disbursements as of December 31, 2018 were Rs. 32,059 crores. Provisions for Expected Credit Losses As per requirement of Ind AS 109 on "Financial Instruments", provision for credit losses are to be carried in the Balance Sheet based on expected credit losses. Accordingly, as per Ind AS 109, GRUH is required to carry provisions of Rs. 46.81 crores towards expected future credit losses which is 0.28% on Loan Assets of Rs. 16,852 crores. Against that, GRUH is actually carrying a provision of Rs. 129.03 crores as on December 31, 2018. As per the NHB guidelines, GRUH is required to carry a provision of Rs. 67.08 crores on Standard Assets and Rs. 32.53 crores on NPAs. Thus the provisions carried by GRUH are in excess of the provision required as per the NHB guidelines also to the extent of Rs. 29.42 crores. As per NHB guidelines, Gross Non Performing Assets (NPA) at Rs. 146.46 crore constitutes 0.87% of the total loan portfolio as on December 31, 2018 as against 0.73% in the previous year. The Net NPA as per NHB guidelines are 0.50%. Liquidity Position As on December 31, 2018, GRUH carried an aggregate of Rs. 2,896 crores by way of unencumbered liquid deposits and investments in Liquid Mutual Funds besides unavailed term loan sanctions from Banks to the tune of Rs. 750 crores. MERGER The Board of Directors of GRUH Finance Limited has approved the merger of GRUH into Bandhan Bank. The merger would be subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. The share exchange ratio accepted by the boards of Bandhan Bank and GRUH is 568 equity shares of face value of ? 10 each of Bandhan Bank to be issued for every 1,000 equity shares of face value of ? 2 each of GRUH. DEPOSITS GRUH's deposit portfolio is Rs. 1,621 crores, has grown from Rs. 1,401 crores last year. GRUH's Fixed Deposit programme has been rated "FAAA" by CRISIL and "MAAA@" by ICRA. The rating of "FAAA" and "MAAA@" indicates "Highest Safety" as regards repayment of interest and principal. GRUH's Commercial Paper (CP) is rated at "A1(+)" by CRISIL and ICRA and Non-Convertible Debenture (NCD) is rated at "AAA@" by ICRA and "AAA" by CRISIL. RETAIL NETWORK GRUH has a network of 195 retail offices across 11 states of the country. GRUH has 48 offices in Gujarat, 51 offices in Maharashtra, 17 offices in Karnataka, 33 offices in Madhya Pradesh, 13 offices in Rajasthan, 12 offices in Chhattisgarh, 12 offices in Tamil Nadu, 5 in Uttar Pradesh, one office each in Bihar and Jharkhand and 2 in West Bengal. www.gruh.com Source: GRUH Finance Ltd. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah mocked the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as a Congress general secretary on Tuesday and said a government run by a dynasty could not serve the people, but could only provide a "majboor" (helpless) government. The Congress had brought the "third G" into the fray after the "two Gs -- Sonia G and Rahul G" to indulge in more corruption, he told a public rally here in East Midnapore district of West Bengal. Referring to the 2G scam that dogged the Congress-led UPA-2 regime, Shah said the opposition party wanted to indulge in more corruption now with the induction of the "third G -- Priyanka G". "I am here to tell you that during the 10 years of the UPA rule under (then prime minister) Manmohan Singh, there were only two Gs -- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. We had then witnessed the 2G scam of Rs 12 lakh crore. Now, if the third G joins the 2Gs, what will be the amount of the scam? "The Congress has made a long-term plan of indulging in corruption by joining the 2Gs and the third G," he said. Shah's comments came in the backdrop of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being appointed the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East by her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi last week. Stating that the Congress and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal were both sides of the same coin as both parties were run by dynasties, the BJP chief said like Rahul Gandhi was there to take over his party's reins from his mother Sonia Gandhi, in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had her nephew Abhishek Banerjee to take charge of the TMC after her. "Dynasties cannot serve the country well. The dynasts say the country needs a majboor (helpless) government, but the BJP says it needs a majboot (strong) government. Only Narendra Modi and the BJP can provide a majboot government at the Centre," he said. Asking the people whether the country needed a "leader" or a "dealer", Shah said only the saffron party could provide a government headed by a leader and the Opposition wanted to throw up a government led by "dealers and brokers". Launching his party's Lok Sabha poll campaign in West Bengal, Shah had held a rally in Malda last week, where he had scoffed at the efforts of the opposition parties to forge a grand alliance. He had said the proposed grand alliance, the leaders of which had recently attended a pubic rally convened by the TMC in Kolkata, was driven by the "greed for power" with nine potential prime ministerial candidates in its ranks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Weeks before the national elections, BJP leaders on Tuesday sought to present the central government's move to return undisputed land in Ayodhya to its original owners, including Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, as a step towards starting "work" on building a Ram temple in the holy city of Uttar Pradesh. With the RSS-led Hindutva organisations pushing for a law to build the temple at the disputed site, a BJP leader said the government's plea in the Supreme Court is an attempt to redress the "deep sense of anguish of Ram devotees and the BJP cadres". The comments came hours after the Centre asked the Supreme Court to allow it to return the "non-disputed" surplus land acquired around the disputed structure in Ayodhya to the Nyas and other original owners. The leader recalled that the biggest applaud the BJP president Amit Shah's speech in the party's recent convention had received from thousands of delegates was when he reiterated the party's commitment to the temple construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief mention of the emotive issue had also drawn loud cheers, he said. Amid demands for a law, Modi had said that his government would wait for the apex court's decision on the matter but the "delay" in the matter has been causing consternation among the 'sadhus' and the party's core Hindutva supporters. Underlining the significance of the government's petition, the senior government functionary and the party leader said, "We have to be concerned about their sentiments. People who want a Ram temple have always supported us. There has to be political massaging by the government that we care for their emotions." Separately, BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar held a press conference at the party's headquarters here and said the Nyas, a trust which is among the largest original owners of the undisputed land that the government had acquired and has offered to return, wants a Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He indicated that the government's plea in the Supreme Court to return excess land around the disputed site to its original owners could pave the way for construction of the Ram temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a prominent Hindutva face of the party, also hailved the government's move and hoped permission would be granted to start work on the undisputed land. "We welcome this initiative of the Central government. We should get permission to start work on the undisputed piece of land," he said in Allahabad. Underlining that the government is not touching the disputed land in Ayodhaya, Javadekar said only 0.313 acre of land is disputed for which the title suit is yet to be decided. "Today the government has taken a very important in-principle decision to return the excess land, which was acquired in 1994, to the original land owners. Out of 67 acres of undisputed land, the land owner for 42 acres is the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. Government wants to return the land to its original owners and they want to build the Ram temple there," Javadekar said. He maintained that the BJP has always said a temple should be built in Ayodhya through a legal route and the government's decision is a legal step. "We are confident that the government will get permission from the court at the earliest," Javadekar said. The BJP has in its manifesto always underscored its commitment to building the temple at the site where once stood the Babri mosque, which was razed by right-wing extremists on December 6, 1992. With the general election round the corner, the party believes its show of intent for building the temple could consolidate its core supporters, whose indifference to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2004 was seen by many political watchers as one of the reasons for the BJP's surprise loss. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Homegrown FMCG major Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) Tuesday reported a 1.47 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 423.52 crore for the quarter ended December 2018. The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 429.87 crore in the October-December period a year ago, GCPL said in a BSE filing. Total income during the quarter under review was up 2.93 per cent at Rs 2,744.57 crore as against Rs 2,666.23 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal. GCPL's total expenses were at Rs 2,213.71 crore as against Rs 2,119.55 crore, up 4.44 per cent. Its revenue from the Indian market was up 5.65 per cent at Rs 1,505.64 crore as against Rs 1,425.04 crore. Commenting on the results, GCPL Executive Chairperson Nisaba Godrej said: "We delivered a mixed performance in the third quarter of fiscal year 2019. Our India business delivered single-digit sales growth on a high base and continued to grow EBITDA ahead of sales." Its revenue from the Indonesian business also rose by 8.54 per cent to Rs 395.51 crore as against Rs 364.36 crore in Q3 of FY2017-18. While Africa business, which also includes Strength of Nature brand, was at Rs 680.22 crore in October-December period this fiscal, up 13.64 per cent, as against Rs 598.56 crore of corresponding period. Others were at Rs 166.50 crore, down 37.01 per cent, as against Rs 264.33 crore. "In our international business, Indonesia continued its growth momentum with improvement in the household insecticides business. Africa showed signs of a gradual recovery with profitability improving sequentially. Latin America, however, recorded relatively weaker performance due to adverse macroeconomic conditions," she added. Shares of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd on Tuesday settled at Rs 757.30 on BSE, down 0.15 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Adding Abu Dhabi as its fourth foreign destination, GoAir on Tuesday announced that it will start flight services from Kannur to the UAE capital from March 1. "GoAir will operate four direct flight services per week between Kannur-Abu Dhabi-Kannur and bookings are now open at an attractive all-inclusive one-way fare starting from Rs 6,099," the airline said in a statement. Earlier this month, the budget carrier had announced that it would start flight services to Muscat, its third international destination, from the recently-commissioned Kannur International Airport in northern Kerala from February 28. Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, GoAir on Tuesday said, "We are tremendously excited to be launching direct flight services to Abu Dhabi. Commercial and cultural links between India and the UAE are flourishing and GoAir is committed to contribute in facilitating and enhancing the growth of trade and the strong demand for tourism." On the domestic front, GoAir currently connects Kannur to Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. On the international front, the airline has recently introduced direct daily connectivity to Phuket from Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. It also operates four direct weekly flights on the Mumbai-Male route, three weekly flights on the Delhi-Male route and two weekly flights on the Bengaluru-Male route. Last Thursday, Aviation veteran Ronojoy Dutta was appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of GoAir's rival, IndiGo, for a period of five years as the latter plans a major international expansion this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Governor Mridula Sinha Tuesday said her government was committed to make Goa open defecation free (ODF) by October 2 this year, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. During her customary address to the state Legislative Assembly on the first day of the Budget session, the governor also said that the overall tourist arrival in Goa has gone up by over 8 per cent. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was present on the floor of the House when the governor delivered her address in absence of the MLAs of the main opposition Congress who staged a walkout before the governor began her address. The Congress wanted the governor to resolve the issue of the "collapse of governance and administration" in Goa in absence of the ailing chief minister, before proceeding with her speech. In her address, the governor listed efforts being undertaken by the state government to make Goa open defecation free by October 2, 2019. "Awareness camps are being held in order to educate the public on the issue. As a part of 'Swacch Bharat Mission-Urba', my government has converted 1,125 insanitary latrines to sanitary ones, constructed 65 community toilets and 17 public toilets for different urban local bodies," the governor said. She said that about 53 per cent of the urban wards have been declared open defecation free. "During the year, four schemes have been completed under integrated development of major towns," the governor said. Talking about the tourism sector, governor Sinha said the overall tourist arrivals have risen by 8.45 per cent in the first half of the year (January-June 2018). "The inflow of domestic tourists has increased by 7.05 per cent and of foreign tourists by 17 per cent," she said. The governor further said that ensuring the safety and security of tourists is the topmost priority of the state government. "In order to monitor the safety of the tourists at Baga, Calangute, Vagator and Anjuna (beaches), CCTV (cameras) have been installed and wi-fi facilities made available," she said. Speaking about the people dependent on the mining industry, which has come to a standstill since March last year after a supreme court order, the governor said her government has sanctioned subsidy worth Rs 108.38 crore in 4692 cases under the "Debt Relief Scheme for mining affected borrowers of financial institutions", and disbursed Rs 93.29 crore to 4,263 beneficiaries as on November 2018. The chief minister, whose extended absence from office due to ill health sparked allegations of breakdown of governance in the state, will present the annual budget on January 30. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition Congress boycotted Goa Governor Mridula Sinha's address to the House on the first day of the state Assembly's budget Session on Tuesday. Members of the opposition wore black bands on their arms as a mark of protest, claiming that their "voice was not being heard by the BJP-led state government". As the House assembled for the day and Sinha got up to address the members, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar stood up to raise the point of order. He said the governor should not be allowed to address the House as the "voices of opposition were not being heard by the government". He said the Congress had last week demanded that the current session be extended from the scheduled three days to 10 days, which was not approved by the state government. Kavlekar further said that the governor should first address the issue of governance and the "collapsed" state administration. As Speaker Pramod Sawant did not allow the point of order and the governor continued her address, all the Congress members staged a walkout. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was present in the House when the Congress members walked out. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In 1977, he threw Coca-Cola out of India and two-and-a-half decades later, put spokes in the sale of India's second-biggest fuel retailer HPCL to the likes of Reliance Industries and Royal Dutch Shell. That was George Mathew Fernandes, former defence minister in the Vajpayee government who died Tuesday. A firebrand trade unionist and socialist, Fernandes was the industry minister in the post-Emergency Morarji Desai government in 1977 when he decided to throw Coke as well as IBM out of India over their refusal to follow the provision of what was then the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). The provision stipulated that foreign companies should dilute their equity stake in their Indian associates to 60 per cent. Fernandes wanted Coca-Cola Company to not just transfer 60 per cent of the shares of its Indian firm but also the formula for its concentrate to Indian shareholders. The company said it was agreeable to transferring a majority of the shares but not the formula, which it contended was a trade secret. The company exited the Indian market as the government denied a licence to import Coke concentrate. Fernandes then introduced a substitute indigenous drink called '77'. Coca-Cola, however, made a comeback in October 1993 post-liberalisation of the Indian market by the P V Narasimha Rao government and has maintained a strong presence ever since. Two-and-a-half decades later in 2002, Fernandes was at the forefront of opposing privatisation of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL). He was the defence minister under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but never shied away from speaking his mind about the disinvestment and even put it in writing that the sell-off policy was "making the rich richer and creating a private monopoly". Fernandes, who was also the NDA convener, was often used by others in the ruling alliance to train guns on the then Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie. After weeks of a political tug of war, Vajpayee reached a compromise that HPCL will be sold off while disinvestment of BPCL was put off to a later date. But Fernandes insisted that state-owned firms be allowed to bid alongside Shell, Saudi Aramco, Reliance, Petronas of Malaysia, Kuwait Petroleum and Essar Oil for HPCL. Shourie was opposed to the idea of allowing firms like state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) to bid for government stake in HPCL, particularly after Indian Oil Corp (IOC) snapped fuel retailer IBP Co Ltd. Those opposed to privatisation of HPCL and BPCL also took refuge under the Nationalisation Act saying the Parliament alone had the powers to privatise firms that were nationalised through a law passed by it. The Supreme Court on September 16, 2003 also ruled that the government should seek Parliament's approval before proceeding with the sale of HPCL and BPCL. With general elections only a few months away, the NDA did not risk going to the Parliament. It is another matter that the NDA in its second stint, last year, sold the government's entire 51.11 per cent stake in HPCL to ONGC for Rs 36,915 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George Fernandes was a political stalwart and one of the most firebrand union leaders in the country, but his heart melted in front of dogs, many of whom gave him company even in times of his deteriorating health. His close aide Jaya Jaitly Tuesday said Fernandes was so fond of dogs he would carry "treats in his pockets" for them. "He loved pets, especially dogs and he had many of them who gave him company," she said. However, they have all died, Jaitly said. The former defence minister, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disorder, Tuesday died at his residence in New Delhi's upscale Panchsheel Park after prolonged illness. The debilitating disease had left him with no ability to understand what was happening around him. For close to a decade he faded from public memory as his family members cared for him at home. "People know him as a firebrand union leader and for his fiery oratory skills, but inside his heart he also had feelings for pet dogs and he loved them a lot. In fact, every time he would fly in an airline, the staff would give him chocolates and he would keep them in his pockets for pet dogs," Jaitly told PTI. He would give these treats to either his own pet dogs or those at (former prime minister) V P Singh's house, he loved dogs so much, Fernandes' close aid recalled. A pall of gloom has descended over his residence where mourners have joined in to express condolences to the family. "The pets were all gone and now he's gone too," Jaitly said. She hailed Fernandes as a "fearless leader" who was always full of energy and did "politics for the people", earning him admirers from Delhi to Bihar. Many of his admirers took to Twitter and Facebook to share his legacy and pay respects to the former defence minister, with some also sharing pictures of him in company of his pets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday. He was 88. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which had forced him out of the public eye for several years, and had recently contracted swine flu, his long time associate, Jaya Jaitly, said, adding that he died at his residence here. Fernandes, who was born to a Christian family in Mangalore, Karnataka, burst into national limelight when as a firebrand trade unionist in Mumbai he organised a Railways strike in 1974 that brought the country to a standstill. Ironically, he became the Railways minister in 1989 under V.P. Singh's National Front coalition government, comprising mostly Left leaning parties. Despite being a staunch critic of the RSS, Fernandes joined the BJP-led NDA government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and 1999, in which he was appointed the defense minister. Under his stewardship India fought the Kargil war in 1999. It was also during his tenure that India conducted nuclear test at Pokhran in 1998. He was also the Industry Minister under the Janata Party government which had defeated former Prime Minster Indira Gandhi in 1977. Soon he was at loggerheads with industrialists and slapped foreign exchange violation charges against Coca-Cola and IBM, which forced them to shut down their operations and quit India. Coca-Cola was replaced by a local drink known as 77. He faded away from public consciousness after unsuccessfully fighting the 2009 Parliamentary elections, ending a political career that began with him defeating veteran Congress MP S.K. Patil from Bombay South in the 1967 Lok Sabha Elections. He subsequently represented Muzzafarpur and Nalanda constituencies in Bihar, and was also a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010. Tributes poured in for the veteran leader, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology. "A visionary railway minister and a great defence minister who made India safe and strong. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy," the PM said. Fernandes had played a critical role in the anti-Emergency movement of the opposition parties that ousted Indira Gandhi in 1977. During the 1975-77 Emergency, when civil liberties were severely curatiled and opposition throttled, Fernandes was arrested in the so-called Baroda Dynamite case. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Fernandes' family and friends. "I'm sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji," he said in a Facebook post. He is survived by his wife and one son. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five ultras of the banned Peoples Liberation Front of India (PLFI) were killed and two others injured in an encounter with security forces Tuesday in neighbouring Khunti district, a senior police officer said. The PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI(Maoist). "According to primary information, five ultras of the PLFI outfit were killed and two others injured. The injured have been shifted to a hospital," Inspector General of Police (Operation) Ashish Batra said here. The encounter with the ultras broke out early in the morning at a place under the Murhu police station in Khunti district. The security forces comprised CRPFs Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), SAP jawans and Khunti district police, another police officer said. The IGP (Operation) said two AK 47 rifles, two .315 rifles, one 9 mm pistol, three/four country-made weapons, a large number of bullets, blankets and other materials were recovered from the encounter spot. Batra said a second encounter broke out Tuesday when security forces rushed to a spot in Latehar districts Kumandi area after getting information that a Maoist squad was present there. "Follow-up action is on and we expect to get success in that encounter too," the IGP (Operation) said, adding that continuous efforts are on and operations are launched wherever information is being received about the presence of Naxalites so that they can be rooted out. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar Tuesday stayed away from the state cabinet meeting held at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, alleging the issues raised by him were "ignored" by the government. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and almost all his senior ministers took a dip at the Sangam following the unique cabinet meeting at the venue of the Kumbh Mela itself. "I did not go to the cabinet meeting as the issues I have been raising are sidelined and other issues are taken up," Rajbhar said. On whether he would participate in the future cabinet meetings, the minister said it would depend on the course of action adopted by the Adityanath government on the matter raised by him. The Backward Classes Welfare and Department of Disabled People minister has been demanding that a part of the Other Backward Class (OBC) quota in government jobs and higher educational institutions be earmarked for the most backward castes and 'Mahadalits'. The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief also had a word of caution for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who recently forayed into active He said Gandhi should not take the risk of contesting elections from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi. Posters urging Priyanka Gandhi to contest the coming general elections from Varanasi-- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency-- had come up in the holy city last week. Rajbhar added he was open to an alliance with the Shiv Sena, both in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and that he was going to Mumbai for a party programme on February 17. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George Fernandes was a "fearless leader" who was always full of energy and did "politics for the people", earning him admirers from Delhi to Bihar, his close aide Jaya Jaitly said Tuesday. A pall of gloom has descended over his residence in Delhi, where mourners have joined in to express condolences to the family. "His son is in the US and is to travel back to Delhi to attend the funeral...I used to meet him regularly and I was to meet him tomorrow as well. But, such is life," she told PTI. Jaitly said she had kept in touch with him even after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which had really left him debilitated. The ailment forced him out of the public eye for several years and he had recently contracted swine flu, she said. Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday at his residence. He was 88. A call was received at a private hospital here from his home. An ambulance was dispatched. But doctors declared him dead at his home only, hospital sources said. "Fernandes was attended to at his home by a Max Healthcare team, which found him unresponsive and declared him dead at 06:42 AM today," the hospital later said in a statement. Born to a Christian family in Mangalore in Karnataka, he burst into national limelight when as a firebrand trade unionist in Mumbai he organised a railways strike in 1974 that brought the country to a standstill. Jaitly said, "Fernandes was a fearless leader and always full of energy. He had that restlessness to do something for people. And, he did politics for the people." His political career began with him defeating veteran Congress MP S K Patil from Bombay South in the 1967 Lok Sabha polls. He subsequently represented Muzzafarpur and Nalanda constituencies in Bihar and was also a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010. "His old colleagues from Muzzafarpur are coming to attend his funeral in Delhi. People in Bihar really loved him and they are mourning his death," she said. A wave of sorrow swept across Bihar Tuesday following the death of the veteran socialist leader, who had virtually adopted the state as his second home and political 'karmabhoomi', representing its various constituencies in Parliament for a period spanning over four decades. Condolences poured in from all quarters, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declaring a two-day state mourning. The former defence minister faded away from public memory after unsuccessfully fighting the 2009 Parliamentary elections, ending his political career. And, with the onset of Alzheimer's, his memory and health also had faded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran BJP leader LK Advani Tuesday recalled his long association with George Fernandes and described him as a "fearless, forthright and forceful" leader who always fought for justice. Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday. He was 88. In a statement, the BJP leader said, "Fernandes was a fearless, forthright and a forceful leader, who started his career as a trade union activist. He always fought for justice, took up the cause for the poor and was a very effective parliamentarian." Advani said he had had a long association with Fernandes and worked with him in the government under Morarji Desai and later under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Fernandes was a man of principles, who believed in utmost simplicity, he said. In his demise the country has not only lost a fire brand socialist but also a thorough gentleman, the BJP leader added. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which had forced him out of the public eye for several years, and had recently contracted swine flu. He died at his residence here. Fernandes, who was born to a Christian family in Mangalore, Karnataka, burst into national limelight when as a firebrand trade unionist in Mumbai he organised a Railways strike in 1974 that brought the country to a standstill. Ironically, he became the Railways minister in 1989 under V.P. Singh's National Front coalition government, comprising mostly Left leaning parties. Despite being a staunch critic of the RSS, Fernandes joined the BJP-led NDA government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and 1999, in which he was appointed the defense minister. Under his stewardship India fought the Kargil war in 1999. It was also during his tenure that India conducted nuclear test at Pokhran in 1998. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The last rites of George Fernandes will be performed after his son arrives from the US, the former defence minister's wife Leila Kabir said on Tuesday. A number of leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajanth Singh, BJP president Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, visited the bereaved family at their residence in New Delhi's upscale Panchsheel Park to pay their respects. "I wish to inform my fellow countrymen that George Fernandes, my husband who was former defence minister and Member of Parliament, passed away today in the early hours. He was suffering from Alzheimer's," she said. A lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included cabinet posts in two ideologically opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, Fernandes died at his home on Tuesday. He was 88. His body was taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for embalming, Kabir said in a statement. She said the last rites will be conducted soon "after our son, Sean Fernandes, arrives in India (from the US). As soon as Sean arrives, we will finalise the timing of the last rites and will inform all". The body has been kept at our house in Panchsheel Park for friends and associates to pay their last respects, she added. "I and my son are grateful to every one who have come or messaged us to share our grief," Kabir said. Rajanth Singh, interacting with reporters, said, "I had the opportunity to work with him in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. I pay my sincerest tributes to him." BJP chief Amit Shah termed Fernandes' death an "irreparable loss" to Indian He dedicated his entire to the nation and welfare of the poor and always fought for democratic values. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid her respects to Fernandes at AIIMS by laying a wreath. Kumar, who arrived here on Tuesday from Patna, said Fernandes was a "great man, he was a 'margdarshak' (guide), and we are in pain after loosing a personality like him". "He had a strong will power. He was keeping unwell for several years. He was also our 'abhibwawak' (guardian)," Kumar told reporters after visiting his residence. Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "Fernandes was another name for struggle. We lost a guardian. He was our guide. He was very close to local people. We lost a great leader." RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav described his death as a "big loss". "Fernandes and my father (Lalu Prasad) have worked together in He had deep ties with Bihar. He fought elections from there. I have seen him from childhood days," he said. Ajay Singh, former deputy railway minister in the V P Singh government and ex-Member of Parliament in a statement said, "George Sahab had always been an elder brother like figure to him. He was a person who believed in utmost simplicity and was a great fighter for people's rights. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) George Fernandes was Tuesday remembered fondly by his colleagues in different governments who described him as a man of principles who fought for justice and a distinguished parliamentarian. Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday. He was 88. BJP stalwart L K Advani describing him as a "fearless, forthright and forceful" leader who was a man of principles and believed in utmost simplicity. Expressing extreme sadness, he said Fernandes always fought for justice, took up the cause of the poor and was a very effective parliamentarian. "He was a man of principles and believed in utmost simplicity. In the passing away of George Fernandes, the country has not only lost a fire brand socialist but also a thorough gentleman," he said, noting that they were together in the governments headed by Morarji Desai and then Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which had forced him out of the public eye for several years, and had recently contracted swine flu. He died at his residence here. Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan recalled him as a fire brand socialist who held kept aloft the beacon of democracy in the darkest hour of the Emergency and, he added, was an inspiration to many upcoming leaders like him. Former Union minister Sharad Yadav, who like Paswan had worked with Fernandes in several governments and political parties, called him his "role model" whose contribution in the labour movement and fight for uplifting the condition of scheduled castes, tribes and backward classes will always be remembered. Paswan, president of the Lok Janshakti Party, heaped praise on Fernandes for his readiness to mentor younger colleagues and recalled that it was he who guided him like "light in darkness" in 1969 when the Dalit leader was at a political crossroad. "He was a source of inspiration for me and many like me. He was a great fighter," he said. Yadav said Fernandes lived a simple life and was a true friend and guide. "I have lost a fatherly figure and true guide for me not only in personal life but in also. In his passing away, the country has lost a distinguished parliamentarian, a protectionist working for workers and the poor," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Plum cakes from citys famed Koshys Mechanised Bakery was George Fernandes Christmas goodies to jawans posted at forward areas, during his tenure as the Defence Minister. He used to order cakes from us and send it to jawans posted at the border areas. For some years he did this, I dont exactly remember now for how many years... we have sent, Koshys head Prem Koshy told PTI. He said, yes, but what I know is he followed this practice, during his tenure as Defence Minister, it was plum cakes...." Recalling Fernandes visit to Koshys bakery and restaurant, Prem said, George Sir, used to find this place peaceful and calm." Fernandes used to like the smell of bakery, he said, adding there are quite a lot of memories about his visit. He used to enjoy from cakes to every thing. "His family also used to buy bread, cakes from us, we had that association." George Fernandes' brothers Michael Fernandes, a prominent trade union leader, and Lawrence Fernandes, who was arrested during the emergency are based the city. The former defence minister died Tuesday after prolonged illness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday launched an uphill battle for re-election, after five years in power marked by confrontation with Russia. Opinion polls put him behind ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who rose to international prominence in 2004 during the anti-corruption Orange Revolution demonstrations and announced her own run last week. "This feeling of deep responsibility towards my country... prompted me to decide to run again for the office of president of Ukraine," Poroshenko told a rally in Kiev ahead of the March 31 poll. Poroshenko asked voters for a mandate to "guarantee the process of European and Atlantic integration, to guarantee our independence, to renew the territorial integrity of Ukraine". During a roughly 40-minute long speech he repeated calls for Ukraine to seek full membership of NATO and the European Union. Poroshenko's years in power have seen Kiev seek closer ties with the West as war rumbles on in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists. Addressing roughly 1,000 people at the gathering of supporters, the Ukrainian president stressed the need for peace with Ukraine's powerful neighbour. But the event at times took a combative tone, with huge screens blazing the slogan "Either Poroshenko or Putin" accompanied by pictures of the Ukrainian and Russian leaders. Poroshenko said earlier this month that Russia would seek to interfere in Ukraine's election to destabilise the situation in the country. Critics accuse him of not doing enough to tackle corruption, but on Tuesday he insisted the worst of the country's economic struggle was behind it, adding: "I hear a lot of harsh criticisms and I take that on board." In third place in opinion polls is Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian who once played the role of president in a Ukrainian TV series but has no political experience. No candidate has an unassailable lead, with Tymoshenko, Poroshenko and Zelensky polling on roughly 16, 14 and nine per cent respectively. Poroshenko was elected in 2014 after his pro-Russian predecessor Viktor Yanukovych was ousted following a wave of popular protests. The 53-year-old chocolate tycoon promised to pivot the ex-Soviet country of nearly 45 million people towards Europe and has sought to push through ambitious reforms. But critics say graft is still rampant and Poroshenko has done little to rein in fellow oligarchs, even if the economy is showing signs of recovery following a recession. Kiev's relationship with Moscow remains in dire straits. After the 2014 uprising, Moscow annexed Crimea and supported Russian-speaking separatists in the industrial east, in a conflict that according to the United Nations had killed 12,800 to 13,000 people as of the end of last year. The war has been a huge burden for Ukraine's economy, with Poroshenko forced to rely on assistance from the West. In December the International Monetary Fund confirmed it would give Kiev a USD 4 billion, 14-month loan. Poroshenko's low popularity ratings received a boost after he oversaw the creation of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church independent of Moscow. His standing also increased after Russia seized three of Kiev's navy vessels and two dozen sailors as they tried to pass from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov in November. Russia's Putin accused Poroshenko of provoking the naval crisis in a bid to increase his popularity ahead of the vote. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Experts in the field of modern healthcare have pitched for the development of integrated artificial intelligence (AI) devices in hospitals to make medical services more affordable for people. The role of AI and the multi-dimensional aspects of the present health care system in the country was discussed at at a symposium, 'Hospital Planning and Beyond', organised by IIT-Kharagpur here on Monday. Dipendra K Mitra, Head - Department of Transplant and Immunology, AIIMS, New Delhi, said in today's age of technological advancement, doctors and engineers need to work together for developing integrated AI devices, and installing them in government hospitals and rural clinics. "This would enable medical professionals to cater to more patients, making healthcare accessible and affordable to the under-served population and avoid overcrowding of specialised hospitals," Mitra said. Carving community spaces and promoting walkways, cycle lanes and battery-operated vehicles in cities is important for reducing lifestyle diseases and pollution, said Sumita Bagchi, Joint Secretary, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, West Bengal. "The Smart City Mission has percolated as green city mission for smaller townships, involving engagement from architects and planners for effective land use, thus reducing health hazards," she said. "We explored the issues in the area of modern-day healthcare from the perspectives of lifestyle, affordability, prevention habits, infrastructure of our habitat and hospitals, and the role of technologies including AI for medical devices," Prof Subrata Chattopadhyay of the Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, IIT-Kharagpur, said. A panel discussion was also held focusing on replacing symptomatic treatment with AI, and a key point which emerged was how it can transform medical consultation, experts said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four people, including an elderly Chinese couple, were arrested by the customs officials in separate cases for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold and memory cards worth lakhs of rupees at Delhi airport, according to an official statement issued Tuesday. In the first case, a man was intercepted after his arrival from Hong Kong on Sunday. A detailed personal and baggage search of the passenger resulted in the recovery of 47,983 assorted pieces of memory cards (of 4 GB and 8 GB) concealed inside a voltage regulator being carried by him, the customs department said in the statement. The market value of the seized items is assessed to be Rs 35.9 lakh, it said. During further enquiry, the accused admitted to have brought similar quantity of memory cards in his two earlier visits to India. "Thus the total value of the total smuggled goods comes out to be Rs 1.07 crore," the statement said, adding that the passenger has been arrested. Another man was stopped for checking by the customs officials after his arrival from Riyadh via Muscat on Sunday. He was allegedly found to be carrying six gold bars and gold granules, weighing 871 grams and having a market value of Rs 28.18 lakh, the statement said. The gold was concealed inside an emergency light being carried by the passenger, it said, adding that the accused has been arrested. The customs officials also seized one kilogram of gold from an aged Chinese couple -- 56-year-old man and 55-year-old woman. The duo were intercepted after their arrival from South Korea's Incheon via Hong Kong on Friday. The value of the seized gold is Rs 32.35 lakh, the statement said, adding that both of them have been arrested. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Parents should not treat the "report cards" of children as their "visiting cards" or expect them to fulfil their unfulfilled dreams, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he interacted Tuesday with around 2,000 students, teachers and parents. He encouraged parents to be a factor of motivation and encouragement for their children. "I would request parents, do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths...It is important to understand these positives of every child. Parents often treat the report cards of their children as their visiting cards and that adds extra pressure on them which is very unreal and unhealthy," he said in the second edition of "pariksha pe charcha". "Only when you take it in spirit and encourage your child, a 60 per cent holder move towards 70 or 80 per cent. If you only criticise and scold your child for not getting 90 per cent, you will demotivate your child to start believing that they are incapable. This will take their grades further down towards 40 per cent. "If parents start comparing their child with achievement of others, it disappoints the child. Parents should encourage their children for every small improvement," the prime minister added. Modi said at present, the system has become rank-bound and rather than running behind ranks, parents and teachers should teach the students to learn from things around them. "Live freely, observe and be curious to know new things rather than focussing on achieving only ranks. These days the meaning of has narrowed down to getting ranks in exam for many," he said. With less than a month to go for the class 10 and class 12 examinations, Modi discussed ways to handle the exam stress in the interactive session at the Talkatora Stadium where students from across the country got a chance to participate. "Our learning cannot be reduced to exams only. Our must equip us to face various challenges of life as well. I sincerely believe that anything that challenges us, polishes us too. If there is nothing to test us, then we become complacent. There must always be something to challenge us," he said. Jairpeet Singh, a student based in Tehran, asked the prime minister about the need to encourage school children constantly and how it makes them happy. "Compare yourself with your old records, you are your own competition, you break your records, you will never have the chance to drown in a trough of despair if you break your records yourself," the prime minister replied. "Exams are important in life, but one should not be stressed by it. Ask yourselves if this is an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like class 10 or 12. Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce," he added. The prime minister advised the students to aim big in life, but do not get carried away in the process of realising them. "While aiming big in life is good, but don't get so carried away by it that your dreams remain dreams and you become too old just thinking about it. We must understand ourselves. We must be true to ourselves, question ourselves frequently to see how we stand periodically as compared to our ambitions and dreams in life. "If you see yourself far from it, then you know what to do. You must break your dreams into phases and give it a time frame to achieve. You must cross one milestone at a time. Climb from a smaller peak to a larger one," Modi said. The prime minister said technology should lead to expansion of the mind and be seen as a means to innovate, but, he also asked students not to forget the playing field. Responding to a question about how he manages to work continuously for over 17 hours a day, he said, "We work hard, but we all go through some setbacks in life. You work 17 hours a day, how do you keep yourself motivated?" "What keeps a mother motivated and energised through the day, doing so many things tirelessly? She does it for her family and their well-being. Similarly, I truly consider all my fellow countrymen as my family. That is what keeps me encouraged and motivated." Talking about depression Modi said ,"Students living in hostel can also find some senior or a person with whom they can share their feelings. Parents should try to connect their child with someone who can help their child in the time of crisis or need. A get-together once in a weekend will also help". When a student asked how they should convince their parents that they want to follow a passion of their own choice, he said, "Analyse your passion and figure out if you have the ability and a plan to follow it. Take guidance from your teachers. Then convince your parents and assure them that you can do it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana is not allowing clean water to flow into the Yamuna making the water meant for the national capital more polluted, the AAP government said Tuesday in a plea to the Delhi High Court which has sought the neighbouring state's stand on the issue. The plea claimed that if urgent steps are not taken to remedy the situation it would adversely affect the water supply to Central Delhi, including the Lutyens zone. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao issued notice to Haryana and directed the Principal Secretary of its water department to reply to the allegations made by the Delhi government. The court gave the neighbouring state time till February 4 to file its response to the application by the Delhi government's water board, DJB, and listed the matter for further hearing on February 5. Represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and advocate Sumeet Pushkarna, DJB told the bench that the channel which supplies additional water to Yamuna to dilute its pollution levels has been blocked by Haryana and the water being received at Wazirabad was unusable for treatment as it had high levels of ammonia. The application has said that water treated at Wazirabad is supplied to Central Delhi where all the major government offices, bungalows and the Supreme Court and the High Court are located. DJB has sought directions to Haryana to forthwith remove the 'bunds' or obstructions put up by it on the DD-8 channel, which supplies clean water into Yamuna to dilute its pollution levels and to control the pollutants that are being discharged into the river from factories there. The application has said that if Haryana cannot control the pollutants being discharged into the river, then it should increase the clean water being supplied into the Yamuna to dilute the pollution. The DD-8 channel carries clean water from the Delhi Sub Branch Canal (DSBC) and the Munak canal into the Yamuna to ensure the reservoir at Wazirabad is always kept full, the application has said. However, the bunds put in the channel have decreased clean water supply into the Yamuna whose levels are low due to the dry season, leading to an increase in the concentration of pollutants and making the water unfit for treatment, the DJB has said. Apart from that the Board has also said that obstructing the water channel attracts the provisions of section 431 of IPC which lays down the punishment -- maximum jail term of five years -- for making any road, bridge or river impassable or unnavigable. It has also contended that blocking of the DD-8 channel violated the orders of the Supreme Court to ensure the Wazirabad reservoir is always kept full of water. "Immediate directions are required so that the drinking water supply to Delhi is restored in full," the application has said. The application was moved by DJB in a PIL by a lawyer, S B Tripathi, seeking sufficient water supply for the national capital. The high court had earlier asked the Haryana government to ensure that it releases the entire quantity of water required as per the undertaking given by it to the court. Haryana has to release 719 cusecs of water per day into Munak canal and 330 cusecs per day in DSBC, according to the undertaking and earlier court orders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi government organised a meeting to devise a mechanism to implement the minimum support price on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report, Employment minister Gopal Rai said Tuesday. Higher wages, input costs, transport charges and cost of other allied services peculiar to Delhi will be factored, while determining the MSP, Rai said. The proposed MSP with 50 per cent margin at the cost of production is Rs 2,616 per quintal for wheat and Rs 2,667 quintal for paddy. It is likely to incur an additional liability of Rs 96.38 crore, if implemented, Rai told reporters after an Agriculture Conference on implementing the recommendations of the "M S Swaminathan Committee Report on Farmers' Welfare" in Delhi. "Around 20,000 kisan families in Delhi will be benefitted from this scheme," he said. Further consultations will be done through Kisan Jansunwai, suggestions from the general public and a committee comprising of various stakeholders. The Delhi government organised a meeting to devise a mechanism to implement minimum support price on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee Report. The conference explored a mechanism to calculate and implement a separate minimum support price (MSP) for farmers in Delhi based a reasonably weighted cost of production. The Delhi government acknowledged higher cost of production in the farming sector due to higher wages, input costs, transport charges and cost of other allied services in Delhi, Rai said. The government re-calculated the cost of production of wheat at Rs 1,744 per quintal and paddy at Rs 1,778 per quintal. The proposed MSP with 50 per cent margin at the cost of production is Rs 2,616 per quintal and Rs 2,667 quintal for wheat and paddy respectively. In the conference, the representatives of the Directorate of Agriculture of Government of Telangana made a presentation on the innovative and technology driven 'Agriculture Investment Support Scheme (Raythu Bandhu)'. The feasibility of replicating ideas from the Raythu Bandhu scheme, which is primarily aimed to give basic support to farmers, was discussed in the conference. Later, the members of the committee constituted for drafting the Agricultural Policy in Delhi, farmers' representatives, agriculture scientists from IARI and officers of the Agriculture Departments of the Delhi government and Telangana interacted on various issues related to agriculture. In its 2006 report, the National Commission on Farmers' chairman M S Swaminathan suggested the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) to fix MSP at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production. This recommendation was not incorporated in the National Policy for Farmers 2007. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The national capital will witness a three-cornered contest involving the Congress, the BJP and the AAP in the upcoming parliamentary polls, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit said on Tuesday, while asserting that her party would try to bag all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. "We believe in working together and in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, we will target all the seven seats," she told reporters here. The former Delhi Chief Minister welcomed the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East. She also lauded party chief Rahul Gandhi's announcement at a farmers' rally in Chhattisgarh that after the Congress comes to power at the Centre, its government will guarantee a "minimum income" to every individual in the country. "This will be an unprecedented step, which has never been taken in any other country to the best of my knowledge and we are going to do it in India after the Congress party comes to power at the Centre in 2019," Dikshit said. She added that it would be a revolutionary step to change the lives of the poor people in the country. The party would explain the details of the minimum income guarantee plan in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election, Dikshit said. Gandhi's announcement would have a long-term effect in the uplift of the poor as the time had come to deal a final blow to hunger and poverty, she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress party Tuesday held a meeting with the members of the party, farmers, academicians and social activists in Goa to prepare its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party received suggestions that its manifesto should assure to find solutions to the mining crisis in the state and threat to environment due to the amendment to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification. Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, who is the convener of the party's manifesto committee, held the meeting to take inputs for drafting the national manifesto. "Our party president Rahul Gandhi has formed a manifesto committee. We have conducted one hundred such consultations. We have fanned out across the country to ensure that voices are taken into account everywhere," Gowda told reporters after the meeting. During the exercise, 26 speakers expressed their views. Besides that, 86 individual suggestions were submitted. "We had said that the Congress is open for any subject: tourism, job creation, environment. We held talks with party members, NGOs, retired professors, taxi operators, farmers and others," he said. According to Gowda, several people raised the issue of mining ban. "They raised it from the point of view of those who are dependent on this industry and what we could do to ensure that their livelihood is restored or some alternative measures are provided," he said referring to the quashing of 88 mining leases, which resulted in the entire industry coming to a halt. "Lot of people expressed concerns that the BJP government failed to handle the matter well, due to which people were impacted substantially. We will see what solutions can be provided," he said. According to him, people also wanted the party to address the issue of CRZ. "The CRZ was changed, due to which there were lots of concerns about what will happen to Goa's environment and this will lead to the destruction of natural attractions in Goa," he said. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month approved the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2018, which gives impetus to promotion of tourism facilities like shacks on beaches and stipulated No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 metres for all islands. The Congress has already opposed the CRZ notification stating that it would be destructive to the environment. "Our concern is that nobody should be left behind. We should focus on education, health and other areas. Rahul Gandhi has already announced that every poor person will be given minimum income guarantee," he said. Talking about Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at the state Assembly complex here to enquire about his health, Gowda said the party believed that humanity was above "If you notice, Rahul Gandhi has been very concerned about the health of senior colleagues of ours. Arun Jaitley and Rahul Gandhi have been indulging in attacks and counter attacks. But the moment it was learnt that Jaitley was admitted to a hospital in New York, Gandhi wished him well," Gowda said. "Gandhi has been inquiring about Parrikar's health as well. Today, he got the chance to meet him. For us, humanity is above politics," he said. When asked whether they discusssed the controversial Rafale deal issue, Gowda said, "They had a private conversation and I don't know the details. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Besides a one-time loan waiver, the other promises being considered by the Congress for farmers for the Lok Sabha polls include a new crop insurance scheme and promotion of food processing, Congress' farmers' welfare department Head Nana Patole said Tuesday. "We will stop this Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. We will bring a scheme on how a farmer gets maximum benefit for the crop damage," he told reporters here in reply to a query on what will be his party's promises for farmers for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Observing that the Congress government in Chhattisgarh has started purchasing paddy from farmers for Rs 2,500 per quintal, more than the support price, Patole said the party would like to firm up its promise on the price to be offered to farmers for their crop after consultations with them. The Congress would implement a one-time loan waiver to farmers all over the country but it would like to promote food processing so that jobs are created for children of the poor and the farmers, he said. Alleging that the BJP made light of the comments on setting up of food processing units, he said it was due to the efforts of the Congress that the country made giant strides in progress in 70 years of Independence though doubts were raised even by the British after the country became independent. Patole, who attended a meeting of Kisan Congress (farmers' welfare cell) of the Congress from southern states here, said the party would organise a protest at Raj Ghat in Delhi on Wednesday to "remind the assurances" made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress would hold protests all over the country in support of farmers if the NDA government fails to respond to the protest on Wednesday, he said. Patole alleged that BJP has made a "B group" comprising the likes of AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, Prakash Ambedkar and BSP Chief Mayawati. "Already, they have been given the contract to divide the Congress votes. They are working accordingly," he said in his speech earlier at the meeting. He said the Congress has safeguarded the Constitutional systems in the country after Independence and alleged that the NDA government, on the other hand, "hurt" Constitutional institutions. The Kisan Congress was working to unite the farmers of the country under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, he said. The deliberations of the Kisan Congress meeting on Tuesday would be included in the party manifesto towards doing justice to every farmer, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief ministers and leaders from several states Tuesday condoled the death of former union minister and socialist leader George Fernandes. Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday. He was 88. The former defence minister died here after suffering from a prolonged illness. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Fernandes had played an important role in shaping his political career and announced a two-day state mourning. In 1996, the Kumar and Fernandes founded Samta Party had joined hands with the BJP and the electoral tie-up was a moderate success in the that year's Lok Sabha polls, but it paved the way for the formation of a broader National Democratic Alliance after three years. Fernandes had also represented Muzaffarpur and Nalanda in the Lok Sabha. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and other state political leaders expressed grief over the demise of Fernandes. "I am saddened by the demise of Former Union Defence Minister #GeorgeFernandes. He has successfully played his part in demanding positions when the country needed him the most.A Socialist leader, important pillar of labour movements, #GeorgeFernandes was always a people's leader," JDS Supremo H D Deve Gowda said in a tweet. Kumaraswamy remembered Fernandes for his contribution to the Konkan Railway project. "...#GeorgeFernandes will be remembered by people of Karnataka for his contribution to the KonkanRailway project.May his soul rest in peace. My prayers are with his family," he tweeted. In his condolence message, Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, Fernandes was like his "elder brother." Condoling Fernandes' death, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa called him the "voice of labourers and downtrodden." In his condolence message Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, "Heartfelt condolence on the passing away of former defence minister George Fernandes. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May his soul rest in peace."Gehlot's deputy Sachin Pilot said, Saddened to learn about the demise of George Fernandes former defence minister, My condolences to the family and prayers for the departed soul."Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Fernandes will be remembered as one of the most prominent leaders of the socialist movement of the 1970s. He said a fearless politician, Fernandes played an important role in the Indian polity. Expressing grief over Fernandes demise, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar called him "one of the finest defence ministers of India", while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said he exemplified simplicity and honesty in life. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao remembered the contributions of Fernandes as a trade union leader and defence minister. Several leaders from Tamil Nadu, including Chief Minister K Palaniswami and DMK president M K Stalin, paid tributes to Fernandes. Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan recalled Fernandes' contributions to India's 1998 Pokhran nuclear test, while Palaniswami hailed the socialist stalwart as a "multi-faceted" personality. Stalin recollected Fernandes' "unflinching support" for the country's Kargil war victory, when he was the defence minister. His demise is a "great loss" to the country, the chief minister said. "He was a multi-faceted personality, being a politician, trade union leader and journalist. He was a good administrator and a hard working person who was affable to all," the chief minister said in a statement. Stalin said the late leader was a "fountainhead" of socialist thoughts and his participation in the 1974 Railway strike as a trade unionist was still fresh in the minds of the workers in the sector. Describing the former Union Minister as a "great revolutionary," MDMK founder Vaiko said his passing away was a "major loss" to the country. AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran said he was "deeply saddened" by the demise of Fernandes. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said it is a great loss for the country, politically as well as intellectually, while his West Bengal counterpart Mamta Banerjee said Fernandes was a much admired trade union leader. Former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah also paid tributes to Fernandes "#GeorgeFernandes was a true socialist ,scrupulously honest and never compromised his values at the altar of power," Mehbooba said. "Today we mourn the loss of a titan. He represented an era of leaders who were true statesmen and not just politicians," she tweeted. In a tweet, Abdullah said, "Rest in peace George Fernandes Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised & for those that needed someone in their corner." "You called a spade a spade & did so unabashedly. You were always a friend & well wisher of the people of J&K. God speed," he said. Fernandes, who was born to a Christian family in Mangalore, Karnataka, burst into national limelight when as a firebrand trade unionist in Mumbai he organised a Railways strike in 1974 that brought the country to a standstill. Ironically, he became the Railways minister in 1989 under VP Singh's National Front coalition government, comprising mostly Left leaning parties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey has been named as the member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) that conducts prestigious civil services examination to select the country's bureaucrats, diplomats and police officers, officials said Tuesday. Choubey, a 1981 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, is due to superannuate on Thursday after completing 60 years of age. He will be administered the oath of office by UPSC chairman Arvind Saxena on Friday, the officials said. Choubey was in June 2015 named as the Civil Aviation Secretary. He has worked as Special Secretary, Power Ministry; Director General, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons under the Petroleum Ministry, and in other central and Tamil Nadu government departments. As per rules, a member of the UPSC can have a maximum of six-year tenure or till an incumbent attains the age of 65. With Choubey's appointment, the Commission will be in its full strength. The UPSC can have maximum of 10 members, besides a chairperson. Former Delhi Police commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi, former chief statistician T C A Anant, Prof Pradeep Kumar Joshi, Air Marshal A S Bhonsle (retired), Sujata Mehta, Manoj Soni, Smita Nagaraj, M Sathiyavathy and Bharat Bhushan Vyas are members of the UPSC. The commission conducts civil services examination annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China warned on Tuesday that US sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company will hurt the livelihoods of ordinary people and complicate the situation in the crisis-hit country. The sanctions announced Monday hit PDVSA just as embattled President Nicolas Maduro faces a challenge from opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has won the backing of the United States and other Western nations. "We oppose unilateral sanctions," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing. "Historical experience has proved that external interference or sanctions will only complicate the situation and will not help solve practical problems," Geng said. The sanctions "will lead to a deterioration of the people's livelihoods in Venezuela, and (those who imposed them) should be responsible for the serious consequences," he said. China is a key financial back of the Venezuelan government. Asked on Tuesday whether China still recognises Maduro as president, Geng repeated that Beijing sent a special representative to his inauguration earlier this month. Russia has also refused to turn its back on Maduro, slamming the sanctions as "illegal". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Quarterly Activities Report Adelaide, Jan 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Investigator Resources Ltd ( ASX:IVR ) provides the Company's Quarterly Activities Report.Key Points:Maslins IOGC target:- Release of final Magneto-Telluric ('MT') data gathered by Geosciences Australia ('GA') enabling additional geophysical interpretation to commence.- 3D modelling of the gravity and magnetics underway to refine drill targeting options.- Preparation of an Information Memorandum to present to potential joint venture partners with recommendations for drilling.- BHP's release of the nearby Oak Dam drill intersections has generated additional interest with potential Farm-In/Joint Venture partners on Maslins.Paris Silver Project:- Groundwater baseline monitoring and site security continued.- High level peer review of metallurgical testwork by international silver experts undertaken.- All Project data and information collated - further work on Paris curtailed until the silver price and Project's economics improve.Cartarpo Copper Cobalt Target:- Soil sampling program completed with over 300 samples collected.- Assay results are awaited.To view the full report, please visit:About Investigator Resources Ltd Investigator Resources Limited (ASX:IVR) is a metals explorer with a focus on the opportunities for greenfields silver-lead, copper-gold and other metal discoveries in South Australia. The Company's priority is progressing the development pathway for the Paris silver project with the preparation of a pre-feasibility study. The Paris Mineral Resource Estimate is 9.3Mt @ 139g/t silver and 0.6% lead, comprising 42Moz of contained silver and 55kt of contained lead, at a 50g/t silver cut-off. The resource has been categorised with an Indicated Resource estimate of 4.3Mt @ 163g/t silver and 0.6% lead for 23Moz contained silver and 26kt contained lead, and an Inferred Resource: 5.0Mt @ 119g/t silver and 0.6% lead for 19Moz contained silver and 29kt contained lead. The Company has applied an innovative strategy that has developed multiple ideas and targets giving Investigator first-mover status. These include: the Paris silver discovery; recognition of other epithermal fields and the associated potential for porphyry copper-gold of Olympic Dam age; extending the ideas developed at Paris-Nankivel and using breakthrough government Magneto-Telluric surveying to rejuvenate targeting with the Maslins IOCG target as the next priority drill target. China on Tuesday questioned the appropriateness of an email sent by a Duke University medical school administrator warning Chinese students to speak in English. Asked about the controversy, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang compared it to a Chinese university demanding that English-speaking students talk only in Chinese. "If a Chinese university required that American students not use English to communicate, I think this would not be normal," Geng said at a daily briefing. Duke University in North Carolina moved quickly to offer apologies, launch an investigation and reassure a core group of graduate scholars after the email raised an outcry at home and abroad. The story drew thousands of comments in China on social media. Some called it racial discrimination and said Chinese universities should ban speaking English, while a few said it was not a big deal. The administrator's message came at a time when elite US universities are trying to remain attractive to top international students despite negative rhetoric toward foreigners by President Donald Trump and other politicians. Protests mounted after the email was sent Friday by Megan Neely, who teaches in the biostatistics master's degree program and served as its director of graduate studies. Neely's message to an email list for about 50 biostatistics students said two faculty members approached her to complain about students speaking loudly in Chinese in a common area. She wrote that both were disappointed the students weren't working to improve their English and wanted their names. The email urged international students to "keep these unintended consequences in mind when you choose to speak in Chinese in the building." Amid the angry response, Neely stepped down as the program's director of graduate studies, according to a letter from Mary Klotman, the medical school dean. Klotman apologised to students in the program in her letter, saying there was no restriction on using foreign languages in conversations. Neely, who remains an assistant professor, apologised in an email to program members, saying: "I deeply regret the hurt my email has caused. It was not my intention. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ties between Nepal and China have become even more special with polished diplomatic relationships, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said on Tuesday as Beijing handed over a newly build 10-km-long section of road in the national capital here. China's Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi officially handed a symbolic key of the Rs 513 crore (Rs 5.13 billion) expanded Kalanki-Koteshwor road section to Oli at a function in Lalitpur in Kathmandu. The eight-lane road was built by the Chinese firm, Shanghai Construction, in five years with the financial assistance from China. Oli thanked the Chinese government for providing financial assistance in building the infrastructure and its contribution in other sectors, including hydropower, agriculture and education. "For centuries, Nepal and China were connected by hills, mountains and rivers; now, the ties between the two countries have become even more special with polished diplomatic relationships," he said. The Chinese envoy, while handing over the key, said the project was delayed due to various reasons, including the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, blockade at the Indo-Nepal border and problems related to the land acquisitions. However, the Nepalese media termed the newly built Kalanki-Koteshwor road section as a death trap due to lack of facilities, like lack of overhead bridge, road dividers and traffic light, and zebra crossings for the convenience of pedestrians. "The newly opened eight-lane Kalanki-Koteshwor road section had become a death trap," said a report in The Kathmandu Post, adding that nine people were killed and 172 injured in this section in past four months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is fast tracking 5G network in the country to use the next generation telecom technology amidst escalating row with the US over the detention of Chinese telecom giant Huawei's Chief Financial Officer in Canada on charges of financial fraud. China has already launched the 5G service in Guangzhou airport, opened its first 5G base station for the Qinghai Tibet plateau region and announced the road trials of a 5G autopilot bus without a driver, driver cabin or a driving wheel. The 5G bus completed road trials in Southwest China's Chongqing, marking the city's first driverless bus trial in a 5G network environment, state-run reported here Tuesday. The tests were carried out in a 5G network-covered area, where the network helps the bus adjust speed, and detect obstacles and traffic lights. Powered by electricity, the bus can accommodate 12 passengers and run at a maximum of 20 km per hour. The technology was developed by Chongqing Mobile, Huawei, Southeast University and French company EasyMile, and will be applied in various areas, such as campuses, airports and scenic spots, the China Daily reported. Chinese officials say the country would like to be ahead of the US and other nations to develop 5G network to capture the markets abroad. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's planning body, on Tuesday said it will speed up the process to grant 5G commercial licences to upgrade information consumption in the country. The NDRC would promote high-quality video and support the launch of 4,000 television channels across China to enrich content as well as to subsidise super high-definition TV sets, virtual reality and augmented reality devices in certain regions, it said. The move is part of China's broader effort to boost domestic consumption amid slowing economic growth. It also comes at a time when Huawei, which leads China's bid to become the leading supplier of advanced telecom equipment to the world's mobile carriers, faces growing pressure from the US, where some politicians consider it an arm of the Chinese government, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The US on Monday charged Huawei of trying to steal trade secrets from a telecom rival. The US also claimed that the Chinese smartphone and network gear maker worked to skirt US sanctions on Iran. The US Justice Department also charged Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou with financial fraud. Meng was arrested in Canada in December, and the US is looking to extradite her. Meng, the daughter of the company's founder, is currently out on bail in Canada. Her case has sparked a major crisis between Ottawa and Beijing. As the row over Huawei escalated, major suppliers of US technology giant Apple, the Foxconn Technology Group and Pegatron Corp are reportedly accelerating efforts to build new production plants in Southeast Asia and India, the China Daily reported. It is part of their efforts to diversify their supply chain away from the Chinese mainland and to save costs, it said. Foxconn, the world's biggest electronics contract manufacturer and a key Apple supplier, in a recent regulatory filings said it has invested USD 213.5 million in an Indian subsidiary and acquired land use rights in Vietnam, according to a Financial Times report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Xi Jinping's high profile anti-graft campaign has not made much of a dent as China's ranking on perceived corruption has fallen to 87, below India's 78, according to the annual index by global watchdog Transparency International. Xi, who took over power towards the end of 2012 and is currently in his second five-year term as president, has made fighting corruption in the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and the military a major objective of his rule. Over 1.3 million officials at various levels including former security czar, Zhou Yongkong, and over 50 top generals of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), including two vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC) - the overall high command of the Chinese military - have been sacked and punished. The campaign was also carried out amid allegations that Xi effectively used it to consolidate his power base within the party and the military. China slipped by 10 ranks to 87th place in Transparency International's 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday. India rose by three points to 78. Vietnam too figured high at 117 while Singapore moved up three spots to third place, behind first-placed Denmark and New Zealand, with the top spot signifying the least corrupt nation. The US also fell, from 16th to 22nd position, tumbling out of the top 20 for the first time in recent years. "The Asia-Pacific region is stagnating in the fight against corruption. A lack of progress is unsurprising given the prevalence of weak democratic institutions and a lack of laws and enforcement mechanisms," the Post quoted Transparency International in the report as saying. Eugene Tan, associate professor at Singapore Management University's School of Law, said China's decline in the index revealed concerns that corruption was still prevalent, despite Xi's campaign. "The massive 'Belt and Road Initiative' is probably adding to the negative perception of graft-busting as being more for domestic consumption," he said. "China's poor showing probably has more to do with how its intentions are perceived, particularly in overseas economic activity," he was quoted as saying by the Post. Last month, the CPC declared a "crushing victory" in the battle to stamp out corruption, while warning that the situation was still tough and the fight must go on. The party's graft-busters detained another 23 "tigers", or high-ranking officials last year five more than in 2017 while prosecutors charged 32 provincial- and ministerial-level officials in 2018, 14 more than the previous year. A paper released this month by the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre noted the campaign had targeted "big tigers and little flies" but as corruption had enabled economic growth in China, graft was difficult to eradicate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday decried the "political manipulations" behind the US case against as Washington indicted the tech giant's chief financial officer and levelled sweeping charges against the company. "For some time, the US has used state power to discredit and crack down on specific Chinese in an attempt to strangle the enterprises' legitimate and legal operations," China's foreign ministry said in a statement. "There are strong political motivations and political manipulations behind the actions," the statement added. The Centre Tuesday sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 4,714.28 crore for Maharashtra's drought affected farmers. The opposition parties, however, claimed it fell short of the state's actual requirement and was a job "half done". Welcoming the decision of the Union Agriculture Ministry, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, "Thank you Hon @narendramodi ji, Hon @RadhamohanBJP ji for the drought assistance of 4714.28 crore to Maharashtra." "This shows the firm commitment of Union Government towards the citizens of Maharashtra," Fadnavis' tweet added. However, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan said, "The state had demanded Rs 7,962 crore as financial assistance. But it received only Rs 4,714 crore. This is half job done." He hit out at the BJP-led state government and claimed kharif and rabi crops had been badly affected. Chavan said the quantum of assistance from the Union government should have been higher and accused it of failing to address Maharashtra's needs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facing growing pressure to move swiftly on the Ram temple issue, the Modi government Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to allow it to return the "non-disputed" surplus land acquired around the disputed structure in Ayodhya to a Hindu trust and other original owners, in a significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The move could see some form of construction of a Ram temple by Hindu groups if the handover is allowed, amid pressure from the RSS and Hindutva groups on the Centre to facilitate this step. In its 33-page application, the Centre sought modification of the apex court's 2003 order to permit it to to return 67.390 acres of "non-disputed" surplus/superflous land around the disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid structure in Ayodhya to the original owners. The court had held that unless the dispute is resolved, status quo has to be maintained over surplus land. The application claimed that only 0.313 acre of land was disputed. The 0.313-acre land, on which the disputed structure stood before it was demolished by 'kar sevaks' on December 6, 1992, was within a compound measuring 2.77 acres. After the destruction of the Babri Masjid mosque that triggered Hindu-Muslim riots across the country leaving about 2,000 people dead, the then Congress government acquired 67.703 acres, including the land measuring 2.77 acres, through a legislation in 1993. In its application, the Centre sought modification of the apex court order of March 31, 2003 by which it was directed to maintain the "status quo" with regard to entire land including the non-disputed acquired plots. "The applicant (Centre) is filing this application seeking permission of this court to permit the applicant to fulfil the duty to revert/restore/hand over the excess/superfluous land acquired under the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act, 1993," it said. The move by the Centre came even as the apex court is set to hear 14 appeals gainst 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. The Centre said the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (a trust to promote construction of Ram Temple) had sought return of excess land acquired to the original owners. "One party namely Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas whose land measuring approximately 42 acres [which is a part of the superfluous/excess land] was acquired, has moved an application relying on the constitution bench judgment of this court," it added. Defending the move, the BJP said the Centre is not touching the disputed area and indicated that any return of the undisputed land could pave the way for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Senior BJP leader and union minister Prakash Javadekar said only 0.313 acre of land is disputed, noting its title suit is yet to be decided. "Today government has taken a very important in-principle decision to return the excess land which was acquired in 1994 to the original land owners. One of the land owners of 42 acres out of 67 acres land is Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. Government wants to return the land to its original owners and they want to build the Ram temple there," Javadekar told reporters. He maintained that the BJP has always said that a temple should be built in Ayodhya through a legal route and government's step is a legal step. "We are confident that the government will get permission from the court at the earliest." The Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP) said the Centre's move was a step in the right direction. In a statement, VHP working president Alok Kumar said the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas had obtained the land for the construction of the Ram temple. "This land belongs to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and is not under any litigation. This is a step in the right direction and the organisation welcomes it." But the CPI(M) alleged that the move was aimed at appeasing the Sangh Parivar ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. In a statement, the party's Politburo said it was a "devious" effort on the part of the government to "pre-empt" the decision of the Supreme Court. Dubbing the Centre's move as an "insidious attempt", All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen(AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused it of trying everything in their capacity to prevent a fair and independent adjudication of the Babri Masjid dispute. "Threatening the judicial process like this is another (failed) attempt to save BJP from their rapidly diminishing political fortunes," he tweeted. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the Centre's move. "We welcome this initiative of the Central government. We should get permission to start work on the undisputed piece of land," he said in Allahabad. UP government spokesperson Siddhartnath Singh said the Centre is working on all aspects within the ambit of Constitution to fulfil the long-pending aspirations of the people. Ruling out any pressure from the Dharam Sansad or due to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Singh said the legal procedure is being followed as the hearing on the temple issue is set to start now in the Supreme Court. Asked if the temple construction could start before the polls, he said, "I can merely say that government wants the temple be built at the earliest as the issue is connected with the people." Referring to the order of March 31, 2003, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its application said the apex court instead of "confining the order of status quo to the disputed land" had extended the restraining order to adjacent acquired land also. The Centre also referred to the Supreme Court's verdict in the 1994 Ismail Faruqui case, saying the top court had observed that if the Centre wanted to return the acquired land to its original owners then it may do so. "The Constitution Bench of this Court has held that the superfluous area which is other than the disputed area of 0.313 acres shall be reverted/ restored to its original owners," the plea said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The author of a new tell-all book about the White House under President Donald Trump says one of Trump's top policy advisers spoke dismissively about refugees. Stephen Miller, who has pushed Trump to adopt stricter immigration policies, is quoted as saying, "I would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched American soil," according to Cliff Sims, a former White House communications aide and author of "Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House," due in stores Tuesday. The Associated Press obtained a copy Monday. Miller did not respond to an emailed request for comment. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said during a rare televised briefing Monday, "I'm not aware of any statement like that that Stephen Miller has ever made." The White House has reviewed Sims' book but has tried to avoid being drawn into public discussion to avoid bringing more attention to Sims' accounts. Sims writes that, any time a refugee or immigrant committed a "gruesome" crime, Miller would walk over to the White House press office to demand that press releases be issued about the cases. Sims says Miller made the comment about refugees during a conversation the two were having about immigration. Miller's quote is included in a book in which Sims compares many of Trump's aides - past and president and even including the author - to a team of "vipers." Sims' book is due on store shelves the same day as another behind-the-scenes account of Trump's team, titled "Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics," by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christie challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 but endorsed Trump after dropping out. Christie then oversaw Trump's transition until he was fired shortly after the November election, allegedly at the urging of Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser. Christie, during his tenure as a federal prosecutor, sent Kushner's father - businessman Charles Kushner to prison after winning his conviction on tax evasion and other crimes. Sims began rolling out his book Monday with a media blitz that included an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" and a sit-down with late-night TV host Stephen Colbert of CBS. Christie was due to visit with Colbert on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Board of Trade (BoT) will seek views of stakeholders including various government departments, exporters and industry members on February 15 to frame a new and boost shipments of goods and services, an official said. The 70-member board, a top advisory body on external trade, is chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister "Views would be taken on the new foreign trade policy, which is scheduled to be released later this year," the official said. The objective of BoT is to have continuous discussion and consultation with trade and industry. It advises the government on policy measures related to the in order to boost the country's trade. The Board's last meeting was held in June 2017. The BoT comprises 19 members from industry and academia (non-official members); 31 heads of trade and industry associations (ex-officio members); and 20 top officials including 13 secretaries to the Government of India; a deputy governor of the RBI; Chairman of the Railway Board; and Chairman of the National Highways Authority of Besides, the Director General of Foreign Trade is the member secretary of the Board. In the meeting, representatives will also be there from the Confederation of Indian Industry, exporters' body FIEO and the Council for Leather Exports (CLE). (FIEO) Ganesh Kumar Gupta demanded incentives in the forthcoming to boost outbound shipments and creation of jobs. The new policy should provide higher fiscal support to sectors which create employment in the country, he said. "We are moving towards $2 trillion of exports and imports by 2025. This requires huge marketing support through a planned export development fund with a corpus of at least 0.5 per cent of the export value so that exporters can be supported in their aggressive marketing," Gupta added. CLE Chairman P R Aqeel Ahmed also sought the government's support for increasing leather exports. ALSO READ: Under new FTP, exporters may get incentives based on R&D, specific clusters Currently, leather exports are around $6 billion and the council is targeting 8-10 per cent growth in the next two years, Ahmed said. During April-December 2018, the country's total exports grew 10.18 per cent to $245.44 billion. Since 2011-12, India's exports have been hovering at around $300 billion a year. During 2017-18, the shipments grew by about 10 per cent to $303 billion. Experts have cautioned that growing trade tensions between the US and could impact the global trade growth. The (WTO) also has stated that escalating trade tensions and tighter credit market conditions in important markets will slow trade growth in 2019. Promoting exports helps a country create jobs, boost manufacturing and earn more foreign exchange. Amid the uncertainty over its alliance with the Shiv Sena, the BJP Tuesday said it wants to join hands with the Uddhav Thackeray-led party as they share a common ideology and can provide a steady government. "We do want the alliance with Sena only because of our common ideology. We can offer a steady government through such an alliance," BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde said here. "But if someone does not want to join hands, then we are ready to face the elections on our own," she said in response to a query. The Shiv Sena had Monday said it would always be the "big brother" in an alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra, and added that no such proposal had been received from the latter. However, countering the Sena's claim of being the "big brother", Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while speaking at the valedictory function of a day-long meeting of the state working committee of the BJP in Jalna, hit back saying his party was not seeking a tie-up desperately. Several BJP ministers in the state have stated earlier that an alliance with the Sena, which has often been critical of the BJP-led government, is needed to keep anti-Hindutva forces at bay. The Sena had said last January that it would go it alone in all future elections. Till 2014, the BJP and Sena, allies for long, had an understanding where the former contested a larger share of Lok Sabha seats and the latter contested a greater number of Assembly seats in Maharashtra. In the 2014 Assembly polls, which the two parties fought separately, the BJP won 122 seats against Sena's 63. The Sena later joined the government in the state as a junior partner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Acquisition Boosts Holdings in World-Class WA Lithium District Brisbane, Jan 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium miner Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( OTCMKTS:DMNXF ) has added to its Western Australia lithium portfolio, announcing today the exercise of the final option payment to Great Sandy Pty Ltd to acquire an 80% interest in six tenements covering 871 km2 in the world-class Pilgangoora lithium district.Highlights- Sayona adds to 100% owned Western Australia portfolio through acquisition of six tenements in world-class Pilgangoora lithium district- Company now holds 1,898 sq km in Pilbara region, with tenure in close proximity to other spodumene deposits, including the Pilgangoora and Wodgina mines.The Company has also reached agreement to acquire the remaining 20% of the tenure so that on completion, Sayona will hold a 100% unencumbered interest in the tenement package.Welcoming the agreement, Sayona's Managing Director, Dan O'Neill said: "Sayona is pleased to have consolidated the Great Sandy option tenements into its portfolio. This acquisition complements the Company's existing 100% held Pilbara tenement holding, which now totals 1,898km2, with tenure in close proximity to other spodumene deposits including the Pilgangoora and Wodgina mines."The primary focus of exploration within the tenement group has been at the 141 km2 Mallina Lithium Project, E47/3475 (Figure 1 overleaf) (see link below). Recent drilling (refer ASX announcement 31 October 2018) identified spodumene pegmatites at the Area C, Discovery and Eastern Group prospects, all located within a 5km x 5km zone.Drilling intersected a varied suite of pegmatite and aplite bodies of variable dip, strike and thickness, including 4m @ 2.18% Li2O from surface, including a peak assay value of 3.18% Li2O over 1m from 2m in hole SMRC040 (Area C prospect), with mineralisation open at depth and to the east, south and north.However, much of the remaining tenement area remains unexplored. More than 30 lithium soil geochemical anomalies have been identified to date within the tenement, requiring further testing.Other tenure included in the Great Sandy portfolio comprises the Moolyella Project (334km2), located east of Marble Bar, where three tenements cover the surrounds of the historic Moolyella tin field which hosts spodumene pegmatite.Targets on Sayona's ground include rock and soil lithium anomalies and fractionated pegmatites, which now require systematic soil sampling and detailed exploration.The Great Sandy Option purchase terms comprise a final $300,000 option payment to acquire an 80% interest in all of the tenements. A Heads of Agreement has been entered into to acquire the remaining 20% free carried interest from Great Sandy by the issue of fully paid ordinary shares in Sayona with an aggregate value 0f $100,000. These have been calculated using the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of Sayona shares traded on the ASX in the 10 trading days preceding the issue of shares to Great Sandy.The Great Sandy Option tenements are displayed in blue in the figure below (see link below), together with Sayona's other 100% owned Pilbara ground (in yellow).Currently the world's biggest lithium exporter, Australia is expected to account for around 80% of global supply from hard rock deposits by fiscal 2020, principally from Western Australia. Analysts point to continued demand growth for lithium, due to its usage in applications including electric vehicles and bicycles along with battery storage and consumer electronics.Mr O'Neill added: "Western Australia is at the heart of the lithium boom, with expectations that it could soon produce half the world's supply. Sayona's tenements in the state add to our flagship Authier Lithium Project in Canada, as we work to unlock shareholder value from the metal of the 21st century."To view figures, please visit:About Sayona Mining Ltd Sayona Mining Limited (ASX:SYA) (OTCMKTS:DMNXF) is an Australian, ASX-listed (SYA) company focused on sourcing and developing the raw materials required to construct lithium-ion batteries for use in the rapidly growing new and green technology sectors. The Company has lithium projects in Quebec, Canada and in Western Australia. Please visit us as at www.sayonamining.com.au BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday alleged that the Congress and the BJD had failed to ensure Odisha's development and dubbed them two sides of the same coin. Shah's remarks came after Congress president Rahul Gandhi during a rally in Bhubaneswar last week accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of being remote-controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in regard to a chit fund scam. Promising a 'new Odisha' if the BJP is voted to power, he said: "You have given 19 years to the BJD and several years to the Congress. Just give five years to Narendra Modi who will make Odisha the number one state in the country." The BJP chief's visit follows three back-to-back tours of Prime Minister Modi to Odisha since December and is significant as the state assembly elections are likely to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a BJP workers rally here, Shah called upon the state's people to dislodge the 19-year-old Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in 2019 and alleged that it has failed to bring development in the state despite the flow of huge funds from the Centre. "The Congress and the BJD are like two sides of the same coin. Both the parties are responsible for the poverty and backwardness in the state," he said. Under the Congress-led UPA government, Odisha got Rs 79,000 crore after the 13th finance commission, while it received around Rs 2.11 lakh crore as per the 14th finance commission's recommendations. The total volume of funds received by Odisha during the BJP-led government for development was to the tune of Rs 5,13,000 crore, Shah claimed. Elaborating Modi's vision of "new Odisha", the BJP chief said under the vision no one should be left unemployed, all should get better medical facilities and no one remains below the poverty line. Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Patnaik, Shah alleged that the BJD government did not join the the Centre's Ayushman Bharat programme only due to "fear of Modi's popularity." The Odisha government refused to join the Ayushman Bharat scheme fearing that it might amplify the popularity of PM Modi in the state, he said, adding that the poor people are deprived of benefits of schemes of the Centre because of the narrow mindset of the Odisha government. Shah said people of Odisha are hard working and contribute towards development of others states. The BJP chief also criticised the state govenrment for not spending funds for the development of tribal areas under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for which it received more than Rs 4,000 crore. Central welfare schemes do not reach the villages due to inefficiency of the state government, he alleged. Shah also came down heavily on the BJD government over the state's alleged failure to protect the "Ratna Bhandar" (Treasury) of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri. "While the government has failed to secure the properties of the Lord, how can it improve the life of people," he said. While wooing the Odia "swabhiman" (pride), Shah said the people should elect an Odia speaking chief minister in the next elections. He was referring to past attacks by opposition parties in the state over Patnaik apparently lacking fluency in the Odia language. The BJP president also recalled the contribution of the Utkala Gauraba Madhusudan Das towards Odia language. Before proceeding to the BJP workers' meeting venue, Shah visited Satyabhamapur in Cuttack district, the birthplace of Madhusudan Das, and paid floral tributes at the statue of Madhu Babu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A wave of sorrow swept across Bihar Tuesday following the death of veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, who had virtually adopted the state as his second home and political 'karmabhoomi', representing its various constituencies in Parliament for a period spanning over four decades. Condolences poured in from all quarters, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declaring a two-day state mourning. Sources in the CM's office said Kumar was likely to rush to Delhi for attending the funeral of Fernandes, with whom he had founded the Samata Party in the 1990s. Jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who remained in the crosshairs of the fiery Fernandes for much part of his political career, tweeted, "Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of socialist leader, freedom fighter and former Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes". Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said on Twitter, "A great fighter and symbol of anti-Congressism. Architect of alliance between BJP and Samata Party which led to fall of RJD rule in Bihar. As convenor of NDA played an important role in Ataljis government. Nobody can match George. RIP". In a moving statement, former JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, who had succeeded Fernandes as the NDA convenor, called the late leader a "father figure and role model" who belonged to the Janata Dal family of socialists but had friends in every political party. Others who issued condolence messages here included Governor Lalji Tandon, former chief Mministers Jagannath Mishra and Jitan Ram Manjhi, and state BJP president Nityanand Rai. Old-timers in the state fondly recall the sensational electoral victory of Fernandes from Muzaffarpur in 1977 by a margin of more than 3 lakh votes, polling a staggering 78 per cent of the total votes cast. Except for a handful, none of the voters had ever seen him in person as he was lodged in jail in connection with the Baroda dynamite case. People recall the election campaign having been carried out with supporters of the Janata Party--a jumbo coalition of disparate political groups opposed to the Emergency stitched together by Jayaprakash Narayan-- carrying posters of a heavily-shackled Fernandes, who had earned by that time the reputation of a man who stood up to power, having organised a nationwide railway strike three years earlier. Muzaffarpur was chosen as the seat for the fiery trade unionist-turned-politician since it fell in an area that had a tradition of having elected and sent to Parliament socialists belonging to far-off regions like Acharya Kripalani and Ashok Mehta. Out of jail, Fernandes was inducted into the Union cabinet by Prime Minister Morarji Desai and he brought to his constituency, among other things, the Kanti Thermal Power Station, which was eventually renamed after him in 2014. Three years later when the Janata Party disintegrated and the Congress led by Indira Gandhi stormed back to power, the people of Muzaffarpur still reposed their faith in Fernandes, who retained the seat in a tightly-contested election. His only attempt in contesting a poll from his home town of Bangalore in 1984 made him taste defeat and he was back as the Muzaffarpur MP in 1989, this time as the candidate of the Janata Dal floated by V P Singh and again became a Union minister in the new short-lived government. A few years later, differences with then Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad made Fernandes break ranks with the Janata Dal and float the Samata Party. The new outfit forged an alliance with the BJP and later merged with the JD(U) headed by Sharad Yadav over a decade later. In alliance with the BJP, Fernandes fought and won the Nalanda Lok Sabha seat thrice in 1991, 1998 and 1999. He returned to Muzaffarpur in 2004 and sought re-election in 2009 as a candidate in virtual revolt against the wish of Nitish Kumar, who was then in saddle as the chief minister of the state. He lost the electoral battle, though Kumar kept his promise of sending his former mentor to the Rajya Sabha, notwithstanding initial protest by Fernandes that socialists did not choose the Upper House route. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 20th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav will celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with four plays on his life, philosophy, and principles. Organised by National School of Drama (NSD), the "largest theatre festival in Asia" will begin here on February 1 with "Karanth Ke Rang", a performance directed by Amod Bhatt based on songs composed by late B V Karanth, a stalwart of Kannada and Hindi theatres. During the 21-day theatrical extravaganza, "Bapu" by Samir Biswas, "Stay Yet a While" by M K Raina, "Satya Ke Prayog" by Devendra Raj Ankur, and "Hind Swaraj" by Arjun Deo Charan will pay tribute to the father of the nation. The festival will host 69 Indian and 15 foreign plays in addition to nine folk productions, five plays by NSD diploma students, one production from the Sikkim center of NSD, three plays by the NSD Repertory as well as five invitee plays by eminent theatre practitioners that will captivate the theatregoers across India. The national capital will host 89 plays in Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, and Marathi among other regional languages. The 15 international productions will include plays from countries such as Bangladesh, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Italy, Nepal, Romania, and Singapore. "The art of theatre is the oldest and the strongest medium that conveys human emotions in a manner that defies temporal boundaries. We are delighted to usher in the Bharat Rang Mahotsav to its 20th year and have made all efforts to bring a selection of quality plays, choosing the best out of 960 submissions. "We have tried to accommodate as many young theatre enthusiasts as we can, since the institution aims to foster the growth of young talents through the platform of BRM," Suresh Sharma, Director In-charge, NSD, said. Apart from the performances and interactions with thespians and eminent personalities from the world of theatre, the festival in Delhi will also have two international and two national seminars on theatre. Parallel theatre festivals will also be organised in Dibrugarh (February 4-10), Varanasi (February 7-13), Ranchi (February 9-15), Mysore (February 11-17), and Rajkot (February 13-19). The 20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav will come to a close on February 21. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The over 40-year-old Baroda Dynamite Case was one of the important chapters in the life of former Union minister George Fernandes, who was jailed during his fight against the imposition of Emergency by the then Indira Gandhi-led government. Fernandes, 88, who served as the defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, died in Delhi Tuesday following a prolonged illness. He was arrested in June 1976 for conspiracy to procure dynamite sticks to blow up bridges and vital rail and road infrastructure and the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). An activist who worked with Fernandes during the Emergency period told PTI that by procurement of dynamite, the plan was to give a message to the government that they would "not take imposition of Emergency lying down". Fernandes was one of the leaders who had gone underground for resistance against the imposition of Emergency. He slipped into Gujarat in July 1975 and continued to oppose Emergency along with other socialists of that time. The CBI charge sheet in the Baroda Dynamite Case said, "investigations show that on declaration of Emergency in the country on 25/6/75, George Fernandes went underground and decided to arouse resistance against the imposition of the same and over-awe the government by use of show of criminal force." Fernandes was shown as the 'mastermind' of the conspiracy and as accused number 1 in the charge sheet filed by the CBI in a Delhi court where the case was heard. The charge sheet had named 25 accused in all. Fernandes reached Ahmedabad around mid-July 1975 and held secret meetings with co-accused, the charge sheet said, adding he "entered into criminal conspiracy to do illegal acts to overthrow the government". "It was planned to procure dynamite sticks and accessories like detonators and fuse wire using one Bharat Patel," it said. Before the explosives were procured, Patel arranged demonstrations for the use of explosives at a stone quarry in Halol, the charge sheet said. "After seeing the explosives' destructive power, George Fernandes expressed his satisfaction by saying he had found what he was looking for," it said. "It was decided to use the explosives for blowing up bridges and vital rail and road links to create widespread chaos with the ultimate object of overthrowing the established government at the Centre," the charge sheet said. Apart from ten bags of dynamite sticks obtained from a stone quarry, 200 detonators and eight rolls of fuse wire were later procured, it said, adding dynamites were sent to different parts of the country and an explosion was also triggered in Mumbai using the same. The Baroda (now Vadodara) police had found the explosives during a raid in Raopura area of the city. Fernandes was arrested in June 1976 along with 22 others from different parts of the country and lodged in Tihar Jail in Delhi. In his defence before the court, Fernandes denied such a conspiracy on his part and said the CBI charge sheet was "cooked up". "My fight against the dictatorship was born out of the conviction that evil should be fought, but it never entitled killing or what the prosecution say 'criminal force'," Fernandes said in his defence. Social activist Prakash Shah met Fernandes and worked to fight the Emergency when the latter was staying underground in Gujarat. "There was no intention of killing anybody by triggering mild explosions. The idea was to give a message to the then government that we will not take this lying down," Shah said. "Dynamites were procured and ferried in a car at that time," he said. Later, when the Janta government of Morarji Desai came to power, the cases against Fernandes and others were withdrawn. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Bahraini court on Monday upheld a life sentence for opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman for spying for Gulf rival Qatar, a ruling his party slammed as "political revenge". Salman, who headed Al-Wefaq, a now-banned Shiite movement, was convicted by an appeals court in November in a decision rights groups called a travesty. The supreme court confirmed the verdict against Salman and two of his aides for "spying for a foreign state in order to... overthrow the government", according to a statement released by public prosecutor Osama al-Awfi. Bahrain in 2017 cut all ties with Qatar as part of a Saudi-led boycott in response to what Riyadh and its allies say are Doha's policies on Iran and Islamist groups. The kingdom -- a tiny archipelago, allied with the US and located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran -- has been hit by waves of unrest since 2011, when security forces crushed Shiite-led protests demanding an elected prime minister. Hundreds of activists have since been jailed and some stripped of citizenship over what the government says is "terrorism" linked to Iran. Human rights groups have frequently said cases against activists in Bahrain -- men and women, religious and secular -- fail to meet the basic standards of fair trials. Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain has a majority Shiite Muslim population, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government. Salman's opposition group, Al-Wefaq, was dissolved by court order in 2016. The cleric is currently serving a four-year sentence in a separate case on charges of "inciting hatred" in the kingdom. Al-Wefaq hit out at the verdict against Salman as "political revenge". "The majority of Bahrainis hold firm to the need to move from a tyrannical regime to a democracy," it said. The United States had urged Bahrain's high court not to overturn an earlier acquittal of Salman. But US President Donald Trump's administration has treaded lightly on criticizing Gulf Arab allies over human rights and responded carefully on Monday. The verdict "narrows the space for free expression and political activity, something historically protected under Bahrain's constitutional system," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino tweeted. After taking office, Trump eased restrictions on arms sales to Bahrain, a vital link for Western militaries which is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet as well as a permanent British base. The European Union said the verdict "marks a further step against dissenting voices and undermines the residual chances for an inclusive political dialogue in the Kingdom of Bahrain." Amnesty International described the country's justice system as "a complete farce" and called on officials to release Salman and rescind a ban on the two main opposition groups. Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have categorised Salman and other jailed opposition leaders as prisoners of conscience. In addition to Al-Wefaq, the kingdom has banned the secular National Democratic Action Society, or Al-Waad, over allegations of links to terrorists. Both are denied representation in parliament. Bahraini activist Sayed Alwadaei, advocacy director for the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, said Monday's verdict was "an insult to justice". Salman's aides Ali al-Aswad and Hassan Sultan, who had been sentenced to life in absentia, also lost their appeals Monday. Both men are former members of parliament and reside outside Bahrain. Qatar has repeatedly denied accusations of conspiring against Bahrain with Salman. The Gulf diplomatic row is now in its second year. Doha has denied accusations it supports Iran and radical Islamist groups. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have banned their citizens from travel to Qatar. Bahraini authorities accuse Tehran of inciting anti-government rallies and have said jailed protesters have been trained in and armed by Iran, which denies the allegations. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi on Monday denounced the verdict and said Bahrain's authorities should "refrain from acts that could cause instability in their country". "We do not interfere in the internal affairs of Bahrain, but we have advised Bahraini officials that in order to guarantee their rule they need to recognise the rights of all the people," he said. In June, Bahrain amended its law on political rights, prohibiting leaders and members of dissolved political associations from running in legislative elections. The king last year signed off on a decree granting military courts the right to try civilians accused of "terrorism", a vague legal term. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Tueday condoled the death of former Union minister George Fernandes. In a condolence message, Mukhi said, "Pained to learn the passing away of George Fernandes, a former minister, a trade unionist and above all a great human being." "He belonged to a genre of politician who was bold, frank and farsighted. During his long association with the people he made valuable contributions which enriched the public life, political circle and empowered the poor and marginalised," Mukhi said. In a condolence message, Sonowal said, "I am saddened to learn the death of George Fernandes, a towering mass leader who worked tirelessly for the empowerment of poor and marginalised sections of the society." "He also contributed immensely as Union Minister and has had great role for the growth of the country. His death is a huge loss to the nation", Sonowal said. Fernandes, who had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years, died peacefully at his home in New Delhi Tuesday. He was 88. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Refuting AASU's claims that the BJP had orchestrated the attacks on its members at Nalbari two days back, the saffron party's state unit on Tuesday accused the opposition Congress to be behind the incident. Several All Assam Students' Union (AASU) activists were attacked while they were protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill during Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's visit to Nalbari on January 27. Addressing a press conference here, Assam BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass showed pictures of Congress personnel being present among the AASU protestors on that day. "The Congress was involved in the Ghograpara incident in Nalbari district. We have evidence of Congress being involved in it," he said. Dass claimed that the Congress is engaging in such incidents with a malafide intention to spoil AASU's name and ruin its image. "They want to create a rift between the BJP and AASU. The Congress wants to ruin the image of AASU," Dass claimed. Showing pictures to prove his allegations, the BJP state chief identified one Abdul Ali, who is the president of Ghograpara Block Congress, to be among the AASU protestors. Dass also identified five others -- Nalbari Congress vice president Sarat Kalita, general secretary Lutfur Rahman, spokesperson Khanin Lahkar, Nalbari Youth Congress president Gyandeep Kalita, and general secretary Moidul Islam -- among the protestors. "The Congress workers had come with sticks and stones and attacked the AASU activists. The AASU will never protest with sticks. It was Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chandra Mohan Patowary who controlled the situation from getting out of control," he claimed. He urged the district administration and AASU to investigate into the incident. BJP workers and AASU activists had allegedly clashed when the students' organisations were protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill during a bike rally taken out by the saffron party workers to escort Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary who had gone to Nalbari for the foundation stone laying of a hospital by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. AASU, however, has alleged that its members were stopped and attacked by the BJP workers with sticks and stones and carried the violence to the police station too. The AASU, which had yesterday staged 'black flag' protests across Assam against the alleged attack, today blocked the National Highways across the state for one hour against the "autocracy of the BJP government" and demanding punishment for the guilty. Thousands of AASU members waving flags and banners staged demonstrations and blocked National Highways across the state. They also blocked NH-37 at Basishtha Chariali in Guwahati. AASUs chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya told reporters that both the state government and the ruling BJP would have to pay dearly for trying to dominate a democratic movement forcefully. Meanwhile, on the citizenship bill, the BJP state chief appealed the public, irrespective of language, religion and ethnicity, not to get emotional but analyse the bill and understand what it is and what will be its impact. "AASU has the right to protest against the bill as they were involved in the Assam movement. But others are creating unrest by talking about Assam's separation from India and creating a French Revolution-like situation," Dass said. "The Citizenship Bill is for the entire country. The Lok Sabha passed it. Now, it is in Rajya Sabha with the Opposition there against it. BJP wants the bill to be an Act which has been amended only to reduce the stay in India for obtaining Indian citizenship to six years from the existing 12 years," he said. The controversial bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Army has joined the multi-agency operations to search for the remaining 13 miners trapped inside a 370-foot-deep coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, officials said on Tuesday. "The Indian Navy had requested the Army to assist in rescue operations by providing administrative support and it has now set up camps at the site," defence spokesperson Ratnakar Singh told PTI. An Army team comprising about 20-25 members has been deployed to support the Navy, he said. "This is only administrative support to the Navy in case need be, for efficient, smooth and round-the-clock operations," Singh added. Nearly 200 rescue personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Navy, Odisha Fire Service and state agencies are involved in the search-and-rescue operation. Although two decomposed bodies of the miners have been found over 200 feet away from the bottom of the main shaft, only one of them could be pulled out and was handed over to family members in Assam. Efforts are underway to retrieve the remains of the second miner, but the operation is taking longer as there are many obstacles like the turbidity of water, the officials said. On December 13, water from the nearby Lytein River flooded a network of tunnels in the illegal rat-hole coal mine in Lumthari village of East Jaintia Hills, trapping the 15 men and prompting the multiple-agency rescue attempt. The owner of the mine, Krip Chullet, was arrested from his home on December 14. His accomplices are on the run. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Apurva Asrani has lashed out against Kangana Ranaut following credit controversy that has erupted after "Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi" director Krish claimed that the actor 'hijacked' the period drama. In 2017, Asrani accused Ranaut of discrediting his work on "Simran" and debunked her claim of converting the movie from "one line screenplay to a full-fledged story". Two years and a war of words later, the writer-editor has supported Krish, who has broken silence on his exit from the Rani Lakshmibai biopic, starring Ranaut. The actor, who turned director with "Manikarnika", claimed that she stepped in to fill Krish's shoes after he was unavailable to re-shoot a chunk of the project. But the director rubbished the claims, saying they together started and shot the film. He even said that the entire process of the film was done in poor taste. In a series of tweets, Asrani said "Manikarnika" had unfortunately gone the "Simran" way. The writer warned the director how he will be targeted by Ranaut for speaking up. "What's going to hurt more brother Krish is that she will run a vicious smear campaign to destroy your credibility. "And worse, a large section of the media, especially the pseudo feminists, will ignore your story like they did when Ketan Mehta and then I claimed she hijacked our films. Sad," Asrani wrote on Twitter. The scribe also shared some snippets of Krish's interview and recalled how Ranaut conspired with the producer to remove him from "Simran". "Director #Krish exposes how #KanganaRanaut hijacked #Manikarnika. This is exactly what she did on 'Simran' too. "Waited for me to complete the cut (minus patchwork), told me how much she loved it, then had me thrown out by colluding with producer - before she went onto screw up the film," he recounted. Krish, in media interviews, has claimed that parts of other actors such as Atul Kulkarni, who plays Tantya Tope in the film, were chopped off to make the movie a one-person show. Asrani said, watching Krish speak was a "painful, yet cathartic" experience because he had gone through something similar. "I wrote #Simran with a passion similar to the man in the video (Krish). But an insecure #KanganaRanaut started deleting other actors lines on set and made it about her. Krish explains in frustration how she cut out historical characters from #Manikarnika too," Asrani added. The writer-editor also called out his previous frequent collaborator, "Simran" director Hansal Mehta and blamed him along with Ranaut for allegedly triggering his Bell's Palsy last year. "Hansal Mehta, THIS is the mindf**k you and Kangana put me through on Simran which led me to a breakdown. If you had the courage to stand up then, we could have weathered many more storms together. "I salute Krish's courage and goodness, especially when he talks of his team. #catharsis," he said. Director-producer Pooja Bhatt also came to Krish's defence on the credit row. "This is so wrong... On every level... This is not the industry I was born to and not the industry I wish to inherit. Eventually it is credit we work for... Money comes and money goes... The first rule of filmmaking is to acknowledge people's contribution," she wrote on Twitter. To this Asrani replied, "Thankyou for finally acknowledging this. I had yearned for your support when she did this to me two years ago too. But still, I'm happy to see this condemnation from you." Bhatt went on to apologise for if she came across as "being reticent". "The details of that situation,even though spelt out by all seemed murky to me which is why I didn't jump in. Though I always maintained that Hansal's silence felt odd and rather unjust," she added. Asrani responded to her, claiming even he was duped by Ranaut's behaviour initially. "Her game is brutal. She first plays the victim & wins your trust. You give your all, sacrifice all other work, because she seems lovely. Then when you're ready with a film you nurtured/created, she has you thrown out. Then she uses the press & trolls to character assassinate you," he said. Meanwhile, lyricist-dialogue writer of "Manikarnika", Prasoon Joshi praised Ranaut for "elevating the film to another level". "Kangana hasn't only given an outstanding performance she's also elevated the film to another level through her direction and commitment. Let not any controversy take that away from her. It's been a tough journey and am all for celebrating everyone's contribution. Here's to team #Manikarnika," Joshi tweeted. Ranaut, who is at the centre of the controversy, is yet to comment on Krish's remarks. The film, also starring Danny Denzongpa, Suresh Oberoi, Ankita Lokhande, released on January 25. (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 Tuesday said he will soon hold a one-day 'deeksha' (protest) in New Delhi "to fight the Centre and secure the rights of the state". During a teleconference meeting, the chief minister told TDP leaders that he will undertake a 'deeksha' in the national capital a day ahead of the Appropriation Bill is taken up in the Parliament. "Our fight will not stop till justice is done to AP. Our MPs are also relentlessly fighting in New Delhi," the TDP chief said. As the Budget, to be presented on February 1, would be the last for the current central government, Naidu said he would observe the deeksha in New Delhi. Stating that the Centre owed Rs 1.16 lakh crore to the state, Naidu directed state ministers to meet their Union counterparts and exert pressure on them to release funds. "We have written numerous letters to the Prime Minister but to no avail. We will fight it legally if they do not release funds," he said. The chief minister called for an all-party meeting here Wednesday to discuss ways to fight with the Centre on the state issues, particularly the implementation of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 and the promises made on the eve of state bifurcation in 2014. The chief minister indirectly extended support to the state-wide bandh called by the AP Pratyeka Hoda Sadhana Samiti on February 1. Meanwhile, former MP Undavalli Arun Kumar conducted an all-party meeting in Vijayawada Tuesday to mobilise support from across the political spectrum on the same issue. While ministers Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and Nakka Anand Babu attended as TDP representatives, the main opposition YSR Congress boycotted the meeting because of TDP's participation. Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, former judge of Supreme Court Justice Jasti Chelameswar, former chief secretary I Y R Krishna Rao, Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Tulasi Reddy and others attended. The CPM did not attend the meeting but CPI leaders were in attendance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mezzanine Debt Technical Review Completed Perth, Jan 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Altech Chemicals Limited (Altech/the Company) ( ASX:ATC ) ( FRA:A3Y ) is pleased to advise that the technical review of its Malaysian high purity alumina (HPA) project that was initiated by the proposed mezzanine debt provider has now concluded. Advisian, the mezzanine lender's technical advisor, conducted an extensive and thorough review of the Company's HPA project when responding to specific questions from the proposed mezzanine debt provider which has taken six months. After extensive analysis, test work/data review and discussions with Altech and SMS group representatives, Advisian has concluded with a positive report on the project's technical aspects and project flowsheet. The report concludes that the Company has suitable proposed mitigation steps to manage the identified technical risk areas and the report is currently been reviewed by the mezzanine debt provider.Highlights- Final mezzanine lender's technical advisor report issued- Extensive review of the HPA process including visit to SMS facility in Dusseldorf, Germany- Positive findings with satisfactory risk management- Mezzanine lender reviewing and to advise next stepsIn May 2018, Altech announced that it had received an indicative non-binding mezzanine debt term sheet for US$90 million from a global investment bank. The term sheet is indicative, non-binding and remains subject to amongst other things; technical review; investment committee approval; agreement on binding terms; and various approvals (including from the senior lender, boards and regulatory authorities). The potential mezzanine debt provider appointed the lender's technical advisor and work started in August 2018. A draft technical advisor's report was issued in October 2018. The draft was updated in mid-November 2018 following the provision of additional technical information and the clarification various matters raised in the draft report. In early December 2018 the remaining outstanding technical matters from the updated draft report were addressed during a meeting in Dusseldorf, Germany attended by representatives from SMS group (the appointed EPC contractor for construction of the HPA plant); m.Plan International (technical advisor for the senior lender KfW IPEX-Bank); and Altech.The final mezzanine lender's technical advisor report is positive and concludes that the Company has suitable proposed mitigation steps to manage the identified technical risk areas of its HPA project. Altech's HPA project has now been the subject of two detailed independent technical reviews, both of which have culminated in positive and satisfactory conclusions. The proposed mezzanine lender is reviewing technical advisor report thoroughly and will advise the Company of its next steps and timeline.About Altech Chemicals Ltd Altech Chemicals Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is aiming to become one of the world's leading suppliers of 99.99% (4N) high purity alumina (Al2O3) through the construction and operation of a 4,500tpa high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Johor, Malaysia. Feedstock for the plant will be sourced from the Company's 100%-owned kaolin deposit at Meckering, Western Australia and shipped to Malaysia. HPA is a high-value, high margin and highly demanded product as it is the critical ingredient required for the production of synthetic sapphire. Synthetic sapphire is used in the manufacture of substrates for LED lights, semiconductor wafers used in the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass used for wristwatch faces, optical windows and smartphone components. Increasingly HPA is used by lithium-ion battery manufacturers as the coating on the battery's separator, which improves performance, longevity and safety of the battery. With global HPA demand approximately 19,000t (2018), it is estimated that this demand will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% (2018-2028); by 2028 HPA market demand will be approximately 272,000t, driven by the increasing adoption of LEDs worldwide as well as the demand for HPA by lithium-ion battery manufacturers to serve the surging electric vehicle market. Oscar winner Angelina Jolie will be teaming up with writer-director Taylor Sheridan on his next "Those Who Wish Me Dead". The film has been penned by Sheridan, who made his directorial debut with critically acclaimed thriller "Wind River" in 2017. He is also known for writing the screenplays of Oscar nominated "Hell or High Water" and Denis Villeneuve's "Sicario". According to Variety, the new movie is set against a wildfire in the Montana wilderness. It follows a 14-year-old boy who witnesses a brutal murder. He is issued a false identity and hidden in a wilderness skills program for troubled teens while the killers are slaughtering anyone who gets in their way in a methodical quest to reach him. The project will be produced by BRON Studios and Film Rites. Production is expected to start in May, after Sheridan completes shooting the second season of Kevin Costner-starrer series "Yellowstone". Jolie, is currently working on "Maleficent 2", which is set to release in 2020. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what comes as a double New Year bonanza for artisans, railways has ordered all its zones to procure linen items from KVIC, days after instructions were issued to Varanasi and Raebareli to use terracotta kulhads from the government organisation in stations to serve tea and other items. Earlier this month, the railways had decided to use locally- produced, environment-savvy terracotta products manufactured by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) like kulhads, glasses and plates for serving catering items to passengers at these two railway stations. In an order issued on January 17 by the Railway Board, railways said that first priority for procurement of linen items - two bedsheets, pillow cover and face towel - should be given to KVIC and then to ACASH- Association of Corporations & Apex Societies of Handlooms. It also stated that only if these two bodies fail to meet the the requirements should the zonal railways approach open market. "Railways would not only give more works to the artisans associated with Khadi and Village Industries activities, but it would also pave way for the KVIC for more convergence with different ministries and public sector units. Orders from the railways will certainly create more employment and subsequently raise the income of the existing artisans," KVIC chairman Vinay Kumar Saxena said while thanking the Railway Ministry for the move. In January 2016, the railways had given an order of Rs 40 crore to the KVIC for the supply of six lakh bedsheets and eight lakh pillow covers. With these orders, the immediate supply order of Rs 25 crores before March 31 this year will be generated and from next year onwards KVIC will get orders worth Rs 100 crore, said Saxena. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) Tuesday appealed to Mukut Mithi, Rajya Sabha member from the state to express strong objections to the Citizenship Amendment Bill when it will be tabled in the Upper House by the BJP-led NDA government. Mithi is a Congress MP. In a letter to the lone Rajya Sabha MP of the state, the apex students body of the state urged him to pursue the concerns of the people of Arunachal Pradesh with other political parties and the Centre. While drawing the attention of the MP towards the sensitive issue, the students union stressed on the urgent need to rollback the bill and ensures its rejection in the Rajya Sabha as it is "unconstitutional, anti-tribal and anti Northeast." The union said the AAPSU under the aegis of the North East Students' Organization (NESO) along with the other constituent organizations have been rigorously protesting the Bill. The Citizenship Amendment Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Christians and Parsees who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 2.35 lakh voters cast their votes in Rajasthan's Ramgarh constituency, registering a voter turnout of 79.04 per cent, officials said Tuesday. The polling took place on Monday. "The final voter turnout in Ramgarh assembly constituency is 79.04 per cent," an election department official said here. The election in the constituency in Alwar district was deferred following the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh a few days before the December 7 assembly polls in the state. As many as 278 polling booths were set up in the constituency and more than 2,500 policemen were deployed for maintaining law and order. Twenty candidates, including two women, were in the fray. The result will be announced on January 31. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons have been arrested on charge of robbery in Shastri Nagar area of the city, police said Tuesday. The arrested were identified as Manish, Lokesh, Manoj and Santosh, officials said, adding two country-made pistols, cartridges and two knives were recovered from them. "Acting on a tip-off, a police team on Monday night intercepted a scooty and a motorcycle here. Even though the riders tried to escape, they were caught," said Superintendent of Police (SP), city, Shlok Kumar. During interrogation, the accused confessed to stealing the belongings of pedestrians in the area, he said. Three laptops and 19 mobile phones have been recovered from the group's leader Manish, he said. The four have a dozen of criminal cases booked against them, he said. They were sent to jail on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of a man bearing a gunshot injury was found inside a car in Begumpur area of Rohini district, following which two people were arrested for allegedly killing him, police said Tuesday. Police said they were informed about the body lying inside the car in sector 27 of Rohini on Monday night. An spent cartridge was found in the car, a senior police officer said. After conducting raids at specific locations, the accused were identified as Mangesh (24) and Dharmender (20) and the weapon used for commission of the crime was also recovered from them, he said. During interrogation, police learnt that the victim Shripal had borrowed Rs 12 lakh from the accused but was not returning it, the officer said. Enraged over this, the accused duo went along with the victim to the remote area and shot him, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 15th Finance Commission headed by its Chairman N K Singh, met with over 25 representatives of various Panchayati Raj Institutions here on Tuesday in its first meeting during the panel's four-day visit to Punjab. The panel members had detailed discussion with the representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and state government officials. They also met representatives of the Urban Local Bodies and various political parties, an official release said. During its meeting, Panchayati Raj Institutions' representatives sought financial aid for total facelift of villages and overall development of rural areas of the state. Principal Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayats Anurag Verma, Director of Rural Development and Panchayats Jaskiran Singh and representatives of villages including panches, sarpanches along with Block Samiti and Zila Parishad members were also present at the meeting. Underlining the need to further upgrade infrastructure in urban areas, representatives of Urban Local Bodies sought funds to provide hi-tech facilities in cities across the state. Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Aman Arora, SAD MLA Parminder Singh Dhindsa, BJP leader Subhash Sharma, were among the representatives of political parties who attended the meeting. Meanwhile, as per revenue sources of PRIs provided by the state, the revenue of Panchayats from its own taxes is almost negligible,around0.11 per cent of total revenue during 2011-12. This became nilafter2015-16, a separate official statement said. Non-tax revenue of Gram Panchayats also reduced from 26 per cent in 2011-12 to 19 per cent during 2016-17, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum (SPYF) spearheaded 10-day-long agitation seeking better medical infrastructure at the district hospital in West Sikkim was withdrawn on Tuesday. The stir, under which the youths were staging dharna at the East Sikkim District Collectorate premises since Thursday, was called off after some volunteers fell sick, SPYF Chief Convenor Prakash Sharma said. The SPYF have been demanding more manpower, appointment of radiologist at the hospital, among others. Over 100 volunteers of SPYF had called 'Gangtok Chalo' and trekked 110 km from Geyzing, the district headquarters of West Sikkim, to the state capital demanding better medical infrastructure at Gyalshing district hospital. The protesters had staged dharna initially at Titanic Park near the busy Mahatma Gandhi Marg before they were shifted by the local authorities to an area outside the district collectorate premises last week. Health Minister A K Ghatani, Secretary (Health) Vishal Chauhan and senior health department officials had held parleys with the protesting youths for the past several days, but no meeting ground could be worked out between the two sides, he said. "We decided to call off our dharna in view of the deteriorating health of our friends who have been staging sit-ins over the past 10 days," the SPYF Chief Convenor said. Their movement for quality health services as per Indian Public Health Standards ((IPHS) guidelines for all will, however, continue in future, he said. Sharma said that the outfit will launch state-wide movement soon seeming standard medical infrastructure at all government hospitals in Sikkim. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Youanmi Vanadium Project Positive Metallurgical Testwork Confirms Vanadium Leach Extractions up to 81.6% Achieved Vanadium Project Positive Metallurgical Test Results Perth, Jan 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Venus Metals ( ASX:VMC ) has received a further positive report from METS Engineering Group regarding additional sighter test work leaching of the vanadium oxide ores at the Company's Youanmi vanadium project. The testwork was designed to give further understanding of the metallurgical characterization of the vanadium oxide ores at Youanmi.SUMMARY RESULTSA composite sample (Composite 2) totalling some 48kg from five historical oxide diamond drill cores was prepared and utilized in this test work. METS report the following positive conclusions- The ore is amenable to beneficiation, recovering 80% of the vanadium and rejecting 40% of the mass (the beneficiation results have been previously reported in the ASX release dated 16th October 2018).- Vanadium extractions up to 81.6% using sulphuric acid from crushed oxide samples are technically achievable and indications are that results are repeatable.- These extractions are better than the results reported in the ASX release dated 5th September 2018 where initial sulphuric acid test leaching shows 67% vanadium extraction.- Multiple acid systems may be capable of enhancing these extractions.RECOMMENDATIONS FROM METS1. Based on the testwork results, further process development is progressing in order to determine the appropriate flowsheet to complete the scoping study.2. In light of the substantial increase in knowledge of the oxide vanadium deposit following the recently completed 139 hole, 5919m RC drill program, further testwork will be driven by a robust geo-metallurgical approach.3. This will involve linking of the geology and metallurgy together to optimize future testwork.4. The testwork will concentrating in particular on high grade sections of the deposit located in the top 30m.5. In excess of 100 tonnes of drill samples are now available for this test work.Commenting on the results, Mr Matt Hogan, MD of Venus metals said "The METS test work leaching results show that evaluation of our Vanadium project is proceeding as planned. Vanadium extractions in excess of 80% is great result. The next phase for the project will be the updated JORC resource following receipt of all assays. This is expected in February. Further test metallurgical test work can be planned once the JORC resource evaluation is completed".To view tables, please visit:About Venus Metals Corporation Limited Venus Metals Corporation Limited (ASX:VMC) is a West Australian based Company with a focus on gold and base metals exploration. The Company aims to increase shareholder value through targeted exploration success on its projects. The Company's major gold project is the Youanmi Gold Mine, located 500km north east of Perth. The Youanmi Gold Mine is now jointly owned by Venus Metals (30%) and Rox Resources Limited (70%) (OYG JV); Indicated and Inferred Resources of the mine exceed 1.2 million ounces of gold. Exciting new discoveries at the Youanmi Gold Mine have been made at the Grace prospect in footwall granites where very high grades of free milling gold have been intersected, including 25m @34.7g/t Au from 143m (RXRC 287) and 13m @60.49 g/t from 181m (RXRC 239). The Grace Prospect may substantially add to the Youanmi Gold Mine resources. Little hope should be placed on the reassuring words from the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation on the fruitful progress of talks between the US government and the Taliban in Doha. All indications suggest that it is the extremist outfit that holds all the cards principally because US President Donald Trump has openly revealed his desperation to withdraw troops from that country. The US is said to have agreed to the Talibans demand to withdraw foreign forces. In return, the Taliban has agreed not to host any international terrorist groups (Al Qaeda or ... The picturesque valley town of Paro, dotted with Bhutan's historical and sacred monasteries like Tiger's Nest that clings to a vertical rock cliff with a 200-foot majestic waterfall in its vicinity and wrapped in prayer flags fluttering with fresh cool breeze is far from the madding crowd - literally. Aptly called Shangri-La, it's the blissful place where Buddhist spirituality and its ancient culture still reign supreme amidst virgin nature with oxygen-rich gurgling streams flowing downstream. "Visiting Taktsang (also known as Tiger's Nest) and its nearby monasteries give me a feeling of a spiritual journey and helps me developing understanding about Buddhism," remarked Hong Kong resident Jeff Ho amidst chanting the 'Om Mani Padme Hum' religious prayer. Visiting this Himalayan kingdom -- a landlocked nation located in the eastern Himalayas between India and China, for the first time, he said this is a place where the spirituality and traditional culture were still prevalent. Taktsang Monastery is the place that every Bhutanese is expected to pay obeisance at least once in a lifetime. It was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, meditated in the 7th century. Legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for three years, three months, three days and three hours to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since and many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it. It is located 10 km north of Paro town at an altitude of some 10,000 feet above sea level. Reaching the monastery involves a steep trek that takes around three hours. Ahead of the monastery's entrance, one can notice crevices filled with Tzatzas or cones made from ash in memory of departed souls. The monastery's major reconstruction was completed in 2005 after a fire devastated its structure in 1998. Mobiles and cameras are not allowed inside the monastery that houses various Buddhist temples. Non-Bhutanese have to pay an entrance fee of Rs 500 per person at the base camp of the monastery. One can attend the summer festival of Haa and delve into the wonders of the ancient living culture of the Haaps (people from Haa). The festival highlights Shamanic rituals and other folk dances. Central Bhutan includes some of the most significant historical and religious sites, while Eastern Bhutan is one of the least explored regions of the kingdom and offers one of most authentic experiences for adventure-oriented tourists. Getting to Paro: Paro, Bhutan's only international airport, is connected by regular flights from New Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Bangkok. The Delhi-Paro flight takes less than two hours. Where to stay: Luxury and small hotels, guest houses and even homestays with local people. (Vishal Gulati can be reached at vishal.g@ians.in) --IANS vg/vm/am/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Polar Vortex will hit the US Midwest, which will cause extreme low temperatures that could shatter records and plunge much of the region into its deepest freeze in decades, according to forecasters. The Polar Vortex is a brutal mass of cold air within strong bands of circulating winds. It has spread southward from its normal location near the North Pole in recent weeks, bringing arctic to the middle of the US, The New York Times quoted the forecasters as saying on Monday. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared an emergency on Monday and told the National Guard to be ready to help. The University of Notre Dame announced it was closing its northern Indiana campus from Tuesday evening until Thursday afternoon. In Chicago, city leaders deployed buses as mobile warming centres and offered tips on how to thaw frozen pipes. Forecasters expect Wednesday's high temperature to be minus 25 degrees Celsius in Chicago and Minneapolis. If the forecast holds, that would be Chicago's lowest high temperature for a single day since officials began keeping records. "This is what you would expect when you get into central and northern Canada," said Brian Hurley, a National Service meteorologist. In Milwaukee, St. Paul and Minneapolis, public schools called off Monday classes. Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan sent most state workers home early. The Midwest region comprises Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttar Pradesh cabinet met at Prayagraj, the venue of the Kumbh, on Tuesday and cleared the decks to construct what is being touted as the world's longest highway -- the Ganga Expressway between Meerut and Prayagraj. At the meeting, held outside the state capital for only the second time in history, and chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was decided that the 600-km Expressway will be built at a cost of Rs 36,000 crore on a stretch of 6,556 hectares of land. The proposed Ganga Expressway will weave through Meerut-Amroha-Bulandshahr-Budaun-Shahjahanpur-Kannauj-Unnao-Rae Bareli-Pratapgarh and end at Prayagraj, earlier known as Allahabad. The cabinet also decided to make tax free the Bollywood film "Uri", based on the Indian Army's surgical strike on terror bases in Pakistan. Talking to reporters, the Chief Minister welcomed the move by the union government to move the Supreme Court seeking permission for revoking the status quo stay on the excess vacant land acquired around Ayodhya's disputed site, accompanied by a request to the court that this land be handed over to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. "We welcome this move by the Centre. We have all along been saying that we should get permission to use the undisputed land," the saffron-robed Chief Minister said. Before the cabinet meeting held at the sprawling tented complex on the banks of the holy trinity of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, Adityanath prayed at an iconic temple of Lord Hanuman where he was greeted by Narendra Giri, the priest. He took part in an 'aarti' and performed rituals. He and his Ministers then went to the Aksyavat tree and 'Saraswati Koop' inside the fort here. The first meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet away from Lucknow was held in 1962 in Nainital when Govind Vallabh Pant was the Chief Minister. Heavy security was enforced at the Kumbh for the high-profile visit and a vast area near the Sangam was declared out of bounds for pilgrims. A total of 28 Ministers took part in the cabinet meeting at the Integrated Control and Common Centre (ICCC), an official said. All of them are later set to take a holy dip in the Sangam as part of Kumbh festivities. --IANS md/mr/soni (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday condoled the demise of former Union Minister George Fernandes and said his life symbolized a constant struggle for preservation of the basic values of democracy. "I am pained to learn about the sad demise of veteran leader and distinguished parliamentarian George Fernandesji. His life symbolized constant struggle for preservation of the basic values that constitute the bedrock of our democracy," she said in her condolence message. Mahajan said that Fernandes was a firm believer in simple living and high thinking and was also a fiery trade union leader. "He was a strong votary of indestructible nature of civil liberties and always stood for the rights of the people. As a senior parliamentarian, he voiced the concerns and aspirations of the teeming masses on the floor of the House. "In his demise, India has lost one of her distinguished sons. I convey my condolences to the bereaved members of his family," she said. Fernandes (88), a long time socialist and trade unionist, died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. --IANS bns/oeb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Snowfall is not revelry all the time in the hills. It may be your nightmare also. For the four people from Delhi who got virtually trapped in a Chakrata hotel in Dehradun district following heavy snowfall last week, the ordeal is far from over. As the authorities pressed snow cutter machines and JCBs on Tuesday to remove the loads of snow that had lashed the area since last week, top police officials said they are putting in their best efforts to bring these tourists safely from Lokhandi Hotel in the Chakrata hills. Most of the area is covered with 4-5 feet of snow. When these tourists posted the video on the social media, their plight was palpable. "We are trapped here. We appeal to the authorities and CM to please provide help. There is shortage of food and water in this hotel. There is no electricity also," the trapped woman said on the social media. Anup Nayal, the local Station House Officer (SHO) who is supervising the snow-cutting operation, however, said he is hopeful that these four tourists, which include one woman and three men, would be rescued very soon. Meanwhile, the state disaster response force (SDRF) personnel rescued a group of 12 tourists on Monday evening from Harsil area of Uttarkashi district where they were trapped for the past few days due to snowfall. "All these 12 tourists were brought to Uttarkashi district headquarters yesterday," a top police official said. Efforts have also been launched to reopen all the blocked roads in the hills where scores of villages are still cut off due to heavy snowfall. "This is a very difficult task. But still we are making efforts to reopen all those roads which have been blocked due to snowfall," said a state government official. --IANS str/vsc/bg (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leading e-tailer Snapdeal on Tuesday supported the implementation of revised Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy on e-commerce from February 1. "Snapdeal supports the immediate implementation of the current FDI policy on e-commerce so that marketplaces are not misused to run inventory operations," Delhi-based Snapdeal told IANS in a statement here. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry on December 26 issued revised policy guidelines on FDI in e-commerce. The policy revision, which will be in force from February 1, dictates that e-commerce platforms providing a marketplace will not exercise control or ownership over the inventory. E-tail majors Flipkart and American online retailer Amazon's Indian arm, however, sought an extension on the implementation of the new norms, amid protesting voices from retail traders' bodies against granting the extension. "Government policy changes will have long-term implications in the evolution of the promising sector and the whole ecosystem," American retail giant Walmart-owned Flipkart told IANS through a statement earlier. The new norms also barred e-tail firms from allowing any company to sell its products exclusively on their e-commerce platforms alone. While Amazon India had said in a statement to IANS that "it has always operated in compliance with the laws of the land", it did not respond to queries on the changes it may have to make to its business model to suit the new norms. On the other hand, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has asserted that delaying the execution of the policy will allow the e-tailers to continue with their "dominance over retail trade". "The modus operandi of these e-commerce companies for seeking extension (on implementation of new FDI norms) is to keep delaying fair execution of the policy," CAIT wrote in a letter to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry this month. "They (e-commerce platforms) may continue with their sinister designs of operating all kinds of malpractice including predatory pricing, deep discounting and exclusivity, in order to ensure their control and dominance over retail trade and wipe out the competition," the letter said. The Ministry, however, has not indicated any possible extension of deadline to implement the new norms. --IANS bha/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The head of the UN children's fund on Tuesday visited Myanmar's volatile Rakhine state, a day after she urged the authorities to implement the recommendations of the panel headed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to resolve Rohingya crisis. Henrietta Fore, the Unicef Executive Director, became the first head of the UN children's fund to visit Myanmar in over 30 years. She visited a camp for displaced persons in Sittwe, Rakhine's capital, Efe news reported. Fore said the suggestions published in 2017 by the Annan-led commission would create the conditions for the safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees from neighbouring Bangladesh. "We urge that the necessary steps are taken to enable their safe, voluntary and dignified return to their homes, where their rights are respected and they can once again live peaceably with their neighbours," Fore said in an address at an event in Naypyidaw on the eve of her visit to Rakhine. Some 732,000 Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since August 2017 to escape a military crackdown, which the UN has denounced as "deliberate genocide" and "textbook ethnic cleansing". The Unicef head said thousands of children in Bangladeshi territory were living a "precarious and almost hopeless existence". The Annan-chaired advisory commission was set up in 2016 at the request of Myanmar's State Counsellor and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to seek solutions to the sectarian violence in Rakhine. The commission handed over its recommendations in August 2017, a day before an attack by Rohingya insurgents, to which the Myanmar Army responded with an offensive. Among the 88 recommendations made by Annan was the granting of citizenship to Rohingyas and allowing them freedom of movement which has not yet happened. "It means ensuring humanitarian access in all parts of the country, to provide vital life-saving assistance to every child -- health care, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and education... not only as a matter of their rights, but as a necessary pathway to a more peaceful and stable Myanmar," Fore said. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingyas as one of the nation's ethnic groups but considers them to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, subjecting them to various kinds of discrimination, including restrictions on freedom of movement. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi's rally on February 3 here will be attended by leaders of 'mahagatbandhan' (Grand Alliance) and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states. Bihar Congress President Madan Mohan Jha on Tuesday told the media here that leaders of the RJD, HAM and RLSP will attend the rally. He said the CPI, CPI-M and CPI-ML had also been invited to the rally. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the Bihar opposition leader, former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha President Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLSP chief and former Union Minister Upendar Kushwaha will attend the rally. --IANS ik/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi along with many others from across political lines paid homage to former Union Minister George Fernandes, who died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. Modi called the 88-year-old long-time socialist a "fiery trade union leader", who resisted the Emergency "tooth and nail", while Kovind described him as a "champion of democracy". The President said he was distressed to learn of Fernandes' death, who served India in many capacities, including as the Railway and Defence Minister. "He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him," the President's office tweeted. Modi said the former Minister represented the best of India's political leadership. "Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised," he said in a tweet. "Saddened by his passing away." The Prime Minister said the former Samata Party leader fought for justice, and could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings; a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong. He said Fernandes never deviated from his political ideology during his long years in public life. "He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace," Modi said. On Facebook, Gandhi said: "I am sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandesji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief." With the demise of Fernandes, India has lost a stalwart of its socialist movement, said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Twitter. "He led many labour movements and fought against the injustice towards them... May his soul rest in peace," he said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is the Janata Dal-United chief and has worked closely with Fernandes for three decades, described his death as the "loss of the tallest socialist leader". All official programmes of the Bihar Chief Minister were cancelled for the day. Former JD-U chief Sharad Yadav remembered Fernandes as "a rare leader, who fought for working people for years". West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee tweeted that she was "very saddened" at Fernandes passing away and recalled him as the "much admired trade unionist", whom she had known for decades. Other senior JD-U leaders K.C. Tayagi, party state president Vashist Narain Singh and former Minister Shayam Razak also condoled the death. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and had been out of the public eye. He was been bedridden for more than eight years, family sources said. Fernandes rose to political prominence when he led the Bombay Taxi Unions Association and defeated S.K. Patil, a Congress heavy-weight in the 1967 general election. A fire-brand and hardworking Fernandes, only 37 then, campaigned tirelessly, covering large swathes of the constituency with his workers getting a 48.5 per cent of the votes. Fernandes later joined the Janata Dal. He served as Railway Minister in the V.P. Singh government from 1989 to 1990. He was instrumental in setting up the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore and Bombay. In 1994, Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which later allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and served as the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for two terms, between 1998 and 2004. His term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil War and the Pokhran test. --IANS vsc-spk/in/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Next-generation, IP-based VSAT Platform to Deliver Advanced Performance and Management Capabilities. Completes 1,000-Site Managed Service Installation for Leading Provider of Midstream Energy Services New York, Jan 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Speedcast International Limited ( ASX:SDA ) ( OTCMKTS:SPPDF ), the world's most trusted provider of remote communication and IT solutions, announced the completion of a 1,000-site managed service VSAT network offering superior communications and remote SCADA capabilities for a leading North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Globecomm, Speedcast's recently completed acquisition, deployed this network, which spans 27 U.S. states and is managed from the primary network hub at Speedcast's teleport in Hauppauge, New York. Speedcast will provide network diversity services via a new hub located in Gulfdale, Texas."Speedcast is proud to be entrusted with the performance of this mission-critical network," said Keith Johnson, EVP of Energy for Speedcast. "The network supports the operational quality and safety of import/export terminals, processing plants, oil and gas storage and 50,000 miles of pipeline, and can scale for future growth. Our customer was looking for a partner with experience delivering similar solutions, strong operational and technical capabilities, and the ability to deliver significantly increased value."In deploying the network, Globecomm replaced older VSAT equipment at all 1,000 locations with state-of-the-art, software-defined equipment to take advantage of next generation VSAT platform advancements for providing more throughput, greater bit/Hz performance and higher data rates. Under the contract, Speedcast will also provide hosted hub services, satellite bandwidth, network management, field service, maintenance and 24-hour technical support.For more information about Speedcast, visit www.speedcast.com or contact marketing@speedcast.com.About Speedcast International Ltd Speedcast International Ltd (ASX:SDA) is the world's most trusted communications and IT services provider, delivering critical communications solutions to the Maritime, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, Government, and Enterprise sectors. With more satellite capacity than any other provider, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport network with direct access to public cloud platforms. The company also integrates differentiated technology offerings that provide smarter ways to communicate and distribute content, manage network and remote operations, protect and secure investments, and improve the crew and guest experience. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. Learn more at www.speedcast.com. South Korean automotive major Kia Motors on Tuesday commenced trial production at its India plant in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh with plans to commercially launch its first vehicle in the second-half of 2019. The company has invested $1 billion in the facility which has come up in Erramanchi village in Anantapur district, about 200 km from Bengaluru. Ancillary units have invested another $1 billion in two vendor parks in the region. The total investment of $2 billion is billed as one of the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country in automobile sector. The state-of-the-art facility, which has come up over 536 acres of land in a record time of 14 months, will manufacture 300,000 vehicles annually, with the bulk of the capacity catering to domestic market. Kia marked the start of trial operations with a launch ceremony at the Anantapur plant, in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and South Korean Ambassador Shin Bongkil, President & CEO of Kia Motors Corp Han-Woo Park and MD and CEO of Kia Motors India Kookhyun Shim. Kia Motors, the world's eighth-largest automaker, will start the manufacturing with SP2i, a SUV based on the Kia SP Concept, first showcased at India's Auto Expo 2018. "The SP2 is inspired by India and combines everything Indian customers need and desire in a car. We are confident that the SP2 will redefine the SUV segment in India with its futuristic design and competitive features and pricing," said Park. He said India would play a singularly important role in expanding Kia Motors' global footprint. "Commencing trial production is a significant moment that we have been preparing for, as we take on the challenges of future mobility across the country," he said. "Today, we officially begin our journey to become one of the top five automakers in India by 2021, with a new model that will appeal to forward-looking and outgoing Indian buyers," said Shim. Ambassador Bongkil hoped that Andhra Pradesh government's business-like approach and Kia plant would bring more Korean firms to the state. The Anantapur plant, Kia's 15th globally, will create over 3,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs. An integrated automotive production facility, it employs the latest production technologies, with more than 300 robots automating the press, body and paint shops The plant houses a five-acre training facility that offers a Basic Technical Course (BTC) in automobiles in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corp (APSSDC), helping develop manufacturing skills among young people. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu hoped that the plant would soon expand its installed capacity to 400,000 vehicles per annum. He said with the presence of Kia Motors and its ancillaries, the entire region from Anantapur towards Bengaluru would be developed into a strong economic hub. He hoped that the project will have a spin-off effect on the development of Andhra Pradesh, especially Anantapur as an automobile hub. The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh launched dedicated automobile and auto components policy in 2015 and during the last four-and-half years attracted committed investments of Rs 40,724 crore in the automobile sector. The investors include Kia, Isuzu, Hero, Ashok Leyland, Apollo Tyres and Bharat Forge. Kia also consolidated its Future Mobility Partnership with the government of Andhra Pradesh by handing over new Kia Soul EV (electric vehicle). The new EV is part of Kia's growing portfolio of advanced, eco-friendly power trains. --IANS ms/nir (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.) Income Tax (IT) officials on Tuesday searched the premises of popular retail outlets and real estate companies on the suspicion of tax evasion, said an official. According to an official, searches were conducted over 70 locations in Chennai and Coimbatore. Popular retail outlet Saravana Stores, and realty companies Lotus Group and G-Square were searched by the IT teams. The Tuesday's searches come after the massive search in the offices of well-known eatery chains early this month for suppression of income. --IANS vj/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Kyrgyzstan discussed expanding cooperation across multiple sectors during delegation-level talks led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Aidarbekov Chingiz Azamatovich here on Tuesday. "Detailed discussion on steps to expand cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, defence, capacity building, development assistance and people-to-people contacts," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Azamatovich arrived here on Sunday an a five-day visit to India. On Monday, he called on Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and addressed an India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum. Ties between India and the Central Asian nation have traditionally been warm and friendly. After the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic on August 31, 1991, India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations in March 1992; the resident mission of India was set up in May 1994. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kyrgyzstan in 2015, which was the first prime ministerial visit from India to that country after a gap of 20 years. Commercial ties between the two countries have been modest though, with bilateral trade heavily in India's favour. According to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry, the India-Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade stood at $24.98 million in 2016-17. India's exports to Kyrgyzstan was $22.66 million whereas Kyrgyz exports to India was $2.32 million. Apparel and clothing; leather goods; drugs and pharmaceuticals; fine chemicals; and tea are some of the important items in India's export basket to Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz exports items like raw hides, metalliferous ores and metal scrap to India. About 4,500 Indian students are studying medicine in various medical institutions in Kyrgyzstan. --IANS ab/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oscar-winning scriptwriter Alexander Dinelaris Jr, who is scouting for scriptwriters in collaboration with Bollywood actor Boman Irani, says India is a land that has many mythological stories to offer to the world. The writer visited India last week for the inauguration of Boman's production house Irani Movietone. They conducted a workshop with young scriptwriters and will be doing more programmes to teach the craft of scriptwriting to the budding talent. Boman said: "We are playing with the idea of taking six students/young writers from India to New York along with six writers from there and put all of them together in a writer's room, ask them to develop their script and exchange thoughts... It will somewhere change their view towards life, and storytelling in our Indian writers through the experience. "Then maybe next year, six international students can come to India and look for some beautiful stories in our country, which is culturally so rich," added the "3 Idiots" actor. Dinelaris said: "India is a land filled with stories. You see, in Hollywood films, we have so many stories that are based on superhero characters... We spend money on them, earn from them as well, but what are they (superhero characters)? "Those are mythical characters, right? India is a volcano of mythological stories I am sure it will be an eye-opener for many international students who are going to visit and exchange ideas." --IANS aru/rb/dc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government should encourage credit flow to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing incentives to the segment in the upcoming interim Budget, a report by Reliance Securities said on Tuesday. Among other incentives, the Budget should also provide interest subvention for lower amount MSME loans, it said. Noting that the likelihood of such an action by the government was "medium", the report said the impact of such a decision would be "positive". In a meeting here on Monday with public sector banks (PSBs), Finance Minister Piyush Goyal had asked them to increase their lending to MSMEs. The report by the brokerage arm of Reliance Capital also suggested that the Budget should propose measures by way of taxation to improve the inflow of deposits in the banking system. It said that there is a high likelihood of the government introducing a nationwide scheme for direct support to farmers in the interim Budget, in line with Telangana's Rythu Bandhu scheme. The report also said that the government should take forward the incentives for digitisation initiatives across a broader platform. On the automobile sector, the report suggested bringing down the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on vehicles to 18 per cent from the current 28 per cent. Urging concessions on hybrid and electric vehicles, Reliance Securities said the upcoming Budget should implement the long-delayed "Scrappage Scheme" which proposes incentivising the replacement of old vehicles. Noting that the government had budgeted Rs 207 billion (Rs 20,700 crore) for fuel subsidies in the current fiscal, the report said it expects a shortfall of Rs 148 billion (Rs 14,800 crore) on this count. "Shortfall amount will be likely rolled over to FY20 and will be paid in the first quarter FY20 (by June 2019)," it said. "In FY20, at $65/barrel and the Rupee at 71, we estimate government should budget fuel subsidy of Rs 306 billion (Rs 30,600 crore) (excluding FY19 shortfall)." Regarding the power sector, the report said the government should focus on completing the rural electrification projects. --IANS rrb-bc/oeb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday condoled the death of former Union Minister George Fernandes and said his passing away marks an end of an era. "Anguished to learn about the demise of George Fernandesji. His political persona left an indelible mark on several significant political events over decades. He also held several important ministerial portfolios in the Union cabinet over time," Shah tweeted. He said that Fernandes's stint in public office saw him make some defining changes, particularly in railways. "The most abiding memories of Fernandesji are those of his fierce opposition to the Emergency in 1975. He stood steadfastly to protect India's democratic values." Fernandes died on Tuesday after prolonged illness. He was 88. --IANS bns/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday reacted sharply to the Congress pledge to ensure minimum income for the poor and termed the announcement a "cruel joke" that has left the "entire nation stunned and suspicious". In a statement, the 63-year-old leader said the announcement by Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh on Monday was nothing short of a "cruel joke". While Congress governments spoke of 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty), the Modi government was fooling people by promising to bring back ill-gotten black money from foreign banks, she said. Accusing both the Congress and BJP of betraying the faith of the people, she said they had failed to solve the problems faced by the poor, farmers, women, youth and unemployed. The Congress and the BJP were "two sides of the same coin", she said. She said it would have been better for the Congress President that before announcing his party's 'minimum income for the poor' poll sop, he had initiated schemes in the governments run by his party in states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh which would have actually benefitted the poor and the marginalised. This, the Dalit leader said, would have infused faith among the people who might now think that these announcements were merely "hawa-hawai" (high talk). The four-time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also said that the 'Garibi Hatao' slogan coined by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi yielded poor results. Election promises made by both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), she said, had till now proved hollow and unrealistic. Suggesting that both these national parties should refrain from selling dreams to the poor, the BSP chief exhorted people to keep their eyes open and vote for a party that talks less and does more. "I appeal to the people of this country to vote for a party that does not believe in talking but acts and can control crime, maintain law and order and can work for the larger welfare of the people by taking historic steps," she said. --IANS md/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday alleged that the US was subjecting Chinese companies to "unjustified repression" in response to Washington's criminal charges against Huawei, accusing the tech giant of banking fraud, stealing trade secrets and evade economic sanctions on Iran. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Geng Shuang in a statement said China was very "concerned" about the criminal complaint filed by the US Department of Justice against Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou who was arrested and later released on bail in Canada, reports Efe news. Geng said Beijing had constantly required Chinese companies to carry out their economic activities abroad in compliance with the local laws. Geng said the US had been using public offices to discredit and punish Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their legitimate operations. He said there had been "powerful" efforts and political manipulations behind such tactics, and urged the US to end its "unjustified repression" of Chinese companies. The statement said China would "determinedly" defend the "legitimate" rights and interests of Chinese companies abroad. A pair of indictments, which were partly unsealed on Monday, come amid a broad and aggressive campaign by the US to try to thwart China's biggest telecom equipment maker. One indictment accuses Huawei trying for years to steal T-Mobile's proprietary phone testing technology while another one against Meng claim that Huawei defrauded four large banks into clearing transactions with Iran in violation of international sanctions through a subsidiary called Skycom. But the most serious new allegation in the indictment, which could have bearing on Meng's extradition proceeding, is the contention by federal prosecutors that Huawei sought to impede the investigation into the telecom company's attempt to evade economic sanctions on Iran by destroying or concealing evidence. The indictments come amid a diplomatic crisis between Washington and Beijing as the representatives of the two sides are set to meet later this week to discuss the resolution of the bilateral trade war. Huawei is yet to comment on the charges. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The central government has approved Rs 949.49-crore aid to drought-hit Karnataka, said Union Minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh on Tuesday. "The central government has approved Rs 949.49-crore assistance to drought-hit Karnataka for Kharif 2018-19 season," Singh tweeted. Karnataka in October 2018 sought drought relief aid of Rs 2,434-crore to compensate for the crop losses in drought-hit districts. The state had pegged the losses incurred due to the drought situation in 100 sub-districts (taluks) in 24 of the state's 30 districts at Rs 16,500-crore and asked the central government for a relief of Rs 2,434 crore. A total of 26.18 lakh hectares of agricultural area and 1.94 lakh hectares of horticulture area have suffered more than 33 per cent crop loss, the state earlier said. Several districts, particularly the northern and north interior regions, have been reeling under drought due to scanty rainfall. Karnataka is estimated to have suffered Rs 20,000 crore loss due to floods and drought since last year, according to the Revenue Department. "The prevailing condition is unprecedented as the state was affected by floods (in August 2018) and is facing acute drought conditions during kharif and rabi seasons, impacting the state's economy," the Revenue Department said earlier. --IANS bha/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Celebrate your childs little achievements, even a marginal increase in his percentage, and dont use their report cards as your visiting cards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised parents on Tuesday. His comments came during an interaction with students and their guardians at an event 'Pareeksha Pe Charcha' here. Parents should stop using their children's report card as their own "visiting cards" at social gatherings because it leads to undue pressure on the child, Modi said, adding that one should not link one's child's academic performance to one's social standing. He advised the students to gather knowledge, and their marks would automatically improve. Trying to dispel their fear of examinations, Modi said: "Exams are not bad as they help you to test your own capacity, capability." Time management is most essential. "Utilise it to the maximum and do not waste it," he said. "If someone says he doesn't have time, it means he does not know how to manage his time because everybody, rich or poor, has the same 24 hours in a day. They say time is money. We must resolve not to waste it," Modi said. He asked the students to listen attentively to parents and not react immediately to their advice. Parents, in turn, should always hold the child's hand as they did when he/she was small, he said. On children's obsession with online games, Modi said they should not be discouraged from using technology because it would be counter productive. However, he underlined the fact that children should be encouraged to play in the open amid nature. The Prime Minister said that students must be clear about what they want to become or achieve in life, and not just take admission in any course or college. "If that happens the graduate-making factories will keep producing graduates who would not know what to do with their lives," he said. --IANS mak/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reserves Increase by 34% to 10.35MT Covering 10 Years Sydney, Jan 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Directors of Hastings Technology Metals Limited ( ASX:HAS ) are pleased to announce a further increase in the Probable Ore Reserves at the Yangibana Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. Total Probable Ore Reserves have increased to 10.35 million tonnes at 1.22%TREO including 0.43%Nd2O3+Pr6O11, a 34% increase on the figures established in July 2018, as reported in the ASX release entitled "50% Increase In Ore Reserves At Yangibana Project to 7.74 Million Tonnes" dated 31st July 2018.- Probable Ore Reserves increase 34% to 10.35 million tonnes at 1.22%TREO including 0.43%Nd2O3+Pr6O11- Updated Ore Reserve extends mine life by 3 years, supporting a +10-year operational life for the Project- Updated Ore Reserve increases project NPV to AUD516M confirming outstanding project economics- Includes the first Ore Reserves from joint venture groundProbable Ore ReservesBased on Pre-Feasibility level studies (PFS) information and recent geological, geotechnical, metallurgical and environmental work, independent consultants Snowden Mining Industry Consultants (Snowden) has completed an updated mining reserve estimate based on Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources at each of Bald Hill, Fraser's, Auer, Auer North, Yangibana, Yangibana West and Yangibana North deposits. This mining reserve estimate used Whittle pit optimisation software to maximise ore recovery using conventional drill and blast, load and haul mining methods.Modifying Factors used to estimate the new Ore Reserves are provided in the Table 1 Section 4 of the JORC Code (2012) at the end of this announcement (see link below).The bulk of the near surface mineralisation (at least to 100m vertical depth) is hosted by iron oxides and hydroxides termed ironstone, being the alteration products of the primary hosts ferro carbonatite and phoscorite intrusive veins. The main rare earths-bearing mineral is monazite which itself has locally undergone alteration at shallow depths (to 25m depth) to its hydrous equivalent rhabdophane and to rare earths-bearing Al-phosphates such as florencite.The seven deposits considered in this new mining plan have different degrees of weathering with each of the deposits hosted by:- An upper horizon comprising saprolite that does not require blasting,- A transition zone of decreasing alteration that will require blasting, and- Deeper, fresh granite that will require blasting.The deposits occur in a range of dips as shown in Table 1(see link below), with Fraser's having the most extreme variation from 5o towards its north-eastern end to 65o at its south-western end.Average true thickness varies from 2.2m to 3.5m throughout the Ore Reserve deposits although locally true thicknesses in excess of 20m occur.To view the release with tables and figures, please visit:About Hastings Technology Metals Ltd Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:HAS) (FRA:5AM) is advancing its Yangibana Rare Earths Project in the Upper Gascoyne Region of Western Australia towards production. The proposed beneficiation and hydro metallurgy processing plant will treat rare earths deposits, predominantly monazite, hosting high neodymium and praseodymium contents to produce a mixed rare earths carbonate that will be further refined into individual rare earth oxides at processing plants overseas. Neodymium and praseodymium are vital components in the manufacture of permanent magnets which is used in a wide and expanding range of advanced and high-tech products including electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, medical applications and others. Hastings aims to become the next significant producer of neodymium and praseodymium outside of China. Hastings holds 100% interest in the most significant deposits within the overall project, and 70% interest in additional deposits that will be developed at a later date, all held under Mining Leases. Numerous prospects have been identified warranting detailed exploration to further extend the life of the project. Brockman Project The Brockman deposit, near Halls Creek in Western Australia, contains JORC Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources, estimated using the guidelines of JORC Code (2012 Edition). The Company is also progressing a Mining Lease application over the Brockman Rare Earths and Rare Metals Project. Hastings aims to capitalise on the strong demand for critical rare earths created by the expanding demand for new technology products. Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) on Tuesday launched a first of its kind "Digital Acceleration Centre" here for MTU Friedrichshafen -- a core unit of Rolls-Royce Power Systems -- that will help the company to address the market with speed, agility and scalability. The centre supports a hiring capacity of 150 people for high tech jobs. It works on high end technology capabilities as Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud connectivity and UX. Digital apps are developed on IoT platforms which enable seamless data exchange. "In our MTU digital journey Bosch is one of our most important strategic partners. Bosch is supporting us across our digital challenges -- in IT, IoT and the development of applications," Jurgen Winterholler, Vice President Digital Solutions at MTU, said in a statement. Apps developed here are based on micro services architecture, which is absolutely state of the art, the company said. The vision of MTU -- one of the world's leading manufacturers of large diesel and gas engines -- is to create a human centred approach to delivering the best possible user experience, the company added. The centre's activities are two-fold -- explore and exploit. The explore mode will work on converting ideas to minimum viable product (MVP). The exploit mode will focus on scaling and industrialisation of digital solutions. "MTU is a pioneer in digital transformation and our collaboration will strengthen our engagement in sensors, software and services," said Vijay Ratnaparkhe, President and Managing Director, Robert Bosch. --IANS vc/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bihar government on Tuesday declared a two-day state mourning and cancelled all official functions following the death of former Union Minister George Fernandes. Fernandes, who had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease, died at a hospital in Delhi on Tuesday morning. "All the official meetings and functions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday have been cancelled, including the Vikas mission and a cabinet meeting," an official in the Chief Minister's office said. According to the official, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will head to the national capital on Wednesday to pay his last respects to the long-time socialist leader. The ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) flag is at half mast at the party headquarters here. Nitish Kumar, who worked closely with Fernandes for three decades, described his passing away as a "loss of the tallest socialist leader". Former Bihar Chief Minister and opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad also paid homage. --IANS ik/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Tuesday issued summons to journalist Priya Ramani in a defamation case filed by former Union Minister M.J. Akbar. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal asked Ramani to appear before the court on February 25, noting that the the allegations of sexual harassment by Ramani were prima facie defamatory and refers to complainant Akbar. "All that is necessary to take a prima facie view that the offence of defamation has been committed against the complainant, by the respondent Priya Ramani exists on record, and therefore there are sufficient grounds to proceed against her," the court said. "Accordingly, Priya Ramani is summoned for commission of offence of defamation under Section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code." Akbar has denied the allegations made against him said that they were false and imaginary. "These defamatory statements have been published, widely read and particularly by the witnesses examined who deposed that the reputation of the complainant was lowered," the court said. The court also said that at this stage, it only has the version of the complainant, who has on oath deposed that all the allegations made are false and further brought witnesses to vouch for his impeccable and unblemished reputation. The witnesses also proved that the reputation of the complainant was lowered in their eyes -- again an essential requirement of the offence of defamation. "A person cannot be defamed in his own eyes. A man's reputation is the estimate in which others holds him, not the good opinion which he has of himself," the court said. "There has to be other reasonable, prudent and right thinking members of society who say that the reputation of a person aggrieved is lowered in their estimation." Akbar's counsel and senior advocate Geeta Luthra and lawyer Sandeep Kapur told the court that Ramani had damaged Akbar's reputation which he had built over the years through hard work. The counsel argued that the allegations made in the article in Vogue and the subsequent tweets were defamatory on the face of it as Akbar has deposed that the allegations were false and imaginary. The counsel also submitted that the subsequent publications based on the Ramani allegations further aggravated defamation. The counsel argued that Ramani has herself admitted that she didn't name the complainant earlier as he didn't do anything to her. The counsel said then what was the basis for her to make such allegations which completely injured and demolished his reputation for eternity. Ramani was the first in a long list of women journalists to accuse the former Minister of State for External Affairs and journalist-turned-politician of sexual harassment. The statements of seven witnesses, including that of Akbar, who is now with the Bharatiya Janata Party, have been recorded. The Rajya Sabha member has denied all charges against him as "false, wild and baseless". --IANS akk/mr (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Strides Pharma Science announced that its step-down subsidiary Strides Pharma Global, has approved the sale of its entire Australian business (including Arrow). The Board of Directors of Strides have recommended this transaction. The transaction will be subject to shareholder approval of Strides and completion of the merger of Arrow and Apotex Australia. As part of the proposed transaction, Strides will enter into a 10-year preferred supplier contract with the merged entity while enabling Strides to retain ongoing earnings of 40%-50% of current EBITDA at Arrow and recoup all its investments in Australia. Strides will also retain access to the IP of 140 products in the Arrow portfolio. Deal Structure - Strides will sell its complete stake in Arrow to entities owned and operated by Dennis Bastas, Executive Chairman and Co-founder of Arrow. - Arrow will merge with Apotex to create the new entity - Arrotex - Strides will retain Portfolio IP and will enter into a ten-year preferred supply agreement with Arrotex - Strides to receive AUD 394 mn while Arrotex will pay-out AUD 39 mn minority interest. - Strides will receive AUD 300 mn as upfront payment at the closure of transaction while the balance AUD 94 mn to be deferred through a secured instrument. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Strides Pharma Science announced that the Board of Directors of Strides and its step down subsidiary Strides Pharma Global, Singapore have approved to convert their 50:50 JVs with Vivimed to 100% ownership. Consequently, Strides will acquire balance 50% stake in Vivimed Life Sciences, India and its step down subsidiary, Strides Pharma Global, Singapore will acquire the balance 50% stake in Strides Vivimed, Singapore to own and operate the erstwhile joint venture companies fully. Strides will acquire the remaining 50% stake in the JVCs for an aggregate consideration of Rs 75 crore which retains the entry valuation of Rs 150 crore for the JVCs. In May 2017, Strides entered into an arrangement with Vivimed Labs to set up two Joint Ventures Companies (JVC) as under: Vivimed Life Sciences, India- A 50:50 JVC to own the USFDA approved formulations facility at Alathur, Chennai. Strides Vivimed, Singapore- A 50:50 JVC in Singapore entered into through Strides's subsidiary Strides Pharma Global Pte, Singapore to own specific approved ANDAs and product pipeline. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fresh selling derailed a brief intraday recovery in morning trade. At 10:23 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 41.07 points or 0.12% at 35,615.63. The Nifty 50 index was down 10.10 points or 0.09% at 10,651.45 Domestic stocks were trading lower in early trade on negative Asian stocks. Investors will focus on interim budget to be announced on Friday, 1 February 2019. The interim budget will be the last one presented by the current NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before the 2019 general elections in April. Trading could be volatile this week as traders roll over positions in the F&O segment from the near month January 2019 series to February 2019 series. The January 2019 F&O contracts expire on Thursday, 31 January 2019. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was down 0.16%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was down 0.11%. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was negative. On the BSE, 857 shares rose and 957 shares fell. A total of 86 shares were unchanged. Overseas, Asian shares edged lower on Tuesday as prospects for a long-awaited U.S-China trade deal was dealt another blow after the United States leveled sweeping criminal charges against China's telecom giant Huawei. The US Justice Department unsealed indictments against China's top telecom equipment maker, Huawei, accusing it of bank and wire fraud to evade Iran sanctions and conspiring to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile US Inc. US stocks closed lower Monday in the wake of disappointing earnings and Nvidia Corp. Investors turned cautious at the start of a busy week packed with earnings, economic data, a Federal Reserve meeting and a new round of U.S-China trade talks. On the data front, the Federal Reserve of Chicago's national activity index rose to 0.27 in December, up from 0.21 in November. Growth in Texas manufacturing activity accelerating in January, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. It's monthly manufacturing index rose from 7.3 to 14.5. Back home, Power Grid Corporation of India (down 1.52%), Infosys (down 1.2%), Reliance Industries (down 1.02%), HDFC Bank (down 0.44%) and Coal India (down 0.4%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (up 1.75%), Hero MotoCorp (up 1.43%), Tata Steel (up 1.23%), Bharti Airtel (up 1.12%) and Tata Motors (up 0.79%) edged higher from the Sensex pack. Bajaj Finance gained 1.29% ahead of its October-December 2018 quarterly result today, 29 January 2019. HCL Technologies lost 1.33% ahead of its October-December 2018 quarterly result today, 29 January 2019. Yes Bank fell 0.94%. A meeting of the Capital Raising Committee (CRC) to consider the exercise of certain rights available to Yes Bank under the terms and conditions of the medium term note programme set up for an amount of US$1 billion (the Medium Term Note Programme) would be on or after 31 January 2019. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 28 January 2019. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kyrgyzstan and India are considering establishment of joint financing mechanisms to accelerate two-way investment and trade in a range of areas including energy, IT, mining, textiles, education, medical and pharmaceutical sectors. This was indicated by the visiting Kyrgyzstan Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Chingiz Aidarbekov, while addressing the India-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum -From Intentions to Action - Only One Step', organised by FICCI, Government of India and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Aiderbekov said that Kyrgyzstan -India relations have risen to a new level. Yet the full potential is yet to be realised for which it was imperative to remove barriers to trade and investment. He said a special department on economic diplomacy had been set in the Kyrgyz Foreign Affairs Ministry and provinces were being encouraged to do the same. He said there was huge scope for investment from India in Kyrgyzstan's energy sector, especially in hydropower generation. Likewise, there was potential in mining and education, he added. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Final Payment from PlayUp Completed Sydney, Jan 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of The BetMakers Holdings Limited ( ASX:TBH ) ( OTCMKTS:TPBTF ) (the "Company") is pleased to confirm that it has received the final payment of $1 Million from PlayUp Australia Pty Limited for the purchase of TopBetta Pty Ltd and associated brands, including TopBetta and Mad Bookie.The Company has now received in full $6 Million for the sale of the assets.About Betmakers Technology Group Ltd Betmakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX:BET) (FRA:T07) is an ASX-listed holding company and a global provider of online wagering products and services to both wholesale and retail markets through its various wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company operates a retail wagering business, offering consumers wagering, fantasy tournament and content products and services. There is a huge untapped potential in the India - South Africa Partnership. This was stated by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India while addressing the India South Africa Business Forum which was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in cooperation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the Department of Trade and Industry, Republic of South Africa. It was in this context that the Prime Minister called upon Industry on both sides to work proactively to strengthen bilateral economic relations. According to the Prime Minister, Indian investment in South Africa had already crossed the USD 10 billion mark and was growing further. Some sectors which he felt had great potential for Indian companies included IT and ITeS, Renewable energy, Gems and Jewelry and skill development among others. He felt that South African companies could invest in sectors such as food and agriculture, mining, infrastructure development and Banking and insurance among others. He stated that the Government had undertaken a series of reforms to make ease of doing business in India easier. The Government had also launched several initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India, Digital India which has helped make India an attractive market. He invited South African companies to invest in India. He also welcomed the proposal to simplify and reform South African business visa regime. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Apollo Tyres Ltd is quoting at Rs 202.75, down 3.29% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The stock tumbled 21.55% in last one year as compared to a 4.2% slide in NIFTY and a 30.22% fall in the Nifty Auto index. Apollo Tyres Ltd dropped for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at 202.75, down 3.29% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.71% on the day, quoting at 10585.8. The Sensex is at 35414.46, down 0.68%.Apollo Tyres Ltd has eased around 14.07% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty Auto index of which Apollo Tyres Ltd is a constituent, has eased around 12.14% in last one month and is currently quoting at 8143, down 0.35% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 18.84 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 15.94 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark January futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 203.35, down 2.84% on the day. Apollo Tyres Ltd tumbled 21.55% in last one year as compared to a 4.2% slide in NIFTY and a 30.22% fall in the Nifty Auto index. The PE of the stock is 14.62 based on TTM earnings ending September 18. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Tuesday showed disagreement with the Centre's recent decision on giving 10 per cent reservation to economically weak section of general category in education and jobs. While speaking to ANI, Rajbhar gave an ultimatum to the government till February 24 to make amendments in its decision, failing which his political party will withdraw its support to BJP in Uttar Pradesh. "There are poor in every category, what about them? When will they (BJP) implement report on a division of reservation to backward classes? Will wait for the BJP to do the work till February 24 if they fail to do so, we will give divorce to the BJP," he said. A few weeks ago, Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati too stated that the reservation should also be extended to the poor, who belong to the various minority religious groups. "Reservation to the poor, tribals, Dalits should not be confined to the education sector or jobs but also other sectors in which till now it has not been introduced," she added. Mayawati also demanded that the Centre should chalk out a new reservation policy for the backwards and poor after taking note of their increasing population. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Local authorities have revealed that two suspects have died, while five police officers are wounded due to the exchange of gunfire at a residence on Hardy Street here on Monday. The shooting ensued after police officials served a search warrant for a house, out of which black tar heroin was allegedly being sold. Five police officers from the Narcotics division of the Houston Police Department have been wounded due to the "gun battle". "No officers have died," Chief of the Houston Police Department, Art Acevedo confirmed, adding that the wounded officers have been taken to the Memorial Hermann Medical Center. "Around 4:15 PM a Narcotics team of the Houston Police Department...tried to serve a search warrant on the location at Hardy Street. Immediately upon breaching the door, the officers came under fire from one or two suspects at the house," he said while mentioning that authorities were not sure about the number of suspects who fired at the officers. Out of the injured, four police officers were struck by gunfire, and one officer only sustained injuries. While one wounded officer will be discharged by Monday night (local time), two personnel who were shot in the neck have been taken for surgery and are in a critical but stable condition. The other two officers will be kept at the medical facility under observation for the next 24 hours and are expected to make a full recovery. "Two suspects were struck by returning gunfire by the Houston Police Department. They were pronounced dead at the scene. SWAT responded with other allied agencies," the police chief also announced. "This has been a tough day for our city. I encourage all Houstonians to pray for our police officers who were shot today. One will be discharged tonight, thank goodness. Pray for their families, too!" Sylvester Turner, the Mayor of Houston, Texas said at the press briefing. The Houston Fire Department immediately responded to the scene and helped in transporting the wounded officers to the medical facility. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States on Monday imposed sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA in a bid to cut off financial resources to President Nicolas Marudo and redirect them towards the country's self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido. "We have continued to expose the corruption of (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro and his cronies and today's action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people," Sputnik quoted National Security Advisor John Bolton saying in a White House press briefing on Monday. He further called on all "responsible nations" to recognise Guaido as the country's legitimate head of state, CNN reported. Bolton confirmed that Vice President Mike Pence plans to meet with Guaido's envoy to the United States soon. "The vice president has had several conversations with interim president Guaido, including the night before we granted recognition. He will be meeting with Guaido's ambassador here in the near future," the National Security Advisor said. In a separate statement, Bolton said he believes the Venezuelan military was looking for ways to support Guaido. The Donald Trump administration also announced that it will block assets worth USD 7 billion owned by PDVSA. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated that all purchases of Venezuelan oil made by US companies will be transferred into a blocked account. "The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline," he said during Monday's press briefing. On Monday, Guaido ordered to start reappointing the boards of directors of PDVSA oil and gas company and its subsidiary in the United States - Citgo. "To start the process of appointing the boards of directors of PDVSA and Citgo that will allow us to begin the process of recovery of our industry, which is now facing hard times. We make this decision to ensure that Citgo continues to be a Venezuelan company," Guaido said in a statement on Twitter. PDVSA employees, led by company's head Manuel Quevedo, have repeatedly expressed their support for Maduro. US officials said that the sanctions were imposed to prevent the Maduro government from syphoning funds from PDVSA. The situation in Venezuela, which has been struggling to overcome a political crisis amid the opposition's refusal to recognize last year's re-election of Maduro, significantly escalated on January 22 when the opposition-controlled National Assembly declared the president a usurper. The very next day, National Assembly Speaker Guaido proclaimed himself Venezuela's interim president. Maduro called the opposition leader a US officials' puppet and accused Washington of attempting to organize a coup in Venezuela, declaring the decision to cut off diplomatic ties with the country. While dozens of countries, mostly those in Latin America, have recognized Guaido as the acting Venezuelan president, Russia has reaffirmed its support for Maduro as the legitimately elected head of state. On Saturday, European powers such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom gave Maduro an ultimatum stating that they would recognize Guaido as interim president if new elections were not announced in Venezuela within eight days. Maduro, for his part, has rejected the ultimatum, saying that it ignored Venezuela's rights of a sovereign state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States on Monday (local time) filed criminal charges against Chinese telecommunications equipment company Huawei on grounds of stealing intellectual property. The filing of charges come two days ahead of a proposed meeting between officials from the US and China here regarding trade relations between the two countries. The US also formally placed a request for the extradition of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested in Vancouver in December in line with directions issued by the US. According to The Hill, Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said two separate grand juries in Seattle and New York returned indictments against affiliates, subsidiaries, and executives of Huawei. Apart from alleged theft of intellectual property, Whitaker said the Chinese conglomerate violated U.S. sanctions orders. Last week, Canada's ambassador to China John McCallum stepped down from his post over his remarks on the US' request to extradite Meng. McCullum's comments cast shadows of doubts over whether Canada was in opposition to the US' charges against Meng and if the Canadian government was sending different messages in Ottawa and Beijing. Meng was arrested on December 1 last year on alleged charges of violating the sanctions imposed by the US on Iran. She was later released on bail The Huawei CFO is slated to face court charges on February 6. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to surgical strikes and his address in Hindi at the UN General Assembly. "Pakistan attacked Uri by sending its terrorists. Within 10 days, Prime Minister Modi took the revenge through surgical strikes. This only he can do. The Congress can't do this. When Prime Minister Modi speaks in Hindi at the UN General Assembly, every Indian feels proud," said Shah, while addressing a rally here. Projecting BJP as the true custodian of marginalised sections of the society, he said: "BJP-led Central government is for the poor, tribal people and Dalits. Congress ruled India for decades but the poor did not get even basic amenities such as gas connections, medical benefits and electricity." "After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, many houses got LPG connections. We made toilets for eight crore houses and two crore electricity connections were given to the poor people," said the BJP chief. Shah also criticised Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for allegedly restricting the people from taking direct benefits of Central government's various welfare schemes. "In Odisha, the poor people are unable to benefit from the schemes of Central government due to the narrow mindset of the state government led by Naveen Patnaik. I want to ask the Chief Minister why poor people in the state are not getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat," he said. "The state government is afraid because if they will allow people to benefit from Ayushman Bharat, then Prime Minister Modi will become famous and the BJP's roots will get stronger. The Panchayat elections show that the next government will be made by BJP in the state," said Shah. Talking about how the BJP has been generous in giving funds to Odisha, Shah said: "In 13th Finance Commission, Congress gave around Rs 79,000 crore to the state. When the BJP came to power at the Centre, we gave Rs 2,11,510 crore for development works in Odisha as per the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission." "Apart from this, we also gave Rs 51,000 crore more. In total, we have given Rs 5,13,000 crore for Odisha's development. Has this money reached the villages in Odisha? Do you get electricity for 24 hours in your villages? Do you get drinking water from taps," he asked. Talking about the much-hyped grand alliance of opposition parties, BJP chief Shah said: "BJP is all set to contest the coming Lok Sabha election under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. We have more than 26 parties with us in the NDA. On the other hand, there is a grand alliance, which is fake. All these parties under Congress' leadership do not have even a leader and a positive agenda for development." In a bid to infuse confidence in the BJP workers, he said: "I want the party workers to go home today with the vision of creating a 'new Odisha' by taking motivation from Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das. Also, take the pledge that in the next Vidhan Sabha elections Odisha will get an Odia speaking Chief Minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has invited United States President Donald Trump to address the Joint Session of Congress on February 5. The invite from Pelosi came after Trump cancelled his State of Union address which was scheduled for Tuesday (local time). "When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this year's State of the Union address. In our conversation today, we agreed on February 5th. Therefore, I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber," read a statement posted on Pelosi's Twitter account. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With less than two months left for Class 10 and Class 12 exams, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0' on Tuesday, requested parents not to force children to "fulfil" their "unfulfilled" dreams. The interactive session with the Prime Minister was held at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi. While interacting with a cross-section of students, teachers and parents, Prime Minister Modi said: "I request parents, do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths. It is important to understand these positives of every child". He added, "I hope parents do not make the report card of their children their own visiting cards because if that is the aim then the expectations from children become unreal," he added. While answering a question asked by a mother about the negative effect of technology on studies, the Prime Minister said that technology should lead to the expansion of the mind. "I will not say exposure to technology is a bad thing for students. It is good that students are getting acquainted with new technology. Technology should lead to an expansion of the mind and as a means to innovate," he said. Prime Minister Modi, while talking about the pressure of result, said: "Exams are important in life, but one should not be stressed by it. Abhi nahi to kabhi nahi (if not now, it means never), should not be the only motto. Ask yourselves if this is an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class 10 or 12? Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce". "Society should be aspirational, not negative. If people have expectations from us, it shows that they have some trust in us. We have to make ourselves capable, not get bogged down by expectations. We must take it positively," emphasised Prime Minister Modi. Emphasising that time management is important, the Prime Minister said: "One thing that is most important for all of us is time management. Time is our own, and we decide what to do with our time and how to get things done. That is totally in your control. We all have the same 24 hours. But those who manage their time well set themselves apart. You have to prioritise from time to time. Those who master the art of time management seem to go through life effortlessly. Time management is the most important factor. If we have 10 things to do, sometimes we need to know which are the six or seven that need priority". A few days back, a 'Catchy Caption Contest' was also organised for students below 25 years of age including students between Class IX and XII, graduates and undergraduates. Unlike 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2018', this year only the selected students, parents and teachers who had won the contest interacted with Prime Minister Modi. At today's event, participants also included college students from 24 states and Union Territories, according to a statement of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. As many as 675 students from across the country have reached Delhi for the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sameer Mohammad, left, of USF and Kathryn Donadio of Modern Consulting 360 talk with guests at Synapse. Russell Haupert, Chief Information Officer/Director, City of Tampa. Charles Ramdatt with the City of Orlando at the Synapse Summit breakout session. Vik Bhide, Smart Mobility Manager, City of Tampa. As the Synapse 2019 conference took over downtown Tampa last week, among the 5,500 visitors networking on the latest technologies and trends were representatives from several communities around Florida sharing their experiences and perspectives on what it means to be a Smart City and how critical this effort is to serve residents and visitors in a rapidly changing world affected by climate change and population growth.What is a Smart City, anyway?Simply stated, a Smart City is one that uses technology -- from sensors to data and analytics and more -- to address the priorities and quality of life of its residents and visitors, striving toward automation and seamless services as much as possible. The definition varies slightly depending on who you talk to, and what it looks like is largely shaped by the personality, needs, and threats of a given city.The excitement and branding of the concept was helped considerably by the federal US Department of Transportations $50 million Smart City Challenge in 2016 that tasked mid-sized cities with developing ideas for an integrated, first-of-its-kind smart transportation system that would use data, applications, and technology to help people and goods move more quickly, cheaply, and efficiently.Columbus, OH won that challenge and quickly turned its $50 million in prize money to $500 million in investments thanks to a different kind of smarts: public-private partnerships. Cities around Florida and the country are watching and forging their own best-practices as they find common ground and work toward making their cities smarter.Not surprisingly, much of what Florida cities are looking at in terms of smart are transit-related. As populations -- and especially urban centers -- grow, solutions for mobility, parking, improved safety and the need to relieve traffic congestion and commutes are increasingly urgent.Nearly all of the cities that presented at Synapse have an eye toward autonomous vehicles playing an important role in future and continued ride-sharing to address these issues, but there is also a lot of talk about scooters and bicycles for the first and last mile, with several e-solutions regarding parking, pedestrians, and traffic rolling out as well.Water, energy, and public safety were also major themes. The dazzling possibilities of 5G, which will require the deployment of multiple small cell antennas to every city block for even speedier internet connectivity, is viewed as having a lot of potential in terms of synergies with transit including hyper-localized traffic monitoring and "vehicle-to-everything" connectivity for autonomous vehicles as well as with utilities.How are cities going to go about this? Most salient was the absolute necessity for collaboration both internally, within governmental departments, and externally -- public-private partnerships -- among the business community, academia, and utilities.Moving away from the siloed approach that government departments have traditionally followed, the trend is toward a shared vision for systems that give administrators the big picture type dashboard that allows an integrated approach, one that can be clearly articulated. To gain access to grants, for example, Russell Haupert, Chief Information Officer for the City of Tampa, says, They want to see a comprehensive effort from all of your departments and how that is going to directly affect your city or community.Here is a closer look at what Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are targeting for their Smart City initiatives.In a metropolis like Miami, a city of about 450,000 that triples daily with an additional 1 million business commuters, and where there continues to be a building frenzy, addressing parking and traffic is already complex.One step the city has taken is to create citizen-centric applications, digitizing more than 100 services that allow citizens and businesses to take care of city business without having to come into a city office. From comprehensive services that involve multiple departments like building and construction permitting to requesting free on-demand transportation services for the elderly, the services can be accessed directly from the citys new website, launched last week.But with the threat of king tides, rising sea level, and storm surges, its not hard to imagine how transit suddenly becomes a much more pressing matter.To address this, Kevin Burns CIO of the City of Miami, created a 3D mobile map app of the entire downtown area working with Esri, GIS mapping software. Originally designed to predict sea level rise, the tool has already proved useful in emergency hurricane situations, showing, for instance, during Hurricane Irma, what impact a 1- to 6-foot storm surge would have on a particular building, say, City Hall. (The building would be 3 feet underwater in a 6-foot storm surge.)My ultimate goal is to automate that tool -- turn it into an application that citizens or businesses can opt into, commented Burns. He envisions that the technology would then trigger signage to warn of possible king tides or when a storm is coming. He wants to take it a step further, and bring the insurance industry in. It will affect our code enforcement, building standards, and have a significant impact on Miamis waterfront community that may be a half mile further inland in the future from where it is today.Orlandos priorities are a bit different given the central Florida citys inland location and the influx of 72 million visitors who pop in on a yearly basis, particularly around the holidays.We have the largest hotel market in the world, and largest rental car market in the world, says Charles Ramdatt, Director of Smart Cities Orlando. And people with all kinds of driving habits! he adds laughing.A simple fix can have a big impact, he says, and gives the example of mobile parking meter alerts which were implemented in Orlando, despite initial resistance for fear of lost parking revenues. Parking fines went down, but revenues went up, simply because they are so much easier to pay and the enforcement process is more efficient.It doesnt have to be the latest technology from Silicon Valley, but it needs to be practical, says Ramdatt. He says cities need tothink about how to make your downtown or activity center more inviting, more welcoming so that the visitor and patron experience is colored by that wonderful experience at the beginning or at the end.Yet Orlando has a much broader approach to its concept of being a Smart City. Orlando is developing its Digital City Hall, too, yet its approach to the concept of Smart City is much broader. Mayor Buddy Dyers Green Works Orlando vision is to turn Orlando into one of the most environmentally friendly, socially inclusive, technology-enabled and economically vibrant communities in the world.And they have a ton going on, including - as a fun example - an initiative called Fleet Farming that converts front yards to tiny urban farms. Powered by bicycle, no less, and using drip irrigation, the system creates a huge water savings and provides healthy food to local restaurants and SNAP-accepting farmers markets. The pilot is being modeled around the country, with over 1,000 communities signed up.In order to sustain our long-term economic growth, we have to start looking at things more holistically -- green buildings, clean energy systems, local food systems, zero waste, clean water, multi-mobile transportation, and mobility, says Chris Castro, the City of Orlandos Chief Sustainability Officer, who also co-chairs the Smart ORL initiative. He says these verticals are components of their smart city efforts. Theres a natural alignment with sustainability and this concept of smart cities.Orlando passed a local ordinance that requires large buildings to publicly disclose their energy and water consumption, the first in Florida to do so. The city has also committed to transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, with all municipal operations by 2030.Millenials are very sensitive to these things, notes Ramdatt. This makes us a more competitive city, this is how we attract the creative class.City of Tampa Smart Mobility Manager Vik Bhide says transit -- in terms of safety and mobility, resilience, and congestion -- is at the top of the list in terms of Smart City priorities for Tampa. Coordinating activities as a region is key.The world knows us as Tampa Bay and yet we operate as two dozen different municipalities and counties, each providing services to our own geographic areas, says Bhide. To that end, Tampa Bay Smart Cities Alliance kicked off last year, bringing together Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough and the cities within in a public-private partnership that includes the Center for Urban Transportation at the University of South Florida, tech companies, developers, and the utilities, among many other private partners.The goal is to develop a loose framework to work in coordination for the deployment of smart city solutions, including transportation, energy infrastructure, health, and more. Bhide says they are starting with the user experience and working backward -- aiming at eliminating, for example, the need for multiple parking systems currently necessary for parking in St. Pete, Clearwater, and Tampa. They are also looking to develop a regional data platform to provide regional, open data to residents, entrepreneurs and the government to better develop services.In the meantime, Tampa was chosen by the USDOT as one of only three cities in the country to pilot connected vehicle technology, installing specialized technology into over 1,000 vehicles including buses, streetcars, and individual volunteer cars. The connected technology communicates between vehicles, traffic signals, crosswalks, and other sensor-enabled infrastructure, providing alerts and recording data.The Tampa Bay Area ranks among the top 10 most dangerous metros for pedestrians and bicyclists, so many believe this 18-month pilot may be part of the solution to mitigating this grim issue, while it also aims at preventing crashes, enhancing traffic flow, improving transit trip times, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.Another pilot, upcoming in downtown Tampa, is aimed at resiliency, especially critical after major weather events, like Hurricane Irma that left much of Tampa Bay powerless for days. At the corner of Morgan and Whiting solar panels will be installed later this year, that will provide energy continuously. In a storm or power-outage scenario, powering basic infrastructure like this, which would otherwise require police to direct traffic, immediately frees up important resources, reduces safety concerns, facilitates commerce and will likely generate cost savings through reduced energy consumption.But maybe the most exciting example of Smart City initiatives in Tampa is the new development taking place downtown along the waterfront between the Florida Aquarium and the Tampa Convention Center. Starting smart from the ground up, the ambitious 50+ acre Water Street Tampa development is slated to be the worlds first WELL-certified community, incorporating lifestyle experiences based on a connected, frictionless smart district foundation. In addition, it is designed to be LEED Neighborhood Development-certified.Not far from this site, a different demographic and perhaps a bit less glamorous, the Tampa Housing Authority already incorporates many of these same sustainable and smart cutting-edge initiatives, including LEED-certified buildings, energy-efficient centralized chiller plants, and solar technology into its affordable housing community at ENCORE! with other similar major projects in the works around Tampa.Smart! The video of a Chinese national being converted to Islam by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Minister Amjad Ali has taken the internet by storm in the country. The Chinese man, who now goes by the name of Abdullah, can be seen reciting the 'Kalima' after Ali in the video, which has been released by PTI's media cell in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. "Congratulations, you are a Muslim. Your name is Abdullah," Ali, who is Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Minister for Mines and Minerals, tells Abdullah in the video after the recitation. Ali first met the Chinese national in Guangzhou, when he had gone to visit the tomb of Sa'ad bin Abi Waqas, according to The Express Tribune. "He captured a few pictures with us and later we started talking. He was impressed and immediately asked us to convert him to Islam," the PTI minister remarked. Following the meeting, Abdullah reportedly travelled to Pakistan to learn the teachings of Islam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A police head constable was suspended for showering money on the girl students performing at a Republic Day function in a school here. Pramod Walke, who was in an inebriated state, came under the radar of the authorities after his shameful act was caught on camera in a school situated in Nagpur. The video is doing rounds on social media. In the video, Walke who was posted at Nand police chowki under Bhiwapur police station can be seen, in uniform, showering money on students performing to the song 'Aye watan tere liye'. The incident has come to light just days after the Supreme Court allowed dance bars to reopen in Mumbai -- but imposed regulations such as barring CCTV surveillance inside them. The judicature had stated that the performers could be tipped, but the guests are not allowed to shower them with cash. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking directions to the Centre and Delhi government to hold a SIT or CBI investigation under the supervision of the court into incidents of sexual abuse of children and nuns allegedly by Catholic clergies. The court said, "There are no specific allegations in the plea. We are not going to look into it. Kerala matter is before the Supreme Court". The plea had also sought directions to the Delhi Police to set up clergy abuse Hotline Number so that Catholic churches, sexually abused victims and survivors may come forward to seek justice by registering their grievance and any person may give leads/tips to the law enforcement agency. The plea also sought directions to churches (dioceses) in the capital and all over India to display the clergy abuse Hotline Number and email id for the victims. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi's Karkardooma court on Tuesday ordered further investigation in an FIR filed against All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi in the alleged hate speech delivered by him in 2014. The Court's direction came after Ajay Gautam, the main complainant filed a protest petition against the Delhi police's closure report. The complainant, in his petition, alleged that during the last three years, police never came to inquire or record a statement of him. He also claimed that police never conducted an investigation against the accused because of his high political influence. In 2015, the Delhi police, after the court direction, had registered the FIR against Owaisi for promoting enmity among religious groups among other sections in connection with an alleged hate speech which he delivered in 2014. The Delhi police had last year filed a closure or un-trace report in the FIR. In its closer report, the police stated that nothing could be found about the source or authenticity of the derogatory video and as a result of which it was not possible to collect any evidence against the proof warranting the filing of challan against him. The FIR against Owaisi was registered under Indian Penal Court sections of 120B (Criminal conspiracy), 153 (A) (promoting enmity between different groups), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) in addition with sections 66A, 66F and 67 of Information Technology act. The next hearing in the matter is likely to take place on March 26. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China World Hotel, Beijing, a landmark hotel in China's capital city, today unveiled 126 newly refurbished Horizon Club rooms and suites, after a much anticipated renovation that began in early 2016. The hotel is located in the heart of the China World Trade Centre, the focal point of Beijing's - Central District (CBD). The newly refurbished club rooms on Level 18 to 20 enjoy superb city views of the CBD skyline, the 3rd Ring Road, and Chang an Avenue. New multi-function rooms on Level 19 and 20, can now offer large delegations greater privacy and convenience. Guests staying on the Horizon Club floors will have exclusive access to the new club lounge on Level 3. This is in addition to enjoying exclusive privileges and benefits, such as a separate hotel entrance, a selection of revitalizing detox juices, daily American buffet breakfast and evening cocktails. From the iconic and timeless lobby, the discovery of the new icon begins. Detailed attention was dedicated to the elevators, resembling well-crafted walnut rooms, which brings guests to the Horizon Club floor lift lobby that is adorned with silk-panels in soothing champagne hue. In the well-lit ivory-tone corridor, the carpets are a symbolic representation of the hutong's grid map, with its texture and lines filled with water "wealth" in gold accents. The refurbished Horizon Club rooms and suites each come complete with classic royal furnishings; the silk gold accent feature-wall panels highlight the formal elegant proportion of the trimmings and layers of a palace's interior. All padded and buttery leather headboards give every guest a sense of comfort and luxury. An interior millwork of refined oak and walnut delivers a rich and classic sense of touch and is fundamental to the bespoke furniture used throughout the hotel and in the new rooms and club lounge. Central to the new design is the theme of enhancing"East meets West"ethos and to reflect a modern China of the 21st Century, while honouring Chinese heritage. Each of the specialty suites is paired with a bespoke contemporary and classically inspired furniture collection to showcase its character and charm - from AAA-grade Italian marble and granite table tops, hand-crafted antique brass and crystal light fixtures to the finest leather and rich-fabric-upholstered sofa and beds. Selected marble and mosaic in every Horizon Club room and suite incorporates advanced technology in bathroom equipment and amenities to ensure guests have a memorable stay experience. Essential conveniences include a multi-functional charger at the head of the bed and Bluetooth connectivity for music enjoyment. In addition, there is a menu for indoor fitness and relaxation equipment for the health conscious and electronic gadgets for the tech savvy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma appealed to the central government to look into the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bill keeping in mind the sentiments of the people of northeast India. He also said that parties have come together purely on the basis of issues and for the central government to realise these. "We are here to come together to appeal to the government that this issue must be looked at from point of view of sentiments of northeast and country as a whole. We will see future course of action as the time comes," said Sangma. Under the leadership of Sangma, who is also the president of the People's Party (NPP), the meeting was attended by 11 regional political parties from the North East including NEDA allies AGP, NPP, NDPP, UDP, JD(U), IPFT opposed the Bill today. The NPP, which convened the meeting, is BJP's partner in the ruling alliance in Meghalaya. While Sangma was the convener of the meeting, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) was the co-convener of the meeting. AGP had snapped ties with the BJP in Assam earlier this month over the Bill. On January 23, as many as 70 organisations, including Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), protested against the Bill in Guwahati. The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8. It will facilitate citizenship of six identified minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who came to India before 31 December 2014. The proposed amendment in the Bill will make these persecuted migrants eligible to apply for citizenship. Under the proposed amendment, the minimum residency period for citizenship is being reduced from the existing 12 years under the present law to seven years. However, citizenship will be given to them only after due scrutiny and recommendation of district authorities and the state government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday welcomed the Centre's move seeking permission from the Supreme Court for the release of excess land acquired around the disputed site in Ayodhya and be handed over to the Ramjanambhoomi Nyas. The Chief Minister said, "I welcome this move by the Centre. The Centre's application to start work on the non-disputed land is welcome." The Centre has sought direction to release 67 acres acquired land out of which 0.313 acres is disputed. The top court on Monday had cancelled the hearing in the Ayodhya title suit, which was slated for January 29 by a five-judge bench due to the unavailability of one of the judges, Justice SA Bobde. The apex court, on Friday, constituted a new five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Abdul Nazeer, Justice SA Bobde and Justice DY Chandrachud. 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Angelina Jolie is all set to star in Taylor Sheridan's chase thriller 'Those Who Wish Me Dead'. Produced by Bron Studios and Film Rites, Sheridan is adapting the script from Michael Koryta's 2014 novel of the same name, reported Variety. The novel follows a 14-year-old boy who witnesses a brutal murder, is issued a false identity and hidden in a wilderness skills program for troubled teens while the killers are slaughtering anyone who gets in their way in a methodical quest to reach him. While plot details and Jolie's character are still under wraps, the story is set against a wildlife in the Montana wilderness. Producers plan to shoot in May, after Sheridan completes the second season of his Kevin Costner series "Yellowstone." Notably, Jolie was last seen in 'By the Sea,' which she also directed. She's also starring in 'Maleficent II,' which is set to release in May 29, 2020. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will hold an all-party meeting on Wednesday over the non-issuance of 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh and incomplete implementation of AP Reorganisation Act. This development came to light after state Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with TDP leaders in this regard on Tuesday morning. "All the parties should come together in order to increase the pressure on Delhi and to safeguard the rights of 5 crores people of Andhra. TDP is fighting relentlessly against the Centre," he said. "Centre should at least give Rs. 1.16 lakh crores to the state for its development. Though we had written several letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he repeatedly neglected us. People of Madurai also protested against PM Modi by showing black shirts and flags, for his negligent attitude in connection with cyclone Gaja. We should now launch much severe protest for the injustice been done to our state," he added. In his concluding remark, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister reiterated that his political party will continue to fight with the Central government until their demands are met. The Andhra Pradesh and the Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget. Naidu alleged that the Central government ignored the demand of 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the allegations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee among others on Tuesday expressed grief over the demise of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. Fernandes passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88. He was the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Democratic Alliance (NDA) government when the Kargil War broke out between India and Pakistan in 1999, and India conducted its nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998. Besides that, he also held several ministerial portfolios including communications, industry and railways. "I'm sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandes. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief," Rahul Gandhi wrote on Facebook. Former Defence Minister and senior Congress party leader A K Antony also expressed grief over Fernandes' demise. "I would like to express my condolence on the sad demise of my old colleague George Fernandes. He was a very dynamic leader. I met him twice as Chief Minister of Kerala. Once I met him in 1977 when he was the Industries Minister in Morarji Desai cabinet. I asked him for the Malabar Cement factory in Palghar. We were political opponents. But without showing any kind of differences, he immediately contacted the offices and directed them to do the needful," Antony told ANI. "Second time I met him when he was the Defence Minister in Vajpayee-led government. I approached him to find a solution to this long pending dispute between Navy and Kerala government. He tried his best to find a solution to this problem. I remember his timely helps. After that, I became Defence Minister. I had the opportunity to meet Defence forces all over India. During my interactions, I realised he is one of the lauded and respected Defence Minister not only officials, but the jawans. He took personal interest for the welfare of the Defence forces," he added. Speaking to ANI, Nitin Gadkari said, "I offer condolences at his passing away. He committed his life to the country. He fought for justice for trade unions. I considered him as an icon." Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "George Fernandes served the nation in several capacities and held key portfolios like Defence and Railways at different times. He led many labour movements and fought against the injustice towards them. His tenure as Defence Minister was outstanding. May his soul rest in peace." Mamata Banerjee described the late leader as "much admired trade unionist". "I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers," she said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar described Fernandes as a "fiery trade union leader who fought for justice." Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said, "George Fernandez was a great leader. He is the one, who raised the voice of labourers in Parliament. He is one of the major leaders who built trade union movement in the country. He was elected nine times for Lok Sabha and gained fame as best Parliamentarian. George Fernandez is an example of simplicity and truthfulness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Myanmars ruling party clashed with military lawmakers on Tuesday as it proposed steps towards changing the constitution, its biggest challenge in nearly three years to the armys power over politics as enshrined in the charter. Military members of parliament, clad in green uniforms, rose to their feet and stood in silence as parliament voted to approve the first stage of a proposal to form a committee on amending the constitution. The proposal could foment tension between the army and Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD), who have been at ... Type address separated by commas Your Email: Last week President Trump announced that the United States would no longer recognize Nicholas Maduro as president of Venezuela and would recognize the head of its national assembly, Jose Guaido, as president instead. US thus openly backs regime change. But what has long been a dream of the neocons may well turn out to be a nightmare for President Trump. Why did Trump declare that the Venezuelan president was no longer the president? According to the State Department, the Administration was acting to help enforce the Venezuelan constitution. If only they were so eager to enforce our own Constitution! Its ironic that a president who has spent the first two years in office fighting charges that a foreign country meddled in the US elections would turn around and not only meddle in foreign elections but actually demand the right to name a foreign countrys president! How would we react if the Chinese and Russians decided that President Trump was not upholding the US Constitution and recognized Speaker Nancy Pelosi as US president instead? Even those who would like to see a change of government in Venezuela should reject any notion that the change must be helped by the United States. According to press reports, Vice President Mike Pence was so involved in internal Venezuelan affairs that he actually urged Guaido to name himself president and promised US support. This is not only foolish, it is very dangerous. A Venezuelan civil war would result in mass death and even more economic misery! Regime change has long been US policy for Venezuela. The US has been conducting economic warfare practically since Maduros predecessor, Hugo Chavez, was first elected in 1998. The goal of US sanctions and other economic measures against Venezuela (and other countries in Washingtons crosshairs) is to make life so miserable for average citizens that they rise up and overthrow their leaders. But of course once they do so they must replace those leaders with someone approved by Washington. Remember after the Arab Spring in Egypt when the people did rise up and overthrow their leader, but they then elected the wrong candidate. The army moved in and deposed the elected president and replaced him with a Washington-approved politician. Then-Secretary of State John Kerry called it restoring democracy. It is tragically comical that President Trump has named convicted criminal Elliot Abrams as his point person to restore democracy in Venezuela. Abrams played a key role in the Iran-Contra affair and went on to be one of the chief architects of the disastrous US invasion of Iraq in 2003. His role in helping promote the horrible violence in Latin America in the 1980s should disqualify him from ever holding public office again. Instead of this ham-fisted coup detat, a better policy for Venezuela these past 20 years would have been engagement and trade. If we truly believe in the superiority of a free market system we must also believe that we can only lead by example, not by forcing our system on others. Just four months ago President Trump said at the UN: I honor the right of every nation in this room to pursue its own customs, beliefs, and traditions. The United States will not tell you how to live or work or worship. We only ask that you honor our sovereignty in return. Sadly it seems that these were merely empty words. We know from Iraq, Libya, Syria, etc. that this will not end well for President Trump. Or for the United States. We must leave Venezuela alone! Copyright 2019 by RonPaul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.Please donate to the Ron Paul Institute Crisis-ridden Jet Airways was Tuesday forced to ground three of its Boeing 737 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals, leading to cancellation of around 20 domestic flights, according to sources. With three more planes taken out of operations, the number of aircraft on ground due to non-payment of lease rentals by the carrier now stand at six in the last two days, the source added. "Jet Airways has defaulted on aircraft lease rentals and it has been forced to ground three more narrow-body Boeing 737 planes," a source in the know of the development told ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Johnston was arrested on charges of 15 counts of use of electronic communication to procure a minor for a sex offense and three counts of use of a minor in a sexual performance. PHOTO:McCracken County Jail, courtesy Police: Man Traded Photos with North Dakota Teen By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A tip from a police agency 1,200 miles from Paducah led to the arrest of a man who sent sexually explicit photographs to a teen-aged girl.Paducah police detectives received information from authorities in Bismarck, North Dakota about Michael R. Johnston, a Paducah resident who reportedly was exchanging pornographic photographs with a 16-year-old girl from Bismarck.Detectives launched an investigation, and gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for Johnstons home. The search warrant was served Friday, and Johnston was arrested on charges of 15 counts of use of electronic communication to procure a minor for a sex offense and three counts of use of a minor in a sexual performance.Johnston was booked into McCracken County Regional Jail. Bryan, OH (43506) Today Partly cloudy with scattered strong storms developing during the afternoon. Storms could contain damaging winds. High 89F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Swiss watch exports rose to SFr21.2 billion for the whole of 2018, a rise of 6.3% compared to the previous year, according to trade body Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS). The positive performance for the year came despite a soft second half, with exports starting to weaken in September 2018. Because Switzerland produces primarily luxury watches, its timepiece exports are a proxy for the entire luxury watch market, so the numbers point to a slow start to 2019 for the industry at large. The three most important watch markets together accounting for over a third of exports grew in 2018, with Hong Kong up 19.1%, the United States up 8.2%, and China, 11.7%. But like the world as a whole, both Hong Kong and China saw exports dip in the second half. Exports to Hong Kong eked out a 0.5% rise in December, while in China they fell 10.1%. Europe fared poorly for 2018, with Swiss exports down 8.3% for the region, which includes Eastern Europe. Sales in key markets in Europe rely substantially on tourists, and because tourist numbers dipped in several major countries, sales were hit. The United Kingdom saw tourist arrivals fall in 2018 after a sharp rise in 2017 due to a sterling pound weakened by Brexit, and Swiss watch exports correspondingly fell 4.4% for the year. Though France gained 9.1%, growth went into reverse as 2018 came to a close, with December showing a sharp 11.6% drop, mainly due to the yellow vest protests that started in November. None of the industry insiders at the recent SIHH trade fair were bullish for the first half of 2019, with uncertainty being the primary sentiment. The export figures bear that out. Source: FHS 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? A tech company helping SMEs get access to funding has reached $100m in loans to small and medium business owners from online lenders. The news comes as Lending Express is also granted state permission to open for business in California. The group helps to facilitate loans between its panel of lenders and small businesses. If a small business is struggling to get funding Lending Express offers access to a financial profile called LendingScore. This profile gives the small business tips on how to improve its fundability and guides it to new funding opportunities. Since launching in October 2016, more than 110,000 small and medium business owners in the U.S. and Australia have registered on the Lending Express platform. This has enabled the businesses to access funding opportunities from online lenders, resulting in 6,387 loans matched at a total loan volume of $100m. Over the past 12 months, this represents a 406% increase in the number of loans, a 244% increase in loan volume, and a 196% increase in customers. Lending Express expects to increase their amount of US funding and customers by 50% and 40%, respectively, over the next quarter. Speaking to Australian Broker, CEO and co-founder Eden Amirav said, Thinking of such an amazing high number in such a short time makes everybody here super proud, because we really feel were having a positive impact on the economies in two of the biggest markets in the world. [Were] a start up and were only two years running, but its an amazing journey. I think as a start up you deal with a lot of challenges. Theres a lot of things on a day to day basis you deal with and its very easy to forget what were actually doing. We try here to remind ourselves on a daily basis that everything were building is money going out of the lenders to businesses to grow their business. And eventually it goes to consumers who use those business services. 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? An SME lender is celebrating research which shows it has contributed $3.65billion to the Australian economy and helped to maintain 52,500 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs. Prospa conducted research into the full economic impact of its lending to small businesses. The project considered the value of funds lent by Prospa over the period 2013 2018, assessing how funds have benefitted customers through increases in revenue and employment and the flow-on effects of these funds to the wider economy. It showed that for every $1m in lending there was a corresponding $4m increase in GDP. Twenty-six percent of customers asked in the project said they were unsure as to whether they would still be operating without their most recent loan. More than 80% of customers said they believed their most recent Prospa loan resulted in an increase in business revenue. Greg Moshal, co-founder and joint CEO of Prospa, said, This report reinforces how important it is for small businesses to be able to access funding, the significant role of Prospa in providing that funding, and the flow on impact on the wider Australian economy. We have always celebrated every individual customer as a success story. As the leader in online small business lending in Australia we wanted to quantify our overall impact. The results are greater than we had ever imagined and give us an immense sense of pride, both in Prospa and in our partner network who share our vision and values. Moshal said that brokers were having an impact by enabling them to support small businesses. Brokers are an invaluable part of Prospa and enable us to support as many small businesses as we can, he added. In providing their small business clients with fast, simple access to finance, they are directly contributing not just to their customers revenue and jobs, but to the wider Australian economy. Fellow co-founder and joint CEO, Beau Bertoli, added, This research tells us three things. Our lending is in demand, its helping small businesses grow and employ many thousands of Australians and it will have an even bigger impact as Australians increasingly become aware of alternative lenders. Our lending makes a difference and underscores the importance of the Federal Governments decision to make available $2 billion in loans for small businesses. These funds are critical to support the engine room of the Australian economy at a time when large banks are tightening their credit policies. Prospas contribution to has increased year-on-year as originations continue to grow. The value of Prospas GDP contribution in 2018 was $1.69b, 49% greater than its contribution in 2017, which in turn was more than double its contribution in 2016. The industry sectors where Prospas lending made the biggest impact in 2018 were hospitality, building and trade, manufacturing, retail, professional and other services. The survey found Prospa customers used an average of 32% of their most recent loan for working capital, 24% for purchasing inventory/stock and 12% to purchase additional hardware such as machinery and tools. 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? A mutual bank group has received a certification which could see it create billions of dollars of responsible investment. Teachers Mutual Bank Limited has become one of the first Australian banks to certify its retail deposits, mortgages and wholesale funding. The certification comes from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) and could generate more than $3.5billion of socially responsible investment for the bank by 2021. This certification will cover deposits and mortgages for all Teachers Mutual Bank Limited brands: Teachers Mutual Bank, UniBank, and Firefighters Mutual Bank. Steve James, CEO of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited, said, This announcement demonstrates Teachers Mutual Bank Limiteds determination to champion responsible investment. Were acting on our values and aligning our business practices with our members expectations. Were not a bank that has to be forced to do the right thing for our members by regulation, our members know we work for them alone. Thats the standard our community should expect of all banks. The bank estimates the certification will cover a cumulative $1.3b of retail mortgages and deposits in 2019, $1.9b in 2020, and $2.7b in 2021. Simon OConnor, CEO at RIAA, said, At a time when more and more consumers are wanting to ensure their banking and investments are managed ethically, RIAA Certification provides certainty that an organisation has reached high standards of disclosure and performance and confirms the authenticity of their commitment to responsible banking. We congratulate Teachers Mutual Bank on meeting these requirements and delivering ethical banking for their clients. The certification builds on the banks wholesale $1b Debt Issuance Programme which is an RIAA certified ethical investment. $500million of this investment was certified in June 2015 based on fossil fuel exclusions. This figure rose to $1b in 2018 with an additional $500m investment covering exclusions in alcohol, armaments, correctional facilities, gambling, gross environmental degradation, slavery, and other harmful activities. Combined, this is more than a $3.5billion socially responsible investment opportunity for the bank. The RIAA Certification for responsible investment products is effective as at 1 December 2018 and will cover all new mortgage products and deposits across Teachers Mutual Bank Limited. Caracas: The unusual arrival of a Russian passenger plane in Caracas has set social media abuzz with rumours about its mission after the Kremlin pledged to support its ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro against a US-backed effort to drive him from office. A Boeing 777X Credit:Boeing The Boeing 777, with space for some 400 passengers and belonging to Russia's Nordwind Airlines, was parked by a private corner of the airport after flying direct from Moscow, according to flight tracking data and Reuters photos. It was the first time it had made the route, the data showed. Neither Nordwind nor the Venezuelan government immediately responded to a request to comment on why the jet had flown to Caracas. Washington: The special counsel's Russia probe is "close to being completed," the acting Attorney-General said on Monday in the first official sign that the investigation may be wrapping up. Special counsel Robert Mueller. Credit:AP Acting Attorney-General Matthew Whitaker's comments were a departure for the Justice Department, which rarely comments on the state of the investigation into whether President Donald Trump's campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. "The investigation is, I think, close to being completed," Whitaker said on Monday at the end of an unrelated news conference in Washington. He said he had been "fully briefed" on the probe. Whitaker did not elaborate or give any timetable for the end of a nearly two- year investigation that has shadowed Trump's presidency. WekaIO, the innovation leader in high-performance, scalable file storage for data intensive applications, today announced that it has become a supporting organization of the MLPerf benchmark suite. Alongside companies like NVIDIA, NetApp and Qualcomm, WekaIO will contribute its expertise to efforts to define the machine learning (ML) benchmarks for the industry. MLPerf's objective is to build a common set of benchmarks that enables the ML field to measure system performance for both training and inference from mobile devices to cloud services. The organization is a consortium of researchers from prestigious universities in the United States along with leaders in ML such as Baidu, Intel, Google and others. The recently released MLPerf v0.5 benchmark is the industry's first objective performance test for training algorithms to perform tasks such as computer vision, language translation, personalized recommendations, and reinforcement learning. "We have demonstrated that WekaIO Matrix delivers superior performance benefits and is uniquely positioned to be the best storage solution for ML workloads," said Barbara Murphy, Vice President of Marketing at WekaIO. "Our customers are using Matrix to accelerate ML workloads at scale. Matrix is the only file system today that can keep GPUs and CPUs saturated with data, eliminating the IO constraints commonly associated with legacy storage systems. For successful ML outcomes, it's critical for organizations to consider the underlying storage infrastructure. So, we are honored to contribute our knowledge and proficiency to the MLPerf benchmark which, when established, will help organizations make better informed infrastructure decisions." In addition, WekaIO participates in the well-established SPEC SFS benchmark-a standard for high-performance computing (HPC) performance-and a proponent of the importance of delivering performance standards for the ML and HPC industry at large. London: Australia's ban on Huawei shows business can still be done with the emerging superpower, Australia's High Commissioner to Britain, George Brandis has told an audience in London. Australia's High Commissioner to the UK George Brandis. Credit:AP The former Attorney-General's comments to the Policy Institute at King's College were made just hours before officials in the United States Department of Justice announced charges of bank fraud, obstruction of justice and theft of technology were being filed against the Chinese company. The charges come on the back of increased tensions between the US and China over Huawei, which is progressively being banned or shunned by the Five Eyes countries, including Australia, amid concerns it could spy on behalf of the Chinese communist party. George Brandis said Australia's early decision to block Huawei had not led to any disruption to the trading relationship and showed Beijing's "pragmatism" in not allowing its "mercantile interests" to be "intruded upon" by geopolitical tensions in the Pacific. Thats what they should have learnt the last time Mr Yang disappeared, in 2011, and then reappeared after concerted international attention. Thats what they should have learnt when Mr Yangs teacher, the University of Technology Sydney professor Feng Chongyi, was released after a weeks extra-legal detention in 2017. Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, seeking to maintain ties only recently restored after 2018's diplomatic freeze, have so far sought to tread softly, calling for Mr Yang's detention to be handled "transparently and fairly" and urging others to "let the legal system in China play out". But as Malcolm Turnbull discovered in 2017 when he tried and failed to connect China's legal system with our own through ratification of an extradition treaty, there are limits to an approach that overlooks the role of the party-state in infringing human rights and oppressing those who stand up for them. Sooner or later, the Yang case will bring us to those limits, and once more we will face a choice between the principles that underpin our way of life and the perceived benefits of looking the other way. Senator Payne and Mr Pyne have sought to downplay suggestions that Mr Yang's detention is in any way connected to that of Canadian citizens held in China, yet in this situation as in so many others, we should approach China shoulder-to-shoulder with those of our allies facing similar challenges. The alternative - that other authoritarian regimes see what has been called "hostage diplomacy" as a viable option - is too awful to contemplate. As Mr Yang once told this newspaper, if democratic governments cannot fight to protect their own citizens, by pressuring Chinese officials to uphold their own laws, then what hope could Chinese citizens have? Beijing: China has accused the United States of using state power to "stifle the just and legitimate operations" of telecommunications giant Huawei afer FBI director Christopher Wray fronted the media to unveil the indictment against Huawei and its executive Meng Wanzhou. "We strongly urge the US to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. FBI director Christopher Wray speaks at a press conference announcing charges against Huawei. Credit:Bloomberg Meng is accused of bank fraud and wire fraud, while Huawei and a company alleged to be its subsidiary are accused of violating US sanctions on Iran. The indictment was made public by Wray and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross as Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived in Washington for tense trade talks. He was accompanied by a heavy-weight delegation including the governor of the People's Bank of China, Yi Gang. Apple has disabled its Group FaceTime feature in iPhones, after reports that users could initiate a FaceTime call and begin listening in on a recipient's audio without them picking up the call or knowing they were being monitored. The bug occurred after a user initiated a FaceTime video call with another iPhone or device running iOS and added themselves to the call while it was dialling, according to 9to5Mac, which first revealed the major privacy and security issue. This created a conference call that allowed the user to eavesdrop on the audio transmitted by the recipient. Group FaceTime has featured heavily in recent Apple ads, after being officially rolled out in October. It was subsequently found that video of a caller could also be secretly transmitted if the recipient pressed the power button or the volume controls on the device. "We're aware of this issue and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week," Apple said in a statement. "So state growth has recovered from tricky times amid the downturn in resource investment of just a few years ago." "Gas exports are leaping, and Sydney's stupid housing prices are underpinning a resurgence in population gains back above the national average," Deloitte says. Brisbane house prices have increased roughly 300 per cent in real terms since 1986. Credit:Robert Shakespeare Deloitte Access Economics' latest business outlook reveals things are looking up for the sunshine state. Sydney's "stupid housing prices" are driving people north and leading an economic boom in Queensland. It comes as Brisbane house prices have roughly quadrupled in real terms since 1986, second only to Sydney in terms of increases. Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the Deloitte report, from December, highlighted the wave of interstate migration, primarily from New South Wales. Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has welcomed the latest Deloitte report. Credit:Attila Csaszar "Sydneysiders are saying goodbye to NSW and hello to our sunshine state lifestyle and who can blame them?" she asked. "Queensland offers a more affordable and liveable lifestyle, incredible weather and booming new industries in research, LNG exports and renewables. The Palaszczuk government has been warned its proposal to make it easier for drivers stuck with "lemons" to take action against car sellers could stretch the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to breaking point. The government has proposed new laws that would raise the limit for motor vehicle claims in QCAT from $25,000 to $100,000, as part of its crackdown on "lemon" cars and caravans. Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts has called for more funding for the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, as a parliamentary committee considers "lemon laws". The changes would mean more drivers stuck with dodgy cars could avoid an expensive court process. The laws would also reinstate statutory warranties to older second-hand cars, meaning motor dealers would have to provide a warranty for cars more than 10 years old or that had clocked up more than 160,000 kilometres. Dinner with Rupert Murdoch has long been a rite of passage for Australian political leaders. But Opposition leader Bill Shorten has indicated he is not interested in a special meeting with the media mogul. Mr Shorten reportedly has a standing invitation to meet with Mr Murdoch if he is in the United States. But the Labor leader says he would prefer to meet with News Corp's Australia-based representatives. "News Limited [sic] and Mr Murdoch shouldn't take that as any view on him, in particular. I will deal with their local management, just as I deal with the local management of the ABC," Mr Shorten told the ABC's 7.30 program on Tuesday night. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has said he will not accept Rupert Murdoch's invitation to meet. Credit:AAP Former prime ministers Tony Abbott, Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd all met with Mr Murdoch in New York in a bid to encourage positive coverage of their governments. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not met Mr Murdoch during his five months in the job. Abbotts biggest asset in the Warringah contest is that constituents like him. No, not in the Kevin Rudd way where you like him before you meet him but not so much afterwards. Many think they dont like Abbott prior to meeting him but then shake their heads and say, "gee what a nice bloke". When Bill Shorten paid tribute to Abbott after he lost the top job in 2015 he said, "I wish to record that he had this frustrating ability on occasion, just when you were really frustrated with a particular decision he might have made, to do something unexpected and generous and personal". Everyone who knows Abbott knows Shortens description rings true. Someone is polling the electorate because mates tell me theyre getting calls but curiously the results havent been released. It likely means those who commissioned the poll didnt like the result. So all we have are a countless anecdotes which say, "Ive lived in Warringah all my life and hes (a) going to win easily or (b) going to lose easily. Betting markets agree its tight but "independent" is just in front. Loading Warringah has similarities with Wentworth but is far from a mirror image. Few tradies live in Wentworth but theyre everywhere in Warringah once you get over the Spit Bridge. More significantly byelection swings are typically far more pronounced than those in a general election and the circumstances of the Wentworth byelection made that swing particularly large. Unlike Turnbull, we can expect Morrison to throw punches in the campaign. When fear of Labors left-wing economic plan is pumped into the national debate that message will hit home in Warringah. In 2001 Abbott was considered to be in difficulty from an independent. Polls and the media said it was close and Abbott did poll a little less than usual but still won comfortably 55.5 per cent two-party preferred. Itll be tighter this time but he has an 11 per cent buffer and will win. At five foot two and 40 kilograms, Momena Shoma almost looked like a child in the dock of the Melbourne's Supreme Court. But in February last year, the Bangladeshi student executed a near-deadly attack on Roger Singaravelu as he napped in his home with his five-year-old daughter beside him. Shoma, 25, yelled Allahu Akbar in the name of Islamic State and plunged a 25-centimetre knife into Mr Singaravelus neck and shoulder with such force the blade broke in him. Momena Shoma leaves court after pleading guilty on terror charges. Credit:Jason South The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Sarah McNaughton, SC, said it was a heinous crime in which Mr Singaravelu was essentially picked at random. Melbourne is set to swelter through another scorcher less than a week after a stint of extreme heat left more than 200,000 Victorians without power. The mercury is expected to nudge 40 degrees on Wednesday, but the energy market operator says there is enough power in reserve to prevent blackouts. "There will be greater resources available to us," a spokesman for the Australian Energy Market Operator said. "We are also not anticipating the demand to reach the levels it did [on Friday]." Despite the relentless pace of disruption, the latest Dell Technologies Digital Transformation (DT) Index shows many businesses' digital transformation programs are still in their infancy. This is evidenced by the 78% of business leaders who admit digital transformation should be more widespread throughout their organization (US: 82%). More than half of businesses (51%) believe they'll struggle to meet changing customer demands within five years (US: 33%), and almost one in three (30%) still worry their organization will be left behind (US: 26%). Dell Technologies, in collaboration with Intel and Vanson Bourne, surveyed 4,600 business leaders (director to C-suite) from mid- to large-sized companies across the globe to score their organizations' transformation efforts. The study revealed that emerging markets are the most digitally mature, with India, Brazil and Thailand topping the global ranking. In contrast, developed markets are slipping behind: Japan, Denmark and France received the lowest digital maturity scores. The US came 15 places in front of Canada and 2 places behind Mexico in digital maturity scores. What's more, emerging markets are more confident in their ability to "disrupt rather than be disrupted" (53%), compared to just 40% in developed nations. Behind the curve The DT Index II builds on the first ever DT Index launched in 2016. The two-year comparison highlights that progress has been slow, with organizations struggling to keep up with the blistering pace of change. While the percentage of Digital Adopters has increased, there's been no progress at the top. Almost four in 10 (39%) businesses are still spread across the two least digitally mature groups on the benchmark (Digital Laggards and Digital Followers). "In the near future, every organization will need to be a digital organization, but our research indicates that the majority still have a long way to go," says Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies. "Organizations need to modernize their technology to participate in the unprecedented opportunity of digital transformation. The time to act is now." Barriers to transformation and confidence The findings also suggest business leaders are on the verge of a confidence crisis, with 91% held back by persistent barriers. The top five barriers to digital transformation success: Data privacy and security concerns (from 5th place in 2016) (2nd place in US) Lack of budget and resources Lack of the right in-house skill sets and expertise Regulation and legislative changes (from 9th place in 2016) Immature digital culture Almost half (49%) believe their organization will struggle to prove it's trustworthy within the next five years (US: 31%). Nearly a third (32%) don't trust their own organization to comply with regulations (such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation) (US: 25%). One in three don't trust their own organization to protect employee or customer data (US: 32%). Plans to realize their digital future Leaders have reported common priorities and investments to aid future transformation, including an increased focus on workforce, security and IT. Forty-six percent are developing in-house digital skills and talent, by teaching all employees how to code for instance, up from 27% in 2016 (US: 38%, from 31% in 2016). Top technology investments for the next one to three years: Cybersecurity Internet of Things technology Multi-cloud environment Artificial intelligence Compute centric approach How organizations fare in the future will depend on the steps they take today. For instance, Draper, a Dell Technologies customer, was traditionally focused on department of defense research but it's starting to move into more commercial areas such as biomedical science. "Technology enables us to keep solving the world's toughest problems; from the infrastructure and services that underpin our innovation, to the experimental technologies that we wield to prevent disease for instance," says Mike Crones, CIO, Draper. "We couldn't push boundaries, and call ourselves an engineering and research firm, without being a fully transformed and modern company from the inside out." A rabbi filmed as he was subjected to hateful and "vile" road rage abuse in Melbourne's south-east including being told he "should've died in Auschwitz". In the 20-second video, a middle-aged male passenger in a grey vehicle can be heard calling the rabbi a f---ing selfish c--- of a Jew as they sit stationary at a red light. Want me to get out and show you what Hitler did, no worries dickhead, the man can be heard yelling. You shouldve died in Auschwitz. In the background the female driver can be seen waving and smiling, with the verbal abuse seemingly sparked by the rabbi making a call on his mobile phone. Traffic has returned to normal after a truck rolled near Brisbane Airport, trapping the driving and bringing traffic to a standstill. Police closed Airport Drive after the 12.40pm crash at the intersection of East West Arterial Road and the Southern Cross Way but it was reopened about 4.30pm. EARLIER A major Brisbane arterial road has been closed after a truck rolled over, temporarily trapping the driver inside and causing major headaches for airport travellers. The truck rolled over at the intersection of Southern Cross Way and the East West Arterial Road in Hendra about 12.40pm on Tuesday, causing traffic to come to a standstill. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled the first part of his push to reduce road congestion in south-east Queensland, but the states premier says it is too little too late. Mr Morrison travelled to Brisbane on Monday to hold the first federal cabinet meeting of the year, before giving a speech to announce the first portion of a $243 million package to reduce congestion in the region. The projects announced were an upgrade of the intersection of Commercial Road and Doggett Street in Newstead, as well as upgrades of the Gympie Arterial Road, Ipswich Motorway and Mt Lindesay Highway corridors. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg during a cabinet meeting at the Parliamentary Offices in Brisbane. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Mr Morrison also announced upgrades to the park and ride facilities at the Mango Hill and Ferny Grove train stations. Queensland paramedic Craig McCulloch died when his ambulance crashed in wet conditions near Mackay on Monday. Credit:Queensland Ambulance Service The Queensland paramedic killed when his ambulance crashed as he raced to a critical medical emergency was an experienced officer who had a young family. Craig McCulloch, 32, was driving alone in the vehicle when it veered off Mackay-Eungella Road in Benholme, west of Mackay, just after 8am on Monday. The ambulance rolled several times and hit a tree. Bystanders did what they could to save the man before fellow paramedics arrived but they could not save their colleague. Mr McCulloch left behind a partner and two young children who live on the Gold Coast. Adanis proposed Carmichael Coal Mine in central Queensland could destroy the last major habitat of the endangered black-throated finch, a new report has warned. The southern black-throated finch is a small bird with a big presence, featuring heavily in recent news coverage around Adanis proposed mine in the states Galilee Basin. An independent review has been ordered by the Queensland government into Adanis management plan for the finches habitat, after the federal government waved through the environmental approval for the site. A Black-Throated Finch at Adani's proposed Carmichael Mine site in Queensland's Galilee Basin. Credit:Stanley Tang A report in the journal Environmental Science and Policy, published on Wednesday, called 'How to Send a Finch Extinct', found there were two main areas where the finches still have a viable habitat - in the Galilee Basin and near Townsville. Captains Flat will soon lose its post office if an arrangement cannot be made between Australia Post and a new licensee. Without an alternative, the current post office arrangement will cease trading at the end of February, amid concerns its sole staff member is underpaid and the licence-holders can only keep it running at their own expense. Australia Post will review the situation by Tuesday, February 5, and has promised to hold a community meeting before any changes are made. Post office worker Jo Lawrence, left, and locals Trish Stone and Claire Hooker, who are worried the Captains Flat post office will close at the end of February. Credit:Jasper Lindell The review will include proposals for alternative arrangements for the town, which could include a parcel locker or vending machine. Lake Burley Griffin will soon face competition as Canberra's go-to spot for joggers and recreational cyclists, with the ACT government planning to build a new 12 kilometre trail traversing the National Arboretum. The planned packed-dirt track would be designed for "family-friendly pedestrian use" and "low impact cycling", according to government tender documents for the project. The proposed new trail map for the National Arboretum. The blue line indicates the planned 12km recreational trail. Credit:ACT Government Work on the trail is scheduled to start in April and be completed in September. The trail, which would range from 90 centimetres to 1.2 metres in width, would wind through the arboretum's central and southern sections, alongside the existing paths in the 250 hectare grounds. Damaging winds and large hailstones could soon sweep into Canberra. On Tuesday afternoon, the weather bureau issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the territory and its surrounds. Forecasters predict storms which could lead to flash flooding will break overhead in the next few hours. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a storm warning It follows a run of hot days and sudden storms, raining thunder and lightning down on the capital as Australia's south-east continues to swelter through a heatwave. While about 3mm of rain fell overnight in Canberra, the mercury hit 35 degrees at 5:30pm. Anti-consorting laws are again being drafted by the Opposition for next month's sitting of the ACT Assembly, with the Liberals' Jeremy Hanson adamant that only tougher laws will provide effective community protection against Canberra's proliferation of bikie gangs. Satudarah members riding in Sydney. Mr Hanson's intention to re-table the laws comes after the ACT Magistrates Court denied bail on the weekend to a 30-year-old man who is president of the ACT chapter of the Satudarah, the fifth and newest bikie gang to emerge within the ACT within the past five years. Mr Hanson, the opposition's spokesman on Attorney-General issues, has been actively promoting this legislation for almost 10 years since 2009. He said the ACT is regarded as an "oasis of opportunity" for bikie gangs, as surrounding NSW has much stronger legal powers for its police anti-gangs task force Strike Force Raptor. Tasmanian conservator David Thurrowgood recalls getting a call from an English thylacine research group who saw the post on Twitter. They became quite concerned it could end up going astray, Mr Thurrowgood said. He said strangers had started offering Mr McCosh $1000 for the skin - peanuts compared to the $250,000 it sold to the National Museum for in December last year. Already noticing the huge amount of attention the skin was getting at the time, Mr McCosh contacted Ms Withers, who contacted Mr Thurrowgood. He was concerned Ms Withers would be swindled out of the skins true value, while also wanting to ensure the object was preserved for scientific research. She couldnt look after it, so it went on to an independent valuation so it could be sold, Mr Thurrowgood said. The $250,000 Tasmanian tiger pelt to be housed at the National Museum of Australia, it had been hidden in New Zealand for nearly 100 years. Mr Thurrowgood took it home with him to Tasmania in 2018, storing it in a special case with his carry-on luggage. I was slightly nervous, but I have travelled with $300-million paintings by Rembrandt, he said. I was a little bit excited and emotional to have the thing coming back to Australia. The last Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) died at Hobart zoo in 1936. It was declared extinct in 1986. Credit:Fairfax Media Only a few people knew it existed, including his young daughters, who took great pride in announcing that their father has a Tasmanian tiger at home. It was really a sad object. I hadn't been quite prepared for the sense of what a beautiful animal it might have been, Mr Thurrowgood said. The thylacine was extinct on the Australian mainland long before Europeans arrived in Tasmania, where they hunted the tiger to extinction; the last one died in a Hobart zoo in 1936. Ms Withers said her father would have hated all the fuss around the skin. Its been a huge adventure for me, she said. While she did have hopes the pelt could be used to create a new tiger, she was glad it could be returned to Australia. But I do wish that we could send to you, with very much gratitude, all the possums that weve got in New Zealand, she said. Ms Withers has divided the $250,000 up between her and her four children, with no grand plans for how to spend it. But University of Melbourne biologist Andrew Pask does have have grand plans for the animal. It was fantastic - were always looking for more specimens, Professor Pask said. The more specimens we have, the better we can recreate the picture. This adds a whole extra chunk of data that we can now access. Professor Pask and his colleagues will look to map out the genome of the creature, which could one day go towards creating a live clone, but this could cost billions. People already have the materials that we need to make the thylacine. Its a very expensive endeavour, so right now it would be much better spending the money on the preserving the marsupials we have now. FileCloud, a cloud-agnostic enterprise file sync and sharing platform, today announced that it has received Advanced Technology Partner status in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN). FileCloud is the leader in providing a cloud-agnostic file collaboration solution across on-premise, public and hybrid clouds. FileCloud allows businesses to run their own branded file sharing, sync and backup solution on the AWS infrastructure. Customers can leverage the highly-reliable and low-latency AWS infrastructure to run FileCloud. "Midsize to large enterprises increasingly want the flexibility of the cloud while requiring complete control over their data," said Amar Kanagaraj, CMO, FileCloud. "FileCloud on AWS offers the best of both worlds. FileCloud offers a secure, reliable and scalable file sharing solution that operates at the speed of business today, while AWS offers the scalability, redundancy and flexibility of the cloud." The Advanced Technology Partner designation is the highest tier for Technology Partners that provide software and internet solutions in the AWS Partner Network. FileCloud achieved its status through a rigorous qualification process. The designation is based on AWS business history and references from FileCloud customers who are currently using the FileCloud solution on the AWS infrastructure. Achieving this status strengthens FileCloud's relationship with AWS, and includes expertise in AWS Training and Certification for growth and development of FileCloud's technical resources on AWS. To meet growing data privacy and sovereignty regulations, FileCloud helps organizations to keep data in any specific geographic region. Organizations can select an AWS region across the United States, EU, Canada, Australia and Asia to store their data. FileCloud is the only cloud-agnostic platform that gives customers the complete flexibility and choice to decide where their data is stored. FileCloud enables both commercial businesses and federal government agencies to securely manage file collaboration with end-to-end encryption. For more secure collaboration requirements, FileCloud allows government organizations to create secure, branded, file sync and sharing solutions for federal and state agencies using AWS GovCloud (EC2, EBS, S3) Infrastructure. Find out more about FileCloud: https://www.getfilecloud.com. When investigative journalist Bastian Obermayer received the millions of leaked files from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, he was not having a good day. As the German reporter told Fraud Magazine, the rest of his family were sick, and he had just changed his sons sheets when the email arrived. "It went from being a bad day to a very good one." The Mossack Fonseca leak showed that the Panamanian law firm had established shell companies that were being used to perpetrate tax fraud and dodging global sanctions. The Icelandic Prime Minister resigned, as did other prominent officials. The Australian Tax Office began investigations into 800 people identified in what became known as the Panama Papers. Whistleblowers exposed 17 per cent of US corporate fraud cases. Credit:Shutterstock Just knowing an insider might blow the whistle makes firms less likely to break the law. A recent study of Israels tax whistleblowing scheme concluded that it significantly increased the amount of tax paid; particularly in industries that are more prone to tax evasion. The scheme had a powerful deterrent effect on tax dodging. Once firms knew that there was an incentive for employees to report wrongdoing, they were more inclined to pay what they owed. Tax revenue increased by more than one-quarter. Whether its tax or other kinds of corporate fraud, whistleblowers are crucial. A study by Alexander Dyck and co-authors analysed hundreds of US corporate fraud cases. They found that the Securities and Exchange Commission caught just 7 per cent, while auditors detected only 10 per cent. By contrast, the media uncovered 13 per cent of fraud cases, while the employees exposed another 17 per cent. Making the decision to pull their children out of school to take advantage of a cheaper family holidays has been a big financial saving for Sydney parents Kristy and Darren Smith. The couple have packed their bags and boarded a flight to enjoy some downtime with their children, Josh and Olivia, once or twice a year for more than a decade. Theyve holidayed for up to 10 days at a time in parts of Queensland, Port Douglas, Cairns, Canada and Fiji, among other spots. Kristy and Darren Smith with their children Josh (11) and Olivia (14) on a recent holiday to Tasmania. Avoiding the inflated costs associated with travelling during school holidays has saved an estimated $20,000 on flights and accommodation, Kristy estimates. Nikki Blackwood was washing the dishes on maternity leave the first time her body stopped doing what it was told. Her right foot arched and her toes curled under. "I thought, 'This is a bit strange. My body is doing this and Im not controlling it, said the 35-year-old new mother and investment bank manager. Nikki Blackwood, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Credit:Janie Barrett She found brushing her teeth and writing became a struggle as her right arm would move in a haphazard manner and she soon began to use her left arm to control her right. When a neurologist asked her to walk down a corridor her right arm wouldnt swing. Fishery authorities were heading to the lower Murrumbidgee River on Tuesday afternoon to investigate reports of another fish kill on NSW rivers. The Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, who was himself visiting the site of a mass fish die-off on the Darling River at Menindee, said "we think it's in the hundreds to the thousands" at the Redbank weir pool near Balranald. Perch are among the fish to have been killed in the Murrumbidgee fish kill. The image was taken at the site of another event this week at Menindee on the Darling River. Credit:Graeme McCrabb "We think it's mostly carp and golden perch" with some bony herring, Mr Blair told the Herald after meeting Menindee locals seeking help after the region was hit by its third large fish kill in about five weeks. "To see it first hand, it's important," he said, adding, "this is something that won't leave your memory for a long time." Bring out your stick-on rhinestones, tasselled body harnesses and striped yellow Cotton On shirts - the Groovin The Moo line-up has just dropped. The music festival is set to bring M, Billie Eilish, TOKiMONSTA, Coolio and Sofi Tukker to a town near you. Crowds at Canberras Groovin the Moo last year. Credit:Jamila Toderas Homegrown talent Hilltop Hoods, Nick Murphy, Hermitude and Regurgitator will also perform at the all-ages event. On April 28, Groovin returns to Canberra for its 10th year. After the University of Canberra backed out of its contract to host the festival, it will go ahead at Exhibition Park. You might even be able to ride the light rail there. To Groovin the Moo in the year 2040, that is. The education gulf is widening with the numbers of high achieving HSC students increasingly concentrated in advantaged schools at the expense of disadvantaged schools, new research shows. Aspirational parents are driving the shift as they "trade up" schools for educational institutions which have students like their own children or even more advantaged. Research shows the education gulf in NSW is widening. Credit:Michele Mossop The paper from the Centre for Policy Development found HSC high achievers were increasingly clustered in these top-end schools over the past 10 years. The concentration of advantaged students attending the most privileged schools also increased by 13 per cent. There is a similar pattern in Victorian and Queensland schools. Thanks in part to a mystery Picasso, two millionaire recluses and a concerned grandfather, Sydney University has hit its target of $1 billion worth of donations - the most successful fundraising drive in Australian higher education history. More than 64,000 donors from seven continents, ranging from an anonymous American who donated the $20 million painting to almost 1500 students and 20-something alumni, helped the university reach the milestone after 10 years. An anonymous American donor gave Sydney University Picasso's Jeune Fille Endormie on the condition it be sold to fund medical research. The University originally aimed to raise $600 million by 2017, but achieved that goal two years early so lifted its target. "It is a truly transformational achievement," vice chancellor Michael Spence said. "It allows us to undertake research and build initiatives that are changing lives and making a difference in our communities and the wider world. The federal government's success in meeting a newly minted target to create 1.25 million jobs in the next five years will, like its predecessor, likely hinge on population growth, say economists. Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled the new target on Tuesday after the government last year met its target to create 1 million jobs in five years after its election in 2013. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised to oversee the creation of 1.25 million new jobs in five years if re-elected in May. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer "Our job growth has been high in terms of numbers but that is because the population growth, mainly immigrants, has been high," Bob Gregory from the Australian National University Research School of Economics said. "If you correct for full-time jobs the labour market has been even flatter because we have created so many part-time jobs. This is not necessarily bad, but it does mean that it is more difficult to get a job for those looking for full-time work." Its true that few developments in society have just a single cause. Its also true theres little hard evidence that the A of microeconomic reform caused the B of more suicides, for instance. Loading But theres a lot of circumstantial evidence. After all, the specific objective of micro reform was to increase economic efficiency by making our markets more intensely competitive. The economists basic model views us as individuals, motivated by self-interest, and the goal of faster growth in the economy is aimed at raising our material standard of living. And if some of our problems stem from changing technology pursuing friendship via screens, for instance can economists disclaim all responsibility when one of their stated aims is to encourage technological advance in the name of higher productivity? Economists assume that economic growth will leave us all better off. Most take little interest in how evenly or unevenly the additional income is shared between households. Australians are wealthier but also more sleep-deprived, overweight, overmedicated and anxious. Credit:John Woudstra The Productivity Commissions recent and frequently quoted report, finding that the distribution of income hasnt become more unequal, refers to recent years, not the past 40. And the report averages away the uncomfortable truth that the incomes of chief executives and other members of the top 1 per cent have increased many times faster than for the rest of us. Loading Sometimes whats happened since the mid-1980s reminds me of the old advertisement: are you smoking more, but enjoying it less? Our real incomes have grown considerably over the years even for people at the bottom and economic reform can take a fair bit of the credit. It can take most of the credit for the remarkable truth that, unlike all the other rich countries, weve gone for 27 years without our least fortunate experiencing the great economic and social pain of recession and mass job loss. But though most of us are earning and spending more than ever, theres evidence were enjoying it less. Our higher material living standards have come at the cost of increasing social and health problems. Is that so hard to believe when the key driver of our higher incomes is more intense competition between us? Economists generally take little interest in social and health problems, regarding them as outside their field. But though problems such as loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression and obesity were with us long before the arrival of neoliberalism, they seem to have got worse since the mid-1980s. Last year, Dr Michelle Lim, a clinical psychologist at Swinburne University, and her colleagues produced the Australian Loneliness Report, which found that more than one in four Australians feels lonely three or more days a week. Clinical psychologist Michelle Lim. Its most common among those who are single, separated or divorced. Compared to other Australians, the lonely report higher social anxiety and depression, poorer psychological health and quality of life, and fewer meaningful relationships and social interactions. Turning to increased stress, its an inevitable consequence of living in bigger, faster cities and working in more competitive workplaces. Our bodies respond to stressful events with a surge of adrenaline, which increases our reaction speed and helps ensure our survival. Trouble is, our bodies arent designed to cope with repeated stressful events and adrenaline rushes. Our readiness for fight or flight doesnt decline, and we remain permanently aroused, which damages our health, making us more at risk of a heart attack or getting sick in other ways. If more "jobs and growth" and the higher incomes they bring are intended to make us happier, maybe governments would do better by us if they switched their objective from increasing happiness to reducing unhappiness. For instance, if the banks are now being criticised on all sides for putting profits before people, why are governments facing an epidemic of obesity and diabetes - so respectful of the food and beverage industrys right to continue fatten its profits by fattening us and our kids? Businesses are expecting to power down more in the summers ahead but want to be "fairly" paid to do so as the energy market operator keeps pushing for ways to avoid blackouts like those experienced in Victoria last week. Around 200,000 Victorians lost power on Friday as the Australian Energy Market Operator grappled with the combination of a major heatwave, broken power stations and poor wind generation conditions which pushed the grid to its limit. Major smelters are the kind of businesses AEMO calls upon to reduce their power usage. Credit:Photo: Nic Walker As it tried to stave off blackouts it called on businesses to cut power to free up electricity for other users under the Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) mechanism. While this mechanism failed to find enough power, industry expects it to become more common in the summers ahead as AEMO said the RERT remains a focus. Customers of streaming service Netflix are being urged to exercise caution when checking and responding to emails from the company, as a scam email that looks almost identical to a legitimate customer service message circulates. The email purports to come from Netflix with the spelling "NETFLlX" using a lower-case L instead of an I, and the subject line "We've temporarily suspended your account until you verify your details." Screen shot of a Netflix email phishing scam picked up in January 2019. In the body of the email, the customer is informed their account has been "suspeneded [sic]" due to "issues in the automatic verification process" and warned that if they don't update their details their account will be deleted. After the customer clicks on the "update your details" button, they are redirected to a site that looks just like a real Netflix login page, where they can "log in" and then enter their full credit card details. Hawthorn Gorman Commercials Tom Maule and David Minton have sold 332 Auburn Road for $965,000 on behalf of vendors who owned the property for 35 years. In East Kew, Mr Maule and Mr Minton sold 616 High Street, Kew, at auction for $631,000, $150,000 over the reserve. The price reflected a land rate of $7875 per sq m. Cheltenham A warehouse at 140 Bernard Street sold at auction for $2.4 million - $200,000 over the reserve, CVAs John Nockles and Seamus Bolst said. The building, which includes ground and first floor offices and showrooms and a high clearance warehouse, attracted interest from investors, developers and owner-occupiers. In another deal, Daniel Philip sold the development site at 725 Point Nepean Road in McCrae for $2.8 million. The single level building on the site has a showroom, partitioned offices and a rear workshop capable of holding 15 vehicles. Mickleham A premium childcare centre with a 20-year lease and net operating income of $420,000 from 140 long day-care places has sold for $6.35 million. The property at 459 Brookfield Boulevard leased to Nino Early Learning was under negotiation for 12 months, CBREs Sandro Peluso, Josh Twelftree and Jimmy Tat said. Mr Peluso said the sale proved good things do, in fact, take time. Boronia A vacant warehouse at 8-10 Wadhurst Drive sparked immediate interest when it hit the market in late 2018 because of its location and unique layout. After only two weeks on the market, multiple groups submitted their best offers and it was sold on January 14 by Colliers Internationals Richard Wilkinson and Jonathan Mercuri for $2.23 million. Richmond A shop at 168 Swan Street sold at auction for $1,681,000 while another at 98 Gertrude Street in Fitzroy went for $1.42 million, CBREs Rorey James, Nic Hage and JJ Heng said. The sales followed another at 506 Centre Road, Bentleigh, which went for $1,002,000 (on a 3.5 per cent yield) showing strong buyer confidence in Melbournes suburban strips, Mr James said. LEASES Docklands Engineering company ADG Engineers has leased two adjoining office suites in the Lifestyle Working building. Fitzroys Samuel Friend and Stephen Land negotiated the 3x3-year term for 309 and 310 at 838 Collins Street with a combined floor area of 125sq m at $72,000 per annum plus GST. Melbourne Coffee operator Eclipse Coffee is set to open its third cafe at 320 Little Lonsdale Street. The cafe will pay $1700 per sq m for a 50sq m seven year lease in a deal negotiated by CBREs Tan Thach and Zelman Ainsworth. Hawthorn East Gorman Commercials David Minton has leased Suite 210, 12-14 Cato Street to Archmap Architecture on a five year lease at rent of $375 per sq m net. The 200sq m suite with six car parks recently sold for $1,160,000 to an investor. The tenant was secured within weeks of the sale. Melbourne Cloud solutions firm Bourne Digital has leased a unique space in heritage-listed Bennelong House, owned by the Bennelong Foundation. Fitzroys Samuel Friend and Stephen Land negotiated the 4x3-year lease for the 250sq m basement tenancy at $100,000 per annum plus GST, in conjunction with Warwick Bramich and Bronson Shelton of Alexander Robertson. West Melbourne A modern, boutique office at 52-54 Rosslyn Street has leased within a month of coming onto the market. A modern, boutique office at 52-54 Rosslyn Street has leased within a month of coming onto the market, CVAs Anthony Carbone said. The three-level, light-filled building includes a two bedroom penthouse apartment. It was leased to a local law firm on a 4+4+4 year lease for $220,000 per annum. Scoresby Building supplies firm Atkar Group has leased new premises for its local trade desk and distribution centre in a deal negotiated by Colliers Internationals Gordon Code, Richard Wilkinson and Jonathan Mercuri. Atkar took 4900sq m at 50-52 Koornang Road at gross face rent of $80 per sq m net on a five year term. Box Hill Fraud Watch is set to relocate from Doncaster to Box Hill in a leasing deal negotiated by Colliers Internationals Kevin Tutty. The group will move into 950sq m at 14-16 Prospect Street on a seven year lease at gross face rent of $305 per sq m. Windsor Greek dessert store Lukumades has expanded into 176 Chapel Street, leasing a 60sq m space through CBREs Tan Thach and Zelman Ainsworth for five years at $60,000 per annum. MOVERS Andrew White has joined diversified commercial property group Quintessential Equity as general manager of development. Previously he was in a senior role at MAB Corporation. A former part-owner of the $400 million one-time ASX listing hopeful Marlin Brands, which owns Decor lunchboxes and the homewares wholesaler that supplies David Jones and Freedom, is suing a cabal of companies associated with the group for $6 million. It comes as investment bankers put the finishing touches on a trade sale of the South African-private equity owned company after abandoning its listing aspirations last year. Marlin Brands managing director Greg Kerr (right) with former Marlin executive Cris Dillon and David Danziger in happier times. Credit:Pat Scala While a transaction could be announced within days, three offshore companies linked to Marlin are facing a legal battle in the Victorian courts. The former owner of Albi, David Danziger launched action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against three offshore companies - Marlin Brands Australia, Marlin Brands Enterprises, Coast2Coast Technologies - over the redemption of a $5 million debenture and nearly $1 million more in interest. Australian companies have come within a whisker of hitting the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) target of 30 per cent women on ASX200 boards by the end of 2018. But Wesfarmers and AGL Energy director Diane Smith-Gander said she was not satisfied by the progress, which saw the number of ASX200 board seats occupied by women hit 29.7 per cent last year. High profile director Diane Smith-Gander is pushing for higher targets for women on corporate boards. Credit:Michele Mossop "29.7 per cent is not 30 per cent. It might seem to be quibbling over a whisker, but 30 per cent is merely a way point on the way to proper gender equity, which would be 50 per cent," Ms Smith-Gander said. Moves are already afoot to increase the goal to 40 per cent. National Australia Bank's advice and wealth management arm has fired the next salvo in what industry insiders say is becoming a war on administration fees, as super fund managers jostle for market share and attempt to win back the trust following damning revelations in the banking royal commission. MLC Wealth will cut fees on its $65 billion of MasterKey and Wrap products from as early as Monday, soon after the Hayne royal commission recommendations are made public. Chief executive Geoff Lloyd says the fee cuts are the "biggest ever undertaken by MLC Wealth." Credit:Pat Scala Administration fees on MLCs retail Wrap Series 2 platforms will be halved to 0.15 per cent a year on balances between $200,000 and $500,000. Fees for balances above $500,000 will be cut 40 per cent to 0.03 per cent per annum. The fee for its MasterKey Super and Pension Fundamentals product for balances between $200,000 and $800,000 will be cut by up to 0.25 per cent a year from April 1. Harrisonburg, VA (22807) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said she would like to meet U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She noted that her administration has already sent a note to Washington requesting a meeting with Trump. The exact date of a Trump-Putin meeting remains unknown. "The meeting will give me the possibility to share our views with Trump about the most painful issues for [our] country," Agenda.ge cited her as saying. Zurabishvili added she does not know whether Trump will have the time for such a meeting. Update: Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the controversial backstop arrangement remained necessary despite the votes in the Commons. He tweeted: Backstop was agreed by UK/EU as the insurance policy to avoid a hard border in all scenarios. We hope it will never be used, or be replaced quickly by a future relationship agreement. But it is necessary and tonights developments at Westminster do nothing to change this. #Brexit Backstop was agreed by UK/EU as the insurance policy to avoid a hard border in all scenarios. We hope it will never be used, or be replaced quickly by a future relationship agreement. But it is necessary and tonights developments at Westminster do nothing to change this. #Brexit Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 29, 2019 The European Parliaments chief Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, said there was no majority to re-open or dilute the Withdrawal Agreement. He tweeted: Welcome the UK Parliaments decision to reject a no-deal & the hope of cross-party talks on future relationship. We stand by Ireland & the Good Friday Agreement. There is no majority to re-open or dilute the Withdrawal Agreement in the @Europarl_EN including the backstop. Welcome the UK Parliament's decision to reject a no-deal & the hope of cross-party talks on future relationship. We stand by Ireland & the Good Friday Agreement. There is no majority to re-open or dilute the Withdrawal Agreement in the @Europarl_EN including the backstop. Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) January 29, 2019 Update: European Council president Donald Tusk said the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. Mr Johnson has rejected Donald Tusks statement regarding the backstop, telling Sky News that it takes two to tango. He added: There is a negotiation going on. You would expect him to say that. But believe me the EU has every incentive to give us the deal we need. Update: Britain's former foreign secretary Boris Johnson told Sky that Mrs May had received a mandate from Parliament with a clear, unambiguous message that the backstop had to be removed from the Withdrawal Agreement. He said: I hope that our friends in Brussels will listen and that they will make that change. It is no skin off their nose to do it, there is no reason at all why at this advanced stage in the negotiations they shouldnt give the UK the changes that we need. Update: DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds, raising a point of order, told the Commons: This is a significant night because for the first time the House by majority has expressed what sort of deal will get through and will have a majority, and we will work with the Prime Minister to deliver the right deal for the United Kingdom. Nigel Dodds responds with force to @IanBlackfordMP saying no party on the island of Ireland wants a return to a hard border #IEstaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) January 29, 2019 The SNPs Westminster leader Ian Blackford claimed that by passing the Brady amendment the British Government had ripped up the Good Friday Agreement. To jeers from Tory MPs he said in his point of order that: We were told the backstop was there to protect the peace process but tonight the Conservative Party has effectively ripped apart the Good Friday Agreement. This House should be ashamed of itself. He said Scotland had been silenced, sidelined and shafted by the Tories. Campaigners outside the Houses of Parliament in London as the debate on Brexit goes on. Update: Jeremy Corbyn said because the Spelman amendment had passed he was now willing to meet Mrs May for talks on the Brexit next steps. The Labour leader said: Now that the House has voted emphatically to reject the no deal option the Prime Minister was supporting could I say we are now prepared to meet her to put forward the points of view from the Labour Party of the kind of deal we want from the European Union. To protect jobs, to protect livings standards, and to protect rights and conditions in this country. Tonight Parliament has voted to remove the immediate threat of crashing out without a deal on 29 March. After months of refusing to take the chaos of no deal off the table, the Prime Minister must now face the reality that no deal is not an option. I will meet the Prime Minister and others from across Parliament to find a sensible Brexit solution that works for the whole country. That solution should be based around Labours alternative plan of a customs union with a UK say, a strong single market relationship and a cast-iron guarantee on workers rights, consumer standards and environmental protections. Update: British Prime Minister Theresa May has told MPs there is a substantial and sustainable majority in the Commons for leaving the European Union with a deal but admitted renegotiation will not be easy. Mrs May said that she and other members of the Government would now be speaking with the European Union about how we address the Houses views on a Brexit deal. Following the result, Mrs May said she now had a mandate to take back for further negotiations with the EU. She said: Tonight a majority of members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop combined with measures to address concerns over Parliaments role in the negotiation of the future relationship and commitments on workers rights in law where need be. Its now clear there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Update: MPs have approved Graham Brady's amendment by 317 votes to 301, majority 16. The final vote is on Graham Brady's amendment to replace the backstop "with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. Two Labour MPs rebelled to vote against the Labour Brexit amendment, according to the division list. Update: MPs have approved Spelman's amendment by 318 votes to 310, majority 8. The amendment is to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Update: The next amendment is the Spelman no-deal amendment, tabled by Tory MP Caroline Spelman which states that the UK will not leave the EU without a deal. It comes just ahead of voting on Graham Brady's amendment which says the backstop should be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border, something the EU has already ruled out. If passed it would allow Theresa May to go to Brussels with a clear sign from MPs of what they want, to get a deal through parliament. Update: MPs have defeated Rachel Reeve's amendment by 322 votes to 290, majority 32. The fifth vote is now on Labour MP Rachel Reeve's amendment which would seek a two-year extension of article 50 if there is no deal in place by February 26. There is no point claiming you are opposed to a no deal Brexit if you are not prepared to will the legal means to stop it happening. Non-binding motions are not the same as legally binding laws. The Cooper and Grieve amendments addressed this. A bad day for Parliament. ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) January 29, 2019 Update: MPs have defeated Yvette Cooper's amendment by 321 votes to 298, majority 23. Next up for the vote is Yvette Cooper's amendment to extend article 50. This would allow for a Brexit delay of nine months if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26. So disappointing that vital cross-party amendment led by Dominic Grieve was defeated because more than ten Labour colleagues voted with the Tories. We fight on to prevent no-deal #BrexitShambles Ben Bradshaw (@BenPBradshaw) January 29, 2019 Update: MPs have defeated the Grieve amendment by 321 votes to 301, majority 20. Mr Grieves proposal had bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit and allow MPs to effectively wrest control of Commons business from the Government for six individual days in the run-up to the UKs scheduled withdrawal date of March 29. MPs have now moved onto the Grieve amendment. It calls for six days of debate and votes on alternative Brexit options. Update: MPs have defeated SNP's amendment by 327 votes to 39, majority 288. MPs are now voting on the SNP amendment calling for an extension of article 50, no deal being removed as an option and to prevent the Scots being taken out of the EU against their will. Update: MPs have defeated Labour's Brexit amendment by 327 votes to 296, majority 31. The proposal aimed to allow MPs to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, including a customs union and the possibility of a second referendum. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has appealed for the Commons "to come together" and back the Brady amendment. He said: "17.4 million people did not vote for no deal, but they did vote to leave. "Time is of the essence - citizens and business want certainty, the EU wants clarity, the Prime Minister needs a mandate - and the House must, therefore, come together. "It's time to act in the national interest. That is why the House should back the (Brady) amendment." The future of Brexit could be decided this evening as the House of Commons votes on the way forward. MPs could decide to bin the backstop aimed at preventing a hard border, or to delay Brexit if no deal can be reached. There are seven proposed amendments in total to Theresa May's statement on the resounding defeat to her Brexit bill. The seven were selected by House Speaker John Bercow from a longer list. The highest profile amendment is that proposed by Graham Brady. It seeks to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland. the 'Brady Amendment' supporters believe it gives Mrs May more firepower to go back to Brussels and ask for more concessions and get a Withdrawal Agreement through the British Parliament. Here are some of the most prominent amendments tabled: Brake on the backstop UK Prime MinisterTheresa May threw Government support on Monday behind an amendment that seeks to replace the controversial backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland. Tabled by Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, if it passed the Commons its supporters believe it gives Mrs May more firepower to go back to Brussels and ask for more concessions and get a Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament. Fellow Tories Andrew Murrison and John Baron scrapped very similar amendments to clear a path, but the hardline ERG is refusing to back it. Grieve amendment In a bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit, the cross-party backed proposal from Dominic Grieve would effectively wrest control of Commons business from the British Government for six individual days in the run-up to the UKs scheduled withdrawal date of March 29 with the intention of getting MPs to reach a consensus on how to handle it. Taking control In a similar vein, a move by Labour former minister Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, calls for a vote on a Bill that would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26. MPs would get a vote on extending Article 50 to the end of the year and preventing a no-deal exit under the terms of the Bill. The Labour frontbench has been publicly flirting with throwing its weight behind the amendment. No to no deal A cross-party effort headed by Tory Caroline Spelman has widespread support and rejects the UK quitting the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. This would probably be more palatable to the Government than either the Grieve or Cooper bids for MPs to take back control. Labours twin-track approach This calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, such as a customs union with the EU, as well as the possibility of a new Brexit referendum. Jeremy Corbyn has been careful not to commit Labour to officially back such a poll, though. Amendments have been tacked on to the Labour push, with the Liberal Democrats calling for Remain to be on the ballot paper in any referendum, and Labour backbenchers urging Parliament to legislate for a public vote. Indicative votes Commons Exiting the European Union Committee chairman Hilary Benn wants a series of votes on various Brexit options to see where the most support lies. The Malthouse Compromise Only an emerging plan at this point, it would extend the transition period from the end of 2020 and into December 2021 and allow the UK and EU to prepare properly for WTO terms or obviate this outcome by negotiating a mutually beneficial future relationship. It is reportedly backed by members of both the Remain and Leave camps of the Conservative party. Brazilian authorities have issued arrest warrants for five people in connection with a dam collapse that killed at least 65 people and left nearly 300 missing as it plastered part of a small city with reddish-brown mud and iron ore mining waste. The orders were issued in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais, where the collapse happened last Friday. Rescue workers look for victims in the mud (Andre Penner/AP) Three of the warrants were for people who worked for Vale SA, the mining company that owned and operated the waste dam that collapsed, according to the company. In a statement, Vale said it was cooperating with authorities in the investigation. A German company that has inspected the dam said two of its employees had been arrested. Friends and relatives attend the burial of Vale SA employee Edgar Carvalho Santos (Andre Penner/AP) In ordering the arrests, Minas Gerais judge Perla Saliba Brito wrote that the disaster could have been avoided. It is not believable that dams of such magnitude, run by one of the largest mining companies in the world, would break suddenly without any indication of vulnerability, the judge wrote in the decision, according to news portal UOL. The dam was part of an iron ore production complex. A firefighter drinks water as he works on a site where a body was found (Leo Correa/AP) Meanwhile, Colonel Evandro Borges from the military police told reporters that the official death toll was 65, though more bodies had been recovered Tuesday and that an updated death toll would be provided later in the day. He said 288 remained missing, most of them Vale employees. Many employees were eating lunch last Friday when the dam collapsed, burying a cafeteria and other company buildings.- Press Association Brazilian authorities seek five arrests over collapse of dam Brazilian authorities have issued arrest warrants for five people in connection with a dam collapse that killed at least 65 people as it plastered part of a city with reddish-brown mud and mining waste. Police issued the orders in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais, where the collapse happened. They came as rescue crews worked for the fifth day to search for survivors or bodies. Local media reported the warrants were for employees of Vale, the mining company that owned and operated the waste dam that collapsed. In a statement, Vale said it was working with authorities. However, a spokeswoman could not immediately confirm that those being sought worked for the company. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili plans to visit France, Germany and Afghanistan in February. "As for the regions of Georgia, I will arrive in Kutaisi in early February," the president said. Georgia's contribution to the Resolute Support in Afghanistan is more than 870 troops. Earlier, Zurabishvili paid her first official visit to EU headquarters, where she held talks with European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and others. Pakistans top court has upheld its acquittal of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, clearing the last legal hurdle and freeing Aasia Bibi to leave the country in a move that dealt a blow to radical Islamists who had demanded her execution. Following the landmark decision, Ms Bibi will finally be able to join her daughters who earlier fled to Canada where they have been given asylum. Ms Bibis lawyer, Saiful Malook, who returned to Islamabad after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistans constitution and rule of law. Saiful Malook, centre, lawyer of Pakistani Christian woman Aasia Bibi (B.K. Bangash/AP) Pakistans Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa who led the panel of judges dismissed the petition filed by radical religious leaders. The extremists had petitioned the court to overturn its acquittal and send her back to prison for execution. He said in court that Ms Bibis accusers were guilty of perjury and if the case had not been so sensitive, they should have been jailed for life. The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow, Mr Khosa said. I am really gratefully to everybody, now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters Ms Bibi, who spent eight years on death row and who has been under guard at a secret place since her acquittal last October, was overjoyed at the news, which she heard over the TV. I am really gratefully to everybody, now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters, a friend quoted Ms Bibi as saying. Following her October acquittal, radical religious parties took to the streets to protest, calling for the killing of judges who acquitted Ms Bibi and for the overthrow of prime minister Imran Khans government. They also filed the last-minute appeal for a review of the Supreme Court acquittal. Pakistani troops at the Supreme Court building (B.K. Bangash/AP) Ms Bibis case goes to the core of one of Pakistans most controversial issues, the blasphemy law, often used to settle scores or intimidate followers of minority religions, including minority Shiite Muslims. A charge of insulting Islam can bring the death penalty. But the accusation on its own is sometimes enough to whip up vengeful mobs, even if the courts acquit defendants. A provincial governor who defended Ms Bibi was shot and killed, as was a government minority minister who dared question the blasphemy law. Ms Bibi, who always insisted that she was innocent, has said she will leave the country as soon as her legal battles are over. Her lawyer, who fled the country after receiving death threats, returned to Pakistan for the final review. Ms Bibis ordeal began on a hot day in 2009 when she brought water to fellow farmhands who refused to drink from the same container as a Christian woman. Two of her fellow farmworkers argued with Ms Bibi and later accused her of insulting Islams prophet. Following protests after Ms Bibis acquittal, the authorities arrested radical clerics Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Mohammad Afzal Qadri, both leaders of the Tehreekk-e-Labbaik Party, and several of their followers for destroying public property during rallies against Ms Bibi and for inciting their followers to violence. The clerics and the others remain in custody. The cleric petitioning the court for Ms Bibis return to death row, Qari Salam, is linked with Rizvis Tehreek-e-Labbaik party. Rizvis party said it would not accept any decision in favour of Ms Bibis release and asked its followers to prepare for more mass protests.- Press Association Limerick woman Ruth Morrissey who is seriously ill with cancer today resumed her High Court action over an alleged misreading of her cervical smears. The 37-year old mother is expected to give evidence later today in the case which Mr Justice Kevin Cross heard could last six weeks. Ms Morrissey and her husband Paul are suing over cervical smears taken under the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012. When the case re-opened before Mr Justice Cross today after being adjourned last July, the Morrisseys counsel, Jeremy Maher SC updated the court on the mothers condition. Counsel said separately Ms Morrissey was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy in November last year. Mr Maher said the 37-year olds prognosis would be excellent but for cervical cancer. Counsel handed in a letter from Ms Morrisseys treating consultant in relation to cervical cancer who reported that after scans and an MRI this month it has shown disappointing results. Despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy, there was a concern that the symptoms have returned. Counsel said Ms Morrissey suffers from pelvic pain and the prognosis he said remains very guarded. He told the judge the young mother has had 25 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and now suffers from chronic pain and fatigue. Ruth Morrissey and her husband Paul Morrissey of Kylemore, Schoolhouse Road, Monaleen, Co Limerick have sued the HSE and the US laboratory Quest Diagnostics Ireland Ltd with offices at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin along with Medlab Pathology Ltd with offices at Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18. It is claimed there was an alleged failure to correctly report and diagnose and there was an alleged misinterpretation of her smear samples taken in 2009 and 2012. A situation it is claimed allegedly developed where Ms Morrisseys cancer spread unidentified, unmonitored and untreated until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in June 2014. It is further claimed a review of the 2009 and 2012 smears took place in 2014 and 2015 with the results sent to Ms Morrissey's treating gynaecologist in 2016, but she was not told until May 2018 of those review results which showed her smears were reported incorrectly. The HSE the court has already heard admitted it owed a duty of care to Ms Morrissey but not to her husband and it admits the results of her smear reviews should have been made known to Ms Morrissey. The laboratories deny all claims. The case opened last July when the Morrisseys gave evidence to the court. Mr Maher SC today told the judge it was their case in relation to the 2012 smear that the number of cells on the slide being examined were allegedly inadequate. The Morrissey side now also contends that if Ms Morrissey had been told the results of the smear test audits in late 2014 or early 2015, she would have insisted on an MRI and other scans. There was an opportunity to detect an occurrence of a tumour at an earlier stage. You would have the probability of life rather than the probability of death, Mr Maher said We are now dealing with the probability of death. If Ruth Morrissey was made aware of the facts and results of the audits she would have insisted in an MRI and scans in 2015, he said. HSE Counsel Patrick Hanratty SC objected to the widening of the case. Mr Justice Cross ruled the case should proceed on its expanded basis. The case he said had had to proceed and it would be grossly unfair if it did not. The case before Mr Justice Kevin Cross continues. A woman whose former lover is accused of murdering her boyfriend has described her relationship with the accused as a "seedy affair" and said the only reason she started it was because she hadn't had sex for many years. Mary Lowry has begun giving evidence in the trial of Patrick Quirke (50) of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 52-year-old Bobby Ryan on a date between June 3, 2011 and April 2013. The body of Mr Ryan - a DJ who went by the name Mr Moonlight - was found in a run-off tank on a farm at Fawnagowan in Tipperary in April 2013. Ms Lowry also told prosecuting counsel Michael Bowman SC that she loved the deceased "to bits" and he made her and her children happy. Detailing her history with the accused the witness said Mr Quirke is married to her late husband's sister. She started seeing Mr Quirke after her husband Martin died in September 2007. Mr Quirke, a farmer who had business dealings with her husband, helped her with her the farm and finances. They became intimate in early 2008 and began a physical, sexual relationship. She was vulnerable, she said, having been left alone to look after three young children and Mr Quirke "crossed the line". She further described the accused as "overpowering" and "intimidating" and said he was always asking her for money. Patrick Quirke. Picture: Collins Courts In 2008 she changed her will to leave him 100,000 after he told her he would take care of her children if anything happened to her but he would need to build an extension to his home to do so. In December 2010 she loaned him 20,000, which she said she did not get back. On one occasion when she refused to give him money he pushed her against a table, she said. He apologised the next day. Some time after 2011 he asked for 16,500 because, he said, her husband's cattle had infected his herd with a disease. When their affair began in 2008 Ms Lowry said she and Mr Quirke would go to her bedroom on Mondays and Fridays in the morning after her children had left for school. But she had a lot of misgivings and felt guilt and shame, she said. She knew Mr Quirke as a happily married man, married to her late husband's sister. She didn't tell any of her friends or family, even her brother with whom she is close. Before Mr Quirke, she said she hadn't had a sexual relationship for many years as her husband had been sick. She added: "That is the only explanation I can give for this seedy affair, as I would call it." 'She's mine.' They continued their relationship for about two years but she said the guilt and shame prompted her to try to break it off many times. She said Mr Quirke told her that if her friends found out about the affair they wouldn't talk to her and her family would not stand by her. She felt alone and scared, she said, adding: "I like people to like me." He would also tell her that nobody else would have her and her children. While she said she had "regard" for Mr Quirke, he told her that he was in love with her but he also loved his wife. She ended the relationship in summer 2010. She said: "I wanted to enjoy my life and get on with looking after my children." She said there was nothing nice about having an affair, feeling guilty and telling lies. She added: "There was no future in the relationship." In August 2010 she met Bobby Ryan, a DJ going by the name Mr Moonlight, and they began a relationship after he helped her to secure tickets to the All Ireland hurling final. They went dancing together at weekends. Mr Quirke, she said, didn't take the break-up well. He seemed depressed and she would "lend him an ear", thinking that if she was nice to him she could help him get over the break-up. On one occasion she received a text from Bobby Ryan and when Mr Quirke saw it he grabbed her phone and drove away with it. He called Mr Ryan and when she asked him what he had said Mr Quirke said he told Mr Ryan: "She's mine." She then revealed the affair to Bobby who offered to help, saying that he had also been through a difficult break-up. He met with Patrick Quirke in Hayes's Hotel in Thurles. They spoke for an hour and then shook hands, Ms Lowry said. By this time she said she was "mad about" Bobby Ryan. He was good fun and they had an open relationship. "I didn't have to hide or tell lies or pretend," she said. He was a "breath of fresh air" for her three children who loved him and thought he was great fun. She loved him "to bits", she said and he made her and her children happy. "What more would you want from a relationship," she said. In January or February of 2011 the relationship with Mr Ryan became intimate and he would sometimes stay with her at her home. One morning that January when she had been out for a walk she returned to find Mr Quirke in her house. He told her he was looking for her and she had left the door open but she said this was not true and that she was security conscious. She confronted him but he insisted she left the door open. She also believed that Mr Quirke was responsible for calling social services and telling them that her children were not being properly looked after. Social services investigated and found nothing amiss. Mr Quirke denied making the call. Agony-aunt letter and passport search In February 2011 she saw a letter on the "Dear Patricia" page in the Sunday Independent from a married man complaining that he had an affair with a woman who had dumped him. She said the details seemed to show that it was Patrick Quirke and when she confronted him about it he told her he had nobody else to turn to. It was around this time that she changed her will to remove Patrick Quirke. Mr Ryan stayed with her on the night of June 2 going into the morning when he disappeared. They made love that morning and he left at about 6.30am. She noticed that it took about seven or eight minutes for his van to cross the cattle grid at the end of the driveway. She saw Patrick Quirke on the farm at about 8.30am and thought it unusual that he would be there so early. She later noted that he seemed "hot and sweaty and bothered-looking". Later that morning Mr Ryan's daughter Michelle became extremely concerned that her father had not returned home and didn't show up for work. Ms Lowry and Michelle drove around for a time and found Mr Ryan's car at Kilshane Woods, about three miles from Ms Lowry's home. They spent the rest of the day searching the woods and over the coming days and weeks family, gardai and volunteers searched the buildings and farmland around Fawnagowan but found nothing. A few days after Mr Ryan's disappearance, Ms Lowry told a lady from Trace Ireland - a group that helps find missing people - about her affair with Patrick Quirke. She then told gardai and came out to her family. "It was a very difficult time," she said. She told prosecuting counsel Michael Bowman SC that she penned a note to Imelda Quirke that said simply: "Sorry." After Bobby Ryan's disappearance she said Mr Quirke "pestered" her, wanting to rekindle the relationship but she refused. They spent one night together at a hotel, she said, but they were not intimate and she left the following morning. In the summer of 2012 tragedy struck Patrick and Imelda Quirke's family when their son Alan died. Ms Lowry said that following the funeral Mr Quirke came to her and asked why she wasn't supporting him at this difficult time. She said she told him to go home to his wife and children. In September of that year she planned to go on a foreign holiday with her children but she couldn't find her passport. She said that she asked Mr Quirke what he had done with it and he told her that he sold it. Ms Lowry will continue giving evidence in front of Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of six men and six women tomorrow. Two injured crew members have been airlifted to hospital from a fishing vessel off the west coast this afternoon. Both are said to have sustained head injuries while working on board a trawler about 60 nautical miles (111 kilometres) west of Dingle in Kerry. The alarm was raised by the vessels crew at around 11.20am today when they contacted the Irish Coast Guard. The Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 115, was tasked and took off shortly before midday for the one-hour flight to rendezvous with the trawler. Rescue 115 reached the vessel at around 1.00pm and the helicopters paramedic was winched onto the deck to assess the casualties. Weather conditions on scene were reported to be poor with winds reaching up to Force 6. Both patients were winched on board the helicopter and flown to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. There is no information available about their condition however its believed their injuries are not life-threatening. The airlift was coordinated by watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard marine rescue sub-centre on Valentia Island in Kerry. There are "no plans at present" to undertake a geophysical survey at the site of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home - although investigators have visited the site. The Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation carried out a geophysical survey at a reported children's burial site at the grounds of the former Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home in Tipperary last week. The Bessborough, Sean Ross Abbey and the Castlepollard Mother and Baby Homes were run by the same order - the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The Bessborough Little Angels Plot. Director of the MBHCOI, Ita Mangan, said the Commission has "no plans at present" to carry out a geophysical survey at the site but said that burial arrangements at Bessborough will be addressed in a report the Commission will submit to the Minister in March. "The burial arrangements at Bessborough are being examined and will be reported on in the burials report which we propose to submit to the Minister in March. We have looked at the grounds but have not conducted a geophysical or similar examination of Bessborough," she said. Death registers for both Bessborough and Sean Ross Abbey were handed over to the HSE by the Order in 2011. In the case of Bessborough, the register shows that 470 infants and 10 women died in Bessborough between 1934 and 1953. A total of 273 deaths took place in just a six-year period between 1939 and 1944. However, the Order reported 353 deaths to State inspectors in this period. Running to more than 50 pages, it lists each childs name, date of death, former residence of the deceased, gender, age at last birthday, profession (which is marked son or daughter in most cases), cause of death, duration of illness, initials of the officer recording the death, and the date when the death was registered. The principal cause of death in some 20% of the deaths is marasmus (severe malnutrition). It is unclear where all of these children are buried. Last year, an Irish Examiner investigation revealed that children from the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home and the former St Anne's Adoption Society who died as late as 1990 are buried in unmarked graves in a Cork city cemetery. Three grave plots in St Finbarrs cemetery in Cork city were found to contain the remains of at least 21 children. Two of the three plots are completely unmarked. The third records just one name despite 16 children being buried in the grave. The High Court has ruled that a total sum of 10,700 cash found in a woman's knee high boot and a man's jacket during a Garda search of a house in south Dublin are the proceeds of crime. The Criminal Assets Bureau had sought the orders over cash found in the home of Lisa Moore, whom the Bureau accepted is not involved in criminal activity and has no convictions, and her partner Robert Keeley at Donomore Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on August 31st 2016. Ms Moore denied the cash was the proceeds of crime and said it came from the sale of a car that belonged to her. Mr Keeley did not make any application in regard to the cash. CAB's application concerning the cash was due to be heard earlier this month by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart at the High Court but the matter was settled following talks between lawyers for CAB and Ms Moore. Arising out of the settlement, Ms Justice Stewart was told an order deeming the cash the proceeds of crime could be made. CAB also accepted that Ms Moore is not involved in criminal activity and has no criminal convictions. CAB claimed Robert Keeley is part of an organised crime group involved in the sale and supply of drugs and the theft of high-end cars taken during burglaries. It also claimed he associates with known criminals and has a number of criminal convictions, mainly for road traffic offences. During the search of the couple's home, CAB said 3,200 was found in the pocket of a man's jacket and 7,500 was found in a knee-high boot in a bedroom where designer items were also found. Other items found in the search included a CBD key programmer, a device used for programming car keys, an anti-surveillance machine used to detect eavesdropping devices, a wired or wireless camera and a diagnostic laptop. CAB said the property is decorated to a high standard, has bulletproof glass in the front door and windows and a sophisticated CCTV system. The search was carried out as part of an investigation into the unauthorised taking of vehicles in the Dublin area. At two other premises linked to Mr Keeley, gardai recovered stolen property including cars and illegal drugs, CAB claimed. In claiming the 10,700 was the proceeds of crime, CAB said Ms Moore and Mr Keeley - who have two children together and are in receipt of social welfare payments of approximately 400 per week - were living a lifestyle way above what could be funded by legitimate means. Ms Moore previously secured legal aid to contest CAB's claim. CAB disputed her explanation the money had come from the sale of a car and said that explanation lacked detail. Mr Keeley had made no claim in respect of the money and had not offered any explanation about the other items seized following the search of their house, CAB said. Mr Keeley had said the bulletproof glass was installed after shots were fired at the house in 2012, it also said. Michael Ring has said tens of thousands more homes could have been hooked up to high-speed broadband by now if mistakes had been avoided in the roll-out of the National Broadband plan. Rural Minister Michael Ring said an extra 15% of houses would have already received high-speed broadband by now if maps had been drawn up to consider where homes are located. Separately, Mr Ring said that he now wants to take responsibilities away from Transport Minister Shane Ross and Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty to bring them under his remit. More than 500,000 homes and businesses are still without a service as the National Broadband Plan (NBP), which has been plagued by delay, has yet to get the green light. The process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention is network still underway. A spokesperson for the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment said Minister Richard Bruton wants to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible and will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks. In 2017, the department signed a separate agreement with Eir, the countrys largest telecoms group, to complete around 300,000 units by the end of 2018 mainly around regional towns. Mr Ring pointed out that under the Eir contract, cables had been brought half-way down some roads but stopped at particular houses which marked map boundaries, meaning the next house or a property directly across the road was not hooked up. The Mayo TD said a more common sense approach could have been taken so that houses on the same road or in the same area would all have been hooked up as part of the Eir contract. "We could have certainly got another 15% if we had let them do that but because it wasn't on a map, that's what they got in a contract and that what had to be done. Sometimes they look at maps and they don't actually see the housing that is there. "(With )the actual existing plan they were given they could have got 10 or 15 % more of the country done but they couldn't do it because it wasn't in the existing plan." But Mr Ring said that the roll-out of broadband is a "global issue" and not just a problem for rural Ireland. "I was in Boston last year...Boston has the same problems as Dublin, the very same problem - housing, traffic, too many jobs and they cannot get them out to the regions. "The Mayor told me himself that you go a mile outside of Boston city and they don't have high-speed broadband. So this isn't a rural problem this is a global problem and every other country is watching now how we are going to do it." Meanwhile, Mr Ring identified a number of responsibilities that he wants to claw away from other departments. "If I am here next year I will be going back to Government taking bits off other departments. I am at it already because I think this Department should now be strengthened." Mr Ring said rural transport should be his responsibility and would be lobbying the Taoiseach to take control of this. He also said that some Community Employment (CE) schemes, currently under the control of the Department of Social Protection, should be transferred to his Department. A man who repeatedly sexually assaulted a young girl he was babysitting two decades ago has received a suspended sentence of 20 months. Stephen Browner, now aged 36, was a teenager when he forced the child to masturbate him on dates between December 1997 and December 1999. She was aged between eight and 10 at the time. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Browner says he has lived with intense feelings of guilt and shame about his actions. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain said that the attacks left the victim with a sadness that remains with her and desecrated her idea of love. Browner of Stoneybatter, Dublin pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual assault at her family home in a south Dublin suburb on dates between December 1997 and December 1999. Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant wished to lift reporting restrictions in the case so that Browner can be named. Judge Ni Chulachain told Browner that the victim was motivated by a concern to protect others from you. She suspended a 20-month prison term on conditions including that he undergo all treatment programmes recommended by the Probation Service, including victim awareness. The judge accepted the offending was out of character and that Browner was a minor at the time, 14 to 16 years old. She noted a report that states he is at a low risk of re-offending. She told Browner that he is on the sex offenders register and has an obligation to let future girlfriends know that you are on the register. Judge Ni Chulachain also noted that reports before the court say that he is remorseful but she said he has not taken concrete steps to deal with his offending, such as undergoing counselling. You will have to live with revulsion you have for yourself, she said. In a letter to the court, Browner said he was sorry and said he always knew his past actions would catch up with him. I've never been able to live with myself, he said. Detective Garda Paul Lynch told the court that the victim went to gardai in 2016 and Browner was interviewed the following year. He admitted he had made the child masturbate him around half a dozen times and part of this abuse was linked to a gun game he played with the victim. He told detectives: I am ashamed, If I could change what went on, I would do. The abuse began in the run-up to Christmas 1997 when Browner was babysitting the girl. The victim's family and Browner's family were neighbours at the time. After being put to bed the girl sneaked downstairs with the intention to jump in and frighten Browner. She found him watching something on television and masturbating himself. He seemed to stop and seemed dumbstruck to see her. She told gardai she didn't understand and was naive. On a following occasion, he was masturbating, and she walked in on him and he continued and asked her did she want to have a go. This behaviour escalated to him moving the girl's hand to his penis while playing a game with her. On a later occasion, he was having a shower and made her masturbate him. The court heard that the incidents ended in 1999 when the girl told the family of another boy and he told her to tell her parents. She went to her mother and this woman went to Browner's mother and told her about the assaults. Browner's mother responded by bending over and said I think I'm going to be sick, the court heard. Browner then wrote a letter of apology which was handed into the victim's family. The letter was ripped up. In 2016 the victim became very upset and broke down and made a decision to go to gardai. Brian Gageby BL, defending, for Browner told the court that his client never touched the child himself or asked her to expose herself. He said he never made any threats or force. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, is more than 84% complete, TAP Managing director Luca Schieppati said at the European Gas Conference in Vienna. "TAP is more than 84% complete. Between Greece and Albania, around 97% of pipes are already in the ground. In Italy, works are under way at the pipeline receiving terminal and the micro-tunnel site," Schieppati said. TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network. The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016. Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe. TAP shareholders include BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam S.p.A. (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagas (16%) and Axpo (5%). Head of the 'Caspian Barrel' Center for Oil Research Ilham Shaban, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, noted mutual benefit of the Southern Gas Corridor project for Azerbaijan, Turkey and Europe. "Of course, gas export from Azerbaijan started in 2007, but all these years we had only limited opportunities to supply gas to regional markets in Georgia and Turkey, but now our country will be able to export gas to large consumers on the European market for many decades. This will ensure the transition from the traditional status of the oil exporter to the status of a gas power," he explained. "In fact, Azerbaijan's current smooth connection to the European markets is the opening of confirmed reserves of 2.6 trillion cubic meters of gas to foreign consumers. By opening the Southern Gas Corridor, we are strengthening the soil of the European and global market for us, attracting further investments for our development and ensuring long-term revenues of the republic," Shahban concluded. Energy expert Rovshan Ibragimov, in turn, pointed to the transition of Azerbaijan to being a major gas exporter with the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor. "The commissioning of this pipeline will allow the export of large volumes of natural gas to the markets of Turkey, which will happen on June 12, the markets of Bulgaria, Greece, Italy after 2020, and, possibly, the market of Albania. Thus, in addition to the status of the oil exporter, Azerbaijan also becomes a major gas supplier. Even if over time, oil production will be reduced, it will be offset by gas," he said. "Thus, Azerbaijan is becoming an even more active participant in ensuring the energy security of the countries along the Southern Gas Corridor and an important hydrocarbon exporter in the European region. In time, Azerbaijan may turn into a hub for delivering gas to European consumers, first of all, from Turkmenistan. Azerbaijan is also one of the sources of diversification of natural gas supplies to European countries, which further increases its macro-regional importance," Rovshan Ibrahimov concluded. The husband of Ruth Morrissey who has cervical cancer today told the High Court it has been extremely tough for his family and it is like there is a dark cloud over them. Paul Morrissey who was giving evidence after the court was told Ruth's scan results this month are very disappointing and his wife's prognosis remains "very guarded " said: "It is like a bad dream you can't wake up from." He added: "Just imagine if it was your wife, the love of your life, it seems to be one thing after another. It is heartbreaking, terrifying and unimaginable." Mr Justice Kevin Cross was hearing evidence in the resumed hearing of the action taken by Ruth and Paul Morrissey from Limerick over the alleged misreading of her cervical smears. The 37-year-old mother and her husband Paul are suing over cervical smears taken under the CervicalCheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012. Ms Morrissey told the court she has asked about surgery after her cervical cancer recurred last year and she had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment, but she has been told it is not possible "It is tough at home. With so much radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We thought I had a chance of getting through," she said. She told the court if she had known in 2015 and 2016 the results of the review of her smear slides which showed her smears were reported incorrectly then she would have asked for more scans. Ms Morrissey, who was told of the review results in May last year, said she had attended her consultant in November 2014, three times in 2015 and twice in 2016 and twice in 2017. "If I had known in 2015 and 2016 I would have absolutely asked for more scans and better surveillance. If they said no, I would have gone private," she added. When the case re-opened before Mr Justice Cross today after being adjourned last July, Counsel for the Morrisseys Jeremy Maher SC, updated the court on the mothers condition. Counsel said Ms Morrissey was separately diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy in November last year. Mr Maher said her prognosis would be excellent, but for the cervical cancer. Counsel handed in a letter from Ms Morrisseys treating consultant for cervical cancer who reported that after scans and an MRI this month it has shown disappointing results. Despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy, there is a concern that the symptoms have returned. Counsel said Ms Morrissey suffers from pelvic pain and the prognosis, he said, remains very guarded. Ruth Morrissey and her husband Paul Morrissey of Kylemore, Schoolhouse Road, Monaleen, Co. Limerick have sued the HSE and the US laboratory Quest Diagnostics Ireland Ltd with offices at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, along with Medlab Pathology Ltd with offices at Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18. It is claimed there was an alleged failure to correctly report and diagnose and there was an alleged misinterpretation of her smear samples taken in 2009 and 2012. A situation, it is claimed, allegedly developed where Ms Morrisseys cancer spread unidentified, unmonitored and untreated until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in June 2014. It is further claimed a review of the 2009 and 2012 smears took place in 2014 and 2015 with the results sent to Ms Morrissey's treating gynaecologist in 2016, but she was not told until May 2018 of those review results which showed her smears were reported incorrectly. The HSE, the court has already heard, admitted it owed a duty of care to Ms Morrissey but not to her husband. The laboratories deny all claims. Mr Maher SC said it was also their case in relation to the 2012 smear that the number of cells on the slide being examined were allegedly inadequate. The Morrissey side now also contends that if Ms Morrissey had been told the results of the smear test reviews in late 2014 or early 2015, Ruth Morrissey would have insisted on an MRI and other scans. There was an opportunity to detect an occurrence of the tumour at an earlier stage. You would have the probability of life rather than the probability of death, Mr Maher said We are now dealing with the probability of death. If Ruth Morrissey was made aware of the facts and results of the audits she would have insisted on an MRI and scans in 2015." HSE Counsel Patrick Hanratty SC objected to the widening of the case. The Morrissey side argued the HSE knew of the issue since a medical report referred to it last September. Mr Maher said his side only became aware this month of the report which indicated had the reoccurrence of cancer been identified in late 2015 or 2016 it would have been small and amenable to treatment including surgery. Mr Justice Cross ruled the case should proceed on its expanded basis. The case, he said, had to proceed and it would be grossly unfair if it did not. The case before Mr Justice Kevin Cross continues tomorrow. The Government and the European Union have firmly rejected demands from British Prime Minister Theresa May to re-open the Withdrawal Agreement. Within minutes of a key House of Commons vote, near identical statements were released by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's spokesman and from the EU that the deal agreed with Mrs May in December cannot be re-opened. The EU position on the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, is set out in the conclusions of the December meeting of the European Council. It has not changed, said the Irish Government. "The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation." The Agreement is a carefully negotiated compromise, which balances the UK position on customs and the single market with avoiding a hard border and protecting the integrity of the EU customs union and single market.The best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify this Agreement, the statement said. We have consistently said that we want the closest possible future relationship between the EU and the UK. A change in the UK red lines could lead to a change in the Political Declaration on the framework for the future relationship, and a better overall outcome. We will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including for a no-deal scenario, the statement added. In the House of Commons, MPs approved Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady's Brexit amendment, which aims to replace the Northern Ireland backstop with "alternative arrangements", by 317 votes to 301 - majority 16. Mrs May urged her MPs to back the amendment which she says now gives her a mandate to seek to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU. It was approved by 317 votes to 301, a majority of 16. The motion, as amended, was approved without a formal vote. Following the vote, Mrs May said she intends to vote with Brexiteer hardliners and also extended a fresh invitation to meet with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to seek a consensus. Having rejected her two weeks ago, he told the Commons he is prepared to meet with Mrs May to discuss the way forward. While the House of Commons rejected Labour MP Yvetter Cooper's substantial amendment to avoid a no-deal Brexit, MPs did approve Tory former minister Dame Caroline Spelman's amendment seeking to prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal. MPs approved the non-binding amendment by 318 votes to 310, a majority of eight. Following the result, Mrs May said she now had a mandate to take back for further negotiations with the EU. She said: "Tonight a majority of members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop combined with measures to address concerns over Parliament's role in the negotiation of the future relationship and commitments on workers' rights in law where need be. "It's now clear there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. "We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland." The funerals of four young men who all tragically died in a car accident on Sunday night will take place in West Donegal on Thursday. The men were named as Micheal Roarty, 24, from Dunlewey; John Harley, 24, from Falcarragh; Shaun Harkin, 22, from Falcarragh; and Daniel Scott, from Gortahork, also in his 20s. Mr Harkin's funeral will take place at Christ the King Church in Gortahork on Thursday at 10am. The funeral of Mr Harley will take place in St Finnians Church, Falcarragh at 1pm on Thursday afternoon. Mr Roarty's funeral mass will also take place on Thursday morning at 11:30am at the Sacred Heart Church in Dunlewey, while Mr Scott's funeral will take place at Christ the King Church in Gortahork at 2:30pm on Thursday afternoon. The four friends were killed when the car they were travelling in left the road near Magheraroarty around 8.40pm. It is understood the car flipped over onto its roof and that all four men were killed instantly following the crash in the townland of Gleannhulaigh. Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael John Horan has offered his condolences and those of the GAA to the families. Mr Horan said: I was truly saddened to hear the awful news that four young men tragically lost their lives in a road accident last Sunday night in Donegal. It is heart-breaking to think that these four young men, in the prime of their lives, had their lives taken from them so soon. On behalf of the GAA I would like to extend my sympathies and condolences to the victims families, teammates, clubs, and wider circle of friends. Maeve Sweeney, principal at PCC Falcarragh where three of the men went to school, said: "As you can imagine our school is 460 students and it's always very busy, it's a noisy school. "This morning there was a very sombre silence across the school, students were just devastated and a lot of them had connections with them, so it was a very quiet school this morning." Gweedore priest Fr Brian OFearraigh who assisted at the scene of Sunday nights accident said that it was "really the stuff of nightmares". It makes no earthly sense whatever, he told RTEs Today with Sean ORourke show yesterday afternoon. Gardai are continuing their investigations and Superintendent David Kelly has appealed for witnesses. He said: "If anybody saw that silver Toyota Corolla, 01-DL, travelling in the direction of Magheraroarty to Gweedore yesterday evening prior to 8.40pm - or indeed earlier in the day - would they please contact gardai at Milford Garda Station." A couple found to have accepted a loan, rather than a gift, of 280,000 from a former friend must repay that sum immediately plus interest, a High Court judge has ruled. Fidelma Della Kerrigan is also entitled to the legal costs of the eight-day case brought by her against Jacqueline and John Keenaghan, Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy said. Those costs are expected to be a six-figure sum. Outside court, Della Kerrigan said she was glad it was all over but deeply disappointed her friends had betrayed her. Ms Kerrigan gave the 280,000 to the Keenaghans in August 2010 out of a 750,000 compensation award made to her two weeks earlier for serious injuries suffered by her in a road accident in which her father died. She is now on social protection payments. Earlier this month, Ms Justice Murphy ruled the 280,000 given by the gullible and naive Ms Kerrigan was a loan sought by Ms Keenaghan with no specified repayment date. She rejected arguments by the Keenaghans it was an unsolicited "gift". The "real tragedy in the case stemmed from the Keenaghans reaction when Ms Kerrigan sought repayment in 2014 of the loan, the judge said. She accepted evidence of Della Kerrigan and her sister Celine that, in the months leading up to the settlement, Jacqueline Keenaghan, whose architect husband's business was in serious difficulty due to the financial recession and who was very friendly with the sisters, broached the possibility of Della helping her out of the settlement proceeds and assured Della she would pay back "every penny". Ms Kerrigan had agreed in principle to help out her "dear friend", the judge said. Jacqueline Keenaghan's denial of the true circumstances of the loan ruptured this friendship and the Kerrigans saw the denial for what it was, an enormous breach of trust", the judge said. She was confident any reasonable repayment proposal from the couple would have found favour with Ms Kerrigan even if spread over "many, many years". Even if she had found the 280,000 was a gift, she would have set that aside as an "improvident transaction" on foot of which the defendants had been "unjustly enriched", she added. The Keenaghans, she noted, had paid off all their debts, financed their childrens education, retrained as counsellors and psychotherapists and opened a new business. When the case returned for final orders today, the judge granted judgment for the 280,000, plus interest at 8 per cent from 2014 when Ms Kerrigan first sought repayment. She also awarded costs of the entire hearing to Ms Kerrigan after rejecting a plea from Desmond Murphy SC, for the Keenaghans, for some little mercy and to award costs of six rather than eight days. She refused to put a stay on her orders pending consideration by the Keenaghans on whether to bring any appeal. Patrick Keane SC, instructed by Aisling McGowan of Damien Tansey solicitors, for Ms Kerrigan, objected to any stay. Ms Kerrigan had given the loan in 2010, asked for it back in 2014 and is still waiting for her money, he said. She was living in very poor financial circumstances, dependent on social protection payments and her difficulties should not be unnecessarily continued. The judge noted she had urged the parties to try and resolve the matter before any court decision but that did not happen. The whole event was before her because of Ms Keenaghans breach of trust, she said. The court should not prolong the agony any longer and the Keenaghans had not advanced any credible legal argument as to why a stay should be granted, she ruled. Outside court, Damien Tansey said the Keenaghans had succeeded in transferring their financial problems to Ms Kerrigans shoulders. Her situation was dreadful and she was utterly dependent on social welfare, he said. The judge had highlighted the Keenaghans had significant valuable, property assets and, if they did not pay the amount of judgment, his side would register a charge against those assets and sell them out, to ensure there was a fund available to repay the money to Della Kerrigan, he added. Just over 40,000 mortgages were drawn down last year, with a value of over 8.7bn. It represents an increase of nearly 20% in value and 15.5% in volume on the total in 2017. Greencore boss Patrick Coveney has admitted the sandwiches and wraps-maker has grown less optimistic about the chances of a smooth and orderly Brexit and is putting greater emphasis than before on planning for a hard or no-deal outcome. Speaking at the company's AGM in Dublin, Mr Coveney said he remains confident Britain won't crash out of the EU without a trade deal in place. However, Greencore is looking at alternative ways to import food ingredients into its main UK operations without shipping from Calais to Dover, if the country's existing supply chain mechanisms break down. Air freight is one option under consideration, while shipping into smaller UK ports is another option. The company will need to have a plan in place within the next three weeks. As it stands, Greencore has enough product warehoused to deal with one to three months of disruption to the main shipping channels in a no-deal scenario. But if there is no deal, it will have to tweak certain product ranges and replace certain ingredients and the price of its products may rise. "We're not immune, but we should be able to construct a solution that there will be a decent availability of some food but there will be impact," Mr Coveney said. "There are more products air-lifted into the UK than one might think. The challenge is to find a way to get product quickly from where it's grown into the UK," he said. While he said short-term uncertainty around the UK is understandable, Mr Coveney said Britain remains an attractive long-term market. "In the longer term there's a lot to be positive about. It's a large, wealthy market that pays a lot for its food. The own label area [in which Greencore trades] is a very lucrative busines in the UK. We're well set up," he said. Greencore's latest trading update - for the three months to the end of December - shows it made a good start to its latest financial year, with headline revenue - which excludes disposed assets, including its US business - rising by 5.8%. Greencore's shares rose by almost 4% before paring back part of that gain. Mr Coveney said he expects Greencore to grow further in the UK through acquisition, although it is in no hurry to execute deals. He said deals would be looked at in the context of shaping the group for the next 5-10 years. Chairman Gary Kennedy earlier told the meeting the company "won't be afraid to act" if it found something that would accelerate its growth and that there are "all sorts of organic and inorganic" opportunities through which to grow. WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats alike on Capitol Hill won't back the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement until President Donald Trump ends America's punitive restrictions on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, says a key congressional player in the unfolding North American trade drama. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Trade authorities, from left, Miriam Sapiro, deputy U.S. trade representative, Hector Dada, El Salvador's minister of economy, Anabel Gonzalez, Costa Rica's minister of foreign trade and Jose Francisco Zelaya, minister of industry and commerce for Honduras, hold a news conference on the second day of the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) summit in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday Feb. 23, 2011. A former U.S. trade ambassador is urging Canada and Mexico to vote to approve their new North American trade pact with the United States in order to spur action on Capitol Hill before the end of the year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Luis Romero WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats alike on Capitol Hill won't back the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement until President Donald Trump ends America's punitive restrictions on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, says a key congressional player in the unfolding North American trade drama. Opinions about NAFTA's replacement vary on both sides of the aisle, but there's a growing consensus that it won't pass muster in Congress until the tariffs are lifted without being replaced by any other managed-trade mechanisms, like import quotas, said Texas Rep. Kevin Brady, the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over international trade. "Key things in my discussions with members, Republicans and Democrats, is that they're not really willing to consider this agreement until the steel and aluminum tariffs are ensured to be lifted off, including quotas," Brady said Tuesday during a morning appearance at a trade conference in Washington. "Frankly, quotas can be just as disruptive as tariffs can be ... the truth of the matter is the agreement's strong enough to stand without them. These are fair trading partners, trading fairly in those metals, so I think that's going to be one of those threshold issues." In Washington trade circles, it doesn't take long for a discussion about the agreement christened the USMCA by Trump, but known more colloquially elsewhere as the "new NAFTA" or "NAFTA 2.0" to turn to one of two subjects: the deal's fate in Congress, and the future of the tariffs, which Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland calls "illegal and unjust." Canada's retaliatory tariffs against U.S.-made goods, "the highest, strongest retaliatory trade action in Canadian history," are bearing fruit, Freeland said Tuesday during question period. "This action is having results. In fact, just this week, Kevin Brady said in the U.S. that he did not see how the U.S. could ratify NAFTA while these tariffs were still in place." Brady said the process of "counting the noses" determining which members of Congress support the agreement, which don't, and why or why not is underway to produce an inventory of issues to be addressed by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and secure congressional support for the deal. Democrats say it lacks effective enforcement tools for its labour and environmental provisions. Republicans, Brady said, are concerned about the erosion of investor-state safeguards and the uncertainty posed by a clause that the deal be open to review every six years, a caveat Canada initially opposed. "Every trade agreement is a mixed issue, and I know Democrats are voicing the need for strong enforcement on the labour provisions," Brady said. "For Republicans, it's more the architecture; the investor-state protections are not as broad and as strong as they need to be in our members' views, we still are trying to figure out how the sunset mechanism works for or against certainty for trade long term." As a result, it's still too soon to predict when a vote might take place on Capitol Hill, especially given the lingering hangover of a month-long government shutdown, a bruising political battle over Trump's U.S.-Mexico wall and the possibility that three weeks from now, the president could revisit his shutdown strategy or declare a national emergency at the southern border. Observers have long assumed neither Canada nor Mexico would be willing to ratify the deal before the U.S., leaving America's neighbours in a holding pattern. Martha Barcena Coqui, Mexico's new U.S. ambassador, said last week she expects a vote during the upcoming session of her country's Congress, which gets underway next month. In Canada, Parliament has until the end of June if it wants it done before the federal election in October. Getting out ahead of the U.S. could pay dividends, said Miriam Sapiro, a Democrat who served as deputy and later acting U.S. trade representative under President Barack Obama. "It's fair to say that this agreement is likely to pass more quickly than Mexico will pay for a border wall," Sapiro joked during a panel discussion about the USMCA. "I think it would help if Mexico and Canada could pass the agreement first, for two reasons: first of all, that puts more pressure on the Congress to consider it in a timely fashion, and, second of all, it actually makes it harder for anybody to speak seriously about reopening the text." A little discord around trade deals is a good thing, added Sapiro, who was joined on the panel by Canadian Chamber of Commerce president Perrin Beatty and Kenneth Smith Ramos, who led the previous Mexican government's NAFTA negotiating team. "There is a range of issues coming out and that is healthy," she said. "If you had one side very happy with it, then obviously the other side would be less so." Count Beatty a Mulroney-era cabinet minister who was in government for both the negotiation of the original Canada-U.S. free trade deal and later NAFTA among those who are less than thrilled with the final product, but cognizant of the possible alternatives. "I don't see it as NAFTA 2.0, I see it more as NAFTA 0.8," Beatty said. "I think what we need to do and the way most Canadians see it is we need to judge it not against our aspirations about what we wanted to see ... but we have to judge it against what the option was on the table. And the option was potentially a trade war between Canada and the U.S., and the loss of something we'd worked very hard to build." Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version described Rep. Kevin Brady as the chair of a congressional committee. He is the ranking member, the senior member from the minority party. MONTREAL - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Rachel Bendayan, his candidate for the upcoming Outremont byelection, walked carefully along the ice-covered sidewalks Monday evening in Montreal to campaign, door to door. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigns for the next byelection with candidate Rachel Bendayan in Montreal on Monday, January 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Rachel Bendayan, his candidate for the upcoming Outremont byelection, walked carefully along the ice-covered sidewalks Monday evening in Montreal to campaign, door to door. At their first stop, a young boy opened the door wide enough for his head to fit through the crack. "Hello! Are your parents home?" Trudeau asked. The boy shook his head no. Trudeau and Bendayan spoke to the child for a few moments and moved on to the next house. The Liberals are hoping they can snatch Outremont back from the NDP in the Feb. 25 byelection, more than 11 years after former NDP leader Tom Mulcair won the seat in 2007. Before then, the riding was considered a Liberal stronghold. "Thank you so much for coming out," Trudeau told about 20 of Bendayan's volunteers, many of whom were holding clipboards with voter addresses, getting ready to trudge up and down sidewalks covered in thick ice and abrasives that made the journey slightly less slippery. After visiting only a handful of homes, Trudeau and Bendayan walked down the neighbourhood's busy Cote-des-Neiges Road to have a light dinner at a coffee shop. The ice and frigid temperatures it felt like -25 C with the wind chill forced some pedestrians to keep their heads down and not notice the prime minister walking by. But many recognized Trudeau and asked him for photos, dragging out what would have been a three-minute walk into a frigid 15-minute photo shoot with fawning citizens. At the coffee shop, Raphael Assor, 74, said he would do everything he could to make sure Trudeau wins again. "I like his leadership, it's in the style of his father," referring to former prime minister Pierre Trudeau. "(Justin Trudeau) is open, accessible. He defends liberty on the international stage." Mulcair's surprising win in 2007 gave his party its only seat in Quebec at the time and was a harbinger for the 2011 election where the NDP won the majority of Quebec seats, allowing them to become the official Opposition. The NDP did not repeat the performance in 2015 and the Liberals made big gains in the province. Still, the Outremont riding, flanking part of the north end of the city's Mount Royal, remained elusive. The Liberals currently hold 40 of Quebec's 78 seats. The byelection in February is a precursor to the general election in October. With polling indicating Liberal ridings are at risk in Ontario and the West, the party is looking to pick up seats in Quebec in October to preserve its majority. In an interview after Trudeau left for the night, Bendayan said her and the prime minister spoke during dinner about the importance of the byelection. The vote next month is the second time she's trying to win Outremont, after her second-place finish to Mulcair in 2015. "I was running against the leader of the official Opposition," Bendayan said, as to why she wasn't part of the Liberal team that won a majority government in 2015 and most of Quebec's seats. "(But) the responses I'm getting all over the riding are really positive. I'm taking nothing for granted." The Liberals continue to lead nationally in public opinion polls, but their support is down in every region of the country compared with their 2015 election results. Support for the party remains strongest in Atlantic Canada and Quebec ahead of this fall's general election. And while this byelection will be a test to see if the Liberals continue to enjoy strong support in Montreal, it will also help gauge support in the province for the NDP under its new leader, Jagmeet Singh. Experts have already inspected Arkhip Kuindzhis painting 'Ai-Petri. Crimea' and have not doubt that it is authentic, Head of the Russian Culture Ministrys Museum Department Vladislav Kononov said. "As far as I know, experts have already seen the painting and they have no doubts," he said. Kononov added that experts were more concerned about the paintings condition. "Experts are more concerned about preserving the painting after it was exposed to freezing temperatures," TASS cited Kononov as saying. The painting titled 'Ai-Petri. Crimea' by Arkhip Kuindzhi was stolen from the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow on January 27 but was recovered the next day. The painting comes from the collection of the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg and was brought to Moscow for an exhibition of Kuindzhis masterpieces. The 39 by 53 cm painting in oil on canvas and paper dates back to the 1890s. TORONTO - A timeline of key events in the case of Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur based on information released by police: Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - A timeline of key events in the case of Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur based on information released by police: September 2010 _ Skandaraj Navaratnam, 40, disappears from Toronto's gay village. Serial killer Bruce McArthur's victims are shown in these Toronto Police Service handout photos. Top row (left to right) are Selim Esen, Soroush Mahmudi, Dean Lisowick and Abdulbasir Faizi. Bottom row (left to right) are Skandaraj Navaratnam, Andrew Kinsman, Kirushna Kanagaratnam and Majeed Kayhan. McArthur pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder in a Toronto courtroom on Tuesday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Police Service MANDATORY CREDIT Dec. 29, 2010 _ Abdulbasir Faizi, 42, is reported missing to Peel Regional Police, west of Toronto. He was last seen in Toronto's gay village. October 2012 _ Majeed Kayhan, 58, of Toronto, is reported missing. November 2012 _ Police launch Project Houston to investigate the disappearances of Faizi, Navaratnam and Kayhan. April 2014 _ Police close Project Houston, saying none of their findings would classify anyone as a suspect of a criminal offence. August 2015 _ Soroush Mahmudi, 50, of Toronto, is reported missing. May 2016 - July 2017 _ Police believe Dean Lisowick, 43 or 44, of no fixed address, was killed by McArthur during this time span. April 14, 2017 _ Selim Esen, 44, is reported missing. June 26, 2017 _ Andrew Kinsman, 49, is reported missing. August 2017 _ Police launch Project Prism to investigate the disappearances of Esen and Kinsman. September 2017 _ Project Prism officers identify McArthur "as someone to be included or excluded as being involved in the disappearance of Andrew Kinsman.'' Dec. 8, 2017 _ Police Chief Mark Saunders says the force will review its practices in missing persons investigations. He says there's no evidence to suggest a serial killer is walking the streets of Toronto. Jan. 17, 2018 _ Police uncover evidence suggesting McArthur was responsible for both Kinsman and Esen's deaths, along with the deaths of other unidentified people. Jan. 18, 2018 _ McArthur is arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Esen and Kinsman. Police say McArthur is believed to be responsible for other deaths. Jan. 19, 2018 _ McArthur has his first court appearance. Jan. 29, 2018 _ McArthur is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Mahmudi, Kayhan and Lisowick. Police say more victims may be identified. Feb. 8, 2018 _ Police say they've recovered the remains of six people from planters at a house where McArthur worked as a landscaper, and say they expect more charges. Feb. 13, 2018 _ Police say excavation at the home's backyard turned up no human remains, but suggest they may "revisit the scene'' when the weather warms up. Feb. 23, 2018 _ Police lay a sixth charge of first-degree murder against McArthur, identify Navaratnam as one of the alleged victims whose remains were found in the planters. March 5, 2018 _ Police say they've recovered the remains of a seventh person linked to McArthur. April 11, 2018 _ Police lay a seventh murder charge against McArthur in Faizi's death. April 16, 2018 _ Police lay an eighth murder charge against McArthur in the death of Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam, who came to Canada from Sri Lanka. Jan. 29, 2019 _ McArthur pleads guilty to all eight charges of first-degree murder. QUEBEC - Two years after a gunman killed six worshippers in a Quebec City mosque, banners with the names and faces of the victims were unfurled Tuesday night as a word chosen by family members to describe their loved one was read out. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Artist Luce Pelletier, from the left, Quebec Islamic cultural centre president Boufeldja Benabdallah and Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume hold one of the six metal leafs representing one of the six victims of the 2017 Mosque shooting, Tuesday, January 29, 2019 in Quebec City. The city unveiled a memorial to be installed by the mosque. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot QUEBEC - Two years after a gunman killed six worshippers in a Quebec City mosque, banners with the names and faces of the victims were unfurled Tuesday night as a word chosen by family members to describe their loved one was read out. Mamadou Tanou Barry smiling. Ibrahima Barry intelligent. Khaled Belkacemi devoted. Abdelkrim Hassane pious. Azzeddine Soufiane courageous. Aboubaker Thabti generous. It was one of many emotional moments as hundreds of people gathered at Universite Laval for the ceremony paying homage to the victims. "I have trouble imagining the feeling of horror that must have overcome you faced with all this violence," Premier Francois Legault said, addressing the victims' families. "I hope that you feel this breath, this gust of solidarity. I hope it brings you a little comfort. That is the true face of Quebec: a united people who know how to show solidarity." Khaled Belkacemi's children, Megda et Amir, thanked the first responders who arrived at the mosque on the night of Jan. 29, 2017, as well as "all those who speak of acceptance and of peace." Politicians from all three levels of government were in attendance, as were representatives of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths. Earlier in the day, Quebec City announced it would honour the victims of the shooting with a memorial park to be built near the site where they were gunned down. Mayor Regis Labeaume said the tragic event left families and an entire community in mourning, and the memorial will ensure the victims are not forgotten. "This artistic creation invites dialogue and friendship, on one side of the street and on the other," Labeaume said. "The concept inspires respect and harmony between diverse communities." The centrepiece of the park will be a monument created by Quebec artist Luce Pelletier called "Vivre Ensemble" (Live Together). She said she chose to place a tree in the middle to represent "the cycle of life and the resilient force of nature." The park is slated to be inaugurated on Jan. 29 2020. Boufeldja Benabdallah, president of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre, was present with widows and children of the victims at the unveiling of a scale model. "Violence can and must be converted into friendship, kindness and recognition," Benabdallah said. "That is the meaning of this memorial." Alexandre Bissonnette pleaded guilty to the killings last year and is to be sentenced Feb. 8 on six counts of first-degree murder. If the judge orders that the six life sentences be serviced consecutively, Bissonnette would not be eligible for parole for 150 years. In Ottawa, the Canadian Muslim Forum and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, called on the federal government to declare Jan. 29 a national day to combat Islamophobia. Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the federal government is still in discussions to identify a suitable way to commemorate the tragedy. "We will arrive at a solution that reflects a consensus, because these are questions that require a consensus to go forward," he told reporters. MONTREAL - Former Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec has filed a court action in an effort to recover $200,000 he provided to help finance a movie starring his wife. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Montreal Canadiens' Tomas Plekanec throws a puck to fans following his 1000th NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings in Montreal on October 15, 2018. Former Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec has filed a court action in an effort to recover $200,000 he provided to help finance a movie starring his wife. Court documents filed last week say "The Perfect Kiss", with an estimated budget of $1.7 million, was released in the United States last March and in Canada and his native Czech Republic last November. The movie, which was filmed in the Montreal suburb of Laval, is a romantic comedy starring Lucie Vondrackova as a single 30-year-old woman who pretends to be married with children to escape the unwanted attention of her overbearing parents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes MONTREAL - Former Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec has filed a court action in an effort to recover $200,000 he provided to help finance a movie starring his wife. Court documents filed last week say "The Perfect Kiss", with an estimated budget of $1.7 million, was released in the United States last March and in Canada and his native Czech Republic last November. The movie, which was filmed in the Montreal suburb of Laval, is a romantic comedy starring Lucie Vondrackova as a single 30-year-old woman who pretends to be married with children to escape the unwanted attention of her overbearing parents. According to court documents, Plekanec advanced the $200,000 in December 2016 and sought to get the loan repaid last August, the same month Czech media reported the couple had separated. But the two numbered Montreal companies that made the movie advised Plekanec's lawyers that they did not owe him any money. They said their obligations were transferred to a third party, with Plekanec's consent. The former Hab claims he never agreed to the transfer and is seeking repayment, plus interest and legal fees. TORONTO - Here is a glance at the victims of serial killer Bruce McArthur, who has pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder: Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Here is a glance at the victims of serial killer Bruce McArthur, who has pleaded guilty to eight counts of first-degree murder: MAJEED KAYHAN The 58-year-old Toronto man was killed on or about Oct. 18, 2012. Police investigated his death as part of Project Houston, which ran from November 2012 to April 2014 and probed the disappearances of three men who went missing from Toronto's gay village. The probe was closed after yielding neither suspects nor leads on what happened to the men. Kayhan's death was sexual in nature. SOROUSH MAHMUDI The 50-year-old was killed on or about Aug. 15, 2015. He was reported missing by his family in east Toronto. A ligature was used in Mahmudi's death, which was sexual in nature. A coat found in McArthur's van contained Mahmudi's DNA. The same coat was connected to the staging of other deceased victims. DEAN LISOWICK Lisowick, of no fixed address, was killed on or about April 23, 2016. He was 43 or 44 years old and was never reported missing. Lisowick didn't fit the profile of the earlier victims, who were gay and of Middle Eastern descent. A ligature was used in Lisowick's murder, which was sexual in nature. Jewelry belonging to Lisowick was found in McArthur's bedroom. SELIM ESEN Esen, 44, of Toronto, was killed on or about April 16, 2017. The disappearance became part of a police investigation called Project Prism, launched in August 2017. Five months later, McArthur was charged with Esen's presumed death. A ligature was used in his murder, and there was evidence of confinment with ropes. Esen's DNA as well as the weapon used in his murder were found inside McArthur's van. Esen's notebook was later found in McArthur's apartment. ANDREW KINSMAN The 49-year-old Toronto man was killed on or about June 26, 2017. Kinsman, who was also a subject of Project Prism, had a sexual relationship with McArthur. Kinsman's sisters said they searched for their brother for six months before police eventually charged McArthur in his death. A ligature was used in his murder as well as confinment with ropes. Video surveillance showed Kinsman getting into McArthur's van outside Kinsman's home. Kinsman's DNA and the weapon used in his murder were found inside McArthur's van. SKANDARAJ NAVARATNAM The 40-year-old was killed on or about Sept. 6, 2010. During the investigation, police found a piece of leather lacing from McArthur's van that contained Navaratnam's DNA. A bracelet belonging to Navaratnam was found in McArthur's bedroom. ABDULBASIR FAIZI Faizi was killed on or about Dec. 29, 2010. The 42-year-old was last seen in Toronto's gay village. His vehicle was found near the home of one of McArthur's landscaping clients. Faizi's disappearance was also investigated as part of Project Houston. KIRUSHNA KANAGARATNAM Kanagaratnam arrived in Toronto from Sri Lanka in 2010 and police believe he died on or about Jan. 6, 2016, at age 37. He was never reported missing and unlike McArthur's other victims, Kanagaratnam had no clear ties to the LGBTQ community. A ligature was used in his murder, which was sexual in nature. An unnamed international agency helped identify Kanagaratnam after investigators released a heavily edited photo of a dead man in a plea for public help. SOURCE: Toronto police MONTREAL - Fifty years after what became known as the Sir George Williams riot, one of the students whose allegations of racism triggered the explosive events says it's a shame they were never able to receive a fair hearing. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Rodney John is pictured in Montreal on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. Fifty years after what became known as the Sir George Williams University computer riot, one of the students whose allegations of racism triggered the explosive events says it's a shame they were never able to receive due process. Dr. Rodney John was one of six black biology students who complained about the treatment received from a professor. A sit-in that began Jan. 29, 1969 ended with a riot and fire the following month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL - Fifty years after what became known as the Sir George Williams riot, one of the students whose allegations of racism triggered the explosive events says it's a shame they were never able to receive a fair hearing. Rodney John was one of six black biology students at Montreal's Sir George Williams University who accused a professor of discrimination. A sit-in that began Jan. 29, 1969 ended with a riot and fire the following month. John, now 77 and living in Toronto, says he is comforted that the events are still being talked about 50 years later, but he fears the focus is too much on the occupation and not enough on the initial grievances. "Because what actually is the matter is that the general public's awareness of the issues goes back to the occupation what is lost is that our stories were not told," he said in an interview. The anti-racism occupation of the computer lab in the Henry F. Hall building now a part of Concordia University remained peaceful until discussions about creating a panel to address racism allegations broke down. The university called in police to quell the riot on Feb. 11. All told, 97 students were arrested in one of the largest occupations in Canadian student history. The incident attracted international headlines, accompanied by images of a fire in the ninth-storey lab and computer punch cards floating to the street. Damage to the lab was estimated at $2 million in 1969 dollars. The professor, Perry Anderson, was ultimately exonerated in June of 1969 after an analysis of his notes concluded there was nothing to support the racism claims. He continued with his academic career. In a 2015 National Film Board documentary "Ninth Floor," Anderson's son claimed his father was guilty of cultural bias, not personal bias. John said the university's failure to address such cultural bias was at the root of the incident. Complaints about Anderson raised during a meeting between students and the administration in the spring of 1968 were never properly reviewed by the university, he said, and when students returned to school in September, there was no record of the meeting. "That set the stage for the events that then led up to the occupation and the subsequent conflict," John said. "It was mishandled from beginning to end." Among the allegations was that black students routinely received lower marks than their white counterparts and that the professor addressed West Indian students by honorifics versus given names for white students. At a time when getting into medical school was difficult and students faced significant racial barriers, the biology class was an important requisite. John, who went on to become a clinical psychologist, said they were looking for due process in a public forum, but that was not to be. "Students in general had no rights, administrations had no responsibility and black students were to be seen and not heard," he said. By the time the university agreed in late 1968 to convene a new body to look into the racism complaints, there was no agreement on what form the review should take. "We had no opportunity to say look this is what we experienced, these are the reasons we were asking for a hearing," John said. "The only thing people know is that there was an occupation, that the computers were destroyed. That's the narrative that has survived for 50 years." In the aftermath of the riot, the university instituted changes to give students a place in decision-making bodies and establish an ombudsman's office. Among the more notable people arrested was the late Rosie Douglas, an activist who went on to become president of the Caribbean nation of Dominica. Former senator Anne Cools, the first black woman appointed to Senate, was also arrested after taking part in the occupation. She noted that many of the people arrested were white. "Many people have tried to make it sound like a racial incident, but it was not," Cools said. "The people who should have taken charge of the matter those in authority who had power to correct things were reluctant to act, and as a result the students got more and more aggravated, and eventually a sit-in just happened spontaneously." A few hundred students started the occupation and as word spread, by the end "every and anybody in Montreal was being drawn to it," said Cools. How the fire broke out remains unclear. John, who was outside the university as things unravelled, recalled the fear as police held back some members of the public yelling expletives and saying the black protesters should be allowed to burn. "I was among a small group of protesters and we were surrounded by a mob that was out for blood," John said. "The police protected us from being beaten up or being killed. It was that terrifying." As for what happened inside the building, Cools said the way unarmed students were dealt with by authorities was wrong. "I view it all as unnecessary," she said. "The thing is nobody was hurt. In my mind, that was the real salvation." A new play based on the incident, "Blackout," will debut Wednesday at the theatre housed in the basement of the same Concordia building in which the events took place. Former spokesman of the Armenian foreign ministry Vladimir Karapetyan will be appointed as head of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans press office. "A few days ago, I received an offer from the PM to run his press office," Karapetyan wrote on his Facebook page. He said that this offer was unexpected to him and he accepted it after consultations with his like-minders from the Armenian National Congress, ARKA reported. According to him, public service implies certain restrictions also in terms of party activity, and therefore he decided to cease his party activity for the period in office. The OSCE mission has conducted a monitoring on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops today in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district, according to the website of Azerbaijans Defense Ministry. The monitoring, held under the mandate of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Personal Representative, ended without any incidents. The first string of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is expected to be finished in November, Chief Financial Officer at Nord Stream 2 AG Paul Corcoran said during the European Gas Conference. The construction of the second string will be finished in December, according to him. Corcoran added that so far more than 500 kilometers of pipes have been laid by Nord Stream 2 AG, which is 30% of its total length, RIA Novosti reported. In addition, he said that the company is conducting negotiations with export credit agencies to attract project financing. "We are looking at somewhere around $6 billion euro," he said. A leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund, a lecturer at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Igor Yushkov, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the implementation of Nord Stream 2 is guaranteed now, but political opponents of the project may interfere with its operation after the pipeline is completed. "The main risk was that the U.S. could impose direct sanctions, first of all, on the Swiss-based Allseas Group - but then the Americans would essentially spoil relations with Europe," he said. "Risks are possible at the operational stage: a number of political forces in Europe are trying to raise the issue of what type of duty Nord Stream 2 should have. In particular, the Croats said that they will start the discussion about where Europe begins. In terms of the regulation of gas pipeline services, the onshore part of Nord Stream 2 is owned by European companies, but the offshore part is owned by Gazprom, which is the only gas supplier for this pipe, which contradicts the Third Energy Package. If Europeans try to apply antitrust legislation for the offshore part, Gazprom will be at risk - although the European Commissions legal service responded to previous attempts that it contradicted international law," Igor Yushkov explained. Deputy director of energy policy of the Institute of Energy and Finances, Alexey Belogoriev, in turn, noted that Nord Stream 2 needs a permission to lay pipes through the Danish territory. "The construction schedule of the first string is based on the fact that by September they plan to obtain a permission to lay pipes through territorial waters or through the Danish special economic zone. Denmark is doing everything possible to delay the time for consideration of both applications," he said. "In addition to the problem with Denmark, the risk of U.S. sanctions remains. Of course, sanctions will not disrupt the project, but may slow down its implementation and increase the cost, since we will have to use circumferential legal ways to attract contractors. The discussion of amendments to the Third Energy Package has been also intensified. Romania took over EU presidency, and it has a very negative attitude towards the Nord Stream 2, therefore, Bucharest is actively promoting new options for amendments in the European Parliament and the European Council. However, their promotion depends from Germany, which has blocked previous attempts. But if they are adopted, they will only concern the rules for using the pipeline, the construction will not be affected," Alexei Belogoryev concluded. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is expected to come into service at the end of 2019. The pipeline is set to run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore. It will go through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of five countries - Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, thus bypassing transit countries of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic states. Each of the pipelines two stretches will have a capacity of 27.5 bln cubic meters. The total cost of the project has been estimated at 9.5 bln euro. Nord Stream 2 AG, with Gazprom being the only shareholder, is the operator of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction project. Gazprom's European partners in the project are Germanys Wintershall and Uniper, Austrias OMV, Frances Engie and Royal Dutch Shell. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In 2018, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 674,125 vehicles (including Smart) in China with a year-on-year growth of 10.3%. The German premium car brand plans to roll out 15 new models in this country, including the new E-Class, the mid-cycle refresh GLC L, the all-new GLE and the all-new EQC, the automaker told local media on January 29. New Mercedes-Benz E-Class The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will replace the 3.0T engine with the M264 turbocharged inline-four engine, still hooked up to 9-speed automatic manual transmission. Its exterior will retain the design of the existing model. The grille featuring two or three horizontally-placed slats is flanked by eye-catching headlights. The bumper stretches across the lower part of the front face. As to the side profile, waistlines stretch from the front wing to the taillight cluster. The new model offers the tires in two sizes of 18 inches and 19 inches and packs an exhaust layout with dual stacks of pipes on each side. All-new Mercedes-Benz EQC The all-new Mercedes-Benz EQC is likely to be produced by Beijing Benz in early 2019 and go on sale in the second half of the year. The vehicle features two asynchronous motors with compact electric drivetrains at each axle, which give the EQC the confident and sporty characteristics of a 4MATIC all-wheel drive vehicle, delivering 402 hp and 564 lb-ft of torque. With the ability to fast-charge from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes, the EQC is poised to conquer any highway. All-new Mercedes-Benz GLE Based on the MHA platform, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE measures 4,924mm long, 1,947mm wide and 1,795mm tall with a wheelbase that spans 2,995mm. Powering the vehicle will be a 3.0-litre turbo engine or a M264 2.0-litre turbo engine assisted by a 48-volt system. All variants transmit an exemplary performance with a 9-speed automatic manual transmission. All-new Mercedes-Benz CLA The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA measures 4,688mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,439mm tall with a wheelbase length of 2,729mm. Based on the MFA2 platform, the new vehicle will offer two engine variants, namely, a 1.3-litre turbo and a 2.0-litre turbo engine, paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Part of variants will be equipped with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country foils Iranian cyber attacks against it on a daily basis. "We monitor these attacks, we see these attacks, and we foil these attacks all the time," the Jerusalem Post cited the Israeli PM as saying. Speaking at the CyberTech conference in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said that Iran threatens Israel in "many other ways". Meeting between Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has been named one of 33 ways Davos 2019 made an impact on the world, according to the article, published on the website of Davos World Economic Forum (WEF). "The President of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister of Armenia used a meeting at the World Economic Forum to advance negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the article says. A fire broke out this morning at the Armenian government building No. 3 in Yerevan. The 911 emergency hotline received a report at 7:44am that smoke was coming out from the fourth floor of the building. A ladder truck, six fire and rescue squads, as well as an emergency response team were dispatched to the scene. It was found out that the fire had broken out at a reception room, News.am reported. The fire was extinguished at 8:16am, no casualties were reported. Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION PR Newswire TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2019 TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN), (OTCQB: KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), an integrated medical cannabis company with its core operations in Colombia, announced today that Khiron president Chris Naprawa will present live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com on January 30th, where he will discuss recent Company activity and the Latin American cannabis market. DATE: Wednesday, January 30th TIME: 9:30am ESTLINK: https://tinyurl.com/0130prepr This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask Company executives questions in real-time - both in the presentation hall as well as the organization's virtual trade booth. If attendees are unable to join the event live on conference day, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.VirtualInvestorConferences.com. Recent Company Highlights About Khiron Khiron Life Sciences Corp. is positioned to be the dominant integrated medical cannabis company in Latin America. Khiron has core operations in Colombia and is fully licensed in the country for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) medical cannabis. In May 2018, Khiron listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, becoming one of the first Colombian based medical cannabis companies to trade on any exchange globally. With a focused regional strategy and patient oriented approach, the Company combines global scientific expertise, agricultural advantages, branded product market entrance experience and education to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, depression and anxiety in the Latin American market of over 620 million people. Khiron is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced executive team, and a knowledgeable Board of Directors that includes former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox. Further information on Khiron Life Sciences can be found at https://investors.khiron.ca/ Investor Contacts: Chris Naprawa President T: +1 (416) 705-1144 E: [email protected] Media Contact: Jon Packer Vice President, Communications T: +1 (416) 543-9179 E: [email protected] Cautionary Notes Market and Industry DataThis press release contains market and industry data and forecasts that were obtained from third-party sources, industry publications and publicly available information. Third-party sources generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. Although management believes it to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources referred to in this press release, or analyzed or verified the underlying studies or surveys relied upon or referred to by such sources, or ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon by such sources. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements may be identified by statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the final acceptance of the TSXV and the commencement of sales in Mexico. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/khiron-life-sciences-to-webcast-live-at-virtualinvestorconferencescom-on-january-30th-300785539.html SOURCE VirtualInvestorConferences.com PR Newswire LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2019 LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that explains why drivers should get car insurance quotes before renewal and how this can save them money. Most policyholders prefer to automatically renew coverage. This is a big mistake that could cost them a lot of money. By not researching the market, they deny themselves the chance of finding better prices. Car insurance companies send renewal information with 30-45 days ahead renewal date. That gives a lot of time for drivers to check the new prices. If they are not satisfied with the prices or other aspects, they have sufficient time to research for a new policy. Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. For more information, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ SOURCE Compare-Autoinsurance.org Gazprom agreed to attract bridge financing for the construction of the Amur gas processing plant, the head of the financial and economic department of Gazprom, Alexander Ivannikov said. The Russian gas monopolist was unable to receive money for the construction of the Amur gas processing plant from the China Development Bank and had to get a short-term bridge loan for two years. As Oil Price writes in the article Gazprom Looks To Attract $14B For Russias Biggest Gas Processing Plant, Gazprom is in discussions with banks as it looks to attract in 2020 project financing of US$14 billion for the construction of its Amur gas processing plant, which will be Russias largest and the second-largest in the world. According to Ivannikov, Gazprom has reached agreements with export agencies, which are ready to provide guarantees for US$7 billion, and talks with banks are ongoing, Ivannikov said. This year, Gazprom wont need funds for the Amur gas processing plant because its financing needs have been covered by bridge loans, the manager noted. Gazprom is currently holding talks with 27 banks for financing for next year. The Russian gas giant plans to raise US$14 billion for the Amur gas processing plant, including US$7 billion in guarantees from export agencies, Russian media quoted Ivannikov as saying. Once in full operation, the Amur Gas Processing Plant will be Russias largest and the worlds second largest natural gas processing facility, according to Gazprom. The plant is designed to be a crucial link along the Power of Siberia gas pipeline with which Gazprom plans to begin delivering gas to China in December 2019. Construction at the Amur gas processing plant started back in 2015. As of the end of December 2018, the progress on the gas processing plants construction was at 24 percent, according to Alexey Miller, the chairman of Gazproms Management Committee. The Amur gas processing plant will have a design capacity of 42 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The plant is planned to have six production lines, and the first two lines are currently scheduled for commissioning in 2021. The Amur gas processing plant will also host the largest helium production facility in the world, according to the Russian gas giant. As European countries prepare to announce the establishment of a special payment system to help trade with Iran, Tehran announced on Tuesday that its missile program is not negotiable, but it has no plans to increase the range of its missiles. As Radio Farda writes in the article Iran Says Missile Program 'Not Negotiable' But No Plans To Boost Range, Western counties, in particular the United States and France have demanded that Iran curtail its missile development development and testing. But Irans defense minister was quoted as saying on Tuesday that his country will not negotiate over its missile program. The enemies say Irans missile power should be eliminated, but we have repeatedly said our missile capabilities are not negotiable, Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. A U.N. Security Council resolution that accompanied the 2015 nuclear deal called upon Tehran to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran insists that the resolution is not binding and its missile are not designed to carry nuclear warheads. In recent days other military leaders have also issued tough statements regarding Iran's readiness to adopt an "offensive doctrine". The secretary of Iran's National Security Council also said Iran would keep working to improve the missiles' accuracy. "Iran has no scientific or operational restriction for increasing the range of its military missiles, but based on its defensive doctrine, it is continuously working on increasing the precision of the missiles, and has no intention to increase their range," Ali Shamkhani, a close aide to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying by state broadcaster IRIB. The reference by Shamkhani about the range of Irans missiles can be seen as a gesture to mollify European objections to its program. Irans economy is in crisis partly because of crippling U.S. sanctions, imposed after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Europe opposed the U.S. decision and promised to help Iran maintain international trade by establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which is a payment system to circumvent U.S. sanctions. However, Irans missile program and a range of other issues will influence Europes decision to make the SPV operational. The adoption of financial reforms and an anti-corruption law, which would ban financing of terrorism is another Western demand, which Irans hardliners have been resisting. SIGN UP TO GET BLACKLISTED NEWS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Enter your email address: The #cocreateDesign Festival is set to return to Cape Town on 25 and 26 February 2019 at the V&A Waterfront. An initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa, the festival aims to celebrate and examine the power of design to address current socio-economic and environmental challenges within an African context.The festival is organised in collaboration with The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) and a curatorial committee coordinated by Rashiq Fataar of Our Future Cities. The 2019 festival will host South African, African and international speakers who will examine what it means to be a resilient city.For more information and to book tickets for the event please visit Quicket. In partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Frayintermedia will hold a two-day Storytelling for Sustainable Development Journalism workshop on 25-26 February 2019 in Johannesburg. Fifteen community journalists - with at least two to three years' experience in business reporting - have been invited to participate.The workshop will teach how to use corporate sustainability reports to tell compelling stories. Those who are interested in participating may submit a completed online application form. The closing date for applications is 7 February 2019. "As a young, Black female, I believe it's not only important to service clients but also to open up the digital floor to much needed conversations so that the campaigns we work on bring about real change," says Nombulelo Malinga, founder and director of Zizi Digital, which specialises in social media marketing and offers 360 digital consulting service. It's no secret that the Finance and IT industries are two of the most rapidly evolving sectors when it comes to jobs. Here Werner Saayman, the managing director of Communicate Gauteng and Tech Pro, talks to us about industry game-changers and the art and science of recruitment. Werner Saayman, the managing director of Communicate Gauteng and Tech Pro Tell us a little about yourself and your journey with Communicate... What are some of the services offered to job seekers and companies that differentiate Communicate Recruitment from other recruitment organisations? As specialists in Finance and IT recruitment, what are some of the jobs available in these industries today that were non-existent 15 years ago? What are some of the biggest game-changers you have seen in the recruitment sector over the years? How do you think the new labour laws - the deeming provision and national minimum wage - will affect employment long-term? I started with Communicate Recruitment in 2005 as a recruitment consultant - I was fortunate to get an opportunity directly after completing my Degree. I moved into a team leader role in 2008 and since then developed into various levels of management. I am passionate about recruitment as I am able to influence not only the careers of our candidates but I am also directly involved in developing the careers of our consultants, team leaders and managers.We believe in creating lifelong connections through utilising the art and science of recruitment for our candidates and clients; for us its not just about making a placement, its about shaping careers and moving businesses forward. I am still in contact with candidates that I placed 14 years ago - most have become our clients and we are proud of that.In Finance, I have seen the changes in technical accounting, IFRS and reporting; compliance and risk/fraud related jobs have also become key in organisations, with jobs in finance becoming increasingly specialised. IT recruitment is ever-changing due to the nature of the niche but recently I have seen more focus on UI/UX roles and also cybersecurity, storage and infrastructure.The rise of online professional platforms, example - LinkedIn. Sourcing tools and sourcing techniques used by recruiters. In marketing, the move and focus on digital marketing, Google AdWords and online campaigns. That being said, I still believe in the importance of connecting with candidates and clients on a personal level.Our focus is mainly on the permanent professional employment sector and, as such, not affected by the deeming provision. Our Contracting division is, however, affected. My view is that the deeming provision provides the necessary protection or job security to under-threshold staff that they deserve. In the long term, this should provide candidates with a stable income allowing for a bigger contribution to the economy with increased spending power. The same applies to the national minimum wage - over time this should contribute to South Africas economic growth. While employer branding has made significant inroads into the South African market, with a number of companies leveraging its benefits, its relevance and how to purposefully implement it does still seem to leave many indifferent to the field. This lack of understanding, according to Celeste Sirin, managing director of Employer Branding SA, often results in companies underinvesting in what should be considered a business imperative. Celeste Sirin, managing director, Employer Branding SA Is employer branding something all companies should invest in, regardless of size, industry and market? What's the first step for recruiters/recruitment managers in SA in transitioning from a reactive recruitment approach, to a more ongoing, strategic methodology that involves employer branding? How to create a winning candidate experience Opportunity knocks for SA companies that recognise the importance and strong impact that candidate experience can have on your company brand... The unemployment rate remains high in SA, particularly among the youth. With so many South Africans anxious for work, why should employers still invest in employer branding? Four KPAs of the new era recruiter Untapped opportunity lies ahead for South African recruiters who are quick to recognise that reactive, conventional recruitment practice is a thing of the past... The South African economy's taken a knock over the last few years and budgets remain tight. In terms of ongoing employer branding, what aspects should companies still prioritise? #EmployerBranding: How to craft an employer branding strategy Employer branding specialist, Celeste Sirin, speaks to Bizcommunity.com on how to craft a successful employer branding strategy and why strong ties to the marketing and communications department is important... Who does it best in SA, in your opinion, and what makes their employer branding efforts stand out? How do you see advanced technologies such as AI, VR, machine learning etc. affecting employer branding into the future? Through supplementing the more mundane processes and procedures (such as scheduling meetings, managing calendars and automated communication) companies are freed up to better engage in more face-to-face contact with current employees. With HR being labelled a non-revenue generating department, they now have the advantage of building compelling data to support every employer branding expense and quantify every cost savings success story, which normally would take extensive man-hours to track and analyse. AI has the potential to optimise the way we promote our employer brand and attract applicants. For example, through the implementation of a chatbot, applicants that land on a company career page can interact with the chatbot to request essential information regarding the company and position. This is value-added information as todays job seekers are seeking more real-time information regarding the organisation's culture, benefits and more. Furthermore, chatbots can assist in providing candidates with guidance through their application process. Old Mutual is doing this successfully. Whilst the 2018 Deloitte Human Capital Trends Report confirms that 74% of South African companies state that the introduction of AI, robotics and automation is important, 76% confirm that they are not ready for it. Organisations have the opportunity to reorganise their HR departments to automate dated manual processes, with a view to recruiters working alongside AI in order to focus on humanising processes and touchpoints that call for human intervention. Employer Branding SA has done a lot to educate South African leadership on the benefits of employer branding and why it's a business imperative in attracting and retaining a professional workforce. Did you witness growing interest in 2018 in the field, and are more companies and recruiters embracing this marketing/HR tool in SA? What are the top trends you predict in the employer branding space for 2019 in SA? Until there is shift in our economic downturn with fewer companies recruiting, the focus will be very much on how best to retain, engage and nurture talent. Innovation towards crafting employee benefits over and above remuneration i.e. providing remote and flexible working conditions, four-day weeks, wellness initiatives etc. Progressive HR leaders will utilise the power behind social media to advertise and market for their scarce skills. Companies will utilise their existing HR infrastructures to get creative in implementing employer branding initiatives, with the focus on keeping costs down. Companies will continue to utilise their loyal employee workforce as brand ambassadors to provide company reviews to elevate employer brand awareness and implement ERP when seeking to recruit. Small progressions towards trying and testing the inclusion of AI and digital technologies e.g. chatbots, online assessments etc. Future-proofing employees through encouraging online learning, short-term courses and workshops with a view to developing and growing existing talent and providing the necessary tools to address the changing needs of the company. As part of our focus on recruitment , we interviewed Celeste Sirin , managing director of Employer Branding SA, to find out more about investing in employer branding in SA - particularly during the current subdued economic climate, which aspects companies should prioritise while budgets are restricted, who does it best in SA, and how the fourth industrial revolution will affect employer branding into the future.Yes most definitely! Every company has a holistic corporate brand identity, presence and reputation which has been built and evolved through its various stakeholder interactions and engagements i.e. customers, candidates, employees, suppliers etc. However, companies often dont distinguish between the product/service brand and the employer brand. The lack of understanding, importance and relevance in employer branding often results in companies underinvesting in what should be considered as a business imperative.As companies would invest in the ongoing promotion, management, nurturing and protection of their consumer brand, so too should they provide the same attention to their employer brand, irrespective of the size of the company. Companies that realise that their products/services are only as good as the people behind them are the wise ones! Your people hold the key to driving business objectives and achieving profits. Through this shift in focus, companies can enjoy the competitive advantage in attracting, engaging, managing and retaining their human capital, regardless of size, industry and/or market sector.Recruiters/Recruitment managers need buy-in/endorsement from their top decision-makers and/or CEO as well as the relevant functional/operational head stakeholders i.e. IT, training and development, marketing and communications, finance etc. Recruitment/Talent acquisition managers need to adopt employer branding as a strategic intention and champion, sell and promote it to all the relevant stakeholders. Companies abroad are becoming increasingly people-centric on the understanding that their human capital is pivotal to the success of their organisations, thus the emergence of a newly designated role of chief people officer . Recruitment managers need to demand a seat on their exco, change the archaic misperceptions of HR as being merely a service centre and start learning to speak numbers/ROI, deliverables and contribution to strategic business impact and achieving of business objectives.Once this foundation has been laid and been translated into the business, the recruitment manager must interrogate their present approach to recruitment and rethink their entire candidate experience journey from recruitment advertising/marketing, engagement, candidate management through to on-boarding. Taking a deeper dive into the aforementioned, recruitment managers would need to look at how the recruitment team is positioning/promoting/marketing their employer brand through written job adverts, fielding/screening calls, interviewing, acceptance, regrets, on-boarding etc. With the job environment being tougher than 10 years ago, the emotional connection of recruitment leaders can make or break your employer brand.The role of your traditional recruiter has changed to that of being far more proactive. Recruitment is now marketing, with employer branding very much interwoven through every step of the candidate journey.Recruiters need to transition to becoming far more strategic forward thinkers and start scoping and approaching annual social media recruitment marketing and advertising campaigns versus the traditional knee-jerk reaction to recruitment. A proactive approach to educating, communicating and showcasing your company brand pre-recruitment phase is important and supports the fulfilment of talent pipelines before the need arises.On the one hand, the youth unemployment rate stubbornly sits at an all-time high, notwithstanding our president and government, pockets of the private sector and various business initiatives collaborating in making slow inroads to reducing this scenario.On the other hand, companies are simultaneously gearing themselves up for pending technological changes and the fourth industrial revolution, impacting on companies that are actively addressing their critical skills shortage of software developers and similar IT skills sets. Coupled with this and due to our stifled economy, there is also a strong requirement towards recruiting sales representatives and business and middle management in order to stimulate sales/growth. For companies to compete for such skills, they very definitely need an ongoing employer brand presence, with a view to drip-feeding both the active and passive candidate market with information/content as to why they should be considered as the employer of choice? Top of mind awareness is necessary otherwise competitors will win the talent!Internally, companies need to work that much harder towards investing time and money in retaining and nurturing their high-demand skilled employees otherwise they will lose them. Companies can ill afford having these critical roles remain vacant whilst they incur unnecessary time and money in replacing these scarce skills. To counteract staff attrition, companies are realising that its worth investing in employer branding in order to strategise and closely manage, monitor and listen to the employees personal needs throughout their life-cycle versus losing them to the competitor.Insights confirm that companies need to continue revisiting each individuals situation to understand and/or address their needs, whether it's career development, providing purpose and meaningful work and/or sense of belonging. Employees have graduated to that of a consumer mindset where they are informed, knowledgeable and able to attain company reviews from the likes of Glassdoor, Indeed etc. before making any career decisions.Companies cannot underestimate the impact that our economic downturn has had on the workforce, therefore internal employer branding initiatives need to be prioritised. Economic and emotional pressures play a big part in managing an engaged workforce and, addressing the impact it has on employees, can actively boost performance as well as social and emotional well-being. Insights confirm that organisations are beginning to expand their benefits offerings to include physical, mental, financial and spiritual health programmes, over and above remuneration. Employee assistance programmes should be revisited with a view to deploying a business model and company structure that is going to address the present SA economy e.g. financial reward versus emotional reward, flexible working hours, remote working arrangements etc.Companies need to support lifelong learning, reskilling and upskilling with a view to growing and grooming their workforce to meet their own personal career objectives alongside organisations achieving their business goals. Prioritising this factor will future proof employees to address any new innovations like AI/automated/digitised environment/employer branding/social media that companies are presently experiencing and needing to gear up for into the future.Allocating time, resources and budgets towards defining ones employer brand experience and purpose as companies would do with their customer value chain. Companies should define their employer branding strategy, review their brand promise, people practices, organisational capabilities and confirm that they can deliver on both internally and externally.HR needs to continue leveraging off their existing brand marketing and communications team and resources in order to assist them with implementing and managing their employer branding initiatives.With my external employer branding and social media recruitment marketing lens on, I have chosen companies that I believe have demonstrated how imperative it is to utilise employees to authenticate what its like to work within their companies of choice. Ooba - what stood out for me is how Ooba leveraged off various social media platforms as well as their career site to showcase career opportunities within their organisation. They put their people at the forefront to articulate and bring to life their various roles they have within the organisation. Their people are truly the voice of their company.Likewise with Jumo World when you land on Jumo Worlds company page, the company makes immediate reference to the fact that their people hold centre stage to their organisation - People shape companies - Motivated by an ambitious purpose and inspired by the exceptional people that we work with." Additionally, they have created a community spirit through their people, namely JUMOnauts where they brought to light in an uncluttered short and sweet YouTube clip on the question Why Jumo? Old Mutuals dedicated and uncluttered career centre, housed within their corporate website, is well structured into different levels (young talent, career seekers and executives) and segmented into job families which allows for quick and easy access to the required info. The clear and transparent manner in which the company outlines their selection process provides candidates with the sought-after info that they require. More companies have started doing this in order to manage work-seeker enquiries. DigitOutsource - Working in SA has identified that in order to recruit multilingual candidates, they have highlighted their approach to how the company can assist work seekers with overcoming the problem of securing work visas, together with their additional packaged benefits. Its these kinds of initiatives that provide companies with the edge to winning great talent!Carrick Wealth utilises their social media channels effectively when it comes to their people brand. They provide ongoing recognition to new appointees as they grow their footprint into Africa, whilst simultaneously capturing the attention of their consumer market regarding their successful expansion. They are a humanitarian organisation that executes on ongoing CSR initiatives. Social responsibility and paying it forward is becoming increasingly important for the new generation and this is a great advantage when Carrick Wealth recruits for wealth specialists.Companies have advanced from implementing standalone recruitment marketing, talent acquisition and CRM systems to that of a full all-encompassing end-to-end digital talent acquisition, recruitment and candidate management system.Insights confirm that automating the repetitive recruitment and selection process can promote great opportunity for talent leaders to effectively focus on employer branding in some of the following ways:There has definitely been a slight increase in incoming enquiries from companies wishing to implement employer branding strategies focused toward them accomplishing certain objectives. These enquiries can vary from requests to facilitate and motivate strategic employer branding discussions between talent attraction champions and excos, the need to drive a regional employer brand presence (through leveraging off a global brand) in order to educate, attract talent, redefining a companys EVP (employer value proposition) with a view to elevating employer brand awareness to attracting high-demand skills.I feel that the economic downturn has certainly resulted in companies selecting a tactical versus a long-term strategic approach towards employer branding. Additionally, and as mentioned previously, companies do not view employer branding as a critical business requirement and more of a nice-to-have project to implement as and when there is enough capital to support such an initiative. The biggest hurdle is to gain buy-in from the top decision-makers. Arab states are calling on the UN Security Council to discuss the dispute over Ethiopia's plan to fill a giant dam it is building on the Blue Nile, Arab League secretary general Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Tuesday, 15 June, after a foreign ministers' meeting. Opens 2 labs in succession, aims to expand pan India by 2020. 3hcare.in, a leading healthcare portal, recently announced its expansion of offline footprints throughout tier 3 & 4 cities by opening their labs in Jhajjhar and Kosi. The online portal is aggressively ramping up its activities in other locations in Haryana and Western UP and plans to expand PAN India by 2020. The pathology labs will operate under the name 3Hcare Labs which assures same day delivery of reports and free home sample collection to all the neighboring customers. To assure quality services the lab is already undergoing ISO certification and will soon be receiving NABL accreditation. There is a gigantic gap between the availability and the demand for pathological labs in small villages and towns which is promising potential for growth. With the recent launch of our labs in Kosi and Jhajjar, many local residents have been benefitted. To cater to quality services, 3Hcare Labs offers better and consumer-friendly services like home sample collection and timely reports. With a tremendous rise in population, an upsurge in chronic ailments, insufficient availability of diagnostic centers and demand for accurate and timely medical care, 3Hcare Labs aims to provide the best quality pathology services here. Says CA (Dr) Ruchi Gupta, Founder & CEO, 3hcare.in Due to the absence of qualitative certification and entry barriers, local diagnostics in tier 3 &4 cities are thriving with only sample collection centers and the patients have to travel to the nearby metro cities even for basic pathology tests. In such a scenario, 3hcare labs (which is well established as 3hcare.in in the online segment) has a greater scope for penetration and a stronghold in these villages and towns in the offline segment as well. Delhi-based 3Hcare.in is one of the leading healthcare portal in India rendering services such as diagnostics and plan my surgery with over PAN India reach. ReDS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared medical device that provides an accurate, actionable and absolute measurement of lung fluid which is important in the management of congestive heart failure Medicure Inc., a cardiovascular pharmaceutical company, is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Sensible Medical Innovations Inc. (Sensible) to become the exclusive marketing partner for the ReDS point of care system (ReDS) in the United States. ReDS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared medical device that provides an accurate, actionable and absolute measurement of lung fluid which is important in the management of congestive heart failure. The lung fluid measurements are used in guiding treatment and monitoring a heart failure patient's condition and may lead to a significant decrease in readmissions and hospital costs. Clinical studies have shown an 87% reduction in heart failure readmission rates for patients using the ReDS system at home for three months post-discharge versus those who were treated with usual care alone. ReDS is already marketed to U.S. hospitals by Sensible and Medicure expects to begin marketing ReDS immediately using its existing commercial organization. Under the terms of the agreement, Medicure will receive a percentage of total U.S. sales revenue of the device and must meet minimum annual sales quotas. In addition, Medicure has invested US$10.0 million in Sensible for a 7.71% equity stake on a fully diluted basis. In connection with the investment, Medicure's President and CEO, Dr. Albert D. Friesen, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Sensible. For Immediate Release, January 28, 2019 Contacts: Amaroq Weiss, Center for Biological Diversity, (707) 779-9613, aweiss@biologicaldiversity.org Heather Lewis, Earthjustice, (415) 217-2000, hlewis@earthjustice.org Nick Cady, Cascadia Wildlands, (314) 482-3746, nick@cascwild.org Tom Wheeler, Environmental Protection Information Center, (206) 356-8689, tom@wildcalifornia.org Joseph Vaile, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, (541) 621-7808, joseph@kswild.org Court: Gray Wolves Can Keep California Endangered Species Protection Judge Finds No Merit in Pacific Legal Foundation, Rancher Challenge SAN DIEGO A state court judge today upheld protection for gray wolves under the California Endangered Species Act. The ruling rejected a challenge from the Pacific Legal Foundation on behalf of the California Cattlemens Association and California Farm Bureau Federation. Were so glad the court got it right and kept protection in place for Californias recovering gray wolves, said Amaroq Weiss, the Center for Biological Diversitys West Coast wolf advocate. The Pacific Legal Foundations case was the worst kind of grasping at straws. This is a great result for the vast majority of Californians who want wolves to recover and who understand their importance to healthy ecosystems. Ranching groups had challenged gray wolves endangered status based on the erroneous claim that the wolves in California are the wrong subspecies. They also wrongly argued that the listing was improperly based on a single wolfs presence, and that wolves cant be endangered in the state as there are plenty elsewhere in the world. Wolves are coming back to California, and todays decision gives them a red carpet to return home, said Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center. In 2011 a wolf known as OR-7 crossed the border into California from northeastern Oregon, becoming the first confirmed wild wolf in the state in 87 years. The Foundation had argued, however, that OR-7 was from a subspecies that never existed in California. The court rightly concluded that the California Fish and Game Commission has the authority to list at the species level and that OR-7 and subsequent wolves that have come into the state share a genetic history with wolves that once were widely distributed across California. State protections for wolves are critical given the animosity toward the species at the federal level, said Nick Cady, legal director of Cascadia Wildlands. It is a shame that this species, and many others, have been subjected to these political games. The court found that the states endangered species law protects species at risk of extinction in California and the commission need not consider the status of gray wolves globally. It found that threats to wolves necessitate their protection and the commission has the discretion to protect native species that were historically present based on visitation by even one animal, given the wildlife agencys projections that more will likely arrive. There can be no question that gray wolves in California are endangered and need protection, said Heather Lewis, an attorney at Earthjustice. The gray wolfs return to California is a success story we should celebrate, and we look forward to wolves continuing to recover in the Golden State. California has seen the establishment of two packs since OR-7 made his star appearance before returning to Oregon to settle down with a mate. The Shasta pack was discovered in 2015 but by mid-2016 had disappeared. The Lassen pack was confirmed in 2017 and produced pups for the second year in a row in 2018. Wolves are not yet close to recovered in California. At a time when the Trump administration is hostile to endangered species conservation, it is critically important that the state of California help recover wildlife like the iconic gray wolf, said Joseph Vaile, executive director of Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center. The Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Protection Information Center, Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center and Cascadia Wildlands Center, represented by Earthjustice, intervened on behalf of the state. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.4 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. www.biologicaldiversity.org The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) advocates for the protection and restoration of northwest Californias forests, using an integrated, science-based approach, combining public education, citizen advocacy and strategic litigation. KS Wild protects and restores wild nature in Northern California and southern Oregon. Cascadia Wildlands defends and restores Cascadias wild ecosystems in the forests, in the courts and in the streets. We envision vast old-growth forests, rivers full of salmon, wolves howling in the backcountry, and vibrant communities sustained by the unique landscapes of the Cascadia bioregion. Join our movement today. Earthjustice enforces laws to protect what we know to be irreplaceable wildlife and wild places, for this and future generations. In order to know what is truly happening in the USA you have to pay attention and many Americans, perhaps most, are refusing to do that. Headphones firmly affixed, texting fingers getting stronger by the hour, millions upon millions of folks have checked out from the reality of their country. It is my job to bring as many of them back as I can. So here it is. Using propaganda techniques that would humble Stalin, the media has allied itself with the far-left progressive movement to crush traditional thought in America. They have turned President Trump into Czar Nicholas II, branding him a menace to society and a threat to democracy. Along the way, they have convinced some citizens that the President is a corrupt racist and anybody supporting him is in that category as well. Even if youre a high school kid. It doesnt matter whether you approve of Mr. Trump or not; the above analysis is true beyond any reasonable doubt. The result of the unprecedented Trump hate campaign is primarily playing out in two areas: economics and social. Lets take money and property first. As you may know, two elected socialists, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have each proposed radical government action. Ms. Warren wants to confiscate wealth from high-asset Americans, Ms. Cortez would like a top income tax rate of 70 percent. Writing in The National Review, Kevin Williamson is perceptive about Senator Warren: she has proposed to begin seizing a portion of the assets of some wealthy Americans, a course of action that the federal government has no constitutional power to undertake... What Warren is proposing is essentially a federal version of the hated asset-forfeiture programs that have been so much abused by law-enforcement agencies - minus the allegation of criminal conduct and made universal and annual. Simply put: Elizabeth Warren believes the government has the right to take a portion of your stuff every year and it will decide exactly who gets looted and how much it will steal. Hello, Fidel, hows hell? Warrens communist impulses will most likely not get far, but the radical intrusion into social matters is quite another story. The ordeal of the Trump-supporting high school students in Washington, D.C. is a shocking example of the social fascism that is gripping America. Perhaps the nations most astute columnist, Victor Davis Hanson, lays the frightening situation out on the website American Greatness. The article is entitled Attack of the Techno-Lynch Mob. Mr. Hanson opens by describing the boys who found themselves confronted by a native-American activist: they were white (enough said) and smiling (indicative of their smirking privilege and lack of victim status)... Then Mr. Hanson puts forth the threat to us all. Like racing dogs leaving their starting blocks, the electronic mob sprinted out in competition to lynch the Covington kids within seconds of the initial staged video posting that purportedly showed a supposedly solitary Native American swarmed by a crowd of smirking Brett Kavanaughs intent on bullying and blocking the elders passage... The competition to appear tough, cruel, defiant - and morally superior - is fed by crowds of anonymous laptop and smartphone shock troops. But what has altered is that we now have no sheriff. Or rather, our town marshal - Twitter, Facebook, Google, etc - are on the mobs side, as if the bulwark between civilization and savagery has left the porch and (joined) the mob ... In the past, the American press would have been all over the new social fascism, exposing and condemning it, using its constitutionally vested power to protect the attacked students. But not now because the press, generally speaking, has joined the mob. In the past, unconstitutional calls for seizures of private property would also have been challenged mightily by the media. No longer. Thats because the press now sympathizes with those who call for government strong arm methods against the prosperous. In addition, the media, in the tank for the virtue crowd, actively supports the denial of due process as the nation saw in the Kavanaugh hearings and during the Covington coverage. Stalin, Fidel, and yes, even Adolph, would be very pleased. So please pay attention to your country and urge others to do so. The bad moon has risen, its right before our eyes. Morgantown History and breakfast with your Valentine at Historic Joanna Furnace Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Low 71F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Police remove a body of a victim from the scene after two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines, Jan. 27, 2019. Ransom paid to free an Indonesian fisherman who was snatched by Abu Sayyaf extremists funded Sundays deadly bombings at a cathedral in the Philippines, an ex-militant and a source with knowledge of Filipino investigations into the attack told BenarNews. On Jan. 15, militants with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) freed Indonesian fishing boat captain Samsul Saguni after holding him hostage for four months on Jolo island. Twelve days later, twin bombs exploded during a Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo town, capital of Sulu province in the far southern Philippines. The blasts killed at least 21 people and wounded scores more, Philippine authorities said. Ransom money handed to the kidnappers is believed to have funded the bomb plot, according to a former Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant based in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah, located on nearby Borneo island. This attack was on their calendar. This is done by the pro-Islamic State faction of ASG and they have been planning it for quite some time. They were just waiting for the ransom money, which they used for the bombing, Abdullah Sandakan, the former JI member, told BenarNews. Twelve days is more than enough time for them to source and buy the explosives, prepare their people to carry out the bombing, he added. JI, a group affiliated with al-Qaeda, was blamed for Indonesias deadliest terrorist attack, the Bali bombings that killed 202 people 17 years ago. Samsul and a crewmate were abducted from their boat in waters off Sabah before being taken to Jolo island. His fellow hostage, Usman Yunos, escaped in mid-December, Philippine officials said. Since Samsul was free, Indonesian officials have denied that the government paid ransom for his freedom. In the aftermath of Sundays attack, the Philippines military has pinned suspicion on a pro-Islamic State faction of Abu Sayyaf. Meanwhile, a Mindanao-based source with knowledge of probes around the Jan. 27 attack was blunt when asked whether the money paid to secure the Indonesian hostages freedom was used to finance the Jolo bombings. Of course. This is obvious, the source told BenarNews. I understand the ransom money was paid by the boats owner, not the Indonesian government, and it was a huge sum of money, the source added. Abdullah said part of the ransom money also was used to pay villagers who sheltered the militants. The money is given to the villagers for sheltering them and also to win them over, Abdullah said. Indonesian national Samsul Saguni undergoes a medical checkup in Jolo, southern Philippines after he was released from captivity by Abu Sayyaf militants, Jan. 15, 2019. [Handout/Western Mindanao Command] More kidnappings expected Abdullah, the ex-JI militant, warned that more kidnappings would take place around the waters of eastern Sabah and the Sulu Sea to raise funds for terror attacks and other activities. The kidnappings will not stop and neither will the bombings. The success of the Jolo bombing may even encourage them to try to carry out bombings in Manila, Abdullah warned. The bombings occurred two days after Philippine elections officials confirmed that a majority in the mostly Muslim provinces of the south had cast yes ballots on Jan. 21 to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). The law aims to give the south an expanded autonomous area, offering self-determination to the nations 4 million Muslims by empowering them to elect their own parliament and control many local government functions, including taxation and education. It would also allow Muslim Filipinos to incorporate Sharia law into their justice system. Residents of Jolo, however, voted to reject its inclusion in the Muslim autonomous region promised to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a former rebel group that would gain administrative power under BOL. The new land of jihad The bombing sent a strong message that extremists would not settle for anything less than an Islamic State in the southern Philippines, according to a Filipino peace negotiator. Is this deliberate? I think so. This is to send the strong message that the answer to the Mindanao conflict is no less than the establishment of an Islamic State, said professor Benedicto Bacani, executive director of the Mindanao-based Institute for Autonomy and Governance, a think-tank that took part in the negotiations that led to a 2014 peace deal between Manila and the MILF rebels. Targeting Christians shows that the group behind this espouses the intolerant and extremist brand of Islam, Bacani said. Foreign IS fighters may have helped carry out the bombings at the church, according to Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research. Based on the scale, timing, target, IED used and impact of the bombings, IS foreign terrorist fighters may have assisted the ASG to plan and carry out the twin-bombings, Banlaoi said. The twin bombings were well planned and well-executed. The ASG could not do it without IS direction, he said. Foreign IS fighters were also in Mindanao to assist their local counterparts to mount attacks, he said. Based on official intelligence estimates, 44 foreign terrorist fighters are active in Mindanao, Banlaoi said, noting that these included 24 Indonesians and seven Malaysians. Asked whether the number of foreign fighters was growing, he replied: We do not know if it is increasing, stable or decreasing. IS activities in Mindanao can undermine the successful implementation of the BOL and can cause continuing insecurities in the region. IS regards Mindanao as the new land of jihad, alternative home base and a safe haven, Banlaoi said. Soldiers examine the site where a bomb exploded outside of a Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines, Jan. 27, 2019. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said the two explosions that killed 21 people at a Catholic church on the southern island of Jolo were the handiwork of suicide bombers, contradicting statements from military officials. Duterte said he received a briefing from security officials that the attacks were carried out by a man and a woman who appeared to be a couple. He said the man blew himself up outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Sunday, while the woman carried out the explosion inside the church. There was no reason for him to be frisked. Either he was passing by before blowing himself up, Duterte said at a government function in Manila, referring to the male bomber. The woman was wearing a big cross, who would ever think? Pressed by reporters whether he thought that the incident was a suicide bombing, Duterte said: Yes. That is really terrorism and that is suicide, said Duterte, who visited the cathedral Monday with defense and military officials. You could see all around bits and pieces of flesh. His statement ran counter to an earlier statement Tuesday by the military, which specifically ruled out suicide bombing on the attack that wounded 111. A high-school student died Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 21. The attack, condemned by world leaders, came barely a week after the predominantly Roman Catholic nation ratified a law that granted autonomy to the countrys Muslims in the south. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the account of the woman bomber was based on the hazy recollection by a survivor who sat a few pews behind where the bomb exploded. The second bomb that exploded at the entrance about a minute and a half after may have been a suicide bomber, as indicated by body parts strewn all over, including half a face, a neck and two feet, Lorenzana said, adding that the identity of that person was being determined. It looks like it wasnt a suicide bombing Dutertes statement caused further confusion, as regional military spokesman Col. Gerry Besana earlier released pictures of the suspects, identified by military intelligence officials as members of a local armed group allied to the extremist Abu Sayyaf. He ruled out the theory that the church attack was carried out by suicide bombers, and contradicted claims the bombings were the handiwork of the Islamic State (IS). We found out the bomb signature. And the CCTV footage itself provided that the instance when the one who triggered the bomb is there, its really 100 percent now that the bomb was remotely detonated, Besana said. He said one of several men caught on camera was known as Kamah, a local bomb expert and a brother of little-known Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Surakah Ingog. Kamah was seen tinkering with a mobile phone that could have been used to trigger the explosion. Moments before the blast, they were seen running from the area, Besana said. It looks like it wasnt a suicide bombing, he said, adding that the first bomb inside the church was left by a woman. The first bomb detonated during Mass and the second blast followed in a parking lot as soldiers responded. The attack was the most brazen in recent years and came at a time when thousands of troops had been deployed to Jolo to crush the militants. Shortly after the incident, the SITE Intelligence, a U.S.-based group that monitors online communications among Muslim militant groups, reported that the IS East Asia Province had issued a statement claiming responsibility. Duterte had ordered a massive offensive to destroy the Abu Sayyaf he blames for the attacks. Im ordering you now destroy the Abu Sayyaf by whatever means, Duterte said in Jolo, according to a statement issued by the presidential palace Tuesday. He told the military to bomb known territories and areas of the Abu Sayyaf in the rugged Jolo island, where Muslim militants had operated a guerrilla base for years, defeating previous military efforts to crush them. Duterte said the public must be told in advance of any military strikes, so they can move away to safety. Then you flatten it with bullets, he said. US assures backing U.S. envoy Sung Kim assured the military on Monday of Washingtons support in going after the militants responsible for the explosions. My deepest sympathies for the tragic loss of life in Jolo, Kim said. We condemn this senseless violence and we will do everything possible to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The United States, along with Australia, provided crucial intelligence help to its Philippine counterparts in 2017 as government troops fought to defeat IS-linked militants led by Isnilon Hapilon who took over the city of Marawi. Hapilon was a senior Abu Sayyaf leader who pledged allegiance to the IS, and he led an enemy force that included Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern fighters. He died in October 2017, five months after militants launched the siege that destroyed Marawi. Richard Javad Heydarian, political analyst at Manilas De La Salle University who has been following Muslim rebel movements in the south, said the attack appeared to have been carefully weighed to cause maximum damage. Its important to underscore that the attack took place in Sulu, the only place so far where the new autonomous region was handily rejected, he said. The targeting of a church during a Sunday Mass was clearly a calculated attempt to sow not only terror but also inter-religious strife, as well as put into question safety of minority groups in the area, he said. It was also meant to show that the Abu Sayyaf, despite claims by the government that its numbers have been depleted, is capable of mounting attacks in the south, where martial law has been in effect during the past two years. The attack on government troops also shows a direct challenge to martial law and credibility of security forces in shepherding political transition in Mindanao, Heydarian said. The explosions have the hallmarks of IS-affiliated groups, he said. They are more than eager to prove their resilience and that theyre still alive and kicking following liberation of Marawi. Meanwhile, members of the UN Security Council condemned the church bombings as it offered condolences to the victims families. The council reaffirmed that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, it said in a statement. Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato, Dennis Jay Santos in Davao and Nonoy Espina in Bacolod contributed to this report. Smoke billows from an area where Arab and Kurdish fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by US-led coalition air strikes, are battling Islamic State militants, in the Syrian village of Baghouz, Jan. 27, 2019. An Indonesian militant said to be a close aide of Islamic State leader Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi is believed to have been killed in Syria, the nations counter-terrorism agency and his family said Tuesday. Muhammad Saifuddin, known by his aliases Mohammed Yusop Karim Fais and Abu Walid, was among three Southeast Asian militants who were labelled last year by the U.S. Treasury Department as global terrorists for allegedly recruiting foreign fighters to pledge their allegiance to al-Baghdadi. Brig. Gen. Hamli, director of prevention at the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), confirmed Saifuddins death and said photographs of a corpse circulating on the messaging platform WhatsApp was of the militant. We believe he is dead because we saw the photos of his body. We also received confirmation from our friends there, Hamli told BenarNews. The news of Saifuddins death was initially spread on a WhatsApp group whose members are Islamic State (IS) militants. The photos, seen by BenarNews, showed the body of a thin man wearing a black robe and a brown headband, his mouth slightly open and showing teeth. When we received the news, BNPT contacted former terrorists who recognized Abu Walid and also sought confirmation from third parties and the family to verify the information, Hamli said. Hamli said he did not know the cause of Saifuddins death. Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo, the National Police spokesman, also said he had no information on the circumstances behind Saifuddins death. The information is there, but we are still waiting for official news from Detachment 88, he said, referring to the polices elite anti-terrorism unit. Muinudinillah Basri said he believed his brother, Saifuddin, had died. It seems true that he died. I received the news from Whatsapp and there was a picture of his body, Muinudinillah told BenarNews. He said he did not know the fate of his brothers wife and children, who were believed with him in Syria. Muinudinillah said he had not talked to Saifuddin since his brother was released from prison in the Philippines a few years ago. The last time he contacted the family was three years ago. At that time he talked to my mother, he said. In 2005, Saifuddin was arrested by Philippine police and charged with possession of illegal firearms and explosives. He was sentenced to nine years in prison. Faiz returned to Indonesia in 2013 upon his release and later married the widow of Urwah, one of the suicide bombers who attacked the J.W. Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in Jakarta in 2009, the counter-terrorism agency said. He then left for Syria with his wife in 2013 or 2014, the agency said. The U.S. Treasury Department alleged that Saifuddin had appeared in an IS propaganda video in 2016 showing him, along with a Malaysian and a Filipino, beheading three captives. Those two other Southeast Asians have also been tagged as global terrorists. Easy to recognize Sidney Jones, a Jakarta-based expert on counterterrorism and director of the Institute for Policy and Analysis of Conflict, said she also believed in the authenticity of the photographs circulating on the messaging service. I think its true, especially if you see the picture, his broken tooth has become his salient feature, Jones told BenarNews. This time, I'm sure its true, even though it cant be proven 100 percent, she said. Jones said Saifuddin might have died in fighting on Jan. 23 when IS fighters attempts to infiltrate the Iraqi border were foiled by Hashd Al-Sha'abi forces. In that battle, at least 43 IS militants were killed, according to Almasdarnews.com, a news portal that covers the Arab world. Sofyan Tsauri, a former terrorism convict, said he got word of Saifuddins death from IS members who were members of online messaging groups. I received the news Friday midnight. The next morning, I shared the information in the ISIS group but it went viral only on Sunday because many initially did not know Abu Walid because they are mostly new recruits, Sofyan said, referring to the other acronym for IS. Reports said IS had lost about 90 percent of lands it once controlled in Iraq and Syria, where al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate in 2014. Al-Baghdadis whereabouts remain unknown. The secretive militant leader has frequently been reported wounded or killed during the past few years. He was last seen in public in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014. U.S. officials say they believed he is still alive. If Chief Constable George Hamilton was hoping for a quiet escape from the hassles of his pressure-cooker job over his cuppa and scone in an east Belfast coffee shop on that Monday morning two years ago - he picked a singularly unfortunate day for his Garbo-esque sojourn. For at the next table to the all-alone policeman sat two journalists (including this one) and a former unionist politician; just across the way were a DUP special adviser and two investigative reporters probing the RHI scandal while the acting head of the Civil Service wasn't far away. Read More Yet, even though everyone's eyes were on everyone else, George Hamilton didn't flinch and, apart from passing the time of day with one or two of his fellow coffee-drinkers nearby, he got on with the task at hand, of relaxing. It was a solo outing from PSNI headquarters not far away at Knock that Mr Hamilton's predecessors couldn't have enjoyed at the height of the troubles when their bodyguards would have been constantly at their sides. But that's not to say that George Hamilton had an easy five years in charge of the PSNI, leading the police in a less violent climate than the Chief Constables who were at the helm of the RUC through the force's grimmest decades in a time of death and destruction. Anything but. For Mr Hamilton had to plot a course through what has proved to be a minefield of peace and the legacy of war. Not to mention Brexit and the still uncertain weeks and months ahead for the UK departure from the EU which Mr Hamilton has already claimed will pose difficulties for the PSNI and the community. He'll still be in charge for the first couple of months after the UK's scheduled exit from the European Union but it's not known if Brexit has played any part in Mr Hamilton's shock decision to retire as Chief Constable at the unusually early age of 51. But he has gone public repeatedly in the last few months to flag up the challenges posed by Brexit and to especially warn of a renewed threat from terrorists that he said politicians in Westminster didn't appear to understand. He has called for hundreds more officers to be recruited and for the sale of a number of police stations near the border to be suspended. Last year he also complained that the PSNI was in the dark about any future border arrangements. But it's understood that Mr Hamilton was frustrated that his concerns weren't being taken or addressed seriously. Even so insiders at the Northern Ireland Policing Board didn't foresee the resignation letter winging its way to them from Mr Hamilton. The indications were that the Newtownards-born man would sign a three-year extension to his contract which was put on the table in front of him by the Board last week. The word was that he quit because he wanted to spend more time with his wife and four children. But at 51? "George Hamilton won't be idle for too long," said one police source. "He's a highly intelligent and hugely experienced policeman whose services will be in big demand, very quickly." The responses to the announcement of his retirement yesterday reflected the obstacles he faced in the five years since 2014 that he commanded the police force that he joined in 1985. The fact that the Police Federation - which hasn't always had the most harmonious of relationships with its bosses in the past - reacted to his resignation by saying it would look on his leadership favourably said a lot about the Chief Constable. Just a few days earlier a former long-serving policeman who had no idea that the Chief Constable was about to quit told me that George Hamilton was "one of the good guys". "Ronnie Flanagan and George Hamilton had come through the hard times," he said. "You knew where you were with them and they knew what the job was." The inference was that English incumbents of the Chief Constable role weren't quite in the same league of coppers' coppers. Mr Hamilton did, of course, have his moments in the mire with his PSNI officers. He famously succumbed to the temptations of late night tweeting in August 2016 when he launched what was generally acknowledged as an ill-advised slap down of a police officer who had taken to social media to talk about the problems he faced in his job. Mr Hamilton tweeted a message telling the officer to "dry his eyes, to stop wallowing in self-pity or seek another job". The Police Federation said the Chief Constable's tweet was offensive and a "great insult". In the cold light of day Mr Hamilton apologised for his "misjudged" online comment. But the Chief Constable has never said sorry for talking frankly about the problems that he and his force have faced, particularly over the vexed and sometimes apparently insoluble issue of dealing with the past. As long ago as 2015, Mr Hamilton joined a discussion panel alongside Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness at the Feile an Phobail in west Belfast. Outside St Mary's College 200 dissidents protested, but Mr Hamilton was applauded inside as he addressed question after question from a capacity audience who wanted answers about what the PSNI was doing about unsolved murders, allegations of collusion and about delays in handing over files to legacy inquests. Three years later, Mr Hamilton, who had been praised by Mr McGuinness for going to the Feile, was back in St Mary's College. And the past still dominated the debate. This time he said: "I feel like I'm in an impossible position, caught between legal obligations, on one hand, financial constraints on the other and, if I had a third hand, it would be about public expectations." One of Mr Hamilton's most uncomfortable public grillings didn't come in a west Belfast festival hall, however, but rather on a TV programme hosted by Stephen Nolan on the BBC. It was generally accepted by commentators that several members of a panel of young people had 'ambushed' Mr Hamilton, giving him little or no time to respond to their brusque questions, but a number of viewers praised the Chief Constable for his calmness and dignity. However, he created headlines by saying on the programme that aspects of the IRA still existed, "though not for a terrorist purpose". Mr Hamilton also went on Nolan's Radio Ulster show from time to time. One of the most notable of those occasions came as he made an unscheduled intervention on the 20th anniversary of the Omagh bombing to defend the police over their handling of the 1998 Real IRA bombing massacre of 29 people including unborn twins. The former Police Ombudsman Baroness O'Loan had said on air that the bombing could have been prevented. A furious Mr Hamilton, who never downplayed the threat from dissident Republicans during his time in office, said: "Today should be one of sympathy and empathy for the families, not about traumatising them further by telling them this could have been prevented. "My understanding from all of my involvement in Omagh over the past 20 years is that there is nothing that we could have done to have prevented that horrible atrocity." In March 2017 the Chief Constable went to the Bogside to attend the funeral of former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, an ex-IRA leader, and admitted his decision to go had been a "dilemma". He said: "My values and emotions were being pulled in opposite directions and I just had a fundamental decision to make about whether or not I believed it was the right thing to do to go." In an interview at the time with the Irish Catholic newspaper, Mr Hamilton, who had rarely given too many insights into his own beliefs, said that his Christianity lay at the heart of how he policed Northern Ireland. He said that having faith and policing were "not in any way inconsistent". The Chief Constable said that he was deeply influenced by Old Testament prophet Micah, whose words had inspired him in his own policing and human journey. He said the PSNI wanted to be inclusive and in November 2017 he told the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in Westminster he said he hoped Sinn Fein and the GAA would do more to encourage nationalists to join the force after recruitment of young Catholics stalled. Last year Mr Hamilton and his deputy Drew Harris, who has since become the Garda Commissioner, were cleared by the Police Ombudsman of allegations of criminal activity and misconduct in public office. The investigation followed complaints over the conduct of a bribery inquiry by the PSNI which the Ombudsman said was justified and necessary. The PSNI investigation had centred on allegations of bribery and fraud in the awarding of contracts for police vehicles worth around 15 million. Mr Hamilton said at the time he was "relieved but not surprised" that he and his colleagues had been fully exonerated. Ian Ogle was murdered simply for having the temerity to stand up for his family. He was not his UVF attackers' intended target; rather the horrific east Belfast murder and its aftermath - chillingly broadcast live by Ogle's daughter Toni on social media - was the result of a bitter feud which stretches back for years. Read More This manifested itself in bar-room brawls and a row on the Beersbridge Road on Sunday evening that was the catalyst for the Cluan Place stabbing. Ogle - a low-level UVF member and convicted rioter who had found God and talked about quitting the organisation altogether - had nothing to do with this clash. But it prompted members of the terror gang to send a punishment squad on to the streets of east Belfast looking for a relative. When that person could not be found, they turned their attention to Ogle, an easy and convenient target, murdering him in cold-blood outside his home. His daughter Toni recorded the aftermath, broadcasting footage on social media of the 45-year-old lying in a pool of his own blood with noticeable stab wounds. The distraught young woman blamed the UVF, wailing: "This is my daddy the UVF b******s stabbed." Ignoring pleas from worried neighbours, she added: "Why? For standing up for his kids." The East Belfast UVF moved quickly yesterday to distance itself from the killing, condemning it outright and asking the community to co-operate with the PSNI - welcome words. But what it cannot escape is the fact that Ian Ogle would most likely be alive today if his attackers were not members of the UVF. It is because of their involvement with this proscribed organisation that they felt so empowered to repeatedly stab a father to death at his front door, having failed to find the relative who was the real object of their anger. Had they not been paramilitaries, high on a toxic mix of their own self-importance and alcohol, it is doubtful if Sunday's disgraceful attack would have occurred. Like the Bobby Moffett murder which shamed the Shankill UVF, Ian Ogle's killing will have a similar effect on the group in east Belfast. Any positive work it has done in the past year, around bonfires and on interfaces, is now ruined, irreparably tainted by the image of a father lying in a pool of his own blood. In the run-up to Christmas, many glossy magazine gift guides advised that this year's must-have new accessory would be the "dumbphone". That's right. The dumbphone. In other words, all those phones we used way, way back in the Noughties. Phones that you used to make phone calls, or send very slow texts, or, if it was very swish, enjoy a furtive game of Snake at work. Dumbphones were, the lifestyle editors told us, bold, kitsch, nostalgic and ironic. And, suddenly, I began to miss my old fliptop phone. I loved that. Flipping open that clamshell (if I remember the correct term) made one feel a little bit dynamic, a little bit futuristic, as if you were on the Starship Enterprise. And then, most joyous of all, the click of the fliptop when you ended the phone call. The finality of it. No swiping or smudging, but a satisfying clip. Do smartphones do that? Yes, they are all about access and availability, but what about making one feel empowered and in charge of the call? I don't think so. Smartphones are the communications equivalent of the gassy vape cigarette. They look like they are as cool and sexy as the original and, in fact, they may be more functional, but also more stressful and much less chic. Like the ciggies, less Humphrey Bogart and more Ben Stiller. Nope, smartphones make you feel bad, stupid and vain. It is the head of the cult forbidding you to stop, think and talk. There is only one way to inner happiness and it's in 5G. It used to be that the one thing you expected to find in a cafe - apart from coffee and a barista showing off - was the drone of gossip exchanged, or debate under way. But now it's more like a meeting of Trappist monks, everyone with heads bowed, serious looks on their faces, with the odd young recruit asking staff "what's the Wi-Fi password?" I am no better than anyone else. Too often my smartphone is clasped in my paw, checking emails, jumping between Facebook and Twitter. Sadly, it has filled in all the lacunae in our lives. Before, we had large chunks of time where we weren't being bombarded with information or entertained by nonsense. Remember the old-fashioned bank, with its queues on a Friday afternoon? Back then, these were officially "bad", a waste of our valuable time. And yet, really, was it so horrible? Now, I'd love a long wait in a queue with nothing, absolutely nothing, distracting me from the sheer blessed boredom of it all. No phone request to rate the bank's service today. No breaking news about reaction to the PM's latest speech. No last-minute offers, or a friendship request from US Marine officer Hiram N Firam on a cruiser in the Pacific. Just peace, perfect peace. At its best, there was a kind of "all-in-this-together" Blitz spirit. At its worst, a chance to look - really look - at some people's horrible footwear choices. And in between all of that... boredom could waft you away to mull over how you might best help someone in a fix. Or relive a special moment with loved ones, recalling the exchange of conversation. Or think about the advice one of your dear departed might give you right now, hearing their voice clear as a bell in your head again. Or - just imagine - actually exchanging pleasantries with the stranger standing next to you. In other words, engaging with things that aren't made up of pixels. That aren't by definition "elsewhere", but right in front of our eyes. That's not to say we should all join the Amish and throw our phones in the Lagan. There is comfort to be had from always being able to get in touch with family and friends. Also, information that years ago you would have had to spend hours physically researching is at your fingertips in nanoseconds. Just what was the B-side of David Soul's Don't Give Up On Us, Baby? So, it's time to choose the dumbphone - even just as a metaphor for how we live. That means choosing to say "Hello". To knock the neighbours' doors. Wheel out the bins for that elderly chap in the street. Put a copy of the Bel Tel through someone's letterbox if they're not fit to go out. Chat at the supermarket. Give the thumbs-up for real to other drivers at the lights. Say "Evening" to people you meet out with the dogs, "Thanks" to the bus driver or train conductor. There is that acronym "LOL" which means "laugh out loud". It is all over the internet and never has there been so little "laughing out loud" being done. It's almost a rule now that the more "LOL" you see, the less laughing there is, because the LOL does it for us. We don't even have to laugh for real. Similarly, many of us think "liking" other people's expressions of sorrow for tragedies is the same as actually being empathetic ourselves. The so-called emoticons - little cartoons of frowny or smiley faces - are all we have to show responses to profound moments of human exchange. A child dies in a mine? Frowny or double-teary face. Children are rescued? Party confetti. Liking someone's teary-face (hitting the little heart, or thumbs-up button) registers as "sympathy", but, in fact, it's simply lazy, quite offensive and "going through the motions" of sympathy - the worst kind of rotten behaviour, the sort we would never indulge in, in real life. "THERE FOR YOU". No, I'm not. You're on your own, chum. It's 4.30am and I need to sleep. But on it goes, our lives undermined by our own phones. Right down to bedtime, when the brain is exhausted by it all, but somehow we just have to have one more quick glance at the wonderful lives being lived by other people in other places. One more opportunity to be depressed by the successes other are having in every sphere of human existence. Those lucky people who are brighter, fitter, wealthier, more confident, less nervous and better looking than we are. And all of them telling lies. "Brilliant", "humbled", "honoured", "so happy"... nope. None of it is true. They are all just talking to themselves in the dark, exactly the way we are. Hoping someone else believes the fibs each of us tells. We're so connected to everything, we risk losing sight of the really important. There has to be a better way to live. Lawyers in Zimbabwe have marched on the constitutional court to protest the alleged denial of justice for hundreds of people arrested in a violent crackdown on protests that shut down the country. A police spokeswoman has said over 1,000 people have been arrested. Lawyers say many languish in jail after being denied bail while others have been forced into unfair hearings. Expand Close Beatrice Mtetwa, a prominent Zimbabwean lawyer, addresses fellow lawyers during a protest (Tsvangirai Mukwazhi/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Beatrice Mtetwa, a prominent Zimbabwean lawyer, addresses fellow lawyers during a protest (Tsvangirai Mukwazhi/AP) Human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa describes the judiciarys actions as well-coordinated. Dozens of gown-wearing lawyers marched in the capital, Harare, as riot police watched. The lawyers petitioned chief justice Luke Malaba. Reports of alleged abuses by security forces continue, with the military heavily deployed in poor and working-class suburbs. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa asserts that the arrests are meant to cripple his party. Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba rejected the allegation. Venezuelas chief prosecutor is seeking to ban opposition leader Juan Guaido from leaving the country as part of a criminal probe into his anti-government activities. Tarek William Saab made the request to the government-stacked Supreme Court on Tuesday. He also asked the high court to block the financial accounts of Mr Guaido who has been recognised by some countries, including the US, as interim leader of the South American nation. Expand Close Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro jogs alongside his defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers (Marcelo Garcia/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro jogs alongside his defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, right, and soldiers (Marcelo Garcia/AP) Mr Saab did not specify what crimes Mr Guaido is being investigated for. He only said it was tied to the unrest sparked by his decision to declare himself interim president last week in a direct challenge to President Nicolas Maduros authority. Mr Guaido heads the nations congress and he has been recognised as the nations rightful leader by two dozen nations that contend the re-election of socialist Mr Maduro was a sham, in part because his strongest opponents were barred from running. Expand Close Workers and customers gather at a wholesale food market in Caracas (Rodrigo Abd/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Workers and customers gather at a wholesale food market in Caracas (Rodrigo Abd/AP) Meanwhile, Mr Guaido has said US sanctions against the state-owned oil company fall in line with requests politicians have made to protect the nations assets abroad. Mr Guaido said in an interview with CNN in Spanish that Venezuelas opposition-controlled congress approved a measure in January asking foreign nations to ensure the countrys assets are not looted by Mr Maduro. He said the measures only purpose was to ensure that Mr Maduros government doesnt continue robbing the people of Venezuela. The United States announced sanctions against Petroleos de Venezuela SA on Monday, cutting off a vital source of income for the distressed nation. A United Nations human rights expert has visited the vicinity of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of her investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard and her team of experts toured around the consulate but did not enter, saying they were waiting for permission from Saudi officials they were in communication with. The expert on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary killing said she would present her report in June to the UNs Human Rights Council. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi (Johnny Green/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi (Johnny Green/PA) Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2. His remains have not been found. Ms Callamards team is on a week-long visit to Turkey and is expected to meet with Istanbuls chief prosecutor. They have also met the countrys foreign and justice ministers. Turkish officials have been frustrated over what they say is a lack of cooperation by Riyadh and has called for an international inquiry. Expand Close Saudi Arabias crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Saudi Arabias crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (Victoria Jones/PA) In a tweet, the Turkish presidents communications director, Fahrettin Altun, welcomed the visit: We still do not know where Khashoggis body is, who ordered the hit and who the local collaborator was. After denying Mr Khashoggi was killed in the consulate for several weeks, Saudi Arabia indicted 11 people in the killing, including members from the crown princes entourage, and is seeking the death penalty against five of them. Turkey says Saudi Arabia must reveal the identity of a person who is thought to have disposed of the journalists body and hold all involved accountable. Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd will not face a fast-tracked extradition from Georgia, a judge has ruled. Shepherd, 31, appeared in court on Tuesday when a judge decided against accelerating the process for his return to Britain, according to reports. He could remain in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, for several more months. Expand Close Jack Shepherd was convicted of manslaughter in his absence at the Old Bailey (Metropolitan Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jack Shepherd was convicted of manslaughter in his absence at the Old Bailey (Metropolitan Police/PA) Before the hearing, a defence lawyer for Shepherd, Tariel Kakabadze, wrote on Facebook: Prosecutor requested Jack Shepherds urgent extradition according to simplified rules. We, Jack Shepherds defense team are going to fight the request! Expand Close Charlotte Brown (Metropolitan Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Charlotte Brown (Metropolitan Police/PA) Shepherd was convicted in his absence last year of killing Charlotte Brown, 24, on a first date in December 2015, when the speedboat they were in overturned in the Thames. He handed himself into Georgian authorities last Wednesday. Nicola Sturgeon said she is keen to strengthen links with the City of London (Chris Radburn/PA) Nicola Sturgeon has spoken of strengthening Scotlands partnership with the City of London at a business event. The First Minister joined leaders from the financial services sector at a Burns Supper hosted by Lord Mayor of London Peter Estlin at Mansion House on Monday evening. While promoting Scotland as a place to invest, she said the City and Scotland benefit from working together. Delighted to welcome First Minister @NicolaSturgeon and leading figures from the Scottish business community to Mansion House tonight for the first ever Burns Night Dinner - a celebration of the partnership between Edinburgh and London. pic.twitter.com/Kkp4uicF1Q Lord Mayor of London (@citylordmayor) January 28, 2019 She told guests: The City of London and Scotland can sometimes be seen as rivals or competitors. And of course, every now and again, that will undoubtedly be the case. But far more frequently, we will benefit from working together. Ms Sturgeon said Brexit meant Scotland was more determined to look outwards, to build links and to foster collaboration. She said: Scotland like the City of London benefits enormously from our connections with friends and partners the world over. We have world class businesses which prosper by trading the world over. And so we are determined to forge new partnerships and to strengthen existing ones here on these islands, across Europe, and right across the world. That definitely applies to the partnership Scotland enjoys with the City of London. We believe that it benefits the City, and that it also benefits Scotland. And so we are determined to work with you, Lord Mayor, to strengthen that relationship further. The event marked the launch of a prospectus produced by members of Scotlands financial services industry, Scottish Financial Enterprise and Scottish Development International, with input from the UK Government. It cites reasons to invest in the country, including low set-up business operating costs, the offer of financial support from government bodies and one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Europe. The number of homeless applications increased last year, according to statistics (Yui Mok/PA) The number of homelessness applications increased last year, according to official statistics. Figures published by the Scottish Government indicate local authorities received 18,486 applications for homelessness assistance during the six months between April 1 and September 30 in 2018. It represents a 2% increase of 284 applications for the same period in 2017. The number of homelessness applications has been decreasing since around spring 2010, although the downward trend has slowed in recent years, having levelled out since 2015. The annual figure recorded in 2010 (for the 12 months to end September 2010) for homeless applications was 57,706. Comparatively, the most recent figure published in 2018 was 35,838 a 38% decrease representing a fall of 21,868 applications. The Scottish Government published its Ending Homelessness Together action plan in November last year, setting out an approach to end homelessness in the country. Housing minister Kevin Stewart said the Scottish Government is taking decisive action to completely end homelessness. Mr Stewart said: We know that UK Government welfare changes are impacting on the most vulnerable in our society and we are doing everything within our powers, including investing over 127 million in 2018/19, to mitigate UK welfare reform and drive lasting change to prevent and end homelessness. Making a homeless application does not usually indicate that people are roofless or sleeping rough, but it does indicate an acute housing need and Scotlands strong homelessness rights mean families are placed in temporary accommodation as a legal right, with 78% of this being furnished social rent homes. We are clear that one person being made homeless is one too many, particularly in households which include children. That is why we have established a 50 million fund and published an action plan which takes forward the 70 recommendations from our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group. We know that for some people, particularly those with multiple complex needs and those most at risk of rough sleeping, effective support for their wider needs is as important as a settled home. So, we are pursuing a shift towards getting a person into settled accommodation first, so they can then access support from the security of their own home. These figures are disgraceful and should prompt hard questions inside the governmentScottish Labour MSP Pauline McNeil Labour housing spokeswoman Pauline McNeil said: These figures are disgraceful and should prompt hard questions inside the government. It is clear that the systematic problems that lead to homelessness are not being tackled and thats before we consider the impact of the SNPs 1.5 billion worth of cuts to councils since 2011. These cuts threaten vital services and mean people fall through the cracks because they arent getting the support they need. Labour has a plan to fix our housing crisis and tackle homelessness, by ensuring councils have the funding they need to support vulnerable people, reforming the private rented sector and building more homes for social rent. The report also indicated the number of children in temporary accommodation increased by 245 as of September 2018 a rise of 4% to 6,826. Figures indicated there were 10,955 households in temporary accommodation, an increase of 56 households on the previous year. Scottish Liberal Democrat housing spokeswoman Caron Lindsay described the number of children living in temporary accomodation as intolerable. Ms Lindsay said: Both governments have failed these families the SNP by failing to build thousands of homes promised for social rent, the Tories by cruel cuts to social security which have left them at greater risk of eviction and homelessness. Its time they got to grips with the housing crisis. We need to see social renting re-established as a long-term option, incentives to bring the thousands of long-term empty homes back into use and dignity and fairness at the heart of the social security system. The rise in applications for homelessness across Scotland is appallingScottish Conservative MSP Graham Simpson Scottish Greens housing spokesman Andy Wightman MSP said: Todays statistics paint a worrying trend of whats happening for individuals and families experiencing homelessness across Scotland. Its simply a national disgrace that the number of children living in temporary accommodation has increased by 4%. Temporary arrangements can often be inappropriate and can affect the health and wellbeing of children and families. While the Scottish Government have recently made concerted efforts to tackle homelessness, their ambitions must be matched with appropriate funding and support for our most vulnerable of citizens. Scottish Conservative housing spokesman Graham Simpson said: The rise in applications for homelessness across Scotland is appalling and the SNP government must address the issue. Homelessness and housing supply are intrinsically linked and the SNP has failed to meet manifesto commitments on building affordable housing. We need to do more to address homelessness in Scotland. No-one should be left without a roof over their head, which is why we are determined to end rough sleeping and respond to the causes of homelessness. The future direction of this issue in the coming years in Scotland depends on the policy implementation of the SNP and future Scottish Government legislation. Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace has appointed Nicolas Messian as its new hotel manager. Bringing over a decade of experience in the luxury hospitality industry to his new role, Messian will be working closely with general manager Martin Cramer, who has been at Emirates Palace since 2018. Messian will oversee the daily operations at the iconic Abu Dhabi hotel, and will play an active role in implementing key strategies and new initiatives. We are delighted to welcome Nicolas to Emirates Palace, said Cramer. With an illustrious career highlighted by quick growth, and experience holding senior positions in prominent global properties, it is befitting that Nicolas joins us at Emirates Palace. He is a proven operations leader, and I am confident that he will contribute greatly to the success of the Palace for our guests and owners. Messian, a French national, accomplished his studies at the famed Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, before taking on senior positions at key five-star luxury hotels across the world stage. He said: Its an honour to join the amazing team at such an iconic hotel, one of the worlds best. He joins the Emirates Palace team from The Ritz Carlton Toronto, where he held a similar position. Prior to Canada, Messian held the same position at The Dorchester in London and Dubais One and Only Royal Mirage. - TradeArabia News Service Sessions in Dover and Folkestone have been axed either side of March 29, NHS Blood and Transplant said (NHSBT/PA) The Department of Health has stepped in to overrule plans to halt blood donation in Channel ports for eight weeks around the scheduled date of Brexit. NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT) announced that sessions in Dover and Folkestone had been cancelled in the two weeks before March 29 and the six weeks afterwards, citing fears of transport chaos. But the plan was slapped down within hours by Health Secretary Matt Hancocks department, which said it did not agree with the proposed course of action. Concerns have been raised in recent months other the impact on Kent of a no-deal Brexit, with the Government preparing for heavy queues at ports and the Channel Tunnel if customs checks have to be re-introduced. We have taken the decision to cancel blood donation sessions in Dover and Folkestone for a 2 week period before and a 6 week period after Britainas exit from the EU. This is because in the event of issues in Calais and other freight ports, this could lead to significant (1/2) GiveBlood (@GiveBloodNHS) January 29, 2019 The NHSBT announcement sparked a furious response, with Labours shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth describing it as a disastrous consequence of Theresa Mays hopeless mishandling of Brexit. Mr Ashworth said it was utterly shocking that blood donations should be called off and said it beggars belief that the Prime Minister was still resisting Labour demands to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Dovers Tory MP Charlie Elphicke criticised the NHS move as ridiculous and irresponsible. He said: Both the ports of Dover and Calais have said they will keep traffic flowing. Why not see what happens first before creating worry completely unnecessarily? Mike Stredder, director of blood donation for NHSBT, said that only six sessions were affected out of around 2,700 countrywide in the same period, and the move should have no effect on blood stocks or on our ability to supply hospitals. He said: We have taken the decision to cancel donation sessions in Dover and Folkestone for a two-week period before and for six weeks after Britains exit from the EU. This is because in the event of issues at Calais and other freight ports, Operation Stack may be put in place by Highways England and the Kent Police. This could lead to significant traffic in Kent and may prevent donation teams from reaching venues in the area or a donation leaving. Were grateful to all life-saving blood donors who make an important contributionDoH spokesman But in a statement issued hours after Mr Stredders announcement, the Department of Health and Social Care insisted that donation sessions will continue uninterrupted. The department does not agree with this course of action, a spokesman said. Weve discussed this issue with NHSBT and confirmed blood donations will continue as normal. Were grateful to all life-saving blood donors who make an important contribution. Mr Elphicke described the departments response as a welcome move and the right thing to do. He added: We need to know who authorised this nonsense in the first place. But Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, a supporter of the Best for Britain campaign for a second Brexit referendum, said: This whole sorry saga is a lesson in how unprepared the Government are. What are the Department of Health actually going to do, magic away the Brexit tailbacks? Im unsure what has changed in the last few hours apart from the press were alerted. The appointments they cancelled remain cancelled theyre just trying to mop up a self-made blunder. Expand Close Lorries parked in a queue during a trial at the former Manston Airport site (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lorries parked in a queue during a trial at the former Manston Airport site (PA) Earlier this month a leaked report suggested delays of as little as 70 seconds per truck at Dover could cause traffic jams which would take six days to clear. And the Government conducted an exercise to trial the use of Manston airfield in Kent as a holding centre for trucks queuing to reach Dover in the event of disruption. However, Calais boss Jean-Marc Puissesseau said the port has been preparing for Brexit for a year and will be ready to cope when the UK leaves the EU on March 29, whether there is a deal or not. Prime Minister Theresa May addresses MPs following the results of voting on Amendments put forward by MPs over the Governments Brexit deal, in the House of Commons, London (PA) Theresa May is to go back to the EU to try to renegotiate her Brexit deal after MPs gave their backing to proposals to replace the controversial backstop. But she earned an immediate rebuff from Brussels, where European Council president Donald Tusk insisted that the Withdrawal Agreement struck last November was not open for renegotiation. Meanwhile, one of Mrs Mays strongest negotiating weapons was ripped from her hands by MPs who voted to block a no-deal Brexit. In a night of high drama at Westminster, the Commons voted by 317 to 301 in favour of a proposal backed by the Prime Minister to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement and replace the backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Mrs May said that the result showed there was a means of securing a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal and vowed to seek a new agreement with Brussels. But in a statement, Mr Tusks spokesman said: The Withdrawal Agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. And French President Emmanuel Macron also said the agreement was not renegotiable, in comments just moments before MPs voted. The Commons approved a cross-party amendment, tabled by Midlands MPs Caroline Spelman and Jack Dromey, rejecting a no-deal Brexit by 318 to 310. The vote is not legally binding on the Government but will impose massive political pressure on the Prime Minister to delay Brexit from its scheduled date of March 29 if she cannot secure a new deal from Brussels. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) The PM told MPs: I agree that we should not leave without a deal. However, simply opposing no-deal is not enough to stop it. The Government will now redouble its efforts to get a deal that this House can support. There was uproar in the chamber as she said: There is limited appetite for such a change in the EU and negotiating it will not be easy. But in contrast to a fortnight ago, this House has made it clear what it needs to approve a withdrawal agreement. Mrs May said she would seek legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border. And she told MPs: If this House can come together, we can deliver the decision the British people took in June 2016, restore faith in our democracy and get on with building a country that works for everyone. As Prime Minister I will work with members across the House to do just that. Welcome the UK Parliament's decision to reject a no-deal & the hope of cross-party talks on future relationship. We stand by Ireland & the Good Friday Agreement. There is no majority to re-open or dilute the Withdrawal Agreement in the @Europarl_EN including the backstop. Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) January 29, 2019 Tuesdays votes were triggered by the overwhelming defeat of Mrs Mays Brexit Plan A by 230 votes earlier this month. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who boycotted cross-party talks after that vote, said that he was now ready to meet the Prime Minister to discuss a sensible Brexit solution that works for the whole country. Mr Corbyn said: Tonight Parliament has voted to remove the immediate threat of crashing out without a deal on 29 March. After months of refusing to take the chaos of no-deal off the table, the Prime Minister must now face the reality that no-deal is not an option. Scottish National Party Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the Conservatives had effectively ripped apart the Good Friday Agreement. But the Democratic Unionist Partys Nigel Dodds, whose party backed the amendment tabled by Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady, said it was utterly reckless to talk in those terms. Mr Dodds said: This is a significant night because for the first time the House by majority has expressed what sort of deal will get through and will have a majority, and we will work with the Prime Minister to deliver the right deal for the United Kingdom. MPs have this evening voted on a number of amendments to the Government's motion on #BrexitNextSteps. @spelmanc's amendment (i) had a majority of only 8 votes - find out how your MP voted in every division with the CommonsVotes tool.https://t.co/pqKnEEQMUI UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) January 29, 2019 In a dramatic series of votes, MPs rejected two proposals to delay Brexit by extending the two-year Article 50 negotiation process if Mrs May was unable to secure an acceptable agreement by February 26. And they also voted down a plan by former attorney general Dominic Grieve for a sequence of indicative votes to establish MPs preferred Brexit outcome. The pound dipped sharply after the failure of the attempts to delay Brexit, losing around 0.7% against both the US dollar and euro, though there were indications later that it may be rising. CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn described it as another deeply frustrating day for British business. The Brady amendment feels like a throw of the dice, she said. It wont be worth the paper it is written on if it cannot be negotiated with the EU. Any renegotiation must happen quickly succeed or fail fast. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson dismissed Mr Tusks statement, telling Sky News: There is a negotiation going on. You would expect him to say that. But believe me the EU has every incentive to give us the deal we need. But the Irish Government said in a statement: The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. The agreement is a carefully negotiated compromise, which balances the UK position on customs and the single market with avoiding a hard border and protecting the integrity of the EU customs union and single market. The best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify this agreement. The European human rights court has told Italy to provide food, water and medical care to the ship stranded off Sicily containing 47 migrants and four British rescuers. Sea-Watch 3 is anchored off the coast of Syracuse and its crew is unable to disembark the boys and men they rescued from the Mediterranean because of Italys anti-migrant policy. The Foreign Office was closely monitoring the situation, as crew said they were also prevented from leaving local waters while under investigation for allegedly assisting illegal immigration. The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday said the Italian government must provide the 15 unaccompanied minors on board with adequate legal assistance. It must also take all necessary measures, as soon as possible, to provide all the applicants with adequate medical care, food, water and basic supplies as necessary, the court said. The interim ruling did not, however, grant the captains request to let the migrants disembark. The four British crew members on board called for Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to intervene to help free them and their passengers. Wir haben soeben 47 Menschen aus einem Schlauchboot gerettet. Zuvor hatten @alarm_phone sowie #Moonbird das Schiff und die zustAndigen BehArden Aber einen mAglichen Notfall informiert, nach einer Suche fand #SeaWatch 3 sie schlieAlich. Jetzt sind alle sicher und werden versorgt pic.twitter.com/hjUsgiPbQR Sea-Watch (@seawatchcrew) January 19, 2019 On Tuesday, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said: We continue to monitor the situation on board Sea-Watch 3 closely. We are seeking further information on the British nationals affected. The migrants were rescued from a deflating vessel on January 19. Amid storms, they were allowed to shelter offshore from Syracuse, Sicily. Right-wing Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini accused the crew of criminality, and his ministry reportedly said it is gathering information to press charges for favouring illegal immigration. Speaking from the ship, father-of-two Brendan Woodhouse, who is from near Matlock in Derbyshire, said they were ordered not to leave local waters. The 42-year-old firefighter said: We are being threatened with a criminal investigation for saving peoples lives at sea. We would ask Jeremy Hunt to apply some pressure on the Italian authorities to accept 47 people on board and allow the crew to leave. Wir haben alle zustAndigen BehArden informiert. Zumindest haben wir es versucht: Wir konnten die so genannte libysche KAstenwache nicht erreichen. Wir warten nun auf weitere Anweisungen. pic.twitter.com/YQOuuYuw9I Sea-Watch (@seawatchcrew) January 19, 2019 Kim Heaton-Heather, 37, originally from Brighton, is heading the mission. Also on board are chief engineer Jon Stone, a 32-year-old former Navy serviceman from Lincoln, and bosun Dan Bebawi, 39, formerly a car mechanic in Nottingham. The Foreign Office said it is tackling irregular migration with a whole of route approach that emphasises interventions at every stage of their journeys. Prime Minister Theresa May speaking about the Governments Brexit deal, in the House of Commons, London. The battle lines have been drawn for Brexits Super Tuesday showdown in the Commons. Commons Speaker John Bercow has selected a series of amendments for votes by MPs to shape the next stage of the process of leaving the European Union. Any successful amendments will not have the force of law, but will carry heavy political weight as a signal to Downing Street and Brussels of what kind of Brexit MPs are likely to approve. Here are the amendments which have been selected: Brake on the backstop Expand Close Sir Graham Brady (centre) has tabled an amendment that would back the Withdrawal Agreement as long as alternative arrangements were found to replace the Irish border backstop (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Graham Brady (centre) has tabled an amendment that would back the Withdrawal Agreement as long as alternative arrangements were found to replace the Irish border backstop (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Theresa May has thrown Government support behind an amendment that seeks to replace the controversial backstop with unspecified alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland. Tabled by Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, Mrs May said approving it would give her a clear mandate to demand changes from Brussels to the Withdrawal Agreement. Taking control Expand Close Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, wants a vote on a Bill that would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26 (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, wants a vote on a Bill that would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26 (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) Jeremy Corbyn has thrown Labours weight behind a move by Labour former minister Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, for a new Bill to delay Brexit in order to allow more time to reach a deal. The move would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Mrs May fails to secure a deal by February 26. MPs would get a vote on delaying Brexit to the end of the year and preventing a no-deal exit under the terms of the Bill although the Labour leadership would seek a shorter extension to Article 50. Hereas the Bill. It gives the Govt til end of Feb to sort things out, but if they havenat, then Parliament would get a vote on whether to extend article 50 & get a bit more time. It gives Govt & Parliament a chance to avert No Deal in March if time has run out pic.twitter.com/P2rMfDuEZ3 Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) January 23, 2019 Grieve amendment In a bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit, the cross-party backed proposal from former attorney general Dominic Grieve would effectively wrest control of Commons business from the Government for six individual days in the run-up to the UKs scheduled withdrawal date of March 29 with the intention of getting MPs to reach a consensus on how to handle it. Mrs May said both Mr Grieve and Ms Coopers amendments posed constitutional problems by seeking to allow Parliament to usurp the proper role of the executive. No to no deal A cross-party effort headed by Tory Dame Caroline Spelman rejects the UK quitting the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. But Mrs May told MPs: Unless were to end up with no Brexit at all, the only way to avoid no deal is to agree a deal. Another cross-party amendment, tabled by Labours Rachel Reeves, would require the Prime Minister to seek an extension of Article 50 if no deal had been reached by February 26. Labours twin track approach Expand Close A labour amendment calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal Brexit (Aaron Chown/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A labour amendment calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal Brexit (Aaron Chown/PA) The official Labour amendment calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, such as a customs union with the EU, as well as the possibility of a new Brexit referendum. Mr Corbyn has been careful not to commit Labour to officially back such a poll, though. The SNP amendment Ian Blackfords amendment, also backed by Plaid Cymru, calls for an extension to Article 50, the rejection of a no-deal Brexit and states that the people of Scotland should not be taken out of the EU against their will. Various factions of MPs are jostling to stamp their mark on the EU withdrawal agenda in what is shaping up to be Brexits Super Tuesday showdown in the Commons. It will be down to Speaker John Bercow which proposals are selected for a vote later on Tuesday. Any successful amendments will not have the force of law, but will carry heavy political weight as a signal to Downing Street and Brussels of what kind of Brexit MPs are likely to approve. Here are some of the most prominent amendments tabled: Brake on the backstop Expand Close Sir Graham Brady (centre) has tabled an amendment that would back the Withdrawal Agreement as long as alternative arrangements were found to replace the Irish border backstop (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Graham Brady (centre) has tabled an amendment that would back the Withdrawal Agreement as long as alternative arrangements were found to replace the Irish border backstop (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Theresa May threw Government support on Monday behind an amendment that seeks to replace the controversial backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland. Tabled by Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, if it passed the Commons its supporters believe it gives Mrs May more firepower to go back to Brussels and ask for more concessions and get a Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament. Fellow Tories Andrew Murrison and John Baron scrapped very similar amendments to clear a path, but the hardline ERG is refusing to back it. Grieve amendment In a bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit, the cross-party backed proposal from Dominic Grieve would effectively wrest control of Commons business from the Government for six individual days in the run-up to the UKs scheduled withdrawal date of March 29 with the intention of getting MPs to reach a consensus on how to handle it. Taking control Expand Close Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, wants a vote on a Bill that would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26 (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, wants a vote on a Bill that would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26 (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) In a similar vein, a move by Labour former minister Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, calls for a vote on a Bill that would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26. MPs would get a vote on extending Article 50 to the end of the year and preventing a no-deal exit under the terms of the Bill. The Labour frontbench has been publicly flirting with throwing its weight behind the amendment. When will the PM understand that the ideological leaders of the ERG do not want a deal? They just want to string things out until it is too late. Pragmatic Conservatives should support the Cooper amendment tomorrow and shoot the no-deal fox. https://t.co/vMmEbrCklO Nick Boles (@NickBoles) January 28, 2019 No to no deal A cross-party effort headed by Tory Dame Caroline Spelman has widespread support and rejects the UK quitting the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. This would probably be more palatable to the Government than either the Grieve or Cooper bids for MPs to take back control. Labours twin track approach Expand Close A labour amendment calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal Brexit (Aaron Chown/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A labour amendment calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal Brexit (Aaron Chown/PA) This calls for MPs to be able to vote on options to stop a no-deal exit, such as a customs union with the EU, as well as the possibility of a new Brexit referendum. Jeremy Corbyn has been careful not to commit Labour to officially back such a poll, though. Amendments have been tacked on to the Labour push, with the Liberal Democrats calling for Remain to be on the ballot paper in any referendum, and Labour backbenchers urging Parliament to legislate for a public vote. Indicative votes Commons Exiting the European Union Committee chairman Hilary Benn wants a series of votes on various Brexit options to see where the most support lies. The Malthouse Compromise Only an emerging plan at this point, it would extend the transition period from the end of 2020 and in to December 2021 and allow the UK and EU to prepare properly for WTO terms or obviate this outcome by negotiating a mutually beneficial future relationship. It is reportedly backed by members of both the Remain and Leave camps of the Conservative party. An anti-Brexit campaigner holds a stop sign outside the Houses of Parliament, London (Jonathan Brady/PA) Tuesday could prove pivotal in deciding whether the UK leaves the European Union in just 59 days time or has its departure date delayed. The bland neutral motion presented by Theresa May will be brought to life by various amendments from backbench MPs how many remains in the gift of Commons Speaker John Bercow. Tuesday evening will be the crunch time. Depending on how many amendments get called the voting could, in theory at least, last until pretty late. Here are some of the approximate times of events during the day: 0930: The Cabinet gathers in Downing Street for its regular Tuesday morning meeting. It is likely to last several hours and there could well be some very heated discussions. Expand Close Commons Speaker John Bercow will reveal which amendments will be put to a vote on Tuesday morning (House of Commons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Commons Speaker John Bercow will reveal which amendments will be put to a vote on Tuesday morning (House of Commons/PA) 11:30: The amendments that have been chosen will be revealed around the time the Commons day begins. 1230-1245: The Brexit debate is due to start, running until 1900. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will open proceedings. 1830: Theresa May will close the debate with a speech from the despatch box. 1900: Voting will begin. It takes around 15 minutes to funnel MPs through the voting lobbies for each amendment so how long they take depends on how many Mr Bercow allows. After the voting has finished: Mrs May is expected to make a statement to the House of Commons. Squabbling politicians could learn a lot from scientific collaboration and the marvellous ideals in the Antarctic Treaty, Sir David Attenborough has said. He was delivering a speech to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, a stones throw from the House of Commons where MPs were debating and voting to possibly change the direction of Brexit. Describing how there were lots of nations interested in the continent of Antarctica six decades ago, including Norway, France, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina, the 92-year-old broadcaster said it was a kind of free-for-all. But as a consequence of this urge to take a scientific approach to the exploration of the continent the nations got together scientists got together and said we need to know about the physical characteristics of this vast land mass, he said. Living down there, researching down there is hard enough let us get together and make a treaty, in which there will be a series of idealistic commands. We will stop squabbling among ourselves and different nationalities, we will establish bases and will welcome anybody from any other base to our base to see what we are doing. Under The Antarctic Treaty, signed by 12 countries in December 1959, it was agreed that the continent should be used for peaceful purposes, military practices were prohibited and scientific collaboration was encouraged. Sir David said the treaty had no end and would go on for eternity, adding: Marvellous ideals make the pulse quicken in this day of squabbling that we have got going on in the world today. He said there are no similar treaties anywhere else in the world and it is nice to think the continent is leading the way. What is happening in the Antarctic is a very admirable example of how intelligent people can get together and sort out problemsSir David Attenborough Speaking to reporters, Sir David said the world has to get together to bring about change in an environmental capacity and in terms of climate, reiterating how scientific collaboration across the nations offers a good model. Rather a better example than many politicians, he said. I dont wish to paint scientists as saints they too have their feuds and their quarrels and their arguments. But what is happening in the Antarctic is a very admirable example of how intelligent people can get together and sort out problems. Asked if the politicians involved in Brexit could learn anything from the animal kingdom, Sir David simply said no. They dont co-operate in that way, and they dont have logical discussions, which is what one hopes politicians do, he added. Expand Close The Duke of Cambridge with Sir David Attenborough at Davos (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke of Cambridge with Sir David Attenborough at Davos (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone/AP) Earlier this month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sir David urged business leaders and governments to come up with practical solutions to address environmental issues. Pressed on whether more can be done or if the damage to the planet is irreparable, he said: We have to do whatever we can to rescue what we can, we arent going to recover, we are going to have great difficulty, and it seems very unlikely that we may even be able to maintain the status quo. The temperatures are rising and we simply have to restrict it as far as we can. Responding to a recent tweet from US President Donald Trump stating how America could do with a little more global warming due to the cold temperatures, Sir David added that he is sorry the president of the most powerful country in the world has not a greater grasp or a better perspective on the world. Former Londons Burning actor John Alford has been handed a community order after resisting arrest while yelling that police officers were in cahoots with jailed News of the World Fake Sheikh Mazher Mahmood. The 47-year-old rose to fame on Grange Hill but his career was left in tatters when he was convicted of supplying cocaine to now-discredited journalist Mahmood. Alford developed a siege mentality because of the case and struggled with officers who tried to arrest him after he smashed a refuse lorrys windscreen with a bin, Highbury Corner Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday. Alford, of Holloway, north London, was ordered to serve a 12-month community order after he admitted two counts of resisting an officer. Expand Close John Alford arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Alford arrives at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The court heard he drunkenly shattered the windscreen after taking a seat at the vehicles wheel at about 7.15am on September 1 in York Way, not far from the ex-actors home. Officers were called and Pc Darren Baker and Pc Miranda Narcin attempted to arrest him but he resisted. The judge was played one officers bodycam footage that showed the struggle with Alford, who claimed he was trying to stop the lorry rolling backwards. Police strapped his legs together and he was heard shouting that he was fighting corrupt police officers. In cahoots with News of the World, he shouted. In cahoots with Mazher Mahmood. The court also heard him yell: Did Rupert Murdoch (former News of the World proprietor) send you here to kill me? In mitigation for Alford, Geoff Payne said the significant entrapment at the hands of Mahmood created a siege mentality for his client, giving him a problem with authority. Expand Close Mazher Mahmood (Metropolitan Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mazher Mahmood (Metropolitan Police/PA) Its something that unfortunately hes never managed to put behind him, never managed to come to terms with, Mr Payne added. Judge Gillian Allison ordered Alford to complete a 25-day rehabilitative activity, pay 400 compensation and serve a 14-day curfew on an electronic tag between 8pm and 6am. But she agreed that the curfew could begin a day later than she initially intended so Alford could take his two children to an Arsenal match as a Christmas treat. Alford previously admitted criminal damage with regard to the windscreen, with a repair bill estimated at 300. His career was largely destroyed when he was jailed for nine months in 1999 after being convicted of supplying cocaine to Mahmood, the News of the Worlds King of the Sting. Mahmood was jailed for 15 months in 2016 for tampering with evidence in the collapsed drugs trial of pop star Tulisa Contostavlos. Alfords drugs case was referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, but a spokesman for the commission said the matter was closed in December without being recommended for an appeal. The Taoiseach said the Republic could need extra money to address the fall out from Brexit as he urged a fair deal for taxpayers (Brian Lawless/PA). Ireland is braced for a nursing strike over pay on Wednesday after last-minute talks broke down. Industrial action by 40,000 is set to go ahead and the Labour Court decided against an intervention. More than 1,000 operations have been cancelled and thousands of outpatient appointments called off. Nurses and midwives are going on strike for only the second time in 100 years. They are standing up for patients and fair pay. If you're near a picket from 8am-4pm tomorrow, drop by and show your support. Full list of pickets here https://t.co/zbPHTsvcyR pic.twitter.com/KUKj5oJqfq Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) January 29, 2019 The Taoiseach said the Republic could need extra money to address the fallout from Brexit as he urged a fair deal for taxpayers. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is organising the protest over pay, recruitment and retention issues. Following a hard Brexit the economy may need money to assist jobs in the agrifood and other sectors. Mr Varadkar said: This isnt made up and its not about blaming anyone. We want to avert the strike if possible and find a solution. It has to be fair to taxpayers and patientsLeo Varadkar He said he was seeking an affordable solution to the industrial grievances for taxpayers. We want to avert the strike if possible and find a solution. It has to be fair to taxpayers and patients. It would not be fair to taxpayers to borrow money to fund an increase, it needs to be fair to all public servants. Nursing unions are seeking pay parity with health service grades like physiotherapists, whom they say they trail by around 7,000 euro a year. Recruitment and retention problems would be addressed by a boost to pay packets, trade unionists argue. The Government has said giving special rises to nurses would undermine the public service agreement. Spain-based Acciona, a leading supplier of sustainable infrastructure solutions and renewable energy projects worldwide, said it has been named among the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations for the second consecutive year. The list was revealed by Corporate Knights at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Over 2,500 leaders from the business world, governments, international organisations and civil society were at this year's forum which was held under the theme - Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This ranking analyses companies that reached revenues of over $1 billion in 2018 (around 7,500 companies from 21 countries) and rates them according to economic, environmental, social and governance indicators, said a statement from the company. Those indicators include the percentage of profits linked to the green economy, emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, the use of renewable energies, the use of sustainable suppliers, spending on innovation, tax contribution, workplace accident rates, and gender equality, it said. Acciona, which is ranked 68th, directly links its business model to the green economy, as defined by the UN; activities in this category contributed 34 per cent of the company's worldwide revenues and 67 per cent of its ebitda last year. A major global player in renewable energy sector, Acciona's range of services cover the entire value chain, from design through construction to operation and maintenance. As for emissions of CO2, Acciona has been carbon-neutral since 2016. In addition, by producing electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources, the company avoided the emission of 14.4 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2017, and it extends its commitment to sustainability by measuring the pollutant emissions and water consumption of 100 per cent of its suppliers. Inclusion in the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations represents additional recognition for Acciona's sustainable approach, as it is also a member of other benchmark indexes such as FTSE4Good, MSCI Global Climate Index and CDP Water A List 2018. At the Davos event, Chairman and CEO Jose Manuel Entrecanales took part in encounters organised by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WCSD), and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), among others.-TradeArabia News Service Health Minister Simon Harris has defended his decision to proceed with the National Childrens Hospital project despite spiralling costs (Niall Carson/PA Wire) The failure to build the National Childrens Hospital would be a scar on the Governments legacy, a parliamentary committee has heard. Health Minister Simon Harris described the cost overrun of the project as colossal but he defended his decision to proceed, despite the spiralling costs, saying we cannot afford not to build this hospital. Mr Harris said: Not to build this hospital would be a scar on our legacy as an Oireachtas and as a Government. We would be yet again neglecting kids that went through the last economic boom promised a hospital that was never built because we had parish pump politics of trying to fit into peoples constituencies on a site we could never get planning permission for. Mr Harris made the comments at the Health Committee on Tuesday where he was questioned over the cost overruns of the national project. The bill for the hospital, which is currently under construction at the St Jamess Hospital site in Dublin, is expected to be at least 1.4 billion euro. Expand Close Undated artist impression issued by Childrens Hospital Group of the site of the new state-of-the-art childrens hospital in Dublin (Childrens Hospital Group/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Undated artist impression issued by Childrens Hospital Group of the site of the new state-of-the-art childrens hospital in Dublin (Childrens Hospital Group/PA) It is due to open its doors in 2022. Mr Harris told TDs and senators that he learned in August that costs were not on track but that it was November before he learned of the exact figure. When the overrun became apparent to me it would be an understatement to say that I was very disappointed, very concerned and very frustrated, he said. The cost of the hospital is 450 million euro higher than the 983 million euro approved by the Government two years ago. But it is expected that another 300 million euro could be needed to cover extras before it is completed, which would bring the total cost of the project to 1.7 billion euro. When he learned of the spiralling costs Mr Harris said he had three options before him: pause, re-tender or proceed. He defended his decision to proceed with the hospital on the St Jamess site. The Secretary General of the Department of Health told the committee he was totally unhappy with the situation, describing it as invidious. Jim Breslin said that if they had attempted to reduce the cost from 1.4 billion euro back to the original budget of 983 million euro they would have had to re-scope the project by a third. Mr Breslin said they had been advised that they would have had to redesign the project and potentially remove services. He added that it would have caused even more problems. The situation we're in now is absolutely invidious but we're going to build a hospital that has been required in this country for 30 yearsJim Breslin The likelihood is that you would have ended up with an inferior project, an inferior hospital at something approaching the same cost were presented with today, Mr Breslin said. He added that it may have resulted in the hospital being deferred. We would have ended up in a bigger mess, and I absolutely agree this is a mess and Im totally unhappy with the situation were in, but we wouldnt have built a hospital in that situation. The situation were in now is absolutely invidious but were going to build a hospital that has been required in this country for 30 years. An independent external review of the project is underway to examine the cause of the overrun and to identify any changes needed for the delivery of the project. The minister told the committee he had not asked anyone to resign over the matter because he wanted due diligence to take place and he did not want to preempt the outcome. He said the PWC report, which is due to be completed in March, was going to warts and all find out whether there was a better way to proceed, adding that he would act on the findings. A briefing note by the Department of Health briefing note given to the health committee ahead of Tuesdays meeting described the decision to go-ahead with project in the face of major escalation in cost as being the least worst option. The Irish Government cannot ignore the will of the people and growing support for a united Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Sinn Fein have said. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald said poll after poll had demonstrated the majority of the public would support Irish unity if the UK crashed out of the EU, resulting in the re-emergence of a hard border on the island of Ireland. In the event of a hard Brexit, north and south, a majority of people are saying they want a referendum on unity, and the Government need to listen to them, Ms McDonald said. At the prospect of a hard border or crash Brexit, its very clear now in opinion polling that the Irish people have a clear position. That comes as no surprise to us at all, but what remains very concerning is that the Government here continues to look away from that reality. To start planning for contingency of a border poll and Irish reunification in the event of a crash Brexit, thats the responsible thing to do. I dont think its responsible for Leo Varadkar to have his head buried in the sand, it is time to look dispassionately and in the Irish interest at all contingencies necessary. Putting the constitutional question is now an obvious matter that the Government needs to consider and plan for. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) In Westminster, amid a revolt among backbenchers and her DUP allies, Prime Minister Theresa May has swung behind a motion amendment that would allow her to go back to Brussels and seek changes to the Irish border backstop. Ms McDonald reiterated that the Irish Government should remain steadfast in its commitment to the backstop. The Taoiseach needs to remain absolutely firm, Ms McDonald said. There cannot be any renegotiation of the backstop. "The Taoiseach needs to remain absolutely firm. There cannot be any renegotiation of the back stop. In the event of a hard brexit, north and south a majority of people are saying they want a referendum on Unity, and the gov need to listen to them." - @MaryLouMcDonald pic.twitter.com/cYh3AIgpP5 Sinn FAin (@sinnfeinireland) January 29, 2019 The Taoiseach has previously said that raising the prospect of a border poll is disruptive and destructive to getting a Brexit deal ratified. Deputy leader Simon Coveney previously said the issue could create an even more divisive debate and atmosphere in Northern Ireland, which is the last thing we need. A poll conducted by RTES Claire Byrne Live on Monday night showed 86% in the Republic would opt for a united Ireland over a hard border. The scene in Gortahork, Donegal, Ireland, where four young men have died in a road crash that has been described as a tragedy unfolding. The funerals of four young men who died following a road crash in Co Donegal will take place on Thursday. The man, all aged in their 20s, died at the scene following the incident involving a single car on a road near Magheraroarty, Gortahork, at 8.40pm on Sunday. Members of their families gathered at the scene on Sunday night and were comforted by a local priest. Expand Close The scene in Gortahork, Donegal, Ireland, where four young men have died in a road crash that has been described as a tragedy unfolding (Rebecca Black/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene in Gortahork, Donegal, Ireland, where four young men have died in a road crash that has been described as a tragedy unfolding (Rebecca Black/PA) John Harley, 24, and Shaun Harkin, 22, from Falcarragh, Michael Roarty, 24, from Gweedore, and Daniel Scott, from Gortahork will be laid to rest in separate funerals on Thursday morning and afternoon. Gortahork parish priest Father Sean Gallagher said he expects the local community will show the families enormous support during the wakes. He described a feeling of disbelief in the area with three neighbouring parishes, Gortahork, Falcarragh and Gweedore, impacted. Everybody is numb, he told the Press Association. But I know people will be good at showing the families support from the community, there will certainly be a lot of support for them during the wakes. Expand Close Garda Superintendent David Kelly at Bunbeg Garda Station, who described the scene of the road crash in Gortahork killing four young men as difficult (Rebecca Black/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda Superintendent David Kelly at Bunbeg Garda Station, who described the scene of the road crash in Gortahork killing four young men as difficult (Rebecca Black/PA) Garda Superintendent David Kelly described the scene that greeted the emergency services who tried to save the men as difficult. It was a difficult scene as you can imagine, nine oclock at night, it was dark, people gathering, family members attended. It was a tragedy unfolding, he told media during a press conference at Bunbeg Garda station on Monday. I would like to offer our condolences to the families of the deceased, their friends and the local community. Id also like to make an appeal for information, if anyone had seen the silver Toyota Corolla prior to 8.40pm or earlier in the evening to contact the gardai at Millford Garda station on 074 9153060. The Irish Government has said the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for negotiation (Brian Lawless/PA) The Irish Government has said the UKs Brexit Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. The government in Dublin reiterated its stance that the ratification of the deal was the best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU. In a statement, the Irish government said: The EU position on the Withdrawal Agreement, including the backstop, is set out in the conclusions of the December meeting of the European Council. It has not changed. The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. The statement was issued after MPs in Westminster voted to give Theresa May their backing for her to go back to Brussels to seek changes to the Withdrawal Agreement with the aim of replacing the controversial backstop with unspecified alternative arrangements. Irish premier Leo Varadkar is expected to speak with Mrs May on Wednesday to discuss the outcome of the vote. The statement added: The agreement is a carefully negotiated compromise, which balances the UK position on customs and the single market with avoiding a hard border and protecting the integrity of the EU customs union and single market. The best way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify this agreement. The statement also said that changes could be made to the Political Declaration on the future relationship between the EU and the UK, if the UK was willing to change its red lines. A change in the UK red lines could lead to a change in the Political Declaration on the framework for the future relationship, and a better overall outcome, the statement read. But the Irish government added that it would be continuing with its contingency planning for all eventualities, including for a no-deal scenario. Backstop was agreed by UK/EU as the insurance policy to avoid a hard border in all scenarios. We hope it will never be used, or be replaced quickly by a future relationship agreement. But it is necessary and tonightas developments at Westminster do nothing to change this. #Brexit Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 29, 2019 Irelands deputy premier said the backstop remains a necessary insurance policy to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. In a tweet following the outcome of the voting in the UK parliament, Simon Coveney said: Backstop was agreed by UK/EU as the insurance policy to avoid a hard border in all scenarios. We hope it will never be used, or be replaced quickly by a future relationship agreement. But it is necessary and tonights developments at Westminster do nothing to change this. #Brexit Ulster University has finally sealed the deal on the purchase of the former Foyle College site in Londonderry, allowing expansion plans to proceed. A year after it was expected, the university (UU) confirmed it now owns the Duncreggan Road site. Student numbers at UU's Magee campus have dropped by over 170 in the past two years to just over 4,000, however the purchase of the land and associated expansion plans are expected to help redress this. A UU spokesman said: "Ulster University has completed its purchase of the Foyle College lands, marking a milestone in the development and expansion opportunities for Magee campus. "The purchase follows the opening last year of the 11m state-of-the-art teaching centre at the heart of the Magee campus, which has already enhanced the vibrancy of campus life and paved the way for enhanced future capacity at Magee. "Options for the Foyle College lands will now be explored in line with the University's plans for growth of the Magee campus and its wider estates strategy." Foyle MP Elisha McCallion said the purchase is part of wider plans to secure a medical school for the city. She said: "The expansion of Magee is one of the biggest priorities for the continued growth and development of Derry's economy. That expansion has taken a major step forward with the transfer of the land at the site of the former Foyle College to the university." DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said the land acquisition would be seen as a clear commitment by the university to remain in the city and expand. "There have been concerns that courses and student numbers have been reduced but when our party has been speaking to the university, they are telling us in terms of their growth plans they want to see the establishment of the medical school, and Magee to become a centre of excellence when it comes to health related courses," he said. Politicians have paid tribute to outgoing PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton after he announced his intention to retire in just five months' time, as they warned that his successor will face many challenges. Mr Hamilton (51), who was appointed to the top policing job in 2014, said he believes "it is the right time" for him to step away from a career which has spanned more than three decades. Read More He made the announcement on social media yesterday just a week after he was offered a three year extension to his contract, which expires in June. "I have today informed @NIPolicingBoard of my intention to retire at the end of June," he wrote on Twitter. In a statement he described the opportunity to lead the PSNI as the "greatest privilege" of his career and expressed pride in the police force which contributed to creating "a much more peaceful and progressive society" in NI. Policing board chair Anne Connolly said she regrets but respects the decision, which means a successor must now be appointed, an issue which will be discussed at the next meeting on February 6. Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said he always found Mr Hamilton to be "completely honest and straightforward" as he wished him a happy retirement. However, the party's policing spokesperson, Alan Chambers MLA, stressed the importance of "stability" when it comes to appointing a successor in "a time of immense uncertainty". The North Down representative warned that fiscal challenges must be addressed to ensure "normal police service" amid the "continued scourge of republican and loyalist crime gangs" in addition to Brexit-related challenges. Alliance leader Naomi Long thanked Mr Hamilton "for keeping our community safe" throughout his long career. Alliance MLA and Policing Board member John Blair said last week's car bomb attack by dissidents in Londonderry shows that tests remain for whoever takes on "one of the most difficult policing jobs in the UK". Sinn Fein policing board member Gerry Kelly MLA praised Mr Hamilton's professionalism and commitment to modern policing, despite the pair having "differences of opinion" on some occasions. Mr Kelly also warned that Mr Hamilton's successor will face huge challenges surrounding community confidence in policing, legacy issues and Brexit. Mr Hamilton acknowledged that many challenges exist, but added: "We have overcome greater challenges in the past and there is nothing that cannot be achieved if the police, our partners and the community continue to work together." DUP policing board member Mervyn Storey said "many major issues" await the next police chief, including the question of how to deal with the past. "There is a focus on the 10% of killings attributed to the state, but this should not overshadow the 90% of deaths at the hands of terrorist groups," he added. Victims' campaigner William Frazer described Mr Hamilton's tenure as "uneventful but significant" and accused him of "hardening" the PSNI's view that it "wasn't for them to police the past". He warned that legacy cases will remain "a poisoned chalice" which the PSNI "cannot wait to offload". Despite the stinging critique, Mr Frazer did express gratitude for the Chief Constable's willingness to meet with the Kingsmill families after they were "deeply offended" by the "political stupidity" of former Sinn Fein MP Barry McElduff. "I wish Mr Hamilton a long and enjoyable retirement," he added. Department of Justice Permanent Secretary Peter May praised Mr Hamilton's "tireless" effort to deliver "a professional and high quality policing service" to the people here, who are "all indebted" to his leadership. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds has welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May's plans to return to Brussels in an attempt to renegotiate her Brexit withdrawal deal. On Tuesday, Mrs May called on the the House of Commons to back an amendment tabled by Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady which would require her to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border in Ireland. Read More Despite what she acknowledged was a limited appetite in Europe for reopening talks, she insisted a compromise could be reached. I believe with a mandate from this House, I can secure such a change in advance of our departure from the EU, the PM said. Reacting to Mrs May's comments, North Belfast MP Mr Dodds said that the move was a "sensible step forward". "From day one when the draft withdrawal agreement was published, we rejected the backstop and argued for legally binding change within the withdrawal agreement," he said. However, Sinn Fein's South Down MP Chris Hazzard rejected any proposed changes to the backstop, saying Parliament must realise that "it cannot push the people of Ireland around over Brexit". Expand Close Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would speak to Mrs May to see "what the next steps are" after votes in the Commons on Tuesday night. The EU have been adamant that they are not inclined to renegotiate the Brexit withdrawal agreement, and have insisted the backstop plan must remain to ensure there is no hard border in Ireland. Earlier on Tuesday the DUP gave their backing to the "Malthouse" alternative proposals to the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement. The plan involves a "recasting" of the Northern Ireland backstop as "free trade agreement-lite" with a commitment on all sides there should be no hard border on the island of Ireland and an extended transition period to December 2021. The DUP's deputy leader said it was clear that a deal could not be reached without changes to the backstop. "We want to find a solution which can win the support of parliament and the EU. That is why we have endorsed the Malthouse alternative as a possible route forward," Mr Dodds said. "The backstop would have placed a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. A new border east-west is no more acceptable to unionists than a new border north-south would be acceptable to nationalists and republicans. "Now is the time for the EU to stop ignoring the voice of unionists." Mr Dodds said the current proposals were neither "reasonable nor acceptable". "There are other ways to guarantee no hard border on the island of Ireland and its time for a more constructive approach by Brussels. Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said that Parliament was not acting in the "best interests of Ireland". In its desperation, the British government is trying to threaten and intimidate the Irish people with a hard border and an economic cliff edge," the South Down MP said. They need to realise the days of the British government and British parliament threatening the people of Ireland and pushing them around are over and not coming back. The Irish government and EU need to stand firm against attempts to sabotage what has already been agreed." A former head of MI5 has warned that she is "desperately worried" about the impact of Brexit on the security situation in Northern Ireland. Baroness Manningham-Buller also said the UK will be "less safe" if it leaves the EU without a deal with Brussels. Read More She was speaking as two former Northern Ireland police chiefs warned that dissident republicans are ready to exploit the chaos around Brexit to launch a new wave of terror. Baroness Manningham-Buller succeeded Sir Stephen Lander as director general of the Security Service in 2002, the second woman to take on the role after Dame Stella Rimington. Following recent attacks by dissident republicans, Baroness Manningham-Buller voiced particular concern about the impact on the security situation on the island of Ireland. She said: "I am desperately worried. Much of my career was spent working on Provisional IRA, the loyalist terrorist groups in Northern Ireland. "I can remember when it was thoroughly unpleasant to go through the border and now, if we go back to that, it cuts off the increasing links between Northern Ireland and the Republic which are an important part of the message of the peace process. "It will alter dramatically the whole sentiment and politics of Northern Ireland." She added: "Throughout the time there has been those who don't agree with the peace process, who are continuing to mount attacks - generally small scale. "But I don't think it is over in Northern Ireland. The danger is that it gets much worse again." Baroness Manningham-Buller said the country faced a range of security issues - from terrorism to threats from Russia - which were best dealt with in a "European context". She said a no-deal Brexit should be avoided "at all costs" and that she was "more than sympathetic" to attempts by backbench MPs to take control of Commons business to prevent it happening. "I, as a former member of MI5, am very concerned about the loss of things like the European Arrest Warrant, the loss of access to Europol data and so on," she told BBC Radio 4's World At One. "If we leave without a deal we are going to be less safe. "We have a very serious terrorist problem in this country, very serious other security issues - the rise of Russia, its interference in our elections. "I am pretty queasy that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is so in favour of Brexit - I think that should give us all pause. "There is a range of other security issues - we all face the same one - which are dealt with better in a European context than not." Former Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan yesterday told this newspaper that some are "hitching themselves to the Brexit bandwagon" to stoke trouble. "The reality is they are always dangerous and they will use fears over a hard border to try and ramp up their activities," he said. "The dissidents are hitching themselves to the Brexit bandwagon. I think there will be further attacks, I think they remain dangerous. But I don't think they'll succeed." His warning came as former PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde said dissident republicans would view a hard border as an opportunity to mount further attacks. He accused politicians of not paying enough attention to the potential for a return to violence in the event of a hard border and he said there is no way to avoid the return of security patrols in the event of a no-deal Brexit. "At the moment you see anything that starts to create the perception of a hard distinction between north and south, it creates a catalyst that allows people to exploit that position and dissident republicans would be in that category," he told RTE's This Week programme. The caravan used by Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew for Saturdays constituency advice clinic in Moy, Co Tyrone A Sinn Fein MLA held an advice clinic in a caravan after a priest withdrew permission to use a Co Tyrone church hall - and the clergyman has said he will "probably not" allow the party to use the venue in future. Anti-abortion activists had planned to protest outside Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Colm Gildernew's advice clinic at St John's Church Hall in Moy on Saturday, due to their opposition to his party's support for the liberalisation of abortion laws. However, parish priest The Very Rev John Connolly told this newspaper that he withdrew permission for Mr Gildernew to use the church hall at the weekend. A photo posted online by Mr Gildernew on the day of the event shows a small caravan parked at the roadside in The Square in Moy, with Sinn Fein posters affixed to its doors. A picture on social media of an amended leaflet advertising the clinic, which has the words "parochial hall" removed, lists 'health' as one of the issues for which help can be offered. In Saturday's social media post, Mr Gildernew said it had been a "great constituency clinic" and pledged to "roll out the service across South Tyrone". He wrote: "Great constituency clinic in the Moy this morning. "Brilliant as always to engage with our constituents on a wide range of concerns about the Moy specifically and other issues. "We will roll out the service across South Tyrone in the time ahead to make it more accessible for all." Fr Connolly told the Belfast Telegraph he was "surprised" at the attention the advice clinic had attracted. "I didn't want to offend or annoy any parishioners, so I thought it best to call it off," he stated. "It wasn't because of any other political party's reaction. "I withdrew permission to use the church hall, it was very amicable. "I would probably not allow Sinn Fein to hold other events in the church hall. It depends what it is, I would have to look at each case as it came up." In a statement released on Saturday night, Tyrone Pro-Life Network claimed its efforts to prevent Sinn Fein from holding the meeting in the church hall had been a "total success". It stated: "Those who advocate abortion in Tyrone will be met with relentless and uncompromising opposition from us at all times. We had people in the Moy today as promised and they were finally stood down in the early afternoon when it could safely be said that our mission was completed and that it had been a total success. Our loyalty is to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and we will not be deflected in defending the teachings of our Faith in the matter of abortion. "We will now return our focus to the May elections and to making these as difficult as possible for those parties and politicians who support abortion." The Belfast Telegraph asked the Catholic Church whether it would allow Sinn Fein to hold any events on church property here or in the Republic in the future. No response had been received at the time of going to press. Sinn Fein also failed to respond to requests for comment. The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has entered into an agreement with the Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports) to support the implementation of the Export Finance Promotion Initiative announced today under the kingdoms Private Sector Stimulus Program (PSS). The initiative is a result of a Royal Decree to establish the Saudi Export Import Bank (Saudi Exim Bank), earmarked for beginning in October 2019, and which aims to enhance the competitiveness of non-oil sectors in the national economy. ITFC will support Saudi Exports in executing the programme, with the overarching aim of stimulating private sector development. As part of the agreement, ITFC will act as Saudi Exports investment agent to provide investment management services within the scope of the latters export financing initiative in the lead up to the establishment of the Saudi Exim Bank. Under the Initiative, ITFC will provide export and import Shariah-compliant financing to support Saudi companies and support the growth of non-oil exports through attractive financing solutions, said the statement. ITFC CEO Engineer Hani Salem Sonbol said: ITFC has a proven track record and experience in managing initiatives and programmes aimed at promoting and developing trade in addition to providing innovative financing solutions to meet the needs of member countries. ITFC will work hand-in-hand with Saudi Exports to implement the initiative to boost Saudi export financing as part of the kingdom's Private Sector Stimulus (PSS) Program. TradeArabia News Service RTHK: Cohen to testify to Congress next week President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen will provide closed-door testimony to Congress on February 8, a US lawmaker said on Monday, after postponing an earlier open appearance citing concerns for his own safety. Cohen agreed to "appear voluntarily" before the House Intelligence Committee, the panel's Democratic chairman Adam Schiff said, days after Cohen had aborted an appearance at a public hearing February 7 before the separate House Oversight Committee. "Mr. Cohen has relayed to the (Intelligence) committee his legitimate concerns for his own safety as well as that of his family, which have been fueled by improper comments made by the President and his lawyer," Schiff said in a statement. On Wednesday, Cohen's lawyer alleged that Trump and his attorney Rudy Giuliani had threatened Cohen and relatives, in an apparent attempt at intimidating him prior to his testimony. "Efforts to intimidate witnesses, scare their family members or prevent them from testifying before Congress are tactics we expect from organized crime, not the White House," Schiff said. "These attacks on Mr Cohen's family must stop." 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 behind bars, and Democrats want to see him testify before he reports to prison on March 6. Cohen has also been subpoenaed by the Senate Intelligence Committee, which means a likely second February appearance on Capitol Hill by Trump's former right-hand man at the Trump Organization. It was unclear whether the Senate session would be open or closed. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Police have issued an appeal for information after identifying the getaway car used in the murder of Ian Ogle in east Belfast on Sunday night. Detective Chief Inspector Peter McKenna has said that those involved in the killing of Mr Ogle ran from ran from Cluan Place to the Templemore Avenue area where they got into a black Seat Leon car, registration number JGZ 7406. Read More The vehicle then travelled to Pitt Place and police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the car travelling in this area, or who saw the people in it, either before or after the murder. Mr Ogle, a 45-year-old community worker and father of two was attacked in the Cluan Place area sometime between 9pm and 10pm. Four people have been arrested as part of their murder investigation. One woman remains in custody. Detective Chief Inspector McKenna said his enquiries had "progressed significantly". "Im interested in the movements of the car specifically between 9.15pm and 10pm. I would also like anyone driving in the area who may have dash-cam footage to contact police," he said. Expand Close Floral tributes have been left to Belfast community worker Ian Ogle where he was murdered on Sunday night. (Rebecca Black/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Floral tributes have been left to Belfast community worker Ian Ogle where he was murdered on Sunday night. (Rebecca Black/PA) Detective Chief Inspector McKenna said he was particularly interested in speaking to a group of people seen running from the area. The level of violence meted out on Ian by the people involved in his murder is barbaric and it is quite frankly repulsive that they felt it was acceptable," he said. "There is no place for this inhumane behaviour in our communities and I would appeal for local people to come forward with any information they have so we can remove this intimidation and violence from our streets. "Almost two days have passed and yet those who attacked Ian and in turn attacked the local community have failed to come forward to police. Anyone with any information should contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1303 of 27/1/19. 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. The death of a man whose body was found in a house in Londonderry last November "involved knives", police disclosed for the first time yesterday. A detective constable who is part of the investigation into the killing of Edward Meenan, whose body was found in the Little Diamond area, made the disclosure at the Magistrates Court in Derry yesterday. The officer was speaking during bail applications by two of the three men who have been in custody since last November charged with the murder of the 56-year-old victim. The three defendants jointly charged with Mr Meenan's murder are Sean Rodgers (31), from the Little Diamond; Ryan Walters (19), from the Methodist Mission in Crawford Square, and Derek Cresswell (26), of no fixed abode. Barristers for Rodgers, who is in custody in Maghaberry Prison, and Walters, who is being held in Hydebank Prison, made bail applications, which were opposed by the detective constable. In relation to Rodgers, the police witness said the applicant had a criminal record of 30 previous convictions. "The death of Mr Meenan involved knives", he also told Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers. The witness added that police "believe if granted bail he will fail to turn up for future court appearances and that because of his violent history he will intimidate witnesses". Cross-examined by defence barrister Sean Doherty, the police witness said there was no evidence of any animosity between the defendant and Mr Meenan. The officer confirmed that there was "as yet" no forensic evidence linking Rodgers to the murder scene and he also confirmed that "the two other co-defendants are forensically connected by the deceased's blood, but not this defendant". The defence barrister said there was "a veritable goldmine of forensic evidence in the property" which had not been linked to the defendant and he submitted that the "police had reached a view about the defendant's involvement based on his criminal record". "The police cannot connect the defendant forensically with the investigation and nobody can place the defendant in the property at the time of the offence," the QC said. In relation to Walters, the officer said he was a prolific offender with 33 criminal convictions. He said the murder of Mr Meenan had caused considerable tension in the community and he believed if granted bail the defendant would reoffend, abscond, interfere with civilian witnesses "and he may suffer harm from members of the community". The officer described him as "a genuine risk to the public". Walter's barrister Eoghan Devlin said the defendant was arrested in his sheltered accommodation which was just a few miles from the border. "He could have got on a bus and left the city but he chose not to do so," the barrister told the judge. Both bail applications were refused because of a potential for reoffending and the case was adjourned for three weeks. Emergency services at the scene of a crash involving a van. Credit: Stephen Mulligan/McAuley Multimedia. One person has been taken to hospital after the air ambulance attended the scene of a crash between a car and van in Co Antrim. The crash took place on the Knock Road, Ballymoney around 4pm on Tuesday afternoon. Police, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) also attended the scene. NIAS dispatched one rapid response paramedic and one emergency crew to the scene. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that a driver was transported to hospital for treatment of injuries which are not believed to be life threatening. The Knock Road has now reopened between Lisconnan Road and Dervock. MPs have voted to support Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal agreement if the controversial Irish border backstop is replaced with an alternative plan. MPs backed the amendment tabled by Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady by a vote of 317-301. It passed with a majority of 16, including support from the DUP's 10 MPs. Read More The backstop was intended to ensure there would be no hard border established on the island of Ireland after Brexit. MPs also supported an amendment that rejected leaving the EU without a deal. Earlier on Tuesday Mrs May called on MPs to support the vote to allow her to return to Brussels to reopen negotiations on the Brexit withdrawal deal. She has now backed calls for the Irish backstop, which ensures no return to a hard border, be dumped in favour of undefined alternative arrangements. Following the result, Mrs May said she now had a mandate to take back for further negotiations with the EU. She said: "Tonight a majority of members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop combined with measures to address concerns over Parliament's role in the negotiation of the future relationship and commitments on workers' rights in law where need be. "It's now clear there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. "We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland." However, President of the European Council Donald Tusk has said that the withdrawal deal is "not open for re-negotiation". Speaking after the vote he said Mrs May's deal "remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union". He did say that the EU would be open to looking at the political declaration between the UK and EU again, and that the EU would consider an extension to Brexit, with the UK set to leave on March 29. "We will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including a no-deal scenario," President Tusk said. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said because the amendment ruling out a no-deal Brexit had passed he was now willing to meet Mrs May for talks on the Brexit next steps. The Labour leader said: "Now that the House has voted emphatically to reject the no deal option the Prime Minister was supporting could I say we are now prepared to meet her to put forward the points of view from the Labour Party of the kind of deal we want from the European Union. "To protect jobs, to protect livings standards, and to protect rights and conditions in this country." The two men appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court Two men were remanded in custody today accused of having a wheel brace and iron bar to inflict injuries on a kidnapping victim. Gary Rafferty, 32, and David Nixon, 30, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court over their alleged involvement in the attack in the north of the city. Police believe a man in his twenties was beaten after getting into a car at Jellicoe Avenue on Sunday evening. Up to four men are suspected of assaulting him as the vehicle was driven to a lay-by on Flush Road. According to investigating detectives the man then made his way to a nearby house and raised the alarm. He sustained a broken finger, puncture wounds to both legs, gashes to his face and an eye injury that will require surgery, police said. Raffery, from Kinbayne Avenue in Greenisland, Co Antrim, and Nixon, of no fixed abode in Belfast, are jointly charged with kidnapping and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Both men face a further count of possessing offensive weapons, namely a wheel brace and iron bar, with intent to commit kidnapping. Standing together in dock wearing handcuffs, the two accused spoke only to confirm they understood the alleged offences. Defence lawyers put no questions to a detective constable who connected their clients to the charges. With neither accused making bail applications, District Judge Fiona Bagnall remanded them in custody to appear again by video-link next month. Mrs May faces a series of amendment votes designed to allow MPs to shape the Brexit process (House of Commons/PA) Theresa May faces a crucial day in the Commons that could carve the shape of Brexit, with fewer than 60 days remaining until the UK is due to leave the EU. Amid an ongoing revolt among backbenchers and her DUP allies, the Prime Minister has swung behind a motion amendment that would allow her to go back to Brussels and seek changes to the Irish border backstop. She will whip MPs to support the amendment tabled by 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, which states that Parliament would be willing to support the Withdrawal Agreement reached with the EU if alternative arrangements were found to avoid a hard border. The dramatic move is far from guaranteed to deliver a majority for the plan after it failed to win the support of the influential European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative Eurosceptics, who have not ruled out voting against it. There is also the small matter of the amendment being called by Commons Speaker John Bercow on Tuesday morning, although his hand may be swayed by the number of MPs backing it already. Tory grandee Sir Graham said he hoped House of Commons backing would give Mrs May enormous firepower when she returns to Brussels to seek concessions on her Brexit deal. But the chairman of the ERG, Jacob Rees-Mogg, said its members, thought to number at least 60, will not support the scheme. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Meanwhile, late on Monday evening it emerged a new Brexit plan had been put forward which is reportedly backed by members of both the Remain and Leave camps of the Conservative party. The plan called the The Malthouse Compromise after Kit Malthouse, the MP who brought the parties together would lead to Britain leaving the EU on time and with a functioning government, former Brexit minster Steve Baker said. aThe Malthouse Compromisea after @kitmalthouse, who brought us together We need to get out of the EU on time and with a functioning government. This is how. #Brexit https://t.co/mB9vmdkX90 Steve Baker MP FRSA (@SteveBakerHW) January 28, 2019 Said to be drawn up by Nicky Morgan and supported by others, the plan reportedly provides for exit from the EU on time with a new backstop, which would be acceptable indefinitely, but which incentivises us all to reach a new future relationship. It would extend the transition period the period where the UK would continue to follow EU rules and pay into its budget from the end of 2020 and into December 2021 which would allow both parties to prepare properly for WTO terms, but also provide a period in which the parties could obviate this outcome by negotiating a mutually beneficial future relationship. Mrs May addressed MPs in Westminster on the eve of a day of high drama, when MPs will debate a range of rival amendments, including calls to block a no-deal departure or delay Brexit from its scheduled date of March 29. Conservative chairman Brandon Lewis, who confirmed the whipping after the meeting, said the Brady amendment would allow the Prime Minister to give a very clear message around what Parliament wants, where the party is. He said: I would hope the ERG, when they look at this and actually look through the detail of what this gives the PM tomorrow, (see) it is about giving a message to Europe about what can go through Parliament in terms of dealing with the backstop issue and why that matters. Mr Lewis confirmed that the Government would whip against an amendment co-sponsored by one of its own MPs, Nick Boles, which seeks to extend the Article 50 period to avoid a no-deal Brexit. Despite the manoeuvring in Westminster, in Brussels the EU, officially at least, remained resolute that the Withdrawal Agreement would not be reopened. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Chief EU negotiator Michel Barniers deputy Sabine Weyand warned there was a high risk of the UK crashing out by accident, as it was quite a challenge to see how a majority could be constructed at Westminster. European Commission vice-president Jyrki Kateinen said there was no reason to give any concessions to the UK and there was not much room for manoeuvre on the backstop. It would be stupid for the EU to make concessions putting the remaining 27 members at a disadvantage simply to secure a deal, he said. Downing Street said the PM remains committed to quitting the EU on March 29 and will take her plan back to the Commons for a second meaningful vote as soon as possible after Tuesdays debate. The developments came as major supermarkets and fast-food chains warned that a no-deal Brexit would force up prices and reduce the choice and quality of produce for shoppers. In a joint letter, bosses of firms including Sainsbury, Asda, KFC and McDonalds said: We anticipate significant risks to maintaining the choice, quality and durability of food that our customers have come to expect in our stores, and there will be inevitable pressure on food prices from higher transport costs, currency devaluation and tariffs. The scene of the car bomb blast (Niall Carson/PA) A group calling itself the IRA has admitted the bomb attack on a Londonderry courthouse. In a statement provided to local paper the Derry Journal, the group said it placed the car bomb which detonated in Bishop Street shortly after 8.10pm on January 19. The statement read: We also caution those who collaborate with the British that they are to desist immediately as no more warnings will be given. The group added that it will continue to strike at crown forces and personnel and their imperial establishment. Expand Close The explosion outside the courthouse in Bishop Street (PSNI/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The explosion outside the courthouse in Bishop Street (PSNI/PA) All this talk of Brexit, hard borders, soft borders, has no bearing on our actions and the IRA wont be going anywhere. Our fight goes on. The bomb and subsequent security alerts in the city were initially linked to a group called the New IRA, and police said investigating this group would be their main line of inquiry. Days after the car bombing, the PSNI released CCTV footage that showed a group of young people pass the car shortly before it exploded in the city centre street. Officers described it as a miracle and sheer luck no one was harmed. Police were given a 15-minute warning to evacuate the area before the bomb went off. The PSNI said that at around 7.55pm officers on patrol in Bishop Street spotted a suspicious vehicle. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Local residents, including those in a sheltered housing complex for elderly people, were evacuated. The days that followed saw a number of security alerts in the city where two vehicles were hijacked at gunpoint, a third was stolen and abandoned outside a school, and hundreds of residents were evacuated from their homes. Five men arrested on suspicion of the car bombing have all been released without charge. One of the two men jailed last month for his role in the sectarian killing of a Catholic in Londonderry has been given a suspended jail sentence for an assault in a city centre bar almost three years ago. Matthew Brian Gillon, formerly of Kennedy Place in Derry, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence imposed on him last month after he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul McCauley. Mr McCauley died in June 2015 from head injuries he sustained when he and a group of friends were attacked by a loyalist mob who stormed a barbecue at a house at Chapel Road in the Waterside in July 2006. He had been in a vegetative state since the brutal assault. Gillon was also one of four men who pleaded guilty to assaulting a man during an incident on the night of May 14, 2016, in the Wetherspoon's bar in the Diamond in Derry during which chants of "UDA" were shouted. A solicitor for the Public Prosecution Service told Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers that the offence, which had originally been denied by the four defendants, had in its early stages been treated as a hate crime by the police. Gillon's three co-defendants are all from Derry's Waterside - Gary Thomas Heatley (45), from Gortin Mews; Gordon Murray (43), from Bann Drive, and Robert Robb (45), from Cheadle Park. They were each given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay their victim compensation of 250. The prosecution solicitor said the brawl, involving all four defendants, was recorded on CCTV and that during the incident the victim was kicked in the head as he lay on the floor. A defence solicitor for Gillon said the incident occurred a week after the defendant had been the subject of intense media publicity, and he was recognised when he entered the bar with his girlfriend. He said Gillon was studying for an engineering degree while in prison for the manslaughter offence. Gillon's four-month jail sentence was suspended for 12 months. The Deputy District Judge said in suspending the sentences against all four defendants, she took into consideration the passage of time since the incident and the fact that they had eventually admitted their involvement. Another man, Piper John McClements, previously known as Daryl Proctor, from the Fountain estate in Derry, pleaded guilty to the murder of Mr McCauley last year. Police and forensic officers at the scene of a murder in Cluan Place Police and forensics at the murder scene of Ian Ogle in east Belfast There are fears that loyalists may strike back in revenge after the brutal slaying of father-of-two Ian Ogle in east Belfast. Four people were in custody last night following the murder of the 45-year-old prominent loyalist, who was attacked by several men at Cluan Place, off the Albertbridge Road, shortly after 9pm on Sunday. Read More The PSNI said last night that detectives have arrested two men aged 31 and 45 and two women aged 35 and 36. Both men were released on bail on Monday morning, pending further enquiries. The UVF has denied any involvement in the killing after Mr Ogles murder. Its understood that the leadership of the UVF has said those responsible do not have the protection of the paramilitary group, sparking fears of retaliation. It came after a harrowing video of the immediate aftermath of the frenzied attack, believed to have been posted by the victims daughter and seen by the Belfast Telegraph, appeared on a social media site. The woman can be heard screaming hysterically: This is my daddy. UVF b*******. Theres my daddy. Standing up for his kids, as the victim lies on a stretcher on the pavement with stab wounds. In a statement released to the Irish News yesterday using a codeword, the UVF said it was currently seeking answers as to who carried out this attack and wholeheartedly condemned the actions of those responsible. The terror group said that whoever carried out the Ogle murder did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF. The statement continued: Actions of this sort undermine the positive transformation which is taking place with the organisation and we distance ourselves from the appalling act on a popular member of out local community. We send heartfelt condolences to the wider family circle. Yesterday, less than a mile from the murder scene, the PSNI cordoned off an area near Pitt Place and a wide area stretching onto Templemore Avenue. A number of searches were carried out in the area. Police forensics examined drains along the roadside at the scene. Beside one, blood could still be seen. Known as Big O to friends, Mr Ogle was described as an influence for good in the community and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said officers were following a strong line of inquiry. The family is distraught, as you would imagine. They have lost a loving partner and a loving father, he said. The community will be giving them support. It was a most difficult evening with the most drastic consequences. The attack was a most vicious one and the scenes were horrendous for the family. They were there in the immediate aftermath, they were there when the ambulance crews were present. They were praying he would be OK. Sadly, that wasnt to be. Mr Robinson said the local community wanted the police to find the killers quickly and see justice done. There are no circumstances in which individuals should feel they have free rein to carry out attacks, he added. The community doesnt want it. You can see the despair and heartbreak it has caused. It has to stop. Rev Mervyn Gibson, minister at Westbourne Presbyterian Church on the Newtownards Road, said the community was shocked at a barbaric attack. I think people will condemn it utterly, he said. We thought these days were over when gangsters were going about murdering people, but sadly it has revisited this community. Ian was very well-known in the area, a popular character with many people. His wife Vera and the family are devastated. He also called for no reprisals. The family wouldnt want to see another family suffering the way they are suffering, he added. The victim was among loyalists on the Ulster Peoples Forum (UPF), set up to be the voice of loyalists during Belfasts flag protests in January 2013. Jamie Bryson, who chaired that forum, tweeted: Tragic news from east Belfast. Thoughts with the Ogle family. Ian was always a gentleman to me. Sleep easy big man. And a loyalist source said: Ian Ogle was no saint. But he was a decent member of the community, he stood up for his family, his neighbours. He was an influence for good in a difficult situation. UUP councillor Sonia Copeland said she had known Mr Ogle for more than 10 years. She said: He was very much a family man, his kids came first. He was devoted to his wife Vera. I know the family very well. I went to the Royal Victoria Hospital and gave whatever help I could to the family. I know just how highly regarded he was by his local community. It is absolutely shocking that we have people in our society that can do such a horrific thing to another human being. DUP councillor George Dorrian, who also knew the victim, said the attack was barbaric. It was particularly vicious and brutal, beyond belief. I have known him for quite a few years. He was well-known around the area, he said. I had worked with him on the bonfires down there. The last thing I was working with him on was an area of Cluan Place that we are trying to regenerate. Detective Chief Inspector Peter McKenna said: We have been conducting a number of enquiries and those are continuing. I would like to thank the local community for their patience and assistance as we progress our investigation. Anyone who was in the area of Cluan Place, Albertbridge Road or Templemore Avenue between 9pm and 10pm on Sunday night should contact 101, quoting reference number 1303 of 27/1/19. Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem), a leading petrochemical and chemical manufacturing company in the kingdom, has been awarded by the Saudi Customs Authority as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). The certificate were received at a ceremony in Riyadh hosted by Ahmad Al Hakbani, Governor of the General Customs Authority, and attended by government officials and business leaders, said a statement from the company. The Authorized Economic Operator programme, a component of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement of 2017, seeks to build a partnership between customs and business enterprises that enhances the security of the global supply chain while providing more benefits to national economy and promotion of investment, it stated. TradeArabia News Service The daughter of east Belfast community worker Ian Ogle has said that his killers acted under the name of the UVF. Toni Johnston said that her father "didn't stand a chance" after being set upon by a group of people in Cluan Place on Sunday night. Read More Four people arrested in connection with Mr Ogle's murder have since been released from custody. Police said that they have made "significant progress" in their investigation into the murder. Mr Ogle's daughter said the family had been anticipating an attack on them after her brother was involved in an incident in a bar with men claiming to be from the UVF. However Ms Johnston said that she did not believe the murder had been sanctioned by the group. "They've destroyed us, we were living in fear for 18 months and now the worst has come, the worst has happened," she told BBC Radio Ulster. Ms Johnston said that her father and brother were ordered to attend a "punishment by appointment", and that the family had been living in fear. "Because these thugs were hiding behind the UVF, these thugs were using the UVF's name, that's where it stemmed from, this is what happened. "My daddy and my brother were ordered to go for punishment by appointment, my daddy said 'no, we've done nothing wrong, we were attacked' then the intimidation, the harassment, they terrorised us. "It's come to this, they attacked my daddy while he was standing with a man from the church praying." She said that the family reached out to local representatives for help but were unsuccesful. "We had approached leading loyalists, unionists, community representatives in general to help us. We just wanted it stopped, we just wanted to continue to live our life, nothing could be done," Ms Johnston said. Expand Close A floral tribute to Belfast community worker Ian Ogle who was murdered on Sunday evening. (Rebecca Black/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A floral tribute to Belfast community worker Ian Ogle who was murdered on Sunday evening. (Rebecca Black/PA) "My daddy over the last 18 months had been expecting an attack on the house, or an attack on my house. He was expecting something. "He was living in fear that they were going to kill my brother. My daddy continuously said to my mum at home watching tv, 'they better not get my van, they better not get my van'." "'They better get me, before they get my kids', and then they did." The east Belfast UVF have denied any involvement in Mr Ogle's murder saying it was currently "seeking answers as to who carried out this attack". A spokesperson for the group told the Irish News that whoever carried out Mr Ogle's murder "did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF". "Actions of this sort undermine the positive transformation which is taking place with the organisation and we distance ourselves from the appalling act on a popular member of out local community," the spokesperson told the Irish News. "We send heartfelt condolences to the wider family circle". More than 6,000 has been raised to help pay for the funeral of father-of-two Ian Ogle who was brutally murdered in Belfast on Sunday. Mr Ogle, known as 'Big O' by his friends, was attacked by up to five men on Cluan Place in the east of the city. He later died from his injuries after being taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital. Read More The community has now rallied round Mr Ogle's family and raised a total of 6,091 in less than two days to help pay for his funeral. Expand Close Flowers left on Cluan Place / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Flowers left on Cluan Place A statement on the Go Fund Me fundraising page reads: "Ian Big O Ogle was taken from us tragically. "While there are so many hard decisions and plans that need to be made in light of this tragedy, we want to lessen the financial burden by raising funds to pay for the funeral. "Big O was loved by so many people in the community and any donations would be greatly appreciated. On behalf of the entire Ogle family circle, thank you." The close-knit community in Cluan Place has also organised a vigil to show support to the Ogle Family following the brutal killing. The gathering will take place on Wednesday January 30 at 7.30pm. Those attending have been asked to bring candles or ballons. UUP Councillor Sonia Copeland told the Belfast Telegraph that she was with Mr Ogle's family on Monday evening and that within 30 minutes of the fundraising appeal going live 1,000 had been raised. "I am not surprised at the amount of people giving," she said. "Everyone loved him, he always had a nice word for everyone. The vigil is a way of bringing the community together and saying to those that were involved in this that this sort of behaviour is not wanted." Cllr Copeland, who knew Mr Ogle for more than 10 years, urged those behind the attack to hand themselves into the police. "The family are absolutely devastated and broken," she said. "The community itself, the outpouring of grief was just immense. "I would ask those behind this would turn themselves in and close this down for the family. The longer this investigation takes, the more toll it is taking on the family." Expand Close Ian Ogle Photopress / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ian Ogle Friends of family of Mr Ogle paid tribute to him on the fundraising page. One person wrote: "Ian was a huge personality within our community. Always had a cheeky grin and a kind word for everyone. This was murder by cowards too afraid to face him like the kind of man he was. Rest Ian you will never be forgotten." Another wrote: "Sincere condolences to whole family circle. Ian you will always be remembered a true gentlemen, heart of gold, sleep tight." Four people have been arrested in connection with the murder. Two men, aged 31 and 45, were released on police bail on Tuesday morning. Two women, aged 35 and 36, remain in police custody. The UVF has denied any involvement in the killing. It is understood the UVF leadership has said those responsible do not have the protection of the paramilitary group. Edmundas Cizauskas, who died following a hit and run in Dungannon on January 30 last year The family of a man killed in a hit and run incident have issued a fresh appeal for information as they mark the first anniversary of his death. Edmundas Cizauskas (46) was originally from Lithuania but had lived in Dungannon for about six years. He died after a vehicle struck him on the Killyman Road, close to the junction of Cunninghams Lane, on January 30 last year. Despite several appeals over the last 12 months, the driver has yet to come forward. At the weekend family members returned to Lithuania for a service to mark the first anniversary of Mr Cizauskas' death. Mr Cizauskas' niece urged the person responsible to search their conscience and contact police. "It is very difficult, very hard to think, that as we get together to remember Edmundas, the person who was driving the car that night is just walking about, getting on with their lives, while we are left wondering what happened," she told the Dungannon Herald. Greta (21), who is currently studying in Birmingham, said her uncle was like "a best friend" to her. She said: "When it happened, it was shocking, it was unexpected, and you don't really know what to think about what happened. "I suppose we just thought the driver would come forward at some point and give us the answers about what happened. "But as time has gone on and now it's a year since it happened, you start to think that maybe we will never find out who the driver was or what happened, and that's very hard for us all." Constable O'Hara from the PSNI's Collision Investigation Unit said that Mr Cizauskas' relatives deserved answers. "It has been a very difficult year for Edmundas' family who have been left bereft by his loss and they need answers about this tragic event," she said. "I am asking that the driver, or anyone with knowledge of the collision, please examine your conscience and come forward and talk to police." Constable O'Hara urged anyone travelling in the area at the time with dash cams to check their footage, or those travelling on the Killyman Road who witnessed anything. She added: "I am also appealing for anyone who was travelling on the Killyman Road around the time of the collision and who witnessed anything to contact local police in Dungannon or the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference 1263 of 30/01/18." International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has urged Tory MPs to give Theresa May a strong mandate to return to Brussels to negotiate changes to the controversial Northern Ireland backstop. Ahead of a series of Commons votes which could help shape the next phase of talks with the EU, Mr Fox said the Prime Minister was ready to reopen the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in order to secure a legally-binding text. At a meeting of Tory MPs in Westminster on Monday, Mrs May called on them to get behind an amendment tabled by influential chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady calling for alternative arrangements to the backstop. Expand Close Theresa May is urging MPs to back changes to the Irish backstop (House of Commons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May is urging MPs to back changes to the Irish backstop (House of Commons/PA) Conservative MPs were informed that they would be whipped to vote for the amendment assuming it is selected by Commons Speaker John Bercow. Her hopes of gaining a Commons majority for the plan received an initial setback after Jacob-Rees-Mogg, the leader of the pro-Brexit European Research Group (ERG), said they were not prepared to support it and it did not change anything. However, he suggested that he could be prepared to support it if the amendment had official Government backing. Lets see what the Prime Minister says at the despatch box today and what the Brady amendment really means, he told the BBC. If the Brady amendment is a Government amendment, effectively, that means the Withdrawal Agreement will be reopened; thats very different from a worthy backbench motion that doesnt do anything. So lets just wait and see on that. The ERGs rejection had come after former foreign secretary Boris Johnson appeared to suggest he could back Sir Grahams amendment although he was later reported to have been involved in a series of sharp exchanges with Mrs May on the issue at Mondays meeting. I think we should send the Prime Minister back to Brussels with a strong mandateLiam Fox Mr Fox, however, insisted that backing the amendment would strengthen the Prime Ministers hand when it came to reopening negotiations on the backstop intended to ensure there is no return of a hard border on the island of Ireland. I think we should send the Prime Minister back to Brussels with a strong mandate to be able to say if you compromise with us on this one issue, on the backstop, we would be able to a get an agreement an agreement that is almost there, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. Both the EU and the Irish government have been adamant that there can be no question of reopening the Withdrawal Agreement. Irelands European Affairs Minister, Helen McEntee, said: There can be no change to the backstop. It was negotiated over 18 months with the UK and by the UK. A bit of realism is needed at this stage. However, Mr Fox said he believed attitudes on the EU side on the need to find a compromise were changing in the light of the growing economic uncertainty. We have seen the German economy weakening, we have seen the French economy weakening, he said. I think this view We can simply weather out any disturbance that would occur from a no-deal I think there is much less appetite for that. I think we still have time to reach a compromise on that. Mr Fox reacted coolly to a compromise plan drawn up by MPs from the Leave and Remain wings of the Conservative Party, in talks co-ordinated by MP Kit Malthouse. Former Cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said discussions had been taking place for some days between herself, health minister Stephen Hammond, and Solicitor General Robert Buckland on one side and Mr Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker from the ERG on the other. Their plan involved a recasting of the Northern Ireland backstop as free trade agreement-lite with a commitment on all sides there should be no hard border on the island of Ireland and an extended transition period to December 2021. Expand Close Nicky Morgan is working on a compromise plan by Leave and Remain Tories (Lauren Hurley/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nicky Morgan is working on a compromise plan by Leave and Remain Tories (Lauren Hurley/PA) The Prime Minister has been aware of the discussions. At some point there has to be compromise on all sides in order to get a deal over the line. That is what most of us want to see a negotiated settlement with the EU, Ms Morgan told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. People like me want to avoid a no-deal outcome, a crashing out on March 29. We have to look for ways to do that. We are all prepared to compromise on that. Former party leader Iain Duncan Smith, from the Brexiteer side, said the plan represented the best hope for the Conservatives. I really urge the Government to embrace this because what this will tell the European Union is that now, I believe, a majority of Parliament, particularly in the governing party, have agreed there are compromises to be made, he said. However, Mr Fox said: There are all sorts of ideas being put out, but Parliament cannot take a decision unless it is on the order paper and it is not on the order paper. Four people are to stand trial. Two men and two women are to stand trial for alleged involvement in a banking fraud of up to 78,000, a judge ordered today. Jack Harrington Legen appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court charged with eight counts of fraud by abuse of position. Legen, of unknown age and with an address at Castle Lane in Comber, Co Down, is accused of committing the offences in June 2012. According to court papers he allegedly transferred sums of between 9,000 and 10,000 from Santander bank accounts while occupying a position expected to safeguard its financial interests. Standing beside him in the dock were Kerry Patterson, 28, of Grove Street East; Caroline Zielinska, 28, from Tower Street; and Roland Hlacs, 35, of Rutherglen Street - all in Belfast. They are each charged with one count of aiding and abetting the alleged fraud. None of the four accused gave evidence or called witnesses during the preliminary enquiry hearing. Defence lawyers did not contest prosecution submissions that their clients all have a case to answer. District Judge Fiona Bagnall then granted an application to have them returned for Crown Court trial on a date to be fixed. All four defendants were released on continuing bail. Exiled former president of the Government of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont speaks at Trinity College Dublin. Exiled Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has spoken of his hopes to return home and for Catalonia to join the European Union as an independent State. The separatist leader also said he wants the political conflict in Catalonia to be resolved peacefully. Mr Puigdemont fled to Belgium in 2017 after his regional government held an unauthorised referendum on independence from Spain. Spanish authorities took over the Catalan government for several months after a subsequent declaration of independence by the Catalan parliament received no international recognition. Expand Close Exiled former president of the Government of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont speaks at Trinity College Dublin (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Exiled former president of the Government of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont speaks at Trinity College Dublin (PA) The authorities are now prosecuting some of Mr Puigdemonts former regional cabinet for being involved in the failed bid. Speaking at Trinity College in Dublin about the current political situation, Mr Puigdemont said: The Catalonia proposal is profoundly pro-European. First of all it was the Catalan people who chose to become a new fully fledged state in the EU under the rules of the European Union. Indeed, Catalonia in general has a clear desire to be part of European project as we feel profoundly involved. We firmly believe in the common European project and we are convinced that we have a future together. Our country, history and culture make us more stronger and more prosperous. Catalan people hope and trust that the political conflict of our nation can be resolved peacefully without war, without violence or without winners and losers. We reject all the violence used in the last century to resolve political conflicts. He told the large audience in Dublin that the independence referendum was held under extreme conditions. He said: Unfortunately, on October 1, we endured the rage of Spain that does not want to hear our voice. The Spanish police hit defenceless members of the public and injured over 1,000 people. The aim was to make people give up their right to vote. People overcame fear and went out to vote. We know many tried to do so unsuccessfully. He said that he and his former colleagues have been accused of crimes of rebellion and are facing prison sentences of up to 25 years. No violence action has been carried by the people who are being prosecuted, he added. Mr Puigdemont also held a private meeting with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. Solidarity with the people of Catalonia. Meeting with Carles Puigdemont who has been forced into exile as well as Minister Jordi PuignerA pic.twitter.com/HJgTpixZbG Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) January 29, 2019 He would not, however, been drawn into whether he would support Ms McDonalds call for a border poll. He said: I want to remain very respectful considering the internal domestic decisions. Its not my duty or goal to talk about the Irish and UK relationship or what happens if there is a hard Brexit or no-deal. I have my personal opinion but I insist we must, as Catalan people, respect the decision of the UK and Ireland. Brexit is a matter of British people and we as Europeans we will back Ireland of course. We will help in order to correct the negative effects in the case of hard Brexit. Former Ulster Unionist MLA Fred Cobain has been nominated by DUP members to stand as the party's candidate in May's council elections. DUP members chose Mr Cobain over two rivals, including former deputy Lord Mayor Guy Spence, to be the party's candidate in Castle in north Belfast. The shock move happened at a selection meeting in east Belfast on Friday night. However, the DUP officer team will have the final say on who is selected to run and sources say it is expected Mr Spence will be added to the party ticket. The young councillor was elected to City Hall in 2011 aged just 19. He was deputy Lord Mayor four years later and is popular with all parties on the council. The DUP last night declined to comment on the results of the selection convention. The DUP have two seats in Castle. Mr Cobain (72) was once regarded as one of the most powerful unionist figures in City Hall. He was a UUP member for over three decades but left in 2013 when Mike Nesbitt was leader, claiming the party was politically exhausted. Mr Spence was not the only sitting councillor not chosen by members. Lisnashaaragh councillor Aileen Graham lost out to DUP member David Brooks. But she is also expected to be added to the ticket by party officers. Elsewhere, there were no surprises. DUP group leader Lee Reynolds - who was co-opted into the Balmoral seat - was chosen to stand along with party member David Graham. Councillor Graham Craig, who defected from the UUP to the DUP in 2016, was picked as the party's sole candidate in Botanic. Former Lord Mayor Brian Kingston and Frank McCoubrey will run again for the party in Court and are joined by Nicola Verner. Councillors Tom Haire and John Hussey were reselected to run in Ormiston. When he joined the DUP, Mr Cobain said: "I have thought about this for a very long time. It is not a decision that I have taken lightly. "I have been really disillusioned with the (UUP) for a number of months. It is riven with personal and policy difficulties and I think that can only get worse into the future. "I think the Ulster Unionist Party is a party that is best described as politically exhausted. I think they do not have any new ideas or big ideas." Mr Cobain was first elected to Belfast City Council in 1985. He served as Lord Mayor in 1990-91. He was elected as an MLA for North Belfast in 1998 but lost his seat in 2011. Announcing his defection to the DUP in 2013, Peter Robinson stressed Mr Cobain's working-class roots. "He is a man who gets down on the ground and rolls his sleeves up. We are glad to have someone like Fred in the party," Mr Robinson said. Mr Cobain was co-opted as a DUP member onto Carrickfergus Borough Councillor but failed to be elected to the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in the 2014 election. The DUP has backed the so-called "Malthouse" alternative proposals to the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement. The compromise plan is the result of talks co-ordinated by MP Kit Malthouse between MPs from the Leave and Remain wings of the Conservative Party. Read More The plan involves a "recasting" of the Northern Ireland backstop as "free trade agreement-lite" with a commitment on all sides there should be no hard border on the island of Ireland and an extended transition period to December 2021. DUP MPs have backed the plan following a meeting on Tuesday morning. DUP leader Arlene Foster said: "The DUP has given its endorsement to the plan. We believe it can unify a number of strands in the Brexit debate including the views of remainers and leavers. "It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union which would split the United Kingdom or keep the entire United Kingdom in the Customs Union and Single Market. "Importantly, this proposal would also offer a route towards negotiating a future trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. "If the Prime Minister is seeking to find a united front, both between elements in her own party and the DUP, in the negotiations which she will enter with the European Union, then this is a proposition which she should not turn her back on. "There is no better time to advance this alternative given the confusion and disarray which is now manifesting itself in Brussels. This has been displayed both by the contradictory EU statements and the panic stricken behaviour of the Irish government. Expand Close Nicky Morgan is working on a compromise plan by Leave and Remain Tories (Lauren Hurley/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nicky Morgan is working on a compromise plan by Leave and Remain Tories (Lauren Hurley/PA) Former Cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said discussions had been taking place for some days between herself, health minister Stephen Hammond, and Solicitor General Robert Buckland on one side and Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker from the ERG on the other. "The Prime Minister has been aware of the discussions. At some point there has to be compromise on all sides in order to get a deal over the line. That is what most of us want to see a negotiated settlement with the EU, Ms Morgan told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. People like me want to avoid a no-deal outcome, a crashing out on March 29. We have to look for ways to do that. We are all prepared to compromise on that. Former party leader Iain Duncan Smith, from the Brexiteer side, said the plan represented the best hope for the Conservatives. I really urge the Government to embrace this because what this will tell the European Union is that now, I believe, a majority of Parliament, particularly in the governing party, have agreed there are compromises to be made, he said. However, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: There are all sorts of ideas being put out, but Parliament cannot take a decision unless it is on the order paper and it is not on the order paper. DUP leader Arlene Foster has backed calls for alternative arrangements to the Irish border backstop (Dominic Lipinski/PA) DUP leader Arlene Foster has backed calls for alternative arrangements to the Irish border backstop. It could unify the views of Remain and Leave supporters at Westminster, the head of Northern Irelands largest party said. Her 10 MPs endorsed the plan before a series of Commons votes on Tuesday which could help shape the next phase of talks with the EU and includes an amendment on the backstop. There is no better time to advance this alternative, given the confusion and disarray which is now manifesting itself in BrusselsArlene Foster Mrs Foster said: It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union which would split the United Kingdom or keep the entire United Kingdom in the customs union and single market. Importantly, this proposal would also offer a route towards negotiating a future trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Dodds a aItas time for cool heads & responsible languagea | Democratic Unionist Party: https://t.co/n52aMTLnM1 DUP (@duponline) January 27, 2019 If Prime Minister Theresa May seeks a united front between elements in her own party and the DUP in EU negotiations she should not snub the proposition contained in Sir Graham Bradys amendment, the DUP leader said. Mrs Foster added: There is no better time to advance this alternative, given the confusion and disarray which is now manifesting itself in Brussels. This has been displayed both by the contradictory EU statements and the panic-stricken behaviour of the Irish government. The DUP adamantly opposes the Irish border backstop, an insurance policy to prevent a hard border if no better deal is found in future trade talks with the EU. The unionist party fears it could mark regulatory divergence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, effectively creating a border down the Irish Sea. Stevin Rock, one of the world's largest quarrying companies based in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, said it has purchased the giant CAT 6020B hydraulic shovel from Caterpillar. The largest hydraulic shovel operating in the region, CAT 6020B will be mainly used for loading rocks onto the company's haul trucks, thanks to its larger shovel load capacity, said a statement from the company. The product was officially delivered to Stevin Rock by the UAE-based Al Bahar, the authorised Caterpillar equipment and engine dealer in the GCC (excluding Saudi Arabia) last week. Stevin Rock said together with its sister concern RAK Rock boasts over 80 million tonnes annual capacity of limestone, dolomite and gabbro for the construction, cement, steel and mining industries in the Gulf region and beyond. The company is owned by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, has over 3,000 employees and has been operational for more than 40 years. Stevin Rock said the CAT 6020B was the final piece of 26 units recently purchased from Al Bahar, including a CAT 993K wheel loader, CAT 349D excavators and CAT 775G haul trucks for its Khor Khuwair quarry, one of the largest in the world, with a annual production capacity of over 60 million tonnes limestone. These acquisitions, together with other major developments, are in line with Stevin Rocks vision to maintain and build on its position as one of the largest quarrying operators in the world, said the Ras Al Khaimah-based company. Nasser Bustami, the general manager of Stevin Rock, received the new CAT 6020B from Bob De Lange, group president of Caterpillar, and Issam Al Bahar, the chairman of Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Bahar, the official dealer of Caterpillar in the UAE. "The CAT 6020B, in addition to the 25 other units Stevin Rock has purchased from Al Bahar Group, will help increase our productivity and solidify our position, together with our sister company RAK Rock, as one of the largest quarrying operations in the world," stated Bustami. "We will continue to invest in our businesses to ensure we remain at the forefront of the industry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service A sightseer arrested for spitting on a man in Belfast city centre screamed so loudly that she ruptured a policeman's eardrum, a court heard today. Inga Maksvityte, 36, was given a four-month suspended jail term after admitting to her drunken behaviour. The Lithuanian national, of no fixed address, was detained over her outburst at Royal Avenue on Sunday afternoon. Belfast Magistrates' Court heard she had been pointed out to police by a man who claimed she spat on him as he walked past. A prosecution lawyer said Maksvityte continued shouting while she was being spoken to and then detained. "She was screaming so loudly the arresting officer suffered a perforated eardrum," he disclosed. Maksvitye pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, disorderly behaviour and common assault. Defence counsel said she wanted to apologise to those who witnessed or were affected by her actions. The barrister set out how his client travelled to Belfast after visiting a friend in Dublin. "She spent five days in Belfast sightseeing and looking at our beautiful city," he told the court. "She admits that she was a bit drunk when she spat on the other person, and she explained that her screaming was a result of the police officer taking her identification documents from her and putting them in his pocket." Confirming Maksvityte wanted the case dealt with, counsel added: "She is anxious to travel back to Lithuania." Based on the guilty pleas, District Judge Fiona Bagnall imposed a total sentence of four months imprisonment, suspended for a year. (L-R) Micheal Roarty, Shaun Harkin, John Harley and Daniel Scott lost their lives in the crash The tight-knit West Donegal community will be offered specialist counselling in the aftermath of the deaths of four young men in a horrific road collision. The HSE extended its sympathy to the bereaved families and friends and confirmed that it will "respond to community needs" in terms of offering support. Read More Meanwhile gardai are trying to piece together the last known movements of the four young friends who were killed. The friends had met up to say goodbye as one of their group, Daniel Scott, was leaving to start a new job abroad next week. Tragically Mr Scott (23), John Harley (24), Michael Roarty (24) and Shaun Harkin (22) were killed instantly when the silver Toyota Carolla they were in left a bog road and rolled down a field near Gortahork just before 9pm on Sunday. Yesterday evening the first of the bodies was released to family members after post mortems had taken place at Letterkenny University Hospital. In a statement, the HSE said: "The impact of this tragedy has extended beyond the immediate families to the broader community. Our main priority is to offer support to the bereaved families and details of this will be provided to each family immediately. Expand Close The scene of the accident in Co Donegal Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scene of the accident in Co Donegal "The HSE have been liaising with the local community and is enhancing its services so as to meet the emotional and psychological needs of those impacted. "We acknowledge the importance and value of the support provided naturally within the tight knit community of West Donegal, where friends, families and neighbours will be a primary source of support. "We also recognise that some people will require professional help and support. Additional supports are available for those who need it and we are advising that they contact their GP, all of whom have been informed of the range of services available." The men were all childhood friends and well known in the Gaeltacht areas of Falcarragh, Gortahork and Gweedore. The scene of the crash was eventually cleared yesterday afternoon after Garda forensic investigators had carried out their work. Early indications are the four friends were travelling from Magheroarty towards Gweedore when the crash happened. The place where the car left the road is at the bottom of a steep hill on a bog road, where a bridge at the bottom crosses a small river. The car went off the road to the left, crashing through a fence before tumbling into the field about eight feet below the road surface. It then crashed into another fence before coming to a rest beside the river bank. Personal items lay scattered in the field after the car was taken away. Coins, earphones and glasses standing out among the medical equipment used by the emergency services. Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson has said he is ready to back a compromise plan to salvage Theresa Mays EU withdrawal deal. But the former foreign secretary said his support was dependent on the PM making clear she will demand legally-binding commitments on the controversial Irish backstop in the text of her Withdrawal Agreement. Brussels has been adamant that it will not reopen the Agreement, struck by Mrs May and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and signed off by leaders of the remaining 27 EU states last November. We canat have some codicil or letter or joint declaration. We need to go back into the text of the treaty and solve the problem. That is the way to unite remainers and leavers in the Conservative party and across the country 2/2 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 29, 2019 As MPs prepared for a crucial series of Commons votes which could shape the next phase of talks with the EU, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox indicated Mrs May was ready to reopen the Agreement in order to secure a legally-binding text. He urged Tory MPs to give her a strong mandate by backing an amendment tabled by 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady which would replace the backstop with alternative arrangements to keep the Irish border open after Brexit. Conservative MPs were informed on Monday evening that they would be whipped to vote for the amendment assuming it is selected by Commons Speaker John Bercow. Dr Fox gave a cool reception to a compromise deal put forward by housing minister Kit Malthouse which has won the support of the Democratic Unionist Party. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Drawn up by MPs from the Remain and Leave wings of the party co-ordinated by Mr Malthouse, the compromise recasts the backstop as free trade agreement-lite, with a commitment on all sides there should be no hard border in Ireland and an extended transition period to December 2021. DUP leader Arlene Foster whose 10 MPs prop up the minority Conservative administration in the Commons said the plan provided a feasible alternative to the backstop. If the Prime Minister is seeking to find a united front, both between elements in her own party and the DUP, in the negotiations which she will enter with the European Union, then this is a proposition which she should not turn her back on. But asked about the Malthouse plan, Dr Fox said only: There are all sorts of ideas being put out, but Parliament cannot take a decision unless it is on the order paper and it is not on the order paper. Expand Close Theresa May is urging MPs to back changes to the Irish backstop (House of Commons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May is urging MPs to back changes to the Irish backstop (House of Commons/PA) Mrs Mays hopes of gaining a Commons majority for the Brady amendment received an initial setback after Jacob-Rees-Mogg, the leader of the European Research Group (ERG), said its eurosceptic members were not prepared to support it. But he later suggested that he could be prepared to support it if the amendment had official Government backing. If the Brady amendment is a Government amendment, effectively, that means the Withdrawal Agreement will be reopened, Mr Rees-Mogg told the BBC. Thats very different from a worthy backbench motion that doesnt do anything. And Mr Johnson raised hopes of the amendment winning a majority in Tuesday evenings votes by tweeting: If the Prime Minister indicates in the debate that she will be pressing Brussels to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement to make changes to the backstop, I will gladly support the Brady amendment. But he insisted: What we need is to achieve something legally binding and that means part of the Withdrawal Agreement. We cant have some codicil or letter or joint declaration. I think we should send the Prime Minister back to Brussels with a strong mandateLiam Fox Both the EU and the Irish government have been adamant that there can be no question of reopening the Withdrawal Agreement. Irelands European Affairs Minister, Helen McEntee, said: There can be no change to the backstop. It was negotiated over 18 months with the UK and by the UK. A bit of realism is needed at this stage. But Dr Fox said he believed attitudes on the EU side on the need to find a compromise were changing in the light of the growing economic uncertainty. We have seen the German economy weakening, we have seen the French economy weakening, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. I think this view We can simply weather out any disturbance that would occur from a no-deal I think there is much less appetite for that. I think we still have time to reach a compromise on that. Dr Fox said that MPs backing for the Brady amendment would strengthen the Prime Ministers hand. I think we should send the Prime Minister back to Brussels with a strong mandate to be able to say If you compromise with us on this one issue, on the backstop, we would be able to a get an agreement an agreement that is almost there, he said. Remain-backing former Cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said discussions had been taking place for some days on the Malthouse plan between herself, health minister Stephen Hammond, and Solicitor General Robert Buckland on one side and Mr Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker from the ERG on the other. The Prime Minister has been aware of the discussions. At some point there has to be compromise on all sides in order to get a deal over the line. That is what most of us want to see a negotiated settlement with the EU, Ms Morgan told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. People like me want to avoid a no-deal outcome, a crashing out on March 29. We have to look for ways to do that. We are all prepared to compromise on that. Former party leader Iain Duncan Smith, from the Brexiteer side, said the plan represented the best hope for the Conservatives. I really urge the Government to embrace this because what this will tell the European Union is that now, I believe, a majority of Parliament, particularly in the governing party, have agreed there are compromises to be made, he said. A headteacher in south Belfast has warned of a man suspiciously approaching a child in the area in a letter to parents. Carmel Burns, the acting principal of Holy Rosary Primary, wrote to parents on Monday, urging them to speak to pupils about the incident. The BBC reports Ms Burns said the school had been informed of a male adult "loitering" in the area at the end of last week. She wrote: "The person has approached a child on the street. The PSNI are aware of this situation and we would urge you to speak to your children about the issue." "We have scheduled assemblies within the next two weeks for all children to receive information about staying safe." "The PSNI Community Safety Team have assured us that they will be patrolling the area throughout the day." The PSNI tweeted on Thursday January 24 it was investigating reports of a suspicious approach to a child in the Ormeau Road/Sunnyside Street area. They had received reports a man wearing all black had approached a child on Thursday at around 4pm. Holy Rosary has around 500 pupils close to the upper Ormeau Road in the south of the city. Theresa May has told Cabinet she is ready to reopen Brexit negotiations with the EU to secure changes to the controversial backstop plan to avoid a hard border in Ireland. The Prime Minister said that, following this months crushing 230-vote defeat in the Commons, it was clear that only reopening the Withdrawal Agreement and changing the backstop will win MPs support for her EU deal. In a change to previously announced plans, she was addressing MPs at the start of debate on a series of proposed amendments to the deal, urging them to back proposals from Tory grandee Sir Graham Brady to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements. In an apparent attempt to fend off possible defeat on other amendments which could delay Brexit or rule out a no-deal departure, Mrs May promised that Tuesdays votes would not be MPs final chance to pass judgment on EU withdrawal. Her hopes of a majority for the Brady amendment were boosted when former foreign secretary and Brexit figurehead Boris Johnson said he would gladly vote for it if it meant the Withdrawal Agreement being reopened and legally binding changes being made to the backstop. We canat have some codicil or letter or joint declaration. We need to go back into the text of the treaty and solve the problem. That is the way to unite remainers and leavers in the Conservative party and across the country 2/2 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 29, 2019 But the chances of the Commons derailing her plans were also heightened when Labour confirmed it will back a cross-party bid to push Brexit day back from March 29 to as late as the end of this year and put Parliament in the driving seat on the way forward. This proposal, tabled by Labours Yvette Cooper and Tory Nick Boles, is one of the strongest-backed of a bevy of rival amendments tabled for debate. Only those selected by Speaker John Bercow will go forward to a vote. Mrs May is expected to have phone discussions with key EU leaders over the course of the day, with votes taking place in the early evening. Speaking to Cabinet, she said she aims to return to the Commons as soon as possible with a revised deal, which will be subject to a meaningful vote of MPs. If it is defeated, she will table another amendable motion for debate the following day. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) If no new deal is reached by February 13, the PM will make a statement to Parliament that day and table an amendable motion for debate the following day. Her announcement brought the prospect of the cancellation of Parliaments half-term recess a step closer, as the Commons is currently due to rise for its 10-day break on February 14. Brussels has been adamant that it will not reopen the Agreement, struck by Mrs May and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and signed off by leaders of the remaining 27 EU states last November. European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said the EU was waiting to see what happened in Parliament. This is not a Brussels day, this is a London day. We have the vote tonight and then we will take it from there, he said. And Irelands European Affairs Minister, Helen McEntee, cautioned: There can be no change to the backstop. It was negotiated over 18 months with the UK and by the UK. A bit of realism is needed at this stage. But Mrs Mays official spokesman said: There is a very clear message from the EUs leaders that they want the UK to leave with a deal and that they understand this is in the best interests of the EU as well as the UK. Mrs May told Cabinet that a majority for the Brady amendment would send three vital messages to the EU by: Making clear that the will of the House of Commons is to leave with a deal; Setting out in no uncertain terms that the UK continues to be committed to arrangements which avoid a hard border in Ireland; and Creating scope for new discussions with the EU on how best to achieve that. The Prime Minister said that in order to win the support of the House of Commons, legal changes to the backstop will be required, said Mrs Mays spokesman. That will mean reopening the Withdrawal Agreement. Tory MPs were told at a meeting with Mrs May on Monday evening that they would be whipped to support the Brady amendment. But it was far from clear whether this instruction would be followed by enough of the 118 Conservatives who rebelled against Mrs Mays deal on January 15. Expand Close MPs rejected Theresa Mays EU withdrawal deal by a record margin of 230 votes earlier this month (Mark Duffy/UK Parliament/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp MPs rejected Theresa Mays EU withdrawal deal by a record margin of 230 votes earlier this month (Mark Duffy/UK Parliament/PA) The leader of the European Research Group (ERG) of eurosceptic backbenchers, Jacob Rees-Mogg, initially said its members were not prepared to support the Brady plan, though he later appeared to soften his line. Remain-backing Tories may rally behind the Cooper/Boles amendment, while other proposals may gain cross-party support, including a plan by Conservative Caroline Spelman and Labours Jack Dromey to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile, a compromise drafted by Conservative MPs from both the Remain and Leave sides of the party won the crucial backing of the Democratic Unionist Party. Drawn up in meetings co-ordinated by housing minister Kit Malthouse, the compromise recasts the backstop as a free trade agreement-lite, with a commitment on all sides there should be no hard border and an extended transition period to December 2021. DUP leader Arlene Foster whose 10 MPs prop up the minority Conservative administration in the Commons said it provided a feasible alternative to the backstop. If the Prime Minister is seeking to find a united front, both between elements in her own party and the DUP, in the negotiations which she will enter with the European Union, then this is a proposition which she should not turn her back on, said Mrs Foster. Expand Close Former minister Nicky Morgan has been involved in talks on the so-called Malthouse compromise (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former minister Nicky Morgan has been involved in talks on the so-called Malthouse compromise (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Mrs Mays spokesman said the PM welcomes the fact that MPs are working together to come up with solutions, but declined to pass judgment on the Malthouse compromise. Remain-backing former minister Nicky Morgan said discussions had been taking place for some days between herself, health minister Stephen Hammond and Solicitor General Robert Buckland on one side and Mr Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker from the ERG on the other. The Prime Minister has been aware of the discussions. At some point there has to be compromise on all sides in order to get a deal over the line. That is what most of us want to see a negotiated settlement with the EU, she said. DUP MP Sammy Wilson has urged the Prime Minister to "exploit the cracks" emerging in the "illogical" position of Brussels and Dublin over the backstop. He yesterday urged Theresa May to stand up to the EU and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and "face down (their) stubbornness". His statement came within 24 hours of DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds calling for "cool heads and responsible language" on Brexit. Sinn Fein denounced Mr Wilson's comments as "despicable". The East Antrim MP said there was "chaos" in Brussels and Dublin over the backstop. "We always knew it would come to this when Brussels was faced with a situation of its own intransigence," he said. "It is one of the reasons why the March 29 date must not be moved, otherwise the pressure which the EU and the Irish are now facing will be removed. "Now is the time for the Government to be tough and to face down the stubbornness of Dublin and Brussels." Mr Wilson continued: "Whether it was waving front page stories about bombs 30 years ago or silly talk about troops being sent to the border, the Irish Government has exploited the Brexit negotiations for its own narrow political domestic aims. To use border communities in such a way is quite disgraceful. "Leo Varadkar may have thought in his naivety that it was wise to suck up to the EU. Maybe he even hopes to get a post in Europe in the future, but in reality he should be cautious." Mr Wilson said the Republic was a small country which the EU would "toss aside, damage and abandon" when it was no longer of use. "It appears that that day is arriving and it's time for the Irish to work constructively and advocate for a sensible trading arrangement with their biggest market in Great Britain," he added. But Sinn Fein MLA Chris Hazzard said it was "despicable for Sammy Wilson to say the Brexit chaos in Europe should be exploited at this time to serve the narrow agenda of the Brexiteers". He said: "It was Sammy Wilson and his ilk who caused this chaos by advocating and pursuing Brexit against the wishes of the people of the North. "While he may be revelling in chaos, businesses in the north across a range of sectors, community organisations and others are under intense pressure because of the uncertainty created by Brexit and many are facing an uncertain future." Meanwhile, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said MPs needed to recognise that the DUP was out of step with the majority of people here over the backstop. "People in Northern Ireland support a legally operative backstop to protect people here. This position is supported by the business community, farmers, trade unions and the majority of people here. It's time MPs listened to them," he added. Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry described as "deeply troubling" reports that the Government would support the Brady amendment to replace the backstop. "While the debate and votes on Tuesday may not be meaningful, and the amendment may not be successful, the support given to it by the Prime Minister is an act of bad faith," he said. Sangers AAH HQ on the Castlereagh Road in Belfast. The pharmaceutical supplier has announced the loss of 48 jobs. Credit: Pacemaker Nearly 50 jobs are to be lost at a pharmaceutical company in Northern Ireland. AHH Pharmaceuticals, which merged with Sangers in 2016, confirmed that 48 full time roles will be lost in Northern Ireland. AAH has a warehouse in Castlereagh in Belfast. In a statement a spokesman said: "We purchased the Sangers business in 2016 and initially merged the AAH Pharmaceuticals and Sangers branches in Belfast. "We are now in a position to complete the integration. "As a result of this work to amalgamate our systems and centralise some of our processes, we will be removing the equivalent of 48 full time roles across all areas of the business. "We retain our commitment to a local workforce that can provide a great service to our customers in Northern Ireland. "Our colleagues have been told and indications are that we will be able to achieve this number through voluntary redundancy. Nevertheless, it is an unsettling time for people and we will try and complete this work as quickly as possible." Expand Close Drugs in a pharmacy (Julien Behal/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Drugs in a pharmacy (Julien Behal/PA) Unite Regional Officer George Brash said: "Todays announcement that forty-eight jobs will go across both businesses as a result of the completed merger process will not be news to our members but it will still be concerning to the Sangers-AAH Pharmaceuticals workforce. Unite will continue to engage directly with management to ensure that the interests of our members are defended fully. While we remain optimistic that the redundancies confirmed today can be met on a voluntary basis, meaning compulsory redundancies can be avoided, this is still a net loss of forty-eight jobs to the Northern Ireland economy. "It also substantively increases the dependence of the entire pharmacy sector on one major distributor. We will want to see assurances that the terms and conditions of our members are upheld throughout the process." An artists impression of the new NRC campus in Ballymena The Northern Regional College has submitted plans for the 84m redevelopment of its sites in Coleraine and Ballymena. Applications for its Union Street and Farm Lodge campuses were submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Council and Mid and East Antrim Council on Thursday. The projects, which are being funded by the Department for the Economy, are scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2022. A pre-application community consultation process was carried out in the Ballymena and Coleraine areas over October and November last year, garnering largely positive responses. Mel Higgins, Northern Regional College chief operating officer, said the public consultation process was to give residents and businesses an opportunity to see the proposals and provide feedback. "This is to ensure that the local community will derive maximum benefit from our proposals," he said. "The feedback has been very positive and we are now looking forward to the next exciting phase of development at Northern Regional College." The contract to design the new sites was awarded to Belfast-based McAdam Design in February last year following a tendering process managed by the Department of Finance. The NRC's plan in Ballymena involves erecting a new complex on the site of the existing Farm Lodge Campus. The college will remain operational throughout, however once the new campus is complete the older buildings are due to be demolished to make way for a new car park. The proposal also will see the new campus incorporate a vacant piece of land that was formerly part of St Patrick's Barracks. The former MoD site was closed in 2007 and gifted to the Executive in 2011. The Department for Communities took ownership in 2015. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has already submitted an application to redevelop the former Royal Irish Regiment base into a 26m science park funded through the Belfast and city region deal. The council said the combination of the new Industrial Inspiration and Innovation Campus (i4C) alongside the new NRC campus, "would breathe much-needed new life" into Ballymena following the devastating loss of major employers such as Michelin and JTI Gallaher. Firmus Energy, which owns a major gas network and two supply companies in Northern Ireland, is to be sold to a UK infrastructure manager for an undisclosed sum. Firmus, which has around 100 staff, owns and operates the natural gas distribution network in 10 major towns outside Belfast, and has 43,000 customers. It also owns two gas supply businesses, one for greater Belfast and another operating outside the city. It supplies gas to nearly 50,000 customers across the two supply businesses. Now its owners iCON Infrastructure are selling the network to Equitix Investment Management, with the deal to be finalised around the middle of next month. Firmus parent company Deka Energy Associates reported pre-tax profits of 8.6m on sales of 93.3m in results for 2017. Firmus Energy was bought for 78.4m in 2014 by iCON, the ultimate owner of Deka Energy Associates. Hugh Crossley, chief investment officer for Equitix, said: As we continue to diversify and grow our portfolio, we are always looking out for attractive opportunities to acquire high-quality assets that meet our criteria. Gas distribution is a new sector for Equitix that meets these criteria and complements the other sectors we invest in well. We are confident that it will add value for our investors. Equitix has demonstrated a strong track record in our ownership and management of a wide range of infrastructure assets and, as such, were pleased to be further consolidating our capabilities and adding this breadth and depth to our institutional investment portfolios. Firmuss gas network covers Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Coleraine, Craigavon, Limavady, Londonderry, Newry and more than 20 other towns and villages in the surrounding areas. Michael Scott, managing director of Firmus Energy, said: Firmus Energy is one of Northern Irelands leading energy companies, with over 90,000 customers across our distribution and supply activities. Over the next 25 years, we plan to extend our gas network to make natural gas available throughout our licensed area, connecting a further 140,000 customers. iCON has been a very supportive partner over the past five years and we look forward to delivering continued growth and high quality customer service under Equitixs ownership. This is good news for gas consumers and the Northern Ireland economy. Last year Firmus announced a 12% increase in its tariffs to take effect in October. This meant annual bills rising by 65 to 604 for the typical Greater Belfast customer. While SSE Airtricity Gas Supply and Firmus both supply the greater Belfast and Larne areas, Firmus operates a monopoly on natural gas supply in the 10 towns. The UAE banking sector is set to have a powerful new banking group following the decision of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and Union National Bank (UNB) to merge and together to acquire Al Hilal Bank. The transaction, which has been recommended unanimously to shareholders by the boards of ADCB and UNB, is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals to be sought in the coming weeks, said a statement. The new banking group will carry the ADCB identity and will continue to benefit from strong institutional backing, through the Government of Abu Dhabis majority ownership. Al Hilal Bank will retain its existing name and brand and operate as a separate Islamic banking entity within the group. ADCB will reinforce its position as the third largest financial institution in the UAE and will become the fifth largest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with assets of Dh420 billion ($114 billion). It is expected to have around one million customers, with a significant share of the UAE market (as at 30 September, 2018) including: 15% of total assets; 21% of retail loans; and 16% of deposits. The transaction will create a robust platform to grow the banks consumer and wholesale businesses in both conventional and Islamic banking. The banks strategic objective will be to increase market share by prioritising excellence in customer service and continually innovating its product and service offering, particularly through digital channels, it said. Greater scale will permit larger scope for financing to support the UAEs economic agenda for diversification and growth, and more investment in the banks people, technology and infrastructure, it added. TRANSACTION STRUCTURE The proposed transaction between ADCB and UNB will be executed through a statutory merger. ADCB will issue 0.5966 ADCB shares for every UNB share, corresponding to a total of 1,641,546,697 new shares issued to UNB shareholders. The exchange ratio implies a premium to UNB shareholders of 0.6% versus the closing price of the previous trading day (January 28, 2019) and 13.7% versus the pre-leak share price. On the effective date of the merger, UNB shares will be delisted from the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The combined bank will retain ADCBs legal registrations. Al Hilal Bank will be acquired by the combined ADCB/UNB entity, for a consideration of approximately Dh1 billion, by issuing a mandatory convertible note for up to 117,647,058 post-merger ADCB shares to ADIC after the completion of the statutory merger, said the statement. The three banks will continue to operate independently until the combination becomes effective, which is expected within the first half of 2019. The combination is subject to approvals by shareholders and relevant regulators, including the UAE Central Bank. The transaction requires the approval of at least 75% by value of the shares represented at quorate general assembly meetings of each of ADCB and UNB. Following completion of the merger of ADCB and UNB and the acquisition of Al Hilal Bank, the Government of Abu Dhabi, through the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, will own 60.2% of the combined bank. Other ADCB shareholders will own 28.0%, and other UNB shareholders will own 11.8% of the combined bank. Eissa Mohamed Al Suwaidi is the chairman designate of the new banking group, and Mohamed Bin Dhaen Al Hamli is the vice chairman designate. Alaa Eraiqat is the group chief executive officer designate of the new banking group. The new board and management of the combined bank will assume their new roles when the transaction becomes effective, it said. Al Suwaidi commented: This is a very exciting transaction that will create a larger, preeminent and resilient banking group. It is a landmark deal for the UAE that will contribute significantly to our national ambitions. The enlarged ADCB will have the scale and expertise to play a central role in the next stage of the UAEs economic development. By building on past successes to produce an even stronger, performance-driven and customer-centric institution, the combined bank will continue to set high standards for the UAE banking sector and contribute to Abu Dhabis development into a global financial centre. Eraiqat said: This transaction is a confident and transformational move that creates a new, robust and agile financial institution, built on a strong track record in conventional and Islamic banking. With a wide and balanced customer base, the ADCB Group will focus its customer-centric growth strategy on its home market of the UAE, with a selective international presence. The bank will take advantage of scale and efficiency to invest further in developing its people, products, services and channels, with the objective of gaining greater market share. Furthermore, we will anchor our operations in robust governance, compliance and risk management, to ensure that the bank continues to act as a force for stability and strength in the financial system. The new bank is well-positioned to provide support for the UAEs economic vision, and actively participate in the countrys growth and diversification, he said. TradeArabia News Service The Northern Ireland Housing Executive said the decision was made in the public interest in order to avoid litigation after legal action was taken by a number of firms who were unsuccessful in the latest process (stock photo) Concerns have been expressed for hundreds of jobs linked to 1bn of Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) contracts. It follows the decision by the housing authority on Friday to scrap its recent tendering process for maintenance work. The NIHE said the decision was made in the public interest in order to avoid litigation after legal action was taken by a number of firms who were unsuccessful in the latest process. But in a joint statement issued yesterday, the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said that when taken with other recently collapsed NIHE tenders, the total value of the contracts exceeds 1bn. Business Telegraph understands that the companies which took legal action against the housing body had alleged flaws in the process. They include Dixon Contractors in Dunloy, Lowry Civil Engineering in Castlederg, PK Murphy in Pomeroy and Bann Ltd in Portadown. All four already employ hundreds of people in NIHE-linked contract work. Legal protections, known as TUPE regulations, exist to protect workers when contracts change hands. But with no new contracts awarded, concerns have been raised that dozens and potentially hundreds of people could be left out of work. One party, who did not wish to be named, said yesterday that rebooting the process could leave months of uncertainty for contractors. It's understood that at least one firm has already initiated a statutory redundancy process. In their statement, the CEF and FMB said: "There is significant concern within the industry as to how hundreds of people, currently engaged, will continue in employment. "These procurement collapses call into question the deliverability of planned maintenance across the Housing Executive's estate over the coming six months, at least, meaning there could be a drastic curtailing of the maintenance required to people's homes all over Northern Ireland. "When taken together, these frameworks represent over 1bn of investment in the Housing Executive's stock over the coming years. At a time when the Housing Executive is faced with a major shortfall in their available budget against their actual maintenance need, this is a situation that no-one can afford - indeed it is a situation that we believe could and should have been avoided if procurement issues that had arisen had been dealt with in a proactive and timely manner." The trade bodies said it was a matter of "absolute urgency" for the Housing Executive to inform the market and tenants on what their next steps are. "A significant amount of public money has undoubtedly been spent in dealing with legal issues in recent months which have meant this issue can only be publicly aired now. "Lessons need to be learnt from the collapsing of both procurements and we need those lessons to be learnt immediately," added the industry bodies. The Housing Executive said yesterday that it had hoped to have the contracts in place by April 2019. "Unfortunately, a number of unsuccessful contractors issued legal challenges against the awarding of these contracts, which halted the process," it said. "In the public interest, and because of the risk in costs of ongoing litigation, we decided that it would be more expedient to collapse those particular procurement exercises and instead consider alternative approaches. "We were especially concerned that, if we became involved in a protracted legal process, there would be unnecessary delay to work to our tenants' homes as well as a detrimental impact on releasing work to the local construction industry. "We are extremely disappointed that we are unable to proceed with these contracts, as intended, and, as a consequence, there will now be some delays in starting a number of improvement schemes. "We would like to reassure tenants awaiting work which was planned from April onwards, that we are putting in place contingency plans to deal with this situation and we will be contacting anyone affected in due course. To mitigate against the current impasse, smaller contracts will proceed on an interim basis whilst we consider our longer term options." It added: "The Housing Executive is currently considering how best to put in place contracts for the longer term and we will continue to engage with stakeholders, including representatives from the industry." Kaizen has invested 250,000 in equipment and a new premises in Belfast Belfast-based branding agency and digital printing company Kaizen has completed a 250,000 expansion at its new Belfast headquarters. The firm, which recently moved to a new 5,000 sq ft base in Jennymount Business Park in York Road, said its investment included 150,000 on digital printing and finishing equipment. Kaizen's operations include a UK and Ireland-wide printing service and a branding agency. Martin McAuley, managing director of Kaizen Brand Evolution, said the investment will enable the company to increase capacity in line with its current demands and growth projections. A recruitment drive has seen the 10-year-old firm expand from seven staff to 32. "With our expansion to Jennymount, we can continue on the growth trajectory we have achieved over the past 10 years," said Mr McCauley. "Through this round of self-funded investment in new machinery, IT and staff, we aim to continuously improve our business and serve new markets across the island of Ireland and beyond. "Our new printing and finishing technology allows us to increase capacity across all manner of print, while reducing lead times further. A core focus for our business in 2019 is the development of our branding studio. "Through the hiring of talented graphic and web designers, we have created an island-wide renowned graphic design studio working with some of the most recognised brands, including Boojum, Grafton Recruitment, Punchestown Racecourse and Coillte, to name but a few." Brian Verrier is the CEO of orthopedic fixation company OSSIO. With 28 years of medtech experience, Mr. Verrier spoke with Beckers Spine Review about OSSIOs technology and trends in the orthopedic fixation market. Question: How is OSSIO using the OSSIOfiber technology to transform orthopedic fixation? Brian Verrier: OSSIOfiber material has the potential to be the first credible replacement to permanent implants. OSSIOfiber combines the required material strength for fixation with complete integration into the native anatomy without any adverse biological response. Permanent implants as well as older bioresorbable technologies are associated with [postoperative] complications, which can often result in secondary removal surgeries. OSSIOfiber Intelligent Bone Regeneration Technology is a new bio-integrative category that will transform the orthopedic experience by providing surgeons with a more biologically friendly way to restore patient stability and mobility while leaving nothing permanent behind. In addition, there is a great potential to lower healthcare costs by reducing complications and secondary removal procedures. Q: What trends do you see in the orthopedic fixation market? BV: Orthopedics is one of the faster-growing segments in the medtech industry. As life expectancy continues to increase due to advancements in modern medicine, people tend to remain physically active for many more years than in the past. Orthopedic fixation benefits from these favorable demographic trends. However, there has been very little innovation in material science for fixation implants. Every company in the orthopedic fixation space has attempted to replace permanent implants, but until now success has been elusive due to lack of mechanical strength, biocompatibility or both. Bottom line is that we are seeing a significant increase in market demand for non-permanent fixation devices, specifically for use in soft tissue fixation. Patient demand is also increasing; when given a choice, most people would likely prefer an implant that does its job and is then completely integrated into the body, leaving no foreign object behind. Cincinnati Children's Hospital is starting a clinical trial of vaccines against Ebola. The study is sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Cincinnati Children's is one of nine funded vaccine and treatment evaluation units. The trial will test two experimental vaccines together for their safety and ability to produce an immune response in healthy volunteer participants. This study will enroll up to 60 volunteers 18 to 45 years old, who will be monitored closely for adverse events for six months after initial vaccination during at least 12 clinic visits. During the clinic visits, the volunteers will get blood tests to assess potential immune responses to both experimental vaccines. Each volunteer will participate in the trial for about seven months. "Researchers are looking for new ways to stop these outbreaks and to treat people who become infected and develop Ebola virus disease. The development of preventive vaccines for Ebola is a top global public health priority," said lead trial investigator Paul Spearman, MD. An outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo includes more than 700 confirmed and probable Ebola cases. CMS warned DMC Harper University Hospital and DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital that they will be terminated from the Medicare program April 15 unless they correct infection control issues, according to enforcement letters obtained by Becker's. The infection control deficiencies were revealed during an Oct. 18 survey at the two hospitals conducted by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The hospitals, part of Detroit Medical Center and owned by Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, have an opportunity to submit a plan to correct the issues. "We have determined that the deficiencies are significant and limit your hospital's capacity to render adequate care and ensure the health and safety of your patients," stated the Jan. 15 letters to the hospitals from CMS. CMS informed the hospitals they had until Jan. 25 to submit a plan of correction. It is unclear whether the hospitals submitted these plans. Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to Detroit Medical Center for comment and will update the report as more information becomes available. Phoenix-based Hacienda HealthCare, which operates the facility where an incapacitated patient was raped and became pregnant, has a history of special protections from Arizona, according to AZCentral.com. The nonprofit company operates the only private facility of its kind in the state because an Arizona law allowed it to have a monopoly in the privately owned, intermediate-care market. "They had all the negotiating power. The state had to pay whatever they were asking, even if it was the highest rate in the country," said Christina Corieri, senior policy adviser to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey. Mr. Ducey's staff found problems with Hacienda HealthCare in the weeks before Mr. Ducey took office in 2015, Ms. Corieri said. During Arizona's 2015 legislative session, they initiated a successful change in the law to remove the company's monopoly. However, a separate Arizona law has allowed the company's intermediate-care facility, where the woman gave birth, to operate without a state license since 1997. Arizona Sen. Heather Carter said she aims to introduce a bill that would change the 1997 law and require intermediate-care facilities to be licensed by the state. The bill will likely get support from Mr. Ducey if passed. The governor's office is looking at giving Arizona a larger oversight role so intermediate-care facilities are treated the same way as other Arizona healthcare facilities, a spokesperson for Mr. Ducey said. Hacienda HealthCare has been under scrutiny after reports surfaced in January that a 29-year-old, nonverbal patient was raped and gave birth Dec. 29. A 911 call during the birth indicated facility staff did not know the woman was pregnant. A nurse at the facility was arrested Jan. 22 and charged in the rape of the patient. The nurse's DNA sample matched that of the infant, police said. Following the footsteps of other Blue plans, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi will change how it pays for emergency room services it decides weren't emergent after care is delivered, according to the Daily Journal. Five things to know: 1. Mississippi providers became aware of the proposed policy in a bulletin issued to in-network providers in December. The bulletin said that starting in 2019, "If the office visit level is not in alignment with the diagnosis severity, the payment for the office visit level will be adjusted to align with the diagnosis severity," according to the publication. 2. Last year, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield debuted a similar policy in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire and Ohio. 3. Emergency physicians in Georgia sued the health insurer for implementing the policy, arguing that when determining if a visit is indeed an emergency, the prudent layperson standard is the general guideline for state and federal law. 4. Mississippi and national chapters of the American College of Emergency Physicians spoke out against BCBS of Mississippi's proposed policy. They claim the proposed policy will leave hospitals, physicians and patients on the hook for uncovered medical bills. While the Mississippi Insurance Department said it has received physician complaints about the change, no hospitals or physicians have reported inappropriate downcoding by the health insurer. 5. BCBS of Mississippi said the emergency physicians have misunderstood its bulletin. "In emergency situations, our members should always seek care at the nearest healthcare facility and can trust their care will be covered," Meredith Bailess, BCBS corporate communications director, said in written statements to the Daily Journal. Editor's note: This article was updated Jan. 29. UPMC Horizon-Greenville (Pa.) ended laboratory services at its Greenville Medical Center Jan. 24, according to NBC affiliate WFMJ. Five positions were cut as the services were eliminated. The hospital said it's centralizing the services to the outpatient lab at UPMC Horizon-Greenville to cut down on duplication and to maintain patient access. "It's our hope that the affected employees will all land in an open UPMC position within our region," UPMC Horizon-Greenville said in a statement to WFMJ. "Our human resources team is working closely with each of them to support their transitions." A Massachusetts judge has ordered the full release of a lawsuit claiming Purdue Pharma fueled the opioid epidemic, according to online medical news site STAT. Previous versions of the complaint contained several redacted sections. The judge ruled that the lawsuit should have been released in full to the public. The unredacted version may shed light on some of the marketing decisions by Purdue and how much money executives made. The decision, from Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders, was a response to a motion filed by media organizations seeking access to the full lawsuit. The complaint must be made public by noon Feb.1, according to the report. "The disclosure of the information while it may prove embarrassing for some of the defendants is not intensely personal or private," Ms. Sanders wrote in her opinion, according to STAT. "In essence, the information describes the inner workings of a company and discussions about company business among its directors, officers and employees. Any interest in keeping this information secret is hardly compelling and certainly not enough to overcome the presumption of public access." Purdue Pharma officials said they plan to ask an appellate court to put a stay on Ms. Sander's ruling. The lawsuit in question was filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey last June. Two Massachusetts hospital executives were able to boost staff satisfaction and reduce time-to-fill for certain nursing positions to as little as two hours, thanks to a bit of inspiration from Chick-fil-A. In 2016, Tejas Gandhi, PhD, COO, and Shannon Levesque, vice president of talent acquisition and workforce planning, faced a challenge at Baystate Medical Center. They needed to streamline their hospital's hiring process to reduce nursing vacancies and improve time-to-fill rates. The solution they adopted came from what might seem like an unlikely place. Sure, Chick-fil-A is known for its chicken sandwich with two pickles on a toasted butter bun. But a lesser-known signature of this fast food company is its culture that breeds consumer and staff satisfaction. The fast-food joint consistently ranks among the top places to work on Glass Door, has a 95 percent corporate retention rate and only hires people with a team mentality. Overall, this culture of satisfaction inspired Baystate to look more closely at Chick-fil-A's hiring practices. Just two years later, thanks to the innovative idea and steadfast leadership of Dr. Gandhi and Ms. Levesque, the Springfield-based medical center has reduced their time-to-fill in select nursing positions and filled almost 40 vacancies with qualified candidates. This expedited experience has also increased both staff and candidate satisfaction. Here, Dr. Gandhi and Ms. Levesque discuss the pilot they implemented across the 716-bed Baystate Medical Center that has been wildly successful. They invite you to steal their idea. "There are opportunities to learn, and if you can steal an idea or learn from somewhere, I would say steal shamelessly. We need just to be more open to that," Dr. Gandhi said. Note: The following responses were edited for length and clarity. Question: Can you provide an overview of the pioneering idea you implemented in 2016? Shannon Levesque: One of the challenges the operations team discussed in a meeting in 2016 regarded staffing levels at Baystate Health. We were particularly struggling with nurse vacancies and shortages. After that operations meeting, Dr. Gandhi challenged us to explore alternative ways to differentiate ourselves as an employer of choice for nurses. Knowing that top nurses have so many options in today's healthcare environment, we had to differentiate ourselves. Outside of just improving compensation and benefits for our nurses, we began exploring ways to improve the candidate experience. One thing we thought would be impactful was streamlining the interview and application process. The idea was to make it as easy as possible for qualified nurses to meet our senior leaders and talent acquisition consultants and have a fast-tracked or expedited selection and interview process. The idea of the Baystate Health Open House Recruitment event stemmed from those conversations. They are weekly, open-invitation recruitment events. Anyone who is interested in exploring a nursing career at Baystate Health can stop in during the designated hours. They are held every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who walk in are guaranteed an interview with a recruiter. From there, if they are qualified, they are guaranteed an interview with a hiring manager in the unit they are interested in. The interview process itself takes anywhere from one to two hours, including a shadowing event and opportunity to receive a tour. If the candidate is qualified, and a right-fit for the organization, the candidate could leave the facility with a conditional offer in hand. Of course, the offer is conditional as we still need to conduct a background check and contact references, but if those check out, the offer stands. Dr. Tejas Gandhi: The main aspect of this idea stemmed from asking, "How do we take the hassle factor out of the recruitment and hiring process?" Sometimes simplifying the process and offering convenience is key to solving the challenge. By offering nurses a walk-in interview, instead of requiring them to fill-out the application online, wait for a recruiter to connect with them and then schedule an interview with the hiring manager, we have been able to significantly cut down the time-to-fill timeline. Q: Is this recruiting event specific to nursing jobs? SL: While this started as a nursing-specific initiative, word got out about how well-received it was by both the candidates and the hiring managers. So, we began expanding its reach. Although our weekly Thursday hours remain focused on nursing, we would never turn away someone from a different job family. In addition, we recently started "Walk-in Wednesdays" for technical and nursing support positions. In addition, we have different events throughout the year called "Night Owl Operations," which help us interview more folks on second shift. Essentially, the success of this program has allowed us to try new, spin-off events to improve the hiring process. It is important to note that we do not use this event for physician recruitment or hiring executives. However, if a physician or executive candidate walked through the door, we would find a way to get them a contact, but the same-day offer would not be in the cards. Those roles are not included in the scope of this. Q: What inspired this idea? TG: Before Baystate Health, I was in Macon, Ga., which is about 80 miles from Atlanta, which is Chick-fil-A's headquarters. One of the things I kept hearing about was how great Chick-fil-A was in terms of customer service, employee satisfaction, and job candidate satisfaction and selection. One thing Chick-fil-A offered was open house recruitment sessions. In passing, while challenging my team to think differently about how we could recruit talent, I said "Hey, listen. If Chick-fil-A can do it, maybe we should try it too." So, the idea itself came from the open recruitment sessions that occur at the fast-food joint, but it took a lot of creativity and drive by Shannon and her team to execute this in a healthcare environment. In a Chick-fil-A store, you have a crew of six to eight people at any given time and a manager on duty. So, the logistics are a lot easier when you have one manager who can leave the six-to eight-person crew to interview someone at any given time. In healthcare, however, there is much more intensity surrounding who you hire the credentials are key, and the employee must be a fit for the health system. SL: One of the main takeaways from the operations team meeting was the discussion about consumerism in healthcare and consumerism in the talent acquisition space. After those discussions, we focused on trying to offer a better recruitment event. It needed to be something different from the traditional job fair, or a specific one-time recruiting event. Instead we wanted an interview process that was more convenient and embedded into our cultural norms. That was our goal when we piloted this working to make these events feel different than a job fair or a one-time career event. We wanted to assimilate it to the cultural norm, so it became something we are known for. We wanted to move it from the idea stage to a more practical application every single week without fail, so that we can better serve the community, the candidate marketplace and our talent acquisition team and hiring managers. Q: How have walk-in interview events impacted your organization? SL: Since we implemented them, we have interviewed more than 160 people throughout the weekly event and made about 40 hires. When we followed the traditional recruitment process for nursing, the average time-to-fill was anywhere from 45 to 50 days. We were able to cut the interview portion of that metric down to two hours when typically it can be as long as 3 weeks depending on schedules and availability of the candidate and the hiring teams. To be able to offer a different reality to both our candidates and our nursing leadership team, and cutting down the time-intensive interview process, has been great for our health system. From my perspective, it also helped address the perception that many job seekers have when they submit a traditional application online. You hear a lot of candidates talk about how their resume seems to be lost in a massive database and no one reaches out. These walk-in hours prevent that and automatically give the candidate a name, face and touchpoint right away. TG: I would also add that as a recruiter, it is a lot more gratifying because you are able to speak to a larger number of candidates and you are able to bring closure to that candidate quickly. In the traditional process, the recruiter gets caught in the logistics of scheduling and trying to coordinate calendars with the candidate and the hiring manager. That said, the process has led to increased satisfaction among recruiters and hiring managers. Q: What were some of the challenges to implementing these events? SL: The initial challenge was the space design of our lobby and parking capacity constraints. We needed more space in our lobby to hold the potential candidates. In addition, we needed more parking to ensure that the candidates and patients still had somewhere to park. When starting these events, you can't predict how many people will show up. That was one challenge. A second was identifying and making a calendar of on-call hiring managers. We needed to ensure there was a hiring manager available from each nursing unit to talk to a potential candidate during the Thursday hours. For this, we had to create a rolling calendar, so it is not always one person managing it weekly. We also had to have a back-up or escalation plan in case a hiring manager was called into some emergency. We didn't want to lose a qualified candidate because of a scheduling mishap. So, mapping and ironing out the schedule in the first several months of the pilot was probably one of our more significant challenges. Q: What advice would you offer to others looking to implement walk-in recruiting? SL: Just start. It doesn't have to be perfect on day one. Just get out there, start the process and you can refine and optimize as you go. I would also say meet your candidates where they are, keeping it convenient, easy and simple. A lot of times people say, "This isn't how we do things in healthcare," or "We aren't leveraging the technology we have these days with online applications," but healthcare needs to change. The talent acquisition process can be simplified, and time-to-fill can go down. The whole spirit of a program like this is to reduce the hassle factor for everyone involved. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. TG: I agree with Shannon: Don't let perfection be the enemy of good. A lot of times we fall into that trap. We don't allow the process to evolve. Where we start is not where we need to end. I think our healthcare system is a little risk-adverse toward some of this innovation. There are opportunities to learn, and if you can steal an idea or learn from somewhere, I would say steal shamelessly. We need to be more open to that, nimbler. We need to allow ourselves to evolve. Another piece of advice would be, it's okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to fail, but fail fast and often, and move on to the next thing. It's better to fail instead of not giving an innovative idea a chance. That is very important from a leadership perspective. It's okay to be vulnerable and it's okay to fail, because there's always something you learn from it, and you will always get better from it. Al Rajhi Capital (ARC), one of the largest asset managers in Saudi Arabia and a leading regional investment firm, has launched the Al Rajhi MSCI Saudi Multi Factor Index Fund. Established in 2008, Al Rajhi Capital is one of the largest providers of financial services in Saudi Arabia, providing a comprehensive range of innovative financial solutions across brokerage, asset management, investment banking and advisory services. Al Rajhi Capital is the top-ranked broker and one of the largest asset managers in the kingdom. This fund is classified as an open-ended fund that aims to achieve medium to long-term capital growth by tracking performance of the MSCIs Saudi Multi-Factor Index, which complies with ARCs Shariah Boards rules, said a statement from the organisation. As Al Rajhi Capitals first passive fund, it was designed and built to have low-cost structure and provide investors easy access to broader Saudi market. As a multi factor passive fund, it uses a rule-based, disciplined and transparent investment process to outperform the market unlike active funds which rely on traditional stock selection and management approach. The Al Rajhi MSCI Saudi Multi Factor Index Fund is also the first passive fund in the market using the MSCI Saudi Multi Factor Indexs combination of three customized underlying MSCI Factor indices: Quality, Momentum and Enhanced Value (Component indices). Each Component Index in the MSCI Saudi Multi Factor Index is attributed equal weight at each rebalancing date. Megren Al Kulaibi, head of asset management at Al Rajhi Capital, said This fund was created to meet growing investor needs for a low-cost and efficient way to access the Saudi equity market from a long-term perspective. As a provider of innovative investment solutions, we are pleased to offer this rules-based, transparent alternative to investors. The fund targets both institutional and retail investors who are looking for a broader allocation to Saudi equity market from a strategic allocation or savings perspective, Al Kulaibi added. Robert Ansari, head of Middle East Coverage, MSCI, said: We are pleased to have developed the MSCI Saudi Multi-Factor Index. Global interest from investors in multi-factor investing continues apace as they seek an alternative approach to the Saudi Arabian equity capital market and transparent routes to efficiently access this emerging market via various financial instruments. For more than 45 years, MSCI's research-based indices and analytics have helped the world's leading investors build and manage better portfolios. Clients rely on MSCI's offerings for deeper insights into the drivers of performance and risk in their portfolios, broad asset class coverage and innovative research. MSCI's line of products and services includes indices, analytical models, data, real estate benchmarks and ESG research. MSCI serves 99 of the top 100 largest money managers, according to the most recent P&I ranking, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Boston-based Partners HealthCare President and CEO David Torchiana, MD, reportedly stepped down from his leadership roles Jan. 28, two sources familiar with the matter told The Boston Globe. "I am fortunate to have worked at MGH and Partners for my entire professional life and to have been given the opportunity to lead us forward at the culmination of my career," Dr. Torchiana said in a statement to the publication. One source told The Boston Globe there had been lingering tension between Dr. Torchiana and leaders at two major hospitals in the Partners system. "There's been a lot of friction between him and the hospitals," according to the individual, who spoke to the publication under the condition of anonymity, as Partners has not formally announced Dr. Torchiana's departure. Dr. Torchiana has served as chief executive of the state's largest health system since 2015. The Boston Globe reports that some of Dr. Torchiana's recent decisions, including the proposed acquisitions of Providence-based Care New England and Wellesley, Mass.-based Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, presented a cause for concern among other Partners leadership. To access the full report, click here. Scott Sperling, chair of Partners' board of directors, released a statement to employees confirming Dr. Torchiana's retirement at the end of April. "Last night, Dr. David Torchiana informed the Partners Board of his intent to retire at the end of April. This is something that I know Torch has been contemplating for some time. Torch has been a valued leader, and he has led this organization in a thoughtful and effective manner," he said in the statement. Mr. Sperling said the board will work on the details of a national search for Dr. Torchiana's relplacement during the coming weeks. Editor's note: This article was updated on Jan. 29 at 11:15 a.m. to include additional information from Partners HealthCare. Efforts are increasing to prevent surprise medical bills, but those efforts still face challenges from healthcare industry groups seeking to avoid negative financial consequences from a solution to the issue, according to The Hill. When asked whether he expected pushback from healthcare industry groups, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, told the publication, "I would expect so." "Someone has to pay the bill," he added. Lawmakers must examine proposals to prevent surprise medical bills, which may occur when a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility. One plan is from a bipartisan group of senators, called the Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act. Democrat Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire has also introduced surprise billing legislation, as has Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas. While all of the solutions aim to protect people from high, unexpected out-of-pocket costs, the amount the insurer should pay to the physician or hospital for care rendered must still be worked out, according to The Hill. A source familiar with discussions among healthcare groups told the publication insurers and hospitals are "battling with each other on who's going to take the bigger hit." The first place to deal with it is for the hospitals and doctors and insurance companies to get together and end the practice," Sen. Alexander told reporters. "And if they don't, Congress will do it for them." President Trump recently also vowed to end surprise medical bills during a roundtable at the White House. More articles on healthcare finance: Hospital prices differ at facilities only miles apart, California analysis shows For-profit hospital stock report: Week of Jan. 21-25 3 cost containment strategies from hospital CFOs Medscape surveyed 10,284 nurses about the most and least satisfying aspects of their jobs, as well as whether they would choose the same career path again, and published the results in its Nurse Career Satisfaction Report 2018. Medscape surveyed 5,011 registered nurses, 2,006 nurse practitioners, 2,002 licensed practical nurses, 501 clinical nurse specialists, 389 nurse managers and 375 certified registered nurse anesthetists. How nurses weighed in: Are you glad you became a nurse or advanced practice nurse? RN 1. Yes: 94 percent 2. No: 6 percent LPN 3. Yes: 95 percent 4. No: 5 percent NP 5. Yes: 96 percent 6. No: 4 percent NM 7. Yes: 98 percent 8 No: 2 percent CNRA 9. Yes: 98 percent 10. No: 2 percent CNS 11. Yes: 98 percent 12. No: 2 percent Respondents who said they would choose nursing if they could do it all over again: 13. RNs: 76 percent 14. LPNs: 80 percent 15. NP: 82 percent 16. NM: 85 percent 17. CNRA: 76 percent 18. CNS: 88 percent Surgeons performed the 50,000th refractive surgery at San Antonio-based Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center Jan. 15. The key details to know: 1. The Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center opened in 2000 at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Lackland Air Force Base. 2. Lt. Col. Matthew Caldwell, MD, 59th Medical Wing ophthalmology department chairman, said, "For me as an eye surgeon deployed to Afghanistan, not being reliant on glasses was a huge benefit, but for so many others who are actually out on the front lines with their lives at risk, the benefit of refractive surgery is much greater than convenience. It makes them more functional and safer." 3. Refractive surgery eliminates the need for glasses or contacts, helping patients achieve 20/40 vision or better. Peter Graf, business manager for Center for Pain Control and Wyomissing Surgical Services in Reading, Pa., discusses the big staffing challenges and opportunities at his center. Question: What has been your biggest staffing challenge and how do you overcome it? Peter Graf: Competing with the local hospital for quality employees at a competitive salary. It is difficult finding the right staff when the job descriptions differ from our ASC compared to the local hospitals, yet we have to offer similar compensation packages. We are a currently a single-specialty ASC and offer other benefits such as no night calls and no weekends. It is our hope that the other advantages will be taken into consideration by prospective applicants. Q: What is your philosophy on building and maintaining a positive culture at the ASC? PG: Three key points: 1. Leading by example. When things get stressful, I try to remain calm and look for a solution instead of feeding into it (there are always two or more sides to a story). 2. I encourage employees to think about what they are saying about a co-worker/owner/manager by asking themselves the following question: "Would I also say this if they would be in the room?" 3. We have also implemented an employee appreciation week (instead of celebrating nurses' week, rad-tech day, administrative assistant day separately), where the managers will honor the employees by providing lunch, games, etc., throughout the week. For example, one morning I brought my espresso machines to work and served cappuccinos, lattes, mochaccinos and macchiatos. Q: What tips do you have for new administrators managing an ASC team for the first time? PG: Teamwork at an ASC is no different than in other industries: 1. Know what every employee's job entails. 2. Delegate; nobody can do it all. 3. Use the strengths of each employee, avoid their weakness (or work on improving it). 4. Attempt to achieve a consensus with team decisions. 5. Don't be a friend, especially not on any social platform. Maintain professional boundaries with the staff. 6. Listen. 7. Do not reinvent the wheel; know what was tried before and failed/succeeded. Q: How have you challenged your team to grow in 2019? PG: We are switching to a new EMR system and trying to become a multispecialty ASC. Those changes will present a number of challenges this year. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Laura Dyrda at ldyrda@beckershealthcare.com. For a deeper dive into ASC operations, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC in Chicago, June 13-5, 2019. Click here to learn more and register. When a patient at an ASC on Aurora-based University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus became verbally abusing and threatening, staff worked quickly to de-escalate the situation, Anesthesia Experts reports. Seven takeaways: 1. Researchers explained the situation at the 2018 Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia meeting, May 3-5. They said the incident underscored the need for ASCs to adopt protocols for managing aggressive patients, as they don't have large security departments like hospitals. 2. In the Colorado incident, when the patient arrived at the ASC for a colonoscopy, she made several demands regarding her IV tube placement. An anesthesiologist struggled to place the IV in the location the patient specified, and the patient began swearing. 3. After the anesthesiologist and certified registered nurse anesthetist present discussed how to proceed without causing the patient pain, the situation escalated. The patient called the CRNA a "whore" and threatened the CRNA, anesthesiologist, gastroenterologist and nurse in the room. The patient also told a member of the anesthesia team, "I'm going to kill you." 4. The patient remained verbally aggressive throughout her two-hour visit, but the colonoscopy was performed successfully. 5. The incident led study author Ramakrishna Gumidyala, MD, and his colleagues to develop a policy for addressing and defusing similar incidents. Their proactive approach involves encouraging communication among staff members and making everyone aware of safety protocols. Signs describing disruptive behavior are displayed throughout the surgery center. Dr. Gumidyala said, "The earlier you can flag potential concerns and make everyone on staff aware, the more likely you are to contain a situation that doesn't need to escalate." 6. Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations Ann Shimek, RN, said USPI has similar policies in place at its facilities. "Situations like this are rare, but they do happen," Ms. Shimek said. "It's important to have everyone on staff be aware when there's a potential incident, and to know the protocol for what to do in a dangerous situation. Usually, we try to get the physician involved, and the medical director if they're present, to de-escalate the situation." 7. The Joint Commission published an advisory on de-escalation techniques Jan. 28, noting 25 percent of nurses reported being assaulted by patients or a patient's' family members. The alert also stated the CDC has observed a rise in workplace violence. Click here to read The Joint Commission's safety alert regarding de-escalation models. More articles on anesthesia: Spencer Hospital reopens surgery center after fire 3 insights 10 ASCs focused on GI & endoscopy Buying refurbished medical equipment? Ask these 5 Qs first At first, the officer's voice sounded composed. Seconds later, she was frantically calling for more ambulances. 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. "We have an officer down," she said after a gunshot rang out in the audio clip, "We need more ambulances, more ambulances." The snippet of radio traffic, compiled by Chron.com, shows the moment four Houston police officers were shot in a hail of gunfire Monday night while serving a warrant at a home in the 7800 block of Harding Street. A fifth officer suffered a leg injury during the shootout. According to earlier reports, officers rammed through the door to serve the warrant as other officers in their patrol cars sounded their sirens and turned on their emergency lights. At least one gunman immediately shot them inside, police said. Police said the man vanished into the home then returned to the door to again shoot at the wounded officers. RELATED: 4 HPD officers shot in southeast Houston narcotics operation, a fifth injured Two officers remained in critical but stable condition late Monday. Two other officers were in good condition. A fifth officer, who was shot in the shoulder, was released the same night. Two suspected drug dealers were killed by return fire from officers. Officials identified them as Rhogena Nicholas, 58, and Dennis Tuttle, 59. "This is never one of the calls you want to get as a chief," Police Chief Art Acevedo said outside Memorial Hermann Hospital hours after the incident, while flanked by top police brass, Mayor Sylvester Turner and a host of other city officials. 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. A group of investors is seeking approval for a five-building medical complex in Beaumont dedicated to addiction recovery, especially for lower-income people without private insurance. The facility proposed for 950 Washington Blvd. would have an outpatient clinic, residential rehabilitation and detox center with a total of 24 beds and an inpatient hospital. It would serve Jefferson, Hardin, Orange, Newton, Jasper and Liberty counties, said Dr. Aijaz Ali Khowaja, chairman of Shalom Health Care Centers. The Beaumont Planning Commission on Monday unanimously recommended the City Council approve a special-use permit allowing Shalom to operate the clinics in the former Beaumont Public Health Department and four other buildings. The council is expected to vote on the permit in the next few weeks. Mayor Becky Ames said Beaumont and the surrounding areas need more space for detox and rehabilitation. No project opponents showed up for Mondays hearing. If the council approves the project, the outpatient clinic is expected to open within the next two months, Khowaja said. Its being funded preliminarily by doctors investing in the idea. Costs would then be shouldered by private and government insurance and, Khowaja hopes, state funding. He said the rehab and outpatient components alone could create at least 60 high-paying jobs. The facility would offer counseling and medical services to patients experiencing drug and alcohol addiction. Not all people want to have residential treatment, he said. Once the residential facility is up and running, the outpatient clinic will also run assessments for people who may want more extensive rehab treatment. He expects it will take about six months to ready the detox and residential treatment centers. The latter is described as a comfortable, home-like setting. Patients would stay overnight from three to five days in detox and 12 to 15 days in follow-up residential care. In the beginning, the clinic is expected to admit only female patients, although Khowaja said males wont be denied. However, no incarcerated inmates will be admitted. The facility will have 8-foot fences, 24-hour security guards, security cameras and a security post to prevent patients from coming and going in the surrounding neighborhood. Patients would be encouraged not to check themselves out until fully recovered, according to the permit request. The behavioral and mental health hospital is expected to open within the next three years. Khowaja said Shalom chose Beaumont as its first location because a comparatively large percentage of the population lives in poverty. Many rehab and health clinics exist for people with private insurance or who can pay their own way. As a result, people without the resources often fall through the cracks, he said. Because of this, Shalom will accept Medicare and Medicaid. It also plans to apply for state aid to fund programs. Our program will accept everything, he said. The demand is very high. If the Beaumont program is successful, Shalom hopes to replicate it at 19 other centers across Texas within the next five years. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain 3 1 of 3 Port Arthur Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Port Arthur Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The Port Arthur Police Department is looking for a suspect responsible for a robbery late last month, according to information from the department. Officials responded to a call in reference to a robbery in the 1700 block of Duff Drive at about 1 a.m. on December 29. Motiva is giving $890,000 to Hardin-Jefferson Independent School District as a part of recovery efforts for local communities from Tropical Storm Harvey. At a ceremony Tuesday on the boardwalk of Henderson Village beginning at 9:30 a.m., representatives from the company will present the gift to Hardin-Jefferson ISD Board President Michelle Yentzen. A Beaumont man accused of shooting his pregnant girlfriend and 1-year-old child during an altercation with intruders last week is facing federal charges related to firearms and drug trafficking. James Anthony Madrid, 25, is accused of grabbing an assault-style rifle when two other men entered his residence in the 8700 block of Newfield Lane Thursday. His girlfriend and their child were "caught in the crossfire," police said. A Jasper woman has been sentenced to just over 26 years in federal prison for the exploitation of a minor. Janel Saphire Trahan, 33, pleaded guilty in September to the production of child pornography. She appeared in court for and was given a sentence of just over 26 years by Judge Thad Heartfield, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Tuesday in a news release. Trahan was accused of taking a photograph of herself performing oral sex on a 2-year-old girl and sending it to her husband. Evidence presented during her trial also suggested she sent the photo to a private group chat. Investigators with the Houston-Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force came across Janel and her husband while posing as participants in a chat room. Federal investigators started a chat with a person with the username "Lil Mamma," which allegedly was used by Janel Trahan, according to federal court records, and asked whether the user had ever done anything sexually with a child. "Kinda," investigators said Lil Mamma wrote. "She is only 2." The investigator then asked Lil Mamma to send over photos of the girl. Lil Mamma sent three, according to court documents, two of which were pornographic in nature. According to authorities, investigators began exchanging text messages with Lil Mamma, one of which explicitly detailed how she and her husband would sexually assault the girl. Her husband, John Trahan, was charged with two felony promotion of child pornography charges and one possession of child pornography charge in January 2018. The Spring man, 23, allegedly sent three different photos depicting the sexual assault of a child, court documents say. He was sentenced to 20 years in April. Jay R. Jordan and Jennifer Summer contributed to this report. Felon and former state Sen. Carlos Urestis Helotes estate is heading for the foreclosure auction block. The 8,100-square-foot mansion, featuring six bedrooms and six full bathrooms, has been posted for the Feb. 5 foreclosure auction by a mortgage servicer for lender Security Service Federal Credit Union, records show. The property, at 15530 Spur Clip, is slated to be sold outside the Bexar County Courthouse. Uresti received court approval in September to sell the property, which is listed for $1.5 million. The matter is still before the court, according to Daryl Fields, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in San Antonio. As I understand it, the house is still under contract and was supposed to close at the end of the month. Stay tuned, Fields said in an email Monday. Uresti, the longtime Democrat, and his wife, Lleanna, had the house built in 2013 long before his 2017 indictment on charges that he was involved in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors in a now-defunct oil-field services company called FourWinds Logistics. A federal jury last February found Uresti, 55, guilty on 11 felony charges. A judge later sentenced Uresti to 12 years in prison and ordered him to pay $6.3 million in restitution to victims of the fraud. On ExpressNews.com: Uresti gets 12 years in prison The property was posted for foreclosure on Jan. 14. Were just enforcing the terms of the (loan) contract, said Brian Engel, an Austin attorney for the trustee conducting the foreclosure sale, San Antonio attorney Marty LaCoutoure. The Urestis had received an offer from an undisclosed party to buy the property in September. At the time, Uresti, along with the U.S. attorneys office, asked Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra for authority to sell the property. Ezras had issued a restraining order in March barring Uresti, his wife and other family members, representatives and others from disposing of any assets without court approval. Prosecutors asked for the order after alleging Uresti was selling furniture, statues and artwork, which they said could hinder his victims ability to recover their losses. The government also alleged that a divorce petition, filed by Lleanna Uresti shortly after her husbands conviction, was largely to avoid the lien that will arise at sentencing to enable it to apply their property to his restitution debt. Lleanna Uresti has denied the allegation. If the property is sold before the foreclosure, any monies remaining after payment of the outstanding mortgages, taxes and costs related to the sale would go into the courts registry and be applied to the restitution judgment. Mikal Watts, a lawyer for Uresti, didnt have any information on the foreclosure or why the property hasnt sold. This is the first Ive heard about this, Watts said. Juanita Pelaez-Prada, a lawyer for Lleanna Uresti, said she believed there is an ongoing effort to sell the property. I think the parties are still working to accomplish that, Pelaez-Prada said. The Helotes property is described in a Realtor.com listing as a Tuscan sanctuary with stylish Italian warmth (and) hints of royalty. Uresti last month sold his former law office building at 924 McCullough to Hill Country Real Holdings for an undisclosed price, property records show. Two weeks after the sale closed, signage bearing Urestis name was removed from the building. Uresti surrendered his law license following his conviction. Uresti is awaiting sentencing next month in a public corruption case out of Reeves County in West Texas. He pleaded guilty to a single bribery charge, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. As part of his plea, he agreed to drop the appeal of his conviction and sentence in the case involving the oil-field services company. Mid-County has a new watering hole or rather, a caffeine canteen. David Pool, Alicia Huber, Jason Robbins and the restaurateur Randy Edwards brought a fresh concept - and a fresh cup of coffee - to Port Neches with The Avenue Coffee & Cafe. We have a passion for liquid in general and offering the highest quality we can, said Edwards, a Southeast Texas native who moved back to the area. I think the non-alcohol realm has a lot of opportunity because it reaches across every aspect. We felt we could fill a void and offer something a little different. Were a destination coffee shop for sure. With a strong social media presence and a manager with restaurant and bar experience, the group uses individual strengths to promote and grow the business. > > FOOD NEWS: Must-try Southeast Texas eateries With no background in coffee among the partners, just a love for it, Pool set out for a coffee class in Dallas, bringing back ideas to turn their vision into reality. Afterward, he scrapped their previous plans and turned them in a new direction. The cafe specializes in coffee and tea you cant find anywhere else in town, serving Cuvee out of Austin, Oak Cliff out of the Dallas area and Geva coffee out of Houston, which has a very popular cold brew. > > SETX NIGHTLIFE: Ready for happy hour? Beaumont's best bar bites More Information The Avenue Coffee & Cafe Where: 1226 Port Neches Ave, Port Neches, TX 77651 Hours: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday Credit cards: All major Drink situation: coffee, espresso, tea Info: https://www.facebook.com/TheAvenueCoffeeCafe/ https://theavenuecoffeecafe.com/ Price range: $10-$12 See More Collapse Aiming to serve the freshest coffee possible, the partners invested in SP9 single cup brewers, which allows them to make a consistent cup of coffee that takes 3 minutes and is brewed fresh for anyone that walks in the door. It gives the customer more options. Its not like making a batch of two gallons thats going to sit on the counter for two hours. Its worth the wait, said Edwards, who has since transferred his partnership in the cafe to his wife, Brieann Edwards. The Avenue Coffee & Cafe opened during the Port Neches annual Art Walk on the Avenue in November, inviting people in and offering free coffee to those looking at the new space. Drinks include a white chocolate mocha, nitro cold-brew coffee and a single-origin seasonal drip. They have have nitro cold brew in house and serve it over ice as well. The cold brew brownies have proved a hit. > > SPEAKING OF BREW: Beaumont could have 2nd brewery on the way Non-coffee options include the hibiscus hot tea with more tea options soon to be added to the menu as well as fresh lemonade. In addition to coffees and teas, the cafe has sandwiches and pastries. Baker Meagan Hockett has been the driving force behind all of the pastries. With cake doughnuts made in-house, the lemon lavender cake doughnut and a death-by-chocolate cake doughnut have been the biggest sellers. All of the doughnuts are dipped in icing by hand. The menu is expected to soon include salads, wraps and childrens sandwiches. Current best-sellers include the Monte Cristo and Turkey Peach with healthier options in development Aaron Barnhill, who was part of Dat Mac food truck, joined the team and has been working on some innovative items, especially leaning toward healthier options The partners are working to make a space where their now infant children will want to spend time when theyre older. There is also talk of a monthly coffee club, bulk bakery orders and rotating arts displays. Check the cafes social media and website for updates. Kara Timberlake is a freelance writer for Cat5 The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. A Tempe puppy store wants lawmakers to shoot down a new bill they say will hurt their business. It would allow cities to decide how pet stores get animals, but an animal rescue group claims the bill will protect pets and animal lovers. 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. In this June 27, 2018, file photo, Arizona state Rep. David Stringer, R-Prescott, speaks at a community forum to explain his recent immigration remarks at a restaurant in Phoenix. Stringer apologized months after his remarks on race and immigration led to a backlash and the loss of his chairmanship on a key committee. Stringer delivered his unexpected apology at the close of the House session on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. By Leman Mammadova In recent years, the creation of a diversified tourism infrastructure in Azerbaijan has increased the interest of foreign tourists in our country. Azerbaijan is among the fastest-growing destinations for tourists. Simplification of visa regime also plays a major role in the development of tourism in Azerbaijan. Currently, citizens of a number of countries get visas right at the Azerbaijani airports, while other tourists can visit the country by getting online tourist visas. The mesmerizing mix of East and West, the possibility to have a rest on the Caspian Sea shore and enjoy fresh air and delicious meals have always been attracting tourists to Azerbaijan. Many of them get so much fascinated with the country and its capital Baku that they come back to visit Azerbaijan again after a while. Last year, revenues of hotels in the country amounted to 359.4 million manats ($ 211.48 million). In 2018, local population and foreign guests have spent about 3 million nights in hotels throughout the country that is 15.9 percent more than in 2017, the State Statistical Committee told AZERTAC. As much as 59.1 percent of the hotel accommodations were observed in Baku, 10.4 percent in Gabala, 5.4 percent in Khachmaz, 4.1 percent in Naftalan, 3.8 percent in Guba, 3.6 percent in Gusar, 2.9 percent in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Gakh and Ganja, 0.8 percent in Lankaran and 8.1 percent in other regions (cities). The number of nights spent by foreigners and stateless persons increased by 20.3 percent compared to the previous year and amounted to over 2 million, which is 68.3 percent of total accommodations. Of this amount, as many as 13.8 percent of foreigners came from the United Arab Emirates, 11.3 percent from the Russian Federation, 8.8 percent from Saudi Arabia, 4.9 percent from Iran, 4.3 percent from Turkey, 4.2 percent from India, 3.8 percent from Israel, Kuwait, 2.7 percent from Iraq, 2.6 percent from the UK and the U.S., 2.5 percent from Pakistan, 2.4 percent from Qatar, 1.6 percent from Kazakhstan, 1.3 percent from Oman, 1.2 percent from Germany, 1.1 percent from Ukraine, 1 percent from Bahrain and 26.8 percent accounts for the citizens of other countries. As much as 74.2 percent of foreigners stayed in Baku, 10 percent in Gabala, 3.7 percent in Naftalan, 3.2 percent in Gusar, 3.1 percent in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, 3 percent in Guba, 2.8 percent in hotels of other regions and cities. The number of stays by the citizens of Azerbaijan increased by 7.5 percent compared to 2017 and reached 952,900 people. In 2018, the hotels' revenues increased by 26.3 percent or 359.4 million manats ($ 211.48 million) compared to the previous year, including 66.9 percent in services for the provision of rooms, 24 percent on foodstuffs sales, 3.3 percent - on treatment and health services, 5.8 percent - other services. Last year, the average national level of hotel accommodations was 21.4 percent (17.1 percent in 2017). This indicator was 54.8 percent in Naftalan, 37.3 percent in Gabala, 36.1 percent in Baku, 34.7 percent in Kurdamir, 32.7 percent in Agstafa, 30.4 percent in Shamkir, 26.3 percent in Beylagan and in other cities and regions lower than the country's indicator. The highest average level of hospitality use (37.5 percent) was recorded in August. In the modern world, tourism is one of the most dynamically developing and profitable sectors of the economy for each country. The tourism sector accounts for 10 percent of global GDP, and this area has a significant impact on issues of export, investment, infrastructure development and promotion of social integration, stimulates entrepreneurship. Azerbaijan is among the developing countries in the field of tourism, occupying the 39th place among 148 countries in terms of global competitiveness in tourism. In 2018, 2,849,600 tourists from 196 countries arrived in Azerbaijan, showing a 5.7 percent increase compared to 2017, Trend reports referring to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan. Looking at the origin countries, Russians make up the largest part of the tourists havin a share of 30.9 percent, while 21.4 percent came from Georgia, 10.2 percent - Turkey, 8.5 percent - Iran, 3.3 percent - the United Arab Emirates, 2.6 percent - Saudi Arabia, 2.4 percent - Iraq, two percent - Ukraine, 1.4 percent - Israel, 17.2 percent - citizens of other countries, 0.1 percent - stateless persons. Men accounted for 66.1 percent of those who arrived in Azerbaijan, while women accounted for only 33.9 percent. Azerbaijan received most tourists in July (11.6 percent), in August (11.3 percent), in March (9.7 percent) and in June (9.5 percent). On the other hand, tourists visited Azerbaijan less in February (5.8 percent), in January (6.5 percent) and in May (7.3 percent). In 2018, the largest increase in the number of incoming tourists was observed among the citizens of the Gulf countries (except for the UAE and Iran). The number of Saudi Arabian citizens increased 2.2 times, Bahrain doubled, Kuwait 1.8 times, Qatar 1.6 times, Iraq 7.9 percent, Oman 7.4 percent compared to 2017. On the other hand, the number of arriving Iranian and Emirati tourists decreased by 33.7 and 8.3 percent, respectively. In general, 554,100 people came from the Gulf countries, and almost one in five who arrived in Azerbaijan was a citizen of these countries. Compared to the previous year, the number of tourists from India increased by 2.7 times, Israel - by 2.6 times, Egypt, Turkmenistan and South Korea - by 1.7 times and from China - by 1.5 times. As for the EU citizens coming to Azerbaijan, in 2018 their number increased by 6.7 percent to 112,500 people, while the number of the citizens of CIS countries went up by 3.8 percent and reached 1,044,200 people. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders left an unpleasant impression for western neighbors. The expert community realized that some processes had begun that was still hidden from the societies, but easy to guess what was going on. Meanwhile, serious problems are hanging in front of the Armenian state, whilst the authorities and the opposition benefit from having the publics attention focused on smaller problems, such as the release/arrest of a person. Information processes around the Karabakh conflict settlement have the effect of pressure on the Armenian authorities. They are aimed at the challenge of distrust in society and nervousness in power. Political consultant Vigen Hakobyan believes that, at the moment, there are geopolitical centers interested in speeding up negotiations. In their opinion, the high rating of the Armenian Prime Minister can be used to implement certain "unpopular steps." The Armenian expert is undoubtedly right in his supposing that some processes are going on around the Karabakh settlement. Hakobyan is not mistaken when he speaks of attempts to divert the attention of the Armenian society from the Karabakh issue. Although no one knows the specific details, it is clear that the process is not developing in the most favorable Armenian light. Therefore, it is necessary to distract the attention of the Armenian society, which is sick of nationalistic ideology and the products of myth-making. Unfortunately, it is still not capable to realize that the early conflict resolution and the achievement of peace are in the interests, first of all, of the Armenian people. Armenians should also realize that there can be no Armenian-style settlements and there will be no negotiations on the terms of continuing the occupation. If the discussions began, and if they became more active, then the conversations are not going in the direction convenient for the occupiers. Azerbaijan is fully ready to liberate its territories by military means. The Azerbaijani army is several times higher than the occupying forces, and in order to reach this level, Armenia will need years. In addition, as the past decades demonstrated, Azerbaijan is able to live well and develop even in conditions of continuing occupation of part of its territories by Armenia. Of course, without Armenian aggression, this development would be even more active and diversified. Armenia, with its aggression against Azerbaijan, could gain only temporary moral satisfaction, which is already declining. The occupied territories remained de jure for Azerbaijan and the occupation fact is not recognized and will never be recognized by the world. Meanwhile, the Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan made a further statement, assuring the journalists that Yerevan did not deviate from its position on the Karabakh settlement issue. He stressed that discussions are conducted solely around the status and safety of separatist entity (?!). It is definitely not serious, because then the inevitable question arises: why did Baku, suddenly agreed to discuss some kind of "security measures" and especially the status of a self-proclaimed entity with the current authorities of Armenia? The answer to this question does not require much thought. But the most important thing is that the Armenian Foreign Minister is well aware that there is no alternative to the peace. An alternative to peace with Azerbaijan is a catastrophe, he told reporters. And if there is an understanding, it means that Yerevan will try very hard for this peace to be achieved. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Last week, 34 transactions were registered at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan, Trend reports referring to the message of the exchange. Businessmen from the UAE and Afghanistan bought liquefied gas, while businessmen from Russia and Tajikistan purchased high-density polyethylene and polypropylene. In addition, colorless sheet glass, cotton yarn, Portland cement and motor transport were sold to businessmen from Russia, the UK, the UAE, Estonia, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. The total amount of transactions was around $16.248 million. Companies and organizations of all forms of ownership, citizens of Turkmenistan and other countries can participate in exchange trades by acquiring a brokerage site or concluding a service contract with stock brokers. The main export items are petroleum products, cotton fiber, products of the domestic textile industry, chemical industry. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend A meeting of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CIS Member States the first one for this year will be held this year on January 29, 2019 in the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk, Trend reports referring to information from CIS Executive Committee. The opening of an exhibition dedicated to the beginning of Turkmenistans chairmanship in the CIS in 2019 will take place before the meeting. Nazarguly Shagulyyev, the ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belarus, and Sergey Lebedev, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, will speak at the ceremony. It is also planned to formulate a draft agenda for the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of CIS, scheduled for April 5, 2019 in Moscow. The draft agenda of the Council of Foreign Ministers includes issues related to interstate relations in the fields of fundamental research, preservation and proper care of war graves and military monuments of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, development of inter-MFA cooperation, cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, and the fight against crime. A meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of Government is scheduled in Ashgabat at the end of May, with the meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State being held on October 11 this year. The priority objectives within the concept of Turkmenistans CIS chairmanship in 2019 are strengthening trust between states, supporting stability and security, strengthening political and diplomatic interaction, increasing the level of cooperation of the CIS with international organizations (including the UN and the OSCE), creating conditions for enhancing trade economic cooperation, and integration into global economic relations, according to the information of the state news agency "Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary". The key areas of partnership between the CIS countries are energy, transport and communications. Promotion of cultural, humanitarian, scientific, and educational ties, along with relations in the sphere of sports, between the states of the Commonwealth are also of great importance. In 2012, Turkmenistan already chaired the CIS and held about 30 events in this regard. Referring to its status of permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan decided to participate in the CIS structure as an associate member in 2005. In 1999, Turkmenistan withdrew from the Agreement on visa-free regime with all CIS countries. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Iran has reached very important banking agreements with Syria and will also set up a power station in Syrias Latakia province, Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Monday, Trend reported citing Reuters. We will be by Syrias side in the reconstruction phase as we have been by its side in fighting terrorism, Jahangiri said while visiting the Syrian capital Damascus. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Iran's Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian has defended the agreement to form a free trade zone between Iran and the Eurasian states, and asked the parliament to pass the bill immediately. "The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is a single market of 190 million people and the most important and active economic union. The GDP of its member states is $4,000 billion. Russia alone has imported $250 billion worth of goods and products from around the world," said Ardakanian, Trend reports citing ILNA. A temporary agreement previously reached on formation of a free trade zone with Iran was concluded in a summit meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in St. Petersburg. "Vietnam is the only country that joined the free trade agreement with the EEU and the second country will be the Islamic Republic of Iran. It tries to join the economic union before the next meeting of the Iran-Russia economic commission," he said. Iran joined the free trade agreement with the EEU on April 24, 2018, following months of negotiations with Russia. In the initial phase, Iran will sell some 350 items to the bloc, while 180 items will be available in the Iranian market. The EEU includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. It is a political and economic union of states located in central and northern Eurasia. Ardakanian noted: The Iranian goods will become more competitive and the agreement will improve the employment status. On the other hand it will attract investments to the northern and southern regions of Iran that will gain tariff exemptions for imports." He expressed hope that the Iranian MPs will pass the bill. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. By Trend The European Union (EU) expects Armenia to ensure proper investigation of Mher Yeghiazaryans death, Trend reports citing Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Maja Kociancic. Indeed, Armenian investigative Authority reported by died over this weekend after hunger strike. Generally speaking, you know that EU is committed to the prohibition of all forms of torture and ill-treatment and to preserve the human dignity in any circumstances and in this context we expect the government of Armenia to ensure the proper investigation of this case and take measure as they would be appropriate following this investigation. We are aware of the case and we expect the Armenian authorities to act, she said during a midday press-briefing at the European Commission. Mher Yeghiazaryan, responsible for the Haynews.am news website, died in the Nubarashen prison in Yerevan on Jan.26. He was also vice-chairman of the Armenian Eagles: United Armenia political party. Yeghiazaryan was detained by officers of the National Security Service and then arrested last December on charges of fraud and extortion of money from the military. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Despite the velvet revolution, European structures are in no hurry to make investments in a young democracy in the Caucasus. In the next 11 years, the European Union (EU) and the World Bank (WB) will provide about 13 billion euros for the implementation of a number of large-scale infrastructure projects in six countries participating in the Eastern Partnership program. Armenia will receive the least funding from EU - only 732 million euros. In turn, the European Commission (EC) is ready to support the implementation of three transport projects in Azerbaijan for a total amount of 1.1 billion euros. According to the Indicative Action Plan for Investing in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), prepared by the EU jointly with the World Bank, the plan included a project to create five logistics centers (369 million euros), the creation of a free trade zone in the Alat settlement (410 million euro) and the modernization of the East-West railway (328 million euros). A document prepared by the EU in December 2018 states that infrastructure projects in the Eastern Partnership countries are being implemented jointly with the World Bank. The aim of the project is to promote economic development in the Eastern Partnership countries - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova, which will lead to job creation, increased access to various markets and reduce the vulnerability of these countries to all kinds of shocks. The presented program provides funding for transport infrastructure projects - roads, railways, airports, ports and logistics centers. According to the EU document, under this program, Armenia will receive 732 million euros, Azerbaijan - 2.08 billion euros, Belarus - 1.25 billion euros, Georgia - 3.4 billion euros, Moldova - 917 million euros, and Ukraine - 4.45 billion euros. Armenia, with funding from the EU and the World Bank, plans to implement six road projects, as well as to improve the Meghri border checkpoint. And that's all. Now in Armenia, they are wondering whether why the least amount of money was provided for this country. In Yerevan, they counted on something more, taking into account the factor of "velvet revolution" and the image of the new authorities of Armenia. The current situation has once again proved that image is nothing compared to the real possibilities of a country and its economic interest for foreign partners. Armenia cannot implement port improvement or port infrastructure projects due to lack of opportunities. The country could not also present railway projects since the Armenian railways were transferred to the concession management of the Russian Railways state-owned company of Russia, and the EU would hardly finance any Russian state organization. The construction of a new Iranian railway is inexpedient from European point of view since there is already a rail link connecting the region with Iran through Azerbaijan. Therefore, the absence of port and railway programs in Armenia is quite evident. No other projects capable of attracting large investments are implemented in Armenia. There are no plans to implement them, because the country is in a dead end, having no access to the outside world due to the occupation of the neighboring Azerbaijani territories that has been going on for many years. The possibilities of Armenia, limited by aggressor policy, with all the benefits of its geographical position, put an end to its participation in large projects implemented in the region on the initiative and with the financial support of Azerbaijan. While Azerbaijan has already turned into a regional hub, Armenia confidently holds the title of a regional deadlock. And serious partners will not invest in projects that have no paths for development. An example of what a serious regional project means is the free economic zone (FEZ) created by Azerbaijan in the Alat settlement, which also includes the largest international commercial sea port in the Caspian Sea. Or the North-South corridor passing through Azerbaijan, which is designed for the transportation of goods from India and the Gulf countries to Russia, Western Europe, the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is connected to the East-West corridor and has become its inseparable component. The most important thing is to remind neighbors that Armenia could also be a part of all this. Now it's up to the Armenian society to take good lesson and make a right choice. Thirty years ago, it took a wrong step and came to today's grim reality. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Uzbekistan proposed British BP and Azerbaijani SOCAR to explore three investment blocks in the country. Uzbekistan offered Azerbaijan state-owned company SOCAR and BP to explore the possibilities of joint geological study of investment blocks in Ustyurt region of Uzbekistan, Trend reports via Uzbekneftegaz. The preposition was made at the meeting of Uzbekneftegaz JSC, SOCAR and BP representatives with the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Alisher Sultanov. Moreover, it was also noted that partnership with SOCAR and BP is a priority for the oil and gas industry of Uzbekistan. Attracting foreign direct investment without the participation of third parties was among the topical issues. On this base, representatives of foreign companies were invited to explore the possibilities of joint geological exploration of the Aralomorsk, Sam-Kosbulak and Bayterek investment blocks of the Ustyurt region, the message says. Representatives of delegations expressed their interest and spoke about the meetings held on this issue in the joint-stock companies IGIRNIGM, Uzbekgeofizika and "O'ZLITINEFTGAZ". Following the negotiations, the need for additional seismic and geophysical work on these investment blocks was stressed. The parties agreed to continue the dialogue in designated areas. Attracting Azerbaijani and British companies will allow applying advanced foreign technologies and methods to increase the efficiency of prospecting and production of hydrocarbons, as well as contribute to the discovery of new fields and the training of domestic specialists. It should be noted that as of May 2018, Uzbekneftegaz, BP and SOCAR signed two memorandums to explore the possibility of conducting joint exploration and development of fields in Uzbekistan and a memorandum of understanding to explore the possibilities of exploration in the investment blocks of Uzbekistan. Thus, BP has already begun exploration of the Fergana Valley and Karakalpakstan last year. Moreover, SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz reached an agreement on joint oil and gas operations in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as in third countries in June 2017. In recent years, 211 hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered in Uzbekistan. One of the last is the Lower Surgil field on the Ustyurt plateau. Here, at a depth of 3,600 meters, industrial reserves of gas condensate were found. According to the State Statistics Committee, oil production in Uzbekistan decreased by 8.2 percent to 746.4 thousand tons in 2018 compared with 2017, while natural gas increased by 6.1 percent to 59.842 billion cubic meters. The capacities of Uzbekneftegaz allow for the production of natural gas in the amount of about 70 billion cubic meters and liquid hydrocarbons in the amount of 8 million tons per year. Uzbekistan, which ranks first in the world in gas production, produces about 60 billion cubic meters of gas annually. According to recent data, natural gas reserves in Uzbekistan are 1.1 trillion cubic meters and oil reserves are 100 million tons. Uzbekistan will invest $ 30.4 billion in oil and gas sector by 2021. By 2020, Uzbekistan plans to implement 38 projects in the oil and gas industry with a total value of about $ 20.6 billion. The projects to be implemented in the oil and gas sector will increase total gas production in the country by 2017-2021 to 53.5 billion cubic meters, and oil production to 1.9 million tons. Attracting foreign direct investment without the participation of third parties was among the topical issues. On this base, representatives of foreign companies were invited to explore the possibilities of joint geological exploration of the Aralomorsk, Sam-Kosbulak and Bayterek investment blocks of the Ustyurt region, the message says --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR transferred 1.604 billion manats to the state budget in 2018, SOCAR told Trend. SOCARs budget transfers increased by 93.2 million manats or 6.2 percent in 2018 compared to 2017. Moreover, SOCAR paid 172,469 manats to the Azerbaijani State Social Protection Fund in 2018, which is 10.6 percent more than in 2017. Speaking about the growth of the company's profitability, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev stressed that SOCAR carried out many necessary reforms over the past 10 years to increase the companys operational efficiency. "SOCARs revenues and budget payments are growing, he said. Today, the company receives most of its revenues from foreign operations." (1.7 AZN = 1 USD on Jan. 29) --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Martyr families in Azerbaijan are always in the center of high attention and care of the president, and their social protection increases from year to year, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Academician Ziya Bunyadov of Azerbaijans National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), MP Govhar Bakhshaliyeva told Trend Jan. 29. She said that the meeting of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva Jan. 28 with the families of martyrs became a vivid example of the attention and respect for the families of martyrs. "During the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev showed high attention to the parents of martyrs and treated every father, mother of martyrs as relatives," Bakhshaliyeva added. "This once again demonstrated how dear our martyrs and their families are, as well as respect for them." Bakhshaliyeva noted that the attention and care for the martyr families are always reflected in the decrees and orders of the president. "In our country, important steps are being taken to strengthen the social protection of martyr families and war invalids," she said. "Over the past period, citizens from this category were given 6,654 apartments, including 626 apartments in 2018, which is three times more than was envisaged. In 2019, there are plans to provide the citizens from this category with at least 800 apartments." She noted that the decree dated Jan. 28, 2019, which is of important social significance and represents another manifestation of great attention and care, further expanded the circle of martyr families, who will receive one-time assistance. "Thanks to another humane initiative of the president, a one-time payment will be made to the heirs of 2,264 martyr servicemen and 461 police officers who became martyrs," she added. "In accordance with the new decree, payments cover 12,268 heirs of martyrs, and the amount of funds paid reaches 135 million manats." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by Russia-1 TV channel in Davos on Jan. 21. Russia-1 TV channel broadcast the interview on Jan. 28. President Aliyev answered the questions on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Thank you very much for agreeing to answer our questions. What situation should we expect in the oil market and what could the prices be this year? I think that everything will depend on how the agreements countries have reached within the OPEC+ format are implemented. Azerbaijan, for its part, has taken the necessary measures and made commitments to reduce oil production, and we are honoring these obligations. Therefore, I think that if all countries take a responsible approach to this issue, then the price will probably remain in today's range of $60-$70 per barrel. Although it is very difficult to make a prediction for the whole year, I think, and according to most analysts, this range may be realistic and also most suitable for companies, for exporting countries and for consumers. At the end of last year, it was reported that American oil and gas companies decided to leave Azerbaijan after 25 years. What could be the reason for this decision and who can replace them? This practice existed before. As you noted, Azerbaijan has been successfully working with international companies on the exploration and development of major oil and gas fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea for 25 years. Over the years, some companies have sold their shares and others bought them. So it is a natural process. I have to say that Azerbaijan's oil and gas projects are very profitable. Over the past 15 years, about $250 billion have been invested in our economy. Half of this investment is foreign and most of it was channeled into the oil and gas sector. Export oil and gas pipelines were also built, allowing us the opportunity to transport our oil in many directions. Therefore, the profitability of oil and gas projects is increasing today, of course. Each company has its own investment policy and strategy. Some prefer to leave a project by selling its shares. Over 25 years, our main energy partners have long recovered all their costs and made a major profit. Therefore, I think that the decision of American companies to sell their shares is quite natural, and who will buy them will depend on who they offer them to. Of course, Azerbaijan as a host country of resources has the right to approve or reject these transactions. But, as a rule, all previous transactions have been approved by us. It seems that the main rule in the world is the absence of any rules in relations between countries and in international trade. How dangerous is this? You know, when decisions of international organizations are not executed or are executed selectively, when resolutions of the UN Security Council are also executed on a selective basis in some cases in a matter of days and in some cases they remain on paper for more than 20 years of course, all this leads to the devaluation of the international world order. And the absence of rules or their violation is certainly fraught with consequences. In other words, trust is undermined and the level of interaction between countries is reduced. In fact, this leads to conflicts, to certain difficulties and tensions in relations between many countries. Therefore, the mechanism that has been developed, whether it is good or bad, exists. This applies to international relations, this also applies to economic issues and issues related to investment. And we, Azerbaijan, are a country that always supports the rule of law and compliance with the norms of international law, including rigorous implementation of all decisions and resolutions of leading international organizations. Therefore, of course, it is sad to observe the present-day picture. This concerns, as I said, both international issues and the issues related to economic ones. Trust is undermined, predictability is undermined and it becomes more difficult to do business. But again, returning to our country, I must say that both in international issues and in the fulfillment of our obligations under all contracts and investment projects, we are always fully committed to the letter and spirit of the documents we have signed. Thank you very much! Thank you! --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The absence of rules or their violation is certainly fraught with consequences, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with the TV channel Russia-1 in Davos. "In other words, trust is undermined and the level of interaction between countries is reduced. In fact, this leads to conflicts, to certain difficulties and tensions in relations between many countries," the president said. President Aliyev noted that it is sad to observe the present-day picture. "This applies to international relations, this also applies to economic issues and issues related to investment. Trust is undermined, predictability is undermined and it becomes more difficult to do business," the president added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The head of Azerbaijan National Non-governmental Organizations Forum, Rauf Zeyni, on behalf of the structures represented in the forum, sent an appeal to the members of the European Parliament, Trend reports referring to the forum. The appeal says that the European Parliament on Jan. 17 adopted a "Resolution on the violation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Azerbaijan." "We know that this document was adopted on the basis of information about the initiation of a new criminal case against the imprisoned blogger Mehman Huseynov and allegedly he is on a hunger strike in prison. Unfortunately, it is not for the first time that MEPs, deceived by a number of organizations, individuals, and even some co-chairs, are being urged to vote for a prejudiced and biased document on the basis of unverified data," the appeal reads. The appeal also puts the question why the European Parliament does not demonstrate an adequate position in connection with the brutal dictatorship that has dominated Armenia for many years, election fraud, political assassinations and other crimes. "Though the MEPs should be sufficiently aware of what is happening in Armenia. Did you not know that peaceful demonstrators were shot in Armenia, political opponents of the government were physically eliminated, that all elections in the country were falsified, all protests and hunger strikes were ignored and that in March 2017, the political prisoner Artur Sargsyan, who was on hunger strike, died? Maybe you are not aware of the death of another political prisoner Mher Yeghiazaryan, who was on a hunger strike two days ago?" the appeal further noted. In conclusion, the appeal expressed hop that, at least after this, the European Parliament will be committed to the values and principles that it declares and will give a timely and adequate assessment of the processes taking place in each country that is part of the European space. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The multimedia round table entitled "Russia-Azerbaijan: Agenda for 2019" will be held at the press-center of Trend news agency on January 30, 2019. From the Azerbaijani side, PhD, Head of Baku Network Elkhan Alasgarov, deputy director general of Trend news agency Lina Vaitkeviciene, senior adviser of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center Tofig Abbasov, head of the press-center of the Sputnik Azerbaijan news agency Ilqar Valizade will take part in the round table. From the Russian side, Director of the Center for Post-Soviet Studies at the Institute of International Studies of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Russian Foreign Ministry Stanislav Chernyavsky, Chairman of the Expert Council of the Workshop of Eurasian Ideas Research Support Foundation, member of the Expert Advisory Group at the Russian CEC Grigory Trofimchuk, Associate Professor at the Department of Post-Soviet Countries of the Russian State University for the Humanities Aleksandr Gushchin will take part in the round table. Over the past year, Russia and Azerbaijan confirmed and strengthened the policy for the active strategic partnership to reach higher level of cooperation. The level of political trust and the potential of economic cooperation between the parties are progressively increasing. Azerbaijan is becoming one of Russia's priority partners in the South Caucasus, which contributes to ensuring regional stability and the implementation of big transnational projects, such as North-South transport corridor. The signing of the Caspian Convention opens up new prospects for cooperation in the Caspian sector. The dialogue between the parties in other international formats, in particular, the CIS and the SCO, is being intensified. The important decisions were made by the parties with a view to mutually beneficial development of bilateral cooperation, including the implementation of the joint action plan in key economic areas till 2024. Will those decisions be implemented in 2019? What will be the geopolitical situation in the region? What are risks and expectations? The experts will voice their views on these and other topical issues of interaction between Russia and Azerbaijan during the Moscow-Baku video-conference. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The elements that fulfill the orders of foreign anti-Azerbaijan centers are engaged in destroying the country from inside, striving to find peace in the "passion for rallies", Vugar Rahimzade, a member of the Political Council of the New Azerbaijan Party, chief editor of the Iki Sahil newspaper, told Trend. "These people, who do not have social support, authority in society, each time under the pretext of holding rallies gather 3-5 people around themselves, put forward slogans based on the theses of foreign sponsors and thus once again demonstrate their disgraceful position," Rahimzade said. Commenting on the opposition rally on Jan. 19, he noted that this show demonstrates its weakness, the lack of support from the Azerbaijani people. He added that the true goal of such elements is to get grants from the Armenian lobby and anti-Azerbaijan forces. "For this purpose, they lie a lot, changing masks one by one. However, people are already tired of the slogans, speeches of these destroyers, their senseless and deceitful promises that have not changed for 25 years now," Rahimzade said. He also said that one of the missions of these destroyers is to seem heroic on social networks and do things that they cannot do in real life. "On one of the pages on social networks, the rally of Jan. 19 is presented as "great heroism". But people cannot be deceived by this kind of lie. Observations show that the rally on Jan. 19, as usual, is remembered as unsuccessful," he said. He noted that in order to fulfill orders received from abroad, these destroyers are even ready to turn Azerbaijan into Syria, Libya and other countries where there is confrontation between citizens. "Naturally, the Azerbaijani state, its leadership and the people have never allowed and will not allow these dirty intentions to be embodied. The destroyers themselves have only listened to their lies, the empty promises they have been making for 25 years," he added. Rahimzade also said the destroyers' attempt to come to the Martyrs Alley on Jan. 20 and arrange outrage instead of paying tribute to the martyrs testifies to the lack of self-esteem among those persons. The radical opposition, organizing a political show on Jan. 20, showed disrespect for the martyrs who fell for the freedom of the country, he added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Mikhail Avagyan, who became the executioner of Azerbaijani civilians in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, is an enemy not only of the Turks, but also of Georgians, head of the Turkish Association that Struggles Against International Baseless Armenian Lies (ASIMDER) Goksel Gulbey said, Trend reports. A monument to Avagyan recently erected in Georgia is not a coincidence, he said. "Such a step was taken on the day of the 29th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy," Gulbey added. Azerbaijani extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Georgia immediately held a meeting at the Georgian Foreign Ministry. 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. 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. 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The ceasefire monitoring on the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district, held in accordance with the mandate of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Jan. 29, ended without incidents, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Ghenadie Petrica and Simon Tiller. On the Armenian side, the monitoring was held by Mikhail Olaru, Ognjen Jovic and Martin Schuster, field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Armenia must understand that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's settlement is beneficial for the entire region's development, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Leyla Abdullayeva, said. Abdullayeva made the remarks at a meeting with Italian journalists in Baku, where a journalist from the Agenzia Nova news agency also participated, Trend reports on Jan. 28. The adoption of the declaration on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during Italys OSCE chairmanship opened the way for the current intensive negotiations to resolve the conflict lasting for many years, she said. According to Agenzia Nova, Abdullayeva made this statement referring to the joint declaration adopted in Milan when the meeting of the Council of Ministers was held as part of the completion of Italys OSCE chairmanship in December 2018. "Azerbaijan has a complex geostrategic position, which, of course, affects our foreign policy," Abdullayeva said. Abdullayeva spoke about the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as a result of the conflict, and the problem of more than one million refugees and internally displaced people living away from their ancestral lands. "Our goal is to return the occupied Azerbaijani territories through the maximal development of the country, she added. "If Armenia understood that as a result of withdrawal of its troops from the Azerbaijani territories the whole region would develop, all strategic infrastructure and energy projects in the Caucasus would be more functional," Abdullayeva added. Touching upon the intensification of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia in connection with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Abdullayeva stressed that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan had a meeting in the 2+3 format (Azerbaijan and Armenia + co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group) in January 2019 and an agreement on the continuation of negotiations in February was reached. She stressed the need to continue discussions, saying the new meeting will become important for mutual understanding of positions. Each side agrees that the bilateral negotiations consist of two official sides - Armenia and Azerbaijan, she said. Bakus position on this issue is clear. "The structure illegally created in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is not recognized by any country, even by Armenia itself, Abdullayeva said. Azerbaijan only wants its territorial integrity to be respected." Abdulayeva noted that settlement of the conflict is possible only after the de-occupation of Azerbaijani territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh, and the provision of a high autonomy status to the region within Azerbaijan. Abdullayeva also highlighted another positive result achieved during the last meeting in Paris. She noted that during this meeting, there was emphasized a need for both governments to prepare the population of both countries for peace. "Of course, it is not easy to resolve the conflict, but internationally recognized borders of all countries must be respected," she 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova Italian actor and director, known for his role in the film "La Piovra", Remo Girone held master class in Baku. The event was organized as part of the first ever Italian-Azerbaijan Film Festival with the support of Ca Foscari University of Venice and Azerbaijan University of Culture and Arts. President of the festival, jury chairman of Zoroaster Award Remo Girona and his spouse Argentinean actress of Italian origin Victoria Zinny, festival's artistic director, filmmaker and screenwriter Claudio Rossi Massimi, head of Imago Group Lucia Machaleni, and Head of United Cultures Paola Casagrande attended the meeting with the youth, Trend Life reported. At the meeting, it was told about the development of modern and, in particular, Italian cinema. Remo Girone also spoke about his work. Initially, he studied economics and trade. In 1971, he moved to the Silvio DAmico National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome. He made his film debut in 1974 in the film "Rome wants another Caesar" by a Hungarian director Miklos Jancso. In 1977, he received an invitation from the Italian director Pasquale Squitieri to play in the film "Corleone". In this film, Remo Girone starred together with Giuliano Gemma, Claudia Cardinale, Michele Placido and Francisco Rabal. This was his first mafia role. Remo Girone gained world fame in the 80-90s as he played Tano Carridi in TV series about the Italian mafia " La Piovra ". He starred in more than 60 films, played many roles on the theater stage. In 1991, he made his debut as a film director. The meeting also discussed the role of Ca Foscari University of Venice in the development of Italian cinema. Short films by university students were screened at the event. First ever Italian-Azerbaijan Film Festival will run until January 30. The festival is taking place at Nizami Cinema Center and Landmark's Cine Club. The event was co-organized by the Imago Group and Sandro Teti Editore, the United Culture Center, with the support of the Culture Ministry of Azerbaijan. The film screenings are divided into three parts - Italian, Azerbaijani and international. The festival presents the work of both beginners and famous directors from around the world. The main purpose of the event is to identify young talents, to create a platform for the exchange of experience between directors from different countries. Guests of the festival will be actors and directors from around the world. The festival program is also full of seminars, creative debates, meetings. Fifteen selected films by Azerbaijani and Italian juries will be screened during the festival. Winners will be awarded with special prize "Zoroaster Award" on January 30. The prizes will be also given in various nominations: The Best Feature Italian Film, The Best Feature Azerbaijani Film, The Best Feature International Film, The Best International Documentary, The Best Director, The Best Actor, The Best Cameraman, The Best Music. Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend As of December 31, 2018, the assets of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) amounted to 7.9 billion manats, Trend reports with reference to the bank's message. The bank, which demonstrated positive development dynamics over the past two years, successfully completed the year 2018, the report said. Measures to improve profitability, optimize costs and improve service quality further strengthened the banks capital adequacy indicators. Thus, the total capital of IBA reached 982 million manats at the end of 2018, and the capital adequacy ratio increased from 17 to 32 percent. As of the end of the reporting period, the banks loan portfolio increased by more than 8 percent and amounted to 1.9 billion manats. Large corporate clients, small and medium-sized businesses received loans and guarantees worth about 500 million manats from the bank. The events implemented to improve the efficiency of activity also had a positive impact on the profitability of the bank. The IBA completed 2018 with a net profit of 425.8 million manats. Net profit received from the banks operating activities amounted to about 200 million manats, minus the results of financial operations conducted in previous years by the state as part of the measures for the banks recovery. Abbas Ibrahimov, chairman of the Board of the IBA, noted that the bank continues to implement processes aimed at renewal and development. Being a modern state bank, we are trying to support various sectors of the economy, he said. The IBA always made a special contribution to the development of cashless payments and innovative payment services in Azerbaijan, and we aim to further expand our activities in this direction by providing new products and services. At the same time, we will continue providing support to large corporate customers, small and medium-sized businesses in the successful implementation of their projects. (1.7 manats = 1 USD on Jan. 29) --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend This year, on the instruction by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the self-employment program in the country will cover 8,000 people, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev said, Trend reports. He was speaking at a conference dedicated to the results of implementation of the State Program for the Social and Economic Development of Azerbaijani Districts in 2014-2018. Babayev noted that the self-employment program will give impetus to the development of micro and small businesses. The minister added that low-income families, martyr families, young people and others will be involved in the program. Last year, the self-employment program coverage increased sixfold, he said. There were 7,800 appeals, 7,267 people successfully completed courses and trainings, defended their business plans and 5,500 people were provided with assets. He noted that 1,200 women took part in the program, and this indicates the development of womens entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan. The program contributes to increasing labor productivity and economic activity of the population, increasing family income, creating additional jobs, as well as increasing the number of taxpayers and social insurance payments. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend On January 16, 2019, the largest SATTE exhibition dedicated to tourism and travel was held at the India Expo Center. The 26th event lasted 3 days and caused an excellent response from market leaders. The exhibition was attended by over 1,000 exhibitors and 50 representatives from 90 cities across India. Eurotourism Travel Agency took part in this largest exhibition and stood out against all other companies with extensive experience in the field of tourism, many Indian companies were pleasantly surprised that the company has been operating since 1995. A representative of the company held about 80 meetings with representatives of the Indian tourism market, and about 10 meetings with representatives of other countries. A meeting was also held with the head of the Indian Tourism Association. Azerbaijan caused great interest in the Indian market as a result; about 200 new contacts were received. For many years, SATTE as an industry platform has captured itself in the travel and tourism industry. This allowed Indian and international participants and customers to connect, start new partnerships and strengthen the business, offering unique opportunities. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Belarus and Azerbaijan has already launched the cooperation in electrobus supply. Belarusian OJSC Holding management company Belkommunmash will supply four electrobuses to Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to Belarusian media. The electrobuses will go for a test drive on specially organized routes in Ganja city of Azerbaijan. "A joint assembly production will be set up at the Ganja Automobile Plant in the future. A cooperation agreement was signed during a visit of the Azerbaijani delegation headed by the Ganja Executive Power to the Minsk enterprise," the media reports. Earlier, the Ganja Automobile Plant signed an agreement with the Belarusian company OJSC Holding management company "Belkommunmash for the supply of component electric buses to and their assembly in Azerbaijan. 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The first Baku PR forum of specialists from Turkic-speaking countries was held in Baku on January 26. The forum was attended by PR specialists from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as local specialists, Trend Life reported. At the opening, the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Public Relations Specialists Association (APRA), Ilham Mammadzade, spoke about the activities of the APRA, which he leads, as well as about the future projects of this organization. He noted that the main purpose of the forum is to unite PR specialists of Turkic-speaking countries at a single event, expanding the horizons of mutual cooperation between Turk-speaking PR specialists, and thus ensuring the development of the PR sphere by generating new trends and ideas in this area. The event, which consisted of three sessions, featured presentations on various topics in the field of public relations. The first session of the forum was dedicated to the topic "Trends in the development of modern communication technologies". President of the International Association for Public Relations (IPRA), Svetlana Starevreva spoke on the topic "Telling your story in the era of digital transformation and artificial intelligence", the head of the Turkish Society Public Relations (TUHID) Goncha Karakash addressed the topic "Future Trends in PR".... Besides, co-founder of KeepFace platform in Azerbaijan, Emin Veliyev discussed "Modern communication channels and influensers" and business consultant of Afandi Consultancy company Ilham Efendiyev addressed the topic "Effective digital PR". The second session was devoted to the issues of branding and public relations of countries. Former IPRA President Jeyda Aydede made a presentation on the topic "How is marketing and PR of the country done". The session continued with presentations by a member of the European Expert Council Veli Alibekov on the topic "Can a country become a brand?". The head of the Bishkek PR School Gulnura Toraliyeva discussed "Anti-crisis communications and strategic approaches in PR", as well as the director of the Scientific and Methodological Center for Culture and Further Training Asiba Usubaliyev spoke on the topic "Possibilities of PR technologies in the promotion of Turkic culture." During the third session, reviewing the state of development of PR, as well as its problems and prospects in Turkic-speaking countries, APRA external relations coordinator Kamran Aliyev spoke on "Public Relations in Azerbaijan: unsystematic PR or PR based on campaigns". Head of the Action Global Communications Kazakhstan Tariel Jalalla addressed the theme "PR market of Kazakhstan and trends", director of the Laboratoriya PR Agency Afet Yagubova spoke on the topic "Is PR PR in the era of paid media". In addition, deputy director of the International Press Club of Uzbekistan Jaloliddin Usmonov spoke on the topic "PR in Uzbekistan". During the forum, speakers stressed the importance of public relations in terms of the success of an organization or company. They underlined that consistency and duration are major criteria in the implementation of PR activities. At the end of the event, it was decided to send proposals to the Azerbaijan Ministry of Education on the inclusion of PR as an independent specialty in the educational program for teaching in higher educational institutions of the country. In conclusion, the speakers and sponsors were awarded by the event organizers. The organizers of the forum initiated by the Association of Public Relations Specialists of Azerbaijan (APRA) are Baku School of PR LLC and Alibayov Communication & Consulting LLC. The event was sponsored by Sinerji Pro (platinum sponsor), mobile operator Nar (telecommunications partner), Ulduz chocolate factory, and other companies. The forum is officially supported by the London-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), as well as the Turkish Public Relations Association (TUHID). Media partners of the event are Azernews.az Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Azernews' interview with Ambassador of South Korea to Azerbaijan Kim Tong-op Question: Azerbaijan and South Korea strengthen bilateral relations developing in different areas of cooperation since 1992. What, in your opinion, is the main joint achievement for the years of cooperation and how do you assess the current state of relationship? Answer: It is remarkable that our two countries made the conspicuous diplomatic achievements in such a short period of time. Mutual exchanges of high-level visits and a number of successful activities by Korean companies in Azerbaijan have continuously contributed to the expansion of bilateral relations. Trade volume has increased, and so do the cultural relations and human exchanges. We have also established regular consultation channels both in political and economic spheres at the deputy-minister level. Most of all, however, I would say that the official visit of President Roh Moohyun to Azerbaijan in 2006 and the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Korea in 2007 must be the most important achievements in our history of mutual cooperation since 1992. Both visits crowned the initial stage of our bilateral cooperation and launched higher stages of mutual understanding and substantial cooperation between our two countries. Q.: So far, two countries enjoyed the advanced bilateral relations especially in economics. What results have been achieved in the economic relations and mutual investments between Azerbaijan and South Korea? A.: Indeed, Korea and Azerbaijan have achieved great economic success. In 2017, the trade turnover between the two countries was $85.5 million, a number that has doubled within 11 months in 2018, and has reached $150 million. So far, Korea has invested $180 million to the Azerbaijan economy and there is a good potential for development of relations in the agriculture, education, healthcare spheres. The Framework Agreement on Grant Aid between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan which was signed in Baku this month is one of our most remarkable joint achievements and will have a very positive impact on the further development of bilateral relations. Q.: What about the activities of South Korean companies in Azerbaijan? What could you say about the cooperation between Samsung Engineering and SOCAR? A.: I would like to stress the successful activities of Korean companies in the industrial, transport management, urban planning, architecture and other fields in Azerbaijan. Korean companies have successfully administered large projects such as the establishment of the Intellectual Transport Management System, the constructions of the Olympic main stadium and the Azersu main office building, and also the Sumgayit carbamide plant. We are witnessing numerous ongoing economic reforms, in particular in the non-oil sector, agriculture, customs and tax that are likely to make Azerbaijan a more attractive country to Korean companies. Currently, Samsung Engineering Co. completed the construction of the SOCAR Carbamide Plant in Sumgayit. I would like to stress that the launch will surely contribute to development of non-oil sector of Azerbaijan economy and it makes us proud to see Korean companies active involvement in recent ongoing economic reforms. Q.: Azerbaijan with an excellent geo-strategic position in the junction of Europe and Asia could offer profitable transportation options to South Korea. What are your visions on the future of this interaction between the two countries? A.: Nowadays, Azerbaijan restores its status as a logistic hub, as historically it has been an important part of the Great Silk Road, due to its favorable geographical position and ongoing big infrastructural projects. Currently President Ilham Aliyev strategically pursues the development of transport corridors together with the strategy of non-oil sector development. I think that Azerbaijans growing prestige in the region will further strengthen as the launch of BTK railway and the Alat Sea Trade Port promises an increase in investment and trade opportunities. In this juncture, I would like to point up that our Government aims to reinforce cooperation with the Northern Region, including Eurasia. For this purpose, the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation was launched on June 2017 and it is actively pursues the cooperation projects. Taking into consideration that both Korea and Azerbaijan enjoy advancing economic relations, I believe that Azerbaijan and Korea will benefit from these opportunities in the future. Q.: Finally, what can you tell us about the cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries and what developments are expected in bilateral relations in the subsequent years? A.: Cooperation in cultural and humanitarian spheres is extremely important in a sense that it makes a solid basis of the longer-term development of bilateral relations. In this regard, the Korean Government has implemented a variety of cultural and educational projects to enhance mutual understanding in sustainable manner. Annually, the Embassy organizes or assists those cultural events like the K-Pop contest, Quiz on Korea contest in cooperation with Azerbaijan universities and Taekwondo Tournament Game for Ambassadors Cup. The Korean traditional costumes exhibitions, Korean cuisine festival or Korean traditional music performances are also regularly held in Baku. Moreover, we make visits to the IDP settlements. Korean companies in Azerbaijan and social organizations like SEBA(Korea-Azerbaijan Cultural Exchange Association) also actively participate in this meaningful project. Its so fantastic to see that there are a lot of Korea-fans in Azerbaijan. Already in 1994, the Azerbaijan Language University opened Korean Language Department and in 2007 Baku State University established bachelors degree course of Korea Studies. Furthermore since 2011 Xezer University provides Korea language course and Nachchivan State University opened the Korea Center. In 2018, Korea Foundation piloted the Sejonghagdang school in Baku State University. Therefore, its no wonder that Hansamo(Azerbaijani Korea-Lovers-Network) has been formed and boast of more than 2,000 memberships. The consistent reforms and the strategic development plan of Azerbaijan government under President Ilham Aliyevs strong guidance serve as constant factors for Korean businessmen to have more interests. I have every reason to expect that more Korean companies will try the opportunities in Azerbaijan not only in mega projects of construction, transportation and energy sectors, but in the non-oil and high-tech industries as well. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 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: The European Union will provide Armenia with additional financial assistance this year in recognition of democratic change in the country, a senior EU official said during a visit to Yerevan on Tuesday. Johannes Hahn, the EU commissioner for European neighborhood and enlargement negotiations, said Armenia will be rewarded for the developments of last year. He singled out the conduct of the December 9 parliamentary elections, saying that they are regarded as free and fair by the international community. This is something good, something unique so far in Armenias recent history, Hahn told a joint news conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian held before his talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Hahn did not specify the likely amount of the extra EU aid. He said only that it will be allocated from an EU fund designed to reward partner states special achievements in the areas of democratization and rule of law. In July, Pashinian criticized the EU for not boosting its assistance to Armenia following the velvet revolution that brought him to power. The head of the EU Delegation in Yerevan, Piotr Switalski, countered at the time that the new Armenian government needs to propose specific reform-oriented projects before demanding greater aid. According to Pashinians press office, the prime minister and Hahn discussed, among other things, a possible expansion of EU-supported development programs in Armenia when they met later on Friday. They agreed that the implementation of new initiatives in the fields of infrastructure, education, energy and other areas might be promising, the office said in a statement. It said the two sides stressed in this regard the importance of implementing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed by the EU and Armenia in 2017. Hahn described his talks with Pashinian as open and forward looking. I have reassured the PM that Armenia can count on EU support in implementing CEPA and introducing comprehensive reforms for the benefit of Armenian citizens, he wrote on his Twitter page. We need to seize the moment to consolidate democracy, also to the benefit of the economic development of the country! added the EU official. Speaking at the news conference, Hahn said he is also discussing with Armenian leaders the possibility of organizing an investment forum in Yerevan for potential European investors. He said their interest in Armenias economy has increased since the velvet revolution. There is a very positive mood in the country which also has a spillover effect abroad, stated Hahn. Four days after meeting with him in Moscow, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian telephoned his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday for further discussions on Russian-Armenian commercial ties. In a short statement, Pashinians press service said he and Medvedev talked about cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and bilateral relations. It gave no details. A Russian government statement said the phone conversation took place at the initiative of the Armenian side. It said the two premiers continued discussions on pressing issues of Russian-Armenian commercial and investment-related cooperation which were on the agenda of their Moscow talks held on Friday. They also touched upon integration interaction within the EEU, the statement added without elaborating. Official press releases on Pashinians January 25 meeting with Medvedev were also short on specifics. They indicated only that the two men focused on economic issues. The Russian government also noted that the meeting took place at the request of the Armenian side. While in Moscow, Pashinian also visited the headquarters of the EEUs executive body, the Eurasian Economic Commission. Speaking there, he praised the EEU and reaffirmed Armenias continued membership in the Russian-led trade bloc. Pashinian did not meet with Russias President Vladimir Putin during his latest trip to the Russian capital. The two men most recently held talks there on December 27. On December 31, Russias Gazprom giant announced a 10 percent increase in the wholesale price of Russian natural gas imported by Armenia. Earlier this month, the Armenian government began negotiating with Armenias Gazprom-owned gas distribution network in hopes of keeping its internal tariffs unchanged. Pashinian has repeatedly expressed confidence that the existing gas prices set for Armenian households and corporate consumers will not rise this year. Armenias Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a lower courts decision not to allow investigators to arrest a former senior aide to former President Robert Kocharian on a string of criminal charges. Armen Gevorgian was first charged in August with obstructing justice in the wake of a disputed presidential election held in February 2008 two months before Kocharian served out his second and final term. In early December, Armenias Special Investigative Service (SIS) also accused Gevorgian of involvement in an overthrow of the constitutional order, bribery and money laundering. The SIS asked a district court to sanction his pre-trial arrest. The court refused to do that, leading prosecutors to lodge an appeal. The Office of the Prosecutor-General did not immediately say whether it will now appeal to the Court of Cassation, the countrys highest body of criminal justice. Gevorgians lawyer, Erik Aleksanian, hailed the appeals courts just ruling, saying that the prosecutors failed to substantiate their claims that his client could go into hiding or obstruct the ongoing investigation into the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. We have no doubts about the independence of our judicial system, Aleksanian said. Gevorgian himself was reluctant to talk to reporters, saying that he is not allowed to divulge details of the probe. The SIS brought the three accusations against Gevorgian four days after Kocharian was arrested on charges of illegally using the armed forces against opposition supporters who protested in Yerevan on March 1-2, 2008. The SIS says that amounted to an overthrow of the constitutional order. The former president strongly denies any wrongdoing. He says that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian is waging a political vendetta against him. The obstruction of justice charge brought against Gevorgian also stems from the 2008 election. Gevorgian was the chief of Kocharians staff at the time. The SIS claims that he pressured a member of Armenias Constitutional Court to uphold the official vote results that gave victory to Kocharians preferred successor, Serzh Sarkisian. Gevorgian, who also held senior positions in Sarkisians government, denies this and other accusations. The SIS has yet to publicize details of its corruption case against Gevorgian. It has only said that the latter had received a massive bribe. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) is engaged in a constructive dialogue with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian more than three months after being driven out of his government, a leader of the party said on Tuesday. We see no obstacles and problems in terms of solving our key national issues together with Mr. Pashinian, said Armen Rustamian. We will be doing business with Mr. Pashinian or anyone else on the basis of our political and ideological principles. In this sense, I see such room [for cooperation.] We have been talking to Mr. Pashinian in a very constructive atmosphere, he told a news conference. We are making our views clear to each other. So I am optimistic about our further cooperation. Dashnaktsutyun was part of Armenias former government toppled during last springs velvet revolution led by Pashinian. It received two ministerial posts in a new government formed by him in May. Pashinian fired his Dashnaktsutyun-affiliated ministers in October, accusing their party of secretly collaborating with former President Serzh Sarkisians Republican Party. Pashinian expressed readiness for renewed cooperation with Dashnaktsutyun in a written appeal to delegates of its congress held in Nagorno-Karabakh this month. The congress began with the announcement of the resignation of the partys longtime top leader, Hrant Markarian. The latter was reportedly blamed by some party figures for Dashnaktsutyuns failure to win any seats in Armenias new parliament elected on December 9. In his resignation speech, Markarian strongly criticized the current governments policies. He said Dashnaktsutyun should aim for removing Pashinian and his political team from power in the next general elections. Rustamian sounded more cautious in this regard. He said his party will not hesitate to oppose government policies unacceptable to it. He singled out the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Dashnaktsutyun, which remains influential in the Armenian Diaspora communities in the Middle East, the United States and France, has always favored a hard line on the conflicts resolution, opposing major territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. The stocks of refiners Valero and Chevron, two big buyers of Venezuelan crude, barely moved after the White House rolled out major sanctions against the country's state oil company PDVSA. Why it matters: The muted response signals how the new sanctions, while a major escalation, aren't going to upend refining markets or spike prices for now. Why: There are at least 2 reasons: The Treasury Department orders give refiners several months to wind down purchases, and refiners could see this coming. There are at least 2 reasons: The Treasury Department orders give refiners several months to wind down purchases, and refiners could see this coming. Valero, the second-largest U.S. importer of Venezuelan crude after PDVSA subsidiary Citgo, said in a statement that it "will re-optimize our crude supply to minimize any resulting impacts." What they're saying: "The U.S. government has gone to great lengths to try to limit the implications for the operations of CITGO and the U.S. Gulf Coast refining industry," sanctions expert Elizabeth Rosenberg said in this helpful S&P Global Platts explainer. But Rosenberg, a former Treasury adviser, added: "Nevertheless, the new financial pressure plan will have tremendous effects for US firms who are scrambling to evaluate how PDVSA and Maduro will react and whether pressure on US energy product sales to Venezuela will be next." What's next: The U.S. was importing over a half-million barrels of Venezuelan crude per day as of late 2018, but refiners will look to other sources. "If sanctions are fully imposed, flows of heavy crudes into the US are most likely to increase from Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, according to analysts," S&P Global Platts writes. Threat level: ClearView Energy Partners said in a note that even with the 3-month wind-down, if Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro cuts exports to the U.S., "Gulf Coast refiners could be forced to bid early for heavy crude at premiums that reflect logistics costs." "In addition, a shortage of diluent could accelerate Venezuelas crude declines, creating potential for market tightness in 2Q2019 ahead of summer driving season and the next Iran sanctions window in May if Maduro lasts that long." Go deeper: U.S. sanctions Venezuela's state oil company in push for regime change 1 big thing: Following the money from Venezuela It is tempting to paint the competing factions backing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and newly declared President Juan Guaido as East vs. West or socialist vs. capitalist, but the real delineation is about the money. On one side: Most of the official bonds, around $65 billion worth issued by Venezuela and state oil company PdVSA, are held by investors in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Almost all of those bonds have been in default since November 2017. Investors in North America and Europe are largely still holding the bonds. The odds of them being paid increase greatly if Maduro is replaced as president by someone who will seek help from the IMF and look to issue debt again on global credit markets. None of that can happen until an agreement is made with bondholders. (This situation played out perfectly for investors when Mauricio Macri was elected president of Argentina and settled almost immediately with that nation's creditors on terms that were very favorable.) The other side: China and Russia have enjoyed an off-the-books arrangement with Venezuela wherein the nation with the world's largest proven oil reserves ships them crude in exchange for discounted payment of outstanding debts and fresh cash. Maduro also has signed over portions of the country's oil industry to China and sold discounted oil to Cuba, likely in exchange for that country's armed forces protection. Turkey for some time has been supplying products for food packets to Venezuelan officials. Venezuela also ships gold to Turkey and the 2 countries recently announced joint ventures for gold and coal exploration. U.S. officials allege Venezuela has been sidestepping sanctions and sending gold to Iran in exchange for cash and debt relief. These agreements would be in question under a new president who was backed by the U.S., Europe and the IMF. Iran and Russia also benefit from Venezuela's greatly reduced oil-production capacity, which props up crude prices. Closer to home: Latin America's 2 major country alliances Mercosur, which includes Venezuela but does not recognize Maduro, and Allianza Pacifico have denounced Venezuela for years. Maduro's assault on democracy threatened international trade agreements and 3 million displaced Venezuelan emigrants have spilled into neighboring countries causing economic and political strain. Bolivia's president Evo Morales and Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have stood with Maduro but also against a long tradition of U.S. intervention in Latin America. The bottom line: Venezuela previously funded itself through debt financing and oil sales, but as the cost for Maduro to stay in power rose with higher bond payments and more security and he ran low on U.S. dollars he looked for partners who would take alternative payments. Those partners are now invested in him holding power, while defaulted creditors are invested in his removal. INDIAN WELLS, Calif. The influence network led by billionaire Charles Koch is watching a growing push to regulate Big Tech firms with alarm. The big picture: For the libertarian-oriented network of political and philanthropic groups, regulation is the enemy, and even though many others on the right bristle at what they see as anti-conservative bias by Big Tech platforms, the Koch crowd is not ready to cheer government intervention. Why it matters: Although the Koch network has seen its influence wax and wane under President Trump, whom it did not back, it nonetheless possesses powerful tools to shape policy debates and influence elections. Officials, scholars and donors with links to the network expressed unease with the idea that sweeping regulation will solve tech's problems like platforms that facilitate the spread of malicious content or privacy practices that outrage users and worried lawmakers aren't being precise enough. Take the example of privacy whats the actual problem youre trying to solve?" Jesse Blumenthal, who leads the Charles Koch Foundation's tech policy work, said at the network's winter donor retreat in this country club town. People are proposing solutions instead of answering questions first, he added. Art Pope, a retail magnate and prominent donor to the network's activities, said that while he believes social media companies are biased against conservatives, he thinks they should be regulated by "voluntary societal pressure" instead of governments. A staffer at the political Americans for Prosperity wrote a recent op-ed warning about the potential for "heavy-handed" privacy regulation. Charles Koch Foundation fellow Neil Chilson published a paper in December arguing that as "Congress grapples with the increasing digital legibility of our world, it should not attempt to freeze this evolution through legislation." A Koch group put out a statement this summer condemning the potential regulation of Google search results after it was floated by an administration official. Yes, but: The push to regulate the tech giants is fueled in part by Republicans who have bucked their party's traditional deregulatory stance out of frustration with the companies, including over the bias charges. That frustration was evident even with Pope, who said he thought that Google and Facebook "tend to be biased on the liberal side, biased against conservative speakers, biased against conservative websites" and that the left is more "tech savvy, has more time to spend on YouTube, on Google, on Wikipedia to edit it against conservatives file complaints that trigger a YouTube review of a video." Details: Donors discussed tech issues at a 4-star resort here, which was closed to the public for the Koch event, and which has a predatory hawk employed to keep away other bothersome birds. One session gave donors the opportunity to look at whether it's necessary to censor speech online and what the government's place is in regulating social media, according to materials they received. Reporters agreed not to identify attendees without their permission as a condition of attending parts of the event. The big picture: The Koch network has tried to reinvent itself as less bluntly partisan and more focused on building coalitions and pursuing philanthropy an approach modeled in its tech work. It supports projects like OpenStax, which creates open source textbooks and can be distributed digitally, on the grounds it can increase access to education. It has collaborated with left-leaning groups on tech issues, like free speech online, where common ground exists. It backs a venture capital firm, called Trust Ventures, that works with startups in highly regulated industries. The language of Silicon Valley was present throughout the donor weekend, with network officials repeatedly describing the group as a "platform" for "social entrepreneurs." But the network of donors has a "long way to go" when it comes to recruiting people in tech and other industries on the West Coast, said philanthropist Stacy Hock, a donor. The bottom line: The network has significant capabilities from research it supports to its formidable political operation to influence the debate over tech. U.S. intelligence chiefs told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that the Islamic State, or ISIS, "still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world." Why it matters: Earlier this month, Vice President Mike Pence said in a speech that "ISIS has been defeated" just an hour after four American service members were killed in an explosion in Syria for which ISIS later claimed responsibility. Go deeper: Former anti-ISIS envoy: Trump's Syria decision has given ISIS "new life" U.S. politics is veering toward a potential transformation in which both major parties are competing to capture a single constituency millions of Americans, from schoolteachers to steelworkers, who have fallen on hard times. The big picture: The party that successfully wins over this constituency in 2020, crossing gender, race, ethnicity and age, could hold power for a generation. What's happening: In 2016, President Trump won on a political hunch that a swath of the U.S. left behind by the forces of globalization was a winning base. Now his intuition has gained intellectual force, and major Republicans and Democrats are attempting to capitalize on the bipartisan anger that suffuses American politics. "Millions of people feel left behind by the rapid social, cultural and economic changes under way. Its clear the old ways no longer work and the party that is able to offer a better way forward will lead a new coalition on the scale of the New Deal and the Reagan Revolution," Sen. Marco Rubio tells Axios. behind by the rapid social, cultural and economic changes under way. Its clear the old ways no longer work and the party that is able to offer a better way forward will lead a new coalition on the scale of the New Deal and the Reagan Revolution," Sen. Marco Rubio tells Axios. "Both parties are trying to come up with a 21st century economic doctrine that widens the winner's circle and finds ways to course-correct the obvious inequities and unaddressed externalities of our current system," says Bruce Mehlman, a leading policy lobbyist. If this course sounds familiar, it's because Democrats have sought to own the space since FDR. For most of the intervening decades, they have. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ran on it in 2016, and Elizabeth Warren is running on a similar platform for the party's 2020 presidential nomination. is running on a similar platform for the party's 2020 presidential nomination. And 29-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has lit up the left with a full-throated call for higher taxes on the rich, free college, and Medicare for all. But, after Brexit and Trump's election, the context has now changed. Republicans see that Trump's base has remained tight but relatively small: whites concentrated in down-on-their luck industries of decades-old boom economies will not command a presidential majority. But a broader appeal could target low-salaried school teachers, nurses and other professionals, suggests Adam Tooze, an economic historian at Columbia University. "The shift is important, and if constructed the right way it could actually be majoritarian," Tooze tells Axios. From the right and center, Republicans are already road-testing what a non-Trump workers platform could look like: In a long piece last month in The Atlantic, Rubio made the case for aggressive government action to rebuild the middle class. last month in The Atlantic, Rubio made the case for aggressive government action to rebuild the middle class. Oren Cass, Mitt Romney's former domestic policy adviser, has attracted broad mainstream conservative attention with his manifesto, "The Once and Future Worker," which proposes an intellectual foundation for a Republican capture of the left-behind. Mitt Romney's former domestic policy adviser, has attracted broad mainstream conservative attention with his manifesto, "The Once and Future Worker," which proposes an intellectual foundation for a Republican capture of the left-behind. From the far right, Fox News firebrand Tucker Carlson again ignited conservative attention with a much-circulated Jan. 3 monologue that auditioned a platform to overturn and fix the system for white male disadvantaged Americans. Mehlman, the lobbyist, draws comparisons to the Progressive Era, the 19th and the first decades of the 20th century, when a backlash against the Gilded Age produced a vast expansion of high schools, the direct election of senators, and the women's vote. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee today that North Korea "is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities" because its leaders believe doing so would endanger the regime. Why it matters: President Trump has downplayed the nuclear threat from North Korea since his Singapore summit with Kim Jong-un, who the president insists has committed to full denuclearization. With Trump set to hold another summit with Kim next month, Coats says the U.S. intelligence community has concluded Trump's stated goal in negotiating with Kim is "unlikely" to be achieved. Manhattan, KS (66502) Today Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this morning. Then partly cloudy. Hot. High around 100F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 64F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. The rebuilt prototype XP-82 celebrated its first official flight on Monday and by all accounts it went well. The Tom Reilly XP-82 Twin Mustang Restoration Project confirmed the flight, which was a lot longer than its first hop three weeks ago. As we reported in early January, the aircraft, which is actually based on the prototype test article, took a five-minute flight over the projects home base of Douglas, Georgia, during what was supposed to be a high-speed taxi test on Dec. 31. On Monday, the flight was intentional and more organized. The Merlin-powered co-joined twin lifted off smoothly and flew gear-down with a T-6 chase plane keeping an eye out. A small crowd of well-wishers was at the airport to witness the flight, which happened under crisp blue skies. The airframe was secured by Ohio aviation scrapyard operator Walter Soplata and obtained by Reilly about 15 years ago. Parts were found all over the world for the restoration. The aircraft was tentatively set for an appearance at AirVenture last year but there have been no announcements about public displays so far. The next-generation Toyota Land Cruiser is possibly one of the most highly anticipated models to debut alongside its more luxurious Lexus counterpart, the LX. With the current-generation 200-series having been in production for around 12 years now, the question is when will the all-new model arrive and what's in it, and what's in store for us who eagerly await its arrival? Last we read about the upcoming Land Cruiser, development has been held up due to a last minute design change. This means that its debut along with production could be delayed. According to Carsensor.net, the original design of the upcoming model was said look too similar to that of the current model. A Toyota official even reportedly said it could pass off just as a minor model change. However, a new report suggests that everything seems to be right on schedule for Toyota's upcoming flagship SUV. According to Bestcarweb and other Japanese websites, the all-new Land Cruiser is set to debut in the latter half of 2020 with the concept model possibly making an appearance later this year at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. Should this be true, it likely shows that the design change might not have delayed the model's launch. That, or they just decided to stick with the original design. Styling wise, expect the all-new Land Cruiser to follow Toyota's current design language. That said, expect the next-gen model's front fascia to have a large grill complimented by sharp lines all around and large side-air intakes similar to the Vellfire and Alphard. As for it's powertrain, it was previously mentioned that the V8 gasoline engine will be dropped in favor of the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 paired to a ten-speed automatic found in the Lexus LS. A turbo hybrid option could also be added into the mix. There is still no word whether the diesel-V8 found in locally sold Land Cruisers will be dropped. At this point however, nothing is certain yet. Toyota's latest safety features and technology such as night-vision and pedestrian collsion detection avoidance will also make it into the next-gen Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser's more luxurious sister car, the LX, is also being developed together and will likely be revealed around the same time. However, the report says that the LX will have a completely revised exterior and interior inorder to differentiate it from the Land Cruiser, and give it a more exclusive Lexus look. With Toyota still tight lipped about the upcoming Land Cruiser, the only thing we can do now is wait until official word starts popping up. Sources: Bestcarweb.jp, Carsensor.net, Cliccar.com Teaser image from Hyundai indicates likely launch of first Chinese-made model Hyundai January 29, 2019 11:31 Hyundai Philippines, it seems, has something new in the pipeline. In a teaser released on their social media page, Hyundai revealed a portion of a car with the caption R you ready to meet the one? After a little bit of checking (and a bit of spot-the-difference between the Accent), the new model appears to be the Hyundai Reina, a model from the line-up of Hyundai's joint venture in Beijing with, unsurprisingly, BAIC. The Reina is also made in Beijing. Hyundai may have only shown the top, front quarter and greenhouse of the vehicle, but what led us to think this vehicle is the Reina is a quick comparison of the differences with the Accent such as the Reina's unusual hood creases, the lines of the trailing edge of the headlights, the rearward edge of the rear passenger door, and the long character line that meets up with the headlights. If it is confirmed, this will be the brand's first Chinese-made model available for sale in the Philippines. This could also mean that Hyundai could be marketing two very similarly-sized 4-door sedans in the Philippines side by side, as they launched the Accent in the country just over a month ago. Last year, reports from other media sites indicated that Beijing Hyundai was eyeing exports of "China factory-specific models" to South East Asian countries. Beijing Hyundai has been having problems with sales in China, and was looking at SEA as a potential market for their vehicles. Based on the Chinese specifications, the Reina is a small 4-door sedan that is roughly a touch smaller than the newly-launched Accent. It's 4300mm long (2019 Accent: 4440mm), 1705mm wide (Accent: 1729mm) and 1460mm tall (Accent: 1475mm). Wheelbase is slightly shorter at 2570mm (Accent: 2600mm). The Chinese-spec Reina also comes with a similar 1.4-liter D-CVVT engine as the Accent but with less power at 95 PS (Accent: 100 PS). Torque is the same at 132 Newton-meters at 4400 rpm. There are two transmission choices based on the Chinese specs: a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The version sold in China comes with features such as hill-hold control, stability control, Apple Carplay, and even an automatic start/stop system which reduces fuel consumption by shutting off and starting the engine in traffic. If the vehicle is indeed the Reina, we expect it to be priced slightly lower than the Accent which, incidentally, Hyundai also hasn't fully released the pricing of. Crossovers aren't exactly renowned for their off-road prowess. These car-based 'high-riders' are more adept to dirt trails than rock crawling. Still, it hasn't stopped them from giving them more butch, aggressive looks to give the impression that they can, indeed, go where the roads end. Nissan is one of them. They've just fitted the X-Trail with an off-road appearance pack, and it actually looks rather neat. Dubbed the X-Trail X-Tremer X package (that's a lot of X's), it's a special kit that, not only makes it more exclusive than the standard models, but also bring more 'trail-ready' look to the humble crossover. Differences are immediately seen up front. Nissan has ditched most of the chrome, replacing it with more sinister looking gloss black panels. These are found on the grill, bumper, and various trim pieces. Nissan took even extra effort in giving the X-Trail X-tremer X completely changing the foglight housing and design. Its extra LED daytime running lights, along with its chunkier-looking foglights, are all housed in a substantial-looking panel. It even gains a thicker front apron, which includes a faux skid plate for that extra 'macho' effect. Meanwhile, the extra cladding on the side skirts sticks to the 'off-road ready' theme of the crossover. Again, more chrome has been deleted with the roof rail and side mirrors getting the same gloss black effect at the front. Only the door handles and window frames get brightwork. The X-Trail X-tremer X edition then rides on unique, 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels with a design that is exclusive to this package. It's also worth noting that the wheel size of this particular X-Trail is an inch smaller than the range-topper. Last but not least is the rear, which also gets a faux skid plate. Mind you, this is a purely aesthetic upgrade as the ride height has been retained. However, the X-Trail's all-wheel drive system is an intelligent unit meaning it sends power to wheels with less grip. It even comes with a locking differential if the going gets tough. It is then powered by a 2.0-liter engine with 157 PS and 207 Nm of torque or a hybrid powertrain which pairs the 2.0-liter with electric motors to produce 179 PS and 300 Nm of torque. The variant is, for now at least, exclusive to the Japanese market. Still, if you're interested, it wouldn't be a bad thing to ask Nissan Philippines Inc. to come up with a localized, equivalent version of the "ruggedized" crossover SUV EV Engelberg is usually a ski resort, the largest in Central Switzerland, and one of the premiere destinations for Europeans looking for adventures in the snow. For some reason, maybe as a thank you for the hosts of the Geneva show, Mitsubishi decided it is also a perfect name for a brand new concept car.The Japanese carmaker said on Tuesday it will show this brand new model at the auto show, one it is calling Engelberg Tourer Concept. The car is an, one that relies on some sort of electric powertrain and that focuses on further developments in SUV styling and practicality.With its latest concept vehicle, Mitsubishi Motors is demonstrating its intention to remain at the forefront of vehicle design and technology, says Mitsubishi in an official statement, without actually saying anything about the new concept car.The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has consistently been the UKs best-selling plug-in vehicle since it established the plug-in hybrid SUV segment when it was launched in 2014.The photo released by Mitsubishi to accompany the limited info shows an aggressive front end, built in a very sculptured way that shows slim optical blocks, including blue-light strips to either side, as a testimony to the fact that this is anThere is also something fitted on the top of the cars roof, possibly a roof rack complete with six extra lights, three to either side, as this is, after all, an SUV meant for winter adventures. When asked about a performance-oriented G70, Manfred Fitzgerald made it clear to Car & Driver that were trying to set our base. Marketer or not, a brand as young as Genesis has to establish the basics before dreaming of throwing down the gauntlet.At the present moment, the G70 cant do better than the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 that Kia uses in the Stinger GT. Be it rear- or all-wheel drive, this engine offers 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet. It might be down on power compared to the BMW M340i xDrive (382 hp), but the Lambda II T-GDI is torquier.Genesis also has insight going for it, with most of the executives, chief engineers, and designers coming from other automakers. Albert Biermann, whos head of research & development, used to be the chief engineer at BMW M before Kia and Hyundai convinced him to start from a clean sheet of paper.What Biermann achieved with the Hyundai i30 N , Veloster N, Kia Stinger GT, and Genesis G70 in every available flavor is no fluke by industry standards. On the other hand, Genesis has a long way to go before it can compare itself to premium and luxury competitors.Genesis is also struggling with the dealer franchising model in the United States, let alone the absence from the European continent. When it launches in Europe, the South Korean automaker will focus on the United Kingdom before turning its attention to Germany and subsequent markets.Over in Australia, the luxury offshoot of Hyundai plans to open the first wholly-owned Genesis dealership in the world in March 2019 in Sydney. Later in the year, locations will be opened in Melbourne and Brisbane too. Genesis already has the tooling to produce RHD vehicles, which is good news for prospective customers in the United Kingdom.On a related note, the GV80 is right around the corner, the first crossover from Genesis. To be more precise, we've come across a Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta that has been gifted with a custom exhaust. The hardware on the Maranello machine was supplied by Fi Exhaust.Of course, the naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 of the Fezza has a wonderful voice, but the custom bits now allow the mill to fully express its aural feelings and emotions.As you'll get to notice in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, the thing also shoots flames now and, as the technician installing the exhaust aptly points out, everybody adores the dragon mode.The exhaust system fitted to this Italian exotic might be louder than life, but it also comes with sound-controlling valves, which the driver can adjust using a remote control.Returning to the point made in the intro, the 458 Speciale, in Aperta of fixed-roof trim, signaled the end of an era for Ferrari. For one thing, the Italian automotive producer switched to turbocharging with the successor of the machine, namely the 488.The switch also saw Luca di Montezemolo, a man who used to work with Enzo Ferrari, leaving the company, with the reigns being taken by the late Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. And one of the key moves involved in the change was the stock exchange listing of the company.Oh, and did we mention that the Italians only brought 499 units of the 458 Speciale Aperta to the world?P.S.: In case you boys and girls want to know how the Ferrari 458 Speciale feels from behind the wheel, here's a review of the Coupe. SUV Borrego means "bighorn sheep" which can be found in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. Yes, this is named after sheep, and it's pretty old, dating back to 2008. Assembly takes place in South Korea, but also Russa and Kazakhstan.The camouflage on this prototype is pretty thick, but the six-lug wheels give it away. Not only is the hole pattern the same as the current model, but the spokes are similar too. Beyond that, we're dealing with a brand new body design, which has clearly been inspired by the rugged Telluride, with a specific kind of headlights. Chunky fog lights sit prominently at the outer edges of the front bumper, which is Kia's new thing. Fixed running boards that are attached along thes wheelbase let you know it's a serious off-roader.But even though the platform is over ten years old, we're not sure that this is a brand new machine. Infiniti, Lexus or Toyota - when they launch a brand new SUV of this type, it's usually derived from the old one in some way because the requirements are different to a car. This is about the only segment in the world where wood dashboard trim is still normal, cool even.The Borrego had a really short run in the American market, but it was indirectly replaced by Sorento. Our Arctic spies suggest that with an all-new Sorento needing to come out in 2020 or 2021, this could be some kind of test mule, but we don't agree.Engine-wise, we don't expect much to change. Current models are powered by a 3-liter diesel V6 that makes 260 horsepower and 256 lb-ft of torque (347 Nm). There's also a 3.8 petrol unit and a 4.6-liter Tau family V8. The diesel has more gears than the other two at eight. Hello, i am helping a relative fill out a 929 form to change address, i came across a question im not sure how to answer "At which office was the application lodged?" they are currently on a Partner (Provisional) (subclass 309) the application was filled in a country outside of Australia, most likely by a lawyer/migration agent, Without asking the lawyer/agent is it possible to know which office they submitted it to? or is it 100% online? Despite the Australian bankruptcy rate hitting a 23-year low, individuals and businesses must still be thorough and ensure that they know who they are doing business with. The legal technology provider and Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) broker was reacting to data released by AFSA, which revealed that bankruptcies declined 6% on the year to 3,788 in the ending quarter of 2018. The decline represents the lowest levels of bankruptcies since the March quarter of 1995, which is fantastic news for the Australian business community, said Peter Maloney, GlobalX chief executive. Over the 23-year period, all states and territories saw consistent reductions, with the exception of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This has a direct flow-on effect to reducing fraudulent business transactions, and we are looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes this reaps for our industry. Personal insolvencies were also at their lowest level since the December 2005 quarter, falling 10.9% when compared to the December 2017 quarter. The Australasian Law Awards is returning soon, bringing with it a celebration the leading legal professionals, firms, and in-house teams in Australia and New Zealand for their contribution to the industry over the past year. The selection of prestigious awards includes an industry awards section, with categories such as Australian Arbitrator of the Year and Australian Mediator of the Year. Theres also a new category Legal Service Provider of the Year. Open to service providers within the legal sector operating in Australia, the award focuses on the overall customer service proposition, the industrys need for the service, how the service has added value and its overall commitment to customers, and the service providers demonstrated commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. 5 Things Adventure Lovers Have to Do in Northern Minnesota Northern Minnesota is world famous for its breath-taking views and unique cultural experiences and has proved itself to be a great vacation destination. Northern Minnesota has a continental climate which is characterized as having hot summers, and since it meets with the Canadian border, it can experience bitterly cold winters. Whilst this might not be your ideal type of vacation, the extreme weather allows for great outdoor experiences that you can take part in while in Northern Minnesota - especially if you love a bit of adventure. Here are five things that all adventure loving travelers must do while in Northern Minnesota. Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link. Of custody and crypto The normally staid world of custody banking is now having to embrace the wild child of global assets: cryptocurrency. And this is happening just as bitcoin, the poster child of cryptocurrency, seesawed from US$30,000 one week to $40,000 the next, shedding then recovering 30% of its value. Some bitcoin bulls are talking of $100,000 by year-end Treasure Valley Classical Academy The majority of applicants for students in the new Treasure Valley Classical Academy are from Fruitland and Payette What does 6,700 pounds of pot look like? Idaho State Police found out in a recent seizure from a Portland semi-truck driver Owosso, MI (48867) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 67F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. The Minister of Economy Sultan Al Mansouri inaugurated the Global Investment in Aviation Summit in Dubai in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, over 20 dignitaries, and 500 attendees The opening ceremony was in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports; President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ceremony to develop and expand cooperation for the establishment of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Global Aviation Award (SMBRGAA). The MoU will serve to establish and implement joint efforts to promote the development of international civil aviation in a safe and orderly manner. The award aims to encourage and promote cooperation whilst ensuring a healthy competition and innovation in the industry that improves the sustainable and orderly growth. The MoU was signed by Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization Council (ICAO) and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA. The Summit opening ceremony included a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions for the senior policy-makers and business leaders to share their knowledge and expertise, and to extrapolate the current economic situation and opportunities. The speakers included key economic officials and personalities, such as His Excellency Engr. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and a speech of Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization Council (ICAO). In his welcome speech, Al Mansouri said: I am honored to welcome you all on behalf of the United Arab Emirates government at the Global Investment in Aviation Summit, under the theme Linking Developed and Emerging Markets through Attractive Aviation Investment Opportunities. This global marketplace aims to promote investment and enhance international air navigation by encouraging discussions and agreements between governments and decision-makers and investors. He also stressed that by the year 2034, civil aviation will witness double increase in number of passengers compared to previous years. This will lead to the emergence of the need to implement modernization and expansion of high-quality airport infrastructure, requiring more investment to match the anticipated investment of $1.8 trillion needed from 2015-2030. This highlights the importance of this Summit by communicating with governments and local and international investors to continue in recent finance, as well as to engage non-traditional investors in the market, such as insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, banks, free zones, engineering companies, civil construction companies, universities, and others, so that the economic benefits from the aviation sector will be achieved. The minister added: Aviation has brought enormous social and economic benefits to the world and one of the pressing issues of developing and advanced countries around the world is maintaining the future of aviation, and promoting it through investment in infrastructure, assets, and new technologies. This is confirmed by reports released by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Union of African States, Civil Air Navigation Service Organization (CANSO), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The minister further said, "We all know that safe, effective and environmentally-friendly aviation requires more investment and continuous development, in order to enable the global aviation system to meet future demands in various related fields, such as airport infrastructure, or the capacity and efficiency of aircraft, thereby contributing to increased gains for the industry by reducing travel time, and to maintain public confidence that the aviation safe, secure and responsible, and is taking the challenges with innovation and with environment-friendly solutions. ICAO President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu said in his speech at the opening: Aviation is a global industry, and one which connects people, cultures and businesses across the continents. We should also appreciate that aviation growth and development has implications in terms of reductions in travel time, improvement of service predictability and reliability, global environmental concerns and the reduction of air transport emissions, as well as other national and regional goals relating to educational and human development capacity. ICAO continues to play a key role in: fostering effective partnerships between donors, investors and States; facilitating the mobilization of resources; and identifying, coordinating, and providing assistance to those States in need under its No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative. The Global Investment in Aviation Summit hosted huge number of ministers and heads of Aviation Authorities includingEng. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Blade Nzimande, Minister of Transport of the Republic of South Africa; Volodymyr Omelyan the Minister of the infrastructure in the Republic of Ukraine, and Monica Azuba, Minister of Works and Transport in the Republic of Uganda. The list also includes Captain Sameh El Hefny, vice president of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, Ricardo Fenelon Junior, Director General of Civil Aviation, Federal Republic of Brazil, Thomas Sastosti, President of the National Civil Aviation Administration, Argentina. Yap Ong Heng, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Transport, Republic of Singapore , Didier Dogley, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Republic of Seychelles, and Youss Sulaiman Al-Fawzan, Director General of Civil Aviation, Kuwait. The day one agenda of the summit was a special session for ministers and heads of aviation authorities titled The Vision of World Aviation Leaders in the Aviation Investment and Sustainability. There were also interactive sessions including a panel discussion on Airport investment: Enhancing global airport infrastructures, the second session titled UAE a visionary platform for aviation investment, and another session titled New Aviation Sectors Showcase. Panel discussion sessions and meetings, which included economic experts and representatives of aviation companies focused on trends in aviation and investment opportunities offered by new technologies, which has become one of the main tools in this sector. Along with exploring future investments in the sector and related services, and the most prominent markets that provide investment opportunities within an ideal environment for good return on investment. The Summits first day witnessed presence of more visitors and distinguished participation of major aviation companies, business executives specialized in provision of services that meet the needs of airports, passengers aircrafts, air cargo, logistics, and various other services needed by the sector. Talladega, AL (35160) Today Cloudy with light rain this morning...then becoming partly cloudy. High 87F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* Posted on: January 29, 2019 12:04 PM An attempt by Islamic extremists to overturn the acquittal of Asia Bibi, who had been detained for eight years on death row accused of blasphemy, has been rejected by Pakistans Supreme Court. Asia Bibi was finally cleared in October, after the court ruled that the case against her was based on conflicts and contradictions. Riots took place in many regions in Pakistan following her acquittal, which ended only after hardline group Tehreek-e Labaik were given permission to issues a fresh appeal to the Supreme Court. On merit, this petition is dismissed, Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said in court today (Tuesday). He was critical of the petitioners, and said that they had failed to indicate any mistake in the acquittal judgment. You think we give the death sentence to someone on the basis of false evidence?, he said. Such lies were told that one statement doesnt match with another. Please point out any error in our judgement and were ready to rectify it. . . You start declaring someone deserves to be killed just on the basis of false evidence. Asia Bibis original conviction stemmed from an incident in 2010 when she drank water from a glass which some co-workers said was reserved for Muslims. They claimed that by doing so, she had made the glass unclean. She was lynched and taken to a public meeting where, it was said, she made statements considered blasphemous. But the person who lodged the complaint was not at the meeting; and two witnesses who were did not give evidence at her trial. As part of the deal to end the riots, Pakistans government placed Asia Bibi on a do not travel list, preventing her from leaving the country. It is now thought that she will be free to join other members of her family in Canada, a country which has offered asylum to Asia Bibi. Posted on: January 29, 2019 11:39 AM The Assistant Bishop of Kampala, Hannington Mutebi, could receive life-saving chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant treatment, if a crowd-funding appeal by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is successful. Archbishop Sentamu, who leads the Church of Englands northern province, said that friends in Bishop Hanningtons cathedral and diocese in Uganda have already raised 35,000 GBP in just a week. Dr Sentamu is now urging the international community to fund the 155,000 shortfall of the 190,000 cost of treatment. Bishop Hannington has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and needs urgent chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant treatment. No such treatment is available in east Africa and the Archbishop is organising treatment at Kings College Hospital in London, England. Can we in the UK and round the world raise the rest by Thursday 31 January?, Archbishop John said. This means getting as many people as possible to give in this very short time. Every gift will make a difference. I ask you to join me in doing what we can to help. According to Uganda Radio Network, the 59-year-old bishop has commenced treatment at the hospital. The Anglican Primate of Uganda, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, has asked supporters in the country to contribute to the cost of treatment through the Archbishops Emergency Fund. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has also endorsed the appeal, tweeting: please consider supporting Archbishop @JohnSentamus urgent fundraising effort, and hold Bishop Mutebi in your prayers. Bishop Hannington Mutebi, assistant Bishop of Kampala, requires urgent chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant treatment. Please consider supporting Archbishop @JohnSentamus urgent fundraising effort, and hold Bishop Mutebi in your prayers: https://t.co/19ydMBAUhh Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) January 28, 2019 Dr Sentamus crowd-funding campaign is being hosted by the Just Giving online platform. Dr Sentamu says money raised would be sent directly to Kings College Hospital to pay the medical bill. Any unspent money will be sent to Cancer Research UK, a leading charity working to find treatments for cancer. The General Secretary of Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), the Revd Duncan Dormor, argues that churches should be communities of resistance and hope. As 2019 unfolds we shall see whether the global ascendency of big men so-called strong leaders, emperors and would-be emperors, determined to secure their own power and prestige through recourse to populist national and xenophobic sentiment continues to flow or begins to ebb. But a return to the dominance of a rules-based liberal global order is by no means assured. Geopolitics never sleeps. Power is a restless prowling tiger. And its brutal exercise makes injustice and oppression both inevitable and endemic. It is part of the broken nature of our world, part of the structure of human society; a disrupting thread that snakes its way across time and space cutting through our international order, haunting our nations and cultures and distorting and corrupting our personal lives. It threatens. It generates fear. It prevents and constrains the flourishing of good and of freedom. Very often, it erupts into violence and persecution. It lays waste. It kills. Churches and Christian leaders must be utterly realistic and face such hard truths about our world, unflinchingly. And simply waiting, passively, to see how things unfold is not, cannot be, an option for Gods people. Rather we are called to become communities of resistance and hope. Places of courage and solidarity, speaking out for a vision in which humble service of the disenfranchised and marginal replaces concerns of hierarchy and status; where competitive ambition and arrogance are rooted out, overturned and rejected in favour of a community of genuine sisters and brothers bound to one another by relationships of equality and mutuality, equal before the cross rather than subject to the worlds judgement. That vision requires people to speak up and speak out, to challenge the powerful and the violent. In short: to embrace the call to be prophetic. We must recall, treasure and seek inspiration from our recent past, from events in living memory. The Anglican Communion has seen many examples down the years of courageous witness and creative response to power and violence. A small handful of examples: In Seoul in 1987, protests radiating from the Anglican Cathedral saw the demise of the military regime and ushered in the transition to a civilian government. In the courage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu during the 1970s and 1980s in opposing the abomination of apartheid, but also those who would necklace state informers. In the energy and creativity of Bishop Dinis Sengulane of Lemombo, who played a key role in ending the Mozambican civil war in 1992 and promoted an arms amnesty which saw the surrender of 600,000 weapons. As we seek to stand in solidarity with those of our Anglican brothers and sisters across the Communion today boldly and courageously witnessing to their faith in challenging circumstances, so inspired by those who have gone before, we too are called by Christ to speak out for the kingdom: to speak with a prophetic voice that denounces injustice and inhumanity in all its forms and to articulate an enriched vision for our future together, in this, Gods world. Samsungs mobile chief, Koh Dong-jin, said the company is trying its best to meet consumer expectations moving forward, particularly on the smartphone front thats now causing it more headaches than usual seeing how all of its premium 2018 lineups such as the Galaxy S9 range sold below internal projections. Mr. Koh was quite careful not to confirm any products launches while talking to The Investor, he was quite brief, and even though he did not confirm the arrival of the foldable phone for February 20, its quite possible that the device will launch at that event. The Galaxy S10 series will, for sure, be presented on February 20, though it remains to be seen if all four devices will make it, or only three of those that are rumored, more on that later. Ther CEO will be joined in San Francisco on February 20 by Roh Tae-moon, a man who oversees the smartphone development unit of Samsung Mobile, and also Choi Seung-eun, the companys marketing chief as of late last year. Advertisement Whats coming next month? Whats not? Samsung will definitely launch its Galaxy S10 series of smartphones, and even though were expecting four devices to be announced, thanks to rumors, that number could be lower. The company is expected to introduce the Galaxy S10 E, S10, S10+, and S10 X. The Galaxy S10 E is essentially the S10 Lite with a different name, but unlike past iterations of the Lite model, Samsung is actually planning to include the same processor in this phone as in all other Galaxy S10 models, probably not to water down the brand. That device will sport a 5.8-inch fullHD+ display, according to rumors, and that panel will be flat. The phone is also rumored to include a side-facing fingerprint scanner, and two cameras on the back. Advertisement The Galaxy S10 and S10+ are both said to sport three cameras on the back, the Galaxy S10 will include one camera on the front, while the S10+ is expected to sport two selfie cameras. Both phones will be made out of metal, just like the Galaxy S10 E, but will include an in-display fingerprint scanner, and curved displays. The Galaxy S10 is rumored to sport a 6.1-inch panel, while the Galaxy S10+ will probably ship with a 6.4-inch panel. Both smartphones will include QHD+ Super AMOLED displays, it seems. The Galaxy S10 X is basically rumored to be the most powerful variant of the Galaxy S10+, but with a ceramic backplate. That phone will include a 6.7-inch QHD+ curved display, according to rumors, and a whopping 12GB of RAM. An in-display fingerprint scanner will also be included here, as will 5G support, not to mention that the phone is also rumored to sport four cameras on the back, though that part may be exaggerated. Take all of this info with a grain of salt, as weve seen a ton of rumors regarding the Galaxy S10 series, and the provided info may be a bit off, well just have to wait and see what will Samsung announce on February 20. Now, in addition to the Galaxy S10 series, the companys foldable smartphone will probably make an appearance as well, and based on what weve seen at Samsungs developers conference last year, it will fold right down the middle, and it will fold inwards, as a secondary display will be included on the back. The phone is rumored to cost $1,700, and its likely to hit the store shelves all over the world by mid-March. Rumors and speculation about Samsungs Galaxy S10 family of Android flagships have run rampant almost since the launch of the Galaxy S9 but a recent report may finally clear up some of the confusion. Among the biggest revelations to come from the unnamed source of the info, who attributes the details to a Samsung representative is that the South Korean tech giant only plans to release a total of three devices in the lineup. Previous reports had indicated that as many as five might be released. Coming in just behind that, the source is adamant that Samsung will not be marketing the smallest of the three handsets as a Lite model. Thats not to say a model thats lite in nature wont arrive, just Samsung wont be calling it that. Advertisement At a minimum, most reports have suggested that three devices and an additional 5G variant would hit stores following the expected announcement just ahead of MWC 2019. The new tip has clarified that there will be only three devices in total and that those will go on sale on March 8, after being unveiled on February 20. Clarifying wild speculation Leaks up until this point have gotten wildly out of hand but at least some of the more outlandish claims appear to have been verified by the latest information. To begin with, the priciest configuration of the Samsung Galaxy S10, dubbed the Galaxy S10+, will reportedly ship with a massive 12GB RAM and 1TB storage onboard. That lines up nicely with prior rumors for the 6.4-inch handset, as do its three rear-facing primary cameras and the dual selfie-shooter. Advertisement Smaller models, both simply dubbed the Galaxy S10, will feature a single selfie camera but the larger Galaxy S10 will measure in at 6.1-inches and will include the same triple cameras as the premium variant. The smallest model will measure at 5.8-inches and comes with only a dual-sensor array for the main shooter. For colors, buyers will be able to choose between a fairly standard black and a pearl white hue or a Sea Green option. Several models will also be on offer in specialized aesthetic schemes. While the latest details appear to get rid of at least two versions of the Samsung Galaxy S10, not all of the pertinent information has been revealed. The current expectation is that either a Snapdragon 855 or in-house Exynos 9820 SoC will be in use depending on the region the Galaxy S10 is purchased in. Advertisement The smallest of Samsungs flagship was also hinted at as featuring a flat display instead of the traditional edge panel and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. None of this insiders clarification seems to have addressed those matters at all. Wheres the 5G? The most burning question about Samsungs upcoming flagships was also left for the companys February Unpacked event. Namely, the tipster make no mention of a 5G version at all. That such a device is in the works and on the way has been confirmed by multiple sources, including US carriers likely due to the Snapdragon 855 being the only current chipset of the two expected that supports 5G networking. Advertisement That could be bad news for users hoping to take advantage of early next-gen networks but may also mean that all of the Snapdragon variants will ship with that capability built-in. Conversely, Samsung may plan on only including the feature in its most expensive Galaxy S10+ smartphone. As an increasing number of smartphone manufacturers is now embracing display holes as an alternative to notches that allows them to continue improving the screen-to-body ratios of their devices without sacrificing their front-facing cameras, more innovative solutions in the segment are starting to appear. Cue one such concept from Chinese electronics giant OPPO that devised a sneaky clever method of masking mobile screen punch-holes. The companys latest idea is to use software tricks to make those display imperfections less obvious, not unlike how manufacturers already resolved to make traditional notches less aggressive. As showcased in the illustration above, OPPO experimented with the concept of relying on conventional app icons in order to mask front-facing cameras literally penetrating mobile displays. In fact, the firm appears to be optimistic enough about its solution that it even resolved to patent it, which is how its existence came to light. In practice, the software solution would consistently keep a camera app icon on top of (or, better said around) the actual front-facing camera of the device so as to blend the glaring physical imperfection with its design and make it significantly harder to notice. Users would be able to summon and dismiss the hole-hiding app tray with a single swipe gesture performed on a predetermined area of the screen, the patent reads. The wording of OPPOs description of the solution also appears to confirm whats already rather obvious the trick would work exclusively in conjunction with a default camera app icon or one designed specifically for that purpose. In other words, the firm didnt come up with a way to adapt something like an Instagram icon into a front-facing camera camouflage. Advertisement 2019: the year of the hole Whereas the subject of display notches remains rather polarizing among smartphone enthusiasts, screen holes that are now poised to replace them do appear to be somewhat more subtle in regards to how they affect the overall design of contemporary handsets. Still, efforts meant to hide even those smaller imperfections are a clear indication that manufacturers focus groups are telling them what many already presumed consumers dont want asymmetrical screens, at least if they can help it. That isnt to say notches, punch-holes, and similar elements are a major drawback relative to the overall package, as evidenced by the continued success of Apples last couple of iPhone generations. Still, the majority of the industry now appears to be pursuing punctured screen as an alternative to more sizable cutouts, with some industry watchers already pointing to that effort as one of the main 2019 trends in the smartphone sector. Coupled with foldable displays, flexible batteries, cryptocurrency wallets, and next-generation depth-sensing cameras, modern handsets are about to get a lot weirder this year. Advertisement Whether weird is what the market should be striving for right now remains to be seen but the latest estimates from industry trackers suggest global smartphone sales were down over four percentage points last year so something certainly needs to change in the near term because the mobile segment was never good with waiting for consumers to run their old devices into the ground it needs to be able to sell them on the latest products every year and thats something its been failing to do since 2017. Huawei, the worlds largest telecom equipment maker is on the bleeding edge of many technological innovations, backs well-intended academic work, and is an ever-rising presence in the mobile space thanks to a number of critically acclaimed Android smartphones in recent years. Yet, the amount of negative publicity surrounding the company, and on an almost daily basis is quite remarkable. Surely Huawei is doing many things right? That depends on who you ask and especially when it comes to the topic of security. Huawei has been at odds with the United States government for whats essentially been the entirety of this century, having clashed with Washington over a broad range of issues including spying threats and trade activity. While the tensions between the two varied over the years, leading up to the point that Huawei was even able to launch some smartphones in the U.S., things recently took a turn to where the relationship between the two became more stained than ever before. A situation that means all of the good work done by the company was not only undone, but is now further hurting Huaweis reputation in the U.S. Advertisement The Huawei issue is an infectious one In many ways, AT&T proved to be a catalyst for the most recent issue with the U.S. carrier reportedly faced significant regulatory scrutiny in late 2017 when it agreed a distribution collaboration with Huawei to carry the Mate 10 series. That quickly changed after being informed its lucrative federal procurement contracts will all be re-examined should it choose to align itself with the Shenzen-based company. This in itself was but a single episode in what feels like a truly endless stream of obstacles Huawei faced in the U.S. and while time can certainly heal all wounds, in this instance it acted as a proponent for the spread of the fear of Huawei idea. Another Huawei-related ordeal that ended up causing a full-fledged diplomatic incident occurred in December 2018 when the companys Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou was arrested by Canadian authorities after the U.S. Department of Justice revealed it suspecting her of plotting an illegal banking scheme and pursuing a conspiracy to violate the Commerce Departments trade sanctions imposed on Iran. Shes now facing an extradition request and numerous criminal charges that could see her end up in federal prison until the 2050s. Advertisement Huaweis defense was this move represented a political ploy aimed at destabilizing what many American tech companies, such as Qualcomm and Apple consider one of their largest rivals. While the argument doesnt account for the fact that the likes of Samsung, LG, Ericsson, and many other non-American companies with valuable technologies arent being targeted by Washington agents, the very concept is not that far-fetched seeing how U.S.-China relations are presently at a 21st-century low: largely due to trade-related tensions. The White House didnt exactly try to dispel that notion either, with President Donald Trump going on record to state he would intervene in the case of Huaweis detained CFO if he believed such a course of action would benefit his administrations efforts to negotiate a better set of trade deals with China. Advertisement Unsurprisingly, that remark prompted China to accuse the U.S. legal system of being nothing more than yet another tool of the U.S. political machine instead of an impartial arbitrator of justice, while simultaneously accusing Canada of being a puppet, and a willing participant in a scandalous political conspiracy. Huawei is a victim, but also of itself As far as any phone makers potential to erode diplomatic relations and cause massive geopolitical shifts in a swift manner goes, Huawei is certainly a unique company. Thats no mean feat given how not even ZTE managed to cause nearly as much drama after violating U.S. trade sanctions against Iran, lying about it, settling, violating that settlement, lying about it again, and coming to the verge of bankruptcy while peddling conspiracy theories. If theres one thing to learn from all of this, its that conspiring to violate embargoes imposed by the worlds number one economic powerhouse can actually be bad for business. Advertisement When theres a long string of evidence tying Huawei to two companies with Middle Eastern operations that look like fronts, behave like fronts, went defunct overnight as fronts, and with some of those connections directly implicating a C-suite executive to the point of getting them arrested abroad and facing the prospect of decades in a top-security prison, that could certainly be a consequence of a giant corporation with strong political backing overplaying its hand in global affairs. If you think that sounds like an appetizer for some humble pie, youre not the right profile of people Huawei considers for senior management positions, especially those pertaining to expansion. The underlying power of 5G adds to the issue Not only is the firm still denying having close ties to a number of fronts in the Middle East that have already been proven, but it is now trying to take advantage of the record-weak relations between the U.S. and China in order to associate countless allegations against it as political propaganda and not something thats been a consistent trend for close to two decades now, even at times when most significant geopolitical circumstances were much more conducive to Chinese tech penetrating critical systems in the West. The issue at hand has little to do with smartphones and revolves around 5G, the next generation of wireless connectivity expected to serve as a backbone of autonomous cars, intelligent cities, remote surgery services, and many other technologies of the future. Advertisement As it turns out, the U.S. isnt thrilled with the idea of handing the keys to its critical infrastructure to a company that could shut it down or abuse that access at Beijings whim, not necessarily because it would be happy to do so but because it could hardly resist complying with any such requests. Thats precisely why Huawei wouldnt enjoy U.S. trust even if it had a perfect track record with cybersecurity and its not like it does despite managing to avoid major incidents in recent years. Huawei recently avoided one such a scenario after pledging to invest the equivalent of $2 billion in addressing vulnerability concerns surrounding some of its equipment used in the United Kingdom. The British government appears to dislike the idea of wireless companies using Huawei 5G tech as much as they relied on its LTE solutions and is now doubling down on its scrutiny. Advertisement The US and UK are also not alone considering Australia has now essentially outlawed 5G network equipment from the company, and the likes of Canada, Japan, and South Korea are presently considering doing the same. The U.S. started the trend last summer by including a spending bill provision that prevented federal agencies from acquiring technologies produced by or merely associated with Huawei and ZTE. As Washingtons relations with Beijing grow tenser, the White House is also considering banning the private sector from using Huawei tech, and thats assuming someone would be brave enough to do so in the first place. As AT&T proved, no stateside corporation appears to be so brazen to risk its existing government contracts or kills its chances of being awarded new ones in the future. Threats come in many forms Ties to Middle Eastern operations and a consistent pattern of clashes with both regulators and private entities over intellectual property disputes is something Huawei has never addressed in a consistent manner, always opting to dismiss concerns about its track record but often admitting wrongdoing in individual cases such as the one T-Mobile won in 2017 after proving Huawei engineers attempted to steal the technology behind its mobile user experience testing robot Tappy. Advertisement That isnt to say Huawei has a long history of guilty verdicts, Huaweis issue in part is the result of its tendency to always pursue settlements in an aggressive manner, agreeing to a broad range of concessions that are equivalent to complete losses but with one notable exception not having to admit to any kind of transgressions in any official capacity. This has happened on numerous occasions and how its disputes with Cisco and Motorola both ended. A level of stubbornness thats working against the company now more than ever, with regulatory scrutiny over its operations increasing the world over and China not being in a great shape to back it as the trade war the U.S. waged against China has already taken its toll on the Far Eastern countrys economy. Between the rising geopolitical tensions, concerning history of trade secret theft allegations coming from all directions, newly emerged accusations of its CFO being personally implicated in a high-profile banking scheme aimed at breaking stateside trade sanctions placed on Iran, and the fact that China could feasibly compel the company to spy on its foreign customers, disable their critical infrastructure, or compromise them in a number of other ways, there is essentially no chance the U.S. cuts Huawei any slack, now or ever. Many factors have lead to the current status quo but regardless of anything else, the threat is real. Sometimes the possibility that something might be an issue is enough to warrant moves to protect against a threat. Even if theres no motivation on either China or Huaweis behalf to be perceived as a threat, let alone act on one. Andover, MA (01810) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 88F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-561-7737 This illustration of a mutilated mouth is not the result of a road accident, but that of a doctors obsession with an utterly bizarre theory of insanitya theory that left hundreds of his patients dead and thousands maimed for life. Dr. Henry Cotton was the medical director and superintendent of the Trenton State Hospital, a large lunatic asylum in New Jersey. Before returning to the US to accept the position as medical director at a young age of 30, Cotton had studied psychiatry in Europe under two legendary figures of the time, Emil Kraepelin and Alois Alzheimer. He was also a student Dr. Adolf Meyer of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. All of these men were pillars in the field of psychiatry, especially Meyer who was one of the first to recognize that psychiatric problems are problems of human personality rather that of the brain. Meyer also recognized that an individuals activity and mental health are connected, and he advocated therapies, community services and change in a persons daily life, environment, and habits as part of the treatment. Despite his revolutionary teachings that have become so solidly incorporated into modern psychiatric theory and practice, Meyer also harbored the idea that mental illness could also be caused by bacterial infection, based on the observation that patients with high fever often turn delusional or begin hallucinating. Henry Cotton was enamored by the idea that germs are the root of all mental illness. In 1913, when reports confirmed that the bacteria that caused syphilis gave patients brain lesions that led to psychiatric symptoms and dementia, in the most severe of cases, Cotton was emboldened. Shortly after, he began implementing his theories on the inmates at Trenton State Hospital. At that time, the invention of penicillin was another decade away, and the only way to eliminate an infection was to surgically remove the infected organ. Cotton attacked the teeth first and slowly began to work his way towards other organs. The mouth, he reasoned, was the most obvious place were germs lurked. So he started by removing infected teeth, unerupted teeth, teeth with cavities and abscesses. He even had his own teeth pulled out, as well as that of his wife and two sons, as a prophylactic measure to avoid the risk of infection. When pulling teeth didnt cure his patients, he doubled his efforts and in the process removed their tonsils and sinuses. If a cure was still not achieved, other organs were suspected of harboring infection. Soon patients got relieved of their spleens, colons, testicles, ovaries, gall bladders, and other organs. New Jersey state lunatic asylum, Trenton. Out of every three patients Cotton operated on, one died. Cotton attributed the deaths to poor physical condition of the patients due to chronic psychosis. Among those who survived, Cotton claimed a high success rates of 85 percent, a statistic that gained him a lot of praise from the scientific community. Desperate for relief, many affluent men and women afflicted with mental illness flocked to Trenton to seek Cottons miraculous cures. Many, however, had to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the operation theater. Sometimes even families were not informed. Meanwhile, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Adolf Meyer directed Phyllis Greenacre, who recently joined as staff, to conduct a study to evaluate Cotton's work at Trenton in hopes of getting a glowing report on his former students work. The moment Greenacre stepped inside Trenton she had a feeling of dreariness. The institution had that sour, fetid odor so characteristic of mental hospitals, she wrote on her report, and Cotton himself, she found, singularly peculiar. Greenacre was mostly disturbed by the appearance and behavior of the psychotic patients. All their faces were sunken and their speech was slurred because none of them had any teeth in their mouth. Greenacre found the hospital records were chaotic and the numbers that Cotton so frequently used to exemplify his methods didnt quite add up. Greenacre discovered that very few patients actually recovered, and those who did were not correlated to the surgeries, and that significantly more patients died than Cotton admittednearly half. Unfortunately, the months of labor Greenacre poured into the investigation went to naught. When Adolf Meyer read Greenacres damaging report, he was scandalized, and in an effort to save Cottons career, refused to publish her findings. Cotton retired from the State Hospital and opened his own private hospital in Trenton where he continued butchering his patients. By the time he dropped dead of a sudden heart attack on May 8, 1933, he had killed hundreds. Meyer wrote a flattering obituary on his death, despite knowing that Cotton was responsible for the deaths of untold number of patients. Cottons own sons were victims of this manic doctor. Both committed suicide in middle age. The hazards of supporting Trump If anyone still had doubts that Robert Mueller is a rogue prosecutor, twisting our legal system to his political ends, last week's Gestapo-styled arrest of Roger Stone should put that delusion to rest. With CNN cameras rolling, Mueller sent a tactical assault team the likes of which the Justice Department normally reserves for drug cartels, international terrorists, and oddball Christian cult compounds. Stone was charged with lying to Congress while supporting Donald Trump. That last part isn't actually contained in the indictment, but the only time anyone is indicted for lying to Congress is if he supports Donald Trump, so it just goes without saying. Hillary Clinton, James Comey, James Clapper, and John Brennan have all lied to Congress, but they had the unimpeachable integrity to do it while not supporting Trump. Affirming their undying commitment to civil liberties, Stone's abuse by the police state was met by journalists and Democrats throughout the land with cheers and delirious joy bordering on the orgasmic. To them, Stone's arrest was sweet, sweet justice: "How dare he be dishonest about matters related to the Russia collusion hoax? That's our job." The blabbering heads at CNN and MSNBC rushed to the cameras to tell us that this time, this time, Mueller really had Trump cornered not like the time they told you before, or the time before that, or the time before that. Never mind last week's BuzzFeed debacle. That was then; this is now. Only after they bothered to read the indictment did they realize that it basically said neither Trump nor anyone in his campaign had any idea how to contact Russia or Julian Assange and had no idea what dirt they had on Hillary. So someone in the campaign asked Stone to ask a friend of a friend what was up after Assange went on TV to preview his coming WikiLeaks release. This is the same media establishment that was in hot pursuit of the exact same information, but again observing the highest journalistic standards they were all doing so while meticulously not supporting Trump. This is also the same media that celebrated Assange when he published massive dumps of top-secret national security communications that got spies for America killed. But apparently, that was all cool, since Barack Obama himself released the traitorous leaker, Bradley Manning, from jail, apparently for being a cross-dresser. Now that Assange has published emails that exposed Hillary, you're not allowed to even talk to a friend of a friend about him unless you don't support Trump. Mueller is so determined to get Trump that he hasn't bothered to forensically examine the DNC's servers that Russia supposedly hacked, nor has he had time to interview Julian Assange to ask if Russia in fact provided the "hacked" DNC emails. Bill Binney the guy who designed and implemented the cyber-surveillance systems that Mueller once used to spy on the rest of us assures us that the hack as described by the DNC is physically impossible. Technical evidence suggests that the material was actually internally obtained using a flash drive. Mueller's "investigation" also shows less than zero interest in the source of the fictitious oppo research "dossier" commissioned by Clinton and her campaign you know, the one concocted by a foreign spy using Russian intelligence misinformation and deployed to interfere in the election. Oh, wait they all did that while not supporting Donald Trump, too. Mueller indicted Paul Manafort for failure to register as a foreign agent while lobbying for the president of Ukraine. Guess who else lobbied for the same Ukrainian president but is not indicted! You got it Clinton campaign-manager John Podesta's brother, Tony. The Trump-supporter is headed to jail; the one that did not support Trump collects creepy art. It's almost as if there's a pattern here. Roger Stone's pre-dawn tactical assault-styled arrest, along with the pre-dawn raid executed on Paul Manafort and the pre-dawn raid of Michael Cohen's office, all appear designed to send a clear and chilling message. We can be pretty sure it has something to do with not supporting Donald Trump. The author hosts Right Now with Jim Daws, a webcast on news, politics, and culture from an American nationalist perspective. https://twitter.com/RightNowJimDaws Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may be a media darling and Twitter sensation, but if she doesn't watch her step, she may end up being a flash in the pan, one-term congressman. When you come to Congress as a 29-year-old newbie and start throwing your weight around by threatening the careers of some of your party colleagues, you shouldn't be surprised if you make enemies of powerful people. Ocasio-Cortez and the so-called "Justice Democrats" are targeting numerous members of the Democratic establishment by threatening to primary them in 2020. This has angered some powerful members who are now talking about finding a challenger to beat her in her own 2020 primary. The Hill: "What I have recommended to the New York delegation is that you find her a primary opponent and make her a one-term congressperson," the Democratic lawmaker, who requested anonymity, told The Hill. "You've got numerous council people and state legislators who've been waiting 20 years for that seat. I'm sure they can find numerous people who want that seat in that district." The New York delegation has eyed Ocasio-Cortez with skepticism ever since last summer when the 29-year-old self-described democratic socialist shocked the political world and defeated then-Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) in what many thought would be a sleepy primary race. Crowley, a Queens powerbroker and affable House Democratic Caucus chairman, had been considered a possible future Speaker. Many New York and Congressional Black Caucus lawmakers were also furious with Ocasio-Cortez after a recent Politico report stated she and the grass-roots group aligned with her, Justice Democrats, were considering backing a primary challenge to fellow New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, a Black Caucus member and establishment insider who succeeded Crowley as caucus chairman. Both Ocasio-Cortez and Justice Democrats have denied the report, but the group of insurgent progressives has vowed to target centrist Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and is eyeing other potential 2020 targets. Ocasio-Cortez has many enthusiastic supporters. But many of them reside outside her district. Her national following is unquestioned, but if she nurtures that persona, she may forget the home folks and find herself in a fight come 2020. No potential challengers to Ocasio-Cortez have yet emerged. But one New York political insider noted that the Queens and Bronx district is home to many ambitious pols who are close to Crowley and don't like that a political outsider took his seat. "She's pissing off a lot of people and has probably made a lot of enemies. ... A lot of people who are furious with her are Joe's allies, including some named Crowley," said the insider, referring to Crowley's cousin, Elizabeth Crowley, a former New York City councilwoman. "She is a woman. She's been moving more to the left. She would be someone interesting." Elizabeth Crowley, 41, did not return a request for comment, but she has previously said she's eyeing a bid for Queens borough president in 2021. She lives in a neighboring Queens district. Ocasio-Cortez has been such a shooting star that you have to wonder if she'll talk herself out of a congressional seat. She has a chronic case of foot in mouth, and her meager command of the facts worries even her allies. Might she embarrass her district with her continual, bird-brained observations and statements? It's possible but not likely. A primary challenger sounds wonderful until you're forced by reality to get specific. Who to challenge her? How? Her district is solidly Democratic, so she's not likely to be beaten by a Republican in the general election. But if she and the Justice Democrats get serious about ousting members whose only sin is that they aren't Looney-Tunes radical enough, they will find a lot of pushback to deal with. You can tell from that chart when President Xi was promoted to running China. It was the sudden rush of Chinese incursions, driven by Xi's nasty and aggressive stance to China's neighbors. Last December was the first zero count since his election. The decision to have no incursions may have been his, or it might reflect turmoil within the regime. The drum beat of war in Asia has stopped for the moment. The big news from China is that there were no Chinese incursions into Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in December: Trump's tariffs won't bring the dead back to life, and the jobs leaving China might go to India, Vietnam, and the like, but at least those countries don't want to kill us. And the stronger they are, the better they will be in coping with Chinese aggression. But the job of curtailing Chinese aggression has only started. No one wants to risk paying tariffs and no one wants to be in a situation where a critical component can be banned and force an entire product's re-design. The risks are just too high and Trump's next moves are seen as too unpredictable. While no one is happy about impairing fixed infrastructure or dealing with the chaos of rapidly re-making a whole supply chain, Trump has taken a multi-year process and accelerated it into a few quarters. Dozens of companies spoke of going from 50-70% "at-risk to China," to no China exposure in 6 months. That's stunning rate of change. Once it is in motion, it won't be reversed no matter what agreement Trump can reach with Xi. I'm not smart enough to figure out all the second order effects of this change however, I know who loses badly. There's a reason that China's manufacturing economy is collapsing. Once manufacturing operations shifted, then there was a certain stickiness. But Trump's tariffs have caused companies to shift again. From this article : That is figure 5, of deaths per 100,000 for the age group 50 to 54, from a paper by Case and Deaton in 2017 entitled "Mortality and Morbidity in the 21st Century." What happened about the year 2001 was that the death rate among white non-Hispanics in the United States started climbing, and has more than doubled. That was also the year that China was allowed to become a member of the World Trade Organization, so Chinese-made goods would be subject to a lower tariff rate. U.S. jobs went to China; the newly unemployed started killing themselves through alcoholism, opioid abuse, and suicide, thus the trend of the red line in the graph above. The rapid contraction in Chinese manufacturing late last year may be related to the sudden end to provocations. To put the significance of that plummet into context, let's examine what happened to death rates in the United States for white males, age 50-54, over the last couple of decades. The big news from China is that there were no Chinese incursions into Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in December: You can tell from that chart when President Xi was promoted to running China. It was the sudden rush of Chinese incursions, driven by Xi's nasty and aggressive stance to China's neighbors. Last December was the first zero count since his election. The decision to have no incursions may have been his, or it might reflect turmoil within the regime. The drum beat of war in Asia has stopped for the moment. The rapid contraction in Chinese manufacturing late last year may be related to the sudden end to provocations. To put the significance of that plummet into context, let's examine what happened to death rates in the United States for white males, age 50-54, over the last couple of decades. That is figure 5, of deaths per 100,000 for the age group 50 to 54, from a paper by Case and Deaton in 2017 entitled "Mortality and Morbidity in the 21st Century." What happened about the year 2001 was that the death rate among white non-Hispanics in the United States started climbing, and has more than doubled. That was also the year that China was allowed to become a member of the World Trade Organization, so Chinese-made goods would be subject to a lower tariff rate. U.S. jobs went to China; the newly unemployed started killing themselves through alcoholism, opioid abuse, and suicide, thus the trend of the red line in the graph above. Once manufacturing operations shifted, then there was a certain stickiness. But Trump's tariffs have caused companies to shift again. From this article: No one wants to risk paying tariffs and no one wants to be in a situation where a critical component can be banned and force an entire product's re-design. The risks are just too high and Trump's next moves are seen as too unpredictable. While no one is happy about impairing fixed infrastructure or dealing with the chaos of rapidly re-making a whole supply chain, Trump has taken a multi-year process and accelerated it into a few quarters. Dozens of companies spoke of going from 50-70% "at-risk to China," to no China exposure in 6 months. That's stunning rate of change. Once it is in motion, it won't be reversed no matter what agreement Trump can reach with Xi. I'm not smart enough to figure out all the second order effects of this change however, I know who loses badly. There's a reason that China's manufacturing economy is collapsing. Trump's tariffs won't bring the dead back to life, and the jobs leaving China might go to India, Vietnam, and the like, but at least those countries don't want to kill us. And the stronger they are, the better they will be in coping with Chinese aggression. But the job of curtailing Chinese aggression has only started. Late last year came news that the FBI raided the office of Alderman Ed Burke, taking boxes and boxes of records. Burke, who is in his fiftieth year in office as an alderman, is widely regarded as the most powerful member of the City Council, a power who has outlasted every mayor, quietly running things while the more visible mayor takes the brickbats. I hate to raise expectations prematurely, but this could be really big. Not only Chicago, but the entire state of Illinois has been a cesspool of political corruption as long as anyone alive can remember, all of it a subsidiary of the Democratic Party, even when, as occasionally happens, a Republican occupies the governor's office. For the first time, there is a hint that a long-running federal investigation may actually target the real power at the center of it all. Now comes shocking news that another powerful member of the Chicago City Council, Alderman Danny Solis (who is retiring gee, I wonder why!) has been wearing a wire for the feds for two years. Retiring Ald. Danny Solis (25th) received sex acts, Viagra, free weekend use of an Indiana farm once owned by Oprah Winfrey and a steady stream of campaign contributions in exchange for shepherding official City Council actions, according to allegations in a federal court affidavit obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. The allegations are contained in an explosive search warrant application that helps explain why Solis, the powerful chairman of the City Council's Zoning Committee, agreed to spend more than two years cooperating in a federal investigation during which he is known to have secretly recorded at least a dozen conversations with Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th), the former chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee. Although no charges have been filed publicly against Solis, the 2016 affidavit lays out in detail a federal corruption case against the veteran alderman, who was one of the closest City Council allies of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Emanuel's predecessor, Richard M. Daley. The paragraph that follows immediately is what has gotten my attention: It also alleges that among the people recorded as part of the Solis investigation was Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, the longest-serving state House speaker in the country. Michael Madigan (photo credit: YouTube screen grab). The Sun-Times follows up with a second article devoted to the Madigan revelation: The FBI secretly recorded Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan trying to get business for his private law firm from a developer brought to him by Ald. Danny Solis, who was weighing the developer's request to build a hotel in Chinatown, according to a federal court affidavit obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. The affidavit makes clear for the first time that the federal investigation that has snared powerful Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke extends beyond City Hall and into the Illinois statehouse, examining politicians' longstanding practice of merging personal and political business. ... Madigan, who isn't facing any criminal charges, was recorded by an associate of the developer during a meeting at Madigan's law office that Solis had arranged, according to the affidavit. That associate, who'd been secretly working for the feds, made a "video and audio recording" of the meeting, which occurred in 2014. In a statement through his attorney on Monday, Madigan denied any wrongdoing and "to our knowledge, neither the speaker nor his law firm is under investigation." Maybe this is all innocent, and Madigan will continue doing the business he has done for 50 years. But be still, my heart! we now know that the feds have been squeezing some pretty important people with threats of prosecution and long prison sentences (Robert Mueller didn't invent this tactic) and getting them to wear a wire. The fact that Solis wore a wire for two years, and as chair of the zoning committee was at the heart of Chicago corruption, raises some really interesting possibilities for identifying big fish. Madigan for his part, is impossible to overstate in terms of real political power and secret deals in Illinois. He holds the all-time record for heading a legislative body in the United States, having been speaker of the Illinois State House of Representatives every year since 1983 except for two. Even allowing for the possibility of exaggeration, or of hopes that may be dashed, this is an exciting announcement, via Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman of the Jerusalem Post : "We believe we will offer in a year's time a complete cure for cancer," said Dan Aridor, of a new treatment being developed by his company, Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies Ltd. (AEBi), which was founded in 2000 in the ITEK incubator in the Weizmann Science Park. AEBi developed the SoAP platform, which provides functional leads to very difficult targets. "Our cancer cure will be effective from day one, will last a duration of a few weeks and will have no or minimal side-effects at a much lower cost than most other treatments on the market," Aridor said. "Our solution will be both generic and personal." It sounds fantastical, especially considering that an estimated 18.1 million new cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide each year, according to reports by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Further, every sixth death in the world is due to cancer, making it the second leading cause of death (second only to cardiovascular disease). Aridor, chairman of the board of AEBi and CEO Dr. Ilan Morad, say their treatment, which they call MuTaTo (multi-target toxin) is essentially on the scale of a cancer antibiotic a disruption technology of the highest order. Photo via Jerusalem Post. I am far from qualified to evaluate the science and technology involved, but the approach sounds plausible. Rather than excerpt the explanation, I urge you to read the entire article, which explains clearly the nature of the innovations at the root of this promising approach. Even if this approach proves to be a dry hole, however, it is an example of the innovation that seems to be a specialty of Israeli researchers in many fields. For complex historical, cultural, and practical reasons, Israel has become a technology superpower, despite a tiny population and many discriminatory practices overseas, including the noxious BDS movement (boycott, divestment, sanctions) that seeks economic strangulation of Israeli enterprise. Success in foiling Israeli entrepreneurship would stifle one of the world's most important sources of scientific and technological innovation, one that has fostered a unique hi-tech ecosystem that generates new firms and new technology, offering innovations that can change the world for the better. The normally anti-Israel BBC examined Israel's success in cyber-security innovation and pointed to a number of factors that may not be reproducible anywhere else in the world. Israel is unique among nations in many ways besides the obvious factor of being the world's sole Jewish state. As a hothouse of science and technology, Israel already has offered many life-saving (and life-enhancing) technologies of tremendous benefit to all. This prospective cure for cancer, if successful, promises victory over a major scourge. The BDS movement and the Jew-haters from the progressives in America and Europe to the mullahs of Iran who promise to wipe Israel off the map don't want to see this gift to humanity come to fruition. Their destructiveness to the hopes of humanity for actual progress is of the highest magnitude, considering the discoveries that await. Hat tip: Karin McQuillan NPR: Officials at the cemetery say they knew very little about Walker's life. It's possible he has a brother living in Texas, the cemetery said. But despite the long delay between Walker's death and his burial, no one had come forward on his behalf. "If you have the opportunity, please come out and attend," the cemetery told its followers on social media. "We do NOT leave Veterans behind." Local TV news station KVUE picked up the call, as did motorcycle clubs and other media, including CNN's Jake Tapper. When the time of Walker's funeral arrived on Monday, news crews captured the moment as uniformed pallbearers bore his coffin into a covered plaza at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. One attendee put the number of people who turned out at more than 1,000. The crowd extended far beyond the plaza's rows of folding chairs, out onto the pavement where dozens of rows of people stood quietly in the sunshine. Photos showed that the road leading into the cemetery was clogged with vehicles bearing people who wanted to be there for Walker. Not by Trump, who's dismissed him as without " guts " with a tweet, but by the far-left Democratic Party machine and its media minions, who see the mild-mannered former Starbucks CEO as the mother of all threats. It's pretty obvious that's what's going on, a huge plan of personal and professional destruction just one day out the gate of Schultz's 60 Minutes interview, where he said he was merely considering running for president in 2020. Poor Howie Schultz. All he wanted was to do good in the world in that liberal way of his, and now he and even the company he founded are facing destruction. The Democrats' motive is fear Schultz is a liberal but not the kind of rigid, lockstep, groupthink far leftist seen in their stable of candidates, and worse still, he's likeable and charming, even to Republicans, so he must be irresistible to a lot of the Democrats they expect votes from. But Schultz says he'd go as an independent, which raises the specter of a Ross Perot-style candidacy that could split the national vote three ways. For whoever the Democrats' way-too-far-left candidate is, that means going down in flames against President Trump. So now they've started their pushback, and already it's an ugly spectacle. First, the threats. This from U.S. News & World Report: "If Schultz entered the race as an independent, we would consider him a target. ... We would do everything we can to ensure that his candidacy is unsuccessful," said Patrick McHugh, executive director of Priorities USA, which spent nearly $200 million in the 2016 presidential contest. The little fellow has an investment to defend. Next, a bid to physically silence the man, via heckling him wherever he goes. Democrats have always had a problem with free speech. But this is over the line. Next, the threat of a boycott. Here's the Preston Business Review: Democrats have ganged up on former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, threatening to make him a "target" and ditch their morning coffee amid fears he can chip away at portions of Democratic with an independent 2020 presidential bid. Democrats love to boycott. They've often targeted the company in the past, never with a good reason, and we often see the company scurry to their demands. Will Starbucks say no this time? It probably can't do anything if Schultz wants to run. It seems to be helpless, the target of a boycott over something it can't do anything about, which is disgusting. Starbucks has said it's not going to get involved in this race, because after all, it's a business, and a good one. Should businesses be boycotted for things they can't control? In the Democratic hive mentality, absolutely; they never liked businesses much anyway. Yet in reality, the empire Schultz built serves all customers well, whether left, right, or center. Want some proof of that? Here's a photo I took of a right-wing kid in a Trump sweatshirt at a Starbucks in Beverly Hills awhile back. The kid let me take his picture. I asked him how he was treated at Starbucks, and he said he always had a good experience. He loved Starbucks. In the wake of Covington, I think it's important to prevent his being doxxed by leftists, so I blurred his face. Bottom line: Starbucks is not political; Schultz is no longer its CEO; and Schultz or no Schultz, the company treats all of its customers very well. It treats lefties well, too, which is why it's amazing that lefties want to damage it through a boycott. But they do, because...by any means necessary. But you didn't think Democrats would stop with a boycott, did you? No, they want to take down the entire Starbucks stock, too. Axios, a news site that at times seems a little too close to Beltway Democrats, has a menacing headline, expressing angst at how Starbucks's stock is just going to...fall, based on lefty boycotts, and what a pity it is... Starbucks has a 2020 problem As if lefties ever cared about stock prices before. Nice company you have there, Schultz. Be a shame if anything happened to it. The content of the piece is even more disturbing, with Axios reporting that Democrat operatives are scouring Starbucks in the Alinsky style, looking for disgruntled employees or anyone who's ever had a bad work experience, the better to use it to attack Schultz. While I don't blame Axios for reporting this, it shows just how disgusting Democrats are in their organized attempt to warn Schultz not to run. They are a Chicago-style Alinsky machine, if not an actual mafia. They are out to Get Schultz, and they want Schultz to know. The implications of this are disturbing. Should a company with 30,000 stores and tens of thousands of employees be put out of jobs or businesses just because Democrats don't want its ex-CEO running? This sounds like an issue for Republicans, and Trump would do well to make a big deal about it. The ugly message from the Democrats in this spectacle is that anyone who tries to cross them faces vilification, free speech restrictions, lost business, a manipulated effort to destroy of the stock, collateral job losses, and sneaky spy activity in the quest for malcontents all for crossing Democrats with their own liberal ideas, all for straying from the Democrat plantation. That's some message to potential independent opponents, particularly if they bear any soft version of the Democrats' own ideas. It signals that dissent is not tolerated, new ideas are anathema, and annihilation is their penalty. Dinosaurs rule. What a nasty bunch they are. And that's "who they are." If this isn't an argument for not voting for any Democrats in 2020, what is? Image credit: Marco Pakoeningrat via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. It seems logical that the culture, priorities, and directives of the executive branch is set by whoever sits atop the organizational chart, namely the president. This was clear during past administrations. President Obama presided over a cabinet made up of Obama functionaries, whether in Homeland Security, Justice, or the IRS. Without needing explicit guidance or direction, cabinet and agency heads carried the flag of the commander in chief, faithful and always loyal to their boss, for better or worse depending on your political bent. An organizational chart of the executive branch of the federal government clearly shows one person at the top, the president. Beneath him are cabinet departments, including the department of justice. Within the DOJ, another organizational chart demonstrates that the attorney general is on top, with the deputy AG one step below. Beneath both sits the FBI. In President Trumps administration, this pattern appears to have broken. Granted Donald Trump came to the White House without the political entourage that past presidents have carried into the Oval Office from their days as a governor, senator, or vice-president. Trump entered only with his Apprentice persona, and on several occasions told disloyal or disruptive cabinet officials or other advisors, Youre fired. Yet recent events illustrate that one cabinet agency, namely the Department of Justice, is not only outside the organizational chart, but instead is a fourth branch of government, somehow overlooked by the US Constitution. Roger Stones recent arrest by an FBI SWAT team suggests that the DOJ is functioning as a fourth branch of government, through the appointed special counsel, acting as an additional check and balance on the executive branch. Going beyond the special counsels mandate to investigate, Russian governments efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, it appears that the unstated goal is to nullify the 2016 presidential election. Stone is not a serial killer or a mafia don. Hes neither a drug kingpin nor a terrorist. He is guilty of little more than knowing and associating with Donald Trump. His indictment was for process crimes, misleading Congress or other investigators. Something that Hillary Clinton, her aides, and top Obama officials did routinely and brazenly without consequence. If Donald Trump were not president, Roger Stone would not be a household name; instead he would be advising the next John McCain or Mitt Romney, haplessly trying to win the White House against an unbeatable government/media machine. Yet, someone signed off on the Stone blitzkrieg, sending an assault team to Stones home in the wee hours of the morning. Does Mueller have this authority? According to statute, The special counsel shall exercise, within the scope of his or her jurisdiction, the full power and independent authority to exercise all investigative and prosecutorial functions of any United States Attorney. Can a US Attorney request an FBI raid without the approval of superiors in the DOJ? When it comes to process crimes, beyond the issue of Russian interference, the special counsel, Shall consult with the Attorney General, who will determine whether to include the additional matters within the special counsel's jurisdiction or assign them elsewhere. If the accused is low risk, as is Roger Stone, he and his attorney would be notified, and he would present himself to the court for arrest, processing, and bail. If high risk or armed and dangerous, a raid might be ordered. Does Mueller have that authority, or would that involve consultation with the Attorney General who could then order the FBI to carry out such a raid? Such discussions would include Deputy AG Rosenstein, AG Whitaker, and FBI Director Wray, all three working for the man atop the above organizational chart. Director Wray is, About as angry as I've been in a long, long time. Not about the Stone raid utilizing 29 FBI agents, more than the number of SEALS raiding Osama bin Ladens compound, but instead about the government shutdown. How can this happen? Is this how The Trump Organization operated, with underlings carrying out their own agendas, against the interests of the boss? Then there was the CNN producer, who based on a hunch just happened to be at Roger Stones house, on the right day at the right time, with a camera ready to film the assault and arrest. No other journalist had a similar hunch. Only CNN, an organization whose hunches, from the recent Buzzfeed story to the Covington student standoff with the brave Viet Nam veteran, are usually wrong, reinforcing CNNs reputation as fake news. Interestingly, one of CNNs analysts, Josh Campbell, was formerly an FBI agent and assistant to James Comey. Quite the coincidence. Was the plan and timing of the raid leaked to CNN? From local law enforcement, the FBI, or team Mueller? Will the DOJ investigate? It appears that Donald Trump is not in charge, or at least he is not acting like he is. He may be getting advice that he will be impeached if he in any way interferes with the Mueller investigation. So what? House Democrats will impeach him, or at least try to, regardless of what he does or doesnt do. Yet Trumps appointees are supervising this investigation, Rosenstein, and his current boss Whitaker. Is Mueller investigating Russian interference or is he on a wild goose chase to squeeze anyone in Trumps circle until someone cries uncle and gives Mueller what he wants, a high crime or misdemeanor. There has been no evidence to date of Trump-Russia collusion. As Andrew McCarthy observes, The indictment is just the latest blatant demonstration that Special Counsel Robert Muellers office, the Department of Justice, and the FBI have known for many months that there was no such conspiracy. Rather than exonerating President Trump, the investigation, leaks, and media speculation keeps the false narrative alive, dividing the country and hampering Trumps ability to govern and conduct foreign policy. The longer this goes on, the worse for President Trump. We are told to trust the plan and that pain is coming yet there is no evidence of either. Trump, while supposedly in charge of the executive branch, seems anything but. The true malfeasance, an Obama administration conspiracy to undermine an election and a duly elected president through the weaponization of government agencies, working with friendly foreign governments, lying to FISA courts by passing off political opposition research as verified intelligence, all goes uninvestigated and unpunished. When and where is the reckoning for this? Is this America or East Germany? It doesnt help that Trumps party, the Republicans, are largely silent. The media is in lockstep with Mueller and the Democrats in their mission to destroy and banish Trump from the White House. Democrats defended Bill Clinton when he was under investigation. Few Republicans show similar loyalty to the leader of their party. Whats the end game? The words of Joseph Goebbels are the marching orders for the Democrats, the deep state, and their media allies, If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. Only one man can stop this, the one sitting atop that organizational chart. He is already loathed by his political enemies who are hell-bent on impeaching him and removing him from office. The longer this drags on, the more likely this scenario will come true. There may be enough NeverTrump Republicans in the Senate Cory Gardner, Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski and a few others to vote Trump out of office after the Democrat House votes to impeach. The man who said these words is the only one who can make them ring true. Our movement is about replacing a failed and corrupt political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People. There is nothing the political establishment will not do, and no lie they will not tell, to hold on to their prestige and power at your expense. This is not simply another 4-year election. This is a crossroads in the history of our civilization that will determine whether or not We The People reclaim control over our government. For them, it is a war and for them, nothing is out of bounds. This is a struggle for the survival of our nation. This election will determine whether we are a free nation, or whether we have only the illusion of Democracy but are in fact controlled by a small handful of global special interests rigging the system. Our Independence Day is at hand, and it arrives, finally, on November 8th. Join me in taking back our country and creating a bright and glorious new dawn for our people. Time for the man at the top to show who is really in charge. Before its too late. Brian C Joondeph, MD, MPS, a Denver based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. A similar standard must apply in our quest for universal human and civil rights. If activists claim to fight for civil rights, but disregard the harm their efforts cause to third parties, this negligence should compel us to reevaluate their actual commitment to social justice. Modern armed forces must contend with that which is euphemized as collateral damage. Every military is expected to do its utmost to reduce harm to innocent civilians and is condemned if it is negligent in this regard. On multiple fronts, left-wing progressives demonstrate calculated indifference to the most vulnerable Americans while demanding privileges for their preferred classes -- all in the name of civil rights. Time and again, social justice warriors insist that it is moral to deny crucial aid to those in pain, when that aid comes from a religious group working within the parameters of its faith. In 2014, Army Chaplain Captain Joe Lawhorn was designated primary instructor for an annual course on sexual harassment, alcohol awareness, and suicide prevention training. He spoke in his capacity as military chaplain, and even shared his personal struggles with depression. He discussed the methods he uses to combat it, including, of course, his personal faith. He also provided a handout with Army resources and what he described as biblical approaches to handling depression. Belief that we were Created with a purpose and mission by a beneficent Supreme Being is an empowering thought, regardless of the particulars of our faith denomination. Chaplain Lawhorn was not preaching a particular religious faith, but using his own as a model that listeners of all faiths could replicate within themselves. One listener, however, an atheist, was offended, and complained to an atheist advocacy group, which then filed a complaint with the Army. A letter of concern was issued and placed in Captain Lawhorns record -- until he obtained legal counsel, who succeeded in expunging the letter from Lawhorns file. This was more than a career-damaging attack on one chaplain. Had the atheist advocacy group succeeded in its efforts, it would have had a chilling effect on future prevention efforts by military chaplains throughout -- at a time when the military suicide rate in the United States is far higher than that of the general population. Chaplains of all faiths would be prohibited from sharing faith-based tools and resources with soldiers who need it the most. The obvious consequence, increased suicide in the military, was of no concern to the purported advocates for human rights. Late in the Obama administration, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services erected new barriers for children in the foster care system -- demanding that faith-based providers act contrary to traditional religious beliefs. Under the new regimen, religious groups are to be denied license to care for children if they work exclusively with host families who share their faith, or even if they simply expect hosts to be married by their denominations own definition, rather than the governments. Catholic Social Services, a provider of foster care in Philadelphia for generations, had its license revoked when the city discovered that CSS expected host families to be engaged in a Biblical rather than alternative marriage. As a result, 35 children were left languishing in group homes, rather than under the individual care of loving hosts. Across the country, other faith-based providers are facing similar challenges -- just last week, Health and Human Services granted South Carolina a waiver, without which Miracle Hill Ministries would have been forced to stop providing foster care services to hundreds of children. In many cases, critics freely acknowledge that the targeted agencies are the most competent providers of care available. Yet they demand that these agencies abandon faith-based standards for the families with whom they work, ignoring the fact that it is their religious faith which motivates their pursuit of excellence. The purported civil-rights advocates offer no alternatives or solutions for children denied service due to their efforts. Early last year, Timothy Paul Coyle appeared at the doorstep of the Hope Center in Anchorage, a Christian womens shelter, following a drunken fight at another shelter. The staff of the Hope Center sent him to the emergency room for treatment of his injuries, and even paid his cab fare. They would not admit him, however, despite his claim to be a transgender female while appearing obviously male. One would be hard pressed to identify a more vulnerable group of American adults than those in womens shelters. Many of those residing in the Hope Center reacted with horror to the idea of sharing their dormitory-style bedroom with a biological male; one said she would rather sleep in the Alaskan forest -- in January. Leftist advocates uniformly disregarded these frightened and abused women gathered for shelter in favor of a violent drunk. He claimed to be transgender, a member of a protected class, in his discrimination complaint to the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission. To progressives, his feelings were the only ones that seemed to matter; the biological women would have to choose between sharing their bedroom with a violent man or sleeping in the woods. So much for safe spaces. In their unending crusade to rid America of religious influence, leftist zealots display no concern for the obvious harm to the vulnerable attributable directly to their efforts. Their agenda not only threatens religious freedom across the United States, but the very lives of those most in need of our protection -- and the moral foundations of our civilization. It is time for our courts to restore sanity to First Amendment jurisprudence and hold to account those whose agenda turns a blind eye to collateral damage. Rabbi Yaakov Menken is the Managing Director of the Coalition for Jewish Values, the largest rabbinic public policy organization in America. Lathan Watts is Director of Community Relations for First Liberty Institute, the nations largest non-profit law firm exclusively dedicated to restoring and protecting religious liberty for all Americans. Leaving the morality of the wall aside, the second major criticism Democrats and neocons make is that a wall wouldnt work. In Nancy Pelosis and Chuck Schumers creepy response to Trumps national address , Pelosi claimed Trump was Forcing American taxpayers to waste billions of dollars on an expensive and ineffective wall. Schumer added that Democrats and the President both want stronger border security. However, we sharply disagree with the President about the most effective way to do it. Illegal immigration has been a problem since I was old enough to know what a problem was. Something needs to be done to fix it. Yet the Democrats and neoconservatives have gone far past my uneasiness to repeatedly claim such a wall would be immoral and a monument to racism. With this, 2019 Chuck Schumer took a broad swipe at 2009 Chuck Schumer who had this to say, Our border is far more secure today The progress includes 9000 new border patrol field agents in the last four years [and] construction of a 630-mile border fence that create a significant barrier to illegal immigration on our southern land border. Border wall = ineffective and racist. Border fence = smart and effective border security. Got it? These are just baseless assertions, however. And given Trump has requested -- and the House passed -- a budget with only $5.7 billion for the wall, its hard to qualify that as expensive, at least in government speak. Given the 2019 federal budget is estimated to be $4.407 trillion, the wall would only amount to 0.13 percent of the federal budget. So lets turn to Adam Conovers show Adam Ruins Everything and his short segment Why Building a Border Wall Makes No Sense. Spoilers: Adam ruins this segment. He starts off noting, [The wall] would have to stretch over 2000 miles of rough terrain, cutting through mountains, rivers, villages and even peoples homes. No Adam, it wouldnt. Shockingly, the walls course would not actually be bound to follow the exact trajectory of the American-Mexican border. It can obviously go around villages and natural obstructions. Next Adam points out that Its estimated that between 27 and 40 percent of all undocumented immigrants in America came here on planes They came here legally, through passport control then just overstayed their visas. Remember folks, Planes can fly over walls! Of course, no one has ever claimed that a border wall by itself would be sufficient to stop all illegal immigration. Some may be surprised to learn that youre not going to lose weight with exercise and three daily trips to the Home Town Buffet. Next well turn to Nick Kolakowski over at Medium (which has turned into yet another leftwing-dominated tech platform) and his piece A Brief History of Border Walls. In the article, Kolakowski discusses the ancient Hadrians Wall, Israels West Bank wall (which we will return to shortly) and the Great Wall of China, which did repel some raiders, but it ultimately failed at key points. Because such a defense is only as good as the forces defending it. Kolakowski appears to have discovered we will not be able to fire all our border agents just because we built the wall. He then turns to the walls of Constantinople, To be fair, those defenses managed to protect Constantinople through any number of sieges and attacks Those mighty walls might have resisted arrows, tunnels, siege machines, and boats, but cannons could tear right through them. If you build a 20-foot wall, theyll build a 21-foot cannon! So, the lefts arguments about why a wall wont work are rather weak. But that still leaves the question as to why they do work. While its true that someone could use a ladder to climb over a wall, it would cause a delay to do so. Furthermore, a wall could also be designed in such a way as to make it very difficult and intimidating to use a ladder, as Trumps spiked steel slat barrier proposal certainly would. The key thing a border wall would do, however, is create an easily-monitorable choke point. As the ACLU complains (while failing to reach the logical conclusion), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency tasked with patrolling the U.S. border and areas that function like a border, claims a territorial reach much larger than you might imagine The federal government defines a reasonable distance as 100 air miles from any external boundary of the U.S. The Mexico-United States border stretches 1954 miles, which means the area being patrolled is approximately 195,400 square miles. It is far easier to patrol a linear border with a barrier than such a massive swath of territory. A border wall would allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to consolidate its efforts along the wall. Cameras could be set up every 1000 feet or so and drones could hover along it looking for potential crossers. When someone approaches the wall border patrol agents can be quickly dispatched to pick them up and deport them. Therefore, it shouldnt be surprising that a survey of 600 border patrol agents found that 89 percent believed a wall was necessary. With this, we can return to Kolakowskis point about Israels West Bank Barrier. First, its odd he picked this particular wall as Israel has walls all over the place. This one has concrete walls [that] are supposed to help block sniper fire. That wall appears to have been at least somewhat successful. A much better example from Israel is its southern wall along the Israel-Egypt border. Israel had little to no problem with terrorists coming from Egypt. The problem there was the same as here; illegal immigration. Between 2010 and 2012, 55,000 illegal immigrants entered Israel, but after the 143-mile wall was built, illegal immigration was cut by 99 percent. Even the left-leaning PolitiFact acknowledged this. A border wall also worked in Hungary and cut illegal immigration down by 99 percent. The Harvard International Review further found that Egypts border wall with Gaza and Spains fence in Morocco have been successful. Indeed, if a wall is a monument to racism, the rest of the world has a lot to answer for. USA Today points out that there are at least 77 walls or fences around the world. But why look abroad? As 2009 Chuck Schumer helpfully observed, we already have a fence (not a racist wall) that covers 680-miles of our border. Most observers believe this fence has been effective where it exists (including Jim Acosta, if inadvertently). As Paul Sperry notes, the two-story corrugated metal fence between El Paso and Juarez reduced illegal crossings by more than 89 percent over the five-year period during which the controversial new fence was built. So, you can argue a wall is immoral or racist or too expensive or would do environmental harm or whatever. The one thing you cant argue, however, is that a wall wouldnt work. Convincing myself to be courageous for a trip with my granddaughter Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Grove City, PA (16127) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 83F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. No other day is more emblematic for Venezuelans than January 23. It was on this day that Venezuelans rose up and overthrew the dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez in 1958. Thus, it was no surprise when the Venezuelan opposition chose January 23 to launch their most recent offensive, with the relatively unknown opposition benchwarmer Juan Guaido declaring himself president. The oppositions desired message was clear: Nicolas Maduro is a dictator and the people have had enough. But metaphors only stretch so far. Maduro is no dictator, and the opposition much less Guaido himself do not speak for the people. In fact, until last week, fewer than 20 percent of Venezuelans even knew who Guaido was, and he only came to head the opposition-controlled National Assembly by accident. To quell chronic infighting, Venezuelas fragmented opposition agreed to rotate leadership, and despite claiming only 14 seats of 167, it was the turn of his party, Popular Will. For his part, Maduro was just inaugurated for his second term, after winning an election that the main opposition coalition chose to boycott. Today they cry fraud, but this is an opposition that has been boycotting elections, orchestrating coups, and unleashing bloody violence in the streets of Venezuela for nearly two decades. We should be clear: Guaidos self-declaration is yet another attempted coup. It doesnt take a legal scholar to know that it has no constitutional basis. The opposition appeals to Article 233 of the constitution to claim that Maduro has abandoned the presidency, but he clearly hasnt. What sets this attempt at regime change apart from previous ones is the immediate reaction from many in the international community. The United States offered its pre-emptive support in the form of a video endorsement from US Vice President Mike Pence, and a handful of Latin American countries quickly followed suit, with several European nations threatening to do the same if new elections are not immediately called. How can world leaders support a coup in the name of democracy? The ease with which parts of the international community have recognised Guaido reflects not principled support for democracy, but a global reconfiguration of power. This includes not only the rise of a multi-polar world exemplified by Russian and Chinese support for Venezuelan sovereignty but also a rightward swing across Latin America alongside the warring colonial conceits of the US and Europe. US President Donald Trumps support for regime change is unsurprising his thin commitment to isolationism notwithstanding. But his decision to name Elliott Abrams, whose bloody fingerprints are all over Nicaraguas Contras and other Central American war criminals, as special envoy to Venezuela was even more extreme than many expected. 190127203108212 With friends like these, who needs elections at all? On Venezuela, Democratic Party leaders are often hard to distinguish from their Republican counterparts, and today is no exception. Eyes trained on Floridas 2020 electoral college votes, most, like Nancy Pelosi, have staked out openly pro-coup positions. And after two years stoking anti-Russia panic, MSNBCs standard script offers little guidance to confused liberals seeking to triangulate a political position Trump is for the coup but Russia is against it what to do? Small signs of hope have emerged from the new Democratic cohort, however. California representative Ro Khanna rejected US support for Guaido and called for an end to sanctions, while Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar tweeted that; 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 destabilize the region. Meanwhile, progressive firebrand Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez has disappointingly settled for retweeting Khanna, while Bernie Sanders buried the lede in a hand-wringing thread that spent more time denouncing Maduro than opposing US intervention. Europe, characteristically, is positioning itself as the global lesser-evil, imperialism with a smile. While not endorsing the coup outright, several countries have threatened to do so if Maduro doesnt call elections within eight days. Blackmailing a recently-elected president into new elections is arrogant enough but its positively galling once we consider who is issuing the ultimatum. The UKs conservative Prime Minister Theresa May, for example, is presiding over an unpopular government that can scarcely survive a no-confidence vote and who can forget her partys former leader Margaret Thatchers overt support for Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet? Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez only came to power through another vote of no confidence in a country that has still scarcely grappled with its own fascist legacy, the heirs of which the right-wing Popular Party played a key role in the 2002 coup against Chavez. Frances besieged President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval ratings are lower than Maduros, would be well-advised to get his own house in order. Macron embraces protests as long as they dont occur on French soil, and seems to have forgotten the thousands arrested and injured and the eight deaths caused by repression of the Yellow Vest protests. And then theres Latin America, where the new wave of right-wing governments quickly embraced Guaido, not because they support democracy, but because overthrowing Chavismo would be the crowning achievement of their efforts to gradually reclaim power in the region. In fact, the so-called Lima Group that helped fast-track regional recognition for Guaido was established scarcely 18 months ago as a spearhead of Latin Americas right-wing, and with the explicit objective of antagonising Venezuela. Through soft coups in Paraguay and Brazil, along with elections in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and elsewhere, the leftist Pink Tide has been pulled apart and delivered into the hands of international capital. 190128023131041 Here too, the roll-call is revealing. Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez is the handpicked successor of Alvaro Uribe, the godfather of the Latin American far right, accused of having ties to drug trafficking and death squads (many of those today emigrating from the Venezuelan crisis had previously fled decades of political violence in Colombia). Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra wasnt even elected himself, and instead came to power when his predecessor was forced to resign amid corruption scandals (but not before pardoning Perus former president and war criminal Alberto Fujimori, although the pardon was later reversed by the Supreme Court). Standing at the head of these self-appointed guardians of Venezuelan democracy is Jair Bolsonaro a racist misogynist who openly praises the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964-1985). The hypocrisy is so thick you can cut it with a knife. And in some ways, the clearest proof of the Lima Groups political motivations is the defection by Mexico, where Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was inaugurated in December. Bucking the rightward shift in the region, Lopez Obrador has also rejected this newly hegemonic Washington Consensus, instead, offering to mediate a solution to the Venezuelan crisis. Its not clear what the coming days will bring. Guaido has so far refrained from calling for a new election. His strategy has rather been to build a parallel government not with popular votes but with international support. The Bank of England is currently under pressure to refuse the Maduro governments long-standing request to repatriate Venezuelan gold. Meanwhile, if there were any question about the role of oil in this equation, Marco Rubio has tweeted about how US oil jobs demand that the coup succeed, and Guaido is threatening to name a parallel board to Venezuelan-owned (but US-based) oil company Citgo. In response to US support for the coup, Maduro rightly cut off diplomatic relations, but Trump initially refused to withdraw the staff from the embassy. While the Venezuelan government would have been entirely justified in arresting and expelling the ambassador, Maduro didnt take the bait, and instead defused a dangerous situation that could have been used to justify more direct intervention. The Venezuelan is proposing political dialogue to ease tensions, which is a necessary step. While no dialogue will be able to stabilise the economic tailspin, pressuring the US to lift its brutal sanction regime would be a major step in the right direction. Lost amid all this global brinksmanship, however, are the very people that everyone claims to be speaking for: the Venezuelan poor, those bearing the brunt of a profound economic crisis, opposition sabotage, and US sanctions alike. These very same sectors rebelled against the crisis and neoliberal reform in 1989, propelling Hugo Chavez into power a decade later, and many are understandably unwilling to throw away the political gains of the past 20 years. And it is with these sectors, not with right-wing, imperialist coups, that Venezuelas future lay. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Earlier this month, India sparked panic among its long-suffering Rohingya refugee population by deporting a family of five to their home country of Myanmar, where they will most certainly face human rights violations and imprisonment. This expulsion came on the heels of the controversial forced repatriation of seven Rohingya men last October. For Rohingya refugees currently residing in India, who the authorities claims are as many as 40,000, this second deportation seemed to harbinger a frightful pattern, especially as Indias far-right government had previously pledged to deport all Rohingya. Ruling party officials have made such threats despite international law prohibiting states from refoulement, sending persons to nations where they risk persecution. In Myanmar, such persecution is a near-certainty. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh after an army crackdown more than a year ago. UN officials have described the Myanmar militarys action as genocide and called for government officials to be prosecuted. The United Nations and many other rights groups and international bodies still deem Myanmar unsafe for repatriation. In response to the latest deportation, Rohingya refugees eager to avert similar fates began pouring from India into Bangladesh. Bangladeshi authorities estimate that over 1,300 Rohingya refugees have left India and sought refuge in its territory within the last month. Most recently, 31 refugees including 16 children and 6 women were left stranded in the barren no mans land along the India-Bangladesh border for four days after Bangladesh denied them entry and the two nations failed to agree on what to do with them. Eventually, India arrested the group on January 22. Like others apprehended as illegal migrants, these detainees will likely face lengthy jail terms. Such imprisonment violates not only Indias own law but also international law prohibiting arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as the customarily recognised right to seek asylum. Yet, given the pattern of behaviour the current Indian government has displayed towards the Rohingya, it is hardly surprising that many Indian officials feel emboldened enough to routinely violate international and national legal norms with impunity when dealing with Rohingya refugees. BJPs anti-Rohingya policies The majority of Indias Rohingya came to India either prior to 2012 or following that years violence in Myanmar all well before the 2017 genocide. At the time, Bangladesh was much less welcoming to refugees, but India appeared to offer great promise. Most of us went to Bangladesh first, but with little or very bad work, and the government didnt support us like it supports the refugees who are there now, one Rohingya refugee, who had been residing in India for over five years told me. People were saying that in India, there were better economic opportunities real jobs for us. Unfortunately for many, upon arrival, those opportunities proved largely illusory. Still, they found India more peaceful and welcoming than Bangladesh. Although living conditions remained challenging and work scarce, the government did little to prevent refugees from pursuing better futures. At the time, more refugee children were allowed to attend school, and some areas even offered basic assistance. In the years since, however, attitudes towards minorities particularly Muslims have shifted dramatically in India, devastating the livelihoods and prospects of many Rohingya living there. In 2014, Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the majority in parliament and its firebrand leader, Narendra Modi, became prime minister. Modis government made short work of vilifying Muslims and particularly Rohingya, recasting them as terrorists and illegal Bengalis (just like the Myanmar authorities do). The BJP has characterised Muslim refugees in India as threats to the very fabric of Indian society and used them as a tool to draw the countrys Hindu majority into their far-right movement. Indeed, over less than a decade, the Hindu-nationalist government and its supporters succeeded in drastically eroding many of the most fundamental human rights of the Rohingya refugees, including access to work, education, shelter, sanitation, healthcare, and basic human dignity, among others. Most recently, Indian authorities ceased to recognise the UNHCR-issued refugee cards of Rohingya, effectively taking away the little amount of legal protection some 18,000 registered Rohingya refugees had in the country. At the moment, virtually all activities and services (including education, work, and healthcare) require a residency-based Aadhar card. According to Rohingya advocates and refugees, these were previously issued to some Rohingya who met the governments criteria, but this practice has since ceased. Rohingya also face increased surveillance, at times going as far as harassment, with officials repeatedly collecting biodata, fingerprints, and paperwork. In areas where the police are most hostile like Jammu and Hiryana refugees fleeing to other parts of the country or to Bangladesh report extortion, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and beatings are also on the rise. The government also bars Rohingya from owning property or building permanent structures. This limits them to either renting dirt patches in remote settlements and constructing jhuggis (slum-like shanties), or for a fortunate few renting urban flats from sympathetic landlords. Jhuggi dwellers typically face the greatest hardships, as most work in rag picking (waste collection) or other irregular, poorly-paid labour. Rag picking in particular perhaps the most common occupation among Indias Rohingya poses serious health risks, as constantly handling and living amidst waste causes workers including children as young as five to frequently contract myriad unidentifiable maladies, while dire sanitation conditions further exacerbate widespread illness. In the squalid settlement of Faridabad, for instance, 180 refugees all working as rag pickers have no latrine in the entire camp, while nearly all residents income goes to healthcare. Hate crime and extremist rhetoric Since 2014, there has also been an uptick in hate crimes against Rohingya throughout India, with verbal and physical assaults becoming familiar occurrences for some. Last April, on the very night that an international Rohingya conference was held in New Delhi, the Kalindi Kunj jugghi settlement was burned to the ground. When its 226 residents relocated and rebuilt, their attackers attempted (though fortunately failed) to destroy their settlement again. Further, in 2017, as Myanmars Rohingya genocide escalated, fear of a massive Rohingya influx permeated the northern Jammu region, where most of Rohingya refugees in India reside. Extremist rhetoric grew especially venomous, with one Jammu official even advocating for an identify and kill movement. Extremists have since adopted this mantra, protesting to demand full deportations and using billboards and front-page advertisements to convey propaganda and threats to local Rohingya. In light of all these abuses, many Rohingya are trying their best to assimilate. Some managed to adjust their appearance and even learn Hindi well enough to pass as Indian, and as a result face relatively less harassment in their daily lives. Few others, who still hold Aadhar cards and have been able to secure steady, relatively reasonably paid work, also manage to get by. Yet even these relatively privileged Rohingya lack full protection, and they do not see a path towards citizenship or at least residency permit. Thousands of less privileged Rohingya, on the other hand, continue to live in a state of fear, deprivation and debilitating uncertainty while facing daily harassment, discrimination and persecution. Recent deportations have drawn some attention to the serious dangers that still await Rohingya in Myanmar and encouraged the international community to take a stand against forced repatriations. However, the world also needs to pay attention to the plight of Rohingya still living in India. The Indian government appears intent on following dangerously in the footsteps of the Myanmar authorities: intentionally fomenting religious-nationalist fervour and placing thousands of already traumatised Rohingya in a state of constant fear and deprivation. If we dont act now and pressure the Indian government to reverse its divisive rhetoric and dangerous policies, Rohingya will continue to be victimised by aggressive nationalism and Islamophobia in yet another country. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Weather Alert THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 289 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EDT SUNDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN FLORIDA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES IN BIG BEND FLORIDA FRANKLIN GADSDEN JEFFERSON LEON LIBERTY MADISON TAYLOR WAKULLA IN GEORGIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 18 COUNTIES IN SOUTH CENTRAL GEORGIA BEN HILL BERRIEN BROOKS COLQUITT COOK IRWIN LANIER LOWNDES THOMAS TIFT TURNER WORTH IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA BAKER DECATUR DOUGHERTY GRADY LEE MITCHELL THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ABBA, ADAMS BEACH, ADEL, ALBANY, ALFORDS, ALMA, APALACHICOLA, ASHBURN, ASHTON, ATHENA, AUSMAC, BAINBRIDGE, BANNOCKBURN, BARNEYVILLE, BAY CITY, BEACHTON, BERRIEN CO A/P, BETHEL, BEVERLY, BLUE SPRINGS, BLUE SPRINGS, BOWENS MILL, BOYD, BRADFORDVILLE, BRANCHVILLE, BROOKS CO A/P, BUCELL JUNCTION, BUCK SIDING, CABBAGE GROVE, CAIRO, CAMILLA, CAPEL, CAPITOLA, CAPPS, CARBUR, CARRABELLE, CASA BLANCO, CHAIRES, CHAIRES CROSSROADS, CHATTAHOOCHEE, CHERRY LAKE, CHULA, COOK CO A/P, COTTLE, COTTON, COURTHOUSE, DECATUR CO A/P, DILLON, DILLS, DIXIE, DRIFTON, EAST ALBANY, ELMODEL WMA, ELPINO, EMPRESS, FESTUS, FITZGERALD, FITZGERALD MUNICIPAL A/P, FORRESTER, FORT GADSDEN, GAMMAGE, GORDY, GRADY CO A/P, GREGGS, GROOVERVILLE, HANOVER, HANSON, HARDIN HEIGHTS, HARDING, HAWKINSTOWN, HILLIARDVILLE, HOBBY, HOGGARD MILL, HOPEWELL, IRWINVILLE, ISABELLA, IVEYS MILL, JARROTT, KILLEARN ESTATES, KILLEARN LAKES, LACONTE, LAKELAND, LEESBURG, LITTMAN, LOCKETT CROSSING, LOVETT, LYNN, MACLAY STATE GARDENS, MADISON, MASSEE, METCALF, MILFORD, MITCHELL CO A/P, MONCRIEF, MONTICELLO, MOULTRIE, MOULTRIE MUNICIPAL A/P, NANKIN, NASHVILLE, NEWTON, OCILLA, PALMYRA, PASCO, PELHAM, PERRY, PINE PARK, PINE VALLEY, PINETTA, PRETORIA, QUEENSLAND, QUINCY, QUINCY AIRPORT, QUITMAN, RED ROCK, RED STORE CROSSROADS, SANTA CLARA, SMITHVILLE, SOPCHOPPY, SOUTHWEST GA REGIONAL A/P, SPENCE AIRPORT, ST. MARKS, STEINHAM STORE, SUNSWEET, SWEETWATER, SYLVESTER, SYLVESTER AIRPORT, TALLAHASSEE, TEETERVILLE, THOMASVILLE, TIFTON, TILTON, TURNER CITY, VALDOSTA, VALDOSTA REGIONAL AIRPORT, WAKULLA SPRINGS, WALKER, WATERLOO, WEBER, WEST BAINBRIDGE, WESTWOOD, WETUMPKA, AND WORTH. By Lanier Isom of Birmingham, co-author of the Lilly Ledbetter memoir Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond. Today (Jan. 29) marks the tenth anniversary of the historic Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, signed into law by President Obama in 2009. Lilly and I both live in Alabama, a state ranked 48th in the nation for pay equity, a state where the gender gap is projected to close in the year 2089. In America, women working full time can expect to be paid 80 cents for every dollar paid to a man, creating an average annual gap of $10,169, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Women of color fare the worst. In recent weeks, with the government shutdown, theres been much discussion about Americans living paycheck to paycheck. If equal pay were a reality, millions of women and their families would be better suited to deal with inevitable difficulties, the anomaly of the current shutdown notwithstanding. At the current rate, if the wage gap continues to close, it will take decades from now, in 2059, to reach workplace equality. Census data also indicates, as a group, the wage gap costs women employed full time more than $900 billion a year, income they could spend on securing economic stability for themselves and their families. As Lilly always says, equal pay isnt a womens issue, its a family issue. Wage disparities have far reaching consequences affecting educational, health, and professional opportunities and choices for families for generations. Whether a woman is a waitress or a neurosurgeon, when women are paid unfairly, the people they care for their partners, sons, daughters and parents are impacted as well. Without fair pay, families go hungry, lack proper transportation, adequate housing, decent educational choices, and sufficient savings and retirement. For working women, the gap represents some or all of a contribution to a savings account they otherwise would make. Women make up half the labor force. Millions of families depend on womens paychecks to make ends meet; millions more rely on women as the primary breadwinner. According to the Institute for Womens Policy Research study of earnings released in November 2018, women today earn just 49 cents to the typical mans dollar when accounting for overall labor force participation across 15 years, a significant decrease from the 80 cents usually reported. In our country today, three of four families headed by single mothers do not earn enough to pay the household bills or save for the future. A familys economic security depends on a womans paycheck, as does the nations economic well-being. Paying women fairly would add billions to the GDP, while low wages mean families have less money to spend on goods and services stifling economic growth. Fair pay for women dramatically impacts poverty rates for families and single mothers. In 1979, Lilly entered the almost all male world of the Goodyear Tire and Manufacturing Company in Gadsden, Alabama. She dared to step out of place, to value her own worth, and to try and make more money for her family. Through the years, she was sexually harassed and physically threatened, but the deadliest blow, the most dramatic retaliation was she was being paid 35 percent to 40 percent less than the male managers, a buried secret she only discovered at the end of her almost 20-year career. Not much has changed in the past two decades since Lilly retired. In fact, Trump has rolled back progress when, in 2017, he blocked the rule requiring companies to report employees pay based on race and gender. Transparency is too burdensome on business according to the Trump administration. As long as the facts are hidden, pay inequities dont exist, and fair pay advocates silenced when government and companies refuse to acknowledge the reality of working womens daily life. The Equal Pay Act, (equal pay for equal work) a result of political forces galvanized by women entering the workforce during WWII, was designed to prevent the entrenched discrimination against women at work. Since 1963, hard won progress has been slow. The Paycheck Fairness Act, yet to be passed by Congress, would strengthen The Equal Pay Act with additional protections for workers, such as protecting them from retaliation for discussing salaries. In our current workforce, men still dominate managerial and leadership positions, and more women than men shoulder the unpaid responsibilities, such as housework and caring for children and parents. Because part of being silenced means being invisible, the uncalculated value of womens domestic work, their second shift, isnt even measured in GDP data. Its also important to note, more women make up part-time jobs in this country and staff the lowest paying sectors of the economy. While states like Oregon have enacted an Equal Pay Act and other states prohibit employers from asking about an employees prior salary, the Supreme Court currently is considering a case that could gut the Equal Pay Act. Today our greatest hope is the influx of new women members of Congress who can be trailblazers like Lilly, and fight to speed up the glacial pace of pay equity. Lilly fought ten years for the equal pay she had earned only for the Supreme Court to side with those who shortchanged her by ruling against her in a 5-to-4 decision, prompting her to fight for the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. To this day, Lilly seeks justice for the next generation, telling young audiences equal pay isnt a partisan issue or a womens issue. As a family issue, Lilly believes, Equal pay for equal work is an American value. A 25-year-old Greensboro man was convicted Monday in a 2014 shooting that killed a 7-year-old boy. A Hale County jury deliberated for three hours before finding JaPaul Williams guilty of murder in the death of DeCorrin Johnson. He was also convicted of attempted murder for shooting at Lavares Jackson, now 39. Authorities said DeCorrin was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight that Saturday night. Hale County District Attorney JaPaul Williams and Lavares Jackson were fighting over a woman outside a trailer near Greensboro High School when they both pulled guns and began shooting at each other sometime around 8 p.m. DeCorrin was struck in the neck and taken to the hospital. He died while he was being airlifted to a Birmingham. Williams initially was charged with capital murder, but the jury convicted him of the reduced charge of murder. He has remained jailed since his arrest. Jackson also is charged with capital murder in DeCorrins death, and attempted murder for shooting at Williams. His trial date has not yet been set. Williams trial began last week. Following his conviction, Circuit Judge Don McMillian returned Williams to the Hale County Jail to be held without bond. His sentencing date has not been set. Its very sad, Jackson said. Were going to ask for the maximum sentence of life in prison. A 24-year-old Auburn man is behind bars after a 2-year-old girl in his care was critically injured. Auburn police announced the arrest of Fredricus Rydell Johnson. He is charged with felony aggravated child abuse. Authorities said they were notified after the toddler was taken to a hospital in Columbus, Ga. and later airlifted to Childrens of Alabama in Birmingham. The nature of the girls injuries hasnt been released, but medical professionals considered them to be suspicious and consistent with abuse. The investigation showed, police said, that the victims injuries were intentional. Johnson lives with the girls mother and was developed as a suspect. He was taken into custody at the home on Northwood Drive in Auburn. His bond was set at $30,000 but he was being held without bond pending his first court hearing. Police said the girl remains in critical condition. The case remains under investigation by Auburn Police and the Lee County Department of Human Resources. Court records show Johnson was arrested in 2018 on nearly one dozen criminal charges, including drug possession and theft. A woman missing for more than two weeks from Hoover has been in communication with police. Chelsea Diane Dobbs, 27, was last in Hoover on Jan. 2 when she left work at the Riverchase Office Park. At the time of her disappearance, police said, Dobbs was living in a rehabilitation facility in Hayden. Police said they did not suspect foul play in her disappearance at this time but were concerned about her safety and well-being. On Monday, police made contact with Dobbs and said she is no longer considered a missing person. The city of Birmingham is opening a warming station at 8 p.m. tonight amid a threat of severe winter weather. Expected freezing temperatures and possible snow accumulation has also led to the closure of all city offices tomorrow except for police, fire and 911 operations, the mayors office said. Donations are needed for the warming station, particularly non-perishable food, sandwiches, oranges, bananas and bottled water. Those items can be delivered to Boutwell any time Monday. Besides Boutwell, these nonprofits are also have limited space to take in those seeking refuge from the cold: Jimmie Hale Mission, men only, 40 50 mats, 3420 Second Ave. North Firehouse Ministries, men only, 1501 Third Ave. North. Salvation Army, men (15), women and women with dependent children, 2015 26th Ave. North. First Light, women and women with dependent minor children, 2230 Fourth Ave. North. The mayors office also encouraged Magic City residents to sign up for text updates related to city operations. To do so, text BhmInfo to 888-777. I thought itd be fun to joke about Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler. I mean, the thought of Zeigler criticizing somebody elses fashion is like its like me criticizing another dudes wardrobe, like the poorly dressed pot calling a couture kettle inappropriate. Its like the Penguin dishing about Catwomans looks, like Gilligan criticizing Mary Anns pies. But it would show nothing but a batty old coot revealing himself to be a batty old coot. Surprise! It would miss an opportunity. Zeigler, in a Facebook post, took on Arizona Democratic Sen. Krysten Sinema for the clothes she wore a dress and very long boots that were Ill give him this unlike most of what has been seen on the Senate floor. It was veiled as a slam to Sen. Doug Jones, who Zeigler is considering challenging. Zeigler in an early version of the post wrote that she took the floor improperly attired, but later edited those comments out. But not before it triggered an avalanche of slut-shamers and trolls. Zeigler said he stayed up late deleting inappropriate comments, but they came in faster than he could delete. Think about that for a hot minute. They came in faster than he could delete. Who hired the stripper, one said. Whos her pimp, came another. Because thats what we do in this age: poke fun like schoolyard bullies and punks, ridicule people for how they look and what they wear, judge their ideas by their photos, make ourselves feel smarter and righter and better by pulling their pigtails. I could laugh at Jim Zeigler and the Cro-Magnon comedians who frequent his page. Theres a little dose-of-your-own-medicine there. But there would be no sport to it. And its not what I really want to say, anyway. What I want to say is that its easy to brush off insults, to make excuses for those who use the internet as a shield to say things that never need saying. Easy. But its epidemic. And women in the public eye get it far worse than men. Reporters get it. Politicians. Any woman brave or foolish enough to have her picture published in a place where idiots can see open themselves up to being too fat or too old or too young or too much. Its too much. They learn to take it, to laugh at it, to recognize the absurdity. Ivana Hrynkiw, a reporter at AL.com, recently got an email from a reader saying he didnt have to listen to her because: You are obese. She responded Thanks. I know this because I heard her making light of it. Its harder on women, harder in a world where appearance is everything, where body image is a weapon and every two-bit tool thinks themselves an Americas Next Top Model judge. Women have to be stronger, and tougher, and more civil than men. Connie Schultz, a political spouse and Pulitzer Prize-winning badass, got her share of it after her profile appeared in Politico not long ago. Who is the fat girl, one tweetsqueak said. You are the woman scales hate, came another. There were more, ignoring her accomplishments and her words and her purpose and picking her person apart. It would make me despair for the world, if not for the way she responded: If your only response is to mock my appearance, I win, she tweeted. Im 1 year younger than Mom when she died. Every day is a gift & your hate cant touch me. God bless & may joy find you in the year ahead. Yeah. I could laugh at a putz like Jim Zeigler, and move on. Or I could point to Connie Schultz and women all over the world, and remind the trolls that no matter how amusing you find yourself -- your words matter. They tell us all exactly who you are. Politico again tweets @michaelkruses profile of me & again this bile bubbles up. If your only response is to mock my appearance, I win. Im 1 year younger than Mom when she died. Every day is a gift & your hate cant touch me. God bless & may joy find you in the year ahead. pic.twitter.com/Xf8T54Dsqp Connie Schultz (@ConnieSchultz) December 29, 2018 John Archibald, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is a columnist for Reckon by AL.com. His column appears in The Birmingham News, the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register and AL.com. Write him at jarchibald@al.com. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin today ordered mediation in Spencer Colliers defamation lawsuit against former Gov. Robert Bentley, Rebekah Mason and others. Griffin appointed mediators and directed the parties in the lawsuit to contact the mediators within 14 days and to schedule the mediation within 45 days after that. The case is scheduled to go to trial in September. Kenneth Mendelsohn, Colliers attorney, said the mediation order is not out of the ordinary. Judges are always trying to encourage parties to settle, both criminal and civil cases, Mendelsohn said. Mark Foley, an attorney for Bentley, said he could not comment because of the confidentiality of mediation. Collier served as secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for three years under Bentley until Bentley fired him in March 2016. The day after Bentley fired him, Collier became the first to publicly accuse Bentley of having an extramarital affair with Mason, who was Bentleys top adviser. That set off a scandal that hounded Bentley until he resigned from office in April 2017 after an impeachment investigation and probable cause findings by the Ethics Commission. Collier filed the lawsuit against Bentley, Mason and others in April 2016. Collier claims Bentley fired him because Collier refused to go along with Bentleys order to not cooperate with the attorney generals office in a matter related to former House Speaker Mike Hubbards criminal case. Bentley denies that and said he fired Collier because Collier was not truthful with him about that and because of reports of possible misspending on Colliers watch at ALEA. A special grand jury investigated the misspending allegations and found no wrongdoing by Collier or basis for the allegations. Collier maintains the allegations were trumped up to discredit him. Collier claims he suffered personally, professionally and financially because of the allegations. Collier, who filed bankruptcy and is now police chief for the city of Selma, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Mason, former ALEA Secretary Stan Stabler and ALEA attorney Michael Robinson are defendants in Colliers lawsuit, which alleges conspiracy and invasion of privacy. The defendants have denied wrongdoing. Griffins one-page order says the parties shall not conclude the Mediation without permission of the Court. HOUSTON Two suspects are dead after a shooting on Monday (Jan. 28) that injured five Houston police officers, including four who were hit by gunfire as they attempted to serve a search warrant at a home where drug selling was suspected, the police chief said. A group of about a dozen officers with the Houston Police Department's narcotics unit were attempting to serve the warrant when they forced open the home's front door and immediately faced gunfire from one or two individuals, said Police Chief Art Acevedo. Police targeted the southeast Houston home following an investigation that began after officers got a tip from a neighbor that black tar heroin was being sold from the house, Acevedo said. "Once the officers breached the door and the gunfire began from the suspects, one of the suspects actually retreated momentarily to the back of the room and then that suspect came back and again engaged the officers in gunfire," Acevedo said at a Monday evening news conference. It was not immediately known how many officers returned fire but the two suspects were later found dead after SWAT officers used two robots to go into the home and determine that it was safe to enter after the gunfire stopped. All the officers were taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, with two of them transported by helicopter. Four officers were shot, with two being hit in the neck. Those two officers underwent surgery and were in critical but stable condition, Acevedo said. "We're hopeful that they will recover," Acevedo said of the two critically injured officers. The other two officers who were shot were in stable condition and were able to walk around, Acevedo said. Police later said that one of those officers was released after being treated for a gunshot wound to the shoulder, and that the other remained hospitalized in good condition. A fifth officer suffered a knee injury during the shooting and was also in good condition. Acevedo didn't immediately have additional information about the suspects. The names of the injured officers were not immediately released. "This has been a tough day for our city," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. "Pray for (the injured officers) and pray for their families." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement that the shooting was a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifices made by officers. ___ Several years ago, someone lost a dog in Mobile. She must have been cared for at some point: She was spayed, her tail was docked and, at first, she had a collar with tags. But no one ever claimed her and, despite many efforts over the years, no one could catch her, either. Through social media, she was named Taylor and was known by some as Swift, an appropriate name for a dog whos always on the move. Five years ago, Toddie Grier, a local animal rescuer, first spotted the Australian Cattle dog (also known as a blue heeler) near the Greyhound Bus Station. She started feeding her behind the Taylor Motel nearby on Government Boulevard, but she never could get close enough to the dog even to determine her sex. She named the dog Taylor and kept up with her through the years, watching as Taylor raced around town, always looking determined to go somewhere. Toddie started a Facebook page, Taylors Trail, that has 1,500 followers. People would see the street-smart dog all over town, almost always running like she was determined to get somewhere. One day during a storm she ran into a pet store, where someone bought her a leash and tried to take her home. Not having it, Taylor escaped and continued running with the leash dragging behind her. She became a community dog, says Toddie. After living in the woods near Bel Air Mall for a year or so, she ventured west and started staying beneath the I-65 overpass at Cottage Hill Road, according to Toddie. Here, she spent a lot of time just watching cars go by and eluded capture by animal control officers. At another point, she migrated all the way north to Saraland. My theory was that she escaped from a family passing through Mobile, because her favorite pastime was to perch on the side of I-65, both here and in Saraland, Toddie speculated on the Facebook page. Eventually, Taylor made her way to west Mobile, where she has become like a unicorn to some and like a familiar but stand-offish presence to others. She would gladly stop and eat a hamburger or a bowl of dog food, sip some water, maybe take an occasional nap in the sunshine, but she never let her guard down. She seemed to love running in the rain. To the amazement of many, she navigated busy intersections and would wait beside multi-lane Airport Boulevard until she could dash across it somehow unscathed. In the past year or so, she has spent most of her time near the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Schillinger Road, where she frequented the front porch of U-J Chevrolet, allowing the kind staff there to feed her and even sleeping on a bed they bought for her. Other favorite spots were Verizon Wireless and Palmers Hyundai. But soon after Kimberly Reed came to work as a mechanic at Pep Boys last September, Taylor started hanging out there more often. The two of them developed a sweet and careful friendship, sizing each other up from a distance at first and then slowly, tentatively, getting closer and closer as Kimberly talked to the dog, tossing handfuls of food toward her. She put a bed for her outside the shop. She wanted attention, but she was scared, Kimberly says. Finally, about three weeks ago, on a cold and rainy day, Kimberly propped the door open with a car battery. Eventually, She eased on in the store and sniffed around. I shut the door to let her know its okay. With infinite patience, Kimberly started to earn Taylors trust. Soon she and one of her managers, Ron Broughton, were able to pet her. At the end of the day on a Monday in January, Kimberly finally took Taylor home with her to meet her family, which includes her husband, Shawn, her 10-month-old daughter, Kinley, and their miniature Schnauzer and 5-pound Maltese. And of course, she gave her a bath actually five baths, because Taylor was so dirty. After getting her fur blown dry, the dog fell right into a deep sleep. Taylor was home at last or so it seemed. It gets in your blood Toddie, a retired art teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran, spends most of her time feeding homeless dogs and cats in woods and fields, behind buildings where few others would think to look. Along with a group of likeminded friends, she has caught several of the animals, helped find foster homes for them and gotten them into rescue. People always say animals are voiceless, Toddie says. That is what all my Facebook posts have been about, photographing them, documenting them, making their struggle to survive a newsworthy story. Bringing attention to the dogs and cats that are homeless in Mobile. Most of the dogs Toddie helps will never know the comforting touch of a human hand. There was Moses, who was hanging out near the I-165 ramp at Water Street. She fed him twice a day to try to keep him away from the interstate, and she tried her best to get him to trust her, but one day he disappeared, never to be seen again. Theres also Peaches, a Chow mix who has taken up residence under a boarded-up house near downtown Mobile. Toddie has fed Peaches for the past 2 years, successfully rescuing many of her litters of puppies who now live in good homes. And theres Tip, who is kind of the Taylor of midtown Mobile seen and fed, but nearly impossible to capture. When she started feeding Moses, she became aware of a pack of nearby feral swamp dogs she feeds every day. As her red cargo van pulls up, she blows her horn to let them know shes arrived. From the back of her van, she scoops kibbles and canned food into bright blue bowls that she sets inside aluminum trays filled with water to keep the ants away. She gives the dogs fresh water and tosses hot chicken nuggets toward the woods. The bravest, a female lab mix, shows up, tail tucked, to eat the chicken, but keeps her distance from Toddie. At one point, Toddie kept track of all the dogs shes rescued, but she lost count. She is constantly looking at Facebook to see if theres an animal that needs her out there. There are hundreds of dogs out on the street in this town, she says. Theyre not just lost, but in the woods, starving, scrounging for food. Toddie was a military brat, she says. Because her family moved around so much and lived in apartments, they never had dogs but she always wanted one. When she was in her 40s, she finally got a dog of her own her first rescue, who showed up right in front of her house. After a couple more rescues, some of her teacher friends convinced her to start volunteering at the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) shelter. Toddie began doing what she does now about 10 years ago, when she learned that dogs were killing cats in the woods behind a local hospital. I decided I needed to feed the dogs so they wouldnt kill the cats, she says. I ended up in the woods all over town finding dogs. Her work is so depressing, so sad, she admits, but shes compelled to keep doing it. It gets in your blood. She struggles with her health and with her finances even with donations, she spends more than $1,000 a month on food and supplies and her work takes an emotional toll as well. There are just so many dogs she cant help. Theres no rescue support for dogs on the street, she says. Nobody really knows whats going on in the city. Toddie moved to Mobile from the Washington, D.C., area in 1994, originally just to visit her grandmother her family is originally from Mobile with the intention of continuing her graphic design career in Chicago. But when she got to Mobile, she says, I thought this place was paradise. She ended up working as a graphic artist in the advertising department at Gayfers until the Mobile-based department store closed. Thats when she went back to school for a masters in education and started her teaching career. Meanwhile, her mother and stepfather moved to Mobile, but they have since died. Her sister moved here, too, then married and moved away. I could leave, she says, but I cant find anybody to feed the dogs. I cant leave the dogs. One thing that keeps her going is that every now and then, theres a success story like Taylors. Toddie doesnt have time to manage fan pages for all the stray dogs she encounters, but Taylor has a special place in her heart. I loved being her PR rep, she says with a laugh. Already bonded After Taylor spent her first night with Kimberly, she went back to work with her at Pep Boys. The first time Kimberly was out of the dogs sight, though when she had to go outside to move a car Taylor somehow managed to loosen her leash, which was being held down by a heavy toolbox. She escaped from the garage and ran away. I about started crying right there, says Kimberly. It was an awful day. As it turns out, Taylor had run straight to one of her old haunts, U-J Chevrolet, then went on a mile or so east on Airport Boulevard with Kimberly in pursuit in her car, calling her, as Taylor dragged her brand-new leash. Finally, something spooked her, Kimberly says, and she disappeared completely. With a heavy heart, Kimberly went home, fed her baby and took a shower. Thats when she got a call from work. Get up here now! Ron, a co-worker, told her. With wet hair and all, Kimberly raced up to Pep Boys to find that Taylor had returned. Shes already bonded to me, she says. On Wednesday, she took Taylor to the vet. When she got there, she learned that Susan Franklin, a woman she doesnt know personally whod been following the Taylors Trail page, was going to pay the full amount of the bill, which came to $580. Unfortunately, Taylor tested positive for heartworms. The treatment is expensive, but Kimberly has set up a GoFundMe page that raised $1,300 of its $2,500 goal in the first 24 hours. She plans to use some of the money to repair the fence in her back yard so Taylor cant escape it. In just a couple of days, the two of them already have a routine. When I grab the diaper bag and my keys in the morning, she knows shes going to work, Kimberly says. She lets me put her harness on and jumps in the car. Taylor has a crate inside the shop and a bed in the garage so she can keep a watchful eye on Kimberly at all times. Where she came from may forever be a mystery, but it now seems obvious where Taylor will be for the rest of her life. As many of her Facebook followers have pointed out, she has chosen her person. I just can't believe the change in her, Toddie says of the dog she once fed, then followed for years but has never petted. She compares the night-and-day photos of a scared dog seen running in the rain to a recent one of Taylor lounging on a floral comforter, looking relaxed at last . Finally, in Kimberly, this dog has found a human being she can trust. Its the happy ending to which so many have hoped her trail would lead. Walgreens is the latest company to take advantage of facial scanning in order to learn more about customers. The retailer is installing "smart coolers" into select stores to analyze customers' faces, noting what draws the eye of certain demographics. Some say facial scanning technology used in public is an invasion of privacy, as no one gives consent to the facial analysis. Others say facial recognition in public will help keep everyone safe. What do you think? PERSPECTIVES When the first Amazon Go store opened in 2018, protestors joined eager shoppers. Amazon Go stores employ no human cashiers, making privacy experts and advocates question the level of personal detail Amazon would be collecting on is customers via surveillance. Amazon has been decidedly quiet about the technology it employees in order to make this new-age shopping experience possible. According to the Washington Post's Drew Harwell and Abha Bhattarai: Meaning, the technology Amazon is employing behind its sleek, black-box cameras could be collecting everything from your gender and age to what products you buy, as well as what products you "almost" buy. When you head into one of these stores to do your shopping, you're revealing your desires to the many companies who want to take advantage of them, without even realizing it. Alvaro Bedoya, the executive director of the Center on Privacy and Technology at Georgetown University's law school, suspects Amazon is collecting more customer data than any other retailer: Walgreens is joining the ranks with its new "smart coolers." According to The Atlantic's Sidney Fussell, the chain will try out "fridges equipped with cameras that scan shoppers' faces and make inferences on their age and gender" in select locations as of early 2019. Obviously, it's valuable for both brands and retailers to know what shoppers are buying and to categorize those buying habits by demographics like age and gender. But at what cost? Most feel knowledge of customer buying patterns should not violate the privacy of shoppers by scanning their faces without explicit consent. Me shopping at Walgreens pic.twitter.com/2tJQCfh5yx ab (@awjburns) January 26, 2019 As far as Walgreens is concerned, the company is safe when it comes to violating customers' privacy. The Atlantic's Fussell makes clear: Meaning, images of shopper's faces are not collected and stored. As Fussell says: Facial scanning is the natural next step for brands to learn more about their target customers and future customers. In a supersaturated marketplace, this kind of detailed analysis is necessary in order for companies to keep expanding. Facial recognition not only has the power to improve relationships between brands and customers, but it could also make huge improvements in public safety. Forbes' Michael Xie reports: This technology is for the greater good of the people. Although privacy laws should be handled with care, there's no need to turn away from facial scanning and facial recognition completely. In reality, this technology could change the way we live for the better. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. The Winter Twilight Supper Series is coming full circle with its next event, back to the series' creator, Frank Stitt. Jones Valley Teaching Farm and PNC Bank will be hosting the Winter Twilight Supper Series on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at Bottega Restaurant. Stitt, the award-winning chef whose Highlands Bar & Grill was recently named Americas most outstanding restaurant in 2018 by the James Beard Foundation, founded the Twilight Supper Series in 2006. Each dinner features a renowned chef with a seasonally inspired menu in a distinctive location. Its proceeds have funded the expansion of Good School Food from one to seven Birmingham City Schools, including more than $1 million in Teaching Farm infrastructure on school campuses. Guests will enjoy fresh food, live music and cocktails. Other aspects of the event will be announced. A limited amount of tickets are available at $350. In addition to serving as executive chef of Highlands Bar & Grill, Stitt also oversees Bottega Restaurant, Bottega Cafe and Chez Fon Fon with his wife and business partner, Pardis. Stitt said he is thrilled to participate in the event. The Twilight Supper Series helps demonstrate how food education can transform a community through empowering its youth and developing future generations of chefs who are passionate about making a positive change," Stitt said. A Birmingham firm has been awarded the contract for a new $42.5 million federal courthouse in Anniston. The U.S. General Services Administration announced it has tapped BL Harbert International for the design and construction of the project. Work on the 63,000-square-foot building is set to begin this fall. The project is expected to take about two years to completed. The courthouse will include two courtrooms and three judges chambers. It will serve as home to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama and the Bankruptcy Court of Northern Alabama. There will also be workspace for the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorneys Office. GSA is excited about providing the federal government a new facility that meets the judiciarys mission requirements, John M. Dennis, acting regional commissioner for GSAs Public Buildings Service, said in a statement. Loxleys Town Council on Monday approved annexing the new Buc-ees beside Interstate 10, triggering an agreement that returns portions of sales and fuel taxes generated by the travel center back to the Texas-based chain. The approval was unanimous, and occurred after questions about whether the city has designs on other unincorporated territory near Buc-ees and about what fire department is in charge of handling any emergency calls at Buc-ees. But there were no questions from members of the public, or from other Loxley retailers about awarding the tax breaks to a company that, according to a 2016 Forbes estimate, generated $275 million in annual revenue. Its a good opportunity for Loxley to have a foothold out there and to create revenue for the municipality, said Shawn Alves, a Daphne attorney representing Loxley in the deal. One audience member did, however, blurt out that the city was making a cash grab. Incentive deal The 53,000-square-foot Alabama Buc-ees opened on Monday, and has been a hotbed of activity in the past week. A popular attraction in Texas, the Alabama Buc-ees is the first to open outside the Lone Star State. State Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Daphne, and Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Allliance, both told AL.com last week they had concerns about the incentive deal. Elliott also said that Baldwin County officials who were part of initial talks to bring in Buc-ees at I-10 and the Beach Expess were unaware of the looming Loxley deal until recently. Until Loxley stepped in, the only incentives for Buc-ees were Baldwin Countys expenditure of $400,000 for traffic signals on the Beach Express, and the Alabama Department of Transportations payments for interstate signage. Elliott criticized the Loxley deal as the kind that gives economic developers a bad name. He pointed out that Buc-ees had already purchased the I-10/Beach Express property and announced its plans to build. A spokeswoman with Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores, which has had a longtime presence off I-10 in Loxley and could be considered a competitor with Buc-ees, declined comment for this story. Under the deal, Buc-ees will receive 37.5 percent of sales tax proceeds that it generates for Loxley each fiscal quarter, as well as 25 percent of fuel tax proceeds. A fiscal quarter refers to the three-month period beginning each October, January, April and July. The incentive arrangement lasts 20 years. In return, the town will get a one-time $50,000 payment to help defray the extra costs associated with adding municipal services following the annexation. Also, by Dec. 31 of each year, Buc-ees will provide $25,000 to the town for community development and other community programs. The annexation doesnt trigger additional policing or emergency services to Buc-ees since the propertys location was already within Loxleys police jurisdiction. Keep our identity The only two concerns to surface during Mondays meeting revolved around fire protection and encroachment of Loxleys municipal boundaries on an unincorporated area near Buc-ees. The fire question was which volunteer fire department Rosinton or Loxley is charged with responding to emergency calls. Rosinton firefighters were at Mondays meeting and requested the councils direction. Loxley Mayor Billy Middleton said afterward that both departments will have to sit down and work it out. Rosinton, an unincorporated area near Buc-ees, is also home to the Rosinton Heritage Association, a non-profit group that is forming in an effort to protect a mostly rural vicinity from being annexed into a city. Loxley, like almost all of Baldwin County south of Interstate 10, is one of the states fastest-growing areas. Basically, we just want to keep our identity and not be annexed, said Lee Racine, a member of the group who spoke to the Town Council. Rosellen Coggin, a homeowner of the district that consists of approximately 2-square-miles, said that she and others left out of the loop in the Buc-ees annexation talks. They said that everyone has known about it, but we didnt know about it, said Coggin. We just want to have a voice going forward, and keep Rosinton as Rosinton. Free-flowing Away from the Loxley Town Hall, Baldwin County officials wonder what impact that Buc-ees will have on the future of the Beach Express. The 12.8-mile stretch of four-lane road connecting I-10 to the Foley Beach Express opened in August 2014 as a direct route to Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. County officials are examining a future extension that would connect I-10 to I-65. Semoon Chang, a longtime Alabama economist who lives in the coastal region, said it is a matter of time before the area along the Beach Express will be developed. Said Chang, The area is too spacious and nice for developments not to come. Because of potential revenues, condo owners (on the beaches) will welcome the development, but permanent residents of the Orange Beach area will not like the development. County Commission members are preparing for future development, and a majority backs a management plan that the previous County Commission approved around the same time the roadway opened. That plan limits the number of stoplights and entry or exit points along the Beach Express. I am certain that as the county continues to grow, there will be more development sought, said Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood. However, I am thankful for the access management plan that was adopted and have full faith in the Baldwin County highway departments ability to enforce it. Said Commissioner Charles Skip Gruber: Were trying to keep so many traffic lights from popping up and want to keep the integrity of it. We are trying to keep it as free-flowing as possible without having a stop every half or quarter-mile. Robertdale Mayor Charles Murphy praised the countys enforcement of the access management plan but also had kind words for Loxleys efforts in crafting an agreement with Buc-ees. He said that most of the taxes generated at the travel station will come from outside the area, with a hefty portion being reinvested into Loxley to support public amenities like parks. At least 75 percent wont be paid by those living in Baldwin County, said Murphy. Most of the (tax revenue) will go to the board of education, and people from Louisiana, Ohio, Mississippi, Arkansas they will be paying to educate our children. WASHINGTON Top US intelligence officials, in a new "Worldwide Threat Assessment" to Congress, offered several judgments on Iran that seem to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the Donald Trump administrations Iran policy. Iranian hard-liners could be empowered, sporadic unrest is uncoordinated, and Irans regional behavior has not moderated and may even become more aggressive in the face of perceived increased US/Saudi/Israeli hostility and US-led economic pressure, the 42-page annual "Worldwide Threat Assessment," prepared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said. Iran continues for now to abide by the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), that Trump withdrew from last year, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats told the Senate Intelligence panel today. But Iran is having internal debates if it should resume elements of its program if it does not receive the economic benefits world powers agreed to in exchange for its rollback of its nuclear program, US intelligence officials warned. "We continue to assess that Iran is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities we judge necessary to produce a nuclear device, Coats told the Senate Intelligence panel at a briefing today. "However, Iranian officials have publicly threatened to reverse some of Irans JCPOA commitments and resume nuclear activities that the JCPOA limits if Iran does not gain the tangible trade and investment benefits it expected from the deal, Coats said. Irans continued implementation of the JCPOA has extended the amount of time Iran would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon from a few months to about one year." Iran currently continues to comply with the JCPOA, but is internally debating if it should continue should it not get the economic benefits, said CIA Director Gina Haspel. "I think the most recent information is the Iranians are considering taking steps that would lessen their adherence to JCPOA as they seek to pressure the Europeans to come through with the investment and trade benefits that Iran hoped to gain from the deal," Haspel told the Senate Intelligence panel. "They are making some preparations that would increase their ability to take a step back if they make that decision," she said. But we do see them debating amongst themselves as they failed to realize the economic benefits that they hoped for from the deal." Trumps withdrawal from the nuclear deal last year and reimposition of harsh sanctions on Irans energy and banking sectors has not caused Iran to moderate its support for proxy groups in the region, or curtail its ballistic missile program, the largest in the Middle East, according to the new US assessment. Nor has it produced the kind of seismic unrest that would potentially threaten the regimes survival and force it back to the negotiating table, the US intelligence community assesses. Irans regional ambitions and improved military capabilities almost certainly will threaten US interests in the coming year, driven by Tehrans perception of increasing US, Saudi, and Israeli hostility, as well as continuing border insecurity, and the influence of hardliners, the annual intelligence assessment said. In fact, Trump administration policy seems to be boosting Iranian hard-liners while leaving Iranian President Hassan Rouhani too weak to implement key economic reforms or pursue the diplomatic engagement Trump says he is seeking. Regime hardliners will be more emboldened to challenge rival centrists by undermining their domestic reform efforts and pushing a more confrontational posture toward the United States and its allies, it assessed. While unrest mostly driven by economic grievances is expected to continue, the protests are likely to remain uncoordinated and lacking central leadership or broad support from major ethnic and political groups, the US intelligence document said, adding the regime is well prepared to handle renewed protests. As Al-Monitor previously reported, the Trump administration conducted a preliminary internal assessment of its Iran policy earlier this month and determined that it is not working, according to a recent International Crisis Group report. The Iran judgments in the unclassified new threat assessment seem to closely reflect those made in the purported interagency preliminary internal assessment. Namely, that Iran is not moderating its regional behavior or missile program, or coming back to the negotiating table under the Trump administration maximum pressure campaign. The US intelligence assessment comes as State Department officials seemed to be moderating their vision for a conference next month in Poland amid concern from European allies that it would be an anti-Iran powwow. Senior US and Polish officials, speaking to journalists from Brussels Monday, said the agenda for the Feb. 13-14 ministerial conference on peace and stability in the Middle East would be broad and not focused on Iran. The agenda has always been very broad to cover some of the most pressing issues in the region, a senior US administration official, speaking not for attribution, said on the call. We are going to discuss Iran because its not possible to have any conversation about the Middle East without having some reference to Iran. But that doesnt make it an Iran ministerial, and it never has. The Polish co-hosts were even more robust in insisting it would not be a conference about Iran. Nothing in the title of the conference or in the agenda indicates that this is a conference on Iran, a Polish senior official, speaking not for attribution on the call, said, adding that Poland, as a member of the European Union, supports preserving the Iran nuclear deal. We support the JCPOA. The tension between the United States and Europeans over Trumps exit from the Iran nuclear deal is just one issue that has contributed to one of the starker findings cited in the forward of the new US assessment: As Russia and Chinese cooperation deepens, some US allies are increasingly unsure they can count on the United States. Some US allies and partners are seeking greater independence from Washington in response to their perceptions of changing US policies on security and trade and are becoming more open to new bilateral and multilateral partnerships, the threat assessment said. The Turkish military has completed its preparations to intervene in Manbij, the mainly Arab town in northern Syria that is emblematic of continued friction with the United States, as well as east of the Euphrates River, where Washingtons Kurdish allies govern a stretch of territory running all the way to Iraq. When the time comes, the necessary measures will be taken," said Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar during a visit to a military facility in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir today. The comments are the latest in a volley of Turkish vows to take action against the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), Washingtons top ally in the fight against the Islamic State, and to establish a safe zone 20 miles (32 kilometers) deep along its southern border with Syria. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the zone would allow the four million or so Syrians sheltering in Turkey to go back home and rid the area of "terrorists," as Turkey labels the YPG. While Turkish leaders beat the war drums, Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of the YPG-friendly Syrian Democratic Council, is in Washington to lobby the Donald Trump administration and assorted congressmen to prevent a Turkish offensive and to secure backing for a safe zone that would protect the Kurds from Turkey. Ahmed, who has also been speaking at closed-door sessions at several think tanks and spoken to journalists, was captured on camera at the Trump hotel in a pre-arranged run-in with the US president, who briefly spoke to her and reportedly pledged to set up a safe zone for the Kurds. But that is unlikely to materialize in the face of stiff resistance from Turkey to any arrangement that would allow the YPG to continue to exert its influence with US help. But then, the kind of safe zone Turkey is purportedly angling for, one that becomes a parking ground for Syrian refugees and with the YPG demobilized, disarmed and pushed south, is no more likely, unless either the Pentagon or Moscow sign off on those terms. They are unlikely to do so. Both sides know this and are bargaining with the main stakeholders from a maximalist position in the hope of gaining the upper hand before US troops withdraw. But as many analysts point out, the lack of a coherent US policy has emboldened hawks within the administration who are opposed to a US withdrawal on a number of fronts. Topping the list are worries that IS will make a comeback, Iran and Russia will dig in and Assad will remain in power without ceding to any of the oppositions demands. Their unwillingness to accept that US forces are leaving is muddying the waters and building false expectations, particularly among some Kurds. While Ahmed told Bloomberg last week that what [shes] heard from the Americans suggests they arent going to put a deadline for withdrawal yet, well-informed sources familiar with the US-led coalitions planning told Al-Monitor on condition of strict anonymity that one could come as early as May. Nevertheless, the presidents Syria team led by former US Ambassador to Ankara Jim Jeffrey seems bent on implementing his vision for a no fly/no-drive zone in northeastern Syria outlined in a paper he co-authored for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy before joining the administration. Its recommendations address the worries of the non-exiteers while pushing for some reconciliation between Ankara and the YPG. An official from the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who asked not to be identified by name confirmed that Jeffrey has been assuring Ahmed and others that Turkey is interested in dialogue. Ahmed appeared to confirm this in an interview with the Associated Press today. She said that the United States has focused on a calming Turkey to find a compromise that would allow the YPG to remain. At the same time, US diplomats are reportedly telling Ankara that the YPG is interested in dialogue, with Turkey presenting a rosier picture of the Syrian Kurds' stance. All of this is calculated to prevent the Turks from negotiating with Russia and the Kurds from doing so with the Assad regime. In truth, there are absolutely no signs that Turkey is ready to yield anything to the YPG, least of all before nationwide municipal elections that are due to be held in March. Damascus isnt either, according to Ahmed. She told the Saudi newspaper al-Riyadh the negotiations with the regime had gone nowhere and that the United States kept offering assurances but no action. Top YPG commander Sipan Hemo, on the other hand, told Reuters that the Syrian governments stance was positive but that no direct talks had been held with Damascus to date. Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which in Ankaras eyes is indistinguishable from the YPG, has been making subtle overtures to Iran, part of a long-running strategy of hedging its bets. Cemil Bayik, one of the top PKK commanders operating out of the Qandil mountains separating Iraq from Iran, told the pro-PKK Medya news channel in a recent interview, The policies crafted by America against Iran have not yielded many results. Iran seems more successful. Although Bayik acknowledged Irans policies toward its Kurds were no different from those of Turkey neither is interested in solving their respective Kurdish problems Iran had nonetheless realized that the Kurdish dynamic is the most vibrant dynamic in the Middle East and that this might affect its policies. Cutting through the verbosity, it is clear that the PKK views the alliance with the United States, as US officials themselves have repeatedly stressed, as tactical, temporary and transactional. The multimillion-dollar bounties the United States placed on Bayik and two other key PKK leaders in November will have sharpened that perception. Pretending otherwise now just to get us to cooperate with Turkey is not going to work, the SDF official said. ALEPPO, Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded positively to US President Donald Trump's proposal to form a safe zone in the Syrian territory near the border with Turkey in the areas now controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The safe zone issue, including one to be formed by us along Turkeys borders an issue that I have been raising since the Obama era was repeated by [Trump] him as 20 miles [32 kilometers], Erdogan said in a speech at the Turkish parliament Jan. 15 before the ruling Justice and Development Party bloc. This comes after his telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Jan. 14. On Jan. 23, Erdogan held talks in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. At a joint press conference following their meeting, Putin said they discussed the US withdrawal and the situation in Idlib, stressing the need to take additional steps on Idlib and not to underestimate the terrorists. Commenting on the safe zone in northern Syria, he said, We respect the interests of our Turkish friends, especially with regard to security. For his part, Erdogan warned that the terrorist forces will take advantage of the withdrawal of US forces and affirmed that Turkey is ready to confront them. He also pointed out that work is underway to establish a safe zone in northern Syria. In conjunction with the Putin-Erdogan summit in Moscow, Turkey demanded that the United States completely withdraw its troops from the Syrian city of Manbij without delay and accelerate the implementation of the road map previously agreed to between the two sides. A week earlier, on Jan. 17, at a joint conference in Ankara with his Macedonian counterpart, Nikola Dimitrov, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed the importance of the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria. "A safe zone in northern Syria is important for stability, the return home of Syrians, including our Kurdish brothers, and the fight against terrorism," he said. But Ali Tami, a member of the Kurdish National Council, told Al-Monitor, I think the proposed safe zone must be subject to regional and international consensus. The refusal by any party of this idea will hinder its establishment. He added, We believe that handing over the area in northern Syria near the Turkish border to its inhabitants and ousting foreigners is the best solution, at least at this stage. This is the best solution to spare the region a possible war. Tami said, The continued deployment of the Turkish army, the SDFs support of the return of the Syrian regime and the ambiguous US position toward the SDF indicate that the region is heading towards a disaster. A political solution agreed upon by all Syrian, Kurdish and Arab opposition political forces is necessary. There are only two options. We have to sit at the dialogue table to find a way out. The proposed safe zone area must be cleared of all types of foreign presence and all areas must be handed to their inhabitants. Otherwise, we are heading to a possible war that will open a new door for displacement and migration to Europe. Expecting the idea of establishing a safe zone to be accepted in the Kurdish street, he noted that this will be the case if the Kurdish National Council forces are involved in the administration along with other forces of different ethnicities. Of course there must be an understanding among the international powers, Russia, Iran, the US and Turkey, to make this idea a success. Independent Syrian-Kurdish political activist Othman Hussein Abu Shayar said he thought the establishment of the safe zone is a positive step in the right direction. This step requires great US and Turkish efforts. The zone will be a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of Syrians, Kurds and Arabs of various ethnicities who will be fleeing the US-backed SDF and the Syrian regime inside Syria. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said his country's proposal to establish a safe zone in northeastern Syria was aimed at preventing attacks from Syria on Turkey. During his visit to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14 on his regional tour, Pompeo said Washington wants to protect those who fought with it against the Islamic State (IS). Shayar said, The safe zone in the north of Syria will not include the Kurdish forces opposed to the SDF. These Kurdish forces could be deployed only in the area near the borders of the Kurdistan region of northeastern Syria. Turkey will resort to using FSA [Free Syrian Army] factions positioned in the Euphrates Shield area in the northeastern Aleppo countryside. The SDF must be expelled from the area. Youssef Hammoud, the official spokesman for the National Army, confirmed to Al-Monitor the active participation by the FSA in protecting the proposed safe zone in northern Syria with the support of the Turkish army. He said, The zone will be similar to the Euphrates Shield and the Olive Branch areas in Aleppo countryside, but only more developed. The security situation will be better and the zone will witness an economic recovery. If this zone is established, it will be an attractive area for Syrias displaced people and refugees. It will provide various services that will lure back to Syria the refugees in neighboring countries. Hammoud continued, If there is a US genuine will to establish a safe zone, the SDF will not be able to oppose or foil this plan. The National Army and its allied Turkish army are ready to embark on the first steps of this plan immediately after an agreement is reached on all details. All terrorist entities will be ousted, including the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) labeled a terrorist group by Turkey. For Mehmood Nooh, a member of the Kurdish Future Movement, the US administration is not serious about any act that serves the interests of the Syrian revolution. The US has failed to keep many of its promises regarding northern Syria, he told Al-Monitor. The US proposal of a safe zone proposal and Turkeys initial approval indicate that the two sides have already agreed on how to implement this plan. The first step would be eliminating the SDF affiliated with the PKK and creating alternative forces with the consent of both parties. Expressing the Kurdish Future Movements appreciation of the idea of a safe zone in the predominantly Kurdish north of Syria, he called for placing this zone under international protection with the participation of Syrian peshmerga forces affiliated with the Kurdish National Council. These forces hail from this area and they are entitled to take part in the management of this zone alongside the FSA, he said. We hope that this zone will be a safe haven for Syrian refugees facing hardship in neighboring countries. Turkey raised the idea of a safe zone in 2014. This falls within Ankaras desire to form a secure border to protect the displaced from the Syrian regimes shelling and stop the migration flow to its territory. Recently talks renewed about such a safe zone in northern Syria as an alternative to a potential battle against the SDF. Can Turkey pull this off? A top Syrian Kurdish official visiting Washington today said US-backed fighters would consider integrating with Bashar al-Assads forces after the United States completes its pullout from the war-torn country. The Syrian Democratic Forces can be part of the new Syrian army, Ilham Ahmed, a leader in the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), said through an interpreter at the Middle East Institute today. This is an alternative path for us. Ahmed, who leads the executive council of the SDC, the political wing of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, said the Donald Trump administration had not objected to Syrian Kurds opening up negotiations with Damascus. They did not object clearly. They always tell us this is a Syrian affair, she said. But they urged us, when you negotiate, you should come from a strong position. Even as the United States appears to have slowed down its pullout from Syria, a turn by Kurdish forces toward Damascus could frustrate the Pentagons plans to stabilize former Islamic State-held areas. Speaking to reporters today, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan indicated that the Pentagon is still on track with plans to integrate US-supported Kurdish forces into towns and cities along the Middle Euphrates River Valley, the one-time heart of the Islamic State caliphate, even as the United States proceeds with a deliberate, coordinated, disciplined withdrawal. "How do you sustain local security? Shanahan said. Thats where these partnerships are so critical." Shanahan said the Islamic State had lost 99.5% of its former caliphate in Syria. But Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said the group still commands "thousands of fighters" in Iraq and Syria in a report released today. A US official told Al-Monitor that the withdrawal is conditions-based, and US-led airstrikes will continue, giving the coalition some wiggle room to deny the return of Islamic State fighters, even as American ships have already moved into the region to withdraw troops. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that the USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship, will head to the region to provide backup to American forces as they depart Syria. Shanahan is not slated to meet with the visiting Syrian Kurdish delegation, according to a senior defense official. At the Pentagon briefing, his first formal press conference since assuming the acting role, he did not elaborate on any possible US plans to protect the Kurds. Ahmed said the trip to meet US officials will be centered on getting clarity from the Donald Trump administration on the US withdrawal timeline. Ahmeds trip made a splash Monday night when her delegation ran into President Trump at Trump International Hotel, where he was dining with members of the administration and Congress. The commander-in-chief raised the possibility of a safe zone to protect Syrian Kurds in their brief encounter, according to the Kurdish leader. Of course were asking the US government for alternative plans, to slow the withdrawal, Ahmed said today. What we are asking is to keep the safety and stability of the area. She said there was no agreement with the Pentagon to return weapons handed over to the Syrian Democratic Forces during the campaign against the Islamic State, although defense officials once said that was a condition of US armed support. But its not clear that Ahmeds message is being heard in Washington. A source familiar with her plans said Ahmed hopes to meet with officials from the Pentagon and State Department, as well as members of Congress, but did not provide further details. Ahmed met with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., earlier this week, according to a spokesman for her group. Meanwhile, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., has offered an amendment to a pending Middle East legislative package that would authorize Trump to use force to protect the Syrian Kurds. Back in Syria, she said, there are no signs that Assad will accept any form of Kurdish self-governance in Syria or changes to the constitution. We are not at the negotiating table, she said. We are excluded. RAMALLAH, West Bank For more than three decades, Ibtisam Sulieman has been fascinated with the symbols that adorn the buildings of Palestine. The history and geography teacher snaps photos of the vegetal engravings, geometric shapes, crosses, symbols of the Virgin Mary and Arabic letters engraved on the facades. Dating them or deciphering their meaning, however, has been far from easy. Some of the symbols and ornaments on the buildings reflect the beliefs and traditions that prevail in different eras, Sulieman told Al-Monitor, explaining that the Canaanite, Christian, Umayyad and Abbasid constructions are all rich in ornaments and decorations. The hexagram, for example, was part of the Canaanite heritage that symbolizes the fertility deity Ishtar, which was believed to bring prosperity to household, she said. Others such as grapes or mulberry leaves reflect social practices of the time. In the old times, a bride would paste a piece of dough at the door of her new house. If the dough stuck, it would portend a happy and long marriage. In this tradition still practiced in some parts of the Middle East, the bride occasionally places a grape or a mulberry leaf symbols of prosperity on the dough. The leaves carved above some of the doors come from that tradition, Sulieman explained. As a new student of Middle Eastern studies at the Birzeit University, Sulieman became fascinated with these symbols in 1986. She began photographing ancient buildings houses, monuments, shrines in different parts of Palestine. In the mid-1990s, she focused on the meaning behind the symbols. It meant sifting through dozens of books, articles and documents on Palestinian history, religions and archaeology, as well as local legends and novels. There is no comprehensive books on the symbols and few researchers are interested in deciphering them, she told Al-Monitor. For two decades, she conducted her own research guided by the photos she took. Over the years, she accumulated photos of buildings from different towns and villages including Ein Avdat in the Negev, Deir Istiya, al-Taiba, Arraba, Beit Sahour, Beit Ummar, Birzeit, Ramallah, Ein Karem, Yabrud, Beitin, Nablus, Jerusalem, Mamilla, Zabadeh, Raba, Ras Karkar, Silwad and Jifna. In most of these photos, the geometric shapes, vegetal motifs and religious symbols feature prominently. In the cities of Ramallah, Bethlehem, Beit Jala and al-Taiba where there was a significant Christian population buildings bear Christian symbols such as crosses and images of the Virgin Mary, Sulieman said. In the village of Kur, in Tulkarm in the northern West Bank, old houses bear Quranic verses in Arabic letters. These date from the Mamluk and the Ottoman periods, explained Sulieman. Iin other villages in the Marj ibn Amer plains, the vast majority of buildings are adorned by vegetal motifs, mainly chrysanthemums, known by the Canaanites as the Golden Rose. In the southern and central parts of Palestine, most houses had geometric shapes on their walls. The five-pointed star was used to ward off the evil eye and envy and the six-pointed star the hexagram represented the deity of fertility. These symbols are seen on the buildings in Avdat in the Negev, she explained. In some agricultural regions, building ornamentation indicates the type of crops grown in the area. Many of the buildings in Ramallah, Bethlehem and Nazareth are adorned with grapes because of the vineyards that are still spread across these towns. Still others displayed wealth and a willingness to share. The homes of the rich were characterized by the abundance of symbols and decorations that were different from those of low-income people, whose ornaments were limited to religious symbols, Suleiman explained. Homes with a plate and a spoon at the entrance meant that guests and strangers were welcome to visit, share food and anything they needed. Some of the writing showed the name of the person who constructed the building, the owner and the date which helps decipher the history of Palestine, where many families were forced to leave their houses. Eager to share this heritage with the younger generations, Sulieman gave a lecture Jan. 10 to a group of young men and women as part of the cultural heritage program held by the Children and Youth Public Library in the Ottoman Court building, affiliated with the Ramallah Municipality in the center of the West Bank. She regularly explains the symbolism to her students in her history and geography classes at the Greek Catholic School in Ramallah. Her Facebook page, Palestine in the Eyes of Palestinians, where she posts her photos from all over Palestine, aims to reach a wider audience. She organizes treks called Walk to get to know your country, a project she co-founded in 2012 to offer students walking tours in different parts of her country. So far Sulieman has held eight different photo exhibitions in Acre, Ramallah and other West Bank cities. Her ultimate goal is to publish a book documenting the ornaments and their meanings if she can secure the necessary funding and support. This way, she said, The heritage of the past and what those symbols show can be accessible to all. Just hours before the United Nations struck a Yemen cease-fire deal last month, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis made a whirlwind series of calls to Arab leaders to help clinch a pact that hed privately and publicly pressed for months. His successor plans to take a less direct role in trying to settle the conflict. As renewed clashes between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels threaten to wipe out the fragile truce in the key port city of Hodeidah, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has deputized John Rood, the departments No. 3 official, to engage with the UN on Yemen, a senior defense official told Al-Monitor. Mattis had remained focused on Yemen up until his last days at the Pentagon, helping to convince Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed to concede to UN demands to stop the fighting, sources familiar with the talks say. Now some experts worry that Shanahan and Rood, both former defense industry executives, lack the contacts and credibility with Arab allies needed to salvage the deal as Yemens warring parties refuse to pull their troops out of Hodeidah. While Shanahan built his career before the Department of Defense at Boeing, Rood spent much of his 20-year government career focused on missile defense and nonproliferation. This is exactly the moment where you need another pylon of diplomatic effort from the US, said Barbara Leaf, the US ambassador to the United Arab Emirates during the Barack Obama administration. Im very concerned that Mattis departure leaves a void in that sense. Defense officials insist that the Pentagon is not taking emphasis away from a Yemen peace deal by allowing Rood to run point with the UN. Shanahan and Martin Griffiths, the UN envoy for Yemen, spoke directly Sunday, their first conversation since the acting secretary assumed office. This is not a downgrade to DoDs prioritization on Yemen, a senior defense official told Al-Monitor. There is no change in terms of the priority of effort for ongoing operations. Roods handling of the portfolio, the official said, is a reflection of Shanahans confidence in his undersecretary. Mattis mostly played a backstage role in the Yemen war before Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was dismissed in March, pressing the Saudis to limit civilian casualties and draw up no-strike lists. But the retired Marine general went public with his push for a UN-brokered settlement as the countrys famine escalated. In remarks at the US Institute of Peace in October, Mattis publicly gave the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition a 30-day deadline to strike a cease-fire deal. The move followed months of behind-the-scenes pressure from Mattis and US Central Command chief Joseph Votel, warning the United Arab Emirates away from a full-scale invasion of Hodeidah. The senior defense official said the Pentagon will continue regular engagements with Griffiths at the same pace as under Mattis, about once every two weeks. Under the new arrangement, Rood will report to the acting defense secretary before and after his conversations with the UN envoy, the official said. Votel, the Central Command chief set to depart later this year, met with Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi in Jordan last week. But the Defense Departments new leaders have not publicly emphasized the Yemen talks in recent weeks. Since assuming the job about three weeks ago, Shanahan, who served as Mattis deputy, has been consumed by the US withdrawal from Syria, a US official told Al-Monitor. Other Pentagon officials have emphasized a renewed focus on China as the Department of Defense prepares to submit its fiscal year 2020 budget proposal. Rood is also likely to face a firestorm of criticism from Congress over US support to Saudi Arabia in Yemen, where some 10 million people face starvation. House Democrats plan to reintroduce a challenge to the Trump administrations war powers to support the Saudi-led coalition; the upper chamber passed a similar bill in December. The US administration cut off refueling support soon after that, but the United States still shares intelligence with the coalition in Yemen. Mattis had pushed for the United States to waive human rights conditions for refueling support as a way to shed light on an uptick in civilian casualties tied to Saudi and Emirati bombings, but the State Department instead certified in September that the Saudi-led coalition had complied with a US law to cut down on innocent deaths. Theres a clear understanding that whats happening in Yemen is damaging DoDs position, said Gerald Feierstein, a former US ambassador to Yemen who worked with Mattis when he commanded American troops in the Middle East. DoD and Central Command in particular have a vested interest in seeing the Saudis clean up their act. The State Department could soon get a set of fresh faces to carry out diplomacy in the Middle East, after President Donald Trump nominated former Central Command chief John Abizaid to serve as US ambassador to Saudi Arabia and one-time Mitt Romney donor John Rakolta to become ambassador to the UAE. The White House also sent the nomination of David Schenker to serve in the State Departments top Middle East role back to Congress; Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., had put a hold on the nomination. But the White House has not announced any nominees to fill several of the Defense Departments top policy jobs, challenging the Pentagons ability to forge a new path in the Middle East. Both Shanahan and his deputy, David Norquist, are serving in acting roles, leaving questions about how long they can remain in post without Senate confirmation. Roods principal Senate-confirmed policy adviser, Robert Karem, left his post in October, leaving behind an acting successor. I do hope the president nominates a full-time secretary of defense, Eric Edelman, the Department of Defenses No. 3 official during the George W. Bush administration, said at a panel Monday. We just have to get to the point where we can fill all of those positions. In two weeks time, that is less than two months prior to Israels April 9 elections, the Likud Party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can expect a rating-boosting campaign contribution. On Feb. 13, Netanyahus friends in Washington and Warsaw are convening an international conference on peace and security in the Middle East, to which 70 world leaders, including from Arab countries, have been invited. Unsurprisingly, Israels prime minister has decided to accept the American-Polish invitation. In fact, behind the seemingly bland conference title "Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East" hides Netanyahus magic word, which is also the key word of his re-election campaign: Iran. The magical qualities of the word are a proven fact: Reports about an Israeli air force bombing of Iranian positions in Syria push aside the latest news item about new evidence of Netanyahus alleged involvement in bribery. From Netanyahus point of view, one photo-op with Arab leaders at the anti-Iran conference is worth tens of thousands of words about how Israel is missing the opportunity of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, a road map that offers it an opportunity to rid itself of the occupation and to isolate radical Islamist forces led by Iran and Hezbollah. One photo showing an Israeli Iron Dome missile intercepting a missile fired from Syria in the skies over Mount Hermon (near the Syrian border) is stronger than a thousand words about the constant threat hanging over the heads of Gaza border area residents from Hamas-fired rockets. In an election season, when the candidate for prime minister (Netanyahu) is also the minister of defense, the value of such photos is even greater. Netanyahu claims that the attorney generals apparent intention to indict him on criminal charges, pending a pre-indictment hearing, before the elections is not fair play. Is his recent decision to lift the veil of ambiguity from Israels attacks on Syria for the sake of dangerous bragging fair play? Some would argue that it is inconceivable for short-term, personal-political considerations to be behind the latest escalation of the conflict on Israels northern front considerations that run counter to Israels strategic interests. Nonetheless, it is quite conceivable. And there are even several examples. On Sept. 13, 2018, Netanyahu received from the Russians a blueprint for a US-Russia deal on the Iran-Syria issue. The diplomatic affairs correspondent of Channel 10 News, Barak Ravid, reported Dec. 20 that in a document conveyed by Russian President Vladimir Putins national security adviser to his Israeli counterpart, Meir Ben-Shabbat, Russia committed to the departure of Iranian and pro-Iranian forces from Syria. In return, it asked that US President Donald Trump suspend plans to tighten sanctions on Iran and launch a dialogue with Moscow about the Iranian issue. Russia also demanded that the United States pull its forces out of Syria, a move that Trump announced unilaterally last month, robbing the United States and Israel of an important bargaining chip with Russia and Iran. At a closed-door meeting of the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Netanyahu confirmed the existence of the Russian offer. At the end of December, three Knesset members head of the Yesh Atid Partys Knesset faction Ofer Shelah; Merav Michaeli, who was at the time the head of the Zionist Camp faction; and Omer Bar-Lev of the Zionist Camp asked that Netanyahu respond to questions about the Russian offer. Michaeli told Al-Monitor this week that Netanyahu had not given any account of his decision to reject the proposed agreement with Russia and the United States on an Iranian pullout from Syria. Despite the threat of war, Netanyahu refused to let diplomatic efforts play out, she said. On Netanyahus watch, Michaeli added, Iran positioned itself along Israels borders, and the United States left it to fend for itself. In this too, Netanyahu is a danger to Israels security, she added. On Jan. 25, Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov hinted that the offer was still on the table. Speaking on CNN after a wave of Israeli attacks on Iranian targets in Syria, the senior Russian official said Moscow was fully cognizant of the steps required to ensure Israels security. Ryabkov also disagreed with the characterization of his country as an ally of Iran. At the same time, Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia explained that his countrys decision to sit out the Warsaw conference stemmed from the absence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on its agenda. At a Jan. 22 session of the UN Security Council, Nebenzia said, "Attempts to create some kind of military alliances in the region by holding conferences and focusing on having a simplified unilateral approach that is clearly linked just to Iran are counterproductive." He was obviously referring to inane Jan. 11 comments by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the goal of the conference to deal with stability, freedom, peace and security in the Middle East to which the top US diplomat added, And that includes an important element of making sure that Iran is not a destabilizing influence." Not a word about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Acting US Ambassador to the UN Jonathan Cohen said the conference would deal with the humanitarian crises in Syria and Yemen, missile development and cybersecurity. Not a word about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and Israels occupation of the West Bank. Will representatives of Arab Sunni states, with Saudi Arabia at their head, pose for photos at a conference on peace and security in the Middle East that ignores the dying Israeli-Palestinian peace process? Will regional leaders agree to serve as extras in the Likud Partys campaign propaganda Only Netanyahu can beat Iran? Or as Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, will they agree to feature in a desperate circus? On the other hand, publicly abandoning the Palestinian issue plays into the hands of the Iranian zealots and their Jewish twins. The Iranians will not miss an opportunity to portray the Sunni leaders in their worthlessness. The Israeli hard-liners will rush to paste the photos from Warsaw in the official photo albums of Netanyahus recent visits to the Muslim capitals of Oman and Chad. A group photo of the conference participants will not promote peace or security in the Middle East. These goals are unattainable with a leader (Netanyahu) more terrified of a peace plan than of a missile war and more scared of doing jail time than of civil war breaking out in his country. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Fatima Abu Mahdi, 17, who lived in the Nuseirat Camp in central Gaza, was killed Jan. 19 in her house after a bullet hit her in the head. A Hamas-affiliated police spokesman in Gaza, Ayman al-Batniji, told Al-Monitor, According to preliminary investigations, the family reported that Fatimas brother killed her by mistake with a bullet that was fired while he was cleaning his gun. Batniji said the investigation was ongoing. There have been a number of recent cases where women were killed by a family member in the Gaza Strip, with the listed causes ranging from gun accidents to honor killings. A 26-year-old woman was killed in the Bureij camp in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 6; her husband was reported to have been cleaning his weapon when a bullet was fired by mistake. Another woman, 42, from Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, was asphyxiated by her father Sept. 18; he was reported to be defending the familys honor. Abu Mahdis death sparked a wave of anger on social media and raised questions about why more women are victims of "gun accidents" than men and why men are usually those who have fired the weapon. Although there are no official statistics on the number of such deaths, Al-Monitor, through research on local media outlets, counted five victims of accidental or intentional violent deaths involving Gaza Strip families in the five-month period between Sept. 18 and Jan. 19. Four of the victims were women killed by a family member at home (two were found hanged and two were killed by the reported accidental discharge of guns); a fifth victim, a man, was a reported to have killed himself in a gun-handling accident. The man's death was the exception to the rule. Palestinian activist Mohammad Hasna posted on his Facebook page Jan. 20, In what position is the weapon being cleaned? How come its cleaning always ends in death? What kind of weapon only kills women when being cleaned? Why are weapons being cleaned at home, in the presence of the family, to begin with? Abedalla Sharshara, a legal adviser to Transparency Palestine, posted on Facebook on Jan. 20, Why are women always the victims of weapons handling and killing by mistake in the Gaza Strip? Shouldnt this occurrence attract the attention of womens organizations and human rights groups in the Gaza Strip? Arent 10 cases of killing women by mistake in four years enough? Journalist Hajar Mohammad Harb responded to Sharshara, saying, As long as tribal mentality rules us and as long as there are no just laws for women and laws incriminating the murder of women, and as long as women do not know their rights, nothing will change. While several of Abu Mahdis family members refused to talk with Al-Monitor, one of her close friends said on condition of anonymity, Fatima suffered from domestic violence after her parents separated, and she was forced to live with her father and his second wife. Her father also threatened her repeatedly because she refused to wear the niqab. Hiba al-Danf is the head of the legal department at the Coalition of Women for Peace, which is affiliated with the Palestinian Liberation Organization and seeks to empower women and sponsor all Palestinian womens nongovernmental organizations. She told Al-Monitor that the legal and police institutions in Gaza ease off when dealing with violent deaths in which women are the victims. She said that police do not take sufficient measures to find out the real reasons behind the deaths and that people who kill women are not severely punished. Danf said police investigative units adopt the policy of covering up in most family killings, under the pretext of protecting the reputation of the family and the civilized face of society, by accepting the explanation that the killing occurred by mistake. This facilitates impunity. Samir Zakout, deputy director of Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza, called on authorities to treat the killings of women like all other slayings. He told Al-Monitor that authorities should reject false claims in these crimes, find the true circumstances behind them and take all legal measures against suspected criminals. He also said more stringent measures should be taken to curb the misuse of guns and the spread of weapons in Gaza. Batniji denied any slackening in police investigations of womens deaths or an intentional cover-up of the real reasons behind the killings. He said, We deal with womens murders just like any other murders. We take all necessary measures, duly conduct official investigations and hand over the criminals to the judicial authorities. He said the possession of guns has spread among citizens as a result of the constant Israeli occupation. It is normal for citizens to have weapons at home to face Israeli aggression. But we warn against using these weapons in internal incidents. On Dec. 13, 2016, the Palestinian Cabinet approved a measure to license guns and ammunition to curb the spread of illicit weapons, control illegal arms and work against weapons traders and outlaws and those who tamper with the nations security and citizens. The measure is based on the 1998 Law (2) on weapons and ammunition, which prohibits owning and carrying weapons that the Ministry of Interior does not license. The governmental and legal restrictions fell on deaf ears in the Gaza Strip, as unlicensed weapons are held by citizens and Hamas does not take necessary measures to control them, under the reasoning that the guns are being used to fight armed resistance against Israel. Zakout said 146 women have been killed since 2004 in violent acts involving families in the Gaza Strip, with at least 51 of them victims of honor crimes. He added, In most cases where women were killed in a family setting, the culprit claimed he committed the crime to protect the familys honor. These explanations are used to evade punishment and seek mitigating circumstances, although in most instances, the circumstances of womens killings indicate premeditation. Zakout noted that Palestinian law imposes mitigating circumstances in family murders. Article 340 of the Palestinian Penal Code No. 16 of 1960 states, Any man who took by surprise his wife or any female relative while she was committing adultery with another person and killed, wounded or harmed both of them or either one of them, is entitled to a reduction in penalty. The perpetrator is sentenced to temporary hard labor from five to 20 years instead of a life of hard labor. On May 15, 2011, President Mahmoud Abbas made amendments to the Penal Code to exclude womens honor killings from mitigating circumstances. The Al-Mezan rights center said in a Sept. 20 statement that the judiciary in the Gaza Strip under Hamas rule still allows mitigating circumstances in womens honor killings. This gives perpetrators the possibility of impunity, and as a result, victims can suffer a double injustice of sorts, as in addition to being killed, their reputation is tarnished. Danf called for protecting women through a comprehensive social campaign to reject violence in all official, media, religious and educational institutions, and by passing and enforcing laws to protect women from any abuse. But the Palestinian rift that has been ongoing since 2007 and which has impeded the Palestinian Legislative Councils work is preventing any legal amendments to protect women. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued Jan. 15 presidential decree No. 23 of 2019, regulating the travel of senior officials who are traveling abroad on official missions. Under this decree, senior state officials will not be allowed to travel without getting Sisi's permission, a matter that has sparked a heated debate regarding the key reasons lurking behind this move. The presidential decree's first article stipulates that the permission to travel abroad on official missions or job-related activities must be approved by the president of the republic. The decree applies to the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and ministers of defense, interior, justice and foreign affairs. It also applies to the heads of independent authorities as well as control and security agencies and their deputies. The other ministers must get their permission from the prime minister. Those who hold positions that are of the same ranking of a prime minister or deputy prime minister are also subject to the provisions of the first article. In Egypt, officials who hold positions equivalent to the prime minister include Al-Azhar's Grand Imam, the parliament speaker and the head of the Supreme Judiciary Council. Officials who are not mentioned in the first article, such as governors, deputy governors as well as heads of national councils, public agencies and holding companies, must get the prime minister's permission before traveling abroad as per the new decree. The decree has been published in the official gazette drawing mixed reactions. Under the new decree, the officials must submit full details of their travels including the real purpose and the duration. Then, they have to wait for the president's or prime ministers approval. Before this decree, only the officials at the executive authority would get their approval from the president or prime minister. But now, new legislative, supervisory and independent entities have become subject to the decree. Speaking to Al-Monitor, member of parliament Suzy Nashed said the claims that this move aims to undermine the freedom of certain officials is an exaggeration. The decision is no more than a regulation of the travel of senior officials for financial and administrative considerations. It only aims to put the brakes on the travel expenses that add financial burden on the state budget. Egyptians themselves have called several times for not wasting public funds on the officials' foreign travels, Nashed, who is a member of the parliamentary Committee of Legislative and Constitutional Affairs, argued. Regarding the constitutionality of this decree, Nashed stressed the decision is constitutional as it comes within the powers of the president of the executive authority in accordance with the provisions of the 2014 constitution. It is the right of the president to know everything about the officials' foreign travels to ensure the seriousness of such missions, she added. Meanwhile, a torrent of posts have flooded social media, comparing Sisi's decision with presidential decree No. 140 of 1972 issued by former President Anwar Sadat with the key aim of regulating the travel of state senior officials. In 1972, President Sadat issued a presidential decree prohibiting the travel of ministers or their deputies except in cases of extreme necessity and with his consent. Under Sadat's decree, the ministers' deputies and heads of public bodies must get their permission from the prime minister. The 1972 decree will now be replaced by Sisis decree. Nevertheless, a professor of constitutional law at one of Egypt's public universities, who declined to mention his name and the university he works at, stressed the sharp difference between Sisi's and Sadat's decree. The difference lurks in those who are subject to the decree. In Sadat's decree, it applies only to the executive authority's officials. But, in a groundbreaking move, Sisi issued a decree that applies to the heads of independent bodies, he told Al-Monitor. For instance, Al-Azhar is the highest seat of Sunni Muslim learning and is considered a completely independent association. However, the Grand Imam shall be subject to the decree since he holds a position of the same ranking as the prime minister. The professor added, Also, the parliament's speaker got his power from the people not from the president. The parliament is a legislative and supervisory entity. However, its speaker cannot travel without the permission of the head of the executive authority, the president. Trying to defend Sisi's decree, TV anchor Mohamed El-Baz said Jan. 15 in his talk show 90 Minutes that this decree is not the first of its kind in Egypt's history. He went on to say that toppled President Hosni Mubarak dismissed former Health Minister Ismail Sallam after discovering that he had traveled without getting his permission. Amna Nosseir, member of parliament and professor of Islamic philosophy at Al-Azhar University, told Al-Monitor that this decision should not be tackled with such sensitivity. It does not underestimate or undermine officials. What will harm me if I inform my manager of my travel program to get his consent? she wondered. More importantly, Nosseir emphasized any claims that this decree targets Al-Azhar's Grand Imam are groundless. President Sisi highly respects the Grand Imam. They share the same vision. It is time to stop spreading baseless rumors, she concluded. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., is the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress. Shes also one of Congress first two female Muslim lawmakers. As such, Tlaib wants to take the fight to the pro-Israel lobby by organizing a congressional delegation to the occupied West Bank as an alternative to the decades-long trips to Israel for freshman lawmakers organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Thats not going over so well with some leaders in her own party. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., told Al-Monitor this week that he's against a West Bank delegation. Instead of her talking about things, shes new here, she ought to listen and learn and open her mind and then come to some conclusions, Engel told Al-Monitor. If youre going to be close-minded and have your views, no ones going to change her views. But I would hope that once youre elected to Congress, you would at least care to see the other side of the coin. Instead of her talking about things ... she ought to listen and learn and open her mind and then come to some conclusions, Engel told Al-Monitor. In order to organize an official congressional delegation, a lawmaker must get approval from the House speaker or the leader of a committee they sit on. Tlaib is not on Engel's committee, but his opinion on foreign affairs carries weight with other committee leaders. Tlaib's pro-Palestinian advocacy has notably led her to endorse the pro-Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. The only other member of Congress to support BDS, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., does sit on Engel's committee but so far has not brought up West Bank travel. Tlaib also indicated that she may instead partner with outside advocacy groups to fund the trips in an interview with the Intercept last month. When Al-Monitor asked Tlaib for updates on her efforts to organize the delegation, she declined to comment. Tlaib's opponents are already appealing to Democratic leadership. Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, has sent letters to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and all committee leaders asking them not to approve Tlaibs request, Politico reported earlier this month. This is not partisan, Babin told Al-Monitor. My concern is the relationship between the United States and Israel. And when you have a [congressional delegation] specifically to one of the bigger threats to Israel, then I think that could pose some threat and risk as far as the American-Israeli relationship. The Texas Republican also argued that Tlaibs use of a slur word while calling for President Donald Trumps impeachment makes her unsuitable to liaise with foreign dignitaries. I want to see something that shows a little bit more discretion and a little better judgment there than what were seeing, said Babin. Babin noted that the bipartisan AIPAC trips, which he participated in four years ago, include visits to the West Bank and meetings with the Palestinian Authority. The pro-Israel lobbying juggernaut spent $2 million to send lawmakers and staff to Israel at the start of the last Congress in 2017 through its sister organization, the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF). The trips usually take place during the August recess. But AIEF only spent $440,000 on trips for 40 lawmakers and staffers last year, according to LegiStorm. While AIEF typically cuts down on trips during election years, thats still less than half of the $963,000 it spent in 2016 and a third of the $1.3 million it spent in 2014. The reason for the reduced expenditures remains unclear. AIEF did not reply to a request for comment. Thats still far more than the $113,000 that AIPACs chief rival, the liberal lobbying group J Street, spent sending lawmakers to Israel and the West Bank in 2017. J Street endorsed Tlaib during her primary campaign last year, but rescinded its endorsement after she called for a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Other lawmakers have tried to launch trips to Palestine in the past. Last year a group of progressive Democrats Reps. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Daniel Kildee, D-Mich., and Hank Johnson, D-Ga. unsuccessfully tried to arrange a trip to the besieged Gaza Strip. The Israeli Embassy in Washington told Al-Monitor last year that it was willing to facilitate access to Gaza as part of a congressional delegation, but Democrats were in the minority at the time and as such needed Republican sign-off. A group of lawmakers also visited the Gaza Strip in 2009, including then-Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., as well as then-Reps. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., and Brian Baird, D-Wash. The House drama is unfolding as the Senate gears up to pass a bill intended to give cover to state-level anti-BDS laws despite constitutional concerns from the American Civil Liberties Union. The Senate moved ahead on the bill 76-22 in a procedural vote today. Still, anti-BDS legislation remains a controversial issue in the Democratic caucus even if the vast majority dont support the boycott movement itself. A recent University of Maryland poll indicated that 56% of Democrats would favor sanctions or more serious measures against Israel should it continue expanding its West Bank settlements. A group of Democrats has responded to Israels eroding support on the left by forming a new advocacy group, the Democratic Majority for Israel, to support lawmakers and presidential candidates who embrace pro-Israel positions in the 2020 elections. For their part, Republicans have been eager to capitalize on Democrats intraparty divisions. In addition to advancing anti-BDS legislation, a handful of House Republicans have introduced a bill accusing Tlaib and Omar of anti-Semitism. The resolution, offered by Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., singles out both lawmakers by name for their support of BDS and previous controversial statements. Zeldin said he introduced the resolution to condemn anti-Semitism after the House passed a resolution 424-1 condemning white supremacy earlier this month following racist remarks from Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. But unlike Zeldins resolution, that bill did not single out King by name. The Daily Caller, a conservative news site, reported this week that Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., backs the Zeldin bill. Correction: Jan. 29, 2019. This story has been updated to reflect the fact that Engel himself is not in a position to approve Tlaib's request. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. The Aiken City Council rendered no formal decision Monday on the Marian Group's plan for the old Aiken County hospital property. City Council that night unanimously voted to continue the matter a rezoning request and concept plan approval citing a Design Review Board recommendation that has yet to be fully addressed. City Council will now tackle the Marian Group's proposition no earlier than the second Monday in March, according to City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh. In early January, the Design Review Board, an advisory body, recommended extending the city's Historic Overlay District to include the entire 9.3-acre hospital property. Doing so is ultimately up to City Council. But the Planning Commission, another advisory body, will make a recommendation next. Mayor Rick Osbon on Monday, explaining the continuation, said all parts deserve to be considered cohesively: the plan, the rezoning, the potential overlay extension, and more. The Marian Group aims to purchase the old hospital property, 828 Richland Ave. W., and develop 160 apartments there: some in the hospital, which will be refurbished, and some in new-construction buildings. The Marian Group, out of Kentucky, initially planned to create more than 200 apartments at the site; that idea, though, was met with hostility and was quickly amended. James Duffy, a Marian Group development associate, has said extending the overlay essentially a historic designation could be a hindrance to the redevelopment effort. It would drive up material costs and time, he posited. Duffy, a familiar face at hospital-related public hearings, attended Monday's meeting. Meanwhile, the Marian Group's founder, Jacob Brown, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce's February breakfast forum. Brown will "brief" chamber members on his firm's plan for the hospital, according to a sign-up email. Aiken County currently owns the hospital property, portions of which date back to the 1930s. When Sara Grim thinks of the work her grandmother Zella Sutton had to do when she first came to their rough and hilly ranchland along the Miss Repairing farm equipment is often part of a farmers life. New, old, beat-up, barely running, it doesnt matter - if it needs to run in the field, itll be worked on in the shop. But repairing farm equipment comes with a unique challenge of navigating laws that a majority of Americans dont even know exist, said Gay Gordon-Byrne. Gordon-Byrne is the communications specialist for Repair.org, an organization fighting for giving owners the right to repair their own equipment in the United States. The movement is aimed at securing legislation at the federal and state level to provide individuals with the legal right to work on and modify their electronics. Currently, its legal for companies to bar someone from modifying or repairing their devices under their warranties. As new legislative sessions open up across the country, Gordon-Byrne believes right to repair is a matter of when, not if. New York barely missed passing the vote last year, and several other states such as Massachusetts and Nebraska are on the cusp of passing it as well, she said. While legislators look over the details of a right to repair bill, the United States Copyright Office made the legal issues a little easier to overcome this past fall. In October 2018, The Copyright Office made it easier for individuals to modify, hack and repair their own devices. While the Copyright Office has no ability to make a blanket change to the laws in place, this ruling made the legal hurdles non-existent. The change essentially made it legal to modify the software on your devices. The soybean market during the summer growing season oftentimes takes its direction from the weather, and the way this summer is shaping up it Beauty of print is in the fact that the reader is literally holding the ad in his/her hand. It is all the more valuable because print is all about consumer engagement as the readers give undivided attention to the newspaper content. Another thing that goes strongly in favour of print is that ratings and page views do not swing by the day or week as readers are loyal to publications they read. Experts believe that engagement is much higher than other media as one, the consumer engages well with the editorial content and secondly, he/she does not look to skip the ads as the same are nonintrusive. There, though, is no denying the fact that creativity and strategic placement of ads multiply their impact manifold. Well-crafted and placed print ads engage both the left and the right brain. Such ads resonate with the audiences and amplify the emotions. So much so that brilliant print ads are known to become viral on social media. It is little wonder then that savvy marketers use print for both tangible and intangible RoI. As per Adex data, print advertising has seen 142% growth in the last decade, and now also it is 33% of the growing adex. Smart brands identify the sections of newspaper that their brand audience engage with the maximum and tailor make the ad based on the content of that page- thus making newspaper advertising a very efficient way of communicating to the target group. Advertising paired with content in a seamless way, creates an environment where the consumer is open to accepting the message in the ads. It would be an interesting topic of debate whether any other medium has the strong connect with its consumers as the newspapers. And so, whose story would they believe the most? Sector watch: A well created ad would work for almost any product category. Players in the automobile sector have continued to use newspaper advertising very effectively. According to a study by Madison, in the year 2017, 10% of the total ad spend (Rs 4217 cr) was by auto sector. Highest spend by auto sector was on print (14% or Rs 2569cr) Adgully spoke to Tarun Jha, Head of Marketing and Product, SKODA AUTO India. Excerpts of the interview: Print has a different role to play in the overall approach for the brand growth. Since, automobiles is a high involvement category attributing gains or loss to any one platform disproportionately would be inaccurate. Nonetheless, Print still holds an important role in a deeply fragmented market like ours. In a way, it helps the brand to be part of the news consumption. As for Skoda, print helps in conveying product specification and guides the reader further to the right touch points to seek out more information. Intenders do register and enquire to learn more about the brand offering and we use this media to evoke a preliminary interest in the product or to announce an offering. Many of Skodas customers and prospective customers do not use digital on a regular basis, and hence print continues to be preferred for detailed messaging. Even for tactical messaging, we have to use a mix of print and digital. For Skoda, and automobile sector per say, print matters at the local level too. We have our two, three contact numbers given on the print ads. We get a lot of customers to call up our call center as well as our dealer because we always carry a dealer number. Some customers also prefer to come to the websites. We dont ask customers how they found us and dont attribute which channels our customers come from, but I can say that print does work for us. Our dealers do a lot of print for local tactical messaging. In fact, part of our print spends has been transferred to dealers who get to share the print budget with us. Print is not just a space seller any more, large publishing houses have infrastructure that can come up with multimedia solution to deliver on specific local challenges. Innovation in print for sure brings the brand up in the conversation for a few days, but owing to the clutter in the overall advertising space, something really different at a sustained level becomes important. Expert Ram Subramanian, Handloom Picture Company Print is a medium with the largest appointment consumption number. Millions of people, around the world begin their morning with newspapers and it is a good time to speak to them about your product. A newspaper is a medium of both depth and brevity. It is still the medium that has the strongest bond with its audience. A very interesting example of a wow brand campaign is the way pollution issue in Lucknow was raised by Dainik Jagran in their campaign Ab yu muskuraiye Lucknow mein, borrowing from the citys tagline. Seamless integration in print advertising and ground activity made people of the city sit up and take note. Images of people wearing a mask with a smile drawn on them and letters by children to their parents should be still fresh in the minds of the people of Lucknow. Responsible advertisers, for instance from automobile sector, can ride on such local campaigns, which no other media can do so effectively. They can communicate directly with the residents and create long term impact for the brand. Talking specifically of automobile sector, buying a vehicle is an involved and deliberate decision. Most people who buy or plan on buying an automotive will weigh all pros and cons before arriving at a decision. Advertising on print helps auto sector marketers engage with their readers at a level of depth that is impossible in other mediums. Always remember, a reader reads your words in his voice, inside his head. Thats why print matters. Broadening the spectrum of premium mobility in India, Volkswagen, Europes leading carmaker today releases its a brand new TVC for the all-new Passat. Launched in year 2017, the latest generation of Passat has redefined luxury with its understated yet elegant design. Based on the MQB platform, the Passat is powered with an efficient 2.0L TDI engine mated to a 6-speed DSG gearbox. Generating peak power of 130kW (177 PS) and a torque of 350 Nm ranging from 1500 3500 RPM, the Passat is available at an introductory price of INR 25.99 Lakhs. Created and conceptualized by DDB Mudra group, the TVC begins with a cinematic narrative set in the backdrop of Ladakhs magnificent and breathtaking terrain. A local native is playing his musical instrument by the campfire when hes suddenly mesmerized by the sound of an approaching four-wheeler. Capturing the surrounding beauty, the Passat cruises along the remote, tough and grueling terrain of the Himalayas. While the Passat impeccably showcases its handling all through the drive, the mysterious individual meets disapproving stares from its passersby. The Passat garners a lot of attention for its sleek and sophisticated look, which further increases the aspirational value for its spectators. As smiling heads turn to see this iconic carline, the mysterious individual behind the wheel is revealed in an unexpected and memorable manner. Speaking on the launch of the brand new TVC, Mr. Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars says, The Volkswagen Passat is an exceptionally iconic car known globally for its sheer design, performance and superior safety. Equipped with path-breaking technologies and innovative vehicle assistance system, the Passat is a carline you cannot give up. Rightly showcasing this sentiment, DDB Mudra has created an unexpected visual of a prospective Passat owner. Added Shagun Seda, Executive Creative Director, DDB Mudra Group, How do you break the conventions of luxury car advertising without really breaking them? Add an unconventional twist. The Passat is the perfect example of effortless luxury. It makes a statement without shouting .We stayed true to the Brands style of communication by telling a simple and human story with a playful wink at the end. Agency credit: Agency: DDB Mudra West Creative Team: Rahul Mathew, Shagun Seda, Manish Darji, Rajeshwari Rao, David Vaz Account Management: Anurag Tandon, Rakesh Varma, Kunal Dangarwala, Hemant Joshi Account Planning: Sonal Jhuj, Aadhya Sharma Films: Vishal Sane, Meenaz Lala Fast growing design and digital company, The Minimalist has been awarded the Social Media mandate for Sudarshan Chemicals Industries Limited, a leading colour and effect pigment manufacturer with experience of over 60 years, post a multi-agency pitch. The Minimalist will create and implement innovative social media campaigns targeted at driving employee engagement, strengthening brand presence while aiming to attract fresh talent. The Minimalist will play a pivotal role in effectively using the companys social media presence to help establish Sudarshan Chemicals as a digital focussed brand. Sudarshan Chemicals innovative and vibrant work culture, values, vision, mission and goals will be highlighted through clutter breaking digital strategy to strengthen its digital presence in India and globally. Speaking on the win, Sahil Vaidya, Co-founder, The Minimalist, said, Considered as an innovator and responsible for driving growth within the sector, Sudarshan Chemicals is one of Indias largest pigments manufacturer and fourth largest in the world. It is an honour for us to be associated with Sudarshan Chemicals as their Social Media Partner. We will leverage the companys social media presence to consolidate its position as a market leader while percolating its business and communications goals to various stakeholders and employees. We look forward to adding significant value to the companys communication objectives and building a strong foundation for a long association. Ranjeet Singh, Deputy General Manager, Human Resource, Sudarshan Chemicals Industries Limited said, We are excited to engage with The Minimalist as our Social Media Partner. The strategy, energy and enthusiasm they bring on board is highly admired and unique. Social media is an important part of our overall communication strategy, and a means to engage with our existing employees, connect with stakeholders, and attract new talent. The Minimalist will hence play an important part by amplifying our reach and simultaneously help us communicate effectively. We are confident that their expertise and novel approach will add value to our business and look forward to working with them. Recognized for their thought-provoking communication, The Minimalist has been aiding brands across India enhance their social and digital presence through innovative and unique techniques. To launch the weekly print edition of Firstpost, the news and media website/app from Network18, Taproot Dentsu, the creative agency from Dentsu Aegis Network, has released a campaign that shows how digging deeper for the truth is so important, today more than ever. The film takes a dig at the race for breaking news and the prevalence of sensationalism over incisive journalism. It is a dramatic take-down of modern journalism to show by contrast, Firstposts comprehensive coverage of stories that need to be told and heard. The campaign has a TV and print leg to it. Speaking about the campaign, Rahul Kansal, Group Brand Advisor, Network18 said, We wanted to tell potential readers that our newspaper will offer an in-depth read in contrast to the breathless, superficial kind of news that has become the norm in the country. Rather than be preoccupied with breaking news in a half-cocked manner, we want to offer insights, analyses and well thought-through opinion. Taproot Dentsu responded with their usual brilliance, and completely turned on its head, the usual paradigms in news. From rhetoric like 'breaking news' and you read it here first to proudly last and last mover advantage. Neeraj Kanitkar, Creative Director, Taproot Dentsu said, The Firstpost weekly newspaper is a remarkable attempt at raising the bar for news reporting. While most other papers scramble from one story to the other, Firstpost gives every story what it really deserves time. Thereby getting to the bottom of every story. The campaign capitalised on this distinct difference, which allows the Firstpost weekly newspaper to be the last word on the news. World-class student residence provider, Stanza Living, launched Stanza Estate app, designed to enable quick and efficient listing of properties. The app was launched as part of its growth strategy to reach one lakh bed-capacity by 2021. The app will allow property owners, brokers, real estate consultants and developers, to partner with Stanza Living in an effective manner, to create bespoke, high-quality student accommodations. It will help create an ecosystem of property owners across the country, to launch student accommodations in key educational hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Indore, Ahmedabad, among others. Stanza Living operates a full-stack business model that transforms properties into student-friendly residences, provides a wide array of amenities for a hassle-free living experience and ensures end-to-end service delivery management. The company has recently received a fresh funding of $10 million, from marquee global investors like Sequoia Capital, Matrix and Accel Partners. Speaking about the launch Anindya Dutta and Sandeep Dalmia, Co-founders, Stanza Living, said We are on an aggressive growth path and have an ambition to target a capacity of over one lakh beds by 2021. Our intent is to create a pan-India student housing brand so that the millions of migrating students in the country can be assured of a high-quality residential experience. The Stanza Estate App is the first step to engage like-minded property owners, brokers and consultants and work together to create a high-yield proposition. We will be launching a series of outreach programmes to engage potential partners and find synergies, as we build a world-class student brand. Speaking about the impact on business efficiencies, they said Launched as a pure listing platform, future updates of the app will have powerful data analytics engines and property evaluation algorithms to allow real-time evaluation of the viability of a property as a student living asset. This will create an efficient information exchange and operational liaison between our business teams, allow real-time updates to our potential partners and faster sourcing of property supply to grow our footprint. The Stanza Estate App provides: An intuitive interface and easy navigation enabling the user to share a repository of comprehensive property details Real-time update on property assessment, shortlisting and selection The Stanza Living team will subsequently partner to transform selected properties into student accommodations and take care of complete everyday operations. Student housing is a largely unorganized market, which suffers significant infrastructure and service quality gaps. Despite being a high-demand sector generating revenues of over $15 billion, there has been no significant disruption in the sector to deliver a high-quality student community-living product. Stanza Living is focusing on reimagining the student living experience in India, to ensure that the over 11 million migrant students in the country can enjoy global standard housing solutions. Unless one has been hibernating, it is difficult to miss the #10yearchallenge doing the rounds of social media. Quick to tap into any viral trend on social media, brands have also latched on to the popularity of #10yearchallenge. Now, taking the #10yearchallenge many notches higher, McDonalds has slashed its menu prices to what they were 10 years back, for 10 days starting January 23, 2019, exclusively on its recently launched McDonalds app. McDonalds lovers can now grab their house favourites at 2009 prices by simply showing the offer within the app to the counter crew while placing the order, at any McDonalds restaurant across West and South India. Launched earlier in January this year, the McDonalds app allows consumers to customise their preferences. In addition to availing of attractive customised offers that can be redeemed at the restaurant, customers can also share their feedback and find their nearest McDonalds restaurant on this app. Speaking on this unique initiative, Akshay Jatia, General Manger Brand Extensions, Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd, said, As the 10-year challenge gained momentum, we at McDonalds wanted to do something beyond just posting a picture or putting a post out on the social media. Over the years, we have delivered unparalleled value to our customers. Through our own 10-year challenge, we wanted to provide our customers a unique value proposition and reinforce that while we have evolved over the last 10 years, we have not changed we still continue to deliver unparalleled value. Speaking further on the McDonalds app launch, he added, We are committed to enhancing our digital capabilities and leveraging technology to deliver enhanced value and convenience to our customers. The new McDonalds app, that lets our customers avail of a slew of attractive in-store offers at their fingertips, is a step in this direction. In an interaction with Adgully, Akshay Jatia elaborates on this new initiative, successfully capitalising on current trends, and more. Could you tell us about the genesis of McDonalds #10yearchallenge campaign? We launched this campaign from a local point of view. McDonalds has always been very vibrant and young. As a young brand, we are very excited to launch a campaign on the back of the 10-year challenge. For the 10-year challenge, most brands were putting up posts on social media to show their progression, but at McDonalds we believe that as a brand weve always believed to be the same, whether it was in 2009 or now is 2019. We offer unparalleled value to our customers and that hasnt changed in all these years. What has changed is that we have evolved as a brand, but our value proposition hasnt changed. Thats how the idea came about to lower our prices to 2009 prices for 10 days. As a brand, we always capitalise on events that relate to our target groups as well as trends that relate to them, be it through our Instagram content, Insta promotions or even when we do above the line. The application offers a new medium through which we can interact with our users. It gives us an avenue to constantly engage with them with content that is relevant for them. We have always pushed campaign like this on digital platforms once we began using these platforms. Our TG always remains the same, as a young vibrant brand, we relate to a lot of the millennials and the older generation who have been visiting McDonalds for the last 25 years. Digital is where we see a huge traction coming from our incumbent TG so we always try to stay relevant with events like the 10-year challenge that we feel our relevant for our consumers. The app was coincidentally launched at the beginning of the year 2019. There was no real plan to launch it along with the challenge, however, the application provides many relevant offers and promotions. If you browse through our app, we have an entire section of offers and promotions that are based on data like target group, consumer preferences, and accordingly provide the relevant offer information. The application is an all in one application to provide value to our users. One of the key features of the app and the 10-year challenge are offers that users are able to redeem at the restaurant. The 10-year challenge is a great promotional opportunity and as a brand we felt that it was a good fit to launch our own 10-year challenge. Who is your digital partner for promoting the campaign? We work with the DDB Group. What touch points on digital are you promoting the campaign? We will promote the campaign on all digital platforms where we have the reach and are the most relevant for users. You will see our content on Facebook, Google, Instagram; thus, it is available across all digital and social platforms. How has the response been to the MsDonalds app? The application was launched at the beginning of January 2019. The response has been very promising and consumers have received the application very well in terms of early numbers. We have already crossed over 150,000 downloads and our target is to overshoot over 5 million downloads by the end of the year. With home delivery on the rise, why are the #10yearchallenge offers available only in-store? As a brand we think this is a very exciting proposition for users. It provides them value on engaging content. Apart from that, we integrated our McDelivery platform into the application to provide our users a free experience. Thus, within the application users can avail discounts and offers, view engaging content and interact with the McDelivery platform like they did before. The application combines all these features to provide users an all in one experience when they interact with McDonalds. The USP of the app is that you get customised offers based on your behaviour and experience in the restaurant. The application that we have launched has offers and promotions available for in store customers. The registration process for that is new because it is a new platform. Our McDelivery users will be able to order from the application from a McDelivery section that you can log into separately. Delhi Crime, a seven-part series written and directed by award-winning Indo-Canadian filmmaker Richie Mehta, will be available to Netflix members worldwide from March 22, 2019. The police-procedural thriller, produced by Golden Karavan and Ivanhoe Pictures, will premiere worldwide at Sundance Film Festival on January 29 in the Indie Episodic category. Season 1 of Delhi Crime is inspired by and follows the notorious December 2012 investigation by the Delhi Police into a devastating rape of a young woman that reverberated across India and the world. Throughout seven hour-long episodes, Delhi Crime captures the complexities of the scrutiny, the emotional toll on the investigating team, and their determination to bring the perpetrators to justice in a fraught environment. The police officer (Vartika Chaturvedi in the series) is sensitively portrayed by Shefali Shah (Monsoon Wedding, Juice), who leads a critically-lauded cast that includes Adil Hussain (Life of Pi, Hotel Salvation), Denzil Smith (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Rasika Dugal (Qissa, Manto), Rajesh Tailang (Siddharth, Selection Day) and Yashaswini Dayama (Dear Zindagi, The Odds). Over six years of research went into the making of the series, which was shot on location in New Delhi. Richie Mehta (Amal, Siddharth), conceived the show during a conversation with Neeraj Kumar, a former Commissioner of the Delhi Police, who introduced him to the investigating team, and offered access to hundreds of pages of legal documents that were prepared as part of investigation. Overwhelmed by the brutality of the incident, and determined to bring to light the details of the investigation, Mehta realized that the zeal and passion of the police in providing closure to a nation would be best portrayed in the form of a series. Mehta said, The making of Delhi Crime has been a personally transformative journey; speaking to every individual involved, retracing the paths that the police took during the course of the investigation, and hearing of the determination that it took for the case to be closed, despite severe limitations. I hope that weve been able to provide context, catharsis and open once again a difficult conversation that must be had about the forces that enabled this brutality. Simran Sethi, Director, International Originals, Netflix, said, Delhi Crime is an important story told with sensitivity and responsibility, and we are honored to help bring this series to Indian and global members. It is honest and emotional and powerful. Shows like this bring a much-needed lens to the lived reality of women around the world. Watching this series is an affecting experience, and we are sure it will be as meaningful of an experience for Netflix audiences as it was for us. Serving as Executive producers for Golden Karavan are Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Sagansky, Florence Sloan, Apoorva Bakshi, Pooja Kohli and Sanjay Bachani. Executive producers from Ivanhoe Pictures are John Penotti, Kilian Kerwin, and Michael Hogan. Producing are Robert Friedland, Sidney Kimmel, and Brian Kornreich for Ivanhoe Pictures. The deal was negotiated by Robert Jesuele on behalf of Golden Karavan and Brian Kornreich on behalf of Ivanhoe Pictures. ActionAid India, an agency working with vulnerable communities since 1972 to further social and ecological justice, in partnership with WATConsult, a digital agency in the Dentsu Aegis Network's bouquet, has launched #JoinTheDots, a campaign to highlight child sexual abuse. The campaign aims to prevent the incidence of abuse as well as encourages adults to address such violence with a call to action to See, Listen and Act. The campaign video, launched digitally, opens with a mothers narrative showcasing a strong bond with her son, threaded together by their intimate and candid moments. It further highlights subtle signs of behaviour change in the child that parents unintentionally tend to ignore, considering it normal. The film points out that the behavioural signs of a sexually abused child can be very similar to the signs caused due to other conditions or stress, physical or mental. It emphasizes that these signs are all present around us and adults just need to spot them and address them in time. Parents and guardians have to encourage a culture of regular communication with their child and be vigilant to acknowledge hints. This would help prevent or tackle any incidences of abuse, with the childs best interests in mind. To make the same simpler, the campaign video leads to a Conversation Starter Tool on the website: www.jointhedotsnow. com. The tool enables an interestingly active conversation between a responsible adult and the child in her/his care. Through this, the child can speak about the different worlds she/he inhabits, every day, and what she/he experiences and feels in these worlds. The conversation would also help the adult to invite the child into their world so that children can also learn about the emotions and feelings that adults might have. Through these conversations the adult will be in a better place to understand the emotions of the child, helping the adult to always act in the best interests of the child. Elaborating on the campaign,, ActionAid India remains committed to working for the protection of children, especially girls, from discriminatory practices of sex-selective abortions, trafficking, and sexual assault. Over the years we have worked with allied organizations, the administration and policymakers to bring change on the ground for the protection, nutrition, and education of children. Childrens vulnerability will remain till children in all contexts are recognized as equal citizens. In the family, this calls for children being listened to and their interests being considered as equal, if not of paramount interest. Through the Join the Dots campaign, we want to help adults see, listen and act in the best interests of children.Working with a number of State Governments, ActionAid has been able to make a positive impact on ensuring good quality public education accessible to all children, the laws prohibiting child marriage are strengthened in multiple states and also the laws against child labor are stringent. Boomlet Media, a Content Marketing agency, also came on board as supporting partners for this campaign. With this campaign, WATConsult announces the launch of The Alter Project, a dedicated vertical for public service campaigns fronted by brands and institutions. The Alter Project, through its campaigns, will leverage the power of digital to champion causes, challenge archaic norms, drive civil action and inspire change. Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Dingra, Founder & CEO, WATConsult said, Social good has always been at the core of our growth philosophy with our teams fearlessly picking up issues that needed a voice to transform the social order in the country. The last year at WATConsult, we saw bold campaigns that dealt with subjects such as girl child education, rights of transgender people, youth suicides, child trafficking, organ donation and such others mobilizing stakeholders through unique ways. Its time for brands to step forward and champion mass movements for the public good. Just like its logo, The Alter Project, through its collaborations with brands and its campaigns, will lead to a new wave of dignity, equality, and inclusion. We invite brands to associate with The Alter Project by WATConsult and write the new narrative together. 2018 was the year when WATConsult announced itself on the global stage becoming the only Indian digital agency to bag a shortlist at the Cannes Lions. The announcement of The Alter Project comes as part of the agencys 12th-anniversary celebrations themed 12 Notches Higher. 12 years of WATConsults remarkable growth story have also been displayed on their newly renewed website. PG&E Officially Files for Bankruptcy PG&E has now officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The utility has also received permission for $5.5 billion in bank loans to continue operations. It has cited billions of dollars in lawsuits for California wildfires. Shasta County Arson Suspect Appears in Court Tuesday, 19-year-old Samuel Scholfield will be back in court on arson charges. He's accused of setting a series of fires in Cottonwood and Anderson between July 27 and Oct. 26 of last year, one of which was deadly. He faces first-degree murder, attempted murder and arson if convicted. He could serve life in prison. Butte County Board of Supervisors to Discuss Long-Term Housing Ordinance Tuesday, the Butte County Board of Supervisors will decide on an ordinance that could impact long-term housing for Camp Fire evacuees. They could vote to allow residents to open up homes to two trailers or two tents to house evacuees. They are also discussing places to set up RV parks. That meeting is at the chambers in Oroville at 9 a.m. Government-Backed Debris Removal Application Deadline Thursday Right-of-Entry forms are due Thursday. If you need to turn in forms, you have two FEMA Mobile Recovery Centers you can visit. Those are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday in two locations: The Magalia Baptist Church in Magalia and the Pines Yankee Hill Hardware Store in Oroville. Nine Butte County Sheriff's Deputies on Leave After Officer-Involved Shooting Nine Butte County sheriff's deputies are on administrative leave for the shooting death of a suspect. Investigators say Richard Moulton tried to murder his ex-wife in Red Bluff Monday morning before fleeing to Durham. Deputies shot him near Aguas Frias Road on Highway 162 after they say he raised a handgun to them. Suspect Killed in Tehama County Officer-Involved Shooting Tehama County sheriff's deputies say Carl Thayer was killed early Monday morning. They say Thayer intentionally crashed on Jellys Ferry Road after threatening to kill himself and his ex-wife. He was found armed with a knife. Deputies say they first tried a taser before shooting him. The woman was not injured. CHICO, Calif. - The City of Chico has seen a population explosion, and it's not just the roads that are impacted. Post-Camp Fire sewage production numbers are at an all-time high. Action News Now reporter Stephanie Lin sat down with Public Works' Eric Gustafson for a closer look at the cause behind all the waste. He reports seeing an average of a million gallons extra per day being pushed through the city's treatment facilities. "Multiple family members or friends are staying in one household," Gustafson explains, "so that's double the flow from one household but the [charged sewage] rate is still the same." The same idea applies to those living in RVs connecting to sewer hook-ups on one shared property. Then there's all the septage from Cal OES, FEMA, and PG&E base camps. Add all these sources together, and you've got one big costly problem. "If those increased flows continue, there will be increased costs, and we will have to go to council for increased funds," Gustafson says. Chico Public Works is now working on a rate analysis to determine if a rate increase should happen to help with waste processing costs and fixing the 90-year-old underground plumbing system that supports the city. Chicoans now pay the lowest sewer rates out of all cities in the area: $22.98 per month. Compare this to Orland's $26.10, Sacramento's $32 and Napa's $42.83. Before the fire, Chico's wastewater treatment facility processed about 6 million gallons of waste on average per day. Since then that amount has gone up to 7 million. Biosolid production has gone up 70%, while overall waste and sewage flows are up 17%. Gustafson tells Action News Now, the facility is able to handle a capacity of 12 million gallons of waste per day. But, the city is currently equipped to take on an amount over a decade of growth, rather than overnight. Public Works plans to present their rate analysis to city council late spring. Once that is done, the public will also be able to chime in. No rate changes will happen until there is at least a 51% approval. Conversations also continue with state legislators to hopefully find a fast fix to the sewage problem. In the meantime, the work continues to maintain the expected quality of life for Chicoans and their new neighbors. "We want Paradise folks to know they are welcome in Chico, and hope they can find a bit of normalcy," Gustafson emphasizes. SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Various state lawmakers in California have issued responses to PG&E officially declaring bankruptcy. The utility officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following pressure from billions of dollars in claims due to California wildfires. Through this process, we will prioritize what matters most to our customers and the communities we serve safety and reliability. We believe that this process will make sure that we have sufficient liquidity to serve our customers and support our operations and obligations, said John R. Simon, corporate interim CEO for PG&E. I know that our 24,000 dedicated employees remain steadfastly focused on delivering safe and reliable natural gas and electric service for the 16 million people across our service area, said Mr. Simon. Each day I see the hard work and resilience of our team, and I thank them for their continued dedication to working safely and delivering for our customers, Simon said. Assemblyman James Gallagher issued the following statement in response to the filing: I am disappointed that PG&E is moving forward with bankruptcy. Frankly, I question whether or not they are really in a bankruptcy situation or if they are simply attempting to skirt their obligations. Keep in mind that investigators recently concluded that PG&E equipment did not cause the Tubbs Fire, and there has been no determination of liability in the Camp Fire. The bankruptcy court should do a full and thorough vetting of PG&Es financial situation before allowing their Chapter 11 petition to proceed. If PG&E is determined liable for the Camp Fire, nothing should stand in the way of ensuring that fire victims are properly compensated for losses. We should look at all avenues to ensure this is so. I dont want anyone to mistake my comments about PG&E as any kind of negative reflection on the lineman and frontline workers who are always battling the elements to keep the lights on. My frustration is with corporate in San Francisco. Front line PG&E workers deserve our appreciation and support. Senator Ben Hueso also issued the following statement in response to the filing: In light of PG&Es notice earlier this month, todays filings should come as no surprise; nonetheless, its disheartening that it has come to this. Bankruptcy is never an ideal option. It will now be crucial for the state to ensure that we are well positioned to protect ratepayers, wildfire victims, the utility workforce and vendors in the process moving forward. My focus and priorities during this process remain the same: ensuring that there is safe, reliable and uninterrupted service for consumers; and that wildfire victims are treated fairly and receive just compensation for their losses. In the coming weeks, the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee will do its due diligence in assessing the implications regarding today's announcement. As Chair of this committee, I will continue to closely monitor the situation, and work with all stakeholders, colleagues in the State Legislature, and the Governor to ensure safe, reliable and affordable service for California ratepayers. Universal Pictures/WENN Movie The Luke Hobbs depicter reveals he has been trying to bring the 'Aquaman' actor into the fold of the 'Fast and Furious' spin-off to play his character's brother. Jan 29, 2019 AceShowbiz - The next "Fast and Furious" movie may get more star-studded with Jason Momoa joining the cast ensemble. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has confirmed that he and the "Aquaman" actor have been talking about the latter's potential involvement in "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw". Hinting that he and the "Game of Thrones" alum share the same interest, the "Moana" star said in a comment on Instagram, "Me and Momoa tried hard to get him in this movie to play my brother. But his schedule was too packed." While Momoa's busy schedule didn't allow him to star in "Hobbs & Shaw", Johnson makes sure that the "Justice League" actor would appear in the next movie. "Next Hobbs movie for sure," he assuringly added. "Hobbs & Shaw" centers on Johnson's former Diplomatic Security Service Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham's criminal-turned-ally Deckard Shaw. Idris Elba has joined the cast as the main villain named Brixton. While plot details are still kept under wraps, Johnson recently teased that the movie would feature "the biggest showdown the FAST & FURIOUS franchise has ever seen." In a picture from the movie he shared on his Instagram page, his character is seen leading a group of Samoan men who are running into a battle, armed with various kinds of tools as weapons. He recently also introduced Hobbs' brothers. "My name is Luke Hobbs and these are my four brothers," he explained. "They all live in Western Samoa where they own and operate 'Hobbs Customs' - a former illegal chop shop, now a legit business where they build and deliver vintage custom cars all over the world." Helen Mirren, Vanessa Kirby and Eiza Gonzalez also star in the upcoming movie, which is directed by David Leitch. The film is set to bow in U.S. theaters on August 2. WENN/John Rainford Celebrity In related news, the Duchess of Sussex and husband Prince Harry are said to be spending their first Valentine as a married couple separately. Jan 29, 2019 AceShowbiz - It seems like Samantha Markle isn't done attacking half-sister Meghan Markle. Samantha recently took to Twitter to announce her new tell-all books about the expecting wife of Prince Harry would be released soon. Writing on her private account, Samantha said, "I couldn't help but let it slip! There are two books coming out! In the Shadows of the Duchess I and II." Samantha also added hashtags #April and #June to hint at the release dates. If the first part of Samantha's new tell-all books is set to hit the shelves in April, it has such an extremely ill-timing. It means that the book will be released around Meghan's due date as the Duchess of Sussex previously revealed to those who gathered in Hamilton Square to greet her and Prince Harry that she's due in late April. Additionally, Samantha was excited to share that the upcoming book would feature a lot of pictures of her and the former "Suits" actress, proving that they did spend a lot of time together. "And you will love some of the pictures in my book also to refute any of your nasty troll gossip that we did not have a life together," she tweeted. "I'm very much your sister and if you don't like it too bad. Bring it on." "The world does not know truth total truth (I'm) holding nothing back!" she added. "From lullabies to lies. it's all they're in my book. The book covers everything that goes on behind the scenes that the world does not know and trust me there is a lot." She concluded, "I'm promoting my book and no one has the right to stop me. Step off." In related news, Meghan and her husband Harry were said to be spending their first Valentine as a married couple separately. The Duke of Sussex, who holds the title as the Captain General of the Royal Marines, is set to visit Exercise Clockwork on February 14. "Clockwork is the traditional name of the annual winter exercise, based in one of the world's most demanding environments 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, which has trained over 16,000 Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors and airmen since 1969," Kensington Palace wrote on Twitter. The Duke of Sussex, Captain General @RoyalMarines, will visit Exercise Clockwork to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the operation in Bardufoss, Norway on Thursday 14th February. pic.twitter.com/73LASSDk4g Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 28, 2019 As for Meghan, it remains to be seen if she has schedules around Valentine's Day. However, it's reported that the Duchess isn't traveling right now. Instagram Celebrity In related news, it is said that the Lashed Bar owner makes her ex-fiance Rob Kardashian mad after she goes on the trip without bringing Dream with her. Jan 29, 2019 AceShowbiz - Blac Chyna's tumultuous week continues. The Lashed Bar owner, who is currently on vacation in Hawaii, has reportedly called it quits with her boyfriend Kid Buu after she found out that he's cheating on her. Words are, they got into a huge fight before the breakup and police were even called to the scene. TMZ reported that the lovebirds started getting into a heated argument at around 5 A.M. in their hotel room at Ritz-Carlton in Honolulu, with Chyna accusing Kid Buu of cheating on her. The argument escalated into a fight just before 7 A.M. as she started scratching the rapper, before the latter slammed her against the wall several times and choked her. Police and paramedics then arrived on the scene after getting a tip from an unknown caller. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, and the former "Rob & Chyna" star wasn't taken to hospital. However, she had had enough of Kid Buu and decided to break up with him, according to HollywoodLife.com. A source told the gossip site, "Chyna and Kid Buu got into a huge fight and she broke things off with him and then went on Instagram to say she's single. Kid Buu wanted to get revenge at Chyna so he started posting about Alexis Skyy and apologizing to her." In related news, it is said that Chyna was supposed to be taking care of Dream, her child with Rob Kardashian, when she went to the vacation. However, she reportedly ditched the little girl and had a nanny to take care of Dream. Learning this, Rob planned to take Dream with him, but he wasn't able to get in touch with Chyna. This allegedly made him mad. "Rob doesn't want Dream to stay alone with a nanny while Chyna parties in Hawaii. This is what he is mad about," a source reported. "She needs to tell him when she won't be in L.A. so Rob can keep Dream longer. Rob is getting his lawyer involved. This situation is not in Dream's best interest." WENN/Drew Altizer Movie The 'Slumdog Millionaire' star reasons that her decision comes from her solidarity to 'women who have come out with their stories, whether they are proven or not.' Jan 29, 2019 AceShowbiz - Freida Pinto has ruled out ever working with Woody Allen again. The "Slumdog Millionaire" star worked with the director, who has been accused of sexual assault by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, on 2010 movie "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger". Allen has strenuously denied the allegations, which Farrow reiterated in a 2014 open letter to the New York Times. However, despite his denial, Indian actress Freida admitted in an interview with The Guardian published on Sunday, January 27, that she wouldn't work with the "Annie Hall" director again. "No. Absolutely not. I wouldn't work with him because I'm in solidarity with women who have come out with their stories, whether they are proven or not," she told the publication. "I'm just going to stick to what my gut instinct tells me. I'm 34 years old, I've worked for 11 years in this industry, I'm not desperate and I will never be desperate." Freida joins a lengthy list of actors who have spoken out against the director, including the stars of his 2017 movie "A Rainy Day in New York", Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Hall. The movie was shelved by Amazon Studios after details of the plot were leaked and it drew criticism for scenes involving an older man flirting with a teenage girl, portrayed by Jude Law and Elle Fanning. Allen was already facing a public backlash as historic accusations of sexual assault from Farrow continued to resurface in the press, in the wake of the #MeToo anti-sexual misconduct movement. Chalamet wrote a lengthy apology on Instagram, in which he said that while "contractual obligations" prevented him from speaking freely about his decision to work with Allen, he planned to donate his entire salary from the movie to charity. "I don't want to profit from my work on this film," he wrote last January. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SAN FRANCISCO Apple hoped to offset slowing demand for iPhones by raising the prices of its most important product, but that strategy seems to have backfired after sales sagged during the holiday shopping season. Results released Tuesday revealed the magnitude of the iPhone slump a 15 percent drop in revenue from the previous year. That decline in Apples most profitable product caused Apples total earnings for the October-December quarter to dip slightly to $20 billion. Now, CEO Tim Cook is grappling with his toughest challenge since replacing co-founder Steve Jobs 7 years ago. Even as he tries to boost iPhone sales, Cook also must prove that Apple can still thrive even if demand doesnt rebound. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ It figures to be an uphill battle, given Apples stock has lost one-third of its value in less than four months, erasing about $370 billion in shareholder wealth. Cook rattled Wall Street in early January by disclosing the company had missed its own revenue projections for the first time in 15 years. The last time that happened, the iPod was just beginning to transform Apple. This is the defining moment for Cook, said Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives. He has lost some credibility on Wall Street, so now he will have to do some handholding as the company enters this next chapter. The results for the October-December period were slightly above the expectations analysts lowered after Cooks Jan. 2 warning. Besides the profit decline, Apples revenue fell 5 percent from the prior year to $84 billion. It marked the first time in more than two years that Apples quarterly revenue has dropped from the past year. The erosion was caused by the decline of the iPhone, whose sales plunged to $52 billion, down by more than $9 billion from the previous year. The past quarters letdown intensified the focus on Apples forecast for the opening three months of the year as investors try to get a better grasp on iPhone sales until the next models are released in autumn. Apple predicted its revenue for the January-March period will range from $55 billion to $59 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had been anticipating revenue of about $59 billion. Investors liked what they read and heard, helping Apples stock recoup some of their recent losses. The stock gained nearly 6 percent to $163.50 in extended trading after the report came out. We wouldnt change our position with anyones, Cook reassured analysts during a conference call reviewing the past quarter and the upcoming months. The company didnt forecast how many iPhones it will sell, something Apple has done since the product first hit the market in 2007 and transformed society, as well as technology. Apple is no longer disclosing how many iPhones it shipped after the quarter is completed, a change that Cook announced in November. That unexpected move raised suspicions that Apple was trying to conceal a forthcoming slump in iPhone sales fears that were realized during the holiday season. Cook traces most of Apples iPhone problems to a weakening economy in China, the companys second biggest market behind the U.S. The company is also facing tougher competition in China, where homegrown companies such as Huawei and Xiaomi have been winning over consumers in that country with smartphones that have many of the same features as iPhones at lower prices. Although a trade war started by President Donald Trump last year has hurt China and potentially caused some consumers there to boycott U.S. products, many analysts believe the iPhones malaise stems from other issues too. Among them are higher prices Apples most expensive iPhone now costs $1,350 for models that arent that much better than the previous generation, giving consumers little incentive to stop using the device they already own until it wears out. Apple also gave old iPhones new life last by offering to replace aging batteries for $29, a 70 percent discount. The upgrade cycle has extended, there is no doubt about that, Cook conceded. Apple is banking that investors will realize the company can still reap huge profits by selling various services on the 1.4 billion devices running on its software. Thats one reason why Cook has been touting the robust growth of Apples division that collects commissions from paid apps, processes payments, and sells hardware warranty plans and music streaming subscriptions. Apple Music now has more than 50 million subscribers, second to Spotifys 87 million streaming subscribers through September. Apple is also preparing to launch a video streaming service to compete against Netflix, though Cook said he wasnt ready to provide details Tuesday. The companys services revenue in the past quarter climbed 19 percent from the prior year to $10.9 billion more than any other category besides the iPhone. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered New Mexico to join a national coalition of states seeking to combat the effects of climate change, as part of a far-reaching plan to shift the state toward a renewable energy economy. At a news conference in the state Capitol, the Democratic governor described the order as a game-changer that outlines broad, state-level initiatives to make up for a lack of federal action on climate change. We want to make sure we are doing something irrespective of failed policies and a lack of science going on at the federal level today, Lujan Grisham told a crowd that included environmental advocates and schoolchildren. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The executive order calls for New Mexico to join 18 other states in the U.S. Climate Alliance. The coalition, formed in 2017 after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, commits member states to implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Lujan Grisham specifically called for New Mexico to cut its emissions by 45 percent below 2005 levels over the next 12 years. To achieve that, the governor directed two Cabinet secretaries Environment Secretary-designate James Kenney and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary-designate Sarah Cottrell Propst to head a new climate change task force to develop a state strategy with initial recommendations by September. The task force will include representatives from all state agencies, each of which must assess the impacts of climate change on their own programs and operations and devise mitigation measures. Under the governors order, the task force will evaluate potential policies and regulations, such as: A market-based program that sets statewide emission limits. New emissions standards for light-duty vehicles sold in New Mexico. Updated building codes. Creation of transmission lines and infrastructure to get renewable energy from clean power plants to market. The governor also ordered Kenney and Propst to help push legislation to increase New Mexicos renewable-energy portfolio and energy-efficiency standards for electric utilities. The governor did not cite specific targets, but in her inaugural speech, and in her first address to the Legislature this month, Lujan Grisham called for new mandates that would require public utilities to derive at least 50 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and possibly 80 percent by 2040. The order also directed Kenney and Propst to jointly develop statewide regulations to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations, something Lujan Grisham promised in her election campaign. That would help compensate for the Trump administrations reversal of federal methane regulations. Federal rollbacks of climate protections, waste prevention, and clean air rules have made it imperative for New Mexico to act to protect our citizens and our economy from the damages of climate impacts, said the order. It added that New Mexico is wasting an estimated $244 million a year through venting, flaring and leaking of methane in oil and gas operations. Environmental organizations praised Lujan Grishams action as a welcome departure from the policies of former Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. The new governor has set a tremendous, aggressive goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030, with a task force to come up with the rules, regulations and legislation to get us there, said Jon Goldstein, regulatory and legislative affairs director for the Environmental Defense Fund. During Tuesdays news conference, Lujan Grisham also said the Martinez administration did not enforce some of the laws and regulatory requirements that are already in place. Lujan Grisham said that would change under her watch. This is an administration that is going to make sure that we are robustly enforcing the current environmental rules that we have, Lujan Grisham said. Still, she said, the state will maintain an all-of-the-above approach to energy issues, adding that her administration plans to work with the oil and natural gas industry as it enacts new policies. Everything doesnt have to be mutually exclusive, she said, after acknowledging that the ongoing oil boom in southeastern New Mexico has generated an unprecedented state budget surplus. New Mexico Oil and Gas Association Executive Director Ryan Flynn welcomed Lujan Grishams emphasis on collaboration. We stand ready to partner with the governor on reducing methane and greenhouse gas emissions, Flynn said. She made clear she wants to bring people together to address those goals, and thats the best way to approach problems. Still, Flynn cautioned that forthcoming policies should be flexible and realistic. The devils in the details, Flynn said. We want to make sure theres a clear understanding of our operations and that policy goals are realistic and regulations reasonable so we can work with them. We need to set goals that are achievable. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal The drug-smuggling pipeline from Arizona to Southeast Albuquerque was described by one defendant as a family business. Two weeks ago, during an initial undercover buy at a Eubank NE parking lot, a sample pound of methamphetamine and 900 tablets of fentanyl were delivered in a yellow shoebox so bright that National Guard surveillance officers could easily spot it as they watched from the air. Before the bust by state and federal agents last Thursday, one of the alleged principals took an Uber car to deliver the stash a suitcase of 13 additional pounds of methamphetamine and hundreds more fentanyl pills. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Details of what State Police described as a large-scale drug trafficking operation were laid out in court testimony and criminal filings on Monday. A federal magistrate judge in Albuquerque detained two of three people charged in the monthlong joint investigation by the FBI and New Mexico State Police. A third defendant is at large. As a result of this investigation, approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine were seized, along with more than 2,000 counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl. The synthetic drug fentanyl is now the No. 1 drug involved in overdose deaths in America, having surpassed heroin in 2016, State Police said in a news release. State Police estimated the street value of the narcotics seized at about $580,000. The U.S. National Guard Joint Counterdrug Task Force also assisted in the investigation. Karla Margarita Pena, 30, of Albuquerque, and Guillermo Cruz Rodriguez, 38, a Mexican national living in Phoenix, were arrested Thursday on charges of distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. A third defendant, Marysol Pena, of Phoenix, has not yet been arrested. She was described as a homemaker in a 2017 federal sentencing document related to her sister, Karla. At the time of the arrests in Albuquerque, Karla Pena was on supervised release for a 2016 conviction of possession with intent to distribute heroin, federal records show. Rodriguez has three prior illegal entry charges in Arizona, and prior arrests for failing to provide identification to a police officer, burglary and traffic offenses. During a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerry H. Ritter on Monday, a defense attorney portrayed Rodriguez as a bystander who may have unwittingly helped in a drug deal. Investigators in New Mexico and Arizona believe Rodriguez also may be known as El Cuando, a man who allegedly told undercover drug agents in Arizona that he could get tens of thousands of fentanyl pills and several dozen pounds of methamphetamine. Marysol Pena, Karlas sister, has a 2015 dangerous drug felony conviction in Arizona that involved the seizure of $219,910 in cash, about 14 pounds of methamphetamine and a firearm, according to federal records. The link to Southeast Albuquerque came after the FBI learned in late December that Karla Pena, while on federal probation, was allegedly selling fentanyl to a member of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico prison gang who had been recently released from prison, according to federal records. Penas sister Marysol and Rodriguez are alleged to have transported the initial methamphetamine sample and 900 fentanyl pills from Phoenix to Albuquerque and, with Karla, sold the drugs to the State Police undercover agent on Jan. 15. Later that day, a State Police marked unit on Interstate 40 stopped Marysols 2017 White Nissan Altima traveling west back to Arizona. She and Rodriguez were in the car. A State Police officer asked for their identification but made no arrests at the time. Marysol wasnt present last week when the final drug sale was to occur in a room rented at a downtown Albuquerque motel. Karla Pena called an Uber to take her and a suitcase of methamphetamines and fentanyl pills to the motel. Rodriguez followed in another car. Once there, they were placed under arrest, testified FBI Agent Bryan Acee during Mondays detention hearing of the two defendants. This was, in my experience, the first time seeing someone take an Uber to a drug deal, he added. Acee testified that agents who executed search warrants at Penas apartment recovered 200 to 300 more fentanyl pills and another pound of methamphetamine. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Marysol Pena is asked to contact the State Police office in Albuquerque at (505) 841-9256 and chose the option for dispatch. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Shock, fear and anxiety overwhelmed Tim and Kelsey Hanks of Los Lunas when they learned their baby daughters heart murmur was an indication of a potentially life-threatening defect. Peyton, their fourth child, was born with coarctation of the aorta, a narrowing of the artery responsible for blood flow to the body. We were devastated, Tim Hanks said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Kelsey Hanks said their three older children were born healthy and there had been no indication of a problem during pregnancy or the delivery. At first, staff at Presbyterian Hospital Downtown thought the baby might be alright without intervention. But when they brought little Peyton in for a checkup at 3 weeks, she was rushed to the pediatric intensive care unit for surgery. Those first weeks were an emotional roller coaster for the family, Tim Hanks said. They were grateful for the support they received from hospital staff. It was like one of those things that happen to other people, he said. But we found out so many kids have gone through this. It opened up a whole new world for us. The surgery to repair the aorta was successful. Peyton is now a highly active 2-year-old. During a recent visit in the hospital playroom, she was busy riding a rocking horse and bouncing balls around. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, occurring in about 1 percent of the babies born in the U.S. each year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Among those defects, narrowing of the aorta is one of those more commonly seen, said Dr. William Stein, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon with Presbyterian Heart and Cardio Vascular Care. He said doctors at Presbyterian perform roughly 10-15 surgeries each year to correct this problem. Operating on a vessel 4 millimeters in diameter is also one of the more challenging surgeries, according to Stein. Surgeons must clamp off the vessel during the operation; this means they must work quickly to avoid damage to vital organs from lack of blood flow. However, working too rapidly can put the delicate heart tissue at risk. Its like sewing wet tissue paper back together. It doesnt tolerate lots of mistakes, Stein said. About 10 percent of infants who have the surgery may experience a re-narrowing of the aorta as they grow due to scarring. This condition can usually be treated with a minimally invasive procedure, he said. During their ordeal, Tim and Kelsey Hanks learned of an organization that provides support for families with a child born with a congenital heart defect. Leslee Schneider and Brittany Behenna Griffith, who started Lexiam Heart Foundation about a year ago, both gave birth to babies with heart defects. We wanted to create a foundation to connect families going through the same issues, Schneider said. Schneiders daughter was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition where the left side of the heart was underdeveloped. Her child had three surgeries before her fourth birthday, requiring the family to travel to Denver. The foundation raises money to provide help to families who have to travel. They give gas cards, gift cards for restaurants or help with airline tickets. They also send memorial gifts to families who lose children. Lexiam will be holding paint and sip fundraising events in five New Mexico communities to raise awareness about congenital heart defects. The Albuquerque event is on Feb. 7. Details and tickets are available on the Lexiam Heart Foundation Facebook page. Additional information about how to donate or to request services from Lexiam Foundation is available on the website: www.LexiamHeartFoundation.org. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal A bill that would replace the states A-F grading system for public schools flew through the Senate Education Committee on Monday with little opposition. Senate Bill 229, sponsored by Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, would kill singular letter grades and, instead, set up a dashboard system with the aim to provide more information about schools. Stewart told the committee the dashboards would still show academic achievement but it would also include other types of information including schools goals, missions, curriculums and teacher quality. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Representatives from major local teachers unions and school districts including Albuquerque Public Schools backed the bill. New Mexicos current grading system for public schools was signed into law by then-Gov. Susana Martinez in 2011. It relies on student standardized test scores, graduation rates and reading improvement to issue annual letter grades to schools. But critics have argued the system stigmatizes and punishes low-performing schools. Although there was no opposition from the public during Mondays hearing, Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, said he liked the simplicity of an A-F system and was still thinking through Senate Bill 229. Brandt, who voted in opposition, also said his primary concern, as a parent, was academic information about schools. Under the bill, schools would be identified for additional federal funds and other support via proficiency and growth in math, English and science on statewide assessments. High schools graduation rates would also be evaluated. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SANTA FE A bill that would allow New Mexicans diagnosed with a terminal illness to seek a physicians help to end their lives cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday after more than three hours of debate. Similar aid-in-dying legislation has prompted moral, religious and legal questions in past years and never received final approval. The bill debated Monday, House Bill 90, prompted some of the same types of questions but ultimately advanced on a party-line vote. Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee voted 4-3 to approve the legislation, with majority Democrats voting in favor and Republicans in opposition. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ To Rep. Deborah Armstrong, D-Albuquerque, one of the bills sponsors, the proposal strikes close to home. Armstrong testified that her daughter, Erin Armstrong, was recently diagnosed with two brain tumors. Everyone should have the option of how theyre going to die, said Armstrong, who said she also recently lost a friend to a terminal illness. Under current state law, it is illegal for a doctor to prescribe medication that might help a patient to end his or her life. The bill proposed in the House along with a companion bill in the Senate would sanction that practice, but only under limited circumstances. For instance, the health care provider would have to determine the patient actually had a terminal illness, had not been pressured into making the decision and had the mental capacity to request such a prescription. In addition, patients would be required to administer the prescription themselves and would have to wait at least two days before filling the prescription. Despite those safeguards, some lawmakers said they still see trouble spots. I have a concern that two days is not long enough, said Rep. Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, who raised the prospect of 18-year olds with diabetes seeking to end their lives under the law. Nationally, six other states already have aid-in-dying laws on their books, though details vary by state. Oregon was the first state to enact such a law, and 144 people died using legal medication in that state in 2017, according to an analysis of the New Mexico bill. This years measure is officially called the Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act, in honor of a longtime Albuquerque family law judge who advocated for similar legislation in 2017 and died last August. House Bill 90 now goes to the House Judiciary Committee. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... There aint no compassion in these guys eyes. Theres no remorse. Its like changing a pair of shoes to them not a big deal. APD Sgt. Dennis Tafoya, on teens committing homicides in Albuquerque They took turns. They used the same gun to kill a 50-year-old man, firing again and again. And they did it for fun. Thats how Albuquerque police describe the death of Ronnie Ross. He was shot a dozen times. And as if his death wasnt brutal enough, there is the troubling news of the ages of his accused assailants. The suspects are Timothy Chavez, 15, and Anthony Gallegos, 17. And they arent just charged with Ross slaying. The pistol they allegedly used has been linked to a drive-by shooting on the West Side and a robbery that ended with a man shot in the face. Chavez, Gallegos and another teen are suspects in those cases as well. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ It would be bad enough if these were isolated incidents. But even though homicides are down slightly in Albuquerque from 75 in 2017 to 66 in 2018 homicides committed by teenagers are on the rise. So are shooting deaths. And 2018 still ranks among the worst for the city for homicides. Eleven of the 66 homicides in the city last year are believed to have been committed by juveniles ages 15 to 17. A gun was used in each and every one of the slayings. Albuquerque Police Department homicide Sgt. Dennis Tafoya was struck by how little respect the suspects seem to have for human life. Records show that 68 percent of the homicides in 2018 at least 45 came at the pull of a trigger. And most of the guns used were obtained illegally. APD revealed recently that nearly 1,000 guns were stolen out of vehicles and homes in 2018; its unclear how many have been recovered. There are no easy solutions to either problem gun violence or juvenile crime. The Journal continues to support reasonable gun legislation that keeps firearms out of the hands of criminals, those with mental illness and those with histories of domestic violence. And making sure guns are locked away at home and in vehicles would help keep many out of the hands of children and off the smash-and-grab burglary circuit, and thus out of robberies and/or homicides. Programs like United Ways Mission: Families is another way to address the rise in juvenile crime, especially the increase in juvenile homicides. The program has a goal of reducing the number of adverse childhood experiences in families in central New Mexico by 50 percent by 2030 and focuses on projects that increase secure and stable homes for children, improve childrens safety and well-being and support working families. Second Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez is working with the United Way on the initiative. At the programs launch, Torrez, whose prosecutors deal with the end results of tough lives, bad choices and crime, envisioned a system in which a family with a number of emergency call outs such as domestic violence, neglect, abuse or drug overdose would trigger early intervention and the offer of coordinated services to break the cycle. And perhaps some at-risk programs being pushed by educators as a remedy to the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit can also help address this issue. We need mechanisms that engage and encourage troubled youth to remain in school. The states graduation rate may be at a record 71 percent, but that means nearly a third of teens still arent graduating in four years (even more in Albuquerque Public Schools). Many who dont stay in school and end up a statistic on yet another negative ranking. Our community needs its adults to take some responsibility for these trends supporting legislation and programs that can move the needle on the many fundamental problems facing our children. And that, we hope, will have a positive impact on metro Albuquerques juvenile crime rate. 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. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... WASHINGTON Whenever I or someone else suggests that we need higher defense spending, there is an incredulous response from critics: U.S. military spending equals the outlays of the next eight countries combined; how can we possibly be spending too little when we spend so much more than any conceivable adversary? The answer is that, while technically accurate, this argument is so distorted that it becomes a fiction. Global comparisons of military spending mislead for several reasons. One is secrecy. What they report is not what they spend, says Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic & International Studies. A second reason is that, since World War II, the United States has assumed strategic responsibility for ensuring stability in Europe, Asia and the Middle East; neither China nor Russia has yet embraced similarly sweeping goals. This boosts our spending and restrains theirs, says Harrison. Hence, we have 10 full-sized aircraft carriers to project our power abroad; no other country comes close. Moving all those troops, tanks, ships and planes around the globe is expensive. In fiscal 2017, the U.S. military consumed 98 million barrels of oil, costing $8.8 billion. But theres another reason Chinese and Russian spending is understated. Put simply, their soldiers and sailors cost less; ours cost more. We are a rich country with a volunteer military. Given the personal sacrifices that service members make, their wages and fringe benefits must be competitive to attract the needed recruits. China and Russia have lower costs and can buy more for less. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Due to differences in purchasing power across economies two countries could hypothetically field the same size and quality force at dramatically different spending levels, said a 2017 report from the Center for National Defense at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Precisely. Lets see how this works in practice. Using 2016 figures, the Heritage report put U.S. defense spending at $606 billion. The next eight countries also totaled $606 billion, led by China at $226 billion, Russia at $70 billion and Saudi Arabia at $61 billion; the other countries were France, $56 billion; India, $56 billion; the United Kingdom, $54 billion; Japan, $42 billion; and Germany, $41 billion. This is the conventional wisdom, based on estimates compiled by the respected Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. It collects data on defense spending in local currencies and converts them into dollars at prevailing exchange rates. But theres another way to make the conversion from local currencies to dollars, called purchasing power parity, or PPP. It assumes that things of equal value in different countries should have equal prices. Two comparable jet fighters in different countries should have the same price. When the Heritage experts made a crude PPP adjustment, total defense spending of the eight countries nearly doubled from $606 billion to $1.1 trillion. Chinas spending rose 66 percent to $376 billion; Russias increased 150 percent to $176 billion. The idea that were outspending our potential enemies by about 7- or 8-to-1 is preposterous. If that were so, youd expect the U.S. military to be many times larger than any rival. This is not the case. Glance at the accompanying table. It gives some common indicators of military strength tanks, combat aircraft and the like. The idea here is not to prescribe precisely what our defense policy should be. The object is more modest: to discredit the false and dangerous notion, promoted by many, that our military dominance is so overwhelming that we can afford further cuts and can take refuge in our superior technology. The truth is that any advantage in size has shrunk dramatically, and, if experts are to be believed, we lag in some critical new technologies, including cyberwarfare and artificial intelligence. Defense no longer dominates the federal budget, as it once did. That distinction has fallen to health and retirement benefits. During the Cold War from 1950 to 1990 military outlays averaged 40 percent of federal spending and 7.4 percent of the economys output, i.e. gross domestic product. Now those figures are 15 percent and 3.13 percent, respectively, according to a recent CSIS report co-authored by Harrison and Seamus Daniels. Its also true, as weve learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, that military power has its limits. We cant spend our way to victory; but we can probably skimp our way to defeat. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A sweeping tax overhaul proposal that has drawn opposition from health insurance companies and other business interest groups has another notable critic: the city of Albuquerque. The multifaceted House Bill 6 would lower the states gross receipts tax rate, but increase the gasoline tax, eliminate many existing tax deductions, institute an internet sales tax and make several other changes. The cumulative effect would actually generate more money for local governments, according to a financial analysis by legislative staff. But Albuquerques top finance official is raising concerns, saying there are too many unknowns and that cities cant afford to shoulder the burden of this tax experiment. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Albuquerque Chief Financial Officer Sanjay Bhakta said the city would lose an estimated $115 million to $120 million in the first 10 years and he does not know how it might recoup those funds. What is certain is what will go away, he said. What is uncertain is what we will get. The bill would eliminate a major source of city revenue: payments it receives from the state to help offset losses sustained when the state stopped taxing food in 2004. Albuquerque will get about $25 million this year in hold-harmless money. Although the state is gradually shrinking those payments as part of a phaseout, it was supposed to continue through fiscal year 2030. The new bill would accelerate the process, stopping payments in 2022. That would mean a sudden hit equal to about 4 percent of the citys budget, Bhakta said, adding that its roughly equivalent to the cost of hiring 200 police officers. Im not saying its directly going toward that, but its a good example, he said. The House Taxation & Revenue Committee on Monday temporarily tabled the bill, with committee chairman and bill co-sponsor Rep. Jim Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, saying he wanted to wait until the Senate and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had clearly outlined their own visions for tax overhaul. But Trujillo, who introduced HB 6 with Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo, and Albuquerque Democratic Reps. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, Antonio Moe Maestas and Javier Martinez, said he plans to circle back later. He said he has heard the opposition and wants to continue honing the bill. I want to tell you that we know what the issues are. We can work with that, and so I think it would be the best thing to temporarily table it until such time as we start getting more information, he said. The legislative staff analysis estimates that the bills other provisions would more than fill the gap created by cutting the hold-harmless payments. The boost would come largely from the internet sales tax and adding local increments to the state compensating tax a tax buyers pay on certain goods purchased out of state. Bhakta said the combination would likely cover the difference, but disagrees with using internet sales tax as part of the equation. Cities should get that regardless, he said, and the Legislature should use other mechanisms to plug the hold-harmless hole. I believe we have the right to get that tax and it is not something the state is sort of giving to us, he said. Bhakta said he hasnt seen enough evidence that the compensating tax changes will provide the boost outlined in the analysis $94 million in 2022. Bill Fulginiti of the New Mexico Municipal League said there are many questions about the compensating taxs benefit. It may be a boon in some communities, such as those bringing in heavy equipment for oil drilling or mining. But others may see little gain. Its going to come in in different places some of them are going to be doing really well, but we have 106 cities, Fulginiti said. Like Albuquerque, municipalities around the state are concerned that the bill would take away a reliable source of revenue hold-harmless payments without a reliable replacement, he said. And local governments, he said, have had to constantly adjust since the 2004 food tax repeal. At the time, hold-harmless payments were expected to continue in perpetuity. But in 2013, lawmakers passed legislation to end them in 2030. Now, cities are facing a possible sunset eight years earlier than that date. Bhakta said the bill would be more palatable if it guaranteed that the state would cover the difference if any new revenue generated exclusive of internet sales tax did not fully compensate for the loss of hold harmless. It would be a hold harmless for the hold harmless. Otherwise, he said, its too unpredictable. Its like we are shooting in the dark, he said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Republican legislators from Rio Rancho are calling for a judge to resign after he sentenced a drunken driver who killed two people to three years in prison. Christie Noriega, 32, pleaded guilty in September to two counts of vehicular homicide and aggravated driving while intoxicated in the deaths of Lonny Escovedo, 28, and Michael Chambellan, 21. She was facing up to 30 years in prison. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ In early March, she was heading southbound on Interstate 25 near Algodones when she crashed into the two men, who were changing a flat tire on Escovedos car. The men died at the scene. Noriegas 2-year-old son was in her car but was not injured. On Friday, 13th Judicial District Judge Louis McDonald sentenced her to 30 years in prison, but suspended all but three years. Following the three years, Noriega will be on supervised probation for five years and could be ordered to serve her full sentence if she violates probation. This goes beyond unacceptable, is a dereliction of duty and shows a complete lack of judgment, Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, said in a news release Monday. Its decisions like this one that erode confidence in the criminal justice system in New Mexico. Judge McDonald should resign. Rep. Tim Lewis, R-Rio Rancho, and Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, are joining Harper in the calls for McDonalds resignation. The judge was not immediately available for comment late Monday, and a court administrator said he would be able to provide more information about the sentencing today. Noriegas defense attorney, Steve Aarons, said he thought the call for McDonalds resignation was horrible. I can say that its unfortunate that people are judging a very seasoned district court judge without having all of the facts that he had, Aarons said. He said there were many factors that led to Judge McDonald sentencing his client to three years, including recommendations from the New Mexico Corrections Department and Noriegas lack of a criminal or DWI history. Noriega underwent a 60-day diagnostic at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in the fall and a psychologist wrote that it is likely best for all involved that any incarceration that might be felt appropriate to be as short in total time as possible. The diagnostic, according to Aarons, states that Noriega does not appear to have any significant substance use disorders and although she did drink alcohol the day she crashed into Chambellan and Escovedo she did not make impulsive or reckless decisions about her alcohol use on that day. Aarons said Noriega has a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease that prevents her body from absorbing and eliminating alcohol. Media reports zeroed in on the disease and highlighted the judges questions about whether the corrections department could handle her care. Aarons, however, said there was a lot more that went into the sentencing decision. I really think its her lack of history, he said. Even the Corrections Department recommended the least amount of time possible. He added that the victims had also parked in an area just a couple of feet from the traveling lane and had a door open. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... TEMPE, Ariz. A Lyft rider in suburban Phoenix stabbed his pregnant driver, killing the woman and her unborn child before stealing her vehicle and driving nearly 150 miles before being arrested near the California line, authorities said Monday. Tempe police said Kristina Howato, 39, was in her third trimester of pregnancy and is survived by two other young children. They say Fabian Durazo, 20, was being held at a La Paz County jail on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of kidnapping and armed robbery, authorities said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ It was unclear Monday if Durazo has a lawyer yet who could speak on his behalf. Howato was working early Sunday as a Lyft driver when she received a pickup request in west Tempe, said Sgt. Ron Elcock, a police spokesman. Durazo allegedly attacked Howato when they arrived at an apartment complex about a half-mile away and he fled in her SUV. Police officers responded to the apartment complex about 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a woman screaming in the parking lot. They found Howato suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a hospital where both she and the unborn baby died. Arizona Department of Public Safety officials used GPS tracking to locate the stolen SUV on Interstate 10 near Quartzsite, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the Arizona-California line and Durazo was taken into custody Sunday afternoon. Police said they dont believe Durazo and Howato knew each other and a motive for the fatal stabbing remains undetermined. Throughout our careers as officers, we have incidents that really, really touch our hearts and stay with you throughout your careers, Elcock said at a news conference. This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time. A statement from officials with San Francisco-based Lyft said: We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims. Lyft says it is assisting with the investigation, adding that the passengers account has been permanently deactivated. Becca Simon rsimon2@aberdeennews.com Its official. In fall, the site currently occupied by the former Alexander Mitchell Library at 519 S. Kline St. will be home to Family Dental Cares new office. The Aberdeen City Council approved the final sale of the property during Monday nights meeting. The council will move forward with the closing of the sale Thursday to Kline Street LLP, which is comprised of Drs. Jason Grebner and Thomas Kaiser. The City Council accepted an offer from Family Dental Care to purchase the property Nov. 26. Family Dental Care has expanded twice in its current location, and decided to move to a larger location to accommodate the facilitys growing needs. Demolition is planned to begin in February. In other action, the council: Passed the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds for Tax Incremental Financing No. 29. Approved a special liquor license for Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerces Business After Hours at Plains Commerce Bank Feb. 14 and Boys & Girls Club March 14. Approved the city manager to sign a grant from the South Dakota Department of Transportation for preventative maintenance on Ride Line buses. Announced that the police departments presentation on vaping will be rescheduled due to Sunday nights blizzard. Discussed the costs of the replacement of the Elm Lake Dam Spillway. The original spillway was built in 1937, and the cost for the replacement is estimated to be $1.5 million. Reminded the public to clear their sidewalks; the city will soon begin ticketing homeowners who are not. Announced that the city will not do garbage pickup Wednesday due to the cold temperatures. Instead, there will be a double pickup Thursday. On a related note, Aberdeen Regional Airport held the ribbon cutting for the new jet bridge Monday afternoon. It is 150 feet long and heated, according to city manager Lynn Lander. Cal Thomas Tribune Content Agency The major media have gone gaga over the number of women newly elected to Congress and those announcing their run for the White House in 2020, with more female candidates likely to follow suit. But medias bias one of many is revealed in their focus on mostly liberal women with barely a mention, if they are mentioned at all, of women who are conservative. Reporters, commentators and hosts on major networks, and including some cable outlets, speak of womens issues, as if all women think, or should think, alike. Worse, they never examine whether ideas floated by liberal women are anything new or whether they have worked in the past or are working presently. Many liberal pronouncements seem to be taken at face value, with little pushback to explain how they plan to make their proposals work, especially those that have been tried and failed before (consider programs to wipe out poverty, along with increased spending to improve public education, as just two of many examples). Another example: the presidential candidacy announcement by Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. Harris has been in the Senate for only two years but already she hears Hail to the Chief playing for her? Who does she think she is, Barack Obama? In predictable liberal fashion, Harris wants to impose a $3 trillion tax plan on the country at a time when, according to Investors Business Daily, President Trumps $1.5 trillion Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could kick economic growth into high gear. Harris also tracks with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in promoting Medicare for all that is projected to cost $30 trillion. With a national debt at nearly $22 trillion and soaring, the idea that we could absorb additional debt is a recipe for bankruptcy, especially when one considers that many initial cost estimates for past government programs have far exceeded projections. Federal tax revenues have already hit record highs. The obvious problem is not insufficient revenue; rather, it is lack of spending discipline and the desire to give people whatever they want, hoping a growing addiction to government will produce more votes for the politicians dispensing free goodies. Back to medias fixation: Why do major media outlets trumpet the causes of women, gays, African Americans, Hispanics and other groups who are liberal? Why do the ideas of conservative women never seem to receive that same level of attention? If you have to ask the question you havent been paying attention. It seems the major media long ago abandoned fairness, balance, even accuracy. Especially in the Trump era, they have displayed naked ideological cheerleading for liberals and their proposals. Any fair examination of major newspapers from the front page, to the editorial and op-ed pages proves the point. It has become much easier to speed read The Washington Post and The New York Times, because every day they contain little else but a steady drumbeat of anti-Trump stories, editorials and columns. The conservative Media Research Center has calculated that 90 percent of TV coverage of the first two years of the Trump administration has been negative. Whatever ones views, this is not healthy for the credibility and stability of journalism, the political parties or the country. Yes, there are far fewer Republican women in Congress than female Democrats, but that is not an invitation to focus solely on the Democrats while ignoring Republican and especially conservative Republican women. Their ideas and proposals deserve at least equal consideration and examination. Victoria Lusk vlusk@aberdeennews.com American News readers and advertisers shouldnt notice any changes when GateHouse Media takes over ownership of Dakota Media Group Friday, said Kevin Shaw, publisher. Dakota Media Group includes the American News, Farm Forum and Watertown Public Opinion. The publications have been owned by Schurz Communications, a family-owned company based in Indiana. Dakota Media Group now has 85 employees in Aberdeen and 46 in Watertown. Changes resulting from the transaction, if any, were not disclosed publicly. That includes details about staffing. GateHouse, which is based in New York, is buying Schurzs entire publishing division. That includes 15 publications in five states, according to the Schurz website. In Aberdeen, it should be business as usual, with current employees continuing to work to provide readers with quality journalism on a daily basis, Shaw said. The only noticeable change for readers will be a different logo on the bottom of the newspaper starting Friday, he said. Schurz Communications bought the American News in 2006 from the McClatchy Co. In July, Dakota Media Group laid off 11 employees. American News history The Aberdeen Daily News began publishing in 1886, just five years after the city was established. At the time, Main Street was just a little more than three blocks long and there were plenty of open spaces. The challenge then was to see beyond the horizon, according to a 1985 American News article. GateHouse will be at least the sixth owner of Aberdeens daily newspaper, according to American News archives. In 1904, a rival daily newspaper, The American, started in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Daily News was sold to The American in 1920. The two would operate separately for three years before combining to form the American-News. After being purchased by the Ridder family, which later merged with Knight Newspapers Inc., the American News transitioned to a morning newspaper in 1984. That was in an effort to better serve readers and advertisers. Knight Ridder, a publicly traded company, was sold to McClatchy Company in 2006, prior to the newspapers sale to Schurz Communications. GateHouse Media is heavily invested in publishing. It operates 145 daily newspapers and 325 weekly newspapers in 37 states, according to its website. The acquisition adds publications in two more states. Jay Fogarty, Gatehouse vice president of strategy and innovation, will meet with American News employees Tuesday. Last week, the news industry saw more than 1,000 job losses. That includes positions at the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, which is owned by Gannett, as well as at online sources like BuzzFeed and the Huffington Post, according to CNN Business. 1886: The first daily newspaper the Aberdeen Daily News was established in Aberdeen. Several weeklies were already in publication. 1904: A rival newspaper, The American, started. 1920: The Daily News was sold to the owners of The American. The papers continued to operate separately. 1923: The papers combined to form the American-News. 1928: The paper was sold to the Ridder Family and J.A. Matthews. 1966: The Farm Forum Green Sheet was established. 1974: Ridder Publications and Knight Newspapers Inc. merged. 1981: The American News had 101 employees and an annual payroll of $1.5 million. It served 64 towns. 1984: The paper became a morning newspaper to better serve readers and advertisers. 1985: The American News celebrated its 100th birthday. It had 127 employees with an annual payroll of $2.3 million, according to American News archives. 2006: Knight Ridder was sold to McClatchy Company in a $4.5 billion deal. McClatchy then sold the American News to Schurz Communications. Today: Schurz Communications announces the sale of its publishing assets, including the American News and Watertown Public Opinion, to GateHouse Media. Source: American News history and archives GateHouse Media owns more than 150 daily newspapers across the U.S. Its mission is to deliver high quality and trusted journalism, products and services that enrich the communities we serve our readers, commercial partners, employees and investors. Headquarters: Pittsford, N.Y. Founded: 1997 Daily publications: 145 before acquiring Schurz Communication's publishing division. Markets: 555 in 37 states before acquiring Schurz Communication's publishing division. Website: www.gatehousemedia.com CEO: Kirk Davis Parent company: New Media Investment Group Stock symbol: NEWM Closest newspapers before transaction: Montevideo American-News in Montevideo, Minn.; Granite Falls Advocate Tribune in Granite Falls, Minn. Source: GateHouse Media website Do you want to honor a 2021 graduate in this special section? Simply click below to fill out the form and upload their photo! Submit News Tips We cover everything that affects civil servants. If you have labor-related news to share, we want to hear from you! Submit News Geoff Dyer at the New Statesman: The best parts of Art and Morality (1925) are not about art or morality but via an extraordinary speculative detour into the lives of ancient Egyptians about how the Kodak habit of photographing oneself all the time has fundamentally changed our sense of ourselves: a prophetic diagnosis of a defining malaise of the iPhone era. In an editorial note to Introduction to Pictures the scholar James T Boulton rightly points out that the essay does not once refer to pictures. This tendency to stray from stated intentions was best expressed by Lawrence himself on 5 September 1914. Out of sheer rage Ive begun my book about Thomas Hardy. It will be about anything but Thomas Hardy I am afraid queer stuff but not bad. Intended as part of a series called Writers of the Day, the manuscript, which had veered far from any template, was not accepted for publication. Lawrence wanted it to leave the original brief still further behind and began recasting something that had been mostly philosophicalish, slightly about Hardy into a more explicit statement of his philosophy (forgive the word). more here. Greg Grandin in The Nation: Donald Trump has been hot for Venezuela for some time now. In the summer of 2017, Trump, citing George H.W. Bushs 198990 invasion of Panama as a positive precedent, repeatedly pushed his national-security staff to launch a military assault on the crisis-plagued country. Trump was serious. He wanted to know: Why couldnt the United States just invade? He brought up the idea in meeting after meeting. His military and civilian advisers, along with foreign leaders, forcefully dismissed the proposal. So, according to NBC, he outsourced Venezuela policy to Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who, along with National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, began coordinating with the Venezuelan opposition. On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence called on Venezuelans to rise up and overthrow the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro. On Wednesday, the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, the heretofore unknown 35-year-old Juan Guaido (whose political godfather is, according to The Washington Post, jailed far-right leader Leopoldo Lopez), declared himself president. Guaido was quickly recognized by Washington, followed by Canada; a number of powerful Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia; and the United Kingdom. More here. Looking for in-depth reporting on labor issues? You're in the right place. Subscribe to The Chief and get stories that cover every side of civil service in New York City and beyond. You can sign up in minutes for immediate access. Scott Atran in Scientific American: With support from Minerva Research Initiative of the U.S. Department of Defense and National Science Foundation, we recently published the first neuroimaging study of a radicalizing population. The research used ethnographic surveys and psychological analysis to identify 535 young Muslim men in and around Barcelonawhere ISIS-supporting jihadis killed 13 people and wounded 100 more in the city center in August 2017. Half of these young men (267) scored higher that the other half (268) on all measures of vulnerability to recruitment into violent extremism. From the more vulnerable group, 38 men, second-generation immigrants of Moroccan origin who had already expressed a willingness to engage in or facilitate violence associated with jihadist causes, agreed to have their brains scanned. The young men selected for the neuroimaging study then played a ball-throwing game (Cyberball) with fellow Spaniards, and half of them were abruptly and deliberately excluded from being passed the ball. Their brains were then scanned while asking them questions about behavior and policies they considered sacred and inviolable (e.g., forbidding cartoons of the Prophet, preventing gay marriage) as well non-sacred but important values (e.g., women wearing the veil, unrestricted construction of mosques). More here. Carl Zimmer in The New York Times: In 2014 John Cryan, a professor at University College Cork in Ireland, attended a meeting in California about Alzheimers disease. He wasnt an expert on dementia. Instead, he studied the microbiome, the trillions of microbes inside the healthy human body. Dr. Cryan and other scientists were beginning to find hints that these microbes could influence the brain and behavior. Perhaps, he told the scientific gathering, the microbiome has a role in the development of Alzheimers disease. The idea was not well received. Ive never given a talk to so many people who didnt believe what I was saying, Dr. Cryan recalled. A lot has changed since then: Research continues to turn up remarkable links between the microbiome and the brain. Scientists are finding evidence that microbiome may play a role not just in Alzheimers disease, but Parkinsons disease, depression, schizophrenia, autism and other conditions. For some neuroscientists, new studies have changed the way they think about the brain. One of the skeptics at that Alzheimers meeting was Sangram Sisodia, a neurobiologist at the University of Chicago. He wasnt swayed by Dr. Cryans talk, but later he decided to put the idea to a simple test. It was just on a lark, said Dr. Sisodia. We had no idea how it would turn out. He and his colleagues gave antibiotics to mice prone to develop a version of Alzheimers disease, in order to kill off much of the gut bacteria in the mice. Later, when the scientists inspected the animals brains, they found far fewer of the protein clumps linked to dementia. Just a little disruption of the microbiome was enough to produce this effect. Young mice given antibiotics for a week had fewer clumps in their brains when they grew old, too. More here. Katherine Coldiron at 3:AM Magazine: How do you recommend an experience you never want to have again? How does a film critic say, for instance, that Requiem for a Dream is a must-watch, when its infused with such ugliness and despair? When a piece of art is unapologetically dark and unpleasant but of objectively excellent quality, finding a way to push audiences toward it is a challenge. In this vein is Thirty-Seven, by American novelist Peter Stenson, an intense, exceptionally well-made, unforgettable book. I loved every word, but I cant suggest its an enjoyable read. Its a horror story without ghosts or beasts, a book that continually evokes Rorschach, in Watchmen, saying as dark as it gets. Meticulously constructed, Hitchcockian in its layering of tension, Faulknerian in its network of ideas, wise and strange as an angel, black as a night in a dungeon. Certainly one of the best books I read in 2018. But difficult to recommend. At least, not if youre looking for a comfortable ride. more here. On Data Privacy Day, McAfee warns consumers that cybercriminals are continuing to access personal information through weak passwords, phishing emails, connected things, malicious apps and unsecure Wi-Fi networks. McAfee is committed to helping consumers take the necessary steps to protect what matters through the tips listed below. Weak Passwords: Consumers often pick simple passwords for the multiple accounts they use daily, not realizing that choosing weak passwords can open the door to identity theft and identity. Tip: Use strong passwords that include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Dont use the same password for multiple accounts. Simplify your life by using a password manager to keep track of logins and create strong passwords that are difficult to hack. Email phishing: Cybercriminals frequently dupe consumers by deploying phishing emails that appear to be sent by popular brands, such as Netflix and Spotify, disguised as a payment receipt. Tip: Go directly to the source. Instead of clicking on a link within the email, its best to go straight to the companys website to check the status of your account. Malicious Mobile Apps: Malicious apps have become more challenging to detect, and there is no sign of them slowing down as bad actors have become more brazen with the apps they work to imitate. Tip: Do research on the developer of a mobile app and never download an app from third-party app stores. Read the app reviews only download apps that have had healthy number of downloads. Threats to Connected Things: IoT devices are becoming commonplace in homes thanks to their ease of use, but their poor security controls make them convenient targets for cybercriminals. Tip: When buying new connected things, confirm that the vendor has a history of delivering secure devices that are privacy centric. Consider getting a router with built-in security features to make it easier to protect all the connected devices in your home. Public Wi-Fi: Many consumers connect to public or semi-private Wi-Fi networks to improve their smartphone connection speeds or reserve data usage. However, many overlook the fact that public Wi-Fi are risky and could put them jeopardy to be targeted by hackers. Tip: When connecting to public Wi-Fi, dont connect to any services that share personal or financial information. Be sure to use a personal VPN when on the go, which allows users to securely connect and keep their personal data from prying eyes. Data Privacy Day is the perfect opportunity for consumers to educate themselves on the precautions required to safely embrace technologies and online experiences, said Gary Davis, McAfees Chief Consumer Security Evangelist. They should set aside time on this day to take active steps to evaluate the ways in which their data may be compromised and learn more about appropriate security and privacy techniques will help keep them and their families safe. @Technuter.com News Service Edgardo Marveggio has completed this house composed of different colorful volumes varying in size, texture and shapes. Located on a corner of the city of Morrison in Argentina, the 250-square-metre house was designed to act as an extravert object, strongly related to the street through its protruding surfaces. Called Maricel House, the house is limited by a low wall defining the path and site, and another higher wall marks the interior of the house that features a long, deep roof protecting the only high opening to the street. Divided into different parts, the building is situated in between a front yard and a backyard to provide an intimate courtyard. On the ground floor, the architects place kitchen, dining-living room, and wet spaces where you can see the sky and courtyard. When approached from the street, there is no visibility and enclosed with full privacy. "The idea was to maintain privacy towards public space. We find a dynamic housing of flexible spaces in which the design can be seen in every detail," said Edgardo Marveggio. "The central module is constituted by the double height living room. The particular furniture and lightning design becomes the focal point." The concept of the house and even the details were designed together with the owner. "It was a fun that we undertook together and that we ended the same way. She was my ex-wife," added the architect. The most enjoyable parts of the house are the materials, the pinkish and reddish colors applied in the interiors. The house provides flexible spaces with its mezzanine floor, and all surfaces are applied in different dimensions and colors in different facades. Ground floor plan Mezzanine floor plan Section Project facts Architect: Edgardo Marveggio Program: single family Year of construction: 2016 Location: morrison, cordoba, argentina. Surface: 250 m2 All images Gonzalo Viramonte > via Edgardo Marveggio Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi's firm Bernard Tschumi Architects has completed the Tianjin Exploratorium, composed of large-scale cones that propose different spatial discovery throughout the museum. The 33,000-square-meter musem is situated next to MVRDV's Tianjin Binhai Public Library, which were all developed as part of the Binhai Cultural Center masterplan, designed by GMP, alongside two other cultural buildings. The museum is the offices first large-scale, built architectural project in China. Designed in 2013-2014, the building, located in Tianjin, was recently completed. The Exploratorium showcases artifacts from Tianjins industrial past through large-scale contemporary technology, including spectacular rockets for space research. The project also contains facilities for cultural events and exhibitions as well as galleries, offices, and restaurant and retail spaces. Bernard Tschumi Architects designed the Exploratorium to relate to the rich industrial history of the area, the site of high-volume manufacturing and research. A series of large-scale cones creates major rooms throughout the museum. The central cone, lit from above, connects all three levels of the Exploratorium. A spiralling ramp ascends to the top level, offering an unusual spatial experience of the modern vertical city by reinterpreting an ancient industrial typology. The roof is accessible to visitors and acts as a promenade with striking views over the surrounding city. "The Exploratorium is designed as a building for the past, the present, and the future of Tianjin," said Bernard Tschumi. The focal point of the exhibition complex is the grand lobby or cone that provides access to all public parts of the program. This immense conealmost double the height of the Guggenheim Museumconnects to all surrounding spaces and allows visitors to spiral through the large exhibition halls stacked on each end of the building, past view portholes and lightwells that give each hall an individual character and configuration. Grand, triple-height spaces define the main circulation, while a constellation of lights and circular lightwells give the space an other-worldly feel. The perforated aluminium facade gives a unified presence to the building, despite its large size and the disparate elements of the program. The cones provide even, natural light to gallery spaces and reduce the energy loads required for artificial lighting. Their tapered forms also concentrate warm air, which can then be channelled out of the building in summer or back into the galleries in winter. Glazing surfaces are minimized except when desired for program. The perforated metal panels of the facade help reduce heat gain. The central, large atrium acts as a solar chimney, drawing up hot air and replacing it with cool air from below in a constant airstream. The Exploratorium has been designed by Bernard Tschumi Architects in collaboration with Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI). Project facts Client: Tianjin Binhai Municipality Architect: Bernard Tschumi Architects Lead designer: Bernard Tschumi. Key personnel: Joel Rutten, Nianlai Zhong, Christopher Lee, Pierre-Yves Kuhn, Jerome Haferd, Bart-Jan Polman, Dora Felekou, Pedro Camara, Shayi Liang, Nate Oppenheim, Kate Scott, Clinton Peterson, Olga Jitariouk, Sung Yu Local architect and engineer: Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI) All images Kris Provoost All drawings Bernard Tschumi Architects > via Bernard Tschumi Architects Last week we were invited out to join Nicholas Wolken and Patagonia out in Innsbruck for the launch of both Patas #WornWear tour and Nicos new film Close to Home. As well as taking in the event in the city itself, we had a little time to share the blue skies and crisp mountain air on a short splitboard mission around Kuhtai. Joined by a rad little crew including Austrias own Mitch Tolderer, Whitelines former front man turn podcast guru Matt Barr, test team regular Hannah Bailey and a whole host of media bods. You can catch a couple of shots from that particular excursion below, gain a little bit of insight from the man himself in our interview above, or if you like, make a beeline for the film Close To Home, which is free to watch right now! All photos: Mike Brindley Most of Carmen's time is spent in the Western Gazette newsroom, where he reports on student issues, London trends, and local events. He is currently in his fourth-year of Honours Specialization in Media, Information and Technoculture. Follow Carmen Mallia 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 Yesterday Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing sanctions on PDVSA, the Venezuelan state oil company. Since oil is state-owned in Venezuela, PDVSA is the only vehicle through which the state imports and exports oil. CITGO (which most Americans are familiar with) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PDVSA. The proceeds of any U.S. transactions with those companies will be held in escrow until some other government takes power in Venezuela. Here is my effort to start understanding what's happening and what impact we might see. I am open to any corrections. A lot of this remains speculative. On its face, this is the equivalent of oil sanctions, which have been long discussed but never implemented (in other words, sales can go on but the revenue cannot reach Nicolas Maduro, who logically therefore would stop selling). The main political risk for a U.S. president is that losing the 500,000 barrels-per-day will push domestic gas prices up. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claims the shortfall will be made up by allies, especially Saudi Arabia (which owes the Trump administration). I do not know if that is true, though my impression is that threats to oil supplies tend to make prices go up until events play out. In Venezuela, the impact will be serious, with revenue shortfall and worsening humanitarian crisis. Venezuelan crude is difficult to refine so it is not simple to switch away from the United States. Further, Venezuela cannot just look to Russia and China because right now it sends them oil as debt payments. It does not get revenue from that unless you think of it as collateral for future loans. But it's even more complicated because of exceptions. For example, some U.S. companies, including Chevron and the infamous Halliburton, have an exception that lasts through July 27, 2019. And the exception includes some exceptions. 505. If an official of the Government of Venezuela is designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN), does that mean that the Government of Venezuela is blocked? What are the prohibitions on U.S. persons dealing with a designated government official? No. The designation of an official of the Government of Venezuela does not mean that the government itself is also blocked. The prohibitions apply to transactions or dealings only with the individuals and entities whose property and interests in property are blocked. However, U.S. persons should be cautious in dealings with the government to ensure that they are not engaged in transactions or dealings, directly or indirectly, with an SDN, for example by entering into contracts that are signed by an SDN, entering into negotiations with an SDN, or by processing transactions, directly or indirectly, on behalf of the SDN, absent authorization or an applicable exemption. [07-19-2018] So not all revenue will be cut off, at least for six more months. But I don't know how much of current transactions go through those excepted companies. John Bolton claimed Venezuela will lose $11 billion over the next year, but who knows how he arrived at that number.On the other hand, there are broader implications. Trump's executive order makes PDVSA a Specially Designated National. That is the same category as the already existing individual sanctions dating back to the Obama Administration. From the Treasury Department What this does is place a high alert globally. U.S. citizens cannot evenengage in transactions, which means foreign businesses need to be very careful, or even stop altogether to avoid potential problems. That ripple effect will likely hurt.Meanwhile, Juan Guaido said he is ordering the National Assembly to name new members to PDVSA , who would then take control if Maduro is ousted. Maduro gave a live televised speech last night in response. I watched a bit but it lacked any substance and I felt like it was no different than a bunch of his tweets strung together. He is on his heels.All of this,, is about the Venezuelan military. U.S. officials are openly saying so Guaido is also publicly wooing them with promises of amnesty. I wonder what they think of such blatant calls (and of course there is no unified "they" anyway). It would likely be easier to respond to Guaido than to the U.S. because of nationalism. But there is so much we don't know. The Department of Governance Reform, Punjab has entered into agreements for offering cloud services in the state. Microsoft is the first global cloud service provider to get empaneled for offering cloud services in the state of Punjab for a period of three years. The Department has empaneled four Microsoft partners, viz., Tata Communication Ltd, Embee Software Ltd, G7Cr Technologies Pvt Ltd, and SISL Infotech Pvt Ltdin its Cloud Services Directory, allowing government departments and agencies in Punjab to choose the Microsoft Cloud to advance their digital transformation, optimize IT operations, and transform communities. Making government services available to citizens online is a key part of the states digital vision. Through Microsoft Azure, public sector organizations in Punjab can now draw on a wide range of deployment models and service offerings, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Disaster Recovery as a Service, Dev/Test, Virtual Desktop as a Service, and Managed Backup. The Microsoft Cloud provides industry-leading levels of security, privacy controls, compliance, and transparency for Indian government agencies to achieve higher efficiencies, with greater reliability and scalability. Speaking on this, Sh. Parminder Pal Singh, PCS, Director of Governance Reforms, Punjab, said, Our vision of a truly transformed Punjab is one where all the residents of the state benefit from the services offered by its government. We believe the next step of growth will be to move beyond just the Internet and leverage the power of the cloud. To ensure that, we have empaneled Microsoft & other CSPs as cloud service providers and will work on Microsofts cloud technology to provide transformational e-governance services and financial inclusion opportunities to lakhs across Punjab. Mr. Singh added that the states Land Records Information System and E-Sewa (previously called SUWIDHA Single User-Friendly Windows Disposal & Helpline for applicants), will soon migrate onto the Azure platform. Microsoft technologies currently power several core e-Governance and critical projects in Punjab. The company has played a key role in the enhancement and efficient delivery of citizenship services, including the development of the E-District platform, SUWIDHA & the Grievance Management System. Additionally, Microsoft also supports the State Data Center of Punjab. Manish Prakash, General Manager Public Sector, Microsoft India, said This is an extremely proud moment for Microsoft as we partner with the state of Punjab on its digital journey. Our commitment to Punjab goes back a long way and we believe with this accreditation, we are now well positioned to support the state in reshaping its governance and economic landscape and realize its digital vision. Microsoft is the only provider of services across all three clouds in the country private, public, and hybrid cloud, and was the first global public cloud service provider to be accredited by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY). Its hyper-scale, flexible and secure local cloud services from three India datacenters in Pune, Mumbai and Chennai Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365, and Office 365 are already accelerating cloud innovation and opening new possibilities in e-governance and inclusive growth. @Technuter.com News Service GOP legislation JANE CLOSE NEW HARTFORD Commerce Item 3. We call for legislation that would eliminate all public sector unions, is copied from the Republican Party of Iowa Platform found at iowagop.org. The destructive changes that were made to union/collective bargaining rights for public employees in 2017 were supported by all 53 Republicans in the Iowa House and all 29 in the Iowa Senate. What further damage will they do to public employees in 2019 when they again have control of both houses of state government and the governorship? Will they again act quickly and quietly before a challenge can be organized? Public sector employees are city, county and state workers who serve the public as police officers, firefighters, teachers and social workers, as well as employees in skilled trades, corrections and judiciary, plus others. These workers need your support and action now. Its time to contact legislators to tell them to support collective bargaining rights for all Iowa workers. Also ask for their support to reinstate the collective bargaining rights that were eliminated in 2016. There is no valid reason for public employees to be treated differently and less than private sector employees, who are allowed to choose whether to be represented by unions. Reprinted from the Los Angeles Times Jan. 28. The strike talk was mostly about new hiring, smaller class sizes and salary increases. But lurking just below the surface during the teacher walkout in the Los Angeles Unified School District was another issue: charter schools, which many teachers (and their union) fear and loathe, seeing them as an existential threat to traditional public schools. Indeed, one of the less-noticed provisions of the agreement to end the strike was that the school board would call for a statewide reexamination of the role and effect of charters, and that it would consider asking the state for a moratorium on any new ones. Board member Richard Vladovic said he will introduce a resolution on those subjects today. The states law authorizing the creation of charter schools has been around since 1992, and legislators have made it easier during the ensuing years for such schools to open. In L.A. Unified, their growth has been explosive: The district now has 277 charters, most of them independently run, though they receive public funding. Most are non-union. They enroll close to 140,000 students about one in five in the district. Their growth is responsible for about half of the declining enrollment in traditional public schools that has sapped the districts finances over the last 15 years. WATERLOO -- An arrest has been made in the unsolved killing of a Grundy Center man in 2017. Armando Adame III, 28, of Waterloo, was arrested at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility on Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Michael Bruce Johns, 28, in 2017, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Johns was reported missing Oct. 26, 2017, and the Grundy Center Police Department and Grundy County Sheriff's Office quickly suspected foul play in his disappearance. Johns' body was discovered near 290th Street and Shadow Avenue in rural Floyd County about 10 miles south of Charles City on Dec. 1, 2017. His death was ruled a homicide and the cause of death was a shotgun wound to the head, according to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner. According to court documents, the investigation revealed that Johns was with Adame and another person on the evening of Oct. 24 in to the morning on Oct. 25. The three traveled from Waterloo to the areas around Black Hawk, Buchanan, Grundy, Marshall, Tama, Butler and Floyd counties. Cell phone records showed that the cell phones of Johns, Adame and the other individual eventually ended up in an area around Charles City. WATERLOO Schools across Northeast Iowa and all three state universities are closed as temperatures drop to dangerous near-record lows today and Wednesday. The high today is forecast at minus 4 degrees with a wind chill around minus 30, according to the National Weather Service. Tonights low will be around minus 27 with a wind chill at minus 55. Wednesdays high is expected to be minus 17, with an overnight low of minus 31, near the record low for Waterloo of minus 34 set Jan. 16, 2009, and in 1914. Both Waterloo and Cedar Falls school districts canceled classes today and Wednesday due to expected extreme cold temperatures. Schools across Northeast Iowa followed suit. The University of Northern Iowa also canceled classes from 5 p.m. today to noon Thursday. The campus will have reduced operations Wednesday. UNI courses taught by eLearning will proceed as scheduled. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University also canceled classes from 5 p.m. today through 12 p.m. Thursday on the Iowa City and Ames campuses. Schools closed due to snow in both Waterloo and Cedar Falls on Monday, and superintendents at both districts say more days off are coming. JESUP A state panel will not pursue legal action against the city of Jesup for withholding a City Hall video recording sought by its fire chief. The Iowa Public Information Board voted 6-1 Monday to dismiss the complaint filed by Jesup Fire Chief Andy Trumbauer despite believing the recording was a public record. Trumbauer had sought the recording, which captured the mayor and two council members discussing his employment status, and filed a formal complaint in February after the city refused its release. IBIP staff and board members felt the city was violating the Iowa Open Records Law. But the board declined to take the case to a trial provided the city allows Trumbauer to view, but not copy or disseminate, the recording. Trumbauer, who has the option to pursue the matter in district court, declined comment on the boards action. The situation involved a recording system in City Hall that was left on following a Dec. 18, 2017, City Council meeting. It captured Mayor Larry Thompson and council members Dawn Vogel and Richard Mott, unaware the camera was still rolling, discussing Trumbauers pending reappointment. The Board of Education this week approved transferring $1.24 million from the general fund to make up for what was lost in those accounts during the past year. The existing building is built in a way that isnt very adaptable, Leeper noted concerning the renovation costs. Load bearing walls create some difficulties in opening up spaces and making them more flexible, which would be designed into a new school. He admitted to some negative perceptions when people hear the cost estimates. Obviously, its a big number, said Leeper. The cost of doing nothing is high and the cost of doing something with the existing high school is really high. Superintendent Andy Pattee said even if property is purchased to expand the current site, the district would run out of space in about 15 years because enrollment is expected to continue growing. The new school would last at least 50 years and have some room for expansion to handle growing enrollment. Cedar Falls High School had 1,140 students enrolled in 10th through 12th grades this fall. A new or renovated school would be built for 1,400 students. Leeper also addressed concerns about the current high school if a new one is built. Older portions would be demolished and those areas redeveloped while newer sections would be reused for district administrative purposes. Pet care The NWS advised people to avoid time outdoors, and local veterinarians say the same for pets. There is absolutely no excuse for pets to be outdoors in brutally cold weather, said Dr. Tom Taylor, owner of Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in Waterloo, who advised owners to keep dogs and cats inside. For potty breaks, as soon as your dog is done doing their business outdoors, get them back inside, Taylor advised. Keep them leashed for the trip outdoors, or if the yard is fenced in, dont just open the door and let them go, he said. Watch them. Know exactly where they are and dont get distracted by other stuff. Wait for them to go to the bathroom, and then get them back in, he said. Have your own coat and boots on in case you need to rescue your dog, he said. Pets cold tolerance can vary by breed, activity level, age and health, says the American Veterinary Medical Association. Just because your dog or cat has a fur coat doesnt mean they are not susceptible to cold temperatures. Even dogs bred for cold weather should not be left outdoors for an extended amount of time. 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. WATERLOO A Waterloo man has been sentenced to probation and a stint in a halfway house for leaving the scene of an accident that almost killed his girlfriends daughter. Prosecutors had sought 15 years in prison for 53-year-old James Harold Smith, who was convicted of leaving the scene and serious injury by vehicle during a November trial. But Judge Brad Harris on Monday sentenced Smith to up to 15 years in prison, suspended to two to five years of probation with one year at the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility. Smith will remain in custody until space becomes available at the facility. Authorities said the 11-year-old girl and other children were climbing on Smiths Dodge Durango while it was idling in a driveway on Mulberry Street in April when he accelerated away. The girl became caught in the wheel well and was thrown. He left before authorities arrived, and his girlfriend, Anita Nelson, remained behind and allegedly told police she didnt know who was driving. Waterloo mom charged with false report of daughter's injuries WATERLOO The mother of a girl critically injured in what was thought to be a hit-and-run c The girl suffered a number of broken ribs and lacerations and punctures to her internal organs and was in a medically induced coma for 45 days. Nelson pleaded to making false reports and in December was sentenced to 16 days in jail suspended to four days and one year of informal probation. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 6 Angry 11 DECORAH A Decorah sex offender has pleaded guilty to a charge he wandered into a college residence hall while women were showering in December. Victor Emanuel Hasvold, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of invasion of privacy on Jan. 17 and was sentenced to up to two years in prison. His sentence will run consecutive to time he will serve because of a parole violation, which is still pending in court. He has been transferred to the Iowa Department of Corrections Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale. Hasvold was convicted of molesting an 11-year-old girl in Johnson County in 2007, and he was released from prison in March 2018 and placed on lifetime parole. +2 UPDATE: Registered sex offender caught in Luther College female bathrooms DECORAH A Decorah sex offender told his employer he had to miss work because of a court ap On the morning of Dec. 5, he allegedly entered Luther Colleges Miller Hall and went into womens bathroom and shower areas and looked at students as they showered, according to court records. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 LE MARS Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in the case of a former Alta Vista woman charged with neglecting her infant son to the point he died in 2017. Authorities said 4-month-old Sterling Koehn was found dead in a maggot-infested diaper, and an autopsy determined he died of dehydration, malnutrition and an infection from untreated diaper rash. An entomologist determined the developmental level of the maggots indicated the diaper hadnt been changed in nine to 13 days. Trial for Sterlings mother, 21-year-old Cheyanne Harris, was moved from Chickasaw County where they had lived, to the Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars because of pre-trial publicity. The childs father, Zachary Koehn, was convicted of murder and child endangerment causing death during an October trial. Harris attorney, Aaron Hawbaker, filed a notice she may use a diminished responsibility or intoxication defense, and he indicated the defense may call Michael OHara, a psychology professor at the University of Iowa, as an expert witness. OHara specializes in post-partum depression, and he testified for the defense in Zachary Koehns trial. At that time, he said he wasnt able to examine Harris but had concluded that she likely suffered from the depression. However, some Tories believe the proposal does not go far enough, with its architect, Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady, admitting the backstop could actually stay in the withdrawal agreement even if his plan was carried out. Mr Kateinen said there was "no reason to give any concessions" to the United Kingdom and there was "not much room for manoeuvre" on the backstop. Meanwhile, Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a Brussels press conference: "This Withdrawal Agreement has been agreed with the UK Government, it is endorsed by leaders and is not open for renegotiation". Commission vice-president Jyrki Kateinen said it would be "a stupid thing" for the European Union to make concessions putting the remaining 27 members at a disadvantage simply to secure a deal. Describing the plans as "unadulaterated good Brexit news", he says that an exit mechanism or sunset clause will "defuse the booby trap" and give the United Kingdom a "way out" to negotiate a Canada-style trade deal with the EU. It's not clear whether Brady's amendment will get the necessary backing from MPs with a number of Tory Brexiteers lukewarm to the proposal. Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier's deputy Sabine Weyand said it was "quite a challenge" to see how a majority in support of a deal could be constructed in Westminster, warning there was a high risk of the United Kingdom crashing out by accident. Mr Brady said his amendment would give Mrs May "enormous firepower" if it is passed. Tory ERG member, Bernard Jenkin, labeled the amendment "deliberately vague". The main goal of Cooper's amendment is to avoid a no-deal Brexit. Top retailers have warned there could be a severe disruption to the UK's supply of food if Theresa May fails to secure a deal for Brexit. "We anticipate significant risks to maintaining the choice, quality and durability of food that our customers have come to expect in our stores, and there will be inevitable pressure on food prices from higher transport costs, currency devaluation and tariffs". They say that nearly a third of food eaten in the United Kingdom comes from the European Union and any delays at ports caused by a no-deal would directly affect their supply. "On behalf of our businesses and the wider food industry we want to highlight to you the challenges for retailers and the consequences for millions of United Kingdom consumers of leaving the European Union without a deal at the end of March", the messages begins. "If we leave without a deal we are going to be less safe", she told BBC Radio 4's World At One. MPs would also get a vote on extending Article 50 to the end of the year and preventing a no deal exit under the terms of the Bill. If the United Kingdom were to revert to WTO Most Favoured Nation status in a no-deal scenario, it would greatly increase import costs, which could in turn put upward pressure on food prices, the BRC said. "This is the last chance for Parliament, this is probably the only opportunity that Parliament is going to have to intervene in this process, to take control", he said. "A stable, predictable economic and political environment is a prerequisite for small business growth and the jobs that this sustains", said FSB chair Mike Cherry. 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 University of North Georgia (UNG) has received approval from the University System of Georgia (USG) to grant out-of-state tuition waivers for students from a handful of counties in North Carolina and Tennessee that border UNG's current service area. Students in Jackson, Swain, Graham, Cherokee, Clay, and Macon counties in North Carolina and Polk, Bradley, and Hamilton counties in Tennessee will be able to attend UNG using in-state tuition rates. UNG becomes the 11th USG institution to offer waivers for counties in the states that border Georgia. UNG opened a campus in Blue Ridge in 2014 and is building a new stand-alone facility that will open in 2020 to expand enrollment opportunities. UNG also has campuses in Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Oconee County. The move supports UNG's mission to expand educational opportunities in the region through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs, and UNG President Bonita Jacobs said the waivers will open doors for students as well as their families and communities. "UNG plays a large role in educational attainment in this region, and, from an economic and workforce development perspective, these counties are connected to communities that we currently serve," Jacobs said. Out-of-state tuition waivers in these nine counties will allow UNG to expand opportunities for quality, affordable education and enhance regional economic development in the Appalachian region." The theme of educational attainment tied to economic development is not new for UNG. The university launched the Regional Education and Economic Development (REED) Initiative in 2013. Dr. Chaudron Gille, interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at UNG, said the initial REED listening sessions showed how strongly community leaders want educational and workforce opportunities that help local students stay in the area. "During the listening sessions, community leaders shared with us their great desire for education and job opportunities in their communities," Gille said. "They also expressed the concern that students have the opportunity to earn a degree and remain in the area to contribute to the community's economic development." For first-generation students, staying close to home makes the college experience more affordable and less stressful and can even change attitudes about the attainability of higher education, Gille said. "You break that barrier for one first-generation college student and it shifts the thinking across a community," Gille said. "Doors are opened for the first person, who influences their family and their community to think about going to college and completing a degree." Out-of-state students in UNG's Corps of Cadets already receive tuition waivers, and the new waivers for these border counties expand opportunities for other students from the same families and schools to also attend UNG, said Keith Antonia, associate vice president for military programs. UNG is one of only six senior military colleges in the nation and federally designated as The Military College of Georgia. Participation in UNGs Corps of Cadets is limited to the Dahlonega Campus. Dr. James Conneely, vice president of student affairs at UNG, said the tuition waiver become effective with summer semester 2019, and students in the waiver counties can begin applying now to UNG for summer and fall semesters. UNG consistently earns national recognition from Forbes, Kiplinger, and U.S. News & World Report for academic excellence and affordability and offers more than 100 programs of study ranging from certificate and associate degrees to professional doctoral programs. Becoming immersed in a foreign culture and learning to speak the language fluently through an intensive program is one purpose of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program. In January, seven UNG students were selected as semifinalists for the program, said Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president for research and engagement. This year's semifinalists are: Hannah Chisholm, who is pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism and a minor in Korean Daniel Barker, who is pursuing a degree in mathematics and a minor in Russian Donnie "Jamar" Shumaker, who is pursuing a degree in East Asian studies with a concentration in Chinese and a minor in Chinese language and culture Daniel Shearer, a member of the Corps of Cadets who is pursuing a degree in East Asian studies with a concentration in Japanese studies and a minor in leadership Julia "Rhiannon" Smith, who is pursuing degrees in psychology and modern languages with a concentration in Russian Leah James, a member of the Corps of Cadets who is pursuing a degree in nursing and a minor in Arabic Rachel Wilson, who is pursuing a degree in finance and a minor in Chinese Victoria Hightower, assistant director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office and associate professor of history at UNG, explained the CLS is an incredibly competitive scholarship that only accepts 10 percent of applicants. "UNG has never had such a varied or wide group of students become semifinalists before," she said. "Our students this year worked diligently as individuals and in group workshops to develop their applications." Having seven semifinalists marks a new record for UNG as well as a 250 percent increase in semifinalists since 2014 when UNG President Bonita Jacobs created the Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office. Last academic year, five were semifinalists. Of those, three were finalists and two were alternates. UNG had one finalist and one semifinalist for both 2016-17 and 2015-16. "UNG students are increasingly competitive in the CLS scholarship," Lin said. "We credit this to the hard work of our students, their mentors, and the excellent preparation provided by our language faculty. Previous applicants for the CLS have gone on to win other awards including the Boren, Gilman, Fulbright, and Rangel Fellowships; we are eager to see what's next for both our applicants and our semifinalists!" A few are celebrating their honor of being named semifinalists. "I thought I had a one-in-a-million chance to become a semifinalist," said Smith, a junior from Dahlonega. "It's one of the most competitive programs, and we are going up against students at bigger and Ivy League colleges and universities. I'm just a small-town girl and I was really surprised that I got it." Chisholm, a sophomore from Monroe, Georgia, was shocked she was a semifinalist because she started the application process late when she missed the information session. Chisholm decided to speak with Lin, who convinced her to apply. Applicants must write four short-answer essays and a personal statement and include their transcripts and two recommendations. "I thought, 'The worst that can happen is I don't get it,'" Chisholm said, adding now that it is a possibility, she is apprehensive. "I am excited, but I would lying if I didn't say there was fear." Leah James, a freshman from Ellenwood, Georgia, is also excited about the opportunity to study the Arabic language in Oman. "They have a unique way of writing," James said. "It's so beautiful, because it is so different. And I like a challenge." James, who hopes to eventually commission, is also grateful for the opportunity as a freshman cadet. "This will allow me to get a well-rounded experience using this critical language," she said. James isn't the only freshman or cadet willing to face the challenge of studying overseas. Daniel Shearer, a freshman from Suwanee, Georgia, hopes to become a finalist to study in Japan. "I intend to commission through UNG and as an East Asian major, I would love to have a duty station over there," he said, adding the CLS program will give him an advantage. "I will have greater fluency in Japanese as well as have complete immersion in the culture that would come through living and working there." Shearer, however, is cautious about his future expectation. "I am not taking it as an accomplishment, because I am not yet a finalist," he said. "I'm excited for the opportunity. If I do get it, then it will be a large honor." Finalists will be chosen in February. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, CLS is a fully-funded overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. Its goal is to broaden the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages and building relationships between the people of the United States and other countries. Students interested in learning more about nationally competitive scholarships should contact ncs@ung.edu for more information. Also, students interested in learning about funding and programs to study abroad in a variety of projects can visit the Center for Global Engagement website. Chinese technology giant Huawei has been charged in the US with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile and violating sanctions against Iran. The Justice Department unsealed two indictments against the telecommunications equipment manufacturer on Monday. They including counts of bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Thirteen charges were filed in New York, and another 10 filed in Washington included an allegation that the company stole the designs for a robotic hand used by T-Mobile to test new smartphone devices. A spokesperson for the company said it was "disappointed to learn of the charges brought against the company" and denied committing "any of the asserted violations". Huawei insisted it settled its IP theft dispute with T-Mobile in 2017 regarding the allegation over an experimental robotics technology known as Tappy. It was designed to mimic human fingers and was used to test smartphones that were in production. The indictment claims that Huawei then tried to obstruct justice when T-Mobile threatened to sue its foreign rival in a federal court in Seattle. It also includes an internal Huawei announcement that the company offered bonuses to employees who successfully stole confidential information from other firms. FBI director Christopher Wray said the allegations showed that the US must "consider carefully the risks that companies like Huawei pose if we allow them into our telecommunications infrastructure". The Chinese authorities have condemned the indictments, a Ministry of Industry and Information Technology spokesperson describing them as "unfair and immoral". On Tuesday China's foreign ministry called on Washington to "stop the unreasonable crackdown" on Huawei and other companies. A statement read on state TV news accused US authorities of mobilising state power smear some Chinese companies "in an attempt to strangle fair and just operations." Story continues It said there was a "strong political motivation and political manipulation" behind the indictments. The charges, which relate to alleged conduct between 2012 and 2014, come almost two months after the chief financial officer of Huawei was arrested in Canada . Meng Wanzhou was detained on 1 December and remains in Vancouver, fighting extradition south of the border over claims she committed fraud by misleading US banks about business deals Huawei has in Iran. It is alleged that the firm used a shell company in Hong Kong - Skycom - to sell equipment in the Middle Eastern country, which would be a violation of US sanctions. A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, Geng Shuang, accused Washington on Monday of showing "disregard for the stern representations" from Beijing over the case of the CFO. "We urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests," Mr Geng added. The charges add more pressure on Huawei, with the US government trying to prevent American companies and those based in allied countries from buying routers and other technologies it manufactures. Last week , Vodafone said it had suspended the use of Huawei equipment in its core networks amid security concerns over claims the hardware could be used by Beijing for spying or to seize control of critical infrastructure. The US, along with Australia and New Zealand, have already banned Huawei from their faster 5G networks because of alleged links to the Chinese regime, and Germany and India have also expressed concerns. However, Donald Trump has said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China. The US president said he would step in if it would be good for what will "certainly be the largest trade deal ever made". He added that talks were taking place with Beijing by phone and he would not raise tariffs on Chinese imports until he was sure about a deal. Despite being completely locked out of the US, Huawei surpassed Apple earlier last year to become the number two smartphone maker in the world - only behind Samsung. It has been helped by securing an increased share of the UK market, with TechRadar reporting that its acclaimed P20 handset had contributed to a rise from 2.7% to 13.7% in the three months leading up to July 2018. "When I first came down here, I have to tell you, my first year driving down here I was so intimidated that I wouldn't even dress in the driver's room. I dressed over in the stable area, because I thought it was the who's who of harness racing here and I said 'I'm not worthy to be in that group.'" How time flies. Recalling how he felt to be the new kid on the block, driver Wally Hennessey is now the king of the castle at Pompano Park and one of harness racing's most accomplished reinsmen. The Canadian-born driver added his name to the elusive list of competitors with 10,000 driving wins this past Wednesday (January 23) by guiding Prince Of Fame to victory at Pompano. "I kind of knew the last 15, 20, 30 lengths that I was safe, that I was winning. And it was a great feeling then," Hennessey said in a recent interview. "But, you know, your adrenaline is still going, and the first thing I did after the race...Dave Ingraham, Mike Simons, they were in the race with me, and I asked them, I said I'd appreciate if they'd come down to the winner's circle with me, which they did. They were probably going to come anyway...all the guys that came down, I was very appreciative of that. I told them I would take my time coming back, and as I did I had time to reflect on my life in the harness business, and I looked up [skyward] at mom and dad." A winner of over $66 million in purses, Hennessey departed the Maritimes for the Sunshine State in 1986 before going on to enjoy sustained success with trotting dynamo Moni Maker. The 62-year-old reinsman was enshrined into the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2014. "So to be sitting here after all these years, I've had a lot of friends that I've competed against...it's hard when you're competing against people and we're all trying to make a living at it." Hennessey did admit to Pompano's John Berry and Gabe Prewitt that the countdown to the 10,000 win milestone was starting to lose its lustre. "I have to be quite honest, the last couple of weeks you started the countdown, my face was on [TV], and I'm not much for that you know...and I'm sure the guys down there were sick of looking at me as well...you don't look forward to these things, they just happen. You get chances, you win, it just adds up. I've had a lot of chances, a lot of great chances as of late with a lot of favourites and horses that have chances. I didn't think I'd get there [Wednesday night] but that's racing, right?" Hennessey joins Dave Palone, Tony Morgan, Herve Filion, Cat Manzi, David Miller, Dave Magee, Billy Parker, Walter Case Jr., Aaron Merriman, Tim Tetrick, John Campbell, Mike Lachance, Kevin Wallis, Peter Wrenn, George Brennan and Brian Sears in the exclusive 10,000 win club. To listen to and watch the wide-ranging interview with Hennessey conducted the night after his milestone-clinching win, click the play button below. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's parliament has sent a clear message to Brussels on what it will take to get a Brexit deal approved, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said on Tuesday after a vote demanding changes to the current exit deal. "Tonight parliament has sent a clear message that there is a way forward to secure this deal if we are able to secure changes in relation to the backstop," the spokesman said. "The EU's position remains that they want the United Kingdom to leave with a deal. They want the UK to leave with a deal because it's in their interests as well as those of the UK." (Reporting by William James, Editing by Kylie MacLellan) Hard-line Tory Brexiteers wrestled control of Theresa Mays plan to leave the EU as the PM won support from a majority of MPs to return to Brussels and renegotiate her deal. On a remarkable night in the House of Commons, of the eight votes that could potentially redefine the course of Brexit, seven of them were favourable towards Mrs May. In supporting the so-called Brady amendment by a slim majority of 317-301, MPs have given Mrs May a mandate to try to renegotiate the Brexit deal with the EU in which she will seek to replace the controversial Irish backstop with an as-yet unspecified alternative. Crucially, MPs also rejected a vote that would have forced Mrs May to delay Brexit to avoid crashing out with no deal. However, they also supported a separate vote that stated the House of Commons rejected the no-deal option. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. The main difference between the two votes is that the latter is not legally binding and therefore doesnt box Mrs May into a corner. Critically, the Brady Amendment has received backing from hard-line Brexiteers, who are staunchly opposed to the Irish backstop, which they say could tie the UK to the EU indefinitely. Mrs May will now go back to Brussels to come up with alternative arrangements to the backstop. The backstop is in place to stop the return of border checks. Reaction from the EU was swift, however. Within 10 minutes of the vote, a spokesperson for Donald Tusk said: The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. Theresa May admitted that negotiations would not be easy (Picture: PA) The response Speaking after the vote during a pivotal evening, Mrs May told MPs: Its now clear there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Story continues Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would be willing to enter into Brexit talks with Mrs May. He said: Now that the House has voted emphatically to reject the no deal option the Prime Minister was supporting could I say we are now prepared to meet her to put forward the points of view from the Labour Party of the kind of deal we want from the European Union. To protect jobs, to protect livings standards, and to protect rights and conditions in this country. Jeremy Corbyn has agreed to hold Brexit talks with Theresa May (Picture: PA) DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds told the Commons: This is a significant night because for the first time the House by majority has expressed what sort of deal will get through and will have a majority, and we will work with the Prime Minister to deliver the right deal for the United Kingdom. But the SNPs Westminster leader Ian Blackford claimed that by passing the so-called Brady amendment the Government had ripped up the Good Friday Agreement. To jeers from Tory MPs he said: We were told the backstop was there to protect the peace process but tonight the Conservative Party has effectively ripped apart the Good Friday Agreement. This House should be ashamed of itself. He said Scotland had been silenced, sidelined and shafted by the Tories. An angry Chuka Ummuna hit out at hardline Brexiteers after an amendment tabled by Yvette Cooper to extend Article 50 beyond March 29 was defeated. He said it showed Theresa May was being held hostage by a hardline faction of Brexiteers within her own party and the votes showed Tories were more concerned with keeping their own party unified than serving the best interests of the country. MPs voted on a series of amendments on Tuesday night (Picture: PA) What is the Brady Amendment? Tory MP Sir Graham Bradys amendment proposed replacing the controversial Northern Ireland backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. Ahead of the vote, Sir Graham said he hoped House of Commons backing would give Mrs May enormous firepower when she returns to Brussels to seek concessions on her Brexit deal. It is supported by right-wing Tories and the DUP, which is crucial to the PM ultimately getting a deal from the House of Commons. Its unlikely that Europe will allow a renegotiation of the Withdrawal Agreement (Picture: PA) Non, nein, niet In Brussels, the EU remains resolute that the Withdrawal Agreement would not be reopened. In a statement following the dramatic night in Westminster, a spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said: The Withdrawal Agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. His view was echoed by French President Emmanuel who described the Withdrawal Agreement as not renegotiable. Speaking in Cyprus moments before MPs voted, the French President Emmanuel Macron said: As the European Council in December clearly indicated, the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the UK and EU is the best agreement possible. It is not renegotiable. Earlier on Tuesday, the European Parliaments Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt told the Independent: The deal we have is fair and cannot be re-negotiated. The backstop is needed because of UK redlines and was crafted by the UK and the EU to secure the Good Friday Agreement. European Commission vice-president Jyrki Kateinen said there was no reason to give any concessions to the UK and there was not much room for manoeuvre on the backstop. It would be stupid for the EU to make concessions putting the remaining 27 members at a disadvantage simply to secure a deal, he said. Theresa May admitted that negotiations would not be easy (Picture: PA) No-deal or no no-deal? As part of the series of votes on amendments, MPs approved a cross-party amendment to reject a no-deal Brexit. The amendment, tabled by Midlands MPs Caroline Spelman and Jack Dromey, is not legally binding on the Government but puts huge pressure on Mrs May to delay Brexit from its scheduled date of March 29 if she cannot secure a new deal from Brussels. Speaking after the vote, Mrs May told MPs: I agree that we should not leave without a deal. However, simply opposing no-deal is not enough to stop it. The Government will now redouble its efforts to get a deal that this House can support. She admitted that negotiating would not be easy but Mrs May said she would seek legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border. She told MPs: If this House can come together, we can deliver the decision the British people took in June 2016, restore faith in our democracy and get on with building a country that works for everyone. As Prime Minister I will work with members across the House to do just that. What happens next? Theresa May has a fortnight to sort out this mess. She has promised MPs will get another chance to vote on the new deal if it is a new deal in a couple of weeks time. The next meaningful vote is expected to take place on February 14. If that fails, the PM will need to decide on whether the UK will pursue a no-deal Brexit. If she succeeds, she may still need to delay Brexit to allow Parliament time to get the deal through the House of Commons. LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday asked her lawmakers to support a proposal which calls for the Northern Irish backstop in her Brexit deal with Brussels to be replaced with alternative arrangements. Conservative Party Chairman Brandon Lewis confirmed the move after May addressed her lawmakers at a private meeting in parliament at which she sought to heal divisions and present a united front to Brussels over Brexit. Lawmakers will on Tuesday debate and vote on May's next steps, after the overwhelming rejection of her Brexit plan earlier this month, and have been proposing amendments seeking to shape the future direction of Brexit. Many pro-Brexit lawmakers oppose the so-called "backstop", an insurance policy aimed at preventing a hard border in Ireland, which would require EU rules to apply in British-ruled Northern Ireland if no other solutions can be agreed. Lewis said May told a meeting of her Conservative lawmakers on Monday that they should vote in favour of an amendment, proposed by senior Conservative lawmaker Graham Brady, which calls for the backstop to be replaced with "alternative arrangements". "It allows the PM to give a very clear message about what the parliament wants and where the party is," Lewis said. The European Union has ruled out renegotiating the principle behind the backstop. Its deputy chief negotiator Sabine Weyand said today that the bloc was "open to alternative arrangements" on the Irish border but that the problem with Brady's proposal was that it did not spell out what they were. Strong support for the amendment - if it is put to a vote on Tuesday - will allow May to demonstrate to the European Union that changes to the backstop could be enough to allow her to get parliamentary approval for a deal. May's address drew cheers of support and banging of desks audible to reporters outside the room. But, moments before she spoke the head of an influential eurosceptic Conservative faction said his group would not back the amendment. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and William James, editing by James Davey) Trevor was the only duck on the entire island (Facebook) The worlds loneliest duck has been killed by a dog. Trevor, the only duck on the Island of Niue in New Zealand, had earned something of a celebrity status as he was the only quacking resident on the entire isle. He was named after New Zealand Parliamentary speaker Trevor Mallard, who was hit particularly hard by the news. The island of Niue is said to be in mourning after the death of its only duck. Trevor was missing for a few days, before it was confirmed he had been attacked by dogs. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. His body was found in a bush. Speaker Mallard said: Deepest sympathy to the people of Niue from the Parliament of New Zealand. Trevor was a popular novelty on the island and residents even started a Facebook profile to provide updates on his daily habits. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Its believed he flew or was blown on to the island during a bad storm in 2018. Since his unexpected arrival he set up home near a puddle by the side of the road and was frequently photographed by residents and tourists alike. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Lawyers can now summon modelling agencies representing the likes of Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin, who all promoted the ill-fated Fyre Festival, a judge has reportedly ruled. It comes as part of a bankruptcy case involving the music festival on an island in the Bahamas in April 2017. The order states IMG Models, which represents Baldwin and Hadid, DNA Model Management, which represents Emily Ratajkowski, and Kendall Jenner Inc must comply with subpoenas issued in the case. The models and influencers took part in social media campaigns in the lead up to the festival, which was billed as a luxury weekend on a sandy private island. A glossy advert for the festival featured the prominent supermodels sipping cocktails and frolicking on yachts. Tickets for the event cost up to $75,000 (58,000) and guests were encouraged to load up wristbands with money to be used for purchases during the event. But when guests turned up, they found they were to sleep on rain-soaked mattresses in hurricane disaster tents on what had been a building site on a different island than originally advertised. Instead of gourmet food, an image showed one festival-goer had been presented with two unbuttered basic pieces of brown bread, two thin slices of cheese and a handful of salad. The founder of the event, Billy McFarland, was later sentenced to six years in prison on federal fraud charges related to the festival. McFarland defrauded investors and ticket vendors of $26m (19.8m), according to prosecutors. In July 2017, Fyre Festival LLC filed for bankruptcy, saying it was unable to pay vendors and creditors. The latest ruling in the bankruptcy case follows lawyers representing the trustee for the Fyre Festival LLC estate asking to examine several firms and individuals that were paid by the company behind the festival for promotional services and adverts. According to court filings, IMG received more than $1.2m (900,000) from Fyre Festival LLC, while DNA Model Management and Kendall Jenner Inc each received almost $300,000 (230,000). The developments follow Fyre Festival co-founder Ja Rule claiming he was also a victim of the infamous event. It could unify the views of Remain and Leave supporters at Westminster, leader Arlene Foster said. DUP leader Arlene Foster has backed calls for alternative arrangements to the Irish border backstop. It could unify the views of Remain and Leave supporters at Westminster, the head of Northern Irelands largest party said. Her 10 MPs endorsed the plan before a series of Commons votes on Tuesday which could help shape the next phase of talks with the EU and includes an amendment on the backstop. Mrs Foster said: It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union which would split the United Kingdom or keep the entire United Kingdom in the customs union and single market. Importantly, this proposal would also offer a route towards negotiating a future trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. If Prime Minister Theresa May seeks a united front between elements in her own party and the DUP in EU negotiations she should not snub the proposition contained in Sir Graham Bradys amendment, the DUP leader said. Mrs Foster added: There is no better time to advance this alternative, given the confusion and disarray which is now manifesting itself in Brussels. This has been displayed both by the contradictory EU statements and the panic-stricken behaviour of the Irish government. The DUP adamantly opposes the Irish border backstop, an insurance policy to prevent a hard border if no better deal is found in future trade talks with the EU. The unionist party fears it could mark regulatory divergence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, effectively creating a border down the Irish Sea. Death row Christian Asia Bibi is allowed to leave Pakistan after the country's top court upheld her acquittal on blasphemy charges. Ms Bibi, who spent eight years on death row, will now be free to join her daughters who fled to Canada and were granted asylum there. The 54-year-old was acquitted in October - eight years after she was convicted for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a dispute with her neighbours. But she has remained under guard at a secret place since her acquittal as Prime Minister Imran Khan's government attempted to quell anger over her exoneration by radical Islamists, who staged nationwide protests and almost brought the capital Islamabad to a standstill. More than 3,000 members of the radical Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) group were arrested on charges of terrorism after the protest, with its leader and high profile members still in prison. This afternoon, three members of the Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed their appeal against Ms Bibi's acquittal. Heavy security surrounded the court as the verdict was due, with paramilitary troops and quick response units deployed in sensitive areas in the capital. The leaders of the TLP had rejected the court's review bench and threatened protests if Ms Bibi was set free. They demanded a larger bench with Sharia court judges to review the case. "I am really grateful to everybody, now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters," a friend quoted Bibi as saying after she watched the verdict on TV. Ms Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Malook, who returned to Islamabad after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistan's constitution and rule of law. The judging panel had "insisted on very strict proofs of blasphemy" and found none, he said. Ms Bibi was accused by three women who had an argument with her over fetching water at the farm they worked at in June 2009 - refusing to drink from a bucket she had touched because she was not Muslim. Story continues They went to the local court and accused her of blasphemy, for which she was charged and found guilty of. The case has garnered attention from around the world, with the Vatican calling for her release after Pope Francis met her husband, Ashiq Masih, and daughter last year. Mr Masih asked the leaders of the UK, the US and Canada to give his family asylum, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau granting it at the end of last year. The daughter of a community worker murdered in Belfast said he was praying with a local pastor when he was attacked. Ian Ogle, 45, died after being set upon by a group of men in Cluan Place, near a busy arterial route in the east of the city, at around 9pm on Sunday. Police have described the level of violence used against the father-of-two as barbaric. Floral tributes left near at the scene in east Belfast where community worker Ian Ogle was murdered on Sunday night (Rebecca Black/PA) His daughter Toni Johnston said the family were living in fear of people who she said claimed to represent the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). She also revealed that her brother and father had been ordered come forward to receive a punishment attack following an incident at a bar. Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland mete out dozens of so-called punishment attacks every year against members of their own community. These can involve physical attacks with sledge hammers, knuckle dusters or sewer rods, or being shot in the knees and/or elbows. Floral tributes left near at the scene (Rebecca Black/PA) My daddy and my brother were ordered to go for punishment by appointment, my daddy said no, weve done nothing wrong, we were attacked, Ms Johnston told BBC Northern Ireland. Then the intimidation, the harassment, they were terrorising us. My daddy was living in fear they were going to kill my brother, my daddy continuously said to my mum, they better not get my Ryan, they better get me before they get my kids, and then they did. In a statement issued to the Irish News newspaper, the east Belfast UVF wholeheartedly condemned the murder. A UVF mural in Inverwood Court, east Belfast (PA) It said: Whoever did it did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF. However, Ms Johnston said that statement is an insult. She said she is not blaming the organisation as a whole, but claimed those responsible were using the name of the UVF, and that the UVF had been protecting them. (Rebecca Black/PA) Earlier on Tuesday, Detective Chief Inspector Peter McKenna described the level of violence used against Mr Ogle as barbaric, adding: It is quite frankly repulsive that they felt it was acceptable. Story continues There is no place for this inhumane behaviour in our communities and I would appeal for local people to come forward with any information they have so we can remove this intimidation and violence from our streets. He also revealed that police inquiries have progressed significantly. In a statement, he said a number of arrests have been made and one person remains in custody. Up to 70 floral tributes have been left (Rebecca Black/PA) Mr McKenna also released fresh information as he made a renewed appeal for witnesses. I now know that the people involved in killing Ian ran from Cluan Place to the Templemore Avenue area where they got into a black Seat Leon car, registration number JGZ 7406, he said. This vehicle then travelled to Pitt Place and I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the car travelling in this area, or who saw the people in it, either before or after the murder. Im interested in the movements of the car specifically between 9.15pm and 10pm. I would also like anyone driving in the area who may have dashcam footage to contact police. I am still particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a group of people running in this area. Anyone with any information should contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1303 of 27/1/19. A handwritten note on one bouquet (Rebecca Black/PA) Officers remained at the cordoned-off scene on Tuesday. Up to 70 floral tributes, along with Everton FC and Rangers FC flags and scarfs, were left at the railings close to where Mr Ogle was attacked. Some of the messages expressed anger at the incident, while others spoke of heartbreak at the death of a man they described as a true gentleman. Floral tributes left near at the scene in east Belfast where community worker Ian Ogle was murdered on Sunday night (Rebecca Black/PA) A fundraising page set up to help Mr Ogles family pay for his funeral had raised more than 7,000 by Tuesday afternoon. Squabbling politicians could learn a lot from scientific collaboration and the marvellous ideals in the Antarctic Treaty, Sir David Attenborough has said. He was delivering a speech to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, a stones throw from the House of Commons where MPs were debating and voting to possibly change the direction of Brexit. Describing how there were lots of nations interested in the continent of Antarctica six decades ago, including Norway, France, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina, the 92-year-old broadcaster said it was a kind of free-for-all. But as a consequence of this urge to take a scientific approach to the exploration of the continent the nations got together scientists got together and said we need to know about the physical characteristics of this vast land mass, he said. Living down there, researching down there is hard enough let us get together and make a treaty, in which there will be a series of idealistic commands. We will stop squabbling among ourselves and different nationalities, we will establish bases and will welcome anybody from any other base to our base to see what we are doing. Under The Antarctic Treaty, signed by 12 countries in December 1959, it was agreed that the continent should be used for peaceful purposes, military practices were prohibited and scientific collaboration was encouraged. Sir David said the treaty had no end and would go on for eternity, adding: Marvellous ideals make the pulse quicken in this day of squabbling that we have got going on in the world today. He said there are no similar treaties anywhere else in the world and it is nice to think the continent is leading the way. Speaking to reporters, Sir David said the world has to get together to bring about change in an environmental capacity and in terms of climate, reiterating how scientific collaboration across the nations offers a good model. Story continues Rather a better example than many politicians, he said. I dont wish to paint scientists as saints they too have their feuds and their quarrels and their arguments. But what is happening in the Antarctic is a very admirable example of how intelligent people can get together and sort out problems. Asked if the politicians involved in Brexit could learn anything from the animal kingdom, Sir David simply said no. They dont co-operate in that way, and they dont have logical discussions, which is what one hopes politicians do, he added. The Duke of Cambridge with Sir David Attenborough at Davos (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone/AP) Earlier this month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sir David urged business leaders and governments to come up with practical solutions to address environmental issues. Pressed on whether more can be done or if the damage to the planet is irreparable, he said: We have to do whatever we can to rescue what we can, we arent going to recover, we are going to have great difficulty, and it seems very unlikely that we may even be able to maintain the status quo. The temperatures are rising and we simply have to restrict it as far as we can. Responding to a recent tweet from US President Donald Trump stating how America could do with a little more global warming due to the cold temperatures, Sir David added that he is sorry the president of the most powerful country in the world has not a greater grasp or a better perspective on the world. Former Barclays head of investment banking and investment management in the Middle East, Roger Jenkins. Photo: NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images A senior Barclays (BARC.L) banker nicknamed big dog by his colleagues received a 25m ($32.9m) bonus for his role in securing a multibillion pound investment from Qatar at the height of the financial crisis, a court was told on Tuesday. Roger Jenkins, who at the time ran Barclays Capitals investment management business in the Middle East and North Africa, was paid that sizeable bonus as a special award for his role in a capital raising in October 2008, the jury at Southwark Crown Court was told. Jenkins helped to secure a 2.05bn investment from the Qataris in Barclays as part of 6.8bn fundraising, the court heard, including hosting crucial talks with then Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani at Mayfair home. The Qatari investment helped the bank avoid a bailout from the UK government as the financial crisis erupted. Jenkins is one of four defendants in a criminal case alleging Barclays executives mislead investors by hiding the true amount of fees paid to Qatar for investing in the bank in 2008. The other defendants are John Varley, who was CEO of Barclays between 2004 and 2011; 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 each face two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud, and Kalaris and Boath each face one. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Qatar is not accused of any wrongdoing. Very serious consequences Edward Brown QC, the lead prosecutor for the UKs Serious Fraud Office, argued that the bankers sought to cover up the true fees paid to the Qataris in order to avoid looking weak to the market and having to pay higher fees to other investors who took part in the fundraising. The case centres around two funding deals in June and October of 2008. Brown addressed the October transaction on Tuesday. He argued Varley was motivated to meet the Qataris demands for higher fees because of a fear of the bank being nationalised. Story continues Brown said on Tuesday: Having announced publicly that it was not going to take government money, it was imperative for Barclays to secure the Qatari investment in late October 2008. Failure to do so at that time would have had very serious consequences for the bank. There was every reason for conspirators to agree to the demands for extra fees, therefore, and not to disclose them. Brown said executives wanted to avoid a nationalisation of the bank because it would restrict the flexibility of a large multinational bank. It was said it would mean that some of those at the top of Barclays would have to leave (or so it was suspected). The level of remuneration inevitably would be attacked, as those at Barclays, including Roger Jenkins, had said in conversations. A day earlier, the court had been presented with transcripts of calls from the time in which Jenkins said he was panicked about what a government bailout would mean for pay packets above a million pounds. Magician 3 Brown argued on Tuesday that, unlike Varley, Jenkins was motivated by the promise of a large bonus. Roger Jenkins was to say, as youve heard, he couldnt care less [about the banks independence] and in the months following he demonstrated a different motivation, Brown told the jury. Indeed, the very day of, and within a few hours, of the crucial shareholder vote that allowed the capital raising to go through 24 November Roger Jenkins wrote this in an email to Mr. Ricci [a senior Barclays Capital executive at the time]. The email read [sic]: So vote goes thru. This capital did the trick why cant [John] varley diamond [Bob Diamond, the CEO of Barclays Capital at the time] go to renco [the remuneration committee] and say we need to make a special payment for this endeavour now. It was not his job no one else in the organization or at any other bank except credit suisse did this. Did it four times this year to save our arses and jobs guys you know the sell ! If not what is the plan. Ricci replied: Still the plan. Remco is dec 9. Brown said: On 19 March the following year [2009], following a period of negotiation, a draft agreement with Jenkins records that he was to be paid 25m in a special award for his role in the capital raising. Jenkins ultimately left Barclays in the autumn of 2009, the court was told. Brown said Jenkins had suffered a heart attack in August 2008 but had returned to work just a month later. Earlier in the trial, the prosecution played a recording of two colleagues discussing Jenkins using the nickname Big Dog. In an email presented to the court on Tuesday, Varley refered to Jenkins as Magician 3. The case continues and is expected to last up to six months. Read more on the trial of the Barclays four: We can't seem to find the page you are looking for. You may have typed the address incorrectly or you may have used an outdated link. Never underestimate the power of a YouTube celebrity. Saturday saw Birminghams city centre screeching to a halt as thousands of teenagers flooded the area to see 19-year-old James Charles make a 30-second public appearance at a local cosmetics shop. 30 seconds that cost the centre of Birmingham a lot. Hundreds of shoppers had to cancel their shopping plans on Saturday as road traffic ground to a halt and parts of the bus network were also hit. Charles, who is from Bethlehem, New York and whose full name is James Charles Dickinson, is well-known by teenagers for his online makeup advice, and many cosmetic brands cant wait to sign lucrative endorsement deals with the famous YouTuber. City centre grinds to a halt Motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles after Birminghams city centre was overloaded with thousands of teenagers who couldnt wait to see James Charles during his 30-second appearance at the local cosmetics shop. The city centre was gridlocked for several hours. Shoppers cancelled their trips into the city as it was impossible to drive into the centre and buses were struggling to run. The YouTuber was in Birmingham to open a Morphe Cosmetics shop and it ended up with rows of security guards and police officers trying to hold back the crowds of mostly teenage girls who had headed to the Bullring shopping centre early on Saturday morning, vying for a spot to see Charles. According to the BBC, the number of cars and people heading into the city centre had caused havoc, with drivers leaving their vehicles overnight as they just couldnt get out of the city. YouTubers first visit to the UK Charles, who has attracted over 10 million followers on YouTube and Instagram with his makeup videos, was on his first visit to the UK. He walked outside the Morphe Cosmetics shop for a short ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 PM and then headed back inside to enjoy a meet-and-greet session with 250 lucky followers who had won an online competition. It seems Charles also visited London, as can be seen from the Instagram post below. According to Birmingham Live, James sent a Snapchat message to say there were 8,000 fans in the shopping centre alone, which he said was mind-blowing. He went on to thank his sisters for the experience. However, the number of fans led to guards shutting down the escalators for safety reasons. They also had to employ extra security staff to man the centre. YouTubers vs TV and film celebrities The shutdown of Birminghams city centre only goes to prove the power of online celebrities, as opposed to Film and TV celebrities. While they dont hit the headlines like their film and TV counterparts, they have huge followings on social media. This leads to event organisers being unprepared for a huge influx of people, as in the current example. As noted by the Guardian, online celebrities can often have a larger following. Apparently, West Midlands police were aware of what could happen and they coordinated their response to the YouTubers appearance in advance. A spokesperson said they required no additional officers and that no incidents occurred and no arrests were made. A small group of protesters today gathered outside 10s Pyrmont headquarters following yesterdays clash between Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Yumi Stynes on Studio 10. Stynes cancelled her appearance today after her feud on air yesterday in which she told Kennerley she was sounding racist. This morning Studio 10 revisited the topic with two Indigenous community members, Greens MP Lidia Thorpe and Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa. Host Sarah Harris acknowledged there was too little discussion and representation of Indigenous Australians on commercial television, but it was soon clear there was little consensus on either major issues nor remedies. But there was agreement that both women and Kerri-Anne Kennerly would visit Alice Springs to see communities first hand. I will. Id very, very happy to do that, Kennerley said. The following videos indicate some of the views expressed this morning: "The rally that I attended weren't calling for a change of the date, they were calling for the end of the injustices that Aboriginal people continue to face each & every day of our lives." @LidiaThorpeMP weighs in on Australia Day protests. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/B6JeaqUx4z Studio 10 (@Studio10au) January 29, 2019 "Is it not better to confront the violence that's happening now than the violence that happened historically?" @Joe_Hildebrand asks @LidiaThorpeMP & @JNampijinpa. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/Hh85ZV3lpj Studio 10 (@Studio10au) January 29, 2019 How can we move forward as a country?@LidiaThorpeMP says we need to understand history & also start talking about a peace treaty, while @JNampijinpa says people in the Indigenous community need to condemn perpetrators & support abuse victims. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/w4u0dLB3ry Studio 10 (@Studio10au) January 29, 2019 Related Married at First Sight has drawn first blood in the 2019 reality TV ratings, winning its timeslot with a cool 1 million metro viewers. It defeated the return of My Kitchen Rules at 816,000 viewers, despite the half hour jump at 7pm. It was the lowest ever launch for the series. Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here was third in its slot at 676,000 viewers. MAFS won the battle in every city except Perth. Seven News topped the night at 1.02m viewers. Official ratings dont resume until Sunday February 10, but its game on in the TV wars. Nine led in primary channels but Seven won Monday thanks to its multichannels with 33.6% to Nines 30.1%. 10 drew 16.8%. Full ratings wraps will resume with official survey. Related A hospital in Hanoi on Monday performed Vietnams first brain surgery during which a patient sang in full alertness, in a procedure known as awake brain surgery or awake craniotomy. The 36-year-old man sang two songs while doctors helped by two Japanese experts removed his brain tumor at Viet Duc University Hospital. As the tumor was located in a brain region related to movement control and speech functions, a medical operation with the patient remaining completely unconscious under the effects of general anesthetic would make it impossible for surgeons to detect possible problems with the functions, according to Dong Van He, head of the infirmarys neurosurgery department. The hospital had tried to ready itself to perform this awake brain surgery since early 2018, He said. In this type of procedure, the person to be under the knife will experience local, rather than general, anesthesia when a cut in the head skin is made. The preparation included finding a suitable patient, who can use English to communicate with doctors during the procedure, as he or she might be uncooperative and hobble the process, He underlined. The person chosen, who underwent Mondays surgery, is a businessman whose brain tumor had not been excised as doctors feared adverse effects on his brain might pass unnoticed during a general anesthesia surgery. Prior to the operation, the Vietnamese patient was shown a YouTube video of an Indian man playing the guitar during a brain surgery, He said. And during his own surgery, the businessman was asked by doctors to sing so that they would know whether his speech brain function was damaged at all, he added. The patient was considered to be awake and in good condition an hour after the surgery, according to the doctor. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping exchanged their Lunar New Year greetings on Monday, consenting to further boost the two nations relationship in 2019. Society -- The cost for interprovincial shipping services of passenger bus lines in Ho Chi Minh City has skyrocketed due to rapidly rising demand ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on February 5, while competent authorities have yet to have any action to deal with the situation. -- Thousands of passengers had to wait for long hours at the Saigon Railway Station on Monday as many journeys were delayed after a train derailed in the south-central of Binh Thuan on early Sunday morning. -- The scaffolding at the construction of a church in the northern province of Vinh Phuc collapsed on Sunday evening, officers confirmed on Monday, adding that they are investigating the accident whose exact number of casualties is not available yet. -- The National Committee for Traffic Safety on Monday announced a total of 20 hotlines for citizens to report traffic situation during the Lunar New Year holiday. -- A 38-year-old woman drowned after losing her footing while she was releasing fish as part of a ritual on the Kitchen Gods Day along a riverbank in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday morning. -- Police in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum have arrested a 30-year-old suspect for assaulting a reporter of the Vietnam Television (VTV) at his home on Saturday. -- Officers are probing a case where a three-year-old boy died after playing at the playground of a kindergarten in the north-central province of Nghe An on Monday afternoon. -- A 44-year-old man in Nam Dan District, Nghe An Province has been apprehended for posing as a journalist and blackmailing a local business. -- N.M.L., deputy head of the management board of Thu Thiem New Urban Area in Ho Chi Minh City, was found dead on Monday after allegedly falling from the ninth floor of the boards headquarters. One of L.s colleagues said L. was showing signs of depression and previously wanted to resign. Lifestyle -- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee confirmed on Monday that firework displays will be carried out at eight locations on Lunar New Years Eve (February 1), including two high-range pyrotechnic shows at the Saigon River (Thu Thiem) Tunnel in District 2 and Landmark 81 Tower in Binh Thanh District. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The 70th Republic Day of India was celebrated by the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday, with a flag-hoisting ceremony and a reception included. In the morning, a flag-hoisting and cultural function was held at the premises of the consulate at Orchid Villa 14, An Phu Superior Villa Compound, District 2, which was attended by hundreds of Indian nationals and Indophiles, the diplomatic agency said Monday in a press release. Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City Dr. K Srikar Reddy hoisted the Indian flag, then reading the message of President of India Ram Nath Kovind, all followed by other cultural events. A National Day Reception was held by the Consulate General of India at the Rex Hotel in District 1 on the same day. Le Thanh Liem, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, speaks at an event to celebrate the 70th Republic Day of India at Rex Hotel in District 1 on January 16, 2019. Photo: Consulate General of India The event was graced by Le Thanh Liem, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee; Huynh Thanh Lap, chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association; members of the diplomatic corps; and other distinguished guests representing Vietnamese government departments in the southern Vietnam, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Indian businesses. Vice-chairman Liem congratulated the government and people of India while praising Indian contributions to human civilization, with its history of 6,000 years and an economy ranking sixth in the world. Consul General of India Dr. K Srikar Reddy speaks before delegates at an event to celebrate the 70th Republic Day of India at the premises of the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on January 26, 2019. Photo: Consulate General of India India-Vietnam ties have been prospering with regular exchanges of high-level visits. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited India in January 2018. Late Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang paid a visit to India in March 2018 and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind visited Vietnam in November 2018. Trade between Vietnam and India reached nearly US$13 billion in 2018 and is expected to top $15 billion by 2020. Ho Chi Minh City and India logged $1.5billion in bilateral trade last year, an 11 percent year-on-year rise. Delegates clap their hands during an event to celebrate the 70th Republic Day of India in Ho Chi Minh City on January 26, 2019. Photo: Consulate General of India Consul General Dr. Reddy congratulated the dynamic leadership of Ho Chi Minh City for guiding the southern hub through its development as the economic engine of Vietnam, and thanked them for the cooperation with Indian businesses and social activities. The number of Indian visitors to Ho Chi Minh City was more than 103,000 in 2018, an increase of about 81 percent over 2017. The Indian economic reforms over the last few years have seen India rise in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business rankings from 130 in 2016 to 77 in 2018. While a World Bank report released this month has predicted Indias GDP growth rate to be 7.3 percent during 2018-19, Indian companies have invested about $880 million in Vietnam, with the amount hitting $1.6 billion when Indian investments routed through third countries are also included. Vietnam is a strong pillar of Indias Act East Policy as the twos bilateral ties are based on strong mutual trust and understanding, backed by their convergence of views on regional and international issues. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! WASHINGTON -- The United States on Monday announced criminal charges against Chinas Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, escalating a fight with the worlds biggest telecommunications equipment maker and coming days before trade talks between Washington and Beijing. The Justice Department charged Huawei and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran by doing business with Tehran through a subsidiary it tried to hide and that was reported on by Reuters in 2012 and 2013. In a separate case, the Justice Department said Huawei stole robotic technology from T-Mobile US Inc. Huawei has said the two companies settled their disputes in 2017. Meng, the daughter of Huaweis founder, was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 1. China subsequently arrested two Canadians on national security grounds. Meng, who has been on monitored bail, is set to appear in a Canadian court on Tuesday to discuss changes to her bail terms, according to British Columbia Supreme Court schedules. Canadian public broadcaster CBC on Tuesday said Canada has received a formal extradition request, citing Canadas Justice Department. Chinas Foreign Ministry expressed grave concern about the charges and urged the United States drop the arrest warrant and end unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies. Huawei did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the charges are wholly separate from the trade negotiations. Yet the development is likely to upset high-level talks between Beijing and Washington this week as part of negotiations intended to walk back trade tensions between the globes two largest economies. According to Canadas legal procedures, its Justice Minister will have 30 days from receipt of the extradition request to decide whether to issue an authority to proceed. If he grants it, Mengs case would be sent to the British Columbia Supreme Court for an extradition hearing, which could take weeks or months. U.S. authorities accuse Meng of playing a lead role in the scheme to use a subsidiary to conduct business in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions against Tehran. Meng has said she is innocent. Huawei troubles Huawei, whose equipment includes base stations, switches and routers, derives nearly half of its total revenue outside China. However, the Trump administration is trying to prevent American companies from buying Huawei gear and pressing allies to do the same. U.S. security experts are concerned the equipment could be used to spy on the United States. Its founder, Ren Zhengfei, denies Huaweis products would be used by the Chinese government to spy. News of the charges against Huawei and Meng marks a serious blow to the companys global ambitions. It has been battling against piling security concerns as Western governments including Australia and New Zealand followed the U.S. lead in restricting its market access over the past year. Huawei is the worlds leading provider of 5G technology. It has said it has won 30 5G contracts globally - more than any of its competitors - including 18 in Europe, three in Asia-Pacific and nine in the Middle East. It is unclear how the U.S. charges would impact Huaweis business. Chinese peer ZTE Corp, which was similarly charged, was slapped with a devastating supply chain ban last year that prevented it from buying essential components from U.S. companies. ZTE only resumed normal business after paying up to $1.4 billion in fines and replacing its entire board, on top of a near $900 million penalty paid in 2017. China tensions President Donald Trump said in December he could intervene in Mengs case if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said the alleged criminal activity at Huawei "goes back at least 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. The charges against Meng and Huawei cite stories from Reuters in 2012 and 2013 that said Huawei's Skycom unit had sought to sell goods to Iran in violation of U.S. law. The indictment noted that the denials from Huawei in the stories were relied upon by financial institutions in determining whether to continue their banking relationships with Huawei and its subsidiaries. Also according to the indictment, in July 2007, the FBI interviewed Huawei founder Ren and U.S. authorities said he falsely told them Huawei did not violate U.S. export laws. In August 2013, Meng met with an executive from one bank, which is not identified in the indictment. Sources said the bank is HSBC Holdings PLC, which paid $1.92 billion in 2012 for violating U.S. anti-money-laundering and sanctions laws. During the meeting, Meng used a PowerPoint presentation that misrepresented Huawei operations in Iran and ownership and control of Skycom, according to the indictment. If the banks knew about Huaweis violations of Iranian sanctions, they would have reevaluated their banking relationships with Huawei, which included U.S. dollar and euro clearing. The Justice Department has confirmed that HSBC is not under investigation in this case, HSBC said in a statement last month. FBI Director Christopher Wray said the Huawei cases, which were filed in New York and Washington state, expose Huaweis brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace. He also said he is concerned about Huawei devices in U.S. telecommunications networks. That kind of access could give a foreign government the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information, conduct undetected espionage, or exert pressure or control. A new telescope will take a sequence of hi-res snapshots with the world's largest digital camera, covering the entire visible night sky every few days -- and repeating the process for an entire decade. That presents a big data challenge: What's the best way to rapidly and automatically identify and categorize all of the stars, galaxies, and other objects captured in these images? To help solve this problem, the scientific collaboration that is working on this Large Synoptic Survey Telescope project launched a competition among data scientists to train computers on how to best perform this task. The Photometric LSST Astronomical Time-Series Classification Challenge (PLAsTiCC), hosted on the Kaggle.com platform, provided a simulated data set for 3 million objects and tasked participants with identifying which of 15 classifications was the best fit for each object. Kyle Boone, a UC Berkeley graduate student who has been working on computer algorithms in support of the Nearby Supernova Factory experiment and Supernova Cosmology Project efforts at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), devoted some of his spare time to the international machine-learning challenge in late 2018 while also working toward his Ph.D. "As I worked on job applications I started playing around with this competition to teach myself more about machine learning." Boone said. Participants could submit their codes up to five times per day to check their performance on a leaderboard for 1 million objects in the test set. The competition ran from Sept. 28, 2018, to Dec. 17, 2018, and Boone was up against 1,383 other competitors on 1,093 teams. "During the last few weeks I worked really hard on it," he said, devoting all of his evenings and weekends to intense coding. "My results started to become competitive, and I rushed to implement all of the different ideas that I was coming up with. It was fun, and several teams were neck and neck until the end. I learned a lot about how to tune machine-learning algorithms. There are a lot of little 'knobs' you can tweak to get that extra 1 percent performance." While giving a science talk on the final day of the competition, he received a text from his fiancee. "She messaged me and said, 'Congratulations.' That was pretty exciting," Boone said. He won $12,000 for his first-place finish, and is now participating in a second phase of the competition that is more open-ended and is driving toward more applicable solutions in categorizing the objects that LSST will see -- the deadline for this latest round is Jan. 15. Renee Hlozek, as assistant professor of astrophysics at the University of Toronto in Canada who led the Kaggle challenge, said, "It is really refreshing to see how combinations of approaches lead to really innovative and novel solutions." She added, "We have big plans for the next iterations of PLAsTiCC, since there are many ways in which the real LSST data will be even more challenging than our current simulations." She noted that PLAsTiCC was created through a collaboration between two science groups working on LSST: the Transient and Variable Stars Collaboration (TVS) and the Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC). Gautham Narayan, a Lasker Data Science Fellow at the Space Telescope Science Institute who is a member of TVS and DESC and served as a host for the LSST Kaggle competition, noted that the solutions submitted by PLAsTiCC competitors all had different strengths and weaknesses. "We're looking at their submissions to see if we can do even better," he said. It may be possible to mix and match the different solutions to develop an improved code, he said. "We're really delighted with how it went." He added, "Machine learning is advancing so fast. The numbers are staggering to behold." Boone said, "The competition really motivated people to think outside the box and come up with new ideas. There were a lot of very interesting ideas that I don't think have ever been tried before. I think that combining all of the best models is going to give a huge boost and be very useful for LSST." In his work at Berkeley Lab, Boone analyzes data taken from telescopes to understand all of the properties of Type Ia supernovae, and develops new models that can provide accurate distance measurements even for distant supernovae. Type Ia supernovae are used as so-called "standard candles" for measuring distances in the universe based on their luminosity, but these measurements can be affected by the size of the galaxy they reside in. Boone said he hopes to apply his programming work for the LSST competition to his work at Berkeley Lab. "It's very relevant to my own research," he said, adding that he plans to prepare a scientific paper based on the machine-learning code he wrote for the competition. In Boone's approach to the LSST Kaggle competition, he started out by developing a code that was specialized for identifying supernovae. And he applied a popular statistical technique called Gaussian processes. "Gaussian processes are basically a way to turn a whole bunch of noisy data points, taken at random points in time, into a smooth curve," he explained, so the data points are represented by curved graphs that provide clues about the object types. Real data, unlike the test data set used for the competition, can be messier, Boone noted, as it can be affected by noise from a variety of sources. "Machine-learning algorithms oftentimes don't take noise into account. That's a big challenge," he said. New experiments such as LSST, which will regularly generate streams of data measured in terabytes and petabytes, will likely lean heavily on machine-learning algorithms just because researchers can't possibly keep up with the incredible volume of information. "You can't have people at every step of the process and we need to automate everything that we can," he said. Hlozek said she looks forward to sharing the results from the Kaggle competition more broadly with the scientific community, "and to keep testing them on the data going forward." Reference: "PLAsTiCC Astronomical Classification: Can You Help Make Sense of the Universe?" [https://www.kaggle.com/c/PLAsTiCC-2018]. PLAsTiCC is supported by a Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Corporation Grant Award and administered by the University of Toronto. The LSST project is supported by the Department of Energy's Office of High Energy Physics, the National Science Foundation, and private funding raised by the LSST Corporation. The NSF-funded LSST Project Office for construction was established as an operating center under management of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. The competition prizes were paid for by Kaggle Inc. 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 http://science.energy.gov. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. A number of Vietnamese students have jointly created an open resource with diverse materials intended to ambitiously bring about positive social change in the community. The students, all following the IPL Enlightened Leadership Program a course with a full-tuition scholarship provided by non-profit liberal-education school OpenEdu Initiative, are planning these days to unveil a website with all their materials in mid-February. The site, Cong Tri Thuc (Knowledge Hub), was their graduation project at the Vietnam-based education institution. In four groups of five or six people, the students were required to collect and translate at least 75 college lectures, 75 pieces of writing, 20 books and ten movies, with all the materials being about how to properly be a human, citizen, worker and leader. This means each member averagely handled 30 items in three months. The students had to ensure they made no copyright infringement and the materials were reliable and legally recognized. One of the groups has been able to build a network of 20 contributors willing to do translation and subtitling. Le Nguyen Tran Huynh, one of the students, said the group members divided the work amongst themselves not by material type but by topic. Another member, Van Thi Ngoc Dung, who is a consultant at Deloitte Southeast Asia, said her group decided from the outset that the website they were building should be useful to the community. The Cong Tri Thuc website is expected to provide to the public materials that the students had found and translated, including subtitled videos and articles. Dung said the challenge from the project was great as the students, all under 30, were doing jobs at their companies. She spent two of the three months given traveling abroad on business trips but usually managed to fly back to Vietnam over the weekend to join the other members for group discussions. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Around 103,000 Indian visitors spent their holidays in Ho Chi Minh City in 2018, an 81-percent year-on-year increase, the Consulate General of India in the southern metropolis said at a ceremony celebrating the 70th Republic Day of India on Saturday. With the healthy growing rate, India continued to be among the top 15 markets having the largest number of tourists to Ho Chi Minh City. According to travel companies, around 22 million Indian people make overseas holidays every year and the figure is likely to spike in the upcoming years, given Indias fast-growing economy, which grew 7.3 percent in 2018, and an increased income among its people. Indias Ministry of Tourism forecasts that there will be about 50 million Indian tourists to other countries by 2020. Indian tourists are also the generous spenders worldwide, second only to Chinese holidaymakers. Statistics showed that Indian tourists spent more than US$13 billion a year, with their budgets for overseas holidays getting bigger. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Indian visitors appear to enjoy the culture and shopping activities in the city, with fabrics and handiwork being the top favorite items by Indian holidaymakers. However, they are also picky when it comes to cuisine due to their cultural specificity. Therefore, the municipal tourism department is paying more attention to the development of Indian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City to create more favorable conditions for visitors from the South Asian country. The rapid growth of Indian arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City also comes from the countrys foreign investment flows into Vietnam. Last year, Indian companies invested more than $880 million in the Southeast Asian country. Ho Chi Minh City had a bilateral trade of $1.5 billion with India in 2018, an 11 percent year-on-year increase, said Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! #ThisIsTucson is member-supported. Your contribution helps our five-woman team bring you stories that keep you connected to the community. Become a member today. OPINION: "I am disheartened by our current administrations pattern of blanket giveaways, as opposed to judiciously allocating the funds to where they are most needed," writes Tucsonan John Newport. OPINION: "Our technology allowed us to connect throughout social distancing and quarantines. But it is unlikely that we will ever move past the need for physical gatherings," writes archaeologist Jessica MacLellan. We hope you have enjoyed your complimentary access for the month. To continue viewing content on tucson.com, please sign in with your existing account or subscribe. Is it just me or does anyone else think its hilarious that the Arizona Corporation Commission recently agreed our state would be ready to con The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, in conjunction with the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy (IfA), is releasing the second edition of data from Pan-STARRS -- the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System -- the world's largest digital sky survey. This second release contains over 1.6 petabytes of data (a petabyte is 10^15 bytes, or 1 million gigabytes), making it the largest volume of astronomical information ever released. The amount of imaging data is equivalent to 2 billion selfies, or 30,000 times the total text content of Wikipedia. The catalog data is 15 times the volume of the Library of Congress. The Pan-STARRS observatory consists of a 1.8-meter telescope equipped with a 1.4-billion-pixel digital camera, located at the summit of Haleakala, on Maui. Conceived and developed by the IfA, it embarked on a digital survey of the sky in visible and near-infrared light in May 2010. Pan-STARRS was the first survey to observe the entire sky visible from Hawaii multiple times in many colors of light. One of the survey's goals was to identify moving, transient, and variable objects, including asteroids that could potentially threaten Earth. The survey took approximately four years to complete, scanning the sky 12 times in five filters. This second data release provides, for the first time, access to all of the individual exposures at each epoch of time. This will allow astronomers and public users of the archive to search the full survey for high-energy explosive events in the cosmos, discover moving objects in our own solar system, and explore the time domain of the universe. Dr. Heather Flewelling, a researcher at the Institute for Astronomy in Hawaii, and a key designer of the PS1 database, stated that "Pan-STARRS DR2 represents a vast quantity of astronomical data, with many great discoveries already unveiled. These discoveries just barely scratch the surface of what is possible, however, and the astronomy community will now be able to dig deep, mine the data, and find the astronomical treasures within that we have not even begun to imagine." "We put the universe in a box and everyone can take a peek," said database engineer Conrad Holmberg. The four years of data comprise 3 billion separate sources, including stars, galaxies, and various other objects. This research program was undertaken by the PS1 Science Consortium -- a collaboration among 10 research institutions in four countries, with support from NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Consortium observations for the sky survey were completed in April 2014. The initial Pan-STARRS public data release occurred in December 2016, but included only the combined data and not the individual exposures at each epoch of time. "The Pan-STARRS1 Surveys allows anyone access to millions of images and catalogs containing precision measurements of billions of stars, galaxies, and moving objects," said Dr. Ken Chambers, Director of the Pan-STARRS Observatories. "While searching for near-Earth objects, Pan-STARRS has made many discoveries from 'Oumuamua passing through our solar system to lonely planets between the stars; it has mapped the dust in three dimensions in our galaxy and found new streams of stars; and it has found new kinds of exploding stars and distant quasars in the early universe. We hope people will discover all kinds of things we missed in this incredibly large and rich dataset." The Space Telescope Science Institute hosts the storage hardware, the computers that handle the database queries, and the user-friendly interfaces to access the data. The survey data resides in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) [http://archive.stsci.edu], which serves as NASA's repository for all of its optical and ultraviolet-light observations, some of which date to the early 1970s. It includes all of the observational data from such space astrophysics missions as Hubble, Kepler, GALEX, and a wide variety of other telescopes, as well as several all-sky surveys. Pan-STARRS marks the nineteenth mission to be archived in MAST. The Pan-STARRS1 Surveys and its science archive have been made possible through contributions by the Institute for Astronomy, the University of Hawaii, the Pan-STARRS Project Office, the Max-Planck Society and its participating institutes, the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Garching, the Johns Hopkins University, Durham University, the University of Edinburgh, the Queen's University Belfast, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian (CfA), the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network Incorporated, the National Central University of Taiwan, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant No. NNX08AR22G issued through the Planetary Science Division of the NASA Science Mission Directorate, the National Science Foundation Grant No. AST-1238877, the University of Maryland, Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. WASHINGTON The U.S. will be sending "several thousand" more American troops to the southern border to provide additional support to Homeland Security, Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan says. The troops will mainly be used to install additional wire barriers and provide increased surveillance of the area, he says. Plans call for about 150 more miles of concertina wire. The Pentagon has approved an extended U.S. deployment to the border through the end of September. Officials have been working out how many forces are needed and which ones should be tapped. Members of Congress pressed Pentagon leaders during a Capitol Hill hearing to better explain the deployment and what missions are suffering because troops are at the border. There are about 2,400 U.S. forces working on the border mission. An Associated Press investigation has found that at least 1,900 U.S. military firearms were lost or stolen during the 2010s. Civilians later u Get excited, Tucson. Reid Park Zoo is getting another new animal soon. In addition to the new squirrel monkey exhibit slated to open this spring, the zoo is also welcoming an Andean bear named Oja. Oja, who will be five years old in a few weeks, was born at the Zurich Zoo. According to a press release from the zoo, Oja is inquisitive, bold and has a love for peanuts, raisins and strawberries. "Oja is an easy going and incredibly smart bear," Reid Park Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Alexis Moreno said in the press release. "She has adjusted really well and is enjoying the enrichment the Animal Care Team has provided for her behind the scenes in the Animal Health Center." But if you're excited to meet Oja, you'll have to wait a few more weeks, as she adapts to her new home and bonds with the animal care team. She should be in her habitat and ready for the public in March. Oja joins Reid Park Zoo's male Andean bear, Worf. The two haven't yet met but will meet soon after she completes her health screening. "Since Oja was born in Switzerland, her genes are not well represented in the United States," the press release says. "This ultimately will help with conservation of the species in human care." Contact reporter Gloria Knott at gknott@tucson.com or 573-4235. On Twitter: @gloriaeknott Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Note: Before the Family History Expo in November, The Star asked readers to submit family names to see what could be found on newspapers.com. There were many submissions, so we spent 30 minutes on some of them to see what we could find and will present several in the coming months. Estella Levys family has been in Arizona since 1909. She said her mothers full name is Maria Catalina Figueroa, but she went by Catalina Figueroa, later Cavaletto. Her parents were Francisco F. Figueroa and Jesusita Del La Villegas. Levys fathers name is Angelo C. Cavaletto and his parents were Giuseppe A. Cavaletto and Maria Trejo. This is what we learned from birth announcements and funeral notices in a half hour of searching on newspapers.com: Levys parents had a daughter Oct. 19, 1944, at St. Marys Hospital. Catalina Cavalettos obituary names four children, three of them daughters. We know this wasnt Levys sister Patricia, because her obituary gives a different birth date, so it was either Estella or Angelina. This good work for refugees could not have happened until we vacated the property, Ridley said. Over the years, we sometimes gave shelter to a few individuals or a family from Central America but could not do anything of this scale. The families are fleeing due to extreme poverty, gang and domestic violence, droughts exacerbated by climate change, among other reasons mostly a combination of the above. Carrillo had her own business but still couldnt make ends meet with all the crime and extortion, she said. The most difficult part was to leave behind her 5-year-old daughter, she said crying. Shes still too little to understand whats happening, but she told her she had to leave for a little bit. If she didnt have to, she said, she wouldnt have left. Everything you have is over there, your family, your friends, here I dont know anyone, she said. What would help? More employment opportunities and help from the government to fight against criminals, she said. Ward 6 Councilman Steve Kozachik, who represents the monasterys neighborhood, has been working to quell concerns that the monastery is housing illegal immigrants. But Bolding was outmaneuvered in his call for an immediate vote by House Majority Leader Warren Petersen who used a procedural maneuver to instead have the House recess. The Gilbert Republican said he wanted the opportunity to discuss Boldings proposal and the allegations against Stringer with fellow members of the party, which controls the House 31 to 29 Democrats, before proceeding. But Petersen made it clear that a vote to expel is premature. We have a process, a process that Im sure everybody in this room would like to be treated the same way with, he said. And that, Petersen said, would be to allow the Ethics Committee to consider the complaint filed Monday against Stringer by Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa. She acknowledged that voters in Stringers legislative district in the Prescott area did re-elect him last year after his first comments about race and immigration came out. But Townsend said the new disclosures, all after the election, require a full investigation to determine if his conduct merits expulsion. Townsend said the Ethics Committee is empowered to investigate not just violations of any rules or laws but also any conduct that disrupts the orderly business of this institution. And that, she said, includes anything that adversely reflects upon the House. Jendusa said he worked with Yates in the program from August through November 2015, at which point Yates was considered restored to competency, dependent on medication. Jendusa continued to follow Yates case for the next year, while he was in jail awaiting trial on a case that would ultimately result in an acquittal. Jendusa said he began seeing Yates again on Dec. 14 and has met with him every two weeks since then. During their initial visit, Yates agreed to take the same antipsychotic he took in 2015, called Seroquel, but wanted the right to refuse on occasion. Jendusa agreed, Yates took the first dose and has refused medication ever since. In court and in meetings with Jendusa, Yates has claimed that his food at water at the jail are being poisoned. He has since told Jendusa that he refused the medication because he believes its also being poisoned. Jendusa said he would ideally like to try Yates on the same Seroquel regimen as was used in 2015, but asked Fell for the flexibility to try different medications should the Seroquel not be effective or if Yates continue to refuse it. Several injectible antipsychotics, along with their potential side effects and adverse reactions, were discussed during the hearing as potential alternatives. A pair of south side Carl's Jr. restaurants that closed in December are expected to reopen under new ownership late this week. StarCorp, the Tempe-based franchisee of at least two dozen Carl's Jr. and Hardee restaurants in the Phoenix area and nine in Tucson, are taking over the two restaurants: 1070 E. Ajo Way at South Park Avenue and 3289 E. Valencia Road near the Tucson International Airport. No details have been released about the previous franchise operator, who CBRE, the commercial real estate and investment firm, listed in a recent sales report as being the daughter of Carl's Jr. founder Carl Karcher. CBRE was involved in the $2 million sale last summer of the building where Carl's Jr. has stood 33 years on the corner of West Ajo and South Park. 19 restaurants that closed in 2018: Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com or 573-4642. On Twitter @Starburch Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Firearms; Col. Jeff Cooper's Rules 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 4. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it. Knives 1. Never cut toward yourself. 2. Always cut away from youself. 3. Never cut yourself. AND If you drop a knife or gun, let it fall! Chainsaws 1. Always wear your safety gear when running your saw: hard hat, eye, face, hearing protection, cut resistant protection for your legs, heavy boots, gloves (depending on work conditions). 2. Safety devices on the saw must be in working order: front hand guard,chain brake, chain catcher, throttle lockout, and right hand guard. 3. Hold the saw on the ground or lock it between your knees for starting. No 'Drop Starts.' Set the chain brake before cranking. 4. The engine must idle reliably without turning the chain. 5. The chain must be sharpened properly, including properly set depth gauges. 6. The chain must be adjusted to remove slack and still run freely. 7. The operator must understand the forces on different parts of the bar as the saw runs: push, pull, kickback and attack. 8. Both hands must always be on the saw when the chain is running. The thumbs must be wrapped around the handles. Both feet should be firmly planted on the ground. 9. The operator must always know where the end of the bar is, and what it's doing. 10. Don't let the upper (kickback) corner of the bar contact anything when the chain is running unless the tip has been buried with the lower corner. 11. Let off of the throttle before pulling out of a pinch on the top part of the bar. 12. Make a plan for every tree you cut. Assess hazards, lean, escape routes, forward cuts, and back cuts. Evaluate the forward or backward lean, and the side lean of every tree you cut. Know your limits. 13. Clear your work area and your escape path of brush, vines, and other hazards that can trip you or catch your saw. 14. Escape from the bullseye when the tree tips. 90% of accidents happen within 12 feet of the stump. Go more than 15 feet, and stay out of the bullseye until things stop falling. 15. Keep spectators away more than twice the height of the tree in the direction it will fall. 16. Don't cut alone. 17. Keep your body and the swamper's out of the line of the bar in case of a kickback. 18. Set the brake when taking over two steps or when moving through tripping hazards. Keep your trigger finger off of the throttle when you are moving. 19. DO NOT operate a chainsaw from a ladder! Operating with your feet off the ground requires special training. 20. Do not cut above your shoulders. 21. Springpoles must be shaved on the inside of the apex between the ascending and descending sides. If the apex is higher than you shoulders, stand under the springpole and cut it low on the descending side. It will release upward, away from you.Leaning and heavily loaded poles that are too small to bore cut for a hinge should be shaved on the compressed side until they fold. 22. Do not cut a tree that is holding up a lodged tree. Do not work under a lodged tree. Think about a mouse trying to steal the cheese out of a trap. 23. Instruct your swampers and helpers to NEVER approach you from behind or the sides to within the reach of your saw when you are cutting. If you pull out of a cut with the chain running, or have a severe kickback, the swamper can be killed if he is coming up behind you! 24!! Quit When You Are Tired! Teton County, which has very little developable space in a breathtaking natural setting, is in extremely high demand, making even incentivized construction prohibitively expensive. Newcomb recalled an instance several years ago where a developer was looking to build on land leading to Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort, offering a sum of $16 million for 21 acres. This, Newcomb said, would have furnished just 69 houses to the countys housing supply, which had to be priced at points where a developer could make a profit. At the going Teton County rate of $450/sq ft for construction, you can see how the math doesnt add up for anything close to affordability, he wrote. Newcomb opined that a bill like HB-277 -- as well as other bills to target Teton County this session -- serve only to undermine local control, and dont reflect what communities need to address conditions on the ground. Ive been impressed by county commissioners from across the state and their commitment to fundamental Wyoming values and ethics around local control, he wrote. They are smart folks and dedicated public servants deeply committed to the citizens on their communities. These state legislators behind these bills that strip local control display a shallow and unsophisticated level of thinking not well grounded in economic principles and realities. I honestly think they are better than that, but they are being swayed by the rhetoric of special interests. Definitely not politics at its best. Follow politics reporter Nick Reynolds on Twitter @IAmNickReynolds Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. This is a bill that saves lives and keeps people from getting cancer, and each year we dont pass it is another year that additional folks are getting diagnosed, he said. Its difficult when we arent taking control of our tobacco use rates in Wyoming. Mincer told the Star-Tribune last week that he was confident in the bills success, saying it had a better chance passing than any similar bills in 10 years. The reason we like tobacco taxes so much is its one of two proven ways we can reduce tobacco usage, he said Thursday. Sticker shock at register or limit where folks can smoke via smoke-free laws. While the committee may have found the $1 increase too hefty, Mincer said the figure was intentional and pivotal. It is really important that the amount of the tax increase remains at a dollar, he said last week. We have lots of data showing that tax increases of less than a dollar, the tobacco industry will come in and offer coupons, lower wholesale prices. Consumers wont see that sticker shock. In order for those health gains to be shown, you have to have that dollar increase. A family of five including 2-year-old twins and a newborn infant were rescued unhurt Monday after the airplane they were traveling in ran out of fuel and landed a few miles from the Rock Springs airport. The plane a single-engine Piper Archer was piloted by a man flying from Wayne, Nebraska, to his home in Utah with his wife, twins and 2-week-old infant child, according to the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office. While flying into Rawlins, the plane encountered an unexpected strong headwind, and the pilot realized he would run out of fuel before reaching the Rock Springs airport. At 5:30 Monday night, the planes engine began to sputter and died while flying at around 8,500 feet, according to the sheriffs office. The pilot was able to land the craft in a snow-covered field, leaving all of the occupants unharmed and the craft undamaged. Still, winter conditions and frigid temperatures, with an estimated wind chill well below zero, left the family cold and stranded with the aircraft in a remote desert area with no apparent means to escape, according to the sheriffs office press release. Sweetwater County sheriffs deputies located the downed plane using GPS coordinates but determined it would take hours to reach the family using tracked vehicles, according to the release. Instead, first responders were able to call in a nearby life flight helicopter. At 8:45 p.m., the family was picked up and taken to the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. Follow education reporter Seth Klamann on Twitter @SethKlamann Love 28 Funny 3 Wow 9 Sad 3 Angry 6 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Wyoming chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, though not endorsing the bill, said they supported the intent of the bill in rectifying requirements for voter registration with what is required to vote, and supported visiting the topic in the interim. Those speaking in favor of the bill, however, stated that voter fraud was possible in Wyoming. One individual said that on one occasion, he was denied the right to vote because his son who lived in the same precinct and had a similar name had already voted before him. Another woman cited misleading statistics that have circulated in conservative media circles and been spread by President Donald Trump on Twitter of illegal immigrants voting in Texas, which the states election division has quietly been walking back in recent days. Gray, responding to questions of whether or not voter fraud was even an issue in Wyoming, said it was a circular argument, and there was no other way to verify the integrity of the states elections. If you dont have voter ID, how are you going to know its occurring? he asked. The oil industry is crucial to my people, said Rep. Andi Clifford, D-Riverton, who is a member of the Northern Arapaho tribe. We have oil royalties we depend on. But with our cultural beliefs, we respect land, water, wildlife and our resources, and there always needs to be that balance. That is the critical infrastructure thats important to us. For those in opposition of the bill a group that largely consisted of private citizens, tribal members and environmental groups the narrative went beyond ones right to protest: It extended to their own rights as landowners. Many questioned what sorts of actions would qualify them as intentionally encumbering a critical infrastructure project. While some groups such as the Wyoming Stock Growers Association lauded the bills revision of language regarding private land owners, others disagreed. Monika Leininger, a community organizer for the Powder River Basin Resource Council, noted the bill contained vague language that she believed would be confusing to laypeople and would leave them unsure of their rights as private property owners. If its in the interest of the government to protect private companies, isnt it in our interest to protect ranchers and private landowners? she said. A Natrona County judge earlier this month decided not to allow jurors to view evidence that prosecutors say shows a man now facing charges related to a fatal 2017 wreck also drove off the road in 2015 and nearly hit another vehicle. Alexander Richardson, of Lusk, faces two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and a count of aggravated assault in the case, which stems from an Aug. 23, 2017, crash on Wyoming Highway 220 near Pathfinder Reservoir that killed a mother and her 3-year-old son. Aggravated vehicular homicide carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. Soon Young Lee, 46, and Jaehyeok Seo, 3, both of South Korea, died at the scene. Lees husband, Bong Joon Seo, also suffered injuries in the crash. Richardson has pleaded not guilty and the case is set to go to trial Monday. In a written Jan. 18 ruling, Judge Kerri Johnson wrote that the evidence of the prior crash could unfairly prejudice a jury against Richardson and make jurors think if the defendant did it once, he probably did it again. The judge wrote that the two wrecks were not similar enough to allow admission to the trial. The prior wreck was primarily a medically related issue, Johnson wrote. The Albany County sheriffs corporal who shot and killed a mentally ill man outside the mans apartment last year will return to work within weeks and take a new position as a detective, according to a news release from an advocacy group founded following the shooting. The release, provided Sunday night by Albany County for Proper Policing, states Sheriff Dave OMalley told the group last week Derek Colling will return to work as a detective. OMalley said he had no standing to dismiss Colling in part because a grand jury declined to indict Colling earlier this month, according to the release. OMalley decided to make Colling a detective because the high-profile nature of the shooting meant it would be better to have the corporal work in a plainclothes position, the release states OMalley said. The sheriff did not respond to a message left Monday afternoon seeking comment. In early November, Colling shot and killed Robbie Ramirez, 39, outside Ramirezs Laramie apartment. Colling was placed on administrative leave and earlier this month prosecutor Peggy Trent convened a grand jury, which declined to indict Colling. I dont see many residents using it, she said. ... Libraries are good and important, but these days we have Google and we have smartphones. Personally, I feel that we could probably use that space for something better. That said, McCarthy said the Council will follow the direction of the towns residents. We are going to try and keep it open doing our own thing, if thats what our residents want, she said. The Natrona County Library is struggling with budget cuts and understaffing, Lisa Scroggins, the executive director, said last month. She explained that the organization no longer has the resources to run the Mills location without assistance from Mills. Scroggins said she initially reached out to the Mills Town Council to see if they could work together to find a solution. But the director said the towns leaders didnt respond. Scroggins said Monday that the time for negotiating has passed. We gave ample time, she said, explaining that the board started reaching out to the towns leaders in July. The Natrona County Library has faced many challenges throughout the last few years. Last week, she painted at her usual spot for non-mural paintings, her dining room table near a large window in her central Casper home. These days, shes immersed in another meaningful project: illustrations for the book her partner Carrie wrote about a young witch and a broomstick race. Jessie Bell in the past created five different versions of the project in the past 15 years. Shes come back to her original ideas for the illustrations and is happy with how theyre coming out as she creates them in pen, ink and watercolor. I believe that if youre going to do anything that you should do it well, she said. And I think that craftsmanship a lot of times is more important necessarily than ability because I think that your ability grows when you put effort into something. And I dont really see any reason to do anything unless youre really going to do it all the way. The more you practice, the better you get anyway, and if youre going to do something, I think you should at least try to be the best at it, even if youre arent the best. IRS certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals through April 12 at the United Way offices, 350 Big Horn Road, behind True Companies off Poplar St. Volunteers will be able to help with 2018 tax returns only and do not do tax returns involving partnerships or corporations, self-employed persons, or rental properties. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Natrona County residents will be assisted on a first come first serve basis, no appointments will be scheduled. A full schedule of hours of operation along with a list of necessary paperwork required can be found at www.unitedwaync.com or United Way of Natrona County Facebook page. Questions can be directed to 333.6031. Parkinson's exercise Rocky Mountain Therapy is offering a Parkinson's exercise program on Tuesdays. The group meets Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 2546 East 2nd Street, Building #500. Death Valley, California Located in the Mojave Desert, Death Valley encompasses much of the Death Valley National Park. Although regarded as the driest and lowest place in North America, Death Valley offers a variety of outdoor activities, historic sites and nature viewing.From snow-capped mountains to colorful sand dunes, the unique desert landscapes of Death Valley are like no other place in California. Places of interests include the scenic vista of Zabriskie Point and historic sites like Scotty's Castle, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns and ruins of ghost towns.Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California. It is the lowest, driest, and hottest area in North America.Death Valley's Badwater Basin is the point of the lowest elevation in North America, at 282 feet below sea level. This point is (136.2 km) east-southeast of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States with an elevation of 14,505 feet. Death Valley's Furnace Creek holds the record for the highest reliably recorded air temperature in the world, (56.7 degree C) on July 10, 1913. This has been contested by other weather experts.Death Valley is one of the best geological examples of a basin and range configuration. It lies at the southern end of a geological trough known as Walker Lane, which runs north into Oregon.Death Valley has a subtropical, hot desert climate, with long, extremely hot summers and short, warm or mild winters as well as little rainfall. As a general rule, lower altitudes tend to have higher temperatures. When the sun heats the ground, that heat is then radiated upward, but the dense below-sea-level air acts as a blanket and reflects the heat back.In addition, the high valley walls trap rising hot air and recycle it back down to the valley floor, where it is heated by compression. This site focuses on Republican politicians and conservatives that rip off their constituency. We have the Tea Party, fundamentalist churches, the corruption of ALEC and other special interests groups. But the site also supports progressive Democrats and the local Democratic Socialist of America. We must have ideas on how to replace regressive and corrupt politicians with something better. For comments steveotto2001@yahoo.com or ottozero2001@yahoo.com. SUMMER SPECIAL!!! - Sign up at 20% OFF for Full Access to all of the online content and E-Editions on the www.thewordlink.com website here! (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) I have been conducting research on intellectual disability and care practices among families of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in Porto Alegre, Brazil, since 2014.1 Despite the many differences in family arrangements, class, race, and sociocultural background, most of my interlocutors share a common concern: Who will care for my child once I am no longer able to do so? As both mothers and children grow older, this concern becomes more urgent. This question speaks to what I call, drawing from Alison Kafers (2013) work, temporalities of disability, or the ways that experiences of disability affect oneis relationship with time. In considering the care practices of these mothers, I argue that their experiences are also helpfully approached in terms of what Annemarie Mol (2008) calls the logic of care, because we are talking of an open-ended, interactive, and situated practice that is moral. This practice involves crafting new ways of living. Such temporalities not only affect the daily care practices of my interlocutors and the ways in which they relate to concepts such as adulthood and old age, but also shape the ways they manage hope and attempt to manage the future. To understand how, consider my first encounter with Anna. I met Anna on a winter afternoon when I visited the school for adults with disabilities she had built from the ground up. A white middle-class widow, without any background in education, she decided to start a school for special children in her own garage forty-two years ago. Her aim was to guarantee that her son Paulo could have a place to learn, play and interact with other people, and to grant other people with disabilities the same opportunity. As soon as I met her, Anna took me on a tour of the school, a large property owned by her and her husband. Crossing a big backyard, there was a classroom where two men and a girltheir only students at that timeowere studying. At the other end, there was a big kitchen and a television room. In front of the house, by the door, her son was sitting in a wheelchair to grasp a patch of sun. He was accompanied by his paid caregiver, a tall black woman, one of the many professionals Anna hired as she became older.2 Paulo greeted me with a head gesture and I answered him in the same way. As we walked back inside the house, Anna cheerfully told me that Paulo was now sixty-two years old and very healthy. His health made her proud, as she had always been his main caregiver. We then took an elevator to the second floor, still under construction. There was the biggest part of her project: The Casa Lar (Group Home) she dreams of building for people with disabilities, after realizing there was no such place in her hometown. Only after she completed this task, she told me, could she die in peace. Anna said she was eighty-five years old. Being a widow for the past fourteen years, she had no fears except something happening to her before Paulo dies: I pray that, if anything, we both die together so he is not here without me to take care of him. That is why I dream of building the house, so he can stay here, have a good place, even after I die. She envisions a place for six adults to live and attend school at the same time. The living space would be on the upper floor, where there is a computer room, a music room, a living room and a gym space. The kitchen, the yard and the classroom would be downstairs, and for that reason she has put an elevator to help with mobility. There, they would be assisted by care-workers twenty-four hours a day. After forty years, the only thing left for her to build are the two bedroomsone for the men and one for the womenwhich are essential for the materialization of her plan. The experience of Anna and Paulo draws our attention to something I find central in the trajectories of other mothers with adult children with intellectual disability. When Anna and the women I encountered through my field work speak of the fear of death, they do not refer to an abstract concern. As the main caregivers of their intellectually disabled children, they have come to think of their own lives as intrinsically intertwined with those of their sons and daughters. Their deaths, in that sense, would mean the abandonment of those they care for. This is a common concern among most mothers of young children with intellectual disability, and it can become a never-ending fear which worsens as both they and their children age. I argue that this fear of dying and aging is connected to how we understand disability in the present since, as stated by Kafer (2013, 19), it determines how one imagines disability in the future. In a world where able-mindedness and able-bodiedness are the norm, disability can only be represented as something to be avoided at any cost, as is the task of caring for those often considered to be most dependent. The Brazilian state has never effectively taken responsibility for dependent family members. Caring for people with intellectual disability was alwaysoand indeed still isoperceived as a family responsibility (Fonseca and Fietz 2018).3 Since the work of care is mainly undertaken by women, it is ultimately the motheris responsibility to provide ongoing, quality care for their offspring until they are able to fend for themselves, regardless of whether they have state support or not. As mothers of adults, my interlocutors faced a near-total lack of public services or support for their children as they grew-up. Their task of preparing their sons and daughters for the world, while also trying to shape a world that would accept them, to use Kittays terms (2010), was strenuous. They had to locate the scarce available services either through governmental channels or networks of knowledge built through other parents and professionals. In this sense, the work of caring depended on creating the means to do so. In fact, many of the institutions that provide activities and services for people with intellectual disabilities in Brazil were founded by parents as early as in the 1950s. The work of engaged families, in alliance with professionals and activists, has been slowly changing the narratives of disability and the landscape of public policies in Brazil, especially since the early 2000s. This change is shaped both by what is considered the private realm of domestic life and by the public debates on the matter (Rapp and Ginsburg 2001). In recent years the number of parents interested in assisted living alternatives has increased. Like Anna, many of them work towards building homes from the ground, in processes similar to what James Holston (1991), referring to the building of houses in the outskirts of Brazilian cities in the late 1980s, called autoconstruction. Regarding the specificities of each context, much like the working-class families Holston observed, these parents perceive the new living arrangements as a way to change the present conditions of their childrens life while also addressing past experiences and imagined futures. This is an endeavor through which they reshape many of their own assumptions about what it is to be well-cared for and to live a life to its fullest, challenging the notion that no one can provide better care than the family. It is also a work of destigmatizing alternative living arrangementsoften perceived as abandonmentand of committing to new possible futures. With this complex autoconstructive work, Anna aims to produce new ways for adults with intellectual disabilities to inhabit a world that is not yet prepared for diverse modes of being. This task is motivated by her fear of aging and dying before envisioning alternative networks of care for her son. In that sense, reimaging living arrangements for adult children becomes a practice of hope, or the work of actively creating spaces, building networks and pursuing acceptance (Mattingly 2015). As a work of care, this autoconstruction is a continuous, specific and manageable process that is done in practice. Within all the contradictions that the work of care entails, mothers like Anna share the hope that the world can be a less hostile place for them and their children. References Aydos, Valeria. 2016. Agencia e subjetivacao na gestao de pessoas com deficiencia: a inclusao no mercado de trabalho de um jovem diagnosticado com autismo. Horizontes Antropologicos, no 46, ano 22 (jul/dez): 329-358. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-71832016000200012 Block, Pamela. 2007. Institutional Utopias, Eugenics, and Intellectual Disability in Brazil. History and Anthropology. 18(2):177-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/02757200701702851 Engel, Cintia and Bruna C. J. Pereira. 2015. Organizacao social do trabalho domestico e de cuidado: consideracoes sobre genero e raca. Revista Punto Genero n.5:4-24 https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-0417.2015.37658 Fonseca, Claudia and Helena Fietz. 2018 Collectives of Care in the Relations Surrounding People with head troubles: Family, Community and Gender in a Working-Class Neighborhood of Southern Brazil. Sociologia & Antropologia, Rio de Janeiro, v. 08 (01): 223-243. https://doi.org/10.1590/2238-38752017v818 Gaverio, Marco. 2017. Nada sobre Nos, sem nossos corpos!: O local do corpo deficiente nos Disability Studies. Revista Argumentos v.14, n.1:95-117. Holston, James. 1991. Autoconstruction in Working-Class Brazil. Cultural Anthropology, no 6:447-465. Lopes, Pedro. 2014. Negociando Deficiencias: identidades e subjetividades entre pessoas com deficiencia intelectual. Ms Thesis , Universidade de Sao Paulo. Kittay, Eva F. 2010. The Personal Is Philosophical Is Political: A Philosopher and Mother of a Cognitively Disabled Person Sends Notes from the Battlefield. In Cognitive Disability and Its Challenge to Moral Philosophy by Eva F. Kittay and Licia Carlson, 393-413. Chischester: Wiley-Blackwell. Kaffer, Alison. 2013 Feminist, Queer, Crip. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. Mattingly, C. 2010. The Paradox of Hope: Journeys Through a Clinical Borderland. Berkeley: University of California Press. Mello Anahi G. de, Pamela Block, and Adriano H. Nuernberg. 2016 Occupying Disability Studies in Brazil. In Occupying Disability: Critical Approaches to Community, Justice, and Decolonizing Disability by Pamela Block , Devva Kasnitz , Akemi Nishida, and Nick Pollard. Springer:Dordrecht. Mol, Annemarie. 2008. The Logic of Care. New York: Routledge. Rapp, Rayna and Faye Ginsburg. 2001. Enabling Disability: Rewriting Kinship, Reimagining Citizenship. Public Culture, Volume 13, Number 3, Fall: 533-556. https://doi.org/10.1215/08992363-13-3-533 Notes 1) This study was financed in part by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior Brasil (CAPES) Finance Code 001. 2) Historically in Brazil, in a context of a lack of care policies, middle-class and rich families counted on the domestic labor of working-class women to care for their infants, elderly or disabled. As most of these care workers are black women, race cannot be disregarded in analyses of care in the Brazilian context (Engel and Pereira 2015). 3) Although institutionalization was never the main policy for people with intellectual with disabilities in Brazil (Block 2007), the country has a long history of institutionalizing people with disabilities and mental health issues. Since the early 2000s, a deinstitutionalization process has been put into practice and gained force with the promulgation of the Federal Law 10.216/2001. For disability in the Brazilian context see also Lopes 2014; Aydos 2016; Mello, Block and Nuernberg 2016; Gaverio 2017. Helena Fietz is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul/UFRGS, Brazil. Her dissertation explores care practices for adults with intellectual disabilities in Brazil, focusing on the ways that the experience of disability shapes and is shaped by family relationships, public policies, and notions of what constitutes good care within a given socio-historical context. Disability from the South: Toward a Lexicon is a series edited by Michele Friedner and Tyler Zoanni. Contributors in this series consider what changes in theorizations of disability when research is located in places marked Southern and offer reconfigurations of keywords and concepts typically utilized in the study of disability. Share this: Share Email Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr LinkedIn [view academic citations] [hide academic citations] Issues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship. Regional Medical Center trustees are considering forming a new non-profit corporation to set the framework for a possible future business venture. RMC attorney Bob Horger told trustees last week there are no imminent plans for the corporation. "It could be with a physicians group or you could theoretically have it with some other hospital group," he said. "I am not suggesting any of those, but those are things you could use it for." Trustees delayed a vote on the matter to allow them to review the proposal more closely. The non-profit corporation will be called RMC Strategic Alliances, Inc. Horger said the corporation would provide a vehicle for the hospital's entry into a venture, but said there isnt any specific venture currently under discussion by the board. "In the event the hospital would enter into a joint venture with another entity, it has to do it through a non-profit," Horger said. "The hospital itself cannot enter into a for-profit venture because it is a governmental entity." RMC Strategic Alliances Inc. would be controlled by the existing RMC Board of Trustees. Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office A vehicle and home were struck by gunfire on Sherrie Lane at 7:59 p.m. Sunday, according to a sheriffs office incident report. A resident called deputies to report that she heard five gunshots while she and two other people including an 86-year-old were inside the home. A 2008 black Honda Accord and the home suffered gunshots. Deputies saw several shell casings in the roadway. In a separate incident, an Orangeburg man says two teens robbed him of his cellphone at gunpoint at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Lindberg Road and Cordova Road, according to a sheriffs office incident report. The man told deputies that he was walking to get his hair cut when a red SUV drove down the road. It returned. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The man attempted to get away, but fell. Two people exited the vehicle. One of them pointed a firearm at the man and demanded his money. The man told the gunman he didnt have any money. The mans cellphone flashed, indicating he had a new message. One of the gunmen demanded his phone. EUTAWVILLE -- Five people were injured in a vehicle accident on Old Number Six Highway on Sunday around 7:15 p.m., according to Eutawville Fire Chief Stephen Shuler. The two-vehicle accident ended up shutting down that section of Old Number Six Highway for nearly three hours, Shuler said. The accident occurred between Milky Way Lane and Moncks Corner Road, near Eutaw Springs. Helicopters transported two of the victims to hospitals and two ambulances worked to transfer three victims, Shuler said. Shuler also noted that the ambulances that responded to the easternmost Orangeburg County town had to travel to the scene from Orangeburg. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} One of the victims transported in a helicopter was a child with serious injuries, he said. Shuler said each of the victims was conscious and able to communicate when they were at the scene. Details about the accident werent available on Monday from the S.C. Highway Patrol. As of Jan. 27, 58 people have died on South Carolinas highways, compared to 57 highway deaths during the same time period in 2018, according to the S.C. Department of Public Safety. This is the first time a SMASH Academy has been co-hosted by two schools, Komarraju said. Some details of that cooperation are still being worked out between IIT and the Carbondale campus, but SIUC officials are optimistic about the possibilities. Our enthusiasm, commitment and student focus, thats what they told us, that convinced them to give this a try, Komarraju said. This is a chance to let people know what we are capable of. Generally, funding a SMASH Academy is a collaborative effort between the Kapor Center and host universities. Both SIUC and IIT are working to find interested donors, Komarraju said, and the Carbondale Campus has already secured some support from the SIU Foundation, its fundraising arm. But some weight was lifted off the universities shoulders at Thursdays press conference, Komarraju said, when Lt. Gov. Stratton and Illinois Sen. Kimberly Lightford made a surprise announcement that the state would chip in too. Now as he prepares to lead a state agency charged with regulating and promoting the states entire agriculture industry, Sullivan said three major issues have already risen to the surface. Id say number one, broadband out in the rural areas of the state was just an issue that came up over and over and over again, Sullivan said. I can speak to that from our own home and family location as well as our own business. Trying to get high-speed internet is very frustrating out in the rural areas of the state, and it is absolutely a hindrance to trying to do business. Other areas, hemp was certainly on everybodys radar, Sullivan continued, referring to the states recent action to legalize the production of industrial hemp. I certainly feel like theres going to be a lot of opportunities there. Id say the third area would be ag education, he continued. We had a lot of folks from the education field that were on our panel. Certainly offering programs in-person or online, and that gets back to the high-speed internet. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Remarks on the US Indictments of Huawei 2019/01/29 Q: On the early morning of January 29, the US Department of Justice announced charges against Huawei, some of its affiliates and its Vice Chairman and CFO Meng Wanzhou, and claimed that it will soon file a request to the Canadian side for the extradition of Ms. Meng Wanzhou. What is China's comment on this? A: China is highly concerned about the US Department of Justice's charges against Huawei and its Vice Chairman and CFO Ms. Meng Wanzhou. The Chinese government has all along urged Chinese companies to conduct international economic cooperation on the basis of complying with relevant laws and regulations. At the same time, China asks that all countries provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operations of Chinese companies. For some time, the US has been using national power to tarnish and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations. Behind such practices are deep political intentions and manipulations. We strongly urge the US to stop its unreasonable bashing on Chinese companies including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly. China will also continue to uphold the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. Regarding the Meng Wanzhou case, China has made clear its stern position many times. The US and Canada abused their bilateral extradition agreement and took compulsory measures against a Chinese citizen for no reason. Such actions seriously violate the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizen. Once again we urge the US to immediately withdraw its arrest warrant for Ms. Meng Wanzhou, refrain from making a formal extradition request, and stop going further down the wrong path. We also urge Canada to take China's solemn position seriously, immediately release Ms. Meng Wanzhou and ensure her lawful and legitimate rights and interests, and stop risking its own interests for the benefits of the US. On Saturday, the housing agency announced nearly $2 billion to support about 5,800 homeless programs across the country. Those funds included about $822,000 to support programs for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness across Southern Illinois. Camille Dorris, executive director of the Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless, based in Marion, said that her organization maintained its ability to draw down funding throughout the partial shutdown, but the longer it went on, the more concerned providers became about what might happen, she said. Dorris said that she and others are optimistic that HUD will take steps during this guaranteed three-week window of operations to minimize the impact on providers in the event that most of HUDs staff is furloughed again. Meanwhile, public housing authority directors in Southern Illinois are trying to sort through how the short-term funding measure signed by the president affects their operations. While hoping it doesnt come to this, local housing agency officials said they are making plans to weather another partial shutdown after Feb. 15 if political leaders cant reach an agreement. The partial government shutdown was particularly threatening for the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, which helps low-income families offset the cost of rent paid to private landlords. In a blog post, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, an organization that supports housing authorities, including several across Southern Illinois, said that it is seeking clarity from HUD on how many months worth of payments the continuing resolution will support beyond February. It may cover March and April, but that remains uncertain, the organization wrote. Beyond that, local agencies were warned to brace for the worst. While reopening the government is a positive step, the political situation in Washington is still contentious and it is possible another shutdown will happen, the blog post said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Diana Brawley Sussman, director of the Carbondale Public Library and one of the organizers of the warming center, asked that those in need go to the local homeless shelter first. "If people can stay at Good Samaritan House, then they should go there first so that both shelter spaces can hopefully house everyone in need," she said in an email Tuesday. The cities of Herrin, Creal Springs, Pittsburg and Cambria will also be opening their city halls as warming centers during business hours Wednesday, and in Marion, the Illinois Department of Human Services will also be open between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday. Herrin City Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Ana DeUnamuno, public relations coordinator for Rides Mass Transit, said Tuesday that any customer along routes in Carbondale and Marion are welcome to call 1-844-220-1243 to ask for a free ride to one of either citys warming centers. The Illinois Secretary of State Office announced Tuesday that all of its driver services offices in the state would be closed. Online services will still be available, according to a news release from the office. Black Hills Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the United States. It operates through four segments: Electric Utilities, Gas Utilities, Power Generation, and Mining. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 216,000 electric customers in Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as well as provides electrical system construction services to large industrial customers. This segment owns 992 megawatts of generation capacity and 8,892 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines. The Gas Utilities segment distributes natural gas to approximately 1,083,000 natural gas utility customers in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. It also provides appliance repair services to residential customers; and constructs and maintains gas infrastructure facilities for gas transportation customers. This segment owns and operates approximately 4,774 miles of intrastate gas transmission pipelines; 41,838 miles of gas distribution mains and service lines; seven natural gas storage sites; and approximately 49,000 horsepower of compression and 560 miles of gathering lines. The Power Generation segment produces electric power through wind, natural gas, and coal-fired generating plants; and sells the electric capacity and energy primarily to utilities under long-term contracts. The Mining segment produces coal at its coal mine located near Gillette, Wyoming; and sells the coal to electric generation facilities. Black Hills Corporation was incorporated in 1941 and is headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. Read More Moreover, folding Vietnamese dong bill into trees to sell is considered as breaking the regulation as per the Prime Ministers decision No. 130/2003 on protecting Vietnamese currency. A lucky money red envelope is monetary gift given on some important occasions or festivals in China and some other Asian countries especially in the lunar New Year. Lately, the Issue and Vault Department and Banking Operations Directorate under the State Bank of Vietnam has sent its document to the Economic Security Department under the Ministry of Public Security, the Market Management Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Issuance, Printing and Publishing under the Ministry of Information and Communications asking to jointly handle violators of the monetary regulations. Specifically, those who make fake money, sell and transport will violate the decision No. 130/2003. Moreover, those destroy the countrys money or photocopy of the money without the approval of the State Bank of Vietnam or refuse to receive the money all break the regulations. According to the edict No. 96/2014, VND40 million (1,726 ) to VND80 million ($3,450) will be imposed on those who photocopy, print partly patterns of the Vietnam dong. Lucky money red envelopes have retailed at VND20,000 a packet of five envelops. Worse, Vietnam dong printed envelops have appeared a lot in the market. By CHE HAN - Translated by NHA CA Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management and institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offering equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. This segment operates 65 branch locations and 357 ATMs throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, as well as through a customer service center, and online and mobile banking. The Commercial Banking segment provides corporate banking, commercial real estate loans, commercial lease financing, auto dealer financing, and deposit products. It offers commercial lending and deposit products to middle-market and large companies, and government entities; commercial real estate mortgages to investors, developers, and builders; and international banking and merchant services. The Treasury and Other segment offers corporate asset and liability management services, including interest rate risk management and foreign exchange services. Bank of Hawaii Corporation was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Read More American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. As a bonus to opt-ing into our email newsletters, you will also get a free subscription to the Liberty Through Wealth e-newsletter. You can opt out at any time. Wall Street analysts have given iShares National Muni Bond ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares National Muni Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Following HHen Nie was Miss International, Mariem Velazco from Venezuela (4,455 points), Miss Universe South Africa, Tamaryn Green (4,197 points), Miss Earth Portugal, Telma Madeira (4,197 points), Miss International Philippines, Ma Ahtisa Manalo (4,076 points). HHen Nie is the first from her country to be proclaimed Missosologys Timeless Beauty. The leading beauty pageant website, Missosology said that her top 5 placement at Miss Universe pageant 2018 marks it as the highest historical achievement for Vietnamese beauty. HHen Nie is the first Vietnamese beauty named in top five in one of the most prestigious beauty contests in the world. The girl of E De ethnic minority group, 27, was crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2017. She was born in a poor family in a rural village in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak. By custom, she was supposed to get married at age 14. She then moved to Ho Chi Minh City to look for ways to work as a domestic helper while studying. She studied the Business Finance program at the College of Foreign Economic Relations in HCMC and started her modelling career. Nie donated entire cash prize of VND 1 billion (US$43,000) from Miss Universe 2018 to community activities, including providing scholarships for poor students and completing her social project Room to Read (build more libraries in rural areas, support schoolgirls around the world). She might not have won the crown, but HHen won the hearts of the people with her inspiring story. From nothing, here I am. I can do it, you can do it, she said during her opening statement in Miss Universe. The Vietnamese stunner defied traditions and standards and that makes her a true Timeless Beauty, the site said. Timeless Beauty is an annual tradition of Missosology that seeks to recognize a queen who best embodies beauty that will transcend time something that shall be remembered for all eternity. The Top 25 finalists will then be judged by a separate panel of judges using the same system as above to determine the Top 10. The winner who gets the highest average score will be declared as the Timeless Beauty for the year. The competition includes four categories, including The Most Photogenic, The Best in an Evening Gown, The Best in a Swimsuit, and The Best in their National Costume. Vietnamese beauties were nominated for this years Timeless Beauty award, including HHen Nie- Top 5 in Miss Universe; Phuong Khanh, Miss Earth 2018; Tran Tieu Vy, Top 30 in Miss World; and Minh Tu, Top 10 in Miss Supranational. H'Hen Nie at Miss Universe pageant 2018 H Hen Nie has been named as the only Vietnamese representative among the top 20 of Miss Grand Slam as selected by Global Beauties. By DIEP TRUC KHUE Translated by Kim Khanh Credit: CC0 Public Domain Imagine a world where smartphones, laptops, wearables, and other electronics are powered without batteries. Researchers from MIT and elsewhere have taken a step in that direction, with the first fully flexible device that can convert energy from Wi-Fi signals into electricity that could power electronics. Devices that convert AC electromagnetic waves into DC electricity are known as "rectennas." The researchers demonstrate a new kind of rectenna, described in a study appearing in Nature, that uses a flexible radio-frequency (RF) antenna that captures electromagnetic wavesincluding those carrying Wi-Fias AC waveforms. The antenna is then connected to a novel device made out of a two-dimensional semiconductor just a few atoms thick. The AC signal travels into the semiconductor, which converts it into a DC voltage that could be used to power electronic circuits or recharge batteries. In this way, the battery-free device passively captures and transforms ubiquitous Wi-Fi signals into useful DC power. Moreover, the device is flexible and can be fabricated in a roll-to-roll process to cover very large areas. "What if we could develop electronic systems that we wrap around a bridge or cover an entire highway, or the walls of our office and bring electronic intelligence to everything around us? How do you provide energy for those electronics?" says paper co-author Tomas Palacios, a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and director of the MIT/MTL Center for Graphene Devices and 2-D Systems in the Microsystems Technology Laboratories. "We have come up with a new way to power the electronics systems of the futureby harvesting Wi-Fi energy in a way that's easily integrated in large areasto bring intelligence to every object around us." Promising early applications for the proposed rectenna include powering flexible and wearable electronics, medical devices, and sensors for the "internet of things." Flexible smartphones, for instance, are a hot new market for major tech firms. In experiments, the researchers' device can produce about 40 microwatts of power when exposed to the typical power levels of Wi-Fi signals (around 150 microwatts). That's more than enough power to light up a simple mobile display or silicon chips. Another possible application is powering the data communications of implantable medical devices, says co-author Jesus Grajal, a researcher at the Technical University of Madrid. For example, researchers are beginning to develop pills that can be swallowed by patients and stream health data back to a computer for diagnostics. "Ideally you don't want to use batteries to power these systems, because if they leak lithium, the patient could die," Grajal says. "It is much better to harvest energy from the environment to power up these small labs inside the body and communicate data to external computers." All rectennas rely on a component known as a "rectifier," which converts the AC input signal into DC power. Traditional rectennas use either silicon or gallium arsenide for the rectifier. These materials can cover the Wi-Fi band, but they are rigid. And, although using these materials to fabricate small devices is relatively inexpensive, using them to cover vast areas, such as the surfaces of buildings and walls, would be cost-prohibitive. Researchers have been trying to fix these problems for a long time. But the few flexible rectennas reported so far operate at low frequencies and can't capture and convert signals in gigahertz frequencies, where most of the relevant cell phone and Wi-Fi signals are. To build their rectifier, the researchers used a novel 2-D material called molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), which at three atoms thick is one of the thinnest semiconductors in the world. In doing so, the team leveraged a singular behavior of MoS2: When exposed to certain chemicals, the material's atoms rearrange in a way that acts like a switch, forcing a phase transition from a semiconductor to a metallic material. This structure is known as a Schottky diode, which is the junction of a semiconductor with a metal. "By engineering MoS2 into a 2-D semiconducting-metallic phase junction, we built an atomically thin, ultrafast Schottky diode that simultaneously minimizes the series resistance and parasitic capacitance," says first author and EECS postdoc Xu Zhang, who will soon join Carnegie Mellon University as an assistant professor. Parasitic capacitance is an unavoidable situation in electronics where certain materials store a little electrical charge, which slows down the circuit. Lower capacitance, therefore, means increased rectifier speeds and higher operating frequencies. The parasitic capacitance of the researchers' Schottky diode is an order of magnitude smaller than today's state-of-the-art flexible rectifiers, so it is much faster at signal conversion and allows it to capture and convert up to 10 gigahertz of wireless signals. "Such a design has allowed a fully flexible device that is fast enough to cover most of the radio-frequency bands used by our daily electronics, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular LTE, and many others," Zhang says. The reported work provides blueprints for other flexible Wi-Fi-to-electricity devices with substantial output and efficiency. The maximum output efficiency for the current device stands at 40 percent, depending on the input power of the Wi-Fi input. At the typical Wi-Fi power level, the power efficiency of the MoS2 rectifier is about 30 percent. For reference, today's best silicon and gallium arsenide rectennas made from rigid, more expensive silicon or gallium arsenide achieve around 50 to 60 percent. There are 15 other paper co-authors from MIT, Technical University of Madrid, the Army Research Laboratory, Charles III University of Madrid, Boston University, and the University of Southern California. The team is now planning to build more complex systems and improve efficiency. The work was made possible, in part, by a collaboration with the Technical University of Madrid through the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI). It was also partially supported by the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, the Army Research Laboratory, the National Science Foundation's Center for Integrated Quantum Materials, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Explore further Research boosts efficiency and stability of optical rectennas More information: Two-dimensional MoS2-enabled Flexible Rectenna for Wi-Fi Band Wireless Energy Harvesting, Nature (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-0892-1 Journal information: Nature Two-dimensional MoS2-enabled Flexible Rectenna for Wi-Fi Band Wireless Energy Harvesting,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-0892-1 Unions had become ossified, serving as member-service organizations that offered workplace representation and collective-bargaining assistance but not much fire. Now, the existential threat posed by Janus hasnt materialized membership has held steady and, instead, has spurred a renewal of activism. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees feared it could lose 30 percent of its revenue. Instead, the AFSCME reports that for every free rider opting out since Janus, it has gained seven new members. It has continued to notch organizing wins (220 since July 2016, resulting in more than 22,000 newly organized members). It has also trained more than 25,000 activists over the past three years to spread the union gospel. Back in February when the case was argued, I suggested the justices beware the unintended consequences of their actions, lest they revive labor militancy. Alito expressed no such worry. In his scornful majority opinion that jettisoned decades of precedent, he dismissed the loss of payments that would be unpleasant for unions. WASHINGTON (AP) It might seem counterintuitive, but the dreaded polar vortex is bringing its icy grip to the Midwest thanks to a sudden blast of warm air in the Arctic. Get used to it. The polar vortex has been wandering more often in recent years. It all started with misplaced Moroccan heat. Last month, the normally super chilly air temperatures 20 miles above the North Pole rapidly rose by about 125 degrees (70 degrees Celsius), thanks to air flowing in from the south. It's called "sudden stratospheric warming." That warmth split the polar vortex, leaving the pieces to wander, said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. "Where the polar vortex goes, so goes the cold air," Cohen said. By Wednesday morning, one of those pieces will be over the Lower 48 states for the first time in years. The forecast calls for a low of minus 21 degrees(minus 29 Celsius) in Chicago and wind chills flirting with minus 65 degrees(minus 54 Celsius) in parts of Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service. The unusual cold could stick around another eight weeks, Cohen said. "The impacts from this split, we have a ways to go. It's not the end of the movie yet," Cohen said. "I think at a minimum, we're looking at mid-February, possibly through mid-March." Americans were introduced to the polar vortex five years ago. It was in early January 2014 when temperatures dropped to minus 16 degrees (minus 27 Celsius) in Chicago and meteorologists, who used the term for decades, started talking about it on social media. This outbreak may snap some daily records for cold and is likely to be even more brutal than five years ago, especially with added wind chill, said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the private weather firm Weather Underground. When warm air invades the polar region, it can split the vortex or displace it, usually toward Siberia, Cohen said. Recently, there have been more splits, which increase the odds of other places getting ultra-cold, he said. Pieces of the polar vortex have chilled Europe, Siberia and North America this time. (It's not right to call the frigid center of cold air the polar vortex because it is just a piece or a lobe, not the entire vortex, said University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Jason Furtado.) When the forces penning the polar vortex in the Arctic are weak, it wanders, more often to Siberia than Michigan. And it's happening more frequently in the last couple decades, Furtado said. A study a year ago in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society looked at decades of the Arctic system and found the polar vortex has shifted "toward more frequent weak states." When the polar vortex pieces wander, warmth invades the Arctic, Alaska, Greenland and Canada, Masters said. While the Midwest chills, Australia has been broiling to record-breaking heat. The world as a whole on Monday was 0.7 degrees (0.4 degrees Celsius) warmer than the 1979-2000 average, according to the University of Maine's Climate Reanalyzer. Some scientists but by no means most see a connection between human-caused climate change and difference in atmospheric pressure that causes slower moving waves in the air. "It's a complicated story that involves a hefty dose of chaos and an interplay among multiple influences, so extracting a clear signal of the Arctic's role is challenging," said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center. Several recent papers have made the case for the connection, she noted. "This symptom of global warming is counterintuitive for those in the cross-hairs of these extreme cold spells," Francis said in an email. "But these events provide an excellent opportunity to help the public understand some of the 'interesting' ways that climate change will unfold." Others, like Furtado, aren't sold yet on the climate change connection. Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini, who has already felt temperatures that seem like 25 degrees below zero, said there's "a growing body of literature" to support the climate connection. But he says more evidence is needed. "Either way," Gensini said, "it's going to be interesting being in the bullseye of the Midwest cold." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As Kelso police continue to investigate the Jan. 22 shooting death of Kayla Chapman, a local comedian has organized a benefit show to raise money for her family. Junior Shaw, who has held numerous comedy benefit events for local families over the last 10 years, will host another one at Longviews Blue Sky Bar and Grill in Chapmans honor at 8 p.m. on Feb. 15. Donations taken at the front door will go to her family, who gave Shaw their blessing for the show, he said. Shaw and Portland comedian Ray McMillan will perform during the 90-minute show, Shaw said. A $5 minimum donation is suggested, but Shaw said they wont turn anyone away. The bar is open to those age 21 and older. While the material will be softened up somewhat, Shaw said, the show will be not be appropriate for children and will be geared toward adults. If you knew her, Im sure (youd know) that shed rather the latter, he said. In the beginning, well say some words about the family and community and the support that weve seen. And then its a standard comedy show. Given the limited space at the bar, he also recommended that those interested should make reservations if they want a guaranteed seat. Preference will be given to family and friends, he said. After a visit to the emergency room, Rep. Richard DeBolt received a surprise bill for his medical care that was not covered by his insurance. DeBolt said he was able to resolve the charge because he understood the system, but for thousands of patients an unexpected medical bill is a major problem. It doesnt happen often, but its devastating to somebodys ability to pay bills and their cash flow, DeBolt, R-Chehalis, said last week. Partially inspired by his own experience, DeBolt has since used his position on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee to draft legislation to curb surprise medical bills by adding transparency as well as outlining who pays the bill if the patient was not told about care from out-of-network providers. If youre getting a surgery and your doctor or anesthesiologist is not in your network, do you as a consumer have the ability to say, if the provider is out-of-network, stop rolling me in? You dont, you have to get work done. The commissioners resolution states that I-1639 and similar bills restrict the rights of citizens as protected by the U.S. and Washington state constitutions. It says the initiative will cause economic hardship for small firearms dealerships, burdens and price increases on those lawfully buying guns and have a direct negative effect on local economies. (The resolution is attached to this story online.) Scott Hooper, owner of On Target Outdoors in Castle Rock, told the commissioners Tuesday the initiatives new background check requirements will put more burdens on local law enforcement by requiring them to review gun purchase applications in addition to federal system checks. Kalama resident Ron Madderra echoed concerns of others who said that the initiative punishes law-abiding citizens, rather than deterring criminals. Do we want people in our country to be monitored that closely for buying a legal firearm? Madderra said. The commissioners resolution states it considers I-1639 or any similar legislation to be unconstitutional and beyond lawful application. With this resolution, we appreciate that the public is understanding how much government has usurped the rights of the people, Mortensen said Tuesday. To be able to have the opportunity to fix those types of things, that makes me happy, she said. Prices vary, but small crack repairs start around $125 and take an hour to complete. Stains start at about $300, and floor repairs start at about $800 and can take four or so hours of work. MiCo Fiberglass has only had about three customers since its launch in September because one of the technicians suffered a leg injury. Theyre open for business now, Millard said, and currently have a Valentines Day promotion offering a $25 discount on all services. The four have invested about $10,000 into the business, and Millard said she hopes to bring on a couple more contractors around July. In time, she and Millard Copeland said, they plan to quit their day jobs and make MiCo a full-time job. Millard Copeland works in marketing for Kaiser Permanente, Jorin Copeland is an artist, and Michael Millard is a maintenance mechanic at SEH, an engineering company. Copeland said she appreciates the flexibility of setting her own schedule, helping others make household repairs that might seem daunting and working with her hands. So many people forget thats a valuable skill and trade, she said. NY Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has declared that Sen. Kamala Harris would be an amazing president. Agreed. Kamala would indeed be an amazing president of Venezuela. She wants to take away our border walls, private health insurance, guns, our free markets, and our wealth. Please keep talking, Kamala, because with garbage leftist rhetoric like this, you might indeed become president of your local librarys Book Club. Via American Mirror. With its recent visit to Syria, Iran has sent a message to the world, that they will be taking part in the reconstruction of Syria reports SANA. On Tuesday, President Bashar al-Assad received Irans first Vice President, Eshaq Jahangiri, and the accompanying delegation in the presence of the Prime Minister and a number of ministers. Talks dealt with the outcomes of the meetings of the Syrian-Iranian High Joint Committee, which yielded the signature of 11 agreements, including the long-term strategic economic cooperation agreement. President Assad stressed that these agreements and projects of cooperation are of a strategic dimension and constitute a solid economic basis that will contribute to enhancing the steadfastness of Syria and Iran, in the face of the economic war waged on them by some Western countries. He affirmed the importance of intensifying joint efforts at this stage to thwart the efforts of those countries that continuously work to weaken the two countries, control their independent decision making and to break the will of their people, following their failure to achieve this by supporting terrorist groups. For his part, Jahangiri pointed out that the visit of the Iranian delegation and the meetings of the Joint Committee at this time carry a message to the Syrian people and the international community that, Iran, which has stood by Syria in its war against terrorism, will be included in the reconstruction phase. He said that Syria was on the frontline of the war on terrorism and that the successes achieved in this area have contributed to preventing terrorism from spreading in other countries, despite the refusal of some Western countries to recognize that. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. When Syrians took to the streets, demanding the end of the Assad regime, the United States had the opportunity to implement meaningful actions that would create real change, but this has been missed writes The Syrian Observer. It is a month since President Trump surprisingly and dramatically announced the withdrawal of his forces from Syria, following a stormy phone call with Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He boastfully announced, We have defeated the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, and therefore, there will be no need for the American troops to stay there. As usual, he was echoed by his Vice President, who would parrot his boss, with a finer language and a more elegant voice, The caliphate has crumbled and ISIS has been defeated. Trumps decision confirmed the retreat of US foreign policy in Syria and the region; a policy which had also been followed by President Barack Obama. While the premature withdrawal of US troops is an immoral action by President Trumps administration, the most dangerous is the political withdrawal of both the Trump and Obama administrations in Syria. The vacuum left by the US withdrawal will certainly be filled by the trio of Iran, Russia, Bashar al-Assad and those who remain from ISIS, whose continued existence was proven by last weeks attack that killed four American soldiers. But the Syrians are not the only losers here; there is another big loser: the United States itself, together with Western democracies. The West, the Middle East, and the entire world have lost a golden opportunity here to change the history of the region. There has always been a historical misunderstanding between the Unites States and the Syrian people, due on the one hand to the US position towards the Arab-Israeli conflict and on the other, its support for dictators in the region. Since the Arab-Israeli war and the occupation of Palestine in 1948, the region has entered a dark tunnel of hostile relations between the peoples of this region and the West in general, and the United States in particular. The revolutionary regimes in the region, including the Syrian Baathist regime, played a role in fueling this tension. These regimes have made anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist ideologies a tool to strengthen their rule, intensify their hegemony over their people and accumulate personal assets in global banks. The Palestinian cause, the occupation of the Golan Heights and the unconditional support of the United States for Israel have been used to mobilize Arab citizens behind the regimes. Even when Hafez al-Assad collaborated with the United States in 1991 to liberate Kuwait, he maintained his anti-American rhetoric within the country. For the first time in decades, Assad allowed intellectuals to issue statements opposing the position of the very regime that supported the international coalition against Saddam, simply to maintain this hostility and cut off any spirit of reconciliation that may replace them. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the 2006 war between in Lebanon have fuelled the situation further. Still, the Western position in general, and the American one in particular, towards the Tunisian, Egyptian, and Libyan uprisings started to change popular opinion. For the first time, calls praising the American position with regards to Presidents Ben Ali and Mubarak were heard inside Tunisia, Egypt, and other countries including Syria. The majority of Arabs welcomed and appreciated the international intervention in Libya to oust Muammar Gaddafi. And when the Syrian uprising broke out, the Syrians were elated by what sounded and looked like support for their cause. The subsequent steps made by the United States and European governments led them to believe that the West was supporting the uprising, just as it had the other Arab Spring uprisings, and that, just as in those countries, it would not let the protestors down. In general, the anti-Assad Syrians welcomed Western sanctions against the Assad regime and the individuals who supported it, despite knowing that these sanctions would harm them as well (particularly the sanctions on oil and banks). They did not mind, but rather applauded the sanctions in statements and on social media. They hailed the announcements from the US administration, first that Assad was about to lose legitimacy, then that Assad was losing legitimacy, and then that it was necessary for Assad to step aside. The sentiment was strengthened when the US expressed its support for the Arab Leagues resolution to freeze the regimes participation in the Arab Leagues sessions. After all of this, Western ambassadors, who had always been mistrusted in Syria, were given a heros welcome by Syrian opposition groups, Syrian civil society, and ordinary Syrian citizens. I have already described how Ambassador Robert Ford was greeted with rice and flowers when he visited the city of Hama. He served lunch in an ordinary house in the city. The welcome of the eight ambassadors who paid their respects at the funeral of Ghayath Matar was equally warm. The major factions in the Syrian political opposition supported the Western position and called for more intervention. As early as September 2011, some Syrian opposition groups called for an international intervention to protect civilians from the Assad regimes ongoing military onslaught, including the establishment of a United Nations-backed no-fly zone. There were calls from the then newly established opposition umbrella the Syrian National Council (SNC), which called for an international intervention that would charge Assad and senior Syrian military officers with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, as Col. Gaddafi has been. They called for an internationally supervised arms embargo against Damascus, the establishment of a UN monitoring mission and the enforcement of a no-fly zone. Later the calls became clearer and more direct. In March 2012, the SNC called for urgent military intervention on the part of the international community and for a no-fly zone across Syria. Sympathic messages are no longer enough. What is needed is actions on the ground and decisions and measures against Assads gangs, the group said in a statement on Mar. 13, 2012. On Sept. 19, 2012, the head of the Syrian National Council, Abdulbaset Sieda, called on Arabs to undertake a clear and serious initiative, like the position they took towards the Libyan revolution. Finally, when the chemical attack took place and Obama threatened to target Assad forces with a limited strike, the newly-elected Ahmad Jarba, as the head of the National Coalition, told the French daily Le Parisien in an interview published on Aug. 29, 2012, that he hoped to see a strike and support for the Free Syrian Army. He said Assad should be tried in the International Criminal Court at The Hague, adding, If Western states, which profess democratic and humanist values, stay quiet, Assad will deduce that there is no obstacle to him carrying out crimes. Our people risk being exterminated. The environment was right for the United States and its allies to step forward and make a historic reconciliations with the Syrian people. The majority of Syrians in 2011 and the first few months of 2012 were ready to cooperate with the Americans to overthrow Assad and install a new democratic regime in Syria. During that period (and even after that) no slogan was raised against imperialism or Israel, and there was a chance that a new relationship with the West could lead to a new phase of relations between the Middle East and the world. The United States failed to seize this opportunity, which may not recur anytime soon. Had it done so, there would have been an opportunity to achieve several gains that would benefit the people of the region, the United States and the West alike. Among these gains, it would have created a real democracy in the heart of the region that would have been a good example for other countries to follow; serious negotiations with the Israelis could pave the way for a real peace between the two countries; and finally, a different kind of economy could have been built based on the market, rather than personal relations with the Assad family. This could have created jobs, which would have limited the desire of young Syrians to leave their country and seek refuge in neighboring countries or Europe. This in particular would have reduced the moral and material burden on Europe. None of this has happened, and instead, The decision of President Trump is destroying the hope for any future improvement of the relationship with the Syrians. What a pity. This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Syrian Observer. A blog published by Susan Eisen that has columns on all the latest jewelry fashions, news, and store information. Not even mountains will hold Professor Lynda Johnston back. The self-professed geographer and mountaineer with attitude and altitude is off to experience some of the worlds tallest peaks in the Himalayas before returning home to navigate the Kaimai Range, relocating from Hamilton to Tauranga. After 18 years working for the University based in Hamilton, Lynda, a Professor of Geography in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, is heading to the Bay and plans to explore Taurangas urban diversity and socio-cultural differences, investigating how place and space influence the way people relate to, and interact with each other. As a human geographer interested in the interactions between people and place, my research always seeks to be transformative. Geographers are very well placed to offer solutions to complex global and local problems because of our ability to understand place as dynamic and ever-changing. Ever-changing is a befitting term for New Zealands fastest growing city. Taurangas population is changing rapidly due to local and global economies, and accelerated patterns of migration. Spatial proximity in other words living side by side can generate positive encounters yet it can also foster defensiveness. Paying attention to different social groups, in terms of gender, sexuality, race, religion/belief, disability, age, and social class, shows the way in which public space is shaped, lived, and contested. The projects findings will be used to understand how Tauranga can be an inclusive city, she says. Before she has a chance to settle into her rile at the Universitys new Tauranga Campus, Lynda is embracing a different kind of geography by accompanying four Waikato University Sir Edmund Hillary scholars, recipients of the Step Higher Award, to Khumbu Valley in Nepal where they will visit schools, interact with local communities, and trek to Ama Dablam Base Camp. As an ex-mountaineer, and having climbed in Peru, the United States, Australia and Aotearoa, the extreme terrains and conditions of the Himalayas dont faze her. Pushing my comfort zone is the norm for me! Im totally dedicated to the students Im accompanying two of whom are from Tauranga, one from Rotorua, and one from Hamilton and its my goal to make sure they get the most out of the experience. After growing up in Otago, Lynda began tramping in the South Island at age 13 before moving onto rock, ice and mountain climbing at 17. Aside from the numerous climbing experiences in her own backyard of Aotearoa, including Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Arthurs Pass and Fiordlands National Park, Lynda spent three months in the Cordillera Blanca in Peru, regularly climbing over 5000 metres. Other climbing and hiking experiences include three months of intensive rock climbing in Australia and six months in Boulder, Colorado. Over the years, Lynda has had a range of jobs that have all helped shaped her career, including Outward Bound instructing in the US, being a customs officer, sheep farming, retail and cleaning. This diversity of work experience has aided my understanding of place, peoples access to resources, and wellbeing, she says. Her career is anything but linear, and while working at a university was something she never anticipated, her core principles of equity, justice and difference are all at the heart of her teaching, research and academic leadership. Having published four books, two sole-authored and two jointly authored, nearly 50 journal articles, more than 20 book chapters, and numerous research reports, Lynda is internationally recognised as a researcher who works with and for marginalised communities, committed to social justice, equity and embodied difference. Her research has focused on the ways various forms of discrimination and marginalisation, such as sexism, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and ableism, shape peoples everyday geographies, structure the resources available to them, and influence who they become. Lynda is President of the New Zealand Geographical Society and Chair of the Gender and Geography Commission of the International Geographical Union. She discovered a love of geography in high school when a teacher taught her to see the world in different ways. She is now teaching her own students to do the same. She has supervised more than 20 PhD and 15 masters students. Every day, I am inspired by students, whether they are first-year undergraduate or PhD students. They bring energy, ideas, and lived experiences to each learning environment. Guiding, encouraging, supporting and challenging students to think critically about our ever-changing world is hugely rewarding, says Lynda. Lynda is no stranger to the Bay. In her roles as Deputy Dean and Associate Dean Academic of Te Kura Kete Aronui (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), she has been part of the Tauranga Academic Working Group for the past two years, assisting with the development of academic programmes in region. Along with my colleagues and our communities, my focus is to increase the international profile and reputation of the University of Waikato in Tauranga. Im keen to see that our excellent teaching and research meets the needs of people in the Bay of Plenty region, she says. While economic problems, as well as the continued threats from Iran and Islamic terrorists, many Iraqis remember that it was government corruption and incompetence that enabled ISIL to so easily grab control of a third of Iraq in mid-2014. The government says it is aware of the problem and plans to do better with rebuilding the country, an effort that will cost hundreds of billion dollars to accomplish. Fear that corruption will cripple reconstruction is not unexpected because Iraq has long been one of the most corrupt nations in the region. So far there has been little reconstruction spending because the money always seems to disappear. This is not surprising as Iraq was recently rated as one of the most corrupt (168th compared to the 2017 rank of 169 out of 180 countries compared to 166th out of 176 in 2016) nations in the world for 2017. Somalia was rated the most corrupt nations in the world and has held that dubious distinction for a decade. Corruption in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index is measured on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The most corrupt nations (usually Syria/13, South Sudan/13 and Somalia/10) have a rating of under 15 while of the least corrupt (New Zealand and Denmark) are over 85. The current Iraq score is 18 (same as 2017) compared to 41 (40) for Turkey, 49 (49) for Saudi Arabia, 49 (48) for Jordan, 28 (28) for Lebanon, 28 (30) for Iran, 70 (71) for the UAE (United Arab Emirates), 61 (62) for Israel, 16 (15) for Afghanistan, 33 (32) for Pakistan, 41 (40) for India, 28 (29) for Russia, 39 (41) for China, 14 (17) for North Korea, 73 (73) for Japan and 72 (75) for the United States. A lower corruption score is common with nations in economic trouble. African nations are the most corrupt, followed by Middle Eastern ones. Fixing an existing culture of corruption has proved a most difficult challenge. The corruption in Iraq appears in many forms. For example, the delays in capturing natural gas that is currently wasted (burned off) is good for Iran, which sells Iran natural gas and would lose that business if Iraq finally, after decades of delays, invested in the effort to capture the gas, at least for internal use. Iran will bribe or intimidate whoever they must to retain the gas export business and the resulting dependence on Iran. There many less lucrative economic dependencies that Iran profits from. The trade dependencies are just one of many ways Iran maintain influence and control in Iraq. Another dependency is the pro-Iran PMF (Peoples Mobilization Forces) who serve as security forces in most of the Sunni Arab parts of Iraq that the PMF helped free of ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) control. The United States is demanding that the Iraqi government disband or discipline on armed pro-Iran groups in Iraq that use violence against Iraqi civilians and threaten to do the same to foreign troops. The NATO troops, particularly the Americans, can defend themselves from PMF violence but the Sunni Arab civilians being policed by PMF militias have less attractive options. The best way these civilians can fight back is to tolerate continued ISIL recruiting and operations in their neighborhoods. This is why ISIL continues to operate in Anbar and Kirkuk even though the local Sunni Arab tribes led the fight against ISIL in Anbar and Kirkuk was free of ISIL problems when the Kurds ran local security. That ended in late 2017 when the government used PMF as well as regular troops to drive the Kurds out of Kirkuk province and replace them with pro-Iran PMF. American and Iraqi Special Forces, as well as Iraqi counter-terrorism forces all agree that a major factor for continued popular support for ISIL in Sunni Arab areas is the bad behavior of the Iran-backed PMF units. ISIL provides the easiest and quickest way to fight back against the rogue PMF units. Even PMF units loyal to the government have problems because some of them consider their first loyalty is to an Iraqi Shia cleric and then to the government. At least these groups oppose any foreign influence. The pro-Iran PMF also face dissent, with a growing number of these militias beginning to doubt that Iran is the solution to Iraqi problems. Not when so many Iranians are calling for the fall of the religious dictatorship that is seeking to control Iraq. Not surprisingly most Iraqis see the Americans as the good guys and the Iranians as the bully next door, and often just down the street because pro-Iran PMF commanders are being more aggressive with the army and any Iraqis who openly oppose Iran. This is especially true of Sunni Arabs and Kurds. The growing number of murdered Iraqi politicians is attributed to Iranian death squads, Iran denies this but it is something the Iranians do everywhere. There are about 150,000 armed members of the PMF who are being paid by the Ministry of Defense (at about half the rate of soldiers and police). The PMF is demanding pay parity with the troops but this would cost about a billion dollars a year and the budget cannot support it. Meanwhile, most pro-Iran PMF units are stationed in areas with lots of Sunni Arabs (Anbar, Salahuddin and Nineveh provinces) and ISIL activity. This includes Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq is in Nineveh province and still largely ruins and badly served by PMF militiamen. All this Iranian interference increases the risk of civil war in a country that has a minority of the Shia majority willing to use violence to support Iran. Pro-Iran PMF militias take orders from Iran and that is increasingly unpopular with Shia and Sunni Iraqis. Iraqi leaders have been subjected to a lot of pressure from Iran to ignore the American sanctions. Iran pointed out that complying with the sanctions would hurt the Iraqi economy. That pressure caused Iraqi leaders to comply with the more immediate threat (Iran) even though they realized that most Iraqis preferred the Americans to the Iranians. After all, when Iraq asked the Americans to leave in 2011 they did. Iraq has sought exemptions to some of the Iran sanctions because otherwise the Iraqi economy would suffer and the U.S. has been granting most of these requests. Iraqi economists and financial experts have made it clear that the Americans have a lot of options and many of them involve going after individual pro-Iran Iraqi leaders, especially those who are the most corrupt. Sanctions on individuals have proved very effective and Iraq has a lot of eligible targets. The Kurds are one minority that has avoided problems with the PMF or domination by Iran. The Kurds also make the most of the fact that they are on good terms with the Americans who remain in northern Iraq. While the Americans are withdrawing their 2,000 troops from Syria they are apparently planning on stationing many of them in Iraq, along the Syrian border to protect Iraq from continued ISIL attack. Some will augment U.S. forces in the Kurdish north but most will be in more dangerous parts of the border. The most dangerous portion of this border is that from the Jordan border about halfway to Mosul. Here there is a joint (PMF/Army) control zone at the Qaim border crossing. American units from Syria are establishing outposts south of Qaim in areas controlled by pro-Iran PMF and these PMF units are hostile to the American presence. That puts these PMF units in a precarious position because they are already working among a hostile Sunni Arab population, which exists on both sides of the border. The Americans are there mainly to deal with ISIL but if an Iran-backed PMF units get in the way, the Americans have orders to shoot back. So far the pro-Iran PMF leaders have made a lot of threats to attack Americans but have not acted, apparently because their Iranian controllers do not want to risk a fight they might lose. Despite being a formidable military force, or perhaps because of it, the Kurdish minorities in Iraq, Iran Turkey and Syria are again under pressure to back off from efforts to create an independent Kurdish state. The last few decades have given Kurds hope that their time may have finally arrived. Since the early 1990s the Iraqi Kurds have been autonomous (originally with British and American help) and they had always been more effective soldiers than the Iraqi Arabs. Some things, however, do not change. The Kurds still suffer from tribal and clan divisions as well as corruption, but to a much lesser extent than the Arabs. Thus a disproportionate number of Western trainers were sent to the Kurds in Iraq and Syria when effective allies in those areas were needed. The Kurds are considered reliable enough to work with Western commandos and protect ground control teams (that can call in air strikes). Kurds regularly assist the American and British commandos in carrying out their most dangerous tasks; reconnaissance inside hostile territory. But the Kurds have not got the manpower for large scale operations. And thats why they were pushed out of Kirkuk province in late 2017 by more numerous Iraqi Arab soldiers and PMF militiamen. Kurds in Turkey, Syria and Iran are also under attack and the Kurds have not got the numbers, or cash, to deal with all their hostile hosts. The Big Picture Worldwide, Islamic terrorism-related deaths have fallen by over 50 percent since 2014, when there were 35,000. Global deaths hit 19,000 in 2017 and under 14,000 for 2018. Since 2014 five nations (Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria and Pakistan) have accounted for most of these deaths. The largest source of Islamic terror deaths during that period was ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), a more radical faction of al Qaeda that currently is where the most radical practitioners of Islamic terrorism are found. Islamic terrorists continues to be, as it has been since the 1990s, the main source of terrorism related deaths, accounting for about 90 percent of the fatalities. The remainder of the terrorist related deaths are ethnic (often tribal) conflicts in Africa and Asia. Purely political terrorism accounts for a fraction of one percent of all terrorist related deaths and are outnumbered by terrorism deaths inflicted by common (often organized) criminals. While Iran does not suffer many Islamic terrorist deaths internally it is certainly responsible for sustaining a lot of the Islamic terrorist violence throughout the region. While the Iranian $7 billion military budget seems low compared to $20 billion for Israel, $7.2 billion for Iraq, $8 billion for Pakistan, $15 billion for the UAE and $30 billion for Saudi Arabia much more is spent to support violence in other countries. Most of the money spent to support violence in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen is found in non-military portions of the national budget. A major reason why Iranians have been protesting since 2017 is the popular realization of how much is being spent to support violence outside of Iran, instead of spending it to improve the lives of Iranians. January 26, 2019: In the northwest (Duhok province), local Kurds, led by the families of civilians killed by recent (January 23rd) Turkish airstrikes at suspected PKK Turkish Kurd separatists) positions, swarmed into one of the eleven Turkish military bases and outposts in northern (Kurdish controlled) Iraq. The protesters did some damage before being forced out. One of the protesters were killed and ten wounded by the Turkish troops in the base. Normally the Turkish troops and local Kurds get along. But this peace implies that Turkish military operations will not harm innocent (not associated with the PKK) local civilians. Generally, the Turks manage to do that, but not always and when civilians are killed there is unrest. January 25, 2019: In the south (Basra), the weekly anti-corruption demonstrations resumed. There was no violence this time. The demonstrations began in July 2018 to protest the lack of infrastructure investment that has resulted in water and electricity shortages. Much to the displeasure of Iran, so far this month the Iraqi leader has met with the king of Jordan in Iraq, the first time the Jordanian had been in Iraq since before Saddam was overthrown in 2003. Later in the month, the Iraqi leader spoke with the Saudi Crown Prince on the phone for the first time. Jordan offered military and intel cooperation to improve security along their mutual border as well as economic opportunities. The Saudi Leader offered economic aid and any other joint projects the Iraqis might be interested in as well as cooperation with mutual security needs. Iran doesnt like to be reminded that Arab Shia will ultimately be Arabs first and Shia second. Iran helps with that continuing to treat their own Arab minority badly. January 24, 2019: The parliament finally approved a national budget for 2019. The $112 billion budget is 27 percent more than 2018 but does not include expected allotments to rebuild Mosul and the provinces of Nineveh, Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk and Salahuddin that suffered the most damage from three years of fighting ISIL. It is generally agreed that $88 billion is needed for reconstruction. It is also generally understood (but not publicized) that much of any reconstruction money would be stolen by corrupt officials. Concentrating on paying government workers including two years back pay for Kurdish forces plus some new government jobs, is seen as a more effective use of the money. It is not considered polite to bring up the corruption angle but everyone knows it exists and is the biggest obstacle to reconstruction. Potential donor nations, both Western and Moslem know it as well. Reconstruction doesnt happen until commercial organizations do it or there is a major civil disorder (as is currently going on in Basra) to force the issue. Because of donor and lender wariness, it is difficult to handle large budget deficits. The 2019 budget is based on shipping 3.88 million BPD (barrels per day) and sell it for $56 a barrel. The world price of oil remain low because the United States and Canada continue to produce more oil and natural gas. The American state of Texas, which by itself used to be a major global oil producer and has regained that status, producing 4.6 million BPD. That total is exceeded only by Russia and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. is again a major exporter of petroleum and natural gas. January 23, 2019: The government ordered the Special Forces to take over security in Kirkuk province from the Counter-Terrorism Agency which has been handling it, unsuccessfully, since the army and PMF forces pushed Kurdish forces out in late 2017. The Kurds had kept ISIL and other Islamic terrorists out of Kirkuk (and the rest of the Kurdish administered north) and, as expected, Iraqi Arab forces were not able to handle security as effectively. The Special Forces troops are more effective and also get along better with the Kurds (and Americans and so on). The Special Forces troops were not sent into deal with Kirkuk security because the Special Forces took the lead in the battle to take Mosul from ISIL. In doing so the Special Forces units suffered about 40 percent casualties. It has taken over a year to rebuild the battered Special Forces battalions. This included giving many of the troops some much needed leave while many wounded troops who wanted to return to duty needed time to heal. American Special Forces troops assisted with the retraining and rebuilding. While excellent troops, there arent many Special Forces troops (less than 15,000 organized into three brigades). January 21, 2019: In the west, PMF artillery fired at ISIL targets in Syria, killing or wounding over 40 of the Islamic terrorists. January 15, 2019: 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: Israel encouraged Iraq to more forcefully call for Iran to get out of Iraq as Israel 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. But Iran is believed more willing to give up Syria than Iraq, which is worrisome for the Iraqis. January 7, 2019: Some of the American troops leaving Syria are joining some other U.S. troops from Anbar province to take over the K1 base in Kirkuk province. K1 had long been used by American troops who supported Kurdish forces. The Iraqi government wants the American troops back in Kirkuk to help deal with the growing ISIL problem there. The American forces will be joined by Iraqi Special Forces at K1. Some of the PMF units told to leave were pro-Iran but they appear to be obeying the order. 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. Southport, NC (28461) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 83F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Becoming windy with thunderstorms likely. Low around 75F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Ontario Racings Independent Chairman of the Board, John Hayes, recently took some time to discuss the provincial racing industry with BloodHorse. While in discussion with BloodHorse, Hayes touched on the fact that OR wants to serve as the unified singular voice of the provincial horse racing industry. We want to serve as a single voice for all facets of racing, Hayes was quoted as saying. Over the past nine months, we've made numerous trips to the Ontario government to push racing's agenda and make sure they're aware of exactly what they have here. Among other things, Hayes went on to explain that Ontario Racing would like to see wagering on horse racing expanded via the provinces lottery network. For more on Hayes, click here. Given my background working for the Ontario Lottery Group, the ideal would be expanding betting through the lottery network, which is at every gas station, convenience store, and supermarket in the province basically. It wouldn't be so much that they'd handle bets on every race, but maybe featured races or one race a week just to drive some volume. To read the BloodHorse article in its entirety, click here. (With files from BloodHorse) Step into the posh, pastel entry to Felix Roasting Co. and you might forget for a moment (or for several moments, what's the hurry for?) you're on New York City's Park Avenue South. You might be in New Orleans, Paris, Miami Beach, or perhaps some strange hybrid of the three. Felixwhich comprises three spacious rooms at street level and will soon boast a large coffee lab and tasting room in the basementis decidedly unique for its environs. Beyond the decor, it's a place that evokes a slower pace than the bustling streets outside. In fact, says Reagan Petrehn, Felix's head of brand and coffee stuff guy, the goal is to pull you off the streets of Manhattan both figuratively and literally. Kansas City native Petrehn plays the classic coffee-wunderkind-amidst-splashy-investment role here, and his hospitality and warmth are as infectious as his talking points are down pat. As he guides me through the front of the cafewhich he says they call The Halltowards a stunning round coffee bar beneath a domed ceiling (which the team earnestly calls The Sanctuary), he points out the intention behind each element of the space. The Park Avenue South facing side of the curved copper-topped bar serves as the fast bar, Petrehn explains, with a G&B-style pre-dosing experience for speed. Service is anchored by a La Marzocco Linea PB and twin Malkhonig EK43s, alongside a suite of opulent copper-plated toys like a Mazzer Kold grinder, Modbar AV-ABR modules, and Marco MIX water boiler. The fast bar focus is primarily on espresso service, and no pour-over is offered. In an expression of expansive interstate commerce, the beans themselves, while roasted under the Felix banner, are done so with remote consultation in faraway Houston, Texas. Our logistics are so efficient with the roastery being located in Houston that it's hard to justify the rent in NYC for the small gain in convenience, explains Petrehn as we advance towards the back of the space, known as The Lounge. The Lounge is similar to The Hall but with less natural light, and I'm assured laptop use and hanging out is encouraged. It's here I meet founder Matt Moinian, hotelier-investor who is in fact, using his laptop and hanging out. Along with Moinian, the operation is steered by design partner Ken Fulk and a handful of other busy crew, ever milling about behind the bar making sure everything seems perfect, and supervising the build-out of a downstairs tasting lab geared towards wholesale, education, and events. (I'm told it will look like an Italian wine cellar, and I don't doubt this.) Tea and pastries are currently the only outsourced elements here. The former comes from Spirit Tea, while the latter come from the Lower East Side's Supermoon Bakehouse, with doughy selections ranging from classics to vibrantly colored croissants. Alternative milks, such as oat and almond, are produced in-house. It's hard to call out any one favorite element of Fulk's eye-catching interior concept: the starburst blush-and-teal terrazzo floor radiating enthusiastically outward from the bar, the basketweave detailing on the sanctuary ceiling, the variations of Arabica blossom wallpaper throughout the space. Indeed, clever toucheswhether coffee-focused or design-focuseddominate here, from the condiment bar with chilled lines drawing the house-milked almond milk and its friends up from the basement, to the four different designs of to-go cups, to the coffee-botanical-design-adorned custom hand towels (yes) in the bathroom. It's all a part of what Petrehn says is drawn from many different time periods and aestheticsa goal of making you a little lost in space and time, not sure of where you might be at all, except for here, very specifically inside Felix. And of course, a place with such aspirations of grandeur would be remiss without a performative slow bar. Seasonal drinks rotate here, like a campfire-experience-inspired s'mores latte, or a deconstructed espresso tonic served up in a snifter with fresh basil, Campari reduction, and a rosewater spritz. We have a few people that come back every day for one, says Petrehn of the signature drinks with prices well above $10. We are, after allas much as the owners might like you to forget itstill in Midtown Manhattan. Liz Clayton is the associate editor at Sprudge Media Network and the co-author of Where to Drink Coffee. Read more Liz Clayton on Sprudge. What is the worst question Slovaks have to answer at job interviews? Jobseekers cannot stand the question about their future plans. "Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?" It's a question anyone who has been to a job interview has been asked at least once. However, the survey carried out by Grafton Recruitment shows that 21 percent of respondents consider it their least favourite question at job interviews. "Are you single?" In addition, 17 percent of respondents do not like questions regarding their family status, age, children, or sexual orientation, which are questions hiring managers are not allowed to ask by law. Top 5 worst questions according to job applicants: Where do you see yourself in XY years? Do you have children? Are you married? Why did you decide to apply for a job at our company? What are your weaknesses and strengths? "Candidates can thus avoid answering questions like 'Do you have kids?', 'Are you single?', or 'Who will take care of your children if they get ill?'," said Jitka Souckova, Grafton Recruitment's marketing manager, as quoted in the press release. Also, one-tenth of respondents has been asked vulgar and offensive questions. "Questions about breast size, frequency of toilet visits, political preferences, or the number of friends, are totally irrelevant," added Souckova. Not favourite, but relevant Moreover, some respondents consider, for instance, the question about their weaknesses and strengths or the question on why they applied for a given job as one of the worst ones, but they are relevant. "Although up to one-quarter of respondents see them as stupid and unprofessional, they should be asked at a job interview and candidates should think carefully about how they will respond to them," said Souckova, as quoted in the press release. 29. Jan 2019 at 13:36 | Compiled by Spectator staff The perception of corruption in Slovakia has been the worst since 2013 The murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak has underscored Slovakia's disability to fight corruption. Slovakia has reported its worst score in perceiving corruption since 2013. It placed 57th in this year's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published by Transparency International on January 29. It is a drop of three positions compared with 2017. The country scored only 50 out of 100 points. Hungary, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia are the EU member states failing to cope with corruption the most. While Denmark and New Zealand, with scores of 88 and 87, respectively, top the CPI this year, Somalia, Syria and South Sudan, with scores between 10 and 13, are at the bottom of the index. Countries with the best and the worst scores on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (Source: Transparency International) Deplorable punishments The case of murdered journalist Jan Kuciak, who wrote about corruption and the frauds of tycoons, shows how Slovakia fails to fight corruption. "Only 47 people were charged with criminal acts of corruption in 2018, which is the lowest figure since 2009 and half of the annual average of the charged between 2010 and 2014," said Gabriel Sipos, head of Transparency International Slovakia. Read also: Bulletin-board ministers go to prison Read more He considers the punishment for corruption to be poor, giving the example of former ministers Marian Janusek and Igor Stefanov, who were sentenced for corruption in the so-called bulletin-board tender after 11 years. "Slovakia, alongside Bulgaria, is among those EU countries where most people do not trust the police," Sipos added. Picturing American billionaire George Soros as a threat to Slovakia's democracy by Smer chair Robert Fico, or the description of the third sector as muddy and rich by Culture Minister Lubica Lassakova (Smer), does not help fight corruption either, according to Sipos. Positive changes On the other hand, the journalist's murder and subsequent protest gatherings have brought about some positive changes. Read also: TIS: In fight against corruption, Slovakia continues to stagnate Read more Tycoons Marian Kocner and Ladislav Basternak have been charged, or sentenced, in tax-related cases, while Fico stepped down as the prime minister and so did ex-interior minister Robert Kalinak. Moreover, Tibor Gaspar resigned from the post of police corps president and several people have been arrested in the case of Kuciak's murder. "So-called small corruption such as bribes of dozens of euros have continued to drop, too," said Sipos. Only 12 percent of people experienced a little bit of corruption last year, which is the lowest number in history, he added. "Sentencing murderers and people who ordered the double murder, as well as a sharp increase in the pace of punishing so-called big corruption fish, could help the actual restart of the fight against corruption," said Sipos, adding the depoliticisation of the police, judiciary, and other public offices can also help Slovakia improve its score on the CTI. 29. Jan 2019 at 13:34 | Compiled by Spectator staff The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). 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... Most academic researchers struggle to get anyone at all to pay attention to their researchso its hard to overstate how unusual it is for someone to be willing to devote time and money to spying on an academic research center. But according to a report last week by the Associated Press, thats exactly what happened to researchers at the University of Torontos Citizen Lab who work on exposing online surveillance and state-based hacking initiatives. Two Citizen Lab researchers were contacted by men posing as tech-industry executives for fake companies who arranged meetings with the researchers in December and January. The New York Times has identified one of the fake tech executives as Aharon Almog-Assoulin, a retired Israeli security official, but its not clear whom the undercover agents were working for, though they repeatedly questioned the researchers about the teams work on an Israeli surveillance program sold by the NSO Group. (The NSO Group denied any involvement and told AP it had never hired or asked anyone to hire agents to look into Citizen Lab.) What is clear is that the kind of work that Citizen Lab is doingpulling back the curtain on the tools and techniques that governments and others use to conduct digital surveillance and compromise devices belonging to journalists, human rights activists, and political dissidents around the worldis more important and more difficult to do than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Citizen Lab, headed by Toronto political science professor Ron Deibert, is widely known for its in-depth investigations of how state-supported hackers across the globe operate. Researchers there can track these operations and lay out exactly how different surveillance missions are implemented, bringing together both sophisticated technical knowledge and geopolitical analysis. That approach sets the lab apart from many others working on issues of digital surveillance, as does their geographic range. In 2018 alone, it published reports on how Tibetans were being targeted by phishing campaigns and how commercial software developed by the NSO Group was used to target Mexican journalists and Omar Abdulaziz, a Saudi dissident in Canada who was a confidant of murdered Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. Following Khashoggis assassination at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul and the revelation that Abdulazizs phone had been compromised, CNN analyzed more than 400 WhatsApp messages between Khashoggi and Abdulaziz. CNN found that they included strong criticisms of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and may have been accessed through the malware downloaded on Abdulazizs phone. Advertisement These two failed attempts to fool Citizen Lab researchers are both surreal and terrifying. In December, just two days after CNN published its article on the WhatsApp messages, Citizen Lab researcher Bahr Abdul Razzak was contacted on LinkedIn by a man named Gary Bowman. Bowman told Abdul Razzak that he was a South African financial technology executive at a (nonexistent) Madrid-based company called FlameTech. He said he was interested in working with him, and the two men met at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto on Dec. 18. Abdul Razzak told AP that Bowman proceeded to grill him on the Citizen Labs work about NSO spyware, reading off cue cards and asking questions such as Why do you write only about NSO?; Do you write about it because its an Israeli company?; Do you hate Israel? Advertisement Advertisement One month later, after the Associated Press and Citizen Lab had established there was no such company as FlameTech, another Citizen Lab researcher, John Scott-Railton, received a message from a representative of another fictional company, this one a Paris-based agricultural tech firm called CPW-Consulting. Prepared this time, Scott-Railton met the CPW-Consulting representative at the Peninsula Hotel in New York armed with a GoPro camera and other recording devices, while two AP reporters sat at a nearby table. Scott-Railton was grilled about whether he had any Jewish friends growing up and whether there was any racist element behind Citizen Labs investigations into Israeli-made software. Then, at the end of the meal, the AP reporters confronted the man and asked why there was no record of his company. He left without answering any of their questions. Advertisement The fake websites for both FlameTech and CPW-Consulting disappeared soon after the AP published its article on the operation, but the reporters were unable to figure out whom they worked forthey couldnt find any evidence that they had been hired by the NSO Group. Scott-Railton and Abdul Razzak both told the AP that they suspected they were being recorded during their respective meetings (Scott-Railton noticed a pen on the restaurant table that he thought had a camera lens) and that the undercover agents most likely wanted them to make statements about Israel or their work that would embarrass the research center and compromise the integrity of their work. Advertisement These two failed attempts to fool Citizen Lab researchers are both surreal and terrifying. Parts of the story seem like almost laughably weak efforts at infiltrating a group of experts at detecting online subterfugethe hastily mocked-up websites for the two fake companies featuring a stock photos as an executive headshot; the inexpert, awkward questioning about whether the researchers disliked Israel or Jews. On the other hand, as clunky and inexpert as those efforts were, its still unsettling that someone would go to the trouble and expense of creating those websites and hiring those men to meet with Abdul Razzak and Scott-Railton in the name of trying to discredit or derail research about online surveillance and commercial spyware. Its a mark of how solid the labs researchers digital protections must be (unsurprising, really) that the only way their adversaries could think of to to compromise them was to arrange for in-person meetings. More than that, its a reminder that doing this kind of work on digital surveillance requires not just tremendous skill and resources but also the courage and institutional backing to confront the people who want to keep that surveillance under wraps at all costswhoever they may be. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Since the government shutdown ended late last week, Senate Republicans have been saying they are extremely worried about the possibility of a second one. The 35-day mishap, with its $11 billion price tag (much of which is not recoverable), redounded to the benefit of nobody, not even the president who forced it. And GOP senators are well aware that they might suffer consequences at the ballot box should it happen again. Some of them are on the record making impressive statements to that effect in the New York Times. (Shutting down the government should be as off limits in budget negotiations as chemical warfare is in real warfare, said Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. Ive said repeatedly throughout this process that government shutdowns are a bad idea, said Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. This never should have happened, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.) Indeed some are pushing new legislation to ensure that Donald Trump cannot shut down the government again in three weeks if he doesnt get the wall he isnt going to get. As for what will actually happen next, the president warned on Friday that if he didnt get a fair deal on money for his wall by that Feb. 15 deadline, the government would close again, or hed invoke emergency powers to try to build it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the only question remaining seems to be thishaving made their positions against another shutdown clear, do Senate Republicans affirmatively want the president to go with his Door No. 2 and declare a national emergency in an effort to shift billions of dollars from disaster aid or other sources to build his wall anyhow? Unless the president just forgets the past six weeks happened, those appear to be the only two options, short of an unlikely Valentines Day deal. At least on principle, you might think the GOP is not that much more inclined to support a declaration of national emergency and a radical expansion of eminent domain powers than a second shutdown. They are both bad options. As Politico reported on Monday: Advertisement Senate Republicans loathe both options, but for now, theyd choose almost anything over another funding lapse. As Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) put it: I dont think we want to face another shutdown. And I certainly dont think we want to have emergency action taken. So the president and Congress will have to come together. Maybe. Maybe there will be a big breakthrough in the coming week as the committee tasked with negotiating an agreement on border security attempts to resolve the impasse. But in the far likelier case that this doesnt happen, do Republicans in the Senate who just got clobbered over the shutdown really want a declaration of national emergency to happen next? Several have already gone on the record to oppose such a thing. Romney told MSNBC, I think thats an action that would be taken in the most extreme circumstances, and hopefully, we dont reach that. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis told the Hill, You cant be in a national emergency forever. For us to totally secure the border, thats a multiyear proposition. Sen. Marco Rubiowho stands to lose hurricane-relief fundingtweeted, I do not believe the White House will divert money from #Florida disaster recovery to fund border security. But if some reason they try, I will do everything I can to overturn such a decision. Rubio has also said, Theres some concern about how [an emergency declaration] could be used by future presidents for other reasons. Advertisement Now who even knows whats really on the table? South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham had been emphatically opposed to an emergency declaration in early January. I dont know legally if you can do that. I think thats a fallback position, he said. The best way is for the Congress to come back and do wall plus something else. Ill be watching. Two days later he tweeted, Mr. President, declare a national emergency NOW. Build a wall NOW. This all brings us to William Barr, Donald Trumps choice to be the new attorney general. On Tuesday, Barrs vote was postponed by a week amid Senate Democrats concerns, which was expected, and Barrs written response to questions about Trumps emergency powers, which was not. In written follow-up answers to Senate Democrats questions about the power of the president to declare a national emergency to build his border wall, Barr declined to say what guidance he would offer the president. In response to a question from Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Barr wrote that I have not examined the facts and circumstances pertaining to security on the southern border with this issue in mind, and therefore, I am not in a position to further comment on what would constitute a national emergency. Barr added that, were he to be confirmed, hed ensure that the Departments advice on this subject is consistent with any applicable law. Advertisement Advertisement Now who even knows whats really on the table, given that the president has variously insisted that he will almost definitely declare a national emergency to get his wall done, and then that he would not, and then, as he put it on Friday, Well work with the Democrats and negotiate, and if we cant do that, then well do aobviously well do the emergency because thats what it is. Its a national emergency. So. Things. Given the amount of thinking lawyers have put into the question of presidential power to declare a national emergency at the border, it would be frankly somewhat amazing if Barr hasnt given it any actual thought. If you are inclined to bone up, you should surely start here, (and then here, and also this, and this, and here, and many thousands of words suggesting that we are not presently in an emergency and also that the president cannot use eminent domain to toss people out of their ranches and churches and homes by simply saying there is one). Given the reality that many Americans are as opposed to a declaration of national emergency as they were to the shutdown, it might behoove Republicans in the Senate to find out whether the new attorney general plans to greenlight whatever power grab the president plans to arrogate to himself. Advertisement Advertisement Apparently, though, nope, theyre cool. If Republican senators really wanted to stop this national emergency declaration from happening, all they would have to do is promise to veto any attorney general nominee, such as Barr, who refuses to reject the possibility. Thats it. Instead, the current plan appears to be that Senate Republicans will let the emergency declaration go forward, try to blame House Democrats, and then allow the question to be tied up for months and years in the courts, with setbacks blamed on liberal judges. Is it brave? No! Is it a bold declaration against unchecked executive overreach that will set an awful precedent whatever the outcome? No! Is it consistent with conservative and libertarian views of property rights and limited government? Also, no! And should the president declare his emergency, does anyone think the Senate will at any time check him, as the law, on its face, demands? No to that too! Senate Republicans have no good option here between allowing another shutdown to happen and allowing the president to declare a national emergency without consequence. Moving calmly and deliberately toward the latter choice only because its the one that hasnt yet been tested isnt just shortsighted and cowardly. Its Congress choosing again to do nothing to stop the president, and then claiming falsely that there is nothing they can do to stop him. On Sunday, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced his intent to pursue a run for the presidency as an independent, telling the New York Times that hell travel around the nation for three months before making his final decision. As luck would have it, the 65-year-old multibillionaire has just published a new book, which hell conveniently be able to promote during his cross-country journey to save the republic. Schultz made Gwyneth Paltrows Goop Podcast one of his first stopsa puzzling choice for a would-be candidate wholl have to win over swaths of the population that dont belong to the engraved-24-karat-gold-sex-toy-purchasing demographic. In an hourlong conversation at a cafe (not a Starbucks!), the two moguls talked about the magic of coffee shops, the power of Jewish guilt, and how sad it is that American political discourse has gotten so darn uncivil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The podcast is full of riveting exchanges between two people who identify as purpose-driven business leaders and who are both also insanely rich. To wit, this battle of bons mots: Schultz: Im drinking tea, actually, instead of coffee, because Ive got a cold. Paltrow: Are you allowed to drink tea? Schultz: Im totally allowed to drink tea. Paltrow: You are? OK. I guess they sell tea at Starbucks. Schultz: Yes, we do. And this illuminating repartee on the topic of Schultzs morning routine: Paltrow: Do you exercise? Schultz: I exercise. Doesnt it look like I exercise? Paltrow: Yes, you look very strong and fit. Schultz-Paltrow 2020! Considering the effort Paltrow expends positioning herself as an up-by-her-bootstraps achiever, listeners might come away thinking shes the one mounting a presidential campaign. The born-wealthy child of Hollywood A-listers recounts her days living in her first apartment, trying to make it as an actor, when she would walk to Starbucks to save money on gas and buy her lattes with quarters she found by digging around in my couch. She claims she made such wonderful friendships at Starbucks that now, when shes traveling for work and drinks one of the companys coffees, she experiences a very powerful sensory resonant feeling of being home. Nothing like the taste of sameness to evoke memories of ye olde neighborhood corporate outpost. Advertisement Advertisement While Paltrows apparent emotional ties to Schultzs brand make her a less-than-objective interlocutor, she does stumble upon a few questions that force Schultz into uncomfortable positions. When Paltrow asks Schultz how much he thinks American policymakers are governing according to their own economic interests, Schultzwho would be the second U.S. president in a row with a troubling array of financial conflicts of interestgets a little squirmy. I dont know if its so much the economic interests as it is the ideology of the people in charge, he says. He tries to equate governing by ideology with governing by self-interest, as if an ideological win (passing universal health care) and a self-interested economic win (an extremely wealthy legislator passes steep tax cuts) convey equivalent benefits. If you got people in a room whose party and ideology was left outside and we said, Lets just try and solve these problems to benefit all Americans, we could solve these problems, Schultz promises. If only wed thought of that! Advertisement When hes not spouting fifth-grade-level paeans to political comity, there are moments when Schultz Goops it up a bit, peppering his stories with the language of a Moon Juiceguzzling, jade egginserting Paltrow acolyte. In an anecdote about his friendship with a Hasidic rabbi in Israel, Schultz says he wasnt studying religion, but humanity, wisdom, in service of others and what it means to be a servant leader. Paltrow, of conscious uncoupling fame, does, bless her, force Schultz to define servant leadership. Giving yourself to others, he responds. Being present, being human. But whenever Schultz starts to sound a bit too heady for a career in mainstream politics, he rights himself by emitting some tried-and-true political banalities. Both leaders lament the divisiveness and hateful rhetoric (on both sides!) that define contemporary political debatea situation Paltrow describes as toxic. Thats how you know its bad here in America, because nothing in the Goop universe poses as much of a threat as a toxin. Advertisement Advertisement Its funny to listen to Schultz try to explain political things, because its clear he lacks the basic savvy that was once expected of presidential candidates. He tells Paltrow legislators should reach across the proverbial aisle because they were elected to represent all of America, not their individual constituency, which is just flat-out untrue. He brags about how he decided to charge more for coffee because he wanted to give health insurance and stock options to all his employees, then pretends he doesnt understand how raising taxes (essentially charging some people higher prices so others can have better living conditions and opportunities) might make universal health care possible here, as it is in much of the rest of the developed world. As amusing as it is to witness Paltrow credit Schultz with introducing America to that new idea of communityaka the coffee shopand to hear both executives describe the other as inspiring, astute listeners will note an unforgivable gap in the conversation, a point of shared interest Paltrow and Schultz could have discussed for hours. One can only hope Paltrow moderates a presidential debate. Otherwise, we may never get the Schultz campaigns take on the Goop-approved coffee enema. On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was taking the unprecedented action of establishing a new set of restrictions on asylum-seekers attempting to enter the United States at the southern border. These restrictions, which were first described in the press last year as a Remain in Mexico policy, are now dubbed migrant protection protocols. Instead of being allowed to enter the United States to pursue asylum claims either while living freely in the U.S. or while held in immigration detention, asylum-seekers will be returned to Mexico to wait for their asylum hearings. It remains unclear how this policy will play out, as the three-page policy memo offered no substantive administrative guidance to officers charged with implementing the changes, which are reportedly set to begin in California before expanding across the entire border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also unclear what type of status, if any, migrants waiting in Mexico will have while they wait for their asylum claims to be decided, or how the asylum-seekers will be able to obtain counsel or prepare their immigration cases while kept outside the country. The policy seems designed to make seeking asylum so arduous, so difficult, and so hopeless that migrants give up on attempting to seek refuge at all. This strategy of making the lives of immigrants so horrific that they give up on dreams of living in the United States without being formally forced away isnt new. In fact, such attrition through enforcement has been one of the most prevalent strategies of hard-line anti-immigration groups. The idea of attrition through enforcement has been attributed to both Kris Kobach, the erstwhile Kansas secretary of state and leader of Trumps defunct Commission on Election Integrity, and Mark Krikorian, executive director of the anti-immigrant Center of Immigration Studies. Advertisement At its most basic, attrition through enforcement seeks to avoid the expensive and controversial spectacle of mass deportations by making life so difficult for immigrants that they self-deport, as former GOP presidential nominee and current Utah Sen. Mitt Romney famously described it. This has involved deterring new immigration, increasing deportations, and most importantly increasing the rate of individuals leaving the United States without official deportation orders. Attrition through enforcement was first conceived of as a federal strategy, but its supporters quickly realized that there were more ways to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants. Advertisement State-level restrictions, which are much easier to pass and implement than national initiatives, quickly became the preferred method of punishment and deprivation. Kobach, in particular, became something of a national traveling salesman, selling local anti-immigrant legislation to cities and states and then raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars when municipalities ended up hiring him to defend themselves in federal lawsuits, which inevitably found the laws to be unconstitutional. In 2006, he convinced Valley Park, Missouri to adopt a strict anti-immigrant ordinance that punished employers for hiring undocumented workers. Farmers Branch, Texas, approved a similar ordinance that punished landlords for renting to undocumented immigrants on Kobachs suggestion. The same thing happened in Fremont, Nebraska. All of these laws were rendered unenforceable either by the courts, or by logistical challenges. Advertisement Kobach was also largely responsible for Arizonas controversial SB 1070, which made it a criminal act to exist in Arizona without legal status, required local law enforcement to attempt to verify the immigration status of Arizona residents, and criminalized housing, hiring or transporting undocumented residents. Part of SB 1070s written intent was attrition through enforcement, by discourage[ing] and deter[ing] the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States. SB 1070 litigation reached all the way to the Supreme Court, where most of the law was invalidated. Advertisement He was also behind Alabamas HB 56, which required that police attempt to determine immigration status during legal stops, prohibited undocumented immigrants from receiving state or local public benefits, and required public primary schools to determine the immigration status of all students. Undocumented students were outright barred from attending public universities and colleges. It also made it illegal to rent property to undocumented immigrants, or to transport or house undocumented immigrants. The courts blocked parts of HB 56, and Alabama eventually rescinded other provisions of the law after public backlash. Advertisement It is clear that the new policy is designed to make the lives of these asylum-seekers so miserable that they give up. What all of these laws have in common is that they sought to decrease the number of immigrants without actually changing federal immigration law itself. They amounted to a campaign of targeted harassment against Hispanic and Latino residents in the hopes of making their lives so miserable that they simply left. They were also eventually almost entirely gutted by federal courts after prolonged and expensive legal battles. Although most of these laws objectively failed, Kobach was brought on as an immigration adviser to Trump. In his new position, he continued to tout the benefits of self-deportation, telling Fox News, The jobs are going to dry up, the welfare benefits are going to dry up, and a lot of people who may not be criminal aliens may decide, hey, its getting hard to disobey federal law, and may leave on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Now, the administration is taking its own attrition through enforcement efforts to a new level. In addition to attempting to force the self-deportation of those without legal status in the interior of the United States, they are now pushing attrition on those engaged in the perfectly legal act of seeking asylum. It is clear that the new policy is designed to make the lives of these asylum-seekers so miserable that they give up. The policy advisory itself boasts that migrants with non-meritorious or even fraudulent claims will no longer have an incentive for making the journey, presumably because they will be forced to wait in notoriously dangerous Mexican border cities for what could be years to make their case in court. There is no guarantee that the waiting asylum-seekers will be given permission to work or provided with shelter or food assistance from Mexico. Asylum-seekers are already subject to deplorable conditions, and at least two have been killed while waiting to enter the United States. Advertisement The underlying intent of the remain in Mexico policy, just as with Kobachs misguided state policies, is for asylum-seekers to simply give up and leave, which would presumably shrink the immigration court backlog and avoid the other controversial enforcement mechanisms Trump has struggled to implement, like family separation and detaining unaccompanied minors in rural tent camps. Advertisement Advertisement The problem with this plan is twofold. First, the new implementation will undoubtedly be delayed by courts as the protocols seem to contradict our immigration law and international human rights law. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, asylum-seekers who pass their credible fear interview should be allowed to remain in the United States while their claims are pending. Section 235(b)(2)(C), which allows the United States to return aliens arriving from contiguous territory to that territory and which DHS cites as the legal basis for the new protocol, doesnt actually seem to apply to asylum-seekers, whose presence in the U.S. is governed by a different section of the INA. Additionally, the policy may violate our obligations under the Refugee Convention and U.N. Convention Against Torture, which prohibit us from returning individuals to countries where they face a threat to their life or freedom, or where they could be tortured. The bigger problem for attrition through enforcement is that asylum-seekers are not a pest that can be eliminated with more violence. Asylum-seekers are leaving their home countries because they have no choice, because they are desperate for a chance, no matter how small, of safety. So long as human misery and oppression exist, so will asylum-seekers arriving at our doorstep. The only question is for how long we will continue to offer cruel and ineffective attempts at attrition to block their access to the United States instead of implementing meaningful, humanitarian resettlement policies. In a blog post after he was laid off, BuzzFeeds former director of Quizzes, Matthew Perpetua, revealed a startling detail about his corner of the digital media behemoth: Much of the sites sizable quiz traffic comes from amateur quizzes created for free by members of the user-generated content hub BuzzFeed Communityand lately, the second highest traffic driver worldwide has been a community user in Michigan who is a teenager in college who, for some reason, makes dozens of quizzes every week. Advertisement Who is this college student who has put in so many hours of unpaid work to create quizzes for a company that generated $300 million in revenue last year? We reached out to the amateur quizmaster, Rachel McMahon, a 19-year-old studying communications at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. She answered questions via DM about her hobby, her thoughts on BuzzFeeds recent layoffswhich, on Twitter, she worried were her faultand whether she has anything to say to BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti. The interview has been edited for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Slate: When did you start making quizzes, and what made you want to start? Rachel McMahon: I made my first BuzzFeed quiz on April 13, 2017, but my first promoted quiz (where it was published on the BuzzFeed quiz page) wasnt until April 28, 2017. I was in high school at the time, and during my yearbook class I always had free time because Id get my work done really fast. So, my friend Katie and I would always take BuzzFeed quizzes in class and one day, I realized that anyone could make them and I thought that was so cool! My first few quizzes werent the greatest, as you can expect, but over time my quizzes have thankfully improved. Advertisement In November of 2017, after lots of my quizzes had been promoted, I got an email saying this: Advertisement Advertisement So I was now in a Facebook group full of other BuzzFeed community users like myself. It was great because there are BuzzFeed workers who specialize in the community section also in the group who help us, and even have us do challenges to keep us going :) So youve been making quizzes for almost two (!) yearsthats a long time! What made you want to keep going? Yes its been a long time! It hasnt seemed that long though. I love to make them. Its become a hobby for me. I love creating them and seeing others enjoy them. How many quizzes would you say youve made at this point? I dont know an exact number of quizzes but its definitely very high! Too many to count! Advertisement [Note: We counted. Rachel averages 40 to 50 quizzes per month.] How do you come up with your quiz ideas? BuzzFeed quizzes are known to be very random. So most of the time, I just get a random thought and write it down. Sometimes Ill seek something out and that will spark an idea, but most of the time, its just a random thought. Advertisement Do you have a favorite quiz youve made, or one that sticks out to you? Actually, yes: Nick Jonas actually took my Which Jonas Brother Are You? quiz on Jimmy Fallons show! Advertisement Your BuzzFeed profile says, Hire me @ buzzfeedwas that your original hope/goal with these quizzes? A job at BuzzFeed was something I had seriously thought of, but I wasnt too confident Id ever be able to make it into such a big company. Now, I dont think I see it as much of a career option. Advertisement Why not? Personally, I dont think its much of a career option anymore because of the cutbacks. If BuzzFeed is going to rely mostly on community, I dont think a job position for me would even be available. What was your reaction to hearing about the layoffs? I was shocked! I found out a few days ago, before it went viral like it did. On our community FB page, some of the amazing workers posted that they had been laid off and would no longer be with us. They wished us all the best. I was so confused, and it just didnt make sense to me! It wasnt until today when I saw Matthews blog post that it finally made sense to me why the layoffs happened. Because BF figured out they could use the community members content for free Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did finding that out make you feel taken advantage of? Advertisement Not necessarily. I always understood that I was giving away my content for free. It just made me feel horrible about those being laid off. They all worked so hard. You tweeted that you felt like your hobby could be to blame for the layoffs. When I first read about the layoffs, it broke me. I felt as if I was the main reason for them, and it didnt feel good whatsoever. I never thought my hobby could turn bad, and seeing how devastated and frustrated all these laid-off BuzzFeed workers were just crushed me. Im thankful for all the reassurance from everyone, because without it, I would probably still feel that weight on my shoulders. I mean, Im just a college student doing it for fun. I never knew this would happen. Advertisement BuzzFeeds former director of Quizzes, Matthew Perpetua, told me this about you: We were all quite fixated on Rachels success in the past several monthsthere had always been community power users, but her level of success and extremely prolific production was an outlier. He said that they even studied and learned from your quizzes. Advertisement Omg, wow. I knew my quizzes were liked but hearing that is insane. I just wish I could use that success and turn it into something I can use for a future career, or at least a way to earn money. Are you interested in working in media after all this? Yes, definitely. Although I dont know exactly what I want to do careerwise, I am very interested in the social media/digital field. I was hoping my accomplishments at BuzzFeed could help get my name out there, but a lot of people are now replying to my tweets saying I shouldnt be working for free. I never had the intention to get paid by BuzzFeed. I think BuzzFeed would probably laugh in my face if I asked for money, knowing they have all these other community contributors to lean on. Although Im their biggest community contributor, Im just one piece. Advertisement Did the BuzzFeed team ever send you anything, like swag? Yes! I got a card for Christmas. I got BuzzFeed swag and some Amazon gift cards multiple times. After all this, has your personal opinion of BuzzFeed changed? It has changed a little. Im definitely more skeptical of them. Advertisement Do you think youll do what some people are suggesting and try to monetize the kind of work youre doing online? Or will you keep making quizzes for free as a BuzzFeed community member? Im definitely thinking of finding a way to monetize this kind of thing. The big problem is Im young and dont know how at the moment. I think Im going to start by at least taking a break from making quizzes for free. It just doesnt seem fair to the people who were laid off. The company shouldnt be using me for my hobby. Do you have anything to say to Jonah Peretti, the CEO of BuzzFeed? Ive never been in contact with Jonah, but I just hope he realizes he made a mistake. I am fan of BuzzFeed, but recently, the news has shocked me. They let go some amazing workers, and when BuzzFeeds numbers drop, I hope he realizes why. The New York Senate stood and cheered when a bill that eliminates protection of an aborted baby was passed. Even in Iowa, a court deemed that it was unconstitutional to stop an abortion if a heartbeat could be detected. So it isn't that surprising then when these liberals love their sanctuary states and cities, allowing illegal alien criminals the freedom to elude ICE and commit their crimes, making thousands of innocent American citizens their unfortunate victims. However, if you're of Nancy Pelosi's ilk, then these victims are only collateral damage. What we have here today is a political party without any semblance of ethical or moral standard or value. It's a party without patriotism or love of country; without respect for our Constitution, our sovereignty or our rule of law; without respect for our founding, our Christian heritage, or even a belief and faith in our God, who has thus far abundantly blessed this nation as no other. And when these patriotic and Christian attributes are missing, common sense also disappears. How can one then display to the populace that he or she is a friend of America or a friend of we the people? It seems to me that today's Democrat Party is more a friend to illegals, terrorists, drug smugglers, sex traffickers and gang members. Some even want no ICE and no border guards. And I wonder lately, how can we have so many of these anti-Americans in power who, daily, violate their oath of office? - Sid Jacobsma, Orange City, Iowa Love 6 Funny 6 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 Iowa maintained its No. 2 spot for ACT scores, with an average score of 21.8 for the Class of 2018, behind South Dakota at 21.9. These scores are among states that have at least half the graduates taking the test. Science and technology On the downside, Iowa lost ground on the state technology and science index, going from 43.5 percent of the population having science or technology jobs in 2017 to 38.8 percent in 2018. The workforce we have in Iowa around science and technology is critical to Iowa and its critical to the nation and the security of the nation, said Phil Jasper, leader of the Mission Systems business unit at Collins Aerospace, in Cedar Rapids, and a Council member. Collins Aerospace works with universities to shape the curriculum so graduates will have in-demand skills and hires interns and externs to give them early experience, Jasper said. The company supports STEM activities in K-12 schools, he said. Jasper, who grew up near Lamont and graduated from Iowa State University, said he wants Iowa students to know that, if they work hard in science and technology, they can find good jobs here. But he also wants the state to have all the tools necessary to recruit workers from other countries. DES MOINES -- In her first trip to Iowa as a presidential candidate, Kamala Harris defended her record as a leader on criminal justice issues and described how she would contrast herself with Donald Trump. Harris, a U.S. senator from California, on Monday made her first trip to Iowa after making her candidacy official over the weekend. She participated in a town hall forum that was hosted by Drake University in Des Moines and broadcast live by CNN. Harris is the latest to enter what is expected to be a large field seeking the Democratic Partys nomination. When asked how she would handle herself in a presidential campaign and avoid getting drawn into a war of words with Trump, Harris said she would start by speaking the truth. And speaking in a way that expresses and indicates some level of interest and concern in people other than oneself. Right there we will see a great contrast, Harris said, drawing murmurs and nods of approval from a crowd that gathered nearby on the Drake campus to watch a feed of the event. Throughout the town hall, Harris was asked questions that gave her an opportunity to present her case to Democratic voters in Iowa and across the country. DES MOINES A proposal to require city and county assessors to stand for retention every four years did not advance out of a Senate Local Government subcommittee Monday, but lawmakers didnt kill the bill. Senate File 49, sponsored by Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, was opposed by local government lobbyists, who said it would needlessly politicize what now is an appointed position. Subcommittee members indicated they wanted to give the bill more consideration before making a decision. Im not sure at this time what I think of this bill, frankly, but Im not sure at this time I want to kill it, said Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola. Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, wasnt sure that requiring assessors to stand for retention like judges would be a bad thing. Everybody seems to be afraid of politics, he said. I think what youre talking about is accountability. However, I see there are a lot of different parts to this whole thing, and Im really struggling with this thing. We hope we will have people on both sides of the aisle joining us in asking that northeast Iowans votes be counted, Koether said at a Statehouse news conference before the House debate Monday. She was flanked by more than a dozen voters, some whose votes were not counted. If they dont, then we will seek whatever redress we can get. Koether earlier challenged the outcome in Polk County District Court, but a judge ruled that the House was the correct venue to have her challenge heard. Regardless of her next action, the decision was in keeping with the history of Iowa legislative election challenges. In three challenges going back to 1975, the majority party Democrat and Republican has voted to seat its candidate. Wolfe told her colleagues that the administrative rule the Republican majority report relied on is at the bottom in the hierarchy of the rules of law, below the Constitution and statutes. The Constitution provides a clear and affirmative, fundamental right to vote. The only legal conclusion is to count every vote, Wolfe said. Holt agreed that voting is a fundamental right, but drew a different conclusion. SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City School District budget for the upcoming year may be set without the types of multimillion-dollar cuts that took place the last two years, when the use of teacher early retirements and a cut to a specialty line of teacher pay were put in place to get rid of shortfalls. "I don't see this as a year with a big swing of reductions," Superintendent Paul Gausman said Monday. Gausman was replying to a question from Sioux City School Board member David Gleiser on whether budget reductions would be needed for 2019-20, if the district gets at least 2 percent growth in state funding. School board members in a Monday meeting reviewed projections on revenues that could come ahead in the 2019-20 budget, as they wait to hear what funding is ultimately set by the Iowa Legislature in upcoming weeks. The board members are rooting for the highest possible amount of new money, called supplemental state aid, in order to reduce any need for cuts in personnel and programs. The amount of new SSA funding may not be known for some weeks, so district Chief Financial Officer Patty Blankenship prepared budget scenarios in which percentages were zero percent, 1 percent, 2 percent and 2.3 percent. SIOUX CITY -- An autopsy has determined that a Hinton, Iowa, woman whose body was found in a burned Sioux City hotel room was strangled. Elizabeth Bockholt's death has been ruled a homicide, the Sioux City Police Department said in a news release Tuesday. Her body was found Thursday after police and firefighters responded to a fire call in a room at the Wingate by Wyndham, 4716 Southern Hills Drive. Jordan Henry, already in custody on a first-degree arson charge in connection with the case, has been charged with first-degree murder. His bond was raised from $52,000 to $500,000 at an initial appearance on the murder charge Tuesday afternoon. According to a complaint filed Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court, Henry strangled Bockholt to death in room 102 at about 9:24 p.m., removed a smoke alarm and set the room on fire. Henry, a 29-year-old transient living in Sioux City, was identified on surveillance video and by witnesses who saw him leaving the scene just after the fire was discovered, the complaint said. Bockholt, 40, was found unconscious in the room when police and firefighters arrived soon after. Attempts to resuscitate her failed, and she was pronounced dead at a hospital. Bockholt was a mother of four. SIOUX CITY -- Siouxland will be contending with bitterly cold wind chills and steadily falling temperatures Tuesday, said Tim Masters, a technician with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls. "Since Siouxland will be seeing northwest winds gust as high as 30 mph and wind chill values as low as 25 below, the entire region will be under a wind chill advisory until 3 p.m.," he said. "After 3 p.m., wind chill values will dip as low as 38 below, which means Siouxland will transition into the wind chill warning until noon Wednesday." Indeed, Tuesday's overnight low is expected to go all the way down to 18 below, which isn't quite a record, Masters said. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "Sioux City had a low of 22 below back in 1966," he explained. "You'll come close to a record but not quite hit it." The area will remain mired in the deep freeze on Wednesday, when the daytime high will top off at a frigid 3 below. But believe it or not, winds will shift from the northwest to the southeast during Wednesday's overnight. While the forecast low will still go down to 7 below, it will bring a warm up on Thursday. "It's hard to say Thursday's high of 17 will be the start of a warming trend," Masters said. "I'm sure it will feel quite nice." Friday's daytime high of 33 and Saturday's high of 45 will definitely feel nice compared to the current cold blast, he added. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The United Nations envoy for Yemen said Monday the expected timeline for a truce in the flashpoint city of Hodeida and a prisoner swap between warring parties has been pushed back. Martin Griffiths hosted hard-won peace talks between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and rival Iran-aligned Huthi rebels in Sweden last month. The two parties, who have been at war for four years, agreed at the talks to a mass prisoner swap and an ambitious ceasefire pact in Hodeida, the Red Sea city home to the impoverished country's most valuable port. Griffiths, who was in rebel-held Sanaa on his third trip to Yemen this month, said there had been "changes in timelines" for both deals. "That momentum is still there, even if we have seen the timelines for implementation extended, both in Hodeida and with regard to the prisoner exchange agreement," he told Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. "Yet such changes in timelines are expected, in light of the facts that the timelines were rather ambitious and we are dealing with a complex situation on the ground." Griffiths also confirmed reports of plans to replace retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert, who heads the monitoring team tasked with overseeing the Hodeida truce. "General Cammaert's plan was to stay in Yemen for a rather short period of time to... lay the ground for establishing the Hodeida mission," he said. "All the speculations about other reasons for General Patrick's departure are not accurate." Cammaert arrived Saturday in Yemen. At the United Nations, diplomats told AFP that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has chosen Cammaert's replacement: former Danish general Michael Lollesgaard. His candidacy has been proposed to the UN Security Council, which has 48 hours to accept or refuse, two sources told AFP on condition of anonymity. Lollesgaard commanded the UN mission to Mali (MINUSMA) from 2015 to 2016, and then became Denmark's military representative to NATO and the European Union in 2017. The Huthis, who control Hodeida, have accused Cammaert of not being up to the task and of pursuing "other agendas." UN diplomats told AFP that his relationship with Griffiths was strained. - Meeting with rebel leader - Griffiths, meanwhile, met with rebel leader Abdel Malek al-Huthi, the group said. The Huthi chief affirmed that he remains committed to the deal struck in Sweden and accused the government of "putting obstacles in the way of its implementation," said rebel official Mohammed Abdelsalam. Hodeida was for months the main front line in the Yemen war after government forces supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies launched an offensive to capture it in June. But a precarious calm has largely held in the city since the ceasefire agreement came into force on December 18. The Hodeida agreement stipulates a full ceasefire, followed by the withdrawal and redeployment of rival forces from the city -- two clauses that have yet to be fulfilled. Griffiths said another round of consultations was temporarily on hold pending progress on the current agreements. Earlier this month, he said that planned talks had been postponed until February. "We are all on the same page that we need to see progress in implementing what was agreed in Sweden before convening the next round of consultations," Griffiths said. The Yemen conflict has killed some 10,000 people since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in support of the beleaguered government in March 2015, according to the World Health Organization. Human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The war has pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. BEIRUT (Reuters) - This week will be decisive in efforts to form a government in Lebanon, representing a last chance to break the deadlock, prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday. The formation of a government nine months after an election is seen as a vital first step towards boosting confidence in the economy as political leaders warn of crisis. The International Monetary Fund has called for urgent fiscal reforms to address the country's large public debt, equivalent to about 150 percent of GDP. "Matters are positive and will become clear within two days... This week is decisive, positively or negatively," Hariri was cited as saying in a statement from his office, adding that he was "cautiously optimistic". The situation could not go on like this, and this week represented "a last chance to settle things and to launch the government formation," Hariri was quoted as saying. Members of parliament from President Michel Aoun's party, the Free Patriotic Movement, said in a statement the government could be formed this week if concessions were made by all sides. If not, then "next week we will have something else to say ... because then it will be clear that is an intention to obstruct the birth of the government", the FPM's Cesar Abi Khalil said in a statement after a meeting of the MPs. The FPM's Alain Aoun told Reuters the latest effort to clinch a deal was "very, very serious" but cautioned of a "small margin for a last-minute bad surprise". "I think this time, if there isn't a conclusion, it means we are really facing an external problem," he said, suggesting that in such a scenario foreign interference would be to blame, without giving further detail. Foreign powers have long held major and sometimes decisive sway over Lebanese politics. On Saturday, the leader of Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said "extraordinary efforts" were being made to form the government, but two obstacles remained - how to include a group of six Sunni lawmakers in the cabinet and the distribution of government portfolios among the political parties. (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Ed Osmond) Singapores Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (left) and Malaysias Minister for Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah (right). (PHOTO: Reuters/Getty Images) The working group which was set up to look into the ongoing maritime dispute involving the respective port limits of Singapore and Malaysia met for the first time in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday (28 January). According to a joint media statement released the same day by the foreign affairs ministries of both countries, the group had constructive discussions on a set of positive recommendations which will be submitted to the foreign ministers of Malaysia and Singapore for their consideration when finalised. The working group was announced by Singapores Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah after they met in Singapore on 8 January. It was tasked with discussing legal and operational matters, in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground and provide a basis for further discussions and negotiations. It is co-headed by the Permanent Secretary of Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chee Wee Kiong, and the Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. Dispute started last October Singapore and Malaysia have been embroiled in a maritime dispute since 25 October last year, sparked off by Malaysias unilateral decision to extend the Johor Bahru port limits. Subsequently, there were repeated intrusions of Malaysian government vessels into Singapore waters, beyond what Malaysia had previously claimed as its own waters in a 1979 map. Singapore lodged a strong protest with the Malaysian government in response, and extended its own port limits to cover the full extent of the Republics territorial waters. Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan added that Malaysias actions were a serious violation of Singapores sovereignty and international law. Airspace issues over Pasir Gudang Both countries are also locked in a dispute over Singapores introduction of new landing procedures for Seletar Airport and Malaysias subsequent decision to declare a restricted zone over Pasir Gudang for the purpose of military activities. Story continues On 8 January, Singapore and Malaysia had agreed to a one-month suspension of the restricted area over Pasir Gudang and the new Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Seletar Airport. Both countries agreed last week to extend their mutual suspension of two measures to 31 March. Related stories: Singapore postpones annual meeting with Malaysia after Johor Menteri Besar visits vessel in Tuas waters Singapore and Malaysia take immediate suspension steps over Seletar Airport and Pasir Gudang Singapore rejects Malaysias cease and desist proposal on disputed maritime area The hotel, home, and living space chains has expanded to 16 cities in Indonesia and plans to be in the top 100 cities this year Southeast Asia-operated home and hotel room chains OYO has announced its plan to expand presence in 100 cities in Indonesia by the end of this year. Part of its expansion plan is to pour US$100 million of investment into its Indonesias operations over the next 5 years. OYO was first launched in October 2018 in Indonesia and immediately established a presence in Jakarta, Surabaya, and Palembang. It has over 1000 rooms. Fast forward today, OYO Hotels is already operating 150 hotels across 16 cities, claiming to have a five-times jump in growth. Also Read: General awareness about entrepreneurship in Malaysia needs to go beyond selling food at stalls We entered Indonesia with the mindset of an Indonesian company that saw an opportunity to emulate OYOs business model in India to create something relevant for Indonesia. Each and every aspect of our operations in Indonesia is localised, which had helped us in customising our offering from the point of view of a traveler in the country and what was lacking from his/her experience earlier when OYO was not around. We are definitely betting big on Indonesia, said Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & Group CEO, OYO Hotels and Homes. OYO claimed to ride on the smart travelers trend that it has examined in Indonesia. OYO said that smart travelers critically research for high quality, yet affordable accommodation options, which OYO Hotels offers through its technology-led hospitality model. We have added 70 hotels every month to our chain. Our operational system is backed by over 400 Indonesians with the understanding of the countrys hospitality landscape and customer value proposition and 70 civil engineers that helped to transform the space for a comfortable stay, said Rishabh Gupta, Indonesias Country Head of OYO Hotels and Homes. Also Read: Aiming to add 4 new startups, Mandiri Capital Indonesia targets insurtech, investment management sectors Story continues OYOs localised approach to the market included branded, comfortably furnished rooms with modern amenities and complimentary breakfast, spotless linen, free WiFi, television, and 24/7 support with rates starting as low as IDR 149,000 (US$11) per night and averaging at IDR 230,000 (US$16) per night. Image Credit: OYO The post OYO to put US$100M more in Indonesia market appeared first on e27. Courtesy: AFP WESTMINCOM MANILA, Philippines Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research chairman, Prof. Rommel Banlaoi thinks that the twin blasts that rocked a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu is the terrorists way of expressing opposition to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Banlaoi explained that the bombing was thoroughly planned and conducted after the conduct of first BOL referendum held last January 21 in Cotabato City, Isabela in Basilan and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He added that the incident will serve as a challenge to members of the Bangsamoro government since the BOL is envisioned to bring peace and stability in the region. Lumalabas na hindi kinakatakutan ng mga terrorist group kung ano man ang itatayong Bangsamoro government dahil iba ang sinusulong nilang pamahalaan. Ang sinusulong nila ay Islamic State na link sa ISIS, said Banlaoi. (It shows that the terrorist group is not afraid of the Bangsamoro government because they are pushing for an ISIS-linked Islamic State.) Banlaoi also believes that the Abu Sayyaf Group is linked to the bomb attack. Based on their studies, the twin bombing is a signature of a terrorist group that is assisted by international militants. Banlaoi also pointed out some similarities in the Jolo bombing to the Rizal Day bombing in 2000 and the Valentines Day attack in 2005 that were both claimed by the Abu Sayyaf. Yang Abu Sayyaf Group, foreign assisted yan kaya doon nila natutunan ang pagsasagawa ng bomba at yang estilo ng pagatake particularly ang pagta-target sa isang Christian entity, said the professor. (The Abu Sayyaf Group is assisted by foreign terrorists from whom they learned bomb-making and the targeting of Christian entities as a style of attack.) UNTV News & Rescue The post Jolo attack shows terrorists opposition to BOL political scientist appeared first on UNTV News. Facade of the Bureau of Immigration building. MANILA, Philippines The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has alerted all its personnel for possible entry of foreign terrorists in the country following the fatal explosions in Jolo, Sulu. I have instructed our Port Operations Division to alert all its personnel and be on the lookout for suspected foreign terrorists who might attempt to enter the country, Commissioner Jaime Morente said. Chief Port Officer Grifton Medina assured, meanwhile, that immigration officers at seaports and airports have been directed to carefully check the credentials of arriving foreign nationals. They were reminded to make sure that only aliens who are properly documented and are legitimate travelers with valid reasons in coming here are admitted, Medina said. The BI is now coordinating with international intelligence agencies for their database of international terrorists to block them from entering the country. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) likewise has ordered to intensify security measures in all transport terminals in the country, especially in Metro Manila where the largest of population resides. It was in 2000 when Metro Manila was terrified by the infamous Rizal Day bombing in LRT Blumentritt station that killed 10 people and wounded more than a hundred commuters. Marje Pelayo (with reports from Joan Nano) The post Immigration Bureau heightens alert status for possible entry of foreign terrorists appeared first on UNTV News. Kathmandu, Nepal: The doctors involved in the treatment of former Crown Prince Paras Shah have said on Tuesday that his health condition is still critical but stable. Former Crown Prince Shah has been hospitalized on Monday evening after suffering from heart attack. He was rushed to Thapathali-based Norvic Hospital after he suffered from heart attack while worshiping at Patan based temples. It is said that his valve was completely blocked when he arrived at the hospital. The doctors team led by senior cardiologist Dr Yadav Dev Bhatta had performed coronary angioplasty and placed stent in his heart to avoid blockage. Hundreds of well whishes and members of former royal family have thronged at the Hospital to inquire the heath condition of former crown prince Shah. By Evan Duggan VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer, the central figure in a high-stakes dispute between the world's two largest economies, made her first appearance in a Canadian court in more than a month on Tuesday as Ottawa weighs extraditing the Chinese executive to the United States. Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the Chinese telecommunications company's founder, attended the hearing in British Columbia Supreme Court during which Justice William Ehrcke approved her request for a change in who is financially responsible for her bail. Canada arrested Meng on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States, which on Monday brought sweeping charges against Huawei and Meng that paint the company as a threat to U.S. national security. Meng was charged with bank and wire fraud to violate American sanctions against Iran. "I can confirm that the United States has filed a formal request with my department for the extradition of Ms. Meng," Justice Minister David Lametti told reporters in Ottawa. Canada's government now has a month to decide whether the U.S. extradition request is strong enough to be presented in the British Columbia court. Lametti, asked whether a decision could come sooner than 30 days, said officials "will take the time that they need to make an enlightened decision based on the evidence in front of them." Neither Lametti nor Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland gave any hints on whether Canada would back the extradition request. Freeland told reporters Meng "has been afforded access to Canada's impartial and objective judicial system." Ehrcke on Dec. 11 approved Meng's release on C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail, and she has stayed at a family residence in Vancouver. Canada's government agreed to her request concerning bail at Tuesday's hearing, which the judge granted. Ehrcke also postponed Meng's next scheduled court appearance by a month, to March 6, which comes after the 30-day extradition decision deadline. Before the hearing, Meng, who is fighting extradition, spoke with her lawyer David Martin, holding a notepad. Her arrest further aggravated U.S.-Chinese tensions at a time when the two economic powerhouses are locked in a trade war. President Donald Trump said in December he could intervene in Meng's case if it would serve U.S. national security interests or help close a trade deal with China. Following Meng's arrest, China arrested two Canadians on national security grounds. A Chinese court later retried a Canadian man who had been jailed for drug smuggling and sentenced him to death. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday fired his ambassador to China, who had said Meng could make a strong argument against being sent to the United States. 'A HOSTAGE' In a previous sworn affidavit, Meng said she is innocent and would contest the allegations at trial in the United States if she is extradited. Her lawyer Reid Weingarten said Meng "should not be a pawn or a hostage" in "complex" Sino-U.S. relations. Huawei is the world's largest supplier of telecommunications network equipment and second-biggest maker of smartphones. It derives nearly half of its total revenue outside China. In Ottawa, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Canada's decision on whether to ban Huawei from supplying equipment to 5G networks is "some ways off into the future." Goodale's comments were the most specific indication yet from Ottawa on the timing of the politically sensitive announcement. Officials are studying the security implications of 5G networks, the latest generation of cellular mobile communications. The United States and other Canadian allies have already imposed restrictions on Huawei equipment, citing the risk of espionage. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Tuesday he expected significant progress in Washington trade talks with Chinese officials, set for Wednesday and Thursday. Mnuchin said the U.S. security concerns raised by the Huawei case were separate from the trade issue. China's foreign ministry has urged the United States to drop the arrest warrant against Meng and end "unreasonable suppression" of Chinese companies. China has demanded the executive's immediate release. Huawei's global reach has come under attack from the United States, which is trying to prevent U.S. companies from buying Huawei equipment and is pressing allies to do the same. U.S. security experts are worried the gear could be used by China's government for espionage, a concern Huawei calls unfounded. U.S. intelligence and national security officials expressed fresh national security concerns about Huawei during a U.S. Senate committee hearing in Washington on Tuesday. FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers the lines between "the Chinese government and ostensibly private companies" are blurred if not totally erased and "especially the lines between lawful behavior and fair competition and lying and hacking and cheating and stealing." (Reporting by Evan Duggan in Vancouver; additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; writing by Will Dunham; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Photo: Getty Images The HIV-positive status of 14,200 people and their identification numbers and contact details have been leaked online by an American fraudster, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (28 January). The records belonged to 5,400 Singaporeans diagnosed with HIV up to January 2013 and 8,800 foreigners, including work and visit pass applicants and holders, diagnosed with the disease up to December 2011, MOH said in a press release. The leaked information included their name, identification number, contact details such as phone number and address, HIV test results and related medical information. The details of another 2,400 individuals identified through contact tracing up to May 2007 were also leaked, MOH added. MOH said it is working with the relevant parties to disable access to the information. We are sorry for the anxiety and distress caused by this incident. Our priority is the wellbeing of the affected individuals. Since 26 January, we have been progressively contacting the individuals to notify them and render assistance, MOH said. On 22 January, MOH was notified by the police that confidential information from MOHs HIV Registry may have been disclosed by an unauthorised person. MOH made a police report the following day. MOH ascertained on 24 January that the information matched the HIV Registrys records up to January 2013. It immediately worked with the relevant parties to disable access to the information. While access to the confidential information has been disabled, it is still in the possession of the unauthorised person, and could still be publicly disclosed in the future, MOH said. The confidential information was in the illegal possession of Mikhy K Farrera Brochez, a male US citizen who was residing in Singapore, on an employment pass, between January 2008 and June 2016, according to MOH. Brochez was convicted of numerous fraud and drug-related offences in March 2017, and he was sentenced to 28 months jail. Story continues He had lied about his HIV status to the Ministry of Manpower, in order to obtain and maintain his employment pass, furnished false information to police officers during a criminal investigation, and used forged degree certificates in job applications. Upon completing his jail sentence, Brochez was deported from Singapore and currently remains outside Singapore. Brochez was a partner of Ler Teck Siang, a male Singaporean doctor, who was the Head of MOHs National Public Health Unit (NPHU) from March 2012 to May 2013. Ler had authority to access information in the HIV Registry as required for his work. He resigned in January 2014. In September 2018, Ler was convicted of abetting Brochez to commit cheating, and also of providing false information to the police and MOH. He was sentenced to two years jail. Ler has appealed and his appeal is scheduled to be heard in March 2019. In addition, Ler has been charged under the Official Secrets Act for failing to take reasonable care of confidential information regarding HIV-positive patients. His case under the OSA is pending. This incident is believed to have arisen from the mishandling of information by Ler, who is suspected of not having complied with the policies and guidelines on the handling of confidential information, MOH revealed. In May 2016, MOH lodged a police report after receiving information that Brochez was in possession of confidential information that appeared to be from the HIV Registry. Lers and Brochezs properties were searched, and all relevant material found were seized by the police. After Brochez had been deported from Singapore, MOH received information in May 2018 that Brochez still had part of the records he had in 2016. MOH lodged a police report, and contacted the affected individuals to notify them. On 22 January 2019, MOH was notified that more information from the HIV Registry could still be in the illegal possession of Brochez. On this occasion, he had disclosed the information online. Brochez is currently under police investigation for various offences, and the authorities are seeking assistance from their foreign counterparts. The police have also issued a statement about the leak. In response to media queries, the Police confirm that a report was lodged by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on 23 January 2019, regarding a suspected leak of confidential information from MOHs HIV Registry. We are seeking the assistance of our foreign counterparts in our investigations. It is inappropriate to comment on the case further as investigations are ongoing, the police said. Gan Kim Yongs briefing Speaking at a briefing on Monday evening that was open to only local media outlets, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong apologised for the data breach. I am sorry that one of our former staff who was authorised to have confidential information in our HIV Registry appears to not have complied with our security guidelines and this may have led to an unauthorised person gaining possession of the data and disclosing it online, Gan said. MOH takes a serious view of the matter and will continue to monitor the situation, the minister said. It will review its systems to make sure that they are secure, he added. He also stressed that MOH staff are progressively contacting the affected patients, who can contact counsellors for help. I also understand the concerns, anxiety and distress faced by affected patients and our priority is their well-being, Gan said. Related story Doctor who switched boyfriends HIV blood sample jailed 2 years NPA returnees| Photo courtesy of EastMinCom BUTUAN CITY, Philippines Members of the terrorist group, New Peoples Army (NPA) are growing tired of the movement, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In fact, 29 NPA fighters and 14 members of its affiliate group Militiang Bayan returned to the government from different parts of Eastern Mindanao just this month of January, 2019. Among them were alias Mylene who headed the rebels medic platoon in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental; alias Jamaica who headed the NPAs medical team in Bukidnon; and alias Jade, a former supply officer of the group. With the surrender of some of the groups high-ranking members, the AFP believes that the terrorist groups forces are now dwindling. Based on the assessment of the Philippine Armys 4ID who has jurisdiction over Caraga region, rebel forces have been reduced by 53% in their area since the beginning of this year. Meanwhile, according to 402nd IB Commander BGen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, the collaboration of the AFP, the police and the local government unit (LGU) in the region helped a lot to thwart terror plans of the NPA. Walang nagawang ambush. Walang nagawang land mining. Walang sinunog sa ating highway. Very unusual iyan sa Caraga. Alam naman natin (na) hotbed ng communist insurgency ang Caraga region sa buong Pilipinas, BGen. Gacal noted. The AFP continues to carry on with its community support program especially in the mountainous portions in the region to educate and persuade tribal communities not to join the communist group. Marje Pelayo (with reports from Raymond Octubre) The post High-ranking NPA members return to govt fold in E. Mindanao appeared first on UNTV News. Former City Harvest Church fund manager Chew Eng Han was sentenced to 13 months jail over his failed attempt to leave Singapore illegally. (FILE PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore) Former City Harvest Church (CHC) fund manager Chew Eng Han was on Tuesday (29 January) sentenced to an additional 13 months jail, nearly a year after a foiled attempt to leave the country illegally by boat. Chew, 58, had claimed trial to one charge each of leaving Singapore by an unauthorised port of embarkation and defeating the course of justice by attempting to avoid serving the sentence he received for CHC-related offences. He is currently serving a jail term of three years and four months for offences involving the misappropriation of $50 million of church funds. His charges include criminal breach of trust. The latest sentencing will commence at the end of his current jail term. During his half-day trial, lawyers representing Chew argued that the charge of leaving Singapore illegally was not made out, as he was on the way to another rendezvous point and had not left Singapore waters when he was caught. The lawyers said the charge would only be made out if Chew had embarked on the second leg of the journey. Attempted to escape right before he was due to serve jail term Chew had attempted to leave on a motorised sampan on 21 February last year, a day before he was due to serve his jail term for past offences involving the misuse of millions in CHC funds. Acting on a tip-off, the Police Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted Chews sampan about 2.4km off Pulau Ubin, in the vicinity of Chek Jawa Wetlands and Pulau Sekudu at 8.43am. According to the prosecution, Chew admitted that he wanted to leave Singapore as he felt injustice and unfair over his High Court case and that he did not want to be convicted. He sought to flee Singapore as early as October 2017, when he went to Queen Streets bus terminal to seek drivers. He met Khoo Kea Leng, a Malaysian freelance driver who ferried people between Singapore and Malaysia. Chew initially rejected Khoos quoted price of $18,000 but later asked Khoo to arrange a departure by boat. Plan for escape under guise of a fisherman Story continues Khoo made the arrangements and settled for a price of $12,000. He told Chew to meet him at Marine Drive to discuss the escape plan, and also asked him to prepare fishing equipment to disguise himself as a fisherman. Shortly after midnight on 21 February, Chew received instructions to meet at Changi Village at 7.30am. His elder brother dropped him off at the location with the fishing equipment at 7.20am. He was later directed to take a boat to Pulau Ubin Jetty as there were PCG patrol boats in the vicinity of Changi Village. Chew took a boat to the jetty and later boarded another boat, which was piloted by Singaporean fish farmer Tan Poh Teck. The boat was intercepted by PCG shortly after, and the two men were arrested. For the charge of attempting to leave Singapore from an unauthorised port of embarkation, Chew could be jailed up to six months or fined up to $2,000. He also faces maximum jail term of three and a half years and/or a fine on the charge of defeating the course of justice. Related stories: Ex-CHC leader Chew Eng Han found guilty of leaving Singapore illegally 2 men who helped ex-CHC leader Chew Eng Hans failed escape jailed Ex-CHC leader Chew Eng Han wanted to leave Singapore as he felt injustice for his High Court case City Harvest saga: Chew Eng Han and accomplice charged over failed attempt to leave Singapore The European Union on Tuesday urged US internet giants and advertising firms to intensify the fight against disinformation campaigns before EU elections in May, or risk regulation. The European Commission said Google, Facebook, Twitter, Mozilla and advertising groups have made "some progress" toward meeting their pledges to fight fake news by removing bogus accounts and curbing suspect sites. However, "the pace of progress needs to be faster," the EU's security commissioner, Julian King, said just four months before elections for a new European Parliament. "We cannot afford to wake up the day after the elections and find we could and should have done more," King told a press conference in Brussels. The European Commission, the 28-nation union's executive arm, gave its first report on what the internet players have done to meet pledges made late last year in a "code of practice" to fight disinformation. The commission said "additional action is needed to ensure full transparency of political ads" by the start of the election campaign in EU member countries. It also urged platforms to give European researchers access to their data, something King said leading researchers claim Facebook has failed to do. The commission called on the platforms to ensure cooperation with member countries through the Rapid Alert System. Planned for March, the system will allow members to share data and analysis on propaganda campaigns and promote what the bloc says will be objective communications about its values and policies. Mariya Gabriel, the commissioner for digital economy and society, said internet players must intensify their monitoring and reporting while increasing cooperation with fact checkers and researchers. "The time for fine words is over," Gabriel told the press conference. Facebook came under the biggest spotlight in the commission report despite unveiling new tools on Monday to counter online political meddling. The US tech giant's vice president, former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, said in Brussels that the methods would become available in late March and help "make political advertising on Facebook more transparent". - 'Water pistols' - King welcomed the Facebook announcement but said it "would have been better" had the Silicon Valley firm submitted the details for the progress report. While praising Facebook for removing new fake accounts, he said Facebook must still take down up to 90 million old accounts that the firm estimates still exist. He said Facebook must also extend cooperation with fact-checkers from seven member countries to the entire bloc. The social network has in the past been accused of being used as a platform to spread divisive or misleading information, most notably during the 2016 election that put US President Donald Trump in the White House. Facebook ads have also been at the centre of the FBI investigation over Russia's alleged meddling in that election and suspicions are rife that the Kremlin has interfered in votes across Europe. Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations of hacking and meddling in foreign elections through disinformation over recent years. The commission said Google was helping to make political advertising more transparent but said some tools to help users were limited to only a few member countries. It said trade associations like the World Federation of Advertisers and Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe have raised awareness about the code of practice but noted the absence of corporate signatories. The commission renewed warnings it could take "regulatory" action if the online platforms fail to honour their pledges, which will now be reviewed in monthly reports. Activist group Avaaz said Facebook and others see the code of practice as a "PR stunt" and will not fight the lies and hate it says are destroying European democracies. "Europe is on fire, and social media platforms bring water pistols to fight the flames," Avaaz campaign director Christoph Schott said. "Its now on the EU Commission to do what theyve threatened for a year: Legislate." Analysts warn that populist parties opposed to founding EU democratic values could do well in the May 23-26 elections by playing on anti-immigrant sentiment. Such parties have already done well in national elections, including coming to power in Italy. Chinese man arrested in Japan for forging residence permits may be part of bigger operation A Chinese man was arrested in Japan for forging official residence cards for foreigners, Japanese News Network reported on Monday. The 27-year-old was detained after the Immigration Bureau of Japan searched his flat in the city of Kawaguchi, Saitama prefecture, on January 11. The officers confiscated 2,300 blank white cards which they said were used to print the permits to be sold to illegal workers from countries such as China, Indonesia and Vietnam. Orders were placed through a social networking site, then the fake permits were mailed to customers. Each card was sold for 1,000 yen (US$9.20), the suspect was quoted as saying. He began printing fakes in December after getting into financial trouble and had delivered 1,000 orders, the report quoted the bureau as saying. Police seize HK$9,100 in fake bills during raid on Kowloon hotel room The average price of a fake permit on the black market typically ranged from 20,000 and 30,000 yen, according to bureau figures reported by news website Jnocnews.jp. Officials said the batch of low-priced fake permits were part of an effort involving a large organisation. Japan introduced the official permits in 2012 for foreigners staying in the country for up to five years. Recipients typically included students, interns, employees, and spouses of Japanese citizens. People with fake permits are expelled by the government, while employers are punished if they hire staff who use fake permits. There were 523 cases involving falsified residence cards across Japan in the first 10 months of 2018, six times the number reported in 2013, news website People.cn quoted police as saying. Tokyo topped the list with 192 cases, followed by 51 in Aichi prefecture where Nagoya is the capital and 33 in Osaka. Last month, 10 Chinese were arrested at a solar power station in Shiriuchi, Hokkaido, for working on fake permanent residence cards, while 46 other suspects evaded arrest. Police seize HK$1.37 million in fake cash in Kowloon raid Story continues The group entered Japan using a procedure designed for cruise tourists, Kyodo News reported. In May, a Chinese man was arrested after he used a fake permit to apply for a driving licence in Japan. He said that the card was bought online from other Chinese nationals, Yomiuri newspaper reported. The Kawaguchi fraud prompted a strong reaction on Chinas microblogging service, Weibo. Will you not do such things in a foreign country? Foreigners will hate Chinese staying there, one user wrote. We made so much effort to get a visa and get everything prepared. How can these people just fake a permit? This is horrible, another wrote. This article Chinese man arrested in Japan for forging residence permits may be part of bigger operation first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. Guwahati : The opposition Congress, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Monday came together to protest against the CitizenshipAmendment Bill, 2016 in Assam assembly, alleging that, the issue was not mentioned in the Assam governor speech in the opening day of the budget session. The oppositions had jointly opposed the bill and held up placards and shouted slogans against the bill inside the assembly and disrupted the speech of Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi. Following amid demonstrations, the house was adjourned for 45 minutes. Soon after the governor ended his tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, the opposition MLAs raised the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill issue and held up placards demanding to scrap the bill in front the governor and assembly speaker. Former Assam Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi said that, they completely ignored the present situation in Assam as the state is burning over the Citizenship bill row. Assam is burning, not only in Assam, the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill are continued in the entire north east. But in the governor address, they have been talking about peace, tranquillity, social harmony, which is just the opposite. Today, there is full of disturbances, everywhere in agitations. There is a social disharmony, creating divisive between the Hindus and Muslims. But they didnt mention these issues, Tarun Gogoi said. On the other hand, Atul Bora, president of AGP, the party had recently snapped ties with BJP over the controversial bill said that, while protests are going on everywhere against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, not a single word was mentioned in the governor speech and the opposition parties have raised the issue. The people of Assam are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016. All Assam Students Union (AASU), several organisations and political parties including our party are also opposing this bill. We have asked the governor and the state government to take a resolution against the bill, Atul Bora said. Chinas rating on perceived corruption has fallen for the first time in five years, pushing it down 10 places to 87 on an annual index by global watchdog Transparency International. Singapore moved up three spots on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) to third place, behind first-placed Denmark and New Zealand in second. The higher a countrys position on the list of 180 countries, the less they are seen to be corrupt by the international community. The United States also fell, from 16th to 22nd position, tumbling out of the top 20 for the first time in recent years. Hong Kong and Japan appeared in the top 20 of the index, which was released on Tuesday. It gave the Asia-Pacific an average score of 44 out of 100 in the regions ongoing bid to stamp out corruption far behind the European Unions 66, but higher than eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Asia-Pacific region is stagnating in the fight against corruption. A lack of progress is unsurprising given the prevalence of weak democratic institutions and a lack of laws and enforcement mechanisms, said Transparency International in the report. Eugene Tan, associate professor at Singapore Management Universitys School of Law, said Chinas decline in the index revealed concerns that corruption was still prevalent, despite President Xi Jinpings campaign against graft since coming to power six years ago. The massive Belt and Road Initiative is probably adding to the negative perception of graft-busting as being more for domestic consumption, he said. Chinas poor showing probably has more to do with how its intentions are perceived, particularly in overseas economic activity. Last month, Chinas Communist Party declared a crushing victory in the battle to stamp out graft, while warning that the situation was still tough and the fight must go on. The partys graft-busters detained another 23 tigers, or high-ranking officials last year five more than in 2017 while prosecutors charged 32 provincial- and ministerial-level officials in 2018, 14 more than the previous year. More than 1.3 million party officials at various levels have been caught since the campaign was launched. Story continues A paper released this month by the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre noted the campaign had targeted big tigers and little flies but as corruption had enabled economic growth in China, graft was difficult to eradicate. Transparency International attributed the US slide down the index to growing threats to its system of checks and balances on President Donald Trumps watch. The low score comes at a time when the US is experiencing an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power, the report said. The CPI measures expert perceptions of public sector corruption, and does not focus on private sector graft. It is a compilation of survey responses from international financial and governance experts, including the World Economic Forums Executive Opinion Survey and the World Justice Projects Rule of Law Index Expert Survey. Across the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines improved the most, moving up 12 spots to 99th position. But experts were a bit more circumspect, saying despite the milestone conviction of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos for crimes committed while she was governor of Manila, anti-corruption efforts in the country may not be as strong as the rise in rankings seemed to suggest. [President Rodrigo Dutertes] anti-corruption drive has so far not been very successful, said Maria Ela Ateinza, chair of the political science department at University of the Philippines. Courts, especially the Supreme Court, are perceived to be less independent now. She said if the courts could uphold Marcos conviction, there would be some hope for anti-corruption efforts in the Philippines. It will take a lot of reforms in many institutions as well as changes in the culture inside and outside the government to address corruption, Atienza said. It does not depend on just one person who happens to be President. Vietnam fell 10 places, despite an ongoing drive against corruption. David Aled Williams, senior adviser at U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, said the country had cracked down on corruption linked to foreign investments, although observers had expressed concerns on whether the government was targeting political opponents. The CPI report also noted that while public protests against corruption resulted in new governments and anti-graft reforms in India (up two spots to 78th place), Malaysia (up one to 61), the Maldives (124), and Pakistan (117) last year, there had not been meaningful action taken against graft yet. The index, first issued by the Berlin-based organisation in 2012, is seen as useful assessment of global anti-graft efforts but has been criticised for reflecting the opinions of largely western experts. The CPI is essentially an expert opinion survey, which means it can give an incomplete picture of empirical reality, Williams said. The index shows there are some bright spots in the fight against corruption in Southeast Asia. Indonesia gained seven places in this years index, reaching 89th place. Indonesias anti-corruption commission is considered one of the best-performing bodies of its kind in the region, said Williams. They have had big successes in going after high-ranking corrupt officials. In the last year, the countrys Corruption Eradication Commission has gone after high-ranking government officials including a minister and parliament speaker, and dozens of lawmakers. Additional reporting by Associated Press This article China, Vietnam seen as more corrupt while Indonesia, Philippines clean up their act: Transparency International report first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. More from South China Morning Post: By Patricia Zengerle and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China and Russia pose the biggest risks to the United States, and are more aligned than they have been in decades as they target the 2020 presidential election and American institutions to expand their global reach, U.S. intelligence officials told senators on Tuesday. The spy chiefs broke with President Donald Trump in their assessments of the threats posed by North Korea, Iran and Syria. But they outlined a clear and imminent danger from China, whose practices in trade and technology anger the U.S. president. While China and Russia strengthen their alliance, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said, some American allies are pulling away from Washington in reaction to changing U.S. policies on security and trade. The directors of the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies flanked Coats at the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. They described an array of economic, military and intelligence threats, from highly organized efforts by China to scattered disruptions by terrorists, hacktivists and transnational criminals. "China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea increasingly use cyber operations to threaten both minds and machines in an expanding number of ways - to steal information, to influence our citizens, or to disrupt critical infrastructure," Coats said. "Moscow's relationship with Beijing is closer than it's been in many decades," he told the panel. The intelligence officials said they had protected the 2018 U.S. congressional elections from outside interference, but expected renewed and likely more sophisticated attacks on the 2020 presidential contest. U.S. adversaries will "use online influence operations to try to weaken democratic institutions, undermine alliances and partnerships, and shape policy outcomes," Coats said. The intelligence chiefs' assessments broke with some past assertions by Trump, including on the threat posed by Russia to U.S. elections and democratic institutions, the threat Islamic State poses in Syria, and North Korea's commitment to denuclearize. Coats said North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear weapons. Trump has said the country no longer poses a threat. Coats also said Islamic State would continue to pursue attacks from Syria, as well as Iraq, against regional and Western adversaries, including the United States. Trump, who plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, has said the militant group is defeated. The intelligence officials also said Iran was not developing nuclear weapons in violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement, even though Tehran has threatened to reverse some commitments after Trump pulled out of the deal. Senators expressed deep concern about current threats. "Increased cooperation between Russia and China - for a generation that hasn't been the case - that could be a very big deal on the horizon in terms of the United States," said Senator Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats. CHINA BIGGEST COUNTERINTELLIGENCE THREAT The officials painted a multifaceted picture of the threat posed by China, as they were questioned repeatedly by senators about the No. 2 world economy's business practices as well as its growing international influence. "The Chinese counterintelligence threat is more deep, more diverse, more vexing, more challenging, more comprehensive and more concerning than any counterintelligence threat I can think of," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. He said almost all the economic espionage cases in the FBI's 56 field offices "lead back to China." Coats said intelligence officials have been traveling around the United States and meeting with corporate executives to discuss espionage threats from China. He said China has had a meteoric rise in the past decade, adding, "A lot of that was achieved by stealing information from our companies." Tuesday's testimony came just a day after the United States announced criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, escalating a fight with the world's biggest telecommunications equipment maker and coming days before trade talks between Washington and Beijing. Coats also said Russia's social media efforts will continue to focus on aggravating social and racial tensions, undermining trust in authorities and criticizing politicians perceived to be anti-Russia. Senator Mark Warner, the panel's top Democrat, said he was particularly concerned about Russia's use of social media "to amplify divisions in our society and to influence our democratic processes" and the threat from China in the technology arena. The Senate Intelligence Committee is one of several congressional panels, along with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, investigating whether there were any connections between Trump's 2016 and Russian efforts to influence the election. Russia denies attempting to influence U.S. elections, while Trump has denied his campaign cooperated with Moscow. Coats declined to respond when Democratic Senator Ron Wyden asked whether Trump's not releasing records of his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin put U.S. intelligence agencies at a disadvantage. "To me from an intelligence perspective, it's just Intel 101 that it would help our country to know what Vladimir Putin discussed with Donald Trump," Wyden said. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Doina Chiacu; editing by Mary Milliken and Jonathan Oatis) By Tom Westbrook and Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's TPG Telecom Ltd said on Tuesday it has abandoned building its mobile telephone network because it relied on Huawei Technologies Co Ltd equipment that has been banned by Australia's government on security grounds. The nascent network is the first commercial casualty in Australia of the ban announced in August and comes as Western nations restrict market access to Huawei over allegations that China could use its equipment for espionage. Huawei denies the allegations. The world's biggest telecoms equipment maker has been under siege since the arrest of its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada in December. The U.S. Justice Department accused the company on Monday of bank fraud and conspiring to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile US Inc. Broadband internet provider TPG said in a statement it chose Huawei as a supplier because it offered a simple upgrade path from the fourth-generation (4G) network under construction to 5G. "That upgrade path has now been blocked," TPG said. "It does not make commercial sense to invest further shareholder funds." TPG said it made the decision now because the project had reached a point where it would have had to place new orders. It did not elaborate on the fate of the completed part of the network but said it does not expect any impact on 2019 earnings guidance. Huawei said TPG's announcement was "extremely disappointing". "Australians will now miss out on cheaper and more affordable mobile services," Jeremy Mitchell, a spokesman for the Chinese firm, said in an emailed statement. TPG shares touched a six-week peak following its announcement and closed up 3 percent. The cancellation has cost it A$100 million ($72 million) but is widely seen as eliminating duplication under the A$15 billion merger it has agreed with the Australian arm of Britain's Vodafone Group PLC. TPG's announcement also buoyed shares elsewhere in the sector, with those of Telstra Corp Ltd rising 8 percent to a more than three-month high as investors expected relief from profit-margin pressure in the price-competitive sector. The broader market closed down 0.5 percent. "You take one network out and then, obviously, in the end, for customers you've got less choice," said independent telecoms analyst Paul Budde. "This will be a relief for Telstra and others." MEGA MERGER TPG agreed its merger with Vodafone in August to challenge larger rivals Telstra and Optus, owned by Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. The tie-up combines Australia's third- and fourth-largest telecoms firms into a larger third player holding TPG's fiber network and Vodafone's mobile system, at a time of upheaval in the sector caused by the introduction of a government-owned broadband network. Both parties said they remained committed to the deal on Tuesday, though it is yet to receive approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Macquarie analysts said TPG halting network construction would "reframe" the regulator's assessment of the deal, which so far been predicated on the tie-up reducing mobile rivalry. "The ACCC will need to assess the extent to which this decision by TPG changes its counter-factual analysis with regard to mobile competition," the analysts said in a note to clients. ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said by phone that decisions taken during a merger assessment process would be rigorously tested. "We're taking a long-term view here...does the merger substantially lessen competition in terms of what would have happened without the merger?," Sims said. HUAWEI LOCKOUT TPG's move adds to pressure Huawei is facing globally after the United States and its allies initiated measures to restrict market access for the Chinese firm and compatriot ZTE Corp, citing espionage risk. Australia's intelligence agencies feared that if mobile operators use Huawei's equipment, the company could develop a means of collecting data at the request of China's government - something the company has repeatedly denied. Operators in Europe such as BT and Orange, have already removed Huawei's equipment or taken steps to limit its future use while Vodafone has paused its use. In Australia, Vodafone and Optus, which use Huawei's 4G equipment must now design 5G systems based only on Nokia Oyj or Ericsson technology, a process TPG Executive Chairman David Teoh said would likely be costly. "In the 5G side, they're in front of everyone else," Teoh said of Huawei in an interview at TPG's Sydney headquarters. "To replace (them) there are few vendors to select." (Reporting by Tom Westbrook and Colin Packham in SYDNEY; Additional reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in BENGALURU; Editing by Richard Pullin and Christopher Cushing) Destroyed church seats after twin explosions in Jolo, Sulu on January 27, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Ahmad Sajan QUEZON CITY, Philippines The military sees no indication that a suicide bomber was deployed to mount the twin explosions that ripped through a Roman Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu last Sunday (January 27). The Islamic State on Monday (January 28) claimed credit for the attack, saying two suicide bombers have been deployed to carry out the bombings. Although the Armed Forces of the Philippines is not discounting this claim, they see no indication that a suicide bomber carried out the bombing based on witnesses accounts. In the course of investigation may mga natanong, mga wounded na nasa ospital. Dalawa sa kanila ang nagsabi na may nakita silang babae na nag-iwan ng black bag on the fifth row ng simbahan coming from the back, relayed AFP-PAO chief Col. Noel Detoyato. Iniwan niya ang bag. Umalis ang babae. A few seconds after, may sumabog. So iyon ang method of deployment. So hindi siya suicide bombing, he concluded. UNTV News and Rescue The post AFP: No suicide bomber involved in Jolo church bombing appeared first on UNTV News. Photo courtesy of DENR-Region 3 BULACAN, Philippines There is no stopping the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from its crackdown of facilities that pollute Manila Bay. In Bulacan, the agencys regional office ordered the closure of 15 factories in the Municipalities of Marilao and Meycauayan for pumping waste water directly to river estuaries that link to Manila Bay. In a report released by DENR on Friday (January 25), the agency issued cease and desist order to 12 leather and tannery firms in Meycauayan and three in Marilao. On Monday (January 28), the DENR cemented the drainage canal of five leather factories to prevent wastewater from draining to the rivers of Marilao and Meycauayan. Ang mga operations na ganito,na walang waste water treatment facility, walang permit, malaki ang contribution nila sa pollution, explained Emerlyn Claudio, the DENR Region 3 Director. Claudio accused the said establishments to have violated the Clean Water Act for not having their respective water treatment facility and environmental compliance certificate. The environment official also noted that the said factories are discharging dark and chemically contaminated wastewater that flows directly to Manila Bay. Aside from damage to the environment, the factories operations also cause inconvenience to the residents nearby. Ito nga tayo masakit na sa dibdib. Nakakasulasok na ang amoy. Kung yung mga nasa paligid, lalo na yung may exposure, I think this is one of the reasons why may complaint dati. Pero nag-stop sila and then nag resurface naman ang operation nila, explained Claudio. Local officials vowed to monitor closely the concerned companies after the shutdown. Mabaho na may kulay. May sulfite iyan ay nakakarating sa aming barangay. Imo-monitor na namin iyan araw-araw para ma-check kung mayroong tumatapon na tubig na marurumi, said Chirs Polo Delos Santos, an official of Barangay Tugatog. Meanwhile, the DENR warned closure against other companies if proven to have been violating environmental law particularly by disposing solid, water and chemical waste in aquatic environments such as Manila Bay. Marje Pelayo (with reports from Nestor Torres) The post 15 factories in Bulacan shut down for pumping chemical waste to Manila Bay appeared first on UNTV News. FILE PHOTO: An oil tanker is seen at Jose refinery cargo terminal in Venezuela in this undated file photo. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo By Devika Krishna Kumar and Collin Eaton (Reuters) - Venezuela's oil exports to the United States remain the primary cash resource for its state-owned oil company, and efforts by the United States to cut off that revenue would likely force it to send crude to China, India or other Asian countries. U.S. refineries that depend on Venezuela's heavy crude would have even more trouble securing supplies as Canadian and Mexican crude are often not as discounted and are limited in availability. The United States has considered moves to cripple Venezuela's oil shipments, which account for nearly all of the country's exports, in response to the reelection of socialist President Nicolas Maduro, a vote that was widely viewed as a sham. However, it has not yet taken that step, nor has it elected to cut off supply of U.S. oil that goes to Mexico. Washington has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's head of state. Guaido is considering naming a board to state-run PDVSA's U.S. subsidiary, Citgo Petroleum, in a gambit to generate revenue for the opposition. Venezuela, on average, exported about 500,000 barrels of crude a day to the United States in 2018, according to U.S. Energy Department data. The U.S. share of its exports has declined in recent years, with more shipments going to Russia and China. [GRAPHIC: Venezuelan crude exports to the United States: https://tmsnrt.rs/2S4YIXB] Those deliveries are being made largely through oil-for-debt repayment structures as output from Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., known as PDVSA, has slumped to near 70-year lows during a nationwide economic crisis. Venezuela's output has been cut in half since 2016 to less than 1.2 million bpd, according to figures from OPEC secondary sources. Shipments to the United States account for about 75 percent of the cash Venezuela gets for crude shipments, according to a Barclays research note published last week. The primary importers of Venezuelan crude are Citgo, Valero Energy, and Chevron. Story continues The country could seek additional deals with Turkey, India or other Asian nations. Gas Energy, a Caracas-based consultancy, said in a report that India was the second-largest importer of Venezuelan crude in November. "While Venezuela will be hard hit the first month, they will find some market for their crude," said Diego Moya Ocampos, principal Americas analyst in country risk at IHS Markit. [GRAPHIC: Top U.S. importers of Venezuelan crude: https://tmsnrt.rs/2RYGk2E] Though the United States produces nearly 12 million barrels of oil a day, complex Gulf Coast refineries need heavier crude grades to produce diesel and other high-margin products, and cannot simply sub in light crude. Prices of heavier U.S. grades like Mars Sour, an offshore medium U.S. crude, and Heavy Louisiana Sweet crude have risen as buyers scramble for supply. Mars traded at a $7.10 premium to U.S. crude on Thursday, a five-year high, according to Refinitiv Eikon data, as bidders came into the market to secure supplies through the second quarter, traders said. "It would make a tight market even tighter. If it happens, it would be an unambiguous headwind for refiners already struggling to find supplies," said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, an energy consultancy in Bethesda, Maryland. [GRAPHIC: Venezuelan crude exports to U.S. refiners: https://tmsnrt.rs/2S42EI5.] Traders said the United States may need to sell oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to cover supply shortfalls as additional shipments are secured via Canada or Mexico. Sanctions could also include U.S. exports of petroleum products to Venezuela that are used for blending with Venezuelan heavy crude. (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar, Collin Eaton and Stephanie Kelly; Additional reporting by Jarrett Renshaw, Jessica Resnick Ault and Luc Cohen; Graphics by Stephanie Kelly; Writing by David Gaffen; Editing by Paul Simao) Thinking of a Last Minute CNY Trip? Here are the Cheapest Dates to Fly The Lunar New Year is just around the corner and while some have had their travel plans planned for months, others may have just only gotten the green light for a long weekend holiday and are now hoping to score a last-minute deal. Unfortunately, last minute deals can come with their own caveats such as blackout dates or less desirable destinations. However, there are still ways to save money while celebrating in your destination of choice. Below, we found the cheapest and most expensive days around the CNY holiday to some of the most popular travel destinations. For the Cheapest Fares Travel On or Directly Following February 4th This graph shows the cheapest dates to fly out compared to the most expensive dates to fly out around the Lunar New Year After looking at flights for 5 popular destinations, Manila, Hong Kong, Beijing, Male and Bangkok, we found the cheapest flights to be between the 4th and 6th of February. This means that people who are looking to travel on the back-end of the holiday will see the cheapest prices. Compared to the most expensive dates, which are right before holidays, flying on the actual public holiday days or right after can lead to savings of around 40% on your flight. Unfortunately, because these travel dates may require you to take more than 1 day off from work, these dates may not be realistic for all travellers. This table shows the cheapest dates to fly to 5 popular destinations for Lunar New Year Avoid Travel on the Weekend Right Before CNY In contrast, booking a flight less than a week from your departure date will often result in exorbitant prices. When you couple that timing with travel dates that fall on the weekend and on the eve of a popular public holiday, it is no surprise you'll find airfare to be exorbitant. Thus, if you are looking to take Monday off and fly out the 1st of February and return on Wednesday the 6th, you may in be in for an unpleasant surprise. Even flights to Thailand, which can cost as little as S$188 will set you back approximately S$500 if you fly out on the 1st of February. However, the most expensive day to fly out is the 2nd of February, where flights for a 4 day holiday will cost up to 52% more than flying out between the 4th and 5th of February. Story continues This table shows the most expensive days to fly out around the Lunar New Year for 5 popular destinations The Adventurous Can Consider Last-Minute Flight Deals If you are looking to get away for CNY and don't care when or where you go, booking a last minute deal on a travel aggregator like Expedia may be the best way to save cash. For instance, their current Kuala Lumpur dealwhich currently costs as low as S$342 for a 3-day weekend getaway (flight and hotel included) is 34% cheaper than booking the flight and hotel separately. Another great deal is a 3-night trip between February 1st to the 4th to Bangkok, where the total cost of flight and accommodation costs S$460 per person. Considering that a flight to Bangkok on the 1st of February can cost as much as S$500, those hoping to take a trip on the weekend before CNY can save a couple hundred dollars with this deal. However, one caveat is that the dates and accommodations for these deals are less flexible. For instance, you may have to pay additional costs in order to to change your date, flight times or hotel. This table shows a sample of flight and hotel deals from Expedia Other Ways to Save on Last-Minute Trips Regardless of the travel plans that you choose, there are a number of easy ways to ensure that your trip as inexpensive as possible. For example, you can leverage the points you acquired on your rewards card after all of your holiday shopping to offset some of the cost of your trip. Otherwise, you can see if your credit card has deals with travel aggregators, as this may help you save costs on hotel bookings. Additionally, you should also be well-protected with a decent travel insurance policy. Because last minute trips don't allow for the same comprehensive research as a trip planned months in advance, a travel insurance policy can help mitigate some of the risks associated booking things on the fly. While it won't save you money outright, it can save you money in the event of a medical emergency, theft or delayed or cancelled flight. While it is understandable that in some cases, you can only book a flight last minute, trips booked a few months in advance can save you 20-60% on your flight. If you are able to book early, we recommend doing so, especially because you will have more time to plan out the financials for your trip and you will have more time to compare hotels and flight deals. However, even when you don't have the luxury of time, doing a quick flight and hotel comparison across different travel aggregators before finalising your booking could shave off a few dollars off your trip. This graph shows the average cost of airfare purchased a week before travel compared to airfare purchased 6 months before travel The article Thinking of a Last Minute CNY Trip? Here are the Cheapest Dates to Fly originally appeared on ValueChampion. ValueChampion helps you find the most relevant information to optimise your personal finances. Like us on our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest news and articles. More From ValueChampion: A view of the central business district in Singapore May 24, 2018. (Photo:REUTERS/Edgar Su) The Singapore 2019 Budget may address the uncertainties faced by skilled professionals as they are becoming the newly vulnerable group amid the slowing economy, DBS senior economist Irvin Seah said in a report Monday (28 January). Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat will be announcing the 2019 Budget on 18 February. The Budget is coming at a time when growth momentum is slowing and could potentially weigh on the labour market in the coming quarters. For the past nine years, the percentage share of Professional, Managers, Engineers and Technicians (PMETs) among retrenched workers has been rising, and now surpassed that for lower skilled workers, Seah said in first of a three-part series on the Singapore Budget 2019. This seems to defy conventional wisdom that being better skilled, the PMETs would be relatively more employable, he said. The re-employment rate for PMETs is also lower than the other segments of the workforce and the national average, despite the higher skill-sets and better qualifications. Given the rising vulnerability of the PMETs, DBS expects more forceful policy measures to tackle this area of concern in the Budget. He expects further enhancement to schemes such as the Professional Conversion Programme and the Adapt and Grow initiative, which aim to help jobseekers acquire new skills for different jobs or sectors. Seah said the level of wage support could be increased, while more training grants to upgrade skills, and additional resources directed at job matching could also be announced. A temporary deferment or extension of their income tax payment, or a one-off tax rebate for these retrenched professionals could help alleviate their burden, he suggested. There could also be a review on existing guidelines on skilled foreign workers. According to Mr Seah, an upward adjustment in the minimum salary requirement for employment pass holders or tighter requirements beyond what is currently applicable in Job Bank, the government-initiated job matching portal, could be considered. However, such a policy adjustment could be announced after the Budget, he added. Story continues Aging Population The government also needs to mitigate against the the challenges of an ageing population and to manage healthcare costs, DBS said. Upward pressure on health spending, as well as other forms of social spending, will only continue to escalate unless measures are put in place to manage that, Seah said. Beside subsidies and insurance coverage, there could even be a need to introduce health-related tax, such as a sugar tax, to encourage public health consciousness. Singapore has one of the highest incidences of diabetes among developed countries, second only to the US. Policymakers would likely continue to invest in education and skills upgrading as disruptive technologies could potentially make many jobs redundant, the report said. Efforts directed at strengthening the social safety net and public support measures could also be featured in the Budget. DBS expects the Budget to stay focused on addressing longer-term structural issues despite rising economic risks. Nonetheless, with the surpluses accrued in the past budgets, the government is in a good position to roll out strong counter-cyclical fiscal stimulus should economic conditions warrant that, Seah said. Related stories: Singapore economy grows 2.2% in Q4; misses expectations Singapore December manufacturing output in rises 2.7% year-on-year Economists see slower growth for Singapore in 2019: MAS poll SINGAPORE (Jan 29): Facebook says it plans to set up two new regional operations centres, focused on election integrity, at its offices in Singapore and Dublin to allow its global teams to better work across regions in the run-up to global elections in 2019. In a Jan 28 Facebook Newsroom post, the tech giant says it expects the new centres to further strengthen the co-ordination and response time between staff in Menlo Park and the US as they add a layer of defense against fake news, hate speech and voter suppression. These teams will also work cross-functionally with the companys threat intelligence, data science, engineering, research, community operations, legal and other teams. The move comes as part of Facebooks efforts to fight misinformation ahead of major elections such as in the European Union (EU), Nigeria, Ukraine, India and Indonesia later this year. See; Rage against the machine: Facebooks Trending algorithm screw-up proves one thing we already know See: Facebook found election ad spending likely linked to Russia Other tactics which the company intends to focus on includes expanding political advertising transparency policies; growing its capacity to address misinformation and fake news, including expanding its third-party fact-checking program; and launching new tools in March 2019 to help prevent foreign interference in the upcoming EU elections. Facebook says it now has 30,000 people working on such safety and security measures across the company worldwide, which is thrice as many as it had in 2017. The firm adds that it has also improved its machine-learning capabilities, enabling higher efficiency and effectiveness in finding and removing violating behaviour. While these efforts represent an improvement over the past few years, we know that improving security is never finished We will never stop all the bad actors, but were making real progress and we are committed to continuing to improve, concluded the company in its post. WASHINGTON, Jan 29: The United States on Monday announced criminal charges against Chinas Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, escalating a fight with the worlds biggest telecommunications equipment maker and coming days before trade talks between Washington and Beijing. The Justice Department charged Huawei and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran by doing business with Tehran through a subsidiary it tried to hide and that was reported on by Reuters in 2012 and 2013. In a separate case, the Justice Department said Huawei stole robotic technology from carrier T-Mobile US Inc. Huawei has said that the two companies settled their disputes in 2017. Meng, who is the daughter of Huaweis founder, was arrested in Canada in December and is fighting extradition to the United States. The charges against Meng, which include bank and wire fraud, were not unsealed until Monday. Her arrest enraged China, which responded by arresting two Canadians on national security grounds. Beijing and Washington are engaging in high-level talks this week as part of negotiations intended to walk back trade tensions between the globes two largest economies. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the Huawei charges are wholly separate from the trade negotiations. U.S. authorities accuse Meng of playing a lead role in the scheme to use a subsidiary to conduct business in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions against Tehran. Meng has said that she is innocent and Huawei did not respond to requests for comment on the charges announced Monday. President Donald Trump said in December he could intervene in the case if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China. The Trump administration is trying to prevent American companies from buying Huawei routers and switches and pressing allies to do the same. U.S. security experts are concerned that the equipment could be used to spy on the United States. Huaweis founder, Ren Zhengfei, denies his companys products would be used by the Chinese government to spy. CHINA TENSIONS The charges against Meng and Huawei cite stories from Reuters in 2012 and 2013 that said Huaweis Skycom unit had sought to sell goods to Iran in violation of U.S. laws. The indictment noted that the denials from Huawei in the stories were relied upon by financial institutions in determining whether to continue their banking relationships with Huawei and its subsidiaries. Also according to the indictment, in July 2007, the FBI interviewed Huawei founder Ren and U.S. authorities say he falsely told them Huawei did not violate U.S. export laws. In August 2013, Meng met with an executive from one bank, which is not identified in the indictment. Sources said the bank is HSBC Holdings Plc, which paid $1.92 billion in 2012 for violating U.S. anti-money-laundering and sanctions laws. During the meeting, Meng used a PowerPoint presentation that misrepresented Huawei operations in Iran and ownership and control of Skycom, according to the indictment. If the banks knew about Huaweis violations of Iranian sanctions, they would have reevaluated their banking relationships with Huawei, which included U.S. dollar and Euro clearing. The Justice Department has confirmed that HSBC is not under investigation in this case, HSBC said in a statement last month. Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat and the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, praised the charges brought on Monday. It has been clear for some time that Huawei poses a threat to our national security, and I applaud the Trump administration for taking steps to finally hold the company accountable, he said. Warner has been active in congressional efforts to address technology threats from China, and introduced a bill in January to create a White House office to fight state-sponsored technology theft and defend critical supply chains. FBI Director Christopher Wray said the Huawei cases, which were filed in New York and Washington state, expose Huaweis brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace. He also said he is concerned about Huawei devices in U.S. telecommunications networks. That kind of access could give a foreign government the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information, conduct undetected espionage, or exert pressure or control. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said the alleged criminal activity at Huawei goes back at least 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. Discussing "Cannabis Reform as Criminal Justice Reform" at North American Cannabis Summit | Main | Condemned Alabama inmate seeks stay of execution based on notable religious claims January 29, 2019 Any predictions (or suggestions) for what Prez Trump will say about FIRST STEP Act in coming State of the Union? Thanks to the federal government shutdown, we have to wait an extra week to hear Prez Donald Trump deliver the annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and to the nation. But I do not want to wait to speculate about what the Prez might say during SotU about the one big bipartisan achievement of the last year, namely the passage of the FIRST STEP Act. As detailed in posts here and here from exactly a year ago, Prez Trump's 2018 State of the Union was arguably the first huge moment on the path to the passage of the FIRST STEP Act. Prez Trump in that speech said: "As America regains its strength, this opportunity must be extended to all citizens. That is why this year we will embark on reforming our prisons to help former inmates who have served their time get a second chance." Of course, as I have stressed in (too) many prior posts, the real impact of the FIRST STEP Act depends greatly on how the law gets implemented. So I am hoping that Prez Trump, in addition to crowing about the FIRST STEP Act, will commit his administration to ensuring the Act is well-implemented. Doing so requires not only keeping the government open, but also ensuring appointments to the new institutions created by the Act (as well as to existing essential institutions like the US Sentencing Commission). Notably, as detailed in this MuckRock piece from last week, headlined "The First Step Acts first steps are stalled," the shutdown contributed to a poor start on this institutional implementation front: As part of the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act, the First Step Acts formal name, the National Institute of Justice -- part of the Department of Justices Office of Justice Programs -- was supposed to establish an Independent Review Commission [IRC] within 30 days of the laws enactment. The review commission is supposed to assist the attorney general and the Bureau of Prisons in the design and deployment of the risk and needs assessment tool, which will be used to determine the risk of recidivism and violent misconduct as well as assign the types, lengths, and rewards for recidivism reduction programs.... The first step in the development of the tool, which is slated to be operational within 210 days of the bills enactment, estimated to be the end of July 2019, was the selection of a nonprofit to lead the IRC. That organization would then appoint members to the committee. The law requires that the IRC be comprised of no fewer than six individuals who shall all have expertise in risk and needs assessment systems, including: two published peer-reviewed scholars, two corrections practitioners who have developed and implemented a risk assessment tool in a corrections system, one of whom should be familiar with Bureau of Prisons operations, and one individual with expertise in assessing risk assessment implementation. However, the government shutdown makes it unlikely that the NIJ has hit its first goal for the review commission. In turn, other requirements, such as the creation of the tool itself within 210 days of the bills passage, likely will be delayed. Of course, I do not really expect Prez Trump to speak to these wonky particulars regarding the FIRST STEP Act. But I do hope his team urges him to talk up his success on criminal justice reform and perhaps even talk about wanting to follow up with positive second steps of some sort. January 29, 2019 at 03:03 PM | Permalink Comments No one listens anymore to Benedict Arnold Trump. Posted by: anon1 | Jan 29, 2019 8:13:30 PM Huh, I never even suspected that Ann Coluter read this site. Posted by: Huma | Jan 29, 2019 9:00:13 PM Can't say yet whether Trump is Benedict Arnold redux, but he is without doubt the liar-in-chief. Can't believe anything out of his snake-oil-salesman's mouth. Posted by: Emily | Jan 30, 2019 10:56:31 AM "Any predictions (or suggestions) for what Prez Trump will say about FIRST STEP Act in coming State of the Union?" Well, you'd really have to ask Putin because he tells Trump what to say and do. Posted by: anon12 | Jan 30, 2019 3:10:08 PM The very "First Step" is for Trump to resign. Posted by: Dave from Texas | Jan 31, 2019 11:30:21 AM Post a comment Texas carries out its second execution of 2018 | Main | Mass molester Larry Nassar in state court for his third and final sentencing January 30, 2018 Prez Trump, in his first State of the Union address, mentions "reforming our prisons" and need to "get much tougher on drug dealers" As had been predicted (see this prior post), President Donald Trump in his very first State of the Union address said that prior reform was on his agenda for the coming year. But later in this speech, he suggested that he supported an even tougher criminal justice response to our nation's drug problem. These were both very small parts of a very long speech, and here is the context with key sentences highlighted from this official text: As America regains its strength, this opportunity must be extended to all citizens. That is why this year we will embark on reforming our prisons to help former inmates who have served their time get a second chance.... In 2016, we lost 64,000 Americans to drug overdoses: 174 deaths per day. Seven per hour. We must get much tougher on drug dealers and pushers if we are going to succeed in stopping this scourge. My Administration is committed to fighting the drug epidemic and helping get treatment for those in need. The struggle will be long and difficult but, as Americans always do, we will prevail. With these sentences and sentiments, I believe Prez Trump has defined the terms of what is truly possible on the federal criminal justice reform front in 2018. It would seem "back-end" prison reforms to facilitate earlier release from prison for all federal offenders and enhanced reentry efforts are quite possible and may truly be a priority for the Trump Administration; it would also seem that "front-end" sentencing reforms to reduce mandatory minimum terms for drug trafficking offenses many not be possible and may be actively opposed by the Trump Administration. Interesting times. A few prior recent related posts: January 30, 2018 at 11:21 PM | Permalink Comments As I have said several times, NYC liberal. Lots of worthless, quack, make work jobs for registered Democrats, working for government. Posted by: David Behar | Jan 31, 2018 8:56:12 AM Clearly, Trump already is more impressive than Obama after eight year. /snark Posted by: Joe | Jan 31, 2018 10:47:17 AM Its obvious that Trump and Sessions arent aware of the current penalties fir drug dealing. But they could make a huge contribution on Opioids if they would shutdown, McKesson and other drug compsnies from shipping the drugs nation wide to be pedaled on the streets. So far both are sadly i formed on the issue. Step 2 is to educate or threThen Drs from dishing out opioid prescrptions like its Valentines day for trivial pains at best. Step 3, get the Feds to put prosecutotial teeth in fines against these drug companies. Thats what sessions could/should be doing, not going the same make work worthless direction kf imprisoning drug addicts. Thats my story and Im stucking to it. Posted by: MidWestGuy | Jan 31, 2018 3:07:17 PM Post a comment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Iran of launching cyber-attacks on its country with a daily basis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that Iran launched cyber-attacks on Israel on a daily basis, but its experts are able to block them. Iran attacks Israel on a daily basis, Netanyahu declared during a cyber conference in Tel Aviv. We monitor these attacks, we see these attacks and we foil these attacks all the time. The Israeli Prime Minister added that today countries need to combine an effective cyber defence with a prolific and advanced cyber security industry. Any country can be attacked today with cyber-attacks and every country needs the combination of a national cyber defence effort and a robust cyber security industry, Netanyahu said. I think Israel has that in ways that are in many ways unmatched, he said. A few days ago, Israel launched a massive attack on Iranian targets in Syria, after Iranian fighters fired a surface-to-surface rocket at the northern Golan Heights. The Israeli air force hit an airport in Damascus and killed 12 pro-regime fighters. A few days ago, Israel launched a massive attack on Iranian targets in Syria, after Iranian fighters fired a surface-to-surface rocket at the northern Golan Heights. The Israeli air force hit an airport in Damascus and killed 12 pro-regime fighters. In recent months, the operations of Iran-linked APT groups in the Middle East were increased as never before. Early January, security experts at FireEye uncovered a DNS hijacking campaign that was targeting government agencies, ISPs and other telecommunications providers, Internet infrastructure entities, and sensitive commercial organizations in the Middle East, North Africa, North America and Europe. According to the experts, the campaign is carried out, with moderate confidence, by APT groups linked to the Iranian Government. In 2018, multiple reports published by Palo Alto Networks described TTPs adopted by Iran-linked APT group OilRig (aka APT34) that targeted entities in the Middle East. Pierluigi Paganini ( SecurityAffairs Israel, Netanyahu) I Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Europol and law enforcement agencies worldwide are investigating DDoS-for-hire services and hunting users that paid them to carry out cyber attacks. In April 2018, an international operation conducted by the European law enforcement agencies led by the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Dutch Police, with the help of Europol, took down the worlds biggest DDoS-for-hire service. The operation dubbed Power Off allowed to shut down the biggest DDoS-for-hire service (webstresser.org) and arrest its administrators. According to the investigators, the platform was involved in over 4 million attacks and arrested its administrators. The police arrested 6 members of the crime group behind the webstresser.org website in Scotland, Croatia, Canada, and Serbia on Tuesday. The Europol confirmed that Webstresser.org had 136,000 registered users and was used to target online services from banks, government institutions, police forces and the gaming world.webstresser.org. Now law enforcement agencies are now investigating on customers that paid for the DDoS-for-hire-service service. Europol has announced that the British NCA is conducting several operations all over the world to identify and arrest Webstresser.org users. In the United Kingdom a number of webstresser.org users have recently been visited by the police, who have seized over 60 personal electronic devices from them for analysis as part of Operation Power OFF. reads the press release published by the Europol. UK police are also conducting a number of live operations against oth er DDoS crimina ls; over 250 users of webstresser.org and other DDoS services will soon face action for the damage they have caused. The Europol gained access to the accounts of over 151,000 registered Webstresser users when it dismantled the service, the agency also obtained a huge trove of information about them. According to the Europol, over 250 users of DDoS-for-hire services <, including Webstresser will soon face potential prosecution. To this effect, the FBI seized last December 15 other DDoS-for-hire websites, including the relatively well known Downthem and Quantum Stresser. Similarly, the Romanian police has taken measures against the administrators of 2 smaller-scale DDoS platforms and has seized digital evidence, including information about the users. continues the press release. Size does not matter all levels of users are under the radar of law enforcement, be it a gamer booting out the competition out of a game, or a high-level hacker carrying out DDoS attacks against commercial targets for financial gain. UK police already raided the homes of several webstresser.org users, in Netherlands authorities are working to unmask Dutch users of the service. A Dutch user of webstresser.org has already received this alternative sanction. Europol revealed that other countries, including the United States, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Romania, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Australia, Colombia, Serbia, have also joined the fight against DDoS attacks. Emboldened by a perceived anonymity, many young IT enthusiasts get involved in this seemingly low-level crime, unaware of the consequences that such online activities can carry. Cybercrime isnt a victimless crime and it is taken extremely seriously by law enforcement. The side effects a criminal investigation could have on the lives of these teenagers can be serious, going as far as a prison sentence in some countries. concludes the Europol. Skills in coding, gaming, computer programming, cyber security or anything IT-related are in high demand and there are many careers and opportunities available to use these wisely. [ adrotate banner=9] [ adrotate banner=12] Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs DDoS-for-hire service, hacking) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On A joint operation conducted by law enforcement agencies in the United States and Europe allowed seizing the xDedic marketplace. Law enforcement agencies in the US and Europe announced the seizure of the popular xDedic marketplace, an underground market offering for sale access to compromised systems and personally identifiable information. On 24 January, the U.S. Prosecutors Office for the Middle District of Florida, the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of Tampa (Florida), the Federal Computer Crime Unit (FCCU), the Federal Prosecutors Office and the Investigating Judge of Belgium, as well as the Ukrainian National Cyber Police and Prosecutor Generals office of Ukraine, with the support of the Bundeskriminalamt of Germany and Europol seized the xDedic Marketplace. reads the press release published by the Europol. The black marketplace has been active since 2014, it was first analyzed by experts at Kaspersky Lab in 2016. At the time, the domain ( xdedic [ . ] biz) went offline following a report from Kaspersky Labs that detailed in its Corporate News section, the scope, and method of operations of the illicit marketplace. The website quickly reappeared in the Tor network. In 2016 the service was offering up to 70,000 hacked servers as little as $6 USD, and with 416 registered sellers in 173 countries, the platform was operating a highly successful global business model. The researchers confirmed that the xDedic marketplace is run by a Russian-speaking group. Law authorities in the United States, Belgium and Ukraine, in collaboration with the Europol, seized xDedic on January 24. Buyers were able to search accesses to compromised systems by multiple criteria, including price, geographic location, and operating system. The xDedic administrators maintained servers worldwide, they allowed payment in Bitcoin to protect users anonymity. Compromised systems belong to any industries, including local, state, and federal government infrastructure, hospitals, emergency services, major metropolitan transit authorities, accounting and law firms, pension funds, and universities . According to the investigators, the website facilitated more than $68 million in fraud. Pierluigi Paganini (Security Affairs xDedic market, cybercrime) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Joe Harrison wishes he knew 10 years ago what he knows today about climate change. The sea at St. Andrews will likely rise about 0.8 meters -- 31 inches -- in 40 to 50 years, Eastern Charlotte Waterways' (ECW) Climate Change Program Manager Briana Cowie explained to about 35 people at a public session on January 19 at the Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre. Harrison said afterwards that, had he known this at the time, he would have built his new house on the shore at St. Andrews three feet higher. He built his house higher than the old cottage that formerly stood on the site, "more by accident than design" because the contractor ran into hard digging, but the new house still sits three feet below streetlevel. "At that time people really weren't thinking of this," he said while pointing to his property on a map. Cowie spoke at the meeting and a second one on January 22 to get people thinking about the issue and to gather public input for a climate adaptation plan she hopes to present to town council next month. The New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund provided money for the town of St. Andrews to contract with ECW to create a climate change adaptation plan. Cowie plans to present the draft to town council in February to allow time for comment and improvements by March 31, the deadline in the contract to adopt the plan. ECW also hopes to help other municipalities and the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission make plans to adapt to climate change. "Adaptation" refers to protecting streets, houses, public buildings, wharves, sewer and water systems and other assets from higher water and other effects of climate change "to build a more resilient community," Cowie says. She hopes to start working with municipalities next month on mitigation plans to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, which cause climate change, according to climate scientists. "This is the beginning of the climate change adaptation plan," St. Andrews Mayor Doug Naish said in an interview. "It's going to deliver us a plan that will be, I hope, instructive for council to make decisions about what adaptation measures we wish to take." The province has identified St. Andrews -- on the tip of a lowlying peninsula with tide water lapping at both sides -- as one of the most vulnerable places in New Brunswick to climate change, the mayor says. Federal and provincial governments could start demanding measures to cope with climate change as a condition of funding projects. "They're going to want to know that this infrastructure is going to be protected from climate change," he says. ECW presented scenarios on where water levels might reach by 2055 versus 2100 and asked people to comment via computer or paper forms on possible measures in the three priority areas of Market Square, Patrick Street and Indian Point. "We are not anywhere close to putting those [measures] in place in St. Andrews, but someday we may have to tell people that your property is unbuildable," Naish says. "We do have to have a plan that says if you build here, we can provide you with infrastructure, and we have some sort of guarantee that you're not going to be devastated by climate change." He believes the sewage plant is safe, built on high ground. He praises the owners of the former Cottage Craft site for building the new structure three feet higher than the old one. However, protecting the Market Square and Market Wharf area in the middle of town could cost $3.3 million, he says. The wharf is likely high enough, but this does not stop the relentless tides below from damaging the substructure. St. Andrews will need help from the federal and provincial treasuries. "Some of it's going to come down to the will to do it, but also a lot of it's going to come down to the ability to pay for it, because this is really expensive work in some cases," the mayor says. The mayor endorses Saint John Energy's plan to harness wind energy. The municipal utility announced on January 17 that it would call for proposals for a $30 million project to construct five to 10 wind turbines in the Spruce Lake Industrial Park to generate between 20 to 40 megawatts of energy. The project would save costs and reduce greenhouse gases, furthering the province's climate change and renewable energy plans, a news release states. "Alternative energy sources are part of that equation," says Naish, who also puts in a plug for harnessing the same Fundy tides that destroy wharves and other infrastructure. "Why can't we harness it? We have all this energy running around in the water." Education Reporter Mathew Burciaga is a Santa Maria Times reporter who covers education, agriculture and public safety. Prior to joining the Times, Mathew ran a 114-year-old community newspaper in Wyoming. He owns more than 40 pairs of crazy socks from across the globe. Geriatric mental health issues are increasingly at the forefront of nursing home care as Maine grapples with the distinction of having the oldest population in the nation, with Washington County being one of a handful of counties with the oldest populations in the state. Compounding the issue is the lack of geriatric psychiatric facilities in the state, with the only one being in Portland at the Maine Medical Center, to help with diagnosis, research and care solutions, explains Nathan Brown, administrator of the Eastport Memorial Nursing Home (EMNH). "It's not a population that gets attention," he adds. "There's less political will to force funding, even when they [the legislature] look at the demographics." Dementia and its many aspects are a gradual progression, Brown points out, and it's probably one of the toughest issues facing the nursing home community. In the past, aging patients with mental health issues went to state institutions. Brown is happy to see that model has been disappearing. But he explains, "Geriatric mental health care has never been the intention of nursing homes." However, it is becoming the norm because of the age of residents entering the system. Brown sheds light on a related problem. "Once you're diagnosed with dementia, it takes precedence over other diagnosis of mental health." For example, he says, if a patient was diagnosed as bipolar but then diagnosed with dementia, the bipolar condition "gets masked behind the dementia." Changes in caring for the elderly, with the stress now on finding homebased solutions, means that when the elderly do need to come to nursing homes they are usually far older than was the custom 30 years ago. "We'll see a higher acuity in a person when they arrive at the nursing home. They were cared for at home successfully, but when it's time to transition to the nursing home, it's usually because something has happened." Brown explains, "We're aging longer. The neurological side of things starts manifesting." In less than a decade Washington County has lost three of out of its six nursing homes, with the number of beds decreasing from about 230 to 111. The 26bed Eastport Memorial Nursing Home, along with the two other nursing homes based in Machias and Milbridge, is rising to the challenge of meeting the increased pressures of the county's aging population, but it has not been easy. Brown and his family were involved with running the forprofit Oceanview Nursing Home in Lubec for many years until it closed in 2014. He has been on the job at EMNH four months and is pleased with how things are going. "We have a waiting list now. That hadn't happened for years." Nursing homes need to operate at full capacity, he explains. The operational costs don't go down proportional to the number of residents. However, having a waiting list is an indication of the larger issue facing the county. "The waiting list means we don't have the capacity in the community to meet the demand. That's a statewide problem. There are pockets of need." In the past the nursing home saw swings of about 20% in its census. "That's 5.2 people," Brown points out. "So at 80% we were still spending the same. We can't absorb those swings. A small census change is big." With the waiting list the home isn't forced to react all the time, he adds. A financial juggling act The financial health of the nursing home is a juggling act based on the level of acuity and care needed and associated costs and reimbursements. The Eastport nursing home has a costbased reimbursement structure. "We wouldn't be able to have the managerial level that we have" without that structure in place, Brown says. The home is able to have activities and social services on hand that would be cut to 13 hours per week each if the home was configured on the more commonly used reimbursement structure. "That's not sufficient" to meet the needs of residents, he adds. However, the costbased model has its own set of challenges. The costs for last year determine the reimbursements for the following year. Brown comments that if costs increase, the nursing home must either request legislative intervention for increasing the budget or spend more. Spending more means having a flush revenue stream, and when the majority of residents are on MaineCare, revenue streams are tight. "The public or private patient will have some portion that they have to pay" for residing at the home, Brown says. He explains that for most patients all but $40 of their monthly Social Security check goes towards paying for their room and board. The $40 is for the resident's personal items. If Social Security doesn't cover the full cost of room and board, "then the differential is paid by the State of Maine." Brown is grateful that the nursing home has its costbased model. "It has enabled us to weather the storms." And he has nothing but kind words to say for the residents, the staff and for the deep commitment of community members who serve as volunteers on the EMNH Auxiliary and on the EMNH Board of Directors. "I really appreciate their knowledge of the corporate history and the intent of the mission." He adds of the board, "They've been wonderful to work with." Nowadays, a casual scan of the headlines can fool someone into thinking that the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China is all about tariffs and counter-tariffs. After all, president Trump has in the past christened himself the Tariff Man whose role is to collect billions of dollars in extra trade levies and make America rich again. Even an earlier tentative trade deal between Trump and president Xi Jinping centered on tariffs on things like automobiles. Yet, last years unexpected arrest of a Chinese telecom executive on Canadian soil should have served as warning that a second U.S.-China trade war was brewinga much stealthier confrontation fought with much subtler weapons than mere tariffs. The prizedomination of the all-important information technology industry. And, the U.S. is showing no signs of relenting after pressing charges against Huawei Technologies Co. CFO Meng Wanzhou, daughter of Huawei founder and president Ren Zhengfei, and demanding her extradition to the U.S. Huawei is Chinas largest tech company. Its still too early to say definitively but the feeling is that Meng is likely to suffer a worse fate than the two Chinese intelligence officers for whom the U.S. DoJ recently issued warrants against for hacking 45 American company databases. Escalating Tensions The charges filed on Monday mark a new twist in the ongoing trade war between the two countries and an escalation of tensions between the two protagonists just days after resuming negotiations in the countdown to the 90-day trade war truce. The 13-count indictment alleges, among other charges, that Ms. Meng engaged in bank and wire fraud and conspiracy with businesses in Iran. Separate charges filed in Washington accuse Huawei of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile USA Inc. and paying bonuses to employees who succeeded in stealing trade secrets from rival companies. According to Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the two cases expose Huaweis brazen and persistent attempts to exploit American companies and financial institutions. Canadas Justice Department has already confirmed receiving an extradition request for Meng though Huawei has maintained its earlier stance of no wrongdoing in either case. As expected, the Chinese government has defended Huawei and demanded the immediate revocation of Mengs arrest warrant. Beijing has accused the U.S. of trying to curtail the rise of its tech and IT sector and demanded that it stops unreasonably targeting Huawei and other Chinese enterprises. Huawei in Trouble Huawei Smartphone Sales 2010-2018 (millions of units) From relative obscurity less than a decade ago, Huawei has risen quickly through the years to become Chinas biggest smartphone company. Unlike companies like Xiaomi which seem unable to shake off their reputation as manufacturers of cheap iPhone knockoffs, Huaweis brands are regarded as higher-end and have generally been well received across global markets. Related: Private Firms Spent Record $93 Billion On Natural Resources During the last quarter, the company shipped 200 million units mainly driven by the companys high-flying P20 series and its Honor brand which target online-savvy younger shoppers. Huawei is now the worlds second-largest smartphone manufacturer behind only Samsung. Other than making and selling smartphones, Huawei also maintains its roots as a provider of mobile technology to other smartphone and wi-fi companies. But as if often the case, resounding success often comes at a steep price. In Huaweis case it has taken the form of controversy, mistrust and even outright rejection. In February 2018, heads of the FBI, CIA and the NSA warned American citizens against using products by Huawei and ZTE on fears that Beijing was using their hardware to spy on American people and companies. While Huawei has maintained that its an independent company with no links to the Beijing government, its hard to escape its provenance as the brainchild of a man with deep roots in military technology. In the 1980s, Huawei founder, Ren Zhengfei, served as an engineer in the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the armed force of the Communist Party of China that has ruled the country since 1921. The U.S. government has exhibited growing hostility to the company and even branded it as being effectively an arm of the Chinese government. Yet, fear of Chinas most powerful tech company is nothing new, really. As early back as 2012, the U.S. congressional panel warned that the company, together with rival ZTE, posed a security threat. Both Australia and New Zealand have excluded Huawei from supplying their 5G gear again on fears that the company could be spying on them. Earlier this month, Vodafone paused the use of the companys equipment over similar concerns. In 2018, the UK released a report that gave only limited assurances that Huawei was not a threat to national securitynot exactly a glowing endorsement either. You can find a complete timeline of countries beef with Huawei here. A complete ban on Huawei doing business with the likes of Qualcomm could spell disaster for the companyif ZTEs recent ban is any indication. What Now? Canadas justice minister has just 30 days to assess the extradition request and issue authority to proceed with hearings. The country wont have much leeway to turn the request down assuming the crimes committed by Meng also violate Canadian law. A hearing, though, could still be months away and the decision on the date of extradition will be left to the justice minister assuming Meng losses her appeals. A damning staticCanadian authorities typically approve 90 percent of extradition requests mainly because the Canadian system makes it near-impossible to mount a defense. One things for sure: the Huawei case throws a spanner in already fragile trade negotiations making it even harder for the two countries to reach a comprehensive or durable deal. You can also be sure that Huawei will not be the only Chinese tech company targeted as Trump looks to end Chinas decades-long practice of arm-twisting American tech companies and forcing them to divulge key trade secrets as a ticket to gaining access to the huge market. By Alex Kimani for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com Maduro wants to cash in Venezuelas gold stashes as he tries to hang on to powerpossibly with Russian assistanceand the opposition-declared president in charge is trying to stop it before it happens. Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim leader Juan Guaido has called on British authorities not to release $1.2 billion in Venezuelan gold reserves to the desperate and cash-strapped Maduro regime. "I am writing to ask you to stop this illegitimate transaction. If the money is transferred ... it will be used by the illegitimate and kleptocratic regime of Nicolas Maduro to repress and brutalize the Venezuelan people," Guaido wrote in a letter addressed to UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney. Instead, the president in charge wants it to go to him. Venezuelas holdings at the bank more than doubled last December to 31 tons, or around $1.2 billion, after Venezuela returned funds it had borrowed from Deutsche Bank AG through a financing arrangement with gold used as collateral. Maduros government wants the gold back at homemore so than everbut the Bank of England hasnt been playing ball. Retrieving the gold in the Bank of England has been a major priority for the Maduro regime. Last December, Venezuelas central bank even made a trip to UK that sought to gain access to it but the talks proved to be unsuccessful. Last Friday, Bank of England once again denied the request followed with a public statement: In all its operations, the Bank observes the highest standards of risk management and abides by all relevant legislation, including applicable financial sanctions. Related: Americans Are Not Ready For A Recession The banks decision to deny Maduros withdrawal request comes after top U.S. officials lobbied their British counterparts to help cut off the regime from its overseas assets. U.S. sanctions mean that its not so easy anymore for Venezuela to get swap agreements. Venezuela is said to have around $8 billion in foreign reserves. That $1.2 billion in gold is part of that. Where the rest is, no ones quite sure. For a while, Maduro was making some money by exporting gold to Turkey, but that has dried up to largely nothing as of the last quarter of 2018, according to Turkish customs data cited by media. Last week, Guaido, head of the opposition-led National Assembly invoked the constitution to declare himself the nation's "president in charge." Related: Private Firms Spent Record $93 Billion On Natural Resources Trump has formally recognized Guaido same day and praised his plan to hold new elections. Canada followed suit, as did a number of Latin American governments (Mexico excluded). European Council and Parliament initially both backed the National Assembly but fell short of recognizing Guaido as interim president. Brussels is calling on Maduro to hold free elections within eight days or they will recognize Guaido as president. Russia and Cuba are steadfastly supporting Maduro. Now, Russian mercenaries are reportedly protecting Maduro, adding another layer of uncertainty to what happens next. This is now a standoff not only between Maduro and the opposition, but also between a Western coalition and Russia-plus-China, which have vested interests in Venezuela. By Charles Benavidez for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com The hearing brought the defenses expert to the stand. Dr. Claude Cloninger, a professor of psychology and genetics at the medical school of Washington University in St. Louis, is a noted expert on what previous prosecutions witnesses have diagnosed as delusional disorders, the psychosis that Barrus has dealt with since the turn of the century. Cloninger is the psychiatrist from the original Sell Hearing, which involved a St. Louis dentist suffering delusions about government conspiracies that eventually landed him in jail. He does not believe that forcibly medicating Barrus will help bring back competency, but prefers to deal with Barrus through psychotherapy and treating symptoms that arise from dealing with the root of the problem, Barrus consistent delusions and paranoia about the government and conspiracies against him. Cloningers testimony went back over Barrus first days at a mental hospital in California, after he was committed for his involvement in another similar high-speed chase with law enforcement in California and Nevada. That incident, which included Barrus or his son shooting and hitting a police helicopter while they were holed up in a ravine in Death Valley, ended shortly afterward but resulted in Barrus being sent to the Atascadero State Hospital for treatment. Talen Montana has made hard-won progress to improve the financial condition of Units 1 and 2. However, if Westmoreland rejects our current contract or increases our cost, the financial issues associated with the operation of Units 1 and 2 will likely get worse, Williams said. Talen aside, the other five Colstrip owners are regulated utilities with captive customers who pay higher-than-market prices, though they would need approval by state regulators to pass on higher coal costs to customers. Some regulators have already expressed concern about the price of Colstrip power. Its unlikely Rosebud Mine coal would go anywhere other than Colstrip power plant, said Seth Feaster, data analyst for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. The most likely non-Colstrip buyers for Rosebud Mine coal are probably in the Asian Pacific, where Powder River Basin companies like Cloud Peak and Aubre Energy already ship coal more affordably than Rosebud would. The mines more probable play is leveraging a higher price from the Colstrip power plant. The challenge is raising coal prices without driving utilities toward gas or renewable energy, Feaster said. GOLD: People dream of what they might do with a million dollars take a fantasy trip or buy a beautiful home. The desire to do something nice for ourselves makes the recent gift from 85-year-old Texas bachelor and career Air Force veteran Arlyn Reinert unfathomable. Reinert, who died in April, bequeathed more than $1 million to South Dakotas Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs. Reinert had no discernible connection to the home, to anyone living there or even to South Dakota. Perhaps he once crossed paths favorably with a South Dakotan, but its just as likely his choice was the result of research or simply random. The retired master sergeant hailed from Wisconsin and lived frugally in a small Texas panhandle town that has a familiar prairie main street with dominant feed mill. Reinert was a veteran of the Vietnam War who had been awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and other military honors. An apparent loner with no family, Reinert selected Hot Springs as his beneficiary in a will he completed 18 years ago, long after leaving military service. He evidently considered the Air Force his family. It must have warmed him to know he would someday make life better for people like himself. The gift calls for a moment of reflection on what truly is important in life. Like Sandvik, several artists are making return appearances in the show. Retired music professor-turned-photographer Craig Alberty of Rapid City is back with his photos in handmade frames. His exhibit includes new work called Big Shots three-piece dramatic images of bold sunsets and landscapes. Bruce Speidel, a veteran, outdoorsman, artist and gallery owner from Sundance, Wyoming, is back for his fourth year at the art show, and he's gearing up for the show's annual Quick Draw competition. The Quick Draw starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, in the Civic Center Theatre lobby. Quick Draw competitors have one hour to create a Western-inspired art piece, while the public observes the artists' progress. The art will be auctioned after the Quick Draw. The winning artist has a chance to win $500. A portion of the auction's proceeds will benefit the Central States Fair Foundation. This is Speidel's fourth year competing in the Quick Draw. An avid runner, Speidel likens the fast-paced competition to a workout. "It's really good for me to learn how to paint fast," he said. "With so many people watching, it gets really intense. (When it's over), I feel as if I had run 8 miles in an hour." Rapid City Area School teachers, librarians, counselors, therapists and other district employees will receive a $700 raise after the school board approved a deal with the teachers union at their meeting Monday night. The decision comes just days after a state administrative-law judge recommended adoption of the districts position in the negotiations, which was to give a $700 raise to roughly 1,000 employees in the teachers union, called the Rapid City Education Association. The union had sought stepped pay increases of up to $2,000 for teachers in their first six years on the job, plus $700 pay increases for those beyond their sixth year. The judges ruling, handed down by Michelle Faw of the states Department of Labor and Regulation, issued a written recommendation in favor of the school district on Jan. 18. RCAS believes that providing the $700.00 per teacher while also focusing on repairs and the school strategic plan is fair and allows RCAS to resolve competing interests, Faw wrote. Sue Podoll, a teacher and president of the union, told the Journal last week that she was unsurprised by the judges recommendation. A man died Sunday evening in Rosebud after a police pursuit culminated in officers shooting at a vehicle that rammed them before the vehicle crashed down a cliff, according to a press release from Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The man is not being identified by law enforcement until his family is notified. It's not clear exactly how the man died. It's unclear if the man was shot, and, if so, if he died from the shooting or the impact of the crash, RST Police Chief Marlin Enno told the Journal. The RST officers were involved in a "shooting that resulted in a death" around 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 said Kevin Smith, spokesman for the FBI Minneapolis Division, in an email. None of the officers were injured, Smith said. "It's an unfortunate situation," Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Rodney Bordeaux said of the incident, noting that many people know those involved since it's a small reservation. "The families on both sides are hurt, which is understandable." Bordeaux said he is praying for the families of the victim and the officers. In northern Minnesota, the wind chill was as low as minus 59 . White Earth Band of Ojibwe (oh-JIHB'-wah) energy assistance manager Chris Fairbanks calls it "a scary situation." She says officials are swamped getting people the heating help they need. Beer trouble Just how cold is it getting in the Midwest? Cold enough that some beer trucks won't be delivering. The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reports at least two distributors will delay or suspend deliveries on Wednesday due to extreme cold. Rod Fisher, general manager of General Beer Northwest in Chippewa Falls, said he's worried beer will freeze in the trucks, especially on rural routes. His company is delaying and limiting some deliveries in its 14-county area. Park Ridge Distributing of nearby Eau Claire won't send trucks out at all on Wednesday. Manager Ryan Modl says it's too hard on employees, the beer and the equipment. Homeless population at risk Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Abraham Lincoln and Nebraska Probably no individual is more firmly enshrined in Nebraska tradition than Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809. Our capital city and one of our large counties are named in his honor. His statue by Daniel Chester French, backed by a tablet of polished granite on which the Gettysburg Address is engraved, dominates the west approach to the state capitol. As a war president, Lincoln naturally exercised a great deal of influence over the lives of all Americans. Because Nebraska was a territory during the Civil War, the President exercised much influence over its affairs. All executive and judicial officers of the territory, for example, were appointed by the President. A commission, dated April 13, 1865 - the day of Lincolns assassination - reappoints Alvin Saunders as governor of Nebraska Territory. The commission is in the archives of History Nebraska (formerly known as the Nebraska State Historical Society). According to a statement by Saunders, the commission was signed just before the President left for the theater where he met his death. Undoubtedly Lincoln exercised his greatest influence on the development of Nebraska in selecting Omaha as the starting point for the Union Pacific Railroad. Trump's wall is touted as the only possible solution to illegal immigration. It is not. Illegal immigration is the result of unscrupulous businesses targeting undocumented workers, offering economic opportunity and paying slave wages. Eleven million undocumented workers in the United States are used as slave labor in a slave economy. These workers cannot object to workplace violations and will be used and abused until sent to another slaver -- set free, killed, or told to leave. The law offers no systemic disincentive; workers are punished, employers are not. Impose a law on these employers, the same as drug dealers: Put the offending employers in jail for a substantial period and confiscate their businesses. There would be no undocumented workers in the U.S. if no jobs were available. If immigrant labor is needed, the Department of Labor needs to establish minimum, federally enforced, wages for the skill, trade, experience, and working environment appropriate for the workers brought in. A border wall is the physical embodiment of the metaphorical war between cutthroat, antilabor conglomerates and labor. Thirty years of stagnating wages, rising housing costs and skyrocketing debt prove we the people need protection from industrial predators who wield unprecedented political power. "We've seen this hollowing out of the middle- and lower-middle income kids, who aren't interesting to anybody anymore," Hoxby said. Popular "economic opportunity" measures can cause other distortions, too -- especially if tied to public funding. For instance, public flagships in states whose populations are relatively low-income 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. Intergenerational mobility rankings can also penalize schools in states where there's a lot of income equality. By national standards, for instance, Wisconsin has few people who are either very poor or very rich. As a result, the University of Wisconsin looks bad on national income mobility rankings, even though it enrolls a lot of students from the lower end of the state's own income distribution. It's easy to nitpick other people's metrics, of course. Coming up with a better alternative is harder. In 2018, Braking Traffik served 80 area survivors of trafficking, she said. That has been increasing year after year, as there's more education and awareness that's going on. Trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to get another person to provide labor or commercial sex, according to Sunday's service program. Such cases have been reported in industries including restaurants, construction, cleaning services and factories. Traffickers exploit already vulnerable people women and children, migrant workers, indigenous and displaced people, and those living in extreme poverty, the program said. Pauline gave an example of a girl she works with who attended an Illinois Q-C high school, started being trafficked when she was a sophomore and became addicted to drugs. Each Friday, she was taken to Chicago, where she met with men, forced into prostitution. After she turned 18, her parents viewed her as a problem child and refused to take care of her, and she became homeless. The trafficker threatened to expose her to her parents, and she had a little sister she was worried about, Pauline said. The TBK Sports Complex in Bettendorf is likely to get a few more restaurants or retail shops after the city council passed an initial rezoning request to allow more to come in. MOLINE For the first time since 2010, administrators of the Moline-Coal Valley School District do not anticipate having to reduce and teachers jobs because of budget constraints. School board members Monday evening voted to place a tentative amended 2018-2019 budget on display. The budget is being amended to reflect several factors, including updated costs for personnel services, a vocational education project, safety and security equipment, and various construction projects. Chief financial officer Dave McDermott told board members that changes in the amended budget include a $1 million increase in the education fund thanks to the state's new evidence based funding model, donations and other factors. The original education fund budget was $27.8 million, and it will be amended to $28.9 million. The other major area of change for fund balances was the capital projects fund, which is now projected to be $17.2 million, an increase of $4 million from the original budget. McDermott said this change was because of the finalization of funds from the Bartlett Trust. The amended budget, with updated figures for revenues and expenditures, shows a $5 million dollar increase for all funds. The amended budget projects the balance for all funds will be $75 million, whereas the original budget projected $70 million. An East Moline man accused of the 2017 fatal shooting of his grandfather on Monday was ruled unfit to participate in the proceedings against him. Robert E. Neal Sr., 69, of East Moline, was shot around 9:30 p.m. Nov. 17, 2017, in the 200 block of 19th Street, according to East Moline Police. Roman Knox, 25, of East Moline, was arrested shortly after the shooting, allegedly with blood on him and carrying a gun as he left the home he shared with his grandfather. Knox faces a charge of first-degree murder. Andrew Larson, Knox's attorney, had doubts Monday as to his client's ability to aid in his own defense, Assistant Rock Island County States Attorney Heidi Weller told Rock Island County Judge Frank Fuhr. Dr. Kirk Witherspoon, a Moline-based clinical psychologist, has interviewed Knox and deemed him unfit. Witherspoon's report was accepted by both Weller and Larson. "I find that Mr. Knox is unfit at this time," Fuhr ruled. He said Knox was likely to regain fitness with treatment through the Illinois Department of Human Services. This is the second time Knox's fitness has been questioned. In December 2017, he was found fit after an evaluation by Witherspoon. When I opened this Marques de Riscal Reserva, I noticed the colors of dark ruby in the center and orange near the rim. The variation in color comes from the age of the wine. Given its age, I let the wine sit 5-10 minutes in my glass before smelling and tasting. Aromas of plum, cherry, rich leather, floral were all accented by subtle vegetal and herbaceous notes. Flavors of plum and cherry followed through as well as violet and other dried purple flowers, which I found very interesting. It was this element that paired so wonderfully with the Ratatouille or Confit Byaldi. The richness in flavor depth and high acidity also complemented the dish's piperade, a mixture of roasted bell pepper, garlic and sweet yellow onion that is placed under the medallions of vegetables. This gave the dish a richness, which allowed it to stand up to the tannin structure and alcohol in the wine. This wine has a medium-to-long finish and is one that continues to dance on your palate even after youve finished your sip. While I would have preferred to make this dish in the summertime after visiting the Freight House Farmers Market, theres a certain homeyness to this dish, which even in the dead of winter, comes with vibrancy and warmth. We could offer you high quality wood pellets in empty bags, as per your request. This pellets do not have certificate but it is very high quality - we export it to Germany and Serbia. Colour is more brown than white. Trial batch (one truck) is possible, payment after delivery. We could offer you FCA Zitomirska obl. Ukraine or to try to deliver to you (we deliver it to Dortmund in Germany). The price varies on seadon. Current price: 142 EUR/t DAP Zitomirskiy region, Ukraine. A competitive business climate, support for economic growth and investments in infrastructure, education and workforce top the list of issues the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce will push with legislators in 2019. Workforce development, appropriate economic development incentives, and lessening property tax burden are the main issues affecting Quad Cities Chamber members, says Paul Rumler, president/CEO, Quad Cities Chamber. Well continue to work with our legislators to push these priorities. Tyler Power, government affairs manager for the Quad Cities Chamber, said the group's public policy platform is "reflective and focused on the needs of our members. "We survey our members to determine what businesses need to improve and grow in our region," Power said. The Chamber's priorities in Iowa are: Business climate and economic competitiveness: The Chamber wants the Iowa legislature to maintain the current status of economic development incentives such as tax-increment-financing districts and the Iowa Historic Tax Credit. The Chamber also is ready to work with elected officials to reduce the overall property tax burden on businesses. The recently passed House File 802 is a complete mess of a bill and an embarrassment to the state of Iowa. On the one hand, it bans teaching a number of "specifically defined concepts"; on the other, it claims not to infringe on any freedom of speech or prohibit discussing these concepts "as part of a larger course of academic instruction." But as it does not define what makes a course "larger," and no one teaches any of these concepts in a vacuum, it will either a) have no effect whatever or b) functionally prohibit what it claims to permit. At the time when the county board voted for bonds to build the annex to the jail, there was NO mention of demolition of the courthouse. The $1.5 million to $2 million that is now being earmarked for courthouse demolition was bonded only for construction overages as stated to the county board at the time of the vote. Somehow, construction became destruction. The bond counsel attorney contacted last year said that spending bond monies on courthouse demolition was being looked at and was not determined yet but "was likely" allowable. Never was it stated to the county board that, if a Justice Center annex was built, that the courthouse would be demolished. At the time the county board voted for bonds, $25 million was needed for the project with an additional $1.5 million to be used for construction overages. Is it easily forgotten that the $1.5 million that will be needed for demolition is being used to create a loss of a county asset valued at $10 million. If demolition is in the best interest, it needs to be done correctly. As elected officials of our county, we need to remember that we serve the people of Rock Island County and have the fiduciary duty to assure that assets are preserved and monies are used for what they were intended. Equally important, we need to assure that all actions undertaken are done legally, transparently, and that laws should apply to a county just as they do to any other individual or group. Drue Mielke, R-Coal Valley represents Rock Island County Board District 22. He also serves as chairman of the Rock Island County Republican Party. Love 10 Funny 1 Wow 8 Sad 2 Angry 3 After the council meeting, Thoms said the meeting with the judge was "very cordial" but that they disagreed on the issue. He said it was a very good meeting that lasted about 15 to 20 minutes. "After I said no, he says 'well, I feel I have the right to be able to do it' based on the different positions on the building, the threats or the construction, the danger etc," Thoms said. "He feels for that reason he has the ability. He cited the ordinances and the laws that he interpreted that he had the right to be able to do that." Thoms explained in further detail the reasoning behind denying the permit. "In further reading it and talking to the DNR, they believe that we are the exceptions. What he is citing is the exceptions for county buildings is on the approval side and not the applicant side, is where the exceptions can be made, and so that is where they feel the difference is," Thoms said. "The DNR can make those exceptions, but he can not." Thoms reiterated that the city would follow the rule of law and not issue the demolition permit until the state has signed off on it. While he said he is open to forming a blue ribbon committee Firefighters battled two fires Monday morning, one of which damaged a Rock Island home, while the other damaged a Moline liquor store. One person and two dogs escaped the Rock Island fire, which was called in about 10:24 a.m. at 2427 8 1/2 Ave., Rock Island Fire Marshal Greg Marty said. The person was being evaluated by EMS at the scene, but details of the person's condition were not available. The dogs were unharmed. The fire was under control within 25 minutes, Marty said. The cause, origin and the extent of the damage were all still under investigation. A passersby alerted the Moline Fire Department around 8:40 a.m. about the fire at the Stop & Save, 1610 15th Street Place, Moline, fire Capt. Brian Vyncke said at the scene. No one was hurt, and no one was at the business at the time of the fire, Vyncke said. It took about an hour to get the fire under control, and those efforts included breaking a hole in the roof, he said. The cause and origins of the fire, as well as the damage estimate were under investigation, he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Public Building Commission approved a bid of $430,490 from Valley Construction during their Nov. 29 meeting. It was the only company to submit a bid for the project. Public Building Commission Chairman Brent Ganahl could not be reached for comment. Thoms said the city could be held liable for giving special preference to the county if the city allowed demolition to move forward. "If the (county) meets the requirements, they should have their permit," Thoms said. "We are not trying to pick a side; we are doing what is fair. We would hold anybody's feet to the fire." In his order, Braud said demolition of the courthouse can proceed without a permit from the city. "Demolition or renovation is at the option of the building owner," Braud wrote. "In this case, the county board has elected demolition." "Our thoughts are that (Braud) is wrong," Thoms said. "We do not have a common understanding on how the law reads. We are still negotiating back and forth; no resolution has been reached. Our attorney is trying to find case law. My understanding is that we do not have to get a court order on this." Braud could not be reached for comment. GENESEO The Geneseo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will mark its 120th anniversary in February. The DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer womens service organization that promotes historic preservation, education and patriotism, according to Mary Vandemore Gustafson. The local chapter was organized following a March 23, 1898, letter by Ella Hume Taylor to Mrs. Charles Deere, Regent of the Mary Little Deere Chapter of DAR in Moline. In her letter, Taylor shared her interest in becoming a member-at-large and asked how a DAR chapter could be formed in Geneseo. To expedite organization of a local chapter, Taylor became a member of the National DAR Society. She was appointed regent, with the national DAR ratifying the appointment on Nov. 22, 1898. The Geneseo Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized Feb. 6, 1899, in Taylors home with 19 charter members. Any woman 18 years or older who could prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution was eligible for membership in a DAR chapter, as they are today. Taylor was regent of the Geneseo DAR Chapter for 12 years, 1899-1913. Upon resigning the post, she was named honorary regent for life. A competitive business climate, support for economic growth and investments in infrastructure, education and workforce top the list of issues the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce will push with legislators in 2019. Workforce development, appropriate economic development incentives and lessening property tax burden are the main issues affecting Quad Cities Chamber members, says Paul Rumler, president/CEO, Quad Cities Chamber. Well continue to work with our legislators to push these priorities. Tyler Power, government affairs manager for the Quad Cities Chamber, said the group's public policy platform was "reflective and focused on the needs of our members. "We survey our members to determine what businesses need to improve and grow in our region," Power said. The Chamber's priorities in Illinois are: Business Climate and Economic Competitiveness: Illinois ranks highest among states for worker's compensation insurance rates. The Chamber wants the General Assembly to pass meaningful reforms to lower the cost to do business in Illinois. Our company is looking for high quality charcoal briquettes supplier to France. Send us your offer with photos attached. 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 1+ days ago | June 17th, 6:30 AM Are You Losing Money in the Market Due to One of These Reasons? Humans have a knack for doing what they know over and over again. For example, you may have the same type of investing strategy you've used for 10 years. But have you ever stopped to consider whether it's actually working for you? Maybe fees have eaten you alive. Maybe you haven't earned as much as you'd like. It's always good to brush up on the good ol' basics. A winter storm warning has been issued for Tuesday and early Wednesday, as another storm bears down on the Northeast. The warning runs from 1 a.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting 6 to 8 inches for the Glens Falls region with more in the Adirondacks. Snowfall is expected to start before daybreak with the majority falling Tuesday afternoon and evening, wrapping up by midnight. Hadley-Luzerne Central School announced on Monday that they will be dismissing early at 11 a.m. for the elementary and 11:15 a.m. for the high school. Bitter cold will move in after the storm, with highs struggling to get out of the single digits Thursday and lows well below zero Thursday and Friday. For the latest weather and school announcements, visit poststar.com/weather and poststar.com/schoolclosings. Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 11 Angry 7 Queensburys three other incumbent supervisors at-large Doug Beaty, Brad Magowan and Michael Wild, all Republicans have said they are seeking re-election. Town Supervisor John Strough, a Democrat, also plans to run for re-election. Queensbury resident Timothy McNulty plans to run for Sokols position, and has been attending county meetings in recent months. Sokol said he has been working with McNulty, who is a retired U.S. Army colonel. McNulty, 61, spent 34 years with the Army and U.S. Department of Defense and said he plans to seek the town GOPs endorsement and other cross endorsements as well. He emphasized his desire to work with everyone, no matter their party affiliations. McNulty said this will be his first run for public office, and he wants to serve on the Board of Supervisors to continue giving back to the community. Queensbury Republican Chairman George Ferone said the towns Republicans will have candidates for at-large supervisor, and have candidates for Town Board wards 1, 2 and 3 but are still seeking a candidate for Ward 4. Loeb, a Democrat, is serving a third two-year term, two of them occurring between 2010-2013, and then the third over the past two years. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, has returned to some of her committees after the election. In the House Armed Services Committee, for example, she will serve as ranking member on the Intelligence, Emerging Threats & Capabilities subcommittee. But she has not resumed her role on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, because the Republican leadership has so far failed to name any Republican members to the Select Committee. (Minority Leader Kevin) McCarthy will be making the announcement for committee appointments when they are ready, wrote Stefanik spokeswoman Madison Anderson. Over the weekend, both Rachel Maddow of MSNBC and The Daily Beast reported that no Republican committee members had been appointed to the committee, which has been conducting a probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. According to this reporting, the committee cannot move forward with the probe or any of its other duties until Republicans are appointed to fill out the remaining seats. A spokesperson for McCarthy forwarded his comments on the appointments from a Meet the Press interview on Sunday. The third big winter storm in less than 10 days hit the region with a day of snow on Tuesday, causing many schools to close early and some municipalities to declare emergencies. The Glens Falls region will get up to a foot of snow by the time the storm winds down early Wednesday, with heavy snow falling Tuesday night. The winter storm warning is in effect for Warren, Essex, Hamilton and northern Saratoga counties, but Washington County has a winter weather advisory with less snow likely. Extreme cold, with low temperatures well below zero Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, is to move into the Northeast in the wake of the storm. A handful of local schools dismissed early while other schools have canceled after school activities. A full list can be found at poststar.com/schoolclosings. Local police were dealing with a number of accidents throughout Tuesday morning, including one in the northbound lanes of the Northway near Exit 16 that has resulted in at least one injury. A man was injured in a two-vehicle crash on Warren Street in Glens Falls that closed a block of the busy street for a period of time Tuesday afternoon. Kenneth Tingley Editor 12801 Follow Kenneth Tingley 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 One of Glens Falls most important resources is that we have a hospital. At one time or another we have all been there for tests, to visit an ailing relative or to have surgery. It is also the citys largest employer. When my son was born five weeks early, it was a lifesaver that the hospital was just minutes away, especially as he spent the next week at the hospital. So the news this week about hospital layoffs was something we are sure many in the community are concerned about. What has been difficult for us is giving our readers context about what is going on with the hospital and whether we all should be worried. Is the hospital losing money? Will it have to eliminate more departments or services? Does it have a plan for what its role will be in serving the community in the future? What role will other hospitals and healthcare organizations play in the future? These are all questions I believe everyone in the community would like to know. Unfortunately, that information has not been forthcoming. Takedas Dengue Vaccine Candidate Meets Primary Endpoint in Pivotal Phase 3 Efficacy Trial Details Category: Vaccines Published on Tuesday, 29 January 2019 18:19 Hits: 1118 Takedas dengue vaccine candidate (TAK-003) was efficacious in preventing dengue fever in children and adolescents living in dengue-endemic countries in the ongoing Phase 3 trial The vaccine candidate was found to be well tolerated with no significant safety concerns identified in analyses to date Details will be published in a peer-reviewed journal CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA and OSAKA, Japan I January 29, 2019 I Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited [TSE:4502 / NYSE:TAK] (Takeda) today announced that the pivotal Phase 3 trial of its dengue vaccine candidate met the primary efficacy endpoint. This first analysis of the Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES) trial showed that the companys investigational live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine (TAK-003) was efficacious in preventing dengue fever caused by any of the four serotypes of the virus. While review of the extensive data set is ongoing, TAK-003 was well tolerated with no significant safety concerns to date. The TIDES trial is continuing and additional results are expected later this year, along with results from other Phase 3 studies.1 We are very encouraged by the performance of our dengue vaccine candidate in the study. This brings us one step closer to helping the world tackle the massive burden of dengue, said Rajeev Venkayya, M.D., President of the Global Vaccine Business Unit at Takeda. We are excited to publish the data in a peer-reviewed journal as quickly as possible. In parallel, we are advancing the clinical development, commercial manufacturing, and stakeholder consultations to support a potential future global launch of the vaccine. The TIDES trial, Takedas largest interventional clinical trial to date, enrolled over 20,000 healthy children and adolescents ages four to 16 years living in dengue-endemic areas. The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of two doses of TAK-003, in both dengue exposed and naive individuals.1 TAK-003 is not currently licensed anywhere in the world. In addition to dengue, Takeda is developing vaccines to address other high-priority infectious diseases, including Zika, norovirus and polio. About the Phase 3 TIDES (DEN-301) Trial The double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled Phase 3 TIDES trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of two doses of TAK-003 in the prevention of laboratory-confirmed symptomatic dengue fever of any severity and due to any of the four dengue virus serotypes in children and adolescents.1 Study participants were randomly assigned to receive either TAK-003, 0.5 mL or placebo, by subcutaneous injection on Day 1 and Day 90.1 The study is comprised of three parts. The current analysis, Part 1, evaluated vaccine efficacy (VE) and safety through 15 months after the first dose. Part 2 continues for an additional six months to complete the assessment of the secondary endpoints of VE by serotype, baseline serostatus and severity. Part 3 evaluates VE and long-term safety by following participants for an additional three years.1 The Part 1 and Part 2 data will form the basis for filing for licensure. The trial is taking place at sites in dengue-endemic areas in Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua) and Asia (Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka) where there are unmet needs in dengue prevention and where severe dengue is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children.1 Baseline blood samples were collected from all individuals participating in the trial to allow for evaluation of safety and efficacy based on serostatus. Takeda and an independent Data Monitoring Committee of experts are actively monitoring safety on an ongoing basis. About TAK-003 Takeda's tetravalent dengue vaccine candidate (TAK-003) is based on a live-attenuated dengue serotype 2 virus, which provides the genetic backbone for all four vaccine viruses.2 Phase 1 and 2 data in children and adolescents showed that TAK-003 induced immune responses against all four dengue serotypes, in both seropositive and seronegative participants, and the vaccine was found to be generally safe and well tolerated.3,4,5,6 About Dengue Dengue is the fastest spreading mosquito-borne viral disease and is one of the World Health Organizations top ten threats to global health in 2019.7,8 Dengue is spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes and is caused by any of four dengue virus serotypes, each of which can cause dengue fever or severe dengue.9,10 The prevalence of individual serotypes varies across different geographies, countries, regions, seasons and over time.11, 12 Recovery from infection by one serotype provides lifelong immunity against only that serotype, and later exposure to any of the remaining serotypes is associated with an increased risk of severe disease.9 Dengue outbreaks are observed in tropical and sub-tropical areas and have recently caused outbreaks in parts of the continental U.S. and Europe.9,13,14 Approximately half of the world now lives under the threat of dengue, which is estimated to cause 400 million infections and 20,000 deaths globally each year.9,15 The dengue virus can infect people of all ages and is a leading cause of serious illness among children in some countries in Latin America and Asia.9 Takedas Commitment to Vaccines Vaccines prevent more than two million deaths each year and have transformed global public health.16 For the past 70 years, Takeda has supplied vaccines to protect the health of people in Japan. Today, Takedas global vaccine business is applying innovation to tackle some of the worlds most challenging infectious diseases, such as dengue, Zika, norovirus and polio. Our team brings an outstanding track record and a wealth of knowledge in vaccine development, manufacturing and global access to advance a pipeline of vaccines to address some of the worlds most pressing public health needs. For more information, visit www.TakedaVaccines.com. About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) (NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Gastroenterology (GI), Neuroscience and Rare Diseases. We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com. References SOURCE: Takeda Pharmaceutial Co. Americans response to the shutdown was eerily similar to their response to natural disasters: Acts of bravery and self-sacrifice emerged, neighbors reached out to neighbors, individuals and communities came together through food drives and cash donations to alleviate the misery of the stricken while the press relentlessly covered the despair and destruction interspersed with appeals for aid and heart-warming human interest. Brendan O'Hallarn teaches classes at Old Dominion University that cover social media. He pointed to Justine Sacco, who in 2013 lost a high-level communications job for an Internet company, IAC, after she posted tweets that went viral while traveling to South Africa. Sacco didn't have many followers and said at the time her posts weren't meant to be taken literally. About 8 p.m. Monday, a house fire was reported in the 1700 block of Rose Petal Drive, police said in a news release. A few minutes later, someone reported a dispute and a hit-and-run crash in the same area. At the time, the public only knew that political action committees for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Beach Education Association funded the videos, including one that says if he had his way, there would be no sand in Sandbridge and that he "voted against Town Center every step of the way." The commercial also shows him shaking his head. Thomas was hired in April 2013, and the following three years were tumultuous. The Pilot reported in June 2014 that he had logged into the city's financial system twice in his first 14 months on the job. When he produced an audit plan, 15 months into his tenure, it resembled documents he had received from the Chesapeake auditor's staff days before. Ladies can recycle an appropriately out-of-fashion bridesmaid's dress from the closet. Gents can head to the nearest vintage shop and pick up a powder blue tux and ruffled shirt. Rent the limo or call Uber. Look ridiculously cool as you dance to DJ tunes and play in the photo booth. "Cloverleaf Cold Storage's major investment in the City of Chesapeake will enable the company to increase its service volume to meet growing demand in the mid-Atlantic market as well as broaden its global logistics network through the Port of Virginia," Northam stated in the announcement. The adjacent Yacht Club has also been razed. The marina's wet slips and pool are still there, along with the Surf Rider Grill, which will reopen in the spring. Supervalu had 38 Farm Fresh locations before it sold off most of the stores and closed the remainder in May. After the sale, the pharmacies either closed or were re-opened by the new buyers. The settlement does not involve the independent grocers who bought a few Farm Fresh stores and kept the name. Optical fibres carry data from the web, these cables were previously neutral containers but not anymore. Credit: Groman123/Flickr, CC BY A December 2017 decision by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), the American agency responsible for regulating the US telecom sector (equivalent of the French ARCEP and the European BEREC), has changed the status of its Internet-service providers. While Europe is protected because of the law on open Internet access, adopted in 2015, the change in the United States provides a good opportunity for reflecting on the neutrality of Internet services. An Internet services provider (ISP in the United States, or FAI in France) provides services to subscribers. It is seen as a supplier of neutral services that should not influence how subscribers use the network. This contrasts with television channels, which have the right to manage their broadcasts as they wish and can therefore offer differentiated broadcasting services. A recurring issue in the United States In the United States, there has long been a call for deregulating the sector of Internet service providers. In the early 2000s, Voice over IP (VoIP) was introduced. Telephone communications were expensive in the United States at the time; this system, which made it possible to make free phone calls, therefore met great success. The same phenomenon can be seen today with the service provided by Netflix, which can freely provide its subscribers with streaming video content. Since 2013, several attempts have been made to put an end to the legal notion of "common carrier" as applied to American Internet access providers. This concept of American and English law requires the entities subject to this type of regulation to transport persons and goods without discrimination. Internet service providers are therefore required to transport network packets without any differentiation regarding the type or origin of service. This change does not have unanimous support, including within the FCC. It will allow American ISPs to manage traffic in a way that enables them to differentiate the data transport services they offer to customers. There is therefore an opposition between service providers (the pipes) and content providers (the services, the most emblematic being the Big 5 Tech companies: Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft). To summarise, the service providers complain that the content providers are taking advantage of the pipes, and even clogging them, without contributing to the development of the infrastructure. To which they respond that the service providers are funded by subscriptions, while the content they provide free of charge offers the network its attractiveness. It is also important to note that some big-five tech companies are their own ISP. For example, Google is the ISP for Kansas City, and is also probably the largest owner of optical fibre in the world. A few figures Over the 10 ten years, the French operators indicate that they will need to invest 72 billion euros in developing their networks to support very high-speed connections and 5G (figure provided by Michel Combot, FFTelecoms). In 2017, there were 28.2 million fixed network subscribers and 74.2 million SIM cards in France. I estimate the average monthly costs for the fixed network subscriptions (excluding modem) at around 30 euros, those of mobile subscriptions at around 10 euros (excluding equipment, with an average cost including equipment of around 21 euros). If the investment is absorbed by the fixed subscriptions alone, this comes to around 21 euros per month, or two-thirds the cost of the subscription. If it is absorbed by all of the subscriptions, this amounts to a little less than 6 euros per month, which represents a small portion of the fixed subscription, but a significant portion of the mobile subscription. Overall, the investment represents 38% of the revenue generated during this period, based on the assumptions above. In conclusion, the investment appears sustainable, even in a European market that is significantly more competitive than the U.S. market, where the costs of Internet subscriptions are three times more expensive than European costs. It therefore appears possible for the ISP to maintain their level of investment. However, it is also very clear that the growth in turnover for GAFAM companies is nowhere near that of telecom operators and ISPs. The issue of services is therefore very interesting, yet it cannot be limited to traffic management issues. Traffic management, a necessary evil The practice of managing traffic has long existed, for example to support offers for virtual private networks (VPN MPLS) for businesses. These same mechanisms can be used to guide the responses of certain services (such as Anycast) in order to fight denial of service attacks. They are also used to manage routing. In addition, they enable open connection sharing, enabling you to let guests use your modem without hindering your own use. In short, they certainly serve a purpose. We can compare what is happening on the Internet to road networks. The ISPs manage the traffic lanes and the services manage the destinations. Since the road network is shared, everyone can access it without discrimination. However, there are rules of use in the form of a driver's manual, for the Internet this is defined by the IP protocol. There are also temporary changes (traffic lights, detours, stop signs) that affect the flow of traffic. These are the mechanisms that are used to manage traffic. Traffic management is a legitimate activity, and operators are making the most of it. They see traffic management as a significant cost. Therefore, in their opinion, it is unnecessary to have any regulation provided by an authority, because the economic aspect of managing networks necessarily results in their neutrality in terms of content. They therefore see no interest in modifying the traffic from an economic perspective. This argument is hardly acceptable. We have already seen examples of these kinds of practices, and many of the tools have already been deployed in the network. Traffic management will continue to exist, but it should not be further developed. Regulating services Using this same analogy, Internet services can be compared to cities. Their purpose is to attract visitors. They reap economic benefits, in the form of the visitors' spending, without contributing to the development of the national road network that enable visitors to access them. This system works because the state collects a large share of the tax and is the guarantor of the public good. It is therefore its duty to allow access to all the cities, without discrimination. The state also ensures that equal laws are established in the different cities; which I believe is missing in the Internet world. Internet services have become common goods, with the Internet's role as a universal platform making them just as indispensable as the "pipes" used to access them. It would therefore be wise to study the regulation of services to complement network regulations. Internet services suffer from very significant mass effects, in which the winner takes the majority of the market and almost all the profits. This bias occurs through the analysis of behavioural data collected during interactions with these services. It is further reinforced by algorithmic biases, which reinforce our behavioural biases. We end up receiving from the Net only what we might like. Or worse, what the Net thinks of us. The problem of data This again brings us to the problem of data. Yes, statistical trends do enable us to predict certain future events. This is the basis for insurance. For many people, this makes sense, but for the Internet world, this involves building communities that gradually become isolated. This makes sense commercially for the GAFAM because social approval from one's community increases impulsive buying phenomena. These purchases are made, for example, when Amazon sends you a message related to products you looked at a few days before, or when Google targets ads related to your e-mail. In addition to the need for neutral pipes, it would therefore be worthwhile to reflect on the neutrality of services and algorithms. With the arrival of the General Data Protection Regulation, this should help strengthen our trust in the operation of the all the networks and services that we have become so dependent upon. This is all the more important since Internet services have become an increasing source of income for a significant percentage of the French population. Explore further Internet traffic hijack disrupts Google services This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Hundreds of flights were cancelled in major regional hub Chicago, seen under snow and ice in 2014, the last week of January 2019 due to winter weather The US Midwest dug out Monday from a snowstorm that closed schools and businesses, as millions braced for dangerous sub-zero temperatures that could shatter records. School districts in Minnesota and Wisconsin canceled classes and government offices, universities and businesses shuttered, with the mercury expected to drop to a polar -40 Fahrenheit (-40 Celsius). "Dangerously cold and potentially record breaking temperatures and wind chills are expected by Tuesday and Wednesday," National Weather Service (NWS) said. "The arctic air, together with brisk winds, can lead to dangerously cold wind chill values." In Wisconsin, where nearly a foot (30 centimeters) of snow was measured in one location, Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency, freeing up the Wisconsin National Guard for emergency work, if needed. In North and South Dakota, peak wind gusts were measured at 60-70 miles (96-113 kilometers) per hour. More than 1,000 flights were canceled at two airports in Chicago, a major regional hub and America's third largest city, in nearby Illinois. On the heels of the storm, nearly a dozen states braced for a blast of arctic air known as a polar vortex, which was expected to lower temperatures well below normal and far below zero. The frigid air mass had veered from its usual path and was forecast to fall into the Midwest beginning Tuesday. The chill was expected to bring temperatures to extreme lows by Wednesday and last through Thursday. Temperatures were expected to plummet to between -10 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit in a vast area stretching some 1,200 miles from the Dakotas to parts of Ohio. Wind chill would make temperatures feel more like -30 to -65 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NWS. On Tuesday, the snow storm was expected to move to the northeast, where it could dump another 8 to 12 inches of snow in some areas. In Wisconsin's biggest city, Milwaukee, downtown streets were virtually deserted Monday and every major highway in the state covered in ice or snow, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In Minnesota, numerous cities declared snow emergencies, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Explore further Deep freeze grips Upper Midwest, more bitter cold to come 2019 AFP Korean car maker Kia Motors has started the trial production at its first Indian plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. With an investment of around $1 billion, the manufacturing plant has an annual production capacity of three lakh vehicles. To tap the fastest growing segment in otherwise a muted market, company will start rolling out the first mid-segment SUV, the SP2. The cars are expected to hit the road by early July of this year. Kia motors signed a memorandum of understanding with the state of Andhra Pradesh in April 2017 and started construction of the plant. SP2 will be rolled out in both diesel and petrol variants and will be competing with likes of Renault's Duster, Hyundai's Creta and S-Cross. Pricing of SP2, a mid segment SUV, is also expected to be in the price range starting Rs 9 lakhs going on up to Rs 16 lakhs. Kia also plans to roll out a model every six months. Speaking on the product strategy, Manohar Bhat, head of sales and marketing, Kia motors India, said, "At the shortest possible time we want to have at least 4 or 5 models for the Indian market." True to its global DNA of quality and design the company is expecting young professionals to make the largest segment of its prospective customers. Not revealing much on dealership network, Kia believes that it will surprise the customers with the network and reach it has worked out, to ensure the product penetration is to the widest extent possible in a short span of time. Currently, the plant will fulfil the domestic need and export is an afterthought. The company strongly says that it does not have any plans to cross-badge any of its products with Hyundai, which has a strategic stake in the parent company of Kia Motors. "Our products are Kia products, with their own design and specifications, we don't have anything to do with any other company," Bhat said. Kia will be sourcing much of its components from the two vendor plants close to Kia's facility in Ananthapur. The company currently employs over 1300 people and plans to ramp up the workforce to 3000 shortly. Also Read: New 2019 Maruti Suzuki Baleno facelift: Check out on-road price, features, availability AKARI Wide-S 90-m and VLA FIRST 21-cm images of AKARI-FIS-V2 J0916248+073034. Credit: Chen et al., 2019. Japanese astronomers report the identification of a new ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) as part of the search for far-infrared-bright but optically faint objects. The newly detected ULIRG, designated AKARI-FIS-V2 J0916248+073034, exhibits a strong ionized gas outflow. A paper detailing the discovery was published January 17 on arXiv.org. With infrared luminosities of over 1 trillion solar luminosities and star formation rates between 100 and 1,000 solar masses per year, ULIRGs are the most intensely star-forming galaxies in the local universe. Hence, finding new galaxies of this type could be important for improving the understanding of star formation and evolution. A team led by Xiaoyang Chen of Tohoku University in Japan is interested in detecting new objects of the ULIRG population. They are constructing a sample of ULIRGs at intermediate redshifts (between 0.5 an 1.0). For this purpose, they have performed an optical follow-up program for far-infrared sources available in the AKARI Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) Bright Source catalog by using optical imaging data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Their study resulted in the discovery of a new ULIRG at a redshift of approximately 0.5, which received designation AKARI-FIS-V2 J0916248+073034, or J0916a for short. "In this paper we report a discovery of one ULIRG selected from AKARI 90-m FIR survey, AKARI-FIS-V2 J0916248+073034 (hereafter J0916a)," the researchers wrote in the paper. According to the study, J0916a has a total infrared luminosity of about 6.13 trillion solar luminosities and an estimated star formation rate of nearly 1,000 solar masses per year. The galaxy's stellar mass was calculated to be around 94.6 billion solar masses. The researchers found that J0916a showcases signatures of an extremely strong outflow in its emission line profiles. They noted that high- and low-ionization potential lines show large velocity dispersions and shifts in relative to the stellar absorption lines. "J0916a shows extreme outflow not only in the [O III] emission line, but also in the [O II] emission line," the paper reads. The study reveals that the outflow in J0916a most likely extends to a radius of about 13,000 light years. The astronomers say that this outflow is among the most powerful observed in ULIRGs and quasars at redshifts between 0.3 and 1.6, as it has the mass outflow and energy ejection rates estimated to be at a level of around 500 solar masses per year and approximately 400 tredecillion erg/second respectively. Given that J0916a exhibits such strong outflow and an intense star formation process, the authors of the paper assume that the star-forming region of the galaxy has not yet been severely affected by the outflow. In concluding remarks, the researchers suggest further observations of J0916a in order to reveal the properties and origins of the outflow. For instance, they propose spectroscopy observations with higher spatial and spectral resolution to determine the electron density in the outflowing gas, and integral-field spectroscopy to investigate the structure of the outflow. Explore further Researchers study molecular gas in the galaxy Markarian 273 More information: Xiaoyang Chen et al. Discovery of a strong ionized-gas outflow in an AKARI-selected Ultra-luminous Infrared Galaxy at z = 0.5. arXiv:1901.05618 [astro-ph.GA]. Xiaoyang Chen et al. Discovery of a strong ionized-gas outflow in an AKARI-selected Ultra-luminous Infrared Galaxy at z = 0.5. arXiv:1901.05618 [astro-ph.GA]. arxiv.org/abs/1901.05618 2019 Science X Network Credit: CC0 Public Domain Social media has become a useful tool for the rapid dissemination of information. Writing in the International Journal of Emergency Management, a UK team describes their investigations into whether or not the likes of Twitter can be integrated effectively into emergency management. Sophie Parsons and Mark Weal of the Web and Internet Science Group, at the University of Southampton, Nathaniel O'Grady of the Humanitarian Conflict Response Institute, at the University of Manchester, and Peter Atkinson of the University of Lancaster explain that at the moment integration remains ambiguous. The team has used the winter floods of 2013-2014 as a case study to reveal the pros and cons of social media in this context. The team found that emergency responders were wont to post cautions and advice during an emergency. However, it seems from their results that information about structures and utilities affected by any given incident would be most likely to engage and be of use to the public. Moreover, the team found that responders do perceive social media as a useful tool for them to effectively deliver information to the public. However, while that might be the case, responders did not appear to fully exploit it in the emergency studied. The team concedes that before they can say whether or not social media is an effective tool for emergency management, there remain several questions about how it might fulfill a useful role for emergency responders and the public that rely on them during an incident. Uppermost among those questions are: Who are the responders' followers on social media? Are the responders actually reaching the public in emergency situations? Do the public find the responders' social media activity useful in an emergency? What do the emergency responders actually gain by having a social media presence? If future research can answer these questions then we might be in a position to make the most of social media in the event of an emergency. Explore further Social media is transforming emergency communications, study says More information: Sophie Parsons et al. Social media in emergency management: exploring Twitter use by emergency responders in the UK, International Journal of Emergency Management (2019). Sophie Parsons et al. Social media in emergency management: exploring Twitter use by emergency responders in the UK,(2019). DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2018.097360 Just weeks after up to a million fish were killed, another mass death occurred in the Murray-Darling river system "Hundreds of thousands" of fish have died in drought-stricken Australia in the last few days and more mass deaths are likely to occur, the authorities warned Tuesday. Locals around the Darling River were confronted with a sea of white, as dead fish carpeted the waters near the southeastern Outback town of Menindee. Just weeks after up to a million were killedwith scientists pointing to low water and oxygen levels as well as possibly toxic algaeanother mass death occurred in the key agricultural region. Inspectors from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries have visited the site and said they found that "hundreds of thousands of fish have died". "Further fish deaths in the Darling River are anticipated as a significant number of fish have been observed under stress," the department said in a statement. Some 700 kilos (1,543 pounds) of dead fish were removed from the river Monday, with similar amounts expected to be collected Tuesday, it added. The Darling River is part of the Murray-Darling River system that stretches thousands of kilometres across several states. Fisheries officials were also investigating reports of another fish kill further south in the Murrumbidgee River, which flows into the Murray-Darling system. With temperatures expected to rise and no rain forecast, there remained a "high risk of further fish kills over the coming days and week", officials said. While the federal government has blamed the deaths on a severe drought, experts and locals say they stem from the systemic depletion and pollution of the river While the federal government has blamed the deaths on a severe drought, experts and locals say they stem from the systemic depletion and pollution of the river. The inspectors added that the latest bout of kills were likely linked to "critically low levels of dissolved oxygen" caused by a sharp drop in temperatures after an extended period of hot weather. New South Wales Regional Water Minister Niall Blair, who visited Menindee Tuesday, told national broadcaster ABC his government was out of options, with installing aerators in rivers only a "band-aid solution". Six aerators were installed along parts of the Darling River to give surviving fish localised oxygenated water. "It's not a case of not being able to spend money on something, there just isn't any other alternative that anyone has offered up," Blair said. "The only thing that will really change these conditions at the moment is fresh water coming through the system and there is just no possibility of that at the moment." Australia's eastern inland regions have been hit by a prolonged drought, with extreme heatwaves in recent weeks exacerbating conditions. The late arrival of the monsoon season in northern Australia has also contributed to heatwaves in some regions. The wet season eventually kicked off in mid-January, with record-breaking floods hitting the tropical top end of the vast continent, cutting communities off and stranding farmers in recent days. Queensland's major Daintree River rose to 12.60 metres (41 feet)a level not seen in over a centuryover the weekend. Explore further New Australia mass fish deaths in key river system 2019 AFP Morning commuters face a tough slog on Wacker Drive in Chicago, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. (Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Extremely cold, record-breaking temperatures are settling across parts of the Midwest after a powerful snowstorm pounded the region overnight Monday, and forecasters are describing the subzero weather on the way as potentially life-threatening. Minneapolis Public Schools announced there would be no classes through Wednesday, when the region will experience frigidly low temperatures not seen in a quarter century. "You're talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds," said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. The cold also prompted officials to close some schools in eastern Iowa, while Chicago Public Schools officials said that Wednesday's classes have been canceled due to the anticipated cold snap. The Chicago Zoological Society, meanwhile, said it's closing the Brookfield Zoo on Wednesday and Thursday to ensure the safety of employees and animals. It's only the fourth time the zoo has closed during its 85-year history. Subzero temperatures will begin Tuesday but Wednesday is expected to be the worst. Wind chills in northern Illinois could fall to negative 55 degrees (negative 48 degrees Celsius), which the National Weather Service called "possibly life threatening." Minnesota temperatures could hit minus 30 degrees (negative 34 degrees Celsius) with a wind chill of negative 60 (negative 51 degrees Celsius). The potentially record-breaking low temperature forecast in Milwaukee is negative 28 degrees (negative 33 degrees Celsius), with a wind chill as low as negative 50 (negative 45 degrees Celsius). The current record of minus 26 degrees (negative 32 degrees Celsius) was set in 1996. Gary Verstegen clears a sidewalk as a winter storm moves through Wisconsin on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Little Chute, Wis. (William Glasheen/The Post-Crescent via AP) "That's 40 degrees below normal," Hurley said. The high temperature forecast at O'Hare on Wednesday is negative 14 degrees (negative 25 degrees Celsius), which would break a record set on Jan. 18, 1994. Homeless shelters were preparing for the onslaught of cold. The Milwaukee Rescue Mission's call volume was "unusually high," but there should still be enough beds for those who need them, said the mission's president, Pat Vanderburgh. Charitable groups that operate warming places and shelters in Minneapolis were expanding hours and capacity as the cold moved into the city where 1,500 people typically are sheltered on a given night. "The charitable organizations responsible for operating shelters are adding emergency capacity as they do whenever dangerous extreme temperature events occur," said Hennepin County Emergency Management Director Eric Waage. He said ambulance crews in the city were handling all outside response incidents as being potentially life-threatening. Chicago's El trains move along snow-covered tracks Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Chicago. The plunging temperatures expected later this week that have forecasters especially concerned. Wind chills could dip to negative 55 degrees in northern Illinois, which the National Weather Service calls "possibly life threatening." (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato) Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel urged residents to check on their neighbors and take safety precautions. He said city agencies are making sure homeless people are in shelters or offered space in warming buses. Cold weather advisories are in effect across a broad swath of the central U.S., from North Dakota to Missouri and spanning into Ohio. Temperatures will be as many as 20 degrees below average in parts of the Upper Great Lakes region and Upper Mississippi Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The unusually frigid weather is attributed to a sudden warming way above the North Pole. A sudden blast of warm air from misplaced Moroccan heat last month made the normally super chilly air temperatures 20 miles (32 kilometers) above the North Pole rapidly rise about 125 degrees (70 degrees Celsius). That split the polar vortex into pieces, which then started to wander, according to Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. One of those polar vortex pieces is responsible for the subzero temperatures across the Midwest this week. Commuters wait for a train as snow falls Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Chicago. The plunging temperatures expected later this week that have forecasters especially concerned. Wind chills could dip to negative 55 degrees in northern Illinois, which the National Weather Service calls "possibly life threatening." (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato) On Monday, snowplow drivers had trouble keeping up with the snow in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where some areas got as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters). Chicago-area commuters woke up to heavy snowfall, with more than 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) already on the ground. In Michigan, nonessential government offices were closed, including the Capitol. Rare snowfall was also forecast for some southern states . Forecasters warned of up to 3 inches (7 centimeters) of snow in central Mississippi and Alabama by Tuesday morning and said temperatures will plummet as arctic cold blasts southward. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm. Adam Fischer shovels out his vehicle to go to work Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Rochester, Minn. Heavy snow and gusting winds created blizzard-like conditions Monday across parts of the Midwest, prompting officials to close hundreds of schools, courthouses and businesses, and ground air travel. (Joe Ahlquist/The Rochester Post-Bulletin via AP) Cars are covered by snow, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in Wheeling, Ill. A winter storm brought more than 5 inches of snow to northern Illinois as the region braced itself for record-low subzero temperatures. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Explore further Snow wallops US Midwest as it braces for extreme cold 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Richard Wrangham has been studying chimpanzees at the Kibale Chimpanzee Project in Uganda since 1987, when he founded the research center. A student of famed primatologist Jane Goodall, Harvard's Ruth B. Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology has studied primate behavior, ecology, and nutrition for nearly 50 years. Wrangham says his new book, The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution, is his first attempt to examine his own species in detail. He will discuss his theory about aggression as it connects to capital punishment on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Science Center Book Talk, Hall C, 1 Oxford St. His talk is free and open to the public. In advance of his appearance, he shared his thoughts with the Gazette. Q&A GAZETTE: Why did you write this book? WRANGHAM: I've been teaching this material for some time, and a former student, Luke Glowacki, pointed out that these views are not widely known. I think it is important to be as accurate as possible in understanding human aggression. I've been thinking about the problem of self-domestication for 20 years, and now seemed the right time because work in this area has been accelerating excitingly in fields such as genetics and neurobiology, as well as paleoanthropology and primatology. What this book does is scientific journalism in the sense that it's reporting on a lot of work by others, but it pulls it together in a new kind of focus. Aggression has traditionally been regarded just as it always has in anthropology as a single type of behavioral tendency, which has led scholars to be divided between those who regard us as a particularly tolerant, pleasant species, as in some ways we are, and those who see us as an especially violent, competitive species, as we also are. In fact, however, there are two kinds of aggression, a distinction that solves a whole series of problems concerned with understanding human nature. To see aggression as falling into two types has been conventional wisdom in biology and psychology for decades, but the difference has barely been recognized previously in anthropology. It can now help us understand how humans got our very curious mixture of being, on the one hand very unaggressive in everyday life, and on the other hand one of the most dangerous species of all in terms of the frequency of killing each other. Compared to chimpanzees, for instance, we kill each other, in particular other adults, at rates so high that they are almost unknown in other species, exceeded by only a very few, such as wolves. This peculiar combination of nonaggression and aggression is puzzling. Understanding aggression as falling into two separate biologically controlled types helps us explain it. GAZETTE: You write at length about proactive and reactive aggression, but it's the former that gives us virtue. Can you explain? WRANGHAM: Our virtue is our tolerance in face-to-face interactions, and the evolutionary question is where this comes from. The solution I present is that it comes ultimately from capital punishment, a practice made possible by our capacity for proactive violence. Armed with capital punishment, males are able to conspire together and decide on a time and a place to dispatch a tyrannical despot who is making their lives miserable. The unintended result of this style of controlling aggressiveness by bullies is genetic selection against the propensity for reactive aggression. So through proactive aggression, our ancestors controlled reactive aggression and, in doing so, made us virtuous. Ultimately, this system gave us the moral senses. GAZETTE: Presumably, cooperation plays a critical part in humans' capacity for capital punishment? WRANGHAM: Cooperation is a big part of the story in the sense that it's only as a result of our ability to cooperate that our ancestors were able to control the aggressiveness of the most extremely violent males. It was absolutely critical that the subordinate males were able to come together to cooperate. The argument I make is that this depended entirely on a sufficiently sophisticated language. GAZETTE: Yes, I wanted to ask you about language and the notion of shared intentionality, and how you think about language versus weapons as they relate to capital punishment. WRANGHAM: Some of the scholars writing in this area have argued that, with the evolution of weapons, humans were able to develop capital punishment because with a weapon you can surprise someone and kill them. But that doesn't seem to me anything like as important as language. We would almost certainly have had killing weapons long before 300,000 years ago, which is the time when fossils reveal the earliest consequences of selection against reactive aggression. Chimpanzees are perfectly capable of collaborating with each other to kill members of neighboring groupsand even sometimes members of their own group. But they do not have the linguistic ability to be able to choose a particular victim; the best they can do is to respond to the presence of someone who is a predictably hostile enemy for all of them. Chimpanzees are capable of killing without weapons, just as humans are, but they are incapable of capital punishment. What capital punishment needs is the ability to make a plan and to coordinate that plan. GAZETTE: What new data brought you to make this argument? WRANGHAM: Biologists have known for decades that aggression works in different ways, whether you are stalking and attacking an individual by surprise, or if you're reacting by losing your temper. However, although this has been understood to be two types of aggression, it's only in the last five years that people have been able to identify rather precisely the biological mechanisms in the brain that are associated with these two types of aggressions. A lab in Budapest, Hungary, is leading the way on this. The rats they work with will sometimes attack each other by surprise and go for vulnerable parts of the body in an effort to kill their opponents; in different circumstances rats just end up fighting over food or females. Experiments show that the same parts of the brain are involved in the two types of aggressionthat is, proactive and reactivebut the wiring that leads between the brain regions is different. Knowing that the biological mechanism is different between proactive and reactive aggression, we can also conclude that natural selection can change these two kinds of aggression independently. For instance, you can produce breeds of rats that are particularly elevated in their tendency of proactive aggression, but reduced for reactive aggressive, which is what happened in human evolution. The fascinating question at the heart of my book is why you get that extraordinary combination. GAZETTE: How did your Kibale Project in Uganda play into the questions you asked in the book? WRANGHAM: My interest in these questions began even before I launched the Kibale Chimpanzee Project. I had been working with Jane Goodall at her site in Gombe in Tanzania in the early 1970s, a time when as a research team we were learning for the first time that chimpanzees would use proactive aggression to kill members of neighboring groups. I wanted to start my own project to explore further the extraordinarily intense hostility that they occasionally show. While working with chimpanzees in Kibale, Martin Muller and I observed aggression in detail. Just like in Gombe, we found high rates of face-to-face aggression. So it was clear there was something quite different between humans and chimpanzees because, on the one hand, humans and chimps are rather similar in their warlike propensity for attacking members of neighboring groups, but there was a huge difference in the frequency of aggression within a given group. As a primatologist, I was interested in broader themes of the evolution of behavior among humans and our closest relatives. The chimpanzee data led me to start thinking about bonobos, which are closely related to us, as chimpanzees are. We share a common ancestor with the chimpanzee/bonobo line from 7 or 8 million years ago. Bonobos are far more docile and much less aggressive than chimpanzees are. Students such as Brian Hare helped work on this comparison, partly using our aggression data from Kibale, and a new understanding gradually emerged. GAZETTE: So even though some of this research has come out in the last five years, these ideas have been in your brain for decades. WRANGHAM: I've been puzzling about it for more than 20 years. In 1996, I wrote a book called "Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence," which was focused on the question of why chimpanzees and humans share this very remarkable, rare property of getting together in small groups and making very deliberate attempts to hunt down and kill members of neighboring groups. I was already aware that chimps were much more aggressive within groups than humans are, which raised a fascinating question: How come humans are so different in that respect? GAZETTE: So how does this make sense of the old Hobbes/Rousseau philosophical debate? WRANGHAM: Rousseau says we're naturally nonviolent; Hobbes says we're naturally violent. The new perspective says that in different ways they are both correct. Then the question that emerges is: Should we be very depressed that humans do have this high propensity for proactive violence, which is basically what is responsible for war? Proactive violence has been a hugely important component of history and prehistory, but the special thing about proactive violence is that animals and even humans don't spontaneously engage in it if it looks riskyin other words, if it will hurt or be dangerous for the protagonists. The extraordinary thing about chimpanzee attacks on each other is people have documented more than 60 cases of chimps being killed, and yet although the victims were immensely strong and fighting for their lives, the attackers have never been hurt. The reason is that the attackers choose to attack only when they are very confident they can dispatch their victim at very little risk of being hurt. The simple math in the world of chimpanzees is: If you can get at least five against one, each of the four can hold a limb and one can do the damage without anyone except the victim getting hurt. This is all very unpleasant, but the nice part of understanding human aggression as proactive is that if there is a balance of power, you do not expect to see violence. Only when one group is immensely more powerful than another is it expected to attack, because only then do the members perceive the risk to themselves to be sufficiently low. Another quite different line of argument is that this new view gives us for the first time a concrete theory on why Homo sapiens evolved. Homo sapiens is different from other species of Homo by being a somewhat lighter-boned form, with reduced differences between the sexes. The standard explanation of our origins is that our ancestors became more and more skilled in inventing and retaining cultural skills. As a result, they were able to rely less than before on brute force in their foraging, so Homo sapiens emerged as a more delicate form. But what is so striking about Homo sapiens is that we are not merely strikingly gracile, but the ways in which we are different from our ancestors are like the differences between a dog and a wolf. The origin of Homo sapiens, in other words, can be traced to self-domesticationand therefore to the sophistication of language that made capital punishment possible for the first time in any mammal more than 300,000 years ago. Explore further Natural born killers: Chimpanzee violence is an evolutionary strategy This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu. Rice University researchers argued for the dominance of photoluminescence as the source of light emitted by plasmonic metal nanoparticles in a new paper. Their techniques could be used to develop solar cells and biosensors. Credit: Anneli Joplin/Rice University When you light up a metal nanoparticle, you get light back. It's often a different color. That's a factbut the why is up for debate. In a new paper in the American Chemical Society journal Nano Letters, Rice chemist Stephan Link and graduate student Yi-Yu Cai make a case that photoluminescence, rather than Raman scattering, gives gold nanoparticles their remarkable light-emitting properties. The researchers say understanding how and why nanoparticles emit light is important for improving solar-cell efficiency and designing particles that use light to trigger or sense biochemical reactions. The longstanding debate, with determined scientists on either side, is about how light of one color causes some nanoparticles to emit light of a different color. Cai, the paper's lead author, said the debate arose out of semiconductor research in the 1970s and was more recently extended to the field of plasmonic structures. "The Raman effect is like a ball that hits an object and bounces off," Cai said. "But in photoluminescence, the object absorbs the light. The energy in the particle moves around and the emission comes afterwards." Eight years ago, Link's research group reported the first spectroscopy study on luminescence from single plasmonic nanorods, and the new paper builds upon that work, showing that the glow emerges when hot carriersthe electrons and holes in conductive metalsare excited by energy from a continuous wave laser and recombine as they relax, with the interactions emitting photons. Rice University researchers are looking into the source of light emitted by plasmonic metal nanoparticles. In a new paper, they argue for the dominance of photoluminescence as opposed to Raman scattering. From left: Yi-Yu Cai, Behnaz Ostovar and Lawrence Tauzin. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University By shining specific frequencies of laser light onto gold nanorods, the researchers were able to sense temperatures they said could only come from excited electrons. That's an indication of photoluminescence, because the Raman view assumes that phonons, not excited electrons, are responsible for light emission. Link and Cai say the evidence appears in the efficiency of anti-Stokes as compared to Stokes emission. Anti-Stokes emission appears when a particle's energetic output is greater than the input, while Stokes emission, the subject of an earlier paper by the lab, appears when the reverse is true. Once considered a background effect related to the phenomenon of surface-enhanced Raman scattering, Stokes and anti-Stokes measurements turn out to be full of useful information important to researchers, Cai said. Silver, aluminum and other metallic nanoparticles are also plasmonic, and Cai expects they'll be tested to determine their Stokes and anti-Stokes properties as well. But first, he and his colleagues will investigate how photoluminescence decays over time. "The direction of our group moving forward is to measure the lifetime of this emission, how long it can survive after the laser is turned off," he said. Explore further Training light to cool the material it strikes More information: Yi-Yu Cai et al, Anti-Stokes Emission from Hot Carriers in Gold Nanorods, Nano Letters (2019). Journal information: Nano Letters Yi-Yu Cai et al, Anti-Stokes Emission from Hot Carriers in Gold Nanorods,(2019). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b04359 The hazard symbol for carcinogenic chemicals in the Globally Harmonized System. Image via Wikipedia. Rain-repelling fluorochemicals used in waterproof clothing can and should be phased out as unnecessary and environmentally harmful, textile researchers argue. And yet they remain the only effective option for medics and emergency service personnel. New research demonstrates how waterproofs using highly fluorinated chemicals are over-engineered for consumers, building in unnecessary resistance to oil and other stains, when only resistance to rainwater is required. Publishing their findings today in the Journal of Cleaner Production, the team from Leeds and Stockholm say effective alternatives to harmful fluorochemicals used in durable water repellents (DWRs) for waterproof clothing are readily available. Dr. Richard Blackburn, who heads the Sustainable Materials Research Group at the University of Leeds' School of Design, said: "Environmentally-friendly and biodegradable solutions are available, but are being resisted by some manufacturers and retailers." The reasons for this were unclear, he said, putting it down to a lack of information and appropriate technical research demonstrating the effectiveness of sustainable alternatives, as well as a lack of engagement with consumers. In the new research, a survey of 300 outdoor clothing users revealed that most consumers only look for water repellency from their gear, not stain resistance. "Non-fluorinated alternatives are a viable option in all cases where stain repellency is not an essential function," Dr. Blackburn added. "These alternatives provide excellent rain protection, and there are long-term ecological benefits from phasing out the highly fluorinated chemicals." Fluorochemical repellents were shown to be the only effective option for clothing worn by medical staff to protect against infection spread by bodily fluids, and by military, firefighting or oil and gas industry personnel seeking protection against chemical contamination. The study's co-author Philippa Hill, a Ph.D. researcher from the School of Design at Leeds, said there was still room for innovation when it came to eliminating fluorochemicals from protective clothing worn by people in hazardous circumstances. "Currently, only fluorinated chemicals can provide the high levels of protection needed from other types of liquids such as oils, chemicals, and bodily fluids, so there is a major opportunity for future innovation in that area," she added. In this collaborative research the most detailed study of its kind Ms Hill from Leeds and co-author Steffen Schellenberger, a fellow Ph.D. researcher, from Stockholm University, developed an innovative new testing method and applied different waterproof finishes to test fabric before measuring resistance to a wide range of fluids water, orange juice, red wine, olive oil, synthetic blood and gastric fluid, and cough medicine. Fabric treated with non-fluorinated repellents was shown to be resistant to water-based stains such as orange juice and red wine, but gave no repellency to oil-based stains. When it came to medical fluids, non-fluorinated repellents showed some resistance to synthetic blood and cough medicine, but none for gastric fluid. The researchers' innovative "roll-off" method assessed repellency with movement, which more accurately reflected clothing as it is worn. The paper points out that the textile and clothing industry uses a quarter of all chemicals produced globally and is known to be a large contributor to environmental pollution. Concerns have been raised about waterproofing fluorochemicals finding their way into the environment during their production, as well as during the life of a garment through washing and microfibre shedding and when it is disposed of. All highly fluorinated chemicals are extremely persistent in the environment, and some have been associated with health problems in humans. "We want to help textile producers and retailers to develop better garments that also have minimal environmental impact," said co-author Professor Ian Cousins from Stockholm University. "It is important to look into the necessary functionality and durability, otherwise people won't buy the greener alternatives." More information: Steffen Schellenberger et al. Highly fluorinated chemicals in functional textiles can be replaced by re-evaluating liquid repellency and end-user requirements, Journal of Cleaner Production (2019). Journal information: Journal of Cleaner Production Steffen Schellenberger et al. Highly fluorinated chemicals in functional textiles can be replaced by re-evaluating liquid repellency and end-user requirements,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.160 With its results in the red, Norwegian is rushing to raise new cash Struggling low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle said Tuesday it planned to sell new shares to raise three billion kroner (309 million euros) to meet financial obligations as it restructures and cuts costs. Norwegian shares fell sharply in reaction to the news, losing nearly a third in early deals before regaining some lost ground to show a fall of around 16 percent mid-morning. Norwegian, ranked third in Europe behind Ryanair and Easyjet, also reported on Tuesday an operating loss (EBITDA) of 2.2 billion kroner for 2018 on revenue of 40.3 billion kroner, reflecting the difficulties the fast-growing company faces. "Norwegian has been through a period with significant growth. Focus going forward will increasingly be on cost savings and (capital expenditure) reductions," it said in a statement. "We will now get in place a strengthened balance sheet that supports the further development of the company," it added. The cash call was widely expected as the airline has juggled new services, especially long-haul routes, with a large and costly order book of planes, some of which it is trying to sell or delay. In December, it announced a restructuring plan designed to save some 200 million euros, with some routes and bases closed. Last week, British Airways parent company IAG, which holds 4.0 percent of Norwegian, said it had decided against making an offer for the airline. The company said Tuesday it had received expressions of interest from several other parties. Norwegian said existing shareholders had agreed to take up all the new stock on offer. An extraordinary shareholders meeting next month will discuss the plan, with the share offer scheduled for late February to early March. Explore further BA owner says will not bid for Norwegian 2019 AFP Huawei's status as a leading supplier of the backbone equipment for telecoms systemsmostly in developing marketshas given China an inside track for spearheading next-generation 5G technology US charges against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei have cranked up tensions between the world's two biggest economies, but the company is already facing obstructions around the world over alleged cyber-security risks. Huawei's status as a leading supplier of the backbone equipment for telecoms systemsmostly in developing marketshas given China an inside track for spearheading fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology. 5G communications are the next milestone in the digital revolution, bringing near-instantaneous connectivity, vast data capacity and futuristic technologies. However, fears and that Chinese telecoms companies like Huawei could be proxies for Beijing's intrusive security apparatus, using the sophisticated infrastructure for espionage, a growing number of Western states turn their backs on the giant. China has strongly defended its flagship tech group, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi denouncing on Friday an "unfair and immoral" campaign against Huawei. Here is an overview of how Huawei is seen around the world: The United States Washington has slapped the strictest restrictions against Huawei, and according to American media, is strongly encouraging its allies to follow suit. A report in October 2012 by the House Intelligence Committee found Huawei and China-based ZTE could be used to undermine the security of the US, and demanded they be excluded from public contracts. The committee's report noted that Huawei, whose founder is a former Chinese army engineer, "did not fully cooperate with its investigation and was reluctant to explain its relations with the Chinese government". Despite steering clear of infrastructure projects, a congressional letter issued in December 2017 said Huawei's equipment remained a "security threat" to the US. Telecoms groups AT&T and Verizon have stopped offering Huawei smartphones in the US and in August 2018 President Donald Trump signed the military budget for 2019 which prohibited government and military officials from using devices built by Huawei and ZTE. Australia, New Zealand, Japan Australian authorities banned Huawei from submitting offers for the national broadband internet programme in 2012, fearing cyber-attacks. Timeline showing how Chinese telecom giant Huawei has been dropped from major markets in the past year In the summer of 2018, Australia excluded Huawei from rolling out 5G, saying "the involvement of suppliers likely to be subject to extrajudicial decisions by a foreign government" constituted a security risk. New Zealand followed suit in November, officially citing technological incompatibility, and Japan came next in December with a ruling aimed at avoiding "information leaks", according to the Nikkei newspaper. Czech Republic In mid-December, the Czech cyber-security agency warned against the use of Huawei and ZTE's software and equipment, claiming it posed a threat to national security. "Chinese laws require private companies headquartered in China to cooperate with intelligence services," it argued. Poland One of Huawei's officials in Poland was arrested in mid-January by the internal security service ABW on charges of spying for Beijing. A senior government official then said that the country had begun investigating equipment provided by Huawei to assess the risks. Countries on alert In Britain, where the government has expressed "serious concern", the operator Vodafone has suspended its purchases of Huawei equipment for its infrastructure in Europe. BT announced in December it would remove Huawei materials from its existing 3G and 4G networks. Germany remains cautious, with the country's cyber-crime body (BSI) chairman saying in mid-December: "For decisions as serious as a boycott, you need evidence." In France, where two operators use Huawei equipment in their 4G network and conduct 5G tests with it, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian last week raised "risks" regarding Huawei, and an amendment has been proposed in the senate to "ensure the safety of mobile networks" to prevent espionage or sabotage on 5G. Norway, whose current networks are largely composed of Huawei equipment, is simply thinking of measures to "reduce (its) vulnerability". In the midst of a full diplomatic spat with Beijing, the Canadian government told China in mid-January it would continue to mull whether or not to bar Huawei equipment from new networks while rejecting Chinese threats of "repercussions" in the event of a ban. 2019 AFP Marking the six Egyptian vultures with GPS-GSM emitters allows the tracking of their movements and use of space. Credit: Conservation Biology Group (University of Barcelona-IRBio) The Egyptian vulture is an endangered migratory species usually found in our area between March and September, and which stays in Africa during the rest of the year. However, there is not a lot of information about its transcontinental journeyswhether it stops to eat, where it stops and for how long, and about its mortality, and the number of losses and their causes. Therefore, during the breeding season in 2018, the Conservation Biology Team of the University of Barcelona marked six Egyptian vultures with GPS emitters to conduct tracking: The bird were named Ros, Obac, Avenc, Oris, Picatxo and Asticot. The first three birds were born in 2018; Ros and Obac came from the Natural Park of Sant Llorenc del Munt i l'Obac, and Avenc, from Espai Natural de les Guilleries-Savassona. Oris was born in 2017, and came from another recovery center; Picatxo was born in 2016 in la Garrotxa, and Asticot was born in 2014 in southern France. The last three formed a group of Egyptian vultures that had been caught and released in Osona. The GPS-GSM technology allowed the precise tracking of the movements, use of space, and the migration process of these Egyptian vultures to Africa. "This is one of the first times that GPS-GSM emitters have been used in this species, which is endangered worldwide, with the aim to know about their transcontinental movements and to track their way back to Catalonia in Spring," says lecturer Joan Real, head of the Conservation Biology Team of the UB. Tracking vultures with GPS technology was possible thanks to the collaboration of several organisations and naturalists. In this joint action, the Biodiversity and Environment Service of Generalitat de Catalunya provided the authorization for the marking and tracking of vultures, while the Grup de Suport de Muntanya del Cos d"Agents Rurals (mountain support group of foresters) of Generalitat de Catalunya carried out climbing tasks and caught the young birds. Expert Victor Garcia, member of the Subdirectorate-General of Natural Environment and Forestry of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, captured the vultures and placed the emitters. The Conservation Biology Team of the UB, a distinguished group in the study of threatened birds of prey, conducted the tracking of the vultures and took measurements and biological samples. All animals that were found injured or dead were diagnosed by the experts from the Recovery Center on Torreferrussa from Generalitat de Catalunya. The project also received the support of the experts from the Natural Park of Monteserrat, the Natural Park of Sant Llorenc del Munt i l'Obac, the la Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, the Natural Area Guilleries-Savassona and the Consortium of Natural Spaces of Ripolles, in addition to the foresters of the cited places who took part in the tracking of the vulture population. Migratory behaviour and threats Within a few weeks, the six Egyptian vultures had generated a great amount of data regarding feeding areas, phenology, movements and causes of death. As with many other raptors, death linked to human activity is a big problem for the preservation of the species. Although the venom used to illegally hunt carnivorous animals is one of the main threats to these raptors, the data show that such things as electrocution with electric lines cause deaths, and are probably a threat to the viability of Egyptian vulture populations. The destinations of the six Egyptian vultures were very different. Oris was released in a landfill to ease its contact with other beings from the same species and to find food. Oris got used to this place and remains in the landfill. It entered a recovery center after leaving the nest and remained there until it was released last spring, and could not migrate. This fact could cause the loss of the migratory instinct, since it has not shown any signs of leaving. As expected, Picatxo and Asticot were the most active due their non-breeding condition. During July and August, they traveled within a wide area, mainly in Catalonia, and visited feeding areas such as reeds, landfills and areas with extensive livestock. Both coincided in a feeding area for some days before starting the active migration, which was rapid. Picatxo crossed the Strait of Gibraltar on August 16, while Asticot did so on September 3. They reached southern Mauritania in a few days. There are no signs of location for Picatxo, probably the bird traveled in an area without GSM coverage. The researchers were able to track Asticot. Regarding the young birds, migration took place later, as expected. Once Avenc left the nest, it stayed in the landfill area for some weeks, probably with its progenitors. It started its active migration on September 7 and after a scale of a few days in Catalonia and Aragon, it crossed the Strait on September 18. It is now in the south of Mauritania. The other young birds from Sant Llorenc del Munt i l'Obac have a different ending. Obac began the active migration in late August and reached Albacete in two days, where it was non-fatally electrocuted by electric lines. It survived for several days until it was caught on September 20 by foresters in Castilla-La-Mancha, who brought him to a recovery center. However, the researchers do not know if it will fully recover from the injury. Ros began active migration in early September and reached southern Spain in a few days, stopping for five days. On September 10, while flying over Granada, it had an accident. Although this is under investigation by Environment agents from Junta de Andalucia, the cause of this accident may be human activity. In this context, the obtained data is important and of great interest to address the challenges of the conservation of this endangered species. Also, within the frame of the project, active from 2017 to 2020, the researcher intend to tag more Egyptian vultures with GPS emitters to continue studying how they live and obtain resources, and therefore accumulate more scientific data on their survival and movements. Explore further Vultures reveal critical Old World flyways Rahul promises Minimum Income Guarantee if voted to power Loading the player... Jet Airways seeks shareholders' approval on capital boost Jet Airways said it would seek shareholder approval to issue new equity and convert existing debt into equity among other things at a special meeting on Feb. 21, as the beleaguered airline attempts to stay afloat. The company will also seek approval to allow its lenders to nominate directors to its board, the airline said in a regulatory filing. Saddled with a debt of about 80.52 billion rupees ($1.14 billion) as of Sept. 30, Jet is desperately searching for a deal that could help mitigate its severe liquidity crunch. Samsung dials 'M' to take on Xiaomi South Korean tech giant Samsung Monday launched its Galaxy M smartphones in the country, a series that has been designed to ground up in India, as it looks to re-capture its pole position from rival Xiaomi. Samsung has launched two models - M20 and M10 - priced at Rs 7,990 onwards that will be available online from February 5. Rahul Gandhi promises Universal Basic Income; what does it mean, how will it benefit people? Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the Congress, if voted to power, will announce Universal Basic Income (UBI) for all poor families. During the 'Kisaan Abhaar Sammelan' held in Chhattisgarh to express gratitude to people for voting the party to power in the state, Rahul said Congress would ensure that the RBI allowed certain basic income for every individual in the country. US files criminal charges against Huawei for violating Iran sanctions and stealing trade secrets The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging the company stole trade secrets, misled banks about its business and violated U.S. sanctions. The charges were announced just before a crucial two-day round of trade talks between the United States and China are scheduled to begin in Washington. Trade analysts say they could dim prospects for a breakthrough. India fields Ramesh Chand for top post at UN's Food Agriculture Organisation After lying low for nearly five decades at agri-related international platforms, India has decided to field a candidate for leadership position at the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation or FAO. PMO officials confirmed that India has nominated Ramesh Chand, member of the NITI Aayog and the Finance Commission, for the job. The FAO aides food programmes in nearly 150 poorer countries. As per the rotation policy, this time the position may go to a candidate from either Europe or Asia. Dubai airport retains its position as world's busiest airport in 2018 Dubai International Airport on Monday said it has retained its position as the world's busiest airport for the fifth consecutive year in a row in 2018 with Indian travellers emerging as the largest source of traffic for the airport which registered a record footfall of over 89 million. Annual traffic at the major transit hub rose slightly to 89,15 million passengers, up just over 1.0 per cent on the number who used the airport in 2017, it said in a statement. Honor View 20 with 48 MP rear camera to launch in India today Huawei's sub-brand Honor will launch Honor View 20 in India today.Honor View 20 has a hole-punch camera for selfies placed in the top-left corner. The View 20's earpiece is housed on top display bezel. Last week, Honor released a global variant of Honor view 20 which was the variant of the Honor 20 launched in China in December Ford, which announced the Acquitaine plant's closure nearly a year ago, last month rejected the French state-backed Punch-Powerglide buyout offer French authorities have rejected a plan put forward by US auto-maker Ford to close one of its plants, giving a Franco-Belgian equipment manufacturer more time to improve a buy-out offer. Authorities in the southwest, where Ford's Acquitaine Industries plant at Blanquefort has been turning out gear boxes since 1972, Monday evening rejected the company's plan to lay off 850 workers, citing procedural "non-compliance" as a reason. Government sources said the decision gives Strasbourg-based Punch-Powerglide two more weeks to "beef up" a buy-out offer earlier rejected by Ford. French authorities will then have 21 days to review the situation. They also want Ford to improve its own offer to help preserve local jobs once the plant closes its plant in August. Philippe Poutou, a local Confederation Generale du Travail trade union representative and nationally-known left-wing politician, welcomed news of the delay. "It will force Ford to reexamine things and look more seriously at Punch's offer which is backed by the employees," he told AFP. "It gives us a few more weeks to improve the chances of saving the factory," he added. "Additional time does not guarantee that we shall succeed because we know there are difficulties over how the would-be buyer will finalise his offer, but at least the battle can go on," Poutou said. A buy-out by Punch-Powerglide could save 350 jobs at the plant, according to Jean-Marc Chavant, an Force Ouvriere trade union representative. Ford, which announced the closure nearly a year ago, last month rejected the French state-backed Punch-Powerglide offer. Ford's local subsidiary FAI said it did not find Punch's business plan convincing and that it would offer workers redundancy insteada decision labelled "hostile and unacceptable" by President Emmanuel Macron. The standoff is the first major spat between the government and a multinational since Macron, a pro-business centrist, came to power two years ago. Explore further Ford accused of 'treachery' in France over factory closure 2019 AFP Lead author Lynn Martin, PhD, is a professor at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. Credit: USF Health The 2014-16 Ebola virus epidemic that ravaged Western Africa, killing thousands, was the largest in history. An analysis of the epidemic found that not all individuals played an equal role in spreading the deadly infectious diseasejust 3 percent of patients caused more than 60 percent of infections in other people. "Superspreaders" have also been implicated in other outbreaks, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Now, an international study led by a University of South Florida professor provides a new model to help identify and understand superspreaders and other forms of extreme competence, including less studied "superdiluters" that may protect individuals against infection risk. The research is published today in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution. "The relationship between physiology and behavior in individual hosts determines the dynamics of how infectious disease emerges and spreads in the community," said lead author Lynn Martin, Ph.D., a professor at the USF Health College of Public Health who studies disease ecology. "Individuals are not the sameand distinguishing how they differ within the context of host-parasite interactions is critical. This new framework might help us better target vaccinations, hygiene and other measures to those individuals most likely to influence the spread of infections during epidemics." Simple epidemiological models for infectious diseases have been unable to explain or predict the behavior of some outbreaks, often because they don't account for variation in individual host competence. Competence represents the capacity for one human or animal host to cause new infections either in other hosts, or in vectorsbiting insects and other carriers that can transmit viral, bacterial, and other infections. (For instance, Culex mosquitoes are the vectors that transmit West Nile and other viruses to humans.) The model developed by Martin and his Australian colleagues elucidates various aspects of host competence that may increase or decrease the risk of effectively spreading disease. It breaks down host competence into four key stagesexposure to, susceptibility for, suitability for, and transmissibility of infectious organismsand proposes that various combinations of these factors among individual hosts will determine how a disease circulates and evolves within a community. For example, a single human genetic mutation, linked with increased ingestion of malaria parasites by white blood cells, might make some humans who are otherwise exceptionally susceptible to infection incapable of attaining a high enough volume of parasites in their circulating blood to transmit the parasites to mosquito vectors. Human hosts with this particular mutation may act as superdiluters, significantly weakening the risk of malaria in their communities. By contrast, human (or animal) hosts very attractive to malaria-infected mosquitos and also highly able to replicate parasites might act as superspreaders. The interplay between host behavior and physiology in individual hosts is very important, Martin said. For instance, traditional funeral practices emphasizing washing and dressing a body that retains the blood, sweat and other bodily fluids of the Ebola virus prolonged West Africa's deadly epidemic. Differences among individuals in these behaviors probably influenced that Ebola epidemic, Martin said. For several infections, research indicates that asymptomatic people who do not feel sick yet travel great distances or remain socially active in their communities may be more effective spreaders of infections than infected individuals who stay home because they feel lethargic and sick. In a second paper published the same day in Trends in Parasitology. Dr. Martin (senior author) and co-investigators used the new framework to investigate how host body size effects on competence might influence disease risk for others. The researchers revealed that large species appear to be disproportionately better at generating infections like West Nile virus and Lyme disease than smaller species based on how effects of body size on host traits combine to impact competence. However, they emphasized that the lower population density of large hosts may sometimes diminish amplifying effects of body size on disease risk. Explore further Machine learning tool can predict viral reservoirs in the animal kingdom Semiconductor manufacturing and many other industrial operations involve cleaning processes, and from environmental and health perspectives, it's become highly desirable to use physical cleaning techniques such as liquid jets or underwater ultrasound instead of toxic chemicals. Surprisingly, researchers specializing in mechanical engineering haven't paid a lot of attention to physical cleaning problems. But now, mechanical engineers specializing in the mechanism of fluid motion at Keio University, in Japan, have unveiled the underlying physics of what happens when liquid jet collisions strike surfaces to be cleaned. To do this, the engineers used a fluid dynamics simulation to study the impact of water droplets against a dry/wet rigid wall as a canonical example. They report their work in the journal Physics of Fluids. "In semiconductor manufacturing, smaller-sized contaminant particles need to be removed from silicon wafers as the devices become further miniaturized," said Keita Ando, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Keio University. "High-speed droplet impact is favored when it comes to removing particles of very small sizeson the order of 10 nanometersbut it can cause surface erosion." So it's necessary to consider the effects of both viscosity and compressibility of the fluid on the impact dynamics. "The fluid is viscous, so it produces a mechanical friction that plays an essential role in particle removal," he said. "In addition, the fluid is compressible, which means that it produces a water-hammer shock at the impact that may end up causing surface damage." This video shows the evolution of wall shear stress as a result of high-speed droplet impact against a wet surface. Credit: Tomoki Kondo Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that account for both viscosity and compressibility are a big challenge, so the engineers performed the first known viscous and compressible flow simulation to carefully examine high-speed droplet impact dynamics. "The phenomena are small-sized and very fast; it is very tough to resolve them with current experimental techniques," said Ando. Why is this simulation approach so significant? It enables identifying a trade-off relationship between efficient cleaning performanceaka particle removal efficiencyand damage-free cleaning. "Our approach can be used to quantify friction force and water-hammer impact pressure," Ando said. "These are useful for exploring optimal values of the impact speed, for example, given contaminant particle properties including size. The direct impact of water droplets against dry surfaces produces high friction and impact pressure, which implies efficient but erosive cleaning." In their simulation, the engineers explored the case of initially introducing a film of water that covers the cleaning surface. Their results show that this film can cushion the droplet impact, which is crucial for less erosive cleaning. "Environmentally friendly cleaning techniquesincluding water jet and underwater ultrasoundwill play a more important role in the future. Their technological advance has always been hindered by a lack of understanding of the underlying physics, which can now be understood," said Ando. "In addition, beyond experimental research, the CFD approach is an essential tool when it comes to the quantification of fluid flow." Explore further The Matryoshka effect: Researchers describe underwater phenomenon More information: "Simulation of high-speed droplet impact against a dry/wet wall for understanding the mechanism of liquid jet cleaning," Physics of Fluids (2019). Journal information: Physics of Fluids "Simulation of high-speed droplet impact against a dry/wet wall for understanding the mechanism of liquid jet cleaning,"(2019). DOI: 10.1063/1.5079282 The research conducted by Tran and his advisor, Dr. Aygun, on the else-tree classifier is part of a larger project entitled Macromolecule Crystallization Screening Results Analysis, which is being funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and sponsored by iXpressGenes. Credit: Truong Xuan Tran Truong Xuan Tran may have started his academic career as an electronic and telecommunication engineering major at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, but since coming to the U.S., he's decided to follow his passion for computer science instead. In 2012, the Vietnam native earned his master's degree in the field from Arkansas State University, and in 2016, he joined the Department of Computer Science at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in pursuit of his Ph.D. "My research interests are machine learning and data mining," says Tran. For the last two years, he has been working closely with Dr. Ramazan Aygun, an associate professor in UAH's Department of Computer Science and principal investigator on a project entitled "Macromolecule Crystallization Screening Results Analysis." The project is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and sponsored by iXpressGenes, a biotechnology company specializing in protein services and instrumentation that was founded by UAH biology professor Dr. Joseph Ng. "Protein crystallization is a difficult process where thousands of trials may need to be set up for a successful crystalline outcome," says Dr. Aygun, who co-authored the 2017 book "Data Analytics for Protein Crystallization" with iXpressGenes' senior scientist Mark Pusey. "Data analytics include methods for providing conditions to be set up, automated scoring of images, protein growth analysis, focal stacking for trial images, and visualization of plates." In December, Tran and Dr. Aygun traveled to Madrid, Spain, for the IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedicine, where they presented their most recent research results at the workshop on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics. Their paper, co-written with Dr. Pusey and entitled "Else-Tree Classifier for Minimizing Misclassification of Biological Data," introduced a novel decision-tree classifier, dubbed else-tree, that reduces the misclassification of data samples by labeling them as undecided rather than assigning them an incorrect class. "The main feature of the else-tree is its potential to generate zero percent error without overfitting by separating hard-to-classify data as undecided," says Tran. As he explains, this stands in contrast to traditional decision tree classifiers, which are based on an impurity measure that identifies the most informative attribute to be selected at the early levels of a decision tree. In many cases, the classification model yielding highest evaluation value is then selected to become the predictor for future data; however, a significantly high value of an evaluation measure is an indication of overfitting, and so the classifiers most likely to be chosen are also likely to have false classifications for new unseen data. "In biological research studies such as protein crystallization, inaccuracy or misclassification of machine learning algorithms can yield fatal results," says Tran. For example, if the 3-D structure of a protein is initially obtained by crystallizing the protein in drug development, missing a crystalline condition may hinder its development. "So it is important to develop classification algorithms that would avoid or minimize misclassifications." With the else-tree, data that would otherwise be misclassified is instead labeled undecided and an additional virtual class is generated, which both avoids critical mistakes and increases the trust of the user of the classifier. "The key point of the else-tree is that it postpones difficult data to classify by sending them to its else branch until a good attribute can classify those samples," says Tran. "We have also introduced a pruning method based on the number of elements in a region, wherein the data are considered for classification and labeled if they have some minimum number of elements." Experimental results on three public data sets and the team's protein crystallization data have already shown that the else-tree can outperform other methods when the training data is a representative of the complete set. And they are hoping to improve on these results going forward, with an eye toward minimizing or avoiding errors that could happen at early branches of the tree. "We plan to investigate the proposed algorithm on other types of problems such as multi-class classification," says Tran. "We will examine the effectiveness of our method on other datasets. Especially, we will work on improving the else-tree to reduce the percentage of undecided samples while keeping the error minimum by working on other datasets." Explore further A new approach for software fault prediction using feature selection There is a long tradition of domesticating wild Asian elephants throughout their range. Credit: Juan Pablo Moreiras/FFI Encounters with elephants are always memorable. My first meeting with a bull African elephant face to face across a disconcertingly small and shallow waterhole during a walking safari in Zimbabwe left me shaking so much that I couldn't even hold my camera steady enough to capture the moment for posterity. But the sound of him squirting the contents of his trunk into his capacious stomach reminiscent of an industrial hose filling an empty oil tank will stay with me forever. On the other hand, the nearest I've ever come to a wild elephant encounter in Asia was witnessing an unruly juvenile jumbo rampaging through a beach restaurant on a remote Thai island where his enslaved mother had been pressed into servitude dragging around some felled palm trees. As those contrasting experiences illustrate, Asian and African elephants are two very different beasts, and one of them has definitely had the lion's share of attention. It is several months since the great and the good gathered beneath the big top that accommodated the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in London, and the media circus has long since left town. So perhaps it's time to talk about the elephant that wasn't in the room. African elephants are rarely out of the spotlight, and the London conference was no exception, but their Asian counterparts reference to which was notably absent amid the impassioned calls to action, high-flown rhetoric and mutual back-slapping that characterised the proceedings are in even greater need of conservation attention. Wholesale forest clearance and habitat fragmentation which, in turn, increases the likelihood of potentially fatal human-elephant conflict combined with the scourge of targeted and opportunistic poaching for their ivory, meat and other body parts, has left these beleaguered pachyderms facing a perfect storm of threats. Habitat loss, rather than ivory poaching, remains the greatest threat to the survival of Asian elephants. Credit: Juan Pablo Moreiras/FFI Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has been championing the cause of the Asian elephant for decades. As early as the 1970s we supported a comprehensive survey of its status and distribution throughout its entire range, from India to Indonesia. Fewer than 50,000 wild Asian elephants are estimated to survive today, compared to around half a million of their African cousins. Many of the countries where the species still occurs hold wild populations numbering just a few hundred, usually in small, fragmented groups. Space is at a premium in these densely populated areas, and large numbers of people live within national parks or close to their boundaries. As their natural habitat shrinks and traditional migration routes are severed, elephants are forced onto agricultural land or into newly urbanised areas. The subsequent confrontations can result in death or injury to both animals and humans. FFI has been at the forefront of elephant conservation in Southeast Asia since 1995, focusing predominantly on Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Asian Elephant Conservation Programme has worked in partnership with governments, communities and local NGOs to increase understanding of the species' needs, safeguard its habitat and reduce human-elephant conflict. The success of an ambitious, integrated elephant landscape conservation programme in Aceh Indonesia's westernmost, biologically rich province on the island of Sumatra led to FFI being invited to assist the Indonesian government with the development of a national elephant conservation strategy. Preparing to translocate a sedated wild elephant to a safer area. Credit: Jeremy Holden/FFI As part of its Asian elephant programme in Indochina, FFI convened a historic bilateral conference in 2001 between the governments of Vietnam and Cambodia the first ever on elephant conservation which resulted in an official transboundary cooperation agreement to protect one of Southeast Asia's last remaining tracts of dry deciduous forest, a vital refuge for Asian elephants and numerous other threatened species. The Cambodian Elephant Conservation Group, has been working to protect that country's elephants since its launch in 2005. Whilst habitat loss and the ensuing conflict with humans undoubtedly continues to pose the greatest threat to the survival of Asian elephants, there is no doubt that poaching, for meat as well as ivory, also takes a considerable toll. The recent UK ivory ban, for which FFI had called repeatedly, is one of the toughest in the world, but it is vital that other countries particularly in Southeast Asia follow suit. In the meantime, FFI is continuing to support anti-poaching initiatives across this region, focusing on countries such as Cambodia, which has been identified as a potential hub of ivory trade. In recent years, however, another threat has reared its ugly head: the trade in elephant skin, either as a by-product of ivory poaching or as a target in its own right. This has serious implications, particularly for female Asian elephants. Typically lacking tusks, they have largely escaped the ravages of ivory-driven poaching, but increased demand for other body parts is placing females not to mention calves and juveniles in greater jeopardy. The elephant skin trade is not an entirely new phenomenon; this product is known to have been used historically in traditional Chinese medicine. The worry is that new markets may be emerging, with potentially dire consequences for Asian elephants in, for example, Myanmar and Cambodia, countries where they are already under considerable pressure. FFI's anti-poaching, conflict mitigation and awareness-raising activities are helping to prevent this latest menace from becoming a problem at its project sites, but it serves to underline the complexity of the myriad threats facing Asian elephants, and highlights the importance of a holistic approach to the conservation of this species that looks beyond headline-grabbing ivory bans. Explore further Asian elephants said at risk from Chinese demand for skin More information: Learn more about Asian elephants and how you can support FFI's vital work to protect them: Learn more about Asian elephants and how you can support FFI's vital work to protect them: www.fauna-flora.org/species/asian-elephant An electrified fence separates cattle on a degraded pasture from a healthier pasture with improved forage grasses. Credit: Neil Palmer/CIAT The exceptional climate-altering capabilities of cattle are mainly due to methane, which they blast into the atmosphere during their daily digestive routine. Cattle urine is a lesser-known climate offender. It produces nitrous oxide (N 2 O), which has warming power far greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), the main driver of global warming. A study conducted by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and partners shows that these N 2 O emissions can be significantly curbed by healthy cattle pastures. For the study, researchers collected urine from cattle at research sites in five countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. They spilled these 500 mL samples on paired cattle fields classified as degraded or healthy, which was determined by vegetation coverage. In six of the seven test sites, degraded pastures emitted significantly more N 2 Osometimes up to three times as much. The results were published January 29 in Scientific Reports, an open-access journal by the publishers of Nature. "Degraded pastures are bad in so many ways," said Ngonidzashe Chirinda, a CIAT researcher and the study's lead author. "This study adds to the case for land restoration. Degraded pastures not only affect food security and the livelihood of farmers today, but affects the livelihood of future farmers because they emit more gases that cause global warming." The results add urgency to global land restoration agreements, including Initiative 20x20, which aims to bring into restoration 20 million hectares of land into restoration in Latin America by 2020 as a first major step toward even more ambitious restoration targets. Estimates vary, but Chirinda calculates, conservatively, that there are 150 million hectares of degraded lands in Latin America. Brazil alone is home to some 80 million hectares of degraded pastureland. Degraded livestock land is generally characterized by overgrazing, soil compaction, loss of organic material and low levels of nutrients and soil carbon. Large-scale land restoration with improved forage grasses, rotational grazing and the addition of shrubs and trees (silvopastoral farming) could significantly mitigate the negative climate effects wrought by degradation. In addition to reducing N 2 O emissions, restored landscapes generally contain more carbon, have healthier soils and more robust and productive livestock. "This study highlights the importance of avoiding land degradation in the first place," said Todd Rosenstock, a co-author based at World Agroforestry (ICRAF). "Maintaining healthy pastures appears to reinforce goals of both the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification simultaneously." The curious results from the single test site that did not align with the study resultsin Taluma, Colombiamay be attributed to a number of factors that merit further research. N 2 O emissions there were by far the lowest at any test site and were the same on both degraded and healthy pastures. The cattle urine used in the experiment had the lowest nitrogen content compared to the other research sites, which likely contributed to the results. The forage grass used there, Brachiaria humidicola, also has an especially high nitrification inhibition capacity, meaning that it prevents nitrogen from becoming N 2 O. Power of data from far-flung places The study is a victory for well-designed, modest-budget science. The project began with a weeklong training session at CIAT headquarters in Cali, Colombia, where a team of Ph.D. students from the additional participating countriesArgentina, Brazil, Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobagohelped design the research plan and standardized the study's methodology. The students returned to their home countries and carried out the experiment to coincide with their area's rainy seasons, to assure similar climate conditions across study sites. (The exception was Taluma, which was sampled during a period characterized by low rainfall, which is also another possible reason why the N 2 O emissions were lower there). "The power is in the number of data points from all the different countries," said Chirinda. Better cattle greenhouse gas estimates Researchers said the study is a useful step toward creating a more detailed picture of the scope of greenhouse gas emissions from cattle farming in LAC. "Since work on emissions from livestock in the region is not common, this study generates at least one piece of information that is missing from theoretical greenhouse gas estimates in the LAC region," said Miguel Andres Arango, a co-author and scientist at Colombia's AGROSAVIA, the nation's largest agriculture research organization. "Being able to estimate the real impact of cattle production will allow us to propose potential practices for reducing emissions," said Arango. "It is high time we know the emission factors for our agricultural systems." Explore further Massive need for growing trees on farms More information: Ngonidzashe Chirinda et al. Adequate vegetative cover decreases nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine deposited in grazed pastures under rainy season conditions, Scientific Reports (2019). Journal information: Scientific Reports , Nature Ngonidzashe Chirinda et al. Adequate vegetative cover decreases nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine deposited in grazed pastures under rainy season conditions,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37453-2 Provided by International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Moving towards artificial intelligence and blockchain technology German software giant SAP said Tuesday it would slash 4,400 jobs in a billion-euro restructuring plan after profits stagnated in 2018, while insisting it was on track to grow revenues and earnings this year. "We are talking about a completely voluntary programme," chief financial officer Luka Mucic said. The number of job cuts would be "slightly higher" than during a previous overhaul in 2015, he added, when the group shifted focus to "cloud" computing from traditional software. "We are expecting 4,400 job cuts, more than the 3,000 in 2015 and we think that Germany and the US will be the most impacted," spokesman Benjamin Nickel told AFP. Under the new turnaround plan, executives plan to spend between 800 million and 950 million euros ($915-$1.1 billion) on restructuring in 2019 "to further simplify company structures and processes". They aim to realise "a minor cost benefit" this year, before slashing annual outgoings by up to 850 million euros from 2020. Chief executive Bill McDermott said the departures were necessary to clear the way for SAP to make new bets on growth areas in the software industry. "We are going to move our people and our focus to the areas SAP needs the most, AI (artificial intelligence), blockchain, internet of things, quantum computing," he said. "We currently have 95,000 people in the company, if we talk in a few years it will be more," McDermott added. Sluggish profits SAP's restructuring announcement came as it reported net profit added just one percent last year to reach 4.1 billion euros. The group preferred to play up operating, or underlying profit that surged 17 percent, to 5.7 billion euros, on revenues up 5.0 percent at 24.7 billion euros. The result "sets us up perfectly for continued strong profitable growth in 2019 and beyond," Mucic said. One area the group hopes will stoke the bottom line is so-called "experience management" after it recently snapped up Californian firm Qualtrics for $8 billion. Invented in the 1990s, the technique calls for collecting data on customers, employees, brands and products, aiming to sharpen firms' understanding of how they are perceived. In 2018, SAP continued its transformation away from traditional one-off sales of business software licenses to cloud computing, under which it charges customers a subscription fee to process data on the firm's computers. Revenue from cloud subscriptions and support grew 32 percent over the year, to almost 3.8 billion euros. Meanwhile software licenses and support revenue shrank one percent, although it remains a far bigger source of income for now at almost 15.8 billion euros. Across the whole group, SAP aims to increase revenue from its cloud and software activities to between 22.4 and 22.7 billion euros in 2019up from 20.66 billion booked last year under non-IFRS accounting standards, which exclude some costs. Still in non-IFRS terms, the group aims for operating profit of 7.7 to 8.0 billion euros this year, up from 7.16 billion euros in 2018. SAP stock rebounded were trading down 2.4 percent at 90.15 euros around 12:40 pm in Frankfurt (1140 GMT)while remaining the worst performer on the DAX index of blue-chip shares. Explore further SAP more ambitious after soaring Q1 profits 2019 AFP Credit: CC0 Public Domain Seal behaviour in the Antarctic will be studied by academics from the University of St Andrews to find out how fast a massive glacier is melting. Dr. Lars Boehme and Guilherme Bortolotto De Oliveira from the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews will set sail today (Tuesday 29 January) on the first ship-based research expedition to Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica as part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. The 50-day scientific cruise on board the US icebreaker Nathanial B Palmer is part of a five-year project to understand how quickly the glacier, which is the size of the UK, could melt. If Thwaites Glacier were to melt completely, sea levels would rise by 80cm. Seal ecologist Dr. Boehme is overseeing the tagging of elephant seals and Weddell seals which live near the ice front of the glacier, and so are ideally positioned to provide information about these areas which are hard for researchers to access. The mammals will be tagged with sensors to help researchers understand more about their behaviour and the ocean conditions where the ice front of the glacier meets the ocean. Dr. Boehme said: "These tiny sensors, which are temporarily glued to the animals' fur and fall off during moulting, will allow us to measure the ocean's heat, which can highly affect the melting rate of the floating part of the glacier. "Getting the right data is particularly difficult, especially during the winter when the ocean surface is covered by sea ice and inaccessible for research ships. We will therefore tag 18 seals in this area. Oceanographic and behavioural data are then collected whenever the seal dives and sent back using satellites while the seal is back at the surface to take a breath." The St Andrews scientists will work within the TARSAN (Thwaites-Amundsen Regional Survey and Network) project, led by Karen Heywood of the University of East Anglia, and Erin Pettit of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, to measure the oceanic heat in front of the glacier and its potential to increase the glacier's melting rate. The ship will spend seven weeks in front of Thwaites Glacier conducting a range of scientific experiments and deploying a range of instruments. The research expedition is part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the US National Science Foundation. The ITGC is the largest joint project undertaken by the UK and US in Antarctica for more than 70 years since the conclusion of a mapping project on the Antarctic Peninsula in the late 1940s. This joint 20m research programme started this season and is one of the most detailed and extensive examinations of a massive Antarctic glacier ever undertaken. Antarctica's glaciers contribute to sea-level rise when more ice is lost to the ocean than is replaced by snow. To fully understand the causes of changes in ice flow requires research on the ice itself, the nearby ocean, and the Antarctic climate in the region. Thwaites Glacier is one of the largest in Antarctica with an area similar in size to the UK, meeting the ocean with a cliff face spanning 120km. Its flow rate has increased from 3km per year to 4km per year since 2006 and dumps 126 GigaTonnes of ice into the ocean every year. Shark attacks are rare and fatal ones even more so, but still prompt panic in Australian coastal communities An Australian university is testing new materials designed to lessen the impact of shark bites, researchers said Tuesday, in a project aimed at reducing fatalities and easing the nerves of swimmers. Researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide have received government funding to test a new neoprenea synthetic rubber commonly used in wetsuitsagainst the force of a bite from several species, including the great white shark. The new materialprovided by manufacturers the university declined to identifyaims to reduce cuts and punctures from a shark attack, thus lessening blood loss for victims. "We are cognisant that it will not prevent all injuries as it will not prevent fractures or crushing injuries," associate professor Charlie Huveneers told AFP. "However, most shark-bite fatalities are due to blood loss, and the ability to reduce such blood loss along with rapid emergency responses will hopefully decrease fatalities and injuries due to shark bites." Despite tens of millions of trips to the beach taken in Australia every year, shark attacks are extremely rare, but each incident sets off public debate about beach safety. There were 27 shark attacks in Australian waters last year, according to data compiled by Sydney's Taronga Zoo, including one fatal incident in popular tourist destination Whitsunday Islands, near the Great Barrier Reef. "Although the risk of shark bites is extremely small, a lot of people are still worried about sharks," Huveneers added. "When a shark bite occurs, it can have severe physical, mental, social, and economic consequences. It is therefore important to keep developing new means of reducing shark bite risks and ensure the efficacy of such new products." The new neoprene will be tested against standard materials commonly used by surfers and divers, with findings to be released later this year. There were 18 attacks in 2017 and 26 in 2016, Taronga Zoo recorded. Many experts point to the increased number of people going into the water as a reason for any increase in attacks. Explore further Significant drop in shark bites reported worldwide in 2018 2019 AFP Credit: CC0 Public Domain When predators hunt for small reef fish in the ocean, many of those small fish do the same thing: they hide in a nearby anemone. New research from the University of Delaware, however, shows that larger-bodied fish also associate with anemones. The difference is that the big fish associate with anemones as juveniles, while the smaller bodied species partner with anemones throughout their lives. This mutualistic relationship, in which individuals from two or more species cooperate, is driven by predation. Predators tend to target smaller fish, who in turn, associate more with the anemones for protection. While the benefit for fish is protection from predators, anemones get access to nutrition and increased aeration by hosting and protecting these small reef fish. "Being able to understand why this relationship has evolved can tell us more about coral reef ecosystems as a whole," said Lane Johnston, who graduated with her master's degree from UD in marine behavioral ecology in 2018 and worked on the study during her time at the University. "Our finding was that predation and trying to avoid predation is really what drives the relationship, and that might help us understand how population dynamics change on a reef or in any ecosystem moving forward." The research was recently published in the Ecology Letters scientific journal. Johnston conducted the study in Moorea, located in French Polynesia, with her advisor, Danielle Dixson, assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment's School of Marine Science and Policy; William Feeney, now a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Queensland in Australia who worked as a Fulbright Fellow in Dixson's lab during the study, and Rohan Brooker, now a research fellow at Deakin University in Australia who was a post-doctoral researcher in Dixson's lab during the study. From January through February 2016, the researchers collected anemones and corals as well as threespot dascyllusa fish they chose to be their case study subject that is an anemone mutualiston snorkel and scuba dives, in order to conduct a lab study along with a field study in the shallow reef flats at Tema'e Bay. They selected surge damselfish as a locally abundant and non-anemone associated comparison species to the threespot dascyllus, and sorted the damselfish and the dascyllus into four size categories: Recruitless than 2 centimeters in size; Juvenile2 to 4 centimeters in size; Small adults4 to 6 centimeters in size; and Large adultslarger than 6 centimeters. Arceye hawkfish, speckled sandperch and squirrelfish were selected as the predators in the study. The purpose of these experiments was to see if dascyllus' body size could explain patterns of anemone associations between individuals under natural conditions, whether smaller fish were more vulnerable to predation by the three predators compared to their larger counterparts and whether associations with anemones provided more protection than coral refuge. Their field study revealed that recruit and juvenile dascyllus associate almost exclusively with anemones whereas anemone use progressively decreased among the small adult and large adult dascyllus. They also discovered no preference among the predators with regards to body size with the dascyllus and that if anemones were available, they helped the dascyllus survive predation better than the coral. "It's kind of intuitive. If smaller fish can't be protected from predators, they need to find a habitat that can aid in protecting them when they're smaller," said Johnston. "It makes sense [that they'd use anemones], and we just needed to prove it." In addition to the field and lab study, collaborators in Australia, France and the UK followed up on the field results to determine the evolutionary history behind anemone use. Using large datasets from places like fishbase.org, a global fish species database, these researchers found that fish-anemone mutualisms have evolved on at least 55 occasions across 16 fish families over the past 60 million years. Moreover, they also found that larger-bodied species partnered with anemones as juveniles while smaller-bodied species partner with anemones throughout their lives. Johnston said that it was interesting to discover that many species of fish associate with anemones, as they have been linked in the past to only a handful of fish species, such as the hero in the movie Finding Nemo. Explore further Predators drive clownfish relationship with an unlikely friend More information: William E. Feeney et al. Predation drives recurrent convergence of an interspecies mutualism, Ecology Letters (2018). Journal information: Ecology Letters William E. Feeney et al. Predation drives recurrent convergence of an interspecies mutualism,(2018). DOI: 10.1111/ele.13184 In September, 2001, George Fernandes surprised everyone, when he criticised the labour reforms of the then National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. George, as his friends and contemporaries called him, at that time was convener of the alliance. To vent his views, Fernandes chose Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) economic think-tank Swadeshi Jagran Manch's (SJM) seminar at the national capital. RSS was vehemently opposing PM Vajpayee's liberalisation agenda at that time. A unionist and socialist, George found comradeship in SJM, since RSS had floated this platform to oppose the introduction of FDI and globalisation in 1991. George was their hero. In 1977, during his stint as industry minister in Janta Government, he pushed multinationals like IBM and Coca Cola to implement the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) which led to the exit of these two companies. They were back only after the 1991 liberalisation. There were some differences in approach. RSS' idea of 'swadeshi' included entrepreneurship and private investments, whereas, communists and socialists like Fernandes wanted firm control of the public sector enterprises. During NDA-1, when most of the BJP leaders like Arun Shourie, Jaswant Singh became incommunicado towards the RSS leadership (especially on the economic issues); Fernandes along with Murli Manohar Joshi gave them audience. This included issues like disinvestments in the public sector firms, opening up of FDI in multi-brand retail and insurance sector, and changes in the labour laws. However, Fernandes didn't attend the SJM seminar without weighing in the impact. A week before the seminar, Madan Das Devi-the then Joint General Secretary of RSS, briefed him about the content. The invitation was extended only after he agreed to attend the discussion. The move caused murmurs amongst his comrades in the Samta Party that he was 'falling in the trap of RSS'. But some of his friends believed that this could benefit Fernandes in the long run. Vajpayee's health was on decline, and since LK Advani was not an ideal replacement for Vajpayee because of his Hindu hardliner image, Fernandes would have been the next obvious choice. In such a scenario, support from the RSS might have come in handy. Many found this ironical since during his days in Janta Party government, Fernandes along with his socialist comrade Madhu Limaye would often question the influence of the RSS cadre in the establishment. In fact, after his demise, RSS and SJM were the first to condole his death. Those who knew him from the beginning would have never imagined this friendship or cordial relationship: RSS, a loud Hindutva organisation and Fernandes, a Mangalorean Christian who was trained to be a priest, left his native place in the age of 18 to reach Mumbai and lead a life of an atheist all his life thereafter. In the cabinet meetings between 1998-2004 (he was not a part of the cabinet between March-October, 2001), he along with Murli Manohar Joshi continued to oppose the liberalisation and FDI proposals moved by the then finance minister Yashwant Sinha. When he served as the defence minister in the Vajpayee's cabinet, he would often follow RSS' ideologies. He was the first Defence Minister to publically acknowledge China as a potential threat along with Pakistan. In hindsight one can criticise him for not pushing the modernisation of forces and constructing infrastructure to allay his Chinese fears. Fernandes first gained national attention in 1974 when he led an all India railway strike. He was the president of the All India Railwaymen's Federation then and at 44 years of age had massive influence among the unions of electricity, transport workers, mill worker and taxi drivers. Many say, he had the wherewithal to halt Bombay within minutes, an influence which only Bal Thackeray could match. This strike started on May 8 and was called off on May 27 of 1974. Indira Gandhi-led Congress government in Delhi had to order a nationwide crackdown, by arresting more than thousands of the unionists. Before this he had gained limelight by defeating congress heavy weight S K Patil from the Bombay South constituency in the 1967 Lok Sabha polls. He remained member of the lower house for nine times thereafter, and faced defeat for the first time in 2009 -when his protegee Nitish Kumar refused him ticket and he contested as an independent from his pocket borough Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He was reluctant to accept Rajya Sabha nomination thereafter. Also read: PM Modi memorabilia put on sale for 'Namami Gange' project; check out items on offer Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh lag behind Haryana in girl sex ratio at birth Modi govt likely to make big announcement for farmers! Here's what you can expect Credit: CC0 Public Domain A quartet of researchers from the University of Rochester and the University of California has found evidence of the starting period for the solidification of Earth's core. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, Richard Bono, John Tarduno, Francis Nimmo and Rory Cottrell describe their analysis of ancient crystals found in eastern Canada, what they found, and why they believe their results offer clues about the formation of Earth's inner core. Peter Driscoll, with the Carnegie Institution for Science, has written a News and Views piece on the study in the same journal issue. Planetary scientists have found strong evidence that suggests the Earth has an inner and an outer core. The inner core is believed to be solid, while the outer core is made up of molten material. Prior evidence has also indicated that the entire core was once liquid, but as the interior cooled, the innermost part began to crystallize. It is at this point that scientists disagreesome suggest the start of solidification began as far back as 2.5 billion years ago. Others believe it was much more recentperhaps as recent as just 500 million years ago. In this new effort, the researchers have found evidence that supports the latter theory. The work by the researchers involved carefully analyzing plagioclase and clinopyroxene crystals, which have been dated to approximately 565 million years ago. The crystals are important because they contain bits of metal called inclusions. The inclusions are very small and needle-shaped and aligned themselves with the Earth's magnetic field as they became embedded in the crystal. Since the Earth's magnetic field is generated by activity in the inner core, the inclusions are a means of determining the state of the core during the time when the crystals formed. The researchers report that their analysis showed that the magnetic field was significantly weaker than it is today, suggesting that solidification of the core must have occurred soon thereafter or the magnetic field would have collapsed altogether. The reason it did not, theory suggests, is because as the inner core solidified, he magnetic field became stronger. Explore further Study of zircon crystals casts doubt on evidence for early development of magnetic field More information: Richard K. Bono et al. Young inner core inferred from Ediacaran ultra-low geomagnetic field intensity, Nature Geoscience (2019). Journal information: Nature Geoscience Richard K. Bono et al. Young inner core inferred from Ediacaran ultra-low geomagnetic field intensity,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-018-0288-0 2019 Science X Network Why an organization should transform?, the answer in general relate it to the voracity of global competition and the hipercambiante environment. Improvements and changes to current schemes are not sufficient to deal with a much more complex business reality. Now with more growth and higher profits companies have succeeded based on the talent, knowledge, innovation and a disruption in the way of doing business, creating new needs or new ways to meet the needs. The organizational transformation, has to do with a complete change where one thing turns into another. Marathon Capital insists that this is the case. This definition is very deep and compromising, since we deal not only with an administrative tool, or a method, or even a model, but an entire new system of organization. For even more opinions, read materials from Duncan Crawford. The only current organizational system that has is the pyramidal or functional, created in the industrial era to organize the new way of generating wealth and make company at that time. Learn more about this with Philippe Lavertu. Currently talk about the era of knowledge, where the roots of the value they are in people, in the intangible; beyond the classic land, labour and capital, now the wealth is generated based on the intellectual capital of the organization. To do this, the intelligent enterprise system offers a proposal of system for the world of organizations where the central dynamic is tipped towards the customer instead of the authority; It focuses on the person, instead of the irons, among other inputs and assumptions of such a system. The sense of urgency to adopt this system is detonated by the pursuit of competitiveness, which is only achieved with the contest and approval of the customer. Without it, we can be productive, efficient, quality, more non-competitive. So the organizational structure should be directed to the customer, always looking and naturally the satisfaction of their needs (company mission). Of course, that the structure is composed by people, which run activities that are part of the processes that are available as products or services, by What if we improve people, improve processes and consequently property tangibilizados by which such customers pay. According to a source specializing in item (1), the organizational transformation is like an operation open heart, where there is a double challenge: keep the patient alive and correct the same problem. In the organizations business must be removed in the usual way, while at the same time makes the change to open heart. For this situation, it is important to keep a system that helps you to work in both dimensions, so in the SEI provides coexistence two-dimensional between (focused on the authority) pyramidal structure and operational structure (focused on the client) to be able to cope with the movement towards a knowledge company unless the patient succumbs in the process. He anchored the future success and the same need to transform into customer and team, are formulas which sustains the Intelligent Enterprise System. Touching people in this metamorphosis is due, If we want to be truly and finally useful to achieve the competitiveness of the organization. PASAY CITY, Philippines The Senates inquiry on the proposed excise tax on tobacco products was welcomed by protesters who are advocates of the bill. Sin-tax supporters called on legislators to approve the P90 tax on each cigarette packet. But some groups of tobacco farmers from Ilocos region blocked their way. They are opposing the proposal because such measure will cause more workers to lose their jobs. This is also the appeal of the local government officials. Our tobacco farmers are the ones really affected, said Isabela Vice Governor Antonio Albano. Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Finance (DOF) expressed support to the proposal but only P60 per cigarette packet from the current P35. The agencies both agree that the measure will greatly help reduce the number of smokers and the sin tax will help fund the implementation of the Universal Health Care law. The government is projected to generate total additional revenue of P316 Billion by 2022 compared to just P72 billion in house approved bill, the total difference is P244 Billion which might undermine the effective implementation of the UHC (Universal Health Care), said Finance Usec. Karl Chua. DOF proposed rate will avert approximately 713,000 deaths and will result in 3.2 million quitters in adults, added Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Duque said the government will need around P40 billion this year only to fund the UHC. Meanwhile, health experts are also in support of the proposal. Ang sanhi ng mga heart attack, stroke ay galing sa sigarilyo. Ito ang alam namin attributable sa sigarilyo. Pinag-aralan na ito, noted Dr. Dante Morales, the past president of the Philippine Heart Association. The country loses P210 billion a year, added Dr. Antonio Miguel Dans of UP Manila College of Medicine. In December, the House of Representative (HOR) approved its version of the Sin Tax Reform Act which sought the P37 excise tax on each packet of cigarette. Marje Pelayo (with reports from Nel Maribojoc) The post Protests welcome Senate hearing on tobacco excise tax appeared first on UNTV News. Mongolia's parliament voted to oust the speaker on Tuesday following protests demanding his resignation over a corruption scandal. Enkhbold Miyegombo, a former presidential candidate and prime minister, has been under pressure to resign since a failed no-confidence vote against the current prime minister in November. Five MPs had spearheaded calls for Enkhbold's resignation, leading a boycott of parliament that paralysed the legislature for a month. Thousands of protesters gathered in December and January to vent their anger at corruption, bribery scandals and embezzlement of government funds. Enkhbold has been accused of selling government positions, such as vice minister and state secretary, to raise at least 60 billion tugrik ($24 million). Earlier this month, President Khaltmaa Battulga -- who defeated Enkhbold in the 2017 presidential election -- introduced legislation to allow a vote to oust the speaker. Political instability has been a constant problem for the young Central Asian democracy, which passed its first constitution in 1992 after decades of Communist rule. Enkhbold said he had done his job "well" and that banking and financial regulations passed under his watch had helped the economy. "You can see that all the bad things that happened in the past 20 years can be blamed on just one person," Enkhbold said. "Maybe to solve all the problems in today's society I was to become the scapegoat," he said. (L-R) Ah Niu, Lin Min-Chen, Alex Lam and Jerry Lamb star in "A Journey of Happiness". 29 Jan Take "A Journey of Happiness" with the Siew family this Chinese New Year! Director JY Teng, Hong Kong cast Jerry Lamb and Alex Lam, and Malaysian cast Ah Niu and Lin Min-Chen met with the media yesterday at mmCineplexes eCurve to promote the movie in Malaysia. This being a movie that follows a Hong Kong family's trip to Malaysia, it, of course, utilises Cantonese as the vernacular language. While that's no hard task for the Hong Kong cast members, who fluently speak the language, it's a whole different story for Malaysian actress Lin Min-Chen. Lin joked that it was especially tough for her since she practiced hard to get her pronunciation right, only to be told by the director that he wanted her character to speak in broken Cantonese. In fact, the highlight of her dialogues is her answer to the question "Where are you from?" it's really a teachable moment in watching your pronunciation as her garbled answer came out sounding a lot like a shockingly indecent phrase instead. However, despite having to master (or not master?) a different language, the actress was happy that she was able to take part in "A Journey of Happiness" since this was her first time acting in a Malaysian movie. "A Journey of Happiness" cast and director during yesterday's press conference. Despite hailing from Penang, the Taiwan-based actress has been doing works outside of the country. Hence the reason why the moment she heard this was a Malaysian production that is set to be shot locally, she was determined to act in it, even though at the time she accepted the offer, she was busy filming another project in Taiwan. "A Journey of Happiness", produced and edited by Ryon Lee ("The Journey", "Show Me Your Love"), follows the Siew family who goes on vacation in Cameron Highlands, as arranged by Siew Shen (Joyce Cheng) to cheer up their father Siew Fatt (Lo Hoi-Pang). However, things turn topsy-turvy thanks to her brothers Siew Beng (Jerry Lamb) and Siew Lup (Alex Lam). It is only made worse when cunning tour guide Cui Fong (Ah Niu) and backpacker Pumpkin BB (Lin Min-Chen) are thrown into the mix. Watch the fun when "A Journey of Happiness" opens in cinemas this 31 January in Singapore and on Chinese New Year, 5 February, in Malaysia. Kim Bok-dong, one of South Koreas most prominent survivors of wartime sexual slavery under Japanese rule, has died aged 92, further galvanising Seouls determination to seek justice for the countrys comfort women. Kim, who achieved international renown for her human rights activism, died in hospital on Monday, according to the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance. President Moon Jae-in wrote on his Facebook page that her testimony at the UN Human Rights Committee in 1993 brought light to the hidden history and gave others courage to face the truth. We will never forget to set [distorted] history right, Moon wrote, praising Kim for refusing to be portrayed as a victim, instead pushing for an apology over imperial Japans atrocities and legal compensations. Japan controlled the Korean peninsula from 1910-45. During this period, South Korean women were forced into sexual slavery and labourers were made to work for Japanese firms. Kim died several years after being diagnosed with cancer and just hours after another elderly victim died, although her name has been withheld. There are now only 23 South Korean survivors of Japans wartime sexual slavery. For Japan, the comfort women issue is like a thorn in the eyes Professor Lee Won-deok Kim Bok-dong first testified to her experiences in 1992, one year after Kim Hak-soon became the first South Korean woman to speak publicly about the sexual slavery she endured under Japanese rule. Kim Bok-dong travelled to Europe, the US and Japan to share her story and campaign on behalf of other victims of sexual assault in conflict zones. I am very much aware of their agonising pain I want to help these women in many parts of the world who have been sexually violated, she said in 2012. Her funeral will take place in Seoul on Friday and a traditional farewell road ceremony in which mourners assemble to pray at a place often visited by the deceased is planned near the Japanese embassy. Story continues Professor Lee Won-deok, an expert on Japanese-Korean relations from Kukmin University, described Kim as a treasure for activists seeking to hold Japan accountable. She was highly active in sharing her experiences with international audiences and campaigning for womens rights here and abroad, Lee said. For Japan, the comfort women issue is like a thorn in the eyes as it endeavours to project its soft power in the international community. Tokyo insists the comfort women issue was resolved when both nations signed a deal in 2015 during Park Geun-hyes presidency. Seoul subsequently abandoned the deal, declaring it flawed. On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos last week, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Seoul would this year host an international conference on sexual violence in conflict zones to make sure that their historical experience is not lost. If Seoul uses the conference as a platform to highlight Japans wartime atrocities, it is likely to deepen the animosity between the two countries, where ties are already at the lowest ebb for many years due to the enduring legacy of war and territorial disputes. However, Yoon Sung-Suk, a professor of political science at Chonnam National University, said the diplomatic rift was unlikely to seriously undermine the regional security alliances pursued by the two countries in partnership with the US. The current verbal spat involving the two countries leaders is hardly more than a political reality show aimed to garner popular support for their governments and policies, Yoon said. Both governments know very well they cant escalate their rows beyond certain limits as they need each others cooperation in addressing their own problems: the nuclear-armed North Korea for South Korea, and regional stability and defence for Japan. This article Kim Bok-dong, the vocal South Korean comfort woman who demanded justice for other victims, dies aged 92 first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. More from South China Morning Post: 29 Jan Kim Henares, the former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner has dismissed allegations made by actress Gretchen Barretto about her helping Kris Aquino's friends lower their tax fees in the past. As reported on Rappler, Henares, who finally released a statement responding to Gretchen's claims on social media, stressed that she finds it funny that the actress is adamant in her allegations that she - Henares - can just fix people's tax problems. "It is a well-known fact that not even my own family enjoyed any preferential service or treatment, much to their disappointment. I strongly suggest that Ms. Baretto exercise more restraint and thoughtfulness in her statements," she said. In a previous Instagram Live video, Barretto claimed that businesswoman Alice Eduardo was able to avoid paying hundreds of millions of taxes after actress Kris Aquino helped her settle her tax problem with Henares, who was BIR's commissioner during Aquino's brother Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino's time as the president of the Philippines. She stressed that it was an open secret since Eduardo likes to share the information with her high society pals. Aquino has earlier denied the rumours through her lawyers, saying that she would never aid or abet tax evasion by anyone. (Photo Source: Inquirer) Colombia Hoy Para nunca olvidar Paginas vistas en total 'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England Sin palabras La UE le apunta a la paz Cada vez mas solo Follow by Email Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. Dolar USA Vs Euro LULA y su Pueblo Bye Bye Homenaje al genial Quino Fueron ellos Una imagen que resume Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero? Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante) Ladrones al poder Asi mira el perrito a su amo Crazy Clamor popular La nueva inquisicion Bolivia Chile Hoy Eso es todo amigos! Pinerachet No More Trump Adios Macri, hasta nunca La Marioneta se desinfla Asi o mas cinico Almugre Mexico en 1794 Mas arrastrado imposible La pura verdad Solidaridad con Palestina Serie Capitalismo Espejismos de la clase trabajadora Comerciantes o delincuentes Asi es la vida USA HOY La avaricia no tiene limites Chile Hoy Asi son las cosas Mapa Electoral de Venezuela Patagonia argentina? Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad Retrato del franquismo en Espana El Chulo de Madrid Cuando la policia se roba la democracia Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras La purita verdad Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia Mi pobre clase media Como Chavez nadie Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear Programa de la MUD Asi o mas clarito Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte? Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio? Una verguenza nacional La luz que nos guia La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz? Feudalismo ayer y hoy Obama, el mentiroso Curiosa coincidencia Un mundo de cerdos No es extrano? La Marioneta Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran MARICORI Y OBAMA Cuantas muertes este ano? 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! Former defence minister and anti-Emergency crusader George Fernandes passed away at the age of 88 on Tuesday following a prolonged illness, his family sources told PTI. Fernandes, who was the Defence Minister during Atal Bihari Vajpayee led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and recently, he contacted swine flu, they said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the socialist leader, saying he was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology. "A visionary railway minister and a great defence minister who made India safe and strong. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy," the PM said. George Sahab represented the best of India's political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 Congress chief Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Fernandes' family and friends in this time of grief. "I am sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji," he said in a Facebook post. Born on June 3, 1930, Fernandes was a former Indian trade unionist, politician, journalist, agriculturist, and member of Rajya Sabha from Bihar. He was the founder of the Samata Party. He has held several ministerial portfolios including communications, industry, railways, and defence. He was the Industry Minister under the Jan Sangh government which had defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977. (With inputs from PTI) From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As... The President of Venezuelas opposition-dominated National Assembly Juan Guaido will announce new boards of directors for state oil company PDVSA and its U.S. business, Citgo, UPI reports, citing a statement from the opposition leader. Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela last week as protests against Nicolas Maduro intensified. The President of the National Assembly, which the Maduro government refuses to recognize, called for more protests and new elections, quickly winning the support of the United States, Canada, and several South American countries. The EU has also called on President Maduro to hold new elections. The new appointments are likely to only deepen an already strong sense of split personality in Venezuela. With two National Assemblies and now two presidents and governments, a parallel board of directors for PDVSA and Citgo comes on the heels of another round of Washington sanctions targeting specifically PDVSA, announced earlier today. At the announcement, nationals U.S. Treasure Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, as quoted by the BBC, the sanctions will involve withholding PDVSAs proceeds from crude oil sales to the United States, adding that the company could avoid being sanctioned if it recognized Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela. In his statement, Guaido said his government was aiming to "guarantee the biggest transparency and control" for PDVSA, adding that it was preparing to "start the process to name the boards of directors of PDVSA and Citgo to allow the recovery of our industry that is going now through a dark moment." The interim President also said the decision to appoint new boards of directors for PDVSA and its only profitable business, Citgo, was part of a drive for "taking progressive and orderly control of the assets of our Republic abroad" to "speed up the political transition." Venezuela is one of the four biggest suppliers of crude oil to the United States, which is one of the countrys biggest buyers, taking in some 41 percent of all crude oil exports. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: French supermajor Total plans to drill 23 wells this year, three times more than it drilled in 2016 and 2017, with a focus on Africa and Brazil, Reuters reports, quoting the companys senior VP for exploration, Kevin McLachlan. All the wells will be drilled offshore, in Namibia, Senegal, Mauritania, and South Africa, and also Guyana and Brazil, McLachlan told Reuters. The strategy is a marked departure from Totals traditional prioritizing of high-risk but also high-return frontier areas and a turn to already producing regions where the chances of striking commercial quantities of oil and gas are higher. Still, the French company will remain focused on conventional resources, unlike most other supermajors who have joined the rush to U.S. shale throwing billions at acreage and drilling there. The latest news in this respect came earlier today: Total, together with Chinas CNOOC, announced a new gas and condensate discovery in the North Sea, where the two operate the Glengorm prospect. The discovery, according to Total, could contain a recoverable 250 million barrels of oil and the superlight crude oil grade. We were spending a lot of money in frontier, McLachlan said, adding Now we want balance. This balance apparently does not require any major adjustments in Totals budget. The executive said this year Total will keep its capex in line with last years, which was US$1.2 billion, and slightly higher than its 2017 budget, which was US$1.1 billion. Its spending on frontier regions, however, has declined substantially over the last five years, from as much as 40 percent in 2015, to just 15 percent budgeted for this year. During just two years2017 and 2018according to Wood Mackenzie data, Total bought the rights to explore a total of over 189,000 sq km, which made it the biggest buyer of new blocks among the Big Oil majors. Discoveries, however, have been slow to come something Total hopes to reverse with its focus on mature producing regions. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The political crisis in Venezuela has not had an impact on the oil market and there is no need for any additional measures, Saudi Arabias Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told Russian news agency RIA Novosti in an interview on Monday. Al-Falih said he had not discussed the turmoil in Venezuela with his colleagues at OPEC. No one has proposed the holding of an extraordinary meeting of OPEC and its non-OPEC partners over the chaos in OPEC member Venezuela, Alexander Novak, the energy minister of the non-OPEC leader Russia, said last week. Venezuelas opposition leader Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly, declared himself interim president last Wednesday, and the United States supported him against Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. Administration declared an usurper with no legitimacy to the presidency. Countries around the world have started 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. The European Union strongly calls for the urgent holding of free, transparent and credible presidential elections in accordance with internationally democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order, the EU said on Saturday. In the absence of an announcement on the organisation of fresh elections with the necessary guarantees over the next days, the EU will take further actions, including on the issue of recognition of the countrys leadership in line with article 233 of the Venezuelan constitution, the EU warned. Germany, Spain, and France gave Maduro eight days to call elections, otherwise they would recognize Guaido as president. Maduro on Sunday rejected the ultimatum. While Saudi Arabias al-Falih sees no need for market intervention, analysts told CNBC on Monday that Venezuela is back in the spotlight of the oil market. Oils ticking time bomb is sure to detonate at some point and the price reaction will be anything but muted, CNBC quoted Stephen Brennock, oil analyst at PVM Oil Associates, said in a research note published on Monday. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russia, which stands by Nicolas Maduro in the ongoing Venezuelan political crisis, will use all available legal mechanisms to defend its interests in the Latin American country, in which Russian oil giant Rosneft has invested and extended loans to Venezuelas state oil firm in exchange for crude oil deliveries. Russia will defend its interests in Venezuela within the international law using all mechanisms available to us, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russias President Vladimir Putin, told Russian media on Tuesday. Russia has kept close ties with Maduro and has extended loans to Venezuela, including oil firm Rosneft lending money to Venezuelas state-held firm PDVSA. Rosneft has extended US$6 billion of loans to PDVSA, which needs to be fully redeemed in crude oil supplies by the end of this year. According to S&P Global Platts, as of November 2018, Venezuela had US$3.1 billion outstanding loan to repay to Rosneft. The Russian company also has five joint upstream projects with PDVSA in Venezuela. However, the U.S. Treasury slapped another round of sweeping sanctions against PDVSA on Monday, in order to help prevent further diverting of Venezuelas assets by Maduro and preserve these assets for the people of Venezuela. The U.S. backed last week Juan Guaido, the chairman of the National Assembly, as the legitimate president of Venezuela, after Guaido declared himself interim president. The path to sanctions relief for PdVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the Interim President or a subsequent, democratically elected government, Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin said. Related: The Venezuela Benefit For Canadian Oil Producers Is Limited The Kremlin considers the sanctions against PDVSA as illegal, a sign of unfair competition and an attempt to interfere with Venezuelas internal affairs, Peskov said on Tuesday. Russia is assessing the potential consequences of the sanctions on PDVSA for Moscow, Peskov added. According to analysts briefed by Platts, whatever the outcome of Venezuelas political impasse, Rosneft wont be cut off from Venezuelan oil assets, as oil is pretty much the only hard-currency revenue the country can get. An analyst at a Western bank estimates Rosnefts assets in Venezuela at up to US$2.5 billion, plus another US$2.5 billion in crude supplies for the loan to PDVSA. The worst-case scenario -- which is unlikely to materialize -- under which Rosneft loses all the money it invested in Venezuela, would be biting but not critical for the company, with quarterly free cash flow at over $4 billion, the analyst told Platts. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Gazprom is in discussions with banks as it looks to attract in 2020 project financing of US$14 billion for the construction of its Amur gas processing plant, which will be Russias largest and the second-largest in the world, Gazprom manager Alexander Ivannikov, who is responsible for the companys financial and economic policy, told Russian media on Monday. Gazprom has reached agreements with export agencies, which are ready to provide guarantees for US$7 billion, and talks with banks are ongoing, Ivannikov said. This year, Gazprom wont need funds for the Amur gas processing plant because its financing needs have been covered by bridge loans, the manager noted. Gazprom is currently holding talks with 27 banks for financing for next year. The Russian gas giant plans to raise US$14 billion for the Amur gas processing plant, including US$7 billion in guarantees from export agencies, Russian media quoted Ivannikov as saying. Once in full operation, the Amur Gas Processing Plant will be Russias largest and the worlds second largest natural gas processing facility, according to Gazprom. The plant is designed to be a crucial link along the Power of Siberia gas pipeline with which Gazprom plans to begin delivering gas to China in December 2019. Construction at the Amur gas processing plant started back in 2015. As of the end of December 2018, the progress on the gas processing plants construction was at 24 percent, according to Alexey Miller, the chairman of Gazproms Management Committee. The Amur gas processing plant will have a design capacity of 42 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The plant is planned to have six production lines, and the first two lines are currently scheduled for commissioning in 2021. The Amur gas processing plant will also host the largest helium production facility in the world, according to the Russian gas giant. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Brazil is pushing for major state-owned companies to privatize some subsidiaries as the Brazilian government of new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro looks to raise US$20 billion in state asset sales in 2019. State-held oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) should sell most of its 36 subsidiaries, Brazilian secretary of privatization Salim Mattar said at an investment conference in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, as carried by Reuters. Mattar said that subsidiaries of Petrobras and banks Banco do Brasil SA and Caixa Economica Federal should be put up for privatization as the government wants those state-owned firms to sell many of their units within four years. Brazil also plans to privatize utility Eletrobras via additional share sales on the market, the secretary of privatization said. At state firm Petrobras, the new chief executive Roberto Castello Brancowho was tapped in November by Bolsonaro to lead the company and officially took the reins in early Januaryhad previously advocated for a full privatization of Petrobras. Since he was picked to lead the oil firm, however, Castello Branco has ruled out a Petrobras privatization, but still wants to sell non-core assets of the company to reduce its massive net debt of US$72.888 billion as of the end of the third quarter of 2018. Petrobras is the worlds most indebted listed oil company. The privatization of the company is not in question. I do not have a mandate to think about it, Castello Branco said in November. Yet, the sale of non-core assets is expected to continue under Castello Branco, whose strategic vision for Petrobras includes portfolio management, capital cost reduction, and relentless pursuit of cost reduction. Between 2016 and end-October 2018, Petrobras sold assets worth US$20 billion, according to Reuters estimates, while Reuters sources said in October that the Brazilian state oil firm could divest another US$20 billion worth of assets through 2019. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saudi Arabia is determined to restore the balance on the oil market and is cutting deeper than required in the OPEC+ deal, with February crude production likely close to 10.1 million bpd, compared to the 10.3-million-bpd ceiling in the production cut agreement, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told Bloomberg Television in an interview. Under the OPEC/non-OPEC deal for a total of 1.2 million bpd cuts between January and June, Saudi Arabias share is a cut of 322,000 bpd from the October level of 10.633 million, to reduce output to 10.311 million bpd. Al-Falih said that the Kingdom will be well below its ceiling for the full six months, unless unforeseen market deficits require an intervention to lift production, as it happened last June with the ramp-up ahead of expectations of zero Iranian oil exports. Since December, Saudi Arabia has cut close to 1 million bpd in production and exports, and this will trickle down the markets over the next few weeks, al-Falih told Bloomberg. In January, Saudi crude oil production has been around 10.2 million bpd, and will be further cut to close to 10.1 million in February, the Saudi energy minister noted. The majority of Saudi cuts in exports will be on the U.S. market, as it makes no commercial sense for the Kingdom to export too much oil to the United States, which is well supplied by its own production and other producers in the Western hemisphere, al-Falih said. Related: Political Crisis In Venezuela To Reshape OPEC Commenting on fundamentals, the minister said that demand will start picking up towards the end of the first quarter and into the second quarter. The Saudis dont know what impact Venezuelas turmoil will have on the market, or how demand will hold up in emerging Asia, but whats certain is that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and like-minded countries within the 25 group are determined to do what we did in 2017-2018drive inventories down, al-Falih said. We should never really let our hands off the wheel, the minister noted, referring to the current OPEC intervention on the oil market. If we let the market to its own devices, well lose control, thats why I would never say mission accomplished, al-Falih said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Officials of the India's largest commercial lender State Bank of India (SBI) have alleged misuse of Aadhaar data, while Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the authority that established the database, has denied the charge, says a media report. SBI officials informed UIDAI that the log-ins and biometrics of their Aadhaar operators have been misused to generate unauthorised Aadhaar cards, according to a Times of India report. Denying the charges, UIDAI has said, "Aadhaar database is fully secured and no security breach, biometric or otherwise, has taken place." According to the leading daily, the SBI was given an Aadhaar enrolment target for Chandigarh region for which it had hired vendors - FIA Technology Services Pvt Ltd and Sanjivini Consultants. The Chandigarh region covers Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, J&K and the Union Territory of Chandigarh itself. However, of 250 operators associated with the agencies, nearly half were either deactivated or blacklisted in two months, which led to halt of Aadhaar enrolment programme at many of SBI's branches. In December 2018, UIDAI had imposed a fine of over Rs 33 lakh one of the accused Vikram, who was an Aadhaar operator working at the SBI branch in Uchana village in Jind, Haryana. The Aadhaar issuing body had said that Vikram generated bogus Aadhaar cards using fake documents and "multiple station IDs" in his name between November 9 and November 17, 2018. The report also highlighted that devices such as laptop, desktop or tablet, used for Aadhaar enrolment is registered with UIDAI and identified by the "station ID". Also Read: Modi government sets March deadline to resolve Essar Steel, Jaypee Infratech and 7 other insolvency cases As the incident came to light, the bank's executives in Chandigarh raised their concerns before to the corporate office in Mumbai to take up the matter with UIDAI, highlighting that they did not create these multiple station IDs and there must have been some loopholes in UIDAI's security system that allowed "someone to hack the system and generate multiple station IDs" in Vikram's name, the report stated. An internal investigation by the SBI and its vendor gave a clean chit to Vikram against the UIDAI charges. The bank has also requested the UIDAI to remove the penalty and allow him to return to work, it added. The bank has also urged the UIDAI to offer an explanation on the incident and the creation of multiple station ids. "We have, through our corporate office in Mumbai, raised this issue with UIDAI. The authority should be more transparent with us and let us know how this is happening. They should also guide us on the issue and, above all, make their database more secure," SBI deputy general manager B Rajendra Kumar told ToI. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar China continues to dominate the worlds electric vehicle sales, but a new study finds that a good chunk of it is going to fleets to meet government mandates as subsidies fade away. Findings from a new study show a first-ever breakout of sales by consumers and fleets. Led by Chinas Sina.com news with contributions from the ChinaEV100 trade group and a Chinese market research firm, the study found that in the first 11 months of last year, fleets purchased about 22.7 percent of the total. With the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reporting national sales of about 886,000 new battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (called new energy vehicles by the government), that meant about 201,000 of them went to fleets of various types. That number passed 1 million total for the year, Chinas largest number yet. At 1.26 million new energy vehicles sold, the number leaped 62 percent from a year earlier. The toughest selling point for EVs in China, like in all other EV markets, is getting consumers to take electric-powered vehicles seriously enough to eliminate the generous government incentives its taken to reach this level. The government will be winding down subsidies for new energy vehicles by the end of 2020. As China, the U.S., and European countries have seen, incentives have been crucial to convince consumers to switch over to the new technology. The Chinese government has mandated that the country becomes less dependent on oil imports, along with reducing air pollution in its growing and crowded cities. The target is to replace dependence on gasoline and diesel with other energy sources, especially electricity and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Related: Qatars Latest Move Is A Stroke Of Geopolitical Brilliance China is leading the way in electric-powered vehicles, with Bloomberg NEF predicting that the country will keep its 50 percent share in global EV sales from now until 2025. That number will recede to about 39 percent of EV sales by 2030. For China, fleet sales have always been integral in growing its NEV sales. China is the dominant global market for electric buses, and electric trucks and vans have made for part of it. The national government has been joined by regional and municipal policies and incentives throughout China, with much of it going to fleet vehicles such as police cars and metro bus lines. That will all be switching over from a subsidy-based program to one similar to that which California started a few years ago in its zero emission vehicle mandate. Automakers will be required to meet a sales quota through an NEV credit system in China beginning this year, with incentives being phased out by 2020. The solar power sector has already seen this happen in China. Last summer, the Chinese government pulled state support for solar power companies. Some of that came from President Donald Trumps 30 percent tariff placed on Chinese solar products coming to America. But it also comes from the Chinese government capping down on funds being placed in subsidies, which many times have ended in fraudulent reports coming from manufacturers trying to guarantee receipt of more subsidies. Automakers have been starting up car-sharing and ride-hailing services in China to meet emissions and traffic congestion reduction targets, sometimes through joint venture partnerships with Chinese manufacturers. BMW has placed 200 BMW 5-Series sedans, half of them plug-in hybrids, in the southwest China city of Chengdu. Theyre being used for a ride-hailing service in the city. Chinese maker BAIC Motor Corp. launched car-sharing division BAIC Mobility in April 2017. By the end of last year, 30,000 NEVs had been delivered to BAICs subsidiary. Related: Theres No Slowing U.S. Natural Gas Production Geely Automobile Holdings has placed more than 27,000 electric compact cars to its Caocao Zhuanche ride-hailing company. Tesla is now in an ideal position to sell its NEVs directly to consumers or fleets. On January 7, the U.S. electric carmaker broke ground on its new Gigafactory in Shanghai. The company plans to produce Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles at that plant along with its battery packs. CEO Elon Musk is hoping to see initial production in China of the popular Model 3 towards the end of this year, and volume production next year. Hed been able to make Tesla the first wholly-owned car plant in China operated by a foreign company. Tesla and major global automakers have been reliant on subsidies to see EV sales numbers grow each year. Tesla and General Motors will soon see its tax incentives end in the U.S. as volume sales caps are being reached. Fleets in the U.S. have yet to be convinced that investing in EVs is worth it, with gasoline and diesel prices remaining stable. They do tap into all available government incentives when converting over to electric and alternative-fueled vehicles. Other countries, including China, Norway, and the Netherlands, have also handed out generous subsidies to get consumers and fleets to switch over to EVs. Those will all be running out at some point, and car buyers will have to be convinced of the merits of owning electric- over petroleum-powered vehicles. By Jon LeSage for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The White House is preparing measures that will reduce states powers over the approval or ban of new energy projects, notably oil and gas pipelines, Bloomberg reported last week, citing three unnamed sources in the know. The implications of such measures would be bad news for a state such as New York, which has already put the brakes on a natural gas pipeline, but they could be good news for consumers. Last week, FreightWaves.com reported that residents of the Northeastern states are being increasingly burdened by high electricity bills coupled with unreliable supplies, the root cause of which is the lack of enough natural gas pipeline capacity to bring in the fuel needed for power plants. The report followed an announcement by a regional utility, Con Edison, that it will stop taking on new customers in Westchester County on the grounds that new demand for gas is reaching the limits of the current supplies to our service area. In other words, the utility cannot supply electricity to all who need it because it cannot produce enough electricity to satisfy demand and the reason it cannot produce it is lack of sufficient gas supply. Whats more, New York is not the only state struggling with growing electricity demand and insufficient supply because of pipeline opposition on the political level, according to the FreightWaves.com report. All New England states are in the same position and even worse, author Henry Carmichael reports, citing a scientist from the Institute for Energy Research. The New England states used to be dependent on coal, oil, nuclear and hydroelectricity. And theyve shifted quickly to natural gas for generation, and theyve shifted so fast that its caused huge draws of natural gas into the system [pipelines] without increasing infrastructure, Dan Kish told Carmichael. Related: Is The Permian Bull Run Coming To An End? The situation is reminiscent of that in northern China last year, when the authorities were in a rush to switch from coal to gas in power plants but were not quick enough to construct the necessary distribution network, so several million households ended up without heating in the midst of winter. Meanwhile, New Yorks governor, a staunch opponent of new fossil fuel infrastructure, announced a so-called Green New Deal with the goal to have 100 percent of the electricity used in the state to be sourced from renewable alternatives to oil and gas by 2040. According to media reports on the news, this is the most aggressive renewables goal in the United States. It also means New York will need to reach a portion of 70 percent renewable power by 2030. It was probably part of this cleaner energy drive that led New York State to block a natural gas pipeline project that was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and that would have increased the flow of gas into New England. Now, if the White Houses plans come to fruition, the pipeline project could be back on the table with nothing Governor Cuomo could do about it except perhaps challenge it in court. The situation looks like the latest in a long string of examples how climate change fighting measures result in problems for ordinary energy consumers in the short term. These problems need to be addressed in advance if the fight is to become a truly mainstream affair. Otherwise, an executive order by a very pro-fossil fuel industry President might become the bitter medicine for too-high electricity bills and gas shortages. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Its been a decade of lows for commodities after posting 7 declines in 11 years, but weve seriously underestimated lithium. Its back with a vengeance in 2019. The commodities market endured yet another annus horribilis, with just four commoditiesnatural gas, uranium, cocoa and wheatrecording any uptick at all. Last years 12 percent slide by the Bloomberg Commodity Index--spurred by 20 percent-plus declines by industrial bellwethers like West Texas Intermediate crude, steel and platinumcame in the wake of two years of modest gains. Viewed against that kind of backdrop, lithiums 50 percent correction that snapped a multi-year winning streak appears less vicious. Its important to remember that prior to the crash, lithium had enjoyed a meteoric rise with prices doubling since the beginning of 2016 and nearly quadrupling over the past decade. The fact that much of the rally coincided with a sharp rise in the value of the U.S. dollar makes it all the more remarkable. Investing in the commodity market can be a roller-coaster ride; what with the incessant boom-and-bust cycles driven by the ebb and flow in infrastructural spending, production ramps/cutbacks and stockpiling/destocking supplies. And just like other financial markets, trader sentiment plays a big role in determining trajectories. Related: Political Crisis In Venezuela To Reshape OPEC Unfortunately, its the latter scenario that took center-stage during last years lithium crash. A furor around anticipated new supply especially from Chinas new hard-rock projects and Chilean brine mines got out whack and derailed the market. (Click to enlarge) Source: Metallary (Click to enlarge) Source: Trading Economics Tsunami of Oversupply? The situation was not helped by Wall Street punters sounding the alarm over the dangers of oversupply Shares of major lithium producers and explorers including Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM), Albemarle Corp. (NYSE:ALB) and Orocobre Ltd (ASX:ORE) received a severe hammering in March after Morgan Stanley forecast that Chilean low cost brine producers could add as much as 200kt per year by 2025, while expansion of Chinas and Australias hard-rock mines could pump in another half a million metric tonnes over the timeframe. Thats certainly a massive production ramp-up considering that global production in 2017 totaled just over 200kt. In August, Macquarie Research provided the final straw after chiming in with a warning that the market was sleepwalking into a tsunami of oversupply. The report put the final nail in the coffin of the decade-long lithium rally-- Fastmarkets reckons that prices for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China, by far the worlds largest consumer of high-grade lithium carbonate, tumbled 50.31 percent last year to 75,000-83,000 ($10,885-12,046) yuan per tonne from 158,000-160,000 ($22,932-23,222) yuan per tonne the previous year, as demand waned. (Click to enlarge) Source: Metal Bulletin But maybe the bear camp rushed their fences this time While its undeniable that the carnage managed to exceed even Morgan Stanleys decidedly pessimistic outlook for global lithium prices to drop 45 percent by 2021, the fundamentals suggest that the selloff was greatly overdone and such low prices cannot be justified by simple market forces of supply and demand. According to London-based Benchmark Minerals Intelligence senior analyst Andrew Miller, the disconnect between lithium prices and the demand side of the equation has never been bigger. Reality Check A cross-section of materials experts have raised eyebrows at the negative assessment, criticizing the investment analysts for underestimating the rise in lithium demand and the complex nature of lithium mining and production ramps. According to them, both MS and Macquarie failed to account for just how big the gap between supply forecast and actual production can be. And, they might be spot on. Supply expansions in 2018 came in much lower than predicted and the tsunami of oversupply forecast by the likes of Macquarie Research proved to be little more than changing tides in the lithium supply chain. Related: Oil Prices See Best January In 14 Years A good case in point is Brisbane-based Orocobre, which has become the poster child for just how challenging new brine mining can be. The companys Salar de Olaroz project in Argentina took seven years to hit its stride but still came up short of production targets. Meanwhile, run-ins with the courts and regulators coupled with mutual accusations of license violations facing Chiles lithium giants SQM and Albemarle at their Atacama brine projects further reinforce this point. The screenshot below from Orocobres investor slide presentation is a sobering reminder to this reality. (Click to enlarge) Source: Mining.com In terms of feedstock supply, SQM and Albemarle had laid out plans for increased production rates. But as is often the case with brine evaporation, the process has been hindered by seemingly endless production delays. SQM hit technical obstacles at its new brine conversion facilities that delayed its target capacity of 70,000 tpa LCE by end of 2018 while Albemarle continues to struggle to achieve full capacity at La Negra II. The situation has not been much better in Chinathe ultimate lynchpin to the lithium bear thesis. Many Chinese brine producers in the Qinghai region had outlined plans to triple or quadruple capacities over the coming 3-4 years. A visit by Benchmark Minerals to these operations, however, has painted a dire picturethe technical challenges related to high magnesium concentrations in the region are nowhere near being comprehensively overcome. Across Qinghais 10 producers, only an additional 5,000-10,000 tonnes of lithium product found its way to the market, majority of which failed to reach technical grade specifications. This, in effect, means that much of what came online from the region was either reprocessed thus adding to costs or converted to lithium hydroxide in a bid to meet growing demand for nickel-rich cathode technologies. Although tight credit in China forced some lithium buyers to destock and contributed to the glut, the predicted huge oversupply failed to materialize. Around mid-September, analysts at CRU estimated lithium surplus for 2018 at a relatively mild 22,000 tonnes against a demand of 277,000 tonnes.' Source: Benchmark Minerals 2019: A Transition Year So far, there is no clear data or evidence that that the lithium demand narrative is about to slowdown, let alone reverse. On the contrary, certain emerging trends in the industry suggest just the opposite. The biggest near-term driver for lithium demand is the NCM trend. The shift towards cathodes that use huge amounts of lithium hydroxide is already underway, something that is expected to trigger a huge NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) ramp up. Benchmark Minerals estimates that 44 percent of mega-and-giga-factories will use lithium as a raw material by 2028 translating into 534,000 tonnes of additional demand. That projection seems to resonate with Elon Musks ambitious target to build 20 gigafactories across the globe over the next decade. Miller sees 2019 as the tipping point where demand will eventually outstrip supply starting 2020. Meanwhile, Roskill has predicted that the shift to higher-nickel-cathode materials will push many lithium producers to favor production of lithium hydroxide over lithium carbonate thus taking some pressure off the lithium carbonate supply side. The firm has forecast lithium demand to expand by a brisk 21 percent annual clip between 2018 and 2025 with demand expected to grow 13.5 percent in the current year. But, of course, no lithium bull thesis would be complete without the EV angle. Currently, the EV market accounts for about 47 percent of global lithium demand. That, however, is expected to drastically change as EV penetration rates coupled with the ongoing trend of electric vehicles using larger battery packs that yield longer ranges leading to electric mobility gobbling up 83 percent of lithium supply a by 2027. Fastmarkets has predicted EV penetration to hit 15 percent by 2025 from 2 percent currently. EV demand has actually been beating estimates and is constantly being revised upwards to reflect this. The EV explosion is expected to drive a nearly six-fold increase in lithium demand for the forecast period. (Click to enlarge) Source: Infinity Lithium company presentation Key lithium trends to watch in 2019 and beyond Lithium carbonate prices will steady in 2019 before picking up steam starting 2020 Lithium hydroxide prices could soften a little bit after remaining resilient in 2018 China will become less important as a global price trend driver as demand rapidly builds up in other key markets Miller advises investors to keep an eye on new spodumene production, particularly how quickly it can be integrated into the chemical and converter supply chain and turned into either lithium carbonate or hydroxide. A slower ramp is likely to lead to supply constraints and raise prices and vice-versa. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Libyas largest oil field, Sharara, will not reopen until the armed group that has been occupying it for nearly two months backs down and leaves, the chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Mustafa Sanalla, said on Tuesday. The Sharara oil field, with capacity to pump 340,000 bpd, was shut down in early December and has been under force majeure since then, after armed militia claiming attachment to the local Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) seized control and demanded ransom to re-open it. More than a month later, Sharara remains offline, and NOC which refuses to yield to ransom demands, said as early as last month that Oil production will now only restart at Sharara after alternative security arrangements are put in place. Shararas shutdown will result in daily production losses of 315,000 bpd, plus a loss of 73,000 bpd at the El Feel oil field because it depends on Sharara for electricity supply, NOC said in December, noting that the combined daily cost to the Libyan economy of this unnecessary shutdown is US$32.5 million. Earlier this month, forces loyal to eastern strongman General Khalifa Haftar and his self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) said that they had started a military operation to secure oil sites and facilities in Libyas south, where Sharara is located. Referring to Sharara, NOCs Sanalla said in London on Tuesday that The armed group attempting to hold NOC, and Libyas economic recovery to ransom, must leave the field before NOC will consider restarting production. Related: Political Crisis In Venezuela To Reshape OPEC Commenting on the military campaign in Libyas south, Sanalla said at a Chatham House conference, as quoted by Reuters: It is my concern that a sequence of events has been set in motion with unknowable consequences for Libya, and NOC. Expressing concern about the developments in southern Libya and Sharara, Sanalla said earlier this month: The restoration of security at NOC facilities is paramount to avoid further sabotage and theft of equipment ... Oil facilities must remain out of the purview of military operations and not used for political or economic leverage. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Blinded By The Light fights prejudice with Pakistani teenagers love of Springsteen #Sundance https://t.co/k6AvTuQ4BK Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 29, 2019 BLINDED BY THE LIGHT, about a Pakistani British teen who finds salvation in Bruce Springsteen, is a glorious & almost fatally uncynical joy. youll laugh, youll spontaneously cry 17 different times & youll be embarrassed about that my #Sundance review: https://t.co/nKUCrvnTI1 pic.twitter.com/mJNLvPO0p4 david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) January 28, 2019 Sundance Film Review: Blinded by the Light https://t.co/PZH2ijxfas Variety (@Variety) January 28, 2019 Hala is a story worth telling, but it needed to be told far better. @MattGoldberg reviews: https://t.co/D1RxgeSzE1 #Sundance Collider (@Collider) January 27, 2019 HELLO I LOVE GERALDINE VISWANATHAN https://t.co/7wamf7Gfra Amy Nicholson (@TheAmyNicholson) January 27, 2019 Apple Takes Global Rights To Teenage Muslim Film Hala Sundance https://t.co/dOrfPMZ463 pic.twitter.com/kph2Og5ytz Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 29, 2019 THEM THAT FOLLOW: If youre looking for a tense, slow-burning portrait of life in a community of Pentecostal snake handlers, asp and ye shall receive! #Sundance2019 Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) January 27, 2019 Olivia Colman-Walton Goggins Drama Thriller Them That Follow Acquired By 1091 Medias The Orchard Sundance https://t.co/CyrxOtNXqk pic.twitter.com/ME3vizNqij Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) January 29, 2019 Sundance 2019 continues on in Park City, Utah, and this post has few more films that have gotten a lot of buzz, like the Lupita N'yongo starring zombie comedy. Check out Part One and Part Two if you've missed them, and click the cut for more photos and reviews.The cast photographed by The Hollywood ReporterLupita talking to Indiewire: The critics are loving this gore-comedy, praising N'yongo's commited turn as a teacher trying to save kids from a sudden outbreak of zombies. They call it high-energy with genuine emotion, and no one seems surprised that it's already been acquired by Neon and Hulu.: Reviewers have embraced this film fromdirector Gurinder Chadha, which is based on a true story experienced and written about by Sarfraz Manzoor, who adapted his own book for the screen. A repressed Pakistani boy's whole world changes when he discovers Bruce Springsteen, and according to the critics, anyone who has identified with his music or embraced any song on a deep level will connect with this "unabashed", joyful, earnest coming-of-age film.New Line boughtfor $15 million, more money than Amazon paid for their Sundance pickups.Thecast and crew at Sundance.: Critics are divided on this naturalistic coming-of-age story from first time feature writer-director Minhal Baig, about a thoughtful, talented Muslim teen who rebels against her conservative parents. The film, based on a short by the writer-director, gets almost unanimous praise for lead Geraldine Viswanathan and its first half, which artfully explores what it is to be a Muslim teen in today's world. But the second half is described as "choppy" and "incoherent", and even a reviewer who loved it says it drags at the end.Apple bought the global rights for, which was executive produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith.The cast: Overall, critics are enjoying this gothic religious drama-thriller-horror mashup about snake-handling churchfolk, praising the stellar cast. With words like "restrained" and "mentally punishing", you can expect a slow burn of a film showcasing the talents of the generally creepy Walton Goggins and Oscar nominee Olivia Colman. Critics warn that several of the film's plot twists and revelations are underwhelming, but that the last 30 minutes of the film are dynamite.The studio formerly known as The Orchard (and seemingly going by the catchy new name 1091 Media) has purchasedHopefully, they do a better job of promoting films under new management!Source 1 In what can be termed as rare achievement, Anil Manibhai Naik, who has retired as non-executive chairman of the construction major Larsen and Toubro (L&T), took home Rs 21 crore as sick leave encashment after his 50 years' of a stint with the company, revealed the company's annual report for FY18. Anil Naik's achievement, which is no less than a remarkable feat, echoes his work ethics and signifies India's rags to riches story. One of the world's best performing business leaders, Naik is the son of a village primary school teacher who rapidly rose through the ranks in L&T after joining the company as a junior engineer in 1965. As per the company, Naik was paid whopping Rs 137.2 crore as the annual salary for FY18, including perquisites, ESOP, retirement benefits, and commission. His basic salary for the year was Rs 2.7 crore. AM Naik was granted stock options in Larsen & Toubro Infotech Limited and L&T Technology Services Limited. On his retirement as Group Executive Chairman, all options were vested. "The outstanding vested options are 5,49,375 and 10,40,000 in Larsen & Toubro Infotech Limited and L&T Technology Services Limited respectively," says the company report for FY18. Under his leadership, L&T overcame "multiple challenges and emerged stronger with a sharper focus on profitable growth", says the company. He was appointed Managing Director and CEO of the company on December 29, 2003. Naik was the Group Executive Chairman of L&T from 2012 to 2017. In October 2017, he stepped aside from executive responsibilities and was appointed Group Chairman. If that's not enough, Naik has pledged 75 per cent of his wealth to social causes in the sectors of healthcare, education and skill development. He was also conferred with India's third highest civilian award on this Republic Day by the Government of India. Before that, he was awarded the third-highest civilian award in 2019. His other achievements include appointment as Honorary Consul General for Denmark; Danish Knighthood by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe in 2008; and the Order of the Dannebrog - Knight First Class in 2015. Naik's son Jignesh A Naik works with Google in California and his wife Rucha is CIO of Safeway, one of the largest retailers in the US. Naik's daughter Pratiksha and her husband Mukul are both doctors at Kentucky. His father Manibhai Nichhabhai Naik was a freedom fighter who relinquished the job of a teacher at a prestigious Mumbai School to take up education in rural India. Edited by Manoj Sharma Also read: Universal Basic Income: Will it work in India? Budget 2019: Why TVs, cars, two-wheelers can become more expensive Washington, PA (15301) Today Thunderstorms, some locally heavy this morning will become more isolated during the afternoon hours. High near 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low near 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Comments Policy Comments that are excessively crude, obscene or profane - especially when they consist of nothing more than gratuitous insults or aspersions upon the character of authors or other commenters - will be vigorously discouraged. Therefore, if you find your comment has been deleted, you will know why. With the GST Council now taking decisions on the indirect tax front, the upcoming budget speech on Friday is unlikely to pack any nasty surprises as it used to till 2017. Of course, the government can still choose to tinker with customs duties and excise rates on items that are not under the GST ambit yet, which would impact the common man's wallet in terms of things getting costlier or cheaper. For instance, consider last year's budget, the first one under the new tax regime. "In this budget, I am making a calibrated departure from the underlying policy in the last two decades, wherein the trend largely was to reduce the customs duty. There is substantial potential for domestic value addition in certain sectors, like food processing, electronics, auto components, footwear and furniture. To further incentivise the domestic value addition and Make in India in some such sectors, I propose to increase customs duty on certain items," former finance minister Arun Jaitley - currently in the US for medical treatment - had said in his speech. Also read: Modi govt likely to make big announcement for farmers! Here's what you can expect In the bargain, items ranging from cars and motorcycles to mobile phones, and from perfumes to smart watches, toys, diamonds and footwear had become more expensive. Click here to catch all the exclusive coverage of Budget 2019 Speculation is rife that Budget 2019 will similarly tweak customs duty to give a further boost to the Make in India initiative. Moreover, the global tariff wars could prompt the government to roll out protectionist measures to help domestic companies remain competitive. So, here's a look at some of the items on India Inc's wishlist that could hike up prices for you: TVs, ACs, Refrigerators The Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) recently urged the government to raise the basic customs duty on import of finished goods such as TVs, ACs, refrigerators and washing machines. This could have cost implication for consumers since companies more likely than not will pass on the buck if this wish is granted. 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. As per industry estimates, around 35% of the 14 million TV sets sold in India annually - or some 49 lakh units - are imported. Last October, the government had doubled the basic customs duty on electronic and telecom equipment to 20% in an attempt to improve the widening current account deficit and curb non-essential imports. The preceding month, import duty on 19 items, including air conditioners, household refrigerators and washing machines (less than 10 kg), had been similarly hiked to 20%. CEAMA, furthermore, has requested the government to look into other segments such as security and surveillance cameras, which are largely imported. "We propose a hike in the Basic Customs Duty for CCTV Camera & CCTV Recorders from 15% to 20%, to promote local manufacturing and discourage imports, further supporting its indigenous production," added CEAMA President Kamal Nandi, who is also Godrej Appliances' business head and executive vice-president. Cars, Two-wheelers Auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has sought an increase in the customs duty for imported fully-built commercial vehicles from the current 25% to 40%. However, its Budget recommendations clarified that the increased 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% and 30%, depending upon the type of the vehicle. SIAM also wants the government to not change customs duty on completely built units (CBU) of cars and two-wheelers, currently in the 50-100% range. Aluminium products The aluminium industry has long been calling for a hike in import duties on aluminium scrap and primary aluminium, but the demand got louder after the US imposed a 10% duty on certain aluminium products while China, too, raised the duties. Late last month Minister of Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu said that the ministry was in favour of this hike with view to support domestic manufacturers. Currently, the basic customs duty on aluminium scrap and primary aluminium is 2.5 per cent and 7.5 per cent, respectively but the industry stakeholders want it to be upped to 10%. According to the Aluminium Association of India (AAI), the local aluminium industry is facing immense threat from the ongoing US-China trade tiff. It added that India is a natural market and the affected countries have been dumping aluminium into India. If you are wondering how this affects the common man, just look at the many industries that depend on this metal, including the automobile sector and consumer goods. The Economic Survey of 2015-16 had also made it clear that the "imposition of additional duties to reduce import of aluminium may erode the competitiveness of downstream sectors like power, transport and construction". With PTI inputs Also read: PM Modi memorabilia put on sale for 'Namami Gange' project; check out items on offer Also Read: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh lag behind Haryana in girl sex ratio at birth Beaver Dam, WI (53916) Today A few showers early then thundershowers this afternoon. High 74F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low 57F. SSW winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL January 29, 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: Teekay LNG Partners L.P. TGP, Frontline Ltd. FRO, GasLog Ltd. GLOG, Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp. NNA and Pyxis Tankers Inc. PXS. Here are highlights from Mondays Analyst Blog: 5 Shipping Stocks Your Portfolio Must Have in 2019 The shipping industry is responsible for transporting the majority of goods involved in world trade and is rightfully considered as the life line of the global economy. However, trade related conflict between the United States and China dealt a severe blow to the industry in the second half of 2018. Recent positive developments on the trade war front and decisions of the Chinese authorities to stimulate the economy will be major catalysts for the shipping industry. In 2019, the shipping industry will be driven by growth in world trade especially the demand from newly-industrialized emerging economies. Consequently, it will be prudent to invest in shipping stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank. Positive Developments on Trade War Front 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. Notably, the United States had a trade deficit of $323 billion with China in 2018. Although no broad-based agreement has been reached so far, China has already approved five genetically-modified crops for import that is likely to benefit U.S. agricultural exports. On Jan 16, The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. government is contemplating lifting 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 report. Story continues On Jan 25, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that he is confident of reaching an amicable solution in ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. The U.S. Trade Representative's office said that China has provided assurance of importing "a substantial amount" of agricultural, energy and manufactured goods and services from the United States. China Taking Steps to Stimulate Economy In order to stabilize its economy, Chinese authorities are taking several initiatives. The Peoples Bank of China has decided to increase efforts to stimulate growth of the countrys economy by improving credit availability for smaller companies. On Jan 25, Chinas central bank stated that it will release about 250 billion yuan ($37 billion) in additional cash to banks. Additionally, the Chinese central bank has created a bond swap facility that will enable bond holders to swap commercial bank perpetual debt for central bank bills to be utilized for borrowing collateral. All these initiatives have been taken by China in order to cope with ongoing trade conflicts with the United States which resulted into domestic slowdown. Moreover, the Chinese Ministry of Finance has pledged to cut taxes and augment infrastructure spending which will aid in bolstering market sentiments. A strong Chinese economy will be a boost for the U.S. technology companies as China is the largest market for high-tech products. Additionally, China also plays the role of low-cost supplier of inputs to the high-tech U.S. industries. Our Picks Positive developments on the trade war front and economic stimulation by the Chinese authorities will protect the global economy to fall into recession which in turn will boost up demand in other emerging markets. As a result international trade will flourish the biggest catalyst for the shipping industry. We have narrowed our search to five such shipping stocks each carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (strong Buy) stocks here. Teekay LNG Partners L.P.provides liquefied natural gas and crude oil marine transportation services under long-term, fixed-rate contracts with major energy and utility companies. The company has expected earnings growth of 129.6% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 1.1% over the last 60 days. Frontline Ltd.engages in the seaborne transportation of crude oil and oil products worldwide. The company has expected earnings growth of 247.4% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 27.3% over the last 60 days. GasLog Ltd. is an owner, operator and manager of liquefied natural gas carriers. The company has expected earnings growth of 234.4% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.8% over the last 60 days. Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp.provides marine transportation services worldwide. The company has expected earnings growth of 81.9% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 48.8% over the last 60 days. Pyxis Tankers Inc.operates as a maritime transportation company with a focus on the tanker sector in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of 21.4% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 9.1% over the last 60 days. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year? Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%. See Latest Stocks Today >> 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. 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 Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (TGP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation (NNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Pyxis Tankers Inc. (PXS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research For Immediate Release Chicago, IL January 29, 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: Ross Stores, Inc. ROST, Costco Wholesale Corp. COST, Target Corp. TGT and Burlington Stores, Inc. BURL. Here are highlights from Mondays Analyst Blog: 4 Discount Retailers to Steal the Show This Earnings Season A favorable consumer environment and strategic endeavors undertaken at company level are working in tandem for the Retail Discount Stores industry. It goes without saying that the industrys prospects are closely tied to the purchasing power of consumers. In fact, strengthening labor market and rising disposable income are forming a perfect base for higher consumer spending which accounts for more than two-third of the U.S. economic activity. The industry has certainly succeeded in creating a niche in spite of rising popularity of e-commerce players. This has been achieved on the back of investments, focus on cost savings, and introduction of loyalty and marketing programs. These apart, enhancement of omni-channel capacities, introduction of new brands, refurbishment of stores, and expansion of same-day delivery options have also been playing crucial roles. These favorable factors paint a rosy picture for a number of industry participants this reporting cycle, which generally coincides with the holiday season. Per the report from Mastercard SpendingPulse sales from Nov 1 through Dec 24 increased 5.1% to more than $850 billion. The festive season is make or break time for retailers and companies vie to seize the bigger slice. As companies are trying all means to gain market share, costs associated with promotional activities and an aggressive pricing strategy have been eating into margins. Meanwhile, any deleverage in SG&A rate, higher labor and occupancy costs, and increased marketing and other store-related expenses are other bottlenecks. Story continues 4 Discount Retailers Likely to Beat Estimates It is hard to predict what awaits investors but with earnings season underway it would be prudent to invest in stocks that are likely trump earnings estimates. Our research shows that for stocks with the combination of a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) and a positive Earnings ESP, the chance of a positive earnings surprise is as high as 70%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Here we have highlighted four discount retail stocks, which are broadly grouped under the Retail Wholesale sector. Per the latest Earnings Preview report, the sector is expected to record top and bottom-line growth of 5% and 19.3%, respectively, in this reporting cycle. Ross Stores, Inc., which is expected to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results on Mar 5, is a solid bet with a long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $1.13. The company registered average positive earnings surprise of 3.6% in the trailing four quarters. This operator of off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores has an Earnings ESP of +1.68% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Investors can even count on Costco Wholesale Corp. with a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +2.46%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $1.64. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. This operator of membership warehouses is expected to report second-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Mar 6. Another lucrative option is Target Corp., a general merchandise retailer. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +0.94%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $1.53. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 6%. The company is expected to announce fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 results on Mar 5. You may also consider Burlington Stores, Inc. with a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +0.22%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $2.77. The company delivered average positive earnings surprise of 13% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 20.8%. This retailer of branded apparel products is expected to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 financial numbers on Mar 14. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year? Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%. See Latest Stocks Today >> 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. 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 Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) : Free Stock Analysis Report Target Corporation (TGT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. A tragic case of mistaken identity turned out to be the end for a New York man whose life support was pulled with the assent of a total stranger. Now the woman who signed off on the life-ending decision is suing St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx for putting her family through the grief. Last summer, Shirell Powell sat for days at what she thought was the bedside of her dying brother, Fred Williams, who was admitted to the hospital unconscious with brain damage following a drug overdose, according to the Associated Press. Powell said she eventually authorized doctors to stop life support and was arranging her brothers funeral when officials revealed there had been a big mistake. It turned out the unconscious patient was a different 40-year-old African-American man named Fred Williams Freddy Clarence Williams, to be specific and not her brother, who has no middle name. Powells brother was actually in jail on a July 1, 2018, assault arrest, according to the New York Post. I nearly fainted because I killed somebody that I didnt even know. I gave consent, she told the paper. I was like, Where is my brother? What is going on? I was devastated. The error was discovered when the city medical examiners office performed an autopsy, according to The Washington Post. Powell is suing for unspecified damages in Bronx Supreme Court, accusing the hospital of negligence and contending it caused her severe emotional harm. She told the New York Post that her sister initially thought the man in the hospital bed was not their brother. However, she said they concluded that he was simply hard to recognize due to the swelling. Powells lawyer, Alexander Dudelson, said that his client would like to reach out to the other mans family to express her condolences but that neither the medical examiners office nor the hospital would give them any information, citing privacy concerns. The incident has led to some awkwardness between Powell and her brother, whom she has since called at Rikers Island. Story continues He was saying, You were going to kill me? Powell told the New York Post. I explained to him, once youre brain-dead, there is nothing to do. Williams told that paper that hes not mad at his sister but is angry at the hospital. How could the hospital do something like that? Look what they put my family through, he said. A St. Barnabas spokesman told HuffPost that the hospital wont comment on pending litigation other than to say the lawsuit is without merit. Also on HuffPost Scissors in the Abdomen - Feb. 16, 2011 An X-ray shows a pair of surgical scissors in the abdomen of Anne, a woman in Lyon, France, who complained of abdominal pain after a surgery. Five months after the operation, Anne realized the scissors had been forgotten in her womb when the point of the scissors pierced her navel following a coughing fit. Face In A Testicular Ultrasound Doctors examining an ultrasound of a testicular tumor in Canada were shocked by the resemblance to a face in agony. "It was very ghoulish, like a man screaming in pain," said Doctor Naji Touma, who works at Queen's University, according to The Toronto Star. Spear in man's head These CT scans show a 6-inch spear lodged in the head of Emerson de Oliveira Abreu, who sought treatment at a hospital in Brazil in late March. The spear pierced his head during an underwater fishing accident. After doctors operated to remove the spear, Abreau said he would never fish underwater again. Prisoner X-rays in May 2006 X-rays from Central Prison in Raleigh, N.C., on display in May 2006 show items such as bed springs and batteries that prisoners swallowed to gain trips to outside hospitals. Blow Dart A 15-year-old had a blowgun dart stuck in his throat. Reproduced with permission from Pediatrics, Copyright @ by the AAP. Full text may be available from Pediatrics' website: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/. live ammo in skull A CT scan shows a 14.5 millimeter live round of ammunition lodged in the skull of an Afghan soldier. A U.S. military doctor successfully removed the unexploded round -- more than 2 inches long -- at the Bagram Air Field hospital in Afghanistan last month. Steel balls and magnets inside a child, May 8, 2008 An 8-year-old girl from Indiana swallowed steel balls and magnets from a toy set in May. The child required emergency surgery and was hospitalized for two weeks. Cocaine Smuggler In this Monday Sept. 12, 2011 image of a CAT scan released by Brazilian Federal Police on Sept. 16, 2011, bags loaded with cocaine are seen inside the body of an unidentified man after he was arrested at the Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Monday. According to a federal police press release, the man is identified as a young Irish male who tried to board a flight to Brussels after swallowing 72 capsules containing a total of 830 grams (1.82 pounds) of cocaine. Snake and blanket July 2006 Houdini, a 12-foot python, swallowed an electric blanket in July 2006 that his owner put in his cage for warmth. The snake was doing fine after surgery. Tired Traveler This dozing drunk caught a free ride on the baggage belt at a Rome airport, and received a free full-body X-ray in the process. Nails in skull A nail gun shot six nails into construction worker Isidro Mejia's head during an April 2004 accident. He survived and was expected at the time to recover fully. Knife in Face A stunning X-ray image shows a knife stuck deep inside a Chinese teenager's cheek. Ren Hanzhi, 13, tripped and fell while peeling an apple -- jamming himself in the face with a nearly 8-inch knife on Jan. 31. Amazingly, the blade did not strike the boy's brain and doctors were able to remove the knife, expecting him to make a full recovery. Spearfishing Accident A Miami teen who impaled himself in the forehead in a spearfishing gun accident is very, very lucky, according to surgeons who were able to remove the long piece of metal that was lodged all the way through his brain. Pruning Shears In this image provided by the University Medical Center in Tucson, a CT scan shows a pair of pruning shears embedded in the head of an 86-year-old Green Valley, Ariz., man before it was removed by Medical Center surgeons in Tucson on July 30, 2011. Leroy Luetscher was accidentally impaled through his eye socket after falling on the shears while working in his yard, the handle penetrating his eye socket and reaching down into his neck. He is expected to make a full recovery. (AP Photo/University Medical Center,Tucson, Arizona) Dante Autullo, a 32-year-old Chicago man, accidentally shot a 3.5 inch nail in his brain and didn't notice for more than 24 hours. In January of 2012, doctors at Advocate Christ Medical Center successfully removed the nail and replaced a piece of his skull with a mesh patch and titanium plate. Marilyn Monroe chest x-ray - June 28, 2010 Three X-rays of Marilyn Monroe's chest and pelvis taken during a 1954 hospital visit have sold for more than 10 times their presale estimates, earning $45,000. Metal Bar Through Skull This tomography scan released Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 by the Miguel Couto hospital, show the skull of 24-year-old construction worker Eduardo Leite pierced by a metal bar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Doctors say Leite survived after a 6-foot metal bar fell from above him and pierced his head. Luiz Essinger of Rio de Janeiro's Miguel Couto Hospital Friday told the Globo TV network that doctor's successfully withdrew the iron bar during a five-hour-long surgery. Alien Tumor -- Feb. 14, 2011 When California vice principal Josh Abken told his doctor he was having persistent back pain about a year ago, the doctor took an X-ray. They discovered a soccer-ball sized "alien" tumor that had become as solid as a rock and even had growing tentacles. Surgical scissors in Australian woman A 6-inch pair of surgical scissors appears in the abdomen of Australian Pat Skinner in April 2004 -- 18 months after her initial operation. Real Smooth A 30-year-old Atlanta woman with a history of bulimia swallowed a knife while demonstrating that she no longer had a gag reflex for friends, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Hitting The Nail On The Head Yang Yi Kui, of China, accidentally lodged an 8-cm nail in his head, and didn't even realize it was there until he went to the hospital because he felt sick. Read the whole story here. Cutis Verticis Gyrata The man has a condition called cutis verticis gyrata, which is when the scalp has "ridges and furrows resembling the brain's surface." Invasive Species? Man Hospitalized With Eel In Butt A man in China's southeastern Guangdong province admitted himself to a local hospital after he reportedly got a live eel stuck inside him. According to British tabloid The Sun, the man inserted the 20-inch-long Asian swamp eel into his anus after seeing it done in a porn movie, and he had to endure all-night surgery to have it extracted. (Read More) PVC pipe in corpse in February 2006 A film released in February 2006 shows PVC plumbing pipes put into a deceased person as part of an alleged body parts ring. Several people were charged in the case. Lee Gardner's Fork, PRE-OP Yeah, it's disgusting. Sorry about that. Fork In Tummy Lee Gardner got a plastic fork stuck in his stomach. FOR 10 YEARS. Here's the fork in it's glory, after the operation. Nail in skull A nail rests in a South Korean man's skull in December 2004. He sought help for a bad headache and upon discovery said it likely happened four years earlier. Chair January 2007 The leg of a chair thrown outside a Melbourne, Australia, club in January 2007 speared Shafique el-Fahkri's eye socket down to his neck. He spent a month in intensive care but has mostly recovered. Prisoner who swallowed a cell phone, Sept. 2006 Cell phones were found in the intestines of four prisoners in El Salvador's maximum-security prison, authorities said in September 2006. Suspicious prison officials took X-rays of each of the prisoners. Chen Liu of China Police in Sydney, Australia, released this X-ray of the skull of Chen Liu, 27, who died after being shot in the head with a nail gun 34 times. Liu's bound body was found in a river in November. The photo was released as part of a public plea for more information in the case. Liu is shown on the upper left in an undated photo. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. WASHINGTON Senate Democrats forced a one-week delay Tuesday in the Judiciary Committee vote on William Barrs nomination to become attorney general so they could gather more information about how he planned to oversee the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Democrats' had legitimate questions about whether Barr's broad views of presidential power would lead to his keeping parts of special counsel Robert Mueller's anticipated final report secret. The delay is relatively routine for nominees and Graham still expects Barr to be confirmed. "I urged this president to pick (Barr) because I think he's a steady hand when we need one," Graham said. "We'll have a lively debate next Tuesday and hopefully we'll send the nominee to the floor." Barr has told senators that he would release as much detail as possible about Mueller's findings. But Barr also had cited a Justice Department policy to avoid publishing derogatory information about people who arent charged criminally. The departments Office of Legal Counsel has an opinion that a sitting president cant be indicted, and several Democrats worried that the combination of those two things could lead Barr to keep confidential parts of the report dealing with President Donald Trump. Attorney General nominee William Barr testifies at his confirmation hearing, Jan.15, 2019. We're both lawyers and we know there are weasel words that can be put into sentences, said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. "The question of what transparency is consistent with the law is a ginormous loophole in his transparency pledge." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she was concerned about Barrs broad claims of executive privilege, potentially allowing Trump to block the Mueller report or fire a prosecutor. This memo is of serious concern to me and appears to be seminal to his appointment, Feinstein said. If this were applied, there would be little check on the presidents actions. Story continues Graham said Whitehouse raised good points and said he would ask Barr about those issues. The OLC office being used to knock out information to the public is really a legitimate question," Graham said. "Executive privilege claim by any White House not to divulge information is a legitimate question." More: Attorney general nominee William Barr says he would resign rather than fire Mueller 'without good cause' More: Top 5 moments from first day of William Barr's confirmation hearing for attorney general More: What you need to know about Trump's attorney general nominee, William Barr This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: William Barr: Senate delays attorney general vote over concerns about oversight of Russia probe BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - The Venezuelan opposition led by self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido just needs the country's military to back him in order to bring down the government, Guaido's wife Fabiana Rosales said in an interview published in an Argentine newspaper on Tuesday. The United States and several other countries around the world, including Argentina, have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state and denounced leftist President Nicolas Maduro as a usurper. Maduro, sworn in earlier this month for a second term after disputed elections last year, accuses Guaido of staging a U.S.-directed coup against him. Rosales told La Nacion that "very little" was missing to bring down Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chavez as Venezuela's president in 2013. "What's missing here is what we've said every day: the military. We have everything else: the international community, the people on the streets and the resources that will be repatriated," Rosales, a 26-year-old journalist, told La Nacion. Rosales, who told the newspaper she considers herself neither left-wing nor right-wing, said she met Guaido almost seven years ago, when both were activists in the opposition organization Popular Will. "This regime has spent 20 years destroying young people and the future," she told La Nacion. "All the leaders of the opposition share the same goal. To free Venezuela." (Reporting by Nicolas Misculin, writing by Hugh Bronstein, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Microsoft (MSFT). This company, which is in the Zacks Computer - Software industry, shows potential for another earnings beat. This software maker has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 12.18%. For the last reported quarter, Microsoft came out with earnings of $1.14 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.96 per share, representing a surprise of 18.75%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $1.07 per share and it actually produced earnings of $1.13 per share, delivering a surprise of 5.61%. Price and EPS Surprise Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Microsoft lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank. Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven. 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 related 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. Microsoft currently has an Earnings ESP of +2.69%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on January 30, 2019. Story continues With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss. Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate. Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. BEIRUT (Reuters) - This week will be decisive in efforts to form a government in Lebanon, representing a last chance to break the deadlock, prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday. The formation of a government nine months after an election is seen as a vital first step towards boosting confidence in the economy as political leaders warn of crisis. The International Monetary Fund has called for urgent fiscal reforms to address the country's large public debt, equivalent to about 150 percent of GDP. "Matters are positive and will become clear within two days... This week is decisive, positively or negatively," Hariri was cited as saying in a statement from his office, adding that he was "cautiously optimistic". The situation could not go on like this, and this week represented "a last chance to settle things and to launch the government formation," Hariri was quoted as saying. Members of parliament from President Michel Aoun's party, the Free Patriotic Movement, said in a statement the government could be formed this week if concessions were made by all sides. If not, then "next week we will have something else to say ... because then it will be clear that is an intention to obstruct the birth of the government", the FPM's Cesar Abi Khalil said in a statement after a meeting of the MPs. The FPM's Alain Aoun told Reuters the latest effort to clinch a deal was "very, very serious" but cautioned of a "small margin for a last-minute bad surprise". "I think this time, if there isn't a conclusion, it means we are really facing an external problem," he said, suggesting that in such a scenario foreign interference would be to blame, without giving further detail. Foreign powers have long held major and sometimes decisive sway over Lebanese politics. On Saturday, the leader of Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said "extraordinary efforts" were being made to form the government, but two obstacles remained - how to include a group of six Sunni lawmakers in the cabinet and the distribution of government portfolios among the political parties. (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Ed Osmond) By Edward Taylor FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Volkswagen's trucks business Traton wants to use alliances with rivals in China, the United States and Japan to tap into global growth and achieve a return on sales of nine percent, Chief Executive Andreas Renschler said on Tuesday. Volkswagen is integrating Germany's truck brands MAN and Sweden's Scania as well as deepening cooperation deals with China's Sinotruk, Navistar in the United States and Hino Motors in Japan. "We want to be the most profitable vehicle player and to have access to all global profit pools and do this in a smart way," Traton chief executive Andreas Renschler said at the company's capital markets day in London. Renschler told investors he wanted to expand into new profit pools using alliances like those with Navistar and Sinotruk. "We want to develop this with our partner into a new dimension," Renschler said. Traton had already struck a partnership in the area of procurement with Japan's Hino, which is also a partner for developing alternative powertrains, Renschler said. "This is a great platform for future development." "Our strategic target is to achieve a 9 percent return on sales over the cycle," Renschler said of Traton's profit target. (Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Alexander Smith) London (AFP) - US sanctions against Venezuela's national oil company risk raising crude prices owing to a drop in exports of so-called heavy crude on which the world depends. Washington's move against PDVSA on Monday is aimed at crippling embattled President Nicolas Maduro's power base. Although crude output by OPEC member Venezuela has slumped in recent years, its heavy oil is sought after by US refineries who mix it with lighter crudes to make petrol. Prior to the US announcement, oil kingpin Saudi Arabia had already warned of the impact of Venezuela's political crisis on the crude market. "Of course, developments in Venezuela may have an impact on the markets... We are watching developments there, and there could be an impact on the oil market balance," Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih told Al-Arabiya news channel on Monday. Oil production in Venezuela has slumped in recent months from more than two million barrels per day to around 1.4 million bpd. The Latin American nation sits on the world's largest oil reserves of more than 300 billion barrels, most of it heavy crude. And Caracas, whose coffers depend on its crude reserves, could struggle to find other buyers for the oil it is able to extract. "China and India might continue to buy crude oil from Venezuela but in our opinion the country is about to turn into another Libya as it will be harder and harder to operate the oil facilities," Olivier Jakob, analyst at Petromatrix, said Tuesday. "Other Western countries are also likely to join in the sanctions." - Tight supplies - Outside Venezuela, US refineries in the Gulf of Mexico have the most to lose since they specialise in mixing heavy crude with lighter oil produced in the United States. "In the first ten months of 2018, the US imported an average of 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Venezuela," Commerzbank said in a client note Tuesday. "This is primarily heavy sulphurous oil that US refineries on the Gulf Coast need for processing," it said, adding that heavy-oil producer Canada could help to fill the gap despite its own supply constraints and at a time when Saudi Arabia is reducing its output to help support prices. Story continues According to Jakob, "the US is set to receive much less crude oil from Saudi Arabia, right at the time when crude oil imports from Venezuela will dry". Tamas Varga, analyst at oil broker PVM, said the US could turn to Mexico and Iraq for heavy crude, "which would inevitably lead to a price spike, in outright prices as well as in price differentials between US and international benchmarks and also between lighter and heavier crudes". - Price watch - For now, prices of the oil market's benchmark contracts, Brent North Sea and WTI, have avoided sharp movements in reaction to the sanctions since they represent lighter crude than produced in Venezuela. Meanwhile, "tight supply has already driven prices of heavy oil types", Commerzbank said. The Mars oil contract, on which Venezuelan oil is closely priced, has soared in value since the beginning of the year. The price gap between WTI and the more expensive Mars last week widened to $7.50, the largest amount in five years. Should political change sweep through Venezuela, however, the country could see improvements to its oil infrastructure and output. "How long it will take is anyones guess but the impact will not be felt in the immediate future," said Varga. Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido have been locked in a power struggle since Guaido last week proclaimed himself "acting president" amid angry protests over the country's economic woes. The standoff has split the international community between nations that recognise Guaido as president, including the United States and a dozen countries in the region, and those that still recognise Maduro, including Russia and China. Moscow (AFP) - As President Nicolas Maduro's rule hangs in the balance in Venezuela, Russia risks losing its long-cultivated main ally in Latin America and billions invested in oil and arms contracts. Russian President Vladimir Putin spent years building up an alliance with Venezuela's late populist leader Hugo Chavez and his successor Maduro, often playing host to the two in Moscow. As pressure has built on Maduro from self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido and his Western allies, Russia has stood firm behind its man in Caracas. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday vowed Moscow would "do everything" to protect its ally. Behind this support, analysts say, is an understanding that if it loses Venezuela, Moscow will have few allies to speak of in Latin America. "Venezuela is practically the last thing that Vladimir Putin has left in Latin America," said Vladimir Rouvinski, a Russian international relations specialist at Colombia's Icesi University. Moscow likes to present itself as an "alternative" superpower in Washington's backyard. But while it has close ties with Venezuela and traditional ally Communist Cuba, Moscow's relations with Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina have been hit by recent changes of leadership there, Rouvinski said. Russia shored up its alliance with Venezuela as the second largest lender to Caracas after China, supplying it with tanks and Kalashnikovs and investing in the country's main asset, its oil resources. As recently as last month Maduro announced during a visit to Moscow that Russia would invest $6 billion in Venezuela's oil and mining sectors. Now Russia "runs the risk that all these long-matured relationships... will turn out to be devalued," said Nikolai Petrov, a professor at Moscow's Higher School of Economics. - Russian mercenaries? - The rapprochement between Russia and Venezuela dates back to Chavez, who espoused what he called "21st century socialism". Story continues The relationship continued to thrive after Maduro took over following Chavez's death in 2013, with Caracas acquiring Russian arms and military equipment in deals worth $11 billion between 2005 and 2017. Moscow, along with China and Turkey, has maintained that support since Maduro's disputed re-election in May last year and opposition leader Guaido's naming of himself as interim president. With the United States and a dozen Latin American countries recognising Guaido -- and Europe demanding new elections -- Putin called Maduro last week to endorse the "lawful authorities". Reports have even surfaced of hundreds of mercenaries from the secretive Russian private military contractor Wagner deploying to Venezuela. Moscow has denied the reports but Rouvinski said they were likely to be true. "Everything suggests that Russian mercenaries have been present in Venezuela for a while, although most likely, far fewer than reported by media," he said. Russian television has given wide coverage to protests in Caracas, likening the events to Ukraine's 2014 popular uprising that toppled a pro-Kremlin president and led to Moscow's seizure of Crimea and a long-running separatist conflict. Given Russia's vehement opposition to such popular uprisings, "a limited Russian military operation cannot be ruled out" but only as the "very last option" for Moscow, Rouvinski said. "Such a scenario would set the whole of the rest of Latin America against Russia... for many years." Beyond its long-term strategic goals, Russia has billions in investments and loans at stake. State oil corporation Rosneft, led by Putin's ally Igor Sechin, has loaned around $6 billion to Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, investing in exploration and production Cash-strapped Caracas has struggled to pay back loans in the form of oil due to the poor state of its production facilities. - 'Pragmatic approach' - Russia made such investments on the understanding that they were high-risk but could ultimately pay off, analysts said. "Rosneft stayed because it was ready to work for the long-term," said Dmitry Rozental, an expert on Venezuela at Moscow's Institute of Latin America. If Maduro's government does fall, Russia will "undoubtedly fight for contracts and debts," said Rouvinski, predicting that Russian non-oil-related investments "will most likely be lost". Forging political ties with a new regime will depend on how Moscow behaves now at the "critical moment" for Maduro, he said. Ordinary Venezuelans largely see Russia as propping up Maduro's government even if China is a larger investor, he said. Yet "today's opposition forces are pragmatic," he said, and the Kremlin for its part has hinted it could back a "legitimate" handover of power. In Russia, "the pragmatic approach prevails," said Rozental, and "working relations can remain" even if the opposition takes over. "The Russian leadership supports the government of Venezuela, in this case the legally elected president. This doesn't mean we won't support contacts with the opposition." Even if your first date happens again and again. Photo: Columbia Pictures Its hard enough to know what to gift your husband or wife or long-term partner for Valentines Day, but where do you even start when youre looking for a Valentines Day gift for someone you just started dating? You need an acknowledgement that shows that youre important to me, advises Susan Winter, a New York City relationship expert, but you dont want to be over the top, because youre not really sure whats going on. Sarah May B., host of the relationship and advice podcasts Love Is Like a Plant and Help Me Be Me, agrees that you need to strike a delicate balance with this first Valentines Day gift, especially within the first six months of courtship. But she adds that as much as you might want to just ignore this romantic holiday, You definitely cant do nothing at all. The ideal Valentines Day gift for someone you just started seeing, then, is something that doesnt put undue pressure on your new relationship or send the wrong message, like fancy jewelry or lingerie might. But you also dont want this gift to come across as generic and dull. So to help you find a present thatll impress your new beau without scaring them away, we asked four relationship experts for their advice and came up with 13 Valentines Day gift ideas for someone you just started dating. Cute and Funny Gift Ideas The subliminal message underneath your choice of gift should say: Ive paid attention. Ive listened to what you like and dont like, because your happiness is important to me, and this relationship is important to me, says Winter. Thats why all of our relationship experts recommended getting a gift that references your relationship or an inside joke you share. What makes their relationships so special is that theres something that only they know, that only they think is fun, that only they find meaningful, says Yue Xu, host of the podcast Date/able with producer Julie Krafchick. Experiential Gift Ideas All of our experts expressed the importance of planning something to do on Valentines Day itself (or that weekend, if your schedules are crazy during the week or you want to do something a little more ambitious), especially this early on in a relationship. I think experiences are a really good way to see each other in a different light and create a memory, says Krafchick of Date/able who adds, Its about creating a bond, and in that first six months, youre still getting to know each other. So by experiencing new things together, that unfolds different layers of who the other person is. Sur La Table Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta Three Ways $150 for 2 $150 for 2 Doing something with your mate will be remembered far more than an individual gift, especially in the month to six months, adds Winter. Plus, spending this special time together doing something a little bit different can also serve as a test for your burgeoning relationship, to see if this is someone who you really like and can work with as a team. One classic option is a cooking class, which you can take the weekend before Valentines Day itself. That way, Winter says, You can have a meal and make a meal and then replicate it on Valentines Day at home for each other. $150 for 2 at Sur La Table Buy La Mano Pottery Intro Workshop $150 for 2 If youre want to making sure they have something they can physically take with them, it could also be nice to do something where you learn how to make something, like a pottery class. This way, you have something thats a physical memento of what you made together, says Xu. If youre in New York City, La Mano Pottery in Chelsea offers a slew of intro workshops, either on a pottery wheel or by hand. $150 for 2 at La Mano Pottery Buy Galison Cooper Hewitt Color in a New Light 500 Piece Puzzle $37 If you are planning on going out to dinner on Valentines Day, it could be nice to have something to enjoy together after the meal, back at someones apartment or home. That could be dessert from their favorite bakery that you went out to get yourself, or a bottle of nice wine or their favorite alcohol. It might also be nice to have a little activity to keep you occupied, like this stylish puzzle inspired by the design museum Cooper Hewitts current exhibit on color. $37 at Amazon Buy $37 at Amazon Buy Cashmere Beanie $95 If you know that this is your person, and youre really trying to build this relationship strong, I think a gift related to upcoming plans goes really far, advises Sarah May. So, for example, lets say youve talked about going snowboarding together. A cute beanie would be a gift like, Oh, if we ever went snowboarding together, this beanie would look great on you. Though a nice cashmere beanie, like this one from Cuyana, would be a thoughtful gift for the long winter ahead, even if there arent any plans to hit the slopes. $95 at Cuyana Buy Classic Gift Ideas Beauty-full, Deluxe $82 $82 However, if youre still coming up blank, Winters advice is simple: When in doubt, go traditional. Get a card, flowers, and chocolates. In fact, going for the classics was recommended by all of our relationship experts. Krafchick adds, If it is that early stage, getting something generic like flowers or candy could be a good way to go, because its acknowledging it, but its not going fully over the top, either. This Valentines Day arrangement from the Bouqs Company has a lot of roses, but its broken up by some handsome eucalyptus leaves for a less intensely romantic. $82 at The Bouqs Co. Buy Flower Girl Seasonal Workshop Date Night in Brooklyn $195 for 2 You could also combine some of these recommendations and go to a flower arranging workshop, like this one at Manhattans Flower Girl. That way, youre making something with your new beau and spending quality time, while also checking a bouquet of flowers off the list. $195 for 2 at Flower Girl NYC Buy Casa Bosques Toasted Buckwheat Apartamento $13 If theyve got a sweet tooth and a sense of humor, were tickled by this chocolate bar from Mexico City-based Casa Bosques (that we actually deemed the next status chocolate bar). Its single-origin dark chocolate with toasted buckwheat, made in collaboration with the interior design magazine Apartamento, and yes, it does feature a toilet on the front, which is ideal for those who really want to take the piss out of Valentines Day. $13 at Casa Bosques Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's chief prosecutor said on Tuesday he had asked the Supreme Court to open a preliminary investigation into self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, as well to freeze the opposition leader's accounts and impose a travel ban on him. The United States, along with several countries around the world, have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state and denounced leftist President Nicolas Maduro as a usurper. Maduro, sworn in earlier this month for a second term after disputed elections last year, accuses Guaido of staging a U.S.-directed coup against him. Attorney General Tarek Saab said on state television said he had asked the court "to open a preliminary investigation into Mr Juan Guaido as a result of diverse violent occurrences provoked in this country since Jan. 22," the day before Guaido named himself president. He also accused Guaido of helping foreign countries to interfere in internal matters. As a lawmaker, who also heads the National Assembly, Guaido has immunity from criminal investigation that can be removed only by a high court. Minutes after the announcement, Guaido said he did not underestimate a threat of imprisonment but did not believe it was "anything new." "We are here, we will keep acting and working to confront the humanitarian crisis," he told a news conference. Hundreds of thousands of people protested on Jan. 23 against Maduro, triggering a police crackdown. At least 40 people are believed to have been killed in political violence last week, including 26 shot by pro-government forces, the United Nations said on Tuesday. Stepping up the pressure on Maduro, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Venezuelan state-oil firm PDVSA on Monday, triggering higher global oil prices and angry responses from China and Russia. (Reporting by Vivian Sequera and Ana Isabel Martinez; Writing by Angus Berwick; Editing by Frances Kerry) Venezuelas chief prosecutor has asked the countrys top court to impose a travel ban on opposition leader Juan Guaido and freeze his accounts. The United States, along with several other countries, has recognized Mr Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate head of state and denounced leftist president Nicolas Maduro as a usurper. Mr Maduro, who was sworn in earlier this month for a second term after disputed elections last year, accuses Mr Guaido of staging a US-directed coup. Attorney General Tarek William Saab made his request to the government-stacked Supreme Court on Tuesday, asking them to open a preliminary investigation into the self-proclaimed interim president. Mr Saab said he asked the court to open a preliminary investigation into Mr Juan Guaido as a result of diverse violent occurrences provoked in this country since January 22. This is the day before Mr Guaido named himself president. Mr Saab also accused Mr Guaido of helping foreign countries to interfere in Venezuelas internal matters. As a politician who also heads the National Assembly, Mr Guaido has immunity from criminal investigation that can only be removed by a high court. Speaking minutes after the announcement, Mr Guaido said he did not underestimate a threat of imprisonment but said he did not believe it was anything new. We are here, we will keep acting and working to confront the humanitarian crisis, he told a news conference. It comes as the US mounted pressure on Mr Maduros government. Earlier in the day, Washington handed control of Venezuelas US bank accounts to Mr Guaido. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the access would help Venezuelas legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people. Mr Guaido has been recognized as the nations rightful leader by two dozen nations that contend the re-election of Mr Maduro was a sham, in part because his strongest opponents were barred from running. Juan Guaido named himself interim president (Reuters) Violent street demonstrations erupted last week during a massive opposition rally in Caracas when Mr Guaido declared he had assumed presidential powers and planned to hold fresh elections, ending Mr Maduros dictatorship. Story continues The US, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Paraguay have officially acknowledged Mr Guaido as the legitimate interim head of Venezuela, while countries including Russia and China have backed Mr Maduro. The president has accused the US of leading an open coup to oust him and exploit Venezuelas oil reserves, the largest in the world. Additional reporting by agencies If investors are looking at the Large Cap Value fund category, Vanguard Windsor-II Admiral (VWNAX) could be a potential option. VWNAX carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Objective Large Cap Value mutual funds invest in stocks with a market capitalization of $10 billion or more, but whose share prices do not reflect their intrinsic value; this value investing strategy often leads to low P/E ratios and high dividend yields, though growth levels are often curtailed. The high-growth opportunity of these funds are slowed even further, as large-cap securities are generally in stable industries with low to moderate growth prospects. Therefore, Large Cap Value funds are usually more appealing to investors who are interested in a stable income stream. History of Fund/Manager Vanguard Group is based in Malvern, PA, and is the manager of VWNAX. Since Vanguard Windsor-II Admiral made its debut in May of 2001, VWNAX has garnered more than $30.58 billion in assets. The fund is currently managed by a team of investment professionals. Performance Of course, investors look for strong performance in funds. This fund has delivered a 5-year annualized total return of 5.5%, and it sits in the bottom third among its category peers. But if you are looking for a shorter time frame, it is also worth looking at its 3-year annualized total return of 6.65%, 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. Compared to the category average of 10.24%, the standard deviation of VWNAX over the past three years is 11.37%. Looking at the past 5 years, the fund's standard deviation is 11.23% compared to the category average of 10.12%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. Story continues Risk Factors Investors cannot discount the risks to this segment though, as it is always important to remember the downside for any potential investment. VWNAX lost 52.8% in the most recent bear market and underperformed comparable funds by 2.07%. These results could imply that the fund is a worse choice than its peers during a sliding market environment. Even still, the fund has a 5-year beta of 0.99, so investors should note that it is hypothetically as volatile as 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. VWNAX's 5-year performance has produced a negative alpha of -2.65, which means managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. Holdings Examining the equity holdings of a mutual fund is also a valuable exercise. This can show us how the manager is applying their stated methodology, as well as if there are any inherent biases in their approach. For this particular fund, the focus is primarily on equities that are traded in the United States. Right now, 95.5% of this mutual fund's holdings are stocks, with an average market capitalization of $177.80 billion. The fund has the heaviest exposure to the following market sectors: Finance Technology Turnover is about 52%, so those in charge of the fund make more trades in a given year than the category average. Expenses For investors, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is key, since costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing. Competition is heating up in this space, and a lower cost product will likely outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, all things being equal. In terms of fees, VWNAX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.26% compared to the category average of 1%. Looking at the fund from a cost perspective, VWNAX is actually cheaper than its peers. While the minimum initial investment for the product is $50,000, investors should also note that each subsequent investment needs to be at least $1. Bottom Line Overall, Vanguard Windsor-II Admiral ( VWNAX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively weak performance, average downside risk, and lower fees, Vanguard Windsor-II Admiral ( VWNAX ) looks like a great potential choice for investors right now. For additional information on the Large Cap Value 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 VWNAX too for additional information. For analysis of the rest of your portfolio, make sure to visit Zacks.com for our full suite of tools which will help you investigate all of your stocks and funds in one place. 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Washington (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday urged its citizens to avoid all travel to crisis-torn Venezuela, citing risks of crime and arrest and the US embassy's limited ability to assist. "Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens," the State Department said in an updated travel advisory. "There are shortages of food, electricity, water, medicine and medical supplies throughout much of Venezuela," it said. Venezuela becomes the only country in the Western Hemisphere to be slapped with the State Department's "Level 4" warning against all travel, joining war zones such as Syria and Yemen. Americans, however, are not legally forbidden from going. The State Department had earlier listed Venezuela as Level 3, meaning that Americans should reconsider visits. While the new travel advisory concerns security of US citizens, it comes as the United States is pressing leftist President Nicolas Maduro to step down faced with Venezuela's economic collapse and mounting street protests. The United States has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. Washington has refused Maduro's orders to close down the embassy but has pulled out non-emergency staff and families due to security risks. The travel advisory said that the United States "has limited ability to provide emergency services" in Venezuela. Washington (AFP) - Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan would not rule out Tuesday a US military deployment to Colombia, one day after National Security Advisor John Bolton displayed a note suggesting the move amid a political crisis in neighboring Venezuela. Bolton on Monday was photographed at a White House briefing holding a notepad with the scrawled line: "5,000 troops to Colombia." "I haven't discussed that with Secretary Bolton," Shanahan said when asked if there was a plan to send thousands of troops to Colombia. When repeatedly asked if he was ruling out such a deployment, Shanahan said: "I'm not commenting on it." Bolton was holding a notepad while speaking to reporters about the crisis in Venezuela, where the US now recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president. During his briefing, Bolton would not rule out the use of US troops in Venezuela. "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he said. The US military currently has about 200 troops in Colombia, and the two countries have developed close security ties over past decades. Shanahan, who was previously deputy defense secretary, succeeded Jim Mattis at the start of the year after he quit amid disagreements with President Donald Trump. US President Donald Trump announces a deal to end the partial government shutdown at the White House in Washington, Jan 25, 2019. Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque Transparency Internationals 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index revealed today that the United States has fallen out of the top 20 countries for the first time since 2011. The US in 2018 achieved a score of 71, putting it in 22nd place on the index. The Berlin-based NGO noted that the USs score comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balances as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power. With a score of 71 the US has dropped four points from last year, and thats a red flag. Casey Kelso, advocacy director at Transparency International told Yahoo Finance UK. Full democracies score an average of 75 which means the United States is no longer a full, its a flawed democracy. Transparency International refers to the Economist Intelligence Units Democracy Index definition of what constitutes a full democracy. While Trump is a symptom, not a cause, he is showing that there are systematic problems with undue influence and a lack of transparency regarding money and politics, Kelso said. Major conflicts of interests at the highest level have led to this drop in the perception of the US as a place to do business and that should be a concern to everyone corruption doesnt just undermine democratic institutions but those weak institutions then dont have the checks and balances to control corruption. Trump is a symptom of a larger malaise that saw cabinet members leaving one after because they had been accused of misappropriation or conflicts of interest, Kelso said. The presidents brazen attacks on the press and his ongoing attempts to derail the Mueller investigation have also stoked perception of the US as a democracy under pressure, according to the advocacy director. For example, Trump has continually lashed out at left-leaning news network CNN on social media platform Twitter and in press conferences as well as publishing bloodied and violent memes. In November, Trump and his aides were accused of violating the US constitutions guarantee of freedom of the press after his administration banned CNNs Jim Acosta from the White House. Story continues 2018 also marked a particularly deadly year for journalists at US media outlets. US resident and Saudi columnist for the Washington Post Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside a Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey. Earlier that year there was also a mass shooting in the newsroom of The Capital, a newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland. Transparency Internationals annual index uses a cross-section of expert surveys from sources such as the World Bank governance indicators to compile its ranking of 180 countries and territories. Its based on how the business community perceives the public sector, in terms of which countries are a safe bet for investment based on the health and strength of their public institutions. The scores run from zero, meaning extremely corrupt, to 100, indicating very clean. With many democratic institutions under threat across the globe often by leaders with authoritarian or populist tendencies we need to do more to strengthen checks and balances and protect citizens rights, said Patricia Moreira, Managing Director of Transparency International. READ MORE: Press freedom for UK and US significantly worse than other rich countries US intelligence chiefs contradicted some of President Donald Trump's most fundamental foreign policy claims Tuesday, underscoring a persistent division in his view of the world and theirs. In a hearing on global threats at the Senate Intelligence Committee, the country's top spies took issue with Trump's assertion that the Islamic State group has been defeated, and that North Korea can be convinced to forego its nuclear weapons. They also challenged Trump's claim that Tehran is actively seeking nuclear weapons, the justification Trump gave for withdrawing last year from a multilateral treaty on Iran. And they underscored again that Russia meddled deeply on Trump's behalf in the 2016 presidential election -- which he has repeatedly denied -- and can be expected to do the same in 2020. The hearing took place weeks after Trump cited a victory over Islamic State to justify his sudden announcement of an immediate pullout from Syria -- a move that alarmed the US defense establishment and allies in the Middle East. And it came just weeks before Trump plans a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to negotiate a hoped-for denuclearization of the hermit state. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the committee that the US intelligence community believes it is unlikely that Pyongyang will agree to completely denuclearize. "We continue to assess that North Korea is unlikely to give up all of its nuclear weapons and production capabilities, even as it seeks to negotiate partial denuclearization steps to obtain key US and international concessions," Coats said in the annual "Worldwide Threat Assessment" report. "North Korea's leaders see having a nuclear weapons capability as "critical to regime survival." - IS eyeing comeback - The report also warned that Islamic State is hardly vanquished and could easily rise again in a vacuum left by departing US forces, resuming global attacks and restarting its propaganda machine. Story continues "ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses," Coats said. - Iran complying with deal - The Coats report highlighted the broad and increasing threat to the United States from China, a point of agreement across the board in the Trump administration. It characterized the US-China struggle as an ideological battle between the Western model of a democratically-based economy and China's authoritarian capitalism. "Chinese leaders will increasingly seek to assert China's model of authoritarian capitalism as an alternative -- and implicitly superior -- development path abroad, exacerbating great-power competition that could threaten international support for democracy, human rights and the rule of law," the report said. It also warned of a growing alignment between China and Russia, saying their relationship "is likely to strengthen in the coming year as some of their interests and threat perceptions converge, particularly regarding perceived US unilateralism and interventionism and Western promotion of democratic values and human rights." FBI Director Christopher Wray told the panel that the FBI is investigating Chinese economic espionage in nearly all of its 56 field offices around the country. "China writ large is the most significant counterintelligence threat we face," Wray said. - Iran adhering to nuclear deal - But the intelligence community showed a distinct divergence on other thrusts of Trump policy. On Iran, Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel told the hearing that the country is still abiding by the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, despite Trump's decision to withdraw last year, claiming Tehran had broken it. "At the moment technically they are in compliance" with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Haspel told lawmakers. "I think the most recent information is the Iranians are considering taking steps that would lessen their adherence to JCPOA as they seek to pressure the European to come through with the investment and trade benefits that Iran hoped to gain from the deal." There was no comment from the White House on the Coats report. But analysts said it showed a glaring divide that has existed since the beginning of Trump's term in 2017. "A normal human being listening to the intel chiefs today on Iran and North Korea would conclude that Trump was dead wrong to withdraw from the JCPOA and dead right to negotiate with KJU even though zero nukes was magical thinking," said Aaron David Miller, director of the Middle East program at the Woodrow Wilson Center think tank in Washington. Washington (AFP) - The United States said Tuesday that it has handed control of Venezuela's bank accounts in the United States to Juan Guaido, the opposition leader whom Washington has recognized as interim president. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed off on the order last week for Guaido to control holdings in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and federally insured banks, the State Department said. "This certification will help Venezuela's legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said in a statement. The United States has been pressing all countries to part ways with President Nicolas Maduro, a leftist firebrand presiding over a crumbling economy and rising street protests, and recognize Guaido, the head of the National Assembly. Palladino called on all nations to "take similar steps to protect Venezuela's patrimony from further theft by Maduro's corrupt regime." Venezuela, which is struggling to provide basic services, has some $8 billion in foreign reserves around the world. A major chunk is around $1.3 billion in gold held by the Bank of England, which Guaido has asked Britain to put under his control. The United States on Monday announced sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company, further trying to squeeze Maduro's cash-strapped government. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, speaking Tuesday to the Fox Business Network, said that more economic pressure could be coming. "We will always look at additional sanctions to make sure we protect the assets of the country for the people of Venezuela," he said, while adding that the United States wanted to ensure that medicine and other humanitarian goods can still go through. Major Latin American powers including Brazil have backed Guaido but Maduro still enjoys economic and political support of Russia and China. Washington (AFP) - The United States announced sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company Monday in a coordinated effort with the main opposition leader to cripple embattled President Nicolas Maduro's power base. The measures against state-owned PDVSA were presented as a way of preventing the leftist strongman from looting the coffers in his economically ruined country before he is replaced by the man Washington says is the rightful interim president -- opposition leader Juan Guaido. "The purpose of sanctions is to change behavior," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at the White House. "So when there is a recognition that the company is the property of, the rightful rulers, the rightful leaders, then indeed that money will be available to Guaido." Guaido, who heads the National Assembly legislature and has named himself acting president, issued his own statement, saying he was taking "orderly control of our republic's assets abroad" to prevent a departing Maduro from trying "to empty the coffers." Venezuela was once a Latin American success story and has the world's largest oil reserves, but has been driven into the ground during years of hardline leftist rule. With millions short of food and other basic resources, there is widespread discontent. However, so far, Maduro has retained the backing of the powerful armed forces, as well as support from Russia and China. Washington has moved decisively to seek the exit of Maduro by recognizing Guaido and urging the military to switch loyalties. President Donald Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton, called for security forces "to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power." "We've seen Venezuelan official and military personnel heeding this call," he added, citing the defection this weekend of the country's military attache to Washington. Bolton also would not rule out the use of US troops. Story continues "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he told reporters. - Pope's 'bloodbath' fears - Guaido called for a two-hour strike Wednesday "to demand that the armed forces side with the people" ahead of a "big national and international rally" on Saturday. His remarks came as the death toll in last week's protests rose to 35, according to NGO workers, with the government security forces accused of killing another eight in "extra-judicial executions." Following a trip to Panama, Pope Francis said he was afraid the escalating crisis would become "a bloodbath." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, offered to step in, saying he could provide "good offices to facilitate dialogue and negotiation between the parties." Along with China and Russia, Turkey and leftist regional allies Bolivia, Cuba and Mexico still back Maduro. But a dozen Latin American countries have recognized Guaido and six European nations -- Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain -- have said they would follow suit unless Maduro calls elections by February 3. - US: PDVSA must drop Maduro - Mnuchin said PDVSA must cut itself off from Maduro in order to see sanctions dropped. "The path to sanctions relief for PDVSA is through the expeditious transfer of control to the interim president or a subsequent, democratically elected government," he said. PDVSA's US-based subsidiary Citgo will be able to continue operations, as long as its earnings are deposited into a blocked account in the United States. Guaido, who declared himself acting president Wednesday, said he will begin the process of naming new boards for PDVSA and Citgo to "start recovering our industry that is going through a dark time." Lawmakers will be asked to take "the necessary measures to guarantee the greatest transparency and control of the use" of the assets, Guaido added. "We took this decision to ensure that Citgo stays in the hands of Venezuelans." An angry Maduro nevertheless accused the United States of trying to "steal Citgo" and pledged to file legal action over the new sanctions. Since being elected head of the National Assembly legislature last month, Guaido has managed to rally a previously disunited opposition. Maduro has been in charge since 2013 but his re-election in May was branded illegitimate by the European Union, United States and Organization of American States. Several opposition leaders had been forced into exile, jailed or barred from standing in the election, leading the opposition to boycott the poll. burs-sms/sst/oh China on Tuesday accused the United States of "political motivations" behind sweeping charges against Chinese telecom giant Huawei in a case that has ratcheted up tensions between the two superpowers. The Justice Department Monday unveiled 13 charges against Huawei Technologies, its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou -- the daughter of the company's founder -- and two affiliates related to violating US sanctions on Iran. The firm was also accused of technology theft on the same day China's top trade negotiator arrived in Washington for high-stakes talks with US officials, possibly complicating the discussions ahead of a March deadline to avert a deepening of their trade war. Canada has been dragged into the dispute since it arrested Meng at the behest of the United States last month, sparking a diplomatic crisis between Ottawa and Beijing, which renewed calls for her release and for the US to drop its warrant against her. China's foreign ministry said there were "strong political motivations and political manipulations" behind the charges. "For some time, the US has used state power to smear and suppress specific Chinese companies in an attempt to stifle their legitimate business activities," ministry spokesman Geng Shaung said at a regular briefing. "We strongly urge the US to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei and to treat them fairly and objectively. China will also resolutely defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises." The twin indictments are the latest setback for the company, with its equipment having been barred from domestic networks in the United States, Australia and New Zealand amid security fears. In addition to fraud charges linked to Iran sanctions violations against Meng and the company, two Huawei affiliates were charged with stealing robot technology from T-Mobile. "Both sets of charges expose Huawei's brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. Story continues Acting US Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said there was nothing in the indictment that alleged Chinese government involvement in either case. However, he added, "As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law." In a statement sent to AFP, Huawei said it was "disappointed" and denied that it committed any of the allegations. It added that it was "not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms Meng (Wanzhou), and believes the US courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion." - Extradition request - The United States have filed a formal extradition request for Meng, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC, and she faces a court hearing on February 6. Nine days after her arrest in Vancouver on December 1, Chinese authorities detained two Canadians in what is seen as an act of retaliation to pressure Ottawa. The charges against Meng, filed in federal court in New York, allege that between 2007 and 2017 she, Huawei and the subsidiaries sought to mask their business with Iran in violation of US and UN sanctions on the country. Meng in particular "repeatedly lied" to bankers about the relationships between the companies, especially with Skycom, a Huawei affiliate in Iran, according to the charges. That violated US laws, the Justice Department said, because the Iran business involved US-dollar transactions processed by banks through the United States. Huawei and the affiliates also lied to US authorities, obstructing the investigation, they said. The indictment also mentions that Huawei's founder -- Ren Zhengfei, a former People's Liberation Army engineer identified only as "Individual-1" in the court documents -- had "falsely stated" that the company had "not dealt directly with any Iranian company" in an interview with FBI in July 2007. Ren, however, has not been charged. - 'Stealing' tech secrets - The second case charged that Huawei made a concerted effort to steal technology related to a phone-testing robot dubbed Tappy from a T-Mobile USA lab in Washington state. Engineers of Huawei -- which was supplying T-Mobile with phones -- took pictures and made measurements of parts of the robot, "even stealing a piece of it," said Whitaker. The Justice Department charged that the Chinese company had, in July 2013, offered bonuses to employees "based on the value of information they stole from other companies around the world, and provided to Huawei via an encrypted email address." The indictments came as Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived in Washington on Monday to lead trade talks this week. Speaking together with Justice Department officials announcing the indictments, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said they were "wholly separate from our trade negotiations with China." However, he added: "Commerce will continue to work with our interagency partners to protect US national security interests." U.S. intelligence chiefs testify to the Senate. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images The head of the U.S. Intelligence Community says North Korea isnt giving up its nukes and ISIS has not been defeated, contradicting President Trumps go-to talking points on the rogue regime and the extremist group. Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, made those claims in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday. We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capability because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival, Coats said in his opening statement to the panel. Last June, after his first meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Trump tweeted: There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. A second meeting between Trump and Kim is in the planning stages, but the time and location have not been set. ISIS, another enemy that Trump claims has been vanquished, is still a threat as well, Coats added. The group has returned to its guerrilla warfare roots while continuing to plot attacks and direct its supporters worldwide, he said. ISIS is intent on resurging and still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria. CIA director Gina Haspel agreed that ISIS is still a threat. Theyre still dangerous, she told senators. They still have thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria. We are going to work very hard to finish that mission. This view fits with the assessment of Jim Mattis, the former Defense secretary, and Brett McGurk, the former U.S. envoy to the coalition fighting ISIS. Both men resigned in December following the Trump administrations announcement that the U.S. would be pulling troops out of Syria, which came days after Trump declared that the U.S. defeated ISIS in Syria. In addition to the comments on ISIS and North Korea, Coats warned that the intelligence community expects Russia to interfere with the 2020 presidential election. We expect them to refine their capabilities and add new tactics as they learn from each others experiences and efforts in previous elections, Coats said. FBI Director Christopher Wray added: Not only did the Russians continue to do it in 2018, but weve seen indications that theyre continuing to adapt their model and that other countries are taking a very interested eye in that approach. Acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker announcing the charges - REUTERS American prosecutors have unveiled criminal charges against Huawei, accusing one of Chinas top companies of violating sanctions against Iran and stealing trade secrets. The 23 charges filed on Monday drew a sharp response from China and threatened to escalate tensions between Washington and Beijing just as a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He arrived in the US capital for trade talks. Matthew Whitaker, the acting US attorney general, said Huawei had attempted to evade sanctions against Iran by setting up a separate company called Skycom, which fraudulently conducted more than $100m (76m) worth of transactions through the US financial system over four years. Mr Whitaker said Huawei had lied to the US government to obstruct investigations, moved potential witnesses back to China, and misled banks to continue to process transactions. In a second set of charges, the Justice Department said the company had attempted to steal technology from the US telecoms network T-Mobile. Employees of a US subsidiary allegedly attempted to steal details of a robot arm named Tappy used to test smartphone touchscreens. Huawei's CHO Meng Wanzhou was charged Credit: The Canadian Press The charges related to Iran include one against Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer, who was arrested in Canada last month and faces US extradition. A request is due to be sent to the Canadian government by a deadline of this Wednesday. By claiming that Skycom was a separate company - and not an affiliate which Huawei controlled - Huawei allegedly asserted that all of its Iran business was in compliance with American sanctions, Mr Whitaker said. This charges are the latest move from the US pressing China on the issue of corporate espionage and intellectual property theft. The US, UK, and other governments have warned such activity poses a major national and economic security threat. Huawei represents Chinas technology ambitions and in many ways reflects the countrys rise on the global stage. It is also at the heart of security fears surrounding Chinese firms, given worries over privacy and hacking and whether these companies though private could act on behalf of Beijing. Story continues Some countries and national carriers including the UK have dropped use of Huawei equipment in telecoms infrastructure networks over those concerns. Huawei said on Tuesday it was disappointed with the US allegations against the company, and denied it violated US laws and any misconduct by Ms Meng. Huawei believes that US courts will eventually reach the same conclusion, the company said in a statement. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, right, wipes his brow after announcing the indictments. On the left is Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Credit: AP Beijings reaction has largely stemmed over concerns that the West is using such allegations and the trade negotiations to control Chinas rise. The Foreign Ministry accused the US of using its state power to disgrace and crack down on certain Chinese companies in an attempt to stifle and to kill the lawful operations of these companies, according to the statement. Chinese authorities issued another thinly veiled warning to Ottawa for having cooperated with the US in arresting Ms Meng, after again demanding for her release, and vowing to resolutely protect the interests of Chinese companies. US officials insisted the Huawei charges were unrelated to trade talks between with China. These indictments are law enforcement actions and wholly separate from our trade negotiations, said Wilbur Ross, the US commerce secretary. However, he said Chinese firms had spent years undermining US sanctions and exploiting the US financial system. Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, also denied any link between the charges and this weeks talks. Those two things are not linked. They are a totally separate process, she said during a briefing. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai hands out the awards - Dubai Media Office The government of the United Arab Emirates has been mocked for posting pictures of winners of awards for gender balance, which featured no women. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's ruler, was shown congratulating the recipients of Best Personality Supporting Gender Balance, Best Federal Authority Supporting Gender Balance, and Best Gender Balance Initiative. Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the deputy prime minister and minister of the interior, was recognised as the best personality supporting gender balance for his efforts to implement maternity leave in the UAEs military. Two other senior male officials received the rest. Eyebrows were raised after photographs from the event were posted on the Dubai media offices Twitter account. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Awesome initiative. How do you define Gender Balance Index? Obviously one gender is missing. Asking for a friend, tweeted one account. Daniela Tejada, whose husband Matthew Hedges was recently released from prison in UAE after being sentenced to life in prison for spying, tweeted: The reason why neither Matt nor I ever represented a reputational risk to the UAE is because the UAE represents a reputational risk to itself. Once again, actions speak louder than words. Sheikh Mohammed was quoted as saying: We are proud of the success of Emirati women and their role is central to shaping the future of the country. Gender balance has become a pillar in our governmental institutions. The Twitter account later released some pictures of the winners posing for pictures with a handful of women, though it does not appear they were themselves recipients of any awards. A statement by the official Dubai Media Office meanwhile cited Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of the UAE Gender Balance Council, as saying it had achieved a goal set in 2015 to reduce the gender gap across all sectors of government. But last month the country was ranked 121st out of 149 countries overall in the World Economic Forum's 2018 Global Gender Gap Report and 134th in terms of economic participation and opportunity. By Matt Spetalnick and Brian Ellsworth WASHINGTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Monday imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, aimed at severely curbing the OPEC member's crude exports to the United States and at pressuring socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Russia, a close ally of Venezuela, denounced the move as illegal interference in Venezuela's affairs and said the curbs meant Venezuela would probably have problems servicing its $3.15 billion sovereign debt to Moscow. Minutes before the sanctions announcement, Juan Guaido, the opposition leader who proclaimed himself interim president last week with U.S. backing, said congress would name new boards of directors to the company and its U.S. subsidiary, Citgo. Guaido, supported by the United States and most countries in the Western Hemisphere, says Maduro stole his re-election and must resign to allow new, fair polls. Maduro, in a live national broadcast on Monday, accused the United States of trying to steal U.S. refining arm Citgo Petroleum, the OPEC member's most important foreign asset, which also manages a chain of U.S. gas stations. He said Venezuela would take legal actions in response. In the first sign of serious retaliation, three sources with knowledge of the decision said PDVSA had ordered customers with tankers waiting to load Venezuelan crude bound for the United States to prepay for the cargoes or they will be authorized to fill the vessels or leave the ports. The Trump administration sanctions stopped short of banning U.S. companies from buying Venezuelan oil, but because the proceeds of such sales will be put in a "blocked account," PDVSA is likely to quickly stop shipping much crude to the United States, its top client. "If the people in Venezuela want to continue to sell us oil, as long as the money goes into blocked accounts we will continue to take it, otherwise will we not be buying it," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at a White House briefing. Story continues Oil at sea, already paid for, would continue its journey to the United States, he said. White House national security adviser John Bolton said at the briefing the measure would cost Maduro $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year and block him from accessing PDVSA assets worth $7 billion. While there are significant exceptions, such as rules that should allow Citgo to keep using Venezuelan crude in U.S. refineries, the sanctions will likely cause some reordering of global oil flows as Venezuela seeks to sell elsewhere. Gulf refineries that use Venezuela's heavy crude will have to look for alternatives to replace supplies. Despite a sharp decline in oil exports due largely to mismanagement of the industry and the economic crisis Venezuela remains the fourth-biggest vendor of oil to the United States, supplying some 500,000 barrels per day. Citgo, Valero Energy Corp and Chevron Corp are the three largest buyers of Venezuelan crude in the United States. "They are not allowing tankers bound for Valero, Citgo and Chevron to leave Venezuelan ports if not prepaid," a PDVSA source said referring to a decision by the company's trade and supply division. Other exceptions in the sanctions will make it easier for Chevron Corp to keep participating in a joint venture in Venezuela, and allow U.S. entities in Venezuela to keep buying PDVSA gasoline. VITAL SECTOR In Moscow, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak said Venezuela could struggle to service its debt to Moscow. "There will probably be problems. Everything now depends on the army, on the soldiers and how faithful they will be to their duty and oath. It is difficult, impossible to give a different assessment," he said on Tuesday. The Kremlin condemned the U.S. sanctions as illegal interference in Venezuela, while Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they looked like an attempt to confiscate Venezuelan state assets. The sanctions, contained in an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, freeze U.S.-based assets of PDVSA, Venezuela's largest source of revenue. The Trump administration had long held off on targeting Venezuela's vital oil sector for fear that it would hurt U.S. refiners and raise oil prices for Americans. White House officials had also expressed concern about inflicting further hardship on the Venezuelan people. The latest sanctions appear to seek to build on the momentum mounting in recent weeks against Maduro at home and abroad. U.S. officials said the sanctions on PDVSA were intended to prevent Maduro's government from siphoning off funds from the oil company to maintain his grip on power. Mnuchin said oil supplies were sufficient to ensure no significant impact on U.S. gas prices in the short term. Even though the Venezuelan military has shown no sign of abandoning Maduro, Bolton said: "Our assessment based on numerous contacts on the ground is that the rank and file of the Venezuelan military is acutely aware of the desperate economic conditions in the country and we think they look for ways to support the National Assembly government." Countries around the world have recognized Guaido, the National Assembly speaker, as Venezuela's rightful leader, and the United States vowed to starve Maduro's administration of oil revenue after he was sworn in on Jan. 10 for a second term that was widely dubbed illegitimate. Maduro has promised to stay in office, backed by Russia and China, which have bank rolled his government and fought off efforts to have his government disavowed by the United Nations. Bolton reiterated that Maduro would be held responsible for the safety of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Venezuela as well as Guaido and other opposition figures. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington and Brian Ellsworth in Caracas; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington and Marianna Parraga in Mexico City; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Peter Cooney) By Lisa Barrington and Alex Fraser DUBAI/LONDON (Reuters) - The United Nations envoy for Yemen on Monday urged the warring parties to withdraw their troops from the port of Hodeidah quickly, and international aid agencies said conditions for thousands of starving people were deteriorating fast. Envoy Martin Griffiths acknowledged that proposed timelines on a pullout from the port, the main entry point for Yemen's commercial and aid imports, had slipped while the country stood on the brink of famine. "The initial timelines were rather ambitious," he said in comments posted on Twitter. "We are dealing with a complex situation on the ground." The aid agencies, meeting in London, said people were struggling to feed their children in what had become the world's worst humanitarian crisis. But, said Isabelle Moussard Carlsen of Action Against Hunger, more aid was not the only solution to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. "I think we need to be very clear that we need a political solution to this conflict," she said. Agreements reached in December between the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi were the first significant breakthrough in four years of conflict which have killed tens of thousands of people through military actions or other causes. But little further progress has been made, risking the unraveling of the peace efforts. The Houthis control Hodeidah, and troops of a Saudi-led coalition are massed on its outskirts. The warring sides disagree over who should control the city and port after forces withdraw. The truce in Hodeidah has largely been respected since coming into force a month ago, but skirmishes continue. Troops have not yet pulled out, missing a Jan. 7 target, and residents and aid workers have told Reuters that barricades, trenches and roadblocks have been reinforced. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres notified the Security Council on Monday, in a letter seen by Reuters, that he would appoint a new head of the U.N. monitoring mission tasked with overseeing the Hodeidah peace deal. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert, who arrived in Hodeidah late last month to lead an advance team of monitors, will be replaced with Danish Lieutenant General Michael Anker Lollesgaard, who led a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali in 2015 and 2016, Guterres said. He did not state why Cammaert was leaving. A senior U.N. diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said last week that Cammaert had said he would do the job only for a short time. PRISON WITHOUT WALLS Although fighting has escalated in other parts of Yemen, U.N. envoy Griffiths said he remained optimistic. "More than any time in the past, there is a political will demonstrated by all parties to put an end to this conflict," he said. "What we need to see now is the implementation of the provisions of the agreement, fully and rapidly." The war has been stalemated for years, with the Saudi-led coalition of Sunni Muslim Arab states and Yemeni allies unable to dislodge the Houthi movement that controls Sanaa, the capital, and most urban centers. The coalition has twice attempted to capture Hodeidah port since last year to force the Houthis to negotiate, but held off from a full-blown assault amid fears that a disruption to supply lines would trigger mass starvation. At the London meeting, 14 aid agencies called for action on the humanitarian crisis. "It is what I like to call a prison without walls for the people living in the country at the moment. It is a difficult situation where people are struggling to buy their daily rations to be able to feed their children," Yemeni Oxfam campaign manager Awssan Kamal told Reuters. Kimberley Brown of the British Red Cross said 85,000 children had lost their lives and malnutrition was taking a huge toll. "I know from my colleagues that the situation is absolutely deteriorating at the moment," she said. The coalition intervened in 2015 in Yemen to restore Hadi's government, which was ousted from power by the Houthis in late 2014. The group says its revolution is against corruption. Western nations, some of which supply the coalition with arms and intelligence, are pressing for an end to the conflict that is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington in Dubai and Alex Fraser in London; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Leslie Adler) By Tina Bellon (Reuters) - A federal judge overseeing lawsuits alleging Bayer AG's glyphosate-based Roundup weed killer causes cancer on Monday tentatively allowed pieces of controversial evidence that the company had hoped to exclude from upcoming trials. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria during a hearing in San Francisco federal court called his decision "probably most disappointing for Monsanto," the Bayer unit that manufactures the world's most widely used herbicide. The company denies allegations that glyphosate causes cancer and says decades of independent studies have shown the chemical to be safe for human use. Chhabria on Monday said plaintiffs could introduce some evidence of Monsanto's alleged attempts to ghostwrite studies and influence the findings of scientists and regulators during the first phase of upcoming trials. He said documents which showed the company taking a position on the science or a study introduced during the first phase were "super relevant." The company had hoped the judge would take a harder line on such evidence following a Jan. 3 order by Chhabria restricting evidence of corporate misconduct. At the time, that decision lifted Bayer's shares nearly 7 percent. Monsanto had argued much of this evidence was a "sideshow" that would only distract jurors from the scientific evidence. Plaintiffs' lawyers contended some evidence of corporate misconduct was inextricably linked to their scientific claims. The judge appeared to agree with them, saying it was difficult to draw the line between scientific evidence and allegations of corporate misconduct, and questioned whether it would be fair for the jury to not hear about the company's alleged attempts to influence scientists. The parties did agree that other internal documents, including emails of Monsanto employees discussing lobbying efforts, do not belong in the initial trial phase. Under Chhabria's order, that evidence would be allowed only if glyphosate was found to have caused plaintiff Edwin Hardeman's cancer and the trial proceeded to a second phase to determine Bayer's liability. Story continues The order applies to Hardeman's case, which is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 25, and two other upcoming cases. There are some 620 Roundup cases before Chhabria, out of more than 9,300 nationwide. Plaintiffs' lawyers believe corporate misconduct evidence was critical to a California state court jury's August decision to award $289 million in a similar case. The verdict sent Bayer shares tumbling at the time, though the award was later reduced to $78 million and is under appeal. (Reporting by Tina Bellon in New York; Editing by Anthony Lin and Bill Berkrot) WASHINGTON Although the Trump administration often touts the "progress" being made in denuclearization talks with North Korea, the head of American intelligence told senators Tuesday that Kim Jong Un's regime is "unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons." Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said that on the positive side, North Korea "has halted its provocative behavior" by refraining from missile tests and nuclear tests for more than a year. "As well, Kim Jong Un continues to demonstrate openness to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Coasts testified at a hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats testifies at a Senate Armed Service Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 23, 2017. But, despite that apparent openness, Coats said, "We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities, and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities." "Our assessment is bolstered by our observations of some activity that is inconsistent with full denuclearization," he added. Coats said the North Korean leader and the rest of the country's rulers "view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival." President Donald Trump plans to hold a second summit with Kim next month. The specific date and location have not yet been disclosed. The first, held in June 2018 in Singapore, was hailed as a breakthrough in U.S.-North Korean relations but critics say it has not yielded many concrete results. Last week, Trump pushed back against news coverage that he felt downplayed his success in negotiating with Kim. "The Fake News Media loves saying 'so little happened at my first summit with Kim Jong Un.' Wrong!" the president tweeted. "After 40 years of doing nothing with North Korea but being taken to the cleaners," Trump said he was able to get hostages released and the remains of U.S. troops returned "in a short 15 months." "No more rockets or Ms being fired over Japan or anywhere else and, most importantly, no Nuclear Testing," Trump said. "This is more than has ever been accomplished with North Korea, and the Fake News knows it. I expect another good meeting soon, much potential!" Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Coats testimony was based on an intelligence report, which predicted that security threats to the U.S. and its allies this year will expand and diversify, driven in part by China and Russia. The report says those nations have grown closer than at any other point since the mid-1950s and that their global influence is expanding. Coats told the committee that Russia is likely to once again attempt to use social media and other means to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election. And he said they are not likey to be the only nations trying to sway the outcome. "Our adversaries and strategic competitors probably already are looking to the 2020 U.S. elections as an opportunity to advance their interests, the intelligence report said. "Russias social media efforts will continue to focus on aggravating social and racial tensions, undermining trust in authorities, and criticizing perceived anti-Russia politicians," it said. The report said Russia might try other methods as well, "such as spreading disinformation, conducting hack-and-leak operations, or manipulating data in a more targeted fashion to influence US policy, actions, and elections." Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U.S. intel chief Dan Coats: North Korea 'unlikely to completely give up' its nukes WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal authorities on Tuesday added 19 hate-crime and firearms charges to their case against a Pennsylvania man accused of massacring 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue last October in the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. The suspect, Robert Bowers, 46, could face the death penalty if convicted on any of 22 capital-eligible offenses contained in the full 63-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh. A onetime truck driver who frequently posted anti-Semitic slurs online, Bowers is accused of storming the Tree of Life synagogue during Saturday services on Oct. 27 and yelling "All Jews must die." The new charges against Bowers, who has pleaded not guilty to 44 earlier charges, include obstructing free exercise of religious beliefs that led to death and injury, committing hate crimes resulting in death and discharging a firearm. In addition to the mostly elderly congregants who died in the shooting, authorities said two were wounded, along with five police officers, before Bowers surrendered and was taken into custody after he was wounded in a shootout with police. Federal authorities said Bowers entered the synagogue in the city's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, a heavily Jewish area, armed with multiple firearms, including three Glock .357 handguns and a Colt AR-15 rifle. Bowers, a Pittsburgh resident, had made many anti-Semitic posts online, including one early on the day of the attack that said, "I cant sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, Im going in. In another, he slammed U.S. President Donald Trump for doing nothing to stop an "infestation" of the United States by Jews. At a Nov. 1 court appearance, Bowers pleaded not guilty to the first 44 counts filed against him after entering the courtroom wearing a red jumpsuit and a bandage on his left arm. He also requested a jury trial. The attack followed a spate of politically motivated pipe-bomb mailings to prominent Democrats. It also fueled a debate over Trump's inflammatory political rhetoric and his self-identification as a "nationalist," which critics say has fomented a surge in right-wing extremism and may have even helped provoke the bloodshed in Pittsburgh. The Trump administration has rejected the notion that the president has encouraged white nationalists and neo-Nazis who have embraced him, insisting that Trump is trying to unify America even as he disparages the media as an "enemy of the people." (Reporting by Lisa Lambert in Washington and Peter Szekely in New York; editing by Scott Malone, Bill Berkrot and Leslie Adler) Ashraf Hussan, 20, left and Juned Ahmed, 18, who have been found guilty of murdering 46-year-old Peter Anderson after stabbing him repeatedly on July 25 last year. (Cambridgeshire Police) Two drug dealers have been found guilty of murdering a man in a frenzied knife attack. Juned Ahmed, 18, and Ashraf Hussan, 20, stabbed Peter Anderson, 46, multiple times at just after 4pm on July 25 last year. The court heard Mr Anderson, also known as Blue, had gone to the railway bridge on Stourbridge Common, Cambridge, to buy drugs he had ordered on the phone from the RJ drugs line. It is not known whether the attack was a result of mistaken identity in relation to a robbery on Ahmed the day before, or simply because they didnt like the way he looked, but Mr Anderson was left seriously injured. Peter Anderson was stabbed repeatedly after meeting Hussan and Ahmed to buy drugs last year. It is not known why the pair attacked him. (Cambridgeshire Police) Cambridge Crown Court heard how passers-by stopped to help and an ambulance was called, Mr Anderson was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital, in Cambridge, in a critical condition but died shortly after arrival as a result of a stab wound to the heart. Both denied they were at the railway bridge, or involved in the killing. Ahmed, of Kings Road, Newham, London, and Hussan, of Eversleigh Road, Newham, London, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine on the day of the murder, and Ahmed admitted being in possession of a knife. But a jury convicted them both of murder. Detective Chief Inspector Al Page, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, said the investigation had been particularly difficult. He said: This was a very difficult inquiry, with no forensics, CCTV or eye-witnesses and evidence had to be painstakingly obtained and analysed. So it has been a great team effort to secure these convictions and I would like to thanks everyone involved, from day one. Peter was trying to buy drugs on Stourbridge Common on 25 July last year but he was met by the sort of brutality no one should ever have to encounter. We may never know why he was attacked but there can be no justification for what happened. It was not possible to establish who wielded the knife but Ahmed and Hussan were both present and intended to cause serious injury, so are responsible for Peters murder. Story continues Sentencing will take place on February 22. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Tom Brokaw on Meet the Press, January 27, 2019. Photo: William B. Plowman/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Tom Brokaw is sorry, and with fair reason: He got caught saying something racist on TV. The former NBC Nightly News anchor dedicated the closing minutes of his Sunday guest spot on Meet the Press to the Hispanics, and their purported refusal to assimilate into American culture. In his view, the Hispanics should work harder at assimilation. Thats one of the things Ive been saying for a long time. You know, they ought not to be just codified in their communities but make sure that all their kids are learning to speak English, and that they feel comfortable in the communities. And thats going to take outreach on both sides, frankly. The other side in Brokaws both sides formulation is composed of racists wary of intermarriage and unsure, in Brokaws words, if they want brown grandbabies. Its the intermarriage that is going on and the cultures that are conflicting with each other, Brokaw said, by way of explaining the drivers of interracial hostility. That a venerated newsman considers people who fit this description worth appeasing at all indicates poor grounds for debate their stance is predicated on a belief in Hispanic inferiority, after all. But neither is his claim rooted in reality: Not only do a majority of Hispanics in the U.S. speak English 62 percent are bilingual, according to the Pew Research Center they do so at higher rates with each subsequent generation. Seventy-six percent of Hispanics age 18 to 33 and 88 percent age 5 to 17 either speak English very well or speak only English, while almost all agree at 95 percent that it is important for future generations to do so. Brokaws insistence that Hispanic children learn the language not only ignores that doing so is a defining feature of Hispanic life already it ignores that it is an ideal valorized by almost the entire population. Not letting facts derail xenophobia is en vogue in the United States. Candidate Trumps entire immigration platform was predicated on false claims that Muslim terrorists were pouring into the U.S. disguised as refugees from Syria and undocumented Mexican and Central American immigrants had precipitated a blood-soaked crime wave when, in fact, immigrants, both documented and undocumented, commit crimes at lower rates than natural-born U.S. citizens, and not a single person who entered the U.S. as a Syrian refugee has since committed an act of terrorism. But rather than be rebuked for his lies, Trump was awarded the presidency amid chants of, Build that wall! filling his rally arenas. This was no coincidence: The issues identified as the most important by people who voted Republican in 2016 were, in order, immigration and terrorism, according to New York Times exit polls. But while xenophobia can be rightly described as the heartbeat of Trumps election, it is not the province of him and his acolytes alone. Brokaw a vocal Trump critic has burnished his liberal bona fides through pursuits like inveighing against the jihad that Fox News is waging on government institutions through the feedback loop of confirmation bias it lavishes on the president. Yet his tepid apology following Sundays comments since expanded to highlight a career spent covering Cesar Chavez and emphasize his core belief that diversity is what makes America contained no suggestion that he actually disbelieved what he had said about Hispanics. Nor should this be a surprise: Brokaw and Fox News pundits are far from the only Americans who believe that immigrants who fail to assimilate threaten some idealized notion of national unity. According to Gallup, 72 percent of the population thinks it is essential that immigrants to the United States learn English. Brokaws apology is more likely a response to the near-immediate backlash he faced than an admission he said anything incorrect. Yet perhaps the greatest irony in his statement is its suggestion that Hispanics are responsible for disunity in the first place. Racial segregation is among the defining legacies of white Americas relationship with nonwhites, and the impulse to maintain it has consistently superseded whatever similarities united those on either end of its divide, including language. And though black people were its primary targets, they were not its only victims. Supreme Courtmandated desegregation orders aimed at integrating Mexican-Americans in California and Texas preceded Brown v. Board of Education. The reasoning used by racists to justify its continuation was as specious as Brokaws. Mexicans are inferior in personal hygiene, ability, and in their economic outlook, one Orange County, California, school superintendent asserted at the time. Nor is such segregation a relic of the past. Three-quarters of white people today do not have a single nonwhite friend, according to the Washington Post. Residential segregation persists for Hispanics as an enduring legacy of both past redlining and current home-loan practices. According to data compiled by UCLAs Civil Rights Project, school segregation for Latino children is worse even than for black children in many regions of the country. None of this is accidental. Even for Spanish-speaking Hispanics who wish to assimilate and learn English faster than they already are, barriers to doing so, usually erected by white people, abound across American society. Brokaw may want a country where Hispanics assimilate faster. But even by his own standards, Hispanics are not the problem. Washington (AFP) - Longtime Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges stemming from the ongoing investigation into whether the US president's campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 election. Stone, 66, is charged with lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction in relation to his contacts with WikiLeaks, whose publication of embarrassing Russian-hacked communications from Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign gave a boost to Trump. Stone, a veteran Republican consultant who prides himself on his reputation as a political dirty trickster, entered a not guilty plea to the seven charges during a brief appearance in federal court in Washington. He did not speak to reporters following the arraignment and is to appear in court again on Friday. Following his arrest last week, he said he was the victim of a "politically-motivated investigation" and said he would not testify against Trump because he "would have to bear false witness against him." Stone is the sixth campaign associate of Trump indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 vote. Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Moscow and denounced the probe by Mueller, a former FBI director, as a "political witch hunt." He has condemned members of the Mueller team as a bunch of "angry Democrats" and has dangled the possibility of pardons for some of those indicted. Stone arrived in court on a chilly winter morning to chants of "Lock him up" from protesters. One waved a Russia flag and another held up a sign reading "Dirty Traitor." A pro-Stone demonstrator displayed a poster calling for contributions to a Stone Defense Fund while another held a sign reading "Free Stone, Fire Mueller." The Mueller probe was launched in May 2017. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday that it was close to being wrapped up although there has been no confirmation of this from the tight-lipped Special Counsel's office. Story continues - Nixon admirer - 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 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 shows he remained in active communication with Trump's team, providing support and information. The charges arose from Stone's alleged lies in testimony to the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 involving his communications with Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, which published material stolen by Russian hackers from the Clinton campaign. The indictment said 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. Mueller's team has indicted a total of 34 people -- but so far, no charges of outright collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow have been filed. Besides Stone, Mueller has indicted five others who were close to Trump and the campaign: Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen and George Papadopoulos. Manafort, 69, who served as Trump's campaign chairman for several months in 2016, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to tax and bank fraud connected to his work for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. Gates, 46, Trump's deputy campaign manager, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and financial fraud. Flynn, 60, a retired US Army general who stepped down after three weeks as Trump's national security advisor, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador. Cohen, 52, Trump's longtime personal attorney, 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. Papadopoulos, 31, an oil industry analyst who served on Trump's foreign policy advisory team, was sentenced to two weeks in prison after admitting he lied to the FBI. In June 2018, Konstantin Kilimnik, who worked with Manafort in Ukraine and allegedly has ties to Russian intelligence, was charged with obstruction of justice. 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. Photo illustration: Yahoo News: photos: AP, Shutterstock President Trump signaled his support on Monday for state bills that would allow public schools to teach courses in the Bible, which he once proclaimed was his favorite book. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Trumps tweet came minutes after Fox & Friends aired a segment Monday morning on pending legislation in six states Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia that would allow Bible literacy courses to become a part of a public school education. Nothing beats the Bible, Trump famously said on the campaign trail in 2015 not even The Art of the Deal. The Christian activists who crafted the template for inserting the Bible into public school curricula celebrated the presidents endorsement of the idea. We were excited to see it happen, Steven Fitschen, president of the National Legal Foundation, told Yahoo News. The model bill that we were involved with is for the state level, but we were excited to see him use his bully pulpit, so to speak. Fitschen said the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation a nonprofit group formed by former Virginia Republican Congressman J. Randy Forbes to promote restoring Judeo-Christian principles hired him to help draft the text of legislation that could withstand First Amendment challenges to teaching the Bible in schools. We looked at what was already in existence and tried to craft a model bill so we could eliminate any constitutional problems, so there could be a course that taught about Islam or Buddhism or any other religion. Many other schools already have comparative religion courses, Fitschen said. The reason we centered in on the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament, is the history of the country, how much of our idiom and our political framework, all these things that were biblically derived because of the historical situation with many of the early colonists. The American Civil Liberties Union blasted both the attempt to infuse Bible literacy courses in public schools and Trumps support of it. Its concern is that, notwithstanding Fitschens self-proclaimed commitment to religious neutrality, in practice the courses could, at least in some states, amount to a form of Christian evangelism. Story continues Yet again, President Trump is exploiting religious divisions to score political points. Public school Bible courses are rarely taught neutrally and objectively as required by the Constitution, Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, told Yahoo News in an email. Instead, these courses usually resemble Sunday school classes that blatantly violate students and parents First Amendment rights. Religious education is best left to families and faith communities, not public school officials. Just as the pro-business American Legislative Exchange Council crafts model bills that can be adapted and introduced in states across the country, the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundations blueprint for inserting the Bible into public schools follows a similar starter-kit approach. We dont get involved with the legislative battles, Fitschen said. Instead what we do is we put together model bills that we think would work in any of the 50 states, and its up on the foundation website. While bills following the foundations template failed to pass in Alabama, Iowa and West Virginia last year, Kentucky passed its version, House Bill 128, in 2017, over objections from the ACLU, and it was signed into law by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. Supporters of Bible literacy classes say the text is being taught as a historical and cultural document, but the ACLU contends that including it in the curriculum is a way to promote religion. In several of these classes, teachers are using the Bible to impart religious life lessons and actively inculcate Christianity, the ACLU of Kentucky wrote in a letter last year to schools seeking clarity on how the text would be presented to students. Bills written by pro-religious groups that seek to influence the public school curriculum are not uncommon in the U.S. A new Florida measure authored by the Florida Citizens Alliance and sponsored in the states Legislature by Republican Rep. Dennis Baxley seeks to require public schools to teach alternatives to climate change and evolution. A September poll from the Public Religion Research Institute found Trumps approval rating from white evangelicals holding firm at 71 percent, and Mondays tweet probably wont change that. A course in Biblical literacy might have helped Trump, who once mistakenly referred to one of the New Testament books as Two Corinthians instead of Second Corinthians embarrassingly, at a speech at the evangelical Liberty University. On its website, the National Legal Foundation says its mission is to prayerfully create and implement innovative strategies that, through decisive action, will cause Americas public policy and legal system to support and facilitate Gods purpose for her. Both the NLF and the CPCF view their goal of seeing Bible literacy taught in schools in all 50 states as a longterm project. I expect in some the states where it has failed theyll try again, Fitschen said. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: John Bolton, the US national security adviser, has courted controversy by flashing a note reading 5,000 troops to Colombia during an announcement of fresh sanctions on Venezuela. The hawkish former UN ambassador held his notepad in such a way that the handwritten line was clearly visible, but did not mention plans to deploy US forces to the neighbouring country during his news conference on Monday. Mr Bolton announced sanctions on Venezuelas state-owned oil company, PDVSA, designed to ratchet up pressure on embattled president Nicolas Maduro amid an ongoing crisis in the Latin American nation. Donald Trump was the first to recognise national assembly leader Juan Guaido as interim president following his assertion of legitimacy last week. The UK and a string of other countries followed suit in backing the 35-year-old. Sanctions to block $7bn (5.3m) in PDVSAs assets and $11bn (8.4bn) in exports will mean Mr Maduro can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people, Mr Bolton said during the briefing. The Pentagon has not announced any plans to send US troops to Colombia. When asked to explain the words in Mr Boltons notepad, the White House said that as the president has said, all options are on the table. Colombia said it could not explain the provocative note. Foreign minister Carlos Holmes said he did not know the importance and reason for Mr Bolton flashing it and added that Colombia planned to continue acting politically and diplomatically in relation to its neighbour. Bogota has recognised Mr Guaidos claim to the presidency. Mr Maduro described the fresh sanctions as criminal and accused the US of robbing Venezuelans of oil wealth that was rightfully theirs. He told Mr Trump during a televised address to take his hands off Venezuela. "We will provide the reciprocal and convincing response needed to defend Venezuela's interests in due time," he added, pledging to defend Citgo, PDVSA's US refining subsidiary, which he accused Washington of trying to steal. Story continues Falling oil revenue as a result of the restrictions may hamper Caracas' ability to import basic goods like food and medicine, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis that has gripped the country. Additional reporting by agencies WASHINGTON Roger Stone brought his one-man show to the federal courthouse here on Tuesday, setting off from Florida as if it were just another tour stop for an unusual political circus. The familiar uniform was intact: natty suit, year-round sun tan and bleached white hair. Yet the man whose love for the microphone has few equals fell nearly silent after pleading not guilty to seven criminal counts, including obstruction and witness tampering, as part of Russia special counsel Robert Muellers wide-ranging inquiry into election interference by the Kremlin. There was no bashing of Mueller almost an hourly practice since his arrest before dawn Friday at his Florida home. His most effusive comments came when U.S. Magistrate Deborah Robinson asked whether he understood the conditions of his continued release: Yes, your honor, Stone replied. For every role he has embraced in a lifetime of rough-and-tumble elective politics secretive adviser to presidents and self-proclaimed dirty trickster the 66-year-old Republican operative has little experience with his new place in public life: criminal defendant. He now faces the same grinding legal machinery that has so far secured convictions of three other top Trump associates. Stone's lawyer, Robert Buschel, entered his not-guilty plea Tuesday morning. Roger Stone, a former political operative for the Trump campaign, arrives for a federal court hearing on Jan. 29, 2019 in Washington. Robinson ordered Stone to return to court for another hearing on Friday afternoon. She also ordered that Stone refrain from contact with witnesses in the case and that he check in with court authorities once each week. Since his arrest by heavily armed FBI agents, he has lambasted the raid as "an abuse of power." Stone has said he wouldn't lie to implicate the president or to save himself, though he has not ruled out cooperating with Mueller's investigators if a deal was offered. The Indictment: Read the full indictment against Roger Stone, an informal Trump adviser More: Roger Stone charges shed new light on Trump campaigns link to WikiLeaks Story continues Background: Who is Roger Stone? Longtime Republican operative worked on campaigns from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump Hours before Stone's arraignments, media tents sprouted on the plaza outside the federal courthouse in Washington and camera crews staked out each entrance. Stone entered the courthouse through a gauntlet of news cameras and jeering protesters Dressed in a blue suit and white shirt, he huddled briefly with his lawyers in the second-floor courtroom before the brief hearing began. Robinson ordered Stone to see federal marshals so they could book him, but said he would remain free on bond. Stone's relationship with WikiLeaks, which published troves of documents stolen from Democratic political organizations by a hacking group backed by Russian military intelligence, is at the heart of Mueller's latest prosecution that has ensnared yet another former adviser to Trump in an investigation that has shadowed the president's first two years in office. Starting in the summer of 2016, as Trump was securing the Republican nomination for president and as the FBI was launching its initial inquiry into Russia's election interference campaign, prosecutors alleged Friday that Stone communicated with senior Trump campaign officials about WikiLeaks and the politically charged material in its possession. In those contacts, according to court documents, the campaign officials who were not identified referred to information that "would be damaging to the Clinton campaign." Among the most striking of the allegations contained in the new charging documents was a claim that after a July 22 release of stolen Clinton-related emails, "a senior campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information (WikiLeaks) had regarding the Clinton campaign." "Stone, thereafter, told the Trump campaign about the potential future releases of damaging material by (WikiLeaks)," prosecutors alleged. Stone has denied serving as an intermediary between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks. When Tuesday hearing was over, a subdued Stone left the courthouse as he arrived: declining to comment. His departure required navigating a noisy mosh pit of photographers, some supporters but more protesters. Some carried Russian flags as a portable speaker system blared the Beatles tune, Back in the USSR. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump adviser Roger Stone pleads not guilty in Russia probe as he takes on a new role: defendant Washington (AFP) - Democrats are already furiously jockeying for position to take on President Donald Trump in 2020. But will Trump actually be on the ballot two years from now? With approval ratings hovering around 40 percent -- even lower, according to some polls -- speculation is mounting that Trump could face a primary challenge for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump has shouldered much of the blame for a crippling government shutdown that failed to achieve his signature campaign promise -- building a border wall with Mexico. And Special Counsel Robert Mueller has not yet delivered the final report from his investigation into whether members of Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to get him elected. It is rare for an incumbent president seeking reelection to be challenged for the nomination by a member of his own party -- but not unprecedented. In 1976, Ronald Reagan, a former California governor, sought to wrest the Republican nomination from president Gerald Ford. Four years later, president Jimmy Carter faced a tough but ultimately unsuccessful primary challenge from Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. And in 1992, then president George H.W. Bush fended off an insurgent bid for the Republican nod by right-wing commentator Pat Buchanan. All three incumbent presidents who faced a primary challenge -- Ford, Carter and Bush --- went on to lose the general election. - Kasich, Hogan among names floated - You have to go all the way back to 1884 to find the last incumbent who failed to win his party's approval -- an ailing Chester Alan Arthur, who lost the Republican nomination to James Blaine. Although no Republican has come out so far and said that he -- or she -- would mount a challenge to Trump, several names have been floated. Former Ohio governor John Kasich -- who sought the Republican nomination in 2016, only to lose to Trump -- is seen as one potential candidate. The 66-year-old Kasich, a moderate Republican, has not ruled out a White House bid, telling students at the University of Florida last week that "all options are on the table." Story continues "I'm only interested in running if I can win," The Gainesville Sun quoted Kasich as saying. "I'm not interested in running to damage someone else." Another politician being talked about is Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who easily won re-election in November as a centrist Republican in a heavily Democratic state. The Washington Post reported on Monday that Hogan, 62, is "consulting with aides and national GOP critics of Trump about whether to pursue a White House bid." The newspaper said that Hogan, who has been an outspoken critic of the president, could appeal to "Republican dissenters who are seeking a less-polarizing alternative to President Trump." Hogan has apparently not made his mind up yet and the Post quoted people close to him as saying he is unlikely to run "unless Trump is severely weakened or decides not to seek a second term." - 'We have a great record to run on' - Other Republicans who have been mentioned as potential primary challengers to Trump include retired Arizona senator Jeff Flake, 56, a vocal opponent of the president, and Utah Senator Mitt Romney, 71, who lost the 2012 presidential election to Barack Obama. For the moment, Trump's approval ratings among Republicans remain relatively high -- around 80 percent. Political analysts said those numbers will probably have to decline for any challenger to have a realistic chance of booting Trump from the 2020 ballot. "At that point even a loyal Republican -- candidate or voter -- might come to believe that the only thing that would save the party is to have someone else lead the ticket," wrote Paul Waldman of the Washington Post. Amid the growing speculation, Mercedes Schlapp, the White House Director of Strategic Communications, was asked on Monday about the possibility of Trump facing a primary challenge. "The president is ready for any candidate," Schlapp said. "We have a great record to run on. We have a great story to tell." Greater Anglia reportedly blamed shorter trains on the Beast from the East despite the fact it was a year ago (Picture: PA) A rail company has reportedly blamed shorter trains on the Beast from the East despite the fact it was a year ago. Greater Anglia reduced the number of carriages on its trains in October as a temporary measure, but when a commuter complained about overcrowding this month, there were told it was due to the Beast from the East. Despite Britain facing warnings of snow this week, the Beast from the East hit a year ago in February 2018. According to a report by the BBC, Greater Anglia said a member of staff was using the wrong information to respond to the complaint. Passengers have complained of overcrowding due to Greater Anglia running shorter trains (Picture: PA) A spokeswoman said the company was very sorry and added that efforts were being made to reduce the number of shortened trains, which have already fallen since December. Tony Knight, from Witham in Essex, who received the explanation, told the BBC: Greater Anglia are a complete joke. MORE: Helpless rabbit abandoned in the freezing cold by owners because children lost interest MORE: Two drug dealers convicted of murder after brutal knife attack on a customer Then story comes as passenger satisfaction with rail services fell to a 10-year low. The autumn 2018 Transport Focus survey of more than 25,000 passengers found that overall satisfaction was 79% down two percentage points year-on-year and showing that one in five passengers were not satisfied. Passenger satisfaction with rail services has fallen to an all-time low (Picture: PA) Transport Focus said passengers are less happy now than at any time since 2008 due to poor punctuality, the timetable chaos of last summer and continued disruption due to strikes. Greater Anglia was among seven operators who recorded a significant decline in satisfaction, along with Great Northern, Northern, TransPennine Express Thameslink, ScotRail and London North Eastern Railway. Comparing the percentage of journeys that passengers rated as satisfactory with the same measure in autumn 2017, Heathrow Express and Chiltern Railways were the only two out of 25 train companies to have significantly improved. Across the whole of Britain, just 71% of journeys were rated as satisfactory for punctuality/reliability, compared with 74% in autumn 2017. Story continues Among commuters, 31% of those surveyed expressed satisfaction with the value for money of their journey, down one percentage point year on year. A Department for Transport spokesman described passenger satisfaction as an absolute priority and insisted the Governments 48 billion investment will help to modernise the network and deliver significant improvements. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK By Tom Arnold and Stanley Carvalho DUBAI/ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Union National Bank and Al Hilal Bank agreed a merger on Tuesday to create the third-largest bank in the United Arab Emirates. The bank will become the fifth largest in the GCC with 420 billion UAE dirham ($114.35 billion) in assets with increased productivity and economies of scale expected to boost profitability, the statement said. Lower oil prices and weak economic growth is pushing consolidation across the Gulf. The merger, first announced in September, was unanimously recommended to shareholders by the boards of ADCB and UNB, the banks said in a joint statement. The tie-up is expected to take effect in the first half of 2019. It will involve a statutory merger between ADCB and UNB. ADCB will issue 0.5966 shares for every UNB share, corresponding to a total of 1.64 billion new shares issued to UNB shareholders and valuing UNB at nearly $4 billion. Al Hilal Bank will operate as a separate Islamic entity within the merged bank. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan said in a tweet that the merger would bolster the competitiveness of the UAE's economy. UAE has 50 commercial banks including 22 local lenders, a number seen as too high in a country of about 9.5 million people. Saudi Arabia, which has a population of 32 million, has 12 banks and is set to lose two of those if announced mergers are successfully concluded. "The Abu Dhabi government is continuing its restructuring efforts to create stronger entities with a strong financial base to grow globally," said Tariq Qaqish, managing director of asset management at Menacorp. Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), a government investment arm, is the majority shareholder in ADCB and UNB, both listed in Abu Dhabi. Unlisted Al Hilal is wholly owned by ADIC, which is now part of Mubadala Investment Company. On the date the merger takes effect UNB shares will be delisted from the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, with the combined bank retaining ADCB's identity and legal registrations. Story continues The combined entity will acquire Al Hilal Bank for 1 billion dirhams ($272 million) by issuing a mandatory convertible note for up to 117.6 million post-merger ADCB shares to ADIC. "UNB has a weaker asset quality and much lower profitability than ADCB, and both (of these factors) have been taken into consideration to arrive at the swap ratio," said analyst Chiro Ghosh at Bahrains SICO. "It definitely presents a strong case for further consolidation. We believe banks with similar shareholders have a higher likelihood of merger," Ghosh said. ADCB on Tuesday also reported annual profit of 4.84 billion dirhams, up from 4.28 billion a year earlier. After completion of the merger, ADIC will own 60.2 percent of the combined bank, other ADCB shareholders owning 28.0 percent and other UNB shareholders holding 11.8 percent. As reported by Reuters on Monday, Eissa Mohamed al Suwaidi, chairman of ADCB, will retain the same post at the new bank, as will ADCB CEO Ala'a Eraiqat. ($1 = 3.6728 UAE dirham) (Additional reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; editing by Saeed Azhar and Jason Neely) Residents enduring the brutal and life-threatening Arctic outbreak to end January can look ahead to the taste of March that awaits during the first weekend of February. The departure of the polar vortex will open the door for milder air to surge in, first across the Midwest on Saturday and then the East Sunday through Monday. For many, especially those across the northern tier, the upcoming warmup will be nothing short of dramatic. There can be a swing of 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit from the lowest temperature reading endured during the Arctic outbreak to highs when the warmth takes hold. Midwest warm "The mercury will go from record lows in the 20s below zero during the middle of this week in Chicago to about 40 above zero by the end of the weekend, a swing of about 60 degrees," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Bill Deger. It will feel even warmer, considering how extremely low AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures are plummeting this week. After enduring RealFeel Temperatures around 60 below zero on Tuesday night, residents of Minneapolis will definitely enjoy highs near 40 on Saturday. Even if RealFeel Temperatures are held closer to freezing to start the weekend, many are likely not to be disappointed. Sunday and Monday may feel more like March days from Atlanta to Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston. "Temperatures will be pushed to near 50 in places like Pittsburgh and New York City early next week after being in the single digits and above zero later this week," Deger said. Next week can also start with temperatures climbing to around 60 in places as far north as Cincinnati, Ohio, and Richmond, Virginia. That would replace highs in the single digits and teens along the Ohio River this Wednesday and the 20s and lower 30s in the southern mid-Atlantic this Thursday. The mercury may climb back to near 70 in Atlanta while highs close to 80 will make the snowflakes that fell in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday morning a distant memory. Story continues Download the free AccuWeather app to find out how warm the first days of February will get in your community. NE warm Jan 29 The warmth may attempt to spread across northern New England early next week, but snow covering the ground may limit how much temperatures rise. Any rebound in temperatures across the northern Plains this weekend may also be brief as colder air quickly returns, though not to the degree as this week's Arctic blast. Rain, drizzle and/or fog may also try to put a damper on the warmup in some communities. "The sudden warmup could lead to ice jam flooding on some rivers and the Midwest and mid-Atlantic next week and beyond as large chunks of ice break loose and jam the flow of water downstream," Deger said. Residents of southern New England also have to remain vigilant of this danger. "Such flooding can be sudden and lead to bridge closures and travel delays," Deger added. Pattern Jan 29 More potholes may be unearthed as temperatures rebound. The warmup, however, will have many happy to catch a break from higher heating costs. Animals and kids cooped up during the Arctic blast to avoid frostbite and hypothermia should be able to enjoy more time outdoors. Parents will not have to worry about schools closing or delaying due to the extreme cold. Despite the turn to milder weather, winter is not over yet. "There is still plenty of time for more low-level cold events leading to snow and ice and holding back temperatures, especially in the Northeast and Midwest," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok. More typical cold can return to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic during the second week of February, according to Pastelok. While that can be followed by another brief warmup, additional Arctic shots can follow later in the month. "Any cold for the rest of winter may not be as extreme, especially for the Plains and Midwest," he stated. A Stryker vehicle after a live-fire exercise on March 6, 2014 near Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images At first glance, reports that Trump administration negotiators are very close to the outlines of a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban may seem a little far-fetched. These are, after all, the same negotiators who brought us a U.S. summit with Kim Jong-un that has seen North Koreas nuclear weapons programs advance, a trade war that is depressing the U.S. economy, and a month-long government shutdown that ultimately failed to deliver any money for Trumps border wall. The Taliban, for their part, know a thing or two about incompetence and disaster they ran Afghanistan into the ground in the years they were in charge, driving economic and health outcomes backward while striking a deal with Al Qaeda that, after 9/11, sparked the U.S. invasion that drove them from power. But the Taliban also know how to endure. It has been apparent to some American observers for more than a decade that in the long run they would have to be part of any peace deal for the country. Negotiations were on and off again throughout the Obama years, over the same sticking points: The Taliban doesnt want to deal with the government of Afghanistan, and it wants the U.S. to set a timetable for removing all its troops before other topics are agreed upon. Why negotiate at all? Although it has fallen off many Americans radar, the war in Afghanistan remains the most deadly conflict in the world, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The year 2018 was particularly grim 15 American service-members were killed, and as NPR noted, the number of fatalities among Afghan civilians and security forces was staggering: Violence claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 civilians between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, the highest number in that same period since 2014. The death toll of Afghan security forces which some estimates put at more than 9,000 this year, between 25 and 30 deaths a day has been called unsustainable by the U.S. military. The leading cause of civilian casualties was the use of improvised explosive devices, according to the U.N. There were suicide attacks and bombings at voting centers, schools and mosques. And there were U.S. airstrikes. The Afghan government controls barely half the countrys territory, presidential elections have been postponed, and politics is bogged down. Not only is there no quick fix in sight, there is no medium-term fix in sight. And unfortunately, the suffering of Afghanistan doesnt stay in Afghanistan Al Qaeda and a powerful ISIS affiliate continue to operate out of remote Afghan areas, but with global reach. At the same time, some things have improved dramatically in Afghanistan since the U.S. invasion. According to the World Bank, the number of children who die before reaching age 5 has fallen by 60 percent, and more than half of women giving birth now have skilled medical help. Foreign funding and support have meant that hundreds of thousands of children, including girls, have returned to school, and five times as many medical facilities are now open. This dynamic, with Afghans making some progress at unsustainable costs, has been tragically consistent for a decade or more. In some ways, Trumps inconsistency could help clear some of the previous hurdles in talks with the Taliban. At the beginning of his presidency, Trump acquiesced to his Cabinet and actually increased the number of U.S. troops on the ground, from 11,000 to 14,000. Late last year, the White House reportedly asked the Pentagon to look into multiple options in Afghanistan, including a complete withdrawal, but Trump settled on cutting the number of troops by half, leaving about 7,000. If this makes the Taliban believe he is serious about an eventual pullout, that may be helping to drive progress in the talks. Opponents of a pullout had long argued that a larger troop presence could drive lasting progress on the ground, but that hasnt occurred under Trump and didnt under Obama either. The idea of leaving even a small number of troops may anger U.S. withdrawal purists on both the right and the left, but it addresses concerns about continuing counterterrorism operations. It also signals to Afghan civilians and President Ashraf Ghani that Washington does not intend to leave them at the mercy of the Taliban, and negotiating would be worth their while. But then comes the hardest question: with whom to negotiate? Washington will have to exert significant pressure and offer some rewards to keep Ghanis government engaged understandably, since it fears signing its own death warrant. But there is another problem that Ghanis team and Trumps share with their predecessors: a reluctance to broaden the talks to include civil society representatives. Afghan women have spoken up often, at great risk to themselves, to demand that their concerns be heard and their voices included. It is fashionable to write off this demand off as too idealistic, to say that there is no room in power politics for the weak, much less for thinking about gender and other social constructs. Hard, cold facts say otherwise. Peace processes that involve women, religious groups, human rights advocates and other non-state actors are less likely to fail, and more likely to last 15 years or more. Nobody thinks President Trump cares about that but the diplomats and generals on the ground, all of whom have now spent half their adult lives working on conflict in Afghanistan, should. And Americans at home, watching as the children of Afghanistan veterans get ready to deploy in Americas longest war, should too. Its possible to be a cold-eyed realist who believes the war in Afghanistan cant be won and that Washington can only disengage successfully by making sure the concerns of women, minorities, and everyday Afghans are heard in a peace deal. By Sheila Dang (Reuters) - AT&T Inc is cutting some jobs in declining areas of its business, while hiring more people in faster-growing segments, an AT&T spokesman said on Monday. The layoffs will affect a "small" portion of the workforce and are consistent with staffing changes AT&T has done in the past, spokesman Jim Greer told Reuters by telephone. He declined to specify how many positions would be cut. AT&T is the second-largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers. Last year it agreed to buy Time Warner for $85 billion, and it said in June it plans to achieve annualized cost savings of $1.5 billion over three years. (Reporting by Sheila Dang; Editing by Dan Grebler) Baghouz (Syria) (AFP) - Near the front line in eastern Syria, Amer Khalifa plays with a sword he found. To "avenge" his family, he has joined a Kurdish-led alliance fighting the Islamic State group. The 22-year-old is one of numerous members of the Shaytat tribe who have joined the fight to flush out the jihadists from a shrinking enclave near the Iraqi border. Backed by US-led coalition air strikes, they have confined the extremists to a final pocket spanning just four square kilometres (one and a half square miles) on the Euphrates River in Deir Ezzor province. "I want to avenge my brother and my relatives," Khalifa says. "I will fight to the bitter end of the battle, and then I'll hunt down their sleeper cells," says the Deir Ezzor native. IS swept across large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014 and proclaimed an "caliphate" that at its peak reached the size of Britain. As they rampaged across Deir Ezzor, IS fighters massacred more than 900 members of the Arab Shaytat tribe. That summer, Khalifa's 26-year-old brother, his maternal uncles, and a cousin on his father's side all went missing. The young fighter believes IS killed them. He joined the Kurdish-led SDF in the neighbouring northeastern province of Hasakeh in late 2016, after escaping his IS-controlled home village of Abu Hamam. - 'Watch out' - But still he has heard nothing of his relatives, nor found their remains in any of the mass graves the IS group left in its wake. In December 2014, one such death pit was discovered, its belly containing the bodies of 230 Shaytat tribe members -- but not Khalifa's brother or relatives. IS has been ousted from nearly all of its once sprawling proto-state in multiple offensives by various state and non-state parties, including the SDF, formed with US-led support in 2015. Of the SDF's around 30,000 fighters, some 5,000 are from local Sunni Arab tribes. The force also includes Christians and ethnic Turkmen as well as its core Kurdish fighters. Story continues On the east bank of the Euphrates River, in the village of Baghouz near the front line, Arab fighters have set up posts inside modest one-storey homes. Among them, Abu Zeid, a fighter in his late thirties, scrutinises the distance to the nearest possible jihadist. He has a glass eye in his right socket but his left eye is sharp. "Watch out, between the trees," he warns journalists. "They're on the white dirt road... Look, they're behind the pillars," says the fighter in uniform, an olive-coloured scarf tied around his head. He speaks excitedly about the latest developments in battle, and the nearing end of IS territorial control. - 'Grief has become normal' - But when he is asked about what brought him to the front, he becomes silent. He too lost relatives from the Shaytat tribe after IS overran his hometown but refuses to recount what happened. After a pause, he says: "Whatever, it's all so normal. Even my grief has become normal." As soon as they hear gun or artillery fire against the jihadists on the edges of Baghouz, the US-backed fighters scuttle from one terrace to the next to get a better view. The SDF have whittled away at the last IS territory east of the Euphrates in a major offensive launched in September. The alliance's commander in chief last week said he expected to announced the demise of their "caliphate" within a month, before pursuing remaining sleeper cells. IS has retained a presence in the vast virtually unpopulated desert to the west, and has claimed several deadly attacks in SDF-held territory in recent weeks. In a building under construction in Baghouz, Khalifa sits with fellow Shaytat tribesmen around a small fire, heating a blackened kettle to make tea. Asked about why he is fighting the jihadists, he echoes the answer of his fellow Arab combatants. "We want revenge," he says. Damascus (AFP) - Syria and Iran signed 11 agreements and memoranda of understanding late Monday, including a "long-term strategic economic cooperation" deal aimed at strengthening cooperation between Damascus and one of its key allies in the civil war that has torn the country apart. The agreements covered a range of fields including economy, culture, education, infrastructure, investment and housing, the official Sana news agency reported. They were signed during a visit to Damascus by Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis said it was "a message to the world on the reality of Syrian-Iranian cooperation", citing "legal and administrative facilities" to benefit Iranian companies wishing to invest in Syria and contribute "effectively to reconstruction". The agreements included two memos of understanding between the railway authorities of the two countries as well as between their respective investment promotion authorities. In relation to infrastructure, there was also rehabilitation of the ports of Tartus and Latakia as well as construction of a 540 megawatt energy plant, according to Khamis. In addition there were "dozens of projects in the oil sector and agriculture", he added. The civil war has taken an enormous toll on the Syrian economy and infrastructure, with the cost of war-related destruction estimated by the UN at about $400 billion. Iran will stand "alongside Syria during the next phase that will be marked by reconstruction", Jahangiri promised. Iran and Syria had already signed a military cooperation agreement in August while Tehran has supported Damascus economically during the conflict through oil deliveries and several lines of credit. The new agreements come against the backdrop of fresh US sanctions against Iran, while Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime and several Syrian businesspeople and companies are already on US and European blacklists. They also come as Israel has repeatedly pledged to keep arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where the war has already claimed more than 360,000 lives and displaced several million people. Damascus (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Tuesday hailed an economic deal with key ally Iran as a bulwark against what he described as an "economic war" waged by the West. Assad spoke the day after the allies signed a string of agreements including a long-term "economic cooperation" deal ahead of reconstruction in the war-torn country. "These deals... will help consolidate Syrian and Iranian resilience against the economic war waged against them by some Western states", the presidency quoted him as saying. Assad called for "intensifying common efforts to stave off these countries that keep trying to weaken both countries", it said. The United States has reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, while it and the European Union have also blacklisted several Damascus officials and Syrian businessmen. The 11 deals and memoranda of understanding signed on Monday covered fields including the economy, culture, education, infrastructure, investment and housing. They were signed during the visit of Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri to the Syrian capital. Iran and Syria had already signed a military cooperation agreement in August while Tehran has supported Damascus economically during the conflict through oil deliveries and several lines of credit. With help from allies including Iran and Russia, the regime has gained ground against rebels and jihadists since 2015 and controls nearly two-thirds of the country. The 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 also taken an enormous toll on the Syrian economy and infrastructure, with the United Nations estimating the cost of war-related destruction at about $400 billion. Khartoum (AFP) - A top Sudanese general said Tuesday the armed forces were ready to face any threat to the country in the first such remarks in over five weeks of anti-government protests, state media reported. "We confirm the readiness of our armed forces to respond to any conspiracies by the enemy," the official news agency SUNA quoted the army's Deputy Chief of Staff, General Essameddine Mubarak as saying. He was addressing the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Omdurman, the twin city of the capital Khartoum, both of which have been rocked by protests since December 19. "The armed forces are committed to protect the country and its residents. The forces are aware of the enemy's threat," Mubarak said, without specifying the nature of the threats or who the enemies were. Angry crowds have been taking to the streets since December to protest a government decision to triple the price of bread. But the demonstrations have grown into anti-government rallies calling on President Omar al-Bashir to step down. The veteran leader, who swept to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, has rejected calls to step down, and blamed the violence on "infiltrators" among the demonstrators. Officials say 30 people have died in protest-related violence since the demonstrations began, while rights groups say more than 40 people have been killed. Saudi Arabia meanwhile announced its backing for Khartoum. "The cabinet emphasised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's solidarity with the Republic of Sudan as it faces economic challenges," read the minutes of a cabinet session published by the state-run SPA news agency. A Saudi government delegation visited Sudan last week to boost trade ties, SPA said. Saudi Arabia and Sudan are key allies in a coalition fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen in a war that has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia's Gulf rival Qatar has also backed the Sudanese government, which has also received sustained support from its neighbour Egypt. Washington (AFP) - The Islamic State group maintains a force of thousands of fighters who pose a potent threat in the Middle East as its leaders continue to encourage attacks on the West, a top US intelligence official said Tuesday. The stark warning by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats came even as acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan announced that IS was poised to lose all its remaining holdout areas in Syria "within a couple of weeks" and the risk of terrorism had been "significantly mitigated." "ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses," Coats said in a new report to Congress, using an alternate name for the group. He added that the jihadists, who once held vast swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq but are now reduced to a shrinking enclave of around four square kilometers, would exploit any reduction in counter-terror operations to stage a comeback. "The group will exploit any reduction in CT pressure to strengthen its clandestine presence and accelerate rebuilding key capabilities, such as media production and external operations. "ISIS very likely will continue to pursue external attacks from Iraq and Syria against regional and Western adversaries, including the United States." Speaking to Pentagon reporters a short while later, Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan said more than 99.5 percent of the territory the jihadists once held has been recaptured and "within a couple of weeks it will be a hundred percent." "The way I would probably characterize the military operations that we've conducted in Syria is that the risk of terrorism and mass migration has been significantly mitigated," he added -- offering what appeared to be a more optimistic assessment than Coats' report. Story continues - US withdrawal - President Donald Trump last month said the US and its allies had "beaten" IS, as he ordered an immediate troop withdrawal from the war-torn country. But observers say the pronouncement was premature, as evidenced by a suicide attack this month in the northern city of Manbij, where four Americans, including two troops, were among those killed. Shanahan, who was previously deputy defense secretary, succeeded Jim Mattis at the start of the year after he quit in the aftermath of Trump's declaration of victory over IS and the withdrawal of forces from Syria. Coats' report said IS was focusing on exploiting sectarian tensions in Iraq and Syria, adding it "probably realizes that controlling new territory is not sustainable in the near term." "We assess that ISIS will seek to exploit Sunni grievances, societal instability, and stretched security forces to regain territory in Iraq and Syria in the long term," he added. On the subject of Al-Qaeda, the once mighty terror outfit responsible for the 9/11 attacks, the report said that while the group's leaders were encouraging attacks against the West including the US, most of its affiliates' "attacks to date have been small scale and limited to their regional areas." It added Al-Qaeda's affiliates in East and North Africa, the Sahel, and Yemen "remain the largest and most capable terrorist groups in their regions. "All have maintained a high pace of operations during the past year, despite setbacks in Yemen, and some have expanded their areas of influence." Al-Qaeda elements in Syria were continuing to undermine efforts to resolve that conflict, while its South Asia branch was providing support to the Taliban. WASHINGTON Americans should not travel to Venezuela, the U.S. State Department warned in a new advisory on Tuesday. Citing "crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens," the State Department's guidance cautioned that the U.S. government has limited ability to help American citizens in Venezuela. The warning comes amid an escalating political and economic crisis in Venezuela. The Trump administration is pushing for the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro and has recognized Juan Guaido, head of Venezuelas opposition-led National Assembly, as the countrys interim president. Anti-Maduro protesters have taken to the streets amid a spate of deadly violence and a brutal government crackdown on the opposition. The United Nations says at least 20 people have been killed, allegedly shot by the Maduro-controlled security officers or other pro-government forces. The UN's human rights chief Michelle Bachelet warned on Friday that the situation in Venezuela could rapidly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences." In raising its warning level from 3 to 4, the State Department noted that violent crime is common, food and medical shortages are rampant, and spontaneous demonstrations "typically elicit a strong police and security force response." Related stories: John Bolton's notes on '5,000 troops to Colombia' spark speculation about military intervention in Venezuela Trump administration slaps sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: State Department warns Americans not to travel to Venezuela A judge in Tbilisi decided against accelerating the process for Jack Shepherds return to Britain. Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd will not face a fast-tracked extradition from Georgia, a judge has ruled. Shepherd, 31, appeared in court on Tuesday when a judge decided against accelerating the process for his return to Britain, according to reports. He could remain in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, for several more months. Before the hearing, a defence lawyer for Shepherd, Tariel Kakabadze, wrote on Facebook: Prosecutor requested Jack Shepherds urgent extradition according to simplified rules. We, Jack Shepherds defense team are going to fight the request! Shepherd was convicted in his absence last year of killing Charlotte Brown, 24, on a first date in December 2015, when the speedboat they were in overturned in the Thames. He handed himself into Georgian authorities last Wednesday. The court appearance comes after the justice secretary said he was very concerned about death threats made against Shepherds lawyer. David Gauke tweeted: Very concerned about death threats made against Jack Shepherds lawyer. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable. Shepherd is being represented by Richard Egan, who has been sent death threats as he begins defending him. Mr Egan has been sent a letter, which mentioned stabbing, bombing, the words Heil Hitler and a crude drawing of a swastika, according to the BBC. The letter, which also stated that the sender had followed Mr Egan to his home, has been passed to the police. Tbilisi City Court in Georgia heard that Jack Shepherd denies responsibility for the death of Charlotte Brown and intends to contest his extradition. (PA) Ms Brown died after the speedboat overturned during the night out in December 2015 and Shepherd was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence and sentenced to six years in prison in his absence. His disappearance ahead of his trial sparked an international manhunt and Ms Browns family had warned at the time that justice is coming. The Crown Prosecution Service is working on a request to have Shepherd extradited to Britain to face justice over Ms Browns death. The CPS said prosecutors were consulting with the authorities in Georgia to progress our extradition request. Cannabis consumer product entrepreneurs, Peter Miller and Billy Levy, are taking vape pens, beverages, edibles, and even a cannabis documentary company, to the public market on Tuesday, debuting their holding company, SLANG Worldwide Inc. (SLNG), in a direct listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Before Tuesdays trading, the company had an implied market value around $500 million Canadian dollars (CAD), the equivalent of about $377 million (USD), and was priced at $1.50 (CAD) per share, the equivalent of about $1.13 (USD) per share. In Tuesdays trading the stock closed at $1.99C. The Toronto-based company houses a portfolio of branded products sold in 2,600 retail stores across 10 U.S. states, where it derives the majority of its revenue and product sales. One of the highest selling cannabis goods Before its IPO, SLANG raised $66 million in financing and acquired Denver-based Organa Brands and its subsidiary Organa Labs that specializes in extracting, refining, and distilling cannabis oils used in consumer products, including those manufactured under the SLANG umbrella. The strategic acquisition, which co-founder Peter Miller describes as a merger, sets up SLANG to streamline production of one of its most widely recognized products, O.penVAPE. Marijuana Bud Cannabis In Glass Jar With Oil Extract Vape Pen On Black Background. Selective Focus With Copy Space. Grinder and marijuana cannabis weed The O.pen, its one of the highest selling cannabis goods in the history of the legal industry, Peter Miller, SLANGs co-founder and CEO told Yahoo Finance. It has become so popular that people just refer to vape pens like it as O.pens. SLANG told Yahoo Finance it plans to allocate financial resources from the IPO primarily to promote its products. The remainder is for working capital, and it's primarily going into growth in terms of sales and marketing to get the product on more shelves, Levy said. All we care about is where are people able to purchase cannabis legally? And, can we have our brands in as many of those places as possible on as many shelves as possible? Miller said. Story continues Under its 12 brands, SLANG also sells vape hardware and cannabis seeds and strains, and plans to bring flower and pre-roll joints to market. SLANGs partnership with Canopy Growth In a joint venture with Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC) subsidiary Agripharm Corp., SLANG gained access to the Canadian-licensed companys Canadian distribution channels. Under the partnership, Agripharm will manufacture and distribute SLANG branded goods. In 2017, Miller and Levy sold a separate company they co-founded, Mettrum Health Corp., to Canopy for approximately $430 million. They help give us access to the Canadian market internationally, Levy said about Canopy. We've been doing R&D in the largest consumer market in the U.S. with vape pens and edibles, and getting all these insights and data that haven't been available to any other companies in Canada since the products havent been allowed. So together, we're able to bring our products from the U.S. to the Canadian market. And the same way we have the largest distribution footprint in the U.S., they have the largest distribution footprint in Canada. Miller and Levy plan to stay in the branding and marketing lanes, for the most part leaving retail and cultivation for their packaged goods to others. One of the things that's different about us, is we're not investing in expensive agricultural infrastructure like a lot of the peer group of publicly traded companies, Levy said. Ultimately by not farming and not retailing we can focus on extraction through the wholesale of finished goods and we're less exposed to commodity price swings and we're not going to be in competition with our customers who are the retailers, Miller said. Farming is also done best at a relatively small scale. Ultimately, retailers are our customers Miller said any retail plans for SLANG would be limited to experiential, small scale, perhaps even a temporary location where the company could communicate directly with the customer. Ultimately, retailers are our customers...so we're not trying to compete with them in any way on a retail level, Miller said. As for SLANGs media interests, its subsidiary Strain Hunters produces features focused on identifying rare, isolated and unique cannabis genetics from around the world. Among risk factors listed in the companys prospectus are the designation of cannabis as an illegal controlled substance under U.S. federal law, uncertainty surrounding the Trump Administration and the U.S Attorney General, as well as increased regulatory scrutiny of SLANGs interests in the U.S. Miller said he does not anticipate actions by the FDA or other agencies of the federal government to significantly impact SLANGs bottom line. I think there'd be a far bigger risk of sort of drowning from the fire hose of opportunity of everything going legal at once, than dehydrating from from not enough, he said. Alexis Keenan is a New York-based reporter for Yahoo Finance. She previously produced live news for CNN and is a former litigation attorney. Follow her on Twitter at @alexiskweed More from Alexis: Disabled San Diego residents sue over e-scooter obstacle course How legalized cannabis changed Colorado in the past five years Legal experts disagree on whether Trump can declare 'emergency' to build his wall Sen. Kamala Harris Photo: Noah Berger/AFP/Getty Images The Democratic Party is gravitating toward two positions on health care. The first is to extend the gains of Obamacare by adding coverage options: a public option for the exchanges, Medicare buy-in for people 55 and over, and perhaps more generous subsidies for some middle-class consumers in the individual market. The second is far more bold but also more risky: Medicare for All, which would replace the patchwork existing system with a single-payer plan. Many Democrats in the first camp tend to downplay the rhetorical difference between the two approaches. Last night, Kamala Harris staked out a clear position locating her in the single-payer camp: In which Jake asks Kamala Harris whether people would be able to keep their private insurance, if they prefer, under Medicare For All system and she rejects that. "Let's eliminate all of that. Let's move on." pic.twitter.com/A1AY2TOT4g Rebecca Buck (@RebeccaBuck) January 29, 2019 Theres no doubting the worthiness of this ambition. Financing health insurance through private firms does not add any important value. It is obviously possible to run an entire country on a single-payer basis. Lots of countries do it, and people there tend to like the experience much better than Americans do. But the reason its never happened here is that the political barriers that stand in the way of transitioning to such a program in the United States are very imposing. Medicare for All polls reasonably well in the abstract. But once you inform people that it involves eliminating private insurance, the bottom falls out: If anything, this number may understate the peril of the change. People have a strong status quo bias. Actually moving them from their current plan to a new one even a new one that they should like as much or more makes them extremely nervous. Obamacare was carefully constructed to leave almost the entire existing system in place and create new insurance just for the people who lacked it. Yet, in so doing, it had to disrupt existing plans for people on the individual insurance market. Even though this was a tiny group of people, and even though individual insurance was a horribly insecure product of dubious value, the shake-up of this corner of the market produced a national firestorm. Moving people from employer-sponsored insurance to a government plan would disrupt a market literally ten times as large. And thats not even including the political backlash that can arise when you transition from financing their insurance with premiums and employer contributions (which are not free to the workforce, but appear free) with taxes. All this is to say that, even if Harris can withstand the campaign attacks on her plan, actually passing it through two chambers of Congress would pose a much larger obstacle, and she would probably end up settling for the incremental version anyway. If I was advising a Democratic candidate, I would tell them to leave private insurance in place, and open up Medicare as an option. The notion that the Democratic Party is moving too far left and exposing the nominee to counterattacks from Trump is overblown in many ways here is one issue where the risk is very real. DETROIT (AP) The 35-day partial government shutdown stopped the National Transportation Safety Board from dispatching investigators to 22 accidents that killed 32 people, jeopardizing some perishable evidence, the agency said Monday. The NTSB will start investigations, but with some crashes now weeks old, critical lost evidence "potentially could prevent determination of probable cause for the accidents," the agency said in a statement. The agency also did not have personnel to evaluate six other crashes to decide if teams should be sent out, and it didn't gather data on another 69 aviation cases, bringing the total number of delayed investigations to 97. The safety board determines the cause of transportation accidents and makes recommendations to prevent them. It had to furlough 367 of 397 employees during the 35-day shutdown. Although it recalled six investigators, they worked without pay to support probes of three international aircraft crashes, the statement said. The accidents with delayed investigations include 15 involving aircraft that caused 21 deaths, two on railroads resulting in two deaths, one marine accident that killed two, and two highway crashes, one of which killed seven people. Work also stopped on more than 1,800 aviation-safety investigations. The highway crash that killed seven people occurred Jan. 3 on Interstate 75 near Gainesville, Florida. A church van packed with children from Louisiana was headed to Walt Disney World when it got caught in the fiery pileup involving two 18-wheelers. Seven people, including five of the youngsters and two truck drivers, died in the crash. The other vehicle crash involved a tractor-trailer and a school bus in New Jersey in which 15 people were hurt, the NTSB said. The NTSB is now deciding whether it should send investigators to the crash scenes, or just go directly to wreckage in storage facilities. "That's going to vary from accident to accident," said spokesman Christopher O'Neil. Story continues NTSB investigators will be hampered in their work by not seeing the crash sites, former NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said. "Those are accidents that we really should have looked at and were not able to do that now because it's gone," he said. "Without physically having an opportunity to look at it yourself, you really don't get the exposure to it." Rosenker said during shutdowns while he was on the board from 2003 to 2009, investigators were dispatched without pay. He called the latest delay in sending investigators unusual. ____ This story has been corrected to show that 32 people died in the 22 crashes to which the NTSB did not send investigators due to the shutdown. By Chris Helgren TORONTO (Reuters) - An 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled her family this week saying she feared for her life arrived in Toronto's international airport on Saturday after being granted asylum in Canada, where Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland welcomed her as a brave new Canadian. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun grabbed international attention this week after she barricaded herself in a Bangkok airport hotel room to resist being sent home to her family, which denies any abuse. Qunun refused to meet her father and brother, who arrived in Bangkok to try to take her back to Saudi Arabia. Qunun arrived at Toronto's Pearson International Airport on Saturday morning, wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the word Canada in red, and a blue cap with the logo of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which has granted her refugee status. In her last tweet before leaving for Toronto, Qunun said, "I did it," and posted pictures from inside an airplane. Freeland, who received Qunun at the airport, told reporters that Qunun is "a very brave new Canadian." "Rahaf wanted Canadians to see that she has arrived at her new home," Freeland told reporters. "But she had a very long and tiring journey and so would prefer not to take questions today. And she is now going to go to her new home." A smiling Qunun waved to reporters as she walked out into the international arrivals area but did not speak to the media. After a brief appearance, she was taken back into the airport terminal. Canada's decision to grant asylum to Qunun comes at a delicate time. Relations between Ottawa and Riyadh have been tense after Canada demanded the immediate release of jailed rights activists last year, infuriating Saudi Arabia who retaliated by freezing new trade with Ottawa. Qunun, who had initially intended to seek asylum in Australia, chose Canada instead because Australia took too long assessing whether to grant her asylum. "(Australia) takes too long. That's why I went to Canada," she told Reuters in a direct message before boarding her flight to Toronto. Qunun took a Korean Air flight from Bangkok to Seoul on Friday and then a connecting flight to Toronto. Her case has drawn global attention to Saudi Arabia's strict social rules, including a requirement that women have the permission of a male "guardian" to travel, which rights groups say can trap women and girls as prisoners of abusive families. Qunun arrived in Bangkok a week ago and was initially denied entry. But she soon started posting messages on Twitter from the transit area of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport saying she had "escaped Kuwait" and her life would be in danger if forced to return to Saudi Arabia. Within hours, a campaign sprang up dubbed #SaveRahaf, spread on Twitter by a loose network of activists. Following a 48-hour stand-off at Bangkok airport, some of it barricaded in a transit lounge hotel room, she was allowed to enter the country and was processed as a refugee by the UNHCR. (Additional reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Writing by Denny Thomas; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) By Devika Krishna Kumar and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) - Venezuela's revenues from oil sales to the United States have come under severe threat as sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm has sent U.S. buyers scrambling for replacements. The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., known as PDVSA, to cripple the OPEC member's oil shipments, which account for nearly all of Venezuela's exports, in response to the reelection of socialist President Nicolas Maduro, a vote widely viewed as fraudulent. Washington has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's head of state. U.S. refineries that depend on Venezuela's heavy crude are turning to domestic sour crude grades to offset the impact, sending prices to the strongest in about five years, traders said. Other potential alternatives from Canada, Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America are hard to secure amid slowing production, limited spare capacity and transportation bottlenecks, traders said. Broader oil futures prices found some support on news of sanctions but the market reaction was largely muted as a lack of investment, mismanagement and fleeing workers have already driven the OPEC-member's oil production to the lowest in almost seven decades. PDVSA is seeking to sidestep Trump administration sanctions restricting payments for its oil by asking major buyers, including U.S. refiners, to renegotiate contracts, four sources involved in the talks said. The United States is Venezuela's biggest oil customer, importing, on average, about 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude in 2018, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. "The region with the biggest shortfall of Venezuelan crudes, either through sanctions or inadvertently through further production declines is the U.S.," said Michael Tran, commodity strategist at RBC Capital Markets, in a note. For an interactive graphic on top importers of Venezuelan crude, see: https://tmsnrt.rs/2RYGk2E. WHERE WILL VENEZUELA'S OIL GO? The Trump administration sanctions allow U.S. companies to buy Venezuelan oil, but the proceeds of such sales will be put in a "blocked account." Because of this, PDVSA is likely to quickly stop shipping much crude to the United States, its top client. Overnight, Maduro said cargoes loaded for the United States that had not already been paid for could not depart. "There's going to be appetite around the world to take Venezuelan oil," Zachary Rogers, an oil markets analyst at consultancy Wood Mackenzie said. Venezuela will likely be forced to offer steep discounts and increase shipments to Russia, China and India to try and make up for lost revenues from its top market, traders and analysts said. Its output has been cut in half since 2016 to near 70-year lows to less than 1.2 million bpd, according to figures from OPEC secondary sources, due to a major cash crunch. As a result, the U.S. share of its exports has declined in recent years, with more shipments going to Russia and China made largely through oil-for-debt repayment structures. Venezuela can prioritize exports to Asia, but it is the most competitive battleground on the planet, RBC Capital's Tran said, adding that while they remain the second largest market for Venezuelan crudes, the Chinese have also tapered its buying from Caracas over the past two years. For an interactive graphic on Venezuelan crude exports to the United States, see: https://tmsnrt.rs/2S4YIXB. HOW WILL THE U.S. REPLACE VENEZUELAN OIL? Shipments to the United States account for about 75 percent of the cash Venezuela gets for crude shipments, according to a Barclays research note published earlier this month. Citgo Petroleum, the U.S. refining arm of PDVSA and the biggest importer of Venezuelan crude, did not reply to a request for comment. The other primary importers Valero Energy Corp and Chevron Corp said they will comply with U.S. laws. Though the United States is the top oil producer with output of nearly 12 million bpd, complex Gulf Coast refineries need heavier crude grades to produce diesel and other high-margin products, and cannot simply substitute it with light crude. The easiest substitute for now is domestic sour grades. Prices of heavier U.S. grades like Mars Sour, an offshore medium U.S. crude, and West Texas Sour crude have risen as buyers scramble for supply. On Tuesday, Mars crude traded at about $6 a barrel premium to the U.S. crude futures benchmark, up from a $5.20 a barrel premium on Monday and remained near a five-year high, traders said, while West Texas Sour was near the strongest level in a year. "It's nuts. Everything with sulfur in it is getting bid," said one U.S. crude trader said, referring to crude's sulfur content that is known in the market as "sour grades." Some traders said much of the impact had already been priced in. "I actually think it may end up being bearish medium to longer term ... If Guaido takes power and foreign investment flows into Venezuela, then their production has a lot of room to go back up over time," a trader at a merchant said. Currently, alternatives to Venezuela's heavy sour crudes are becoming increasingly scarce in the Americas, due to challenges facing heavy crude producers Canada and Mexico. Canada produces more than 4 million bpd, much of it heavy crude that could replace Venezuelan grades, but pipeline bottlenecks are hampering its exports. "Until the ongoing (Canadian) pipeline issues are addressed, crude by rail is simply not as scalable as increased shipments from Mexico or Iraq," said Tran. However, Mexico's crude output levels are among the lowest on record dating back several decades as its top-producing fields have aged, and new ones to replace them have not been developed. The Trump administration is considering tapping the country's emergency reserve of crude as it imposed sanctions on PDVSA, but no decision has been made, a U.S. government source said. The reserve currently holds 649.1 million barrels of crude, about 396 million of which is classified as sour oil. For an interactive graphic on Venezuelan crude exports to U.S. refiners, see: https://tmsnrt.rs/2S42EI5. For an interactive graphic on top crude importers to the U.S. Gulf Coast, see: https://tmsnrt.rs/2HElW2U. (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar, Collin Eaton and Stephanie Kelly; Additional reporting by Jarrett Renshaw, Jessica Resnick Ault and Luc Cohen; Graphics by Stephanie Kelly; Writing by David Gaffen; Editing by Marguerita Choy) Donald Trump's former campaign adviser Roger Stone has appeared before a federal judge in Washington on charges that he lied to Congress and engaged in witness tampering. A self-described dirty trickster, Mr Stone is the sixth Trump aide charged in Robert Muellers investigation. He pleaded not guilty to the charges before leaving the Washington courthouse and jumping into a black SUV that drove him away. Before and during the hearing, a crowd of supporters and critics surrounded te courthouse steps and doors. Some in attendance included the far-right group the Proud Boys, who have supported Mr Stone and the president amid controversy in recent years. Mr Stone was arrested by federal agents in his Florida home on Friday, and later in the day held a defiant press conference in which he promised to fight the charges against him. During that press conference, Mr Stone vowed that he would never be compelled to lie about his interractions with Mr Trump. Mr Stone is a longtime adviser and confidant of Mr Trumps, and is known for having made contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during the 2016 campaign. WikiLeaks was involved in the release of stolen emails from the campaign of HIllary Clinton. Mr Stone will return to court on Friday. Read along below for our updates on Mr Stone's day in court This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Additional reporting by agencies Produced by Yasmeen Qureshi Through Her Eyes is a new weekly half-hour show hosted by humanitarian and womens rights activist Zainab Salbi that aims to explore a hot button news issue through the lens of a female newsmaker. You can watch the full episode of Through Her Eyes every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on Roku, or at the bottom of this article. Weeks after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., made headlines by calling for a top marginal income tax rate of 70 percent in an interview with 60 Minutes, her fellow freshman congresswoman, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., suggested that the rich could pay even more. There are a few things that we can do, Rep. Omar said in an interview with Through Her Eyes. One of them, is that we can increase the taxes that people are paying who are the extremely wealthy in our communities. So, 70 percent, 80 percent, weve had it as high as 90 percent. So, thats a place we can start. The one percent must pay their fair share, she continued. Rep. Omar mentioned the tax increase as a way to pay for programs like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal being championed by Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. The national defense budget is another area Rep. Omar has her eye on. Im also one that really looks at the defense budget that we have, Rep. Omar said. That has increased nearly 50% since 9/11. And so, most of the money that we have in there is much more than with we spend on education, on healthcare. Rep. Omar also spoke with Through Her Eyes about her Somali culture and Muslim religion, and about her very personal decision to wear a hijab. I was a teenager when 9/11 happened, Omar explained. And I really was uncomfortable with many members of our community feeling like they had to strip themselves of their identity in order to mitigate the violence and the fears that they were feeling. And I thought, you know, the best thing that I could do was to make sure that I was visually showing up in every aspect of society as a visible Muslim so that people can start to associate positive interactions with Muslims. Story continues Rep. Omar is also the subject of a new documentary, Time for Ilhan. Editors note: The headline of this story has been updated to reflect the fact that Omar did not directly support an up-to-90 percent tax rate on the super wealthy. By Suzannah Gonzales CHICAGO (Reuters) - A blast of Arctic air from the polar vortex brought record-setting cold to a wide swath of the United States on Tuesday, stretching from the Dakotas through Maine, with snow expected as far south as Alabama and Georgia. The Midwest was the hardest-hit region, as temperatures plummeted below zero Fahrenheit (minus 17.8 degrees Celsius). By late afternoon, the mercury was hovering at 4F in Chicago (minus 16C), 10F (minus 12C) in Detroit and minus 15f (minus 26C) in Minneapolis. The brutal blast known as the polar vortex is a mass of freezing air that normally spins around the stratosphere over the North Pole, but whose current has been disrupted and is now pushing south into the United States. Officials warned Chicago residents, accustomed to chilling winters, to expect an unusually deep and dangerous freeze. Even the city's supply of its signature deep-dish pizza was affected: The Lou Malnati's chain announced it would stop taking delivery orders at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. "This could possibly be history-making," said Ricky Castro, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Romeoville, Illinois. As much as two feet (60 cm) of snow was forecast in Wisconsin, and six inches (15 cm) in Illinois. Snow was expected through Wednesday from the Great Lakes region into New England. Some Chicago residents found warmth inside the Harold Washington Library Center, which planned to stay open on Wednesday. Gilbert Rothschild, 79, walked through a corridor wearing three sweaters and an undershirt underneath his parka. "The more layers, the more you're insulated," he said. The president of a liquor retailer, Rothschild said he planned on keeping his stores open on Wednesday, figuring customers who were not working might want to pick up something to keep them feeling warm at home. FROSTBITE WITHIN 10 MINUTES Many cities in the Midwest opened warming shelters. Regional governments closed hundreds of schools and airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights, including many destined for Atlanta, where the National Football League's Super Bowl will take place on Sunday. Amy Patterson, a vice president at the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee, said there was enough time for the freeze to pass to allow fans to fly to Atlanta in time for the game, with the National Weather Service forecasting a high of a balmy 58F (14C) on Sunday. A low of minus 10F (minus 23C) was forecast in Chicago on Wednesday. But with the wind chill factored in, temperatures will feel as low as minus 50F (minus 46C) at times in the Chicago area and northern Illinois through to Thursday, the National Weather Service reported. Temperatures could reach lows of minus 30F to minus 40F (minus 34C to minus 40C) in parts of the Northern Plains and Great Lakes on Wednesday, the NWS said. The freezing temperatures may have killed a man in Rochester, Minnesota, who was found dead outside his home on Sunday, according to a reports by WCCO, a local CBS affiliate. Rochester police officials did not respond to a request for comment. Jim Hayes, a National Weather Service meteorologist, warned that frostbite was possible within 10 minutes in the intense cold, which was forecast to linger for days. ZOO CLOSED For many across the region, life ground to a halt. In Chicago, home to the nation's third largest school system, officials plan to cancel classes for all 360,000 students on Wednesday due to the weather. Detroit also said all public schools would close, and Michigan State University said it would suspend classes, only the seventh time it has done so because of weather since 1855. The Chicago Zoological Society said it would shut down Brookfield Zoo for only the fourth time in its 85-year history on Tuesday and Wednesday. Officials in Des Moines, Iowa, opened warming shelters, but also suggested residents could stay warm inside shopping malls In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp shut government offices in 35 counties on Tuesday, and schools across parts of the state were also closed. In Fargo, North Dakota, where the temperature dropped to minus 24F (minus 31C), Dan Hallock, an advertising executive, marveled that people were still working outside as he bought coffee. "The garbage men of Fargo have my utmost respect," he said. (Reporting by Karen Pierog in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta and Gina Cherelus in New York; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York and Alicia Underlee Nelso in Fargo; Editing by Bill Tarrant and Leslie Adler) This article is written for those who want to get better at using price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). Well show how you can use China VAST Industrial Urban Development Company Limiteds (HKG:6166) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. China VAST Industrial Urban Development has a P/E ratio of 3.33, based on the last twelve months. That corresponds to an earnings yield of approximately 30%. View our latest analysis for China VAST Industrial Urban Development Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $60 prize! How Do I Calculate A Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for P/E is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Share Price (in reporting currency) Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for China VAST Industrial Urban Development: P/E of 3.33 = CN2.77 (Note: this is the share price in the reporting currency, namely, CNY ) CN0.83 (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2018.) Is A High P/E Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. That isnt necessarily good or bad, but a high P/E implies relatively high expectations of what a company can achieve in the future. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Earnings growth rates have a big influence on P/E ratios. Thats because companies that grow earnings per share quickly will rapidly increase the E in the equation. That means even if the current P/E is high, it will reduce over time if the share price stays flat. A lower P/E should indicate the stock is cheap relative to others and that may attract buyers. Notably, China VAST Industrial Urban Development grew EPS by a whopping 42% in the last year. And earnings per share have improved by 7.5% annually, over the last five years. With that performance, I would expect it to have an above average P/E ratio. How Does China VAST Industrial Urban Developments P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? Story continues The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. If you look at the image below, you can see China VAST Industrial Urban Development has a lower P/E than the average (5.3) in the real estate industry classification. SEHK:6166 PE PEG Gauge January 29th 19 Its relatively low P/E ratio indicates that China VAST Industrial Urban Development shareholders think it will struggle to do as well as other companies in its industry classification. While current expectations are low, the stock could be undervalued if the situation is better than the market assumes. It is arguably worth checking if insiders are buying shares, because that might imply they believe the stock is undervalued. A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank Its important to note that the P/E ratio considers the market capitalization, not the enterprise value. In other words, it does not consider any debt or cash that the company may have on the balance sheet. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in growth. Spending on growth might be good or bad a few years later, but the point is that the P/E ratio does not account for the option (or lack thereof). How Does China VAST Industrial Urban Developments Debt Impact Its P/E Ratio? China VAST Industrial Urban Development has net debt worth 81% of its market capitalization. This is a reasonably significant level of debt all else being equal youd expect a much lower P/E than if it had net cash. The Bottom Line On China VAST Industrial Urban Developments P/E Ratio China VAST Industrial Urban Developments P/E is 3.3 which is below average (10.3) in the HK market. While the EPS growth last year was strong, the significant debt levels reduce the number of options available to management. If it continues to grow, then the current low P/E may prove to be unjustified. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If the reality for a company is not as bad as the P/E ratio indicates, then the share price should increase as the market realizes this. Although we dont have analyst forecasts, you might want to assess this data-rich visualization of earnings, revenue and cash flow. But note: China VAST Industrial Urban Development may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20). 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. President Trump said Monday that Howard Schultz doesnt have the guts to be President, a day after the ex-Starbucks Chairman and CEO told CBS 60 Minutes he was mulling running as an independent candidate in 2020. Howard Schultz doesnt have the guts to run for President, Trump tweeted Monday morning. [I] Watched him on 60 Minutes last night and I agree with him that he is not the smartest person, Trump continued. Besides, America already has that!, he added, apparently referring to himself. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Like Trump, Schultz is a former donor to the Democratic Party. Were living at a most fragile time, Schultz told CBS on Sunday. He went on: Not only the fact that this President is not qualified to be the president, but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing whats necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged every single day in revenge politics. Schultz has positioned himself as a business-minded centrist, and has criticized policies like single-payer healthcare supported by Democrats who have thrown their hats in the ring for 2020. It concerns me that so many voices within the Democratic Party are going so far to the left, Schultz told CNBC in June 2018. I ask myself, How are we going to pay for all these things? In terms of things like single-payer or people espousing the fact that the government is going to give everyone a job. I dont think thats realistic. Democratic Party stalwarts, meanwhile, expressed their concern that Schultzs decision to run as an independent could split the anti-Trump vote and hand the President a second term at the next election. Schultz, who stepped down from Starbucks in June, has an estimated net worth of $2.9 billion, according to Forbes. Trumps is $3.1 billion, according to the same calculations. A sense of competition might have informed the last line of Trumps tweet: I only hope that Starbucks is still paying me their rent in Trump Tower! A delusional realist. Photo: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images Howard Schultz is sick of the lefts impossible promises. The Starbucks billionaire believes that the American people deserve straight talk, and fiscal realism and that the Democratic Party is incapable of giving them either. When Schultz hears Democrats say that the United States should emulate Canadas single-payer health-care system (which produces better health outcomes at lower costs than our own), he thinks theyre peddling a false narrative on par with Trumps tall tales about the border. Doesnt someone have to speak the truth about what we can afford while maintaining a deep level of compassion and empathy for the American people? Schultz asked the New York Times this week. The billionaire has concluded that the answer to his query is yes, and that he just might be that someone. Therefore, he has begun loudly mulling an independent presidential bid in 2020. As many have already noted, a realist who believes that a third-party candidate can win the 2020 election is a contradiction in terms. Schultz is about as fluent in the realities of modern American politics as Donald Trump is with those of modern American grocery shopping. Meanwhile, Schultzs ostensible belief that the U.S. government is analogous to an upscale coffee chain and thus, that Uncle Sam has no more business running up a $21.5 trillion debt than Starbucks does is no less a declaration of economic illiteracy than Trumps insistence that trade deficits are tantamount to theft. But what makes Schultzs pretensions to realism truly hallucinatory is this: Even if one stipulates that he is right about the appeal of centrism, and the evil of deficits, his own promises about fiscal policy would still be much more extravagantly unrealistic than the median democratic socialists. In recent days, Schultz has promised to reduce economic inequality, end extreme poverty, cut the deficit, combat structural racism, and ensure that every American has access to quality health care while keeping taxes on the rich near historic lows. The inequality is real and must be addressed, but not in a punitive way, Schultz explained at a Barnes & Noble in Union Square last night. We cant continue to add onto the debt. We cant continue to add onto the inequality. And yet, Schultz justified his decision to (potentially) run for the presidency as an independent on the grounds that the Democratic Partys newest tax policy ideas including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs call for taxing incomes above $10 million at a 70 percent rate (a rate that applied to incomes above $216,000 as recently as 1980) were unacceptably extreme. Whats more, in a recent interview with 60 Minutes, Schultz suggested that Donald Trump was right to lower the corporate tax rate, but should have done more to cut taxes for the middle class. During that same interview, Schultz expressed his support for universal access to health care, and lamented the fact that over 40 percent of the American people dont have $400 in the bank, while one out of six people in America are food insecure. And yet, the billionaire also argues that Social Security and Medicare benefits need to be cut, and that the middle class deserves a tax break a position that, when combined with his opposition to soaking the rich and support for deficit reduction, ostensibly rules out any major expansion of anti-poverty programs or health-care subsidies. In sum: Schultz is promising to reduce inequality by keeping taxes on corporate shareholders lower than they were under Obama, to reduce the deficit by slashing taxes on the middle class, and to end poverty by cutting two of the most effective anti-poverty programs in American history. The billionaires incoherent position on inequality is either an expression of towering ignorance or bad faith. If Schultzs actual position is that we cant continue to add onto the inequality, then he should be criticizing Elizabeth Warrens wealth tax from the left. As Schultz has presumably gathered during his years as a fat cat, great wealth multiplies itself (almost) automatically. According to recent research from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the average annual rate of return on all capital assets between 1870 and 2015 was 6.28 percent, while the average annual rate of economic growth was a mere 2.87 percent. At present, the top 0.1 percent of Americans lay claim to roughly as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. Given these circumstances, there is no way to prevent America from adding onto the inequality without massive wealth expropriation. Absent measures too radical for Ocasio-Cortez to (currently) endorse, compound interest will ensure that the wealth gap only multiplies, year after year. Which is to say: Jill Stein has never made an economic promise as wildly utopian as Schultzs proposal to freeze inequality in place without raising top tax rates to Clinton-era levels. (Schultzs purported concerns with racial inequality are similarly incompatible with his allergy to progressive redistribution; absent radical government intervention, the racial wealth gap will balloon in the coming decades.) Chart: The Washington Post As for how Schultz squares his support for deficit reduction with his opposition to significantly raising taxes: The billionaire told CNBC last summer that the key to fixing the debt problem (besides gutting Social Security) was to grow the American economy by 4 percent or greater each year. In other words: simply engineer an economic miracle (that is quite plausibly incompatible with long-term human survival) through unspecified means. In reality, Schultzs problem with the Democratic Party isnt that it refuses to tell Americans the truth about what we can afford. His problem is that Democrats are no longer telling bleeding-heart billionaires like himself the lies they wish to hear. Schultz wants a president who will assure him that there is no relationship between the wealth that he hoards and the poverty he cant help but notice; or between his deficit fearmongering and his nations sky-high uninsured rate; or his opposition to a $15 minimum wage and widespread food insecurity; or his visceral disgust with the very concept of Carter-era top marginal tax rates and income inequality; or his ability to effortlessly finance a campaign for Americas highest office despite boasting no governing experience or grassroots support and the American publics belief that their political system is broken. Unfortunately for Schultz, only about 0.1 percent of the electorate wants the same. Beto ORourke Former Texas congressman Beto ORourke says hes running for U.S. president because his country is currently facing a defining moment of truth. The biggest challenge he says he sees is the battle against climate change, but hes also mentioned the need to revamp U.S. immigration policies. The 46-year-old politician from El Paso, Texas, narrowly lost against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz last year in a Senate race. During that campaign, ORourke called for marijuana legalization, criminal justice reform and single-payer Medicare coverage for all Americans. He also said he supported the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has also hit back with words of his own. Trump called ORourke a total lightweight compared to Cruz and mocked his run before it was announced. Hes viewed as a rising star for the Democrats who could win over younger voters. Photo from Getty Images. The 2020 U.S. presidential election is nearly two years away, but thats not stopping Democratic hopefuls from joining the race. Americans will head to the polls on Nov. 3, 2020, in a race that could see U.S. President Donald Trump push for a second term in office. The Democrats have responded with a diverse list of candidates that is only expected to grow in the coming months. Missing from the list of candidates is one potential presidential contender: former U.S. vice-president Joe Biden, who has not ruled out a 2020 run at his current age of 76. However, there are already some big names who have entered the race. Most recently, 46-year-old former Texas congressman Beto ORourke announced he was running just months after losing a U.S. Senate race against Ted Cruz. Hes arguably the most recognizable face to declare his candidacy since 77-year-old Bernie Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, threw his hat in the ring for the second consecutive time. Some consider U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California to be one of the early front-runners in what is expected to be a crowded field. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey may have more name recognition than other Democrats in the field after being a political target of Trump. From Massachusetts, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is another name that should be familiar with Americans, especially after Trump mockingly referred to her as Pocahontas on a number of occasions after she claimed to be of Native American ancestry. The rest of the list includes U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development Julian Castro, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, former U.S. congressman John Delaney of Virginia, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, New York Times best-selling author Marianne Williamson, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. This photo gallery will be updated as more candidates enter the race. By Bart H. Meijer AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The trade war between Washington and Beijing is forcing Dutch health technology company Philips to move "hundreds of millions" of euros worth of production from the United States to China, and vice versa, to avoid punitive tariffs. "This is not peanuts", Chief Executive Frans van Houten told reporters on Tuesday. "These are serious changes to our supply chains," he said, adding the switches would take place in the first half of 2019. Philips, whose healthcare products range from high-tech toothbrushes to medical imaging systems, stuck to an earlier prediction that increased trade tariffs would cut around 60 million euros ($69 million) from core profits this year. But the effects of the trade war go beyond tariffs, the CEO said, as it is hitting consumer confidence in China, slowing demand for consumer healthcare products in the world's second-largest economy. Philips' sales in China will continue to grow in 2019, however, Van Houten said, as strong demand for hospital equipment will outweigh the weakness of the consumer market. Overall, Philips held on to its target for total comparable sales growth of 4 to 6 percent per year until 2020. HIGHER SHAREHOLDER RETURNS Strong demand for hospital equipment in China, Latin America and Europe helped Philips beat analysts' forecasts in the last quarter of 2018, as comparable sales rose 5 percent and core profit (adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) increased 10 percent to 971 million euros. Together with a 6 percent dividend hike and a new 1.5 billion euros share buyback plan, this lifted Philips shares 1.8 percent to 32.89 euros at 0930 GMT. "On headline numbers, Philips reported a decent update", ING analyst Marc Hesselink wrote in a note. "Underlying, the quality of the beat was lower (as) Connected Care & Healthcare Informatics was, like previous quarters, well below expectations." Rival Siemens Healthineers said on Tuesday it would take steps to raise profitability at its diagnostics unit after lengthy installation times for its new Atellica blood and urine testing machines hit profit at the division. Philips reported comparable sales growth of 3 to 5 percent for its two largest businesses, which make hospital equipment and personal healthcare products. Sales of its connected care division, which specializes in remote patient monitoring, were flat. Philips expects rising life expectancy and associated chronic diseases to lead to growing demand for devices that allow patients to stay at home, while their data is monitored. But Van Houten in November said demand for such products would remain modest in 2019. ($1 = 0.8738 euros) (Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier and Mark Potter) Los Angeles (AFP) - California utility PG&E, facing billions of dollars in potential liabilities over its role in a series of deadly wildfires, filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday. The company, the largest utility in America's most populous state, has been under intensifying scrutiny in the wake of the so-called 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California that left 86 people dead, destroyed some 18,000 buildings and came on the heels of deadly wildfires in the state in 2017. That Camp Fire catastrophe, the deadliest fire in the state's modern history, has sharpened questions about whether a company with a troubled history has put profit ahead of safety. PG&E, whose shares have fallen 72 percent over the last year, could face huge liabilities if investigations reveal its equipment was directly responsible for the fire. The company is committed to providing safe and reliable electricity throughout the bankruptcy and to work for "an orderly, fair and expeditious resolution of its liabilities resulting from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires," it said in a statement. "To be clear, we have heard the calls for change and we are determined to take action throughout this process to build the energy system our customers want and deserve," interim chief John Simon, who has led the company following the resignation earlier this month of former Chief Executive Geisha Williams, also said in the statement. One line of inquiry for investigators is over what role a damaged 115,000-volt line at one of PG&E's towers reported by the company just moments before the fire may have played in the conflagration. Documents provided to AFP by the operator said the power line, called "Caribou Palermo," was put into service in the 1920s by Great Western Power Company, which was acquired by PG&E in 1930. "It is clear that the Camp Fire resulted from PG&Es willful and conscious disregard of public safety," according to a lawsuit filed by Butte County against the utility, which said the company failed to properly maintain vegetation growth near its electric lines. Story continues "They don't need to control Mother Nature," said John Fiske, an attorney representing more than 1,000 victims. "What they need to control is their own assets." - Troubled history - Critics point to the company's record of problems, including 737 counts of criminal negligence over failing to trim trees near power lines following a big fire in 1994. Regulators with the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, found that PG&E diverted $77.6 million from its tree-trimming budget to other uses, according to the Butte lawsuit. "During that same time, PG&E underspent its authorized budgets for maintaining its systems by $495 million and instead, used this money to boost corporate profits," according to the Butte claim. The company was also fined $1.6 billion over a 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, California that killed eight and injured 58. A federal judge who oversaw the company's criminal probation following the pipeline disaster said earlier this month he might order the company to re-inspect its entire electrical grid. Mindy Spatt of the public utilities watchdog TURN also blames regulators for the problems, saying the CPUC "has not been able to provide sufficient oversight." But CPUC President Michael Picker has told state lawmakers the agency's prime role was as an economic regulator to ensure adequate, affordable electricity and that it lacks the manpower to oversee safety for all of the power lines throughout the state. WASHINGTON The Pentagon announced plans Tuesday to send thousands of additional troops to the southern border to bolster security. The military estimated that it has spent at least $235 million since October 2017 deploying active-duty and National Guard troops to string concertina wire, provide transportation for border agents and conduct surveillance along the border. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday that the new deployment would entail "several thousand. I'll leave it at that number." We are currently sourcing the units involved, and there will be an increase of a few thousand troops, Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis said in a statement. We will provide more clarity on the numbers when we have it. About 2,300 active-duty troops and nearly as many National Guard soldiers are on the southern border. About $132 million will be spent through the end of January on the active-duty troops who were ordered there in October, according to Pentagon estimates. President Donald Trump directed more forces to the border to respond to caravans of migrants from Central America. The cost of National Guard troops, stationed at the border through the fiscal year that ended in September, was $103 million, Navy Capt. Bill Speaks, a Pentagon spokesman, said Tuesday. For fiscal year 2019, the Pentagon expects to spend $308 million on deploying National Guard troops. At a hearing on Capitol Hill Tuesday, the House Armed Services Committee focused on the cost and need for troops at border, most especially active-duty forces. That hearing followed the temporary resolution of the 35-day government shutdown the longest in U.S. history over $5.7 billion in funding that Trump demands for border barriers. Trump accepted a deal Friday to reopen the government through Feb. 15. Trump has mused about declaring a national emergency, which would allow him to tap funds and use troops to build the wall. The Pentagon confirmed that it has been preparing plans to design and build the wall through the Army Corps of Engineers. Story continues Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the new chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said the declaration of an emergency was not justified by the security situation at the border. Illegal border crossings have plummeted since 2006 because of increased manpower at agencies such as the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration and Border Patrol. "There really isnt that much evidence of a crisis, Smith said. Smith said an emergency declaration by Trump would prompt a lawsuit. Republicans on the committee argued that the use of troops at the border has been a common, accepted practice for Democratic and Republican administrations and has been needed to deal with caravans. Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry, the highest ranking Republican on the committee, noted that presidents dating to the Clinton administration in the 1990s have called on the Pentagon to help secure the border. John Rood, the Pentagon undersecretary for policy, said the use of active-duty and National Guard troops was justified and a "legitimate, long-standing mission" for the Pentagon. In late October, Trump ordered active-duty troops to the border in response to the migrant caravans. As many as 5,900 active-duty troops were on duty at the border at the peak. They are barred by law from domestic law enforcement. The deployment of active-duty troops was extended from Jan. 31 through September. Navy Vice Adm. Michael Gilday, director of operations for the Joint Staff, told the committee that military officials chose to deploy active-duty troops in October because they could be mobilized faster than National Guard forces, Gilday said. "We have tried to match the troops to the requirement," Gilday said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pentagon to send thousands more troops to border in an operation that's cost $235 million and counting By Ali Sawafta RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah has tendered his resignation and that of his unity government to President Mahmoud Abbas, he said on Tuesday, dealing a blow to faltering reconciliation efforts with Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas. Abbas said in a statement that he accepted the resignation and that the government will "continue its duties until the new government is formed." A Hamas official condemned the move as an attempt to marginalise and exclude the group from Palestinian politics. Hamdallah, a little-known academic, headed the national unity government formed in 2014 and led the West Bank-based Fatah's reconciliation efforts with Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007. The two groups signed a reconciliation deal two years ago which set in motion a plan for Abbas's Palestinian Authority to resume governing in Gaza and take control of the coastal enclave's crossing points into Egypt and Israel. But disputes over power-sharing and policy towards Israel have hampered the deal's implementation. "The president will begin consultation to form a political government made up by factions of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) that will prepare for the holding of new parliamentary election," Abbas said. (Additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas accepted the resignation of his government Tuesday, in a reshuffle seen as a bid by the ageing leader to strengthen his position as a decade-old political split deepens. Analysts view replacing prime minister Rami Hamdallah after five years as part of Abbas's efforts to further isolate his political rivals Hamas, who run the Gaza Strip. Hamdallah's government will remain in place while a new administration is formed. "The government of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah submitted on Tuesday its resignation to President Mahmud Abbas," official news agency Wafa said in English following a cabinet meeting. Late Tuesday a Wafa statement confirmed Abbas had accepted the resignation, but asked the government to continue "conducting business until the formation of a new government." It said Abbas, 83, saw a new government as a step towards parliamentary elections, which have not been held since 2006 due to the political schism. It was unclear how the change of government could impact on policy. Secularist Abbas remains the primary decision-maker and interlocutor with the international community. Palestinian politics has essentially been paralysed since 2007, when Islamist group Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip from Abbas's forces in a near civil war, a year after winning parliamentary elections. Since then Abbas's governments have maintained limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, while Hamas has led a rival government in the strip. Israel and Hamas -- which is considered a terrorist organisation by the United States, the European Union and others -- have since fought three wars in Gaza. The division between the Palestinian parties is seen as a key issue preventing progress in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and improving the situation in the impoverished enclave. Hamdallah's government has also faced major street protests over a proposed social security law that would have forced private employers and employees to pay into a government-managed fund. Story continues Abbas issued a decision scrapping the proposal late Monday. - Reconciliation blow - Multiple attempts to reach a reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas have failed. It was during one such attempt in 2014 that Hamdallah formed what was labelled a national unity government, with both Fatah and Hamas backing a government made up nominally of technocrats. Since then relations have again worsened and Hamdallah survived an assassination attempt in 2018 when an explosion hit his convoy during a rare visit to Hamas-controlled Gaza. Palestinian government officials accused Hamas of responsibility, claims the Islamist group denied. The new government is expected to be made up only of parties that are members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, which does not include Hamas or its allies Islamic Jihad. Hamas condemned the government's resignation, saying Abbas was seeking to establish a "separatist government" to serve his interests. "Our people need a national unity government," spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said. Fatah officials said they had begun consultations regarding forming a new government, though no timeframe was announced. Abbas has taken a series of punitive measures in recent years to try, in vain, to force Hamas to hand over the reins of power in Gaza. Analysts say such measures increase suffering in the strip, which is already under a crippling Israeli blockade. Israel maintains a military occupation of the West Bank, but Hamdallah's government has self rule in key cities. The change in government comes amid an historic breakdown in relations between Abbas and the United States. US President Donald Trump has pledged to propose a peace agreement but Abbas has refused to talk with his administration since he broke with decades of international consensus and moved his country's Israel embassy to Jerusalem in May last year. Palestinians see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state. Islamabad (AFP) - The fate of a Christian woman enmeshed in a years-long blasphemy row could finally be decided Tuesday, when Pakistan's Supreme Court will decide whether to allow an appeal against its decision to acquit Asia Bibi. Judges -- including Pakistan's new chief justice -- are expected to toss out the petition against their decision last October to free Bibi from death row, where she languished for eight years. If they do, it could lift the last legal hurdle between her and a possible deal for asylum abroad. Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 in what swiftly became Pakistan's most infamous blasphemy case. The Supreme Court overturned her conviction last year, but she remains in protective custody as a prime target in conservative Muslim Pakistan, where blasphemy is a hugely sensitive charge. With the government refusing to reveal her whereabouts, speculation has been rampant that she may seek asylum with a European or North American country. Bibi's acquittal ignited days of violent demonstrations, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading. The government has since launched a crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, the Islamist group driving the protests. Its chief, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, has been under detention for weeks. However authorities also struck a deal to end the violence which included allowing the petition seeking an appeal against the Supreme Court's judgement. On Tuesday, "the court will determine if our appeal against her acquittal is admitted" said Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer who filed the petition on behalf of a cleric. Petition reviews are usually settled on the same day they are heard by the court. Experts say it would be highly unusual for the court to allow an appeal against its own ruling. The three-member bench hearing the petition will be headed by new Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa -- considered the country's top expert in criminal law -- who helped draft the decision to acquit Bibi. Story continues - Inflammatory issue - Blasphemy remains a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings. Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims, and rights activists say blasphemy charges are often used to settle personal scores. Minorities -- particularly Christians -- are often caught in the crossfire. The allegations against Bibi date back to 2009, when Muslim women accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, a charge punishable by death under Pakistan law. The accusation emerged from an argument after Bibi was asked to fetch water while working in the fields, but the women objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim. Bibi has consistently denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures. Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor Pope Francis. Unconfirmed Pakistani media reports claim Bibi's two daughters have already gone to Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in November that his government was in talks with Pakistan over an asylum deal, but neither side has confirmed any details since. Small Cap Growth fund seekers should consider taking a look at Oppenheimer Discovery Y (ODIYX). ODIYX bears a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Objective ODIYX is one of many different Small Cap Growth funds to choose from. Small Cap Growth mutual funds build portfolios around stocks with markets caps under $2 billion and large growth opportunities. Additionally, these portfolios typically highlight smaller companies in promising markets and industries. History of Fund/Manager Oppenheimer is based in Denver, CO, and is the manager of ODIYX. Oppenheimer Discovery Y debuted in June of 1994. Since then, ODIYX has accumulated assets of about $593.90 million, according to the most recently available information. The fund is currently managed by Ronald J. Zibelli Jr. who has been in charge of the fund since May of 2006. Performance Investors naturally seek funds with strong performance. This fund has delivered a 5-year annualized total return of 5.54%, and it sits in the middle third among its category peers. If you're interested in shorter time frames, do not dismiss looking at the fund's 3-year annualized total return of 9.33%, 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 ODIYX over the past three years is 15.77% compared to the category average of 10.5%. The fund's standard deviation over the past 5 years is 16.02% compared to the category average of 10.36%. This makes the fund more 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. ODIYX lost 49.18% in the most recent bear market and outperformed its peer group by 3.79%. This means that the fund could possibly be a better choice than its peers during a down market environment. Story continues Investors should not forget about beta, an important way to measure a mutual fund's risk compared to the market as a whole. ODIYX has a 5-year beta of 1.13, which means it is likely to be more volatile than the market average. Another factor to consider is alpha, as it reflects a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark-in this case, the S&P 500. With a negative alpha of -3.06, 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, ODIYX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.84% compared to the category average of 1.25%. So, ODIYX is actually cheaper than its peers from a cost perspective. This fund requires a minimum initial investment of $0, while there is no minimum for each subsequent investment. Bottom Line Overall, Oppenheimer Discovery Y ( ODIYX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively similar performance, worse downside risk, and lower fees, Oppenheimer Discovery Y ( ODIYX ) looks like a good potential choice for investors right now. For additional information on this product, or to compare it to other mutual funds in the Small Cap Growth, make sure to go to www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds for additional information. If you are more of a stock investor, make sure to also check out our Zacks Rank, and our full suite of tools we have available for novice and professional investors alike. 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Nairobi (AFP) - A Kenyan court on Tuesday acquitted one suspect and ruled four others have a case to answer for the 2015 slaughter of 148 people at a university. The five suspects went on trial in January 2016 for their involvement in the deadly attack at Garissa University in northeastern Kenya which was claimed by Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab insurgents. It was the east African nation's deadliest attack since the 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi. Four gunmen involved in the massacre were killed, but five others were prosecuted for terrorism and conspiracy to commit an attack, with 22 witnesses testifying. Magistrate Francis Andayi ruled on Tuesday that there was no evidence linking one of the men, Osman Abdi Dagane, a Kenyan citizen, to the attack. However the others, Mohamed Ali Abdikar, Hassan Aden Hassan, Sahal Diriye and Rashid Charles Mberesero -- a Tanzanian national -- will present their defence. Their next appearance is on February 13. Earlier this month, Andayi ruled that three suspects have a case to answer for their alleged involvement in an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013 in which 67 people died. One man was acquitted. Their trial will continue on March 21. Two weeks ago Kenya was hit by its worst attack since Garissa, when Shabaab gunmen targeted the Dusit hotel and office complex in the capital, killing 21 people. The Islamist group has targeted Kenya and stepped up recruitment in the country ever since it sent troops into Somalia in 2011. Just days after the Dusit attack gunmen were foiled trying to strike a Chinese construction site in Garissa, and on Saturday two people were lightly injured in a mysterious explosion in central Nairobi, further setting the country on edge. This prompted the national police to put out a statement urging the public, transport operators, malls, hotels, places of worship and education, to "step up their level of alertness". A visitor takes photos of the FlexPai foldable smartphone with flexible display on the second day of the China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen. Photo: WangLei/VCG via Getty Images The basic shape of the smartphone has remained remarkably steady for nearly a decade. Screens have increased in size, bezels have shrunk, home buttons (and headphone jacks) have disappeared, but if you spotted someone across the room using a smartphone in 2009, it would look very much like someone using a smartphone in 2019. That will change in 2019 and 2020, as a host of phone manufacturers, set free by bendable AMOLED screens and made semi-desperate by flat or falling global smartphone sales are set to roll out smartphones that can unfold into tablets, and then fold back down into something resembling a very thick smartphone. There are already at least three foldable phones on the horizon this month. Of those, the most significant is Samsungs foldable phone, rumored to be called either the Galaxy X or the Galaxy F. At the Annual Developer Conference in San Francisco in November, the device was shown onstage, but dim lighting and a stage-managed presentation meant that we only got a vague notion of what the phone would look like. More will likely be revealed at Samsung Unpacked event on February 20, where Samsung will roll out its 2019 lineup of Galaxy phones, but early rumors put the foldable phone at around $2,000, making even Apples highest-end phones seem like a bargain. Theres Royoles FlexPai, which was shown off at CES. Royole, founded by Stanford engineering grads, is first to the market, already selling the FlexPai in China for of 8,999 yuan, or around $1,300. (Americans can buy a developers version for about the same price.) Those whove gotten hands-on time with it have been less than impressed the FlexPai may fold down, but folded down its a very, very bulky piece of hardware. Meanwhile, Lenovo is set to relaunch the Motorola Razr brand with a flip phone of sorts, but with a fully foldable screen inside. The phone hasnt been shown yet, but per The Wall Street Journal, it would cost around $1,500 and be a Verizon exclusive. Xiaomi, a Chinese phone manufacturer relatively unknown in the U.S. but with major traction in China and Europe, had president Bin Lin playing with a working prototype that uses more of a trifold presentation. The video above, originally posted on Chinese social network Weibo, was more tease than actual pitch, with Xiaomi seemingly wanting to test the waters for enthusiasm for the phone. So what to make of all this? First, the price point that foldable smartphones are settling into, at least for this first generation, is eye-watering. Even the cheapest foldable phone so far will cost more than Apples priciest iPhone. If foldables prove to be a hit with buyers, the manufacturing-cost curve on the ultraflexible AMOLED screens would likely drop, but its not clear that prices would fall for consumers. Samsung in particular needs a phone with fat profit margins it sells the most phones of any manufacturer in the world, but even its flagships are sold on much thinner margins than its main competitor Apple can command. Given that phone manufacturers tend to follow each others moves closely, its likely that more foldables will be announced and released before the end of 2019. Which leads to the next question: Who is the buyer for a foldable phone? Someone who wants the screen size of a tablet, but with something that they can wedge into their pocket? Would, say, an 8-inch-square screen be worth an extra $1,000 to a phone buyer? Another factor: AMOLED screens can bend, but lithium-ion batteries cant. How much battery life will foldables have, considering one of the biggest drains on a phones life is powering the screen? And while the gee-whiz form factor will be major selling point, how will that form factor work out? Todays larger phone barely fit in pants pockets, and it seems unlikely even a tucked-up foldable will slip easily into a pair of jeans. If your foldable phone also requires a bag to carry it, how much is that folding action really getting you? Of course, plenty of people were skeptical of phablets when they first hit the market in 2011 and 2012 did people really need phones with screens bigger than the iPhone 4s 3.5-inch display? Yes, it turns out, they very much did, especially as 4G data speeds meant that streaming video over data signals was a real possibility. It may turn out that foldables could find their own sweet spot or possibly even supplant that rectangle of screen that weve known as the smartphone, given enough time and consumer enthusiasm. Or foldables may be more like what happened as flat-screen HDTVs started to stall out in growth, and manufacturers turned to curved screens as a way to try to spur new sales. After a year or two of curiosity, curved screens disappeared, the price of TVs continued to fall, and television manufacturing continued to be a very difficult industry to be in. Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence, testifies on worldwide threats during a Senate Intelligence Committee - AFP North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear weapons program, Americas most senior intelligence chief has said, in stark contrast to Donald Trumps optimistic comments on securing a breakthrough. Dan Coats, the US director of national intelligence, said that North Koreas leaders see keeping their nuclear arsenal as crucial to regime survival. Mr Coats also warned there was evidence that Kim Jong-uns regime was taking actions inconsistent with its declared support for denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. The remarks, which came during an appearance by six US intelligence chiefs before the Senate Intelligence Committee, jar with the US presidents public views on the stand-off. Mr Trump has repeatedly played up the prospect of North Korea denuclearising since he met with Kim, the countrys leader, during a historic summit in Singapore in June 2018. Donald Trump, the US president, and Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, shake hands during a summit in Singapore Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh The US president tweeted shortly after that meeting that there is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea. On another occasion he joked that him and Kim fell in love with each other. Mr Coats is a former Republican senator who serves in Mr Trumps cabinet. The role he holds was created after the September 11 attacks and co-ordinates Americas 17 different intelligence agencies. In his prepared opening remarks on North Korea for a hearing about worldwide threats, Mr Coats begun by playing up the areas of progress in the relationship. He said: The regime has halted its provocative behavior related to its WMD program. North Korea has not conducted any nuclear-capable missile or nuclear tests in more than a year and it has dismantled some of its nuclear infrastructure. Christopher Wray, FBI director, Gina Haspel, CIA director, Daniel Coats, director of National Intelligence, and General Robert Ashley, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, [left to right], at the Senate Intelligence Committee Credit: SAUL LOEB / AFP "As well, Kim Jong-un continues to demonstrate openness to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula." But Mr Coats went on: Having said that, we currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival. Story continues "Our assessment is bolstered by our observations of some activity that is inconsistent with full denuclearisation . The assessment that North Korean leaders do not actually want to give up their nuclear weapons program challenges a central tenant of the Trump administrations stance for talks. Mr Trump has repeatedly talked up the chance of a breakthrough and has touted Kims support for denuclearisation though at times has made clear he does not know where talks will end. Critics have warned that the North Korean regime is not really willing to give up its weapons, despite its leaderships public statements. Mr Trump and Kim are due to hold a second summit in late February. A location is yet to be announced. During their appearance on Capitol Hill, the intelligence chiefs made a number of stark comments that underlined the scale of threats facing America and other nations. Mr Coats singled out the big four Russia, China, Iran and North Korea as he warned a toxic mix of competitors, regional powers, failed states and non-state groups were threatening America. He said that more than a 1,000 Isil fighters remain in Syria and Iraq and that the terror group is plotting resurgence. The remark comes as Mr Trump withdraws Americas 2,000 troops from Syria after declaring Isil had been defeated a decision that triggered a fierce backlash from allies and the resignation of defence secretary Jim Mattis. Mr Coats noted that China and Russias relationship is now closer than for many decades, an alliance that would have significant impacts on geopolitics if it continues to solidify. He also warned that the 2020 US presidential election was viewed by adversaries as an opportunity to advance their interest", raising the prospect of more foreign interference. He said protecting US elections was a top priority. Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Getty, AP Tel Aviv, ISRAEL New research released today by the cybersecurity firm FireEye identifies a new Iranian hacking group targeting telecommunications companies and transportation companies to gather information on individuals. The new group, designated Advanced Persistent Threat 39, is based in Iran and is suspected to be state sponsored, according to a senior researcher with FireEye. APT39 is an Iranian cyber espionage actor that FireEye intelligence has tracked since November of 2014, Ryan Whelan, a senior manager for strategic intelligence operations at FireEye, announced Tuesday at a cyber conference in Tel Aviv. We assess APT39s principal activities is to conduct operations to support Iranian operations in other areas and by other groups, or other organizations. Whelan said FireEye had tracked the group for more than four years and was confident it was Iranian, based on Persian-language intercepts and domain registries linked to Iran. APT39s targeting is global, but the majority of [its] operations are centered in the Middle East, including Israel, Whelan said. In a blog post the company posted Tuesday morning, FireEye says APT39 has prioritized the telecommunications sector, with additional targeting of the travel industry and IT firms that support it and the high-tech industry. The group appears to be gathering information on people as a way to launch further operations. In 2017, FireEye identified another group, called APT34, that was also targeting organizations involved in critical infrastructure in the Middle East. The overlap of this new group with APT34, as well as other Iranian-government associated groups, suggests this one is state operated, Whelan said. FireEye believes his new group is distinct from APT34, but they do share similarities and resources within the Iranian apparatus, he said. Among other similarities, both APT34 and APT39 were using the names of famous Iranian film directors to register domains. Those directors are not complicit, Whelan said. Story continues APT39 was mainly focused on stealing personal data, according to Whelan. This differentiates them from previous Iranian APT actors, he said. While the group has targeted transportation and telecom firms, Whelan said one of the ultimate targets appears to be a specific Middle Eastern oil and gas company, though he didnt name it. He said the attackers penetrated a telecom company and ran search on customer logs and employee data for the oil and gas company. Whelan said it appeared that the hackers were trying to obtain information that could be commercially useful. But what appears to be most striking about this new group is its focus on collecting intelligence on individuals, which has been a priority of other recent suspected state-sponsored hacks. That appears to have parallels to other attacks, according to John Hultquist, who manages intelligence analysis at FireEye. Its useful to compare this actor to the Chinese one who targeted [U.S. Office of Personnel Management], insurance, travel for similar reasons, Hultquist wrote to Yahoo News. Irans interest in the cyber domain is consistent with its preference for asymmetric and indirect conflict while disguising its hand, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in an interview with Yahoo News. However, stealing personal information and penetrating networks, as reported of APT39, offers Iran an array of targets for future exploitation should the regime need to escalate against the West, he continued. The Iranian Interests Section at the Pakistani Embassy, Irans consular representation in the U.S., did not respond to a request for comment on the new research. The Trump administration has ramped up its rhetoric against Iran in recent months. In 2018, President Trump announced his intention to end the multilateral nuclear pact, and the White House is currently in a battle with European allies over the imposition of sanctions on Tehran. We are aware of reports claiming that Iran is increasing its cyber hacking activities, a State Department spokesperson wrote in a statement. The United States is deeply concerned with the Iranian regimes malicious cyber activity. We express particular concern for cyber activities targeting critical infrastructure that have the potential for disruptive or destructive consequences. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday held talks with two Russian officials on reinforcing their military coordination in Syria in order to avoid any "friction" there, his office said. The talks focussed on "Iran and the situation in Syria, and strengthening the security coordination mechanism between the militaries in order to prevent friction," said a statement from his office. At the meeting, the Kremlin's Syria envoy Alexander Lavrentiev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin "reiterated Russia's commitment to the maintenance of Israel's national security," it added. On January 17, officials from both countries held talks in Israel to improve coordination between their armed forces to avoid "friction" in Israel's operations against Iran in Syria. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria in the past few years against Iranian and Hezbollah targets, and the Jewish state and Russia have set up a "de-confliction" hotline aimed at avoiding accidental clashes. That mechanism was stretched when a Russian military aircraft was mistakenly shot down by Syrian air defences after an Israeli raid in September. Fifteen Russian soldiers were killed and the Russian army accused Israeli pilots of using Moscow's plane as cover to evade Syrian gunfire. As part of its response, Russia announced new security measures to protect its military in Syria, including supplying Syria with an S-300 air defence system and jamming the radars of nearby warplanes. Netanyahu has told Russian President Putin that Israel is determined to prevent Iran from entrenching militarily in Syria, according to his office. Both Russia and the Islamic republic, Israel's arch-enemy, are allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and have helped his forces inflict numerous defeats on rebels and jihadists. Washington (AFP) - North Korea is not likely to give up all of its nuclear weapons even if President Donald Trump's efforts to negotiate a deal with Pyongyang bear fruit, US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said Tuesday. "We continue to assess that North Korea is unlikely to give up all of its nuclear weapons and production capabilities, even as it seeks to negotiate partial denuclearization steps to obtain key US and international concessions," Coats said in a report to Congress on threats to the United States. "North Korea will continue its efforts to mitigate the effects of the US-led pressure campaign, most notably through diplomatic engagement, counterpressure against the sanctions regime, and direct sanctions evasion," Coats said in the report. The report, an annual assessment of threats against the United States from the entire US intelligence community, said North Korea's leaders see having a nuclear weapons capability as "critical to regime survival." It said Kim Jong Un, who is planning a second summit with Trump possibly in late February, is wooing China and South Korea to support its push for Washington to loosen sanctions pressure without making significant nuclear concessions. "Kim has also sought to align the region against the US-led pressure campaign in order to gain incremental sanctions relief, and North Korean statements have repeatedly indicated that some sanctions relief is necessary for additional diplomacy to occur," the report said. Statue that is located in Thessaloniki, Greece. A scientist has proposed a grisly and disturbing explanation for one of the great historical mysteries how Alexander the Great died, and why legends say his body didnt rot. Previously, researchers suggested that alcohol or malaria might have finished off Alexander, who created a huge empire in Asia and Africa in the third century BC. But a new and grisly theory suggested that he had an autoimmune syndrome Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) which led to him being paralysed and unable to communicate. So while his followers thought he was dead, he was in fact aware, but paralysed. MORE: Shocking bodycam footage shows thugs kick police officer into path of moving bus MORE: Frances Macron attacks Brexit and says it will end up costing the British people Study author Dr Katherine Hall, of the Dunedin School of Medicine in New Zealand, said, His death may be the most famous case of pseudothanatos, or false diagnosis of death, ever recorded I have worked for five years in critical care medicine and have seen probably about 10 cases [of GBS]. The combination of ascending paralysis with normal mental ability is very rare and I have only seen it with GBS, she said. His sight would have been blurred and if his blood pressure was too low he would have been in a coma. But there is a chance he was aware of his surroundings and could at least hear. So he would have heard his generals arguing over the succession, hear the arrival of the Egyptian embalmers, hear that they were about to start their work. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Washington (AFP) - Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election is close to being wrapped up, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday Mueller's office has been notoriously tight-lipped about the progress of the high-profile investigation, and Whitaker's remarks were the first official indication that the probe may be coming to a close. "The Mueller investigation is close to being completed," Whitaker told journalists. "I've been fully briefed on the investigation and I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report," he said. "I hope we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible." Mueller will submit his report to Whitaker unless he has been replaced as attorney general by then by Bill Barr, who has been nominated to the post by Trump but not yet confirmed by the Senate. Without elaborating, Whitaker said: "I am comfortable that the decisions that were made (in the Mueller report) are going to be reviewed, you know, through the various means that we have." Mueller, a former FBI director, was named by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in May 2017 to look into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Mueller was appointed special counsel after Trump abruptly fired FBI director James Comey that same month. Mueller's team has indicted a total of 34 people -- but so far, no charges of outright collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow have been filed. - 'Political witch hunt' - Trump has repeatedly denounced the investigation as a "political witch hunt" and fervently denied there was any collusion between his campaign and Moscow. He has frequently taken to Twitter to condemn members of the Mueller team as a bunch of "angry Democrats." Trump has also dangled the possibility of pardons for some of those indicted. Story continues On Friday, Roger Stone, 66, a veteran Republican operative and longtime Trump advisor, was arrested at his Florida home by FBI agents on charges of making false statements to Congress and witness tampering. Stone has proclaimed his innocence and said he would fight the charges, but several other Trump associates indicted by Mueller have pleaded guilty to various charges. Paul Manafort, 69, who served as Trump's campaign chairman for several months in 2016, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to tax and bank fraud connected to his work for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. Michael Flynn, 60, a retired US Army general who stepped down after three weeks as Trump's national security advisor, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. Trump's longtime personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen, 52, 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, 46, Trump's deputy campaign manager and Manafort's business partner, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and financial fraud. George Papadopoulos, 31, an oil industry analyst who served on Trump's foreign policy advisory team, was sentenced to two weeks in prison after admitting he lied to the FBI. Others indicted by Mueller include Alex Van Der Zwaan, a London 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. 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. Life has a funny (OK, not so funny) tendency to throw unwanted surprises our way, and many of those surprises are financial in nature. You never know when your roof might spring a leak, your car might break down, or your clumsiness might land you in the hospital with a broken leg and a whopping bill. That's why we all need emergency savings for protection against life's unknowns. Working Americans are generally advised to have an emergency fund with enough money to cover three to six months' worth of living expenses. The logic is that this type of cushion could conceivably not only pay for an unplanned bill but an extended period of unemployment. But what if you're retired and therefore aren't used to collecting a paycheck? You still need emergency savings, but is it really necessary to sock away six months' worth of expenses in a bank account? The answer is: It depends on what your spending looks like and how much peace of mind you're after. A bespectacled senior woman looking closely at a document while sitting on a chair IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES. Emergency savings: A must for retirees The purpose of an emergency fund is to bridge the gap when a paycheck alone won't suffice in covering whatever financial situation is at play. But when you're not getting a paycheck anyway, what your emergency fund really does is offer protection against having to sell investments at a loss. Many retirees live off their Social Security income coupled with their IRAs or 401(k). If you're one of them, you're no doubt aware that your IRA or 401(k) shouldn't just be sitting in cash; rather, it should stay invested in stocks and bonds to generate more income during your golden years. The problem, however, is that market conditions can cause the value of your investments to go up or down. And in the latter scenario, needing money for an emergency could result in major losses if you're forced to liquidate assets at a time when they're worth less than what you paid for them. Story continues That's why you need an emergency fund in retirement -- to avoid having to take losses that upend your finances. Whether you really need up to six months' worth of living expenses in the bank, however, hinges on what your current costs look like. If you own a home and a vehicle, and you have a host of health issues that tend to land you in the hospital, then having a six-month cushion isn't a bad idea. On the other hand, if you're a renter who relies on public transportation, it means that other than healthcare, you can generally avoid financial surprises that throw your budget off course. In that case, a three-month emergency fund will likely suffice, keeping in mind that you'll also (most likely) have regular Social Security payments coming in, which are guaranteed income. That said, you might use your emergency fund to tide yourself over if the market takes a catastrophic turn for the worse -- in which case having close to a year's worth of living expenses isn't a bad idea. Imagine a recession hits, and your portfolio value declines substantially. If you're able to live off your emergency fund for a year, you might wait out that downturn and come away totally unscathed; whereas if you're forced to take withdrawals during that time, you'll probably lose money no matter what. Therefore, the question of how much emergency savings you need in retirement ultimately boils down to how much flexibility and peace of mind you want to give yourself. If you'd like option to leave your nest egg alone during extended periods of volatility, then err on the side of saving more. If you're only looking to cover one-off expenses, save less. And if the majority of your bills are truly predictable, you can get away with an even smaller amount. Just make sure to have some cash available and instantly accessible -- because that's something you can't live without. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Tokyo (AFP) - If you find you just can't spring out of bed on time every morning, you may be able to blame it on your genes, a new scientific study has found. The research analysed a wealth of genetic data gathered from the DNA testing website 23andme and a British "biobank" to better understand what makes someone a "morning lark" or a "night owl". "This study is important because it confirms that your morning or evening preference is, at least to some extent, determined by genetic factors," said Michael Weedon, a professor at the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the research. The study is the largest of its kind -- it looked at data from nearly 700,000 people -- and found that significantly more genetic factors are tied to when people sleep and wake than previously known. Researchers knew of 24 genes linked to sleep timing, but the new study published Wednesday in the Nature Communications journal found an additional 327 play a role. The analysis also showed that those with a genetic tendency to sleep later have a higher risk of mental health problems such as schizophrenia, though the authors cautioned that more work was needed to understand the link. The initial phase of the research involved analysing the genes of people who self-reported as either a "morning person" or an "evening person". Because those terms can mean different things to different people, the researchers examined a smaller set of participants who were using activity trackers. They looked at information from the wrist-worn trackers of more than 85,000 participants in the UK Biobank to find objective data about their sleep patterns. They found the genes they had identified could shift a person's natural waking time by up to 25 minutes, but there were no apparent links between the genes and how long or how well people slept. - 'Morning person' - The study also looked at why certain genes influence when people sleep and wake up, finding differences in the way the brain reacts to light and the functioning of internal clocks. Story continues To test long-standing theories about the links between sleep patterns and certain illnesses, the researchers also analysed the correlation between "morning" and "evening" genes and various disorders. They found that a genetic inclination to sleep and wake earlier appears to be tied to a lower risk of depression and schizophrenia, and improved well-being. However, Weedon acknowledged it was not immediately clear if the link was the direct result of being a "morning person", or caused by the fact that early risers have an easier time in the 9-5 work environment. The researchers plan to look at whether "genetically evening people have worse outcomes if they are active in the morning, compared to those whose genetics and activity are aligned," he said. The study did not find evidence of a causal link between genes that affect sleep times and metabolic diseases, like type 2 diabetes. But further research will look at the issue in individuals whose natural sleep inclinations are mismatched with their lifestyles. "For example, are individuals who are genetically evening people but have to wake up early because of work commitments particularly susceptible to obesity and diabetes?" the study asks. Furloughed federal workers will receive back pay, but contractors will not. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images The government is up and running again, and the 800,000 federal employees who went unpaid for more than a month will soon be made whole. The same cannot be said for the hundreds of thousands of contractors who clean toilets, cook meals, and perform other grueling tasks for the federal government. Theres an effort to change that though. Nearly two weeks ago, a handful of Democratic senators put forward a bill to guarantee back pay to contractors, who are paid by third-party companies. Those companies arent getting paid by the government during the shutdown and so the people who work for them are also going unpaid. The Democratic legislation calls for federal agencies to reimburse contractors for providing back pay to janitors, cooks, security guards, and others who were out of work during the shutdown. If any workers used sick days or leave during the shutdown, contractors would also be compensated for restoring those days for employees. This bill is about helping a group of people who are often invisible people who work in the cafeterias, who clean offices after everyone else goes home, security guards who keep our buildings safe overnight, Minnesota senator Tina Smith said in a statement earlier this month. She also said providing this money to contractors should be a no-brainer since its already been allocated to federal agencies. But the bill, which has more than 20 Democratic co-sponsors, has yet to attract any support from Republican lawmakers, Vox reports. Theres hope that will change: I dont know of any Republican opposition to this, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD), one of the bills sponsors told Vox, adding that he hopes the legislation could be added to any final spending package that funds the government. In the House, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA) has also introduced a companion bill. Its unclear how many contractors went without pay during the shutdown. New York University professor Paul Light says as many as 580,000 workers could have been affected by the shutdown. Ohio senator Sherrod Brown, one of the co-sponsors of the Democratic legislation, tweeted that there are more than a million contractors who deserve back pay. They dont just deserve it; they need it. Especially since their first post-shutdown paycheck can still be weeks away. Thats the case for employees of Unispec Enterprises, which provides personnel services to the government, the Washington Post reported over the weekend: And because Unispec cannot pay its employees until it has billed the government and received payment for their work, it will be another four full weeks, Feb. 28, before Morgan is eligible to receive a complete paycheck, McClure said. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has shown little interest in securing back pay for contractors. Asked Monday whether the White House supports such an effort, National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow said, Im not sure. Im not an expert on that. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Tuesday he expected to see significant progress in trade talks with Chinese officials this week and that U.S. charges against telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd were a separate issue. "Those are separate issues, and that's a separate dialogue," Mnuchin said in an interview with Fox Business Network. "So those are not part of trade discussions. Forced technology issues are part of trade discussions, but any issues as it relates to violations of U.S. law or U.S. sanctions are going through a separate track." China's Vice Premier Liu He is leading a delegation for high-level trade and economic talks in Washington this week, including a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. On Monday, the United States announced criminal charges against Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou and the Chinese technology firm. But Mnuchin said he did not expect the issue to be part of the economic talks. Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei's founder, was arrested in Canada in December and is fighting extradition to the United States. Mnuchin said the U.S. security concerns raised by the Huawei case were separate from the conversation on trade and forced technology. "There are two different issues. One is an issue of state subsidies" regarding Beijing's subsidies, he said. The other, he added, was a national security issue focused on U.S. infrastructure and cybersecurity. "These are separate issues and shouldn't be confused," Mnuchin said. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey; Editing by Paul Simao) Miguel Almirion is headed to Newcastle United after the English Premier League club and MLS champion Atlanta United finally agreed to a transfer fee for the dynamic 24-year-old Paraguayan, according to a report published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday. The paper cited a person close to the player as its source. Newcastle had been after Almiron, who led Atlanta to an MLS Cup win last month in just its second season in the league, for some time. But its initial offer for the midfielder, reported as $20 million, was deemed insufficient by Five Stripes president Darren Eales, who said publicly that he valued Almiron at $30 million. It remains to be seen what figure the two sides eventually settled on. It was reported as recently as Saturday that talks between the clubs had broken down. Almirons agent left England without a deal and had been shopping the ex-Lanus standout to teams in Italys Serie A, according to the Newcastle Chronicle. Premier League-bound Miguel Almiron led Atlanta United to an MLS Cup win over Portland last month. (Brett Davis/USA Today) In the end, it seems Newcastle and Spanish manager Rafa Benitez got their man. Benitez needs him. The Magpies have managed just 21 goals through their first 24 games and currently sit five points above the relegation zone. The club is home to another former MLS player in U.S. national teamer DeAndre Yedlin, who helped Newcastle win promotion to Englands top flight two years ago. With Almirons departure, Atlanta is now in compliance with MLS rules that limit its teams to three high-earning designated players. United recently singed Argentine attacker Pity Martinez, widely seen as Almirons replacement, from South American champion River Plate. Ezequiel Barco and Josef Martinez are Atlantas two other DPs. In his two years in Georgias capital, Almiron scored 21 goals and added 28 assists in 62 appearances. He was named to the leaguess Best XI both seasons. Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre. More from Yahoo Sports: Report: Trump to make a play on Super Bowl Sunday Lonzo not interested in playing for Pelicans Madden predicts winner of Super Bowl LIII Wetzel: Comics try, mostly fail, to make Bill Belichick laugh Protestors outside a screening of Leaving Neverland in Park City (Credit: Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP) The family of Michael Jackson have slammed the new documentary Leaving Neverland, calling it a public lynching. The film, made by British BAFTA-winning director Dan Reed, pivots on interviews with two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege that were the subjects of sustained sexual abuse by Jackson when they were children. But Jacksons family have slammed the claims, releasing a furious statement. People have always loved to go after Michael. He was an easy target because he was unique, it reads. But Michael was subjected to a thorough investigation which included a surprise raid of Neverland and other properties as well as a jury trial where Michael was found to be COMPLETELY INNOCENT. There has never been one piece of proof of anything. Yet the media is eager to believe these lies. We cant just stand by while this public lynching goes on, and the vulture tweeters and others who never met Michael go after him. Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made. Wade Robson, from left, director Dan Reed and James Safechuck (Credit: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP) The four-hour film debuted on Friday at the Sundance Film Festival, with reports that many of the audience were left shell-shocked by the footage. The festivals director John Cooper advised the audience prior to the screening that mental health professionals were on hand for anyone distressed by the content of the film, parts of which are said to be agonisingly explicit. Jacksons nephew Taj Jackson has also slated the allegations, tweeting: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. However, in a Q&A session after the screening, Robson and Safechuck maintained that they have not been paid for their participation. Defending the film, Reed told The Hollywood Reporter: A four-hour piece, is that a tabloid? I didnt characterize Jackson at all in the film. I think if you watch it youll have noticed that its a story about these two families, and Jackson is an element of that story. But I dont seek to characterize him at all. I dont comment on Jackson. Its not a film about Michael. Story continues The film itself is an account of sexual abuse, how sexual abuse happens and then how the consequences play out later in life. Read more Singer calls abuse report homophobic Lost Boys TV show in the pipeline Oscars nominations 2019 Parts of the UK have been hit by snow, including Tan Hill in North Yorkshire (Picture: PA) The Met Office has warned of a bitingly cold Wednesday morning, bringing risks of ice and snow after parts of the UK were hit with the white stuff on Tuesday. Motorists faced difficult driving conditions on Tuesday morning as snow and sleet fell in some areas, while 10 schools in the Highlands were closed due to bad weather. Traffic Scotland reported snowfall on parts of the M80 and M77 on Tuesday morning while Amey reported snow on the M8, M9 and A7. Cumbria Roads Police also urged people to slow down as it shared an image of a car overturned between junctions 36 and 39 of the A6 near the village of Shap. In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the Met Office warned of plummeting temperatures on Wednesday, saying: It will be bitingly cold on Wednesday morning, with the risk of # ice for many and some # snow showers. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. It also shared radar images of the UK, showing areas that had been affected by rain, sleet and snow, saying that some snow had been reported across parts of Birmingham. The Met Office had issued yellow weather warnings of snow and ice for most of the UK on Tuesday into Wednesday and later put a further warning in place from 3pm Thursday to noon on Friday. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Up to 10cm of snow was expected to fall on higher ground as temperatures drop across large parts of the UK, with around 0.4in to 1.2in (1cm-3cm) set to accumulate on lower-lying levels and 2in to 4in (5cm-10cm) on higher ground. However, experts dismissed reports of a snow bomb hitting the UK. MORE: Shocking bodycam footage shows thugs kick police officer into path of moving bus MORE: Frances Macron attacks Brexit and says it will end up costing the British people A Met Office spokesman said: We dont know where that came from. Its not a term we would use. Channel 4s resident weatherman Liam Dutton wrote on Twitter: I cant make it any clearer than thisTHERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SNOW BOMB!!! This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Temperatures fell as low as minus 7C (19F) in the Highlands on Monday night, while the capital was at just about freezing as large parts of the country woke up to frost. Story continues Snow showers could return on Wednesday and there is a risk of further disruptive snow and ice to parts of the country towards the end of the week. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A snow plow clears a lane on the M6 near the village of Shap in Cumbria (Picture: PA) By Kylie MacLellan, William James and Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - British lawmakers on Tuesday instructed Prime Minister Theresa May to reopen a Brexit treaty with the European Union to replace a controversial Irish border arrangement - and promptly received a flat rejection from Brussels. Two weeks after overwhelmingly rejecting May's Brexit deal, parliament backed a proposal intended to send her back to Brussels with a stronger mandate to seek changes that were more likely to win their support. At the same time, they rejected a proposal to give parliament a path to prevent a potentially chaotic 'no-deal' exit by making May ask Brussels for a delay if she cannot get a deal through parliament. With two months left until Britain is due by law to leave the EU, investors and allies have urged the government to clinch a deal to allow an orderly exit from the club it joined in 1973. "Tonight, a majority of honourable members have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop," May said, only two weeks after her divorce deal was crushed in the biggest parliamentary defeat in modern British history. "It is now clear that there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in the house for leaving the EU with a deal," May said, adding she would seek "legally binding changes". The Irish backstop is an insurance policy that aims to prevent the reintroduction of a hard border between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland, a crucial part of a 1998 peace deal that ended decades of sectarian violence, and preserve frictionless trade. However, critics said it could bind the United Kingdom to the EU's rules indefinitely. The proposal, put forward by influential Conservative lawmaker Graham Brady and passed by 317 votes to 301, called for the backstop to be replaced with unspecified "alternative arrangements", and said parliament would support May's Brexit deal if such a change was made. Story continues "RENEGING ON COMMITMENTS" However, Brussels has repeatedly said it does not want to reopen a treaty signed off by the other 27 EU leaders. Speaking immediately after the vote in parliament, a spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said the backstop was part of the withdrawal deal and not up for negotiation, a stance echoed by the Irish government. "This is a deal which was negotiated with the UK, by the UK, signed off by the UK and the prime minister - and now it looks as though this evening, essentially, there is a row-back and a reneging on the commitments that were made," said Irish European Affairs minister Helen McEntee. French President Emmanuel Macron's office said there could be no renegotiation and demanded a "credible" British proposal. If the British parliament cannot find a majority for a way forward, the United Kingdom will leave the largest global trading bloc without any deal, a scenario that businesses fear will bring chaos to the world's fifth biggest economy. Neither May nor her ministers spelled out what compromises she would seek from the EU, but suggestions include securing a time limit to the backstop or allowing a unilateral exit clause - elements that defeat its purpose, according to the EU. Hardline pro-Brexit Conservative lawmakers made clear that their support for May on Tuesday was conditional on her securing a deal they approved of. "The backstop is not going to get through this parliament," Steve Baker, a leading member of the group, told Reuters. "Change the backstop, fix the date of the end of the implementation period, and agree a plan C." "MAY WILL BE REBUFFED" However, EU diplomats played down May's chances of being able to present a substantially different deal to the British parliament in a decisive vote expected to take place on Feb. 13. "May will now come back to Brussels and be rebuffed," one diplomat said. "The House of Commons will have to vote again mid-February on plan C. And it will have to be plan A all over again, but with even more pressure of no-deal Brexit looming." Members of parliament (MPs) on Tuesday rejected two amendments that set out a clear path for parliament to prevent a no-deal exit if May cannot get a deal passed next month. However, they did later approve a symbolic proposal calling on the government to stop a potentially disorderly no-deal exit, sending a signal that a majority oppose such a departure. It provided no mechanism for preventing a no-deal Brexit, but kept open the option that members of parliament could try to take the initiative in the "amendable" vote that May has promised for Feb. 14 if she cannot get a deal approved. Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would meet May to "find a sensible Brexit solution that works for the whole country", listing changes that Labour wanted to see, but that May has shown no sign of supporting. Sterling, which recently hit a 2-1/2-month high of $1.3218 on hopes that a no-deal Brexit would be avoided, fell about 0.8 percent. [GBP/] "This isnt a good night for the country," Labour lawmaker Wes Streeting tweeted. "The prime minister voted against her own deal to go back to Brussels for something she's said is impossible. MPs voted against 'no deal' - but also voted to make 'no deal' more likely. Well be back for another round of Groundhog Day soon." (Additional reporting by Andy Bruce and Andrew MacAskill in London and Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; Writing by Michael Holden and Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Photo credit: MANDEL NGAN - Getty Images From Delish A former pastry chef at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago has sued the Florida resort for allegedly firing him after he assisted in exposing sexual harassment in the workplace. In the lawsuit, Graham Randall claims two female employees came to him complaining of inappropriate behavior in April 2017. He alleges that pastry chef Chelsea Braswell told Randall, who was her direct supervisor, about "sexually offensive text messages" from Mar-a-Lago's food and beverage director Aaron Fuller and executive chef Bogdan Boerean. The lawsuit alleges Randall was approached later that day by another pastry chef, Elisa Cordon, who complained over similar issues with Boerean. Since Randall held positions below Fuller and Boerean, the lawsuit states he told both women to report what they'd told him to someone in the human resources department. Braswell and Cordon did just that, and, according to the lawsuit, Randall was interview by human resources director Janine Gill on two separate occasions. During one of those, Gill reportedly told Randall that Fuller and Boerean's actions could result in the two being fired. Instead, though, Gill later told Randall that Fuller and Boerean had been given written reprimands. Randalls says the two men personally thanked him for reporting their actions. Six months later, at the start of a new "season" for the resort, Randall was let go. Mar-a-Lago claimed this was due to a loss in income from cancelled charity events. Randall contends it was actually retaliation because he had suggested that pastry chefs Braswell and Cordon both be brought back on as employees during the new season. Randall's lawsuit was filed against Mar-a-Lago, Fuller, and Boerean in violation of the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 and the Whistleblower Act. Randall also filed an employment discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations on November 16, 2017, but no decision has been made in the case. Story continues As of now, Randall is seeking "compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits, mental anguish, humiliation, loss of reputation, loss of the enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. ('You Might Also Like',) Tel Aviv (AFP) - A former Israeli military chief vowed Tuesday to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while taking care not to alienate right-wing voters ahead of an April election. Benny Gantz promised a conservative diplomatic and security policy, pledging to keep the strategic Jordan Valley area of the occupied West Bank under Israeli rule, along with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and east Jerusalem. He also promised to keep up a tough stance on Iran and its military presence in Syria, which borders Israel. "In the harsh and violent Middle East surrounding us, only the strong win," he told several hundred supporters in Tel Aviv. He answered critics who have said that he was likely to take a job in Netanyahu's next government if he could not beat him at the polling booth. "Four years after completing my service as commander in chief, I am asking for your confidence so that I may lead Israel," he said. His new party, Israel Resilience, could emerge as the second largest in parliament in the April 9 general election, according to polls taken since its launch in December. On Tuesday, Gantz announced an alliance with another former chief of staff and ex-defence minister, Moshe Yaalon, bringing him on to the podium at the end of his speech. Neither revealed details of the new partnership. Yaalon served as Netanyahu's defence minister from 2013 to 2016, but has since become a critic of the premier. He has also unveiled his own party, Telem. - 'Zero tolerance' of graft - Generals are revered in Israel, though many who cross into political life after their military service discover that their army experience does not prepare them for the challenges of civilian decision-making. Gantz, widely respected as army chief, has kept his cards close to his chest and made few public comments since December. Opinion polls predict Netanyahu's Likud party will win the April election, but the veteran premier faces potential corruption charges that could cost Likud valuable seats. Story continues Gantz made several references to the cases against Netanyahu in his speech, pledging "zero tolerance for corruption" if he wins the election. "I thank the prime minister for his 10 years of service," Gantz said. "We shall carry on from here." Commentators had been predicting that in the event of a Netanyahu victory, the centrist Gantz might join a coalition led by the man who has been premier since 2009 -- including from 2011-2015, when Gantz was chief of staff. A poll last week said Gantz's Israel Resilience could win 15 seats out of the Knesset's 120, with Netanyahu's Likud remaining the largest faction with its 31 lawmakers. - 'No more right or left' - Gantz has committed to amending a contentious law defining Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, in order to accommodate its Druze minority. That prompted Netanyahu to call him a "leftist". Gantz has also been the target of a campaign from the harder right of the Israeli political spectrum. Naftali Bennett of the newly founded Hayamin Hehadash used a recording from 2015 in which Gantz said he "risked Israeli soldiers" to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians, in a bid to dub the general as part of the "weak left". Apart from messages on social media promising "something different" for Israel and a song pledging "no more right or left", Gantz had hitherto revealed little beyond his military credentials. He has boasted in videos of the number of Palestinian militants killed and targets destroyed under his command in the 2014 war with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers. In another video, Gantz stressed the need to strive for Arab-Israeli peace. Jerusalem (AFP) - A former Israeli military chief regarded as the only serious challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to formally launch his election campaign on Tuesday. Benny Gantz was to deliver a speech in Tel Aviv to "discuss all the issues at hand" and respond to claims made against him by political opponents, a source close to the retired general said. His party, Israel Resilience, is set to be the second largest in parliament in the April 9 vote, according to a series of polls since its launch in December. The widely respected former military chief of staff, seen as a political centrist, has kept his cards close to his chest and made few public comments. In a rare remark, he committed to amend a contentious law defining Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people in order to accommodate its Druze minority, leading to Netanyahu calling him a "leftist". Apart from messages on social media promising "something different" for Israel and a song pledging "no more right or left", Gantz has played up his military credentials. Gantz has boasted in videos of the number of Palestinian militants killed and targets destroyed under his command in the 2014 war with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers. In another video, Gantz stresses the need to strive to make Arab-Israeli peace. Opinion polls show Netanyahu winning the April polls but the long-serving premier faces potential corruption charges that could shake up the campaign. The Venezuelan government, led by interim President Juan Guaido, will endeavor to restore diplomatic relations with Morocco, which were suspended under the regime of Nicolas Maduro, said Monday in Caracas Manuel Avendano, Foreign Affairs Consultant to the Venezuelan National Assembly (Parliament), the only body controlled by the opposition. We want to restore our relations with the Kingdom of Morocco, Avendano told MAP correspondent. The willingness to restore and deepen relations between Caracas and Rabat is driven by the common denominators as well as by the cultural and economic exchanges that existed between the two countries in the past, he said. The position of Nicolas Maduros regime concerning the Kingdom of Morocco has not been beneficial to either country. There have been actions and rhetoric that have separated the two states, the foreign affairs consultant said. This will change under the Guaido government, Avendano promised, noting that his country wants to turn the page of twenty years of chavism and madurism to adopt its own positions on diplomatic issues. Avendano underlined the importance of restoring relations with Morocco because, he said, we had cultural and economic exchanges that we want to upgrade. He added that the government led by the President of the National Assembly wishes to have open and broad relations with the Kingdom. Our prime objective is to re-establish relations with Morocco, he insisted, underlining that Guaidos government seeks to enhance these relations to serve the interests of both countries and peoples. Regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue, Avendano, a member of the interim President Juan Guaidos Voluntad Popular party, said the Guaido government will support the political process conducted under the auspices of the United Nations to achieve a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to this regional dispute. On the issue of the Sahara, we want to support the settlement process of this regional dispute within the framework of the United Nations, he said, while underlining the importance of reaching a peaceful and acceptable solution to this conflict. Commenting on the current situation in his country, he noted that Juan Guaido has been recognized as a legitimate interim president by a large part of the international community, and is seeking more support in accordance with the Venezuelan constitution, unlike Maduro, who is trying to usurp power. International recognition is important to promote the return of democracy to Venezuela, said the expert in international relations, insisting that Guaidos government wants to gain recognition from the Kingdom of Morocco. Venezuelans want to rebuild their countrywe have had a 20-year nightmare, Chavism is a lie Venezuela wants to restore the constitutional system and law, he said. Cairo (AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday held a surprise second meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after talks with the country's top clerics, ending a three-day visit aimed at boosting ties while raising human rights concerns. Before travelling on to Cyprus for a summit of southern EU countries, Macron and Sisi held an unscheduled 45-minute meeting at Cairo airport. Earlier, Macron met with Pope Tawadros II at St. Mark's Cathedral, seat of Egypt's ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. They both stressed the need for "dialogue between religions". "I decided that a new conference will be held in Paris to see how to act more effectively," he said, without giving details. A diplomatic source said the French capital would host a forum on religious minorities in the Middle East, but without giving a date. Macron visited the church adjacent to the cathedral that was the site of a December 2016 jihadist attack which killed 29 people. He also met in Cairo with Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the most prestigious seat of Sunni Islamic learning in Egypt. Their talks centred on "the training of imams (prayer leaders) in France and the fight against the misguided vision of religion", the French presidency said. - Activist, Brotherhood arrests - Also on Tuesday, Macron lunched with civil society members "active in the areas of judicial protection of detainees, press freedom, gender equality and children's defence", the presidency said. Egyptian authorities arrested six activists critical of Sisi's government this week, including members of Karama, according to lawyer Negad al-Borai and Mohamed al-Bassiouni, a member of the opposition party. There was no immediate confirmation of the report from the interior ministry, which for its part announced the arrest of 54 suspected members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The human rights situation in Egypt was at the centre of talks between Macron and Sisi on Monday. Story continues Their different visions were on show at a joint news conference where Macron said respect of freedoms was inseparable from stability while Sisi said security was the priority for Egypt's 100-million population. During the visit, Macron and Sisi oversaw the signing of some 30 deals worth nearly a billion euros (dollars) including in transportation, education and health. No arm deals were signed. But Amnesty International on Tuesday stood by a 2018 report that French security equipment including armoured vehicles were used by the Egyptian government in "violent repression" of protests, charges that Sisi denied at the press conference. "French vehicles were not merely assisting the security forces, but were themselves tools of repression, playing a very active role in the crushing of dissent," Amnesty's report said in October. The Egyptian president said: "It's not possible to use weapons against an unarmed citizen unless they take up and use a weapon." Macron also said Egypt only used French weapons for military purposes. A year after Sisi took office in 2014, Egypt signed deals worth six billion euros ($6.8 billion) to buy 24 Rafale fighters from France as well as other military hardware such as Mistral warships and missiles. By Mike Stone and Rama Venkat Raman (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp, the Pentagon's top weapons supplier, on Tuesday forecast 2019 profit below estimates and reported that quarterly margins slipped at the unit that makes the radar-evading F-35 fighter jet and C-130 transport plane. Operating margins at the aeronautics division, Lockheed's biggest, fell to 10.6 percent in the fourth quarter from 11.6 percent a year earlier. Chief Financial Officer Bruce Tanner told investors on a conference call the aeronautics business posted lower margins because the unit was investing in new business lines. Margins also took a hit on lower sales in the C-130 transport aircraft program. Operating margins measure how much profit a company makes on a dollar of sales. The company planned to invest as much as $1.7 billion in 2019 to support growth in its space unit as well as several classified business lines, Tanner said, citing hypersonic weapons as a growing area of investment. Lockheed and other U.S. weapons makers sales are expected to benefit from stronger global demand for fighter jets and munitions and higher U.S. defense budgets in fiscal 2020. Jim Corridore, an analyst at CFRA Research, wrote in a note that Lockheed was expected to "benefit from strong FY 19 military funding in aeronautics and missile systems, while space systems should also see growth." Shares rose half a percent to $289.20 as the company also forecast cash from operations in 2019 at $7.4 billion, higher than its outlook of $7 billion three months ago. The stock has tumbled 24 percent in the fourth quarter on fears of slowing global growth. During the quarter, Lockheed's order backlog grew 19 percent to $130.5 billion from $109 billion. Lockheed expects full-year profit to range between $19.15 and $19.45 per share, below the average analyst estimate of $19.55, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. U.S. allies showed increased interest in purchasing the F-35 jet during the quarter, which offset some headwinds caused by the C-130 weakness. Story continues Belgium chose to replace its aging F-16s with F-35s in a $4 billion euro ($4.55 billion) deal in October. Japan and the United Kingdom both increased their existing orders for the stealth jets. The company finished the year delivering 91 F-35 jets in 2018, up from 66 jets a year earlier. Lockheed has said it aims to deliver more than 130 F-35s in 2019. On the call, Tanner said that number would be above 160 in 2021. Sales at the company's missiles and fire control business, which makes PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot missile defense system and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD), designed to shoot down short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, rose 22 percent to $2.4 billion during the fourth quarter. In late November, Saudi Arabia agreed on a $15 billion deal to buy the THAAD system. The company earned $4.39 per share from continuing operations, just short of estimates of $4.40 per share. Net sales rose 4.1 percent to $14.41 billion. During the quarter Lockheed had an effective tax rate of 13.6 percent which gave it a full-year tax rate of 15.5 percent following corporate tax reform in the United States. (Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington and Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila, Jeffrey Benkoe and Diane Craft) London (AFP) - British MPs on Tuesday voted on a series of amendments seeking to show what they want as Brexit approaches on March 29, with Britain currently on course to crash out of the EU without a withdrawal deal. Earlier this month, they rejected the agreement Prime Minister Theresa May struck with the European Union late last year. Now they have sent her back to Brussels to renegotiate -- and said they do not want Britain to leave the EU with no deal. - What do they want? GO BACK TO BRUSSELS MPs backed an amendment by 317 votes to 301 that offers support for May's deal if she can remove the "backstop" arrangement intended to keep open Britain's border with Ireland. The proposal from senior Conservative MP Graham Brady calls instead for "alternative arrangements" to avoid border checks. Speaking before the vote, May said the amendment would give her a mandate to return to Brussels and negotiate a "significant and legally binding change" to the Brexit deal. The vote united her Conservative party and their Northern Irish allies. MPs have called previously for a unilateral exit clause from the backstop, or a time limit -- both ideas rejected by the EU. May emphasised she remained committed to avoiding any new border checks in Ireland. RULE OUT 'NO DEAL' BREXIT MPs voted by 318 to 310 to support an amendment by Conservative MP Caroline Spelman rejecting the possibility that Britain leaves the European Union with no deal. It is not legally binding but has political weight. Speaking before the votes, May told MPs: "I, too, want to avoid leaving with no deal." But she said the amendment "is missing the other half of the equation, for unless we are to end up with no Brexit at all, the only way to avoid no deal is to agree a deal". - Which amendments failed? MPs voted by 321 to 298 to reject a cross-party amendment which sought to delay Brexit to stop Britain leaving with no deal on March 29. Story continues Presented by Labour MP Yvette Cooper, it would have cleared the Commons timetable on February 5 for a debate on a law to delay, if the government failed to agree a Brexit deal by February 26. MPs also rejected by 327 votes to 296 an amendment by opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demanding parliamentary time to vote on how "no deal" might be avoided. He had offered two options: renegotiate a new UK-EU customs union and a "strong relationship" with the EU's single market, or hold a second referendum. Another amendment from former Conservative minister Dominic Grieve, which would have allowed MPs to express their will in a series of votes right up to Brexit day, was also defeated by 321 votes to 301. - Is that it? - The government has promised another vote on its Brexit deal as soon as possible. May said on Tuesday that if she had no new deal to put to MPs before February 13, then they would be able to vote on the next steps on February 14. Elsewhere, MPs could still seek to influence events by proposing amendments to a series of government bills that must pass parliament before Brexit day. A growing number of ministers have also warned they will not accept a "no deal" Brexit, raising the possibility they could resign to try to stop such an outcome. Washington (AFP) - Las Vegas concert shooter Stephen Paddock may have been seeking a "certain degree of infamy" when he carried out the worst mass shooting in recent US history, but no single or clear motive has been found for the 2017 attack, the FBI said Tuesday. The conclusion was reached in a report released by the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, which looked into the October 1, 2017 massacre. Paddock, a 64-year-old Nevada resident, fired more than 1,000 rounds down on the crowd at an open-air country music concert while perched in a 32nd floor room of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Fifty-eight people were killed and another 869 injured, including 413 who suffered gunshot or shrapnel wounds. Paddock, a wealthy retired accountant, then shot himself in the head as police moved in. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said a panel of experts had conducted an analysis of Paddock's life and behavior leading up to the attack. Paddock acted alone and was not motivated by any ideological or political beliefs, the FBI said. "There was no single or clear motivating factor behind Paddock's attack," the report said. "Throughout his life, Paddock went to great lengths to keep his thoughts private, and that extended to his final thinking about this mass murder," the FBI said. - 'Desire to die by suicide' - It said no suicide note or any other communications related to the planning of the attack were found. "However, an important aspect of the attack was Paddock's desire to die by suicide," the FBI said. "Paddock experienced an objective (and subjective) decline in physical and mental health, level of functioning, and financial status over the last several years of his life," it said. "In reaction to this decline, Paddock concluded that he would seek to control the ending of his life via a suicidal act. "Paddock's intention to die by suicide was compounded by his desire to attain a certain degree of infamy via a mass casualty attack," the FBI said. Story continues Paddock may have been influenced in this regard by his memories of his father, the FBI said. Paddock was one of four brothers who were raised by their mother after their father went to prison for bank robbery. Benjamin Paddock, Paddock's father, was featured on the FBI's list of Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives in 1968. The FBI said that Paddock devoted detailed planning to the attack, using the internet to pinpoint a target site and spending a year buying weapons and ammunition. "Despite Paddocks research, planning, and preparation, the (FBI panel) found no evidence that he communicated his intent to commit an attack to others or that anyone was aware of his objective," the FBI said. A separate investigation by the Las Vegas police were also unable to find a single motive for the attack. Their findings were released last year. Paddock worked for the Internal Revenue Service after college and as an accountant for several major corporations. A heavy gambler, Paddock was known to wager tens of thousands of dollars at a time and had lost a great deal of money in the years leading up to the attack, according to the Las Vegas police report. Twenty-four guns were found in Paddock's hotel room including 10 AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, most of which were equipped with 100-round magazines. Eighteen more guns were recovered from Paddock's residence in Mesquite, Nevada, and another seven from his home in Reno. LOS ANGELES (AP) The board of the nation's second-largest school district gave final approval Tuesday to a contract that ended a six-day teacher strike and provided another concession to Los Angeles educators by asking California to halt new charter schools until their effect can be studied. The votes by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education came just hours after an oversight agency said the contract agreement that includes pay raises and a commitment to reduce class sizes may not be sustainable because of the district's precarious long-term financial outlook. Board member Nick Melvoin acknowledged the difficulties outlined in the report by the Los Angeles County Office of Education but said the deal showed that both sides can work together. "It's up to us, collectively, to make it sustainable," he said, adding that the district and the union must work to get more state funding. The 30,000 members of United Teachers Los Angeles already approved the agreement, which runs through June 2022. Teachers returned to work last week after walking picket lines for six days. A few hundred protesters outside the board meeting shouted their opposition to placing limits on the growth of charters, which are privately operated, mostly non-union public schools. Opponents say charters draw away students from traditional public schools and the money that goes with them. The charter resolution, which the union pushed during negotiations, is not part of the contract. LAUSD agreed to put it before the board as a gesture of good faith. It requests an 8-to-10 month hold on new charters while the state examines their fiscal impact on the district. The resolution passed 5-1, with Melvoin the sole dissenting vote, but only the state can put a moratorium in place or change charter laws. Before the meeting, the LA County Office of Education said the new contract would require a "detailed fiscal stabilization plan" that addresses how the district will pay for increased salaries while keeping up its minimum reserves. Story continues "Based on the district's own financial analysis, it is unable to meet reserve requirements in 2020-21 indicating the agreement is not sustainable on an ongoing basis," according to the analysis from the office that oversees the budgets of school systems in the county. The school district is projecting a half-billion-dollar deficit this budget year and has billions obligated for pension payments and health coverage for retired teachers. District Superintendent Austin Beutner said "every nickel" is accounted for and the district will have to rely on promises in the governor's budget as well as seek "additional sources of funding." "It reflects something we can all live with," he said of the contract. The district spans Los Angeles, all or parts of 31 smaller cities, and several unincorporated areas of LA County. In California, county offices of education are required, among other duties, to ensure the fiscal solvency of school districts. The contract approval comes as Denver teachers push to strike after more than a year of negotiations. State officials could intervene if they decide it's in the public interest and delay the walkout by up to 180 days. In Oakland, teachers will vote this week on whether to strike amid their contract negotiations, which hinge partly on a demand for smaller class sizes. ___ Associated Press reporter John Antczak contributed to this report. ___ Follow Weber at https://twitter.com/WeberCM During a televised CNN town hall Monday night, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said she wont vote to support funding for a border wall and criticized President Donald Trump for continuing to push for the construction of a wall. Harris, who was in Des Moines, Iowa, as part of her 2020 presidential campaign following her inaugural rally on Sunday, said she has visited the border and has seen sophisticated tunnels that cartels are building. "That wall aint going to stop them," the California Democrat said. "They're not jumping over a wall." Harris answered the question about whether she would approve funding for a border wall if DACA recipients were given permanent protection. "I'm not going to vote for a wall under any circumstances," she said, adding that she supports border security in the form of upgraded infrastructure and technology. The question of the wall came after Harris met a DACA recipient who asked how Harris would protect DACA recipients and their families. Harris said she would work to fulfill the promise of protecting DACA recipients from deportation and criticized Trumps for his treatment of those in the program. "We should not be trading on your life for the sake of the political games that this president is playing in trying to vilify young people like you who are doing nothing except being productive and believing in and living the American dream," she told a DACA recipient in attendance. More: What was the economic cost of the government shutdown and what comes next? Harris made her comments days after Congress and Trump agreed to reopen the government for three weeks while also working on a long-term solution. Harris also said she supports stricter gun control measures and Medicare for all. Trump remains steadfast on his campaign promise to build a wall and hinted last week that he might seek an alternate route to finding the funding should Congress once again reject giving him the money. He has also said that a second shutdown is possible. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris promises to vote against funding a wall during CNN town hall event Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria's regulatory body for judges met in emergency session on Tuesday after a fierce row erupted over President Muhammadu Buhari's suspension of the country's top judge. Judge Walter Onnoghen was suspended on Friday after being charged with failing to declare foreign currency bank accounts, in breach of rules governing public officials. His removal and replacement has sparked claims Buhari acted against the constitution and was seeking to manipulate the judiciary, just weeks away from presidential elections. The February 16 polls are expected to be close, while there have been predictions of voter fraud. Disciplinary proceedings against judges are normally handled by the National Judicial Council (NJC), while the removal of the chief justice has to have parliamentary approval. The NJC said in a statement it had received four complaints -- one against Onnoghen and two against his replacement, acting chief justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad. The fourth complaint was about the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Yakubu Umar, who is due to hear Onnoghen's case. The petition against Onnoghen concerns his alleged non-declaration of assets, a source at the council told AFP on condition of anonymity. Tanko is accused of accepting his appointment without following procedures, while Umar is accused of ignoring a Court of Appeal ruling to halt proceedings, he added. "In view of the gravity of the matters involved, the Council abridged the usual response period from 14 to seven working days for the justices to respond," said NJC spokesman Soji Oye. "Council will reconvene on February 11, 2019," he added in a statement. The Nigerian Bar Association called Buhari's move an "attempted coup against the judiciary" and ordered its members to boycott courts for two days in protest. ALEXANDRIA, Va. A federal judge has canceled the Feb. 8 sentencing of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on financial fraud convictions here, until a dispute over his cooperation with prosecutors in a related case can be resolved in the District of Columbia. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III said resolution of the D.C. case "may have some effect on the sentencing decision" in Virginia where he was found guilty of eight criminal counts involving his business dealings in Ukraine. In D.C., prosecutors have asserted that Manafort violated terms of a plea agreement in which he pledged to cooperate with prosecutors as part of the ongoing investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election. A closed hearing has been set for Feb. 4 to determine whether Manafort intentionally lied to investigators working for Russia special counsel Robert Mueller. "It is prudent and appropriate to delay sentencing in this case until the dispute in the D.C. case is resolved," Ellis said in a brief filing Monday. Manafort pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in Washington in September as part of a plea deal. He agreed to cooperate in the special counsel's Russia investigation but prosecutors charge he breached the deal by lying. Manafort's attorneys say he just didn't have a perfect recollection of all the facts. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge cancels Paul Manafort's Feb. 8 sentencing in Virginia case Photo credit: Getty Images From Car and Driver UPDATE 4/3/19: For the fourth time since last November, former Nissan, Renault, and Mitsubishi chairman Carlos Ghosn has been arrested in Japan. Automotive News reported that authorities raided Ghosn's Tokyo residence over claims of improper payments of some $35 million to a business associate in Oman who was a Nissan distributor. This is only one of several financial-impropriety charges. Ghosn had been out of jail for just about one month. He posted on Twitter earlier in the day, in English and Japanese, the statement that he would tell his side of the story on Thursday, April 11. It's unclear whether he will have that opportunity now in view of the rearrest. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. UPDATE 3/4/19: After nearly four months in jail on financial-misconduct charges related to his years as chairman of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn was granted bail by a Tokyo court, the BBC is reporting. Bail has been set at nearly $9 million. The former head of Renault and Nissan could be out on Tuesday, March 4, the report said. UPDATE 1/31/19: Carlos Ghosn, in an interview from a Japanese jail, gave an exclusive interview to the French newspaper Les Echos on Thursday in which he claimed that he has "an army" against him that includes "several hundred people at Nissan" dedicated to his prosecution. The former chief executive said he intends to fight to restore his reputation "and defend myself against false accusations," insisting that the treatment he is facing "would not happen in any other democracy in the world." The accusations against him from Nissan, he said, are "a distortion of reality meant to destroy my reputation." Ghosn, who has been held for 70 days, told the pair of reporters that he has "no idea of time," is only allowed outdoors for 30 minutes a day, and has no access to a phone, a computer, or "even a watch." UPDATE 1/28/19: Nissan is now under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the alleged financial misdeeds of the automaker's ousted chairman, Carlos Ghosn, the Wall Street Journal reported today. Nissan said it will cooperate with the SEC without giving details. Ghosn has maintained his innocence related to charges that include underreporting his compensation on Nissan financial reports. Story continues UPDATE 1/9/19: Ghosn has lost an appeal to be released from jail while awaiting a future trial on financial-misconduct charges. The Tokyo District Court rejected the former Nissan chairman's petition. This means he could remain in jail as long as six months before a trial takes place, Bloomberg News reported, citing Ghosn's own lead attorney. The news service noted that his current imprisonment is set to end on January 11, but he is expected to face new or renewed charges then that will keep him in jail while prosecutors prepare for a future trial. Ghosn plans to appeal today's decision. After seven weeks and counting, Carlos Ghosn, former Nissan chairman and current chairman and CEO of Renault, was finally able to defend himself in court against the Japanese prosecutors and Nissan directors whose allegations of financial crimes have kept him in jail for seven weeks and counting. I have been wrongly accused and unfairly detained based on meritless and unsubstantiated allegations, Ghosn said, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. His lawyer, former prosecutor Motonari Otsuru, said on Tuesday that "There is no evidence of a crime." Ghosn, who has been jailed since November 19, told the court on Monday that he has done nothing illegal. Japanese law essentially allows prosecutors to detain suspects as long as they wish until that suspect confesses or until a trial is called. Ghosn, who was deemed by the court to be a flight risk and denied bail, may stay in jail for months more until his trial. Ghosn has been charged only with making false disclosures about his income on Nissan's corporate financial statements. Responding to that accusation, Ghosn said Nissan never finalized his contract and that the unreported money was for future payments Nissan would not pay him until his retirement. Nissan has alleged that Ghosn used company assets for personal gain, including purchasing luxury apartments in Brazil and Lebanon and funneling money to a Saudi businessman to take care of a personal debt. His lawyer said that the businessman, Khaled Al Juffali, was a legitimate business partner who helped Nissan fix a dispute with a distributor in the region and that Ghosn used Al Juffali for a contract to convert his Nissan salary from yen to U.S. dollars and thus avoid currency swings. Ghosn maintains his innocence on all the allegations. Since the initial arrest, Ghosn was removed from the chairmanship of both Nissan and Mitsubishi. He remains chairman and CEO at Renault and CEO of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. ('You Might Also Like',) Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli on Monday held a meeting with the Ministers of Trade and Industry, as well as the authorities of the state-owned oil company to discuss ways to fuel cars with natural gas in the North African nation. According to the Prime minister, it is important to use the available resources in the country to convert cars to run on natural gas, and consequently reduce the states subsidy bill and achieve environmental benefits. Egypt will completely lift subsidies on fuel during the upcoming financial year 2019-20, the countrys petroleum minister said last week. Egypts financial year runs from early July to end of June of the following year. The government spent $1.2 billion on fuel subsidies in the first quarter of the financial year 2018-19 and $2.5 billion on hydrocarbons subsidies by the end of December. As Egypt has increased the price of petroleum products three times since it floated its currency in late 2016, many car owners have resorted to converting their cars to run on natural gas. The Egyptian newspaper The Independent reported that the German Minister of Economy, Peter Altmaier, will visit Egypt next month to discuss with local authorities the measures to take to export electric cars in Egypt. By Giselda Vagnoni ROME (Reuters) - Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Tuesday urged the upper house Senate to reject a request by judges to put him on trial for alleged kidnapping after he refused to let migrants disembark from a rescue ship, saying he had acted in the public interest. His appeal is likely to cause strains with his coalition partner, the 5-Star Movement, which has always presented a squeaky clean judicial image and lambasted lawmakers who try to use parliamentary privilege to avoid legal action. A special tribunal which reviews investigations involving government ministers last week called for Salvini to stand trial for alleged abuse of power and kidnapping over his role last year in detaining some 150 migrants on board a rescue boat for a week. A Senate committee is due to meet on Wednesday to start discussions on whether to lift Salvini's parliamentary immunity with a vote expected by the end of February. Its recommendation will pass to the full Senate for review, with 5-Star lawmakers holding the balance of power in both the commission and the chamber. In a letter to Corriere della Sera newspaper published on Tuesday, Salvini, who is also head of the far-right League party, urged the upper house to reject the request. Citing constitutional law, Salvini said the Senate could protect ministers if they had acted in the public interest. "This is not about me. ...Fighting illegal immigration is of pre-eminent public interest," Salvini wrote. "I am convinced I acted in Italy's best interests and in full respect of my mandate. I would do it again." His request puts the 5-Star, which has broadly supported Salvini's migration policies, in a tight corner as tensions grow between the coalition parties. 5-Star built its support partly on the back of its fierce campaigns against parliamentary abuse and in the last legislature, when it was in opposition, it demanded that ministers under legal investigation should resign. Salvini, who faces up to 15 years in jail if found guilty, indicated last week that he would be happy to go on trial -- a suggestion that gave 5-Star lawmakers political cover to vote for his parliamentary immunity to be lifted. That cover has now gone and there was no immediate comment from the 5-Star leadership on what stance it would adopt. Italy has taken in more than 650,000 boat migrants since 2014, but the influx has slowed dramatically since the new government took office last June and shut its ports to rescue boats that pick up migrants off the coast of Libya. The stand-off over the 150 migrants aboard the Diciotti coastguard ship last August signaled the government's new hardline approach. The group of refugee seekers were allowed to land after the Roman Catholic church, Ireland and Albania agreed to take care of them. (Writing by Crispian Balmer, editing by Ed Osmond) Dublin (AFP) - Ireland will hold a referendum in May on relaxing its strict divorce laws, the government said Tuesday, the latest vote aimed at liberalising social rules in the Catholic country. Couples are currently required under constitutional law to live separately for four out of the five previous years before they can be granted a divorce. "Some marriages do break down irreconcilably, causing immense sadness and stress for all concerned," said justice minister Charles Flanagan. "The government wishes to ensure that the process for obtaining a divorce is fair, dignified and humane and allows both parties to move forward with their lives within a reasonable timeframe." If a majority vote to amend the constitution, the government intends to introduce legislation shortening the mandated separation time -- the so-called "pause period" -- to two out of the three previous years. But there is likely to be resistance in parliament over any waiting period restrictions being enforced, given that divorces in neighbouring Great Britain can be secured in a matter of months. Last May, a landslide referendum saw Ireland vote 66 percent in favour of repealing its constitutional ban on abortions. And in October, voters lifted a rarely enforced constitutional ban on blasphemy. The law outlining the "pause period" for divorces was introduced following a 1995 referendum, when Ireland backed the legalisation 50.3 percent to 49.7 percent. Washington (AFP) - Iran is still abiding by the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal despite the US pullout from the multinational agreement, Central Intelligence chief Gina Haspel said Tuesday. "At the moment technically they are in compliance" with they Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Haspel told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "I think the most recent information is the Iranians are considering taking steps that would lessen their adherence to JCPOA as they seek to pressure the European to come through with the investment and trade benefits that Iran hoped to gain from the deal," she said. "They are making some preparations that would increase their ability to take a step back if they make that decision," she noted. "But we do see them debating amongst themselves as they failed to realize the economic benefits that they hoped for from the deal." The United States withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, 2018, after President Donald Trump concluded it was not in US interests. The administration argued that the windfall from trade would go to finance Iran's regional military activities, and there was no guarantee it would not resume nuclear weapons development after the deal expired. Washington has since restored tough sanctions that were in place before the deal was reached. The remaining five signatories to the JCPOA -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- have distanced themselves from Trump's move and have supported continued commercial engagement with Tehran. But, as a number of European companies have pulled out under pressure from US sanctions, those countries have backed an EU effort to set up a special payment system in an attempt to continue trade and business ties with Iran. Tehran (AFP) - Iran's information technology minister said Tuesday that blocking the photo- and video-sharing application Instagram would only create new problems for the Islamic republic. "We believe the strategy of filtering Instagram is not an efficient one to neutralise its threats and might even intensify them," Mohammad-Javad Azari-Jahromi told ISNA news agency on the sidelines of a conference on electronic banking in Tehran. "Acting unilaterally and filtering will not solve any problems on its own, but will only cause challenges in other fields," he said. In January, Iranian media said the judiciary was mulling a ban on Instagram. The deputy for cyberspace affairs at the public prosecutor's office, Javad Javidnia, has called Instagram a "disaster" for Iranians and especially its youth, charging the app was being used for "crimes". "Some says that using Instagram has consequences and that it poses threats, yet many believe that it hosts many businesses and is an important tool in their everyday life," said Azari-Jahromi. Iran's economy is suffering under US sanctions reimposed after Washington withdrew in May from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. Iran has in recent years blocked access to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and the judiciary blocked the Telegram messaging app in May. Instagram remains the last major platform not blocked in the Islamic republic. Despite the restrictions, Iranians including top officials like President Hassan Rouhani and the IT minister use services such as Twitter, which are widely accessible via proxy servers. By Steven Scheer and Ari Rabinovitch JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Intel Corp will receive a grant of about $1 billion from the Israeli government for its latest investment plan to expand its chip manufacturing operations in the country, Israel's finance minister said on Tuesday. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said late on Monday he was informed by the chip giant, already one of the biggest employers and exporters in Israel where many of its new technologies are developed, that it would invest about 40 billion shekels ($11 billion) in a new factory. California-based Intel said it would submit a business plan "for continued investment in the companys Kiryat Gat manufacturing site" in central Israel, but did not disclose details, including the schedule, costs and technologies. "The moment the company comes to Israel and invests $10 billion, and it receives a grant of 9 percent, that means 91 percent of it stays here," Kahlon said in an interview on Army Radio. "There are always such discounts, there are always incentives." This is in addition to a 700 million shekel grant the company will get in return for a separate $5 billion expansion of its production operations in Israel. Last month Intel said it had begun plans for site expansion projects in Ireland, Israel and at its U.S. plant in Oregon starting in 2019 as it looks to diversify its products for a broader set of customers, such as auto safety and wireless connections for mobile phones. Kahlon's spokesman told Reuters the government and Intel had agreed on the size of the grant after talks regarding the new factory had intensified over the past year. He noted that grants were crucial for Israel to compete with for investment with countries such as Ireland. The expansion is expected to add 1,000 new employees to Intel's workforce of nearly 13,000 in Israel, the spokesman said. Economy Minister Eli Cohen said it was the biggest investment of its kind ever in the country, adding it would "strengthen the economy and employment in Israel". Intel's exports from Israel rose by $300 million in 2018 to $4 billion, while it bought $1.7 billion of products from local companies. The company, along with Israel Chemicals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, accounts for close to half of Israel's industrial exports. ($1 = 3.6745 shekels) (Additional reporting by Tova Cohen; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) BEIJING (AP) U.S. criminal charges against Chinese electronics giant Huawei have sparked a fresh round of trans-Pacific recriminations, with Beijing demanding Tuesday that Washington back off what it called an "unreasonable crackdown" on the maker of smartphones and telecom gear. China's foreign ministry said it would defend the "lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies" but gave no details. Huawei is the No. 2 smartphone maker and an essential player in global communications networks. A day earlier, U.S. prosecutors criminally charged Huawei and several of its officials for allegedly stealing technology secrets and violating Iran sanctions. That followed the detention in Canada of the Huawei founder's daughter a top company official who was named in one of the U.S. indictments, and who is now awaiting possible extradition to the U.S. Huawei has denied wrongdoing. All that has further complicated U.S.-China relations amid attempts to defuse a trade war instigated by President Donald Trump and clashes over alleged Chinese theft of trade secrets and other intellectual property from U.S. firms. A new round of trade talks are planned for Wednesday in Washington. The nearly two dozen charges unsealed Monday by the Justice Department accuse Huawei of trying to spirit a robot arm and other technology out of a T-Mobile smartphone testing lab. They also allege that Huawei, two subsidiaries and a top executive misled banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions. The allegations mark a new phase in the dispute between the two countries over global technological dominance. The U.S. has reportedly waged a campaign to discourage other nations from using Huawei telecommunications equipment for next-generation "5G" wireless networks, based on concerns that the Huawei gear might compromise national security. U.S. intelligence chiefs who briefed Congress on worldwide threats Tuesday sounded the alarm about China's efforts to gain an edge over the United States. Story continues "China's pursuit of intellectual property, sensitive research and development plans ... remain a significant threat to the United States government and the private sector," Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "While we were sleeping in the last decade and a half, China had a remarkable rise in capabilities that are stunning," Coats said. "A lot of that was achieved a significant amount was achieved by stealing information from our companies." On Tuesday, Australia's TPG Telecom said it abandoned plans to build what would have been the country's fourth mobile network because of a government ban on Huawei over security concerns. Last week Vodafone, one of the world's biggest mobile phone companies, said it would stop using Huawei gear in its core networks. U.S. officials have long harbored suspicions that Huawei could be used by Beijing to eavesdrop on sensitive communications and questioned whether the privately-owned company has ties to China's ruling communist party because its founder is a former military engineer. Monday's U.S. charges did not allege that Huawei worked at the Chinese government's direction. A 10-count indictment in Seattle centers on a T-Mobile phone-testing robot dubbed "Tappy." The robot, developed in 2006, helped spot problems in phones before they hit the market by mimicking how people actually use them. Prosecutors say Huawei began a scheme to steal Tappy technology for its own phone-testing robot after T-Mobile rejected its request to license the machine for broader use. The indictment detailed efforts by Huawei engineers to sneak into the highly-restricted Tappy lab. One engineer succeeded in taking unauthorized photos of the robot. Another managed to sneak it out of the lab to take measurements and photos to send back to China. He returned it after being questioned by T-Mobile, prosecutors said. Huawei allegedly offered bonuses in 2013 to employees who stole information from other companies around the world, according to the Seattle indictment, citing emails obtained by the FBI. The bonuses were based on the value of information, which was sent to Huawei using an encrypted email address. In the second indictment, Brooklyn prosecutors charge Huawei with using a Hong Kong front company, Skycom, to trade with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. They allege Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, lied to banks about those dealings. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested Dec. 1 in Vancouver, a development that set off a political firestorm between China and Canada. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to free her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning an earlier 15-year prison term. Huawei overtook Sweden's LM Ericsson in 2017 to become the No. 1 global seller of network gear. The company says it supplies 45 of the top 50 global phone companies and has signed contracts with 30 carriers to test its next-generation technology. Its smartphone brand, launched in 2010, surpassed Apple Inc. in two quarters of 2018 to become the world's No. 2 seller behind Samsung Electronics Ltd. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders denied that the criminal charges were part of a carrot-and-stick approach to the trade talks. "Those two things are not linked," she said. "They are a totally separate process." Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, agreed Dec. 1 to put off further sanctions against each other's exports while they negotiated a new trade pact. If they don't reach an agreement by March 1, U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese products are set to rise from 10 percent to 25 percent. That prospect has rattled financial markets for months. The Trump administration has accused Beijing of deploying predatory trade tactics, ranging from requiring U.S. and other foreign companies to hand over technology in return for access to the vast Chinese market to outright cyber-theft. The number of economic espionage investigations the FBI is handling has doubled over the last three to four years, "and almost all of them lead back to China," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. ___ Chan reported from London. AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing and AP writers Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Michael Balsamo, Eric Tucker and Christopher Rugaber in Washington, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Tali Arbel in New York contributed. The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a 13-count indictment against Huawei, its subsidiaries and detained executive on Monday. (AFP/| FRED DUFOUR) Hopes for Canada that the ongoing dispute between the U.S. and China would be quickly resolved all but disappeared Monday afternoon, when the U.S. government announced a slew of charges against Huawei Technologies and its detained executive. The U.S. Department of Justice unveiled its case against Huawei, two affiliate companies and chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou on Monday, announcing 13 criminal charges including fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. The allegations at the heart of the case, which span over a decade, represent a ramp-up in the U.S. case against Huawei one that has seen Canada dragged into the fray. Canadas Department of Justice confirmed late Monday that officials received formal request of the United States for Mengs extradition, who was arrested in Vancouver in December on behalf of American authorities. Meng is expected to appear in Canadian court on Tuesday to review her bail conditions. The accusation and allegations against Huawei complicates the situation further for everyone involved, said Lynette Ong, the director of Munk China Initiatives at the University of Toronto. It cannot be good for Canada, because China is going to be even more angry than it was a few days ago. The case against Huawei and its CFO has already significantly strained Canadas relations with China and Ong expects that the situation wont improve anytime soon. She pointed to the ongoing detention of two Canadians in Beijing, as well as pressure ramping up on the Canadian government to bar Huawei from involvement in the installation of 5G technology in Canada. This pushes China into a corner, where they are forced to defend themselves further, Ong said. Canada is going to be seen as an ally with the United States, which (to China) is their enemy. Last weekend, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fired Canadas ambassador to China, John McCallum, after he made comments that it would be great for Canada if the U.S. dropped its extradition request for Meng. The move further soured relations, with many in China viewing the firing as punishment for McCallum siding with Huawei and the Chinese government. Story continues The Global Times, a state-run newspaper in China, ran an editorial condemning Trudeaus decision. Ottawa is now as sensitive as a frightened bird. A few words by the ambassador should not have posed any impact on court decisions. Nonetheless, judging from the reactions of many politicians and journalists in Canada, McCallums remarks are like a dreadful monster, the editorial said. As a Chinese folk saying goes, You cannot live the life of a whore and expect a monument to your chastity. Canada is a country worthy of respect, but some Canadians must be reminded that they are now refusing to face up to the moral predicament. Chinese investment in Canada took a hit in 2018, declining for the first time in six years that saw mostly double-digit growth. According to data collected by the University of Albertas China Institute Investment Tracker, the flow of Chinese investment into Canada fell by 47 per cent, from $8.35 billion in 2017 to $4.43 billion. The China Institute said the drop was in part due to capital outflow restrictions imposed by the government in 2016 and 2017, as well as growing trade uncertainty and increasing scrutiny of Chinese investment in the Western world. With files from the Canadian Press. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. The governments of Tanzania and Uganda have committed to conclude discussions and sign the contentious Host Government Agreement (HGA) as well as reach Final Investment Decision (FID) for the crude oil export pipeline by June. The execution of the 1,445km stretch of underground crude oil pipeline from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga in Tanzania will cost approximately $3.5 billion. Since the projects inauguration in August 2017, there have been a series of technical meetings between the governments of the two countries, but there are a number of issues that have not yet been addressed. Some of the pending issues are the registration of companies to be involved in the project, distribution of revenue, issues related to defense and security for both countries, and citizen participation in the implementation of the project. The first round of talks on the HGA commenced last April, way behind schedule, followed by the second round in December, and the third round on January 3. Uganda expects to start producing oil in 2021, a year later than initially planned, and its refinery should be up and running by 2023, its oil minister said. Last year the country signed a deal with a consortium, including a subsidiary of General Electric, to build and operate a 60,000 barrel per day refinery that will cost $3 billion to $4 billion. Five police officers were shot as they attempted to serve a warrant, according to officials in the Texan city of Houston said. Their conditions were not immediately disclosed. As they were serving a warrant, gunfire erupted when they were at the door of the property, police chief Art Acevedo told a news conference. Two were critically injured when they were hit in the neck, he said. Two suspects were hit by return gunfire, he added. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Additional information about the suspects was not immediately available. The officers were taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.. The narcotics division's commander Paul Follis told The Houston Chronicle newspaper that said the officers conditions ranged from "pretty good, to really bad." "They're all hanging on," he said, adding one was headed into surgery. Chief Avecedo added the two hit in the neck were in critical but stable condition. The other three were stable and expected to make a full recovery. One of the officers was airlifted to a hospital, Houston Police Officers' Union president Joe Gamaldi said in a separate tweet, adding: "Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Both Mr Turner and Chief Acevedo went to the hospital where the injured officers were taken. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Texas governor Greg Abbott said the shooting was a "solemn reminder" of the service and sacrifices made by officers. "The city of Houston and the Houston Police Department will have whatever state resources they need to bring swift justice to those involved," he said in a statement. Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this article gave the wrong last name for Angela Simmons. Imagine, just for a moment, that you need a knee surgery and you want to save a buck by shopping around. There is good news and bad news: The good news is now you can try. The bad news is it probably wont work. Hospitals across the country began posting their prices online this month, pulling back the curtain on a deeply secret world of exorbitant American health care costs. While millions of prices are now finally public, there is little hope for turning this transparency into actual savings for patients. Experts say the effort is well-intentioned but functionally useless: The pricing sheets are so complex, voluminous and misleading that no layperson could use them to decipher hospital prices, much less actually compare hospitals as intended. Its fair to say its a noble intent, said John Deane, a former hospital executive who runs a health care nonprofit in Nashville. The problem is, the way this is unfolding, it is virtually irrelevant. Chargemaster lists include thousands of prices The hospital pricing sheets, known in the healthcare industry as chargemasters, are being unveiled as the result of a White House mandate that requires hospitals to make their prices public so potential customers could save money by comparing costs and finding deals. The idea originated in the Affordable Care Act but stagnated for years until it was expanded by President Donald Trump, who campaigned on lowering health care costs by increasing competition. The mandate to publish online took effect Jan. 1. Since then, many hospitals have posted their chargemasters in the form of itemized spreadsheets listing prices by the thousands or even tens of thousands. The spreadsheets offer a price for every drug, procedure or medical device in each hospital, but dont link them to specific surgeries, diseases or conditions. Therefore, to even begin to assess the cost of that knee surgery, you would need to research every device, procedure and drug involved, plus estimate the time required from operating room staff and anesthesiologists. Then you would have to consider complications and countless other factors that could potentially impact the overall complexity of the surgery, like allergies, your weight or medical history. Story continues If you somehow managed to do that, then you have to do it all again with the price sheet from another hospital, which may or may not identify medical devices or procedures by the same name, and might use an different format for its chargemaster altogether. And even all that research still wouldnt produce a reliable estimate for the surgery cost because the prices posted online dont reflect what patients insured or uninsured actually pay. Thats because insured patients always pay a reduced cost based on negotiations between their insurance carrier and the hospital. And uninsured patients often receive heavy discounts, especially at nonprofit hospitals. None of these discounts are reflected in the prices posted online. If you need further evidence of the uselessness of the hospital pricing sheets, look no further than the statements of Angela Simmons, the vice president of reimbursement and revenue at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which is often ranked among the best hospitals in the nation. Simmons is both a hospital administrator and an accountant, and yet she said the data released by her own hospital would not help her compare prices when planning even a common surgery. It would be absolutely impossible for me, and I know a fair amount about this, Simmons said. So, it would be impossible for the consumer. Experts: The feds could do better But there is a better option. Experts say actual transparency could be accomplished if the federal government took a larger role in comparing costs. Deane and Simmons said the Centers of Medicare and Medicare Services, which processes bills from thousands of hospitals nationwide on a daily basis, has both the data and the know-how to publish average costs for common procedures at hospitals in metropolitan areas. Craig Becker, president of the Tennessee Hospital Association, added the agency could pressure private insurance companies to do the same, putting real prices not chargemaster prices in the hands of most patients. Instead, the government punted the responsibility to hospitals, and by extension, the patients themselves. "It was a step, but I think it was a false step, Becker said. People are going to go where their doctor's tell them to go, and what they want to know is not what you are going to charge, but (what) they are going to pay." After Vanderbilts prices were posted earlier this month, Simmons said she feared a madhouse of confused patients trying to make sense of the data. So far, that hasnt arrived. It seems the only people who have actually noticed are reporters, and quite frankly, kind of thankfully so, Simmons said. I would be worried about my phone burning out if patients were trying to figure it out. Brett Kelman can be reached at brett.kelman@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter at @brettkelman. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hospitals now required to post prices online to help patients. But it doesn't work. Tegucigalpa (AFP) - Police in Honduras fired tear gas at hundreds of student protesters who blocked a major road in the capital Tegucigalpa as they called for the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who just finished the first year of his second term. "Get out, JOH," shouted the students, who threw rocks and burned tires to block the road in front of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, in the eastern part of Tegucigalpa. Many of the protesters had their faces concealed behind masks or scarves. The tear gas fired by anti-riot police forced the students to retreat onto the campus, while they threw stones. No injuries were immediately reported. The demonstrations in violence-wracked Honduras came one day after opposition leftists took to the streets, answering a protest call by ex-president Manuel Zelaya to urge the conservative Hernandez to step down. Sunday's protests brought thousands into the streets across the country. Police also used tear gas in some instances to clear the protest areas. Hernandez began his second term on January 27, 2018 after being re-elected in a November 2017 vote decried as fraudulent by the Zelaya-led opposition alliance. CHICAGO As the Midwest girds for days of subzero temperatures, government agencies and social service nonprofits are scrambling to get some of their most vulnerable charges out of the cold. Officials in Chicago have added 500 shelter beds for the homeless and tapped more than 100 religious leaders to make calls and checks on senior citizens. Officials in Detroit report a surge of demand at shelters. And ambulance crews in Minneapolis plan to treat all outside calls as potentially life-threatening. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said his administration will dispatch five Chicago Transit Authority buses to the streets Wednesday to give homeless people who might be resistant to going to a shelter a place to warm up. City workers will canvass the streets for people to assist. Emanuel asked residents to check in on vulnerable neighbors. Everyone of us has a role to check on somebody who is maybe a neighbor on the block who is elderly, infirm or needs extra help, he said. Chicago has an unhappy history of weather crises wreaking disproportionate harm on some of its most vulnerable populations and causing headaches for politicians. A storm over New Years weekend in 1999 that dumped more than 21 inches of snow and shut down the iconic Lake Shore Drive for the first time in history was a factor in 43 deaths, including heart attacks while shoveling snow and exposure to cold. A massive blizzard in January 1979 that left at least seven dead is blamed for the election defeat of Mayor Michael Bilandic a few months later. The city was gridlocked for days; voters blamed Bilandic for being too slow to dig out the city. In the midst of a heat wave in 1995, the Chicago area recorded more than 700 deaths from heat-related illness in a five-day period. Those who died were disproportionately elderly, poor and African-American. As the mercury tumbled in Chicago Tuesday, Emanuel urged residents to be smart and act with caution. If you dont need to be outside, dont go outside, Emanuel said. The temperatures today, tomorrow and Thursday are not to be taken lightly. These are actually a public health risk, and you need to treat it appropriately. They are life-threatening conditions and temperatures. Story continues Officials and nonprofits throughout the Midwest are taking similar actions. A snowstorm and life-threatening temperature warnings this week have already taxed Detroit shelters, filled soup kitchens and strained nonprofits that help the homeless. "The phone is ringing off the hook," said Eneida Hajiou, the development director with the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team in Roseville. "There is not enough space for all the homeless suffering out there now." On the eve of the Polar Vortex, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries Facilities Supervisor Herbert Morris talks with Curtis Farr-El, 58, about seeking shelter at his makeshift home under a viaduct on Interstate 75 in Detroit on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Some areas of Lower Michigan could face wind chills as low as 45 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, homeless shelters are bracing for increased demand. The Bishop Dudley House has room for 80 men and 20 women, as well as seven family rooms and already this winter, they've had a few nights where theyve exceeded capacity. Wind chills in Sioux Falls could reach the minus-50s on Wednesday. Development coordinator Amanda Stidd said they wont turn anyone away. "We will find a spot for people to come in," she said, whether that's lining cots and mats up where they can, putting people in day rooms or using hospital beds in the shelter's medical respite rooms. Officials in Milwaukee urged people in need of emergency shelters to call 211 so they could be connected with facilities with available beds. "This is not the night for anyone to stay outdoors," Mayor Tom Barrett said. Barrett said all city services will be suspended Wednesday with the exception of police, fire and repair of water main breaks. The citys priorities will be the safety of city workers and residents. "This is going to hit us right in the kisser," Barrett said. "Safeguarding life and safety are our No. 1 priority." Weather emergencies can certainly be tough on first responders who have no choice but to work. Police in Whiteland, Indiana, tongue firmly in cheek, took to social media to urge criminals to take it easy on them. If everyone could refrain from committing crime these next few days that would be great k, thanks but srsly tho, the department tweeted. Back in Chicago, the forecast is shocking a city whose residents take pride in not letting the weather slow them down. In the citys Lakeview neighborhood, Angelo Mavraganes said he would close Stellas Diner Wednesday due to weather for the first time since his father opened it in 1962. If we open, business would be down 50 percent to 70 percent, Mavraganes said. A lot of our staff doesnt live nearby. You dont want to put anyone in a dangerous situation. Still, Mavraganes said, he's concerned about some of the regulars single, elderly residents who treat the diner as their second home. The staff has let most of the regulars theyve seen over the last couple of days that they will close. He worries some will still show. The waitstaff has assembled a call list of some of the older regulars. They typically check up on if them if they go more than two days without a visit. Mavragenes hopes to reopen Thursday. He said one of the first things he and his staff plan to do when they get back to work is make a round of calls to make sure everyone is okay. Contributing: Frank Witsil in Detroit, Trevor Mitchell in Sioux Falls, Vic Ryckaert in Indianapolis, and James B. Nelson in Milwaukee This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As historic cold blasts Midwest, cities focus on vulnerable, homeless By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Guatemala said it had notified United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that it would end a U.N.-backed anti-graft commission on Tuesday - eight months earlier than expected - over accusations the body interfered in internal affairs. The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, or CICIG, was established over a decade ago with the authority to conduct independent investigations and work with the country's prosecutors. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales had announced in August that he would not renew the body's mandate, which was due to expire on Sept. 3, 2019. Days later, he banned CICIG head Ivan Velasquez, a hard-charging Colombian prosecutor, from re-entering the country. Working with Guatemala's attorney general, CICIG sought to prosecute Morales, a former comedian, in 2017 over illegal financing allegations during his election campaign two years earlier. That move followed separate CICIG graft probes into members of the president's family. Guatemalan Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel met with Guterres in New York on Monday. "It is regrettable that the Secretary-General, in a bid to maintain one person in the position, sacrificed the legitimacy of the commission," Jovel told a news conference after the meeting, referring to Guterres' decision to stand-by Velasquez. "Therefore we reported to the Secretary-General that within 24 hours the agreement (that was struck to create CICIG) will be terminated by the Guatemalan government," she said. Jovel accused the commissions of exceeding its authority. The United Nations did not immediately respond when asked about her remarks. Many politicians in Guatemala consider the foreign-led body, which is unusual among U.N. bodies for its powers to bring cases to prosecutors, to be a violation of national sovereignty. Anti-corruption activists credit it with cleaning up government. Last month the Guatemalan government revoked visas and immunity for 11 CICIG investigators and two relatives. Speaking ahead of the meeting between Guterres and Jovel, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the secretary-general continued to support the work of the commission. Guterres also "expects the Guatemalan Government to provide the Commission with all the assistance necessary for the discharge of its functions and activities, including the freedom of movement of its staff throughout Guatemala, as provided in the agreement that was signed," Dujarric said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Tom Brown) Caracas (AFP) - Norka Marquez was standing near her son, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, when he declared himself the crisis-torn country's new president. But she says she never saw it coming. Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition-controlled legislature, raised his right hand before a crowd of thousands of supporters on Wednesday and proclaimed himself acting head of state. In doing so, he defied socialist President Nicolas Maduro, whose re-election he branded illegitimate. Marquez, 54, says she was as surprised as anyone to see her 35-year-old engineer son suddenly become an interim president recognized by the United States and a string of other countries. "So much has happened in so little time," Marquez, a teacher by training, told AFP. Q: When did you learn your son was going to declare himself acting president? A: "I didn't. I was right next to him, with his wife, with all the lawmakers, and we were taken by surprise. It was incredible. I never imagined I'd be right next to an acting president of Venezuela. I cried a lot. And then I felt afraid. "But now I see him so confident, so strong, and that helps us a family, to see him firm, on his feet, to hear his words. And we're out there supporting him." Q: How did you react when he was briefly detained by intelligence agents on January 13? A: "I was very afraid. I felt like they were tearing away one of the most important things in my life. I prayed to the Virgin Mary of the Valley, to my (late) father and mother, to bring him back to me. And they brought him back safe and sound. "When he arrived, he was euphoric. He didn't gave anyone time to cry or laugh or scream. He just said, 'Let's go, let's go'" (to the rally he was en route for when he was detained). Q: What qualities in your son brought him to this point? A: "He was a leader from a very young age. "When he was a baby, he had a lot of allergies, and my mother would put cream on him after his bath and say, 'When you're president someday, you won't let me put cream on you or see you anymore.' (Laughing.) Story continues "We used to joke around at home (after he was elected to the legislature) like we were swearing him in as president... Just family anecdotes, but who knows? Maybe we predicted it. "Juan loves to help, to serve others. It's one of his greatest qualities." Q: He never thought of leaving Venezuela, like so many other young people? A: "Never. Never. I always say, our roots are in Venezuela. We were born here and we've lost here, because we lost so much in the Vargas tragedy" (when mudslides caused by torrential rain killed thousands of people in their home region in December 1999). Q: How did he get through that as a 15-year-old? A: "It was hard. I don't like to talk about it much. But we got through it. "Afterward, we went back to see what we could save. One thing we managed to save was the dictionary, which was his favorite book. "He's very strong, he's the one who rallies us. If something bad happens, he'll tell a joke, and you end up laughing instead of crying." Q: Was your family involved in politics? A: "No, we're a family of soldiers. His paternal grandfather was in the national guard and my father was a sailor. "Juan loved that world. He wanted to become a military pilot, but he couldn't because of his asthma." Q: And now he's calling on the military to withdraw its support for Maduro. A: "I taught my son to respect the military and soldiers, and today he's calling on them to join us... to rebuild the country." Washington (AFP) - An envoy from Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido on Tuesday doubted the staying power of Nicolas Maduro's regime, saying no one would defend him to the death. Gustavo Tarre -- Venezuela's new representative to the Organization of American States after the United States, Canada and a number of Latin American powers last week recognized the opposition leader as president -- said that Guaido "is not asking for a coup d'etat." "He is only asking that the military personnel who are kidnapped by an ineffective, servile corrupt high command comply with the oath they made... to respect the constitution," he said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. The United States is seeking the ouster of Maduro as the leftist firebrand presides over an economy in disarray with mounting protests and shortages of food and basic supplies. Tarre voiced confidence that the street protests, combined with outside pressure including targeted sanctions, would force out Maduro. "I don't think there is anybody in Venezuela who is willing to die for Maduro," Tarre said. "In civil wars, normally there are people with strong beliefs," he said. "In Venezuela, there are corrupt people, there are people who have sympathy to Maduro, but people who want to fight and die for Maduro, I think there is nobody -- not even Cilia, his wife." The National Assembly, led by the opposition, tasked Tarre with a mission to coordinate with the Organization of American States for the "re-establishment of the democratic, constitutional order" in Venezuela. The Washington-based body declared Maduro to be illegitimate earlier this month on the day he was sworn in for a second term following elections that were criticized abroad as fraudulent. Berlin (AFP) - German aid group Sea Watch said Tuesday it has filed a case at the European Human Rights Court against Italy for refusing to allow its ship carrying 47 rescued migrants to dock. The German NGO's spokesman Ruben Neugebauer said the group had taken the drastic step on Friday because of Rome's hardline attitude against the mainly sub-Saharan migrants that its ship Sea Watch 3 pulled out of the Mediterranean on January 19. Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is "taking the people on board as political hostages", said Neugebauer. "They are trying to push it to the Netherlands," he added, referring to Salvini's insistence that the Netherlands or Germany take responsibility for the migrants. Sea Watch 3 is sailing under the Dutch flag and currently sheltering from bad weather off Sicily. It picked up the migrants and asylum-seekers -- including eight minors -- off the coast of Libya as they made the treacherous Mediterranean crossing. Neugebauer stressed that laws governing international waters are clear that ships in distress "must be brought to the nearest safe harbour". The Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday urged the Italian government to "take all necessary measures, as quickly as possible", to provide migrants on board the Sea-Watch 3 with medical care, water and food. - 'Humane solutions' - Migrants rescued by ships have frequently been left in limbo since Italy's anti-immigration government began turning them away last summer. Europe has been wrestling with divisions over how to handle the problem since the migration crisis of 2015 when more than one million people arrived on its shores, many of them fleeing conflict in the Middle East. Salvini, who has warned that he was considering legal action against Sea Watch's crew, said Tuesday that the 47 migrants can disembark if they agree to leave for Germany or the Netherlands. Story continues "Disembarking of migrants? Only if they head for the Netherlands, whose flag the Sea Watch boat is flying, or to Germany, the country of the NGO," he said on Twitter. "In Italy we have already received, and spent, too much." French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday called for the need for "humane solutions" for migrant rescue operations and urged that migrants be allowed to disembark at the nearest port, in this case "in Italy". He said sharing of the care of migrants came after, and that France was committed to that principal. In a similar case earlier this month, the EU struck a deal to share out between eight European countries nearly 50 migrants stranded aboard two ships, one of which was Sea Watch 3. The Netherlands on Monday rebuffed Italy's call to take in the 47 migrants, arguing that Dutch-flagged ship had acted "on its own initiative". "It was up to the captain of Sea Watch 3 to find a nearby port to disembark the 47 migrants he had on board," said the Dutch government. Some 113,482 migrants crossed the Mediterranean to reach Europe last year, according to the UN refugee agency, which said 2,262 people lost their lives or went missing making the perilous journey. After Kenya and Rwanda, the German car giant Volkswagen continues its expansion plan in East Africa. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday by Thomas Schaefer, Head of the Volkswagen Sub-Saharan Africa Region, and the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), Abebe Abebayehu to deliver a joint vision for the development of a sustainable, vertically integrated & export-oriented automotive industry in the Horn of Africa nation. According to the MoU, Volkswagen will focus on four key pillars: the establishment of a vehicle assembly facility, localization of automotive components, introduction of mobility concepts such as app-based car sharing and ride hailing as well as the opening of a training centre. As one of the fastest growing economies, and with the second highest population in the continent, Ethiopia is an ideal country to advance our Sub-Sahara Africa development strategy, said Thomas Schaefer, Head of the Volkswagen Sub-Sahara Africa Region. Volkswagen, shortened to VW, is a German automaker founded in May 1937 by the German Labor Front and headquartered in Wolfsburg. It was the largest automaker by worldwide sales in 2016. In Africa, Volkswagen has been manufacturing vehicles in South Africa since 1951. In Africa, Volkswagen also has vehicle assembly operations in Algeria, Kenya and Rwanda. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Volkswagen Ghana and Nigeria in August 2018. Maputo (AFP) - British mining group Gemfields said Tuesday it would pay 5.8 million pounds in compensation to nearly 300 artisanal miners over accusations of abuse around a ruby mine in Mozambique, but denied liability. In a class action suit, Gemfields was accused of hiring police and private security officials who were involved in the alleged torture and death of some residents in the company's concession area, as well as destroying their property, to force them to leave. The London-based Leigh Day firm said the suit brought by 273 miners is to be settled with the payout, worth 6.7 million euros ($7.6 million) including the claimants' legal expenses. "Gemfields... has agreed, on a no-admission-of-liability basis, the settlement of all claims brought by English law firm Leigh Day on behalf of individuals living in the vicinity of Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada's (MRM) mining concession in northern Mozambique," the mining company said in a statement sent to AFP. Gemfields denied any wrongdoing but said it "recognised that, in the past, instances of violence have occurred on and around the MRM licence area, both before and after Gemfields' arrival in Montepuez." Gemfields is a majority shareholder of MRM, which won the mining rights to 36,000 hectares (89,000 acres) of ruby-rich land in Mozambique in 2011. The agreement also provides for an agricultural development and training project, as well as a mechanism for resolving conflicts between MRM and local residents. The plaintiffs' law firm, which prides itself on waging "David and Goliath" legal battles pitting individuals against corporations and governments, hailed the settlement, saying it would "provide significant redress to our clients". "These incidents should never have happened. However, we commend Gemfields for engaging constructively to resolve this case promptly and for putting in place an independent grievance mechanism," Leigh Day partner Daniel Leader said. Mozambique, whose economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid, now accounts for 80 percent of global ruby production. Paris (AFP) - French MPs on Tuesday began debating a controversial anti-rioting bill which aims to crack down on the sort of street violence that has marred "yellow vest" anti-government protests since November. The bill notably aims to ban individuals identified as habitual hooligans from taking part in demonstrations, and force protesters involved in acts of violence to pay for the damage. Some MPs also want more severe penalties for organisers of unauthorised demonstrations as well as people who cover their faces during violent protests. But the bill has drawn fire -- even within President Emmanuel Macron's own centrist party -- from critics who say the proposals represent a threat to civil liberties. Announcing the draft law earlier this month, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said some of the anti-Macron "yellow vest" protests had led to unacceptable violence. "In many towns in France, demonstrations have been peaceful -- but we cannot accept some people taking advantage of these demonstrations to cross the line, break things and set things on fire." - Freedom to protest - The protests began in November against rising fuel taxes, but quickly spiralled into a wider revolt over accusations that Macron, a former banker, is out of touch with ordinary people in small-town and rural France. Across France tens of thousands have joined protests and road blocks, although the numbers have eased in recent weeks after Macron announced a series of policy climbdowns and a public consultation so people could vent their anger. In several cities -- but especially Paris -- the weekend protests have repeatedly descended into violence. Rioters in the capital torched cars and looted shops in early December, and also ransacked the Arc de Triomphe monument. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner insisted the bill, backed by police unions, was not "an anti-yellow vest law" or "anti demonstration" law. Story continues "It's a law to protect demonstrators, shopkeepers, local residents and police," he told BFM television. Yael Braun-Pivet, the LREM head of the national assembly's cross-party laws commission, said protecting the right to demonstrate would be front and centre in the debate. "What guarantees are being put around this procedure?" she demanded, telling the Journal du Dimanche newspaper earlier this month that she was "reticent" over certain measures. Leftist critics have decried the bill as "liberticide" and have been little reassured by Castaner's suggestion that a protest ban would concern fewer than 300 people. Already revised by Braun-Pivet's commission, more than 200 amendments have been proposed to the bill, with a final vote due next Tuesday. The draft law could also see protesters who mask their faces fined up to 15,000 euros ($17,000) and handed a one-year prison term. ll-parl/fc/kjl/ach TORONTO (AP) A former landscaper accused of sexually assaulting, killing and dismembering men he met in Toronto's Gay Village district over seven years pleaded guilty Tuesday to eight counts of first-degree murder. Bruce McArthur, wearing a black sweater, stood up and softly said "guilty" as each charge was read. Police last year found the remains of seven of the men in large planters at a property where McArthur had worked and used as storage. The remains of the eighth victim were found in a ravine behind the same property in midtown Toronto. The prosecutor, Michael Cantlon, said the cases ranging from 2010 to 2017 involved sexual assault or forcible confinement and said the bodies were hidden and dismembered. Several of the victims were apparently strangled. Sentencing and victim impact statements are to start Feb. 4. More information on his crimes is also expected to be released. McArthur, now 67, moved to the Toronto area around 2000 and previously lived in a suburb where he was married, raised two children and worked as a traveling salesman of underwear and socks. His landscaping business was small, but he periodically hired workers, including a 40-year-old man who disappeared in 2010. Police set up two special task forces to look into the disappearances of men in the Gay Village area of Toronto after some went missing. The alleged victims fit a pattern: Most were of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent and lived on the margins of Canadian society, their disappearances attracting little attention. One victim hid the fact that he was gay from his Muslim family. Another was a recent immigrant with a drug problem. Another alleged victim was homeless, smoked crack cocaine and worked as a prostitute. But then Andrew Kinsman vanished. The 49-year-old LGBQT activist and former bartender in Toronto had many friends. When he suddenly went missing the day after Toronto's gay pride parade, his friends noticed quickly, and so did the police. Story continues Police set up second special task force to look into the disappearances of men in the Gay Village shortly after Kinsman went missing. He was last seen on a surveillance video getting into McArthur's van on June 26, 2017, and his DNA was later found inside, as was the ligature with which he was apparently strangled. Members of the LGBTQ community long voiced concerns about a potential serial killer and pushed for answers in light of the disappearances. An initial police task force in 2012 didn't lead to an arrest. McArthur has since been charged in the deaths of Kinsman, Selim Esen, Majeed Kayhan, Dean Lisowick, Soroush Mahmudi, Skandaraj Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, and Kirushna Kanagaratnam. Karen Fraser, who lives at the home where McArthur stored the body parts, said he was evil, but hadn't known that version of him. McArthur worked at the home for 10 or 12 years for Fraser and her husband. He used the home as storage for his landscaping business and would often visit the garage several times a day. "Terrible things were done," she said. "This is just a shuffling, broken man. As he should be." Fraser, who said she had met two of the victims and is haunted by that, said she didn't see any remorse in McArthur in court, only a blank face. "We call it Bruce A and Bruce B," she said. "Bruce A was a man who seemed to have made decisions about his life and was very happy with it. He enjoyed his job, his clients and never got bored with the plants. He was very talented at it. He was very fond of his children and was a great grandfather." She called him the best friend, neighbor and relative that anyone could want. McArthur also worked as a mall Santa. "That was Bruce A. Bruce B? Who was that? I don't know," she said. "I never saw a temper. Just a happy guy. You would never ever think. I believe all his other clients said the same." Toronto police Det. David Dickinson called the guilty pleas the best possible outcome. Asked if there should be a public inquiry, Dickinson said if police made mistakes in the investigations, they should learn from them. Toronto Mayor John Tory called McArthur a "monster" who preyed on the city. Haran Vijayanathan, a community activist and the executive director of the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention in Toronto, said there is a sense of relief among the families. "But there is also confusion and questions as to why," he said. The case marked the largest forensic examination in the police force's history. Forensics spent months poring over McArthur's apartment and officers searched more than 100 properties where McArthur worked to see if he might have buried body parts there. Police didn't find body parts at other properties he worked. Inside a UK supermarket. Photo: REUTERS/Eva Plevier. The spate of warnings from farmers, food suppliers, and supermarkets that a no-deal Brexit would prompt food shortages are realistic, according to a leading UK food expert. Tim Lang, a professor of food policy at City, University of London, said in an interview with BBC Radio 4 that leaving the EU without a deal also known as a hard Brexit has acutely worried companies because the entire system has changed, not just with Europeanisation, but with the logistics revolution. The UK government has already told supermarkets to stockpile as much food as possible in warehouses around the country in case of a no-deal Brexit. On Monday, the bosses of Britains biggest supermarkets and popular food outlets warned the public of inevitable pressure on food prices and fewer products if a hard Brexit leads to new checks, delays and tariffs at Britains borders. Bosses at Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, Waitrose, Asda, Costcutter, and Lidl all signed a letter to MPs warning their customers could be first to experience the realities of a no-deal Brexit. READ MORE: McDonalds, KFC and supermarkets warn hard Brexit means higher prices and fewer products The CEOs of McDonalds, Pret A Manger and KFC in the UK also backed the letter calling for politicians to find an urgent solution, saying it was impossible to stockpile enough goods. Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, and Morrisons have also asked their main suppliers to ramp up stock over shortage concerns. Aldi has already considered stockpiling food as part of its preparations for Brexit but CEO Giles Hurley has said that Aldis increased fresh food range would make this more difficult. Lang said that supermarkets had mostly been very unhappy in private, making very strong representations to the prime minister herself and to MPs, but not speaking publicly because they try to keep out of politics. But they are so desperate and so worried now, I think not without reason, that theyve spoken out. Lang said people had underestimated how tight supply chains were completely fundamental to the food industry. Sao Paulo (AFP) - Five engineers, including two working for a German company, were arrested in Brazil Tuesday as part of a probe into a deadly dam collapse last week at a mine in the country's southeast, officials said. Three of the engineers work for Vale, the owner of the mine, and were directly involved in the process of the facility's operating licenses, the prosecutors' office in the state of Minas Gerais said. They were arrested in Belo Horizonte, the main city of Minas Gerais and close to where the Vale mine is situated, near the town of Brumadinho. The other two worked for TUEV SUED, a German company that in September carried out the last safety inspection on the collapsed mine. They were in arrested in Sao Paulo. They were in preventive custody which can last up to 30 days during which they would be questioned by prosecutors, a statement said. Search warrants had also been issued. The state prosecutors said their probe was "evaluating the criminal responsibility of the Vale company" in the disaster, which happened last Friday, killing at least 65 people and leaving 279 people missing presumed dead. TUEV SUED issued a short statement confirming the arrest of its two employees in Brazil. "Due to the inquiries under way, we are not currently in a position to provide more information. We are fully supporting the investigation," it said. Vale, the world's biggest iron ore miner, said in its own statement that it was "cooperating fully with authorities" and was making efforts to give "unconditional" support to the families of the dead and missing from the disaster. On Tuesday, Vale lost nearly a quarter of its value on the stock market as investors reacted to the disaster. By Anna Irrera NEW YORK (Reuters) - Venture capital-backed financial technology companies raised a record $39.57 billion from investors globally in 2018, up 120 percent from the previous year, according to research by data provider CB Insights published on Tuesday. Funding was raised through 1,707 deals, up from 1,480 in 2017, the research said. The surge in funding was due in large part to 52 mega-rounds, or investments larger than $100 million, which were worth $24.88 billion combined, the research said. A $14 billion investment in Ant Financial, the payment affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, accounted for 35 percent of total fintech funding alone last year, the research said. In the last three months of the year, five companies joined the coveted ranks of fintech "unicorns", or companies valued at more than $1 billion. These include credit card provider Brex, digital bank Monzo and data aggregator Plaid. Venture capital investors have been pouring billions of dollars into fintech companies, in the hopes that they can gain market share from incumbent financial institutions by offering easier to use and cheaper digital financial services. Fintechs have emerged globally across all sectors of finance, including lending, banking and wealth management. While the large rounds minted new unicorns and led funding to hit a record high in 2018, CB Insights estimates these will likely delay initial public offerings. "IPO activity is likely to remain lackluster in 2019," the research reads. Asia saw the biggest jump in number of deals in 2018, growing 38 percent from the previous year and accounting for a record $22.65 billion, according to the study. In the United States, fintechs raised a record $11.89 billion through 659 investments, while the number of deals dropped in Europe, but funding reached a record $3.53 billion. (Reporting by Anna Irrera; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) NEW YORK Accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, facing federal charges that could put him in prison for life, has opted not to testify in his own defense. He announced his decision in court Monday after federal prosecutors rested their case against him. "Your honor, me and my attorneys talked about this ... I will not testify," the outwardly calm Guzman told U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan in the first words the defendant had spoken in court during the trial. "They counseled me, and I agreed with them," said Guzman. His wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, sitting in the second row, similarly showed no apparent emotion. Defense lawyer William Purpura said Guzman's legal team had explained to him that if he took the witness stand to tell his side, he would also be required to respond to cross-examination by prosecutors. Prosecutors rested their case Monday more than two months into the trial. Their final witnesses included James Bradley, a Department of Defense analyst who studied Guzman's escape from a Mexican prison via a nearly mile-long tunnel a breakout that brought him worldwide notoriety. The final government witness, a Brendan Hanratty, a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent, described Guzman's January 2017 extradition from Mexico to the U.S. to stand trial. Afterward, defense lawyers asked Cogan to direct an acquittal of Guzman. The judge denied the motion, ruling that the prosecutors had presented more than ample evidence to show Guzman ran a continuing criminal enterprise that smuggled tons of cocaine, heroin, and other drugs into the United States. More: Witness: El Chapo cursed, tortured and shot enemies, ordered one buried alive More: El Chapo's mistress flips, tells jurors about his alleged drug crimes More: Prosecution witness against 'El Chapo' Guzman admits to killings, lies Defense team members said they have tentative plans to call just two witnesses. They are federal investigators who debriefed Jorge Cifuentes and Alex Cifuentes, Colombian brothers and former Guzman associates who testified against the alleged drug lord. Story continues Defense lawyers plan to highlight discrepancies in what the debriefing agents wrote in memos and what the brothers testified to at trial. However, Cogan issued a ruling Monday that will limit the effort. Both sides in the case are expected to present closing arguments as soon as Wednesday. The tentative schedule calls for the judge to present the jury with legal requirements for conviction on the charges against Guzman later Thursday or on Friday. After that, the panel of seven women and four men is expected to begin deliberating over Guzman's fate. In all, prosecutors presented evidence from 56 witnesses. They included 13 former Guzman associates who became cooperating witnesses after being arrested and charged with drug trafficking and other crimes. The group provided an inside glimpse of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel under the leadership of Guzman and others. They told jurors that Guzman used cars, trucks, planes, trains, shipping boats and even submarines to smuggle narcotics under, over, around and through the southern U.S. border. A former Guzman security guard, secretary and pilot named Isaias Valdez Rios, was the final cooperating witness. In some of the trial's most dramatic testimony, he told jurors that Guzman cursed, beat, and shot some of his enemies and once ordered a badly wounded member of another drug cartel buried alive. Instead of planning an extensive roster of defense witnesses, Guzman's defense team strategically focused on discrediting the government's cooperating witnesses as criminal liars who agreed to testify in hope of gaining leniency for their self-confessed crimes. On Monday, defense lawyer Eduardo Balarezo highlighted inconsistencies in Valdez's testimony. The questioning showed that Valdez wasn't necessarily close at hand to witness some of the violence he described. Guzman's trial has featured some lighter moments, as well. Actor Alejandro Edda talks to reporters outside federal court in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. The actor, who portrayed the notorious drug lord El Chapo on a Netflix series, appeared at the kingpin's trial. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ORG XMIT: NYSW112 On Monday, art imitated life as actor Alejandro Edda, who portrays Guzman in Netflix's Narcos: Mexico, came to the courtroom to observe the man himself sitting at the defense table. A court security officer warned all spectators in Edda's seating area not to gesture, wave or give a thumb's up in Guzman's direction. Violators would be removed from the courtroom, the officer said. Defense lawyers had alerted their client that a special visitor would be in the courtroom. Purpura said Guzman, who once discussed making a biopic of his life, seemed happy to see Edda. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Feds rest case against Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman; accused drug lord won't testify in his own defense Washington (AFP) - The FBI is investigating Chinese economic espionage in nearly all of its 56 field offices around the country, underscoring the depth of the threat to US business, Director Christopher Wray told Congress Tuesday. "China writ large is the most significant counterintelligence threat we face," Wray told the Senate Intelligence Committee in a hearing on foreign threats. "We have economic espionage investigations, for example -- that's just one piece of it -- in virtually every one of our 56 field offices," he said. "The number of those has probably doubled over the last three or four years, and not all of them, but almost all of them lead back to China." Wray spoke one day after the Justice Department indicted Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei for a "company-wide effort" to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile USA. The indictment said Huawei offered employees bonuses "based on the value of information they stole from other companies around the world," which they were to send to Huawei via an encrypted email address. US intelligence chiefs in the hearing said China was the most potent threat politically, militarily and economically to the United States, and that the threat was growing. The intelligence community's annual Worldwide Threat Assessment report released Tuesday alleges that Beijing will target important US technology sectors for espionage and theft whenever it cannot easily develop an important technology itself. "We are also concerned about the potential for Chinese intelligence and security services to use Chinese information technology firms as routine and systemic espionage platforms against the United States and allies," it said. Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lieutenant General Robert Ashley said at the hearing that the Beijing leadership and Chinese Communist party have made it hard for Chinese businessmen to be pure businessmen and avoid suspicion. "Huawei need to make a decision about the direction that they want to take with regards to how they support the Chinese government or as an independent business," he said. "The challenge... is that decision does not lie with Huawei. It lies with the CCP, it lies with Xi Jinping." The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL is scheduled to release second-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Feb 5, before the opening bell. This cosmetics biggie boasts a splendid surprise history and has been reporting earnings and sales beats for seven straight quarters now. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.53, which has inched up by a notch over the past 30 days and also compares favorably with $1.52 per share reported in the year-ago period. For revenues, the same currently stands at $3,921 million, showing an improvement of approximately 4.7% from the year-ago quarter number. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. Quote Key Factors Influencing Estee Lauder Growth in travel retail business is a major driving factor for Estee Lauder. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, travel retail sales continued to accelerate backed by broad-based growth across countries and brands. Currently, the channel is benefiting from unique product range, impressive marketing strategies and higher conversions through better customer insights. We also note that strategic buyouts undertaken by the company have been playing key role in enhancing the companys top-line performance. The acquisitions of BECCA and Too Faced have strengthened the companys fastest growing prestige portfolio. The investment in DECIEM, a fast-growing multi-brand company, is likely to aid beauty sales. Apart from skin care, Estee Lauder has acquired high-end fragrance and lifestyle brands. Additionally, Estee Lauder has a strong online presence and expects it to continue in the quarters ahead. The company has successfully expanded its online business footprint in about 40 countries. It plans to continue boosting sales in this channel by adding new sites and expanding retailer distributions. Certainly, rising demand for skincare products, which account for a significant chunk of sales, is an added positive. The company is also poised to gain from strength in the haircare category along with improved trends in the makeup and fragrance businesses. Markedly, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Skin Care, Makeup, Fragrance and Hair Care segments net sales is pegged at $1,624 million, $1,567 million, $570 million and $146 million, up 8.7%, 3.4%, 0.9% and 1.4%, respectively, from the prior-year quarter. While these tailwinds raise optimism, Estee Lauder is consistently coping up with changing consumer preferences. Along with this the availability of cheaper alternatives gives rise to stiff competition. Going ahead, the company expects prestige beauty growth to moderate in China, especially in the second half of the fiscal year. Nevertheless, management expects continued opportunities in the global prestige beauty industry, which is currently anticipated to grow 5-6% in fiscal 2019. Also, the company is on track with the implementation of the Leading Beauty Forward initiative, directed toward efficient management of costs and operations. All said, management expects net sales to improve 4-5% with adjusted earnings in the band of $1.47-$1.50 per share during the second quarter. What the Zacks Model Unveils Our proven model shows that Estee Lauder likely to beat bottom-line estimates this quarter. For this to happen, the 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. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Estee Lauder has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.16%, which makes us reasonably confident of an earnings beat. 3 More Stocks With Favorable Combination Here are some companies you may want to consider as our model shows that these too have the right combination of elements to post earnings beat: Church & Dwight CHD, a Zacks #2 Ranked stock, has an Earnings ESP of +2.80%. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Monster Beverage Corporation MNST has an Earnings ESP of +0.31% and a Zacks Rank #2. Energizer Holdings ENR has an Earnings ESP of +7.83% and a Zacks Rank #3. Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 Energizer Holdings, Inc. (ENR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research (In this January 25 story corrects paragraph four to say number of individuals is 34, not 35) (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's long-time ally and campaign adviser Roger Stone was arrested on Friday on seven charges of obstruction, lying and witness tampering as part of the U.S. Special Counsel's Office Russia investigation. Stone is one of dozens of people caught up in a long-running investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible collusion between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign, and is the latest Trump associate to be charged. Trump denies any collusion and has long denounced the investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as a "witch hunt." Moscow has denied it interfered in the election. Here is a list of 34 individuals and three companies who have pleaded guilty, been indicted or otherwise swept up in the inquiry, which has clouded Trump's presidency and has recently intensified. MICHAEL COHEN Trump's former personal lawyer was sentenced in December to three years in prison for crimes including orchestrating hush-money payments to women in violation of campaign laws before the 2016 election. He promised to keep cooperating with the U.S. government against his former boss. Trump directed the hush payments to the two women shortly before the election and knew that doing so was wrong, Cohen said in a television interview. Cohen pleaded guilty on Nov. 29 to lying to Congress about a Trump Organization skyscraper project in Moscow. Cohen once said he would "take a bullet" for Trump, who called him a "rat" in a tweet in December. MICHAEL FLYNN Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia during Trump's presidential transition and agreed to cooperate with Mueller. He was Trump's national security adviser for less than a month in early 2017. He resigned after it emerged he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and the FBI about his dealings with the then-Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. Flynn knew better than to lie to the FBI and does not deserve sentencing leniency, U.S. prosecutors said on Friday. His sentencing is pending. PAUL MANAFORT Trump's former campaign chairman agreed to cooperate with Mueller in a plea deal announced in September. He was due in court on Friday to respond to U.S. prosecutors' accusation that he breached his deal by lying to investigators. Manafort in September pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and agreed to cooperate with Mueller. He was convicted in August in a separate case in Virginia of bank and tax fraud. RICK GATES A former deputy Trump campaign chairman, Gates pleaded guilty in February 2018 to conspiracy against the United States and lying to investigators. He agreed to cooperate with Mueller and testified against Manafort, his former business partner. KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK A Manafort aide in Ukraine and a political operative with alleged ties to Russian intelligence, Kilimnik was charged in June with tampering with witnesses about their past lobbying for Ukraines former pro-Russian government. GEORGE PAPADOPOULOS The former Trump campaign adviser was sentenced in September to 14 days in prison after pleading guilty in October 2017 to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials, including a professor who told him the Russians had "dirt" on Trump's Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton. SAMUEL PATTEN Patten, an American business partner of a Russian national accused by Mueller's office of ties to Russian intelligence, pleaded guilty in August 2018 to unregistered lobbying for a pro-Kremlin political party in Ukraine. He agreed to cooperate with investigators. RICHARD PINEDO Pinedo was not involved with the Trump campaign but in February he pleaded guilty to identity fraud in a case related to the Mueller investigation for helping Russian conspirators launder money, purchase Facebook ads and pay for supplies. He was sentenced in October 2018 to a year of incarceration and allowed to serve half of it at home. RUSSIAN OFFICERS Twelve Russian intelligence officers were indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, accused of hacking Democratic Party computer networks in 2016. RUSSIAN NATIONALS, COMPANIES Thirteen Russians and three Russian companies were indicted in Mueller's investigation in February 2018, accused of tampering in the 2016 election to support Trump. The companies included the Internet Research Agency, known for its "trolling" on social media, Concord Management and Consulting and Concord Catering. ROGER STONE The longtime Trump ally and presidential campaign adviser was arrested on Friday and charged with seven counts of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements. Stone, 66, 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 grand jury indictment released by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office said a senior Trump campaign official had spoken with Stone about the damaging information. U.S. prosecutors, in the court filing, accused Stone 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 and obstructing Congress' work. They also accused him of trying to interfere with a witness, who was a radio host who Stone had known for more than 10 years and matched the profile of Randy Credico. Stone has previously denied any wrongdoing. Grant Smith, his lawyer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ALEX VAN DER ZWAAN A lawyer who once worked closely with Manafort and Gates, Van der Zwaan pleaded guilty in February to lying to Mueller's investigators about contacts with a Trump campaign official. He was sentenced in April to 30 days in prison and fined $20,000. (Compiled by Frances Kerry, Cynthia Osterman, Mohammad Zargham, Susan Heavey and Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Bill Trott) By Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A "backstop" mechanism for Northern Ireland's land border with the European Union is a stumbling block for British lawmakers to endorse Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal with the European Union. This is what it is and why it matters: BOTH SIDES WANT TO AVOID A "HARD BORDER" - WHAT'S THAT? In 1998, Britain and Ireland made the Good Friday agreement to end 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland over whether it should stay British or join the Irish Republic to the south. That ended controls along the 500-km (300-mile) land border and set up all-Ireland rules and institutions that make Northern Ireland special within the United Kingdom. Brexit means possible new checks along the border and a bombing this month by a new anti-British group has raised fears of a return to violence. SO THE SOLUTION IS...? Prime Minister May says a special customs and trade arrangement with the EU, to be negotiated during a status-quo transition of 20 to 44 months, will ensure seamless borders between all the United Kingdom and EU -- so there will be no need for intrusive checks on goods at the Irish border. THAT SOUNDS FAIR - SO WHAT'S THE CATCH? The Irish government, backed by the rest of the EU, wants an insurance policy in case those future trade talks fail. AND THAT INSURANCE POLICY IS WHAT? The Withdrawal Agreement May struck in November with the EU says the UK will remain in a customs union "unless and until" "alternative arrangements" are found to avoid a hard border. The EU had proposed keeping only Northern Ireland in its economic area but May and the pro-British Belfast party that gives her a slim parliamentary majority objected, arguing that it would set Northern Ireland on a course toward union with the Republic. BUT BRITISH LAWMAKERS OBJECT? Many dislike the prospect of being bound to EU rules and customs duties that would prevent Britain doing its own trade deals and leave it overseen by EU judges. May has pushed the EU to put a time limit on the backstop, possibly in 2021. Some EU governments have considered such a deadline - perhaps more like 2025 - but Ireland and all other EU leaders have rejected that. Story continues SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? No one knows. There is little sign May can reverse the huge defeat the treaty suffered in parliament two weeks ago. The EU says it will not renegotiate the withdrawal agreement or the backstop protocol within it, but could rework the political declaration setting out post-Brexit trade terms that may offer a clearer way of avoiding the backstop -- say by keeping the UK in a customs union. That, however, remains anathema to May. AND IF THERE IS NO DEAL? If no one gives ground, Britain will leave the EU on March 29. Ireland and Britain say they have no plan to impose customs controls that would be an immediate target for militants. But the EU has said that no deal means a hard border, of some kind. SO IRELAND IS IN A BIND? Very much so. Its EU partners insist they will stand by it and defend the backstop. But they also want to avoid a no deal. If there were no deal, Ireland would not be able for long to let the only EU land border with the UK stand open. If it failed to check goods coming in from Britain, Ireland itself could find the EU raising questions on whether Irish exports to the rest of the Union should remain free of all checks at their ports. (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; @macdonaldrtr, Editing by William Maclean) By Mike Spector (Reuters) - California utility owner PG&E Corp is preparing to name a restructuring chief as it finalizes preparations for a bankruptcy filing expected to come as soon as early Tuesday morning, people familiar with the matter said. PG&E plans to file for bankruptcy protection in a San Francisco federal court, the sources said, in part to address liabilities it expects to top $30 billion stemming from catastrophic wildfires in the last two years that have killed more than 100 people and destroyed numerous homes. The San Francisco-based utility owner, which carries debt exceeding $18 billion, is in the final stages of discussions to appoint longtime turnaround specialist James Mesterharm as its chief restructuring officer to help the company navigate bankruptcy proceedings, the sources said. The company is pressing on with its bankruptcy plan, which it announced earlier this month, even as some of its creditors proposed last-ditch rescue-financing packages to prevent such a move, some of the sources said. The sources asked not to be identified discussing internal company developments and cautioned that Mesterharm's appointment was still in the process of being finalized Monday evening. A PG&E spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, the California Public Utilities Commission approved PG&E's plans to tap up to $6 billion in so-called debtor-in-possession financing to help it operate while under bankruptcy protection. VETERAN FROM KODAK, ZENITH Mesterharm, a managing director at turnaround and consulting firm AlixPartners LLP, previously served as restructuring chief at Eastman Kodak Co during its bankruptcy proceedings. Other companies he has advised on restructurings include mall owner General Growth Properties and Zenith Electronics. He has advised PG&E in the weeks leading up to its anticipated bankruptcy filing, the sources said. An AlixPartners spokesman had no immediate comment. Story continues PG&E debtholders in recent days delivered separate multibillion-dollar rescue proposals to the company, people familiar with the offers said. The proposals, also shared with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, each offered financing in exchange for debt that can later be converted into shares when PG&E's stock trades at a certain price, the sources said. A Newsom spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. A group comprising investment firms Apollo Global Management LLC, Citadel, Davidson Kempner Capital Management and Centerbridge Partners LP proposed between $3 billion and $5 billion of financing, the sources said. Another team of Elliott Management Corp and Pacific Investment Management Co offered $4 billion, they said. The debtholders either declined to comment, had no immediate comment or didn't respond to requests for comment. The financing proposals came on the heels of state investigators clearing PG&E of liability in a 2017 fire that tore through wine country and killed 22 people. PG&E still faces scrutiny over its equipment's role in a November blaze that ignited in the northern California mountain community of Paradise, killing at least 86 people in the most catastrophic wildfire in state history. PG&E has pointed to extensive litigation and a deteriorating financial situation leading up to its expected bankruptcy filing. In a securities filing earlier this month, PG&E said obtaining additional financing to avoid a bankruptcy filing, though possible, would be expensive, complicated and fail to address the company's fundamental problems. At least one shareholder, BlueMountain Capital Management LLC, has criticized the plan as harmful to investors and has launched an effort to oust PG&E's entire board. (Reporting by Mike Spector in New York; Additional reporting by Jim Christie in San Francisco, Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento and Svea Herbst in New York; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) Sir Graham Brady thinks here are alternatives to the backstop. British MPs may vote on a significant amendment to prime minister Theresa Mays Brexit deal tonight, approving the deal on the condition the government seeks an alternative to the Irish backstop. Amid all the noise about Brexit, it might be easy to forget that Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservatives backbench 1922 committee and the MP who proposed the amendment, is actually correct there are alternatives but not for the reasons you might think. By the same token, the European Union may seem steadfast in its position that it will not budge from the backstop, with the bloc continually stating that there is no other way even after the deal it signed with Theresa May was spectacularly voted down in the House of Commons earlier this month. The EU, too, is correct. But how can two seemingly incompatible positions both be correct? A careful analysis of statements from the Irish government in recent days offers some answers. READ MORE: As Westminster votes, Ireland steps up hard Brexit planning Speaking in Davos on Thursday, Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar reiterated a point that Ireland and, by extension, the EU has been making for months: The backstop is merely a means to an end. Those words alone should tell you all there is to know, in the sense that the desired end is a legal guarantee and operable mechanism that will prevent the emergence of a hard border in Northern Ireland after Brexit. Neither Ireland nor the EU really cares how exactly this is achieved. So if there is another mechanism, if the UK can come forward with a proposal that avoids a hard border that gives us that legal guarantee, of course we would listen to that, Varadkar said. That there are alternatives to the backstop is implicit in his statement and of course there are. Few people, for instance, have seriously suggested that the backstop as proposed is the one and only way to avoid a hard border. But, this is where Bradys thesis falls apart. As Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said this week: Nobody has come up with a pragmatic, sensible and legally sound way of avoiding border infrastructure re-emerging between the two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. Story continues READ MORE: What is the Irish backstop? Brady has no answer to this. In fact, he goes so far as to say that we dont need to hammer out those details. When you have Brexiteers saying that kind of thing, you can understand why the European Union is completely disinclined to even consider the prospect of alternatives. No, its not wedded to the backstop, but no workable alternative has been put on the table. As far as Bradys plan goes, a hard border could be avoided with digital technology. And these are the things that Varadkar calls technologies that dont exist yet. Eiza Gonzalez has made a few headlines for her high-profile romances cue Josh Duhamel, Liam Hemsworth, Cristiano Ronaldo and Calvin Harris but dont let the gossip surrounding her love life fool you. This Mexican-born actress is focused on one thing: her booming career. Yes, there was that five-month whirlwind romance with Duhamel (Fergies ex-husband), but thats all in the past. Gonzalez, who started her career in telenovelas and released her first Spanish-language album when she was 18, has eight movies in the works talk about Hollywood domination. Shes teaming up with Dwayne the Rock Johnson for the highly anticipated Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, out his summer. The 29-year-old actress is also in Paradise Hills, Godzilla vs. Kong and Robert Rodriguezs Alita: Battle Angel. It was Rodriguez who gave Gonzalez her big break with an English-speaking role in 2013s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. My mentor is Robert Rodriguez. He brought me into this industry and has taken care of me, Gonzalez said. Doors quickly opened (and continue to open) for this rising star. In 2015, she became Neutrogenas brand ambassador for skin care, shooting commercials in both English and Spanish. Two years later, she played sexy Darling opposite Jon Hamm in Baby Driver, a role that made Hollywood take notice. All I care about is representing Latina women in a way that they feel proud. With more than 4 million Instagram followers, the Latinx community is here for Gonzalez. She keeps fans motivated by sharing fun fitness routines and plenty of bikini photos that would give anyone vacation FOMO. And then there are messages of positivity: This Year, Im starting from scratch. Im stronger than ever. And so are you. Nothing is stronger than a broken person who rebuilds themselves. Duke Realty Corp. DRE is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Jan 30, after the market closes. The companys results will likely reflect year-over-year growth in its funds from operations (FFO) per share and revenues. In the last reported quarter, this industrial real estate investment trusts (REIT) core FFO per share of 35 cents surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Results were backed by growth in rental and related revenues, overall improved operations and higher investments in new industrial properties. However, the company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two out of the trailing four quarters and met estimates in the other two occasions, with average beat being 1.6%. The graph below depicts this surprise history: Duke Realty Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Duke Realty Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Duke Realty Corporation Quote Lets see how things are shaping up. Factors at Play The industrial real estate market has been gathering steam amid solid U.S. economy, job-market gains, thriving e-commerce market, high consumption levels and robust consumer confidence. Demand for warehouses, distribution centers and other industrial property remains strong amid paradigm shift of consumers opting for online shopping. In fourth-quarter 2018 too, we expect these industry tailwinds to have fortified the industrial real estate market. In fact, going by a report issued by commercial real estate services firm CBRE Group CBRE availability rate shrunk 10 basis points (bps) to 7% for the U.S. industrial market in fourth-quarter 2018, denoting the lowest point since 2000. Moreover, the quarter witnessed positive net absorption for the 35th consecutive quarter. As for Duke Realty, its solid capacity to bank on this favorable trend will likely have helped the company witness high occupancy, active leasing and healthy rent levels across a number of properties. In fact, during the Oct-Dec quarter, the company executed a number of leases, including a deal with SOFAMANIA to rent out space at 175 Portside Court in Savannah. In addition, its Savannah port area portfolio is fully occupied, reflecting robust demand for the companys properties. Story continues Furthermore, it entered into a pre-leasing agreement at 5 Ethel Boulevard in the Meadowlands, that enabled the company to achieve 64% preleasing of its new warehouse. Amid these, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth-quarter revenues is currently pinned at $202.8 million, indicating an increase of 13% from the prior-year quarter. However, the company has been disposing non-strategic assets in a bid to focus on industrial properties. While such efforts are a strategic fit for the long term, these will likely dampen the companys fourth-quarter results and dampen its profitability. In fact, for 2018, the company anticipates dispositions of $500-$600 million. Also, since the company has a number of ongoing development projects, amid rising interest-rate environment, we expect its development and financing activities to have slowed down. Additionally, Duke Realtys activities during the quarter under review were inadequate to gain analysts confidence. Consequently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2018 FFO per share remained unchanged at 35 cents, over the last 30 days. Further, estimates remained unrevised for 2018 FFO per share as well, at $1.34. Managements 2018 guidance for core FFO per share is $1.31-$1.35. Earnings Whispers Our proven model does not conclusively show that Duke Realty is likely to beat estimates this season. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. But that is not the case here, as you will see below. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP: Duke Realty has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. Zacks Rank: Duke Realty has a Zacks Rank of 3, at present. Although a favorable Zacks Rank is a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely beat in terms of FFO per share, we also need a positive Earnings ESP to be reasonably confident of a positive surprise. Stocks That Warrant a Look While the other players in this space are lined up to report their financial results, below are three stocks, poised to beat on earnings per the proven Zacks model. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. AvalonBay Communities AVB, slated to report fourth-quarter results on Feb 4, has an Earnings ESP of +0.22% and holds a Zacks Rank of 3. American Tower Corporation AMT, set to release earnings on Feb 27, has an Earnings ESP of +0.29% and carries a Zacks Rank of 3. Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO) a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs. Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 Duke Realty Corporation (DRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report CBRE Group, Inc. (CBRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd. RDY is scheduled to report third-quarter fiscal 2019 results, before market opens, on Feb 1. Dr. Reddys shares have increased 4% in the past year, against the industrys decline of 19.8%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. Factors at Play Dr. Reddys North America base business is witnessing pricing pressures since the last few quarters, due to enhanced channel consolidation and increased competitive pressure on sales of some of its key generic products. We do not expect to see any improvement in this negative trend in the upcoming quarters results. The U.S. generics industry is facing significant competitive and pricing pressures. The ongoing consolidation of customers in the industry has led to increasing price erosion and decreasing volume. The consolidation in the industry has increased the ability to negotiate lower prices for generic drugs. A sharp decline in generic drug prices is proving to be a major challenge for generic drug makers and distributors. Moreover, the FDA is speeding up the approval of generic drugs, which means more competition, increased price cuts and decreased volumes. The pricing and competitive pressures are expected to continue in 2019. However, the Global Generics segment is expected to improve, driven by growth in the emerging markets and India. Revenues from the Pharmaceutical Services & Active Ingredients (PSAI), and Proprietary Products and Others segments are also expected to rise in the third quarter. Dr. Reddys also launched few generics in the quarter. The company launched the generic version of Lillys LLY Strattera in the United States. It also launched Aspirin and Extended-Release Dipyridamole capsules, a therapeutic equivalent generic version of Aggrenox (aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole) capsules. Dr. Reddys also launched the therapeutic equivalent generic version of Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) for Oral Suspension. These should add to revenues of the company in the to-be-reported quarter. Story continues Dr. Reddys currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd Price and EPS Surprise Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd Price and EPS Surprise | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd Quote Stocks That Warrant a Look Here are some stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter. According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) has a good chance of beating estimates if it also has a positive Earnings ESP. Zacks Rank #4 or #5 (Strong Sell) stocks are best avoided. Allergan Plc AGN has an Earnings ESP of +2.80% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release second-quarter report on Jan 29. Bausch Health Cos Inc. BHC has an Earnings ESP of +6.08% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release second-quarter results on Feb 20. Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year? Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%. See Latest Stocks Today >> 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 Allergan plc (AGN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (RDY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Bausch Health Cos Inc. (BHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Adventure playgrounds in the UK are under threat (Picture: Getty) Dozens of adventure playgrounds across the UK face closure after their insurer threatened to back out. Charities have warned that 70 playgrounds, many of which are in deprived areas, are under threat, The Times reported. It said Zurich insurance has informed those playgrounds whose policies were ending that they are not likely to be renewed. Charities said the playgrounds, which are already struggling because of public sector cuts, are crucial to childrens wellbeing. Zurich insurance says it is re-evaluating its policies with playgrounds (Picture: PA) In emails seen by The Times, underwriters from Zurich gave notice to playground providers that it was re-evaluating its policies. Zurichs appetite has changed towards adventure playgrounds, it said. MORE: Shocking bodycam footage shows thugs kick police officer into path of moving bus MORE: Frances Macron attacks Brexit and says it will end up costing the British people In an email to Glamis playground in Shadwell, east London, it said: Adventure playgrounds pose unique risks to an insurance company. The site looks very busy with a lot of non-standard play equipment. The insurer said it was seeing an ever-increasing claims culture and an increase in the cost of settling claims. It has also sent notices to playgrounds such as Hornimans in London and Felix Road in Bristol. About 70 playgrounds face closure (Picture: Getty) Suzannah Walker, from Glamis, told The Times she did not know of any insurance claims they had made in 15 years. Our staff are risk-aware, she said. Aware of the benefits of risk and also able to assess where a risk is unacceptable. Without it our local population will be robbed of a vital and unique service. Nicola Butler, chair of Play England, said: This is potentially a real nightmare. They cant open if there isnt public liability insurance. These are places for children to try something different. It is an opportunity to engage in nature, take more risk, but do so with qualified staff around. Mexico City (AFP) - President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged Mexicans Wednesday not to panic as gasoline shortages spread across the country, caused by a crackdown on fuel theft that risks backfiring badly. The president says the shortages were triggered by his administration's decision to temporarily close some of state oil company Pemex's pipelines -- part of his bid to wipe out rampant fuel theft that cost the country an estimated $3 billion in 2017. But for a politician who campaigned on energy nationalism and a promise of more Mexican refineries to produce more cheap gasoline, the shortages have turned into a public relations debacle. At his daily press conference, Lopez Obrador -- an anti-establishment leftist who took office last month after a landslide election win -- vowed to keep up his fight against fuel theft and urged Mexicans not to make the shortages worse with panic buying. "We're going to resist the pressure. I'm asking people to help us. How can you support us? By acting prudently and calmly, without panicking, without listening to alarmist and biased information," he said. "There is enough gasoline in the country... We are in the process of returning to normal deliveries." That was little comfort for customers like Alfonso Mendoza, a traveling salesman who spent more than four hours waiting to fill up his car after a week of shortages. He lives in the central city of Guanajuato, where some people spent the night in their cars, queued up outside the limited number of functioning service stations. "I couldn't go to work today. I have to travel for my job, so it affects me a lot. It's not good, what (the president) is doing," said Mendoza. "He's trying to catch the thieves, but we're the ones who get screwed." - Economic impact - The pipeline closures have led to shortages in various places around Mexico, particularly in the center of the country, as service stations run out of fuel or limit customers to purchases of 10 liters (about two and a half gallons). Story continues Mexico City is among those affected, though officials insist the fuel supply to the capital is normal and the shortages are being caused by panic buying. Nonetheless, shuttered service stations could be seen around the city, and customers spent hours in line at those that were open. Energy analyst Ramses Pech said there were not enough tanker trucks in the country to compensate for the pipeline closures. The legal distribution system was also under greater pressure than usual because of the crackdown, he said. "They turned off the pipelines and people who had been buying stolen fuel had to return to service stations. They didn't have enough volume to meet demand," he told AFP. Analysts at private bank Citibanamex said the shortages could hit Latin America's second-largest economy if they continued. And the Eurasia Group consultancy warned the episode could "ding the president's popularity" and augur tough times ahead for a leader who tends to make policy by "instinct." "The faulty implementation of the strategy to fight fuel theft shows some of the administration's weakness," it said. "An inexperienced and understaffed energy team combined with Lopez Obrador's centralized decision-making style, especially in politically sensitive issues such as gasoline, leads to inefficient and unplanned reactions that cause bigger problems." - Troops deployed - Fuel theft gangs linked to Mexico's powerful drug cartels have turned illegal taps of Pemex's oil and gas pipelines into a massive black-market industry. There were 10,363 pipeline thefts in 2017, up from 186 in 2012, according to Pemex. Authorities say the crime is partly an inside job. Lopez Obrador confirmed Tuesday that Pemex's former security chief is among those under investigation. To crack down on fuel theft -- known in Mexico as "huachicoleo," or moonshining -- the government has deployed the military to escort fuel shipments and guard Pemex production facilities, inspecting workers as they enter and exit. Lopez Obrador has also introduced legislation to reclassify fuel theft as a major crime not eligible for bail. The Justice Department on Monday charged Chinas largest smartphone maker with bank fraud and stealing trade secrets, in a move that will likely heighten already-elevated tensions between the U.S. and Beijing. In a 13-count indictment filed in New York City, the DOJ charged Huawei Technologies Co., its chief financial officer, and two affiliated firms with a laundry list of crimes including conspiracy, money laundering, bank and wire fraud, flouting U.S. sanctions on Iran, and obstruction of justice. The indictment alleges that Huawei stole robotic technology designed to test smartphones from American cellular company T-Mobile. It also accuses the companys CFO, Meng Wanzhou, of lying about Huaweis relationship with the Iranian company Skycom, which it says violated American sanctions prohibiting U.S. banks from processing transactions connected to Iran. Meng was arrested in Canada at the request of American officials on December 1, and is being detained in Vancouver pending extradition proceedings. The criminal activity in this indictment goes back ten years and goes all the way to the top of the company, said Acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker at a press conference announcing the charges. Huawei, as an $8.4 billion firm protected by Chinas Communist party, poses a dual threat to both our economic and national security, and the magnitude of these charges makes clear just how seriously the FBI takes this threat, FBI director Christopher Wray said at the same press conference. More from National Review Dianne Oxberry (Credit: PA) BBC news presenter Dianne Oxberry died following a short battle with ovarian cancer, her husband Ian Hindle has confirmed. He has also revealed plans to establish a charity in her name to raise money and awareness for women suffering the same disease. In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, he said: Dianne died in early January after a very short battle with ovarian cancer. The tragic impact was felt not only by her family and friends, but also by the wider public whose lives she touched across more than 20 years TV and radio presenting. The money raised will be used to help families and individuals who have, or are suffering from, this aggressive disease. The aim is also to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and its after-effects, particularly where families have suffered sudden loss which can often be the case with this appalling disease. He also paid tribute to his wife, who was known across the north west for her work for the BBCs North West Tonight news team. Dianne was an amazing wife and mother who embraced life to the full. She was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her but also to the people who watched and welcomed her into their homes each night as if she were part of their family too, he continued. She will leave a massive void in our lives but because of the remarkable person she was she will forever live on in our hearts. The children and I will miss her more than anyone can imagine. Dianne began her broadcasting career on Radio 1 with Steve Wright and Simon Mayo, before hosting kids Saturday morning show The 8:15 From Manchester. After studying at the Met Office College, she went on to become BBC North Wests first dedicated weather presenter in 1994, as well as hosting the breakfast show on BBC Radio Manchester. She died at the Christie Hospital in Manchester on January 10. She was 51. Read more Eamonn Holmes wants to revive This Is Your Life Cold Feet fans respond to shock romance twist Arg slams DOI viewers over fake fall claims NEW YORK (AP) -- Some of the most influential forces in Democratic politics revolted Monday against former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's prospective presidential bid, insisting that an independent run would unintentionally help President Donald Trump win another four years in office. The critics included the Democratic chairman of Schultz's home state, another billionaire businessman who long flirted with an independent run of his own, former President Barack Obama's chief strategist, and the most powerful super PAC in Democratic politics. "If Schultz entered the race as an independent, we would consider him a target. ... We would do everything we can to ensure that his candidacy is unsuccessful," said Patrick McHugh, executive director of Priorities USA, which spent nearly $200 million in the 2016 presidential contest. Specifically, he seized on Schultz's apparent willingness to cut entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security to narrow the federal deficit. "The bottom line," McHugh said, "is that I don't think Americans are looking for another selfish billionaire to enter the race." The intense pushback in the early days of the 2020 campaign reflects the passion Democrats are bringing to the race to deny Trump a second term. Rank-and-file voters and party officials alike are anxious about any hurdle that would prevent them from seizing on Trump's unpopularity. While no independent has won the presidency since George Washington, Democrats fear that Schultz would almost certainly split their vote and give Trump an easier path to re-election. Yet Democrats concede that they had few tools to dissuade Schultz from launching an independent campaign as he told CBS' "60 Minutes" on Sunday he was considering though many were skeptical that he would actually follow through. Schultz felt the passion of the anti-Trump resistance moments after he took the stage Monday evening in New York City to promote his new book. Story continues "Don't help elect Trump, you egotistical billionaire!" a protester shouted before being ejected by security. In an interview with The Associated Press after the appearance, he acknowledged that his prospective run might be "threatening" to some Democrats, but said, "my heart's in the right place." The 65-year-old billionaire confirmed that he has identified as a Democrat his entire life. But Schultz suggested his moderate approach might attract a significant number of Republican voters frustrated with Trump in addition to Democrats turned off by the party's embrace of liberal policies, such as universal health care and free tuition at public universities. "Who's to say that lifelong Republicans given the choice between Donald Trump and a far-left liberal, progressive Democrat if they had a better choice where are they going to go?" he asked. "My views are squarely in the middle." Schultz said he would make his decision in the "summer-fall" after spending the coming months traveling around the country in part promoting a new book to test whether there's interest in an independent presidential candidate, according to a person familiar with his planning. Asked how much of his personal fortune he'd be willing to spend on the election, he said only: "I'm going to do what's necessary." Schultz's team has polled on the viability of a third-party run and believes there is an opening, though they have not shared the specifics of their internal surveys. He's being advised by a team with experience in both parties, including Steve Schmidt, who worked on Republican John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, and former Obama adviser Bill Burton, who joined Schultz at his Monday appearance in New York. Schultz's team also includes Republican pollster Greg Strimple, GOP strategist Brooks Kochvar, former journalist Erin McPike and Rajiv Chandrasekaran, another former journalist who has worked closely with Schultz since 2015. Yet history and the reality of a political system designed to favor major-party candidates suggests that Schultz may do little more than play spoiler should he decide to run. Bloomberg, who studied the possibility of an independent run of his own in the past, offered Schultz a direct message based on his own experience. "The data was very clear and very consistent. Given the strong pull of partisanship and the realities of the electoral college system, there is no way an independent can win. That is truer today than ever before," Bloomberg, who is considering a Democratic 2020 bid, said in a statement. He continued: "In 2020, the great likelihood is that an independent would just split the anti-Trump vote and end up re-electing the president. That's a risk I refused to run in 2016, and we can't afford to run it now." The angry voices were far and wide, and they included Obama's former chief strategist, David Axelrod, along with Democrats from Schultz's home state. "If Schultz decides to run as an independent," Axelrod tweeted, Trump "should give Starbucks their Trump Tower space rent free! It would be a gift." Tina Podlodowski, the Democratic chairwoman in Washington state, where Schultz has lived for decades, discouraged him from running as an independent. "A billionaire buying his way out of the entire primary process does not strengthen democracy," she said. "It only makes it more likely that our democracy will be further strained under another four years of President Donald Trump." Perhaps trying to elevate Schultz, who is not well known among Democratic primary voters, Trump himself weighed in on Monday, tweeting that Schultz "doesn't have the 'guts' to run for President!" The Seattle billionaire was in New York Monday to promote his latest book, "From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America." After New York, he has stops this week in Tempe, Arizona; Seattle; and San Francisco but no dates listed for the early voting states of Iowa or New Hampshire. On paper, Schultz offers a number of qualities that might appeal to voters. He grew up in public housing in New York City's Brooklyn borough and became the first person in his family to graduate from college. He's also been a longtime Democratic donor, contributing to the campaigns of Obama, Hillary Clinton, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Washington Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, among others. In Monday's interview, he said McCain was the only Republican he had ever donated money to. The soft-spoken businessman has also criticized Trump, telling employees that the president was creating "chaos" and hurting business; calling Trump's tax cuts for corporations unnecessary and reckless; and vowing to hire 10,000 refugees after Trump issued an executive order banning travel from seven mostly Muslim nations. The Democratic National Committee declined to address Schultz directly. Spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa offered only this response: "We are focused on defeating Donald Trump, and anyone who shares that goal should vote for the Democrat nominee in 2020." ___ Johnson reported from Seattle. AP writer Julie Pace in Washington contributed to this report. WASHINGTON Kaneisha Onley was thrilled to learn Friday that the government would reopen and she would be able to return to her job as a Smithsonian museum security guard. But it was too late to save her car. She fell behind on payments and the 2012 Chevy Malibu had already been repossessed taken away from her driveway by a tow truck just hours before President Donald Trump agreed to reopen federal agencies hed held hostage in a futile effort to win support for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. On Wednesday, when she first goes back to work, Onley will have to ask family members for help getting to the nearest subway station to her house in Olney, Maryland, which is about an hour outside of Washington. I dont have any money to get to work, Onley, 27, said in an interview. Ive asked so many family members for help but they still have their life as well. And unlike the 800,000 federal workers who will get five weeks worth of back pay now that the shutdown is over, Onley will get nothing. She works for a security contractor, not the government itself. Congress routinely approves back pay for federal workers who missed wages during a shutdown, and the most recent funding lapse is no exception. But thousands of federal contract workers dont get paid back, leaving many contractor employees, such as food workers, janitors, security officers and computer software developers behind on their bills. Democrats introduced legislation that would direct federal agencies to adjust the terms of contracts with private companies that had been suspended or interrupted by the shutdown. Agencies would pay the contractors for the cost of their lowest-paid employees missing wages, so long as its not more than what the employees regularly earned. Firms participation in the backpay scheme would be voluntary. It uses a mechanism that exists to reimburse contractors for expenses incurred under a shutdown ... it just applies it to labor costs, which has never been done before. Its a nice simple way of dealing with the problem, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), who introduced the bill earlier this month, said on Tuesday. Story continues Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) has introduced legislation aiming to reimburse federal contract workers for lost wages due to the partial government shutdown. (Photo: Paul Morigi via Getty Images) Bills to repay federal employees are usually uncontroversial and bipartisan Congress has in the past voted to reimburse federal workers once shutdowns ended. The plan to repay contractors, however, has only Democratic supporters so far. Smith told HuffPost she hoped Republicans would support it because it seems clear that if you support back pay for federal employees, these are the same people working side-by-side with federal employees and they should get the same kind of treatment. Trump signed legislation into law earlier this month guaranteeing back pay for federal employees who were forced off the job during the longest government shutdown in history, which sucked $3 billion out of the economy that will not be recovered, according to the Congressional Budget Office. That sum partly represents the unpaid wages of thousands of federal contractors. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday that the issue of back pay for contractors will depend on the contract. Trumps chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow, meanwhile, said he wasnt familiar with the issue. I think the defense-related ones will I honestly dont know, Kudlow, who chairs the White House council of economic advisers, told reporters during a White House press briefing on Monday. Proponents of the effort to reimburse federal contractors for lost wages hope to include the Smith measure in a broader agreement on border security currently being negotiated by a bipartisan conference committee that was formed after Trump agreed to reopen the government last week. Those discussions on continued government funding face a deadline of Feb. 15, however, and its not clear whether both sides will reach an accord in time, given Trumps insistence on funding to begin constructing a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border that Democrats oppose. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said not all contract workers should get repaid and it would depend on their assignment. I think you really have to do that on an agency-by-agency basis, Tillis told HuffPost. Theres probably some instances when you should. One problem for the bill is that its not totally clear how many contract employees missed pay because of the shutdown or how many would benefit from the legislation. Democrats said Tuesday theyre still trying to find out the total number of people who work for companies on federal contracts. According to an estimate by Good Jobs Nation, a labor-backed group that often advocates for federal contract workers, more than 1 million such workers were stiffed by the shutdown. The federal government uses contractors instead of employing people directly to cut costs, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said. The federal government uses contractors that was work previously done by federal workers because they wanted to save money, Norton said. But we have no right to save money by depriving employees who were kept from going to work. The legislation would cap payments at $965 per worker per week, so it would make workers whole only if they earn less than $50,000 annually. Workers who earn more could still be paid back for the portion of their wages that is less than $50,000 on an annualized basis, but the bill is designed especially for lower-paid janitors who clean federal buildings and security guards like Onley. Onley and several other non-government government workers came to the Capitol on Tuesday to stand with Smith and other sponsors of her legislation. The workers are members of a local chapter of the Service Employees International Union, which says it represents more than 600 janitors and security officers who were furloughed during the shutdown. Onley said she had already fallen behind on car payments before the shutdown. Shed been unemployed for several weeks before she got her security guard job with Allied Universal in November. She has a 3-year-old daughter and managed the past five weeks with the help of friends and family, who gave her $20 here, $30 there. Shes glad Democrats are pushing for back pay but aware that it might not work out. Thats the sad thing, its not a definite, Onley said. Were here to fight for it. All we can do is pray. CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story said the legislation would only benefit workers who earn less than $50,000. The bill actually would repay any worker but at a weekly rate that on an annualized basis is less than $50,000. This story has also been updated to include the Good Jobs Nation estimate of how many contract workers were furloughed by the shutdown. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's foreign minister called on Tuesday for European Union-wide sanctions on Russia over a stand-off with Ukraine in the Azov Sea. Anders Samuelsen will meet Ukraine's foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, on Tuesday and Wednesday and visit the city of Mariupol by the Azov sea, the foreign ministry said in a statement. "I believe the EU needs to react to Russia's aggressive behavior," Samuelsen said in the statement. The EU will issue a demarche - a formal diplomatic protest note - to Moscow as early as this week over Russia's continued detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors captured during the incident in November, diplomat sources told Reuters last week. European foreign ministers meet on Thursday this week to discuss Ukraine and other issues. (Reporting by Emil Gjerding Nielson; Editing by Andrew Heavens) GUATEMALA CITY (AP) A member of a U.N.-sponsored anti-corruption commission has been allowed into Guatemala by a court order after he was held for almost a day at the capital's airport. Guatemala's Constitutional Court ordered the government to admit Colombian Yilen Osorio, who was detained upon arrival at the airport Saturday. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday the organization was happy at Osorio's return to Guatemala and expects its government to let commission staffers travel freely. Guatemalan Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel was due to meet later Monday with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales has sought to end the commission known as CICIG, which has investigated Morales' son and his brother. They deny accusations of corruption. Morales refused to renew CICIG's mandate last year and barred its chief from returning to Guatemala from a business trip. The big shareholder groups in Whirlpool of India Limited (NSE:WHIRLPOOL) have power over the company. Insiders often own a large chunk of younger, smaller, companies while huge companies tend to have institutions as shareholders. Companies that used to be publicly owned tend to have lower insider ownership. Whirlpool of India has a market capitalization of 185b, so we would expect some institutional investors to have noticed the stock. Our analysis of the ownership of the company, below, shows that institutions own shares in the company. Lets take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholder can tell us about WHIRLPOOL. View our latest analysis for Whirlpool of India Want to help shape the future of investing tools? Participate in a short research study and receive a 6-month subscription to the award winning Simply Wall St research tool (valued at $60)! NSEI:WHIRLPOOL Ownership Summary January 29th 19 What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Whirlpool of India? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once its included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. We can see that Whirlpool of India does have institutional investors; and they hold 14% of the stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, theres always a risk that they are in a crowded trade. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Whirlpool of Indias historic earnings and revenue, below, but keep in mind theres always more to the story. Story continues NSEI:WHIRLPOOL Income Statement Export January 29th 19 Whirlpool of India is not owned by hedge funds. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Whirlpool of India The definition of company insiders can be subjective, and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group. We note our data does not show any board members holding shares, personally. Not all jurisdictions have the same rules around disclosing insider ownership, and it is possible we have missed something, here. So you can click here learn more about the CEO. General Public Ownership The general public, with a 11% stake in the company, will not easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Public Company Ownership Public companies currently own 75% of WHIRLPOOL stock. Its hard to say for sure, but this suggests they have entwined business interests. This might be a strategic stake, so its worth watching this space for changes in ownership. Next Steps: Its always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Whirlpool of India better, we need to consider many other factors. I always like to check for a history of revenue growth. You can too, by accessing this free chart of historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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 Sumeet Chatterjee and Jennifer Hughes HONG KONG (Reuters) - Citigroup expects its China wealth management client base to grow faster in 2019 than last year, at more than 30 percent, the bank's country chief said, despite the world's second-largest economy slowing and feeling the pain of a trade war. Citi's total number of wealth management clients in China, with at least 1 million yuan ($148,610.49) in investable assets, grew 21 percent last year, Christine Lam told Reuters in an interview. "The fact there's significant accumulation of wealth in China, that is not going to change," said the Citi veteran who has worked at the bank for more than three decades and was named China chief executive in 2016. Citi is planning to invest more in digital initiatives to help expand its distribution reach and take a bigger share of the onshore wealth management business in China, she said. Foreign banks including Citi, HSBC and Standard Chartered have been investing heavily in courting the mass affluent - those with investable assets of between $100,000 and $1 million - in China. The banks are bullish about the medium-to-long-term growth prospects in the country with the world's fastest-growing pool of wealth, even as a bruising trade war with the United States dragged the economy last year to its slowest growth in nearly three decades and caused volatility in markets. Individual investable assets as per top markets png - https://tmsnrt.rs/2SafPar Chinese citizens collectively held investable financial assets of around 133 trillion yuan at end-2017 and the pool would rise to 175 trillion yuan by 2020, consultancy PwC said in a report in October. Regulatory measures to boost scrutiny and transparency in the wealth management business augur well for foreign players already used to close regulatory scrutiny, it said. Apart from cracking down on the sale of shadow banking-linked wealth products, China is also getting local banks to set up separate subsidiaries for their wealth management business for better oversight. Story continues Lam said that those regulatory initiatives would "educate investors about risk and suitability and that's good for us". China is one of Citi's 10 markets in Asia that generate over $500 million in revenue annually. Besides wealth management, the bank's onshore China businesses include retail, corporate and commercial banking. Under new rules announced by Beijing in late 2017, foreign firms can now own 51 percent of an onshore Chinese securities joint venture, which provides debt and equity underwriting and financial advisory services. Late last year, Citi agreed to sell its minority stake in its China brokerage joint venture to its Chinese partner, Orient, paving the way for the U.S. bank to set up a majority-owned underwriting and trading business. Lam said that Citi was currently in talks to find a potential partner for the new securities business and that the new venture would have additional offerings such as equities trading. (Reporting by Sumeet Chatterjee and Jennifer Hughes; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) WASHINGTON Stunned and overwhelmed. Thats how former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie described Mike Pences reaction to being elected vice president a job Christie wanted. Christie doesnt savage Pence in a new book in which he blames toxic forces around President Donald Trump for the problems of his presidency. But his portrayal of the man he first introduced to Trump who then beat him out to be Trumps running mate and took over the transition after Christie was fired from the job also isnt exactly flattering. Heres what he had to say about Pence in "Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics, the latest in a long line of books written by Trump associates offering an inside account of a White House widely described as chaotic. Pence needed Christie One of the assets Pence brought to the Trump ticket was his strong fundraising skills and network of conservative donors. But Christie makes a point of noting that Pence needed his help when raising money for his 2012 gubernatorial campaign in Indiana. Christie said he campaigned and raised money for Pence three times, including once after initially declining so he could celebrate his wifes birthday. Chris, please, Pence begged, according to the book. This donor says hell raise a huge amount of money if youre here. Please. After getting the OK from his wife, Christie agreed and Pence raised a ton of money. (Pences wife, Karen, gave Christie a beautifully wrapped present to take home to his wife.) Introducing Pence to Trump Four years later, Pence asked Christie to introduce him to Trump when Pence was deciding whom to back for the 2016 presidential nomination. Trump agreed to fly to Indiana. (At the time, Pences spokeswoman said the two were meeting because Trump reached out to the governor.) Christie described the encounter at the Indiana governors residence as a nice though slightly stiff, very serious conversation led by Pence about the state of the country. Story continues There werent many flashes of personality or much joviality between them, Christie wrote. Before Trump left, Pence asked if they could pray together. Trump agreed, but later asked Christie if Pence does that all the time. Told that he does, Trump had a one word response: interesting. Pence endorses Cruz Despite arranging the meeting with Trump, Christie said, he wasn't told when Pence decided to back Texas senator Ted Cruz instead. Trump was incensed. Are you kidding me? he told Christie, according to his book. You take me out to see this guy and then the guy screws me? He stabs me in the back by endorsing Cruz? And how come he didnt give you any heads-up? When Christie confronted Pence by phone, he hemmed and hawed but had no real explanation for the lack of warning, Christie wrote. But Trump calmed down a bit after learning how much Pence had praised Trump while officially backing Cruz. Pence had skillfully threaded the needle. Donald ended up winning Indiana, Christie wrote. No harm, no foul. Choosing Pence over Christie Christie suggested that Trump wanted Christie as his running mate but Trumps daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner were opposed. (As a federal prosecutor, Christie sent Kushners father to jail and Christies book is full of his conflicts with Kushner.) Christie was told that Paul Manafort, Trumps then-campaign manager, was also pushing for Pence. Manaforts 2016 support for Pence has been seen by some as potentially problematic for the vice president since Manafort is a central figure in special counsel Robert Muellers probe. But Christie saw Manaforts maneuvers for Pence as merely a way for him to stay in Kushners good graces. Christie described himself as not willing to lobby for the job of No. 2 as Trump held a final meeting with Pence in Indiana. After Sean Hannity lent the third finalist, Newt Gingrich, his plane to fly to Indianapolis to try to intercede, Christie said a friend offered him a plane. Christie wrote that he declined because, Thats not who I am. Donald knows me. If he wants to pick me, he picks me. But Im not going to get into this. But in Pence: The Path to Power, author Andrea Neal wrote that the driver taking Eric and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to the airport after the meeting with Pence heard Eric telling the others that Christie had repeatedly called his father during the meeting. When Eric called Christie back from the car, the driver could hear him reassure an animated Christie that no decision had been made. Did Trump waiver? Trump called Pence that night and offered him the job, Neal and others have written. Your dad was just asked to be the candidate for the vice president of the United States, Pence told his children, according to the book his daughter, Charlotte, published last year. The family hunched down in their car seats to avoid being seen as they were driven to the airport the next day to board a private plane to New York for the announcement. But as Pence prepared for the clandestine trip, Christie wrote that Trump called him that morning to ask if he was still interested in the job. Yes, I really want it, Christie said he told him. And when Christie learned later in the day that Pence was flying in for the announcement, Trump blamed it on Manafort trying to force my hand. Trump went on Fox News to say he hadnt made a final, final decision. When Trump gave Christie the heads up the next day that he was about to tweet his choice of Pence, Christie admitted to being disappointed. Youve got to understand, Chris, Trump responded, according to the book. Hes out of Central Casting. Election-night reaction Christie sat on Trumps left and Pence on his right as they watched increasingly positive returns come in election night. No one said much. After one of the networks projected Trump would win Pennsylvania, a small group left the campaigns war room for Trumps residence. Christie, Pence and others started fleshing out a victory speech that existed as only bullet points not expected to be needed, according to the book. After Hillary Clinton called Trump to concede, Christie wrote, Pence was just shaking his head. He looked stunned and overwhelmed, Christie remembered. And he told Christies son that Christie had understood what Trump could do before anyone else had. But thats not how Pence is portrayed in Neals book. At no point during the evening did Pence envision defeat, she wrote, even texting to some friends the famous picture of President Harry Truman waving the 'Dewey defeats Truman' headline." Ousted from the transition Christie doesnt say what he thinks about the job Pence has done as vice president, or that he did as head of the transition a post Pence was given after Christie was ousted from the job after the election. But Christie wrote plenty about the consequences of the campaign trashing the detailed road map his team had prepared for legislative accomplishments, executive orders and key nominations. (The pre-vetted candidates included Pences predecessor as governor Purdue University President Mitch Daniels for education secretary. The list also included former Eli Lilly executive Alex Azar whom Trump ended up turning to after having to replace Tom Price, his first choice for Health and Human Services secretary.) Christie blames Kushner, former presidential adviser Steve Bannon and others for discarding his work for their own selfish reasons. They set loose toxic forces, he wrote, that have made Trumps presidency far less effective than it would otherwise have been. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chris Christie writes Mike Pence was stunned on election night and other not-so-flattering things in his new book Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is at the heart of a battle between the US and China - The Canadian Press The US charges against China's Huawei are the latest salvo in an escalating "new Cold War" that is developing between the two superpowers. In a move that ratchets up tensions between Washington and Beijing, the United States on Monday charged the Chinese technology giant, its chief financial officer and two affiliates with bank and wire fraud to violate sanctions against Iran. Separately, the Justice Department also accused two Huawei subsidiaries of 10 counts of stealing trade secrets, wire fraud and obstructing justice for allegedly stealing robotic technology from carrier T-Mobile US. "These indictments are a sign of new geopolitical contest between the US and China which will be similar to the Cold War, but quite different," said Brendan Thomas-Noone, a researcher at the United States studies centre at the University of Sydney. "We will need to come up with a new term to describe what is happening." The US move drew a sharp response from Beijing, which has already lashed out over the arrest in December of Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker speaks flanked by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (L) and FBI Director Christopher Wray (R) during a news conference to announce indictments against China's Huawei Technologies Credit: Reuters China hits out at 'strong political motivations' "There are strong political motivations and political manipulations behind the actions," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement, urging Washington to stop "the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei". Meng was detained at the behest of the United States, where she is wanted for violations of Iranian sanctions. US authorities plan to formally file for her extradition by a deadline on Wednesday. In apparent retaliation, two Canadian citizens have been detained on national security grounds and another was sentenced to death for drug trafficking. "The Chinese government's response to the arrest of Meng Wangzhou, with threats and taking hostages, has demonstrated the extent to which Huawei is linked to Beijing's national ambitions and objectives," said Elsa Kania, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Story continues People hold signs in support of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co., outside of a bail hearing at the Supreme Court in Vancouver Credit: Bloomberg The charges come just days before US-China trade talks are set to resume in Washington, although Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the two cases are "wholly separate" from the trade negotiations. But the negotiations mean Beijing will have to tread carefully in how it responds to the US charges. "The timing of these indictments puts a lot of pressure on Beijing to think hard about its response, if any," Mr Thoman-Noone told The Telegraph. "Arresting American citizens, or closing American companies from operating in China, will be a much tougher decision than going after Canada." Huawei 'offered rewards for trade secrets' Donald Trump has cited Chinas theft of intellectual property as one of the main issues in his ongoing trade dispute with China. Tom Uren, a senior cybersecurity analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said there had been a concerted effort by China to steal trade secrets and intellectual property. "One of the striking allegations in one of the Huawei indictments was that Huawei China had a formal policy to reward employees who stole confidential information from competitors," he told The Telegraph. "Im not aware of this kind of brazen and large-scale state sanctioned intellectual property theft being perpetrated by US companies or the US government. Or even occurring elsewhere, really." As the world's biggest telecommunications equipment maker, Huawei is at the heart of a developing battle between China and the West. The main issue in recent months has been to do with 5G technology, for which Huawei is seen as a world leader. Despite its technological advances, however, countries have either been reluctant to use its technology or have banned its firms from using it altogether. The Trump administration is trying to prevent American companies from buying Huawei routers and switches and pressing allies to do the same. US security experts are concerned that the equipment could be used to spy on the United States. "China is becoming a technological powerhouse with the potential to challenge US leadership in today's strategic technologies," Ms Kania said. "In some respects, the controversy over Huawei is emblematic of this techno-strategic competition." China warns of 'Cold War mentality' Writing in The Telegraph at the weekend, Liu Xiaoming, Chinas ambassador to the UK, stressed that national security fears are "groundless and misleading". "The UK owes its economic and social vitality to a profound tradition of openness and inclusiveness. I hope and believe that it will remain committed to this tradition, and reject regression, seclusion, confrontation and a 'Cold War' mentality," Mr Liu wrote. Yet this "Cold War" differs greatly to the one waged between the US and the USSR. For starters, as the trade talks shows, the two countries are far more entangled economically. Asian markets were lower on Tuesday after the U.S. Justice Department unsealed criminal charges against China's Huawei Credit: AP Where the Armageddon scenario was historically a nuclear war, the atomic option for China is the more than $1.1 trillion in US securities that Beijing holds. Were it to sharply reduce those holdings, it would hurt the US significantly - but it would also sustain heavy losses itself. And while the Space Race dominated the "Cold War" (and continues to be a prominent battleground between major powers), advances in technology is a key priority for the two rivals now. "China seems to recognise that technology is important for competition and growth and has a strategic focus on improving its competitiveness in certain important technologies like Artificial Intelligence, robotics, information technology and others," Mr Uren said. "We are certainly seeing a clash between the values and behaviour of Western liberal democracies with that of the Chinese communist party." And while the US was currently ahead in the tech race, "China has both government focus and a plan to challenge in the longer term", he added. Beijing (AFP) - China on Tuesday decried the "political manipulations" behind the US case against Huawei as Washington indicted the tech giant's chief financial officer and levelled sweeping charges against the company. "For some time, the US has used state power to discredit and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle the enterprises' legitimate and legal operations," China's foreign ministry said in a statement attributed to spokesman Geng Shuang. "There are strong political motivations and political manipulations behind the actions," Geng said. The US Justice Department unveiled 13 charges against Huawei Technologies, its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou -- the daughter of the company's founder -- who is currently out on bail in Canada, and two affiliates related to violating US sanctions on Iran. In addition, 10 US federal charges were filed against two Huawei affiliates for stealing robot technology from T-Mobile. China said it is "highly concerned" about the lawsuit against Huawei and called on the justice department to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Meng. "We strongly urge the US to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei and treat Chinese enterprises objectively and fairly," Geng said. Geng also called on Canada to release Meng. Celanese (CE) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.38 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.42 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.98 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -1.65%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this chemical company would post earnings of $2.75 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.96, delivering a surprise of 7.64%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Celanese, which belongs to the Zacks Chemical - Specialty industry, posted revenues of $1.69 billion for the quarter ended December 2018, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.39%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.59 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Celanese shares have added about 8.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 6.3%. What's Next for Celanese? While Celanese has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Celanese was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.73 on $1.90 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $10.99 on $7.41 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Chemical - Specialty is currently in the top 41% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. 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 To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Some Catholic leaders are calling for the excommunication of Governor Andrew Cuomo in response to the late-term abortion bill he signed last week. The bill, the so-called Reproductive Health Act, codifies Roe v. Wade in New York law and removes abortion from the state criminal code, legalizing the procedure up to the moment of birth in cases where the mothers life or health are endangered or where the baby is non-viable. It also allows individuals other than doctors to perform abortions. Previously, doctors in New York were only allowed to perform an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy if the mothers life was in danger. Today we are taking a giant step forward in the hard-fought battle to ensure a womans right to make her own decisions about her own personal health, including the ability to access an abortion, Cuomo said. The governor, a Catholic who recalled his days as an altar boy in his State of the State address earlier this month, publicly celebrated the bills signing by ordering One World Trade Center and other landmarks to be lit up in pink. Many Catholics, including some bishops, responded by urging Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York to excommunicate Cuomo. But Dolan, while admitting that he has gotten wheelbarrows of letters asking him to make that move, has indicated he is unlikely to do so, saying the governor is not going to be moved by this, so whats the use? As the governor continues to distance himself from our communion, it may unfortunately result in that, Albany bishop Edward Scharfenberger said Saturday on Fox News, adding that the punishment should be a last resort. It goes way beyond Roe v. Wade in so many ways, so I dont see it as something to celebrate, Scharfenberger added. The kind of procedures that are now available in New York state, we wouldnt even do to a dog or a cat. . . . Its torture. Story continues This vote is so hideous and vile that it warrants the act, Tennessee bishop Rick Stika said in Knoxville, adding that if it were his decision, he might excommunicate any Catholic legislator under my jurisdiction who voted for the bill as well as the governor. More from National Review Snowy conditions in Blaenau Ffestiniog in Wales, as up to 10cm of snow could fall on higher ground as temperatures drop across the UK this week. (PA Images) Snow has begun to blanket parts of the UK with up to 10cm forecast on high ground. Yellow snow and ice warnings are in place from the Met Office, covering parts of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Motorists have been warned to expect delays on icy roads, and trains and planes are likely to be affected. A former Labour MP has been jailed for three months for lying to avoid a speeding ticket. Fiona Onasanya, the MP for Peterborough and an ex-Labour whip, was convicted of perverting the course of justice after a retrial. She was sentenced at the Old Bailey in London alongside her brother Festus Onasanya, who pleaded guilty to three similar charges. Theresa May has told MPs she will try and reopen Brexit negotiations with the EU in an attempt to secure a deal that Parliament approves of. EU officials have consistently said they are not willing to renegotiate to Withdrawal Agreement. She made the pledge before MPs have their say in a number of Brexit votes, one of which would require the PM to go back to Brussels and plead for a change to the Irish backstop. A motorist has been caught driving a snow-covered car with just a small peephole cleared in their windscreen. The driver was stopped by police in the Scottish Highlands and issues with a fixed penalty notice. Ottawa (AFP) - A Canadian landscaper on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the murders of eight men with links to Toronto's gay community and the mutilation of their bodies, most of them chopped up and hidden inside planters. The plea entered by Bruce McArthur, 67, was a surprise -- he had been scheduled to stand trial next year. He now faces the likelihood of life in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to start on February 4, when family and friends of the victims will have an opportunity to describe how the killings affected their lives. The case shocked all of Canada, and especially the gay community. It sparked a massive investigation in Toronto, the country's largest city, at dozens of properties where McArthur had worked. "Bruce McArthur has pled guilty," Homicide Detective David Dickinson told reporters outside the courtroom. "It's the right outcome." "Unfortunately, we can never bring these men back. But I'm hoping we can start bringing closure to the families and the communities," he said, describing the "long and traumatic process" to bring McArthur to justice. McArthur was arrested in January 2018. Body parts of seven of the victims were found hidden inside large planters that McArthur stored at a client's home in midtown Toronto. The remains of an eighth victim were later discovered in a ravine behind the property. The victims in the case were McArthur's former lover, two Afghan immigrants, two refugees from Sri Lanka and another from Iran, a Turkish national, and a homeless sex worker. All went missing from 2010 to 2017. Karen Fraser -- the owner of the home where McArthur stored his planters, and who had casually met two of the victims -- said she is "haunted" by the case. "Terrible things were done," she said. "To me, he's evil." - 'A monster' - Prosecutor Michael Cantlon described to the court how McArthur had "staged" the corpses of his victims and photographed them, according to local reports. He also kept mementos such as jewelry and a notebook. Story continues The murders were "sexual in nature," according to an agreed statement of facts. The court document said police uncovered a duffle bag containing duct tape, a surgical glove, rope, zip ties, a bungee cord, and syringes -- evidence pointing to some of the victims being tied up, confined and sexually assaulted prior to their deaths. Authorities also located a calendar belonging to McArthur's boyfriend which had the entry "Bruce" on the day in June 2017 that he went missing, as well as video surveillance footage of the victim getting into McArthur's van, where a murder weapon was also found. Few other details of the crimes were revealed in court documents. "We will never get all the answers... unless (McArthur) decides to give us that information," commented Haran Vijayanath of the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention. In a statement, Toronto mayor John Tory called McArthur "a monster who preyed on the city." - Pattern of violence - McArthur first came under suspicion in September 2017 in connection with the disappearance of his lover Andrew Kinsman, but police at first rejected suggestions that a serial killer was prowling Toronto's Gay Village neighborhood. Last January, police made a quick decision to enter McArthur's apartment and arrest him when they saw a young man enter his home. They found the man tied up on a bed, but unharmed. McArthur had not acknowledged his sexual orientation until he was in his 40s. He suddenly left his wife and two children and moved to Toronto in 1997, where he became well known within the gay community. A psychiatric assessment after his first run-in with the law in 2001 said he likely harbored "underlying resentments" but concluded that he was not dangerous. McArthur was convicted of beating a male prostitute with a metal pipe but did not serve prison time. He was later granted a pardon, wiping the conviction from the official record until Canadian media went to court to have the documents unsealed. Detective Sergeant Hank Idsinga, the lead investigator, has said the forensic probe into the killings was Toronto's largest ever -- excavations or searches were carried out at more than 75 properties in the Toronto area. Police also looked at 15 cold cases dating back to 1975 for possible links to the accused, but Idsinga has said he does not believe more victims will be uncovered. Many, including investigators, expressed relief that the case would not go to trial, sparing family and friends of the victims from having to hear the gruesome details of McArthur's crimes. The investigation, however, will continue into the foreseeable future, said Dickinson. 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 Ottawa (AFP) - A Canadian landscaper on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the premeditated murders of eight men with links to Toronto's gay community and the mutilation of their bodies, most of them chopped up and hidden in planters. The plea entered by Bruce McArthur, 67, was a surprise -- he had been scheduled to stand trial next year. He now faces the likelihood of life in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to start on February 4. The case shocked all of Canada, and especially the gay community. It sparked a massive investigation in Toronto, the country's largest city, at dozens of properties where McArthur had worked. "Bruce McArthur has pled guilty," Homicide Detective David Dickinson told reporters outside the courtroom. "It's the right outcome." "Unfortunately, we can never bring these men back. But I'm hoping we can start bringing closure to the families and the communities," he said, describing the "long and traumatic process" to bring McArthur to justice. McArthur was arrested in January 2018. Body parts of seven of the victims were found hidden inside large planters that McArthur stored at a client's home in midtown Toronto. The remains of an eighth victim were later discovered in a ravine behind the property. The victims in the case were McArthur's former lover, two Afghan immigrants, two refugees from Sri Lanka and another from Iran, a Turkish national, and a homeless sex worker. All went missing from 2010 to 2017. Karen Fraser -- the owner of the home where McArthur stored his planters, and who had casually met two of the victims -- said she is "haunted" by the case. "Terrible things were done," she said. "To me, he's evil." - Pattern of violence - McArthur first came under suspicion in September 2017 in connection with the disappearance of his lover Andrew Kinsman, but police at first rejected suggestions that a serial killer was prowling Toronto's Gay Village neighborhood. Story continues Last January, police made a quick decision to enter McArthur's apartment and arrest him when they saw a young man enter his home. Police found the man tied up on a bed, but unharmed. Detective Sergeant Hank Idsinga, the lead investigator, has said the forensic probe into the killings was Toronto's largest ever -- excavations or searches were carried out at more than 75 properties in the Toronto area. Police also looked at 15 cold cases dating back to 1975 for possible links to the accused, but Idsinga has said he does not believe more victims will be uncovered. Many, including investigators, expressed relief that the case would not go to trial, sparing family and friends of the victims from having to hear the gruesome details of McArthur's crimes. The investigation, however, will continue into the foreseeable future, said Dickinson. OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian government decision on whether to ban Huawei Technologies Co Ltd from supplying equipment to 5G networks is "some ways off into the future yet", a top official said on Tuesday. The comments by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to reporters were the most specific indication yet from Ottawa on the timing of a politically sensitive announcement. Officials are studying the security implications of 5G networks, the latest generation of cellular mobile communications. Some Canadian allies have already imposed restrictions on Huawei equipment, citing the risk of espionage. "It's some way off into the future yet ... it's certainly beyond weeks," Goodale said when asked about the timing. Canada and China are involved in a separate diplomatic dispute over the arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou last month in Vancouver on a U.S. arrest warrant. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by David Gregorio and Jonathan Oatis) Are parents entitled to time off for snow days? [Photo: Getty] Britain has been told to brace itself for heavy snow this week, which could lead to schools closing to cope with the chilly conditions. Brrrrr. While children will no doubt be scrambling for their sledges to make the most of the unexpected snow day(s), for working parents, unexpected school closures = stress. So are parents entitled to take time off to look after their children when snow fall shuts schools? Do you want the good or the bad news? Lets start with the good. The good news is that you are allowed time off in such instances and your employer cant technically refuse you. Under the Employment Rights Act 1996 the law states that an employee is entitled to take a reasonable amount of time off during the employees working hours because of the unexpected disruption or termination of arrangements for the care of a dependant. On the flip-side, there is no guarantee that youll get paid for the day(s) you need to take off, and it will likely depend on your employers policy on these particular kind of circumstances. If the employee cannot get in to work because a childs school is closed then this is time off for family emergencies but there is no statutory right to be paid for this time off, unless the contract says otherwise, explains Beverley Sunderland, Managing Director, Crossland Employment Solicitors. Thankfully, many places of work are often pretty flexible on this, and may allow to work alternative hours or take the time off completely. These days with flexible and agile working, many employers put in place a bad weather plan which enables many employees to work from home. However, if your job is on a production line then this will be difficult. If the employer closes the workplace or reduces hours, or the work cannot be done because there are insufficient supervisors, but the employee is ready, willing and able to work, then they would still need to be paid. The best thing to do is talk to your employer and discuss a plan in advance of bad weather, she adds. Story continues Snow days: great for kids, stressful for working parents [Photo: Getty] It isnt just snow days youre entitled to take time off for either, parents can also request a leave of absence if, for example, childcare falls through unexpectedly. If your childs school ever closes unexpectedly, for example, a mains pipe bursts, a parent is entitled to request time off under the time off for dependents policy, advises Maria Hoeritzauer, Senior Associate, Crossland Employment Solicitors. But there are some exceptions. This type of leave is intended only for emergencies in relation to children and adults they have caring responsibilities for, not for events which were planned. So for example, school inset days which are pre-planned and notified to parents would not qualify but unexpected closure due to heavy snow would qualify, Maria adds. Its duration is not specified legally but is normally limited as its supposed to be just for time to deal with the emergency or time to arrange childcare. So if you get the call to say schools out for winter, what should you do? First things first, you need to let your employer know quick smart whats happened and how long you think you might need off. If employees think they need time off under this policy, its sensible to inform your employer as soon as possible, advises Maria. The employer should authorise the time off. An exception might be where an employee is using it for something which has been planned in advance e.g to take a child for vaccinations. Some parents may also choose to bring their children into work with them. There is no entitlement to bring a child into the workplace but this may be necessary for a short period if an employee needs to collect a laptop so they can carry out any urgent work from home during the leave period, Maria explains. And what about employees without children who struggle to make it into work because of the snow? An employee who does not come to work because of bad weather is not automatically entitled to be paid, if the workplace is still open the employee can ask to take it as paid holiday or their employer can give notice to them to take it as holiday under the Working Time Regulations, says Beverley. So, if heavy snow is forecast for say a Friday then an employer must tell an employee on Tuesday to take the Friday as holiday as they must give as a minimum twice as much notice as the length of the holiday although the contract may provide for more notice. Even if their contract contains lay off provisions, the employee would still be entitled to a statutory guarantee payment. But, employers should also think carefully before insisting that employees make treacherous journeys to work and risk hurting themselves and others in the process, if it is not critical, she adds. 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: School children to be taught boys can have periods too in new sex education move Toilet training children is not a teachers job, says Ofsted chief Parents could be fined 1,000 per child for taking family on a term time holiday Yaounde (AFP) - Amnesty International on Tuesday called for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Maurice Kamto, leader of Cameroon's opposition MRC, after his arrest in the country's economic capital Douala. Kamto, who came second in October's presidential election which he claims was rigged, was detained on Monday at the home of another politician, prompting some 300 people to protest outside. Cameroon's ruler Paul Biya, in power in the central African nation for more than three decades, won the election with 71.2 percent. But the MRC has since held sporadic protests after the poll was marred by fraud allegations, low turnout and violence. Party treasurer Alain Fogue was also arrested on Monday and over the weekend, Paul-Eric Kingue, who ran Kamto's election campaign, and rapper Valsero were also detained alongside 115 others for attending opposition protest marches in several towns. Amnesty International warned the arrest of Kamto and his staff "signals an escalating crackdown on opposition leaders, human rights defenders and activists in Cameroon". "The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release them, as well as peaceful protesters detained at the weekend simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," said Amnesty's West and Central Africa director Samira Daoud. "Instead of taking steps towards improving the countrys human rights record, we are witnessing the authorities becoming less and less tolerant of criticism. This must stop." Following Saturday's demonstrations, Paul Atanga Nji, minister for territorial administration, said the party had "crossed the red line". Communications Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi accused Kamto and the MRC of trying to "destabilise" the government. Kamto's Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon also denounced his detention. "(The party) strongly condemns these unjustified... political arrests whose hidden aim is to decapitate the MRC and Maurice Kamto's winning coalition," party vice president Emmanuel Simh said in a statement. Story continues Cameroon's SNJC journalists' union said in a statement Tuesday that two people arrested on Monday evening were reporters covering a story who had been mistaken for political activists. It called for their immediate release. Rights group REDHAC, which covers central Africa, called Kamto's arrest a "flagrant violation" of the law. It called for his "immediate and unconditional" release along with the others detained at the weekend. The MRC called Saturday's marches over the weekend as a protest against the re-election of Biya. On the same day, protesters forced their way into the Cameroonian embassy in Paris, breaking portraits of the president and causing other damage. There were also incidents at the embassy in Berlin. Cameroon said Tuesday it had summoned both the French and German ambassadors to protest the incidents. A French foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday it condemned the intrusion at the embassy. It was following Kamto's case closely, he added. The MRC has organised several unauthorised demonstrations in Cameroon since October, when Biya won a seventh consecutive term in the presidential election. Kamto has insisted he was the rightful winner. Should Facebook be broken up? (getty) Privacy groups have published a letter calling for Facebook to be broken up and fined billions over privacy concerns, in the wake of recent scandals. The move came from American privacy groups including the Electronic Privacy Information Centre, and was delivered to Americas Federal Trade Commmission. Nine groups urged Facebook to be fined over privacy concerns, and for Facebooks companies (WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook) to be reestablished as independent, The Register reports. The letter came as reports suggested that Facebook is preparing to integrate messaging across the three platforms. MORE: Shocking bodycam footage shows thugs kick police officer into path of moving bus MORE: Frances Macron attacks Brexit and says it will end up costing the British people The letter said, The companies should be reestablished as independent entities and Facebook should be required to disgorge the personal data unlawfully acquired from those firms. This will also help restore competition and innovation for Internet messaging and photo app services, two important goals for the future of the Internet economy. The letter said that Facebook had operated for too long with too little democratic accountability. The groups urged that Facebook should be fined at least $2 billion. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK San Francisco (AFP) - Apple is aiming to show it can do more than just make iPhones in a quarterly update Tuesday for investors who are skeptical over whether the culture-changing company can regain the momentum from its glory days. In recent weeks, Apple shares have been hammered on concerns that its best days are over, with smartphone sales slipping and no new "big thing" on the horizon. Amid turbulence in the tech sector, Apple has lost its trillion-dollar status and slid behind rivals Microsoft and Amazon on the list of most valuable corporations. The California tech giant has been trying to shift focus to growth in the side of its business devoted to selling music, movies, apps, and services to the vast "install base" of Apple gadget owners as well as via other internet-linked devices. Apple delivered a stunning admission earlier this month that iPhone sales and overall revenues would be below most forecasts, citing economic weakness in China and trade frictions between Washington and Beijing. Some analysts believe iPhone sales over the quarter to December will show an unprecedented decline, although the exact figures won't be visible because Apple has decided to leave off unit sales. - Resilience? - Gene Munster and Will Thompson of the investment firm Loup Ventures said that despite lower iPhone sales, Apple can make up for lost revenues from its growing services segment. "This is unprecedented and representative of a resilient business," Munster and Thompson write in a blog post. The saturated global smartphone market is forcing Apple to seek another reinvention. "This is not 'the fall of Apple' -- it's just the shift of smartphones to boring maturity, as we look for what's next," Benedict Evans of the investment firm Andreessen Horowitz said in a recent blog post. Rumors buzzing about the company include its plans to produce it own shows, potentially challenging streaming television giants Netflix and Amazon Prime, which have invested heavily in original content. Story continues "There are other ways to make money but it's not clear how Apple is going to do that," noted analyst Jack Gold of J. Gold Associates. Apple has consistently touted the success of its eponymous smartwatch, engineering the wristwear with health and fitness features. Apple Pay has been steadily adding to the roster of businesses that let people tap handsets to consummate transactions. Another important source of income is the surging market for app downloads, where Apple gets 30 percent of the action. Meanwhile, Apple remains under pressure as fans and analysts wonder whether the company lost its ability to wow the world when co-founder and chief Steve Jobs died in late 2011. - The China factor - Apple had been growing in China until recently, but the combination of trade frictions and a slowing Chinese economy are cutting into its sales there. Former Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassee said the surprise on Chinese sales was a massive mistake for CEO Tim Cook. "I distinctly recall Cook telling analysts during a quarterly earnings call that, having studied the country for 30 years, he knew China," Gassee said in a blog. "How could Apple, which is more embedded than most Western companies, not see a Chinese economy slowdown that started well before the 2018 holiday quarter?" Apple is likely to face questions on whether it boosted prices too far, lifting its newest handsets to $1,000 or more, in a market that is seeing tougher competition. Consumer Intelligence Research Partners said its survey showed 65 percent of iPhone buyers chose the newer models over the less expensive ones, and that the average selling price of the devices rose to "well over $800." Britain's Speaker of the House John Bercow, right, in Parliament in London on Dec. 19, 2018. LONDON British lawmakers will try to force political clarity over the country's departure from the European Union in two months as they debate and vote Tuesday on amendments to Prime Minister Theresa May's unpopular EU exit deal. The activity in the House of Commons comes two weeks after the deal May negotiated with the EU to leave the bloc on March 29 was overwhelmingly voted down in Britain's Parliament. May also survived a "no-confidence" vote that threatened her leadership and cast doubt on whether Brexit would even happen. Two years after Britain narrowly voted to leave the EU, the nation is deeply divided between "leavers" and "remainers." May's more immediate problem is trying to win parliamentary approval for her deal. The Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow known for his flamboyant delivery of "Order! Order!" at bickering lawmakers has yet to decide which amendments will be voted on. However, two of the likely proposals include ruling out Britain leaving the EU without an exit agreement in place, and delaying Brexit until after its scheduled March date so that more concrete withdrawal plans can be put in place. Voting is expected to begin around 7 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET). More: Theresa May unveils a Brexit Plan B that looks a lot like Plan A More: Britain's Theresa May survives 'no-confidence' vote after large Brexit defeat May is seeking to secure a mandate from British lawmakers to help her secure concessions from the deal she negotiated with the EU. But it remains an uphill task whatever the outcome of Tuesday's vote: The EU has not agreed to reopen talks. Ahead of the vote, May told her cabinet Tuesday that she intends to ask the EU to reopen its Brexit divorce deal and change a controversial Irish border guarantee. For many British lawmakers, the most contentious part of May's EU deal is the Irish "backstop," a largely unresolved issue to do with the land border between Northern Ireland (part of Britain) and Ireland (part of the EU). Years of peace between Northern Irelands Irish Catholic community and its British Protestant one have been ensured by the free trade and travel across that border that EU membership allows. Story continues All concerned want to avoid a return to a "hard border" between Northern Ireland and Ireland after Brexit. The "backstop" is a temporary measure to allow the border to remain open in the event that the U.K. and EU fail to reach a free trade deal. Critics worry it could indefinitely maroon Northern Ireland outside the U.K., in the EU. While May has not been able to negotiate a deal that satisfies lawmakers, the majority of parliamentarians as well as economists, political scientists and independent analysts agree leaving the EU without a deal would be a worst-case scenario. This is because it would mean that decades-old EU legislation covering health, travel, security, trade and more would evaporate with few contingencies on March 29. The Bank of England has warned it could cause the deepest recession in Britain in nearly 100 years. A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce estimates it could threaten 1.4 million jobs and $593 billion in direct investment from U.S. companies. Three million EU nationals who live in Britain under EU "freedom of movement" laws and 1.3 million Britons who do the same in other EU nations would become illegal. Executives from Britain's leading supermarkets wrote a letter to the government on Monday warning that a "no-deal" Brexit would lead to food shortages and price rises. Major manufacturers of cars and airplanes, such as Airbus which employs 14,000 people in Britain, say it could lead to plant closures and job losses. There have also been questions raised about potential chaos at sea ports and other borders. "It would be a total disaster," business minister Richard Harrington said last week. Yet some lawmakers from May's ruling Conservative Party believe that Brexit needs to happen whatever the cost. "Taking no deal off the table has been used as a thinly veiled attempt to stop Brexit," Andrea Leadsom wrote in a newspaper column Sunday. Parliament is expected to vote on any revised EU exit deal on Feb. 13. More: Flight disruptions could result from 'no-deal Brexit,' airline association warns More: 'My Brexit': Gollum comes out of retirement, possesses embattled British PM This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brexit vote: Lawmakers try to force clarity over Theresa May's EU exit deal Theresa May is going back to the Commons in the hope of gaining a show of support for her Plan B deal. (PA) Its D-Day once again for Theresa May and her Brexit deal. On Tuesday night MPs will once more take part in a have their say on the Prime Ministers Brexit plan, with votes expected that could force the Government to delay Brexit rather than leaving without a deal and another that demands an alternative to the contentious Irish backstop. Now at the eleventh hour a third option Plan C or the so-called Malthouse compromise has emerged. Sir Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers. Sir Grahams amendment has the support of Mrs May. (PA) What is the Brexit Plan C? In a remarkable move Remainers and hard Brexiteers have teamed up to thrash out a new approach to the Brexit deadlock. The plan, dubbed The Malthouse Compromise after MP Kit Malthouse, involves replacing the current Irish backstop which is loathed by Brexiteers who claim it could trap the UK into being subject to EU rules forever. It also involved paying the 39 billion divorce bill and extending the transition period as far as December 2021. This extra time is intended to agree a free-trade deal and finding a technological solution to the hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. If no free trade agreement could be reached, the extra time could be used to prepare for trade on WTO terms, according to the plans masterminds. Kit Malthouse, pictured here with Boris Johnson during Johnsons stint as London Mayor. Malthouse has come up with a Plan C, or the Malthouse Compromise, surrounding the Brexit Deal. (PA) Who is behind it? The plan has been drawn up by Kit Malthouse, the Brexiteer housing minister, who has acted as convenor between arch-Eurosceptic Rees-Mogg and his European Research Group deputy Steve Baker, and Remainers including Nicky Morgan and Stephen Hammond. Would it work? According to the EU, no. European officials quickly said the plan offered no certainty over avoiding a border on the island of Ireland and that it was not workable. The EUs deputy chief negotiator, Sabine Weyand, has previously said that the technology to avoid a border doesnt exist. Brussels has stated numerous times that the Irish backstop, which is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, cannot be renegotiated. It has surfaced too late to go to a Commons vote today so it is unclear when, if at all, MPs could vote on it. Story continues Yvette Cooper, who has tabled an amendment with cross-party support which could potentially give Parliament Control over the Brexit process if there is no deal by February 26. (PA) Are there alternatives? A number of amendment bills will be put to MPs in the Commons later. Dame Caroline Spelmans amendment, possibly the most palatable to Government, has cross-party support and would see a no-deal blocked. Less popular, a move from former Labour minister Yvette Cooper, supported by Tories such as Nick Boles, calls for a vote on a Bill that would give Parliament control over the Brexit process if Theresa May fails to secure a deal by February 26. MPs would get a vote on extending Article 50 to the end of the year and preventing a no-deal exit under the terms of the Bill. The Labour frontbench has been publicly flirting with throwing its weight behind the amendment. Dominic Grieve has backed a cross-party bid in a bid to prevent a no-deal Brexit, which would effectively wrest control of Commons business from the Government for six individual days in the run-up to the UKs scheduled withdrawal date of March 29 with the intention of getting MPs to reach a consensus on how to handle it. Brussels (AFP) - European leaders moved quickly Tuesday to reject an attempt by Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May to re-open talks on the Brexit divorce deal, as British lawmakers voted to demand changes. When May signed the withdrawal agreement in November, both she and the other 27 EU leaders hailed it as the only way to avoid Britain crashing out of the bloc on March 29 without a plan. But the embattled British premier failed to sell the agreement to her own parliament, which on Tuesday voted to send her back to demand that the deal be stripped of the "Irish backstop", a clause created to keep the border open with Ireland. Here are the initial reactions to the British vote from Europe: - Donald Tusk - May's call got short shrift from EU Council president Donald Tusk, who called round the other 27 EU capitals to coordinate a response and issued a firm statement ruling out renegotiation. "We continue to urge the UK government to clarify its intentions with respect to the next steps as soon as possible," Tusk's spokesman said. "The Withdrawal Agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. "The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation." Nevertheless, the spokesman repeated the longstanding EU position that the other members could find a way of tweaking a political declaration that was issued with the withdrawal deal. If Britain makes a "reasoned request" to extend the Brexit deadline beyond March 29, this could be arranged if the other 27 leaders agree. "If the UK's intentions for the future partnership were to evolve, the EU would be prepared to reconsider its offer and adjust the content and the level of ambition of the political declaration," he said. This is a restatement of Brussels' offer to May that, if she is willing to reverse her opposition to Britain remaining in the EU customs union, then a broad trade deal could be possible. Story continues This in turn would make the backstop irrelevant, since it would only be invoked to prevent the return of a hard border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. But, crucially, even this offer was only for a more ambitious political declaration -- a non-binding roadmap to future ties -- and would not involve rescinding the withdrawal agreement. "We will continue our preparations for all outcomes, including a no-deal scenario. We will also continue the EU's process of ratification of the agreement reached with the UK government," the official said. - Emmanuel Macron - Tusk's response mirrored that of France's President Emmanuel Macron, who had earlier warned May not to expect Europe to bend to British demands. During a regional summit in Cyprus, Macron declared that the existing Brexit deal is the "best agreement possible and is not renegotiable". Macron urged London to "promptly" lay out to EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier "the next steps that will prevent an exit without an agreement, which nobody wants but for which we must all prepare ourselves". - European Commission - Barnier himself had no immediate reaction to the British decision, and his boss EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker is due to address the crisis on Wednesday in a speech to the EU parliament. But on Monday, Barnier's deputy Sabine Weyand had laid out the situation in stark terms, chiding May for failing to sell the hard-won agreement even to her own eurosceptic ministers. "There is a very real risk of crash out. Not by design but by accident," Weyand said, noting that if Britain's position does no change then it automatically leaves Europe without a deal on March 29. - Ireland - Throughout the negotiations, Brussels has been clear that it stands by Ireland -- a continuing member with much to lose from any disorderly Brexit. On Tuesday, Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney insisted again that the backstop remains necessary "and tonight's developments at Westminster do nothing to change this". - European Parliament - Finally, even if the EU capitals agreed to re-open the deal and the Commission negotiated a backstop free text, leading members of the EU Parliament have warned they would not ratify it. The centre-left Socialists and Democrats group and the Greens both issued statements after the British vote restating this. Sao Paulo (AFP) - Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been denied permission to leave prison, where he is serving time for corruption, to attend the burial of his older brother Wednesday. Genival Inacio da Silva died Tuesday at age 79 after a battle with cancer. His wake took place late Tuesday and he was to be buried Wednesday in Sao Bernando do Campo, near Sao Paulo. Lula's lawyers lodged a request Tuesday with a judge so that their client could attend both events, invoking a law that covers such circumstances. But the judge ruled against it, agreeing with police who said they could not logistically organize Lula's leave in such a short period of time, especially in terms of transport and sufficient security for a high-profile prisoner. Lula, who led Brazil between 2003 and 2010 and who had treatment in 2012 to beat cancer, is serving a 12-year prison term for taking a bribe in the form of a seaside apartment and money laundering. He is incarcerated in Curitiba, a city 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Sao Paulo, and faces prosecution in eight other cases. Lula, 73, has said he is innocent of all the charges against him, claiming he is the target of a political conspiracy to prevent him from seeking a presidential comeback. In 2007, his brother was investigated for suspected influence-peddling on behalf of a group involved in illegal gambling, but the case was dropped for lack of evidence. [January 29, 2019] Plyzer Technologies chosen as one of the best Artificial Intelligence Companies in Europe, at the Publicis AI Masters Awards TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2019 /CNW/ - (PLYZ:OTCQB) Plyzer Technologies Inc. ("The Company") is pleased to announce that it has been chosen as one of the top three AI companies in Europe, selected from over 200 entrants at the Publicis AI Masters Awards. The event took place in Berlin on January 24 and 25, as part of the AI Masters conference on vanguard technologies, honoring the most innovative projects in artificial intelligence. Notably, Plyzer Corporation Founder and CEO Luis Pallares participated in a three-person expert panel discussing the future of Artificial Intelligence. The Company's flagship B2B product for brands and retailers, Plyzer Intelligence, is a real-time online price monitoring solution which integrates geolocation, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Plyzer Intelligence allows brands: to analyze real-time pricing information; to conduct competitive analysis; to adapt pricing strategies; to anticipate changes in the market; to perform product benchmarking; and, to ensure that sellers are complying with minimum advertised price. Plyzer Corporation CEO, Luis Pallares commented: "Our deep learning and product matching greatly enhances strategic decisions by brands and retailers. We are extremely thankful to be recognized by Publicis Groupe, the 3rd largest communications group in the world. I am very proud of our team at Plyzer, as they continue their excellent efforts to deliver te best analytics solutions using AI in the marketplace." ABOUT PLYZER TECHNOLOGIES INC. Plyzer Technologies Inc. (ticker: PLYZ on OTCQB) is a provider of custom, real-time, cloud-based business intelligence solutions for brands to analyse critical online price and market data. Plyzer's highly customizable dashboard enables country, regional and local sales, production and logistics operations to adapt to prevailing market conditions quickly. The Company's technology is also being used to provide real-time price comparison reporting to the consumer market. These solutions are both driven by Plyzer's proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. Please visit www.plyzertechnologies.com and www.plyzer.com for more information. About Publicis Groupe Founded in 1926, Publicis Groupe is now the 3rd largest communications group in the world. Through a powerful alchemy of creativity and technology, they are driving business transformation across the entire value chain. Since 2018, Publicis has organized the AI Masters conference for marketing and e-commerce decision makers, attracting over 400 participants. More information can be found here: www.aimasters.de/en/. This news release may contain forward looking statements concerning future operations of the Company. All forward looking statements concerning the Company's future plans and operations, including management's assessment of the Company's expectations or beliefs may be subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual performance and financial results may differ materially from any estimates and projections. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plyzer-technologies-chosen-as-one-of-the-best-artificial-intelligence-companies-in-europe-at-the-publicis-ai-masters-awards-300785472.html SOURCE Plyzer Technologies Inc. [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] Dubai (AFP) - A bomb attack in a market killed seven Yemeni civilians including a photographer for a UAE television channel in the government-controlled town of Mokha, medics and military sources said Tuesday. At least 20 people were wounded in the overnight blast in the Red Sea town, where pro-government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition battling the Huthi rebels are based. The improvised explosive device was planted on a motorcycle parked in the middle of the market, an official in the pro-government forces told AFP. Seven people were killed, the official and a hospital source said. A photographer for Abu Dhabi TV, Ziad al-Sharabi, was among the dead, the official Saba news agency quoted information minister Moammer al-Eryani as saying. A correspondent for the same network, Faisal Al-Zabhani, was among the wounded, he said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but Saba blamed it on the Iran-aligned Huthis. The city of Mokha has enjoyed relative calm since coalition-backed government forces seized it from the rebels in July 2017. Yemen's war escalated in March 2015, when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia and the coalition intervened. Since then, the conflict has killed nearly 10,000 people and unleashed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. UN aid officials say 80 percent of the population -- 24 million people -- are in need of aid and nearly 10 million are just one step away from famine. Galvis has not missed a game in over two seasons. (NBC) It safe to say the Toronto Blue Jays offseason has been far from thrilling, and that trend continued on Tuesday as the team signed free agent shortstop Freddy Galvis. Galvis joins the club on a one-year deal worth $4 million with a 2020 option. Last season Galvis was the Padres primary shortstop and hit .248/.299/.380 and managed 1.2 Wins Above Replacement. The 29-year-old also showed impressive durability playing 162 games for the second consecutive season. It was the fourth season in a row hed managed at least 150. There are a few things to like about Galvis, beyond his ironman tendencies. Hes a very reliable defensive shortstop, he has double-digit home run power, hes a switch hitter, and he can play around the infield. As far as backup middle infielders go, you could do a lot worse. But as everyday shortstops go, you could do a lot better. Galvis provides insurance for a few possibilities beyond a simple Lourdes Gurriel Jr. injury. If Gurriel proves incapable of handling short defensively on an everyday basis, Galvis can slide into his spot and allow the Cuban to move elsewhere. If Devon Travis has injury trouble an unfortunately familiar scenario once again he can play short while Gurriel heads to second. If Travis hits like he did in 2018, Galvis will be there. For $4 million, thats quite a few bases to cover. Instead of a questionable Travis-Gurriel duo with Eric Sogard waiting in the wings, now the team has more of a trio or at least a duo with a more dependable Plan B. This deal follows the pattern of most of the Blue Jays offseason moves so far. Its fine, there isnt much downside, and you can envision a scenario where the player ends up playing a surprisingly large role in 2019. That said, Galvis doesnt make the Blue Jays better in a way thats likely to affect their fate this season, he seems unlikely to be a significant trade chip down the line, and the fact hes 29 and the vast majority of his value comes from his glove is somewhat concerning. Guys with career OBPs of .290 really need to bring it with the glove. Story continues Galvis probably will and this deal probably wont go down as a mistake. Not a mistake is about where the Blue Jays seem to be maxing out this offseason, though. With 2019 looking like a clear rebuilding year its hard to expect much more. More Blue Jays coverage from Yahoo Sports Canada: Tehran (AFP) - "It's been 40 years, but I still remember climbing the fences of Tehran University so I could see what was happening," recalled Majid Heidarnik, now a teacher in Iran's holy centre of Qom. He was among the millions who lined the streets of the Iranian capital on February 1, 1979, hoping to catch a glimpse of their beloved "Imam", Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, as he returned from more than 14 years in exile. Just 10 days earlier, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi had fled Iran following mass uprisings and now the country was braced for the return of the man who had spearheaded the Islamic revolution and would soon bring an end to 25 centuries of monarchical rule. Caught up in the revolutionary fervour, Heidarnik would soon abandon his computing major at university to join a seminary. "We were there to see the one person who dared to resist and protest. We were about to see our leader in the flesh," he told AFP. There was excitement, but also anxiety - would the plane carrying Khomeini back from Paris be allowed to land, would it be shot out of the sky by the military who were still nominally supporting the shah? Visiting Khomeini's mausoleum in southern Tehran recently - as he does once a year - 62-year-old farmer Golberar Naghipour remembered it as a nervous time. "We were crying out of happiness, but we were worried as well. The country was still under the control of the shah's regime." - 'Revolutionary vision' - The Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, where many opponents of the shah were buried, was Khomeini's first destination after his Air France plane landed. It was there that he made a fiery speech declaring the monarchy must finally be ended. "I will designate the government, I will slap this (shah's) government in the face," Khomeini declared. An austere and charismatic cleric, Khomeini had wedded the fashionable rhetoric of the radical left at the time - anti-Western, anti-colonial, oppressed versus oppressor - with the historic imagery of Shiite Muslim martyrdom, to build a revolutionary vision of politicised Islam. Story continues His mausoleum built next to the cemetery, where he was buried after his death in June 1989, is a sprawling and magnificent building decorated in the traditional Islamic manner. Even now, nearly three decades after his death, which prompted the biggest funeral in modern Iran's history, many come to visit the newly renovated building to pay their respects. But 40 years on, Khomeini's vision of the Islamic Republic is still a work-in-progress for some. "It is called the Islamic Republic, but it has yet to be realised," said Heidarnik. The anniversary of the revolution comes at a difficult time, with Iran's economy hit by the return of sanctions following US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. That has added to long-standing problems of mismanagement and corruption, which has brought criticism from all sides of the political spectrum - with many accusing Iran's current officials of abandoning the ascetic example of their revolutionary founder. "When the people see the cost of living rising, they should see that everyone is suffering, there shouldn't be any difference (between classes). There are some people who preach about Islamic and austere living and yet they live like aristocrats," Heidarnik said. - Model for today - For the pilgrims at Khomeini's mausoleum, it is above all his image as a selfless and incorruptible leader that remains most powerful. "The Imam made so many sacrifices for the country, but wanted nothing for himself," said Maryam Yazdan-nejad, a 57-year-old housewife from the northwestern city of Mashhad, who visits the shrine every year or two. "If only -- if only! -- some of the officials today had the same nature as the Imam had," she added. For Heidarnik, there is no question the blame lies squarely with Iran's enemies, who he says are seeking to divert the country away from Islam. "Unfortunately infiltrators have penetrated, be it in the economy, the education system or the political system," he said. "But we were subjugated to the rule of monarchies for 2,500 years. It has only been 40 years since the revolution -- that's nothing in comparison. "God willing, we will realise the Islamic Republic in its entirety." Warsaw (AFP) - An Austrian businessman has accused the powerful head of Poland's right-wing ruling party Jaroslaw Kaczynski of failing to pay him for his work on a real estate project in Warsaw, the plaintiff's lawyer said Tuesday. Kaczynski is the leading figure in the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has introduced a string of controversial judicial reforms since coming to power in 2015 that the EU warns are a risk to Poland's rule of law. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has called the allegations "attacks" on Kaczynski, who is a "symbol of honesty and credibility." According to local newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, businessman Gerald Birgfellner is requesting payment for work on twin towers that are to be located in the heart of the Polish capital. "Our client feels that he's been wronged. He hasn't been paid. We filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office," Birgfellner's lawyer Jacek Dubois told AFP, confirming a report published by the liberal Gazeta Wyborcza daily. Dubois said that according to his client, Kaczynski "made the decisions and gave guarantees that the payment would be made". "Our client had been asked to issue an invoice to a firm that was insolvent," he said, adding that the sum in question was four million zloty (930,000 euros, $1 million). PiS spokeswoman Beata Mazurek called the daily's report "pseudo revelations" that are nothing but "gossip and speculation". The structure is nicknamed the "K-Towers" or "twins", in reference to Kaczynski and his late twin Lech, who was Poland's president when he died in a 2010 plane crash in Russia along with 95 others. The 190-metre (620-foot) towers are due to house a hotel, offices and the headquarters of the Lech Kaczynski Foundation. Birgfellner's firm was allegedly due to receive a total of nine million euros ($10 million) once the project was completed, or three percent of the project's total estimated value of 300 million euros, according to Gazeta Wyborcza. BERLIN (AP) Deadly winter weather blasted Europe for yet another day Tuesday, trapping hundreds of people in Alpine regions, whipping up high winds that caused flight cancellations and increasing the risks of more deadly avalanches. At least 13 people have been killed in weather-related accidents in Europe over the last week, most of them from avalanches. In Norway, attempts to find the bodies of four skiers were again put on hold due to poor visibility and heavy snowfall. A 29-year Swedish woman and three Finns, aged 29, 32 and 36, were presumed dead after a 300-meter (990-foot) wide avalanche hit a valley near the northern city of Tromsoe last week. Romanian police on Tuesday found the frozen body of a 67-year-old man in a parking lot in the southern city of Slatina after his wife reported he hadn't returned from work. Temperatures in Romania plunged to a low of minus 24 Celsius (minus 11.2 Fahrenheit). In Austria, hundreds of residents were stuck in their homes due to blocked roads and some regions experienced power outages after snow-laden trees took down power lines. Schools in some Austrian regions remained closed for a second day and homeowners were advised to remove snow from their roofs after several buildings collapsed. One 78-year-old man was severely injured when he fell off his roof in Turrach while shoveling snow, Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported. On Monday night, 11 German hikers had to be rescued by mountaineers from a cabin near Salzburg, after having been snowed in without electricity and little food since Friday. Other people have also been killed by avalanches in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, and authorities warned that continuing snowfall is increasing the risk of more avalanches. In the northern coastal German city of Hamburg, residents were preparing for a storm flood caused by a winter gale, the German news agency dpa reported. In the Netherlands, Amsterdam's busy Schiphol Airport saw nearly 25 percent of its flights cancelled Tuesday. Dutch carrier KLM canceled 159 flights to and from European destinations. Flight cancellations were also reported in Slovakia. Story continues Low-lying Dutch coastal regions were being hit by strong winds and wild seas, and local water authorities were checking dikes holding back all that water to make sure they were not damaged. The Noorderzijlvest water authority said it was monitoring dikes because of debris floating in the sea after 281 shipping containers tumbled off a cargo ship in a storm last week. Many of the containers are still at sea and some have broken open. "A fridge or container that is rammed against a dike can cause damage," the authority said. Heavy snowfall and strong winds were reported Tuesday over central Scandinavia, hampering efforts to restore electricity that had gone out after another storm swept through on Jan. 2. In Greece, schools in Athens and many surrounding areas remained closed after snow blanketed the capital. Some rural mountain roads were also closed. Dozens of refugees housed in tents at a migrant camp in northern Greece protested their harsh living conditions as temperatures in some areas sunk to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit). Snow was even reported on many of Greece's islands. ___ Mike Corder contributed reporting from The Hague, Netherlands; Jan M. Olsen reported from Copenhagen, Denmark; Karel Janicek from Prague, Czech Republic; Elena Becatoros from Athens, Greece; and Alison Mutler from Bucharest, Romania. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Australia's prime minister on Tuesday raised the prospect of the nation suffering its first economic recession in 28 years if the opposition wins general elections due by late May. Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined his conservative government's economic credentials in a speech in which he promised to detail in April Australia's first surplus annual budget in a decade. "Only half of those of voting age at this election will have ever experienced a recession during their working lives," Morrison said. "I don't want them to learn how important a strong economy is to each and every single one of them by having them endure the cruel lessons of a weaker economy that would occur under the Labor Party," he added. Opposition leader Bill Shorten accused Morrison of fearmongering. "They've run out of anything to say about themselves, all they can do is talk about us," Shorten told reporters. Australia had not experienced recession defined at consecutive quarters of economic contraction since July 1, 1991. Updated Treasury Department forecasts released last month showed Australia's economy is expected to expand by 2.75 percent in the current fiscal year ending June 30 and by 3 percent the following year. Deloitte Access Economics, an economic forecaster, predicted on Tuesday Australia's economy will be affected by slower global growth in the next two years. The forecaster also said Australia's growth would be weighed down by tightening credit, widespread drought and falling rates of housing construction. The government argues the center-left Labor Party opposition was a threat to the economy through its policy of reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The government's target is a reduction of 26-to-28 percent in the same timeframe. The government also opposes Labor plans to reduce tax deductions for landlords as property prices moderate in Australia's largest cities. Story continues Morrison argues that Labor would raise 200 billion Australian dollars ($175 billion) with new and higher taxes that would weaken economic growth. The government has been trailing Labor in most opinion polls since in the last election in 2016. The ruling coalition lost its single-seat majority in the House of Representatives where parties form governments when former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull quit politics after colleagues ousted him as leader in August last year. The respected Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper on Tuesday showed 53 percent of respondents supported Labor and only 47 percent supported Morrison's coalition. The poll was based on a nationwide survey of 1,634 voters last weekend. It had a 2.5 percentage-point margin of error. MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia on Monday joined other Western nations in backing Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president until fresh elections are held President Nicolas Maduro, 56, is confronting an unprecedented challenge to his authority after Guaido declared himself interim president citing a fraudulent election. "Australia recognizes and supports the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, in assuming the position of interim president, in accordance with the Venezuelan constitution and until elections are held," Australia Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on the ministry's website. "We now urge all parties to work constructively toward a peaceful resolution of the situation, including a return to democracy, respect for the rule of law and upholding of human rights of the Venezuelan people." The United States, Canada and most Latin American nations have backed Guaido as interim president. At a U.N. Security Council debate on Saturday, Russia and China strongly backed Maduro and rejected calls by the United States, Canada, Latin American nations and European powers for early elections. New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand will not give official recognition to either side. "It is not New Zealand's practice to make statements of recognition of governments," Peters was cited as saying in a statement e-mailed by his press office. "Venezuela needs to decide its future through free and fair elections. This government expressed concerns about Venezuela's elections in 2018, and these concerns remain." (Reporting by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Michael Perry) Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's attorney general asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to bar Juan Guaido, the self-proclaimed acting president and opposition leader, from leaving the country and to freeze his assets. The move comes after the United States earlier said it has handed control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaido, to prevent President Nicolas Maduro from commandeering them in an eventual exit from power. Guaido had said on Monday he was taking control of Venezuela's foreign assets to stop Maduro from emptying the "coffers." Attorney General Tarek William Saab told the Supreme Court he had come to "ask for precautionary measures" against Guaido to prevent him from leaving the country or moving assets, while also freezing his accounts. Saab, a regime loyalist, said the measures were part of the investigation into the National Assembly ordered by the court last week. That was a response to the legislature officially declaring Maduro a "usurper" over his reelection last May in a poll boycotted by the opposition and widely branded a fraud internationally. Guaido responded by saying he wasn't surprised by the measures and described them as part of a chain of "threats" against himself and the opposition-controlled parliament. "More than a new threat against me, against this parliament, against the acting president of this republic, there's nothing new," he said at the entrance to the National Assembly. "I'm not dismissing the threats, the persecution at this time, but we're here, we're continuing to do our jobs." Backed principally by the US, Guaido has been at loggerheads with Maduro and his regime since proclaiming himself the country's acting president January 23. Washington has supported his bid to oust Maduro, who is backed by Venezuela's powerful military, and on Monday slapped sanctions on the state oil company PDVSA, the country's primary source of revenue. By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - CVS Health Corp's health insurer Aetna on Tuesday said it is working with Apple Inc on a new health app for Apple Watches that uses an individual's medical history to set personalized health goals. Called "Attain," the Apple Watch app will reward Aetna customers for meeting activity goals and fulfilling recommended tasks, such as getting vaccinations or refilling medications, with a subsidy toward the cost of an Apple Watch or gift cards for U.S. retailers. Several insurers have offered such subsidies for using wearable devices to meet generic activity goals such as a number of steps in the past. But what is new and significant about the Attain app is the use of personal health data held by Aetna to provide customized goals and recommendations. That health history data is tightly regulated by the U.S. government, and Apple and Aetna had to enter into what is known as a business associate agreement in order for Aetna to share it with the Apple. Access to regulated data is necessary for some of the functions of the app, such as recommending age-appropriate exercise or a lower-cost option for scheduled lab tests or MRI imaging tests. Aetna said the program is voluntary and that data gathered will not be used for premium pricing or coverage decisions. "We understand that you dont need to be a personal trainer or work out several hours a day to be healthier," Alan Lotvin, executive vice president for transformation at CVS Health, said in a statement. For Apple, the Aetna partnership continues a push into regulated areas as the company dives further into health features with its wearable device launched in 2014. Last fall, Apple announced a watch with the ability to take an electrocardiogram, an electrical measure of heart activity that can detect heart problems. The feature required clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Aetna users can opt to share their information anonymously with Apple. Apple will use techniques such as machine learning to fine tune the app, such as detecting the users are more likely to follow up on tasks if they notified midday rather than in the morning. As we learn over time, the goal is to make more customized recommendations that will help members accomplish their goals and live healthier lives," Jeff Williams, Apples chief operating officer, said in a statement. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Leslie Adler) By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Apple Inc reported sharp growth in its services business and Chief Executive Tim Cook said trade tensions between the United States and China were easing, helping the technology company's shares up after hours even as iPhone sales dipped in the holiday shopping quarter for the first time. Apple said sales for the current quarter would most likely be lower than Wall Street expected, a signal that it continues to face weak demand for its iPhone, especially in China, the world's biggest smartphone market. But investors focused on the company's growing services, which include Apple Music and its App Store. "The services number is good, and that is the growth engine going forward that people will continue to focus on," said Ivan Feinseth, an analyst with Tigress Financial Partners. Cook, who is in regular contact with U.S. President Donald Trump, said trade tensions with China, which may have depressed sales of its phones, were easing. "If you were to graph up trade tension its clearly less in January than it was in December," Cook told Reuters in an interview. "Im optimistic that the two countries will be able to work things out." The company's shares rose 6 percent to $163.50 in after-hours trading. They had fallen more than 30 percent since November on concerns about weak iPhone sales and a general decline in high-tech stocks. "It appears that the bears pressed way too hard on the negative bets and even this more negative report couldnt drive the stock lower," said Hal Eddins, chief economist for Apple shareholder Capital Investment Counsel. SUBSCRIBERS UP Apple said revenue from services, which investors are counting on to fuel growth, reached $10.8 billion, in line with Wall Street estimates. Services gross margin hit 63 percent, up from 58.3 percent last year. Analysts previously had estimated the services gross margin could top 60 percent. "They get more efficient as they get larger," Cook told Reuters. The company said it now has 360 million subscribers to both its own and third-party services, and set a goal to expand that to 500 million by the end of 2020. It said it now has 1.4 billion active devices, an increase of 100 million from last year, and that 900 million of those are iPhones. Apple said it would start providing regular updates on the number of iPhones and overall devices in use - what is known in the tech industry as the installed base. The company stopped reporting unit sales of its iPhones this quarter. By contrast, Netflix Inc ended 2018 with 139 million paid subscribers for its streaming video service and Amazon.com Inc has more than 100 million subscribers to its Prime shipping and content service. Apple counts both subscribers to its own services as well as Apple device users who subscribe to outside apps or services using Apple's payment systems. Apple keeps up to 30 percent of the payments it handles. Apple's iPhone revenue declined 15 percent year over year to $51.9 billion. Cook said China's economic weakness hurt iPhone sales there. He said Apple is rethinking how it prices the iPhone outside the United States after largely setting the price in U.S. dollars, which made the phones more expensive in local currencies. "When you look at foreign currencies and then particularly those markets that weakened over the last year those (iPhone price) increases were obviously more," Cook told Reuters. "And so as weve gotten into January and assessed the macroeconomic condition in some of those markets weve decided to go back to more commensurate with what our local prices were a year ago in hopes of helping the sales in those areas." OUTLOOK LARGELY BELOW WALL STREET Apple said it expects revenue between $55 billion and $59 billion for the current quarter ending in March, largely below analysts' average estimate of $58.83 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. For the quarter ending in December, Apple's busiest due to the holiday shopping season, Apple reported revenue of $84.3 billion, slightly above analysts' average estimate of $84 billion. Apple warned in early January that the quarter's sales would miss targets it gave in November. Apple reported earnings per share of $4.18 for the December quarter, compared with Wall Street's average estimate of $4.17, according to Refinitiv data. The company's investors have been closely tracking the company's share repurchase activity in hopes that it will help buoy the falling share price, which has knocked Apple off its throne as the world's largest technology company with a market value of more than $1 trillion. Apple said it bought back $8.2 billion worth of shares in the quarter ended in December, a far smaller figure than the $19.4 billion in stock it purchased in the previous quarter ended in September. Apple said its net cash position - its cash minus its debt - was $130 billion, an increase from $123 billion in the previous quarter. Apple has publicly said it plans to draw its net cash position to zero. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Bill Rigby) On todays episode of Free Lunch, Ryan McQueeney recaps earnings results from Verizon, 3M, Pfizer, and Harley-Davidson. Later, he previews the upcoming report of sputtering tech behemoth Apple. Want more video content from Zacks? Subscribe to Zacks Investment News now! Free Lunch is presented by Zacks Investment Research. It is streamed live, four times per week, and features breaking news and analysis from Zacks strategists. Free Lunch is available on YouTube, Twitter, and other major streaming platforms. Stocks were broadly flat to mixed in morning trading today, as the days top earnings reports were also a bit mixed. Verizon VZ managed to top adjusted EPS estimates, but the companys GAAP results were down significantly on a year-over-year basis after it had to take restructuring charge in its media division. Total revenue at Verizon was slightly below expectations. 3M MMM, on the other hand, comfortably surpassed earnings and revenue estimates. However, top-line growth was sluggish, and management revised its 2019 profit guidance to the downside. Nevertheless, 3M investors liked what they heard in terms of future plans, lifting the stock on Tuesday morning. Pfizer PFE also filed its latest earnings results. The drug behemoth beat top- and bottom-line estimates on the back of reasonably strong growth, and its Consumer Health and Oncology units notched solid performances. Shares of Pfizer moved higher in early trading hours. Harley-Davidson HOG was probably the mornings most disappointing report today, as U.S. motorcycle sales dropped 10%, causing the iconic brand to miss EPS estimates by a wide margin. HOG shares lost over 6% at the bell on Tuesday. On the first half of todays program, Ryan recaps these earnings results in greater detail, sharing the key facts and any available information on guidance. The host uses the second half of the show to preview Apples AAPL report. Apple will file its official results after the bell today, but Wall Street knows what to expect. The iPhone maker earlier this month issued its first profit warning in over 15 years, citing sluggish activity in its Greater China region as the major cause for its underperformance. Story continues The iPhone has lost some clout, both in China and in the domestic market, and now Apple is really feeling the effects of economic slowdowns and rising competition. There are still places where it could seize new growth, but revenue is expected to pull back in the to-be-reported quarter, and investors have lots of questions to ask. Ryan discusses what those questions will be, and why they matter. He also digs into the new estimates for Apple after its guidance cut. Want to hear more about what to expect from Apple this afternoon? Check out todays Free Lunch! Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report 3M Company (MMM) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research It is a well-known fact that 2018 was not a favorable year for airline stocks. Oil prices, which were high for the majority of the year, were the main reason behind the sorry performance of airlines in the previous year. The Zacks Airline industry shed 22.9% in 2018. The industrys performance was worse than that of the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which declined 5.9%. 2018 Price Performance Oil Price A rise in oil price leads to a sharp increase in operating expenses of airline companies. Oil prices displayed an uptrend till early October, increasing more than 20%. The surge in oil prices was the primary reason behind the bottom-line contraction at most airlines in each of the three quarters of 2018. In a stunning reversal, oil prices have been declining steadily since then on fears of supply glut and economic headwinds. Why Airlines Gained Altitude in Q4 The southward movement of one of their major inputs propelled airlines stocks. As a result of the sharp drop, oil prices declined nearly 40% in Q4. Consequently, airline heavyweights like United Continental Holdings UAL, American Airlines AAL, Southwest Airlines LUV and Alaska Air Group ALK outperformed in the final quarter of 2018. The bottom line at most carriers improved year over year. Declining oil prices apart, low tax rates also aided results. Meanwhile, the top line was aided by upbeat passenger revenues with demand for air travel remaining strong in Q4. Robust traffic during the Thanksgiving holiday period contributed to the uptick in passenger revenues. The better-than-expected results led to an uptick in the share price of the likes of United Continental, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways JBLU. Other Positives The Q4 outperformances apart, most carriers unveiled encouraging projections. For instance, American Airlines expects adjusted earnings per share in 2019 between $5.50 and $7.50, much higher than the 2018 figure of $4.55. The bullish guidance resulted in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year earnings being revised upward to the tune of 5.6% since the announcement. Story continues United Continental expects full-year 2019 earnings in the $10-$12 band, higher than $9.13 per share reported in full-year 2018. Southwest Airlines predicts Q1 revenue per available seat mile (RASM: a key unit revenue measure) to rise 4-5% year over year in the first quarter of 2019. Adding to the list of positives is Alaska Air Groups dividend hike. The company announced a dividend increase of 9% to 35 cents per share (annually: $1.40 per share). The current tax law, which came into force in December 2017, is a boon for airlines as far as investor-oriented activities are concerned. On the back of tax law induced savings, we expect more stocks in the space to increase their dividend payouts in 2019. Bullish Zacks Industry Rank The Zacks Airline industry has a Zacks Industry Rank of 8 (out of 250 plus groups), which highlights the fact that airlines are back in favor. The favorable rank places the companies in the top 4% of the Zacks industries. Our proprietary Heat Map shows the industrys bullish rank over the past few weeks. Airline Stocks Should Grace Your Portfolio In view of the renewed optimism surrounding airline stocks, we believe that investors should include them in their respective portfolios. Each of the selected stocks carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). Moreover, the stocks have a Growth Score of B. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. 4 Solid Picks Air France-KLM SA AFLYY is based in Paris and carries a Zacks Rank #1. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has increased 2% over the past 30 days. United Continental Holdings is based in based in Chicago, IL and carries a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has increased 5.4% over the past 30 days. JetBlue Airways Corporation is a low-cost airline based in Long Island City, NY and carries a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has increased 14.1% over the past 30 days. Southwest Airlines is a Dallas-based low-cost carrier with a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has increased 1.7% over the past 30 days. Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 Air France-KLM SA (AFLYY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK) : Free Stock Analysis Report United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Johannesburg (AFP) - The chief witness at South Africa's judicial enquiry into corruption during the government of former President Jacob Zuma was destabilised Tuesday by an audio recording where he racially insulted two of his former black colleagues. For over a week, Angelo Agrizzi, the former operations head of the security firm once known as Bosasa, has given damning testimony about the bribes the company paid to ministers, elected officials and high-ranking officials of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) over years. On his last day on the stand, Agrizzi's testimony lost momentum when prosecutors at the commission played parts of a three-hour-long recording where he described two of his former colleagues as "kaffir". The outlawed word was the most insulting term used to designate blacks under the apartheid regime. "I am a racist I admit, you can judge me on that it's fine," Agrizzi said. "I'm embarrassed of myself, I'm ashamed of myself for ever doing that. Please, understand the context - no sleep, I was beside myself, and I'm not gonna make excuses." While he admitted that he is a racist, Agrizzi categorically refuted the idea his evidence before the commission was motivated by racism. The witness apologised to Zondo before the clip was played by Advocate Paul Pretorius. "What you have said there, was extremely offensive, totally unacceptable," Judge Raymond Zondo told Agrizzi. "But, that does not mean that I will not examine your evidence and see where you may or may not be speaking the truth." Race relations remain tense in South Africa 25 years after the end of white-minority apartheid rule. In an unprecedented move in 2018, the courts sentenced a white real estate agent, Vicki Momberg, to two years in prison for using "kaffir" to refer to black police officers. The Daily Beast Public DomainWhy do we see so many football and rugby teams named for the Spartans, and only one for the Thebans, though Thebes in fact defeated Sparta in battle and ended its reign as superpower of Greece? The explanation lies deep in the prejudices of ancient Greek historians and thinkers, as does the inspiration for that one exception: The Caledonian Thebans, Scottish ruggers who define themselves as gay, bisexual, or LGBTQ-inclusive.Lets start by noting that Greek Thebes (not to be confused It's natural for job candidates to be nervous going into the interview process. But if you're fairly new to conducting interviews on the employer side, you might have your share of jitters as well -- especially in light of the fact that asking the wrong questions could subject your business to a lawsuit. In case you're not well versed in discrimination laws, here's a quick primer: You're not allowed to discriminate against employees based on race, color, religion, gender, and national origin. When interviewing candidates, you'll need to be sensitive to these guidelines to avoid inadvertently breaking the law. With that in mind, here are a few questions to avoid at all costs. Woman shaking hands with man across the table IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES. 1. How old are you? Since age is a protected class from an employment discrimination standpoint, you can't ask a job candidate his or her age directly. What you can ask, however, is for a number of years of experience in the field to get a sense of his or her qualifications. Furthermore, while you can't ask candidates what year they graduated high school or college, you are entitled to know how much education they completed. In other words, you can ask if a candidate has a college degree, but not what graduating class he or she was part of. 2. Do you have religious constraints? Since religion is another protected class, you can't directly ask candidates what religion, if any, they practice, or what implications it might have on their work lives. But you can ask candidates if they're available to work after-hours or on weekends if that's part of the job. 3. Are you pregnant or planning to have children? This is another question you want to stay away from, because you can't base a hiring decision on a woman's pregnancy status or desire to procreate in the future. That said, you can ask candidates if they're physically able to perform all of the functions pertaining to the job at hand. For example, if the job involves heavy lifting and you suspect that an applicant is pregnant, you can't ask whether she's expecting, but you can verify that she can do the work that comes with the job. Story continues 4. Do you have any disabilities? The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from discriminating against job candidates with disabilities. That said, as is the case with a pregnant applicant, you are allowed to ask if the applicant in question is able to perform the job functions necessary for the role at hand. 5. Are you a U.S. citizen? As an employer, it's your duty to verify that anyone you hire is legally allowed to work in the U.S. But that doesn't mean you can only hire U.S. citizens, and asking a job candidate during an interview whether he or she is indeed a citizen is a major no-no. That said, you are allowed to ask candidates whether they're authorized to work in the U.S., and once an offer of employment is extended, you're actually required to verify that. The last thing you want to do as the person conducting a job interview is slip up on one of these questions and be accused of discrimination, even if that wasn't your intent. Therefore, as a general rule, err on the side of caution when meeting with candidates. An even better bet might be to hire a human resource or employment law consultant who can develop guidelines for your business that help you steer clear of these and other potential land mines. A modest investment could save you a world of hassle in the long run. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Maputo (AFP) - Mozambican police said Tuesday they had arrested three Ugandans on suspicion of leading attacks in the country's gas-rich Cabo Delgado province which has been rocked by an Islamist insurgency. The suspects, two men and a woman, were picked up in a forested area on Friday, with police saying their arrest had enabled them to shut down several "training camps". "These are the leaders of the group of criminals who have carried out attacks in Cabo Delgado," said Zacarias Nacute, police spokesman for neighbouring Nampula province. The arrests come as Mozambique struggles to cope with a wave of jihadist attacks that erupted in the north in late 2017, killing more than 100 civilians and scores of police, and threatening government plans to exploit newly-discovered oil and gas reserves. The violence has also forced thousands out of their homes. Police said the three suspects confessed to belonging an Al-Shabaab cell in Uganda but had insisted they were only in Mozambique to find their leader, who had been arrested there at an earlier date. Speaking to reporters while under police guard, one of the suspects called Abdulrahim Faiza said he was involved with Al-Shabaab in Uganda but had not been involved in any attacks in Mozambique. "I am not part of the groups that have carried out attacks in Cabo Delgado. We are in Mozambique to rescue our captured leader," he said, referring to the leader in question as Abdul Aziz. Last month, prosecutors in Maputo unveiled a raft of charges against a group of five people whom they accused of leading a string of deadly jihadist attacks in the Cabo Delgado area. The group included two Ugandans, two Tanzanians and a South African who died in custody last week under mysterious circumstances. The violence in Cabo Delgado has been attributed to a group known in Arabic as Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama -- although it is usually referred to as "Al-Shabaab" despite having no known link to the Somali jihadist group of the same name. Its militants are reportedly seeking to impose Sharia law in the Muslim-majority province. Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has vowed to "neutralise" the threat, sending heavy reinforcements to the region to eradicate the jihadists. Whitney Intermediate School (Photo: Google Maps) Three 11-year-olds are facing charges after they allegedly broke into their Texas school districts buildings and trashed them. The Whitney Intermediate School in Hill County, Texas, was burglarized around 5 p.m. on Sunday, according to police. Surveillance footage showed three youngsters breaking into the districts maintenance facility and the adjacent school. Police were notified of the break-in at 6 a.m. Monday. This is the first one weve had here in Whitney in the 10 years Ive been here where our suspects were this young, Whitney Police Chief Chris Bentley told Waco, Texas, news station KWTX. According to Bentley, the three students trashed the building and spray-painted male genitalia and other offensive symbols on the districts maintenance vehicles. As a result, those vehicles have been deemed unusable. Everything thrown on the floor, cellphones broken, portable radios broken, a lot of stuff written on the vehicles, so the vehicles could not be driven any longer, and the computer so the district was not able to create work orders, they had to go back to a manual system just to get maintenance done today, Bentley told the outlet. According to police, the three students entered the maintenance building through a window. After they wreaked havoc, they then found keys to enter the school, where they stole iPads and other small electronics. Three students were removed from their classroom on Monday afternoon to meet their parents and be questioned by police, KWTX reported. Each one of the parents told me that last night, when their kiddos came in, there was something either secretive about them or something that made them wonder, said Bentley. One parent even told me I was not surprised when you called me today.' The stolen items were recovered from the students homes. The three 11-year-olds were transported to Limestone County Juvenile Detention Center in Groesbeck, Texas, where they face charges of burglary and criminal mischief of government property. Story continues Bentley told KWTX that the damages amount to about $20,000. A hearing is scheduled for the three on Wednesday. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. PRESIDENT SKEPTICAL ABOUT CHANCES FOR BUDGET AGREEMENT Donald Trump says the odds that a bipartisan House and Senate lawmakers will craft a deal to end his border wall standoff with Congress are "less than 50-50." 2. OPIOID SCOURGE'S TOLL ON VICTIMS' RELATIVES Hundreds of thousands of families continue struggling to contain the worst drug crisis in U.S. history. Rhey suffer in solitude, balancing sorrow with relief, shame with perseverance, resentment with forgiveness, an AP exclusive shows. 3. POLITICAL CRISIS EXACERBATES MISERY The longer the standoff between the U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro drags on, the more regular Venezuelans are likely to suffer. 4. WHITE HOUSE DIPLOMACY GETS LOW MARKS A majority of Americans disapprove of the way President Trump is handling U.S. foreign policy, according to new poll conducted by Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. 5. TORNADO IN HAVANA KILLS 3 PEOPLE, INJURES 174 The Cuban capital has been battered by powerful winds and heavy rains. A blackout hit many Havana neighborhoods around 9 p.m. 6. CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER PUT BEHIND BARS Wang Quanzhang was sentenced to 4 years in prison on the charge of subversion of state power. Wang was a member of the Fengrui law firm that was well known for its advocacy work. 7. PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT TO VISIT BOMBED CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL Rodrigo Duterte and his top security officials planned the site where suspected Islamic militants set off bombs that killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 100. 8. LOSING HOPE OF FINDING SURVIVORS IN BRAZIL DAM COLLAPSE The confirmed death toll rose to 58, with up to 300 people still missing, and, in an ominous sign, nobody was recovered alive Sunday. 9. STUDENTS COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH RADICAL VIEWS At an Ohio high school, some of America's most extreme political groups are invited into class each semester, with teachers educating pupils to engage respectfully with those of differing beliefs and to ask questions. 10. "BLACK PANTHER" CAST TAKES TOP PRIZE AT SAG AWARDS The win by the superhero movie set in the fictional country of Wakanda could be a preview of its performance at next month's Academy Awards. SIUs Chamber Opera presenting The Music Shoppe in 2015. One-act comic opera, Amelia Goes to the Ball, will have you rolling in the aisles CARBONDALE, Ill. Opera and art come together for two nights of fun as Southern Illinois University Carbondales Opera Ensemble presents Amelia Goes to the Ball. The 1930s classic, lighthearted comedy will have you rolling with laughter as Amelia faces a variety of struggles on her way to an important dance. The free performances are set for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 9 at Carbondale Community Arts ArtSpace Gallery. The 50-minute one-act opera blends exquisite music with hilarious stage action, while the art gallery setting provides a relaxing element to the evening. No prior registration is required. Choreographed and performed by students As the premiere work for Italian-American composer and librettist, Gian Carlo Menotti, Amelia Goes to the Ball has received notable attention over the years. Now, graduate and undergraduate students in SIUs Opera Ensemble class are gearing up to present a lively rendition of the classic performance. The upcoming performance, directed by David Dillard, associate professor in voice and voice area coordinator, features an all-student cast and choreography group. Accompanying the piece is Anita Hutton, SIU graduate and former campus staff member. The Opera Ensemble serves as a required class for graduate students working towards a voice performance degree. However, the class and upcoming show also features undergraduate students from both music and non-music degree. While Amelia Goes to the Ball is the only show of the semester, students are using it as a springboard for the annual Southern Illinois Music Festivals operatic performances in June. Partnering with Carbondale Community Arts As a partner in the performance, Carbondale Community Arts is also hosting a national ceramics exhibition that overlaps with the upcoming show. Audience members can show up a little early for the opera, have a glass of wine, check out the exhibition, and settle in for the fun, 50-minute performance, Dillard explained. I love the idea of combining art and music, and then hosting an opera, all in an unconventional space like an art gallery, Dillard said. The space has an openness and the boundary between stage and audience is more fluid. For Brianna Sitton, music vocal performance student, community involvement is vital to keep shows like this alive. This performance is perfect for the community because it keeps people entertained and impacted by the music, while also supporting the arts, Sitton explained. Four Mount St. Marys University seniors have been named semifinalists for the prestigious and highly competitive 2019-20 Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Elizabeth Boyle, Kate Heintzelman, Elizabeth OHare and Stephen Thomson are one step away from attaining a grant, which would allow them to continue their academic pursuits in the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Poland and Costa Rica, respectively. Attainment of semi-finalist status speaks to the quality of our students and their ability to compete on the national stage, said Christine Blackshaw, Ph.D., competitive fellowships associate director and associate professor of Spanish at Mount St. Marys. Through Fulbright, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture and learn more about themselves as individuals before taking the next step after graduation. Heintzelman, OHare and Thomson applied for English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs and Boyle applied for a Research/Study Grant through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to provide research, study and teaching opportunities through grants in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. The ETA programs enable award winners to join local English teachers in their respective countries to provide assistance through teaching the English language as well as communicating and representing American culture. The Research/Study Grant allows recent college graduates and young professionals to develop and execute a unique research project for a specific country. Jamie Gianoutsos, Ph.D., competitive fellowships director and assistant professor of history, noted that four Mount St. Marys students have been awarded Fulbright ETA grants since 2015. Alyse Sphiehler, C17, taught English on her Fulbright fellowship in Altacomulco, Mexico, last year. Two other 2017 graduates were awarded ETA grants to Kazakhstan and Argentina but declined them to pursue other studies. Brigid Flay is pursuing an MA at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies, where she is studying international trade and economic diplomacy, and Samantha Solis is earning a Ph.D. in English at UCLA, with a focus on contemporary American literature and Latin literature. John-Paul Heil, C15, a finalist for the Fulbright ETA to Italy in 2015, declined the award to pursue his doctorate in history at the University of Chicago. The Competitive Fellowships Committee, comprised of Gianoutsos, Blackshaw, Thane Naberhaus, Ph.D., and Garth Patterson, Ph.D., oversaw these applications and conducted the Fulbright on-campus interviews. According to Fulbright, applicants who reach this stage will be notified if they have been selected, designated as an alternate or not selected between early March and late May, with dates to vary by country. Elizabeth Boyle, C19, an honors student and Founders Scholar, participated in the US-UK Fulbright Summer Institute at the University of Bristol for four weeks in the summer of 2017, studying the transatlantic slave trade and Bristols Atlantic history. Through a Research/Study Grant, Boyle would build on this work by completing the international slavery studies masters degree at the University of Liverpool and volunteering at the International Slavery Museum. Through coursework and through volunteering at the museum, I hope to contribute to ongoing discussions about the legacy of racial slavery in Britain and America, said Boyle, who has completed six internships during her four years at the Mount, including summers at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Summer Institute for the Gifted. A history major with minors in education, African and African American studies and political science, Boyle plans to fulfill her desire to educate the public about slavery and its continued global legacies by pursuing a career as a historical scholar of the Atlantic slave trade in a university or museum setting. She plans to continue her studies by earning a Ph.D. in history or an MA in public humanities. She is grateful for the professors and museum administrator who wrote recommendation letters for her: Tim Fritz, Ph.D., Jamie Gianoutsos, Ph.D., and Amy Weinstein from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Kaitlyn Heintzelman, C19, also an honors student, is a triple major in English, French and theology as well as editor of Moorings, the Mounts literary journal. The Luxembourg ETA appeals to Heintzelman because of the countrys diverse community and generosity in accepting Syrian refugees. By witnessing a society that treats foreigners as neighbors, I desire to understand Luxembourg, its struggles and successes, and to better understand my own countryand why we follow admirable ideals, but have trouble executing those ideals, said Heintzelman, who noted that teaching English to Luxembourg students is the ideal way to experience the countrys multilingual and cosmopolitan culture. Serving as an ETA would help Heintzelman develop her teaching and language skills before she pursues graduate studies in French literature and becomes a French professor. She has tutored peers in French for two years at the Mount and possesses TEFL certification through CIEE. She spent a semester studying in Dublin, Ireland, and more than a month studying in France in the summer before her sophomore year. Heintzelman is thankful for the professors who wrote her recommendations: Ed Egan, Ph.D., Sean Lewis, Ph.D., and Marco Roman, Ph.D. Elizabeth OHare, C19, a biochemistry and biology major and an honors student, seeks to assist in teaching English for science students at the university or scientific institute level in Poland. My experience in the laboratory at Hopkins this summer, where I worked alongside scientists from diverse international backgrounds, helped me realize the necessary correlation between scientific exchange and English language acquisition, said OHare, who is completing TEFL certification and has volunteered in Chile and Cambodia. Many of these talented scientists struggled to communicate because they were not afforded adequate prior opportunities to study English, something that made our shared work challenging at times, even when our common scientific interests enabled us to overcome these linguistic and cultural barriers. A leader in Mount Students for Life and previously in the Mounts Health Professions Club, OHare seeks to devote her life to serving children and plans to pursue a graduate degree in the sciences or attend a school for medicine or midwifery to complete studies in pediatric or obstetric medicine. OHare is grateful for Katie Dye, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, Kristin Sites, assistant director of learning services, and Eric Jelin, MD, of Johns Hopkins University for writing recommendation letters. Stephen Thomson, C19, an international studies major with Spanish and political science minors, was inspired to apply for the Costa Rica Teaching Assistant award by the demand that he saw for English instruction when he worked and volunteered in the country in the summer of 2018. My passion for teaching English in Costa Rica stems from friendships forged within the country and from my firm belief that education is the key to global economic development, a view I have developed through studying international relations, economics and the Spanish language in college, Thomson said. Thomson, who plans to become an international development policymaker focused on Latin America, began studying Spanish at the elementary (100) level at the Mount and achieved advanced proficiency in three years through his coursework and hard work. As someone who learned Spanish in college without any prior experience, I will bring to the classroom empathy for those struggling to study English in the college setting and seek to establish a hospitable environment, said Thomson, who earned TEFL certification through CIEE. Having seen impoverished areas of several Costa Rican communities, Thomson, an honors student and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, would also engage in communal efforts to alleviate poverty, help provide children opportunities and skills for development and strengthen connections he has with organizations in the country. Thomson appreciates the recommendation letters that Amanda Beal, Ph.D., Diana Rodriguez-Lozano, Ph.D., and Jennifer Soto wrote for him. For more information on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, visit us.fulbrightonline.org. On Jan. 17 a car bomb exploded in the General Santander police academy in south Bogota, killing 21 police officers and injuring 68 more plus the perpetrator. The National Liberation Army, or ELN, guerrilla group claimed responsibility for the attack four days later. Recently inaugurated President Ivan Duque Marquez (2018-2022) effectively ended the already-suspended peace talks with the ELNColombias largest remaining guerilla organizationthe day after the bombing and demanded the arrest of the guerrillas negotiating team in Cuba. This bombing attack was Bogotas most lethal since 2003 and the third most lethal in the citys violence ridden history. In effect, it underscored the ongoing resurgence of guerrilla violence in the country despite the demobilization of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, or FARC, in November 2016 via the peace accords struck with the previous government of Juan Manual Santos (2010-2014; 2014-18) Background of the Peace Accord Following two years of secret, behind-the-scenes discussions (2010-12) and four years of formal negotiations in Havana, Cuba (2012-2016), the government of former President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC-EP (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia Ejercito Popular) signed an historic peace agreement on Aug. 24, 2016 that promised to put an end to Colombias 52-year old armed conflict (1964 - 2016). As of year-end 2016, the countrys brutal internal war had left some 220,000 dead, 25,000 disappeared, and 5.7 million displaced Colombians. It had also cost the Colombian economy an estimated average of 1-2 percent of GDP growth over the previous half century. The Santos-FARC peace accord included five key elements: 1. Future political participation of FARC members; 2. FARC rebels reintegration into civilian life; 3. Illegal crop eradication and rural development programs; 4. Transitional justice and victim reparations; and 5. FARC demobilization anddisarmament and implementation of the peace deal. This historic agreement was initially rejected by a razor-thin margin of less than 1 percent of Colombian voters in a public plebiscite that took place on Oct. 2, 2016. The Santos government and most international observers were openly shocked by the intensity of the opposition to the agreement (led by former President Alvaro Uribe Velez) and by the Colombian voting publics unexpected, narrow defeat of the accord at the polls. Over the next two months the Santos government hurriedly introduced a number of modest modifications to the original agreement and the Colombian Congress then approved the revised version on Dec. 16, 2016. During the first eight months of 2017 (January-August), implementation of the final peace agreement in Colombia showed some important signs of progress, especially with regard to the FARCs demobilization and disarmament. According to United Nations monitors, the disarmament and demobilization of the FARC combatants as stipulated in the accord was finally completed in July 2017, only a few months behind schedule. Some 6,900 FARC members were relocated to the 20 Transitional Local Zones for Normalization and six Transitional Local Points for Normalization. In practice, FARC combatants surrendered 7,132 arms to the UN verification mission more per demobilized member than in any other previous disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) process in the world. After the FARC completed their weapons handover in June 2016, the U.N. Mission in Colombia has worked to extract weapons and explosives located in 779 hiding spots with the help of FARC members and the police force, but skeptics remain unconvinced. Indeed, prominent critics of the Santos peace deal have repeatedly expressed suspicions that the FARC leadership has held back substantial caches of arms that they believe remain hidden around the Colombian countryside. Implementation Problems (January 2017-August 2018) While the initial success of the demobilization and disarmament process during the first six months of implementation of the accord unquestionably constituted a major initial achievement for the Santos government, as of Aug. 7, 2018, at the end of the second Santos presidency, there were ominous indications that other key aspects of accord implementation were not going well. Among the most significant of these looming challenges were: 1. The Colombian states incapacity to deliver promised services and facilities in the demobilization zones; 2. The Colombian governments inability to provide credible security guarantees to the demobilized and disarmed FARC; 3 The Santos governments difficulties in financing its multiple commitments to the FARC regarding income subsidies, training, job creation, and access to land and credit ; 4. The inability of the Santos government to control the upsurge in illicit drug production and trafficking and related violence in the countryside; and 5. The possibility that the 2018 Colombian presidential election would bring to office a new Colombian president opposed to the Santos-FARC accord who might seek to dismantle significant parts of the agreement. Alalmost 7,000 former FARC fighters initially demobilized in 2017-2018, although some FARC combatants did refuse to accept the agreement or to demobilize. Those FARC members, especially key commanders, suspected of war crimes are presently waiting for their cases to be processed by transitional courts, which have moved very slowly. Most rank-and-file FARC fighters had already been granted amnesty by August 2018. Nonetheless, there were clear signs in late 2017 and early 2018 of dissidence among at least six FARC fronts or units and their commanders, especially in coca-growing regions, that decline to accept the Santos governments peace proposal or to lay down their arms. In July 2017 one of the dissident fronts attacked a Colombian military patrol, wounding two soldiers and injuring four civilians. Evidence from Colombias previous armed group demobilizations suggests that a 15 percent to 20 percent FARC recidivism rate over the first five years of the accords implementation is entirely predictable. Negotiations with the ELN began in Quito, Ecuador, in March 2017. A major initial goal was to obtain a bilateral ceasefire agreement before Pope Franciss scheduled visit to Colombia in September 2017. A temporary cease-fire was achieved, but because the ELN doggedly demanded that the Santos government agree to end hostilities before a final peace accord could be completed, the ELN's attacks on Colombian civilians and security forces alike never stopped. Indeed, in violent incidents in July and August 2017, several Colombian soldiers were ambushed and killed. The ELNs refusal to halt kidnappings in advance of a truce has led to suspensions of the talks on several occasions. For its part, the Santos government continued and even intensified military operations against the ELN. As a result, violent confrontations with the ELN continued while negotiations proceeded only very slowly. Meanwhile, the ELN has moved rapidly to replace the FARC as one of the key actors in Colombia's continuously expanding illicit drug trade and also seized control of lucrative illegal gold mining operations in various rural areas. Rather than renounce these revenue sources as on-again, off-again negotiations plodded along, the ELN instead sought to consolidate and even expand its operations in key sectors of Colombias criminal economy, greatly exacerbating rural insecurity around the country. In 2016 during his last full year in office, President Obama pledged $450 million annually from the U.S. government in support of the Colombian peace accord over ten years for a total U.S. aid package of $4.5 billion. Following the U.S. lead, the European Union and various countries on a bilateral basis also pledged economic and technical support for the peace process. In all, the Santos government was hoping for roughly 20 percent of the estimated $45 billion that will be needed to fund the first ten years of the peace accord to come from foreign assistance. That foreign aid in such amounts will ever actually materialize is highly doubtful. The Trump administration backed away from Obamas aid commitment to Colombia in 2017-18. For FY 2019 Trump has promised the Duque government $391 million, none of which can be used to finance the peace process with the FARC or the ELN. Indeed, recent statements from William Brownfield, a former U.S. Ambassador to Colombia and current high-level State Department appointee, have tied any future U.S. assistance to more effective Colombian government coca eradication programs, including the renewal of aerial spraying of coca fields - a program abandoned by the Santos government almost three years ago as a result of World Health Organization (WHO) warnings that glyphosate spraying could cause cancer in affected human populations. European Union and other bilateral foreign aid promises have also been cut back as a result of slow economic growth in Europe, human rights concerns, and other problems. Former President Juan Manuel Santos won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for his efforts to bring Colombias half century-long civil war to an end. Despite his historic peace deal and the resulting Nobel Prize, however, throughout his second term (2014-18) his popularity remained very low, holding consistently at just a 24 percent approval and sometimes dipping below 20 percent. Clearly, Santoss negotiations and agreements with the FARC were one major factor behind his high disapproval rates. Many Colombians believed that his concessions to the FARC, such as allowing the FARC to avoid prison time, were far too lenient. Moreover, many continued to view his leniency as a threat to Colombias democratic institutions. Widespread resentments of the generous monthly government stipends extended by Santos to the demobilized FARC combatants (nearly equal to Colombias minimum wage for a two-year period) and the one-time payment of $2,500 to be used for economic pursuits such as starting a farm or other business, certainly contributed decisively to Santos declining popularity. Former President Uribe and his Uribista followers, in particular, were highly skeptical of the FARCs sincerity and trustworthiness and extremely doubtful of the FARCs ultimate reintegration into society through the political process. Other Santos critics disapproved of his overall policy agenda, contending that his myopic focus on peace with the FARC had caused him to overlook or ignore other key issues of greater importance to the country as a whole, such as the economys poor performance, high unemployment, growing inequality, excessive taxation, pension reform, among many other knotty issues. In 2017, just 5 percent of Colombians believe that the FARC and ELN were the most important problem in the country, while 63 percent of Colombians believe unemployment, healthcare, and corruption should be the top priorities, followed by issues such as poverty and petty crime. President Santos finished his second term in office on Aug. 7, 2018. His low approval rating, the countrys mounting economic difficulties, and the relentless attacks of his political opponents (especially former President Uribe) on the errors and mistakes of the Santos-FARC peace agreements were key reasons that brought Santos political opponents and President Duque to power in 2018. Colombia was almost evenly divided between support for and opposition to the Santos-FARC peace accords as of mid-2018. The victory of the anti-Santista candidate Duque did, therefore, quite rapidly lead to the undermining of the peace process and its virtual collapse by the end of 2018. Not only has the Santos-FARC peace accord unraveled, but President Duques suspension of any negotiations with the ELN until they completely halt all military operations against the Colombian government (which they continue to refuse to do) essentially terminated the peace negotiations with the ELN, and brought on the deadly car bombing in Bogota on January 17. The precise consequences of President Duques partial dismantling the Santos-FARC accord and his refusal to deal with the ELN at all are, of course, unknowable at this juncture, but there can be little doubt that the country is likely to experience a return to violent conflict as the ELN steps up its guerrilla war and disillusioned FARC members revert once again to armed conflict (perhaps rejoining the FARC dissidents who remained outside the Santos-FARC deal) or filling the ranks of Colombias burgeoning organized criminal groups. Bruce Bagley is a professor in the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences Department of International Studies. For his discovery that propelled the mass production of explosives and poison gas, killing millions of people in two world wars, Fritz Haber is often called the father of chemical warfare. But the process the German chemist invented to synthesize ammonia out of thin air also gave rise to a commercial product that continues to save millions more people around the globe from starvation: fertilizer. A century after Haber was awarded the 1918 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for fixing or converting atmospheric nitrogen from a gas into ammonium nitrate, the most common agriculture fertilizer in use today, two University of Miami chemists hope to modify a step in the Haber process with a more efficient and environmentally friendly method that could revolutionize the production of fertilizer. Im from Missouri, the show-me state, and we havent shown a lot yet, but if this thing works, it will be a very big deal, said Carl Hoff, professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences. Right now, the fertilizer industry spends a lot of money and energy to get rid of nitrous oxide, a toxic waste byproduct of fertilizer production. What were trying to do is take the waste and convert it to more fertilizer, which will save a lot of money and energy and ultimately contribute to a cleaner environment. Hoff and Burjor Captain, associate professor of chemistry, were recently awarded a $425,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Basic Energy Sciences to test their idea for cleaning up the production of fertilizer. With graduate students Jack Davis, Mohan Gamage, Leonardo Serafim, and Musa Ahmadi, they are trying to create a new chemical reaction that will convert nitrous oxides into nitric acid, the basic raw material used in fertilizer production. From left are graduate students Mohan Gamage, Jack Davis, and Leonardo Serafim, associate professor Burjor Captain, professor Carl Hoff, and graduate student Musa Ahmadi. Photo by TJ Lievonen Their goal is to develop a cleaner alternative to the Ostwald process, which in tandem with the Haber process, manufacturers have relied on for decades to produce the fertilizer needed to feed half of the worlds population. They use the Haber process to synthesize ammonia, the requisite raw material for both fertilizers and explosives, from hydrogen and nitrogen. Then they employ the Ostwald process which, patented by fellow German chemist Wilhelm Ostwald, neutralizes ammonia to make nitric acid, the main raw material for the most common type of fertilizer. But as Hoff and Captain note, the high-temperature, high-pressure Ostwald process is wasteful and dirty. It produces nitric acid by burning half the ammonia produced in the Haber process, usually with coal, and leaves behind nitrous oxide, the toxic byproduct commonly known as laughing gas. Laughing gas is no laughing matter. People make a big deal about carbon dioxide and methane, but nitrous oxide is the pollutant of the future, Captain said. It is 300 times as bad as carbon dioxide and when you produce fertilizer you produce nitrous oxide and spend a lot of money and energy to decompose it. The question is: can we clean up the nitrous oxide and convert it to nitric acid? In theory, the answer is yes. Now Hoffs and Captains labs are trying to put the theory into practice by developing a metal catalyst capable of producing nitrates directly from the nitrogen in nitrous oxide. The painstaking process involves making new compounds and testing how they react with nitrous oxide. If they succeed, they will do something akin to what bacteria in the roots of certain plants do naturally, which is to fix or catch nitrogen gas from the air to produce ammonia, the building blocks for proteins in animal muscle tissue. But plants cant produce ammonia on a large, industrial scale, and neither could humans until 1913, after Haber developed the process for using a transition metal catalyst, iron, under high temperatures and pressures to convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia by a reaction with hyrogen. His discovery, which provided Germany a desperately needed source of ammonia for the production of explosives, is credited with prolonging World War I by four years. At the time, Germany was running out of gun powder and, due to a British naval blockade that cut off the supply of nitrates, was facing almost instant defeat. Today, a century after Haber won the Nobel prize in chemistry for, in essence, mimicking Mother Nature and enabling the mass production of agricultural fertilizers, chemists like Hoff are largely giving up on improving his process, and focusing on the Ostwald process instead. People have tried for 100 years now to improve on what Haber discovered at the onset of World War I, Hoff said. But, just like the automobile, a lot of improvements have been made, but at its core, the Haber process is basically the same. Haber may be reviled for creating weapons that killed millions, but without his contribution to the artificial production of fertilizer, the world would be facing mass starvation. EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn held a number of meetings during his visit to Armenia. Hahn met with President Armen Sarkissian, PM Nikol Pashinyan, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and civil society representatives. Hahn said he had an open and forward looking exchange with PM Pashinyan and reassured Armenia can count on EU support. Speaking during a press conference, Hahn emphasized European Commission is positive about liberalization of visa requirements for Armenia, hailed Armenia-Azerbaijan meetings and congratulated the Armenian people on holding transparent elections. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday will receive visiting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, the Embassy of Germany in Yerevan said. Next, a conversation is scheduled within the framework of a dinner, during which Federal Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister Pashinyan will exchange views on bilateral and economic relations as well as matters of foreign and security policy, the German embassy said. man with an axe broke out into one of the branches of VTB bank in Yerevan on Tuesday afternoon. The man neither managed to grab money, nor to put forward any demands. According to police, he was neutralized and detained. The attacker was identified as 33-year-old Hrachik Umurshadyan who holds the citizenship of Armenia and Georgia. The same branch of VTB bank was attacked in February 2018 when two men managed to steal around 8.5 million drams. The Criminal Court of Appeal of Armenia on Tuesday denied the appeal which the attorney generals office had filed, and upheld the first instance court decision to deny the Special Investigation Service (SIS) petition that former Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan be remanded in custody. Gevorgyan is charged with taking a bribe, committing very large-scale money laundering, and aiding in breaching Armenias constitutional order. One person was killed and geiht others were injured after shots were fired Tuesday at a restaurant belonging to a former Armenian MP. Police received a call from several hospitals in Abovyan town and capital city Yerevan that they had admitted a number of people with gunshot wounds and physical injuries, as well as a person who was dead. Some relatives of former lawmaker M. Martirosyan are among the injured. Armenias investigative committee said one person was detained in connection with the incident. YEREVAN.- The President of the Armenian National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Armenia Judith Farnworth, the Parliament reported. Welcoming the guest, Ararat Mirzoyan highly assessed the current level of the two countries relations, in that issue highlighting the Ambassadors role. Touching upon the further deepening and development of the Armenian-British ties, the President of the National Assembly particularly underlined the active cooperation and mutual visits of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups. Ararat Mirzoyan has expressed conviction that that there are all bases for effective cooperation between the delegations of the two countries on the international parliamentary platforms. Congratulating Ararat Mirzoyan on being elected Head of the parliament, Ambassador Judith Farnworth highlighted the free, fair and transparent elections held in Armenia. Judith Farnworth has noted that the United Kingdom has great experience of parliamentary government and can support Armenia in law-making activity, the development of oversight mechanisms and strengthening of democracy. Speaking about the programmes aimed at the development of the institutional capabilities of the RA National Assembly, the Ambassador expressed readiness for active cooperation. Touching upon the parliamentary diplomacy, Mrs Farnworth emphasized the activation of the Friendship Groups cooperation and its strengthening in multilateral formats. The interlocutors also touched upon the possibilities of bilateral cooperation within the format of the European larger family and Armenia-European Union Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Ardshinbank has signed a $35 million one-year Club Trade Finance Facility arranged by Citi with Asian Development Bank (ADB). This is the second Club deal between Ardshinbank (Bank), Citi and ADB, which clearly indicates the success of previous loan and matured partnership. Proceeds of this facility will strengthen the ability of Ardshinbank to provide trade financing to support entrepreneurs in Armenia and increase their access to international trade. We are proud to have built such a successful relationship with Citi and ADB, Ardshinbanks long standing partners. This facility will help Ardshinbank to further strengthen its leading position in the supporting of international trade finance projects. said Artak Ananyan, Ardshinbanks Chief Executive Officer. The funding is very important not only for Ardshinbank, but also for our clients in various sectors of the economy, boosting job-creation and long lasting benefits for them. By delivering this trade finance facility to one of the leading Financial Institutions in Armenia, Citi has underlined its commitment to support growth in key developing markets said Chafic Haddad, EMEA Head of Financial Institutions and Correspondent Banking, Treasury and Trade Solutions at Citi. "We are proud of our long standing relationship with Ardshinbank CJSC and the Armenian banking sector as a whole. ADB is delighted to be part of this transaction with Ardshinbank and Citi, said Nana Khurodze, Relationship Manager at ADB. Through this facility, Ardshinbank will be able to grow its trade finance operations to support more importing and exporting companies, including small and medium-sized businesses. This will support growth and job creation in Armenia. ADB's TFP in Armenia has supported over $170.56 million in trade through 601 transactions since 2012, 45% of which have been SME-related deals. About Ardshinbank Ardshinbank is a leading Armenian bank with a wide sales network comprising of 63 branches. It offers a broad range of services to corporations, SMEs, and individuals. It is the only private entity in Armenia that has issued euro bonds in international capital markets and has assigned ratings from two international major rating agencies (Moodys and Fitch) equal to the rating of sovereign. The Banker, a publication owned by the Financial Times Group, named Ardshinbank as Bank of the Year in Armenia for 2018. To learn more about the Bank, visit https://www.ardshinbank.am/en or call 012 22-22-22. About Citi Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com. About Asian Development Bank ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members48 from the region. The Trade Finance Program (TFP), backed by ADB's AAA credit rating, provides guarantees and loans to over 200 partner banks to support trade, enabling more companies throughout Asia to engage in import and export activities. With dedicated trade finance specialists and a 24-hour response time, the program has established itself as a key partner in the international trade community, providing fast, reliable, and responsive support to fill gaps in the regions most challenging markets. Since 2009, TFP has supported more than 15,400 small and medium-sized businesses across developing Asiathrough over 21,000 transactions valued at over $36 billionin sectors ranging from commodities and capital goods, to medical supplies and consumer goods. For more information, visit the TFP website: http://www.adb.org/tfp. Protests held in Toronto: People demand immediate release of Armenian POWs US and Turkish defense ministers discuss Afghanistan Armenia "I Have the Honor" bloc candidate for PM: Authorities are in agony Armenia snap parliamentary election voter turnout 12.2% as of 11am Brazil reaches 500,000 COVID-19 deaths Armenia acting PM comes to election precinct with his family Searches of Armenia bloc in Sisian is an unprecedented disgrace "Armenia" bloc: Never before in countrys history has there been such irregularity in electoral process Armenian Ombudsman conducts independent monitoring of electoral process from early morning Searches being carried out in headquarters and houses of Armenia bloc heads Armenia 2nd President on their chances of winning election: Do you doubt? (PHOTOS) Bright Armenia Party leader: Force that will buy votes is force of Ilham Aliyev Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Well consider it being done by authorities if police dont find criminals soo UAE will ban travelers from 3 countries from entering country Shooting occurs outside Armenia village polling station Armenia ex-ruling party official: I receive information on use of administrative resources, directives at military units Armenia President votes in snap parliamentary elections Armenian CEC reports breaches of violation during day of election silence Armenia central election commission chief: 1,996 polling stations have opened CEC Secretary presents voting procedure: Voter must take all ballots Report: Armenia parliament deputy speaker greets voters, speaks with them at election precinct entrance World's tallest hotel with restaurant opens in Shanghai Armenia village election precinct commissions ruling party member chairman takes stamp home with him in evening Bright Armenia Party leader: I petitioned to Prosecutor General to launch criminal cases, declare wanted Armenia lawyer Vardevanyan: Armen Charchyan will be released in few minutes Snap parliamentary elections are held in Armenia 168.am: Armenia judge is abducted, kept at National Security Service 2 people killed in plane crash in France Yerevan court examining appeal of hospital director, MP candidates arrest Armenia "I Have the Honor" bloc member: Bloc's MP candidate has been detained "Armenia" bloc on acting PM's Facebook live: This was direct campaigning using administrative levers Armenia legislature chair meets with CIS Interparliamentary Assembly election observation mission delegation Armenia parliament speaker receives CSTO PA observation mission Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Karabakh emergency service: 1 more body found during search operations Ruben Vardanyan is granted Armenia citizenship Vanetsyan: Armenia law enforcement started terrorism against "I Have the Honor" bloc since early morning Armenia ex-PM Karen Karapetyan is spotted leaving Armenia bloc headquarters Russia government to fund UNDP project to rehabilitate most affected regions of Armenia About 50 foreign media outlets are accredited to cover Armenia snap elections Acting PM: Winner of snap parliamentary elections shall be Armenia citizen 3 Iran presidential candidates already congratulate Raeisi on election victory Materials being prepared on taking mental health center patients to Armenia ruling party election campaign rally Psaki: Idea about holding back US military aid to Ukraine is nonsense Nine killed in Russia plane crash Search for soldiers remains continues Saturday in Artsakh Total number of voters in Armenia voter register is 2,578,678 President to Armenia voters: Vote fairly, freely, according to your conscience only Biden to be denied of Communion for supporting right to abortion? Director of cultural center of Armenias Goris is remanded in custody 81 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia civil society organizations issue statement-call Iran, IAEA discuss nuclear deal latest developments Iran presidential election voting extended until 2am US is pulling some of its military equipment from Middle East EU sets out potential criteria for sanctions against Lebanon politicians Prosecutor submits petition to Armenia Central Electoral Commission to consent to arresting MP candidate China considering lifting all childbirth restrictions Statue of country's first PM is removed in Canada Macron urges EU to work out common rules in relations with Russia COVID-19 delta variant becoming globally dominant, says WHO official Armenia 3rd President: We will set up committee to lead probe into 44-day Artsakh war after coming to power 10-year-old boy from Armenia's Hrazdan hits fence with quadricycle, transferred to hospital with passenger 5 Karabakh residents, including children injured after major car accident in Armenia's Syunik Campaign in Armenia is over Members of "5165" Movement political party visit Armenia's Gyumri and Etchmiadzin Robert Kocharyan: We'll do everything possible to meet expectations and build Armenia of our dreams Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin calls for release of head of Izmirlian Medical Center Opposition party leader: There are 270,000 unemployed people in Armenia Flights to and from Russia and Armenia to resume on June 28 Mandate of Armenia ruling party's ex-MP transferred to next candidate on list "Armenia" bloc's march ends in Yerevan "Armenia" bloc holding march after rally at Republic Square in Yerevan Bus traveling from Artsakh to Yerevan gets into car accident, passenger in extremely critical condition Opposition party leader: If Armenia doesn't take a full step now, it will lose Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces ARF-D member: On behalf of young soldiers saved by Armen Charchyan, we demand his immediate release Searches for remains of Armenian servicemen in Hadrut fruitless Armenia 1st President: If elections are held normally, my political party will have seats in parliament Armenia 1st President: If my proposal was accepted, Pashinyan would escape in 1-2 weeks "Armenia" bloc member: Director of Izmirlian Medical Center Armen Charchyan has been detained Bright Armenia Party holds march of solidarity in Yerevan Armenia 1st President: There will be clashes after the elections Construction underway at new residence in Karabakh's Astghashen area (PHOTOS) Soldiers bodies found in Artsakh, campaign for Armenian snap elections is over, Jun 18 digest Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff deputy chief visits MOD central recruitment station Armenia Penitentiary Service: Officers not involved in any political process Armenia MFA issues statement on inadmissibility of false charges against Armenian POWs and captured civilians Participants of "Armenia" bloc's rally heading to Republic Square in Yerevan "Armenia" bloc's rally kicks off in Yerevan (PHOTOS) Armenia "I Have the Honor" bloc member on their snap election hope: We have stable double-digit 3rd place Armenia Election Rights Watch: Some citizens attended acting PM's rally with hammers Armenia State Revenue Committee, IMF agree to continue cooperation to improve tax and customs laws One dollar drops below AMD 514 in Armenia Armenia "I Have the Honor" bloc leader: Lets choose peaceful work! Tashir company says Azerbaijan accusations against their Russian Armenian chairman are absurd Armenia ex-premier: Russians closed airspace during Artsakh war on regular basis Policemen summoning "Armenia" bloc's supporters to police stations and threatening them Nearly 47 Diaspora Armenian organizations call on voting for "Armenia" bloc during elections Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan on snap parliamentary elections: June 20 is crucial day Chinese Ambassador: China-Armenia economic relations have only intensified and achieved significant results The former CEO of coffee chain Starbucks has said he is "seriously considering" running for president, BBC reported. Howard Schultz, who stepped down as the firm's boss last year, says he is considering running as a centrist independent candidate in 2020. In a series of tweets, he said the current two political parties in the US were "more divided than ever". "Let's discuss how we can come together to create opportunities for more people," he posted. During an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes programme, Mr Schultz said he had been a "lifelong Democrat" but criticised the current two-party dominated system. "We're living at a most-fragile time not only the fact that this president is not qualified to be the president, but the fact that both parties are consistently not doing what's necessary on behalf of the American people and are engaged, every single day, in revenge politics," he said. I am responding to Stuart Smiths letter Accusations without evidence," (Jan. 19) which was a response to Mark Smithers letter: Climate and environmental downside of vineyards." Smith argues well in favor of critical thinking, facts and science. He says the river is cleaner today than at any time in the past 60 years... and quotes the California Regional Water Quality Control Board about its delisting of the Napa River as impaired because of nutrients. Very well. However, Smith omits an important fact. The Water Board lists the Napa River and its tributaries as impaired because of sediment. I emailed the Board to verify whether or not this is still in effect. They responded: The sediment impaired (status) remains in place. As to evidence of the cause of sedimentation, the Napa River Sediment TMDL and Habitat Enhancement Plan, 2009 identifies channel incision and associated bank erosion as a cause. The plan states: More than half of all sedimentcomes from roads, erosion of the bed and banks, vineyards and intensive historical grazing. It was likely no accident these threats came just after Newsoms speech. But Newsom showed no signs of being cowed. He quickly tweeted that Trumps threats were partisan bickeringPres. Trumps go-to is governing by fear and division, then blasted Trump over the border wall and the partial federal government closure. A few days later, he defied federal authorities by inviting federal airport security employees going broke in the federal government shutdown to apply for state unemployment benefits. Trump also drew fire for his threats from California Republican politicians in areas affected by last falls big fires. Said Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley of Rocklin, FEMA funds must not become bargaining chips in political arguments. Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher, who represents the devastated Paradise, called Trumps threats wholly unacceptable. But Trump buddy and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield said nothing, even though his district includes the fragile Lake Isabella dam that would not get needed repairs under Trumps border wall scenario. Newsom apparently feels he has little to lose and a lot to gain from Trump threats as he carves out a more and more visible slot at the head of the resisters. He could be setting himself up for a possible run of his own for president. But that can work out only if he also leads successfully and quickly on items like the potential breakup of Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. He is author of the book, The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It. Passed away at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo on January 23. He was born to Harry and Kathleen (Baxter) Behlmer in Brooklyn, New York in 1934, where he lived until joining the US Navy in January, 1952. During his tour of duty he served on the USS Midway on its first around-the-world tour. He was a fireman for the Merrick Volunteer Fire Department in New York and worked for a fire and safety distributorship for 25 years. He moved to the Napa Valley in the late 1980s. He particularly enjoyed woodworking, taking his work to many craft fairs. Tuesday, Jan. 22 0210 -- A white lab was seen running across Valley View. 1200 -- An officer had lunch with students on Grayson Avenue. 1227 -- Report of a reckless driver swerving, passing over double yellows, and almost hitting another car head-on on Deer Park Road. Police checked the area. 1258 -- Police cited a car that was parked in the wrong direction at Spring/Money. 1439 -- A caller said there is a dangerous chemical in drinks that a specific wine company is making. She was upset because she was trying to reach the companys CEO and employees kept hanging up on her or cutting her off. The caller was not very clear with information. Police told her that if she wanted to file a police report, she should do so with the sheriffs office, since the wine company is within the countys jurisdiction. 1510 -- Report of a black lab running near Vintage Avenue. 1632 -- Report of two German shepherds running off leash near Hillview Place. Two nearby men appeared to be the owners. The caller said he warned them to leash the dogs or else hed call the police. Mattioli did not respond to a request for comment through her lawyers. Sorensen, Mayor Geoff Ellsworth, City Manager Mark Prestwich and City Attorney Tom Brown declined to comment on pending litigation. That being said I do think its important for our community to remain informed about local government activity and we will endeavor to provide information as soon as we can do so, Ellsworth said. Mattioli began working for the city as an hourly administrative assistant in March 2015. The following October she was promoted to the salaried position of management analyst, and was responsible for managing and directing the administration of the St. Helena Fire Department, including budgeting, contracts and ensuring compliance with policies, regulations and best practices. The lawsuit claims that PCRs had previously been left in areas of the firehouse accessible to all firefighters and members of the public. Following her promotion, Mattioli established a lock box in which firefighters were to deposit PCRs that were generated following an emergency response, the lawsuit claims. Certain firefighters responded to Ms. Mattiolis assertion of her authority with open hostility and disrespect including, among other things, stuffing the lock box with garbage, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit was filed by the McCorkle Eastside Neighborhood Group and St. Helena Residents for an Equitable General Plan. Vickie Bradshaw, speaking on behalf of those groups, said the plaintiffs were disappointed by the ruling and havent decided whether to seek review by the California Supreme Court. A key policy issue learned from this decision is that Council members should not pass resolutions drafted by staff that contain findings on specific issues that the Council was prevented from even discussing, considering, let alone deciding, Bradshaw wrote in a statement. McGrath said he was pleased with the outcome of the case, but there are no winners here. Defending this lawsuit has driven up the cost of the McCorkle project by nearly 15 percent over budget, he wrote in a statement. St. Helena loses, as this lawsuit has deterred, and will continue to deter, other quality developers from building highly-needed, affordable, small, quality infill projects that tuck neatly into neighborhoods. She became friends with the owners of Range Mercantile in St. Helena and ended up working for them. One night during the Cheers event, Steve Becker, a Napa firefighter, walked in and struck up a conversation. The two were instant friends. I told him about my ideas for Calamity Jane, and he was off and running with the idea. Becker was excited about the business, and the two constantly bounced ideas off of each other. After six months, a friend of Beckers said, You know, you talk about Cathy and you guys hang out all the time. Why dont you ask her out? It took Steve about a hot minute to realize that that was a great idea. He proposed in December of 2015 and they married in July of 2016. And thats when the online business started. Next in Beckers sights was a storefront. I put together a business plan for a brick and mortar store and was looking for the perfect space, she said. I wasnt in a hurry. I knew that I would find it eventually, and thats when I would open. Late last year, she drove past The Beaded Nomad and saw a Retirement Sale banner in the window. Q: Im a male program manager in my thirties. I often have to request information from other departments. Recently, I asked Stacey, a female co-worker in her mid-twenties, for some data I needed to publish. Stacey said she would send the information in a couple of days. After a week, I reminded her I was waiting for the data. Finally, two weeks later, I asked Staceys boss if anyone else on the team could provide the information. I mentioned Id already asked Stacey. Hours after I spoke to her boss, Stacey emailed me the data. The next day, she came to my desk and said, You didnt have to go behind my back to my boss. How would you like it if I got you in trouble with your boss? I replied, How would you do that? I didnt do anything wrong. She said, If I told him you sexually harassed me, that would probably get you into some trouble. I was stunned. If I tell my boss or Human Resources what Stacey said, she could just deny it. How am I supposed to work with her if shes the type of person to threaten to get me fired by lying about sexual harassment? What are my options, besides looking for another job? Police must accept there is insecurity ... South African retailer Ackermans recently launched its own cellular brand called Premio. The brand will target the budget smartphone market, and its first premium phone is the Premio X1. The X1 will feature an 8MP/2MP dual-camera, a large display, 2GB RAM, and 16GB storage. The Premio X1 smartphone has all the latest features offering the most value for money for a device in this price category, said Corne van der Merwe, cellular manager at Ackermans. Van der Merwe added that the X1 will feature a bezel-less design and a notch, in accordance with the latest smartphone design trends. The Premio X1 will use Android Go as its operating system, which is a lightweight Android operating system designed for budget smartphones. Ackermans Premio X1 is available for R1,499 in selected stores. Specifications Premio X1 OS Android Go RAM 2GB Storage 16GB Rear camera 8MP + 2MP Front camera 5MP Battery 2,500mAh Price R1,499 Now read: US files criminal charges against Huawei Mustek is well known in South Africa, as one of the largest assemblers and distributors of personal computers and ICT products in the country. Its Mecer brand and Rectron subsidiary are also familiar names in the IT space, and you are likely to have knowingly or unknowingly interacted with their products or services in your lifetime. In its 2018 financial year, the groups revenue reached R5.67 billion showing its size in the market. Back in 1987 Like many success stories, Mustek started out as just an idea and a leap of faith. It was founded by David Kan in 1987, who had just come to South Africa from Taiwan. Before coming to South Africa, Kan did a series of odd jobs growing up. This included being a waiter, a truck driver, and working for a removal company. His first job, however, was washing dishes at 15. I arrived South Africa in 1986 and I was working for a cutlery factory. In 1987, there was the first personal computer exhibition hosted at the Johannesburg Sun, said Kan. Most of the exhibitors were Taiwanese companies. Mustek Corporation was interested to set up a warehouse in South Africa and I made a partnership proposal with Owen Chen MD of Mustek Corporation at the time. Kan said he knew nothing about PCs or how to run a company, as he had never been a boss, but his move was at the perfect time. The global PC industry started to take off in 1987 and Taiwanese companies were the main hardware suppliers to the global market. Being Taiwanese, I certainly took a lot of advantages as a startup. To start the business, he took a loan of $50,000 from Chen and $50,000 from his dad. Since then, we did not introduce more capital into the company, said Kan. Kan added that Mustek Corporation gave his good training, and Chen was his mentor in business. Kan said that those looking to enter the ICT market, and do well, must dedicate themselves to work and lead by example. Making it to the top, however, comes with pressure and Kan said he has many sleepless nights due to the responsibility he holds. Kan is the CEO of Mustek, and Product Manager for the Mecer brand. David Kans tech choices Kan also provided MyBroadband with insight into his tech choices. Which smartphone do you use? Huawei Mate 20. Which laptop do you use? A demo Mecer notebook. What is the best gadget you have ever bought? My smartphone. What is the worst gadget you have ever bought? I am not going to run anyone down. What Internet connection (fixed broadband) do you have at home? MWEB on Openserve. What is the best investment you have ever made? Global Internet Access and Sizwe IT Group. What is the worst investment you have ever made? Mecer Brazil. What is the best business book you have ever read? Who Moved My Cheese? Now read: Meizu launches crazy new smartphone without any ports SABC staff members did not receive their salaries today, which immediately caused speculation that the broadcaster had run out of money. There have been numerous reports that the SABC is in severe financial trouble and that it was almost of out of funds. When asked about why the SABC had not paid staff salaries, which were expected today, and if the broadcaster had run out of money, SABC spokesperson Neo Momodu dismissed the claims. Momodu said a technical error at their bank was to blame for employees not being paid and the SABC had not run out of money. The problem was expected to be resolved within the next few hours, added Momodu. The payments have been made by the SABC to the banks and we expect employees to be paid on 29 January. Validation process To see if Momodu and the SABC were telling the truth about the salary issue, MyBroadband contacted South Africas banks for feedback. Nedbank said the SABCs January 2019 payroll has been impacted due to the payment validation processes put in place between the SABC and Nedbank. This has now been finalised and salaries will be paid to SABC staff this afternoon, 29 January, said Nedbank. Absa stated that as a bank we dont confirm who is or isnt our client. Im afraid this is not a matter we would comment on. A passionate roar of keep public lands in public hands kicked off the rally and Governor Bullock was quick to emphasize both the $7.1 billion boost to the economy from recreation on public lands and 73,000-person workforce that relies on their continued existence. Such an event should appeal to a vast majority of Montana residents, but unfortunately, balance, unity, and a shared love of public lands for all public land users was lost in the fanfare throughout this one-sided affair. The event immediately adopted a partisan tone and built on the politically motivated attacks in the newspapers against Montanas first Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, days earlier. Senator Tester, who supported Zinkes confirmation, was a surprise first speaker and emphatically stated that there are folks that want to sell this (public land). Ryan Busse, formerly of Montana Conservation Voters and current board chair of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, commented that Habitat Montana will be viciously attacked while Maggie Carr, co-chair of Sportsmen and Women for Tester, lamented that she sees threats to public lands and to her livelihood. Governor Bullock continued this sentiment with claims that the attacks are real. The alarmist tactics were put on display for anyone willing to pay attention. A naive onlooker might have walked away with the understanding that only one political party truly loved Montanas great outdoors. Its not safe to be an Indian woman in Montana. These words come as no surprise to many of us. It is our lived experience that Native American women are more likely to go missing, more likely to be murdered, and less likely to have justice in our state. It is our lived experience that when we seek justice for Native women and children who go missing, law enforcement may not take action for weeks if at all. It is devastating. Right now, we are facing an epidemic of missing and murdered women, many of them Native, in the state of Montana. That is why the Indian Caucus is leading the charge in the 2019 Legislative session on passing laws to protect and prioritize missing and murdered Indigenous women. It is a hidden epidemic that has permeated all aspects of our lives. The data and the research on missing and murdered Indigenous women in Montana have been nearly nonexistent. When Native women go missing, the cases are regularly underreported. The lack of reliable data, and the lack of formal studies on violence against women in Indian Country, has made it difficult to address this widespread epidemic. The bill received support in committee Monday from environmental groups that cited the environmental costs of using plastic foam, noting a 2016 study from Saint Louis University that estimated the annual social cost of greenhouse gases emitted during production of Styrofoam at $4.6 billion. Economically speaking, technology change is one of the ways that we can spur growth, said Wyatt Smith of Montana Audubon. And if we continue to maintain a status quo, nothing will change. But the bills passage would require weathering the opposition of the Montana Retail Association, as well as the state and local Chambers of Commerce. Brad Griffin, president of the Montana Retail Association, said a major reason his organization opposes the bill is that it plucks out one use for a broadly used product. As one of my members said, if Styrofoam is so bad, why are they not looking at the thousands of other applications that it is used for? Griffin asked. The simple truth is this: Styrofoam is used because it does its job very well. Griffin and other opponents also noted that many businesses are already moving in the direction of alternatives, making a forced effort at the state level unnecessary. Dennis Okari is moving on swiftly from ex-wife Betty Kyallo after he took the next step towards remarrying over the weekend. The NTV investigative journalist on Saturday proposed to his new catch, identified as Naomi Joy, at Eka Hotel Nairobi at around 9:40 pm. In a heartfelt marriage proposal, Okari said: What I am going to say is not scripted or rehearsed, but it is coming from the bottom of my heart. I have no written speech. I never planned for this but what I know is that this day was ordained by God to be around these lovely people. This is going to be a special day for me and you because you are a loving and God-fearing person, and I know that all the nice things I can get are from you, so today I wanted to just share this special moment. The answer that I will get today will be etched in my memories for as long as I live. I will love you with all the wisdom that God will give me and not just to love you but also to love Him as well and to serve His people. Okari continued: I cant wait to do life with you, and I cant wait to start the journey if only I get the answer that I am expecting. On bent knee and an engagement ring in hand, Okari went ahead to pop the big question. So before all these lovely people, family, friends and our parents here. This ring is just a symbol of my commitment to the covenant that we are going to make in one of these fine days. So I want to ask you, Naomi Joy, with everything that I have and everything that I am, will you marry me? How could she say no! Overwhelmed and moved to tears, Naomi Joy said yes and hugged Dennis Okari. It has taken Dennis Okari well over three years to move on after his first marriage to Betty Kyallo hit rock bottom after only 6 months. After searching Davis and his vehicle, officers found a baggie of meth rocks in his front shirt pocket, along with a small amount of marijuana in his vehicle. Davis was arrested for two counts of possession of dangerous drugs, possession with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and his first DUI two felonies and three misdemeanors. Vape, knife, pipe in school Anaconda police arrested a 14-year-old boy for having two vape pens, vape juice with nicotine, a pocket knife and a suspected marijuana pipe in his locker. According to police, they also found $136 in the boy's Anaconda Junior-Senior High School locker, and believe it may be from selling illegal items. The boy was cited for minor in possession of tobacco and for having a weapon in school. Get out of my car A 27-year-old man was arrested Sunday evening for refusing to get out of another mans car. At 5:42 p.m., police said they were called to the corner just outside of their Uptown station where a man asked for assistance in getting Deavonta Belton out of his vehicle. On Jan. 15 around 8:40 p.m., Lester said a man had reported that a vehicle matching the one Flinn was driving had followed him closely on Harrison Avenue and then to his house on Nevada Street. Lester said the man told police he saw the vehicle go around the corner, then heard what he thought were two gunshots. At the time, police could not confirm or deny this incident, Lester said. Since 2008, Flinn has been arrested and booked in the Detention Center 19 times for various traffic violations and drug-related crimes, Lester said. In total, he was charged with seven felonies and six misdemeanors after Friday nights chase. Lester said police do not know the condition of Flinns passenger, who was transported to St. James Healthcare after the accident. He did say the woman was awake and talking with the officers at the scene. Love 0 Funny 6 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 10 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Red Hat dinner set for Feb. 5 The Gal us Frame Gals will have a Red Hat dinner Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Montana Rib and Chop House. The cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m.; dinner is at 6. Reservations are due by Friday, Feb 1, at 406-494-4879 or 406-494-4188. Talk set on stigmas, suicide prevention Sarah Keller, a professor of communication and theater at Montana State University-Billings, will give a talk titled Narrative Storytelling for Suicide Prevention: An Example from the Montana Lets Talk Campaign, at the Cafe Scientifique at Montana Tech at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Montana Tech. Keller will discuss how two ethnically diverse community theater programs were formed to analyze differences in how white adolescents and young adults from Eastern Montana and those who are Native American experience stigmas that affect their seeking help for suicidal thoughts and experiences. Understanding the cultural basis for such stigmas is needed to create educational programs for reducing the stigmas and suicide, she says. For a complete Montana Tech Public Lecture Series schedule, visitwww.mtech.edu/academics/public-lecture-series Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 According to Loves own plans, some road work will be needed on Miles Crossing, the I-90 frontage road that becomes Nissler Road. But there might be more work involved. The Montana Department of Transportation says it is currently waiting for Loves consultant to provide plans and designs for agency review. They include a traffic control plan, construction plans for the I-90 ramp modifications and pavement design information for the ramps and work on Nissler Road. Loves first announced plans for the truck stop in January 2017, saying it would include a 9,000-square-foot store with space for two food franchises, a 9,000-square-foot tire center and 137 parking spaces for tractor trailers. Loves said it would mean 60 to 80 jobs ranging from part-time to a handful of managerial positions, with all employees starting above minimum wage and getting benefits. According to the detailed plans submitted to the county, the complex would be built just east of Ramsay with vehicles entering off of the Miles Crossing frontage road. A row of trees and shrubs would be lined up next to and just east of Palmer Street the north-south street into Ramsay and there would be some open space between it and the complex. The film Mickey and the Bear, set and shot in Anaconda, has been included in a major film festivals competition. The movie is up for best narrative feature at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival in Austin, Texas, which will also host premieres of major independent films including Jordan Peeles Us and an as-yet-untitled Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron romantic comedy. Mickey and the Bear was the first movie written and directed by 25-year-old actor and NYU student Annabelle Attanasio. I am brimming with excitement to go for the first time and to share the beauty of Anaconda with a big audience, Attanasio wrote in an email. SXSW has always been my dream festival to premiere this movie. The movie is about a young woman who lives with her single father, a veteran, in Anaconda. The woman is desperate for freedom and independence from the heavy responsibility her father imposes on her. Attanasio first visited Anaconda in 2014 to scout locations for the movie. She fell in love with the small town, and centered her script on the specifics of living in that community. The Montana Legislature once again is considering a bill (House Bill 284) proposing to make medical-aid-in-dying (MAID) illegal in Montana by providing serious criminal penalties against physicians who provide such aid. For anyone who may face a terminal illness, preserving a legal option to receive MAID is critically important. Under Montana law, the option of obtaining MAID is available only to those diagnosed by two physicians with a terminal illness likely to result in death within six months or less. Patients must demonstrate their rational capacity to make such a request, observe a waiting period and self-administer prescribed medicine. Experience from other states with longer histories of the practice with these restrictions demonstrates that this option is not abused, but rather chosen by those who carefully consider what is best in their own circumstances and according to their own values. Lets not allow the legislature to deprive them of that right at the end of their lives. Please urge your representatives in Helena to opposed HB284. The Missoula Airport just reported record numbers of passengers, winter storms are walloping airports across the country, stressing air travel even more, and now we learn that the GOP shutdown of our government has caused an unprecedented threat to aviation safety that worries even the professionals. The entire system, these aviation professionals warn, is at the point that it could entirely fail. Talk about a national security crisis! So what does our senator, Steve Daines, do? On Thursday he voted against reopening the government, rejecting the same bill that Republicans overwhelmingly voted for at the end of the year. Isn't it time that our so-called representatives start representing all of us, including the men and women who are being locked out of their offices or, worse, forced to work without pay? If you cant stand up to your party and protect working Montanans in the Senate, Daines, then maybe it's time for you to be replaced by someone who will. Diane Smith, Missoula You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The government shutdown is more than four weeks old. We need to demand that Congress do its job and reopen the government. Mitch McConnell has the nation and, apparently, the media convinced that there is nothing to be done until Congress submits a bill that President Trump is guaranteed to sign. That's simply not true. Congress is elected to serve the nation, not the president. It can pass a bill and send it to the president. I'd like to see if President Trump would veto a bill to reopen the government; if he does, Congress can and must override that veto. Hundreds of thousands of people are not getting paid. The long-term effects on them, their families and the rest of the economy are devastating. It is outrageous that Congress is allowing this to go on. Our public servants should demand a vote. The media should fulfill its watchdog role and call out every member of Congress who is not working to end the shutdown. Citizens, too, have power. We can call our senators and representatives and demand an end to the shutdown. That is how democracy works. Pamela Hogle, Missoula You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 For more than two decades, Montanans have benefited from the Montana Charitable Endowment Tax Credit (MCETC). The MCETC encourages individuals, as well as businesses and organizations, to make lasting impacts in their communities. Those impacts have totaled more than $145 million in service to Montanans since the credit was established in 1997. The MCETC is also responsible for millions more in gifts that exceeded the qualifying credit amount. More than $145 million in a rural state like Montana is life-changing. This is money that is at work today, tomorrow and forever for the communities we live in. The benefit is as high, wide and handsome as our great state, making a difference in every corner of Montana and in every nonprofit arena. This was not always the case. Montanas charitable state credit was created to give our state an important tool to bridge the philanthropic divide one that continues to follow us. Montana ranks near the bottom with regard to per capita charitable giving, number of foundations, size of foundations, and value of foundation gifts granted and received. Business on Latema Road in the Nairobi CBD came to a standstill Monday afternoon after a metallic box was found abandoned at Odeon Cinema. The box had reportedly been left at the entrance of the Odeon Cinema building, just metres from the scene of a blast that rocked the street on Saturday evening, injuring two. Security guards at the building said one of them, who was on night duty, found the box at about 5 am. The guards, who declined to be named, said they moved it after searching for the owner in vain. The box was old and seemed heat-scorched but was locked with a new padlock, said the day guard. We asked around the owner but didnt find the person. After some minutes of tension the guards decided to move it to the road. At around midday on Monday, tension gripped shop attendants in nearby buildings, with passersby milling around to take pictures. John Munene, a matatu route supervisor at the neighbouring Lopha Sacco stage, said plain-clothe police officers had arrived at around 9 am but took long to clear the stage. They cordoned off the whole area from about 10 am to midday, suspecting that the box had a bomb, he said. Officers from the Bomb Disposal and Hazardous Devices Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrived at the scene and took the box for analysis. The World Health Organization has now classified ultraviolet (UV) indoor tanning devices as carcinogenic to humans at a level similar to other carcinogens such as tobacco, benzene and asbestos. No tan is considered safe. For young people who tan, the risk of developing skin cancer is even higher because of the cumulative nature of UV exposure over a lifetime. Thats why the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Networks (ACS CAN) and the Cancer Support Community Montana supports SB 21. We see the sorrow and the pain that cancer brings to patients and their loved ones. Preventing youth from exposure to tanning beds will prevent needless suffering and deaths from this devastating disease. Age restrictions are proven to be effective at reducing exposure to the known carcinogenic effects of indoor tanning devices. Given what is known about the harmful effects of UV radiation from indoor tanning devices, especially among youth, we ask lawmakers to protect Montana youth by prohibiting those under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning devices. Similar protections for children have been in place for years; Montana has minimum age standards to purchase tobacco and alcohol, for example. Restricting access to indoor tanning device use based on the legal age of adulthood, 18 years, is no different. Law enforcement can prosecute people who share sexual images without consent under peeping Tom laws, which would bring a misdemeanor charge. Ryan's bill would make the first offense a felony. There's also not a mechanism in state law to remove images that have been posted. A study published by the Data and Society Research Institute in 2016 found 1 in 25 Americans has been a victim of revenge porn. The study said more than 30 states had published legislation between 2013-2016 to address the problem. Kristine Hamill of Missoula told the committee that for 12 years her husband had been posting nude photos without her consent at online porn sites and distributing the images elsewhere. "When I went to the police I was shocked to find he had committed no crime," Hamill said. While she has an order of protection stopping him from further posts, Hamill said her photos are already out there and she can't get them removed. The University of Montana has announced "a significant reduction" in fines levied by the U.S. Department of Education against the campus for "inaccurate and misleading" crime statistics from nearly $1 million to $395,000. UM's fine of $966,614 appeared in September to be one of the highest on record for campus security issues, but the flagship appealed the amount. UM earlier noted the fine was based on data the campus itself reclassified from 2012 to 2015. Please sign up on Missoulian.com to subscribe to Under the M, the weekly email about the University of Montana and higher education news in Montana. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. If you look across the river from Tower Road and downstream, you can see lots of stick nests, Greene said. They nest in colonies, with big stick nests together. They like to be by the river, and around here really go for the big cottonwood groves. The heron isnt the only one swinging by the nest while the osprey are wintering down south. In a Jan. 21 video, a kestrel is perched on the edge of the nest, with feathers flying as he devours another small bird. And on Jan. 4, a northern flicker is seen foraging for yellowjackets, serving as part of the winter cleanup crew. We actually have quite a long list of birds that have hopped up on the nest for various reasons, Greene said. Flickers and robins and towhees; most are just hanging out, but theres about 20 species of birds the camera sees at the nest. The Hellgate webcam is viewed by millions of people in more than 200 countries, and is part of the Montana Osprey Project. One comment on the ospreys YouTube video site notes that the nest gets more air traffic than OHare airport. A former Missoula County Sheriff's Deputy has received a deferred prosecution agreement on allegations he choked a man in handcuffs during an arrest in November 2017. The agreement, according to Lake County Attorney Steve Eschenbacher, requires Doug Hartsell to obey all laws and prohibits him from working in law enforcement over the agreement's one-year term. No fines or counseling are sought through the agreement, the prosecutor said. Eschenbacher filed to dismiss the case Jan. 23, and the judge granted the dismissal the next day. Eschenbacher said, per his agreement with Hartsell's attorney, the deferred prosecution agreement will not be released and will not be available to the public in court filings. Missoula County Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled if Hartsell doesn't abide by the conditions in the agreement. Eschenbacher was made special prosecutor on the case by Missoula officials last year. He said Monday he didn't believe he had enough evidence to secure a conviction at trial, and that the victim had been uncooperative "with everybody." He added, however, that the message from the resolution of Hartsell's case should be one of solidarity and trust with law enforcement. Ostheimer Hilliard said she is now advocating for public assistance programs to invite participation and give parents credit for being the expert in what they need and their childrens lives. As a community we can say, I trust you know your needs best, and I choose to listen, honor and respect and give a truly equitable opportunity, she said. We can be the bridge and connect them with another person, not just another pamphlet. Were not just collecting information from them. Brenda Solarzano, the CEO of the Headwaters Foundation in Missoula, explained why her nonprofit is choosing to spend $17 million over the next six years on its 0-5 strategic initiative to improve the lives of the states youngest children. She said that there will be a bigger return on investment in efforts made to improve outcomes in that age range. A member of the crowd wanted to know whether it was worth it to spend $5.2 million of that money to establish a program office at the University of Montana when there are kids with immediate needs right now that could use that money. When Bob Beckley returned to work Monday at the U.S. Forest Services Technology and Development Center after a 35-day government shutdown, the first thing he noticed was all his computer passwords had expired. We all had to remember our old passwords and log in and change them, Beckley said. Then I had about 500 emails to sort through. And those werent from my co-workers, whod also been furloughed. They were from all the volunteers and cooperators and people looking for traditional skills information and training. Up at Glacier National Park, spokeswoman Lauren Alley said she would try to find out how backlogged the parks seasonal hiring process got after a month of inaction. But she wasnt sure she could get an answer on Monday. Hiring is a lot of what we do in the winter, and January is when the hiring managers would expect to be doing interviews and calling references between now and February. But today theyve got really pressing deadlines with payroll. The government has announced a pilot program prohibiting motorists from entering the Nairobi CBD on two days of the week- Wednesdays and Saturdays. In a press briefing in Nairobi on Monday, Transport Principal Secretary Paul Maringa said there will be dedicated parking in Uhuru Park and Railways as no car will be allowed within the city centre during these two days. Only police vehicles, emergency cars and bicyclists will be allowed into the city centre on the two days, starting . During the set days, hawkers will be permitted to conduct business, Maringa said. The PS noted that the exercise will generate Sh39.5 million daily revenue to the government from over 100,000 hawkers. He said the move will employ many, generating Sh 3.8 billion annually. The pilot stage is starting off with Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue, Taifa Road, City hall and Mama Ngina Street, Maringa said. He said the exercise will be fully implemented on Kenyatta Avenue, University way, Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie, before heading to Westlands. According to Maringa, matatu operators will drop and pick passengers at the designated termini, while private car owners have been advised to leave their vehicles at home and use public transport on the two days. The pilot program is also aimed at decongesting the city to allow the government to map out the much-hyped bus rapid transport (BRT) system. Transport CS James Macharia announced the BRT System will begin next month. The first batch of 64 BRT buses is ready for shipping from South Africa. The CS added that sectoral representatives were concluding negotiations on the acquisition of 11 light trains from Spain, for use alongside the buses. Mr Macharia said twenty more trains will be shipped in due course, noting that for efficiency in the citys transport sector, at least 900 BRT buses are required. SCOTT KEELER | Times New Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gives the crowd the thumbs up as he holds his son Mason. Florida's First Lady Casey De Santis applauds, left at the Old Capitol after DeSantis was sworn in, Tuesday, January 8, 2019 in Tallahassee. Being the new governor of the nations third-largest state already has a steep learning curve. But it got much sharper when, three days after he was sworn in, Gov. Ron DeSantis' plane had a critical mechanical issue and was forced to make an emergency landing in St. Petersburg while he was on his way to Fort Lauderdale. New details about the emergency landing emerged Tuesday, when DeSantis recounted the harrowing event to reporters at a regular press conference in Tallahassee. Were in the plane and were flying. I have my chief of staff, the attorney general, Helen (Aguirre Ferre) our communications (director), and the masks ... drop from the ceiling. And Im thinking, Oh, its an old plane, maybe something just triggered, whatever, DeSantis said, chuckling. I just look around like, Were not actually supposed to do this? And the pilots are telling me, Put it on. So were all huffing into this thing. After the emergency landing, DeSantis and the rest of the passengers took another plane to Fort Lauderdale to still make their news conference that evening. But since then, DeSantis said he took the original plane to Sebring last week after a shooter killed five people there and DeSantis joined law enforcement in a press conference. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said theyve got it fixed, DeSantis said, adding: I have never had to do that before in all my years of flying in different aircraft whether its a civilian or military, so its a little bit of a strange deal ... (but) were back at it again. The governor had an announcement of his environmental budget scheduled in Naples for Tuesday afternoon, and they would be taking the formerly faulty plane to that event as well, he said. The entire ordeal has been a consistent reminder of now-Sen. Rick Scotts move to sell off the states airplane fleet when he took office as governor in 2010, instead insisting he would use his own private plane to travel the state. Years of controversy plagued the planes when officials used them for trips outside official business. Scott is a millionaire who made his fortune as a chief executive of the Hospital Corporation of America. But DeSantis, whose financial disclosure filed during the campaign lists his net worth at $310,971, does not have his own private plane and thus has been forced to get creative. Because the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides his security detail, hes been allowed to use a Beechcraft King Air (a small, twin-turbo prop plane) that the agency seized as part of a drug raid. That leaves the rest of the Cabinet Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to fend for themselves, because they are not granted the same protections from state police. Before Scott took office, Floridas governor, lieutenant governor and Cabinet could all use three planes that made up the state fleet. Image includes woman sticking tongue out. Credit: Oleg Magni from Pexels Differences in the abundance of certain bacteria living on the tongue can distinguish patients with early pancreatic cancers from healthy individuals, according to results from a new study published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology. Although disruptions to the microbiomethe population of microorganisms that live in and on our bodieshave already been identified in pancreatic cancer patients in other body tissues, this is the first evidence of changes to the bacteria in the tongue coating. If confirmed in larger studies, this could pave the way towards the development of new life-saving early detection or prevention tools for this highly aggressive disease. Nearly 10,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year, with less than one per cent surviving beyond ten years. An early diagnosis can greatly improve the chances of successful treatmentbut this poses challenges for this disease as it grows deep inside the body and often shows few symptoms before it has already spread. As a result, most patients already have advanced disease by the time they seek medical help. Researchers are searching for biological changes that can accurately detect early signs of pancreatic cancer, which could be developed into new screening tests. A current hot topic is the potential role of the microbiome in the development of cancer, with previous studies identifying dramatic disruptions to bacteria in saliva, intestinal and faecal samples collected from pancreatic cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. In the first study to characterise the tongue coat microbiome of patients with pancreatic cancer, a team of researchers recruited a group of 30 patients with early-stage disease (diagnosed with a tumour positioned in the 'head' area of the pancreas) and a similar group of 25 healthy people. Participants were all between 45 and 65 years in age, had no other diseases or oral health problems and had not taken any antibiotics or other drugs for the three months before the study. The team used sophisticated gene sequencing technologies to examine the microbiome diversity of tongue coat samples, finding that pancreatic cancer patients were colonised by remarkably different tongue coating microbiomes compared to healthy individuals. Lead author Lanjuan Li of Zhenjiang University, China, said: "Although further confirmatory studies are needed, our results add to the growing evidence of an association between disruptions to the microbiome and pancreatic cancer." Strikingly, the abundance of four types of bacterialow levels of Haemophilus and Porphyromonas and high levels of Leptotrichia and Fusobacterium - could distinguish pancreatic cancer patients from healthy individuals. "If an association between the discriminatory bacteria and pancreatic cancer is confirmed in larger studies, this could potentially lead to the development of new microbiome-based early diagnostic or preventive tools for the disease," said Li. The research team hypothesize that the immune system is the most likely link between any confirmed shifts in the microbiome with pancreatic cancerfor example, disease development in the pancreas may influence the immune response in ways that favour the growth of certain bacteriaor vice versa. If proven, this could set the stage for the development of new treatment strategies involving antibiotics or immunotherapiesor potentially even probiotics that can help prevent pancreatic cancer in high-risk patients in the future. Explore further New blood test detects early stage pancreatic cancer More information: Journal of Oral Microbiology, tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10 0002297.2018.1563409 Babies born after being exposed to opioids before birth are more likely to be delivered in regions of the US with high rates of long-term unemployment and lower levels of mental health services, according to a study from researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the RAND Corporation. Credit: Vanderbilt University Medical Center Babies born after being exposed to opioids before birth are more likely to be delivered in regions of the U.S. with high rates of long-term unemployment and lower levels of mental health services, according to a study from researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the RAND Corporation. Studying more than 6.3 million births in a diverse group of eight states, the study found that rural counties plagued by long-term unemployment had significantly higher rates of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome as compared to urban counties with lower unemployment rates. Counties with shortages of mental health providers also had higher levels of neonatal abstinence syndrome as compared to other counties. The association was observed primarily in urban areas. The study, published in the Jan. 29 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first to examine the association between long-term economic conditions, health care provider shortage areas and the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome, which can occur when babies are chronically exposed to opioids before birth. "The finding should open our eyes to the social complexities that lead to newborns being treated for drug withdrawal in our nation's hospitals," said Stephen W. Patrick, MD, MPH, MS, director of the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy and lead author of the paper. "The opioid crisis is not just a health care problem, it is also a social problem, and solutions will need to address the social needs of communities as well as the health care needs. "As Congress considers legislation, particularly those related to building infrastructure in rural communities, it should consider that these investments may also benefit the health of communities." Patrick and his colleagues have shown previously that one consequence of the nation's opioid epidemic has been a sharp increase in the number of newborns who show signs of withdrawal from opioids. From 2000 to 2014, the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome rose from 1.2 cases per 1,000 hospital births to 8 cases per 1,000 births. In 2014, the average was one infant born every 15 minutes in the U.S. with neonatal abstinence syndrome. While poor economic conditions have been linked to opioid use, there had been no large-scale studies examining whether those issues also are associated with newborn exposure to the drugs. Researchers from Vanderbilt and RAND analyzed information about 6.3 million births from 2009 through 2015 in the 580 counties in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Tennessee and Washington. Those cases were compared to the 10-year unemployment rate for each of the counties, as well as factors about health care workforce levels. Counties with persistently elevated levels of unemployment had higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome. The rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome in the counties with the highest unemployment rate was 20.1 cases per 1,000 births, compared to 7.8 cases per 1,000 births in the counties with the lowest unemployment rates. The study also found higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome in counties with shortages of mental health workers, primarily in metropolitan counties. Counties with shortages of mental health workers experienced 14 cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome per 1,000 births as compared to rates of 1.6 cases per 1,000 births in other counties. There was no such association with physical health providers. "We know that individuals with mental health problems are more likely to use or be dependent on opioids," said Bradley D. Stein, MD, Ph.D., senior author of the study and director of the RAND Opioid Policy Center. "Our findings suggest that until we can provide better access to effective mental health care, we face an uphill battle effectively addressing the opioid crisis." Explore further Opioid-affected births to rural residents increase in rural and urban hospitals Germany's coalition government agreed in principle Tuesday to soften a Nazi-era law that bars medical doctors from advertising abortion services. Gynaecologists, hospitals and public health services will now be allowed to share essential information about where and how women can terminate unwanted pregnancies. The bill is expected to be approved by Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet on February 6 and then pass both houses of parliament. German law allows abortions but effectively discourages them through various hurdles, including the law in question, article 219a, which dates to May 1933, shortly after Adolf Hitler assumed full powers of Nazi Germany. Last year gynaecologist Kristina Haenel was fined 6,000 euros ($6,800) for breaking the law by publishing information on abortion services on her website. The case revived an emotional debate in the coalition government led by Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU). Junior partners the Social Democrats (SPD) wanted the article scrapped, a demand backed by leftist opposition parties the Greens and Die Linke. In the end the ruling parties reached a compromise that many read as a defeat for the SPD. Health Minister Jens Spahn of the CDU said women needed access to crucial information but added that abortions should not be advertised because they are "not a medical procedure like any other". Andrea Nahles, the SPD leader, nonetheless welcomed the agreement, tweeting that "women are finally getting the information they need". The draft bill seen by AFP would allow federal health authorities and the German Medical Association to publish nationwide lists of doctors who perform abortions. In other changes, the age limit for women entitled to free contraceptives would be raised from 20 to 22 years, and training on performing abortions will be expanded for medical students. 'Taboo subject' Greens Party co-chief Annalena Baerbock criticised the compromise deal, arguing that it signals lingering "distrust" of a woman's ability to choose. Linke party lawmaker Cornelia Moehring similarly charged that, by refusing to scrap the article outright, the government was continuing to treat abortion as "a grubby issue" and a "taboo subject". Germany, despite being a leading voice for women's rights in the 1970s, imposes tight restrictions on abortion, permitting it only under strictly regulated circumstances. It is left out of universities' course books for student doctors and kept unavailable in swathes of the country. A woman who wants to abort within the first trimester is required to attend a consultation at a registered centre. The aim of the interview is to "incite the woman to continue the pregnancy," according to the rules, even if in the end she has the final say. Excluding special circumstances such as a pregnancy that threatens the life of the mother, or one arising from rape, abortion is not a procedure that is reimbursable by health insurance. In some regions, including in the predominantly Catholic state of Bavaria, it may be necessary to travel 100 kilometres (60 miles) to find a doctor who performs the procedure. Germany records an average of 100,000 abortions for 790,000 births, about half the rate of neighbouring France. Explore further German MPs voice concern about prenatal genetic tests 2019 AFP Cardiff University researchers have uncovered new information about the underlying mechanisms for gastric cancer, providing hope of potential new therapies in the future. The team, at the University's European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, found they could stop gastric cells dividing and growing by deleting a particular cell-surface receptor implicated in the function of stem cells. Dr. Toby Phesse, Cardiff University, said: "The prognosis of gastric cancer is very poor, with very few treatment options available to patients, and thus we desperately need new clinical treatments for this disease. "Some patients with gastric cancer have mutations in genes that are involved in the regulation of Wnta cell signalling pathway involved in cell division. It drives the development of cancer and the spread of cancers throughout the body. "We also see an increase in some of the Fzd receptors, which transmit Wnt signalling, and this is linked to poor prognosis in gastric cancer. "Despite this evidence, there is limited research investigating the potential of targeting Wnt receptors as a treatment for gastric cancers. We aimed to understand the implications of inhibiting Wnt by targeting Fzd receptors and whether this could be used as an effective treatment." The scientists targeted a specific Fzd receptor called Fzd7, as this was identified the predominant Wnt receptor responsible for the function of stem cells in the stomach and intestine. They found that deletion of Fzd7 in gastric cells made these cells unable to respond to Wnt signals and they failed to divide and grow. Dr. Phesse added: "This information gives us a potential new therapeutic route for gastric cancers, as we could target Fzd7 and consequently inhibit Wnt signalling and tumour growth. In fact, Vantictumab is a drug known to inhibit several Fzd receptors, including Fzd7, and is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of other cancers like pancreatic, lung and breast. "We have now shown in this work that Vantictumab has potent anti-tumour effects in gastric tumours with and without mutations to the Wnt pathway." This research, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Institute of Medical Biology Singapore, and Oncomed Pharmaceuticals, is published online in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Explore further Loss of tight junction protein promotes development of precancerous cells More information: Dustin Flanagan et al. Frizzled-7 is required for Wnt signaling in gastric tumors with and without Apc mutations., Cancer Research (2019). Journal information: Cancer Research Dustin Flanagan et al. Frizzled-7 is required for Wnt signaling in gastric tumors with and without Apc mutations.,(2019). DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-2095 Credit: Pixabay Depending on who you ask, happiness can be a lot of things. The Dalai Lama might tell you that happiness is the practice of compassion. A song by soul legend Al Green tells us it's "when you really feel good about somebody." If you ask an average Joe, they could tell you it's tied to their life circumstances. But scientifically speakingit's a mix. "Research suggests that about 40 percent of our well-being and happiness is within our control, something we can adapt through our actions and the way we behave," said Sarah Tracy, Herberger Professor of organizational communication and qualitative methodology at Arizona State University's Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. "About 50 percent is genetic. And then only 10 percent of it is due to circumstances: things like how much money we have or how good-looking we are. We think it's our circumstances that make us happy, but it's really only a small amount." The mere fact that the subject of happinesswhat it is, how to get it, who deserves itholds such a commanding presence in the human psyche suggests just how important it is to life itself. In any case, the pursuit of it is considered a God-given right. So in the spirit of the new year and new beginnings, ASU Now asked a handful of professors from various disciplines how we might best go about that. It turns out that happiness has a lot to do with relationshipswith each other, with the world around us and with ourselves. Social happiness In her teaching, Tracy focuses on the 40 percent of our well-being and happiness that is within our control, and within that, specifically on communication. Since 2009, she has offered both undergraduate and graduate courses on the "Communication of Happiness." The goal of the course is to help students think about ways to build happiness in their life. "A lot of the things we can do in the world to improve our happiness, which is also called subjective well-being, are things that are learnable," she said. Students learn to build on skills they already have, like expressing gratitude by being more conscious of saying thank you in everyday life. Other assignments range from joining a club to planning a family get-together where you interact in ways you haven't before. "The happiest people in the world are those that have a rich social life," Tracy said. There's also a whole section on coping with anxiety, which Tracy cautions can be brought on by too much social interaction, often in the form of social media, and can cause an unhealthy preoccupation with comparison. "Social comparison is a killer of happiness," she said, "and social media is a huge tool of social comparison." Tracy teaches students methods they can use to make that kind of anxiety more manageable, such as writing through it, meditating, exercising (she calls this "the quickest mood enhancer) and simply unplugging for a while. "The skills it takes to increase happiness aren't complicated, but they take discipline. It's like a situp; it's not complicated, but it takes discipline to do it enough to make a difference," she said. Environmental happiness As an environmental engineering undergrad, ASU sustainability Assistant Professor Scott Cloutier became frustrated with a class project that asked students to think about how they would build a water treatment plant. Not because it was difficult, but because he was only asked to consider the logistics, not the people who would be using them, working in them and living with them in their communities. "I started thinking," he recalled, "'If I was an engineer, what would I design for?' Happiness." After that revelation, Cloutier designed his doctoral dissertation around building a happy neighborhood. At ASU, he leads the Sustainable Neighborhoods for Happiness project and has developed the "Sustainability Through Happiness Index," a tool that allows planners to engage with neighborhood residents and collaborate to better understand and implement changes that will create happy places to live. "When we design for pleasure, we're wasteful. And people confuse happiness with pleasure," he said. In Tempe, for example, Cloutier explained, "we could easily go to Mill Avenue, eat all kinds of food, get drunk and buy all kinds of stuff. But there are a lot of consequences to that kind of pleasure-seeking, instant-gratification way of living, environmentally and socially." Consequences like gentrification and damage to natural habitats. Through the Sustainable Neighborhoods for Happiness project, Cloutier has worked with communities in locales as far-flung as Mexico, Bolivia and Denmark. And while the factors that determine what makes a happy place to live can vary based on culture and economics, there are plenty of similarities: a sense of safety and belonging, environmental design that promotes social interaction and access to open and green spaces. "Some of the happiest places are where people lose their sense of self and instead consider themselves part of something bigger," he said. "If we think of happiness as coming from having a deep connection with nature and the natural cycle of the world around us, we can start to move toward a more sustainable future." Individual happiness Positive psychology, a relatively new area of focus within the broader field of psychology, has been gaining traction in recent years. It posits that we can scientifically quantify and predict happiness by measuring and learning from how various cultures define life satisfaction and well-being. Shannon Tromp, a lecturer in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at ASU's New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, has been teaching a course on it for about a year. "It allows students to focus on the areas of the field that relate to the actual mechanics and components of what makes us happy, what makes life good," she said. Students learn about the historical and cultural differences related to the idea of happiness, and also try out personal life-enhancing techniques for themselves, such as meditation, gratitude journals and affirmations. "As an example," Tromp said, "applying aspects of character virtues (such as integrity, tolerance, zeal), spirituality and appreciation, and engaging in service to others are all things that show up again and again as being consistent with improving life satisfaction. "Understanding how those variables can apply universally or cross-culturally can help an individual modify their own experience and make positive change in their own lives." Explore further Fun shopping makes you happy The three dots on the right, which loosely resemble two eyes and a nose, are enough to attract animals, who tend to seek out face-like shapes. Graphic courtesy of Giorgio Vallortigara Credit: Giorgio Vallortigara Giorgio Vallortigara didn't set out to develop software that could detect whether babies have autism. A neuroscience professor at the University of Trento in Italy, his areas of expertise include animal cognition he's into the brains of honeybees, zebrafish and newly-hatched chicks. "I'm not a clinician or an autism expert," he confessed. "But my basic research on how brains work has led us to develop a test for autism which could diagnose the disease years earlier than we do now." The simple test would have profound implications for children and their families. Research has shown that early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes for children and reduce their need for support services. When Prof. Vallortigara discovered that chicks have an in-built preference for face-like objects, he became interested in whether humans share this natural interest in faces. It turns out, most people are instinctively drawn to faces. They are also attracted to objects that move in a natural way rather than to things that move randomly or mechanically. "The brains of vertebrates (animals with backbones) can distinguish inanimate objectives from living objects from birth," he explained. "We call it animacy. Animals respond to biological motion and to face-like shapes. It's a natural survival mechanism." Even an inverted triangle with three dots loosely resembling two eyes and a nose is enough to trigger this built-in facial recognition system. In tests, animals are drawn to inverted triangles more than other groups of dots. This tendency to interpret shapes as faces also explains why we sometimes see faces in clouds or in pieces of toast: we seek out living objects. For people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), these preferences are much weaker: they don't gravitate towards faces, they are less interested in animalistic movements, and they actively prefer pictures of faces that do not make eye contact. Simple test Fast-forward a few years and dozens of further experiments, and Prof. Vallortigara's team has developed a simple test that they hope could screen babies for autism. The ultimate goal is to identify people with ASD at birth and offer interventions designed to improve outcomes in later life. Through the MoViS project, the researchers have developed a short test that shows newborn babies shapes, faces and representations of biological movements, known as biological motion. The results are compared to a database of typical responses to check whether the babies are in the normal range or on the autistic spectrum. The system was tested in one-week-old babies who have a sibling with ASD and are thus at higher genetic risk of having the condition themselves. Using a mobile lab, the team of neuroscientists drove around Italy testing babies between six and 10 days old. In addition to biological motion and facial recognition, the researchers added images of faces that looked either directly at the child or away from the child. Babies with ASD tended to avert their gaze rather than make sustained eye contact a classic sign of autism in older children. The next step is to refine the system so that it can be used outside a laboratory setting. "If we can automate it, the test could be delivered by people without neuroscience or behavioural science training," said Prof. Vallortigara. His team is working with engineers to build an easy-to-use device that could become part of the usual neonatal tests like the vision and Apgar tests that all babies undergo. "It is a long way from the basic science we were doing in animal models," he said. "But maybe that's the point some research seems obscure to the public, but it can lead to life-changing outcomes." Unlikely Raffi Rembrand also came to autism research from an unlikely starting point. A chemical engineer with 40 years' experience in signal processing, his interest was sparked by personal experience. Rembrand's son was diagnosed with ASD at the age of four in the late 1980s. As he delved into how autism was diagnosed and managed, he was shocked at how late the condition is detected and frustrated that windows of opportunity for behavioural treatment have often closed by the time diagnosis is confirmed. Having already overseen the development of a wearable hug vest that is designed to calm children with autism, in 2015 he launched a company, SensPD, in Kiryat Tiv'on, Israel, dedicated to developing a screening tool that would identify ASD much earlier. Unlike the visual stimuli tests devised by Prof. Vallortigara's group, SensPD are using the auditory system as a way to examine sensory perception. Their otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test checks how babies make sense of sensory input in this case, sound. It is known that people with autism have signal processing issues. Children with autism often respond differently to noise, taste, touch and other sensory stimuli, but this appears to be built-in from birth. Maayan Shahar, CEO of SensPD, says the company is about to begin trials of its software which offers a non-invasive way of detecting autism. "If you look at how autism is diagnosed today, it's too subjective, too cumbersome, too time-consuming and too expensive," she said. "The process can begin around two years of age, but it takes a long time, and input from several health professionals, to observe the child's behaviour and arrive at a diagnosis." The software, which can be integrated into an existing hearing test device, checks how the brain stem responds to audio stimuli. The results are compared to a database and an algorithm determines whether ASD is present and, if so, calculates its severity. "As we get more data, we hope to identify sub-categories within the autistic spectrum," Shahar explained. The trial will collect data on 150 children aged 1.5 years to 5 years. These children will be divided into three groups: one group of typically developed children, one group with ASD, and another with language disorders. "There is a question mark in the scientific literature over the relationship between language disorders and ASD," said Shahar. "Sometimes children diagnosed with language issues are on the autistic spectrum. Their autism may be diagnosed later or missed." If the trial is successful, SensPD hope to market their product as a medical device which could be used to screen babies and improve their long-term outcomes. "This could change the lives of kids and their parents," Shahar said. "By supporting them earlier and better, it may also lead to lower need for medication and help at school, as well as lower levels of self-injury and hospitalisation." Explore further Researchers say auditory testing can identify children for autism screening (HealthDay)Heart surgery patients may fare better if they have their own blood "recycled" and given back to them during the procedure, a preliminary study suggests. The study focused on so-called "intraoperative autologous" blood donationwhere patients have some blood removed at the start of surgery for their own use. The goal is to avoid transfusions of donor blood during surgeries where patients typically have a lot of bleeding. Among nearly 700 heart surgery patients studied, researchers found the tactic did seem to reduce blood transfusions. Patients who self-donated also had shorter hospital stays. This type of blood donation is already done at some hospitals, though experts said it's hard to tell how common it is. Dr. Robbin Cohen, a surgeon at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, said he has been using the approach for a few years. It's simple and, in his experience, beneficial, said Cohen, who was not involved in the new study. That said, the findings do not prove self-donation during heart surgery is the way to go, according to Cohen. The study looked back at patient records; it was not a trial that randomly assigned patients to either self-donate or not. "What you need are well-designed prospective trials," Cohen said. But, he added, "this study is a good start. The suggestion of benefit is there." The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, being held this week in San Diego. Studies presented at meetings are generally considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Eric Zimmermann led the research when he was based at New York-Presbyterian Queens (NYPQ) Hospital in New York City. He agreed that more studies are needed in order to spur wider use of self-donation during heart surgery. It's different, he noted, from another practice known as blood bankingwhere patients have blood removed and stored weeks before surgery, to use in case they need a transfusion. Zimmermann, who is now a research fellow at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, pointed to some advantages of the intraoperative tactic: It eliminates the cost of blood banking. Plus, the quality of banked blood degrades somewhat during storage, he said. With intraoperative donation, doctors remove some of the patient's blood at the start of surgery and store it as "whole blood," with only clot-preventing medication added to it. "Whole" means the blood contains all of its natural components. Banked blood is often separated into different parts, like red blood cells and platelets (cells that help prevent bleeding by clumping together). For the new study, Zimmermann's team analyzed records from patients who had heart surgery at NYPQ Hospital between 2009 and 2017. In 2013, the hospital launched a "more aggressive" approach to intraoperative donation in which most patients having open-heart surgery self-donated. The study group included 420 patients who had surgery after that policy shift, and 268 who had surgery before it. Only a small percentage of the latter group self-donated, according to Zimmermann. Overall, the study found, the more aggressive policy seemed to reduce blood transfusions. Only 40 percent of patients needed a transfusion after the change, compared to 70 percent before. And when patients in the more-recent group needed a transfusion, they typically required less blood. Their hospital stay was a day shorter, on average. What's not clear, though, is whether the self-donations are the reason patients got out of the hospital sooner. In fact, Zimmermann said, it's not clear precisely how the tactic benefits patients. "We need a better scientific explanation for why it works," he said. Cohen said returning whole blood to patients' bodies may help prevent bleeding because it contains their natural clotting factors and platelets. For now, both he and Zimmermann said patients who are scheduled for heart surgery can ask whether intraoperative donation is an option for them. "Most surgeons discuss the potential need for transfusion with patients, so this could enter into that conversation," Cohen said. Even self-donation comes with potential risks, though. According to Zimmermann, it can deplete patients of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, and it's possible for the extracted blood to become contaminated with bacteria or viruses. Explore further Surgical blood transfusions tied to clot risk More information: Eric Zimmermann, M.D., postdoctoral research fellow, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland; Robbin Cohen, M.D., associate professor of surgery and director, Huntington Memorial Hospital cardiothoracic and lung cancer surgery program, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles; Jan. 28, 2019 presentation, Society of Thoracic Surgeons annual meeting, San Diego Eric Zimmermann, M.D., postdoctoral research fellow, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland; Robbin Cohen, M.D., associate professor of surgery and director, Huntington Memorial Hospital cardiothoracic and lung cancer surgery program, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles; Jan. 28, 2019 presentation, Society of Thoracic Surgeons annual meeting, San Diego The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more on blood transfusions. Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. "Quezon went to the town plaza of Boac and addressed a large crowd. He seemed very happy to be among his own people in Tagalog for about forty minutes. He had not been there for twenty years. He used many homely witticisms, which took well with the crowd. Made polite reference to my having signed in 1920 the law which made a separate province of Marinduque, until then a part of Tayabas (Quezons own province)..." - Diary of Francis Burton Harrison Gov.Gen. FB Harrison and President Manuel L. Quezon. Marinduque visitors, too. Act No. 2880 sponsored in the Lower House by elected representative Ricardo Paras of Marinduque and passed on January 21, 1920 was an Act the Governor-General (Francis Burton-Harrison) "to reestablish as an independent province, as soon as the public interest may require it, the former Province of Marinduque" . The full title and Sec.1&2 of Act 2880 are as follows: "AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE SEPARATION OF THE SUBPROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE FROM THE PROVINCE OF TAYABAS AND THE REESTABLISHMENT OF THE FORMER PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." SECTION 1. The Governor-General is hereby authorized to reestablish as an independent province, as soon as the public interest may require it, the former Province of Marinduque, consolidated with that of Tayabas under Acts Numbered Four hundred and ninety-nine and Sixteen hundred and forty-nine. SEC. 2. The Province of Marinduque so reestablished, shall have the same territory as before its consolidation with the Province of Tayabas, and its capital shall be the municipality of Boac. The provisions of the Administrative Code, in so far as they are applicable to a regularly organized province; shall apply to the government and operation of said province and to the election and appointment of the officers thereof." Executive Order No. 12 was then signed by American Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison on FEBRUARY 21, 1920 , in accordance with Act No. 2880. This was therefore promulgated, or given the force of the law upon approval and signature of the Governor-General on the said date. 53 years later... On January 11, 1973, by Order of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Proclamation No. 1099 was issued declaring FEBRUARY 23, 1973 as "MARINDUQUE PROCLAMATION DAY". It marked according to the said Proclamation "the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of Marinduque as an independent province; and whereas, to the residents of Marinduque the day is a milestone in their Province's history". Proclamation No. 1099 declaring February 23, 1973, as "Marinduque Proclamation Day" It should be noted, however that more recently the NHCP Board resolved on March 27, 2017, "to adopt in all cases the date of approval as its foundation date instead of the charters date of effectivity on the basis of the latter date being merely procedural. In 1995, the Marinduque Museum (National Museum Marinduque Branch), was opened on February 22. The choice of that date was definitely tied to the establishment of Marinduque as an independent province. At the back cover of the event's souvenir program was a text of the Executive Order (not currently available), signed by Harrison (therefore differently worded from Act. No. 2880). "The Boac branch museum was formally opened to the public on February 22, 1995". From National Museum website. In those years, English and Spanish were the official languages published in the Official Gazette weekly. Vol 1 No. 1 of the Official Gazette (Gaceta Oficial), came out on September 10, 1901. The National Library of the Philippines' (NLP) current digital collection of the Official Gazette for 1920 only shows the Spanish edition. The relevant Executive Order No. 12, February 21, 1920, pertaining to the establishment of Marinduque as a province as stated contains the following text: ORDENES EJECUTIVAS. OFICINA DEL GOBERNADOR GENERAL DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS Manila, 21 de febrero de 1920. ORDEN EJECUTIVA} No. 12 } De conformided con las disposiciones de la Ley Numero Dos mil ochicientos ochenta, aprobada el veintiuno de febrero de mil novecientos veinte, por la presente erijo en provincial la Antigua Provincia de Marinduque, desde el dia veintidos de febrero de mil novecientos veinte, y declare vigentes en toda su fuerza y vigor, a partir de esa fecha, las disposiciones de dicha Ley Numero Dos mil ochocientos ochenta. FRANCIS BURTON HARRISON, Gobernador General. _________ The following is an unofficial translation of said Executive Order: In accordance with the provisions of Act Number Two thousand eight hundred eighty, approved on the twenty-first day of February of one thousand nine hundred and twenty, I hereby establish as a province the former Province of Marinduque, as of February 22nd, one thousand nine hundred and twenty, and declare valid in all its force and vigor, as of that date, the provisions of said Act Number Two thousand eight hundred and eighty. FRANCIS BURTON HARRISON, Governor-General Gaceta Oficial issue of 17 March 1920, Vol XVIII No. 11. "21 Febrero de 1920" clearly shown as the date of Orden Ejecutiva No. 12". Only an Index of Official Gazette in English could be found online and shows the following relevant details: "18 (10): 432 10 Mar 20 #12 establishing as a province the former Province of Marinduque This was the basis for ARAW NG MARINDUQUE Commemoration in prior years, first officially celebrated province-wide in 2008, as part of the Province's efforts to incite and support the take off of a vibrant tourism, economic and social development. Provincial Ordinance No. 81 was passed in 2009 declaring FEBRUARY 21 of every year as Araw ng Marinduque. The Province of Marinduque is 99 this year (2019), and is gearing up for its Centennial Commemoration in 2020. Comes now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). In response to a certain query on when Marinduque Province should celebrate its foundation day NHCP states as follows: "Regarding your inquiry on when should Marinduque Province celebrate its foundation day, based on sources found, Marinduque was separated from the Tayabas Province and re-established as an Independent province when Public Act No. 2880 was approved on 21 January 1920. This date then forms the basis of the foundation of the Province of Marinduque." (Ludovico D. Badoy, NHCP) NHCP was silent on the fact that the said Act was one that authorized the Governor-General to reestablish Marinduque as an independent province as soon as the public interest may require it; that it was promulgated or APPROVED by the so authorized Governor-General one month later, on February 21, 1920 with effect from February 22, 1920, as also specified in same Executive Order No. 12 by FB Harrison, Governor-General; and a Proclamation, Ordinance have been previously issued, and annual commemorations undertaken based on these sources. Additional reading from Diary of Francis Burton Harrison: March 23, 1936. We arrived at Marinduque at 9 a.m. on Arayat worn out by the voyage. We went off first and after fiddling about to get a chauffer, drove up to Boac to get photographic film for Doria. Chatted in the shop for half an hour until Quezon arrivedfire-crackers!constabularypolicelocal officials of Marinduque. Secretary Quirino went on across the island to investigate some case, In the Presidents stead he spoke at a town on the other side of Marinduque. Quezon went to the town plaza of Boac and addressed a large crowd. He seemed very happy to be among his own people in Tagalog for about forty minutes. He had not been there for twenty years. He used many homely witticisms, which took well with the crowd. Made polite reference to my having signed in 1920 the law which made a separate province of Marinduque, until then a part of Tayabas (Quezons own province)very evident was his relief at getting away from the Moros whom he distrusts and dislikes. Various inspectionsvisit to s home, where I asked questions about the local gold deposits (apparently a dud) and about their copra, coffee, etc. Then to luncheon where I sat beside Quezon. The next move was to drive across the island, but the President said his stomach ulcer was giving him another hemorrhage, so I advised him to go back to the Arayat, which he agreed to do. We talked again about the Moros; he said he had instructed Colonel Stevens to act first and report later; that those Moros who wished to become civilized members of the Commonwealth would be welcomed, and the others would gradually disappear (like the American Indians). He added they could be taught agriculture. He must have noticed that when we entered that town of Cotabato, some Moros standing by the sign: We want a Civilian Governor (local politics) had spat as we passed by in the motor! The President was enthusiastic over Lt. Johnson, one of his submachine gun bodyguard on the Cotabato trip and said that he was going to promote him. Same as to the big American policeman from Malacanan who accompanied us on the journey and hung on the step of the motor car. (N.B. what a big grip those employes have who get into personal contact with N 1). He said Johnson was the only one of General Woods appointee as young Constabulary officers who had made good. Quezon had noticed him in the anti-bandit campaign last October. So we left Boac and crossed the channel to the beach opposite Lucena, where Doria, Felicia, Baby Quezon, Miss Labrador, Nieto and I disembarked in a launch; from that to a banca, thence to a chair. A big crowd of provincial officials waited on the beach to meet Quezon who, however, did not land. On the one hand, the citys 2016 Comprehensive Plan, Grow with Us, specifically shows mixed use at this development on the Future Land Use Map. A hotel meets these criteria as it would add another service to a range of services found along a corridor which supports Civic, Commercial, Recreational and Residential uses, city staff said in its report. But the Comprehensive Plan also states that development near the Canyon rim should be carefully considered. The Canyon Rim is an important feature and viewpoint, a striking visual landscape, and a coveted recreational site, the plan states. In order to ensure that the integrity of the Canyon Rim is preserved, a balance between acceptable development uses, and necessary preservation should prevail. Spendlove said it will be up to the commission to decide what to recommend as members draw on their own sense of place. Its going to be a tough one, Spendlove said. The property also has a complex history, in which it appears at one point an eight-to-10-story hotel would have been permitted. The current development agreement does not allow hotels as an outright permitted use, he said. Providing parole and probation officers with more tools and support is one way to do that, Tewalt said; not necessarily hiring more officers, but expanding the resources available to existing officers. Meanwhile, the state approved plans last year to build a new community re-entry center in Twin Falls, much like the one that closed in 2011. In his proposed budget for fiscal year 2020, Gov. Brad Little has also recommended adding an combined 220 beds at St. Anthony Work Camp and in a new community re-entry center in North Idaho. All of these beds would focus on helping inmates acquire skills to successfully transition back into society. You dont have to be a math major to know that 400 beds doesnt close the gap, Tewalt said. But I think it signifies the importance of a balanced approach to try to solve some of the issues that are in front of us, because you cant talk about capacity without also talking about whats driving the need for those beds. True public safety, the kind that lasts, is what happens when were able to affect behavior, Tewalt said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MOSCOW Former state Rep. Maxine Bell is the first non-professor to receive an award for advancing research at Idaho universities. The Jeanne M. Shreeve Research Excellence Award has been given since 2011 by the Idaho Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research to recognizes the accomplishments of professors at Idaho universities. This is the first time since it was established in 2011 that an honorary reward has gone to a non-faculty member. It recognizes Bells long-standing support for high-quality scientific research at Idahos universities and her extraordinary leadership at the state level, officials said. The award was inspired by University of Idaho Distinguished Professor Jeanne M. Shreeve and highlights the value of the competitive research program to the state as well as the individual accomplishments of the recipient. Bell, of Jerome, retired in December after more than 30 years at the statehouse. She also worked on the family row crop farm southeast of Jerome until 1997, when she and her husband retired from the day-to-day operation of the farm. She was appointed by the State Board of Education to the Idaho EPSCoR Committee in 2001 and has been an active member ever since. In 2016, the Refugee Center resettled 328 refugees from 10 countries. In 2018, it resettled 91 refugees from three countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and Eritrea and that was well beneath the cap of 195. Thats a big shift there, Rwasama said. For this fiscal year which began Oct. 1 Rwasama said he expects a similar breakdown as last year of where incoming refugees are from. The vast majority are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said, and that group made up 89 percent of Twin Falls refugee resettlement last year. The declining number of newcomers has presented a big challenge for the Refugee Centers budget, he said, and the budget had to be revised multiple times throughout last year. Federal changes, including a refugee ban in 2017 and stricter security vetting, led to a slowdown in the number of refugees arriving in Idaho and across the United States. Here in Idaho, there are three refugee resettlement agencies: the CSI Refugee Center and two in Boise. The Treasure Valley used to be home to another agency World Relief Boise but it closed in June 2017, largely due to declining refugee arrivals and funding. BURLEY A Nampa man has been charged with felony rape after police said he had sex with a girl when she was 14 and 15 years old. The girls father lured Zakry L. Howell, 21, to Rupert by saying he could see the girl for one last time before he joined the Idaho Army National Guard in February. Rupert police officers met Howell with handcuffs at the Ridley Grocery Store parking lot when he arrived. Howell was arraigned in Minidoka County Magistrate Court on Monday. A preliminary hearing is set in the case at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Rupert officers, who are part of the Idaho Attorney Generals Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, met with the father of the girl and the girls older sister. The older sister told police her 15-year-old sister was in a sexual relationship with Howell. The girls father said he sent Howell a text message and police reviewed a screenshot of the message that was sent back from Howell admitting that he had sex with the mans daughter. The girl told police she met Howell through one of his younger sisters and that they had sex many times from April to November. She said they had sex in Ada County, Cassia County and Minidoka County on a canal road near her former home. The best way to combat scammers is knowing the way they work and the cons they try to pull. We at your Better Business Bureau, are encouraging Idahoans to take note of the top scams that hit our state in the last year to better avoid them in 2019. With more than 800 local scams reported to BBBs Scam Tracker in 2018, here are the scams that targeted residents of the Gem State the most and how to spot them: 1. Tax collections While we are getting better at recognizing it, the threatening phone calls keep coming. This was the most reported scam in 2018. Remember: the IRS does not make threatening phone calls, will not solicit personal information over the phone or by email and does not accept payment in gift cards. 2. Phishing These scams can come in the form of prize offers, threatened punishments or something completely mundane like a file from the office scanner. If something seems suspicious, confirm it by contacting the company directly. 3. Online purchases Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency in Wisconsin on Monday, because of the heavy snows that have fallen and the extreme cold still to come. "Im concerned about the safety and well-being of our residents as this major storm and bitter cold moves in," Evers said in a release. The state of emergency authorizes the adjutant general of the Wisconsin National Guard to call up military personnel to active duty if the need arises, and for all state agencies to be available if called on. This request came from Wisconsin Emergency Management in case Guard units are needed to assist with emergencies in any affected parts of the state. Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to drop actual temperatures to below zero starting Tuesday, with wind chill values down to 50 below zero, putting state residents and visitors at risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Snow that started late Sunday night and continued into Monday caused multiple crashes and slide-offs across the state, prompting the State Patrol and the National Weather Service to urge people not to travel, at least through Tuesday. The snow emergency in Madison continues to 7 a.m. Tuesday, so people parking on the streets in the city, including those parking in the snow emergency zone, should park on the odd house-numbered side of the street Monday night. Since Monday afternoon temperatures have stayed in the low teens, city crews won't be deploying salt on major routes, because it won't work in weather this cold. Instead, trucks will put down sand where needed, and will keep plowing until all streets in the city have had at least one pass, with more plowing set the rest of the week to clean up areas that need it. The bitterly cold weather will make just about everyone want to stay indoors. To that end, warming centers are opening in communities around the Madison area. In Columbia County, warming shelters are in Portage at the municipal building and library; in Columbus at the senior center and library; in Fall River at the village hall; in Cambria at the community room and library; and in Randolph at the village hall. Shelters are set up for daytime use, and visitors are asked to bring their own food and water, medication, games, etc., but no pets. In Vernon County, warming shelters are in libraries in Viroqua, Readstown, La Farge (village hall too) and Ontario; in Gundersen St. Joseph Hospital in Hillsboro (open 24 hours) and in the DeSoto community center. Because of the severe cold, Metro Transit in Madison is asking paratransit customers to cancel any upcoming rides that won't be needed, so rides can be scheduled properly. Metro also advises riders to dress warmly if waiting for a bus, because there are occasions when buses are delayed for a short time. For communities that don't have warming shelters listed, good places to go are libraries, shopping malls, community centers and senior centers, but if deciding on a place to go, especially in a smaller community, call ahead to make sure a facility is open. Now to the bad wind chill news. The National Weather Service has a winter storm warning still in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for any remnants of the strong storm that blew through late Sunday night, but the big danger coming up is from the cold and the wind. A wind chill advisory starts at 4 a.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Tuesday, then a wind chill warning starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday until noon on Thursday. The area covered by the advisory and warning takes in all or parts of Dane, Columbia, Green Lake, Marquette, Rock and Sauk counties. Wind chills of 10 below to 15 below are possible Tuesday night, but with strong north winds blowing up to 25 mph, temperatures are expected to fall and wind chills getting worse as the day goes on. The temperature could drop to around 8 below by 5 p.m. Tuesday, with wind chills between 20 below and 30 below. Winds could gust up to 35 mph. Wednesday could be deadly to anyone not prepared to be outside. "This will be one of the coldest stretches of temperatures and wind chills we have ever seen," the Weather Service said. Wednesday's high is only expected to reach 13 below, and the overnight low into Thursday could drop to 27 below. Wind chills are expected to be in the 40 below to 55 below range at times, from Tuesday night through Thursday night. By Friday, we should see a high above zero, in fact up to 19 degrees above zero, then balmy weather moves in, with highs of 37 on Saturday and (gasp) 40 on Sunday. There are chances for rain and snow during the weekend. Local Weather Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is called illegitimate for winning a rigged election. He is criticized for policies that are supported by a small minority of the electorate. One of his primary allies is Russia's leader Vladimir Putin. Maduro blasts the media every chance he gets. He blames his former opponent for Maduro's own shortcomings and scandals. He threatens to declare a national emergency to use the military for his own self-serving purposes. It looks like Maduro may be ousted from office soon. If President Donald Trump is not careful, he could be next. Irwin Kass, Madison I would hope that most understand that its out of parents control, Spicer said. I would hope theres some flexibility there. Spicer said shes lucky that she mostly works from home or travels for business, so the unplanned days off for her three elementary school students didnt cause an emergency for her and her husband. She said her kids did a happy dance when they found out school would be off for Monday and spent Monday reading, doing homework and playing outside in the fresh snow. When school was called off after last weeks snowstorm, Samikoa Harper saw the struggles it created for some parents. Harper said her neighbor knocked on her door and asked if Harper would look after her daughter for the day. The neighbor was frightened she would lose her job if she missed work to take care of her daughter, Harper said. She had to make that choice between leaving her (daughter) with somebody or losing her job, and then how can she pay her rent and her bills and take care of her kid? I just did it because I felt her situation, she said. A lot of parents are struggling with babysitters and stuff like that because its last minute. So many children, Skenazy said, spend their days supervised by adults, being told what to do, how to do it, and when. Giving children more autonomy helps them develop what psychologists call an internal locus of control, a sense that success can be attributed to ones own efforts vs. the whims of fate. If you dont have this, you feel helpless, depressed and anxious because youre not the one in charge of your life, she said. Kids need to practice dealing with challenging situations on their own whether its overcoming the fear of climbing a tree, or working out a disagreement with a friend to develop resilience. When well-intentioned parents swoop in to solve every problem, kids dont become as capable as they might be. Ironically, in trying to keep kids safe from a very, very, very unlikely tragedy, we are pointing them in a direction of something that seems to be ever more common, which is anxiety and depression, Skenazy said. Like many parents, Stech-Carlson strives to strike a balance between protecting her children and giving them independence. She doesnt want to keep them under her thumb, yet shes not comfortable letting them roam like she did during her childhood, spending hours and hours of time without her parents knowing where she was. BARRON Wisconsin authorities have examined call logs, photos and videos stored on the cellphone of the man accused of kidnapping a 13-year-old girl and killing her parents, according to court documents filed Tuesday. The search warrant documents filed in Barron County Circuit Court don't reveal the nature of the photos and videos stored on the phone of 21-year-old Jake Patterson, who is charged with killing James and Denise Closs on Oct. 15 and kidnapping their daughter, Jayme Closs. But the documents said evidence on the phone could be used "to determine the chronological context" of what happened. Jayme escaped from a cabin in Douglas County on Jan. 10 after 88 days in captivity and flagged down a woman for help. She was able to provide a description of the car Patterson was driving, and he was arrested minutes later. According to a search warrant affidavit, the red Ford Taurus that Patterson was driving was taped up and taken to a secure evidence garage. The FBI's evidence response team searched the car the next day and found his cellphone on the front seat. The phone was released to the Wisconsin Department of Justice to be analyzed by someone trained in the forensic extraction of data. An estimated cost has not been established for the project, but it would be paid for mostly with federal money. The city is likely to have a significant investment in it, however, because accommodating detours during the construction will entail major work on Ontario, East Wisconsin and Thompson streets and Wauona Trail. According to information provided to the Portage Common Council at a Jan. 10 meeting on infrastructure-related debt, that project, planned for next year, will require the city to borrow roughly $600,000. The city also plans to borrow about $700,000 for scheduled improvements of West Conant Street in the same year. Steger said transportation officials are aware of how much traffic the Highway 16-51 corridor carries, and that numerous businesses are located along that corridor. Thats why plans call for the project to be done in stages, and to include improvements in the driveways leading to the businesses. DeWitt Street will be improved first, he said, with traffic detoured along Highway 16. Wisconsin Street improvements will constitute the second stage, Steger said, which will entail detouring traffic from Highway 16-51. Cook and DeWitt streets in downtown Portage will be open, however, although people walking the Ice Age Trail will likely be detoured. When I developed the Stewardship Fund, I had some very special help. I was advised by former Govs. Gaylord Nelson (a Democrat) and Warren Knowles (a Republican). Both governors had admirable records of advancing land conservation during their tenures. Its with good reason that the Stewardship Fund is named after them. The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund exemplifies our historic legacy of a bipartisan commitment to conservation. Our new governor, Tony Evers, has consistently called for a bipartisan approach to state governance. Renewing and restoring the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund would be an excellent way for state leaders to demonstrate true bipartisanship. Thirty years ago, I authored the Stewardship Fund because I believe we have an obligation to make sure future generations can enjoy the scenic beauty, wildlife, and biological diversity that make Wisconsin so special. That obligation still remains and our leaders should honor it by renewing and restoring the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund this year. Spencer Black served for 26 years in the state Legislature. He was chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and the Assembly Democratic leader. Since leaving the Legislature, Black has been vice president for conservation for the national Sierra Club and adjunct professor of planning at UW-Madison. RTHK: Mueller probe is nearly complete: Whitaker Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible collusion between Donald Trump's campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election is close to being wrapped up, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said ON Monday Mueller's office has been notoriously tight-lipped about the progress of the high-profile investigation, and Whitaker's remarks were the first official indication that the probe may be coming to a close. "The Mueller investigation is close to being completed," Whitaker told journalists. "I've been fully briefed on the investigation and I look forward to Director Mueller delivering the final report," he said. "I hope we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible." Mueller will submit his report to Whitaker unless he has been replaced as attorney general by then by Bill Barr, who has been nominated to the post by Trump but not yet confirmed by the Senate. Without elaborating, Whitaker said: "I am comfortable that the decisions that were made (in the Mueller report) are going to be reviewed, you know, through the various means that we have." Mueller, a former FBI director, was named by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in May 2017 to look into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Mueller was appointed special counsel after Trump abruptly fired FBI director James Comey that same month. Mueller's team has indicted a total of 34 people -- but so far, no charges of outright collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow have been filed. Trump has repeatedly denounced the investigation as a "political witch hunt" and fervently denied there was any collusion between his campaign and Moscow. He has frequently taken to Twitter to condemn members of the Mueller team as a bunch of "angry Democrats." Trump has also dangled the possibility of pardons for some of those indicted. On Friday, Roger Stone, 66, a veteran Republican operative and longtime Trump advisor, was arrested at his Florida home by FBI agents on charges of making false statements to Congress and witness tampering. Stone has proclaimed his innocence and said he would fight the charges, but several other Trump associates indicted by Mueller have pleaded guilty to various charges. Paul Manafort, 69, who served as Trump's campaign chairman for several months in 2016, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to tax and bank fraud connected to his work for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. Michael Flynn, 60, a retired US Army general who stepped down after three weeks as Trump's national security advisor, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. Trump's longtime personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen, 52, 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, 46, Trump's deputy campaign manager and Manafort's business partner, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and financial fraud. George Papadopoulos, 31, an oil industry analyst who served on Trump's foreign policy advisory team, was sentenced to two weeks in prison after admitting he lied to the FBI. Others indicted by Mueller include Alex Van Der Zwaan, a London 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. 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. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Wrights Real Utopias project, outlined in his essential book, "Envisioning Real Utopias" (Verso), was all about ideas big ideas, such as the universal basic income (UBI) proposals for addressing not just poverty and unemployment but dislocation after technological change, which he began exploring decades ago. Today, whole movements advocate for UBI, political and business leaders embrace it, and pilot projects are being developed in multiple countries. The idea of providing a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement was not always so popular. Indeed, as the Basic Income Earth Network noted last week, Wright was writing about this idea and providing platforms (for) other people to write about it when few people thought it had any chance. Wrights Real Utopias project was always about more than the specific proposals it explored, even the ones that took off and captured imaginations far beyond academia. It was about renewing the enthusiasm of the left at a time when neoliberalism and neoconservativism were ascendant. Many students did not know that youth were involved in this struggle for human rights and freedom in the U.S. In 1963, Southern Christian Leadership Conference staff member the Rev. James Bevel proposed recruiting students to become involved in the civil rights protests, believing that youth would prick the conscience of the nation to embrace freedom and equality. High school students were trained in the tactics of nonviolent resistance and on May 2, 1963, thousands of African-American students in Birmingham, Alabama, skipped school and marched downtown to talk with the mayor about ending segregation, the legal system that separated everyone on the basis of color. As they approached city hall, the students were surrounded by police and hundreds were escorted to jail in paddy wagons and school buses. The next day the march resumed, only this time the police were waiting for them with fire hoses, billy clubs and police dogs. Police grabbed students after drenching them with water, setting dogs on them, and beating them, then hauled them off to jail. The news media were there recording the entire event and the nation witnessed these brave young people peacefully marching for their rights and encountering brutality. James Widgerson, writing on Right Wisconsin in honor of last week's National School Choice week, tells how his two children benefited from having many educational options. His son studied in online school, public high school and a tech college, while his daughter attended Catholic school and then used open enrollment to attend a public school. His two very different children had very different educational needs, and with school choice they were able to be fulfilled. The state of Wisconsin's economy depends on your perspective, writes Tom Still of the Wisconsin Technology Council. Commenting on Gov. Evers' first State of the State address last week, Still says Evers sees Wisconsin's economy as a glass half-empty, while Assembly Speaker Robin Vos made clear in his response to the speech that he sees the glass as half-full. Both points of view have merit, but the glass is fragile, Still warns, and lack of bipartisan cooperation is likely to spill some of the water. Elders and services were soon divided, as some elders moved to the offices of Freedom, Inc., a social justice organization for communities of color, which also began hosting services to Hmong elders at its facilities via an organization known as the Southeast Asian Healing Center, or SEAHC. Theres been disagreement among the two organizations over leadership and who is best suited to care for the Hmong elders. SEAHC held a press conference in November to explicitly ask the city and county not to give any more money to Anesis or the Hmong Institute. For 2019, Dane County set aside $50,000 for the Hmong Institute and $8,000 for the CMC. It also contracted with Anesis to give them any Medicaid crisis funding they earn in 2019, budgeting $460,000; the county can only give this money to organizations like Anesis that are certified to bill for Medicaid crisis. The city budgeted $115,000 in 2019 for the project, but did not specify a fiscal agent to receive the funds. After working with a pharmaceutical representative, Espinosa's doctor received a year's worth of Stelara samples for her. The drug worked, and within a few months, Espinosa's psoriasis coverage was down to about 30 percent. Her dermatologist sent a testimonial with photographic proof to the insurance company, and this time, it approved the request. Sort of. Once Espinosa was almost out of Stelara samples, her insurance company approved a different biologic treatment called Humira. Humira worked at first, but it soon backfired as her psoriasis returned with new symptoms. After another letter from her doctor, with more photos, Espinosa was approved for Stelara coverage. Espinosa has been on Stelara for three years now although her doctor first prescribed it in 2012. It's still working. "At my worst, before this medication, I was at 80 percent coverage," she said. "Currently, I am about 1 percent, maybe 2 percent. I no longer live with pain and can function as a regular human being. The medication gave me my life back." As lawmakers consider the issue, Espinosa said she wants them to understand that "people literally suffer through this process and go without the medications they need to lead normal, healthy, productive lives." A bipartisan group of lawmakers and a diverse set of public policy groups are backing legislation they say would help some people with criminal records earn a second chance while helping employers confront a workforce shortage. The bill would expand the number of people who could ask a judge to seal their criminal convictions from public view, or have their records expunged but it would not change the scope of crimes eligible for expungement. "Expungement is a way to cleanse the slate for those who are looking to move forward with their life," said Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, who introduced the bill on Tuesday with Sens. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Fred Risser, D-Madison, and Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee. Under current law, a person convicted of a nonviolent, low-level crime a misdemeanor or a class H or I felony can ask a judge to expunge his or her record, but a judge can only order that a person is eligible for expungement at the time of sentencing. In addition, current law only offers expungement to people who committed a crime before the age of 25. The new bill, which closely mirrors legislation introduced last session, would eliminate the age limit and would allow a judge to rule on expungement after a person completes his or her sentence. "I only have one kid, so I don't have older kids who can watch the others," said Lee, a single parent. "Other single parents and I sort of work together to watch each other's kids so that we can all have at least some time to go back to work, but it's still pretty stressful." Trying to keep kids entertained and occupied for a whole week of awful weather has been a challenge for parents, Lee said. Last weekend also brought dangerously cold temperatures, leaving parents not many options for having their kids go outside for an extended period of time. "It's sort of been building, with losing three days last week, and then the weekend was pretty awful, and then this week," Lee said. "So it's going to be quite a stretch for us." Rachel Strauch-Nelson, a spokesperson for MMSD, said on Monday that the district always wants to keep school open when possible, but that safety is its top priority when deciding whether or not to close school. "This is certainly a challenging week for schools based on the current forecast and cold temperatures," Strauch-Nelson said in a statement, adding later that, "In every case, we follow our guidelines, consult with local officials and monitor the forecast closely. We'll continue to do that through the week and keep families updated." The spark of the bomb came when Keshari read Command and Control, a 2009 book by Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), with whom Keshari had worked on Food Chains, a documentary about the human cost of our food distribution system. Command is a book about the history of nuclear weapons and the dangers they pose, and Keshari was shocked by how much she didnt know. It left quite a deep impact on me, she said. It made me feel both angry and quite sad. Sad because I couldnt believe this nuclear reality we live in, with enough weapons to destroy the planet nine times over. And angry because I didnt know enough about it. I had read the headlines, but it didnt have the same cultural or emotional impact as it did for those who lived through the Cold War. Keshari said its understandable that nuclear weapons arent at the forefront of peoples minds, given that the weapons themselves are hidden. She recalls heading to a bar with her co-director, Kevin Ford, after a long day in the editing room and asking customers how many nuclear weapons they thought there were. Answers ranged from 9 to 222. (The correct answer is closer to 15,000.) Butterflies, bears, propaganda-style paintings and portraits have transformed a beige church basement into a bold burst of color with a social justice message. Eight artists, brought together by the University of Wisconsin-Madisons Slow Food chapter and The Crossing campus ministry, spent several weeks creating a wrap-around mural in the space where Slow Food UW has served potlucks and hosted dinners for 11 years. An opening reception for the murals is set for this Saturday at 1127 University Ave. Last fall, Slow Food and The Crossing selected a group of artists out of four dozen applicants. Though they named a lead artist, recent graduate Natalie Hinahara, organizers had little idea what the artists would do once they got their paints and access to the space on Jan. 2. We didnt know what it would look like, said Mallory Moore, executive director of The Crossing. Its way more than I imagined it could be. We were envisioning each artist would have a chunk of space, but artists worked together. Being open ended with social justice ... and letting the artists emerge out of their creativity has been exciting. Slow Food has chapters all over the world in cities, regions and universities. It aims to promote and model an alternative, sustainable and equitable food system. The Crossing is a progressive Christian ministry. The social justice theme links both the organizations and these new murals, with ideas embedded in each work about access to food and natural spaces, inclusion, equity and identity. Some of the artists, like Pete Hodapp and Sylvia Hecht, have worked professionally as muralists. Others, like street artist and UW-Madison junior Mario Fregoso and Adreena Burhan, are students or recent graduates. Each artist was paid a small stipend for their work, and funds raised on Saturday will go directly to the artists. Madisonians may remember Hodapps work from the inside of the renovated Madison Municipal Building and as part of Mural Alley behind Hawthorne Library on the east side. Here, the Viroqua-based artist painted a series of five images on wall pillars, inspired by propaganda posters. Theyre vividly detailed, showing people carrying food in various ways a canvas bag, a plastic bundle, a CSA box, a shopping cart. Angelica Contreras, a Madison artist who also has work on display in Overtures first floor galleries through March 3, used heart imagery inspired by Mexican folk art. Hecht, a former Madison resident whos about to head back to Mexico herself, settled on an image of the living earth, a green goddess who looks like Te Fiti from the film Moana. Every space is different, Hecht said. I really have to be in front of the wall. The plan I made for this was stick figures, very simple. Most of it was drawing directly on the wall. Each muralist worked one specific yellow paint color into their piece, a subtle way of linking them. Each mural has some detail painted close to kids eye level, for little ones to see. Without discussing it beforehand, both lead artist Natalie Hinahara and Shiloah Coley painted monarch butterflies. Hinaharas mural showed native flowers and milkweed both in bloom and going to seed, some being pollinated by rusty patch bumble bees and butterflies. Coleys were a nod to the Dreamers, undocumented immigrants brought into the United States as children. I knew I wanted to have my mural give the feeling of being immersed in nature, the landscapes around where we are, Hinahara said. It felt like an opportunity to tell a bigger story, so I tried to feature movement of things, like milkweed seeds blowing, migrating birds and monarchs and bees. We should all be able to move where we need to move, thats a fundamental right for humans and animals. Some of the murals themes are more overt than others. Fregoso painted a big purple bear as a reference to the strength and courage the animal represents in native culture. The bears footprints look like black power fists, and its being led by a dove of peace. The bear means courage and love, Fregoso said. No other animal suits social justice better. Sophomore Tony Torres made a forest scene in collaboration with Ragoso, who extended the trees from his section of the wall into Torres. I make large-scale stuff. I make characters ... all of my art has a playfulness to it, said Torres, whos originally from Berkeley. I focus on environmental stuff, those are my interests. On a corner portion of the wall behind a chair lift, Adreena Burhan painted a stack of huge schoolbooks with small children climbing them. Of all the artwork, Burhans looks most like something one would see in a Sunday School classroom. A closer look reveals a lesson in academic privilege. Her imagery is about the interaction between education and privilege, said Slow Food UW director Charlie Koczela. This mountain of books is meant to tiers of educational success and celebration. With her little figures, she went for literal racialized characters. Its directly critiquing her time at UW-Madison. All of the murals are kid-friendly, and the opening reception on Saturday will include a scavenger hunt for young attendees. If parents want to have conversations about the more challenging themes, they can do that, too. The harder topics presented by some of these murals, kids should be talking about that, Koczela said. Privilege and education on the UW-Madison campus? Madison is so scared to talk about that, and its so obvious. The contracts also stipulated that arbitration claims could only be pursued as individuals, not as a group. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit contended that the contracts were illegal under the National Labor Relations Act, and thus invalid. However, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in May that such no-class arbitration agreements were in fact legal. The ruling placed new limits on the abilities of workers to sue their employers, and was described by some legal scholars as a blow to workers' rights. Even after the high courts ruling, plaintiffs in Lewis v. Epic continued to try to nullify the arbitration contracts by arguing that the agreements could be considered unconscionable under state law in other words, one-sided or unfair. We felt that given that Epic workers had a choice of quitting their jobs, or keeping this agreement, we felt that that was making it unconscionable, said Madden. The plaintiffs also argued that the email workers received detailing the nature of the contracts was misleading. Majority of factions in municipal councils of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti havent had any initiatives Fifty-one out of 54 factions in the municipal councils of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, which were elected in 2017, didnt initiate any issues from the day of their registration up to November 1, 2018, while in the same period the municipal councils spent more than GEL 1.6 million on the remuneration and other expenses of members of the factions. The thing is that creating a faction for members of a municipal council enables the members to receive salaries whereas membership in a municipal council is not a remunerable activity which has assumed the form of malpractice, while the activities of the factions and the expenses incurred on them are inconsistent.TI Georgia has taken an interest in the number of factions functioning in the municipal councils of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region (elected in 2017), the issues they initiated from the time they were set up to November 1, 2018, and the amounts of money spent on the factions from the local budgets.Expenses incurred on the remuneration of faction members and initiatives of factionsDuring the period studied, the municipal councils spent a total of GEL 1,543,736 on the salaries of members of factions.Out of 54 factions in total, only 3 factions of the City Council of Zugdidi (the Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia, the Conservatives, and the United National Movement) had initiatives.In addition, most of the issues initiated by the United National Movement faction of the City Council of Zugdidi were motions regarding the provision of social assistance to concrete citizens. As Ana Tsitlidze, the chairperson of the faction, stated in a conversation with us, the majority of the motions were not granted, because, according to the position of the municipal body, a part of the citizens didnt meet the corresponding criteria.As for the initiatives of the factions of the Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia and the Conservatives at City Council of Zugdidi, the City Council adopted the draft legal acts proposed by them.Fuel expenses incurred by factionsAs the municipal councils of Mestia, Tsalenjikha, and Khoni didnt provide us with information on the cost of fuel, these data are not fully included in the present study. But in total, the factions consumed 55,149 liters of fuel, whose total cost amounted to GEL89,913.Expenses incurred by factions on telephone communication and business tripsDuring the period studied, the factions of the municipal councils of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region spent GEL 20,443 on telephone communication and GEL 7,837 on business trip expenses.Conclusion and recommendationsThe applicable legislation does not provide for any upper limits on the number of factions of municipal councils or any particular rules of their operation. The procedures of creating a faction, as well as its powers and rules of operation, are determined by the statute of the faction, which, in most cases, is a general document and does not impose any types of particular obligations on the chairperson or members of the faction.Municipalities make use of the general stipulations in the legislation. All the municipal councils have created the maximum number of factions, and the expenses to be incurred on their activity constitute a considerable burden on the budgets. It should be noted that from December 2017, a new position the deputy chairperson of the faction was introduced, which further increased the burden of salaries. As confirmed by our study, the expectation indicated in the explanatory note to the said legislative amendments that the new position would increase the effectiveness of the activity of factions has not come true.It is important that the activity of a faction be beneficial for the relevant self-government body and that it be oriented at increasing the availability and quality of municipal services. Factions are an important component for increasing the degree of citizens involvement in self-government, for supporting local initiatives, and for advocating citizens needs and problems. Therefore, we call on the factions to make an active use of the said instruments. CHINA-JAPAN Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged he will further expand his countrys already improving ties with China but said Japan still needs to bolster its defense capability amid concern about Chinese military activity. INDONESIA Separatists opened fire on an aircraft carrying military personnel and local government officials in Indonesias easternmost Papua region, killing one soldier. PHILIPPINES President Rodrigo Duterte and his top security officials yesterday visited a Catholic cathedral in the southern Philippines where suspected Islamic militants set off bombs that killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 100. PAKISTAN The lawyer of a Pakistani Christian woman awaiting the final ruling on her fate vowed he would fight the last legal hurdle for his client who had faced death threats from Islamist radicals following her acquittal in a blasphemy case. RUSSIA Police yesterday found the painting that was stolen a day earlier from Moscows famed museum of Russian art in broad daylight before unsuspecting visitors. AFGHANISTAN The president yesterday assured his people that their rights will not be compromised in the name of peace with the Taliban, days after the U.S. envoy tasked with resolving Americas longest war reported significant progress in talks with the insurgents. FRANCE Some 10,000 people wearing red scarves marched through Paris to protest acts of violence and vandalism on the sidelines of anti-government demonstrations by the yellow vest movement. BRITAIN Pro-Brexit British lawmakers were mounting a campaign yesterday to rescue Prime Minister Theresa Mays rejected European Union divorce deal in a parliamentary showdown this week. BRAZIL Firefighters yesterday carefully moved over treacherous mud, sometimes walking, sometimes crawling, in search of survivors or bodies, four days after a dam collapse that buried mine buildings and surrounding neighborhoods with iron ore waste. CUBA A tornado and pounding rains smashed into the eastern part of Cubas capital overnight, toppling trees, bending power poles and flinging shards of metal roofing through the air as the storm cut a path of destruction across eastern Havana. Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang was sentenced to 4 years in prison on the charge of subversion of state power yesterday, more than three years after he was detained in a sweeping crackdown on the legal profession. The No. 2 Intermediate Court in the northeastern city of Tianjin announced the sentence in an online statement, adding that Wangs political rights were also being withheld for five years. Wangs wife, Li Wenzu, told The Associated Press she is worried about her husbands health while he is incarcerated. Wang Quanzhang has never committed a crime, but they still forcibly charged him with a crime, Li said. I think this is because he wouldnt compromise with them, wouldnt admit any crime. So I firmly refuse to recognize or accept this result, Li said. Wang was a member of the Fengrui law firm that was well known for its advocacy work. As such, he pursued land rights cases on behalf of poor villagers and represented members of the banned Falun Gong meditation sect. Rights groups condemned the verdict, with Amnesty International China researcher Doriane Lau calling it a gross injustice. Its outrageous that Wang Quanzhang is being punished for peacefully standing up for human rights in China. He must be immediately and unconditionally released, Lau said in a statement. Human Rights Watch said the sentence made a mockery of the rule of law being championed by the ruling Communist Party under President Xi Jinping. Authorities treatment of him [] is the true metric of rule of law in China, the group said in a statement. Wang was tried in a closed hearing last month after being held without access to his lawyers or family since 2015, when he became one of more than 200 legal activists detained during a crackdown. It wasnt clear whether his time in detention would be counted against his sentence. The subversion charge is only hazily defined, and it wasnt clear what specific acts Wang had been accused of committing. The authorities regularly try people accused of such charges behind closed doors on the presumption that opening them to the public might expose state secrets a practice activists say is a thin excuse for a failure to provide solid evidence. Trials for rights activists in China often draw out over years while the accused are held under harsh conditions that can endanger their health, including frequent accusations of torture, while being routinely denied the right to hire their own legal representation and receive visits from family members. Chinas best-known prisoner of conscience, Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, was serving an 11-year sentence for inciting subversion of state power when he died of liver cancer in 2017. He helped write Charter 08, a manifesto calling for political and economic liberalization. Legal advocacy flourished for a time after China opened up its society and economy in the late 1970s, as lawyers defended the disenfranchised and contributed to a nascent civil society. While these lawyers frequently faced intimidation and harassment from the authorities, the roundup in 2015 marked a severe turning point, displaying Xis determination to crush any potential challenges to his authority. The crackdown made clear that human rights lawyers would come to face the kinds of charges previously reserved for those they defended. The coordinated sweep left lawyers detained, disbarred, under house arrest or facing vague charges. Its known as the 709 crackdown for the date, July 9, on which the majority of them were taken. Most of the lawyers have since been released, though they can no longer practice or talk openly with the media. Wang is believed to be one of the last to be tried. Wangs wife was kept from attending his trial by security agents who blocked the exit of her apartment complex. Dake Kang, Beijing, AP Australian defense minister Christopher Pyne urged China today to resolve tensions in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, in a swipe after Beijings sudden detention of a writer who holds dual citizenship. Pyne said the artificial islands Beijing has been building in the disputed waters has increased anxiety and not increased regional confidence in Chinas strategic intentions. On the other hand, resolving disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with international law would build confidence in Chinas willingness to support and champion a strategic culture that respects the rights of all states, he added. Pyne was speaking at a forum in Singapore attended by defense representatives from 24 countries. He said Australia was open to taking part in multilateral activities in the international waters which are crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves. China is pitted against smaller neighbors in those waters that it claims almost in entirety. While Australia is not interested in containing China, it wants Indo-Pacific countries to not have to make choices between economic gain and sovereignty, Pyne said. He added that the growing rivalry between the U.S. and China should not be defined in wholly adversarial terms or characterized as a new Cold War, as economies are far more mutually dependent than they were when the West contested the Soviet bloc. There is no gain in stifling Chinas growth and prosperity, and this is not an agenda in any capital that I know of, Pyne said. Instead, Australia hopes to increase its engagement with the Indo-Pacific, which is home to the worlds busiest sea lanes and 50 percent of its population. It will invest more than 90 billion Australian dollars (USD64.8 billion) in a fleet of attack class submarines, frigates and other ships to strengthen its maritime capabilities. Pyne said the country hopes to grow its defense budget to over 2 percent of its gross domestic product by 2021. Australia sees its role as one of being able to talk to both China and the United States openly and frankly, he said. We are clearly a very close ally of the United States [] but we dont believe we need to choose between security and prosperity, and we havent in the past and we dont intend to in the future. Pyne visited Beijing last week for a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe. They discussed the detention of Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun, whom China has accused of endangering its national security. Yesterday, Pyne said consular access to Yang, a 53-year-old novelist and online commentator has been granted. He did not give further details on the matter but said Australias relations with China were in positive shape. AP President Rodrigo Duterte and his top security officials yesterday visited a Catholic cathedral in the southern Philippines where suspected Islamic militants set off bombs that killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 100. The first blast sent people, some of them wounded, fleeing out the churchs main door. Army troops and police were rushing inside when the second bomb exploded a minute later. The explosions scattered wooden pews inside the main hall, blasted out window glass panels and hurled human remains and debris across a town square fronting the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, witnesses said. The attack occurred in the Sulu provincial capital on Jolo island, where Abu Sayyaf militants have carried out years of bombings, kidnappings and beheadings and have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for the attack. Duterte walked slowly into the bombed cathedral, where the wooden pews were still in disarray. At one point he looked at the ceiling, where many panels were ripped off by the blasts. Duterte ordered the armed forces to crush the Abu Sayyaf. The group has an estimated 300 to 400 members, mostly in Sulu where it is holding several foreign and Filipino kidnap victims. Duterte later met with families of the victims at a military camp in Jolo where coffins were laid side by side. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was with the president, blamed the attack on Abu Sayyaf commander Hatib Sawadjaan, who he said has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. This is an act of terrorism, Lorenzana said. This is not a religious war. Sawadjaan is based in the jungles of Patikul town, near Jolo, and has been blamed for ransom kidnappings and beheadings of hostages, including two Canadian men, in recent years. Police put forces around the country on heightened alert to prevent similar attacks. The bombings came nearly a week after minority Muslims in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation endorsed a new autonomous region in the southern Philippines in hopes of ending nearly five decades of a separatist rebellion that has left 150,000 people dead. Although most Muslim areas approved the autonomy deal, voters in Sulu province rejected it. The province is home to a rival rebel faction that is opposed to the deal as well as smaller militant cells that are not part of any peace process. A statement by the Islamic State group posted on social media claimed the attack was carried out by two suicide bombers who wore explosive belts, one detonating at the gate and the other in the parking lot. Police said at least 20 people died and 111 were wounded. The fatalities were 15 civilians and five troops. Among the wounded, about 90 are civilians. The United Nations and others denounced the attack. In a statement attributed to a spokesman, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and reiterated the U.N.s support for the Philippines efforts to fight terrorism and to carry forward a peace process in the Muslim region. Western governments have welcomed the autonomy pact in part to ease concerns that Filipino militants could ally themselves with foreigners and turn the southern region into a breeding ground for extremists. Jim Gomez, Manila, AP This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Macau SAR and possibly a turning point in the demographic development of the city. Macau has welcomed successive waves of Chinese immigration in the two decades since the handover to an extent not seen since World War II, when the citys population reportedly swelled from about 200,000 to 700,000. Today, the city is home to a combined permanent and foreign worker population of about 650,000, which has stood mostly unchanged since 2015. The non-resident component has also stabilized at around 180,000 workers. The reality is that borders whether geographic or artificial create nations, ethnicities, cultures and so on. The longer a splinter society lives apart, the more distinct it tends to become from its mother society. From our local perspective in China, this is also the case for Taiwan and Japan, whose peoples can trace their roots or culture back to different periods in Chinese history. Though Macau has long had its own culture a variation of Chinese culture apart from the traditional definition of the Macanese successive waves of Chinese immigration have brought a certain mainlandization, born out of decades of political and ideological differences between the Peoples Republic of China and Portuguese-administered Macau. Mainland immigrants brought with them their own sensibilities that inevitably diluted the Macau variation of Chinese identity; a phenomenon exaggerated by the relatively small population of the territory. Now, not only might that be coming to an end, it may well reverse. It might be said that second-generation immigrants particularly those hailing from the same ethnic and cultural background are far more likely to assimilate into the local culture variation than their parents, who spent their formative years in another place. For example, one Macau-based researcher recently found that permanent residents had a stronger preference for democracy and universal suffrage than non-residents. Thus there are some Values that hold together a local identity. As the city enters into its third decade as a special administrative region of China, we might expect to see a strengthening of a Macau identity, providing that the population continues to hold stable. The cultural distinction is certainly not cause for self-rule, and Macau can have its own identity while remaining, in political terms, a semi-autonomous or even prefecture-level city within the Peoples Republic of China. This is the case for many stateless cultures, ethnicities and nations around the world, including my home country. But from the perspective of the Central Government in Beijing, it is far easier to have a uniform culture in Macau with a single loyalty (albeit its a holy trinity of loving the people, party and country) than a distinct culture that views the rulers and the ruled as different peoples and whose loyalty must be earned. Looking at recent regional developments from a demographic perspective makes for an interesting exercise. The Central Governments encroachment into the autonomous affairs of Macau has the purpose of reducing the potential for social conflict born out of differences between China and Macau, including the varying degrees of political and social freedoms. The Macau SAR could hardly accommodate a new influx of Chinese immigrants to weaken a localized sense of identity there is just not enough space but it could be incorporated into the southern China region in a way that borders would matter less or not at all. The Greater Bay Area might not be integration via economic initiatives, but a question of sustainable demographics. In the past decade, China has relied primarily on credit growth to fund its economic ambitions. The countrys banks are now feeling the constraints of this lending binge and need to raise a lot of capital over the next couple of years. The way China handles this challenge will determine its economic health. With 267 trillion yuan ($39.4 trillion) of total assets, and home to the worlds four largest banks by this measure, the countrys financial system doesnt operate in isolation. Whatever happens in China will have a global impact. Major Chinese banks raised or announced plans to raise 343 billion yuan in 2018, according to a recent note by Nomura Holdings Inc. Thats well below the estimates of UBS Group AG, which just last year said these firms would need 1 trillion to 3 trillion yuan, depending on the targeted capital-adequacy level. Neither forecast counts the additional funds the big four banks need to meet Basel III requirements for systematically important institutions by 2024. The fundamental problem is the conflicting pressures on the sector. Despite talk of deleveraging in 2018, as nominal GDP growth slowed to 9.7 percent, total loans outstanding grew 13.5 percent. To prop up the economy, Chinese banks have been lending well in excess of deposit growth. Since the beginning of 2016, as loans outstanding grew 41 percent, deposits rose just 29 percent. That put balance sheets under increasing strain. Officially, capital adequacy ratios improved to 13.8 percent in 2018 from 13.4 percent two years earlier. In reality, this was only achieved with an accounting sleight of hand. With the Chinese economy slowing, Beijing has been leaning on banks both to absorb the build-up in shadow assets and continue lending to drive investment-dependent growth. With new loans outpacing new deposits by 20 percent in 2018, and a similar trend expected this year, capital is becoming increasingly constrained. Almost every cut to banks reserve requirements over the past year has coincided with a significant repayment to the central bank. In other words, banks are borrowing from themselves to reimburse the Peoples Bank of China. Banks simply dont have the ability to continue lending as much as they do without additional capital. Chinese banks and regulators thus need to establish a plan to raise funds. Theyve made a start: On Thursday the PBOC announced measures to help banks raise capital by issuing perpetual bonds. Whether officials also consider convertible bonds or secondary offerings to name just a few of the possibilities they need to speed up approvals and encourage firms to address their balance-sheet weaknesses more promptly. Waiting for an economic slowdown or external event to raise capital isnt a wise strategy. As Beijing comes under fire for favoring state-owned firms over private ones, it should urge the larger dinosaurs to deleverage faster, making it easier to allocate credit to smaller enterprises. China needs to move away from favoring the firms that consume the largest amounts of capital inefficiently. Bank-capital levels may not grab headlines, but continuing to lend faster than deposits are growing and reducing the ability to cushion a slowdown can only continue for so long. Regulators need to address this problem before it becomes a crisis. Christopher Balding, Bloomberg A Bangladeshi airliner was misaligned with the runway and its pilot was disoriented and tried to land in sheer desperation when the plane crashed last year in Nepal, an investigation report said. US-Bangla Airlines Flight BS211 from Dhaka crashed on its second landing attempt at Kathmandus Tribhuvan International Airport on March 12, 2018. The 51 people killed were 28 Bangladeshi, 22 Nepalese and one Chinese national, and 20 others were injured. The pilot and co-pilot were among the dead. The investigation report compiled by Nepalese officials and made available yesterday said the probable cause of the crash was the pilots disorientation and loss of situation awareness. Contributing to this, the aircraft was offset to the proper approach path that led to maneuvers in a very dangerous and unsafe altitude to alight with the runway. Landing was completed in a sheer desperation after sighting the runway, at very close proximity and very low altitude, it said. The report also said the pilot had been released from the Bangladesh Air Force in 1993 due to depression and was only allowed to fly civilian planes from 2002 after a detailed medical evaluation. Also, the pilot was under stress and emotionally disturbed and had lack of sleep in the preceding night. The report also cited a lack of assertiveness from controllers at Kathmandu airport in monitoring the flight path and failing to issue clear instructions to carry out a standard missed-approach procedure. The flight crew and the controllers also lacked a clear understanding of each other when they communicated about the landing runway, the report said. The report recommended that assertiveness in such situations become part of the training for air traffic controllers. It also asked the Bangladesh civil aviation authority to reassess the physical and psychological status of grounded pilots before their licenses are renewed and that all airline pilots undergo psychological evaluation during training. AP The Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) takes Macaus global corruption ranking seriously, said the head of the CCAC, Andre Cheong Weng Chon, yesterday on the sidelines of the Liaison Office New Year Reception. Talking about a recent report [Transparency International 2018] which indicated a fall in Macaus ranking in the corruption perception index, Cheong said I also noticed that, between 2009 and 2016, the global rankings of Macaus corruption perception index were about 40 to 50 [least corrupt region or country]. But, in 2017, the ranking suddenly dropped to over 100, and this year the ranking seems to be even worse, but I dont remember. We try to understand why there is this change. In 2017, the ranking dropped to double the number of the previous year, said Cheong, further explaining that he tried to understand the reason, [before realizing] that it seems the organization changed their criteria for scoring. Because Macau is too small, and since some statistics could not be provided, [the organization] didnt believe or didnt ask the government to provide the information, but it collected statistics from NGOs, said Cheong, adding that because the association could not collect some of the information, it could not evaluate [the score]. From the CCACs point of view, this kind of survey is good for forming a clean society, especially at a global level, said Cheong, adding that regardless of whether the ranking is high or low, the CCAC pays attention to it, and we will use it as a reference, hoping to push forward Macaus clean government development. Regarding Hong Kongs ranking being far ahead of Macaus, Cheong said that he gives more consideration to the Macau publics opinion. In addition, when talking about the former Iec Long Firework Factory, Cheong said that the government does not need to bear the fee to take back the land. If it involves a criminal situation, the CCAC will definitely follow it up, said Cheong. Regardless of whether its the Iec Long Firework Factory reports or other reports, we always feel that laws and administrations in land management need to be improved. If there are conditions, we will see whether there [is a] chance for us to review the land management [policies], said Cheong. In addition, Cheong is not giving an estimated time for completing the analysis of the cases of 74 plots of expired land. The CCAC is currently collecting information and documents about the 74 cases. Cheong believes that the change in government will not affect the progress of CCACs work. Liaison office head still learning about Macau ON THE sidelines of yesterdays Liaison Office New Year Reception, the Director of the Liaison Office, Fu Ziying, said that he still needs to learn more about Macau, having only been appointed to the territory approximately one month ago. Fu remarked that Macaus development will enter a new phase when the SAR government leadership changes in the near future. Fu hopes that Macau can take more initiative to enhance communications with mainland China, and that Macau can be brave at trying things, in particular regarding the development of the Greater Bay Area. The Afghan president yesterday assured his people that their rights will not be compromised in the name of peace with the Taliban, days after the U.S. envoy tasked with resolving Americas longest war reported significant progress in talks with the insurgents. President Ashraf Ghanis remarks came as U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times that American and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the framework of a peace deal with the insurgents. The newspaper yesterday quoted Khalilzad as saying the framework deal, which still has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement, will see the Taliban commit to guaranteeing that Afghan territory is not used as a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals. The deal, the envoy said, could lead to full pullout of American troops in return for a cease-fire and Taliban talks with the Afghan government. Ghani, in turn, apparently tried to assure Afghans that no deals would be made without Kabuls awareness and full participation in negotiations. Our commitment is to provide peace and to prevent any possible disaster, President Ashraf Ghani said in his address to the nation. There are values that are not disputable, such as national unity, national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ghani and Khalilzad met late on Sunday in Kabul. In a statement, Ghanis office said that the U.S. envoy shared details of his latest round of talks with the Taliban in Qatar. It quoted Khalilzad as saying he had discussed a cease-fire deal with the Taliban but that there was no progress on the issue. Khalilzad and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul did not immediately respond to APs requests for comment. The Taliban have been staging near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces, causing scores of casualties every week. Their offensive has not let up despite the severe Afghan winter and the Taliban now hold sway over nearly half of the country. That has made peace an even more pressing issue. Khalilzad met with the Taliban on a number of occasions in recent months most recently last week in Qatar where the Taliban have a political office in the latest bid to end Americas longest war. The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to topple the Taliban, who were harboring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida. yesterdays statement from Ghanis office also claimed that the Taliban demanded from Khalilzad the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan, but that there was also no agreement on that issue. The statement added that Khalilzad has no authority to discuss issues such as a future Afghan administration but that his goal is to facilitate an intra- Afghan dialogue, meaning direct talks between the Taliban and Kabul. On Saturday, after six days of meetings with the Taliban in Qatar, Khalilzad on his official twitter account said: Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past. We made significant progress on vital issues, he tweeted, without offering details. Abdul Hakim Mujahid, a former Taliban official and currently a member of the High Peace Council, an independent body of clerics and respected Afghan figures, said he believes the Qatar talks resulted in a good understanding between both sides but that more discussions are needed in the coming weeks or months. Afghanistans problem is not so simple that it can be solved in a day, week or month, it needs more time and more discussions, Mujahid told The Associated Press. The Taliban have in the past refused to negotiate directly with Kabul a standing that does not appear to have changed. They have maintained that they are prepared to talk with U.S. officials only and only about the pullout of foreign forces from Afghanistan. Afghan political analyst Waheed Muzhda says he believes that Khalilzad and the Taliban have reached agreement on both the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and a cease-fire deal, but that neither side is prepared to say so at this point. But peace talks are not possible unless both sides first agree on a cease-fire, Muzhda said. Ghani, in yesterdays address to the nation, also stressed that American and other foreign forces are in Afghanistan because they are needed here and that if there is to be any downsizing or pullout, the Kabul government will have to play a role in the talks. Ghani also reiterated his call on the Taliban to engage in direct talks with the Afghan government. Rahim Faiez, Kabul, AP European Commissioner says Georgia-EU visa-free deal is not at any risk By Gvantsa Gabekhadze European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn claims that the EU-Georgia visa-free deal signed in 2017 is not at risk as there is no reason for the use of the suspension mechanism.Of course, there are people who have no reason but seek political asylum in the EU. However, the number of such Georgians compared to the whole number of asylum seekers in the EU member states is insignificant, Hahn said.Several foreign ambassadors [French, German, Swiss, Sweden] acting in Georgia stated this week that they wished to meet with Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia to discuss ways of decreasing the number of Georgian asylum seekers in their countries.They said that after the EU-Georgia visa agreement the number of Georgian illegal migrants to their countries has increased and added that they did not want Georgians to lose the opportunity of the visa-free travel to the Schengen zone.French ambassador Pascal Meunier says that Georgians are asking for political asylum in France, when actually they have economic motivations.Georgia is on the list of safe countries in France, and nobody who applies for political asylum in France will receive [it], Meunier said.Meunier says that the number of Georgian asylum seekers in France has increased after the enactment of the Georgia-EU visa-free deal in March 2017.In December 2017 we received 1,000 applications from Georgian citizens asking for political asylum, while the figures in previous months were up to 200. We should discuss ways with the Georgian Interior Minister of how the problem might be settled," Meunier said.More than 300,00 Georgians traveled visa-free to the EU since March 2017. Students and staff from St. Marys, La Purisima and St. Joseph were in attendance for a mass at St. Mary's Church in Santa Maria on Monday morning, for National Catholic Schools Week. The series of events kicked off January 27 and will run through February 2. The theme is Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed. 012819 Schools mass 03.jpg 012819 Schools mass 06.jpg 012819 Schools mass 02.jpg 012819 Schools mass 04.jpg 012819 Schools mass 01.jpg 012819 Schools mass 05.jpg 012819 Schools mass 07.jpg 012819 Schools mass 08.jpg 012819 Schools mass 09.jpg 012819 Schools mass 10.jpg 012819 Schools mass 11.jpg 012819 Schools mass 12.jpg 012819 Schools mass 13.jpg 012819 Schools mass 14.jpg Savanah Burke is determined to go the distance to play basketball at the collegiate level and not just figuratively. Europes Easternmost port By S. Frederick Starr What is one of the worlds largest dredging vessels doing in Georgia, a country that is several thousand miles from the nearest ocean and boasts some of Europes highest mountains? It is there because little Georgia, with a population of only 3.7 million, is constructing a major international deep sea port on its Black Sea coast. Anaklia, as the new port has been named, will be a game changer in just about every respect.Anyone who has observed the huge ships in the Bosporus at Istanbul knows the problem Anaklia is designed to solve. An ocean-going freighter from the Americas or Africa can pass into the Mediterranean at Gibraltar or arrive from the Persian Gulf via Suez. All of these, as well as large ships from any port in Europe, can pass easily into the Black Sea. But if their cargo is headed to the EastAzerbaijan, Central Asia, China, Afghanistan or even Pakistanthere has not been any port on the eastern end of the Black Sea that can accommodate them.The same problem existed for goods coming from the East. China has pushed hard to open a transport corridor across Central Asia to the Caspian Sea and beyond. But for now, most western-bound traffic heads north from Kazakhstan through Russia. New Caspian ports being built by Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan will enable goods to go directly West by rail from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Georgia and on to Turkey. But the alternate sea route from Georgia to the rest of the world has been blocked by the absence of a deep-sea port. Such a port must accommodate ships with a draft of up to seventeen meters. That will be Anaklia.Once functioning, Anaklia will be the only deep -sea port east of the Bosporus able to host Panamax vessels, i.e., those that can traverse the widened and deepened Panama Canal. Goods crossing from Anaklia can then proceed by ship into the Danube system, or by train to anywhere in Central or southern Europe. Or they can proceed directly to the Mediterranean and beyond.Since 2017 hundreds of workers from the surrounding area have been hard at work constructing the new port. In the near future they will begin building Anaklia City, which is designed to be a free-trade zone and regional commercial center serving Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Russian Caucasus, and northeastern Turkey. Because of the countrys central location, its sixth place ranking (out of 190 countries) in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business report, and to its having the second lowest perceived incidence of crime in Europe, according to the NUMBEO Crime Index,[1] Georgians hope that firms from both Europe and Asia will find it convenient to base their Silk Road offices in the new city.Mention of the Silk Road reminds us that over the millennia the territory of Georgia and the Caucasus were integral parts of the great trade routes connecting Europe with both China and India. Archaeological finds from ancient sites close by Anaklia confirm this. More recently, many countries have eyed the route from the Caspian Sea through the Caucasus to the Black Sea as key elements of the emerging continent-spanning transport corridors.Thus, barely a year after the collapse of the USSR, the European Union launched its TRASECA program (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) in order to open the Caucasus and Central Asia to the West. Then Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and western partners teamed up to build a new pipeline from the Caspian to the Mediterranean and then a new highway and railroad from the Baku clear through Georgia and Turkey to Istanbul and beyond.Simultaneously, the newly independent countries of Central Asia lying to the east of the Caspian launched their own programs to build roads and railroads that would link with the emerging corridor through the Caucasus. To this end, Kazakhstan undertook a massive project to create transport infrastructure stretching from its border with China to the Caspian shore. In the same spirit, Turkmenistan planned and constructed both road and railroad links between its border with Afghanistan and its Caspian shore.Topping off this massive multinational effort were the construction of no fewer than five entirely new ports on the Caspian Sea itself. Throughout the Soviet era the Caspian had served mainly as a north-south sea link between Iran and Russia. Thanks to these initiatives arising from both the Caucasus and Central Asia the Caspian has been transformed into a major corridor of east-west transport. To achieve this, the littoral countriesAzerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan have constructed modern new ports at Aylat, Aktau, and Turkmenbashi to serve what they expect to be the massive growth of east-west and west-east transport over the coming years. All three of these mega-projects will pour goods through Anaklia and will in turn serve as entrepots for goods being sent east from Anaklia.How does China figure in this picture, and especially its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)? Announced in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, BRI mapped out infrastructure projects that would be necessary in order to create a global transport network centering on China. Significantly, it also created a fund that could eventually reach hundreds of billions of dollars, to be parceled out mainly as loans to partner countries so as to enable them to pay for the construction of roads, railroads, and ports on their territory.Notwithstanding the fact that all of the above projects appear on Chinese maps of the BRI network, they werewith one exceptionfunded entirely by the countries themselves and not by China. The exception was the road and railroad across Kazakhstan, which received partial funding from China beginning in the 1990s. For both countries this was a strategic decision. Kazakhstan saw these loans as the only way to open east-west transport across the country and to break Russias monopoly over its foreign trade, and China saw it as essential to preventing its trade with Europe from becoming totally dependent on Russias Trans-Siberian Railroad.Meanwhile, the Government of Georgia moved quickly to expand its relations with China and to make sure that its Anaklia project would occupy a significant place on Chinas global transport maps. It had already convened a Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi in 2015 and then in 2017 held a Belt and Road Forum, with strong representation from China. Georgia also bought twenty-eight Chinese freight locomotives and agreed to collaborate with China on developing both its energy network and agriculture. By that year China had become Georgias third largest trading partner, an increase of forty times since 2002, and had taken out loans from six different Chinese financial institutions.These developments might tempt one to conclude that Georgia has been thoroughly drawn into Chinas transport orbit and perhaps developed a dangerous financial dependency as well. This appears not to be the case. It is true that Chinese firms have invested in the free industrial zone at Poti, one of Georgias two other Black Sea ports, but the sums involved are not large, and the U.S. is an active participant in the more important project, namely, upgrading Potis port. And it is also true that the Anaklia project is expected to receive up to $400 million in loans from the diversified pool of four European, American, and Asian financial institutions, with Chinas new Asian Infrastructure Development Bank providing only 25% of the total. Further funding comes from the Government of Georgia and private Georgian investors.Thus, the fact that Anaklia appears with a star on recent Chinese maps of BRI does not mean that China controls it either directly or indirectly, through debt. To their credit, the Georgians have worked out a constructive relationship to China and BRI, just as they have done with Europe and TRASECA. China has even broached further transport projects with Tbilisi. But Georgians are far too protective of their sovereignty to allow China to control them through debt.From top to bottom Anaklia has a strong Atlanticist stamp. SSA Marine of Seattle, one of the worlds largest port managers, will run Anaklias terminal. Bob Watters, SSA Marines senior vice president, sees the growth of Anaklias cargo port as very exciting. Anaklia Citys judicial and mediation services are expected to operate on the basis of British law. German, Swiss, and Danish logistics giants are expected to dominate west-east shipping. Mamuka Khazaradze, a Georgian entrepreneur and banker who founded and presides over TBC Holding, the founding member of the Anaklia Development Consortium.It is no secret that what was once the southern border of the Soviet Union is today one of the worlds major geopolitical fault-lines. Recent events in Ukraine and Crimea vividly remind us that that that line runs from the Black Sea straight through the South Caucasus, from Georgia to Azerbaijan. Inevitably, it involves not only the new ports at Anaklia and Aylat but their counterparts on the eastern shore of the Caspian as well: Kazakhstans Aktau and Turkmenistans Turkmenbashi. Georgians have not forgotten the Russian armys invasion of their country in August 2008, nor can they ignore the pressure Moscow is exerting against Ukraines Black Sea ports at Kerch, Berdyansk, and Mariupol. However, for the time being Putin and his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, have kept their silence about Anaklia. To be sure, in an interview with Russian journalist D. Aslomov, Lavrov hinted that Russia would respond to any military activity in Anaklia, but he went no further.[2] Perhaps he and Putin want to avoid further conflict with Europe and America or, more likely, are not prepared to oppose something favored by its nominal ally, China. Or perhaps they have concluded that the new port does Russia no harm and could even benefit its impoverished and conflicted provinces in the North Caucasus.If Anaklia poses no direct threat to Russia, it will be a positive boon to Central and East European countries that were once under Moscows sway. For Poland, it mitigates the risk of depending on the unreliable Belarus-Russia border and the railroad line running south to Kazakhstan, which Russia could close at any time. Polish goods will be able to reach Anaklia through the Krakow-Constanza route or via Katowice and Odessa. Indeed, Polish producers are already looking to Anaklia as the gateway through which they can reach markets in Central Asia, China, the Middle East, and India. Similarly, Romania will benefit by being linked to the East through its major port of Constanza, while other Central European countries will gain similar access via the Rhine-Danube Corridor and its direct link to Constanza. Meanwhile, of course, Europes Mediterranean and North Seas ports will be able to send goods to the entire East through Anaklia. If this happens, Georgias new port will have enabled Poland to implement its centuries-old dream of connecting the Baltic and Black Seas.At first glance Turkey might seem to pose a problem for Anaklia. Has it not invested heavily in the railroad connecting Baku and Istanbul by way of northeastern Anatolia? But Georgia has been a partner in that Baku-Tbilisi-Kars project from the beginning and sees the rail and sea links not as competitors but as complementary to one another. Moreover, Anaklia will give eastern Turkeys agricultural hinterland ready access to a deep-sea port, whence foodstuffs can be sent to diverse markets on several continents. Much the same can be said of northern Iran. To be sure, the Iranians are working hard to complete a modern rail line from Turkey to its new Gulf of Oman port and free trade zone at Chabahar, currently under Indian management. This could eventually provide competition to the railroad running between Baku and Istanbul, although important impediments (of which sanctions are only one) would first have to be overcome. But if shippers from India wish to get their goods to northern Europe or North America, a far more efficient route than sending them by rail from Chabahar to Istanbul would be to trans-ship them directly to Anaklia via the railroad connection through Baku.Finally, we should note the potential value of Anaklia to the countries of Central Asia. Uzbekistan, for example, is the worlds fourth largest producer of raw cotton, much of which it still markets through the distant Baltic ports, which they reach via the Russian railroad network. Both Tajikistan and Turkmenistan grow cotton as well, and share Uzbekistans difficulties in getting their crop to market. Anaklia could greatly speed this process and also cut costs. Other products of landlocked Central Asia could reach markets more efficiently by being shipped from the eastern Caspian ports of Aktau or Turkmenbashi to Aylat in Azerbaijan and thence by a short overland trip to Anaklia.These scenarios are undeniably attractive and would seem to justify the cost and labor involved in creating a completely new port and commercial center. But are they the whole story? What are the pitfalls that might befall the Anaklia project and which of these have the potential to delay or even prevent its full development? A sober answer to this question must be included in any fair assessment of this $2.5 billion project.A first factor that threatens to dim Anaklias luster is the sheer inefficiency of the TRASECA corridor to date. Over the entire decade since 2010 the transit of European goods through Georgia and Azerbaijan has steadily declined. Border crossings have often slowed to a snails pace and tariffs along the route have been volatile, even though signed agreements should have prevented this. Bluntly, the European Unions vaunted TRASECA Corridor is by no means competitive today and shows few signs of becoming so in the immediate future. EU offices face more urgent tasks and many of the countries along the TRASECA route from western Europe to Georgia and Azerbaijan are preoccupied with what they consider more immediate problems. Of course, Anaklia itself will create pressure to improve this situation, but there is as yet no sign that the EU will initiate the process.In the absence of a functioning deep-water port on Georgias Black Sea coast, and with the Caspian ports of Aktau and Aylat only now beginning to flourish, nearly all cargo from China has reached Europe by crossing Kazakhstan and then diverting northward to Russias Trans-Siberian Railroad, and thence to northern Germany. Anaklia, working in tandem with Aktau and Aylat, should attract a significant part of this Europe-bound trade to the Caucasus route, i.e., to the EUs TRASECA. The exact extent of this shift will depend less on governments than the judgment of the market. At any rate, China itself seeks to make greater use of the Caucasus route and therefore has supported Anaklia.A major long-term argument against the viability of Anaklia is that Chinas productivity is bound to decline over the coming decades as its labor force shrinks and the number of its retirees soars. Demographic data confirm that this process has begun, and is unstoppable.[3]This development will limit Chinese production and hence China-Europe trade. Tending towards the same outcome would be a greater emphasis on high-value-added goods, which may mean less bulk to be transported.Meanwhile, the size of the labor force of the Indian sub-continent (India, Pakistan, and Bangla Desh) is soaring while the number of its retirees remains relatively small. With a labor force that will be twice the size of Chinas within a generation, it is all but inevitable that the Indian sub-continent will become a world economic center, as indeed is already happening. This will generate great demand for east-west transport, which will be met by a combination of sea and land routes. The Great India Road, Indias counterpart to the Silk Road to China, is older and longer than the China route. Until it was cut by the Soviet borders, it also carried more goods and was less frequently interrupted than the Silk Road between China and Europe. This route went straight to the Caspian shores at Baku, Azerbaijan and thence to the Black Sea.The revival of this long-forgotten Great India Road will more than make up for any long-term decline of Chinese shipping through Anaklia that might occur. Indeed, the first steps towards this revival are already being taken. Thus, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan are working to revive what they call the Lapis Lazuli Corridor from their common border clear to Europe via the Caucasus. And only recently Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia signed a deal to complete the rail connection across the width of Afghanistan to Peshawar in Pakistan. Meanwhile, two newly built ports on the Arabian Sea Pakistans Gwadar and Irans Chabahar will enable goods shipped from the East to proceed westward by land, with the route through the Caucasus to Anaklia being a strong option.There is no lack of hypothetical impediments to the future success of Anaklia. Among them, none is more compelling than the possibility of continued low international prices on oil. This would reduce the cost of shipping goods from China to Europe by sea and could therefore cut into the volume of land cargo from the East that should feed Anaklia. But that shift would at the same time benefit Anaklia by reducing shipping cost for the deep-sea vessels it will accommodate. In other words, like all the other potentially retarding factors discussed here, there are good reasons to think that this one may not prove significant, if it emerges at all.On the other side of the ledger are the many potential benefits that Anaklia may bring. First, it will facilitate trade and interaction between Europe and China. Chinas BRI has elicited a skeptical response from many in the West and many elsewhere as well. However, neither in the Caucasus nor in Central Asia are the declared interests of China, Europe and the United States in conflict. In fact, these are regions where one could imagine East and West working out practical understandings. If Anaklia could help bring that about, it will have been an agent of compromise in a situation otherwise defined by conflict.Second, Anakliaport and citywill be as the biggest development project ever undertaken in the western Caucasus. As such, it has the potential to impact positively on the entire region, including both Russias North Caucasus, Armenia, northern Iran, and the poorer regions of western Georgia itself. In light of the fact that these regions have been several times been riven by conflict since the collapse of the USSR, the economic and social development Anaklia fosters is bound to be beneficial.Third, the benefits this new port and commercial center will bring to Georgia itself are notable. They will create thousands of jobs, most of them requiring modern skills and a significant number of them being in emerging sectors of technology and finance. This in turn will diversify Georgias economy and make it more self-sustaining, which in turn will render the society more modern and forward looking. Anaklia looks both east and west, but its strongest impact on Georgia will be to strengthen its ties with Europe and the Atlantic world. Georgians themselves have already declared integration with European life and culture to be their strategic objective. By offering European economies a new path by which their products can reach the East, it will strengthen Europes appreciation of Georgia, not just as an attractive if curious distant land but as a country that contributes directly to Europes own welfare.These and many other considerations underscore the value and importance of Anaklia for the United States. True, it will bring profits and jobs to the ports builder, Conti Group of New Jersey, and to SSA Marine of Seattle, which will oversee its operations. And by expanding the channels for continental trade across Eurasia, Anaklia (and the upgraded but smaller port at nearby Poti) will create opportunities for American manufacturers and their branches in Europe, and for American firms in such diverse areas as shipping, logistics, insurance, hotels, and storage. These important developments will all have a positive impact regionally, involving equally Azerbaijan and its new port at Aylat, and both Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, with their new Caspian ports. Others who will benefit from the expanded corridor created by Anaklia will include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan, all of which figure prominently among U.S. interests. Such developments will help both Washington and Brussels to define a new strategy towards the Caucasus and Central Asia, one that stresses continental trade through the region, and which is prepared to find common cause with other powersincluding China, Russia, and Indiaso long as they respect the sovereignty and self-determination of both regions. In the end, Anaklia benefits all countries that seek a new order in the Caucasus and Central Asia based not on confrontation and interference but on trade and cooperation.Anaklia is a fifty-two year project and it is only now beginning its second year. Many aspects of its future development have yet to be worked out, and its impact on the world around it for now remains hypothetical. What is already clear, however, is that Georgians are capable of conceiving, planning, and carrying out highly complex and significant projects that serve their country, their region, and the world. Not bad for a country of 3.75 million that is better known for its wine and tourism than for its contribution to continental commerce. Theres 30 to 40 things we sponsored, all the 1 percent programs, Ellis said. We tried to do as much as possible. We hardly ever said no. Ellis said ending that community involvement was a difficult choice to make. We got to that breaking point where we had to make a really tough business decision. Its a hard one, he said. Jami Cate, the chair of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival board, said the event has had a good relationship with Mega Foods. "Theyve been a great one to work with and have helped us in making that available to the public for a number of years now. Its sad to see them go, but we will start a new chapter in our shortcake history and carry on," Cate said. Mega Foods leases its Lebanon location and Ellis said it will be up to the property owner to determine the site's future. The Lebanon Mega Foods changed its hours leading up to the closure. The store will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily during its final week of operation. Castro is sorry to see it go. "I've shopped there since I was 19 years old and the past 20 years or so it's been a Mega Foods," Castro said. "We dont go over that much to the other stores because were not seeing exactly what we want and its gonna be a little bit more expensive." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The United States official working to bring peace to Afghanistan says significant progress was made during his latest talks with the Taliban. U.S. special representative Zalmay Khalilzad reported the progress after holding six days of talks with Taliban representatives in Qatar. Before going to Qatar, Khalilzad met with Afghan government officials. "Meetings here were more productive than they have been in the past, Khalilzad wrote on Twitter as he prepared to fly back to Afghanistan. He added: "We will build on the momentum and resume talks shortly. We have a number of issues left to work out." The goal of the talks is to reach a peace deal agreed to by all sides. The U.S.-led Afghan war was launched shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The military action was aimed at ousting the Taliban from power. U.S. officials accused the groups leaders of providing support to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his followers. Khalilzad met in Kabul Sunday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. In a statement, the presidents office said the U.S. diplomat had shared details about his talks with the Taliban. It said Khalilzad held discussions with the Taliban on a cease-fire, but that he reported no specific progress on the issue. Khalilzad wrote on Twitter Saturday that any agreement must include details relating to a comprehensive cease-fire. The New York Times reported him as saying a peace deal could lead to a full pullout of U.S. troops in exchange for a cease-fire and Taliban talks with the Afghan government. Taliban fighters have been carrying out near-daily attacks on Afghan security forces. President Ghani said last week that about 45,000 security force members had been killed since he took office in 2014. The Taliban currently controls about half the countrys territory. Ghani spoke about the peace talks in a message to the Afghan people Monday. Our commitment is to provide peace and to prevent any possible disaster, he said. The president added that any peace agreement should respect the governments national unity and national sovereignty. During his address, Ghani noted that U.S. and other foreign forces remain in the country because they are still needed. He said if there is to be any force reductions or pullout, the Afghan government will have to be involved in those discussions. He also repeated a call to the Taliban to agree to hold direct talks with the Afghan government. The U.S. military has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan. About 8,000 troops from 38 other countries are also involved in the effort, which is largely directed against al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story significant adj. important momentum n. the force that something has when it is moving resume v. to start again comprehensive adj. including everything sovereignty n. a country's independent power and the right to govern itself A 3-year-old boy who was lost in the woods for two days is now safe at home with his family. But Casey Hathaway told his rescuers that he was not alone in the rainy, freezing cold woods. He said he was with a friend a bear. The child went missing on January 22 while playing with friends at his grandmothers house in the southern state of North Carolina. When the other children returned to the house and Casey did not, the family searched the area for almost an hour before calling the police. Police formed a search and rescue team to look for the young boy in the nearby woods. But two days went by and still -- no Casey. Then on January 24, someone called the police saying they heard a child crying in the woods. Police followed up on the information and found Casey at about 9:30 that night. They pulled him out of some briar. He was in good health. Casey told the rescuers that he had hung out with a black bear for two days, a bear he called his friend. Sheriff Chip Hughes spoke with reporters from several news agencies. He said Casey did not say how he was able to survive in the woods for three days in the cold, rainy weather. However, the sheriff said, He did say he had a friend in the woods that was a bear that was with him. Hundreds of people helped in the search and rescue efforts, including some 600 volunteers, federal police and members of the military. Officer Hughes told reporters that at no point did he think Casey had been kidnapped. Doctors at Carolina East Medical Center treated Casey for minor injuries. He was then released to his family on January 25. His mother Brittany Hathaway talked with reporters from a local news agency and thanked everyone who joined the search for her son. "We just want to tell everybody that we're very thankful that you took the time out to come search for Casey and prayed for him, and he's good," said his mother. "He is good, he is up and talking. He's already asked to watch Netflix. So, he's good..." Im Ashley Thompson. This story was reported by several news agencies in North Carolina. Anna Matteo adapted them for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story hung out phrasal verb : to spend time in a certain place or in certain company briar n. a plant (as the rose or blackberry) with a thorny or prickly stem Rescue workers confirmed on Monday that at least 60 people are dead after a dam collapsed in Minas Gerais state in Brazil. Officials say at least 300 other people remain missing. The dam, owned by Brazil's Vale mining company, collapsed Friday in the town of Brumadinho. Water and mud swept over hundreds of mine workers as they were taking a lunch break. Search efforts continued on Monday. Rescue workers used long pieces of wood to cross mud-covered areas to search for bodies inside of a bus. Villagers discovered the bus as they tried to rescue a nearby cow that was stuck in the mud. Ademir Rogerio lives in Brumadinho. He cried as he looked at the mud where Vales facilities once stood on the edge of town. He told the Reuters news service, The world is over for us. Vale is the top mining company in the world. If this could happen here, imagine what would happen if it were a smaller mine. Brazils top prosecutor, Raquel Dodge, said Vale should be held responsible and criminally prosecuted. She added that executives working there could also be personally held responsible. Reaction to the disaster could threaten the plans of new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. He wants to reduce restrictions on the mining industry, and has proposed opening up indigenous land areas and parts of the Amazon rain forest for mining. Four years ago, another mining dam broke in the state of Minas Gerais. Nineteen people were killed. That dam was controlled by Vale as well as Australian mining company BHP Billiton. The 2015 dam collapse released millions of tons of deadly iron waste along hundreds of kilometers. It caused what is considered Brazil's worst-ever environmental disaster. Im Jonathan Evans. Jonathan Evans adapted this story from Reuters and VOA News reports for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story prosecutor n. a lawyer who represents the side in a court case that accuses a person of a crime and who tries to prove that the person is guilty facilities n. something such as a building or large piece of equipment that is built for a specific purpose indigenous adj. produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment Wednesday, January 30, 2019 The following is a lightly edited version of my Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture at Valparaiso University Law on January 23, 2019. I am humbled, honored, and in, fact, awed by the opportunity to give a lecture named after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some wonderful speakers, including my friend Angela Onwuachi-Willig, have delivered the lecture. Located on a beautiful campus in a beautiful town, Valparaiso University School of Law has a long and illustrious history. As the website states, law is more than a job; it is a vocation: a responsibility and opportunity to serve others. These nicely put words concisely set an admirable goal for all of legal education. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights icon, is not well-known for his positions on immigration. However, the principles for which his life stands can guide us in thinking about immigration law and its enforcement. Several principles, which I paraphrase here, struck me as particularly relevant: People should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. The arc of moral universe is long but bends toward justice. I choose to give my life to those who have been left out. I have spent time considering how immigration is one of the civil rights issues of the new millennium. Please do not get me wrong. I in no way mean to suggest that there are no other civil rights issues. Criminal justice, voting rights, equal educational opportunities, and employment discrimination unquestionably are among those civil rights concerns that deserve our attention. I modestly assert that immigration is among the issues that deserve consideration. The title of my remarks Immigration and Civil Rights in an Era of Trump were designed to afford me flexibility in what I talk about. This is especially important because President Trump regularly has something new, novel, and newsworthy to say about immigration. Almost every day, it seems, we hear something new from the Trump administration about immigration. Indeed, as I deliver this lecture, the nation is in the midst of the longest shutdown of the U.S. government in U.S. history, a shutdown that centers on a dispute over whether billions of dollars of congressional funding should be provided for a wall along the U.S./Mexico border. Immigration news from Washington, D.C. has been a constant since President Trumps inauguration. Just a few months ago, President Trump threatened to issue an executive order ending birthright citizenship as provided by the Fourteenth Amendment. He also declared the caravan of migrants from Central America to be a national crises and invasion. Through a number of policy changes, the Trump administration has sought to remake the asylum system, with little regard to the rule of law. I could go on but you get the general idea. President Trumps immigration initiatives share two fundamental characteristics. First, he consistently seeks to reduce immigration and specifically to reduce the number of immigrants of color coming to, and living in, the United States. These actions generally are contrary to the law prohibiting racial discrimination. Second, despite the frequent claim that the administration is committed to simply enforcing the immigration laws, President Trump attacks judges who issue rulings with which he disagrees, calls for changes to our immigration laws that he claims are ridiculous, and all-too-often ignores the law. For example, President Trump, in my estimation, in many instances has sought to limit asylum eligibility in ways not permitted by Congress. To offer another example, few legal scholars believe that President Trumps has the power call to abolish birthright citizenship. That proposal exemplifies what is becoming more and more apparent: President Trump feels little need to adhere to the rule of law. This is especially hard for lawyers and law professors to accept. In the Immigration Act of 1965, Congress amended the immigration laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination in the issuance of visas on the basis of race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence. Passed in the wake of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 1965 Act repealed laws mandating racial and national origin discrimination in the U.S. immigration laws. The momentum of the civil rights movement led by Dr. King transformed immigration law. In so doing, Congress established a blueprint for immigration diversity, allowing millions of people of color to immigrate to the United States. The nation saw a dramatic rise in immigration from Asia; U.S. law had barred Asian immigration from the late 1800s through the first half of the twentieth century. The trajectory toward a more diverse nation, however, is likely to change due to a myriad of policies embraced by the Trump administration. Those policies can be aptly characterized as waging war on immigration diversity and the rule of law. President Trumps immigration actions show a desire to change that diversity, to take the nation back to the past to a time when Asians were excluded, when Mexicans were deported with impunity. President Trumps racial goals should not be surprising. Unlike any president in modern U.S. history, he regularly makes racially-explosive comments about immigrants. Consider a few: Mexicans are rapists and criminals; Salvadorans are MS-13 gang members; Muslims are terrorists who should be subject to extreme vetting; and El Salvador, Haiti, and nations in Africa are s***hole countries and the United States should not be providing safe haven to citizens of those countries. President Trump has followed up on the incendiary rhetoric with a number of policies, many of them in tension with, if not in outright violation of, the law. In sum, the Trump administration has taken some of the most aggressive immigration enforcement policies in modern U.S. history. The policies almost all aim to restrict noncitizens of color from immigrating to the United States. I am working now on an article about what I characterize as the new Latino repatriation. It shows how many of the administrations immigration measures in total replicate (1) the Mexican repatriation of the 1930s, in which state, local, and federal governments forcibly repatriated persons of Mexican ancestry, including U.S. citizens, to Mexico; and (2) Operation Wetback in 1954, a military-style effort to remove Mexican immigrants in the Southwest. Not coincidentally, President Trump has endorsed "Operation Wetback" -- without using its official name -- as a legitimate policy approach to manage migration today. Consider a few of the Trump administration policies that demonstrate the Presidents desire to restrict immigration diversity and, in some instances, have been found to be unlawful. 1. The Travel Bans Within days of his inauguration, President Trump issued an executive order that was intended to bar immigrants from a number of predominantly Muslim nations from entering the United States. The original travel ban was not carefully done and included obvious legal flaws. It, for example, was not clear whether it applied to lawful permanent residents. When the courts enjoined the first travel ban from going into effect, President Trump issued a revised version. The courts struck down the second version as unlawful and, in no small part, because of the Presidents anti-Muslim statements. Although a 5-4 Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii upheld the third draft of the ban, four Justices would have concluded that the executive order was motivated by anti-Muslim animus, not national security concerns. 2. Chain Migration and Reforming Legal Migration President Trump has called for ending chain migration and dramatically restricting family-based immigration to the United States. In that vein, he has expressed support for the RAISE Act, which would reduce legal immigration by one-half through reducing family-based immigration. That change would have the greatest impact on prospective immigrants from Mexico, India, and China, the nations that today send the most immigrants to the United States. And cutting legal immigration would likely increase pressures for undocumented migration, as many noncitizens without lawful options for rejoining family will seek to rejoin family members without authorization. The Trump administration also has sought to restrict legal immigration with a proposed rule that would tighten the public charge exclusion. The result is that many immigrants now decline to seek public benefits to which they are lawfully entitled. The rule also would limit migration of poor and working people to the United States, an outcome contrary to the huddled masses welcomed in the famous inscription on the Statue of Liberty. In a similar vein, the Trump administration has drastically cut the numbers of refugees admitted into the United States each year. 3. Zero Tolerance Policies The Trump administrations zero tolerance policies have targeted migrants from Mexico and Central America. In response to Central Americans seeking asylum, the Trump administration adopted a harsh detention and family separation policy, blaming the policy on the Democrats and the courts. A public outcry and litigation compelled the Trump administration to end family separation. As the 2016 midterm elections neared, similar rhetoric was used against asylum seekers from Central America known as the migrant caravan who were in route to the U.S. border. Working to build a crisis mentality among the general public, President Trump has been waging war on asylum. a. Central American Asylum Applicants Courts have played important roles in halting the administration from engaging in racially charged policies designed to stop Latinx families from immigrating to the United States. In particular, the courts have upheld the rights of immigrant children subject to detention under what is known as the Flores settlement, to which President Clinton's Justice Department agreed in 1997. The Trump administration has railed against compliance with the settlement. It has proposed to undo the Flores settlement so that the administration can indefinitely detain immigrant children and their families. Other presidents have taken steps to deter Central American asylum seekers from seeking relief in the United States. But none have taken measures as harsh as those adopted by the Trump administration. b. Sanctuary Cities The Trump administration has challenged sanctuary states and cities for refusing to fully cooperate with the U.S. government in immigration enforcement. Although the courts have for the most part blocked those efforts, the administration has tried to halt the flow of federal funds to sanctuary cities. Seeking to capitalize politically on tragedies, President Trump has been quick to blame sanctuary jurisdictions for crime. It is odd that conservatives -- the traditional defenders of state and local rights when it comes to civil rights -- today challenge local authority and autonomy with respect to immigration and immigrants. c. DACA The Trump administration has sought to eliminate the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy for undocumented youth. The policy benefited hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants, with more than 80 percent from Mexico and Central America. Courts have enjoined the rescission of DACA. d. TPS The Trump administration announced the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, Salvadorans, Nicaraguans, Hondurans and nationals of other developing nations. TPS allows nationals of nations hit by mass violence or natural disaster to remain temporarily in the United States. More than 200,000 Salvadorans are threatened with the loss of TPS relief. To this point, courts have enjoined the end of TPS for nationals of El Salvador and other nations.. e. Removals The Trump administration has aggressively increased removals and adopted approaches that would ensure that more than 95 percent of the noncitizens removed are from Mexico and Central America. Although many of the crime-removal programs are being carried forward from the Obama administration, the new administration has expanded the efforts and the crimes for which removal will be sought. **** These policies together would significantly reduce diversity in the number of immigrants admitted to, and permanently reside, in the United States. Importantly, such policies violate the spirit if not the letter of the 1965 amendment to the immigration laws and Congresss goal of promoting diversity in immigration. The courts have halted many of the more egregious violations of the law. The defunding of sanctuary cities has been halted. DACAs rescission has been halted. Stripping of TPS has been stopped. Although the travel ban eventually went into effect, litigation refined and narrowed the ban. Conclusion Courts time and again have prohibited the Trump administration from pursuing immigration policies that violate the law. Legal and political attention must continue to be paid to these policies in order to prevent the country from returning to its pre-1965 law that fostered predominantly white immigrants white nation. Put simply, the unlawful war on immigrant diversity should not be permitted to continue. Political organization has been one response to the Trump immigration enforcement measures. The rise and fall of DACA energized immigrants rights activism and marked the ascendance of a political movement. That may be one of the most important long term impacts of DACA. An Abolish ICE movement has emerged. Congress has the opportunity to act to reform and improve the immigration laws. I think that Martin Luther King Jr. would condemn the unjust immigration initiatives of the Trump administration. He would object to judging immigrants by the color of their skin, not the content of their character. He would see the current initiatives as contrary to the arc of justice. Last but not least, Dr. King would call for us to protect immigrants who are left out and deserve our protection. KJ https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2019/01/immigration-and-civil-rights-in-an-era-of-trump-by-kevin-r-johnson.html Tuesday, January 29, 2019 The Works in Progress (WIP) committee for the 2019 Emerging Immigration Scholars Conference is now accepting proposals for works-in-progress or incubator ideas. In addition to incubator workshops focused on a research idea, participants are invited to submit proposals for workshops to discuss a litigation or advocacy project that could benefit from group input. The 2019 Conference will take place June 7 and 8, 2019, at Brigham Young University in beautiful Provo, Utah. If you wish to be considered for a works-in-progress or incubator session, please submit your proposal to EmergingImmWIP2019@gmail.com. Further, this year we are again seeking discussants who will read and comment on the works-in-progress or incubator ideas. If you want to propose a work-in-progress by email : Please put ImmProf WIP [Lastname] as the subject line Please submit an abstract of no more than one page, with a title. If you want to propose an incubator (for a scholarly or litigation/advocacy project) by email : Please put Incubator [Lastname] as the subject line Please submit a description of no more than one paragraph, with a title. If you would be willing to be a discussant : Please email us by March 29 if you wish/are willing to serve as a discussant with a list of your areas of expertise. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 29 at 5pm (PT). We anticipate notifying accepted WIP or incubator proposals by April 14. Final papers will be due on May 17, 2019. We look forward to receiving your submissions! Please feel free to contact any member of the WIP committee, or conference planning committee, with questions or concerns. More information will be coming soon about the conference and how to register. Sincerely, The WIP Committee: Lauren Aronson (laronson@lsu.edu), Louisiana State University Law Center Kate Evans (katee@uidaho.edu), University of Idaho School of Law Other Members of the Planning Committee: Sabrina Balgamwalla, Wayne State University Law School Pooja Dadhania, California Western School of Law Kit Johnson, University of Oklahoma College of Law Carolina Nunez, Brigham Young University Law School Shalini Ray, University of Alabama School of Law -KitJ https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2019/01/call-for-papers-emerging-immprofs-byu-june-7-8.html A 41-year-old convicted sex offender was sentenced today to life in state prison after a jury found him guilty of kidnapping and attempting to sexually assault two women in Pasadena, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office announced. Deputy District Attorney Fernanda Barreto said Anthony Seth McDaniel was convicted on Oct. 17, 2018, of two felony counts of kidnapping to commit oral copulation. As a result of the sentencing, McDaniel will have to serve a minimum of 28 years in prison before being eligible for parole. On April 30, 2016, McDaniel convinced the two victims to get into his truck by offering them a ride. Once he had them trapped, McDaniel attempted to sexually assault both of them, the prosecutor said. According to evidence presented at trial, one woman injured herself after jumping out of the defendants vehicle while he was on the on-ramp of the 210 Freeway in Pasadena. The second woman managed to escape after causing a traffic collision on the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles, the prosecutor added. It is believed that McDaniel was taking them to his home in Compton, the prosecutor said. During the kidnapping, McDaniel, who was convicted in 2008 for assault with intent to commit rape, was wearing an ankle monitor. Case GA098777 was investigated by the Pasadena Police Department. Poverty Isnt a Privilege: The White Man is Your Brother Too Writing to fellow clergy from a Birmingham Jail (The Negro Is Your Brother), Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gravely concerned about all who were poor and experiencing inequality said, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. The world, especially, America, will pause this weekend to honour Dr. Kings 90th birthday and his life as a global humanitarian. Would not the greatest birthday gift to share be to truly identify the other as our brother, sister, family? How does one really love and heal a world if they dont see their neighbour as themselves? Let us explore the worlds events in this regard. The global crisis of the poor has affected the consciousness of both the UK and America. The UK has wrestled to the ground Brexit with no deal. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, America is in waiting to determine whether the one who was deemed the White hope, will be exposed as a traitor. And he remains in a temper tantrum as the government remains shut down. This mutiny is because, from former U.S. President Barack Obama to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, few seem to adequately identify the group that is rapidly becoming visible among the least of these. The poverty data of the U.S. Census Bureau reported, on September 12, 2018, that roughly 12.8 million America children lived in poverty in 2017, with 4,026,000 being White. Likewise, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report of December 4, 2018, indicates there are 4.1 million children living in poverty in the United Kingdom with 1,271,000 of them being White. In the book, Black Reconstruction in America, W.E.B. Du Bois introduced the concept of the psychological wage. Du Bois noted that while White labourers received a low wage, they were compensated in part by a sort of public and psychological wage. They were given, public deference and titles of courtesy because they were White. Im not so sure that, in todays reality of White, having the access to public parks, pools and water fountains matters so much; when they, along with other non-White groups, are equally striving to feed, clothe and house their children. The March on Washington was actually the awakening of the Poor Peoples Campaign. Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his allies were going to the nations capital to ask America to be true to the huge promissory note that was signed years ago. King said that, we are coming to engage in dramatic non-violent action, to call attention to the gulf between promise and fulfilment; to make the invisible visible. In the UK, as in America, those who have become invisible are forcing open the eyes of those who have forgotten them. This year, 2019, marks 400 years since the first African immigrants freedmen and indentured servants arrived in Jamestown. The British had landed, three years earlier, having departed England as King Henry VIII had declared himself head of the new Church of England. These individuals desired a return to a simpler faith and wanted to purify the Church. However, these Puritans would use, in part, their religious system to oppress the Africans, forcing them into slavery. And, yet, these slaves would look for a saving grace from an individual depicted in the like image of their oppressor. That grace would have in it the power to forgive and mount up for civility for themselves and all of humanity. Unlike America, the UK has no separation of church and state. In fact, 26 Bishops are in the House of Lords which includes the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Recently he said that, The burden of proof is on those that are arguing for no deal, to show that it will not harm the poorest and most vulnerable How we care about them and how our politics affects them is a deeply moral issue. ADVERTISEMENT In the cause of bringing freedom to those invisible ones who suffer, the church has at times been oppressor and in its better moments, a harbinger of liberation. For the Puritans, the desire to establish a true Christian faith while maintaining an allegiance to the corruptive power of White supremacy, rendered their faith in fact anti-Christian. In the case of King, his commitment to Christ, the liberator and the kingdom he proclaimed, motivated his refusal to accept the unjust status quo which weighed heavily on the poor and to act for the sake of justice. The UK looks to the legacy of William Wilberforce, the abolitionist, or the current impact of churches who care for the needy through foodbanks and debt counselling or organized homes for refugee families. Selina Stone, lecturer in political theology at St Mellitus College, asks the pertinent question: How will churches respond in the UK and in America, to those with their backs against the wall? Again, I ask, how does one really love and heal a world if they dont see their neighbour as themselves? Or in the words of Dr. King, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Keith Magee is a public intellectual with a focus on social justice and theology. He is currently senior fellow in culture and justice at University College London and is in pastoral leadership at The Berachah Church, Dorchester Centre, MA. For more information visit www.4justicesake.org or follow him on social media @keithlmagee. CBC Health Braintrust Chair, Rep. Robin Kelly, Applauds First COR Hearing for Focusing on the High Cost of Prescription Drugs Congresswoman Robin Kelly, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and Member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform (COR), released this statement on the CORs first full committee hearing on the high cost of prescription drugs: For too many Illinoisans, the cost associated with prescription drugs has grown out of control. People are rationing lifesaving medicines with deadly and long-term consequences. Seniors are being forced to choose between buying groceries and affording vital medicines. For too long, Congress has ignored this crisis and allowed costs to soar out of control this ends tomorrow. Congress will no longer ignore this crisis; we are going to tackle bad actors head on. I want to thank Chairman Cummings for his decades of leadership on this issue and for prioritizing CORs efforts to address the outrageous cost of prescription drugs in this country. I know that under Chairman Cummings leadership, this hearing will be the first of many actionable steps that COR will take on this critical issue of kitchen table economics. ADVERTISEMENT Democrats ran and won on a For the People platform that included addressing the high cost of prescription drugs that force too many Americans to ration lifesaving drugs or make impossible decisions between paying the gas bill and taking the medicines they need to remain alive and healthy. This hearing the first COR hearing of the 116th Congress is Democrats delivering on our promise. In addition to serving on COR, Congresswoman Kelly also serves on the Health Subcommittee of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. She is the author of the 2015 Kelly Report on Health Disparities. About Larry Dablemont Outdoors Larry Dablemont earned his B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of Missouri. He is not only a Naturalist and avid outdoorsman, but a talented writer and author. Will Crude Oil Find Support Above $50? Recent global news regarding Venezuela, China, and global oil supply/production have resulted in the price of Oil pausing over the past few weeks near $53 to $55 ppb. We believe the continued supply glut and uncertainty will result in oil prices falling, briefly, back below $50 ppb before any new price rally begins. Our researchers at www.TheTechnicalTraders.com believe historical resistance near $54~55 is strong enough to drive prices lower before new momentum picks up for a renewed price rally. Eventually, yes, oil will rally above $55 and attempt to target the $65+ price level. Yet we dont believe that move is going to happen right now. We believe the global uncertainty; the slowing Chinese economy and the global supply glut will result in a fundamental price decrease before any momentum for an upside price move begins. Our analysis suggests a price move back below $50 ppb, likely targeting the $46~47 level, where basing may occur. Uncertainty in Venezuela and other oil-producing nations may result in a disruption in supply at some point in the future. We must be cautious of unknown situations that could result in dramatic price shifts. Yet, overall, with supply levels still high and slowing global economic expectations, it makes sense that oil would attempt to base and find support near recent lows between $46~48. Visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com to learn how we can help you find and execute better trades in 2019. Learn how our proprietary predictive modeling systems have called these moves in the past and how our research team can assist you in finding great opportunities in the future. Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. After the crisis of 9/11, when fear of terrorism was at its peak, Congress gave the president a blank check for war. Signed in 2001, the Authorization for Use of Military Force enabled the president to enter armed conflict at any time without the consent of Congress. No oversight for war. Since then, presidents have used this permission 41 times in 19 countries, with that war on terror costing an estimated $5.6 trillion. The human cost has been horrendous: half a million deaths, and half of those civilians; millions of casualties; and a subsequent wave of refugees from war zones. Innocent civilians of all ages have spent decades in refugee camps, with more fleeing daily from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen, while many countries deny them entry. Congress must take back the responsibility and oversight for armed conflict, as the Constitution specifies. It should not be in the hands of the president alone. As a first step, we must ask our congress members, Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey and Rep. Lloyd Smucker, to support Rep. Barbara Lees legislation to repeal the 2001 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force. As a matter of public policy, I believe Congress at a minimum should debate and vote every time the president commits our military to lethal action and call a halt to the unsupervised spread of U.S.-supported conflicts throughout the world. Jane Cadwallader Keller Red Lion Ephrata police DUI EPHRATA: Brooke E. Lucas, 18, of Ephrata, was charged following a 3:10 a.m. vehicle crash Nov. 20 in the 600 block of South State Street, police reported. Lititz Borough police STALKING LITITZ: Richard James Lapham VI, 24, of Lancaster, was charged with stalking after an 11:55 p.m. incident Jan. 23 during which he was found driving around in the area of West Marion Street, where he had recently been arrested for a domestic incident, police reported. Lapham also faces drug charges after a search of his vehicle found marijuana, heroin and amphetamine pills, police reported. Manheim Township police CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LANCASTER TWP.: Jesus L. Carmona-Ruiz, 19, of Lancaster, was charged after a 6:46 p.m. incident Jan. 24 in which he broke a window of a vehicle in the 900 block of Clark Street, police said. DRUG CHARGES MANHEIM TWP.: Cyana A. Flores, 20, and Marques Grant, 24, both of Lebanon, were charged with possession of marijuana after an 11:06 p.m. traffic stop Jan. 25 at Helen and Cameron avenues, police reported. LANCASTER TWP.: Brandon D. Woods, 34, of Lancaster, was charged with possession of marijuana after a 10:39 a.m. traffic stop Jan. 3 at North President and Columbia avenues, police reported. MANHEIM TWP.: Malquan D. Craig, 19, of Mountville, was charged with possession of marijuana after an 11:20 p.m. traffic stop Jan. 27 at Fountain Avenue and New Holland Pike, police reported. Craig was also charged with giving false identification to police. DUI MANHEIM TWP.: Chad Gray, 34, of Lititz, was charged after a 12:20 a.m. vehicle crash Jan. 12 in the 1500 block of Lititz Pike, police reported. LANCASTER TWP.: Hope M. Miller, 40, of Elizabethtown, was charged after an 11:13 p.m. traffic stop Dec. 4 in the 500 block of South West End Avenue, police reported. HARASSMENT MANHEIM TWP.: Anne E. Hasanyi, 43, and Oren Hasanyi, 44, both of Lancaster, were charged after a domestic dispute just after midnight Jan. 18 in the 1500 block of Lititz Pike, police reported. LANCASTER TWP.: Luis Antonio Maldonado, 29, and David Luis Colon, 30, both of Lancaster, were charged after an 11:35 p.m. domestic dispute Jan. 26 in the 1100 block of East Orange Street, police reported. INSTITUTIONAL VANDALISM LANCASTER TWP.: Raymond O. Huffman Jr., 24, of Lancaster, was charged after a 2:47 p.m. incident Dec. 29 in which he drove his truck through wet grass at Lancaster Township Community Park, 1201 Millersville, and drove in circles, causing $4,010 in damage to the property, police reported. THEFTS LANCASTER TWP.: Around 2:30 a.m. Friday someone smashed the window of a vehicle parked in the 800 block of State Street and took $455 worth of property, police reported. MANHEIM TWP.: Around 12:30 p.m. Nov. 20 someone claimed $600 worth of e-gift cards at Penn Cinema, 541 Airport Road, that had been purchased by someone else, police reported. LANCASTER TWP.: Sometime between Dec. 29 and Jan. 27, someone stole a tree stand and a trail camera worth $341 from the 200 block of Second Lock Road, police reported. TRAFFIC DETAIL EAST PETERSBURG: Police cited 11 motorists with speeding during a late-morning enforcement detail Jan. 25 on Graystone Road at Hollow Drive, police reported. The highest recorded speed in the 25 mph zone was 50 mph, police said. Manor Township police DRUG CHARGES MANOR TWP.: Danielle Crawford, 20, of Waynesboro, was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana after a 1:27 p.m. traffic stop Jan. 25 in the 200 block of Donerville Road, police reported. DUI MANOR TWP.: Prem Chuwan, 44, of Millersville, was charged following a 9:40 p.m. traffic stop Jan. 24 in the 2200 block of Berkshire Road, police reported. THEFT CHARGES MANOR TWP.: Kathleen Butzer, 32, of Millersville, was charged after she got a $21 refund Jan. 17 from the Rite Aid at 1550 Columbia Avenue for an item she hadnt purchased, police reported. MANOR TWP.: Gregory Butzer, 37, of Lancaster, was charged after he got a $27 refund Jan. 17 from the Rite Aid at 1550 Columbia Avenue for an item he hadnt purchased, police said. Pequea Township police THEFT CHARGES PEQUEA TWP.: Suzette Workman, 60, of West Lampeter, and Gail Funk, 39, of Conestoga, were charged after a 3 p.m. incident Jan. 14 in which they were found taking scrap metal from a property being demolished on Indian Hill Road, police reported. State police DRUG CHARGES SALISBURY TWP.: Ashley Elizabeth Smith, 21, of Mount Joy, was charged with possession of marijuana after a Jan. 5 vehicle crash in the 700 block of Mount Vernon Road, police reported. The Mount Joy woman accused of causing a multi-vehicle crash that killed two Warwick High School students in October will be tried on charges including third-degree murder, a judge ruled Monday. Police said Debra Slaymaker-Walker, 63, caused the Oct. 26 chain-reaction collision outside the high school that killed Jack R. Nicholson, 16, and Meghan Keeney, 17. A third student, 17-year-old Rylan Beebe, was seriously injured. The crash occurred on Oct. 26 outside the high school. District Judge Edward Tobin made his ruling following testimony from three police officers. One of the officers, Sgt. Rodney King, of the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department, said Slaymaker-Walkers Kia SUV was traveling between 73 and 77 mph before impact, according to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office. The posted speed limit was 25 mph. Kings investigation also showed Slaymaker-Walkers SUV was steered toward the vehicle containing Nicholson, Keeney and Beebe, according to the district attorneys office. Lititz police officer Sgt. Jared Hahn and Northern Lancaster County Regional police Officer Alex Good also testified at Mondays hearing. A formal arraignment for Slaymaker-Walker is set for Feb. 22, when the case will be transferred to county court, according to the district attorneys office. Slaymaker-Walker remains under house arrest in Mount Joy on $1 million unsecured bail after being released from the hospital from her own injuries. She was charged with two counts each of third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter, and one count each of aggravated assault, aggravated assault by vehicle, simple assault, hit and run, fleeing police, and reckless endangerment. She also was charged with summary counts of speeding and reckless driving. A proposed 550-unit housing and commercial development in the Village of Oregon complies with Manheim Townships regulations, a land planner testified Monday night. Over 100 residents, many of whom are concerned about the scale of the Oregon Village project, listened as Joel Young, the developers planner, explained why he thinks the development meets township guidelines. It was the second night of testimony in the conditional use hearing. The hearing resumes Monday, Feb. 11 at Manheim Township Public Library with testimony from the developer's traffic engineer. The developers, owners of the popular Oregon Dairy supermarket and restaurant, are proposing apartments, townhouses, one-story homes for older adults, a supermarket, a restaurant and banquet center, a hotel, a convenience store, shops and a bank. The project spans about 75 acres on two adjacent sites: the current Oregon Dairy complex and the abandoned Shawnee resort, both along Oregon Pike near the Route 222 interchange. Young said the project complies with the uses allowed in the village overlay zone the township created in 2014 for the Oregon Village Growth Area. Sticking to the zoning ordinances phrase, Young said the project would not have a substantial adverse effect on schools, public safety, and public water and sewer systems. Impact contested But in questioning Young, resident Ken Birkett of 1369 E. Oregon Road, expressed doubt that the village would not suffer impacts. Young said the village currently has about 55 homes. Under the project proposed by the Hurst family, the village would add 550 housing units. You think that wont have any impact? Birkett asked. I didnt say there wouldnt be an impact, Young responded. Its a plan that works and doesnt create any substantial adverse effects that would conflict with zoning. Youre calling this a village? Birkett asked. Its Oregon Village, said Young, a reply that drew derisive laughter from some in the audience. I hope you look up the definition of a village at some point, Birkett said. Water tank Earlier, Young testified that a water tank and pump station would be built to create adequate water pressure for the development. Young also said that after he presented the plan to officials of Manheim Township School District, they asked that they be kept informed about the projects progress to be able to plan for the possibility of increased student enrollment. Young said the officials did not indicate that the development would create a substantial adverse effect on schools. Concluding his direct testimony Young said the plan would be in the townships best interest and not adversely effect the communitys general welfare. The developers traffic engineer was prepared to testify after Young is cross-examined by those concerned about the project. The township planning commission last month recommended approval of the project in a 3-1 vote. A hearing on the proposed 75-acre Oregon Village mixed-used project will continue this evening before the Manheim Township commissioners. The developers are seeking the townships approval to redevelop the Oregon Dairy complex and nearby former Shawnee resort into 550 housing units, an expanded supermarket, restaurant, convenience store and shops. The conditional use hearing resumes at 6 p.m. at the Manheim Township Public Library, 595 Granite Run Drive. Joel Young, a landscape architect for the developers, will continue his testimony in the quasi-judicial proceeding. Young was the first witness when the hearing began Jan. 14. A traffic engineer was also expected to testify if Young completes his testimony tonight. Some advocates of farmland preservation are asking the commissioners to reject the project. But the developers contend their project meets the zoning criteria for the Oregon Village overlay the township created in 2011. The overlay allows for housing, commercial and other uses in what is a designated village growth area. One of the three people killed in a State College shooting Thursday was a well-known horse auctioneer who worked in Lancaster County. News that Dean Beachy was killed is still settling in, said Ryan Kolb, of New Holland Sales Stables. He was the best horse auctioneer there was, Kolb said. Beachy auctioneered monthly at the stables for the special horses sales on Fridays. When an auctioneer retired and the stables was searching for a replacement, everyone suggested Beachy, Kolb said. He was the man, he said. Beachy, 61, of Millersburg, Ohio, was with his son Steven, 19, at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill in State College when a gunman opened fire just after 10 p.m. Thursday. Beachy was killed immediately, and his son died the next day at a hospital, authorities said. The gunman, identified by police as Jordan Witmer, 21, of Bellefonte, broke into a home after the shooting and fatally shot the homeowner, George McCormick, 83, before killing himself, police said. I dont even know what to say, Kolb said. Its ridiculous. Beachy was a known figure in the equestrian world, with several news outlets covering his death. Standardbred Canada called him a renowned auctioneer and spotter who was also active in harness racing. And the Indiana Standardbred Association wrote that Beachy and his son will be greatly missed by the entire Standardbred racing industry. Everyone is talking about it, Kolb said. We definitely send wishes to the family. According to his obituary, Beachy is survived by his wife and three sons. Editor's note: This story was originally published Jan. 28, 2018. Just about every time Cheryl Russell visited her grandmother as a child, she and her siblings asked for their favorite food: homemade chicken pot pie a warm, thick, carb-loaded bowl of comfort. Years later, Russell remembers ordering pot pie in a chain restaurant. She got something completely different a pie with a flaky crust, filled with chicken and vegetables. I was quite turned off by it, the Denver woman says. I even broke the crust trying to find the noodles. In Russells world, pot pie doesnt have crust. Its a thick soup made with homemade broth (usually chicken) and homemade noodles, plus carrots, onions, potatoes and celery. When temperatures drop, pot pie is one of her go-to dinners. We like our comfort food when its cold out, Russell says. Order pot pie throughout the U.S., and youll get a hearty, thick gravy with meat and potatoes baked in a pie. In Lancaster County, thats chicken pie. Order pot pie here, and youll get a hearty dish with noodles, preferably square and homemade no crust. Pot pie is a Pennsylvania Dutch staple. Its a thick and hearty soup perfect for cold weather. Betty Groff, the queen of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, made her pot pie with chicken and thin square noodles. In her book Betty Groffs Pennsylvania Dutch Cookbook, she explains: Give me a good, rich broth and one fine meat, and Ill assure you a great meal, she writes in the book, published in 1990. Pot pie in the Pennsylvania Dutch country is not a baked pie but a slippery dough noodle dish with lots of flavor. Every kind of meat works well in this recipe. Groff suggests adding ham, pork, chicken, squirrel, rabbit or beef. Pot pie: the Lancaster County way Hand-in-Hand Fire Company in Bird-in-Hand started its popular pot pie supper in 1994 as a fundraiser for the fire company and the Clinic for Special Children in Strasburg. Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau suggested the idea, so fire company President Tim Hoerner and a few volunteers set out to do some serious research. They tried pot pie at restaurants and pot pie at fire company fundraisers. Hoerner, who grew up near Pittsburgh, calls himself more of a beef guy. By and large, one of the first things we learned was the nonprofits made very good pot pie, he says. Some of the rest, it was OK, and others were top-notch. LancasterOnline readers favorite restaurants for pot pie Route 30 Diner Conestoga Wagon Miss Calees Eats and Treats Bird-in-Hand Cracker Barrel In the early years, the fire company soon realized cooking whole chickens made the richest broth. The taste is a lot better, and the flavor is just more profound, Hoerner says. It tends to be thicker. These days, they take it a step further by raising their own flock of free-range chickens. The pot pie dinner is one of the biggest fundraisers for the nonprofit. The midnight before the big day, volunteers start cooking the chickens and eventually make pot pie, 30 to 40 gallons at a time. Hand-in-Hands pot pie has chicken, noodles and potatoes. LancasterOnline readers shared that they make pot pie with ham, beef, sausage, squirrel or beef heart. Some remember lima bean or pea pot pie from the Great Depression. Others say vegetables do not belong in pot pie. Some insist on adding saffron. Bob Reed loves the pot pie his fiancee Denise Warfel makes. She starts with a chicken in the pressure cooker. She rolls out homemade noodles and adds potatoes. Warfel makes the lima bean pot pie her mother used to make but balked when Reed asked to add lima beans to the chicken pot pie. So hell add some to his bowl, and theyre both happy. And that pot pie with the crust? They taste good, but they just have the wrong name on it, says Reed, of Colerain Township. Pot pie with a crust When Julia Child made chicken pot pie with poached chicken and vegetables, she topped it with a flaky crust. Lyz Landis of Mountville makes her pot pie with chicken, carrots, potatoes, peas and whats available. She tops it with a crust just like her grandmother did and because, she says, it tastes better. She moved to Lancaster County more than 30 years ago and now lives in Mountville. Through the years, shes surprised at how often the pot pie debate comes up. If Landis knows this dish is on the menu at a friends house, shell ask: Did you make pot soup or did you make pot pie? She wont turn her nose up at pot soup, but shes not as excited by it, she says. Twenty percent of people who voted in a LancasterOnline poll agreed that pot pie has a crust. Three times as many said pot pie doesn't have crust. If you dont make your own chicken pot pie or eat it at your grandmothers, many restaurants throughout Lancaster County serve pot pie. In a poll, LancasterOnline readers said they liked the pot pie at restaurants like Route 30 Diner, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord and the Conestoga Wagon Restaurant. Conestoga Wagon cook Sue Owen uses her grandmothers pot pie recipe to make the restaurants Wednesday all-you-can-eat special. She cooks 18 to 20 chickens the day before to make her own stock. Early Wednesday morning, the kitchen crew and sometimes owners Nancy and Bill Rankin pick the chicken off the bones. Owen rolls out the dough, cuts square noodles and then mixes them together with the chicken, potatoes and broth. The dish stays on the menu because its a tradition, Nancy Rankin says. Theres a lot of people who come for the pot pie, she says. And for people who want their pot pie with a crust, the restaurant makes chicken pie some Fridays. LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe During the 35 days of the record-breaking federal government shutdown, most National Park Service workers were furloughed. At the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, dozens of biologists, rangers, administrators and other staffers were required by law to stop working and forgo their pay, halting research as well as wildfire recovery efforts. When park staff finally returned to work Monday, they began assessing the damage -- both from the recent Woolsey Fire and the shutdown. The first order of business, according to spokeswoman Kate Kuykendall, is getting employees their back pay. Some staffers started on that this past weekend, inputting hundreds of hours to make sure workers who've gone more than a month without a paycheck receive one soon. The past few months of fires and furloughs have "been a lot for the park," Kuykendall told LAist this week, adding that some NPS employees had to find other work to make ends meet, including shifts at a coffee shop. Park staffers organized get-togethers and stayed in touch "to make sure they were OK," she said. It's been especially hard on four Park Service employees, who lost their homes in November's devastating Woolsey Fire, then their source of income in the shutdown initiated by President Donald Trump. Kuykendall also explained that the "lapse in appropriations" interrupted and delayed recovery efforts after the Woolsey Fire. One critical task after a wildfire is rooting out invasive plants species that can muscle in on native plants and negatively impact the biodiversity in the mountains. No one has been around to do that for more than a month. The fire also destroyed many structures within the park, including the Paramount Ranch Western set, a research facility, ranger housing and restrooms. Kuykendall said the Park Service had been in the midst of hiring contractors to remove "hazardous debris" from the charred remains of buildings. The shutdown happened before those deals were finalized, so that debris remains in the park. The ashes of Paramount Ranch in the aftermath of the Woolsey Fire. (Emily Dugdale/LAist) There's also the effect on wildlife. Researchers have been unable to monitor the location or health of hundreds of animals that were being studied throughout the park, including mountain lions, coyotes and raccoons. The shutdown also hamstrung biologists' attempts to save one of the park's bobcats, whose remains were later recovered by state wildlife officials, Kuykendall said. The male feline, identified as Bobcat 354, had contracted mange, a potentially fatal skin disease caused by parasitic mites. NPS biologists were attempting to locate, capture and treat the bobcat, as they'd done previously in 2017. Then the shutdown happened and researchers were forced into furlough. "It's not a certainty that we would have been able to recapture the animal, but we were making those efforts to do so," Kuykendall said, adding the cause of the bobcat's death was not yet known. One of the biggest impacts, according to Kuykendall, is the time lost on research and data collection. That includes: losing more than a month's worth of data on how wildlife is using the Los Angeles River; a smaller window to capture and tag bobcats to expand a park study; and a blackout on monitoring the endangered California red-legged frog population, whose already fragile habitat faced new threats with the fire and rainstorms that followed. One other "bummer" due to the shutdown, Kuykendall explained: a missed opportunity to add a new mountain lion to the park's regional study. During the shutdown, a resident on private land reached out to Jeff Sikich, one of the park's mountain lion biologists, with a photo showing an untagged puma standing over a deer in her backyard. It was in a fragmented area of wildland near the 405 and 101 freeways where cougars have not been monitored. That's an exciting discovery for a mountain lion biologist, but all Sikich could do was look at the photo. "Our employees are chomping at the bit to be able to do the work that they care about," Kuykendall said, explaining that federal law prohibits workers from doing any task related to government work during a shutdown, including checking their email. That's been difficult for many park employees, whose passion for nature led them to join the Park Service in the first place. "It's really hard for them to sit on the sidelines and not be involved," she said. National Park Service spokeswoman Kate Kuykendall surveys Paramount Ranch, where many structures were destroyed in November's Woolsey Fire. Weeks of heavy rain led new grass to grow, but the charred landscape still have a long road to recovery. (Emily Henderson/LAist) Although the gates to the park were open during the shutdown, many areas and trails in the Santa Monica Mountains remained closed because of the hazards caused by the Woolsey Fire. A skeleton crew of law enforcement rangers worked through the shutdown to monitor dangerous areas and ensure public safety. Kuykendall said there was not rampant misbehavior, although there was a break-in at a visitor center. A law enforcement officer in the park found and detained three juveniles, described as two males and a female. They were released to their parents and now face state charges of breaking and entering, possession of alcohol and possession of marijuana. "Incidentally, the three youth told the officer that they were LAUSD students and there was a teachers strike so they decided to come to the mountains," she added. Unlike visitors who destroyed the namesake trees at Joshua Tree National Park and went off-roading on fragile land, guests in the Santa Monica Mountains have treated the open areas of the park with respect, Kuykendall said. "We're grateful that the public continued to come out the park and get their nature fix and did so in a responsible manner," she said. "We hope that we'll able to work through and open up more parts of the park soon." Correction: A previous version of this story said the three juveniles were suspected of burglary, allegedly stole gift shop items and could face federal charges. New information provided by an NPS spokesperson clarified that they were not in possession of stolen items when detained and would face charged at the state level. A previous version of this story also said three Park Service employees lost their homes in the fire. An NPS spokesperson later clarified that four employees lost their homes, as one property was owned by a couple who both work at the park. LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe One of the nation's first black Marines was laid to rest in Inglewood on Monday. Luke Leo House Jr., a 94-year-old World War II veteran, was one of 20,000 black men who enlisted in the Marine Corps from 1942 to 1949, at a time when the military was against integration. The men completed their training -- segregated from white Marines -- at Montford Point Camp in North Carolina, becoming known as the Montford Point Marines, a kind of Marine version of the Tuskegee Airmen. "Not only [were they] fighting for their country, but they had to fight for their rights to be equal," said Michael Harris, House's neighbor and a former Marine. Luke Leo House Jr. as a young man seen on an invitation to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. (c/o Eryn Brown) Harris described House and his fellow corps members as pioneers who had to endure numerous indignities. They broke the color barrier and served despite rampant discrimination from white Marines. They weathered racism and intolerance to make it easier for younger black Marines like himself to join the ranks and be treated with respect. Even German prisoners of war were allowed to sit in better train cars than the black Montford Point Marines during World War II. "It's absolutely crazy," Harris said, shaking his head. "You gotta wonder, would I have been able to overcome those obstacles and still have that same Marine Corps fighting spirit. These guys did." Marines from the National Montford Point Marine Association at the memorial service -- including three original Montford Marines: Henry C. Johnson, second from left, Robert Hammond, center, and Vaughn Whitworth, second from right. (Emily Elena Dugdale/LAist) On Monday, neighbors, family and friends filed into white chairs set up at the Inglewood Mortuary behind a casket draped with flowers and a folded American flag. Certificates of House's accomplishments were presented to his family from the Marine Corps, the office of Mayor Eric Garcetti and Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Military service members played taps to honor the man who attended 15 colleges -- including the University of Southern California -- and who in 2012 received the Congressional Gold Medal along with other Montford Marines. Standing to the side of the ceremony in a decorated blue hat and jacket was Vaughn Whitworth, one of the surviving original Montford Marines. He stood next to two other similarly dressed, elderly men who said they went to as many memorial services for their fellow Marines as they could. "We don't leave anyone behind," Whitworth said. As young Marines, Whitworth said he and his black comrades had to fight for the right to fight. "It wasn't easy," he said. "We had some rough times, but we endured it." The National Montford Point Marines Association reports there are about 450 original Montford Marines left. Around 20 of them are in the Los Angeles Area. Henry C. Johnson, left, and Vaughn Whitworth -- two of the surviving original Montford Marines. (Emily Elena Dugdale/LAist) Hard work, perseverance, and excelling in everything that he did: Luke House's nephew, Giles Hurley, said this was how he would sum up his uncle's legacy. "Given the opportunity, we can and do excel. And he was living proof of that," he said. It is facile to conclude that martial law has been a failure in Mindanao simply because of Sundays bomb attack on a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu that killed 20 people and wounded scores of others. There can be no doubt that there was a serious lapse in police and military intelligence in this case, as well as in the New Years Eve bomb attack at a Cotabato City mall. But to leap to the conclusion that martial law is a failure based on these two incidents seems illogical and premature. After all, can we say with any certainty that there wouldnt have been more attacks without martial law? On the other hand, the governments statement that the bomb attacks show that martial law must remain in effect in Mindanao is simplistic and a little too convenient. Somewhere between these two positions lies the truth, and we can only hope that the inevitable congressional investigations that will follow provide more answers than questions. In the meantime, Sundays bomb attack is a clear challenge to the police and the military. It highlights the weaknesses in their security measures and the need to improve their capability to prevent similar attacks.The measures taken immediately after the Jolo attackincreased checkpoints and heightened security in public placeswill help to an extent, but they are extraordinary steps that clearly emphasize that things are far from normal. A more effective solution would be for security forces to quickly identify the bombers and neutralize them with the same mercy they showed the churchgoers who died in Jolo. From a broader perspective, Sundays attack is a challenge to the administration, flush with the success of the yes vote in the recently concluded plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The product of peace talks between the government and Moro rebels, the BOL sets the stage for the creation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that would give Moros greater autonomy, which has been seen as the way to peace after decades of war in the south. An attack on a Catholic church is obviously an attempt to fan religious hatred that has fueled the conflict in Mindanaoand can only be the work of those who oppose the BOL and the BARMM. These forces clearly must be stopped. This, too, is a challenge to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which will have a key leadership role to play in the new BARMM. It is not enough for the MILF to deny any involvement in Sundays bomb attack, as it has done. Given its stake in the new order, it needs to bring its considerable influence and resources in the region to help remove the enemies of peace. Gwen Moore, a Democratic U.S. representative from Milwaukee, said Tuesday she has been diagnosed with cancer. Moore, 67, said she was diagnosed with small cell lymphocytic lymphoma in the spring that she described as a manageable, non life-threatening cancer with proper surveillance and treatment. Right now Im in great health with an excellent prognosis of living with this disease, Moore said Tuesday. She made the announcement during the House Ways and Means Committees first hearing of the 116th Congress, where representatives discussed how to better protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. During the hearing, Moore praised the Affordable Care Act and its protections for those with pre-existing conditions for allowing her proper care as she manages her condition. They could have just denied me completely because of my pre-existing condition, Moore said. Weve talked a lot about his costing too much, or being too expensive. How much does a life cost? Moore was recently selected to be a member of the powerful tax writing committee. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Austin Hall and Robert Purvis of the Westby FFA Chapter attended the Wisconsin Association of FFA Half-Time Leadership Conference held at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point, Jan. 11-12. Over 350 FFA members, advisors and state FFA officers participated. The Half-Time Leadership Conference provides FFA chapter leaders from around the state the opportunity to set goals and prepare for the second half of their year of service in their local FFA chapters. FFA members attended workshops focused on leadership and personal development, membership and chapter development, and opportunities in FFA. They learned about preparing for FFA events and getting involved in community service. The Half-Time conference is a 33-year tradition for the Wisconsin Association of FFA to bring top FFA leaders from across the state together to learn more about what they can do in their local FFA chapters. This years leadership conference was designed and conducted by the 2018-19 Wisconsin State FFA Officers. The theme of the conference was Agents of Change. The Westby Area School District has had four days of early release or school closings as a result of snow and ice. There were two days of closings in the fall because of flooding. Right now we have built in three days, Superintendent Steve Michaels said. Well look at some of the early release days in the spring and look into making those full days. There is a day off at the end of the third quarter, but well likely be adding some school days. Michaels said the Vernon County Sherriffs Office and the National Weather Service are good resources to help make an educated decision when to cancel school. However, it is never an easy one to make for the superintendent. Things might be OK here (in Westby), but in Chaseburg it might be different, Michaels said. It is an excruciating thing to decide, however, youre never going to be wrong with erring on the side of student safety. Sahnje McGonigle can be reached at Sahnje.McGonigle@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Bill and Natalie Divyak appreciate that they can support their community by simply donating blood. The Tomah couple was among 54 people to donate during a BloodCenter of Wisconsin drive at Tomah Memorial Hospital Jan. 25. Its a mindset, said Bill. Some people are afraid of needles; some people think its too much time. You basically have to say, this is what I want to do this is how Im going to help or be part of a community. I guess I see it as being part of my citizenship, said Natalie. Its a service to others, and an easy service to others. The Divyaks have been donating blood for more than 40 years, including the last 15 years at BloodCenter events. BloodCenter is the sole supplier of blood to 57 hospitals in Wisconsin including Tomah Memorial. You never know how life goes, said Bill. You may need blood, and if you can help someone, it can come around and help you. I like to know where its going and that it is staying in this area, added Natalie. Its not painful, and its an easy way to give back to the community. - 8,851 Globe Telecom users experienced a personal data breach - It was regarding Globes On the List promotion - Some personal information of the users were sent to other recipients PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed It has been reported that around 8, 851 Globe subscribers were affected due to a personal data breach, sending personal information to the wrong recipients. KAMI learned that some Globe users experienced error in registering in Globes On the List promo. In a report by Rappler, Globe sent confirmation emails to those who registered to their promotion. However, the emails contained different information and someone elses personal data. According to some reports, the promo was in relation with the upcoming concert of famous K-pop group Blackpink in Manila. Here are some of the Globe subscribers tweet: PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! As reported by CNN Philippines, Globe Telecom has released a statement addressing the issue. They said that they immediately stopped the promotion and notified all the customers who were affected. Globe Telecom has rectified the issue with affected customers on sending wrong confirmation receipt to another individual and reported the incident to the National Privacy Commission in compliance with regulatory requirements, it said. According to the National Privacy Commission (NPC), Globe has notified the government regarding the issue last Sunday. "Those who may have been affected are advised to monitor their online and offline accounts for any unusual activity, to change passwords, and other means of identity verification, and to be careful of phishing attempts and other online risks," said the NPC. 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 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to help the Philippines in fighting terrorism after the Jolo attack - President Putin also sent his condolences to the Philippine government - However, it has not been specified yet on what kind of help the Russia will be lending to the Philippines PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to assist the Philippines in fighting against terrorism after the twin bombings at a church in Jolo, Sulu that caused at least 20 deaths and around 100 injured. KAMI learned that the Russian government is ready to combat all the terrorist threats against the Philippines as reported by Manila Bulletin. I would like to reiterate our readiness to further step up interaction with our Philippine partners in combating the terrorist threat in all its forms and manifestations, Putin said. The Russian President also extended his condolences to the victims of the Jolo attack. People in Russia share the grief of the victims friends and families and hope for a prompt recovery of the injured, the Russian President said. A crime committed against civilians who had congregated for church services is shocking in its cynicism and cruelty. I expect that the masterminds and perpetrators of this crime will sustain the punishment they deserve, he added. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! In a report by CNN Philippines, the Palace shared that there is no specific form yet on what the Russian government would be assisting the Philippines. However, it could be in terms of military equipment or intelligence information. 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 "It's almost Sisyphean" We wrote too soon. I sent my article for Monday last Sunday morning, where I expressed the hope that the overwhelming approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law would usher in peace and eventual prosperity in Muslim Mindanao. Then I motored to Hsinchu, a good hour away south of Taipei, to attend the third anniversary celebration of a group of Filipino OFWs who are photography enthusiasts, the Taiwan Litratistas. These OFWs in Taiwan went into photography, first as a means to escape the drudgery of work in a foreign country during weekends, and also to learn a possible skill that would serve them in good stead when they return to the Philippines. They also conduct workshops in our Ugnayan Center, teaching photography to our fellow contract workers. Last year, we cooperated with them to put up the first photo exhibit of Philippine sceneries at Taipeis Red House, a tourist landmark. While we were having lunch, news came about the bombing of the Jolo cathedral, which suddenly cast a pall of gloom upon our table, where sat Davaoeno Cesar Chavez, our labor attache, and Dayang-Dayang Sitti Jaafar, our welfare officer who comes from Tawi-Tawi. Just as the whole world was congratulating us for the successful ratification of what could finally end decades of fratricidal conflict in the South, this dastardly act happens. Its almost Sisyphean. Are we back to square one in our quest for peace. * * * Sulu is such a beautiful island. Several times in the past, when I was in the cabinet of President Estrada, we would see from a helicopter the many pristine white sand beaches and the mountain lakes that could be such an attractive destination for foreigners. The surrounding waters teem with abundant marine life. The soil is so fertile that the fruits in Sulu are without equal, whetheror mangosteen. If we only had peace, the economy of Sulu could grow by leaps and bounds, and its people saved from crippling poverty. The same could be said about Basilan. Tawi-Tawi further south has fortunately been a haven of peace, and look how despite its distance from Luzon and the capital, this island province has slowly but surely developed, with its seaweed farming and nickel mining * * *Over that Litratista affair in Hsinchu, our labor attache, Atty. Cesar Chavez, also spoke about a creeping human trafficking racket that victimizes our contract workers, as already detected in Taiwan. Illegal recruiters still manage to prey on our OFWs by taking advantage of their search for greener pastures. Chavez reported that five Filipinos are currently stranded in Malta after falling prey to illegal recruiters who promised them jobs in Europe. These unscrupulous recruiters specifically target workers in Taiwan because of their capacity to pay higher placement fees, amounting to as much as NT$200,000 or about P340,000, considering that they are already in good paying jobs in Taiwan. Workers who have been on the island for quite some time, with substantial savings and who are about to reach the end of their contracts, are the most vulnerable to this unscrupulous scheme. The lure of better-paying jobs, and the possibility of permanent residency, in Canada and other European countries is the biggest factor why ourentertain these precarious offerings from illegal recruiters. The Manila Economic and Cultural Office and the labor office, however, cannot extend protection or provide assistance to workers who avail of these job offers since their original job contracts indicate that they are to work in Taiwan. We can only warn them not to entertain these job openings as they only jeopardize their safety and welfare. * * * Taiwan and many other Asian countries celebrate the New Year, which in the lunar calendar begins February 5. As such, work grinds to a halt from February 2 all the way to February 10 this year, as the Year of the Pig takes over from the Year of the Dog. Filipino travelers who made the mistake of booking tours in Taiwan will find almost all shops, even restaurants closed, as Taiwanese take a holiday break, much like our Christmas holidays where all work stops on December 24 and though not declared holidays, the dates between the 26th to the 29th are virtually no-work days until the first of January. In the case of Taiwan and many other Asian countries, the whole week is declared an official holiday period. It is a practice that we may as well adopt in our country, that is, declare the whole period between December 24 to January 1 a long holiday. Filipinos hardly work during this whole festive season anyway - President Rodrigo Duterte has visited the church in Jolo where two explosions happened - The President also spoke before the crowd who gathered at the church - He has declared an all-out war against the terrorist groups PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed President Rodrigo Duterte has visited the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu where the twin bombings took place. KAMI learned that the President also visited the kin of the victims. In a report by GMA News, President Duterte was accompanied by his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! President Duterte spoke before the crowd that was also surrounded by coffins. The explosions caused 20 deaths and more than 100 people injured. As reported by Inquirer, President Duterte has ordered an all-out war against the terrorist groups to give justice to the victims of the twin suicide bombings. Basically, his marching order was all-out war [against] the terrorist groups. Run after those mass murderers and give justice to their victims, Col. Gerry Besana of Western Mindanao Command said. According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, the investigators were treating the bombings as terror attack. In a previous report by KAMI, the Islamic State has claimed the responsibility over the said explosions. However, the Armed Forces of the Philippines tagged the Abu Sayyaf as liable to the bombings. KAMI also reported that the brother of an Abu Sayyaf leader was caught on surveillance lurking around the cathedral moments before the explosions happened. POPULAR: Read more news about President Rodrigo Duterte! 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 Six years ago Girls Inc. of Southeast Wisconsin possessed a vision of offering the opportunity for middle school girls to attend a conference on STEM careers. From that first conference with 70 students in attendance, the Sith Annual GEMS (Girls Empowered by Math and Science) Conference had an attendance of over 400 girls attend UW-Parkside on Jan. 17. These seventh and eighth grade girls had the opportunity to hear our guest speaker Alley Faith, KISS-FM DJ. In addition to hearing Ms. Faith, students chose three hands-on workshops that related to math, science and engineering. The mission of the 2019 GEMS Conference was twofold to provide young women with opportunities to learn about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in careers and to promote young womens participation in STEM courses in high school and college. The conference was accomplished through the efforts of Girls Inc. of Southeast Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, American Association of University Women Racine, the Racine Unified School District, SC Johnson, American Transmission Company, Insinkerator, UPS, and United Way of Racine County. With the recent news of RUSDs ongoing annual budget shortfall and the publication of the fake news of the confrontation in Washington D.C. (Monday, Page A9), some obvious questions deserve answers. Is RUSD utilizing all of the available tools from Act 10 which most other communities in Wisconsin have used to both reduce budgets as well as allow increase funding for direct educational expenses? If the RUSD board has not utilized these tools, why not? Will the taxpayers again be required to make up for shortfalls that common sense budgeting could solve? Will The Journal Times, CNN and all of the media outlets who rushed to an incorrect judgement on the March for Life rally confrontation wherein the young Catholic boys were not inciting the disturbances but were instead accosted by both another protesting group as well as the veteran drummer and national activist Nathan Phillips? Finally, why wasnt Saturdays March for Life rally covered with any real depth? Your readership and Racine all deserve some answers. Thank you. Craig Borgardt, Racine Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RACINE The Racine Unified School District has announced that it will be closed Wednesday. Tuesday's after school activities were also cancelled. "Due to the record-breaking cold anticipated to begin this evening, all after-school activities will be canceled tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 29," according to a Racine Unified email. "In addition, the Racine Unified School District will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 30. This means that all District schools and buildings will be closed and all after school activities are canceled for Wednesday." The decision was made due to near record-breaking low temperatures, predicted to get down to -50 degrees with the windchill during much of Wednesday, according to to the National Weather Service at Sullivan. Thursday morning is predicted to have wind chills in the -40s with temperatures only improving slightly through Thursday, with wind chills nearing -20. Other closures RACINE Siena Catholic Schools of Racine will celebrate the 45th Annual Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 2. This years theme highlights four priorities of Catholic schools: learn, serve, lead and succeed. Each of the schools within the system including John Paul II Academy, Our Lady of Grace Academy, St. Joseph School, St. Lucy Catholic Parish School, St. Rita School and St. Catherines Middle and High School will host open houses, prayer services and other special events throughout the week. As part of the Catholic Schools Week celebration, St. Catherines will host a free performance by famed speed painter Rob Surette at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. Faces of Jesus will be held in the John Foster Auditorium at the school, 1200 Park Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Enter door No. 8 on the west side of the school. This free performance is open to the public and is for all ages and will last approximately one hour. Thank you to the Delsman Family, Design Partners, Carpetland USA, John and Helen Miller and an anonymous donor who so generously are bringing this event to the stage at St. Catherines. To learn more about Rob Surette, visit AmazingHeroArt.com. SOMERS University of Wisconsin-Parkside chancellor Debbie Ford announced the appointment of J. Thomas Tom Krimmel as associate chancellor for University Development and Alumni Relations. Krimmel is a 1972 graduate of UW-Parkside. Early in his career, from 1979 to 1986, he was director of development and alumni relations at UW-Parkside and helped establish the UW-Parkside Alumni Association and the UW-Parkside Benevolent Foundation. A key accomplishment was leading the team that established the University Apartments, the first UW-Parkside on-campus housing. Since leaving UW-Parkside, Krimmel has spent more than 25 years serving in senior leadership positions in higher-education fundraising and alumni relations. Tom has a long, dedicated relationship with UW-Parkside and has been supporting the university as a senior philanthropic adviser, Ford said. Im thrilled that he has accepted my invitation to expand that role. In a sense, his career has come full circle. Krimmel holds a masters degree in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and received a Distinguished Alumni Service Award from the UW-Parkside College of Natural and Health Sciences in 2018. RACINE Park High School Health Occupations Students of America members honored their school resource officers on Jan. 9 during National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Students brought cookies and thanked the SROs for their service to Park High School. Law enforcement officers of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities, Park HOSA students said. Theyve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated. On National Law Enforcement Day, we have an opportunity to thank them for their service and offer a token of respect. National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was founded in 2015 to thank officers across the country for all the daily sacrifices they make for their communities. Since then, many organizations nationwide have joined forces to support National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to spread encouragement and respect to these dedicated men and women. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 In the settlement of a lawsuit alleging constitutional and civil rights violations, the Racine Unified School District has again expanded its summer school offerings. Here's what was announced this week, and a rundown of the drama that led to it: PLEASANT PRAIRIE The Pleasant Prairie Plan Commission Monday approved plans that include a new craft brewery and hotel for the area by years end. The master conceptual plans, which were requested by Branko Tupanjac of BRV General Construction, were approved and will green-light the development of two commercial buildings and associated site improvements at 7821 120th Ave., according to a Village of Pleasant Prairie news release. The development site is proposed for an area along the east Interstate 94 frontage, south of the busy Highway 50 corridor. According to the approved proposal, the northern lot is slated to be developed as a hotel with a banquet hall and restaurant. According to the Plan Commissions agenda, the hotel is proposed to be a Hyatt hotels property. The Kings and Convicts Brewery facility, with a large production brew house, taproom, restaurant and event space, is set to occupy the southern lot. The proposed hotel is proposed to have 124 rooms and a main floor with a lobby/reception area, restaurant/bar area, banquet/meeting rooms, kitchen and pool area. The hotel plans to employ 10 full-time and six part-time employees. John Janovy Jr. took a local pastors retirement advice to get up and out of the house every day. Eight years into retirement, the 81-year-old former professor of biological sciences still heads to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln downtown campus nearly every weekday. At the Student Union, he sets aside an hour or more to write. That generates about two books a year. Then Janovy walks to an office he was allotted by the university after accepting a buyout and retiring in 2011. Although he no longer teaches college courses, Janovy is still making educational contributions to his favorite field of study parasitology. Tapping into five decades of teaching and research, Janovy helped update several editions of the textbook Foundations of Parasitology and is currently writing a chapter on the history of parasitology for an online textbook. Last year, his Africa Notes: Reflections of an Ecotourist was published by the Center for Great Plains Studies. Janovy, who dabbles in watercolor painting, drew all of the pen-and-ink scientific illustrations for the book, as well as authored it after visiting the African continent twice with his wife Karen. ChicagoThe US Midwest dug out Monday from a snowstorm that closed schools and businesses, as millions braced for dangerous sub-zero temperatures that could shatter records. School districts in Minnesota and Wisconsin canceled classes and government offices, universities and businesses shuttered, with the mercury expected to drop to a polar -40 Fahrenheit (-40 Celsius). Dangerously cold and potentially record-breaking temperatures and wind chills are expected by Tuesday and Wednesday, National Weather Service said. The arctic air, together with brisk winds, can lead to dangerously cold wind chill values. In Wisconsin, where nearly a foot of snow was measured in one location, Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency, freeing up the Wisconsin National Guard for emergency work, if needed. In North and South Dakota, peak wind gusts were measured at 96 to 113 kilometers per hour. More than 1,000 flights were canceled at two airports in Chicago, a major regional hub and Americas third largest city, in nearby Illinois. On the heels of the storm, nearly a dozen states braced for a blast of arctic air known as a polar vortex, which was expected to lower temperatures well below normal and far below zero.The frigid air mass had veered from its usual path and was forecast to fall into the Midwest beginning Tuesday. The chill was expected to bring temperatures to extreme lows by Wednesday and last through Thursday. Temperatures were expected to plummet to between -10 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit in a vast area stretching some 1,200 miles from the Dakotas to parts of Ohio. Wind chill would make temperatures feel more like -30 to -65 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NWS. On Tuesday, the snowstorm was expected to move to the northeast, where it could dump another 8 to 12 inches of snow in some areas. In Wisconsins biggest city, Milwaukee, downtown streets were virtually deserted Monday and every major highway in the state covered in ice or snow, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In Minnesota, numerous cities declared snow emergencies, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Two Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii expressed concerns whether Omaha attorney Brian Buescher can be an impartial judge, given his affiliation with the worlds largest Catholic fraternal organization. Intolerance of religion, regardless of what faith, is as disappointing as it is unconstitutional ("Questioning of nominees faith is going too far," Jan. 23). The Journal Star editorial board confuses intolerance of religion with intolerance of the behavior of religious people. The First Amendment protects religious belief but is not absolute regarding religious action. (See Jeffersons letter to the Danbury Baptists and the Supreme Court decision Reynolds v. United States.) I am intolerant of the thinking of Christian senators who reject the theory of evolution because they mistakenly think that if you accept Darwin, then it logically follows that there is no God. This is a classic error in logic called a non sequitur. I am not being intolerant of the Catholic faith when I criticize a potential judge for belonging to an organization that is intolerant of homosexuals. The Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad safely destroyed a live grenade found in a dumpster outside a Talmage home Monday, an agency spokesman said. People cleaning out the home of a resident who had died discovered the grenade and called the Otoe County Sheriff's Office, Cody Thomas said in a news release. The sheriff's office called the bomb squad, which removed it from the area and used a counter-charge to dispose of the grenade, Thomas said. The bomb squad's commander, Lt. Dain Hicks, encouraged people who find grenades or other explosives to call law enforcement for help and to not move the device. Reach the writer at 402-473-2657 or rjohnson@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSRileyJohnson. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Chief Lancaster County Deputy Sheriff Todd Duncan said the sheriff's office was notified at 8:55 p.m. Saturday. The sheriff's office relies on the Corrections Department to make the public aware of escaped inmates, he said. Convicted of second-degree murder and a weapons charge, Gafford was sentenced to 30 to 50 years for fatally shooting Jacque Holbert in September 1997. Prison records say his scheduled release date is Dec. 11, 2022. He had been on parole twice, Strimple said, but had it revoked. Another parole hearing was scheduled for April. Until Saturday, Gafford had been in the prison's custody since 2017. On Jan. 20, Holbert's son, 21-year-old Jacque "Jack" Holbert IV, was fatally shot while lying in a bed in a home in Omaha. The shots came from outside the house, police said. No arrests have been reported. A representative of the Holbert family told the Omaha World-Herald the family had not been notified of Gafford's escape, but the prison's spokesperson said staff notified the person listed with the prison as the primary contact. Police didn't immediately return messages to the Associated Press about whether Gafford knew about the death of his victim's son or if Gafford is being investigated in connection to the death. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Things You Think Might Happen And Perhaps Should Happen In Santa Fe But Are Not Happening, Plus: So Long, Kiki Come on, New Mexico. Let's do some thinkin'. Things you think might happen and perhaps should happen in Santa Fe but are not happening. --Is it time to eliminate the financially troubled state lottery scholarship program? The 22 year old program appears to have been of its time but lagging gambling revenue and higher tuition costs may have made it an anachronism. --Legal Mary Jane is a dead duck in the state senate so why don't pro-marijuana backers nudge the process by switching gears and going all in for decriminalizing the weed? That would stop the unfair arrests they claim are being made for small possessions of pot. Decriminalizing also might make for a smoother path later for legalization. This one is assigned to --Rather than raise the royalty rates on the oil industry, which is a sure loser at the Roundhouse, how about if State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard instead works on the possibility of getting the major oil companies in the Permian Basin to pay for a portion of badly need road repair and maintenance there? Hundreds of millions of the cash surplus are forecast to go to statewide road repair. Can't Big Oil afford some small change to keep those profits pumping in the SE? Knock, Knock. Stephanie? 700,000 OR BUST We keep seeing newspaper CHEAP EATS; CAN THE COLLEGE The scholarships now only cover 60 percent of higher education tuition, down from 100 percent. Can't Santa Fe find a new revenue stream instead of trying to keep this flawed ship afloat? The lottery is handing out about $40 million annually. In the scheme of things that is not onerous. Let's assign this one to the think tank Think New Mexico . Maybe the numbers nerds there can hatch a better deal for the stressed out students and get legislation going.so why don't pro-marijuana backers nudge the process by switching gears and going all in for decriminalizing the weed? That would stop the unfair arrests they claim are being made for small possessions of pot. Decriminalizing also might make for a smoother path later for legalization. This one is assigned to longtime decriminalization backer State Senator Joe Cervantes. Hello, Joe? Get Emily Kaltenbach on the horn.which is a sure loser at the Roundhouse, how about if State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard instead works on the possibility of getting the major oil companies in the Permian Basin to pay for a portion of badly need road repair and maintenance there? Hundreds of millions of the cash surplus are forecast to go to statewide road repair. Can't Big Oil afford some small change to keep those profits pumping in the SE? Knock, Knock. Stephanie?We keep seeing newspaper references that the turnout in the November election in the state was 698,976 or 55.4 percent. But according to the Secretary of State the actual turnout was 701,654 or 55.61 percent of registered voters. We're unsure why this bothers us. Maybe we're channeling our inner Brian Sanderoff. Reader JoAnne Allen of Nathrop, Colorado writes of recent blogging here: Hi Joe, I'm a big fan and read every day. About the cost of living comments for NM retirees from Tuesday's blog: We left NM, our home of 50+ years, to retire in Colorado. The cost of living here is notably higher than in the Land of Enchantment (LOE). Everything is higher, housing, trades, food, gas, taxes, everything. When we return to the LOE to visit family and friends, we come with long shopping lists and coolers for food. And about the Electoral College; In Colorado there is a bill now going through our legislature to award our Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Holding on to the Electoral College is like trying to hold on to straight ticket voting. Maybe for a short while, but the writing is on the wall. It is better for our democracy to listen to the voice of the people. Consider that it might work the opposite of what you think in that New Mexico's votes will matter more and be worth courting because we could become greater than our 5 electoral votes in the larger picture. Have a great day, Joe. Thank you for your most excellent work. Thanks for writing, JoAnne. HENRY "KIKI" SAAVEDRA While not much was heard from him in retirement, he cast a long shadow during his tenure in Santa Fe where he served as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. It takes seniority to get that seat and Kiki had it, first elected in 1976 and launching a 38 year run at the Roundhouse. He was popular, likable and rarely had any serious opposition in his heavy Dem district. Affable, friendly, funny and dapper were some of the adjectives used to remember him Monday. His earlier years in Santa Fe with House Speaker Raymond Sanchez and other members of that posse were probably his happiest. In his later years his chairmanship of Appropriations was marred by the austerity era and the rancor of the new politics. This was a fellow who wanted to bring home the bacon and make a difference but you can't do that without cash. One day after a long series of hearings where everyone and their brother had their hands out, he declared in frustration: "But we don't have the money!" And then it was time to go. For most of his career New Mexico was a state on the go. The papers were not filled with horror stories of child killings, rampant crime and people leaving. Leaving New Mexico would have been unspeakable to Saavedra's generation, so deep were their feet planted in their native soil. They were the inheritors of a tradition of La Politica dating back hundreds of years. It had its flaws but it worked and so did the state. Today's politics? Not so much. Representative Henry Saavedra served long and served well. Most of all, he cared. That was a pretty good run, Kiki. Here is the Governor's full statement on his death: I was incredibly saddened today to hear of former Representative Saavedras passing. I had the good fortune to work with and learn from him for many years and knew him to be deeply devoted to his community. As a veteran, a city employee, and a legislator, he lived his life in service. He was a treasured leader in the state House, looked up to by new legislators of both parties as a welcoming teacher, and he championed projects like funding New Mexicos Special Olympics. I especially appreciated his warmth, fairness, and delightful sense of humor. He was a gentleman through and through, and the Legislature is a better place because of him. Representative Saavedra lived his life as an example of leaving a place better than he entered it, and the entire state of New Mexico is better off for his work and service. My deepest condolences go out to his family. Funeral arrangements are pending. This is the home of New Mexico politics. Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here. ( c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018 Thanks for writing, JoAnne. The news of the death of former ABQ Dem State Rep. Henry "Kiki" Saavedra was like a bolt out of the blue Monday. Although gone from the Legislature since 2014, he was part of the state's political furniture and you expected to run into him any day at the Barelas Coffee House in the South Valley or one of his other favorite haunts. But Saavedra was afflicted with Alzheimer's and passed at the age of 82.While not much was heard from him in retirement, he cast a long shadow during his tenure in Santa Fe where he served as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. It takes seniority to get that seat and Kiki had it, first elected in 1976 and launching a 38 year run at the Roundhouse. He was popular, likable and rarely had any serious opposition in his heavy Dem district.Affable, friendly, funny and dapper were some of the adjectives used to remember him Monday. His earlier years in Santa Fe with House Speaker Raymond Sanchez and other members of that posse were probably his happiest. In his later years his chairmanship of Appropriations was marred by the austerity era and the rancor of the new politics. This was a fellow who wanted to bring home the bacon and make a difference but you can't do that without cash. One day after a long series of hearings where everyone and their brother had their hands out, he declared in frustration: "But we don't have the money!" And then it was time to go.For most of his career New Mexico was a state on the go. The papers were not filled with horror stories of child killings, rampant crime and people leaving.Leaving New Mexico would have been unspeakable to Saavedra's generation, so deep were their feet planted in their native soil. They were the inheritors of a tradition of La Politica dating back hundreds of years. It had its flaws but it worked and so did the state. Today's politics? Not so much.Representative Henry Saavedra served long and served well. Most of all, he cared. That was a pretty good run, Kiki.Here is the Governor's full statement on his death:Funeral arrangements are pending.This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com) Come on, New Mexico. Let's do some thinkin'.Things you think might happen and perhaps should happen in Santa Fe but are not happening.The 22 year old program appears to have been of its time but lagging gambling revenue and higher tuition costs may have made it an anachronism. Links HOME E-MAIL ME About Joe Google News Real Clear Politics Huffington Post Drudge Report The Politico NM Newspapers NM TV stations Gov. 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12/20/20 12/20/20 - 12/27/20 1/3/21 - 1/10/21 1/10/21 - 1/17/21 1/17/21 - 1/24/21 1/24/21 - 1/31/21 1/31/21 - 2/7/21 2/7/21 - 2/14/21 2/14/21 - 2/21/21 2/21/21 - 2/28/21 2/28/21 - 3/7/21 3/7/21 - 3/14/21 3/14/21 - 3/21/21 3/21/21 - 3/28/21 3/28/21 - 4/4/21 4/4/21 - 4/11/21 4/11/21 - 4/18/21 4/18/21 - 4/25/21 4/25/21 - 5/2/21 5/2/21 - 5/9/21 5/9/21 - 5/16/21 5/16/21 - 5/23/21 5/23/21 - 5/30/21 5/30/21 - 6/6/21 6/6/21 - 6/13/21 6/13/21 - 6/20/21 website design by website design by limwebdesign Professional Expectations: The Teacher Assistant should have the following qualities Demonstrate skills in promoting the schools philosophy and policy. Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Have a good understanding of how children learn. Have an understanding of teaching and learning strategies. Be professional in approach and set good examples. Be conscientious, efficient and organized. Give high regard to Health and Safety. Actively seek to improve their practice and participate in Training and Development. Have high regard to creating a high quality learning environment. Maintain the confidentiality of information. Child Safeguarding: Shrewsbury International School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to attend in-house Child Safeguarding programmes promote and safeguard the welfare of all students in the school report to the Child Protection Officer any concerns they have for the welfare of a student. This may include unsafe practices witnessed within the school as outlined in the schools Speak Out (Whistleblowing) Policy keep professional relationships with students where personal boundaries are respected and maintained seek advice from a Line Manager or Child Protection Officer with issues or concerns related to Child Safeguarding Requirements: Satisfactory Thai Police Criminal Record check Confirmation of identity (Driving License / Passport/National ID card). Satisfactory references Verification of qualifications and work experience How to Apply: Applications will be only be accepted on the official Shrewsbury International School Application Form, which is available on the school website Job Vacancies page. Further Details: Full details of the school are available on our website at http://city.shrewsbury.ac.th Any queries should be forwarded to jobs-city@shrewsbury.ac.th. 100 years ago, Jan. 29, 1919 MATTOON -- Lucian Robey, a well-known character, was shot in the arm late yesterday afternoon by Hugh Sanders, who used a .22 caliber revolver. Sanders surrendered to the police. Robey asked the police to put Sanders in jail. The latter still has his freedom. The wound is not serious. The shooting is said to have occurred at the Roy Ellis home on Shelby Avenue north of the Big Four Railroad shops. Sanders claims he shot in self-defense to prevent Robey from striking him a third time on the head with a piece of stove iron... CHARLESTON -- A license to wed was issued by the Coles County Clerk yesterday afternoon to W.H. Uhde, aged 50, of Greenup. The prospective bride is Anna Johnson of Chicago. Mr. Uhde had come to Charleston to attend the dinner meeting of the hard roads committee of the Charleston Merchants Association and while here decided to attend to this other little matter also. At the meeting, the proposition of laying out a new automobile trail to connect points north and south of Charleston was acted upon. Also attending were representatives of Villa Grove, Hindsboro, Toldeo, Westfield, Greenup and Bradbury... SPRINGFIELD -- State Rep. E. Walter Green yesterday introduced a bill seeking an appropriation of $200,000 for a gymnasium and small amphitheater at the Eastern Illinois Normal School at Charleston. Also, a bill for the creation of a state police force was introduced by Rep. Castle of Chicago. The bill provides for a superintendent of state police at a salary of $5,000 a year, one lieutenant, five sergeants, eight corporals and 68 privates. Members of the force are to be provided with horses and vehicles and shall be uniformed. 50 years ago, 1969 MATTOON -- The boards of directors and medical staffs of Mattoon Memorial Hospital and Charleston Community Hospital today announced their decision to merge resources and energies to build one voluntary nonprofit hospital to serve Mattoon, Charleston and the area. A joint statement was issued by the two hospital boards following a study and report by a Chicago research company. The hospital apparently will be a 199-bed facility located somewhere between Mattoon and Charleston. Cost of the project is estimated at $7 million. Partial federal funding will be sought. The remaining revenue will be raised by contributions from people in the communities and by hospital revenues MATTOON -- A 10-person Area Medical Planning Council, representing both hospitals, has been appointed to begin implementing recommendations of the study for a combined Charleston-Mattoon area hospital. Appointed to represent Mattoon are Robert L. Tweed, Robert D. Carlyle, A. Glen Hesler, Dr. Wilfred Brunswick and Dr. Robert Swengel. Appointed from Charleston are R. Gale Baker, Robert Carlisle, Donald Mapes, Dr. L.R. Montemayor and Dr. G.D. Wright CHARLESTON -- An Air Force veteran from Charleston has been nominated for the rank of major general. The nomination of Brig. Gen. Carlos M. Talbott to the grade of temporary major general has been presented to the U.S. Senate. Talbott is vice commander of the Tenth Air Force at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base near Kansas City. A graduate of Charleston High School, Talbott was a junior at Eastern Illinois University when he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Talbott is a veteran of World War II. 25 years ago, 1994 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. MATTOON -- After months of a sometimes bitter dispute, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 702 and Central Illinois Public Service Co. have a contract. Members of the union ratified CIPSs latest contract proposal by a margin of less than 2-to-1, union officials said. The contract is retroactive to July 1, 1993, and runs through June 30, 1995. A news release from the union says the agreement calls for the company to provide a $1.2 million subsidy to the union to help offset higher insurance premiums. It also calls for $160,000 in damages, pays the unions $220,000 legal fees and expenses incurred when the union filed suit to force the company to honor a July 1992 agreement and other language. U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard, D-Marion, mediated the settlement CHARLESTON -- Spring semester enrollment at Eastern Illinois University has hit a record high this year. Enrollment for the current semester is 10,055 on-campus students, marking the first time in EIUs history that spring enrollment has topped the 10,000 students mark. Lou Hencken, EIU vice president for student affairs, ranks high in surveys that measure institutional quality and quality relative to cost MATTOON -- Now that Mattoon Lightworks is established on the holiday calendar, organizers are thinking more about long-term growth. The second year of the light display in Peterson Park ended Jan. 15 after 33,294 cars and 29 tour buses drove through, said Doris Reynolds, the committee chairwoman last year. Estimates are that 100,000 people saw the display during its 66-night run, said Mark Nelson, current Lightworks chairman 100 years ago, Jan. 30, 1919 MATTOON -- The schools of the city of Mattoon bought during the year 1918 a total of $30,448 in War Savings Stamps. The Longfellow School, of which Miss Anna Pape is the principal, bought the largest amount, $6,877. The second largest was the Bennett School, one pupil buying the maximum amount allowed to one person, $1,000. Other totals: Mattoon High School, $3,825; Hawthorne School, $4,189; Washington, $2,000; St. Joseph, $1,285; Lowell, $2,787; Columbia, $430; Bennett, $4,293; and Lincoln, $3,256.10... GREENUP -- Seymour Stanberry, aged 25, died at his farm home near Greenup on Sunday following a short illness of influenza. He is the second in his family in a week to die of the flu. The family formerly lived in Hutton Township and its members were well known in that community. The mother of the young farmer, Mrs. Marion Stanberry, who was 50 years old, died on Friday of the same malady. Her husband, Marion Stanberry, also is ill and is not expected to live. The deceased man leaves a wife, whose maiden name was Beavers... WASHINGTON -- Legislation prohibiting immigration for a period of four years following the signing of the European War peace treaty was approved by the House Immigration Committee. Prohibition of immigration during the peace reconstruction period has been strongly urged by organized labor and others at hearings.Tourists would not be barred for shorter stays. 50 years ago, 1969 MATTOON -- Two charcoal drawings of Robert G. DeMars, the work of Carl and Mary Katherine Galey, have been hung in the foyer of the Robert G. DeMars Memorial Youth Center in Peterson Park. The center was named in honor of DeMars, a Mattoon fireman, who was killed in March 1966 in the collision of two firetrucks in downtown Mattoon. The first dance at the new youth center is Friday night. The dance will feature The Jerrells, a rock band from Greenville MATTOON -- Streams are flooded, fields are ponded, Lake Paradise and Lake Mattoon are filled and water is swirling over the spillways. Three days of rain that have produced nearly three inches of precipitation have overtaxed the capacities of surface runoff facilities, creating flooding conditions at may locations. The 2.86 inches of rain has increased the 1969 total of 4.31 inches, more than double the 1.97 inches received by this date a year ago. 25 years ago, 1994 Sunday. No paper. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Two New Peoples Army rebels and a policeman were killed while several others were wounded in a roadside blast and skirmishes in Cotabato and Samar Tuesday. In Cotabato, a police patrol along the stretch between Barangay Dolores and Barangay Poblacion in the town of Magpet hit a roadside bomb at 9:20 a.m., said Sr. Supt. Maximo Cawas Layugan, director of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office. Layugan said the explosion wounded all policemen on board and killed one of them. The blast was followed by a burst of gunfire from the NPA rebels, prompting the police to return fire. Layugan identified the slain policeman as P01 Christopher Anadon while the injured were P01 Stephenson Batoon Parreno; SP01 Michael Mariano Escano; P02 Marinerl Pastores; P01 Eliezer Langcuban; P01 Darrell Ferolino; P01 Phil Jan Ray Canarejo; P01 Franz Deo Lechago and P01 Mark Vincent Capilitan.In Samar, a firefight between troops of the 63rd Infantry Battalion and 10 communist rebels broke out in Barangay Carolina, Matuguianao, leaving two NPA rebels dead at about 10 a.m. Tuesday. Maj. Abel Potutan, Public Information Officer of the militarys Central Command, said the clash erupted after soldiers responded to information of NPA extortion activities in the village. Troops were able to catch up with these terrorist, and were able to push them out of the community leaving two of their dead comrades behind with one M16 rifle, one KG9 and one shotgun, Lt. Col. Rizaldo Laurena, commander of the 63rd Infantry Battalion. In Rizal, meanwhile, three rebels surrendered to the military and handed over an M1 carbine and a caliber .22 rifle. A Springfield woman who was allegedly intoxicated while working as a caregiver at a local day care has been charged with endangering the life or health of a child. Springfield police officers and paramedics responded Tuesday to a case involving Regina L. Spencer, 52, at the Peapod Infant Care facility at 2421 S. Sixth St. A woman picking up her son Tuesday afternoon witnessed Spencer, who was holding the infant, fall to the ground, according to a police report. Paramedics and Springfield police were called. It was originally believed Spencer suffered a low blood-sugar episode. But paramedics requested officers return to the day care when it was discovered Spencer was intoxicated, police said. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Officers spoke with Spencer and noted she was slurring her speech and incoherent. Officers reported noticing 1 1/2 empty bottles of wine at the day care and smelled alcohol on her breath. There were two infants at the day care at the time of the incident. There was no indication either child was harmed. In addition to two endangering charges, Spencer was charged with reckless conduct, court records show. Spencer is out on bond. She next appears in court on March 26. According to Sangamon County court records, Spencer pleaded guilty to a reckless driving charge in 2015. Spencer had originally been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. She received one year supervision and was fined. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON -- Classes at Eastern Illinois University for Tuesday night and Wednesday have been cancelled because of the expected low temperatures and wind chill conditions. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The university announced that the cancellation affects classes scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. or later on Tuesday and all day Wednesday. The university will be open Wednesday but non-essential employees can use their discretion about safe travel to work, the announcement said. It said the regular class schedule is set to resume Thursday and more information is available online at www.eiu.edu/~status/. Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MATTOON -- Police officers made two arrests on theft charges regarding items from Walmart on Saturday. A Mattoon Police Department press release reported that these two arrests occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the police station when Kendra K. Jones-Guthrie, 23, of Charleston and Antwaun D. Harris, 21, of Chicago but residing in Charleston were taken into custody on preliminary charges of theft. Jones-Guthrie allegedly returned items belonging to Walmart, 101 Dettro Drive, for profit on Dec. 27 without having first paid for those items. Harris allegedly took items from the store without first having purchased them on Jan. 7. Both Jones-Guthrie and Harris were issued notices to appear in court. Regarding other arrests, Dillon B. Sanders, 30, of Mattoon was arrested on preliminary charges of domestic battery and resisting a police officer at 2:47 p.m. Friday in the 100 block of South Fifth Street. He allegedly used his hands to grab a female around the throat during a domestic disturbance and then resisted arrest. He was taken to the Coles County jail. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Separately, Gunner D. Gottman, 23, of Mattoon was arrested on a preliminary charge of criminal damage to property at 2:52 a.m. Monday in the 600 block of Marion Avenue. He allegedly smashed a glass window to a family member's residence there in an attempt to gain entry. Gottman was taken to the jail. In another case, Brian R. Grider, 44, of Mattoon, was arrested on a preliminary charge of possession of drug paraphernalia at 1:04 p.m. Saturday in the 1200 block of Charleston Avenue. The charge alleges that when police made contact with Grider there, he had possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia. He was issued a notice to appear in court. Photos: 2019 mug shots from the JG-TC Love 0 Funny 4 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MATTOON -- Multiple area school systems, the area's community college and Eastern Illinois University in Charleston are among the entities that have opted to close Wednesday as subzero temperatures hit Central Illinois. Classes at EIU for tonight and Wednesday have been canceled because of the expected low temperatures and wind chill conditions. The university announced that the cancellation affects classes scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. or later today and all day Wednesday. The university will be open Wednesday but non-essential employees can use their discretion about safe travel to work, the announcement said. The Mattoon school district issued a statement late this morning: "Due to the inclement weather, all classes at Mattoon Community Unit School District 2 are canceled Wednesday (Jan. 30, 2019)." In Charleston, school officials posted today on Facebook: "Due to forecasted extreme wind chill temperatures tomorrow morning and throughout the school day, which poses a threat to the safety of students, staff members and others travelling to and from our schools, schools in the Charleston district will be closed tomorrow, January 30, 2019." Oakland schools will be closed Wednesday. Lake Land College plans to temporarily close all of its campuses due to the frigid weather in the forecast this week. Kelly Allee, director of marketing and public relations for Lake Land, said the college is scheduled to close at 5 p.m. today, remain closed throughout the day on Wednesday, and then reopen Thursday morning. She said the closure will be in place for the main campus in Mattoon and for all satellite locations. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The Coles County Courthouse will also be closed Wednesday because of the expected weather conditions, county Presiding Judge Mark Bovard said. He said anyone scheduled for court Wednesday can contact the county Circuit Clerk's Office today and Thursday to determine their new court dates. The Coles County Health Department will be closed Wednesday, as will the LifeSpan Center. At mid-day today, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's office announced that the Secretary of State facilities and offices will be closed Wednesday due to dangerously cold temperatures. Online services will be available, the secretary's officials indicated. Individuals can visit the Secretary of States website, www.cyberdriveillinois.com to change an address, register to become an organ and tissue donor or renew license plate stickers online. A determination will be made on Wednesday at noon regarding a possible closure due to weather for Thursday. Please visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com for updates on closures. Coles County and other counties including Champaign, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Moultire and Shelby are under a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service based in Lincoln. There is a wind chill warning to be in effect from 9 p.m. tonight to noon on Thursday. This afternoon and tonight, according to the NWS, wind chills will drop to 30 to 40 degrees below zero. Bitterly cold weather will continue through Thursday morning, with wind chills of 20 to 35 degrees below zero. Light snow accumulations are possible Thursday afternoon and evening, the weather service reported. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON -- After spending time volunteering to help children in abuse and neglect court cases, Kim Carmean thought she could "broaden the scope" of what she did. She said that experience meant she was eager to accept when she was offered the chance to run the organization that helps kids in those situations. Carmean began duties as executive director of CASA of East Central Illinois earlier this month after volunteering as an advocate with the program for three years. "As an advocate, I really enjoyed working with the children and making a difference for them," she said. "I thought I could broaden the scope." As executive director, Carmean follows Kristen Bertrand, who was in the position for five years and is now the director of training for the state CASA organization. CASA, which stand for "court appointed special advocate," has volunteers or advocates who try to help develop a course of action in the best interests of children in abuse and neglect cases. They work alongside attorneys and others to make recommendations for the judges handling the case. Carmean, a rural Mattoon resident, was the administrative assistant for the Coles County Airport Authority for 17 years before her move. She said she was looking for volunteer work a few years ago and "knew right from the beginning" that CASA would be a good fit. "The most satisfying thing for me is seeing parents who are will to work hard to get their kids back," she said. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Meanwhile, Bertrand's new duties include training for individual CASA programs and planning the state organization's annual conference. She said the position allows her to mostly work from her home in Charleston, except for twice-monthly trips to the state CASA office in Bloomington. "I wanted to hone my skills," Bertrand said of the change. "I wanted a different type of responsibility." Accomplishments she mentioned during her time as the CASA director included the program's taking on of legal representation of children and having its own attorney. That was in 2015, when the program also began handling cases in Cumberland County as well as Coles County, she added. Bertrand also obtained a grant last year to pay for more staff. She said that helped with a caseload that increased 40 percent last year and was on the rise before that as well. The program now has about 30 advocates who are handling about 70 cases. Also, she thinks the CASA office, provided rent-free in the basement of the Coles County Courthouse, now has a more professional look. Remodeling for that came about because of a grant, volunteer work and breaks on the equipment and materials purchases, she said. Carmean said she doesn't see the need to make any real changes in CASA's operations, though there's always a need to increase fundraising and awareness for the program. She said she feels the transition has gone smoothly, and Bertrand said Carmean has her "full confidence." "I'm very pleased," Bertrand said. "She's well-suited for this." Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Introduction In just 50 years, almost a million Jews, whose communities stretch back up to 3,000 years, have been 'ethnically cleansed' from 10 Arab countries. These refugees outnumber the Palestinian refugees two to one, but their narrative has all but been ignored. Unlike Palestinian refugees, they fled not war, but systematic persecution. Seen in this light, Israel, where some 50 percent of the Jewish population descend from these refugees and are now full citizens, is the legitimate expression of the self-determination of an oppressed indigenous, Middle Eastern people. This website is dedicated to preserving the memory of the near-extinct Jewish communities, which can never return to what and where they once were - even if they wanted to. It will attempt to pass on the stories of the Jewish refugees and their current struggle for recognition and restitution. Awareness of the injustice done to these Jews can only advance the cause of peace and reconciliation. (Iran: once an ally of Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran is now an implacable enemy and numbers of Iranian Jews have fallen drastically from 80,000 to 20,000 since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Their plight - and that of all other communities threatened by Islamism - does therefore fall within the scope of this blog.) Iran is famous for military adventurism and meddling in the domestic policies of other countries in the region, but its now set its sights further afield by extending its use of spies to the US and Europe to interfere in their socio-political, religious and socioeconomic landscapes, often recruiting those unlikely to be detected, such as those with dual nationalities. Two of the Regimes spies arrested in the US last year, accused of spying on Jewish facilities and members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq, were either American-born citizens, like Ahmadreza Mohammadi Doostdar, 38, or had permission to work in the US, like Majid Ghorbani, 59. Assistant Attorney General John Demers said that the pair are alleged to have acted on behalf of Iran, including by conducting surveillance of political opponents and engaging in other activities that could put Americans at risk. Dr Majid Rafizadeh warned that this would not only pose a danger to the lives of Americans but also increase tension and fear within the Persian community in the US. He also explained that Irans Ministry of Intelligence is not the sole actor behind these malign activities, instead the Quds Force, the elite branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps led by Qassem Soleimani, that operates to advance the Regimes interests in foreign countries. Another unlikely spy employed by the Iranian Regime is those diplomats who work in Irans embassies and consulates in foreign countries, where they enjoy diplomat immunity. Several European countries expelled Iranian diplomats over terror plots that threatened Europe in 2018, but this just means that the Regime gets its terrorist diplomats back, even if they are caught. Where is the punishment? One key anomaly is Assadollah Assadi, the Iranian diplomat to Vienna, who was arrested in Germany after handing over explosives for a plot to bomb an Iranian Resistance rally in Paris in June 2018. He is currently awaiting trial in Belgium, but only because he had travelled outside of Austria to commit his crimes, therefore waiving his immunity. Dr Majid Rafizadeh wrote: It is totally hypocritical for the theocratic establishment of Iran to demand immunity for their embassy staff, who is accused of being engaged in terror plots, while its regime is known for ransacking foreign embassies in Tehran including those of the UK and Saudi Arabia for no reason, as well as taking diplomats hostage. The Iranian regime is escalating its attempts to attack the West, with its spies intensifying their work in the US and Europe. They are sworn to inflict significant damage. The West must put more efforts into disrupting Irans espionage networks. The regime views the opposition as a major threat to its existence, and it is completely correct. The organised opposition, the only viable one, knows the regime and the people of Iran better than any other. Support for the MEK is widespread in Iran and during the most recent Free Iran gathering that takes place every year just outside Paris, the opposition was able to show that there was support in every single one of Irans provinces. The Iranian regime has been very reluctant to admit that the opposition has any support in the country, claiming for years that it is a very insignificant group with a miniscule following in Iran. However, the strength of the MEK has become more and more evident as time goes on, and after a full year of protests, regime officials began to publicly acknowledge that its following is very significant and a danger to the survival of the regime. The Friday prayer imam in Qom, central Iran, said last week that the MEK is the enemy and expressed his concern. Seyed Mohammad Saeedi said: The states war against the [Iranian opposition Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)] and the global front of our enemies is an existential battle. And they want to behead us. Furthermore, he went on to speak about how accessible the opposition is to the people. The enemys front is vast. It is not limited to the borders, such as the era of the Sacred Defense [in reference to the war between Iran and Iraq during the eighties]. This is one of the enemys fronts. The enemy is attempting to infiltrate through all fronts, all channels. They are everywhere, especially through new technology through devices and tools that they have, they have infiltrated into our homes, the markets, the universities, the religious centers, in cyberspace, inside the country and abroad. This enemy has spread everywhere. It is true that the people are able to organise themselves better with regards to protests and anti-government demonstrations. Messaging apps were widely used when the protests first broke out just over a year ago and the regimes attempts to ban encrypted messaging services failed. In fact, you could say that it made them more determined to resist the regime. For decades, the people of Iran have been denied human rights and those that have dared speak out against the regime have put themselves at risk for arrest, imprisonment, torture and even the death penalty. In 1988, the Iranian regime tried to extinguish the opposition. Around 30,000 political prisoners were executed in what has become known as the 1988 massacre. The crime has gone unpunished but it has not been forgotten by the people. If anything, the regimes impunity has strengthened their resolve and determination. Persons familiar with the cases have said much the same thing about other instances of Irans imprisonment of dual and foreign nationals. The American citizen and Princeton graduate student Xiyue Wang, for instance, is currently serving a 10-year sentence on national security charges that stem from his using Iranian libraries for research into a period of Iranian political history that ended in the early 20th century, long before the 1979 revolution that brought the current regime to power. Iranian-British dual national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is serving a five year sentence after having been accused of having a leading role in an infiltration network working toward the soft overthrow of the Islamic Republic. The charges against her appear to have been based in large part on her former employment by the British Broadcasting Corporation, whose Persian service is banned by the regime and portrayed as pro-Western propaganda. However, Zaghari-Ratcliffe worked only for the charitable wing of the BBC and was never involved in media production or the training of journalists, as Tehran alleges. Zaghari-Ratcliffe recently undertook a hunger strike along with human rights lawyer and fellow political prisoner Nasrin Sotoudeh, in an effort to demand access to medical treatment that has been denied to them in spite of appeals from the prison infirmary. Their complaint highlights another familiar irregularity in the Iranian justice system, especially as it concerns political prisoners. Michael White is also reportedly being deprived of access to medical care, and this fact has been repeated with great alarm by family members who have explained that he recovered from cancer shortly before his latest trip to the Islamic Republic. CHRI reports that fellow inmates have provided evidence that that cancer may have returned and is likely going untreated. Meanwhile, another report from the same source points to other instances of prison authorities withholding medical care for persons who had been seriously injured at the time of their initial arrest. Hassan Shahreza and Vahid Khamoushi, both members of the Sufi mystical sect known as the Gonabadi dervishes, were shot with pellet guns during clashes between security forces and protesters from their order in February 2018. The two men, along with several others, have remained in detention ever since, and Shahreza has been sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes. Through all this time, neither man has received specialized treatment for his injuries, which left pellets scattered throughout their bodies. CHRI provided a vivid description of some of the consequences of this situation, including various infections that continue to grow worse and occasionally require the inmates to drain pus from their own wounds by cutting into them with any sharp objects they have on hand. As is reported in many cases of deliberate medical deprivation, prison doctors have indicated that transfer to hospital is necessary to address the problems faced by Shahreza and Khamoushi. But when one of the prisoners brought this fact to the attention of a relevant official, he was told in reply, We shot to kill you, not to treat you. Such remarks lend credence to the notion that the mistreatment of certain prisoners in the Islamic Republic is dispensed on the understanding that it will gradually contribute to their death. These deaths are thereby kept off the list of persons subjected to the death penalty in a country that is routinely credited with the highest per-capita rate of executions in the world. This, of course, contributes to the sense of urgency surrounding efforts to secure freedom for imprisoned dual nationals like Michael White and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. But it also showcases the particular hardships facing persons with citizenship in the Islamic Republic only, who may have fewer opportunities to bring their cases to the attention of foreign advocates or the international community in general. Yet another CHRI report last week pointed to the cases of Esmail Bakhshi and Sepideh Qoliyan, both of whom were arrested last November in connection with labor strikes at the Haft Tapeh sugarcane plant. Although they were released on bail after about a month, both were rearrested on January 20 as a result of their having spoken publicly about the torture that they experienced during that time. Qoliyans brother was also swept up in the later arrest, according to IranWire, which detailed the violence of the raid on the familys home. The description of this brutal attack serves to call attention to yet another repressive practice that is familiar to the Iranian justice system, and generally unique to persons who live permanently in Iran. Regime authorities have a demonstrated track record of putting pressure on detainees families as a means of discouraging public commentary about the case or compelling political prisoners to halt some or all of their activism. Accordingly, IranWire reported that Qoliyans parents had been warned against speaking to the media about the situation, in spite of the fact that international human rights organizations have warned that she and Esmail Bakhshi are at grave risk of being tortured all over again. The broader threat of torture at the hands of Iranian authorities was part of the 2019 annual report on the countrys record by Human Rights Watch. As detailed by Iran Human Rights Monitor, that report also reiterates the condemnation of widespread arrests that took place between late 2017 and November 2018 and led to an inflated population of political prisoners, including but by no means limited to labor activists, Sufi dervishes, and dual nationals. Three days after India celebrated the 70th Republic Day, the streets of the national capital were once again lit up on Tuesday, 29 January, for the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk. Pesident Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony in the capital. Beating Retreat ceremony begins in New Delhi Posted by The Quint on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Bands from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, State Police and Central Armed Police Force are participating in the ceremony. Every year on 29 January, the Beating Retreat ceremony is held in New Delhi to mark the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. Traffic Movement Slowed Down Commuters have complained about delays and traffic restrictions ahead of the Beating Retreat ceremony in Lutyens' Delhi on Tuesday. Movement of vehicles on parts of Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, Krishna Menon Marg, 'C' Hexagon and Dara Shikoh Road have been restricted. . Read more on India by The Quint.RSS & BJPs Nehru-Netaji Cosplay: Irony Dies a Thousand DeathsVicky, Kartik Approached to Replace SRK in Rakesh Sharma Biopic? . Read more on India by The Quint. A panel in the House of Representatives has approved a bill granting cash gifts to senior citizens who reach the age of 85, 90, and 95. The House Special Committee on Senior Citizens, presided by Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, the committee vice chairman, approved the unnumbered substitute bill amending Section 2 of Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 by including senior citizens who reach 85, 90, and 95 in the grant of cash gifts. The bill substituted HBs 8208, 8274, 8559, 8768 and 7821 authored by Reps. Mark Go of Pangasinan, Emi Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay City, Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan, and Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. of Camarines Sur, respectively. The bill proposes that a cash gift of P25,000 shall be given to all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, who reach the age of 85 and another P25,000 upon reaching 90 years old. They shall receive an additional P50,000 when they reach the age of 95. At 100 years old, the celebrators shall be honored with a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating them on their longevity in addition to a Centenarian Gift in the amount of P100,000 each. The panel also approved the removal of a provision in the unnumbered substitute bill to adjust the cash gift annually by three percent beginning the year 2020. The requisite fund for the initial year of implementation shall be sourced from the available funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and subsequently the amount necessary to implement the provisions of the measure shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.The Secretaries of the DSWD, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, and Commission on Filipinos Overseas shall promulgate the necessary guidelines for and shall take the lead in the effective implementation of the measure. Patricia Salvador, a representative of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, voiced support for the bill. She also thanked the committee for including in its provisions Filipino senior citizens who reside outside the country. I would like to thank the Special Committee on Senior Citizens for considering our overseas Filipino senior citizens. Opposite to the notion that they live better as senior citizens dito sa Philippines, its not always the case. Especially yung mga nag-migrate as senior citizens already. They do not receive pensions kumpara doon sa nag-migrate at an early age. This is great for them, Salvador said. Meanwhile, Aquino-Magsaysay assured lawmakers the bill would be expedited and shall reach the plenary floor for deliberation and approval even if it still has to be transmitted to the House Committee on Appropriations for its funding provision. However, the newly elected Majority Leader Honorable Fredenil Castro has instructed all chairpersons to expedite the approval of measures referred to their respective committees. Once approved by the committee, the substitute bill could be transmitted to the Committee on Rules. And he assured me that he will see to it that our bill is approved before the adjournment, she said. US: Sikhs distribute gift cards, Indian food to TSA employees 29 Jan 2019: US: Sikhs distribute gift cards, Indian food to TSA employees The Sikh community of Indiana State in the US distributed Indian food and gift cards to the employees of the federal Transportation and Security Administration who haven't received their pay checks due to the partial government shutdown lasting for a record over 35 days. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of US Department of Homeland Security, secretary of which is Kirstjen Nielsen. Fact: TSA was created as a response to the 9/11 attacks TSA has authority over the security of the travelling public in America. It was created as a response to the September 11 attacks in 2001. The federal government re-opened yesterday, but the employees are still a few days away from receiving their pay checks. Comment: 'Men, women at TSA in a very difficult situation' "We are grateful for the support and selfless service of the Sikh community in Fishers," said Aaron Batt, Federal Security Director of the Indiana TSA. "The men and women at TSA have been in a very difficult situation, not knowing when they will be paid, but yet they have not allowed that uncertainty to get in the way of fulfilling our mission," he added. Fact: Donation drive being led by community leader Gurinder Singh Khalsa "Our mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems," Batt said yesterday. Led by community leader Gurinder Singh Khalsa, the Sikh community from the local Fishers city donated gift and grocery cards worth over $6,000 to the more than 250 TSA employees at Indianapolis airport. Gratitude: Batt presented Singh with the TSA Indiana Challenge Coin Indian food and pizza were also served to TSA agents. "Their commitment and drive to protect the community are motivating when people like (Singh and the Sikh community) recognize their sacrifices and offer assistance," Batt said. Batt presented Singh with the TSA Indiana Challenge Coin, which recognizes those who exhibit core values of integrity, respect and commitment. Story continues Singh also talked to the TSA employees. Speech: Singh talks of selfless service, core principles of Sikh community One of the core principles of the Sikh community is selfless service to the needy by sharing our abundance with love and compassion, Singh told TSA employees. "Even though the government is temporarily open for the next several weeks, the TSA employees have already gone without a pay check for more than a month and will still be awaiting back pay," he informed. Comment: 'Sikhs may be small in number, but are very fortunate' "We need to put ourselves in their position and understand their struggles. The Sikhs may be small in number, but are very fortunate. "Each one of us needs to incorporate the American values and step up our part in selfless service to our neighbours in need. We hope this will inspire others to come forward for humanitarian causes," Singh said. Fact: Sikh community of Fishers now stands at over 500 families The Sikh community of Fishers has grown from five families to more than 500 families and has recently launched a $ 3 million Gurdwara project (Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar) on the existing property in Fishers to replace the current building with a new Gurdwara. Prior to her death, Fatima Ali, a fan-favorite contestant on Season 15 of Top Chef, penned an inspiring essay for Bon Appetit magazine. Ali died Friday from cancer at age 29. In 2017, Ali was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects bone and soft tissue. After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, she learned in September the cancer was back and terminal. In October, the chef wrote for the magazine about how she planned to spend her final months, so in honor of her memory, Bon Appetit has published an expanded version of her moving piece. Ali found her passion for food at an early age growing up in Pakistan. At 18, she moved to the United States, where she attended the Culinary Institute of America. After graduating in 2011, she settled in New York City, which worried her mother at first. Fatima Ali from Top Chef Season 15. (Photo: Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank) Watching me evolve gave my mom comfort and helped her understand that this was absolutely my calling, Ali remembered. So she finally let go and said, Look, just promise me that youll do your absolute best. And Ill be happy with that. And I said, OK. Thats a promise.' Thats exactly what she did, working seven-day weeks and 14-hour days for nine months at her first job at an Indian-Latin restaurant, where she was both a floor manager and the sous chef. Ali recalled the often less-than-glamorous parts of her early jobs in NYC. One time several cooks called out [sick] and then the person who was transporting the catering trays dropped them all onto the pedestrian walk at 45th Street and Lexington Avenue., in the middle of lunch rush, she said. We had to remake everything, with all the cooks missing. There were plenty of days like that. But you know what? It was amazing. Managing to get through a day like that and not only living to tell about it, but doing it again and again I think it really makes you understand what a human is capable of. Were so resilient. If I had to do it all again, I wouldnt change anything. Story continues Her resilience was tested two years ago when she was first diagnosed with cancer. Id had this weird ache in my shoulder for the past couple of months that Id been ignoring. You know, popping a couple of Advils, going to sleep, she wrote. But one day, in the middle of lunch, my shoulder swelled up and the pain was mounting literally by the minute. I had to go to the emergency room. Ali remained hospitalized for three weeks. Honestly, until your first chemo cycle, I dont think it really hits you. Then your hair starts falling out, and finally youre like, This is actually happening. This is the rest of my life,' she said. I did eight rounds of chemo. It was horrible, but at the end, my scans were all clear. I thought Id beaten it. Then it came back. Worse than before. It was metastatic. It had spread to my lungs. The doctors told me I had a year to live. When stressing about the unpleasant things like her newly dyed hair falling out she thought, You know what? Stop feeling sorry for yourself.' She added, Even now, it could be so much worse than it is. Im still very lucky to be able to do a lot of the things that I love. Ali continued: I decided not to spend whatever time I had left (whether its a year, a month, another 10 years you dont know until youre gone) lamenting all the things that werent right. Instead, Id make the most of it. Im using cancer as the excuse I needed to actually go and get things done, and the more people I share those thoughts with, the more I hold myself to them. If I write this intention down, if I have it printed somewhere like I do here, I have to hold myself responsible, because I have people counting on me. What is my intention? To live my life, she said. To fulfill all those genuine dreams I have. That meant spending time with loved ones and eating at all the best restaurants as possible. My brother and I were talking the other day, and he made an interesting point. He was like, As chefs, you guys deal with death every day. And hes right, she noted. When youre a chef, you understand the circle of life. Were butchering rabbits, whole hogs and baby lambs; were filleting fish and cleaning shrimp. All these things have died for us. I suppose you have to see it as the natural progress of life. Perhaps Ive had to face it a little bit sooner than expected, but its not an unfamiliar feeling. There are days that Im exceptionally afraid. There are days I sit alone and cry, because I dont want to do it in front of my family, Ali said. And there are other days that we all sit down and cry together, because it is such a scary thing. But at the same time, you cant let that fear cripple you. Its harder being miserable than it is to be happy. A version of this essay will run in Bon Appetits March print edition. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: A logo is pictured on a banner at the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland June 13, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo GENEVA (Reuters) - Around 30,000 people fled into Cameroon at the weekend from the Nigerian city of Rann, fearing an attack by Boko Haram militants, the U.N. refugee agency said on Tuesday. UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told a regular U.N. briefing in Geneva that the exodus followed the departure of Cameroonian forces who had moved to secure the city, following an attack by Boko Haram on Rann on Jan. 14. "Because Cameroon is part of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, their military went in to secure Rann. So it was ... peaceful (for a while) but as far as we understand now, that Multi-National Task Force has left," Baloch said. Two security sources said Nigerian soldiers had been overrun by the initial attack on Jan. 14, and the Nigerian military had abandoned Rann again after the multi-national force left because they did not have enough men, equipment or weapons to defend it. Refugees reported that Boko Haram had promised to return to the city, which originally had an estimated population of about 80,000, Baloch said. "So all the population seems to be panicking and they are on the run as a pre-emptive measure to save their lives," Baloch said. "This is quite worrying and alarming." Boko Haram returned on Monday and entered Rann unopposed, burned down part of a camp and left again, the security sources said. The Nigerian soldiers fled camp and everyone is escaping to Cameroon," said Midjiyawa Bakary, governor of the Extreme North region. "We do not repel them, that would be suicidal. They are welcome. All the refugees are taken in charge by humanitarian (authorities) We are communicating with UNHCR in Cameroon and Nigeria, working hand in hand to take these refugees in charge, guarantee their security and alleviate their suffering. Immediately after the Jan. 14 attack, 9,000 people fled into Cameroon but they were refused asylum and sent back to Nigeria by Cameroonian authorities, UNHCR has said previously. It was not clear how many people were left in Rann, Baloch said. (Reporting by Tom Miles in Geneva, Paul Carsten in Abuja and Josiane Kouagheu in Douala; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Ed Osmond) Doctors representing 30 medical societies nationwide, health workers and pro-sin tax hike on cigarettes yesterday appealed to the senators to support their call to raise the sin tax in cigarettes to bankroll the implementation of the Universal Health Care and reduce cases of smoking-related diseases. Before attending the Senate ways and means committee hearing on proposed measures to increase tobacco taxes, they staged a rally in front of the Senate building after the so-called White March to the Senate which started at the World Trade Center on corner Roxas Boulevard and Buendia. Leaders of the medical societies took turns in airing their hardline stance on the need to raise tobacco taxes to fund the UHC which seeks to enroll all Filipinos under a state-backed health insurance program both as paying and non-paying members. The UHC also intends to expand the governments free health insurance program to millions of poor Filipinos, has been sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature. While Committee chairman Senator Sonny Angara acknowledges the need to raise tobacco taxes for the UHC implementation, he, however, failed to give a commitment if it will be approved before the 17 Congress adjourns. He said the increase would be pegged between the House watered-down version of P37.50 and P90 per pack cigarette as proposed by Senator JV Ejercito, chairman of the Senate health committee. He added that they still need to get some documents from the DOH to determine how this agency will spend the funds from the increase cigarette tax. Mas mabuti na binubusisi nitong mabuti dahil ayaw nito matulad ang nangyari noon na hindi nalustay ng DOH ang buong P8 bilyon pondo para sa barangay health centers, he said. PhilHealth Independent Director Dr. Anthony Leachon said the Senate only has barely three session days before it adjourns to give way to the election period. We appeal to Senator Sonny Angara to have the Pacquiao bill, which has been certified urgent by President Duterte himself, passed at the soonestto make sure that it will get through the amendments and plenary approval before the Senate adjourns. Failure to do so will make the bill dead in the water. It spells trouble for health and for financing the Universal Health Care, landmark legislation of this administration, said Leachon. Leachon, one of the convenors of the Sin Tax coalition, stressed that the UHC is at risk of not being implemented if the senators are not able to pass their tobacco tax bill in the 17th Congress. It is really crucial for Senator Angara to commit to a committee report that upholds the bill filed by his colleague Senator Pacquiao, he said. We do not want the Senate to be responsible for the additional 200,000 new smokers among the young and the poor for every year of delay in its passage, said Dr. Antonio Dans, academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology, he added. The House of Representatives passed a measly P2.50 per pack increase per year which will result in P37.50 tax per pack in July this year. According to the Department of Finance (DOF), this will bring about only P4.19 billion pesos incremental revenue this year and P4.33 billion in 2020. This is insufficient to finance UHC.Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) announced that the UHC will need P257 billion pesos in the first year. Of this amount, P153 billion pesos go to the government subsidy of the premium payment of the poor or indirect contributory. During the hearing by the committee on ways and means on the tobacco tax bills, Leachon explained that the money from PhilHealth contributions, pooled funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and PAGCOR, and the 2019 budget for PhilHealth will have a total amount of only P88 billion pesos. That will leave P65 billion left without funds for 2019 alone. Dr. Antonio Dans, also a convenor of the Sin Tax Coalition said Angara should commit to the approval of a committee report bearing a tobacco tax rate that is enough to finance his own campaign promise of Alagang Angara. Otherwise, everything he has been saying in his campaign advertisements and pronouncements is empty promise to the people, Dans said. In an earlier news report, Senate President Vicente Sotto III cited the following resources for UHC: existing sin tax incremental revenue for health, subsidy for PhilHealth premiums of sponsored members, existing budget of the Department of Health (DoH), 40% of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) charity fund, 50% of the national government share of PAGCOR earnings, and PhilHealth premium contributions. Without the increase in tobacco tax, Dan said that the Duterte administration has very little additional money for UHC implementation this year. Considering the legislative calendar and the elections this year, we will be back to square one if Senator Angara does not take immediate action, New sin tax measures have to be filed again in the House of Representatives next Congress, said Dans. Dans also warned that this can also be a setback for senators running in the elections this May as the tobacco tax will surely become an issue. He said voters will reject the politicians responsible for not having the tobacco tax passed in this Congress. it will be up to the people to decide in May. Lenora Fernandez, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, said the increase in tobacco tax will also help avert smoking-related lung diseases which remain among the top 10 cause of deaths in the country in 2018. She added that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation spent around P5 billion on patients seeking help because of smoking-related diseases last year. Meanwhile, Senator Manny Pacquiao, who filed a bill seeking to raise tobacco tax to P60 per pack said raising tobacco taxes was the only choice for the government to increase revenue as it could no longer burden the poor with additional taxes on food and rice. On the other hand, Sen. JV Ejercitos Senate Bill No. 1605 seeks to increase to P90 the tax for every pack of cigarettes, but he is amenable to the P60 per pack tax proposal of Senator Manny Pacquiao. There is a huge need for revenues so that the Universal Health Care measure will and can be implemented sustainably. And increasing taxes on sin products is one big way of raising funds and it will even reduce cigarette smoking in the country, he said in a statement. Indian-born billionaire bribed doctors with strippers, to prescribe addictive painkiller 29 Jan 2019: Indian-born billionaire bribed doctors with strippers, to prescribe addictive painkiller An Indian-born CEO of a pharmaceutical company based in the US is accused of practising illegal marketing tactics, including bribing doctors with lavish dinners and strip club parties, to prescribe a highly addictive opioid painkiller to patients. The first prosecution of John Kapoor, 75, CEO of Insys Therapeutics Inc. will begin this week when Kapoor goes on trial. Here's more. Timeline: In 2010, Insys got access to technology for developing painkillers In 1972, Kapoor earned a doctorate in medicinal chemistry at the University of Buffalo, following which he became a healthcare entrepreneur. After initially working as a drugmaker's plant manager, Kapoor subsequently became CEO of a hospital-products company. In 1990, he founded Insys Therapeutics. In 2010, he merged Insys with UAE-based NeoPharm Inc. to gain access to technology for developing painkillers for cancer patients. Fact: Insys shares fell by one-third after Kapoor was indicted Kapoor still remains a majority shareholder of Insys. He holds 60% of the company's shares. However, after his indictment in October 2017 for various charges, including defrauding health insurance providers, the shares have fallen by about one-third. Insys Therapeutics is based in Chandler, Arizona. Scam: Pill in question: Subsys, approved for late-stage cancer patients Kapoor and four other ex-Insys managers are accused of bribing doctors to prescribe Subsys, an opioid painkiller, which was approved for late-stage cancer patients in 2012. Kapoor managed a scheme in which doctors were given sham speaker's fees to prescribe more painkillers while his subordinates would lie to health insurers about the type of patients who received the fentanyl-based painkiller. Bribes: Bribery acts included private-champagne room session at strip club Kapoor and others lured doctors by promising jobs to their relatives and through lavish meals. Story continues In one such instance of bribery, the team funded a $1,000 (Rs. 71,145) private champagne-room session organized at a strip club. As Subsys' sales boomed, Kapoor paid more to the doctors, with spending increasing from $55,000 (Rs. 39 lakh) in 2012 to $10.5 million (Rs. 74.7 crore) in 2014. Trial: Trial to have testimony from doctors who were bribed As per latest updates, it's learned that Kapoor's case will be heard in Boston. Assistant US Attorney, Fred Wyshack, had said in court earlier that they will have testimony from doctors who said, "I wouldn't have prescribed this if I wasn't being bribed or paid." A stripper-turned-Insys manager, Sunrise Lee, is also on trial, as she enticed doctors to write more prescriptions for Subsys. Details: Six former and current employees of Insys might testify According to court findings, another Insys manager, Alec Burlakoff, told his colleagues, "Doctors really enjoyed spending time with her and found Sunrise to be a great listener." Notably, Burlakoff is among at least 6 current and former employees of Insys who may testify for the government. Also, former CEO Michael Babich pleaded guilty this month. He agreed to cooperate in a bid for leniency. Lawyer: Kapoor has a noted lawyer who previously represented Pfizer, Microsoft The other defendants include former Vice President of Insys, Michael Gurry, ex-National Sales Director, Richard Simon, and former Regional Sales Director, Joseph Rowan. However, the three denied any wrongdoing. Kapoor is represented by lawyer Beth Wilkinson, whose previous clients include Pfizer Inc. and Microsoft Corp. She's expected to cast blame on senior employees who knew about the fraud but didn't do anything about it. Opioid crisis: Not just Insys, other opioid makers include Purdue Pharma, J&J The trial could last for three months. However, the opioid epidemic isn't just limited to Insys. Other opioid makers like Purdue Pharma LP and Johnson and Johnson are also awaiting trials mostly for understating risks while prescribing opioids and overstating their benefits. Over 1,500 local governments have sued the opioid makers and distributors to regain billions of dollars spent in fighting the crisis. Former Defence minister George Fernandes addressing a public meeting in 1998. (Express Archive/Neeraj Priyadarshi) George Fernandes, former Union minister and nine-time Lok Sabha MP, passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. He had been bedridden for the past few years. Fernandes was born in Mangalore in Karnataka in 1930. An anti-Emergency crusader, Fernandes was a fiery socialist and arch-enemy of Indira Gandhi. He went underground during Emergency, but was arrested in 1976 in connection with the Baroda dynamite case. A year later, after Emergency was lifted, he was elected to Parliament from the Muzaffarpur seat in Bihar with a resounding victory. He was appointed Union Minister for Industries in the Morarji Desai government from 1977 to 1979. During his term, he took on American multinational companies like IBM and Coca-Cola, making them leave the country. Read this story in Bangla, Tamil, Malayalam The last rites will be conducted at Lodhi crematorium and his ashes buried as per his wishes, his close associate Jaya Jaitly said. "It will be at Lodhi crematorium. We are following two things which he liked. First, he wanted cremation and then during his last days, he was saying burial. So we are going to cremate the body and bury the ashes which will fulfil both his wishes," Jaitly told reporters. In an interview with The Indian Express in 1998, Fernandes iterated that he was not anti-MNC but pro-Swadeshi. He said: "People keep saying that I threw out Coke but I was well within law to ask them about the formula they were so secretive about. The Indian legislation stated that in such a situation I could either ask them to go out or dilute their equity to 49 per cent and they opted for the first." In pictures: George Fernandes, the poster boy of anti-Emergency, dies at 88 Fernandes later joined the Janata Dal. He served as Railways minister in V P Singh government from 1989 to 1990. He was instrumental in setting up the Konkan Railway project, which connected Mangalore and Bombay.\ Story continues PM Modi arrives at the residence of George Fernandes to pay his final respects. (Express Photo by Anil Sharma) In 1994, after the disintegration of the Janata Party, Fernandes formed the Samata Party. It later allied with the BJP and he soon became a close confidant of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Party (NDA). Fernandes served as defence minister for two terms, from 1998-2001 and then from 2001-2004. His first term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil war and first Pokhran test. Vajpayee stood by him during the numerous controversies, including the Barak Missile scandal. Fernandes also authored three books - What Ails the Socialists, Railway Strike of 1974 and George Fernandes Speaks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as "the best of India's political leadership." He tweeted, "Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised." President Ram Nath Kovind said he was distressed to learn of the death of Fernandes. "(He) served India in many capacities, including as Defence Minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him," he said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, "Im sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief." FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Facebook logo in this picture illustration FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Facebook logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo By Foo Yun Chee and Katie Paul BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Facebook Inc on Monday laid out plans for an independent content oversight board with the power to overturn company decisions on user posts, aimed at addressing concerns over misinformation and abusive behaviour on the platform. The board's 40 members would select cases to review as the world's largest social media network tries to crack down on harassment, incitement of violence and the spread of false information without infringing freedom of speech. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has said that Facebook should not make such decisions, but defer to an independent body of technology and human rights experts free of commercial influences. Facebook will select inaugural members for three-year terms, but they will independently decide on future membership, Facebook proposed in a draft charter. Details about the board's makeup and appeals process will be finalised after a series of workshops over the next six months, wrote Nick Clegg, Facebook's recently appointed head of global affairs, in a blog post introducing the charter. At a news conference in Brussels, Clegg also said the company will strengthen rules and safeguards around political advertisements to prevent foreign interference in elections, including those in Europe this year. Facebook has faced pressure from regulators and the public after last year's revelation that British consultancy Cambridge Analytical had improperly acquired data on millions of U.S. users to target election advertising. Fears about misinformation and interference have intensified with elections due this year for the European Parliament and several EU countries including Belgium and Finland. "We will require those wanting to run political and issue ads to be authorised, and we will display a 'paid for by' disclaimer on those ads," Clegg said. Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister hired by Facebook in October last year, said the new tools to be launched in late March aim to help protect the integrity of European Union elections due to be held this spring. Story continues Facebook said the transparency tools for electoral ads would be expanded globally before the end of June, while the tools would be in launched in India in February before its elections and in Ukraine and Israel before polls in both. "We now have more than 30,000 people working on safety and security across the company, three times as many as we had in 2017," the company said in a statement. The new tools are similar to those adopted for the U.S. mid-term elections, Clegg said, with all political ads stored in a publicly searchable library for up to seven years. This will contain information such as the amount of money spent and the number of impressions displayed, who paid for them and the demographics of those who saw them, including age, gender and location. The new tools will also cover 'issue ads' which do not explicitly back one candidate or political party but which focus on highly politicised topics like immigration. DEFENCE CENTRES Facebook said it would also set up two new regional operations centres focused on monitoring election-related content in its Dublin and Singapore offices. "These teams will add a layer of defences against fake news, hate speech and voter suppression," it said Clegg also addressed allegations that Facebook sells user data, saying this was not the case. "Selling people's information to advertisers would not only be the wrong thing to do, it would undermine the way we do business, because it would reduce the unique value of our service to advertisers," he said. Facebook has no plans to swap its ads-only business model for a fee-paying service, Clegg said, responding to calls by some as a way to stave off privacy issues. "We want Facebook to be a universal service. We believe that anyone should be able to connect to anyone else. The best way to do this is to offer the service for free - and that's what the advertising model allows us to do," he said. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee, Munsif Vengattil and Katie Paul; editing by Alexander Smith and Richard Chang) Tanya Foster of SAARC Human Rights Foundation speaks at news conference in Dhaka Tanya Foster, a Canadian citizen who observed elections in Bangladesh as a representative of SAARC Human Rights Foundation, speaks at a news conference organised by the group after the election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 31, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer (Clarifies in paragraph 16 that the IRI was accredited to observe the election, but did not do so) By Zeba Siddiqui and Ruma Paul DHAKA (Reuters) - A top official at an observer group that monitored Bangladesh's election, as well as one of its foreign volunteers, have said they regret participating in the process, casting doubt on the credibility of a vote won overwhelmingly by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling alliance. The president of the SAARC Human Rights Foundation told Reuters he now believed there should be a fresh vote after hearing accounts from voters and officials presiding over polling booths that activists from Hasina's Awami League stuffed ballot boxes the night before the poll and intimidated voters. "Now I have come to know everything, and can say that the election was not free and fair," said Mohammad Abdus Salam, a 75-year-old former high court division justice. A Canadian observer who was brought in by the foundation has also said she now wishes she had not been involved. Bangladesh, which is an important supplier of clothing to major Western High Street brands and is the second-biggest garments exporter in the world behind China, had already faced criticism from European Union, United States, and British officials for irregularities observed during the polling. Transparency International last week said its investigation into the Dec. 30 election found irregularities at 47 of the 50 constituencies surveyed, including fake votes, ballot stuffing, and voters and opposition polling agents barred from entering polling centres. It found the ruling party was alone in actively campaigning at all areas surveyed, sometimes with help from local law enforcement officials and government resources. The government has dismissed the Transparency International investigation as lacking in credibility. Hasina's political adviser H.T. Imam called the group "a puppet" of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Story continues The BNP-led alliance has rejected the election, calling it rigged, after the Awami League and its allies swept more than 95 percent of the parliamentary seats. The United States, European Union and Britain have since called for allegations of ballot-rigging and intimidation to be investigated. Ahead of the election, the U.S. State Department had expressed disappointment that several U.S.-funded observers had been forced to cancel plans to monitor the polls as Bangladesh didn't issue visas "within the timeframe necessary". Bangladesh denied delaying visas and said it was following due process. Political experts said observers were key to establishing the credibility of the poll, which was Bangladesh's first fully participatory election in a decade. The BNP had boycotted the last vote in 2014. VICTORY ENDORSED The SAARC Human Rights Foundation brought in observers from Canada, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, who spoke to the press on election day and the day after, endorsing the fairness of the voting, often in glowing terms. On New Year's Eve, hours after being declared the winner of a contest that brought her a third straight term in power, Hasina sat on a white couch at her residence to address an audience of journalists and election observers. "They voted so enthusiastically, especially women and the young generation," Hasina said. "By coming to my country, you have also given us good opportunity to show how democracy is working." As a microphone was passed around the room, monitors from the SAARC Human Rights Foundation as well as other observers, including those from the Saudi Arabia-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, congratulated Hasina on the win. The first to speak was a representative of the foundation, a Canadian woman named Tanya Foster, who called the election "very fair and democratic". "In Canada I feel that it is a similar type of process," Foster said, as Hasina smiled back. Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed, who is the government's information and communication technology adviser, repeatedly tweeted out statements made by the foundation's observers calling the election fair and peaceful. GOVERNMENT LINKS Though the initials and logo it uses closely resemble those of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the SAARC Human Rights Foundation has no affiliation with that inter-governmental body. The foundation's Secretary General Abed Ali told Reuters the group had applied for approval from SAARC and was expecting it soon. A spokesman for the Kathmandu-based SAARC, though, told Reuters it had never heard of Ali or his group. "The organization is not recognised by SAARC and does not have any relation with SAARC whatsoever," the spokesman said. The SAARC Human Rights Foundation's website says it is based in Dhaka and its initials stand for South Asian Association for Research Council. Its advisory committee includes a lawmaker from Hasina's Awami League, and a former lawmaker from the Jatiya Party, which has often been allied with the Awami League. A former minister in a previous BNP government is also listed on the panel, but no current opposition members. The secretary of Bangladesh's Election Commission, Helal Uddin Ahmed, said it had no knowledge of links between Ali's groups and any political party. Referring to the Awami League and Jatiya Party lawmakers on the group's board, Ali said: "They are just supporting our humanitarian activities." "I want to make it clear that we have no affiliation with any political party," he added. FOREIGN OBSERVERS But at the headquarters of the foundation, a dusty two-room ground floor apartment in the industrial town of Mirpur on the outskirts of Dhaka, there are regrets. Salam, the group's president, said the observers fielded by his organisation had only monitored a few polling stations, so were in no position to make a clear assessment of the election's fairness. He said some presiding officers had told him they had been forced to stuff ballot boxes. "I want to speak the truth," he told Reuters. "I am not doing this for any political gain." He said he was not directly involved in organising the poll observers. Ali dismissed the president's comments, saying: "Can you write something just based on someone saying something?" Tanya Foster, a policy analyst in the Saskatchewan provincial government, told Reuters she had heard from Bangladeshis in Canada that a group known as the SAARC Human Rights Foundation was looking for foreign election monitors. "I asked about the qualifications because I thought it would be an interesting experience. I applied to SAARC and to the Election Commission and they vetted me and offered me an invitation to be an observer," said Foster, whose daughter Chloe Foster also joined the observer's panel. They had never acted as international observers to a national election before. Foster said she was not aware of the foundation's links to the Awami League or the lack of affiliation to SAARC. In hindsight, she said "I don't feel great about it. I feel like I was too naive". "I don't know that our reports are of that much value, considering we only visited nine polling centres and only in Dhaka," she added. "We didn't go to the more hostile areas. We didn't audit the election commission or conduct background checks of the presiding officers or poll agents." Chloe Foster was not available for comment. Ali, the foundation's secretary general, said the women had experience monitoring elections in Canada. He said it was not possible for any group to monitor all polling stations. To be sure, not all the observers fielded by the foundation regret endorsing the voting. Gautam Ghosh, a Kolkata, India-based lawyer, and Hakimullah Muslim and Nazir Miya - members of Nepal's ruling Communist Party - said they stood by their initial statements that the polls were fair. "We heard of incidents of violence but never saw anything with our own eyes. We can't comment on what happened elsewhere," said Miya. Ghosh said he had never seen such a good election. (Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir in DHAKA and Gopal Sharma in KATHMANDU; Editing by Martin Howell and Alex Richardson) BAGHDAD (AP) The leader of one of the most powerful Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq said Monday that he expects a vote in the coming months by Iraq's parliament calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, underscoring the jostling for power between Iran and the U.S. in this key Middle Eastern country. Qais al-Khazali, who rose to prominence as a leader in the Shiite insurgency after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, said there's no longer a justification for thousands of U.S. troops to remain in Iraq now that the Islamic State group has been defeated. He suggested U.S. troops may eventually be driven out by force if they do not yield to the will of the Iraqi people. "I think more than half the members of parliament reject the presence of American military forces as a matter of principle," he said. "If the United States wants to impose its presence by force, and to bypass the Iraqi constitution and parliament, Iraq can treat it the same way and drive it out by force... But the first phase is political," al-Khazali said. The 45-year-old head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, spoke with The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview at one of his group's offices in a highly-fortified area in the Iraqi capital, just across the Tigris River from the U.S. Embassy. Curbing foreign influence has become a hot-button issue in Iraq after parliament elections in May in which Shiite militias backed by Iran made significant gains. The militias fought alongside U.S.-backed Iraqi troops against IS in recent years, gaining outsized influence and power along the way. Now, after defeating IS militants in their last urban bastions, Iraqi politicians and militia leaders are increasingly speaking out against the continued presence of U.S. forces on Iraqi soil. American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011, but returned in 2014 at the invitation of the government to help battle IS after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Iraq's second largest city, Mosul. A U.S.-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign. Story continues Iraqi politicians were angered when U.S. President Donald Trump visited American forces at a base in western Iraq without meeting with any Iraqi officials, a snub that added to calls for U.S. troops to withdraw. Trump has said he has no plans to withdraw the 5,200 troops in the country and that Iraq could be used for U.S. airstrikes inside Syria after the U.S. withdraws its troops from that country. Al-Khazali, whose forces are fighting in Syria alongside President Bashar Assad's troops, said he was "certain and confident" there will be an Iraqi parliament vote calling for the withdrawal and regulation of U.S. forces in the country. "If the main purpose for their presence is to confront the military danger posed by Daesh, then this threat is eliminated," he said, referring to IS. "So what is the justification for keeping this number (of troops) now?" He said a small contingent of advisers and trainers for logistical matters could stay on as determined by a joint committee that would specify their numbers and locations. "Anything other than that will be considered an infringement on sovereignty by the Iraqi parliament, the Iraqi people and political factions, including ours, and we will not allow it," he said. Al-Khazali was jailed by British and U.S. forces from 2007 to 2010 for his role in the Shiite insurgency. His group has fought in major battles against IS in northern Iraq and in neighboring Syria's civil war. Al-Khazali ruffled feathers in late 2017 when he showed up at the Lebanon-Israel border along with members of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group, expressing support for the Lebanese and Palestinians against the Jewish state. His visit sparked harsh criticism from Lebanon's prime minister at the time, who ordered him banned from entering the country. Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which owns its own TV station, made significant gains in last year's parliament elections, and al-Khazali is now represented by a 15-member bloc in parliament. When asked about the increasingly frequent Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian interests in Syria, al-Khazali said the two powers appear to be headed for a confrontation which could turn into a regional war. He said Iraq would only be drawn in if directly attacked by Israel. "If the Israeli entity strikes targets inside Iraq, no matter what the pretext is, then Iraq as a sovereign state will defend itself and our response to the Israeli attack will be unlimited," he said. Al-Khazali also said if Israel were to attack Lebanon and Syria, and "in case they need our help," then "personally, I will be the first to participate." Lucknow: A day after Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced minimum income guarantee for every poor if his party is voted to power in the upcoming general election, BSP chief Mayawati questioned if this promise was also a fake one like Indira Gandhi's Garibi Hatao slogan. In a statement issued by state BSP office on Tuesday, Mayawati said: The promise of Minimum Income Guarantee sounds more like the previous slogan Garibi Hatao given by the party. Similar promises were made by the current central government, including the promise of 15 lakh rupees and Ache Din, which proved mere hollow claims. She also cautioned Rahul Gandhi against making tall claims ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress chief should refrain from making tall promises and instead try to prove his intentions by implementation of such schemes in the state ruled by his party. This will further increase his credibility among the masses, else people will not believe him, Mayawati said. Also, the track record of Congress and BJP in keeping their promises is not good. That is why BSP appeals to the people of India to trust the party which talks less and works more and has a good track record when it comes to taking big steps for the development of people, she added. The Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party have forged a pre-poll alliance for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections in Uttar Pradesh and both the parties will be contesting on 38 seats each. The SP-BSP alliance will be leaving two seat for smaller parties, while two more seats of Amethi and Raebareli were left for Congress without any pre-poll alliance. Military authorities said on Tuesday that Manila and Tokyo are planning to conduct joint naval exercises in a bid to boost defense ties and enhance regional stability. A Japanese destroyer had actually docked in Manila even before the planned exercise. Enemies during World War II, Japan and the Philippine aim to take their bilateral relationship to the next level, according to Capt. Mardonio Navarro of the Philippine Navy. A joint military exercise will improve ties and contribute to the regional stability, added Capt. Ryoko Azuma, commander of the Japanese Escort Division One. Azuma is in the country to lead the contingent that brought Japanese destroyer JS Ikazuchi to Manila on a three-day goodwill visit, which includes a coordination meeting with the Philippine military. Both the Philippines and Japan are locked in maritime disputes with China. Both Beijing and Tokyo claim ownership of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. China, meanwhile, also claims as its own most of South China and has built bases on reefs and shoals it reclaimed despite partial claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. A UN-backed tribunal, acting on a Philippine plea, invalidated Beijings sweeping claims over the strategic waterway that boasts of a rich fishing grounds, as well as oil and gas deposits. But President Duterte has set aside the ruling and instead sought loans and investments from China, in a pivoted from longtime ally US, after the previous American administration criticized the government anti-illegal drugs drive.Azuma, meanwhile, said Japans visit and meetings with the Philippine Navy have nothing to do with China. [We have] no specific message to any nation. Japan is now committed to the vision of freedom and opening of the Pacific, he said. Japan and Philippines share a core value that emphasized free and open ocean based on rules of international law and freedom of navigation, he added. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces latest goodwill visit is the first for this year and the eighth since 2016. The Japanese destroyer employs 220 crew and carries two patrol helicopters. Philippine and Japanese Navy officials were set to stage pre-coordination meetings and a shipboard tour. In a speech, Azuma said that the purpose of their visit is to deepen the partnership with the PN through various opportunities and interaction. I believe that this visit will make a great contribution to the further strong relations between our two countries, she added. AK AL AS AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA GU HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VI VA WA WV WI WY Biographer Hendrik Hank Meijer will discuss longtime Michigan senator Arthur Vandenberg and his role as a bipartisan consensus builder on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 9:30 a.m. in the Concert Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts at Hope College. The public is invited. Admission is free. Meijer, who is executive chairman of Meijer Inc., is the author of Arthur Vandenberg: The Man in the Middle of the American Century, published in the fall of 2017 by the University of Chicago Press, and was the executive producer of the 2011 documentary Americas Senator: The Unexpected Odyssey of Arthur Vandenberg. The event is cosponsored by the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals (HASP) and the college. Originally the editor and publisher of the Grand Rapids Herald, Vandenberg served as a Republican U.S. senator from Michigan from 1928 until his death in 1951. Opposed to most of Franklin Delano Roosevelts domestic policies and a leading isolationist prior to the U.S. entry into World War II, he subsequently supported the war effort and worked closely with Democratic administrations to build the strong bipartisan consensus that established the Marshall Plan, the United Nations and NATO. One pundit proposed Arthur Vandenberg be president of the world, Meijer has written. Edward R. Murrow called him the central pivot of the era. With the advent of the Cold War, Americans turned to him for guidance and wisdom for the very security that had been his lifelong obsession. Decades later, the qualities that defined him are again in demand. Meijer, who worked as a reporter and editor before joining Meijer Inc., is also the author of a biography of his grandfather, Thrifty Years: The Life of Hendrik Meijer. He will be available to sign copies of Arthur Vandenberg: The Man in the Middle of the American Century, which will be available for purchase, in the Meijer Lobby of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts following his presentation. The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on Tuesday said that he is not under federal investigation "to my knowledge," releasing the statement after a report that he was secretly recorded while trying to solicit business for his law firm from a developer. The Sun-Times reported on Tuesday that the longtime House speaker and Illinois Democratic Party chairman was recorded during a meeting arranged by Ald. Daniel Solis, who has worn a recording device in the investigation that led to an attempted extortion charge against veteran Ald. Edward Burke. "To my knowledge, I am not under investigation by the office of the U.S. attorney, and I have not been contacted by the U.S. attorney relative to Dan Solis," Madigan said in a statement. Citing a federal court affidavit used to secure search warrants for Solis' homes and offices, the newspaper reported that Madigan was recorded at his law office in 2014, telling the developer: "We're not interested in a quick killing here. We're interested in a long-term relationship." Later, Solis told the developer's associate "if he works with the speaker, he will get anything he needs for that hotel," according to the report. An attorney for Madigan said that to their knowledge neither the speaker nor his law firm is under investigation." "The speaker recalls attending several meetings with Ald. Solis over the past five years, including meetings with individuals in need of legal representation," Heather Weir Vaught, a private attorney for the speaker, said in a written statement. "If indeed, some of his conversations were being recorded, the speaker did not know that, but he has no concern if they were. The speaker has no recollection of ever suggesting that he would take official action for a private law firm client or potential client." Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Neither Madigan nor Solis has been accused of wrongdoing. Madigan & Getzendanner, the speaker's Chicago law firm, specializes in helping building owners get their property taxes lowered. Madigan and his firm have faced criticism over the years for representing clients that also have business before the state, but the speaker told the Tribune in 2010 that a "personal code of conduct and compliance with a wide range of government ethics provisions have ensured that I maintained ethical standards." The charge against Burke and reports about Solis have rocked the City Council and the race for mayor, where candidates have scrambled to deal with their ties to Burke. The Illinois House convened for the week just after noon on Tuesday, with Madigan holding a significant majority of 74 Democrats to Republicans' 44 seats and a new governor with an ambitious agenda to change the state's tax system and legalize recreational marijuana. The speaker likely would have to take a key leadership role in ushering Gov. J.B. Pritzker's agenda through Springfield. "There is an ongoing FBI investigation, and I think we need to see that play out," Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference about winter weather. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment on that ongoing investigation." "I think it's very important for people to be held accountable if they've done something wrong," he said. "So we need to see the investigation play out, and then people who are indicted or found ... to have acted inappropriately or against the law to be held fully accountable for that." The new revelation follows big Democratic successes in the November election, despite a year of questions about Madigan's handling of sexual harassment complaints within his political and government organization, putting him on the defensive after years of setting the agenda. The speaker long has faced criticism from outside his House Democratic caucus, usually on partisan issues. But the #MeToo movement didn't fall along partisan lines, and harassment allegations have made critics of some of his members. Madigan last year dropped Tim Mapes, who served as his chief of staff since 1992 and as executive director of the state Democratic Party since 1998, after House staffer Sherri Garrett accused him of harassment and bullying. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD Marijuana "bars" would be prohibited, and teenagers caught driving under the influence of marijuana would lose their licenses, a Springfield audience was told Monday night by lawmakers crafting a bill to allow recreational use of cannabis in Illinois. Hearing those details pleased state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, whose town hall-style meeting on the issue attracted close to 100 people at Lincoln Library. Manar said he hasn't taken a stand on a potential bill but said he was glad to provide a forum in which citizens could ask questions about the concept of marijuana legalization for adults to two fellow legislators leading the debate in the Illinois General Assembly. State Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, told the audience, "We have a huge opportunity in Illinois to do this right and carefully." State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said she wants to use the legislation to make it harder for children and adolescents to use cannabis. She said the legislation also would expunge the records of citizens whose careers and futures have been harmed by marijuana convictions for low-level possession and dealing. In addition to building upon the regulatory structure in the state's medical-marijuana program, Cassidy said the estimated $350 million to $750 million in taxes raised annually by a recreational-marijuana program would provide needed funding for community development of impoverished neighborhoods. "If we don't address the social-justice issues of this, if we don't address the collateral consequences of the 'war on drugs,' we will have failed," Cassidy said. Steans and Cassidy said they will introduce a formal bill soon and hope to have bipartisan support in the Democratic-controlled legislature, as well as support from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat who campaigned on a promise to back recreational use of marijuana for people 21 and older. The bill, Steans and Cassidy said, would allow Illinoisans 21 and older to purchase and possess up to 30 grams, or about 1 ounce, of marijuana. Nonresidents would be able to buy and possess half that amount. Use of the drug in public wouldn't be allowed. Adults would be able to grow up to five marijuana plants in each household. And municipalities, employers and landlords would be able to prohibit possession and use, the lawmakers said. They said an estimated 800,000 people in Illinois buy marijuana regularly but only about 42,000 of them are in the state's medical-marijuana program. Steans said public opinion polls show that two-thirds of Illinoisans support legalization of recreational cannabis if the substance is taxed and regulated like alcohol. The Springfield town hall was the sixth such public event on the topic. When Steans and Cassidy have spoken at other town halls, a show of hands has revealed "the predominant view is of support," Steans said. A show of hands wasn't requested at Monday night's meeting, even though The State Journal-Register asked that Manar poll the audience. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Manar said he forgot to do so during the meeting, but he said calls to his offices have been running 4-to-1 in favor of legalization. Questions submitted by audience members indicated they wondered whether legalization will lead to more impaired driving, more crashes, more use by children and adolescents, and more use in general. The questions also indicated people wonder how much municipalities and minorities will benefit from the economic opportunities if more marijuana dispensaries -- as well as new classifications such as transporters and processors -- are allowed through the legislation. Cassidy dismissed claims that legalization leads to more crashes or impaired driving. "There aren't definitive studies on this," she said, though Steans added that improvements are needed to make it easier and quicker for police to conduct roadside checks for marijuana-impaired driving. Cassidy and Steans also contended legalization doesn't lead to more underage use. They said marijuana can have definite negative effects on the developing brain. But Steans said: "People are using cannabis right now. Legalization won't change that." Cassidy and Steans said legalization will provide money for more anti-marijuana-use campaigns in schools. And they said current law doesn't call for teens caught using marijuana behind the wheel to lose their licenses. Steans said she wants the awarding of recreational-use dispensary licenses to be more transparent than the medical-marijuana program when it comes to who owns the companies that want licenses. And she said the legislation will give women and ethnic minorities a better chance of winning licenses. Cassidy said the taxing structure still needs to be worked out in the bill so recreational marijuana isn't overtaxed to the point that the black market continues to flourish. Audience member Jim Dixon, 71, a retired state worker from Springfield, said he supports legalization. "I don't see it as any different than alcohol," he said. "It's a person's choice." Roger Kanerva, 73, of Springfield, a state retiree, said he opposes legalization because he believes it would send a message that marijuana is harmless. "I think it's bound to make driving more hazardous," he said. Springfield resident Teresa Haley, 53, statewide and local president of the NAACP said her organization opposes cannabis legalization in Illinois. She said the legislation wouldn't do enough to help blacks economically or through the criminal-justice system and would lead to more addiction to the drug, which remains illegal under federal law. "It's just a way to make more money off the backs of poor people," Haley said. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD The Illinois State Fairgrounds' Coliseum will now be called "The Coliseum of Champions." The Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation on Monday announced the new name, the result of a foundation naming contest open to members of Illinois 4-H, FFA and the Junior Horseman's Council. Emma Eathington of the Fairview Huskies 4-H, Elaina Kessler of the Clay City FFA and Kylie Neisler of Country Roots 4-H Club of Montgomery County all submitted the winning entry. They will receive a silver platter of recognition, an Illinois State Fair Mega Pass and be the guests of honor at a grand reopening event. The Coliseum -- built in 1901 and home to horse shows and other events -- was closed in 2016 when engineers found it structurally unsafe. It has been out of commission for the last two state fairs. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The building is expected to reopen in time for this year's fair. The state has accepted a $10.2 million bid from R.D. Lawrence Construction Co. of Springfield to complete the repairs. With the goal of having the Coliseum reopened for this year's fair, R.D. Lawrence president John Goetz said his crew has been given a July 20 target date for completion, with incentives offered if they finish early. To meet the deadline, the company will likely have two, 10-hour shifts per day, six days a week. While the repairs will take care of the building's structural problems, an additional $2 million to $2.5 million is needed for heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. The Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation established by Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2016 to raise money for repairs, will continue collecting donations to help with additional work. Though the foundation had largely struggled to raise funds since its creation, Rauner and his wife, Diana, through their family foundation, donated $1 million to it in August, with the money to be used toward the effort to renovate the Coliseum. The donation also gave the Rauners naming rights on the building for 10 years. They Rauners opted for the naming contest. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The National Weather Service at Lincoln is predicting wind chill values between 27 and 37 degrees below zero, with wind gusts as high as 23 miles per hour. The following weather-related closures and cancellations have been announced: ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS Argenta-Oreana schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. All activities are canceled for Wednesday. District administrators have not yet made a decision about Thursday activities. Tuesday evening activities are going ahead as of early afternoon. Central A&M Schools are closed Wednesday and Thursday. All activities are also canceled on Wednesday. A decision has not yet been made about the volleyball game scheduled for Thursday. Clinton School District classes are canceled Wednesday. Decatur Christian School will be closed on Wednesday. Decatur Public Schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. All afternoon and evening school-related activities are canceled for Wednesday. No decision has been made for Thursday's activities. Holy Family and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Schools will be closed Wednesday. Lutheran School Association will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. The LSA Souper Bowl scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, has been rescheduled for March 7. Maroa-Forsyth Schools will close Wednesday and Thursday. Mount Pulaski schools are closed on Wednesday. A decision about whether to close Thursday will be made on Wednesday. Mount Zion schools will be closed Wednesday. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Preschool will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. St. Teresa High School will be closed Wednesday. Warrensburg-Latham schools will be closed Wednesday. GOVERNMENT OFFICES City of Decatur offices will be closed. Decatur Public Transit buses will be running, and residents are encouraged to contact public transit at (217) 424-2800 to confirm bus schedules. Macon County offices, including the health department, animal control shelter, courthouse, office building and jail visitation, will be closed Wednesday. Social Security Offices in Decatur, Effingham: Closed Wednesday. Village of Mount Zion offices will be closed Wednesday. BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS The Avon Theatre is closed Tuesday and Wednesday night. Buena Vista National Bank, Decatur and Warrensburg locations, will be closed Wednesday. The Children's Museum of Illinois will be closed on Wednesday. The Decatur Area Arts Council's Knit Night today (Tuesday) is canceled. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Dove Inc. business office, children's clothing room and Macon County Assistance Exchange (MAX) will be closed Wednesday. The domestic violence shelter and hotline will be staffed as usual. Hickory River Smokehouse will be closed Wednesday. Homeward Bound assistance for those without shelter is available at (217) 619-5742 or (217) 620-6344. Kate's Tax Service, 812 S. 16th St., will be closed Wednesday. Krekel's on U.S. 36 is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The State Farm offices of Melanie Schelling, Al Schelling, Ali Doolin and Leo Berger will all be closed Wednesday. Busey Bank is closed on Wednesday. Land of Lincoln Credit Union is closed on Wednesday. Blessingdale's is closed Wednesday. Encore Thrift Store is closed Wednesday. LSA Resale Shop is closed Wednesday. Staley Museum is closed Wednesday. Shop on Main is closed Wednesday. Decatur Earthmover Credit Union offices are closed Wednesday. CHURCHES First Baptist Church's Wednesday night services are canceled. Hillside Bethel Tabernacle will be closed and evening services are canceled on Wednesday. All Wednesday activities at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, including Junior Leader Loft Time, F3 dinner and F3 classes have been canceled. All Wednesday activities at Pilgrim Lutheran Church have been canceled. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Classes at Eastern Illinois University for Tuesday night and Wednesday have been canceled. All Heartland Community College locations will close at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday; campus reopens at 10 a.m. Thursday. Illinois State University will close from 11 p.m. Tuesday until 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Illinois Wesleyan University closed from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Thursday. Lincoln College closed Wednesday. Millikin Universitys campus will close beginning at 10 p.m. tonight. All classes will be canceled Wednesday. The University Commons will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. for essential student services and dining. University Health Services will be open from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Kirkland Fine Arts Center is closed Wednesday. Campus will reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday. All classes at Richland Community College are canceled Wednesday. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign classes are canceled 6 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday evening. This story will be updated as more closures are announced. All-time snowfall records Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 A legislative committee Tuesday heard from supporters of a bill that would ease workers' compensation claims for firefighters who get sick from illnesses presumed related to their job, saying the legislation provides necessary protection for firefighters. Those opposed to the bill say presumptive coverage would increase workers' compensation costs. Sen. Nate McConnell, D-Missoula, advocated for his bill, known as the Firefighter Protection Act, as the Senate Committee on Business, Labor and Economic Affairs held its first round of debate Tuesday. The bill would shift the burden of proof for illnesses that could be caused by fighting fire such as lung disease, forms of cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder from patient to insurer. All paid firefighters are covered by workers' compensation but now have to prove their illness was caused by their job, which can be difficult. The state has about 8,000 volunteer firefighters, 6,000 of whom have workers' comp coverage, who could opt in under McConnell's bill. Firefighters, in short, are at risk. And right now Montana is not protecting them. And that has to change, McConnell said. Employ 1-million workers for Manila Bay rehablawmaker posted January 29, 2019 at 10:30 pm by Maricel Cruz January 29, 2019 at 10:30 pm A legislator on Tuesday proposed the hiring of workers to plant trees and clean the beaches, rivers, and lakes that flow to Manila Bay. Party-list Rep. Neil Abayon of AANGAT TAYO recommended to the Duterte administration the rollout of a government-led massive jobs program that would hire millions of unemployed millennials and adult Filipinos to clean up Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, beaches, rivers, esteros and other waterways as well as plant trees to alleviate air pollution in Metro Manila. Abayon, a deputy majority leader, made the suggestion as he commended the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Metro Manila Development Authority for their latest Manila Bay clean-up operations.The cleanup must be sustained and sustainable. This jobs-and-environment program can achieve this goal, he said. Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data released in December, Abayon said the official national unemployment figure is 2.3 million while the underemployed are 6.7 million. COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section. The bill is moving on to the full House for debate after it passed out of committee on a 19-0 vote. Its companion bill, House Bill 187, would revise laws already in place addressing youth suicide prevention. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services has a suicide prevention officer who directs prevention programming across the state. Dunwells second bill would have this office evaluate and award grants for suicide prevention activities, and it would appropriate $1.3 million from the states general fund for those grants. The bills language would require grants be prioritized for research-based practices. An example of one such program is Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM). The program is used globally to encourage young people to think about and discuss mental health issues. Montana State University Extension is promoting the program in the state and 17 Extension agents are certified to teach YAM in rural schools, like Shelby, Miles City and Ronan. Colleen Murphy spoke in support of the bill as a clinical social worker in Boulders elementary school. She said the youngest child who has expressed suicidal thoughts in her office was in third grade. The more mental health preparation that we have, the better, Murphy said. Those priorities include everything from finding better ways to clear snow and ice from city sidewalks to improving access to affordable housing, Cortez said. She also hopes to make the citys budgeting process and the budget itself more understandable and accessible to the public. A sixth-grader who lives in the city of Helena should know how were using his mom and dads money, she said. As the citys chief administrative officer, Cortez also has identified some internal changes shed like to see. Namely, replacing the citys outdated MS-DOS computers. We are in 2019, we need to update our technology so that it is reflective of the times, but most importantly that gives us the efficiencies that technology has awarded us throughout the years, she said. Cortez became a special assistant to the mayor of the city and county of San Francisco in 1993 and has held numerous leadership positions with various cities in California in the decades that followed. In 2017 she became the assistant city manager and interim budget and finance director for the city of Yakima, Washington. Haifa is on the "front line" in any action in the north but this blog looks at life in the shadow of danger to all of Israel FloTrack Release | USTFCCCA Release | USTFCCCA TFRI ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The University of New Mexico womens track and field team improved its rankings in the latest USTFCCCA and FloTrack polls released on Monday, moving up to eighth and third, respectively. The Lobos earned 38 points in the FloTrack projected womens team ranking to move up one spot from fourth to third, sitting one point ahead of Georgia and five points behind Arkansas. USC, who the Lobos competed against at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Invitational the weekend of Jan. 18 and 19, moved into first with 49 points. In the USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field National Rating Index (TFRI), the Lobos improved their rating by 16.24 points since the last poll released on Jan. 22 to improve three spots to the eighth spot, holding a 0.46 point advantage over No. 9 Georgia. Florida State is just 0.81 points ahead of New Mexico. Aiding in the move up in the rankings was Weini Kelatis mile performance at Saturdays New Mexico Team Invitational, where the sophomore broke a school record with 4:33.34 (altitude conversion) and ran the third-fastest time recorded in the event this season in the NCAA. UNM returns to the Albuquerque Convention Center once again this weekend for the New Mexico Collegiate Classic. Competition will begin on Friday and continue on Saturday. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auralite Investments Inc. (TSX Venture-AAAA) (the "Company" or "Auralite"), is pleased to provide the following corporate update: In December, Auralite welcomed two new board members, Terry Thompson and Jason Morton. Mr. Terry Thompson is a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of British Columbia in 1976 and has over 25 years of senior management experience. His last position was Executive VP and General Manager of 4Refuel Canada Ltd where he helped lead a company from shortly after its start up in 1995 to the leading provider of on-site and on-line diesel fuel management services in Canada with annual sales in excess of $200 million. During Mr. Thompsons tenure 4Refuel was named Canadas 7th best company to work for in a national survey and one of Canadas 50 Best Managed Companies in 2010. In 2010, at the age of 56, Mr. Thompson sold his interest in 4Refuel to a private equity group and is now a private investor and volunteer business advisor to a number of small business CEOs and senior executives. Mr. Jason Morton has nearly ten years of investment analysis and portfolio management experience. During his investment career at Wellington Management Company, one of the largest institutional investment managers globally, he served as a financial technology analyst before moving on to assist in managing the broader technology-oriented sleeves for various in-house hedge funds. Mr. Morton also helped launch Wellington's first and only pre-IPO fund, focused on late-stage private emerging technology companies, for which he was named head portfolio coordinator. Upon leaving Wellington in 2015, Mr. Morton pursued entrepreneurship and became an investor/operator in a nanotechnology company, Nano Global Corporation, based in Austin, TX. He has served as Head of Corporate Development & Corporate Finance during his tenure. Recently, he was chosen for the role of President in a major internet of things (IoT)-centered joint venture involving Nano Global and one of the world's largest semiconductor companies. Mr. Thompson also assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer of Auralite, following Hani Zabaneh's retirement from both his director and CFO positions which Mr. Zabaneh had held since the Company's inception. Robert Meister, President and CEO of Auralite commented: the Company and directors thank Hani for his contributions and wish him the best in all his future endeavors. Robert Meister went on to state: We are also delighted to welcome Terry and Jason to the Auralite team. We are fortunate to have Terry as our new CFO and look forward to sharing in his extensive experience. Jason is an accomplished technology-focused fund manager and will be of great value to the Auralite team. The Company is also pleased to provide an update on its four-for-one forward stock split which became effective in early January. Following completion of the forward split, the Company's common shares have experienced increased trading volume, providing improved liquidity to all shareholders. Going forward, Auralite is looking to invest in revolutionary and disruptive technologies in the following six key verticals: Environmental Technology Artificial Intelligence (AI) Internet of Things (IoT) & Blockchain Fintech BioTech, BioPharma, and Cannabis Tech Quantum Technology About Auralite Auralite is an Investment Issuer with interests in Singapore based EVVO Labs Pte. Ltd. and in convertible debentures of South Korea based Fourth-Link, Inc. For further information please contact: Robert Meister Chief Executive Officer, President, Corporate Secretary and Director Auralite Investments Inc. Telephone: 604-351-6647 Email: info@auraliteinvestments.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 news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding the liquidity of the Company's common shares and the Company's investment focus as well other statements that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, investor interest in the business and future prospects of the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Millrock Resources Inc. (TSX-V: MRO, OTCQX: MLRKF) ("Millrock" or the Company) reports that results from a drilling program completed at the La Navidad gold project in Sonora State, Mexico have been received. The program focused on the northwestern portion of the project. Four holes were drilled at El Tigre prospect, where gold had been detected by soil sampling in the vicinity of historic mine workings. The drill holes tested induced polarization geophysical anomalies and northwest-trending high-angle structures that appear to control mineralization observed at surface. Four further holes tested El Chupadero prospect where alteration (decalcification and jasperoid replacement of limestone) pointed to the possibility of an intrusion-related gold deposit. In total, eight holes totaling 1,844 meters were drilled in the program. The exploration work was funded under an option to joint venture agreement by Centerra Gold Inc. (Centerra). The drilling results were generally disappointing. Only a few weakly anomalous gold values were returned. The alteration and mineralization observed at surface appear to weaken in the subsurface. It does not appear that further exploration work on these prospects is warranted. Millrock has received notification from Centerra that it is terminating the option to joint venture agreements on both La Navidad and El Picacho gold projects. Millrock President & CEO Gregory Beischer stated, Millrock thanks Centerra for the investment they made in advancing these projects. While Centerra has elected to leave, we strongly believe the projects have excellent technical merit. We think they will be attractive to mid-tier or smaller mining companies. Our intention is to seek out new funding partners, but at the same time we will have to balance the cost to hold to La Navidad and El Picacho concessions in the face of Millrocks currently limited cash position. Corporate Developments: PolarX Shares and Cash Position Millrock recently sold 10 million PolarX shares for A$475,000. While Millrock continues to be a strong believer in the Alaska Range Project, given Millrocks relatively weak cash position it made sense to sell the shares. Millrock continues to be entitled to a production royalty, an advanced minimum royalty, and certain milestone payments. Gregory Beischer, Millrock President and CEO stated, Equity markets continue to be very tight. Millrock has to be extremely careful with its remaining funds. Management is cutting costs in all ways possible while the technical team works diligently to secure new funding partners. It is managements view that securing new partnerships will be the best way for the Company to reduce overhead costs. The Company has an excellent portfolio of gold and copper projects but there is a cost to hold un-partnered projects until new partners are secured. Given the continued weakness of Millrocks cash position (approximately C$790,000, as of todays date, net of near-term accounts receivable and payable), the Company is considering all possible alternatives to move forward, including divestiture of Mexico projects and other assets. Quality Control Quality Assurance Millrock adheres to stringent Quality Assurance Quality Control (QA/QC) standards. For the La Navidad drill program drill core samples were kept in a secure location at all times. Rock samples were assayed at the Bureau Veritas laboratory in Hermosillo, Mexico. Preparation and analysis methods are described in further detail here . The sample preparation method code being utilized for the current rock sampling program was PRP70-250. Analysis methods used include FA430 (30 gr/Fire Assay/ICP) and AQ-200 (Aqua Regia ICP/MS). For every 20 rock samples a blank sample known to contain less than 3 parts per billion gold or a standard sample (Certified Reference Materials) of known gold concentration, or a duplicate sample was also analyzed. The qualified person is of the opinion that the results received from the laboratory for the samples in collected in this drill program are reliable. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed within this document has been prepared, reviewed and approved by Gregory A. Beischer, President, CEO and a director of Millrock Resources. Mr. Beischer is a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101. About Millrock Resources Inc. Millrock Resources Inc. is a premier project generator to the mining industry. Millrock identifies, packages and operates large-scale projects for joint venture, thereby exposing its shareholders to the benefits of mineral discovery without the usual financial risk taken on by most exploration companies. The company is active in Alaska, the southwest USA and Sonora State, Mexico. Funding for drilling at Millrocks exploration projects is primarily provided by its joint venture partners. Business partners of Millrock have included some of the leading names in the mining industry: Centerra Gold, First Quantum, Teck, Kinross, Vale, Inmet, Altius, and Riverside. Millrock is a major shareholder of junior explorer Sojourn Exploration Inc. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Gregory Beischer Gregory Beischer, President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Melanee Henderson, Investor Relations (604) 638-3164 (877) 217-8978 (toll-free) Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, the statement that is managements view that securing new partnerships will be the best way for the Company to reduce overhead costs. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve 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 statements. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of Millrock to negotiate agreements with third parties to fund exploration programs on terms beneficial to the Company. Helsinki, 29 January 2019 Ferratum Oyj (ISIN: FI4000106299, WKN: A1W9NS) (Ferratum or the Group) is pleased to announce the launch of services for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Poland through its business brand, Ferratum Business. Ferratum Business begins offering SMEs the ability to obtain finance through invoice financing. Applications will be evaluated through a largely automated process based on the individual risk profile of the companies applying for the financing between EUR 1,000 and 100,000 with a duration of 30-90 days. The launch in Poland, where the Group has been operating with its consumer lending business since 2008, marks the ninth country of operation for Ferratum Business. According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland, in 2017 the addressable Polish SME market segment for Ferratum Business comprised approximately 2 million SMEs. According to the Polish Factoring Association, the total invoice financing market in Poland was valued at approximately EUR 40 billion in 2017 and growing at 25% year on year from 2016 to 2017. Scott Donnelly, Business Unit Director for SME Lending at Ferratum commented: The market for shorter-term invoice financing services is a very attractive but underserved business opportunity and we see significant potential in offering SME customers the flexibility of fast, convenient loans tailored to cover short term cashflow needs, rather than having to commit to larger, less flexible instalment loans. At the same time, we are able to gather large amounts of data efficiently and in short cycles, which we can utilize to further enhance our automated underwriting processes. Combined with our in-house experience and knowledge of the Polish factoring market, as well as a decade of consumer lending experience in Poland, we have an excellent knowledge base from which to launch this new product segment. Once firmly established in the Polish market we can expect to transfer learnings from this new service to our operations in other countries to further enhance practices and underwriting for the benefit of our SME customers globally. Due to the phased roll-out of these invoice financing services, the Polish SME launch is not expected to materially impact the Groups currency exposure in the first half 2019. About Ferratum Group: Ferratum Group is an international provider of mobile banking and digital consumer and small business loans, distributed and managed by mobile devices. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Ferratum has expanded rapidly to operate in 25 countries across Europe, Africa, South and North America and the Asia-Pacific region. As a pioneer in digital and mobile financial services technology, Ferratum is at the forefront of the digital banking revolution. Ferratum's mobile bank, launched in 2016, is an innovative mobile banking platform offering a range of banking services, including real time digital payments and transfers, within a single app. It is currently available in five European markets. Ferratum has approximately 1.9 million active and former customers who have an account or have been granted one or more loans in the past (as at 30 September 2018), of which over 799,000 customers have an open Mobile Bank account or an active loan balance in the last 12 months. Ferratum Group is listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under symbol FRU. For more information, visit www.ferratumgroup.com. Contacts: Pittsburgh, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Roy W. Arnold has joined the Firms Pittsburgh office as Partner in the Commercial Litigation group and Co-Chair of the National Class Action Defense team. Roy focuses his practice on the defense of corporate litigation, class actions, and claims under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Roy joins from Reed Smith LLP where he led the firms Class Action Defense Team. We are thrilled to welcome Roy, one of the countrys top class action litigators, to our Firm, said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Romes Managing Partner and CEO. Roys significant courtroom experience and legal talent strengthens our Firms formidable class action defense team and corporate litigation capabilities and, coupled with his complementary experience in ADA Title III cases, further diversifies our Firms offerings across numerous industries and advances our robust growth strategy in 2019. Roys courtroom skills and advocacy are exceptional, and we could not be more excited to welcome him to our Firm, added James J. Barnes, Partner and Chair of Blank Romes Pittsburgh office. His commitment and determination to achieve a favorable result for his clients are relentless, yet he is practical and bottom-line oriented when he needs to be. He will be a terrific addition to our commercial litigation practice and class action defense team, and further strengthen our growing Pittsburgh offices service offerings and talent. For more than 25 years, Roy has represented clients faced with alleged class action and shareholder derivative lawsuits, as well as other complex litigation throughout the United States. He has successfully defended and resolved a variety of major cases brought against banks and other financial services companies, retailers, hotels/resorts, real estate companies, and energy or natural resources companies. His broad and deep experience includes the defense of claims arising from mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and fiduciary duties, residential mortgage lending, auto finance, loan servicing, consumer finance, securities, and secondary market issues. As a result, he has defended well over 250 class action lawsuits. Through a string of high-profile engagements in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere, he has successfully represented a number of Fortune 500 corporations and their boards of directors in shareholder transaction-related litigation seeking to enjoin mergers valued in the billions of dollars, resulting in his reputation as a "go to" lawyer for this type of work. As part of his class action defense practice, Roy has developed a very active practice advising clients faced with ADA Title III claims. Among other things, Roy has counseled and defended clients with respect to improving the accessibility of automated teller machines; retail point of sale systems; parking lots for banks, retailers, and shopping centers; websites; and mobile applications. Roys strong litigation experience will be a great complement to our group, said Jason A. Snyderman, Co-Chair of Blank Romes Commercial Litigation group. His background in class action defense as well as his exemplary track record of success for financial services companies and other clients faced with significant claims is extensive. He brings a complete repertoire of skills and experience having handled class action litigation effectively via motions practice, defeating class certification, trying the case to verdict, or winning on appeal. It is an honor to join Blank Rome, a firm focused on delivering the highest-quality representation of clients while remaining resolute in achieving their business objectives, stated Arnold. In the commercial litigation practice, and across the Firm, you find accomplished lawyers committed to client service and developing strong, lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Roy earned his B.A., with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D., with honors, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he was elected to Order of the Coif and served as lead executive editor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. An active member of his community, Roy sits on the board of directors for the Pittsburgh International Childrens Theatre, which presents award-winning professional theater for young audiences. Roy also devotes time to pro bono causes, primarily representing children and families in the adoption setting and protecting women from abusive situations. Since January 1, Blank Rome has welcomed a number of lateral partners across its U.S. offices, enhancing the Firms services and capabilities throughout its various practices. About Blank Rome LLP Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 13 offices and more than 600 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries, and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Romes culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients, and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit blankrome.com. ### Attachment English French APRIL: 2018 full-year sales Solid reported growth of 7.4% to 997.2m - Like-for-like sales growth of 5.4% [1] Brokerage commissions up 4.9% as reported to 536.6m, driven by: acquisitions, and growth in Health & Personal Protection and wholesale Property & Casualty brokerage Strong increase in insurance premiums, up 10.5% (as reported and like-for-like) to 460.6m The APRIL group reported sales of 997.2m for the year ending 31 December 2018, up 7.4% compared to reported figures for the previous year. Following this announcement, APRIL CEO Emmanuel Morandini made the following comments: "With sales close to a billion euros in 2018 and sustained growth, the APRIL group's development is underpinned by strong sales momentum. Over the year, insurance premiums and overall brokerage commissions continued to grow, driven by organic growth in Health & Personal Protection and the integration of acquisitions made in 2017 and 2018. These acquisitions, which form part of our strategy of exporting certain areas of the group's expertise while strengthening our foothold in key markets, are essential to the group's transformation process launched 18 months ago. We intend to continue this strategy of transitioning towards a more open, multi-brand model." Group (IFRS - m) 2018 2017 Change Change LFL Consolidated sales 997.2 928.4 +7.4% +5.4% Brokerage commissions and fees 536.6 511.5 +4.9% +1.5% Insurance premiums 460.6 416.9 +10.5% +10.5% Reported brokerage commissions rose 4.9% compared to 2017. This includes 7.9% growth in Health & Personal Protection commissions, benefiting from the acquisitions made in 2017 and 2018 (Public Broker, Benecaid and La Centrale de Financement), the ramp-up of wholesale brokerage activities and stable Property & Casualty commissions (-0.4%). Insurance premiums rose by 10.5%, including Health & Personal Protection up 12.5% and Property & Casualty up 7.7%. Conversion from reported sales to like-for-like sales 2017 to 2018 sales progression - m Consolidated sales at 31/12/2017 928.4 Impact of exchange rate fluctuations (4.0) Acquisitions 22.2 Disposals (0.8) Like-for-like sales at 31/12/2017 945.7 Growth in brokerage commissions and fees 7.8 Growth in insurance premiums 43.7 Consolidated sales at 31/12/2018 997.2 Like-for-like sales include a 4.0m negative impact of exchange rate fluctuations, mainly in Brazil for Health & Personal Protection and in the United States and Canada for Property & Casualty. They also include a 21.3m consolidation gain mainly arising from the consolidation of Public Broker in Brazil (May 2017), Benecaid in Canada (April 2018) and La Centrale de Financement in France (September 2018) in the Health and Personal Protection division, as well as Pont Grup in Spain (October 2017) in the Property & Casualty division. LIKE-FOR-LIKE SALES BY DIVISION IFRS - m 2018 2017 Change 2017 LFL Change LFL Health & Personal Protection 623.4 567.7 +9.8% 584.4 +6.7% Commissions and fees 352.0 326.3 +7.9% 343.0 +2.6% Insurance premiums 271.5 241.4 +12.5% 241.4 +12.5% Property & Casualty 376.3 363.4 +3.5% 364.1 +3.4% Commissions and fees 186.4 187.1 -0.4% 187.8 -0.7% Insurance premiums 189.8 176.3 +7.7 % 176.3 +7.7 % Inter-division eliminations (2.5) (2.7) +9.1% (2.7) +8.7% Consolidated sales 997.2 928.4 +7.4% 945.7 +5.4% Changes in like-for-like sales by type of revenues are as follows: Brokerage commissions in Health & Personal Protection amounted to 352.0m, up 2.6% compared to 2017. Growth is driven by individual Health & Personal Protection, benefiting from the renewal and expansion of the range during the year, and international health insurance, mainly in France and Asia. Property & Casualty commissions were stable (-0.7%) and amounted to 186.4m. Wholesale brokerage posted strong performances, particularly in car, two-wheeled and sailing insurance and the professional range. This improvement was curbed by a slowdown in travel insurance and assistance, particularly in the United States, and property insurance in Canada. Health & Personal Protection insurance premiums rose 12.5% to 271.5m, mainly due to net growth in individual (seniors and self-employed) and group Health & Personal Protection portfolios. Property & Casualty insurance premiums continue to rise (up 7.7% to 189.8m), driven by the expansion of corporate and affinity member operations in a highly-reinsured risk-carrying model. Outlook For the 2018 financial year, APRIL achieved a robust overall performance in line with the group's expectations. Accordingly, the group still expects to post current EBIT growth on the high end of 6-10% compared to 2017. Emmanuel Maillet, Group CFO, will be holding a conference call for financial analysts, investors and the press this evening at 6.00 p.m. (French time), during which these matters will be discussed in greater detail. Dial-in details: France: +33 (0)1 76 70 07 94 Switzerland: +41 (0) 31 580 00 59 UK: +44 (0)844 5718 892 Please dial in a few minutes beforehand, in order to register, and give the following reference number: 7796 604. Appendix Quarterly sales UPCOMING RELEASES 2018 full-year results: 6 March 2019 after market close 2018 annual results presentation: 7 March 2019 at 9.30 am in Paris Shareholders' Annual General Meeting: 25 April 2019, in Lyon Q1 2019 sales: 30 April 2019 after market close CONTACTS Analysts and investors Guillaume Cerezo: +33 (0)4 72 36 49 31 / +33 (0)6 20 26 06 24 - guillaume.cerezo@april.com Press relations Samantha Druon: +33 (0)7 64 01 74 35 - samantha.druon@insign.fr This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assessments or assumptions that were reasonable at the date of the release, and which may change or be altered due to, in particular, random events or uncertainties and risks relating to the economic, financial, regulatory and competitive environment, the risks set out in the 2017 Registration Document and any risks that are unknown or non-material to date that may subsequently occur. The Company undertakes to publish or disclose any adjustments or updates to this information as part of the periodic and permanent information obligation to which all listed companies are subject. About APRIL Founded in 1988, APRIL is an international insurance services group operating in 31 countries, whose primary goal is to offer its clients a simpler and more accessible insurance experience. Its 3,800 staff members design, distribute and manage specialised insurance solutions (Health & Personal Protection, Property & Casualty, Mobility and Legal Protection) and assistance services for its partners and customers, including private individuals, professionals and businesses. Listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment B), the group posted sales of 997.2m in 2018. Full regulated information is available on our website at www.april.com (Investors section). APPENDIX: QUARTERLY SALES IFRS - m 2018 2017 Change 2017 LFL Change LFL Q1 240.6 227.7 +5.7% 228.2 +5.4% Q2 251.4 230.0 +9.3% 231.6 +8.6% Q3 256.8 232.7 +10.4% 238.4 +7.7% Q4 248.4 238.1 +4.3% 247.5 +0.4% Total 997.2 928.4 +7.4% 945.7 +5.4% [1] Proforma or like-for-like (LFL): sales at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates. This figure is adjusted for acquisitions, disposals and changes in consolidation method, as well as exchange rate fluctuations, calculated on the basis of the prior year financial statements converted using the exchange rate for the current year. Attachment LAS VEGAS, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- International Spirits and Beverage Group Inc. (USOTC: ISBG) (ISBG or the Company), a top-tier brand incubator in the Global Wine & Spirits and CBD-Infused Products markets, is excited to announce the official launch of live sales of its inaugural CBD product, P19 CBD Gummies. The Company is eager to get sales rolling in, it launched its temporary site dedicated to this one product: buyp19.com. The company began to market its CBD P19 product via multiple websites. CBD Gummies keyword is ranked top 3 in Googles search engine, giving ISBG an opportunity to increase in sales. Management also notes that the P19 CBD Gummies are the first product in a series that will be rolled out over e-commerce for ISBG over coming weeks, with the next product set to go live in the coming weeks. In addition, a new and more comprehensive e-commerce platform and website is still under construction and will launch at a later date. As a final note, the Company has no plans of a reverse stock split. Our partnership with BioPulse Labs provides the production capabilities, scalability, sales infrastructure, operational tools, and expertise for us to step into the market with confidence, and our new Health and Wellness segment is already poised to drive tremendous growth to kick off 2019, continued Mr. Williams. The Farm Bill was a watershed moment for this industry, and we believe we will see in retrospect that this was a pivot toward even greater acceleration in the CBD space because its opening peoples eyes to the health and wellness benefits of CBD, including stress management, pain management, and as a general preventative for a host of ailments and a sense of balance and personal health, including its impact as a sleep-aid, providing a higher quality of regenerative sleep. The Farm Bill is like a door opening that will allow everyone to look inside and see how valuable this product can be. About ISBG: International Spirits and Beverage Group (USOTC: ISBG) is an authorized importer, licensor, and marketer of premium beverage brands, with sales of innovative products and brands worldwide. Based in Nevada, the Company's expertise lies in the strategic development and aggressive early growth of its brands and the establishment of these brands as viable and profitable as an incubator. ISBG intends to nurture emerging brands through critical stages of market development, including conceptualization, go-to-market strategy, supply chain and logistics engineering, integrated marketing, and distribution. In addition, ISBG has now established itself as a health and wellness company with a focus on reshaping the CBD products market through state-of-the-art nanotechnology processes, developing a wide range of nano-infused CBD gummies and beverages formulations. These products will be sold through the Companys website, as well as through established wholesale and retail distribution channels. The company has also partnered with Bengala Technologies to develop and commercialize enterprise and B2B software technology products targeting the logistics and supply-chain marketplace. Forward Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could", "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements so as to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed from time to time with OTC Markets (www.otcmarkets.com). Contact: For Additional Investor Information: International Spirit & Beverage Group, Inc. info@isbg.global Stocks fell Tuesday, as investors tracked a Wall Street sell-off fuelled by concerns over corporate profits. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 3 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to close at 8,050.82. The broader all-share index ended flat at 4,856.72, on a value turnover of P8.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 124 to 86, while 33 issues were unchanged. Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp. which climbed 16.2 percent to P1.58. Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. went up 6.7 percent to P2.54, while TransPacific Broadband Group International Inc. gained 4.3 percent to P0.485. Meanwhile, most Asian markets also ended lower Tuesday as the charging of Chinese giant Huawei in the US cast a shadow over upcoming trade talks, A busy week across the globe got off to a nervous start Monday after industrial giant Caterpillar and chip company Nvidia projected worse-than-expected results for 2019, citing ongoing weakness in China. The announcements from two of Wall Streets big-hitters follow similar warnings from Apple and Samsung and sent shudders through trading floors. Caterpillar and Nvidia are not the first companies to blame China for their afflictions, but both companies are seen as industry bellwethers and their disappointing results provide further evidence that this time Chinas slowdown is for real, said Rodrigo Catril, senior markets strategist at Australia National Bank. The warnings come as Beijing struggles to kickstart the worlds number two economy, which expanded last year at its slowest pace for almost three decades, with a mammoth debt mountain and the US trade war hampering efforts. However, while the majority of Asian markets fell Tuesday they did pare their losses and some even edged into positive territory. Hong Kong was down 0.3 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai shed 0.1 percent while Sydney fell 0.5 percent and Singapore gave up 0.3 percent.Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta rose but Tokyo and Seoul closed with minor gains. The main focus of attention this week is on the two-day meeting between China and US officials aimed at resolving the long-running trade war that has been a drag on equities. Donald Trump will meet Chinas top economy envoy Liu He during the talks, which start Wednesday, while US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he expected significant progress at these meetings. However, the negotiations will begin under a cloud after the US Justice Department announced criminal charges against Chinese telecom titan Huawei and two affiliates on a number of technology theft counts as well as fraud related to Iran sanctions violations. The firms chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who has been held in Canada for weeks, was also charged and faces extradition to the US. Huawei described the charges as disappointing and denied any guilt, while Chinas foreign ministry hit out at the political motivations and political manipulations behind the actions. While the US has played down the significance of the Huawei row with regard to the talks, it ratcheted up the pressure ahead of the meeting and comes just over a month before the end of a 90-day deadline set between Trump and Xi Jinping on reaching a trade deal. But before they vote on the deal, they must decide whether or not to include a series of amendments, one of which would open the door for MPs to bring in legislation preventing Britain leaving the European Union without a deal on March 29. It would force May to delay Brexit for nine months if her plan is not approved before February 26, and give lawmakers the ability to indefinitely extend the deadline. The sterling has enjoyed healthy buying in recent weeks on expectations that a no-deal exit will be avoided. English French Assystem signs a new contract with Rosatom to help develop Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey Paris, 29 January 2019, 5:35 p.m. (CET) - Assystem S.A. (ISIN: FR0000074148 - ASY) Assystem has signed a new sizable contract with AKKUYU NUKLEER, the project company in charge of the development of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, founded by Rosatom, the Russian global actor of the world's nuclear technology market. The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project is being developed under a BOO (Build-Own-Operate) model. AKKUYU NUKLEER, owned by Rosatom Russian State Atomic Corporation, implements the project including the NPP design development, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning. The project stems from the Intergovernmental agreement (IGA) signed between Russia and Turkey in May 2010. The first NPP in Turkey, Akkuyu NPP will have four power units with Generation 3+ VVER 1200 reactors and 4.8 GW total capacity. Currently, the Russian party provides 100% financing of the project. In accordance with the IGA, up to 49% in AKKUYU NUKLEER may be sold to other investors. In April 2018, the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) granted the Construction License to AKKUYU NUKLEER to build the NPP Unit 1, and the company started for the full-fledged construction works on the nuclear component Unit 1 of the future NPP. The contract between Assystem and AKKUYU NUKLEER will run for a six-year period. Its purpose is the supervision of the construction of facilities important to the nuclear safety of the Akkuyu NPP. Assystem will provide site inspection on all structures, systems and components important to such safety during construction and installation works ensuring it respects the nuclear safety regulation defined by TAEK. Assystem is committed to helping newcomer countries to develop nuclear energy and major nuclear players to export their expertise beyond their own borders. This contract comes in quick succession after Rosatom awarded Assystem a first contract to support the development of a NPP in Egypt, in El Dabaa in September 2018. In addition, Assystem has held a long-term relationship with Rosatom companies for the Akkuyu NPP Project, working with them since 2011 through its Turkish entity Envy Energy and Environmental Investments Inc. The corresponding projects have dealt with environmental monitoring (ongoing since 2011), initial and design stage site surveys (2011 - 2012), detailed hydrogeological surveys (2015), working documentation stage site surveys (2017 - ongoing), and they now encompass site inspection and safety. Stephane Aubarbier, Assystem COO, said: "We are proud to be contributing to the future of the nuclear industry by supporting the supply of decarbonised energy in Turkey. The project complements Assystem's commitment to the development of nuclear energy worldwide as we are convinced that this energy is to play an ever most important part in the world's use of carbon-free energy in the future. We always strive to make nuclear programmes successful, more competitive and safer across the globe and this is an illustration of this constant effort." ABOUT ASSYSTEM Assystem is an international engineering group. As a key participant in the industry for over 50 years, the Group supports its clients in managing their capital expenditure throughout their asset life cycles. Assystem S.A. is listed on Euronext Paris. For more information, please visit www.assystem.com / Follow Assystem on Twitter: @Assystem CONTACTS Philippe Chevallier CFO & Deputy CEO Tel.: +33 (0)1 41 25 28 02 Anne-Charlotte Dagorn Communications Director acdagorn@assystem.com Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 03 70 29 Agnes Villeret Investor relations - Komodo agnes.villeret@agence-komodo.com Tel.: +33 (0)6 83 28 04 15 Spider Assystem@wearespider.com Tel.: +44(0)20 7403 6900 Attachment Cincinnati, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StriveTogether, a national nonprofit working to bring communities together around data to make decisions and improve results for kids, today announced the second set of awardees for its Cradle to Career Community Challenge grant program. Up to $7 million over the next three years will fund projects across the country that advance equity and spread bold strategies to help students progress from kindergarten to postsecondary completion and a job. StriveTogether launched the Cradle to Career Community Challenge because we refuse to settle for a world in which a childs ability to thrive is dictated by factors like race or income, StriveTogether President and CEO Jennifer Blatz said. From partners across the country, we know the urgency of this work and the value of creating lasting change in communities. We are proud to start this year supporting 21 new initiatives to get real results for youth and families. Communities in the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network were eligible to apply for the Community Challenge. This grant program seeks to create local change to enable economic mobility. The goal is to strengthen and align the many systems, such as education, employment, health and housing, that shape opportunity for children and families in America. Communities across the country are tackling big issues that are best solved at the local level, said Nancy Zimpher, StriveTogether board chair and chancellor emeritus of the State University of New York. This Challenge is designed to help them think bigger and bolder. We look forward to spreading the ideas that prove most effective at getting better outcomes for kids. During this round of grants, the Community Challenge program consists of two funds: The Accelerator Fund will advance equity and systems change in communities to help them more quickly achieve proof point, an important measure of progress along StriveTogethers framework for cradle-to-career work. The 10 selected communities were each awarded a maximum total grant award of $550,000 over three years to reach proof point. This initiative also combines an intensive leadership development program with targeted training and technical assistance. will advance equity and systems change in communities to help them more quickly achieve proof point, an important measure of progress along StriveTogethers framework for cradle-to-career work. The 10 selected communities were each awarded a maximum total grant award of $550,000 over three years to reach proof point. This initiative also combines an intensive leadership development program with targeted training and technical assistance. The Promising Practices Fund is intended to fund local projects applying bold strategies that can be spread across StriveTogethers national network. These projects will focus on deeper community engagement and align education with other sectors such as health, housing and transportation. Eleven community-based organizations were awarded grants of up to $150,000 for one year. The Accelerator Fund will support projects in 10 communities. During the first year, these communities will learn strategies and tools to apply to additional cradle-to-career projects in the second and third year of the grant. These first-year initiatives are: Adams County, Colo. (Youth Initiative of Adams County) Facilitate collaboration across organizations and agencies to increase access to job opportunities with the goal of closing gaps in employment rates. Baltimore, Md. (Baltimores Promise) Support students to enter the workforce after graduation by creating opportunities for occupational skills training, aimed at lowering poverty rates among young people and narrowing racial disparities. Boise, Idaho (Treasure Valley Education Partnership) Address the impending shortage of qualified workers by empowering more low-income and Latinx students to earn postsecondary credentials, to support the states goal of having 60 percent of workers ages 25 to 34 years old hold a credential by 2025. Charleston, S.C. (Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative) Ensure that the regions students are ready for kindergarten by aligning organizations, individuals and resources in the community and committing to a shared vision. Marin County, Calif. (Marin Promise Partnership) Align early childhood efforts to improve kindergarten readiness, including closing persistent gaps for students of color, low-income students and English language learners. Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. (Generation Next) Improve early-grade reading through a variety of methods, including teacher diversity, social-emotional skills, and academic and behavioral outcomes for young students of color. Redmond, Ore. (Better Together Central Oregon) Unite the region around achieving better high school graduation rates, with the goal of ending significant disparities that exist for low-income students and students of color. Rochester, N.Y. (ROC the Future) Support third-graders ability to read on grade level through efforts that include revising the K-2 curriculum to be more developmentally and culturally appropriate. South Bronx, N.Y. (South Bronx Rising Together) Close gaps between students in the South Bronx and greater New York City by improving third-grade reading outcomes, including building on and sharing successful practices across schools. Summit County, Ohio (Summit Education Initiative) Connect more families with resources in education, health and social services to increase kindergarten readiness, with a focus on closing gaps for African American children and children from low-income households. The Promising Practices Fund will support these 11 projects: Austin, Texas (E3 Alliance) Create standardized tools and trainings to help school improvement networks accelerate better student outcomes, while also developing a set of practices to help other learning networks. Baltimore, Md. (Baltimores Promise) Connect data systems to link agencies across the city to access information about the needs of children, youth and families in Baltimore. Boston, Mass. (Boston Opportunity Agenda) Identify and address systemic issues that cause students, primarily males of color, to put their college journeys on hold before obtaining a diploma or degree. Bridgeport, Conn. (Bridgeport Prospers) Create a bundle of supports for children 0 to 3 years old, building on successful strategies to expand results. Winston-Salem, N. Carolina (The Forsyth Promise) Activate the power of those with lived experience in planning and implementing strategies and solutions to change local systems. Green Bay, Wis. (Achieve Brown County) Combine individual student-level records from seven school districts with data from partners in early education, health care and community programs, establishing a comprehensive set of data to inform local action. Marin County, Calif. (Marin Promise Partnership) Pass a new graduation policy in the countys school districts to set high expectations and provide access and support for required courses, ensuring that students of color, low-income students and English language learners graduate ready for college and career. Northfield, Minn. (Northfield Promise) Establish a transportation co-op, developing a rural rideshare and expanding access to driver education courses, helping low-income parents get their kids to preschool, social services and medical appointments. Pocatello, Idaho (imPACT East Idaho) Secure state preschool funds using digital engagement tools to develop local support, making a big impact in a state with the countrys lowest preschool participation rates and no public funding for preschool. San Antonio, Texas (P16Plus Council of Greater Bexar County) Design and facilitate a collaborative effort around rethinking discipline to combat disproportionate disciplinary practices on a 10-campus pilot project ultimately aimed at increasing high school completion. Southeastern Kentucky (Partners for Education at Berea College) Implement a service year model in rural areas to improve educational outcomes and reduce disparity gaps. The Cradle to Career Community Challenge is funded by Ballmer Group, the philanthropy co-founded by civic activist Connie Ballmer and her husband Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, chairman of the LA Clippers and founder of USAFacts. Since launching in 2018, the Community Challenge has committed to investing nearly $30 million in 35 communities over the next three years. ### About StriveTogether StriveTogether is a national movement with a clear purpose: help every child succeed in school and in life from cradle to career, regardless of race, zip code or circumstance. In partnership with nearly 70 communities across the country, StriveTogether provides resources, best practices and processes to give every child every chance forsuccess. The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network reaches 10.5 million students, involves 10,800 organizations and has partners in 30 states and Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Airlink , a charity focused on mobilizing the aviation industry to ensure assistance reaches communities impacted by disasters and other humanitarian crises around the world, recently retained executive search firm Odgers Berndtson to launch the search for its next board chair. Once identified, the new board chairs term will begin on January 1, 2020. Bob Brown, the organizations current board chair and founding member, is expected to remain involved in the organization. Brown recognizes handing over the reins as board chair to a new leader will help further develop the organization and make it possible for him to focus on other opportunities to help Airlink. By the end of 2019, I will have led Airlinks board since its inception nine years ago, said Bob Brown. Best practices in good governance include a change in leadership from time-to-time. My engagement with Airlink has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my entire career and I look forward to the next chapter of my Airlink service with great anticipation. Airlink will leverage Odgers Berndtsons expertise in executive search and deep knowledge of the aviation industry and nongovernmental organizations to run a robust search to identify internal and external candidates for the board chair role. The search is part of the on-going growth and evolution of Airlink, which includes a strong focus on governance items such as board succession planning and trustee development. Airlinks search committee and senior leadership are excited to work with the highly regarded search professionals at Odgers Berndtson. Odgers Berndtson leadership involved in the Airlink board chair search are Tim McNamara, vice chairman (US) and head of the Transportation Infrastructure Practice and the Member Board Practice; Susan Thompson, partner and head of the Aviation Practice (UK); and John de Regt, head of board and leadership development. The Odgers Berndtson team is delighted to be partnering with the Airlink Board of Trustees in addressing this critical succession planning and leadership development need, said Tim McNamara. It is our privilege to give back to the global aviation community. Airlink and Odgers Berndtson will be reaching-out to Airlinks internal and external stakeholders and leadership in the commercial aviation and NGO and humanitarian relief sectors, to support Airlinks search for a new board chair. Those interested in the volunteer position or desiring to discuss the search are encouraged to contact Tim McNamara ( tim.mcnamara@odgersberndtson.com ) Airlink is a global rapid-response humanitarian relief organization linking pre-qualified nonprofits with partner airlines to transport emergency personnel and supplies. Its network includes more than 80 aid organizations and 40 commercial and charter airlines. Since its inception in 2010, Airlinks airline partners have flown over 5,000 relief workers and transported more than 3 million pounds of aid cargo. For more information, please visit www.airlinkflight.org . Follow Airlink on Facebook and Twitter. Odgers Berndtson is one of the worlds leading executive search and human capital consulting firms with more than 60 offices in 29 countries specializing in leadership advice and services across every industry worldwide. For more information, please visit www.odgersberndtson.com . Media Contact: Emily Sperling, esperling@airlinkflight.org, +1 941.387.4710 Search Contacts: Airlink Robert Brown, bob.brown@vxcapital.com, +1 415.296.5252 Mark Packard, markstanfieldpackard@mac.com, +353.87.912. 9307 TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuuhubb Inc. (Kuuhubb or the Company) (TSX-V: KUU), a technology company focused on developing, acquiring and distributing lifestyle and mobile game applications for the female audience, announces that the board of directors of the Company (the Board) has called an annual and special meeting of the Companys shareholders (the Meeting). The Meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at a time and location to be determined. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of the Meeting and to vote at the Meeting is set as February 25, 2019. Kuuhubb will provide important information in a management proxy circular and other meeting materials that will be mailed to shareholders of the Company and posted to the Companys website and under its profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) nearer to the record date, as required under applicable law. The Meeting is being called in response to a requisition (the Requisition) that Kuuhubb received on January 9, 2019 from certain shareholders of the Company holding approximately 5% of the common shares of the Company in the aggregate (the Requisitioning Shareholders). The Requisitioning Shareholders have disclosed that they intend to ask shareholders of the Company to vote on a resolution to remove all directors of the Company, set the number of directors of the Company to be elected at five and elect five new directors of the Company. Kuuhubb also announces that Christian Kolster has been appointed as Corporate Secretary of the Company in replacement of Geoffrey Farr. Finally, Kuuhubb announces that a new director (the New Appointee) was appointed to the Board to fill the board vacancy created by the previous resignation of Maurice Colson. The New Appointee however resigned shortly after his appointment to the Board. Arnold Kondrat, Philip Chen (the Canadian Directors) and Maurice Colson had threatened to commence personal legal proceedings against three members of the Board, Jouni Keranen, Christian Kolster and Carl von Troil, as well as against the New Appointee. The Canadian Directors voted against the resolutions to appoint Christian Kolster as Corporate Secretary of the Company and the New Appointee as director. This news release is not intended to, and does not, constitute a solicitation of proxies in relation to the Meeting. Any solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of management of the Company in relation to the Meeting will take place upon and following the dissemination of the management proxy circular and other meetings materials in accordance with applicable law. About Kuuhubb Kuuhubb is a company active in the digital space that focuses mainly on lifestyle and mobile game applications for the female audience. Its strategy is to create sustainable shareholder value through acquisitions of proven, yet underappreciated, assets with robust long-term growth potential. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kuuhubb has a global presence with a strong focus on developing U.S. brand collaborations and Asian partnerships. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this document, including the statement that the Meeting has been called and scheduled, is considered forward-looking information, and necessarily involves risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Companys control. Such risks include but are not limited to delays in scheduling and holding the Meeting within the time periods contemplated herein. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits Kuuhubb will derive therefrom. With respect to forward-looking information contained herein, Kuuhubb has made assumptions regarding the anticipated timing for the Meeting, the provision of a management proxy circular and other meeting materials. Furthermore, the forward-looking information contained in this document is made as of the date of this document, and Kuuhubb does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Kuuhubb Inc. Jouni Keranen CEO jouni@kuuhubb.com Office: +358 40 590 0919 Bill Mitoulas Investor Relations bill@kuuhubb.com Office: +1 (416) 479-9547 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the 3-month anniversary of marijuanas legalization in Canada, analysts and consumers alike are wondering whats next for Canadas marijuana retail landscape. Though the cannabis industry is arguably still in a stage of infancy, the coming months will likely be foundational in the creation of Canadas legacy cannabis brands, as Canadas marijuana retail sector begins to experience intensifying levels of competition. Canada's Marijuana Retail Landscape If Canadian retail cannabis is a battle, then the theatre of war is Alberta. Via The Calgary Herald: "After more than three months of legalized cannabis, Alberta counts 36 per cent of the countrys legal pot shops. Of the 183 licensed marijuana outlets open in all the provinces and territories as of earlier this week, 65 are located in Alberta, which comprises only about 12 per cent of the countrys population." Even Albertas very regulatory framework around cannabis has demanded nation-wide attention. . . . other provinces have come to [the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission] for advice on how to operate facets of their rollout . . . Imitation, as they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. Not only is Alberta home to the bulk of Canadas marijuana retail brands, but the regulatory body in charge of the province's cannabis policythe Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commissionis setting the tone for the future of legal cannabis products across all of Canada. With a firm grasp on the importance of the Albertan cannabis market, let's take a look at some of the biggest Canadian marijuana companies looking to disrupt the marijuana retail sector in 2019. Westleaf Inc.: Set to Become One of the Largest Premium Cannabis Retailers in Canada Successful branding comes down to creating an experience that truly resonates with consumers. With private marijuana sales in Canada almost completely limited from online channels, it is the physical retail store experienceand the branding experiences that are contained withinthat will drive the majority of marijuana sales. Westleaf Inc. (TSX-V: WL), a vertically integrated cannabis company focused on innovative retail experiences and engaging cannabis brands, is one of the newest market entrants looking to dominate the cannabis retail sector. Prairie Records, Westleafs innovative retail store brand, provides the brick and mortar beachhead through which Westleaf intends to achieve this dominance. Prairie Records aims to create a premium marijuana retail experience by leveraging the instinctual tie between cannabis & music. In addition to a growing portfolio of premium retail locations, Westleaf controls the processing, extraction, and cultivation of cannabismaking Westleaf one of the few truly vertically integrated cannabis companies. Essentially, Westleaf controls the entire marijuana value chain. Control over this value chain is vital. As the marijuana market continues to mature and the production capabilities of producers expands, additional supply will put downwards pressure on the cost per grammeaning that only vertically integrated cannabis companies who control access to the end consumer (eg. Westleaf) will be be able to protect their profit margins. Whats moreWestleaf is already working with some of the industrys largest licensed producers. Through either strategic investments or development partnerships, Westleaf has attracted the support of Tilray, Delta 9 Cannabis, and Vivo Cannabis. In terms of management expertise, Westleaf is in good hands. From proven marketing executives to former MJardin directors and billion-dollar asset managers, Westleaf has the guidance it needs to execute on its vision to become Canadas leading cannabis retailer. Just last week, Westleaf announced the acquisition of Canndara Canada Inc., a cannabis retail company with over fifty (50) prospective premium retail locations across Canada. Following Closing, expected by the end of this month, Westleaf will have one of the largest cannabis retail footprints under development in Western Canada With C$27 million in cash and access to C$30 million in low cost, non-dilutive capital from ATB, Westleaf is well-positioned to meet its ambitious target of launching 50 premium retail stores in Canada by the end of 2020. Canopy Growth Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC), Canadas largest cannabis company, knows full-well the importance of branding. Back in July 2018, Canopy Growth Corp. announced the acquisition of Hiku Brands, the company behind industry-leading cannabis brands such as Tokyo Smoke. Since then, Canopys market cap has swelled above C$23 billion hitting yet another new high this week. Yet, currently, Canopy has no retail presence in Alberta. As of this report, Canopy operates 8 stores in Manitoba, 1 store in Saskatchewan, and 4 other stores in Newfoundland and Labrador through their Tweed and Tokyo Smoke retail brands. In just a couple of weeks on Valentines Day, Canopy is expected to announce its financial results for the third quarter fiscal 2019 ended December 31, 2018. With continued growth in its share price, investors must believe them to be stronger than ever - we will know just how strong in a couple of weeks. Aurora Cannabis Albertas very own Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has a stake in 9 cannabis retail stores in Canada, all of which are located in Alberta. Auroras retail reach is comprised of 4 store locations under the brand name Canna Cabana (due to their C$10 million investment in marijuana retailer High Tide), and 5 stores under the brand name Nova Cannabis, which is the cannabis retailing arm of Alcanna Inc. (the Canadian liquor retailer behind brands such as Liquor Depot and Wine and Beyond). As of August 2018, Aurora became one of Alcanna Inc.s newest cornerstone investors. Via Marijuana Business Daily: "Alberta-based Aurora Cannabis reached a license agreement with Alcanna, the largest private-sector liquor retailer in Canada. In February, Aurora paid 103.5 million Canadian dollars ($82.5 million) for a 19.9% ownership interest in Alcanna then called Liquor Stores N.A. The exclusive agreement allows Alcanna to open retail cannabis stores under the Aurora brand in provinces where private retail will be permitted. Alcanna will build, own and operate the new cannabis stores, which will carry a suite of brands from licensed producers, including Aurora, MedReleaf and CanniMed. Alcanna has started converting some of its 229 liquor stores to cannabis retail outlets." In addition to High Tides growing portfolio of retail marijuana brands, Aurora has access to a wide selection of convertible retail locations through Alcannameaning Auroras retail presence is all but guaranteed to increase, should they obtain the required permits to do so. Just last week, Aurora closed its previously announced offering of 5.5% convertible senior notes due 2024 for gross proceeds of US$345 million (including US$45 million pursuant to the exercise of the initial purchasers' over-allotment option). Aurora expects to use the net proceeds from the offering of the notes to support its Canadian and international expansion initiatives, for future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements to continue the Company's accelerated growth. We suspect that some of these proceeds will go toward increasing Auroras retail presence. Fire and Flower Fire & Flower Cannabis Co. is an independent cannabis retailer with a significant focus on the Alberta cannabis market. Fire & Flower currently operates 7 stores in Alberta and 2 more in Saskatchewan. While Fire & Flower is a privately held company, it has received a number of investments from various leading marijuana producers, with aggregate investment totalling well over C$20 million to date. Some of Fire & Flowers most notable investors include Aphria Inc. and The Hydropothecary Corporation. Fire and Flower recently announced reaching C$10 million in sales since October 17, 2018. National Access Cannabis National Access Cannabis (TSXV: META) is best known for its strategic alliance with Second Cup to convert Second Cup locations into National Access Cannabis branded cannabis stores. But while investors continue to pine over the potential of CBD-infused coffee beverages, National Access Cannabis is also growing into one of Canadas largest cannabis retailers. National Access Cannabis operates 14 stores in Alberta and 1 in Saskatchewan through its acquisition of retail marijuana brand NewLeaf Cannabis and 8 stores in Manitoba under the brand Meta Cannabis Supply Co. National Access Cannabis recently announced revenue of just under C$3.8 million in Q1 2019, an increase of nearly 766% in comparison to Q1 2018. It also generated over $10 million in cumulative sales since Legalization at an average gross margin of over 32%. Growing Competition in Canada's Marijuana Retail Sector The retail cannabis sector in Canada is evolving. New, innovative market entrants such as Westleaf are challenging the Q2/Q3 2018 strategic investments of some of Canadas biggest marijuana growers. Across the board, cannabis retail concepts are about to be put to the testand it will be the concepts that most deeply resonate with Canadian consumers that will survive, thrive, and go on to eventually become Canadian legacy cannabis brands. The original post can be found here, full of pictures and links: https://mugglehead.com/the-state-of-canadas-marijuana-retail-landscape/ Directors of Mugglehead own shares of Westleaf (WL) at the time of this writing. About Mugglehead Mugglehead.com is a digital publisher dedicated to cannabis news, investments, culture, and science, owned by Mugglehead Media Corp. We publish original content, including video, interviews and articles. Because many of the companies and trends we cover are related to investments and stocks within the cannabis industry, please review our disclaimer and forward-looking statements below. Original content created by Mugglehead Media Corp. 2019 is protected by copyright laws. We have lots in store for 2019 so be sure to check us out! Visit us at https://mugglehead.com daily for all things cannabis-related. 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If you ever have any questions or concerns about our business or publications, we encourage you to contact us. Option Agreement with Golden Valley Year-1 Milestone Met Enhanced Board of Directors, Corporate and Exploration Team Golden Valley Mines Ltd. Increased Ownership to 32.5% VAL-DOR, Quebec, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Val-dOr Mining Corporation (TSX-V:VZZ) (the Company) is pleased to confirm that it has fulfilled its contractual obligations in respect of the first years exploration requirements related to the Option Agreement dated April 18, 2017 with Golden Valley Mines Ltd. (TSX-V:GZZ). Option Agreement with Golden Valley Mines Ltd. The Company spent in excess of $500,000 during 2018 on related exploration expenditures on such properties that are part of the 61 properties that were optioned from Golden Valley Mines. Based on results obtained, the Company intends to continue the earn-in process. Golden Valley Mines Ltd. now owns 13,187,443 common shares of the Issuer representing approximately 32.5% of the Issuers issued and outstanding common shares. Enhanced Board of Directors, Corporate and Exploration Team During the year, Dr. C. Jens Zinke was appointed as the Companys Chief Operating Officer, Rico de Vega, CA was appointed the Companys Chief Financial Officer, and Michael P. Rosatelli, P.Geo. was appointed as the Companys Vice President Exploration. The Company also announced that Frank Mariage, a partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, was appointed a director of the Company. Mr. Mariage joined Fasken Martineaus global mining group in June 2012 and represents mining companies and guides them during the discovery, sale, and processing of mineral deposits in Canada and elsewhere. He was Chairman of the Board of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association from 2015 to 2018. Program Details Key Properties The Company concentrated its 2018 efforts on the Oregon Prospect, Magoma Prospect, and Ducros Sill Prospects, all located in northwestern Quebec. The objective was to advance each of the properties towards a drill program later in 2019, funded either internally or through a joint venture. Consequently, the Company conducted ground geophysical surveys on each of these, and other, properties. Geological and prospecting programs are planned for further ground-truthing of defined geophysical anomalies, and together with the review of the historical mineralization and exploration activity, to assist with drill target selection. Program Details Other Properties The Company carried out a reconnaissance prospecting campaign on several properties in the Chibougamau area. These properties were initially staked based on anomalies that were identified from government geophysical data sets. The results of the prospecting campaign improved the general understanding of the local geology, and the Company has identified the Bejopipa, Bearmac and Threshold 87 prospects as new priority exploration properties. In addition, the Company completed remote sensing studies and reconnaissance exploration work over various other prospects amongst the optioned groups. Prospecting of various geophysical anomalies and geological targets also caused the Company, in consultation with Golden Valley Mines Ltd., to drop 5 of the grassroots projects. About Val-dOr Mining Corporation Val-dOr Mining Corporation is a junior natural resource issuer involved in the process of exploring, evaluating and promoting its mineral property assets, most of which are situated in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Company has an expertise in the generation of new projects (project generator) and in the early stages of exploration. The mineral interests are broad and range from gold, copper-zinc-silver, nickel-copper-PGE to industrial and energy minerals. The Companys regional focus is within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of NE Ontario and NW Quebec, where it holds multiple early-stage property interests. To complement its own 100%-owned property interests, the Company entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in an additional 61 grassroots properties which are all located within this prolific mining district. Outside of its principal regional focus, the Company holds several other properties in Northern Quebec (Nunavik) covering different geological environments (Ni-Cu-PGEs). For additional information, please contact: Glenn J. Mullan 2864 chemin Sullivan Val-dOr, Quebec J9P 0B9 Tel.: 819-824-2808, x 204 Email: glenn.mullan@goldenvalleymines.com Forward Looking Statements: 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 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 realities may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM. LIVONIA, Mich., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WorkForce Software , a leading global provider of cloud-based workforce management solutions, in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) , announced today the company has received DTIs We Are Better Together award. The State of Delaware has been a WorkForce Software customer since 2014. They first selected the WorkForce Suite for its ability to meet the states varied and complex workforce management requirements across dozens of diverse agencies. The initial implementation began with 8,500 employees across five agencies and provided the state greater visibility regarding labor distribution costs, overtime, and compliance. In 2018, the state expanded its use of the WorkForce Suite to include three additional agencies: The Office of the Treasurer, the Criminal Justice Council, and the Auditor of Accounts. Choosing WorkForce Software allowed us to consolidate multiple disparate systems into one, enterprise-wide, cloud solution while integrating with Oracle PeopleSoft, said Michelle Donohue, ERP team leader, Delaware Department of Technology and Information. Because the solution is so easy to use, our team was able to do the majority of the implementation ourselves when we expanded to include three additional agencies. Throughout the process, the WorkForce Software team provided expert mentoring and guidance, supporting us in every way possible. The result was a faster, more cost-efficient implementation. The WorkForce Suite combines industry-leading, proven best practices with the flexibility to address customers' unique requirements. This approach has reduced implementation hours by 50 percent and allows large enterprise organizations, like the State of Delaware, to readily expand their technology footprint to include additional user groups for an even higher return on investment. As a trusted advisor, the WorkForce Software Customer Success team partners with leading organizations, empowering them with the agility to successfully adapt to change, said Mark Kurowski, global vice president of Customer Success and Support for WorkForce Software. Whether adding additional departments, locations, or employee groups, or accommodating new business rules or compliance regulations, our highly consultative approach helps WorkForce customers address unique requirements while maximizing the overall business value created. Related Resources: About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state's central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions. For more information, visit www.dti.delaware.gov . About WorkForce Software WorkForce Software is making work easy for the connected workforce around the globe. We provide enterprise and mid-sized organizations with real-time insights backed by pre-packaged domain expertise and proven flexibility. Our cloud workforce management solutions empower employees and managers to digitize time and labor processes, optimize demand-driven scheduling, simplify absence management and enable strategic business insight. With complete visibility across all employee groups and locations, WorkForce Software equips organizations to reduce labor costs, demonstrate compliance and boost employee engagement, all while maximizing operational efficiencies. For more information, visit workforcesoftware.com . Note to editors: WorkForce Software and its logos are trademarks registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 2019 WorkForce Software CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PATTISON Outdoor Advertising, Canadas foremost Out-of-Home advertising company officially announces the launch of its state-of-the-art BRT Passenger Information screens. This innovative transformation brings eighty-seven freestanding structures across the four new lines of Calgarys MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, providing the transit audience with timely and vital information on vehicle schedules through PATTISONs Next Bus Arrival feature. PATTISON also offers advertisers an unparalleled opportunity to target the Calgary market at large, with a combined total of 172 screens that elevate the transit experience by pairing passenger spots with relevant and valuable advertising content. Extending the mission of Calgary Transit, PATTISONs Next Bus Automated Passenger Information System (APIS) enhances the commuter experience by bringing accessible and reliable information on arriving busses, while presenting an exciting opportunity to advertisers. Measuring at 55, these vertically-oriented Outdoor displays have high viewability, offering local and national businesses the opportunity of targeting both pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Situated at outdoor bus stops, the digital passenger displays reach consumers across Calgarys greater neighbourhoods areas that were previously unreachable by other forms of media, such as the affluent suburbs along the South Crosstown MAX Teal line. The fusion of integrated design, advance passenger information, and advertising represents the future of the Out-of-Home industry, said Brian de Ruiter, Vice President and General Manager, Prairie Region, PATTISON Outdoor. We are thrilled to provide Calgary Transit with Canadas most state-of-the-art transit vehicle information system and offer advertisers the opportunity to take their advertising to a whole new level throughout the City of Calgary. Calgarys new BRT integrates with existing transit lines in Calgary, including the Bus and Light Rapid Transit (LRT) systems, both of which PATTISON represents advertising for as well. Businesses can benefit by pairing BRT passenger screens with the current Digital LRT network, along with other transit formats, for campaigns that penetrate their target audience in meaningful ways. PATTISON also offers the option to scale nationally with product offerings similar to the BRT displays in markets such as Vancouver and Montreal. About PATTISON Outdoor Advertising: PATTISON Outdoor Advertising, a division of The Jim Pattison Group is Canadas largest Out-of-Home advertising company. PATTISON Outdoor helps brands and businesses harness the power of Out-of-Home advertising by providing the most comprehensive range of products, markets, insights and customer support services. With its roots reaching back to 1908, PATTISON has been providing innovative solutions for Out-of-Home advertising opportunities with products ranging from traditional billboards to transit, digital, airport, residential, office, and street level formats. PATTISON is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and includes over 25 sales offices across the country providing advertisers unmatched reach and coverage with products available in over 200 markets coast to coast. www.pattisonoutdoor.com www.facebook.com/pattisonoutdooradvertising www.twitter.com/pattisonoutdoor www.vimeo.com/pattisonoutdoor www.instagram.com/pattisonoutdoor For more information contact: Brian de Ruiter Vice President & General Manager, Prairie Region, PATTISON Outdoor Advertising 780.669.7705 bderuiter@pattisonoutdoor.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b3ab1d93-9e1f-45cb-91cc-08af404ca647 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deer Horn Capital Inc. (CSE: DHC, OTCBB: GODYF) (the Company or Deer Horn), reports that the market for thin film solar panels is expected to grow from a current value of US$8 billion to over US$30 billion by 2024, according to a research study by Global Market Insights Inc. This rapid deployment of thin film technology is also forecast to generate steady growth in the demand for tellurium, as thin film manufacturing consumes approximately 40% of the worlds tellurium supply. Thin film panels are used primarily in commercial and utility-scale installations such as solar panel farms, large corporate installations and schools and universities. Such larger projects are generally better served by thin films advantages of lower costs, lighter weight, versatility and easier installation. Today the most preferred material for thin film solar is cadmium telluride (CdTe), which represents the second-most utilized solar cell material in the world behind silicon. Some of the worlds largest solar power installations employ CdTe modules, partly for their physical advantages but also for environmental considerations. According to industry studies, CdTe offers the smallest carbon footprint, lowest water use and shortest energy payback time of all solar technologies. As deployment of CdTe thin film photovoltaics grows, governments and industry have expressed concerns about the supply of tellurium to meet future demand. Most of the worlds tellurium comes from copper refining. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has noted that, due to declining copper grades worldwide, New copper recovery processesare being considered for implementation, but these methods do not recover tellurium. As a result, alternative sources for this critical element must be considered. In addition to thin film solar technology, growth in tellurium demand is expected to come from emerging technologies such as phase-change memory, next-generation batteries and tellurium nanoparticles used in water desalination. In its exhaustive, 862-page report titled Critical Minerals Resources of the United StatesEconomic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply published in 2017, the USGS noted that epithermal vein deposits with tellurium may offer a viable alternative for future tellurium needs. The report added: The Deer Horn intermediate-sulfidation epithermal deposit in west-central British Columbia, Canada, contains high gold and silver grades with abundant base-metal sulfides and telluride minerals. Deer Horn is unique amongst mineral exploration firms, exploring and developing the only known tellurium property with an NI 43-101 compliant silver-gold-tellurium resource. Deer Horn Capitals recent Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for gold, silver and tellurium production at the Deer Horn property outlined a small mine operation to extract the metals economically over a nine-year mine life, based on a small portion of the known mineralized extent. Our intent with the Deer Horn property is to generate a small footprint, but a big impression, said Deer Horns President and CEO Tyrone Docherty. We are working under a strategy of putting the mine into production initially on a small scale, engaging and working closely with local First Nations. Considering the PEAs forecast post-tax IRR of 42% and rapid payback of 1.6 years, we believe we can use project-generated cash and intelligence to explore and scale up the operation slowly and responsibly. The PEA confirms that the mineralization is open to the east and west and also at depth. Details of the Deer Horn gold-silver-tellurium PEA can be accessed on the Companys website here . Our plans for 2019 are to complete the recommended Phase 1 work to advance the Deer Horn property to pre-feasibility, added Docherty. This would include additional mapping and exploration drilling. Docherty added: Due to Deer Horns first mover status for tellurium exploration, weve been contacted by companies with other tellurium properties in North America, as well as by tellurium end users. We are looking seriously at other acquisitions to expand our tellurium portfolio. About Deer Horn Capital Deer Horn Capital is committed to exploring for, and providing, strategic and critical metals vital to a low-carbon economy and for the advancement of technology. Presently focused on the extremely rare metal tellurium, Deer Horn is advancing a 51-square kilometer land package that hosts North Americas only known mineral property with a certified NI 43-101 tellurium resource. The Companys leadership has a track record of project monetization with a board and advisory group that includes industry leaders in finance, mineral property development, geology, mineralogy, solar power, engineering, research and First Nations engagement and economic development. On behalf of the board of directors of Deer Horn Capital Inc. Tyrone Docherty Tyrone Docherty President and CEO For further information please contact: Tyrone Docherty 604.789.5653 tyrone@deerhorncapital.ca Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking information All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Companys control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CUV Ventures Corp. (TSX-V: CUV) (the Company) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Grupo Eficacia, headquartered in Guatemala and, a major supplier of consumer goods at 650 retail outlets in Guatemala, San Salvador and, Nicaragua. The scope of the MOU is to permit RevoluPAY app users and, remittance beneficiaries, in the three cited countries, to utilize the RevoluPAY app as a direct payment medium for retail items in supermarkets, pharmacies and, other retail stores, within the 650 retail outlets served by Grupo Eficacia in Guatemala, San Salvador, and Nicaragua. Management will be visiting Guatemala next month to, establish the technical requirements, visit some of the retail outlets and, sign the definitive agreement (DA) with Grupo Eficacia. About Grupo Eficacia Grupo Eficacia was incorporated in June of 2005. It currently has offices in three Central American countries and, its goal is to have a presence throughout the whole region by 2020. The company focuses on the sale of consumer products and, corporate services, for multinational companies, by distributing products via distribution channels, including supermarket chains, pharmacies and, retail stores, throughout the region (over +650 points of sale). The MOU was signed by Mr. Victor Leiva, CFO and, Founder, of Grupo Eficacia. Mr. Leiva currently oversees 3 headquarters within the region (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua). He chairs the board of directors for four companies, which focus on the distribution of substantial consumer products, marketing and, corporate services. He oversees more than 500 employees that serve across 650 points of sale, has extensive business relationships with companies that have large chains of stores in Central and South America and, is a member of the association of corporate managers in Guatemala. Focus of the Grupo Eficacia MOU The company has explained to shareholders that the iOS and Android powered RevoluPAY app has three clear objectives. The first is as a centralized payment hub for all of the companys various verticals. The second is as a means by which users can send and, receive, remittances worldwide, exemplified by the current 73 country bank remittance points. The third is to empower remittance beneficiaries with the ability to pay, using the app directly, in countries that receive high volumes of remittances. Todays MOU focuses upon point three and, expects to allow a wide usage of the app for direct payments in supermarkets, pharmacies and, retail outlets in major cities and towns in Guatemala, San Salvador, and Nicaragua. The three cited nations receive, collectively, approximately 15 billion USD in remittances annually. The acceptance of RevoluPAY in these retail outlets will allow the business owners to receive direct payment while assuming a lower processing cost than the major competing electronic payment mediums available today. Furthermore, the app user or, remittance beneficiary, will see a 1:1 currency value when using the app directly to pay for consumer retail items, largely because the processing costs are covered by the retail stores. The company wishes to send a message to app users in these nations and, worldwide that, it is more economically favorable to use RevoluPAY to pay for consumer goods, groceries and, retail items, directly with the app, than extracting remittance monies in cash and, then proceeding to use the said cash for retail purchases. The planned and expanding network of retail stores that decide to accept RevoluPAY for payment, will ensure a venerable network of locations, where RevoluPAY app users or, remittance beneficiaries, can seamlessly shop at selected affiliated outlets, maximizing their remittance monies, while benefiting from zero fees for the app user. As explained in the 20th December 2018 news release, the company is working towards similar accords in Mexico, Uruguay and, Colombia at this time. RevoluPAY e-Wallet linked Prepaid Visa The company received, ahead of schedule, the first batch of RevoluPAY physical international visa cards on January 28th, 2019. The Pre-Paid Visa allows RevoluPAY app users an added layer of financial autonomy, in those locations where NFC enabled POS devices and ATMs, for which RevoluPAY is already enabled, are not yet operational. Worldwide Card Holders will be able to transfer funds to/from their RevoluPAY visa directly from within the app. RevoluVIP International Inc. The Canadian wholly owned subsidiary of the RevoluVIP Club and, membership platform, is pleased to announce that its partner, and wholly owned CUV subsidiary, Travelucion S.L, has received final technical certification from Constellation Software Inc. subsidiary, Juniper, for the sale of worldwide hotels through the GDS based XML system. The company expects RevoluVIP International Inc. to begin imminently generating revenue, through RevoluVIP membership dues. The companys IT team are now concluding: Flight, Cruise, Excursion and, Car Rental integration, which is expected to be concluded in the coming weeks. RevoluFIN Inc. - The Panamanian wholly owned subsidiary was approved for operations on 23rd November 2018. RevoluFIN has now selected a series of loans for which it is satisfied with the terms. The company holds a bank account with Tower Bank, Panama City, Republic of Panama, which, pending receipt of several final documents from Canada, duly legalized by the Panamanian consulate in Toronto, the account will be fully active and, full commercial activities will commence. About CUV Ventures Corp.: CUV Ventures Corp. is a multi-asset, multidivisional publicly traded Canadian company deploying advanced technologies in the; Online Travel, Vacation Resort, Mobile Apps, Money Remittance, Mobile phone top-ups, Invoice factoring, Blockchain Systems, and Fintech app sectors. Our flagship technology is RevoluPAY, the Apple and Android multinational leisure payments and remittance app, powered by blockchain protocols, and aimed at the worldwide + $595 billion family remittance market. Click here to read more. For further information on CUV Ventures Corp. (TSX-V: CUV) visit the Companys website at www.cuvventures.com. The Company has approximately 129,088,000 shares issued and outstanding. CUV VENTURES CORP. STEVE MARSHALL ______________________________ Steve Marshall CEO For further information contact myself or: Nick Findler CUV Ventures Corp. Telephone: 604-639-3850 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@cuvventures.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patriot One Technologies Inc. (TSX.V: PAT) (OTCQX: PTOTF) (FRANKFURT: 0PL) (Patriot One or the Company), maker of the award-winning PATSCAN threat detection system, is pleased to announce it has entered into a binding operating agreement in respect of the creation of a new Joint Venture (JV) to commercialize a technology for the stand-off detection of explosives and other threats such as chemical and biological agents as well as illicit narcotics, which has been branded as PATSCAN MCS (multi-chemical sensor). The JV is between Patriot One and Nano-Bio Detection Systems LLC (Nano-Bio), a Wyoming company that holds licensed technology from the University of Texas used for the detection of airborne molecules. Applications of the Nano-Bio technology are proposed to include remote detection of explosive compounds and related substances vital to threat detection. As its initial contribution for a 50% interest in the JV, Nano-Bio has granted the JV a license to develop and commercialize the technology for applications relating to defense, security, prohibited substance detection and law enforcement. Highlights of this innovative technology include: Ability to function covertly in non-invasive deployments and sample at distance employing IoT enabled hardware. Operation as a stand-alone solution or integrated with related threat detection systems. Stand-off mass casualty threat detection capability for both military and civilian applications. Designed to detect airborne trace chemicals with a parts-per-trillion sensitivity, enabling the identification of explosives, chemical warfare agents, volatile organics, nerve agents and narcotics. Features a robust, scalable sensor array amenable to mass-production. Multiple pending patents, with additional patent submissions anticipated within 12 months. This joint venture is an exciting undertaking, said Martin Cronin, President and CEO of Patriot One. Our company has been searching for and evaluating innovations in threat detection for inclusion in our multi-sensor PATSCAN platform and this chemical threat detection technology is truly game-changing. I have no doubt that it will save lives both on the battlefield and in our cities. The joint venture will engage Craig Micklich, founding CEO of Nano-Bio, to act as the CEO of the JV entity called Sotech Secure, LLC (Sotech) and lead its product development team. Prior to Nano-Bio, Craig Micklich served as Senior Vice President, Financial Services with Morgan Stanley. In addition, he served 13 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL. Mr. Micklich earned his B.B.A. and M.B.A. from National University. Patriot One was a natural partner for us, as our vision and mission are completely aligned, said Mr. Micklich. My service in the U.S. military taught me that forewarned is forearmed, and I expect this stand-off threat detection capability will be a life saver for our general public and military personnel. I am excited to join forces with Patriot One, a global leader that is advancing threat detection innovations for public safety. The JV will also engage Dr. Shalini Prasad of the University of Texas as a strategic and technical advisor. Dr. Prasad is currently the Director of the Biomedical Microdevices and Nanotechnology Laboratory and a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering graduate program at the University of Texas at Dallas since 2011. She also holds an adjunct appointment in the department of Physics at Portland State University. She received her bachelors degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the University of Madras, India in 2001 and obtained her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Riverside in 2004. Transaction Details In consideration of the grant of the exclusive technology license to the JV, Patriot One will pay Nano-Bio up to US$3,000,000 as follows: (1) US$1,000,000 following execution of the Agreement, (2) US$1,000,000 on or before March 2, 2019; and (3) US$1,000,000 upon the completion by the JV of transactions resulting in an injection of non-debt working capital (i.e.: revenue) of greater than US$1,000,000. Patriot One will fund the initial research and product development expenses subject to board approvals and a mutually agreed option whereby Nano-Bio may increase its interest in the joint venture up to 70% within 18 months of the effective date of the Agreement in consideration of a payment to Patriot One equal to 100% of all development expenses to-date. If exercised, all future funding obligations between Patriot One and Nano-Bio would be on a pro rata (30%-70%, respectively) basis. Pursuant to the Agreement, Sotech will pay two net profit royalties, one to Nano-Bio in the amount of 20%, and one to the University of Texas in the amount of 2.5%. The Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants concerning confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition, as well as certain supporting provisions customary for an agreement of this nature. As part of its ongoing public company disclosure obligations, details regarding the terms and conditions of its agreements are regularly filed on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) for public review. Cantech Investment Conference Patriot Ones Martin Cronin will be sharing highlights of the joint venture between Patriot One and Nano-Bio during his presentation at the 2019 CANTECH Investment Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The presentation will be at 4:10pm EST on Tuesday, January 29th at the at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. On Behalf of the Board, Martin Cronin Martin Cronin, Chief Executive Officer About Patriot One Technologies, Inc. (TSX.V:PAT) (OTCQX: PTOTF) (FRA: 0PL): Patriot One is the developer of the PATSCAN next generation software and sensor solutions for the covert detection of weapons threats. Designed as an innovative and effective platform to combat active shooter threats before they occur, the system features the award-winning PATSCAN CMR cognitive microwave radar system. Built for cost-effective deployment in weapon-restricted buildings and facilities, the Patriot One software solution and related hardware systems can be installed at key access points to covertly identify weapons and to alert security for the intervention of active threat events before they commence. Owner/operators of private and public facilities can now prominently post anti-weapons policies with compliance assured. The Companys motto Deter, Detect and Defend is based on the belief that widespread use of its technology will act as an effective deterrent, thereby diminishing the epidemic phenomena of active shooters across the globe. For more information, visit: www.patriot1tech.com . Patriot One Technologies are proud winners of the 2017 Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection category of the Security Industry Associations New Product Showcase Awards at ISC West. For further information, please contact: Patriot One Inquiries info@patriot1tech.com www.patriot1tech.com Investor Relations John Martin +1 (888) 728-1332 johnm@patriot1tech.com Media Contacts: Scott Ledingham, PR Media Now +1-613-806-7135 scott@prmedianow.com CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: No Securities Exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, licensing, commercialization and regulatory compliance issues and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects, believes, and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to satisfy the conditions of the relevant securities exchange(s) and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Highlights: New drilling at Gran Bestia significantly expands the Cangrejos Project with a second deposit Long intervals of mineralization in the first three holes Additional drilling is underway to continue delineation of the deposit Continued successful drilling at the Cangrejos Deposit Hole C18-97: 536 metres of mineralization over 556 metres Hole C18-95: 560 metres of mineralization over 630 metres VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) (OTCQX: LMGDF) (the Company or Lumina) is pleased to announce additional drill results from the Cangrejos resource infill, step-out and depth extension program as well as the initial drilling of the Gran Bestia exploration target to the northwest. These eight holes (C18-93 to 100) represent the most recent results from the 2018 drilling, which has totaled approximately 12,800 metres over 32 holes. The results include three holes from Gran Bestia, which in addition to the five holes previously drilled by Newmont Mining confirm the existence of a satellite deposit not included in the current NI 43-101 resource estimate at Cangrejos. The Company also completed seven holes and approximately 2,300 metres of geotechnical and metallurgical drilling. The addition of Gran Bestia to Cangrejos is significant and could substantially increase the scale of the current inferred mineral resource estimate of 8.5 million ounces of gold(1). The deposit has the potential to add to the 16 year mine life, increase the 373 koz of annual gold production or improve both. Additional drilling through the first half of 2019 will further enhance our understanding of the satellite deposit, said Marshall Koval, President, CEO and Director. The inferred mineral resource estimate has an average grade of 0.65 grams per tonne of gold. Details of the current inferred mineral resource estimate at the Cangrejos Project are set out in the current technical report for the Cangrejos Project, titled Cangrejos Gold-Copper Project Ecuador NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment, with an effective date of June 27, 2018, as filed on the Companys SEDAR profile. Two drill rigs are currently working at the Cangrejos Project, with two more expected to arrive at site in February. In 2019, Lumina plans to drill approximately 7,000 metres in 23 holes for resource in-fill and exploration at the Cangrejos Deposit and approximately 5,200 metres in 13 holes at the Gran Bestia Deposit. Lumina intends to release an updated resource estimate in the second half of 2019 that will incorporate all of the 2018 and 2019 drilling. The resource estimate update will feature a maiden resource at the Gran Bestia Deposit as well as an updated resource for the Cangrejos Deposit, which will incorporate both expansion and infill drilling. In addition, a significant drilling program to provide metallurgical test materials and oriented core for engineering studies is also planned for the first half of 2019. One drill rig will be dedicated to large-diameter (PQ) core drilling. Geotechnical drilling over eight holes for pit slope design is planned and select geotechnical holes will also serve as locations for pump tests and installation of monitoring wells to support hydrogeological studies. Approximately 1,800 kilograms of material from 2018 drilling has now arrived in Lima for metallurgical testing at the C.H. Plenge & CIA S.A. lab (C.H. Plenge). The metallurgical testing program is scheduled to be completed by Q3 2019. Lumina plans on shipping 2,000 kilograms of whole PQ core to FLSmidth Labs in Utah for the high pressure grinding role tests and a representative subsample of 200 kilograms to C.H. Plenge for continued metallurgical work. Drill Result Summary Cangrejos Deposit Holes C18-95, 97 and 99, drilled in the southwest of the deposit all cut zones of significant mineralization. Hole C18-97 is one of the best holes drilled to date at the Cangrejos Project, with mineralization over almost its entire 556-metre length. Holes C18-93 and 94 were step-out holes drilled on the southeastern flank of the main resource and intersected several intervals of mineralization. Gran Bestia Deposit Holes C18-96, 98 and 100 were the first three holes drilled at Gran Bestia since Newmont Mining drilled five holes in 1999. Holes C18-96 and 98, were drilled first due to logistical reasons and were located near the southeast margins of the large rock and soil geochemical anomaly which delineates Gran Bestia. Both holes returned long intervals of significant grade mineralization. C18-100 is located more central to the anomaly and cut a long intersection from surface. Drill Intercept Summary Hole Number Deposit From To Interval Au Grade Cu Grade Azimuth Dip Type (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (%) () () C18-93 Cangrejos 34 56 22 0.45 0.09 150 -75 Step-out And 66 78 12 0.29 0.11 And 90 130 40 0.29 0.23 And 144 180 36 0.38 0.20 And 192 224 32 0.23 0.06 And 242 270 28 0.61 0.11 C18-94 Cangrejos 22 58 36 0.21 0.10 150 -75 Step-out And 120 132 12 0.28 0.09 C18-95 Cangrejos 12 48 36 0.58 0.11 330 -57 Infill And 60 98 38 0.99 0.17 And 108 148 40 0.26 0.05 And 170 536 366 0.64 0.15 Incl 176 222 46 1.30 0.26 Incl 314 336 22 1.74 0.23 And 550 630 80 0.42 0.13 C18-96 Gran Bestia 0 14 14 0.25 0.03 330 -60 Expl. And 44 54 10 0.32 0.07 And 118 260 142 0.48 0.08 C18-97 Cangrejos 2 296 294 0.85 0.25 330 -47 Infill Incl 6 108 102 1.53 0.43 Incl 150 202 52 1.14 0.36 And 314 556 242 0.66 0.09 Incl 320 378 58 1.32 0.11 C18-98 Gran Bestia 0 124 124 0.27 0.04 330 -60 Expl. And 176 192 16 0.52 0.06 And 248 408 160 0.93 0.13 Incl 266 362 96 1.33 0.15 C18-99 Cangrejos 0 92 92 0.54 0.24 330 -47 Infill Incl 46 74 28 1.10 0.44 And 128 138 10 0.25 0.09 And 150 222 72 0.24 0.07 C18-100 Gran Bestia 0 262 262 0.44 0.12 330 -45 Expl. Incl 0 30 30 0.63 0.16 Incl 242 262 20 0.94 0.09 And 274 300 26 0.41 0.10 And 414 436 22 0.32 0.05 Note: Intervals in the reported holes are calculated using a cut-off of 0.2 g/t Au with maximum internal dilution of ten continuous metres. The highest gold value used in the reported weighted averages is 14.95 g/t Au. Above cut-off intervals of less than 10 m are not reported. In addition to the above results there were multiple intercepts of lower-grade material in the drill holes. Drill Hole Location Map is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b43ee06-c51b-48da-9a0c-0e60f5b28086 Quality Assurance All Lumina sample assay results have been independently monitored through a quality control / quality assurance ("QA/QC") program including the insertion of blind standards, blanks and pulp and reject duplicate samples. Logging and sampling are completed at Luminas secure facility located at the Cangrejos Project. Drill core is sawn in half on site and half drill-core samples are securely transported to ALS Lab's sample preparation facility in Quito, Ecuador. Sample pulps are sent to Lima, Peru for analysis. Gold content is determined by fire assay of a 30 gram charge with total copper content determined by four-acid digestion with ICP finish. ALS Labs is independent from Lumina. Lumina is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. Qualified Persons Leo Hathaway, P.Geo, Senior Vice President of Lumina and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for the Cangrejos Project has reviewed, verified and approved the contents of this news release. About Lumina Gold Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on the Cangrejos Gold-Copper Project located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador. Lumina has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects. Further details are available on the Companys website at https://luminagold.com/. LUMINA GOLD CORP. For further information contact: Signed: Marshall Koval Scott Hicks shicks@luminagold.com Marshall Koval, President & CEO, Director T: +1 604 646 1890 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to 2019 drilling plans, two additional drilling rigs expected to arrive at site in February, that Gran Bestia will add to the existing resource, mine life or annual production rate at the Cangrejos Project, that the Company will release an updated resource estimate in the second half of 2019, that the metallurgical testing program will be completed by Q3 2019, that Lumina plans on shipping 2,000 kilograms of whole PQ core to FLSmidth Labs in Utah for the high pressure grinding role tests and a representative subsample of 200 kilograms to C.H. Plenge for continued metallurgical work, and that the updated resource estimate will feature a maiden resource at the Gran Bestia Deposit as well as an updated resource for the Cangrejos Deposit, which will incorporate both expansion and infill drilling. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as will, plans, may, intends or variations of those words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will, or are expected to be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Companys continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. VANCOUVER, B.C., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VR Resources Ltd. (TSX.V: VRR, FSE: 5VR; OTCBB: VRRCF), the "Company", or VR, is pleased to announce that the recently completed reconnaissance diamond drill program at its Junction property has intersected a continuous potassic alteration facies as host to numerous granite dykes with copper and silver. This confirms a new Cretaceous porphyry copper system in Nevada, and advances exploration at Junction. Copper mineralization in drill hole GR-18-001 is associated with a high resistivity potassic alteration zone with hydrothermal magnetite. Based on this drilling, the Company will focus on three anomalies along the 6 km trend of copper-bearing dykes at Junction in 2019 (Figure 1): Well defined resistivity high anomaly in the central part of the mineralized dyke swarm at Granite Mountain at the eastern end of the trend (Figure 2). The correlation of copper to high resistivity is shown in Figure 3; Well defined IP chargeability anomaly and associated high resistivity anomaly east of mineralized dykes at Denio Summit at the western end of the trend (Figure 4); Large, circular magnetic high anomaly with peripheral surface copper showings at Lone Mountain in the central part of the trend, and (Figure 5). The Company will evaluate and plan for detailed induced polarization (IP) geophysics over all three of the specific targets in order to map potential sulfide in the sub-surface, and prioritize follow-up drilling. Summary of Drilling The 2018 drill program was reconnaissance in nature. Two drill holes were completed at either end of the 6 km trend of copper-silver bearing dykes at Junction; one for 422 m at Granite Mountain and one for 309 metres at Denio Summit (Figure 1). A total of 114 samples of drill core were submitted for geochemical analyses. All data have been received by the Company. Exploration will continue at Junction in 2019 because drilling has confirmed numerous key attributes of porphyry-style copper mineralization and mineral alteration throughout drill hole GR-18-001 at Granite Mountain, including: The first occurrence of copper mineralization is near-surface , at 19.45 metres; , at 19.45 metres; Copper is widespread , with a total of 21 discrete occurrences of copper sulfide (Figure 2); , with a total of discrete occurrences of copper sulfide (Figure 2); Granite dykes which host copper are abundant, with more than 43 discrete occurrences (Figure 2); which host copper are abundant, with more than 43 discrete occurrences (Figure 2); Chalcopyrite copper sulfide occurs as interstitial blebs in potassically altered granite dykes (Photo 1), and as porphyry-style quartz-sulfide veins in both granite dykes and host orthogneiss (Photo 2); and as in granite dykes and host orthogneiss (Photo 2); Granite dykes with copper are commonly quartz rich, pegmatitic, and quartz veined (Photo 3); Assay data confirm a strong correlation of silver and copper mineralization evident in the geochemical data from more than 100 surface samples along the 6 km trend (Figure3). For example, a 0.74 m sample across the granite the granite dyke in Photo 1 contains 0.92 % copper and 8.2 g/t silver; evident in the geochemical data from more than 100 surface samples along the 6 km trend (Figure3). For example, a 0.74 m sample across the granite the granite dyke in Photo 1 contains 0.92 % copper and 8.2 g/t silver; A potassic mineral alteration assemblage is consistent in the concentration of granite dykes, characterized by coarse grained, hydrothermal potassium feldspar, biotite and magnetite; is consistent in the concentration of granite dykes, characterized by coarse grained, hydrothermal potassium feldspar, biotite and magnetite; Calc-potassic mineral alteration of the orthogneiss which hosts the granite dykes is both extensive and pervasive, starting at 120 metres and continuous to the bottom of the hole (Figure 2); Photo 4 shows the complete textural destruction of the normally well-banded orthogneiss at Junction by this alteration. VRs CEO, Dr. Michael Gunning emphasized today the upside potential of the porphyry-style potassic alteration and copper mineralization discovered in this drill program lies in its age. The Junction property is hosted within a polyphase, middle Cretaceous batholith. It is the same age as the Robinson porphyry copper deposit at Ely in east-central Nevada, with a history that dates back to 1876. Still in production today, KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. operates a large-scale open pit mine to recover copper, gold and molybdenum for export. We will advance the Junction project in 2019 based on the porphyry-style mineralization discovered by this drilling, the obvious exploration vectors using resistivity mapping, and the knowledge that we have a proven and significant analogue of the same age along trend to the southeast at Ely. Please see the Companys website at www.vrr.ca for more complete information on the Junction property, including regional maps and property photos. About the Junction Property The Junction property is located in Humboldt County, near the Nevada Oregon border, immediately east of Highway 140. The nearby town of Denio Junction is less than 6 kilometres to the north, and facilitates effective and cost-efficient field exploration programs. The Company has expertise to leverage and synergies to exploit at Junction by applying its exploration experience during the past four years at its nearby Bonita porphyry copper-gold project. The Junction property consists of 149 claims covering approximately 3,034 acres (1,227 hectares) within an area of approximately 7.5 by 3 kilometres. The property is on land administered by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and is not impacted by the sage grouse protection program. The property is owned 100% by VR, registered to the Companys wholly-owned, Nevada-registered US subsidiary Renntiger Resources USA Ltd. Certain claims in the western and eastern part of the property were acquired from a third party and are subject to a royalty; the remaining claims were staked directly by VR. There are no other carried interests, joint venture interests, or back-in rights to any mineral claims at Junction. Copper-silver mineralization has been sampled at surface along a 6 kilometre trend at Junction, in coarse-grained quartz-feldspar granite dykes hosted in quartz diorite orthogneiss within a sheared, polyphase Cretaceous batholith. Bornite-chalcopyrite copper sulfide aggregates contain micro-inclusions of silver, resulting in a nearly 1:1 correlation of copper and silver in assay data from more than 100 samples. The correlation does not vary along the 6 kilometre trend, nor does it vary depending on the copper grade of a sample, or the ratio of copper sulfide versus oxide. Technical Information Summary technical information on the geology of the Junction Property is available at the Companys website at www.vrr.ca . VR submits geochemical samples to the ALS Global (ALS) laboratory facilities in Reno, Nevada, with final analytical work done at the ALS laboratories located in Vancouver, BC., including ICP-MS analyses for base metals and trace elements, and gold determination by atomic absorption assay. Analytical results are subject to industry-standard and NI 43-101 compliant QAQC sample procedures at the laboratory, as described by ALS. Technical information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101. Justin Daley, P.Geo., Principal Geologist at VR and a non-independent Qualified Person oversees all aspects of the Companys mineral exploration at Junction. The content of this news release has been reviewed on behalf of the Company by the CEO, Dr. Michael Gunning, P.Geo., a non-independent Qualified Person. About VR Resources VR is an emerging junior exploration company in the copper-gold space (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR; OTCBB: VRRCF). The diverse experience and proven track record of its Board in early-stage exploration and discovery is the foundation of VR. The Company is focused on exploring large copper-gold mineral systems in the western United States. VR is the continuance of 4 years of active exploration in Nevada by a Vancouver-based private exploration company. VR is well financed for its exploration strategy focused on three core assets: the Bonita, Junction and Danbo properties. VR owns its exploration assets outright and evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, whether by staking or acquisition. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Michael H. Gunning _____________________________ Dr. Michael H. Gunning, PhD, PGeo President & CEO For general information please use the following: Website: www.vrr.ca Email: info@vrr.ca Phone: 604-262-1104 Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, and similar expressions or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward looking statements in this release include but are not limited to: evaluate and plan for detailed induced polarization (IP) geophysics; map potential sulfide in the sub-surface, and prioritize follow-up drilling. Although the Company believes that the use of such statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Companys public disclosure filings are available at www.sedar.com ; readers are urged to review these materials. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Attachments English Lithuanian Maxima Grupes company Maxima International Sourcing will begin operations from the start of February, providing agency services to the groups retail chains in the Baltics, Poland and Bulgaria, developing private label brands, and engaging in wholesale trade. As CEO, the companys Board has appointed Tomas Palevicius, who since last spring has been Chief Commercial Officer at Franmax. Tomas Palevicius has over 20 years of experience in retail and wholesale trade. Before joining Maxima Grupe, he worked for more than 9 years at Kotryna Group, an operator of retail stores for children throughout the Baltic countries. There he served as head of sales for the Baltics and a board member. With the geography of Maxima Grupes operations growing, negotiations with large international suppliers are becoming ever more important. The main priority of the newly established company is to effectively consolidate purchasing from our partners and ensure goods are acquired in different markets on the most attractive terms so we can offer good prices to customers. We are also open for cooperation with other trading companies in negotiating with large suppliers, Mr Palevicius says. The Board of Maxima International Sourcing includes Maximas chief commercial officers for the Baltics Vilma Druliene (MAXIMA LT), Viktors Troicins (MAXIMA Latvija) and Kristina Mustonen (MAXIMA EESTI) and Gintaras Jasinskas, who is responsible for commercial projects in Poland and Bulgaria. The Chairwoman of the Board is Maxima Grupes Chief Commercial Officer Ieva Lauraityte. Upon its establishment, the company will have 125 employees. It is planned that within the coming several months the number of employees will exceed 140. Maxima Grupe announced its decision to establish Maxima International Sourcing last fall. The company is being created by separating off activities of Franmax, which has provided franchise and agency services for the groups companies, aiming to refine and strengthen international purchasing competencies. After the reorganization, two companies will continue to operate: FRANMAX UAB and the separated-off MAXIMA International Sourcing UAB. Franmax will continue to provide franchise and support services for the groups companies in the areas of IT, supply-chain and store development. Contact person: Ugne Bartasiute, Account Executive, Corporate Communication at MAXIMA GRUPE, UAB, +370 614 74046, ugne.bartasiute@maximagrupe.eu Latest Project in Denver Marks Third Collaboration Amongst Companies Demonstrates Increased Value Prescient Brings to Each Stage of Construction Process DURHAM, N.C. and GOLDEN, Colo. and AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CFC Construction, Cypress Real Estate Advisors and Prescient today announced a collaboration whereby CFC Construction and Cypress Real Estate Advisors will utilize Prescients digital thread for Denargo Phase III. Denargo Phase III is the third phase of developments in the Denargo area of Denver for Cypress, and Prescients fully integrated BIM design and building platform will dramatically reduce the time and cost of construction. Denargo Phase III marks the third project in the Denver area in which CFC Construction and Cypress Residential have employed Prescients Digital Thread. This project, on a 2.5-acre site, is a 337-unit apartment building with a garage for more than 400 cars, approximately 10,000 square feet of retail space and 8,000 square feet of restaurant space in the RiNos Denargo Market area. CFC Construction, Cypress and Prescient have collaborated on a number of projects, strengthening their integrated approach that leverages Prescients proprietary software and hardware platform to deliver even greater value to clients. Previous projects include 13th & Delaware Apartments and Jefferson View Apartments, which have served as the prototype for Prescients latest innovation: external sheathing. CFC Construction collaborated with Prescient to develop and implement this first in the nation use of Prescients innovative external sheathing system. This advancement means that external panels are finished at the same rate that Prescient completes construction on each floor, allowing other trades that require a dried-in environment to start working sooner, therefore saving months on the overall project schedule. I am thrilled to be able to work with Prescient once again on another exciting new development in the Denver area, said Chase Hill, Denver Partner for Cypress Real Estate Advisors. We choose to partner with Prescient for a number of reasons, including the speed in which they deliver on site, the efficiency of their design and the environmental benefits. At Jefferson View, we were able to complete 248 units on a 0.8 acre site which would not have been possible with concrete. Additionally, Prescient projects produce minimal waste, which helps us to earn an NGBS certification. We always look forward to our collaboration with the Prescient team, and the speed and ease at which they help us to complete our projects. We have a proven track record of success when we collaborate with Prescient, said EJ Olbright, Chief Executive Officer of CFC Construction. We started our first project with Prescient at the request of Cypress. We soon discovered the value and many benefits of working with their digital technology platform, including the increased speed and precision manufactured products. We were impressed when Prescient finished their work eight weeks ahead of schedule on the 13th & Delaware Apartments, which allows us to further compress other trades schedules. We continue to apply lessons learned from each project on to the next one, and we are implementing many advancements in timing and efficiency at Denargo Phase III. Thats also why we pushed them to develop the external sheathing for Jefferson View. Working with Prescient is a huge advantage in the construction industry, and we look forward to beginning this new project together soon. It has been a pleasure to work on consecutive projects in the Denver area with both Cypress and CFC Construction, said Magued Eldaief, Chief Executive Officer of Prescient. Theyve challenged us to innovate on our approach and ultimately deliver the overall project much faster, with closer integration and collaboration among key subcontractors. There is no doubt we improve as a team with each new project. Along with this, both CFC and Cypress capture additional soft benefits of working with our team, including compressed and predictable schedules, faster time to both market and rental income and increased efficiency in designs yielding greater income per acre. Denargo Phase III will be our 19th development in the Denver area and once again validates the unique value proposition of our technology and its growth potential in additional U.S. markets. To date, Prescient has completed 35 buildings for a total of 5.5M square feet of construction with another 4.7M under development. Prescient has active projects underway or completed in 16 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Since Prescients founding here in Denver in 2012, the platform has been utilized for eleven finished buildings, eight in-progress projects and soon Denargo Phase III, accounting for more than 2.9 million square feet of construction in the Denver area. CFC Construction has delivered comprehensive and reliable preconstruction and construction services in Colorado for over 40 years. From the Front Range to the mountains, experience, professionalism and dedication to our clients has earned CFC success in project delivery and client loyalty. We are proud to continue our partnership with Prescient and Cypress Real Estate Advisors. About Prescient The foundation for Prescients revolution is a standardized light gauge framing system that utilizes proprietary software applications which create a design and construction platform. Prescients proprietary software utilizes a Digital Thread that connects projects from the initial architectural design through the finished building. Prescients precision manufacturing technology, including robotics, laser-cutting systems and state-of-the-art numerically controlled flexible manufacturing systems, creates a seamless approach, meaning higher productivity, higher quality, fewer last-minute conflicts on site, less waste, shorter schedules and a better ROI. Bringing the Digital World to the Physical World. The Prescient Digital Thread is based on a model-centric design and planning platform that liberates project stakeholders to plan better and execute better. Our thread connects projects from the initial architectural design through the finished building. As a result, a project is no longer a series of isolated steps with familiar breakdowns and gaps. Instead, it becomes an orderly progression through a repeatable flow, connecting developer, designers, suppliers and contractors at every step. This seamless approach means higher productivity, higher quality, fewer last-minute conflicts on site, less waste, shorter schedules and a better ROI. Integrated Manufacturing. Prescient uses precision manufacturing technology including robotics, laser cutting systems and state-of-the-art numerically controlled flexible manufacturing systems to deliver buildings with very tight tolerances, comparable to the automotive industry. Prescients digital thread integrates planning & design with manufacturing & installation. Established in 2012, Prescient is aiming for nothing less than a revolution in the way buildings take shape through new levels of cost efficiency, environmental sustainability and quality of outcome for all participants. Prescients platform ensures buildings perform better, cost less and take less time to build by employing a digital thread for leading-edge integrated design, engineering, manufacturing & installation. We are Prescient. Our mission is Attainable Housing for All and we are achieving that by Revolutionizing The Building Environment. For more information, visit the company website , Twitter feed or Facebook page . Media Contact, for Prescient Blair Hennessy, Abernathy MacGregor 212-371-5999 bth@abmac.com CFC Construction Contact: Sean Smith, Business Development Manager 303-277-8600 Sean.smith@cfcc.com WINNEMUCCA, Nev., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSE American: PZG) ("Paramount or the Company) announced today that holders of 1,045,000 stock purchase warrants (Warrants) issued in connection with the Companys private placement completed in February 2017 were exercised for gross proceeds of approximately $972,000. In considering various options to raise additional capital, the Companys Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interest of the Company to pursue resetting the exercise price of the Warrants to incentivize holders of the Warrants to exercise prior to their expiry of February 13, 2019. With an original exercise price of $2.25, the warrants exercise price was reset by the Companys Independent Committee using a recent closing share price of the Companys common stock. The holders of the warrants were offered a limited time to exercise at the reset price. All the Warrants issued and outstanding were exercised. Glen Van Treek, CEO and President, commented, We were very pleased to see all the outstanding warrants from our February 2017 private placement exercised. This demonstrates continued support from our long-term investors, including our major shareholders FCMI and Seabridge Gold, as we progress permitting at our Grassy Mountain Project. To stay informed of future press releases, subscribe to our E-Alerts Program and to learn more about our projects visit the projects section of our website . About Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. Paramount Gold Nevada is a U.S. based precious metals exploration and development company. Paramounts strategy is to create shareholder value through exploring and developing its mineral properties and to realize this value for its shareholders in three ways: by selling its assets to established producers; entering into joint ventures with producers for construction and operation; or constructing and operating mines for its own account. Paramount owns 100% of the Grassy Mountain Gold Project which consists of approximately 11,000 acres located on private and BLM land in Malheur County, Oregon. The Grassy Mountain Gold Project contains a gold-silver deposit (100% located on private land) for which results of a positive PFS have been released and key permitting milestones accomplished (see press release dated May 24, 2018). Additionally, Paramount owns a 100% interest in the Sleeper Gold Project located in Northern Nevada. The Sleeper Gold Project, which includes the former producing Sleeper mine, totals 2,322 unpatented mining claims (approximately 60 square miles or 15,500 hectares). Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements This release and related documents may include "forward-looking statements" and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) pursuant to applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. Paramounts future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although these words may not be present in all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to: production estimates and assumptions, including production rate and grade per tonne; revenue, cash flow and cost estimates and assumptions; statements with respect to future events or future performance; anticipated exploration, development, permitting and other activities on the Grassy Mountain project; the economics of the Grassy Mountain project, including the potential for improving project economics and finding more ore to extend mine life; and mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conclusions made in the PFS; the quantity and grade of resources included in resource estimates; the accuracy and achievability of projections included in the PFS; Paramounts ability to carry on exploration and development activities, including construction; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; the price of silver, gold and other metals; prices for key mining supplies, including labor costs and consumables, remaining consistent with current expectations; work meeting expectations and being consistent with estimates and plant, equipment and processes operating as anticipated. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving interpretation of drilling results; environmental matters; the ability to obtain required permitting; equipment breakdown or disruptions; additional financing requirements; the completion of a definitive feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs and between estimated and actual production; and the other factors described in Paramounts disclosures as filed with the SEC and the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions. Except as required by applicable law, Paramount disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document. Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. Glen Van Treek, President, CEO and Director Christos Theodossiou, Director of Corporate Communications 866-481-2233 Twitter: @ParamountNV Raleigh, North Carolina, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Select Group (TSG), a dedicated leader in North American technical service offerings, today announced Michael H. Barker (Mike) as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Barker has been an advisory board member for The Select Group since January 2017, helping accelerate the growth of TSG. In this new role, Barker will oversee operations, sales, services, marketing, and technology. I am confident that Mikes vast expertise in the industry will strengthen our capabilities as one of the fastest-growing and largest technical services firms in North America, says Sheldon Wolitski, CEO and Founder of The Select Group. Mike is a seasoned and trusted leader who has consistently delivered results in his previous roles. As Chief Operating Officer for TSG, he will be uniquely qualified to drive initiatives across the company, with a focus on operational excellence. As Wolitski concentrates his efforts on major account development and strategic efforts, TSG will lean on Barkers decades of experience in staffing and technology services. Barker previously served as a member of the board of directors of Eliassen Group from January 2017 to November 2018. Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Experis - North America, the $1.3B Professional Services Division of ManpowerGroup from April 2010 to December 2015. Barker served as Chief Operating Officer of COMSYS IT Partners, prior to the ManpowerGroup acquisition. He joined COMSYS IT Partners as a result of a merger with Venturi Partners in 2004. As COO of both COMSYS and Venturi Partners, Barker led rapid growth and optimized business performance. "Sheldon and the team have done a great job creating a strong culture that puts a focus on high performance and providing a top-notch experience for clients and consultants, said Barker. I am looking forward to being part of the future growth and success of TSG. Prior to COMSYS, Barker led emerging technology companies to rapid growth and success. He founded a systems integration company, LAN Solutions, in Atlanta in 1987. Barker sold the company to Evernet in 1991, where he became part of their national leadership team. Evernet was sold to Control Data in 1993. Next, Barker led The Computer Group, which became an integral unit in the formation of the Technology Service division of IKON, the world's largest independent provider of document management systems. Barker has an electrical engineering degree from the University Of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has been married to his wife, Robin, for 41 years and they have two children, Claire and Philip. About The Select Group Founded in 1999 by CEO Sheldon Wolitski, The Select Group is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, with branches throughout North America. With a company purpose of impacting lives, one positive experience at a time, TSG offers managed services and staff augmentation to businesses of all sizes, as well as a dedicated government services division for meeting federal, state, and local government needs. TSGs technically-trained staff of recruiters and account managers are focused on building relationships to add value to the hiring and talent management processes. To keep up with news, follow The Select Group on LinkedIn. ### English Estonian [Corrections in the Balance sheet: figures of September 2018 have been renewed] In the last quarter of 2018, AS LHV Group earnt a consolidated net profit of EUR 6.7 million: the banks net profit was EUR 5.3 million and profit from asset management EUR 1.9 million. Pre-tax return on equity, owned by the shareholders of LHV Group was 17.5% in Q4. The consolidated net profit of LHV Group in Q4 2018 was EUR 0.6 million higher compared to Q3 and EUR 0.1 million lower compared to year on year. Impairment of loans in Q4 amounted to EUR 0.5 million and advance corporation tax was paid in the amount of EUR 0.5 million. In Q4, the Groups consolidated loan portfolio increased by EUR 107 million (+13%; +35 million in Q3), to EUR 919 million. Consolidated deposits decreased by EUR 215 million (-13%; +95 million in Q3), to EUR 1,422 million. At the same time, the deposits related to payment intermediaries decreased by EUR 318 million over the quarter. The deposits of the rest of the clients, however, showed a strong growth of EUR 114 million. The volume of funds managed by LHV increased by EUR 11 million during the quarter (+1%; +37 million in Q3), to EUR 1,214 million. The consolidated net profit of AS LHV Group in 2018 was EUR 27.2 million, i.e. EUR 5.0 million more than in 2017 (+23%). The bank earnt a profit of EUR 18.4 million, asset management EUR 6.8 million and the sale of the Lithuanian business unit increased the profit by EUR 3 million. Pre-tax return on equity, owned by the shareholders of LHV Group was 20.9% and the return on equity based on net profit 18.4% in 2018. The loan portfolio of LHV Group increased by EUR 187 million year on year (+26%) and deposits decreased by EUR 115 million (-7%). The volume of funds managed by LHV grew by EUR 112 million (+10%) year on year. According to Madis Toomsalu, CEO of LHV Group, LHV had a strong quarter: "Our business demonstrated strong growth throughout the last year. The number of LHV bank customers increased by 7,500 in the last quarter totalling 28,000 new customers for the entire year. We are especially pleased about the loan growth that expanded our loan portfolio by more than a quarter compared to the beginning of the year. We reached a record level by activity indicators: we have more customers than ever before whose salary is received in LHV bank, who keep their assets here; more payments are made than before, more LHV bankcards are used, more investment contracts have been concluded. Increased use of banking services is also well reflected in the fast growth of retail deposits year on year growth was EUR 310 million. As one of the most important events of the quarter, Moodys assigned AS LHV Pank an investment-grade rating on the level of Baa1 with a stable outlook. The rating ensures the acceptance of LHV bank guarantees by beneficiaries outside Estonia. Furthermore, it facilitates the establishment of correspondent relationships. Among the loans, loans to businesses grew the most. Although, the results of the last year were affected by the impairment of loans related to one customer, it does not characterise the business environment or our loan portfolio in any way, which remains strong. In December, we signed a contract for purchasing the Versobank loan portfolio. The total sum of claims arising from the loan portfolio against Estonian corporate customers is nearly EUR 17 million and against Estonian private residents nearly EUR 3 million. By the end of 2018, the total volume of investment funds managed by LHV Varahaldus exceeded the threshold of EUR 1.2 billion. The investment strategy of LHV pension funds is clearly distinguished from competitors and our actively managed pension funds were able to preserve the assets in 2018, which was a complicated year on the markets, in a way that the rates of return of LHV pension funds were once again among the best. The number of active II pillar customers grew by nearly 600, to 178 thousand over the quarter. In 2019, the asset management activity will be influenced by the Investment Funds Act, amended in December, which notably reduces the fixed fees of the funds and creates a possibility for a success fee. There is a significant decrease in investment restrictions, allowing the funds to invest in OTC companies with a higher expected rate of return. The amendments will be introduced from September 2019. In November, we conducted a subordinated bond issue of LHV Group with an issue size of EUR 20 million. Interest was strong and altogether, nearly 1,700 investors subscribed to LHVs subordinated bonds in an amount exceeding EUR 51 million. The bonds form a part of our EUR 45 million bond programme, which will ensure the achievement of our growth targets. Also. the sustained healthy economic environment has contributed to the strong quarter of LHV. In terms of long-term outlook, our biggest concern is the variance of development speed in different European regions and overregulation causing stagnation. Thinking about the next few years, the main scenario is still the continued growth of the economy in the eurozone by a couple percent per year. LHVs growth trends are also supported by the Estonian business environment. Economic growth has been solid and the internal policy risks are managed by a balanced budget, low public sector debt and positive foreign balance. We are expecting slow economic growth, while forecasting the surrounding economies is becoming increasingly complicated. As national risks, we should consider the tense situation on the labour market, unstable tax environment and increasing risks in the building and trade sectors. The credit market has still remained solid. The financial health of households is rather on the strong side, the loan-to-deposit ratio is improving. The share of overdue loans on the market has fallen below 1%, being largely covered with allowances." Income statement, EUR t Q4-2018 Q3-2018 12 months 2018 12 months 2017 Net interest income 10 289 9 454 38 151 30 361 Net fee and commission income 6 094 6 147 25 045 20 989 Net gains from financial assets 104 90 443 979 Other income 108 770 862 -146 Total revenue 16 595 16 461 64 501 52 183 Staff costs -4 293 -3 779 -15 756 -12 991 Office rent and expenses -536 -429 -1 830 -1 483 IT expenses -735 -565 -2 322 -1 743 Marketing expenses -599 -522 -2 023 -3 656 Other operating expenses -2 621 -2 636 -10 212 -7 525 Total operating expenses -8 783 -7 931 -32 143 -27 398 EBIT 7 811 8 530 32 358 24 785 Earnings before impairment losses 7 811 8 530 32 358 24 785 Impairment losses on loans and advances -543 -1 859 -4 879 -3 154 Income tax -544 -501 -3 614 -1 248 Net profit for the reporting period from continued operations 6 725 6 170 23 865 20 384 Profit/-loss from discontinued operations 0 0 3 324 1 927 Net profit 6 725 6 170 27 189 22 311 Profit attributable to non-controlling interest 676 455 1 953 2 575 Profit attributable to share holders of the parent 6 049 5 715 25 236 19 736 Balance sheet, EURt Dec 2018 Sept 2018 Dec 2017 Cash and cash equivalents 682 658 965 494 961 212 Financial assets 47 153 48 829 56 634 Loans granted 929 037 822 696 740 169 Loan impairments -10 276 -10 745 -8 125 Receivables from customers 3 721 7 372 9 802 Other assets 24 807 23 776 13 165 Total assets 1 677 100 1 857 421 1 772 856 Demand deposits 1 304 265 1 513 113 1 409 662 Term deposits 117 933 124 476 127 267 Loans received 21 584 12 289 6 000 Loans received and deposits from customers 1 443 782 1 649 877 1 542 929 Other liabilities 24 655 26 024 71 073 Subordinated loans 50 900 30 900 30 900 Total liabilities 1 519 337 1 706 802 1 644 902 Equity 157 763 150 620 127 955 Minority interest 4 123 3 447 7 894 Total liabilities and equity 1 677 100 1 857 421 1 772 856 AS LHV Group reports are available at https://investor.lhv.ee/en/reports/. LHV organises an investor meeting for introducing the quarterly results, to be held on 29 January at 18.00 in LHV Tallinn office (Tartu mnt 2, I floor). The presentation will be made in Estonian. To participate, please register at https://fp.lhv.ee/academy/533. A real-time video broadcast is made of the investor meeting on LHVs Facebook page www.facebook.com/LHVPank. LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. LHV Group's key subsidiaries are LHV Pank and LHV Varahaldus. LHV employs over 390 people, and more than 161,000 customers use LHVs banking services. Pension funds managed by LHV have 178,000 active clients. Priit Rum Communication Manager Phone: +372 502 0786 Email: priit.rum@lhv.ee Attachments VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grow Tech Labs (GTL) Cannabis Business Accelerator, in partnership with Victory Square Technologies (CSE:VST,) announced they are developing a co-operative for small BC cannabis producers and processors to help maintain the provinces historic position as a global cannabis leader. GTL is inviting small BC cannabis producers and processors to participate in a provincial consultation process to help shape the provincial co-op, participate in Canadas legal marketplace and ensure BC cannabis products find their way to consumers across the province, Canada and around the world. GTLs mission is to accelerate the pace that small producers and processors enter the legal marketplace, said CEO Barinder Rasode. With supply shortages across the country, it is even more important to retain the capacity, experience and knowledge small BC producers and processors have accumulated over decades. GTL is establishing a working group of sector leaders and experienced co-op professionals to develop a provincial engagement plan, transparent governance structure and application to incorporate a BC Small Cannabis Producer and Processor Co-Op within the provincial Co-operative Association Act. The business model will include a retail network in accordance with BC regulations. BC has a lot to gain by ensuring thousands of existing Health Canada registered growers are active participants in Canadas cannabis economy, adds Rasode. With their combined capacity, these small BC producers and processors could become one of the largest cannabis enterprises in Canada. In addition to being Canadas traditional cannabis capital, BC is home to one of the countrys most vibrant co-operative movements, with 2 million members, 700 co-op businesses and almost $50 billion in assets. GTL has been exploring the feasibility of developing a cannabis co-op with the BC Cooperative Association and will expand this collaboration to include other provincial, federal and municipal agencies. We want 2019 to be the year of small cannabis producers and processors in BC, concludes Rasode. GTL is inviting these innovators to be part of a new economy and make a lasting contribution to our society instead of retiring, finding a new line of work or joining the black market. British Columbians are invited to participate in this process by contacting the Co-Op Accelerator directly at david@bcscpp.com. All communication is confidential. Participants are not required to disclose their address or pay any fees to become involved in the co-ops development phase. We are excited to see micro-growers participate in this cooperative. Its going to be an exciting year for small producers and we look forward to supporting the craft cannabis market in British Columbia, says Shafin Diamond, Co-Founder of GTL and CEO of Victory Square Technologies. Media Contact: alex@growtechlabs.com Backgrounders: Press Release Leading Norwegian real estate and technology firm to build urban data centers that anchor Smart City application delivery Long-term partnership between MIRIS and Nokia marks world's first commercial deployment of Nokia AirFrame Open Edge cloud data center solution in enterprise market 29 January 2019 Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced that MIRIS, a leading Norwegian real estate and technology firm, will deploy AirFrame Open Edge data center technology to support delivery of Smart City services in business parks and residential areas. MIRIS plans to build data centers in about 20 urban locations in Norway during 2019, followed by a wider roll out across the Nordic region. City municipalities and the local real estate industry will host the infrastructure to support the first edge data centers. Many of these data centers will recycle excess heat and use it in local homes and businesses. Nokia will develop and deliver edge compute services to support a range of innovative Smart City and Internet of Things applications, including connected vehicles, gaming, massive video compute and other demanding local applications. Nokia Open Edge is the industry's first single-socket x86 server platform in a secured compact package suitable for harsh environments and all business segments, including enterprise. Jan Gunnar Mathisen, CEO, MIRIS said: "In Nokia, MIRIS has an industrial partner with a Nordic brand and global reach that can provide a complete data center solution, including operations, leaving us free to focus on concept development, sales and deployment." Jerome Julien, Head of Enterprise Partners, Nokia said: "Data centers consume as much as 5% of the world's power. In this fast-growing edge data center market, we are pleased to work with MIRIS on such an innovative approach that delivers desirable Smart City and IoT applications while also helping to reduce the environmental impact of these centers globally." Nokia is providing a complete AirFrame solution including Open Edge hardware, AirFrame Data Center Manager and Cloud infrastructure for IoT and real-time applications, as well as professional services for the design stage. Resources About Nokia We create the technology to connect the world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing. We adhere to the highest ethical business standards as we create technology with social purpose, quality and integrity. Nokia is enabling the infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things to transform the human experience www.nokia.com Subscribe to press releases to receive information on specific areas of interest. Media Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com The Board of West Atlantic has decided, in unison with its CEO, to make a change to the top position of the company. Mr. Fredrik Groth will step down effective immediately from the position of CEO and be replaced by Mr. Lars Jordahn. During the past three years, under the leadership of Fredrik Groth, the company has expanded significantly, increasing revenue by almost 50% while expanding into new fleets, including the B737-800 Next Generation Freighter. The achieved growth has come at the expense of high costs, adding to an already high indebtedness. The company is now entering a new phase where the focus will be on reduction of leverage and improved profitability. As part of this change, it has been decided to bring in a new CEO to lead this process. Lars Jordahn comes from a long career in aviation from positions within airlines like Amapola, DHL Aviation and TNT Airways. Recently he has been involved in the Company as consultant and Board member. Mr. Goran Berglund, Chairman of the Board, added: The decision for a change of chief executive has been mutual and the board wishes to extend its gratitude to Mr. Groth for his valuable contribution to the Group during his three years in office. Mr. Groth will remain attached to the Company in an advisory role during the period of transition. For further information, please contact: Goran Berglund, Chairman of the Board Telephone: +46 (0) 10 452 95 00 E-mail: goran.berglund@westatlantic.eu This information is information that West Atlantic AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 2019-01-29, 08:00 CET. About West Atlantic The West Atlantic Group is one of the market leading providers of dedicated airfreight services to European NMO's and airfreight capacity to Global Integrators and Freight Forwarders. The Group has a well-established geographic network and operates a customised aircraft fleet, whereof a majority is wholly owned. West Atlantic was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Operations are performed all over Europe and 2017 West Atlantic had 459 employees. For 2017 West Atlantic reported revenues of MSEK 1,589 and EBITDA of MSEK 126. West Atlantic AB (publ) Org. no: 556503-6083, Box 5433, SE-402 29 Gothenburg, Sweden Investor Relations: investor.relations@westatlantic.eu Webpage: www.westatlantic.eu Attachment English Estonian In the last quarter of 2018, AS LHV Group earnt a consolidated net profit of EUR 6.7 million: the banks net profit was EUR 5.3 million and profit from asset management EUR 1.9 million. Pre-tax return on equity, owned by the shareholders of LHV Group was 17.5% in Q4. The consolidated net profit of LHV Group in Q4 2018 was EUR 0.6 million higher compared to Q3 and EUR 0.1 million lower compared to year on year. Impairment of loans in Q4 amounted to EUR 0.5 million and advance corporation tax was paid in the amount of EUR 0.5 million. In Q4, the Groups consolidated loan portfolio increased by EUR 107 million (+13%; +35 million in Q3), to EUR 919 million. Consolidated deposits decreased by EUR 215 million (-13%; +95 million in Q3), to EUR 1,422 million. At the same time, the deposits related to payment intermediaries decreased by EUR 318 million over the quarter. The deposits of the rest of the clients, however, showed a strong growth of EUR 114 million. The volume of funds managed by LHV increased by EUR 11 million during the quarter (+1%; +37 million in Q3), to EUR 1,214 million. The consolidated net profit of AS LHV Group in 2018 was EUR 27.2 million, i.e. EUR 5.0 million more than in 2017 (+23%). The bank earnt a profit of EUR 18.4 million, asset management EUR 6.8 million and the sale of the Lithuanian business unit increased the profit by EUR 3 million. Pre-tax return on equity, owned by the shareholders of LHV Group was 20.9% and the return on equity based on net profit 18.4% in 2018. The loan portfolio of LHV Group increased by EUR 187 million year on year (+26%) and deposits decreased by EUR 115 million (-7%). The volume of funds managed by LHV grew by EUR 112 million (+10%) year on year. According to Madis Toomsalu, CEO of LHV Group, LHV had a strong quarter: "Our business demonstrated strong growth throughout the last year. The number of LHV bank customers increased by 7,500 in the last quarter totalling 28,000 new customers for the entire year. We are especially pleased about the loan growth that expanded our loan portfolio by more than a quarter compared to the beginning of the year. We reached a record level by activity indicators: we have more customers than ever before whose salary is received in LHV bank, who keep their assets here; more payments are made than before, more LHV bankcards are used, more investment contracts have been concluded. Increased use of banking services is also well reflected in the fast growth of retail deposits year on year growth was EUR 310 million. As one of the most important events of the quarter, Moodys assigned AS LHV Pank an investment-grade rating on the level of Baa1 with a stable outlook. The rating ensures the acceptance of LHV bank guarantees by beneficiaries outside Estonia. Furthermore, it facilitates the establishment of correspondent relationships. Among the loans, loans to businesses grew the most. Although, the results of the last year were affected by the impairment of loans related to one customer, it does not characterise the business environment or our loan portfolio in any way, which remains strong. In December, we signed a contract for purchasing the Versobank loan portfolio. The total sum of claims arising from the loan portfolio against Estonian corporate customers is nearly EUR 17 million and against Estonian private residents nearly EUR 3 million. By the end of 2018, the total volume of investment funds managed by LHV Varahaldus exceeded the threshold of EUR 1.2 billion. The investment strategy of LHV pension funds is clearly distinguished from competitors and our actively managed pension funds were able to preserve the assets in 2018, which was a complicated year on the markets, in a way that the rates of return of LHV pension funds were once again among the best. The number of active II pillar customers grew by nearly 600, to 178 thousand over the quarter. In 2019, the asset management activity will be influenced by the Investment Funds Act, amended in December, which notably reduces the fixed fees of the funds and creates a possibility for a success fee. There is a significant decrease in investment restrictions, allowing the funds to invest in OTC companies with a higher expected rate of return. The amendments will be introduced from September 2019. In November, we conducted a subordinated bond issue of LHV Group with an issue size of EUR 20 million. Interest was strong and altogether, nearly 1,700 investors subscribed to LHVs subordinated bonds in an amount exceeding EUR 51 million. The bonds form a part of our EUR 45 million bond programme, which will ensure the achievement of our growth targets. Also. the sustained healthy economic environment has contributed to the strong quarter of LHV. In terms of long-term outlook, our biggest concern is the variance of development speed in different European regions and overregulation causing stagnation. Thinking about the next few years, the main scenario is still the continued growth of the economy in the eurozone by a couple percent per year. LHVs growth trends are also supported by the Estonian business environment. Economic growth has been solid and the internal policy risks are managed by a balanced budget, low public sector debt and positive foreign balance. We are expecting slow economic growth, while forecasting the surrounding economies is becoming increasingly complicated. As national risks, we should consider the tense situation on the labour market, unstable tax environment and increasing risks in the building and trade sectors. The credit market has still remained solid. The financial health of households is rather on the strong side, the loan-to-deposit ratio is improving. The share of overdue loans on the market has fallen below 1%, being largely covered with allowances." Income statement, EUR t Q4-2018 Q3-2018 12 months 2018 12 months 2017 Net interest income 10 289 9 454 38 151 30 361 Net fee and commission income 6 094 6 147 25 045 20 989 Net gains from financial assets 104 90 443 979 Other income 108 770 862 -146 Total revenue 16 595 16 461 64 501 52 183 Staff costs -4 293 -3 779 -15 756 -12 991 Office rent and expenses -536 -429 -1 830 -1 483 IT expenses -735 -565 -2 322 -1 743 Marketing expenses -599 -522 -2 023 -3 656 Other operating expenses -2 621 -2 636 -10 212 -7 525 Total operating expenses -8 783 -7 931 -32 143 -27 398 EBIT 7 811 8 530 32 358 24 785 Earnings before impairment losses 7 811 8 530 32 358 24 785 Impairment losses on loans and advances -543 -1 859 -4 879 -3 584 Income tax -544 -501 -3 614 -951 Net profit for the reporting period from continued operations 6 725 6 170 23 865 20 250 Profit/-loss from discontinued operations 0 0 3 324 1 927 Net profit 6 725 6 170 27 189 22 177 Profit attributable to non-controlling interest 676 455 1 953 2 574 Profit attributable to share holders of the parent 6 049 5 715 25 236 19 603 Balance sheet, EURt Dec 2018 Sept 2018 Dec 2017 Cash and cash equivalents 682 658 965 494 961 212 Financial assets 47 153 48 829 56 634 Loans granted 929 037 822 696 740 169 Loan impairments -10 276 -10 745 -8 125 Receivables from customers 3 721 7 372 9 802 Other assets 24 807 23 776 13 165 Total assets 1 677 100 1 857 421 1 772 856 Demand deposits 1 304 265 1 513 113 1 409 662 Term deposits 117 933 124 476 127 267 Loans received 21 584 12 289 6 000 Loans received and deposits from customers 1 443 782 1 649 877 1 542 929 Other liabilities 24 655 26 024 71 073 Subordinated loans 50 900 30 900 30 900 Total liabilities 1 519 337 1 314 279 1 644 902 Equity 157 763 150 620 127 955 Minority interest 4 123 3 447 7 894 Total liabilities and equity 1 677 100 1 435 184 1 772 856 AS LHV Group reports are available at https://investor.lhv.ee/en/reports/. LHV organises an investor meeting for introducing the quarterly results, to be held on 29 January at 18.00 in LHV Tallinn office (Tartu mnt 2, I floor). The presentation will be made in Estonian. To participate, please register at https://fp.lhv.ee/academy/533. A real-time video broadcast is made of the investor meeting on LHVs Facebook page www.facebook.com/LHVPank. LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. LHV Group's key subsidiaries are LHV Pank and LHV Varahaldus. LHV employs over 390 people, and more than 161,000 customers use LHVs banking services. Pension funds managed by LHV have 178,000 active clients. Priit Rum Communication Manager Phone: +372 502 0786 Email: priit.rum@lhv.ee Attachments TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The ongoing modernization of Canadas education sector has brought unparalleled connectivity into the sector, but with added convenience, the risk of compromising student personal data for millions of Canadian children has grown into a clear and present danger. Alarming statistics recently published by Ontarios Auditor General highlight the challenges of boards of education as: 74% of Ontario boards fail to provide formal security and privacy training to staff 94% reported not being aware of key IT risks and have no technical plan in place to handle business interruptions 36% could not understand the root causes of cyberbullying because reported incidents are never logged This is the year that the education sector, and school boards in particular, absolutely need to make changes that will serve to protect students for the rest of their academic lives and beyond said Amalia Barthel, a certified privacy lecturer and KnowledgeFlows Director of Education. The organization has highlighted the Top 7 Cybersafety Objectives for the Education Sector and encourages school boards to use this checklist to drive change over the coming months: Create and enforce a formal cybersecurity policy to safeguard sensitive data Train and certify staff about privacy and security Increase awareness efforts to educate schools and students Impose rigorous standards to stop abuses of student data by technology vendors Communicate shared practices for the responsible use of social media Conduct risk assessments for identity theft and other abuses annually Promote digital literacy across communities through local schools With 41 out of 69 boards reportedly lacking a cybersecurity policy, thats nearly 60% of school boards failing the most basic test for privacy practices and data protection capabilities. It is clear that the need for immediate reform in the Canadian education sector is urgent and illustrated by these serious lapses that endanger students and their families said Stephen Thurlbeck, a seasoned IT strategist and KnowledgeFlows Director of Public Sector Solutions. With unsubstantiated provincial pressure on school new metrics are now tracking every aspect of student activity. These result in privacy abuses by cloud vendors and technology providers that are awarded lucrative contracts without sufficient risk assessment to determine the impact on student personal information. How will future generations deal with the data breaches facilitated by todays failures to calculate risks to childrens data? KnowledgeFlow invites organizations and school boards to show interest and make a commitment to the protection of students at www.CybersafetyFoundation.org or via email at info@KnowledgeFlow.ca About the Foundation: The KnowledgeFlow Cybersafety Foundation is home to Canada's only K-12 Cybersafety Champion program designed to certify educators, parents and students. It is designed by certified industry experts to engage current students and protect future generations. With support from Seneca Colleges Canadian Cybercrime Information Centre (CCIC) and other academic institutions, KnowledgeFlow will soon introduce the nations first Digital Education Platform, extending its reach across Canada. The organization is spearheading reform and awareness efforts with 3 new hashtags: #ChildrenDeservePrivacy #EdtechPrivacy and #EdtechSecurity Media and Contact Information: Claudiu Popa / Co-Founder and Chair, KnowledgeFlow Cybersafety Foundation: 416-431-9012 or via email: Claudiu@KnowledgeFlow.ca Paige Backman / KnowledgeFlow Co-Founder and Partner, Aird & Berlis Privacy & Data Security Group: Paige@KnowledgeFlow.ca THIS PRESS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sharc International Systems Inc. (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWF) ("SHARC" or "the Company) announced today that it has entered into an agreement for a brokered private placement led by Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. (Echelon or the Agent), as lead agent and sole bookrunner for the sale of up to 4,000 convertible debenture units (the Units) at a price of $1,000 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 (the Offering). Each Unit will consist of: (i) $1,000 principal amount of 8.0% unsecured convertible debentures (the Debentures); and (ii) 1,563 warrants (each a Warrant). The Company will use the net proceeds of the Offering for development of the Companys projects in the United Kingdom, and for general and working capital purposes. The Company has granted to the Agent an option, exercisable in whole or in part at any time until 48 hours before the closing of the Offering, for the purchase of up to an additional 600 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $4,600,000, if the Agents option is exercised in full. The Debentures will bear interest from their issue date at 8.0% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30, 2019, and thereafter semi-annually on the last day of June and December in each year and will mature three years following the Closing Date (the Maturity Date). The Debentures are unsecured and will rank pari passu in right of payment of principal and interest with all the existing and future unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The Debentures, (including any accrued and unpaid interest) will be convertible at the option of the holder into common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at any time after the first anniversary of the Closing Date and prior to the close of business on the last business day prior to the Maturity Date at a conversion price of $0.32 per Common Share (the Conversion Price). If after the first anniversary of the Closing Date the closing price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) is $0.64 or greater for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may, at its option, convert the Debentures (including any accrued and unpaid interest) into Common Shares by disseminating a press release, in which case the Debentures shall be converted into Common Shares on the second business day after dissemination of such press release. Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one Common Share (a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of $0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of three years following the Closing Date. The Units will be eligible for RRSP, RESP, RRIF, TFSA and DPSP accounts. The Debentures and the Warrants comprising each Unit, and any Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, will be subject to a statutory hold period lasting four months and one day following the issue date of the applicable Unit. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about February 20, 2019 (the Closing Date). The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including the approval of the CSE. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the 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 any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About SHARC International Systems SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in thermal heat recovery. SHARC technology systems recycle thermal energy from wastewater, generating one of the most energy efficient and economical systems for heating, cooling & hot water preheating for commercial, residential and industrial buildings. SHARC is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA). Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.sharcenergy.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Lynn Mueller Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Jeff Walker The Howard Group Phone: (888) 221-0915 or (403) 221-0915 Email: jeff@howardgroupinc.com Jamie Hyland SHARC International Systems Inc. Telephone: (604) 442-2425 Email: jamie.hyland@sharcenergy.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. SHARC's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. CRANBERRY TWP., Pa., Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PLS Logistics Services, a leading third-party logistics provider headquartered in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, provided lunch for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers at the Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday. PLS Logistics supplied the entire TSA staff at the Pittsburgh International Airport with lunch to show appreciation for workers who worked without pay for 35 days while the government was shutdown, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Although the shutdown has been temporarily lifted, there is a possibility workers will once again be without pay in the coming weeks. PLS plans to continue to show support for local organizations in the upcoming year for their hard work and commitment to the Pittsburgh community. About PLS Logistics Services PLS Logistics Services is a leading provider of logistics management, brokerage and technology services for shippers across all industries. PLS handles millions of loads annually across all major freight modes: flatbed, van, LTL, rail and barge, air and ocean. The PLS carrier network consists of over 40,000 pre-qualified trucking companies along with Class-1 railroads and major barge companies. To learn more visit www.plslogistics.com. Media Contact Kelsey Magilton, Marketing Manager 724-814-5074 publicrelations@plslogistics.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da63fe38-de05-45d0-8bf9-c6e309998615 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7347112c-f66e-4c6e-b69a-6f93ca84f3d8 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f183bd6d-fba1-419b-b872-a28c1ce80714 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b7f13fb3-71d2-40e3-8e9e-a66beb6e4ccd NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation Week Networks and Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East's MRO Middle East (#MROME) summit and exhibition will be held February 10-12 in Dubai, UAE. The combined summit and trade show is focused on commercial aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and offers networking among industry leaders representing airlines, regulators, suppliers, and service providers. As the second fastest-growing MRO market, the Middle East is expected to grow from $7.1 billion to $13.1 billion in 2027. The region is forecasted to receive 2,055 new aircraft deliveries valued at $490 billion over the next decade, according to Aviation Week data. MRO Middle East allows the 5,000 international attendees to reach and interact with decision makers from airlines, MROs, OEMs and suppliers to find new providers and business opportunities. The MRO Middle East Exhibition (February 11-12), co-located with Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) , is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center. The event is open to industry professionals and showcases the latest technologies and suppliers that are changing the way the MRO industry operates. The exhibition hours are Monday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here to see who is exhibiting. The MRO Middle East Summit takes place the day before the main exhibition, on Sunday, February 10 at the Conrad Dubai. The one-day conference attracts 150+ senior attendees from the aviation aftermarket to network, explore the landscape, and discuss emerging opportunities in the Middle East. The sessions will be followed by a networking cocktail reception for delegates, sponsored by AJW. Summit speakers include: MRO Middle East Platinum Sponsors are HEICO , Satair and StandardAero, and Gold Sponsors are Collins Aerospace , Embraer , Lufthansa Technik and MTU Maintenance. With a presence in five continents, Middle Eastern airlines have spearheaded air traffic growth in this region twice as fast as the rest of the world, and the MRO industry will soon reach $100 billion, said Lydia Janow, Managing Director/Events & Tradeshows, Aviation Week Network. Professionals involved in any aspect of aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul will have the opportunity to network with those who are fostering growth in the region, developing cutting-edge technology, and pushing the industry forward. BOSTON, Jan. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jobcase.com, an open-access community dedicated to empowering people in their work-life, has expanded its headquarters to 30,000 feet in Kendall Square. Home to world-class institutions and entrepreneurial enclaves, Kendall Square remains prime real estate for business and technology industry leaders - and the perfect home for Jobcase. This new, larger office space will house the companys growing workforce, which increased by 30 percent in 2018, now up to 160 employees in total. Serving over 50 million arrivals every month, Jobcase is becoming the platform of choice for American workers looking to prepare for the future of work. We are thrilled that Jobcase is expanding its presence in Kendall Square, said Marc McGovern, City of Cambridge Mayor. The Cambridge-grown tech company has brought 160 jobs to our city and has made a monumental impact on its 90 million online community members. Jobcase harnesses technology so that people can help people -- this is exactly the kind of company that we want to help thrive here in Cambridge. In the 1970s, Kendall Square held an assortment of old factories, vacant lots and abandoned buildings. Today, more than 150 high-tech companies, including some of the most recognizable businesses in existence - Biogen, Amazon, and Microsoft - have a presence there. In addition to Jobcase, a slew of prominent startups, such as HubSpot and Cargurus, also got their start in the Kendall Square neighborhood. The mass of entrepreneurs and technologists make the area one of the densest innovation hubs in the world, and key local institutions aim to keep it that way. Kendall Square is one of the most significant tech centers across the globe. Its commonly dubbed the most innovative square mile on the planet, said Jobcase CEO, Fred Goff. More importantly in an AI-driven tech era, the Kendall community understands the need for human-first innovation and ethics. As such, we are more than excited to expand operations in Kendall to empower more people in their work-life. Easy access to some of the best tech and business minds in the world is what first brought us to Kendall. The relationships weve been able to foster, like our partnership with MIT CSAIL, make staying a no-brainer. Jobcase is scheduled to finalize construction on its new headquarters January, 2019. About Jobcase Jobcase, builders of technology and community to empower America's workforce, is one of the Boston area's fastest growing technology companies. Jobcase provides one place to manage all things job-related, including access to the knowledge, connections, and wisdom of over 90 million registered members. Jobcase is an industry-affiliated partner of MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, CSAIL, and Jobcase technology also powers over 100 job sites in the Jobcase Network. For more information, visit www.jobcase.com. Danielle Toboni dtoboni@launchsquad.com The newest version of these tests, developed at Iowa Testing Programs, will be called the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, or ISASP. These tests will be administered in Iowa starting in the spring of 2019. However, there are only a few similarities between the newest version and the later versions. If desired, students are still able to use a No. 2 pencil when filling in the bubble answer sheets when testing in reading and math in grades 3-11, and science in grades 5, 8, and 10. However, this is where the similarities end. There are many upgrades with these new tests. For instance, students will be able to complete all tests using a computer. In addition, a writing test will be added to these assessments in grades three through 11. Further, thanks to impressive improvements in scoring technology, all tests can be scored using technology, including the writing tests. The content of these tests will be aligned to current standards being taught across the state. Hed further give us to understand theres a conspiracy afoot to discredit him. The unhinged left has teamed up with Republican NeverTrumpers and is pulling out all the stops to destroy me, King wrote in a campaign email. So lets give those imaginations a real workout and suppose King is a fair-minded and unbiased individual whos being targeted by the media and political elite due to his plainspoken support of conservative principles and his unapologetic belief in putting America first, just like his fearless leader, President Donald Trump. (Actually, why dont we skip the part about Trump? No sense stretching those imaginations until they break!) That being the case King still needs to go. Critical to an effective representative is the ability to articulate his or her beliefs clearly, concisely and correctly while persuading others to adopt similar views. Since the real meaning of Kings remarks is so easily and frequently obscured by his opponents, it is clear this is a skill he lacks. Ronald Marvin Wheeler CLEAR LAKE Ronald Marvin Wheeler, 76, of Clear Lake, died suddenly Sunday, January 27, 2019, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 1, 2019, at Clear Lake Church of Christ, 2010 14th Ave. N., Clear Lake, with Rev. Brad Sheldon officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake VFW Post 4868 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2019, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. Family suggests memorial contributions to Gifts to Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation or to the Buffalo Basin Chapter of Delta Waterfowl in Klemme, in care of Lonnie Wheeler. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. 641-357-2193. ColonialChapels.com. CERRO GORDO COUNTY - A Davenport man was arrested for eluding law enforcement south of Mason City, reaching speeds as high as 130 mph. Travis Deon Coleman, 38, was charged with felony eluding, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, operating while under the influence, driving while suspended and passing on the right shoulder. At about 4:05 p.m. Sunday, an Iowa State Trooper attempted to stop Coleman in a gray 2019 Kia Sorento for speeding on the Avenue of the Saints south of Mason City. Once I activated my emergency lights and sirens I noticed the vehicle speed up, the trooper said in the criminal complaint. The vehicle started to elude and started driving erratically. According to court documents, the vehicle reach a high speed of 130 mph in a 65 zone. Coleman exited the highway at 183 exit, Mallard Avenue. The vehicle made a bad pass on the shoulder, crossed the road and struck a DOT barrier, court documents said. Because art means different things to different people (to me, tasteful nudes all day every day), this is a video demonstration of the art installation erected by Namibian artist Max Siedentopf, which consists of a solar-battery powered sound system endlessly playing Toto's 'Africa' on loop in the coastal Namib Desert. Some more info while I play Rebecca Black's 'Friday' and daydream that it really is: "[I] wanted to pay the song the ultimate homage and physically exhibit 'Africa' in Africa," explains the 27-year-old artist. "Some [Namibians] love it and some say it's probably the worst sound installation ever. I think that's a great compliment." He has chosen an undisclosed spot in the 55-million-year-old Namib desert to set up six speakers attached to an MP3 player with the single track on it. Mr Siedentopf says he hopes the song will play for another 55 million years. "Most parts of the installation were chosen to be as durable as possible, but I'm sure the harsh environment of the desert will devour the installation eventually." I wonder how long it really will last. My guess is just about one minute after somebody discovers it. And, God willing, that person will be me -- I've been needing a new sound system for my apartment, and free is definitely the right price. As a matter of fact *checks bank account* free is the only price. Keep going for a short video. Thanks to atheistgirl, who agrees if art isn't dead, it's at least in hospice care. A bill allowing public schools to offer information on the states safe haven law regarding unwanted newborns has won preliminary approval from the Colorado state Senate. Senate Bill 25 was approved despite being tangled in an issue over sex education. Republican Sen. Jim Smallwood of Parker sponsors SB 25, which as introduced would have included information about the safe haven law in the comprehensive sex ed curriculum offered in many of Colorados public schools. The safe haven law, in place since 2000, allows a parent of an unwanted newborn 72 hours old or less to relinquish custody of that baby to an employee of a fire station or hospital, with no questions asked and no legal penalty. Smallwoods bill intertwined with a House bill on the sex ed curriculum two weeks ago. Thats when the chair of the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, Sen. Mike Foote of Lafayette, added an amendment that said Smallwoods bill would pass only if the sex ed bill failed. That drew howls of outrage from Republicans and Foote backed off last week. The Senate on Tuesday, at Smallwoods request, added an amendment that said if the safe haven information is presented in one curriculum area such as a part of general health education, for example it would not need to be taught in another area, such as comprehensive sex education. Both curricula are voluntary and are not mandated by the state, and that wouldnt change under either measure. The bill updating the states sex ed curriculum, House Bill 1032, is up for its first hearing in the House Health and Insurance Committee on Thursday, and its sponsor, Democratic Rep. Susan Lontine of Denver, has said she will ask that safe haven information be included. The Senate is expected to give its formal approval to Senate Bill 25 on Wednesday. Stephanie Gerber took her first trip to Stockholm on Tuesday, but she didnt up and fly there. Stephanie, a senior at Fountain Valley School of Colorado in the Security-Widefield area, portaled nearly 5,000 miles. Its not a word yet, but with 21st century technology, portaling is here. And even for this generation, which grew up with cellphones and computers, the concept is super cool, Fountain Valley School students said. I didnt expect it to be so realistic, Stephanie said. It really felt like you were in the room with them, which makes it easy to make connections. Nearly all 240 students at the private day and boarding high school are traveling the globe this week in an old shipping container and through the marvel of an interactive audio/visual portal to talk to people in such locales as Mexico, Iraq, Pakistan, Rwanda and even Milwaukee. It was really interesting to make those connections and hear their perspectives and represent both of our countries in a respectful way, said Stephanie, who came to Fountain Valley School from St. Louis. She and other students in an Environmental Science class chatted Tuesday with Sanaz Habibi, the curator of the portal in Stockholm. Habibi, a young woman who builds sustainable networks, told students she loves the idea of portal communication. Its climate-friendly, environmentally friendly, and you connect with people across the globe and talk about things that are valuable to both of us, she said. One notable nugget from the discussion was that nearly all public transportation vehicles in Sweden, including buses and trains, run on renewable energy, Habibi said. But the government invests in coal mines in other countries, she said, so its hypocritical to declare Sweden fossil free. The biofuel is made from burning recycled trash and converting the heat to energy. Its so lucrative, weve somehow run out of trash, she said. Students also talked about plastics polluting the ocean, climate change, how politics can affect environmental advances and food sources. Breakthrough experiments in growing sweet potatoes in Sweden are underway, said an ecological studies student from Iceland, who unknowingly wandered into the Stockholm portal and pulled up a chair. Thats important because Sweden imports more than 70 percent of fresh vegetables and fruit, the Stockholm portal participants said. Fountain Valley School students talked about projects theyre working on. Stephanie and classmate Kate Baum of Colorado Springs vow to produce as little trash as possible for one week, an amount that would fit in a Mason jar. That will be tough, everyone agreed, but not impossible. It was so cool to talk about sustainability in Sweden and see how different and how similar it is, Kate said after the portal connection. They have a much better transportation and biofuel economy than we do. More than 20 portals are set up around the world at such sites as museums, universities, technology hubs, refugee camps and arts centers. The Colorado Springs portal, supported by grants and organizations, travels. Its been set up at the Pioneers Museum, the Ent Center for the Arts, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, The Citadel mall and the Manitou Art Center over the past few years. This week was the portals first visit to a high school, said Mary OMeallie, the local curator for portal meetups. The portal is part of Fountain Valley Schools annual Unity Day, which is Wednesday. Its the perfect way of bringing the world to our classroom, said Brittany Harrison, the schools director of global education and a Spanish teacher. The portals are shiny gold on the outside with dark carpeting on the walls and floors. Full-body images of people appear on the front wall, as live conversations, dance or music are exchanged in the somewhat cramped space. The identical space is intentional, Harrison said. It creates the illusion of being in the same room with that person, which creates a level playing field, she said. The idea is to learn about others cultures, expressions, struggles and situations, Harrison said, in hopes that people on both ends will take action. Hearing strangers personal stories in an intimate setting forms instant bonds, OMeallie said. Students were so moved by discussing areas of conflict with a man in Erbil, Iraq, that they felt an urge to reach through the screen and hug him. Instead, theyre connecting on social media and figuring out if they can somehow help. That was my favorite portal, Kate said. It was so real. Contact the writer: 719-476-1656 Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. NW winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 52F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. U.S. and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the "framework" of a peace deal, The New York Times quotes U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad as saying after five days of talks between the militant group and the United States in Qatar. Both sides have said "progress" had been made in the talks aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in Afghanistan. We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement, The New York Times quoted Khalilzad as saying on January 28 in an interview in Kabul. In the framework, the militants agree to prevent Afghan territory from being used by groups such as Al-Qaeda to stage terrorist attacks. That could lead to a full pullout of U.S. combat troops, but only in return for the Taliban entering talks with the Afghan government and agreeing to a lasting cease-fire. The Taliban committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals, Khalilzad was quoted as saying. We felt enough confidence that we said we need to get this fleshed out, and details need to be worked out, he added, according to The New York Times. The Western-backed government in Kabul has struggled to fend off a resurgent Taliban and other militant groups. The Taliban has so far refused to hold direct negotiations with Afghan government officials, whom they dismiss as "puppets." The militants have said they will only begin talks with the government once a firm date for the withdrawal of U.S. troops has been agreed. In a televised address on January 28, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called on the Taliban to enter serious negotiations with the government in Kabul and "accept Afghans' demand for peace. "Either they join the great nation of Afghanistan with a united voice, or be the tool of foreign objectives," he told the militant group. Ghani spoke after Khalilzad briefed him and other Afghan officials in Kabul on the six-day talks he held with Taliban representatives in the Qatari capital, Doha, last week. The president's office quoted Khalilzad as saying he had held talks about the withdrawal of foreign troops and a possible cease-fire, but nothing was agreed upon. "The U.S. insisted in their talks with the Taliban that the only solution for lasting peace in Afghanistan is intra-Afghan talks," Khalilzad said, according to a statement. "My role is to facilitate" such talks between the insurgents and Kabul, Khalilzad was quoted as saying. The U.S. envoy said on January 26 that the United States and the Taliban had made "significant progress," adding that the Doha talks were "more productive than they have been in the past." He also emphasized that the sides have a number of issues left to work out, and that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that while there was "progress" at the meetings, reports of an agreement on a cease-fire were "not true." Mujahid also said in a statement that talks about "unresolved matters" will continue. Until the withdrawal of international troops was hammered out, "progress in other issues is impossible," he insisted. Another round of peace talks between the Taliban and the United States was tentatively set for February 25, the Reuters news agency quoted a Qatari Foreign Ministry official as saying on January 28. With reporting by The New York Times, AP, dpa, and AFP, and RFE/RLs Radio Free Afghanistan The alleged harassment of women and children by the security forces in northwestern Pakistans restive Waziristan region has provoked outrage and protests. Pakistans powerful military has denied accusations that soldiers conducted aggressive searches and harassed women and children in a remote village in the region. But activists in the region say that instead of investigating and addressing complaints about alleged excesses by the security forces, the government is trying to pin the blame on the victims. Our message is loud and clear: We will no longer silently tolerate any oppression, Noor Islam Dawar, the leader of Youth Of Waziristan, a civil society group, told thousands of protesters in Mir Ali, a major town in the North Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan. Nobody can stop them when those being oppressed rise up, he said at the protest gathering on January 29. Dawar urged the residents of Waziristan and other Pashtun regions to push for their rights. Over 50,000 civilians were killed and some 6 million others were displaced during more than 15 years of Taliban attacks and military operations in Waziristan and other regions of Pakistans northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The fighting also ruined livelihoods in the once peaceful tribal Pashtun countryside. The fresh round of protests follows a video that went viral earlier this month. In a video first posted by the Youth Of Waziristan on January 19, 11-year-old Hayat Khan recounted how four months after the security forces picked up his elder brother and father, soldiers regularly barged into their house in North Waziristans Khaisor village to make various demands. His mother later spoke publicly about the humiliation she says she felt when security forces repeatedly visited her home while all male family members were away. The soldiers once told me to make beds for them because they would spend the night inside our house if [my son] Shariat (eds: his full name is Shariatullah) didnt come [to surrender], she said. In the video her face was covered by a burqa or veil that women in conservative parts of Pakistan use to cover themselves from head to toe. Hayats mother was unwilling to share her name or show her face because of the risk to her security. I am now publicly speaking because I am sick of the humiliation and dishonor. I am speaking out to protect myself, she said. The military, however, has rejected her complaint. There was a jirga (tribal council) held here [in North Waziristan], and this whole thing was proved to be a lie at that forum, Asif Ghafoor, a spokesman for the Pakistani military, told the private Geo News on January 27. Supporters of the Youth Of Waziristan and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), however, rejected the January 26 tribal council because it comprised the pro-government tribal elders who they claimed even beat up Khan, Eid Rahman, and Yahya Khan Wazir. The latter two activists were instrumental in publicizing the alleged harassment in Khaisor. In a January 20 protest in Khaisor, the PTM demanded that the government carry out an independent investigation of the incident. But the military spokesman said no mistakes had been made. Anyone can commit a mistake, but we have [an accountability] system within the army so if anyone commits a mistake we do not let them go free, he said. The allegations leveled here even violate the local culture, and it has been unnecessarily hyped up even when these are debunked locally. Earlier, in a written message sent to a Radio Mashaal correspondent in North Waziristan on January 22, a source in the military said that Khans father, Jalaat Khan, and his elder son, Adil Khan, were detained for their alleged role in kidnapping an employee of a Pakistani petroleum exploration company and suspected involvement in an attack on the security forces in a remote part of North Waziristan last year. The source said that Shariatullah was an absconder while still holding his hostage. The text message said the security forces had not violated local norms. Security Forces are also sons of the soil and do not violate the local riwaj (eds: Pashto word for customs), the message said. During the arrest of Jalaat and Adil on October 23, 2018, their uncle and the local Maliks (eds: tribal leaders) accompanied and sanctity of parda (eds: veil) was maintained. On January 26, the authorities released Jalaat Khan. He has not spoken publicly since, and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful. After the attacks of 9/11, North Waziristan transformed into a de-facto headquarters for the Afghan Talibans dangerous military wing, the Haqqani network, and its Al-Qaeda, Pakistani, and Central Asia allies. A large military offensive in 2014 forced the militants to leave the region, but it also displaced more than 1 million civilians. Most have now returned to their ruined houses and shattered livelihoods, but the region is still years away from lasting peace and stability. Two former lawmakers offered a grim view of life in North Waziristan. Bushra Gohar and Jamila Gillani were part of a five-member female delegation that visited Khaisor and other parts of North Waziristan on January 27. Many women told us that if their husbands or other male relatives are involved or suspected of any wrongdoing, the security forces can detain and investigate them, but they should not barge into our houses, Gillani said of the key message she heard from a group of some 25 women in Khaisor, which is populated by members of the Pashtun Wazir tribe. Gillani said they were struck by the story of one elderly women, Noorani Bibi, who had documented every visit of the security forces to her house by drawing 25 lines on a sheet of paper. Each line denoted a visit by the soldiers as Bibi cant read or write. I dont want anything but just want to be united with my family in our house and guaranteed that there will be no raids, she told the visiting women in a video posted on the Internet. Women and children have been psychologically affected by the break-ins and harassment, Gohar said. We saw a young girl faint and fall to the ground when a crowd gathered in the house [to talk to us]. Another older woman also fell face-first. Gohar said that parts of North Waziristan resembled a battle-scarred wasteland ruled by fear where civilians still feel trapped between the security forces and the militants, some of whom have now surrendered to the authorities but enjoy considerable influence. The incidents in Khaisor arent isolated, she noted. These must be thoroughly investigated and the culprits brought to justice. Lawmaker Ali Wazir represents South Waziristan tribal district in the lower house of the Pakistani Parliament. He told Radio Mashaal on January 29 that a large caravan of members from the Pashtun Wazir tribe will visit Khaisor on January 30. Once we are there, we will first try to establish what happened, he said. Pets cant say how they feel, but theyre susceptible to cold weather. DeWald lets his two dogs go outside to go to the restroom, but he brings them back into the house. I dont leave them outside and, certainly, in conditions like this, I would never hope anybody would leave their pets outside. Animals need shelter, too, he said. And while vehicles arent living creatures, they can be affected by frigid temperatures as well. The cold temperatures really tend to magnify a problem you have in your automobile like if your battery is weak in these cold mornings thats when you really find out thats when you find out, Oh man, my battery is weak and now my car wont start, he said. DeWald stresses that if people need to travel, they should grab some blankets off the bed and toss them in the backseat of their vehicle just in case they might need them. If forecasted frigid weather had some readers feeling blue, DeWald urges them to look on the positive side. The good news is that this is short-lived, he said. It comes in and moves out pretty quickly and by the weekend, were back into the 40s. Several other council members are also bringing forward various requests and resolutions during the council meeting on Tuesday. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Council President Susan Jacobus is again bringing forward an item seeking an update on a factual investigation and legal analysis of unpaid earnest money/escrow and other expenses and fees resulting from a purchase agreement signed between the City of Fremont and RTG Medical Inc. The investigation is being undertaken by City Attorney Mark Enenbach, who gave a brief update on the ongoing investigation during the city council meeting on Jan. 8. At that meeting, Enenbach stated that both the factual and the legal investigation and analysis were underway and that they were progressing satisfactorily in his viewat that time. He added that his goal was to have the investigation and legal analysis completed by the councils Jan. 29 meeting. Ive kind of put that as our goal, he said at the time. I am reluctant to give you an exact date, other than as soon as possible because as you go down the road you might run into some curves that might make that date turn out to be non-reachable. I havent seen that yetbut in investigations I have been involved withthat is always a possibility. As part of the 18-month sentence, Gardner received credit for 74 days served, and was also given a year of post-release supervision. Hall said that the mandatory services of post-release supervision would allow Gardner to prove that he was serious about his recovery. *Laura Stolley, 42, was sentenced to a term of 30 months of intensive supervised probation on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. The state didnt object to probation as part of Stolleys plea agreement, but noted that they hoped it would be a lengthy term, so she could address her substance abuse issues. Hall granted the probation despite being somewhat concerned about the lack of acceptance of responsibility noted in a pre-sentence investigation that was available ahead of Mondays hearing. Stolley pleaded to the charge in October, after having been arrested in June, when law enforcement found traces of methamphetamine during a traffic stop. Stolley was driving with a male passenger who was also arrested, as well as three children. "And I felt like it was being diminished," she said. Chambers came back to the microphone to say women should not look at whatever progress they have made with contentment or acceptance. "I'm glad to see the few women that are here," he said. But he has been in the Legislature many years and has seen how women have been treated and mistreated, for example getting less of a pension payout than men, at one time, because they live longer, even though they had to pay in as much as men. And he has fought for women on those injustices, he said. Cavanaugh came back, saying she appreciated everything he had done in his legislative history. But she is here to legislate her own way, to find her way and make her own mistakes and learn her own lessons. "I just wanted to let you know, and everyone else in this chamber know, that women are awake. We know what's going on," she said. "You might not agree with our way of doing things, but we're here and we're doing them." Two years ago, thousands of women marched in Washington, letting people know their voices would be heard. Women don't all have the same approaches to problems, but they are fighting for themselves and others. And deserve respect for that. With its terrific blend of spices and the unique ways of cooking, the rich and fragrant dishes of Punjab has played a significant role in making Indian cuisine popular all over the world. Known for its delicious tandoor dishes, the Punjabi dhabas have been world famous. The foodies in Kochi love to visit 'Sethi da Dhaba' at Jawaharnagar, Kadavathra, to enjoy some mouthwatering Punjabi delicacies. The mutton burra and the Patiala chicken, both cooked to perfection in the tandoor oven are the specialities here. The interiors of the eatery, designed in the style of a vintage Punjabi dhaba, enhance the charm of this unique culinary experience. The mutton burra is usually eaten as a starter while the Patiala chicken, drenched in tasty and spicy gravy are a filling main course. A glass of buttermilk, spiced with cumin, or rich, creamy and sweet lassi would make the perfect accompaniments to these delicious dishes. Mutton is usually not cooked in a tandoor oven as the meat won't be evenly cooked. However, mutton burra is an extremely popular dish in Punjab. Mohinder Singh, owner of the Sethi da Dhaba decided to try out this dish at his eatery, as he wanted the people of Kochi to enjoy the authentic Punjabi flavours. "Goat which weighs less than six kilos is slaughtered for this dish. If the meat is not extremely tender, it cannot be cooked in a tandoor oven," says Singh. The marinade made with yogurt, garam masala, Kashmiri chilli and kasuri methi is a flavour bomb. The tender mutton is marinated in this special marinade for a whole day before cooking it to perfection in a traditional tandoor oven. After cooking it for 15 minutes, the meat would be taken out and allowed to rest. The resting juices would be discarded and the meat is again cooked for another 20 more minutes. The mutton, drained off its resting juices and extra fat, becomes a healthy starter and the char over the meat adds to the flavour of the dish. Patiala chicken is prepared with keema (mince) of boneless chicken cooked in a tandoor oven. The minced chicken is stuffed inside a fluffy omelet and rounded off with special gravy made with roasted and ground tomatoes, cinnamon, and onions. The flavour of the char from the chicken perfectly cuts through the spicy gravy, and the fluffy omelet adds to the texture of the dish. Rotis, smeared with generous dollops of butter, completes the elaborate Punjabi platter. WestRock Company WRK is set to report first-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Jan 31, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered year-over-year improvement in both its top and bottom line. Earnings and revenues also beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. Notably, WestRocks earnings outpaced estimates in three of the trailing four quarters, while coming in line in one. The company has average positive surprise of 5.96%. WestRock Company Price and EPS Surprise WestRock Company Price and EPS Surprise WestRock Company price-eps-surprise | WestRock Company Quote Lets see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement. Factors at Play WestRock will benefit from favorable demand, price and mix trends across its paper and packaging businesses in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total revenues is pegged at $4.6 billion in the fiscal first quarter, projecting year-over-year growth of 18%. WestRock is likely to witness sales growth in its major segments Consumer Packaging and Corrugated Packaging. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues for the Consumer Packaging segment is pegged at $1,779 million for the fiscal first quarter, indicating year-over-year increase of 1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues for the Corrugated Packaging segment is currently pegged at $2,740 million, reflecting year-over-year rise of 26%. The Land & Development segment is expected to report revenues of $12 million in the quarter under review, up 9% year over year. Pricing will be higher in both segments as a result of previously announced price increases. However, volumes will be lower owing to seasonality in the consumer business. The Consumer Packaging segments adjusted EBITDA is estimated to inch up 1% year over year to $237 million. The Corrugated Packaging segments adjusted EBITDA is likely to surge 23% to $528 million. The Land & Development segment is projected to post operating profit of $2 million, against a loss of $0.6 million reported in the prior-year quarter. Story continues WestRock projects adjusted segment EBITDA in the first quarter fiscal of 2019 to be between $737 million and $767 million, lower than the $802 million reported in fourth-quarter fiscal 2018. The KapStone acquisition is likely to contribute approximately $90 million in adjusted segment EBITDA. A scheduled maintenance downtime across corrugated and consumer mills of 60,000 tons and two fewer shipping days in the box business will also impact EBITDA in the to-be-reported quarter. While input costs will remain stable sequentially, higher group insurance cost and decline in non-cash pension income will impact EBITDA by $20 million sequentially. Productivity and performance improvement programs along with cost-saving actions remain tailwinds. However, lost production resulting from the Hurricane Michael is likely to have a negative impact of $45 million on EBITDA. Moreover, higher depreciation and amortization expenses, higher interest expense, an adjusted tax rate of 24.5% and a slightly higher share count is likely to have a negative impact of 29 cents on first-quarter fiscal 2019 earnings per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 81 cents, indicating a year-over-year decline of 7%. Earnings Whispers Our proven model does not show that WestRock is likely to beat earnings estimates this quarter. This 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: The Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is -0.49%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: WestRock has a Zacks Rank #3. This combined with a negative ESP makes earnings surprise prediction difficult. As it is we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions. Share Price Performance WestRocks shares slumped 37% over the past year, compared with the industrys decline of 38%. Stocks Worth a Look Here are some companies in the basic materials space you may want to consider, as our model shows these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter: New Gold Inc. ( NGD) has an Earnings ESP of +166.67% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV) has an Earnings ESP of +3.05% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. Teck Resources Limited ( TECK) has an Earnings ESP of +6.03% and carries a Zacks Rank #3. Here are some companies in the basic materials space you may want to consider, as our model shows these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter: New Gold Inc. NGD has an Earnings ESP of +166.67% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Franco-Nevada Corporation FNV has an Earnings ESP of +3.05% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. Teck Resources Limited TECK has an Earnings ESP of +6.03% and carries a Zacks Rank #3. Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV) : Free Stock Analysis Report New Gold Inc. (NGD) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Verizon Communications Inc. VZ continued its solid performance in fourth-quarter 2018, primarily led by the wireless business. The company recorded modest top-line growth led by service revenues and remains well poised to benefit from the impending 5G boom. Quarter Details GAAP earnings for the reported quarter were $2,065 million or 47 cents per share compared with $18,783 million or $4.57 per share in the year-ago quarter. The sharp year-over-year decrease in GAAP earnings was primarily attributable to goodwill impairment charges related to Oath, acquisition and integration charges and severance and annual mark-to-market for pension and OPEB (other post-employment benefits) expenses. Excluding non-recurring items, adjusted earnings were $1.12 per share compared with 86 cents in the year-earlier quarter and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09. Verizon Communications Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Verizon Communications Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Verizon Communications Inc. Quote Consolidated GAAP revenues increased 1% year over year to $34,281 million and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $34,321 million. Operating income declined 88.3% year over year to $637 million due to goodwill impairment charges related to Oath. For full year 2018, Verizon reported GAAP earnings of $16,039 million or $3.76 per share compared with $30,550 million or $7.37 per share in the previous year. Total operating revenues for 2018 improved 3.8% year over year to $130,863 million. Segment Performance: Wireless Total revenues from this segment were $24,412 million, up 2.7% year over year. Service revenues remained almost flat at $15,898 million due to the effects of accounting changes for revenue recognition. Equipment revenues increased 5.3% to $6,821 million as the company focused on high-end devices, while Other revenues totaled $1,693 million, up 19.6% year over year. Operating income improved 12.2% to $7,986 million due to higher retail postpaid connections. Quarterly operating income margin was 32.7% compared with 29.9% in the year-ago quarter. Segment EBITDA increased 9.7% to $10,381 million, resulting in EBITDA margin of 42.5% compared with respective tallies of $9,462 million and 39.8% in the prior-year quarter. Verizon reported 1.2 million retail postpaid net additions in fourth-quarter 2018. Quarterly retail postpaid churn rate marginally increased to 1.08% from 1% in the year-ago quarter. Retail postpaid ARPA (average revenue per account) was $135.11 compared with $135.78 in the year-ago quarter. Wireline Segment Total revenues in the segment were $7,373 million, down 3.2% year over year owing to lower Business Markets revenues (down 5.5% to $836 million) and Enterprise Solutions (down 3% to $2,217 million). Partner Solutions revenues also decreased 9.2% to $1,098 million, while Consumer retail revenues declined 0.6% to $3,169 million. Other revenues were up 6% to $53 million. Although Verizon added a net of 54,000 Fios Internet connections due to strong demand for value broadband connections, it lost 46,000 Fios Video connections amid pressures from cord-cutting of video bundles. Quarterly operating loss was $273 million, against operating income of $62 million in the year-ago quarter. Segment EBITDA fell 18.6% to $1,298 million for EBITDA margin of 17.6% compared with 20.9% in the year-ago quarter. Cash Flow and Liquidity Verizon generated $34,339 million of cash from operating activities in 2018 compared with $24,318 million in the year-ago period. The year-over-year increase was driven by strong operating results, tax reform benefits, reduced impacts from the wireless device payment plan model, and lower discretionary pension and benefit contributions. At year-end 2018, Verizon had $2,745 million of cash and cash equivalents and $105,873 million in long-term debts compared with respective tallies of $2,079 million and $113,642 million. The company was able to reduce its total debt burden by $4.7 billion during 2018 due to strong cash flow and tax reform benefits. Verizon contributed $2.3 billion to employee benefit program and remains on track to achieve cumulative cost savings of $10 billion by 2021. The company expects to achieve this goal through zero-based budgeting and the recently announced Voluntary Separation Program. Outlook For full-year 2019, Verizon expects GAAP revenues to increase by low single-digit percentage rates driven by expected savings from tax reform and higher cash flow from operations. Adjusted earnings per share are likely to remain flat. Capital expenditures for 2019 are likely to be in the range of $17 billion to $18 billion. Moving Forward With one of the most efficient wireless networks in the United States, Verizon continues to deploy the latest 4G LTE Advanced technologies to deliver faster peak data speeds and capacity for customers, driven by customer-focused planning, disciplined engineering and constant strategic investment. During the quarter, Verizon launched the worlds first commercial 5G broadband Internet service in select markets. Dubbed Verizon 5G Home, the service was initially made available in select regions in Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento. The company expects to continue this healthy growth momentum in 5G with upcoming smartphone models and wider coverage across the country. We remain impressed with the healthy growth prospects of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock. Other notable stocks in the industry include United States Cellular Corporation USM, ATN International, Inc. ATNI and Sprint Corporation S, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank(Strong Buy)stocks here. United States Cellular Corporation delivered average positive earnings surprise of 340.4% in the trailing four quarters, beating estimates in each. ATN International has delivered average positive earnings surprise of 146.1% in the trailing four quarters, beating estimates thrice. Sprint has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 19.6%. It delivered average positive earnings surprise of 320.8% in the trailing four quarters, beating estimates on each occasion. Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> 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 ATN International, Inc. (ATNI) : Free Stock Analysis Report United States Cellular Corporation (USM) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research PDVSA GAS sign/testing/Shutterstock.com PDVSA Gas sign/testing/Shutterstock.com The U.S. governments decision to impose sweeping sanctions on Venezuelas state oil company appears to be, in essence, a ban on selling the countrys crude to the U.S and potentially across the world. The Trump administration sanctioned Petroleos de Venezuela SA and the countrys central bank on Monday, the latest move to raise pressure on President Nicolas Maduro after the U.S. recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president. PDVSA becomes a Specially Designated National, meaning U.S. citizens are generally prohibited from dealing with it. Inclusion on this list is a powerful tool with the potential to curb trade in Venezuelan oil far beyond U.S. borders. The last companies to be placed on the SDN list were linked to Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, including aluminum giant United Co. Rusal. That move roiled global metals markets last year as buyers and trading houses both in the U.S. and elsewhere stopped dealing with the company. The Treasury Department lifted sanctions on three firms with ties to Deripaska over the weekend. "When a company is on the Treasurys SDN list, most international banks will cease dealings with them," said Joe McMonigle, an energy policy analyst for Hedgeye Risk Management and a former senior official at the U.S. Energy Department. "So even though todays announcement applies to PDVSAs dealings with U.S. persons, the oil sanctions have much broader application." Some European oil traders have temporarily stopped dealing with PDVSA while their lawyers weigh whether its possible for non-U.S. entities to continue buying Venezuelan petroleum without breaking sanctions, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named discussing internal matters. "Other Western countries are also likely to join in the sanctions," said Olivier Jakob, managing director at consultant Petromatrix GmbH. "China and India might continue to buy crude oil from Venezuela, but in our opinion the country is about to turn into another Libya as it will be harder and harder to operate the oil facilities." The new sanctions means that the U.S. is simultaneously targeting the economic lifeline of two members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Venezuela and Iran something the oil market hasnt seen for more than a decade. At times, the U.S. has also imposed sanctions on Iraq and Libya. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton told reporters on Monday that the move would reduce Venezuelan export revenue by $11 billion over the next year. It wasnt clear if he was referring only to the direct impact of restrictions on U.S. imports. Venezuelas production has plunged in recent years as its oil industry collapsed in tandem with the countrys broader economy. Still, it remains one of the three biggest suppliers of crude to the U.S., behind Canada and Saudi Arabia. The Latin American nation shipped an average of 584,000 barrels a day to American refiners in the past four weeks, about 8 percent of total U.S. crude imports. Any reduction in American purchases could potentially offer China and India, the second- and third-largest buyers, a feast of cheaper crude thats unwanted elsewhere. The U.S. has sanctioned many individuals at PDVSA previously, but hitting the entire company effectively prevents U.S. refiners from buying Venezuelan crude, after a wind-down period to March 29. The second-biggest U.S. importer of Venezuelan crude, Valero Energy Corp., said it would re-optimize its supply to minimize the impact of the sanctions. Valero will continue to support the administration and will provide officials with relevant information that will help the U.S. refining system to function efficiently and effectively a spokeswoman said Monday. U.S. refiners who find alternative supplies may have to pay higher prices. The kind of crude that Venezuela exports, known as heavy-sour, is currently scarce due to voluntary cuts in OPEC and Canadian output and the impact of American sanctions on Iran. "I dont know there will be a lot of options out there, said McMonigle. Obviously, Canadian crude is one but they have cut back on their production. Also, Saudi heavy crude is another option, but of course the Saudis are now planning further cuts. Citgo Petroleum, a Houston-based refining and marketing unit of PDVSA, will be able to continue to operate but wont be allowed to remit money to the Maduro regime. Its proceeds must instead be held in blocked U.S. accounts, the Treasury said. Theres also a prohibition on exporting light oil to Venezuela needed to dilute its heavy crude, further hindering the countrys ability to export. These measure are an attempt to shift control of crude revenues to opposition leader Guaido, Jim Lucier, managing director of Washington, D.C.-based Capital Alpha Partners LLC, said by email. The Trump administration is trying to figure out how to make a bank of Guaido work. Tina Davis and Javier Blas report for Bloomberg News. A general view of the Supreme Court in Caracas A general view of the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero By Ana Isabel Martinez CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's government struck back at self-declared interim president Juan Guaido on Tuesday, seeking a travel ban and freeze on his bank accounts that prompted a warning from Washington of "consequences" after imposing oil sanctions. The sweeping U.S. sanctions on oil firm PDVSA, announced on Monday, means the state-run company may not be able to fulfill contracts with North American buyers, the government of President Nicolas Maduro said. Aimed at driving Maduro from power, the sanctions were the strongest measures yet against the 56-year-old former union leader, who has overseen economic collapse and an exodus of millions of Venezuelans in recent years. The measures triggered higher global oil prices, angry responses from China and Russia and the first serious moves against Guaido since he challenged Maduro's claim on the presidency last week. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab said he had asked the Supreme Court to open a preliminary investigation into Guaido, accusing him of helping foreign countries to interfere in internal matters. He also asked the court to impose a travel ban on the 35-year-old leader and to freeze his bank accounts. In response, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton warned of "serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido," in a tweet that described Saab as the "illegitimate former Venezuelan Attorney General." The United States and several other countries have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state and denounced Maduro as a usurper. Maduro, sworn in on Jan. 10 for a second term after disputed elections last year, accuses Guaido of staging a U.S.-directed coup against him. Maduro is backed by a number of countries, including Russia. Maduro's inauguration sparked protests throughout Venezuela. Over 40 people are believed to have been killed in political violence last week, including 26 shot by pro-government forces, five killed in house raids and 11 during looting, U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said on Tuesday. Story continues He said more than 850 people were detained between Jan. 21 and Jan. 26, including 77 children, some as young as 12. Guaido said on Tuesday he did not underestimate the threat of imprisonment but did not believe it was "anything new." Many opposition leaders have been imprisoned in the South American nation. "We are here. We will keep acting and working to confront the humanitarian crisis," Guaido told a news conference. Most experts believe the sanctions and other measures against Maduro will encourage him to step down only if he loses the support of the powerful military, which until now has been mostly loyal to the leftist ruling party founded by late President Hugo Chavez. Maduro appeared on a television broadcast from a military base on Tuesday, praising the soldiers' loyalty. As a lawmaker who heads the National Assembly, Guaido has immunity from prosecution unless ordered by a top court. However, the Supreme Court is loyal to Maduro and is expected to quickly open the investigation. The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it had certified Guaido's authority to control certain assets held by U.S.-insured banks, including government and central bank accounts. U.S. military invention is seen in Washington as highly unlikely, but President Donald Trump has repeatedly said "all options are on the table" and notes Bolton held at a Monday briefing containing the words "5,000 troops to Colombia" have raised questions. SIDESTEPPING SANCTIONS Oil minister and PDVSA head Manuel Quevedo said on Tuesday that PDVSA was considering declaring partial force majeure on its contractual obligations in the United States. The company would not allow the opposition to take control of its U.S. refinery unit Citgo, Venezuela's key foreign asset, he said. All oil tankers leaving Venezuelan ports would have to pay for crude before departing, he said. "We can't allow Venezuelan oil to be stolen," he said in a speech on state television. PDVSA is also seeking to sidestep the sanctions by asking major buyers, including U.S. refiners, to renegotiate contracts, sources said. International Brent crude oil futures rose over 2 percent on Tuesday in reaction. Venezuela is among the world's largest heavy crude oil producers. [O/R] The Kremlin condemned the sanctions as illegal interference, while China said they would lead to suffering for which Washington would bear responsibility. The sanctions could cause problems for Venezuela when it comes to servicing its sovereign debt to Russia, which stands at $3.15 billion, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak told reporters on Tuesday. In Geneva, senior U.S. and Venezuelan diplomats traded jibes at a disarmament conference. Venezuela's ambassador, Jorge Valero, said the Trump administration was preparing a "military invasion" and questioned whether Washington had the moral authority to "impose a diktat" on Caracas. Venezuela has sunk into economic and political turmoil under Maduro's socialist government, with inflation seen rising to 10 million percent this year. The loss of revenue from the United States, the No. 1 buyer of Venezuelan crude, is sure to further hamper the government's ability to import basic goods like food and medicine, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has prompted more than 3 million people to leave the country in recent years. "Sanctions on Venezuela will lead to the deterioration of conditions of people's lives," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a news briefing in Beijing. (Reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez, Mayela Armas and Deisy Buitrago in Caracas; Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles in Geneva; Shadia Nasralla in London; Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Michael Martina in Beijing; and Darya Korsunskaya in Moscow; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Daniel Flynn, Frances Kerry and Rosalba O'Brien) (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for our new China newsletter, a weekly dispatch coming soon on where China stands now and where it's going next. U.S. prosecutors filed criminal charges against Huawei Technologies Co., Chinas largest technology company, alleging it stole trade secrets from an American rival and committed bank fraud by violating sanctions against doing business with Iran. Huawei has been the target of a broad U.S. crackdown, including allegations it sold telecommunications equipment that could be used by Chinas Communist Party for spying. The charges filed Monday also mark an escalation of tensions between the worlds two largest economies, which are mired in a trade war that has roiled markets. In a 13-count indictment in Brooklyn, New York, the government alleged Huawei, two affiliated companies and Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou engaged in bank and wire fraud as well as conspiracy in connection with business in Iran. Separately, charges filed in Washington state accuse the company of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile USA Inc. and offering bonuses to employees who succeeded in getting technology from rivals. The cases expose Huaweis brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace, Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said at a press conference in Washington announcing the charges. Separately, Canadas justice department confirmed it received a formal request to extradite Meng to the U.S. Huawei issued a statement that it had done nothing wrong in either case. The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments, is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion, Huawei said in an email. The company also said it had attempted to open discussions with the U.S. Justice Dept., but the request was rejected. Story continues The Chinese government, which has defended the company and accused the U.S. of trying to curtail the rise of its technology industry, demanded Washington immediately revoke her arrest warrant. We strongly urge the U.S. to stop unreasonably targeting Huawei and other Chinese enterprises, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. We again urge the U.S. to revoke Meng Wanzhous arrest warrant and refrain from issuing a formal extradition request, to avoid going further and further down a path of mistakes. U.S. prosecutors said that Huawei concealed its relationship with Skycom Tech Co., a Hong Kong-registered company with operations in Iran, in violation of U.S. laws. Meng personally made a presentation in August 2013 to an executive of one of Huaweis major banking partners in which she repeatedly lied about the relationship, prosecutors said in a statement announcing the charges. Skycom was also charged. Meng, 46, the daughter of the companys founder, was arrested Dec. 1 in Canada on allegations that she committed fraud to sidestep sanctions against Iran. Mengs next court date is set for Feb. 6 in Vancouver, where she is out on bail following her detainment while in transit at the Vancouver airport. She is fighting extradition to the U.S. to face criminal charges. Canadas justice minister now has up to 30 days to assess the U.S. request and issue an authority to proceed with hearings. The country has little leeway to refuse, assuming the alleged crimes she committed also violate Canadian law. A hearing could still be months away, and Meng will have several opportunities to appeal. The final decision on extradition is up to Canadas justice minister. Canadian judges end up approving about 90 percent of extradition requests because the system makes it nearly impossible to mount a defense, says Gary Botting, a Vancouver-based lawyer whos been involved in hundreds of extradition cases. In the Brooklyn indictment, the U.S. says Huawei misrepresented its business with Iran to the U.S. government and various financial institutions since 2007. That year, FBI agents interviewed Huaweis founder, identified in the indictment as Individual 1, according to the U.S. During the interview, Individual 1 falsely stated that Huawei didnt conduct any activity in violation of U.S. export laws, and that it didnt deal directly with any Iranian company, the U.S. said. Huawei was founded by Ren Zhengfei. Charges in the Brooklyn indictment include bank and wire fraud, conspiracy and violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In addition, Huawei and Huawei USA are accused of conspiring to obstruct justice. Trade Secrets Prosecutors also alleged that Huawei began a concerted effort in 2012 to steal information from a phone-testing robot developed by T-Mobile USA Inc. and even offered bonuses to employees who could get their hands on the technologies of rivals. In the indictment filed in Seattle, the government alleged Huawei violated confidentiality agreements with T-Mobile in an effort to build their own robot to test phones. A Huawei engineer secretly took photos of T-Mobiles robot, called Tappy, took measurements of parts of the robot and, in one instance, stole a piece of the robot, prosecutors said. Huawei then blamed rogue actors within the company when T-Mobile threatened to sue, the U.S. said. T-Mobile sued Huawei and its U.S.-based unit, Huawei Device USA Inc., in 2014. Three years later, a federal jury in Seattle found Huawei liable for both breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes of the Western District of Washington, whose office is handling the trade-secrets case, said Huaweis actions showed a pattern by the company. Steal Technology Huawei wanted to build its own robot, and rather than engineer its own device, it decided to steal T-Mobiles technology, Hayes said. The Chinese company also obstructed justice by preparing a report claiming to be an investigation of rogue employees, even though Huawei clearly knew that the thefts were part of an organized effort by the company, Hayes said. During the time period of the alleged crime, Huawei announced a bonus for stealing confidential information from competitors. Its unclear how Huawei will respond. The company could appear in court and defend itself against the charges, as any criminal defendant might. Or it could challenge the U.S. jurisdiction to bring charges against the Chinese company, though theres no question that prosecutors have authority over domestic units, said Harry Sandick, a former federal prosecutor now with Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP. Ignoring the case wont be an option, Sandick said, as that could result in a company becoming a "fugitive" entity thats unable to do business in the U.S. (Updates with Huaweis response in the fifth paragraph.) --With assistance from Erik Larson, David Scanlan, Josh Wingrove, Huang Zhe and Gao Yuan. To contact the reporters on this story: Patricia Hurtado in Federal Court in Manhattan at pathurtado@bloomberg.net;Chris Strohm in Washington at cstrohm1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Steve Stroth at sstroth@bloomberg.net, ;David Glovin at dglovin@bloomberg.net, Peter Blumberg For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for our new China newsletter, a weekly dispatch coming soon on where China stands now and where it's going next. The scores of pages of U.S. indictments handed down Monday against Huawei Technologies Co. dont explicitly mention anything about 5G networks or Chinas spy agency. But they sent a clear message to world leaders weighing whether to use Huawei equipment for next-generation wireless networks connecting everything from phones to cars to supertankers: Chinas largest technology company is a threat to national security. They arent just going after the notion that there is hard evidence of previous spying, said Graham Webster, a fellow at Washington-based research group New America who studies Chinas digital economy. They are trying to undermine trust in Huawei overall, saying that this company cannot be trusted in your infrastructure. The case is a further sign that wider strategic tensions between the worlds two largest economies will persist even if they reach a deal to end a months-long trade war that is starting to hit global growth and company earnings. That may be harder now as Chinese President Xi Jinpings top economic aide visits Washington this week for talks to stave off more tariff increases. The indictments intensify the spotlight on Huawei, which has come to symbolize Chinas economic rise and challenge to the U.S.s status as the worlds top superpower. In particular, the decision to prosecute Meng Wanzhou -- daughter of billionaire Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei -- has riled Beijing and increased concerns around the globe of a new Cold War. For Huawei, the indictments couldnt come at a worse time. Since Meng -- Huaweis chief financial officer -- was arrested in Canada on Dec. 1 after a U.S. request, the company has struggled to convince the world its equipment wont be used for espionage. This month, Poland arrested one of its employees for spying, prompting Huawei to disavow any responsibility for his actions. Canada has until March 1 to assess a U.S. request to extradite Meng. Story continues Ren, Huaweis founder and CEO, used a rare press appearance this month at its Shenzhen headquarters to insist the company doesnt help Beijing spy. I love my country, I support the Communist Party, but I will not do anything to harm the world, Ren said. On Tuesday, Huawei issued a statement saying once again it had done nothing wrong in either case. The indictments, however, are a direct attack on Huaweis credibility. In one, the U.S. alleges that Ren and Meng misrepresented Huaweis business with Iran to the American government and four financial institutions since 2007, in violation of U.S. sanctions. The indictment also accused the company of destroying evidence once it became aware of the investigation. The other set of charges cite emails between Huawei USA and China to explain how engineers conspired to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile USA Inc. They show how employees in China repeatedly pressed their colleagues to collect key information on Tappy, a robot used to test mobile phones that Huawei wanted for its own use. When T-Mobile complained about the attempted theft, Huawei allegedly covered up the matter with a faulty internal investigation and blamed rogue employees for any wrongdoing. In fact, Huawei had set up an internal committee that handed out monthly bonuses to employees who stole the most valuable intellectual property from competitors, the suit alleges. Twice a year, special bonuses were paid to employees from three regions who had collected especially important confidential information. Employees were directed to post confidential information obtained from other companies on an internal Huawei website, or, in the case of especially sensitive information, to send an encrypted email to a special email inbox, the indictment says. Taken together, the charges bolster the Trump administrations case that Huawei is operating at the behest of the Chinese government. While theres no explicit evidence that the companys products are compromised, its very difficult to know for sure -- a risk the U.S. argues is too big for critical infrastructure like 5G. While this wouldnt change the opinions of the Pentagon and intel agencies, which would already be well set, it certainly would make the public case easier to push to other countries, said Victor Abramowicz, a former Australian Department of Defence intelligence analyst who is now a security researcher at Curtin University in Perth. Already Australia and New Zealand have joined the U.S. in keeping Huawei out of its 5G networks. Other countries like Canada, the U.K., Germany and France have yet to make a decision. Its not an easy choice. On the commercial side, Huawei presents a cheaper option than its competitors: The company said it has already won more than 30 5G contracts globally, including 18 from European countries. Australias TPG Telecom Ltd. on Tuesday pulled the plug on plans to build the countrys fourth mobile network, saying it no longer made financial sense after the government banned Huawei. Because the global market is now deeply consolidated and Huawei enjoys a lead in technology and solutions, I dont think the recent news about the company will impact Huaweis 5G deployment -- both in China and abroad, said Bing Duan, an analyst with Nomura Asset Management. Cannot Be Naive Even more than current technology, control over 5G networks could allow an enemy to wreak mass industrial sabotage and social collapse, according to U.S. officials. This week the European Unions digital chief Andrus Ansip urged companies to reconsider partnerships with Chinese companies due to an intelligence law that says any organization and citizen must assist Beijings spy agencies with investigations. We cannot be naive anymore, he said. Chinas government sees the charges as part of a bigger U.S. plan to hold back the worlds second-biggest economy. On Tuesday, the foreign ministry in Beijing urged the U.S. to revoke Mengs arrest warrant and stop its unreasonable crackdown on Chinese companies. For some time now, the United States has used its national power to smear and attack specific Chinese enterprises in an attempt to stifle their legitimate operations, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement. There are strong political attempts and manipulation behind this. Tech War China has threatened countermeasures against governments that ban Huawei, and detained two Canadians on espionage charges -- a move that Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government saw as retaliation for Mengs arrest. Those actions have only helped confirm the links between Huawei and the government, according to a European diplomat in Beijing who asked not to be identified. The battle over Huawei and 5G is only part of the fight. The U.S. is also looking to curb Chinas Made in China 2025 plan to dominate other vital technologies, from robotics to new-energy vehicles to biotechnology, as part of its trade war. The tech war between the U.S. and China is going to intensify over the course of this year, David Loevinger, a former Treasury official who is now a managing director at TCW, a Los Angeles based asset manager, said on Bloomberg Television. And its not just legal actions against Chinese firms and Chinese executives: Were going to see much broader restrictions on exports of technology to China and much broader restrictions on Chinese investment in the tech sector. (Updates with Canada assessing extradition request.) To contact the reporters on this story: David Tweed in Hong Kong at dtweed@bloomberg.net;Gao Yuan in Beijing at ygao199@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Daniel Ten Kate at dtenkate@bloomberg.net, Edwin Chan For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of the Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA is seen at a gas station in Cupira, Venezuela December 16, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Monday imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, the toughest U.S. financial challenge yet to the country's embattled socialist president, Nicolas Maduro. The sanctions ratchet up pressure against Maduro to step aside and turn over power to Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader who proclaimed himself interim president last week and was immediately recognized by the United States and a host of other countries. "We have continued to expose the corruption of Maduro and his cronies and today's action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people," U.S. national security adviser John Bolton told reporters at a White House briefing. President Donald Trump's order freezes U.S.-based assets of PDVSA, Venezuela's largest source of revenue and the owner of U.S. refining arm Citgo Petroleum, the OPEC member's most important foreign asset. The Trump administration had long held off on targeting Venezuela's vital oil sector for fear that it would hurt U.S. refiners and raise oil prices for Americans. White House officials had also expressed concern about inflicting further hardship on the Venezuelan people. The latest sanctions appear to seek to build on the momentum that has mounted in recent weeks against Maduro at home and abroad. U.S. officials said the sanctions on PDVSA were intended to prevent Maduro's government from siphoning off funds from the oil company to maintain his grip on power. Bolton said Monday's announcement would block Maduro from accessing PDVSA assets worth $7 billion and cost him $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year. The United States stopped short, however, of imposing a ban on imports of Venezuelan oil, a move that U.S. oil refiners had opposed. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Citgo in the United States would be able to continue to operate, provided funds go to a blocked account. Story continues He said oil supplies were sufficient to ensure no significant impact on U.S. gas prices in the short term and that the U.S. Treasury Department would issue temporary licenses to permit some transactions with PDVSA. Even though the Venezuelan military has shown no sign of abandoning Maduro, Bolton said: "Our assessment based on numerous contacts on the ground is that the rank and file of the Venezuelan military is acutely aware of the desperate economic conditions in the country and we think they look for ways to support the National Assembly government." Countries around the world have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader, and the United States vowed to starve Maduro's administration of oil revenue after he was sworn in on Jan. 10 for a second term that was widely dubbed illegitimate. Maduro says the United States is promoting a coup against him and promised to stay in office, backed by Russia and China, which have bank rolled his government and fought off efforts to have his government disavowed by the United Nations. The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the U.S. move. Bolton warned Maduro that he would be held responsible for the safety of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Venezuela as well as Guaido and other opposition figures. He also did not appear to rule out U.S. military intervention, though such action is widely considered to be unlikely. The president has made it very clear on this matter that all options are on the table, Bolton said. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Eric Beech and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Peter Cooney and Lisa Shumaker) By Joshua Franklin Jan 28 (Reuters) - Thoma Bravo LLC, a private equity firm specializing in buying technology companies, has raised $12.6 billion for its latest flagship fund, the firm's managing partner, Orlando Bravo, said on Monday, amid strong investor demand for deals in the sector. The buyout firm's fundraising hit its "hard cap" limit for Thoma Bravo Fund XIII, with commitments from investors exceeding the maximum size set for the fund. "It was as quick a fundraising as we've had for the last four funds. We launched the fund in March and after six months we were oversubscribed," Bravo said in an interview. Thoma Bravo plans to officially announce the completion of the fundraising on Tuesday. Based in Chicago and San Francisco, Thoma Bravo acquires technology companies in sectors ranging from cybersecurity to business software. Its deals include the $2.1 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Imperva Inc and the $3 billion purchase of data analytics firm Qlik Technologies. The latest fund is two-thirds bigger than its $7.6 billion predecessor, Thoma Bravo Fund XII, which was raised in 2016, and more than three times the size of Thoma Bravo Fund XI, which totaled $3.65 billion when raised in 2014. The growth is emblematic of the overall private equity industry, which raised a record $566 billion in 2017 and $426 billion in 2018, according to market research firm Preqin. The influx of cash has raised some concerns whether firms can continue to find enough lucrative deals to deliver attractive returns for investors, which range from public pension funds to wealthy families. Private equity firms had $1.2 trillion that they had raised and had yet to invest at the end of 2018, according to Preqin. Bravo said the biggest hurdle to good deals was elevated valuation expectations from acquisition targets, rather than competition from private equity peers. "It is going to be very difficult to generate those spectacular returns (of prior funds)," Bravo said. "At the same time, and we have shared this with our limited partners, we are very confident that we will continue to significantly outperform." Thoma Bravo's four funds prior to Fund XII had net internal rates of return -- a key benchmark for investment returns -- ranging from 21 percent 38 percent, according to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, which committed up to $30 million to Thoma Bravo's most recent fund. (Reporting by Joshua Franklin in New York Editing by Leslie Adler) COLOMBO (Reuters) - Investor confidence in Sri Lanka is stabilising after the country repaid a $1 billion sovereign bond in mid-January, Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy told Reuters on Monday. Sri Lanka was plunged into political turmoil in October when President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly removed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and then dissolved parliament. A court later ruled the move was unconstitutional, and Wickremesinghe was reinstalled as premier. Investor sentiment took a big hit as a result of the political chaos, leading to credit rating downgrades and an outflow of foreign funds from government securities. "We see signs of stabilisation in investor confidence specially after we paid the loan without much difficulty. But there is much more to be done," Coomaraswamy said via a text message. In one sign that foreign investors' view of the economy may be improving, there was a net inflow of 4.74 billion rupees ($26.1 million) into government bonds in the week ended Jan. 23, the first weekly inflow since August. Sri Lanka repaid the $1 billion five-year sovereign bond on Jan. 14 from its reserves without any external loans. The International Monetary Fund's decision on Jan. 16 to resume discussions with Sri Lanka over the disbursal of part of a $1.5 billion loan also helped to improve sentiment, analysts said. The political crisis had delayed the talks. The government is struggling to repay its foreign loans, with a record $5.9 billion due to mature this year, including $2.6 billion in the first three months alone. Finance Ministry officials have told Reuters that the government has been exploring all options to borrow foreign loans to repay the external debt this year. The government plans to borrow nearly $5 billion through sovereign bonds, a bilateral loan from China, a currency swap with the Reserve Bank of India, and through three state banks, Coomaraswamy said earlier this month. A series of credit rating downgrades following the political crisis have made it harder for Sri Lanka to borrow. ($1 = 181.5000 Sri Lankan rupees) (Reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Martin Howell and Jacqueline Wong) Special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation is "close to being completed," Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday. "I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible," Whitaker said during a Department of Justice news conference announcing indictments against Huawei officials. The special counsel's office declined to comment to CNBC. While there were reports that the special counsel probe was wrapping up, Whitaker's remark is the first indication from a Justice Department official suggesting that Mueller could deliver his report soon. Mueller's team of investigators is examining Russian interference in the 2016 election. The special counsel is also probing for possible collusion by Donald Trump's campaign and whether or not the president obstructed justice. The acting attorney general's comment comes after Roger Stone, a longtime political advisor to President Donald Trump, was arrested in Florida on Friday . Stone faces seven counts, including allegations of witness tampering, obstruction of justice and making false statements to Congress. This is breaking news. Please check back for updates. * Sino-U.S. trade deal hangs in balance * Tech exporters under pressure after Nvidia warning By Mensholong Lepcha Jan 29 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Tuesday after the United States charged China's Huawei with bank fraud and for conspiring to steal trade secrets, denting hopes of a trade deal days before talks between Washington and Beijing. Broader Asian shares felt the heat of recent developments as the MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.5 percent. Investors nervously await resolution to U.S.-China trade spat as Chinese Vice Premier Liu He visits Washington on Jan. 30-31 for a fresh round of talks. Prospects for a Sino-U.S. trade deal dimmed as the U.S. Justice Department charged the world's biggest telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran by doing business with Tehran through a subsidiary it tried to hide. However, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the Huawei charges are "wholly separate" from the trade negotiations. "Having relented on the U.S. government shutdown, President Donald Trump needs to show a win on trade at his State of the Union address on 5 February," said DBS Group Research in a client note. "But this morning's indictments by the U.S. Department of Justice against China's Huawei, its chief financial officer, and two bank affiliates illustrate the risks attached to the U.S.-China relationship," DBS added. Singapore and Vietnam, both technology exporters, were also under pressure after warnings from U.S. manufacturers Caterpillar Inc and Nvidia Corp about softening Chinese demand. Singapore shares fell as much as 0.7 percent, with a bulk of losses coming from the technology sector, after Nvidia Corp on Monday cut its fourth-quarter revenue estimate on weak demand for its gaming chips in China and lower-than-expected data centre sales. Venture Corp slipped as much as 1.3 percent, while Story continues Singapore Technologies Engineering lost as much as 1 percent. Vietnam shares were on track to snap four straight days of gains, losing as much as 0.5 percent. Petrovietnam Gas Joint Stock Corp and Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage were the biggest drags, falling as much as 1.5 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively. Thai shares slipped as much as 0.3 percent on broad-based losses. Data on Tuesday showed the country's manufacturing production index (MPI) in December rose 0.75 percent from a year earlier, but missed analyst expectations For Asian Companies click; SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AT 0336 GMT Market Current Previous close Pct Move Singapore 3181.09 3199.5 -0.58 Bangkok 1623.52 1625.03 -0.09 Manila 8026.14 8053.92 -0.34 Jakarta 6453.835 6458.712 -0.08 Kuala Lumpur 1689.71 1697.5 -0.46 Ho Chi Minh 907.83 912.18 -0.48 Change so far in 2019 Market Current End 2018 Pct Move Singapore 3181.09 3068.76 3.66 Bangkok 1623.52 1563.88 3.81 Manila 8026.14 7,466.02 7.50 Jakarta 6453.835 6,194.50 4.19 Kuala Lumpur 1689.71 1690.58 -0.05 Ho Chi Minh 907.83 892.54 1.71 (Reporting by Mensholong Lepcha; Editing by Shreejay Sinha) Former Trump advisor Roger Stone arrives for his arraignment at Federal Court in Washington on Jan. 29. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/NLJ Roger Stone, a longtime ally and confidant to President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty in Washington federal court Tuesday, accompanied by his out-of-state attorneys after an initial hiccup in court filings raised uncertainty about his representation. The Republican operative appeared with Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based attorneys Robert Buschel of Buschel & Gibbons and Grant Smith of StrategySmith after a magistrate judge twice said Monday that they failed to follow local rules to appear. Stone was also joined by D.C.-based lawyer L. Peter Farkas of Halloran Farkas + Kittila. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson first issued an order Monday morning stating that Buschel and Smith had failed to file motions to appear pro hac vice signed by a sponsoring member of the D.C. Bar. In a subsequent order denying the pro hac vice motion filed later Monday, Robinson noted that Farkas, whose name appeared on the signature lines of the motions, did not file the motions and had not filed a notice of appearance. Robinsons order noted the attorneys had until 9 a.m. Tuesday to comply with local rules. Farkas notice of appearance showed up on the docket just before 10:30 a.m. Buschel entered the not guilty plea on Stones behalf Tuesday, and Robinson set a status hearing for Feb. 1. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who was assigned Stones case, will preside over that hearing. She also oversees the case of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort. In another case brought by the special counsel, Jackson sentenced former Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom associate Alex van der Zwaan to a month after he admitted to lying to federal investigators. Michael Marando, a prosecutor from the U.S. attorneys office in D.C., said Tuesday both parties would ask the court to designate Stones case as complex and seek a protective order for discovery. The arraignment came after a federal grand jury in Washington returned a seven-count indictment against Stone on Thursday. Stonewho was arrested the next day in Florida and subsequently released on $250,000 bailvowed to fight the charges in a trial. The special counsel has accused Stone of lying and attempting to obstruct the House Intelligence Committee investigators probing Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and attempting to pressure a witness to lie to the panel. Those alleged lies center around Stones contact with the group WikiLeaks during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, when the anti-secrecy organization released thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and the chairman of Democratic candidate Hillary Clintons campaign. Prosecutors believe top Trump campaign officials instructed Stone to contact Wikileaks in the summer of 2016 to seek information about future email releases. Read more: 'I Will Defeat This': Roger Stone Released on $250,000 Bail in Broward Federal Court 'Mueller, Arrest Me': Watch the Video Roger Stone Made Year Before Arrest Skadden Settlement Spotlights Greg Craigs Ukraine Work Barr Vows Mueller 'Will Be Allowed to Complete His Work' Can Lawyers Represent Hostile Foreign Governments Charged in the Mueller Probe? It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. 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 China All Access (Holdings) Limited (HKG:633). Do Insider Transactions Matter? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, rules govern insider transactions, and certain disclosures are required. We dont think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. As Peter Lynch said, insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise. View our latest analysis for China All Access (Holdings) Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $60 prize! China All Access (Holdings) Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by Founder & Executive Chairman Yuen Chan for HK$824k worth of shares, at about HK$0.72 per share. While the sale doesnt make us feel confident, we do note it was conducted at a price well above the current share price, which is HK$0.34. So it may not shed much light on insider confidence at current levels. The only individual insider seller over the last year was Yuen Chan. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! SEHK:633 Insider Trading January 29th 19 If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership Story continues Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon its a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. China All Access (Holdings) insiders own about HK$276m worth of shares (which is 42% of the company). I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders. So What Do The China All Access (Holdings) Insider Transactions Indicate? It doesnt really mean much that no insider has traded China All Access (Holdings) shares in the last quarter. Its great to see high levels of insider ownership, but looking back at the last year, we dont gain confidence from the China All Access (Holdings) insiders selling. Along with insider transactions, I recommend checking if China All Access (Holdings) is growing revenue. This free chart of historic revenue and earnings should make that easy. 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. FILE PHOTO: A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo By Noor Zainab Hussain and Tanishaa Nadkar (Reuters) - A co-ordinated global cyber attack, spread through malicious email, could cause economic damages anywhere between $85 billion and $193 billion, a hypothetical scenario developed as a stress test for risk management showed. Insurance claims after such an attack would range from business interruption and cyber extortion to incident response costs, the report jointly produced by insurance market Lloyd's of London and Aon said on Tuesday. Total claims paid by the insurance sector in this scenario is estimated to be between $10 billion and $27 billion, based on policy limits ranging from $500,000 to $200 million. The stark difference between insured and economic loss estimates highlights the extent of underinsurance, in case of such an attack, the stress test showed. An attack could affect several sectors globally, with the largest losses in retail, healthcare, manufacturing and banking fields. Regional economies that are more service dominated, especially the United States and Europe, would suffer more and are vulnerable to higher direct losses, the report said. Cyber attacks have been in focus after a virus spread from Ukraine to wreak havoc around the globe in 2017, crippling thousands of computers, disrupting ports from Mumbai to Los Angeles and even halting production at a chocolate factory in Australia. Governments are increasingly warning against the risks private businesses face from such attacks, both those carried out by foreign governments and financially motivated criminals. For example, Britain's National Cyber Security Centre announced on Friday it was investigating a large-scale Domain Name System (DNS) hijacking campaign that hit governments and commercial organisations across the world. In another recent incident, French engineering consultancy Altran Technologies was the target of a cyber attack that hit its operations in some European countries. On a larger scale, personal data and documents from hundreds of German politicians and public figures, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, were published online in what appears to be one of Germany's most far-reaching data breaches. The report was also co-produced by MSIG, SCOR TransRe and Cyber Risk Management (CyRiM). (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain and Tanishaa Nadkar in Bengaluru; Editing by James Emmanuel) (Bloomberg Opinion) -- If Deutsche Telekom AG is to be believed, a ban on equipment from Huawei Technologies Co. would slow down its rollout of 5G networks by two years. Even though such an embargo would be a huge burden for the German phone giant, there are factors that might lessen the pain. A delay to its 5G plans might even be welcome. That internal assessment from the telecoms carrier on the impact of a Huawei ban, obtained by Bloomberg News, comes as Germany and other European governments decide on whether to formalize the restriction of purchases from the Chinese telecoms equipment giant. Its pretty clear that Berlin has more to risk than most by banning Huaweis telecoms gear. China is Germanys third-biggest export destination, accounting for almost $100 billion a year. So any retaliatory embargoes from Beijing against German BMWs or machine parts would be felt more acutely than in the U.K. or France, for instance. Its also worth considering whats at stake for Deutsche Telekom. The former national carrier is already unhappy with the 5G rollout in its domestic market and a move against Huawei would certainly add to its difficulties and potentially cost billions. The Germany company appears to have installed proportionately more Huawei equipment than many other carriers in the region. The Chinese supplier has about one-third of the market for telecoms equipment in Europe. But it supplies at least half of the gear used by Deutsche Telekom. This might explain why the latter hasnt yet followed Vodafone Group Plc, Orange SA or BT Group Plc in curtailing its purchases. Yet theres a possible upside too. Telekom is locked in an argument with its government over the speed of its 5G rollout. It and other providers say its impossible to meet the requirement to cover 98 percent of German homes with download speeds of 100 megabits per second by the end of 2022. So you can see why Telekom would seize on anything that might support the need for a slower pace. The company would much prefer to build the networks at its own speed. It could well be actively weaponizing the Huawei issue to get its way, including getting the government to cut it some slack on the cost of 5G. Story continues The leaked briefing document looks like smart positioning. If it succeeds in preventing a German ban, Telekoms 5G plans wont be disrupted. And if a ban is imposed, it has a handy excuse for slowing things down. To contact the author of this story: Alex Webb at awebb25@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Boxell at jboxell@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Alex Webb is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Europe's technology, media and communications industries. He previously covered Apple and other technology companies for Bloomberg News in San Francisco. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion 2019 Bloomberg L.P. PG&E shares rallied Tuesday despite a bitter disagreement between the company and some of its shareholders over its decision to file for Chapter 11 on Tuesday. PG&E's filing comes nearly three months after the start of the historic Camp Fire. The company estimates it could be on the hook for as much as $30 billion. PG&E listed assets of $71.39 billion and liabilities of $51.69 billion in a court document filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California. Shares of besieged California utility PG&E Corp. PCG rallied Tuesday despite a bitter disagreement between the company and some of its shareholders over its decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The nation's largest U.S. power provider filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday and asked the court to approve a $5.5 billion debtor-in-possession financing, it said in a statement . The company also filed various motions with the Court, including requests for permission to continue paying employees and providing them healthcare and other benefits. On its website, PG&E said it would continue to provide electric and natural gas service as normal. The San Francisco utility has 16 million customers in Northern and Central California. "To be clear, we have heard the calls for change and we are determined to take action throughout this process to build the energy system our customers want and deserve," said John R. Simon, PG&E's interim CEO, in a statement. Shares of PG&E rose 17 percent Tuesday. Some traders speculated that those with bets against the shares were closing out their trades and forcing up the stock price. The stock is down more than 65 percent over the past six months. PG&E's bankruptcy filing comes nearly three months after the start of the so-called Camp Fire, which broke out on the morning of Nov. 8 near the town of Paradise in northern California. The fast-moving wildfire killed at least 86 people and destroyed about 14,000 homes, making it the state's deadliest. Story continues Though responsibility for that fire has yet to be determined, state investigators cleared the utility company of liability in the October 2017 Tubbs Fire on Thursday, the largest such fire of that year. While a small victory for the company, that finding comes after state investigators determined that PG&E's equipment was liable in at least 17 major wildfires in 2017 . PG&E listed assets of $71.39 billion and liabilities of $51.69 billion, in a court document filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California. Going bankrupt? But while the company's expected costs tally up to as much as $30 billion, beyond what the company says it's able to manage, some on Wall Street remain unconvinced. Hedge fund and PG&E shareholder BlueMountain Capital has challenged the utility's plan. "We write to challenge the Board's plan for a damaging, avoidable, and unnecessary bankruptcy. There is overwhelming evidence that PG&E is solvent," the fund wrote on Jan. 17. "We simply cannot recall a situation where such a valuable company filed for bankruptcy with such blatant questions about the necessity of doing so." Even one top Wall Street's top analyst remained certain that a court would approve PG&E's bid for bankruptcy protection. "We believe there is a meaningful probability that a court would reject a PG&E Chapter 11 filing on the ground that the company is solvent and that PG&E is filing Chapter 11 to achieve tactical litigation advantages," Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Byrd wrote Tuesday. "Bankruptcy law includes a "good faith" Chapter 11 filing requirement, in which the debtor must not be filing for reasons inconsistent with the reasons Chapter 11 was created." The fund may also be concerned about its performance, since its portfolios hold more than 10 million PG&E shares. Banks and bondholders usually have priority in their claims to recover money in a bankruptcy before shareholders and other parties. Others, including University of Chicago bankruptcy professor Douglas Baird, said they have "no doubt" PG&E would qualify for Chapter 11 protections. "Companies need to file in good faith and they need to show they're in financial distress. All they need to do is say we have a problem," Baird, who served as the law school's dean from 1994 to 1999, told CNBC. "The $30 billion back-of-the-envelope estimate might be on the low side, and also you don't know what the revenues are like going forward because they may need to make additional capital investments." To be sure, Baird added, a company doesn't avoid all liability by filing for bankruptcy. "PG&E has to pay all its creditors every penny they're owed," he said. "The big thing that people forget is that companies in bankruptcy still have to play by the same rules as everyone else." Other equity holders, including Seth Klarman's $30 billion hedge fund The Baupost Group, have devised other ways to hedge their bets on PG&E. A source familiar with the matter confirmed to CNBC earlier this month that Klarman has spoken to multiple insurance companies about buying their claims against PG&E. Such claims would be entitled for repayment under a bankruptcy proceeding and could work as a hedge that could offset losses in PG&E's stock. The claims could also grant the hedge fund a say in how the company ultimately reorganizes itself. More From CNBC ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan has approved the launch of a 200 billion rupee ($1.44 billion) Islamic Sukuk to help pay off arrears building up in its troubled power sector, state-run Radio Pakistan said on its website on Tuesday. The approval came from the Economic Coordination Committee, chaired by Finance Minister Asad Umar. "The bond will be issued through the consortium of Islamic banks," Radio Pakistan said. The government has been falling behind on payments to electricity providers and distribution companies, accumulating arrears that were threatening to seriously disrupt electricity generation in a nation still grappling with shortages. Power minister Omar Ayub Khan told Reuters the government planned to use the money to "alleviate cash flow issues" suffered by power plants, or independent power producers (IPPs), which generate a large share of electricity. The Sukuk cash will also be used to "replace more expensive debt" from the past, which would save money, Khan added. Pakistan's power sector arrears, also known as "circular debt", stood at more than 1.4 trillion rupees ($10.10 billion), Khan told Reuters. ($1 = 138.6000 Pakistani rupees) (Reporting by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Robert Birsel) Investors in California Resources Corporation CRC need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Mar 15, 2019 $14.00 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. What is Implied Volatility? Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy. What do the Analysts Think? Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for California Resources shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, California Resources is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) in the Oil and Gas Exploration and Production United States industry that ranks in the Bottom 8% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, no analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while two analysts have dropped their estimates. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from 32 cents a share to 3 cents in that period. Given the way analysts feel about California Resources right now, this huge implied volatility could mean theres a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected. Looking to Trade Options? Each week, our very own Dave Bartosiak gives his top options trades. Check out his recent live analysis and options trade for the NFLX earnings report completely free. See it here: Bartosiak: Trading Netflix's (NFLX) Earnings with Options or check out the embedded video below for more details: 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 California Resources Corporation (CRC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Press Release Leading Norwegian real estate and technology firm to build urban data centers that anchor Smart City application delivery Long-term partnership between MIRIS and Nokia marks world's first commercial deployment of Nokia AirFrame Open Edge cloud data center solution in enterprise market 29 January 2019 Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced that MIRIS, a leading Norwegian real estate and technology firm, will deploy AirFrame Open Edge data center technology to support delivery of Smart City services in business parks and residential areas. MIRIS plans to build data centers in about 20 urban locations in Norway during 2019, followed by a wider roll out across the Nordic region. City municipalities and the local real estate industry will host the infrastructure to support the first edge data centers. Many of these data centers will recycle excess heat and use it in local homes and businesses. Nokia will develop and deliver edge compute services to support a range of innovative Smart City and Internet of Things applications, including connected vehicles, gaming, massive video compute and other demanding local applications. Nokia Open Edge is the industry's first single-socket x86 server platform in a secured compact package suitable for harsh environments and all business segments, including enterprise. Jan Gunnar Mathisen, CEO, MIRIS said: "In Nokia, MIRIS has an industrial partner with a Nordic brand and global reach that can provide a complete data center solution, including operations, leaving us free to focus on concept development, sales and deployment." Jerome Julien, Head of Enterprise Partners, Nokia said: "Data centers consume as much as 5% of the world's power. In this fast-growing edge data center market, we are pleased to work with MIRIS on such an innovative approach that delivers desirable Smart City and IoT applications while also helping to reduce the environmental impact of these centers globally." Story continues Nokia is providing a complete AirFrame solution including Open Edge hardware, AirFrame Data Center Manager and Cloud infrastructure for IoT and real-time applications, as well as professional services for the design stage. Resources About Nokia We create the technology to connect the world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing. We adhere to the highest ethical business standards as we create technology with social purpose, quality and integrity. Nokia is enabling the infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things to transform the human experience www.nokia.com Subscribe to press releases to receive information on specific areas of interest. Media Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com Facebook corporate offices in Dublin, Ireland. Photocritical/Shutterstock.com Facebook corporate offices in Dublin, Ireland. Photocritical/Shutterstock.com The General Data Protection Regulation could complicate a proposed merger of WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram's messaging services in the European Union. The Irish Data Protection Commission said on Monday Facebook's plan to integrate all messaging services owned by the company "can only occur in the EU if it is capable of meeting all of the requirements of the GDPR." GDPR violations can be costly. Last week, fellow tech company Google was hit with a $57 million fine from Frances data privacy enforcement agency, Commission nationale de linformatique et des libertes, or CNIL. Menlo Park, California-based Facebook's proposed messaging merger was first reported Friday by The New York Times. Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp would still operate from individual apps, but users could send cross-platform messages, connecting more than 2 billion users. In a statement, the company said that "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." "While we understand that Facebooks proposal to integrate the Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram platforms is at a very early conceptual stage of development, the Irish DPC has asked Facebook Ireland for an urgent briefing on what is being proposed," the Irish DPC said in a press release Monday. "The Irish DPC will be very closely scrutinising Facebooks plans as they develop, particularly insofar as they involve the sharing and merging of personal data between different Facebook companies." The Irish DPC is responsible for upholding EU data privacy laws in Ireland, where Facebooks European headquarters are located. Facebook is currently under a separate Irish DPC investigation. In October, the commission began examining Facebook's GDPR compliance, particularly the company's obligation to adequately protect user data. Facebook announced on Sept. 28 that a breach of its platform impacted up to 50 million users, fewer than 10 percent of whom are EU residents. "Previous proposals to share data between Facebook companies have given rise to significant data protection concerns and the Irish DPC will be seeking early assurances that all such concerns will be fully taken into account by Facebook in further developing this proposal," the commission said. Read More: GDPR Gets Early Test With Ireland's New Probe Into Facebook's Big Breach Google's GDPR Fine Is a Warning for Tech Company GCs: Double Check Data Consent Policies Marijuana stocks and the related ETF has have been on a high in 2018, courtesy of a massive rally in mid-2018 on Canadas pending legalization of recreational marijuana starting Oct 17. However, after taking a beating in the final quarter of 2018, pot stocks made a comeback at the start of this year on positive industry-specific news and renewed risk appetite. The pure-play marijuana ETF ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF MJ has gained 35.5% in the past month (as of Jan 28, 2019) (read: After a Landmark 2018, Will Pot ETF See Same High in 2019?). Inside the Driving Factors of 2019 First, the stock of pot-producer Tilray Inc. TLRY jumped in mid-January, after a private-equity firm, which is the companys controlling stockholder, affirmed that it wont sell shares when Tilrays IPO lockup expires on Jan 15. Also, several research houses have shown positive response in pot stocks of late (read: Why Marijuana ETF is on a High in 2019). Also, there news that Canadian marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis Inc. ACB is acquiring British Columbia-based Whistler Medical Marijuana for about $132 million. Canopy Growth was also given New York State hemp license. Notably, Cannabis is getting official approval from many U.S. states for recreational uses, apart from medical usage. Though pot remains entirely illegal at the federal level, Michigan approved a ballot measure in early November for recreational use of marijuana to become the 10th such U.S. State while Missouri and Utah saw legalization of medical marijuana, taking the total number of U.S. states greenlighting medical pot to 32. If this was not enough, Chief Executive of Organigram Holdings Inc. indicated that he expects sales to double in the first full quarter of legal marijuana sales in Canada. The cannabis producer Organigram Holdings Inc. noted that net revenue in its latest quarter was $12.4 million, up from $2.4 million a year earlier on the launch of recreational pot sales in October. Story continues Organigrams strong results acted as a cornerstone and boosted most of the key players of the cannabis industry. The fund MJ was up 5.6% on Jan 28, thanks to the news. Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC) added about 4.7%, Cronos Group Inc. CRON jumped 15.4%, Tilary rose 8.7% and Aurora Cannabis gained 5.7% on Jan 28. Gains to Come From Medicine & Beverage Industry? U.S. drug regulators approved the first marijuana-based pharmaceutical to treat kids with a form of epilepsy, while the markets have been eyed by beverage companies to produce cannabis-induced beverage. There were tie-ups between Constellation Brands STZ and Canopy Growth, Canadian arm of Molson Coors and Quebec-based pot producer Hydropothecary Corp. to make such beverages. Diageo Plc (DEO) and Coca Cola (KO) have also been eyeing the industry. One industry analyst projects the cannabis beverage market to reach a worth of $600 million by 2022 (read: 4 Reasons Why Pot Stocks & ETF Could Be on a High in 2019). Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> 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 Coca-Cola Company (The) (KO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cronos Group Inc. (CRON) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tilray, Inc. (TLRY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 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 Firm hires industry expert with strong track record for transforming customer service experiences from process-centric to customer-centric SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading retail investment advisory firm and independent broker/dealer LPL Financial LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA), today announced Dayton Semerjian will join the firm as managing director and Chief Customer Care Officer, leading LPLs Service, Trading and Operations organization, effective Feb. 28. With more than 30 years of professional experience, Semerjian will focus on delivering a differentiated service experience for LPL advisors. Dayton is a transformational leader who has significant experience leading large, complex firms in adopting new service models that focus on improving the customer service experience at scale, said Dan Arnold, LPL president and CEO. Our aspiration is to deliver our advisors a differentiated service experience that they cant get anywhere else in the wealth management industry. Dayton has done this work before and knows the playbook for success. Hes the right person to help lead us from a process-centric to a client-centric organization. Semerjian joins LPL from CA Technologies, Inc. where he was most recently general manager and senior vice president, Global Customer Success. He joined CA Technologies in 2005 as part of that firms acquisition of Concord Communications, Inc., where he was executive vice president of Marketing and Strategic Alliances. LPL started a customer-centric journey last year focused on making it easier for its advisors to do business with the firm, and Im excited to join and help my colleagues expand upon that vision, Semerjian said. Its clear that LPL is committed to making service a competitive advantage, including ingraining a service mindset into the culture. Im honored to join the management team and look forward to working to transform the customer experience at LPL. Story continues Prior to CA Technologies, Semerjian held a variety of leadership roles at Intel Corporation; Nation Street, Inc.; and Corente, Inc. (now Oracle). Semerjian graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1988. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1996. He was also awarded an advanced certificate of Executive Management from MITs Sloan School of Management in 2018. Semerjian lives in Boston and will relocate to California to work out of LPLs corporate offices in San Diego. Semerjian fills a similar role previously held by Tom Gooley, who will retire in March. Tom made significant contributions to LPLs success over the last three years, and we wish him well, Arnold said. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release regarding the Company's future results and customer service, including its success in delivering a differentiated service experience for LPL advisors in the future, as well as any other statements that are not purely historical, constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's historical performance and its plans and expectations as of January 29, 2019. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees that the future results, plans or expectations expressed or implied by the Company will be achieved. Matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, legislative, regulatory, competitive, and other factors, which may cause actual financial or operating results, or the timing of events, to be materially different than those expressed or implied. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include: execution of the Companys plans and its success in realizing the benefits expected to result from its initiatives and programs, including its customer service and technology initiatives; and the other factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be amended or updated in the Company's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other filings with the SEC. Except as required by law, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release, even if its estimates change, and you should not rely on statements contained herein as representing the Company's views as of any subsequent date. About LPL Financial LPL Financial is a leader in the retail financial advice market and the nations largest independent broker-dealer*. We serve independent financial advisors and financial institutions, providing them with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow thriving practices. LPL enables them to provide objective guidance to millions of American families seeking wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and asset management solutions. LPL.com Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial. A registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. *Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine June 1996-2018 Connect with Us! https://twitter.com/lpl https://www.linkedin.com/company/lpl-financial https://www.facebook.com/LPLFinancialLLC https://www.youtube.com/user/lplfinancialllc NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Klein Law Firm announces that class action complaints have been filed on behalf of shareholders of the following companies. If you suffered a loss you have until the lead plaintiff deadline to request that the court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Danske Bank A/S (DNKEY) Class Period: Purchasers of American Depositary Receipts between January 9, 2014 and October 23, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: March 11, 2019 The lawsuit alleges Danske Bank A/S made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose during the class period that: (i) Danske Banks Estonian branch was facilitating money laundering through at least March 2016; (ii) that a whistleblower had reported the Estonian money laundering to the Company in 2013; (iii) that Denmarks Financial Supervisory Authority (the DFSA) had been investigating the Estonian money laundering since 2014; (iv) that Danske Bank had concealed the results of its own internal investigation from the DFSA, further exposing it to regulatory action and fines; (v) that Danske Bank had been overstating its historical profits by including the profits derived from its illicit Estonian operations; and (vi) that Danske Bank lacked effective internal and reporting controls. Get additional information about the DNKEY lawsuit: http://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/danske-bank-a-s-loss-submission-form?wire=3 Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) Class Period: November 8, 2018 to December 20, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: March 4, 2019 During the Class Period, and unbeknownst to investors, Perrigo misled investors by way of an SEC filing on November 8, 2018. On that date, Perrigo disclosed the existence of an audit finding letter from the Irish tax authorities without disclosing material details associated with the letter. Get additional information about the PRGO lawsuit: http://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/perrigo-company-plc-loss-submission-form?wire=3 Story continues AxoGen, Inc. (AXGN) Class Period: August 7, 2017 to December 18, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: March 11, 2019 The lawsuit alleges that throughout the class period, AxoGen, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company aggressively increased prices to mask lower sales; (2) the Companys pricing alienated customers and threatened the Companys future growth; (3) ambulatory surgery centers form a significant part of the market for the Companys products; (4) such centers were especially sensitive to price increases; (5) the Company was dependent on a small number of surgeons whom the Company paid to generate sales; (6) the Companys consignment model for inventory was reasonably likely to lead to channel stuffing; (7) the Company offered purchase incentives to sales representatives to encourage channel stuffing; (8) the Companys sales representatives were encouraged to backdate revenue to artificially inflate metrics; (9) the Company lacked adequate internal controls to prevent such channel stuffing and backdating of revenue; (10) the Companys key operating metrics, such as number of active accounts, were overstated; and (11) 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. Get additional information about the AXGN lawsuit: http://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/axogen-inc-loss-submission-form?wire=3 Alkermes plc (ALKS) Class Period: February 17, 2017 to November 1, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: February 25, 2019 The lawsuit alleges that Alkermes plc made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the FDA had advised Alkermes to follow a certain protocol in connection with its New Drug Application submission for its drug ALKS 5461; (2) Alkermes had failed to follow that protocol; (3) consequently, an FDA advisory committee voted 21 to 2 against the approval of ALKS 5461; and (4) as a result, Alkermes public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. Get additional information about the ALKS lawsuit: http://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/alkermes-plc-loss-submission-form?wire=3 Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. There is no cost or obligation to you. If you suffered a loss during the class period and wish to obtain additional information, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or visit the webpages provided. J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Iran, cryptocurrency As U.S-imposed sanctions continue to cripple Iran economically, the Islamic state is reportedly on the verge of announcing its state-backed cryptocurrency. The ability of Iranian financial institutions to conduct transactions and relate with the rest of the world has been shackled since the sanctions were enforced and many believe the Iranian cryptocurrency will help abate some of the effects of the sanctions. To further stoke the rumor fires, it has been reported that the Iranian government expects to make an announcement concerning the digital asset at the annual Electronic Banking and Payment Systems Conference, which kicks off in Tehran on January 29, 2019, according to Al Jazeera. Hard Times Since the Sanctions The Donald Trump administration imposed stern sanctions on Iran back in the middle of 2018 over malign activities being carried out by the state. By November, Belgian-based financial messaging system SWIFT was banned from providing its financial services to the country as well. Citizens of countries such as Iran, which have been banned from the SWIFT network, find themselves unable to make and receive payments for foreign trade activities and a wide array of other international transactions. This drove the country into the research and development of its own digital currency, as many saw this as the only way to ensure that Iranian banks and citizens could continue to conduct the cross-border transactions that were no longer accessible due to the SWIFT ban. Read the full story on CCN.com. The Zacks Internet Content Industry comprises providers of video encoding platform, personal services, Internet content & information, staffing & outsourcing services, publishing, capital markets and media-based companies. Apart from the United States, a number of companies in this industry are located in the Netherlands, Israel, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia and China. Here are the three major industry themes: The Zacks Internet - Content industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent product and service introductions, and evolving industry standards. An expanding range of mobile and cloud-based offerings by industry participants is a major growth driver. Moreover, proliferation of smart devices and increasing automation of the application development process bode well for the industry. Industry participants are focusing on marketing efforts to boost traffic to their websites that eventually attract more consumers as well as businesses. Advertising and subscriptions are major source of revenues for these companies. Notably, the industry is susceptible to consumer spending trends. Hence, strong holiday spending is a major plus for these companies. Industry participants, involved in online search and other social-networking activities, are increasingly facing regulatory pressure, particularly in China and the European Union (EU). The China government has a number of regulations related to direct advertising, which is a prime revenue source for these companies. Moreover, post Facebooks Cambridge Analytica scandal that affected 87 million users, the industry participants have been facing rigorous scrutiny in the United States as well as the EU. The implementation of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which took effect from May 25, 2018 in the EU, adds to the concerns. Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Solid Prospects The Zacks Internet - Content industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #106, which places it at the top 42% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The groups Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates solid near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. The industrys position in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, lets take a look at the industrys recent stock-market performance and valuation picture. Industry Lags on Shareholder Returns The Zacks Internet - Content Industry has lagged the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector as well as the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year. The industry has declined 44.5% over this period compared with the S&P 500s fall of 6.5% and broader sectors decline of 8.2%. One-Year Price Performance Story continues Industrys Current Valuation On the basis of the trailing 12-month price-to-sales ratio (P/S), which is a commonly used multiple for valuing Internet - Content stocks, we see that the industry is currently trading at 2.91X compared with the S&P 500s 3.12X and sectors trailing 12-month P/S of 3.26X. Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 6.49X, as low as 2.57X and at the median of 4.54X, as the chart below shows. Trailing 12-Month Price-to-Sales (P/S) Ratio Bottom Line Here, we present three stocks that either have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or Rank 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. These stocks are well positioned to grow in the near term. Remark Holdings (MARK): The stock of this Las Vegas, NV-based operator of social media data intelligence platform, KanKan, has a Zacks Rank #1. Moreover, the 2019 Zacks Consensus Estimate for the stock has improved from a loss of $1.03 to 99 cents per share over the past 30 days. Price and Consensus : MARK TheStreet, Inc. (TST): The stock of this New York-based financial news and information provider has surged 69.1% over the past year. However, the 2019 Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Zacks Rank #2 stock has remained steady at a loss of 8 cents over the past month. Price and Consensus: TST Yelp Inc. (YELP): San Francisco, CA-based Yelp is a website engaged in providing information through online community offering social networking. The consensus EPS estimate for this Zacks Rank #2 stock has moved 1.9% higher for 2019 over the past 30 days. Price and Consensus: YELP Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2019 In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-holds for the year? Who wouldn't? Our annual Top 10s have beaten the market with amazing regularity. In 2018, while the market dropped -5.2%, the portfolio scored well into double-digits overall with individual stocks rising as high as +61.5%. And from 2012-2017, while the market boomed +126.3, Zacks' Top 10s reached an even more sensational +181.9%. See Latest Stocks Today >> 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 Yelp Inc. (YELP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Remark Media, Inc. (MARK) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research FILE PHOTO: Meng Wanzhou, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer (CFO), is seen in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters December 6, 2018. Huawei/Handout via REUTERS By Evan Duggan VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer, the central figure in a high-stakes dispute between the world's two largest economies, made her first appearance in a Canadian court in more than a month on Tuesday as Ottawa weighs extraditing the Chinese executive to the United States. Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the Chinese telecommunications company's founder, attended the hearing in British Columbia Supreme Court during which Justice William Ehrcke approved her request for a change in who is financially responsible for her bail. Canada arrested Meng on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States, which on Monday brought sweeping charges against Huawei and Meng that paint the company as a threat to U.S. national security. Meng was charged with bank and wire fraud to violate American sanctions against Iran. "I can confirm that the United States has filed a formal request with my department for the extradition of Ms. Meng," Justice Minister David Lametti told reporters in Ottawa. Canada's government now has a month to decide whether the U.S. extradition request is strong enough to be presented in the British Columbia court. Lametti, asked whether a decision could come sooner than 30 days, said officials "will take the time that they need to make an enlightened decision based on the evidence in front of them." Neither Lametti nor Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland gave any hints on whether Canada would back the extradition request. Freeland told reporters Meng "has been afforded access to Canada's impartial and objective judicial system." Ehrcke on Dec. 11 approved Meng's release on C$10 million ($7.5 million) bail, and she has stayed at a family residence in Vancouver. Canada's government agreed to her request concerning bail at Tuesday's hearing, which the judge granted. Ehrcke also postponed Meng's next scheduled court appearance by a month, to March 6, which comes after the 30-day extradition decision deadline. Story continues Before the hearing, Meng, who is fighting extradition, spoke with her lawyer David Martin, holding a notepad. Her arrest further aggravated U.S.-Chinese tensions at a time when the two economic powerhouses are locked in a trade war. President Donald Trump said in December he could intervene in Meng's case if it would serve U.S. national security interests or help close a trade deal with China. Following Meng's arrest, China arrested two Canadians on national security grounds. A Chinese court later retried a Canadian man who had been jailed for drug smuggling and sentenced him to death. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday fired his ambassador to China, who had said Meng could make a strong argument against being sent to the United States. 'A HOSTAGE' In a previous sworn affidavit, Meng said she is innocent and would contest the allegations at trial in the United States if she is extradited. Her lawyer Reid Weingarten said Meng "should not be a pawn or a hostage" in "complex" Sino-U.S. relations. Huawei is the world's largest supplier of telecommunications network equipment and second-biggest maker of smartphones. It derives nearly half of its total revenue outside China. In Ottawa, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Canada's decision on whether to ban Huawei from supplying equipment to 5G networks is "some ways off into the future." Goodale's comments were the most specific indication yet from Ottawa on the timing of the politically sensitive announcement. Officials are studying the security implications of 5G networks, the latest generation of cellular mobile communications. The United States and other Canadian allies have already imposed restrictions on Huawei equipment, citing the risk of espionage. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Tuesday he expected significant progress in Washington trade talks with Chinese officials, set for Wednesday and Thursday. Mnuchin said the U.S. security concerns raised by the Huawei case were separate from the trade issue. China's foreign ministry has urged the United States to drop the arrest warrant against Meng and end "unreasonable suppression" of Chinese companies. China has demanded the executive's immediate release. Huawei's global reach has come under attack from the United States, which is trying to prevent U.S. companies from buying Huawei equipment and is pressing allies to do the same. U.S. security experts are worried the gear could be used by China's government for espionage, a concern Huawei calls unfounded. U.S. intelligence and national security officials expressed fresh national security concerns about Huawei during a U.S. Senate committee hearing in Washington on Tuesday. FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers the lines between "the Chinese government and ostensibly private companies" are blurred if not totally erased and "especially the lines between lawful behavior and fair competition and lying and hacking and cheating and stealing." (Reporting by Evan Duggan in Vancouver; additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; writing by Will Dunham; editing by Jonathan Oatis) The House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing about the Trump administrations deployment of the military to the U.S.-Mexico border on Tuesday, NPR reports. In the run up to the 2018 midterm elections, President Donald Trump frequently claimed that a dangerous migrant caravan was approaching the southern border. He sent thousands of active duty military troops there to help block the migrantsa move some say was a political stunt to drum up support for Trumps border security plan. Many of those troops remain at the border today. The new chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, aims to look into the matter. We want an explanation of the policy. We want to shine a light on it and make it clearin my viewthat there is no legitimate purpose here, Smith said on NPR Monday morning. While he said he broadly agrees with some of the presidents goals, such as pulling troops out of Syria and Afghanistan, Smith told NPR that Trump sending troops to the border was absolutely not a legitimate use of the military and that the idea of an immigrant invasion is utter and complete nonsense. The president is manufacturing a crisis to pander to his base, said Smith. He made [the promise to build a wall] because it played well to the crowd. Something that plays well to the crowd doesnt translate into policy. To Smith, sending troops to the border was a waste of resources. He said they may have put up barbed wire and built a temporary structure or two, but you cant tell me that was a good use of their time. Most of those people who went down to the border were sitting around playing cards because they didnt have anything to do because there was no invasion, he said. The real crisis, said Smith, is processing asylum seekers. These caravans that are coming? Theyre turning themselves in, said Smith. You dont need a wall. You dont need to stop them. We need stuff to process them. Story continues Trump has long targeted the U.S. asylum program, which allows immigrants to apply for protection regardless of how they arrived in the country. After failing to restrict asylum seekers to official ports of entry, the Trump administration is now returning some asylum seekers to Mexico to await their court date. Smith said the country could use more money for judges to process asylum seekers. Processing asylum seekers is the crisis, said Smith, and the president is demagoguing this issue instead of addressing the problems that he raises. By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Google, Facebook, Twitter and Mozilla must do more to combat fake news as Europeans head towards an election or the companies will face the threat of regulatory action, the European Commission said on Tuesday. Companies and trade bodies representing the advertising industry signed up to a voluntary code of conduct in October to ward off more heavy-handed legislation. Critics say not enough has been done since they signed up. The European Union's executive said signatories to the code of practice had taken steps to remove fake accounts and limit sites promoting fake news but said more was needed. "Now they should make sure these tools are available to everyone across the EU, monitor their efficiency, and continuously adapt to new means used by those spreading disinformation. There is no time to waste," EU Commissioner for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said. European Parliament will hold elections in May while Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Poland, Portugal and Ukraine all go to the polls in coming months. Russia has faced allegations - which it denies - of spreading false information to influence the U.S. presidential election and Britain's referendum on European Union membership in 2016, as well as Germany's national election in 2017. The Commission called on Facebook to provide more clarity on how it uses its tools to fight fake news and told Google to expand its actions to more EU countries. It said Twitter should provide more details on its measures while it said Mozilla's online browser should have more information on how it would limit details about users' browsing activities. The Commission also lamented the absence of advertisers signing up to the pact. Google said it had announced several measures such as disclosing whether political organisations or political issue advocacy groups were paying for European parliamentary election advertisements, and setting up a library with these details. Story continues Google's Project Shield would help protect campaign groups and journalists from cyber-attacks, it said. Facebook said: "The battle against false news is an ongoing one, and we need to work together with others in the technology industry, public authorities and governments to make continued progress." Twitter said in a statement it had made several changes "including enhanced safety policies, better tools and resources for detecting and stopping malicious activity, tighter advertising standards, and increased transparency to promote better public understanding of all of these areas." Mozilla had no immediate comment. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Edmund Blair) * Total aims to drill 23 wells in 2019 - exploration chief * In Mauritania, Senegal, Namibia, S.Africa, Guyana, Brazil * Turnaround plan sees shift from 'frontier' exploration * Main focus now on proven basins, in lower-risk strategy * Drilling drive focused on deep and ultra-deep offshore By Bate Felix and Wendell Roelf PARIS/CAPE TOWN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Total is launching its biggest exploration campaign for years in 2019 as part of a turnaround plan that is ditching the company's focus on risky long-shots in favour of areas known to contain commercial levels of oil or gas. The French major aims to drill 23 wells this year, its senior vice president for exploration, Kevin McLachlan, told Reuters, in waters off Mauritania, Senegal, Namibia, South Africa, Guyana and Brazil. While the company declined to say how many wells it drilled in 2018, McLachlan said 2019 would be Total's largest programme in years. The 23 wells planned represent about a trebling of the levels of 2017 and 2016, and is higher even than the 20 drilled in 2013, before the oil price crash. The company's new game plan is to concentrate efforts on emerging and mature basins, which offer a greater chance of exploration success. It is moving away from its higher-risk, higher-reward strategy of targeting "frontier" areas that have not been commercially exploited, an approach which yielded scant rewards and saw outlier Total fall behind rivals. As a result the proportion of its exploration capital the African-focused company is spending on frontier areas has dropped to 15 percent, from 40 percent five years ago. "We were spending a lot of money in frontier," said McLachlan, a Canadian geophysicist who joined Total in 2015 to lead the five-year revamp of its exploration strategy. "Now we want balance." Most of the wells it aims to drill this year will target known giant fields, he added. Total has broken ranks with some rivals in recent years and largely ignored the rush to U.S. shale. It is looking to eke out conventional resources, particularly in Africa where it has the biggest industry presence. The strategy carries risks though, and has left the company exposed to the kind of political instability that has deterred others. Story continues McLachlan said Total's exploration budget would remain broadly in line with 2018, when it was $1.2 billion, and 2017, when it was $1.1 billion. That is still less than half the level of 2014, when the price crash forced all majors to cut spending. LAGGING IN DISCOVERIES Appraisals of discoveries in 2018 could offer signs that Total's shift in exploration strategy is paying off. The company announced a 1 trillion cubic feet gas discovery off Shetland in the North Sea last year. Appraisals are ongoing for the Ballymore discovery in the Gulf of Mexico with Chevron , and Calypso in Cyprus with Eni. A major discovery in 2019 could cement the turnaround after a drought between 2009 and 2014 when it spent billions in exploration with little barrels to show for it, while rivals Eni Exxon Mobil and BP, racked up successes. Yet there is still work to do in terms of converting exploration dollars into commercial success. Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said Total had aggressively snapped up exploration blocks in 2017 and 2018, which took it to the top of the industry table with over 189,000 square km added since 2015 - around 70,000 higher than its nearest competitor. But in terms of discoveries since 2015, Total still lags some peers, said Wood Mackenzie analyst Andrew Latham. "It is clearly behind Exxon Mobil. Exxon's success in Guyana marks them out as industry leader," said Latham, adding that Eni's Zohr gas discovery in Egypt was the next top find. "Thereafter, it is competing well with the other majors, it has been involved in a string of multi-hundred million barrel big new finds, whereas in the previous four years it would have been one of the weaker or weakest of the majors." As part of its turnaround plan, Total has created five regional exploration hubs with a concentration of geoscientists, instead of teams spread out in 38 countries. A new, central 10-person leadership team reviews and chooses projects, compared with decisions being made locally before, while people with exploration track records have been placed in executive positions for the first time. S.AFRICA RESULTS EXPECTED 'IN DAYS' Like some competitors, including Exxon and BP, Total is looking to deepwater exploration at a time when technological advances - particularly in 3D digital seismic imaging - is aiding a comeback in that area following a decade when industry advances have been focused on onshore shale. Of the 23 wells in Total's drill programme this year, it has already started work at the deepwater Brulpadda field off South Africa. Two industry sources close to the project say the potential for a discovery is high and could signal a game-changer not only for Total, but also for the country. "We are expecting the results in the coming days," Total's Chairman and Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne said. While Total has said the field could hold between 500 million to over 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent, one of its partner in the project is more upbeat. "The outlook for finding hydrocarbons is extremely high. The question is whether it is gas or oil, and whether it is a good-quality reservoir," Keith Hill, CEO of Africa Oil Corp , a minority stakeholder in the field, told Reuters, adding that the field could hold 1.5 to 3 billion barrels. Other oil companies and South African authorities are likely to be watching closing. "Any potential discovery will ultimately result in the attraction of other oil companies and the growing of the oil and exploration and production industry in South Africa," said Viljoen Storm, acting chief executive of the country's state-owned Petroleum Agency. (Reporting by Bate Felix and Wendell Roelf; Editing by Pravin Char) (Bloomberg) -- Europe warned the worlds biggest tech and advertising companies that they need to intensify efforts to combat disinformation on their platforms ahead of European elections, or face regulation. The European Commission, the blocs executive body, acknowledged that companies such as Alphabet Inc.s Google, Twitter Inc. and Facebook Inc., had made "some progress," in particular with removing fake accounts and demoting sites that promote disinformation. But officials said that ahead of European elections in the spring, more needed to be done to ensure adequate transparency of the political ad-buying process, promote cooperation between platforms and EU member states, and promote access to firms data for research purposes. "We need to go further and faster before May, European Security Commissioner Julian King said in a statement. "We dont want to wake up the day after the elections and realize we should have done more." #disinformation under the Code, we are concerned about its slow pace. We cannot afford to wake up the day after the European elections to find that we could, and should, have done more. https://t.co/d6OxMKSUiB Julian King (@JKingEU) January 29, 2019 Representatives for Twitter, Google and Facebook all said separately in response that their companies already invest heavily in the fight against fake news, remove rogue accounts from their networks, and would continue to work with the EU to help solve the issues. European officials worry that Russian-backed campaigns -- mostly through social media platforms -- could boost support for political parties sympathetic to Moscow in the upcoming European Parliament elections. The EUs warning comes in response to reports submitted by tech and advertising companies that agreed to a joint code of conduct in Europe last September, after the EU called on them to present a plan to fight the spread of disinformation online in Europe. The reports cover measures the companies took until the end of last year so may not fully reflect plans that companies have introduced since then. Story continues The EU said it would carry out a comprehensive review of the periodic reports after 12 months. Regulation may be proposed if the results are deemed unsatisfactory. As part of its efforts, Google and Facebook committed to deploying transparency tools for political ads in Europe after an initial roll-out in the U.S. Those policies require advertisers looking to run political ads to provide documentation to the companies confirming their identities. Disclaimers will also run alongside approved ads stating who paid for them. https://t.co/iRyqysDm8S Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) January 28, 2019 Facebooks chief lobbyist Nick Clegg visited Brussels on Monday to tout the companys new policies around political ads from March, as well as its new operations center in Dublin to coordinate efforts to combat disinformation in Europe. Mariya Gabriel, EU Digital Commissioner, on Tuesday said while the companies are planning some measures in time for the elections, campaigning had already begun in many countries "so we have to speed up some of these measures." The EU said it wanted Facebook to boost cooperation with fact-checkers and the research community across all of Europe, and called on Google to roll out its tools to other European countries. It also noted that Twitter has prioritized actions against malicious actors and closed fake accounts, but that more information is needed about how this would restrict those who spread disinformation from promoting their tweets. (Adds companies responses in 5th paragraph, new subheading.) To contact the reporter on this story: Natalia Drozdiak in Brussels at ndrozdiak1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Nate Lanxon For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. By Marianna Parraga and Corina Pons MEXICO CITY/CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's most important foreign asset, its $10 billion U.S. refining arm Citgo Petroleum, is hunkering down to arm itself with a legal strategy to block efforts for its board to be removed and its revenues diverted to an opposition government, sources close to the talks said. Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled congress who proclaimed himself president this week, is considering naming a new team to lead Citgo, two sources told Reuters. But President Nicolas Maduro said in Caracas on Friday that his government would seek to defend the refiner, raising the prospect that Citgo, run by Maduro appointees, could become a battleground between the two claimants to the leadership of Venezuela. "Citgo is the property of the Venezuelan state," Maduro said, adding that the OPEC-member country plans to continue selling oil to the United States, its first destination for crude exports and state-run PDVSA's largest source of cash. The United States led numerous other Western Hemisphere nations in recognising Guaido as president of Venezuela this week. The White House has been exploring ways to redirect oil revenues to the opposition, but the path to engineering such a move is unclear. Citgo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA, but it has not been able to send its revenues, in the form of dividends, to Venezuela due to U.S. sanctions. Citgo's board earlier this week travelled to the Bahamas, where a company office was installed last year. It will seek legal avenues for the team to continue leading the firm, two company sources said. Citgo President Asdrubal Chavez has been called to meetings in Caracas, according to those sources. He is the cousin of late President Hugo Chavez, who preceded Maduro. A Citgo vice president separately travelled to Washington this week for talks on the company's future, the sources added. "Citgo is registered in Delaware. It belongs to Venezuela, which now has two presidents. The United States only recognises one, but that is not the one who appointed people at Citgo's board," one of the sources said, explaining the legal challenges. Story continues The Houston company's 750,000-barrel-per-day refining network is the biggest U.S. importer of Venezuelan crude. A spokeswoman at Citgo said executives were not being made available for interviews at this time. For the first nine months of 2018, Citgo posted net income of about $500 million from $23 billion in gross sales and had $3.4 billion in financial debt, according to a creditor with access to its balances, which are not public. A Venezuelan opposition source familiar with Guaido's plans said the goal of the Citgo effort was to "raise funds." But it is unclear whether any effort to divert funds from Maduro-controlled PDVSA or its subsidiaries would succeed. "I don't think that the Trump administration has the right to tell anybody where the oil revenues are going to go certainly not at this stage," said Michael Fitzgerald, a partner at Paul Hastings who focuses on Latin America. EXTERNAL PRESSURE Some creditors of Venezuela have engaged in the long legal process of trying to squeeze payments out of Caracas by pursuing Citgo. However, those creditors now run the risk of getting little in return for millions of dollars spent on legal fees if the United States moves against Venezuelan assets on its territory. At the end of September, the company had almost $500 million in cash and an available $900 million credit line, the creditor said. The company is "building cash," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Stephen Goltz, because of the U.S. sanctions The White House earlier this month resumed talks with U.S. oil firms to explore new sanctions on Venezuela, including an embargo on Venezuelan crude sales to the United States and a prohibition on U.S. firms exporting fuels to the South American country. The White House has resisted imposing an embargo on imports from Venezuela, in part because of opposition from U.S. refiners strapped for supply of heavy crude oil. U.S. refiners currently import about 500,000 barrels of oil daily from Venezuela. Much of the demand comes from complex refiners on the Gulf Coast that use the crude to make high-margin products like diesel. (Reporting by Marianna Parraga in Mexico City and Corina Pons in Caracas; additional reporting by Brian Ellsworth in Caracas, Gary McWilliams and Laila Kearney in Houston, Luc Cohen in Bogota, Jessica Resnick-Ault in New York, and Tom Hals in Wilmington; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) By Eric M. Johnson and Maki Shiraki SEATTLE/TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's ANA Holdings Inc said on Tuesday it would order at least 38 planes worth $4.33 billion from Boeing Co and Airbus, and buy a stake in Philippines Airlines' parent PAL Holdings Inc to support its Asia growth strategy. The order, confirming earlier Reuters reports, is the first in Japan for the newest version of Boeing's best-selling 737 family and comes at a time when the country is facing pressure from Washington to cut its trade surplus with the United States. It also raises the stakes in a battle for orders of the industry's largest category of airliner, allowing Boeing to weaken a bridgehead held by its European rival Airbus in the narrowbody fleet of one of its most strategic customers. ANA had been the first airline from Japan to pick Airbus' latest narrowbody aircraft five years ago. "The decision was based on the economic growth of Asia and emerging countries, with demand in the Asian aviation market and inbound demand on the rise," ANA said of the latest orders. The airline, which saw its international revenue spike 11 percent in the December quarter compared with a 0.5 percent rise at home, also announced an investment of $95 million for a 9.5 percent stake in PAL in line with its Asia push, saying it was confident in the Philippines' growth prospects. ANA's purchase of 20 737 MAX jets is worth $2.3 billion, while its order for 18 A320neos is worth $2 billion at list prices. Airlines typically get large discounts. ANA said it had options for another 10 737 MAX, bringing the potential U.S. part of the deal to 30 aircraft. Boeing shares rose 0.5 percent with Airbus up 0.7 percent. The world's top planemakers have amassed thousands of orders for their narrowbody jets, with Boeing chipping away at its European rival's recent lead. Earlier this month it poached Saudi budget carrier airline Flyadeal from Airbus, while Airbus won the last round of a prolonged battle over Vietnam's VietJet. Story continues ANA's mixed narrowbody fleet had previously been expected to shift to all-Airbus as older 737s were retired. Budget offshoot Peach, which will take the A320neos, has an all-Airbus fleet. Boeing dominates the count among ANA aircraft with more than 100 seats at 81 percent as of March 2018. ANA's rival Japan Airlines Co Ltd also operates a mostly Boeing fleet, giving the U.S. planemaker its most dominant position in any major aviation market. TRADE TENSIONS The case for Japan's carriers to buy Boeing has been aided by the fact that its aerospace firms build major portions of Boeing's aircraft, though this is not the case for the 737. But Japan has also resorted to major plane orders in the past to demonstrate a commitment to buying U.S. goods in the ebb and flow of trade frictions, and the latest deal for Boeing's 737 MAX coincides with similar tensions now. Washington and Tokyo are discussing a potential trade pact, with Japan under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to cut its trade surplus with the United States. ANA, however, said it not been asked by the Japanese government to buy the Boeing jets. It "has nothing to do with trade friction," said Hideki Mineguchi, ANA vice president. Any interference would violate trade practices, U.S.-based analyst Richard Aboulafia said, but added that "these are strange times, so who knows what goes on behind the scenes?" Narrowbody deals tend to be less politicized than larger planes, he said. (Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle and Maki Shiraki in Tokyo; additional reporting by Tim Kelly and Ritsuko Ando in Tokyo; editing by Himani Sarkar and G Crosse) (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for our new China newsletter, a weekly dispatch coming soon on where China stands now and where it's going next. Europe would fall behind the U.S. and China in the race to install the next generation of wireless networks if governments ban Chinese equipment supplier Huawei Technologies Co. over security fears, according to an internal assessment by Deutsche Telekom AG. Officials at Europes largest telecommunication company have warned that removing Huawei from the list of suppliers of fifth-generation networks would delay roll-out of the technology by at least two years, said people familiar with a briefing paper written in recent weeks. The people asked not to be identified because the findings are confidential. A Bonn-based Deutsche Telekom spokesman declined to comment. Germany and other European governments have been weighing whether to place restrictions on the use of Huawei equipment over concerns that Chinese intelligence could use it to spy on other countries, fears the company has dismissed. The U.S. intensified the tension on Monday, when federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against Huawei, alleging it stole trade secrets from American rival T-Mobile US Inc. and committed bank fraud by violating sanctions against doing business with Iran. The move came before talks this week aimed at ending a U.S.-Chinese trade war, with Washington pushing Beijing to respect laws on intellectual property as it emerges as a technology power. The Deutsche Telekom paper shows how nervous Europes telecom industry has become that governments could throw its carefully-laid network expansion plans into chaos. Huawei has become a leading supplier to phone companies in the region as they prepare to spend billions of euros on 5G to cope with surging data demand and support potentially lucrative applications such as self-driving cars, smart appliances and connected factories. Deutsche Telekom has installed Huawei systems in thousands of its wireless towers. The suppliers technology also forms the backbone of some of the German companys cloud products. Story continues Deutsche Telekom shares rose 0.8 percent as of 9:01 a.m. in Frankfurt on Tuesday. Dialing Back In its internal assessment, Deutsche Telekom said 5G networks must be built on top of existing 4G infrastructure, which already relies extensively on Huawei gear. So if Huawei is banned outright and companies are forced to rip out all of its equipment, that would cost the industry many billions of euros, the people said. Such a blanket, retroactive ban on using Huawei for 4G might be unlikely; bans in Australia and New Zealand, for example, have prohibited purchases of Huawei gear solely for 5G networks, which are viewed as harder to police as they process much of their data outside a central core. Some telecom companies are already limiting work with Huawei as the pressure on the company grows, throwing their cooperation into doubt. Vodafone Group Plc said last week it is suspending some Huawei equipment purchases for the core of its networks in Europe. Deutsche Telekom said last month its re-evaluating its purchasing strategy -- a first indication the German carrier may drop the Chinese company from its list of suppliers. Other countries including the U.S., Australia and New Zealand have blocked or limited the use of Huawei equipment in public infrastructure. The U.S. has especially raised pressure on German policymakers, with an American delegation dispatched to Berlin last month to make the case about risks posed by Huawei. Germany is weighing how to respond. Dropping Huawei in Europe wouldnt be easy. Most carriers have ordered its equipment because the technology is often seen as superior to that of its rivals. Competitors including Ericsson AB, Nokia Oyj, Cisco Systems Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. would have to step in if Huawei were to be banned, potentially leading to capacity constraints. (Adds Deutsche Telekom shares in seventh paragraph.) To contact the reporters on this story: Patrick Donahue in Berlin at pdonahue1@bloomberg.net;Stefan Nicola in Berlin at snicola2@bloomberg.net;Brian Parkin in Berlin at bparkin@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ben Sills at bsills@bloomberg.net, ;Rebecca Penty at rpenty@bloomberg.net, Thomas Pfeiffer For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. The Supreme Court of Illinois on Friday ruled that an amusement park, Six Flags Great America, must pay damages to a boy for collecting his thumbprint without proper consent. The decision in the closely-watched case opens the door for the possibility of huge payouts in related cases against technology companies whose face-scanning policies breached a state law known as the Biometric Information Privacy Act. In the Six Flags case, a mother named Stacey Rosenbach filed a lawsuit upon learning the amusement park scanned and stored her sons thumbprint as part of its annual pass program. The case soon became a key test of the law, known as BIPA. The crucial issue is whether a person must show they suffered actual harm when a company collects biometrics without permission, or if its enough just to show that the act took place. In a 7-0 ruling, the Illinois court agreed with Rosenbach that the purpose of the law, which provides for a $1,000 to $5,000 penalty, is to deter companies misusing consumers biometrics. This meant that Rosenbachs son counts as an aggrieved person in the language of BIPA. This ruling comes as a blow for Google and Facebook, both of which are ensnared in BIPA lawsuits of their own. In the case of Facebook, consumers are claiming the social network scanned their faces without permission as part of a feature to tag friends and, in the case of Google, as part of a facial recognition service for Google Photos. In the Facebook case, a judge agreed last year that an alleged lack of harm did not bar consumers from suing under BIPA, and that a proposed class action could go before a jury. Facebook appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and has been stalled for months pending the outcome of the Six Flags case. Now, according to plaintiffs lawyer Jay Edelson, the ruling on Friday amounts to a de facto victory. The Illinois Supreme Court went out of its way to make clear [the lower court] got the law right. We believe that Facebooks appeal of that decision is effectively moot. We anticipate that the case will be remanded with instructions that the case gets tried immediately. Our whole team is very much looking forward to presenting our evidence in front of a jury, Edelson wrote in an e-mail. Story continues Facebook declined to comment on the implications of Fridays ruling. Justin Kay, a lawyer at the Chicago office of Drinker Biddle, who is not involved in the litigation, agreed the ruling spelled bad news for the tech companies. One of Facebooks arguments is that the class should not have been certified because BIPA requires some showing of actual injury, and a court would have to inquire in the circumstances of each individuals circumstances to identify that actual injury, Kay wrote. The Rosenbach decision appears to have foreclosed that argument, because the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that no actual injury is required under BIPA. The Illinois ruling also complicates a legal landscape that is already confusing when it comes to privacy rights. This confusion stems in part from a 2016 Supreme Court ruling called Spokeo, which turned on whether a data broker had violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act when it included false biographical information about individuals. A divided court ruled that the data broker should not be liable because the individual who sued couldnt show any real-world harm. But the decision left the door open for individuals to show harm in similar cases, and also side-stepped the question of how to interpret laws like BIPA, which provide mandatory financial penalties for technical privacy violations. This uncertainty is likewise front and center in the BIPA lawsuit against Google. In a ruling in December, a federal judge sided with the tech giant, in part because the plaintiffs hadnt shown they had been harmed by Google scanning photos without permission. Fridays ruling, however, casts the outcome of that case into doubt. According to Kay, the plaintiffs in the Google case have already filed a version of their BIPA claims in state court, where the issue of real world harm is no longer an obstacle. If Facebook and Google ultimately lose the cases, the financial consequences could be enormous. BIPAs penalties call for the $1,000 to $5,000 to be paid to every consumermillions of them in these casesper violation. The companies concern over the lawsuits was reflected in May 2016 when they led an unsuccessful lobbying push in Illinoiss state capitol to change the terms of BIPA to exclude their face scanning. Kay says the potentially staggering amount of damages could actually help Facebook in its current appeal before the Ninth Circuit. He says one of the companys arguments is that BIPAs penalties are so ruinous and out of proportion with any technical violation as to be unconstitutional. Today, numerous other BIPA lawsuits are percolating against dozens of other companies, including SnapChat and the photo album Shutterfly. According to Bloomberg Law, the cases are divided into those claiming illegal face-scanning and those alleging fingerprints or thumbprints were collected without permission. A worker sprays water over piles of coal as a bulldozer shifts coal at Mundra Port Coal Terminal in the western Indian state of Gujarat April 2, 2014. REUTERS/Amit Dave By Sudarshan Varadhan NEW DELHI (Reuters) - 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 percent to 171.85 million tonnes in 2018, marking the fastest pace of growth since 2014, according to data from American Fuels & Natural Resources, a Dubai-based trader of U.S.-origin coal. Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie also said imports grew at their fastest pace since 2014, to 164 million tonnes in 2018. Imports of coking coal - which is mainly used in the manufacturing of steel - rose at the quickest rate since 2015, according to Wood Mackenzie and American Fuels. India imported 52.26 million tonnes of coking coal in 2018, up 14 percent from 45.93 million tonnes in 2017, American Fuels' data showed. The latest government data for April-November coal imports largely matches with data from American Fuels. Thermal coal imports were 118.89 million tonnes in the period, according to government data, compared with American Fuels figure of 118.69 million tonnes. Coking coal imports in the same period were 34.36 million tonnes, according to government data for April-November. American Fuels estimated those imports were 34.40 million tonnes. The value of all coal imports for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 28.7 percent higher at 1.72 trillion Indian rupees ($24.25 billion) than it was a year earlier, according to government data from the coal and trade ministries reviewed by Reuters. Traders say coal imports grew largely due to restrictions on consumption of petroleum coke, a dirtier alternative to coal, in some parts of the country. Story continues "2018 was a booming year for coal imports in India, mostly on the back of demand from cement and small and medium-scale industries in India," said Puneet Gupta, founder of online coal and petcoke marketplace Coalshastra. "Higher demand was also fuelled by restrictions on the use of petcoke," he said. Petcoke consumption dropped about 15 percent in 2018, according to government data. BOOST FOR INTERNATIONAL MINERS While higher coal imports may be bad news for India's trade deficit, they are a boon for international miners such as Indonesia's Adaro Energy, Australia's Whitehaven Coal, U.S, coal miner Peabody Energy Corp and global commodity merchants such as Glencore. Indonesia provided more than 61 percent of India's thermal coal imports, while South Africa accounted for 22 percent and the United States more than 7 percent. Imports of U.S. thermal coal, which burns better compared with Indonesian coal, almost doubled to 12.46 million tonnes in 2018, according to American Fuels. Cheaper coal from countries such as Indonesia are likely to be preferred by buyers in India in 2019, over better burning coal from the United States, due to lower freight costs, according to Ali Yasrab, director of Iman Resources, a UAE-based trader of U.S. origin coal. "If coal prices reach 2018 peak levels, U.S. coal will become popular in India again," Yasrab said. The ports of Mundra, Krishnapatnam and Kandla handled about 37.5 percent of all of the thermal coal imports, according to American Fuels. The Adani Group, which handles about a third of India's imported coal, said last year it expects a "reasonable rise in imports" till fiscal year 2021 due to "rail transportation challenges" affecting India's domestic coal industry. Analysts say they expect India to be a key market for global miners in 2019 as China's "war on pollution" will lead to lower demand from that country. ($1 = 70.9280 rupees) (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Martin Howell, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Andrew Cawthorne) An employee shows the app of China's Didi Chuxing as they launches their ride service in Toluca, An employee shows the app of China's Didi Chuxing as they launches their ride service in Toluca, Mexico, April 23, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/Files By Yilei Sun and Norihiko Shirouzu BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Didi Chuxing has set up joint ventures with a unit of Chinese carmaker BAIC and Germany's Volkswagen as part of the ride hailing giant's goal to ultimately develop purpose-built cars for its services. China's biggest ride-hailing operator said on Monday the joint venture (JV) with state-owned BAIC, called BAIC-Xiaoju New Energy Auto Technology Co. Ltd, aimed to develop "next-generation connected-car systems." It is the first JV between the two companies and follows another partnership announced by Didi last year with Volkswagen. Volkswagen said on Monday the two firms formally set up their JV last month. Chinese company registration records showed that Didi holds a 60 percent share in the JV, called Shanghai Juzhong Smart Mobility Co, while Volkswagen Group China owns 40 percent. This JV "will focus on fleet operations, fleet sales, fleet management, repair and maintenance services. The new JV will also explore fleet leasing business," Volkswagen said in a statement to Reuters. "At the same time, it will carry out extensive discussions to cooperate with industry leading companies in the field of smart mobility," Volkswagen added. The two JVs are among the most significant projects that Didi has begun pursuing as part of a broad alliance the Chinese company formed with 31 automakers and parts suppliers last year. Didi said at the time that it formed the alliance to offer its customer and operational skills to automakers wanting to develop their own ride-sharing services in return for design expertise. Eventually, the Chinese firm intends to develop cars purpose-built for its services. The growing popularity of ride-hailing services for commuting and running errands in congested cities such as Beijing and Shanghai is showing early signs of reducing private car ownership. This could have serious consequences for existing carmakers and is forcing companies like Volkswagen to adapt their businesses and seek out future revenue streams. ($1 = 6.7435 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Yilei Sun, Norihiko Shirouzu and Cate Cadell in Beijing; Writing by Brenda Goh; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Mark Potter) The U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges Monday against Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of China tech giant Huawei, and it also announced charges against Huawei for allegedly stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. A spokesman at China's industry and information technology ministry said Tuesday that the U.S. government indictment against Huawei is "unfair" and "immoral." China's foreign ministry, for its part, expressed concerns about the charges and then characterized the actions as part of a U.S. plot to suppress the success of Chinese firms. A spokesman at China industry and information technology ministry said Tuesday that the U.S. government indictment against Huawei is "unfair" and "immoral," Reuters reported. The U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges Monday against Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of China tech giant Huawei and the daughter of its founder and president Ren Zhengfei. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker confirmed during a press conference that the Justice Department is seeking the extradition of Meng Wanzhou from Canada. The Justice Department also announced charges Monday against Huawei for allegedly stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. The charges stem from a civil trade secrets lawsuit filed by T-Mobile TMUS in 2014 over a robot called "Tappy," which was used in testing smartphones. Meng's lawyer, Reid Weingarten, said his client should not be used as a "pawn or a hostage" in the the U.S.-China relationship. She did not plot to break any U.S. laws, or violate American sanctions on Iran, he said in a statement to CNBC. China's foreign ministry, for its part, expressed its concerns about the charges and then characterized the actions as part of a U.S. plot to suppress the success of Chinese firms. Alex Capri, visiting senior fellow at NUS Business School, told CNBC he found Beijing's response notable. Story continues "I think the choice of words is very interesting from Beijing because I didn't hear any talk about retaliation, I didn't hear any talk similar to what we heard regarding Canada, where 5G networks might be held up, Huawei's involvement in building these types of networks, you know, as a penalty might withdraw," Capri said, referring to the next generation of mobile networking technology. "What that does is that underscores the reality here, and that is that Huawei is incredibly vulnerable," he said, explaining that vulnerability stems from the company's "dependence still on Western tech." That's why, Capri added, "Beijing is treading very carefully here." Huawei said in a statement provided to CNBC that it was "disappointed to learn of the charges brought against the company today." Here's the rest of that statement: After Ms. Meng's arrest, the Company sought an opportunity to discuss the Eastern District of New York investigation with the Justice Department, but the request was rejected without explanation. The allegations in the Western District of Washington trade secret indictment were already the subject of a civil suit that was settled by the parties after a Seattle jury found neither damages nor willful and malicious conduct on the trade secret claim. The Company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments, is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion. CNBC's Kate Fazzini, Arjun Kharpal and Eustance Huang, and Reuters contributed to this report. More From CNBC U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, seen here with North Korean Vice-Chairman Kim Yong Chol in Washington, D.C. on Friday, has since conferred by phone with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan. AFP Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks on North Korea with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts ahead of a summit between Pyongyang's leader and the US president, the State Department said Monday. The phone calls, which took place on January 20, come after President Donald Trump announced that a location for his summit with Kim Jong Un which is to take place near the end of February has been decided. Pompeo discussed the "next steps" on North Korean engagement with Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono, while he and South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha "updated each other" on engagements with Pyongyang, the State Department said. Apple says it spent $60 billion on American component suppliers in 2018, up 10 percent from 2017. Apple says that since 2011 it has supported more than 2 million jobs. It says it supported 450,000 jobs in 2018. Corning, Finisar, Cincinnati Test Systems, Skyworks, Qorvo and Broadcom are some of Apple's U.S. suppliers. Apple on Monday said it spent $60 billion on 9,000 American component suppliers and companies in 2018, up 10 percent from 2017. Those suppliers supported "more than 450,000 jobs" in the United States in 2018 and have created or supported more than 2 million jobs since 2011, the company said. Apple AAPL outlined several of its American suppliers, which it doesn't normally do publicly. It named Kentucky's Corning GLW , which supplies the glass for iPhones and iPads. Skyworks SWKS in Massachusetts, Qorvo QRVO in Oregon and Broadcom AVGO in Colorado all contribute components for wireless communications, Apple said. Cincinnati Test Systems provides technology that helps keep iPhones water-resistant. Finisar FNSR , in Sherman, Texas, works on some of the lasers that let iPhones and iPads recognize your face. Apple has pushed to create an image that its products are American and not manufactured only in Chinese factories. Last March, CEO Tim Cook said that Apple didn't need " political pressure to add American jobs " because it has already been supporting careers in the U.S. Last January, Apple announced plans to repatriate $350 billion in overseas cash that it said will contribute to the U.S. economy and will help create 20,000 U.S. jobs. Likewise, Foxconn, one of the companies that produces iPhones in China, is opening a plant in Wisconsin. However, experts have said it's unlikely Apple would ever move its iPhone production line to the U.S . Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. More From CNBC (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. reported holiday-quarter results and gave a forecast that together suggested the companys performance has begun to stabilize after a punishing end to 2018. While iPhone sales fell, revenue from other businesses, such as services and wearable devices, grew from a year earlier. The Cupertino, California-based company said fiscal second-quarter revenue will be between $55 billion and $59 billion. Analysts were looking for $58.97 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Apple shares rose more than 5 percent in extended trading on Tuesday. The stock closed at $154.68 in New York. The company had lost about a third of its market value since October on concern about a saturated smartphone market, rising Sino-American trade tension and an economic slowdown in China. Apple sales fell 27 percent in Greater China and now make up about 15 percent of total revenue. Earlier this month, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook warned that the company would miss its holiday quarter sales target, setting a low bar for Tuesdays results. While it was disappointing to miss our revenue guidance, we manage Apple for the long term, and this quarters results demonstrate that the underlying strength of our business runs deep and wide, Cook said in a statement. IPhone revenue dropped 15 percent in the quarter from a year earlier, but sales increased for all other product categories, the company said. Revenue from services grew 19 percent to $10.9 billion, Mac sales gained 8.7 percent to $7.4 billion and iPad revenue increased 17 percent to $6.7 billion. The company, for the first time, specified wearables, home and accessories as a product category with sales of $7.3 billion -- a 33 percent jump. Apple also disclosed the gross profit margin of the services division for the first time on Tuesday. That came in at 63 percent. Four analysts were looking for gross margins of roughly 55 percent to 65 percent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Story continues "Services gross margins at over 60% is a positive," said Shannon Cross, an analyst at Cross Research LLC. (Updates with analyst comment in final paragraph.) To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Gurman in San Francisco at mgurman1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Andrew Pollack, Alistair Barr For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. customers discovered a software bug that lets people listen in on other users by way of the companys FaceTime video chat service in one of the biggest privacy-related problems faced by the company. The bug allows a user to call someone on FaceTime and automatically begin hearing the other person before they pick up the call. The other person isnt aware that the caller can hear them. The bug, confirmed by Bloomberg News, happens when a user creates a FaceTime conference call, puts in their phone number, and then adds the number of another person. The flaw also allows video to be sent if the other user clicks either their power button or one of the volume controls. Later on Monday, Apples system status page indicated that group FaceTime was temporarily unavailable, indicating that Apple disabled the flaw remotely. The company, which attracted criticism from business and political leaders, said earlier on Monday that it would release a software update "later this week" to fix the bug. Users can also disable FaceTime on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches in settings and on the Mac under the Preferences tab in the FaceTime application. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the FaceTime bug is an egregious breach of privacy that puts New Yorkers at risk. Hes concerned the flaw could be exploited for unscrupulous purposes. The bug emerged on Data Privacy Day when Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook called for "action and reform for vital privacy protections." Cook, along with Apple as a whole, has pushed its pro-privacy stance and functionality for months as rivals like Facebook Inc. suffered from user data breaches. "Apple has a pristine privacy record, so the FaceTime bug is noteworthy and a small etback," Loup Ventures co-founder Gene Munster said. "Even with the bug, Apple is still the most trusted tech company when it comes to privacy." Apple added multi-person FaceTime calling at the end of last year via a software update that was, in part, designed to address previous software bugs. Story continues (Updates with comment in sixth paragraph.) To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Gurman in San Francisco at mgurman1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Alistair Barr, Andrew Pollack For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook took to Twitter on Monday to join a number of voices calling for greater privacy protections. Its not the first time the company executive has called for action on the topic. Earlier this month, in a column published by Time, Cook called on the Federal Trade Commission to track data brokers and monitor how they use peoples digital information. Elsewhere on the day being dubbed Data Privacy Day, Adobe Inc. announced it was teaming up with OneTrust to develop new tools and offerings that address a few of the unique privacy challenges in the mobile space, while Facebook Inc. launched a Privacy and Data Use Hub. This came as the European Union Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova said Facebook has to do much more to restore trust of the regulators and many of its users to show compliance with the EUs new data protection rules, known as GDPR. Irelands data privacy regulator, meanwhile, said its seeking an urgent briefing with Facebook on its tentative plans to integrate the Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram platforms. Apple reports quarterly earnings after the New York market close on Tuesday. Facebook is scheduled to publish results on Wednesday, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. To contact the reporter on this story: Morwenna Coniam in New York at mconiam@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Catherine Larkin at clarkin4@bloomberg.net, Nathan Crooks For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Knowing who needs to be where, on what day and at what time. Buying a bigger pair of pants before a child outgrows what is currently hanging in the closet. Always having a jar of unopened peanut butter on hand. These caregiving tasks require mental and emotional effort and are examples of the invisible labor women contribute and caring for their families. Researchers from Arizona State University and Oklahoma State University examined how invisible labor impacted the well-being of a sample of American women. The work will be published on January 22 in Sex Roles. "Until recently, no one stopped to think about mom herself," said Suniya Luthar, Foundation Professor of psychology at ASU and senior author on the study. "We need to attend to the well-being of moms if we want children to do well, and also for their own sakes." Quantifying the invisible Though men participate in housework and childcare more today than in the past, women still manage the household, even when they are employed. Because this unequal burden can affect the mental health of women, the researchers decided to study how the management of a household was divided among partners and how the division of labor affected women's well-being. "Even though women may be physically doing fewer loads of laundry, they continue to hold the responsibility for making sure the detergent does not run out, all the dirty clothes make it into the wash and that there are always clean towels available," said Lucia Ciciolla, assistant professor of psychology at Oklahoma State University and first author on the study. "Women are beginning to recognize they still hold the mental burden of the household even if others share in the physical work, and that this mental burden can take a toll." The researchers surveyed 393 American women with children under age 18 who were married or in a committed partnership. The sample included women mostly from middle upper class homes who were highly educated, with over 70% having at least a college education. The team measured the division of household labor by asking questions about who was in charge of three sets of tasks: organizing the family's schedules, fostering children's well-being, and making major financial decisions. The researchers looked at how these tasks affected the women's satisfaction with spouses or partners and their satisfaction with life overall. The team also looked how invisible labor was linked to feelings of being overwhelmed and feelings of emptiness in the women's everyday lives. A mother's work is never done In the category of family routines, almost 9 in 10 women answered they felt solely responsible for organizing schedules of the family, which Luthar said is an extremely large percentage given 65% of the women were employed. At least 7 in 10 women answered they were also responsible for other areas of family routines like maintaining standards for routines and assigning household chores. The women who indicated they were in charge of the household reported they felt overwhelmed with their role as parents, had little time for themselves and felt exhausted. "Sole responsibility for household management showed links with moms' distress levels, but with the almost 90% of women feeling solely responsible, there was not enough variability in the data to detect whether this association was statistically significant," Luthar said. "At the same time, there's no question that constant juggling and multi-tasking at home negatively affects mental health." A large percentage of the women also felt that it was mostly they who were responsible for being vigilant of their children's well-being and emotional states. Almost 8 in 10 answered they were the one who knew the children's school teachers and administrators, and two thirds indicated it was they who were attentive to the children's emotional needs. Yet, instilling values in children was a shared responsibility. Only a quarter of women said they were solely responsible, and 72% said that this was generally shared equally with partners. The invisible labor of ensuring the well-being of children did, in fact, show strong, unique links with women's distress. This category clearly predicted feelings of emptiness in the women. It was also associated with low satisfaction levels about life overall and with the marriage or partnership. "Research in developmental science indicates that mothers are first responders to kids' distress," Luthar said. "That is a very weighty job; it can be terrifying that you're making decisions, flying solo, that might actually worsen rather than improve things for your children's happiness." Financial decisions were also listed as shared responsibilities, with just over 50% of the women answering they made decisions about investments, vacations, major home improvements and car purchases together with their partner. Because other studies have found participating in financial decisions to be empowering, the researchers predicted it would be positively associated with women's well-being. But financial decision-making was unexpectedly associated with low partner satisfaction, which the research team attributed to the addition of this job on top of the already high demands of managing the household and ensuring the children's well-being. Fixing an unequal burden Experts on resilience in children agree that the most important protection for kids under stress is the well-being of the primary caregiver in the family, which is most commonly the mother. Mothers must also feel nurtured and cared for if they are to have good mental health and positive parenting behaviors. When women feel overly responsible for the invisible labor of running a household and raising children, it can negatively impact their overall well-being. "When mothers feel supported, they can have the emotional resources to cope well with the demands they face," Ciciolla said. "Being able to address inequalities in invisible labor can allow women and families to create households that are more functional and less burdensome, and can also spare women mental gymnastics to find the space and time to care for themselves." In addition to talking about invisible labor, Luthar emphasized that mothers must maintain dependable, authentic connections with others who are supportive. Randomized clinical trials have shown that regular support groups with mothers in the workplace led to reductions in distress, burnout at work and the stress hormone cortisol. "Resilience rests, fundamentally, on relationships," Luthar said. "As this is true for children, it is true for mothers who tend them." ### This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01 DA014385 and R13 MH082592) and by Authentic Connections and the Rodel Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official views of the funding agencies. The Arizona State University Department of Psychology operates at the intersection of the mind, brain and behavior and includes internationally-renown scientists who work to unravel many of the mysteries and challenges of human behavior. ASU Psychology is dedicated to engaging bold scientific enterprise, developing innovative psychological methods, and integrating students into the excitement of psychological discovery in both the classroom and the laboratory. Sanaa: On Monday the United Nations representative for Yemen said the expected timeline for a ceasefire in the flashpoint city of Hodeida and a prisoner swap between warring parties have been pushed back. Martin Griffiths hosted hard-won peace talks between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and rival Iran-aligned Huthi rebels in Sweden last month. The two parties, who have been at war for four years, agreed at the talks to a mass prisoner swap and an ambitious ceasefire pact in Hodeida, the Red Sea city home to the impoverished country's most valuable port. Griffiths, who was in rebel-held Sanaa on his third trip to Yemen this month, said there had been "changes in timelines" for both deals. He told in a report that "That momentum is still there, even if we have seen the timelines for implementation extended, both in Hodeida and with regard to the prisoner exchange agreement,Yet such changes in timelines are expected, in light of the facts that the timelines were rather ambitious and we are dealing with a complex situation on the ground." He further added that Griffiths also confirmed reports of plans to replace retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert, who heads the monitoring team tasked with overseeing the Hodeida truce."General Cammaert's plan was to stay in Yemen for a rather short period of time to... lay the ground for establishing the Hodeida mission," also read Pakistan's Supreme Court review own acquittal of a Christian woman charged with blasphemy At the United Nations, diplomats told AFP that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has chosen Cammaert's replacement: former Danish general Michael Lollesgaard. His candidacy has been proposed to the UN Security Council, which has 48 hours to accept or refuse, two sources told AFP on condition of anonymity. Lollesgaard commanded the UN mission to Mali (MINUSMA) from 2015 to 2016, and then became Denmark's military representative to NATO and the European Union in 2017. The Huthis, who control Hodeida, have accused Cammaert of not being up to the task and of pursuing "other agendas." UN diplomats told AFP that his relationship with Griffiths was strained. Earlier this month, he said that planned talks had been postponed until February. Griffiths said that "We are all on the same page that we need to see progress in implementing what was agreed in Sweden before convening the next round of consultations." The Yemen conflict has killed some 10,000 people since a Saudi-led military coalition interfered in support of the beleaguered government in March 2015, according to the World Health Organization. Human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The war has pushed 14 million Yemenis to the edge of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. also read Two sisters have been found dead after disappearing more than two weeks ago in Argentina Mangaluru: Yathish Chandra IPS, who created waves on social media with his stern measures at Sabarimala, is yet again attracting attention with a new look. A video of the Thrissur SP in a mundu and shirt taking part as well as dancing at a wedding in Mangaluru has gone viral. Yathish arrived at the wedding ceremony of the two sons of K S Prasad Panicker, a prominent industrialist in Karnataka who is also the police officers relative, in a silk mundu and shirt. When Yathish danced to a song, the guests, who included celebrities from Malayalam and Kannada film industries as well as top politicians, were pleasantly surprised. Soon after the dance, there was a rush to click selfies with Yathish. The video was released by Leo Media. Yathish, belonging to Davangere in Karnataka, had quit his job as an electronics engineer to join IPS. His wife Shyamala is a software engineer. Yathish became a star on social media following his interventions in the Puthuvype agitation, Angamaly hartal and Sabarimala womens entry issue. His take on the protestors at Sabarimala without provocation and lecture to Central Minister Pon Radhakrishnan had sparked a heated debate. A photo of the police officer shaking hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function in Thrissur a few days ago had also become viral. A huge controversy confronted George Fernandes at a time when he began to lose memory and he slowly became a victim of dementia. What happened at his residence at 3 Krishna Menon Marg in New Delhi was reminiscent of the row during BSP founder Kanshirams final days. If it was between Kanshirams relatives and his associate Mayawati over the custody of the Dalit leader, the spat in Fernandes' case was between his wife and friends. Fernandes, who was estranged from wife Leila Kabir, was closer to party associate Jaya Jaitly. When he fell sick, Leila took up his care with a court order. She disallowed Jaya from meeting Fernandes, creating many dramatic events in front of his house. The issue reached the Supreme Court in 2012, when Jaya was granted permission to meet Fernandes for 15 minutes every 15 days. She was asked not to touch him for fear of infection and not to get involved in his medical needs. George Fernandes and Jaya Jaitly. File photo: PTI Fernandess properties worth Rs 25 crore are said to be the reason for the tension between family members and friends. Fernandes married the daughter of former central minister Humayun Kabir in 1971. They separated after 13 years. Leila left him in 1984 but never got officially separated. The name of spouse in his official documents always remained that of Leilas. Decades later when Fernandes became Rajya Sabha member, he insisted Leila be next to him. Leila had returned. It also saw Jaya and other Samata Party members falling out of favour. But Fernandess brothers alleged Leila returned after almost 25 years to stake claim to his wealth. Leila alleged the same about them, saying the brothers who lived outside Delhi never visited Fernandes. Fernandes (R), who was estranged from wife Leila Kabir, was closer to party associate Jaya Jaitly (L). Now that Fernandes is no more, the controversy around him may die out soon. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Tuesday dismissed a PIL for a thorough investigation by the CBI or an SIT into all allegations of sexual abuse made against the clergy. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao declined to entertain the plea, saying it contained no specific incidents other than the recent complaint of alleged sexual abuse of a Kerala nun by a Catholic priest which is already being looked into. "We'll not look into all this. Dismissed," the bench said. The plea had sought a thorough probe by CBI or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the ground that the nun's complaint was allegedly ignored by the Church. Petitioner Sanjjiiv Kkumaar had also sought a direction to the Delhi Police Commissioner to set up a 'clergy abuse hotline' so that such sexually abused victims and survivors "may come forward to seek justice by registering their grievance and any person may give leads/tips to the law enforcement agency." He had also claimed there was an allegation of sexual abuse in a Delhi catholic retreat centre which was required to be investigated and the victim nun has written an anonymous letter to church authorities who chose not to act "against the perpetrator". The plea had alleged that the inaction of church authorities is against the principle of natural justice and the victims have found it impossible to get their allegations taken seriously by the Catholic churches. The plea had also referred to the case of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, who is an accused in Kerala nun rape case and presently out on bail, and said Mulakkal was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Delhi in January 2009. It had claimed there was a "possibility" that the bishop, who allegedly raped the Kerala nun 13 times between 2014 and 2016 during his visits to a convent in Kottayam district in Kerala, would have done the same with many children and women during his period as Auxiliary Bishop in Delhi. Mumbai: Like lakhs of hopefuls, George Fernandes had come to Bombay (now, Mumbai) aged barely 19 looking for a job and spent many a night on the mean streets, fighting roaches and rodents, but never complaining, old-timers reminisced. Unlike Oliver Twist, he never "asked for more" but went on to earn it the hard way with his own skills, talent and leadership traits, learning everything en route - even 10 languages! He eventually became "George the Giant-killer" when he vanquished the then 'Uncrowned King of Bombay', the veteran Congress leader S K Patil, in the 1967 elections. Fernandes passed away Tuesday after a prolonged illness. From such humble beginnings, started as a proof-reader in a newspaper, he started unionism with the influence of persons like Placid D'Mello and later Ram Manohar Lohiya, battling for the workers' rights, taximen, government employees, often with opposing forces like the upcoming Shiv Sena wooing the locals with its Sons of the Soil campaign. After years of defending workers, decades later Fernandes went on to 'defend' the country as the flamboyant Defence Minister of India, protecting her from the Kargil incursions and flexing muscles with the Pokhran nuclear tests. Though his Mangalore-based middle-class family had dreams of him becoming a priest at a seminary there, Fernandes was lured by another call -- that of public service -- and plunged headlong into the Socialist Movement and trade unionism that was ideologically fashionable when the country had just attained Independence a couple of years earlier. George Fernandes with Jaya Jaitley. Over the next two decades or so, he became the "striking George", organising a series of strikes, including the famous 20-day All-India railway strike of 1974 when he was President of All India Railwaymens Federation, with many other unions and organisations supporting him. That historic action which crippled the government catapulted him to global fame as the political establishment was brought to its knees and was regarded as one of the key factors leading to the Emergency, imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a year later. Fiercely independent-minded, Fernandes even fought the Emergency, 'disappeared' in Mumbai when an arrest warrant was issued, later sneaked to Baroda (now, Vadodara), meeting other like-minded and other places chalking out strategies for the defeat of the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi, and was part of the famed Baroda Dynamite Case of 1976. During his early days in unionism, he spent several spells in jails and was elected a corporator twice to the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC), which spurred him to take up the challenge against Patil in 1967, trouncing him and killing his (Patil's) political career. By the early 1970s, he assumed a larger national role in active politics first with the Samyukta Socialist Party, later the Janata Party, the Samata Party and the National Democratic Alliance, winning nine Lok Sabha elections from 1967-2004, and shifting to capital (Delhi) politics. As Mumbai transformed into a global financial centre with the private sector becoming a big employer, the militant form of trade unionism practiced by Fernandes gradually faded away to more industry-oriented actions like the great year-long textile strike of 1982 spearheaded by the late medico, Datta Samant, but now such actions are practically extinct. George Fernandes during an agitation. Fernandes, aged 88, passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged battle with various illnesses including Alzheirmer's Disease, leaving behind a rich legacy of contributions as a trade union leader, a media person, champion of workers and human rights, a politician and an administrator. Bengaluru: Former Defence Minister George Fernandes who passed away on Tuesday morning in New Delhi after a prolonged illness, will be remembered for his simplicity and mild manners. Dr V K Aatre, former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief and Scientific Advisor to George Fernandes from 1999 to 2004, recalled with Onmanorama their association. He was a very simple man. He was always approachable to all scientists. He provided very realistic solutions, recalled Dr Aatre, now 80. Dr Aatre said Fernandes always preferred the economy class while flying on board the national carrier, Air India. He preferred the last seat. Once during a visit to LRDE (a DRDO lab in Bengaluru), the minister called me to ensure that the security was not deployed at the guest house. He also asked for a simple room. I was surprised to see him wash his clothes and put them for drying inside the room, Dr Aatre said. In 2004 when burglars stole computers from Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), a DRDO lab based out of Delhi, there was a huge outcry to remove the Director. Media reported that many sensitive data linked to cyber security was stored on the stolen computers. I walked up to George Fernandes and said the Director may be spared but I as the DRDO chief may be sacked. He asked me to set up a probe team and later we found that no secrets were stolen, as being reported, recalls Dr Aatre. He said Fernandes was probably the only Defence Minister who walked into his cabin for the Defence Research Council (DRC) meetings of DRDO. George Fernandes with LCA pilot Wg Cdr Rajiv Kothiyal after his historic maiden flight on Jan 4, 2001. Photo: DRDO/ADA The DRC meetings were important and George Fernandes would often walk to my cabin for the same. He felt that the scientists will be able to freely discuss with him in my chamber rather than his. Again the instructions were to keep the protocols away, he says. On January 4, 2001, when the Light Combat Aircraft first took to the skies, Fernandes was in Bangalore to witness the historic flight. As soon as the flight took off with Kothiyal at the controls, he wanted to call up PM Vajpayee. I told him lets wait for 20 more minutes and he may call after it lands. He looked at me for a while and then we both burst into laughter, recalls Dr Aatre. Interestingly, it was during the first flight of LCAs second technology demonstrator (TD-2) in June, 2002, that Fernandes expressed his desire to fly in a fighter. He had told the LCA team then about his wish after seeing the LCAs smooth take-off. A year later, he became the first Defence Minister to fly in Sukhoi. Fernandes also had a flight on board the MiG-21 the same year from Ambala. Popular among troops Maj General K S Venugopal (Retd), former GOC of Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area Command, told Onmanrama that Fernandes was probably the most popular Defence Ministers for the jawns of Indian Army. No defence minister has visited Siachen as many number of times as George Fernandes did. He cared for the troops and he walked the talk. He ensured that the reluctant bureaucrats too visited Siachen to understand the needs of the soldiers. They were put on snow scooters with winter clothing to know how hostile the weather was there, Maj Gen Venugopal (Retd) said. Recalling another incident, the veteran Army official said Fernandes visited the troops in Ahmedabad after riots broke out in 2002. I was the Colonel in-charge of Administration with 54 Infantry Division. We were deployed there owing to the riots and one day he landed there and addressed us. Wearing a sandal and his trademark kurta, he spoke with us for 15 minutes. He was different, recalls Maj Gen Venugopal (Retd). Fernandes knew the pulse of the jawans and gave priority to their needs. When media highlighted the issues of jawans posted at very high altitudes, he was quick to respond, says a serving Brigadier. Cakes for jawans During his tenure as Defence Minister, Fernandes ensured that troops posted on the borders received cakes baked at Bangalore's popular Koshys Mechanised Bakery on Wellington Street. The plum cakes weighing 100 gms each were meant for over 45,000 soldiers posted in Kargil, Siachin and other forward areas. They were transported in special flights. The bakers said that Fernandes was particular that cakes were packed with special wrappers so that they stayed fresh when served to the troops. This was his Christmas gift to the soldiers and cakes went to the borders every year when he was the Defence Minister. It was a very top priority order for us as he was very particular about the quality. There were many rounds of security checks and he himself tasted the samples. He reminded us that the troops will have to eat the best cakes during Christmas, says Prem Koshy of Koshys Restaurant. George Fernandes during a visit to GTRE, a DRDO lab in Bengaluru in December 2000. Dr V K Aatre is seen second from right. Photo: DRDO/ADA He said during his visits to Bengaluru, Fernandes often frequented the restaurant and waited for the fresh cakes and breads from kitchen. He loved our bread and cakes. He loved their smell. He would sit for hours together with his friends. My manager Abraham executed all his orders with great devotion and George Fernandes always remembered to send his compliments to our team, says Prem. (The writer is an independent aerospace and defence journalist, who blogs at Tarmak007 and tweets @writetake.) Anna Hazare is back. When the anti-corruption crusader prepares to launch an agitation from his village in Maharashtra on Thursday, the ruling dispensation has reasons to worry. The same popular anger against corruption that hastened the fall of the Congress-led UPA government five years ago may work against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government this time. Anna Hazare has already focused on the Rafael deal, which had become a hot potato for the Union government. The activist gathered forces to bring about the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in 2013 yet the ombudsmen have not been appointed so far. Anna Hazare has also taken up the farmers struggle this time. He spoke to Manorama from Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar. You spoke about more revelations in the Rafael deal. The Rafael corruption would not have happened had the government appointed the Lokpal. The deal smacks of corruption. The people are doubtful of the deal. A lot of information about the deal have been revealed. We will reveal more information at the appropriate time. You have echoed the pet themes of the Congress, like the Rafael deal and the farmers debt relief. Do you expect the Congress to support you in an election year? We do not want the Congress support. And I do not think they will bother to support us. How do you evaluate the Modi government? They better walk the talk. Chasing black money, depositing Rs 15 lakh in every mans account, wiping the tears of farmers, creating lakhs of jobs...there were a lot of promises. What have they delivered so far? I wrote to the President last week to point out that the government is drifting towards totalitarianism. The AAP government in Delhi had its genesis in the agitation you launched. The agitation also paved the way for a BJP-led government at the Centre. How do you compare those governments? That strike had the sole purpose of wiping away corruption. The main weapons were the introduction of Lokpal and Lokayuktas. Arvind Kejriwal was the most vocal about those terms. He seems to have forgotten about those once he came to power. Even Modi has done nothing for a Lokpal. You received ample support from people such as Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and V K Singh. All of them parted ways with you and rose to positions of power. Are you still in contact with any of your former supporters? I think it is better to act alone. I am not in touch with any of them. My route is about service, village and the country while theirs is towards power and money. Has the replacement of the UPA government by the NDA government made any difference to corruption? Bribery is as strong as it was. Many incidents are kept under the wraps. I had toured several states last year. I was mobbed by television crews but not many reports came out in most of the media. I believe they were under government pressure. So no one is willing to speak out. Who do you expect to support your agitation this time? I have no money or power. Still I draw support from the people. As many as 500 people from across the country participated in a recent meeting to chalk out the strategy of the agitation. I do not know how big the agitation will become. But I can say for sure that it will give the government many sleepless nights. The agitation comes in an election year. Is there any reason for that? It is not related to the election. I had sat in strike at Delhis Ramlila grounds last March to demand the appointment of a Lokpal. I called off the agitation only after the Prime Ministers Office assured me that the appointment would be done by October 2. When that word was not kept, I again protested in October. I withdrew the strike after the Maharashtra chief minister assured me that the appointment process was in progress. Even that word was not kept and I have no other way but to hit the protest path. The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act was a major milestone in the fight against corruption yet it served no purpose because the ombudsmen were not appointed. The bill was passed in 2013. Those were promising days. We thought everything was going to be alright with the anointment of Modi who had centered his election campaign on a fight against corruption. He has not done anything to appoint the Lokpal and the Lokayuktas even after five years in power. The BJP leaders who passionately spoke for the bill in Parliament now remain silent. Modi and his ministers are afraid of a Lokpal. What is the point of a law if you do not appoint the people to implement it? The act empowers the people. The ombudsman can initiate an investigation against anyone including the prime minister. That is the beauty of it. What recommendations do you put forward to improve the lot of farmers? Dairy farmers pour out milk in the streets because they are not assured of a decent price for their produce. Farmers get only Re 1 for a kilogram of onions. They burn their fields and end their lives there. A project mooted for the welfare of 60-plus farmers remain a non-starter. I want to ensure crop prices in relation to the cost of cultivation. Agricultural loans have to be written off. Implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan committee. Encourage drip irrigation across the country. If you ensure support prices for crops, farmers would not be forced to sell onions for Re 1 per kilogram. They will not be forced to take their lives. Read more India News Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trying to divide the country, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said. Modi's plan was to create an India for the rich and another for the poor, farmers and labourers, he said, informally kicking off the Congress-led front's campaign for the general election. Gandhi accused the prime minister of spending Rs 3.5 lakh crore for his coterie of 15 businessmen while refusing to spend even Re 1 for the poor. Modi also tried to weaken the land acquisition act in favour of the businessmen, the Congress president said at a party meeting in Kochi. The Congress has always tried to increase the standard of living for the poor and the party has never gone for temporary gains, Gandhi said, reminding the fight against poverty through the Green Revolution. He said that the country was on track to achieve self-sufficiency in food when Modi came to power. He said that Modi was helping Ambani by spoiling the chances of hundreds of thousands of job seekers. Gandhi said that the Congress would make minimum income a right if it was voted to power. He said that would be a continuation of the employment guarantee scheme introduced by the UPA government. He said that the money would be deposited into the accounts of the poor in the country. He also said that the first priority of a Congress government would be to introduce the women's reservation bill. He promised to amend the anti-farmer policies of the Modi government. He called upon the party leaders to follow the motto: My booth, my pride. He said that the party would make sure that it fielded more youngsters and women as its candidates in the elections. He reiterated that the Goods and Services Act was an utter failure and promised to overhaul what he called the Gabbar Singh Tax. He also took a snipe at the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, saying that the people in power were only interested in protecting their favourites. He suggested that the August flood in Kerala was man-made. He said that the Malayalis across the globe stood shoulder to shoulder in the hope that the Kerala government would take the lead to reconstruct the state but both the state and the centre did little to reconstruct the state. Gandhi said that the CPM and the BJP were trying to divide the people. Both parties had no agenda to protect the youngsters and women in the state. The Congress wanted the state to stand united. He said that he wanted to raise the same questions to the BJP at the centre and the CPM in the state. He said that India could overtake China if the governments at the centre and the states worked together. He said that he could see a scenario in which the Chinese used products made in India. Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress was the only party capable of uniting India at a time when division was creeping into all institutions in the country. He said that the Congress defeated the BJP in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. He said that Kerala would also go the same way. He said that the Congress was the heart of the country even if the BJP and the CPM could boast of their cadres. He said that the others submitted to the British while the Congress fought for independence. The Congress president said that the party was strong enough to defeat the BJP at the centre and the CPM in Kerala. The Congress wanted to protect the farmers, he said. He said that he was amazed by the unity and integrity of Malayalis while on a recent visit to Dubai. Kerala is not just a state, it is an idea and a world view, he added. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the BJP would drew a blank in Kerala. He said that Kerala had always stood by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Congress working committee member A K Antony said that he had never seen such a mammoth meeting since he joined the Congress. He warned Congress leaders against complacency, saying that a backlash against the government was not enough to win an election. He said that the Congress should learn from its defeat in the assembly byelection in Chengannur. KPCC president Mullappalli Ramachandran, AICC general secretaries Oommen Chandy, Mukul Wasnik and K C Venugopal also spoke. Earlier, Gandhi visited the family of deceased Congress MP, M I Shanavas. Thiruvananthapuram: DGP Loknath Behera has ordered a Crime Branch probe into the death of musician Balabhaskar. The decision follows a demand by Balabhaskars father. The investigating team will be constituted soon. The violinists father had sought a probe by an IPS officer. The case was being investigated by the Attingal DySP. The police had earlier found that Balabhaskars driver Arjun, who was present in the car that met with an accident killing the musician, had been an accused in two criminal cases. Meanwhile, officials assume that there was nothing suspicious regarding Balabhaskars financial dealings. Balabhaskars father had recently said that the police had not recorded the statement of the family. He also said that the probe was on the wrong track, following which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan intervened in the issue. After Balabhaskars family expressed doubts over the money transactions between the late violinist and a doctor belonging to Palakkad, the police had questioned the doctor and his wife. Balabhaskar, Lakshmi and their two-year-old daughter Tejaswini were traveling from Thrissur to Thiruvananthapuram by road when their car crashed into a tree late night. The accident took place on September 25 at Pallipuram, near Thiruvananthapuram. While Tejaswini passed away on the spot, Balabhaskar, Lakshmi and their driver Arjun were admitted to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Balabhaskar underwent surgeries in Ananthapuri hospital as he had head and spine injuries, multiple fractures on the leg and a dislocated neck. He passed away following a cardiac arrest on October 2, after a week-long battle for life. Idukki: Five police officers, who were suspended from service for circulating photos and details of the accused in the Chinnakanal double murder case among mediapersons, have been reinstated. Assistant sub-inspectors Ulahannan and Saji M Paul, driver Aneesh and CPO Omanakkuttan belonging to the SPs special squad as well as driver Ramesh of Santhampara police station who accompanied the investigating team to Madurai, were suspended by Idukki district police chief K B Venugopal earlier this month. A section of the police force was upset about the punishment for the cops, who had arrested the accused within a week. The suspension was revoked following intervention by top officers, it is learnt. The officers reportedly circulated their photos with the accused on WhatsApp without the permission of superiors. The images later reached mediapersons. The photos showed the prime accused, Bobin who allegedly murdered Jacob Varghese and his aide Muthaiah at Naduppara in Chinnakanal, along with the officers who arrested him. According to the district police chiefs suspension order, the interrogation of the accused was compromised and valuable time was lost due to the conduct ofthe cops. After the photos and details of the crime became viral, the district police chief had cancelled his press meet. Following this, the officers were suspended. Cardamom estate owner Jacob Varghese, 40, and his aide Muthaiah, 50, were brutally killed on Sunday inside the estate bungalow and the adjoining cardamom drier room on January 13. The police were on a hot pursuit of Bobin after they got clues about his involvement in the murders. The sleuths had conducted searches in Wayanad and the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border suspecting that the killer must be hiding somewhere there. Bobin was arrested from neighbouring Tamil Nadu when he was plotting to leave for Pazhani via Theni, a small town along Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The police had earlier arrested a couple for helping the culprit escape from the estate. Israbel, 30, and his wife, Kapila, 23, natives of Cheriyar, were remanded in custody after their role in providing help to Bobin came to light. The police also said Bobin had plans to kill Israbel, who had sheltered him after the crime. Investigators said Bobin had an affair with Israbel's wife, Kapila and they both intended to move to Madurai after the murder. Bobin desisted from the third murder as he sustained a deep injury during the estate killings. The transfer order handed out to Deputy commissioner of Police (DCP) Chaitra Teresa John for raiding the CPI(M) Thiruvananthapuram district committee office is an honour that is more glittering than any Padma award, I must say. The disciplinary action against her can be viewed as an acknowledgment of her refusal to bow down to anyone while carrying out her duty. Also, the entire episode exposed the state government's double standards and helped the general public gauge its selective renaissance and women empowerment theories. It is highly condemnable that the action against Chaitra comes at a time when the government is taking the lead to organise various programmes calling upon the citizens to strive to protect and preserve the spirit of the Constitution. By resorting to such disgraceful measures, the government, which keeps asserting that it would not compromise on its stern law and order approach, is definitely sending out a wrong message to the society. This is not the first instance of workers affiliated to the party in power turning law-breakers. It applies to both left and right wings. Unfortunately, when partymen indulge in such acts, the government, instead of upholding the rule of law, takes an embarrassing stance and protect them. The incident involving Chaitra is a matter of serious concern for many reasons. The 50-member gang of DYFI workers pelted stones at the Medical College station not to protest against police inaction or with any hidden agenda. They resorted to violence after being denied permission to meet the two CPM activists who were arrested in connection with a case registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences act (POCSO). A police team led by DCP Chaitra searched the party office based on a Special Branch report that those involved in the station attack were hiding in the CPM office in Mettukada. The crime committed by Chaitra is that she did not compromise on maintaining public peace and law and order! Within hours, the government rewarded the IPS officer for discharging her duties sincerely by shunting her out of the post she was holding. She was also told by her superiors to give an explanation for the offence she committed. If that was not enough, a departmental inquiry has also been initiated against her. A great example of law enforcement indeed! CPI(M) leaders allege that Chaitra, colluding with the Opposition, raided the office with an intention to tarnish the partys image. When the party leaders level such an accusation against her, they are obliged to produce conclusive evidence to substantiate it. Then only the general public would be convinced. It could be a mere coincidence that the same officer was the one who acted firmly and booked the NGO union leaders who were accused of vandalising the SBI Treasury Branch during the general strike recently. There are two choices for officers of Chaitras ilk. They can bow to political pressure and make their official life hassle-free. The second option is discharging their duties honestly and sincerely without fearing the consequences. I have no doubt that officers like Chaitra, who is very young with over 30 years left in service, would pick the second option. Not only Chaitra, but a majority of civil servants of the current generation are brave enough to take such a stance. Im proud that there are many women among them. That is where renaissance in its true essence becomes a reality. (The writer is a former additional chief secretary of Home Department) Read more from Straight Talk Budget is what bothers everyone when it comes to constructing a house of their dreams. This chic and stylish house owned by Thomas and Sini is a perfect model for a modern abode, built on a moderate budget. Thomas, who is the youngest among eight siblings, wanted his house to be spacious, with abundant supply of sunshine and fresh air. He happened to see a few homes built in the Laurie Baker style when he visited Thiruvananthapuram as part of his business venture. He, impressed by those houses, imagined his own house to be built in this unique architectural style. His wife Sini too was bowled over by the idea of an elegant home built in the Laurie Baker style. Thomas then approached Cosford, a construction firm which specializes in designing Laurie Baker style homes. The house which stands on a 6.25 cents plot near Irumpanam, exudes the regal charm of the colonial style. Thomas was interested to build the house using red mud bricks while Sini preferred normal bricks. Both types of bricks were used in the construction of the house. Irumpanam-house-02 Lots of natural light is welcomed into the house, with an excellent air circulation as well. The beautiful courtyard near the living room is truly one of the striking features of the interiors. The dining area is arranged adjacent to the open kitchen. There are three bath-attached bedrooms in the house. One bedroom is in the ground floor while two are in the upper storey. There are enough storage spaces in the bedrooms. Thomas had allotted a budget of Rs 28 lakhs for the construction of his house. However, he decided to enhance the elegance of the stairway by paneling the stairs with wood and also built an attic, which made the budget go beyond Rs 28 lakhs. Irumpanam-house-03 A spacious sit-out is arranged on the upper storey where the guests could gather for parties. The look of this area could be changed, as required, by making various arrangements. Instead of a terrace, mud tiles are paved on the roof which helps lower the temperature inside the house. The expenses could be kept at bay if the use of wood is limited while furnishing the house. Besides, expensive floor tiles and bathroom fittings are used in this house, which added onto the budget. If moderately priced furnishings and decor are used, a similarly elegant house could be easily constructed within a budget of Rs 28 lakhs. Irumpanam-house-04 Project facts Irumpanam-house-05 Clients: Thomas and Sini Location: Irumpanam, Ernakulam Area: 1750 sq ft Year of completion: 2018 Plot: 6.25 cents Design: Cosford, Kochi Estimated budget: Rs 2 lakh Thomas Isaac is short of cash like never before. But on January 31, when he presents the LDF government's third budget, he will have no choice but to behave like a billionaire. The flood-ravaged state has to be rebuilt virtually from scratch, and welfare spending has to be stepped up. From where is he going to find the money? The one per cent GST cess that he would impose from April this year would fetch him not more than Rs 1,000 crore this fiscal. This would work out to less than one per cent of the state's total revenue receipts; so negligible that the very need for such a cess would be hard to explain. Isaac's other big hope was that taxes would grow by 20 per cent after GST was rolled out. It is by now clear that the tax growth, including the compensation paid by the Centre, is only 14 per cent. Non-tax revenues, especially from lottery sales, has stagnated. Now what? There are two options left. Cut down expenditure and find new sources of revenue. Reducing expenditure is easier said than done. It is a massive rock that keeps growing. The Kerala Public Expenditure Review Committee has described as downwardly inflexible the committed part of the expenditure (salaries, pensions, interest payments). The cuts should also not harm the poor and the needy. Still, Isaac has to somehow slash expenditure and keep his deficits very low because on sustainable deficits rest the creditworthiness of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, his special purpose vehicle to economic salvation. It is a scary adventure sport of sorts. Onmanorama talked to a wide spectrum of economists and public policy experts to find out the various means by which Isaac could prioritise his expenditure and create new revenue streams. Here are some of the points that were thrown up during the discussions. Thomas Isaac during the 2018 budget presentation. Photo: Manorama No more schools and colleges, please: End the indiscriminate expansion of posts. Extravagance is mostly seen in private aided educational institutions. Surplus staff and new batches are bleeding the state of resources. Make education dearer: Raise the medical, engineering and higher secondary education fees. These have remained almost stagnant since 2013. At the moment, the fees are abysmally low. Take for instance medical education. The Supreme Court has fixed Rs 11 lakh as the money required to educate a medical student. A government college student pays just Rs 25,000 annually. This can at least be doubled. Pay and use: Scale up other user fees, too. Government services in health and education can be targeted to the really deserving sections through direct benefit transfer and for others the rates can be raised comparable to private sector providers. Another example would be diagnostic fees, which in government hospitals is just 10-37 per cent of what is charged in private labs. This, too, can be hiked by at least 10 per cent. Premium government property: Land leases, untouched for decades, have to be increased. Undisputed tax arrears of Rs 2,880 crore should be recouped urgently. Of the over 100 non-tax revenue sources in all the state departments, at least 36 can be increased. Government quarters, for instance, are given out for less than 10 per cent of its market value. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with Thomas Isaac. File photo: Manorama Recover the dues: Inter-departmental accounts have to be streamlined. Now, we have a situation where the KSEB and others are refusing to pay the KWA and vice versa, or various departments are neglecting to pay the Forest Department for the timber they have purchased. Burden of revision: Rethink the revision of salaries once in five years, and also the implementation of two DA revisions a year. The salary and pension bill was Rs 7,300 crore in 2017-18, and Rs 6,300 crore this fiscal. A normal annual increase has to be just Rs 3,000 crore. Defer DA revision till the state gets over the crisis. Realistic property tax: Take over the property tax through a tax rental arrangement with local governments and entrust its administration to Goods and Services Tax Department. There is huge potential for additional revenue mobilization even after compensating the local governments. Healthy land tax: Land taxes can be scientifically restructured by linking it with income. Nominal land tax does not cover even the administrative cost. The one per cent GST cess that Isaac would impose from April this year would fetch him not more than Rs 1,000 crore this fiscal. Extra car tax: The second and /or subsequent motor vehicle registered in the name of a person or in a specific address can be taxed at a higher rate than the normal rate. Such a system exists in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Real estate bounty: Government land in prime locations can be given to private property developers on long term lease (50 to 75 years) for construction of commercial complexes where a specific portion will have to be set apart for government purposes free of rent. Ask more from white collar pros: Professional tax is fixed at Rs 2500, as per the constitutional amendment in 1988. Periodic revision of the tax is called for. The states together can make a request for a constitutional amendment for timely revisions. Thiruvananthapuram: The one per cent flood cess is set to increase the price of luxury goods. While cess is normally levied on existing tax, flood cess will be levied on the original price of the item, said sources in the GST department. The new cess may not be applicable to consumer goods, keeping in mind imminent Lok Sabha polls. But luxury items like cars, refrigerator, TV, air conditioner, cement and cigarette could be on the list, to be announced during the State Budget on January 31 by Finance Minister TM Thomas Issac. Since the cess will be applicable only in Kerala, the government fears tax evasion tactics involving buying products from outside the state for lesser price could be rampant again. The governments move to tax imported vehicles registered in Pondicherry, but used in state, had failed earlier. The cess could apply on all products with 28 per cent GST and some with 18 per cent. Additional cess on gold, which has three per cent GST, could burden families during weddings. The GST Council had given the state government right to levy flood cess. The cess, applicable for two years should collect no more than Rs 2,000 crore. The income from the cess need not be shared with the Central Government, unlike GST. Businesses will have to update their billing software to accommodate the cess, likely to come to effect from 1 April. Effect of 1% cess on car, TV A car worth Rs 5 lakh will cost an extra Rs 5,000. Had it been levied on GST, the cess would have come to Rs 1,400 only. A car that costs Rs 10 lakh will now be dearer by 10,000. One that costs Rs 15 lakh will be an extra Rs 15,000. A TV that is priced Rs 50,000 now will be dearer by Rs 500. A feud is raging between the filmmaker and producer of the forthcoming big-budget movie ' Mamangam'. The film ironically depicts a medieval fair which is also famed for a series of battles among the local chieftains. Starring megastar Mammootty in the lead role, the period drama tells the tale of the warriors of Valluvanadu. The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has decided not to intervene in the row. The association came up with this decision as Sajeev Pillai, who was initially chosen as the director, failed to inform them that he has already initiated legal action against the movie producer Venu Kunnapally. Pointing it out, FEFKA has already sent a letter to Sajeev. FEFKA noted that the filmmaker has tarnished the image of the association through the media. Besides, it has been found out that Sajeev has signed a clause which clearly stated that the producer has the right to change the director at any point of time. The movie hit the headlines after Sajeev revealed that its shooting began without him to which the producer responded saying that he was not at all impressed with the test footage'. Earlier, young actor Dhruv, who has worked hard for a year, preparing for the role of a warrior in the film, was excluded from the project. Soon cinematographer Ganesh Rajavelu, art director Sunil Babu and costume designer Anu Vardhan too were shown the doors. Sajeev, reportedly, was unaware about the producers decision to oust them. Kunnappally said that he wasnt interested in creating controversies and that he was focused on completing the filming of the movie. Probably, this is first time that that a Malayalam film producer has come out with a public response after being accused of high handedness by the director. I am not interested in creating controversies anymore. Completing the film is the producers priority now. Discussions were held with the director many times. Crores of rupees were spent for long schedules of filming. He didnt agree to bring in a creative director either. Many discussions were conducted with the association as well. We were, however, firm in our decision to replace the director. The producer has all the rights over the script. Besides, I also have the right to change the director. We don't know why he has sent a legal notice. He has also tried to tarnish my image through social media, noted Kunnappally in a press release. Veteran director M Padmakumar now helms the project instead of Sajeev Pillai. The makers are determined to complete the filming of the movie and release it as soon as possible. Kottayam: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reference to a 'migratory bird' at a speech at the Kerala State Biodiversity Congres has given rise to wild theories on the exact subject and his intent. It is said the CPM leader did hit the bull's eye by referring to the Rosy pastor bird, but the viral surmises on social media apparently suggest he could have failed to drive home the exact ecological point he had in mind while delivering the inaugural address of the Kerala State Biodiversity Congress organised by the Biodiversity Board at the Government Brennan College, Thalassery, on Sunday. Pinarayi had stated that the increasing presence of Rosy pastor, a migratory bird usually seen in arid regions in Kerala, was a bad sign. Apparently, he was implicating the broader issue of climatic change, but his words rapidly spread like wildfire and it was interpreted that the chief minister might have been alluding to the Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the state the same day. The allusions matched correctly, as the climatic change could refer to the changes in Keralas political climate, according to the interpretations. Rosy starling (Pastor roseus), also known as Rosy pastor, migrates from Europe and Central Asian countries in August-September to escape the the freezing winter months. The bird seeks the hot regions of northern India usually, but for the past couple of years, an increasing presence of Rosy pastor has been reported from many parts of Kerala, especially Thirunakkara in Kottayam. Experts have been attributing this phenomenon to the changing climatic patterns and it was a very natural choice for the chief minister while addressing a meeting on biodiversity and climatic changes. Close on the heels of the chief minister's jab, the CPM State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also joined the fray. Charging that Modis continuous visits to the state was part of some premeditated designs, Balakrishnan challenged Modi to take a clear position on the Sabarimala issue. The CPM has been accusing that Keralas BJP leadership has been manipulating the Sabarimala issue to promote the cause of BJP in the state. That the state office of the Sabarimala Action Committee is located at Thirunakkara in Kottayam lends an angle to Pinarayis jab. The prime minister had paid two visits to Kerala in brief intervals. However, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) is of the stand that there was no need to unnecessarily politicise the CMs words. CMO explains that the speech was pre-prepared and the reference to the Rosy pastor was already included in it as an example of the impending dangers of climatic change that has reached our own door steps. However, the BJP leadership has not failed to tow Pinarayis line on the migratory bird, with the party state secretary K Surendran promptly posting in social media that Narendra Modi was not a mere migratory bird, but the royal swan that soars up to the heavens from the sacred Manasa Sarovar near Mount Kailash. The original Rosy pastor and Thirunakkara Meanwhile, the chief ministers own Rosy pastor had become a familiar presence in Thirunakkara, the suburb of Kottayam. The pale pink and glossy black bird with light orange feet travels in huge flocks. The massive flocks that dot the sky in evenings are a usual winter sight in the north Indian towns and cities, even up to Bangalore. Usually the colour of the bird turns from light pink to beige on arriving in India. The farmers in the northern plains welcome the bird as they feed on insects including the dreaded locusts. At Thirunakkara, the birds were observed as feeding on small worms found in the soil. These birds do not breed in India. The increasing number of Rosy pastor in Thirunakkara could be taken as proof of the climatic changes, according to Dr. B Sreekumar, secretary, Kottayam Nature Club. He pointed out that though the bird used to arrive in Kerala even before, the presence has increased considerably with larger flocks arriving now. Usually around 122 species of migratory birds arrive in Kerala every season. New Delhi: Even as India's new e-commerce curbs sting global giants Amazon.com Inc and Walmart-owned Flipkart, their local rival Snapdeal is cheering the move. India will from Feb. 1 impose restrictions on how e-commerce firms operate, including barring them from selling products from firms in which they have an equity interest, leading to protests from Amazon and Flipkart. In a letter dated Jan. 25, Snapdeal, which is backed by Japan's SoftBank, told the federal government that some companies were using "glaring loopholes" to run a proxy inventory-based model of e-commerce. It did not name any companies in its letter, but said "the loud protests" by some firms was an "indication of how effective this regulation" will be. The government's move has jeopardised Amazon and Flipkart's plans to tap the fast-growing e-commerce market as it would require them to rethink their existing business structures and raise compliance costs, industry sources have said. The rules came after India's small traders complained that 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. "The timelines allowed are adequate for compliance," Snapdeal's Chief Executive Kunal Bahl wrote in a letter to India's commerce minister, which was seen by Reuters. The company said it had updated its technological processes and expects to comply and go through a "smooth transition" on Feb. 1. In contrast, Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart have sought an extension of the deadline, saying they need more time to understand and implement the policy. Government sources have told Reuters India is unlikely to agree to those demands as Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs supports of small traders in the general election, which is due by May. Following the policy announcement in December, the United States government asked officials in New Delhi to protect investments in Amazon and Walmart given the "good relations" between the two countries, Reuters reported on Thursday. "Every nation has a right to frame policies that best suit its economic and social needs," Snapdeal said in its letter. Amazon has committed to investing $5.5 billion in India, while Walmart last year spent $16 billion to acquire Flipkart, as more and more Indians go online to shop. Morgan Stanley had estimated, before the latest government move, that India's e-commerce market would grow 30 percent a year to $200 billion in the 10 years up to 2027. North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear weapons program, the US intelligence chief said Tuesday, calling into question the efficacy of ongoing diplomacy to denuclearize the regime, Trend reports citing Yonhap. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats made the remark at a Senate panel hearing, with only weeks to go before a planned second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival," Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee, referring to weapons of mass destruction. The North Korean leader "continues to demonstrate openness to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Coats said. But the assessment that Kim is unlikely to surrender his nukes is "bolstered by our observations of some activity that is inconsistent with full denuclearization." The intelligence chief did not go into detail. Instead, in a report submitted to the committee, he highlighted past North Korean action. "North Korea has underscored its commitment to nuclear arms for years, including through an order to mass-produce weapons in 2018 and an earlier law -- and constitutional change -- that affirmed the country's nuclear status," Coats said in the report. Kim agreed at his first summit with Trump in June to work toward "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." Coats characterized that as "a formulation" linked to past demands that the US end its military deployments and exercises involving advanced US capabilities in South Korea. Trump and Kim are planning to meet near the end of February at a location to be announced at a later date, according to the White House. Both sides are under pressure to deliver on last year's agreement, with the US demanding more concrete denuclearization steps and the North calling for sanctions relief and other confidence-building measures. Coats said the regime continues to feel the pressure of international sanctions despite its attempts to evade them through illicit ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum, among other activities. He also assessed in the report that the North's conventional military capabilities continue to pose a threat to South Korea, Japan and US forces in the region. Kim is pursuing more accurate artillery and ballistic missile strike capabilities as well as advanced drones, he said. The US State Department has approved a possible sale to Japan of two Lockheed Martin-made AEGIS Weapon Systems and related missile defense equipment for an estimated cost of up to $2.15 billion, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, Trend reports citing Reuters. Last year, Japan picked Lockheed to build a powerful new $1.2 billion radar meant to guard against North Korean missile strikes. The Pentagons Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Tuesday. The AEGIS weapons system approval also included approval for a related command and control processor refresh that will be done by General Dynamics Corp the Pentagon said. As the anticipated coldest arctic outbreak in two decades makes its way across Indiana, NIPSCO encourages customers to keep safety top of mind and know what to do if they experience an emergency. NIPSCO crews across the region will be working to ensure safe, reliable natural gas and electric service, and the company is prepared to respond to emergencies and calls throughout this event. While the gas and electric system is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, outages still can occur. Be Safe While NIPSCOs gas and electric system continue to operate normally, customers should call 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726) if they experience any service-related issues or emergencies and be sure to take the following steps to stay safe: Keep fresh air and exhaust vents for natural gas appliances clear. Remove snow, ice and debris to prevent equipment malfunction. Keep natural gas meters clear of snow and ice keep them visible at all times to ensure proper venting and for maintenance by NIPSCO and, if necessary, emergency responders. Remove snow from the meter with hands or a broom never use a shovel or kick or hit the meter to break away snow or ice. If the meter is encased in ice, contact NIPSCO for assistance. Drive safely during icy conditions. If your car hits an electric utility pole and the power line comes down, stay inside your vehicle, unless youre in immediate danger, such as a fire, and contact 911. If you must exit the car, jump clear without touching metal (the car) and the ground at the same time. Call NIPSCO immediately if you detect natural gas. As always, if customers smell natural gas (typically a rotten egg smell) at any time, they should leave the area and call NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726. Use caution when driving near NIPSCO employees. Residents are also encouraged to drive safely when approaching any NIPSCO field employee or contractor vehicles who may be working in the area. If you have pets, or an elderly or vulnerable neighbor, friend or relative, look out for them to make sure they are safe. Check with your local municipality regarding warming shelter options that might be available in your area. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute If you are using an alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or space heater, please remember to: Keep flammable items, including paper, bedding or furniture away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves. Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over. Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing. Never use the stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters, wood burning stoves or fireplaces unattended. Turn them off before leaving or going to bed. Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. For information about electric and natural gas safety, visit NIPSCO.com/StaySafe. Be Efficient With the colder temperatures, customers can expect their energy usage to increase especially as in-home appliances have to work harder and use more energy to maintain a consistent temperature or thermostat setting indoors. NIPSCO offers several energy efficiency programs and plans to help customers save energy and money. Read more on those at NIPSCO.com/Save. Payment assistance programs are also available for those who need it. If you find yourself getting behind on your bill, please call us at 1-800-464-7726 to discuss your options. Additional information can also be found at NIPSCO.com/BillingPayment. As the Pentagon weighs new troop deployments to the U.S.-Mexico border, Democrats in Congress are poised to usher in unprecedented scrutiny of a politically charged mission championed by Republican President Donald Trump, Trend reports referring to Reuters. Democratic Representative Adam Smith, the new chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will hold a hearing on Tuesday with Pentagon officials he hopes will shed light on the costs, scope and goals of a deployment that critics have derided as a political stunt. U.S. officials told Reuters the border deployment, which has fluctuated in size over the past three months, could grow again by as many as 2,000 or more troops. Smith is skeptical about sending U.S. troops to deal with a crisis he believes would be better handled by judges. He told Reuters his committee may consider future funding restrictions for such missions. Its undeniable that we have a significant increase in asylum seekers, Smith said. But thats not so much a job for the military as it is: we need more judges. We need to process them (the asylum seekers) more quickly, he said. Smith will receive testimony on Tuesday morning from John Rood, under secretary of defense for policy, and Vice Admiral Michael Gilday, the director of operations at the Joint Staff. It is the first oversight hearing by the committee since Democrats took over the majority of the House of Representatives this month, a sign of the issues importance. The Pentagon first approved the high-profile deployment of active duty U.S. troops to the Mexico border in October, ahead of U.S. midterm congressional elections. It was embraced by Trumps supporters, including Republicans in Congress. However, critics assailed the deployment as a political stunt to drive Republican voters to the polls and scoffed at Trumps comparisons of caravans of Central American migrants, including women and children, to an invasion. Five police officers in the Texas city of Houston have been shot and taken to the hospital, the Houston Police Department said in a statement, Trend reported citing Sputnik. "At this time we can confirm 5 officers have been struck and transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, Medical Center and Ben Taub General Hospital", police said via Twitter on Monday. In a tweet, Houston police said the officers were "struck with gunfire following an encounter with a suspect" Monday afternoon in a neighborhood in southeast Houston. The policemen were shot as officers from the Houston narcotics division served a warrant, according to Reuters. The suspect, who allegedly shot five police officers, has barricaded in his home after the incident, media reported, citing local eyewitnesses. Houston Police said the area where the shooting took place was an active crime scene till Monday evening. Later on Monday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a twitter message that the suspect was down. One of the officers was airlifted to a hospital, Houston Police Officers' Union president Joe Gamaldi said in tweet message. Four officers who were shot were also hospitalized, Houston police said in a separate message on Twitter. Local authorities have launched the investigation into the incident. US President Donald Trump will meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He to discuss trade on Thursday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a press briefing, Trend reported citing Sputnik. "On Thursday, the President will meet with the Chinese Vice Premiere who is here this week for continued talks", Sanders said Monday. Moreover, a delegation of Chinese officials will be visiting Washington for two days of trade talks with the Trump administration on Wednesday and Thursday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. "Today, President Donald J. Trump announced that the United States will welcome an official delegation from China for a series of meetings from January 30 to 31, 2019, to discuss the trade relationship between the two countries", Sanders said Monday. The US delegation will be led by Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and include Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy Larry Kudlow, and Assistant to the President for Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro, Sanders noted. "The United States principals will be accompanied by senior officials from the White House, USTR and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, State and the Treasury", the statement said. The meetings are a part of the agreement reached by Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires on 1 December 2018, to engage in 90 days of negotiations with a view to achieving needed structural changes in China that affect trade between the two countries, Sanders added. The United States has begun manufacturing an undisclosed number of new low-yield nuclear warheads that were created at the behest of the Trump administration, the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) announced, Trend reported citing Sputnik. "NNSA is on track to complete the W76-2 Initial Operational Capability [IOC] warhead quantity and deliver the units to the Navy by the end of Fiscal Year 2019," an agency spokesman said, as quoted by Defense News. The spokesman declined to say how many warheads are in the pipeline. The warhead design is a modification of the W76-1 warhead for the Navys Trident ballistic missile, which has allowed NNSA to quickly turn around the design since it was ordered in last years Nuclear Posture Review. The warhead is designed to be smaller than the weapon detonated at Hiroshima, Japan, near the end of World War II, according to Defense News. The weapons production has already drawn opposition from some members of Congress, with House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith proposing that funds for production of the weapon be canceled. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkish Armed Forces are fully ready to launch a new operation in northern Syria, said Hulusi Akar, Turkish Minister of National Defence, Trend reports referring to the Turkish media. According to him, the Turkish Armed Forces will obliterate the terrorists stationed in northern Syria. The military operation which Turkey is preparing to launch in northern Syria is not directed against ethnic Kurds, as the main goal of the operation is the elimination of PYD/YPG, the Syrian wing of PKK, and the establishment of a safety zone, Akar noted. On Dec. 12, 2018, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Turkish Armed Forces will launch a new military operation in Syria against PYD/YPG. Erdogan claimed there were US soldiers in the detachments of the terrorists in Syria. Despite that the US promised it would not support PYD/YPG, Washington did not keep its word, said Erdogan. On Jan. 20, 2018, Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Free Syrian Army, launched the Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria. On Aug. 24, 2016, the Turkish Armed Forces launched the Operation Euphrates Shield against the "Islamic State", and with the support of the Syrian opposition liberated the border town of Jarablus, as well as Al-Bab in northern Syria. 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. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Yet another search will be held in Saudi consul generals residence in Istanbul in connection with the case of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Trend reports referring to the Turkish media. The search is to be held together with Turkish secret services and the police. On October 2, 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, known for his critical statements about the policy of Riyadh, disappeared when he visited the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, where he came to receive documents for registering marriage with a Turkish citizen. After several days, the Turkish police launched an investigation into his disappearance case. The Saudi authorities reported on October 20, 2018 that Khashoggi was killed as a result of a conflict in the consulate general. The Attorney General of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Saud al-Muadjib, said that 18 nationals of the country are under investigation, whose identities have not been revealed. He also announced the dismissal of the adviser to the crown prince, General Ahmad Asiri, who held a high position in the intelligence services of the Kingdom, and Saud al-Qahtani, the adviser to the royal office in the rank of minister. Commenting on the case, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey has gathered many new facts about the murder of the Saudi journalist, but Ankara considers it premature to disclose all available information. The Turkish president said that the killing of Khashoggi is not a regular crime, noting that 18 people are suspected of the killing, and that the Saudi authorities should investigate it. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday that Alliance's troops will not stay in Afghanistan "longer than necessary", but so far the military presence is needed to achieve a "peaceful solution" to the conflict in this country, Trend reported citing Sputnik. "We will not stay longer than necessary, but we will not leave before we have a situation, which enables to leave or reduce the number of troops without jeopardizing the main goal of our presence", Stoltenberg said at a meeting with US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. Stoltenberg added that it is "too early to speculate" on the issue of withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan, because now it is necessary to support efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. "We strongly support those efforts We are in close contact with the United States Our military presence, the purpose of that is to create the conditions for the political solution, and we hope that we will be able to achieve that", Stoltenberg noted. The Dutch government has refused to accept a group of 47 refugees currently on a rescue ship that is being blocked from docking on Italian ports, Trend reported citing Al Jazeera. The Sea-Watch 3, run by a German humanitarian group and flying a Dutch flag, rescued the migrants from a rubber boat off the Libyan coast more than a week ago. Since then it has been sailing through high winds and seven-metre high waves. Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said the ship should go to the Netherlands because the ship is flying the Dutch flag, or to France, which he has accused of shirking its responsibilities. However, following that request, Dutch authorities said they do not think they are responsible, adding that the captain of the Sea-Watch 3 is responsible for finding a suitable harbour. According to the Dutch government, it was also important to distinguish between "genuine refugees and economic migrants". "Those who are not entitled to international protection need to be sent back immediately on arrival at European borders," the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Safety said in a statement. "Without a clear perspective for such a structural solution, the Netherlands will not participate in ad hoc measures for the disembarkation." Earlier this month, 49 refugees, including a baby and several children, were in a similar situation when Italy refused to let two rescue ships into its harbours. Of those 49 stuck at sea, 32 were rescued by Sea Watch 3 on December 22, while the other 17 were picked up by Dutch boat Sea Eye on December 29. Malta eventually reached a deal with other European Union member states to allow those migrants to disembark on its shores to join another 249 people already in Malta. Of those, 176 would be sent to Germany, France, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Italy. Another 78 will be allowed to stay in Malta, while 44 Bangladeshi migrants will be repatriated. Following that deal, Matteo Salvini, deputy prime minister and leader of the far-right party the League, said Italy should not take any migrants from Malta. Salvini is pushing for a "zero-tolerance" policy on migrants and vowed for days that none of the 49 migrants would reach Italian soil. Salvini has also threatened to take legal action against the crew of the ship, accusing it of supporting illegal immigration. In December, rescue and relief organisations SOS Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced they are ending the Aquarius refugee rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea after "a relentless ongoing political, judicial and administrative campaign backed by several European states". MSF said its activities on Aquarius, carried out jointly with SOS Mediterranee, assisted nearly 30,000 people in international waters between Libya, Italy and Malta since the operations started in February 2016. The US naval chief said on Monday that the US and Chinese navies are engaged in continuous dialogues to reduce the risk of a military miscalculation in the South China Sea, Trend reports referring to South China Morning Post. Admiral John Richardson told an audience at the Washington-based Brookings Institute that the interchanges between the two navies aim to build communication to avoid a potentially disastrous blunder. The discussions are a positive sign that China and the US are moving forward with a plan to reduce tensions in the disputed waters. Concerns about the chances of an incident at sea occurring grew in September after a PLA Navy ship nearly collided with an American destroyer, the Decatur, which sailed near an islet claimed by Beijing in the Spratly archipelago, known in China as the Nansha Islands. The Chinese ship came within 41 metres (135 feet) of the US vessel, leading the Pentagon to accuse the PLA Navy of conducting an aggressively unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre. Let's not make it difficult for one another by manoeuvring in front of one another like that, Richardson said at the Brookings event. Such unplanned encounters at sea are going to happen more frequently as the PLA grows and becomes more operational, he said. Richardson, who concluded his second visit to China as the US Chief of Naval Operations in mid-January, said a reliable communication mechanism needs to be in place. If something should happen, we can call each other up and de-escalate that before it gets too hot, he said. Speaking positively of his good working relationship with his Chinese counterpart and the Peoples Liberation Army, Richardson said he had a rich visit to China and the two sides continue to meet and communicate to get a better understanding of each others intent. But he stressed the two naval forces have disagreements. Our understanding of the South China Sea and those sorts of things are just at odds right now, he said, without elaborating. Washington frequently conducts free-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea to challenge Beijings sovereignty claims in the region. Beijing has long opposed US military aircraft flying over and warships sailing near the area. The dispute has intensified in recent years with the US accusing China of militarising the contested waters by establishing man-made outposts armed with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles. As we navigate and resolve those differences, Richardson said, weve got to do so in a way that minimises risk. Richardson appealed to the PLA Navy to comply with the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, an agreement signed by 21 countries, including the US and China, at the 2014 Western Pacific Naval Symposium to reduce the chances of an incident at sea. The US admiral said the agreement has to apply to all maritime forces, including the navies and coastguards. Washington and Beijing reaffirmed the importance of improving communication to reduce the risk of a US-China military misunderstanding during the US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in Washington in November. James Mattis, then the US secretary of defence, said at a joint press conference after the dialogue that the United States is committed to finalising a military-to-military crisis deconfliction and communication framework with China. The Pentagon has not yet responded to a request for input on the development of the framework. Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has opened the economic conference Georgia and the World in 2019 earlier today, where he discussed at what stage of development the Georgian economy is and what opportunities the country has for further development, Trend reports referring to Agenda.ge. He opened the conference with Henrik Hololei, Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission, who visited Georgia yesterday. Bakhtadze praised the reforms carried out by Georgia in recent years and said that these reforms have helped Georgia be recognised as an exemplary country for its democratic and economic development. The reforms carried out by us in recent years have brought very tangible results. A few days ago I returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos and I am very proud to see that Georgia was referred to as the best example of transformation of democracy and economic development for other countries because of the bold reforms we are carrying out, said Bakhtadze. But this is not enough, said Bakhtadze, who named poverty as the painful challenge for Georgia. We are doing everything to achieve inclusive growth in Georgia, the kind of economic growth that will benefit well-being of each citizen, Bakhtadze said. He said that inclusive growth is unimaginable without the development of small and medium businesses. Therefore, the main priority of my government is the small and medium business, said Bakhtadze. Bakhtadze discussed Georgias prospects of becoming the regional centre. He said that the most important message he heard at the World Economic Forum was that Georgia has all the prerequisites to become an economic center of the entire region. We are the gateway for eight landlocked countries. This is a very big potential, but at the same time - great responsibility. This is the reason why we have increased investments in infrastructure in recent years, he said. While talking about investments Bakhtadze said that we will never be able to put Georgia in the number of countries with developed economies if we do not carry out large-scale investments in the education sector, adding that at least 10-11 per cent of the countrys gross domestic product must be allocated for the educational field from both public and private sectors. Bakhtadze said that the development of the knowledge-based economy and human capital is the absolute priority of the government. With this years legislative session underway, multiple bills have been filed within the Indiana General Assembly to address hate crimes, but local legislators are unsure if any will succeed. Last year Gov. Eric Holcomb called for Indiana legislators to tackle the topic of hate crimes, asking that the state join the 45 others in the country that possess such laws. That brought about a spate of proposed bills that address the topic, including one by Rep. Tony Cook, R-Cicero. At last weeks Third House session, sponsored by the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, locally-based legislators said the future of hate crime bills was up in the air. The debate, at this point, appears to boil down to what classes should be protected by such a law. Cooks bill, if passed, would create protections based upon a victims age, race, religion, ethnicity, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, or if the victim is a law enforcement officer or military member. Another bill, House Bill 1093, lists no specific groups for protection. Rather, it allows judges and prosecutors to consider stricter sentences for those committing crimes against people because of their real or perceived characteristic, trait, belief, practice, association, or other attribute the court chooses to consider. According to State Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, bills such as Cooks have little chance of passage in Indianas Senate. I think theres something that is, I wont say unanimous, but overwhelming in the Senate. We wont pass anything thats got a list, said Buck. We learned that when we got into the LGBT and then found out there were more letters that we excluded, and we were going to get into trouble for that. Anything that has a list in it, the Senate probably wont do anything with it. Cook, however, appeared to express frustration with the issue during last weeks forum. My frustration is not wanting to look at the issue, said Cook. I think theres more folks that just want it to go away, to be quite honest, and it isnt going to go away. I think it needs to be dealt with. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute While the issue plays out, Cook said clearer bills would aid judges in sentencing criminals convicted of hate crimes. Recently, some lawmakers have claimed a hate crime law isnt necessary because, in Indiana, criminals already can receive stiffer sentences as bias-motivated crimes can be considered for enhanced sentencing by judges. The state rep said hes heard from judges concerned about utilizing the enhanced sentences though without an accompanying law. I heard it would be easier if it was clearer, its delineated, said Cook. I hear others say we can do it right now; we can enhance the sentences. And I hear some judges say, Im afraid of losing it on appeal because you dont have anything set beside it at this point. Weve gone through those things, and Im sure on the Senate side as well. Its just a matter of sitting down and are we going to address it or not going to address it? Right now I think theres just more that dont want to address it than do on either bill. Innkeepers tax For the third legislative session in a row State Rep. Mike Karickhoff, R-Kokomo, filed a bill that would bump up Howard Countys innkeeper tax, which local officials have pushed for in order to help fund a proposed hotel conference center in downtown Kokomo. In the last two sessions, Karickhoffs bill never received a hearing, but he said a different tactic is being used this year. Karickhoff said State Rep. Todd Huston, who co-chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, has moved to package many innkeeper and food and beverage tax bills this year. Karickhoffs bill will serve as the vehicle for the package. All such bills, said the state rep, must mirror Howard Countys in the sense that they will require unanimous approval by all local forms of government to be considered. Chairman Huston has made, I think, a strategic decision, a good decision, to combine as many of those bills as he can, said Karickhoff. It will be amended into my house bill to do food and beverage and innkeepers taxes. Were going to try and line these up with as much local control as possible where were not going to be prescriptive and tell the locals what to do, but what were going to require to be amended into the bill. Youre going to have all your ducks in a row. Now, said Karickhoff, its a matter of seeing how the bill will fair in the House and Senate. Can I guarantee it will pass? Nope, I cant, but I am going to guarantee were going to do our best, said Karickhoff. Two bombs exploded on Tuesday in front of a police station in the city of Zahedan in southeastern Iran, local officials told state media, causing minor injuries to three police officers, Trend reports citing Reuters. Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni militant group, claimed responsibility for the explosions. The group said it had targeted a police station with two strong bombs, damaging a police car and motorcycle. State news agency IRNA quoted the head of Sistan-Baluchestan police Mohammad Qanbari as saying the first explosion was caused by a percussion grenade. He said a suspicious package was also found on the street and exploded before being neutralized by a bomb disposal unit, injuring three police officers. Zahedan is the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan province where Iranian security forces often clash with armed drugs smugglers and Sunni militants. The province is home to mostly Sunni ethnic Baluchis, a minority in predominantly Shiite Iran. In October, Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for kidnapping 10 Iranian security personnel including Revolutionary Guards in Sistan-Baluchestan. Some are still being held. The group has said in the past that its attacks were retaliation for what it called the Iranian states oppression of Sunnis in Sistan-Baluchestan. In September, the Revolutionary Guards killed four Sunni militants at a border crossing with Pakistan, including the second-in-command of Jaish al-Adl. Shiite Iran has accused its regional Sunni rival Saudi Arabia of funding separatist groups on its territory. Riyadh has denied any involvement in Iranian internal affairs. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The 14th meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Iran and Turkmenistan on consular, border and customs issues was held in Tehran, Trend reports referring to the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan. The Iranian delegation was headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of the country, Panahi Azar. The parties reviewed the issues of enhancing the mechanism of interaction in consular matters and in the sphere of information exchange between law enforcement agencies of the two countries. In addition, issues of establishing effective management at border and customs checkpoints were addressed. Political consultations were also held in Tehran. The parties highlighted the important issues of interstate cooperation in the field of energy, transport and trade and discussed a wide range of tasks in these areas, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said. Regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting. Iran is the third largest foreign trade partner of Turkmenistan. The two countries focus on joint activities in the transport and transit sector, as well as in the field of road construction and the electricity and gas sectors. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A meeting of the Council of Permanent Plenipotentiary Representatives of the CIS Member States the first one for this year will be held on January 29 in the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk, Trend reports referring to information from CIS Executive Committee. The opening of an exhibition dedicated to the beginning of Turkmenistans chairmanship in the CIS in 2019 will take place before the meeting. Nazarguly Shagulyyev, the ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belarus, and Sergey Lebedev, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, will speak at the ceremony. It is also planned to formulate a draft agenda for the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of CIS, scheduled for April 5, 2019 in Moscow. The draft agenda of the Council of Foreign Ministers includes issues related to interstate relations in the fields of fundamental research, preservation and proper care of war graves and military monuments of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, development of inter-MFA cooperation, cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, and the fight against crime. A meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of Government is scheduled in Ashgabat at the end of May, with the meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State being held on October 11 this year. The priority objectives within the concept of Turkmenistans CIS chairmanship in 2019 are strengthening trust between states, supporting stability and security, strengthening political and diplomatic interaction, increasing the level of cooperation of the CIS with international organizations (including the UN and the OSCE), creating conditions for enhancing trade economic cooperation, and integration into global economic relations, according to the information of the state news agency "Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary". The key areas of partnership between the CIS countries are energy, transport and communications. Promotion of cultural, humanitarian, scientific, and educational ties, along with relations in the sphere of sports, between the states of the Commonwealth are also of great importance. In 2012, Turkmenistan already chaired the CIS and held about 30 events in this regard. Referring to its status of permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan decided to participate in the CIS structure as an associate member in 2005. In 1999, Turkmenistan withdrew from the Agreement on visa-free regime with all CIS countries. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: As of December 31, 2018, the assets of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) amounted to 7.9 billion manats, Trend reports with reference to the bank's message. The bank, which demonstrated positive development dynamics over the past two years, successfully completed the year 2018, the report said. Measures to improve profitability, optimize costs and improve service quality further strengthened the banks capital adequacy indicators. Thus, the total capital of IBA reached 982 million manats at the end of 2018, and the capital adequacy ratio increased from 17 to 32 percent. As of the end of the reporting period, the banks loan portfolio increased by more than 8 percent and amounted to 1.9 billion manats. Large corporate clients, small and medium-sized businesses received loans and guarantees worth about 500 million manats from the bank. The events implemented to improve the efficiency of activity also had a positive impact on the profitability of the bank. The IBA completed 2018 with a net profit of 425.8 million manats. Net profit received from the banks operating activities amounted to about 200 million manats, minus the results of financial operations conducted in previous years by the state as part of the measures for the banks recovery. Abbas Ibrahimov, chairman of the Board of the IBA, noted that the bank continues to implement processes aimed at renewal and development. Being a modern state bank, we are trying to support various sectors of the economy, he said. The IBA always made a special contribution to the development of cashless payments and innovative payment services in Azerbaijan, and we aim to further expand our activities in this direction by providing new products and services. At the same time, we will continue providing support to large corporate customers, small and medium-sized businesses in the successful implementation of their projects. (1.7 manats = 1 USD on Jan. 29) Baku, Azerbaijan, January 29 Trend: Uzbekistan offered Azerbaijan state-owned company SOCAR and BP to explore the possibilities of joint geological study of investment banks in Ustyurt region of Uzbekistan, Trend reports via Uzbekneftegaz. The preposition was made at the meeting of Uzbekneftegaz JSC, SOCAR and BP representatives with the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Alisher Sultanov. Moreover, it was also noted that partnership with SOCAR and BP is a priority for the oil and gas industry of Uzbekistan. Attracting foreign direct investment without the participation of third parties was among the topical issues. On this base, representatives of foreign companies were invited to explore the possibilities of joint geological exploration of the Aralomorsk, Sam-Kosbulak and Bayterek investment blocks of the Ustyurt region, the message says. Representatives of delegations expressed their interest and spoke about the meetings held on this issue in the joint-stock companies IGIRNIGM, Uzbekgeofizika and "O'ZLITINEFTGAZ". As a result of meeting, parties agreed to continue the dialogue in the designated areas. Nowadays, SOCAR is the only producer of oil products in Azerbaijan, and also operates more than 370 filling stations in Switzerland, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine. SOCAR is also a co-owner of the largest Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim and other assets in Turkey. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Taleh Mursagulov Trend: The Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR transferred 1.604 billion manats to the state budget in 2018, SOCAR told Trend. SOCARs budget transfers increased by 93.2 million manats or 6.2 percent in 2018 compared to 2017. Moreover, SOCAR paid 172,469 manats to the Azerbaijani State Social Protection Fund in 2018, which is 10.6 percent more than in 2017. Speaking about the growth of the company's profitability, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev stressed that SOCAR carried out many necessary reforms over the past 10 years to increase the companys operational efficiency. "SOCARs revenues and budget payments are growing, he said. Today, the company receives most of its revenues from foreign operations." (1.7 AZN = 1 USD on Jan. 29) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @TalehMursagulov Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Italys Snam company, which is one of the shareholders of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, has signed a 135 million euros financing with the European Investment Bank (EIB), Trend reports citing Snam. The agreement envisages financing for various projects aimed at replacing and modernizing some pipelines and plants for natural gas transport and storage, said the Italian company. The goal is to make the Italian gas network safer and more efficient and flexible. The financing, with a fixed-rate of 1.372 percent and expiring in December 2038, is part of the companys strategy of optimizing its financial structure, as it is complementary to bonds and bank credit lines and has a longer duration and competitive cost, reads the message. Snam company is constructing an interconnection between the receiving terminal of TAP and its gas network. The works for the construction of the Melendugno-Brindisi pipeline began on January 12, as scheduled. TAP Interconnection is the gas pipeline (extending for round 55 Km) from TAP PRT (Pipeline Receiving Terminal) in Melendugno (LE) to the existing Snam Rete Gas network in Brindisi/Mesagne and crossing the municipalities of Melendugno, Vernole, Castri, Lizzanello, Lecce, Surbo, Torchiarolo, San Pietro Vernotico, Brindisi. TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network. The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016. Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe. TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent). --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Last week, 34 transactions were registered at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan, Trend reports referring to the message of the exchange. Businessmen from the UAE and Afghanistan bought liquefied gas, while businessmen from Russia and Tajikistan purchased high-density polyethylene and polypropylene. In addition, colorless sheet glass, cotton yarn, Portland cement and motor transport were sold to businessmen from Russia, the UK, the UAE, Estonia, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. The total amount of transactions was around $16.248 million. Companies and organizations of all forms of ownership, citizens of Turkmenistan and other countries can participate in exchange trades by acquiring a brokerage site or concluding a service contract with stock brokers. The main export items are petroleum products, cotton fiber, products of the domestic textile industry, chemical industry. Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 17:48) Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend: Azerbaijans Economy Ministry and the State Customs Committee have signed a memorandum on trade facilitation, Trend reports Jan. 29. The document was signed by Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Chairman of the State Customs Committee Safar Mehdiyev at a conference dedicated to the implementation of the State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Azerbaijani Districts in 2014-2018. The memorandum provides for holding joint measures to facilitate trade, as well as expanding cooperation in ensuring sustainable development and economic diversification, improving the state support for entrepreneurship, creating favorable environment for participants of foreign economic operations, optimizing import and export operations, as well as other issues. On Jan. 29, Baku hosted a conference dedicated to the implementation of the State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Azerbaijani Districts in 2014-2018. The event was attended by about 200 entrepreneurs and representatives of the public sector. As part of the conference, entrepreneurs were able to give questions to ministers and heads of various government agencies, submit complaints and suggestions. Details added (first version published at 16:35). Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: Azerbaijan is preparing the State Fisheries Development Program, Agriculture Minister Inam Karimov said, Trend reports Jan. 29. He was speaking at a conference dedicated to the results of implementation of the State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Azerbaijani Districts in 2014-2018. He noted that the new document will reflect the main laws and regulations aimed at supporting this segment of agriculture. The minister said that new rules on the use of agricultural land are being prepared in Azerbaijan. Karimov noted that the rules should be transparent, flexible and should meet the interests of farmers. On Jan. 29, Baku hosted a conference dedicated to the results of the implementation of the State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Azerbaijani Districts in 2014-2018. The event was attended by about 200 entrepreneurs and representatives of the public sector. As part of the conference, entrepreneurs were able to give questions to ministers and heads of various government agencies, submit complaints and suggestions. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova By Shamim Nateebwa. The Buganda kingdom premier Charles Peter mayiiga has condemned the culture of publishing the best students at PLE and O level in the media. Officiating at the 3rd sitting of the 26th Buganda lukiiko, Mayiiga said publishing the best students misleads them from achieving bigger things like joining universities just because they think they have made it. He adds that the practice promotes unhealthy competition among schools which is not good for the education sector. Baku, Azerbaijan. Jan. 29 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Around 1.8 million tons of products were produced in the fields of agriculture and livestock in Alborz Province of Iran, Majid Mousavi, Head of Agriculture Department of Irans Alborz Province, told IRNA, Trend reports. The economic value of these goods stands at 33.9 trillion rials (approximately $809 million). Mousavi added that 910,000 tons of these products consist of horticulture, 521,000 tons of gardening products, 453,00 of livestock, poultry, and marine products. Irans Alborz Province has a surface area of 5,124 square kilometers. Of that amount, 68,000 hectares (ha) are used for agriculture, while 15,000 ha consist of woodlands, 373,000 ha of pastures, and 45,000 of desert area. 30,281 people from 6 counties of the province are employed in the agricultural sector. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend: This year, on the instruction by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the self-employment program in the country will cover 8,000 people, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev said, Trend reports. He was speaking at a conference dedicated to the results of implementation of the State Program for the Social and Economic Development of Azerbaijani Districts in 2014-2018. Babayev noted that the self-employment program will give impetus to the development of micro and small businesses. The minister added that low-income families, martyr families, young people and others will be involved in the program. Last year, the self-employment program coverage increased sixfold, he said. There were 7,800 appeals, 7,267 people successfully completed courses and trainings, defended their business plans and 5,500 people were provided with assets. He noted that 1,200 women took part in the program, and this indicates the development of womens entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan. The program contributes to increasing labor productivity and economic activity of the population, increasing family income, creating additional jobs, as well as increasing the number of taxpayers and social insurance payments. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Rashid Shirinov Trend: More than 1,000 hectares of irrigated land was put into service in the Turkistan region of Kazakhstan over the past two years, Trend reports referring to the press service of the regions governor. Head of the regions Agriculture Department Nurbek Badyrakov said at a press conference that 2.6 billion tenge was allocated from the local budget and 52 facilities were repaired over the past two years. As a result, water supply and ameliorative condition of 45,500 hectares of land have been improved. "As part of financing by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, it is planned to restore 57,300 hectares of land at the third stage of the project to improve irrigation and drainage systems," Badyrakov added. The head of the department also informed that the gross agricultural output in the Turkistan region amounted to 542.8 billion tenge last year, an increase of 60.4 billion tenge year-on-year. The region ranked second in the country by this indicator. At the same time, exports of agricultural products amounted to $180.9 million, which is 12.6 percent more than in 2017. (378.6 KZT = 1 USD on Jan. 29) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Taleh Mursagulov Trend: Belarusian OJSC Holding management company Belkommunmash will supply four electrobuses to Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to Belarusian media. The electrobuses will go for a test drive on specially organized routes in Ganja city of Azerbaijan. "A joint assembly production will be set up at the Ganja Automobile Plant in the future. A cooperation agreement was signed during a visit of the Azerbaijani delegation headed by the Ganja Executive Power to the Minsk enterprise," the media reports. Earlier, the Ganja Automobile Plant signed an agreement with the Belarusian company OJSC Holding management company Belkommunmash for the supply of component electric buses to and their assembly in Azerbaijan. Ganja Automobile Plan is the largest assembly plant of Belarusian tractors outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). The Belarus tractors and various special equipment of the MAZ brand are assembled at the plant. As reported earlier, an assembly line of Belarusian-Azerbaijani tractors is planned to be launched during the first quarter of 2019 in Turkey. 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. Tehran, Iran, Jan.29 Trend: The Afghanistan Ministry of Transport has announced the country's first trade cargo would be exported to India through Iran's Chabahar Port. "The cargo is experimental, that exports Afghanistan's goods to India through the Chabahar port," said an official at the Afghan Ministry of Transport, Trend reports via IRNA. "The cargo includes five containers of green beans that would be exported," he added. The Afghanistan Ministry of Transport issued a statement indicating the process of exporting goods through Chabahar Port would be less time consuming and would cut the costs immensely for the country. India hopes to have direct access to Afghanistan through the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC) to exports its goods to Central Asia. The trilateral transit agreement signed by India, Iran and Afghanistan allows Indian goods to reach Afghanistan through Iran. It links ports in the western coast of India to the Chabahar port and covers the road and rail links between Chabahar and the Afghan border. The US has granted an exemption to India to continue oil imports from Iran, the United States has also granted a waiver from sanctions for New Delhis role in the Chabahar port and the development of a railway line from the Iranian port city to the Afghan border. Baku, Azerbaijan, January 29 Trend: The European Union provided Uzbekistan with 5 million euros for a project to support country's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Trend reports via UzDaily which cited the press service of Uzbek Foreign Trade Ministry. Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Trade held a meeting with the Head of EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais. The parties discussed prospects for further multidimensional bilateral cooperation as well as expanding cooperation in the field of trade, financial and technical assistance. In particular, Eduards Stiprais confirmed the EUs interest in supporting the activities of Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for Aral Sea region. The ambassador noted that parties should jointly consider the possibility of using the appropriate EU financing instruments for Trust Fund due to the specifics of EU financial and technical assistance in Uzbekistan, namely the development of rural regions. The parties also discussed issues of attracting EU assistance in the process of Uzbekistans accession to the World Trade Organization. Ambassador Stiprais supported the position expressed by Uzbek side regarding the need for a clear distribution of areas of assistance in the context of each donor. In this regard, the European side expressed its readiness to synchronize its activities with other donors, regarding the provision of assistance to the process of Uzbekistans accession to the WTO in order to avoid possible duplication. EU allocated 5 million euros for Uzbekistan to support the project on WTO accession which will be implemented by the International Trade Center (ITC) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development trade organization. At the same time, taking into account EU procedures for approving projects, the Delegation of the European Union confirmed that ITC will soon begin practical implementation of the project without waiting for the completion of these procedures. Tehran, Iran, Jan.29 Trend: Managing director of the Kish Free Zone Organization, reminding that it is easier to import and export goods in free zones than other areas, stressed that with proper management, Iran should be able to seize this opportunity. "Of course, if our goal is to join the global trade, one of the pilot areas here is the free zones," said Gholam-Hossein Mozafari, Trend reports citing IRNA. "In the context of sanctions and restrictions on foreign exchange reserves, everyone should be careful to allocate the required currency in the best possible way," he said. "We all believe that we should join the global economy and control our foreign currency revenues, but closing the free zones is not right, because it will not positively impact on currency accessibility," he believes. Speaking of allocation of foreign currency to free zones, he said it is low or cut completely, due to currency fluctuations. "Everyone must adhere to the laws that are approved for free zones, even if they are harming the country's economy because we are all responsible for investors in the free zones," he explained. Mozafari added that under the terms of the sanctions, everyone is seeking to restrict the free zones, but in this situation, free zones can facilitate imports of goods. "I believe that we should allow commodities to enter the free zones and from there to the end destinations," said Mozafari. He pointed to the country's medicine deficits and needs, as well as the necessity of importing them from the free zones. "What's the problem with allowing these medicines to enter the Kish Island and be stored there? We have the possibility of opening five medicine warehouses at Kish Island, and distribute medicines from there." Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Ukraine are working on launching the eTIR system (digitalization of document flow within international road traffic) on the East-West route, Safar Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. According to Mehdiyev, simplifying transit cargo transportation, both on the East-West and North-South routes, is a priority for Azerbaijan. Touching on customs digitization, the chairman also stressed the importance of the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS) in Europe, and added that work is currently underway to launch this system in Azerbaijan. "Using this system, among other things, allows for bringing the number of documents used in transit cargo transportation to a minimum, speeding up risk assessment and analysis by means of electronic information exchange throughout the whole transit route," Mehdiyev said. At the same time, the chairman believes that the implementation of the NCTS system will create an additional opportunity for products under the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand to enter the European markets. "This, first and foremost, means an increase in the transit opportunities of Azerbaijan on the East-West route." Mehdiyev stressed that the development of Azerbaijans transit potential is one of the priorities in the country's economy. "In this context, measures are being taken for the development of transit aimed at simplifying customs procedures and operations at border crossing points during international cargo transportation," Mehdiyev added. Mehdiyev touched upon a number of documents adopted recently for this purpose in Azerbaijan. In particular, in accordance with the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev "On additional measures to continue reforms in the customs system" from March 4, 2016, the customs authorities were instructed to increase the competitiveness and efficiency of transit corridors passing through the territory of Azerbaijan, attracting additional transit cargoes to these corridors, thereby reducing their delivery times, as well as optimizing procedures at border crossing points, by analyzing the risks that arise during international cargo transportation, minimize the number of documents and procedures necessary for customs clearance and implement other measures aimed at simplifying foreign trade operations. At the same time, the Strategic Road Map for the Development of Logistics and Trade in Azerbaijan, approved by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on December 6, 2016, identified a number of measures for turning the country into an important logistical and trade hub in the region. "These measures include attracting transit cargo to transport corridors passing through the country's territory, simplifying procedures at border crossing points, creating conditions for increasing the volume of trade operations through the territory of Azerbaijan," said Mehdiyev. The roadmap also accounts for the optimization of time and expenses for export-import operations and transit cargo transportation, which is necessary to increase the competitiveness of Azerbaijan in the East-West and North-South transport corridors, Mehdiyev added. Presently, several routes from Asia to Europe go through Azerbaijan. Among such projects are "North-South", which is designed to transport goods from India and the Gulf countries to Russia, Western Europe, the Baltic and Scandinavia. In addition, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a part of the East-West corridor built at the initiative of Azerbaijan, also allows for the supply of cargo to Europe. Another example is the "Lapis Lazuli" route, which runs from Afghanistan to Turkey and further to Europe. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: The order by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to declare 2019 as the Year of Nasimi in Azerbaijan created the opportunity to re-think and analyze the work and the great contribution of this great personality, Azerbaijani Culture Minister Abulfas Garayev said Jan. 29, Trend reports. The minister noted that the holding of the 600th birth anniversary of Nasimi at the level of UNESCO in 1973 on the initiative of great leader Heydar Aliyev became a significant event in the history of Azerbaijani culture. Then, in the center of Baku, a bust was erected to Nasimi, the author of this bust is Tokay Mammadov and this bust adorns our city, said Garayev. A film dedicated to the great thinker was also made, scientific research was conducted and books were published. The minister reminded that in May 2017, the 600th death anniversary of Nasimi was celebrated at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, and in September 2018, the Nasimi Festival of Poetry, Art and Spirituality was held in Azerbaijan for the first time at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The festival was attended by writers, scientists and researchers from many countries, the minister said. The festival not only opened up new opportunities for the study and promotion of Nasimis work, but also for the promotion of Azerbaijan. The Year of Nasimi is directly related to the spirituality and culture of the Azerbaijani people. The Ministry of Culture has prepared an action plan for this year, which provides for holding various events, exhibitions, organizing literary and artistic evenings, publishing books both in the country and abroad. On January 11, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order declaring 2019 the Year of Nasimi. The year 2019 marks the 650th birth anniversary of Nasimi. In order to decently hold at the state level this significant event in the history of literary and cultural thought of Azerbaijan by decree of the Azerbaijani president On holding the 650th birth anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Imadaddin Nasimi dated November 15, 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to prepare and implement the plan of the relevant events. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.29 Trend: On January 16, 2019, the largest SATTE exhibition dedicated to tourism and travel was held at the India Expo Center. The 26th event lasted 3 days and caused an excellent response from market leaders. The exhibition was attended by over 1,000 exhibitors and 50 representatives from 90 cities across India. Eurotourism Travel Agency took part in this largest exhibition and stood out against all other companies with extensive experience in the field of tourism, many Indian companies were pleasantly surprised that the company has been operating since 1995. A representative of the company held about 80 meetings with representatives of the Indian tourism market, and about 10 meetings with representatives of other countries. A meeting was also held with the head of the Indian Tourism Association. Azerbaijan caused great interest in the Indian market as a result; about 200 new contacts were received. For many years, SATTE as an industry platform has captured itself in the travel and tourism industry. This allowed Indian and international participants and customers to connect, start new partnerships and strengthen the business, offering unique opportunities. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources at the US State Department Sandra Oudkirk will visit Baku in February, Trend learned from the US Department of State. Oudkirk will attend the 5th meeting of the Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor to be held on February 20 in Baku. The US Department of State will be represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources Sandra Oudkirk, the State Department spokesperson said. The first meeting of the SGC Advisory Council was held on February 12, 2015, the second meeting - on February 29, 2016, the third meeting - on February 23, 2017, the fourth meeting - on February 15, 2018. The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority projects for the EU and envisages the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe. The launching ceremony of the first stage of the Southern Gas Corridor was held in Baku on May 29, 2018, while opening ceremony of TANAP was held on June 12, 2018 in the Turkish city of Eskisehir. The gas from the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field has already gone through the first segment of the Southern Gas Corridor - from the Sangachal terminal to the expanded South Caucasus Pipeline. Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) have been recently connected on the Turkish-Greek border. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The Azerbaijan Public Union for Assistance to Municipal Development has appealed to the European Parliament, Trend reports on Jan. 29. According to the appeal, protest in connection with the unjust policy of this structure was expressed. "After the 52-day hunger strike, head of the website and deputy chairman of the Armenian Eagles - United Armenia party, political prisoner Mher Yeghiazaryan, died in a correctional facility, the appeal said. Yeghiazaryan was arrested for his political activity on the basis of false accusations and he went on a hunger strike as a sign of protest on Dec. 5, 2018. Hundreds of political activists, members of parties, former servicemen were arrested immediately after the change of political power in Armenia. Such a structure as the European Parliament focuses on the current processes in Armenia, the appeal said. The European Parliament, which sets the traditions of democracy and human rights as the main criterion, must not turn a blind eye on the incident. According to the appeal, the European Parliament adopted a resolution regarding Azerbaijani blogger Mehman Huseynov on January 17. "According to the resolution, Mehman Huseynov allegedly went on a hunger strike and an accusation was allegedly brought against him, the appeal said. All the claims were not confirmed and no new charges were brought against Mehman Huseynov." The Azerbaijani public, civil society institutions expect the European Parliament to immediately adopt a resolution in connection with the political prisoner who died as a result of the hunger strike in Armenia. "Otherwise, the Azerbaijanis will perceive the European Parliament as a biased structure, deviating from the principles of democracy and operating on the basis of double standards, the appeal said. Parliamentarians must not regard the death of the political prisoner in Armenia as an ordinary incident. We ask you, why are you silent?! Why does the European Parliament accuse Azerbaijan of an incident which has not occurred and adopt a resolution regarding it without delay? Why does the European Parliament ignore a more heinous incident in Armenia?" Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Martyr families in Azerbaijan are always in the center of high attention and care of the president, and their social protection increases from year to year, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Academician Ziya Bunyadov of Azerbaijans National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), MP Govhar Bakhshaliyeva told Trend Jan. 29. She said that the meeting of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva Jan. 28 with the families of martyrs became a vivid example of the attention and respect for the families of martyrs. "During the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev showed high attention to the parents of martyrs and treated every father, mother of martyrs as relatives," Bakhshaliyeva added. "This once again demonstrated how dear our martyrs and their families are, as well as respect for them." Bakhshaliyeva noted that the attention and care for the martyr families are always reflected in the decrees and orders of the president. "In our country, important steps are being taken to strengthen the social protection of martyr families and war invalids," she said. "Over the past period, citizens from this category were given 6,654 apartments, including 626 apartments in 2018, which is three times more than was envisaged. In 2019, there are plans to provide the citizens from this category with at least 800 apartments." She noted that the decree dated Jan. 28, 2019, which is of important social significance and represents another manifestation of great attention and care, further expanded the circle of martyr families, who will receive one-time assistance. "Thanks to another humane initiative of the president, a one-time payment will be made to the heirs of 2,264 martyr servicemen and 461 police officers who became martyrs," she added. "In accordance with the new decree, payments cover 12,268 heirs of martyrs, and the amount of funds paid reaches 135 million manats." Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by Russia-1 TV channel in Davos on Jan. 21. Russia-1 TV channel broadcast the interview on Jan. 28. President Aliyev answered the questions on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Thank you very much for agreeing to answer our questions. What situation should we expect in the oil market and what could the prices be this year? I think that everything will depend on how the agreements countries have reached within the OPEC+ format are implemented. Azerbaijan, for its part, has taken the necessary measures and made commitments to reduce oil production, and we are honoring these obligations. Therefore, I think that if all countries take a responsible approach to this issue, then the price will probably remain in today's range of $60-$70 per barrel. Although it is very difficult to make a prediction for the whole year, I think, and according to most analysts, this range may be realistic and also most suitable for companies, for exporting countries and for consumers. At the end of last year, it was reported that American oil and gas companies decided to leave Azerbaijan after 25 years. What could be the reason for this decision and who can replace them? This practice existed before. As you noted, Azerbaijan has been successfully working with international companies on the exploration and development of major oil and gas fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea for 25 years. Over the years, some companies have sold their shares and others bought them. So it is a natural process. I have to say that Azerbaijan's oil and gas projects are very profitable. Over the past 15 years, about $250 billion have been invested in our economy. Half of this investment is foreign and most of it was channeled into the oil and gas sector. Export oil and gas pipelines were also built, allowing us the opportunity to transport our oil in many directions. Therefore, the profitability of oil and gas projects is increasing today, of course. Each company has its own investment policy and strategy. Some prefer to leave a project by selling its shares. Over 25 years, our main energy partners have long recovered all their costs and made a major profit. Therefore, I think that the decision of American companies to sell their shares is quite natural, and who will buy them will depend on who they offer them to. Of course, Azerbaijan as a host country of resources has the right to approve or reject these transactions. But, as a rule, all previous transactions have been approved by us. It seems that the main rule in the world is the absence of any rules in relations between countries and in international trade. How dangerous is this? You know, when decisions of international organizations are not executed or are executed selectively, when resolutions of the UN Security Council are also executed on a selective basis in some cases in a matter of days and in some cases they remain on paper for more than 20 years of course, all this leads to the devaluation of the international world order. And the absence of rules or their violation is certainly fraught with consequences. In other words, trust is undermined and the level of interaction between countries is reduced. In fact, this leads to conflicts, to certain difficulties and tensions in relations between many countries. Therefore, the mechanism that has been developed, whether it is good or bad, exists. This applies to international relations, this also applies to economic issues and issues related to investment. And we, Azerbaijan, are a country that always supports the rule of law and compliance with the norms of international law, including rigorous implementation of all decisions and resolutions of leading international organizations. Therefore, of course, it is sad to observe the present-day picture. This concerns, as I said, both international issues and the issues related to economic ones. Trust is undermined, predictability is undermined and it becomes more difficult to do business. But again, returning to our country, I must say that both in international issues and in the fulfillment of our obligations under all contracts and investment projects, we are always fully committed to the letter and spirit of the documents we have signed. Thank you very much! Thank you! Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: The absence of rules or their violation is certainly fraught with consequences, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with the TV channel Russia-1 in Davos. "In other words, trust is undermined and the level of interaction between countries is reduced. In fact, this leads to conflicts, to certain difficulties and tensions in relations between many countries," the president said. President Aliyev noted that it is sad to observe the present-day picture. "This applies to international relations, this also applies to economic issues and issues related to investment. Trust is undermined, predictability is undermined and it becomes more difficult to do business," the president added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: A conference dedicated to the results of implementation of "The State Program on socio-economic development of the regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2014-2018" has been held. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the conference, and made an opening speech. Other speakers at the event included chairman of Khazar car plant in Neftchala Industrial District Emin Akhundov, head of Shaki City Executive Authority Elkhan Usubov, head of Nakhchivan Baghlari Ltd Elchin Baghirov, head of Aghjabadi District Executive Authority Shahin Mammadov, director of Saloglu company Tajaddin Mustafayev, head of Masalli District Executive Authority Rafil Huseynov, director of Mughan Agroservice Ltd Rajab Orujov, head of Gusar District Executive Authority Shair Alkhasov, and director of Hajigabul Gushchulug Ltd Nemat Babashov. The head of state made a closing speech at the conference. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: The head of Azerbaijan National Non-governmental Organizations Forum, Rauf Zeyni, on behalf of the structures represented in the forum, sent an appeal to the members of the European Parliament, Trend reports referring to the forum. The appeal says that the European Parliament on Jan. 17 adopted a "Resolution on the violation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Azerbaijan." "We know that this document was adopted on the basis of information about the initiation of a new criminal case against the imprisoned blogger Mehman Huseynov and allegedly he is on a hunger strike in prison. Unfortunately, it is not for the first time that MEPs, deceived by a number of organizations, individuals, and even some co-chairs, are being urged to vote for a prejudiced and biased document on the basis of unverified data," the appeal reads. The appeal also puts the question why the European Parliament does not demonstrate an adequate position in connection with the brutal dictatorship that has dominated Armenia for many years, election fraud, political assassinations and other crimes. "Though the MEPs should be sufficiently aware of what is happening in Armenia. Did you not know that peaceful demonstrators were shot in Armenia, political opponents of the government were physically eliminated, that all elections in the country were falsified, all protests and hunger strikes were ignored and that in March 2017, the political prisoner Artur Sargsyan, who was on hunger strike, died? Maybe you are not aware of the death of another political prisoner Mher Yeghiazaryan, who was on a hunger strike two days ago?" the appeal further noted. In conclusion, the appeal expressed hop that, at least after this, the European Parliament will be committed to the values and principles that it declares and will give a timely and adequate assessment of the processes taking place in each country that is part of the European space. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Silence of the European Parliament and other international organizations on the death of Mher Yeghiazaryan, an Armenian journalist and politician, is an example of double standards, Bakhtiyar Sadikhov, Azerbaijani MP, told Trend. Being the head of an online media outlet and deputy chairman of the Armenian Eagles: United Armenia party, Mher Yeghiazaryan was considered both a journalist and a politician. While in the Nubarashen correctional facility in Yerevan, he went on a hunger strike. The European Parliament has so far not made any statement on Armenia, about why this journalist was detained. Until now, the European Parliament has never made a statement as to why the leader of an opposition political party was arrested, added Sadikhov. According to him, the only reason for this silence and indifference emanating from the European Parliament is double standards. The deputy noted that in the case of Mehman Huseynov, who was detained by a court decision, did not go on a hunger strike and did not experience any problems with the conditions of detention, the European Parliament was, for some reason, very concerned, and made biased statements about Azerbaijan. "Look at the conditions which they held the journalist in, the leading face of a political party in Armenia. Despite him going on a hunger strike, no one attached any importance to this, and intentionally created conditions for him to die in prison. Why does the European Parliament keep quiet? This shows that double standards still prevail in international organizations," Sadikhov added. The MP believes that it is necessary to condemn this action of the European Parliament, to forward an appeal in light of this. "I even think that it is necessary to hold discussions on this issue during the plenary session of the Milli Majlis on February 1, and to send a letter to the European Parliament about when they will stop applying double standards," Sadikhov said. Details added (first version posted on 18:59) Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: Armenias demand on providing the Armenian community with privileged rights after it ethnically cleansed the Azerbaijanis contradicts all documents, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in Baku on Jan. 29. Hajiyev made the remarks at a meeting of the board of the Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region with the representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev spoke about the grave consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and stressed that hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis who lived in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region and surrounding areas were forcibly expelled from their homes. Mammad-Guliyev stressed the importance of liberation of Azerbaijani territories within the settlement of the conflict and the return of internally displaced people to their lands. He brought to the attention of the event participants the importance of restoring contacts and dialogue between the two communities of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region. Mammad-Guliyev also stressed the great importance of restoring the violated fundamental human rights of internally displaced people, including 80,000 people of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Then Hajiyev delivered speech. In his speech, Hajiyev stressed the grave consequences to which the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict led. He updated the event participants about the position of the international community in connection with the settlement of the conflict and the requirements of four UN resolutions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: Armenias demand on providing the Armenian community with privileged rights after it ethnically cleansed the Azerbaijanis contradicts all documents, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in Baku on Jan. 29. Hajiyev made the remarks at a meeting of the board of the Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region with the representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Hajiyev reminded the grave consequences to which the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has led, reminded the participants of the event the position of the international community in connection with the settlement of the conflict, the requirements of four UN resolutions. He also spoke about the consistent policy pursued by the government of Azerbaijan to improve the living conditions of all internally displaced persons and refugees, as well as the care of President Ilham Aliyev to the families of martyrs. Hajiyev said that the constructive work carried out in Jojug Marjanli, ensuring a safe return of internally displaced persons once again demonstrates the determination of Azerbaijan to restore all the territories that will be freed from occupation, to establish peace and development. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev spoke about the grave consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and stressed that hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis who lived in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region and surrounding areas were forcibly expelled from their homes. Mammad-Guliyev stressed the importance of liberation of Azerbaijani territories within the settlement of the conflict and the return of internally displaced people to their lands. He brought to the attention of the event participants the importance of restoring contacts and dialogue between the two communities of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region. Mammad-Guliyev also stressed the great importance of restoring the violated fundamental human rights of internally displaced people, including 80,000 people of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The head of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Tural Ganjaliyev, noted that according to the OSCE resolution in Helsinki of 1992, the Azerbaijani community is an interested party in resolving the conflict. Ganjaliyev informed the event participants that the Azerbaijani community is ready to establish contacts and constructive dialogue with the Armenian community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Then the members of the board of the Azerbaijani community from Khojaly, Durdana Agayeva and Samir Huseynov, made a speech. They noted that before the occupation of the Azerbaijani city of Khojaly, they lived together with the Armenians in an atmosphere of prosperity and stressed that the peaceful Armenian population had become hostage to the aggressive policy of Armenia. During the event, other members of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan addressed their questions to representatives of the diplomatic corps in Azerbaijan. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. By Moses Kyeyune The Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa has told parliament that he is a free man to travel anywhere in the World. The minister has been responding to concerns by Kawempe North MP Lateef Ssebaggala, who tasked him to explain his fate in the international community. Kutesa has been widely reported to be a wanted man, in the wake of media reports that the minister was implicated in a Shs1.9b illegal payment from a Chinese national in exchange for favourable business consideration in Uganda. In his response, Kutesa has said that he is a free man and that a meeting of the committee on foreign affairs was rescheduled because he was travelling to Brussels. He however made no mention of the bribe. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 29 Trend: The ceasefire monitoring on the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district, held in accordance with the mandate of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Jan. 29, ended without incidents, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Ghenadie Petrica and Simon Tiller. On the Armenian side, the monitoring was held by Mikhail Olaru, Ognjen Jovic and Martin Schuster, field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative 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. 29 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 20 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Jan. 29, 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. An influential Iranian general has joined the chorus of conservative voices against Tehran joining the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body implementing measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Former defense minister and member of the Supreme Leaders advisory council (EDC), Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, argues FATF is a security apparatus, not a financial regulatory body, and that joining it is against Irans interests. "FATF is an intelligence system, independent of the UN," Vahidi warned January 28, according to IRGC-run Tasnim news agency. Through its formation, [the West] wants to undermine our scientific nuclear power. When the enemy realized it couldnt hamper Irans peaceful nuclear program by UN resolutions, it tried to include nuclear issues in the FATF to prevent our countrys progress. Vahidi, whose real name is "Shah Cheraghi, joined the IRGC immediately after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and was soon promoted to deputy intelligence commander of the elite military force tasked with protecting the revolution. He was the only IRGC member present at the 1986 talks between the Islamic Republic representatives and a delegation secretly sent to Iran by the White House to arrange a secret sale of weapons to Iran despite a U.S. arms embargo. White House officials hoped the arms transfers through Israel would help secure the release of seven U.S. hostages being held in Lebanon. Vahidi, once the chief commander of the Quds Force, the IRGC's unit for extraterritorial operations, is well known for his conservative tendencies and anti-West positions. The opponents of FATF and other international conventions against money laundering and terrorism financing consist mainly of Friday prayer leaders and IRGC commanders, as well as other conservative allies of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They argue that joining the FATF will threaten Irans security, whereas analysts say the real fear in circles loyal to the Supreme Leader is that adhering to rules for financial transparency would prevent Tehran from funding the Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas militant groups. On January 28, an ally of president Hassan Rouhani who is a member of the EDC told Iranian media that he has received a death threat, after the council discussed the anti-corruption, terror financing bill last Saturday. Khamenei has dismissed proposals to join the FATF presented by President Hassan Rouhani as "cooked up" by "foreign enemies" of the Islamic Republic. FATF has given Iran a deadline until February to complete reforms that would bring it into line with global norms or face consequences that could further deter investors from the country. Iran and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are the only countries that have not yet joined the FATF. Videos circulated on social media show protesters gathering in Tehrans Enghelab (Revolution) square on Monday. While the exact reason for the protests is not yet clear, university students were holding demonstrations in Tehrans Azad University on Saturday and Sunday demanding the resignation of top university officials after a student bus crash last week killed nine students and injured 28. In Mondays protest, slogans are being heard condemning unqualified officials and demanding their resignation. It can also be heard that protesters are shouting Dont be afraid, we are all together. In the last days of December 2017, mass protests began in across Iran, which lasted almost two weeks and engulfed 100 cities. The protests which had started on economic issues soon turned into anti-regime unrest. As Irans economy has entered a period of crisis, made worse by U.S. sanctions, Islamic Republics leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have expressed concern about reoccurring protests. Amnesty International has sent a letter to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani to express concern about the well-being of two Iranian activists arrested nine days ago in Iran. Esmail Bakhshi who is a labor leader from the Haft Tapeh sugar mill and Sepideh Qolian a civil activist were arrested on January 20 after they complained of being tortured during an earlier arrest in late 2018. In an announcement Amnesty said, The authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally as they are prisoners of conscious jailed solely on the basis of their peaceful activism in defense of workers rights. In the letter to Rouhani, the international human rights group says, "They were violently rearrested by ministry of intelligence officials in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, on 20 January,as apparent reprisal for speaking out about the torture they said they suffered during their detention...They have since been held, without access to their lawyers, in a ministry of intelligence detention center in Ahvaz and are at risk of torture and other ill treatment". Amnesty International asks Rouhani for the "immediate and unconditional" release of the activists, their safe treatment pending the release and thorough investigation of their previous torture accusations. The winners of the Real Innovation Award 2018 were announced November 1 in the UK. Among them was the Ukrainian company WOG, who beat such transnational giants as Enel, Bauer, Nintendo, Benivo. London Business School, the top school in Europe, is the initiator of the Real Innovation Award. The winners of the award are determined in six categories based on two independent polls: Peoples Choice, which is an open poll on the website of LBS and The Judges Choice, which is an expert vote. Noteworthy, WOG came second based on the results of the peoples vote in The Masters of Reinvention category, while the judges gave the Ukrainian company the victory. We are very proud that the international business community has distinguished the achievements of WOG, commented Mykhailo Romaniv, Acting General Director at WOG. Victory in the Masters of Reinvention Award nomination is recognition of successful implementation of innovations in business. It is truly incredible, as WOG is the first company from Ukraine not only to make it to the short list, but also to win. This high praise gives us energy and enthusiasm to work even more, to be the leader and promote European service in the market. The company works to improve its services and offer every customer positive experience with the brand every day. With this objective, the gas station chain actively introduces innovative solutions: loyalty program, mobile app, refueling and payment for fuel with WOG PAY, which enables customers receive the required services at a gas station without exiting the car, etc. In 2013, WOG changes its business concept and market strategy, focusing efforts on retail. The company decided then to go beyond the limits of a gas station, selling goods and services in the non-fuel segment. Thanks to such out-of-the-box decision, WOG CAFEs are now successfully operating in the central parts of Kyiv and Lviv, at Kyiv (Zhulyany) Airport and also on high-speed Intercity trains. WOG CAFE is soon planning to open two new spots at Boryspil and Lviv international airports. And, as the company says, it is only the beginning. WOG RETAIL LLC manages WOG gas filling stations, a chain of nearly 500 stations in all regions of Ukraine. WOG gas station chain is the largest Ukrainian mono-brand chain in the domestic oil product market. All oil products in the WOG chain are exclusively imported and meet Euro-5 standard. Supplies are made from the most advanced oil refineries in Romania, Israel, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus and other countries. The company is also actively developing related services, in particular WOG CAFE and WOG MARKET. Levin's lawyer says client has nothing to do with Handziuk's murder KYIV. Dec 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) Mykhailo Velychko, the lawyer for Oleksiy Levin, who is suspected of organizing the murder of Kateryna Handziuk, former acting administrator of the executive committee of Kherson City Council and advisor to the Kherson mayor says his client has nothing to do with the crime. "Oleksiy Levin has absolutely nothing to do with the preparation and implementation of this crime. According to my client, whom I have no reason to disbelieve, he was not acquainted with Handziuk and never met her. He did not have conflicts with her," Levin said. Velichko is also convinced that Levin did not acquire the procedural status of a suspect in the case, since he was not handed a suspicion because of his stay outside Ukraine. The lawyer stressed that attributing the crime to Levin is a mistake, pointing out that in 2016 Mykolaiv region's appeals court issued a determination by which Moskalenko (Levin) was convicted and received a 12-year jail sentence, like his father. "Even before this court verdict was passed, Moskalenko (Levin) was released from custody in court, taking into account the Savchenko law in force at that time," the lawyer said. As earlier reported, Ukraine's SBU State Security Service on January 21 put Levin (Moskalenko) on the wanted list. Levin, born in 1977, disappeared on August 19, 2018. Unidentified person poured concentrated sulfuric acid over Handziuk in the vicinity of her house in Kherson on July 31. The victim suffered severe chemical burns and had to be taken to the local hospital. Soon she was transferred to a hospital in Kyiv. Reports appeared on November 4, 2018 that Handziuk had died. On November 5, 2018, the media liaison office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported that the investigative actions in the Handziuk case and the criminal proceedings had been transferred to the SBU Security Service of Ukraine. Earlier, police detained five suspects in the attempted murder of the activist. On Wednesday, January 30, at 12.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press briefing by candidate for president of Ukraine Ihor Shevchenko on the subject: "Blue Bobble Hats from Davos: Why, What for, and Most Importantly, What's Next?" The launch of the "National Movement of Blue Bobble Hats" will be announced at the event along with the goals and objectives of the movement. Participating will be candidate for president of Ukraine Ihor Shevchenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. Details by phone: (093) 966 7595, or by email: maria.bobzhenko@gmail.com. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has named five strategic priority sectors of the economy which could attract billions investment and create hundreds of thousands jobs. "Responsible economic strategy dictates the need to clearly define priorities and focus on those sectors of the economy where we can take leading positions. They will become breakthrough points that will push us forward. They will bring means to ensure a tangible increase in people's living standards," Poroshenko said on the Forum "From Kruty to Brussels. We are going our own way" in Kyiv on Tuesday. According to the president, these priorities include agriculture, IT, engineering, infrastructure and logistics, as well as tourism. "The world's population is growing annually by an average of 80-85 million, and ... by 2024 it will exceed 8 billion, and everyone wants to eat. Obviously, there is a huge niche for Ukraine as a global agricultural leader," Poroshenko said. He recalled that over the past five years, Ukraine has taken the lead in the world in many types of agricultural products. "However, we must understand: true leadership is possible only if the export of processed products will significantly exceed the export of commodities," he said. The president also said that the IT sector will be able to help the country to increase the part of the middle creative class and provide high income jobs. In his opinion, this is important for the stability of the economy and democracy and for the country in general. "However, to become a true leader in this sector, it is not enough to provide services and sit on outsourcing. We need to switch to a real contribution to the domestic economy. And thanks to this, the so-called "fourth industrial revolution" will come to Ukraine," he said, adding that it is necessary to increased reliance on high-tech industries. Russia-led forces violated the ceasefire in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, five times in the past day, no Ukrainian casualties have been reported, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation headquarters has said. "Attacks on the positions of our defenders in the Skhid (East) sector were carried out with the use of grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns near the village of Shyrokyne; grenade launchers and small arms were used near the town of Maryinka," the JFO said on Facebook in its morning update. The enemy also attacked Ukrainian positions near the villages of Krymske and Novotoshkivske in the Pivnich (North) sector. "As a result of criminal shelling by the Russian occupation forces, not a single Ukrainian soldier was hurt," the JFO HQ noted. "During the current day, the enemy has not opened fire," it added. According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, two enemy troops were killed and another one was injured on January 28. By Ritah Kemigisa Police have arrested eight suspects who participated in the violate attack of a motorist along the Lugogo bypass. social media has been awash with pictures of this unidentified man who was allegedly hit with a stone by thugs on Saturday night at Lugogo Bypass traffic lights. Following this trending picture, many people have also come out to claim having fallen prey to the same thugs along the bypass. The Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Fred Enanga says the right are currently detained at Kiira road police station. Enanga has now advised the general public to remain calm since they have intensified both foot and motorized patrols at all major black spots including Lugogo bypass. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has noted the historical significance of the events that took place 100 years ago, while marking the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Kruty. "The events of January 29, 1918, have been captured in the memory of Ukrainian generations for good. After all, the history of the young stage as young as its defenders were was being made near Kruty. And the price were incredible efforts and tragic losses, as the state declared its right to be free from the empire," Poroshenko wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning. "The Kruty station is only one of the many battles in the eternal crusade of Russia against Ukraine, but the brave patriots who defended Ukraine near Kruty are real heroes, thanks to whom our independence was secured. Like heroes of today who firmly hold on their shoulders our independence, defend their country from the impudent aggressor," he said. The Battle of Kruty took place on January 29, 1918, near Kruty railway station, the modern village of Pamiatne in Chernihiv region, which is about 130 km northeast of Kyiv. Some 400 Ukrainian cadets were killed by Bolshevik forces numbering about 4,000 men. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has met with Ukrainian envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group on the peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine Yevhen Marchuk, the president's press service said on Tuesday. The meeting covered, among other things, various aspects of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations, including the possibility of boosting trade and economic cooperation, the press service said. Lukashenko recalled that the highest level of bilateral trade had once been estimated at $8 billion. "It was our best indicator. Today, it is somewhere around $5.5 billion. This, of course, is not our level. We can grow, and we are striving for this," the president said. Marchuk in turn conveyed warm greetings from President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko to the President of Belarus. "I saw him yesterday. He asked me to convey that he was pleased with how Ukrainian-Belarusian cooperation had been developing, especially after the forum of regions and not only. The bilateral commission works like a clock," he said. NBT to invest EUR1 bln in wind plant in Ukraine, Scatec Solar EUR180 mln in solar plant, Norsk Solar EUR9 mln The investment of the Norwegian company Scatec Solar in the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 150 MW in Mykolaiv region will amount to EUR180 million. Framework agreements for the participation of Norwegian developers in the construction of solar and wind power plants in Ukraine were signed during the Norwegian-Ukrainian Business Forum in Oslo on January 28. Scatec Solar during the forum signed an agreement on the purchase of the relevant project with the Ukrainian company SM Invest & Construction. The Dutch company SM Invest & Construction B.V., which is owned by Ukrainian citizen Roman Sotsky, owns Progresova Solar B.V. LLC and a number of other companies in Mykolaiv region. Sotsky and Oleh Mozgovy signed the memorandum on behalf of the Ukrainian side. Norsk Solar, in turn, during the Oslo forum, signed a memorandum on the construction of a solar power station in Kyiv region for EUR9.2 million with Pro-Energy LLC, owned by Ruslan Delidon and Dmytro Osypov. During the forum, a memorandum on the participation of the Norwegian company NBT in the installation of 742 MW wind power stations in Zaporizhia region was also signed. The project is designed until 2022 and is estimated at EUR1 billion. We have no idea if we would lose $300 per student, or more or less at this time, she said. I dont have a crystal ball. I dont know. Norton said she has some questions as to why the formula needed to be revised at all. Implemented in the 1960s, the current formula has balanced rural and urban school funding in an easy to explain format. Some stipulations added into the new formula are unclear and do not make sense, Norton said. I think other provisions definitely need to be clarified, Norton said. If the formula impacts the school district negatively, both Norton and Pehrson said cuts in staffing would have to be made. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} You would have to chop staff because thats where the majority of your budget goes to is salaries, Pehrson said. Another factor that is definitely known is that the formula would affect rural school districts the most, Norton added. [It] was indicated that several districts would lose funding, Norton said. Upon review of the various worksheets, that may easily be the case. Hendren and his partner, both 29, were on duty in the citys 2nd District on Thursday morning but went to Hendrens house in the 700 block of Dover Street, which is in another police district. 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. Alix, who was off duty, also went to the home. Shortly before 1 a.m., Hendren took all the bullets out of a revolver and then put one back in. He spun the cylinder, pointed it away and pulled the trigger, according to court documents. The gun did not fire, court records say. Alix then took the gun, pointed it at Hendren and pulled the trigger. Hendren then took the gun again and pulled the trigger. This time it fired, striking Alix in the chest, records say. Hendren and his partner called in the shooting on their police radios at 12:56 a.m. Thursday as they rushed Alix to the hospital. Alix was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 1:07 a.m. JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE: JKS), a reputable solar module manufacturer, today (1/28) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc., renewed its partnership with GRID Alternatives, a national leader in making solar technology and job training accessible to low-income communities. JinkoSolar has donated 600kW of high-efficiency solar modules to support GRID Alternatives' work developing and implementing solar projects and offering hands-on job training in underserved communities. The partnership will help GRID Alternatives to meet its goal of installing more than 10 megawatts of solar power in 2019, helping families and affordable housing providers save millions of dollars in energy costs over the lifetimes of their solar systems. With JinkoSolar's support, GRID Alternatives will also be providing hands-on solar installation training to over 4,000 individuals. Building on a deep partnership with GRID Alternatives that has been built over the past five years, this renewal reaffirms JinkoSolar's commitment to making solar power accessible to everyone. "We always felt it important that the benefits of solar be widely available to all communities across the US and around the globe," said Nigel Cockroft, General Manager of JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc. "We believe in the GRID Alternatives model and are proud to continue to support their expansive beneficial programs." "Our work brings together the solar industry, governments, utilities, job training organizations, affordable housing providers and local communities to ensure solar power benefits everyone and we're thankful for JinkoSolar's support," said Erica Mackie, GRID Alternatives CEO and co-founder. "Large-scale equipment partnerships like JinkoSolar's make it possible to make the financial, career-building, and environmental benefits of solar power accessible to all communities." About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is a world-renowned solar module manufacturer. JinkoSolar has over 12,000 employees across its 6 productions facilities globally. The company distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in more than 80 countries worldwide. JinkoSolar has built a vertically integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 9.2 GW for silicon ingots and wafers, 6.5 GW for solar cells, and 10 GW for solar modules, as of September 30, 2018. JinkoSolar has over 12,000 employees across its 6 productions facilities globally, 16 oversea subsidiaries in Japan (2), Singapore, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates, and global sales teams in United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama and Argentina. To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com About GRID Alternatives GRID Alternatives is a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID develops and implements solar projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers, while providing hands-on job training. GRID has installed solar for more than 13,000 families to-date, with a combined installed capacity of more than 47MW, and helped households and housing providers save $340 million in lifetime electricity costs, while training nearly 40,000 people. GRID Alternatives has nine regional offices and affiliates serving California, Colorado, the mid-Atlantic region, Tribal communities nationwide, and powering off-grid communities in Nicaragua, Nepal, and Mexico. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Mr. Sebastian Liu JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. Tel: +86 21-5183-3056 Email: pr@jinkosolar.com Sarah Bucci GRID Alternatives Tel: 720-452-5562 Email: bucci@gridalternatives.org The Georgia Public Service Commission will face an unprecedented number of major proceedings and rate cases in 2019, beginning with the filing of Georgia Power Company's Integrated Resource Plan on January 31. Both investor owned utilities, the Georgia Power Company and the Atlanta Gas Light Company, are expected to ask for increases in their base rates. The Commission will also continue to hold hearings on the Plant Vogtle Construction Monitoring Report and conduct hearings on the Atlanta Gas Light Company Capacity Supply Plan and Liberty Utilities' Gas Supply Plan. "Our staff will be pushed and our staff will be challenged," said Commission Chairman Lauren "Bubba" McDonald. ""Our staff will be occupied with analyzing and reviewing these rate cases, supervising our outside consultants and preparing testimony for the hearings. Our small staff of utility analysts and engineers as well as support staff will be incredibly busy." The Commission will designate two staff sections to consider these contested cases. 1. The Public Interest Advocacy Staff. The Public Interest Advocacy Staff is responsible for performing an independent evaluation of the filed case from the standpoint of promoting the public interest and advocating for that position. The Public Interest Advocacy Staff is considered a party to the case and may negotiate settlements with other parties, in the public interest. 2. Advisory Staff. The Commissioner Advisory Staff is not a party to this case, but will act as a technical advisor to the Commissioners. They will make recommendations to the Commission based exclusively on their own independent evaluation of the facts contained in the record. The anticipated cases are as follows: Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The Georgia Power Company is expected to file its forecast for the Company's projected energy resources needed to serve its customers for the next 20 years. Once the Commission determines the fee as allowed by statute the Commission has 120 days to render a decision. (O.C.G.A. 46-3A-2(c)) Georgia Power rate case. The Company is expected to file its request for a change in its base rates on July 1, 2019. State law requires the Commission to issue a decision within six months. (O.C.G.A. 46-2-26) Georgia Power base rates have been frozen since 2014. Georgia Power Vogtle Construction Monitoring (VCM) Report. The Company is expected to file its 20th VCM Report on February 28, 2019 and file its 21st VCM report on August 31, 2019. Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC) rate case. AGLC is expected to file a base rate case on June 1, 2019. AGLC has not filed a rate case since 2010. AGL Capacity Supply Plan and Liberties Utilities Gas Supply Plan. These are plans that detail how the utilities will ensure natural gas customers in Georgia have adequate supplies of natural gas to meet their needs. These cases will be heard in the fall of 2019. The following is the Commission Case Calendar for 2019 with hearing and decision meeting dates: APRIL GPC Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Monday, April 8, 2019 Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Wednesday, April 10, 2019 MAY 20th Vogtle Construction Monitoring (VCM) Report Wednesday, May 8, 2019 GPC IRP Monday, May 13, 2019 Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Wednesday, May 15, 2019 Thursday, May 16, 2019 JUNE GPC IRP Tuesday, June 11, 2019 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 GPC 20th VCM Thursday, June 27, 2019 JULY No hearings AUGUST GPC 20th VCM Thursday, August 1, 2019 SEPTEMBER Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) Rate Case Tuesday, September 10, 2019 Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Thursday, September 12, 2019 Liberty Utilities Gas Supply Plan/AGL Capacity Supply Plan Tuesday, September 17, 2019 AGL Capacity Supply Plan Wednesday, September 18, 2019 Special Administrative Session: AGA Capacity Supply Plan & Liberty Utilities Gas Supply Plan Thursday, September 26, 2019 GPC 2019 Rate Case Monday, September 30, 2019 OCTOBER GPC 2019 Rate Case Tuesday, October, 2019 Wednesday, October 2, 2019 AGL Rate Case Wednesday, October 23, 2019 Thursday, October 24, 2019 NOVEMBER GPC 2019 Rate Case Monday, November 4, 2019 Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 GPC 21st VCM Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Wednesday, November 13, 2019 AGL Rate Case Thursday, November 21, 2019 Friday, November 22, 2019 GPC 2019 Rate Case Monday, November 25, 2019 Tuesday, November 26, 2019 DECEMBER GPC 21st VCM Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Thursday, December 12, 2019 The Georgia Public Service Commission is a five-member constitutional agency that exercises its authority and influence to ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced telecommunications, electric and natural gas service from financially viable and technically competent companies. For more information on the Commission, see the Commission web site at www.psc.state.ga.us. This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. By Juliet Nalwooga. The Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) has decried the delayed enactment of electoral reforms by government. Addressing journalists at the NGO Forum offices, the coalitions, Crispin Kaheru says Ugandans have over waited for these reforms and as such will render the elections uses less if key issues are not addressed. His call comes at a time the Electoral commission while passing the 2021 election road map made similar calls. Recently parliament directed the minister of Justice and constitutional affairs Gen. Kahinda Otafire to explain to the house how far government had gone in presenting the electoral reforms as directed by the Supreme Court. After many meetings and debates, the Chicago delegation succeeded in working with the New York United Federation of Teachers, Local 2 (UFT) to push the AFT to take stronger stands on charter school accountability and school closings though many delegates from Chicago would have liked the language to have been even stronger. Generally speaking, the New York delegation represented organizing charters as the best model for handling their role in reshaping unions, despite the fact that according to many reports few charter schools in New York have been organized as is the case in Chicago. This logic is the same touted by the Progressive Caucus of the AFT. The few that have been organized are a part of the UFT local though they have separate contracts negotiated with the help of UFT. The Chicago delegation reflection the mindset that allowing new charters to continue to proliferate while attempting to organize existing charters is an end game in which public schools and the union lose. Jen Johnson, CTU, Local 1 in Substance Russian bank's Ukrainian subsidiary posts US$121.8 mln in losses last year As of January 1, 2019, Prominvestbank's charter capital was UAH 50.9 billion ($1.8 billion). If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukrainian gas companies to test gas exports to Europe Ukrtransgaz is also planning to introduce short-haul services for European companies looking to inject gas into Ukraine's storage facilities. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, a coalition known as OPEC+, agreed to pare production starting this month in an effort to buttress sagging oil prices. Saudi Arabia expects to reduce oil output once again in February and pump for six months at levels "well below" the production limit it accepted under OPEC's oil-cuts accord, Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said. The world's biggest exporter targeted production of 10.2 million barrels a day in January and is aiming to pump about 10.1 million in February, he said, Bloomberg reported. Read alsoUkrnafta boosts oil output by 5% in 2018 Saudi Arabia's voluntary limit under the December cuts deal with Russia and other producers was 10.33 million barrels a day. "Saudi Arabia will be well below the voluntary cap that we agreed to" and will pump beneath its ceiling "for the full six months" of the December cuts accord, he said in a Bloomberg Television interview in Riyadh. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, a coalition known as OPEC+, agreed to pare production starting this month in an effort to buttress sagging oil prices. Crude futures have gained this year as Saudi Arabia leads the way in curbing output amid a surge in U.S. shale-oil supplies. Benchmark Brent crude was trading 42 cents higher at $60.35 a barrel at 10:37 a.m. in Dubai. "Demand will start picking up at the end of the first quarter and into the second quarter," Al-Falih said. The impact of OPEC+ output reductions "will trickle down into the global markets over the next few weeks." The corporate logo of the state oil company PDVSA is seen at a gas station in Caracas, Venezuela, January 28, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Andres Martinez Casares The Trump administration on Monday imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA. The move aims at severely curbing the OPEC members crude exports to the United States and at pressuring socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Minutes before the announcement, Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader who proclaimed himself interim president last week with U.S. backing, said congress would name new boards of directors to the company and its U.S. subsidiary, Citgo. Guaido, supported by the United States and most countries in the Western Hemisphere, says Maduro stole his re-election and must resign to allow new, fair polls. Maduro, in a live national broadcast on Monday, accused the United States of trying to steal U.S. refining arm Citgo Petroleum, the OPEC members most important foreign asset, which also owns a chain of U.S. gas stations. He said Venezuela would take legal actions in response. Three sources with knowledge of the decision told Reuters that PDVSA had ordered customers with tankers waiting to load Venezuelan crude bound for the United States to prepay for the cargoes or they will not receive authorization to fill the vessels or leave the ports. The Trump administration sanctions stopped short of banning U.S. companies from buying Venezuelan oil, but because the proceeds of such sales will be put in a "blocked account," PDVSA is likely to quickly stop shipping much crude to the United States, its top client. "If the people in Venezuela want to continue to sell us oil, as long as the money goes into blocked accounts we will continue to take it, otherwise will we not be buying it," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at a White House briefing. Oil at sea, already paid for, would continue its journey to the United States, he said. White House national security adviser John Bolton said at the briefing the measure would cost Maduro $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year and block him from accessing PDVSA assets worth $7 billion. While there are significant exceptions, such as rules that should allow Citgo to keep using Venezuelan crude in U.S. refineries, the sanctions will likely cause some reordering of global oil flows as Venezuela seeks to sell elsewhere. Gulf refineries that use Venezuelas heavy crude will have to look for alternatives to replace supplies. Despite a sharp decline in oil exports due largely to mismanagement of the industry and the economic crisis Venezuela remains the fourth-biggest vendor of oil to the United States, supplying some 500,000 barrels per day. Other exceptions will make it easier for Chevron Corp to keep operating a joint venture in Venezuela, and allow U.S. entities in Venezuela to keep buying PDVSA gasoline. Vital sector The sanctions, contained in an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, freeze U.S.-based assets of PDVSA, Venezuelas largest source of revenue. The Trump administration had long held off on targeting Venezuelas vital oil sector for fear that it would hurt U.S. refiners and raise oil prices for Americans. White House officials had also expressed concern about inflicting further hardship on the Venezuelan people. The latest sanctions appear to seek to build on the momentum that has mounted in recent weeks against Maduro at home and abroad. U.S. officials said the sanctions on PDVSA were intended to prevent Maduros government from siphoning off funds from the oil company to maintain his grip on power. Mnuchin said oil supplies were sufficient to ensure no significant impact on U.S. gas prices in the short term and that the U.S. Treasury Department would issue temporary licenses to permit some transactions with PDVSA. Even though the Venezuelan military has shown no sign of abandoning Maduro, Bolton said: "Our assessment based on numerous contacts on the ground is that the rank and file of the Venezuelan military is acutely aware of the desperate economic conditions in the country and we think they look for ways to support the National Assembly government." Countries around the world have recognized Guaido, the National Assembly speaker, as Venezuelas rightful leader, and the United States vowed to starve Maduros administration of oil revenue after he was sworn in on Jan. 10 for a second term that was widely dubbed illegitimate. Maduro has promised to stay in office, backed by Russia and China, which have bank rolled his government and fought off efforts to have his government disavowed by the United Nations. Bolton reiterated that Maduro would be held responsible for the safety of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Venezuela as well as Guaido and other opposition figures. He also not rule out U.S. military intervention, although such action is widely considered to be unlikely. "The president has made it very clear on this matter that all options are on the table," Bolton said. Vietnam Jan coffee exports likely to fall 19.1 pct y/y to 175,000 tonnes Coffee beans are displayed at an exhibition in Hanoi. Photo by Reuters/Kham Vietnams coffee exports for January are expected to fall 19.1 percent from a year earlier to 175,000 tonnes, while rice exports will likely decline 18.5 percent. Coffee Coffee exports from Vietnam will fall an estimated 19.1 percent in January from a year earlier to 175,000 tonnes, equal to 2.92 million 60-kg bags, the General Statistics Office said in a report on Tuesday. Coffee export revenue for Vietnam, the worlds biggest producer of the robusta bean, will decline 27.2 percent to $305 million in the month, the report said. The countrys coffee shipments in December totalled 154,000 tonnes valued at $276 million, it said. Rice Rice exports in January from Vietnam were forecast to fall 18.5 percent from a year earlier to 400,000 tonnes. Revenue from rice exports in the month was expected to drop 24.8 percent to $180 million. December rice exports from Vietnam, the worlds third-largest shipper of the grain, totalled 478,000 tonnes, worth $229 million. Energy Vietnams January crude oil exports were seen rising 28.6 percent from the same month last year to an estimated 490,000 tonnes. Crude oil export revenue in the month is expected to decline 12.4 percent to $180 million. Oil product imports in January were estimated at 500,000 tonnes, falling 56.9 percent from the same period last year, while the value of product imports fell 65.4 percent to $260 million. Vietnams January liquefied petroleum gas imports were seen falling 48.9 percent from a year earlier to 85,000 tonnes. The Landmark 81 in Saigon's Binh Thanh District. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Saigon's Landmark 81 has been added to the list of venues where fireworks will be let off on Lunar New Years Eve. The Lunar New Year falls on February 5 this year. The city administration announced the addition Monday after earlier announcing fireworks displays at seven other venues the Saigon River Tunnel in District 2, Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11, Ethnic History-Culture Park in District 9, Ben Duoc Memorial Temple in Cu Chi District, the Can Gio District Administrative Center, the Hiep Phuoc Industrial Complex in Nha Be District, and the Military Headquarters in Binh Chanh District. Letting off fireworks has been a tradition during major national celebrations like Reunification Day on April 30 and Independence Day on September 2. The Lunar New Year, known as Tet in Vietnam, is a national holiday, with people getting 9 days off this year from February 2 to 10. Landmark 81 in Binh Thanh District was built last July and is Vietnams tallest building and the 13th tallest in the world. The mixed-use building has hotels, apartments, offices, a shopping mall, restaurants, and bars. Discrimination and lack of expertise on problems specific to the LGBT community made members hesitant about approaching public hospitals. After Ha Mai underwent sex reassignment surgery in Thailand, she began suffering several complications in her genital area. But, like most of her peers, she was hesitant to go to a hospital. Apart from the ostracism, she also knew not all doctors are familiar with health problems common to transgender people. When she was going through her sex reassignment procedures, she bought her own medicine and also injected hormones on her own, not knowing how much was enough and the potential health implications in case of an overdose. But now, one public hospital in Saigon has the answers Ha Mai and others need. A month ago, the Binh Dan Hospital in District 3, Saigon, has opened a new clinic on its 6th floor, catering to members of the LGBT community, making it Vietnams first public medical facility to do so. Its service includes medical diagnosis and consultation, said Nguyen Ho Vinh Phuoc, a doctor with the hospitals Department of Andrology, which oversees the new clinic. He said a diagnosis and consultation session in the clinic takes a long time, typically between 15 and 30 minutes, sometimes even 40. In the past, LGBT patients had to visit doctors in common clinics with non-LGBT patients, so they were hesitant to ask more questions for fear that they were taking too much time from other patients. A patient consults doctor Nguyen Ho Vinh Phuoc at the Binh Dan Hospital in Saigon. Photo by VnExpress/Le Phuong For a long time, fears of discrimination has pushed LGBT patients to try and resolve health issues on their own or seek help from private clinics, Phuoc added. For their part, many private clinics took undue advantage of this situation and jacked up their service costs for this particular patient demographic, despite many not having the expertise to treat with their specific medical problems. The new LGBT-friendly clinic makes things much better. "We now have a place where we can consult doctors, get health check-ups and be taken care of like any other person. We no longer fear discrimination," said Mai. Like Mai, Minh Thanh has considered going to Thailand for a surgery. But what Thanh wants isnt a sex change operation. Thanh is afflicted with DSD, a sexual differentiation disorder. While a normal person has either a uterus or a set of testicles, Thanh has both. A reconstruction surgery is required to remove the two testicles. But Thanh was worried about being alone in a foreign country, just in case, something untoward happened. So Thanh had to resort to getting treatment at a local hospital. He used to wear a mask every time he went for a health check. "My job requires me to communicate a lot so I was worried I would bump into someone I know at the hospital," said Thanh. "With the new clinic, I can now consult doctors privately. It makes me feel so much reassured with much less pressure involved," he added. Sex reassignment surgery is not covered by health insurance in Vietnam, Mia Nguyen, a psychologist who has worked with the LGBT community, told VnExpress International. Vietnam is regarded highly in the region for supporting LGBT rights, having already scrapped the ban on same-sex marriage in 2014 and allowed transgender people who have undergone surgery to be registered and recognized by their new gender in 2015. However, the nations law does not recognize nor protect gay couples. Despite the progress, harsh attitudes at home remain one of the toughest challenges facing Vietnams LGBT community. Australian man Josh has his handbag (pictured) slit while visiting a calligraphy street in downtown HCMC on Sunday. Photo by VnExpress/Phong Vinh Police are investigating the pickpocketing of an Australian couple in downtown Saigon last weekend. The robbery happened last Sunday when an Australian man, identified only as Josh, and his family were walking along the caligraphy lane that has opened for the Lunar New Year season on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1. After talking with some reporters at the site, Josh discovered that his handbag had been slit, but he hadnt lost anything fortunately. However, his wife Ana Andreu found that her cell phone was missing. The family reported the incident to local police and provided video footage of a man standing close to them and acting suspiciously. The Australian family authorized the hotel where they stayed in HCMC to follow up on the incident after they left the city on Monday. Ana said she felt sad at losing the phone which contained many photos she took of Vietnam and her family. HCMC, Vietnam's largest metropolis, which received more than seven million foreign arrivals last year, is one of the most visited destinations in the country. However, increasing complaints about street crime are sullying its image. Vietnam welcomed 396,984 Australian visitors last year, up 4 percent from a year ago. The country has tried to relax its entrance procedures with an e-visa policy which is now available to people from 46 countries, with Australians added late in 2017. Vinamilk to open plant in Myanmar, its 2nd in Southeast Asia Vinamilk products are displayed for sale at a Vinamilk shop in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo by Reuters Vietnams biggest dairy company plans to open a plant in Myanmar this year and is preparing to enter Indonesia and China. The Myanmar factory will be Vinamilks second in Southeast Asia after acquiring its first in Cambodia. It is in discussion for one joint venture in Indonesia. Myanmar is one of Vinamilk's strategic markets to offset declining revenues in the Iraqi market, which once accounted for 60 percent of its exports. In 2017, Vinamilk reported falling exports for the first time in 20 years due to political tensions in the Middle East. In the latest year for which export figures are available, 2017, it shipped products worth VND7.4 trillion ($312 million), a 4.2 percent decline from the previous year. The company is also preparing to enter the Chinese market later this year. Chinese authorities are expected to sign a draft protocol in April this year allowing Vietnamese dairy products to be exported. Vinamilk is planning a change in export strategy. "The company will move from traditional exports to intensive cooperation with distribution partners in new key markets, and gradually build production facilities in potential markets such as Myanmar," Vinamilk chief executive Mai Kieu Lien told shareholders in 2018. She added that the company has set aside $750 million for acquisitions, building new facilities and setting up cattle farms between 2017 and 2021. It now has 13 plants and 10 dairy farms in Vietnam, a plant each in the U.S., New Zealand and Cambodia and a subsidiary in Poland. In all, it has three wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries: Driftwood Dairy Holding Corporation in the U.S, Angkor Dairy Products Co., Ltd, in Cambodia, and Vinamilk Europe Spostkaz Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia in Poland. It holds a 22.81 percent stake in a joint venture with Miraka Dairy in New Zealand and has a Thailand-based trading office. Last year the company paid $19.74 million to buy a 51 percent stake in Laotian company LaoJagro Development Xiengkhouang Co., Ltd, to set up a series of hi-tech beef and dairy farms based on Japanese technology. Vinamilk's products are available in 46 countries and territories, including some demanding markets such as Japan, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Last year the company reported profits before tax of VND11.52 trillion ($499.26 million), up 12.05 percent from the previous year, on revenues of VND52.63 trillion ($2.28 billion), down 2.93 percent. One of the Republican stand up comedians MSNBC has helped transform into a trusted voice among Trump-hating Democrats, former McCain chief strategist Steve Schmidt, is running Starbucks Guy's campaign strategy now. As violently anti-progressive as he is violently anti-Trumpanzee, Schmidt is running around telling everyone who will listen that "Schultz could be the fail-safe plan in the event Democrats nominate a far-left candidate in 2020." Schmidt, predictably, is trying to insert a narrative into the political zeitgeist where "the Democratic Party nominates someone who is so far to the left that it guarantees Trump a reelection. And at that point, the only person who would theoretically be able to stop Trump from a second term is a centrist candidacy of someone like Schultz." Every poll shows Bernie and Elizabeth Warren, presumably the targets of Schmidt's ire, beating Trump, Bernie by Bernie, responding to a report in Politico about Wall Street's anyone-but-Bernie attitude, wrote that "Wall Street is terrified of us running for president again-- and, frankly, they should be. Ours is one of the few campaigns that wouldnt beg them for money and would actually rein in their reckless behavior." Meanwhile Team Starbucks Guy is trying to turn AOC into their campaign pinata . Schultz would run as a Democrat except he can't because he doesnt like Ocasio-Cortezs proposal to slap a 70-percent marginal tax rate on income above $10 million. "I respect the Democratic Party. I no longer feel affiliated because I don't know their views represent the majority of Americans. I don't think we want a 70 percent income tax in America." Only if thatthe view of most congressional Democrats! About 60% of Americans do, albeit not billionaires like Starbucks Guy. He actually said "I believe that if I ran as a Democrat, I would have to say things that I know in my heart I do not believe, and I would have to be disingenuous." That kind of sentiment should disqualify him for anyone who wants a person of character as president. In fact, Starbucks Guy will be delighted when he learns that the New Dems and Blue Dogs from the Republican wing of the Democratic Party are already secretly plotting to destroy Ocasio politically and drive her out of Congress 's Scott Wong refuses to identify who but reported Tuesday that some Democrats in Congress "are discussing recruiting a primary challenger to run against the social media sensation. At least one House Democrat has been privately urging members of the New York delegation to recruit a local politician from the Bronx or Queens to challenge Ocasio-Cortez." What I have recommended to the New York delegation is that you find her a primary opponent and make her a one-term congressperson, the Democratic lawmaker, who requested anonymity, told The Hill. Youve got numerous council people and state legislators whove been waiting 20 years for that seat. Im sure they can find numerous people who want that seat in that district. The New York delegation has eyed Ocasio-Cortez with skepticism ever since last summer when the 29-year-old self-described democratic socialist shocked the political world and defeated then-Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) in what many thought would be a sleepy primary race. Crowley, a Queens powerbroker and affable House Democratic Caucus chairman, had been considered a possible future Speaker. Many New York and Congressional Black Caucus lawmakers were also furious with Ocasio-Cortez after a recent Politico report stated she and the grass-roots group aligned with her, Justice Democrats, were considering backing a primary challenge to fellow New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, a Black Caucus member and establishment insider who succeeded Crowley as caucus chairman. ...No potential challengers to Ocasio-Cortez have yet emerged. But one New York political insider noted that the Queens and Bronx district is home to many ambitious pols who are close to Crowley and dont like that a political outsider took his seat. Shes pissing off a lot of people and has probably made a lot of enemies. A lot of people who are furious with her are Joes allies, including some named Crowley, said the insider, referring to Crowleys cousin, Elizabeth Crowley, a former New York City councilwoman. She is a woman. Shes been moving more to the left. She would be someone interesting. Elizabeth Crowley, 41, did not return a request for comment, but she has previously said shes eyeing a bid for Queens borough president in 2021. She lives in a neighboring Queens district. ...Of all people, Ocasio-Cortez would not complain if she gets a primary challenger, her spokesman said. We believe in primaries as an idea. Were not upset by the idea of being primaried. We are not going to go out there being anti-primary-- they are good for party, said Corbin Trent, a campaign spokesman for Ocasio-Cortez and a co-founder of Justice Democrats. If voters in the district feel that they can be better represented, that will be their choice on primary day, he continued. In the meantime, were going to be doing our dead-level best to make sure we are representing the needs and the will of our constituents. Justice Democrats spokesman Waleed Shahid predicted a lopsided defeat for whoever tries to take on Ocasio-Cortez. Considering shes more popular and well-known than some of the Democratic presidential contenders, I think whoever challenges her will lose by huge margins, Shahid said. Its a quick way for some D.C. and Wall Street consultants to make some easy money. The Hon. Rep. Pete Aguilar (New Dem-CA), high on coke and booze, hates AOC But its not just Black Caucus members she has rubbed the wrong way. Ocasio-Cortez, whose mother was born in Puerto Rico, has also annoyed members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus by targeting one of their own: Cuellar. Earlier this month, she appeared in a Justice Democrats promotional video with her spokesman, Corbin, and her chief of staff, Saikat Chakrabarti, touting a program recruiting progressive insurgents to run for Congress. Justice Democrats is currently searching for a progressive to launch a primary challenge against Cuellar. Hispanic Caucus members arent happy about those efforts but say they are taking a wait-and-see approach before intervening with Ocasio-Cortez, who joined the caucus this month. Were going to protect our members and were going to protect our own. Full stop, said centrist Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), a former whip for the Hispanic Caucus. There are plenty of [swing] races and seats that we can play in, and we want to devote our resources to that. Forever beleaguered in finding enough red meat for his-- in ex-Senator Alfonse DAmato's words -- right-wing whack-a-doodle base, Trump wants to pivot away from his embarrassing loss to Pelosi over the anti-Hispanic vanity-wall to crapping all over the LGBTQ community. The asshole's latest: revving up the dead nomination for Eric Murphy Ohio Solicitor General to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Washington Post ran an OpEd by Jim Obergefell denouncing not just Murphy and the nomination but Rob Portman, Ohio's other senator, for supporting it. "In March 2013," wrote Obergefell," Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) broke with his Republican colleagues and penned an op-ed in the Columbus Dispatch supporting same-sex couples right to marry, a conclusion he reached shortly after his son came out as gay. Murphy was the attorney who argued against marriage equality before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges. Trump nominated him for the judgeship 7 months ago. As home-state senator, Sherrod Brown blocked the nomination (did not return his blue slip) and the nomination died. Last week Trump renominated him. Over the weekend, theran an OpEd by Jim Obergefell denouncing not just Murphy and the nomination but Rob Portman, Ohio's other senator, for supporting it. "In March 2013," wrote Obergefell," Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) broke with his Republican colleagues and penned an op-ed in thesupporting same-sex couples right to marry, a conclusion he reached shortly after his son came out as gay. In the article , he expressed his desire for each of his three children to have 'the same opportunities to pursue happiness and fulfillment' in all aspects of their lives. So I was surprised to find out that Portman was supporting the nomination of Eric Murphy to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit even after Murphy argued against same-sex marriage at the Supreme Court." Barely four years ago, Mr. Murphy made a forceful argument that my marriage was unconstitutional. As the attorney tasked with defending Ohios discriminatory ban on same-sex marriage, he used dog-whistles such as traditional marriage in his brief to the Supreme Court and argued that bigotry had nothing to do with why the state refused to recognize my lawful marriage to my late husband. The court rejected Murphys arguments and overturned that law. In a landmark opinion written by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy-- for whom Murphy himself once clerked-- the Supreme Court declared that it demeans gays and lesbians for the State to lock them out of a central institution of the Nations society. Gay couples ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law, Kennedy wrote. The Constitution grants them that right. Still, if Murphy had been successful, John and I, and tens of thousands of couples like us, would have been denied the right to marry and forced to live as second-class citizens. Now, Murphy seeks to be a judge who will decide cases such as mine; his renomination was sent to the Senate this week. As a federal judge, Murphy would have immense power and influence over the rights of the LGBTQ community. Judges can decide if presidents can ban transgender soldiers from serving in the military. Judges can decide if people can be fired from their job for being gay. Such decisions would affect people such as me, Senator Portmans son, and thousands of other LGBTQ people living in the 6th Circuit states of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. In light of his past arguments, Murphy must show he is capable of being fair and unbiased toward the LGBTQ community. Now that he is no longer obligated to defend the old Ohio law, he should explicitly affirm that my Supreme Court case was correctly decided and vow that discrimination against the LGBTQ community would have no place in his courtroom. Surely there is no longer anything stopping Murphy from showing the same respect and dignity to the LGBTQ community as Kennedy and Portman have. Until Murphy makes such a statement, Portman and his fellow senators should oppose his nomination. Trump wants a quick "win" for his base after his embarrassing defeat at the hands of Pelosi over the wall. I was happy to see that all the Blue America-endorsed congressional candidates are questioning his re-nomination of Murphy. Today Austin-based congressional candidate Mike Siegel remarked that "Unfortunately, despite high-profile losses for Trump and his party on the government shutdown, ACA repeal, and a few other issues, the Republicans continue to radically reshape our judiciary. The antidote will be the 2020 elections. With a Democratic Congress, we must finally enact comprehensive civil rights legislation that guarantees LGBT equality in every way, from employment and housing to marriage, adoption, and inheritance. In the meantime, we must oppose Murphy and other extreme nominees and hope to embarrass the GOP on a case-by-case basis." Marie Newman who's in a hot primary battle against one of the last virulent homophobes in the Democratic congressional delegation, Blue Dog Dan Lipinski, is just as disappointed in the nomination. Lipinski's voting record against the LGBTQ community is startling and there are even Republicans who are less filled with bigotry and ignorance. Marie is no fan of Trump's nomination. "I would certainly hope to see his nomination rejected," she told us today. "This is simple, Eric Murphy and his supporters want to divide the country and ruin our economy. Murphys goal is simply to keep folks out of the economy and prevent equality. It is morally wrong and terrible for the economy." Please consider contributing to Mike, Marie and Eva by clicking on the Blue America 2020 thermometer on the right. Needless to say, Illinois progressive Democrat,who's in a hot primary battle against one of the last virulent homophobes in the Democratic congressional delegation, Blue Dog Dan Lipinski, is just as disappointed in the nomination. Lipinski's voting record against the LGBTQ community is startling and there are even Republicans who are less filled with bigotry and ignorance. Marie is no fan of Trump's nomination. "I would certainly hope to see his nomination rejected," she told us today. "This is simple, Eric Murphy and his supporters want to divide the country and ruin our economy. Murphys goal is simply to keep folks out of the economy and prevent equality. It is morally wrong and terrible for the economy." Eva Putzova, the Blue America-endorsed Arizona progressive in a primary against another reactionary Blue Dog, also has strong feelings about these kinds of divisive nominations by Trump. She told us that "While most Americans agree that 'love is love' and all people should be equal in pursuing happiness no matter where their partner is on the gender spectrum, it's troubling that in 2019 Eric Murphy's name even comes up in the nomination process. People who think some members of our society are less than others because of who they choose to love should have no place at any level of our judicial system." I reached our old buddy, 2018 congressional candidate Dan Canon, a prominent Indiana civil rights lawyer who was one of the attorneys who won the Obergefell Supreme Court case. This is what he had to say about the Murphy re-nomination today: Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com 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. But I dont want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you cant help that," said the Cat: "were all mad here. Im mad. Youre mad." "How do you know Im mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldnt have come here. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland With freedom comes responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt It seems likely that public health officials in Oregon and Washington state will be dealing with the current measles outbreak at least to the end of February, and possibly longer. That's because the symptoms for this highly contagious disease typically don't appear for seven to 14 days, and infected people are contagious days before the appearance of the first symptoms a high fever, coughing, a runny nose and red, watery eyes. The rash that is characteristic of measles only shows up later, typically beginning around the ears. And the measles is highly contagious: The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 9 out of every 10 unprotected people who are exposed to the virus will contract the disease. The virus is airborne, spread through the coughs and sneezes of infected people. All of which goes to explain why we would be very surprised indeed if the one confirmed case of measles in Multnomah County turns out to be the last one in Oregon. Lost kids About 6:45 p.m. Sunday, a caller in the 25000 block of Crescent Hill Road reported that her 16-year-old son and his 16-year-old friend had gone for a walk before dark on Cascade Timber Consulting property. One of the boys called his mother after dark, reporting they had become lost and had arrived at a rock pit they did not know existed. They had one cellphone and had been using its light to navigate. Boys and parents were reunited. LINN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT From Friday afternoon Forgery India Spring Hathaway, 32, of Sweet Home, was charged with two counts of first-degree forgery and two counts of second-degree forgery. The crimes allegedly occurred on Dec. 13. The Sweet Home Police Department investigated the case. Identity theft Thomas Jason Shadowen, 43, of Albany, was charged with identity theft, using anothers license and driving while suspended. The crimes allegedly occurred on Dec. 23. The Oregon State Police investigated the case. From Monday afternoon Forgery Angel Rubio Ramirez, 23, of Albany, was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and possession of methamphetamine. The crimes allegedly occurred on Dec. 24, and the forged instrument was a fake $100 bill, according to the charging document. The Albany Police Department investigated the case. Ramirez also was charged with possession of methamphetamine in a separate case, and with possession of methamphetamine and failure to appear in another case. He also was charged in an additional three cases with probation violations. 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. Vote View Results How did all this happen? Why is the governor ringing down the gavel on a land sale of $3,500? I had to go to the source on state capital matters, reporter Peter Wong, who, as always, did not let me down. Wong noted that the board goes back to statehood and that it would take a constitutional amendment to change its membership. Wong also shared an anecdote about another state group, which consisted of the same three elected officials. The Board of Control managed state institutions such as prisons, the state hospital and the Fairview and MacLaren facilities until Gov. Tom McCall turned in into the Department of Human Resources (now Services) in 1971. And there remains a large conference room in the governors office which is called the Board of Control Room, even the though the board in question has been defunct for 50 years. Ah, history. One other thing on boards and commissions. They almost always take public testimony. In fact the biggest chunk of time at the State Lands Board meeting I attended was consumed by public testimony. I witness a LOT of public testimony, some good, some bad. And let me just say that just because you are speaking to the guv doesnt mean your testimony is any good. Asia Bibi's acquittal will be appealed against in Pakistan's Supreme Court tomorrow, Tuesday 29 January 2019, in an attempt by Pakistan's hard-line anti-Christian lobby to prevent her freedom and have the death penalty imposed upon her. Open Doors advocacy spokesman Dr Matthew Rees said: "The Supreme Court's decision will send a powerful signal. Can Christians and other minorities' rights be protected in Pakistan? "The blasphemy laws in Pakistan are often used corruptly to allow persecution with impunity and to silence witnesses to crimes. Asia's case and the violence surrounding it symbolises the extremes of opinion on these laws. "Asia has suffered for too many years for a crime she did not commit. She has been declared innocent by the highest court in Pakistan and deserves to rebuild her life." A partner of Open Doors who works on the ground in Pakistan said: "Asia Bibi is a much-loved and prayed-for woman. What happens to her impacts the whole of the Christian community." Asia was arrested in 2009 after being accused of insulting the prophet Mohammed and sentenced to death the following year. Despite lack of evidence and contradictions in witness testimonies, court cases and appeals dragged on until finally, in 2018, Asia Bibi was acquitted by the Supreme Court. Massive and often violent protests organised by the TLP (Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan), an Islamist political party that was founded to 'protect' the blasphemy laws, shut down the country, until finally the Supreme Court promised to review its earlier ruling. Infuriated militants 'called for Asia's beheading, mutiny within the powerful military and the assassination of the country's top judges', according to media reports. The appeal against Asia's acquittal was filed by Mr Gulam Mustafa Chaudhry, an advocate who has demonstrated his hostility toward Pakistan's Christian minorities. He is determined to ensure that Pakistan's blasphemy laws remain sharp, and are a constant reminder of the direction in which organisations like TLP are driving the country. Chaudhry is known for his pro bono work on behalf of anyone wishing to bring a blasphemy case against a minority. He has been heard saying that, "Only death is a suitable for those who blaspheme against the Prophet of Islam". After the Supreme Court ruling, Asia was released from prison, but barred from leaving the country. She has been in hiding ever since she left her prison cell, awaiting the Supreme Court's review. Asia's lawyer, Saif-ul-Malook, who sought refuge in The Netherlands after the violence erupted in Pakistan in November, has announced his return to his country to aid Asia, a Dutch MP tweeted on Saturday. "[Saturday] I escorted Mr Mahook to his departure from airport Schiphol. He returns to Pakistan to hopefully defend Asia for the last time in a court case. Unfortunately, he will lose his asylum status in the Netherlands." Pakistan is number five on Open Doors World Watch List. Historic churches have been subject to bomb attacks. All Christians suffer from institutionalised discrimination, with occupations that are seen as low, dirty and derogatory being officially reserved for Christians, most of whom are from the poorer classes. Radical Islamic groups, courted by political parties, the army and government, run thousands of schools capable of stirring up enmity towards religious minorities. | 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 About running and life in the DC area. Two individuals were moderately injured and two received minor injuries in weekend crashes occurring in Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties. Krystal Ballard, 36, of Ste. Genevieve, was moderately injured in an accident occurring on Route O in Ste. Genevieve County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Ballard was driving her Ford Expedition along Route O. It went off the left side of the road and overturned. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Ballard was taken to Mercy Hospital Jefferson by Ste. Genevieve County Ambulance. The report states that Ballard was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash. Sally Phelps, 60, of Belgrade, was moderately injured in a crash that occurred in Washington County on Sunday morning. According to the highway patrol, Phelps was stopped on Highway 21, preparing to make a left turn when a vehicle driven by Alexandra Lawson, 17, of Potosi, failed to yield and hit the rear of Phelps vehicle. Lawson and her passenger, Tyler Rains, 18, of Potosi, received minor injuries and were taken by private vehicle to Washington County Memorial Hospital. The report states that neither Rains nor Lawson were wearing seat belts. Phelps received moderate injuries and was taken to Washington County Memorial Hospital by Washington County Ambulance. The report states that Phelps was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash. Matt McFarland is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616, or at mmcfarland@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. For those who think the Parkland has experienced cold temperatures already this winter, you havent seen anything yet. A blast of super-charged arctic air is bringing dangerous subzero cold to the Midwest and Northeast United States as the system swings down from the Dakotas into Chicago and on to New England. The National Weather Service is predicting that by tonight and into Wednesday morning, Chicago will hit an incredibly cold 20 to 25 degrees below zero. According to Richard Bann, a meteorologist at NWSs Weather Prediction Center, this is going to be a dangerous, deadly cold that will be hitting the Midwest hard. Exposed skin loses heat fast, like you dont even know, he said. As of Monday afternoon, Gov. Mike Parson was spreading the word about whats in store for the state of Missouri through the rest of this week. We take the safety of our citizens very seriously and stand ready to support our local jurisdictions as they work to protect their communities, he said. I also urge Missourians to check on neighbors who may need a little extra help during these dangerous conditions. The business model is driven in part by the lack of consistency among major health care chains in the state as to how they handle marijuana prescriptions and treatment, Doner said. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Most of the larger health care institutions have taken a backseat to this so far, although each institution handles it differently, Doner said. Weve seen similar models used in other states, Doner said. The big difference with our model is what we wanted to do is standardize the care across multiple clinics and locations, and then expand on that practice not only in Pennsylvania, but in other states as well. While CCC employs some physicians full-time, the majority of doctors are contract employees who also work at other clinics or hospitals. The Carlisle location has three part-time physicians who rotate through, plus a nurse and office manager, Doner said. Carlisle is one of our most consistently busy offices, Doner said. People have come from hours and hours away to see us at the Carlisle office. CCC clinics have certified over 10,000 patients in Pennsylvania since the states medical marijuana program rolled out roughly a year ago, Doner said. Tribhuvan University VC says its hands are tied on harassment case Last week, a group of former students at the Tribhuvan Universitys Department of Sociology told the Post how former lecturer Krishna Bahadur Bhattachan sexually harassed them for years. Sentinel reporter Joseph Cress offers a daily digital glimpse back in Cumberland County history with help from our Newspapers.com archives: 110 Years Ago The Sentinel received word that Dr. Thomas Stewart, formerly of South Hanover Street, had died on Jan. 28 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 55-year-old physician had suffered for many years from heart trouble. A native of Beaver Falls, Beaver County, Stewart graduated from the Cleveland Medical School. When his father Thomas died, he took over the family practice in Carlisle and operated it for about 25 years until June 1908. That August, he moved to Ohio where he was treated at his alma mater. Dr. Stewart was a man of many excellent qualities, an able physician, genial, courteous, and popular, The Sentinel reported. He was a loving husband, kind hearted to all, and popular among a large circle of friends. In other local news, the Carlisle Indian School will play host in early April to a comic opera produced by student talent under the leadership of music director Claude M. Stauffer. Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Leaders of the EEU. Source: eaeunion.org Region-wide crypto-regulations look to be forthcoming in Russia and its European and Central Asian ally states. Per Russian news agency Tass, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a political and economic union comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, has been told to form union-wide regulation for the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries. The EEU is planning to follow the EU into a common financial market model by 2025, and its ruling commissions Integration and Macroeconomics Minister Tatyana Valovaya says that barriers and possible loopholes should be eliminated in favor of an area-wide regulator policy. Valovaya also noted that the policy should be based on successful regulatory policies implemented elsewhere in the world. The minister stated that, as the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors continue to grow, the EEU can ill afford to ignore them when forming economic policy. The five nations have wildly differing blockchain and cryptocurrency policies Belarus has attempted to posit itself as one of the most liberal nations in the world, and has legalized cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings (ICO) and smart contracts. Russia also appears to have changed its tune on cryptocurrency, with the government set to introduce 20 blockchain-related bills this spring, and allow businesses in certain areas to conduct crypto-pay transaction pilots. Armenia is also increasingly crypto-keen, and hopes to woo international miners to the country, while Kyrgyzstan is working on creating its own state-issued cryptocurrency. However, the picture is a little different in Kazakhstan, where the National Bank last year stated that cryptocurrencies would not be accepted as a means of payment. Regardless, the crypto and blockchain industry is very large indeed in Kazakhstan. The countrys fintech park, the Astana International Financial Center, is the envy of much of the CIS. Russia has previously stated that it could seek to develop a digital fiat within the next two years, and is hoping to win EEU-wide support for its project. _____ Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Rodney Sieh, editor-in-chief and publisher of Liberian investigative outlet FrontPageAfrica, knows first-hand the harassment and risks critical journalists in his country face. In 2013, CPJ documented how he was sentenced to prison over unpaid fines in a criminal defamation case. Sieh served three months of the 5,000-year sentence before being released after an international outcry. He has written about his experiences in his book, Journalist on Trial: Fighting Corruption, Media Muzzling and a 5,000-Year Prison Sentence, published in late 2018. Sieh told CPJ this month that he and his journalists continue to be targeted. He is currently working with the London-based Media Legal Defence Initiative to file a lawsuit at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice in Nigeria over the harassment of his newspaper, staff, and other media in Liberia. Sieh, a member of CPJs Africa advisory group, spoke with CPJ about his experiences and the current climate for Liberias press in the year since George Weah became president. [This blog has been edited for length and clarity] Looking back on President Weahs record so far, would you describe his administration as a friend or enemy of press freedom? To be honest, it is rather difficult to say whether President Weah is a friend or an enemy to the press. Personally, I was grateful that he paid me a visit during my incarceration when I was sentenced to 5,000 years in prison. As head of the leading opposition party, I think his visit showed that he means well and his presence showed a commitment to free press and a means of identifying with me during my struggles with the former regime of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. However, since assuming the mantle of authority of the country, I have been a bit disappointed over the manner in which some of his supporters and officials of government have come after me and my newspaper for simply reporting the ills in society such as corruption, greed, misuse of public resources, the presidents failure to declare his assets, and the construction of several multi-million dollar properties. I would like to hold him to his word that he is committed to a free press and want to believe that he is sincere and is truly a friendand not an enemy of the press, but the actions and public statements he has made in recent time by labeling journalists as enemies of the state makes it difficult to conclude that this administration is sincere about its relationship with the press. How does Weahs record on press freedom compare with that of his predecessor, Sirleaf? On paper, Sirleaf signed Liberia on to the Table Mountain Declaration, which calls for the repeal of criminal defamation and insult laws across the African continent. In reality, my 5,000-year sentence blemished that. Sirleaf herself was critical of investigative reporting and her supporters were often found on social media attacking critical media and journalists when stories did not sing to the governments tone. I would though give Sirleaf the edge on the level of tolerance. She managed to withstand a barrage of criticisms and investigative reports. She had a tough skin on that end, something I think President Weah and his officials and followers could take a cue from. President Weahs labeling of the press and critics as enemies of the state and investigative reports as fake news in the shadows of U.S. President Donald Trump, in my view, dampened whatever efforts or overtures he is trying to make toward the press in his quest to soften some of the negative reporting against his government. The government invited David Kaye, the U.N. Special Rapporteur, to visit Liberia in March 2018. In his subsequent report, Kaye identified the decriminalization of defamation and the transformation of the state broadcasting system as a priority. Has the Weah administration followed through on any of this? Looking at the tone of unfriendliness toward the media I have seen so far, I dont see this government working toward making the state broadcaster independent. The president and his supporters, including senior officials, are more keen to hear positive and favorable stories being reported than having critical and constructive critical reporting. So, the idea put forward by Mr. Kaye is a good one and its been floated around for some time, but I do not see any signs of it being implemented in the near future. On a lighter note, we are all still eagerly anticipating full passage of the bill aimed at decriminalizing speech. Sirleaf initiated the process but it remained lingering in the corridors of the national legislature. It has been fine-tuned under Weah and renamed in memory of the late Press Union of Liberia president, Abdullai Kamara. The Lower House has signed off on it and the Senate is weighing in before it hits the presidents desk. If it does complete the process, it would be a landmark for the press in Liberia. Information Minister Lenn Nagbe suspended all new broadcasting licenses issued from January 1 to June 18, 2018. What do you believe was the reason for this and what has happened since? I really believe this strategy was aimed at broadcast journalist and talk show host Patrick Honnah, who was on the verge of launching Punch FM. Honnah, a former deputy managing director of Liberias state radio, was openly critical of Weah during the election campaign, because he felt he was anti-media. He had met all the requirements, registered his entity, and did all that is required by the government, only for the Ministry of Information to come out with that pronouncement. It is saddening to note that several new radio stations and newspapers have opened since that mandate, but Punch FM has not hit the airwaves. This is one of the reasons why I said earlier that the government is not sincere in its quest to make amends with the press. [Editors Note: Nagbe did not respond to CPJs request for comment on January 29, and also at the time of the license suspension.] The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs last year called FrontPageAfrica a criminal entity and said he would sue for defamation. Has he followed through on this and what does the president have to say? The president has not said anything about those threats made by his senior minister, who is considered to be one of the most powerful members of his Cabinet. We are still waiting to receive the writ or summons from the court. Im used to being labeled a criminal, so I am not deterred. All this has done is make me much stronger in my resolve to continue speaking truth to power. FrontPageAfrica has a track record of exposing corruption, we have a track record of holding government feet to the fire, and we have a track record of ensuring that the voices of those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder are heard. What other threats does your paper, or Liberias press as a whole, face? We continue to receive threats and insults daily in the open on social media by supporters and sympathizers of the Weah-led government and we continue to receive baits from senior officials of government on Facebook, dissecting our reports and raining public ridicule of our work. The most visible these days [are] threats on Facebook and other social mediums. Late last year [government sympathizers] went as far as posting a photograph of my home on Facebook, I guess to give sympathizers of the government ammunition or motivation to attack me. Theyve tried everything, including creating fake Facebook profiles in my name with attacks on the president aimed at stirring anger among the presidents sympathizers to come after me. I have made several inquiries to Facebook but so far nothing has been done. One of the fake pages in my name has been removed, but at least two others are still therethe last time I checked. Social media is good, but the emerging trend has made journalists like me easy targets for those in power. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Abidjan, January 29, 2019Authorities in Cameroon should immediately release journalists Theodore Tchopa and David Eyengue Nzima, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The two journalists, from privately owned daily newspaper Le Jour, were arrested yesterday while covering an opposition gathering in Douala, Denis Nkwebo, their deputy editor in chief and the president of the Cameroonian journalists trade union, told CPJ. Their arrest was also reported by local outlets and journalists on social media. The journalists were detained at a house where opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who claims to have won the 2018 presidential election, and opposition activists were also arrested, Nkwebo told CPJ. They were mistaken for activists who were gathered at the house, said Nkwebo, adding that the journalists have since been transferred to the judicial police headquarters in the capital, Yaounde, 230 km (143 miles) away. Kamto and the activists are also still in custody, according to Nkwebo. Theodore Tchopa and David Eyengue Nzima are journalists who were arrested for simply covering a newsworthy event, and must be freed immediately without condition, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator, in New York. Cameroonian authorities should stop trying to intimidate and censor journalists who have a duty to keep citizens informed about the political and economic situation. In a statement sent to CPJ, Charles Ngah Nforgang, the unions spokesman, said first-hand reporting from the ground remained the main source of information for journalists and their presence at such gatherings could not be considered a crime. CPJs calls and text messages to the offices of Cameroons deputy justice minister, Jean De Dieu Momo, and the newly appointed communications minister, Rene Sadi, went unanswered. The polices national communications chief, Joyce Ndjem, said she does not give comment over the phone and CPJ should come to her office. Cameroon was the third worst jailer of journalists in Africa, after Egypt and Eritrea respectively, with at least seven journalists behind bars for their work as of December 1, 2018, according to CPJs annual prison census. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Taipei, January 29, 2019The Suizhou Intermediate Peoples Court in Hubei province today sentenced Liu Feiyue, founder of the human rights news website Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch, known in Chinese as Minsheng Guancha, to a five-year jail term for inciting state subversion, according to news reports. The harsh sentencing of Liu Feiyue illustrates how frightened and desperate Chinese leaders are to prevent the truth about their horrible record on human rights from being revealed, said Steven Butler, Asia program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists. Liu Feiyue should be lauded for performing an important service in defense of the Chinese people, not locked away in prison. At least 47 journalists were imprisoned in China at the end of 2018, making it the second largest jailer of journalists worldwide, after Turkey. TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Heart surgery patients may fare better if they have their own blood "recycled" and given back to them during the procedure, a preliminary study suggests. The study focused on so-called "intraoperative autologous" blood donation -- where patients have some blood removed at the start of surgery for their own use. The goal is to avoid transfusions of donor blood during surgeries where patients typically have a lot of bleeding. Among nearly 700 heart surgery patients studied, researchers found the tactic did seem to reduce blood transfusions. Patients who self-donated also had shorter hospital stays. This type of blood donation is already done at some hospitals, though experts said it's hard to tell how common it is. Dr. Robbin Cohen, a surgeon at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, said he has been using the approach for a few years. It's simple and, in his experience, beneficial, said Cohen, who was not involved in the new study. That said, the findings do not prove self-donation during heart surgery is the way to go, according to Cohen. The study looked back at patient records; it was not a trial that randomly assigned patients to either self-donate or not. "What you need are well-designed prospective trials," Cohen said. But, he added, "this study is a good start. The suggestion of benefit is there." The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, being held this week in San Diego. Studies presented at meetings are generally considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Eric Zimmermann led the research when he was based at New York-Presbyterian Queens (NYPQ) Hospital in New York City. He agreed that more studies are needed in order to spur wider use of self-donation during heart surgery. It's different, he noted, from another practice known as blood banking -- where patients have blood removed and stored weeks before surgery, to use in case they need a transfusion. Zimmermann, who is now a research fellow at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, pointed to some advantages of the intraoperative tactic: It eliminates the cost of blood banking. Plus, the quality of banked blood degrades somewhat during storage, he said. With intraoperative donation, doctors remove some of the patient's blood at the start of surgery and store it as "whole blood," with only clot-preventing medication added to it. "Whole" means the blood contains all of its natural components. Banked blood is often separated into different parts, like red blood cells and platelets (cells that help prevent bleeding by clumping together). For the new study, Zimmermann's team analyzed records from patients who had heart surgery at NYPQ Hospital between 2009 and 2017. In 2013, the hospital launched a "more aggressive" approach to intraoperative donation in which most patients having open-heart surgery self-donated. The study group included 420 patients who had surgery after that policy shift, and 268 who had surgery before it. Only a small percentage of the latter group self-donated, according to Zimmermann. Overall, the study found, the more aggressive policy seemed to reduce blood transfusions. Only 40 percent of patients needed a transfusion after the change, compared to 70 percent before. And when patients in the more-recent group needed a transfusion, they typically required less blood. Their hospital stay was a day shorter, on average. What's not clear, though, is whether the self-donations are the reason patients got out of the hospital sooner. In fact, Zimmermann said, it's not clear precisely how the tactic benefits patients. "We need a better scientific explanation for why it works," he said. Cohen said returning whole blood to patients' bodies may help prevent bleeding because it contains their natural clotting factors and platelets. For now, both he and Zimmermann said patients who are scheduled for heart surgery can ask whether intraoperative donation is an option for them. "Most surgeons discuss the potential need for transfusion with patients, so this could enter into that conversation," Cohen said. Even self-donation comes with potential risks, though. According to Zimmermann, it can deplete patients of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, and it's possible for the extracted blood to become contaminated with bacteria or viruses. More information The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more on blood transfusions. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The cheeseburger is so salty to us, Park said about the food. (Much) American food is in Korea, so were comfortable to accept American food, but we miss the Korean food. On the education side, Park said both countries have different teaching methods. The lectures here have been more interactive with opportunities to work with other students in group projects. I think the professors (here) are good because they are not giving the answers. They want to try to make us answer, Park said. And there are a lot of group activities. Because in Korea, in nursing college, we usually just take direction from teachers, but here, group activities with other nursing students are really good to remember some knowledge. The group got to go through a nursing simulation at the school's Grand Island campus, which Kim said was a valuable learning experience. She said she appreciates the school's hands-on approach to education. We went to Grand Island to take (a) simulator class. It was really good because we have only one time have (worked) with simulator. But when we go to Grand Island, there are a lot of simulators, so it was a really good time, Kim said. We have less chance to practice our nursing skills, but here we can act like a nurse, so it was really useful for studying nursing. A Madison man on Monday avoided jail when Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa instead sentenced the defendant to pay a fine. Josef Perez, represented by county Public Defender Tim Matas, was fined $150 after pleading no contest and being found guilty of driving under suspension/before reinstatement, a Class III misdemeanor. Under state law, Perez could have faced up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. An additional charge of having no valid registration of a car/pickup/van, which the defendant pleaded not guilty to, was dropped. As part of sentencing, Perez is being required to pay the fine along with another small sum to Platte County by March 4. In May 2017, a Nebraska State Trooper on patrol on Platte County noticed a speeding vehicle traveling 94 mph in a 65-mph zone, according to an arrest affidavit. Contact was made with the suspect, identified as the defendant, along U.S. Highway 81. A DMV check revealed that the defendant had a suspended license and had an active Colfax County warrant out for his arrest. In other country court news: Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "I think it's important to realize that small businesses make up a huge portion of what makes up Columbus," Mayor Jim Bulkley said. "So anytime we can funnel that excitement and generate interest in that area is great. For us to be able to help the Chamber with any of this stuff is just a positive move." Fischer took a moment to explain a little bit about the focus of the ECONIC sessions. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} They are doing these entrepreneur workshops that have been taking place once a month we just had one on Saturday, she said of ECONIC. And its an opportunity for entrepreneurs to become better at what they are doing We have had people (attend) just thinking about starting a business, and weve had some people who already have businesses and are looking at saying, Am I doing the best I possibly can with my business? Those in attendance have the opportunity to build relationships and network with other like-minded individuals and also receive access to business mentors to help them with certain aspects of building, developing and growing their ventures. Shakya is the founder CEO of beed, an international management consulting and advisory firm. He is the author of Unleashing Nepal and Unleashing The Vajra. The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors met recently in Lincoln for its annual legislative meeting. NC's six policy committees brought attention to bills and resolutions recently introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that are of interest to Nebraska beef producers. Under close review and in accordance with NC Policy, the Board of Directors considered and took positions on nearly 90 pieces of legislation and choose three bills as priorities for this legislative session. Once again, NC board members went into this legislative meeting acknowledging the immediate need for property tax relief and reform in the State. Nebraska Cattlemen chose to support and prioritize LB 497 by Sen. Curt Friesen. The bill is the product of much work and discussion during the interim with senators and agricultural interest groups who have heard the outcry for property tax relief from constituents and members. LB 497 contains many provisions to address the inequity in school funding statewide and the over reliance on property tax dollars. NC policy aligns with provisions of the bill and the association looks forward to working with the Legislature to pass reform in 2019. The Nebraska Agriculture Leaders Working Group has announced its support for a bill introduced by Sen. Curt Friesen to fix major inequities in how Nebraska funds K-12 schools, while lowering property taxes for all Nebraskans. With numerous legislative proposals dealing with school funding and tax relief having been introduced, the agriculture leaders believe LB 497 is the best bill from which to start. We appreciate all of the different ideas that have been brought to the table. We understand that no bill dealing with these critical issues will look the same at the end of the session as it does at the start, but we think this bill is the most comprehensive in addressing the issues. Im sure there will be things we will find to make it even better, said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president, in a provided statement. The bills guarantee that all Nebraska students receive at least 50 percent of their basic education funding from the state is key to the groups support. Union Pacific has filed a lawsuit defending its right to fire an engineer who defecated on a train car. According to the suit filed last week in U.S. District Court, the engineer was terminated after admitting that during a November 2016 train stop he defecated on a knuckle connecting a locomotive and box car, threw feces-covered tissue out the window of the locomotive and then later informed his manager that he left a "present." In addition, he also twice extended his middle finger to a security camera on the train. The suit said that the engineer admitted to all of the allegations during a January 2017 investigatory hearing and said he was willing to accept "full and complete responsibility for his actions." A week after the hearing, the railroad terminated the engineer under a rule that prohibits conduct that is "negligent, insubordinate, dishonest, immoral, quarrelsome or discourteous." The union representing the engineer, the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, appealed the termination. Union Pacific subsequently denied the appeal, and the matter was sent to an arbitration panel. Tom Powers Tom Powers, a commercial and instrument pilot with over 8,000 flight hours, will speak to the Rotary Club of Coconut Grove on Thursday, January 31. Powers has had a passion for flying for the past 50 years and is an Aircraft Commander pilot for the USCG Auxiliary flying patrols and Search and Rescue missions. He also flies USCG special logistics missions to Guantanamo, Puerto Rico and other locations. Powers served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy. Volunteering his own aircraft, time and expenses, he has flown over 1,000 missions in the past 26 years for those in need of medical or humanitarian care. Many of those are veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam who travel to VA hospitals for care. He is president of Eagle Risk Management and Flightline Drug Testing, which administers drug abatement programs for Department of Transportation agencies such as the FAA, Federal Railroad, and Trucking. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and is an adjunct professor at Barry University. He is also a past president of the Downtown FT. Lauderdale Rotary Club and AAG for Area 3 District 6990. The Rotary Club of Coconut Grove meets every Thursday at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, 2990 South Bayshore Drive at 12:30 pm. The cost of the meeting is $25 with lunch or $10 without lunch. Open to the public. I was watching a news broadcast a few weeks ago about Palestinian youths throwing stones at the Israeli border guards. What stuck in my mind was the number of those youths who were using slings and sending those stones at high speed over long distances with amazing accuracy. One author (Gladwell) described the sling as an incredibly devastating weapon, not a childs toy. He said; If you do the calculations on the ballistics, on the stopping power of the rock fired from David's sling, it's roughly equal to the stopping power of a .45 calibre handgun. Wow! Having fired a .45 pistol, I know it kicks like a mule (forget the western movies) and makes a big hole in whatever it hits. Its slow moving (900 ft/second or 2.74m/second) but slow stopping. In effect, it means the bullet has a lot of energy behind it. The reference to David in what Gladwell has said is what I was most interested in. David, later King David, who we learned about in Sunday School all those years ago, has always been a hero of mine. Yes, I know all about the wrongs but as Jesus said, Let him without sin cast the first stone. David & Goliath has always been a fascinating read and the words are still in use today where a small opponent faces off against a much larger one, be it in sport, war, business or whatever. David The youthful David, said to have been about 12-years-old, was either a shepherd boy caring for his fathers (Jesse) flocks who took food to his brothers in Sauls army or was Sauls armour bearer or later became Sauls armour bearer, it doesnt really matter. What matters is, David was a strong believer in the power of God and he also believed the Israelites were Gods people and should not be afraid of the Philistines and in particular, this giant of a man, Goliath. Goliath In the book of Samuel, Goliath is (approximately) 9 foot 6 inches high (2.8956m), a giant of a man. Now his height has been argued from pillar to post and back again but Im one who believes what the Bible has to say. If we try to revise what is written in Samuel, what other parts of the Bible do we decide we can revise? Goliath may not have been so tall but there is no doubt he was a very large man. His armour alone is said to have weighed 175lbs (very close to 80kg), add his spear, sword and possibly a javelin. The Philistines The Philistines were Israels bitter enemies, one of a people of Aegean origin who settled on the southern coast of Palestine in the 12th century B.C, about the time of the arrival of the Israelites. These were the same people who captured the Arc of the Covenant in battle and, after suffering for some time because of it, returned it to the Israelites The first mention of them has been tracked to ancient Egypt. On Egyptian inscriptions in the temple of Ramses III at Madinat Habu these people appear under the name prst, as one of the Sea Peoples who invaded Egypt about 1190 BC after ravaging Anatolia, Cyprus, and Syria. After being repulsed by the Egyptians, they settled - possibly with Egypt's permission - on the coastal plain of Palestine from Joppa (modern Tel Aviv-Yafo) southward to Gaza. The ancient capital city of Gath is located in the Tel Zafit national park in the Judean foothills and was once a large city in the 10th century BC. It was later destroyed by Hazael, the king of Aram Damascus in 830 BC. The Philistine people disappeared, believed to have been annihilated by [Babylonian king] Nebuchadnezzar in December of 604 BC and either all killed or the remnant integrated into the enemies population. Scientific research has revealed there is no Philistine DNA in the Palestinian people today. Islam Goliath appears in chapter 2 of the Qur'an (2: 247252), in the narrative of David and Saul's battle against the Philistines. Called "Jalut" in Arabic. Goliath's mention in the Quran is concise, though it remains a parallel to the account in the Hebrew Bible. King Saul Now King Saul was tall, he was head and shoulders above his countrymen, (the average height then was 5ft 6in or 1.67m) so extrapolate Sauls height to 6ft 6in (1.98m) and as the leader of his people, he should have been the one to tackle Goliath but, . he lacked faith in the power and strength of God. Now we know the story of how David, so small he couldnt wear Sauls armour, it would have slowed him down anyway, went down to the brook, selected seven stones, went to Goliath, put a smooth stone in his sling and then put it between goliaths eyes and either killed him or knocked him unconscious, it doesnt matter because he cut off his head while he lay on the ground. David demonstrated what we all should do as followers of Jesus. Have faith, trust in Him and the Power of God and not be afraid to testify of His greatness. Or, are we Saul, hiding in his tent, afraid of the enemy? John Skinner served in Vietnam then the Tasmanian Police before taking up the position of CEO of the Australian Rough Riders Association (professional rodeo based in Warwick Qld). Before retirement to his small farm, he was a photo-journalist for 25 years. He is married with 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Globalism, one-worldism, post-nationalism, no borders, global-citizen... All these identifiers and slogans stem from the movement and plan to abolish the sovereignty of the nation-state. To concentrate that sovereignty and power into the hands of a small group of very rich and powerful people somewhere far away. And those people definitely do not care about you. They only want power and control over as many people as possible, and their only obstacle is the governments that many people of the world have established over themselves, to represent themselves. Representation That fundamentally is at stake too: representation. Our governments should represent us, not foreign people. Governments are to take our concerns and interests first, not foreigeners from far away lands. As we the local community are being taxed to pay for those institutions and leaders that are designed to protect us first: We The People, from American parlence. As soon as the government fails to protect us from invaders, welfare exploiters, criminals, drug traffickers, people smugglers, sex traffickers, terrorists etc... they have failed and should resign. And when our leaders publicly endorse open borders, or refuse to protect the border, they are in direliction of their duties, treason and direct subvertion against the public good and security of the nation. The target is western nations in particular and we are seeing our sovereignty exported and removed over time in a piecemeal fashion. The recent U.N immigration pact NZ signed sought to basically give control of the refugee selection process to the U.N, instead of our own governments. Borders This is why the borders remain pourous and open along so many fronts in first world nations. The hostile and determimed resistance to Trump's border wall is relentless. Despite the opposition claiming how ineffectual walls are, they remain obstinately unwilling to agree on any resolution to fund it. The disinclination to protect the borders is telling--how far down the line we are in the globalist plan to turn the west into a macrocosm or small version of their global community. Diversifying the population They are using mass illegal migration to remove any unique cultural distinction, defining and separating characteristics from western nations, and therefore completely diversify the population. This is necessary so that the world will perceive the west as a fully racially mixed population that represents all nations in some way. The elites know foreign nations would never surrender their sovereignty to a United-Nations-type governmental body headed by white majority nations. So they must dilute the whiteness in western states first. Even though the people behind this future global government will probably be white or Jewish, with last names like Rothschild or Rockerfeller etc. One global government The globalists seek to bury the common identities we share with our fellow citizens, kin, tribe, community etc. There should be no distinction between insider and outsider, fellowman and foreigner, citizen and alien. We should belong to the global community, to the exclusion of no one. If we cannot distinguish between us and them, our own culture or global culture, then we will have no need for borders. They will homogenize the entire planet in order to break down resistance to ruling it. If there are no local governments, then there can only be one government, and a bunch of sociopathic billionaraire families want to control it. Guess who will take their power from them? The Anti-Christ. It was predicted thousands of years ago and is slowly unfolding right now. Amos Sale is a Kiwi young writer from Auckland and is into apologetics, philosophy, technology, politics, science fiction, playstation and is celebrating with their first child. (After I finished this article I read in the days news that 5% of the population under 17 are indigenous, but 40% of suicides in that bracket are Indigenous.) I dont have rose-coloured glasses about Indigenous people, we have an Indigenous niece, have suffered from home invasion and been threatened with bashing by Aboriginal people. So, when around this time of the year I receive invitations to Australia Day prayer meetings with Indigenous people I have some perspective. Some of these invitations lean to the political left, some to the right. These emphases are legitimate, but I sense some basic spiritual issues need urgent attention before our whole nation can be healed. What Australian culture, inside and outside the Church lacks, is a holy fear of God. Fear-less If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One brings insight (Proverbs chapter 9, verse 10), it would be foolish to imagine that maintaining the status quo will see any great shift in Indigenous wellbeing. Instead of singing our upbeat national anthem, we would be much better off with some national lament over our many sins. When Abraham found himself amongst the Philistines, he testified, There is no fear of God at all in this place. (Genesis chapter 20, verse 11). This is Australias spiritual state but blinded by affluence we cant see it. Only Jesus can enlighten us about the true condition of the land. Jesus and his Father When Jesus was praying on the way to the cross he addressed God as, Holy Father (John chapter 17, verse 11). This is Johns equivalent to Gethsemane, where, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear(Christ) was made perfect (Hebrews chapter 5, verses 7 and 9). The spiritual insight of Jesus was perfected only as he intensely feared the impending judgement of his Father. Such insight is near extinct today. Abba Father is loved by Gods people, Holy Father we ignore. Which popular contemporary Christina song inculcates reverential fear? Until we learn to respect God as Holy we are spiritually stuck. Or, to put the same thing another way, there can be no revival. Recognising the Image A spiritual deficit in the foundation of modern Australia was the inability to recognise the original inhabitants as being made in the image of a Holy God. Hardly surprising, since the convicts and poor of British society were themselves treated inhumanely. And blinded by the idol of Empire the invaders couldnt see that their own false worship was just as grievous to God as the nature religion of the Indigenous peoples. The precept of sowing and reaping is written into the social fabric of the universe; Dont be misledyou cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. (Galatians chapter 6 verse 7). Behaving as if the Master of the land was a harsh man(Matthew chapter 25 verse 24), a deep unconscious projection of a hard distant Father-God entered into the spiritual culture of modern Australia. Ignorant of the Holy Father mainstream Australia lost sensitivity to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians chapter 4 verse 18). What can be done? Look to the Lowly Forget about the halls of parliament and megachurches, when the Lord begins a new thing he always works from the margins. This means following what the Spirit is doing amongst Indigenous Christians. Look for the emergence of a generation of spiritual leaders who have moved past conformity to European cultural forms of Christianity and past reacting against it. This will be a prophetic generation not given to ideologies of the right or left but who can hear God for themselves. This is the group who can work together in unity and EQUALITY (Colossians chapter 3, verse 11) with their non-Indigenous brothers and sisters under the same Holy Father. Few seem ready for this. A Remnant In scripture, encountering Gods holy presence meant fearing death (Isa 6: 5; Rev 1:17). But awesome in our churches means the same as in popular culture, exciting. Malachi prophesies of a day when those who feared the Lord spoke with one another (chapter 3, verse 16-18). This gained Gods attention and acted as a model for the nation. When Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians meet together in holy fear united through the blood of the cross (Colossians chapter 1, verse 20) something great will break out in our land for the healing of all. This Australia Day is an opportunity to pray together and ask our Father for a revival of such holy fear. The Rev. Dr John Yates is an Anglican minister in Perth and has 5 children and 7 grandchildren. He spends time in praying, mentoring and writing. John Yatess previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/john-yates.html If you went around asking people to define what an alien was, I am sure there would be a multitude of answers. Legally, an alien refers to any person who is not a citizen of a given country. The word itself is derived from the latin, alienus, meaning stranger, or belonging somewhere else. Most people have seen the ET movie. If you have not, it is the story of a boy who befriends and extraterrestrial, known as ET, who becomes stranded on earth. The boy, along with others, help ET return to his home planet, whilst keeping him hidden from the government. And so you are asking yourself, what has this got to do with anything? I thought the same thing, until I was involved in a conversation with a client at work. Talking about aliens at work I work as an aged care chaplain. As you can imagine, I have plenty of interesting conversations, across many different faith traditions. Different philosophies, experiences and interpretation of theology contribute to the conversation. In one such conversation came the idea that Christians are aliens. I know, I was stunned as well when it was mentioned. But then I sat with the thought for a minute. If an alien is someone who is not a citizen of a country, then it does not make sense. But if we trace back to the meaning from the latin word, meaning stranger, or belonging somewhere else, then it makes perfect sense. In the book of Psalms, we are told it is God who made us, and we belong to him. We are his people (Psalm chapter 100, verse 3). Paul tells believers in the book of Romans that if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Whether we live or die, we are the Lords. John backs up Paul in this regard, mentioning that we are children of God. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John chapter 3, verse 2) If we belong to God and are His people, and the world does not understand God, then does this make us aliens in the world? If we truly believe the Scripture, then we understand heaven in our home, and earth for our lifetime is temporary. Therefore we must be aliens of this world, if the meaning of alienus is in fact belonging elsewhere. So what has triggered this thought? Searching for answers My job is quite difficult. You find yourself in some strange emotional spaces. One in particular is the end of life stage in palliative care. If you are unsure what that is, it is the point when someone is taking their last breath. As a Chaplain, I am often in that space, taking the person through final prayers, as they go to be with God if they are a believer and have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. But I have noticed as a fellow believer, we are really giving someone the right to go home. If we believe then we do not belong here. We are strangers that belong elsewhere. I find this greatly encouraging. Especially when understanding grief, death and dying. Often we are searching for answers no one knows the answer to. We are trying the wrap our heads around what is happening here on earth. We will never be able to completely comprehend life on earth. I am happy knowing that it is because I belong elsewhere, and am just visiting presently. I am a stranger to earth, because I belong to God. In the meantime, there is work to be done. Fiona Mackenzie is doing her best to figure life out. Along the way, she enjoys the odd coffee and exploring the great outdoors. She hails from Newcastle, NSW, making the most of the beach and coastal lifestyle. More of her thoughts can be found at www.thefightback.net Optimal Protection owner Jess Randall told investigators that any training for his employees is the responsibility of the contractor meaning Daehling, in the Chase Bank case but that he hired only former members of the military or former police. Conley said that while some police and military training can be transferable to private security work, private security really is its own separate and distinct domain. Soldiers arent trained in Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures or other civil law matters, for example, and security guards can be faced with a range of office situations that police or military training doesnt cover, he said. Conley recommends 40 to 50 hours of training to do unarmed security work, and 50 to 60 hours more if the guard is to be armed, including first-aid training. He blamed the low wages and lack of training often seen in private security largely on penny-pinching companies that dont take security seriously. Daehling told DSPS that he asked Randall whether he needed a license, and Randall told him: You are covered by us and do not need to worry about getting licensed. Attorney General Josh Kaul has declined to represent Gov. Tony Evers in a legal challenge to controversial laws passed by Republicans last month, citing a conflict because they curtailed his departments powers. That has prompted Evers to spend as much as $50,000 to hire private attorneys to represent him in the lawsuit, brought by the League of Women Voters and other groups. Its the latest twist in the ongoing legal wrangling over the laws, which were passed by GOP lawmakers and signed by former Gov. Scott Walker. Evers, a Democrat, opposes the laws. But he is named as a defendant in the case because he is now governor. Responding to Evers request for representation in the case, Kaul, a Democrat, wrote back that one of the laws being challenged contains provisions that reduce the authority of the (Department of Justice). Accordingly, DOJ has a direct and substantial interest in this case that is in conflict with the defense of this case, Kaul wrote. Evers in response hired Madison law firm Pines Bach last week to represent him in the ongoing legal dispute. Stockbrokers rush to expand branches Stockbrokers who were reluctant to open branches outside the Kathmandu Valley until a few days ago have been rushing to open new branches after the government indicated that commercial banks could be issued brokering licence. The area was ethnically cleansed of Jews by the Jordanians after Jordan captured the area in Israels War of Independence. The 1949 Armistice Line was where the fighting stopped, and left many historically Jewish areas, including the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, in Jordanian hands. Israel recaptured the area in 1967. Israeli Jews in those areas live in settlements because the regular housing market is not available. Palestinians are forbidden by the Palestinian Authority and terrorist groups, often under threat of death, from selling or renting to Jews. And given the long history of violence, including stabbings and shootings, directed towards Jews in those areas, it would be too dangerous. The West Bank is disputed territory. For a history of why the settlements are not illegal and the area is not illegally occupied, see our prior posts. The campaign against Airbnb was led by groups like the extremist U.S. Campaign for Palestinian rights, the misleadingly named Jewish Voice for Peace, and Code Pink. The obsessive-compulsive anti-Zionist Ariel Gold of Code Pink even disrupted Airbnb meetings. The anti-Israel Human Rights Watch, which is leading a UN effort to blacklist companies doing business in the West Bank, was about to come out with a report slamming Airbnb, according to an HRW executive. Airbnb has capitulated. It will boycott Jews living in the West Bank. While it couches its language referring to settlements, that is just another way of saying Jews because Jews only can live in settlements in the West Bank. Waterloo's Aeryon Labs has been bought by Oregon-based FLIR Systems Inc. for $256 million, or $200 million US. The acquisition was announced Monday. Dave Kroetsch, co-founder and chief technology officer of Aeryon Labs, says not much will change in the foreseeable future. "The Waterloo operations of Aeryon Labs will actually continue as they did yesterday with manufacturing, engineering and all the functions staying intact in Waterloo and ultimately, we see growing," he said. "The business here is very valuable to FLIR and our ability to sell internationally is a key piece of keeping these components of the business here in Canada." Aeryon Labs builds high-performance drones that are sold to a variety of customers including military, police services and commercial businesses. The drones can provide high-resolution images for surveillance and reconnaissance. The drones already include cameras and thermal technology from FLIR. Jim Cannon, president and CEO of FLIR Systems, said acquiring Aeryon Labs is part of the company's strategy to move beyond sensors "to the development of complete solutions that save lives and livelihoods." 'A piece of a bigger solution' Kroetsch said this is a good way for the company to grow into something bigger. "We see the business evolving in much the direction our business has been headed over the last couple of years. And that's moving beyond the drone as a product in and of itself as a drone as a piece of a bigger solution," he said. For example, FLIR bought a drone company that builds smaller drones that look like little helicopters. "We can imagine integrating those with our drones, perhaps having ours carry their drones and drop them off," he said. FLIR also does border security systems, which Kroetsch says could use the drones to allow border agents to look over a hill where there have been issues. "We see the opportunity there as something that we never could have done on our own but being involved with and part of a larger company that's already providing these solutions today gives us access not only to these great applications, but also to some fantastic technologies," he said. Aeryon Labs has done a lot of work during emergency disasters, including in Philippines after Typhoon Hagupit in 2014, Ecuador after an earthquake in 2016 and the Fort McMurray wildfire in 2016. Paul Mazerolle, a senior university administrator in Australia, has been appointed the next president and vice-chancellor of the University of New Brunswick, the board of governors announced Monday. Mazerolle will return to his home province from the state of Queensland, where he's been an administrator at Griffith University for more than a decade. The UNB alumnus is an internationally acclaimed educator and researcher, UNB said. "We are very pleased to be welcoming Dr. Mazerolle back to our UNB community," Larry Hachey, chair of the board of governors, said in a statement. "He possesses a strong track record in both academia and management, with proven experience leading growth-oriented change and restructuring in a multi-campus environment at Griffith a well-respected, publicly funded Australian university." Mazerolle becomes the university's 19th president in July after current president Eddy Campbell retires from the post he's held since 2008. UNB Mazerolle could not be immediately reached for comment. Secretive selection process His appointment was announced under a cloud of controversy, however, as some professors were critical of how UNB went about finding Campbell's replacement. The new president was chosen by members of the board and campus senates, and some professors said they're not pleased there was no chance for the university community to meet with proposed candidates in a town hall-style setting. "It seemed to be a very narrow consultation process and somewhat secretive," history professor Greg Marquis said last week. "It's like there's a hidden world operating within the university to select these candidates and I don't think that's right." Hachey has said the old tradition of town hall sessions is no longer practical and not required under the UNB Act. Studied criminology Mazerolle earned a bachelor of arts in sociology from UNB in 1989 before completing a master's degree in criminal justice at Northeastern University a year later and a PhD in criminology at the University of Maryland in 1995. Story continues Mazerolle moved to Australia in 2000 to work at the University of Queensland before joining Griffith in 2006 as a professor and director of the Violence Research and Prevention Program. He later became the head of the Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance at the university. He was named to his current role, pro vice-chancellor of arts, education and law, in 2009. According to the UNB statement, the role includes the management of 400 faculty, 13,000 students and several academic and art schools as well as other research centres. Committed to diversity UNB is also a publicly funded university and of comparable size. The statement noted Mazerolle's "commitment" to diversity and inclusive practices. "He recognizes the value of inclusion of Indigenous communities and has led community efforts for employment expansion opportunities," the statement read. "Dr. Mazerolle also has a clear and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion with other groups, including demonstrated work to support women advancing in academic leadership." The U.S. Department of Justice has announced 13 criminal charges against the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, its CFO Meng Wanzhou, and its affiliates in the U.S. and Hong Kong. Meng is currently free on bail in Vancouver as the U.S. seeks her extradition. Late Monday, Canada's Justice Department confirmed that officials had received a formal extradition request from the U.S. Acting U.S. attorney general Matthew Whitaker said the 13 counts of bank and wire fraud relate to Huawei's claim that its affiliate operating in Iran, Skycom, was a separate, unrelated company. As a result of that claim, it was able to borrow money from U.S. banks. Skycom, which is based in Hong Kong did business in Iran on behalf of Huawei, he alleged. Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press "Huawei claimed Skycom was a separate company and not an affiliate and asserted all its business was in compliance with U.S. sanctions," Whitaker said. The U.S. reimposed sanctions against Iran in August 2018. Huawei said in a statement that it was "disappointed" to learn of the charges. "The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments, is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion," Huawei's statement said. Cleared money through U.S. banks Meng faces charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit both bank fraud and wire fraud. Huawei and its Hong Kong-based affiliate Skycom Tech are charged with several counts of bank fraud and wire fraud, as well as violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Huawei USA and its parent company are also charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. Wen Ku, a senior information and communications officer at China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that the indictments were "unfair and immoral." Story continues China's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, urged the U.S. to stop what it called the "unreasonable suppression" of Chinese companies, including Huawei, and to lift an arrest warrant against Meng. According to the indictment, Huawei relied on its global banking relationships to process U.S.-dollar transactions through the U.S. One bank cleared more than $100 million between 2010 and 2014, according to the indictment. The Department of Justice also announced 10 additional charges of wire fraud, trade theft and obstruction of justice against two other Huawei executives who it alleged tried to steal trade secrets. It alleged the two executives tried to steal robotic technology from U.S. carrier T-Mobile to test smartphones' durability. Whitaker said these were not "rogue employees" acting on their own, but that stealing intellectual property was a "way of doing business" encouraged by Huawei itself. Washington has said it wants to try Meng on the allegations because, in her position as chief financial officer, she spoke directly to U.S. banks that loaned money. She was arrested in Vancouver Dec. 1 while en route from Hong Kong to Mexico. If the case proceeds to an extradition hearing, a B.C. judge would determine whether there's enough evidence for Meng to be extradited. From there, the minister of justice would make the final decision, based on the Extradition Act, as to whether Meng should be surrendered to the U.S. to face charges. Whitaker and FBI director Christopher Wray on Monday both thanked Canadian officials for their help. Canada maintains that the case isn't a political matter, but Meng's arrest has touched off an ongoing diplomatic furor that resulted in the firing of John McCallum as Canada's ambassador to China after he publicly expressed confidence in her ability to fight extradition to the United States. Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press News of the charges comes just as the White House is making plans for a team of high-level economic advisers to meet a delegation from China later this week to talk trade between the two countries. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will take part in the two days of talks beginning Wednesday, along with the president's economic adviser Larry Kudlow and trade adviser Peter Navarro. Otto, a six-year-old Blue Heeler, played around in heavy snow that accumulated in Buffalo, New York, on January 29, ahead of a lake effect storm that authorities said would dump between 18 and 24 inches on the city by Thursday. Ottos owner Sarah Wintle shot this footage of Otto chasing after a ball and diving head first into deep powdery snow in Delaware Park. She told Storyful that winter is his favorite season. Credit: @SarahAWintle via Storyful LONDON (Reuters) - Iran on Tuesday dismissed pressure from France and other Western powers for talks over its ballistic missile program, but said it had no plans to increase the range of the weapons. France said last week it was ready to impose further sanctions on Iran if no progress was made in talks about the missiles, described by Tehran as defensive but seen in the West as a destabilizing factor in a volatile region. "Negotiations over Iran's missile and defensive capabilities are not acceptable in any way," Major General Hassan Firouzabadi, a top adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying by the IRNA news agency. He said French leaders were only raising the issue to distract attention from anti-government demonstrations in their country. Iran on Monday denied that it was holding any talks with France about the missiles. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of a nuclear deal with Iran in May and reimposed sanctions, saying the accord did not address the missiles and what he saw as the Islamic republic's malign influence on the region. France, along with other signatories, stuck with the accord, under which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief. But Paris and other European powers have also raised concerns about the missiles, fearing they could one day reach their territories. The enemies say Irans missile power should be eliminated, but we have repeatedly said our missile capabilities are not negotiable, Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency, using a phrase usually applied to the United States and Israel. SATELLITES The secretary of Iran's National Security Council said Iran would keep working to improve the missiles' accuracy. "Iran has no scientific or operational restriction for increasing the range of its military missiles, but based on its defensive doctrine, it is continuously working on increasing the precision of the missiles, and has no intention to increase their range," Ali Shamkhani, another close aide to Khamenei, was quoted as saying by state broadcaster IRIB. In November 2017, the deputy head of Irans Revolutionary Guards warned that it would increase the range of its missiles beyond 2,000 km (1,200 miles), if Europe threatened Iran. A U.N. Security Council resolution that accompanied the 2015 nuclear deal "called upon" Tehran to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons. But Iran said that call did not amount to a binding order and has denied that its missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Washington has also told Tehran to stop developing satellite-launching technology, saying it was concerned that the same gear could also be used to launch warheads. Shamkhani said Iran would keep working on the technology "to improve the quality of peoples lives and increase the country's technological prowess." Telecoms Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi said on Tuesday that an Iranian satellite, called Friendship, will be launched soon. Another launch failed earlier this month. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Michael Perry and Andrew Heavens) Berlin-based think-tank Transparency International published its latest Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks 180 countries and territories based on how corrupt their administrative and political institutions are perceived to be. The report gives gives each country a score from 100 (least corrupt) to 0 (most corrupt). This years Corruption Perceptions Index reveals that the continued failure of most countries to significantly control corruption is contributing to a crisis in democracy around the world, an accompanying analysis stated. Launched in 1995, the index looked at expert assessments and surveys of business executives in each country to measure the level of public sector corruption. Members of Russian and Syrian forces stand guard near posters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Abu Duhur crossing on the eastern edge of Idlib province on August 20, 2018. (Photo: GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images) Four of the five-lowest scoring countries faced violent conflict in recent years, which Transparency International suggests is related to corruption. Heres a look at the top 3 most corrupt: Somalia Somalia consistently ranks as one of the lowest countries on the index, suffering from chronically weak public institutions and instability. On corruption, the countrys President recently admitted to his parliament that its undeniable that there is corruption in the government committed by some of us. Somalia is also exceptionally vulnerable to frequent terrorist attacks by an armed group called Al-Shabaab which allies itself with Al-Qaeda. Syria Another fraught country in the world war-torn Syria is also suffering from weak institutions amid persistent instability. Since the Arab Spring broke out across the Middle East, Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad with heavy backing of Russia and Iran has retained rule at great cost to Syrian civilians and institutions. The ongoing civil war, which has last nearly 8 years, is now at a stage where a range of foreign actors are getting involved in proxy fights of world powers. South Sudan Independent since 2011 and also knee-deep in a civil war for the past few years, South Sudan is also experiencing considerable difficulties as it tries to stabilize the nation. The U.S. has contributed around $14 billion since 2005 to help the peace process but because of South Sudans own abuses and corruption growth and progress has completely stalled. Story continues Heres the top 20: The most corrupt countries in the world, according to Transparency International. (Graphic: Transparency International) The most corrupt countries in the world, according to Transparency International. (Graphic: Transparency International) (Check out the full list and analysis.) The latest Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks 180 countries and territories based on how corrupt their administrative and political institutions are perceived to be. (Graphic: Transparency International) If this trend continues, it would indicate a serious corruption problem In the U.S., rising political tensions and uncertainty have caused a four-point drop in rankings for the U.S., which has now dropped out of the top 20 for the first time since 2011. If this trend continues, it would indicate a serious corruption problem in a country that has taken a lead on the issue, Zoe Reiter, Transparency Internationals acting representative for the U.S., said in a press release. She added that the drop comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balances, as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power. Reiter also noted that that prevailing public opinion expressed deep concern over corruption and that both experts and the public believe the situation is getting worse. In an email interview, Reiter explained that the Trump presidency has shed the light upon the shortcomings in the US system for ensuring an accountable government. Aarthi is a writer for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami. READ MORE: Why Walmart still reigns as America's retail king (for now) Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn and reddit. Opinions divided as Speaker trips up in House What happens when the House Speaker misspeaksduring a formal Parliament meeting that is dwelling on an issue of huge public interestand does not correct the mistake then and there? IMAGE OF A NOTEBOOK WITH TFSA WRITTEN ON IT Canadian savers are searching for ways to set aside enough cash to fund a comfortable retirement. This is particularly true for those who are self-employed or people who tend to prefer the flexibility of contract work over full-time jobs. One popular strategy involves holding a basket of dividend stocks inside a self-directed TFSA. Any Canadian resident who was at least 18 years old in 2009 now has up to $63,500 in available TFSA contribution room. Dividends and capital gains generated in the TFSA are yours to keep, and there is more flexibility on withdrawing the funds than with RRSPs. The TFSA is useful for all Canadians but can be especially attractive for investors who are still in the early stages of their careers and would prefer to save RRSP contribution room for down the road when they are in a higher marginal tax bracket. Lets take a look at three stocks that might be interesting picks to start a diversified TFSA retirement portfolio today. Sun Life Financial (TSX:SLF)(NYSE:SLF) Sun Life has insurance, asset management, and wealth management businesses in Canada, the United States, the U.K., and Asia. The North American business lines generate the largest part of the companys earnings, but the Asian operations are of particular interest for buy-and-hold investors. Sun Life has worked hard over the years to establish itself in key growing markets, including India, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines where middle-class wealth is expanding. Given the massive population base, the long-term prospects are significant. Sun Life has returned to dividend growth, and investors who buy today can pick up a yield of 4%. Fortis (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) Fortis owns power generation, electric transmission, and natural gas distribution businesses primarily located in the United States and Canada. The $50 billion asset base generates steady revenue and most of the businesses operate in regulated environments, which means the cash flow should be reliable. Story continues The company has a long history of dividend growth with annual increases for 45 straight years. Management intends to spend about $3.5 billion per year over the next five years on capital projects and that is expected to support ongoing dividend hikes of at least 6% per year. The current payout provides a yield of 4%. Telus (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) Telus is one of a handful of large companies that competes in the cozy Canadian communications sector, providing mobile and wireline services to feed increasing demand for content across a multitude of platforms. The company decided to take a pass on dumping billions of dollars into media assets and has instead invested in the creation of an interesting digital healthcare business. Telus Health is a leading provider of digital solutions to Canadian physicians, hospitals, and insurance companies. The health sector is set to go through a major disruption, and Telus is already the leader in the segment in Canada. Down the road, the division could grow to be a major contributor to the revenue stream. Telus has a great track record of dividend growth, and investors who buy today can pick up a yield of 4.7%. The bottom line Sun Life, Fortis, and Telus are all leading players in their respective industries and should be solid picks to start a balanced TFSA retirement portfolio. Other stocks are also worth considering right now. More reading Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stock mentioned. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2019 Proportionally fewer immigrants own single-detached properties in Canadas two biggest real estate markets. According to new data from Statistics Canada, immigrants own 43 per cent of all residential properties in Toronto and 37 per cent in Vancouver. Immigrants make up 46 per cent of Torontos population and 41 per cent of Vancouvers. But the type of homes they own differs. In Vancouver, single-detached houses account for 39 per cent of all immigrant-owned properties, compared with 48 per cent with Canadian-born owners. In Toronto, about half of immigrant-owned properties are detached, compared with 60 per cent for Canadian-born owners. Its worth noting that this kind of release and the Canadian Housing Statistics Program itself is evidence that the federal government is taking housing affordability more seriously, Eric Swanson, Executive Director of Gen Squeeze, told Yahoo Finance Canada. A few years ago, Gen Squeeze and others were calling for better and more regular data from all levels of government on who was buying local housing, and now were starting to get it. Thats great news. The data does not take socioeconomic conditions into account. It also does not include non-resident foreign buyers. It covers 2016 and 2017. Immigrants own higher priced homes in Vancouver When looking at homes valued at $1.8 million or more, immigrant-owned properties are worth $255,100 more than Canadian-owned ones. The difference is even larger when looking at recent immigrants (2009 to 2016). That group owns five per cent of all single-detached properties in Vancouver. The average value is $2.3 million, which is $823,900 higher than the average for Canadian-born owners. The pattern does not repeat itself in Toronto, where immigrant-owned homes are worth slightly less. While those owned by recent immigrants are worth slightly more. Immigrants who came to Vancouver under the Quebec Immigrant Investors Program owned the highest-priced single-detached homes at $3.3 million. Its $1.6 million for those that immigrated under skilled worker programs. Immigrants from China and Iran own the highest-priced detached homes. Story continues These data show that there is ongoing opportunity to reduce taxes on earnings for typical residents, and especially younger folks and renters who are particularly harmed by the current housing market, by taxing high home values more when owned by both foreigners, immigrants and locally-born residents. Paul Kershaw, UBC professor, told Yahoo Finance Canada. Just focusing on wealth brought by immigrants will miss an important, and large, piece of the housing unaffordability puzzle. Though investor immigrants also own more expensive single-detached homes in Toronto, differences are less pronounced. The differences between Toronto and Vancouver in this data align with more anecdotal reports going back years that have pointed to Vancouver as the more attractive location for global capital, especially Chinese capital, says Swanson. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. - T. S. Eliot Thoughts After Lambeth "The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide." Gun Violence Against Women In 2019 Has Barely Made The News Cycle We are hardly a month into the New Year and gun violence has unsurprisingly destroyed hundreds of lives. Gun violence has become so ubiquitous in our country that news outlets often skim over it or ignore it all together, especially when it affects minority groups. Gun violence against women is one such group that is often ignored and Shannon Watts, of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense In America, is trying to raise awareness. Watts started a Twitter thread on January 26th, bringing attention to women who have been killed in January 2019 due to gun violence; many of the incidents she tweeted out were just about ignored by mainstream news media. The first two acts of violence she mentioned concerned a mass shooting at a bank in Florida, which involved only women, and a threat of a mass shooting that targeted women in Utah. January: Utah man, 27, threatened mass shooting because he was a virgin and had never dated Florida man, 21, executed five women in a bank New Jersey man, 39, opened fire at UPS and took two women hostage Louisiana man, 21, fatally shot girlfriend, parents and three others ADVERTISEMENT January 27, 2019 On January 19th, 27-year-old Christopher Cleary was arrested in Provo, Utah after several women called the Denver police about a recent Facebook post he made. According to the Denver Post, Cleary wrote the following on Facebook while staying at an Airbnb in Provo: All I wanted was a girlfriend, not 1000 not a bunch of hoes Ive never had a girlfriend before and Im still a virgin, this is why Im planning on shooting up a public place soon and being the next mass shooter cause Im ready to die and all the girls the turned me down is going to make it right by killing as many girls as I see. Authorities in Denver and Utah were especially concerned about the threat because there were several womens marches scheduled for the 19th, including an organized march in Provo, Utah. According to a later Denver Post article, at least 8 women had reported Cleary for varying degrees of harassment, stalking, and domestic violence in the past three years; Cleary was even on probation at the time of his arrest in Utah. Over the past three years Cleary was in and out of courtrooms for a wide range of harassment; he threatened a 17-year-old after she denied his advances, he non-consensually strangled and urinated on a 19-year-old girl he lived with, he called a woman more than 45 times in a day threatening to shoot her and burn her house down, and he posted a womens address, phone number, and picture to Craigslist soliciting sexual acts and rape. Cleary's mental health issues have kept him out of jail, but he clearly needs to be sentenced to more than probations, therapy, and halfway houses for his crimes. On January 23rd, 21-year-old Zephen Xaver called 911 saying he shot 5 women at a SunTrust bank in Sebring, Florida, according to TIME. The gunman reportedly had no intention of robbing the bank; his only desire was to kill himself and others. For over an hour, police were unable to enter the bank to help the victims because the gunman had barricaded himself inside and refused to surrender. According to NPR, the 5 female victims were lying facedown with gunshot wounds in their heads and upper torsos. The gunmans ex-girlfriend told NPR that he was obsessed with death and guns and he had been kicked out of school after he had a dream about killing everyone in his class. Despite this violent past, Xaver had been a prison guard trainee from November 2, 2018 until January 9th, 2019, when he resigned. ADVERTISEMENT According to the Washington Post, there are 67 million more guns in the United States than people. And those 393 million guns have fewer government regulations than the numerous regulations that are placed on womens bodies. The lack of gun control in our country is a definite cause of gun violence against women, but misogyny also plays a role. The cycle of gun violence against women continues in part because of misogynistic perpetrators, news sources that fail to bring awareness to the issue, and the government's lack of concern when it comes to protecting women. Image: flickr/Bart Everson More from BUST New York's Transit System Has An Accessibility Problem New York's Transit System Has An Accessibility Problem Mass Shootings Are Not A Symptom Of Mental Illness The Thousand Oaks Shooter Is Another Mass Murderer With A History Of Violence Against Women Allie Lawrence graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and English. She loves dogs, laughter, and The Great British Bake Off. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @0riginalliety. News / National by AFP Zimbabwean activist and pastor Evan Mawarire was freed on $2,000 bail after being detained for 13 days following violent anti-government protests."I'm persuaded in the case... that the interest of justice will be served by the admission of the applicant to bail," Judge Tawanda Chitapi told the courthouse in Harare.Nationwide demonstrations erupted two weeks ago after President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that fuel prices were being doubled in a country suffering regular shortages of fuel, food, and medicine.At least 12 people died in the ensuing crackdown in which security forces said they arrested more than 1,100 individuals, including leading trade unionists and opposition Movement for Democratic Change lawmakers and senior figures.Mawarire was arrested on subversion charges at his home on January 16. He faced charges of incitement to commit violence for posting videos on social media supporting the national strike called by trade unions.The outspoken pastor was granted bail on condition that he surrenders his passport and reports to a police station three times a week.The prosecution had opposed Mawarire's bail application, claiming he was likely to abscond.After Tuesday's ruling, lawyers said he should be released Wednesday from Chikurubi maximum security prison on the outskirts of Harare.The pastor became a prominent voice during protests of 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 former President Robert Mugabe, ousted in November 2017 after a military takeover. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu Opposition leader Shadreck Mashayamombe's brother Cephas Mashayamombe is reported to have been abducted by unknown assailants on who were driving a white Toyota Fortune on Tuesday afternoon.A message circulation on social media said, "Shadreck Mashayamombe's young brother Cephas Mashayamombe abducted right now at his shop in Ushewekunze. He was picked up by a white Toyota Fortuner without number plate those who abducted him were wearing MDC-T shirts as disguise."Meanwhile MDC has warned Zimbabweans about bogus MDC members who are roving around abducting people at gun point."Fellow Zimbabweans must be wary of non MDC people who are moving around urban areas abducting people at gun point, wearing MDC regalia. They are all out to tarnish the party image. The MDC is a peace loving party that will never harm the people. Such hooligans who are engaging in violence in our party regalia must be reported to the police."The Former Harare South MP, Shadreck Mashayamombe was last year reportedly kidnapped by suspected Zanu PF supporters who demanded that he withdraws his candidature from the constituency before taking his Parliament-issued Chevrolet vehicle and dumping it along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway."Three men came out of the Honda Fit, demanded my car keys and forced me out of the car. They blindfolded me and drove off with me in my car. They parked the car and told me they had an instruction to dump me in Kariba Dam if I don't want to withdraw my candidature against the President's nephew. They later removed the blindfold and I saw one man with a gun, the other one with a metal rod, while the other two were unarmed. I could not recognise any one of them," he said in an interview with the Media then.Mashayamombe was expelled from Zanu PF last November after the bloody coup that ended former President Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule. News / National by Staff reporter The Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ) has urged those studying medicine and dentistry abroad to register with the MDPCZ such that they can undertake internship in Zimbabwe.In a statement, MDPCS said registration will enable the students to undertake elective training whilst on holiday in Zimbabwe."It has come to the notice of the MDPCZ that a significant number of Zimbabweans are studying medicine and dentistry abroad with a view to return home to undertake internship and subsequently register as medical and dental practitioners."Council is calling such medical and dental students to register with the MDPCZ as medical or dental students."This will enable the students to undertake elective training whilst on holiday thereby enhancing their familiarization with the local system in designated Teaching Units in preparation for the MDPCZ registration examination upon successful completion of their medical/dental degree.MDPCZ said the other reason for registration whilst being students is for the Council to advise prospective medical students on the international accreditation status of the training institutions to forestall difficulties associated from graduating from poorly or even unrated Medical Schools.MDPCZ added:"The function of the MDPCZ is to regulate the practice of medicine and dentistry in the country by ensuring that every medical and dental practitioner wishing to practice in the country is qualified, duly registered and is in possession of a valid license to practice."MDPCZ said they were doing this registration process because it was necessary to safeguard the public of Zimbabwe by ensuring that health care was provided by qualified and competent doctors. Nepal Student Union takes out whistle rally at Baluwatar Nepal Student Union, the student wing of Nepali Congress took out a whistle rally outside Prime Ministers residence in Baluwatar asking the government to arrest the culprit(s) behind the Nirmala Pants murder case and fulfilling the demands of Dr Govinda KC. News / National by City Press The resignation of DA policy head Gwen Ngwenya this week has emboldened a lobby within the party to push for leader Mmusi Maimane to leave his position after elections.Ngwenya resigned in an explosive four-page letter she addressed to Maimane this week, accusing the party of hanging her out to dry and making it impossible for her to do her work.However, insiders say that her resignation, and the leaking of that resignation letter, was a power play by a group of so-called true liberals in the party who are at odds with Maimane.City Press understands that the group is discussing the removal of Maimane after this year's elections, should the party fail to grow beyond 22%. The calls for the leader's removal follow a series of blunders, which have been damaging to the DA's reputation.According to the DA's constitution, a federal congress the highest decision-making body, which can remove the party leader must take place "at least once every three years"."The federal congress generally meets at least once every three years, but must be convened at any time by a two-thirds majority vote of the federal executive, a two-thirds majority vote of the federal council, or when requested by a petition signed by at least 5 000 members of the party," reads the constitution.Maimane's allies in the party told City Press that provincial leaders supported him in overwhelming numbers and that he was ready should the group's move be made after elections.A member of the federal executive told City Press that Maimane's hiring of Ngwenya was one of the many "blunders" the party leader had made which had come back to haunt him."She should never have been hired, knowing what her views are. We are talking about redress and our goals regarding that, and then to go and hire a person who is quite clear in her views about race that was the blunder that was made."But it is also a party blunder generally not to give enough people support," the member said.Former party leader and Western Cape premier Helen Zille, who has also been at odds with Maimane, has thrown her weight behind Ngwenya."I think Gwen has been totally honest about the reasons she resigned and for that I support her," Zille told City Press.At the heart of Ngwenya's resignation is the party's position on BEE, which she and the so-called liberals she is aligned with believe should be scrapped in favour of a nonracial policy.Senior party leaders, including MP Phumzile van Damme, Gavin Davis who has subsequently resigned as an MP Mike Waters and Maimane, contradicted one another last year over whether the federal council had opted to officially scrap race as a yardstick for those who are disadvantaged, from the party's BEE policy.Ngwenya refers to this fallout in her letter as well, saying: "In August 2018, I published an article indicating that BEE had not lived up to expectations and that the DA was exploring a policy alternative. None of that was not true. At the federal council in July, I had been given a mandate to explore a nonracial alternative. Furthermore, I quoted your own words from a Bokamoso [the DA's newsletter] saying: We need a wholesale change in empowerment policies, to move away from race-based policies that enable elite enrichment towards policies that fundamentally break down the system of deprivation that still traps millions of South Africans in poverty.'"The result of communicating what was a party mandate and the words of the federal leader was a public repudiation of my position by the federal chairperson. I believe he acted on the wisdom of our communications operation."Instead of having the courage of its convictions, at the mere whiff of a debate on BEE, the party felt it best to attack the head of policy [rather] than to own up to its own structure's decision."That was probably the moment at which I should have tendered my resignation; when I was hung out to dry without so much as a phone call for reiterating what the leader had months ago already said, albeit within the relative safety of a DA newsletter," she said in her letter.Van Damme told City Press this week that the DA was not falling apart, saying there was a healthy debate of ideas."In any political space there will always be a contestation of ideas, so I do not think it is odd that we are seeing that. The DA is a liberal party with many strands of liberalism, but we stand united around the basic principles of liberalism."I do not think this means that DA members are at war with each other; it just means that there is a contestation of ideas, which is healthy in a political party."When asked about plans to position her as a challenger this week, Ngwenya refused to comment and directed all queries to the party.The DA has also moved to allay fears that Ngwenya's resignation has left it scrambling to cobble together a manifesto. "The allegation that the DA does not take policy seriously is simply false," said national spokesperson Solly Malatsi."We have a proud history of having the most comprehensive policy platform of any opposition party in South Africa. Policy in the DA is developed by drawing on a great deal of expertise from inside and outside of government."Our manifesto is at an advanced stage of development and will be launched on February 23. It will give real life to our vision of delivering change that will build one South Africa for all."Malatsi also vehemently denied claims made by Ngwenya in her letter that she had not been given enough resources to execute her duties."Ms Ngwenya was equipped with a staff contingent. This was the most investment the party had made into the policy process, with a view to increasing it. The assertion that the unit was resource-starved is therefore false."Another senior DA leader said it was just a matter of time before Ngwenya was pushed out of the post. "Ms Ngwenya jumped before she was pushed. She was unable to effectively manage the policy process in the DA, and created considerable unnecessary internal division as a result."In particular, she seemed determined to create a quasi Institute of Race Relations within the DA, and was unable to lead a process that would see us give expression to our commitment to redress, based on our liberal philosophy and beliefs."The manifesto process thus had to taken away from her, to ensure that a quality product was delivered timeously. Unfortunately, Ms Ngwenya has sought to portray herself as a victim, when she was given every opportunity to succeed." News / National by Staff reporter The government says it has noted with deep concern allegations that some rogue elements among the security services allegedly raped women during the course of their duty during the recent disturbances.In a statement, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said rape is a heinous crime and congnisant of that, it is the duty of the police to investigate all reported cases of alleged rape.She however said to date, one case of rape has been reported in Chitungwiza and the police are seized with investigations on the matter.Minister Mutsvangwa urged every woman allegedly raped to make a police report."All women who were allegedly raped are encouraged to come forward and report the cases to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Victim Friendly Unit which can be found at every police station around the country. The unit is headed by a female commissioner, hence, all affected women will be treated with empathy, compassion, respect and due care. Their safety will be guaranteed. In order to ensure the anonymity of victims of the alleged rape cases, the affected women can use the following WhatsApp number: 0712 800 197 to set the wheels of justice in motion," she said.The Minister added that it is critical for rape cases to be reported in a timely manner to the police."While reporting cases to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for counseling services is helpful, the police can only act on alleged cases if victims come forward. Government urges NGOs to encourage and support women who approach them to report the cases to the Police Victim Friendly Unit," she added.Minister Mutsvangwa also said the government does not condone and will never tolerate criminal behaviour by any member of society particularly those in positions of trust.Meanwhile, the ZRP has appealed to the public to report all criminal activities such as the alleged rape cases around the country for the law to take its course.In a statement, ZRP Spokesperson, Commissioner Charity Charamba said they are ready to investigate any criminal case to bring perpetrators to book."Media is awash with alarming stories of alleged abuse, assault and rape by security services. The Zimbabwe Republic Police has on record one case of alleged sexual abuse by security services at St Marys in Chitungwiza, which case is already under investigations. The ZRRP has a fully fledged Victim Friendly Unit capable of investigating such cases. The section is led by well trained and competent counsellors contactable on 0772 988 302. Complainants are also free to report at their nearest police station or anonymously on our WhatsApp platform 0712 800 197. We urge all those who were affected to please report and it is within your rights to have your case investigated and the culprits brought to book," she said."We are therefore passionately appealing to members of the public who may have fallen victim to abuse, assault, rape or any other criminal conduct to come forward and report. We are aware that some complainants are hesitant to report to the police for fear of perceived reprisals by the culprits. In that regard, we want to assure members of the public that full protection is guaranteed to all those who come forward and report. All reports will be treated with confidentiality, we do not compromise on confidentiality," Commissioner Charamba added.She also appealed to NGOs, which are allegedly providing shelter to alleged victims, to consider the rights of the individuals concerned and encourage them to make official police reports."Preventing them from exercising their right of access to justice (making police reports) is doing them disfavour as the police have a constitutional mandate to investigate all such cases and refer them to court, justice delayed is justice denied. All aggrieved members of the public should come forward and report to the police so that thorough and comprehensive investigations are conducted," she said.The Police spokesperson also confirmed the arrest of over 1000 suspects who were involved in looting, destruction of property and infrastructure in the recent violent protests, saying all cases were referred to court according to the law.She said some of the looted goods have been recovered with suspects appearing in court to account for their actions.Among those arrested is one Tranos Muzanenhamo (28), who was apprehended in Epworth, Harare after he was found clad in military attire while he was not a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army.Commissioner Charamba said investigations are underway to establish where he got the military outfit and ascertain any other offences he might have committed. We all know that Cassper Nyovest loves his fans. He likes keeping in touch with them and knows their worth. The rapper recently took to social media to thank his fans outside of South Africa - his Botswana fanbase. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Cassper Nyovest has a lot of fans all over the world, and his fans in Africa are super loyal. Not only South Africans adore this rapper, and he knows it. He recently took to social media to thank his fanbase in Botswana. He paid tribute to his fans by giving them a cool shoutout and saying he might just do a fill up over there. Botswana got the remote control!!!!! One of the most loyal, most loving fan bases Ive ever had from day 1 when I was traveling to bots with the bus charging R2000 till today. Nothings changed but the logistics. Keale rata !!!! Maybe we do the slnatiinal stadium this year? PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Briefly.co.za learned that Cassper's Botswana fans were beside themselves with excitement at the prospect of seeing their idol in person. @TeebroUniversal - yes Mufasa, lets do BW National stadium..,we want that experience too, we gotchu Let's do it Nyovi @iam_mabena - Fill up 2 stadium in Botswana this year National stadium and Francistown stadium @ThatoKwalo - now I'm looking forward to #FillUpBWNationalStadium. Make it happen Nyovedo READ ALSO: Man says the church is full of crooks because "Jesus loves gangsters" Some South Africans were a little upset and asked Cassper to do more local fillups first. @iambleek85 - green point 1st bro!! ..mother city is waitin..#mrfillup... @__Phasiwe - No do #FillUpFreeStateStadium hlm please @EmmzMoloto - Huhhh... No we still need one more gig mo SA. Botswana will see them next year. Try cape-town at least Whatever Cassper decides, we know it will be awesome. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly.co.za Intended as a discussion group, the blog has evolved to be more of a reading list of current issues affecting our county, its government and people. All reasonable comments and submissions welcomed. Email us at: bill.pysson@gmail.com REMEMBER: To view our sister blog for education issues: www.district100watchdog.blogspot.com Washington Governor Jay Inslee has declared an emergency as measles spreads to Seattle's King County. CNN: As of Monday, there are 36 confirmed cases of measles in the state of Washington an outbreak that has already prompted Gov. Jay Inslee to declare a state of emergency. "Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that can be fatal in small children," Inslee said in his proclamation on Friday, adding that these cases create "an extreme public health risk that may quickly spread to other counties." There were 35 cases of the measles in Clark County, which sits on the state's southern border, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Officials said 31 of the cases involved people who have not had a measles immunization; the other four are not verified. Of the 35 cases, 25 are children between age 1 and 10. There are also 11 suspected cases in Clark County. There is also one case in King County, which includes Seattle. While the King County website says the patient, a man in his 50s, is a "suspected case," the governor said in a news release it is a confirmed case of measles. In a health alert from King County, it was said the man had recently traveled to Clark County. Inslee's proclamation allows agencies and departments to use state resources and "do everything reasonably possible to assist affected areas." Meanwhile, the state legislature has introduced a bill that would ban personal exemptions for the measles vaccine. The proposed legislation was sent to the House Health Care & Wellness Committee. A news release on the governor's website says the Washington State Department of Health, or DOH, has implemented an infectious disease incident management structure so it can manage the public health aspects of the outbreak through investigations and lab testing. The Washington Military Department, the release says, is organizing resources to assist the DOH and local officials in easing the effects on people, property and infrastructure. Last week, a person infected with measles attended a Portland Trail Blazers home game in Oregon amid the outbreak. Contagious people also went to Portland International Airport, as well as to hospitals, schools, stores, churches and restaurants across Washington's Clark County and the two-state region, county officials said. South Carolina has a bill in the works to become the 34th state in the nation to legalize medical marijuana, and Attorney General Alan Wilson is freaking out. He went to the Statehouse lobby and stood in the middle of a row of serious-faced white-robed doctors and called marijuana "the most dangerous drug" in America. Marijuana, he says, causes addiction, traffic accidents, and deaths by overdose. ("A fatal dose of marijuana would require ingestion of fifteen hundred pounds in fifteen minutes," says David Schmader, author of Weed: The User's Guide.) Here's the clip of AG Alan Wilson starting off the press conference today on medical marijuana. Some Republicans and Democrats are trying to legalize cannabis for medical purposes this year in South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/UwZ9NlSRTN Andrew Brown (@Andy_Ed_Brown) January 23, 2019 From the Post and Courier: "They use words like stoned, high, wasted, baked, fried, cooked, chonged, cheeched, dope-faced, blazed, blitzed, blunted, blasted, danked, stupid, wrecked and that's only half the words they use," Wilson said. "Are these consistent with something that describes a medicine?" Someone needs to use that as a song sample. Image: Screenshot of Andrew Brown's Twitter video After the last-minute collapse of negotiations over the new EU Copyright Directive, things have only gone from bad to worse for the beleaguered (but deadly and far-reaching) internet regulation. Under the proposal, online platforms would have to spend hundreds of millions of euros on algorithmic copyright filters that would compare everything users tried to post with a database of supposedly copyrighted works, which anyone could add anything to, and block any suspected matches. This would snuff out all the small EU competitors to America's Big Tech giants, and put all Europeans' communications under threat of arbitrary censorship by balky, unaccountable, easily abused algorithms. The proposal also lets newspapers decide who can link to their sites, and charge for the right to do so, in order to transfer some trifling sums from Big Tech to giant news conglomerates, while crushing smaller tech companies and marginalising smaller news providers. With EU elections looming, every day that passes without resumed negotiations puts the Directive further and further away from any hope of being voted on in this Parliament (and the next Parliament is likely to have a very different composition, making things even more uncertain). Already, it would take heroic measures to take any finalised agreement into legislation: just the deadlines for translation, expert review, etc, make it a near impossibility. Within a couple of weeks, there will be no conceivable way to get the Directive voted on before the elections. That's why it's so important that opposition is continuing to mount for the Directive, and it certainly is. Last week, the German Minister of Justice agreed to receive a petition signed by more than 4.5 million Europeans opposing the Directive, the largest petition in European history, and a close second to the largest-ever internet petition. This week, the Association of European Research Libraries came out against the Directive, saying that the "premises both Articles are built on are fundamentally wrong" and calling on negotiators to "delete Articles 11 and 13 from the proposal." In the meantime, there's always the EU-compliant meme generator, which will turn your carefully crafted memes into new images that will likely not offend our new algorithmic copyright-enforcement overlords. (Thanks, Julia and Gary!) Oh, sure, the Democratic leadership says it takes climate change seriously, but that same leadership has sidelined the Green New Deal and gutted the climate committee, replacing it with a lame-duck committee led and staffed by beneficiaries of big energy sector dollars. In a new Jacobin editorial Branko Marcetic continues his razor-edged critique of the Democratic establishment, whose words set them apart from the GOP, but whose deeds are incredibly similar to the Republic establishment's own legislative agenda. Marcetic likens climate change to an impending, planet-destroying comet-strike. The Republicans deny that the comet is coming, while the Democrats say that it is, and it's really urgent, and then do nothing, while privately rolling their eyes at comet activists. Sure, House speaker Nancy Pelosi will refer to climate change as "the existential threat of our time." But even once activists pushed her to put it on the post-midterm agenda, Pelosi declined to establish a select committee with the kind of broad powers activists want, such as the authority to issue subpoenas (something the previous House select climate committee could do, when the crisis was less urgent) or even, flabbergastingly, to draft legislation. The politician tasked with heading this committee has some of her wealth invested in the fossil-fuel industry, and balked at the idea of barring politicians who have taken fossil-fuel donations from sitting on it, arguing it would violate the First Amendment. After New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez floated the idea of a 70 percent marginal tax rate on the rich to pay for climate policies (which, considering the scale of what must be done, is a moderate position), the House's number two Democrat, Steny Hoyer, literally laughed at the idea before saying he didn't support it. The Democratic chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently said that while the US "should take a look at" going carbon-free or carbon-neutral by 2030, it "may not be technologically or politically feasible." Does this sound like a party that genuinely believes in the "existential threat" of climate change? The Democrats Are Climate Deniers [Branko Marcetic/Jacobin] (via Naked Capitalism) A blog for the Bloomingdale neighborhood in Washington, DC. For the past four years, Deliverance San Diego has been delivering hot meals to the citys homeless population every Friday, averaging 200 donated meals on any given evening. Now, due to new guidelines passed by the State Legislature of California, the non-profit is ceasing operations and will dissolve by the end of the month. Through their existing model, hot meals were prepared in volunteer homes and distributed on the streets. Volunteers from various churches gather at 17th and Commercial downtown to load four food wagons with chili, soup, cornbread, water, and other snacks, the groups web site explains. We offer prayer and spiritual support, but one of the easiest things we do is get someones name and remember it. Through the new requirements, set forth by the San Diego Department of Environmental Health, Deliverance would need to use licensed, state-approved kitchens, implement hand-washing stations, and meet a variety of other requirements. With a yearly budget of less than $7,000, according to the non-profits treasurer, Deliverance determined it can no longer sustain operations without extensive and expensive organizational changes. Were on a shoestring budget, explains volunteer Gary Marttila, so working out all those logistics became too big of an obstacle to overcome. ABC 10 News in San Diego tells more of their story: As the San Diego Union Tribune explains, several of the laws backers have expressed surprise at the closure of Deliverance. According to Heather Buonomo, a program coordinator with the Department of Environmental Health, some sort of workaround may have been available or achievable. Were happy to work with them to find a solution that works for their charitable organization, she said. According to Monique Limon, one of the bills authors, The law would encourage more charities to provide food for the needy while also creating a level of oversight to ensure they follow proper health guidelines. Yet its unclear what exactly would or could have been done if Deliverance had have tried to negotiate with the state and find a solution that works. And the fact that it didnt even try or think it could try says something about the pressure that these policies put on small and vulnerable charities and institutions who dont feel they have political sway. Likewise, one can make any number of arguments about food safety, as Limon does, but its hard to imagine a scenario in which more burdens, more requirements, and tighter regulations will somehow encourage encourage more charities to provide food for the needy. The reality is that the states dream of regulated soup and sandwiches is taking precedence over the bottom-up activity of neighbors who are passionate about loving their neighbors. Is that really an acceptable trade-off, particularly in an area that so desperately needs an intimate and personalized approach? Weve sought to provide comfort to those who are going through an incredibly difficult time, says Deliverances press release on the closure. In many situations, they are without a home due to no fault of their own. This action by the state creates significant barriers to those organizations like ours who simply want to show Gods love through a hot meal and some conversation. Given the goodand thus far, safework of organizations like Deliverance, such regulations represent a prime example of the unseen costs of government action. In some cases, well-intended government policies lead to trade imbalances or economic surpluses or corporate cronyism or community inequitiesall of which yield their own forms of social corrosion. But in cases such as these, we see the ill effects of these policies on charitable activity, resulting in real and tangible barriers to human love and relationship. Is it really worth it? Nepal on Venezuela crisis: Internal political problems should be resolved within constitutional parameters The government on Tuesday stated its official position on the unfolding political crisis in Venezuela in which it has said that the internal problems of a country should be resolved within its constitutional parameters. Today our president was scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address. (As of my deadline, it appears the event will not proceed.) I could easily join the chorus and pronounce our union to be in dire straits. The partial government shutdown interrupted much-needed services, malfeasance dominates the headlines, and a clash between white schoolboys and a Native American elder on our National Mall has further entrenched the public into opposing camps. It is a time when nothing feels sacred, least of all those values spelled out in the preamble to the Constitution: establishing justice, promoting general welfare, and securing the Blessings of Liberty for posterity. Our leaders cant seem to figure out how to proceed for the next few months, much less for posterity. Like you, I am gravely concerned. And yet, a couple of weeks ago I witnessed a promising event. On Jan. 16, Bismarck State College hosted the North Dakota state competition for We the People, a civic education program in which students learn the history and principles of U.S. constitutional democracy. High school teams from as far away as Edgeley and Hillsboro gathered for mock congressional hearings, judged by expert panelists including political science professors and North Dakota Supreme Court justices. In late November, Berger, responding to news that Grand Forks television station WDAZ was merging with WDAY in Fargo, asked on Facebook: "So Fargo is the only thing of interest in ND?" "Wow. I guess they don't really care about GF or the northern valley. ... Feel like soon we will only have a Fargo Forum as our 'local' newspaper, too!" Responding to criticism of the merger and Bergers online comment, Wenzel defended Forum Communications Co., which also owns the Herald. Wenzel said the media company has made a considerable commitment to Grand Forks and the Red River Valley over the years, and cited contributions by the company to the United Way. Oh, for heaven's sake, Wenzel wrote in regards to Bergers comments. The contributions of this company to the Grand Forks United Way literally thousands upon thousands of dollars each year in cash and nearly the same again in free advertising have been great, portraying in just one way much how this company cares about Grand Forks and the northern valley. Nikki Jackman, head of the board of directors of United Way, then wrote a letter to the editor, published Dec. 8, apologizing on behalf of the entire board for Bergers comments. JAMESTOWN - A Woodworth woman was sentenced to more than four years in prison Monday after entering Alford pleas under a plea agreement to charges related to what had been called an adoption scam. Betty Jo Krenz, who is age 47 or 48, entered the pleas to charges of theft of property, a Class C felony, and theft of property, a Class B misdemeanor, in Southeast District Court in Jamestown. A charge of unauthorized use of identifying information was dropped. Krenz was accused of taking money from a Medford, Ore., family under the guise of facilitating an adoption for them. The couple said they'd been trying to adopt a child for 18 years, according to authorities. An Alford plea means the defendant acknowledges there is enough evidence to be convicted of the crime but does not admit to the crime. The plea deal included a recommended sentence of one year and one day in jail with all but nine months suspended. Krenz said in a statement to the court that she knew in her heart she never meant to harm anyone. FARGO Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven announced Monday that they're both co-sponsoring Savanna's Act, a bill which specifically addresses missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, as its reintroduced in Congress. "This is important legislation that will help us further combat crimes on tribal lands," Cramer, R-N.D., said in a news release. Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., initially introduced Savanna's Act which passed the Senate but stalled last year in the House with the aim of collecting data on missing and murdered indigenous people. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., announced Monday that they have reintroduced the legislation. It's named after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year-old pregnant Fargo woman from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in northeast North Dakota. She was murdered in 2017, and her baby was cut from her womb. "Senator Heitkamp was a true leader on this issue and an advocate for indigenous peoples throughout her tenure in the Senate. Im proud to reintroduce this bill and continue our efforts to bring much needed attention and coordination to the issue of murdered and missing Native women, Murkowski said in a statement. North Dakotas oil industry no longer has to ship all its radioactive waste out of state now that a disposal facility in McKenzie County has started operating, and more sites could be on the way. The North Dakota House easily passed a contentious bill requiring physicians to inform women that they could reverse drug-induced abortions Monday, a claim opponents have said isnt supported by science. The 73-16 vote sends House Bill 1336 to the Senate. Supporters said it would give women more information about having an abortion and their options if they change their mind, but opponents maintain it would intrude upon the doctor-patient relationship. This bill provides women with a fully informed choice, said Rep. Kathy Skroch, R-Lidgerwood. "And for many women, a second choice, a second chance." Tammi Kromenaker, director of the Red River Womens Clinic in Fargo, the state's only abortion clinic, previously said 28 percent of the clinics patients received a medication abortion in 2018. She told a House committee last week that shes never had a patient request a so-called medication abortion reversal. Rep. Mary Schneider, D-Fargo, cast doubts on "flawed" studies on the issue and said the bill would require doctors to spread a misleading message. She said the state has a higher obligation to be truthful. The chief backer of House Bill 1336 is Rep. Daniel Johnston, R-Kathryn. GRAND FORKS -- Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, said he is in favor of a bill that would devote a certain percentage of Legacy Fund earnings to the states two research universities, but noted it is just one of two similar bills being worked on in the Legislature. Senate Bill 2282 would transfer 15 percent of Legacy Fund earnings to an economic diversification research fund that would support work by the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. This fall, UND President Mark Kennedy and NDSU President Dean Bresciani spent time traveling the state speaking about the importance of research for economic diversification in North Dakota. They had originally proposed that the state invest $100 million in research at the two campuses, with each school getting $25 million a year. Holmberg, who is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, previously said he wanted to allow the presidents the chance to state their case to the Legislature, but Monday, Jan. 28, he gave more definite support for the idea, stating he would vote for the bill or one similar to it. I wouldnt have a great deal of trouble (voting for the Senate bill), but its just one of two major proposals, he said. Illegal weapons major security challenge in Province 1: Police Devi Prasad Limbu of Phaktalung Rural Municipality-4 in Taplejung died of shrapnel injuries on January 15 when his musket went off accidentally after he stumbled while on a hunting expedition with his friend. Lawmakers of the North Dakota House voted overwhelmingly Monday to kill a bill that aimed to tighten animal cruelty. Rep. Mary Adams, D-Grand Forks, introduced House Bill 1445 to prevent convicted animal abusers from acquiring other animals. The House Agriculture Committee heard the bill Thursday, giving it a 13-1 do-not-pass recommendation. Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, was vocal in his opposition to the bill in committee, pointing to animal agriculture practices that could be affected by the bills broad language. Proponents pointed to what they said are poor animal cruelty laws in the state and described abused animals they have seen. The bill failed with a 9-80 vote. Rep. Bill Tveit, R-Hazen, said committee members struggled with several aspects of the bill, such as definitions, liability and enforcement. Reach Jack Dura at 701-223-8482 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. "I believe now is the time for an internal candidate. I believe our future and our community is ready for that certainly, by the look of that, our parents are," Lee said. "I believe Dr. Hornbachers presentation on disruptive student behavior, mental health, the programs hes put in place, all of the things that we went through last year, I really feel like this is the perfect person, for the perfect time, for our district." Board Member Karl Lembke said the interview process was thorough, and left board members with a difficult decision. But he said he took the weekend to reflect on the candidates and said Hornbacher is the right fit for the district. "I think we have an opportunity to give someone a chance in our organization. While there is trepidation, and the boards getting pulled in different directions by different groups and different people, I think that we can navigate this and that we can make a successful internal candidate our superintendent," Lembke said. Board President Matt Sagsveen expressed dismay with the interview process, which he said was like a public election. Sagsveen also said he was concerned with Hornbacher not having administrative experience. "Its a big job and it sounds to me (Hornbacher's) ready for the challenge," Sagsveen said after the meeting. Hornbacher's start date is subject to contract negotiations, according to Sagsveen. However, Haussler contract is set to expire on June 30, so it is likely Hornbacher will start on July 1. (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 12 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 16 Angry 26 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Maj. Jim Hulm with the Burleigh County Sheriffs Office advises people who travel to have an emergency survival kit and keep cellphones charged. Have a travel plan, make sure you advise people, a friend or family member where youre going, Hulm said. Authorities also urge people to allow extra time for traveling and slow down on icy roads. On Sunday, a motorist struck a Burleigh County deputys patrol car as the deputy was parked on the side of U.S. Highway 83 north of Bismarck. Dash cam video shows the car spinning in circles on the highway after it struck the patrol car. Hulm said the deputy was in the ditch assisting a stranded motorist. No injuries were reported. The North Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. The Sheriffs Office responded to four or five crashes on Sunday, Hulm said. I think a lot of people, once they saw it was raining, people were starting to stay home, he said. Bismarck police responded to nine crashes on Sunday and another 19 crashes on Monday morning. Sanding crews for Bismarck continued to work through the day on Monday to sand the streets. The North Dakota Department of Health has begun accepting applications for medical marijuana dispensaries in Devils Lake, Dickinson, Jamestown and Minot. Applications will remain open through 3 p.m. Central time on Feb. 26, according to a news release. The four regions represent the third and final open application period for dispensaries, said Jason Wahl, director of the Division of Medical Marijuana. We anticipate entities being selected in these four regions near the end of March or beginning of April. Last year, the Department of Health selected dispensaries eligible for certification in Bismarck-Mandan, Fargo, Grand Forks and Williston. The department is working with these entities to obtain their dispensary registration certificated. Wahl previously said a dispensary in Grand Forks is expected to open next month. A $5,000 nonrefundable application fee is required with all submitted applications. A panel will review all complete applications. For more information, visit www.ndhealth.gov/mm. (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Doan is brewing his beer with North Dakota grown and malted barley from Two Track Malting in Lincoln. After the brewing is complete, a portion of the spent grains will be fed to some of the familys cattle herd. Doan said he has two brew concepts both of which are meant to serve as a taste of North Dakota and its agriculture industry. Thats really what we do, he said. Were telling a story, leaving a legacy. One way he hopes to accomplish this is by using the ranchs well water, with its unique taste, to brew. It might totally bomb, but I want to try it, he said. Otte Coleman said the farm-to-table trend is one that isnt going away and Black Leg Brewery fits well into that. I think it resonates with people, she said. As people become more urbanized theyre really hungry and thirsty for the information about where their food comes from. And when you can round off your amenities like that, it just helps set you apart, Otte Coleman added about the benefits the brewery could bring to the ranchs agritourism operations. The Southern Montana Ducks Unlimited will hold its Firearm Frenzy 30 gun super raffle on Feb. 16 starting at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Club, 2216 Grand Ave. Each $20 ticket entitles the purchaser to free food, beverages and chances on the raffle. There will be guns from: Benelli, Beretta, Browning, Henry, Mossberg, Remington, Ruger, Savage, Smith & Wesson, Stevens, Taurus, Weatherby and Winchester. Participants do not need to be present to win. The first winner will be drawn at 12:30 p.m. One gun will be given away every three minutes with the last gun drawn at 2 pm. Winning tickets are re-entered into the drawings. Numerous onsite raffles for additional firearms, Yeti coolers, decoys and more will also be available. Tickets can be purchased with debit cards, cash or checks at Shipton's Big R (Gabel Road store) in Billings, online at https://www.ducks.org/montana/events/56901/3rd-annual-southern-montana-firearm-frenzy or by calling: Bev Wornom at 628-9328, Les Jones at 425-1722, or Barry Allen 780-0523. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 While Russell was pessimistic about the future, we shouldnt forget that because of his and many others efforts, much of what he thought would be gone forever has been restored and protected over the years. This conservation story is not over. I fear that it could take a drastic turn for the worse when the BLM Lewistown Field Office releases its draft management plan, which will determine how some of the last blocks of unbroken prairie will be managed for the next 20-30 years. Many of these lands are concentrated south of the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, where the Musselshell River runs into the Missouri River. Places like Horse Camp Trail, Chain Buttes and Crooked Creek, which cover about 200,000 acres of wilderness-quality lands and serve as some of the most productive ungulate habitat in North America, will be addressed in this plan. SF 159 does not answer the bigger questions about a changing energy landscape right now. It may serve its purpose, however, said Bryce Freeman, administrator of the Office of Consumer Advocate. Wyoming takes its yearly look at raising a tax on wind energy A bill to increase Wyomings wind tax blows through Cheyenne nearly every year, and every year it dies. Freeman said it doesnt look like the measure would be detrimental to customers, which is what his office looks out for. Presuming there are buyers for coal plants, which remains to be seen, it could be good for customer rates, Freeman said. The biggest problem with some of the plants weve got is if they retire before the end of their useful lives then there is going to be some investment associated with those plants that is yet to be recovered, he said. A sale could, potentially, alleviate that cost on the utilities customers, he said. Others see the bill differently, arguing that its intent is not just to find buyers but to dissuade companies from retiring coal plants early. In turn, that places the cost of keeping a coal plant on customer shoulders. Connie Wilbert, director of the Wyoming Sierra Club chapter, said the measure is misguided. Wyoming will lose out with this attitude while customers in places across PacifiCorps system reap the benefit of cheaper power sources, she said. +2 Bill aimed at 'saving Colstrip' by buying power plant draws fire A Billings legislators proposal that Montana buy Colstrip power plant drew criticism from business and environmental groups alike at a Monday Bismarck, N.D. A new natural gas pipeline is proposed for the core of the Bakken. MDU Resources Group has announced that subsidiary WBI Energy plans to construct the North Bakken Expansion Project, adding 67 miles of pipeline in Williams and McKenzie counties. The project will transport natural gas that has been processed from the Tioga area to a new connection with Northern Border Pipeline in McKenzie County. The $220 million project also includes two compressor facilities and other related infrastructure. Trevor Hastings, president and CEO of WBI Energy, said in a statement the expansion will meet the natural gas transportation needs in the Bakken. We are working with our customers to meet these needs as the industry focuses on reducing natural gas flaring while growing production volumes, Hastings said Friday. North Dakota produced an average of 2.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas in November, a figure thats projected to continue breaking records. Operators flared about 527 million cubic feet per day due to inadequate infrastructure. Government will not be safe by putting Dr KC's life at risk: Former Chief Justice Shrestha Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha has said that the government would not be safe by putting the life of Dr Govinda KC at risk. Montana lawmakers are being asked to consider a bill that would make it illegal for a physician to prescribe drugs to hasten the death of a terminally ill patient. The state Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that nothing in state law prohibits medically assisted death. Since then, lawmakers have failed to pass bills that sought to either explicitly ban or legalize the act, leaving the practice in a gray area legally. A House bill to be heard Tuesday aims to change that. Under the measure, doctors who prescribe life-ending medication could be charged with homicide and they would be unable to use the patient's request for assistance as a defense. The bill does not refer to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, which is allowed under the Montana Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 9 He was still waiting on his paycheck, but as he loaded pantry supplies into his pickup truck for the third time in a month, he had nothing but praise for the program. Roy Crawfords doing an outstanding job, he said, calling him a great help to the furloughed workers not getting paid. Cathy Gervais agreed. The guys are wonderful to us, she said of the food pantrys staff. A campground manager on the east side of Glacier National Park, Gervais was scheduled to return to work next Monday. In the meantime, she and three other park staff were volunteering at the food bank. Their counterparts from the parks west side had been helping at a food bank in Kalispell too distant for them. Volunteering at Browning, she said, had been a perfect chance to give back. One of the park staffers whod joined her, Jenna Powell, said that we were more than excited to come out to help. A Blackfeet Community College student who works on maintenance crews in the summer, Powell said that the Park Service gives back, and we wanted to be a part of that. More weigh in on a 'pornographic' assignment at a Billings school including the state superintendent Public comment during Mondays school board meeting turned into a skirmish about academic freedom when a family who objected to an assignment We cant start with nothing and work our way up, he said. Upham said changes to the filter were made earlier this month, and the move wasn't sparked by any specific incident. He emphasized the importance of "continuing to communicate" with students, staff and the public about the topic. A test of the system by a Gazette reporter showed that the filter blocked a wide spectrum of websites, but not always consistently. Some gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocacy group websites were accessible, but the site for GLAAD, a leading advocacy group, was blocked. Similarly, some gun rights websites were accessible, but the site for the National Rifle Association was blocked. Trustees raised concerns about the blocked content. Russ Hall said that he arrived at the Lincoln Center for Mondays meeting with nine bookmarked websites, and wasnt able to open three with district filters things that I would be happy to read with my mother looking over my shoulder, he said. This is a concern. Newpher said that the district has received 24 email requests to unblock sites, resulting in 18 sites unblocked. Two sites remained blocked. Each session the Montana Legislature tackles hundreds of hard choices about policy and spending priorities. The 2019 session is no different. In 2015, the Legislature made a once-in-a-generation decision to expand access to the Medicaid insurance program in an effort to reduce the number of low-income Montanans who were uninsured. At the time, one in every five Montanans was uninsured. Last year, fewer than 8 percent of Montanans were uninsured. Now, after three full years of operation, the Legislature faces two tasks: deciding whether to reauthorize the program and how to fund it if they reauthorize it. At the end of 2018 about 95,000 Montanans roughly the combined populations of Missoula and Kalispell were enrolled in expanded Medicaid, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, which administers Montanas Medicaid program. If the program is not continued, these Montanans will lose health insurance coverage starting in July of 2019, and their access to ongoing health care will be limited. Who is covered by expanded Medicaid? Seventy percent of recipients work. Eighty percent live in a working family. Those who are not working are ill or disabled, a caregiver for other family members, in school or looking for work. Eighty-nine percent earn less than $12,140 a year. License Plates Honoring Oregon Coast Whales Now Available Published 01/28/2019 at 5:53 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) What are sure to be the most coveted Oregon license plates in years will be available to the public at the beginning of February: the whale plates. The new Oregon plates feature the image of a gray whale and her calf, and the public can snag them from the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles beginning on February 1. This is a wonderful way to support marine mammal conservation on a local and even a global basis, said Bruce Mate, director of the Marine Mammal Institute based at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The plates should be popular because they are really striking and the proceeds go to a good cause. The plates will be $40 for new plates or renewals. $35 of that goes to the OSU's Marine Mammal Institute for marine mammal research, graduate education, and public outreach. Since many Oregon residents have already paid vouchers for the plates, all they need to do is submit those to DMV offices instead of any fee. Some small additional fees will be incurred because of new stickers, however. 10,000 plates have been ordered by DMV. The first 20 of the numbered plates will go to those who directly supported the Oregon coast, including regional politicians such as state senators and representatives from the coastline. The plate's mother and calf whale were drawn by internationally-known illustrator Pieter Folkens. Graphic artist Pete McKeeman, who has won an Emmy in the past for his work, added the two-tone background that represents a sea and sky, accentuated by an Oregon coast lighthouse in one corner. The plate reads Coastal Playground, which slightly harkens back to the old Pacific Wonderland license plates the state has had in the past. Some of the proceeds from the plate sales will target marine mammal research and education, Mate said. The plates are a way that citizens can support marine mammal research at a very modest biannual basis and let other folks know about their interests, support and concerns for the coast as they drive down the road. A variety of whale-oriented programs will be supported by the Oregon coast whale plates, including the Whale Watch Spoken Here program, where Hatfield Marine Science Center researchers train more than 100 volunteers to help the public find whales during the twice-yearly migration peaks. It's a public outreach program that enables scientists to pass on important information to a hungry audience, teaching about conservation issues in the process. It's an effort that reaches about 45,000 visitors each year from as many as 50 different countries around the world. Dr. Mate is recognized internationally as an expert in marine mammal research, having pioneered some of the early work in tracking whales by satellite. The Marine Mammal Institute is an important figure in scientific work on the Oregon coast and around the world, where research continues to discover more about whales in this area as well as the rest of the globe. Based out of Newport, it was established in 2006 at OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center, as an expansion of research programs founded by Mate in the 1970s at OSU. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours Photo above courtesy Seaside Aquarium More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted A baking workshop has been held in Algeria this month to highlight the quality of UK soft wheat. Organised by the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Cereals & Oilseeds Exports team, the event is part of an ongoing programme of workshops held in the UK and overseas that target influencers from key export markets. Millers and bakers from seven companies, plus technicians from OAIC (Office Algerien Interprofessionnel des Cereales), the state-owned cereals office that controls Algerias wheat imports, sampled UK flour at the workshop in Algiers. Currently, the UK only exports semi-hard wheat to Algeria, which is used to produce biscuits and cakes, and the workshop was designed to demonstrate the suitability of UK soft wheat for a range of baked goods. With a population of 41 million, growing at an estimated rate of 1.6% a year, Algeria is seen as offering good potential for UK wheat. According to official US Department of Agriculture data, wheat imports to Algeria totalled seven million tonnes last year with the majority of milling wheat sourced from France. In 2015/16 and 2016/17, the UK exported 382,156 tonnes of wheat to Algeria, although limited availability meant little was exported to the country last year. The aim of this workshop was to showcase the versatility of UK soft wheat and to demonstrate the difference in soft and semi-hard wheat in a range of baked goods, said AHDB export marketing executive Dorit Cohen. By hosting a baking workshop, we also had the opportunity to meet with key influencers and strengthen our relationships in Algeria with the goal of increasing our exports to this all-important market. OAIC representatives are expected to visit the UK in March to gain a greater insight into the UK cereals supply chain. Friday morning at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, the traveling public felt the full bite of a federal government shutdown. Perhaps thats why the shutdown is coming to an end for now, at least. The two sides had been at an impasse until Thursday, when the Senate voted on two proposals one by Republicans, one by Democrats to end the shutdown. Negotiations resumed after that, and then Friday brought the most dramatic development yet: The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily stopped flights from landing at LaGuardia because of a shortage of air traffic controllers, resulting in major delays that rippled to other East Coast airports. Evidently, some controllers had not been mollified by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross suggestion that they take out loans rather than relying on food banks until their paychecks resume. Ross, a former investment tycoon, no doubt would have an easier time getting good terms on a loan than a rank-and-file federal employee. Not that hed need one. Sick employees were a problem at several other airport towers, and were even more common at the Internal Revenue Service. According to the Washington Post, at least 14,000 employees at the tax agency missed work this week. Good thing its not a busy time for them! Oh, wait In just over a week, an online petition demanding minimum wage for Northern Arizona University student workers has received 1,000 signatures. Deja Berkstresser, a junior psychology major at NAU, started the petition on Change.org with several of her colleagues in order to help the students who are earning as little as $8.50 an hour with their campus jobs more than two dollars less than the state minimum wage. As of Jan. 1, 2019, Arizona minimum wage is set at $11, while the Flagstaff minimum wage is at $12, with the next increase to $13 an hour and $12 an hour, respectively scheduled to occur Jan. 1, 2020. The hourly cash rate for tipped employees is also scheduled to increase in 2020, from $9 per hour to $10. Flagstaff's minimum wage is planned to reach $15.50 by 2022. NAU administrators have noted previously that student wages are still well above the $7.25 an hour federal minimum wage, though. As a manager for student connectivity at the university union, Berkstresser is making more than many of her colleagues $10.25 an hour but is still earning less than city and state minimum wages, making it difficult to live in Flagstaff. Government in a bind as conflict victims divided on transitional justice future As less than two weeks remains for the terms of the two transitional justice bodies to expire, any breakthrough on the larger course of the process is unlikely anytime soon even if both the victims associations are ready for dialogue. LONDONAdult performer and self-proclaimed queen of bimbos Alicia Amira is doing her part to fight back against the stigma against sex workers with the debut of a sex worker-friendly fashion brand called Be A Bimbo. The brand offers unique apparel and accessories aimed at every segment of the sex work industry, from adult film stars to webcam models to strippers, as well as women everywhere who simply want to unleash their inner diva. Women like me are tired of being shamed for our sexuality, said Amira. Thats why Be A Bimbo apparel has broad appeal. Whether youre working within the adult industry or just tired of being judged for looking hyper-feminine, Be A Bimbo is here for you. We want to empower women, femme, trans, and everyone else to take ownership of their sexuality. The Be A Bimbo line has launched with three collectionsa Sex Worker collection of crop tops, a Bimbo Family collection of accessories and apparel, and a Limited Edition collection of bejeweled clothing. All items are available exclusively at Amiras online boutique, BeABimbo.com. Amira was motivated to launch Be A Bimbo in April 2018 after the passage of the Stop Enabling Online Sex Trafficking Act (SESTA) and Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), when companies that had long profited from sex workers and copied their aesthetic refused to publicly support the community. Despite being among the worlds oldest professions, sex work is continuously maligned and stigmatized, Amira noted. In both the United States and United Kingdom, the government is actively passing legislation that endangers the safety and livelihood of sex workers. Companies who profit from this space need to stand up and fight back on their behalf. End the stigma, bitchez, she added. Catch up with Amiras controversial article This Body Modder Wants to Turn Herself into a Sex Doll in VICE by visiting Vice.com. Follow her on Twitter @aliciaamiraxxx or Instagram @alicia_amira. Earlier this week, the Legislature passed the DREAM Act, a bill to allow the children of illegal immigrants to apply for the states Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). When bills skirt federal law, and place a massive, undue burden on resident taxpayers, the priority has been placed in the wrong area. The Assembly Minority Conference has been, and continues to be, a staunch advocate for adequate education funding and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed. However, immigration laws must be respected, and New York State residents already have enough costs dampening their economic outlook. There are processes in place to become a citizen, pay taxes and enjoy the benefits of other New York State residents. They must be respected. The states (TAP) and Excelsior Scholarships are not free. They cost millions of dollars, and in the interests of equity, should be prioritized for documented, legal residents. Students in New York already face some of the worst debt burdens in the nation. These resources would be much better allocated to relieving that pressure, and helping to drive down the cost of education, generally. NEW YORK STUDENTS ARE BEING CRUSHED BY DEBT State police are investigating an accident involving a snowplow and a passenger vehicle that injured a 58-year-old Auburn woman Tuesday morning. The crash involved a state Department of Transportation snowplow and a car each with one occupant, state police said. Police reported that the driver of the car, DeAnna Taylor, was extricated from the wreckage and airlifted to Upstate University Medical Center in Syracuse with lower body injuries. Police did not have an update on the extent of Taylor's injuries, but believed airlifting her to Upstate was a precautionary measure. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The sedan was traveling west on Route 20 when it lost control and entered the eastbound lane, police said. Todd Arnold, who was operating the plow, traveling east, noticed the vehicle and slowed down as much as he could, police said, but the sedan collided into the plow. Arnold suffered a back injury, but police were unsure if he sought medical attention at a hospital. The accident occurred just before 10 a.m. Rescuers later requested that a helicopter be sent to assist, and a landing site was established at the state police barracks on Route 20 in Aurelius. The helicopter reportedly departed at 10:50 a.m. "There's going to be something for everyone, no matter what the challenges or the needs or expectations are that everyone has," Jensen said. "I think that everyone will be able to take something away to benefit themselves moving forward in their business" "I think it'll be really nice to meet, interact and connect with other farm women," Fortin said. "I really hope this turns into an annual event; I think it's really, really needed." Unlike many 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. jobs, most people live on their farms and can't leave their work, Fortin said. For this reason, she is looking forward to the presentation from keynote speaker Dr. Christine Allen, who will share strategies for work-life balance as well as resilience against negative affects of stress. Julie Patterson, co-owner of Patterson Farms in Cayuga County who has been involved with New York AGRI-WOMEN since its early stages, said that in recent years the entrepreneurship of women has grown in the area. "I think women in this area are forward thinkers," Patterson said, agreeing that the opportunity to come together to share experiences, struggles and ideas with others will be helpful. With mass shootings still occurring, he believes more action is necessary. "You put the SAFE Act together with this red flag, what New York says is you can do this. There is a path forward. There is a solution," Cuomo said. "And we have six years of history to show that the planet does not stop spinning. People don't lose guns. It doesn't bankrupt an industry. None of those myths that they scare you with come true. They're just common-sense reforms." The gun laws, including the red flag proposal, were endorsed by Linda Beigel Schulman. Schulman's son, Scott Beigel, was a teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. He was one of 17 people killed in a mass shooting at the school last year. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Later in the day, the state Senate adopted a resolution honoring Scott Beigel. Linda Beigel Schulman has been pushing for adoption of a red flag law since her son was killed. She recalled meeting with Cuomo, who told her that he supported the proposal. "When we pass the red flag law, thanks to you and the Legislature, but so thanks to you, Scott's murder will now save lives," she said. Before the votes, advocates rallied at the state Capitol. Cuomo met with child sex abuse survivors and reiterated his support of the bill. Cuomo has shown his support for the Child Victims Act by including it in his executive budget proposals. He included the bill in his proposed budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. "Yes, there's going to be court cases and a look-back and a window, et cetera," Cuomo said. "But to me that's all a means to the end. The end was do justice, acknowledge this. Acknowledge the harm. Acknowledge that I was a victim. Acknowledge that the authority was abused. And it has taken us a number of years to get here, but we got here because of you and your tenacity." The bill, as the vote count suggests, didn't generate a lot of disagreement. Senate Republicans attempted to amend the legislation by eliminating the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases. While Democrats seemed open to the idea, they also questioned why the proposal was brought now and not when the GOP controlled the state Senate. The floor debates in the state Assembly and Senate also led to a handful of emotional moments. Four lawmakers three assemblywomen and one state senator shared that they were sexually abused. Joining Niou in revealing they were sexually abused as children were Assemblywomen Rodneyse Bichotte and Catalina Cruz. Bichotte, D-Brooklyn, said she was 10 when she was sexually abused by a pastor. "I was vulnerable, I felt ugly and I was taken advantage of as a result," Bichotte said. Cruz, a Queens Democrat, said she was sexually abused by a family member. Like Niou, she was emotional as she revealed that she is a sexual abuse survivor. For Cruz, her experience is one reason why she supported the Child Victims Act. "This is about the safety of little boys and little girls everywhere," she said. The Child Victims Act received wide bipartisan support in the state Legislature. After the unanimous vote in the state Senate, the bill passed the state Assembly by a 130-3 margin. The legislation gives child sex abuse survivors until age 28 to press felony charges against the perpetrators and age 25 for misdemeanor charges. For civil cases, the victim would have until age 55 to file a lawsuit against their abuser. Another key provision is the one-year "look-back," which gives past child sex abuse survivors a window to pursue civil suits against perpetrators. As President Nicolas Maduro's rule hangs in the balance in Venezuela, Russia risks losing its long-cultivated main ally in Latin America and billions invested in oil and arms contracts. Russian President Vladimir Putin spent years building up an alliance with Venezuela's late populist leader Hugo Chavez and his successor Maduro, often playing host to the two in Moscow. As pressure has built on Maduro from self-proclaimed acting president Juan Guaido and his Western allies, Russia has stood firm behind its man in Caracas. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday vowed Moscow would "do everything" to protect its ally. Behind this support, analysts say, is an understanding that if it loses Venezuela, Moscow will have few allies to speak of in Latin America. "Venezuela is practically the last thing that Vladimir Putin has left in Latin America," said Vladimir Rouvinski, a Russian international relations specialist at Colombia's Icesi University. Moscow likes to present itself as an "alternative" superpower in Washington's backyard. But while it has close ties with Venezuela and traditional ally Communist Cuba, Moscow's relations with Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina have been hit by recent changes of leadership there, Rouvinski said. Russia shored up its alliance with Venezuela as the second largest lender to Caracas after China, supplying it with tanks and Kalashnikovs and investing in the country's main asset, its oil resources. As recently as last month Maduro announced during a visit to Moscow that Russia would invest $6 billion in Venezuela's oil and mining sectors. Now Russia "runs the risk that all these long-matured relationships... will turn out to be devalued," said Nikolai Petrov, a professor at Moscow's Higher School of Economics. - Russian mercenaries? - The rapprochement between Russia and Venezuela dates back to Chavez, who espoused what he called "21st century socialism". The relationship continued to thrive after Maduro took over following Chavez's death in 2013, with Caracas acquiring Russian arms and military equipment in deals worth $11 billion between 2005 and 2017. Moscow, along with China and Turkey, has maintained that support since Maduro's disputed re-election in May last year and opposition leader Guaido's naming of himself as interim president. With the United States and a dozen Latin American countries recognising Guaido -- and Europe demanding new elections -- Putin called Maduro last week to endorse the "lawful authorities". Reports have even surfaced of hundreds of mercenaries from the secretive Russian private military contractor Wagner deploying to Venezuela. Moscow has denied the reports but Rouvinski said they were likely to be true. "Everything suggests that Russian mercenaries have been present in Venezuela for a while, although most likely, far fewer than reported by media," he said. Russian television has given wide coverage to protests in Caracas, likening the events to Ukraine's 2014 popular uprising that toppled a pro-Kremlin president and led to Moscow's seizure of Crimea and a long-running separatist conflict. Given Russia's vehement opposition to such popular uprisings, "a limited Russian military operation cannot be ruled out" but only as the "very last option" for Moscow, Rouvinski said. "Such a scenario would set the whole of the rest of Latin America against Russia... for many years." Beyond its long-term strategic goals, Russia has billions in investments and loans at stake. State oil corporation Rosneft, led by Putin's ally Igor Sechin, has loaned around $6 billion to Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, investing in exploration and production Cash-strapped Caracas has struggled to pay back loans in the form of oil due to the poor state of its production facilities. - 'Pragmatic approach' - Russia made such investments on the understanding that they were high-risk but could ultimately pay off, analysts said. "Rosneft stayed because it was ready to work for the long-term," said Dmitry Rozental, an expert on Venezuela at Moscow's Institute of Latin America. If Maduro's government does fall, Russia will "undoubtedly fight for contracts and debts," said Rouvinski, predicting that Russian non-oil-related investments "will most likely be lost". Forging political ties with a new regime will depend on how Moscow behaves now at the "critical moment" for Maduro, he said. Ordinary Venezuelans largely see Russia as propping up Maduro's government even if China is a larger investor, he said. Yet "today's opposition forces are pragmatic," he said, and the Kremlin for its part has hinted it could back a "legitimate" handover of power. In Russia, "the pragmatic approach prevails," said Rozental, and "working relations can remain" even if the opposition takes over. "The Russian leadership supports the government of Venezuela, in this case the legally elected president. This doesn't mean we won't support contacts with the opposition." Russian President Vladimir Putin often played host to Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin built up an alliance with Venezuela's late leader Hugo Chavez Chopper firms deny involvement in rescue scam Nepali helicopter companies on Monday issued a firm denial of the allegations contained in a series of news stories published by national and international media outlets that they were involved in multi-million dollar insurance scams involving bogus rescues. A rare and powerful tornado has devastated sections of Havana, killing four people and injuring 195, as it overturned cars, uprooted trees and destroyed dozens of homes. A shaken resident, recalling a night of terror, said she clutched her daughter and crouched down in her kitchen as the tornado came roaring in Sunday night. "It was as if rocks were falling -- it was hail -- and I felt things beginning to fall. It lifted my entire roof and took everything away," said a sobbing Canaima Hernandez, 36. Hernandez's Havana neighborhood, Regla, was one of the hardest hit by the tornado, which state media said was comparable in strength to the most powerful hurricanes. Residents picked their way through overturned vehicles, collapsed walls, overturned lampposts and uprooted trees. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who confirmed the latest toll on Monday, toured the city's darkened streets visiting emergency crews, wrote on Twitter that damage was "severe." - Night of terror - In the city's Luyano neighborhood, storm debris -- including parts of a balcony ripped off an old building -- blocked the streets. As emergency sirens blared across the city, firefighters and ambulances rushed about on rescue missions, their flashing lights illuminating blacked out areas. Diaz-Canel said that several emergency teams were working hard to restore power to those areas. At the Hijas de Galicia maternity hospital, staff were forced to evacuate the building due to storm damage. The tornado, spawned by a powerful storm that originated in the Gulf of Mexico, hit western Cuba with winds of up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) per hour. "Islanders are used to these warnings, but they did not suspect the magnitude of what was approaching," said Granma, the Communist Party daily. People described the tornado as having "the sound of a jet engine," and reported feeling changes in the environmental pressure when it arrived, Armando Caymares with the Institute of Meteorology said. The tornado "caught me in the street, in the car with my wife and children," actor Luis "Panfilo" Silva wrote on his social media account. "I had to dodge fallen trees, flooded areas and strong winds until I managed to get home. We experienced great fear," he wrote. Francisco Sotolongo said it was a good thing the tornado's impact only lasted seconds, "because if it lasted a minute there would be nothing left here." High winds sent seawater surging over the city's famed Malecon esplanade and several meters into the city. The western provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa and Mayabeque also were affected by the storm. Residents of tornado-hit Regla neighborhood walk amid the debris, in Havana, on January 28, 2019 after a rare and powerful tornado struck A resident of tornado-hit Regla neighbourhood cries in front of her destroyed house, in Havana, on January 28, 2019 Police cordoned off a street in Havana's Luyano neighborhood, an area hard hit by the rare tornado to strike the Cuban capital A Cuban firefighter holds a baby wrapped in blankets during evacuations in the tornado-hit Luyano neighborhood in Havana Map of Cuba locating the tornado in Havana Hard-line Tory Brexiteers wrestled control of Theresa Mays plan to leave the EU as the PM won support from a majority of MPs to return to Brussels and renegotiate her deal. On a remarkable night in the House of Commons, of the eight votes that could potentially redefine the course of Brexit, seven of them were favourable towards Mrs May. In supporting the so-called Brady amendment by a slim majority of 317-301, MPs have given Mrs May a mandate to try to renegotiate the Brexit deal with the EU in which she will seek to replace the controversial Irish backstop with an as-yet unspecified alternative. Crucially, MPs also rejected a vote that would have forced Mrs May to delay Brexit to avoid crashing out with no deal. However, they also supported a separate vote that stated the House of Commons rejected the no-deal option. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The main difference between the two votes is that the latter is not legally binding and therefore doesnt box Mrs May into a corner. Critically, the Brady Amendment has received backing from hard-line Brexiteers, who are staunchly opposed to the Irish backstop, which they say could tie the UK to the EU indefinitely. Mrs May will now go back to Brussels to come up with alternative arrangements to the backstop. The backstop is in place to stop the return of border checks. Reaction from the EU was swift, however. Within 10 minutes of the vote, a spokesperson for Donald Tusk said: The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. Theresa May admitted that negotiations would not be easy (Picture: PA) The response Speaking after the vote during a pivotal evening, Mrs May told MPs: Its now clear there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal. We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Story continues Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would be willing to enter into Brexit talks with Mrs May. He said: Now that the House has voted emphatically to reject the no deal option the Prime Minister was supporting could I say we are now prepared to meet her to put forward the points of view from the Labour Party of the kind of deal we want from the European Union. To protect jobs, to protect livings standards, and to protect rights and conditions in this country. Jeremy Corbyn has agreed to hold Brexit talks with Theresa May (Picture: PA) DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds told the Commons: This is a significant night because for the first time the House by majority has expressed what sort of deal will get through and will have a majority, and we will work with the Prime Minister to deliver the right deal for the United Kingdom. But the SNPs Westminster leader Ian Blackford claimed that by passing the so-called Brady amendment the Government had ripped up the Good Friday Agreement. To jeers from Tory MPs he said: We were told the backstop was there to protect the peace process but tonight the Conservative Party has effectively ripped apart the Good Friday Agreement. This House should be ashamed of itself. He said Scotland had been silenced, sidelined and shafted by the Tories. An angry Chuka Ummuna hit out at hardline Brexiteers after an amendment tabled by Yvette Cooper to extend Article 50 beyond March 29 was defeated. He said it showed Theresa May was being held hostage by a hardline faction of Brexiteers within her own party and the votes showed Tories were more concerned with keeping their own party unified than serving the best interests of the country. MPs voted on a series of amendments on Tuesday night (Picture: PA) What is the Brady Amendment? Tory MP Sir Graham Bradys amendment proposed replacing the controversial Northern Ireland backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. Ahead of the vote, Sir Graham said he hoped House of Commons backing would give Mrs May enormous firepower when she returns to Brussels to seek concessions on her Brexit deal. It is supported by right-wing Tories and the DUP, which is crucial to the PM ultimately getting a deal from the House of Commons. Its unlikely that Europe will allow a renegotiation of the Withdrawal Agreement (Picture: PA) Non, nein, niet In Brussels, the EU remains resolute that the Withdrawal Agreement would not be reopened. In a statement following the dramatic night in Westminster, a spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said: The Withdrawal Agreement is and remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. The backstop is part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and the Withdrawal Agreement is not open for re-negotiation. His view was echoed by French President Emmanuel who described the Withdrawal Agreement as not renegotiable. Speaking in Cyprus moments before MPs voted, the French President Emmanuel Macron said: As the European Council in December clearly indicated, the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the UK and EU is the best agreement possible. It is not renegotiable. Earlier on Tuesday, the European Parliaments Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt told the Independent: The deal we have is fair and cannot be re-negotiated. The backstop is needed because of UK redlines and was crafted by the UK and the EU to secure the Good Friday Agreement. European Commission vice-president Jyrki Kateinen said there was no reason to give any concessions to the UK and there was not much room for manoeuvre on the backstop. It would be stupid for the EU to make concessions putting the remaining 27 members at a disadvantage simply to secure a deal, he said. Theresa May admitted that negotiations would not be easy (Picture: PA) No-deal or no no-deal? As part of the series of votes on amendments, MPs approved a cross-party amendment to reject a no-deal Brexit. The amendment, tabled by Midlands MPs Caroline Spelman and Jack Dromey, is not legally binding on the Government but puts huge pressure on Mrs May to delay Brexit from its scheduled date of March 29 if she cannot secure a new deal from Brussels. Speaking after the vote, Mrs May told MPs: I agree that we should not leave without a deal. However, simply opposing no-deal is not enough to stop it. The Government will now redouble its efforts to get a deal that this House can support. She admitted that negotiating would not be easy but Mrs May said she would seek legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border. She told MPs: If this House can come together, we can deliver the decision the British people took in June 2016, restore faith in our democracy and get on with building a country that works for everyone. As Prime Minister I will work with members across the House to do just that. What happens next? Theresa May has a fortnight to sort out this mess. She has promised MPs will get another chance to vote on the new deal if it is a new deal in a couple of weeks time. The next meaningful vote is expected to take place on February 14. If that fails, the PM will need to decide on whether the UK will pursue a no-deal Brexit. If she succeeds, she may still need to delay Brexit to allow Parliament time to get the deal through the House of Commons. Near the front line in eastern Syria, Amer Khalifa plays with a sword he found. To "avenge" his family, he has joined a Kurdish-led alliance fighting the Islamic State group. The 22-year-old is one of numerous members of the Shaytat tribe who have joined the fight to flush out the jihadists from a shrinking enclave near the Iraqi border. Backed by US-led coalition air strikes, they have confined the extremists to a final pocket spanning just four square kilometres (one and a half square miles) on the Euphrates River in Deir Ezzor province. "I want to avenge my brother and my relatives," Khalifa says. "I will fight to the bitter end of the battle, and then I'll hunt down their sleeper cells," says the Deir Ezzor native. IS swept across large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014 and proclaimed an "caliphate" that at its peak reached the size of Britain. As they rampaged across Deir Ezzor, IS fighters massacred more than 900 members of the Arab Shaytat tribe. That summer, Khalifa's 26-year-old brother, his maternal uncles, and a cousin on his father's side all went missing. The young fighter believes IS killed them. He joined the Kurdish-led SDF in the neighbouring northeastern province of Hasakeh in late 2016, after escaping his IS-controlled home village of Abu Hamam. - 'Watch out' - But still he has heard nothing of his relatives, nor found their remains in any of the mass graves the IS group left in its wake. In December 2014, one such death pit was discovered, its belly containing the bodies of 230 Shaytat tribe members -- but not Khalifa's brother or relatives. IS has been ousted from nearly all of its once sprawling proto-state in multiple offensives by various state and non-state parties, including the SDF, formed with US-led support in 2015. Of the SDF's around 30,000 fighters, some 5,000 are from local Sunni Arab tribes. The force also includes Christians and ethnic Turkmen as well as its core Kurdish fighters. On the east bank of the Euphrates River, in the village of Baghouz near the front line, Arab fighters have set up posts inside modest one-storey homes. Among them, Abu Zeid, a fighter in his late thirties, scrutinises the distance to the nearest possible jihadist. He has a glass eye in his right socket but his left eye is sharp. "Watch out, between the trees," he warns journalists. "They're on the white dirt road... Look, they're behind the pillars," says the fighter in uniform, an olive-coloured scarf tied around his head. He speaks excitedly about the latest developments in battle, and the nearing end of IS territorial control. - 'Grief has become normal' - But when he is asked about what brought him to the front, he becomes silent. He too lost relatives from the Shaytat tribe after IS overran his hometown but refuses to recount what happened. After a pause, he says: "Whatever, it's all so normal. Even my grief has become normal." As soon as they hear gun or artillery fire against the jihadists on the edges of Baghouz, the US-backed fighters scuttle from one terrace to the next to get a better view. The SDF have whittled away at the last IS territory east of the Euphrates in a major offensive launched in September. The alliance's commander in chief last week said he expected to announced the demise of their "caliphate" within a month, before pursuing remaining sleeper cells. IS has retained a presence in the vast virtually unpopulated desert to the west, and has claimed several deadly attacks in SDF-held territory in recent weeks. In a building under construction in Baghouz, Khalifa sits with fellow Shaytat tribesmen around a small fire, heating a blackened kettle to make tea. Asked about why he is fighting the jihadists, he echoes the answer of his fellow Arab combatants. "We want revenge," he says. Members of the Arab Shaytat tribe, who joined a Kurdish-led alliance fighting the Islamic State group in its last enclave in eastern Syria, say they want revenge for more than 900 fellow tribesmen the jihadists massacred in 2014 Map showing territorial control in East Syria as of January 25 Syrian forensic experts exhume remains from a mass grave in the Euprates Valley on December 11, 2018, one of many uncovered in formerly IS-held territory on both sides of the river Syrian Arab tribesman Abu Zeid is a seasoned fighter against the Islamic State group despite having a glass eye in his right socket "Even my grief has become normal," says Arab tribesman Abu Zeid, declining to go into details on the lost famuly members whose killing prompted him to join Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State group "Hundreds of thousands" of fish have died in drought-stricken Australia in the last few days and more mass deaths are likely to occur, the authorities warned Tuesday. Locals around the Darling River were confronted with a sea of white, as dead fish carpeted the waters near the southeastern Outback town of Menindee. Just weeks after up to a million were killed -- with scientists pointing to low water and oxygen levels as well as possibly toxic algae -- another mass death occurred in the key agricultural region. Inspectors from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries have visited the site and said they found that "hundreds of thousands of fish have died". "Further fish deaths in the Darling River are anticipated as a significant number of fish have been observed under stress," the department said in a statement. Some 700 kilos (1,543 pounds) of dead fish were removed from the river Monday, with similar amounts expected to be collected Tuesday, it added. The Darling River is part of the Murray-Darling River system that stretches thousands of kilometres across several states. Fisheries officials were also investigating reports of another fish kill further south in the Murrumbidgee River, which flows into the Murray-Darling system. With temperatures expected to rise and no rain forecast, there remained a "high risk of further fish kills over the coming days and week", officials said. While the federal government has blamed the deaths on a severe drought, experts and locals say they stem from the systemic depletion and pollution of the river. The inspectors added that the latest bout of kills were likely linked to "critically low levels of dissolved oxygen" caused by a sharp drop in temperatures after an extended period of hot weather. New South Wales Regional Water Minister Niall Blair, who visited Menindee Tuesday, told national broadcaster ABC his government was out of options, with installing aerators in rivers only a "band-aid solution". Six aerators were installed along parts of the Darling River to give surviving fish localised oxygenated water. "It's not a case of not being able to spend money on something, there just isn't any other alternative that anyone has offered up," Blair said. "The only thing that will really change these conditions at the moment is fresh water coming through the system and there is just no possibility of that at the moment." Australia's eastern inland regions have been hit by a prolonged drought, with extreme heatwaves in recent weeks exacerbating conditions. The late arrival of the monsoon season in northern Australia has also contributed to heatwaves in some regions. The wet season eventually kicked off in mid-January, with record-breaking floods hitting the tropical top end of the vast continent, cutting communities off and stranding farmers in recent days. Queensland's major Daintree River rose to 12.60 metres (41 feet) -- a level not seen in over a century -- over the weekend. Just weeks after up to a million fish were killed, another mass death occurred in the Murray-Darling river system While the federal government has blamed the deaths on a severe drought, experts and locals say they stem from the systemic depletion and pollution of the river Asia Bibi, the Christian woman at the centre of a blasphemy row which has ignited violent protests, been linked to two assassinations and spotlighted religious extremism in Pakistan, is expected to leave the country after its top court Tuesday upheld her acquittal. When she will leave and where she will go remain to be seen, however, with rampant unconfirmed speculation she will seek asylum in a North American or European country. Bibi, a labourer from Pakistan's central Punjab province, spent eight years awaiting execution before the Supreme Court overturned her death sentence for blasphemy in October last year -- prompting days of violent Islamist demonstrations. As part of a deal with protesters to end the violence, the government allowed a petition demanding an appeal against the court's acquittal. Bibi has been held in protective custody since, with authorities refusing to reveal her whereabouts for fear she will be targeted by vigilantes. But Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa -- considered Pakistan's top expert in criminal law -- threw the petition out "on merit" Tuesday, lifting the last legal hurdle in the case and paving the way for her to leave the country. Moments after the ruling was announced, Bibi's lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook hinted that his client's move could be imminent. "I think at this time she is here (in Pakistan) -- but by tonight, I don't know," he told reporters outside the court. Extremists "said they would kill her despite the judgement of the Supreme Court," he said. "Therefore, I think she should leave the country." "She should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice," Amnesty International said in a statement echoed by other rights activists. Unconfirmed Pakistani reports claim her children have already fled to Canada. France said it was ready to welcome Bibi and her family "if they wish". - Judge frustrated - Earlier Tuesday the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, which led violent protests demanding Bibi's execution last year, called for its members to be ready for action. Small protests were reported in some cities late Tuesday. But most of its leaders remain in detention after a government crackdown, and few protesters could be seen at the court in Islamabad, where security appeared normal. That did not prevent the handful who did show up from calling for violence against Bibi prior to the court's ruling. "If she goes abroad, don't Muslims live there?" Hafiz Ehtisham Ahmed, an Islamist activist linked to the extremist Red Mosque in Islamabad, told AFP. "If she goes out of Pakistan... anybody can kill her there." Chief Justice Khosa expressed frustration at the furious reaction to Bibi's case by an extremist minority. "Is this the face of Islam that we want to show to the world?" he told the packed courtroom. He had harsh words for those who first brought the case against Bibi, and the Islamists who over the years have used it to ignite violence, threaten judges, and call for mutiny within the military. As for the protesters, he was incredulous. "You block the entire country because a decision is not in your favour?" he told the court. Ghulam Mustafa Chaudhry, the lawyer who filed a petition on behalf of the cleric who made the original complaint against Bibi in 2009, remained unmoved. "All religious scholars also verified later that this agreement was wrong. This was wrong," he said outside court. - 'Justice! #AsiaBibi' - Blasphemy remains a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings. Many cases see Muslims accusing Muslims, and rights activists say blasphemy charges are frequently used to settle personal scores. Minorities -- particularly Christians -- are often caught in the crossfire. Calls to reform colonial-era laws against blasphemy have provoked violence. In 2011 Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province who offered to support Bibi, was assassinated by his own bodyguard in Islamabad. "Justice! #AsiaBibi" his son Shehryar tweeted after Tuesday's decision. Taseer's murder was followed the same year by the killing of minority affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, who had also defended Bibi. "This shameful delay in enforcing Asia Bibi's rights only reinforces the need for the Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy laws as soon as possible," Amnesty stated. The EU called on Pakistan's government to protect Asia Bibi and her family, "as they would do for any Pakistani citizen". The allegations against Bibi date back to 2009, when Muslim women accused her of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed. The accusation emerged from an argument after Bibi was asked to fetch water while working in the fields, but the women objected to her touching the water bowl as a non-Muslim. Bibi has denied the charges, and her prosecution rallied international rights groups, politicians and religious figures. Pope Benedict XVI called for her release in 2010, while in 2015 her daughter met his successor Pope Francis. Asia Bibi's acquittal ignited days of violent demonstrations, with enraged Islamists calling for her beheading Bibi's lawyer Saif-ul-Mulook dismissed the petition as "frivolous" as he walked into the court Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 in what swiftly became Pakistan's most infamous blasphemy case Blasphemy remains a massively inflammatory issue in Pakistan, where even unproven accusations of insulting Islam can spark lynchings Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir has been arrested along with two others during a police raid of his Victorian stables where a gun and taser were seized. Victoria Police and Racing Victoria raided stables at Miners Rest and Warrnambool from 6am on Wednesday morning. Three people have been arrested including Weir, 48, a 38-year-old Yangery man and a 26-year-old Warrnambool man. They will now be interviewed in relation to sporting integrity matters, a Victoria Police statement read. Those matters include obtaining financial advantage by deception, engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome and use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes. Darren Weir poses with the Ballarat cup trophy. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images) The force said several items were seized including a firearm and conductive energy device (Taser). The force said several items had also been seized including a firearm and conductive energy device (taser). Racing Victoria said it had been investigating the activities of licensed persons and brought in Victoria Police. During the course of our investigation, we sought the support of Victoria Polices sporting integrity intelligence unit on the matter, instigating their investigation, executive general manager of integrity Jamie Stier said in a statement. As the matters are the subject of on-going investigations by Victoria Police and Racing Victoria we are not at liberty at this time to disclose the identities of the persons arrested nor the details of the investigations. Darren Weir and Michelle Payne celebrate their Melbourne Cup win in 2015. (Image: PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images) Racing Victoria is committed to maintaining the highest integrity standards in our sport and, where appropriate, we will continue to work with Victoria Police on those investigations. Weir is one of Australias best-known horse trainers and was behind the 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance. Hes Australias most prolific and successful trainer. Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said the investigation showed authorities were enforcing rules without fear or favour. As minister for racing and a racing lover, Im committed to maintaining the integrity of our sport and any allegations of breaches are extremely disappointing, he said in a statement. Story continues Darren Weir with the 2017 Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup trophies. (Fiona Hamilton /Racing Photos via Getty Images) A snapshot of Darren Weirs career: * Born in Berriwillock in the Mallee district of country Victoria. * Left school at 15 to begin work as a horse-breaker, trackrider and farrier gaining experience with Jack Coffey in Birchip, John Castleman in Mildura and Lindsay Park at Angaston in South Australia. * In 1995 he took out an owner-trainer licence and was at Stawell before taking out a full licence in 1997 and moving to his base at Ballarat racecourse in Miners Rest in 2001. He now has training bases at Ballarat, Warrnambool and Baringhup. * In 2005 won his first Victorian country trainers premiership before becoming first country-based trainer to win the Melbourne trainers premiership in 2013-14, the first of five successive titles. * In season 2016-17 became first to train more than 400 Australian winners, winning 449 races, surpassing that in 2017-18 with 491 victories for prize money of more than $31 million. * This season has trained 265 winners, 92 more than second-placed Chris Waller, earning almost $19 million prize money. * Has trained 36 Group One winners, the first being Shes Archie in the 2002 South Australian Oaks. * Won the 2015 Melbourne Cup with Prince Of Penzance, ridden by Michelle Payne. A former Israeli military chief vowed Tuesday to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while taking care not to alienate right-wing voters ahead of an April election. Benny Gantz promised a conservative diplomatic and security policy, pledging to keep the strategic Jordan Valley area of the occupied West Bank under Israeli rule, along with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and east Jerusalem. He also promised to keep up a tough stance on Iran and its military presence in Syria, which borders Israel. "In the harsh and violent Middle East surrounding us, only the strong win," he told several hundred supporters in Tel Aviv. He answered critics who have said that he was likely to take a job in Netanyahu's next government if he could not beat him at the polling booth. "Four years after completing my service as commander in chief, I am asking for your confidence so that I may lead Israel," he said. His new party, Israel Resilience, could emerge as the second largest in parliament in the April 9 general election, according to polls taken since its launch in December. On Tuesday, Gantz announced an alliance with another former chief of staff and ex-defence minister, Moshe Yaalon, bringing him on to the podium at the end of his speech. Neither revealed details of the new partnership. Yaalon served as Netanyahu's defence minister from 2013 to 2016, but has since become a critic of the premier. He has also unveiled his own party, Telem. - 'Zero tolerance' of graft - Generals are revered in Israel, though many who cross into political life after their military service discover that their army experience does not prepare them for the challenges of civilian decision-making. Gantz, widely respected as army chief, has kept his cards close to his chest and made few public comments since December. Opinion polls predict Netanyahu's Likud party will win the April election, but the veteran premier faces potential corruption charges that could cost Likud valuable seats. Gantz made several references to the cases against Netanyahu in his speech, pledging "zero tolerance for corruption" if he wins the election. "I thank the prime minister for his 10 years of service," Gantz said. "We shall carry on from here." Commentators had been predicting that in the event of a Netanyahu victory, the centrist Gantz might join a coalition led by the man who has been premier since 2009 -- including from 2011-2015, when Gantz was chief of staff. A poll last week said Gantz's Israel Resilience could win 15 seats out of the Knesset's 120, with Netanyahu's Likud remaining the largest faction with its 31 lawmakers. - 'No more right or left' - Gantz has committed to amending a contentious law defining Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, in order to accommodate its Druze minority. That prompted Netanyahu to call him a "leftist". Gantz has also been the target of a campaign from the harder right of the Israeli political spectrum. Naftali Bennett of the newly founded Hayamin Hehadash used a recording from 2015 in which Gantz said he "risked Israeli soldiers" to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians, in a bid to dub the general as part of the "weak left". Apart from messages on social media promising "something different" for Israel and a song pledging "no more right or left", Gantz had hitherto revealed little beyond his military credentials. He has boasted in videos of the number of Palestinian militants killed and targets destroyed under his command in the 2014 war with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers. In another video, Gantz stressed the need to strive for Arab-Israeli peace. Former Israeli chief of staff Benny Gantz attends an electoral rally in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2019 Benny Gantz with supporters in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2019 Benny Gantz (C) stands alongside his electoral ally, former defence minister Moshe Yaalon (C-L), in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2019 Leading Zimbabwean activist and pastor Evan Mawarire was freed on bail Tuesday after being detained for 13 days following violent anti-government protests. "I?m persuaded in the case... that the interest of justice will be served by the admission of the applicant to bail," Judge Tawanda Chitapi told the courthouse in Harare. Nationwide demonstrations erupted two weeks ago after President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that fuel prices were being doubled in a country suffering regular shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. At least 12 people died in the ensuing crackdown in which security forces said they arrested more than 1,100 individuals, including leading trade unionists and opposition Movement for Democratic Change lawmakers and senior figures. Mawarire was arrested on subversion charges at his home on January 16. He faced charges of incitement to commit violence for posting videos on social media supporting the national strike called by trade unions. The outspoken pastor was granted bail on condition that he surrenders his passport and reports to a police station three times a week. The prosecution had opposed Mawarire's bail application, claiming he was likely to abscond. After Tuesday's ruling, lawyers said he should be released Wednesday from Chikurubi maximum security prison on the outskirts of Harare. The pastor became a prominent voice during protests of 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 former President Robert Mugabe, ousted in November 2017 after a military takeover. Zimbabwean pastor and activist Evan Mawarire was arrested on January 16 on charges of incitement to violence over his support for a national strike over soaring petrol prices Cabinet agrees to Nepali Congress demand; to bring two hospitals under federal government The government has decided to address the demand of main opposition Nepali Congress to keep the two hospitals established in the name of two former Prime Ministers and Nepali Congress leaders under federal governments jurisdiction. Many times you might have found the multiple casinos available in the online market but when you are going to... Kosovo's leader has told US President Donald Trump he is "ready and willing to make compromises" to end a long-running diplomatic row with Serbia, according to a letter made public Tuesday. The letter was in response to Trump's call last month for the former war foes to strike a deal to end their dispute, saying his government was ready to assist. Trump's outreach came as long-running EU-led talks between Kosovo and Serbia, which refuses to recognise its former province's independence, have stalled in recent months. In the letter dated January 8, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci assured Trump he would be "ready and willing to make compromises necessary to reach a comprehensive and balanced settlement that will encompass all outstanding issues...with Serbia". Kosovo, which is home to an ethnic-Albanian majority, broke away from Serbia in a bloody 1998-99 guerilla war and declared independence a decade later, with strong backing from Washington. But Belgrade has never accepted the split and has waged a diplomatic campaign to undermine Kosovo's legitimacy and shut it out of organisations like the United Nations. In his letter to Trump, Thaci said he agreed a deal was "now within reach." - Domestic opposition - Thaci has also battled strong domestic opposition to his approach to the talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic. Critics have lambasted the president's calls for making "border corrections" with Serbia as part of a deal. Though the plan has never been spelled out concretely, local media and analysts assume the "land swap" would see Kosovo's Serb-dominated northern region traded for a mainly ethnic-Albanian section of Serbia. Kosovo's Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who takes a hard-line approach towards relations with Serbia, has been one of the leading critics of the proposal. He refuses to lift a 100 percent tariff his government slapped on Serbian goods last year unless Belgrade shows a willingness to recognise Kosovo. On Tuesday Haradinaj said he would not back down from a list of demands he wants met before lifting the tariff -- ranging from ruling out border changes with Serbia to granting Kosovo citizens visa-free travel in the EU. "If one of the conditions that I have issued ruins (my relations) with someone, no worries" the tough-talking premier told media, despite repeated EU and US calls to lift the tariff. But parliament speaker Kadri Veseli, who chairs Thaci's ruling party PDK, on Tuesday also urged a freeze of the tariff. If the premier's party breaks from PDK's ruling coalition, it would lose its majority and risk facing early elections. Kosovo in December passed laws to build an army, asserting its statehood in a US-backed move that further increased tensions with Serbia, which said the decision had crossed the line. Kosovo has been guarded by NATO-led peacekeeping troops since it broke away from Belgrade in its separatist war before declaring independence in 2008. Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci has written to President Donald Trump to express a willingness to compromise in a dispute with Serbia Police in Honduras fired tear gas at hundreds of student protesters who blocked a major road in the capital Tegucigalpa as they called for the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who just finished the first year of his second term. "Get out, JOH," shouted the students, who threw rocks and burned tires to block the road in front of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, in the eastern part of Tegucigalpa. Many of the protesters had their faces concealed behind masks or scarves. The tear gas fired by anti-riot police forced the students to retreat onto the campus, while they threw stones. No injuries were immediately reported. The demonstrations in violence-wracked Honduras came one day after opposition leftists took to the streets, answering a protest call by ex-president Manuel Zelaya to urge the conservative Hernandez to step down. Sunday's protests brought thousands into the streets across the country. Police also used tear gas in some instances to clear the protest areas. Hernandez began his second term on January 27, 2018 after being re-elected in a November 2017 vote decried as fraudulent by the Zelaya-led opposition alliance. Riot police fire tear gas at Honduran students demanding the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Tegucigalpa Foreign ministers from around the world will meet next week in Washington to coordinate the fight against the Islamic State movement after President Donald Trump's controversial decision to pull out of Syria, the State Department said Tuesday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will host a day of meetings on February 6 of the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which the United States assembled in 2014 as the extremists seized vast stretches of Syria and Iraq. "The United States is determined to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in Syria and Iraq after the withdrawal of US forces from Syria takes place, and remains committed to working with the Global Coalition to continue to destroy ISIS remnants and thwart its global ambitions," the State Department said in a statement. "As ISIS is defeated on the battlefield, the coalition will continue its stabilization efforts to facilitate the safe and voluntary return home of those who have been displaced by the violence." Trump, a longstanding skeptic on US foreign involvements, said in December that he was withdrawing the 2,000-strong US force from Syria and declared the defeat of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS or IS. Aides have since walked back the timeline but said that the pullout will happen. The US envoy instrumental in building the coalition, Brett McGurk, resigned in protest over Trump's decision and voiced fears for Syria's future. European nations, which have faced a wave of attacks by sympathizers of the extremist ideology, have voiced concern about Trump's orders, which came just as the movement had lost nearly all of its land in Syria. Turkey has been the most supportive of the US withdrawal and has threatened to smash Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State movement, although the Trump administration has warned Ankara against an attack. The coalition last met at the level of ministers in July in Brussels. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will host a day of meetings on February 6, 2019 of the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS The father of a baby born to a 12-year-old girl in Perth is aged 14, police have confirmed. It was revealed last week that the young girl had given birth at home before presenting to the Peel Health Campus, telling staff she did not know she was pregnant. She was then transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital with her healthy baby by ambulance. A spokeswoman for The Department of Communities said police were working closely with the families. Police have confirmed the father of a baby born to a 12-year-old girl is aged 14. Source: File image/Getty 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, she said. Parents could face charges WA Police said they were still looking into whether charges would be laid against either of the parents. They could be charged for engaging in sexual activity because they are under the age of consent, which is 16. Western Australias Health Department statistics show there have been a dozen registered births to 12-year-old girls since 1980. The department says the teenage birth rate has dropped from 1.2 per cent in 1980 to 0.3 per cent in 2017. Alaa Hilal was out shopping in Cairo when she was attacked by a stray dog in broad daylight -- an increasing problem of daily life in Egypt which is stirring debate. "I got out of my car and saw an exceptionally large street dog," the 38-year-old housewife told AFP at her home, northeast of Cairo. "He approached me and bit me without barking or doing anything else," said Hilal, adding that she had been injured in the thigh. An overpopulated mega-city of more than 20 million people, Cairo is already plagued by monster traffic jams, widespread waste problems and rampant pollution. Packs of stray dogs are only adding to the city's challenges. Complaints about dog attacks, exposure to rabies and in some cases even deaths over the years have triggered calls for the animals to be brought under control. - Hounds unleashed - Commonly referred to as "baladi dogs", strays are widely viewed as unsanitary and dirty. They are typically seen running around the streets and scavenging garbage for food. According to the agriculture ministry, there were around 400,000 cases of dog bites in 2017, up from 300,000 in 2014. And 231 people died over the past four years from the wounds they received, mainly as a result of rabies. A bite from a dog carrying the rabies virus can be fatal within 24 hours as it damages the human?s nervous system, said Shehab Abdel-Hamid, the head of Egypt?s society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA). Hilal, who had never feared dogs having had several pets when growing up, was rushed to a nearby hospital only to discover that she was the ninth person to be bitten by the same dog. "Due to the trauma caused by this incident, I became worried and I no longer want to be in the same place with them," she said. There are no official data on the numbers of stray dogs, but activists say they are running loose in their millions. A survey by the SPCA showed that the number of stray dogs ?may reach up to more than 15 million?, Abdel-Hamid said. And though street dogs appear to fear the most crowded areas, they can be loud and aggressive in poorly lit and rubbish-strewn suburbs. In November, a video widely circulated on social media showed a car hitting a teenager who was being chased by two stray dogs. "Garbage is the main reason behind the stray dogs' crisis in Egypt," said Abdel-Hamid, highlighting how the problem was exacerbated when the rubbish men stopped working during the 2011 uprising. - Government mauled - The SPCA, however, lacks resources. Its headquarters in downtown Cairo was looted during the uprising and has not been renovated since, Abdel-Hamid added. And Egyptian authorities say they can only intervene on a case by case basis. "We do not go around the streets looking for dogs to kill them," said the agriculture ministry spokesman Hamed Abdel-Dayem. "We only take measures following complaints." He didn't specify what measures are taken to bring the stray dog population under control. But animal rights advocates often lambast the government, accusing it of mass culls. In 2017, authorities killed more than 17,000 stray dogs following multiple complaints of dog "disturbances" and "biting" in Beni Sueif, south of Cairo, according to an August report by the governorate's veterinary directorate. The Red Sea governor even offered a 100 Egyptian pounds ($5.58) award to those who capture and hand over at least five strays. Animal rights defenders also accuse the government of killing dogs using a drug, known as "strychnine", a chemical substance listed as "unacceptable on animal welfare grounds" for euthanasia by the World Organisation for Animal Health. But Abdel-Dayem denied that the government imported banned substances. ?Is it logical that we (the ministry) allow internationally prohibited substances to enter the country?? he told AFP when asked about the strychnine claim. - 'Shelter of Hope' - Animal rights advocates have sought to offer solutions, actively removing dogs from the streets and giving them homes. Ahmed al-Shorbagi, 35, opened two dog shelters in a desert area west of Cairo, near the famed Giza pyramids. The buildings with sheer concrete walls have kept more than 250 dogs safe for the past three years. Shorbagi contributes 40 percent to the funding of the shelters while the rest comes from donations. "At first I followed the animal rescue pages on Facebook," Shorbagi told AFP, rubbing one dog's belly as she wagged her tail in joy. "I saved a dog that I called 'Hope' and when I opened the shelter, I named it after her." Shorbagi believes the solution lies in dog sterilisation programmes, providing rabies vaccinations and removing the garbage. "Instead of the government paying millions of dollars to import poison, it should consider sterilisation," he said. "We, as associations, proposed to the ministry of agriculture to solve the problem but it refused." The ministry's spokesman denied however refusing to cooperate with private entities and hailed their work to help resolve the crisis. Packs of stray dogs are increasingly adding to Cairo's urban woes Complaints about dog attacks and exposure to rabies have triggered calls for the animals to be brought under control Animal rights advocates have tried to offer solutions, actively removing dogs from the streets and giving them homes, such as the Hope shelter west of Cairo A survey by Egypt?s society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) showed that the number of stray dogs may be "more than 15 million", its head Shehab Abdel-Hamid said Rubbish is the main reason behind the stray dogs crisis, according to Shehab Abdel-Hamid, the head of Egypt?s society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) Ahmed al-Shorbagi,(pictured), who has opened two dog shelters, says the solution lies in dog sterilisation programmes, providing rabies vaccinations and removing the garbage The United States last year slid down the rankings of a global corruption index as America's system of checks and balances faced growing threats on Donald Trump's watch, Transparency International said Tuesday. The US lost four points to score 71 out of 100 on the watchdog's 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, sending the country tumbling out of the top 20 for the first time since 2011. "The low score comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balances as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power," TI said in its annual report. The second year of Trump's presidency was a turbulent one, ranging from damaging revelations in an investigation probing links between Trump's 2016 campaign team and Russia, to his controversial backing for a Supreme Court nominee accused of sexual assault. The US leader, who frequently rails against the media for writing "fake news", was also dogged by accusations of nepotism and conflicts of interest. Last month, Trump agreed to close his personal charity after the New York attorney general said it had acted "as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump's business and political interests". Transparency International's closely-watched index ranks 180 nations according to their perceived level of public sector corruption, where a score of zero means very corrupt and 100 signifies very clean. "The Trump presidency has illuminated the cracks in the US system for ensuring a government that is accountable to the public interest," TI's Zoe Reiter, acting representative to the US, told AFP. "But President Trump is a symptom rather than a cause; the issues were there before he took office. For example, the Office of Government Ethics simply doesn't have the teeth to control for conflicts of interest at the highest levels," she said. - Rise of autocrats - As in previous years, New Zealand and Nordic countries were among the best in class with Denmark narrowly beating New Zealand to the top spot at 88 and 87 points respectively. Strife-torn Somalia was once again the worst performer, below Yemen, South Sudan and Syria which all scored in the low teens. The Berlin-based watchdog also singled out Turkey and Hungary for falling down the rankings, blaming "the deterioration of rule of law and democratic institutions, as well as a rapidly shrinking space for civil society and independent media". "With many democratic institutions under threat across the globe ?- often by leaders with authoritarian or populist tendencies -? we need to do more to strengthen checks and balances and protect citizens' rights," TI's managing director Patricia Moreira said. As part of its recommendations, the group urged governments to stand up for a free press and support civil society organisations that encourage public oversight over government spending. The index is compiled based on data from 12 international organisations including the World Bank, African Development Bank and the World Economic Forum. The second year of Trump's presidency was a turbulent one, ranging from damaging revelations in an investigation probing links between Trump's 2016 campaign team and Russia, to his controversial backing for a Supreme Court nominee accused of sexual assault Strife-torn Somalia was once again the worst performer, below Yemen, South Sudan and Syria which all scored in the low teens A Canadian landscaper on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the murders of eight men with links to Toronto's gay community and the mutilation of their bodies, most of them chopped up and hidden inside planters. The plea entered by Bruce McArthur, 67, was a surprise -- he had been scheduled to stand trial next year. He now faces the likelihood of life in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled to start on February 4, when family and friends of the victims will have an opportunity to describe how the killings affected their lives. The case shocked all of Canada, and especially the gay community. It sparked a massive investigation in Toronto, the country's largest city, at dozens of properties where McArthur had worked. "Bruce McArthur has pled guilty," Homicide Detective David Dickinson told reporters outside the courtroom. "It's the right outcome." "Unfortunately, we can never bring these men back. But I'm hoping we can start bringing closure to the families and the communities," he said, describing the "long and traumatic process" to bring McArthur to justice. McArthur was arrested in January 2018. Body parts of seven of the victims were found hidden inside large planters that McArthur stored at a client's home in midtown Toronto. The remains of an eighth victim were later discovered in a ravine behind the property. The victims in the case were McArthur's former lover, two Afghan immigrants, two refugees from Sri Lanka and another from Iran, a Turkish national, and a homeless sex worker. All went missing from 2010 to 2017. Karen Fraser -- the owner of the home where McArthur stored his planters, and who had casually met two of the victims -- said she is "haunted" by the case. "Terrible things were done," she said. "To me, he's evil." - 'A monster' - Prosecutor Michael Cantlon described to the court how McArthur had "staged" the corpses of his victims and photographed them, according to local reports. He also kept mementos such as jewelry and a notebook. The murders were "sexual in nature," according to an agreed statement of facts. The court document said police uncovered a duffle bag containing duct tape, a surgical glove, rope, zip ties, a bungee cord, and syringes -- evidence pointing to some of the victims being tied up, confined and sexually assaulted prior to their deaths. Authorities also located a calendar belonging to McArthur's boyfriend which had the entry "Bruce" on the day in June 2017 that he went missing, as well as video surveillance footage of the victim getting into McArthur's van, where a murder weapon was also found. Few other details of the crimes were revealed in court documents. "We will never get all the answers... unless (McArthur) decides to give us that information," commented Haran Vijayanath of the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention. In a statement, Toronto mayor John Tory called McArthur "a monster who preyed on the city." - Pattern of violence - McArthur first came under suspicion in September 2017 in connection with the disappearance of his lover Andrew Kinsman, but police at first rejected suggestions that a serial killer was prowling Toronto's Gay Village neighborhood. Last January, police made a quick decision to enter McArthur's apartment and arrest him when they saw a young man enter his home. They found the man tied up on a bed, but unharmed. McArthur had not acknowledged his sexual orientation until he was in his 40s. He suddenly left his wife and two children and moved to Toronto in 1997, where he became well known within the gay community. A psychiatric assessment after his first run-in with the law in 2001 said he likely harbored "underlying resentments" but concluded that he was not dangerous. McArthur was convicted of beating a male prostitute with a metal pipe but did not serve prison time. He was later granted a pardon, wiping the conviction from the official record until Canadian media went to court to have the documents unsealed. Detective Sergeant Hank Idsinga, the lead investigator, has said the forensic probe into the killings was Toronto's largest ever -- excavations or searches were carried out at more than 75 properties in the Toronto area. Police also looked at 15 cold cases dating back to 1975 for possible links to the accused, but Idsinga has said he does not believe more victims will be uncovered. Many, including investigators, expressed relief that the case would not go to trial, sparing family and friends of the victims from having to hear the gruesome details of McArthur's crimes. The investigation, however, will continue into the foreseeable future, said Dickinson. A Toronto Police Command Vehicle sits in July 2018 in front of a home where investigators have discovered human remains in connection with Bruce McArthur, who has pleaded guilty to eight murders Toronto Police Officers investigate the discovery of human remains in connection to serial killer Bruce McArthur in a ravine behind a home on Mallory Crescent in Toronto Body parts of seven of the victims were found hidden inside large planters that McArthur stored at a client's home in midtown Toronto; the remains of an eighth victim were later discovered in a ravine behind the property US National Security Advisor John Bolton was photographed Monday holding a notepad that included the handwritten line: "5,000 troops to Colombia." Bolton spoke to White House reporters while holding the yellow notepad and discussing the crisis in Venezuela, where the US now recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president. It was not until after the briefing that observers spotted the black scrawl. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official said "we are not seeing anything that would support" a potential troop deployment to Colombia, which neighbors Venezuela. The Pentagon referred a query back to the White House. During the briefing, Bolton would not rule out use of US troops in Venezuela. "The president has made it clear on this matter that all options are on the table," he said. The US military's Southern Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bolton's notepad also had the line: "Afghanistan -- welcome the talks" -- a reference to a potential breakthrough in discussions with the Taliban. National Security Advisor John Bolton takes part in a briefing at the White House The UK House of Commons will this evening vote on a series of amendments to Theresa May's Brexit plan. MPs will vote on amendments designed to delay Brexit, rule out no-deal and ask the EU for major legal changes to the prime minister's deal. The prime minister has promised to re-open negotiations on her Brexit deal. Her spokesman says the controversial Northern Ireland backstop must be re-written. Labour announces it will support Yvette Cooper's amendment on extending negotiations. Voting is expected to begin at 19:00 GMT. LONDON - Theresa May has promised to re-open negotiations with the European Union on her Brexit deal ahead of a series of crunch House of Commons votes on what the prime minister should do next. A spokesperson for the prime minister said on Tuesday that May wanted to re-write the backstop for Northern Ireland. However, the EU has repeatedly ruled out renegotiating the legally-binding Withdrawal Agreement. MPs will vote on amendments that could have huge ramifications, including delaying the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, or forcing the prime minister to ask Brussels for major changes to the Brexit deal. Meanwhile, behind the scenes MPs from all sides of the Brexit divide are working on alternatives to May's deal after it was rejected by a record-breaking House of Commons majority earlier this month. Voting on the amendments is set to get underway at 19:00 with results expected later in the evening. Scroll down for the latest developments. All times are in GMT. 14:21: PM refuses to rule out delaying Brexit In response to intense repeated questioning from Labour MP Yvette Cooper, Theresa May refuses to rule out extending Article 50 if MPs instruct her to so. Cooper - whose amendment lays the foundations for MPs to instruct the UK government to extend the Article 50 period by up to nine months - asks the prime minister to confirm that she would request an extension to Article 50 if the House of Commons voted for it. Story continues May refused to rule out extending Article 50 three times. Remember, the UK is scheduled to leave the EU on March 29. 13:58: Bercow chooses key amendments for Commons vote House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has just announced that he has chosen 7 amendments for MPs to vote on this evening. They are the amendments tabled by: 1) Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn 2) SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford 3) Conservative MP Dominic Grieve 4) Labour MP Yvette Cooper. 5) Labour MP Rachel Reeves. 6) Conservative MP Caroline Spelman. 7) Conservative MP Graham Brady. What does this all mean? Well, in selecting the amendments tabled by Cooper and Brady, Bercow has chosen perhaps the two most talked-about amendments to May's deal. Cooper's would lay the foundations for the prime minister to delay Brexit by requesting an extension to the Article 50 period. The UK is set to leave the EU on March 29 but under Cooper's amendment, the UK could be in the EU for up to nine months after that date. The Labour Party supports the amendment on the basis that extension is shorter than nine months. Brady's amendment, on the other hand, calls on the government to replace the controversial Brexit measure for Northern Ireland with alternative arrangements. May supports the amendment has said she will go back to Brussels and ask for legal changes to the Withdrawal Agreement if the amendment passes on Tuesday evening. Here's a more in-depth explainer on what those amendments mean. 12:32: May aiming for second Brexit vote by February 13 The prime minister is aiming to secure a new deal with the EU by February 13. If that hasn't happened, she will table an amendable motion in the Commons - like the vote today - which will allow MPs to vote on other ways forward. 12:28 PM: May will call EU leaders to ask for concessions today May will call EU leaders today to discuss her demands. "There is a very clear message from EU leaders that they want to leave with a deal [...] The deal was rejected by 230 votes, in which case if the deal is to pass there will have to be changes," said her spokesperson. 12:27: May told Cabinet she wants to re-open Withdrawal Agreement to make backstop 'temporary' The prime minister told ministers at this morning's Cabinet meeting that she is backing Brady amendment, a spokesman said. That means re-opening the Withdrawal Agreement to ensure " "that the backstop is only temporary," a Downing Street spokesperson told Business Insider. "If we are going to win the support of the house there have to be changes," said the official. Will May back the latest plan, known as the Malthouse compromise? Downing Street did not confirm or deny rumours that she would, but the spokesperson said: "We welcome that MPs are coming together to discuss the way forward." 11.14 AM: DUP backing Malthouse amendment The DUP is backing the Malthouse amendment and is urging the prime minister to do the same. The party's leader Arlene Foster said in a statement: "The DUP parliamentary group met this morning and discussed the 'Malthouse' alternative proposals for the draft withdrawal agreement." "The DUP has given its endorsement to the plan. We believe it can unify a number of strands in the Brexit debate including the views of remainers and leavers. It also gives a feasible alternative to the backstop proposed by the European Union which would split the United Kingdom or keep the entire United Kingdom in the customs union and single market." 10:25: Theresa May to open debate There has been what could be a significant change of plan. Having originally been set to close the debate prior to voting this evening, Theresa May will open the debate, the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg reports. This could mean she has a new development to share with MPs. Earlier today, Kuenssberg's BBC colleague Norman Smith said that May could say she plans to re-open negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement. The EU has repeatedly said this is not an option. 10:07: Explained the amendments set for tonight Business Insider's Tom Colson explains what the amendments put forward by MPs would actually mean for Brexit. Here's a snippet of his explanation of Yvette Cooper's amendment: The UK is currently set to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, whether it has secured an exit deal or not. May has also insisted that the UK will leave by that date with or without a deal. However, an amendment brought by Labour MP Yvette Cooper is designed to prevent this. Cooper's amendment would allow parliamentary time for a bill - also tabled by Cooper - which would allow MPs to vote on delaying Brexit if parliament has not approved a deal by the last week of February. If passed, the bill would be legally binding on May's government. However, it would not automatically require the government to seek an Article 50 extension. Instead, it would give the government until February 26 to secure a deal which is accepted by parliament. 10:00: Pro-Remain Conservatives lambast the Malthouse Brexit plan The Conservative party's strongly pro-EU backbench MPs are deeply unimpressed by the "Malthouse Compromise" plan. One MP tells Business Insider it is a "mirage" and "smoke and mirrors" because the EU will never agree to re-open the Withdrawal Agreement. They added that calls for the UK to leave the EU without a deal are "nonsense" because: "A managed no-deal is like saying a managed pile-up on the motorway. It's still something you'd rather avoid." They also said they were "very surprised" to see avid Remainers MPs Nicky Morgan and Stephen Backing put their names to the plan. "The so-called compromise is nothing of the sort. It's a sell out. People should see it for what it is," they said. 09:52: Here's the Malthouse Compromise plan And here is the "Malthouse Compromise" document that was leaked to journalists including Business Insider's Adam Payne on Monday evening... 09:31: What's the "Malthouse Compromise" everyone is talking about? Late on Monday evening news broke of a Brexit plan secretly drawn up by Conservative MPs from rival wings of the party. Dubbed the "Malthouse Plan" in tribute to one of its designers, Kit Malthouse MP, it is backed by arch Brexiteers Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker as well as Remain-voting MPs like minister Stephen Hammond and Nicky Morgan. But what is it? Take a deep breath... The plan is in two stages. The first - plan A - calls on UK and EU negotiators to scrap the current backstop measure for avoiding a hard Irish border and replace it with other arrangements like those described by hard Brexiteers in a report called A Better Deal published in December. The report makes the disputed claim that the current backstop - in which the UK would remain in a customs union with the EU while Northern Ireland would effectively stay in the single market - is not necessary because there is technology that can ensure that the Irish border remains frictionless. However, the EU has been clear that neither the backstop or anything else in the Withdrawal Agreement can be negotiated. So, onto part B... If part A fails, then the UK government should pursue what the Malthouse plan describes as a "basic transition agreement." Under this arrangement, the UK would leave the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement on March 29 but there would be a transition period up to no later than December 2021 to give both the UK and EU time to prepare for trading with each other on basic World Trade Organisation rules. Both sides would also uphold commitments on citizens rights, financial commitments and other areas of the Withdrawal Agreement. It's basically bits of the Withdrawal Agreement that the UK is happy with - without the official Without Agreement. Pro-Brexit MPs seem to really like it. One member of the European Research Group told Business Insider: "[It] shows how various factions of Tory Party despite strongly held opposing views going the extra mile to find equitable solution which could get through Commons. I welcome this initiative and hope it gains traction today. Malthouse has played a blinder." However, the EU is almost certainly to hate it. After all, it does contradict things that the EU has said publicly numerous times. Quoting a source in Brussels, ITV's Robert Peston tweets: "Zero chance. Have just discussed over here. Viewed as both extraordinarily funny and tragic." As of yet we haven't had official word from Downing Street on the idea. That will probably come when May's spokespeople update journalists later this morning. 09:04: Why Theresa May is facing a Brexiteer mutiny entirely of her own making There were farcical scenes in parliament last night after Theresa May addressed colleagues at the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, and the prime minister found herself facing a mutiny entirely of her own making. The 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs meets regularly but it is at its fullest and rowdiest on occasions like last night where the prime minister attends to address colleagues. The main topic of discussion was a series of amendments that MPs have tabled to the prime minister's Brexit motion this evening which will allow MPs to vote on alternative outcomes for Brexit. One amendment, tabled 1922 Committee Chairman Graham Brady - who voted against the prime minister's deal - calls on the government to replace the Irish backstop measure in the Withdrawal Agreement. That idea is popular with many Tory MPs who fervently oppose the backstop. But the EU has repeatedly made clear that it would never consider removing the backstop from the Brexit deal, and many moderate MPs consider the amendment an indulgent fantasy. Arriving at the 1922, Jacob Rees-Mogg announced that he and his colleagues in the hardline European Research Group of MPs were in "no mood to support" the Brady amendment amid fears it was too vague. But Theresa May then told MPs in the 1922 that she would be whipping MPs to support the amendment. One Tory MP told Business Insider that she said she wanted to demonstrate that she had a "serious chance" of "demonstrating" to Brussels that the backstop wouldn't be included as part of the withdrawal agreement. When arch-Brexiteer Boris Johnson challenged the prime minister on how the vaguely worded Brady amendment would help May secure substantive change on the backstop, she told him: "We won't know unless you support it, Boris!" to loud cheers. But the prime minister refused to discuss the actual substance of her proposals in any more detail, according to MPs in the room. Negotiators in the EU believe that May is reluctant to discuss alternative proposals because they don't exist, and point out that the backstop was shaped by UK negotiators in the first place. It sets up a very bizarre situation: The government is planning to whip Tory MPs to vote for a rebel amendment to its own motion tomorrow. But Brexiteer MPs plan to vote against the amendment, which means the government's plan to make MPs vote for a rebel amendment to its own motion is likely to fail. Emerging from the meeting said: "I would hope the ERG, when they look at this and actually look through the detail of what this gives the PM tomorrow, see it is about giving a message to Europe about what can go through Parliament in terms of dealing with the backstop issue and why that matters." First things first: House of Commons John Bercow may not even select the amendment. If it is selected, the ERG will be heavily pressured to support it. Whether they crack will be an interesting test. If it is successful, Theresa May appears to think she will have an ace in her hand when she travels to Brussels, proving to them that there is a Commons majority for a deal without the backstop. In reality, the EU - frustrated by a complete lack of alternative suggestions to the backstop - is likely to offer her plan a resounding rejection. "We're not going to reopen the Agreement," said the EU's deputy chief Brexit negotiator in Brussels yesterday. "The result of the negotiation has been very much shaped by the UK negotiators, much more than they actually get credit for." "This is a bit like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory." 08:40: Another historic day awaits Good morning from Westminster! What will today bring for Theresa May? Later tonight MPs will vote on amendments which if passed would basically re-write her Brexit plan. Remember: This is happening after MPs voted down the prime minister's deal earlier this month by a record-breaking margin of 230 votes. We won't know which amendments will be voted until House of Commons Speaker John Bercow chooses them at around lunchtime today. However, it is widely expected that Bercow will select the plan put forward by Labour MP Yvette Cooper and Tory Nick Boles to delay Brexit if there is no approved deal by the end of February, and the government-backed amendment put forward by Conservative Brexiteer Graham Brady to replace the controversial backstop for Northern Ireland with another set of arrangements. With 11 hours or so to go until these votes take place, many MPs are yet to decide how they will vote. They could be crucial in what are shaping up to really close votes. YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan Pashinyan received Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn on January 29. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the sides highly assessed the major progress recorded in Armenia-EU relations in the recent months. The interlocutors discussed Armenia-EU multilayered agenda in detail, emphasizing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a key legal base regulating bilateral relations. In this context Zohrab Mnatsakanyan noted that the CEPA is an important tool for fostering the development agenda of the Armenian Government, emphasizing the strengthening of democratic institutions of the country. The Armenian FM and the EU Commissioner assessed the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership initiative a good opportunity for summing up the achievements of the initiative and outline future activities. During the meeting the sides exchanged views on a number of pressing international and regional issues, a special attention was paid to the situation in Syria and the recent developments over Iran. FM Mnatsakanyan presented to Johannes Hahn the recent developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, the approaches and position of Armenia on NK conflict settlement. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister of Armenia Davit Tonoyan received on January 29 the delegation led by General Director of "Kalashnikov" Concern Andrei Baryshnikov. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, greeting the guests, Minister Tonoyan highlighted the cooperation of Armenian military industrial companies with Kalashnikov Concern and expressed readiness to support all the initiatives aimed at the joint military production. Congratulating on Army Day and thanking for the invitation to participate in the official reception dedicated to the 27tha anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian army, Baryshnikov presented to the Armenian Defense Minister the implementation process of the initiatives with Armenian partners in the sidelines of CSTO cooperation. Particularly, the General Director of "Kalashnikov" Concern informed that final details of the production of new assault rifles have already been clarified. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Ararat Mirzoyan has held a meeting today with UKs Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth, the parliaments press service said. The Speaker highly appreciated the current level of relations between the two countries, attaching importance to the ambassadors role in the issue. Speaking about further deepening and developing the Armenian-UK ties, Mirzoyan namely emphasized the active cooperation between parliamentary friendship groups, as well as mutual visits. The Speaker expressed conviction that all grounds for effective cooperation between delegations of the two countries exist in international parliamentary arenas. The UK ambassador congratulated Mirzoyan on being elected Speaker and attached importance to the free, fair and transparent elections in Armenia. Farnworth noted that the UK has great experience in parliamentary administration and can assist Armenia in developing supervision mechanisms and strengthening democracy. Speaking about the projects aimed at developing institutional capacities of the parliament, the ambassador expressed readiness for active cooperation. Addressing parliamentary diplomacy, the UK ambassador highlighted boosting of partnership between friendship groups and strengthening cooperation in multilateral formats. The sides also touched upon opportunities for bilateral cooperation within the framework of the more expanded European family, as well as the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Armenia and the European Union. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, 29 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 29 january, USD exchange rate up by 0.79 drams to 486.54 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 6.39 drams to 556.65 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.34 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 5.21 drams to 640.43 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 321.21 drams to 20369.04 drams. Silver price up by 6.41 drams to 245.35 drams. Platinum price up by 270.48 drams to 12686.17 drams. YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. The 7th parliament doesnt have a true opposition, according to Republican Party spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov. The Republican Party (HHK), the former ruling party, failed to be elected to parliament in the 2018 December 9 elections. Today we dont have a real opposition in parliament. We have a constitutional opposition, which wants it or not is an opposition. I dont whatsoever have the goal to shadow neither Prosperous Armenia nor Lusavor Hayastan factions. However, the leader of one of these parties is actively defending Pashinyans policy during these 8-9 months, while the other is taking water to the revolution, Sharmazanov, a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament said. Sharmazanov argues that neither of the two opposition parties have criticized Pashinyans policy since the change of government. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. The European Union will provide Armenia additional financial aid for special achievements in democracy and the rule of law in 2018, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn said during a joint news conference with Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in Yerevan. We have a special budgetary line that is dedicated to special achievements in the rule of law and democracy. I am announcing that this year there will be additional assistance as en encouragement for last years development. The positive mood that has developed in the country is very important. Today, people are more than interested to come to Armenia and make investments. We discussed the opportunity of organizing an investment forum that will familiarize European investors with the existing situation in Armenia, the EU commissioner said. FM Mnatsakanyan said they discussed various issues as part of the Armenia-EU cooperation during a tet-a-tet conversation with Hahn. Weve had pretty interesting and comprehensive discussions with the commissioner. The commissioner already had the chance to meet the prime minister, the president, we had a very practical discussion at the presence of deputy PM Mher Grigoryan. During our discussion we once again emphasized the importance that we attach to bilateral relations. The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement remains the main legal basis of our relations. We discussed a number of projects during the implementation of which we can use the tools given by the deal, the minister said. Hahn added that several directions where the EU can assist Armenia are under discussion. There is a solid system at the foundation of our entire cooperation. Today, we are at the stage of implementation of 300 million euro worth of projects, with another 100 million worth of projects underway. We are working with the government in order to outline the sectors of future cooperation. We recently signed a package that concerns the development of the educational area. It is a 23 million euro project. We have already had big contribution in education, and we will do it in the future also, Commissioner Hahn said. The EU commissioner also congratulated FM Mnatsakanyan and PM Pashinyan on the December 9, 2018 early election of parliament, noting that it was unique in Armenian history. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Completing the March 1 investigation is a principled matter for Armenia, PM Nikol Pashinyan said during an interview with Russias RBK TV when asked whether the March 1 case is a matter of principle for him. This case is principled for Armenia, not for me. You know, when 10 citizens get killed, it cant just pass like that. We must understand what happened. When its about human lives, there should not be limitations during the investigations of these cases, even years later, he said. The March 1 case is an ongoing investigation into the 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan, when clashes between protesters and security forces left ten people dead (8 civilians and 2 police officers). Former President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who was the outgoing president at that time, is currently arrested and charged with overthrowing constitutional order within the ongoing probe. Former defense minister Michael Harutyunyan is also charged and currently wanted. Yuri Khachaturov, an army general who served as commander of the Yerevan garrison in 2008, is also charged in the case. Khachaturov was the CSTO Secretary General when the charges were pressed, and he was soon ousted by the organization. He was released on a 5 million dram bail. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic has published the report of her visit to Armenia carried out in September 2018, the Council of Europe reported. The report focuses on womens rights, gender equality and domestic violence; the human rights of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups; and accountability for past human rights violations. Finding that women in Armenia remain significantly underrepresented in public decision-making, the Commissioner urges the authorities to ensure womens full and effective participation, as well as equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of public life, equal pay and equal access to the labour market. In order to counter the persisting discriminatory gender stereotypes, Commissioner Mijatovic recommends raising public awareness and promoting gender equality, especially through education. To build on the considerable improvements to Armenias legislation against domestic violence, the Commissioner recommends ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, while ensuring that the new national legislation is effectively applied in practice. Specifically, she urges the authorities to increase the availability of places in shelters for victims of domestic violence, and to ensure access to education for children staying in such shelters. Another focus area of the report is the human rights of persons with disabilities, children, older persons and LGBTI people. While welcoming the authorities clear commitment towards de-institutionalisation of persons with disabilities, the Commissioner recommends that revised legislation governing state support to persons with disabilities ensure their inclusion in all decision-making processes that concern them. In particular, she calls on the authorities to put an end to plenary guardianship for persons with psycho-social disabilities and to move from a substituted to a supported decision-making model for all persons who may require such support. The Commissioner encourages the government to achieve its aim to make all education fully inclusive by 2025, and recommends that special attention be paid to ensuring inclusive education at the pre-school level and to pursuing de-institutionalisation equally for children with and without disabilities. She also recommends that Armenia solidify its commitment to international standards in this area, by accepting additional provisions of the Revised European Social Charter, and by ratifying instruments allowing for individual and collective complaints. The Commissioner welcomes the recent appointment of a well-known disability rights activist as Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, and encourages the government to take further action to raise public awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities. Commissioner Mijatovic recommends that Armenia strengthen its efforts to combat child poverty and to guarantee the right of all children to an adequate standard of living. She is particularly concerned by the placement in state care of children whose parents face socio-economic difficulties. She encourages the authorities to expand their efforts to allocate resources for parents resuming care over their children, while promoting foster care - including for children with disabilities - when this is in the childs best interest. The Commissioner also recommends that Armenia improve its legislation protecting all children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, in particular by ratifying the Council of Europe Lanzarote Convention. To address the inadequate level of social protection of older persons in Armenia, the Commissioner recommends raising the overall level of old age pensions, increasing the availability of primary and specialised health care at the home or in the community, and tackling the shortage of medical professionals specialised in geriatric services. The Commissioner further recommends that the authorities promptly adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination law which should specifically include a clear reference to sexual orientation and gender identity. She calls on the authorities to take prompt and resolute action against all instances of violence, hate speech and hate crime targeting LGBTI persons in Armenia. Such incidents must be firmly condemned and investigated, and those responsible prosecuted. She also urges parliamentarians to unequivocally reject any legislative proposals that may infringe on the rights of LGBTI persons or stoke anti-LGBTI sentiments. Lastly, Commissioner Mijatovic welcomes the steps taken to finally establish the truth and prosecute those responsible for the deaths that occurred during the violent events of March 2008. At the same time, she stresses the importance of ensuring that this process is conducted in a careful manner and in strict adherence to the principles of rule of law, judicial independence, transparency and guarantees of fair trial, in order to dispel any accusations of alleged revenge politics or selective justice. She also calls on the Armenian authorities to protect the presumption of innocence of any person charged with criminal misconduct and to avoid using polarising, stigmatising or inflammatory language in their public discourse, which the Commissioner believes to be an obstacle to building a cohesive society and healing past divisions, the CoE said in a press release. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian has held a meeting on January 29 with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn, Sarkissians Office said. During the meeting the Armenian president highly appreciated the EUs support to the democratic processes in Armenia and expressed conviction that the visit will have positive significance for further expansion of cooperation. I believe it will be very useful today to speak more about the future and not the past, the president said. Each day, today, tomorrow, eventually becomes the past, and if we dont work painstakingly for making it better, we will waste the most valuable that mankind has time. In turn, Johannes Hahn said that they give great significance to the EU-Armenia relations and that they have come to listen to what projects exist and to understand how they can assist. The president suggested drawing special attention to the future projects aimed at the development of 21st-century technologies, emphasizing that it isnt only IT, but also the utilization of artificial intelligence in different sectors. Noting that his desire is for Armenia to be a modern and dynamic country, President Sarkissian said: Whatever it is that we will do in any sector must be qualitative. And it is here where we expect our partners support and close cooperation with them. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. PM Nikol Pashinyan has said that the proposed structural changes in the Armenian government are aimed at increasing the efficiency of public administration. It is clear that the current structure isnt quite effective in terms of functioning, he said in an interview with the Russian RBK TV. Clear procedures are important for investments. These issues are closely interrelated. The more ministries exist the more procedures are required, and many obstacles emerge for businesses, the PM said. He reaffirmed that the number of ministries in the Armenian government will be reduced. We hope that with this the unnecessary and useless quantity of procedures will be reduced and the procedures that the state requires and that are truly useful will remain, he said. Proposed changes in the structure of the government envisage having 12 ministries instead of the current 17. Several ministries are planned to be merged, while some existing ones will be downgraded to departments under other ministries. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government has reached an agreement with Gazprom Armenia that the gas tariff for consumers of Armenia will not be increased in 2019, PM Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with the Russian RBK TV. We will continue discussions during this year in order to reach an agreement in the gas price issue, Pashinyan said. Asked on the possibility of the tariff being increased a year later, Pashinyan said: And why do you think that way? I hope that on the contrary it will drop. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenia, by assuming the presidency at the EEU (Eurasian Economic Union) bodies, is planning to work actively, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with the Russian RBK TV. Presidency at the EEU supreme bodies enables to work more actively in the organization and to attempt to boost the general work. This is exactly what we are set to do. I have already talked about priorities, but I would like to emphasize that I find the elimination of obstacles that exist at the EEU to be the main [one]. It has been calculated and presented that 80 obstacles exist in the Eurasian Union territory, concerning a number of sectors. Here I must note that in addition to de jure obstacles there are also de facto obstacles. Our main goal will be eliminating some part of them. If we succeed [to do so] in entirety, then it will be very good, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. French law enforcement agencies have arrested five suspected accomplices of Sherif Shekatt, the gunman who killed five people and injured 14 more during the 2018 December 11 Strasbourg shooting, AFP reported. Shekatt was later eliminated during a special operation. According to AFP, the suspects have been arrested in Alsace. Authorities believe they were the ones who supplied the shooter with firearms. All of them are from one family. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. The Court of Appeals upheld the First Instance Courts decision on refusing to arrest former Secretary of Security Council Armen Gevorgyan, a former deputy PM. The court has also rejected the defenses appellate complaint, Gevorgyan himself told reporters outside the courtroom. On December 14, 2018, a Yerevan court denied the prosecutions request to issue an arrest warrant for Gevorgyan, who is indicted on charges of complicity to overthrow constitutional order, bribery and money laundering. The decision was appealed by the prosecution. Gevorgyan himself issued a partial appeals for the decision, requesting to affirm absence of reasonable suspicion. Gevorgyan served as Secretary of the Security Council, Deputy PM and Minister of Territorial Administration and Development for several times in the Sargsyan administration. He was deputy PM most recently in May, 2018, during Sargsyans final days as the countrys leader. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. An appeals court is expected to start the hearing over former President Robert Kocharyans arrest case at 12:00 today, according to Kocharyans attorneys. The court will hear Kocharyans complaint over a lower courts earlier decision on extending the arrest for another two-months customary jail term and rejecting the former presidents bail request. nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, who ruled the country from 1998 to 2008, spent two weeks in jail in summer of 2018, but was eventually freed. But on December 7, a higher court overruled the release and ordered him to be remanded into custody pending trial again. At the time the court announced the verdict, Kocharyan turned himself in to authorities. Kocharyan is charged for overthrowing constitutional order during the 2008 post-election unrest, when clashes between security forces and protesters left 10 people dead, including two police officers, during his final days as president. He vehemently denies wrongdoing. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenian healthcare minister Arsen Torosyan held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Valery Malashkoy during a working visit to Belarus. During the meeting, Malashkoy presented the countrys achievements in the healthcare sector, possible directions for cooperation between Armenia and Belarus in areas such as oncology, organ transplantation, diagnostics and treatment with new generation high tech devices, dentistry, pharmaceuticals and others, the healthcare ministry said. The sides discussed possibilities of Belaruss legal and expert assistance in the transplantation area. At the same time, the sides considered the issue of organizing treatment of Armenian citizens in Belarus taking into consideration an agreement signed as part of the CIS. Torosyan and his delegation also visited the Republican Scientific Center of Oncology of Belarus, the Hematology and Immunology Scientific-Research Center and viewed the achievements of the facilities. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) Foundation expands horizons to mobilize investments for implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Armenia. On 25 January at UN Headquarters in New York the IDeA Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations held a joint event, entitled Ideas for Impact: Mobilizing Investment for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), IDeA said in a press release. The event, attended by representatives of the UN Member States, the UN system, leading philanthropists and impact investors, civil society, diaspora organizations representatives, explored the ways and opportunities to accelerate solutions and innovations contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. The 17 SDGs summarize the ambitious agenda set by the United Nations Member States to transform the world by 2030. The panel discussion opened with welcome remarks by Mher Margaryan, the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations, followed by Inga Rhonda King, President of ECOSOC. In his opening remarks, Mher Margaryan, the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations highlighted the added value of partnerships for sustainable development the very idea behind the 2030 agenda and Goal 17, which calls for enhanced synergies for inclusive and collaborative action by the government, the civil society, the private sector in supporting sustainable development efforts. "We are determined to continue to work hand in hand with all partners who are committed to ideas for impact, and, in this context, I would like to thank the IDeA Foundation for commitment and dedication to the UN global goals and the projects implemented in support of the SDGs". The discussion focused on the role IDeA Foundation can play as a development partner joining efforts with other stakeholders to accelerate and scale up business solutions/innovations contributing to the achievement of SDGs in Armenia, and the role of diaspora in creating effective development cooperation. In this regard, now on the board of Armenias UNDP-supported National SDG Innovation Lab, IDeA is working with Armenians from all walks of life from local communities to the Armenian diaspora to strengthen the countrys economy and living standards while preserving its culture and ancestral traditions. Learning by doing, bringing in platforms of different partners, such as IDeA Foundation, scaling up solutions and bringing in blended financing are key factors to increase success in development in the 21st century, said Paolo Galli, Senior Regional Adviser at UNDPs Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia. In his keynote speech board member of IDeA Foundation, co-founder of Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Noubar Afeyan touched upon the importance of engaging the Armenian diaspora in the implementation SDGs and spoke about the role of IDeA Foundation in that process. IDeAs thoughtful and holistic approach combines economic, social and cultural advantages to address ambitious goals for advancing the prosperity and strengthening the identity of the global Armenian nation. We are fortunate to have at its helm a committed group of leaders from the Armenian diaspora, who bring a diverse collection of talents and expertise, Noubar Afeyan mentioned. At the core of IDeAs development model is an anchor project that represents a substantial investment and that makes a significant leap in sustainable long-term impact for the Armenian world. IDeA makes its long-term impact on people; lives are changed, enriched, and empowered by the projects that it launches. Ultimately, the most accurate measurements of prosperity and identity are ones that assess our contribution to the human condition, Ruben Vardanyan, philanthropist, social entrepreneur, co-founder of IDeA Foundation and Aurora Humanitarian Initiative said. He noted that IDeA stands ready to complement the work and existing responsibilities of the government and civil society organizations, the UN and other development partners. IDeA foundation has already directed over $585 million of blended finance to development, implementing sustainable projects which have large scale socio-economic impact on Armenias advancement. As an example of IDeAs successful project, Tatev Revival program key achievements were presented during the event. Back in 2008, IDeA launched the Tatev Revival Program to demonstrate a powerful combination of traditional philanthropy, impact investment, as well as social investment to develop local communities. YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Armenias entry for Eurovision 2019 Srbuk will deliver her first performance on May 16 during the second semi-final, results of the draw from Israel, Tel-Aviv showed. The song, however, is not yet chosen as the Public TV of Armenia has received nearly 300 submissions for consideration. Srbuk (born Srbuhi Sargsyan) said that her team needs a bit time to make a final choice of the song. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. Syria and Iran have signed 11 agreements on multi-lateral cooperation, including a long-term strategic economic partnership deal, SANA reports. The deals were inked on January 28 during Irans First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiris visit to Damascus. After the signing, the sides noted that this became a signal for the whole world that the Syrian-Iranian cooperation is reality. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. A minor fire broke out at a government headquarters in Yerevan early Tuesday morning, authorities said. Firefighters responded to a smoke and fire call at 07:44, January 29 at the 4th floor of the 3rd main building of the government offices. The fire broke out in one of the reception offices and caused minor material damages. No injuries have been reported. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan 17:02 | Ayacucho (Ayacucho region), Jan. 29. "Let's take the example of Ayacucho to the entire country, which is a message of unity ," the top official expressed. Likewise, he indicated Ayacucho's message of unity is essential to fight and defeat the scourge of corruption , plus to reduce poverty across the national territory. This joint work will enable the true combat against chronic child malnutrition and anemia , as well as solving the lack of basic services. El gobierno del Peru expresa sus mas sentidas condolencias al gobierno y pueblo de Cuba por la perdida de vidas humanas y numerosos heridos ocasionados por un tornado que han afectado a diversos municipios de La Habana y el oeste del pais. ?https://t.co/Yh2e1KQKV3 pic.twitter.com/8kmoiXiE3p Presidente @MartinVizcarraC: Estamos trabajando con su gobernador regional y tenemos claro el rumbo que debe seguir #Ayacucho. Hoy, se suman los alcaldes, empresarios, artistas y ciudadanos, todos juntos con un solo objetivo: lograr el desarrollo de su pueblo. pic.twitter.com/xJmsDIWQPH A group blog to promote discussion, debate and insight into the history, particularly religious, of America's founding. Any observations, questions, or comments relating to the blog's theme are welcomed. Woburn, MA (01801) Today Lots of sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Mostly cloudy. Hot. High 93F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 78F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Simon Russell Beale plays William Shakespeares Richard II, broadcast live from the stage of the Almeida Theatre in London to cinemas. Simon Russell Beale plays William Shakespeares Richard II, broadcast live from the stage of the Almeida Theatre in London to cinemas. This visceral new production about the limits of power will be directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, whose previous plays include Little Revolution at the Almeida and Absolute Hell at the National Theatre. Richard II, King of England, is irresponsible, foolish and vain. His weak leadership sends his kingdom into disarray and his court into uproar. Seeing no other option but to seize power, the ambitious Bolingbroke challenges the throne and the kings divine right to rule. Simon Russell Beale returns to National Theatre Live screens following broadcasts of Timon of Athens and King Lear, and his recent role in the National Theatres critically acclaimed production of The Lehman Trilogy. A 51 year old woman who likes cats more than people Go out and make a name for yourself When an out-of-fashion biographer runs out of words and her agent ignores her as much as her creditors dont, Lee Israel finds that other peoples words are a more lucrative and enjoyable way to earn a crust.Melissa McCarthy plays the unconventional character in Can You Ever Forgive Me? , a light-fingered alcoholic who lives alone with her beloved cat. While researching for her next manuscript, she discovers an original typed letter from a celebrity tucked into a library book. When she is disappointed to discover that it is too boring to be collectable, she types on an outrageous postscript to boost its value and soon she finds herself using her study of literary characters to knock up fake memorabilia on a suite of old manual typewriters in order to pay her bills.She meets Jack Hock (Richard E Grant) in a bar and the disgraced grifter is slowly woven into her world of fabrication and fraud. Superficially friendly, the chemistry between these pair of oddballs never totally turns into trust, but they usefully prop each other up and offer often-madcap opportunities to escape the daily grind.McCarthy is beautifully morose, snapping out biting insults to all those around her in a way that communicates the quick wit and intelligence of her character. We feel Israels discomfort around people who (did) care for her (all except her landlord whom she treats with uncharacteristic generosity). As the authors despondency intensifies and it becomes obvious just how many aspects of her life are out-of-control, McCarthy builds a persona that attracts audience empathy and downplays her criminal side.Grant wallows in his own web of lies about his living quarters and health. He brings an otherworldliness and an alternative desperation to the fusty world of old books Israel lives in. He carries the flamboyant costumes with ease, and Grants demeanour portrays a frail humanity as we watch Hocks health failing (hes HIV positive).Nate Hellers jazz score gently animates the prolonged character study while Brandon Trosts cinematography rather obviously and frequently pulls focus across a scene to steer the viewers eye from character to character in shots that tend to be longer than modern cinema usually enjoys. Stylistically, the film adopts a brown and beige colour palette like the old books that line the shelves of the disreputable dealers who accept Israels supply of fabricated memorabilia.Im often a critic of on-screen crimes being portrayed as victim-less . In this story, it is implied (particularly in the final scene) that the dealers are knowing accessories in the fencing of less-than-authentic items which are bought by those rich enough not to care.The titular quote from Dorothy L Sayers asks a question. We know that Lee Israel remained proud of her fictional writing it was truly some of her best creative work. Audiences will find it hard not to have sympathy with her position, particularly when the story is as well constructed and executed as Nicole Holofceners script and Marielle Hellers direction.Theres hardly been a film this year that isnt derivative of a memoir, biography or history book. When it is realised to cinemas in a couple of weeks time, I half expect The LEGO Movie 2 to flash up based on a true story at the start! Can You Ever Forgive Me? is based on Lee Israels self-penned confessional Death and disappointment are themes that run through much of the dialogue in the film. While the literary world has more than its fair share of penniless writers, the feeling of depression about not achieving your dreams is common to much of western society. Israels sense of failure extends from her words to relationships, and McCarthy shows this inner turmoil as she repels an attracted bookseller and is rebuffed by her worn down ex-girlfriend. Can You Ever Forgive Me is a great piece of evocative storytelling with rich performances from the two central actors. In Movie House cinemas from 1 February and the Queens Film Theatre from 15 February The prison, which he was taken to, would be known in two weeks Ukrainian political prisoner Panov Krym.Realii January 29, Ukrainian political prisoner Yevhen Panov was taken to Omsk after a four-months prisoner transport, as the Crimean Human Rights Group reported on Facebook referring to his mother Vira Kotelyanets. Panovs brother Igor Kotelyanets specified that the political prisoner was in remand prison. In two weeks it would be reported in which prison he was taken. In August 2016, The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation claimed to have detained Ukrainian saboteurs in Crimea. Russia says that Ukrainian diversionary group planned terrorist acts in the occupied Crimea, and Yevhen Panov, born in 1977, residing in Zaporizhia region, the officer of the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, was allegedly the leader of the group. Later, Russian authorities released a video with Panovs confession; however, Ukrainian human rights defenders stated that the video showed the signs of testifying under duress. Related video: The population of Ukraine can reduce by 18% by 2050 Open source The population of Ukraine might reduce by 18% by 2050 and reach number mark of 36 million people as 112 Ukraine reported citing UN. One of the key factors of leaving the country is labor migration. The number of the Ukrainians, who left a country in search of a job, is counted by ukrainianpeopleleaks.com. It states that about million people have left Ukraine since March 2018. According to Head of Bleyzer Foundation in Ukraine Oleg Ustenko, the process of migration will lead to the negative consequences in the social spheres. If people emigrate it means that less tax collected to the state budget and it means the potential extra pressure on the budget situation. It means that it will be harder and harder in the future to pay pensions. It means that it will be harder and harder to fulfill the medical programs. And it will be extremely hard to finance science and education, Ustenko said. The experts note that other factors, except the high remuneration, encourage Ukrainians to migrate. Particularly, the striving for the development and feeling safe abroad. Earlier we reported that the Ukrainian labor migrants have sent to Ukraine 600 million euro from the Czech Republic. Besides, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Joel Lion stated that 10% of the Ukrainian tourists, who come to Israel, are the illegal migrants. Ukraine will file the application for the entering to the EU in 2024, as 112 Ukraine reported citing President Poroshenko during his speech at From Kruty to Brussels forum. 2023 is the beginning of the procedure of the entering to the European Union, the signing of the actions plans on the membership of Ukraine in NATO. They dictate us the interests of our state, the advertising block of the forum said. In his turn, Poroshenko reported that Ukraine will the application for the entering to the EU in 2024. A lot of people did not believe that the Association Agreement would be signed and ratified. A lot of people did not believe that we would win great diplomatic fight against Russia for its ratification. I want to remind the steps of Russia, beginning with the referendum in the Netherlands and ending with the attempts to block it in the European Parliament. The agreement works. In 2024 we will file the application for the entering to the EU and I do not doubt that we will get and begin to fulfill the actions plan on the membership in NATO, the president said. Earlier Poroshenko stated that Ukraine clearly and purposefully goes to membership in the European Union and NATO. The Parliament sent the bill on amendments to the Constitution concerning the EU, NATO integration plan with 321 votes on September 20, 2018. According to the bill, the President of Ukraine is the guarantor of the implementation of strategic course of the state towards Ukraines full membership in the EU and NATO. In its turn, the Cabinet of Ministers provides the implementation of the strategic course of the state towards Ukraines full membership in the EU and NATO. Later Ukraines Constitutional Court provided a conclusion to the presidential bill on amending the Constitution of the State concerning the integration of the country in the European Union and NATO. The Director of the U.S. National Intelligence Agency Dan Coats said this at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence U.S. National Intelligence Agency Dan Coats at hearing of U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence on Jan. 29, 2019 US Senate on Intelligence Russia can try to use cyber attacks to influence the presidential election in Ukraine, said Dan Coats, director of the National Intelligence Agency on Tuesday, as it is broadcasted on the website of the U.S. Senate Select Intelligence Committee. "We expect that Russia will use cyber-technologies in order to influence the upcoming presidential elections in Ukraine," he said at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Intelligence. As it was reported earlier, U.S. Ambassador reveals American attitude to Ukraines presidential elections. The U.S does not support separate candidate, it supports the entire Ukrainian nation, as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovich said during her speech at the Ukrainian leadership academy. Poroshenko emphasized that Russia wants to seize whole Ukraine, not just Donbas or Crimea Ukraine is proposed to write down wishes of Putin to the notebook or get on knees in from of Russia or any other pose; however, we need to remember: Russia came not to take Donbas but the whole country. Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, made such statement during From Kruty to Brussels forum as 112 Ukraine reported. I follow carefully different offers and sometimes people say such things Like we are playing with iron soldiers instead of defending the country in the war, having the second largest army in the world. They offer to write down wishes of Putin to the notebook and take the notebook to the referendum; they offer to get on knees in front of Putin or any other pose Poroshenko said. He emphasized: The enemy came not to take Donbas or Crimea but the whole Ukraine. Earlier Petro Poroshenko criticized the populist promises to end the Donbas war. Besides, Petro Poroshenko stated that Ukraine is urged to find a compromise with the aggressor, but peace is possible only under Russian conditions. And the questions of sovereignty, territorial integrity cannot be the subject of the compromise. Andriy Kobolev does not refuse from the bonus in the amount of $7,9 million he received for winning the Stockholm Arbitration lawsuit against Gazprom Andriy Kobolev, Naftogaz-Ukraine CEO Naftogaz Andriy Kobolev, Naftogaz-Ukraine CEO, stated that he refused from salary and benefits, as he wrote on his Facebook page. All the income Kobolev received from Naftogaz since February till the end of 2019 would be spent on charity. The means will be sent to three organizations by equal parts to the one which supports the families of the deceased soldiers, another one which supports the army and the third one which helps children diagnosed with cancer. I have chosen these organizations because I trust them. I am convinced that the money will be spent transparently and for good, yet I reserve a right to change the list of the organizations and the amount of the allocated means. The percent of the income remains unchangeable 100%, he wrote. Kobolev explained that his salary and benefits are being discussed on a political level, and many politicians started to use it as a tool to discredit the reforms and to approve their ratings. In 2018, the Ukrainian labor migrants transferred $686 million to Ukraine. Open source 120,000 Ukrainians are working in the Czech Republic legally, as Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said at the joint press conference with his Czech colleague Tomas Petricek, Unian reported. The Head of the Czech diplomacy said: Over 100,000 Ukrainians live in the Czech Republic. Including 3,100 Ukrainian students, who are studying at the universities. Klimkin added that 120,000 Ukrainians work in the Czech Republic legally. As it was reported, 1,000 illegal migrants from Ukraine annually come to Israel. Earlier, the Czech statistics department informed that in 2018, the Ukrainian labor migrants transferred $686 million to Ukraine. January 31, MFA head Anders Samuelsen would have an informal meeting with his EU colleagues in Bucharest. They would discuss the Ukrainian issue Anders Samuelsen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Open source The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Anders Samuelsen urged the EU to impose sanctions against Russia for confrontation in the Azov Sea and illegal detention of the Ukrainian sailors, as said in his statement. I think that the EU has to react to Russias aggressive behavior. If Russia does not want to release the sailors, I will take the lead on impositions of new sanctions of the EU, he stated. The Minister would insist on an enhanced reaction of the EU in response to Russias attack and detention of the Ukrainian vessels and sailors near Kerch Strait. January 29, a joint trip of the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Denmark will be held. The diplomats will visit Hnutove checkpoint and Mariupol port. Besides, a group of the EU officials is to visit Ukraines regions adjacent to Azov Sea. January 31 Anders Samuelsen will have an informal meeting with his EU colleagues in Bucharest. They will discuss the Ukrainian issue. Besides, Ukraine is officially included in the agenda of the coming meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers, which is scheduled for February 18. It was initiated by Denmark, whose Foreign Minister will raise the issue of imposition of sanctions if Russia does not release the Ukrainian sailors. This week the EU will issue an official diplomatic protest note due to the fact that Russia continues keeping 24 Ukrainian sailors in custody. Related video: The U.S does not support a separate candidate, it supports the entire Ukrainian nation Marie Yovanovitch, the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Open source The U.S does not support a separate candidate, it supports the entire Ukrainian nation, as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch said during her speech at the Ukrainian leadership academy, Voice of America reports. "We support the Ukrainian nation. Out goals are our priorities," she said. She stressed that "democratic Ukraine with a thriving economy is a strong partner for the U.S." "The only option Russia offers is kleptocracy. It wants to divide Ukraine in exchange for peace, to use the control over the energy resources as a tool to isolate the country, to manipulate you and keep with a system based on corruption. You know what this system is: golden toilets and depressions of those who stand against power abuse. You have refused this system, and you have a chance to confirm your choice again," the Ambassador said. Central Election Commission of Ukraine closed all polling station in Russia, particularly, Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk. Meet the registered candidates running for president in Ukraine. The election campaign has officially started on December 31, 2018. Registration of the candidates would last until February 4, 2019, and on February 9, the final list of presidential candidates will appear. The candidates would be able to withdraw his candidacy until March 7, 2019. Open source The international anti-corruption Transparency International organization published the results of Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 in which Ukraine occupied 120th place out of 180 countries as Interfax-Ukraine reported. Ukraine improved its indexes. Its results 32 points and 120th place out of 180 countries. Thus, Ukraine got 2 points and raised for 10 places (the result in 2017 was 30 points and 130th place). Such a result does not correspond to the strivings for rapid Euro-integration, reforms to fight corruption. If the situation with corruption in Ukraine continues to change in such a pace, then we will need decades to catch up Poland. The authority must and the civil society is ready for a long time to double efforts on this way, Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine Andry Borovyk said. Transparency International Ukraine notes partial fulfillment of organizations recommendations on the creation of Anti-corruption court of the in 2018. Ukraine has adopted the proper legislation; however, the full-fledged launch of Supreme Anti-Corruption court is postponed for 2019. The majority of the recommendations was ignored by the government. Thus, it is obvious, that the progress of previous years is provided mostly by the reforms started in 2014. However, one of the most important factor, which hampers anti-corruption progress, is lack of political will. Earlier President Petro Poroshenko stated that the creation of the Supreme Anti-corruption Court of Ukraine will finish in February 2019. The Court will inform the society about any sort of follow-ups The European Court for Human Rights returned to consideration of cases of Oleg Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko in the priority order. Pavlo Chikov, the head of Agora, the international human rights protection group reported that via Telegram channel on January 29. 'The previously made decision on putting Sentsov and Kolchenko's case on hold until the consideration of the interstate appeal of Ukraine against Russia was canceled. The case is now on the priority row again, and the court will report on any further progress of this case', he wrote. Chikov also wrote that the delay in consideration does not concern the Crimea-related cases. Oleg Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko were detained by the Russian special services in the annexed Crimea in May 2014. They were charged with preparing terrorist acts on the peninsula. In summer 2015, Kolchenko was sentenced to 10 years in the high-security penal colony; Sentsov got 20 years. Both detainees deny any guilt. The Ukrainian government demands to release Sentsov and Kolchenko claiming them political prisoners. Ukraine has warned Facebook for years about alleged Moscow-backed disinformation campaigns on its platform, including "fake news" to foment distrust in its pro-Western government and to promote support of Moscow's annexation of Crimea and backing of separatists in the countrys east Open source The social-media giant Facebook has announced that it will prohibit electoral ads bought outside Ukraine from appearing there in the run-up to the country's presidential election this spring. The move is part of the social network's global response to the outcry over false or misleading stories disseminated via its 2 billion users, and is certain to be welcomed by officials in Kyiv. Ukraine has warned Facebook for years about alleged Moscow-backed disinformation campaigns on its platform, including "fake news" to foment distrust in its pro-Western government and to promote support of Moscow's annexation of Crimea and backing of separatists in the countrys east. Facebook made the announcement in a January 28 post outlining its efforts to protect elections this year in India, Israel, Nigeria, and Ukraine. It said the measures would be introduced globally before the end of June. Ukrainians will vote for a president in the first of two possible rounds on March 31, with a field of more than two dozen candidates likely to challenge President Petro Poroshenko, who has not officially announced his candidacy. "Protecting the integrity of elections while making sure people can have a voice is a top priority for Facebook," Anika Geisel, from Facebook's public-policy department focused on Europe, wrote of the new policy in a post on protecting European Parliamentary elections that was also published on January 28. Searchable Library As part of the new measure, advertisers will need to be authorized to purchase political ads, and the company will give people additional information about advertisements related to politics and issues. It will create a publicly searchable library of advertisements for up to seven years that will include information on the range of each advertisement's budget, its reach, and demographics of those who viewed the advertisement, including age, gender, and location. It is unclear when the new measure will come into force in Ukraine, which has been targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns via traditional media outlets and social media, especially on Facebook. The government in Kyiv has for years complained of account takedowns and "fake news" as part of what Poroshenko calls "hybrid aggression against our nation." Dmitro Zolotukhin, Ukraine's deputy minister of information policy, told RFE/RL that he met with Facebook officials in Kyiv last week to discuss the new advertising measures and that he was pleased with them. "I have underlined that we have monitored malicious activity on [Facebook]. We think that it's highly possible that [the] Kremlin is the source of this hostile activity," he said. "We are welcoming positive steps of [Facebook] in this area." Western intelligence agencies and disinformation experts have blamed their Russian counterparts for alleged cybermeddling in the U.K. Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential election in 2016, as well as in a French presidential election and national elections in Germany. Those efforts have purportedly included phishing scams, hacks or attempted hacks, and social-media components such as deploying fictitious individuals and organizations to fuel divisive debates. Cautious Welcome Experts have welcomed Facebook's most recent move but cautioned that it is unlikely to completely stamp out Russian disinformation. "Introducing regulations around political advertising is a good first step in fighting election-related disinformation, but especially in a country like Ukraine, which for years has been Russia's laboratory for testing and honing disinformation tactics, it is not nearly enough," Nina Jankowicz, a global fellow at the Washington-based Wilson Center's Kennan Institute focused on Russian disinformation, told RFE/RL. However, she warned, "these advertising rules can be quite easily circumvented, especially in a country like Ukraine which has many ties with Russia." "It would be easy for a layman, let alone a member of the Russian security services, to exploit the loopholes in the geographic requirements and still purchase ads," Jankowicz added. The new Facebook measure comes after the company announced earlier this month that it had removed hundreds of pages, groups, and accounts on its Facebook and Instagram platforms that it found were part of two online disinformation operations targeting users across the former Soviet space. "The two operations we found originated in Russia, and one was active in a variety of countries while the other was specific to Ukraine," Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, said in a statement on January 17. Facebook found employees of Russia's state-run Sputnik information agency to be "linked" to 364 pages and accounts used in one of the operations. Read the original text here. The foreign officials insisted that Russia release detained Ukrainian sailors; if it refuses to do so, the EU will implement new sanctions Three foreign ministers at Hnutove checkpoint, January 2019 Joint Forces Operation Facebook Pavlo Klimkin, Anders Samuelsen and Tomas Petricek, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Denmark and the Czech Republic visited the entry-exit checkpoint in Hnutove, Donetsk region. The press service of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry reported that on Tuesday evening. The officials inspected the checkpoint that lies on the division line in the combat area in eastern Ukraine. They also arrived in the Mariupol seaport and then took a ride on a boat of Ukraine's Maritime Guard of the Border Guard Service. The Czech and Danish officials expressed their support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; they judged Russia's actions and urged Moscow to release the arrested Ukrainian sailors who were captured in the attack on Ukrainian naval ships in the Kerch Strait. In case the Kremlin refuses to set the seamen free, the EU will introduce new sanctions against Russia, the diplomats claimed. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry announced that the issues of the possible introduction of restrictive measures against Russia would be discussed during the session of the EU Council for Foreign Affairs. It is slated for February 18. Ukrainian official emphasized that the general points of the plan of OSCE envoy are acceptable Peaceful plan on Donbas proposed by OSCE Special Representative of Chairman to Ukraine and Trilateral Contact Group Martin Sajdik is acceptable; however, it leaves issues as 112 Ukraine reported citing Georgy Tuka, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Temporarily Occupied Territories. Words of Sajdik are just general points, and it is hard to argue them; I would like to note that I find them acceptable. But, at the same time, according to our bitter experience, the devil is always in details, and we do not know the details, at least our ministry did not get the detailed plan, he said. I am interested, how the demilitarization of the illegally armed formations is provided? What are the terms, ways of withdrawal of the foreign troops from Donbas? What is meant under amnesty? There are so many questions, Tuka emphasized. On January 28, Martin Sajdik provided new plan of the peaceful settlement of Donbas Conflict. The close cooperation of the UN and OSCE under the unified leadership, the creation of Agency on Reconstruction, temporarily administration and amnesty entered the list of the plant. Earlier Sajdik said that the OSCE did not come out with a proposal to send a joint OSCE and UN mission to Donbas. Besides, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated that a lot of people promise to establish peace in Ukraine. But these are the populist promises. These trips of American officials took place against the background of growing tensions and contradictions in the Middle East after the decision of the US President Donald Trump to withdraw the American troops from Syria and the controversy in relations between Arab countries. Disunity and misunderstanding are growing between the countries of the region, and Trump's Middle East policy is worrying the key allies. Iran and Russia are seeking to oust US influence from the Middle East, playing on the contradictions of the Arab countries. Bolton and Pompeo tried to work on the mistakes that Trump made recently, smooth out the sharp corners of the contradictions of their allies and at the same time test the ground for returning to negotiations on the creation of a military-political Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), also known as "Arab NATO" in contrast to the growing influence of Iran and Russia in the region. A blow to the image of the United States in the Middle East After Trumps decision to withdraw 2,000 US troops from Syrian Kurdistan, some secular regimes expressed concern. According to the Israeli Channel 10, Netanyahu to the last tried to convince Trump to change his mind, and the withdrawal of the American military from Syria is spittle in the face of Israel, depriving the Middle Eastern ally of the subject for bargaining with Russia, which has influence on Iran. The Politico on condition of anonymity published the opinion of an Israeli official who admits that Iran can see a signal to action in the departure of Americans from Syria and this will lead to confrontation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of General Staff Gadi Eizenkot still flaunt. In their opinion, regardless of whether American troops are stationed in Syria or not, they will continue to conduct military operations against Iranian troops in Syria in order not to allow them to create bases. The Israeli Air Force conducted over 200 air strikes against Iranian military facilities in Syria. Trumps argument on Twitter that for Americans it dont make sense to participate in the fight against ISIS for Russia, Iran and, as he put it, other locals, and its time to concentrate on the development of their country might seem offensive to Arab countries participating in the military operation against ISIS. In addition to the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia took part in military actions against ISIS in Syria. Everything looks as if the Americans, who organized the antiterrorist coalition, have decided to shift all the responsibility onto the shoulders of their partners, without leading the issue to the end. Although 90% of the territory of Syria was cleaned of ISIS, 14,000 militants are still active, scattering throughout the country and posing a threat. Trump withdrew from the restoration of the Syrian Kurdistan territory, saying that Saudi Arabia will allocate money for construction work. Despite the fact that Riyadh it is not against such a prospect, it will not be easy to restore this part of the country, since hostilities can be resumed there. The withdrawal of the United States from Syria may adversely affect their image among the Middle Eastern secular regimes, which cooperate with the United States in the military-political sphere and count on assistance in the event of a threat to their sovereignty. If the Americans refuse to guarantee the security of their allies - Kurds, who played a key role in defeating ISIS during ground operations, then anything can be expected from the Trump administration. Arab countries can block a plan for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which is being developed by one of the advisers to the American president and then by Jared Kushner. Back in September, the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, said that he did not know what this plan was about, but if he suggests a step aside from the concept of "two states", the creation of a Palestinian-Jordanian federation or autonomy for the Palestinians, then it is a waste of time. The situation in Syria has become a kind of loyalty test to the Middle Eastern allies, which Trump failed. Work on Trump's mistakes Pompeo and Bolton visited the Middle East to clarify the US position on the withdrawal of American troops from Syria. They tried to state the future policy of the United States in Syria differently, to make the faceting of Trump's clumsy statements. It is worth noting that they waited for a pause and flew to the countries of the Middle East when the passions around Trump's statement subsided a bit. Apparently, during this time they, together with the American president, have worked out a new strategy for strengthening ties with the countries of the region. Extremely direct and tough statements during the trips, which were made by Pompeo and Bolton, were replicated by the mass media. Bolton took the mission to dispel the stereotype that the United States allegedly "surrendered" the Kurds and "are retreating" from Syria. In Israel he said that Turkey should not take military action in Syria without prior approval from the United States, so as not to threaten the American military and opposition armed forces, which mean Kurds. Then Bolton went to Turkey, where he met with the press secretary and special adviser to the president, Ibrahim Kalin. He said that the United States would not completely withdraw troops from Syria, but would maintain a military presence at al-Tanf base in the south of the country to deter military activity of Damascus and Tehran. The withdrawal of US troops will not interfere with military operations against radical Islamists, for ousting the Iranian military from Syria and the US participation in the political process. Bolton warned Kalin that the United States would not tolerate inappropriate treatment of opposition members and they need agreements with Turkey to demilitarize the airspace over northeastern Syria, where Kurds live. Bolton stressed that the remaining US troops will be withdrawn gradually, but did not set any clear deadlines. Bolton's rhetoric was reinforced by Pompeo. During a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, he confirmed that the States are not going to give up their long-term goals in the Middle East, despite Trumps decision to withdraw troops from Syria. He called ISIS and Iran the main threats to the region. During a speech at the American University in Cairo, after talks with Egyptian President Abdel Al-Sisi about cooperation in the field of security and economy, the US Secretary of State expressed his intention to remove Iranian troops to the last soldier from Syria. Pompeo criticized the policy of ex-President Barack Obama in the Middle East, who supported the "Arab spring" against secular regimes, withdrew troops from Iraq, which led to destabilization in the region. The statements of Bolton and Pompeo caused a negative reaction in Turkey and Iran. The Turkish authorities were unhappy with Boltons visit, as they expected to hear a clear timetable for the withdrawal of the US military, not an ultimatum. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that his country would act in Syria depending on the situation and would not ask anyone for permission. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif compared the attitude of Pompeo and Bolton to his country with psychosis and accused the United States of replacing this foreign policy with an Islamic republic with delusions and paranoia. Partly the statements of Bolton and Pompeo were indeed contradictory, since Trumps decision to withdraw troops from Syria is no different from Obamas Iraq policy. Return to the idea of "Arab NATO" It is not by chance that Bolton and Pompeo paid much attention to Iran and the need to counteract its expansionist foreign policy. The Americans tried to lead the Arab countries to the idea that it was time to unite efforts to counteract the common threat. Alternatively, resume the negotiation process on the establishment of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA). In Cairo, Pompeo called on the countries of the region to unite in this alliance. In May 2018, Trump and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, discussed the prospects for creating an analogue of NATO in the Middle East. It was planned to conclude contracts for the supply of weapons in the amount of $ 350 billion in the next 10 years. The United States was going to deliver anti-missile systems, warships, missiles to Arab countries. The Americans and Saudis wanted other Middle East countries to be involved in MESA. However, the MESA military-political bloc was not formed because of the controversy flared up between the US regional allies. Since the summer of 2017, the political and economic boycott of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain has been dragged out due to suspicions of sponsoring terrorist organizations, providing asylum to radical Islamists and stepping up cooperation with Iran under the emir Tamim al-Thani. The emirate was isolated. The prospects for military-political integration became even vaguer after the scandal erupted in October 2018 over the murder of Saudi opposition journalist Jamal Hashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The CIA suspects that Prince Mohammed ordered to deal with a journalist who criticized his government policy. It will be difficult to convince Oman to join MESA, because this country adheres to international neutrality, not participating in military conflicts, maintains a balance in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and still maintains diplomatic relations with the Assad regime, unlike other countries of the Persian Gulf. Iraqs participation in the MESA block is questionable, since there are favorable conditions for turning Baghdad into a satellite of Iran. In May 2018, the Shiite Muslim parties - Alliance to Reforms, Alliance Fatah, Rule of Law and Wisdom, won the parliamentary elections in Iraq. They took most seats in parliament. These political forces support rapprochement with Iran and raise the issue of the withdrawal of 5 thousand American military. The leader of the Alliance for Reform Party, Muktad al-Sadr, is notorious among Americans. In 2004, he raised the Iraqi Shiite uprising and created the Mahdi Army, an armed group that organized terrorist attacks against the US military. The current Prime Minister of Iraq is Adel Abdul Mahdi is the son of a Shiite priest who is supposedly in contact with the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon. Iraqi parliamentarians criticized Trumps visit to the US al-Asad airbase in December 2018, expressing outrage that he did not meet with officials in Baghdad. Pompeo visited each of these countries - potential MESA participants, tried to smooth over the contradictions between them and convince them to unite against the Iranian threat. In particular, he urged the leaders of the UAE and Bahrain to stop putting pressure on Qatar, and during negotiations with Prince Mohammed did not focus on the murder of Hashoggi, limiting himself to continuing consultations on this matter. The United States is ready to close its eyes to existing violations of human rights and other democratic rights and freedoms in Arab countries for the sake of forming a powerful regional collective security organization and providing American industrialists with military contracts. One of the goals of MESA is to prevent the growing presence of Russia and China in the Arab arms markets. In December 2018, information appeared about the intention of Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this year. In October 2018, Russia and Qatar signed an agreement on military-technical cooperation. Previously, contracts were signed for the supply of small arms and anti-tank complexes to the emirate. Although the main supplier of weapons to Saudi Arabia is the United States, the United Kingdom, Russian media periodically publish information about plans to supply military helicopters and tanks to the kingdom. Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE acquire drones in China. The Americans are proactive and are trying to tie the Arabs with new commitments in the field of security and military-technical cooperation before Russia puts its tentacles into the region. BOLOJAN a dezvaluit care este BOALA sistemului public din Romania! Pierderile sunt foarte mari Boala sistemului public din Romania este supraincarcarea cu personal, atat din punct de vedere al numarului de angajati, dar si al salariilor in anumite sectoare unde sunt mult mai mari decat in [citeste mai departe] South Boston, VA (24592) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain during the afternoon. High 84F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 67F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:53:57|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Rupert Hoogewerf (L), a British accountant also known as Hu Run by his Chinese name, presents the lifetime achievement award to Husnu Ozyegin, a billionaire who founded Ozyegin University in Istanbul, at a Chinese New Year celebration activity in Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 29, 2019. The 2019 Hurun Global Chinese New Year Series made its debut in Istanbul on Tuesday evening, bringing together about 200 Turkish industrialists and entrepreneurs to have a moment of joy and harmony with the Chinese. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui) ISTANBUL, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 Hurun Global Chinese New Year Series made its debut in Istanbul on Tuesday evening, bringing together about 200 Turkish industrialists and entrepreneurs to have a moment of joy and harmony with the Chinese. "This is our first year in Turkey. It is beautiful to see all these Chinese lanterns all over here," said Rupert Hoogewerf, a British accountant also known as Hu Run by his Chinese name. "Today there are many industrialists, entrepreneurs and people who are interested in developing a relationship between China and Turkey. We are helping them to build partnerships," said Hu Run, whose publications include lists of the rich in China and other parts of the world. Hurun Chinese New Year Dinner Series, which kicked off in 2016, is covering eight cities in four continents in 2019. In Istanbul, awards were presented as well to three Turks in recognition of their contributions to Turkey-China relations, with the lifetime achievement award going to Husnu Ozyegin, a billionaire businessman who founded Ozyegin University in Istanbul, the outstanding contribution award going to the Dorak tourism agency now in business for 20 years, and the future star award to Ugur Talayhan, general manager of the Swissotel the Bosphorus, which played host to the Chinese New Year event. Talayhan, who worked in China for seven years, voiced his readiness to help the Turkish and Chinese develop and build partnerships. Esra Degirmenci, head of the global brand and tourism management with the Dorak tourism agency, described the event as a good platform to introduce the Chinese culture and for the Turkish businessmen to interact and build partnerships with the Chinese. In the view of Cengiz Ozgencil, founder of the International Cooperation Platform, the Chinese economy "will be the No. 1 in the world in the next decade," and all the obstacles being put by the United States to prevent the development of China are "meaningless," and the United States is also "very well aware of the fact that China is developing and doing well." As to the Chinese New Year event, he said "these kinds of events have tremendous contributions to the strengthening of the friendship between the two communities." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:48:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- British business continued showing their frustration over still unclear Brexit prospect, though Prime Minister Theresa May was closer than ever on Tuesday to finally reaching an elusive Brexit deal. Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which represents businesses employing one-third of the private sector workforce, said: "Another deeply frustrating day for business. Renegotiation is a throw-of-the-dice, it must succeed or fail fast." "Rejecting no deal is welcome but doesn't get a deal. Until MPs can agree a solution, the threat of no deal will continue to drain money from the UK," she wrote on twitter. The British House of Commons voted for an amendment that tells the government to ask the European Union to delay Brexit if no deal had been passed in Parliament by the end of February, not specifying how long. Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Another day lost while the clock is ticking. Government and parliament are still going round in circles when businesses and the public urgently need answers," according to newspaper The Guardian. Stephen Martin, director general of the Institute of Directors, said on twitter that MPs have managed to form a majority in each vote, but the path ahead is still far from clear. By 317 votes to 301, MPs in the House of Commons gave their backing to May's deal which they rejected earlier this month, providing changes are made to the so-called Irish backstop border issue. The 16 majority for her deal gives May a mandate to return to Brussels to call for a re-opening of negotiations, and indicates that the Brexit deal is likely to win the critical final vote in British parliament if changes are made to the Irish border issue. Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said that neither small businesses nor the country are ready for the scenario. "We cannot lose sight of the reality that we are still no closer to securing a pro-business deal before 29th March," he said, quoted by The Guardian. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:43:52|Editor: ZX Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for Syrian affairs Alexander Lavrentiev met in the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Tuesday. The meeting focused on Russia's and Israel's ongoing involvement in Syria. "Among the issues discussed were Iran and the situation in Syria," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the two discussed "strengthening the security coordination mechanism between the militaries in order to prevent friction." Also attending the meeting were Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat. Russia first sent forces to fight in Syria in 2015. Israel has carried out there hundreds of airstrikes over the past years, saying the attacks targeted Iranian sites in order to prevent the Islamic republic entrenching itself in Syria. The recent meeting came in the wake of an agreement achieved earlier in January between the Israeli and Russian militaries to continue the coordination of their military actions in Syria. Israel has become increasingly concerned over the expected withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Syria, fearing it will expose the Jewish state to threats by Iran, which Israel considers as its biggest enemy. Iranian forces fight in Syria alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:43:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The number of people killed in a fuel pipeline explosion on Jan. 18 in the central state of Hidalgo has risen to 117, the Mexican government said Tuesday. According to the latest report, 68 people died at the time of the explosion and 49 have died in hospitals, said Ruy Lopez, general director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control Programs (Cenaprece). Currently, 27 people remained hospitalized in various hospitals. Of those, 10 were listed as "very serious," 13 as "serious," and four in "delicate" condition, the official said during a press conference. Hugo Lopez-Gatell, deputy secretary of the Prevention and Health Promotion Agency, said as of Tuesday the "emergency phase is closed" and the phase to support the injured begins. The latter stage "will last as long as necessary," given that rehabilitation for the survivors suffering burn injuries can take six months or more. To date, 16 bodies have been identified and turned over to their family members, according to prosecutors of the Hidalgo State. Authorities are collecting DNA samples from people with missing family members, which will help in identifying the bodies recovered at the blast site. According to local government, between 600 and 800 people gathered at the site to collect leaked fuel with containers when the explosion took place. Authorities are investigating whether the illegal tapping of the pipeline was the result of fuel theft, a crime that cost the country some 3 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:28:48|Editor: mym Video Player Close British Prime Minister Theresa May (Front) attends a debate on the Brexit deal amendments in the House of Commons in London, Britain, on Jan. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/UK Parliament/Mark Duffy) LONDON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Just days after suffering the biggest humiliation in British political history, Prime Minister Theresa May was closer than ever Tuesday to finally reaching an elusive Brexit deal. By 317 votes to 301, MPs in the House of Commons gave their backing to May's deal which they rejected earlier this month, providing changes are made to the so-called Irish backstop border issue. The 16 majority for her deal gives May a mandate to return to Brussels to call for a re-opening of negotiations, and indicates that the Brexit deal is likely to win the critical final vote in British parliament if changes are made to the Irish border issue. The victory for May's minority government was assured after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) backed tonight's move. Immediately after the vote was announced, May said that two weeks ago MPs rejected the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement when only 202 MPs voted in favor. "Tonight a majority have said they would support a deal with changes to the backstop. "It is now clear that there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority to leave the EU with a deal," she said, to loud cheers from the Conservative benches. Veteran MP Sir Graham Brady has been hailed as the hero of the night by including a crucial addition to May's rejected deal. It says the deal requires the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border. The words were enough to win over the DUP as well as Conservative politicians strongly against a backstop over fears it could tie Britain permanently to the EU. May said the British government can look forward to obtaining legally binding changes to the withdrawal agreement with regards to the backstop, allowing no hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. May and her senior advisers are not waving victory flags at the moment, with the developments in London receiving a frosty reaction in Brussels and Dublin. May admitted that winning over Brussels will not be easy. She said: "With changes to the backstop, plus assurances on workers' rights, it is now clear there is a route to passing a deal." May said there was limited appetite for such a change in the EU and negotiating it will not be easy. "But MPs have now made it clear what it wants," she said. The Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar, said in a statement issued later in Dublin: "The withdrawal agreement is not open for re-negotiation." Referring to the withdrawal agreement agreed between EU leaders and May, Varadkar said it is a carefully negotiated compromise, which balances the UK position on customs and the single market with avoiding a hard border and protecting the integrity of the EU customs union and single market. He said Ireland will continue its preparations for all outcomes, including for a no-deal scenario. A spokesman for Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said: "The backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement and the withdrawal agreement is not open for re-negotiation." The Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, who earlier in the evening, lost a vote that would have avoided a no-deal outcome, said he was now prepared to meet May to discuss Brexit. The business world reacted to May's victory in the House of Commons. Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce said another day had been lost while the clock is ticking. "Government and parliament are still going round in circles when businesses and the public urgently need answers," he said. Stephen Martin, director general of the Institute of Directors said: "The prime minister clearly faces a difficult task in winning a compromise on the backstop. However, if the choice is between trying to change the deal and leaving without one, business will have to hope the EU can be flexible and consider whether any legal changes at all could further clarify that the backstop is not a permanent fixture." May plans to discuss developments with the EU ahead of returning at a later date to the British Parliament for a meaningful date needed on a deal with Brussels. Until now Brussels has insisted that a backstop must be part of the Brexit deal to avoid a hard border between EU member state Ireland, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. Britain is scheduled to leave the EU on March 29. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:28:48|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- An explosion occurred Tuesday night in Syria's rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib, the second to hit the city in one day, a war monitor reported. The bombing, believed to be caused by an explosive device, took place at the Jara roundabout in Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based watchdog group said details about the bombing is still "murky." Earlier in the day, an explosion targeted a building taken as a command center by the al-Qaida-linked militants Idlib, causing injuries. The bombing, believed to have been carried out by a female suicide bomber, targeted a building where the so-called Salvage Government of the rebels' Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is located. The observatory said there has been a gunfire between the woman and the guards of the building before the explosion. The explosions are the latest in a string of bombings taking place in rebel-held areas in northern Syria. It's worth noting that Idlib is controlled by the HTS, which is the umbrella group of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:23:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame and his Deputy for Political Affairs Stephanie Williams on Tuesday met with elders and representatives of civil society of the city of Tawergha. They discussed needs of the Tawerghans following their return to their city after years of internal displacement. "Ghassan Salame and Stephanie Williams met with ... representatives from Tawergha to discuss ways to address post-return issues and provide immediate needs to the city," the UN Support Mission in Libya said. During the 2011 uprising, some residents of Tawergha allied with the forces of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to fight against the rebels in the nearby Misurata City. They fled to other cities in Libya after Gaddafi's regime was toppled. Tawerghans have been gradually returning home recently. The city suffered significant destruction due to armed conflict and the authorities have been making efforts to rehabilitate it. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 06:18:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration said Tuesday eight illegal immigrants were voluntarily deported from Libya to their country, according to a local official. Husni Abu-Ayana, spokesman of Libya's Anti-Illegal Immigration Department, said that the immigrants consist of four men and four women. They departed from the capital Tripoli to Lagos in Nigeria. The return of the immigrants is part of the organization's Voluntary Return Program, which arranges the return of immigrants stranded in Libya back to their countries of origin. Migrant shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of migrants who have been rescued at sea or arrested by Libyan security services. Libya has become a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe due to insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 05:58:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close WARSAW, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- One miner is still missing after an earthquake hit a copper mine in western Poland on Tuesday, the mine's operating company KGHM said. The earthquake occurred early in the afternoon at Rudna copper mine situated in a town called Polkowice of Lower Silesian Voivodeship. "We don't have the location of the missing miner," said Lidia Marcinkowska-Bartkowiak, the communication director of KGHM Polska Miedz at a press conference. According to the company, 15 miners have suffered various injuries, including arm or leg fracture as a result of the incident. They are undergoing medical treatment and examination at local hospital, but none of them is in critical condition. The rescue operation is still in process. Twelve groups of rescuers have been working diligently in searching of the missing miner. Around a week ago, a miner was killed and eight others were injured as a result of an underground tremor in Rydultowy mine, southern Poland. It made the fifth fatal victim in the Polish mining industry this year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 05:53:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close BUCHAREST, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The accession to Schengen Area remains a priority for Romania, President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday told an annual meeting with heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Bucharest. "I reiterate that Romania's accession to the Schengen Area is still a priority for us, and we are convinced that this approach can make a significant contribution to the consolidation of security for the entire free movement area of the European Union," Iohannis said. According to local analysts, Romania's accession to the Schengen Area is supported by several key European leaders and institutions in Brussels. At a ceremony to launch Romania's first EU presidency in Bucharest on Jan. 11, both European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, have pledged to support the country's accession to the Schengen Area. Romania has been holding the Presidency of the EU Council since the beginning of January for a period of six months. The rotating presidency does not provide a strong position of political leadership. But while presiding the EU Council, the presidency country could pursue their key national projects as they enjoy some influence at the legislative level. Romania is among the four EU countries that are still not part of the Schengen, alongside Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus. Schengen accession has been a long process for the country, whose entry into the border-free area has been constantly delayed since 2011 because of the opposition of countries including the Netherlands and Germany, despite Bucharest's claims that Romania had done all the needed preparations. Currently, Romanians are allowed visa-free entry into the Schengen zone and there are eased accesses to Romania for Schengen visa holders, but the country is not full members of the Schengen system. The Schengen zone, which currently embraces 26 European countries, acknowledges the abolishment of their internal borders with other member nations and outside, for the free and unrestricted movement of people, goods, services and capital. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 05:53:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of three people were killed and another wounded Tuesday in an attack by unknown gunmen in a coffee shop north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a police source said. The attackers opened fire from their assault rifles on many civilians inside the popular coffee shop in Tarmiyah area, some 30 km north of Baghdad, and shot dead three people and wounded the fourth one before they fled the scene, Major Hassan al-Rubaie told Xinhua. The security forces rushed to the scene and launched investigation into the incident, the source said. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for attacks targeting security forces and areas where crowds of people gather, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq. The security situation in Iraq has been dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces fully defeated the extremist IS militants across the country late in 2017. However, small groups and individuals of extremist militants melted or regrouped in urban and rugged areas, and are carrying out attacks against the security forces and civilians despite operations from time to time to hunt them down. Bassem Mohamed Hassan, a two-year-old Yemeni boy suffering from malnutrition, has his weight measured at a hospital in the northern district of Abs in the northwestern Hajjah province on Sept. 19, 2018. (AFP/Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is seeking 3.9 billion U.S. dollars to help 41 million children in need of humanitarian aid in 59 countries, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, said the 41 million children affected by conflict and disaster lack access to safe water, nutrition, education, health and protection. "UNICEF reports that today, more countries are embroiled in internal or international conflict than at any other time in the past three decades, threatening the safety and well-being of millions of children," he said, adding the 3.9-billion-dollar appeal was to support the agency's work in 59 countries in 2019. The more than 34 million children living through conflict and disaster alone includes 6.6 million children in Yemen, 5.5 million children in Syria and 4 million children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UNICEF said. The agency said the five largest individual appeals are for Syrian refugees and host communities in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey (904 million dollars), Yemen (542.3 million dollars), the DRC (326.1 million dollars), Syria (319.8 million dollars), and South Sudan (179.2 million dollars). Dujarric also pointed out that 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. Roger Stone speaks after his appearance at Federal Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S., Jan. 25, 2019.(Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Roger Stone, former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges stemming from the ongoing Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller. Stone, charged in a seven-count indictment with obstruction, lying to Congress and witness tampering, appeared Tuesday for his arraignment at the federal courthouse in Washington D.C. and entered a not guilty plea. He did not speak to reporters following the arraignment and is to appear in court again on Friday. According to court papers unsealed last week, Stone has been indicted on seven counts in connection with the Mueller probe, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements, and one count of witness tampering. 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 presidential 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 has claimed that he's being "persecuted" because of his ties with Trump but provided no details to support his claim. He has also said he's innocent, vowing to plead not guilty and fight to clear his name "against these politically motivated charges." A 66-year-old veteran political operative, Stone left Trump's campaign in 2015, but continued to back Trump for the presidency. He was arrested by the FBI in a predawn raid at his Florida home. He's free on a 250,000-U.S.-dollar bond. 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. His team has indicted or gotten guilty pleas from 34 people and three companies. Trump has repeatedly dismissed any collusion between his campaign and Moscow, while slamming the Russia probe as a "hoax" or "witch hunt." Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday that the investigation is "close to being completed," although there has been no confirmation of this from Mueller's office. News Pakistan will absolutely not allow any bases to US troops for action in Afghanistan, says Imran Imran reiterated Pakistans stance on the use of military bases and categorically stated that Islamabad will not allow it. The PM was asked by the American journalist for his comments on giving access to CIA to Pakistan military bases as was permitted during the government of Musharraf. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 03:07:56|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- An explosion occurred on Tuesday in Syria's northern city of Manbij, targeting a military vehicle of a Kurdish-led group, a war monitor group reported. The bomb ripped through a military car near the Martyrs Cemetery in the city of Manbij, which is controlled by the Kurdish-led Manbij Military Council (MMC), said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Britain-based watchdog group said the MMC vehicle was the target of the explosion, which left the driver critically injured. The explosion is the latest in a string of bombings targeting Manbij, located in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo province. Earlier this month, two explosions rocked Manbij, targeting military patrols of the U.S.-led coalition. American soldiers were among those killed in the bombings that were claimed by the Islamic State (IS). The United States has a military presence in Syria, mainly in Kurdish-controlled areas in northern and northeastern Syria. The U.S.-led coalition is engaged in an operation to drive out the IS militants from their last stronghold in the eastern Euphrates region in eastern Syria. The U.S. President Donald Trump said in December 2018 that he decided to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 01:17:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa paid an official visit to Cyprus on Tuesday, in what the eastern Mediterranean island's President Nicos Anastasiades said was an "historic" moment for the two countries. "The visit constitutes an historic moment for the relations of the two countries, since it is the first ever visit of a Portuguese Prime Minister to the Republic of Cyprus," Anastasiades said after receiving Costa at the Presidential Palace. Costa was in Cyprus for the 5th MED-7 summit of the seven southern countries of the European Union. The Portuguese Prime Minister had private talks with Anastasiades before they later led their corresponding delegations in talks, which Anastasiades said focused on cooperation in the sectors of the economy, shipping and education. "Cyprus and Portugal share long-standing ties of friendship and have always enjoyed excellent relations, both at the level of government and of our peoples," Anastasiades said after the talks. He said that Cyprus and Portugal, although located in opposing ends of Europe, held similar views in a vast range of areas and identified synergies in trade and investment, shipping, energy, education and culture. Costa said Portugal was looking to enhance political consultations with Cyprus. "Geographically we are on opposite extremes of our continent but we are very close, sharing a common vision about the future of the European Union, the most important challenges we need to face at European level and in the wish to strengthen our bilateral relations," he said. He noted that trade relations between the two countries are still modest but expanding. "Considering the structures of both economies there is clear room for improvement, not only in traditional sectors but also in more technological areas," he noted. Costa said the talks identified three specific areas where the two countries must concentrate efforts on: they should organize a business forum to bring their entrepreneurial communities in contact, increase cooperation in the scientific domain, especially in maritime science, and share best practices in the tourism sector. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 01:07:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia announced on Tuesday it has arrested 276 individuals for their suspected roles in deadly violence in Dire Dawa city, located in eastern Ethiopia. In a press statement, Dire Dawa city police commission, said the 276 individuals were arrested over suspicion of involvement in deadly violence that rocked the city for several days of last week. The police commission further said steps are being undertaken to return calm in the city. An eyewitness who spoke to Xinhua said the underlying reason for the last week violence in Dire Dawa city was "unfair" administrative power distribution arrangements among different ethnic groups in the city. The deadly violence left at least two people dead, scores of others wounded. Ethiopia follows an ethnic model, which has been credited with giving self-governance rights to more than 80 ethnic groups that make up the country's estimated 100 million people. However, critics claim that the model magnifies ethnic diversity at the expense of national unity, leading to occasional ethnic tension and clashes. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 01:07:25|Editor: WX Video Player Close A Palestinian medic carries a wounded man during clashes with Israeli troops near the border with Israel, in northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 29, 2019. At least 15 Palestinians were shot and wounded on Tuesday afternoon by Israeli soldiers' gunfire during clashes that broke out in northern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel, medics said. (Xinhua/Stringer) GAZA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 Palestinians were shot and wounded on Tuesday afternoon by Israeli soldiers' gunfire during clashes that broke out in northern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel, medics said. Ashraf al-Qedra, Health Ministry spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that 15 Palestinian demonstrators were shot and wounded by Israeli soldiers' gunfire stationed at the border, adding that one paramedic was injured too. Earlier on Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said that a 45-year-old Palestinian was critically wounded in his neck by Israeli soldiers' gunfire in northwestern Gaza Strip, not far from the border with Israel. Dozens of Palestinian protesters joined on Tuesday afternoon the weekly maritime rallies in northern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel, according to eyewitnesses, who added that clashes broke out in the area with the Israeli soldiers. The Gaza-based high commission of the marches of return called on the Gaza population to join the weekly maritime rallies on Tuesday afternoon. The maritime rallies have stopped for three weeks due to the cold weather and heavy rains. The high commission decided to resume it. Since the beginning of the marches of return and breaking the Israeli siege in March 30 last year, the Palestinians have been carrying out weekly anti-Israel rallies and protests on Friday and maritime rallies on Monday or Tuesday. The Israeli army has shot dead more than 250 Palestinians and wounded at least 25,000 others, most of whom were injured by Israeli soldiers' gunfire, said al-Qedra. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 01:07:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close FUZHOU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A court in eastern China's Fujian Province has sentenced a man to death for hijacking and crashing a bus killing eight people in December. Qiu Rihui was also deprived of his political rights for life for homicide and endangering public security with dangerous means, according to the Longyan City Intermediate People's Court. Eight people were killed and many others injured after the hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians on the street in the city proper of Longyan on Dec. 25, 2018. Police later caught Qiu, who was unemployed and a native of Longyan. The initial police investigation shows that on that day, the suspect had a conflict with an official of the neighborhood committee, with whom he had long been at odds, during the official's visit to his home. He then attacked people with a knife, hijacked a bus and used it to hit pedestrians. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 01:02:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to begin distributing fertilizer subsidies to farmers using smartphones starting from 2020, a government official said on Tuesday. Andrew Tuimur, chief administrative secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, told journalists in Nairobi that currently the government imports about 150,000 tonnes of fertilizers that maize farmers can access at subsidized costs at the state-owned National Cereals and Produce Board depots. "Beginning in 2020, we will reallocate the 5 billion shillings (about 500 million U.S. dollars) from procurement of fertilizer to a digital e-voucher system that will send vouchers directly to eligible farmers' mobile phones," said Tuimur. He added that the digital subsidy program is targeting some 1.4 million small-scale farming households so that they can improve their incomes by about 40 percent over the next five years. Tuimur added that the government will soon begin to register and screen all farmers for the subsidy eligibility. He noted that the e-voucher system will allow selected farmers to use the e-voucher to purchase a range of agricultural inputs, including seed for high-value crops, animal feed and health products. Tuimur observed that use of the digital system will enable the private sector to provide inputs to give farmers the option to spend their e-voucher in their local village. The government is prioritizing the digital subsidy program because of its convenience as it eliminates the need for farmers to travel long distance to access the affordable agricultural inputs. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 00:57:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close GENEVA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations human rights office expressed deep concern on Tuesday about an "extremely violent" attack on Palestinians in the West Bank village of Al-Mughayyir, in which a 38-year-old Palestinian father of four was shot in the back and died. The father, Hamdi Taleb Na'asan, was shot on Jan. 26, said Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), at a media briefing here. "The monitoring by our staff in the West Bank suggests that the killing took place after a group of up to 30 Israelis -- some of them armed -- from the nearby Israeli outpost of Adei Ad first of all attacked Palestinian farmers in their fields," said Colville. The attackers then descended on the village itself, where they used live ammunition to shoot at the villagers and their houses, said the spokesperson. He said the confrontation led to six villagers being shot with live ammunition, leaving three of them in a serious condition. It is unclear whether any settlers were also injured. "Although Israeli security forces were stationed near the village and were immediately alerted to the attack, witnesses informed our staff -- who visited the village yesterday -- that it took some two hours before they intervened," said Colville. When Israeli security forces did finally intervene, the UN human rights office said it appears they focused mainly on dispersing the Palestinian villagers using tear gas. Three more Palestinians were injured by live ammunition after the intervention by the security forces. "However, it is not clear at this point whether they were shot by settlers or by soldiers," said Colville, noting that a total of 20 villagers were injured on Jan. 26. Villagers in Al-Mughayyir have faced attacks and harassment in the past, he said. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the average number of violent incidents instigated by settlers each month increased 57 percent in 2018 compared to 2017, and by 175 percent in comparison with 2016. The UN human rights office said that Israel is the "occupying power" and is obliged under international humanitarian law to protect the Palestinian population from such attacks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 00:37:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Following a record year for onshore wind energy, only 2,402 megawatts (MW) or 743 new turbines were installed in Germany in 2018, the German Wind Energy Association (BWE) announced on Tuesday. According to the figures by energy consultants DeutschenWindGuard on behalf of BWE and VDMA Power Systems, new construction of wind power in Germany fell short of 2013 levels and decreased by 55 percent compared to 2017, "although the demand for renewable electricity will increase significantly in the future," commented Matthias Zelinger, managing director of VDMA Power Systems. The results are below earlier forecasts by the German industry associations in mid-2018 which predicted 3,300 MWs of new installations. For 2019, BWE expects new construction totaling 2,000 MWs. "This threatens the leading position of the German wind industry in international competition and poses considerable challenges for the industry," said Zelinger but added that "Germany remains Europe's largest market for onshore wind energy." According to BWE, the reason for the "massive decline" was a high proportion of projects that have not been realized yet. In addition, more than 900 MWs could not be connected to the grid in time. The 65 percent target for renewable energy set by the German government could not be achieved by 2030 if the "foreseeable annual expansion is continued," warned Zelinger. According to forecast from the Global Wind Energy Council, the world's largest increase in wind turbine capacity between 2019 and 2022 is expected in Asia at 118 GW, followed by Europe at 62 GW and North America 44 GW. "In order to maintain the export strength of German manufacturers, politicians must work to maintain open markets. This also applies to securing export financing," said Zelinger. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 00:02:13|Editor: yan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cyber cooperation, the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) said Tuesday. The signing took place during the "Cybertech TLV 2019" event held on Jan. 28-30 in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, with over 15,000 participants from 80 countries. The agreement was signed by Yigal Unna, director general of the INCD, and Alastair MacGibbon, head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). The agreement marks the culmination of the tightening cyber ties between the two countries, which began with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Australia in February 2017 and continued with the reciprocal visit of the then Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in October 2017. The MoU lays the foundation for continued expansion of cooperation and dialogue between the two countries in common interest cyber fields such as civil aviation cyber security and key technological challenges. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 00:02:12|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is considering putting in place an agricultural strategy to eliminate food insecurity in the next five years, a government official said on Tuesday. Andrew Tuimur, chief administrative secretary of the the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, told an agricultural conference in Nairobi that the draft of Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy has already being developed and would be completed in March. "The strategy provides a roadmap on how to increase Kenya's household food resilience by reducing the number of food-insecure Kenyans in the arid and semi-arid regions from 2.7 million on average to zero," said Tuimur. Tuimur said that the strategy will support Kenya's short-term aspirations for 100 percent food and nutrition security as well as the longer-term continental and global commitments to the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Tuimur added that the strategy aims to end the situation where about four million Kenyans need humanitarian food assistance during periods of severe drought. He revealed that the country plans to permanently end food insecurity through promotion of cultivation of drought resistant crops as well as water harvesting to ensure that farmers and pastoralists have access to water throughout the year. He noted that Kenya plans to boost the food resilience of poor households through a community-driven intervention design. According to the ministry of agriculture, arid and semi-arid regions cover some 80 percent of Kenya's land area and are home to more than 35 percent of the population. (Update Below) Listen, there is only one Mandarin Patinkin. Wild, on the loose, making his own damn plans, flying by the seat of his feathers, not tied down to any pond, or any group of duck friends. A wandering soul. Seeking out things we'll never fully understand. The Freewheelin' Mandarin Patinkin. But... what if there are others like him in NYC? Not zoo ducks, but independent Mandarins. There could be. Or it could be that Mandarin Patinkin just likes to explore. On Monday, he, or another Mandarin duck, was spotted on the East River. The sighting took place around 2:30 p.m. at WNYC Transmitter Park. David Barrett, who runs the Manhattan Bird Alert Twitter account, told me Monday night that, "Though this very likely is the Mandarin Duck, we don't know for certain, as the observer today did not take any [photos] with the Mandarin Duck's leg-ties showing." He added that while he has visited the Hudson before (as recently as last week) and New Jersey, "the Mandarin Duck has no documented history of visiting the East River." (Photo by Zihao Wang) "Given the huge publicity the Mandarin Duck has generated, we should keep in mind that such ducks can be purchased and released," Barrett noted. Has Mandarin Mania led to an uptick of Mandarin duck sales? Is Zardulu releasing Mandarin ducks into the wild? Or is Mandarin Patinkin just out there livin' life? Barrett believes Mandarin Patinkin likely has a wandering itch to scratch right now. "The Central Park Pond is mostly ice now," Barrett says. "Though it's unlikely that the situation worsens, given the springs that keep the Pond near Gapstow Bridge ice-free, the ducks and geese are crowded together more, and they have much less swimmable water." So Patinkin may want some space. Or he may want a mate. "We are approaching breeding season," Barrett says, "and the Mandarin Duck may be trying to better his chances of finding a mate... you can think of it as increasing his Tinder radius from 100 yards to 2 miles." He doesn't believe he'll find one, but noted that "female Mandarins and female Wood Ducks look very much alike... Who knows what he might try?" Could NYC end up with its own hybrid Mandarin? Is it even possible? Paul Sweet, from the American Museum of Natural History's Department of Ornithology, told Gothamist, "Mandarin has hybridized with Wood Duck. I would think this highly unlikely in Central Park since Wood Ducks dont breed there for lack of suitable habitat. They need tree holes or nest boxes." But maybe somewhere in Brooklyn? Anything is possible, but good luck finding an affordable Nest Box near the river in north Brooklyn. Sweet also sent along this article, which provides evidence that hybrid ducks of a Wood Duck x Mandarin Duck parentage have existed. This will be our Royal Baby, NYC. UPDATE: On Wednesday the duck was still in the East River, and the leg band was spotted, meaning this is Mandarin Patinkin. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:57:11|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United States and its closest allies are openly attempting to overthrow the legitimate authorities of Venezuela, blatantly violating international law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday. "As we understand it, the United States, having taken the bit between its teeth, is publicly heading for an illegal regime change," Lavrov said at a press conference. He said the United States has frozen the accounts of the central bank and the government of Venezuela, adding that similar scenarios were seen regarding Iraq, Libya, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua and Panama, which in most cases lead to confiscation of funds, Lavrov said. Washington also imposed sanctions on the Venezuelan oil and gas company PDVSA and its North American branch Citgo, while U.S. companies operating in Venezuela were excluded from the sanctions regime, Lavrov added. Washington instructed the leaders of the opposition movement not to make any concessions to the current Venezuelan authorities until they give up power in one way or another, he said. Lavrov added that Russia, together with other responsible members of the international community, will do everything to support the legitimate government of President Nicolas Maduro in upholding the Venezuelan Constitution and constitutional methods of resolving the crisis. The European Union's (EU) high representative for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, and representatives of the Caribbean Community had suggested creating an international contact group for negotiations between the Venezuelan authorities and the opposition, said the foreign minister. He also said that China and India had expressed the desire to prevent catastrophic events, while Iran would like to encourage all responsible Venezuelan leaders to engage in dialogue. "We would like to try to understand what the international community can do to prevent another grave violation of international law and forceful change of regime and to translate the situation in the constitutional direction," Lavrov said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:57:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths arrived in the Houthi-controlled city of Hodeidah on Tuesday to closely oversee the cease-fire implementation in the turbulent province, a government official told Xinhua. Griffiths will hold a number of meetings with representatives of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and closely oversee the cease-fire implementation on-ground, the local government official said on condition of anonymity. The government source said that Griffiths will also meet the head of the UN cease-fire monitoring team Patrick Cammaert to discuss arrival of new observers in Hodeidah. On Monday, the UN envoy met senior leaders of the Houthi rebel group in Sanaa, but achieved no constructive results about the situation, according to local sources. Sources at the country's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledged a Houthi withdrawal from Hodeidah's port in the upcoming period. On Tuesday, the UN spokesperson denied Cammaert's resignation, saying in a tweet that he "continues his work, contrary to media reports." Patrick Cammaert, a retired Dutch general, and his team arrived in war-torn Hodeidah last month to oversee the cease-fire deal reached between Yemen's government and Houthi rebels in Sweden last December. However, the fragile cease-fire was breached multiple times by both sides despite presence of the UN cease-fire monitoring team. Last week, gunfire targeted UN armored vehicles carrying Cammaert and his team, causing no casualties. The cease-fire deal signed between the two warring rivals in Sweden demands full withdrawal of all armed groups from Hodeidah and its strategic seaports. According to the deal, the UN will manage the port and supervise the re-deployment of neutral forces to prevent military escalation, while local forces will help maintain law and order in Hodeidah. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi rebels overtook the capital Sanaa and toppled the government of President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthis since 2015. The war has so far killed more than 10,000 people and created a serious humanitarian crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:52:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) said on Tuesday its main focus in 2019 will be on looking for viable business opportunities, continually improving the state-owned firm's balance sheets, and meeting its shareholders' and customers' expectations. "These goals can only be attained through continued teamwork, hard work and dedication while keeping our priorities right," Sylvester Damian Ghuliku, STAMICO's acting managing director, said in a statement. He added the company will strive to be an agent for change through innovative solutions, while continuing to develop good relationships with surrounding communities by fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities through projects. He said the corporation was looking forward to 2019 while positioning itself to increase its capacity to generate revenue. "This optimism is fuelled by financial projections indicating that in 2019, the prices of most metals are expected to be higher on average than the previous year," Ghuliku said. Looking back on 2018, he said the past year was vibrant because of some positive and significant developments in the corporation's projects despite unstable global market conditions. He said during 2018, STAMICO successfully re-operationalized mining operations in its Kabulo coal project, using a new mining contractor to start producing about 18,200 tonnes of coal per month to meet market demands for coal fuel. At the same time, STAMICO rehabilitated a coal crusher at its Kiwira Coal Mine using own resources, with the aim of increasing its capacity to meet customer demands for different types of coal products, said Ghuliku. He added that STAMICO has reached in the final stages of negotiations with the most responsive bidder towards starting implementation of gold tailings processing at its brownfield project at Buhemba Gold Mine. However, Ghuliku said 2018 was not favorable in terms of securing drilling contracts and consultancy services, attributing this mainly to slow market conditions and low metal prices. He said STAMICO has signed memorandums of understanding with some potential investors who are technically and financially capable of implementing a number of projects planned for year 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:47:06|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIEV, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Tuesday that he will run for a second term in office in the next presidential election on March 31, the presidential press service said. "A sense of deep responsibility before the country, before our contemporaries, before the past and the future generations has prompted me to take a decision to be a candidate again for the post of President of Ukraine," Poroshenko said during the forum "From Kruty to Brussels. We Follow Our Own Path." In his speech, Poroshenko said that Ukraine needs peace with Russia. He also reiterated his commitment to restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity through political and diplomatic means. At the same time, he said that Ukraine will continue its course toward the integration into the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Poroshenko, a wealthy businessman and independent politician, won a commanding victory in the early presidential elections in Ukraine on May 25, 2014. The early elections were called three months after former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by the parliament. The 2019 presidential campaign in Ukraine was officially launched on Dec. 31, 2018. Candidates should declare their intention to run for the presidency by Feb. 3. According to various opinion polls, Poroshenko and opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko are viewed as frontrunners in the presidential race. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:42:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close GAZA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian demonstrator on Tuesday died, succumbing to wounds sustained during last Friday's clashes that broke out between hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers in eastern Gaza Strip, medics said. Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the health ministry in Gaza, told reporters that Samir Nabbahin, 47 years old from central Gaza Strip, was critically wounded last Friday by an Israeli army tear gas that hit his face. Al-Qedra said that Nabbahin died of his serious wounds on Tuesday afternoon at Shiffa Hospital in Gaza City. Earlier on Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said that a 45-year-old Palestinian was critically wounded in his neck Tuesday by Israeli soldiers' gunfire in northwestern Gaza Strip, not far from the border with Israel. Al-Qedra told reporters that Amin Hamdouna, a 45-year-old bulldozer driver, was shot in his neck and is in critical condition. Hamdouna was shot as he was driving a bulldozer in northern Gaza Strip close to the border with Israel. He was bulldozing the ground and paving for protesters who arrived at the area to join anti-Israel rally, according to eyewitnesses. Dozens of Palestinian protestors joined on Tuesday afternoon the weekly maritime rallies in northern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel, according to eyewitnesses, adding that clashes broke out in the area with the Israeli soldiers. Medical sources said that at least five were injured in the clashes with the Israeli soldiers, who opened fire and fired tear gas canisters to disperse them. Meanwhile, the Gaza-based high commission of the weekly protest, the "Great March of Return," called on the Gaza people to join the weekly maritime rallies on Tuesday afternoon. The maritime rallies have stopped for three weeks due to the cold weather and heavy rains, and the high commission decided to resume it. Since March 30 last year, the Palestinians have been carrying out weekly anti-Israel rallies and protests on Friday and maritime rallies on Monday or Tuesday. The Israeli army has shot dead more than 250 Palestinians and wounded at least 25,000 others, most of whom were injured by Israeli soldiers' gunfire, said al-Qedra. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:37:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai has continued to take a tough stance against crimes committed on minors. Last year, 276 people were indicted in 213 such cases, according to a work report of the Shanghai Municipal People's Procuratorate. The cases cover several high-profile scandals, including a child abuse case in a daycare center in Shanghai, which caused a national public outcry. Shanghai was the first on the Chinese mainland to establish a restriction system in which former criminals who sexually abused underage people are confined from employment in companies, organizations and societal groups that have frequent contact with minors. The system has been implemented in pilot areas in Shanghai in 2018. A further regulation in this regard will be rolled out in the future. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:26:58|Editor: WX Video Player Close A plane of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) takes off as it carries Musa Awagi released by the Houthi rebels at the Sanaa International Airport, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Jan. 29, 2019. Yemen's Houthi rebels on Tuesday handed over a captured Saudi soldier to the ICRC, the rebels said in a statement. "The sick Saudi soldier Musa Awagi will be transported to his country through an ICRC plane today (Tuesday)," the statement said. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) SANAA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels on Tuesday handed over a captured Saudi soldier to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the rebels said in a statement. "The sick Saudi soldier Musa Awagi will be transported to his country through an ICRC plane today (Tuesday)," the statement said, obtained by Xinhua. Meanwhile, the Saudi prisoner was seen along with an ICRC team at the Sanaa International Airport waiting for the plane, a Xinhua photographer at the airport witnessed. The ICRC spokeswoman Marie Claire Feghali told Xinhua at the airport that "the Saudi prisoner will be transferred to his country today (Tuesday) via an ICRC plane." Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam said in a statement on Monday that the decision to release the captured Saudi prisoner came as a "humanitarian initiative" presented by the group's leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi to the visiting United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths. There were over 10,000 war prisoners from all warring parties, including the Houthi rebels, the exiled Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition which backs the government. Griffiths arrived in the capital Sanaa on Monday to break a stalemate in the country's flashpoint Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and push forward the implementation of a cease-fire and withdrawal of rival forces from the port city in line with a peace deal reached in Stockholm last month. Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the internationally-recognized government of Hadi after the Houthi rebels forced him into exile and seized much of the country's north, including Sanaa and Hodeidah. The four-year war has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, displaced three million others and pushed the country to the brink of famine. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:26:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and China on Tuesday jointly hosted a gala dinner to promote mutual tourism destinations. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Tourism Minister Thong Khon, Culture Minister Phoeurng Sackona, and Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang as well as Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian were among 200 guests taking part in the event. Namhong said Cambodia received 6.2 million foreign tourists in 2018, up 11 percent year-on-year, of whom 1.9 million were Chinese tourists, up 70 percent. The continued growth of Chinese tourists to Cambodia is thanks to increasing direct flights between the two countries, he said, adding that recently, Air China launched the first-ever direct flights between Beijing to Phnom Penh. "The rise of Chinese tourists as well as other foreign tourists has importantly contributed to the development of Cambodia in all fields," the deputy prime minister said. Thong Khon said tourism accounted for 12.7 percent of Cambodias GDP (gross domestic product) and has created direct and indirect jobs for millions of people. China had been the biggest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia in 2017 and 2018, the minister said. Cambodia is expected to attract 3 million Chinese tourists in 2020, 5 million in 2025 and up to 8 million in 2030. Luo said cooperation in culture and tourism is playing an important role in strengthening people-to-people bonds towards building a community of shared future. The event was part of the activities held by the two countries to celebrate the culture and tourism year 2019 between Cambodia and China. At the gala dinner, video clips featuring attractive tourism destinations, culture, tradition and customs in the two countries were also screened. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:16:53|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first plenary meeting of the eighth session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday started reviewing a new draft of the foreign investment law, the latest move to promote the country's opening-up initiative. During the two-day session, members of the top legislature are scheduled to deliberate the new version of the draft law, which has been updated from the first draft submitted to the previous session last month. Once adopted, the unified law will replace three existing laws on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, non-equity joint ventures (or contractual joint ventures) and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. By the end of October 2018, a total of nearly 950,000 foreign-funded companies had registered in China, bringing in an accumulated investment of over 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars and performing as major driving forces in China's economic and social development. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, on Tuesday presided over a plenary meeting during the ongoing session, at which lawmakers were briefed on the amendments. By explicitly formulating rules on transparency, government procurement and capital market, the new draft law has complemented the legal system concerning foreign affairs and responded to overseas concerns, said Li Yuefeng, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, during panel discussions. BETTER PROTECTION To better implement the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2017, the new draft further expanded the article on the system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list, said Li Fei, chairman of the NPC Constitution and Law Committee, while presenting the new draft to lawmakers. The CPC report noted that "China will not close its door to the world; we will only become more and more open." The draft is also in line with the amendment to the Constitution, which, adopted by the NPC in March 2018, stipulates that China "pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up." Definitions of the terms are included in the article, in addition to a clause requiring the state to give national treatment to foreign investments outside the negative list. It also stipulates that foreign-invested enterprises have equal access to favorable policies for enterprises. In line with provisions in the Constitution, the new draft proposes that the state shall not expropriate or requisition foreign investment, except under particular circumstances and in the public interest. If the state expropriates or requisitions foreign investment, "due legal procedures must be followed while prompt, fair and reasonable compensation should be made," it notes. The new draft also includes regulations regarding antitrust examination on mergers and acquisitions by foreign businesses and penalties on failure to report their investment information to related authorities. ACCELERATED LEGISLATION FOR OPENING-UP In late December, the original draft was submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for its first reading. When introducing the draft to lawmakers, Justice Minister Fu Zhenghua said the current laws could hardly catch up with the changing requirements in building a new system of open economy. "There is an urgent need for such a unified law to provide stronger legal protection for further expanding opening up and better using foreign investment," Fu said. Du Liming, another lawmaker, proposed to accelerate the legislation work and put the draft to a vote at the upcoming NPC annual session in March. After the first reading, the draft was distributed to agencies at the central and local governments, a number of institutions of higher learning and research organizations to solicit opinions. The NPC Standing Committee also published the draft online to seek public comments until Feb. 24. Suggestions from nearly 500 users have been received so far. Multiple commissions of the NPC also discussed with central government agencies, experts, foreign business chambers and foreign companies to hear their opinions. All parties agreed to the enactment of the law, saying it is an important step to improve the legal system concerning foreign affairs and will help China attract more foreign investment, open wider to the world and enhance its ease of doing business, according to Li Fei. HIGH EXPECTATIONS Ma Zheng, vice president of the China subsidiary of major agricultural commodities trader Cargill, believes the replacement of the three existing laws governing foreign investment with the unified one is of much significance. Ma said the new law would provide foreign investors and companies, including Cargill, with a more solid guarantee of protecting their legitimate rights and interests, adding that the new law would make the country's foreign investment environment more open, fairer and more transparent. One provision in the draft proposes to use the same contents prescribed in the Company Law and the Partnership Enterprise Law to regulate foreign investment enterprises' organizational form and structure. With its provisions on better protecting foreign investment, the new law will encourage Cargill to invest more in China, Ma said. Klaas Steendam, a Dutch national who has lived in northwest China's Qinghai Province for nearly 20 years, said with better policies and a sound legal system, the business environment in Qinghai will be better and more diversified. Since setting up Amdo Craft, a company doing trade business of Qinghai's handicraft articles, in 2007, Steendam has expanded the company into one with more than 40 sales outlets, 10 of which are overseas. Yuan Xiaohua, vice general manager of Guangqi Honda, an automobile manufacturing joint venture between Japan's Honda Motor and China's GAC Group, said the draft will remove differing treatments foreign investment companies, Chinese enterprises and joint ventures previously faced. "The new law will help foreign investment companies and joint ventures enjoy more local preferential policies," said Yuan. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 23:16:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Mahmoud Darwesh, Najla Hamdy TRIPOLI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The eastern Libyan towns Jikharra, Awjila, and Jalu, home to 30,000 people, suffer from poor environmental conditions described by officials as "disasters," as a result of nearby oil and gas operations. Swamps of oil are scattered in the area, which are called by locals as "poisonous wells." The three towns are the country's richest areas in oil, containing dozens of oil wells. However, they suffer from pollution due to absence of attention from authorities, locals said. "The damage in the area is not limited to the environmental and agricultural side, but also to the health side. Gas emissions from the oil operations cause many diseases, including cancer and severe eye inflammation," said Salhin al-Awammi, head of the Jikharra Municipal council. Al-Awammi said that many severe eye inflammations were reported in the area recently as a result of gas emissions, and local authorities did not respond to repeated calls for help. Locals claimed that oil companies conduct explorations in farmers' lands without any compensations, causing lasting damage to the people. Mohamed Saleh al-Hamdi, a farmer, said that Germany's Wintershall drilled an oil well in his land and caused great damage to his family, without providing any compensation. "My whole farm is damaged and the state did not compensate me. Nearby houses have been affected by oil operations but the authorities ignore us. Our sons did not get employed in these oil operations," al-Hamdi told Xinhua. Al-Hamdi and many other locals of the area are waiting for the government to find a solution for the pollution problem. Libyan economy is mainly based on oil revenues. The country's oil sector suffered from years of armed conflict and repeated closures of oil fields and ports by militants and protesters. Libya has been suffering insecurity, chaos and political division since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Despite signing a UN-sponsored political agreement by the Libyan rival parties in 2015, Libya remains politically divided between eastern and western authorities, both competing for legitimacy. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called conditions in Amtraks North River tunnel alarming, after he and members of New Jerseys congressional delegation surveyed the 108-year-old tunnel on Monday. The tour was part of a renewed effort to push for the federal government to fund its half of the stalled $14.5 billion Gateway Plan, which would fix the current tunnel, build a new one, and replace the century-old Portal North Bridge. It's pretty alarming to say the least, Murphy said at a press conference at Penn Station in Manhattan following the tour. We came through a tunnel system and a network that was built during the term of President Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt in 1910. It was a feat of engineering then, but it is long past due to be updated. Under a 2015 plan struck with former President Obama, New Jersey and New York committed to pay for half of the funds needed for the first phase of the Gateway Plan. Repairs on the Portal North Bridge have begun, but the Trump Administration has denied the existence of any 50-50 payment scheme and has so far refused to fund the tunnel project. The North River Tunnel, which sustained heavy damage during Hurricane Sandy, connects Amtrak's northeast corridor and New Jersey transit lines to New York Penn Station, with about 200,000 passengers and 450 trains passing through it each day, according to Amtrak. The tunnel is safe but requires heavy maintenance each day to keep it functioning, officials said. The U.S. Department of Transportation now insists that most of the riders who rely on the infrastructure are local, and that local governments should be responsible for making the repairs. But Democrats like New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez who gathered to view the tunnel Monday, contend the project is vital to the whole region, and thus the health of the U.S. economy. This is project of national significanceTwenty percent of the entire countrys gross domestic product depends upon this region and this is artery that makes that pound successfully, Menendez said. We are sitting on a transportation ticking time-bomb and we do not have the luxury of waiting. A spokesperson for the United States Department of Transportation didnt immediately return a request for comment. Gwynne Hogan is an associate producer at WNYC. You can follow her on Twitter at @GwynneFitz. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 22:36:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan and Russia on Tuesday agreed to continue regular consultations on Afghan peace process and support regional initiatives to bring lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said. The two sides reached the understanding during a meeting here between Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Russian President's Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov. "The Foreign Minister lauded the important contributions Russia had made in the Afghan peace process including through Moscow Format of Consultations," a Foreign Ministry's statement said. The Pakistani foreign minister underlined the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and appreciated the growing international consensus on the need for a negotiated settlement of the decade old conflict in Afghanistan, the statement said. During the meeting, Kabulov, who reached here late Monday, appreciated the role of Pakistan as a facilitator in the Afghan peace process. The Pakistan visit by Kabulov came after both the countries showed their desire to discuss ongoing Afghan peace process, according to Pakistani officials. Kabulov earlier in the day also held a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 22:31:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Tuesday appealed for a total of 1.2 billion U.S. dollars to fund its vital core services and life-saving humanitarian aid for 5.4 million Palestinian refugees across the Middle East for 2019. The presentation of the agency's 2019 priorities and financial requirements comes in the wake of a remarkable global mobilization to overcome an unprecedented shortfall and existential crisis following the decision by its largest donor, the United States, to cut 300 million dollars of its contribution last year. Some 750 million dollars will be required to continue the agency's core services, which encompass education, health, and relief and social services and contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. Furthermore, 138 million dollars will be required to provide emergency humanitarian aid to the operations in Gaza and West Bank, and 277 million dollars will be required in support of the Syria Regional Crisis Emergency Appeal in Syria and for Palestinian refugees from Syria in Lebanon and Jordan, according to a statement a copy of which was obtained by Xinhua. In 2019, Palestinian refugees will continue to face a range of daunting human development and protection challenges, UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl said in the statement. "Central to these pressures is the way in which the ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territory and the blockade of Gaza dramatically impact the lives of Palestine refugees. The effects of violence, incursions, lack of freedom of movement and employment opportunities, as well as increasing levels of food insecurity and psychological trauma are alarming and expanding," he said. In Syria, the ongoing conflict has many acute consequences for Palestinian refugees in the country and beyond, from displacement to loss of livelihoods, as well as the daily struggle to survive the immense adversity imposed by eight years of war, he added. Krahenbuhl paid a strong tribute to all UNRWA donor partners. "As we faced the most severe financial challenge in our proud history, it was both humbling and inspiring to have witnessed the extent and generosity of the response from host and donor governments, from within the United Nations and NGO partners, from civil society and individuals. I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude for this exemplary commitment and solidarity," he said. "One of the greatest concerns for Palestinian refugees is the current near complete absence of horizon, both political and personal. In the midst of this, it is essential to preserve the key services carried out by courageous UNRWA staff in some of the most difficult and polarized regions of the Middle East," he concluded. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 22:31:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close GAZA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Gaza Health Ministry said that a 45-year-old Palestinian was critically wounded in his neck Tuesday by Israeli soldiers' gunfire in northwestern Gaza Strip, not far from the border with Israel. Ashraf al-Qedra, Health Ministry spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that Amin Hamdouna was shot in his neck and is in critical condition. Hamdouna was shot as he was driving a bulldozer in northern Gaza Strip close to the border with Israel. He was bulldozing the ground and paving for protesters who arrived at the area to join anti-Israel rally, according to eyewitnesses. Meanwhile, the Gaza-based high commission of the weekly protest, the "Great March of Return," called on the Gaza people to join the weekly maritime rallies on Tuesday afternoon. The maritime rallies have stopped for three weeks due to the cold weather and heavy rains, where the high commission decided to resume it. Since March 30 last year, the Palestinians have been carrying out weekly anti-Israel rallies and protests on Friday and maritime rallies on Monday or Tuesday. The Israeli army has shot dead more than 250 Palestinians and wounded at least 25,000 others, most of whom were injured by Israeli soldiers' gunfire, said al-Qedra. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 22:31:28|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Jorge Bom Jesus, Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, addresses a reception for the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe, Jan. 28, 2019. Sao Tome and Principe will do its best to attract more Chinese investment, Jorge Bom Jesus said Monday. (Xinhua/Leo Pedro) SAO TOME, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Sao Tome and Principe will do its best to attract more Chinese investment, Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus has said. Speaking to the local Chinese community on Monday on celebrations of the Chinese New Year, the prime minister said he expects cooperation with China to "continue to grow stronger." "The new government is going to do its best, particularly in external politics, to attract more and more Chinese investments to Sao Tome and Principe. So we can live better days in a perspective of a common vision for the happiness and well-being of the peoples from both countries," said the prime minister. Accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Commerce and Industry, the PM said they were here to witness the presence of the Chinese community together with the people of Sao Tome and to reinforce friendship and cooperation ties between the two nations. For his part, Chinese Ambassador Wang Wei said that "the cooperation is growing stronger and more Chinese businessmen are willing and expressed interest to invest in the country." "2019 is the year of pig in Chinese zodiac, which according to our culture, means fortune and wealth. So I wish all of us to make much fortune, and a lot of progress in the coming year," the ambassador said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 22:21:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that 130 illegal immigrants were evacuated from Libya to Niger. "Today, 130 refugees from Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia departed from our Gathering & Departure Center (GDF) in Tripoli to UNHCR Emergency Transit Mechanism in Niamey," UNHCR said in a statement. "They were all released a few days ago from different Libyan detention centers thanks to UNHCR advocacy," the statement said. Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe because of insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of illegal immigrants rescued at sea or arrested by the Libyan security services. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 22:11:21|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- With "one country, two systems" as its greatest advantage, Hong Kong will acquire more of a sense of contentment and happiness by staying committed to the basis of "one country" and well leveraging the benefits of "two systems," an official said here Tuesday. Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), made the remarks while addressing more than 4,000 attendees at the liaison office's Chinese New Year reception held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. In 2018, China celebrated the 40th anniversary of its reform and opening-up, and solemnly declared a firm resolve to carry on this cause without pause in the new era, Wang said. He added that Hong Kong has actively participated in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a positive trend of integrating itself into the country's overall development. "By participating in the Greater Bay Area construction, the HKSAR, for the first time, is deeply engaged in drafting and implementing an outline of a national strategic plan," he said. "All of these achievements again explain that 'one country, two systems' is Hong Kong's greatest advantage and the Chinese mainland with reform and opening-up is Hong Kong's biggest stage," he said. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Pointing out that during the past 70 years, Hong Kong has always been developing and thriving together with the mainland, Wang expressed hope that all circles of Hong Kong society will contribute to the country's comprehensive opening-up in a more proactive manner. "Hong Kong compatriots will acquire more of a sense of contentment, security and happiness by staying committed to the basis of 'one country' and well leveraging the benefits of 'two systems'," he said. Wang also pledged that the liaison office will open its doors wider in the new year, and will invite the HKSAR government officials and friends from various social walks, including all members of the HKSAR Legislature Council, for a gathering to further enhance mutual understanding. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:41:15|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Traveling is an inseparable part of happiness among Chinese people, according to a report. About 80 percent of all respondents think that family tours can bring happiness, and 96.5 percent of those surveyed crave family tours, according to the report jointly released by the China Tourism Academy and China UMS. Last year, a total of 5.54 billion tourists traveled within China, up 10.76 percent year on year. The tourists generated a revenue of about 5.13 trillion yuan (762 billion U.S. dollars). About 148 million Chinese residents traveled overseas in 2018, up 13.5 percent year on year. The report also showed that tourists that spent between 20 to 50 U.S. dollars a day each accounted for 29.9 percent of all tourists last year, while those who spent more than 50 dollars a day each accounted for 8.4 percent. By 2020, these two groups of people will make up almost half of all tourists, the report said. Tourist satisfaction on the quality of domestic and overseas tours has been rising, the report indicated. In 2019, more than 6 billion tourists are expected to travel within China. Meanwhile, about 166 million Chinese tourists will travel overseas. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:31:13|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close by Eric J. Lyman ROME, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Like many towns in the most isolated parts of Italy, Grottole is dying. But the picturesque village in the region of Basilicata -- in the arch of the country's boot-shaped peninsula -- is not accepting its fate, striking an unusual deal with a distant ally in an attempt to re-cast its fortunes. Grottole takes its name from the local network of "grotte" or caves, which were home to the town's first residents. The earliest recorded historical reference to the town dates back to its role as a Greek outpost more than 3,000 years ago. Its skyline is still dominated by a 10th-century castle built when the town was home to more than 10,000 residents, mostly farmers. But its population has been dwindling for years. Today it is inhabited by just 300 residents, down from 2,500 a dozen years ago. More than 600 homes in the town are uninhabited. Grottole's situation is not unusual in Italy. For generations, Italians born in small, rural towns have emigrated in search of work -- first to the United States and South America, then to industrial centers in northern Italy, and more recently to European neighbors with more vibrant job markets. That trend has left hundreds of rural towns across Italy either without residents or with shrinking, elderly populations. "A lot of these isolated towns, like Grottole, were built there specifically because they are hard to get to, which made them easy to defend from invaders," Antonio Abano, a history of urbanization professor at the University of London, told Xinhua. "But that characteristic kept population from growing beyond a certain level, and that kept competitive industries from developing," he said. "Eventually, the most capable residents would leave town to find work. Most of them never come back." Abano went on: "The trendline for these towns is not encouraging; they have to have an effective strategy to avoid disappearing all together." Many have tried, with varying levels of success. In recent years, for example, Ollolai on Sardinia and Gangi on Sicily are among the towns to put a one-euro (1.15 U.S. dollars) price tag on abandoned homes for people willing to move there and refurbish the houses. Tuscany's Castello di Gargonza and Santo Stefano di Sessanio in Abruzzo are among the towns that began to revitalize after a major hotel operator acquired parts of town. The Calabrian town of Riace bolstered its population by welcoming refugees. And Bagnoregio, near Rome, has propped up its finances by charging tourists to enter the town. Other communities have tried to reinvent themselves as communes, artist communities, or gastronomic destinations. Grottole is pinning its hopes on Airbnb, the peer-to-peer hospitality marketing giant. The California-based company has drawn criticisms for the impact it has had on the hotel industry, but here it is focused on having a positive social aspect. Leaders from the town and the company have announced an initiative that will underwrite the expenses for four people to live in Grottole for three months this summer, paying for their housing and a stipend of 1,000 U.S. dollars (875 euros) per month to cover other expenses. Those selected will come from a pool of applicants who file by Feb. 15. The company says thousands of applications have been submitted so far. The plan will help promote the town by hosting education and cultural events aimed at attracting a kind of sustainable tourism. The company will also pay to convert three local buildings into a community center operated by the town government. "The town is not looking for regular tourists but rather for people to enjoy the town and be part of the community," Airbnb's Federica Calcaterra said in a statement. Abano said a plan like the one involving Grottole could succeed. "What is clear is that doing nothing does not work," he said, adding "The towns that manage to bring new life to their streets are the ones that make a long-term strategy and stick by it." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:21:11|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ALGIERS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Algeria is a stable country in a region known for tension, said Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel, according to the Algerian News Agency on Tuesday. Messahel said that stability came after a decade of terror in Algeria, in a presentation at the Center for the Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington on the fight against terrorism and national reconciliation. "We exerted efforts to establish peace that began in civil harmony followed by national reconciliation promoted by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Reconciliation helped put an end to the national tragedy," he made it clear. It also helped the state to direct state resources toward social and economic development, he said. "Algeria maintains its stability despite the security challenges and crises in the Middle East," the minister said. During his stay in Washington, the Algerian minister co-chaired with the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo the fourth Algerian-U.S. Strategic Dialogue session. Messahel's visit to the United States ran on Jan. 28 and 29. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:16:10|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close by Peter Barker, Gui Tao LONDON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Improving productivity, instead of the Brexit issue, is the primary task facing the British economy at the moment, said renowned British economist Jim O'Neill. "The UK being in or out of the EU (European Union) is not the most important thing facing our economic future, and I strongly believe that," O'Neill, chairman of Chatham House think tank in London, told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview. He also serves as the chief economist at Goldman Sachs and coined the acronym BRIC nations in the early 2000s to capture the idea of the future strength and potential for the world economy offered by the developing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Britain faces a March 29 deadline to leave the 28-nation bloc under the formal EU exit process of Article 50. But the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and British Prime Minister Theresa May's government has been rejected by the House of Commons. A Brexit formula, which unites a majority of the House of Commons, looks difficult to achieve. Meanwhile, the deadline is drawing closer and Britain faces the prospect of crashing out of the bloc without a deal. But for O'Neill, Brexit is very much a short-term problem and he has a longer vision when he looks at economic issues. "Doing something about our productivity performance and our geographic inequality and our inter-generational inequality, these things are way more important (than Brexit)," O'Neill said. Britain has suffered a slump in its productivity growth since the financial crisis, and at times the improvements in figures seen in one half of a year are wiped out in the next quarter. Britain's slowdown has been more dramatic than that of any major Western economy, with annual growth in productivity falling from an average annual rate of about 2.3 percent before the financial crisis to 0.4 percent in the past decade. The average British worker produced 16 percent less on average than counterparts in other members of the Group of Seven leading economies in 2016, according to data from the British official statistics body, the Office for National Statistics. "So, even a hard Brexit, which would be very bad at first, isn't as important as those things. The contradictory part is -- why the hell would we deliberately make our productivity challenge even worse by choosing to have no trade arrangements with the single biggest economic trading zone in the world?" O'Neill said. "Doesn't really make a lot of sense." CHALLENGE TO INDUSTRY O'Neill cited his own industry of finance and the successful industry of auto assembly as areas where the economy could suffer after Brexit because there could be greater friction and costs to both trade and imports, which would eat into businesses' profit margins. In 2017, the British auto industry built 1.3 million cars for export, accounting for 12.8 percent of total British exports, according to motor industry statistics. "The auto industry, which in modern Britain is arguably the most successful of any traditional industry, produces more cars today than 40 years ago -- it would be decimated under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules," O'Neill said. "Some of the world's most productive auto plants are in the UK, and if we go out under WTO rules they won't stay that way because the profit margins are too thin -- I'm sure there are many other industries where that's true." "My old industry of finance would have some interesting challenges," O'Neill added, and challenged the idea that Britain could leave the EU with a managed no-deal. ISSUES OF GLOBALIZATION, LEFT-BEHIND PEOPLE O'Neill had served in the British government for several years after he left banking as treasury minister in the coalition government of David Cameron. "There are a lot of people in the Western world who don't believe, because of the circumstances they've lived in, that the past 30 years have helped them at all," O'Neill said. "When our Chancellor of the Exchequer often says 'we didn't vote to make ourselves poorer,' actually a lot of people that are poor in the UK might have voted to make themselves poorer, because they want to shake up the system." "They don't really understand the degree of sacrifice they might make, but they don't mind sacrificing growth in the UK, because they've not benefited from (it) anyhow," he added. "There's a commonality with this (thinking) in the U.S., there's some commonality of it in many parts of Europe, and it is clear that -- as fantastic as globalization has been for China and for many other places, and for the elite world that I've lived through -- there's a lot of lower-income, working people that have not benefited much from the past 30 years, and it's easy to blame globalization." Last January, with the #MeToo movement in full force, Mayor Bill de Blasio conceded that he wasn't sure whether his administration was keeping track of sexual harassment complaints made in the municipal workplace. "I am pleased to say this has not been a phenomenon that I have heard coming up in our administration in any significant way, thank God, and its something we take very, very seriously and we would address very seriously in each instance," the mayor said, when asked about the data during a press conference. "While being always watchful and vigilant, I am happy to say I have not seen that kind of behavior." Barely a month later, the mayor would quietly push out his acting chief of staff, Kevin O'Brien, following complaints of sexual harassment made by two city employees. No public announcement was ever made, and the decision was revealed only through documents obtained by the New York Times earlier this month. By then, O'Brien had found a new job at Hilltop Public Solutions, a lobbying firm closely connected to de Blasio. Defending the decision to not publicly disclose the true cause of O'Brien's firing, the mayor blamed Hilltop, noting that "it's a rare employer who doesnt do a reference check on an employee." But it turns out that the 36-year-old political aide had already faced accusations of sexual harassment prior to joining the mayor's inner circle. According to a new report in the Times, O'Brien was ousted from his job as senior adviser at the Democratic Governors Association in Washington for a similar misconduct allegation, just a few weeks before he was hired as de Blasio's deputy chief of staff. The complaint was backed up by a subsequent investigation, and Montana Governor Steve Bullock, whom O'Brien represented at the association, had been aware of it before O'Brien was quietly dismissed. "There was no indication whether Mr. Bullock had reached out to warn City Hall officials about the harassment incident," according to the Times. Kevin OBrien has done an outstanding job as acting Chief of Staff as we went through a very intense 2017 and will continue with us in a senior capacity. Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) November 30, 2017 A spokesperson for Mayor de Blasio, Eric Phillips, said that the decision to hire a credibly accused harasser was the result of Bullock withholding "adverse information" about O'Brien, and thus did not represent a failure on the part of City Hall. "Im sure everyone will look at what could have been done differently, if anything," Phillips told Gothamist. "But to suggest failure on the City and [Department of Investigation's] end is not accurate. The practices are very thorough and they were followed. That doesnt make them foolproof 100% of the time." In addition to the normal vetting processwhich includes a lengthy DOI questionnaire, and checking with former employersO'Brien's hiring was also seemingly based on his close connection to political strategist Nicholas Baldick, who started Hilltop Public Solutions. Emails reluctantly released by the city show Baldick angling to get O'Brien a job in the de Blasio administration multiple times, with the mayor eventually agreeing to "slot him in as Deputy Chief of Staff and see how he does" (starting salary: $175,000). Baldick has denied knowing about either of the harassment complaints against the employee he recommended, and then eventually re-hired. O'Brien has since been fired from Hilltop, and has released separate statements blaming complaints of harassment at both his previous jobs as the result of "horrible decisions" made while drinking. In a phone call with Gothamist, Gloria Allred, a civil rights attorney who's represented women in several high-profile harassment cases, speculated that the "level of scrutiny" applied by the Mayor's Office into O'Brien's hiring may have been diminished due to his connection with one of de Blasio's allies. "There should be an independent process in the Mayors Office to vet a person, regardless of whether they are referred by a friend, a political donor, an ally or someone else," she said. Allred added that the mayor now owes it to his employees to reevaluate both how candidates are vetted, and how complaints against alleged harassers are handled. "It doesnt feel right to do business as usual, to go along and be satisfied with, 'Well, I didnt know that he had a prior allegation,'" the attorney said. At the very least, according to Allred, the mayor could circulate an anonymous survey allowing staffers to review the policies and practices surrounding new hiring. "After it's revealed that a high level employee has been previously alleged to have sexually harassed someone, and that there were more allegations made after he became an employeeat that point, there should be a review of both policies and practices at the Mayor's Office," noted Allred. "If I were the mayor I would want to know why I didnt know, and how we can develop a process so that in the future I will know." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:16:10|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat said Tuesday that the people of Palestine need international protection until the end of the Israeli occupation. His announcement came in reaction to Israel's decision not to extend the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH). "We call upon the United Nations to guarantee the safety and protection of the people of Palestine, not only ensuring the continued presence of TIPH in Hebron, but also to deploy permanent international presence in Occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem, until the end of Israel's belligerent occupation," Erekat said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that Israel will not extend the mandate of TIPH, which has been in operation in the southern West Bank city of Hebron for 20 years. The Oslo Accords, signed between the PLO and Israeli government in 1995, called for a partial redeployment of Israeli forces in Hebron and a second temporary international presence in Hebron to be established as the Israeli forces were redeployed from the city. The set up of the TIPH was led by Norway and it has been operating since January 1997. The renewal of the TIPH team's mandate takes place every six months by both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority (PA). The PA has approved the team's mandate for another six months last week. The TIPH, composed of 64 international observers from five European countries and headed by Norway, was established upon the adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 904, following the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre that took place in 1994. On February 25, 1994, Baruch Goldstein, a settler and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reserve medic, entered into the mosque during the dawn prayers on a Ramadan morning and killed 29 worshippers and injured another 125. Goldstein was killed by survivors of the attack. The UNSC Resolution 904 also called upon Israel to confiscate arms of the Israeli settlers to prevent them from committing further crimes against the people of Palestine. "Israel has never honored international will nor law. Just yesterday, Benjamin Netanyahu again confirmed to the settler movement that even Israeli colonial installations, considered illegal by Israeli law, will not be removed and that the entirety of the land of historic Palestine is for the State of Israel," said Erekat. He added that "the latest Israeli decision not to renew the mandate of TIPH, which has existed since 1997, is an additional step towards Israel's nullification of all signed treaties, including the Oslo Interim Agreement." It further consolidates the Israeli colonial enterprise and represents one further step towards a "de jure" annexation of further areas in the occupied State of Palestine, noted Erekat. "With the support of the current U.S. administration, Israel continues to incite against and violate the fundamental and national rights and freedom of the people of Palestine, and to degrade and insult the very body that unites the nations of our world, the United Nations," he added. "The continuation of Israeli escalations, including the threat of home evictions facing several Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem, against Palestinian men, women, children and elderly, necessitate the immediate intervention of the international community," said Erekat. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:16:10|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Russian city of Perm, administrative center of the Perm region in the Ural Mountains, canceled all lessons on Tuesday due to bomb threats, the regional Territorial Security Ministry said. "Afternoon classes in all schools in Perm will be canceled due to anonymous e-mailed threats. Kindergartens will work as usual," it said in a statement. Perm, a city with a population of around 1 million, has 134 schools, according to the city directory. Earlier this month, Russian media reported evacuations in 12 Russian regions following anonymous calls and messages regarding bomb threats, none of which proved to be true. In 2017, millions of people were evacuated from public places throughout Russia, following similar anonymous telephone calls from abroad, which later turned out to be hoaxes. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:06:09|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close An Artist from China's Yunnan Province performs during the opening ceremony of the Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Yunnan Province of China and Happy Chinese New Year Photo Exhibition at the China Cultural Center in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/U Aung) YANGON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition of intangible cultural heritage from China's Yunnan Province kicked off Tuesday at China Cultural Center in Myanmar's Yangon. Scheduled to run for two days, the exhibition is being held under the theme "Recalling of the Beauty of Colorful Yunnan." Yunnan, a multi-cultural province in southwestern China, is rich with intangible cultural heritage, with as many as 26 ethnic groups, out of a total of 56 in China, residing in the province. Wang Xue Hong, wife of Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, expressed her belief that the exhibition could promote cultural exchanges between China and Myanmar. It is necessary to preserve and value the cultural heritage of a country as the heritage reflects the image of that country and its people, U Aung Naing Myint, Rector of National University of Arts and Culture of Myanmar, told the event. The two-day exhibition displays 16 intangible cultural heritage crafts including Yiliang bamboo weaving, tin making technique, Jianchuan woodcarving, tie-dyeing technique of the Bai people, Naxi Dongba painting, cucurbit flute making, the shadow puppet making, among others. The exhibition was jointly organized by Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Yunnan Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Center and China Cultural Center in Myanmar. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 21:06:08|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will send 10 satellites to join the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) through seven separate launches this year, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced Tuesday. The launches will help complete the BDS global network by 2020, said Shang Zhi, director of the Space Department of the CASC, at a press conference, where the Blue Book of China Aerospace Science and Technology Activities was released. According to the blue book, a total of 18 BeiDou satellites were launched in 2018, marking the completion of the BDS-3 primary system. The navigation system has started to provide global service. As an important achievement during the past 40 years of reform and opening-up, the BDS has also been widely used to serve China's economic development. More than 6,000 fishing boats in the eastern province of Zhejiang have been installed with the BDS ship movement monitoring system, which helps them improve positioning accuracy and promptness, according to the blue book. About 6.17 million vehicles, 35,000 postal and express delivery vehicles and 80,000 buses in 36 major cities have been installed or are compatible with the BDS. The system is also used in homemade civilian aircraft, it says. China Post has equipped its postal vehicles with 30,000 BDS terminals and connected them with the BDS-based information management platform. E-commerce giant JD.com also arms 1,500 logistics vehicles and 2,000 couriers with smart BDS terminals, according to the blue book. The BDS is also widely used to serve the country's agricultural production. An automatic driving system for agricultural vehicles has been put into large-scale application across the country, while the farming supervision platform based on the navigation system has served more than 50,000 farm machines and facilities. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:56:04|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close WUHAN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Water Resources said on Tuesday that illegal infrastructure along the Yangtze River is being dismantled to restore order. A year-long inspection organized by the ministry and local water authorities showed that there are 5,700 infrastructure projects along a total of 8,311 kilometers of main river shorelines. About 2,441 of these infrastructures -- bridges, ports, docks, ferry crossing and sewerage facilities -- are considered against relevant regulations, Vice Minister Wei Shanzhong said. The first batch of 356 facilities will be dismantled by the end of June, he said at a special symposium on the Yangtze River conservation in Wuhan, one of the largest cities in the middle reach. The cleanup is part of the intensive environment efforts underway along the river. Last year, over 1,376 spots for solid waste were removed from near the water body, the ministry said. A plan released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the National Development and Reform Commission in China outlined tasks to improve Yangtze water quality by 2020. Tasks include strengthening industrial, agricultural and shipping pollution treatment, ensuring safety of drinking water source quality and cracking down on ecological destruction. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:51:04|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday hailed the economic cooperation deals between his country and Iran as a strong economic base to face "the economic war launched by the West," according to the state news agency SANA. Assad made the remarks during his meeting with Eshaq Jahangiri, the first vice president of Iran, who arrived in Damascus a day earlier and signed economic cooperation deals with Syria. The Syrian president said the signed agreements hold a strategic dimension and constitute a solid economic base for Syria and Iran to face the economic war launched by the Western countries. Assad also underlined the need to intensify the mutual efforts at this phase to strip the Western countries from any reason to weaken Iran and Syria. The president noted that the economic war on both countries comes following the failure of the Western powers to impose their will on Syria through supporting terrorism. For his part, Jahangiri said that his country, which stood by Syria's side in the war on terror, will be with Syria in the reconstruction process. A day earlier, Syria and Iran signed 11 economic deals which were seen by Syria's Prime Minister Emad Khamis as a "truly historic station" in the cooperation between both countries. At a press conference held in Damascus on Monday evening, Khamis said the agreements cover the industrial, agricultural, service, infrastructure and energy sectors among others. Khamis said his government also reached an agreement with Iran on the banking sector as well as establishing an electricity generating station in the coastal city of Latakia. Both sides also signed agreements to expand the ports in Latakia and Tartus. The prime minister continued that they have dozens of projects that will be continued in the oil sector mainly in the eastern region. Jahangiri highlighted the banking cooperation as the base for economic cooperation, saying the central banks of Iran and Syria have agreed to establish banking cooperation deals between the two countries. The Iranian official also mentioned the electricity sector, saying they will build an electricity generating station in Latakia city. The agreements also reached for the rehabilitation of other electricity stations in the country. Both sides also highlighted the need to link Syria with Iran through Iraq by railways so that Iran has a direct link to the Mediterranean. A permanent fair for Iranian goods will also be opened in Damascus. The Syrian-Iranian relations support the peace in the world, Jahangiri said, hoping the economic ties between both countries could reach the same level of the political relations. He added that if it wasn't for the successful counter-terror measures in Syria and Iraq, "we would have been facing terrorism in Europe." Iran has been a key backer to the Syrian government in the face of the more than seven-year war and is now aiming to be a part of Syria's reconstruction process with the dwindling battles across the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:51:02|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NICOSIA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the seven southern European Union (EU) countries are meeting here in the Cypriot capital later on Tuesday to discuss major challenges their countries and EU are facing. A Cypriot official said they will focus on issues which mostly affect them, such as the migration crisis, energy security, climatic change and regional political problems. But they will also debate on wider issues, including a possible hard Brexit, the multiannual fiscal framework and developments in the euro area, ahead of an unofficial EU summit in Bucharest in February, said the official. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades will host at the fifth annual Med-7 Summit Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell Fontelles, and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. They will start arriving early in the afternoon, ahead of a plenary session late in the afternoon. Cypriot government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that the seven leaders are not acting as a group but as leaders of EU countries which share common interests. He added that some of the greatest challenges Europe is faced with today are of particular interest to the Mediterranean, namely migration, the inflow of refugees and climate change, on which President Anastasiades will make a specific proposal for action. Anastasiades will brief the meeting on latest developments on the Cyprus problem, ahead of new talks involving a United Nations envoy in Nicosia on Sunday, for restarting the stalled peace negotiations after a gap of almost two years, the spokesman said. The Cypriot president is also expected to raise the issues of energy security in the eastern Mediterranean in the face of harassment of natural gas exploration in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone by Turkey, which does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU and UN member, as a state. Prodromou said the Med-7 summit in Nicosia is a practical reply to Turkey's refusal to recognize Cyprus. According to the spokesman, the summit will issue a joint declaration, which he termed as a document of special political importance to emphasize the migration issue. "This major issue has been confined to a large extent in the south and this is also exerting great pressure on Cyprus, as thousands of unregulated immigrants arrive constantly," he said. He added that Nicosia is appealing to the European Union, not necessarily for economic assistance but application in practice of the principle of solidarity, taking into consideration that Turkey refuses to apply its agreement with EU for the readmission of refugees when it comes to Cyprus. Ahead of the summit, Anastasiades will meet privately France's Macron to conclude bilateral agreements, which may include security arrangements for natural gas exploration activities, given that French Total company is involved in gas drilling. He will also discuss in private with Italian Prime Minister Conte the proposed EastMed project to construct a 2,000 kilometer long gas pipe to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe through Cyprus, Greece and Italy. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:51:00|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The UN in Tanzania on Tuesday condemned the recent suspected ritual killing of 10 children in the east African nation's southern highland region of Njombe. "The United Nations in Tanzania offers its deepest condolences to the families and communities of children who have been brutally murdered in Njombe over the last few weeks," the UN said in a statement. The statement said the attack and murder of children is unacceptable. "Children have a fundamental right to be safe and be protected from violence so that they can enjoy their childhood and reach their full potential," the statement said. "The UN joins the government of the United Republic of Tanzania in condemning these heinous acts. As the UN, we stand ready to support the government in their efforts to address the issue," said Alvaro Rodriguez, UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania. "Additionally, we call upon all stakeholders to join hands to ensure that homes, schools and communities are safe spaces for children," added Rodriguez. The statement said children were exposed to extreme forms of violence and exploitation in many parts of the world. "This has to stop," said Maniza Zaman, UNICEF Representative in Tanzania, adding that no form of violence or abuse against a child is acceptable or permissible for any reason and such act is an outright violation of their basic human rights. Ruth Msafiri, Njombe District Commissioner, said on Monday a total of 10 children's dead bodies were discovered in different parts of the town, some being slaughtered and their body parts removed. The Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Hamad Masauni, swore that the government will hunt all the killers and bring them to book. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:35:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral trade between Mongolia and Belarus reached 16 million U.S. dollars in 2018, up 22 percent from the previous year, a senior official of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Tuesday. Dubova Yaroslavovna, deputy general director for Foreign Economic Activity of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shared the data at a business meeting between Mongolia and Belarus in Ulan Bator. Yaroslavovna called for further efforts from both countries to increase the bilateral trade volume. "The two countries have great potential to increase bilateral trade volume by intensifying cooperation in areas, including mining, agriculture and transportation," she said. Relations between Mongolia and Belarus have been friendly since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:20:52|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday started reviewing a new draft of the foreign investment law, the latest move to promote the country's opening-up initiative. During the two-day session, members of the top legislature are scheduled to deliberate a new version of the draft law, which has been updated from the first draft submitted to the previous session last month. Once adopted, the unified law will replace three existing laws on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, non-equity joint ventures (or contractual joint ventures) and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. By the end of October 2018, a total of nearly 950,000 foreign-funded companies had registered in China, bringing in an accumulated investment of over 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars and performing as major driving forces in China's economic and social development. BETTER PROTECTION To better implement the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017, the new draft further expanded the article on the system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list, said Li Fei, chairman of the NPC Constitution and Law Committee, while presenting the new draft to lawmakers. The draft is also in line with the amendment to the Constitution, which, adopted by the NPC in March, stipulates that China "pursues a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up." Definitions of the terms are included in the article, in addition to a clause requiring the state to give national treatment to foreign investments outside the negative list. It also stipulates that foreign-invested enterprises have equal access to favorable policies for enterprises. In line with provisions in the Constitution, the new draft proposes that the state shall not expropriate or requisition foreign investment, except under particular circumstances and in the public interest. If the state expropriates or requisitions foreign investment, "due legal procedures must be followed while prompt, fair and reasonable compensation should be made," it notes. The new draft also includes regulations regarding antitrust examination on mergers and acquisitions by foreign businesses and penalties on failure to report their investment information to related authorities. ACCELERATED LEGISLATION FOR OPENING-UP In late December, the original draft was submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for its first reading. When introducing the draft to lawmakers, Justice Minister Fu Zhenghua said the current laws could hardly catch up with the changing requirements in building a new system of open economy. "There is an urgent need for such a unified law to provide stronger legal protection for further expanding opening up and better using foreign investment," Fu said. After the first reading, the draft was distributed to agencies at the central and local governments, a number of institutions of higher learning and research organizations to solicit opinions. The NPC Standing Committee also published the draft online to seek public comments until Feb. 24. Suggestions from nearly 500 users have been received so far. Multiple commissions of the NPC also discussed with central government agencies, experts, foreign business chambers and foreign companies to hear their opinions. All parties agreed to the enactment of the law, saying it is an important step to improve the legal system concerning foreign affairs and will help China attract more foreign investment, open wider to the world and enhance its ease of doing business, according to Li Fei. Ma Zheng, vice president of the China subsidiary of major agricultural commodities trader Cargill, believes the replacement of the three existing laws governing foreign investment with the unified one is of much significance. Ma said the new law would provide foreign investors and companies, including Cargill, with a more solid guarantee of protecting their legitimate rights and interests, adding that the new law would make the country's foreign investment environment more open, fairer and more transparent. One provision in the draft proposes to use the same contents prescribed in the Company Law and the Partnership Enterprise Law to regulate foreign investment enterprises' organizational form and structure. With its provisions on better protecting foreign investment, the new law will encourage Cargill to invest more in China, Ma said. Governor Andrew Cuomo made congestion pricing a centerpiece of his budget presentation earlier this month, pledging to raise $15 billion for transit improvements by tolling vehicles crossing bridges into Manhattan or traveling below 60th Street in Manhattan. According to a recent poll, 52 percent of New York State residents support congestion pricing, and that number climbs even higher for those living in the city. Missing from the conversation: Mayor Bill de Blasio, who at first said he did not "believe" in congestion pricing, and now says that the idea to toll cars coming into his city has nothing to do with him. "This is a decision that can only happen in Albany. And in this instance it can only be sorted out properly by the people who are doing the work in Albany," de Blasio told reporters at a press conference last week. "I understand the idea behind congestion pricing but I also understand there are real concerns in my view about fairness and about how such a thing could be implemented in a way that was truly progressive." Some of the dangers of the mayor sitting out the congestion pricing debate were highlighted by the NY Post's Nicole Gelinas, who notes that Cuomo's congestion pricing proposal gives the MTA's Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) the power to "occupy the sidewalks, roadways, streets, highways, bridges, tunnels, approaches, or highways of the city of New York, without the consent of or payment to the city of New York," all in the name of congestion pricing. "New York has spent the past decade building bike lanes and pedestrian plazas," Gelinas writes. "What if a future governor, under pressure from drivers to increase road space for cars, uses the new right to 'occupy the sidewalks, roadways [and] streets,' to rip them out, in the name of managing congestion pricing?" Cuomo's proposal also directs all the revenue from congestion pricing to MTA capital projects, and not city-specific concerns like roads, bridges, bus lanes, or bike lanes. What's to stop the governor from spending the new toll money on laser light shows for Metro-North platforms? "I think the issue here is that the mayor so far has not endorsed congestion pricing, and he has not yet laid out a vision of what he'd want to see if congestion pricing was implemented at the state level," said Kate Slevin, the head of state programs and advocacy for the Regional Plan Association, which supports the governor's proposal. "Many elected officials are champions for their communities, and so they know some of the investments they'd like to see to improve the transit services for the residents they represent, and it's an opportunity for them to express the desires that they'd like to see," Slevin added. "The mayor so far has not laid out his vision for what he would want." The TBTA already tolls vehicles using bridges and tunnels, which generated around a little less than $2 billion in revenue in 2017; Cuomo's congestion pricing proposal would add $1 billion to that. (For every $1 generated in revenue, the state can issue $15 dollars in bonds, which explains the $15 billion figure.) A proposed toll on for-hire vehicles could add as much as $700 million to that total. Meanwhile, a $2.50 fee on yellow cabs and some for-hire vehicles that was supposed to go into effect this month is tied up in court. The fee was approved by Cuomo and the legislature in March, after a broader push for congestion pricing failed, and was expected to bring in about $400 million a year for the MTA. Danny Pearlstein, a spokesperson for the Riders Alliance, which also backs the governor's plan, said that despite Cuomo's repeated denials that he controls the MTA, political pressure would make it difficult for the governor to spend congestion pricing revenue on anything but making the subways and buses run better. "It's his subway that's broken, it's his subway to fix, and congestion pricing is the big budget item on the table right now that he needs to fix the subway," Pearlstein said. On The Brian Lehrer Show Tuesday morning, Governor Cuomo was blunt. "The MTA needs more money. It first needs better management, but then it needs more money," the governor said. "There are only two options: fares go up, or you have congestion pricing. Pick it. There's either A or B. There's no C." The recently-averted MTA fare hike is actually supposed to support the system's operating budget, not its capital budget. Asked about the discrepancy, the governor's office told Gothamist that because congestion pricing's $15 billion for MTA capital projects is built in to the budget, the legislature would have to enact an additional fare increase to cover that $15 billion deficit if congestion pricing fails. Mayor de Blasio, who did weigh in on the speed camera debate last year when he urged Albany to give the city the authority to install more of them, has insisted there are other ways to generate the money for the MTA. "Ive said I believe the millionaires tax is the best option," de Blasio said of the idea that has received scant support in Albany. "There are other important ideas out therean internet sales tax, marijuana revenuetheres a lota state Transportation Bond Act. Theres a lot of different ideas being talked about. But I think in the end, we need to put pressure on Albany to decide on the package that they can live with. I am open to different options but it has to be something that will actually pass by April 1st." The Mayor's Office did not respond to our request for comment. [UPDATE] After the story published, Seth Stein, a spokesperson for Mayor de Blasio, sent us this statement: Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:10:47|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a condolence message to his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, over the blasts in the southern Philippines. In the message, Xi said he was shocked to learn of the two serious attacks inside and near the entrance of a Roman Catholic church on the island of Jolo in the southern Philippine province of Sulu that have caused heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, as well as in his own name, Xi deeply mourned the deceased and sent sincere condolences to their families and the injured. China determinedly opposes all forms of terrorism, and deeply condemns acts of violence targeted at innocent civilians, Xi said, adding that China is willing to fight terrorism together with other countries of the international community, including the Philippines, to maintain international and regional peace and stability. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:10:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Banking credit in Indonesia accelerated at a faster pace last year as financial stability commenced recovery, paring down risks of hawkish policy of U.S. Federal Reserve. Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) said on Tuesday that loan growth touched an 11.75 percent last year, significantly faster than that of a 8.24 percent in the presiding year. "This indicates that financial sector has already weathered a gradual recovery," head of commissioner board of the authority Wimboh Santoso said. The growth was attributed to the expansion in the sectors of electricity, gas, waters, mining and transport, the official said. On non-performing loan growth, Santoso said, it edged off to a 2.37 percent last year from a 2.59 percent in the presiding year. Santoso said most of the loans were used for financing productive business sectors, such as financing for capital works and investment. Banking credit for financing consumption sector also expanded, albeit it was not significant, he cited. For this year, the official looked the faster loan growth will persist as the country's central bank has recently signaled to end the long tightening cycle it applied from May to November of last year to pare down capital outflows. The central bank took the stance after the the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a dovish tone for this year. The Southeast Asia's biggest economy is looked to accelerated at a faster pace last year, a 5.14 percent from a 5.07 percent in the previous year. Indonesian central bank's long tightening cycle had not shown downshift risks on the loan growth last year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:10:47|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China plans to launch its third Long March-5 large carrier rocket in July, said Yang Baohua, vice president of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) on Tuesday. The second Long March-5 rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in the southern province of Hainan on July 2, 2017, but a malfunction happened less than six minutes after its liftoff. Yang said at a press conference of the CASC that the cause of the failure has been found. Analysis based on computer simulations and ground tests showed that a problem occurred in a turbine exhaust device in the engine of the first stage of the rocket, the China National Space Administration said earlier last year. The Long March-5 rocket will be the key for China's future space missions, said Shang Zhi, director of the Department of Space under CASC. If the third flight is successful, the fourth Long March-5 carrier rocket will be tasked to send the Chang'e-5 lunar probe to the moon to bring lunar samples back to Earth at the end of 2019, according to Yang. In addition, a test version of the Long March-5B carrier rocket, which will serve China's manned space exploration mission, is under development, and the research and development of the core module of the country's space station have carried on as planned, said Shang. The Long March-5B rocket, with a low-Earth orbit with a carrying capacity greater than 22 tonnes, will be used to launch the core module and experiment modules of China's space station in the future. Joint tests and exercises will be carried out in the Wenchang Space Launch Center at the end of 2019 to make preparations for the maiden flight of the Long March-5B, which will help lay the groundwork for the construction of the space station, Shang said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:05:46|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GARISSA, Kenya, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police said Tuesday they are interrogating 12 terror suspects who were rounded up at the Dadaab refugee camp in northeast Kenya. A security officer in Dadaab confirmed the arrest, saying the 12 were nabbed during a security crackdown on the refugee camp that is mostly settled by refugees from neighboring Somalia. Joseph Boinnet, inspector general of National Police Service, said the suspects were found to have entered the camp illegally and would be questioned by the anti-terror police. "Twelve terror suspects have been arrested in Dadaab refugee camp. We suspect they could be terrorists," said Boinnet without giving details of the suspects. He said one of the suspects has two New Zealand passports in different names. "We don't know the motive for now but investigations are ongoing," said Boinnet. The police said the suspects have not registered officially as refugees to warrant their stay at the camp, noting that they believe they could have ulterior motives. Kenya, which hosted protracted negotiations that culminated in the formation of the transitional federal government of Somalia, said the refugee situation continues to pose security threats to Nairobi and the region, apart from the humanitarian crisis. The east African nation, which has been planning to close the Dadaab refugee camp, has cited the influence of terror group al-Shabab as among the risks of keeping the camps open. The arrest came amid enhanced security in the country after al-Shabab terrorists stormed a hotel and business complex in Nairobi on Jan. 15, killing 21 people and injuring several others. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 20:05:45|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DUBAI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Tuesday complained against Qatar at the World Trade Organization (WTO) because of a ban imposed by Doha on imports from Abu Dhabi. "The UAE's complaint follows a ban of the sale of consumer goods manufactured in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt," the official news agency WAM said. The four Arab countries have imposed a diplomatic, trade and transport boycott on Qatar since June 2017 over charges that it supports terror which denied by Qatar. Qatar had removed the names of Emirati companies from lists of approved vendors for infrastructure projects in "undeclared" ban on the UAE, according to WAM. Qatar gave no excuse to the ban which is another confirmation of "malicious discrimination," said the news agency. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 19:55:43|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PARIS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- French police detained five people on suspicion they had helped a gunman obtain a weapon he used to kill five victims in an attack in eastern French city of Strasbourg, local media reported on Tuesday. The suspects, from the same family, were arrested in the eastern region of Alsace as part of an inquiry into their role in providing a firearm to Cherif Chekatt, who opened fire against passers-by and stabbed others near a Christmas market in Strasbourg last month, news channel BFMTV reported. They remained in custody, according to the report. Chekatt, who had a criminal record and had been on a watchlist for radicalization, was shot dead by police following a manhunt. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 19:55:43|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A looted Chinese bronze vessel returned to China in November, is on display in an exclusive exhibition at the National Museum of China. The exhibition showcases the vessel known as the Bronze Tiger Ying as well as its historical background, and such an exhibition featuring one single cultural relic is rare in the museum's history, said Wang Chunfa, curator of the museum. The vessel that dates back to the Western Zhou period (1046 BC-771 BC) was auctioned in April 2018 by Britain's Canterbury Auction Galleries and was later shipped back to China with the efforts of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage in November. It was added to the museum's collections in December. Once belonging to the royal family of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the vessel was taken as war booty by British military officer Harry Evans from Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace, in 1860 during the invasion of Anglo-French allied forces. The exhibition is expected to last for a month. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 19:40:41|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Gambian patients and their relatives pose for photos with a banner expressing their gratitude for the Chinese doctors in Banjul, the Gambia, Jan. 23, 2019. The Gambia, sitting at the western coast of the African continent, has plenty of sunshine and comparatively high prevalence of cataract. Many cataract patients suffer from blurred vision, even blindness, as the country lacks medical expertise and equipment. Ten Chinese doctors volunteered to provide free treatment to patients in this country under China's medical aid program "Bright Journey." They flew over eight time zones from northeast China's Liaoning Province to reach The Gambia, and brought with them state-of-the-art equipment. They donated the equipment to the eye care center and trained local doctors on how to use them. They schedule to treat 206 local patients during their 10-day stay in Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Center in Banjul, capital of the Gambia. (Xinhua) BANJUL, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- As the doctor gently removed the packing, Bakary Kora couldn't wait to open his eyes to find back that bright colorful world he had missed for years. No words could describe Kora's feelings, the moment he regained clear vision after a cataract surgery. The Gambian man kept thanking the Chinese doctors who volunteered to provide free treatment to patients in his country under China's medical aid program "Bright Journey." Kora is one of the 206 patients the 10 Chinese doctors scheduled to treat during their 10-day stay in Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Center in Banjul, capital of the Gambia. Their mission "Bright Journey," which kicked off upon their arrival in Banjul on Jan. 19, is the latest leg of an enduring effort by Chinese doctors that have returned clear vision to more than 4,000 cataract patients in Africa over the past four years. The Gambia, sitting at the western coast of the African continent, has plenty of sunshine and comparatively high prevalence of cataract. Many cataract patients suffer from blurred vision, even blindness, as the country lacks medical expertise and equipment. The doctors, who flew over eight time zones from northeast China's Liaoning Province to reach The Gambia, brought with them state-of-the-art equipment. They donated the equipment to the eye care center and trained local doctors on how to use them. In spite of extremely tight schedules, communication turned out to be the greatest challenge to the doctors. Although English is The Gambia's official language, most aged patients could only speak their native language. In the beginning, the doctors kept with them note cards of some of the most frequently used words such as "open eyes", "close eyes", "don't move" in the local language. "To our surprise, we gradually found ourselves having conversations with patients in their native tone," said Professor Zhao Jiangyue, a member of the Chinese medical team. The Chinese doctors are experts from the prestigious the Fourth Hospital of China Medical University, based in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province. In addition to carrying out the free-of-charge surgeries, they provided equipment and training to support the development of Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Center, said Liang Hongjun, leader of the medical team. Health and medical services is among eight key areas China pledged to expand cooperation with African countries at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Since the year 1955, China has sent more than 21,000 medical team doctors to 48 African countries, treating more than 220 million patients. File photo shows the scene of a car explosion in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Nov. 8, 2018.(Xinhua/Feisal Isse) MOGADISHU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least one person died and three others were injured in a car explosion that exploded in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Tuesday, according to the police. Police at the scene said the incident happened as the security officers were inspecting the vehicle at the entrance of a fuel station near the Ministry of Petroleum, which is close to Banadir Regional Administration headquarter. "So far one person died and three others injured. I don't know whether the toll could rise since we are still at the scene," said a police officer who declined to be named. Plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing from the scene into the air. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack in the Horn of Africa nation but al-Shabab have often staged such attacks across the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 19:15:38|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Time-honored Beijing brands have prepared new products and are seeking new retail channels to promote their products as the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, is approaching. Chinese people tend to make special purchases for the Chinese Lunar New Year, the most important occasion of family reunions. The Spring Festival falls on Feb. 5 this year. To woo customers, Daoxiangcun, a renowned bakery in Beijing, decided to showcase how to make a traditional dessert -- sweetened rice dumplings (Yuanxiao) in the physical stores of Hema Xiansheng, a fresh food chain. "This is the first time that Daoxiangcun presents the manufacturing process of Yuanxiao to customers out of our stores," said Cheng Wenhua, vice general manager of Beijing Daoxiangcun Food Co. Ltd. In this way, young people can learn how the traditional food is made and the traditional culture can be carried forward and expanded, according to Cheng. Meanwhile, Hema Xiansheng also helps traditional brands learn customers' demands via big-data analysis. For example, Yueshengzhai, a halal meat producer, launched a semi-finished lamb-spine hot pot. Tianfuhao, a cooked meat producer, unveiled a small package of braised pork. "We found about 70 percent of customers in Daoxiangcun stores are over 40 years old, therefore, we are seeking new ways to promote the time-honored brand among the young," said Cheng. Apart from cooperation with the new retail stores, the traditional brands have also promoted their products via e-commerce in order to adapt to the change in customer demand. Now that the government shutdown is on hold, a reckoning once again seems imminent between Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson over the fate of New York Citys troubled public housing system. In a December letter to the New York City Housing Authority last month, Carson wrote that if the city cant demonstrate that it can meet basic standards of safety and habitability by the end of January, the government will exercise appropriate remedies, possibly setting in motion a federal takeover of the citys public housing. The 400,000 families living in public housing in New York City, whove suffered through rampant heat outages, a lead paint crisis, and myriad daily indecencies from leaks to rats to mold to broken elevators, are eager for a resolution of the agencys long-standing problems. But many of them tell Gothamist that even as the feds and city negotiate the fate of their homes, their own voices are being excluded from these high-level discussions. The people who live here: Start with them, says Althea Judge, 44, outside of the Albany Houses in Crown Heights, after itemizing her concerns about lead paint and poor air quality. Maybe start with some people who really feel dedicated and want to do it. Carmen Quinones, president of the Frederick Douglass Houses in Upper Manhattan, says that her development is in desperate need of new pipes, which are crumbling and have caused significant flooding in multiple buildings. There were also heat outages one weekend this month when temperatures dipped into the single digits. She believes the city should look beyond tenant leaders for input. We have so many intelligent residents here that know what to do, but you need to give us the chance to do it, says Quinones. We know whats wrong. We know if you dont fix the pipes, these leaks are not going to stop. You can camouflage it, you can paint [over] it, thats not going to do it. January 31st is also the deadline for New York City, HUD and federal prosecutors to respond to U.S. District Judge William Pauley III, who is presiding over a federal lawsuit alleging that NYCHA exposed its residents to dangerous levels of lead, and then lied to prosecutors about remediation. Last fall, Judge Pauley rejected a consent decree, or settlement between the parties, in which New York City promised $2 billion for repairs and capital needs and tasked the court with appointing a monitor to oversee repairs. In his ruling, Pauley accused the federal government of shirking its responsibility to NYCHA and said the proposed plan to pull the housing authority into a state of good repair lacked teeth. Bernice Mayo, a retired school safety agent from the Cedric Houses in the Bronx, tells Gothamist she isnt necessarily opposed to a federal takeover. The way the city is going with this, if we would be better off with federal, let them have it, she says. Because this is ridiculous. We should not have to live like this. But others said they have little hope in the federal government, especially after the month-long shutdown. I know about the government lockdown and everything, right? says 47-year-old Milfort Brown, carrying groceries into the Albany Houses in Crown Heights. Its bugged out that all of these people are crying because theyre broke, its fucked up! I was surprised I got food stamps today. Whats the federal government going to do? Nothing, adds his friend Jeffrey Brown, 57. The federal government wont be more transparentwe wont even see them. But we see the city workers out here, we see the mayor all the time, and we see all the advocates who try to work with the mayor. Cynthia Tibbs, who lives in a row of rare NYCHA-owned brownstones on the Upper West Side, says she has more confidence in Judge Pauley than any politician. Tibbs says she was moved when Judge Pauley welcomed dozens of NYCHA residents to testify in federal court last September. This judge has listened to tenants come in there and tell their story, she says. By contrast, Ben Carson already feels that were too spoiled, Tibbs adds, citing a time the secretary chided a single mother that if she wanted to escape poverty she should get married. He doesnt understand that people actually work for a living in public housing. Legal Aid Society attorney Lucy Newman notes that the original consent decree rejected by Judge Pauley didnt include much opportunity for NYCHA residents to weigh in: a minimum of two meetings per year between a federal monitor and a so-called Community Advisory Committee. Newman dismisses this language as very, very bland and vague, and calls for more explicit language about who would be on the advisory committee, plus a guarantee that residents would have input on any candidates for a NYCHA monitor. Tibbs says if receivership is necessary, shed rather see it be judicial. A 2003 U.S. General Accounting Office report found that while court-appointed and federal receivers have the same authority to take over management and oversee repairs, court-appointed receivers are more insulated from local politics and better able to make necessary changes. I dont think HUD is in a position to deal with receivership, predicts Victor Bach, a Senior Policy Analyst with the Community Service Society. Theyre understaffed as they are. This administration is so hostile to public housing, theres really no reason to assume that they want to do an effective job at receivership and preserving public housing in New York City. Bach adds that, ideally, it wont come to this. Id much prefer that there be a local consent decree that the judge approves that meets his criticisms, he says. And that we move forward with some sort of federally-appointed monitor to oversee the process for the next year. Viviana Wrenn, a 28-year-old mother of one, says she has dealt with heat outages, a rats nest behind her sink, and peeling paint inside her apartment at the Stebbins Avenue-Hewitt Place Houses in the Bronx. Our future is so uncertain, she says. I just think we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't, and it's so scary." Wrenn explains that she has an idea, though she could use a little bit more help in developing it. I think all of the residents and all of NYCHA should get together and communicate with each other and put online like, I have my ceiling open, or mushrooms in my bathroom, because NYCHA lies about statistics, she says. I think if we all got together and unified, I think we would be able to really show what's going on and be able to get these issues resolved without needing to have the federal government take over. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 19:15:38|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people, including six policemen, were injured Tuesday in a terrorist attack on a police office in Loralai district in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, police and hospital officials said. Medical Superintendent of Loralai Civil Hospital, Faheem, told media that overall 15 injured were shifted to the hospital by rescue teams, adding that at least five of them were in critical condition. He said the critically injured people have been shifted to a nearby military hospital. An emergency has been declared in all the hospitals in the area. According to Inspector General of Police Balochistan Mohsin Hassan Butt, three to four unknown gunmen stormed the office of Deputy Inspector General of Police located in Loralai with automatic guns and hand grenades. Police commandos and security forces rushed to the scene and cordoned off the police compound. Local reports said extensive fire exchanges continued as personnel of the security forces entered the compound in retaliation moves. The security forces rescued at least 15 policemen who were stuck in different rooms of the compound, the reports said. Some police personnel were reportedly held hostage inside the compound which delayed the operation. According to local media reports, at least two terrorists were killed in the operation, but no official confirmed the reports. Dozens of civilians were present in the police office for job interviews when the attack took place. No group has claimed the attack yet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 19:05:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TEHRAN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian security official said here Tuesday that the Islamic republic has no plan to boost the range of its missiles, official IRNA news agency reported. "Iran has no scientific and operational limits to increase the range its missiles, however, it has no intention to boost the range of missiles only because of its defense doctrine," Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said. Meanwhile, Iran continuously work to enhance the accuracy of its missiles, Shamkhani was quoted as saying. Earlier, Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), said that the current Iranian missiles with the range of 2,000 kilometers are sufficient to fulfill the country's purposes, according to Tasnim news agency. The 2,000-km range for Iran's missiles is sufficient because "most of American interests and forces" lie within this range, Jafari said. Western countries, including the United States and France, have urged Iran to give up development and test of ballistic missiles. Iran has dismissed the calls, saying that it will continue to test missiles in line with its deterrence policy despite adversarial positions taken on this issue by the U.S. and France. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 18:55:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Japanese automaker Toyota Tuesday began a recall of 4,682 Lexus sedans imported into China due to defective airbags, according to China's market regulator. Filed by Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co., the recall will involve one Lexus IS 250C manufactured on Jan. 15, 2014, and 4,681 Lexus GX 400 manufactured between Jan. 6, 2014 and Feb. 13, 2017, the State Administration of Market Regulation said in a statement. The front passenger airbags, produced by Japanese manufacturer Takata, have defective inflators that could fracture and send potentially fatal shrapnel into passengers when airbags are activated, the administration said. Defective Takata airbags have been linked to a number of deaths and injuries worldwide, prompting massive recalls of affected vehicles throughout the world. The company will replace the defective airbags free of charge. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 18:30:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ATHENS, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Greek farmers have launched a nationwide protest to seek financial support from the state, blocking parts of highways with their tractors, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Tuesday. From Monday evening, the Athens-Thessaloniki highway has been shut down in both directions on the outskirts of Larissa city, about 200 km northwest of the capital Athens, and traffic has been redirected around the blockade. At least 500 tractors are lined up at the site, as farmers have been requesting, among others, lower tax rates, better prices for their products and increased state subsidies for their losses caused by natural disasters. Similar gatherings are seen in many parts of the country. Farmers' protests have almost become an annual winter tradition in Greece in recent years, which could last as long as over a month. Blockades have caused disruptions in both imports and exports. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 18:25:23|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BRUMADINHO, Brazil, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Survivors of Brazil's latest mining disaster, which buried people and homes under a sea of toxic mud after a tailings dam burst, were rattled again over the weekend by the sound of an alarm warning of a possible second dam collapse. Residents of Brumadinho, a town in southeast Minas Gerais state, are still struggling to come to terms with Friday's tragedy at Corrego do Feijao, an iron ore mine owned by mining giant Vale, which left 65 people dead and hundreds more missing. But they were jolted awake before dawn on Sunday, when alarms went off at 5:30 a.m. (0830 GMT), warning the risk of a rupture at a second dam, which contains a million cubic meters of waste. Firefighters maintained the evacuation alert until the afternoon. Some 3,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes on Sunday, deepening anxiety in the already devastated community. As a result of the alert, access to the Corrego do Feijao complex, where rescue teams have set up their center of operations and volunteers attend to relatives of the missing, was closed off, leaving many locals wondering how to continue their own searches. "I want to go to the family service center set up at Corrego do Feijao, because I haven't heard from my husband Jonis Andre Nunes since Friday, and I've heard that is where they are taking the bodies," said Aline Nunes. Accompanied by her sister Elaine, Nunes complained about a lack of information, including the absence of a list of names of those who have been hospitalized or those who are missing. Nunes said she no longer has any hope of finding her husband alive. Apart from her husband, Nunes and her sister have not heard from their sister-in-law's four children since the disaster struck as well. This lack of news sparked protests throughout the day at another crisis management center set up at the local Asa University of Brumadinho, situated close to the epicenter of the tragedy, especially as the chances of finding survivors faded as the hours passed. "My sister is hopeful of finding her daughter alive, but I know she won't be back. She worked at Vale's administrative office, one of the most affected," Luzia Paraguai said outside the university gates. "Tomorrow, her son turns 11, and he is still hoping they will find his mother," she said. The day's alert restricted vehicle access to parts of the town considered to be at high risk, in case of another dam collapse. But families desperate to find their loved ones are venturing there anyway, usually with the help of locals familiar with the neighborhoods. In the neighborhood of Parque de la Cachoeira, a group of relatives and friends of the missing managed to slip through security barricades to reach the edge of the sea of mud that buried everything in its path. Andre Felipe Oliveira Espindola was there with his wife and two friends. "My sister is dead. Seeing this, I know there is no chance of finding her alive. How could they let this happen?" Espindola asked. His sister worked in Vale's kitchen and must have been in the cafeteria when the dam collapsed at around lunch time. He has been looking for information, visiting hospitals and the morgue in Brumadinho ever since. But Sunday was the first time he had gotten so close to the devastation. Some townspeople were more fortunate. Pedro de Araujo and his wife Isamara were out having lunch with their children when they heard a roaring sound. "It sounded like 10 helicopters," said Pedro. The family ran to the highest point of the property, coming down until the roar had subsided. When they returned home, they found the toxic mud had entered through the kitchen and flooded the couple's bedroom, destroying walls and furniture. In the patio, there were dead animals. "I don't know if it will be possible to plant again," said Isamara. By Sunday afternoon, firefighters called off the alarm and residents who had evacuated were allowed to return to their homes, but there was still little relief. News spread that rescue workers had discovered a bus buried underneath the mud, the second bus in as many days, and like the first, all of the people inside were dead. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 17:40:12|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- People are feared dead after a car exploded at the entrance of a petroleum station near Banadir Regional Administration headquarter in Mogadishu on Tuesday, the police and witnesses said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 17:40:10|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- People are feared dead after a car exploded at the entrance of a petroleum station near Banadir Regional Administration headquarter in Mogadishu on Tuesday, the police and witnesses said. The blast went off as security officers were inspecting the vehicle and the police said there could be police casualties in this attack. Plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing from the scene into the air amid sustained gunfire in the area. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 17:30:08|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close A staff member works at the production line of wind power equipment in Hami, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2018. New energy power generation saw double digit growth last year in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region amid efforts to reduce coal consumption to improve the energy mix. Wind and solar power generation rose 15.2 percent and 13.6 percent to 36 billion kwh and 11.7 billion kwh respectively, according to the regional development and reform commission. It said 22.9 percent of installed wind power generating capacity and 15.5 percent of the solar power generating capacity in Xinjiang were left idle last year, respectively 6.9 percentage points and 6.1 percentage points lower than a year ago. The idle capacity was a result of higher costs, rapid capacity increases, poor grid connections and the grid's preference for more predictable coal-generated power. The lower idle capacity came as local authorities encouraged more local consumption and transmitted more to regions in the country's bustling east. Despite the efforts, the idle rates in Xinjiang were still one of the highest in the country. According to the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co. Ltd., Xinjiang has a total installed power generating capacity of 85.5 GW, with wind and solar energy contributing 28.7 GW. To cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle air pollution, China has been trying to use more renewable energy to reduce its heavy reliance on polluting coal. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge) URUMQI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- New energy power generation saw double digit growth last year in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region amid efforts to reduce coal consumption to improve the energy mix. Wind and solar power generation rose 15.2 percent and 13.6 percent to 36 billion kwh and 11.7 billion kwh respectively, according to the regional development and reform commission. It said 22.9 percent of installed wind power generating capacity and 15.5 percent of the solar power generating capacity in Xinjiang were left idle last year, respectively 6.9 percentage points and 6.1 percentage points lower than a year ago. The idle capacity was a result of higher costs, rapid capacity increases, poor grid connections and the grid's preference for more predictable coal-generated power. The lower idle capacity came as local authorities encouraged more local consumption and transmitted more to regions in the country's bustling east. Despite the efforts, the idle rates in Xinjiang were still one of the highest in the country. According to the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co. Ltd., Xinjiang has a total installed power generating capacity of 85.5 GW, with wind and solar energy contributing 28.7 GW. To cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle air pollution, China has been trying to use more renewable energy to reduce its heavy reliance on polluting coal. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 17:20:06|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close HEFEI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Li Yihuang, former vice governor of east China's Jiangxi Province, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Tuesday for taking bribes. He was also fined 2.2 million yuan (327,000 U.S. dollars), according to the the Intermediate People's Court of the city of Anqing in Anhui Province. The court found that between 2004 and 2017, Li took advantage of his various positions including copper company executive and vice provincial governor to benefit others in business cooperation, stock right transfers, project contracting and job adjustments. In return, he accepted money and property worth more than 51.19 million yuan personally or through others. During 2011 to 2014, Li took advantage of his posts to embezzle public assets worth more than 2.68 million yuan. The court also found that Li misappropriated over 147.3 million yuan of public funds for his relatives to make profits from March 2013 to May 2016. In 2008, Li violated regulations to seek profits for others, causing the losses of more than 20.87 million yuan of state-owned assets, according to the court verdict. The court said Li had received a lenient sentence, given that he confessed to his crimes, showed repentance and was cooperative in returning all his illegal gains. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 17:10:02|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were injured on Tuesday in an attack on a police office in Pakistan's southwest district of Loralai in Balochistan province, local media reported. According to the reports, unknown gunmen stormed the office of Deputy Inspector General of Police by opening fire with automatic guns. A couple of blasts were also heard during the firing. Police commandos and security forces rushed to the scene and cordoned off the building, the reports said. Dozens of civilians were present in the police office for job interviews when the attack took place. Rescue teams have shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. No group has claimed the attack yet. VANCOUVER, B.C., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX) today announced that it has been advised that the United States Forest Service (USFS) anticipates issuing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for public comment in Q3 2019, with a Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision (ROD) anticipated in Q2 2020 for the Stibnite Gold Project (Project). This schedule would put the Final ROD for the Project in Q3 2020. The USFS, in cooperation with the six other federal, state and local agencies responsible for the permitting schedule, provided the updated timeline as part of its quarterly update on the Project, which is located in Valley County, 39 miles east of McCall and 14 miles from Yellow Pine, Idaho. The quarterly schedule released by the USFS extends the timeframe to complete permitting in order to accommodate agency requests for additional information and analysis, including modelling of alternatives, said Stephen Quin, President & CEO of Midas Gold Corp. While the extended timeframe is disappointing, we believe that this additional time safeguards the successful completion of the permitting process and ensures the best plan moves forward towards a robust, defensible decision. This extension recognizes all parties commitment to ensuring the analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is comprehensive, thoroughly considers all alternatives, and is complete before the Draft EIS is published and shared with the public later in 2019. The partial shutdown of the US Federal Government also affected the permitting schedule. Joint Review Process Seven federal, state and local agencies involved in permitting the Project signed the Stibnite Joint Review Process Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2017, committing to work together to evaluate the Plan of Restoration and Operations (PRO) for the Stibnite Gold Project under the NEPA. The MOU was designed so agencies could collaborate in the review and preparation of the EIS, meet the requirements of the public process and follow a mutually agreed upon schedule. Agency cooperation and collaboration remains key to the timeliness of the process and is demonstrated by the numerous interagency meetings to address matters collaboratively. Updated Schedule The PRO was accepted as complete by the USFS in December 2016, and the USFS submitted a Notice of Intent to initiate review of the Project and then conducted Public Scoping in June and July of 2017. Since that time, the USFS, their contractor, AECOM, and other cooperating agencies have continued to make progress reviewing the PRO, baseline data, public comments, defining potential alternatives and analyzing them and reviewing additional information they requested, and Midas Gold provided. As noted above, the USFS recently advised Midas Gold they anticipate issuing a Draft EIS for public comment in Q3 2019 with the target date of an approved Final ROD in Q3 2020, although this schedule has and will be impacted by the partial shutdown of the US Government. Regulators want to ensure they meet the regulatory requirements to support a robust and defensible Record of Decision. They are requesting additional data, evaluating the thoroughness of the environmental impact analysis, while ensuring alternative development scenarios are carefully considered. Midas Gold has received 115 requests for additional information (RFAI) and provided the requested information to all 115 RFAIs issued to date. The updated schedule reflects a number of adjustments to both the baseline analysis, water modelling and alternatives development processes in order to accommodate thorough and comprehensive evaluations of the information provided in response to RFAIs, as well as conduct additional analysis and evaluation of alternatives. We appreciate the need of each of the agencies involved in the Stibnite Joint Review Process to thoroughly evaluate the Project and alternatives. However, we look forward to completing this phase of the permitting process as soon as practicable and putting a solid Draft EIS out to the public for review, said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Midas Gold Idaho, Inc., the Project operator. The Stibnite Gold Project has the potential to bring hundreds of well-paying jobs to rural Idaho, hundreds of millions of dollars of investment into the state and restore a region that has experienced extensive impacts from historical mining-related activities. We want to bring all of these benefits to Idaho, which is why we are excited to continue moving the Project forward. Effects of the US Government Shutdown The recently ended partial shutdown of the US Federal Government affected progress on permitting the Stibnite Gold Project, as certain personnel involved in the regulatory process for the Project were on furlough and unable to work on the Project. However, AECOM, the USFS third party contractor assisting with the review of the Project under NEPA, continued to work through the shutdown as their costs are paid by Midas Gold, as did some federal agencies that were not affected by the shutdown. State and local agencies were not affected by the shutdown. The recent ending of the shutdown is reported to be temporary in nature and the ultimate effects of the shutdown(s) cannot be determined at this time. Next Steps in the Regulatory Process The USFS, on behalf of the various regulatory agencies, is currently completing the alternatives assessment and environmental analysis as required by NEPA. This is the core of the review process and will provide the basis for drafting of the Draft EIS, which is currently being prepared. The next opportunity for public review and comment will come when the agencies release the Draft EIS, which is currently anticipated to take place Q3 2019. After the comment period, the USFS and cooperating agencies would produce the Final EIS and a Draft ROD as well as respond to public comments received on the Draft EIS. Upon publication of the Final EIS, there would be a short period for objections and resolution before a Final ROD is published. A positive final decision would allow Midas Gold to seek the issuance of the final permits that are dependent on the ROD being issued. Community Engagement In parallel with the formal NEPA process, Midas Gold is continuing its extensive community and stakeholder engagement process, which has been underway for several years. At the end of November 2018, seven community and county governments near the Project signed a Community Agreement with Midas Gold. In January, one additional county also signed the Community Agreement while another deferred consideration until after the DEIS is published and Midas Gold withdrew a request for a tenth community to join the agreement to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest. The Community Agreement, involving eight local communities, creates a collaborative environment for local communities to work together with the Company to directly address concerns and opportunities with Midas Gold throughout the life of the project. Midas Gold also worked with these communities to establish the Stibnite Foundation in order to support community projects. The Stibnite Advisory Council, created under the Community Agreement, has been formed, has established its bylaws, appointed officers and has begun identifying priorities for the Councils attention. Feasibility Study Status Midas Golds technical team and consultants continue to advance their work on a feasibility study for the Stibnite Gold Project. The timing for completion of the feasibility study is tied to the completion of the Draft EIS since the feasibility study needs to reflect the design and layout of the Project as defined in the Draft EIS. While substantially all of the work related to mineral resource estimation, metallurgy, geotechnical, infrastructure (including road access, powerline, tunnel design) and other aspects of the Project has been completed, and preliminary mine planning is well advanced, finalization of the design and estimating of capital and operating costs are awaiting decisions driven by the permitting process. The feasibility study looks to incorporate the results of a number of Project optimizations, including updated mineral resource estimates, results of optimized metallurgy and processing, optimized layout and plant design, and other considerations. A number of these optimizations are focused on reducing potential environmental effects and impacts from mine redevelopment, and to enhancing the restoration of the site to ensure a healthy, sustainable ecosystem during and after operations. The extended permitting schedule does provide the opportunity to advance designs of certain Project components further than would be typical for a feasibility study and include this more advanced information in the feasibility study. In addition, it also provides the opportunity to undertake certain value engineering exercises, where deemed appropriate, and also include the results of such evaluations in the feasibility study. Stibnite Gold Project Permitting Background A detailed presentation on the PRO can be found at www.midasgoldcorp.com . Details of previous news releases and technical studies can be found filed under Midas Golds profile on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) or at www.midasgoldcorp.com . For further information about Midas Gold Corp., please contact: Liz Monger -- Manager, Investor Relations (t): 778.724.4704 (e): info@midasgoldcorp.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/midasgoldidaho Twitter: @MidasIdaho Website: www.midasgoldcorp.com About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries are focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and development of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by its Stibnite Gold Project. Forward-Looking Information Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including actions to be taken by the U.S. Forest Service, the State of Idaho and other government agencies and regulatory bodies. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as "anticipates", "believes", "complete", "comprehensive", "defensible", "ensure", "potential", "robust", "safeguard" and "successful" in relation to certain actions, events or results "could", "may", "will", "would", be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Midas Gold has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that the current objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that the formal review process under the NEPA (including a joint review process involving the U.S. Forest Services, the State of Idaho and other agencies and regulatory bodies) as well as the public comment period and EIS will proceed in a timely manner and as expected; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Midas Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the review process under the NEPA; uncertainty surrounding input to be received pursuant to the public comment period; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the US Forest Services, State of Idaho and other agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, future US government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project, as well as those factors discussed in Midas Gold's public disclosure record. Although Midas Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Midas Gold and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information 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 Information. Except as required by law, Midas Gold does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 16:54:56|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Spring Festival is a time for Chinese people to return home and visit family. So it is with Felly Mwamba, an African businessmen who has spent 16 years in China. Mwamba's company, in Guangzhou, sells Chinese commodities to Africa. During the Spring Festival holiday, when his Chinese clients put up the shutters, Mwamba also takes break after a year's hard work. However, it is not an easy trip to go back home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It takes nearly 20 hours flying. Mwamba is looking forward to meeting his family and friends. Every year when he is back home, he tells people about the sound business environment in China and the country's fast development. "I've been to Hunan, Shanghai and Yiwu city in Zhejiang, shipping back the commodities I think are most suitable for African consumers," he said. Besides doing business, Mwamba also serves as the president of Communaute Congolaise de Chine, promoting Sino-African communications. Since the late 1990s when the Pearl River Delta became known as a world's factory floor, many African merchants have flocked to Guangzhou for opportunities. Baohanzhi street in the city gradually became a gathering place for Africans. Currently there are 12,737 Africans living in Guangzhou, accounting for 15.7 percent of all foreigners in the city, according to local authorities. Baohanzhi street is a busy business site with shops and office buildings. But now it's hard to experience the hustle and bustle of this site, as the lunar new year is drawing near and many businesses have closed their doors. Sailer, a Cameroonian who owns a 20 square meter clothing shop in Guangzhou, will travel with his Chinese wife to her hometown of Meizhou in northeast Guangdong Province. "We drove quite slowly [last year] since there were too many cars on the highway," he said. "People rushed home for the eve of Chinese New Year, so did we." Nearly 3 billion trips will be made as people set off for family gatherings or tours during this year's annual travel rush for the Lunar New Year. To Moussa, who came to China two years ago from Ethiopia, celebrating the Spring Festival is a new experience. "I only knew the Dragon Boat Festival before, and I'm eager to know more about the customs of Spring Festival," he said. Moussa had a hard time getting high-speed train tickets during last year's travel rush, but he still plans to visit Shanghai during the upcoming week-long holiday. "Changes are taking place everywhere in China as well as in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Mwamba said. "Roads and schools have been built in my home country thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative." Guangdong is a leading foreign trade player in the country, with its imports and exports topping 7.16 trillion yuan (1.06 trillion U. S. dollars) last year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 16:49:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KABUL, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Newspapers in Afghanistan Tuesday expressed hope for lasting peace and stability in the war-battered country amid ongoing talks between the United States and the Taliban. A U.S. delegation headed by veteran diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad has met Taliban representatives four times since November 2018 and the fifth round of dialogue between the two sides is slated for Feb. 25, according to media reports. Media reports have also suggested that the United States has agreed to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban outfit would announce ceasefire if the former declares timetable for the troops' pullout. After meeting Khalilzad on Sunday, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in a sharp reaction on Monday said that peace talks should be "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" to yield desired result. "The people of Afghanistan once experienced the Taliban rule and don't like to see its repetition," the newspaper Daily Afghanistan-e-Ma wrote in its editorial on Tuesday. Describing the Taliban group as a "terrorist and murderer of Afghans," the paper added that the Taliban just one week ago targeted a military center in the eastern Wardak province, killing scores of security personnel and "killer should be held accountable" elsewhere in the world. Another paper Etilaat-e-Roze in its editorial, supported the ongoing peace process and wrote, "The end of war and returning lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan is better than personnel interests" and it is the responsibility of President Ghani and all those engaged in Afghan affairs to realize the fact and jointly work to end the war in the country. "The foreign forces have killed many Afghans since taking office by President Ghani four and half years ago and the forces even dropped a 11,000-kg bomb known as mother bomb in Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province in 2017, but the president didn't condemn it, so the people have fed up with the ongoing war and killing," another paper the Daily Weesa said in its editorial. The paper also said "Having peace and living in peace is better than anything" in the world. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 16:44:51|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close JINAN, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's major vegetable producer Shouguang city has resumed production after last summer's Typhoon Rumbia, the local agricultural department said Tuesday. Among 106,700 greenhouses flooded by the typhoon in Shouguang, over 94 percent have been restored, and the remaining 5,981 constitute 3 percent of the total 172,000 greenhouses of the eastern county-level city, according to the local authorities. "The city's vegetable production has returned to its normal level with most greenhouses rebuilt and favorable warm weather this winter," said Zhang Linlin, an official in the city's bureau of agriculture. A total of 450 million yuan (66.8 million U.S. dollars) in loans has been offered to 3,811 affected households in reconstruction assistance, according to Wang Shuguang, director of the city's financial service center. Last August, typhoon Rumbia brought heavy rains to China's coastal province of Shandong, and a total of 520,000 people were affected in Shouguang, according to the local department of civil affairs. With an annual vegetable production of 4.5 million tonnes, Shouguang is famous for production of "off-season vegetables" and is a major vegetable supplier for Beijing. Its daily announcements of vegetable prices function as a "barometer" for China's vegetable sector. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 16:39:49|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were injured on Tuesday afternoon in a firing incident in a police office in Pakistan's southwest district of Loralai in Balochistan province, local media reported. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 16:24:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A symbolic South Korean victim, who was forced into sex slavery for the Japanese military brothels during World War II, died at the age of 93, an advocacy group for the victims said Tuesday. Kim Bok-dong passed away Monday night at Yonsei Severance Hospital in western Seoul, reducing the number of surviving victims to 23, according to Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, a local civic group supporting the wartime sex slave victims. Her death came just hours after another 94-year-old victim, identified only by her surname Lee, died of old age. The deceased Kim was coerced into sex enslavement for the Japanese military brothels in 1940 when she was 14. She was sent to China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore to serve Japanese soldiers. Kim became one of the symbolic figures when she made public the truth about her wartime sexual slavery in 1992, a year after the late victim Kim Hak-soon publicly testified about the atrocity for the first time. Since then, Kim traveled around the world to give her testimony to the international community, helping disseminate the truth about Imperial Japan's wartime crime against humanities. President Moon Jae-in paid tribute to Kim at the funeral hall of the hospital, according to the Blue House. Moon wrote on his Facebook page that the deceased granny spearheaded setting history right by demanding legal compensations and an apology for Japan's atrocities while refusing to remain as a victim. The president vowed to never forget setting history right, saying he would perform his own duty for the surviving 23 victims. Out of the 238 sex slavery victims officially registered with the South Korean government, only 23 are alive. Historians said as many as 400,000 women from Asian countries were forced into sex enslavement for the Japanese military brothels during the Pacific War. The Korean Peninsula was colonized by Imperial Japan from 1910 to 1945. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 15:34:37|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- A suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was reported in South Korea Tuesday, a day after the agriculture ministry confirmed an FMD case, according to local media reports. The suspected FMD outbreak was reported at a beef cattle farm in Anseong, some 80 km south of the capital Seoul. One out of five cows at the farm was tested positive for the acute infectious disease that causes fever and vesicles in the mouth and on the feet. The precision test result would come out later in the day. It came a day after the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the country's first FMD outbreak this year at a dairy farm in Anseong, about 15 km away from the beef cattle farm. The ministry decided to cull all the 120 milk cows at the dairy farm, placing a 24-hour lockdown on 82 farms, where about 4,300 cloven-hoofed animals such as cow and pig are bred, within 3 km of the affected farm. Livestock animals in cities and towns near Anseong would receive vaccination as soon as possible, the ministry said. Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon held an emergency meeting, instructing officials to take bold and rapid measures, which can be considered too excessive, in an initial phase. Lee said the infectious livestock disease could spread rapidly if the initial measure fails to tackle ahead of the Lunar New Year's holiday, during which people travel around the country to visit hometowns. This year's Lunar New Year holiday falls on Feb. 4-6. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 15:29:32|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close MACAO, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Macao should play an important and unique role in China's development with long vision and broad mind, head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) has said. Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR Fu Ziying made the remarks on Monday during a speech in a reception held by the liaison office to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. Fu recalled the progress and development made by Macao in 2018, such as improving social emergency response mechanism, and participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. Fu hoped that Macao would seize the opportunity and take part in the nation's development by setting long-term goals for the SAR's social and economic development, and use Macao's advantage to play a unique role in China's further reform and opening-up. He also said Macao could make the best use of the policies of the central government with a realistic and creative manner, and deepen cooperation with the mainland to achieve win-win results. Fu emphasized that Macao has flesh-and-blood ties with the mainland, and the cooperation and exchange between the two sides should be carried out with broad mind and mutual understanding to ensure a brighter future of common prosperity and development. Over 2,000 guests attended the reception, including representatives of Macao SAR government and legislature, and consul-generals of foreign countries in Macao and Hong Kong SARs. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 15:14:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close HANOI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam has welcomed a total of more than 1.5 million international arrivals since Jan. 1, up 5 percent, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism on Tuesday. The highest growth of 39.7 percent in the number of visitors are from Thailand, followed by South Korea, up 23 percent, and the Philippines, up 20 percent. Specifically, over 1.1 million visitors are from Asia, up 5.4 percent; 232,500 from Europe, up 3.1 percent; 105,300 from the Americas, mainly from the United States, up 7.8 percent; 55,400 from Oceania, up 0.2 percent, and 4,900 from Africa, down 2.1 percent against January 2018. Vietnam has hosted 373,500 Chinese visitors so far this year, or 24.9 percent of the total international arrivals, said the administration. Vietnam, which welcomed roughly 15.5 million international arrivals, including nearly 5 million Chinese visitors last year, is striving to receive some 18 million foreign visitors and 85 million domestic ones this year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 15:14:29|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close SANSHA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Transport opened a maritime rescue center in Yongshu reef of the Nansha Islands on Tuesday, to better protect navigation and transport safety in the South China Sea. The center will offer better support to maritime rescue operations in the southern part of the South China Sea, the ministry said. On July 27, 2018, the ministry sent a rescue ship to Zhubi reef of the Nansha Islands, tasking it with emergency response operations. The ship, which had been modified to adapt to the natural conditions in the southern part of the South China Sea, was staffed with eight to 10 rescuers with diving equipment. In October, another rescue ship was sent to the region in replacement. Over the past six months, the two ships have rescued 16 people and two ships in eight operations. Property worth about 12 million yuan (1.7 million U.S. dollars) has been salvaged. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 15:09:28|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Tuesday started reviewing a new draft of the foreign investment law. During the two-day session, members of the top legislature are scheduled to deliberate a new version of the draft law, which has been updated from the first draft submitted to the previous session last month. NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone Bassuk, a leading New York-based real estate finance advisory firm, announced the closing of a $200,000,000 permanent loan made to a joint-venture between affiliates of Taconic Investment Partners LLC (Taconic) and Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. (Mitsui Fudosan) to refinance 525 West 52nd Street (525), a 2-tower, 392-unit 80/20 mixed-income multifamily rental apartment building in the Midtown West neighborhood of Manhattan. The 10-year fixed-rate loan was originated by Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital and structured as a direct purchase of tax-exempt and taxable bonds issued through the New York State Housing Finance Agencys (HFA) 80/20 Housing Program (HFA) with secondary market credit enhancement. The new permanent loan replaces the original $185 million construction facility provided by Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan and M&T Bank in 2014. Greystone Bassuk, led by President Drew Fletcher, served as exclusive advisor on the transaction. Completed in 2017, the property is located on a through-block site that extends from 52nd Street to 53rd Street between 10th and 11th Avenues in one of Manhattans fastest-growing residential neighborhoods. It comprises two towers over a common podium rising to 14 and 22 stories with 392 units and approximately 445,0000 gross square feet, including over 35,000 square feet of lifestyle and recreational amenities. Of the 392 units, 79 units are set aside for low income households at or below 60% of area median income (AMI). Designed by Handel Architects, 525s facade is expressed through an industrial palette of brick, metal and glass evoking the historic warehouses of Manhattans far west side. The building also features a series of dramatic, cascading private terraces along the western elevation, which offer residents panoramic views of the Hudson River and Midtown Manhattan. Amenities include a 24-hour staffed lobby, state-of-the-art fitness center, landscaped outdoor courtyard, 16th floor sundeck, pet care center, library, private screening room, resident storage lockers and bike storage. The propertys carefully crafted interiors feature condo-quality finishes including kitchens with custom Italian cabinetry, Ceasarstone countertops, and high-end stainless-steel appliances. All homes also include custom closets, in-unit washers and dryers, and white oak flooring. Mr. Fletcher led the marketing of the debt, with support from Managing Director Matthew Klauer and Associate Bryan Grover. Taconics disciplined investment approach and commitment to identifying and unlocking long-term value in emerging neighborhoods has made it one of New York Citys most dynamic and successful developers, said Mr. Fletcher. 525 is yet another example and has quickly become one of the most desirable buildings in Manhattans burgeoning west side. We are extremely proud to have represented Taconic and Mitsui on this market-leading transaction. Taconic is thrilled to deepen its long-standing relationship with Greystone Bassuk and Wells Fargo with this financing, said Chris Balestra, Chief Investment Officer of Taconic. This transaction required a strong partnership between New York State Housing Finance Agency, Wells Fargo, and Greystone Bassuk and we thank them for their commitment and dedication to delivering a great execution for Taconic and Mitsui Fudosan. About Greystone Bassuk Greystone Bassuk is a full-service real estate capital intermediary and advisory firm serving a select group of the most prominent real estate owners and developers in New York City and across the U.S. Greystone Bassuk is an affiliate of Greystone, a leading national provider of commercial real estate loans and financial services, including Agency, bridge, mezzanine, and EB-5 loans as well as equity financing solutions. About Greystone Greystone is a leading commercial real estate lending, investment and advisory company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance. Its range of services includes commercial lending across a variety of platforms such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CMBS, FHA, USDA, bridge, EB-5 and other proprietary loan products. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Corporation, Inc., Greystone Funding Corporation and/or other Greystone affiliates. All securities sold through Greystone Broker Dealer Corp., member FINRA and SIPC. For more information, visit www.greyco.com . About Taconic Investment Partners LLC Since 1997, Taconic Investment Partners has acquired, redeveloped and repositioned over 12 million square feet of commercial office and mixed-use space, as well as 5,000+ units of luxury and workforce housing in the New York metropolitan area. As a fully integrated real estate operating company with a keen eye for uncovering value, its diverse capabilities are evidenced by its multifaceted success with luxury properties, as well as adaptive reuse and urban revitalization projects. In New York City, Taconic is currently developing 817 Broadway, 311 West 42nd Street and Essex Crossing on the Lower East Side. The firm also manages various real estate funds on behalf of institutional and pension fund investors. For more information visit: www.taconicinvestments.com . About Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. is a real estate investment and development company headquartered in New York City and is the U.S. Subsidiary of Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. Japans largest publicly traded real estate company with approximately $50 billion of assets. Mitsui Fudosan has invested in a range of real estate asset classes throughout the United States. Its portfolio currently includes more than 5.3 million square feet of stabilized office properties; 3.0 million square feet of office space under development including 50 Hudson Yards; 1,166 residential apartments; 2,833 additional residential units under development; 362 condo units under development; and 753 hotel rooms. PRESS CONTACT: Karen Marotta Greystone 212-896-9149 Karen.Marotta@Greyco.com Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 14:59:26|Editor: mmm Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and two others injured early Tuesday in a head-on collision between two cars in central Indian state of of Madhya Pradesh, officials said. The accident took place at around 12:30 a.m. local time at Ramgarh area of Ujjain district, about 209 km west of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, a police official in Ujjain said. According to police, the victims were returning home after attending a marriage function in Nagda city. "After the accident, locals and policemen removed the injured to hospital and carried dead," the official said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath expressed grief over the accident and announced financial assistance of 2,820 U.S. dollars for next of kin of each deceased in the accident. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled on the deaths in the accident. Deadly road accidents are common in India often due to overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving. An average of over 400 deaths take place every day in India due to road accidents, according to officials. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 14:49:24|Editor: mmm Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. public health officials have been worrying about recent measles outbreak in the northwest of the country, citing the low vaccination rate in the region. Number of confirmed cases in Washington State has risen to 36 on Monday, while Oregon Health Authority has confirmed one case in a county neighboring the plagued Clark County of Washington, whose vaccination rate is well below the necessary level as reported by local media. "The Washington State Department of Health reminds people to take precautions to help stop the spread of measles," the department said in an online statement, urging soon immunization of children. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee on Jan. 18 declared state of emergency in all counties in the state. "State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the incidents," Inslee said in the announcement. Meanwhile, 62 cases have been confirmed in New York City's Brooklyn as of Wednesday, Department of Health of the New York State said on its website. The outbreak in the city has began since October 2018 in Orthodox Jewish communities after a child came back from a trip to Israel, where a battle against measles had been going on for months. The situation in the state of New Jersey has reportedly alleviated, where 33 cases have been confirmed since October 2018. The state department of health announced earlier that the measles outbreak was considered over as no new cases have been identified in the incubation period of the last known case. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one or two out of every 1,000 children infected with measles will die from severe complications. Health officials urged citizens, especially young children and pregnant women, to get vaccinated, saying that basic infection prevention activities should be taken by everyone. In 2018, 17 outbreaks and 349 cases have been reported in 27 jurisdictions of the United States. Low vaccination rate is widely believed as the reason behind recent outbreaks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 14:14:16|Editor: mmm Video Player Close VIENTIANE, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Some 710,000 U.S. dollars has been paid to the families of 71 people who died or are still missing after an auxiliary dam collapsed in Sanamxay district, some 560 km southeast of Lao capital Vientiane, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Tuesday. The 71 victims of the July 2018 tragedy comprise 22 missing people and 49 who were confirmed dead. Their families were offered 10,000 U.S. dollars for each victim, following an announcement issued by Lao Prime Minister's Office. The announcement, issued on Jan. 23, instructed Lao provincial authorities, an insurance company, and the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Co., Ltd. to disburse the compensation payments to the victims' families in line with the relevant laws and insurance policy, said the report. The governor of Sanamxay district Bounhom Phommasane as quoted by the Vientiane Times as saying that the money was handed over to the victims' families on Saturday. The collapse of the dam at the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower plant caused a massive flash flood that wiped out several villages downstream, leaving more than 4,000 people homeless. Many other villages and their inhabitants were also affected. Bounhom said the relevant sectors were speeding up work to complete temporary housing this month, adding that the worst-affected people had already moved into newly-built houses. The government is also working with the project developers to build permanent communities in new locations to accommodate the thousands who were made homeless. Five devastated villages were no longer suitable for habitation and were at risk of suffering from similar incidents in the future. Other villages have been restored to a habitable state and the residents have returned. "We have prepared land on which to build the new houses and the area has been cleared," Bounhom said. Lao provincial authorities and Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport are finalizing town planning for the new communities. It is estimated that construction of the new houses will take about three years to complete, said the report. Lao government and the project developers will work together to figure out their responsibility for the disaster, including compensation for losses, restoration of damaged property, and rebuilding. The project developers have provided assistance in cash and in kind to help with recovery and rebuilding. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 14:14:16|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday strongly urged the United States to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson. The U.S. Justice Department reportedly unsealed criminal charges against Huawei, and continues to seek extradition of Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou from Canada. "China highly concerned about those criminal charges," said spokesperson Geng Shuang. The Chinese government always demands its enterprises conduct economic cooperation on a legal basis, and requires all countries to create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the legitimate operations of Chinese enterprises, said Geng. "For some time, the United States has used its state power to discredit and suppress a specific Chinese enterprise and attempted to interfere in the legitimate operations of enterprise. Those act contained strong political intentions and manipulations," he said. "China will resolutely defend the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises," he added. For Meng's case, Geng said that China has repeatedly stated its "solemn stance on the matter." The United States and Canada arbitrarily misused the bilateral extradition treaty between them to unjustifiably take compulsory measures against a Chinese citizen, which has severely violated the Chinese citizen's safety and legitimate rights and interests, Geng said. "We once again urge the U.S. side to immediately withdraw its arrest warrant for Ms. Meng Wanzhou and stop seeking extradition for her so as to avoid steering on to the wrong course," said the spokesperson. China also urged the Canadian side to treat China's stance seriously, immediately release Meng and protect her legitimate rights, and not be a cat's paw for the United States, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 14:09:15|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Chinese tourists walk beside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 29, 2019. Chinese tourists drove Cambodia's tourism growth last year, with some 1.9 million Chinese holidaymakers visiting the kingdom, up from 1.2 million one year earlier, Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said in recent interview with Xinhua. A total of 6.2 million international visitors traveled to the Southeast Asian country in 2018, up 11 percent from 5.6 million in the year before, he said. (Xinhua/Phearum) by Mao Pengfei, Nguon Sovan PHNOM PENH, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tourists drove Cambodia's tourism growth last year, with some 1.9 million Chinese holidaymakers visiting the kingdom, up from 1.2 million one year earlier, Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said in recent interview with Xinhua. A total of 6.2 million international visitors traveled to the Southeast Asian country in 2018, up 11 percent from 5.6 million in the year before, he said. "Chinese tourists had sustained our tourism growth last year," Khon told Xinhua. The two countries set 2019 as the China-Cambodia culture and tourism year. The minister said the huge influx of Chinese tourists to Cambodia was the result of excellent ties and proximity between Cambodia and China, Cambodia's political stability and attractive tourism sites, and increasing direct flights between the two countries. Direct flights connecting the two countries have remarkably increased from 110 flights per week in 2016 to 404 flights per week now, according to a government report. "Chinese tourists are the biggest spenders of all foreign tourists to Cambodia," Khon said, adding that they had importantly contributed to developing Cambodia's economy and creating jobs for Cambodians. Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, which represents nearly 300 tour and travel companies, said most of Chinese tourists visited the famed Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province and the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk. "A Chinese tourist averagely stay for five days in Cambodia, spending about 600 U.S. dollars for air fares and accommodation costs," she told Xinhua. "This amount excludes their spending for doing shopping." Sivlin, who is also president and chief executive officer of CSL Travel & Tours, said Chinese tourists like doing shopping and purchasing high-end luxury goods. HIGHER TARGET Khon said Cambodia is expected to attract 3 million Chinese holidaymakers in 2020 and up to 5 million in 2025. "Thanks to our close ties, our attractive tourism sites, and increasing direct flights between our two countries, I believe that we can achieve these targets," the minister said. In order to lure more Chinese travelers, he said the ministry would continue to encourage the owners of hotels, restaurants and resorts to use three languages -Khmer, English and Chinese - on their billboards or promotional leaflets. Kong Sopheareak, director of the statistics and tourism information department at the Ministry of Tourism, said to prepare for the growing number of Chinse tourists, the kingdom needs to invest more in hotels, restaurants and transportation services. "Also, we need to invest more in the development of human resources in tourism sector, especially in the training of Chinese speaking tour guides," he told Xinhua. SPRING FESTIVAL BOOM Khon said the Ministry of Tourism has never collected the figures of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia during the Chinese New Year, but he has observed that every year, a lot of Chinese tourists have visited the kingdom on the occasion. "I think it is not different from previous years, a large number of Chinese tourists are expected to visit Cambodia during the upcoming Chinese New Year," he said. The Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival falls on Feb. 5 this year. Sopheareak said the demand for hotels, restaurant and transportation services was very high on the occasion. "As I know, most of the hotels, particularly in Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk have been booked," he said. Sivlin said hotels at popular tourist sites are always fully booked during the Spring Festival season. "I think the number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia during the Spring Festival holiday is about five times higher than that of normal days," she said. Ho Vandy, president of World Express Tour and Travel Company, believe that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia during the Spring Festival this year will be more than that of last year. "As Chinese people are rich, they are keen to travel overseas on their holidays, and Cambodia is one of their most favorable destinations," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 13:54:10|Editor: mmm Video Player Close MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least six police officers were killed and three others wounded after Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints along a main road in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh overnight, a local official said Tuesday. "Taliban militants armed with guns and rocket propelled grenades (RPG) stormed two security checkpoints along a main road in Bodana Qala village, Sholgara district, Monday night. The clashes left six Afghan Local Police (ALP) killed and three others injured," district chief Sarrajuddin Abid told Xinhua. The injured police officers were shifted to a hospital after additional security forces secured the area, the district chief added. One police officer went missing after the clashes and the targeted checkpoints' facilities were set on fire by the militants. The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts around the country where army and police have limited presence. Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency spreads from its traditional strongholds in the south and east to the once peaceful region in the north, where Taliban have been recruiting among the youth. The militants have also intensified attacks on security forces and staged coordinated large-scale attacks in Afghan cities and districts. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 13:49:08|Editor: mmm Video Player Close SYDNEY, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Organizers have previewed Sydney's 2019 Lunar New Year festivities with a harborside gathering on Tuesday. The 10-day festival which begins on Friday is the largest of its kind outside of Asia and according to authorities Sydneysiders will be treated to cultural delights centering around this year's zodiac sign, the pig. "They're said to be happy, to be honest, sincere and brave people who are born in the year of the pig," Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore said. Giant lanterns depicting all 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac will be on display throughout the city's scenic areas, including an eight-meter stack of monkeys and a six-meter inflatable ox. This year's events will include the largest dragon boat races in the southern hemisphere, culinary events, workshops, lion dancing and live cultural performances. Festival curator Valerie Khoo said Sydney's Lunar New Year Festival is not only for the city's residents of Asian descent, but a chance for the wider community to learn more about the culture. Events in Sydney are expected to attract over 1.3 million people. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 13:34:07|Editor: mmm Video Player Close CANBERRA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morrison has promised to create 1.25 million full-time jobs over the next five years if re-elected at May's general election. Morrison made the commitment in a speech in Brisbane on Tuesday, establishing the governing Liberal-National Party coalition (LNP)'s economic record as the key pillar of his election campaign. "At this next election, you'll be deciding more than the government," he said. At the next election, only half of those of voting age will have experienced a recession during their working lives. "You'll be deciding the economy you and your families your children and grandchildren will live in for the next decade. And the consequences will be real," said the prime minister. "The Australian Labor Party (ALP) and ALP leader Bill Shorten are offering you a weaker economy to live in, held back by higher taxes." The pledge resembled one made by Tony Abbott, who served as leader of the LNP from 2009 to 2015 and as the premier between 2013 and 2015, who promised to create 1 million jobs in five years in the lead-up to the 2013 election. That goal was achieved months ahead of schedule in 2017, a feat that was hailed by Malcolm Turnbull, Abbott's successor and Morrison's predecessor, as leader of the LNP, as an indication of the party's strength promoting the economy. Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Morrison said his plan would build a "strong economy and secure future," saying it would be weaker under the ALP's tax-and-spend agenda. "That's been our record over the last five years, we promised one million jobs going into the 2013 election, Labor and others scoffed at that, said it couldn't be done and we did it," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "You can't tax the economy to success. I think I'm pretty blunt about it, the economy will be weaker under Bill Shorten and Labor." Jim Chalmers, the ALP's finance spokesperson, attacked Morrison's record on the economy, saying the PM has not delivered for "ordinary working people." "Scott Morrison is from another planet if he thinks that this economy is delivering for ordinary working people," he told the ABC. "We've got falling confidence, stagnant wages, slowing growth, insecure work, high underemployment, high household debt, low savings at the household level." Speaking on Monday, Shorten went after "fresh chaos and continuing disunity in the government." "If it's not members of the government walking out the door, it's other Liberal supporters running against the government as independents," he said. "This is a government that's lurching from crisis to crisis, and in the meantime the big issues are just not getting addressed." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 13:29:06|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will expand marketing channels of agricultural goods produced in poor regions in a bid to help with the country's poverty eradication campaign, an official statement said Tuesday. China will encourage wholesalers, e-commerce companies and supermarkets to establish stable and long-term cooperative relationships with impoverished villages with the potential to develop the agricultural sector, according to a plan released by 10 agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce. The country will also support direct purchase of farm produce from poor regions by universities, hospitals, canteens of public institutions and trading platforms, the plan said. Logistics in the poor areas should be improved, while cold chain facilities should be established at the production bases of agricultural goods to support better storage, the plan said. Tuesday's plan came after the release of State Council guidelines earlier this month that encourage the consumption of goods and services provided by people living under the poverty line. The battle against poverty is one of the "three tough battles" that China must win to build a moderately prosperous society by 2020. To achieve the goal, the country needs to lift around 30 million poor residents in rural areas out of poverty between 2018 and 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 13:24:05|Editor: mmm Video Player Close MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least six police officers were killed and three others wounded after Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints along a main road in Afghanistan's northern province of Balkh overnight, a local official said Tuesday. English Danish Financial report 2018 and Annual General Meeting 2019 Full year revenue growth of 5.5% and an operating profit margin of 10.2% Performance highlights for full year 2018: Revenue from clients outside the Novo Nordisk Group increased by 13% driven by the international life sciences, public and enterprise customer groups all increasing double-digit Due to a decline in revenue from the Novo Nordisk Group of 5.2% total revenue increased by 5.5% in reported currencies The share of revenue clients outside the Novo Nordisk Group increased from 58% in 2017 to 63% in 2018 Operating profit increased by 17% leading to an operating profit margin of 10.2% in reported currencies compared to 9.2% in 2017 Net profit of DKK 236m in 2018 compared to DKK 199m in 2017 Free cash flow after acquisitions in 2018 was DKK 116m compared to negative DKK 13m in 2017 Order backlog for 2019 at the beginning of Q1 2019 was DKK 2,171m, a decrease of 1.9% compared to the same time last year. The backlog for 2020-2021 increased by 3.5% Outlook for 2019: Revenue growth of 3-6% in constant currencies Operating profit margin of 10-10.5% in constant currencies Level of investments is 5-7% of total revenue New strategy and long-term targets Organic revenue growth of 6-8% excluding revenue from the Novo Nordisk Group Operating profit margin of at least 10% is maintained The Board of Directors proposes to increase the dividend payments to DKK 4.60 per share corresponding to DKK 113.0m which includes the interim dividend for 2018 (DKK 49.1m) paid in August 2018. This corresponds to a pay-out ratio of net profit of 48% Per Kogut, CEO at NNIT comments: I am pleased that the strong growth continued in Q4 securing full year revenue growth of 5.5% and an operating profit margin of 10.2% in line with our guidance. This strong performance was driven by double-digit growth from international life sciences, enterprise and public customer groups offsetting lower sales to the Novo Nordisk Group. We are launching a new strategy and a more customer focused organization to enable further innovation and digital transformation for our clients while accelerating our growth within international life sciences and Danish clients. Conference call details NNIT will host a teleconference January 30, 2019 at 10:30 CET about the financial report for 2018. Please visit the NNIT webpage at www.nnit.com to access the teleconference, which can be found under Investors Events & presentations. Presentation material will be available on the website approximately one hour prior to the start of the presentation. Conference call details https://nnit.eventcdn.net/20190130 Participant telephone numbers: Denmark: +45 3544 5583 United Kingdom: +44 20 3194 0544 Sweden: +46 8 5664 2661 United States: +1 855 269 2604 Financial Calendar 2019 March 7, 2019 Annual General Meeting March 8, 2019 Dividend ex dividend date March 11, 2019 Dividend record date March 12, 2019 Dividend payment date May 14, 2019 Interim report for the first three months of 2019 August 14, 2019 Interim report for the first six months of 2019 October 24, 2019 Interim report for the first nine months of 2019 Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of NNIT A/S will be held on Thursday March 7, 2019 at 2 pm at the NNIT head office, Oestmarken 3A, 2860 Soeborg, Denmark. The Board of Directors intends to propose re-election of Anne Broeng, Carsten Dilling, Eivind Kolding, Peter Haahr, Caroline Serfass and Christian Kanstrup. The Board of Directors also intends to propose re-election of Carsten Dilling as Chairman and re-election of Peter Haahr as Deputy Chairman. The Board of Directors intends to propose re-election of PricewaterhouseCoopers Statsautoriseret Revisionspartnerselskab as the Companys auditor. Proposed dividend Due to the strong underlying cash flow generation, the Board of Directors intends to propose to the shareholders at the annual general meeting that dividends of DKK 2.60 per share be distributed for the financial year 2018. Including the interim dividend of DKK 2.00 per share in August 2018 this brings the total dividend for the financial year 2018 to DKK 4.60 per share (2017: DKK 4.30 per share), equal to a dividend pay-out ratio of 48% of the 2018 net results. Contacts for further information Investor relations: Klaus Hosbond Skovrup Head of Investor Relations Tel: +45 3079 5355 ksko@nnit.com Media relations: Helga Heyn NNIT Communications Tel: +45 3077 8141 hhey@nnit.com About NNIT NNIT A/S is one of Denmarks leading IT service providers and consultancies. NNIT A/S offers a wide range of IT services and solutions to its customers, primarily in the life sciences sector in Denmark and internationally and to customers in the public, enterprise and finance sectors in Denmark. As of December 31, 2018 NNIT A/S had 3,214 employees. NNIT has approximately 400 clients of which around 150 are located outside Denmark. Some 20% are international life sciences clients (December, 2018). For more information please visit www.nnit.com. Attachment Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 12:59:02|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close HAVANA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Residents of Cuba's capital Havana have started cleaning up the city after a deadly tornado killed three people Sunday night. The tornado, one of the strongest twisters that ever hit Havana, also left 172 people injured and caused extensive damages, including toppled homes and knocked-down power lines across several city districts. Havana's 10 de Octubre and San Miguel del Padron are hardest hit boroughs. Residents in the two districts said that it was an unprecedented extreme weather event. Many said the rumble of the tornado was as loud as the engine of an airplane, and some feared that a military operation or a bombing attack was taking place. Alexei Arrechera, a resident of San Miguel del Padron's Luyano neighborhood, said, "These are things that we have only seen in movies. It seemed like we were in a plane hangar surrounded by many aircraft." According to local media, Luyano was among the neighborhoods that are most affected, along with Regla, Guanabacoa, Santos Suarez and Chibas, all in the south area of Havana. "It's a total disaster in this neighborhood. I am 64 years old and I have never seen anything like it before. In my house the concrete walls fell, the water tanks that were on the roof went flying. It was very strong," Vicente Perez, who lives in the district of Santos Suarez, told Xinhua, Despite repeated warnings from the island's weather institute about the danger of severe storms, residents did not expect such a strong tornado. When it hit Havana, most people were watching a popular talent show that usually airs on Sunday night. "I was standing at the door and was about to close it to watch the show when all of a sudden there was a cloud of bright red light along with a loud buzz. I thought a plane had crashed, but it never occurred to me it was a tornado," Rosalidia Sargero said. Sargero said she had a similar experience 30 years ago, when a smaller tornado whipped through Catalina de Guines, a town in Mayabeque province, some 50 km east of the capital. Margarita del Pozo, a senior citizen seen walking among the rubble of collapsed homes and damaged vehicles, said the tornado blew the roof off her house. Cuban officials cut electricity throughout the city as a precaution against the expected storm. "We had just lost power when the tornado hit. It seemed like an invasion. Suddenly the huge water tanks of the building started flying, the walls collapsed. It was horrible. I'm 69 years old and I've been through many hurricanes here and never in my life have I seen anything so horrible," Del Pozo said. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited the districts of Regla and Guanabacoa and spoke highly of the rapid response of police and rescue workers. Along with a wind speed at 100 km per hour, the tornado caused heavy rains on Sunday night and coastal flooding, including along Havana's famous seaside promenade, the Malecon. Tornadoes are not common in Cuba. The worst in history hit the country's western town of Bejucal in December 1940. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 12:34:00|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- All donated organs must be distributed automatically through a unified computerized platform to ensure fair and transparent distribution and traceability, the China Daily reported Tuesday. Hospitals where transplant surgeries are performed should enter the information of all patients waiting for transplants into the China Organ Transplant Response Systems and keep it updated, the newspaper quoted a regulation released by the National Health Commission Monday, as saying. Organ procurement organizations, in the meantime, should register information on potential donors in the computerized platform to share and distribute donated organs while making assessment of the donors. The transplant response system, supervised by health authorities at the provincial level or above, can automatically match donated organs with potential recipients and distribute organs based on defined principles, including urgency, the newspaper quoted Wang Haibo, who is in charge of the system, as saying. The regulation, which will take effect on March 1, bans any organization or individual from distributing donated organs on their own. China banned the use of organs from executed prisoners in 2015 and made voluntary donation the only legitimate source. China has become the second-largest country in the number of annual organ transplant surgeries, next to the United States. Last year, the number of people who donated organs after death exceeded 21,000 in China, with more than 58,000 organs donated, the commission said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 11:48:49|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday afternoon for the upcoming high-level economic and trade consultations with the U.S. side. Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue, leads a delegation with members from major economic sectors of the Chinese government. The delegation members include Governor of the People's Bank of China Yi Gang, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Ning Jizhe, Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs and Vice Finance Minister Liao Min, Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Luo Wen, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun, as well as Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 11:38:47|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SYDNEY, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian police have charged three men over a shipment of gun parts which arrived in the country concealed in children's toy motorcycles, authorities revealed on Tuesday. Earlier this year Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Australia's Melbourne intercepted the weapons parts, which were sent via the post in three consignments from the United States. X-ray analysis helped officers uncover the components which were concealed in and around the battery-powered toy motorcycles. Subsequent property raids in the states of Victoria and New South Wales by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers uncovered 60 gun receivers, 26 30-bullet magazines, 24 drum magazines capable of holding 50 bullets and 16 handgun frames. "There is now no chance that these weapons will end up in the dangerous hands of outlaw criminal motorcycle gangs or other criminals," AFP Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling said. Three men, aged 25, 26 and 33, were arrested and charged with possessing a traffickable quantity of unregistered firearms, trafficking firearms or firearms parts and intentionally importing prohibited firearm parts. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 10:23:34|Editor: mmm Video Player Close HAVANA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Monday urged greater efforts to step up the relief work after a heavy tornado hit Havana overnight, which left four dead and 195 injured. The tornado, with downpours and winds of about 300 km per hour, also incurred heavy damages in five of the 15 municipalities of the Cuban capital. Diaz-Canel stressed it as priority in a tweet to provide cooked food and drink water at reasonable prices for the affected people in the tornado-hit areas where electricity is out. In addition, the Cuban president, who visited affected areas in the early hours Monday, voiced his confidence about Havana recovering from the natural disaster before celebrating its 500th anniversary in mid-November this year. Tornados are rarely seen in the Caribbean island state. The last of its kind hit Cuba in 1940. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 10:13:32|Editor: mmm Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Brazil's mining dam collapse in southeastern Minas Gerais state has reached 65, local authorities said on Monday. Rescuers have been trying to recover bodies and search for survivors following Friday's collapse of a tailings dam in the town of Brumadinho, but three days after the humanitarian and environmental tragedy, the chances of finding people alive are remote. About 279 people are still missing, and over half of them are employees of the mining giant Vale, which owns the iron ore mine. Some residents of the area are also unaccounted for. A large number of employees were having lunch in a company cafeteria located just below the dam when it burst and unleashed a flow of toxic mud. Rescuers believed the flow of mud have swept the cafeteria and a local hotel away, making them difficult to be located. A team of Israeli rescue workers arrived at the site Sunday to help. The 136-member team came with sniffer dogs and 16 tons of equipment. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 10:13:31|Editor: mmm Video Player Close HOUSTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Five police officers in U.S. Texas city of Houston were wounded in a shooting and taken to hospital, the police department said in a statement Monday evening. The police urged the public to stay away from the area as the place "is still an active crime scene." The incident occurred when police officers from the Houston narcotics division attempted to serve a warrant in a southeastern residential area, around 11 km from the downtown early Monday evening. Governor of Texas Greg Abbott said in a statement that the horrific attack "is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 10:08:28|Editor: mmm Video Player Close YAOUNDE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian opposition leader, Maurice Kamto of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), was arrested late Monday amid resistance to the latest presidential election results. Kamto and his aides were discussing matters at a private residence in the western city of Douala when police arrested them, and there was no warrant of arrest, Jean-Claude Wakam, a party official, told Xinhua. "Other party members who were in hospital were pulled out of their sickbed and taken to the judicial police," he added. Police sources confirmed to Xinhua the arrest, saying Kamto might be transported to the capital Yaounde where he will be detained. Witnesses said there was heavy police presence in major junctions of Douala as party supporters threatened to protest the arrests. "Policemen are everywhere. They are using water cannon and tear gas to dispel those who are threatening to demonstrate," said a witness who asked not to be named. Cameroon's President Paul Biya was declared the winner with 71.28 percent of the vote in the Oct. 7 presidential election, but Kamto claimed that he won the vote, while official results showed he emerged as a distant second with 14.23 percent of the vote. Kamto has since then announced what he called a "national resistance program" to compel Biya to step down. On Saturday, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesman Rene Sadi said that police shot and wounded six people and arrested 117 in major cities where the CRM organized protests to denounce what it called "electoral hold up" and "useless war in Anglophone regions." "The government strongly condemns this unacceptable maneuver to destabilize Cameroon under the false pretext of an alleged electoral hold up," Sadi said. Since 2017, separatist fighters in Cameroon have staged attacks in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions in protest of marginalization by the country's French-speaking majority. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 09:43:23|Editor: mmm Video Player Close U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a press briefing at the White House in Washington D.C. Jan. 28, 2019. The United States on Monday slapped sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., or known as PDVSA. (Xinhua/Ting Shen) WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on a state-owned oil firm in Venezuela, the latest move of the Trump administration to mount pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to the opposition. The sanctions on Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., or PDVSA, will block 7 billion U.S. dollars in assets and could result in a loss of 11 billion dollars in sales next year, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton told a White House briefing. Washington's tough sanctions against Venezuela came days after it recognized the opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of the Latin American country, denouncing incumbent President Nicolas Maduro who won the elections last year with over two thirds of the votes. The U.S. Treasury described PDVSA as "a primary source of Venezuela's income and foreign currency" in a statement released later in the day, saying that the blacklist could help "prevent further diverting of Venezuela's assets by Maduro." As a result of Treasury's action, all property and interests in property of PDVSA subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. citizens are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. In an effort to mitigate impact of the designation, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who also attended the White House briefing, told reporters that oil supplies were sufficient to guarantee only "very modest" effect on U.S. gas prices in the short term. In Monday's statement, the Treasury also declared that the path to sanctions relief is "through the expeditious transfer of control to the Interim President or a subsequent, democratically elected government." Meanwhile, the Treasury has been issuing general licenses that authorize certain transactions and activities related to PDVSA and its subsidiaries within specified timeframes. The United States, Brazil and some other countries have recognized Guaido's presidency, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that "all options are on the table." Maduro, in response, announced the severing of "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States. Washington later said that it would conduct diplomatic relations through the government of "interim president." Mnuchin also said in the Treasury's statement that the United States will "continue to use the full suite of its diplomatic and economic tools to support" Guaido, head of the National Assembly, who declared himself interim president during an anti-government rally. Maduro on Sunday visited a military base in the northern state of Carabobo, exhorting the audience to be "Traitors never, loyal always," televised images showed. The military is planning larger exercises on Feb. 10-15, which Maduro said would be the "most important in the history of Venezuela." Maduro was elected in May last year with 67.84 percent of the votes, and he was sworn in as president on Jan. 10 for another six-year term. On Wednesday, Guaido, 35, declared himself interim president. As tensions between Maduro and Guaido continue, officials and experts worldwide have voiced concern over the situation, calling for dialogue to ease tension without outside influence. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all relevant actors to lower tensions and commit to dialogue to address the protracted crisis in Venezuela, after anti-government protests in the capital Caracas turned violent, said his spokesman on Thursday. Echoing Guterres' call for a dialogue, Alfred-Maurice de Zayas, a former UN independent expert, termed the current unrest as an "attempted coup" and said his concern is to avoid a civil war. China believes that Venezuela's affairs must and can only be decided by the its own people, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday. China maintains that all countries should adhere to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, especially the norms of international relations and international law, such as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and refraining from the threat of force, spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press briefing. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 09:33:20|Editor: mmm Video Player Close SYDNEY, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- An Aircrane fire fighting helicopter has crashed into a small body of water in eastern Australia on Monday evening, with the three-person crew escaping and swimming to safety. The chopper, nicknamed Christine, was fighting a blaze in remote Gippsland in the State of Victoria when it crashed into the dam where it remains submerged. Victorian emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp said that the pilot and two engineers on board were initially flown to Latrobe Valley Hospital for assessment. "They were examined for some minor injuries and shock, as you'd imagine, but I believe they've been released from hospital now," he said. According to Crisp, the cause of the crash is not yet clear, however as a precaution the nation's five other Aircrane choppers have been grounded until they can be deemed safe. "I don't really want to speculate, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified, they'll have an investigator on the ground here this morning," Crisp said. Aircranes are one of the largest firebombing aircrafts in the world with a capacity to hold up to 9,000 litres of water. IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SecureAuth Corp , the leader in continuous identity security, today announced that SecureAuth IdP has been recognized as a Trust Award finalist in the Best Authentication Technology category for the 2019 SC Awards. The finalists and winners for the Trust Awards are chosen by an expert panel of judges with extensive knowledge and experience in the cybersecurity industry. SecureAuth IdP enables individuals and devices to securely and seamlessly access an organizations systems while effectively keeping attackers out. It does this by analyzing multiple risk factors including device, location, IP address, and behavior without users even being aware to determine the legitimacy of every login attempt. With most breaches involving the use of stolen credentials despite increasing spend on security worldwide, organizations must implement identity security that goes far beyond obsolete username and passwords and static two-factor authentication , said Ahmed Rubaie, Chairman and CEO of SecureAuth. It is an honor that SecureAuth IdP is recognized as a finalist for the award, as validation for its modern and flexible approach that adaptively suits customers needs. Every new year brings with it an unpredictable mix of adversity and opportunity for information security professionals, said Illena Armstrong, VP, editorial, SC Media. In 2018, we watched as ransomware took down entire city governments, popular online platforms were accused of mishandling user data, and technology giants announced an unprecedented industry-wide effort to solve the Spectre and Meltdown CPU vulnerabilities. Through it all, this years SC Awards finalists found ways to break boundaries, overcome challenges and contribute fresh new ideas to the world of cybersecurity. Now in its 22nd year, SC Awards is recognized as the industry gold standard of accomplishment for cybersecurity professionals, products and services. With the awards, SC Media recognizes the achievements of cybersecurity professionals in the field, the innovations happening in the vendor and service provider communities, and the vigilant work of government, commercial and nonprofit entities. Vendors and service providers who offer a product and/or service for the commercial, government, educational, nonprofit or other industries are eligible for the SC Awards Trust Award category. In a vast sea of security solutions and services, the Trust Award finalists stand out for their cutting-edge, high-quality features and user-friendly policies, added Armstrong of SC Media. SecureAuth has emerged as true leader in its space and has earned this honor. Winners will be announced at the SC Awards ceremony on March 5, 2019 in San Francisco. About SecureAuth SecureAuth eliminates identity-related breaches through the continuous assessment of risk and the enablement of trust across identities. The company is a leader in access management, identity governance, and penetration testing. SecureAuths highly flexible Identity Security Automation platform redefines security through identity making it easier for organizations to prevent the misuse of credentials. To learn more, visit www.secureauth.com , or connect with us at info@secureauth.com , Twitter , and LinkedIn . About SC Media SC Media is cybersecurity. For 30 years, they have armed information security professionals with in-depth and unbiased information through timely news, comprehensive analysis, cutting-edge features, contributions from thought leaders, and independent product reviews in partnership with and for top-level information security executives and their technical teams. In addition to their comprehensive website, SC Media offers magazines, eBooks, and newsletters. They also host digital and live events such as SC Awards and RiskSec NY to provide cybersecurity professionals all the information needed to safeguard their organizations and contribute to their longevity and success. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 07:31:12|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Railway police and passengers react at a bullet train as they celebrate the Xiaonian Festival, the 23rd day of the last lunar month preluding the Spring Festival, Jan. 28, 2019. Xiaonian falls on the 23rd or 24th day of the last month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar, marking the start of the countdown to Chinese lunar new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuan) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 07:12:51|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close VILNIUS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Musicians of Gansu Dance Troupe from China kicked off the celebration of the Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, with a concert here on Monday night. Held at Vilnius Town Hall in the Old Town, the national symphony concert is part of a cultural event entitled "Happy Chinese New Year," which was jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Lithuania and China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Embassy of China in Lithuania to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Year of the Pig, which falls on Feb. 5 this year. Over 300 locals as well as local Chinese compatriots and students attended the concert, including Lithuanian Minister of Education and Science Algirdas Monkevicius and head of the Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with China Kestutis Glaveckas. Opening the concert, Chinese Ambassador to Lithuania Shen Zhifei invited everybody to join in celebrating the Chinese New Year and enjoying the wonderful Chinese national music presented by the artists of the Gansu Dance Troupe. Titled National Symphony "Strolling through Gansu", the concert features the typical characters of the famous Silk Road, including Flying Apsaras and the Silk Road, two masterpieces reflecting profound the influence of Chinese dance traditions as well as the history of the region. Fascinated by the brilliant performance, the audiences reacted with big applause and cheers as well as standing ovation, and the two local songs "Willow on the hill" and "Homeland, The orchestra of the Gansu Dance Troupe, which has toured more than 30 countries and regions for culture exchange programs, will end its tour in Lithuania on Jan. 29 by presenting in Plunge, a city in northwestern part of Lithuania. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 07:20:39|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close A foreign tourist tries snacks during a fair at the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2019. About 150 Chinese time-honored brands, selected from some Chinese provinces and municipalities, are exhibited at a fair in the Palace Museum during the Spring Festival. The histories of many of the Chinese time-honored brands, ranging from local delicacies, liquors, health products to silk and handicrafts, can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when their products were exclusive tributes to the imperial family. The fair is held to present the audience with the royal traditions of celebrating the Spring Festival during the Qing Dynasty. (Xinhua/Dong Naide) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 07:20:57|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on Jan. 28, 2019 shows an area decorated with lanterns in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province. A local lantern festival, presenting over 330 lanterns, was held here before the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 5 this year. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 06:57:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza holds a Spanish version of the Charter of the United Nations as he addresses a Security Council emergency meeting on the situation in Venezuela, at the UN headquarters in New York, Jan. 26, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Monday slapped sanctions on a state-owned oil firm in Venezuela, the latest move of the Trump administration to pile up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to the opposition. The sanctions on Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., or known as PDVSA, will block 7 billion U.S. dollars in assets and could result in 11 billion dollars in lost sales over the next year, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton told reporters at a White House briefing. Washington's tough sanctions against Venezuela came days after it recognized the opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of the Latin American country, denouncing incumbent President Maduro who won the elections last year with over two thirds of the votes. The U.S. Treasury described PDVSA as "a primary source of Venezuela's income and foreign currency" in a statement released later in the day, saying that the blacklist could help "prevent further diverting of Venezuela's assets by Maduro." As a result of Treasury's action, all property and interests in property of PDVSA subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The Treasury also declared that the path to sanctions relief is "through the expeditious transfer of control to the Interim President or a subsequent, democratically elected government." Meanwhile, the Treasury has issued general licenses that authorize certain transactions and activities related to PDVSA and its subsidiaries within specified timeframes. The United States, Brazil and some other countries have recognized Guaido's presidency, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that "all options are on the table." Maduro, in response, announced the severing of "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the Monday statement that the United States will "continue to use the full suite of its diplomatic and economic tools to support" Guaido, head of the National Assembly, who declared himself interim president during an anti-government rally. Maduro on Sunday visited a military base in the northern state of Carabobo, exhorting the audience "Traitors never, loyal always," televised images showed. The military is planning larger exercises on Feb. 10-15 that Maduro said would be the "most important in the history of Venezuela." Maduro was elected in May last year with 67.84 percent of the votes, and he was sworn in as president on Jan. 10 for another six-year term. On Wednesday, Guaido, 35, declared himself interim president. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all relevant actors to lower tensions and commit to dialogue to address the protracted crisis in Venezuela, after anti-government protests in the capital Caracas turned violent, said his spokesman on Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 06:27:44|Editor: mmm Video Player Close CHICAGO, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's EV start-up Kaiyun Motors plans to export electric pickups to the U.S. market this year, local media reported on Monday. Kaiyun Motors has the required approvals and plans to sell as many as 10,000 of its Pickman electric trucks in the United States this year, the Detroit News quoted the company's founder Wang Chao as saying. The Pickman will be sold at 5,000 dollars in the United States and 5,000 euros (5,700 dollars) in Europe, as variants in those markets come with revisions and added features such as reinforced structures and storage space for guns. The Pickman is much smaller in size than U.S.-built pickups and costs as little as one-tenth of Ford's F-150. It has a driving range of 75 miles (120 kilometers) on one charge. With a top speed of 28 miles (45 kilometers) per hour, Pickman is suitable for farm owners, factory employees moving loads at their work sites, and commuters, Wang said. With a capacity to carry 1,100 pounds (500 kilos) of goods, the vehicle will be enough for most pickup users, Wang said. As part of its expansion plans, the company is selecting a site for a South American factory, he said. "Mini electric vehicles are more than enough to meet consumers' daily needs," Wang said. "There is a huge market out there around the world." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 05:52:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close SKOPJE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian Prime Minister (PM) Zoran Zaev and his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras are officially nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for signing the Prespa Agreement, the Macedonian government reported on Monday in a press release. The nomination is made by the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ouided Bouchamaoui, who, in a letter to Prime Minister Zaev, informed him of his official nomination along with Greek Prime Minister Tsipras, according to the press release. The Macedonian and Greek prime ministers are nominated for providing "a model for peaceful and constructive solutions to bilateral and multilateral disagreements between neighboring countries that can serve as an example to the Balkans and the wider region." "The ratification of the Prespa Agreement by both countries, is a proof that the dialogue, positive energy, cosmopolitism, determination, and good neighborly relations, are essential to solving any problems regardless of the pressures imposed by nationalists from both sides," the press release said, quoting Bouchamaoui. Under the UN-brokered Prespa Agreement reached in June 2018, Macedonia's constitutional name would become "the Republic of North Macedonia." The agreement was passed by Greek lawmakers on Jan. 25. On Jan. 11, Macedonian Parliament members voted in favor to endorse the constitutional change, paving the way to changing the country's name to the Republic of North Macedonia. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 05:07:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Christina Lassen, head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, urged Lebanese officials to form a new government and start with the needed economic reforms in a bid to save the country, local media reported. "The European Union is ready to help Lebanon with these reforms," she was quoted as saying by the National News Agency during her meeting with Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri. Lassen said that the absence of government in Lebanon is having negative repercussions on the Lebanese people. Meanwhile, Hariri said that reforms constitute the biggest challenge for the new government. However, he assured that Lebanon can rise again from its problems once the new government is formed. Lebanon has been struggling to form a government since Hariri was designated prime minister in May. The formation of government has been facing various hurdles, mainly differences among parties over the representation in the new government. Officials and economists have on many occasions called for a quick formation of a new government in Lebanon in a bid to save the country's economic sectors from further deterioration. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 04:57:15|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Syria's Prime Minister Emad Khamis (2nd R) shakes hands with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri (2nd L) after signing an economic agreements in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) DAMASCUS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Prime Minister Emad Khamis on Monday said his government has signed a long-term economic cooperation deal with Iran. In a press conference in Damascus with the visiting Eshaq Jahangiri, the first vice president of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Khamis said the new agreement is "a true historic station for a new kind of cooperation" with Iran. He said the agreement covers the industrial, agricultural, service, infrastructure and energy sectors among others. Khamis said his government also reached an agreement with Iran on the banking sector as well as establishing an electricity generating station in the coastal city of Latakia. Both sides also signed agreements to expand the ports in Latakia and Tartus. The prime minister continued that they have dozens of projects that will be continued in the oil sector mainly in the eastern region. "Syria is serious to provide facilitation to the friends in the Iranian companies to invest in Syria and the reconstruction process," he said. Jahangiri highlighted the banking cooperation as the base for economic cooperation, saying the central banks of Iran and Syria have agreed to establish banking cooperation deals between the two countries. The Iranian official also mentioned the electricity sector, saying they will build an electricity generating station in Latakia city. The agreements also reached for the rehabilitation of other electricity stations in the country. Both sides also highlighted the need to link Syria with Iran through Iraq by railways so that Iran has a direct link to the Mediterranean. A permeant fair for Iranian goods will also be opened in Damascus, he said. The Syrian-Iranian relations support the peace in the world, Jahangiri said, hoping that the economic relations between both countries could reach the same level of the political relations. He added that if it wasn't for the successful counter-terror measures in Syria and Iraq, "we would have been facing terrorism in Europe." Iran has been a key backer to the Syrian government in the face of the more than seven-year war and is now aiming to be a part of the reconstruction process with the dwindling battles across the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 04:22:08|Editor: mmm Video Player Close United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony, at the UN headquarters in New York, Jan. 28, 2019. Guterres on Monday said that the old anti-Semitism is back and neo-Nazi groups are proliferating at a ceremony marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said that the old anti-Semitism is back and neo-Nazi groups are proliferating. In his remarks at a ceremony marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, the UN chief said that there were "attempts to rewrite the history of the Holocaust, to distort its magnitude and to sanitize the wartime records of leaders, citizens and societies." A recent Public Broadcasting System program conducted an in-depth exploration of one of the extremist and white supremacist organizations in the United States that promotes hatred against Jews, and also other minorities, homosexuals and others, said the secretary-general, adding that this organization seeks out people with military experience, and encourages sympathizers to join the armed forces to gain weapons training. "Not only is anti-Semitism still strong - it is getting worse," said Guterres. According to the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitic incidents in the United States increased 57 percent in 2017, and the European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency reported last year that 28 percent of Jews had experienced some form of harassment just for being Jewish, he said. On Oct. 27, 2018, 11 people were killed and six others were injured after a gunman opened fire inside a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Guterres said that the incident was "the worst anti-Semitic attack in the history of the United States," and it was precisely in keeping with Neo-Nazi group's advocacy of violent, so-called "lone wolf" attacks. "Inevitably, where there is anti-Semitism, no one else is safe," said Guterres, and he urged people to "rise up against rising anti-Semitism" and stand up to those who disseminate hatred." According to Guterres, he has asked his special adviser on the prevention of genocide to assess the efforts of the UN system in countering hate speech and to devise a global plan of action. The UN chief also urged that these questions should be clearly introduced in the curricula in schools and that "students will never be able to deny these facts." Guterres said that education of the Holocaust, genocide and the history of slavery is crucial. "Because indeed, countering hate speech is essential to preventing hate crimes. That means rejecting hate in schools and workplaces, at sporting events and on the street," he said. In addition to "proclaiming principles" and "vilifying the violators," the secretary-general called on the international community to work for a fair globalization, by addressing the roots of the anxieties and angers that make people susceptible to populism and demagoguery. "Our response must be clear: to strengthen all we do to build the defences, the laws and the mindsets that will uphold the dignity of all, for all time, having the fight against anti-semitism in the front lines," he said. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a global memorial day on Jan. 27 designated by the United Nations in 2005 to commemorate the genocide that occurred during World War II, and this year's theme is "Holocaust Remembrance: Demand and Defend Your Human Rights." DALLAS, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SoldierStrong, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advanced medical technologies to veterans, donated an Indego Therapy exoskeleton to the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System today. Since the nonprofits inception following the tragic events of 9/11, SoldierStrong has donated more than $3 million of medical devices to help injured veterans. Today's donation marks the organizations 19th exoskeleton donation. It is the 15th exoskeleton donation to the VA system. SoldierStrong and its supporters like United Rentals are proud to reach such a significant milestone in the donation of high-tech medical devices that directly benefit our countrys injured veterans, said Chris Meek, SoldierStrong co-founder. We are committed to helping as many veterans as we can so that they will experience the physical and emotional benefits of standing and walking again. Dr. Stephen Holt, who leads the nation's second-largest VA system, thanked SoldierStrong, noting, "Exoskeletons are proving to transform the lives of veterans with spinal cord injuries. This device will make a very positive and lasting difference in the lives of the patients we serve." Dr. Bridget Bennett, chief of Spinal Cord Injury Services Center at the VA North Texas, said the device will become part of a stable of devices used for spinal cord injury therapy. "We are very appreciative that SoldierStrong has donated this device today and it will play an important role in improving the lives of veterans with spinal injuries," Bennett said. The Therapy+ software suite, included with each Indego Therapy device, incorporates control algorithms based on proven motor learning principles and allows for an individualized, patient-centric training approach where the device responds to a patients active contribution and assists in gait only when necessary. Additionally, therapists have a range of customizable settings within the Therapy+ software suite which allow them to further tailor the behavior of the system to specific impairment and gait needs. Our veterans deserve the very best medical care available, and we are incredibly proud to see SoldierStrong and the VA system including Indego in the range of treatment options accessible to their patients, Achilleas Dorotheou, head of the human motion and control business unit for Parker Hannifin, in a release from the company. Combined with our Therapy+ software suite, Indego is becoming an integral tool for clinicians to provide individualized gait therapy sessions to stroke and spinal cord injury patients, and providing a new level of independence. Todays announcement is continuing evidence of the strength of the SoliderStrong program and its commitment to delivering innovative technology and advanced rehabilitation to veterans, said Chris Hummel, chief marketing officer of United Rentals, the largest equipment rental company in the world. United Rentals partnership with SoliderStrong is a key part of our commitment to supporting veterans, and we congratulate SoliderStrong and the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health System on todays news. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 04:02:02|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Chinese artists perform during a show titled "Happy Chinese New Year 2019" in Thessaloniki, Greece, Jan. 28, 2019. A large group of Chinese artists performed a special and festive show for a "Happy Chinese New Year 2019" on Monday at Greek port city of Thessaloniki, also the second largest city in the country. The event was organized by Thessaloniki Tourism Organization in cooperation with the Chinese embassy in Greece and the Beijing Municipality and the support of the Chinese Cultural Center in Athens, as well as the Chinese community and businesses. It was held to enhance the cultural exchange between China and Greece and to welcome the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which begins on Feb. 5 and ends on Feb. 19 this year. This year 2019 is the year of the pig, according to the Chinese zodiac. The show in Thessaloniki took place at the Royal Theater and the program included dance, acrobatics, traditional Chinese music, theater, opera and Kung Fu demonstration by martial arts fighters. (Xinhua/Dimitris Tosidis) ATHENS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A large group of Chinese artists performed a special and festive show for a "Happy Chinese New Year 2019" on Monday at Greek port city of Thessaloniki, also the second largest city in the country. The event was organized by Thessaloniki Tourism Organization in cooperation with the Chinese embassy in Greece and the Beijing Municipality and the support of the Chinese Cultural Center in Athens, as well as the Chinese community and businesses. It was held to enhance the cultural exchange between China and Greece and to welcome the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, which begins on Feb. 5 and ends on Feb. 19 this year. This year 2019 is the year of the pig, according to the Chinese zodiac. The show in Thessaloniki took place at the Royal Theater and the program included dance, acrobatics, traditional Chinese music, theater, opera and Kung Fu demonstration by martial arts fighters. More than 30 artists from the Beijing Dance Academy, China's National Acrobatic Troupe, Chinese Traditional Music Orchestra and the Lon Yun Kung Fu Troupe did their best to impress the audience. Every year Chinese artists come to Greece as envoys of the city of Beijing to showcase the culture of their country as part of the Chinese New Year celebration. This time, the program of the event started in Thessaloniki and will continue in Athens. "We are very pleased to welcome a group of Chinese artists as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The event is free to the public and is sold out. Next year the event, which during the last three years only took place in Athens, will probably last two days," Stelios Konstantinides, producer of the show and organizer of cultural events, told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 04:02:01|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close People take part in a protest against the suspension of Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghne in Abuja, Nigeria, Jan. 28, 2019. The Nigerian government on Monday defended the president's suspension of the country's chief justice over alleged breach of asset-declaration rules. The suspension triggered widespread reaction from within and outside the country. (Xinhua/Olatunji Obasa) ABUJA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Monday defended the president's suspension of the country's chief justice over alleged breach of asset-declaration rules. Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture, told media in Abuja that the suspension of Walter Onnoghen was a consequence of his breach of the code of conduct for public officers, and has nothing to do with the forthcoming elections in February. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced the suspension on Friday and sworn in an acting chief justice on the same day. The move has triggered widespread reaction from within and outside the country. Hundreds of lawyers of the Nigerian Bar Association took to street on Monday, and the main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday announced suspension of its presidential election campaign for three days to protest the suspension of Onnoghen. The United States, Britain and the European Union also expressed concern on Saturday over the suspension. Mohammed said suspension of Justice Onnoghen was a move by the president in compliance with the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which is to deal with the case, and it did not signify "the onset of dictatorship or tyranny as some have insinuated." Mohammed added the threats of mass action by some groups cannot undermine the course of justice. The suspended top judge was charged with operating secret accounts with millions of dollars undeclared. The suspension will last until the determination of the case against Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 04:02:00|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close A Palestinian girl waits to enter Egypt with her family through the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, Jan. 29, 2019. The Hamas-run Ministry of Interior announced on Monday evening that Egypt will temporarily reopen Rafah border crossing point with the Gaza Strip for three days starting on Tuesday. It's the first time that Egypt decides to reoperate Rafah border crossing point since the Palestinian Authority (PA) withdrew its employees from the crossing three weeks ago. (Xinhua/Khaled Omar) GAZA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Hamas-run Ministry of Interior announced on Monday evening that Egypt will temporarily reopen Rafah border crossing point with the Gaza Strip for three days starting on Tuesday. It's the first time that Egypt decides to reoperate Rafah border crossing point since the Palestinian Authority (PA) withdrew its employees from the crossing three weeks ago. "The Egyptian side informed the Ministry of Interior and national security in Gaza that Rafah crossing point will be temporarily reopened for three days starting on Tuesday," said the ministry in an emailed press statement. It added that the mechanism of departing and arriving at the crossing will be the same according to the registered lists of passengers that will be later announced in public. On Jan. 6, the PA withdrew its employees and police forces from Rafah crossing in protest to Hamas security forces' crackdown on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah movement's members and supporters. After the PA employees pulled out from the crossing point, Hamas security and police took it over. Since then, the crossing has been opened only for those who return from abroad to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. The Rafah border crossing had been under Hamas' control since its violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007. In November 2017, however, Hamas handed the crossing to the PA following an Egypt-brokered understanding with Fatah. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 03:56:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Prime Minister Emad Khamis on Monday said his government has signed a long-term economic cooperation deal with Iran. In a press conference in Damascus with the visiting Eshaq Jahangiri, the first vice president of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Khamis said the new agreement is "a true historic station for a new kind of cooperation" with Iran. He said the agreement covers the industrial, agricultural, service, infrastructure and energy sectors among others. Khamis said his government also reached an agreement with Iran on the banking sector as well as establishing an electricity generating station in the coastal city of Latakia. Both sides also signed agreements to expand the ports in Latakia and Tartus. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 03:31:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close BUDAPEST, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- "The Hungarian State bears responsibility for not having defended its citizens during the Holocaust," a minister was quoted by the government's official website as saying here on Monday. "There is no collective guilt, but there is state responsibility," declared Gergely Gulyas, the minister heading the Prime Minister's Office, at a commemoration to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. At the event organized by the Holocaust Memorial Center, Gulyas added: "The Government has always spoken very clearly with relation to the responsibility of the Hungarian State. It is a fact that in the thirties the rise of anti-Semitism also reached Hungarian society, and was embodied in the intolerable restriction of Jewish rights, and it is a fact that the deportation of Jews began following the German occupation, but none of this cold have occurred without the activities of Hungarian public administration." Hungary was an ally of Germany during World War II and the Hungarian government and armed forces actively participated in sending roughly half a million Jewish residents to their deaths as forced laborers or in death camps. "Behind the numbers that indicate the multitude of victims, we must see the individual human fates, and we must preserve the memory of the victims, of those who were destroyed by the murderous dictatorship that was driven by the race theory," Gulyas underlined. "The Government is proud of the fact that Jews and non-Jews can live side-by-side today in a flourishing cultural and religious life, and in safety," said the minister, adding "Hungary has learned from the past and knows that a common future must be planned and realized together with the Jewish community." The loss is not only that of the Jews, but of all of Europe; is not only a loss for the Hungarian Jews, but for the whole Hungarian nation, Gulyas noted. "The Holocaust was the result of disavowing Western civilization that rests on Jewish-Christian foundations, because both Jewish and Christian moral teachings regard human life as sacred," he concluded. Israeli Ambassador to Budapest Yossi Amrani said: "The Holocaust is an inconceivable and indescribably tragedy, that it is our duty to remember. The survivors bear a heavy burden, an almost unbearable memory, and there is no consolation for their painful memories." "One-third of the victims of the Auschwitz death camp were Hungarian Jews, and it is our task to preserve their memory to the younger generations so that this can never happen again," said Tamas Kovacs, director of the Holocaust Memorial Center. The Auschwitz death camp was liberated on Jan. 27, 1945. On Jan. 1, 2005 The UN General Assembly declared Jan. 27 the International Day of Commemoration in memory for the victims of the Holocaust. The unanimously adopted resolution states the "duty of commemoration and teaching" to ensure that future generations come to know the story of the Nazi mass murders, which claimed six million victims. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-29 02:26:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and Serbia signed Monday a cooperation agreement in the field of agriculture, local media reported. "The agreement aims at boosting trade between the two countries by specifying the products that Serbia will import from Lebanon," Serbian Agriculture Minister Branislav Nedimovic was quoted as saying by the National News Agency. Nedimovic's remarks came during his meeting at Baabda Palace with President Michel Aoun aimed at discussing ways to strengthen ties between the two countries. Aoun said he hopes that this new agreement will open the way for more cooperation on different levels between the two countries. Meanwhile, Director-General of the Agriculture Ministry in Lebanon Louis Lahoud said that Serbia will dedicate one day in the month of June to showcase Lebanese products and promote them. He added that the two parties will also create a committee that includes representatives from the public and private sectors to boost cooperation between the two countries. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-28 22:40:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Toh Ee Ming SINGAPORE, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- A new augmented reality (AR) trail will give visitors a chance to rediscover major events, places and personalities in Singapore's history in a more immersive fashion, as part of the Singapore Bicentennial Commemoration. Under this BALIKSG trail that was launched on Jan. 28 by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, visitors can download the free BALIKSG smartphone app and venture to eight different stops on a 2-km route along the Singapore River. For instance, on this Singapore River route, visitors who scan the AR marker can listen to a conversation taking place between Sir Stamford Raffles and Maj. William Farquhar as they first set foot on Singapore's shores in 1819. Raffles was an officer of the British East India Company tasked with establishing a trading post in the region. Visitors can also be transported back in time to witness how Singapore River served as an artery of international commerce, by experiencing a lively scene bustling with bumboats full of goods, while shophouses and godowns (warehouses) lined its banks. They can also come face to face with early settlers who share their hopes, dreams and struggles as they recounted how they carved out a livelihood on this new land. These include a Baweanese pondok chief (who took charge of the welfare of the residents living in communal shelters, as well as financial and religious matters), Chinese coolies (Chinese immigrants who worked in industries like construction, agriculture, shipping, mining and rickshaw-pulling) and Indian Chettiars (a subgroup of the Tamil community who originated from Chettinad in Tamil Nadu, India, who were Singapore's first financiers). The trail also offers a window into significant historical events, like the signing of the 1819 Treaty between local chieftain Temenggong Abdul Rahman and Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor on the Padang as rain fell softly all around them, a move which allowed the British East India Company to set up a trading post in Singapore. Visitors can also have fun with interactive elements, such as tapping on a virtual drone to launch it into flight or creating their own town plan for Singapore, just as how Lt. Jackson, the British East India Company engineer and land surveyor tasked with overseeing Singapore's development by Raffles, did so in 1822. Nicholas Chen, digital manager at National Heritage Board who is part of the team behind BALIKSG, said the project gave them the chance to build on events in Singapore's history that people are familiar with and provide an "additional layer of storytelling." Explaining why they depicted rainy weather during the 1819 Treaty signing on the AR display, he said, "Light rain actually fell on that day, which not many people are aware of, so we translated that into the virtual environment that users can explore." "If statues could speak, what stories could they tell you, what changes have they seen? Technology has the power to make these stories come alive," he added. More details about a second route along Fort Canning will be available in June. The BALIKSG trail is presented by the National Heritage Board and the National Parks Board of Singapore. Singapore has launched several heritage trails along its historical sites. The Singapore Bicentennial marks the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the British in Singapore, a key turning point in its history. PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WTXL) - A Florida man accused of stealing pills thought he was stealing opioids... until he realized he had stolen laxatives instead. The alleged pill thief, 56-year-old Peter Emery, thought he had swiped opioids but got a mouth full of laxatives instead. According to WPBF, Emery was caught on video "entering a victim's lock box" at a Pinellas Park home last week. He poured the pills out from a bottle that was labeled hydrocodone-acetaminophen, a pain medicine that can be highly addictive. However, Equate Gentle Laxative was inside the bottle instead. According to documents obtained by the Smoking Gun, Emery he reportedly admitted to ingesting two of the pills because he thought they were Hydrocodone but he threw them away once he figured out they were something else. Emery was arrested and booked on a felony charge and probation violation charges. BRISBANE, Calif. and MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- METRO CONNECT USA Pramata , the leading commercial relationship operations company, today announced Pramata for Telecommunications, industry-optimized solutions for telecom companies selling business-to-business (B2B) services. The new solutions offer powerful technology to help capture all entitled revenue and ensure billing accuracy related to MACD (Move, Add, Change, Disconnect) events. Pramata for Telecommunications easily integrates with CRM and enterprise systems. Pramata for Telecommunications specifically addresses billing and sales actions in complex B2B accounts that can lead to revenue leakage, including: Eliminating billing errors by automatically auditing bills against contracted terms, taking into account all MACD events, including when new services are negotiated, sites and locations are moved, or services are terminated early. Enabling sales executives and sales operations teams with access to the full commercial relationship history of an account with one click from their CRMallowing them to construct accurate account plans and effective engagement strategies. Pricing and compliance teams have access to all current inherited commercial details terms, conditions, and negotiated pricing so that deals can be renegotiated and approved with speed and precision. terms, conditions, and negotiated pricing so that deals can be renegotiated and approved with speed and precision. Eliminating compliance risks (e.g. E-Rate and Lowest Common Price) by automatically ensuring deals do not violate any government pricing requirements or negotiated price protection. The great thing with Pramata is that it pulls all of our information into a single accessible place, giving our people a united, single pane of glass to review all the contracts and all the solutions for each of our customers, said Justin Davis, Manager, Enterprise Sales, CenturyLink. "Telecom market competition is fierce, and companies have no time to piece together a complete understanding of customer relationship terms and associated revenue potential, said Justin Schweisberger, Chief Product Officer, Pramata. Without reliable revenue leakage solutions, telecommunications companies can lose tens to hundreds of millions of dollars per year. The Pramata platform enables our customers to capture leaking revenue and maximize customer lifetime value." Pramata for Telecommunications is available now. Visit booth 8 at Metro Connect USA in Miami from Jan. 29-31 for a demo. For more information, please visit: https://www.pramata.com/solutions/telecom . About Pramata Pramata helps large B2B enterprises eliminate revenue leakage. Pramata has created millions of dollars in value for some of the largest companies in the world including Allergan, CenturyLink, Comcast Business, Cyxtera, FICO, NCR, Micro Focus, Novelis, Rackspace and Vertafore. Headquartered in Brisbane, CA, Pramata also has offices in Kansas City, MO, and Bangalore, India. For more information, visit www.pramata.com . Media Contact: A man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after kidnapping a 7-year-old Madison boy in 2016 and dropping him off in Jacksonville. Jason Lenard Hayling, 44, pled guilty on Thursday in Madison County to one charge of kidnapping a child under the age of 13. He was sentenced to life in prison on Monday and transported back to Duval County. His other two charges that involve sexual battery have been dropped due to the maximum sentence already having being received. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and several other agencies, including the FBI, have arrested Hayling man for kidnapping along with sexual battery in two separate cases with ties to Jacksonville. He was arrested out of state in February for the Jacksonville sexual battery case, but hes also charged with kidnapping in 2016. They made the connection between the sexual battery and the kidnapping through DNA evidence. They found DNA on the boy who was kidnapped but didn't elaborate on what type of evidence it was. The boy was kidnapped from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and was dropped off in Jacksonville between 5 and 7 a.m. on April 18, 2016, according to the FDLE. FDLE announces arrest in 2016 Madison kidnapping case MADISON, Fla. (WTXL) - After nearly two years, a man has been arrested in connection with the abduction and sexual battery of a 7-year-old child from Madison back in 2016. Jason Lenard Hayling, 44, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and capital sexual battery against a child. Hayling is in the kidnapping of 7-year-old Bryan Williamson from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016. Almost two years ago on a Sunday evening, 7-year-old Bryan Williamson walked out with his mother to the Fred's Dollar Store on U.S. 90 in Madison. While returning home, investigators say Bryan left his home to walk to his cousin's home, wanting to share his candy with his cousin. On his way back home, the 7-year-old was abducted by a stranger. After 12 hours, Bryan was dropped off in Jacksonville at the door of a home. While the homeowner didn't know Bryan, they had seen the Amber Alert and recognized the boy, alerting authorities. Following Bryan's recovery, authorities worked around the clock to figure out who abducted him. After nearly two years, investigators charged Hayling on Thursday with kidnapping and capital sexual battery against a child. He was arrested in Georgia back in February for capital sexual battery in another recent child battery case out of Jacksonville. After noticing the similarities in the cases, FDLE agents obtained a DNA sample from Hayling to compare it to the DNA found on Bryan. The hunch paid off, as the DNA samples matched, leading to criminal charges being filed against Hayling. After nearly two years, it gives me relief to tell you that we know who the kidnapper is and that this dangerous predator is no longer a threat to our community, said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez. Observant investigators with unwavering dedication along with DNA helped solve this case. Investigators say Bryan is recovering as best as he can under the circumstances. "He is an amazing young boy who is resilient. Like any child who's been put through trauma he still has a lot of healing to do," said Perez. "But he's a fighter." Hayling remains in the Duval County Jail at the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility. He could be facing life in prison if convicted. He also has ties to Tallahassee, as he lived in the Capital City from 1997 to 2000. If convicted Hayling can face as much as a life sentence. FDLE is concerned that there were other victims that haven't been found yet so they're asking anyone with information to reach out to them at (800) 226-5630. MADISON, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is providing an update on the investigation into the 2016 abduction of a 7-year-old boy from Madison. Officials made the announcement about the update on Thursday. Investigators will provide an update on the investigation of the abduction and recovery of Bryan Williamson from Gibson Trailer Park on April 17, 2016. The announcement will take place on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Madison County Emergency Management building. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - President Donald Trump announced a deal on Friday to temporarily end to the longest-ever government shutdown, giving a bit of relief to those affected who haven't been paid in more than a month. But that doesn't mean they still don't need help. Despite the government shutdown temporarily at an end, many businesses and organizations are still helping those impacted the most. During the shutdown, food assistance programs like Second Harvest of the Big Bend and FarmShare offered free food to TSA workers, the Coast Guard and other employees needing assistance. Now that the shutdown is temporarily over, programs like those say they are still offering help. "We don't know what kind of bills accrued in that time," said Emily Massau, Event Coordinator at FarmShare. "Everybody's got rent, people have children, you really don't know what people are dealing with on a daily basis and the last thing we want them to worry about is how they are going to feed their families." In addition to food assistance organizations, Five Stars Learning Academy is still offering free childcare for federal workers. "We understand that maybe there are some financial instability that they still have to take care of and so we still want to be a help and offer these free childcare services to them," said Patty Ward, Owner and Director of Five Stars Learning Academy. Ward said that the offer for free childcare for families impacted will continue for three more months. The proposed budget includes: $360 million for Everglades restoration $150 million for targeted water quality improvements $50 million to restore Floridas world-renowned springs $25 million to improve water quality and combat harmful algal blooms $10.8 million to increase water quality monitoring and support the blue-green algae task force $4.2 million to establish the Center for Red Tide Research $1 million to study long-term health impacts of red tide and blue-green algae. $40 million for alternative water supply development The Governor also nominated "Alligator" Ron Bergeron, a wildlife conservationist, to the South Florida Water Management District Board. Earlier on Tuesday during a stop in Naples, he nominated Chauncey Goss to the board. Goss is a council member on Sanibel on Florida's Gulf Coast. Earlier this month, Gov. DeSantis called for the South Florida Water Management District board to resign during a visit to Stuart. When the Governor took office in early January, he said the environment was a top priority for him. "We will fight for our beaches, we will fight discharges, we will fight red tide, we will fight toxic blue-green algae blooms," Gov. DeSantis at his inauguration. "If our environment is threatened, I will move to protect it." Since he was sworn in on Jan. 8, Gov. DeSantis has made the following announcements: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum tweeted Tuesday that he has become a CNN political commentator. Thrilled to be joining @CNN as a political commentator. pic.twitter.com/UpOC7MRKAz Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) January 29, 2019 "Thrilled to be joining @CNN as a political commentator," Gillum tweeted. Gillum recently ran as the Democratic candidate for Florida governor against Republican Ron DeSantis, who won a highly contested and close election. Gillum won endorsements from Bernie Sanders during Florida's gubernatorial primary. He recently met with Barack Obama and amid speculation about a 2020 bid for president. In Tallahassee, Gillum is facing an ethics complaint concerning trips he made in 2016 to New York City and Costa Rica. State ethics officials have found probable cause that he violated Florida ethics laws by accepting gifts from lobbyists. Xi Jinping (C), general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, and his wife Peng Liyuan meet with Ri Su Yong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the party's International Department, who led an art troupe from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 27, 2019. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, and his wife Peng Liyuan on Sunday met with Ri Su Yong, a senior official from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and watched a performance by DPRK artists. Ri, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the party's International Department, is leading an art troupe to visit China. This visit, as an important cultural exchange activity for implementing the consensus reached by the two sides, as well as a significant event in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-DPRK diplomatic relationship, will be a great success to cement friendship between the two peoples, Xi said. Ri extended to Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan warm greetings and good wishes from Kim Jong Un, chairman of the WPK and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, and his wife Ri Sol Ju. Xi asked Ri to convey the cordial greetings and good wishes to Kim and his wife. Xi said he and Kim had reached important consensus on the development of China-DPRK party-to-party and state-to-state relations in the new era during their four meetings since 2018. China stands ready to work with the DPRK to implement the important consensus reached by the two sides, so as to better benefit the two peoples and contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi said. Art and cultural exchange is an important, unique and traditional component in bilateral ties, Xi said, calling for joint efforts in implementing the consensus on strengthening art and cultural exchanges and cooperation, so as to consolidate the foundation of good will of the people, carry forward traditional friendship, and promote the development of respective socialist cultures. Ri expressed gratitude to Xi and his wife for watching the performance. This visit and art performance represented Kim's deep feelings to Xi and the DPRK people's profound friendship with the Chinese people, Ri said. The DPRK side will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by Kim and Xi, strengthen friendly cooperation and contribute to writing a new chapter in DPRK-China friendship, Ri added. The performance featured famous and popular songs in both the DPRK and China. The visit of the DPRK art troupe is at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with artists of an art troupe from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after watching their performance in Beijing, Jan. 27, 2019. [Xinhua/Pang Xinglei] (Source: Xinhua) OTTAWA, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orion Biotechnology Canada Ltd., a developer of novel medical treatments, today announced preclinical data evaluating the safety of OB-002H (5P12-RANTES) which is being developed as a topical microbicide for HIV prevention. We have previously shown that 5P12- RANTES was able to completely prevent SHIV infection in a rhesus macaque model (Veazey R et al. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2009) and we are now finalizing preclinical evaluation of OB-002H to support future Phase 1 studies. Fourteen day repeat vaginal and rectal dosing good laboratory practice (GLP) studies were conducted in rodents and rabbits by Calvert Laboratories. Animals received daily vaginal or rectal administration of OB-002H gel, matched placebo, or a sham challenge for fourteen days. The animals were evaluated for safety throughout the study and upon completion histopathological examination of vaginal and rectal tissue was undertaken to determine whether repeated topical administration of OB-002H gel was associated with mucosal irritation or inflammation. A composite irritation score was used where a score of 0/16 was normal and 12-16 reflected severe mucosal irritation/inflammation (ISO 10993-10; 2010). There were no significant safety findings in the study and the mucosal irritation scores across the four studies were 0/16 for each study. Despite increasing access to oral PrEP there remains an unmet need for safe and effective topical products that can be used in a pericoital fashion. Based on our previous macaque studies, OB-002H is an extremely potent microbicide and with these GLP studies we now know that it has an excellent mucosal safety profile. With these new data, we plan to submit a regulatory filing in Q1 2019 to support initiation of a Phase 1 study in Q3 2019, said Dr. Ian McGowan, Chief Scientific Officer for Orion Biotechnology. Mark Groper, President and CEO of Orion Biotechnology added, We are delighted by these excellent preclinical mucosal safety data and look forward to moving our OB-002H gel into the clinic as quickly as possible. About Orion Biotechnology Canada, Ltd. Orion Biotechnology Canada Ltd, is a privately held pharmaceutical company founded on the vision of radically improving the health of the global population through successful treatment and prevention of the most serious chronic illnesses and life-threatening diseases. Since 2011, Orion has been developing a robust pipeline of potential products based on novel formulations discovered in different parts of the world. Our close ties to diverse institutions and experts around the globe continue to stimulate the rapid discovery of promising new treatments. With operations in North America, Europe and Asia, Orion brings together innovative technologies from some of the worlds leading research institutions, such as the Mintaka Research Foundation and the Center for Public Health Research at Nanjing University. Learn more at www.orionbiotechnology.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information, which reflects Orions current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Orions control, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, Orion assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: Ross MacLeod Orion Biotechnology Canada Ltd Phone: +1.343.291.1032 info@orionbiotechnology.com Copeland, Shirley It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved mother, Shirley Armstrong Copeland. A small visitation service for family and friends will be held on Friday, February 1st, from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Lindsey Funeral Home in Paducah, Kentucky, followed by a graveside service at 1:00pm at Oak Grove Cemetery. As many of you know, our mother had been suffering from kidney failure and congestive heart failure for some time now. We find solace in the fact that her passing was peaceful and painless. Shirley is survived by three loving daughters: Debra Copeland of Paducah, Kentucky, Billie Flynn of Tucson, Arizona, and Rhonda Beard of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by, and was extremely proud of, her two grandchildren: John Elliot Beard, a Captain in the United States Air Force, and Hannah Beard, a third-year law student. She is also leaving behind her three sisters, Dorothy Travis, Jackie Myatt, and Carolyn Marshall, and one brother, Bobby Joe Armstrong. In addition to family, our mother leaves behind dear friends and loved ones. We would be remiss not to mention her dear friend, John Land, as he was a true light in her life and like a son to her. Mom lived a quite existence and had great dignity about herself. We will carry her memory in our hearts forever. Please take a moment to join us in a silent prayer for our mother. Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com Lindsey Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements. Two Women Appear in Court on Bingo Fund Charges By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Two women charged with taking money from the Reidland Band Boosters bingo fund were in court Monday, where one of them entered a guilty plea.According to the McCracken County Circuit Court Clerk, Misty Gibson and Misty Anderson appeared before Judge Tim Kaltenbach, and Gibson plead guilty to a single count of unlawful diversion of charitable gaming funds.The plea deal would require Gibson to repay more that $2,600, and would divert her sentence for two years. Judge Kaltenbach will sentence her on March 11.Misty Anderson also appeared in court, but did not enter a plea. Judge Kaltenbach set her pretrial hearing for February 22. She faces one count of unlawful diversion of charitable gaming funds, and two counts of possession of a forged instrument.Multiple media sources report that the Kentucky Department of Charitable Gaming suspended the club's license in August. St. Mary Student Wins National Essay Contest By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A local high school student has been awarded $5,000 for winning an essay contest.According to a press release St. Mary High School Junior Madeline Kerr has been selected as one of 12 students to receive the National Grand Prize award in the second annual PAYBACK Challenge. The contest was sponsored by the Next Gen Personal Finance, a non-profit educational organization.In Madelines award winning essay she wrote, To go to college is to walk a tightrope with ones studies in the left hand, social life in the right hand, family responsibilities strapped to the back, and finances firmly attached to the head. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedZone Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: REZ, Frankfurt: REZ, OTC: REZZF) (the Company or RedZone) is pleased to announce initial results from its due diligence program on the North West Leinster Lithium Property in the Republic of Ireland. Initial field programs have identified new spodumene-bearing pegmatite occurrences grading 8,280 ppm Li (1.78% Li 2 O) and 4,630 ppm Li (0.99% Li 2 O) in float boulders on two newly defined target areas. Due diligence activities carried out from October to December 2018 by Aurum Exploration Services on behalf or LRH Resources Ltd. (LRHR), a private exploration company, has included geological reconnaissance float mapping, outcrop checking and prospecting within six initially defined target areas on the NW Leinster block: Glencullen, Tonygarrow, Scurlocks, Sorrel, Knocknaboley and Aghavannagh. The prospecting work has focussed on locating the source of strong stream sediment lithium anomalism identified from legacy Geological Survey of Ireland data. The recent work has discovered two new areas where spodumene-bearing pegmatite occurrences were previously unknown, with visible spodumene in pegmatites recovered at Aghavannagh and Tonygarrow. In addition to the spodumene mineralization, anomalous lithium bearing aplite, as well as pegmatites with beryl, apatite and orange garnets (indicator minerals for differentiated pegmatites) were also mapped and sampled by the exploration team. The lithium mineralized samples comprise angular to sub-angular float boulders which are estimated to have travelled less than 500 metres from source. A total of 70 samples were collected during this field programme which (plus three standards and one blank) were submitted to ALS Laboratories for analysis. Laboratory results have now confirmed lithium mineralization at: Aghavannagh, where pegmatite float at the granite/metasediment contact (sample AES42977) contained visible fresh spodumene and returned a value of 8,280ppm Li (1.78% Li 2 O); Tonygarrow, where weathered spodumene-bearing pegmatite float also at the granite/metasediment contact (sample AES42942) returned a value of 4,630ppm Li (0.99% Li 2 O); Knocknaboley, where aplitic float (sample AES42905) returned anomalous lithium in the NE zone of the targeted area reporting a value of 820ppm Li. As a result of the due diligence work and previous prospecting results (see October 23, 2019 News Release), lithium bearing minerals have now been confirmed at five of the six areas targeted by LRHR and RedZone. RedZone has entered into an option agreement with LRHR which allows it to acquire up to 90% of the North-West Leinster Lithium Property (NWL Property) through initial due diligence exploration work and follow up exploration in three stages as per the terms listed in the October 23, 2018, news release. The NWL Property is located approximately 35km southwest of Dublin. The project is centred within the Leinster Granite Massif within an analogous geological setting to that which hosts International Lithium Companys Avalonia Project. The Avalonia Project is located approximately 60km further to the south at Aclare, County Carlow, where similarly anomalous lithium-bearing pegmatites and aplites were emplaced along the eastern and southern margins of the Devonian aged Caledonide granites, in structural contact, with Lower Palaeozoic meta-sediments. The prospecting samples were analysed by ALS Global and the reported lithium values for the 70 field samples collected ranged between 3ppm and 8,280 ppm, with median and average values of 149 ppm and 457 ppm respectively. Analytical results from certified standards and a blank submitted with the field samples reported within acceptable ranges for QA/QC. RedZone, whilst encouraged by the prospecting sample results, note that the selected samples quoted are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. The next phase of due diligence activity will focus on completing soil geochemistry lines at the Aghavannagh target which will be designed provide both focus to the target itself as well as providing orientation study data on the geochemical and mineralogical expressions above and proximal to spodumene mineralization for application in regional exploration on the rest of the licences. All scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of EuroGeol Vaughan Williams M.Sc. P.Geo, a Principal of Aurum Exploration Services who are currently provide exploration services to LRHR and a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. About RedZone Resources RedZone Resources is a mineral exploration company with a focus on metals that make up and support the rapid evolution to battery power. RedZones common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (REZ), on the Frankfurt Exchange (REZ), and on the OTC (REZZF). RedZone currently has three projects: 1) Fortner-Boyd Lithium project in Arizona, 2) North-West Leinster Lithium property in Ireland, and 3) a 55% stake in the Peru based Lara copper property, which has over 10,000 meters of drilling. More information about the Company is available on its issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or at www.RedZoneResources.ca . For further information please contact: Michael Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer E: michael.murphy@redzoneresources.ca 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 and/or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to the potential for gold and/or lithium at any of the Companys properties, the prospective nature of any claims comprising the Companys property interests, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, uncertainty of sample results, timing and results of future exploration, and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Reported Assault Leads to West Paducah Arrest By West Kentucky Star Staff WEST PADUCAH - A West Paducah man was arrested Sunday after a reported assault.According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Department, they responded to a home in West Paducah and spoke to the alleged victim, who is 72 years old. The victim showed deputies injuries to the face, head, ears and ribs, and it was later determined that ribs were broken.The investigation led to the arrest of 34-year-old Robin C. Shelman on a charge of assault 2nd degree, but deputies say the investigation may lead to more charges against Shelman.Deputies said the victim and Shelman are not related. Police Investigate Sunday Night Shooting By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A McCracken County man is hospitalized after a Sunday night shooting, and police have begun investigating.The Paducah Police Department says officers were called to Baptist Health Paducah at 7:10 pm about a man with a gunshot wound. They identified the man as 20-year-old Darrius Wesley of Paducah, but were unable to interview him.Wesley was transferred to an out-of-state hospital, where he is listed in critical but stable condition.Police say they will release more information as their investigation progresses.Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550 or contact West Kentucky Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL.Tips can also be sent by texting WKY and information to 847411 (tip 411) or by downloading the app WKY Crime Stoppers from the Apple Store or Google Play. Tipsters also may access the online tip form through the City of Paducah website at http://paducahky.gov/west-ky-crime-stoppers.Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000. Safety Tips During Frigid Weather By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - As bitter cold makes its way into the local area, the Paducah Fire Department is sharing some tips about heating your home safely.The U.S. Fire Administration says home fires occur more often in the winter months than any other time of the year. Heating is the second leading cause of home fires fatalities with smoking as the leading cause.Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention Greg Cherry said one of the biggest mistakes residents make is placing flammable objects such as bedding, clothing, and curtains, too close to a heating source. He added that anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away from fireplaces, space heaters, wood stoves, candles, and radiators.Here are some additional tips the Department shared:Never use an oven to heat your home.Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.Make sure the heating appliance (space heater and/or kerosene heater) has an automatic tip switch.Plug only one heat-producing appliance, such as a space heater, into an electrical outlet at a time.Never use an extension cord or power strip with heat-producing appliances.Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional.If using a fireplace, keep a glass or metal screen in front of itPut fires out before going to bed or leaving the home, and properly store the ashes in a metal container.If you use natural gas or propane, install carbon monoxide alarms and test them monthly.Cherry also encouraged residents to make a fire escape plan for their home. Dr. Bob Jackson, interim president of Murray State University (right) and Dr. Anton Reece, president of West Kentucky Community and Technical College (left), signed a new arts transfer articulation agreement between the two colleges, officials announced Monday. PHOTO:MSU Public Relations MSU, WKCTC Sign Agreement for Arts Degree By MSU Public Relations PADUCAH - Dr. Bob Jackson, interim president of Murray State University and Dr. Anton Reece, president of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, signed a new arts transfer articulation agreement between the two colleges, officials announced on Monday. The signing was held in the Bill Ford Gallery located in WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design's 2D and Graphic Design Building at 905 Harrison Street in Lowertown Paducah. The new transfer agreement will provide a seamless transfer of credits for Associate in Fine Arts degree graduates at WKCTC to obtain a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Murray State, increasing the educational opportunities for Kentucky students. "The new transfer agreement reflects an ongoing commitment to comprehensive higher education opportunities between two nationally ranked institutions," said Dr. Reece. "Today Dr. Jackson and I pursued two very important objectives, which is ensuring that art graduates will have a seamless pathway between WKCTC and MSU to expand their knowledge and creativity further, and an opportunity to recruit and retain outstanding artists to and in our area to bolster economic development opportunities through the arts". Dr. Jackson agreed. "Partnerships such as today's announcement between both institutions are critical as we continue to work together for the betterment of our students and region," said Murray State Interim President Dr. Bob Jackson. "We are very appreciative to WKCTC for their collaboration and efforts towards securing this agreement, and we look forward to many future students receiving their degree." Officials from both institutions, along with community members and students joined the presidents in the Bill Ford Gallery for the signing of the new transfer. "PSAD provides the first two years of a strong educational experience with qualified and highly talented faculty, and the agreement provides a sound basis for a bachelor's degree in art as recognized by Murray State University," said PSAD director, Paul Aho. David Balthrop, dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at Murray State, added, "The College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the Department of Art and Design are very pleased to have this agreement in place with West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Paducah School of Art and Design. This partnership will allow students to move easily between our campuses and curricula." Man Gets Eight Years for Fourth Child Abuse Charge By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A Paducah man previously convicted on three counts of child abuse has pleaded guilty again to the same offense.Court records show 31-year-old Dustin Gorham pleaded guilty Monday in McCracken Circuit Court to criminal abuse of a child under 12. Circuit Judge Tim Kaltenbach sentenced him to eight years in prison as part of the plea agreement.Gorham was charged in September with abusing a 2-year-old girl who was brought into Baptist Health Paducah with fractures to her left tibia, right femur and the left side of her skull. Police say the child's mother was in the hospital at the time because she had just given birth, and the child was left in Gorham's care. Gorham reportedly told police the child fell from a bed, but hospital staff told police that a fall could not have caused the girl's injuries.Gorham has been convicted of three prior counts of child abuse before his most recent arrest. In 2006 he was convicted for abusing a 7-month old and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. In 2016 he was convicted on two counts of abuse of a 5-year-old and sentenced to three years on each count. Those sentences ran concurrently. He recently completed his parole term on those charges. Fiscal Court Discusses Dangerous Intersection By Mike Cooper, West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The McCracken County Fiscal Court discussed the McKendree Church Road-KY 286 intersection at their meeting on Monday evening.The western McCracken County intersection has been the scene of recent fatal crashes. The subject was brought up by a family member of one of the victims. The court acknowledged that additional safety measures have been added by the State of Kentucky, since both roads are State highways. Larger stop signs and rumble strips have been added according to the McCracken County Road Department.The court said they would be in contact with the State to see what, if any, additional measures can be taken to make the intersection safer.In other business, the court heard discussion concerning energy solutions, the LOTUS campus project, and also approved the 2nd reading of Budget Amendment 2019-1. They ordered cash transfers to pay county bills approved January 28, 2019 in the amount of $57,040.68, and approved the vouchers claims register from January 14th to January 28th to show county bills in the amount of $104,474.65 were paid.The court also approved 14 orders and reappointed Gregory Yates to the Carson Park Board, with his new term expiring in 2023.The next scheduled meeting for the Fiscal Court will be February 11th at 5:00 pm. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 93F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. 1281310T-mobile Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker Announces National Security Related Criminal Charges Against Chinese Telecommunications Conglomerate Huawei Washington, DC ~ Monday, January 28, 2019 Good afternoon and thank you all for being here. I especially want to thank everyone on stage from the Departments of Homeland Security and Commerce, the FBI and from our U.S. Attorneys offices in both the Western District of Washington State and the Eastern District of New York. Before I get to todays announcements, I want to remind everyone that the defendants in these casesas in every caseare innocent until proven guilty and they deserve the due process of law. First, I am announcing that a grand jury in Seattle has returned an indictment that alleges 10 federal crimes by two affiliates of telecommunications corporation Huawei Technologies. According to the indictment, in 2012 Huawei began a concerted effort to steal information about a robot that T-Mobile used to test mobile phones. In an effort to build their own robot, Huaweis engineers allegedly violated confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with T-Mobile by secretly taking photos of the robot, measuring it, and even stealing a piece of it. I am also announcing that a grand jury in New York has returned an indictment alleging 13 additional crimes committed by Huawei, its CFO, its affiliate in Iran, and one of its subsidiaries here in the United States. The criminal activity alleged in this indictment goes back at least 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. As early as 2007, Huawei employees allegedly began to misrepresent the companys relationship with its Iranian affiliate, which is called Skycom. Huawei employees allegedly told banking partners that Huawei had sold its ownership interest in Skycombut these claims were false. In reality, Huawei sold Skycom to itself. By claiming that Skycom was a separate companyand not an affiliate which Huawei controlledHuawei allegedly asserted that all of its Iran business was in compliance with American sanctions. These alleged false claims led banks to do business with the company and, therefore, to unknowingly violate our laws. One bank facilitated more than $100 million worth of Skycom transactions through the United States and in just four years. Huawei allegedly lied about other relationships, as well. In 2017, when one bank decided to terminate its global banking relationship with Huawei over concern about risk, the company allegedly told other banks that Huawei was distancing itself from the banknot the other way around. Huawei allegedly did this in an attempt to, among other things, manipulate those other banks into expanding and maintaining their banking relationships with Huawei. There are additional troubling allegations in the indictment as well, including that Huawei lied to the federal government, and attempted to obstruct justice by concealing and destroying evidence and by moving potential government witnesses back to China. As has been widely reported, in December 2018, Canadian authorities arrested Huaweis CFO in Vancouver, in compliance with our request for her provisional arrest pursuant to our extradition treaty with Canada. The United States is currently seeking her extradition. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada for its assistance and for its steadfast commitment to the rule of law. I want to repeat that the charges in todays indictments are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. And I want to thank everyone who made these indictments possibleespecially the agencies represented behind me and to all of the New York, Dallas, and Seattle law enforcement agents who investigated these cases. They are continuing their work to investigate these matters. I also want to thank our attorneys in the Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, our Office of International Affairs, and our AUSAs in the Eastern District of New York and the Western District of Washington. The cases we are announcing today have truly been a team effort across multiple U.S. Cabinet agencies and across multiple Divisions and U.S. Attorneys offices within the Department of Justice. For more than a year, the agencies represented behind me followed the evidence wherever it led. They have done great work alreadyand I am confident that this team is going to finish the job and bring this case to a successful conclusion. In a few moments, U.S. Attorney Donoghue and First Assistant Hayes will provide more details on todays indictments. But let me just say two more things. First, when a banks customers lie to it about their sanctions-related business, that exposes the bank to the risk of violating the law, especially when they continue to provide those bad actors access to our U.S. financial system. Our sanctions on Iran are the law of the land in this countryand were going to enforce the law, with both civil and criminal penalties. Second: as I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in Augustwe need more law enforcement cooperation with China. China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companiesand China should take action. We are proud that the United States has the strongest economy in the world. I believe that is in no small part due to our respect for the rule of law. Criminals and bad actors can be certain that they will not get away with criminal activity. But those who do business in the United States can also be certain the Department of Justice will protect them from criminals, no matter how powerful or influential they are. I think we have shown that todayand we will show that as these cases move forward. Speaker: Acting Attorney General Matthew G. Whitaker Topic(s): Cyber Crime National Security Component(s): Office of the Attorney General Updated January 28, 2019 TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lydian International Limited (TSX:LYD) (Lydian or the Company) today announced the following updates. Hydrogeological Survey Lydian is pleased to announce the conclusion of an isotopic investigation of groundwater systems at the Companys gold project at Amulsar (the Amulsar Project) and the Jermuk area (the Hydrogeological Survey). In November 2018, work was commissioned in response to technical questions raised by interested parties. Twenty-five samples were collected from specific sampling points in the Amulsar and Jermuk areas. The samples were collected in the presence of agency representatives of the government of the Republic of Armenia. Lydians samples were analyzed by an internationally accredited laboratory (ALS (Czech Republic)) and the data was interpreted by Golder Associates (U.K.) principal hydrogeologist whose conclusion stated the following: the chemistry of the waters of the Jermuk thermal springs and minerals water boreholes are characteristic of hydrothermal waters based on their major and minor ion chemistry and environmental isotopic characteristics. The hydrothermal waters have an enriched d13C signature, along with clear differentiation with respect to d180 and d2H, d34S, 87Sr/86Sr and gross alpha and beta activity, which is clearly distinct from the surface water and shallow groundwater sampled and consistent with a separate flow regime of hydrothermal origin. This water type is not similar to groundwater encountered in the vicinity of Amulsar mountain and supports the conclusion that the groundwater system of Amulsar mountain is a distinct hydrogeological system to the Jermuk hydrothermal system. In summary, based on the data and analysis of the groundwater regime presented in the 2016 ESIA for the Amulsar Gold Project, combined with the major ion and isotope data presented in this memorandum it may be concluded that the Jermuk thermal mineral water system is not in hydraulic connection with shallow groundwater and surface water on the Amulsar mountain. The results of the Hydrogeological Survey confirmed the findings of Lydians previous work in 2013 and support the findings of the Amulsar Projects Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), conclusively demonstrating that there is no hydraulic connection between the groundwater regimes at the Amulsar Project and Jermuk. The investigation was designed to develop and expand the data collected for the project in 2013 as part of the then baseline studies and to determine whether there was any hydrogeological connection between Amulsar and Jermuk water systems. The analyses on representative water samples were performed by the Jones Environmental Laboratory (UK) in 2013 and interpreted by Golder Associates (UK). Lydian reiterates that the Amulsar Project is designed and developed following industry best practices to ensure the mine would not have an adverse impact on any surrounding water systems. The Hydrogeological Survey clearly concludes that the Amulsar and Jermuk water systems are not connected. Amulsar Project Audit Update Lydian Armenia CJSC (Lydian Armenia) has received formal notification from the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia that pursuant to the criminal investigation into alleged withholding of information by employees of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, an international consultancy group, Earth Link, and Advanced Resources Development (ELARD) has been selected to review all subject matter covered by Lydians EIA/ESIA, to determine the possibility of harmful impacts by the Amulsar Project and the validity of preventative and mitigation measures. However the contract award to ELARD is subject to state funding and therefore the audit start date has not yet been announced. The audit is expected to take up to 12 weeks to complete. The following terms of reference were given to ELARD: Water resources impact assessment; Geology impact assessment; Biodiversity impact assessment; Air quality impact assessment; and Unprejudiced clarification of technical issues raised by the decision to commission a complex expert examination. Lydian is confident that the audit will conclude that the EIA/ESIA documents are valid and could serve as a blueprint for future projects in Armenia. In anticipation of this investigation, Lydian completed the Hydrogeological Survey, a study of regional water resources to expand on work carried out in 2013. The Hydrogeological Survey concluded there was no hydrogeological connectivity between the water regime at the Amulsar Project and the groundwater of Jermuk. Illegal blockades have prevented Lydian from accessing the Amulsar Project site to perform construction and associated work since late June 2018. The newly elected government of the Republic of Armenia has recently publicly announced their intolerance of illegal road blockades and has committed to its application of the rule of law to remove such blockades. Under this announced commitment, Lydian expects the Armenian government to apply the rule of law by permanently removing the road blockades to the Amulsar Project and to allow Lydian to fully resume its work on the Amulsar Project site in accordance with the permits the Company holds. Until Lydian is able to resume construction and associated work at the Amulsar Project, the Company will continue to evaluate a range of financing, strategic and legal alternatives. About Lydian International Limited Lydian is a gold developer focusing on construction at its 100%-owned Amulsar Gold Project, located in south-central Armenia. However, illegal blockades have prevented access to Amulsar since late June 2018. Amulsar will be a large-scale, low-cost operation with production targeted to average approximately 225,000 ounces annually over an initial 10-year mine life. Estimated mineral resources contain 3.5 million measured and indicated gold ounces and 1.3 million inferred gold ounces as outlined in the Q1 2017 Technical Report. Existing mineral resources beyond current reserves and open extensions provide opportunities to improve average annual production and extend the mine life. Lydian is committed to good international industry practices in all aspects of its operations including production, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. For more information and to directly contact us, please visit www.lydianinternational.co.uk . For further information, please contact: Doug Tobler, Chief Financial Officer +1 720-307-5087 Pamela Solly, Vice President of Investor Relations +1 720-464-5649 Or: moreinfo@Lydianinternational.co.uk Caution regarding forward-looking information Certain information contained in this news release is forward looking. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects, is expected, intends, anticipates or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, will, would, should, or occur or the negative or other variations of such terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements with respect to: our plans, objectives, prospects, expectations and intentions; the timing of development of the Amulsar Project; the commitment to and implementation of good international industry practices; the expected gold production from, and life of mine of, the Amulsar Project; the Companys expectations in relation to the audit by ELARD; the Companys expectations that the Armenian government will remove the road blockades and allow the Company to resume construction; and the Companys ongoing evaluation of financing, strategic and legal alternatives. Statements concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking information to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered when the property is developed. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, without limitation: changes in gold and silver prices; adverse general economic, political, market or business conditions; unwillingness of the Companys creditors to amend the senior credit, stream, and offtake agreements and the related forbearance agreement; failure to achieve the objectives of the future exploration and drilling programs; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; risks associated with obtaining and maintaining the necessary licenses and permits and complying with permitting requirements, including, without limitation, approval of the Armenian government and receipt of all related permits, authorizations or other rights, regulatory changes; as well as "Risk Factors" included in the disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. remaining of Thank you for Reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Thank you for Reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. An expert from the WCO participated in a workshop on cultural heritage protection held from 22 to 24 January 2019 in Baghdad, Iraq. The workshop brought together representatives of the Iraqi enforcement and intelligence services, as well as international experts, to discuss cultural heritage protection and strengthen the international network of dedicated professionals. Organized by the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) to Iraq with the support of the Spanish Embassy in Iraq, the workshop served as a follow-up to the high-level conference organized by the EU Counter-Terrorism Office in Brussels in May 2018. Participants reviewed practical measures to prevent illicit trafficking of cultural objects. Such measures are urgently needed as, although there is an embargo on trade in Iraqi antiquities illicitly taken from its territory since 6 August 1990 (in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions), Iraqi heritage is still being depleted, as witnessed by seizures reported by Customs and Police authorities around the globe. Besides the disastrous impact on the countrys heritage, this illicit activity also poses a risk in terms of money laundering and terrorist financing, and more efforts have been mobilized to uncover and prevent it. During the three days of the workshop, participants had the opportunity to listen to expert presentations and to work, in breakout groups, on ways of solving specific problems, such as coordination and exchange of information between different agencies inside the country and internationally. Cooperation between Customs and Police was addressed in particular, as there is a growing recognition of the need for a stronger relationship between the two enforcement services in order to achieve more tangible results in countering illicit trade. The potential contribution of Customs in the security area was also highlighted by the WCO, and more particularly through the use of data analytics for a better understanding of illicit trafficking. Thanks to the Ministry of Culture of Iraq, the second day of the workshop took place in the world-famous Assyrian gallery of the Iraqi National Museum. The Museum had been closed for years and survived numerous assaults, including looting in 2003, with more than 15,000 objects reported as stolen. Some of these objects have been found on the international market and returned, and the Museum has been restored to its former glory and reopened its doors to visitors, showcasing numerous treasures dating back thousands of years. TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arch Biopartners Inc., (Arch or the Company) (TSX Venture: ARCH and OTCQB: ACHFF), announced it has closed the non-brokered, unsecured convertible note (Note) financing it disclosed in a press release on January 24, 2019 for gross proceeds of CAD $500,000 (the Offering). The Note matures on January 24, 2022 and will be convertible, at the option of the holder, into common shares in the capital of the Company (Common Shares) at a price per Common Share of $1.27, in the thirty-day period prior to the maturity of the Note. The Note bears simple interest of 5% per annum, which is payable in-kind by the Company with Common Shares to be issued at then market prices for the Common Shares and subject to TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) approval in each instance. The holder has the option starting October 24, 2021 until December 24, 2021 to extend the term of the Note another 2 years to January 24, 2024. The Note is unsecured and transferable, subject to resale restrictions under applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months commencing on the closing date of the Offering. The Company will primarily use the proceeds to fund final preclinical tasks for Metablok and the initial costs of the phase I human trial for Metablok. Metablok (LSALT peptide) is the Companys drug candidate for inhibiting acute kidney injury, septic shock and cancer metastasis. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, including Final Approval of the TSXV, which previously granted Conditional Approval of the Offering. There are no finder's fees to be paid in connection with the Offering. There is no material fact or material change about the Company that has not been generally disclosed. About Arch Biopartners Arch Biopartners Inc. is focused on the development of innovative technologies that have the potential to make a significant medical or commercial impact. Arch has established a diverse portfolio that includes Metablok, a potential treatment for inflammation, sepsis and cancer metastasis; AB569, a potential new treatment for antibiotic resistant bacterial infections in the lung, urinary tract or wounds; and, Borg peptide coatings that increase corrosion resistance and decrease bacterial biofilm on various medical grade metals and plastics. For more information on Arch Biopartners, its technologies and other public documents Arch has filed on SEDAR, please visit www.archbiopartners.com The Company has 58,532,302 common shares outstanding. Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, in this news release are forward looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or managements estimates or opinions change. 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. Government Offers Agency Workers Direct Full Time Employment The Government has made offers of direct, full time employment in Government to all staff of recruitment agencies who have been providing relief cover in the civil service. The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo QC MP, met with all workers employed via S&K, BETA and Rock Admin agencies. Mr Picardo convened the agency workers yesterday to advise them that they were being offered employment in the Government directly through the Gibraltar Development Corporation (GDC) with immediate effect, so they will no longer be providing services on agency terms. They will instead be directly employed by the Government. He was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Minister the Hon Dr Joseph Garcia MP, the Chief Secretary Darren Grech and the Head of Human Resources for the GDC, Michael Crome. Clerical / Administrative Support workers will be offered posts as Grade 1 Officers and Technical Officers will be offered posts in the Skill Zone scale of the GDC. The Chief Minister also informed those assembled that the Government is with immediate effect opening the entry level AA vacancies in the Civil Service and that they will be able to apply for those posts as internal applicants. Twenty two such posts, which is the total number of entry level vacancies available, will be opened no later than the end of this week. The Chief Minister said: On the 1st of May last year I announced that we would stop using agency workers in the Civil Service. After an in-depth analysis by the Cabinet of the distribution of agency workers throughout the service, we have collectively decided that the best way to implement my clear and unequivocal commitment is to move all those who are currently employed as agency workers into direct, full time employment with the Government via the GDC. I am also now moving, with no further delay, to ensure that the entry-level vacancies in the Civil Service are opened for internal application. There are twenty two AA vacancies in the Civil Service which will be opened this week to internal applicants in the wider public sector. There will be no further delays in respect of the opening of these vacancies. I am delighted to have been able to now fully implement the decision I announced at the May Day rally last year and which I highlighted again in my New Years Message three weeks ago, earlier this month. It is no secret that this has been a difficult year and that I would have wished to have implemented these changes sooner if time had allowed me to. I was very happy to meet all those who have been working with us in the public sector via agencies and to make this offer to them directly. I know this will bring certainty and security to their lives. I am pleased to be able to resolve matters in this positive and forward looking way for agency workers. The Government will no longer be resorting to the use of agency staff other than in situations of genuine, urgent, short-term cover being required." Rockville, MD, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The starch based edible coating market is projected to witness an increase in volume sales of over 4,000 tons in 2019 over 2018, according to recent Fact.MR report. Starch based edible coating sales are highly influenced by increasing demand in fresh, ready to eat and minimally processed foods, along with their growing significance in the preservation of fruits and vegetables. According to the study, growing adoption of corn starch based edible coating among farmers to manage postharvest quality of fresh produce is also paving the way for starch based edible coating market growth. Over 60% of overall volume sales in the market were accounted by the corn starch based edible coatings in 2018. Corn starch reinforced with glycerol and nutmeg oil nanoemulsion are sought-after among food producers, as it facilitates enhancing functional and mechanical attributes of the edible films. Key players in the starch based edible coatings market have also been working on the incorporation of fatty acids into corn starch based variants, to ebb their hygroscopic nature and improve water vapor permeability. Request For Sample Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2912 The Fact.MR study opines that key demand determinants for starch based edible coatings are prevailing restrictions on the use of agrochemicals, and the shift in consumer preference toward high-quality, minimally processed fresh foods, and vegetable products. This growing demand for fresh food commodities has consequently prompted manufacturers to focus on quality optimization, while retaining the cost-effectiveness, which has further intensified the adoption of viable preservation methods. The use of invisible starch based edible coatings and packaging is gaining impressive consumer acceptance over petroleum-based plastic coating and packaging, as they eliminate the need for excessive packaging. However, the study opines that pertaining grey areas to improve commercial properties of starch based edible coating is encouraging the manufacturers to adhere innovative developmental approaches. Browse Full Report on Starch Based Edible Coating Market with TOC- https://www.factmr.com/report/2912/starch-based-edible-coating-market Edible coatings are witnessing widespread adoption in the food industry, to separate the compartments of heterogeneous ingredients within foods, owing to their impressive efficiency and functional properties, as well as inherent characteristics of film-forming materials. Most biopolymers are relatively hydrophilic than commercial plastic materials, which is thereby prompting the manufacturers in the industrial sector to conduct robust scientific research in this direction to identify the film-forming mechanisms of biopolymers and to address the practical applications of edible films and coatings in the food industry. The growing adoption of fruits and vegetables for their numerous health benefits, evolving consumer preferences, and advancements in technology are other growth determinants of the starch based edible coating market. The technological developments in the food industry have driven significant refinements in the strategies and approaches that offer unpredictable solutions to several existing issues, thereby paving the way for growth. Ask Our Industry Expert for more details on this report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=2912 North America Starch Based Edible Market to Witness Sales of More Than 25,000 Tons in 2019 According to Fact.MR study, North America, led by robust demand in the US, will continue to lead the global starch based edible coating market. Starch based edible coating sales in the US will be sustained by rising adoption in food industry, and growing consumer inclination towards healthy and safe food. The study opines that gains will be healthy in Europe, on account of cassava starch based edible coating sales for application in minimally processed food products in the region. Fact.MR study offers an authentic forecast on the starch based edible coating market for the period between 2019 and 2027. The starch based edible coating market has been envisaged to record a moderate CAGR of over 4.5% through 2027. To Buy Starch Based Edible Coating Market Report, Check- https://www.factmr.com/checkout/2912/S About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us Womens Wellness: What you need to know about prenatal yoga Thats why its important to me that students learn about the countries and the people who speak these languages and whats going on there, in order for them to become more interested to travel there, Gully said. Thats really heartwarming when we have a graduate who is going to move to Germany and spend a couple of years there because of what they learned here from us. 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. Those contacts, according to Mueller's indictments and U.S. intelligence agencies, occurred while the Russian government carried out a multifaceted effort to influence the 2016 presidential campaign and attempt to sway it Trump's way. Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Redwood Living, Inc. (Redwood), the innovative development and management company known for its single-story apartment homes, has a newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board. Redwoods founder and visionary leader, Steve Kimmelman, will now serve as Chairman of Redwoods Board. David Conwill has advanced into the CEO position after serving as Redwood President. Both winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Kimmelman and Conwill are excited to continue their 15-year partnership in innovation to support the growth and success of Redwood. They intend to work together, utilizing all of the talents of the Redwood team, to build upon the hard work that has made Redwood a certified Great Place to Work and an even more remarkable place for residents to call home. David and I have been partners, collaborating for the past 15 years. Together we have built and grown this remarkable company from the ground up. Under Davids guidance, the competencies and passion of our Leadership Team, as well as all of our Brand Ambassadors, will fulfill our mission of enriching peoples lives, states Redwood Founder, Steve Kimmelman. I am incredibly proud of the company Redwood is today and where it is headed in the future. At Redwood, all employees are valued, trusted and empowered to make decisions that enhance the Redwood experience, and they have the opportunity to grow in their careers for decades. It has been my honor and privilege to lead Redwood and to work with each of our talented employees. It is with great pleasure that I turn the CEO reins over to David. David Conwill steps into the role after decades of being a relentless Redwood Brand Ambassador with a strong view for the future. I am honored and thrilled to advance our vision and mission within this new role, expresses Redwoods newly appointed CEO, David Conwill. I aim to follow Steves lead as a stellar business leader with exceptionally high character and integrity. As this change occurs Redwood has created a new product department, headed by Kris Conwill as the Chief Product Officer along with newly appointed Senior Vice President of Product, Jessica VanGelder. In addition, Kate Vizmeg, as newly promoted Chief People & Operations Officer, will work closely with recently promoted Senior Vice President of Property Operations, Mike VanGelder to enrich the lives of employees and residents. The Redwood executive team is energized by these changes and ready to continue Redwoods remarkable growth and success in the future. For more information about Redwood and its leadership team, please email marketing@byredwood.com. About Redwood Living, Inc. Redwood Living, Inc. (Redwood) is an innovative development and property management company with neighborhoods in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina and South Carolina. The company believes that the growth of the rental population demands the response that Redwood provides. The success of this approach continues to be validated in new markets. Redwood is a company that believes in its mission, product and amazing people. It creates a simplified, relaxed lifestyle for residents, and offers a rewarding atmosphere for its employees. For more information, visit www.byredwood.com. UW College of Business Gains Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship UW Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Matthew Fox meets with chemical engineering Associate Professor Katie Dongmei Li-Oakey about her business, TLS Materials LLC. Fox is part of a recent UW cluster hire in entrepreneurship. (UW Photo) Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Matthew Fox has joined the University of Wyomings College of Business in the Department of Management and Marketing as part of a cluster hire to boost entrepreneurship education in conjunction with the launch of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE). Fox earned his Ph.D. from Duke University, his MBA from the University of Nevada and his B.A. from Colorado College. Most recently, he served as an assistant professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of South Dakotas Beacom School of Business. I found myself drawn to entrepreneurship as an outlet for my desire to make an impact, Fox says. His research has shown that making a lasting impact is a major reason people want to create new products and organizations. This new position at UW attracted Fox because of the resources the state and university offer to help entrepreneurs. When you look at people in Wyoming, particularly at the university, they want to have that kind of impact, he says. The IIE is a hub for that kind of activity. Wyomings wide-open frontiers are home to outside thinkers hungry for a challenge. They share a spirit of adventure, restless curiosity and wonder. The world needs more cowboys, and UWs IIE calls on innovators from throughout the state as it works to instill entrepreneurial thinking to empower the leaders of tomorrow. Adding needed programs and curriculum that draw together all UW colleges, business services and entrepreneurship competitions, the IIE serves as the universitys front door for the states entrepreneurs. We have people from the business school like me who can reach across campus and work with people in the school of engineering or pharmacy, or whatever it might be, Fox says. Thats exciting to me. In addition to the IIE, we have the John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition, entrepreneurship courses; were adding new faculty across campus with this expertise, and it really creates an opportunity to do something special here. Fox is part of a team working on UWs entrepreneurial coursework options. A lot of what I want to do is get students to start something, whether it be their own idea, or we can pair them up with someone who needs that kind of help, he says. As we redesign the curriculum, we want to try to be responsive to interdisciplinary collaborations. Whether a student wants to start a business or work for an established company, an entrepreneurial mindset is a huge benefit, Fox says, as businesses are looking for those skills and creativity in their employees. Experience survival horror like never before in the 8th major installment in the Resident Evil franchise - Resident Evil Village. With detailed graphics, intense first-person action, and masterful storytelling, the terror has never felt more realistic. Register for a FREE account to keep reading! Register now for a FREE account to keep reading. No cost and no credit card required! Access up to 5 articles per month when you register, or get unlimited access to all of our content online starting at $1.99 now! Already registered? Click the log in link below SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Global Payout Inc. (USOTC: GOHE) (Global or the Company) and its wholly owned subsidiary MTrac Tech Corporation (MTrac) are pleased to provide a shareholder progress update on the roll out of MTrac, a secure blockchain-backed payments platform. Since the launch in October the platform has seen month over month increases the number of transactions on the platform, net revenue, and even in the average ticket price. From the Companys own research on customers using MTrac they have seen an average increase of 26% on ticket prices compared to before they were able to accept credit cards. Limiting customers to the use of cash is more than just a security issue, it severely limits customer access to funds and has proven ideal for customers who may have a limited amount of cash, which is partly the reason allowing credit and debit card transactions can actually increase sales across the board. The proof is in MTracs customer feedback, which is routinely sought for strengthened relationships and system enhancements: We have been working with MTrac for several months. We have been able to compliantly accept all forms of card payments through MTrac and have found the platform to be stable, the fees reasonable, and their team accessible and responsive. - Adam C., CEO and Owner of Jardin Premium Cannabis Dispensary (Las Vegas, NV) https://jardinlasvegas.com/ We have seen the MTrac teams attention to detail and their consistent pursuit of optimizing the MTrac payment platform. MTrac provides payments for both our retail and delivery businesses. - Vera L., COO of Mankind Dispensary (San Diego, CA) https://mankindcannabis.com/ MTrac is convenient for my customers to make payments and easily reconciles with our Point of Sale reports. - Vartan K., GM of Cookies Melrose (Los Angeles, CA) https://www.cookiesmelrose.com/ After implementing the MTrac payment system into our business, we have seen a significant increase in ticket price and have experienced firsthand MTracs attention to customer service. Scott M., CTO of The Healing Center San Diego (San Diego, CA) https://thcsd.com/ The Company expects to continue the trend of significant revenue increases over the coming months as more merchants adopt the platform and system updates are pushed to streamline processes. The Company boasts a 100% client retention rate and anticipates rolling out the platform in four new states, Minnesota, New Jersey, Florida, and Hawaii by the end of February. After working on the launch of this system for the last seven months we have become intimately familiar with the myriad of issues that plague the financial management of the cannabis industry, Said Aaron Adler, MTrac CRO. But the more confidence we build in the industry the more momentum we gain, and that is really the most important aspect of our current marketing strategy. The truth is our system is far more than just a payments platform, the back-end functionality offers the ability to track and trace each and every dollar that moves through their business, which helps to relieve their banking relationships by moving them away from large cash deposits. We recently launched an API to integrate Point of Sale systems and we are currently in talks with several of the largest POS systems in the Cannabis industry, the first of which could be live as early as the end of this week. We are gaining serious momentum, and the last several months is only a glimpse of what is possible in 2019. About Global Payout, Inc. (USOTC: GOHE) Since the Company's inception in 2009, Global Payout, Inc. has been a leading provider of comprehensive and customized prepaid payment solutions. From 2014 to 2017 Global focused on identifying new state of the art technologies in a variety of industry sectors and successfully helped launch MoneyTrac Technology Inc. and other companies within the FinTech space. In 2018, Global completed a reverse triangular merger with MoneyTrac Technology Inc. resulting in Global retaining the wholly owned subsidiary, MTrac Tech Corporation. Globals current focus is continuing to identify new business opportunities while it reorganizes its future business endeavors. About MTrac Tech Corp. MTrac Tech Corporation, a Nevada Corporation, is a privately held, wholly owned subsidiary of Global Payout, Inc. MTrac is a software technology, sales and marketing, and business development company focused on high risk and high cost industries. The Companys flagship product is the MTrac payment platform offering a full-service solution with technology offerings including Payment Platform, Blockchain, Compliance, POS, E-Wallet, Mobile Application and Digital Payment Solutions. We are one network disrupting the status quo. It is MTracs creative vision through the use of its innovative technology solution to become the premier service provider offering the Key to CashlessTM. Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer: 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. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainty and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release. This press release should be considered in light of all filings of the Company that are disclosed on the OTC Markets.com website. Media Contacts: Global Payout, Inc. www.globalpayout.com (702) 790-2511 Ext. 101 Ir@globalpayout.com MTrac Tech Corp. www.Mtractech.com (702) 790-2511 Ext. 101 ir@mtractechcorp.com Communications Contact: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) New York, New York www.NetworkNewsWire.com 212.418.1217 Office Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com China formally hands over Kalanki-Koteshwor road expansion project to Nepal Kathmandu, Jan 29 (UNI) The Chinese government officially handed over the 10.5 km Kalanki-Koteshwor road expansion project to Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project on Monday. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi made a formal announcement of the handover and handed a symbolic key to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at a function organised in Lalitpur. Government officials, representatives from Shanghai Construction Group Ltd, the main contractor of the project, and dignitaries from both the countries were present on the occasion. Shanghai Construction took five years to complete the first section of the China-funded project that began in June 2013. The project cost Rs5.13 billion, reports The Kathmandu Post. ON THE MOVE: UBS Snags Zeng from Citi; Miller Named Trading Head at Baird A director-level quant trader that specializes in equities has joined UBS after a seven-year stint at Citi. Kai Zeng started with UBS in New York last month. A vice president at Citi, Zeng helped manage systematic trading and equity derivatives analytics, according to LinkedIn. Now hes an equity quant trader that works within UBSs central risk book a key role for large banks that are trying to manage extreme market volatility. Milwaukee-based broker-dealer Baird has promoted Jack Miller to Head of Trading, based in New York. In this role, Miller oversees the execution function within the trading business including cash, program, electronic, and related services. Miller joined Baird in 2006 and has served in various roles in trading since 2009, most recently as COO and Head of Electronic Trading. If you have a new job or promotion to report, let me know at jdantona@marketsmedia.com Dash Financial Technologies announced the addition of Scott Patrick as Chief Financial Officer. Patrick, a 25 year veteran, will be responsible for leading financial operations and strategic planning for the firm. He joins Dash from Brunswick Group, where he served as a Partner, specializing in M&A transactions, IPOs and investor relations matters. Prior to Brunswick, Mr. Patrick was a Managing Director in the Financial Technology Group at investment bank GCA Advisors, and before that he spent over 10 years at Evercore Partners, most recently serving as Head of Payments Investment Banking. He began his career at Morgan Stanley, where he worked for over 12 years. He reports directly to CEO Peter Maragos, Independent Trading Group (ITG), Inc. welcomed Derrick Reimer as Vice President, Issuer Services. Reimer will be responsible for managing relationships with public issuers to provide objective and focused market making and liquidity services. Reimer brings over two decades of experience as an institutional sales-trader on Bay Street and Wall Street. Most recently at a New York investment bank, he was focused on developing business strategies for emerging and small to mid-size companies to best access the Canadian market. Macquarie Capital appointed Oliver Bradley as a Managing Director focused on digital infrastructure. Based in London. Bradley will lead the principal investing strategy in the digital infrastructure space across Europe, working closely with the firms infrastructure and technology teams. This is his econd stint with the firm, after having worked at the firm from 2005 to 2015. Most recently, he was Corporate Finance Director at CityFibre Infrastructure Holdings plc, where he led capital raising, mergers and acquisitions and strategic transactions. 1 2 3 next For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: New North American Buy-Side Research Reveals Trend Towards Multi-Asset Investment Platforms SimCorp a leading provider of investment management solutions and services to the global financial services industry, today announces the findings of its third annual 2019 North American InvestOps Report: Empowering Multi-Asset Front-to-Back Investment Operations. Commissioned by SimCorp and independently conducted by WBR InvestOps, the report finds 79% of North American Buy-side Heads of Operations state their top strategic priority for 2019, as decreasing operating cost and improving operating leverage. The findings come at a time of heightened market complexity, with the rapid proliferation of alternatives and illiquid assets, together with ever-tightening margin pressures, placing a greater spotlight on costs. As pressure from passive management continues to mount, the reports principal findings indicate a significant turn in the tide. For 2019, the majority of buy-side operations strategies are moving away from overstayed legacy technology and fragmented best of breed systems, towards consolidation and integrated multi-asset platforms. As many as 80% of North American Buy-Side Heads of Operations want to see alternatives consolidated onto a single platform, for front-to-back office processing, in order to make critical improvements to data and enhance operational support of alternative, such as private debt, real estate and infrastructure.The changing opinion and findings convey an urgent need for firms to gain cost efficiencies and comes at a time when many are forced to introduce performance linked fees. Carried out by WBR InvestOps, the report captures the thoughts of 100 North American Heads of Operations, across sectors including asset management (40%), pensions (27%) and insurance (29%). Interestingly, 65% of North American Heads of Operations aim to pursue system consolidation through a front-to-back office solution offered as a platform or a service, rather than a similar front to back offering from a custodian (29%). Despite the recent industry M&A, this can be considered as due caution shown by buy-side operations. Particularly regarding the degree of integration these vendors or outsourcers can achieve, when piecing together disparate and acquired technologies, to create a true front to back offering. Further highlights of the reports findings include: The Challenge to Support Alternative Investments Following Alternatives (80%), North American Heads of Operations, stated derivatives (74%) and debt securities (64%) as the next asset classes they want to see consolidated onto a single platform for front to back processing Front Office Concerns North American Buy-Side Heads of Operations state top front offices challenges: #1 The provision of timely and accurate start-of-day positions (47%) #2 Implementing new asset classes in a timely manner, to accelerate time to market for new products (40%) 58% of North American Heads of Operations state, bringing multi-asset strategies onto a single *PMS/OMS and EMS platform will be a key strategy for addressing their top front office challenge Achieving Hard Dollar Savings - When asked about the primary means for achieving cost reduction and improved operating leverage: 80% of North American Buy-Side Heads of Operations cited increasing accessibility and accuracy of data to support the front, middle and back office as their approach. While 69% stated consolidating systems and reducing system interfaces. Contributing in the report, Eric Bolisay, VP, Head of Derivatives Strategic Operations T. Rowe Price,comments: From a technology perspective, consolidating disparate systems brings cost efficiencies in reducing the overhead required to support different products, both in terms of infrastructure as well as technology resources. As a result of consolidation, there are also often opportunities to streamline processes that once required complex integration across multiple systems. Jamie Corrigan, Managing Director and Executive Vice President, SimCorp North America,comments:Our view has always been that the ability to support multi-asset investing can be simplified and made far more cost-efficient, with a consolidated technology strategy, embracing all asset classes on a single platform. This is evident in our one system approach since inception. It is encouraging to see that in both this report and in previous years, there is a decided and growing trend of operations leaders recognising consolidation can achieve strategic priorities. In the past, the biggest hurdles to consolidation were the big bang approaches used, and the concern of compromise over rich functionality. With agile delivery significantly mitigating transformational risk and technology innovation that provides advanced analytics, real time data and comprehensive functionality, we feel those obstacles are long gone. The question operations leaders should ask themselves is not if and when to consolidate but how. To learn more about these findings and to access the full research report, please click here For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: CANNABIS CORNER: Cannabis and Crypto Like Peas and Carrots? Cannabis. Cryptocurrency. Two of the hottest keywords, hastags or assets that people are talking about. So, these are two great tastes that go great together, right? Just like peas and carrots or peanut butter and chocolate. Well, maybe. And maybe not. Traders Magazine recently discussed the potential union between cannabis and crypto with San Francisco-based Liz Prehn, lead tax attorney at Moskowitz LLP, who discussed some of the benefits and pitfalls of the pairing of cannabis and cryptocurrency. First, the advantages or cryptocurrency in a canna-business. Well first, it is legal, Prehn began. Despite its volatility as an investment, and the tax and regulatory issues surrounding it, there is nothing illegal about using cryptocurrency. Also, its secure. Cryptocurrencys blockchain technology provides a secure payment and tracking process for cannabis transactions that doesnt require an armored contingent. Also, cryptocurrency accounts and transactions are anonymous, an additional benefit to customers who dont want their marijuana purchases known. Prehn continued that digital assets provide for the immediate settlement of funds and the underlying or when combined with blockchain technology provides for nearly instantaneous validation of all transactions, as opposed to waiting hours or days for a credit card payment to post. There are lower transaction fees. Even cannabusinesses that manage to arrange for credit card processing, as a high-risk industry the transaction fees can be significant, she continued. With cryptocurrency, the fees are generally less than 1% and its available everywhere. Cryptocurrencies, including cryptocurrencies developed specifically for the marijuana industry, can buy most anything, anywhere in the world. Furthermore, Prehn pointed out that using crypto promotes transparency. She explained the sale of marijuana requires a thorough record of the movement of the product from the grower through to the end user. Cryptocurrency provides this record through Blockchain technology, which keeps incorruptible and transparent digital records. And there are additional benefits. Some companies provide digital tokens or cryptocurrency rewards that can be used for marijuana purchases, Prehn said. For example, PotCoin community members get benefits for prescription medical marijuana through WeedMD. But, using crypto with cannabis isnt without concerns or disadvantages. Prehn explained that for a business with little or no traditional banking support, cryptocurrency seems prima facie like a great idea. However, it is important to acknowledge the following concerns many of which have been publicly voiced. First, it may undermine the legitimacy of the state-legal marijuana industry. The marijuana industry, she explained, is struggling for legitimacy in the eyes of the public and the U.S. government and that aligning itself with another federally unregulated industry may undermine these efforts. 1 2 next For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced the opening of its international representative office in Prague, Czech Republic, to manage and oversee the tourism authoritys activities in Central and Eastern Europe. The new office is located in one of the most important economic, transportation and communication centres in the region, and will play a vital role in promoting the destination and driving further growth in the number of visitors travelling to Ras Al Khaimah. Central and Eastern European countries have shown increased interest in the emirate over the past few years with significant growth year-on-year. In 2018, visitor numbers from the Czech Republic and Hungary were up by 18.4 per cent and 11.4 per cent respectively compared to the previous year. Announcing the opening of the new office, Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: Our New Destination Strategy 2019-2021 aims to attract 1.5 million visitors to the emirate by 2021. We believe that by providing a compelling proposition and establishing a dedicated presence in our key international target markets, we will be able to promote the destination and its diverse offering driving growth in visitor numbers." Central and Eastern European countries are amongst the fastest growing markets for us and frequently rank in our top 10 source markets for visitors. The new representative office in Prague will support our promotional activities, trade partnerships and help us develop the regions high potential outbound market, added Mattar. Adding to Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority international representation offices in UK, Germany, Russia and Nordics, the Prague office will support RAKTDAs initiatives to drive further awareness of the emirate as a multi-faceted leisure destination to Central and East European travellers. In 2018, approximately 48,000 visitors from Central and Eastern Europe chose to spend their vacation in Ras Al Khaimah. The increase in demand from these markets was further highlighted by the introduction of direct flights between RAK International Airport and several cities in Poland including Warsaw, Katowice, Poznan and Wroclaw, as well as direct flights to Prague in the Czech Republic. Numerous trade activities have been organised for the coming year in the region, including webinars, networking events, workshops, FAM trips for the trade, and an exclusive Ras Al Khaimah roadshow in February 2019. RAKTDAs new three-year strategy focuses on diversifying the emirates offerings to create experiences that showcase some of the finest beaches and nature in the region, the highest mountain in the UAE, a unique terracotta desert, rich history and heritage, as well as authentic Arabian cultural experiences and adventures. - TradeArabia News Service Work on a new fuel farm complex, being developed by BAC Jet Fuel Company (BJFCO) - a joint venture between Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) and National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) - is progressing at a steady pace and is on track for completion by by the third quarter of 2019. The new aviation facility is coming up in the northeast area of the Bahrain International Airport (BIA) in line with directives from Bahrains leadership to relocate the airports fuel tanks from Arad. Housing three aviation fuel tanks with a capacity of 10,000 cu m each, the fuel farm complex covers 77,000 sq m, in addition to its dedicated operational buildings. It is equipped with state-of-the-art safety and security features and the latest aviation product handling technologies, said the statement from BAC. It will supply aircraft with fuel through 20- and 18-inch pipelines located below the airport runway, it added. The strategic project, an important component of the Airport Modernisation Programme, will reinforce Bahrains position as a centre of aviation fuel services in the GCC region and contribute to national economic growth in line with the kingdoms Vision 2030, said Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed during an inspection visit to the site. He was accompanied by Bahrain's Minister of Oil Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and other senior government officials. "The fuel farm complex is an important component of plans to restructure the aviation sector in the kingdom and will play a key role in streamlining the aviation fuel supply, operation, and maintenance process at the airport," he remarked. "It is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Kingdom and is aimed at stimulating sustainable economic growth and diversifying revenue streams in line with Bahrains Economic Vision 2030," stated the minister. "There are currently 38 airlines operating out of BIA and we expect this number to grow. The fuel farm, which is being built according to the highest international standards, will enable us to support the increased activity," he added. The ministers were later briefed on the latest milestones of the project, including the achievement of a major milestone of one million man hours without lost-time accidents, in the presence of BAC Jet Fuel Company (BJFCO) board members, and representatives from BAC, engineering consultants Mott Macdonald, and main contractor Amana Pipeline Construction. Shaikh Mohammed praised Nogas vision to support pioneering projects aimed at achieving a number of tangible and qualitative goals, including improving efficiency and the expansion of aviation fuel operations and services. He also stressed the importance of completing the construction of the complex of aircraft fuel depots in a timely manner in accordance with the highest specifications and standards, and utilising the highest level of skill, knowledge and competency. Following the tour of the site, BJFCO chairman Engineer Abdul Majeed Al Qassab gave an update on the projects progress and the details of upcoming stages. On completion, BJFCO will be responsible for the facilitys management and operation, as per directives from Bahrains leadership. "The objectives of the restructuring are to create a more competitive environment in the aviation fuel sector and to meet the needs of airlines more effectively," remarked Kamal bin Ahmed. "This is why BAC plans to appoint a fourth jet fuel distributor alongside the three existing distributors - Bapco, Chevron, and British Petroleum and a second into-plane operator at BIA in addition to Bafco," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabia has launched its National Industry Development and Logistics Program which aims to transform the kingdom into a leading industrial power and global logistics hub. For its positive impact on the Saudi economy, the programme is one of the biggest 13 programmes in the Kingdom Vision 2030. It consolidates the sectors of industry, mining, energy and logistics, said a Saudi Press Agency report. The programme was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense. The programme seeks to develop qualitative industries, increase non-oil exports, reduce imports, raise the contribution of the target sectors to the kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) and attract foreign investments. In a statement to SPA, Engineer Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, said: "We have worked over the past period to develop plans, prepare initiatives, attract investors, and transfer initiatives and ideas into sustainable development projects. We prepared and launched incentives and potentials to support and encourage the private sector which is a strategic development partner in this programme. "By 2030, the programme aims to increase the contribution of the four sectors -- industry, mining, logistics and energy -- in the GDP into SR1.2 trillion. The programme seeks to stimulate investments worth more than SR1.7 trillion, raise non-oil exports to more than SR1 trillion, and develop the labour market through creating 1.6 million new jobs," Engineer Al-Falih said. With regard to the launching ceremony and forum, Al-Falih affirmed that the forum includes detailed presentations on the programme and its key sectors, initiatives and investment opportunities, adding "we offer for our partners, the private sector, 65 unique investment opportunities with attractive returns of about SR80 billion in all four sectors. We prepare 20 rooms, called "Rooms of Deals", to hold direct meetings among the relevant bodies and the private sector's institutions." During the ceremony, 37 agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, in addition to another 29 agreements and memorandums of understanding, which were declared and to be signed, later on, between the government agencies and private sector institutions. The total value of these agreements and memorandums of understanding is estimated at about SR205 billion. On the other hand, more than 25 agreements and memorandums of understanding have been signed on the sidelines of the "Future Investment Initiative 2018" forum, with a total value of about SR210 billion, including SR165 billion that is a part of the National Industry Development and Logistics Program. Global commodities trader Trafigura said it has reached an agreement to build a giant copper, zinc and lead smelting complex in Saudi Arabia at an investment of $2.8 billion. The mega project, SmeltCo, which will come up in Ras Al Khair Mineral City in Saudi Arabia, is equally owned by Trafigura and Modern Mining Holding - an affiliate of the Riyadh-based Modern Industrial Investment Holding Group. On completion, the integrated smelter complex will boast an annual capacity of 400,000 tonnes of copper, 200,000 tonnes of zinc and 55,000 tonnes of lead, it stated. The project was first announced in October, when Trafigura and Modern Mining Holding had officially signed a binding agreement to develop, finance, and operate the multi-billion-dollar integrated smelter complex following a formal approval from the Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources for the project. As per the deal, Trafigura would provide its significant knowledge and understanding of the metals and mining industry and its own in-house technical and operational expertise to support the Kingdoms Vision 2030. The JV partners pointed out that SmeltCo was a pioneering project that would create significant value-added products capable of competing globally, thus giving in a major boost to the domestic metals and minerals conversion industry besides creating job opportunities for Saudi citizens. Based on initial assessment the project is expected to generate about 3,000 direct jobs during construction and 1,200 permanent jobs in the operational phase, they added. Modern Mining vice chairman and CEO Abdulaziz Fahad Al Hamwah said: "SmeltCo closes the gap in the kingdoms midstream mining value chain with the production of high-quality premium base metals." "The project is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 which calls for developing and capturing maximum value from the mining sector," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Vancouver, British Columbia, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Future Farm Technologies Inc. (the Company or Future Farm) (CSE: FFT) (OTCQX: FFRMF) is excited to announce that it is entering the final planning stages for the construction and operation of a cannabis research and development facility in Carpinteria, California. The facility will be one of two locations for the jointly owned company that Future Farm is in the process of forming with Rahan Meristem, a world-renowned global agro-biotechnology company. The build out consists of construction of the analytical lab, which will be the core function of the facility, the purchase of its equipment and the recruitment of researchers. Once work is completed in late March 2019, the team will commence research in areas such as cell culture, molecular genetics, analytical chemistry, phenomic analysis and computation. The teams findings and ongoing research are expected to lead to the development of valuable elite cannabis strains for sale to large growers and to highly efficient tissue culture production so that the elite strains can effectively become commercialized. In addition to direct sales of elite cannabis strains, the new company will consider licensing the proprietary technology it is developing to sophisticated cannabis growers across the globe. The protocols developed will provide the software, services and processes that set the conditions for elite clone cultivation on a rapid scale to allow growers to realize the highest profit margins possible. For further information, contact William Gildea, Director, at (888) 387-3761. On behalf of the Board, Future Farm Technologies Inc. William Gildea, Chairman & CEO About Future Farm Technologies Inc. Future Farm is a Canadian company with holdings throughout North America including California, Massachusetts, Florida, Maine, Puerto Rico and Newfoundland. The Companys mission is to advance sustainable agriculture through production of wholesale and retail cannabis products, including hemp. As a leader in its field, Future Farm is committed to using only the highest quality processes and products. Towards this goal, the Company acquires or partners with licensed-cannabis operators, and acquires or develops leading technologies in cannabis production, breeding, genetics, and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Future Farms scalable, indoor CEA systems utilize minimal land, water and energy resources. The Company holds an exclusive, worldwide license to use a patented vertical farming technology that, when compared to traditional plant production methods, generates yields up to 10 times greater per square foot of land. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. After a significant uptick in optimism last year, Middle East CEOs are more cautious about growth in the region, according to respondents in a PwC survey. Only 28% of the Middle East CEOs were very confident on revenue growth over the next 12 months compared to 33% last year, and 35% of global CEOs, said the PwCs 22nd CEO Survey, launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. "When we look at medium-term growth, 40% of the CEOs are very confident about their revenue prospects over the next three years, a record low in this year's survey," it said. Middle East CEOs are also more pessimistic about the short-term global economic outlook for 2019 than their global peers (28% vs 42%). Focus on efficiency Middle East CEOs, in line with their global peers, are prioritising operational efficiencies to remain fit for growth. 68% of regional CEOs put operational efficiencies at the top of their list of planned activities to drive profitability in the next 12 months compared with 77% globally. Most strikingly, the proportion of business leaders who expect their headcount to fall is more than double the global figure (43% vs 19%). Stephen Anderson, clients and markets leader at PwC Middle East, said: Some of the crude cost-cutting in the region in 2015-2017 had cut into muscle, and with improving economic conditions last year, some pressure came off. We are now seeing a far more strategic, fundamental look at efficiency within businesses, where they are looking to leverage technology to sustain a lower cost base. Looking closer to home for growth CEOs are looking closer to home for growth. Saudi Arabia is firmly on the minds of CEOs based in other parts of the region with the Vision 2030 transformation continuing at pace. Egypt also featured more prominently this year as 15% of CEOs cited it as the most important for growth, coming second only to Saudi Arabia (28%) and followed by India (13%) and Iraq (10%) in the rankings. Digital disruption Regional CEOs are grappling with rapidly changing consumer behaviour as the digital revolution takes hold at speed. Middle East CEOs see changing consumer behaviours (79%) and the speed of technological change (75%) as the most significant threats to their organisation. On the impact of AI, 91% of Middle East CEOs believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly change how they do business in the next five years, in line with the global results. Although 43% have plans to start introducing AI initiatives in their organisation in the next three years, only 23% have already introduced AI into their business, half the proportion globally. Two things are holding regional organisations back according to CEOs, data and skills. Only 13% (compared to 41% amongst global CEOs) believe the quality of their companys data is adequate for assessing the customers preferences and needs. And 61% of regional CEOs cited the lack of analytical talent as the primary reason they do not receive adequate information. Hani Ashkar, Middle East senior partner, commented: "The skills needed to give meaning to data and technology are in high demand. In order to reap the benefits of an investment in digital, companies need to invest and upskill their people. This is important because digital upskilling goes beyond just embedding the technology, it will allow companies to deliver quality and drive growth, securing their future." Anderson concluded: Successful Middle East CEOs will be those that can drive efficiencies to get fit for the new lower growth realities of the region and, free the required investment to, transform their business to get ahead of ever increasingly fast-paced disruption. They must do all this while inspiring their people to go on the digital upskilling journey vital to fuel the transformation. Whod want to be a CEO? - TradeArabia News Service Rolando (33 ans) aurait ete propose a lInter Milan, ces derniers jours. Les Nerazzurri nauraient pour linstant pas donne suite. Dapres les renseignements publies par Sky Sport, le Portugais a ete propose aux Lombards, dans la perspective du remplacement de Joao Miranda (34 ans). Ils nauraient toutefois pas encore active son dossier. Pour rappel, Rolando, qui ne dispose plus que de six mois de contrat, a deja joue a lInter Milan lors de la saison 2013-2014. According to AccuWeather meteorologist Jordan Root, temperatures are expected to be below zero on Wednesday, marking the first time in history since January 1994 that temperatures did not rise above 0 throughout the day. MANZINI Operations within government will be normal until Thursday, according to civil servants. This follows that public sector associations (PSAs) yesterday resolved that operations should return to normal. The PSAs agreed on returning to work as of today until Thursday following that the court on Sunday night issued an order stopping their intended strike. The mass stay away had been scheduled to start yesterday and spread in all the countrys towns and cities. Partaking in the strike would have been the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP). This follows that the fourth member of the PSAs, the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU), could not partake in the mass stay away as they rendered an essential service. Strike Following the order stopping the strike, the PSAs had an urgent mass meeting yesterday at the SNAT Centre in Manzini. This is where about 1 500 civil servants resolved that on Friday, all the PSAs should flood the capital city to petition government and other entities. Communication on the meeting spot on Friday shall be shared as the week progresses, it was disclosed. In voicing their frustration of what they (PSAs) termed oppression of employees, the unions resolved that they would petition the High Commission of South Africa where they would request that the republic un-peg the Rand from the local currency. The reasoning behind this demand was that the country recently celebrated its golden jubilee and should be self-sufficient. As we have come of age, we also need to stop importing electrical power from South Africa; we need to produce our own. So, we need them to stop aiding us as we are now half a century old, they said. Further, while in Mbabane on Friday, the unions vowed to petition the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, which is led by Minister Pholile Shakantu. This, they said, was to explicitly express their loss of faith in the Judiciary. Allegations made by the PSAs were to the effect that the hearing of their matter on Sunday was concluded way before the matter was heard in Court. They claimed that the pronunciations by the Premier, Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, insinuated that he was already aware of the judgment. One of the resolutions taken by our members today is that we should petition our line ministries and express our concerns, the President of SNAT, Mbongwa Dlamini said as he read the summary. They argued that the way the matter was handled by the court made them believe that it fell under the definition of a kangaroo court. However, they clarified that they were not saying the courts of Eswatini were kangaroo courts. 21 st Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2019 in New York, USA 12 th Annual European Life Sciences CEO Forum in Zurich, Switzerland 2019 BioCapital Europe in Amsterdam, The Netherlands 31st Annual ROTH Conference in Dana Point, California, USA MADRID, Spain and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a public clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with strong unmet medical need, announced today that the company will continue its institutional presence in several reputed international conferences in the upcoming weeks. Dr. Carlos Buesa, Oryzons CEO, will present its CNS (Vafidemstat) and oncological (Iadademstat) clinical programs to institutional investors at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2019, to be held on February 11-12 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. A public presentation focused on Vafidemstat will take place on Monday, February 11th at 02:45 pm ET in the Hudson/Empire Room, within the CNS/Neurological Therapeutic Area. See more info of the event at https://www.bio.org/events/bio-ceo-investor-conference. Dr. Buesa and Dr. Roger Bullock, Oryzons CMO, will also present the recent progresses of Vafidemstat and Iadademstat at the 12th Annual European Life Sciences CEO Forum & Exhibition, which will take place on February 25-26, 2019 at the Hilton Zurich Airport Hotel, Switzerland. In this Conference Dr. Bullock will also be a speaker on the Neuroscience I - Business Development and Licensing Experts Panel co-chaired by Patrick Benz, Senior Director Alliance Management, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, and Timothy Luker, VP, Emerging Technology & Innovation, BD, Eli Lilly and Company. A public presentation focused on Vafidemstat will take place on Monday, February 25th. See more info of the event at http://www.sachsforum.com/12elsceo-about.html Dr. Buesa will also present Oryzons clinical programs at the 17th BioCapital Europe organised by LSP (Life Sciences Partners) that will take place on 14th March 2019 at the Sofitel Legend Amsterdam The Grand in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. BioCapital Europe is Europes premier life sciences investment conference, offering VCs and Institutional Investors access to a few selected biotech, medtech and diagnostics companies from Europe. Attendance is by invitation only. See more info of the event at https://www.biocapitaleurope.com/ Dr. Michael Ropacki, VicePresident of Clinical Development at Oryzon, will present the recent progresses of the company at the 31st Annual ROTH Conference. Dr Ropacki will also be one of the participants on a Panel discussion on Alzheimers disease recent progresses. The ROTH Conference will be held on March 17-19, 2019 at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California. See more info of the event at https://www.meetmax.com/sched/event_51941/__welcome_cp.html. About Oryzon Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company considered as the European champion in Epigenetics. Oryzon has one of the strongest portfolios in the field. Oryzons LSD1 program has rendered two compounds Vafidemstat and Iadademstat in clinical trials. In addition, Oryzon has ongoing programs for developing inhibitors against other epigenetic targets. Oryzon has a strong technological platform for biomarker identification and performs biomarker and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurodegenerative diseases. Oryzon has offices in Spain and the United States. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com About Vafidemstat Vafidemstat is an oral, brain penetrant drug that selectively inhibits LSD1 and MAOB. The molecule acts on several levels: it reduces cognitive impairment, memory loss and neuroinflammation, and at the same time has neuroprotective effects. In animal studies Vafidemstat not only restores memory but reduces the exacerbated aggressiveness of SAMP8 mice, a model for accelerated aging and Alzheimers disease, to normal levels and also reduces social avoidance and enhances sociability in murine models. In addition, Vafidemstat exhibits fast, strong and durable efficacy in several preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oryzon has already started Phase IIa clinical studies with Vafidemstat in patients with Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive MS (SATEEN), in patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimers disease (ETHERAL) and in aggressiveness in patients with different psychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders (basket trial REIMAGINE). About Iadademstat Iadademstat (ORY-1001) is a small oral molecule, which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme LSD1 and has a powerful differentiating effect in hematologic cancers (See Maes et al., Cancer Cell 2018 Mar 12; 33 (3): 495-511.e12.doi: 10.1016 / j.ccell.2018.02.002.). A first Phase I/IIa clinical trial with Iadademstat in refractory and relapsed acute leukemia patients demonstrated the safety and good tolerability of the drug and preliminary signs of antileukemic activity, including a CRi. Beyond hematological cancers, the inhibition of LSD1 has been proposed as a valid therapeutic approach in some solid tumors such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), medulloblastoma and others. Oryon has recently started two Phase IIa clinical trials of Iadademstat in combination; the first one in combination with Azacitidine in elderly AML patients (ALICE study) and the second one in combination with platinum/etoposide in second line SCLC patients (CLEPSIDRA study). FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzons securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzons securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements. MBABANE We cannot bow to politicians. This was said by Chief Justice (CJ) Bheki Maphalala yesterday, during the official opening of the High Court of Eswatini for the 2019 legal year. During his speech, Maphalala said there was a temptation on politicians not to grant what was being asked for, unless one agreed and submitted to being used by the politicians. The head of the judiciary said there was an individual in the previous government, who wondered how the judiciary would get what it wanted unless its officers reported to him. The chief justice said the individual in question used to say: Sitake sibone kutsi iJudiciary itakutsatsaphi loku naloku ngoba ayifuni kupota lana. Kufuna ipote lakitsi sitabese siyayinika lelekufunako. According to Maphalala, that was how things were done by the previous government. He said as the judiciary, they would not bow to politicians because the judiciary reports to the head of State. He said they would continue not to report to politicians. That is the only way we are going to maintain our independence. We wont bow to politicians, he said. He further implored the new government to work for the nation as opposed to serving their own interests. Maphalala also highlighted that the previous government did not support the judiciary in its bid to carry out its mandate. He said efforts of the judiciary to gain support from government were consistently and systematically undermined because of our resolve to protect the independence of the judiciary. The CJ mentioned that as the judiciary, they trusted that the new government would support their effort to execute their constitutional mandate in a none apologetic manner to armchair critics, and that they would listen to views of their stakeholders. Maphalala said despite the challenges faced by the judiciary, they were determined to execute their mandate as required by the Constitution. In 2018, according to Maphalala, the judiciary made successful strides to deliver on its mandate. He said His Majesty the King, had over the years, acceded to their request to appoint judges and that the continued escalation of new cases, coupled with the existing backlog of cases would see the Judiciary pleading for the appointment of additional judges. PIGGS PEAK The delay in delivering of food to schools is putting pupils health at a high risk of eating contaminated and rotten food. Some of the food supplied to schools was delivered last year around September. Though some of the schools still have the food from last year, head teachers are complaining that the food had become rotten due to improper storage. We need fresh food urgently, they said. This is the concern which some of the head teachers raised but declined to comment on record for fear of victimisation. We are still using the food we were given last year and some of it is not in good condition but what can we do? asked a head teacher. He said this was the situation in many schools in rural areas because unlike in urban areas, pupils there did not have breakfast at home. The head teachers said the food had already been stored in Matsapha for a long time before it was delivered to schools. It was already in a bad state when we received it, a head teacher from one of the local schools alleged. He wondered what caused the delay in delivering the food, adding that transport should not be a problem. The head teachers suggested that there were many private for hire vehicles which could be used to deliver the food to schools, so that pupils could have some healthy meals. They expressed concern that in some schools, the storage was very poor such that it was not right to keep the food for a long time. Our storage is usually damp because of the poor construction of the structures, so the food is now contaminated but we are forced to use it, said one of the head teachers. Problem He said the problem was mainly with the beans, as well as the mealie meal. Some of the schools are already contemplating asking for more money from parents for the purchasing of food. In these rural schools, it is impossible for us to teach without giving food to the pupils because for many, this is their only healthy meal, said another head teacher. The head teacher even suggested that he was willing to fetch the food than to wait. Apart from the challenges related to the rotting food, schools were operating normally at Piggs Peak. Pupils were in class and teachers were also seen conducting lessons. NKHABA A family of a 13-year-old girl is seething with anger as the man they allege raped her is still roaming the streets. According to the family of the Grade II pupil, a case was reported to the police around November 2018, however, nothing had been done to the suspect. The minor childs guardian *Zandile, alleged that on the day she reported the matter to the police, the child had disappeared from home until late. Sindi said the child was sent by her grandmother to fetch her money from a resident of the area, however, she never returned until late. The child returned home at around 7pm. When questioned, she claimed that she was delayed by her friend. But upon intense interrogation, she confided that she was delayed by *Musa who allegedly sexually abused her while on her way home, she alleged. Zandile claimed that that as a result of the confession, she took the child to the Mbabane Government Hospital for examination. She alleged that the doctor discovered that the child was sexually abused. It transpired that the child was neither infected nor pregnant as a condom was allegedly used during the commission of the offence, she said. The irate Sindi alleged that the doctor compiled a report and gave it to the police officers who were also present when the child was examined. The guardian further alleged that the one day, the suspect was accompanied by a neighbuor to apologise to the minors family. I told them that the horse had already bolted as the matter was reported to the police, she said. She claimed that the suspect had been seen countless times in the area since he allegedly committed the offence. Zandile said the police told her that the matter was under investigations since it was reported to them. Asked about the condition of the man whom she accused of raping the minor child, Sindi said: He is in a good state of mind. The fact that he asked for forgiveness showed that he knew what he did to the child. A person cannot just apologise for something he didnt know, she said. The guardian also revealed that the minor child in question was mentally unstable. The childs grandmother shared the same sentiments with Sindi, however, she said the childs guardian was in a better position to comment on the matter. Interviewed residents of the area also confirmed the matter and claimed that they feared taking action in fear for their lives. One of the elderly people interviewed alleged that some people of the area were corrupt such that young boys no longer respected old women who were old enough to be their mothers. MBABANE EmaSwati who intend to venture into business development will no longer worry about the stress of facing commercial rates in financial institutions for loans. That is if a move by the Centre For Financial Inclusion (CFI) to come up with a framework for technical assistance, coordination and monitoring & evaluation of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) will yield fruit. The CFI brought together representatives of the financial sector - private and public - to discuss a Development Finance Landscape Study, led by Professor Charles Adjasi from the Stellenbosch Business School. The study detailed how governments efforts to end poverty by stimulating job creation through development finance was affected by the non-coordination and non-capitalisation of organisations charged with distributing such finance. Regulatory The landscape report suggested the establishment of an institutional legislative framework that would provide a comprehensive regulatory and supervisory framework for the DFIs in line with the Financial Services Regulatory Act of 2010 and other relevant legislative provisions in the country. Giving a keynote address, Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Sizakele Dlamini said Eswatini needed a more vibrant development finance sector that would stimulate the participation of all segments of the population in meaningful economic activities. She said development finance had to provide the risk capital for economic development projects targeting development infrastructure, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, socio-economic development and technical assistance. I know that we already have a couple of institutions operating within the space and believe that the proposed legislation will address the bottlenecks that are making it difficult for these institutions to deliver on their mandate, she said. Effectiveness Dlamini said she was confident that the proposed framework would address the much needed support for the development of the institutional capacity to enhance the effectiveness and efficient delivery of the relevant institutions as well as provide for the facility to re-capitalise development finance institutions. Recover your password. A password will be e-mailed to you. Fort Worth, TX , Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- AppYea, Inc. (OTCPK: APYP, or the "Company") is pleased to announce that is has entered into a management agreement with Dallas, TX based management company Hempori, Inc. (Hempori) which will assist the Company in identifying and managing potential investments that the Company is seeking to make in various ventures and opportunities in the CBD Cannabidiol & Hemp Industry sectors. Since early 2018, we have been exploring the explosive opportunities in the Hemp and CBD space. Now that Congress and the President have signed off on the Farm Bill, the table is now set to make our move into these markets. We look forward to a great 2019 as well as our relationship with Hempori. The Company is pleased to announce this management agreement with Hempori led by Grant Magers who brings the business acumen, expertise, vision and vast experience that we need as we continue to pursue opportunities for the Company. Grant is also well admired among his peers and his experiences in this fast-paced Hemp and CBD Industry and will assist us tremendously this coming year as our Company seeks to identify expansion into various opportunities in the CBD and Hemp industry," stated Doug Mckinnon, AppYeas CEO. I am pleased to be working with APYP and positioning the entity for growth in the Hemp and CBD space. There are tremendous marketing opportunities in the retail, distribution, MLM, and direct sales channels. We will be working with APYP to develop those opportunities as well as adding new products and distribution, stated Grant Magers, CEO of Hempori. About Hempori The Hempori brand is active in the Hemp industry and has over 75 products that are sold in its own stores and other retail locations throughout the state of Texas, online via Hempori.com, and other online sales channels under development. Hempori is also in the process of developing additional unique proprietary products in the Hemp industry. In addition, the management team of Hempori provides private and public business development consulting services in the Hemp and CBD industries. Grant Magers is the CEO and Co-Founder of Hempori, Inc. and has multiple degrees including an MBA from Southern Methodist University as well as an MS and BA from Texas Tech University. As CEO of Hempori, Mr. Magers primary responsibility to his partners and shareholders is to grow profitability while maintaining operational efficiency, budgetary integrity, and legislative compliance. About AppYea, Inc. AppYea Inc., founded in 2012, is engaged in mobile applications for iOS, Google Play, and Amazon platforms and marketing certain products and services to healthcare providers. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Diagnostic Centers, Inc., AppYea markets comprehensive diagnostic testing services to physician offices, clinics, hospitals, long term care facilities, healthcare groups, and other healthcare providers. The Company is headquartered in Ft Worth, Texas and trades under the symbol APYP. For more information about AppYea, visit website: http://appyea.com/about/ This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond the control of management. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information respecting the factors that could materially affect the Company and its operations are contained in its annual report on Form 10K and Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. Salem, MO (65560) Today A mix of clouds and sun. Hot. High 91F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. The Real Jackie Kennedy Her style and grace were legendary, and her image came to define the 1960s. She captured the hearts of world leaders, fashion icons and people all over the planet, who knew her as Jackie Kennedy, Jacqueline Onassis, or simply Jackie O. But who was the real Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis? Take our quiz and find out. Take The Quiz DALLAS, TX, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- By growing fresh, gourmet-grade shrimp in an indoor environment, Natural Shrimp, Inc. (OTCQB: SHMP) is avoiding significant environmental problems that have plagued other means to grow and harvest shrimp. NaturalShrimp ( www.naturalshrimp.com ) is producing shrimp economically in an indoor all-natural environment that can be replicated anywhere in the world. Its patented technology (vibro suppression) ensures that harmful organisms cannot destroy the shrimp. Shrimp is the single most consumed seafood in the world, with nine billion pounds eaten annually. More than half of the worlds shrimp is produced in third world countries. Environmentalists have long been concerned that the steady stream of toxic chemicals and antibiotics from these farms, plus organic waste, pollutes groundwater and coastal estuaries. These shrimp farms also suffer with pathogen problems, as major outbreaks of disease spread as birds consume diseased shrimp and spread the pathogens miles away. These farms have had a devastating effect on trees, which have long served as buffers from storms, destabilizing entire coastal zones. A study by Consumer Reports found that among imported shrimp samples, there was serious contamination with antibiotics, some linked to cancer. The other method of harvesting shrimp also has significant environmental issues. Trawlers nets also capture tuna, mackerel, sea turtles and other animals, which are destroyed in the process. Environmentalists have long been concerned about the physical damage trawling does to the seabed, including destroying coral reefs. What we are bringing to not only the U.S., but internationally, is a safe way to grow shrimp that solves these major environmental problems. Ours is a disruptive revolution in the growing and harvesting of this vital seafood, said Bill G. Williams, Chairman and CEO of NaturalShrimp. About NaturalShrimp, Inc. NaturalShrimp, Inc. (OTCQB: SHMP) is a publicly traded aqua-tech Company headquartered in Dallas, Texas with production facilities located near San Antonio in LaCoste, Texas. The Company has developed the first commercially viable system for growing shrimp indoors using patented technology that produces fresh, never-frozen, naturally grown shrimp without the use of antibiotics or toxic chemicals. NaturalShrimp systems are self-contained, saltwater production facilities that can be located anywhere in the world to produce gourmet-grade Pacific White Shrimp. RTHK: Trump, Pelosi agree on State of Union speech date The top Democrat in Congress said on Monday that President Donald Trump has agreed on February 5 as the new date to deliver his State of the Union address, now that the US government has fully reopened. The date is just 10 days before the deadline for lawmakers and the president to agree on a border security package that averts a subsequent government shutdown. "I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to Trump, saying they had mutually agreed on the date. Pelosi had originally invited Trump to deliver his speech this Tuesday, but withdrew the invitation over security concerns during the government shutdown and told the president there would be no address to Congress until federal operations resumed. The spat between the president and his main adversary in Congress came at the height of the partial government shutdown that left some 800,000 federal workers without pay for five weeks. The employees will be paid retroactively, but the disruption caused the US economy to take an US$11 billion hit, the independent Congressional Budget Office said in a report on Monday. Trump had insisted that Congress fund his long-sought wall on the US border with Mexico to the tune of US$5.7 billion, declaring it a top national security priority. But Pelosi and her Democrats stood refused to budge. Trump eventually blinked, and signed a temporary measure opening the government's shuttered agencies, but only until February 15. If the opposing sides have not come to an agreement on a plan for US border security by that date, the same agencies could be shut down once more. Trump at the weekend signaled that border wall negotiations "will not be easy," with "both parties very dug in." "Only fools, or people with a political agenda, don't want a Wall or Steel Barrier to protect our Country from Crime, Drugs and Human Trafficking," he tweeted Saturday. "It will happen - it always does!" Shortly before Pelosi made her letter to Trump public, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said at a press briefing that the president "looks forward to addressing the American people" in his annual speech before Congress. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Sterling Heights, MI (48312) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. With the development of new technologies in the area of AI, many companies are jumping into the field with both eyes wide open. It is very possible that artificial intelligent androids will work alongside their human companions in the future. They will not only work in the same office or building but also independently in their own home. Artificial intelligence has opened up many doors in the past and looks to continue that pace in the future. There are several reasons as to why companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, IBM and others are all jumping into the pool The Portuguese government has drawn up a contingency plan to limit disruption for British tourists travelling to the country following deepening uncertainty around the impact of Brexit on British travel. With Britain due to leave the EU on the 29th March 2019 and a no-deal Brexit seeming increasingly likely, Turismo de Portugal s London Office has announced plans made by the Portuguese Government to combat potential disruption of British tourists visiting Portugal. Image credit: Skitterphoto on Pexels Following Brexit, the United Kingdom will be considered a third country , meaning that British passport holders will not be permitted to use the fast-track queues used by EU and EEA citizens at airports. Portugal's contingency plan aims to combat this by installing dedicated passport control areas or lanes for UK flights landing in Portugal. Additionally, despite it being unclear what will happen post-Brexit in terms of a healthcare agreement, Portugal will continue to allow Brits to use the Portuguese health service. Travellers visiting for up to 90 days will be exempt from visa requirements and will benefit from similar passenger security taxes. Their UK travel insurance policies will also be valid. There will also be simplified requirements for UK nationals pets. In the event of leaving the EU with no deal, UK motorists are advised to obtain International Driving Permits (IDPs) if they want to drive in EU-member states. However, if Portugal chooses to recognise British driving licenses, the IDP will not be a requirement, making car rental much easier. Tourismo de Portugal hopes that British tourists will continue to feel welcome in Portugal and share in the beauty of their country. View this post on Instagram . Fire door, Bataclan A post shared by Banksy (@banksy) on Jun 28, 2018 at 1:00pm PDT The revered white stencil depicts a young girl staring forlornly to the floor as if in mourning. It appeared last June in response to the Islamic State terrorist attack in November 2015 that resulted in the death of 90 people, with Banksy confirming its authenticity on Instagram.The Bataclan mass shooting was one of many coordinated attacks across Paris, leaving 130 people dead and over 350 people injured. The theft, that occurred on the night of Friday 25th, was reportedly carried out by a group of hooded individuals armed with angle grinders that then cut the painting out of the emergency door, transporting it away in a truck, according to local news sources. The concert venue tweeted an emotional statement: Banksys work, a symbol of recollection and belonging to all: locals, Parisians, citizens of the world has been taken from us, the Bataclan reports, we are today filled with deep indignation.Earlier this month, one of Banksys newer works Seasons Greetings found in Port Talbot, Wales, was sold to a private art dealer for a six-figure fee. John Brandler of Brandler Galleries in Essex purchased the mural of a child playing in fallen ash as if it was snow, believed to be a criticism of the pollution levels from a nearby steel plant. Brandler has guaranteed that the graffiti kept in its original positioning for a minimum of two years, allowing visitors to see the Banksy in its genuine setting. The search for the missing artwork is ongoing. San Francisco, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Since founded, The Reputation Management Company has slowly expanded its services to offer business and individuals assistance managing their online reputation. They recently announced that they will be offering full service options for those people in the state of California. The company the expansion will lead to many business relationships in the Golden State. The Reputation Management Company was founded in Lindon, Utah, and it has grown into one of the true leaders online when it comes to managing reputations, removing negative comments and handling all reviews. Businesses can really suffer from negative publicity online, especially if it is entirely made up. Expanding into California is something that the company has been focused on for quite a while. They understand that the market in California is huge, and there are many businesses out there who are in need of some type of help with online reputation management. Initially, the company hopes to focus on doing the same type of things and that has made them successful so far in the early stages of the business. That means taking a personal approach to helping all different clients with different backgrounds. Instead of treating all their clients like just another number, the plan is to offer a personal service that can be very beneficial and also yield results quickly. Along with the State of California, the company is hoping to secure business relationships with others in different states and even worldwide. Thanks to working exclusively on online reputation management, work can be done remotely and people can benefit locally. Customers who wish to meet with The Reputation Management Company can either do so by scheduling an appointment at the offices in Lindon, or do a phone interview at any time. Along with the announcement of expansion, future and existing customers will also notice that there will be no changes to the overall cost of the service. There was some initial thought that perhaps this would be coupled with an announcement of higher prices overall. The company is adamant about keeping prices the same to not only reward existing customers, but to expand at a more rapid pace to stay ahead of the competition. Reputation Management San Francisco in particular is one of the toughest markets to break into. With so many start ups in one area, there will be a lot of competition when it comes to securing deals with new clients. The Reputation Management Company is putting their own reputation on the line to show that they are in a different class with all the services they provide. Overall, this is the biggest expansion announcement yet for the start up company. They felt it is the necessary step to take things to the next level as a business in general. With clients already in different states, the natural choice for the biggest expansion move was California. They are officially open for business, effective immediately, in the state of California for any type of business or individual looking for a solution to their problems. Salida, CO (81201) Today Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 56F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. 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 Plano, Texas, Jan. 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PLANO, Texas (Jan. 29, 2019) JCPenney (NYSE: JCP) announced today that its global in-house center (GIC) in Bangalore, India, has received a Platinum LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, rating by the U.S. Green Business Council (USGBC). USGBC is committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through LEED, the leading program for green buildings and communities worldwide. It is an exciting accomplishment for JCPenney Bangalore to be recognized globally for achievements in sustainability, said Steven Martin, vice president, information technology operations and support and managing director of JCPenney Services India. We believe our associates are at the heart of all we do and receiving a Platinum LEED-certified rating reinforces our commitment to providing the best workplace environment for our associates. Employing approximately 630 associates in its Bangalore office, JCPenney has taken many steps to drive sustainability by improving the indoor environmental quality to save energy, water and resources, generating less waste and supporting human health. Overall, the office space boasts a 35 percent total in energy savings, helping reduce costs of operation and boost associate productivity. Furthermore, providing a green office environment has helped increase associate satisfaction, improving retention and contributing to less absenteeism among associates in Bangalore. The JCPenney GIC is the only commercial office interior located within the Manayata Embassy Business Park to secure a Platinum LEED certification by the USGBC and Indias largest LEED v4 Platinum certified project under the Interior Design and Construction (ID+C: CI) rating. The LEED Platinum rating also highlighted JCPenney Bangalores following achievements: 81 percent water savings through recycled water usage and efficient systems including dual flush, low flush, low flow, etc. 36 percent reduction of carbon emission by providing lower emitting office materials and company managed employee transportation, including public buses, bicycles, car pool services and privately operated ride shares. 15 percent energy savings through 100 percent LED lighting and efficient IT & non-IT equipment. In addition to the USGBC Platinum rating, the GIC was recently recognized with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 41001:2018 Certificate of Compliance from the British Standards Institution (BSI). BSI Group India found JCPenney Bangalore to excel in facility management services, noting the Companys focus on occupational health and safety initiatives, compliance obligations and business continuity objectives. JCPenney Media Relations : (972) 431-3400 or jcpnews@jcp.com About JCPenney : J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), one of the nations largest apparel and home retailers, combines an expansive footprint of over 860 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico with a powerful ecommerce site, jcp.com, to deliver style and value for all hard-working American families. At every touchpoint, customers will discover stylish merchandise at incredible value from an extensive portfolio of private, exclusive and national brands. Reinforcing this shopping experience is the customer service and warrior spirit of approximately 98,000 associates across the globe, all driving toward the Company's mission to help customers find what they love for less time, money and effort. For additional information, please visit jcp.com. ### Oil City, PA (16301) Today Scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High 83F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Born and raised in Marseille, France, Jean-Fabrice Brunel says being an entrepreneur is just part of his DNA. At 50 years of age, he has never once been employed. He always creates his own projects and hires a team to develop them. Ive always loved a new challenge and the freedom that business gives. I started to do business and earn money at the age of 16 and never stopped, year by year motivated by new initiatives and new opportunities, he said. Brunel has made quite a name for himself in France and around the world. Founder of the multi-million-dollar corporation LAgence Telecom, Brunel is a pioneer in mobility technology consulting, specializing in the synthesis of telecom and IT. He is an industry leader in his native country and provides countless other businesses with his guidance and advice as a shareholder. Brunel began his career founding the company H A Reve. The company had the aim of doing real estate prospection and technologies audits for group building and managing specialized retirement homes and specialized handicap homes. H A Reve and GDP Vendome, one of the biggest retirement home groups in France, formed a partnership called SARL Vallons de lOriol and SCI Vallons de Marseille, which involved working together to provide the latest and most economic technologies in terms of energy savings technologies. It was in a constant quest of technologies that allow the user to cap their own expenditure each month. Brunel is used as a consultant for these groups in terms of automation in disability to help people to have an e-independence. At first, the aim was for households, but behavior and the routine of individuals are obstacles that current technologies have thus far not been able to overcome. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are widely known to be the main contributor to the global warming phenomenon, I realized that groups managing residential homes for dependent people, such as retirement homes and specialized handicap homes, were the perfect target to implement utilities saving technologies with a Home Automation Managing System, he said. Environmentally friendly technology is a passion of Brunel, and he knows the importance of reducing his ecological footprint in todays modern world. Across the pond, he is working on an initiative with the LLC Massilia Musketeers to develop an eco-house, a shining example of what people can achieve with the correct technology and mindset. Im really into real estate and investment. I love building a new project, and the combination of real estate, architecture and the implementation of the technologies Im working on, is something that is very exciting for me, he said. The future house will be a 9000 square foot house with two pools on two acres of land and will be in accordance to the California Government Project of Green California, aimed to reduce its footprint through sustainable state government operations and practices, including energy efficient state building design and construction. Greenhouse gas emissions are widely known to be the main contributor to the global warming phenomenon. A new generation of energy-saving technologies and systems has been developed to counter this problem. These technologies are creating new markets and opportunities for households who are intent on lowering their energy consumption. Smart thermostats, smart meters, other smart monitoring systems and domestic solar panels are being introduced, marketed and sold as products for the common household, said Brunel. The house will feature new, innovative technologies that might help curb household carbon emissions; a main contributor to global warming, via AT Technologies development of SMARTILITYTM, yet another one of Brunels groundbreaking ventures. It was a hard job because I had to gather people from many different worlds, such as architects, designers, politicians, engineers, utilities companies, investors and so on, but I love working on this project because its a challenge, and everyone likes working together, he said. The house will open in the course of the first quarter of 2020, and it sounds like something that should inspire many to take similar steps for a greener future. Written by Annabelle Lee Published on Jan. 28th, 2019 Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. The PC hardware company Nvidia has shaved 19 percent off its estimates for Q4 revenue ahead of next months financial reveal, dropping the estimate from $2.7 billion to $2.2 billion. The company had, as reported by Ars Technica, already endured a dip in demand following a decrease in cryptocurrency interest, but this latest reduction is driven primarily by lower-than-expected sales of its RTX GPU line and some amount of economic uncertainties. Nvidia now says that sales of the RTX line were below the companys initial expectations, something that could boil down to the fact that not many released games have taken advantage of some RTX-exclusive features quite yet. As pointed out by Ars, currently Battlefield V is the only PC game on the market that makes use of the RTXs raytracing tech. "These products deliver a revolutionary leap in performance and innovation with real-time raytracing and AI, but some customers may have delayed their purchase while waiting for lower price points and further demonstrations of RTX technology in actual games," explains Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in a letter to investors. Those aforementioned economic uncertainties hit both the consumer and datacenter segments of Nvidia's usual business. "As we worked through Q4, the global economy decelerated sharply, particularly in China, affecting consumer demand for Nvidia gaming GPUs," explains Huang. Later on in the letter, he notes that a handful of deals for companies that handle things like cloud computing or deep learning AI models failed to close toward the end of the quarter as "customers around the world became increasingly cautious due to economic uncertainties." Get complete access to all of the news and special sections included in the bi-weekly print editions, plus additional online-only features like breaking news, searchable archives of past editions and more! You will receive immediate access to our site after submitting your order. Rate Information The $39 and $20 rates reflect the cost of an online-only subscription. The $5 and $3 rates reflect the cost to add an online subscription to your active and current print subscription. Your print subscription must be (and remain) paid to current in order to qualify for the $5 and $3 discounted online subscription rates. If you pay for a discounted rate and do not qualify for it, the amount you paid will be assessed at the online-only rate and your online subscription will be terminated when your payment has been used in full. Important Additional Information Please provide your phone number in the Notes box in case we need to contact you about your order. Please note: An online subscription is valid for a single household/business use only. Any violation of this policy will result in cancelation of internet subscription and forfeiture of subscription money. **We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.** Blackshear, GA (31516) Today Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 73F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Missouri State University will resume the administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID- Read more Nine copper miners missing after quake hits Poland Warsaw, Jan 29 (AFP) Jan 29, 2019 Rescuers were searching for nine copper miners reported missing Tuesday after a tremor at the Rudna mine in south-west Poland, its operator KGHM said. "There were 32 people in the danger zone, currently nine are missing. Seven workers were taken to hospital for tests," the company said on Twitter. Five miners had been found since KGHM earlier put the number of missing at 14, and were being brought to the surface, company spokeswoman Lidia Marcinkowska-Bartkowiak told broadcaster TVN24. KGHM said the tremor occurred around lunchtime some 770 metres (2,526 feet) underground. According to the US Geological Survey, a magnitude 4.1 quake struck near the southwestern village of Grebocice. Rudna is Europe's largest copper mine and one of the biggest in the world. It has 11 operating shafts, the deepest of which is 1,25 kilometres (0.77 miles) deep. In late 2016, a quake at the mine killed eight miners. via-amj/mlr Four dead, 195 injured in Havana tornado Havana, Jan 29 (AFP) Jan 29, 2019 A rare and powerful tornado has devastated sections of Havana, killing four people and injuring 195, as it overturned cars, uprooted trees and destroyed dozens of homes. A shaken resident, recalling a night of terror, said she clutched her daughter and crouched down in her kitchen as the tornado came roaring in Sunday night. "It was as if rocks were falling -- it was hail -- and I felt things beginning to fall. It lifted my entire roof and took everything away," said a sobbing Canaima Hernandez, 36. Hernandez's Havana neighborhood, Regla, was one of the hardest hit by the tornado, which state media said was comparable in strength to the most powerful hurricanes. Residents picked their way through overturned vehicles, collapsed walls, overturned lampposts and uprooted trees. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who confirmed the latest toll on Monday, toured the city's darkened streets visiting emergency crews, wrote on Twitter that damage was "severe." - Night of terror - In the city's Luyano neighborhood, storm debris -- including parts of a balcony ripped off an old building -- blocked the streets. As emergency sirens blared across the city, firefighters and ambulances rushed about on rescue missions, their flashing lights illuminating blacked out areas. Diaz-Canel said that several emergency teams were working hard to restore power to those areas. At the Hijas de Galicia maternity hospital, staff were forced to evacuate the building due to storm damage. The tornado, spawned by a powerful storm that originated in the Gulf of Mexico, hit western Cuba with winds of up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) per hour. "Islanders are used to these warnings, but they did not suspect the magnitude of what was approaching," said Granma, the Communist Party daily. People described the tornado as having "the sound of a jet engine," and reported feeling changes in the environmental pressure when it arrived, Armando Caymares with the Institute of Meteorology said. The tornado "caught me in the street, in the car with my wife and children," actor Luis "Panfilo" Silva wrote on his social media account. "I had to dodge fallen trees, flooded areas and strong winds until I managed to get home. We experienced great fear," he wrote. Francisco Sotolongo said it was a good thing the tornado's impact only lasted seconds, "because if it lasted a minute there would be nothing left here." High winds sent seawater surging over the city's famed Malecon esplanade and several meters into the city. The western provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa and Mayabeque also were affected by the storm. Bihar lifts ban on Fish imports from AP Amaravati, January 29th: Bihar officials have lifted the ban on fish imports from Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday after verifying various facilities in the state. Bihar has banned the sale of fish brought into the state from Andhra Pradesh over concerns that the fish may contain formalin, a known carcinogen. The ban has been imposed for 15 days in Bihar's capital city Patna after formalin was detected in some of the consignments brought from Andhra Pradesh. Formalin, a cancer-inducing chemical, is used to preserve the fish and is also used in preserving dead bodies. Sanjay Sinha, the Principal Secretary of Bihar's Health Department, told the media earlier this week that ban will continue on sale, storage and transportation of fish from Andhra Pradesh, as well as fish brought in from West Bengal, after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of a high content of formalin and heavy metals like lead and cadmium in the consignments. Earlier, Bihar government agencies have decided to randomly collect fish samples from different districts of the state and get those tested. AP Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu immediately responded on this issue. Fisheries and Health Department officials along with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) authorities inspected various facilities in AP and lifed the ban on Tuesday. News Posted: 29 January, 2019 Bristol indie Icon Films has restructured three senior management roles. Harry Marshall takes the role of Chairman, Laura Marshall, formerly MD takes the role of CEO and Stephen McQuillan, formerly Head of Factual, has been promoted to the role of Creative Director. Harry Marshall, co-founder of Icon Films with Laura Marshall and creator of global factual series River Monsters, Primal Survivor and Savage Kingdom which he co-created with Brad Bestelink will focus on environmental projects. Stephen McQuillan, creator of Legend Hunter and Andrew Marr: My Brain and Me will assume day to day responsibility for development and production across Icon Films broad range of programming, working closely with Head of Development Matthew Clifton, who joined the company in October 2018. Icon Films Chairman Harry Marshall said Environmental programming has always been at our core and now could not be a more important time to tell these stories. Icon Films Creative Director Stephen McQuillan said: Im incredibly excited about becoming Creative Director at Icon Films at time when everything is aligned for us to build on our existing track record, both in the UK and US. Laura Marshall said This restructure supports the growth of the company and its key personnel to allow us to take advantage of the thriving UK and International media landscape Im really looking forward to working with Harry and Stephen in their new roles. Recent Icon Films productions include Jeremy Wades Mighty Rivers for Animal Planet, currently airing on ITV in the UK, Animal Airport for More 4, Savage Kingdom for National Geographic, Legend Hunter for Travel Channel and The Flood for Nat Geo Wild. Julie Smith, the new NC State assistant vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development, stands for a portrait at Holladay Hall on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. Smith is a Park Scholar and NC State alum. She is very excited and proud to work with her alma mater. Erica Duncan, who graduated with a bachelors in electrical engineering, attached a circuit and LED lights to her graduation cap for Fall 2018 Commencement. "I came to NC State and graduated in 2010 with a degree in math education, and I taught for five years, Duncan said. I came back and it took me three years to graduate with an electrical engineering degree. The ceremony, which saw the graduation of 3,449 students, took place in PNC Arena on Dec. 19, 2018. Thank you for Reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and Purchase a Subscription to continue reading. 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 ... What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 712-243-2624 or email circ@ant-news.com. Trip Report Lekker time on Yellowwood Amphitheatre, Du Toits kloof, South Africa by by Gymnogene Tuesday January 29, 2019 3:03pm Luckily when someday arrived, January 2018, WildX was holidaying in Cape Town and because he didnt know about the walk in I could convince him to join me on Smalblaar ridge which I told him is the best introduction to how not to die on Yellowwood. We followed Snorts how to Yellowwood to the word, even leaving hexes behind, which off course brought about serious comments every time we came across perfect hex placements. But we finished Smallblaar and the sun only hit us once we were on top and then proceeded to burn us off the mountain. The walk down was painful and very unenjoyful making WildX declare that he will never come back, while I was just trying to not cry from the pain in my knees. This time, January 2019, I couldnt believe it when WildX wanted to join me again, and I had to talk him out of trying Divine Time, saying that after the suffering of last year lets do Lekker Time(lekker is a South African word loosly translated as great or awesome) and see if weve really got what it takes to do one of the looong routes. Our time in Cape Town coincided with a partly cloudy 20C Du Toits Kloof forecast so we got up earlier, took even less gear, making sure we carried nothing unnecessary and tried beating the sun on a longer and more difficult route. We left the car in the dark, unable to see the first land mark, the electricity pylon. But maybe because weve been there before or because of proper cairns along the way we easily found the path. The day was cool and the walking easier than we remembered. Ching chong cha(rock paper scissors) and WildX sets out on the first pitch at 7:30. Starting on pitch 1 Starting on pitch 1 Credit: Gymnogene Starting out on pitch 2 Starting out on pitch 2 Credit: Gymnogene Wild X led pitches 6 and 7. Airy pitch 6 Airy pitch 6 Credit: Gymnogene Last pitch Last pitch Credit: Gymnogene Having first lunch on top of the route Having first lunch on top of the route Credit: Gymnogene Wild X at the start of the rappel route Wild X at the start of the rappel route Credit: Gymnogene We had a lekker easy day, arriving back at the car at 3oclock, leisurely driving back to Cape Town, when the only serious event of the day arose when we got a flat tire in a road works area of the highway. There was a concrete barrier on the yellow line so no space to pull into to leave the lane open. But the concrete barrier had two pieces missing that we pulled into, parking between the yellow line and a meter deep trench dug next to the highway. Wild X changed the tire with no space to spare between the car and traffic in the left lane. That tire change was awful! I only found my Peninsula Select (a heavy! route guide book for Cape Town) in the zipped pocket under my packs top the next day. So much for carrying only essentials. From Snorts posts about new routes at Yellowwood and the route guide he has put together of the area I gathered that climbing there was not a straight forward day out, but his enthusiasm for the place made me promise myself that I will go climb there someday.Luckily when someday arrived, January 2018, WildX was holidaying in Cape Town and because he didnt know about the walk in I could convince him to join me on Smalblaar ridge which I told him is the best introduction to how not to die on Yellowwood.We followed Snorts how to Yellowwood to the word, even leaving hexes behind, which off course brought about serious comments every time we came across perfect hex placements. But we finished Smallblaar and the sun only hit us once we were on top and then proceeded to burn us off the mountain. The walk down was painful and very unenjoyful making WildX declare that he will never come back, while I was just trying to not cry from the pain in my knees.This time, January 2019, I couldnt believe it when WildX wanted to join me again, and I had to talk him out of trying Divine Time, saying that after the suffering of last year lets do Lekker Time(lekker is a South African word loosly translated as great or awesome) and see if weve really got what it takes to do one of the looong routes.Our time in Cape Town coincided with a partly cloudy 20C Du Toits Kloof forecast so we got up earlier, took even less gear, making sure we carried nothing unnecessary and tried beating the sun on a longer and more difficult route. We left the car in the dark, unable to see the first land mark, the electricity pylon. But maybe because weve been there before or because of proper cairns along the way we easily found the path. The day was cool and the walking easier than we remembered.Ching chong cha(rock paper scissors) and WildX sets out on the first pitch at 7:30.I decide to combine pitch 2 and 3 to try and save some time.It was cold and windy, we had to climb with jackets on, but that is better than unbearable heat. Then, on the big ledge, seeing the next two pitches, I felt bad that it looked like I combined the best two pitches of the route and offered my climbing partner that I will do the next two and he could lead the last two which looked better from where we stood. So I combined pitches 4 and 5, we had to simul-climb about 10meters to get this right, as the two pitches together is longer than 60meters, exactly like the route guide stipulates.Wild X led pitches 6 and 7.The 7th pitch was the only place we werent sure where to go, but got it exactly right after WildX found a chalked layback jug under the roof.We had a quick bite to eat on the ledge that leads down to the Timerity abseil(bolted rappel route). By the time we were at the bolts the wind had picked up and our ropes were blowing all over. But the abseils were uneventful and we were at the base finishing all the food and water we had(second lunch) before the walk down.We had a lekker easy day, arriving back at the car at 3oclock, leisurely driving back to Cape Town, when the only serious event of the day arose when we got a flat tire in a road works area of the highway. There was a concrete barrier on the yellow line so no space to pull into to leave the lane open. But the concrete barrier had two pieces missing that we pulled into, parking between the yellow line and a meter deep trench dug next to the highway. Wild X changed the tire with no space to spare between the car and traffic in the left lane. That tire change was awful!I only found my Peninsula Select (a heavy! route guide book for Cape Town) in the zipped pocket under my packs top the next day. So much for carrying only essentials. Trip Report Views: 1,553 Gymnogene About the Author Gymnogene is a trad climber from Pretoria, across the atlantic. Comments clode Trad climber portland, or Jan 29, 2019 - 03:25pm PT Nice job! Neat looking scenery. Is that sedimentary rock, like limestone, or metasedimentary rock, like gneiss? Gymnogene Trad climber across the atlantic Author's Reply Jan 29, 2019 - 03:41pm PT It is sandstone fgw climber portland, or Jan 29, 2019 - 03:56pm PT Nice! Were there right after Xmas 2017 & climbed both of those fun routes. Things were still smoldering a day after a fire scorched much of the approach. So many big & uncrowded objectives right outside of Cape Town while all the visiting climbers are gunning for Table Mtn. thebravecowboy climber The Good Places Jan 29, 2019 - 04:23pm PT totally lekker! what'dya bring for lunches? elevation at yer crag? http://www.climbing.co.za/wiki/Yellowwood_Amphitheatre what's up with the local flora and fauna there? any pokey or particular best-avoided critters in the cracks and on ledges? Reilly Mountain climber The Other Monrovia- CA Jan 29, 2019 - 04:43pm PT You can sit in the grass there without something biting you? Gymnogene Trad climber across the atlantic Author's Reply Jan 29, 2019 - 04:52pm PT @cowboy we had left over barbeque meat and sausage, boiled eggs and some tinned sardines. this from the route guide: "There is no track record of anyone being attacked by wild life or insects at Yellowwood. Leopards are endemic to the area and are spotted from time to time. Read Johann Lanz account of the first ascent of African Time in this regard. Baboons will bark at you and you may see scorpions and snakes. I have never had any insects bother me other than the odd fly. Theoretically there should be many puff adders but in all the years of climbing there I have only seen one tiny one all curled up and minding its own business at the start of the 4th pitch of Fantastic Time from the halfway ledge." There is a plant called blister bush in the Western Cape mountains that secretes a photo sensitive sap. If you touch the plant and then expose the area to sunlight it forms painful blisters but they are easily recognised and avoided. regarding elevation, also from the route guide: "The approach to Yellowwood Amphitheatre involves an 840m elevation hike starting at 360m above sea level to the base of the main amphitheatre that is at 1,200m. The main wall then continues vertically top out at just below 1,500m above sea level." thebravecowboy climber The Good Places Jan 29, 2019 - 04:48pm PT thanks for a view to that exotic (to me) outing! do post up again next time you get out! MH2 Boulder climber Andy Cairns Jan 30, 2019 - 06:22pm PT Baie lekker. Thank you. Reilly Mountain climber The Other Monrovia- CA Jan 30, 2019 - 06:34pm PT Cool! It looks fun climbing. Were used to barking baboons on this website. My wife is from Cameroun, you dont lie in the grass there. Ezra Ellis Trad climber North wet, and Da souf Jan 31, 2019 - 03:46am PT Good stuff, Cloud cover can be a savior. Thanks mouse from merced Trad climber The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle. Jan 31, 2019 - 05:03am PT Very cool report. Being in the N. Hemisphere, it took me a few to answer the subliminal question WHY THE HEAT? Our thanks to the WildX, too. Reilly exaggerates, he's the only baboon here. donini Trad climber Ouray, Colorado Jan 31, 2019 - 05:22am PT Sweet! Some righteous runouts in those pics. Rustie climber Coeur d\\\\\\\'Alene Feb 5, 2019 - 02:31pm PT Bei danke me kerels (excuse the grammar). Yup.......that's a big mountain! Is Yellowwood Canyon anywhere near the classic NW Frontal? Good to see some pictures of Real climbing.......... Reilly Mountain climber The Other Monrovia- CA Feb 7, 2019 - 09:33am PT So, gymno, despite having some SA friends here in LaLa Land I am ashamedly ignorant about SA. Im finally planning a trip there and I just read: There are leopards in the Kogelberg, Groenlandberg and Hottentots-Holland mountains though note that they are far smaller than the leopards of Kruger due to a restricted diet. There are still leopards in the Cape Mts surprisingly close to Cape Town. So your lolling in the grass was far more dangerous than you let on! The Fynbos Guy does demur that there are only 5 species of deadly poisonous snakes. LOL Cant wait! (I actually love snakes) micronut Trad climber Fresno/Clovis, ca Feb 7, 2019 - 12:00pm PT Nice work lads. I had to GOOGLE the word lekker. Lekker: Adj; "Tasty/yummy." Its a Dutch word/phrase. Look....Supertopo teaches me something new every day. Reilly Mountain climber The Other Monrovia- CA Feb 7, 2019 - 12:14pm PT Lek is a germanic root which in Norwegian/Swedish (my German is non-existent) means play. A lek in the ornithology world is a place boids gather to strut their stuff and hook up. Gymnogene Trad climber across the atlantic Author's Reply Feb 8, 2019 - 08:14am PT Thanks everyone. Rustie, forgive me for saying so but your Afrikaans is a bit rusty. Yes, Yellowwood is in the same valley as NW Frontal, very close but a different peak. If you are the Rusty Baillie, then I know of you! Reilly! A South African trip is a great idea! I can gaurantee you won't see a leopard or a snake in the wild while you're in SA. Although these guys might have a different opinion http://www.climbing.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6887&p=39454&hilit=leopard#p39454 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... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz 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. The founding fathers allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person giving the slave states more representation. Of course, slaves could not vote. Does that sound like an idea from a genius? The defenders of a system that allows minority rule are deeply biased. Within states, there are big cities that dominate state elections. Should state elections be reduced to county elections, with each county added up to see who got more counties? No, of course not. We are the United States not separate states. Feed tests reveal lower digestibility New seasonal feed quality test results showing the stark differences between wet and dry seasons have underlined the need for end users to measure and know what they are feeding. We are also deeply concerned about participants in federal nutrition programs, specifically the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). There are early indications from Congress that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will have enough funding to provide March SNAP. However, the early issuance of February SNAP benefits on or before January 20 has created a SNAP gap that is likely to cause financial strain for SNAP participants. This is because they will experience, at a minimum, nearly 40 days between the issuance of February and March SNAP benefits. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released an analysis of this challenge. "I'm determining whether or not I should run, and if I do run, it will have to be an unprecedented grass-roots effort, never before seen in American history. I'm proud of what we accomplished last time, in attracting hundreds of thousands of volunteers. But we'd have to do even better this time. And the reason for that is that we will take on the entire establishment. That means, in a very bold way, taking on Wall Street, because the kind of concentration of major banks is extraordinary, and something we don't talk about. It means taking on the fossil fuel industry, because they cannot continue to profit as they release carbon into the atmosphere and continue to destroy the planet. It makes taking on the insurance companies and the drug companies as we fight for Medicare for All. It means taking on, obviously, the Republican establishment, it means taking on the Democratic establishment, and it means taking on the president. That's a lot of people." At Surterra, we strive to ensure that patients have access to the highest quality, most natural, and consistent cannabis treatments in every corner of the state, just as weve done every day since being named as one of the original five organizations awarded a medical cannabis license. Weve been successful because Floridians have been clear in their support for our efforts, with a recent poll showing that nearly 75 percent of Florida voters support Florida's medical cannabis laws. It also gives Deutch a forum to pursue the case of a constituent, Bob Levinson of Coral Springs, who went missing in 2007. Levinson is a former agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI, and was working for the CIA when he went to Kish Island, an Iranian resort island in the Persian Gulf. Among the issues Kaplan said the court challenge could raise are whether a suspension is appropriate for a new governor or only the governor at the time the alleged neglect of duty or incompetency rose, whether or not a newly elected governor could come in after the fact and utilize this removal process as a house cleaning tool to undermine the integrity of the democratic process to allow the voters to decide as to whether or not Scott Israel should remain or should be voted out. The former vice president mourned the loss of civility, in politics and in society at large. He said his reputation for getting along well with Republicans something that some progressive activists dont like stems from what he learned when he arrived in the Senate in 1973. "Throughout our careers as officers, we have incidents that really, really touch our hearts and stay with you throughout your careers," Elcock said at a news conference. "This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time." The girlfriend said Grant had gone downhill since his family found out about his relationship with a Bulgarian woman, and that he was using the stolen money to pay to talk with her. He had also recently been kicked out of nurse anesthetist school. In her statement, Bucher said: "The laws and our Constitution need to be changed. Florida elected officials should not be afraid to express their views and stand strong for their constituents without fear of being removed from office through fabricated allegations which would not stand up in a court of law. There should be minimum standards for removal of elected officials by a Governor so that political agendas are not the only reason." The failure to act jeopardizes our vitality as a state, the governor said. Look at what happened this past summer with the red tide in places like southwest Florida. It wasnt just that it didnt look good. It had an economic effect. It had an effect on the quality of life. The algae blooms have had an effect on property values. And of course the Everglades has been something weve been talking about for a long time. There have been steps taken, but I think people really want to see this brought to fruition. We are not aware of anyone else becoming ill and continue to be engaged with the Department of Health to ensure we have all of the right processes in place to protect our cast members and guests, she added. We as a community do not officially support anyone. We hope and pray that there will be peace in the country and no violence. As of now, there are a few thousand Jews in the country, and for Jews, the situation is tolerable. The government tries to respect us and gives us freedom to live as Jews. There are synagogues, schools and all the Jewish services are fine. It disturbs us that there are no diplomatic relations with Israel, he says. Halber, who said that his own community hasnt really had to contend with one of its own members aligning or partnering with an anti-Zionist group, said that this could indeed be a future challenge. This is all very new, and the situation they dealt with was rather unique. Time will tell whether it really is a local issue that Boston had to deal with or whether something other JCRCs could extrapolate from. The Egyptian official emphasized that it was made clear to Haniyeh and the heads of Hamas that Cairo would not lay the groundwork for Qatars moves in Gaza, and Egypt has no intention of intervening in the event a military confrontation breaks out in Gaza because Hamas is looking the other way at the Palestinian Islamic Jihads provocations that come at the orders of Tehran. Evidence points also to Hezbollahs responsibility for the bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992, in which 29 people were killed, and more than 200 wounded. Argentine authorities charged Imad Mughniyah, Hezbollahs infamous former military commander, who also masterminded the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983. (He was killed in Damascus in 2008 in what may have been a joint Israeli/U.S. operation). It's also important to recall some history. Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, gradually strangled Venezuela's democratic institutions since Chavez first came to power in 1999. Over the past two decades, leading opposition figures have been jailed, news outlets have been shuttered and the courts have been packed. In 2015, the Maduro regime responded to the opposition winning two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly by stripping the legislature of its power and creating a new one. It's no mystery why so many countries in Latin America did not recognize Maduro's snap election last year. Having my whole family with me throughout this entire journey has been so important, the 18-year-old said in last weeks episode of the show which showed the first part of her surgery. The second part aired 9 p.m. Tuesday. From the beginning they have just provided me with unconditional love and support and the fact that theyre here on this day just signifies that weve come so, so far since the beginning of this journey. This is really the final step, this is the final transition, and Im so glad that I have them by my side. The agent for the Desert Sunlight 300-megawatt solar farm project in Riverside County, Calif., has notified NextEra that default has occurred under its agreements with PG&E, which NextEra said it disputes, according to top executives. They also said the bankruptcy is likely to trigger default on the financing for the 250-megawatt Genesis solar plant in southern California. 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. Open letter to the Congressional Black Caucus on Hampton honoring George H.W. Bush: Bushs record on civil rights was one of the worst in the history of U.S. presidents A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Preliminary population statistics 2021, April Published: 29 January 2019 Decrease in birth rate still continues According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data for 2018, Finland's population was 5,521,773 at the end of the year. During 2018 Finland's population increased by 8,643 persons, which is 2,780 less than in 2017. The reason for the population increase was migration gain from abroad: the number of immigrants was 15,631 higher than that of emigrants. The excess of births was negative as the number of births was 6,988 lower than that of deaths. The preliminary total fertility rate was the lowest in the measuring history, 1.40. Population increase by month 20142018* According to the preliminary statistics during 2018, a total of 47,307 children were born, which is 3,014 fewer than in 2017. The number of deaths was 54,295, which is 573 higher than one year earlier. Altogether 31,720 persons immigrated to Finland from abroad and 16,089 persons emigrated from Finland during 2018. The number of immigrants was 77 lower and the number of emigrants 884 lower than in the previous year. In all, 8,571 of the immigrants and 10,788 of the emigrants were Finnish citizens. According to the preliminary data, the number of inter-municipal migrations totalled 289,223 in 2018. Compared with the previous year, the increase was 1,384 migrations according to the municipal division of 2018. Same-sex marriages took legal effect in March 2017. A total of 211 women and 120 men entered into marriage in which the spouse was of the same sex during 2018. In all, 149 women and 80 men changed their registered partnership into marriage. According to preliminary data by region, the population grew in 2018 only in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, Varsinais-Suomi, North Ostrobothnia and Aland. The population grew most in absolute numbers in Uusimaa, where it grew by 17,895 persons. The next largest increase in population was seen in Pirkanmaa, 3,263 persons. Relative to the population, population increase was highest in Aland, 11.0 per mil, in Uusimaa, 10.7 per mil and in Pirkanmaa, 6.4 per mil. Population loss was highest in absolute numbers in the region of Etela-Savo that lost 2,554 persons of its population. The population of Kymenlaakso decreased by 2,000 persons, which was the second biggest population loss. Relative to the population, the biggest population loss was found in Etela-Savo, 17.5 per mil. Most migration gain from intramunicipal and international migration was collected by Uusimaa, 14,067 persons and Pirkanmaa, 3,605 persons. Most migration gain in relative terms based on total net migration was attained by Aland, 10.6 per mil and Uusimaa, 8.4 per mil. In absolute numbers, migration loss from total net migration was biggest in the region of Etela-Savo, 1,272 persons. In the region of Kymenlaakso the loss was 781 persons. In relative terms, the biggest migration loss from total net migration was found in the region of Etela-Savo, 8.7 per mil of the population. During 2018, migration between regions numbered 136,875. The positive gain from migration between regions was seen in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, Varsinais-Suomi and Aland. In absolute numbers, the highest gain from migration between regions was received by Uusimaa, 6,747 persons. The relative migration gain was highest in Pirkanmaa, 5.1 per mil of the population. Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in absolute numbers in the region of Etela-Savo, 1,519 persons. Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in relative terms also in the region of Etela-Savo, 10.4 per mil of the population. Source: Preliminary population statistics, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Joni Rantakari 029 551 3249, Joonas Toivola 029 551 3355, info@stat.fi Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma Publication in pdf-format (322.2 kB) Updated 29.01.2019 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Preliminary population statistics [e-publication]. ISSN=2243-3627. December 2018. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 20.6.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/vamuu/2018/12/vamuu_2018_12_2019-01-29_tie_001_en.html Ashtabula, OH (44004) Today Scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. A few storms may be severe. High 82F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 71F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Milton, PA (17847) Today Showers and a few thunderstorms likely. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. by Lionel Bopage Comrade Gamini Muthukumarana in his article A Response to Comrade Bopage on The Frozen Fire () has raised a number of important issues regarding the article I wrote: 'The Frozen Fire Art and Political Reality ( ). At the outset let me thank comrade Gamini for his contribution to this dialogue. This response is not about the artistic merits of the film The Frozen Fire. The idea that comrade Gamini presents whether certain historical events can be accurately depicted in the film or not, should not be an impediment to assess it as a creation of art is a sentiment that both of us share. Nevertheless, we have to move beyond a purely artistic review of the film. It is because the character and dedication of Comrade Rohana Wijeweera is not a topic that can be discussed apolitically; for not to discuss the movement brought to life by his leadership and his character is not only an injustice to the ultimate objective he hoped to achieve, but also to the people and the future of the country. In fact, the basis of our discussion is and should be,not to make comrade Rohana unpopular, to slander him or to make it inconvenient for various political parties and groups formed on the basis of the April 1971 uprising. I firmly believe that if we had drawn appropriate lessons from the uprising, the space for the society to be subjected to the negative experiences of the 1988-89 struggle could have been much less. By mid-1983 as General Secretary of the JVP, Iknew comrade Gamini Muthukumarana was a full-time activist working in the Wellawaya electorate of the Moneragala district. Since then the two of us have never met. According to comrade Gamini: The recreation of reality in a movie in a realistic manner cannot be done one hundred percent and doing justice to those events is similarly difficult; The filing of the socio-political boundaries relevant to the living character of comrade Rohana into an artistic creation is a difficult task that needs to be done with great care; and This will involve researching and studying the various characters depicted in the film. It is exactly due to those complexities that I had limited my previous article to a few simple points about the "lack of doing justice to the historical political conditions" presented in the film. In producing a film, a number of barriers needs to be overcome before moving to address the technical issues.In script writing, portrayal of material reality can only be done according to the limitations inherent in the sources institutions or individuals provide for its creation. The studies needed about the origins and the nature of the multifarious characters for making the film, are largely based only on those sources. Thereafter, production of the film needs to be financed. Depending on the ideological, political and cultural loyalties and interests of the financing institution or the individual, often certain restrictions would have to be met, or self-imposed. Comrade Gamini goes on to state: if harm is caused to the political conditions and characters of the time by making up some falsehood or incorrect news for political reasons, those who have experiences of the time need to oppose it. And he alleges that while commenting on the film, I have presented "a sub-narrative as well as a critical view about comrade Wijeweera leading to serious differences of opinion. The opinion he refers to is that: comrade Rohanas moving into underground politics was based on his own decision; he went underground not after the party was banned but before, on July 25, the day the black July pogrom started; and the JVP should have vigorously rebuffed the regimes political and criminal allegations by responding in the open, as the JVP had nothing to do with the July83 pogrom. My opinion was that if the film as an artistic work, were to realistically reveal the manner in which the JVPs political direction and the program had changed since 1983, that could have made a positive contribution while passing on an important experience to Sri Lanka's social development. Reasons for the partys oscillation to an ultra-right position during that period has never been properly analysed. My criticism was not about the artistic merits of the film, but about the responsibility of the political entities to set the record straight as to what happened. According to comrade Gamini: By presenting these matters knowingly or unknowingly I have done a serious injustice to history. He says that to say comrade Rohana went underground on a decision of his own is entirely incorrect. The decision to retreat was not a decision comrade Rohana had single-handedly taken following his wish, but a decision comrade Sumith, the Administrative Secretary of the party had taken under the emergency situation, and for safety reasons comrade Sumith had arranged to send comrade Rohana and the other comrades who were in the open away from Colombo, comrade Gamini adds. To substantiate this argument, he points out that from Colombo comrade Rohana came to Tangalle first, he arrived in Tissamaharamaya the same night and in Kataragama the next morning. He spent the day time in a chena farm in Kataragama and as night fell left with a group of comrades to the jungle for safety. Before they entered the jungle, they came to know that comrade Somaratna Kaluarachchi and I have been arrested. According to the information I have, the group including comrade Rohana came to Tangalle first and the same night went to comrade Premasiris house in Tissamaharama. After spending several days at his house, they retreated to Hambegamuwa jungle. As comrade Sepala Liyanage, the General Secretary of The All Ceylon Transport Workers Union has pointed out, at the request of comrade Nandathilaka Galappaththi of the Shakthi Press in Kohilawatta, he went by cab to comrade Srimathees house in Willorawatta the same day the communal riots started, and took comrades Rohana and Srimathee, their children and some others to Tangalle. Comrade Sepala dropped comrade Srimathee and children at comrade Vijitha Ranaweeras house and took the rest of the group to comrade Premasiris house. After the group had retreated to the jungle, comrade Gamini had come from Wellawaya to join this group. Comrade Gamini offers another argument to corroborate that the decision to go underground was not a decision comrade Rohana had taken on his own. That argument is that during the first week in the jungle comrade Rohana was aware that, expecting a message from him, comrade Sumith would visit comrade Premasiris house. Comrade Gamini also mentions that he took to comrade Premasiris house, a letter comrade Rohana had written to comrade Sumith. What I gather from this story is that comrade Gamini would have left that letter at comrade Premasiris house and returned to the jungle. However, from the information I have, comrade Sumith has neither been to comrade Premasiris house in Tissamaharama, nor met comrade Rohana during this period. Nevertheless, I do not deny that Comrade Rohana would have spoken about his decision with comrades Sumith and Upatissa Gamanayaka. Comrade Somawansa Amarasinghe came to the Armour Street office about two days after the proscription of the party and told me that comrade Rohana and the other leaders had gone underground. He asked me to come with him to join them for my protection. I advised him that I did not wish to go into hiding for the very simple reason that the party and I had nothing to do with the racial riots. It was vitally important for us to expose the real situation and the falsehoods the state has propagated because if we went underground as a party the governments misinformation campaign will take hold among the people. The Central Committee decides on the policies and programs of the party and makes strategic decisions regarding their implementation. The Politburo always makes tactical decisions as to the manner of implementing the decisions of the Central Committee. The instances the Politburo was called to meet within a day were not rare. On July 25, the party had no impediment to do so. Furthermore, the party had no Administrative Secretary, but an Organizing Secretary. That was comrade Sumith Athukorala. His responsibility was to act, supervise and ensure that the decisions taken by the Central Committee and the Politburo are implemented. It was not unusual for comrade Rohana to take unilateral political decisions outside the normal party procedures. One such example was a decision to disrupt the meetings of the SLFP he had taken at a discussion held at Mr. Maithripala Senanayakes residence along with comrade Prins Gunasekara. That was not discussed at Politburo. Unfortunately, that decision focused an unnecessary attention of the state on the party. In addition, comrade Gamini presumes that I would have found it emotionally difficult to go underground because I had "decided to leave the party after the debate on the national question at the Central Committee in July. In fact, even after the party was proscribed, I had no emotional difficulty in staying at the Armour Street party office. Not only I had decided to stay in the open, but I also notified that decision to the party. Bir Lehlu (Liberated Territories of the Saharawi Republic), Jan 29, 2019 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Brahim Gali, sent a message of condolences to his Algerian counterpart, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, following the the death of the President of algerian constitutional council, Mourad Medelci. The Saharawi leader expressed his support and solidarity to the Algerian people and Government and to the relatives of the deceased during these difficult times when Algeria loses one of its great men, a man who devoted all his life to the service of his nation. The death of the Hon. Mr. Murad Medelci, President of the Constitutional Council of Algeria, took place on the morning of this Monday, January 28, 2019. " The late president of the Algerian constitutional council held various functions, including that of minister of foreign affairs and cooperation in the Algerian government.SPS 125/090/TRA Paris (France), January 18, 2019 (SPS) - The participants in the 42nd Congress of the French Communist Youth Movement unanimously endorsed a motion on Western Sahara calling for support of the struggle of the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination, as provided for in international law, the resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council. The motion strongly condemned the recent decision of the European Parliament, which includes Western Sahara in the EU-Morocco trade agreement, in violation of international law and, in particular, the ruling of the European Court of Justice of December 2016. The Congress expessed its support for Sahrawi political prisoner Naama Asfari and his wife Claude Mangin Asfari in their fight for the respect of basic rights of all Sahrawi militants and activists detained by the Moroccan authorities and called on France to defend them. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA Endless War A Visit with the Taliban in Afghanistan More than 17 years after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, the country is still at war. The Afghan army is weak, a resurgent Taliban is mounting fresh attacks and new peace negotiations do not include Kabul. Peace remains a distant goal. und Sergio Ramazzotti Von Fritz Schaap Risk of a 'Caribbean Syria' All Eyes on the Army in Venezuela Power Struggle With support from Washington, Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaido has declared himself the country's new president. Ultimately, though, the military will determine the outcome of his power struggle with incumbent Nicolas Maduro. Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. 'Several thousand' more US troops to go to southern border: Pentagon Washington, Jan 29 (AFP) Jan 29, 2019 Thousands more troops will head to the US-Mexico border, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday, as part of a controversial mission to enhance security along the frontier. Currently, about 2,350 active-duty troops are working along the border, where they are helping border patrol agents by providing logistical support and installing concertina-wire fencing. They were deployed under an order President Donald Trump gave before midterm elections in November as "caravans" of Central American migrants made their way to the border to seek asylum from violence and poverty in their own countries. At a Pentagon press conference, Shanahan said "several thousand" additional troops would deploy on the border mission, which was supposed to wrap up January 31 but has been extended through September. The Department of Homeland Security has asked for additional help putting up fencing and with "expanded surveillance," Shanahan said. Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis later said the military is currently determining which units will be involved, and that there would be an increase of "a few thousand" troops. "We will provide more clarity on the numbers when we have it," Davis said. The border troop deployment was one of several issues on which Trump and former defense secretary Jim Mattis disagreed before he quit in December after Trump's shock decision to pull troops from Syria. Shanahan, who had been deputy defense secretary, succeeded Mattis on January 1. US intel chiefs at odds with Trump claims on N.Korea, IS and Iran Washington, Jan 29 (AFP) Jan 29, 2019 US intelligence chiefs on Tuesday contradicted President Donald Trump's statements that the Islamic State group has been defeated and that North Korea can be convinced to forego its nuclear weapons. In their annual report on security challenges to the country, the country's top spies also challenged Trump's claim that Tehran is actively seeking nuclear weapons, the justification Trump gave for withdrawing last year from a multilateral treaty on Iran. Weeks before Trump plans a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the US intelligence community believes it unlikely that Pyongyang will agree to completely denuclearize. Trump claimed Kim agreed to that goal after their groundbreaking Singapore summit in June 2018. The president is aiming to secure that commitment next month from the North Korean leader in exchange for removing sanctions and normalized relations. "We continue to assess that North Korea is unlikely to give up all of its nuclear weapons and production capabilities, even as it seeks to negotiate partial denuclearization steps to obtain key US and international concessions," Coats said in the "Worldwide Threat Assessment" report. "North Korea's leaders see having a nuclear weapons capability as "critical to regime survival," he said. - IS eyeing comeback - Meanwhile, according to the Coats report, Islamic State remains a potent threat in the Middle East as its leaders continue to encourage attacks on the West. "ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses," Coats said. The jihadist group, which Coats acknowledged had been reduced to "a couple of little villages left," in Iraq and Syria, will exploit any reduction in pressure from international coalition forces to rebuild its capacities for mounting attacks and for media promotion, US intelligence chiefs believe. Trump has repeatedly said in recent months that Islamic State had been defeated, justifying his abrupt announcement in December that he would pull US troops out of Syria. His defense secretary James Mattis resigned after that announcement in disagreement, and US security experts have urged Trump to not withdraw from Syria precipitously because Islamic State fighters could fill the vacuum. - Iran complying with deal - The Coats report highlighted the broad and increasing threat to the United States from China, a point of agreement across the board in the Trump administration. But the divergence on North Korea, Iran and Islamic State in the report underscored a the ongoing wariness in Washington's intelligence community of Trump's apparent readiness to ignore or politicize their findings. Trump has repeatedly rejected their conclusion that Russia deeply interfered in the 2016 election that brought him to power, helping him vanquish the election favorite Hillary Clinton. On Tuesday the intelligence chiefs stressed that Russia had again tried to meddle in the 2018 midterm Congressional elections, and were poised -- along with potential copycats like China -- to do the same in the 2020 presidential campaign. "Foreign actors will view the 2020 elections as an opportunity to advance their interests," Coats said. As for Iran, Central Intelligence Agency director Gina Haspel told the hearing that the country is still abiding by the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal despite Trump's decision to withdraw last year, claiming Tehran had broken it. "At the moment technically they are in compliance" with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Haspel told the Senate Intelligence Committee. "I think the most recent information is the Iranians are considering taking steps that would lessen their adherence to JCPOA as they seek to pressure the European to come through with the investment and trade benefits that Iran hoped to gain from the deal," she said. Its treasures ruined by IS, Mosul museum hosts modern art Mosul, Iraq, Jan 29 (AFP) Jan 29, 2019 Mosul's celebrated museum has not recovered since Islamic State group jihadists ravaged its ancient treasures several years ago, but part of the complex reopened Tuesday to showcase more contemporary art. For the first time since IS overran the Iraqi city in 2014, visitors on Tuesday could wander the grandiose royal reception hall, which forms part of the museum. The building is considered the oldest government complex in Mosul and was recently renovated to host the 29-artist exhibit, titled "Return to Mosul," a member of the organising Al-Ghad Radio station told AFP. The northern Iraqi city served as IS's brutal seat of power for three years, before Iraqi troops recaptured it in 2017. Much of Mosul's east has made a modest recovery, but the west -- home to the Old City and the museum -- remains in ruins. The exhibit was "proof that war didn't kill Mosul and that, on the contrary, it's living a full-on renaissance," said Huda Hani, a 25-year-old visitor on Tuesday. Buttoned up in warm jackets, families walked through the hall to look at the paintings and sculptures, many of which feature themes of home, return, or conflict. The rest of the museum, however, remains closed for security reasons, said its director Zeid Saadallah. "You have to protect what is left," he told AFP. During its bloody reign over Mosul, IS released a video of its jihadists attacking the museum with sledgehammers and pneumatic drills, destroying priceless pre-Islamic artefacts that it considered insulting to religion. The damaged pieces including two imposing "lamassu" statues, Assyrian winged bulls with human faces. IS also blew up the Assyrian city of Nimrud, the ancient city of Hatra, and the centuries-old desert city of Palmyra in neighbouring Syria. But in addition to destroying artefacts, the jihadist group trafficked valuable pieces to finance its activities. In partnership with Google, 3-D printer BQ, and other organisations, Mosul's artists and technicians are looking to print three-dimensional versions of the smashed pieces. And ALIPH, a heritage-focused project led by France the the UAE, has dedicated $480,000 to help in the first phase of the museum's reconstruction. China failing to curb methane emissions, study finds Tokyo, Jan 29 (AFP) Jan 29, 2019 Methane emissions from coal mining in China have continued to rise despite tough legislation and ambitious government targets, a new study based on satellite data said Wednesday. The news is likely to fuel concerns that major emitters like China are failing to meet targets intended to prevent nightmare climate change scenarios. "China's methane regulations have not had a detectable impact on the country's methane emissions," the study's first author Scot Miller told AFP. "China has been able to 'talk the talk' so to speak in terms of setting emissions reduction policies, but we found that the country has not yet been able to 'walk the walk'," added Miller, assistant professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The research used data gathered by a Japanese satellite that monitors greenhouse gases, and looked at measurements from 2010-2015, the most recent information available when the study began two years ago. It found that emissions continued to grow in line with pre-2010 trends even after a raft of new regulations came into place. "We estimate that emissions in 2015 are 50 percent higher than in 2000," Miller said. The increase in China's emissions over the 15-year period was comparable "to the total annual emissions from a country like Russia or Brazil," he added. Methane is considered the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Like CO2, it traps the sun's heat, warming the atmosphere, but methane does so 28 times more efficiently than carbon dioxide. While methane can be naturally released, and absorbed, by the earth, emissions of the gas have skyrocketed along with industrialisation and a growing human population. It occurs naturally in seams of coal, and is released when the resource is mined. - 'Business as usual' - By some estimates, China is the world's largest emitter of methane, with the coal sector accounting for about a third of its output. The country is the world's biggest polluter, but also its biggest investor in renewable energy and has repeatedly vowed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. From 2006, operators in China were required to use or burn off all methane from coal mines, and legislation provided financial incentives to encourage use of the gas to generate electricity. But the study published Wednesday in the Nature Communications journal said methane emissions "continue to increase following a business-as-usual scenario." There are other industries that produce methane, including rice farming and beef production. But the researchers found the largest increases in methane emissions were from regions with lots of coal production. And neither rice nor beef production increased significantly in China over the period studied, while coal production expanded. The researchers pointed to existing studies from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the International Energy Agency that could explain why the regulatory effort in China appears to have failed. Part of the problem could be poor infrastructure, which makes it hard to transport natural gas, as well as an underdeveloped market for the product. Coal mines in China also tend to be deeper than in other countries, and the technology available to remove methane from them often results in a poor quality product. Local electricity providers also appear to have been reluctant to accept power generated by coal mine methane, in part because its production fluctuates unpredictably. And there is also some evidence that mine operators may be diluting drained gas because the law only requires them to dispose of it when it has a methane content over 30 percent. One of Miller's students is now working on a follow-up study that will look at ways China can better implement its methane regulations, including using the gas to generate electricity or home heating. "China could both reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and reduce air pollution by using this methane in place of their current, much dirtier power plants," Miller said. Billion-euro SAP restructuring to cost 4,400 jobs Berlin, Jan 29 (AFP) Jan 29, 2019 German software giant SAP said Tuesday it would slash 4,400 jobs in a billion-euro restructuring plan after profits stagnated in 2018, while insisting it was on track to grow revenues and earnings this year. "We are talking about a completely voluntary programme," chief financial officer Luka Mucic said. The number of job cuts would be "slightly higher" than during a previous overhaul in 2015, he added, when the group shifted focus to "cloud" computing from traditional software. "We are expecting 4,400 job cuts, more than the 3,000 in 2015 and we think that Germany and the US will be the most impacted," spokesman Benjamin Nickel told AFP. Under the new turnaround plan, executives plan to spend between 800 million and 950 million euros ($915-$1.1 billion) on restructuring in 2019 "to further simplify company structures and processes". They aim to realise "a minor cost benefit" this year, before slashing annual outgoings by up to 850 million euros from 2020. Chief executive Bill McDermott said the departures were necessary to clear the way for SAP to make new bets on growth areas in the software industry. "We are going to move our people and our focus to the areas SAP needs the most, AI (artificial intelligence), blockchain, internet of things, quantum computing," he said. "We currently have 95,000 people in the company, if we talk in a few years it will be more," McDermott added. - Sluggish profits - SAP's restructuring announcement came as it reported net profit added just one percent last year to reach 4.1 billion euros. The group preferred to play up operating, or underlying profit that surged 17 percent, to 5.7 billion euros, on revenues up 5.0 percent at 24.7 billion euros. The result "sets us up perfectly for continued strong profitable growth in 2019 and beyond," Mucic said. One area the group hopes will stoke the bottom line is so-called "experience management" after it recently snapped up Californian firm Qualtrics for $8 billion. Invented in the 1990s, the technique calls for collecting data on customers, employees, brands and products, aiming to sharpen firms' understanding of how they are perceived. In 2018, SAP continued its transformation away from traditional one-off sales of business software licenses to cloud computing, under which it charges customers a subscription fee to process data on the firm's computers. Revenue from cloud subscriptions and support grew 32 percent over the year, to almost 3.8 billion euros. Meanwhile software licenses and support revenue shrank one percent, although it remains a far bigger source of income for now at almost 15.8 billion euros. Across the whole group, SAP aims to increase revenue from its cloud and software activities to between 22.4 and 22.7 billion euros in 2019 -- up from 20.66 billion booked last year under non-IFRS accounting standards, which exclude some costs. Still in non-IFRS terms, the group aims for operating profit of 7.7 to 8.0 billion euros this year, up from 7.16 billion euros in 2018. SAP stock rebounded were trading down 2.4 percent at 90.15 euros around 12:40 pm in Frankfurt (1140 GMT) -- while remaining the worst performer on the DAX index of blue-chip shares. dar-tgb/mfp/jh SAP Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Finding his niche to success Southern University; student opens up about his road to entreprenuership, future ambitions and more 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: 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: 28: 29: ... 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. 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For first time, according to MHRD, students from all over India and also Indian students residing abroad are participating as compared to last year where only Delhi and NCR students were called. The participants from abroad include from countries like Russia, Nigeria, Iran, Nepal, Doha, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Participants also include college students from 24 states and Union Territories who would be participating in the programme. Already, 675 students from many States and Union Territories have arrived in the national capital, the education ministry said. This year a cultural programme of 10 minutes has also been included in which the bright student winners from Kala Utsav contest, their parents and teachers will be performing. A short film on initiatives taken by the MHRD will be shown highlighting the steps taken since last year's Pariksha Pe Charcha, to reduce exam related stress. Arkansas Department of Education/Facebook (NEW YORK) -- When a child on Julie Callison's bus was having a hard time sitting still, he didn't get punished. He got a book. Callison asked the child's sister, who also rides the bus, to read to the preschooler. Callison drives a bus and teaches for the Drew Central School District in southeast Arkansas, which serves Pre-K through 12th grade. She teaches special education for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade at Drew Central Elementary. "When I handed her [the child's older sister] a book, several other students on the bus said, 'I want a book!'" Callison told "Good Morning America." "I handed out every book I had in my bag and students began reading all over the bus. Some students needed help reading at which point I asked some older students to read to them. Students were no longer up and down out of their seat but quietly reading." And the idea for the bus bucket of books and the book buddies was born. Here's how it works: When students get on the bus they can get up to three books. After they read those, they can share with students around them, then put them back in the bucket on the way out the door. Older students reading to younger students, and younger students reading to older students. On Friday afternoons there's a 'Special Guest Reader,' usually a high school or middle school student who picks out a book, sits on the front seat and reads it over the speaker to the whole bus. "Our district has a high poverty rate and the bucket of books on the bus give these students more access to a variety of reading materials at many levels," Callison said. It also boosts the kids' confidence. "There are several students on my bus that have reading disabilities, whom I teach currently or have taught in the past, and they are not afraid to read to another child and love to be the one to help younger students read," Callison said. "It is a confidence booster because in their classroom, with same age peers, it is usually someone else helping them. I even had one former student with a reading disability be the special guest reader! She confidently read her book to the whole bus. I was so proud of her." "Through our R.I.S.E. Arkansas initiative (Reading Initiative for Student Excellence), our goals are to increase and strengthen instruction, create community collaboration, and build a culture of reading," Kimberly Friedman, Director of Communications for the Arkansas Department of Education, told "GMA." "Ms. Callisons efforts align with the goals of R.I.S.E. Arkansas and is one of many examples of how educators have embraced the initiative." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Fernandes died on Tuesday morning in Delhi. He was 88 years old. One of the most prominent leaders of the socialist movement in the 1970s, George Fernandes was a senior Janata Dal leader before he founded the Samata Party. : Leaders across party lines condoled the death of Former Defence Minister George Fernandes and paid tribute to the senior leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Taking to Twitter,wrote, ""George Sahab represented the best of India's political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away." George Sahab represented the best of Indias political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 : Distressed to learn of the passing of George Fernandes, who served India in many capacities, including as defence minister. He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him. : I'm sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George FernandesJi. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief. : Very saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers. : I offer condolences at his passing away. He committed his life to the country. He fought for justice for trade unions. I considered him an icon. : George Fernandesji served the nation in several capacities & held key portfolios like Defence and Railways at different times. He led many labour movements and fought against the injustice towards them. His tenure as Defence Minister was outstanding. May his soul rest in peace. : Rest in peace George Fernandes Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised & for those that needed someone in their corner. You called a spade a spade & did so unabashedly. You were always a friend & well wisher of the people of J&K. God speed. : Saddened by the demise of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. An able administrator, a distinguished politician, his contribution towards strengthening democracy will be etched in the hearts & minds of Indians forever. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. Om Shanti. : I offer my deepest condolences on passing away of former defence minister George Fernandes. He was a fiery trade union leader who fought for justice. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family. George the giant killer was never slayed in life.. only death could silence the voice of a defiant contrarian.. one of the most charismatic politicians of his generation, embodied the spirit of a romantic era of street fighting politics.. George Fernandes RIP Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 29, 2019 'Only death could silence the voice of a defiant contrarian. one of the most charismatic politicians of his generation,' Journalistsaid of George Fernandes. Close won the honour for her leading role in The Wife , and Malek was tapped as best actor in a film for Bohemian Rhapsody at the 2019 SAG Awards, which were handed out Sunday night, according to hollywoodreporter.com. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards saw Marvel Studios' Black Panther taking the best cast ensemble prize, while Rami Malek and Glenn Close emerged as best actors. This Is Us was named best drama series ensemble, while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won the award for best performance by a comedy series cast at the event, where a silver carpet was rolled out for the 25th anniversary. On the film side, Emily Blunt won the SAG Award for best supporting actress for A Quiet Place, while Mahershala Ali was named best supporting actor for Green Book. In the TV comedy series categories, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel made a clean sweep with a trio of honours. The show's cast won best ensemble in a comedy series, while Rachel Brosnahan was tapped as best actress and Tony Shalhoub was named best actor. As for other TV categories, the This Is Us cast earned best drama series ensemble honours, Jason Bateman was tapped as best actor in a drama series for Ozark and Sandra Oh was named best actress for Killing Eve. Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) and Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora) won the prizes for best actor and actress in a TV movie or limited series, respectively. Megan Mullally hosted this year's SAG Awards ceremony, where Alan Alda received the 2019 SAG Awards' Life Achievement Award. Washington: The US Justice Department has unveiled criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its detained Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, outlining a decade-long attempt by the company to steal trade secrets, obstruct an investigation and evade economic sanctions on Iran. "Today (Monday) we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes," Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement here. "The criminal activity in this indictment goes back 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. "China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law," Whitaker said. A pair of indictments, which were partly unsealed, come amid a broad and aggressive campaign by the US to try to thwart China's biggest telecom equipment maker, The New York Times reported. One indictment accuses Huawei trying for years to steal T-Mobile's proprietary phone testing technology, known as "Tappy". It supplied phones to T-Mobile and had access to some information about Tappy because of that relationship. But earlier this month, the Chinese firm had said that disputes with T-Mobile were settled in 2017 "following a jury verdict finding neither damage, unjust enrichment nor wilful and malicious conduct for T-Mobile's trade secret claim". The indictment unsealed against Meng, who was arrested in Vancouver last month on US' request, is similar to the charges levelled against her in filings made by federal prosecutors in connection with the bail hearing in Canada. It claimed that Huawei defrauded four large banks into clearing transactions with Iran in violation of international sanctions through a subsidiary called Skycom. Meng is currently under house arrest at one of two residences that she owns in Vancouver. American officials said on Monday that they will request her extradition before a deadline on Wednesday. The next stage of her case will be decided at the Supreme Court of British Columbia. But the most serious new allegation in the indictment, which could have bearing on Meng's extradition proceeding, is the contention by federal prosecutors that Huawei sought to impede the investigation into the telecom company's attempt to evade economic sanctions on Iran by destroying or concealing evidence. The indictment said that Huawei moved employees out of the US so they could not be called as witnesses before a grand jury in Brooklyn. The company destroyed evidence in order to hinder the inquiry, according to authorities. Following the unveiling, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray told the media here that Huawei "relied on dishonest business practices that contradict the economic principles that have allowed American companies and the United States to thrive", CNN reported. "The prosperity that drives our economic security is inherently linked to our national security. "And the immense influence that the Chinese government holds over Chinese corporations like Huawei represents a threat to both," Wray said. Huawei is yet to comment on the charges. The charges come as the two countries seek to end their months-long trade dispute and with China's lead trade negotiator, Liu He, scheduled to meet with US officials in Washington in coming days, reports The Washington Post. Huawei is one of China's "national champions," promoted by the ruling Communist Party. The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, sparked outrage in China, which called for her immediate release and condemned the move as a US-led effort to thwart the telecom giant and constrain Beijing's global ambitions. . , . , Covid-19 , , , . . ... Pointing to the Uttar Pradesh government which ordered a probe in December 2017 against Arvind Goel, brother-in-law of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman Sushil Chandra, and subsequently withdrew it, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari sought to know why the probe was withdrawn. New Delhi: Questioning if a probe against a real estate developer in an alleged land scam in Uttar Pradesh was withdrawn as he was related to a key central government official, the Congress on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clean on the issue. Tewari cited documents of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath in December 1, 2017 ordering a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Goel and his brother, for allegedly buying large tracts of land through shell companies and also evading stamp duties. "Despite existence of cogent evidence of Goel having used the shell companies' route to buy the land and evading stamp duties, the probe was withdrawn within a week with communication from Special Secretary in Chief Minister's office, saying such a probe will cause mental harassment to Goel. "Our question to PM Modi and his government is why was this probe withdrawn... was it because Goel is closely related to the CBDT chairman," Tewari told the media here. The Congress leader also targeted Jaitley who recently in his blog had strongly reprimanded the CBI for naming prominent officials in the ICICI-Videocon loan case. "When the CBI probes the government's and BJP's cronies, Jaitley calls it 'investigative adventurism', but when central agencies are used to intimidate and harass Opposition leaders and parties, then it is investigative integrity. "We demand answers from Modi, from UP Chief Minister as well as Jaitley, as to why the probe against Goel was withdrawn despite the existence of substantial evidence of his wrongdoing," said Tewari, pointing to documents revealing demands from several quarters for a probe into the matter by the CBI as well as the Serious Fraud Investigation Office. "We discussed various measures to support the MSME sector particularly small traders, small businesses and businesses in the remote parts of the country," he said after meeting bank heads at the General Review called by the Financial Services Secretary Rajeev Kumar. New Delhi: Reviewing the performance of public sector banks (PSBs) and assuring them of full government support, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday asked the PSBs to increase their lending to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Goyal also asked all the 21 state-owned banks to take steps to promote finance for housing, make bank operations more efficient, achieve the government goal of financial inclusion and to take necessary measures to significantly increase the level of domestic credit growth. "The banks discussed various measures to promote finance for housing and give a thrust to home owners to get adequate financing. They have also discussed various ways in which the operations of the banks can become more efficient, customer-friendly, profitable as well as ensure the stated goals of this government to reach financial inclusion of every Indian anywhere in the country," the Minister said. The PSBs agreed to step up their efforts to finance the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana which is aimed at securing housing for all by 2022. At the meeting, Goyal took note of the reduction in non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks under RBI's Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework and advised them to maintain the trend of improvement in performance with a view to bringing them out of the PCA framework at the earliest. He also highlighted the need for each and every PSB to ensure that recent gains are sustained and better service delivered to all stakeholders. "The banks expressed their confidence that after the government has amended the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) giving them the confidence that while anybody indulging in misfeasance or bad practices will not be spared but genuine commercial decisions taken by bankers will also be protected," Goyal said. Earlier in the day, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, who attended the first half of the meeting, flagged the need for further strengthening various aspects of banking, including underwriting standards, capacity building, use of technology and governance. He flagged the need for PSBs to extend credit while observing prudential norms but without excessive conservatism. He asked banks to take advantage of the MSME restructuring scheme to support viable MSME units. The government said the review was against the backdrop of visible signs of strengthening of the financial situation of PSBs as a result of government's approach of recognition, resolution, recapitalisation and reforms, which has positioned PSBs to step up their support to meet the lending needs of a growing economy. "On the back of recapitalisation of PSBs by over Rs 2.6 lakh crore and recovery of over Rs 2.8 lakh crore -- including record recovery of over Rs 1 lakh crore in the first three quarters of the current financial year -- since clean-up began in 2015, and comprehensive reforms for better underwriting of loans, PSBs committed to significantly step up the level of domestic credit growth from 9.1 per cent year-on-year at the end the second quarter of the current financial year," an official statement said. During the meeting, the banks committed to further improve on the robust growth in credit and reducing trend in turnaround time for loan applications through growing use of fintech and technology "as evidenced by the success of the 59 minutes loan portal, through which over 1.25 lakh MSMEs have been accorded in-principle approval", the statement said. "Banks agreed to work further on increasing use of advanced data analysis and where possible, Artificial Intelligence algorithms for better, faster and hassle-free credit decisions and monitoring of accounts," it added. The government also asked the banks to expeditiously complete the opening of branches and banking outlets in Left-wing extremism affected areas. The banks were also asked to ensure that the benefits extended under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana -- by making overdraft facility and accidental insurance cover on RuPay cards more attractive -- reach the common people. "Banks were asked to leverage the pipeline of Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) to provide better access to financial inclusion products and services to accelerate the realisation of a digitalised, financially included and insured society," the statement said. Had enough of COVID and staying in? Looking for a way to earn a little extra income and highlight your homemade products and wares in a fun an The government will look to remove sales incentives in the life insurance industry and fast-track other customer protection measures in the financial sector after a report highlighted major issues in the insurance sector impacting on consumers. The joint report on the industry by the Financial Markets Authority and the Reserve Bank released today found the life insurance industry is vulnerable to misconduct, is ignoring whether its products are suitable for customers and is too slow to make changes. It followed an earlier report by the two regulators on retail banks that was published in November. The problems highlighted in both reports are similar, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said, though more extensive in life insurance. The report has found New Zealand life insurance industry has a culture that prioritises sales over customer interests and customers deserve better. Cabinet today agreed we are going to get rid of sales incentives in the insurance industry that are driving behaviour that is not in the best interest of consumers," he and Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in a joint statement. This, with the findings from the earlier report on banking conduct and culture, mean that we have to take action. We plan to release a consultation paper on the changes by May and introduce legislation later this year, Faafoi said. According to the report, there are about four million life insurance policies in force with annual premiums totalling $2.57 billion. It shows commissions to salespeople in New Zealand amount to about 25 percent of total premiums paid each year, far higher than in other countries Mexico and Hungary are the next highest at about 15 percent with Australia at about 12 percent and the United States about 9 percent. Up front commissions on new policies can range from about 170-210 percent of the first years premiums. The FMA had previously concluded that only 2 percent of sales of life insurance policies are genuinely new, rather than just churn, or switching customers between policies to generate income for life insurance agents. Robertson said while the industry has started to address issues raised in the reports, it is clear that the government needs to act on regulation and conduct of financial institutions, including banks. He said given the issues identified with insurance and banking are similar, the government will consider changes that apply across both sectors. He said the government wants clearer duties on banks and insurers to consider a customers interests and outcomes, and to treat customers fairly. It wants an appropriately resourced regulator to monitor the conduct of banks and insurance companies, with strong penalties for breaching duties as well as a strong response to internal sales incentives and soft commissions. Faafoi says the consultation on these measures will run alongside work already underway to update insurance contract law. It is an ambitious timeframe but my intent is to have both pieces of legislation in Parliament by mid-2020, because it is time to ensure consumers get protection that is clearly needed," he said. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. 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Related News: Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) $250m Equity Raise to Fund Wellington Acquisitions 17th June 2021 Morning Report 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift Z Energy chief financial officer Chris Day will leave the business in May as part of an executive restructuring aimed at improving the firms focus on productivity and digital product development. Day, who has spent more than six years with the firm, is leaving after part of his role was carved out into a new, yet-to-be-filled chief digital officer position. The changes announced today also include the scrapping of the firms corporate general manager role, a wider brief for health and safety general manager Julian Hughes and the departure of retail general manager Mark Forsyth after almost nine years. The changes in the executive team clearly reflect our ambition to focus on a more productive core business and building world-class customer experience through the application of digital technology, chief executive Mike Bennetts said in a statement. We have the executive capability we need to execute our strategy while further improving various aspects of our diversity. Z Energy is the countrys largest fuel retailer and last year acquired a controlling stake in spot power retailer Flick Electric as part of a strategy to use new technologies to help keep ahead of rapidly evolving trends in mobility and retailing. That has seen the firm take a stake in a car-sharing business and develop an app-based Fastlane service based on camera recognition of licence plates. Bennetts said he expects to name the firms new chief digital officer next month. That person will champion a digital-first model for the business. The CDO will develop and deliver Zs digitisation strategy by transforming Z to a digital and data-driven business that works within an experimental, agile, customer experience and productivity focused execution model, Bennetts said. Z shares were unchanged at $6.06, having fallen about 19 percent the past year. The stock jumped last week after the firm raised its March-year earnings outlook on the back of the sharp fall in crude oil prices late last year. Day, who joined the company in 2013 from Contact Energy, is currently responsible for technology and risk, alongside his finance roles. Bennetts said Day has opted to leave, given the reduced scope of the CFO role. He departs in May following the conclusion of the companys year-end processes and will be replaced by Lindis Jones, currently Zs corporate general manager. Bennetts noted the integral role Day had played in the firms development, overseeing its first private placement in the US, six debt raisings in New Zealand, an extensive upgrade of the firms enterprise management systems, and the 2016 Caltex acquisition. Bennetts said the finance function Jones will lead will have a greater focus on productivity. He will also retain responsibility for corporate communications from his current role. Health, safety and environment general manager Hughes gains the insurance and external risk responsibilities currently managed within the CFO role, and the strategy and sustainability activities currently managed by Jones. Retail general manager Forsyth will depart in April after 20 years in the fuel industry. He will be replaced by Andy Baird, a former BP executive who has been consulting since 2010, including work on Zs brand change that year, development of its store formats and its loyalty programmes. Bennetts commended Forsyth for the passion he brought to the business and the role he played developing the retail business. He said Baird brings not only industry experience from the US, Australia and here, but also a fiercely competitive spirit and a focus on world-class execution and customer experience. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. 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Related News: Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) $250m Equity Raise to Fund Wellington Acquisitions 17th June 2021 Morning Report 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift Russian Grand Prix boss Sergey Vorobyev has distanced himself from what he has labeled as the "tootheless" grievances leveled upon Liberty Media by the Formula One Promoters Association. The FOPA, whose members include all F1 race organisers except for Sochi, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Monaco and Bahrain, released a statement on Monday after a meeting in London in which they expressed their concerns over Liberty's move away from free-to-air broadcasting, its expansion of the F1 calendar, potentially to the detriment of existing races, and its lack of engagement with promoters. Vorobyev, the deputy general director of Sochi F1 promoter Rosgonki, is at odds with FOPA's views, insisting that F1's commercial rights holder is in the process of addressing most of the disgruntled promoters' concerns. "The statement is fairly toothless, because all the issues indicated there, in this statement, they are being resolved one way or another in the current format of communication with Liberty," Vorobyev told Motorsport.com. "I do not share the position of the current chairman of the FOPA Association, Stuart Pringle. In his comments - public comments for the media - he has very frequently made personal criticisms of Liberty's leadership and our whole common sport. "I don't believe this approach to be constructive, and therefore we, along with several other grands prix - and I am sure there will be more of us in the coming days, weeks and months - are not members of FOPA." With several promoters currently in negotiation with Liberty for an extension or renewal of their contract with Liberty Media, the group was allegedly unsettled by the latter's talks with the promoters of a potential Miami Grand Prix and the revelation of a profit-sharing scheme associated with the event instead of a typical franchise fee. But Vorobyev believes the reproof expressed by the promoters regarding Miami is unwarranted because Liberty was still a long way off from signing a deal with the Magic City. "If you look at the calendar of the current Formula 1 season, it does not have the Grand Prix of Miami, so what's the point of having theoretical conversations about how things could be, now or in 2020?" said the Russian. "First you would need to look into the actual Miami GP agreements. And if the Miami promoters, our partners and friends, have some special provisions, that would be a great reason to discuss further improvement of contractual conditions [for other races]. "But at the moment it is absolutely pointless to discuss this. To worry about it makes no sense, because the Miami GP is not on F1's calendar." Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers The New Zealand dollar was largely unchanged as investors wait for upcoming trade talks between the US and China and the Federal Reserve's first policy meeting of the year. The kiwi traded at 68.31 US cents as at 8am in Wellington from 68.36 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index was at 73.81 from 73.85 yesterday. Investors are waiting for the outcome of several major global events, including the resumption of trade talks between the US and China. Last year's stoush between the world's two biggest economies weighed on markets around the world as investors feared increased trade barriers would slow global growth and restrain company earnings. Announcements from heavy machinery maker Caterpillar and chip manufacturer Nvidia yesterday blamed earnings downgrades on a slowing Chinese economy, while US federal charges levelled at China's Huawei Technologies have kept tensions high. Meanwhile, the Federal Open Market Committee will tomorrow make its first policy statement of the year, followed by a press conference by chair Jerome Powell. In December, the world's biggest central bank lowered its rate hike projections for 2019. Traders will watch for Powell's take on the latest economic data, which has shown weaker consumer confidence in the wake of the Federal government shutdown. "Kiwi swung in roundabouts against the USD overnight, sticking in recent higher ranges as it awaits more direction from global news," ANZ Bank New Zealand economist Liz Kendall said in a note. "Trade headlines and the FOMC meeting could see some volatility, but we expect it to stay buoyed in the meantime." ANZ economists see support for the kiwi and 66.70 US cents and resistance at 68.70 cents. Kendall said after the local currency's recent strength, investors could be disappointed in the coming days and weeks. The kiwi was largely unchanged at 51.95 British pence from 51.97 pence yesterday ahead of a parliamentary vote on Brexit amendments. Prime Minister Theresa May has put forward a new proposal to scrap the Irish border arrangements and re-open negotiations with the European Union. The local currency was unchanged at 59.77 euro cents. The New Zealand dollar edged up to 74.74 yen from 74.65 yen yesterday and declined to 4.5982 Chinese yuan from 4.6099 yuan. It traded at 95.46 Australian cents from 95.43 cents yesterday. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) $250m Equity Raise to Fund Wellington Acquisitions 17th June 2021 Morning Report 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift Fuel imports drove New Zealand's annual trade deficit to its highest level in 11 years in 2018. The annual deficit was $5.86 billion versus an annual deficit of $2.85 billion in the year to December 2017, in line with economists' expectations. Exports lifted 7.2 percent on the year to $57.5 billion while imports were $63.4 billion, up 12 percent on the year. "The lift in total imports in 2018 reflects large rises in the value of imported petrol and crude oil, as world prices reached high levels in the second half of the year, international statistics manager Tehseen Islam said. It was the biggest deficit since the October 2007 year. The value of imported petroleum and products for the December 2018 year was $7.7 billion, up $2.4 billion or 44 percent compared with the prior 12 months. Exports of meat and logs led the rise in exports. For the December 2018 year, the value of meat exports increased 12 percent to $7.4 billion. Logs, wood, and wood articles rose 13 percent to $5.2 billion. Milk powder, butter, and cheese, the largest export commodity group, rose 2.5 percent to $14.3 billion from 2017. Exports to China lifted 15.2 percent on the year to $13.9 billion while exports to Australia rose 3.9 percent to $9.2 billion. Imports from China rose 14.8 percent to $12.5 billion while imports from Australia lifted 5.2 percent to $7.3 billion. The December trade deficit was a seasonally adjusted $155 million, as exports lifted 6.2 percent to $5.2 billion and imports were up 0.4 percent at $5.3 billion. In actual terms, there was a trade surplus of $264 million in December versus a surplus of $614 million a year earlier. Imports were up 6.6 percent to $5.2 billion, lifted by higher petroleum and product imports while exports were down 0.5 percent to $5.5 billion in actual terms. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 404 NOT FOUND Fonterra looking to lift China's importance in new strategy A2, Synlait shares climb as takeover bid revives optimism about Chinese appetite for milk Service sector activity eases in August but still expanding Lumpy imports drive bigger July trade deficit than expected Nimbys, carparks and the status quo under threat as govt tells big cities: grow up and out Dairy manufacturers got better prices in June quarter Orr defends RBNZ rate cut, says monetary policy looks ahead, not behind RBNZ's Orr says investors need to put their money to work Auckland building consents hit record in year to June Regulators should name and shame errant life insurers who don't mend their ways, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The government is fast-tracking legislation to protect consumers after a joint Reserve Bank-Financial Markets Authority report into life insurance conduct outlined a range of poor behaviour, including selling products to customers who weren't eligible for cover, and charging for old policies after a customer had transferred to a new one. Robertson told reporters at the Prime Minister's weekly post-Cabinet press conference that those kinds of practices were unacceptable, and both the banking and insurance sectors need clearer duties to their customers. Issues among life insurance were particularly acute, which Robertson said was due to an incentive regime including soft commissions, such as overseas junkets The RBNZ-FMA report didn't identify firms whose conduct fell short, which Robertson said was in line with an earlier review into the banking sector. Instead, firms have six months to fix their problems. "Quite clearly, if they don't feel they're getting a response they want, then naming and shaming should be an option," Robertson said. The report shows commissions to salespeople in New Zealand amount to about 25 percent of total premiums paid each year, compared to 15 percent in Mexico and Hungary and 12 percent in Australia. Up front commissions on new policies can range from about 170-210 percent of the first years premiums. Robertson said the government plans to effectively ban soft commissions, which were driving the behaviour. "Whether or not there are other sales practices that can survive, we can work our way through." Robertson said the sector hasn't been regulated properly, focusing on product rather than the way it's sold or the organisation selling it. Industry lobby the Financial Services Council said it will work with its members to act on the regulators' recommendations, accepting a number of the short-comings it highlighted. Chief executive Richard Klipin said the industry has already taken a number of steps to improve culture and conduct, such as the council's members adopting a code of conduct, ending overseas conferences, and supporting the Financial Services Legislation Amendment Bill. That bill is currently before Parliament and would force financial advisors to put the interests of their clients first and ditch clunky designations that have confused consumers. Meanwhile, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi has work underway looking into insurance contract terms. Robertson said both pieces of work provide the opportunity to pick up some of the issues raised today, but said the government hopes to have new legislation before the House by the end of the year. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) $250m Equity Raise to Fund Wellington Acquisitions 17th June 2021 Morning Report 16th June 2021 Morning Report Investore Property Limited (NZX: IPL) Divestment of Dunedin Property 15th June 2021 Morning Report 14th June 2021 Morning Report Tower Limited (NZX: TWR) Update on Financial Impact of Canterbury Floods SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) Earnings Guidance for FY21 Result 11th June 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Announces $284 Million Revaluation Uplift Barr said in written responses to Senate questions made available Monday that he and Pence have had occasional conversations since the spring of 2017 on matters including policy and personnel. Some of those conversations included "general discussion of the Special Counsel's investigation in which I gave my views on such matters as Bob Mueller's high integrity and various media reports." "In these conversations, I did not provide legal advice, nor, to the best of my recollection, did he provide confidential information," Barr told Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat. In his role as special counsel, Mueller is investigating potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign to sway the 2016 presidential election. If confirmed by the Senate, Barr would inherit oversight of Mueller's investigation. The Senate Judiciary Committee is prepared to vote on Barr's nomination to be attorney general this week or next. This is absolutely intolerable: Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Bill Barr, said in written responses to questions posed by Senators, as they contemplate his confirmation, that "Vice President Mike Pence is among the officials with whom he has discussed the special counsel's Russia investigation."So, first of all, Senators should not support Barr's confirmation, because this is entirely inappropriate. Mike Pence(if he is not already) a target of Mueller's investigation, given that many of the incidents Mueller's team is investigating happened during the presidential transition, between Election Day and Inauguration Day, which was overseen by Pence.Secondly, Barrobliged to recuse himself from overseeing the investigation, were he to be confirmed and, of course, the entire reason he's up for confirmation is because he would be replacing former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whom Trump ran out of town after being relentlessly infuriated with him for recusing himself from overseeing the investigation.Meanwhile, CNN's Jim Acosta reported yesterday that acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said: "Right now the investigation is, I think, close to being completed. And I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible."wholly inappropriate for the acting AG to be publicly commenting on the Special Counsel's investigation, no less publicly pressuring him to issue a report that Whitaker and/or Barr plan to bury, anyway.This is a mirthless joke.I am so achingly tired of watching the Trump administration strip every last vestige of integrity from the federal government and seeing not a single Republican with the power to stop them even remotely inclined to do so. They are corrupt to the absolute core. Press Release January 29, 2019 Senate okays bill granting survivorship benefits to children of deceased retired officials of constitutional offices The Senate has approved today on third and final reading a bill seeking to grant survivorship benefits to dependent children of a deceased retired official of constitutional offices, who is a solo parent, or the surviving parents or nominated persons of the deceased retiree. Senate Bill No. 1917 was approved with 13 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and no abstention. Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV, chairman of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation and sponsor of the bill, said currently, Republic Act No. 10084 only provides benefits to the surviving legitimate spouse of the deceased retired officials of the Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections, and the Ombudsman. He said the law does not recognize the circumstances of a deceased official who may be unmarried or who may be a solo parent. To address this gap, Trillanes said SBN 1917 seeks to amend RA 10084 and extend the survivorship benefits to the dependent children of an official who is a solo parent, or the surviving parents, or up to two nominated persons of the deceased retiree who died without issue. Once the proposed legislation is passed into law, he said the dependents would be entitled to receive on a monthly basis all the retirement benefits that the deceased retiree was receiving at the time of his or her death. According to Trillanes, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is in full "accord with the passage of the bill." Sen. Loren Legarda, who introduced the bill, said SBN 1917 recognizes the "emerging nuances in the set-up of modern-day Filipino families, and heeds the call for fairness and equality to the deceased members of the constitutionally-created offices who were unmarried or were solo parents. She said the measure had been passed in the Lower House. "Through this bill, we would be able to help correct this apparent oversight in the law and uplift the plight and improve the welfare of the families who would be left behind by the retired officials of the constitutional offices," Trillanes said. Press Release January 29, 2019 Senate Oks measure creating senior citizens commission The Senate on Monday, January 28, passed on third and final reading a measure creating a commission for the elderly. Senate Bill No. 2159, under Committee Report 552, establishing the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), was approved in the Senate with a vote of 12 and no abstention. The bill is in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 674, 1881 and 2099 filed by Sen. Bam Aquino, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Sen. Sonny Angara, respectively. Sen. Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV, sponsor of the bill, said that the measure will create a body dedicate solely to handle the concerns of senior citizens, thereby abolishing the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board. The board, created by Republic Act 9994 or the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010," is composed of heads of different government agencies. Trillanes, acting chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development in the absence of detained Sen. Leila de Lima, said the NCSC will be under the office of the President and will be composed of a chairperson and six commissioners. The commissioners will represent and/or hold offices in the different regions in the country. An executive director, who will be appointed by the commission, will manage and supervise the commission's daily operations. Aquino, principal author of the measure, said the NCSC, as a national agency, will formulate and implement policies, plans and programs that promote senior citizens' rights and privileges or address issues plaguing the sector. "With sectors such as the youth, women and persons with disabilities having a specialized body catering to their constituents, it is about time that our Filipino seniors are awarded their own commission as well to ensure that no Filipino gets left behind," Aquino said. Sotto said it is imperative to safeguard the rights of senior citizens and ensure the proper execution of their programs for their well-being. "Filipinos have close family ties and the senior members of the family continue to support and provide for the family as long as they can. In this way, they find a strong sense of purpose, importance and fulfillment in this latter part of their lives. Also, being able to take care of themselves and not be a burden to their family brings them pride and self-actualization," Sotto said. Angara, for his part, said that while there is an Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in cities and municipalities, there is no central leadership to guide policies on a national scale and to ensure that senior citizens receive equal opportunities regardless of their place of residence. The creation of NCSC also reaffirms the Philippines' commitment to empowering the elderly, as a signatory to the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Ageing: Empowering Older Persons in ASEAN which was adopted on November 21, 2015. "Having a single cohesive agency will strengthen the capacity of the government to deliver high quality services to senior citizens and provide them with a platform of dialogue on their issues," Angara said. Trillanes said some of the functions of the commission are to ensure the full implementation of laws, policies and programs for the elderly; formulate policies for the promotion and protection of their rights and well-being; conduct information and education campaigns to raise awareness of senior citizens' rights; and represent the Philippines in international functions, forums and other conferences involving senior citizens. Trillanes said that with the aging population of the country, it is important to prepare for such population trend and the creation of the commission is a good start. According to the Population Commission, the population of senior citizens in the country in 2018 could be 8 percent of the total population, or 8.013 million. The United Nations Population Fund projected that the senior population in the Philippines is expected to hit 23.63 million by 2050. "Growing old comes with a variety of challenges, from physical to economic. With situations like these, it is important that we create for senior citizens a supportive and an enabling environment where they are assisted and appreciated," Trillanes said. Legarda Invites Everyone to Hibla Travelling Exhibition in Manila Senator Loren Legarda invites everyone to visit the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition, featuring "Pina-Seda: Pineapple and Silk Cloths from the Tropics," at the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila. Legarda, patron of the first permanent textile gallery at the National Museum, said that after travelling to seven destinations abroad--London, Lisbon, Madrid, Washington D.C., New York City, Hawai'i, and Frankfurt--the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition is home until March this year. "I encourage everyone to visit the exhibit to see what we have been showcasing to the world and to also appreciate our woven and embroidered fabrics made of pineapple and silk," said Legarda. The Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibition is an offshoot of the National Museum's Hibla permanent textile gallery, which is Legarda's brainchild. "It is my hope to have more travelling exhibitions as these promote our local weaving traditions in the international community and most importantly, bring sense of pride to our kababayans here and abroad," she said. The exhibition is located at the Reception Room of the National Museum of Anthropology in Manila from December 29, 2018 to March 25, 2019. There are also lecture series (10:00am to 12:00nn) and embroidery workshops (2:00pm to 4:00pm) on January 11 and 25, and February 8 and 22, 2019. "The Hibla gallery at the National Museum, the weaving lectures and demonstrations, and this Hibla travelling exhibit are efforts to celebrate indigenous artistry through textiles, provide more Filipinos the opportunity to discover priceless information about our heritage, and bring the challenge of nurturing our weaving traditions into the national stage, to a wider audience," Legarda concluded. Press Release January 29, 2019 Sponsorship Speech for the Committee Report on House Bill 1341 (Renaming the Hilltop Rizal PNP Command as Camp General Licerio Geronimo) Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson Jan. 29, 2019 More at: https://pinglacson.net/2019/01/29/sponsorship-speech-committee-report-on-house-bill-1341-renaming-the-hilltop-rizal-pnp-command-as-camp-general-licerio-geronimo/ Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I have the honor to report on the floor House Bill No. 1341, under Committee Report Number 574 entitled, "An Act Renaming the Hilltop Rizal Philippine National Police (PNP) Command in the Municipality of Taytay, Province of Rizal as Camp General Licerio Geronimo," as authored by Honorable Congressmen Romeo M. Acop, Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Gustavo S. Tambunting, and Cristina "Chiqui" Roa-Puno. Mr. President, records of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) tell us the rich legacy of General Licerio Imaya Geronimo, a Filipino farmer who later became one of the leaders of the secret revolutionary society known as the Katipunan. General "Cerio," as he was popularly called, organized forces under his command in the towns of Montalban, San Mateo, and Marikina, all in Morong Province, now referred to as Rizal Province. His brilliant command of his men resulted in the retreat and defeat of the Spanish forces who attacked General Emilio Aguinaldo in Mt. Puray. In 1898, he was designated as the division general of the revolutionary army in San Mateo. When the Filipino-American War began in 1899, he took the helm as the commanding general of the third military zone of Manila. Mr. President, in December of 1899, at the Battle of San Mateo, Rizal, General Cerio gallantly led the command against American troops headed by Major General Henry W. Lawton. It was during this battle that one of Geronimo's Tiradores de la Muerte killed General Lawton, the highest ranking American officer to fall in a battle against the Filipino revolutionaries. Notably, General Cerio's valiance led to our victories in pursuit of freedom and independence. These earned him recognition as exhibited by the many legislations passed in honor of his name, to wit: Proclamation No. 234 series of 1993 declaring August 27 of every year as General Licerio Geronimo Day in the Municipality of Rodriguez, Province of Rizal; Republic Act No. 11044 passed in 2018, renaming the Wawa Road at Barangay San Rafael, Municipality of Rodriguez, Province of Rizal, an extension of San Mateo-Rodriguez National Secondary Road, as General Licerio I. Geronimo Highway; and finally, Ordinance No. 93-34, enacted by Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Rizal, renaming the Rizal Police Provincial Office Camp to Camp General Licerio I. Geronimo, consistent with this proposed bill. However, prior to the passage of Ordinance No. 93-34, it appears that the area occupied by the present camp was acquired by the National Government by virtue of a Deed of Donation executed by the Rizal Provincial Government through then Provincial Governor Isidro S. Rodriguez in 1972. Due to this, said ordinance cannot take effect since the said camp is already a property owned by the national government, and like any other properties it cannot be renamed by a local government unit. Thus, there is a need to enact a law to give effect to this change in name. Mr. President, it is worthwhile to note that the renaming of the PNP Command is compliant with the Revised Guidelines on the Naming and Renaming of Public Structures set by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). For one, the name "Camp General Licerio Geronimo" has historical and cultural significance. It also contributes to positive development as it evokes national pride through the good example exhibited by the valiant soldier, General Geronimo. More so, as this Representation elaborated, the name is appropriate in terms of its historical value and significance to the place to be renamed, the Hilltop Camp, PNP Command in Rizal Province, where General Cerio particularly rendered invaluable service. Finally, it is inarguably most fitting to rename our police force's posture in Rizal province after a soldier later commemorated as one of our great Filipino heroes. Notably, Mr. President, this proposed measure receives the approval of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, which recognizes General Cerio's valuable leadership during the war against the United States. Mr. President, in closing, let me reiterate the relevant words of one statesman, Benjamin Disraeli, and I quote: "The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example." As an addendum Mr. President, your chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and sponsor of this measure would like to make a manifestation. If there is no violent objection from our colleagues, I'd like to issue an appeal to close the period of interpellations. Otherwise I'm ready to defend the measure on the floor. A few short years ago, the Dearborn Historical Museum was in disarray. Chief Curator Jack Tate came aboard in the fall of 2012 and, along with a horde of volunteers and limited staff, as well as support from the Museum Guild of Dearborn, directed a complete re-inventory, which is ongoing. That re-inventory includes digitizing every single piece in the museums stash. The first step is sorting and identifying each object by trying to locate an accession number or the era it came from or purpose of the object. Next, the object is photographed, tagged, and displayed in an organized manner on a shelf or storage space. Then the item number is scanned into museum archive software. Digitizing is time-consuming, said museum Archivist and Communication Specialist Mason Christensen. Its like a triage process, adds Collections Manager and Registrar Matthew Graff. Along with what was on hand already, the museum comes across other items, such as things people drop off occasionally, and items from other historical museums. That adds up to quite the inventory. It is a two-way street, says Graff. Because if we are getting rid of something, we might sell it at an antique show, like the Town Peddler in Livonia, we have a booth there. Also, we might, if it is an artifact of significant historical significance for another museum, perhaps, give it to them. Matthew Graff. Photo by David Lewinski. The museum has partnerships with many historical museums in the area, and they all work together to make sure historical artifacts make their way back to their respective hometowns. They have recently established a partnership with the Grass Lake Military Heritage Museum, which has more space for the military items that Dearborn comes across. The staff has even personally driven items out of state. Weve repatriated items as far west as Iowa, said Tate. And to Canada. Jack has personally driven several items over the border, said Graff. Tate even drove to Beloit College in Wisconsin to return Plains Native American items that the College, during desperate times in the 1950s, sold for cash. They were happy to have them back, said Graff. Renovating Dearborns oldest building The Dearborn Historical Museum has been the City of Dearborns archives since 1950. Comprised of Dearborns oldest building still in its original location, the Detroit Commandments Arsenal Quarters, the McFadden Ross House, and the Richard Gardner House, it serves to preserve the people and history of its past. Not only has Tate spearheaded the reorganization efforts of the museum, but he has also worked to realign marketing strategies with todays needs. The museum is in a constant state of renovation. Their current to-do list involves major repairs like porch replacements, electrical rewiring, and basic but dire structural integrity upgrades. Richard Gardner House. Photo by David Lewinski. Graff said they tried to secure funding for all of the costs, but have since decided to take it one part of a building at a time. We tried going for the whole enchilada, he said. But there is no silver bullet here. The City understands the problem, says Tate. With everything else going on in the city, it is difficult to get funds. That means more social media and events geared towards attracting people to check out the museum when they are in town. I would say to visit the museum to just learn more about where you live, said Christensen. We serve as a community space, by building a sense of community in town. There have been many added events to the museums lineup over the past few years, including one of their most popular, the annual Party at the Museum Beer Tasting. The beer tasting is our big ticket event, said Graff. The event, every September on the museum grounds, hosts breweries from the Metro Detroit area, food trucks, and live music. Funds go towards museum programming and repairs. Other events include lectures, the Spring Craft and Treasure Bazaar, a banjo concert, trunk sales, a Teddy Bear Picnic, Herb Society plant sale, and one of the more recent popular events, apparition seekers. The Tennessee Wraith Chasers, a paranormal investigative team featured on such television shows such as Paranormal Challenge, Ghostland Tennessee, and Ghost Asylum, will host seekers of the undead spirits on June 15, and will donate proceeds to the museum. And since Dearborn is celebrating its 90th birthday this year, they will also host a birthday gala later this summer, in July. Shortly before the birthday, our archivist wrote an article for the Press & Guide on consolidated Dearborn, said Graff. He also did a number of Facebook posts leading up the actual birthday. Commandants Quarters. Photo by David Lewinski. On the actual birthday of January 15, the archivist hosted a live stream video on the Facebook page covering the history of Dearborn. There was also an event at the Commandants Quarters where a Dearborn family artifact, the Nowlin Powder Horn, lost for over 60 years, was repatriated back to the Detroit Historical Society. Our Assistant and Chief Curators, along with FBI agents and representatives from the Detroit Historical Society, gave speeches at the event. For the birthday month of January, free copies of The Bark Covered House, telling the story of the Nowlin family coming to and living in Dearbornville, are being given out to visitors at the Commandants Quarters. Also, all Dearborn Historical Museum membership levels are 50% off from now through the end of Homecoming, the annual festival event in Ford Field Park, August 4, 2019. Graff says that the museum could not pull off any of the things they do without the scores of volunteers and interns that offer their time. McFadden Ross House. Photo by David Lewinski. Without them, this place could not survive, he said. One of our volunteers put in 642 hours volunteering last year. He also says that interns from high school through college help as well. For many interns, that is reciprocated. "The museum and their archives give each citizen the opportunity to investigate or celebrate the evolution of their city, said recent UM-Dearborn intern Tyler Rhudy. In southeast Michigan, which embodies the apex of the Industrial Revolution and the Great Migration, there are innumerable stories to be told, from technological innovation to labor relations, to bootlegging and Prohibition." Rhudy says anyone can stop by to donate time or funds to the museum. Supporting your local historical museum is important, he said. For more information on events, volunteering or donations, visit https://thedhm.com/ These include six Viking Longships, which will sail the companys most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube, and one additional vessel, inspired by the Longships and specifically designed for Portugals Douro. New 'Holland & Belgium' itinerary Debuting in March, the 10-day 'Holland & Belgium' itinerary will sail between Amsterdam and Antwerp, exploring the inland waterways of the Low Countries and visiting new ports for Viking: Rotterdam, Maastricht and Nijmegen. Also, in commemoration of World War II and D-Day, Viking will offer a new 11-day cruise-tour, 'Paris & D-Day 75th Anniversary,' with two special departures that coincide with the June 6 anniversary. On this historic journey, passengers will travel from London to the maritime city of Portsmouth before embarking their ship in Paris and sailing through Normandy, where they will visit and honor D-Day landing sites. New pre-/post-cruise extensions New fully excorted land extensions for river itineraries include 'Timeless Istanbul,' 'Brussels,' 'Historic Bruges,' 'Churchill's Britain,' 'From the Bulge to Remagen,' 'World War Battlefields and 'Burgundy's Vineyards.' 'Timeless Istanbul' extends the Black Sea program with three nights in the city on the Bosphorus. Two nights in Brussels can be added to the 'Holland & Belgium' itinerary. 'Historic Bruges,' another option for that itinerary, adds a three-night stay in Bruges with visits to the surrounding area including Ghent and the World War I battlefields of Flanders. 'Churchills Britain' can be added to various itineraries and builds on the success of the 'Oxford & Highclere Castle' program, Vikings highest-rated extension that visits 'the real Downton Abbey.' Travelers will explore the life and times of Sir Winston Churchill, from his birthplace (the English baroque Blenheim Palace) and his family home (at Chartwell) to his final resting place (St. Martins Church in the village of Bladon). During the five-night program, participants will benefit from Viking's 'Privileged Access' to the Churchill War Rooms, the prime ministers secret underground headquarters and Bletchley Park, the Victorian estate in Buckinghamshire where Alan Turing and a team of mathematicians and scientists worked to break German codes during World War II. During 'From the Bulge to Remagen,' a four-night extension available with 'Paris & D-Day 75th Anniversary,' participants will continue to follow in the footsteps of Allied troops who marched across France toward Germany during World Wars I and II. Stops include the Meuse-Argonne and Luxembourg American Cemeteries, the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium and the ancient city of Mainz. Another extension for the same anniversary sailing, 'World War Battlefields' is a four-night program exploring the battlefields of northern France and the Low Countries. Included are Dunkirk, the trenches of Flanders Fields and the opportunity to pay respects to British and Canadian servicemen at the Menin Gate. Available after the 'Lyon & Provence' cruise, 'Burgundys Vineyards' is a three-night extension to experience the grandeur of Dijon and the world-renowned wine country of Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Savings now through Jan. 31 From now through Jan. 31, US residents can get special cruise fares on select 2019, 2020 and 2021 Viking river and ocean itineraries, with additional savings on international air. A new observational study by researchers from Hong Kong demonstrates that disrupted sleep is associated with DNA damage. The findings appear in the journal Anaesthesia. University of Hong Kongs Dr. Siu-Wai Choi and his colleagues from Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital and the University of Hong Kong set out to examine the effects of acute sleep deprivation on DNA damage. The study involved 49 healthy full-time doctors who had their blood analyzed at different time points. We conducted the study over a four-month period, the researchers explained. Baseline blood samples were taken on a morning after three consecutive days of self-reported adequate, undisturbed sleep from both groups of participants. Additional blood was sampled from the on-site call group participants on the morning after acute sleep deprivation, which was defined as after an overnight call with participants sleeping less than two sleep cycles (3 hours) during their call. Overnight on-site call doctors had lower baseline DNA repair gene expression and more DNA breaks than participants who did not work overnight. In overnight on-site call participants, after acute sleep deprivation, DNA repair gene expression was decreased and DNA breaks were increased. Although this work is very preliminary, it is clear from the results that even a single night of sleep deprivation can trigger events that may contribute to the development of chronic disease, Dr. Choi said. Anesthetists and other health professionals frequently work night shifts and on call duties, and their work patterns change frequently between night and day work, said Professor Andy Klein, the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Anaesthesia. This study is important in that it will allow future researchers to study the impact of changing the way we work and other interventions by evaluating DNA breaks in the same way as the authors of this groundbreaking study have done. _____ V. Cheung et al. The effect of sleep deprivation and disruption on DNA damage and health of doctors. Anaesthesia, published online January 23, 2019; doi: 10.1111/anae.14533 A team of astronomers from Japan has discovered a 2.6-km (1.6 mile) wide object in the Kuiper Belt, a distant region of icy debris that extends far beyond the orbit of Neptune. Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) are thought to be remnants of the early Solar System, and their size distribution provides an opportunity to explore the formation and evolution of the outer Solar System. In particular, the size distribution of kilometer-sized (with a radius between 1 and 10 km, or 0.6 and 6.2 miles) KBOs represents a signature of initial object sizes when planets form. These small KBOs are extremely faint, and it is impossible to detect them directly. Instead, the monitoring of stellar occultations (events that occur when a planetary body hides a star as it moves across the sky) is one possible way to discover these objects. By monitoring the changes in starlight that occur during an occultation event, astronomers can determine the KBOs size and temperature. KBOs with radii from one to several kilometers are too distant, small, and dim for even world-leading telescopes to observe directly, said Dr. Ko Arimatsu from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and colleagues. So we used a technique known as occultation: monitoring a large number of stars and watching for the shadow of an object passing in front of one of the stars. To achieve a challenging occultation observation, the scientists launched an observation project using amateur telescopes, named the Organized Autotelescopes for Serendipitous Event Survey (OASES). They placed two small telescopes on the roof of the Miyako open-air school on Miyako Island, Japan, and monitored approximately 2,000 stars for a total of 60 hours. Analyzing the data, they found an event consistent with a star appearing to dim as it is occulted by a 2.6-km-wide KBO. This detection indicates that kilometer-sized KBOs are more numerous than previously thought, the researchers said. This supports models where planetesimals first grow slowly into kilometer-sized objects before runaway growth causes them to merge into planets. This is a real victory for little projects. Our team had less than 0.3% of the budget of large international projects, Dr. Arimatsu said. The discovery is described in a paper in the journal Nature Astronomy. _____ K. Arimatsu et al. A kilometre-sized Kuiper belt object discovered by stellar occultation using amateur telescopes. Nature Astronomy, published online January 28, 2019; doi: 10.1038/s41550-018-0685-8 Sarasota, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Global Zinc-Air Batteries Market: Overview Zinc-air batteries are generally used for storing electrochemical energy. These batteries power electronic appliances and gadgets on a large-scale that are used in our everyday lives. These batteries are generally used in hearing aids, pagers, and watches. The key characteristic of a zinc-air battery is its high energy density. These batteries consist of a zinc cathode and an anode. The demand and popularity of the zinc-air batteries market across the globe can be attributed to the inexpensive nature and easy availability of zinc, which is a key raw material for producing zinc-air batteries. Request Free Sample Report Keyword @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/zinc-air-batteries-market Global Zinc-Air Batteries Market: Growth Factors The major growth drivers of the global zinc-air batteries market in the future include the growing demand for rechargeable zinc-air batteries for their use in various consumer products and the increasing number of zinc-air batteries applications, such as traffic signaling and communication. When oxygen from the atmosphere comes in contact with the zinc cathode, hydroxyl ions are formed as a reaction. These hydroxyl ions combine with zinc paste to form zincate. These reactions help in the generation of electricity. Zinc-air batteries are cheaper than lithium-ion batteries, as the former do not pose the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, zinc-air batteries match, and can even surpass, lithium-ion batteries in terms of energy density and specific energy. Thus, these are some factors that are projected to contribute significantly to the development of the zinc-air batteries market globally in the years to come. However, the mercury content found in zinc-air batteries, which causes various health hazards, might hamper the zinc-air batteries market on a global scale in the years ahead. Global Zinc-Air Batteries Market: Segmentation The global zinc-air batteries market is categorized into type and application. On the basis of type, this global market is bifurcated into rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable batteries are anticipated to dominate this global market over the estimated time period, due to their sustainability and reliability. By application, the global zinc-air batteries market includes electric cars, remote signaling and communication, small devices, and safety lamps. Small devices are likely to dominate the market for zinc-air batteries in the upcoming years, owing to their light weight, cost-effectiveness, high energy density, constant voltage, etc. Download Free PDF Research Report Brochure @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/zinc-air-batteries-market Global Zinc-Air Batteries Market: Regional Analysis By region, this global market is primarily divided into Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, and Latin America. The Asia Pacific region is likely to register a substantial rate of growth in the zinc-air batteries market in the future. This can be attributed to the regions' flourishing electronics and automotive industries. The European region held a major share of the global zinc-air batteries market in the year 2017 and is likely to dominate the global market in the upcoming years as well. This can be attributed to the growing older population and the introduction of appealing technologies across Europe. Additionally, favorable government initiatives for replacing the existing railway signaling systems, particularly in Switzerland and Denmark are anticipated to further contribute notably toward this regional market over the estimated timeframe. Global Zinc-Air Batteries Market: Competitive Players Some most important market players of the global zinc-air batteries market are ReVolt Technologies, Panasonic Corporation, Electric Fuel Battery Corporation, Energizer Holdings, Spectrum Brands, Berkshire Hathaway, and ZAF Energy Systems, among others. Inquiry more about this report @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/zinc-air-batteries-market Global Zinc-Air Batteries Market: Regional Segment Analysis North America The U.S. Europe The UK France Germany The Asia Pacific China Japan India Latin America Brazil The Middle East and Africa San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2019 -- Taxifolin Market Analysis: Anti-proliferative Effect on Cancer Cells Significantly Contributing to Global Demand Bolstering nutraceuticals consumption has been a primary factor driving dihydroquercetin (taxifolin) demand, says research. While this is cited as a key booster for the growth of taxifolin market worldwide, increasing preference for taxifolin in fortification of food has also been spotted as a strong factor fueling revenue growth of taxifolin market in coming years. Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=4458 Key Players Facing Pricing Challenges against Demand-supply Imbalance A fairly competitive landscape, global taxifolin market is characterized by the severe demand-supply imbalance. This scenario is resulting in the high price point of taxifolin. Volatility of the raw material availability and prices is projected to play a crucial role in determining taxifolin prices. It is however expected that the demand-supply gap in taxifolin market would narrow down over the next few years, as a result of the entry of a growing number of producers in taxifolin market. To overcome the challenges posed by high demand-low supply scenario governing competitive landscape of the taxifolin market, a majority of manufacturers of taxifolin are focusing on expansion of production facilities to cater to higher demand. Moreover, key players in taxifolin market are concentrating on expansion of the customer base to achieve an edge over immediate competitors in taxifolin market. Optimization of the operating costs through raw material procurement will reportedly remain another developmental strategy adopted by taxifolin market players, according to research. New entrants however continue to face the challenge imposed by stringent certification prerequisites and strict procurement process requirements set for manufacturing and processing of taxifolin. Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=4458 However, it has been observed that new market entry aspirants generally prefer Chinese taxifolin market owing to the cost benefit associated with raw material and labor. China has been one of the top performing taxifolin markets, and the demand is likely to remain concentrated in multiple application areas - including cosmetics. Moreover, improving scope of investment in less-toxic drug development is pushing the number of PPPs in the country, eventually boosting prospects of taxifolin market across China. Some of the leading companies operating in taxifolin market are Cayman Chemical, W Health Products, Ametis JSC, Kingherbs Ltd, Abcam plc, Adooq Bioscience, and Kalenika Group. Taxifolin Gathering Traction in Food Fortification & Drug Development Applications Besides healthcare and F&B, taxifolin finds wide applicability across several other domains such as agriculture, and personal care and cosmetics. The ability of taxifolin to stabilize shelf life of food and beverage products fuels its adoption in F&B applications. Whereas antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of taxifolin push consumption across healthcare industry. Being a natural antioxidant, taxifolin continues to witness extensive adoption by drug manufacturers as well. The most prominent application segments in F&B industry that are likely to contribute to the growth of taxifolin market include confectionary, alcoholic beverages, dairy, and meat processing. Highest Adoption Potential Resides in Cancer Research Increasing prevalence of cancers is one of the predominant factors boosting adoption of taxifolin in the medical industry. Apart from developed countries, developing economies have been witnessing rapid expansion of population with a type of cancer in recent years, which is a key factor accelerating the expansion of taxifolin market in emerging Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/taxifolin-market As taxifolin is a proven potent inhibitor of the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, taxifolin manufacturers are projected to discover lucrative consumption opportunities in the world of medicine, in coming years. Moreover, a few derivatives of taxifolin have been proven to hold an inhibitory effect on the growth of breast cancer cells. This is anticipated to be another strong factor pushing taxifolin consumption among cancer research institutes. With proven anti-proliferative effect on murine skin fibroblasts, taxifolin is expected to explore consumption opportunities across research centers in the near future. Russia Remains the Production Hub for Taxifolin Market In terms of production, Europe has been the top taxifolin producer, globally. Russian market especially holds a substantial share in the taxifolin landscape owing to widespread availability of a variety of conifers, which are the primary raw material for taxifolin production. Being a prominent cultivator of Siberian and Dahurian larch, Russia continues to remain at the forefront of taxifolin production, according to research. About TMR Research TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in today's 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. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Small cells are majorly deployed to efficiently increase the available network capacity in areas having poor network coverage and where more network traffic is observed. In a networked society, where network connectivity and availability is the beginning for new ways of socializing and collaborating, there are few things more imperative than network capacity. Large numbers of people gather in environments such as busy streets, multi-story office blocks, and stadiums, and they are expected to use video-centric applications on their smartphones that are data-heavy. At present, many network providers cannot constantly deliver the downlink speeds required for on demand streaming video. Thus, companies are following an approach of maximizing the network capacity by creating heterogeneous networks by improving existing macro cells and introducing complementary small cells as well. Small cell as a service model will enable mobile network operators to reduce their burden regarding data connectivity by using the neutral Wi-Fi network of the third party service provider to carry the network traffic. This would help telecom operators to manage customer expectations more effectively even in ultra dense environments. Report Details: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/small-cell-as-a-service-market.html The significant surge in smartphone uptake and demand for mobile connectivity has resulted in immense growth of data usage. Small cell service providers will enable telecom operators to offer their Wi-Fi services to customers on already deployed Wi-Fi infrastructure. This will provide an opportunity for operators to provide efficient services to their customers in this price competitive market without investing additionally in managing and setting up the network infrastructure. This factor is estimated to significantly drive the market throughout the forecast period. The global small cell as a service market is segmented on the basis of type, enterprise size, and region. By type, the market is segmented into indoor SCaaS and outdoor SCaaS. On the basis of enterprise size, the market is segmented into large enterprises and small & medium size enterprises. Large size enterprises are projected to have a major share in the global small cell as a service market due to their rising adoption of advanced technologies and increased investment capacity. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=46143 Region wise, the global small cell as a service market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Middle East & Africa (MEA). North America is predicted to dominate the small cell as a service market followed by Europe. North America is estimated to witness major growth and hold the highest market share during the forecast period. The U.S and Canada are projected to drive the growth of the market in this region due to technological advancements and rising investments in R&D of companies in the telecommunications industry. However, among all the regions, Asia Pacific (APAC) is expected to create significant market opportunity for key players operating in the small cell as a service market due to growth in urbanization and industrialization in this region during the forecast period. In APAC, countries such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, China, India, etc. are contributing to the growth of the small cell as a service market. This is mainly due to the increasing number of mobile subscribers in this region and unstoppable demand for faster network connectivity. Key players in the global small cell as a service market include Ericson AB, Verizon Communications, Persistent Telecom, ClearSky Technologies, Alcatel-Lucent, and Nokia Communications. Explosive growth in the number of small cell as a service providers coupled with extensive developments in cellular technology are expected to take place in the next few years owing to the massive market potential. Key players in the global small cell as a service market are majorly focusing on providing advanced and unique services in order to strengthen their position and improve their customer base. View Report TOC: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=46143 Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2019 -- Xylenes are petrochemicals produced by catalytic reforming and coal carbonization in the manufacture of coke fuel. They are used in various industries and medical technology as a solvent. It occurs naturally in coal, wood tar and coal among others. Xylenes are mainly produced as a part of the BTX aromatics. They are derived from various sources within a refinery including pyrolysis gasoline, toluene disproportionation and reformate among others. Reformate accounts for over three fourths of mixed xylenes market. There are three types of xylenes, viz., ortho-xylene, meta xylene and para xylene. Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-157 Ortho-xylene is a commercial isomer of xylene. It is a hydrocarbon based on benzene with two methyl substituents bonded to the aromatic ring. It is liquid at room temperature. It is used extensively for producing phthalic anhydride (PAN)-primarily dio-octyl phthalate for PVC. The major use for PAN is for producing plasticizers which are largely used in automobile and construction industry. In addition, it is used in solvent based paints. It is extracted by means of distillation from xylene stream in a plant designed for para-xylene production. It is a constitutional isomer of m-xylene and p-xylene. Moreover, it is produced with its isomers paraxylene, metaxylene and ethylbenzene. Friedel Craft's alkylation of toluene yields a mixture of ortho-xylene .This reaction gives a pure form of o-xylene. Furthermore, it is used in alkyd resins having wide applications in the coating industry. It has a large demand in the petrochemical industry. The growing construction industry coupled with burgeoning development in the automobile industry is expected to drive the demand for ortho-xylene within the forecast period. Additionally, the growing paints and adhesive industry is expected to fuel the demand for ortho-xylene further over the next few years. However, acute inhalation or exposure to ortho-xylene in humans results in irritation of eyes and neurological effects. Furthermore, chronic exposure of ortho-xylenes results in central nervous system effects, cardio-vascular and kidney effects. It reacts violently with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. Thus, stringent regulations on use of ethylene are expected to hamper the ortho-xylene market in near future. In Asia, prices of xylene are anticipated to weaken due to weak downstream conditions in the purified terephthalic acid and paraxylene sectors. Global manufacturing coupled with supply chain and access to feedstock are the key strengths of the companies involved in the ortho-xylene market. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing regional market within the forecast period on account of the growing chemical industry and in turn, rapid industrialization. China dominated the otho-xylene production in 2011 and this trend is expected to continue within the forecast period. In India, Reliance Industries is a manufacturer of ortho-xylene with a capacity of 150 KTA. Consumption of ortho-xylene in Eastern Europe and Russia is expected to be strong on account of the thriving construction industry. Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-157 The major players in the ortho-xylene market are Creasyn Finechem (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Inc., DynaChem Inc, Minda Petrochemicals Ltd, Shell Chemicals, Sonoco Chemicals, U.S. Petrochemical Industries Ltd. and Puritan Products, Inc. among others. Ortho-xylene projects by major companies are planned in China, Taiwan and Singapore within the forecast period. Allentown, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Networks Drops, the number one cabling contractor in Philadelphia and New Jersey, is continuing to provide a variety of services including its structured wiring solutions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Low-voltage wiring systems have become an increasingly popular choice for home and business owners across the area, and the skilled technicians from Network Drops have been providing this technology for years. When deciding to install structured wiring in a home or business, customers of Network Drops will benefit from low-voltage wiring options such as VoIP phones, surveillance technology, fiber optics, CAT5/CAT5E, and CAT6. When contacting these knowledgeable wiring technicians, home and business owners will be prepared for the future of technology and wiring solutions. The structured cabling solutions this company provides in South Jersey will keep wiring systems efficient and up to date. Network Drops keeps its customers connected to the best technology around. Plus, customers can rest assured that this cabling and wiring company will meet industry standards on any installation job. With over 30 years of experience in cabling and a variety of other wiring services, including voice and data services, network infrastructure and more, home and business owners turn to Network Drops for quality work. Those interested in structured cabling solution for their home or business in NJ or PA are encouraged to contact Network Drops. Visit https://www.networkdrops.com/ or call 609-551-9763 for more information. About Network Drops Network Drops is a Central New Jersey-based network cabling service that provides and installs various cables to clients across the State. They specialize in cat 5/5e, cat 6, fiber optic, voice, commercial wireless and security services and installation. The company, which has been in existence since 1986, is equipped to handle jobs of any size, large or small, and is happy to provide their potential clients with complimentary, no obligation quotes. To learn more about Network Drops, or to get in touch, please visit their website at https://www.networkdrops.com/. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2019 -- Global Micro Projector Industry Market Research Report is latest research study released by HTF MI evaluating the market, highlighting opportunities, risk side analysis, and leveraged with strategic and tactical decision-making support. The study provides information on market trends and development, drivers, capacities, technologies, and on the changing capital structure of the Global Micro Projector Market. Some of the key players profiled in the study are WowWee Group, Aiptek International, OPUS Microsystems, Samsung, ASK Proxima, Toshiba, Maradin, 3M, Sony, Philips, ASUS, BenQ, Luminus Device, Optoma Technology, Acer, Microvision, LG, Canon, Brookstone & Aaxa Technologies. The Micro Projector market can be split based on product types, major applications, and important regions. Micro Projector Market Overview: If you are involved in the Micro Projector industry or intend to be, then this study will provide you comprehensive outlook. It's vital you keep your market knowledge up to date segmented by Application 1, Application 2, Application 3, Application 4 & Application 5, , Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4 & Type 5 and major players. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization according to your requirement. Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1586683-global-micro-projector-industry-market-1 Micro Projector Market: Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023 Research study is to define market sizes of various segments & countries in previous years and to forecast the values to the next 5-8 years. The report is designed to comprise each qualitative and quantitative elements of the industry facts including: market share, market size (value and volume 2012-17, and forecast to 2023) with admire to each of the areas and countries concerned inside the examination. Furthermore, the report additionally caters the detailed statistics about the vital elements which includes drivers & restraining factors which will define the future growth of the market. Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows: Historical year 2013-2017 Base year 2018 Forecast period** 2018 to 2023 [** unless otherwise stated] Moreover, it will also include the opportunities available in micro markets for stakeholders to invest, detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product services of key players. The designated segments and sub-section of the market are explained below: The Study is segmented by following Product Type: , Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4 & Type 5 Major applications/end-users industry are as follows: Application 1, Application 2, Application 3, Application 4 & Application 5 Some of the key Manufacturers Involved in the Market are WowWee Group, Aiptek International, OPUS Microsystems, Samsung, ASK Proxima, Toshiba, Maradin, 3M, Sony, Philips, ASUS, BenQ, Luminus Device, Optoma Technology, Acer, Microvision, LG, Canon, Brookstone & Aaxa Technologies You can get free access to samples from the report here: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1586683-global-micro-projector-industry-market-1 For each region, market size and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies. If opting for the Global version of Micro Projector Market analysis is provided for major regions as follows: - North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) - Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) - Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) - South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) - Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Buy this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1586683 Key Answers Captured in Study are Which geography would have better demand for product/services? What are the strategies adopted by big players in the regional market? Which country would see the steep rise in CAGR & year-on-year (Y-O-Y) growth? What is the current & expected market size in next five years? What is the market feasibility for long term investment? What opportunity the country would offer for existing and new players in the Micro Projector market? What is risk involved for suppliers in the geography? What factors would drive the demand for the product/service in near future? What is the impact analysis of various factors in the Global Micro Projector market growth? What are the recent trends in the regional market and how successful they are? Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1586683-global-micro-projector-industry-market-1 There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Micro Projector market. Chapter 1, About Executive Summary to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Global Micro Projector market, Applications [Application 1, Application 2, Application 3, Application 4 & Application 5], Market Segment by Regions North America, Europe, China, Japan, Middle East & Africa, India, South America & Others; Chapter 2, objective of the study. Chapter 3, to display Research methodology and techniques. Chapter 4 and 5, to show the Overall Market Analysis, segmentation analysis, characteristics; Chapter 6 and 7, to show the Market size, share and forecast; Five forces analysis (bargaining Power of buyers/suppliers), Threats to new entrants and market condition; Chapter 8 and 9, to show analysis by regional segmentation[North America, Europe, China, Japan, Middle East & Africa, India, South America & Others ], comparison, leading countries and opportunities; Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis Chapter 10, focus on identifying the key industry influencer's, overview of decision framework accumulated through Industry experts and strategic decision makers; Chapter 11 and 12, Market Trend Analysis, Drivers, Challenges by consumer behaviour, Marketing Channels and demand & supply. Chapter 13 and 14, describe about the vendor landscape (classification and Market Positioning) Chapter 15, deals with Global Micro Projector Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia or Oceania [Australia and New Zealand]. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2019 -- Medical tourism is one of the most dynamically growing industries today. Considered to be the direct impact of globalisation of healthcare, medical tourism certainly exhibits strong growth potential globally. However, based on FMI's research, the market of medical tourism is expected to concentrate within most of the emerging economies of the world. As developing nations are increasingly heading toward technological advancement and quality services in the medical and healthcare sector, the global medical tourism market is anticipated to witness robust growth over 2014-2020, predominantly in Asian countries. The top treatments people travel abroad for, include cancer therapy, cardiovascular surgeries, orthopaedic treatments, dentistry, cosmetic surgeries, reproductive treatments, weight loss therapies, health screenings, and medical tests and scans. In severe cases, a sizeable patient population also seeks second opinion from specialist doctors out of their countries. Key Drivers High treatment costs and lengthy waiting times for medical procedures, being the two major factors in driving medical tourism, are also supported by easier and cheaper international travel. While the U.K.'s population prefers to travel abroad for bypassing long waits, patients from the U.S. travel outside for availing of treatments at cheaper costs. Medical excellence along with international accreditation are the key factors fuelling a majority of international patient flow, eventually boosting international medical tourism. Currently, over 600 medical departments and hospitals all over the globe are accredited by the U.S. Joint Commission International (JCI). The number of accredited facilities is projected to increase almost by 20% each year. This is another important driver associated with the market growth. Developing countries, with ever-evolving innovation and demonstrable achievements in medical research are estimated to accelerate the approaching medical tourist flow over the forecast period. Growing healthcare investments by various government and private sectors are also anticipated to further bolster the market growth. Key Restraints However, medical tourists are highly prone to a wide variety of health risks after they return. The conditions may include TB, paratyphoid, amoebic dysentery, deep vein thrombosis, and more; usually caused due to poor post-operative care and inadequate rest. This could affect the market to some extent. Stringent documentation processes, issues related to visa approval, and limited insurance coverage are reportedly some of the most deterring factors for the global market. Get Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-249 Global Medical Tourism Market: Segmentation FMI's research on the global medical tourism market offers a six-year forecast, segmenting the market on the basis of type of medical treatment and geography. On the basis of the type of treatment, the market is segmented into cosmetic treatment, cardiovascular treatment, fertility treatment, dental treatment, orthopaedic treatment, and other general treatments. On the basis of geography, the market is segmented into Asia pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, North America, and South America. Regional Outlook Some of the prominent medical tourism centres across the globe include Thailand, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Israel, Brazil, Turkey, the Philippines, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Canada, and the U.S. According to Patients Beyond Borders, the global medical tourism market is currently growing at an impressive rate between 15% and 25%, and the flow of patients seeking cross-border treatment options will be the highest in Mexico. South and Southeast Asia are expected to dominate the global market in the near future. Based on MTA's recently released Medical Tourism Index, there are 41 countries participating in the global medical tourism market. While India broadly secures #1, Israel ranks #1 in the quality of services and facilities. India is renowned for specialist cardiac surgeries, while Singapore is a popular medical tourism destination owing to the expertise in complicated surgical procedures. Thailand has been a popular destination for medical tourism and millions of patients have travelled to Thailand since 2006. It is also the top cosmetic surgery centre globally. Malaysia offers state-of-the-art medical infrastructure and treatments by highly skilled medical professionals, making it another sought after centre among medical tourists. With economically affordable treatment options and favourable government initiatives, Malaysia is anticipated to acquire one of the top market positions in the global medical tourism market, during the forecast period. Key Players: Global Medical Tourism Market Some of the top key players in the medical tourism industry include Asian Heart Institute (India), Apollo Hospitals (India), Prince Court Medical Centre (Malaysia), Gleneagles Hospital (Singapore), Min-Sheng General Hospital (Taiwan), Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (Bangkok), Raffles Medical Group (Singapore), Clemenceau Medical Centre (Lebanon), Bangkok Hospital (Thailand), Bumrungrad International Hospital (Thailand), Fortis Healthcare Ltd. (India), Wooridul Spine Hospital (Korea), KPJ Healthcare Berhad (Malaysia), Anadolu Medical Centre (Turkey), and Asklepios Klinik Barmbek (Germany). Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-249 While these players rank amongst they compete on the basis of exceptional service quality, optimum patient comfort, and relatively reasonable costs for various treatments. Several facilities are also undergoing mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, and joint ventures for delivering enhanced medical care, thereby strengthening their market positions. A few prominent examples of highly productive collaborations include the collaboration between Bumrungrad International Hospital (Bangkok) and IBM Watson for better cancer care, and the collaboration of Anadolu Medical Centre (Turkey) with Johns Hopkins Medicine (U.S.). Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Inorganic pigments are obtained from mixed metal oxides and are produced by a high temperature calcinations process. These pigments are not affected y strong acids, base and oxidizing agents. Also inorganic pigments are non-migratory, do not bleed and are non-warping. Most inorganic pigments can withstand various temperatures and bad climatic conditions; they are heat resistant, have resistance to other chemicals and are easy to disperse. There are a variety of inorganic pigments available and are classified primarily from the source they are derived from. Some of the inorganic pigments include Chrome, which is derived from lead, Cadmiums, which are derived from cadmium compounds, and Irons that are derived from various iron oxides among others. Inorganic pigments are solid materials that obtain their transparency owing to their extremely small size and shape. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/inorganic-color-pigments.html Inorganic color pigments are used in various industries, which include coil coatings, powder coatings, industrial coatings, architectural coatings among others. They are also used in the coloring of plastics, buildings, constructions etc... It finds its application even in the automotive segments as a colorant for engineering plastics. Owing to the quality of industrial products, which have been improving over the past few years, the demands on their appearance and durability are increasing as well. Due to their fastness properties and their tolerance to adverse conditions, they are the most preferred pigments used in constructions. Inorganic pigments are the most stable class of pigments that have been manufactured as of today. The key drivers for the inorganic pigment market include rapid growth in urbanization, the paints and the coatings market, the construction agency, the building material and plastic industry. The demand for inorganic pigments is expected to be the highest in developing countries. These inorganic pigments are mainly used in the automotive industry due to its durable properties. The market for automotives in developing countries along with the plastic, paint and coatings industry is growing at a rapid pace especially in emerging economies like India and China and hence the demand for inorganic pigments is anticipated to be high in these countries. The main setbacks of the inorganic pigment industry are coping with continuous globalization, markets that are mature in a few applications and regions and the excess production of commodity pigments. The adverse environmental effects inorganic pigments cause can be a restrain for its market especially in Europe. However due to the lack of stringent regulations in Asia Pacific countries especially in countries like India and China, inorganic pigments are used produced and used on a large scale. The key segments for this market include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world (RoW). The most widely used pigments are manufactured from iron oxide. The largest manufactures of inorganic pigments is China, followed by North America and finally Europe. Demand for inorganic pigments is seen to be declining in western countries while demand in Asian countries is increasing especially in China. The inorganic dye market is mature in Japan and is not likely to increase by a huge margin over the next few years. The consumption of inorganic pigments is expected to grow significantly in India and China in the near future. Request to view Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=2903 Some of the key companies profiled for Inorganic Color Pigments market include Ferro Corporation GmbH, Shepard Color Company, Bayer AG, Rockwood, Atlanta AG, Apollo Colors, Honeywell International and Todo Kogyo among others. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- The increasing prominence of the in vitro diagnostics sector in healthcare and its growing use across a number of regions across the world has boosted demand from the global In Vitro Diagnostics Quality Control Market. In vitro diagnostics quality controls have taken on a crucial role in modern healthcare due to the better accuracy of diagnoses offered by their use and are thus likely to remain in demand in the coming years. The global in vitro diagnostics quality control market is thus likely to exhibit a steady CAGR of 3.3% over the 2017-2022 forecast period. Transparency Market Research estimates the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market to rise to a valuation of US$710.8 mn by the end of 2017 and further rise to US$837 mn by the end of 2022. The steady rise in investment in the healthcare sector in recent years from governments as well as leading private sector players is likely to aid smooth growth of the in vitro diagnostics quality control market in the coming years. The report segments the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market by product type into whole blood based controls, serum/plasma based controls, urine based controls, data management solutions, quality assurance services, and others. Of these, whole blood based controls are likely to dominate the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market in the coming years due to the comprehensive assessment they provide in in vitro diagnostics. The whole blood based controls segment of the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market is expected to be valued at US$208.5 mn by the end of 2017 and further rise to US$238.5 mn by the end of 2022. The segments 2.7% CAGR over the 2017-2022 forecast period is likely to lead to its share in the market dropping from 29.3% to 28.5% by 2022, but its annual growth figure of US$6 mn is the highest in the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market. Request to View Sample of Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=33194 The North America market for in vitro diagnostics quality controls is expected to rise from US$262.8 mn in 2017 to US$311.7 mn by the end of 2022. North America accounted for close to 37% of the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market in 2017 and is likely to remain similarly dominant in the global figures over the 2017-2022 forecast period. The North America in vitro diagnostics quality control market is likely to exhibit a strong 3.5% CAGR between 2017 and 2022 to remain the most attractive region for in vitro diagnostics quality control market players. Despite North Americas dominance in the in vitro diagnostics quality control market, Asia Pacific except Japan is also likely to play a prominent role in the development of the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market in the coming years. The Asia Pacific except Japan in vitro diagnostics quality control market is expected to exhibit a strong 3.5% CAGR over the 2017-2022 forecast period, rising to a valuation of US$136 mn by the end of 2022. Request to View Brochure of Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=33194 Key players in the global in vitro diagnostics quality control market include Abbott Laboratories, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Helena Laboratories, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc., Randox Laboratories Ltd., Roche Diagnostics, Seracare Life Sciences Inc., Siemens Healthineers, Sun Diagnostics LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Sysmex Corporation, and Quantimetrix Corporation. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Facing the limitations of hardware-driven growth, manufacturing industries have now turned their gaze upon Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). It not only enables them to boost their production efficiency but also enhance revenues with better customer-focused models. Thus the global industrial internet of things (IIoT) market, subject of a research report by Transparency Market Research, seems poised to rise. Considering the fact that the market is still in its nascent stages, its growth prospects seem really impressive at this point. The upcoming TMR report promises to be a valuable repository of information on the global industrial internet of things (IIoT) market. It would offer key stakeholders in it crucial insights for taking strategic decisions. Those include detailed discussion on growth drivers and restraints, competitive dynamics, and various segments. Read Report Overview https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/iiot-platform-market.html IIoT-enabled business models are taking over the domains of industrial equipment and machinery. This coupled with the integration of the latest technologies with IIoT platforms is expected to fuel the global industrial internet of things (IIoT) platform big time in the near term. Some such cutting-edge modern technologies are automation, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud, and others. Other factors boosting the global IIoT platform market is the evolution of more powerful and cheaper sensors. This is leading to wider applications of IIoT platforms. All these are making the IIoT platform ecosystem dynamic. As far as the competitive landscape is concerned, the market is projected to be equally dynamic. This is because of the big ticket acquisitions and collaborations that could be leveraged by organizations to fill capability gaps. Another factor that is widely believed to be reshaping the contours of the market could be the foray of innovative and disruptive players. They are launching new and better products every now and then, thereby changing the growth course. Get PDF Brochure https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=56010 Posing a challenge to the growth of the global IIoT platform market, on the other hand, could be the high cost of installing. This is thought to be deterring uptake by small and medium industries having limited capital. However, with costs coming down, the market could see more opportunities for growth. Global IIoT Platform Market: Regional Outlook The upcoming report studies the geographical distribution of the global IIoT market. It does so by trying to figure out the potential of various regions with respect to revenue generation. North America could be a prominent contributor to the market for a number of reasons. One of those could be the presence of numerous key players in the region. Second, early adoption of latest technologies in the region could also be boosting its market. Most industries in North America, particularly in the U.S. and Canada have ample of funding and thus can afford latest, sophisticated technologies to improve revenues. Meanwhile, going forward, Asia Pacific is expected to play a key role in the global IIoT platform market. This is because of the China, the manufacturing powerhouse further strengthening its production capabilities. South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and India are other potential IIoT platform markets in the region. Get ToC Of Report https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=56010 Global IIoT Platform Market: Competitive Dynamics Some of the prominent participants in the global IIoT market are PTC, SAP, IBM, Accenture, Hitachi, and Oracle. The report would study their major strategies and the opportunities and pitfalls awaiting them. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- This recently published report examines the global Stainless Steel Wire Rope market for the projected period of 6-years, i.e. between 2019 and 2025. The report highlights the accomplishments and opportunities lies in the market throughout the forecasted period. The report offers the thorough information about the overview and the scope of the global Stainless Steel Wire Rope market along with its drivers, restraints, and trends. It also classifies the market into different segments such as by type, by applications and by-product. In short, this report comprises of all the necessary details of the global Stainless Steel Wire Rope markets such as value/volume data, marketing strategies, and expert views. The comprehensive information about distribution channels such as suppliers, dealers, wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers have also given in this report. The report represents the statistical data in the form of tables, charts, and info-graphics to assess the market, its growth and development, and market trends of the global Stainless Steel Wire Rope market during the projected period. QY Research has used a framework of primary and secondary research to make this report a full-proof one. The global Stainless Steel Wire Rope 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. Get PDF sample copy of this report @ https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/943102/global-stainless-steel-wire-rope-industry-depth-survey This report focuses on Stainless Steel Wire Rope volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Stainless Steel Wire Rope 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. The following manufacturers are covered: WireCo World Group Tokyo Rope Kiswire Jiangsu Langshan Guizhou Wire Rope Fasten Group Usha Martin Bekaert Xinri Hengli Bridon Juli Sling Jiangsu Shenwang Shinko Xianyang Bamco DSR Segment by Regions North America Europe China Japan Segment by Type Left Regular Lay Left Lang Lay Right Regular Lay Right Lang Lay Alternate Lay Segment by Application Industrial & Crane Oil & Gas Mining Fishing & Marine Others Request for Discount on this Report @ https://www.qyresearch.com/request-discount/form/943102/global-stainless-steel-wire-rope-industry-depth-survey About QYResearch QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Silver Based Antimicrobials Market Insights, Forecast to 2025 to its huge collection of research reports. Global Silver Based Antimicrobials market size will increase to Million US$ by 2025, from Million US$ in 2017, at a CAGR of during the forecast period. In this study, 2017 has been considered as the base year and 2018 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Silver Based Antimicrobials. This report researches the worldwide Silver Based Antimicrobials market size (value, capacity, production and consumption) in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (China, Japan) and other regions. This study categorizes the global Silver Based Antimicrobials breakdown data by manufacturers, region, type and application, also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Click here to get a FREE sample report in your inbox: https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1918029&type=S This report focuses on the top manufacturers' Silver Based Antimicrobials capacity, production, value, price and market share of Silver Based Antimicrobials in global market. The following manufacturers are covered in this report: BASF Thomson Research Associates Toagosei Microban Ishizuka Glass Group Sanitized Sinanen Zeomic Addmaster Koa Glass Sciessent Milliken Dow Chenzhou City Jingui Silver Pure Bioscience Nafur Hangzhou Wan Jing New Material Weilai Jinda Nano Tech Silver Based Antimicrobials Breakdown Data by Type Silicate Carriers Phosphate Carriers Titanium Dioxide Carriers Glass Carriers Silver Based Antimicrobials Breakdown Data by Application Textile Coating Plastic Cosmetic & Medical Silver Based Antimicrobials Production Breakdown Data by Region United States Europe China Japan Other Regions Silver Based Antimicrobials 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 & South America ....... To Browse a Complete Report Visit @ https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-silver-based-antimicrobials-market-insights-forecast-to-2025.htm The study objectives are: To analyze and research the global Silver Based Antimicrobials capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast; To focus on the key Silver Based Antimicrobials 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. For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered. About QYResearchReports.com QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market. Contact Us: Brooklyn, NY 11230 United States Toll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA) Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qyresearchreports-com Web: https://www.qyresearchreports.com Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Blog: https://reportanalysis.blogspot.in Rockville Pike, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- With uncontrolled population growth, physical spaces have become more confined, and carrying out the digging operations is becoming difficult. Compact excavators have emerged as a key automotive vehicle that can help in excavation of soil and other earthen materials in cramped up spaces. With the trend of miniaturization influencing the global automotive sector, companies are actively partaking in the production of compact excavators. While the conventional excavators have been struggling to reach the narrowed spots between buildings and tight spaces, compact excavators are being predominantly used in such digging purposes. To get sample copy of report visit: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=370 Manufacturers of compact excavators are witnessing a considerable rise in demand from individuals as well as local construction companies. New compact excavators entering the market are being designed to meet the earth-moving requirements of the future. The comfort of operating compact excavators is further driving the working professionals in the construction industry towards them. Moreover, the function of changing the attachments on the compact excavators is enabling the process of high-level excavations. Large construction companies are replacing the conventional heavy duty excavators with compact excavators to reap high profit margins from low fuel consumption and lesser carbon emission. Better maneuverability, reduced noise emission, and operational ease are a few other factors driving the demand for compact excavators in the global construction industry. According to a recently published report by FactMR, the Global Compact Excavators Market is likely to expand at a 2.7% CAGR in terms of volume during the forecast period, 2017-2026. The report further projects that by the end of 2026, over 173.6 Bn units of compact excavators will be sold across the globe. The report further reveals that the Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will represent the largest market for compact excavators through 2026. Construction to Represent Largest End-use Vertical for Compact Excavators The report has analyzed the global compact excavators market on the basis of their end-use across industrial verticals. The findings reveal that nearly three-fourth share of compact excavators sold in the global market will be used in construction sector. The demand for compact excavators in mining sector is also expected to gain traction towards the latter half of the forecast period. With respect to the operating weights, higher end-use in construction sector will be driving the demand for compact excavators with 4000-10000 lbs. capacity. By the end of 2026, over 80 Bn compact excavators with 4000-10000 lbs. operating weight capacity are expected to be sold globally. Access complete report about Compact Excavators Market: https://www.factmr.com/report/370/compact-excavator-market Demand for Electric Compact Excavators to Gain Traction by 2026-end The report has also projected that tail swing compact excavators will be a top-selling product in the global market throughout the forecast period. On the other hand, zero tail swing compact excavators are expected to register a relatively high CAGR of 2.8% in terms of volume. On the basis of motor-type analysis, the demand for compact excavators with electric motors will surge in the latter half of the forecast period. Diesel compact excavators are expected to register largest revenue share of nearly 90% in the global compact excavators market through 2026. Competition Tracking The report has profiled leading players in the global compact excavators market. Companies namely, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Caterpillar, Deere & Company, Volvo Construction Equip., Komatsu, Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd., Doosan Bobcat, Inc., Kubota Corp., JCB, Inc., Nagano Industry Co., Ltd., Case Construction Equipment, KATO Works, Kobelco Construction Machinery U.S.A Inc., Cukurova Ziraat, Bharat Earth Movers, Sany Group, guangxi LiuGong Machinery, Terex, Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology, and XCMG are observed as the leading manufacturers of compact excavators in the global market. Over the forecast period, most of these players are expected to expand their businesses on the back of product development by integrating advanced excavation technologies and equipment in the vehicles. For any query get easily connect with an Analyst: https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=370 About FactMR FactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market insights reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Blog: https://factmrblog.com/ Read Industry News at - https://insiderstribune.com Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a contagious respiratory ailment caused in humans by influenza virus A and influenza virus B. There are three types of influenza viruses, namely, A, B and C; of these, type A virus is the most virulent strain. Type A strains can infect humans as well as animals, while influenza type B viruses exclusively infect human. Type C viruses are less common and cause mild diseases in children. Influenza viruses are RNA viruses and have two large glycoproteins, namely hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), which are targets for antibody detection devices. Flu usually spreads during seasonal epidemics, which brings about deaths of thousands of people every year and millions during pandemic outbreaks. According to a World Health Organization report, seasonal epidemics worldwide are responsible for 3-5 million cases of severe illness, leading to 250,000 to 500,000 deaths every year. Currently used Influenza detection devices are either class I devices or class II devices. Flu detection devices detect antigens using specific labeled antibody or they work on nucleic acid amplification principle. In the 20th century, three influenza pandemics were reported, each of these pandemic being brought on by new strains of viruses in humans. There are fifteen subtypes of influenza viruses, of which H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7 and H1N2 strains outbreaks were reported by WHO. In April 2009, a new influenza strain called Influenza A/H1N1 or swine flu emerged that consolidated genes from human, pig and bird avian virus. The flu emerged in the U.S., Mexico, and several other nations. Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/flu-detection-device-market.html Influenza is a contagious ailment and is easily communicable and thus, requires rapid and accurate diagnosis for infection control and patient management. Influenza is treated using three types of products namely, prevention products, treatment products and diagnostics products. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising government initiatives and growing consumer awareness about pandemic and seasonal epidemics are some of the driving factors of flu detector device market. Rising geriatric population and advancements in influenza diagnostics tests are factors supporting growth of the flu detector device market. However, high development cost of flu detection device is projected to restrain growth of flu detector device market in the near future. Request Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16448 The global flu detection device market is segmented on the basis of product type, disease indication, end users and region. On the basis of product type, the global flu detection device market can be further segmented into Rapid Influenza Detection Test (RIDT), Direct Fluorescence Antibody Tests (DSFA), Direct Fluorescence Antibody Test (DFA) and Point of Care Detection device. These flu detection device products fall under FDA's Class I devices and Class II devices. Flu detection devices provide diagnosis on the basis of various techniques such as reverse transcription-PCR, ELISA, antibody binding, and electrospray ionization- mass spectrometry. On the basis of disease indication, flu detection device market is categorized into Influenza A, Influenza A/B and RSV virus detection. On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospitals, specialized clinics, diagnostic centers, research laboratories and contract research organizations. Worldwide outbreak of seasonal and pandemic influenza ailments and emergence of novel influenza viruses is increasing risk to public health due to which, the rapid influenza detection test segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global flu detection device market. However, the FDA pointed out the poor performance of RIPD test during 2009 pandemic outbreak which is projected to restrain growth of this segment in flu detection device market to a certain extent. As per CDC estimations, around 60.8 million cases of H1N1 influenza were reported in the U.S. in 2009. Thus, on the basis of disease indication, Influenza A segment is expected to expand at a high CAGR over the forecast period. Request for TOC @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=16448 The global flu detection device market is divided into five key regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. In terms of geography, North America is expected to account for major market share in the global flu detection device market. Asia and Europe also account for considerable market share in the flu detection device market and are expected to witness significant growth in the near future. Rapid growth of the market in these regions is attributed to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising geriatric population. Some of the key players in this market are Cepheid (U.S.), Roche Molecular Systems Inc. (U.S.), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Alere (U.S.), Meridian Life Sciences (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Fast-track diagnostics Ltd., R-Biopharm AG, Sekisui Diagnostics, DiaSorin Molecular LLC., Maccura, and LifeSign PBM. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- According to a new market research report "Enterprise Asset Management Market by Component (Software and Services), Deployment Type (On-Premises and Cloud), Organization Size (SMES and Large Enterprises), Industry, and Region - Global Forecast to 2022", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Enterprise Asset Management market size is expected to grow from USD 3.44 Billion in 2017 to USD 6.05 Billion by 2022, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.9% during the forecast period. Major factors, such as increased asset of life aging infrastructure, reduced maintenance and procurement costs, increased tracking ability of assets in an organization, and improved return on assets, are driving the growth of the market. enterprise asset management software and services are used by various industry verticals such as government, oil and gas, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and logistics, energy and utilities, and others, including the retail, and metal and mining. Browse and in-depth TOC on "Enterprise Asset Management Market" 64 - Tables 38 - Figures 134 - Pages Get Free 10% customization on this report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=54576143 Increased asset of life-aging infrastructure, reduced maintenance and procurement costs, increased tracking ability of assets in an organization, and improved return on assets have led to the adoption of EAM. With the increase in the adoption rate of EAM among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the EAM market is expected to gain major traction during the forecast period. Rapid adoption of EAM due to a strong and well-established economy makes North America the largest market in terms of global share North America is expected to have the largest market share and is projected to dominate the market from 2017 to 2022. The EAM market is a steadily growing market in North America, which includes countries, such as the US, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and Cuba. With increasing EAM solutions for government and manufacturing industries in the US and Canada, the EAM market is set to grow at a rapid pace in the region. The Field Service Management (FSM) software is expected to be the highest revenue generator in North America in the coming years. Revenue from the professional services segment is expected to surge in this region. North America is one of the largest markets for EAM solutions in terms of market size. The factors driving the growth of the EAM market in North America are a stable economy, technology advancements, and newer infrastructure demands. Government industry is expected to contribute to the largest market share during the forecast period The government industry is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period in the EAM market. The various public assets of municipal authorities and government need to be managed proficiently for regular functioning of the society. The public assets include manholes, meters, buildings, facilities, equipment, vehicles, railway tracks, signals, signs, yards, and bridges. In the government industry, EAM helps in work management, asset valuation, risk management, preventive maintenance, and condition analysis. EAM plays a key role in the government industry, as this industry is estimated to account for the maximum share in the EAM market in 2017. Projects from governments, municipal authorities, and utilities need huge resource planning and asset management to deliver high-quality public asset management capabilities. Major EAM players, such as IBM Corporation, Oracle Corporation, and Infor offer EAM solutions to meet the needs of the state and local governments to successfully address public safety, ensure regulatory compliance, and enable optimum utilization of resources. The SMEs segment for EAM is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The SMEs segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the EAM market during the forecast period. Organizations with an employee strength between 100 and 1,000 are categorized under SMEs. SMEs are rapidly adopting EAM software due to the need of domain-specific technical personnel and skilled workforce. Small organizations are not very receptive to the implementation of EAM solutions, but increasing competition has prompted SMEs to invest in this business software and adopt go-to-market strategies to make effective decisions for business growth. Implementing this software can help SMEs enhance operational efficiencies and develop asset usage by building a strong standard base. EAM is likely to help SMEs administer assets efficiently across the facility by improving deployment and extending the asset life. Even though demand for EAM solutions in SMEs is low, the need for such software solutions will increase as SMEs grow. Ask for Discount @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/discountreports.asp?id=54576143 The major vendors that offer EAM across the globe are ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), CGI Group Inc. (US), Dude Solutions, Inc. (US), eMaint (US), International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation (US), IFS AB (Sweden), Infor (US), Oracle Corporation (US), Ramco Systems (India), SAP SE (Germany), Schneider Electric SA (France), and Vesta Partners, LLC (US). 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, "Knowledgestore" 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: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- The crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment is estimated to account for nearly one-third of the overall earth moving equipment market share during the forecast period Among product types, the crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment is estimated to account for a major share and dominate the earth moving equipment market over the projected period. The segment is estimated to gain 90 basis points between 2017 and 2025, owing to China remaining the biggest market for wheeled loaders as the country accounts for the largest share of the earth moving equipment market. The segment is estimated to create 2x incremental opportunity than that of the mini excavators segment between 2017 and 2025. The crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment is expected to create a total incremental opportunity close to US$ 15 Bn between 2017 and 2025. The segment is projected to reach a market value of more than US$ 65 Bn by 2025 end, expanding at a CAGR of 7.2%. The crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment is estimated to be an attractive segment in terms of market share owing to the increasing demand from the construction industry in Asia Pacific. Ongoing infrastructure projects and rise in urbanization to create positive impact on crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment Ongoing infrastructure projects such as railways, roads, dams and highways fuel the demand in the crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment. There are some ongoing projects such as Panama Canal expansion, Gujarat International Finance Tech City in India, Riyadh Metro in Saudi Arabia, South to North Water Transfer Project in China and London Crossrail Project in the UK. These projects are boosting the usage and development in the crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment. Rise in urbanization is another reason for fuelling the growth of the crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment. Urbanization is taking place at a faster pace and will contribute to the growth of the construction industry in developing countries such as China, India, Argentina and Brazil, which is expected to increase the demand for earth moving equipment. Rising population accompanied by growth in demand for residential areas is also likely to support the demand for earth moving equipment such as crawler/wheeled/compact loaders. Request Report TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3723 Stringent emission norms and concerns on safety and security to hamper the growth of the crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment Crawler/wheeled/compact loaders are mostly used in mining, construction, farming, forestry and other industries. However, as this equipment is big and bulky, it is unable to be handled properly, leading to injury or sometimes even death. These factors are hampering the growth of the crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment during the projected period. According to the International Labor Organization, approximately 2.3 million people die every year due to accidents at workstations and other occupational ailments. While, in economic terms, four percent of GDP is lost owing to occupational diseases and accidents. Stringent emission norms related to construction and mining equipment are restraining the demand for earth moving equipment. However, these norms vary from region to region and territory to territory. For instance, a new machinery in North America and Europe has to comply with even more stringent emission regulations as compared to other parts of the world. Request for sample report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3723 The crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment is expected to witness significant demand from the earth moving equipment market in MEA due to its multi functionality The crawler/wheeled/compact loaders and backhoe loaders segments together are estimated to dominate the APAC earth moving equipment market and are expected to collectively hold a high share of more than 60% by the end of 2025 in the APAC region. The crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment is estimated to account for a major market share by 2017 end in Latin America and is expected to exhibit its dominance by the end of 2025. In terms of volume, the crawler/wheeled/compact loaders segment is expected to account for a high market share in the MEA earth moving equipment market owing to technological advancements in the region. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing refers to genetic tests or services that are directly advertised to consumers and purchased through consumer' requests. The results of these tests are directly provided to consumers/customers without any participation of the consumers' health care providers. This type of genetic test is directly marketed to customers/consumers by using print advertisements, television, or the Internet. Many medical device companies are marketing this DTC testing to the public at a realistic price point without consulting with doctors or other medical professionals. Consumers can order genetic testing kits from home by using a website and receive volumes of information relating to their individual genetic profile without visiting a doctor. View Report- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/directtoconsumer-genetic-testing-market.html The DTC genetic testing market contains two business models: one-to-one and one-to-many. In the one-to-one model, the results are discussed directly by the companies with the consumer or with the physician. In the one-to-many model, DTC companies will only conduct a genetic test once they receive consent from the consumer and the data is owned by the companies. The companies operating in this market obtain profit from the sales of DTC genetic testing kits to consumers and physicians and the sales of genetic data to pharmaceutical companies. This paradigm shift in business models is identified as one of the key trends behind the growth of the DTC genetic testing market. The global DTC genetic testing market is expected to grow substantially due to high aging population coupled with growing prevalence of chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetic retinopathy, and other chronic diseases. In addition, growing customer awareness about direct-to-consumer genetic testing, along with increasing prevalence of major chronic diseases has resulted in rise in healthcare expenditure and the demand of DTC genetic testing is increase for early diagnosis various diseases are fuel the growth of the direct- to- consumer genetic testing market. However, DTC genetic testing raises a number of issues, including scientific, technical, and clinical issues, along with First Amendment issues of honesty, fidelity to facts, and truth-in-advertising, are limiting the growth of the global market. Request Brochure- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=35924 The global DTC genetic testing market is segmented based on service, distribution channel, and region. In terms of service, the market is further segmented into diagnostic screening, prenatal, newborn screening, pre-implantation diagnosis, and relationship testing. The diagnostic screening segment dominates the global DTC genetic testing market as it helps in identifying the gene responsible for chronic diseases such as cancer. This includes carrier screening and hereditary testing that are usually conducted for DTC genetic testing. In terms of distribution channel, the market is classified into direct sales, retail sales, and laboratory sales. The direct sales segment generates high revenue due to pricing strategies. Geographically, the DTC genetic testing market is distributed over North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Each geography market is sub-divided into specific countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Brazil, China, India, and GCC countries. North America dominated global DTC genetic testing market because of importance of early diagnosis of for better treatment outcomes, and high level of consumer literacy about diseases. Asia Pacific is projected to be the most attractive market during the forecast period due to rising health care awareness and growing disposable income. Request for TOC containing Tables and Figures: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=35924 Key players operating in this market are 23andMe, Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America, Myriad Genetics, Inc., Quest Diagnostics, Counsyl, Inc., Gene by Gene, and Positive Bioscience Ltd. In order to gain competitive advantage in the market, these market players are actively involved in various growth strategies such as collaborations, partnerships, agreements, and new product launches. Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- The total digital scent technology market was valued at $156 million in 2014 and is expected to reach $691 Million by 2020, at a CAGR of 30.4% between 2015 and 2020. The Digital Scent Technology market is expected to register a significant growth in the next five years. The digital scent technology uses hardware devices such as e-nose and scent synthesizer to sense and generate different types of smells. Ask for PDF: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=118670062 The e-nose is an array of gas sensors such as polymer sensors, piezoelectric sensors, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) sensors, and optical fiber sensors. E-noses are widely used by end-users such as military & defense, healthcare, and food & beverage. Scent synthesizers use a cartridge to generate smells. The market for e-noses is expected to grow at a high rate during the forecast period due to continuous technological advancement and decreasing cost. The report describes the market trends, drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities with respect to the Digital Scent Technology market along with the market size forecast till 2020. This global report provides a detailed view of the market across the four regions, namely- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW. North America and Europe are the largest regions in terms of the market size. Europe and APAC have been identified as fastest growing regions. The report also profiles the most promising players in the digital scent technology market. The competitive landscape of the digital scent technology market presents a very interesting picture, where a large number of players have become a force to reckon with. The market has been witnessing numerous new product launches by major players. Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=118670062 Major players in the digital scent technology market include Smiths Detection Inc. (U.S.), Scent Sciences Corporation (U.S.), ams AG (Austria), Alpha MOS SA (France), Electronics Sensor Technology (U.S.), ScentSational Technologies LLC (U.S.), Scentcom Ltd. (Israel), AIRSENSE Analytics GmbH (Germany), and The eNose Company (Netherlands). 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, "Knowledgestore" 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 sales@marketsandmarkets.com Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- The rise in the global geriatric population, increasing number of patients suffering from Parkinson's diseases (PD), and growing awareness about neurological movement disorders among patients have triggered the growth of the deep brain stimulation devices market. Globally, neurological disorders are one of the major causes of morality and accounts for approximately 12% of the deaths per annum. Of these, cerebrovascular diseases account for 85% deaths. Parkinson's disease is the most common neurological disorders after Alzheimer's disease. Symptoms associated with this disease include tremors, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, and trouble with balance. Drug therapy is the most effective treatment option available to control PD in the initial stages. Though there are several stages of PD, surgical treatment using deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices is more frequently used to control symptoms of disease. DBS devices are an effective, clinically proven, and legally approved advanced treatment option for milk to serve PD. Read Report Overview: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/deep-brain-stimulator-market.html The market for deep brain stimulation devices for Parkinson's diseases is expected to grow at a robust rate of 11% during the forecast period of 2014 to 2020. The opportunity in the market is estimated to reach US$3.2 bn by the end of 2020. The growing burden of PD on healthcare systems, along with the uncertainty of economic conditions in some developed economies such as the U.S. and Europe has forced original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop cost-effective devices for PD treatment. Geographically, the global market for deep brain stimulation devices market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America currently serves the maximum demand for DBS devices for Parkinson's disease, and is expected to maintain its leading position throughout the forecast period from 2014 to 2020, growing at a CAGR of 9.3% in terms of revenue. The region is expected to gain market share of 44.2% by the end of 2020. The key factors attributed to their leading position in the global market are high prevalence and incidence rate of Parkinson's diseases in the region, aging population, demand for advanced deep brain stimulation devices and presence of high disposable income in the region. Perceive the Sample of the Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1435 The U.S. was the largest market for DBS devices for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. According to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of death in the U.S. At present, approximately 1 million to 1.2 million people in the U.S. are suffering from Parkinson's disease. The U.S. is a major R&D and technology center in the world and holds a key share in the healthcare industry with advanced technologies, presence of top companies, and relentless developments. Significant R&D activities are currently being undertaken by the U.S. Government to introduce innovative drugs and devices to help the society in disease management. Canada is another prominent market for DBS devices for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. According to the Parkinson's Society Canada, approximately 100,000 people in Canada suffer from Parkinson's disease. The disease affects nearly 1% of the population above 65 years of age and 2% of those about 70 years of age. Canada's healthcare system has implemented a publicly funded insurance program wherein the costs are controlled by both hospitals and doctors. North America was followed by Europe as the widest market for the DBS devices for Parkinson's diseases. The region is expected to contribute to 33.7% of the demand by the end of the forecast period of 20142020. Asia Pacific, though currently accounts for the third most prominent market for deep brain stimulation devices, it is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 8% during the forecast period of 20142020. Some of the key players in global deep brain stimulation devices market are Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA, Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., and St. Jude Medical, Inc. Obtain the Brochure of the Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1435 About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Electric cars are often considered as an environmental conscious alternative to conventional cars with internal combustion engines owing to deteriorating environmental quality and soaring fuel prices. These electric cars use electric motors powered by electrical energy stored in a battery for propulsion. These cars are available in a variety of models with varying ranges and capabilities and are plugged in to a source of electrical power to recharge. Thus, they are powered solely by energy stored in the vehicle's battery system. There is no backup power generation in the vehicle, so when the battery runs out of charge it requires recharging before operating again. Advances in battery storage technology, lightweight vehicle construction, electric grid automation, soaring gas prices and rising environmental concerns are key elements that are increasing the attractiveness of electric vehicles for consumers as well as businesses across the world. Thus, the major factor driving the electric car charger market is the increasing sales of electric vehicles owing to growing environmental consumer awareness and supportive government regulations in the form of tax rebates, subsidies, and grants. For instance, in 2018, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has offered an 'Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant' of 600 Euros for electric car owners to cover the purchase and installation of home charger systems to new and second-hand electric vehicles. Similarly, the central government of India is also offering incentives for the procurement of electric vehicles in cities that have population over one million. Furthermore, several countries including China, France, and U.K. have already announced that will ban traditional fuel vehicles by 2040. For More Info, Get Sample Report Here: https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/7856 The factor that is indirectly affecting the electric car charger market is a 150-mile range baseline that has been defined for the latest generation of electric cars. In spite of the descent range, the electric car owners have concerns that they can run out-of-charging during a long road trip or during emergency and the intensity of the issue can multiply ten-fold if the charging station is not nearby. However, owing to supportive government regulations, the scenario is expected to change in the near future. Wireless charging technology is anticipated to offer numerous opportunities to the electric car charger market owing to the factors including convenience, safety, reliability, etc. In wireless charging, users can remotely control the charging process via mobile phones and other devices thereby enhancing the user experience. Also, since there are no wires involved, issues such as cable aging, leakage, magnetic effect, etc. are eliminated. Furthermore, wireless charging leads to reduced battery capacity requirements, suppression of renewable energy output fluctuation, and effective use of land resources. Therefore, the electric vehicle wireless charging is expected to be an important developmental direction in the future. Get Complete TOC and List of Figures of the Report at: https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/toc/7856 The electric car charger market can be classified on the basis of type, end-user, and geography. Based on type, the electric car charger market can be segmented into AC charger, DC charger, and wireless charger. Based on end-user, the electric car charger market can be segmented into residential and commercial. Based on geography, the electric car charger market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America. Asia Pacific and North America are expected to be highly attractive regions for the electric car charger market owing to supportive regulations and subsidies offered by the government to reduce the dependence on oil and fuels and encourage electric car chargers in the region. Prominent players operating in the electric car charger market include ABB Ltd. , Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc., Evatran, LLC, Siemens AG, Tesla Motors Inc., Delphi Automotive Plc., Schneider Electric Corp, AeroVironment, Inc., Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., and Elektromotive Ltd. MRR.BIZ has been compiled in-depth market research data in the report after exhaustive primary and secondary research. Our team of able, experienced in-house analysts has collated the information through personal interviews and study of industry databases, journals, and reputable paid sources. The report provides the following information: - Tailwinds and headwinds molding the market's trajectory - Market segments based on products, technology, and applications - Prospects of each segment - Overall current and possible future size of the market - Growth pace of the market - Competitive landscape and key players' strategies Visit Here to Pre-Book Your Report Now: https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/checkout?rep_id=7856&licType=S The main aim of the report is to: - Enable key stakeholder's in the market bet right on it - Understand the opportunities and pitfalls awaiting them - Assess the overall growth scope in the near term - Strategize effectively with respect to production and distribution MRR.BIZ is a leading provider of strategic market research. Our vast repository consists research reports, data books, company profiles, and regional market data sheets. We regularly update the data and analysis of a wide-ranging products and services around the world. As readers, you will have access to the latest information on almost 300 industries and their sub-segments. Both large Fortune 500 companies and SMEs have found those useful. This is because we customize our offerings keeping in mind the specific requirements of our clients. About MarketResearchReports.biz MarketResearchReports.biz is a seller of syndicated market studies, featuring an exhaustive collection of research reports from leading international publishers. Our repository is diverse, spanning virtually every industrial sector and even more every category and sub-category within the industry. We also provide consulting services to enable our clients have a dynamic business perspective. Contact Us State Tower 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 United States Toll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-Canada) Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- The sales of organic food are expected to continue to show double-digit growth during the forecast period. In fact, the demand for organic food is expanding significantly; consumer demand is exceeding some domestic supplies. According to the Organic Trade Association, in 2016, the U.S. organic food market was valued at US$ 43 Bn, an increase by 8% as compared to the previous year. According to USDA, the U.S. now spends more than US$ 1 Bn annually to import organic food. Moreover, the ratio of imported to exported products is around 8:1. In the U.S., organic products are now available in around 20,000 natural food stores, and in 3 out of 4 conventional grocery stores. Consumers are increasingly shifting their preference towards natural and organic food products, with intense focus on the various health benefits clean label starch offer. Consumers are inclining towards organically produced goods, and this has been dramatically increasing over the last few decades, owing to health consciousness and increasing awareness. Request For Report Brochure For Latest Industry Insights @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=50388 The report includes the company profiles of key manufacturers of clean label starch in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. For market sizing of clean label starch, primarily, we determined the region-wise consumption of starch products through various regional government sources. The clean label starch market, being a fragmented market, we listed down the top 10 key players in the market, and accordingly determined the revenue share allotted for clean label starch products. In recent years, the global market has been enduring a new trend of 'clean label' tag on most food and beverages products. Over the years, there has been a rise in the number of health conscious consumers, both, in developed and developing nations. The combination of several critical factors such as higher penetration rate of social media channels, easy availability of critical information regarding consumers' desire for healthy lifestyles, consumption of organic and natural products, and rise in per capita income in several developing nations has been triggering the demand for clean label products on a global stage. Consumers are now considering even the type and quality of the food ingredients used in various food products for consumption. According to Ingredion Inc., clean label claims have the potential to make 64% of European consumers change brands. Starch is one such food ingredient that has been influenced with the 'clean label' trend in recent years. Owing to consumers' demand for clean label products, some of the key food ingredient manufacturers are now strategizing on launching clean label starches in several regions around the world. For instance, in 2017, Cargill Inc. introduced a portfolio of clean label starches under its own brand name 'SimPure'. Owing to consumers' varying demand, some manufacturers have been expanding their clean label starches with new products that cater to the needs and requirements of their target segments. In the global market, consumers demand convenient and great tasting food having recognizable ingredients on the label. Hence, in 2017, Tate & Lyle PLC, a key food ingredient and solution provider, announced the further expansion of its line of CLARIA Functional Clean-Label Starches, with the introduction of two new instant starch products - CLARIA Instant 340 and 360. The company claims that these products are smooth and of great taste, meeting the demands of the food processing industry. In terms of revenue, the global clean label starch market is expected to represent an incremental opportunity of US$ 706.3 Mn by 2026 end over 2017. By source, the corn segment is expected to register a relatively higher CAGR in the global clean label starch market. The APAC region is expected to register a CAGR growth of 8.0% over the forecast period, due to a rise in the production and consumption of various types of starches, including clean label starch products in countries like China, Japan, etc. Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/clean-label-starch-market.html Drivers & Restraints for the Clean Label Starch Market Consumer inclination towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the key factors that triggers the demand for clean label starches. Consumers are even conscious about the kind of food ingredients used in their food products that are being consumed on a regular basis. Clean label starch, having a wide range of application in the bakery and convenience food segments, provides tremendous opportunity in the global market in generating sales. The millennial segment is the forefront audience being active and curious about the 'clean label' tag being used in various food products. Thus, the market for clean label starches is rapidly picking up pace, globally, owing to an increase in the health and wellness awareness among the population, along with the growing number of highly affluent consumers who are interested in the trend for healthy food. Clean label starch is physically extracted, and no modification is done to enhance the properties of the starch. The physical extraction process is lengthy and costly, and increases the cost of the end product, which is likely to hinder the growth in the demand of clean label starch products. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Boscalid is typically a fungicide used for use on food crops. Boscalid is a new range of fungicide used to control a wide range of plant pathogens in horticultural and broadacre crops. Boscalid is an odorless white crystalline soild. Boscalid is mainly used on food crops such as beans, bulb vegetables, berries, carrots, canola, fruiting vegetables, grapes, lettuce, pistachios, peanuts, potatoes, strawberries, tree nuts, stone fruit, Brassica vegetables (subgroups 5A and 5B), cucurbit vegetables, edible peas, cucumbers, mint, certain root vegetables and sunflower. Moreover, boscalid is also used for field crops such as cereals and oilseed rape. Furthermore, boscalid is used on food crops such as potatoes, succulent and dried shelled peas, peanuts, soybeans and root and tuber vegetables. The growing demand for fungicides especially boscalid from the farming industry across the world is expected to drive the boscalid market in the next few years. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/boscalid-market.html Boscalid fungicide offers the farmers a distinctive mode of action with higher control of foliar and white mold and diseases, together with early blight and suppression of gray mold. Boscalid is a precautionary fungicide which hinders new growth of fungal cells and also blocks the energy production in the existing cells. Boscalid fungicide is an effectual and dependable product for the protection and control of a broad range of diseases, since its site of action is unlike the strobulirins and most other fungicides. Additionally, boscalid works really well in fungicide-resistance management rotations. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified boscalid as suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity, but not sufficient to assess human carcinogenic potential. Moreover, boscalid has a low toxicity that is toxicity categories III or IV for dermal, oral, inhalation, primary eye irritation and primary skin irritation. All these factors are ultimately resulting in growing popularity of boscalid in the farming industry across the world. The highly effective and efficient performance of boscalid fungicide in a wide range of food crops is driving the global boscalid market since the last few years. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for boscalid in the next few years. The main reason for this is the rising demand for fungicides, especially boscalid, in China, India and South East Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand due to growing need for better yield for fulfilling the increasing food demand from the constantly escalating population. Moreover, the countries such as Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and Israel are growingly emphasizing on improving the agriculture output. Furthermore, the U.S. and European countries are focusing on achieving maximum agriculture output from the existing arable land. All these factors are creating a positive prospect for the global agriculture, fertilizer and fungicides industry. The growing demand for boscalid in the agriculture industry across various regions of the world, especially in the developing countries, is anticipated to drive the global boscalid market in the next six years. The major players operating in the boscalid market are mainly focusing on the developing nations for tapping their immense market potential. These companies are installing huge production facilities in the developing nations to fulfill the rapidly growing demand for boscalid from the agriculture industry. Therefore, the global boscalid market is expected to experience a noteworthy growth in the next six years. Request to view Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=5528 BASF SE and Dow AgroSciences are one of the major companies operating in the global boscalid market. Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2019 -- According to a new market research report "Blockchain in Telecom Market by Provider (Application Providers, Middleware Providers, and Infrastructure Providers), Application (OSS/BSS Processes, Identity Management, Connectivity Provisioning), Organization Size, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the blockchain in telecom market is expected to grow from USD 46.6 million in 2018 to USD 993.8 million by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 84.4% during the forecast period. The major factors driving the blockchain in telecom market include increasing support for OSS/BSS processes and rising security concerns among telcos. Browse and in-depth TOC on "Blockchain in Telecom Market" 40 - Tables 37 - Figures 131 - Pages The application providers segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the global blockchain in telecom market during the forecast period The blockchain in telecom market has been segmented on the basis of providers into 3 categories: application providers, middleware providers, and infrastructure providers. These providers offer infrastructure to develop the blockchain-based platforms. Among these types, application providers are the fastest growing segment in the overall blockchain in telecom market. The introduction of blockchain solutions has witnessed a certain level of adoption across telecom applications. Get Free 10% Customization @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=111971907 Connectivity provisioning application area is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the global blockchain in telecom market during the forecast period Blockchain can help telecom vendors in connectivity provisioning activities which include 5G enablement, IoT connectivity, and M2M connectivity. Blockchain is also helping telecom vendors in safeguarding the public Wi-Fi. IoT connectivity can be implemented by setting up a peer-to-peer mesh network which contains blockchain blocks and which is controlled by the IoT sensor. With the demand for enhancements in telecom network and implementation of 5G network, the connectivity provisioning network is expected to grow at high growth rates. The OSS/BSS segment is expected to hold the highest market size as blockchain would address the concerns in resource inventory management, service assurance, network management, product management, order management, revenue management, and customer management. The identity management segment is expected to hold the second highest market size. Blockchain-based identity management solutions help in combating identity frauds and complying with KYC and AML. North America is expected to hold the largest market size in the blockchain in telecom market during the forecast period North America is estimated to account for the largest share of the market in 2018. The region is considered the most advanced region in terms of technology adoption and infrastructure. The wide presence of key industry players offering blockchain solutions in the telecom space is the main driving factor for the growth of the blockchain in telecom market. Various blockchain vendors focused in telecom space are working on POCs and are in phase of increase the count of commercialized solutions available in the market. Some of the significant application areas where North American telecom focused blockchain vendors would be looking forward to include OSS/BSS processes, identity management, smart contracts, payments, and connectivity provisioning. Major vendors in the blockchain in telecom market include AWS (US), Guardtime (Estonia), IBM (US), Microsoft (US), SAP (Germany), Bitfury (US), Cegeka (The Netherlands), Clear (Singapore), Reply (Italy), ShoCard (US), Abra (US), Auxesis Group (India), Blockchain Foundry (Singapore), BlockCypher (US), BLOCKO (South Korea), Blockpoint (US), Blockstream (US), Chain (US), Filament (US), Huawei (China), Oracle (US), RecordsKeeper (Spain), SpinSys (US), Sofocle (India), and TBCASoft (US). 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:sales@marketsandmarkets.com Sellbyville, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2019 -- Automotive Relay Market to grow at over 4% CAGR with USD 18 billion by 2024.Powertrain systems are anticipated to account for approximately 23.5% automotive relay market revenue share over the forecast timeline owing to high usage of plug-in relays in these systems. Plug-in relays are preferred in powertrain systems due to its features such as ability to sustain in elevated temperatures, fluctuations, and vibrations. The powertrain systems are susceptible to frequent voltage fluctuations along with high surge loads, thus require high switching capacity, and escalating the industry demand over the next eight years. Get Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/619 For the uninitiated, relays are mainly deployed in safety & security systems, convenience systems, powertrains, and body electronics and ADAS systems to enhance their efficiency. Convenience systems, in fact, are specifically expected to mark a footprint in automotive relay industry over the coming seven years. As per estimates, in 2016, convenience systems procured almost 34% of the overall automotive relay market in terms of shipments. Driven by the surging demand for space saving, large switching capacity, electronic power steering, high level of compatibility, sunroof control, and infotainment, it has been forecast that convenience system would continue to be a major revenue pocket for automotive relay industry in the coming years. Automotive Relay Market by Application Powertrain systems Body and chassis Convenience Safety & Security Driver information With the emergence of smart tech, of late, it has been observed that automotive giants are increasingly concentrating on forging strong alliances to bring innovations in their vehicle model with regards to lightweight materials, power trains, active safety & assisted driving, and connectivity. Citing an instance, Magna International has recently teamed up with China based Huayu Automotive Systems, in a bid to strengthen its footprint in China market. Reportedly, the deal comes of the heels of their planning to produce electric drive powertrain systems for a renowned German automaker. Needless to say, with increasing automotive players' focus on integrating powertrain technology in the designing of the vehicle, automotive relay market from this particular vertical is sure to gain remarkable proceeds in the ensuing years. North America industry was valued at over USD 2 billion in 2016 and is expected to exhibit 5% CAGR in the projected time line owing to the matured automobile industry in the region. Moreover, the presence of well-established players will strengthen the regional business position over the next eight years. Rising product aftermarket demand from countries like Mexico will further induce immense potential to the automotive relay market growth rate till 2024. Asia Pacific automotive relay market is anticipated to dominate the industry revenue share over the forecast timeframe. This growth is attributed to increased vehicle manufacturing across the region, especially in emerging economies including India, China, and Indonesia. China is a substantial contributor in the regional industry revenue generation. Increasing automobile production coupled with rising domestic demand will propel the country's share over the projected time span. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/619 Merely a month ago, Japan's automotive behemoths, Toyota, Mazda, and Denso joined hands to develop battery-powered cars for reducing GHG emissions and improving the overall vehicle performance. Pursuing the path set by these giants, other automobile manufacturers have also been incorporating connected technologies in passenger vehicles, light trucks, minivehicles, and SUVs. The automotive sector, with the proliferation of smart tech, has been emerging as a transformative new domain, as automobile manufacturers have been keenly bringing about innovation in lightweight materials, power trains, active safety & assisted driving, and connectivity, which would ultimately create lucrative avenues for automotive relay industry. ABB, TE Connectivity, Cynergy3 Components Corporation, Denso Corporation, Fujitsu, Eaton Corporation, Omron Corporation, Littelfuse, and NEC Corporation are among the prominent players in the automotive relay market share. Other notable players include Idec Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Relpol, Sharp Corporation, Salzer Electronics, Microsemi Corporation, and Rectifier Corporation. About Global Market Insights: Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Return every detained child to parents now Numbers tell a terrible story: according to Catholic Legal Immigration Network, approximately 10,000 children are currently being held in more than 100 detention centers around the country. Too many Americans stand by hoping that lawsuits filed by Southern Poverty Law Center, Legal Aid Justice Center, and others will release the children, but their trauma will endure. Terrified of all authority, how can they grow up, in a country, to be healthy, productive members of society? Will future generations think of us as no different than the citizens of Germany who stood by while neighbors were taken away in ten 1930s? Advertisement Let us raise a storm of public protests now and demand that President Trump reunite every child with their parents within 30 days. Every human being and certainly every child is our neighbor, regardless of citizenship or lack thereof. Where is humanity? Deborah Szekely Founder New Americans Museum Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. This week, the San Diego community marks a tragic anniversary. It has been 40 years since the first school shooting in city history, the attack at Cleveland Elementary School on Jan. 29, 1979. The shooting took the lives of two brave public servants: Principal Burton Wragg and custodian Mike Suchar from San Diego Unified. A brave police officer was wounded, as well as several students. I met one of those students at a small event hosted by San Diego Unified. Chris Stanley is now a teacher a recognition of the fact his life was saved by an educator on that terrible day 40 years ago. I met gun safety advocates and members of law enforcement who have dedicated their lives to protecting others from gun violence. Schools find themselves at the center of the issue of gun violence because of the horrific frequency with which campus shootings occur. Last year was the worst on record for school shootings in the nation, according to Sandy Hook Promise, which counted 94 incidents. Our young people are living in fear, and it is up to all of us to confront this issue with courage. There are no simple answers, and schools cannot resolve the issue alone. However, I believe schools are the right place for this conversation to begin. San Diego Unified has launched an effort to expand the community conversation around guns. In addition to the event I mentioned with the Cleveland Elementary survivor, our students are participating in several conversations next month to mark the one-year anniversary of the Parkland shooting. Student-directed efforts are especially powerful, and our community should be very proud of the leadership our young people have shown. Now, it is up to the entire community to do its part. Our district is sending every parent three key information items to push the gun safety conversation forward. Working with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, we are reminding families to store legal firearms safely and reminding parents to ask whether there are any weapons when their children visit a friends house. These conversations can be uncomfortable, but as advocates correctly say, if youre willing to ask about pets, pools and peanuts in a home, you should ask about pistols or other firearms. Advertisement Most importantly, we plan to email parents information on how to get guns away from those who are a threat to themselves or others. Gun violence restraining orders are a relatively new tool in the fight against gun violence, but they are an important asset. They give parents the ability to restrict weapons access from young people facing mental stress or other issues. They empower neighbors to protect neighbors from harming themselves. These restraining orders can save lives, but very few families are aware of the option. And here, I should credit our City Attorney Mara Elliott with doing a heroic job to keep San Diego informed. There is a bench outside the Education Center that I pass on my way into every school board meeting. It honors the San Diego Unified employees who lost their lives at Cleveland Elementary. It reminds us all of their sacrifice and obligates us to do our part in protecting children. Now is the time for us all to start having those difficult conversations around gun safety and what we can do to protect and care for each other. Beiser is trustee for San Diego Unified School Board, District B. A planned Senate Judiciary Committee vote on William Barrs nomination to serve as attorney general has been delayed for a week, as Democrats continue to raise concerns about whether he will allow special counsel Robert Mueller to finish his probe and publicize the results unimpeded. The delay, which is customary for high-profile nominations, is not expected to impede Barrs eventual chances of being confirmed by the full Senate. But it is the latest reflection of the deep partisan tension surrounding Barrs nomination, most of which centers on Democrats desire to protect Muellers probe from being unduly constrained. The committee postponed its vote on Barr as one of 46 nominations the panel was scheduled to vote on Tuesday, but decided to delay until its next meeting. In both his public testimony and his written answers to senators questions, Barr has repeatedly refused to give senators any firm guarantee that he will release Muellers report to Congress and the public free of redactions. In similar fashion, he has only promised to ask for, but not necessarily heed, the advice of the Justice Departments ethics counsel on the matter of whether he should recuse himself from oversight of the probe. Advertisement EDITORIAL: Will William Barr protect the Mueller investigation? The Senate had better find out That has particularly frustrated Democrats, who take issue with a memo Barr penned last year arguing that in scrutinizing the actions of the Trump campaign, Mueller appeared to be interpreting an obstruction of justice statute too broadly. Democrats fear the memo is evidence that Barr, who served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush during the early 1990s, might seek to constrain the scope of Muellers probe. Though Barr has said that, as a former attorney general, he often weighs in on topics of the day, he acknowledged in written answers to lawmakers that he could not recall another case in which he sent the Justice Department such a memo. Barrs written answers also contained something that sparked bipartisan concerns about how much information he might allow Mueller to release specifically concerning Trump. In an answer to Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Barr said that it is department policy and practice not to criticize individuals for conduct that does not warrant prosecution. On Tuesday, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) pointed out that if Barr decided to follow department legal guidance that a sitting president could not be indicted or, by extension, prosecuted it could keep Trump out of the report entirely, even if Mueller found concerning information about him. Panel chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) agreed that possibility was concerning. If you agree you cant indict the president, its probably not a good reason not to share with us the derogatory information, Graham said, promising to pursue Barr on that point. He also pledged to ask Barr whether he would let Trump claim executive privilege to muzzle portions of the report. As he looks to return to his previous post leading the Justice Department, Barr has met privately with more Senate Republicans than Democrats. Still, it is unclear if he could change Democrats minds in additional meetings, as the Democrats who have met with him behind closed doors have emerged saying they were still unsatisfied with Barrs answers concerning Mueller. Advertisement But Barr doesnt need any Democratic support to be confirmed. Under rules changes that the Democratic-led Senate adopted in 2013, only a simple majority of senators votes are needed to confirm a Cabinet nominee. Yet the delayed Judiciary committee vote means that it will be difficult for the Senate to confirm Barr before Matthew G. Whitaker, the acting attorney general, is due on Capitol Hill on Feb. 8 to answer the House Judiciary Committees questions about his oversight of the Mueller probe. Karoun Demirjian writes for the Washington Post. President Donald Trump is dismissing and potentially bolstering sales of a new tell-all book by a former White House aide, calling it made up stories and fiction. Cliff Sims book, Team of Vipers, is the latest in a series of insider accounts by journalists and former Trump staffers who paint an unflattering picture of life in the West Wing. In it, Sims, the former director of White House message strategy, engages in score-settling with former internal rivals, fingers other administration officials as leakers and casts the president as disloyal to his staff. Trump, in a tweet Tuesday, dismissed Sims as a low level staffer who had written yet another boring book based on made up stories and fiction. He pretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer, said Trump, who claimed Sims had signed a non-disclosure agreement. Advertisement Indeed, Michael Glassner, chief operating officer of Trumps re-election campaign, tweeted that the campaign was preparing to sue Sims for violating the agreement. Trump and his associates have a habit of announcing legal action and not following through. Sims responded with his own tweet that included photographs of him at the White House including speaking with the president and in the Oval Office, along with a personal message from Trump scrawled on the front page of the New York Times. Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House is out today, written by the most famous gofer in the world! Enjoy! Sims wrote. Sims book was officially released Tuesday, the same day as another behind-the-scenes account of Trumps team by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, an informal Trump adviser and longtime friend. The book, titled Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics, paints a sympathetic picture of a president who has been ill-served by what Christie describes as a revolving door of deeply flawed individuals_amateurs, grifters, weaklings, convicted and unconvicted felons_who were hustled into jobs they were never suited for, sometimes seemingly without so much as a background check via Google or Wikipedia. Christie, who challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 but endorsed Trump after dropping out, oversaw Trumps transition team until he was fired shortly after the November election, allegedly at the urging of Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser. Christie, during his tenure as a federal prosecutor, sent Kushners father - businessman Charles Kushner to prison after winning his conviction on tax evasion and other crimes. In his account, Christie paints unflattering portraits of a number of former Trump aides, including Kushner and former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, whom he describes as a fraud, a nobody, and a liar. He also rails against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, panning him as a walking car crash and train wreck from beginning to end. Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report. President Donald Trump is dismissing a tell-all book by a former White House aide as made up stories and fiction. The book by Cliff Sims is called Team of Vipers and compares many Trump aides to serpents. Trump tweeted Tuesday that Sims pretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer. Trumps campaign says its preparing to sue Sims for violating a non-disclosure agreement. Thats according to a tweet from Michael Glassner, chief operating officer of Trumps campaign. Trump has a habit of announcing legal action and not following through. Advertisement Trumps tweet dismisses Sims as a low-level staffer who wrote yet another boring book. Sims was read Trumps tweet during an appearance on CNN. He said he knew a mean tweet was a possibility. Five police officers were shot in southeast Houston Monday afternoon while responding to a call. All five officers were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, according to the Houston Police Department. Please keep all the officers in your prayers! he tweeted. The officers were hit during gunfire in the residential neighborhood. Two of the five are in critical condition, according to the Houston Police Officers Union. The other three are stable. Advertisement One officer was shot in the leg, one in the shoulder and one in the face, according to KHOU. Two suspects died in the exchange, with one other still inside the home, sources told the the TV station. This evenings horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. The city of Houston and the Houston Police Department will have whatever state resources they need to bring swift justice to those involved. I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for the officers injured, and for the continued safety of all law enforcement officers who protect our communities. SWAT officers were on the scene. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Authorities have identified two Orange County women who were killed near Vista last week when a pickup slammed into the back of their car that was stopped at an intersection. Maria del Carmen Rodriguez, 48, and Stephanie Rodriguez, 25, both of Santa Ana, died at the scene of the four-vehicle crash, which happened about 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 on eastbound state Route 76 near East Vista Way, according to the California Highway Patrol and San Diego County Medical Examiners Office. The other occupant of the Rodriguezs 2018 Hyundai Sonata, a man whose name and age were not released, was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido with major injuries, CHP Officer Mark Latulippe said. No other occupants of the other three vehicles were injured, according to Latulippe. Advertisement Investigators said the pickup, a lifted 2014 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by a 40-year-old Vista man, was headed east on SR-76 at about 45 mph when it struck the victims Sonata, which was stopped behind several other vehicles at the intersection. Footage from the scene showed the truck plowed through the trunk area of the car and ended up lodged near the back of the passenger compartment. The impact also sent the Hyundai into the back of a 2016 Mazda SUV, which then struck the back of a 2016 Ford Fusion, the CHP said. The pickups driver remained at the scene, and intoxication was not believed to have been a factor in the crash, the CHP said. Maria Rodriguez, who was driving the Hyundai, and Stephanie Rodriguez, who was her passenger, were both wearing seat belts, as was the man in the car who was seriously injured, CHP officials said. A GoFundMe page established for the families of the women whose relationship was unclear said both were hard working mothers that always took care of everyone around them. City News Service contributed to this report. Advertisement Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com Advertisement UPDATES: 3:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 12:25 p.m. A small plane crashed into a hillside near the Oceanside Municipal Airport early Tuesday, killing the pilot and severely injuring his passenger, who was trapped for about 10 hours before rescuers arrived. The single-engine plane took off around 9 p.m. Monday, and crashed into the steep hillside about a quarter of a mile south of the airport shortly thereafter, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said. Around 7:15 a.m. a passing motorist spotted the plane near the top of a steep hill above the eastbound lanes of state Route 76 near Canyon Drive and called police, Oceanside police spokesman Tom Bussey said. When emergency crews got to the wreckage, they found two men inside. Advertisement The pilot was dead and the passenger, who appeared to have suffered broken bones and facial injuries, had severe injuries but was coherent, Bussey said. The man told his rescuers he thought the crash had happened roughly five hours before he was found. But given the FAA account, it appears the crash had occurred 10 hours before the wreckage was spotted. (Teri Figueroa / San Diego Union-Tribune) Around 9 p.m. Monday night, a man called police to report that he had seen a plane take off and soon heard what sounded like a crash, Oceanside police Lt. Travis Norton said. The caller had not seen where the plane might have gone down. Norton said several officers spent about 90 minutes searching the area a search hampered by fog. They found nothing. Then in the morning, a passerby spotted the plane near the top of the steep hill, Bussey said. A lady on her way to work saw it on the side of the hill and thought it was a little strange and called it in, Bussey said. A sheriffs rescue helicopter crew helped hoist the injured man from the wreckage, said sheriffs Lt. Dave Perkins. The man was flown away from the steep hill and transferred to another helicopter to be taken to a hospital for treatment, the lieutenant said. Advertisement Bussey said officials were concerned the plane could slide down the hillside. Around 7:45 a.m., Oceanside police released a statement advising motorists to avoid the area and said traffic was being diverted to Mission Road. Police reopened the highway the eastbound stretch of state Route 76 between Canyon Drive and Benet Road to traffic shortly before 1 p.m. As of Tuesday afternoon, the plane remained perched near the top of the brushy hillside. Advertisement No information about the victims was released, and the exact circumstances of the crash were not immediately known. The FAA and National Traffic Safety Board will be investigating, said Gregor, the FAA spokesman. According to a FAA database, the fixed-wing Piper Warrior was manufactured around 1974 and is registered to a Vista man. Advertisement Advertisement Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: Advertisement 5:30 p.m.: This story was updated with additional details. 1:55 p.m.: This story was updated to include information from the FAA regarding the time the plane had taken off. 1:10 p.m.: This article was updated to note that police had reopened the eastbound lanes of state Route 76 for traffic. 11:00 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. Advertisement 9:35 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 8:05 a.m. What President Trump should say in his State of the Union AddressBy Lester Jackson Below is what I believe President Donald Trump should say in his State of the Union Address. Given the gravity of the current internal threat to freedom and to everything America has stood for, the address should be short; and without the usual lists of proposals and accomplishments most presidents use for applause lines. The Constitution requires that the president shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union. However, given the disreputable dishonesty of most of the media, it is appropriate that I use these remarks to talk directly to the American people. This is the best chance a president has to reach them, without his words being twisted beyond recognition by most who call themselves journalists. I have done my best during the last two years to Make America Great Again. But I accept Alexander Hamiltons wisdom: It is my duty to [portray] things as they are . Today, our Union is more divided than at any time since before and during the Civil War. While a significant number of Americans enthusiastically support my efforts, a true account of the state of the union must recognize the existence of extremist resistance to American greatness. Because of the current internal war against American history, traditions and values, and especially against the United States Constitution, it would be inappropriate for me to deliver a standard State of the Union address providing a laundry list of proposals and boasting of my accomplishments, which can be found at whitehouse.gov. Instead, this will be short, in order to focus a spotlight on the threats from within facing all decent, freedom-loving Americans. Much bitter opposition is the result of deception. The presence of the woman in the seat behind me is proof positive of how many in front of me obtained their seats by fooling voters. Remember, this woman objects to my denouncing brutal murderers as animals instead of humans. After vowing not to vote for her to be Speaker, they broke their promises on the very first roll call vote of this Congress. Despite dozens who originally pledged to oppose her return to power, only 15 kept their word, probably only because their votes were not needed for their party to break faith with their voters. During the next two years, I urge all Americans to scrutinize the performance of these people and ask: Is this what I voted for? As president, in the face of bitter resistance, I have worked very hard to keep my promises. The refusal of professional politicians to keep their word is now a major threat to representative self-government. Were todays politicians in business, they would be sent to jail for violation of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. When citizens cannot know what those for whom they vote are going to do once elected, the right to vote is meaningless. (Incidentally, the punishment of private citizens but not politicians, for false advertising and labeling, is just one of countless scandalous examples of how hypocritical out-of-touch legislators exempt themselves from the very laws, rules and regulations they impose upon ordinary Americans.) Returning to the ferocious and hateful opposition to me for keeping my promises, my staff has found no prior examples of major media outlets having suggesting the assassination of a president. Yet major TV networks, such as CBS and CNN, repeatedly (p. 205) have suggested that about me. So too has the New York Times, which used to be considered the most influential newspaper in the country; and still has influence among many people. Also, most regrettably, officials of a prior administration have advocated a coup detat. I was not a professional politician and had a good life before I sought the presidency. I ran for president because I was appalled by the utter contempt the Washington establishment has for both the American people and the Constitution they cherish. This establishment consists of most in the media, many members of the Congress, including most Democrats, as well as holdover Deep State bureaucrats who daily violate the law and their oaths of office. Their war is not just against me but against the people and their constitutionally prescribed right to choose who governs them. Regrettably, the establishment, with utter contempt self-government, also includes unelected federal judges who arrogantly abuse their authority by issuing orders against the entire country rather than confining them to their own local districts and to the parties in the cases before them. These judges have caused great harm. Their abuses have resulted in barbaric murders of American citizens by foreign criminals who have no right to be here; and are a continuing threat to public safety. Once rare, federal judge-shopping is now rampant. What authority to make nationwide immigration policy does an unelected local judge have in Hawaii, which is nowhere close to the southern border where an organized massive invasion by illegal immigrants is a major problem? Why is a judge in the Northern District of California asked to decide an immigration case rather than a judge in the Southern District, which is right on the border? Make no mistake. Although we are not in a shooting war, we are in a war nevertheless a war against American values, a war against American culture, a war against the American way of life and, above all, a war against constitutionally-protected freedoms, the rule of law and representative self-government. For short-term political gain, many current members of Congress would abolish the basic hard-won rights of freedom of speech and due process of law. For elections to mean anything, voters need information upon which to base their choices. But not many Americans know what the fake news media has refused to report: Four years ago, every single Democrat senator voted to abolish First Amendment free speech protection, ceding to Deep State Swamp officials the power to prohibit speech they considered unreasonable. Tellingly, the anti-freedom Democrats made an exception for their allies, the fake news media. (The official roll call vote and official Democrat amendment to mutilate the sacred First Amendment are now posted on the WhiteHouse.gov website.) My obligation as president is to do the best I can. I have lived most of my life and I do not fear assassination regularly advocated by leftist fanatics. However, I do fear the prospect of what would happen if citizens conclude that they have been cheated out of what they voted for in a constitutionally legitimate election. This is made all the more ominous when the leaders of a major political party no longer accept the results of elections they lose. Just recently, a defeated Democrat presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, declared that there is no reason to be civil when Democrats lose. This is in stark contrast to Richard M. Nixon, another president whose legitimacy leftist Democrats refused to accept, despite his having won re-election by a landslide in 1972. Just 12 years earlier, in 1960, Nixon lost a very close election. But he rejected pleas by his supporters to contest disputed vote counts in Illinois and Texas. Instead, in his constitutional role as Vice President presiding over a joint session of Congress, he delivered one of the most eloquent forgotten brief statements in American history. For the benefit of todays impatient sore losers who never have accepted the constitutional results of the 2016 election and are unable to wait until next year to vote me out of office, it is worth quoting Nixons eloquence 58 years ago: This is the first time in 100 years that a candidate for the Presidency announced the result of an election in which he was defeated and announced the victory of his opponent. I do not think we could have a more striking and eloquent example of the stability of our constitutional system and of the proud tradition of the American people of developing, respecting, and honoring the institutions of self-government. In our campaigns, no matter how hard-fought they may be, no matter how close the election may turn out to be, those who lose accept the verdict, and support those who win [I]t is indeed a very great honor to extend to John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson my heartfelt best wishes [as they] work in a cause bigger than any mans ambition, greater than any party. It is the cause of freedom, of justice and peace for all mankind. Tragically, many now seated here scornfully reject Nixons gracious wisdom. They and their corrupt, dishonorable and disloyal Deep State cronies pose a monumental threat to the United States Constitution. I urge all Americans who love our country and the great Constitution bequeathed to us over 200 years ago to resist the resistance to constitutional self-government. Only the American people can stop them from getting away with their tactics of stealing elections, vote fraud, speech suppression, intimidation and seeking to overturn elections they lose. One of the most deplorable tactics of the Deep State and FNM resistance is to accuse their opponents of the very sins of which they are guilty. A group called Antifa regularly smear proponents of freedom as fascists. In truth, it is the left that today is fascist as witnessed by repeated actual and attempted suppression of free expression of any opposing views. Many decent American citizens are rightly concerned about the radical left Democrat assault on the Second Amendment. But we must not forget that that amendment is second for a reason. Without freedom of speech and the right to petition for redress of grievances secured by the First Amendment, there will be no right to defend and safeguard the Second Amendment. The right to petition already has been seriously undermined. As noted, just four and one-half years ago, every Democrat Senator voted to abolish First Amendment protection for their political opponents. These U.S. senators all Democrats supported government regulation of speech critical of the government, or, as they put it, the power to "reasonably limit" money spent to "influence elections." Do you want the deep state swamp to decide if what you say is reasonable? The 54 anti-free speech Democrats included 35 still in the senate. They should be exposed for the freedom they seek to suppress: Baldwin (WI), Bennet (CO), Blumenthal (CT), Booker (NJ), Brown (OH), Cantwell (WA), Cardin (MD), Carper (DE), Casey (PA), Coons (DE), Durbin (IL), Feinstein (CA), Heinrich (NM), Hirono (HI), Kaine (VA), King (ME), Klobuchar (MN), Leahy (VT), Manchin (WV) Markey (MA), Menendez (NJ), Merkley (OR), Murphy (CT), Murray (WA), Reed (RI), Sanders (VT), Schumer (NY), Shaheen (NH), Stabenow (MI), Tester (MT), Udall (NM), Warner (VA), Warren (MA), Whitehouse (RI), Wyden (OR). Leftist contempt for the freedoms provided by the Constitution does not end with the First and Second Amendments. This contempt extends to elimination of due process for their opponents. For Senators such as Feinstein, self-proclaimed Spartacus Booker, Harris, Hirono, Gillibrand, Klobochar, to name just a few of the worst, the mere making of a charge against one of their political opponents is proof of its truth. This is the stuff of the Inquisition of the middle ages, where torture extracted false confessions or the old English Star Chamber, which the Fifth and Sixth Amendments were intended to protect against. And if false charges does not work, harassment and intimidation of Storm Trooper days are advocated by the likes of Senator Spartacus Booker, Represenative Maxine Waters and hate-filled Hillary Clinton. These are perilous times. After Jan. 20, 2025, I will no longer be president. Therefore, it is ultimately up to the American people to decide whether to fight for their freedom or to allow it to be destroyed by the very fascists who smear as fascists all decent Americans who oppose their march toward tyranny. As demonstrated by many examples of book-burning throughout history, one of the keys to totalitarianism is the elimination of any and all persuasive opposing ideas. President Ronald Reagan often pointed out that [f]reedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. Reagan echoed another famous warning: Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Finally, it is long overdue for people who have never discriminated against anyone because of race, religion or sex and do not believe in such discrimination to fight back against the libels against them by those fanatically devoted to these practices. In particular, for many years, leftist Democrats have been libeling and defaming as racist and sexist anyone who disagrees with them or opposes them in any way. And yet, it is the Democrat Party that has a long history of defending slavery, racial discrimination and even lynching. It was the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, who ended slavery. Just a year ago and six weeks after smearing me as a racist, the Democrat Leader of the Senate explicitly voted against a judicial nominee solely based on the nominees race and sex. And just a year ago, shamelessly and publicly, Democrats refused to applaud low minority and female unemployment; and they showed complete disrespect for the grieving parents of black rape and murder victims. Right now leftists are warning the Democrat Party not to nominate a presidential candidate next year who is of the wrong race or sex. Long ago, the Democrat Party and its leftist allies abandoned the late Martin Luther King, Jr.s dream that people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. They are almost exclusively fixated on racial and sexual identity rather than on actual qualifications and the policies the candidates represent. They dont care whats best for the country but, instead, focus on the race and sex of those who hold office. They dont care if minority unemployment is high rather than low if the president is of a politically correct race or sex. They dont care if innocent people are raped and murdered as long as officeholders are in lockstep with preferred identity politics. In closing, I sincerely hope that God grants all liberty-loving Americans the will and the strength to resist a resistance fanatically devoted to denying all that has made America great: its history, traditions, values and Constitution. God bless America. Lester Jackson is author of numerous articles about capital punishment, the Supreme Court, and American politics. His recent book is Equal Justice for Victims: A Blueprint for the Rightful Restoration of Capital Punishment. Reviews are here, here, here. Copyright 2019 by Lester Jackson, Ph.D. The foregoing has been updated and revised; originally at westernjournal.com and enterstageright.com. Home A 64-year-old pedestrian who had been drinking was seriously injured Monday when he was struck by an SUV while walking across a street near the entrance to the Greenwood cemetery in San Diegos Mountain View neighborhood, police said. The collision happened about 7:45 p.m. on Imperial Avenue a little west of 44th Street and Marketplace Avenue, just outside the entrance to Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary, San Diego police Officer John Buttle said. Police said a 66-year-old driver was westbound in the left lane of Imperial Avenue in a 2011 Ford Escape when he hit the pedestrian as the man was walking in the crosswalk. Medics transported the pedestrian to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Traffic Division officers responded to the scene. Advertisement All lanes of Imperial Avenue in both directions were shut down as police investigated the crash. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: Advertisement 7:20 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 10:15 p.m. A Bankers Hill couple said they woke up early Sunday morning to find a nearly naked homeless man at the foot of their bed asking for clothes. We woke up to the sound of my dog barking, Robbie Alva said about the incident. I see a silhouette. Its a man, 200 pounds, wearing boxers. Its not what you want to see at 6 a.m. Sunday morning. Alva said the man, who was arrested that morning, appeared to be under the influence of a drug and was asking for clothing. While Alva reached for his cellphone to call police, he said his boyfriend, Dylan Renfro, grabbed a button-up t-shirt and some sweatpants from a nearby laundry basket and threw them at the man. He said, Please dont call the police, Im not a bad person, Alva recalled the intruder saying. Advertisement The man quickly put on the clothes, which Alva said were a snug fit because of his size. He was saying, I need shoes, Alva recalled. I told him all of our shoes were outdoors. Alva said the man fell for the ruse, and they locked the front door after he stepped outside. Police arrived within five minutes and were able to spot the barefoot man with ill-fitting clothes just up the block, Alva said. According to San Diego police, the incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Curlew Street near Kalmia Street. Police arrested a 49-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and for a parole violation. He is being held in jail without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. Alva said he was upset when an officer told him the suspected intruder might be charged only with misdemeanor trespassing, but a detective who visited his home Monday afternoon said other charges would be considered. He said he also was upset that an officer had told him this sort of thing happens all the time. This shouldnt be happening all the time, Alva said, adding that hes seen the homeless population in his neighborhood increase since moving in last summer. Advertisement Alva said he and his boyfriend usually secure the door with four locks but may not have used all of them Saturday night. A panel on the door frame appeared damaged from the break-in, he said. Renfro wrote to San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer about the incident, asking what actions would be taken in this case. I look forward to hearing back, he said. While the incident was bizarre and unnerving for Alva and Renfro, it wasnt the first time neighbors in the area had a strange encounter with a homeless person. Advertisement In March 2017, residents of a Bankers Hill housing complex reported seeing a naked homeless man bathing and washing his clothes in their Jacuzzi. The man was not caught. Staff writer Teri Figueroa contributed to this report. Advertisement Homeless Playlist On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services Advertisement gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 San Diego police are searching for a man suspected of using a home repair scam to steal a substantial amount of money from a 94-year-old woman and possibly others. Investigators said John Barney allegedly showed up at the elderly womans home in the community of Morena in September and told her she had cracks in her driveway that needed repairing. He later persuaded her to pay up front for a number of home repairs, but he never completed the work, police said. Barney allegedly gave this flier to the elderly woman he victimized. (Courtesy of Crime Stoppers) Advertisement Barney is being accused of committing grand theft of an elderly person and residential burglary. According to California law, grand theft includes the unlawful taking of money, labor, or property with a value of over $950. Barney is described as being white, 50 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall and about 160 pounds. He has a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes. Barney may be driving a newer model white Dodge Ram truck and is known to use several aliases including Ted John, Mike Thomas and Ted Wanko. Investigators also suspect that Barney used the home repair scam to take advantage of others in the San Diego area. People who believe they were victimized by Barney were asked to call police at (619) 446-1070. San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the case. For more information on how to send web and mobile app tips anonymously, visit sdcrimestoppers.org. Twitter: @LAWinkley Advertisement (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com Charles Cam Miller sees the scar on his chest every day and remembers how, when he was 9, a bullet from Brenda Spencers .22 rifle pierced him from back to front. He vividly recalls the sight of Principal Burton Wragg and head custodian Michael Suchar lying bleeding in front of Cleveland Elementary School in the San Carlos neighborhood. For the record: A previous version of this story failed to mention that custodian Michael Suchar, who was fatally shot, was survived by a son in addition to a wife, who was mentioned in the article. The Union-Tribune regrets the error. And Miller has never forgotten the horror he felt when he lay in an ambulance next to an inert Suchar and, as the ambulance rounded a curve, the custodian rolled on top of him, face to face. It was 40 years ago, on Jan. 29, 1979. Advertisement Spencer, then 16, armed with the rifle and scope her father gave her for Christmas, started picking off students heading to the elementary school directly across the street from her Lake Atlin Avenue home. Miller was one of her victims. She fired 36 rounds. Eleven hit their mark eight children and three adults. Wragg and Suchar died; the others, including San Diego police Officer Robert Robb, survived their wounds. Spencer fired at the school for about 20 minutes and famously told a reporter who reached her by phone that she was shooting because I just dont like Mondays I did this because its a way to cheer up the day. The flippant phrase inspired a hit single, I Dont Like Mondays, by Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats. Michael Suchar and wife, Tina, left; Burton Wragg (Courtsey photos) Her former defense attorney said the Patrick Henry High School student suffered from a broken home, an abusive father, drug use and hostility toward authorities and society in general. Her standoff with SWAT lasted more than six hours. Officers found around 200 rounds of unspent ammunition in the house. Spencer, who was charged in court as an adult, pleaded guilty in 1980 to two counts of murder. She was sentenced to concurrent terms of 25 years to life in prison. Nine counts of attempted murder were dismissed. Advertisement Now 56 years old, she remains in the California Institution for Women in Corona. After being denied parole several times, she is eligible for another hearing in 2021. Hers wasnt the first school mass shooting in the nation, but at that time it was among the few in which more than two or three people died or were wounded. Two of the worst before the Spencer shootings in 1966 at the University of Texas, where a gunman killed 17 people and wounded 31, and in 1976 at Cal State Fullerton, where seven were killed and two were wounded involved adult male shooters. As with any mass shooting, Spencers sniper assault on the elementary school changed the lives of the widows, the wounded, their families and a community. It might have even changed the nation. Advertisement She hurt so many people and had so much to do with starting a deadly trend in America, said Richard Sachs, a San Diego County deputy district attorney tasked with formally opposing parole for Spencer on several occasions. Since 1979, the United States and other nations have seen a dramatic rise in the frequency of mass shootings and the casualty list. A University of Southern California professor who has studied school shootings agreed that, while they can no longer considered new, they tend to cast a wider, more significant effect on society through widespread news reporting and posts on social media sites. That shooting probably affected every person on that campus, Ron Avi Astor, a professor of social work and education, said of the San Carlos shooting. It has a very strong ripple effect; even if youre not hit by a bullet, that stays with you forever. Its like the ripple in a pond that goes through generations and a community. Advertisement The community may eventually have a hard time remembering the 1979 shooting. The school was sold and leveled, and new housing was built on the 9-acre site. A KB developer sign notes homes available starting at $700,000. The developer installed a memorial, now at the corner of Lake Atlin and Lake Angela streets, to Wragg and Suchar. It includes a memorial paid for by people in the community. KB homes were built on the former site of Cleveland Elementary School in San Carlos (Karen Kucher/San Diego Union-Tribune) One ripple outward from the shootings sent fear through a third generation in the Wragg family. Advertisement The principals widow, Kathe Wragg, and daughter Penny made sure the parole board heard their opposition to releasing Spencer from prison. Both have since died, and two surviving sons dont like to speak publicly about it, family members said. But Haley Wragg, who at age 26 wasnt alive when Spencer killed her grandfather, learned as a child to fear her release from prison. I know there was a lot of turmoil in the family every time Brenda was up for parole, she said in a recent interview. I was so young I didnt really understand it. I felt really scared like shed come after me. I felt like letting this person out of her cage would harm my family members even more. Her cousin Valerie Stahl said she grew up not knowing much about Spencer until she hit college and Googled the incident. Stahl said her mother, Penny Wragg, never got the right help dealing with the murder of her father at the school. Advertisement Now I think its better to talk about it, Stahl said. Haley Wragg said she decided to break the family silence by telling her grandfathers story on a video for Safe Kids, Inc., which develops school safety curricula and guides for parents. My grandfather and the janitor threw themselves at the kids that were being shot at that morning, to save their lives, and in the process, lost their own, she said. I may not have grown up with a grandpa, but many children grew up to have their own families. One of those children was Miller, who believes Spencer targeted him that morning because he was wearing a down vest in her favorite color: blue. Other children in down coats were targeted, too, and Spencer later was quoted as saying she enjoyed seeing feathers fly as she shot them. Advertisement Miller recalls that his mother had just dropped him off, about 8:30 a.m., and he saw the principal and custodian lying in the parking lot near some bushes. He felt a sharp pain and blacked out for a moment, then a neighbor girl helped him toward the school building. He and other wounded children were hustled to the auditorium to await an ambulance. I lay in the cafeteria it seemed like forever, with a bullet entry wound in his back and a chest exit would, Miller said. Meanwhile, San Diego police had raced to the school on reports of gunfire, children shot, then an officer wounded. Patrol Officer Ted Kasinak halted a garbage truck driver headed into the shooting scene and commandeered the truck. He drove it into the parking lot to serve as a shield while officers and school staff removed the wounded. Arial photo showing Brenda Spencers home facing the school driveway and the trash truck across the school walkway to shield the wounded. (Jerry Windle, U-T File / San Diego History Center) Advertisement Right away a volley of shots started, then it stopped, Kasinak said. He took cover behind the truck as SWAT officers surrounded the Spencer house. Officer Robb, wounded in the neck by a round from Spencer, was huddled behind a tree with other officers, Kasinak recalled. Robb was awarded a medal of valor for rushing forward to try to save those who had been shot. SWAT Officer Jim McGinley said he took up a sniper position on a neighbors roof, his rifle trained on the Spencer back door. SWAT Officer Marty Duitz aimed his rifle at the front door, from the safety of a school room. They said they had a green light to kill Spencer if they had an opportunity. But Officer Paul Olson, primary negotiator, talked to Spencer on and off by phone for hours, urging her to throw out her gun and surrender. He promised that a Burger King Whopper would be waiting for her. Advertisement Now 72, Olson has kept his report notes from that day. He said Spencer told him things like having shot a rabbit in the back of its head from 25 yards. She said the school victims looked like a herd of cows for gathering around the wounded, making them easy pickings. Spencer came out of her house about 2:30 p.m., laying her .22 rifle and a pellet rifle on the ground, then boxes of ammunition. Kasinak and Officer Patty Bernathy drove the teen to the homicide unit for questioning. Suchar, the custodian who died after being shot was survived by his wife and a son. Mike Guerrero, a financial accountant with National School District, worked for Suchar as a part-time janitor while studying at San Diego State University. He said Suchar and the principal didnt get along all that well, but that day when Wragg was felled in the parking lot, Suchar didnt hesitate to run out and try to help. Advertisement All I can think was, his military training kicked in. Its your comrade and you assist him, Guerrero said. He noted that Suchar had been in the Seabees, a Navy construction battalion, during World War II and emerged with no battle wounds. San Diego police officers Patty Bernathy and Ted Kasniak escort Brenda Spencer to homicide investigators after the shootings at Cleveland Elementary School in 1979. (Barry Fitsimmons/San Diego Union-Tribune) Daryl Barnes, who taught fifth and sixth grade at Cleveland Elementary, was having coffee with the principal when they heard gunfire and ran outside. Barnes was narrowly missed by bullets as he dragged several children indoors. Twenty-two years later, his son, Dan Barnes, also a teacher, found himself a target of Granite Hills High School shooter Jason Hoffman. Hoffman fired at him, but missed. Dan Barnes is now principal at Grossmont High School. Advertisement Daryl Barnes retired from teaching in 2001 and died in 2016. His widow, Karen Barnes, said her husband always believed that the Lord had protected him from Spencer during the shooting. He always remembered that day, Barnes said. He always talked about that blood stain on the principals shirt. Mary Rintoul remembers, too. She was Mary Clark then, aged 9, when she was shot through her lower torso and didnt know it. A quick pain subsided as she was rushed into the cafeteria, to safety. Other children lay bleeding on the stage. I remember that fear; you dont know whats going on. We didnt understand why she was shooting at us, Rintoul said. Advertisement Police escorted them to buses to be united with parents at Pershing Middle School. Her mother discovered the bullet hole through her jacket zipper and in her side. Rintoul suffered nightmares and got counseling. Her older brother helped her over a fear of guns by taking her out shooting jackrabbits when she was 11. She said she learned the gun wasnt the danger, but the person firing it. Whenever I hear of school shootings, Im bothered because I know what those children are facing, Rintoul said. I stopped following Brendas parole hearings 25 years ago. I realized shed never have a realistic answer of why she did it. Spencers former attorney, Michael McGlinn, who has represented juvenile offenders for decades, believes his former client didnt know what she was doing and no longer poses a threat to society. He was not hired to represent Spencer at her parole hearings. Advertisement She wrote him a letter in 2015, thanking him for his criminal defense work and noting, what I did was horrible so I dont really complain about the amount of time Ive done. McGlinn believes Spencers accounts that her divorced father, Wallace Spencer, sexually abused her and that under his influence she began dressing as a boy and learned to hunt and shoot with him. Her father went on to marry Spencers 17-year-old Juvenile Hall cellmate but they later divorced. He died at age 87 in 2016. The morning of the shooting, McGlinn said, Spencer drank alcohol and took her epilepsy medicine, Tegretol. When he saw her days later in Juvenile Hall, she was ashen, zombie-like in appearance, the lawyer said. After she came out of her zombie state (in prison) I didnt perceive her as a danger. And I dont today. Sachs, the deputy district attorney who supervises the lifer unit to track the parole hearings of major offenders, disagrees with McGlinn. He noted that Spencer shot people 150 feet away with deadly accuracy, not as one under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Advertisement At her 2016 parole eligibility hearing, she cried frequently demonstrating emotional instability, Sachs said. She claimed she wasnt trying to kill anybody, she was just shooting, he said. What she did was so awful, shooting at children. We feel a life sentence is only fair for someone guilty of all those things. Advertisement pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @pdrepard The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a 20-story apartment building in Bankers Hill on Monday despite complaints that the tower would be too tall, destroy neighborhood character and cast long shadows on Balboa Park. Council members said the 223-foot, 204-unit building would help solve the citys housing crisis and reduce greenhouse gases, because the project is near transit, bike lanes and job centers in downtown and Hillcrest. The councils vote to approve an unusually dense project despite community opposition comes two weeks after Mayor Kevin Faulconer urged such action, contending not-in-my-backyard forces have worsened the citys housing crisis. Councilman Chris Ward, whose district includes the project, said Monday that it wont single-handedly solve the housing crisis, but it will be one high-density development among many that can have a positive cumulative impact. Advertisement In addition to concerns about height, character and shadows, nearby residents complained the project is too close to an airport flight path, would damage views and wouldnt include enough affordable housing units. Ward, while conceding that the project pushes the envelope, dismissed each of those concerns as overblown, except the concern about shadows. The shadowing impact is a real one, but is that enough to say no to something, Ward said. Ward also criticized residents for raising concerns that the tower would set a precedent for skyscrapers along the park, similar to the buildings that surround Manhattans Central Park. He said those buildings are much taller. The projects developer, Greystar, says that most developers in the area will opt for shorter and wider projects because high-rises cost more to build. In addition, there are few available sites left for high-rises. The skyline in this area is set for decades, said Omar Rawi, a Greystar official. Rawi also said the height of the building makes sense in this case. Height can be interesting, height can be beautiful, height serves a purpose, he told council members during a two-hour public hearing before the vote. Advertisement Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell said her vote was based primarily on the location of the project, an area long earmarked for high-density projects because of its proximity to downtown, bus routes and bike lanes. This is exactly the right area for this kind of building, she said. The project also got support from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Climate Action Campaign. If we only approve projects that make everyone happy all the time, we will never address our housing crisis, said Stefanie Benvenuto, a policy analyst for the chamber. Advertisement Nicole Capretz, executive director of the climate organization, said this kind of project was what city leaders envisioned when they laid out a plan to reduce greenhouse gases by building dense housing near transit. Councilman Ward, however, said he thinks it is likely construction will be delayed by a lawsuit he expects opponents to file on grounds that the developers did not adequately analyze the projects impact on the surrounding area. While residents have raised such concerns, they have focused more on the height of the building and the shadows it would cast. Last week, several dozen residents stood in formation in Balboa Park carrying black umbrellas to show how the building would change the character of Bankers Hill and the parks nearby recreation areas. Advertisement The apartment tower is proposed to locate next to iconic St. Pauls Cathedral, at the corner of Olive Street and Sixth Avenue, just west of the park and a few blocks north of the El Prado entrance at Laurel Street. The tower would feature ground floor commercial space that would become home to the administrative offices for St. Pauls, which is selling part of its property to Greystar to strengthen the finances of the 149-year-old church. The project would include a five-level, underground parking garage, a rooftop terrace with a pool and other amenities. It would also include 18 units reserved for people who earn less than 50 percent of the areas median income: $34,100 for a family of one, $38,950 for a family of two and $43,800 for a family of three. Advertisement david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick Four police officers were shot in southeast Houston Monday afternoon while serving a warrant to suspected heroin dealers, while a fifth was injured at the scene. All five officers were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, according to the Houston Police Department. This has been a tough day for our city but I certainly want to encourage all Houstonians to pray for all of our police officers, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said during a press conference late Monday. The officers were serving a warrant from the narcotics department in a residential neighborhood when the suspects inside began firing, according to officials. Advertisement Two of the five were in surgery after being struck in the neck area, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said during the press conference. Both are in critical but stable condition. Two other officers are expected to remain under observation and the fifth was set to be discharged from the hospital Monday evening. The officers have not yet been identified, but Acevedo confirmed that one of the injured officers was the 54-year-old case agent who had been shot several times in the line of duty before. Two suspects were killed by police when they returned fire after breaching the door, Acevedo said. Police began an investigation into the residents of the home after a neighbor reported that drugs were being sold out of the house, Acevedo said. The Houston narcotics department confirmed that the residents were selling black tar heroin. This evenings horrific attack on police officers is a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day to keep us safe, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. The city of Houston and the Houston Police Department will have whatever state resources they need to bring swift justice to those involved. I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for the officers injured, and for the continued safety of all law enforcement officers who protect our communities. The scene was stabilized and residents were allowed back into their homes around 7:30 p.m. Federal prosecutors have spent months painting Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman as the most ruthless, brilliant and powerful trafficker who ever lived, marshaling reels of clandestine tape, mountains of interdicted drugs and a jury box worth of convicted felons to try the man they say was the Napoleon of a vast narco-empire. On Tuesday, Guzmans team mounted its defense. It was done before lunch. With that, the defense rests, attorney Jeffrey Lichtman told the court about 10 a.m. Tuesday, concluding his brief and largely redundant examination of his teams lone witness. In his scant half-hour on the stand, FBI Agent Paul Roberts clarified the shifting testimony weeks earlier from narco scion Jorge Cifuentes: that a U.S. naval intelligence officer had visited him in prison in 2010 and had shared a USB drive filled with evidence against him and Guzman. Advertisement Lichtman also submitted an FBI affidavit bolstering his teams claim that Guzman was $20 million in debt from 2007 to 2013, which made the defendant sound less like a criminal mastermind than a flashy, broke poser. Though brief, Guzmans blink-and-you-missed-it defense was in line with the strategy his lawyers have pursued since November, leveraging the prosecutions mammoth and at-times-unwieldy case against it to portray their client as the victim of a widespread conspiracy, the David to a corrupt, multi-state Goliath. An unbelievable amount of resources have gone into putting the case together its a freak show, said Joaquin Perez, a Miami attorney who has been following the trial and has fought other drug trafficking cases in federal court. Its almost like a test of the U.S. credibility as far as prosecuting drug traffickers. Rather than dispute the Justice Departments scores of witnesses or its handcarts of evidence, the defense repeatedly sought to pit Guzman against the system that indicted him, the cartoon villains who have taken the stand at the behest of the government, and the idea of El Chapo himself. It sounds like the defense lawyers are doing the best they can with less than ideal facts, said Daniel Medwed, a professor of criminal law at Northeastern University. Being an effective trial lawyer is managing the rules of evidence but also managing the narrative, so that you create sympathy and support for your side in a way thats almost complementary to the evidence. Among the themes the defense lawyers have teased out on cross-examination: that Guzmans longtime partner and purported successor Ismael El Mayo Zambada is, in fact, the leader of the Sinaloa cartel; that their client is a showboat who lived off his legend while racking up millions in debt; that the Mexican government and the American justice system are both so hopelessly corrupt they would seek to convict a figurehead and leave the true powers untouched; and that the witnesses theyve collected to do it are each more evil than the man standing trial. Those arguments could be tangled, and the thread sometimes snagged, as when Cifuentes brother and Sinaloa cartel secretary Alex Cifuentes testified, at the behest of the defense, that he arranged a $100-million bribe to former Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Guzmans order. But the leitmotif was clear: The Chapo on trial was a myth, not the man at the defense table. Advertisement Prosecutors went after Guzman because he was all over the news, while the aging and powerful Zambada remained in the shadows, Guzman attorney Eduardo Balarezo insisted while cross-examining Zambadas son Vicente. There was a campaign against Guzman, Vicente Zambada agreed, though on redirect he assured the court that Guzman is a leader another leader like my father. The prosecutions greatest strength has been the number of powerful cooperating witnesses whose months of detailed testimony laid bare the inner workings of a multibillion-dollar drug trade spanning decades and continents. They all put Guzman at the center. But many of the same men implicating the defendant had themselves pleaded guilty to gruesome crimes, including drug trafficking, money laundering and murder. Almost all of them said they expect to see their sentences reduced in exchange for their testimony; most said theyve been promised visas for themselves and their family members to remain in the United States. Advertisement I think recruiting all of these high-end drug traffickers is frankly a parade of devils, Perez said. Thats your argument: All of these people are a bunch of liars recruited to testify against someone who is perceived to be more culpable than them. A few even openly sought vengeance. I started hating Mr. Guzman when he betrayed me and sent someone to try to kill me, former Sinaloa cartel lieutenant Miguel Angel El Gordo Martinez admitted after telling jurors how Guzman had repaid his years of loyal service with a series of bloody attempts on his life, including three stabbings and a grenade attack. You lied because you hate that man right there, correct? Guzmans attorney William Purpura pressed, pointing to his client. You lied to this jury because you hate this man? Advertisement I hate Mr. Guzman, yes, Martinez replied, though he insisted he had not lied about the defendant. Jorge Cifuentes was even more blunt, capping his pugnacious testimony with a dramatic gesture, miming an embrace in front of the defense table; Guzmans lawyers said it was an obscene, aggressive message to their client. Medwed and others said the defense could win a so-called compromise verdict if they used such moments to discredit enough the governments witnesses. Even the trash bags of heroin and cocaine unboxed for the jury could start to seem less like evidence than biblical archaeology if what connects them to Guzman is the word of a convicted killer such as Colombian cartel boss Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia, who could walk free in little more than a decade thanks to his cooperation in court, the experts said. Advertisement But Brian Klein, a partner at Baker Marquart and an adjunct professor at USCs Gould School of Law, warned that such victories might prove ephemeral. As a criminal defense attorney you can win a lot of battles during a trial, score a lot of points in front of the jury, but still lose the war, he said. Perez, the Miami lawyer, was more blunt. If you are a respected politician or a baseball player or an actor reasonable doubt is for those people, the attorney said. Its a fiction that only works when the case is a close one. But all other things being equal, jurors always believe what the prosecutors tell them. Advertisement All of which raises the question: If life in prison is a foregone conclusion, why go to trial at all? The alternative is to plead guilty and get life anyway, Perez said. He probably wanted to be entertained. Plagianos and Sharp are special correspondents. After a publicity-filled weekend spent asserting his innocence and slamming investigators, Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone will appear before a federal judge who may look to muzzle him as the case moves forward. Stone faces a Tuesday morning arraignment in Washington and is expected to plead not guilty to charges that he lied to lawmakers, engaged in witness tampering and obstructed a congressional investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. Though most defendants facing charges tend to stay quiet for fear of inflaming prosecutors or a judge, Stone has opted for a different tack since his pre-dawn arrest Friday in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Stone staged an impromptu news conference outside a Florida courthouse, made the rounds on weekend television and repeatedly mocked the probe on an Instagram account, including with a cartoonish-image of Mueller as a bowtie-wearing butler holding a tray with a hamburger roll but no meat in between. Advertisement A self-described dirty trickster and longtime confidant of the president, Stone is the sixth Trump aide charged in Muellers investigation. The indictment does not accuse Stone of coordinating with Russia or with WikiLeaks on the release of hacked Democratic emails. But it does allege that he misled lawmakers about his pursuit of those communications and interest in them. The anti-secrecy website published emails in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election that the U.S. says were stolen from Democrats by Russian operatives. Stone, who has alleged without evidence that the FBI used Gestapo tactics in arresting him, said he did nothing more than exercise his First Amendment rights to drum up interest with voters about the WikiLeaks disclosures. He said he never discussed the issue with Trump. Thats what I engaged in. Its called politics and they havent criminalized it, at least not yet, Stone said Sunday on ABCs This Week. All I did was take publicly available information and try to hype it to get it as much attention as possible, because I had a tip, the information was politically significant and that it would come in October, he added. Tuesdays arraignment could inspire the same circus-like atmosphere that surrounded his Friday court appearance in Florida, where Stone emerged from the building in a blue polo shirt, flashed a Richard Nixon victory sign, predicted his vindication and vowed that he would not bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself. All the while, jeering spectators shouted Lock Him Up! while others in the crowd cheered him on. Its unclear whether Muellers prosecutors will look to have Stone locked up pending trial or whether they will simply recommend conditions that would allow him to remain free on bond. Its also possible that U.S. Magistrate Deborah Robinson might impose a gag order to prevent Stone from discussing the case. The Trump administration launched a potentially sweeping change in U.S. asylum policy Tuesday with a single Honduran man being returned to Tijuana to wait for his claim to process. The new policy, called Migration Protection Protocols by the Trump administration and known more widely as Remain in Mexico, is operating initially as a pilot program, according to several Mexican officials. It is designed to send asylum seekers from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador back to Mexico to wait for immigration court dates in the United States. Implementation of the program coincided with a visit to San Ysidro from Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. She announced the program in December, and last week rumors swirled that it would begin imminently. The program comes on the heels of a large caravan last year that brought close to 6,000 Central Americans to Tijuana, many with the intention of seeking asylum in the United States. Its launching comes as thousands more have come to Mexico this month, with many planning to cross the country to reach the U.S. border. Advertisement Mexican officials emphasized that the decision to return asylum seekers to Mexico was made unilaterally by the U.S. and that they are responding to that decision based on humanitarian concerns. Were not going to respond in a manner that goes against the principles of protection of individuals and respect for human rights, said Tonatiuh Guillen Lopez, Mexicos immigration commissioner, on Monday night. While Mexican officials said theyd been told by their U.S. counterparts to expect up to 20 returnees per day, on the first day of the pilot program, there was only one. The asylum seeker, a 55-year-old Honduran man, arrived around 10:45 a.m. in a van driven by Mexican immigration officials to a parking lot that is part of El Chaparral, the Mexican counterpart to the San Ysidro Port of Entry. With a backpack in one hand and documents in the other, he was met at the port gates by a swarm of media hoping to interview him. The man, Carlos Gomez Perdomo, arrived in Mexico with the most recent migrant caravan, according to Mexicos National Migration Institute. He appeared scared and confused as reporters pressed him with questions. Grupo Beta, the migrant protection unit in Mexico, quickly escorted him out of the throng of cameras to an awaiting van. The van took him to a shelter that officials will use to house returnees. While officials declined to say which shelter is taking the man, it will not be El Barretal, which closed Tuesday after housing the most recent migrant caravan. Gomez Perdomo already had a one-year humanitarian visa from Mexico, which allows him to enter and exit the country multiple times, according to Rodulfo Figueroa of the National Migration Institute in Baja California, and to stay in Mexico and work as long as the document is valid. Advertisement Figueroa said that those who are returned without humanitarian visas may still be allowed back into Mexico. Certainly we will look for ways to give them support on the part of the Mexican government, Figueroa said. Gomez Perdomo will be responsible for getting himself back to the port of entry to go to court on the date given to him by U.S. officials, Figueroa said. It was not immediately clear why the man was the only person to return under the new policy on Tuesday. Advertisement Guillen Lopez said the pilot program will operate only at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the busiest port for asylum claims along the southwest border, and will involve Central American migrants between the ages of 18 and 60. U.S. officials told their Mexican counterparts that only single adults applying for asylum initially will be in the program, but it eventually it would expand to include families as well, said a Mexican official. The Department of Homeland Security has also said that pregnant women or those with pressing medical needs will not be included in the program. The program will not impact regular processing of asylum applicants, who will continue to be accepted under existing policies, the Mexican government official said. Not many people who have entered the port of entry to ask for asylum in recent weeks appear to fit the criteria for the pilot program. Many of those asking the U.S. for protection are from Mexico, particularly the states of Michoacan and Guerrero. Advertisement The program does not apply to Mexican asylum seekers because of laws against nonrefoulement or returning an asylum seeker to the place he or she fled without giving them a chance to explain his or her claims. Many Central Americans asylum seekers who pass through the San Ysidro Port of Entry are coming as families rather than individual adults, meaning that the pilot program may not initially apply to most of them. Many of the adults traveling without children who have entered in the past few days were from Eritrea and Cameroon. On Tuesday, at least one man from Honduras went into the U.S. to ask for asylum who was not traveling with family. While families arriving at the California border are often released into the U.S. to wait for their cases, individual adults are typically held at immigration detention centers for the duration of their cases. Advertisement Those who do get selected for the pilot program will go through a process called entry fiction which means that though they are physically across the border in the U.S., they will not be considered to have entered the country, according to a Mexican government official. They will be returned to Mexico within 12 to 24 hours, and they will have court hearings on an expedited docket that would aim to finish cases within 90 days, the official said. Asylum cases in immigration court typically require several court appearances and can last months or years, depending on which court hears them. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff received guidance about the new policy on Monday. According to the memo, if a person who is selected for the Remain in Mexico program says he or she is also afraid to be in Mexico, an asylum officer will interview that person to see if his or her fear merits exempting them from the new process. Many anticipate that the new program will soon lead to a court challenge as has happened with many other immigration policy changes from the Trump administration. Advertisement Nielsen did not have press availability during her visit to the border. Secretary Nielsen will see firsthand how MPP (Migrant Protection Protocols) implementation will ensure migrants are protected according to U.S. and international obligations while also addressing the crisis at our Southern Border, DHS said in announcing Nielsens visit. MPP will bring order to chaotic migration flows, restore the integrity of the United States immigration system, and allow DHS to focus resources on individuals who are actually fleeing persecution while holding individuals accountable who make false immigration claims. Meanwhile, on the Tijuana side of the port of entry, 103 asylum seekers 61 of them from Mexico lined up early in the morning to add their names to a wait list in an old, gray notebook. Those in charge of the notebook called two round of names, sending a total of 80 into the port of entry for processing. Advertisement A volunteer with Al Otro Lado, a legal services organization, addressed a group of migrants huddled around her before they were taken to the U.S. She held back tears as she explained to them that some might soon be returned to Tijuana to wait again. Were going to fight for you, she promised. Midnight snack and Metro home From:Shanghai Daily | 2019-01-29 08:29 Shanghai can reinstate outdoor food markets at night, improve public transport and taxi services and build more locker rooms to attract more international tourists, local lawmakers suggested yesterday. Li Feikang, a deputy from Huangpu District, called for the return of night street food markets and suggested that the markets are run on side streets away from residential complexes to avoid disturbing residents. To ensure the quality and sanitary standards he suggested that the government roll out standards, fund the construction of infrastructure and assess the food businesses at the markets annually. Lin Liping, a deputy from Hongkou District, said the city should improve its public transport and taxi services during major public holidays after midnight. Its awkward that after midnight on New Years Eve, people who had fun at countdown parties have to face the cold night when taxi drivers turn off their meters and ask for 100 yuan (US$15) as the starting price, and its been like this for four to five years, she wrote in her proposal. The normal flag-down price of taxis for 3 kilometers between 11pm and 5am is 18 yuan. Lin suggested that the government set up a regime of floating taxi charges, allowing for a 30-50 percent hike. She also suggested the last Metro service at 1am instead of the current 11:50pm. Li Ming, from Yangpu District, suggested that the city build more lockers to help tourists with their luggage when they are sightseeing or shopping. She said in Japanese cities every train station and shopping mall has lockers. A dozen pain sufferers and their supporters rallied in front of the County Administration Center Tuesday to bring attention to an often overlooked consequence to the battle on opioids: the failure to adequately treat chronic, debilitating pain. The Dont Punish Pain rally in San Diego was among several held across the country asking lawmakers to consider the needs of chronic pain patients when drafting measures that restrict access to opioids. They point to data that shows most people fatally overdose on illicit opioids, such as fenanyl or heroin, and not on medication prescribed to them. Why am I being punished? asked Rhonda Favero, a pain patient who organized the local rally with her husband. I follow all the rules. Advertisement Favero, like many chronic pain patients these days, has had her opioid treatment tapered due to external pressures put on doctors, pharmacies and the healthcare industry as a whole in response to the opioid epidemic gripping the nation. As a result, she said her pain has grown worse and is significantly impacting her ability to do the things she used to. This is bringing me to my knees, she said, tears in her eyes. The rally was subdued, with many participants sitting on benches. One stood with the aid of a walker. They manned an information table with leaflets and held signs, including: Stop dealers, not healers. One aim of the movement is to get the 2016 opioid prescribing guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be rescinded, or at least re-evaluated. The guidelines recommend a daily dosage of no more than 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day. But in many healthcare sectors, the guideline has become more of a hard rule than a recommendation a development that chronic pain patients say they battle regularly. Its not a one-size-fits-all, said Trini Yeager, who suffers debilitating pain after her spinal cord was damaged during an epidural procedure. Perched in a wheelchair under a tree, the Carlsbad woman held out a pill tray full of medication she said she requires daily. This is what keeps me alive, she said. But she said her medication is set to run out in a few days. Advertisement If she doesnt get the pain relief she needs, she warned she will end her life peacefully rather than suffer through the trauma of shock. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis The federal Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Sweetwaters finances and bond program, according to a letter obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune. The SECs letter may be the first public indication that federal authorities are paying attention to Sweetwaters ongoing financial crisis, after a state fiscal team released a report last month that found Sweetwater has long been misrepresenting its finances. It also raises questions about how Sweetwaters bond program, which was largely absent from the state fiscal teams report, may be related to or was impacted by Sweetwaters faulty financial reporting. Since December, some observers have speculated whether Sweetwaters alleged cover-up of its suffering finances helped the district pass a $403 million bond measure in November. Advertisement More than 86,500 voters passed the bond measure in November. Measure DD, as it was called, got 69 percent of the vote, which was the highest approval rating any school bond measure got in San Diego County last year. While $403 million was approved for projects, Measure DD will end up costing taxpayers about $786 million total after factoring in interest. Thats on top of Sweetwaters still-ongoing $644 million bond program, Proposition O, which voters passed in 2006. Last month a state fiscal team issued a report saying Sweetwater had under-estimated expenditures and over-estimated revenues. Four days later, the SEC sent Sweetwater an order to preserve evidence and documents for an ongoing inquiry. The SECs letter indicated interest in documents not just related to the districts general finances, such as its financial statements and reports, financial projections, interfund transfers and loans. The letter also asked about Sweetwaters credit ratings, independent auditors, audits and bond program. Federal officials will potentially seek documents related to any allegations of impropriety, fraud, mismanagement, and/or unlawful conduct in relation to Sweetwaters finances or bond program, according to the letter. Sweetwater spokesman Manny Rubio said the district will not comment on any of the allegations about Sweetwaters finances or bookkeeping until the allegations are resolved. Were not commenting because there are active, I dont want to say investigations, thats not necessarily the case, but these things are ongoing and I dont think itd be appropriate to comment at this point, Rubio said. An SEC spokeswoman declined to comment for this story. Advertisement The SECs job is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation, according to the commissions website. One of the most common things that could trigger a SEC investigation is misrepresentation or omission of important information about securities, the website said. In March last year, four months before the Sweetwater School Board voted to place Measure DD on the ballot, Fitch Ratings published a AAA credit rating for Sweetwater and an outlook of stable. Then in September, it was revealed that Sweetwater had miscalculated its budget for this school year by $20 million and that the district started the school year with zero reserves. Sweetwater officials rushed to make about $20 million in mid-year budget cuts and adjustments to fix the miscalculations, though it has since been revealed that even those emergency cuts were not enough to fill this years budget hole. After the October cuts were made, Fitch Ratings downgraded Sweetwaters rating to BBB+ and changed its outlook to negative. Advertisement The district recently reported materially weakened overall operating performance that leaves it with little cushion to address revenue cyclicality, Fitch Ratings wrote about its decision to lower Sweetwaters rating. Fiscal 2018 unaudited figures indicate lower than anticipated revenues coupled with expenditures exceeding budgeted amounts. The state fiscal teams report later revealed other ways the district has misrepresented its finances. Sweetwater did not book payroll for four months last school year, the state fiscal team said. On more than 300 occasions the district also logged a budget entry without proper documentation, which made the district look like it had spent less than it actually did. That was what led the state fiscal teams CEO, Michael Fine, to claim the district had covered up its financial problems. Advertisement On Monday, the school board was set to consider an agreement with a legal firm, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, to help the district deal with the SEC. The hourly attorney rates that Sweetwater would pay range from $560 to $925 an hour, with the main attorney charging $895 an hour, according to a draft of the agreement. Kristen Taketa Email: kristen.taketa@sduniontribune.com Advertisement Twitter: @Kristen_Taketa A North County man who broke into his ex-girlfriends home and killed her new boyfriend during a fight was sentenced Monday to 13 years and eight months in prison. Leonard Reed, 28, agreed to the prison sentence last year when he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Christopher Lyons, 30, who was stabbed and strangled during the struggle on June 8, 2017. Reeds attorney argued that his client had been acting in self-defense when he stabbed Lyons in the bedroom of Reeds then-20-year-old ex-girlfriend. Last year, a Vista Superior Court jury acquitted Reed of first-degree murder, but deadlocked as to whether he might be guilty of second-degree murder. Advertisement Prosecutors retried Reed. A second jury also deadlocked on a charge of second-degree murder, but found him guilty of burglary for breaking into the home. Instead of facing a third trial, Reed pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Deputy District Attorney Melissa Ocampo said Monday that reaching a resolution in the case finally allowed for the family involved to find closure. According to Ocampos trial brief, Reed and the woman had a volatile relationship for about two years. A few weeks after it ended, Reed learned she was seeing someone new. Sometime after 2 a.m. June 8, 2017, Reed slipped out of his residential rehabilitation program and made his way to the womans home in Valley Center. Shortly before 5 a.m., Ocampo said, he busted through the French doors to her bedroom, where she and Lyons were sleeping, as were the womans two young children her 2-year-old son and the infant daughter she had with Reed. According to Ocampo, Reed pulled Lyons out of bed and began beating him. Lyons made his way to the closet, where he grabbed his duffel bag, pulled out a knife, fell to the ground and told Lyons to stop. Reed told him to drop the knife, but Lyons refused to let go of a weapon he saw as the only way to protect himself, Ocampo said. Advertisement Reed 6-feet tall, 250 pounds hovered over Lyons, strangling him as they fought over the knife, the prosecutor said. Reed eventually won control of knife, then stabbed Lyons 5-feet, 8-inches, 150 pounds five times, she said. Defense attorney Brad Patton said in an email Monday that his client had gone to the home to check on the children. Patton said the two men started fighting, and Lyons grabbed a knife. Reed, he said, repeatedly told Lyon to put the knife down. Lyons went after Reed, and Reed defended himself, Patton said. Advertisement teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT In her 30 years with KPBS, reporter Alison St John has been the calm voice during the news-cycle storm. With her comforting Scottish accent and sure grasp of complicated issues, St John has guided listeners safely through the thorny thickets of San Diegos pension crisis, education reform under controversial former superintendent Alan Bersin, and nuclear energy after the shutdown of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Authoritative without being smug, balanced without being bland, and thorough without being exhausting, St John is exactly what you want in a journalist, even though she never planned on being one. I felt like I got on the boat at the right moment, St John said during a recent interview at the KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center on the San Diego State University campus.I was flailing around looking for something to do, and they were looking for people to work in this new newsroom. It turned out to be a wonderful job. Advertisement St John has been on the air in one form or another since 1989, but her long run comes to an end this week. The 67-year-old journalist is retiring, the better to see what life is like without the crush of deadlines and a long commute from Oceanside. Her last appearance will be on Wednesdays installment of KPBS Midday Edition. She may come back to the station as a freelancer, but right now, St John is looking at being a retired journalist the same way she looked at being a working journalist. She is excited, curious and ready to make the absolute most of whatever happens to come her way. Shes got a lot of enthusiasm, said KPBS news editor Joe Guerin, who has been working with St John for four-plus years. With her life, she has been curious about all sorts of things, and that characteristic still burns bright in her. She is eager and willing to hear about new and different things. Born in Tanzania and raised in Scotland, St John earned her degree in psychology and sociology from Durham University and her postgraduate diploma in student counseling from Aston University, both in England. The plan was to get a job as a student counselor. But after a volunteer stint teaching psychology in Nigeria and a job as a volunteer coordinator in London, St John went her own way. Instead of reporting for 9-to-5 duty, St John flew to India with her backpack and not much in the way of plans or money. She spent the next seven years on a spiritual quest that took her all over the world and left her with a great appreciation for people and their big, complicated stories. St John met her future husband, Damien Inglis,in India. The couple moved to San Diego in 1985 to be closer to his parents, and St John was in her mid-30s and facing the prospect of figuring out the next chapter of her unpredictable life. It was a little bit of a midlife crisis, St John said, setting into a couch in the KPBS green room. But I do not regret for a minute any of the time I spent on spiritual paths. I would not be the person I am today without that experience. There were more life experiences to come. Advertisement One of the things St John did once she settled in San Diego was clean houses, a job that she loved because it put her in a clean-slate frame of mind. Deciding it was time to broaden her horizons, St John ended up in a broadcast-writing class at Palomar College, which she also loved. That led to an internship at KCEO-AMin Carlsbad, where she honed her broadcasting skills working the night shift. In 1989, St John became a community producer at KPBS Radio, a volunteer position that led to a full-time job when she was hired two years later as one of the first producers at the stations first official newsroom. She was a 40-year-old new kid on the broadcast block, and it suited her just fine. For most of the next 30 years, many of them as a reporter with the stations North County Bureau, St John covered everything from the struggles of veterans returning to civilian life to granny flat policies in Encinitas and what to do with San Onofres spent nuclear fuel. She didnt think she would end up doing any of this, but she has loved all of it. It is not the career she was supposed to have, but it feels like the career she was meant to have. She suspects it will always feel that way. Advertisement Studying psychology was about gaining greater understanding of the self and becoming more aware, and this job has a lot of that. Im always trying to understand where people are coming from and to help others see that, too, St John said. Thats what I like about KPBS. You can be living your life and doing what you do, and if you listen, here are these people who want to help you understand the world. I will miss that sense of mission and purpose. Advertisement Twitter: @karla_peterson karla.peterson@sduniontribune.com A federal jury has acquitted two Pomona police officers charged with using excessive force and lying in the arrest of a teenager at the Los Angeles County Fair. The not guilty verdicts, delivered Friday afternoon in a downtown courtroom, cleared Cpl. Chad Jensen of wrongdoing when he struck a boy, then 16, in the face during the 2015 arrest. Jensen, a 21-year veteran of the Pomona Police Department, and his partner that night, Officer Prince Hutchinson, were also found not guilty of charges that they lied to justify the two blows Jensen delivered to the teens face. It was the second time the officers had gone on trial for the charges. A jury in October could not reach a decision when a lone holdout refused to convict the pair, leading to a mistrial. Advertisement In the retrial, government prosecutors stuck largely with the case that had nearly swayed the first jury, arguing that Jensen lost his cool when the teen, Christian Aguilar, ignored his commands and needlessly struck the defenseless Aguilar twice in the face. They argued to jurors that a short video a bystander recorded of the arrest and another that Aguilar shot on his cellphone proved Jensen and Hutchinson lied when they claimed in their reports and in court testimony that Aguilar instigated the incident. Attorneys for the officers, however, took a new tack that appeared to pay off. It included calling Aguilars brother and cousin to testify, using their accounts to bolster the officers version of events. We are relieved we had jurors who were willing to look further than the snippet of video presented, said Michael Schwartz, Jensens lawyer. The officers were indicted last year following an FBI investigation into the nighttime encounter in September 2015, when Aguilars father and another adult relative were arrested on suspicion of public intoxication at the Pomona Fairplex. As a group of Pomona officers escorted the men off the fairgrounds, Aguilar followed with a group of people and began recording with his cellphone. On Aguilars video, Jensen is heard calmly asking the teen to stay back from the officers walking with the arrested men. Aguilar scoffs at the request and says he intends to go ahead. Seconds later, Jensen grabs the teen and the video ends. In the bystanders video, Jensen has Aguilar against a wall in a nearby alcove. He swings him around and delivers two hard blows with his forearm to the teens face before taking him to the ground. Aguilar, who was left with a bloodied lip and other injuries, keeps his arms by his side as he is hit. As with the first trial, Schwartz argued that Jensen acted reasonably in a tense, fast-moving situation. The attorney told jurors Jensen had no way to know the age of Aguilar, who appeared older and stronger than a typical 16-year-old. And his arm movement as he spun around from the wall, Schwartz said, could have been viewed as an attempt to punch the officer. Advertisement The case turned somewhat on the differing accounts both sides gave of how close Aguilar got to his father and the officers escorting him. In their reports, Jensen and Hutchinson claimed Aguilar moved quickly toward his father, drew close and appeared to be intent on interfering with the officers. Prosecutors argued this was an exaggeration meant to justify Jensens response. Schwartz said he called Aguilars brother and cousin, who were at the fair that night, to cast doubt on the prosecutors portrayal of Aguilar as an innocent 16-year-old and to support the officers account of what occurred. He said he pressed the cousin, for example, on the statement he gave to FBI agents during the investigation in which he described Aguilar as being agitated and confrontational with police. And the brother, Schwartz said, told agents he saw Aguilar quickly closing the distance to his father when Jensen intervened. Advertisement A spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles said the office was disappointed with the verdict. David Gammill, an attorney for Aguilar and his family, said, We believe the videos, Pomonas settlement and common sense show the truth of what truly happened that night. In 2016, the city of Pomona paid Aguilar $500,000 to settle a civil lawsuit over the beating. Jensen and Hutchinson, who have been on paid leave, still face an internal investigation, which was put on hold until the criminal case was resolved. That internal investigation was initially handled by a Pomona officer who himself got in the crosshairs of federal investigators. Sgt. Michael Neaderbaomer is awaiting trial on charges of obstruction of justice on allegations that he tried to dissuade Aguilars mother from filing a complaint about Jensen by telling her he had a video showing her son trying to hit the officer and insisting the teen would have to meet alone with police officials if he wanted to make a complaint. Advertisement Neaderbaomer is also charged with lying to FBI agents when he denied the exchange with Aguilars mother. joel.rubin@latimes.com For more news on federal courts in Southern California, follow me on Twitter: @joelrubin An officer-involved shooting in South Gate was under investigation Tuesday, authorities said. The shooting happened in the 13400 block of Paramount Boulevard about 8:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, which is handling the investigation. One man was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound, said Vanessa Lozano, a spokeswoman with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Lozano said she did not know the extent of the mans injuries. Deputy Kimberly Alexander, a spokeswoman with the Sheriffs Department, said no officers were injured in the shooting. It was unclear what led to the shooting or whether the suspect was armed. Advertisement All northbound and southbound lanes of Paramount Boulevard will be closed for an extended period of time while officials investigate at the scene, authorities said. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra A small plane crashed into a hillside less than a mile west of the Oceanside Municipal Airport early Tuesday, killing the pilot and severely injuring his passenger. A small plane crashed into a hillside less than a mile west of the Oceanside Municipal Airport early Tuesday, killing the pilot and severely injuring his passenger, who was trapped for about five hours before rescuers arrived, a police official said. The single-engine plane was spotted by a motorist around 7:15 a.m. on the side of a steep hillside above the eastbound lanes of California 76 near Canyon Drive, said Oceanside police spokesman Tom Bussey. When emergency crews got to the wreckage, they found two men inside. Advertisement The pilot was dead and the passenger, who appeared to have suffered broken bones and facial injuries, had some severe injuries but was coherent, Bussey told Fox 5. He told us they were up there for about five hours, he said. That means the crash likely occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Bussey said it was not known if the pilot had crashed after taking off from the airport or while trying to land. Because the crash site was so far above the freeway, no one apparently saw the plane until a driver happened to look up, Bussey said. A lady on her way to work saw [the plane] on the side of the hill and called it in, he said. Around 7:45 a.m., Oceanside police put out a statement advising motorists to avoid the area and said traffic was being diverted to Mission Road. Bussey said officials were concerned the plane could slide down the hillside onto the freeway below. Officials said the freeway lanes would be closed for several hours. A sheriffs rescue helicopter crew helped hoist the injured man from the wreckage, said Lt. Dave Perkins of the San Diego County Sheriffs Department. The patient was flown off the hill and transferred to another helicopter to be taken to a hospital for treatment, he said. Advertisement No information about the victims was released and the exact circumstances of the crash were not immediately known. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Traffic Safety Board will be investigating, said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. According to an FAA database, the fixed-wing Piper Warrior was manufactured around 1974 and is registered to a Vista man. Authorities in Oceanside received a call about the plane crash just before 7:30 a.m. this morning. https://t.co/C8PbdzexdU pic.twitter.com/ESW4S0KE2k #NBC7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) January 29, 2019 Advertisement Karen Kucher writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. When a Best Buy employee in the Sacramento area saw a man assaulting a law enforcement officer and then fleeing, he jumped to the officers aid, chasing the suspect and tackling him to the ground in a parking lot. The employees quick thinking helped officers catch the man, who was suspected of numerous burglaries in Nevada but it cost him his job because he violated company policy. But the big-box retailer has since had a change of heart: Best Buy said Monday it was offering the employee his job back. We made a decision to terminate our employee for violating our clear policies but have had reason to take another look at what happened, the company said in a statement. In the end, we understand he made a split-second decision to do what he thought was right and, while we wish he hadnt put himself or anyone else at risk, we regret our initial decision and will be offering him his job back. Advertisement The incident began Jan. 11 when Placer County sheriffs detectives followed Timothy Trujillo, 35, into the Best Buy parking lot. The Sparks Police Department in Nevada had issued a felony warrant for Trujillos arrest and informed Placer County authorities he may be in the area of Roseville, a city just northeast of Sacramento, said Angela Mussalam, a spokeswoman for the Placer County Sheriffs Office. Detectives approached Trujillo in the stores parking lot, where authorities say he struck one officer. The employee, who identified himself only as Tyler to the Sacramento Bee, told the newspaper he had been helping customers outside when he saw Trujillo punch the officer. Video footage shows Trujillo running away. Meanwhile, Tyler, wearing a bright yellow jacket, sprinted toward Trujillo, and made a running tackle at the curb before pursuing detectives arrived. Authorities said they found methamphetamine, stolen property and burglary tools after searching Trujillos car and later connected him to two burglaries in Placer County. Tyler told the Bee he knew Best Buys policy, which says employees should not chase suspected criminals, but he didnt expect the discipline to be as harsh as it was. He said he had planned to go to a school for security guards. The Placer County Deputy Sheriffs Assn. even nudged Tyler to apply for a job at the Sheriffs Office in a Facebook post. The association said it recommends that citizens keep away from an active law enforcement scene but said it was grateful for Tylers actions. Advertisement In this case the citizen made a decision to come to the aid of the Deputy that had just been violently assaulted and for that we are extremely grateful! the association said. There is no doubt that Placer County is a safer place because of him. Tyler could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday about whether he planned to accept Best Buys offer to return to work. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Advisers seek better lives for senior citizens From:Shine | 2019-01-29 08:29 Political advisers focused on improving lives of senior citizens when they met with Party leaders and government officials on Monday. Shen Boyong, a member of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee and a doctor at Ruijin Hospital suggested the government give full play to resident doctors trained in local hospitals. Treatment and prevention are both important for citizens over 60, 33 percent of the whole population of Shanghai, he said. We have 10,000 resident doctors trained at local hospitals every year. If they spend one to three months in nursing homes, they can not only improve the health of the people, but also practice their own communication skills. Li Huiping, another adviser and doctor, said resident doctors can be deployed into communities to educate people. Many old people are very worried, and head to hospitals again and again. But if we have some professionals, like resident doctors, tell them the truth repeatedly and give them advice on their problems, they will live at ease and spare more public medical resources for others. Wang Cheng, another political adviser, said Shanghai needs more rehabilitation services as about 510,000 senior residents in Shanghai hold disability certificates. There are three rehabilitation therapists for every 100,000 people in Shanghai, far behind the levels in developed countries, he said. There are only six schools training therapists and they only produce 300 graduates each year. Chang Zhaohui, vice general manager of the Shanghai branch of China Telecom, said information technology can improve the quality and efficiency for senior care. He said his company had developed a smart device that can monitor doors, gas leaks and other hazards. It can also monitor the movement of residents, he said. If there is no movement in the house for as much as four hours, the device will send out an alarm. We have installed some 600 in the Pudong New Area and Changning District and they are all working well. Nov. 6 was the last time Imperial Beach City Council elections will be city-wide affairs. The city will adopt a district election system for 2020 and beyond. That means City Council candidates will have to live in the districts they seek to represent and voters tasked with electing them will only be able to cast ballots for candidates in their own districts. District elections will have a significant impact on future elections because multiple sitting council members live in the same district. So in the 2020 election, if two members decide to run for re-election in the same district, only one will win. Advertisement Imperial Beach made the decision to switch in September when they received a letter from Kevin Shenkman, a Malibu-based lawyer. They will formally finish the process at the Dec. 5 council meeting. Shenkman has threatened to sue dozens of cities throughout the state for possible violations of the California Voting Rights Act. That law prohibits at-large elections if they reduce the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of their choice or if they limit their ability to influence an elections outcome. Shenkman argued that Imperial Beach violated the law by pointing out that even though 48 percent of the citys population is Latino, there has never been a Latino council member. The letter was written months before Paloma Aguirre made history by becoming the citys first elected Latina council member. But even with her victory, the council is still not entirely representative of the community it serves, said Councilmember Mark West. Imperial Beach hosted three community meetings where members of the public could present their own district maps. The council considered maps made by the professional consultants as well as residents. During the Oct. 17 meeting, the council narrowed it down to two maps and, on Nov. 7, it made a final decision. Ultimately, they decided to go with the Rose B map, named after its creator, former Imperial Beach Mayor Denise Rose. Roses district map features two coastal and two inland districts. Advertisement Most of the citys Latino population live in the north and east neighborhoods. But council members historically come from the west part of Imperial Beach. The maps sought to correct this imbalance, dividing the city into four districts. District One includes the northeast portion of the city; everything north of Highway 75 and east of 12th Street until Imperial Beach Boulevard. District Two contains a small coastal area north of Palm Avenue and most of the central part of the city, including everything between Third and 12th streets and north of Imperial Beach Boulevard. District Three is made up of the entire coastal region south of Palm Avenue and west of Third Street. The district also contains the central part of the city south of Imperial Beach Boulevard. District Four includes the southeastern part of Imperial Beach; neighborhoods south of Imperial Beach Boulevard and east of Essex Street. Once Aguirre begins her term, every council member in Imperial Beach will live in district two or three. That dynamic could set up interesting elections that pit incumbents against each other in 2020 and 2022. Districts two and four will be up in 2020. Council members West and Robert Patton both live in District Two. If they both run for re-election, voters in their district will have to choose one over the other. The same situation could play out in 2022, when districts one and three are up for grabs. Council members Ed Spriggs and Aguirre live in District Three. Advertisement Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter As scooters continue to colonize San Diegos streets blocking parking garages, walkways and encroaching onto private property locals are beginning to fight back. While some residents have resorted to vandalism (tossing scooters into dumpsters and lakes), two businessmen in Pacific Beach are offering an alternative way to get rid of errant scooters. They pick them up for free and charge scooter companies Bird, Lime, Jump and Lyft to get their property back. The two entrepreneurs Dan Borelli and John Heinkel launched a business called Scooter Removal LLC earlier this month, responding to the constant complaints of their neighbors that electric scooters and e-bikes were crowding into privately owned spaces. We dont want them gone, Heinkel said. We just want a check and balance. Advertisement Borelli has had a front row seat to the scooter invasion. Hes a co-owner of Boardwalk Electric Rides, which sells and rents electric skateboards, scooters and other items on the Pacific Beach promenade. Its here that Bay Area scooter companies have deployed their products en masse, targeting tourists and locals alike. Borelli says it didnt hurt his business in fact his sales number have gone up since the dockless trend took hold but his neighbors were frustrated by the clutter. Then one day, Heinkel walked into his shop and asked Borelli a question: How do you deal with this junk in front of your shop every day? Heinkel, who owns a local tow truck company, ended up negotiating a deal with Borelli and other property owners in the same complex to patrol the business area regularly, impounding scooters and e-bikes that were parked illegally on private property. Within weeks, Heinkel had impounded thousands of dockless bikes and scooters, and the duo realized the demand for scooter removal was bigger than they thought. When innovation meets the impound lot They launched Scooter Removal in January, and have collected an additional 1,000 bikes and scooters since incorporating. Theyre even developing a mobile app called Scoot Scoop, which lets users report illegally parked scooters and bikes, and book a free removal service. Scoot Scoop isnt live yet, but Heinkel said theyll have it up as soon as possible. Until then, people can call to request pickup, sign a tow authorization on the spot, and the company will remove the items for free. Borelli said theyve recovered scooters in some pretty odd places, including the rooftops of privately owned homes, garbage cans and even underneath parked cars. People run over them while parking, and then just leave them under their cars, Borelli said. Their biggest hauls are from business plazas downtown and in beach communities, where business owners have asked Scooter Removal to clear their property regularly. Borelli said the response from the community has been overwhelming. Theyre getting calls from frustrated residents daily, including residents of other cities. He even received a call from a public official working at the city of Atlanta, who said the city is in need of a removal service, too. Advertisement Scooter Removal is hiring more developers to build out their software, so they can license out the technology to other tow truck companies, Borelli said. Scooter companies respond or dont Borelli said most of the dockless companies have been slow to react to their property being impounded. Jump, which is owned by Uber, has been the most responsive, he said. They sent a whole team of people down here to meet with us, including their lawyer, Borelli said. But they respect private property and they want to do things right. They pay their bill and retrieve their property every day. The other dockless companies? Not so much. Borelli said impounded scooters and bikes are piling up in their Pacific Beach warehouse. If the companies dont retrieve their property, Scooter Removal will likely auction off the items. Borelli said hes working with his attorney on that, and plans to have their first auction in a couple of weeks. Advertisement The U-T requested comment from Bird, Lyft, Uber, and Lime. Only Lime responded in time for print, warning residents to be careful. Whether its a bike or scooter, micromobility has long been part of San Diegos commitment to reducing traffic and clean air, the statement reads. The community should be careful when engaging with pop-up companies claiming to provide city services like impounding or towing. Impounding bikes or scooters requires compliance with the law, and Lime is in the process of reviewing whether these pop-ups are committing violations which may subject them to liability. Interfering with consumer access to transportation services or disrupting a ride in progress impacts all San Diegans. The better option? Lime says contact them directly at support@limebike.com. The dockless companies all have ways for residents to report illegally parked scooters and e-bikes, by the way. But that requires residents to contact each company individually, which can sometimes be a hassle. Advertisement Heinkel said he believes the dockless companies are littering by allowing their bikes and scooters to end up on private property. But right now, its kind of a gray area, as the city is still developing new rules around dockless mobility options. Theyre operating where no law exists they built their whole business in this gray area, Heinkel said. Theres no clear definition of whether the scooter falls under the vehicle code. Were trying to hammer out the process moving forward. All parties are consulting their attorneys. What does it cost? While the service is free for those who request it, Scooter Removal makes its money from the dockless companies themselves. Just like with impounded vehicles, the companies have to pay a fee to get their property back. Borelli wouldnt disclose exactly how much theyre charging, but said they modeled their rates after the City of Coronados system, as the city also impounds bikes and scooters. Under Coronados rules, the companies have to pay a $45 impound fee and a $1-per-day storage fee to pick up their bicycles. Advertisement Borelli stressed that the company will not remove scooters and bikes unless they are parked on or touching private property, are blocking storefronts or driveways. The company can be reached at 858-262-1912. Advertisement Business brittany.meiling@sduniontribune.com 619-293-1286 Twitter: @BrittanyMeiling The FaceTime video-chat app on your iPhone may have let people eavesdrop on you an embarrassment to Apple Inc., which yanked the flawed feature and said Tuesday that its hurrying to fix the underlying problem. An apparent bug in FaceTimes new group chat function allowed callers to remotely activate the microphone on another persons iPhone, iPad or Mac without that persons knowledge and hear whatever sounds the microphone picked up. More than a week ago, a Twitter user described by consumer technology website CNET as a Tuscon lawyer named Michele Thompson said that her teenage son had found the problem and that shed submitted a bug report to Apple. The users tweets flagged Apple customer service, Fox News and, a day later, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook. Others on social media began posting videos demonstrating how to use the FaceTime app to eavesdrop, and on Monday, technology news website 9to5Mac published an article about the problem. Advertisement After the report, Apple disabled FaceTimes group chat function Monday evening and said it was working on a patch. Were aware of this issue, and we have identified a fix that will be released in a software update later this week, it said in a statement. Apple did not immediately respond to a Times email asking when the company became aware of the bug. The problem is a black eye for Apple, which has promoted itself as being more conscientious about user privacy than rival tech giants. On Monday, before news of the bug exploded, Cook noted in a tweet that it was Data Privacy Day and that everyone should insist on action and reform for vital privacy protections. The dangers are real and the consequences are too important. Apples system status page on Tuesday indicated that Group FaceTime is temporarily unavailable. That ongoing issue with the service began Monday night, according to the status page. Before Apple yanked the feature, the eavesdropping process involved placing a FaceTime video call and then adding your own phone number as an additional participant while the call was dialing. A group FaceTime call would start at that point, and the microphone on the device of the calls original recipient would be activated even if that person hadnt accepted the call. Additionally, if the recipient of the call pressed the power button, they would unknowingly send a live video feed to the caller. The Times independently replicated the feature Monday evening before it was pulled. Apple added multi-person FaceTime calling at the end of last year via a software update that was, in part, designed to address previous software bugs. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the bug was an egregious breach of privacy and, in a statement, called on Apple to fix the problem without delay. He also urged New Yorkers to disable their FaceTime app until a fix is made available. Advertisement Apple says protecting user data is baked into its business model: Unlike Facebook Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and other tech giants, Apple gets most of its revenue from selling hardware to consumers, not from selling targeted advertising space to third parties. Therefore, Apple contends, people dont have to worry that it will peddle their personal data to boost ad revenue. Apple does admit to collecting information about users behavior to improve some of its features. But the company says it aggregates and scrambles millions of users data together to look for general patterns, not specific individuals traits. These patterns help us identify things like the most popular emoji, the best QuickType [predictive text] suggestions, and energy consumption rates in Safari, Apple says on its website. Some in the technology industry predicted little fallout for Apple because of the companys reputation for safeguarding user data. Advertisement Apple has a pristine privacy record, so the FaceTime bug is noteworthy and a small setback, said Gene Munster, co-founder of venture capital firm Loup Ventures. Even with the bug, Apple is still the most trusted tech company when it comes to privacy. News of the bug appeared to have little effect on Wall Street, where investors saw signs of stability in the companys quarterly earnings report. Shares held relatively stable in extended trading Tuesday after Apple reported that although iPhones sales had fallen, revenue from other businesses, such as services and wearable devices, grew from a year earlier. The company had lost about a third of its market value since October on concern about a saturated smartphone market as well as rising trade tensions and a slowing economy in China. U.S. lawmakers increasingly have been turning their attention on the practices of high-tech companies. Last summer, top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to Apple and Google seeking details about how much the tech giants track smartphone users locations and collect snippets of audio from requests to voice assistants such as Apples Siri. Bloomberg was used in compiling this report. BRUMADINHO, Brazil (AP) Brazilian authorities arrested five people Tuesday in connection with a dam collapse that killed at least 65 people and left nearly 300 missing, and dead fish were seen downstream floating at the banks of a river that an indigenous community depends on for food and water. The dam that held back iron-ore waste, owned and operated by big mining company Vale SA, collapsed on Friday burying a company cafeteria, other Vale buildings and inundating part of the small southeastern city of Brumadinho. Grieving relatives of the dead buried some of the victims in Brumadinho and rescue teams continued a delicate search through swaths of muck for more victims or survivors. One official said the death toll was sure to rise. The dead fish and trash were seen by a reporting team for The Associated Press about 18 kilometers (11 miles) downstream from the dam along the banks of the Paraopeba River. The Pataxo Indians living alongside the river who use it to fish, bathe and gather water for the plants they cultivate as food were told by Brazilian environmental officials that they should no longer do so, said Hayo, the village chief who goes by one name. "We used the river to take baths, to fish, to water our plants and now we can't do any of that," said Hayo, wearing a large feathered headdress and a red and black-beaded neckless. "We can't even water our plants because they say it damages the soil." Two agents with the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, the country's environmental enforcement agency, took water samples and talked with tribe members but said they were not authorized to speak about their findings. The agency did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The signs of possible ecological consequences came as the arrests of company workers with links to the dam were made in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais. Three of the arrested worked for Vale, the company said, adding that it was cooperating with investigating authorities. A German company that has inspected the dam said two of its employees were arrested. The Munich-based TUEV Sued company declined to specify whether the arrested staff were from its German headquarters or its Brazilian branch. In ordering the arrests, Minas Gerais state judge Perla Saliba Brito wrote that the disaster could have been avoided. It's not believable that "dams of such magnitude, run by one of the largest mining companies in the world, would break suddenly without any indication of vulnerability," the judge wrote in the decision, according to news portal UOL. Authorities said the five will be detained for 30 days while officials investigate possible criminal responsibility. At a cemetery in Brumadinho, 15 freshly dug graves awaited the remains of some of those killed. Wailing in grief at the cemetery was the wife of Edgar Carvalho Santos, one of the mining company's workers whose body has been found. "He did not deserve this, he did not deserve it!" she sobbed. Friends and family members prevented reporters from approaching the woman. One woman told Santos' wife that "this was not a tragedy, it's a crime." It was a sign of the growing anger directed at Vale over the disaster. The company is one of Brazil's largest and a key employer in Brumadinho, but many residents have complained that a siren that should have gone off to warn people to evacuate never sounded. Military police Col. Evandro Borges told reporters that the official death toll was 65, though more bodies had been recovered Tuesday and that an updated death toll would be provided later in the day. He said 288 people were still missing, most of them Vale employees. Vale is the world's largest producer of the ore, which is the raw ingredient for steel. Many employees were eating lunch last Friday when the dam collapsed, burying a cafeteria and other company buildings. The company's American depository shares on the New York Stock Exchange were up 3 percent Tuesday afternoon on the New York Stock Exchange, to $11.54 each, after falling nearly 18 percent on Monday. Think a minuteFormer American President, Harry Truman, said that every president has been attacked by the news media and press. President Truman further concluded that a U.S. president who had never fought with Congress or the Supreme Court had not really done his job. This principle is also true for you and me. No matter what our job is, there will be people who oppose and criticize us. Sooner or later you will stand for something that others will not like. Never forget, You cant please all the people all the time. That is why always trying to be popular is a losing battle, wasting both our time and effort. We need to choose the right battles for the right reasons and realize that success is having a good character and clear conscienceeven if sometimes it makes us unpopular with certain people. But many of those people who will not like you for your moral stand will still respect you for your character and courage. Remember, If you know better, then you must make a stand to live better, which can inspire others to live better. The sad fact is that when no one makes a stand for the right, everyone suffers. All it takes for evil to win is for good men to do nothing. The famous Watergate scandal in America was an example of this. The men who worked closely with President Nixon knew that morally wrong and illegal things were being done, but they did not do anything to stop it. In fact, during the trial when the prosecutor asked one of Nixons men named Porter why he did not even try to stop it, Porter answered: I was afraid of the group pressure from the other men and that I would not be seen as a team player. Porter did not understand that Sometimes silence is golden, but other times its just plain yellow [and cowardly]. Theres nothing wrong with being a team playeras long as you choose the right team: truths team. Remember, If you dont stand for something, youll fall for anything. A wise man said: Please Godand you will please the people God wants you to please. Today, wont you decide to join Gods team? Jesus declared: Everyone on the side of truth listens to me. If you ask Him, Jesus will give you the power and courage to daily make a stand for what is true and right. Plus, you will inspire others to do the same. Just think a minute Tanugamanono Primary School has opened the new academic year with a new hall costing over $30,000. Work on the school hall initially began in 2012 but they encountered some financial problems. But things changed when a new committee was elected and they began work to source funding to complete the project. In November last year, a proposal from the committee went before China Aid for its consideration. The application for funding was successful and led to the donation of $30,000 by the Chinese Embassy. The School Committee chairman, Atoamafuaiupolu Loto Lolopo, told Samoa Observer the project wouldnt have been completed without the assistance of the Chinese Embassy. This hall was initially build in the year 2012 and it was an unfinished business. We are not aware of the reasons why but one thing for sure is that there was not enough money especially no aids were granted at the time. But we are grateful the work has been completed after all these years. It took us four weeks to complete the hall that was left from the year 2012 and we could have not done this if it wasnt for the aid granted by the Ambassador of China through the Minister of Finance Papaliitele Unasa Niko Lee Hang. We were given an amount of $30,000 on November last year and this year we had used up all that money for the competition of the school hall. We experienced that more students are entering in the school each year and we want everything to be new and good for our children. The Treasurer of the Committee, Asotasi Soonanofo Talosaga told Samoa Observer that the $30,000 was granted to them in cheque when the request has been consider but the actual amount of money that has spent on the hall was more than that. We were given an amount of $30,000 to cover for the completion of the school hall and that includes the wages of the carpenters too. So were sure that the money was more than what we were told. When the school hall was finally done, the actual money spent talking from the receipts, we had spent $30,227.25. The Tanugamanono School Committee and village acknowledged the aid granted by the Chinese Ambassador through the Minister of Finance Papaliitele Unasa Niko Lee Hang. They also extend their heartful thanks to all the parents and all the villagers who came along to support them in the beginning of their work. A total of 42 students have received a financial boost for the 2019 academic year thanks to the Bank South Pacific scholarship (B.S.P.) programme. The students who are attending primary schools and colleges across the country were congratulated during the awards presentation at the Banks Apia headquarters. B.S.P. Acting Country Manager, Edward Yee, said the Bank was pleased to be of assistance to the students and their families. It is their way of giving back to the community. More than 190 applications were received for the awards this year. Of the award winners, 12 scholarships were given to primary school students while the rest were allocated to secondary school students. We would like to congratulate all the successful applicants and thank everyone who applied, said Mr. Yee. We are confident that these students will progress and continue further studies with opportunities like these. BSP Scholar, Janeiro Malu, gave a testimony advising his peers to cease the scholarship opportunity. Please use this opportunity wisely. I encourage and challenge you this year to push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you. Sisters Taimaneolevasalaolao Talalele and Kirita Papalii were extremely grateful. Our family struggles financially and to help our parents we applied for the B.S.P. Scholarships, Taimaneolevasalaolao said. We are truly grateful to B.S.P. for the scholarship they have awarded us to support our education and help our family. We are determined to do our best in school so that we can continue to be B.S.P. scholars. I will be graduating this year but and having received a scholarship alongside my little sister is a wonderful feeling, that I hope will motivate her to do exceed in school, she added. The scholarship awards presentation was facilitated by B.S.Ps Business Manager, Maiava Iaeli Tovia Leota. A 50-year-old man who smoked in an aircraft on his way to Samoa has pleaded guilty to one count of jeopardized the safety of the aircraft, persons and properties. New Zealand national, Thompson Simon Collin, has been charged under Samoas Civil Aviation Act 1998 for allegedly smoking in an Air New Zealand aircraft. He appeared in the District Court yesterday before Judge Leota Raymond Schuster, and upon entering his plea pleaded guilty to the charge. The defendant then apologised to the Court and the airline, but was advised by Judge Leota that sentencing is next week and now is not the time for that. According to the charge sheet, the defendant who was a passenger on Air New Zealand flight 992 from Auckland, New Zealand on January 21, 2019 acted in a manner namely, smoking an electronic cigarette, which jeopardized the safety of the aircraft, persons and properties on board the aircraft. The defendant, who appeared in person, was asked to return to the Court next Thursday for sentencing. Prosecuting the matter was Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa from the Attorney Generals office. The Speaker of Parliament, Toleafoa Leaupepe Faafisi, has refused to deny or confirm what has happened to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Sefuiva Charlene Malele. Approached for a comment after Parliament on Monday, Toleafoa said: I dont have time, I have other obligations. When he was approached again the next day, he reiterated: Oh no, I am very busy, please speak to the Sergeant (at Arms for Parliament) but I dont have time right now. The first Parliament session of the year ended yesterday. It has been adjourned until 19 March 2019. The Samoa Observer wanted to know what has happened to Sefuiva and whether she is still the Clerk of Legislative Assembly. She was absent during this weeks proceedings. Deputy Clerk, Leatisa Uitime Tala, was the Acting Clerk. Attempts to get a comment from Sefuiva on the telephone including a visit to her house at Vaitele - were unsuccessful. But the Sergeant at Arms for Parliament, Sergeant Setima, told the Samoa Observer that the official vehicle that Sefuiva used has been returned to the office. He explained that in August 2018, Sefuiva returned to work after taking leave. However, she was placed on leave again not long after, and has not returned since. Whether she is coming back to work or not I do not know. However, the only person who can give an official comment is the Speaker, sadly he is not available for comment right now, he said. Last year, the Audit Office investigated an official complaint filed by a Parliamentary driver on allegations of misappropriation of Government funding, human resources issues and alleged abuse of government properties. The complaint was lodged by the driver to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, whose portfolio also covers the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (O.C.L.A.). Senior staff members at the O.C.L.A. told the Samoa Observer that Sefuiva no longer worked there. One senior officer, who doesnt have authority to speak to the media, said we were officially informed last week. When asked about the Audit investigation, Sergeant Setima said: I cant say anything about the findings of the report, all I know was that majority of the staff testified before the auditors during the investigation. Last year, Vaipou Fetuliai Lagaaia, of the Audit Office, told the Samoa Observer that the results of our audit has to be communicated back to the responsible Ministry and authorities." As such our audit investigation report of the OCLA will be submitted this Friday to the relevant authorities which is the Honorable Speaker of Parliament and also to the Hon. Prime Minister as he is responsible Minister for the OCLA." As for the Audit report to Parliament, please note that it will be table through the usual process. Therefore the audit report on the OCLA investigation will be included in our 6 months report ending 31 Dec 2018." We respect your interest in publishing our audit findings but we kindly advice that you wait for the report to be tabled in Parliament pursuant to Standing Order and section 42 of the Audit Act 2013 before it can become a public document. This was on the 29th August 2018. WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions. The company is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on Dec. 1 in Canada. The criminal charges in Brooklyn and Seattle come as trade talks between China and the U.S. are scheduled for this week. "As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August_we need more law enforcement cooperation with China," acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said at a news conference with other Cabinet officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. "China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies_and China should take action." U.S. prosecutors charge that Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Huawei had done business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and alleged that Meng misled U.S. banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. The announcement Monday includes a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. "As you can tell from the number and magnitude of the charges, Huawei and its senior executives repeatedly refused to respect U.S. law and standard international business practices," said FBI Director Chris Wray. A Huawei spokesman did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. Prosecutors also allege that Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device that T-Mobile used to test smartphones, prosecutors said. A jury in Seattle ruled that Huawei had misappropriated the robotic technology from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state. The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the U.S. and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China and told Reuters in an interview in December that he would "intervene if I thought it was necessary." The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder at Vancouver's airport, has in particular led to the worst relations between Canada and China since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. David Martin, Meng's lawyer in Canada, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver and is due to back in court Feb. 6 as she awaits extradition proceedings to begin. Canada arrested Meng at the request of the United States. The Chinese have been furious at Canada ever since and arrested Canadian ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor on Dec. 10 on vague allegations of endangering national security. The U.S. is seeking to deploy its most state-of-the-art radar in Japan to step up defenses against missile attacks from North Korea, Russia, and China, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Monday. Washington wants to start formal talks with the Abe administration soon to deploy the "Homeland Defense Radar," in Japan, it quoted sources as saying. Currently the U.S. maintains only a ground-based missile defense system in Alaska and California to defend its mainland. But it is getting more difficult to detect signs of hostile overseas launches after China developed new intercontinental ballistic missiles that can be fired from mobile launchers. In the 2019 Missile Defense Review a few weeks ago, U.S. President Donald Trump stressed the importance of strengthening Americas missile defenses and cited the threat of ICBMs from North Korea, China and Russia. The radar the U.S. wants to deploy in Japan would be capable of detecting ICBMs flying towards the U.S. mainland, Hawaii or Guam. The information would then be shared with the Japanese military. The Washington-Tokyo alliance is getting stronger even as rifts appear in Washingtons alliance with Seoul over cost-sharing and sanctions against North Korea. The Abe administration decided early this month to buy Mageshima, an uninhabited island in Kagoshima Prefecture, for 14 billion yen for U.S. aircraft carriers to conduct drills there. Until recently, U.S. aircraft carried out most landing and take-off drills on the Ogasawara Islands in the South Pacific, but that is considered too far away. Hygiene is essential in the tourism industry, and the staff of Seabreeze Resort in the South coast of Upolu know this well. Owner Chris Booth spoke highly of the dedication and hard work of his 35 local staff members that contributed to their recognition at the Samoa Tourism Excellence Awards last Friday. Seabreeze Resort scooped the Best Deluxe Accommodation, making it three years in a row, and for the first time Best Hygiene Award. As the owner, the win shows the dedication and the hard of the boys and girls who work at the resort, Mr. Booth told the Samoa Observer. Its not easy to have hygiene in the Pacific to fully live up to the standards of what the guests and industry wants, but at Seabreeze we always try to maintain the best hygiene. We didnt know we were getting the award for Best Hygiene or how the nominations were done, but whenever and whoever it was, they must have been happy with the service provided by the resort. Mr. Booth said the key to their success is treating their guests equally and important. My wife, Wendy, and I are pretty tough on the staff on providing high standards for the guests, we expect one, we demand one from the staff and we provide the best, he said. What makes Seabreeze different from other hotels is that it specializes in romance and caters to the wants and desires of adults. Our accommodation is only for people above the age of 18. Its just business and you have to know your market, Mr. Booth said. Occupancy rate at the resort, he added, varies over the years, and for them they record an annual occupancy rate of 80 percent. Im so proud of the boys and girls who work here and make it successful, the staff, the village at Aufaga, the Samoa Tourism is promoting the industry, the Government in developing and assisting tourism operators. One thing about Seabreeze is how beautiful it is, surrounded by nature. A lot of people who come here admire the location and tell us they prefer it because it is not commercialized. Mr. Booth said they have plans for expansion, but as for now they are comfortable with what they have and how they operate and serve their guests. We ensure that our resort is kept clean and to the required standard to serve those who visit our country. Seabreeze was also the only resort to win two awards. An 18-year-old Samoan-Australian hopes her fire dancing performance will empower women and compel them to embrace their culture. Moemoana Schwenke told the Samoa Observer that the art of fire dancing is dominated by men and she faced challenges as a female performer. Fire knife dancing is predominantly dominated by men and I face struggles as being a woman, having people look at me and not seeing me as much potential because of my gender and through dancing I kind of I intend to empower other people, she said in an interview. To not only take up fire knife dancing but also to hold themselves with pride and be interested about what the issues we face. With little to no positive Pacific Islander exposure in the media and social media platforms contributing to the lack of the tamaitai Samoa sense of identity overseas Moemoana said they continued to face challenges. In Sydney, problems we usually face includes Pacific Islanders not being proud of their identities and not feeling a part of the bigger picture. I guess its the lack of seeing brown faces in the media and popular cultures they kind of feel like their culture is inferior to other cultures so today Im here with Ella and Brianna and were all dancers to teach the girls about climate change, she added. The teenager from Vailima, Vaoala and Auala, Savaii is attending the Brown Girl Woke and United Sisters NZ event at Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, which is attended by girls from New Zealand and Samoa. Together with her two friends, she taught a Samoan dance as a way to advocate Climate Change Resilience to the events participants. Because our islands are at the forefront of sea level rising and its important for our current and future generations to keep our cultures alive, she added. Moemoana recently competed in a fire knife competition in Hawaii and is getting ready for another one in May this year, specifically for female fire knife competitors. I recently competed in a fire knife competition in Hawaii and Im here today as a proud Samoan girl and a proud Pacific woman and being a part of women empowerment and Brown Girl Woke is something Im really proud of because Im all for empowering women, she said. Im really here because I face so many struggles in Australia because of being a brown Pacific Islander but dancing has definitely empowered myself and empowered others to learn about their culture. Moemoana is the daughter of Frederick Schwenke and former Miss Samoa and Miss South Pacific, Maryjane Schwenke and will study anthropology at Wollongong University this year. She said she can see herself giving back to the community by running for Miss Samoa pageant in the future as well as providing free fire knife dancing lessons for the street vendor kids. A workshop that aims to empower young women and features a collaboration between local group Brown Girl Woke and Auckland-based Sisters United opened yesterday. The workshop at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in Apia is facilitated by Doris Tulifau of Brown Girl Woke fame, who has been campaigning to empower young women in Samoa for almost two years. The workshop will feature Sisters United from New Zealand as well as dance groups and choreographers. In her opening remarks at the workshop opening yesterday, Ms. Tulifau introduced Sisters United NZ to the participants and spoke of the platforms that they will be using to highlight issues facing women. So today is about introducing Sisters United New Zealand that incorporate dance, Spoken Word and their social skills to talk about issues woman have. So today is building a platform with other organizations like Sister United. I do programmes too but it is always great to learn from other organizations as well, she said. Sister United was founded by the Goebel sisters: Kendal Collins, Narelle Ngaluafe, and Parris Goebel. In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Kendal said the inspiration behind the establishment of Sisters United is to teach girls positive ways to express emotions, while promoting a shift away from depression and suicide. We are trying to share positive ways for these girls to tell their stories and issues to turn themselves to creativity, like dance, music, art and poetry, she added. The workshop programme promoted various pathways of emotional expression, which include writing and poetry using the five senses to figuratively describe an emotion. The other pathway was through dance, which was led by dance choreographers Ella Loheni Stancil and Brianna Fruean, who gave a demonstration on expressing emotion through dancing. Not everyone likes presentations and speeches and that is why we thought dance was the perfect fit, we are Samoan and dancing is our language. We are trying to teach and engrave it in their minds that they can learn and express many of their issues they face through dance, its impractical and rare. There is already women empowerment in Samoa and they are paving the way for women like us to speak up about our struggles and our dreams no matter, Ella said. Doris said the event what a success as it attracted close to 50 people despite 25 registering. She thanked Tanoa Tusitala Hotel and Sheraton Hotel, All Things Sweet, Laupele, Cafe Ten, Sisters United NZ and Brown Girl Woke for their support. Market vendors and businesses are prepared to ditch plastic straws tomorrow as the nationwide ban on plastics comes into effect. Details of the Governments ambitious plastic ban were announced last month by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environments (MNRE) through campaign posters which have been installed around the city reminding people to support the ban. Some market vendor selling young coconuts (niu) are getting ready to abandon drinking utensils altogether and return to more traditional methods. Just drink from the coconut, dont use the straw said Tupu Naseri from Manono, a niu and vegetable seller at Fugalei Market. Many people dont like using straws. They just open the coconut and drink. Lote Seumanatafa from Falealupo and Palisi agreed people will be fine to return to drinking from the coconut. We are not worrying about the ban, its good, she said. Its good to make our air good to breathe. Both market vendors said they would not be buying replacement paper straws. But down the road at Manai Restaurant, director Adele Keil said she is panicking. With little guidance on what is or is not included in the ban, Ms Keil said she was unsure how to move forward. I hope SOS (Special Occasion Supplies) and all the suppliers and wholesalers will bring in the paper straws, if there are any. She said she hasnt seen prices or quotes for paper straws, and hasnt heard for sure who is bringing them to Samoa, but she is holding out for reasonable prices. If no suppliers are bringing paper straws in, Manai may have to import them, Ms Keil said. She said they hadnt considered using metal straws, or removing straws from the restaurant altogether. Ms Keil sounded doubtful that the restaurant would stop using straws. We cant help it; we need the straws for niu, for our other drinks, soda. It depends on our customers, some of them ask for straws so we have to provide service. Service is our main concern. Ms Keil was so unsure of the ban regulations she asked the reporter for clarification on what would be illegal come Wednesday. She was relieved to learn takeaway dishes from plastic or Styrofoam would not be included, because she was worried about losing takeaway revenue. A lack of information or support from MNRE has left Ms Keil feeling a little concerned about future bans. I would expect them to come over and explain, she said of the Ministry. The only time I found out [about the ban] was on Observer, and SOS were warning us about it for this year, but MNRE never came around, she said. Ms Keil said she wants MNRE to visit her so that she can air her concerns on resource bans and ask for help to be environmentally and economically sustainable. With polystyrene bans on the horizon for 2020, Manai needs to start thinking alternatives. Already, Ms Keil believes paper plates are not good enough for takeaways. If changes away from plastic and polystyrene products are too expensive, Government needs to help businesses make up the cost somehow, Ms Keil said, or at least help find alternative resources. If we bring in the wrong stuff, who loses out? At least send someone around to explain to us what is allowed in the country, and what is not, she said. A shop manager at SOS Theresa Vili said in anticipation of the ban, all packets of plastic straws are down to T$20 per box, and new arrivals of paper straws are in stock. We fully support green, eco-friendly products, we have to take care of the environment, she said. Weve been stocking paper straws here since September, preparing for a long time. Ms Vili did say she can see how price could be an obstacle for anyone switching from plastic to paper. At SOS, two tala can buy 100 plastic straws but only 25 paper ones. We have to think of our kids future though, and work together to save the environment. The Electoral Constituencies Bill 2018 should solve once and for all the problem of the voter population relocating due to job creation. This is what Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi said in an interview released by his Press Secretary on Saturday. The interview followed opposition against the Bill in two petitions tabled in Parliament last week. The first petition lodged by Saleaula was read and tabled last Tuesday. The second petition, lodged by the Alii ma Faipule of Tafua, Savaii, was tabled by former Cabinet Minister, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga. It calls for Tafua to remain in the Palauli le Falefa electoral constituency. Palauli le Falefa and Gagaemauga No. 2 are among constituencies affected by the Bill, which seeks the removal of urban seats and the re-defining of electoral boundaries, based on geographical location. According to the Prime Minister, the proposed reform is the final phase of the five phase reform programme the Government started 28 years ago. First we extended the right to vote for everyone 21 years upward. Previously only the chiefs voted. Now non-chiefs 21 years upward are voting to select our political leaders, Tuilaepa explained. Secondly we extended the term for our political leaders from three to five years, giving them sufficient time to engage in long term nation building programmes not short term fixes typically prioritised by political leaders elected on shorter terms of three years. The third step was when Tuilaepa said they Samoanised our Parliament to reflect the Samoan culture, which guided our people over many thousand years of our peaceful existence to where we are today. That is the chiefs the matais who are the anointed heads of each family in the villages with vast wisdom and experiences, are the decision makers. Many matais today are educated men and women, and professionals deeply knowledgeable of their Samoan culture. Fourthly the short term fixes of classifying our political districts into large and small districts on the basis of population numbers giving the bigger districts two members of Parliament versus one for smaller districts and with the voters in large districts having two votes, can never be a satisfactory solution. Our H.R.P.P. government terminated that stupidity during the last Parliamentary term. Now every political district in Samoa has now one Member of Parliament, and every voter follows the norm of one man or woman and one vote. According to the Prime Minister, the electoral reforms have one goal. All these reforms have one goal in mind and that is fair and equitable representation in Parliament with our cultural flavour. I had explained whats behind these reforms when this bill was first introduced to Parliament, he said. In Parliament last week, Prime Minister criticised the M.P.s behind the petitions. It wouldve been better if these Members werent Cabinet Ministers before but people who were Cabinet Ministers should know that we dont look at such issues lightly, he said. These steps (identified above) were not easy. The Governments of the past avoided it. Why? They were afraid to touch fire but with the H.R.P.P government, it is our belief that it is only smoke, no one will get burned. He also threatened to blow this up with an atomic bomb. In the interview released by his Press Secretary, Tuilaepa confirmed that one of the petitions, from Saleaula, has been accepted. That is alright under our freedom of expression right to protest, he said. That reaffirms that democracy is very much alive in Samoa. That is one great benefit of having differing views. They help a lot to make our no-care attitude people to listen more to reason. The Attorney Generals Office is yet to finalise the attempted murder charge against Peter Tulaga Eliesa, in connection with the shooting of a woman in the face two weeks ago. Represented by lawyer, Leota Tima Leavai, the defendant made his initial appearance in the Supreme Court for criminal mention, before Supreme Court Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke, yesterday. Lucymariu Sio Ofoia from the Attorney Generals Office sought the Courts indulgence for a two-week adjournment, in order to finalise the charges. Eliesa is in Police custody, though during his appearance for mention, the defense counsel advised the Court of a bail application for her client. But Mrs. Ofoia informed the Court the Attorney Generals Office opposes bail and they have yet to respond to the bail application. The matter is now scheduled for February 4 for re-mention and for the Attorney Generals Office to finalise the charge. The gun shooting victim remains in a critical condition and is currently undergoing medical procedure in New Zealand, after she was medivacked out of Samoa last week. Gagaifomauga No. 3 Member of Parliament, Laauli Leuatea Polataivao, yesterday identified alcohol consumption as the number one killer in Samoa today. If you look at the statistics, of about two thousand cases handled by the Police, about 90 per cent would be alcohol-related, resulting in death, death, death, Laauli said. The question is why have people become such bad drunks? People are going wild when theyre drunk. Laauli, a former Speaker of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, made the point in Parliament during the second reading of the Alcohol Control Bill 2018. Introduced by the Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, the bill is designed to regulate the sale and supply of alcohol among other functions. It also targets the reduction of alcohol-related problems. Laauli said the growing incidents of alcohol-related violence and deaths are no longer a secret. This is the number one killer in the country right now. Of all the incidents in this country every week, every month, this is the number one killer in Samoa right now. But the impact is much more severe, he said. The impact on innocent members of the public caused by drunks who roam around carelessly on the streets and create problems is enormous. He reminded Parliament that once upon a time, Samoans were not allowed to touch alcohol. When we look back, the Germans and Kiwis brought these things in for themselves, he said. When I grew up and saw my familys businesses, Samoans were banned from touching any alcohol. Whats happening today is what they were careful about then. At that time nothing was manufactured here, it was all brought in by Germany and New Zealand. Problems started when Samoa allowed the local manufacturing of alcohol. As Ive said in the past, there is a company bringing in some stuff, this stuff shouldnt be passed off as alcohol. Its straight out spirit. Your Honour, if you look at the products being produced here, I can tell you they are not good. Please consider whats being produced, the percentage is way too high that people have become drunks to the point where they dont have brains. So much to the point when they want to commit murder, they just kill people, not one but two or three at the same time. Whats happened is that (alcohol consumption) is out of control. In tabling the bill, Minister Tialavea said the Governments goal is to address a number of issues including what Laauli had highlighted. He said the discussion of the legislation dates back to 2015 when it was first looked into by the Samoa Law Reform Commission. Seeking to repeal the Liquor Act 2011, the bill is also looking to: reduce demand for and consumption of alcohol, and to minimise the harmful effects from the abuse of alcohol; regulate advertising and promotion of alcohol products, and sponsorships associated with the sale and consumption of alcohol products, and to ensure that all such activities are undertaken responsibly and in the public interest; provide for powers of enforcement relating to the manufacture, sale, consumption and importation of alcohol; reduce alcohol-related problems of any nature; and provide for the roles and responsibilities of parents and guardians, village fono and churches in applying the regulatory controls Salega East Member of Parliament, Olo Fiti Vaai, welcomed the bill, saying it is a useful law. He, however, used the opportunity to call upon the Liqour Board Committee to ensure their decision-making is consistent. Its common knowledge that weve had a lot of problems within our nightclubs, in some instances, some people have been killed but it seems that you havent done anything about it like you did to my business, Olo said. The Member of Parliament used to run a nightclub at Tuanaimato which has since been closed. Speaking of alcohol-related incidents, Faleata West Member of Parliament, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, who is also the Associate Minister of Communications and Information Technology, pointed to the work of security officers in nightclubs. Security officers working in nightclubs should be legislated. There should be short-term training for these people provided by the Police, Leala said. At the moment, anyone who looks big and strong can become a security. Lets not forget that in nightclubs, theyre dealing with drunks. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi welcomed the suggestions and supported the opinions of different Members of Parliament who spoke about the bill. But he also pointed to the deadly combination of alcohol and drugs. Ice (meth) is a major issue, even kids have been affected, Tuilaepa said. When beer and ice mix, death is the result. That is what is suspected in many cases where lives have been affected. Lastly, he reminded Security officers in nightclubs that they do not have a license to beat patrons. They have no legal powers (to hurt people.) What should happen is that they should notify the Police. Ive heard some securities are hurting people when they have no right to do that. That is an offense. Nightclub owners should just call the Police. Parliament continued last night. Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey The Nagaland cabinet ' title=' Nagaland cabinet '>Nagaland cabinet on Monday rejected the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month. Chief Secretary Temjem Toy said the Cabinet discussed the Bill at length. It took into account the will and desire of all sections of the people of the state who expressed their opposition and resentment to the Bill in various forms in a democratic manner. The cabinet clarified that the state government, which represents the will and desire of the people, remains opposed to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The Nagaland cabinet ' title=' Nagaland cabinet '>Nagaland cabinet headed by Chief Minister Neiphui Rio also assured that the National Democratic People's Party-led People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) government would leave no stone un-turned to constantly protect the rights and privileges of the people and continue to undertake measures to further strengthen safeguards of the people. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia on Monday laid the foundation of building 11,000 new classrooms for Delhi's government schools and used the event to seek votes for their Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Lok Sabha battle. Addressing the children and parents at the Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya at New Friends Colony after laying the foundation, both leaders asked the parents to choose whom they love more: Prime Minister Narendra Modi or their children. "If you love your children, vote for those who are working for your children and if you don't love your children then go and vote for Modiji. Modiji has not built even a single classroom or a school. You have to choose between love for nation or love for Modi," Kejriwal added. His deputy Sisodia also asked the students to thank their parents as they voted for AAP. "If the parents had not voted for AAP (in 2015), how could the party had worked for you and Delhi?" He also thanked the parents for voting AAP. "Outside the schools, there is an atmosphere in the country where people are doing politics of temple and mosque. But the Delhi government is doing politics of building schools and education. "I asked someone who he will vote for. He said he will vote for Modi. On being asked why he said he likes and love Modiji. I said if you really love your children, vote for those who are building schools for them," said Sisodia, also the Education Minister. Addressing the students, he added: "Go home and ask your parents if they love you or not. If they say they love you, ask them to vote for those who are building schools." The Delhi government started the construction of these 11,000 new classrooms in the national capital from Monday and is aiming to complete the work by the year-end. Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain, who was present at the event, said: "Delhi alone is going to build 11,000 classrooms this year and the number is more than the classrooms built by all the state governments and the Central government." Kejriwal, speaking about the work done by his government, said in four years they gave a total of 21,000 classrooms to Delhi's schools. "Currently, there are 1,100 schools in Delhi with about 24,000 classrooms. Now 21,000 more classrooms will be built, so we can say 1,000 new schools are going to be built in the national capital," he added. "Since Independence, only 1,100 schools with 24,000 classrooms were built in Delhi, while in the last four years, the AAP government constructed 21,000 classrooms or 1,000 schools," the Chief Minister said. Kejriwal, in his address, also attacked the Central government for restricting the work done by the Delhi government. "Sisodia and I had planned about building the (11,000) classrooms in the second year (after we came to power in 2015) but the Central government took away all our files... Again and again, they stopped us from working for Delhi. Still, we were able to construct the classrooms. "I want to make a request to you all. Last time you voted for us and gave us 67 seats out of 70 (in Delhi Assembly). But you gave all the seven MP (seats) to BJP... If all the MPs are from our party, we can do more work and with more speed. Right now our work is being restricted." said Kejriwal, who also heads the AAP. Echoing the sentiments, Sisodia said: "People say politics and education should be separated. I want to tell you when the two were separated, you have seen the condition of schools. Now when the two are joined, we can see the reform. "If you want to continue the reforms, it is important to support Kejriwal and give him more strength. I fear if we are not here or lose power, someone else will come in power and will use this building for marriages and not education," he added. The two countries are at daggers drawn in a spat over coat-trailing flybys of Japanese spy planes over South Korean warships. Another problem is a recent ruling by the Supreme Court here ordering a Japanese steelmaker to compensate South Korean victims of forced labor. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe omitted a passage on relations with South Korea from his annual policy speech at the opening of the Diet on Monday. Abe elaborated on Tokyo's ties with the U.S., China, Russia, North Korea, as well as the Middle East and Africa, but omitted the customary reference to South Korea as the country's "most important neighbor." In what has widely been reported as a deliberate snub, he made only one passing reference to South Korea in stressing the need to "seek close solidarity with the international community, Washington and Seoul in particular" in order to "settle the unfortunate history and normalize diplomatic relations with Pyongyang." The reference to South Korea as Japan's "most important neighbor" was also dropped from last year's speech as a shady deal on compensation for Korean victims of wartime sexual slavery unraveled. But he still pledged last year to improve "cooperative relations" in a "future-oriented" manner, whereas no such formula made an appearance this year since the two governments seem incapable of looking anywhere but back. "It seems that the Abe administration feels no special need to improve relations with Seoul at a time when its ties with Washington are rock-solid and those with Beijing and Moscow are also improving," a diplomatic source in Tokyo said. By SA Commercial Prop News Tongaat Hulett Developments planning director, Rory Wilkinson says the new route between Heathrow and King Shaka is a significant leap forward not only for the tourism sector, but also as a catalyst for propelling foreign direct investment Increased connectivity in the form of international direct flights into Durban, has paid off so well for tourism sector and economic growth in KwaZulu-Natal region. Last year, British Airways (BA) commenced in October with three weekly direct flights into King Shaka International Airport to boost the direct international air connectivity to and from the airport that was already provided by Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air Mauritius, Pro-flight Zambia and Airlink. Tourism into markets where airlines establish direct flights historically experience a 30-40% growth within the first year of the routes establishment, according to research released recently by Dube TradePort (DTP). The commencement of the direct BA service coincided with the airline listing Durban for the first time among its Top 19 Must-See Destinations for next year. KwaZulu-Natal economic development, tourism and environmental affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala said international cargo routed through the Dube Cargo Terminal had experienced continuous year-on-year growth since 2010, translating into a 138% hike in volumes. Introducing new passenger flights previously has shown a 25% hike in cargo volumes, and it is expected that the introduction of the direct BA flight will provide additional bi-directional capacity of approximately 20 tons per flight, into the key markets for cargo into and out of KZN. BA chairman and CEO Alex Cruz said Durbans warm water, hot summers and laid-back atmosphere made the coastal city the perfect holiday destination and a gateway to nature reserves, parks and historic sites. Durban has a thriving food, drink and art scene, defining the city as a must-visit for culture and adventure. It is also home to the busiest port in South Africa and is a large manufacturing hub, so the new route will secure another important link between the UK and the region that will be a welcome addition for business travellers, he said. Hamish Erskine, the chief executive of DTP, said passenger figures had grown significantly since Dubai-based airline Emirates began flying directly into Durban, adding that currently more than 60 percent of the market leaving Durban wanted to travel directly from the city. The market is telling us business and tourist travellers in Durban want to be able to fly from King Shaka International Airport and not have to be routed via OR Tambo in Gauteng, he said. Endorsing Erskines comments, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal CEO Phindile Makwakwa says the movement of people fosters the movement of capital, effectively boosting the economy. However, when people travel, the ease of connectivity is a key priority to their destination decision and direct links make packaging and selling Durban an easier task. Tongaat Hulett Developments planning director Rory Wilkinson, who sits on the Route Development Committee which is responsible for developing direct international air connectivity for King Shaka International Airport, says the new route between Heathrow and King Shaka is a significant leap forward not only for the tourism sector, but also as a catalyst for propelling foreign direct investment and improving business connectivity between the two countries as well as with Europe. Operating as a special economic zone (SEZ), the DTP began with projects providing shareholders with a short-term return and has shifted focus to longer-term initiatives. Erskine says infrastructure has been put into place ahead of market demand to create conditions for long-term industrial growth. This provides the opportunity for importers and exporters to maximise the DTPs location at the airport and relative proximity to the Durban port. In terms of the direct BA flights, there are synergies for trade based on manufacturing, information technology and services in addition to the growth in tourist figures and demand for residential (including holiday homes) and retirement product. Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) figures reflect South Africas tourism sector directly contributed 2.9% towards the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016 (the latest available figures), making the sector a more significant contributor than agriculture, but with substantial growth potential relative to competing destinations. During the 2018 International Travel Trade Show in March, South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona said the local tourism industry must be nurtured for its sustained and inclusive growth. Despite the challenges tourism has endured in recent years, it outperformed other key industries in terms of job creation and added another 40 000 net new jobs to the economy in the inclusive five-year period 2012 to 2016. Wilkinson says tourism attractions like the proposed new international beach resort on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast by Tongaat Hulett Developments will maximise local participation and job creation, particularly among lower-level skilled people. However, underpinning these types of investments is the ability to attract international tourists via direct flights. Erskine says DTP research reflects the importance of secondary cities like Durban and Cape Town and the new route will put the city on the map for passenger and cargo loads. Emirates currently flies from Dubai to seven UK destinations daily, including three daily flights to Manchester. A decade ago this would have been impossible, and passengers would have flown to Dubai, then London and transferred to another flight or caught the train to reach Manchester. Another example is Dublin, Ireland, where 29 million passengers passed through their airport terminal in 2017, for a country with a population of only 4 million. This is what Durban can achieve we are putting ourselves on the map and there is the potential to stimulate the market to grow 30-40% in the early years of the operation, but Durban must embrace the power of connectivity, he says. By SA Commercial Prop News Developed by Legacy Hotels & Resorts Group and Nedbank, The Leonardo is scheduled to be completed by the second quarter of this year. South Africa is witnessing a number of skyscraper construction, with the likes of the Leonardo in Sandton set to become home to the tallest building in Africa. The growing number of workers moving to new corporate offices in Sandton has created an opportunity for property companies to develop housing for the upper end of the market. Property analysts expect residential property to be a popular focus this year, with listed property groups entering this market too Developed by Legacy Hotels & Resorts Group and Nedbank, the Leonardo is scheduled to be completed by the second quarter of this year. The a 55-storey mixed-use development has steadily been rising above Sandton skyline over the past two years and will become the tallest building in Africa, for a time. According to Legacy Group CEO Bart Dorrestein, the group made a conscious choice not to broadcast the plan to make the tallest building in the country, instead letting the tower speak for itself. However, he confirmed that the decision was taken in September 2018 to push beyond 50 floors, with the final build height now expected to reach 230 metres, and a value of R3 billion. This will see the Leonardo pipping the height of the 223-metre Carlton Centre in Johannesburgs CBD as the tallest building on the continent. It will offer luxury residential units in the form of apartments and penthouse suites, as well as over 15,000 square metres of premium office space. It will also house a business and conference centre and other amenities, like a gym and spa, restaurants and a lifestyle and recreation zone. At 75 Maude Street, it will be within walking distance of the JSE, the Sandton Convention Centre, Nelson Mandela Square and the Gautrain station. The Leonardo will compete with developments such as Renprop's 101 On The Park in Katherine Street; Sandton Skye in Stan Road, developed by Lynn Estates; and Katherine & West, a Barrow Properties development. Legacys relationship with Sandton dates back to 1992, when development of Sandton Square (now Nelson Mandela Square) commenced. Dorrestein expects The Leonardo to have a similarly positive impact on the future of the richest square mile in Africa. Nedbank also partnered with the Legacy Group to develop the Michelangelo Towers, which opened in 2005. While the completed building will become the tallest building in South Africa and Africa, the title for the latter will only be temporary, as Kenya has plans to steal it within the next three years. The Pinnacle Tower in Nairobi, when completed, is planned to stretch over 300 metres into the air. Construction on The Pinnacle launched in January 2018, with a planned finish in 2021. Cabinet discusses latest political and military developments [29/January/2019] SANAA, Jan. 29 (Saba) - The Cabinet discussed in its regular meeting Monday under the chairmanship of the President of the Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Habtoor the topics on its agenda and developments in the national scene, especially in the political and military arena. The meeting dealt with the comments made by the members of the National Salvation Government on the draft of national vision for the further development of the structure of the modern state of Yemen, submitted by the four main committees of the Council. In light of this, the Council instructed the decision makers of the four committees to formulate the notes in full in order to submit them to the Supreme Political Council. The Council listened to a report submitted by the Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Affairs Major General Jalal Al-Ruwaishan on the latest political and military developments on the fronts of confronting the Saudi-UAE aggression during the past week. The report explained the aspects related to the performance of the UN team during the last period and the accompanying misunderstanding of the provisions of the Stockholm Agreement on Hodeidah and its ports, in contrast the continuation of the other party violations and the attempt of the aggressor countries to impose their will on the Yemeni people. This report confirmed that the army and the popular committees are aware of the reality of the schemes of forces of the US-backed saudi-led aggression coalition and their mercenaries targeting the Homeland. The report referred to the results of the visit of the former UN envoy Martin Griffith, which came after the Alliance of Aggression sought to thwart Sweden's agreement on Hodeidah. The report stated that it was expected that during the days of 23, 24 and 25 January the road was opened from the mills to kilo 16 area and the coastal road in Hodeidah In parallel with the demining of those areas by a team specialized in this aspect, but the reluctance of the other party led to the cessation of this process. The report referred to the file of the prisoners, which is still pending due to the intransigence of the other party and the lack of comprehensive information about the prisoners with the forces of aggression, especially in secret prisons in the UAE. He said that a meeting on this matter was supposed to be held recently in Amman but the non-response of the other party contributed to the obstruction of that. General Al-Ruwaishan reassured everyone that the military situation is in full control by the army, the popular committees and volunteers from the tribesmen who face the forces of US-backed occupation coalition, despite the moments of coalition with armored vehicles and pedestrians that reach the Mukha and other fronts. He explained that the state of steadfastness, arrogance and high morale is predominant among the heroes of the army and the popular committees as they face the aggressors' aggressors and carry out sudden offensive operations on the invading forces, inflicting on the enemy heavy losses in lives and equipment. The cabinet praised the heroic performance of the army, supported by the popular forces, and all the volunteers on the fronts, who face the coalition's schemes seeking to undermine Yemen and its sovereignty and independence. The Cabinet stressed that the Yemeni people have no choice but to continue to stand up and face the attack and defend their homeland and dignity, pointing out that those who believe that it is capable of resolving the military confrontation, especially the Western coast or other fronts still not realize what is the glory and high skills of which enjoy the Yemeni fighter in the combat fields. The meeting reviewed the report of the Minister of Civil Service and Insurance Talal Aklan on the results of following up the functional discipline of the last quarter of last year and the results of the inspection campaign organized by the Ministry of Civil Service and Insurance and its offices for the control of the career in the units of the central and public authorities. The report included numerical indicators of the extent of public discipline during this period and the measures taken by the Ministry to confirm this process and to address the imbalances that still impede the performance of some units to serve the public. The Council of Ministers highly appreciated all the efforts and tasks of the Ministry of Civil Service and its branches in the provinces and its important supervisory role in this extraordinary period. The Council of Ministers approved a draft resolution to supply one percent of the budgets of the independent and attached units, special funds and economic units in favor of the Civil Defense Department, based on the memorandum of offer submitted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Affairs. The decision obliged the parties concerned to implement the provisions of the signed agreement and take the necessary action for implementation. The Council of Ministers condemned the criminal practices of the UAE occupier in Aden and the rest of the occupied provinces and gross violations of human rights in his secret prisons .. it called for revealing the fate of the detainees in those prisons. The Council carried the coalition-backed authorities of the exiled Hadi responsibility for these barbaric practices against the people of the provinces and occupied territories and the looting of the oil and gas resources there. It condemned the statements made by the Vice-PM of the exiled Hadi so-called Al-Misri and his claim that there are no secret prisons to cover the crimes and violations of his masters occupiers. He pointed out that the international human rights organizations have issued numerous reports of grave violations by the occupier of the UAE, which is no less terrible than the violations committed by the American occupier in the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq during his invasion and occupation of this fraternal country. The Council of Ministers thanked the Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hezbollah, for his honorable positions towards the issue of the Yemeni people, who hailed the courage and aspirations of the Yemenis by saying "The biggest school to be taught in military academies in the world is the Yemeni experience, which stunned the world and wounded the enemies' ego." AA Saba After tumbling to a two-week low in the previous session, crude oil prices rebounded strongly on Tuesday, riding on news that the United States sanctioned Venezuela's state-owned oil company, in an effort to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to rival Juan Guaido. Meanwhile, demand growth concerns still persist due to ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, the world's two largest economies. Traders continue to express uncertainty about trade talks between the U.S. and China after the Justice Department unsealed sweeping criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for March ended up $1.32, or 2.5%, at $53.31 a barrel. On Monday, crude oil futures for March ended down $1.70, or 3.2%, at $51.99 a barrel. Brent Crude futures were gaining $1.30, or 2.2%, at 61.23 a barrel. A jump in U.S. oil rigs count in the week ended January 25th and the consistent rise in U.S. crude output weighed on the commodity on Monday. Concerns about economic slowdown in China, where profits of industrial companies shrank for a second straight month in December, contributed as well to oil's slide. Traders were looking ahead to weekly oil reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The API is scheduled to release its weekly oil report later in the day, while the official data from EIA will be out Wednesday morning. Last week, the EIA data showed crude inventories increased by 7.97 million barrels in the week ended January 18. EIA also said that gasoline stockpiles saw an increase of 4.05 million barrels in the week, rising to a record high of 259.6 million barrels. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Here is a summary of some of the widely followed stories on cryptocurrency and blockchain during the past 24 hours. Belarus' major bank mulls possibility of cryptocurrency exchange Belarusbank, the largest bank in Belarus, is considering the possibility of establishing a cryptocurrency exchange, the state-owned Belarusian Telegraph Agency reported, quoting the bank Chairman. In addition to a crypto exchange, Belarusbank is also working with mobile services providers on expanding the range of services. In March 2018, the government had legalized activities related to digital assets and adopted new regulations. Bitcoin improves in China's 2019 Crypto Ranking Opener Bitcoin has improved its position by three steps in China's latest Global Public Chain Technology Evaluation Index. Bitcoin (BTC), which had dropped to 18th place from No.13 in December, is ranked 15th on Chinese government's latest official cryptocurrency rankings. The most popular cryptocurrency made it to the top 10 only once. That was in August last year. Indian Banks Consortium to launch blockchain-linked funding for SMEs Major banks in India are teaming for a new blockchain platform to ease funding for small and medium enterprises or SMEs, the Economic Times reported. A consortium, called the Blockchain Infrastructure Company, is organizing the meetings among the participating lenders. According to the latest central bank data, the outstanding credit of all commercial banks with the MSME sector as a percentage of the total outstanding corporate credit with banks is just 17.3 percent. Swiss crypto Wallet Tangem to develop Physical Banknotes for Marshall Islands Swiss blockchain smart card wallets maker Tangem is developing physical banknotes of the Sovereign (SOV), the world's first decentralized digital national currency of the tiny Pacific island nation of Marshall Islands. The banknotes will then join the U.S. dollar as the official legal tender of the Marshall Islands. SOV is based on blockchain technology and will allow fast and cheap global transactions while resisting the abuse by bad actors. French crypto hardware wallet maker Ledger launches mobile phone app French crypto hardware wallet maker Ledger announced the launch of its Ledger Live mobile phone application. This allows users of the recently launched hardware wallet Ledger Nano X to transact using their smartphones wirelessly through Bluetooth connectivity. Current Prices As of this writing, Bitcoin is down 0.48 percent or $16.68 at $3398.20 on Coinbase. Ethereum is gaining 1.31 percent or $1.35 at $104.77. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Technology News In the latest effort by the Trump administration to ramp up pressure on the authoritarian regime led by President Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA. The sanctions, pursuant to an Executive Order that President Donald Trump signed in November, bars Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) from selling oil to the United States. This would choke the already shattered Venezuelan , as the impoverished Latin American country is heavily dependent on the U.S. for its oil revenue. Venezuela, which is one of the four major crude oil suppliers to the U.S., is sending 41 percent of its oil exports there. Maduro pledged to retaliate against Washington's punitive action. He said on state television Monday that he has instructed the head of PDVSA to launch political and legal action in U.S. and international courts to defend the property and assets of Citgo, PDVSA's US-based subsidiary. However, announcing the sanctions, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Citgo will be able to continue operations, as long as its earnings are deposited into a blocked account in the United States. National Security Adviser John Bolton said the United States will not let Maduro and his cronies continue to loot the assets of the Venezuelan people. "We continue to pursue all paths to disconnect the illegitimate Maduro regime from its sources of revenue and ensure that interim President Guaido and the Venezuelan people have the resources and support they need to bring democracy back to Venezuela," he told reporters. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the new sanctions will not prohibit humanitarian assistance including the provision of medicine and medical devices to the innocent people of Venezuela. The Department of the Treasury is issuing a series of general licenses to support U.S. companies, interests, and allies, he said in a statement. This is the latest episode that worsens an already severed U.S.-Venezuela relationship. Massive opposition-backed demonstrations against Maduro last week had culminated in the death of 14 people, and Opposition leader Juan Guaido declaring himself Venezuela's interim president. Venezuela cut diplomatic ties with the U.S. and expelled its diplomats in retaliation to Washington recognizing Guaido. More than 20 governments have pledged their support to Guaido. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The end to a partial shutdown of the U.S. government last Friday has paved the way for working-level talks between Washington and Pyongyang to resume as they prepare for a second summit. A diplomatic source in Washington on Monday said there is a "strong chance" that officials from the two sides will meet in early February. Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea, and his new North Korean counterpart, Kim Hyok-chol, are expected to meet in the border truce village of Panmunjom here. But U.S. pundits increasingly believe the summit should be postponed if working-level talks fail to produce a concrete commitment to denuclearization. Major banks in India are teaming for a new blockchain platform to ease funding for small and medium enterprises or SMEs, the Economic Times reported. ICICI Bank, HDFC bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Axis Bank are some of them in the 11-member consortium. A consortium, called the Blockchain Infrastructure Company, is organizing the meetings among the participating lenders. Yes Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, RBL Bank, and South Indian Bank are also part of the consortium, while IndusInd Bank, State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda are participating in the meetings as outside members, the report said. These banks are discussing the implementation of a platform to set up a live network aimed to cut timeframes in supply-chain financing. The move would make the financing more transparent and secure. Abhijeet Singh, head of technology at ICICI Bank, said, "The idea of having such an organisation is to remove any communication hurdle among the different banks. A blockchain network can only thrive if the entire ecosystem is working in synergy through a single network. The core objective of having such a ledger-network is to ensure transparency in credit disbursement, especially in the underbanked section." According to the latest central bank data, the outstanding credit of all commercial banks with the MSME sector as a percentage of the total outstanding corporate credit with banks is just 17.3 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Belarusbank, the largest bank in Belarus, is considering the possibility of establishing a cryptocurrency exchange, the state-owned Belarusian Telegraph Agency reported, quoting the bank Chairman. Viktor Ananich, the Chairman of the Board of the bank, reportedly told the Belarus 1 TV channel that the move is part of the bank's focus on digitalization in the year 2019. In addition to a crypto exchange, Belarusbank is also working with mobile services providers on expanding the range of services. Belarusbank, which is completely controlled by the State Property Committee, is considered to be the largest commercial bank in the country based on equity, assets, loans, and deposits. Amid the significant growth in cryptocurrency demand, the European country has taken various steps to promote the digital currency industry in the country. President Alexander Lukashenko signed a blockchain decree in December 2017. In March 2018, the government legalized activities related to digital assets and adopted new regulations. While signing the decree, President Lukashenko had said that Belarus would become the first government in the world that opens wide opportunities for the use of blockchain . In 2017, the National Bank of Belarus had deployed a blockchain technology-based information network to be used as a register for bank guarantees and their issuance. Currency.com, a Belarus-based startup, recently launched a trading platform for tokenized securities. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Canadian dollar climbed against its major counterparts in the Asian session on Tuesday, as oil prices rose after the U.S. government slapped sanctions on Venezuela's state owned company in order to restrict its crude exports to the U.S. Crude for March delivery rose $0.15 to $52.16 per barrel. The sanctions against Venezuela's oil firm PDVSA would block the regime of President Nicolas Maduro from crude exports, piling pressure on him to step down. "As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of PdVSA subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them," U.S. Department of the Treasury said in a statement late Monday. Meanwhile, Asian shares dropped as weak earnings guidance from heavy equipment maker Caterpillar and chipmaker Nvidia stoked fears of a slowing Chinese . Worries about renewed U.S.-China tensions also weighed on the after the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed sweeping criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. The loonie appreciated to 1.3246 against the greenback, after having dropped to 1.3278 at 7:30 pm ET. The loonie is seen finding resistance around the 1.30 region. Following a 4-day decline to 82.20 against the yen at 7:45 pm ET, the loonie reversed direction and advanced to 82.52. The loonie is poised to target resistance around the 84.5 mark. The loonie bounced off to 1.5146 against the euro, from its early low of 1.5172. If the loonie continues its uptrend, 1.50 is possibly seen as its next resistance level. On the flip side, the loonie pulled back from an early 4-day high of 0.9478 against the aussie, with the pair trading at 0.9497. The pair finished Monday's trading at 0.9501. Looking ahead, the U.S. wholesale inventories for December, consumer confidence for January, S&P/Case-Shiller home price index and advance goods trade data for November are scheduled for release in the New York session. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Domino's Pizza Group plc (DOM.L) reported that its group system sales for the fourth-quarter rose 5.5 percent to 339.5 million pounds from 321.8 million pounds last year. Organic Group system sales were up 5.8%. The company said it expects continued growth in the UK and ROI this year. As usual, the significant majority of UK growth is expected to come from like-for-like growth and the contribution from last year's new stores. The overall pipeline for new UK stores is similar to the same point in 2018. In International operations, the company plans to invest in central functions and infrastructure to support much bigger businesses. While this will have an impact on overall profitability in the short term, it is confident of the long term opportunities these offer. At this early stage it expects International (including Germany) to break even in 2019. David Wild, Chief Executive Officer, said, "The UK delivered food market is vibrant and we estimate that it will grow at a compound rate of 8% a year to 2022. We aim to maintain our share of this market, thanks to over 30 years of experience in delivery, a leading brand, great-tasting pizza and superior franchisees." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Dei iresch Bellegfluchgesellschaft Ryanair iwwerhelt "Laudamotion" elo komplett, also d'Fluchgesellschaft vum freiere Formel-1-Pilot Niki Lauda. Bis ewell hat Ryanair 75% vun de Parten, elo ginn et also 100%. Den Niki Lauda selwer soll weider matschaffen. D'Flott vun der eistraichescher Airline soll vun 19 op 25 Fligeren - mei speit op 40 Maschinnen - ausgebaut ginn. Laudamotion announces Ryanair acquires 100% shareholding Lauda commits to 24 aircraft in S19 & signs LOI to grow to 30 aircraft in S20 Lauda traffic to grow from 4m in year 1 to 6m in year 2 Laudamotion, Austrias No. 1 low fares airline, today (29 Jan) confirmed that Ryanair has completed the purchase of 100% shareholding in Laudamotion GmbH from NL Holdings in late December. Laudamotion now becomes a 100% subsidiary of Ryanair Holdings Plc, the Group which owns Europes largest airline. With the support of Ryanair Holdings, Laudamotion today announces a series of exciting growth initiatives, which includes Increasing Laudas fleet to 25 aircraft in summer 19 (from 19 in S2018). Lauda today announces that it has signed LOI agreements with a number of lessors which will increase its Summer 20 fleet to 30 - all Airbus - aircraft, which will allow Lauda to grow its traffic from 4m guests in year 1 to 6m guests in year 2 (FY March 2020) to 7.5m guests in FY March 2021. This summer, Laudamotion will operate 4 bases as it grows in Vienna from 4 to 8 aircraft, Dusseldorf 7 aircraft, Stuttgart 3 aircraft, and Palma 2 aircraft. In winter 2019, the Vienna base will increase further to 11 aircraft, making Laudamotion Viennas No.2 airline, just behind Austrian Airlines. Laudamotion is releasing the first part of its winter 2019 flight schedules today, offering passengers lower fares and more frequencies, from Vienna in particular. Details of up to 20 new routes from Vienna, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, and Palma, will be announced in the next month or two once airport and handling negotiations have been successfully completed. Laudamotion today announced details of up to 400 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers across its 4 bases. It also unveiled details of its new Head Office (at Concorde Business Park), which it will move into in March 2019, and released details of a 250,000 seat sale with fares starting from 19.99 one way for travel in Feb, Mar, Apr and May from Vienna, Stuttgart, and Dusseldorf bases. Speaking in Vienna today, Laudamotions CEO, Andreas Gruber, said: With the backing of Ryanair, Laudamotion is set to grow strongly over the next 3 years to carry 10m passengers p.a. We will release details of up to 20 new routes for winter 2019 once we have completed our airport and handling negotiations by the end of March. Our summer 19 program will allow us to carry 6m passengers in year 2, a growth rate of 50% over the 4m carried in year 1, as we continue to offer our customers in Vienna, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf and Palma the lowest air fares on a fleet of young Airbus aircraft with widespread passenger appeal and great Lauda service. Laudamotions Deputy CEO, Colin Casey, said: We are currently negotiating new routes and handling agreements with more than 50 new airports, all of whom want to share in Laudamotions exciting growth plans for the coming years. As other airlines falter, close bases or put themselves up for sale (as in the case of Germania recently), we are inundated with applications from pilots and cabin crew who wish to join Austrias No.1 low fares airline as we embark on exciting growth plans, not just in Austria and Germany, but in other new countries as well. In winter 2019 we hope to announce at least one new base, which will be outside of Austria and Germany, and there are a number of new airports both in Central & Western Europe who are pitching to win this business. At a time when Austrian Airlines are carrying 13.9m passengers, we have exciting plans to grow to 10m passengers within next 3 years and become Austrias No. 2. Operation Yellow Hammer has provoked the wrath of hardline Brexiters, who say the war-gaming is excessive and the leaking of what the government is considering is just designed to scare rebel lawmakers into accepting the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement the House of Commons rejected earlier this month. Details emerged of Operation Yellow Hammer, the contingency planning underway for a so-called no-deal Brexit, ahead of important parliamentary votes this week that could result in Britain postponing its departure by nine months or even more. British officials are war-gaming various strategies for coping with the disruption of Britain leaving the European Union without an exit deal, including declaring a state of emergency and martial law to avert disorder provoked by possible food shortages and energy outages. As the exit day of March 29 looms, the government and businesses are scrambling to prepare for possible chaos wrought by a no-deal exit, which some fear could severely disrupt supply chains, energy networks and basic cross-border services, from banking to travel. Downing Street admits a no-deal exit would bring disruption "but as a responsible government we are taking the appropriate steps to minimize this disruption and ensure the country is prepared." Some civil servants have compared the likely disruption to the impact of a war. Defense officials told Sky News Sunday the army is stockpiling food, fuel, spare parts and ammunition in readiness. "An army marches on its stomach. If supply lines break down, they struggle," an official said. Earlier this month, nearly 100 trucks took part in a drill to test Britain's contingency plans for coping with likely customs and security delays in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The port of Dover normally sees 10,000 trucks pass through every day, bringing vital supplies from the continent and sending Britain's exports to the European Union and beyond. The fear is a large part of southeast England could see unmanageable traffic lines. Hardline Brexiters, like former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, have dismissed the no-deal Brexit warnings as hysteria. "These doom-laden predictions are so hyperbolical as to suffer from the law of diminishing returns. Brexiteers have, for months, been arguing that a no-deal exit is manageable and government warnings are overblown," Johnson said recently. The House of Commons is set to vote Tuesday on whether Britain should delay the March 29 exit if a withdrawal deal that will garner sufficient support from lawmakers cannot be reached with Brussels. More than a dozen ministers are warning they'll resign if May fails to commit to avoiding a no-deal Brexit, although theyre prepared to give her two weeks to try to conclude a new withdrawal deal first. In the event she can't, parliament would have to pass new legislation to delay an exit. But delaying Britain's departure would also require unanimous agreement from the 27 other EU member states, and Brussels has warned the exit could only be postponed for a handful of months. Ironically, rebellious hardline Euro-skeptics in Mays ruling Conservative party, who were key in the heavy defeat of May's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement earlier this month, appear to be softening their opposition to her deal; while pro-EU Conservative rebels and middle-of the-roaders appear to be moving closer together in an alliance determined now to bury it for good. May's proposed deal would see Britain locked in a customs union with the European Union for several years while it negotiates a vaguely defined free trade settlement. In the temporary customs union, Britain would be unable to influence EU laws, regulations and product standards it would have to observe. The transition was reached to avoid customs checks on the border separating Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, but British lawmakers fear Britain could be trapped indefinitely in the transition. Leading Brexiters say if May can get a sunset clause written into the agreement to allow Britain to escape the transition agreement later on, if it wished, or if the transition was time-limited, they might reverse their opposition and back the deal. The possible change of heart is being determined by their fear that pro-EU lawmakers are gaining in parliamentary strength. But it isnt clear Brussels or the other 27 member states will agree such a clause, they insist there can't be substantial changes to the deal they agreed on after two years of haggling. Pro-EU lawmakers across all parties appear emboldened and determined to negotiate a much softer agreement that would see Britain stay in a customs union with the bloc permanently. Pembroke Pines, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/29/2019 --The increasing popularity of pizza has led to the sprouting of many online pizza delivery centers, catering to the needs of the customers. The hot, crispy pizza garnished with fresh vegetables will be best enjoyed by dipping it into the Italian sauce. Pizza Machine, one of the leading Italian restaurants in Cooper City and Hollywood, Florida, deserves special mention for their quality pizza delivery in Miramar and Weston, Florida. The recognition that the company has earned is the testament of their commitment and excellence in delivering quality mozzarella Italian pizza. Ever since its inception, Pizza has become a favorite food item among people. The taste and availability are the two main reasons behind its popularity. According to one of the spokespersons in Pizza Machine, earlier people would think of pizza as junk food, therefore, refrain themselves from having it very often for health grounds. The perception about this food has changed now. With its nutritious values known to all, now people crave for this wonderful food item more often than before. Pizza Machine takes great pride in dishing out quality pizza blended with the best mozzarella cheeses from around the world to provide mouth-watering experience. They also use pasta imported from Italy, and tomatoes from the San Joaquin Valley, which are picked and packed fresh. The food items including pizza and pasta are all prepared with skill and care are delivered to the addresses upon receiving the order. Not to mention, this service can save one's time and labor, eliminating the need to stand in the long queue before the restaurant. Apart from pizza, Pizza Machine also offers wings, burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps, pasta, Italian entrees, and desserts. Price is not a big deal. Top quality foods are available at a reasonable price. For more information on pizza delivery in Miramar and Weston, Florida, visit https://www.pizzamachineonline.com/delivery-area. About Pizza Machine Pizza Machine is one of the best pizza restaurants in Weston and Hollywood Florida. They also offer catering in Miramar and Weston Florida for family gatherings, corporate events and more. Alpharetta, GA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/29/2019 --Who would have thought when watching a favorite home renovation show that a dark underbelly awaits those who dare to re-tile? It's true. So says one of the home renovation industry's self-appointed watchdogs, David Shearn. He's the CEO of The Builder Depot, LLC who says a pop-up industry fueled by consumers who want to renovate using the new/old trendsetter - cement tile - are at the center of the bullseye for disreputable sellers. The only product in the floor covering industry that's priced by the piece, Shearn says consumers are toyed with using inaccurate pricing structures and no return policies. The result is, hucksters are taking an ancient product that dates back to 900 AD and making it the springboard for a hustle. He said recently, "It's not fair that consumers who lack knowledge get gouged by companies who are all too willing to just click, scan, and ship overpriced boxes of tile that have never been checked for accuracy. Ninety-nine percent of all online cement tile suppliers use a third-party warehouse (3PL) who ships everything from flooring to AC units. Rental/processing space at these gigantic 3PLs get passed on to the consumer and drive up prices on cement tile as much as $4 to $5 a square foot." Working hard to raise the bar, The Builder Depot is the only company in the industry that stocks and packs product in-house and ships it through their own warehouse equipped with fourteen loading docks. Instead of charging the customary higher shipping fee, they ship free of charge direct to consumer. They also pay their suppliers cash so they can offer consumers an unheard of price of $10.95 per square foot for cement tile. It's a considerable savings from the typical $16 a square foot plus shipping costs now flooding the marketplace. Welcome to a premium product to an affordable price shipped with integrity. "We have a debt-free brick and mortar facility with an ongoing infrastructure that gives us the ability to offer floor coverings at an accurate price point. Simply put, we make business moves that are focused on lowering the cost to the consumer. I think that should be an industry standard," adds Shearn. For more information visit www.thebuilderdepot.com. About The Builder Depot, LLC The Builder Depot, LLC is the first Google Trusted e-Commerce supplier of natural stone collections and a proud member of the Marble Institute of America. The company has the largest stock on the web with over 2000 SKUs processed at a five-acre fulfillment facility with 14 loading docks in Alpharetta, Georgia. Contact: David Shearn CEO, The Builder Depot, LLC press@thebuilderdepot.com 800-308-9359 Website: www.thebuilderdepot.com Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/thebuilderdepot https://twitter.com/thebuilderdepot http://site.thebuilderdepot.com/blog/ The Trump administration on Monday imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, the toughest U.S. financial measure so far against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The sanctions were announced to ratchet up pressure against Maduro and demonstrate U.S. support for Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader who proclaimed himself interim president last week and was immediately recognized by the United States and a host of other countries. "We have continued to expose the corruption of [Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduro and his cronies and today's action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people," U.S. national security adviser John Bolton told reporters at a White House briefing. Weather Alert This product covers Eastern North Carolina **TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR COASTAL SECTIONS OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Beaufort, Coastal Onslow, East Carteret, Hatteras Island, Inland Onslow, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Northern Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island, Pamlico, Southern Craven, Tyrrell, Washington, and West Carteret * STORM INFORMATION: - About 680 miles west-southwest of Buxton NC or about 610 miles west of Morehead City NC - 32.6N 87.0W - Storm Intensity 30 mph - Movement Northeast or 50 degrees at 14 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Depression Claudette will move across the Southeast through Sunday and is expected to track across eastern North Carolina as a minimal Tropical Storm Sunday night into Monday morning. Periods of locally heavy rain are likely bringing the potential for localized minor flooding of low lying areas. Tropical storm force winds are expected across coastal sections of eastern North Carolina. This could lead to some downed trees and scattered power outages. A few tornadoes are possible beginning Sunday afternoon and continuing into Monday morning, which could lead to locally enhanced damage. Minor storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground will be possible along sound-side locations of the Outer Banks and mainland counties adjacent to northern portions of the Pamlico Sound. Overwash of dunes and flooding of properties and roadways possible for locations where dune structures are weak. The threat for stronger and more frequent rip currents will continue for area beaches through the middle of next week. Dangerous marine conditions are also expected, with strong winds and seas building to 7 to 10 feet creating treacherous conditions for mariners. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Eastern North Carolina. Potential 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. * SURGE: Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across the Outer Banks and mainland counties adjacent to northern portions of the Pamlico Sound. Potential impacts in this area 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 Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across areas south and east of a Manteo to Kenansville line. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across far northern and western portions of eastern North Carolina. * TORNADOES: Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Eastern North Carolina. Potential 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. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm. If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter. If you live in a place particularly vulnerable to flooding, such as near the ocean or a large inland lake, in a low-lying or poor drainage area, in a valley, or near an already swollen river, plan to move to safe shelter on higher ground. When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe. Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are unable to make personal preparations. If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to area visitors. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the forecast. There is a threat from tornadoes with this storm. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter quickly. * 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 Newport/Morehead City NC around 5 AM, or sooner if conditions warrant. Starkville, MS (39762) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 89F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Alleged Kuindzhi painting thief put in detention until late March RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 17:32 29/01/2019 MOSCOW, January 29 (RAPSI) Moscows Tagansky District Court on Tuesday ordered detention of Denis Chuprikov charged with stealing a painting by prominent Russian artist of Greek origin Arkhip Kuindzhi from the Tretyakov Gallery until March 27, RAPSI reports from the courtroom. The defendant asked the court to place him under house arrest. He also refused to give testimony. The man said that he had no criminal charges pending against him earlier. Investigators, however, said in court that Chuprikov had unidentified accomplices and claimed it impossible to choose a restrictive measure different from detention for him. The 31-year old Chuprikov was arrested in the Moscow Region on January 28. The work Ai Petri was also found and seized from a project under construction in the Moscow Regions Odintsovo District. According to police, the man committed the crime from mercenary motives. In 2018, the defendant was arrested by police on suspicion of drug possession. By the moment of his current arrest, he was under travel restrictions. Kuindzhi painted Ai Petri. Crimea depicting a mountain in the Crimea peninsula in 1908. The work was stolen from Moscow's Tretyakov Art Gallery on January 27. The alleged thief could face up to 15 years if convicted of stealing the painting. Charges brought against alleged Kuindzhi painting thief Public domain 13:47 29/01/2019 MOSCOW, January 29 (RAPSI) Charges have been brought against Denis Chuprikov, a man who had allegedly stolen a painting by prominent Russian artist of Greek origin Arkhip Kuindzhi from Moscows Tretyakov Gallery, the Interior Ministrys spokesperson Irina Volk has told RAPSI. On Monday, Churikov when being questioned pleaded not guilty to the crime. The 31-year old man was arrested in the Moscow Region on January 28. The work Ai Petri was also found and seized from a project under construction in the Moscow Regions Odintsovo District. According to police, the crime has been committed from mercenary motives. In 2018, the suspect was arrested by police on suspicion of drug possession. By the moment of his current arrest, he was under travel restrictions. The suspected thief could face up to 15 years if convicted of stealing the painting. Kuindzhi painted Ai Petri. Crimea depicting a mountain in the Crimea peninsula in 1908. The work was stolen from the Tretyakov Art Gallery on January 27. Three Chinese citizens to go on Russian trial on bear claw smuggling charges flickr.com / Molesworth II 12:47 29/01/2019 MOSCOW, January 29 (RAPSI) A court in Russias Primorye region will consider a criminal case against three Chinese nationals charged with smuggling of claws and other parts of Himalayan black and brown bears, a statement released on the website of the Prosecutor Generals Office reads. The defendants are also charged with illegal traffic of Amur tigers parts, amber, arms and armaments, the statement reads. According to prosecutors, the Chinese citizens joined a criminal gang to smuggle goods from Russia to China. The total value of items seized from them exceeds 50 million rubles (over $750,000), the Prosecutor Generals Office states. Earlier, a Russian woman living in Primorsk Territory, who was also a member of this gang, received 3.5 years in prison and a 1.3-million-ruble fine ($20,000). If you are not redirected automatically, please follow this link Leading technology supplier Konica Minolta Inc has made it into the 2019 top 100 most sustainable global corporations for the second time. The Japanese headquartered company was chosen from a field of 7,536 major global companies with the criteria for selection based on environmental, social and governance indicators and the ability to promote diversity and innovation. The announcement marks yet another win for the company after its Australian arm took out the Human Rights Award in the business category in December 2018 for its efforts to promote human rights in its supply chain and end slavery, a cause championed by managing director Dr David Cooke. This latest listing was announced by Canada-based Corporate Knights in conjunction with the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland which was held from January 22 to 25. It is the second time the company has made the list, with the first being in 2011, Konica Minolta said in a statement. Either other Japanese companies also made the 2019 Global 100, Konica Minolta says. The company has set a goal of becoming a global company that is vital to society by continuing to create new values and bring innovations to the world. To achieve this it says it has identified six issues that need to be addressed including the environment, social innovation, customer satisfaction and product safety, responsible supply chain, human capital and diversity. It says by promoting these initiatives it can contributor to the evolution of the business community and society at large and to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Comment below to have your say on this story. If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at [email protected] Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter By Jia Chunniu The Task & Purpose website of the US reported that although the US militarys salary is claimed to be the highest in the world, it is basically impossible for American soldiers to save money to achieve economic security when they leave the military. The website summarizes the economic pressures faced by US soldiers during the three service periods of new recruits, mid-career and retirement. Tight life for new recruits According to the salary standards issued by the US Department of Defense (DoD), newly recruited soldiers will sign the lowest-level E-1 contract, and therefore many of the new recruits cannot live a good life. The biggest expense for most new recruits is the student loan. The number of people joining the military with student loan debt is increasing. Debt doesnt disappear just because youve joined the military. They have to take most of their salary and pay back the loan, said a financial advisor who was once a US veteran. The website suggests that the priority of the new recruits after joining the military should be to make a feasible budget and stick to it, so as to form healthy money habits. Young recruits should also be wary of predatory financial products targeting military members. Youre likely to be offered all sorts of high-interest loans and be tempted to make big purchases, like a car or a house. Stick to your budget, make sure you understand the terms of any loans you take out , according to Task & Purpose. Punitive economic crisis follows The average US soldier serves 7 to 10 years in uniform. Usually, they will be promoted to a sergeant from the fourth year, and their salary will increase accordingly. At the same time, however, frequent changes in deployment will bring them some unforeseen economic problems, one of which is the punitive economic crisis caused by the failure to pay bills in time. New Deployment can be tricky when banking systems, time zones, languages, and postal services are different from home, investment advisor and US Army veteran Eric Nager said. If families fall behind, they can be assessed late fees or other unnecessary charges. Such changes may also jeopardize the stability of the household economy. According to the report, soldiers at this stage must first formulate a long-term plan for individuals and families to avoid bankruptcy due to such punitive economic crisis. Re-enlistment is the only choice Retirement can be tough for family members who rely on soldiers earnings, because the source of income will disappear if they leave the military. Once out of the service, many veterans have trouble in finding jobs, which makes their families suffer from financial difficulties, said the report. Many retired soldiers will choose to re-enlist if they cannot find a job. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) of the US DoD says that re-enlisted soldiers can continue to accumulate service time in addition to bonuses, so they can finally qualify for the 20 years of honorable service. The net value of a military pension is roughly $200,000 for an enlisted soldier, making it a powerful incentive, according to Task & Purpose. 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. By Tan Bo and Fei Xiaoxi Rwandan peacekeepers board a Chinese peacekeeping helicopter. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Fei Xiaoxi) ELFASHER, SUDAN, Jan. 29 (ChinaMil) -- China's 2nd peacekeeping helicopter detachment to Darfur, Sudan successfully completed the transport mission for the Rwandan peacekeeping infantry battalion who was rotating its troops in Darfur, on January 24, 2019, local time. The transport mission lasted for 20 days, and the Chinese peacekeeping helicopter detachment made 70 sorties with 107 flight hours to transport 595 personnel and 24.3 tons of materials. Recently, based on new changes in the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) launched a new round of rotation for the Rwandan peacekeeping infantry battalion. Chinas peacekeeping helicopter detachment was ordered to carry out the transport mission. After receiving the order in early January, considering the harsh conditions of the Darfur peacekeeping mission zone that feature high temperatures, frequent sandstorms, and lack of ground landmarks, navigation service and ground commanding, the Chinese helicopter detachment organized pilots to mark coordinates of important locations such as turning points and entry points on the map, so as to make adequate technical preparation for the mission. According to the head of the detachment, the Rwandan peacekeeping infantry battalion quickened its pace of rotation since January 10, and the transport mission entered a peak period. This required the Chinese detachment to accelerate its pace of transportation. Three aircrews of the detachment undertook the regular mission of personnel and materials transport, while another aircrew served as an all-weather medical backup. From 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on January 17, the detachment sent three aircrews to make six sorties to transport 100 personnel and 3,165 kilograms of materials, creating a record of daily transport volume. After 20 days of painstaking efforts, China's peacekeeping helicopter detachment to Darfur successfully accomplished the transport of troops and equipment of the rotating Rwandan peacekeeping infantry battalion, for which it earned high praise from the UNAMID officials. ABC/Randy HolmesAfter postponing four dates on the upcoming U.K. and European leg of his No More Tours 2 trek, Ozzy Osbourne is now delaying the whole run. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Prince of Darkness was battling the flu, which caused the first postponement. After a follow-up visit to the doctor, Ozzy has now been diagnosed with a "severe upper-respiratory infection," and was advised to postpone the rest of the tour, which features dates with Judas Priest. The tour was scheduled to begin this Wednesday, January 30 in Dublin, Ireland, and was to run until a March 3 stop in Barcelona, Spain. Osbourne's latest health problems follow his recent bout with staph infections late last year, which forced him to postpone a number of U.S. tour dates. "I'm completely devastated for having to postpone the European leg of my tour," Ozzy says in a statement. "It just seems that since October everything I touch has turned to s***. First the staph infection in my thumb and now coming down with the flu and bronchitis." "I want to apologize to all of my fans who have been so loyal over the years, my band, my crew and to Judas Priest for letting you all down," the statement continues. "However, I promise the tour with Judas Priest will be completed. It's being rescheduled right now to start in September. Again, I apologize to everyone. God Bless. Love you all, Ozzy." Osbourne is supposed to kick off a U.S. tour with support from Megadeth in May. That trek is currently still expected to go on as scheduled. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Sterling Heights, MI (48312) Today A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low near 70F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. MUKONO Uganda will soon have a new Fisheries and Aquaculture law, if the proposed Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2018, is reviewed and approved by Cabinet and the Legislature. The proposed law is a revision of the Fish Act of 2000 Cap 197, which only regulates capture fish and does not address aquaculture activities such as management of commercial fishing, fish selling, post-harvest handling, fish transportation, surveillance and control monitoring of fisheries units as well as fisheries research. The proposed Bill is part of efforts by MAAIF to provide an enabling policy and regulatory framework to the stakeholders engaged in fisheries and aquaculture activities. The fisheries and aquaculture sub-sectors contribute significantly to Ugandas national economic growth, development as well as food and nutrition. In fact, Uganda has one of the largest fresh water resources in the world and almost 20 percent of its surface area is water. This expansive water resource has supported fisheries sector, enabling both capture and farmed fisheries since the 1920s. While fisheries contribute 12 percent of agricultural GDP of Uganda and supplies 50 percent of animal proteins consumed in the country, a number of challenges, which seriously affect the economic and social contribution of fisheries and aquaculture, cripple the vibrancy of the sub-sector. Some of the challenges include overfishing caused by increasing demand due to population growth, use of illegal fishing gear, poor quality of fish seeds, limited access to fish seeds and feeds, as well as continued trade in illegal and unrecorded immature fish hence costing the country about USD 429million in income lost. These, coupled with weak legal and institutional frameworks are major bottlenecks to the development of favourable fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector in Uganda. The proposed Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2018 will, therefore, help to address some of these challenges and foster sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. As part of the review process of the proposed Bill, MAAIF and FAO, through the Food and Nutrition Security Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST) Project, organized a National Validation Workshop of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2018, on Friday 25 January 2019 at Colline Hotel in Mukono. Participants who include key stakeholder in the sector have reviewed the current version of the draft Bill, validated it and produced a final version of the Draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2018, that will subsequently be sent to cabinet for approval. The validation workshop was held on the backdrop of regional and country-wide consultations that generated views from relevant regional and local government stakeholders, on the proposed Bill. While officiating at the validation workshop, Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)- Honorable Vincent Sempijja commended FAO and other stakeholders for prioritizing the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sectors and promoting relevant laws to ensure sustainability. While the Fish Act, Cap 197, provides for the control of fishing, fish conservation, purchase, sale, marketing, processing of fish, it is now outdated to address current technological advancement and the changed fisheries sector, he said. He added that The Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill is long awaited in Parliament and should be finalized as soon as possible to facilitate its enactment into law. Speaking during the workshop, FAO Representative in Uganda, Mr Antonio Querido said that the proposed Bill will help to regulate developments in the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sectors while fostering sustainable and nutritious food production in Uganda. If not regulated, aquaculture can become a potential risk to the environment such as increased water pollution and loss of biodiversity. Unplanned aquaculture can also lead to competition among other resource users that can degenerate into conflicts, he said. The proposed law will also help to address post-harvest losses resulting from inadequate fish handling facilities and poor hygiene while also increasing the availability of fish and fisheries products for marketing and consumption, he added. This bill for an Act entitled the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2018 is to: Provide for the conservation, capture, farming, rearing, processing and marketing of fish, the licensing and registration of fishing vessels and fishers; Provide for the control and regulation of all fisheries and aquaculture production activities and practices, the methods of fishing and fishing gear; Provide an enabling environment for equitable sharing of increased benefits from a more productive fisheries sector; Allow for fisheries mechanisation; Provide for the establishment and regulation of lake management organisations and landing site management units; Consolidate and reform the law relating to fisheries and fisheries products; Provide for the retention and utilisation of funds by the Directorate of Fisheries Resources. Overall, improvement in the above areas is expected to cause a positive economic impact on the contribution of the sub-sector but also the sustainability of the benefits such as improved food security, nutrition and employment opportunities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is committed to supporting MAAIF to develop and finalize necessary regulations and standard operating procedures required to adequately operationalize the fisheries and aquaculture policy and law in Uganda. About the FIRST Project The Food and Nutrition Security Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST) represents a global strategic partnership between FAO and the European Union (EU). FIRST is a European Union (EU) funded global programme implemented by FAO. The Project is currently supporting 34 countries to create a more enabling policy environment and institutional frameworks in which investments made by governments, the EU, and other partners will have a more direct and tangible impact on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). In Uganda, FIRST provides policy assistance and capacity development to the Government, towards (1) Review of current national policy and institutional frameworks of selected agricultural sub-sectors (including Fisheries and Aquaculture and Veterinary Drug Regulation and Administration); (2) Advocate for and develop human and organizational capacities for change and (3) Facilitate evidence-based and inclusive policy dialogue and stakeholder coordination. Comments As hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal employees prepared to return to work, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he doesnt think the negotiators will strike a deal that hed accept. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Soldiers escort coffins containing the remains of Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War during a burial ceremony at the Cemetery of Revolutionary Martyrs in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, March 29, 2018. (Photo/Xinhua) China will set up dedicated cemeteries for military personnel and their relatives as a way to honor their service and enhance national identity and pride, according to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. Building and maintaining military cemeteries is a key mission for the ministry, as well as an important part of enhancing services to retired veterans, Wang Zhiming, the director of the ministry's general office, said recently. "It also has great significance in improving national pride and honor for military personnel and their families, and making military careers more respectable," Wang said. The ministry is learning from experts and foreign practices to create a grand design for the cemeteries, and details will be released in due time, he said. The remains of more than 1.4 million martyrs are resting in around 4,200 protected memorials, ranging from cemeteries to columbaria. However, many of these buildings are dedicated to noted individuals or specific military campaigns and not general military personnel, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has said. This is because not all the dead are military personnel. Martyrs can also include civilians who died in war, or people who sacrificed themselves for the greater good, according to chinamartyrs.gov, a government website dedicated to Chinese heroes. For example, college student He Dongxu, 19, died saving two drowning children in 2009, and was buried at the martyrs' cemetery in Yichang, Hubei province. While honoring every martyr for their sacrifice is important, the current classification might lead to confusion for the families of martyrs and visitors, especially for those who just want to pay their respects to military personnel. Moreover, some martyr cemeteries were found selling expensive grave sites to wealthy buyers or leasing the cemetery's surrounding area to shops or real estate developers, all of which are against the rules, according to media reports. In 2014, Xinhua reported that a martyr cemetery in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, was selling grave sites for as high as 290,000 yuan ($42,650). A martyr cemetery in Ya'an, Sichuan province, was surrounded by so many shops that its original gate was blocked and a smaller gate had to be opened at the north end of the cemetery, China National Radio reported last year. To solve such recurring problems, Qian Feng, vice-minister of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, held the first meeting on military cemetery management in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, this month. Qian, along with veterans' affairs officials from 11 provinces, met to discuss the functions, eligibility, operation and burial conditions for military cemeteries. Gong Fangbin, a professor at the People's Liberation Army's National Defense University, told Beijing Youth Daily that it is important for China to build cemeteries dedicated to military personnel for their symbolic significance and to bolster national identity and pride. The United States and Russia already have similar dedicated military cemeteries in place. The US Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration said its 136 veteran cemeteries in 40 states received more than 5.4 million visitors last year. Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune. You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.25 per week for 13 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month. Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro speaks with Venezuelas Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and Remigio Ceballos, strategic operational commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, during a military exercise in Valencia, Venezuela, on Sunday. [Photo/Agencies] Ma Zhaoxu, Chinas permanent representative to the United Nations, said that China opposes foreign interference in Venezuelas affairs. The UN Security Council, in an emergency meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on Saturday, called for a political solution to end the crisis in the South American country. Ma called on all parties to stay rational and calm while keeping in mind the fundamental interests of Venezuelas people. He expressed support for the governments efforts to uphold national sovereignty. All countries should abide by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, such as non-interference in each others affairs and refraining from the use of force, he said. The situation in Venezuela does not constitute a threat to international peace and security, Ma added, saying, China is against adding the situation in Venezuela to the affairs of the Security Council. He called on all relevant parties to respect the choice of Venezuelas people and reiterated, China does not interfere in other countries affairs. The emergency meeting was mainly requested by the United States and some other countries in the wake of days of crisis in Venezuela marked by popular protests that erupted on Wednesday after the leader of the legislature, Juan Guaido, declared himself interim president, a direct challenge to President Nicolas Maduro, who had been sworn in to a second term in office just two weeks earlier, according to Xinhua. Rosemary DiCarlo, UN undersecretary-general for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, expressed concern about the situation in Venezuela and that attempts at dialogue have not led to any agreement. The protracted conflict in the country has had a grave impact on the population, she said. We must try to help bring about a political solution that will allow the countrys citizens to enjoy peace, prosperity and all their human rights. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to lower tensions in the country and called on all relevant actors to commit to inclusive and credible political dialogue, in a statement issued by his spokesperson on Wednesday. Concerned by reports of casualties in and around the capital Caracas, the UN chief also called for a transparent, independent investigation into those incidents. DiCarlo stressed at Saturdays meeting that the main concern is the well-being of the Venezuelan people and their ability to enjoy their full rights. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the councils purpose is to safeguard international peace and security. Many Venezuelans have fled the country, with most heading to neighboring countries. Former President Maduro bears full responsibility for this tragedy, Pompeo said. Pompeo said a new leader (Guaido, whom the US supports) promises to bring security back to the region. We must support the Venezuelan people, and do so right now, Pompeo said. Russias UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya rejected that assertion by saying that his delegation cannot support attempts by the US to introduce an agenda item on the situation in Venezuela, which constitutes a gross abuse of the prerogatives of the councils permanent members. The internal situation in that country is not on the agenda, he stressed, adding: We do not see any external threats in the situation of Venezuela. He said the US was imposing its own approaches and recipes to solve the problems on the ground in Venezuela. This meeting is yet another attempt by the United States to affect regime change, and (the Russian Federation) regrets that the UN Security Council has been drawn into such an unethical ploy, he said. The last time the Security Council convened on a weekend was on April 14, to discuss the Israel-Palestine issue. City Council President Darrell L. Clarke plans to introduce legislation on Thursday that could help push forward redevelopment of St. Laurentius Church in Fishtown, the first significant step toward possibly ending a years-long battle over the propertys fate. While declining to disclose specifics, Clarkes spokesperson, Jane Roh, confirmed Monday that he has plans for legislation related to the property. In an email, she said Clarke has consistently supported preservation of the historic structure through redevelopment that returns it to productive use. Clarkes legislation, to be introduced in the form of a remapping bill, will come exactly one week after stones tumbled from the churchs facade, crashing through scaffolding surrounding the building and closing a nearby school. The citys Department of Licenses and Inspections is very, very concerned, spokesperson Karen Guss said Monday. This property cannot continue to withstand constant water infiltration and another winter of freeze-thaw cycles. Clarkes remapping legislation a practice which is sometimes called spot zoning will likely attempt to change the zoning of the large corner parcel, though exactly what he will propose, or if any other properties will be included, remains unknown. The church has sat unoccupied and unsafe, according to the city, for the last few years. Located at Berks and Memphis Streets, the 8,000-square-foot church has been the subject of neighborhood fights and court battles since the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced in 2014 that it was closing the property, the citys first Polish Catholic church, for safety reasons. While neighbors successfully fought to get the buildings exterior, including its soaring copper spires, listed on the citys historic register, a faction has disagreed on how its interior should be reused. The result has been months of legal filings and court arguments over a plan to redevelop the property into 23 apartment units, a proposal by developer Leo Voloshin that was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2016. The debate took on new urgency when five or six stones" fell from the facade Thursday. Previously, netting was installed to help hold a section of the stones in place, but the stones that fell came from an area directly above, Guss said. St. Laurentius Catholic School, located on the same block, was closed Friday and Monday. A person who answered the phone at the school Monday said she didnt have any other information about whether school would be closed Tuesday or beyond. Guss said L&I has taken temporary measures to stabilize the area where the stones fell. Still, Guss added, L&I is requiring an engineers report and a 3D imaging study to inform its decision on the condition of the property and next steps. If L&I has to order partial or full demolition to protect the safety of the public we will do so," Guss said. The archdiocese remains the owner of the site. If Clarkes bill were, for example, to eliminate Voloshins need for a zoning variance before he could build, there is still no guarantee that the plan would move forward. Voloshin said Monday that 2 years ago he estimated that structural restorations would cost nearly $1 million. Right now, its possible that it could become too expensive to save because of the deterioration that has happened due to weather, he said. Still, he said, he is hopeful he can complete his plan. But the propertys status remains complicated by litigation before Commonwealth Court. After Philadelphias zoning board in 2016 approved Voloshins plans, a small group of neighborhood residents called the Faithful Laurentians appealed the case all the way to the state court. Oral arguments were heard in November. A decision has not been made. Hal Schirmer, an attorney for the Faithful Laurentians, said Monday that the group remains committed to preserving the interior of the property and its murals, which he said the group believes could be disrupted by Voloshins apartment conversion. It was unclear Monday afternoon how the Faithful Laurentians would respond to Clarkes legislation. Meanwhile, other neighbors from Fishtown are continuing to circulate a petition for Clarke to take legislative action. By Monday evening, there were several hundred signatures, the organizer of it said. In her email Monday afternoon, Roh said that our understanding is that there is little community support for this obstructionist lawsuit. Our office definitely shares the communitys concerns that delays will only increase the odds that the structure will have to be demolished to protect the publics safety, that interested developers will be forced to walk away, or both," she wrote. The fancy garnishes, heirloom microgreens, and edible flowers served at some of Philadelphias finest restaurants soon will spring up in an unusual spot: a former office suite in a Germantown apartment complex. Adam Green, a recent Temple University graduate backed by his finance-industry pro father, is in the midst of remodeling the onetime corporate offices of his landlord at the Rittenhouse Hill apartments, the real estate group Post Bros., into a high-tech hydroponic growing room for herbs and veggies. AGreen Farms, as the 5,000-square-foot indoor farm is to be known, marks the latest attempt to make small-footprint urban agriculture financially feasible in an industry where most growing is done on sprawling rural fields staffed by low-paid workers and in big greenhouses. By offering hard-to-source items to chefs who serve well-heeled patrons, Green aims to fill what he hopes will be a profitable niche, despite the high energy costs associated with year-round indoor farming and the wages expected by urban workers. He expects to employ a staff of five. Garnishes and specialty heirloom products dont travel well, Green said. Being in Philadelphia where weve got a really great, strong restaurant scene puts us in a really great place to be successful. Green said he chose the space in the Rittenhouse Hill complex, near Wissahickon Avenue and Lincoln Drive, for the easy commute he lives in an apartment upstairs and because Post was offering less stringent lease terms than some of the other potential landlords he considered. The deal with Post was also smoothed by his existing connection with Philadelphia chef Michael Schulson, whose new restaurant Giuseppe & Sons is housed in a Center City retail property owned by the real estate group, Green said. Randy Hope, managing director of Posts retail arm, said AGreen Farms was a good fit for the Rittenhouse Hill offices because the property doesnt have enough parking to accommodate a user that would draw more traffic. The suite had been vacant since Post moved five years ago to offices within its Presidential City complex on City Avenue. It was space that was lying fallow, Hope said. Greens effort may be greeted with extra skepticism, after the failure of the 100,000-square-foot facility that had been known as Metropolis Farms in South Philadelphia. That project had been hyped as the farm of the future before it folded amid accusations of fraud aimed at its founder. Its closest antecedent may be FarmOne in New Yorks Tribeca neighborhood, which similarly focuses on a restaurant-industry clientele. It supplies produce to Michelin-starred eateries such as Eleven Madison Park, Atera, Daniel, and Jungsik. FarmOne, however, is a smaller operation at just 1,200 square feet, and it makes money from farm tours $50 for an hour-long visit as well as sales. Henry Gordon-Smith, founder and managing director of Agritecture Consulting, a New York-based adviser to indoor-farm operators, said Green is wise to focus on high-end chefs with specific needs. Typically, you cant compete with traditional agriculture in most product sectors," said Gordon-Smith, who helped FarmOnes owners set up their business but who is not connected to Greens project. "But there are some areas where you may be able to compete, usually because of the quality of your product. Greens Germantown space will accommodate about 150 growing racks stacked four levels high that will be fed nutrient-enriched water from eight 50-gallon tanks, so the crops can grow without ever touching soil. By using lamps instead of natural light, along with other climate controls, Green can guarantee stable year-round production of whatever his culinary customers request. The method uses up to 95 percent less water than conventional agriculture, although the constant lighting makes it a big user of energy, Green said. Greens initial production run will comprise about 80 different kinds of herbs and specialty greens, including micro-radishes and micro-cilantro, he said. Growing will begin soon after the end of construction, which is scheduled for early March, with the first harvests coming later in the spring. Green, 25, grew up in Cherry Hill and discovered hydroponic agriculture as his calling through jobs at indoor farms and restaurants during and after his studies at Temple University, where he graduated in May with a degree in adult education. His father, William, chief executive of the Crestar Group of Cos. financial businesses, lent him the nearly $1 million needed for the indoor farms construction and is aiding his son as a business adviser. To serve as his head grower, Green recruited Brandon Merrill, a hydroponics expert who learned his craft at a research center in Japan that was established to develop indoor-farming techniques after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 stoked fears of soil contamination. Since then, Merrill helped start an indoor farm in Nova Scotia, Canada, where fresh vegetables can be scarce during the regions long, dark winters, and has worked at New Yorks Gotham Greens rooftop agriculture enterprise and at the Oasis Biotech vertical farming facility in Las Vegas. Merrill said he was drawn to Greens farm in Germantown because of the opportunity it offered to focus on high-end greens and to experiment with the indoor cultivation of specialty crops such as edible flowers. Green is "really big into food, healthy food, quality food, responsibly sourced food, Merrill said. AGreen Farms has lined up a roster of chefs, including Schulson, who plan on sourcing produce from the business, said William Green, who declined to identify others for fear of being preemptively undercut by those buyers' existing suppliers. Schulson did not immediately respond to messages asking about his interest in Greens products. Yianni Arhontoulis, chef at Mica in Chestnut Hill, said an operation like Greens could be an attractive source of veggies for Philadelphia chefs like him who strive to prepare dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Something Philly can call its own will definitely be an asset for higher-end restaurants, said Arhontoulis, who had not previously been aware of Greens plan. It sounds like a great project. TRENTON Longtime Republican State Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego has switched parties to become a Democrat, a move she says was made in part because the party of Ronald Reagan no longer exists. Addiego announced the switch Monday, increasing the Democratic majority in the 40-member Senate to 26. Democrats also control the 80-member Assembly. The 56-year-old lawyer, who has represented the 8th District since 2010, said she was not elected to be content in the role of loyal opposition. The district includes much of Burlington County and a bit of Camden County. State Republican Chairman Doug Steinhardt said Addiego was turning her back on the voters who put her in office. Democratic Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Addiego will bring a view and a voice thatll strengthen our team. (Bloomberg) U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is facing pressure from three key House committees for a fuller accounting of his decision to lift sanctions on three companies tied to Vladimir Putin ally Oleg Deripaska. The Democratic chairs of the committees on Financial Services, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs asked Mnuchin for documents and records related to his decision to end sanctions on En+ Group Plc, United Co. Rusal and EuroSibEnergo JSC. The Treasury Department lifted sanctions on the companies on Sunday after an agreement reducing the Russian tycoons influence over the firms. Mnuchin in December notified Congress of his plans, provoking criticism from Democrats who say the Trump administration has been too soft on Russia and hasnt done enough to respond to Russia interference in favor of Trump in the 2016 election. Deripaska is a close associate of Russian President Putin with ties to President Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, who has been convicted of numerous serious financial crimes uncovered through Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, Maxine Waters, the Financial Services chairwoman; Adam Schiff, chairman of the Intelligence Committee; and Eliot Engel, chairman of Foreign Affairs, wrote in a letter to Mnuchin on Tuesday. Mark Warner, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate banking committee, on Tuesday also asked Mnuchin for more information about the Deripaska decision, citing concerns that the billionaire will continue to exert influence over the three companies. Congressional Democrats earlier this month tried to block Treasurys action, but the legislation fell short of the 60 votes required in the Senate to advance. The Democratic committee chairmen cited Manaforts $20 million debt to Deripaska and concerns that Manafort may have leveraged his position as campaign chairman to attempt to negotiate that debt in exchange for providing briefings to Deripaska related to the campaign. Though the financial restrictions on the three firms have been removed, Deripaska himself remains under U.S. sanctions. To contact the reporter on this story: Saleha Mohsin in Washington at smohsin2@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Mike Dorning 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Its spire that once towered over South Philadelphia is gone. Its green, serpentine stone is chipped. And while thousands of dollars have been spent fixing its collapsing walls and roof, the sanctuary at the 19th Street Baptist Church is unusable. After decades of fighting the inevitable, the 115-member, predominantly African American congregation is tired. Members say they are ready to move on. It's a story that Philadelphia and other large cities know well: Congregations are dwindling, and as sacred places are deteriorating, they are depleting their money for repairs. Church leaders have searched extensively for other religious groups to take over, only to find that developers can meet the price they need. And so, despite neighborhood protests or pleas for preservation, historic churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues have been leveled one by one. In Philadelphia, that's happened at least 23 times between 2011 and 2015 alone, according to estimates from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The historic 19th Street Baptist Church, however, refuses to be a part of that statistic. In a decision strikingly different from the Christ Memorial Reformed Episcopal Church in West Philadelphia and the Christian Street Baptist Church in Bella Vista, both of which were sold to developers intending to demolish them, the pastor of 19th Street Baptist Church said this week that while his congregation is ready to move on, members do not want the church to be flattened. When they list the church, built in 1874, for sale, they hope to attract a preservation-minded buyer, who can restore or perhaps redevelop it and retain the unique facade. "It's easy to take the money and run," said the Rev. Wilbur Winborne Sr., who was married and ordained in the 19th Street Baptist Church and returned to lead it almost five years ago. "But if we can try [to save it], let's try. Why not? I don't want to have any regrets." At first glance, it would seem that outcome is almost guaranteed. The church, designed by George Hewitt, in partnership with prominent Philadelphia architect Frank Furness, has been listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places since 1984. That gives the property, at 1249-1253 S. 19th St. in Point Breeze, protection from demolition and non-historic alterations. Yet with Philadelphia quickly changing these days, even a designation on the Historic Register does not guarantee that a building will stand forever. In the last few years, developers have successfully argued in front of the Philadelphia Historical Commission that redeveloping a historic property, instead of demolishing it, would be a hardship, thereby reversing its historic preservation status and allowing the property to fall. Recent examples underscore how that tactic has worked. In the last seven years, separate developers have argued victoriously that preserving the Boyd Theatre on the 1900 block of Chestnut Street, as well as the Samuel Sloan-designed Italianate mansion at 40th and Pine Streets, would be a "financial hardship," meaning it would be economically impossible to adapt a property due to its current physical and often dilapidated state. Both were ultimately demolished, and new housing has sprouted in their place. Beyond appealing on a financial level, developers have found demolition victories using other strategies, too. Some, such as the Curtis Institute of Music, have been granted demolition permits because they are "necessary in the public interest" meaning that the benefits of the proposed razing and development far outweigh the historic site as it stands. Other savvy developers, meanwhile, have found success convincing L&I that their buildings are imminently dangerous, necessitating demolition, despite being historically designated. Developers Harvey and Robert Spear did so more than a decade ago at Front and Chestnut Streets, when an L&I inspector who was not assigned to the Old City area declared their two 1800s buildings as imminently dangerous. While the buildings were disheveled, they were not bad enough to convince the Historical Commission to give the Spears the financial hardship. So the Spears resorted to another way to take them down: Using L&I's dangerous declaration to their advantage. L&I spokeswoman Karen Guss said that a situation such as the one involving the Spears would not be possible today. Under the department's current policies, she said, "a historic property under the threat of demolition could not be designated as imminently dangerous without multiple levels of internal review, consultation with the Historical Commission, and in many cases, one or more reports from an outside engineering firm." Even so, preservation advocates remain concerned that the 19th Street Baptist Church could still be vulnerable to demolition. "The church has been contacted by developers well before making the announcement" about the future sale, said Rachel Hildebrandt, a senior program manager for Partners for Sacred Places, a national nonprofit dedicated to preserving sacred spaces. "It's definitely a target." As multiple portions of the church remain in disrepair, many fear it would be financially difficult for a preservation-minded buyer to save especially given the expected price. Though the property has not been listed, Winborne said he is looking to other South Philadelphia church sales as a barometer. They get "$1.5 million to $2 million on a really good day," Winborne said. "If by some strange reason, we could get $2.5 million and save the church, I would be ecstatic." Stephen Wagner, a developer with experience redeveloping historic properties, said preserving the property at such a high asking price might be difficult. Wagner said he toured the property recently, and although it is a "fabulous building inside" and the "sanctuary is a great space," a buyer would face "very expensive exterior work" to restore the weathered serpentine stone, which dates to the Victorian period. Considerable work is also needed to stabilize the sanctuary. Plus, whoever purchases the building would have to contend with its current "unsafe" designation from L&I meaning the 10,700-square-foot church is dangerous, but not critically unstable. The congregation, which has been using its fellowship hall to worship, anticipates it may be ordered to vacate the church later this year. "There should definitely be a concern that it's a target for demolition," said Patrick Grossi, advocacy director for the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. "It's a large site you could probably construct anywhere from six to eight townhouses there. It's in a strong housing market. And the property clearly needs some love." Despite its designation as being unsafe, the "property is historic and the hope is that a buyer will restore it to [a] safe condition," said Guss, the L&I spokeswoman. "In its current condition, it will remain standing," she continued. But, "if [the] building deteriorates and [the] risk of collapse increases, L&I will demolish it to protect public safety." Still, Winborne and the congregation which has nearly doubled in the last four years has much working on its behalf. Partners for Sacred Places is helping to find a preservationist buyer, as is the Preservation Alliance. Plus, over the years, it's received help from former Mayor Wilson Goode, an ordained minister himself, as well as University of Pennsylvania students and professors Aaron Wunsch and Frank Matero, who have researched the building, provided reports and guidance for its restoration, and applied for and administered emergency repair grants. Already, Winborne said, the church has multiple potential preservation-buyers in mind. "We want to have the resources to be able to relocate and worship and still drive down 19th Street five years from now and see the building is still there," Winborne said. "Even though churches are being moved out, the community still needs a church." Its a sad day for our community. Recently, leading newspapers in Israel and Britain wrote about the decline of America, and what city did they hold up as Exhibit A? Philadelphia. Thats unacceptable. And, frankly, its not fair. Its not fair to the thousands of nonprofits and community activists who every day make life just a little bit better for their fellow Philadelphians in need. To the well-intentioned elected officials and public servants who show up for work ready to make a difference. And to the business and civic leaders who strive to make Philadelphia a world-class city and economic center. So what do we do about this tale of two cities, as the Jan. 23 Inquirer editorial called it? We start building bridges across the divide. We commit to making Philadelphia the model of a 21st century inclusive American city. What do we mean by inclusive? We leave no one behind. So, for starters, we all get on the same page. Nonprofits and activists. Elected officials and city employees. Business and civic leaders. The business community must aggressively join the fray in reducing poverty and increasing opportunity. It must work closely with the city and civic organizations, educational institutions, and organized labor. City officials must collaborate with businesses to foster economic growth. Its not a matter of pro-growth or pro-neighborhoods. Pro-growth is pro-neighborhoods. And we will trust in the people of those neighborhoods to hold us accountable. Here is a sample of the kind of efforts that are already underway. The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphias Roadmap for Growth initiative works with employers to train and employ vulnerable populations, including those recovering from addiction, and we partner with a staffing nonprofit to identify employers seeking to hire those who often face barriers to employment. We collaborate with the city Commerce Department and Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. to offer workshops for entrepreneurs throughout the city on access to capital, marketing, and legal issues. On Tuesday, we will gather businesses, health-care providers, and substance-abuse experts at Broad Street Ministry to explore ways to better address the opioid crisis. There are many others and there is still more to do. But a pro-growth agenda also requires larger initiatives and the chamber will be working on three priorities in coming years. First, continue the momentum created with the Grow PA project we began in 2017. We will work with business and civic leaders from across the state, and with elected officials in Harrisburg, on a plan to modernize our infrastructure, transform post-secondary education, and accelerate health-care innovation. Second, capitalize on the world-class health-care assets that make our city and region a center of innovation not just nationally but globally. One example: the collaboration between Penn Medicine and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia on understanding the human genome to create better treatments. Third, we repeat a point we made earlier. In a divided and fractured society, our chamber must capitalize on all of our regions ideas, talents, and resources. We must tear down barriers and build bridges. Bridges that are inclusive of anyone who chooses to walk across and reach for a hand of help. Or a hand of collaboration. Or a hand of creativity that can change our community. Such bridges can make two cities one, united in prosperity and opportunity. And newspapers around the world will call Philadelphia a beacon of hope. Dan Hilferty is CEO of Independence Blue Cross and chairman of the board of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. Rob Wonderling is president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. The robots are coming. I cant tell you exactly when I first heard that, but it was definitely when I was in grade school during the 1960s. It was the Space Age, and so the idea of better living through science was in the air, literally. The most popular cartoon of the early-1960s was The Jetsons which accelerated every baby boomer childs naive fantasies that our middle-age years would be spent tooling around in flying cars, served cool drinks at home by a humanoid robot muttering ironic sit-com punch lines. Fifty-plus years later, and its clear that Hanna-Barbera cartoon robots were a lot more adorable than what was coming in real life. In the post-war idealization of an automated future, robots were just cool add-ons that made your everyday life easier the maid that 1960s middle-class folks couldnt afford, or maybe a friendly family dog. (Hello, Im Rags woof woof! went the annoying robot dog in Woody Allens 1972 flick, Sleeper.) Thanks to all the leisure time created when robots were doing so much of the work, George Jetson only went to work one day a week, for just two hours. In the actual 21st Century, George Jetson has been fired replaced at Spacely Space Sprockets by a robot that uses artificial intelligence to design new, better sprockets and his flying car is up on blocks because he cant afford the insurance payments. But his former boss Cosmo Spacely is doing better than ever recently having purchased his fifth flying space yacht. I was thinking about the robot fantasies of the 1960s and 1970s and the robot realities of the 21st Century this weekend as I read a remarkable report from the World Economic Forum in Davos by the New York Times' Kevin Roose. It described in detail how the worlds billionaires and their powerful friends are talking about an automated near-future in which millions of jobs from truck driver to bookkeeper to newspaper journalist are replaced by machines. Its a development all but guaranteed to cause massive societal upheaval but the grand poobahs of technology are powerless to stop it...because, you know, shareholders. Roose reported that the executives talked at the posh Swiss report in business babble about a Fourth Industrial Revolution and even spoke with empathy in public, anyway of a safety net for tomorrows displaced workers, while in private 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. The Times columnist quoted Mohit Joshi, president of the information technology firm Infosys, as saying that CEOs who once had been thinking of gently trimming their workforce because of automation are now thinking bigger, that, "Now theyre saying, Why cant we do it with 1 percent of the people we have? Its hard to quantify how fast this is happening, but Roose made it pretty clear that executives under pressure to deliver high quarterly profits for their shareholders (and under zero pressure to worry about stuff like the unemployment rate) are movingly quick to to create a labor market where the hiring outlook is a lot better for robots than for human beings. The columnist even quoted one tech guru predicting that artificial intelligence, or AI, will eliminate 40 percent (!!!) of the worlds jobs in 15 years. And you thought voters were mad in 2016? Rooses column stood out because there was less reporting from the annual confab of the worlds elite at Davos than in past years Team Trump was grounded by the government shutdown, newsrooms and travel budgets are shrinking and the journalists who are still working have been swamped by the massive garbage slick that is the Trump presidency. They spent the weekend covering the ephemeral the political body slam of Trump by Nancy Pelosi (or Nancy, as I call her) and Roger Stones Nixonian salute, on endless loop while the worlds richest (mostly) men were plotting to change life on earth as we know it. That said, and maybe its just my fertile imagination, but I believe the winds began to shift a little the moment that Trumps hoped-for one term entered its second half on January 20. The shutdown fiasco which made Trump look like a weakling, not a dictator-in-waiting and the rapid flooding of the zone by 2020 Democratic hopefuls is starting to shift the focus to America after Trump. And the war over robots and the wealth they create may soon dwarf the Trumpian conflicts we are experiencing today. Think again about why our cuddly thinking about robots in the years after World War II was so far off. It was a different time. Post-war modern appliances vacuum cleaners, dishwashers and what not was making life easier and giving everyday people more leisure time, so it was natural to think robots would be a positive extension of that, Politically, the New Deal welfare state was strong and (largely thanks to unions) the gap between rich and poor was shrinking. But by 1980 everything started to flip. Economic elites have gained steadily at the expense of the working class. Working people are already mad. Theyre mad at billionaires just check out the venomous reaction to Starbucks ex-CEO Howard Schultz and his vain independent presidential run-to-nowhere. But increasingly theyre mad at machines; coincidentally or not. the New York Times also had an article this weekend about growing human violence toward robots remember what happened to the hitchhiking robot that passed through Philly? and their cousin, the self-driving car, which is routinely stoned or even smashed by other drivers, demolition-derby style, in greater Phoenix where a major test is underway. So if the productivity gains and higher profits of automation make a few dozen people wealthy beyond measure while taking jobs away from tens of millions of people, it will be game, set and match for a civil society. That could make the contentious Trump years seem, in retrospect, like a paisley love-in. A few people are thinking about the political consequences. One of them is even running for the Democratic nomination for president, but its doubtful youve heard of him. New York businessman Andrew Yang says the most critical item on his 2020 agenda is fending off a robot apocalypse such as the loss of 1 million U.S. jobs just attributable to the rise of self-driving trucks, which is enough to cause, in his words. riots in the street. His solution is a kind of guaranteed national income that he calls a Freedom Dividend, $1,000 a month that would be sent to every citizen aged 18-64, to cushion against the job-loss tsunami. Im going to go out on a wild limb here and predict that Andrew Yang will not be sworn in as our 46th (or 47th) president, not when hes running against as many as 20 better-known Democrats. But I do think the idea of higher income or wealth taxes on multi-millionaires and billionaires which have gained currency with the Democratic House takeover and the launch of the 2020 race should be seen as a potential form of garlic to ward off any the invasion of the robots. Higher taxes on the rich with a top marginal income tax rate ranging from 70 to 91 percent played a role in the economic boom of the 1950s and 60s. The high tax rate inspired CEOs to invest in their workers, or in capital that created new jobs, rather than in themselves and their suppressed yearnings for multiple mansions and yachts. The government also had more tax revenue to spend on projects like infrastructure, which created even more decent middle-class jobs. Yes, the 2010s are a different era, but taxes on the wealthy could definitely ease the impacts of automation. Our infrastructure needs, for example, may be even greater now than they were in the 1950s and 60s. And although few want to hear this the loss of 40 percent of our jobs in 15 years would necessitate a massive expansion of the welfare state, either as Yang proposes or through some other method. Last week, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren so far arguably the most innovative of the 2020 presidential hopefuls proposed the fairly radical solution of a wealth tax that would likely affect the 75,000 richest families in the country, kicking in at 2 percent for wealth over $50 million and rising to 3 percent at $1 billion. This would help flatten income inequality while raising a whopping $2.75 trillion over a decade money that could help smooth the rocky transition to a robotic future. Even with the White House and the Senate in friendly GOP hands for now, Americas billionaires are starting to panic. Schultz has already admitted that his fear of the Democratic Party moving to the idea of Millennial icon Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs proposed 70 percent tax on income above $10 million inspired his plan for an independent White House bid. Politico says Wall Street is freaking out about 2020, praying for a president whos more stable than Trump but wont raise their taxes. Heres a suggestion for Wall Street and all those other CEOs still high on the Alpine air of Davos: Maybe stop obsessing over artificial intelligence and use some emotional intelligence for a change. The short-term sugar rush of quarterly profit margins wont be worth a warm bucket of spit in an economy with Great Depression levels of unemployment, where the only guaranteed job is building the barricades of a social revolution. That means thinking about stakeholders, including workers, and not just shareholders. Meanwhile, this baby boomer still wants to know whats taking so long with the flying car. Imagine walking out of your doctors office just as a pharmaceutical sales rep is walking in. The rep shows up with lunch for your doctor and the staff and is also carrying brochures about the medication your doctor just prescribed for you. It would make you wonder, wouldnt it? Am I about to start a treatment that my doctor thinks is best for me? Or is this the product of someones free lunch? Youd be right to have that suspicion, and youd have research to back you up. Decades of studies make it clear that meetings between doctors and pharma reps lead to changes in the way physicians prescribe medicationsnotably, that doctors who receive even small gifts from pharma reps are more likely to prescribe certain medications than those who dont. And a study just published last week shows that an increase in marketing of opioids is associated with more deadly opioid overdoses one year later. This isnt a patient access issue. There are specific guidelines for when these medications should be prescribed, and no one is being denied the medications they need when pharma sales people aren't delivering catered lunches to doctors' offices. Rather, this is evidence of over-prescribing, as well as prescribing the brand name when the generic would do, which drives up health care costs. Philadelphia City Council is currently considering a bill that would ban gifts from pharmaceutical companies to doctors, and its critically important that this ban go into effect. When your health is on the line, you need to trust that your doctor has your best interest at heart and isnt influenced consciously or not by profits, gifts, or other benefits, even those that may seem small on the surface. This bill will do three things: It will require pharma sales representatives to register with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Reps will have to share their promotional materials with the department. It will ban companies from giving gifts of any kind large or small to doctors. The first two points are common sense requirements that will improve transparency. On the third point, as scientists, we only need to look at the evidence to see that passing this bill could have a measurable impact on public health. The new study found a connection between opioid prescriptions, overdose deaths, and pharma payments to doctors. The authors say policymakers should look to plans like the one proposed here in Philadelphia as part of the solution. However, limiting this ban to opioid makers only would be short-sighted and dangerous. Overprescribing of medications for heart conditions, depression, and others represents its own patient safety issue as well as a financial burden on people who current evidence shows are already paying for medications they may not need. Opponents of the bill claim it would be bad for business, leaving Philadelphia on the outside looking in as pharma industry opportunities pass the city by in favor of friendlier rules elsewhere. To that, we at Penn Medicine can point to our own experience. We banned pharmaceutical company gifts to our clinicians 12 years ago, but continued collaboration with industry has helped discoveries made in our laboratories and tested in our hospitals find their way to more patients each day. These partnerships have led to global scientific breakthroughs like immunotherapies for cancer that not only have real, life-saving benefits for patients, but also establish Philadelphia as the epicenter of the rapidly-growing cellular therapy industry a so-called Cellicon Valley. The relationships academia has with pharmaceutical companies are important, and open conversation between industry and physicians can lead to greater education on both sides and serve as an inspiration for new ideas. But those relationships must be carefully managed, and evidence shows that gifts even something as small as a free lunch influence the behavior of doctors and put patients in danger. The city of Philadelphia has a chance to stand up and take action on behalf of people all across this region who want nothing more than to know they can trust their doctors when they need them the most. Its important our leaders dont lose sight of that opportunity. Patrick J. Brennan, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer for the University of Pennsylvania Health System. The anti-Trump media keeps marching gleefully from one inaccurate news story to the next, with no apparent concern for the damage done by their irresponsible reporting. The media thoroughly embarrassed themselves recently with not one, but two misleading news stories that garnered national attention. It started last Thursday with the wall-to-wall coverage of Buzzfeeds supposedly earth-shattering report that claimed President Trump directed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to lie to Congress. While some principled journalists were skeptical after BuzzFeed published its exclusive late Thursday, most mainstream media outlets charged in head-on simply using the phrase if true to avoid having to fact-check the damning allegation. For example, CNN and MSNBC couldnt confirm BuzzFeeds unverified report, but that didnt stop those networks from using it to gush over impeachment nearly 200 times before the article was discredited by an unprecedented statement from the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Undeterred by this spectacular humiliation, the media went right back to churning out more fake news the very next day this time targeting teenage students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky. Several of the students were wearing MAGA hats (no doubt their greatest sin in the medias eyes), and they were caught up in a confrontation with an American Indian and a radical group of provocateurs at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Incomplete video footage of the incident quickly went viral. Liberal politicians and journalists accused the students of racism and some even called for violent retaliation against the teenagers. New Republics Jeet Heer, for instance, wrote in a now-deleted tweet that the Trump-supporting students' actions were racist, and CNNs Bakari Sellers later deleted a tweet suggesting the kids should be punched in the face. In another since-deleted tweet, CNNs Ana Navarro referred to the teens parents with an expletive and said they had taught their children bigotry and racism. Kentucky Democrat Rep. John Yarmuth even sought to place blame on President Trump, saying, The conduct we saw in this video is beyond appalling, but it didnt happen in a vacuum. This is a direct result of the racist hatred displayed daily by the president of the United States who, sadly, some mistake for a role model. Once again, however, it turned out that members of the media had allowed their anti-Trump fervor to prevent them from performing basic journalistic due diligence. Interviews with participants and additional video footage soon revealed that the students were shouting school spirit chants to drown out vile, racially-charged taunts from a group of protesters, the Black Hebrew Israelites. Then, the supposedly victimized American Indian activist Nathan Phillips deliberately inserted himself between the two groups, setting the stage for the brief video clip that elicited such vitriol from the liberal media. Many of the so-called journalists who rushed to judgment have apologized, but the damage has already been done. Parents and students received death threats, and their school was forced to cancel classes due to threats of violence and the possibility of large crowds. Its bad enough when partisan journalists use made-up news as a cudgel to attack President Trump, but at least hes a public figure. Their shameful, knee-jerk reactions to the Covington Catholic High School made teenagers pawns in their crusade against the president. President Trump was absolutely right to cite incidents such as these to demonstrate that some members of the media are the enemy of the people, and this past week, the media proved it. Newt Gingrich, a Republican, served as House speaker from 1995 to 1999 and ran as a presidential candidate in 2012. Refusing to return a Venmo payment that was sent to you by mistake could send you to jail under a bill that New Jersey lawmakers advanced on Monday. The bill would establish that failing to return erroneous electronic payments on money transfer apps such as Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App would fall under the states theft law. Penalties for theft in New Jersey range from a $1,000 fine to a decade of jail time. depending on the value of what was taken and other factors. Person-to-person (P2P) payment services have become popular ways to quickly repay friends. The apps allow consumers to transfer funds from their bank account or credit card to another persons account through their mobile phones. But the services have also made it easy to accidentally pay the wrong person, as a mere typo can send funds to someone with a similar name. Venmo does not disclose how often payments go to the wrong person. The company advises customers to ask the unintended recipient for their money back, and notes that we cannot cancel the payment for you. A Venmo spokesperson said the company has taken steps to avoid accidental payments, such as flagging senders when the company thinks they are transacting with the wrong user and allowing users to scan codes directly on each others phones. Competitors Zelle and Cash App also warn consumers that the instant payments cannot be canceled. Cash App said it will notify users when theyre about to send money to someone new, and the app also includes a feature that shows which Cash App users are nearby. Representatives for Zelle did not return a request for comment. Under the New Jersey bill, those who mistakenly receive an electronic payment but fail to return the funds after being told the payment was erroneous would run afoul of an existing law that deals with theft of lost, mislaid, or mistakenly delivered property. A mistaken payment can be either funds sent to the wrong person or delivering the wrong amount of money. The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee unanimously advanced the bill on Monday by a vote of 13-0. The legislation has not been introduced in the Senate. Assemblyman John McKeon (D., Essex) said he introduced the bill after a situation in West Orange, Essex County, where someone got a transfer of money by accident and didnt want to give it back. It was unclear whether that was a crime, so the towns police chief asked for a bill to clarify that it would constitute a theft, said McKeon, who chairs the Assembly committee. McKeon said the bill may need to be amended to specify how long an unintended recipient has to return the money. The number of P2P mobile payment users in the U.S. was expected to grow nearly 30 percent in 2018 to reach 82.5 million people, or nearly 41 percent of smartphone users, according to research firm eMarketer. Venmo, which is owned by PayPal, was estimated to have 22.9 million users last year and has become a verb to describe mobile money transfers. But eMarketer predicted that Zelle owned by major banks including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo was projected to surpass Venmo in 2018 with 27.4 million users. Squares Cash App was expected to be a distant third, with 9.5 million users. U-Haul Co. of Pennsylvania and the former general manager of its Feltonville operation pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to two counts each of violating hazardous-materials training regulations in a case that stemmed from a 2014 Feltonville food-truck explosion that killed a mother and daughter. The company and Miguel Rivera, who was the general manager at U-Hauls location at Hunting Park Avenue and Front Street, did not admit in their pleas to filling the propane tank attached to the La Parrillada Chapina food truck, which ruptured on July 1, 2014, killing Olga Galdamez, 42, and her daughter Jaylin Galdamez, 17, and injuring 11 others. Instead, they pleaded guilty to two counts related to using at least two untrained workers to fill propane cylinders at the Hunting Park Avenue facility in June and July 2014. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Abrams told U.S. District Judge Robert Kelly that plea agreements called for U-Haul to pay a $1 million fine, the maximum amount for the two counts, and to be on probation for two years, and for Rivera to pay a $2,000 fine. Kelly could accept or decline the agreed-upon penalties. He set sentencing hearings for Rivera on May 6 and for U-Haul the following day. According to court documents, surveillance images showed that Olga Galdamezs fiance had repeatedly brought the large propane cylinders attached to the food truck to U-Hauls Hunting Park Avenue location during June 2014. The government had alleged in five counts of a seven-count indictment that during that month, Rivera or other employees had filled the out-of-date cylinders brought by the fiance with propane, violating hazardous-materials regulations. It alleged that Rivera on June 29, 2014, had filled the tank that later ruptured at the food truck, parked on Wyoming Avenue near Third Street. But as part of the plea agreements, the government is expected to dismiss those five counts against U-Haul and Rivera during the sentencing hearings. Abrams declined to comment on the case beyond what was said in court or in public filings. Michael Engle, an attorney for Rivera, said after the hearing that the government has not established that Rivera was ever responsible for filling that tank. He has always maintained that he did not fill an out-of-date container or the one that ruptured, Engle said. He said the training issues pleaded to in court had no connection to the ruptured tank that caused the deadly explosion. Engle said that in addition to the fine, his client faces a guideline range of up to six months of either probation or jail time, and that he would seek probation. Gerald Solarski, a corporate representative for U-Haul, entered the guilty pleas in court on behalf of the company. Last year, U-Haul Co. of Pennsylvania agreed to pay a record $160 million in a civil settlement in the case $36.47 million to the Galdamez estates; $69.17 million to a man who was a minor when he was severely injured in the explosion; and $54.35 million to a girl who was injured. Snow is now expected to start falling in Philadelphia around Tuesdays evening rush hour, according to the latest National Weather Service projections. But before that happens, the rain must fall. While there is a slight chance of some snow earlier in the day, rain will predominate through the afternoon with the turnover to snow occurring around 6 p.m., the weather services hourly forecast predicts. A winter weather advisory has been issued for Southeastern Pennsylvania starting at 4 p.m. and running until midnight. With light snow falling north and west of the city by late morning, a number of schools and school districts, including Upper Merion, announced early dismissals. Accumulation projections remain modest for the immediate Philadelphia area, ranging from less than an inch in South Jersey to three inches in western Chester County. In New Jersey, where up to five inches of snow is expected in the northwest corner of the state, Gov. Phil Murphy ordered a rolling shutdown of the state government started at 1:30 p.m., as the storm will impact different parts of the state at different times and in different ways, @NJGov tweeted. Of greater concern is the arrival in the area Wednesday afternoon of the arctic front that has turned Midwest into a polar suburb. While it will not be as bad here as it is in Chicago, thanks to the moderating effect of the Appalachian Mountains, overnight temperatures will be in the single digits and the high on Thursday will struggle to break the mid-teens. Wind chills will be below zero. Some snow showers and squalls are possible. Anticipating harsh conditions, the city on Monday declared a code blue until further notice. Outreach teams were deployed to get people experiencing homelessness into shelters. Sub-freezing temperatures are car-battery killers and the AAA Mid-Atlantic is advising motorists to have any car batteries more than three years old checked out. Last week, when the region was hit by a deep freeze, more than 50 percent of the emergency calls to the AAA Mid-Atlantic were for dead batteries. Come Friday, after a night with a low temperature around 10 degrees, it will be mostly cloudy with a high around 24. READ MORE: Whats global warming got to do with this weeks frigid weather? The sun will shine over the weekend with projected highs of 31 degrees Saturday and 42 on Sunday. There is a chance of rain and snow Monday with a projected high of 50. Johnny Bobbitt Jr., the formerly homeless veteran charged in the $402,000 GoFundMe fraud case, has a new hearing date next month before the New Jersey Drug Court, a diversionary program that allows eligible people addicted to drugs to undergo intensive rehabilitation instead of criminal prosecution. Bobbitt, who was recently arrested in Fishtown, was extradited to New Jersey on Monday and sent to the Burlington County Jail for violating the terms of his release. Superior Court Judge Mark Tarantino issued a warrant for Bobbitts arrest, saying he had failed to provide the court with information about his living arrangements and proof he was staying off drugs, among other things, after his release in December. Bobbitt, 35, is now scheduled for a status hearing in Drug Court on Feb. 22 before Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger in Mount Holly. Bobbitt and his codefendants, Katelyn McClure and Mark DAmico, were charged with fraud, conspiracy, and theft by deception after they were accused of launching a bogus GoFundMe campaign designed to prey on the sympathies of donors who believed the money would be used to help Bobbitt get off the streets. The trio are accused of fabricating a tale in November 2017 about how Bobbitt spent his last $20 to fetch gasoline for McClure when her car ran out of gas at night in the area where Bobbitt was panhandling. More than 14,000 donors around the world contributed to the cause, and GoFundMe has said it has refunded the money and is cooperating with authorities. Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said McClure and DAmico, formerly of Florence Township in Burlington County, squandered much of the money on gambling trips to casinos, vacations, designer handbags, and other items, while Bobbitt was given a camper to live in adjacent to their home and used some of the money for illegal drugs. John Keesler, Bobbitts public defender, has said Bobbitt was accepted into the Drug Court program and is expected to plead guilty to one or more charges in exchange for enrolling in drug rehabilitation. Keesler could not be reached for comment Monday. NORTH WILDWOOD Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam drove his own car, a white Honda sedan, and parked across from Municipal Court on a quiet street of a beach town in winter, 37 miles south of his city. Gilliam sat alone for nearly two hours Tuesday in the second row of a courtroom awaiting his hearing on charges stemming from a fight outside the Golden Nugget casino, as North Wildwood Municipal Court Judge Louis Belasco adjudicated cases involving traffic violations, a domestic dispute, open alcohol in a car, and noise. Atlantic City Councilman Jeffree Fauntleroy II, also charged in connection with the fight, sat in the back row. The two did not speak to one another, and neither spoke to reporters gathered to wait out the hearing. The case had been moved to North Wildwood, in Cape May County, to avoid any conflict of interest. But nothing of note transpired in Tuesdays pretrial status hearing, despite the presence of the three employees of the Haven Nightclub who filed citizens complaints charging the two elected officials with assault and harassment. The prosecutor said he would finish turning over photographs as part of discovery, and the judge said he would seek to schedule another hearing, possibly for a trial, by the end of February. Gilliam and Fauntleroy had previously entered not-guilty pleas to the disorderly persons offenses. The Cape May County Prosecutors Office declined to pursue indictable criminal charges against the officials. Attorney Jim Leonard, representing Fauntleroy, said, Well have more to talk about next time. Vincent Campo, representing Gilliam, made no comment as he left the courtroom. Gilliam is also under investigation by federal authorities, who executed an early morning raid on his Atlantic City home last Dec. 3, and seized computers and other records. According to the citizens complaints, obtained by the Inquirer and Daily News through an Open Public Records request, Gilliam is accused by Gregory Aulicino, an employee of Haven, of attempting to punch him. Aulicino stated that Gilliam swung a punch but missed but kept trying to attack him, the complaint states. A second complaint, by Joseph Camerota, also says Gilliam swung and missed, and chased him around a car. The third complaint, by Julie Rodriguez, accuses Gilliam of harassment, and says he yelled and made threats to her. Rodriguez filed a similar complaint against Fauntleroy. Aulicinos complaint against Fauntleroy says Fauntleroy punched him several times and threw him to the ground. The incident was captured on security video, released by the state Attorney Generals Office. Gilliam was headed later Tuesday afternoon to a town hall in Atlantic City organized by the state, which is in the third year of a five-year takeover of the citys operations. BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) A young man from Louisiana has confessed to killing his parents, his girlfriend, and two of her family members who had taken him in after he was kicked out of his house, authorities said Tuesday. Dakota Theriot, 21, told authorities he used a gun he stole from his father, Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard said at a news conference. He said while Theriot was cooperating and had provided authorities with a lot of information about how the killings unfolded, they still haven't determined exactly why the killings happened. "We don't really know what the motive is. We just know what he did," Ard said. Authorities have said Theriot shot and killed three people Summer Ernest, 20, his girlfriend; and Ernest's brother and father in Livingston Parish, then drove her father's pickup truck to Ascension Parish, where he shot his parents. He then drove to his grandmother's house in Warsaw, Virginia, where he was arrested on Sunday morning, Ard and Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said. Theriot is due in court on Friday in Virginia for an extradition hearing and will eventually be sent back to Louisiana to face multiple murder charges. Detectives from Louisiana went to Virginia and questioned him, the sheriffs said. In addition to Summer Ernest, the victims have been identified as Billy Ernest, 43; Tanner Ernest, 17; and Theriot's parents, Keith Theriot and Elizabeth Theriot, both 50. Summer Ernest and Dakota Theriot had only been dating for a couple of weeks, and he was living with her family for about the same amount of time after his parents kicked him out, Ard said. The sheriff said that just a short time before the shootings, Theriot tagged along with Billy Ernest as he drove his wife to work early Saturday morning. Summer Ernest and her father and brother were each shot once in the head, Ard said. Autopsies on Theriot's parents were to be done Tuesday, Webre said. Keith Theriot survived the shooting long enough to call 911, and when deputies arrived he told them just before he died that his son had shot him, the authorities said. Two children were in the Ernest home in Livingston Parish a 7-year-old and a 1-year-old Ard said. They went to a neighbor's house and the neighbor called law enforcement. Theriot's grandmother had checked into a hotel Saturday night in Virginia, fearing he might show up there, Richmond County Sheriff Stephan B. Smith said in a phone interview. The woman asked authorities to check her house Sunday morning to ensure it was safe before she returned. While deputies were there, Smith said, Theriot drove up with a firearm pointed out the window of a pickup. A sheriff's statement said deputies sought cover and challenged Theriot, who then dropped the gun and was arrested without incident. Smith said the pickup Theriot drove apparently was the one taken in Louisiana. Authorities have said Theriot had some run-ins with law enforcement previously in other parishes but described those as misdemeanor-type incidents that did not include violence. But people who lived with Keith and Elizabeth Theriot said their son had struggled with drugs over the years and had violent outbursts, and the relationship between him and Summer Ernest had raised red flags with her family and friends. If Theriot doesn't fight extradition, he could be back in Louisiana by Friday or Saturday, said Webre, who added that he would not oppose the death penalty if prosecutors asked for it. "We know what happened here," Webre said. "He killed five people. So, this is a monster." __ Santana reported from New Orleans. __ Follow Santana on Twitter @ruskygal and Deslatte on Twitter @MelindaDeslatte. It will be a decade in April since a federal judge, after hearing evidence in the case of Terrance Lewis, ruled that he appeared to be innocent of the 1996 murder of Hulon Howard in West Philadelphia but that for procedural reasons, his conviction and life sentence could not be overturned. Lewis had pinned his last hopes for exoneration on the district attorneys Conviction Integrity Unit, which investigates potential wrongful convictions and last year called his case a priority for review. But last week, Lewis told a judge hed given up hope after the CIU investigation stalled. I am literally, physically sick about this decision I had to make, Lewis said in an email. Withdrawing the petition paved the way for Lewis to be resentenced under a separate claim. But it also foreclosed the possibility of clearing his name. Kevin Harden, who represents Lewis, said the CIUs hesitation was in part a reaction to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision last October rejecting the district attorneys attempt to overturn a death sentence secured by a prior administration on the basis of prosecutorial discretion. That informs all the work everyone is doing with regard to post-conviction issues, because the courts have an independent duty to maintain the finality of judgments," Harden said. A year into Krasners tenure, his ambitious Conviction Integrity Unit charged with both investigating problematic convictions and reversing unjust sentences has repeatedly found its agenda stymied by a cautious judiciary. CIU director Patricia Cummings on Monday said she believed the pushback in part reflected a lack of trust in Krasners administration. Were getting scrutiny because of Larry Krasner being who he is, and because we have made it clear that this is a priority," she said. "Some judges think weve gone rogue or were renegades, and that were going to come in and undo convictions when the law doesnt support that. Krasner spokesperson Ben Waxman said that under Cummings' leadership, the CIU has brought five cases to court. In two, murder convictions were thrown out. But in the other three, judges blocked attempts to overturn convictions or vacate sentences even ones prosecutors believed were clearly illegal. Speaking to a group at the University of Pennsylvania in November, Cummings was blunt: We start off with what we think is very low-hanging fruit. We think, This is easy. We were dealing on the one hand with an illegal sentence: Cant we just fix that? And we got a prompt not only no, but also, Hell no, and the case was dismissed. She added that the message from judges seems to be: Who are you to come in and try to undo what weve been doing for years?." Its a level of pushback national experts say is nearly unprecedented. Where you have a prosecutor on board to move to vacate a conviction, usually the judges are going to go along with it," said Barbara OBrien, a professor at Michigan State University College of Law and editor of the National Registry of Exonerations. "This really is, I think, new territory. Still, Marissa Boyers Bluestine, executive director of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, chalked the conflict up to an adjustment period. You have some judges who have been on that court for 20 years and now it appears to their ears that they are being asked to do things that are improper," she said. "Its a matter of assuring them that just because were taking a position that is not as draconian as our predecessors' doesnt mean were not following the law. Unexpected hurdles The District Attorneys Office first created a CIU in 2014. Krasner expanded the unit almost as soon as he was sworn in, recruiting Cummings who ran a similar unit in Dallas tripling the staff, and extending the scope beyond simply reviewing claims of actual innocence. The CIU now has seven prosecutors, two paralegals, and one special assistant. In Krasners first year in office, the CIU completed initial assessments of 690 cases submitted by inmates, Waxman said; 583 of those await further review. An additional 100 submitted by attorneys remain open pending investigation. That flood of applications reflected high hopes among prisoners and the defense bar. But the office has run into unexpected challenges. In one instance, the CIU supported a claim by Stacey Culbert that his 20- to 40-year prison sentence for third-degree murder was illegal because the crime took place in 1994, when the maximum sentence was 20 years. The law changed in 1995 to allow for longer prison terms; Culbert was not sentenced until 1998. The CIU agreed with Culberts appellate attorney, Alan Tauber, that applying the new law retroactively was illegal.But last October, Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley dismissed Culberts petition as untimely. For the same reason, Brinkley also rejected a CIU petition to vacate the first-degree murder conviction of Salvatore Chimenti. Chimenti, after he was convicted in 1984, told prosecutors that his lawyer had gotten witnesses to commit perjury. The District Attorneys Office at the time offered Chimenti a deal, according to court documents: If the allegations could be proved, prosecutors would allow him to plead guilty to a lower charge. The office ultimately corroborated the perjury claims, the filing says but did not honor its agreement with Chimenti. CIU staffer Andrew Wellbrock wrote in a court filing that Chimenti has served more than a decade in prison beyond what his maximum sentence of incarceration should have been. In a third case, the CIU agreed with appellate attorneys for Jamal Wright, who had argued his trial attorney failed to interview a key witness. They said Wrights first-degree murder conviction should be vacated so he can be allowed to plead guilty to third-degree murder with a sentence of to 17 to 34 years. Wrights codefendant had been granted a nearly identical deal in 2017, and a federal judge in May ordered the state court to impose the agreement in Wrights case. But Common Pleas Judge Kathryn Streeter Lewis said she could not act until the federal court made a determination on the merits of Wrights case. That matter remains pending in federal court. In the other two cases, the District Attorneys Office has appealed. Cummings' CIU did manage last year to vacate two murder convictions. Waxman said the unit assisted with the effort to vacate Dontia Pattersons conviction in May, which the District Attorneys Office said had been secured via egregious misconduct by former prosecutors. In December, Common Pleas Court Judge Steven Geroff threw out Jamaal Simmonss third-degree murder conviction. Prosecutors did not explain their reasoning in backing the dismissal, but the initial case was investigated by disgraced former Detective Philip Nordo. Unresolved questions Teri Himebaugh, a defense lawyer, said she met with the CIU last August to discuss what she believed was a pattern of misconduct by homicide detectives. Theyve at least given us the hope that there will be a thorough review," she said. "Prior to that, I wouldve laughed if someone told us to go to the DAs Office. Himebaugh said she hasnt heard if theres been progress, and the office has declined to say whether it is conducting any systemic probes. Meanwhile, some lawyers who have decades-old cases in the CIUs queue complain of the offices opacity. Susan Burt-Collins, who has urged the CIU to take up the case of Naeem Jones for more than a year, has grown frustrated. The innocence cases, theyre just sitting there, she said. Jones was convicted of shooting 29-year-old Stephen Bartley in 2006 outside a South Philadelphia bar. Though there were several eyewitnesses, not one testified against Jones. The only evidence against him came from statements to former Detective Ronald Dove, who pleaded guilty in 2017 to evidence-tampering and lying to authorities in helping his girlfriend evade murder charges. One man who testified at trial claimed Dove had coerced him into giving a statement.And a witness, Charles Waters, said Dove offered to toss out Waters criminal charges in a different matter if Waters signed a statement implicating Jones. When Waters refused, he claimed Dove told him, Ima get somebody else to sign it. Dove said he did not recall the case but called Waters' account ridiculous. Jones' most recent petition was dismissed. But Burt-Collins believes that if the CIU were to investigate, police and district attorney files on Dove could yield exculpatory evidence. Waxman said prosecutors have spoken with Burt-Collins repeatedly. And although Cummings did not respond to specific complaints, she said that much of last year was spent managing an existing case backlog and laying groundwork. I hope, at the end of year two, we will be able to update the statistics, and show weve been in court on a lot more cases, she said. >> UPDATE: Feds indict Johnny Doc, Councilman Bobby Henon in IBEW Local 98 investigation Federal authorities are expected on Wednesday to announce criminal charges against labor leader John J. Dougherty, City Councilman Bobby Henon and at least three other officers of their union, Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, two sources familiar with the investigation said. The exact nature of the charges and the precise number of people facing prosecution remained unclear. But the sources, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the case, said that all those facing charges are expected to turn themselves in to authorities within days. Both Dougherty widely known as Johnny Doc and Henon, who holds a paid position with the union, have repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the case against them, threatens to destabilize not only the leadership top of one of the regions most politically powerful unions but also the futures of dozens of Local 98 allies in elected office and the landscape of organized labor in one of the last American cities in which unions remain a powerful force. Lawyers for both Dougherty and Henon declined to comment Tuesday. In a statement, Henons office said, he had no plans to resign. He is confident that his colleagues will respect any possible upcoming legal process and support him, the statement read. Councilman Henon is a dedicated public servant and will continue to serve as councilman. A glimpse of whats to come emerged late Tuesday afternoon, when prosecutors charged James E. Moylan Doughertys chiropractor, a South Philadelphia neighborhood activist, and Mayor Kenneys former appointee to lead the Zoning Board of Adjustment with stealing from a nonprofit he founded as well as from Local 98s charitable arm. A day earlier, George Peltz, a New Jersey electrical contractor and a childhood friend of Doughertys, became the first person to plead guilty as part of the case. Those indictments came more than two years after the joint investigation by the FBI and IRS burst into public view with simultaneous August 2016 raids on more than a dozen union sites as well as homes and offices of key Local 98 officials and allies. Search warrants obtained by the Inquirer indicate that agents interests ranged from Local 98s voluminous political giving to allegations of work-site intimidation and misspending of union funds. Possible charges included embezzlement, attempted extortion of contractors, fraud, tax evasion, and honest services fraud by public officials, the legal documents said. Since then, sources familiar with the probe who were not authorized to discuss it publicly described the case as a multifaceted examination of the methods by which the union has exerted its considerable clout with Dougherty at its center. In his 25 years at the helm of Local 98, Dougherty has built the 4,700-member organization into a potent political force, placing numerous allies mostly Democrats in elected and appointed municipal positions and amassing one of Pennsylvanias biggest campaign war chests, making it the biggest independent source of campaign money in the state. Union money and manpower have helped elect mayors, City Council members, county commissioners, members of Congress, state legislators, governors, and more than 60 judges including the union leaders brother, Kevin Dougherty, and other state Supreme Court justices. John Doughertys attorney and a spokesperson for Local 98 declined to comment Tuesday. But the pugnacious labor leader has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence of any wrongdoing as recently as last week in an interview with Fox29. Some people are vindictive. Most people just dont understand my industry, and I play with a lot of powerful people who arent fond of me, Dougherty said. A lot of people in this town most of the greedy elite they dont think much of me, OK? Im white trash to them guys. Still, in the years since the FBI raids, Local 98 has taken steps to clear up any potential vulnerabilities that could draw investigators interest. Dougherty repaid his union nearly $280,000 last year an amount it said, in a filing with the U.S. Labor Department, that he had inadvertently used over the previous six years to cover personal expenses and legal fees. Misspent union money also was at the heart of the charges filed Tuesday against Moylan, Doughertys chiropractor, who is also a childhood friend. Moylan resigned from the citys Zoning Board of Adjustment days after FBI agents searched his home and office in 2016. According to his indictment Monday, Moylan also ran a nonprofit called Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, which received $50,000 in donations from Local 98s coffers in 2013 after he wrote a letter to Dougherty. Prosecutors said Moylan embezzled most of those funds, spending more than $45,000 on his personal credit card bills and home mortgage. He did not respond to calls for comment Tuesday. Moylan joins Peltz the New Jersey electrical contractor who pleaded guilty Monday as the second key ally of Doughertys to face criminal counts. Peltz admitted to providing more than $57,000 in home and office improvements such as TV and security system installations to an unnamed union official at no charge. That work included security systems installed at a business co-owned by the official and the installation of large-screen TVs in homes of the official and the officials relatives. Peltz also acknowledged giving the same official $4,500 in gift certificates to Boyds, the Chestnut Street clothing store, in 2013 and 2016. A spokesman for Dougherty declined to say whether Dougherty was the union official mentioned in court filings Ginny Kahr, 70, is burdened with troubles she couldnt foresee. Never did she think shed be living alone on $1,200 a month in federally subsidized housing in Lansdales Schwenckfeld Manor. And she couldnt have imagined that a balky knee would hamper her so profoundly that shed be unable to shop, forced to endure three weeks of eating nothing but peanut butter and bread. Kahr said she grew up dutifully checking off all the boxes of societys expectations she worked a factory job, was married before separating from her husband, and raised a daughter. She followed the rules, she said. These days, however, Kahr is happy to report that at least one thing is becoming a little easier. A pilot food program by hunger-fighting organizations in Montgomery County is connecting low-income people to food pantries via computer, a low-income twist on the kind of online grocery ordering normally reserved for people in higher economic brackets. And Kahr, who gets food-pantry items delivered, is eating healthy meals again. This is very good, Kahr said, smiling. It makes such a big difference. Not everyone gets to the pantry Like a bodega at lunchtime, the food pantry run by Manna on Main Street, a hunger-fighting nonprofit in North Penn Commons in Lansdale, is bustling. Mannas Market, as its called, is the size of a small corner grocery. It stocks a modest donated supply of items such as Cheerios, Barilla pasta, Stove Top stuffing, as well as produce and some dairy products, for low-income people who can get food there two times a month. The problem is, not everyone is able to access the pantry. The limited hours, the stigma of lining up for charitable food, the difficulty of finding adequate transportation, and some peoples physical disabilities all can make visiting a challenge. So the idea of ordering pantry food from a website took hold. Throughout 2018, Manna on Main Street, along with antihunger agencies such as the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, and the Open Link in Pennsburg, helped create online ordering for low-income residents. Also involved were organizations such as the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network (MAHN), Advanced Living Communities (Schwenckfelds parent company), and the HealthSpark Foundation. In all, around 130 Montgomery County households now take advantage of the service, according to Suzan Neiger Gould, executive director of Manna on Main Street. The collaboration of the agencies will continue, said Paula Schafer, administrator of MAHN. We are trying to make all this fly on a bigger scale, she said, explaining that the organizations are hoping to expand online ordering throughout pantries in Montgomery County. Advocates believe the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia initiated online food-pantry ordering in the region in 2015. The federation has five pantries known as the Mitzvah Food Program. I think we technically were the first, said federation spokesperson Laura Frank. But theres no way of knowing. Neither is it clear how many places across the nation offer online ordering from pantries. Spaghetti squash and embarrassment At Mannas Market the other day, Britt Peterson grabbed some plastic bags and filled an order that came in via computer from a client from Schwenckfeld Manor: boxed milk, spaghetti squash, a can of tomatoes. Peterson added the groceries to a basket of other orders that were to be driven to Schwenckfeld. Many seniors whove never touched a computer keyboard or smartphone somehow figure a way to send an order, Gould said. For Ethel Henry of Lansdale, however, nothing about using a phone to order went smoothly. It was hard to learn how to order [electronically], said Henry, a 73-year-old widow on a fixed income who worked as a tax accountant for the IRS. It was much easier to shop for food in her younger days, she said. A friend, Swantje Edwards, a German immigrant and senior citizen who declined to give her age, said she didnt have trouble learning how to order food on her computer. Edwards, a widow who, after her seven children were grown, worked for an organization that helped homeless children in Africa, said she prefers the computer because showing her face in a pantry is difficult. Online ordering offers anonymity, she said. It was embarrassing to go to the pantry. Gathering for food Within an hour of Britt Petersons collecting food at the Manna pantry, the bags were picked up and delivered to Schwenckfeld Manor by Kathleen Salantri, director of support services for Advanced Living Communities. The residents who had placed the orders gathered in the Schwenckfeld lobby to claim their items. If you told me 20 years ago Id be getting food from a pantry like this, said Linda Cohen, 65 and divorced, I wouldnt have believed it. Describing herself as computer illiterate, Cohen, who worked as a hairdresser for 35 years in Jenkintown and Souderton, said Kahr helped her choose pantry items. In her job at a factory that manufactured bank checks, Kahr had learned computer skills. Quite a few of the residents live alone, are homebound, and have an average household income of $15,000, said Kim Krauter, vice president of operations for Advanced Living Communities. Most of the people here have worked hard in their lives, and all of them have a story, Krauter said. Their spouses died young, or they got divorced and lost money, or someone stole their pensions. Hunger is an added indignity, Salantri said. But online ordering is expanding, and residents will be happy to stock their empty refrigerators. The people who live here, she said, are so grateful." Philadelphia Media Network is one of 21 news organizations producing Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on solutions to poverty and the citys push toward economic justice. See all of our reporting at brokeinphilly.org. Petal the elephant will soon depart from the doomed shopping mall in Burlington Township thats been her home for 37 years. But she wont be going far. Shes heading to the Burlington City waterfront, John Xuereb, a spokesperson for the studio of sculptor Zenos Frudakis, said Tuesday. Moonbeam Capital Investments, the soon-to-be former owners of the empty Burlington Center mall on Route 541 in Burlington Township, are donating the piece to Arts Guild New Jersey. A fund-raising effort by the Rotary Club of Burlington, as well as in-kind services on the part of club members and others, will make the move and the restoration of the sculpture possible, said club president-elect Tom Scattergood. I cant say enough about Steven and Natalie Maksin of Moonbeam Capital for offering this piece to an organization like ours, arts guild treasurer Derrick Owings said, adding that Petal "will be a cornerstone of a sculpture park envisioned for the promenade along the Delaware River. The beloved life-size fiberglass rendering of a smiling boy on the back of a happy elephant was modeled on, and informally named after, a popular Philadelphia Zoo pachyderm and was Frudakis' first public commission. You never forget your first one, Frudakis said Tuesday, taking a break from work at his studio in Glenside, Montgomery County. He has more than 100 public commissions to his credit, including the Freedom sculpture at 16th and Vine Streets and the recently controversial Frank Rizzo sculpture in Center City. Its very gratifying to me that Petal has meant something to so many people, he said. Indeed. Studio owner Rosalie Frudakis received more than 80 expressions of interest from individuals, organizations, and institutions all over the country after my column Dec. 11 about Moonbeams intention to donate the sculpture to a nonprofit, preferably local. People shared memories of tossing coins in the fountain where the sculpture stood. Petal was there for 37 years, and I knew people appreciated her, but I had no idea how much, she said. I heard from people who knew her as children, and who later brought their own children to see her. Owings credited the Rotarians for saving the day by arranging to expeditiously move the piece out of an inner courtyard at the mall where business had dwindled for a decade before the closing of Sears, the sole remaining retailer there, in September. Concerns about arranging and paying to remove, transport, and rehabilitate the piece in time to accommodate the propertys pending transfer of ownership were being addressed Tuesday, he said. Were in a very good place and everybody is working with us to make this a very smooth transition, said Owings. After nearly 40 years of essentially being the centerpiece of a fountain water trickled from the elephants trunk onto her back as she stood in a rocky grove of palm trees Petal is a bit fragile, he said. She needs to be prepared for outdoor living, and thats new for Petal. Its also good news for Burlington City, Burlington Township, and for anyone with fond memories of this delightful work of public art. Or who wants to make new memories. Maybe its the unpleasant (OK, fetid) atmosphere created by a government shutdown, too much partisanship, and a long-playing record of little, if anything, getting done. Maybe elected officials, even in Pennsylvania, finally are sick of being labeled loathsome, listless, nonstarters. Whatever it is, theres suddenly evidence in Harrisburg of bipartisan efforts that could, if successful, begin to alter the states image, the land of low expectations. Look at just this week. Republican and Democratic senators joined to urge commonsense probation reforms and voting reforms. And Republican and Democratic House members joined to call for reforming House rules to make the legislative process less polarized, more collaborative. On Monday, Sens. Anthony Williams (D., Phila.) and Camera Bartolotta (R., Washington), at a Capitol news conference with other lawmakers and advocates, pushed a bill they just introduced to reform probation policy. Their bill (SB 14) is aimed at helping those on probation who have served prison terms for past crimes get back into society quicker. It would, among other things, cap the length of supervision, allow judges to end probation early for good behavior, and minimize risks of ex-cons being subject to probation extensions, even additional jail time, for technical violations such as minor traffic offenses. Bartolotta said Pennsylvania should join 30 other states in capping probation sentences. Williams said the issue isnt conservative, liberal, Republican or Democrat, and is not an abdication of justice. He said the bill would allow quicker full reentry into society and help reduce over-incarceration. Philadelphia Democratic Sens. Art Haywood, Sharif Street, and Vincent Hughes are cosponsors. The measure is supported by groups as diverse as the conservative Commonwealth Foundation and the ACLU. On Tuesday, another bipartisan effort popped up: a package of election-reform bills aimed at making voting easier. This comes from Sens. Mike Folmer (R., Lebanon) and Judy Schwank (D., Berks) and includes allowing no-excuse absentee voting, as is done in most states, expanded deadlines for absentee voting (a needed change addressed by my colleague Jonathan Lais recent report on thousands of rejected ballots due to too-tight deadlines), and allowing counties to create curbside voting at polling places to better assist those with disabilities. Also, on Tuesday, a bipartisan group of eight House members laid out a series of resolutions to streamline and possibly depolarize House business by making it harder for overly partisan committee chairmen to kill bills in their committees. Democratic Rep. Pam DeLissio, who represents parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, for example, wants to ensure any bill with 20 cosponsors from each party gets a committee vote. And GOP Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, of Bucks County, proposes a study of House rules with recommendations for changes. All this comes on the heels of Philadelphia Democrats this month introducing an aggressive, sweeping agenda to attack poverty: 23 specific proposals ranging from expanded workforce development programs to additional aid for small businesses and neighborhoods. And when I ask newly minted House GOP Leader Bryan Cutler about receptivity to rules changes and Philly-backed antipoverty efforts, he says hes open to reviewing the former and finds, in the latter, half a-dozen proposals he could support. Well see. But you and I know our legislature isnt usually, or ever, into change and/or bipartisanship. This could be a feint to make it seem that normally snoozing Harrisburg is opening its eyes to possibility. Same for signs the legislature might be starting to understand #MeToo. (House GOP leadership called for the resignation of its most recently accused member, Rep. Brian Ellis, of Butler County; Senate Democrats say, albeit late, theyre investigating accusations against Montgomery County Sen. Daylin Leach.) Yes. there are big issues left over from last session, such as redistricting reform and changing statutes of limitations to help victims of child sex abuse, that appear to be sitting idle two issues surely on the list of Gridlocks Greatest Hits. So, Im not saying things in your Capitol suddenly are better. All Im saying is suddenly theres evidence they might be moving in a better direction. When New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie sat for an interview in 2014 with federal investigators probing the Bridgegate scandal, two pulled him aside and personally apologized for the way the prosecutor overseeing the case was handling the probe, according to an account in Christies new book. In the book, Christie lambastes the investigation as a political hit job carried out by a liberal prosecutor who wanted to damage the Republican governor to boost his own chances of getting a job in a Hillary Clinton administration. Then-U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman didnt conduct the interview himself, Christie writes. He preferred to stay back in his office, presumably coordinating the media leaks. The scene described in the 432-page Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics, published on Tuesday by Hachette Books, offers a new window into Christies view of the scandal that helped sink his political career. As disclosed in recent days by news organizations that obtained advance copies, the book blames Jared Kushner, President Donald Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, for blocking Christies rise in Trumps orbit. Christie also accuses the White House staff of failing to deliver for Trump, but does not go after the president. Much of the administrations early stumbles could have been avoided, Christie writes, had Kushner not fired him as chair of Trumps transition team. He documents his friendship with Trump, which he traces to a 2002 dinner. Trump ordered him scallops and lamb Christie says he is allergic to the former and hates the latter. Christie also recalls his work in Trenton with South Jersey Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester), and explores his own failed bid for the White House. We were beaten by two forces we couldnt control: Jeb Bush locking up so many of the donors who would have come our way, and the total dominance of our political lane by Donald Trump," he writes. But he suggests he might have won if not for the bridge scandal. A federal jury in 2016 found two former Christie allies guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud and other counts in connection with the 2013 traffic jams at the George Washington Bridge, which were intended to punish a Democratic mayor who had refused to endorse the governors reelection. Bridget Anne Kelly was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Bill Baroni got two years. Both are awaiting re-sentencing after an appeals court in November threw out a couple of convictions. Another onetime Christie ally, former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey official David Wildstein, pleaded guilty. Wildstein testified that Christie laughed when Baroni told him about the traffic jams during a 9/11 commemorative event in New York City in 2013. Christie has said he doesnt recall that. The governor has also maintained he did not have advance knowledge of the bridge plot, which was described as a lane-realignment study. In his book, the two-term governor says he received the apologies from an FBI agent and a corruption investigator who he says worked for him when he was U.S. attorney from 2002 to 2008. Neither is named in the book. Fishman, who succeeded Christie in that office as an appointee of President Barack Obama, was bitter that scores of talented prosecutors had left the U.S. Attorneys Office in Newark to follow Christie to Trenton after he was elected governor in 2009, according to the book. Christie describes Fishman as an avid Clinton supporter known in the U.S. Attorneys Office as Napoleon on Broad Street (the one in Newark) for his bitterness, imperiousness, ambition, and physical stature. Fishmans ambition, Christie writes, "was rumored to be a return to D.C. in a Clinton Justice Department, perhaps as attorney general or deputy. What better way to increase his stock than by taking out her purported number-one 2016 rival? the governor writes. New Jersey Democrats have long viewed Christies own tenure as U.S. attorney with suspicion, saying he politicized the office. Fishman declined to comment Tuesday, but in response to previous criticism from Christie, he told the Bergen Record in 2017: I can only assume that I have had to make some decisions or have made some decisions over the last several years that have been uncomfortable for him. In addition to the bridge case, Fishman also prosecuted Christies mentor, David Samson, who abused his power as chairman of the Port Authority to shake down United Airlines. Samson pleaded guilty to a felony corruption charge and was sentenced to probation. In his book, Christie belittles the governments case in Bridgegate, saying that when he was a prosecutor, he would have been embarrassed to bring such a jerry-rigged charge." Christie argues that Fishman could have referred the case to the state Attorney Generals Office, which could have brought official-misconduct charges that would have actually fit the defendants conduct. Then, however, he would have lost control of the case and his ability to inflict political damage on me, Christie writes. Christie would go on to announce his candidacy for president about two months after the charges were announced. After the first Republican debate in August 2015, Christie writes, he told his wife, Mary Pat, Weve got a problem. Whats the problem? she asked. Donald Trump, he replied. From a stylistic perspective, he was everything I was but on jet fuel, Christie writes. Christie dropped out in February 2016 after a poor finish in the New Hampshire primary, and soon afterward endorsed Trump. The Broad Street Run has a new look. The largest 10-mile road race in the country unveiled Tuesday a new logo and website that organizers hope will streamline race information and make the site more mobile-friendly. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreations annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run, which has drawn 40,000 participants in past years. Independence Blue Cross has been the sponsor for the last 23 years. On this milestone anniversary, we are celebrating not only this iconic world-class race, but also the city of Philadelphia itself, which is a huge part of the overall run experience, beginning with the expo and leading up to actual race day, said Leo Dignan, assistant managing director for the Department of Parks and Recreation. This year, the race will be on Sunday, May 5. Registration, which is done by lottery to accommodate the large number of registrants and costs $55, will open Friday, Feb. 1, and continues until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 15. The winners will be posted on broadstreetrun.com on Tuesday, Feb. 19, according to the city. However, there are some exceptions made to the lottery. Runners who have completed at least 10 previous Broad Street races and who are not selected in the lottery will be guaranteed a bib if they apply for a tenured runner spot by March 1. And a number of additional race bibs are available for a $500 donation through five race charities the American Cancer Society; the Fairmount Park Conservancy; Students Run Philly Style; Back on My Feet Philadelphia chapter; and the American Association for Cancer Research. Since 1982, the race has raised more than $5 million for the American Cancer Society through runners donations and pledges. The race will be broadcast live from 8 to 10:30 a.m. by NBC-10 and Telemundo TV. Fox 29 has added a new anchor to its weeknight newscasts with the inclusion of Shaina Humphries, a formerly Iowa-based journalist who starts her new gig at the station next month. Humphries announced her role at Fox 29 on Instagram this week, writing in a post in the image sharing website that she will helm weekday evening news broadcasts at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. starting in mid-February. She is replacing Iain Page, who left the station amicably earlier this month. I have a lot to learn about this place, and Im ready to hit the ground running. To my new viewer friends - I cant wait to get to know you and I look forward to sharing your stories on this platform Im so grateful for, Humphries wrote. Now... can anyone tell me where to find the best cheesesteaks? Humphries comes to Fox29 following a six-year run at Des Moines, Iowas KCCI, where she worked as a reporter and evening anchor. In 2017, she headed up the stations State of Addiction project, and spent about a year focusing on the ways in which Iowa has been affected by the ongoing opioid epidemic in addition to handling her usual anchor duties. "Im thrilled to be joining a team of talented, creative people, Humphries wrote online. And I cant wait to explore all of the Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware area. Despite having not yet started at the station, Humphries has already gotten the attention of Good Day Philadelphias Mike Jerrick, who told the Iowan to hurry and get here already in a message on Twitter. Strap in, Alex [Holley] and I are gonna give a crash course on what Philly is all about, Jerrick wrote. Welcome! Black Panther will return to 250 AMC movie theaters in February for free screenings in honor of Black History Month, and several locations in the Philadelphia area are on the list. Disney announced this week that Black Panther will return to select theaters for free screenings Feb. 1-7, and each participating theater will hold two free screenings per day. To attend a screening, fans must register for free passes online. The only theater in Philadelphia showing Black Panther for free is the AMC Philadelphia Mills 14. However, in the suburbs, screenings are currently scheduled at the AMC Marple 10 in Springfield, the AMC Plymouth Meeting 12, the AMC Neshaminy 14 in Bensalem, and the AMC Center Valley 16. In New Jersey, the AMC Cherry Hill 14, AMC Hamilton 24, and AMC MarketFair 10 in Princeton will host screenings. In addition to re-releasing Black Panther, Disney also donated $1.5 million to the United Negro College Fund in honor of Black History Month. Released in February last year, Black Panther went on to earn more than $700 million at the domestic box office during its initial run. News of its return to theaters comes following the film taking home a SAG Award for best cast in a motion picture over the weekend. Last week, Black Panther was also nominated for seven Academy Awards, including nods for best picture and production design. Almost a year ago, movie-lovers were transported to Wakanda, and the guest response to Black Panther was unlike anything our industry has seen before, AMC CEO and president Adam Aron said, according to Variety. AMC is excited this best-picture nominated film is once again accessible on the big screen at AMC. We are also pleased to play a constructive role in Disneys generous support of Black History Month. Jussie Smollett, a black, openly gay actor best known for his work in Fox's "Empire," was assaulted in Chicago by two people carrying a noose and an unidentified "chemical substance" in what police are calling a "possible racially-charged assault and battery." Smollett, 35, was walking on the 300th block of E. North Lower Water Street around 2 a.m. local time on Tuesday, "when two unknown offenders approached him and gained his attention by yelling out racial and homophobic slurs towards him," the Chicago Police Department said in a statement to The Washington Post. "The offenders began to batter the victim with their hands about the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim." The police could not confirm the gender of the offenders nor identify the chemical substance. "At some point during the incident, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victims neck," the statement continued. Eventually, the offenders fled the scene, and Smollett transported himself to Northwestern Hospital "and is in good condition." TMZ reported that Smollett was discharged Tuesday morning. The hospital could not confirm this detail but told The Washington Post that Smollett is not currently a patient. "Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime," police said. Smollett's publicist did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. Smollett began his career as a child actor, along with his siblings who include actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell. He is best known for playing Jamal Lyon on "Empire." The character is a gay R&B musician who has faced homophobic criticism from his mogul father. The character struggled with his sexuality before coming out in a buzzed-about Season 1 episode. The plot development led to widespread speculation about Smollett's sexuality. A month later, Smollett appeared on "Ellen," where he confirmed he is gay. "It was really important to me to make sure that it got across that there is no closet, there's never been a closet that I've been in," he told host Ellen DeGeneres. "I don't have a closet. But I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home. So that's why I choose not to talk about my personal life. But there is, without a doubt, no closet I've ever been in. And I just wanted to make that clear." He more directly addressed his sexuality in a 2016 interview with Out magazine. Though Smollett said he was open to falling in love with anyone, he said he identifies as a gay man. "I am a gay man. I am a gay man. I am a gay man. I don't know how many times I have to say that," he told the magazine. Jussie is a true champion for LGBTQ people and is beloved by the community and allies around the world, GLAAD told the Hollywood Reporter in a statement following the attack. What if the biggest bank in America spent millions on new offices, staff, and marketing but couldnt sign up all the resulting customers in a timely, digital, 2019-friendly manner? Steve Ramm, a Philadelphia CPA, is also treasurer of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections, a national music and talk preservation society with a cool mission that is looking for a bank to help manage the associations funds. We hold a conference each year and the registrar deposits the checks received and I withdraw the funds to pay the bills. Until this year we used Bank of America because they had branches in the cities that the registrars lived in such places as Pittsburgh, and Portland, Ore., where BofA, once the nations largest bank, still has offices. But the current registrar lives in Bloomington, Ind., a college town where BofA, which has closed 1,500 branches in the last 10 years, has no outpost. There is, in that college-town corner of Hoosier-land, Ramm reports, only one national bank -- Chase, the retail arm of JPMorgan, Chase & Co., now the largest U.S. bank by assets, sales and profits -- and the only big bank still adding a lot of branches. Ramm was happy to learn, as noted in this newspaper, that Chase is also opening branches in Philadelphia. Last week, Ramm stopped by the little new Chase office at the corner of 17th and Walnut, in the citys wealthy Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, to, as he put it, open a large-business account accessible to treasurer and registrar alike. He was greeted by a staffer who said I would have to wait 45 minutes to meet a banker one of just two busy staffers authorized to open accounts. Whats a better time? Ramm asked: 9 a.m., he was told after that its wait, wait, wait all day. If thats an inconvenient hour, maybe come back a month from now, the staffer suggested. Or try the next-closest Chase branch, near the Rutgers Universitys campus in Camden. Ramm tried phoning the branch, and got a recording: We are serving other customers, please call back another time. He tried the banks national customer service. "I found I could not open a business account online or on phone, he said in contrast with past banks that the association has used. He urged me to check it out. So I walked to the branchs grand opening on Monday. I just missed those special guests from City Hall -- Mayor Jim Kenney, his economic development chief Harold Epps and city councilman Kenyatta Johnson. Still, there were plenty of smiling Chase people standing about in clean threads, a box of doughnuts, and not a lot of customers. Assuming they werent just suit models, I messaged Ramm, he might find someone to help if he could get over there before they dispersed. Meantime, I asked the Chase people, why the delay? And with all Chases vaunted financial-tech software engineering, why cant you open a business account online? To my surprise they acknowledged these problems. Michele Lawrence, new head of Chases Philly region, blamed extremely high volume. An influx of customers. The floodgates are opened. We are setting appointments, she said. Online banking needs to be secure, she added, and Chase is still improving its national system. Well get there, said Jodi Dayborn, Lawrences regional marketing chief. But Chase, with more than 5,000 branches, surely knows how to staff for success, I suggested. Vernon Hill used to flood the zone when his old Commerce Bank (and, lately, his Metro Bank UK and Republic Bank of Philadelphia) opened new branches, with plenty of extra staff on hand to open new accounts while prospects were still flush and happy from his banks' free hot dogs, pens and doggie bowls. (To be sure, both Metro and Republic shares have fallen in recent days on weak earnings reports.) Chase does plan to upgrade its online business banking, Lawrence promised. No timetable. From the banks point of view, a rush of surplus customers is not the worst problem to have. One Chase person suggested the rush will ease a bit when Chase opens its next Center City branch at 1700 JFK Boulevard. But another staffer pointed out that opening has been delayed, from this spring until late summer. The bank hopes to have at least 16 branches around the region by the end of the year, and hire 300 branch employees, starting at $16.50 an hour, spokeswoman Ashlei Bobo told me later. Chase is really just getting started in our neck of the woods. I ran all this by Ramm, who says hes going to have to try Chase again, given the lack of nationwide alternatives. For what its worth, he thinks Chase was not prepared "to hit the Philly market if they can only open, say, 20 new accounts a day. US sanctions PDVSA, creating likely major diversions of crude, diluent flows -Factbox By Brian Scheid, Jeff Mower / Platts WASHINGTON Petroleumworld 01 29 2019 The Trump administration Monday announced sweeping sanctions on PDVSA , Venezuela' state-owned oil company, a move which could ultimately block roughly 500,000 b/d of US imports and is expected to immediately shutdown roughly 120,000 b/d in diluent the US ships to the South American nation. The sanctions are aimed at cutting off the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from oil revenues and diverting those revenues to the still-forming regime of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who the US formally recognized last week as the country's legitimate president. While the sanctions are widely viewed as a de facto ban on US import of Venezuelan crude, the US Treasury Department coupled the sanctions with general licenses for US companies doing business with PDVSA and a wind down period which will allow most US imports of Venezuelan crude to continue for the next three months. "The US government has gone to great lengths to try to limit the implications for the operations of CITGO and the US Gulf Coast refining industry," said Elizabeth Rosenberg, director of the energy program at the Center for a New American Security and a former senior sanctions adviser at the Treasury Department. "Nevertheless, the new financial pressure plan will have tremendous effects for US firms who are scrambling to evaluate how PDVSA and Maduro will react and whether pressure on US energy product sales to Venezuela will be next." Here's a look at the potential market impacts of Monday's US sanctions announcement: TRADE FLOWS **Under the sanctions, payments for US imports of Venezuelan crude will need to be placed into blocked accounts in the US, a condition which would essentially force a Maduro-backed PDVSA to ship crude to the US for free. **US imports of Venezuelan crude averaged about 574,000 b/d in December, down roughly 40% from July 2016, when US refiners imported more than 850,700 b/d, according to US Customs and Border Protection data. US imports of Venezuelan crude fell as low as 409,150 b/d in February 2018, the data showed. **If sanctions are fully imposed, flows of heavy crudes into the US are most likely to increase from Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, according to analysts. **"I'm sure many of our friends in the Middle East will be happy to make up the supply as we push down Venezuela's supply," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said during a White House briefing Monday. **Valero, Chevron, PBF Energy and PDVSA-owned Citgo are the largest US refiners of Venezuelan crude, according to the US Energy Information Administration. "We plan to comply with the sanctions and will re-optimize our crude supply to minimize any resulting impacts," Valero said in a statement Monday. Chevron said it "continues to actively manage supply issues to ensure we can supply top quality fuels and lubricants to our customers, while also continuing to comply with all applicable US laws." PBF and Citgo spokesman did not respond to requests for comment. PRICES **Mnuchin said the administration did not expect the sanctions to have a significant impact on oil or gasoline prices, claiming that US refiners have "enough" supply. **USGC refiners will eventually need to import more replacement heavy crudes from Latin America, the Middle East and Canada, which will likely drive heavy sour crude prices higher. **Even with a three-month wind-down period for Venezuelan imports, Maduro may cut exports to the US early, forcing USGC refiner to bid early for heavy crude at premiums due to increasing logistics costs, analysts with ClearView Energy Partners said in a note Monday. **Medium and heavy sour crude prices have already risen on OPEC production cuts, Canadian output curtailments, and declining Venezuelan and Mexican production. US sour benchmark Mars crude was assessed by S&P Global Platts at a $5.05/b premium to WTI Monday, down from $7.60/b Friday, but up from a $3.25/b premium on January 2. **The Trump administration had been in talks with US refiners about possible sanctions against Venezuela, so it is possible buyers of Venezuelan crude have already been bidding up replacement barrels. **According to Platts Analytics, a de facto ban on Venezuelan imports would "raise costs for PDVSA and almost certainly add downward pressure to our forecast for crude production to decline by 175,000 b/d between December 2018 and December 2019, to 1.16 million b/d." **Venezuelan oil output fell to 1.17 million b/d in December, according to the latest S&P Global Platts survey. The country's output is forecast to decline by 350,000 b/d through 2019, but, depending on sanctions and other risk factors, could fall by as much as 800,000 b/d by late this year, according to Barclays. **The sanctions announced Monday immediately prohibit US exports of diluent to Venezuela, which will likely hinder PDVSA's ability to produce and market its crude. **The loss of roughly 120,000 b/d of US diluent could accelerate the decline of Venezuela's oil production, creating a tight supply picture for the start of the summer driving season and the potential lifting of Iran sanctions waivers in May, according to ClearView analysts. **PDVSA-owned Citgo assets in the US, which include refineries in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois and three pipeline systems, will be allowed to continue to operate, at least for three months, although revenues also will be required to be held in blocked accounts, Mnuchin said. Marc-Aurele de Foy Suzor-Cote's "Kneeling Nude in Profile or Sleeping Muse, 1921," pastel, 21,4 x 27 cm, is shown in this undated handout photo. A new exhibition is unveiling once-repressed depictions of nude models from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, laying bare taboos about an artistic tradition that continues to resonate in the present day, a curator says. "A Model in the Studio" opens at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Tuesday, featuring drawings, sketches and sculptures of live models in various states of undress rendered between 1880 and 1950 by more than 30 artists with ties to the city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - MMFA, gift of Eric Klinkhoff, photo by Jean-Francois Briere In this Jan. 25, 2019 photo, President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. Trump is dismissing a tell-all book by a former White House aide as Aumade up stories and fiction.Au The book by Cliff Sims, AuTeam of Vipers,Au compares many Trump aides to serpents. Trump is tweeting that Sims Aupretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer.Au (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) STEVE MacNAULL/Special to the Herald Allowing competition would reduce the cost of auto insurance in B.C., according to Insurance Bureau of Canada vice-president Aaron Sutherland. Hes pictured here beside Highway 97 before he went into the Coast Capri Hotel to speak at a Kelowna Chamber of Commerce lunch. Actor John Dumelo has called on politicians and their followers to stop stereotyping persons in the creative industry who endorse political parties. The NDC activist said Ghana is a democratic nation, so everyone, including celebrities, should have the right to declare their political stance. Im not supporting the Convention Peoples Party does not mean they should victimise me. At the end of the day, we are all just helping the society, he said on Cooks & Braggarts, a cooking show hosted by Yvonne Okoro. The actor revealed he has been threatened many times because of his affiliation with the NDC. He also bemoaned how polarised Ghana has become because of the ideologies of the various parties. Mr. Dumelo added, A the end of the day, I am proud of [NDC] because that is my belief, but dont insult and victimise me because of that. The actor, who has been outspoken over the years about his political affiliations and ambitions, joined the NDC in the campaign leading to the 2016 general elections in the partys bid to retain power. Mr. Dumelo, in December 2018, also picked forms to contest in the Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency by-election. However, the Deputy National Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) indicated that Mr. Dumelo did not qualify to contest because he does not vote in the constituency. Although he withdrew from the NDC primaries for the by-election, the partys constituency office said it was due to personal reasons to which the actor is yet to comment. The actor added that even if he is given money to change party sides, he would not do that. Its not about money. People think that NDC gave me a lot of money but everything was based on the fact that I believed in what they were campaigning for, he reiterated. He maintained that he would not victimise his colleague actors or actresses who support the NPP or another party. Inasmuch as we all have our differences, we want Ghana to progress, he added. Mr. Dumelo pointed out that never would he wish to see the governing NPP fail because he belongs to another party. They should just do the right thing for Ghana to move forward because if they dont, Ghanaians will change them again. People should learn to serve the country. That is my whole point, he stated. Source: Adomonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Actress Juliet Ibrahim is organising a get-away trip to South Africa on her birthday. She has, in that regard, extended an invitation to the public to join her and friends on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and exciting life adventure. Juliet Ibrahims celebrity friends from Ghana and Nigeria will be a part of this fun trip to South Africa, a country celebrated around the world for its amazing tourism centres. Between February 28 and March 6, 2019, patrons will get to visit historic places in South Africa. I am proud to announce a getaway to South Africa for my birthday this year and I want you to join me. Ive got some exciting and really fun activities planned on this trip with me and my celebrity friends. This is going to be a special trip, South Africa is such a fun place to relax and have a great time with family and friends. We have travel agencies ready to assist you, she said in an Instagram post. The actress is partnering with travel agencies in Ghana and Nigeria for the trip. Among them are Kaya Tours Ghana, Doscar Travel &Tours, Saffron Travels NG, Pacific Tours Ghana, Akenn Travel &Tours, Fidol Trip & Travel Services, Diamonds & Pearls Travels, Apeiron Global, Nje Tours and Zeriah Travel &Tours. Juliet Ibrahims birthday get-away is supported by SA Tourism, West Africa, Sun Times Square, South African Airways Ghana and the City of Tshwane. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the Minister of Inner City and Zongo Development, on Tuesday, said he would fight to his last breath to uphold the interest of Zongo people across the country should their rights be trampled upon in any way. The Ministers comments comes in the wake of increased reports of harassment of some Muslim nurses by their supervisors and senior nursing officers in certain government health facilities over the wearing of Hijab. Every day, I receive complaints from nurses from government health facilities complaining that their supervisors and senior nurses have asked them to either remove their Hijabs, or go home, Dr Abdul-Hamid stated. He cited a case where he personally went to the Mamobi Hospital to resolve such cases and even impressed upon Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service to issue a statement. Dr Abdul-Hamid made these remarks when he took his turn at the Meet-the Press series in Accra, on Tuesday. The Minister, however, noted that despite the constant issuance of statements and reminders by the authorities of the Ghana Health Service instructing nursing supervisors not to prevent Muslim nurses from wearing the Hijab, some supervisors were still infringing on their rights to wear the veil. In this country, you cannot discriminate against people on the basis of their belief, ethnicity, gender, age or political party affiliation and I would like people to know that the President has given me the mandate to protect the interests of Zongo people so if their rights are trampled upon, Im going to fight for those interests to the last breath of my life, he assured. His comments attracted spontaneous applause from some Muslim faithful at the meeting in apparent approval of his resolve. The Minister explained that while wearing a Hijab was not a symbol of piety, it was one of identity. The wearing of the veil, therefore, identified a Muslim woman from others, and the Constitution, which was the supreme law of Ghana, guaranteed them that religious right, he said. Dr Abdul-Hamid cited Article 21(1) (C) of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that every citizen of Ghana shall have the rights to profess the religion of his or her choice and to manifest it. Nursing officers and mid-wives listening to me across the country should listen to me and listen good we are to subject to the 1992 Republican Constitution, he stated. So, I want those nursing officers to tell me how can they identify a Muslim womanhow else can a Muslim woman manifest ithow do you identify a soldier without a uniformhow do we identify an Immigration Officer, Dr Abdul-Hamid queried. Narrating a scenario that occurred at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Abdul-Hamid stated that on Sunday, January 27, this year, he received another complaint from a Muslim lady, Adisatu Ibrahim, who worked as a Ward Assistant at the Psychiatric Hospital that she had been demoted for wearing the Hijab to work. The Minister said the Deputy Director of the Nursing Services at the Hospital gave a flimsy excuse that the lady had been warned not to wear the Hijab because the facility was a mental facility and wearing the veil could pose security risk to her because Adisatu could be attacked by a mental patient. Dr Abdul-Hamid explained that the President was very uncompromising as far as the integration of the Ghanaian society was concerned and had directed that there should not be any discrimination of any sort. The Minister said upon the pursuit of Adisatus case with Dr Akwasi Osei, the Director-General of the Ghana Mental Authority, the body under which the Accra Psychiatric Hospital operated, she was restored to her former position. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company Limited, David Asante has disclosed his outfit does not demand any apologies from the NDC for daunting its credibility. He stressed it is a perfect decision for aspiring flagbearers of the opposition NDC to suggest the services of the state owned printing press to its party leaders to print the up-coming election ballot papers. We think there is a lot of wisdom in the position the men have taken. Comments made by the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC was uncalled-for and divisive, he must be condemned and must come again, he said. Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Peter Boamah Otokunor has accused the state printing press of not delivering good jobs. Mr. Asante in an interview with Citi FM news disclosed the company was heavily indebted under the watch of former President John Dramani Mahama and his government, but have now been paid-off by the current government. This is a company that was huddled with over four million Ghana cedis worth of tax liability in the previous leadership by the NDC, but as I speak now we have cleared all arrears and put the company on proper footing to meet modern standard in printing and publishing, he insisted. He said they [state printing press] are ever ready to work with the NDC and never politicize their services rendered. However we will want to put it on record that the institution in the last years has not been politicized, so the NDC should bring their printings to us and we will give them a better deal and discount even if they so desire. We are also inviting the leadership of the NDC to come and take a tour through the company and compare it to how they left it two years ago and appreciate what the potential flagbearers are calling for, he stated. Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video NPP-USA has congratulated President Nana Addo Danqauh Akufo Addo and the people of Dagbon for the historic and peaceful coronation of the new Yaa Naa on his enskinment as the King of Dagbon. In a statement NPP-USA wishes to congratulate the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the integral role he played in the attainment of peace in Dagbon. Below is the full statement; NPP-USA wishes to congratulate the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the integral role he played in the attainment of peace in Dagbon. During the 2016 elections, then as a candidate of our great party, pledged to bring peace to Dagbon if elected as a president. He has fulfilled that pledge by ensuring peace reigns in Dagbon. We stand in solidarity with all Ghanaians in commending him for delivering on his promise, and particularly, continuing with the good works of President John Agyekum Kufuor. We also wish to congratulate the Committee of Eminent Chiefs chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, along 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 tirelessly to bring about this historic feat. We applaud them for their commitment and statesmanship throughout the process. We cannot discount the efforts of the Dagbon people and their commitment to the attainment of peace. Like majority of Ghanaians, we congratulate the newly elected Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II on his enskinment as the King of Dagbon. Dagbon plays an important role in the development of Ghana and our hope is that this peace will last in order to lead to sustained development in the area. We are confident that Dagbon will reach its fullest potential under the able leadership of Ya-Naa Abukari Mahama II. A peaceful Dagbon is possible today because of the equally important works by previous governments. For all their efforts, we say Ayekoo! Long Live Ghana! Long Live Dagbon! Long Live Ya-Naa! Thank you, Signed, Branch Chairperson, Obaa Yaa Frimpong Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, has emphatically stated that the party will not allow aspirants to dictate to them where the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming presidential primaries should be done. She insists the party already has a reliable and professional printing hub and therefore the hierarchy cannot fathom why some flagbearer hopefuls will want the printing to be done at a place where they cannot vouch for its security. "In fact, we have told all aspirants to make their representatives present at the printing press to see to any correction that needs to be done; so we are bemused by their allegations," she stated. Six presidential aspirants seeking to lead the opposition NDC in the next general election have petitioned the party over the credibility of the company tasked to print the ballot papers for the upcoming primaries. The six aspirants Alban SK Bagbin, Nurideen Ali, Sylvester Mensah, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Goosie Tanoh and Joshua Alabi also say the credibility of the voters' register is questionable because it comes without photographs of delegates. In a statement, the aspirants said a more credible company like the Assembly Press should have been given the job to print the ballot papers. They believe this would ensure some of the irregularities that rocked the party's national executive election held in November 2018, will not recur. Speaking to the issue on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Barbara Asamoah reiterated the NDCs commitment to ensuring a free and fair polls. "We have summoned all the aspirants once again to meet with the elections committee to go over the processes and ensure that all necessary corrections are made. "But for the printing press, they have made varied suggestions and we will look at them when they meet with the elections committee. As Democratic as we are as a party, we would want to ensure that aspirants get a free and fair electoral process," she indicated. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party [NPP], John Boadu has refuted claims that the Nana Akufo-Addo led government is fixing some faulty streetlights at the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency to beef-up the party's chances of retaining the seat. His denial comes after some constituency members chastised government for their failure to fix the street lights after several complains to the responsible authority over the years. The street lights prior to the bye-election on Thursday have been fixed with some roads within the constituency under construction and rehabilitation. In an interview on NEAT FMs morning show dubbed Ghana Montie, John Boadu who is affectionately called Uncle JB explained that, a contract for the streetlights was already awarded. Its unfortunate that this exercise is happening during the bye-election time. Government has already awarded the contract when the last MP was alive. The people there deserve a lot, he told host Kwesi Aboagye. 1,800 Energy-Efficient Street Lights To Be Installed In Accra A total of 1,800 energy efficient street lights are to be installed in the Ga East and West municipalities in the Greater Accra Region. The new street lights are to replace existing high-energy consuming street lights as part of efforts to save energy and enhance security in those areas. Dubbed the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) project, it is one of six major projects under the five-year, $489-million Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) signed between Ghana and the United States (US). Project The $2.4million EEDSM project is aimed at reducing demand, especially during peak periods. It will also allow electricity supply to be expanded to meet the increasing demand in a timely, low-cost and sustainable way. Apart from replacing the street lights, 1,000 households across the country will have their electronic gadgets assessed to ensure that they are energy efficient. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007 Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The First Vice Chairperson of the Convention Peoples Party, Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim, has chastised the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cynthia Morrison, for supposedly doing little about the kidnapping of three girls in Takoradi. According to her, the sector minister has not shown interest in a matter in which her influence can be brought to bear in getting the police to bring the kidnappers to book. Speaking on Citi TVs Breakfast Daily, Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim said the Gender Minister is sleeping on the job. I am going to sound controversial on this issue; and I dont care what people would read into it. The Gender Minister is sleeping on her job. Otiko Afisa Djaba would have been there with the police creating awareness, but here we have a case where we have not heard the voice of the Gender Minister. This should be a wake-up call for the minister, because some of us are not very happy, she said. When she was reminded that the Minister had spoken about the matter on Wednesday, she said that response even came rather too late. On Wednesday, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cynthia Morrison, called on the family of the victims to stay calm, as the Police works to rescue the girls. Already, the families of the kidnapped girls are agitated. All we are praying for is that we get our girls back As at now, we do not know what is happening to them. I pray they will not be molested. They [families] have started agitating but I asked them to calm down The Western Regional Police Commander, DCOP Redeemer Dedjoe, has said his office has picked up some new leads that could aid their investigations to find the three girls who were abducted in Takoradi. At a press conference on Wednesday, DCOP Dedjoe, assured that the new leads picked up will help their rescue efforts. We have some information coming in and we are trying to work on it to see how best we can handle the case. Sometimes it is difficult to put these leads in the public domain because as you are aware, the criminals are also listening to whatever we are doing so if you talk too much, it gives them that confidence to build more fence around themselves. As a result of that, I will appeal that we keep some of these things until we are fortunate to come out with what we are actually looking for. Citi News reported the disappearance of the girls believed to have been kidnapped by one Nigerian, Samuel Udoetuk Wills. Three teenagers, Ruth Love Quayson, Pricilla Blessing Bentum and Priscilla Koranchie have gone missing for more than a month now, with the police doing very little to trace the girls. The disappearance of the first victim was reported in August 2018, and the two others took place in December. Samuel Udoetuk Wills was arrested but broke jail and escaped, and was later rearrested at Nkroful near Takoradi. Source: citi Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa has stressed the need to 'address the high costs of our elections'. She opined that relying on developing partners to partly fund or lessen the burden of the cost of elections in Ghana compromises the independence of the elections; hence more work must be done to address such issues. Ms Mensa speaking at the 17th international electoral affairs symposium said "our elections are fast becoming a very expensive venture and we constantly have to rely on development partners to fund this thereby compromising our independence. In 2016 for example, the cost of elections in Ghana was $12.03 per voter, compared to $9.33 per voter in Nigeria (2015) and $5 per voter in Tanzania (2015)". According to her, while the EC has made significant progress towards perfecting its systems and processes in the last two decades, more work must be done to address the high costs of our elections and the challenge of building institutional capacity. "For us at the Electoral Commission of Ghana, we are keen to learn about advances made in the area of technology, having operated the same biometric registration and voting systems for the last ten years. How can we leapfrog and begin to use new technologies in our electoral process? What new biometric systems are the most efficient and most reliable? Since our assumption of office we have been concerned about the high cost associated with the procurement of hardware namely biometric registration and verification devices used in the electoral process. Therefore feedback and information on efficient systems and equipment that provide value for money will be useful to this meeting" she added. Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Attorney-General (A-G) has filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue the trial of Gregory Afoko, the man accused of killing Alhaji Adams Mahama, a former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party. The nolle prosequi follows the arrest of Asabke Alangdi, the other accused person in the trial, in Ivory Coast last Friday. Alangdi had been at large since the death of Alhaji Mahama on May 2015 at Bolgatanga. The Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, announced the arrest of Alangdi at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, January 28, 2019. Asabke Alangdi was arrested in Ivory Coast after over a year of surveillance and search during which period he moved camps from Burkina Faso to Ivory Coast, he said. Alhaji Mahama suffered severe bodily injuries after a substance suspected to be acid was allegedly poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga around 11 p.m. on May 20, 2015. He later died from the injuries at the Bolgatanga General Hospital. Afokos trial Afoko had been arraigned for the former regional party chairmans death and has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The trial was nearing completion after the prosecution and defence closed their respective cases. Afokos lawyers called two witnesses - Afoko himself and his elder brother, John Ishmael Afoko to testify before the court. Prior to Afokos defence, the prosecution, led by a Chief State Attorney, Mr Matthew Amponsah, had called 15 individuals as prosecution witnesses. With both the prosecution and the defence bringing their cases to a close, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Lawrence Mensah, directed the two parties to file their written addresses. The defence was directed to file its address on or before February 8, 2019, while the prosecution was directed to file its own on or before February 19, 2019. The defence and the prosecution will then address the court orally on February 20 and 21, 2019, respectively. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr Albert Kan Dapaah, the Minister of National Security, has described political vigilantism as one of the security challenges that has become a big dent on Ghanas democracy. He said apart from issues of terrorism, cybercrime, and youth unemployment among others, political vigilantism could destroy the countries democracy and peace if nothing was done about it. Mr Dapaah, at a days Dialogue to find sustainable solution to political vigilantism, organised by the National Peace Council (NPC) and its partners, said politically violent vigilantism had become the most prominent national security issue. This country has had its fair share of security issues of which key among them was the fear of coup detat. Violent vigilantism is an old security issue that is still lingering on in the country. It is a dent on the countrys democratic credentials and a source of worry, he said. He commended the NPC for contributing to playing a crucial role in promoting peace and said as part of steps by government to address the menace, a meeting of security of experts would be held early February to find lasting a solution. Vigilantism, he explained, theoretically meant alertness and does not connote negativity but its use by political parties has had a negative impact. Ms Josephine Nkrumah, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said stakeholder consultations on the issue suggested that measures needed to be taken to ensure the independence of heads of security agencies, including their appointment process and security of tenure. The consultations recommended the insulation of security agencies from political intrusion, and embark on robust civic education and empower the youth economically in communities that were associated with political thugs. The NCCE, Ms Nkrumah said, would put together a report and present it to all partners and called for a national coalition with the overarching goal of stamping out politically violent vigilantism. We cannot over-emphasis the importance of this work particularly as we draw close to 2020 elections when the two main political parties have stated their battle readiness and counter reprisals. These statements must not be taken for granted. We must act with urgency in the next few months, she said. Ms Nkrumah urged the security agencies to be responsive to the needs of the people by ensuring safety in the country. She appealed to the political parties to be tools of construction and not destruction by promoting good governance, rule of law, and development. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Police Service has issue new criminal summons against Dr Dominic Kwame Obeng-Andoh, Proprietor of Obengfo Hospital at Weija, who was discharged for want of prosecution by an Accra Circuit Court on January 23. The Court discharged Dr Obengfo who was standing trial for operating a health facility without licence and practicing medicine without lawful authority but the Police on Monday re-filed at the Circuit Court Registry. The Police said it would secure the summons for Dr Obeng-Andoh aka Obengfo to be served to appear again before the court. He is expected to appear before a different circuit court by next week, a source said. On January 23, this year, the court presided over by Mrs Priscilla Dapaah Mireku discharged Obengfo on the basis of want of prosecution. In her ruling cited by the Ghana News Agency, the trial judge said the prosecution had earlier been ordered by the court to comply with the rules on disclosures and serve Dr Obengfo or his counsel. According to the court, at its last sitting, the prosecution promised to serve accused at the next sitting but failed to do so. The court indicated that if they failed to serve them by January 7, 2019, the accused person will be discharged. Today is January 23, 2019, and the prosecution has still not complied with the orders of this honourable and prays for more time, the court stated. According to the court, per Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution, an accused person is presumed to be innocent until proven otherwise or the accused person has pleaded guilty. The court said if the prosecution were not ready to prosecute the case, the accused person should not be made to suffer their actions, hence discharged Obengfo and struck out the case for want of prosecution. The prosecution can go for the accused persons when they are ready to prosecute the matter, the court added. Obengfos discharge followed defence counsel Nana Kofi Bekoe, who held the brief of Dr Emmanuel Maurice Ankrah, had prayed the court to discharge Obengfo as the matter had been adjourned for three consecutive times as a result of same reasons. Defence counsel prayed the court to take cognisance of the fact that the complainant in the matter had been absent anytime the matter was called. On January 23, this year, Inspector Princess Tetteh who held brief of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mawenyo Nanegbe told the court that her instructions were that the police were preparing documents to serve Obengfo and prayed for a short date. Obengfos arraignment was after the Attorney General Department had advised that the two charges be maintained by the Police for the trial to proceed. The Ghana Medical and Dental Council in Accra in July 2015 during their routine monitoring exercise received information that accused had failed to renew his annual licence for registration to practice as a medical doctor and to operate a private facility since 2013 but still practiced in his hospital. The Ghana Medical and Dental Council therefore reported the matter to the Police and on December 28, 2016, the Police went to the accuseds hospital to arrest him. The Police however met him in the process of performing certain medical procedure on a witness in the case. The police after questioning Dr Obeng-Andoh charged him to appear before the court on February 6, 2017. The accused however petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department and the court process was temporarily halted. The case docket was forwarded to the Attorney Generals Department for advice. The Attorney General Department on May 8, 2018 advised that all charges preferred against Dr Obeng-Andoh be maintained. Meanwhile Obengfo is standing in another trial for murder following the death of Stacy Offie Darko, former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of National Entrepreneurship Innovation Programme who visited his medical facility at Weija, Accra. He is standing at a District Court in Accra together with his cleaner, Edward Amponsah who is being held for impersonation. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) say they will partner with the Ghana Aids Commission to educate the youth on HIV prevention. President of NUGS, Mr. Tinkaro Asare Osei disclosed this when he participated in the 1st Meeting of the National HIV Prevention Coalition Campaign at the Ghana AIDS Commission. The meeting centered on the progress of redeveloping the Prevention Roadmap and Action Plan towards HIV Prevention and how the Coalition can replicate the Global Prevention Coalition in Ghana. Mr. Tinkaro Asare Osei at the meeting reiterated the commitment on the part of NUGS to be involved in the campaign towards HIV Prevention in Ghana. Hestated that his outfit will help embark on a nationwide campaign together with the Ghana AIDS Commission to help propagate the necessary information and details aimed at reducing HIV infections across the Tertiary and Secondary Cycle Institutions. NUGS showed its commitment towards the 10 point action plan that aimed at elaborating immediate concrete steps needed to accelerate progress in respect of HIV Prevention. The Union uses this opportunity to thank Student Leaders across the country who sent their views and suggestions on how HIV can be prevented. Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr. George Akom, an information Systems Expert, Educationist and the Assistant Registrar at Ghana Technology University, Kumasi Campus, believes that for the country to combat crime successfully and provide effective security in this modern era, it would be largely be dependent on information technology and surveillance systems that can provide real time monitoring of activities at various locations of the country and beyond. He expressed worry about the past and present murders that have plagued the country and the difficulty in apprehending these culprits. To him, considering how polarized every aspect of our daily lives are, not excluding political activities, issues bothering on corruption and indiscipline have become, it would require a different approach to fight insecurity. He further stated that human to human policing without the support of technology and other surveillance systems would not provide any effective security to the citizens of the country. Although, police to citizen ratio is very crucial for our security and safety, effective policing which requires the provision of the needed sophisticated logistics, right and competent human resource, and responsive methodologies should be given priority." The utility of public surveillance systems for crime prevention purposes is that potential offenders will refrain from criminal activity if they know they are being watched and believe they are at greater risk of apprehension, he added. He stressed that with the UN standard of at least one Police Officer to five hundred citizens which Ghana has a deficit, the country could do well to adopt technology and other modern security systems to address such challenges with regards to human resource. "The use of these technologies and surveillance systems could provide the country with three primary approaches of addressing aspects of deterrence, forensic and interdiction of suspects and culprits," he added. He opined that with the present situation where most criminals are adopting smart methodologies for their activities, it requires the security agencies to also be equipped with smart, intelligent and sophiscated surveillance systems to monitor all activities at all times, whether in the day or at night. Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The UN says more than 30,000 people have fled a town in north-east Nigeria fearing renewed attacks by Islamist militants. The UN says they left the town of Rann over the weekend and crossed into Cameroon, after soldiers from a regional military force withdrew from the area. Boko Haram jihadists have repeatedly attacked Rann where a military base was overrun last month. Residents in Borno State say Boko Haram has recently started to threaten new areas, which has triggered panic and caused thousands to flee. Critics accuse the Nigerian government of playing down the scale of the conflict, which has lasted for more than a decade. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Lordship Justice Sophia Akuffo has been implored to appoint a dedicated judge to handle the fresh trial of the murder of Adams Mahama, the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following the arrest of Asabke Alangdi, another suspect in the case. Asabke Alangdi, who fled in May 2015, to escape prosecution as the second suspect in the murder of Adams Mahama, was finally caught by the long arm of the law in Cote dIvoire. Ghanas security agencies arrested Alangdi with the aid of Interpol on January, 25, 2019 after more than a year of surveillance and search, during which the fugitive was said to have moved from Burkina Faso to Ivory Coast. Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, announcing the development at a news conference in Accra, on Monday, said the arrest had necessitated the filing of a Nolle Prosequi in respect of the trial of Afoko, which had been adjourned till 20th February, 2019, for his lawyers to address the Court. Thus, the state earlier in the afternoon, filed the Nolle Prosequi at the High Court with the objective of discontinuing the trial to enable the two accused persons to be jointly tried to best serve the interest of justice. Explaining on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Hon. Oppong Nkrumah said even though the law permits that the case of Afoko can be tried alone without the involvement of the second murder suspect, the same law also permits the state to discontinue Afokos case and try them both in court and that is the option we chose. We are about to start the trial afresh and that is why we are pleading with the Chief Justice to give us a dedicated Judge to handle the case with speed so that the trial will not prolong as the first trial of Gregory Afoko travelled. So we will ask Chief Justice for a dedicated Judge who has a proclivity for adjourning cases for two to three weeks but have more regular hearings in court on daily basis, he pleaded. It would be recalled that Mr Mahama was attacked while he was in front of his house at Bolgatanga with acid, on May 20, 2015, which led to his death in the hospital. Police blamed Afoko and Alangdi for the attack following their investigations. Afoko has since his apprehension by the Police been on trial at an Accra High Court, presided by Justice Lawrence L. Mensah (JA) sitting as an additional High Court Judge. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video On Monday, 7 January 2019 Ghanaians have been offered a unique opportunity to celebrate another holiday. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has, through parliamentary procedures, altered statutory public holidays in Ghana 7 January is now Constitution Day, whilst 4 August will now be celebrated as Founders Day, i.e., the day on which the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) was founded (4 August 1947). At the same time, 21 September has been downgraded to Nkrumah Day. Undoubtedly, the founding of the UGCC is an important milestone in our history, but should it be used to downgrade 1 July, as the day Ghana became a republic? However, by doing this, the NPP completely outsmarted its political opponents. It is a clever move even if it looks unbelievable. I do not think that the NPP is looking for a fight with proclaimed Nkrumaists (Nkrumah devotees) as some writers refer to some of us. The NPP is seeking to give Joseph Boakye Danquah a prize of place in Ghanas history. By stealth, the NPP is gradually trying to present the late Joseph Boakye Danquah as the leader of Ghanas history. Undoubtedly 7 January will also be used to celebrate the role of the UGCC and other nationalists forces should be recognized and celebrated. The NPP, unlike the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), has one advantage; as a party, they have a unity of purpose in terms of their political, social and economic direction. There are no two or three NPPs, but one NPP. However, the neoliberal stance of this government, like the last one, should have provided the opponents of neoliberalism with a good cause for an intensive popular, anti-neoliberal struggle for genuine change in Ghana. But the NPP is proving to be clever, while the opportunism and lack of ideological clarity on the part of Nkrumaist groups is being exposed by the day. The NPP government is cleverly mixing pro-poor social programmes with a strengthening of its neoliberal economic and political base. It will continue to do this because the radical left and Nkrumaists have failed to provide an alternative economic development paradigm in spite of the harrowing weaknesses of neoliberal austerity underpinned by the International Monetary Fund. The Nkrumaist family is divided politically, and is subject to infiltration and sabotage by people claiming to be Nkrumaists. The CPP, which should have the moral authority to claim the Nkrumaists space, is weak organizationally and politically and probably cannot galvanise forces, which aspire to an Nkrumaist agenda. The NPP is aware of this, and is rising to provide the building blocks for their type of politics. The strategy of the NPP is not solely to place Joseph Boakye Danquah and to a lesser extent, the late Kofi Busia as leading figures in our fight for independence and on the same pedestal with Kwame Nkrumah, but to build an ideological base for its work. Those who claim that ideology is not important should look at what is happening in our country. The Busia-Danquah fraternity has a bigger agenda. Now that it controls the state and by extension, huge resources, it is seeking to downgrade the CPP, Nkrumaism and the possibility of a socialists revival in Ghana. The NPP has shown that it will use the opportunities that state power offers them, to continue chipping at the credibility and unchallenged honour that Kwame Nkrumah has enjoyed over the years in Ghana. This has one serious weakness. Kwame Nkrumah is a hero not simply because of his role in leading the anti colonial and pro-independence fight in Ghana. Nkrumah is a global phenomenon, recognized worldwide as a Pan Africa icon, a writer, a historian, leader of the African guerrilla movements, and so on. This is where the weakness of the Busia Danquah agenda in Ghana begins to crumble. They see Ghana, but Pan Africanists, radical leftists and Nkrumaists continue to see the pan African base of the life of the leader Kwame Nkrumah. The current historical gerrymandering by the NPP administration has thrown the cat among the pigeons in the Nkrumaist family. Some sections of the Ghanaian left (radical, anti-neo-liberalists) are doing what they do best, complain and issue grandstanding declarations for some kind of fight back, a term I hardly understand. However, I must admit that the NPP is being more strategic than the Nkrumaist faction. Following the declarations of the new holiday dates, the NPP Minister for Information, Oppong Nkrumah is organizing a lecture on democratic governance. Undoubtedly, major national think tanks like the Centre for Democratic Development, the Kufuor Foundation, the Busia-Danquah Foundation and several others will be in attendance. They will try to justify the governments action in relation to current events, and then call on Ghanaians to celebrate these new dates. It is their democratic right. Of course, we can also point to Nkrumaist groups like the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute led by Benjamin Ayagre, a leading trade unionist; the Kwame Nkrumah Centre led by Samir Nkrumah; the Peoples Democratic Movement and several others. Yet, one baffling thing is that in spite of the fact that Nkrumaist occupied the seat of government, and had immense opportunities, they have not been able to build an influential think tank or foundation in his honour. Some radical and Nkrumaist groups have organized several conferences, congresses, workshops, fight backs, and what have you, but these have not been used to project the vision and mission of Kwame Nkrumah. As a result, they have failed to build a solid, sustainable, independent foundation. No serious effort has been made to populate Nkrumahs vision and ideas of national development among the youth of this country. In 2015, the 8th Pan African Legacy Project (which I chaired) tired to reverse this by acquiring and distributing the written works of Kwame Nkrumah and other African nationalists, but this has also stalled. To a large extent therefore, the Busia-Danquah faction cannot be accused of stealing the actions and tendencies of the Nkrumaist left in Ghana. They have seen an opportunity, and are occupying it, using the opportunities it offers. Unless Nkrumaists are willing and able to build a strong Nkrumaist formation devoid of the usual pettiness and lack of ideological clarity based on the original ideas of Pan Africanism and a self-reliant economy, the onward march of the Busia-Danquah political faction will continue unabated and unchallenged. There are too many groups and individuals who claim to be Nkrumaists, but are not willing to sacrifice their individual idiosyncrasies and personal interests to push the Nkrumaist ideological agenda forward. Yet there are many committed and genuine Nkrumaists, who with some unity of purpose and clarity of the political direction, can change the endgame of politics in Ghana. However, as the Nkrumaist Left begins the real fight back with organizational and ideological clarity, to mobilize and regroup and the youth taking up the battle cry of Nkrumaism one more, the ideological confrontation between the two groups linked to the titans of Ghanas independence movement will come to a head sooner than later. I have no doubt that an Nkrumaist group will emerge to challenge the NPPs ideological hegemony. Certainly, the author in the above write-up argues that the failure of the Ghanaian Left to build on the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah is giving a good opportunity to the centre-right ruling party to develop and cement its neo-liberal ideology. Source: The Insight Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Gender and Social Protection Minister, Cynthia Morrison has met with the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana Monday, on how his outfit can help find the three girls alleged to have been kidnapped in the Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis. According to the minister, the meeting with the High Commissioner was successful and that he has agreed to visit the suspect, Samuel Udoetuk Wills in order to get more information from him. Madam Morrison said the expected meeting will help get more vital information from the suspect since he speaks the same dialect with the Commissioner. I believe that when he sees him, maybe he will be comfortable around him and there will be certain information that we can get, that is what I feel as a mother, the minister said. Speaking with Joy News, Madam Morrison said that the Commissioner has been very cooperative, and has sent his people to Takoradi to ascertain the situation. She advised against treating all Nigerians as suspects. I keep saying it is a Nigerian that has done this and not all Nigerians are kidnappers. We should try and not lump all of them together, otherwise it can escalate elsewhere. There are also Ghanaians in Nigeria and other parts of the world, if one Ghanaian does something and they brand all Ghanaians as the same thing that the Ghanaian has done, it is not good for us", she said. She added that the Commissioner expressed some concern about Ghanaians lumping all Nigerians together as kidnappers since they have lived in peace with Ghanaians before this case. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The second suspect in the murder of the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Adams Mahama, has been arrested. The suspect, Asabke Alangdi was busted in the Ivory Coast on January 25, 2019, following collaboration between Ghanas security agencies and Interpol. 48-hour arraignment Briefing the press on the arrest of Alangdi, the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said The fugitives arrest came after over a year of surveillance and search during which he moved camps from Burkina Faso to Ivory Coast. He said the suspect is expected to be put before a court for committal trial to begin in the next 48 hours. He is currently in police custody. The minister stated that Asabke was the second person believed to have conspired with the first suspect Gregory Afoko in the murder of the deceased Mr Mahama on May 20, 2015. It will be recalled that on that day Mr Mahama was attacked in front of his home in Bolgatanga with acid leading to his death, he stated. According to him, investigations revealed that Mr Mahamas death was caused by Afoko and Alangdi. Alangdi however fled the Ghanaian jurisdiction in the days after the murder and has been on the run since. Ghanas security agencies have been on a manhunt for him since then. Afoko was however apprehended by police and has been put on trial since, he stated, saying Afokos case had been ongoing in the Accra High Court, presided over by Mr Justice Lawrence L. Mensah, and that the case has been adjourned to February 20, 2019 for lawyers to address the jury. Retrial of two suspects Mr Nkrumah said while the trial had been ongoing, consistent efforts were made to apprehend the fugitive, Alangdi until he was arrested on January 25, January 2019 with the assistance of Interpol. He pointed out that the arrest of Alangdi has necessitated the filing of a nolle prosequi in respect of the ongoing trial in the case of the Republic Vrs Gregory Afoko. This has been done about an hour ago with the objective of discontinuing the initial trial to enable the two accused persons to be tried together to best serve the interest of justice. Committal proceedings for the two accused persons will commenced shortly for them to stand trial as soon as possible, he stated, pointing out that the two would be charged with conspiracy and murder. Speedy trial To ensure the speedy trial of the two, Mr Nkrumah said the state intended to pray the Chief Justice to assign a dedicated judge for an expedited trial of the two persons, considering the background of the case. Government assures all Ghanaians that it will not relent on any efforts to bring the perpetrators of crimes within this jurisdiction to book, he added. Afokos trial On January 26, 2019, the defence counsel in the case involving Gregory Afoko, accused of murdering the former Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) closed their case after a series of adjournments by the Accra High Court to enable them to bring in their witness. The defence, represented in court by Madam Benedicta Antwi, told the court that their witness was still not available, and as such would want to close their case. The prosecution, led by a State Attorney, Mr Mathew Amponsah, did not object to that. The court said it was the constitutional obligation of the court to give the defence the time to do their case therefore ordered the defence to file their closing address on or before February 8, this year while the prosecution must react by way of closing address on or before February 19, 2019. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The 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. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video International conference on achieving 'sustainable cities' held in Yazd, Iran 01/29/19 Source: Mehr News Agency The International Conference of Sustainable Cities and the 19th Energy Globe World Award started in the city of Yazd, central Iran, on Monday and will continue through Tuesday (Jan. 28-29). The two-day event has gathered the leading mayors and municipality experts from around the world to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of sustainable cities. Read more about the cconference & award The participants are set to present the best practices and success stories of cities that have projects to achieve sustainability in the areas of "supplying and maintaining clean water resources, reducing air pollution, urban waste management and sustainable tourism development." Over 70 guests from 25 countries, including Austria, Slovakia, Germany, Finland, Norway, the UK, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Nepal, Australia, Singapore, India, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Romania, Bangladesh, Uganda and Ghana are attending the event. The Energy Globe World Award is among the largest and most credible events in sustainability which is held annually with the participation of 182 countries. The event's main goal is to introduce and appreciate the best sustainable projects in 5 categories "Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Youth". Human Rights Lawyer Mohammad Najafi Facing 19 Years Behind Bars in Iran 01/29/19 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Imprisoned human rights attorney Mohammad Najafi was sentenced to two more years in prison in Iran on January 22, 2019-bringing the total number of years he has been condemned to serve to 19. Najafi Jailed for Demanding Justice for Detainee Who Died in State Custody The sentences have been issued over the course of several trials held over the last few months. In the latest trial at Branch 102 of the Criminal Court in Shazand, Markazi Province, the 43-year-old was also fined four million tomans (approximately $950 USD), his lawyer Payam Derafshan told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). Derafshan noted that the sentence was based on comments Najafi had posted on Instagram for which he had already been found guilty and sentenced. In addition to the three-year prison sentence Najafi has been serving since October 2018, he has also been issued preliminary sentences totaling 14 more years behind bars. On December 11, 2018, Najafi was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the charges of "collaboration with enemy states through transferring news and information in interviews" (10 years), "propaganda against the state" (two years) and "insulting the supreme leader" (one year) by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Arak. On December 15, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court in Shazand also sentenced Najafi to one year in prison for the charge of "publishing falsehoods in cyberspace with a phone and computer with the intention to disturb public opinion." On January 15, 2019, Najafi was transferred from Arak Central Prison to the nearby city of Shazand to face the charge of "disturbing public opinion" in connection with a letter he posted on Facebook on September 8, 2018, criticizing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, The letter said: "Mr. Khamenei! Our generation is crushed under your burning feet! Our days are as black as your turban. Remove your cape from neighboring countries. Don't spend our resources on your Shia ideology. We have enough troubles inside the country with graft and corruption. Don't try to step on world leaders. We have been frozen in time for 40 years and fighting the world in sensitive times while many of our poor cannot clothe themselves or buy bread." Despite Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's claim that "no one under the Islamic Republic is pursued or put under pressure for being opposed to the government," scores of activists, dissidents and other citizens have been imprisoned in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution for criticizing state policies. Najafi is currently imprisoned in Arak Central Prison, in Arak, the capital of Markazi Province. In his interview with CHRI, Najafi's lawyer expressed concern that multiple convictions could reduce the chances of him eventually being granted early release according to Article 134 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code, which states that "prisoners convicted of no more than three charges would have to serve "only the maximum punishment provided for each offense." However, the article goes on to note that "if the offenses committed are more than three, [the court] shall impose more than the maximum punishment provided for each crime provided that it does not exceed more than the maximum plus one half of each punishment." Najafi has been imprisoned since October 28, 2018, fourteen months after he informed media outlets about the suspicious case of Vahid Heydari, 22, who died in detention at the 12th Police Station in Arak sometime between the end of December 2017 and the beginning of January 2018. Najafi told media outlets at the time that the authorities were trying to cover up the real reason for Heydari's death by claiming he had committed suicide. Iranian authorities claimed at least two other detainees "committed suicide" in custody in 2018: Iranian Canadian environmentalist Kavous Seyed-Emami and Sina Ghanbari. Iran's State Prisons Organization and the judiciary are responsible for ensuring the safety and well being of all detainees held in state custody but no one has been investigated or held responsible for these deaths. Instead, Iran's judiciary has worked to silence those who have sought justice for the victims, including activists and human rights lawyers. Najafi is one of two lawyers currently behind bars in Iran for performing their legal work. At least six other lawyers were imprisoned in 2018, including prominent attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh, for defending political prisoners or taking on politically sensitive cases and for rejecting the state requirement that political detainees must only choose from a short list of state-approved lawyers for their defense. Paxton, IL (60957) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 89F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Social media is a double-edged sword; a tired, worn-out sentiment but one that continues to ring true nonetheless. More than a decade after the dawn of the social media era and we are still only beginning to understand a fraction of such a widespread platform's potential. The ability to connect with so many other individuals has allowed us the power to discover new communities, amplify marginalized voices, and organize whole new movements but has also created a feedback loop that has amplified fringe views, brought forth a new mob mentality, and had the power to influence elections. Social media is a tool and its power ultimately lies in how it is used, but now as generations raised on the platforms continue to come of age it becomes imperative that we understand its many perils. Following the recent suicide of 14 year-old Molly Russell, the United Kingdom is taking a good long look at its relationship to Instagram. According to a recent BBC documentary, Russell's parents say that their daughter showed no obvious signs of mental health issues leading up to her death but after the fact discovered through her social media history that she had been viewing pages that depicted self-harm. In a new case, the Russells have now sought to hold tech companies responsible for their daughter's death claiming that the community Instagram fostered contributed towards a "fatalistic" view of depression rather than a supportive one. Pointing to how "algorithms can push negative content" and possibly contribute to an increased risk for self-harm or suicide, the case is a grim illustration of the destructive effect social media's echo chamber can have. Now the UK's health secretary, Matt Hancock, is exploring ways to hold companies like Instagram accountable for harmful content. "Lots of parents feel powerless in the face of social media. But we are not powerless. Both government and social media providers have a duty to act," Hancock explains to the BBC. The health secretary has since sent a letter to Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, Apple, Google and Facebook to call for urgent changes, adding "Pinterest has a huge amount to answer for." Instagram has responded calls for a purge of harmful content by pointing out that they "don't remove certain content" because it can be helpful to those who may be dealing with similar mental health issues to share their stories and that it can aid in the recovery process. Instagram already has worked with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and National Eating Disorder Association to create pop-ups for potentially triggering hashtags, as well as an anonymous reporting system, that provides at-risk users with resources such as local support hotlines. And while there have been many studies that have shown a connection between mental health and social media, a blanket ban of harmful content is no substitution for a robust state-supported mental health infrastructure that includes staffed hotlines and adequate beds in hospitals for those in crisis. As we has seen before, purges aren't often well received or executed and there is no promise that one from the UK would be effective. Hancock has stated that "it's not where I'd like to end up" but "ultimately parliament does have that sanction," leaving all cards on the table. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can find a list of additional resources at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. Photo via Getty If every Tuesday in Mykonos wasn't enough Lindsay Lohan for you, you're in luck. The 32-year-old apparently took a long enough break from being "bossy" to her employees at the Lohan Beach Club this summer to act in her first full-length feature film since 2013. Lohan will star in Among The Shadows, a werewolf-political thriller directed by Tiago Mesquita, as the doting fur-coated wife of The President of... something. Lindsay is concerned that her bigwig hubby is in danger after his campaign manager is murdered, so she hires a detective, played by Charlotte Beckett. Twist: the detective a werewolf. Second twist: on top of the political conspiracy to kill Lindsay's husband, there's a multi-century war raging between humans and werewolves. Is Lindsay's detective a good wolf or a bad wolf? We don't know! Bloody Disgusting fills in the summary: "Kristy Wolfe (Beckett) is a Brussels private eye descended from werewolves who must go to work when her uncle Harry Goldtsone is murdered in a politically-motivated attack. Patricia Sherman (Lohan), the wife of European Federation President Richard Sherman, hires Wolfe to investigate Goldstone's killing, as he was her husband's campaign manager. Wolfe finds bodies falling all over city and must use her innate instincts to unravel the case and stay alive long enough unmask the conspiracy." Lindsay's character seems extremely stressed out by the whole situation, so it's not clear if well get to see some of the signature deadpan humor that was her calling card in the era of Mean Girls. Her lines so far include these zingers: "I want to hire you, someone wants to kill my husband." "The stakes are a lot higher now" "Don't let me down." The trailer is full of assassins with Russian accents, a pack of leather-jacketed wolf-men chowing down, secret security posses storming around, random explosions and bad CGI laser-beam eyes. But you know we'll be there when it hits theaters on March 5. Political geography, or geopolitics, the environment and population growth are the main factors which will define the nature of the Earth within the coming 50 years. Political geography is a give and take relationship between politics and geography. In Egypt, for example, the digging of the Suez Canal was a political act. Yet, later on it led to geographical consequences. This is because area, terrain and climate all have direct effects on peoples lives and countries affairs. Because of geographical factors, ancient Athens was a maritime empire and Sparta was a land empire. The British Isles in the 18th century was known for maritime navigation, while Prussia was a largely landlocked state surrounded by enemies on all sides. Political geography is also concerned with the study of changes in the states resources and relations with other countries. A state with the geographical resources and a sound political understanding can turn into a superpower whose decisions are respected by the whole world. Such countries are the most capable of changing the world system and international law as well. It is a modern academic science, although it also has deep roots in the past. Aristotle stressed the importance of population size, while the ancient geographer Strabo and the Arab historian Ibn Khaldun talked a lot about countries life cycles. However, the Germans were the first to invent the science in the modern period when German geographer Friedrich Ratzel published his book Political Geography (Politische Geographie) in 1897, inventing a term that is equivalent to the Anglo-American notion of geopolitics (geopolitik). Several studies about political geography later appeared in Germany. They dealt with settlements, territories, the nation and nationalism, in addition to strategic and geopolitical plans that defined the nature of traditional and modern military-political relations based on the impact of the environment and geography. Today, we are living through a critical stage in world history, expecting a new world to appear in the next 50 years or so. Perhaps human populations will be established on Mars. Such talk is not day-dreaming but is based on current phenomena. This necessitates a thorough study of the Earths population, since countries may merge and geographical barriers be removed in the near future. Travel from one country to another may no longer require passports. A world citizen may be free to move from the US to China, Japan or other countries. The worlds peoples may be joined together in a cosmopolitan marriage. However, there are facts, declared or not, about the worlds population which should be taken into consideration. For example, in 1950, five years after the founding of the United Nations, the worlds population was estimated at about 2.6 billion. In October 1999, this number had reached six billion, and it had jumped to 7.3 billion by October 2015. Changes in fertility rates were cited as the reasons behind such an unprecedented increase. In China, the most populous country, the population is estimated at about 1.4 billion. According to UN estimates, the worlds population may reach 8.5 billion by 2030. Another fact is that the increase in the population size in Africa is offset by a decrease in the European countries. Yet, increasing the average human lifespan is what matters now. The biggest increase took place in the period to 2015. In Africa, the average human lifespan has reached 60 years, in Asia 72, in Latin America and the Caribbean 75, in Europe 77 and in North America 79. Another point is immigration to the northern hemisphere, mainly for economic reasons. Europe, North America and Oceania have witnessed a huge flow of immigrants, receiving in some years some one million people. The UN prepares official demographic estimates for every country and helps each to formulate population policies. The UN Population Fund works to improve reproductive health, gender equality and topics related to population and development. A third major point about humanitys future prospects is the search for another planet where it can live. Space research has been rapidly carried out to help people reach Mars, a major target of todays scientific research. Satellites have already shortened time and changed its traditional dimensions. Spaceships bring us dazzling images and reveal hidden matters, encouraging the advanced countries to spend billions on space science and communications. The latter started with the German physicist Heinrich Hertz and his invention of wireless communication. This was hailed in the newspapers, encouraging the Italian engineer Guglielmo Marconi to carry out further tests of this new technology. In his memoirs, Marconi wrote that if such waves are able to move across the room, they can move across cities, countries, and even across the ocean. In 1894, he started his experiments, eventually opening the door to a technological revolution and the whole field of radio communication. Over a century later, space science is now concerned with unifying people living on Earth and even searching for new life on other planets. It is a technology that began more than 40 years ago, short enough to discover what lies out there in the Solar System at least and whether its planets could support human life. Hundreds of such questions have crossed many peoples minds, and they are searching for answers. The search for unknown planets has annoyed some, who have feared satellites and spaceships crashing down to earth. The rise in the Earths temperature, the shadow of cancer and the possibility of chemical weapons are more immediate worries for many. Such people also worry about the possibility of a Third World War. Meanwhile, NASA in the US has announced its readiness to go back to the Moon after a spaceship discovered frozen water on its surface. One senior NASA official has viewed this as the key to humanitys successful rediscovery of the Moon, encouraging US President Donald Trump to state that spacecraft will again be launched to explore it. By 2020, NASA will also send an unmanned autonomous spaceship to Mars. In our search for a new planet to live on, perhaps we should say hello to the new planet of peace, the traditional planet of war, Mars. *A version of this article appears in print in the 24 January, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: A new world awaits Short link: Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. On 25 January, Egypt celebrates two national anniversaries that are separated from a chronological point of view by 59 years. Moreover, the national context of each is quite different. What they have in common is the unfinished quest of the Egyptian people to establish an independent, sovereign, democratic republic. On 25 January 1952, the Egyptian police had stood, valiantly, battling a far superior force of British troops in Ismailia. It was a military confrontation in which no one had doubted, at the time, which party would prevail. The British overran Egyptian police barracks after Egyptians had refused to surrender to a British ultimatum. In honour of the fallen from the Egyptian police, and in recognition of their bravery and courage, Egypt has celebrated 25 January as Police Day. Most Egyptians have considered this particular anniversary as a day of national pride, especially in the context of their struggle for independence from British occupation. From that distant date to a more contemporary one that is, 25 January 2011 much water went under the bridge within Egypt and in the Middle East, and I would add, in the international system as a whole. For one, there was a revolution that had taken place in Egypt three months after Battle of Ismailia, on 23 July the same year whereby the Free Officers took control and launched a revolutionary process that culminated in the overthrow of the monarchy and declaration of the establishment of a republican system of government on 18 June 1953. That singular historic event has defined Egypt ever since, notwithstanding the many political, economic and social changes that the country has experienced. And that brings me to the second anniversary, the 25 January popular upheaval of 2011. If Egypt has reached unanimity on the historical significance of Police Day, there is hardly a similar unanimity on the proper place of 25 January 2011, to the extent that Egyptians differ, and sometimes irrationally, on the linguistic designation of that day and how to integrate it in the framework of modern and contemporary Egypt. Officially, and in the 2014 Constitution, it is designated as the January 25 Revolution, side by side with another political earthquake in the political history of Egypt, namely the 30 June 2013 Revolution. However, and taking into account the huge political, economic and social toll of the events and political developments in 2011, many Egyptians have come to deplore the day. They contend that its impact on the social and political fabric of Egypt has been devastating. If it was considered, at the time, by a certain majority of Egyptians a majority that no longer exists, I am afraid as part of an illusory Arab Spring, hardly anyone of consequence in Egypt today considers it as such, save some of those who took to the streets back then, leaderless and without a well-articulated, popularly-accepted political and economic way forward with the aim of radically changing the way the country shall be governed. Beginning 28 January 2011, a radical movement, the Muslim Brothers, took command on the streets of Cairo and Alexandria, and other big cities in the country, especially Suez. The promises and dreams generated by 25 January uprising of 2011 were nipped in the bud, no later than only three days, on that fateful day of 28 January. The irony is that whereas on 25 January 1952 the Egyptian police had proved its relevance to the national struggle raging against a foreign occupier, in 2011 nothing of the sort happened. President Franklin Roosevelt had described the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, on 7 December 1941, as a Day of Infamy. I think 28 January 2011 could be considered in the same vein. On that day, 25 January was highjacked by the Muslim Brotherhood. And all political forces in the country danced, willingly or unwillingly, to its tune. The majority in the streets were not aware that their aspirations for a more open political system, and more social justice, were being drained by a movement that has never believed in political parties nor in democracy. It was out to take on the State and its institutions, to bring them down and start the establishment of a Caliphate, and Egypt would be the first block in this outdated and archaic historical architecture. Expectedly, and unsurprisingly, Egyptians rebelled against this vision on 30 June 2013. On 19 March next, Egypt will widely celebrate the centennial of another revolution in its history. The 1919 Revolution had broken out against British occupation and for the independence and the sovereignty of the country. Its leaders succeeded in wresting a nominal independence from Great Britain on 28 February 1922. A year later, they had framed a constitution, inspired by the Belgian constitution, to begin an experiment in democratic rule in what is called by some Egyptian political forces and historians as the Liberal Era. A precise definition of what Liberalism in Egypt means exactly never arrived. In fact, this state of affairs bedevilled Egyptians for the last 100 years. The Egyptian version of liberalism has equated, in practice, to the winner takes it all principle that the exercise of political power is a zero-sum game. This is probably why, across those one hundred years, from monarchy to a republican system of government, we as Egyptians have not succeeded in establishing a sustainable and effective democratic system where checks and balance and the rule of law reign supreme, and where the peaceful and orderly transfer of power is assured at intervals laid down in a binding constitution that is respected by all political parties and forces. When such a day dawns on the banks of the Nile in Cairo, the lofty promises of Egypts revolutions and popular uprisings in the last 100 years will be finally fulfilled. This historic challenge calls for nothing less than revolutionary leaders that firmly believe that this is Egypts destiny and only destiny. When that day comes, we will rest certain that we will have had our rendezvous with destiny, quoting a famous phrase of president Gamal Abdel-Nasser in the early days of the 23 July Revolution. Until the fulfillment of that distant promise, Egypt will always be in revolutionary fervour. *The writer is 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: A date with destiny Short link: Brian ZiffShawn Mendes leads the nominations for this year's Juno Awards -- the Canadian version of the Grammys -- with six, including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Pop Album and Album of the Year for his current self-titled third release, Single of the Year for "In My Blood" and Fan Choice. Michael Buble is up for Artist of the Year and Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for his album Love. Alessia Cara is nominated for Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Growing Pains." In the International Album of the Year category, Maroon 5's Red Pill Blues and Camila Cabello's Camila are among the nominees. Other nominees include Avril Lavigne and The Weeknd. The 2019 Juno Awards, hosted by 12-timne Juno winner Sarah McLachlan, will take place Sunday, March 17 in London, Ontario. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Oswego, NY (13126) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. A fire-breathing dragon has returned to parade duty at Walt Disney World, eight months after a blaze inside Magic Kingdom. Hill says he got interested in the issue after a legal challenge was mounted to a large cross at a public park in Pensacola. The city was sued in 2016 by several people who said the cross was unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Of course, Hills proposed bill would do nothing to stop someone from filing a federal lawsuit. The reason that we wanted to get the word out is because there are too many people who dont really understand all the career opportunities, Crews said. We do have a looming pilot shortage thats coming up in the next few years but along with that there are additional occupations that are going to be affected. Mechanics is another area, engineering, so we need to make sure that our children who are coming up through our elementary, middle, high school, and then even going into our universities, they understand that there is an opportunity out here, an exciting opportunity for them to enter the field of aviation in any number of capacities. A multi-vehicle crash has the right lane blocked on west State Road 50 at the State Road 408 east on-ramp entrance, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. But I am looking for a little proportionality. And intellectual honesty. And for legislators to start following the designated-funding principles they get so incensed about others violating. I pledged a historic commitment to water resources and Everglades restoration and well be able to announce that that is in fact happening; that were serious, we meant what we said, DeSantis told reporters in the Capitol after a Cabinet meeting. We think this is a time that Floridians want us to tackle these problems that have been persistent in our state,so I think getting right is central to our states success going forward. Batchelor said he still thinks there are greater unmet needs for the countys children and that he would continue trying to get more funding for them. But he said he would not launch another ballot measure for a tax increase. Anyone who came of age in the 1990s remembers the Friends episode where Phoebe and Rachel venture out to get tattoos. Spoiler alert: Rachel gets a tattoo and Phoebe ends up with a black ink dot because she couldnt take the pain. This sitcom storyline is funny, but it also simply illustrates the question that I and many others in the field of pain genetics are trying to answer. What is it about Rachel that makes her different from Phoebe? And, more importantly, can we harness this difference to help the Phoebes of the world suffer less by making them more like the Rachels? AP Photo/Reed Saxon Pain is the single most common symptom reported when seeking medical attention. Under normal circumstances, pain signals injury, and the natural response is to protect ourselves until we have recovered and the pain subsides. Unfortunately, people differ not only in their ability to detect, tolerate and respond to pain but also in how they report it and how they respond to various treatments. This makes it difficult to know how to effectively treat each patient. So, why isnt pain the same in everyone? Individual differences in health outcomes often result from complex interactions of psychosocial, environmental and genetic factors. While pain may not register as a traditional disease like heart disease or diabetes, the same constellation of factors are at play. The painful experiences throughout our lifetime occur against a background of genes that make us more or less sensitive to pain. But our mental and physical state, previous experiences painful, traumatic and the environment can modulate our responses. If we can better understand what makes individuals more or less sensitive to pain in all kinds of situations, then we are that much closer to reducing human suffering by developing targeted personalized pain treatments with lower risks of misuse, tolerance and abuse than the current treatments. Ultimately, this would mean knowing who is going to have more pain or need more pain-killing drugs, and then being able to effectively manage that pain so the patient is more comfortable and has a quicker recovery. Not all pain genes are the same donskarpo / Shutterstock.com With the sequencing of the human genome, we know a lot about the number and location of genes that make up our DNA code. Millions of small variations within those genes have also been identified, some that have known effects and some that dont. These variations can come in a number of forms, but the most common variation is the single nucleotide polymorphism SNP, pronounced snip representing a single difference in the individual units that make up DNA. There are approximately 10 million known SNPs in the human genome; an individuals combination of SNPs makes up his or her personal DNA code and differentiates it from that of others. When a SNP is common, it is referred to as a variant; when a SNP is rare, found in less than 1 percent of the population, then it is called a mutation. Rapidly expanding evidence implicates dozens of genes and variants in determining our pain sensitivity, how well analgesics like opioids reduce our pain and even our risk for developing chronic pain. A history of pain tolerance The first studies of pain genetics were of families with an extremely rare condition characterized by the absence of pain. The first report of congenital insensitivity to pain described pure analgesia in a performer working in a traveling show as The Human Pincushion. In the 1960s there were reports of genetically related families with children who were pain-tolerant. AP Photo/Stephen Morton At that time the technology did not exist to determine the cause of this disorder, but from these rare families we know that CIP now known by wonkier names like Channelopathy-associated insensitivity to pain and Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy is the result of specific mutations or deletions within single genes required for transmitting pain signals. The most common culprit is one of a small number of SNPs within SCN9A, a gene that encodes a protein channel necessary for sending pain signals. This condition is rare; only a handful of cases have been documented in the United States. While it might seem like a blessing to live without pain, these families must be always on alert for severe injuries or fatal illnesses. Typically children fall down and cry, but, in this case, theres no pain to differentiate between a scraped knee and a broken knee cap. Pain insensitivity means that there is no chest pain signaling a heart attack and no lower right abdominal pain hinting at appendicitis, so these can kill before anyone knows that there is something wrong. Supersensitivity to pain Variations within SCN9A not only cause pain insensitivity, but have also been shown to trigger two severe conditions characterized by extreme pain: primary erythermalgia and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder. In these cases, the mutations within SCN9A cause more pain signals than normal. These types of heritable pain conditions are extremely rare and, arguably, these studies of profound genetic variations reveal little about more subtle variations that may contribute to individual differences in the normal population. However, with the growing public acceptance of genome-based medicine and calls for more precise personalized health care strategies, researchers are translating these findings into personalized pain treatment protocols that match a patients genes. Sergei Drozd / Shutterstock.com Do genetic variations affect pain in everyone? We know some of the major genes that influence pain perception and new genes are being identified all the time. The SCN9A gene is a major player in controlling the bodys response to pain by activating or silencing the sodium channel. But whether it amplifies or dampens pain depends on the mutation an individual carries. Estimates suggest that up to 60 percent of the variability in pain is the result of inherited that is, genetic factors. Stated simply, this means that pain sensitivity runs in families through normal genetic inheritance, much like height, hair color or skin tone. Turns out that SCN9A also plays a role in pain in the normal population. A relatively more common SNP within SCN9A, called 3312G>T which occurs in 5 percent of the population, has been shown to determine sensitivity to post-operative pain and how much opioid medication is needed to control it. Another SNP in SCN9A gene causes greater sensitivity for those with pain caused by osteoarthritis, lumbar disc removal surgery, amputee phantom limbs and pancreatitis. New painkillers from sea creatures NPS photo - Bill Eichenlaub Therapeutically, we have been using local anesthetics, including lidocaine, to treat pain by inducing a short term block of the channel to stop pain transmission. These drugs have been continuously used to safely and effectively block pain for more than a century. Interestingly, researchers are evaluating tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin produced by sea creatures like pufferfish and octopuses, which works by blocking pain signal transmission, as a potential pain killer. They have shown early efficacy in treating cancer pain and migraine. These drugs and toxins induce the same state that is present in those with congenital insensitivity to pain. If theres one silver lining to the opioid crisis, it is the realization that we need more precise tools to treat pain ones that treat pain at the source and come with fewer side effects and risk. By understanding the genetic contribution to pain sensitivity, susceptibility to chronic pain and even analgesic response, we can then design treatments that address the why of pain and not just the "where. Were beginning to design precision pain management strategies already, and the benefit to humankind will only increase as we know more about why pain differs among people. *Erin Young, Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut School of Nursing; Assistant Director, UCONN Center for Advancement in Managing Pain, University of Connecticut This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Short link: Two books have been written about the subject: The Groveland Four: The Sad Saga of a Legal Lynching, by Gary Corsair and Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America, by Gilbert King. King won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction for his account. But when officers explained the situation to two employees who were inside cleaning, the workers "stopped what they were doing, started up all the machines and gave the two young girls anything they wanted to eat, allowed them to use the restroom & stuffed their Happy Meals with toys. Additionally, the employees would not allow Officers to foot the bill," the police department wrote in a Facebook post Monday night. BOSTON State police say they were called to the Massachusetts Turnpike because a man was clinging to the hood of a moving SUV in an apparent road rage episode, some of which was caught on video . There is Hellmanns Delray Beach condo, worth about $160,000, as well as $22,910 in cash that authorities seized from Bennett. And before he was arrested and originally charged with murder in the second degree in Hellmanns death, Bennett had sought to have a probate judge in Palm Beach County declare his wife dead, a request that was not granted. There is usually a five-year waiting period before a Florida probate court will declare someone deceased. Cocly left her familys home on March 31, 2018, and told her family she was going out for a bit, records show. She was excited for a new job at Disney but didnt take the uniform she needed for training the next day, leading detectives to believe she wanted to come back home that night, records show. He came legally, he said, but he understood people who risk their lives to get to the United States. They do not do so lightly, he said. The legal way is not an option for them, he said. And theyre so desperate to have a better life. They dont walk 3,000 miles with a toddler on their shoulders because they have a disease, or are criminals, or belong to a freaking gang bang or whatever its called. The StoryCorps Listening Event will be Thursday, Jan. 31, at Orlando Regional Medical Center, 52 W. Underwood St. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room, and doors open at 6. The meeting is free but space is limited, and you can RSVP at wmfe.org/storycorps-listening-event. Empire co-creator Danny Strong tweeted, Im deeply horrified and saddened by the racist and homophobic attacks against @JussieSmollett. He is a kind and profoundly talented soul whom I respect with all my heart. The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live whoever did this, do not forget that you are nothing but hate filled cowards while Jussies talent and activism will continue to shine a bright light on to the world for decades to come. It was reasonably foreseeable that an individual could be run into by a scooter due to the vast amount of people on foot and on scooters in one congested area, the lawsuit said. The dangerous conditions had existed for a sufficient length of time so that [Disney] knew or should have known. When you have a New York developer come to Miami, everything seems so cheap, said Weimer, who is a senior vice president with the firm. When you have Miami developers say, We have to start looking afield, I guess it would be a natural progression of, why not look up in Orlando? Head of the Suez Canal Authority Mohab Mamish on Tuesday attended a meeting of the House of Representatives Industry Committee. Addressing the participants, he explained that most of the trade movement from East to West passes through the Suez Canal. He said a plan is underway to increase the revenues of the canal by 100 percent in the period from 2014 to 2023. Egypt has joined the Belt and Road Initiative through the Suez Canal, he added. He noted that up to 12 percent of the world trade movement passes through the canal. The canal revenues increased in the fiscal year 2017/2018 by around 600 million dollars compared to 2016/2017, he pointed out. The targeted revenue for the year 2018/2019 is to reach 6 billion dollars, he added. Short link: Located at the southeast corner of North Magnolia and Palmetto avenues, the project would include one of the first Blu hotels in the United States. The property, just south of SkyHouse Orlando apartments, is now home to a one-story office building. If we allow Israel to be singled out for commercial discrimination, its only going to snowball, DeSantis said. Youre going to have more and more people joining, youll have more governments get involved, and then all of a sudden this one country, thats trying to do it the right way, standing for the right values, its both literally and figuratively made the desert bloom, that they will be in an even more precarious situation. The Huawei case has set off diplomatic spats among the United States, China and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China. But Ross said Monday that the indictments are "wholly separate from our trade negotiations with China." When George Fernandes assumed the guise of 'Khushwant Singh' Khushwant Singh narrated an incident when George Fernandes had assumed the guise of a Sikh man, 'Khushwant Singh' to evade arrest during Emergency. Khushwant Singh, in his book, 'The Good the Bad and the Ridiculous', remembers the incarnations of George Fernandes. Khushwant Singh quoted George saying, "No politician in India has had more bones in his body broken than I. Nor perhaps has anyone been in as many jails as I have." "I have always had a soft spot for George Fernandes. I have known him for almost 40 years in his many incarnations. He has everything I do not have. When I first saw him, he was a handsome, well-built young man with zest for life that attracted the most beautiful of women. I was a flabby, paunchy Sardar, more seeking than sought after. I recall my first sight of him on a hot summer afternoon on a small platform in Kala Ghoda Chowk in the midst of hundreds of Bombays cab drivers, exhorting them to fight for their rights. Later, on the same evening, I met him at a cocktail party reception given by Mota Chudasama. He was the centre of attention among all the bejewelled glitterati of Bombays elite society. He was just at ease chatting with them as he was talking to sweaty taxi drivers. The one thing we have in common is our disdain for all religions. George was born Catholic but was totally non-conformist," he added. Khushwant narrated an incident when George Fernandes had assumed the guise of a Sikh man, 'Khushwant Singh' to evade arrest during Emergency: "George was openly critical of Indira Gandhi. When she imposed the Emergency, the police went looking for him. He went underground. He grew a beard, learnt to tie a turban and passed off as a Sikh. When he travelled around the country by air, he booked himself under my name for no better reason than he could not think of another Sikh name. When I questioned him later and said, But you cant even speak Punjabi and here many people know me, he smiled and replied, I said I was born and brought up in Canada. And no one ever asked me: are you Khushwant Singh? ........ And... He knew only three Punjabi words: Sat Sri Akal!" "However, the police got him. He was given the third-degree and even taken out to be shot in an encounter," recalled Khushwant Singh. VHP welcomes Union Government's move to return 42 acres of land to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas Adv Alok Kumar, International Working President, VHP New Delhi: Vishva Hindu Parishad welcomed the application of Union Government to the Hon'ble Supreme Court for returning 42 acres of land of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas to the organisation. "The Nyas had obtained the land for the construction of Shri Ram Mandir," said Adv Alok Kumar, International Working President, VHP in a statement issued today. The Union Government had acquired a total of 67.703 acres of land in 1993. This included the land of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. The land under litigation, i.e. where the disputed structure existed, admeasures only 0.313 acres, the statement added. Book Review: Decolonising Education K Satya Deva Prasads Interrogating Macaulays Children is a study at exposing the flawed pedagogical system we are still slavish to, even after British Colonial masters have left the shores of Bharat. It is time to undo the historical wrongs of Lord Macaulay by according our ancient wisdom a pride of place in our educational system The title of the book is interesting in that it generates a curiosity to know who the children of Macaulay the author refers to are. The books cover design is intriguing too. It is a collage of images that represent Bharatiya culture housed inside the India map and images that indicate western interference, making the intent clear. The magnifying glass on a seemingly western thinker tells us that the book is about scrutinizing or studying the western mind closely. The author in his Preface makes it clear who the Macaulays children are. Macaulay in his famous Minute had levelled charges against Hindu knowledge system and Sanskrit language in an attempt to replace the indigenous education system with the English method of schooling and curriculum. As we know, Macaulay was successful in forcing the English education system in India which alienated numerous generations of Indians from their own culture, knowledge systems and skills. The colonial education system still largely intact even after Independence have created a large number of intellectuals who were disrespectful of indigenous knowledge, customs, culture and the same was taught to students in universities and by the media. Such individuals who are inimical to Indian culture and anyone who is influenced by English curriculum are Macaulays children. Most of our present-day problems and misunderstandings are the direct outcome of our so-called modern educational system, which is heavily loaded with colonial propaganda against Indian knowledge system and culture that generated it over millennia. The compilation also serves to inform those who feel the negative impact of Macaulay education but do not know the positive side of our indigenous system. writes the author in the preface giving an idea about the content of the book and what we could expect from it. The author hopes to prove Macaulay and those influenced by the English education system wrong by using quotes and references from across the world which prove the wonder that was Bharat. The book is divided into chapters that focus on areas of ancient Indian expertise. The first chapter, however, details Macaulays Minute and his deposition about Indian education at UK parliament. Subsequent chapters have good collection of quotes and references to India by well-known authors, travellers and historians from across the world. Chapters on Indian maritime history and geography give a good account of how ancient Greeks and other civilizations viewed Bharat. Arab and German scholars views on Indian science and philosophy is a reminder of the great strides our forefathers had made in all aspects of life. from very ancient times Our Hindu educational system helped us to stay on top in science, technology, trade, commerce, social harmony, and unity Other chapters dedicated to social structure, Indian commerce, medicine have sayings and quotes from several famous persons from various walks of life. These quotes are culled from various sources from across the globe. The author has provided the source of the same in all instances so that the reader can doublecheck the same. This also helps the reader to know more about the quote and also the person who has spoken or written it. The last chapters give references to the sources of Hindu history and what India can teach us from the perspective of several Westerners. One interesting quote is of R. Montgomery Martin who was a civil servant in the 19th century. In his History of Indian Empire, he writes, India in the middle of the 18th century resembled a vast battlefield strewn with fragments of ruined states, and affording on every side abundant evidence of a prolonged and severe conflict from which even the victors had emerged irretrievably injured. With this reference the author has shown that the entire world wanted a share of India, be it the British or the Dutch or the Mughals or Portuguese who wanted to enrich themselves by ravaging India only because it was already abundant in every aspect. A tribute to Hindus has quotes from well-known authors and leaders on the contribution of Hindus to the world in various spheres and walks of life. This exposes Macaulays claim that India was backward or that it needed any interference from the west. As the author himself writes, the aim of the compilation is not to argue to go-back to the olden days but this is an appeal to get informed about the nefarious designs of the introducer of English education in our country. We have to work hard to remove its deleterious effects and place it on a firm indigenous footing, argues the author. The author states, These quotations prove that from very ancient times Hindu education system helped the Hindus to stay on top in science, technology, trade, commerce, social harmony and unity.. Writing about the compilation of quotes, he writes, This compilation is meant to remind Indians that there is lot of colonial propaganda still lurking in the present day educational curriculum taught in our schools and colleges. It is actually a hangover of the colonial rule which harmed us instead of improving our capabilities. The present education system is not a natural outcome of the native genius, but fraudulently foisted upon the gullible Hindus. Overall, Interrogating Macaulays Children is a good reminder of the intentions and effects of Macaulays education. The book also serves as a good source of quotes and references on ancient India. This can also serve as a starting point to explore more about the subject on which the quote was made and the person who is quoted. As a ready reference on quotes on India in various spheres, the book is also a ready reckoner on who said what on India. It is a must read if you are interested in how people from across the world viewed India for thousands of years. A Rare Gyan Sadhak Touching tribute to Devendra Swarupji at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi by eminent personalities, scholars and his admirers New Delhi: Devendra Swarupji was a gyan sadhak. Association of such souls is always enlightening and educating. His contribution in the ideological battle has been commendable. More such sadhaks are direly needed today. Continuing his gyan sadhana will be the best tribute to him, said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat, while paying tribute to veteran RSS thinker, ideologue, historian and former editor of Panchjanya Devendra Swarupji who had passed away on January 14, 2019 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). As per his desire, his body was donated to Vardhman Mahavir Medical College for medical research through Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti on January 15. A view of the eminent gathering during the condolence meeting in Delhi Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Governor of Gujarat Prof OP Kohli, senior journalist and Chairman of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts Shri Ram Bahadur Rai and international vice president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Shri Champat Rai also paid their tribute at the condolence meeting held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre on January 21. RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dr Krishna Gopal and scores of eminent personalities were also present on the occasion. Shri Mohan Bhagwat further said Devendraji never expected anything for himself and always thought for larger interest of the society and nation. He served the nation like a sage. Whatever he wanted to convey he conveyed without hesitation through personal meetings, message or over phone. He was straightforward and conveyed in clear terms whatever he liked. He was very soft to others but tough to himself. What else is expected from an ideal swayamsevak, Shri Bhagwat added. He said Devendra ji was habitual of collecting cleansing evidences on every topic before writing or speaking. He lived for the society and thought for betterment of the society after death also by donating his body to the medical college, he added. Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat addressing the condolence meeting in New Delhi. Others on dais from left are Shri Mahesh Sharma, Shri Champat Rai, Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri OP Kohli, Shri Ram Bahadur Rai and Shri Rohit Agrawal Shri Rajnath Singh said the books and articles written by Devendra are reference material for the researchers, as his work is based on the strong evidences. He spent lot of time in the National Archives to gather evidences and rare documents to support his arguments. I used to read his column in Panchjanya, which was very enlightening, educating and stirring. His was a unique personality. He was a yogi who did gyan daan, jeevan daan and even the shareer daan after his death. He lived an inspiring life which was simple but meaningful. He is not with us in physical form, but will live in the word form for years to come, the Union Home Minister said. Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu paying tribtue to Devendra Swarupji Prof OP Kohli, who has been his neighbour for years in Sahayog Apartment of Mayur Vihar in Delhi, said the nation has lost a treasure. He used to repeatedly refer Hind Swaraj of Gandhiji and wanted changes in the country according to Hind Swaraj. He was against the left and anti-national ideologies and gathered evidences to counter the baseless arguments of such idelogies. His own library had thousands of books and he read every book. While reading the books he used to mark certain lines which were useful to him on various subjects, he added. Recalling his association with Devendra in the University of Delhi Prof Kohli said he played a key role in the formation of the National Democratic Teachers Front, a nationalist organisation of DU teachers. We fought for the teachers cause but never boycotted the examinations. He could have achieved much for him, but never did. His departure has really created a vacuum, Shri Kohli added. Shri Champat Rai recalled Devendra jis association with Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement and how the gathered evidences in support of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and joined the dialogue process with the Muslims. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement began in 1984 and whenever Ashok Singhalji wanted any information and document he approached Devendraji. I visited his house a number of times to gather information. His memory was so sharp that he provided the information quickly. Basically, the evidences gathered by Devendraji and Swarajya Prakash Guptji supported the Hindu cause during the dialogue process with the Muslims, during our case in the Allahabad High court and now the same documents and evidences are before the Supreme Court in our support for the temple, Shri Champat Rai added. Shri Ram Bahadur Rai announced to continue the gyan sadhana of Devendraji through the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. He said on March 30, every year, the IGNCA would organise Devendra Swarup Memorial Lecture and would also start a fellowship up to Rs 50,000 per month for the researchers who contribute in finishing the unfinished work of Devendra ji. Shri Harsh Malhotra from Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti particularly recalled how Devendra enrolled himself for body donation after the demise of Nanaji. Shri Rohit Agrawal, son of Devendraji, said his family was not limited to his children alone, but he maintained a large family, which include all those who came in his contact and became his admirer. Condolence messages from President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Governor of Goa Smt Mridula Sinha were read out at the condolence meeting. 'Kerala's cultural ethos under attack by Left Govt': Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kerala PM flanked by BJYM state president P. Prakashbabu (L) and BJP state president Adv. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. (Photo: S. Chandrasekharan) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a hair raising ecstasy to the youths of Kerala while addressing the state rally of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Thrissur. PM referred to the prominent writers and film personalities of the district in his electrifying speech. Balamani Amma and Bahadur and Kalabhavan Mani were among them. He said, he was happy to visit the cultural centre of the state in his second visit to the state in one month. He referred to Guruvayoor temple, Thrissur pooram , etc. The other visit was to Kollam to inaugurate the Kollam bypass. He told about the dedication of IREP to the nation short while ago in Amabalamugal. He detailed about the achievements his government has bagged in making the kitchens smoke free. In 2014, 45 % of the kitchens were smoke-free, but now it is 90 %. The endeavours are in the process to make it 100 %. said,pooram PM said that Kochi's refinery facilities rank No 2 in Asia. Kochi is the biggest in the country. Six crores people get cooking gas at liberal terms and conditions. Modiji said that organic fuel mixture regime would reduce our expenditure for importing petroleum products. Now, the mixture is on 10 % basis; by 2021 it will be increased to 25 %. It will save our foreign currency reserves to a great extent. Kochi Petrochemical Project is a great leap forward in this direction. It can create job opportunities and income generation for the youths. PM said that due to change in the style of governance, Bharat has become the fastest growing economy. The whole world comes to invest in our country. Now, our industrial growth has improved from the rank of 142 to 77. In foreign investment, we have overtaken China. In mobile manufacturing, we have grown from 2 industries to120 plus. In the zone of facilities for new ventures, we are No: 1. We have the largest health protection scheme Ayushman Bharat. Formerly Swatch Bharat was not on the agenda. Now, we have an increased number of toilets in the country. Five years ago,18,000 villages did not have the power supply at all. Now, it has reached all villages. Now, our target is to provide power supply to all houses. Sab ke saath sabka vikaas is our target. Unfortunately, Kerala's cultural heritage is under continuous attack. And, the ruling party leads it. Sabarimala issue has caught the attention of the entire nation. CPM disrespects Hindu culture and traditions which are hundreds of years old. UDF led by Congress plays the same game. They say something in Delhi and something else in Kerala. They should realise that this would not work. They do not like to empower women. Their triple talaq policy is a clear example of it. Has CPM made any woman the CM of any state? Both Congress and CPM should introspect in this regard. Opposition parties suffer intellectual bankruptcy. Their only programme is "Hate Modi". They start it when they get up in the morning and continue until they sleep. It is their daily cup of tea. They are least bothered about the development of the country. Shri Modi said, 'You can accuse me as much as you want, but you don't misguide farmers, youths, poor. Don't block the development, don't abuse our great country'. PM said, they do have zero regards to the constitutional institutions of the country. They do not respect CBI, armed forces, C&AG, Election Commission, etc. He referred to the recent press conference held in London against EVMs in the presence of a top Congress leader. When Congress and CPM talk about democracy it ends up in joke. Now, Congress has started murder politics like CPM does. They kill BJP workers in MP as soon as they got power there. They still carry the mindset of Emergency. They should realise that election will come and go, but the country is to stay. Both LDF and UDF are involved in corruption. Congress's Solar scandal is infamous. LDF ministers are involved in corruption too. Several LDF ministers resigned because of it. A hardworking scientist Nambi Narayanan was trapped in espionage case as Congress leaders wanted to settle scores with their own colleagues. We gave him Padma award. PM added that he is the choukidar in Delhi and he will not permit corruption. We want a strong Bharat. We are keen to solve the problems being faced by NRIs. Earlier the city witnessed impressive processions of the BJYM workers in different parts of the city. The public meeting was attended by lakhs of people. It was the culmination of the state conference of BJYM. BJP state president Adv. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai and all other senior leaders addressed the mammoth gathering. Earlier PM laid the foundation stone for Kochi Petrochemical Complex and inaugurated the Integral Refinery Expansion Project I(IREP) in Ambalamugal facilities of Kochi Refineries Limited owned by BPCL near Kochi. IREP is expected to increase the capacity from 9.5 MMTA to 15.5 MMTA. Modiji said, in his inaugural address, that since May 16, 2016, onwards 6 crores of new cooking gas connections have been distributed. He said that he is happy to visit Kochi, the birthplace of Adi Shankara. He referred to Kochi as the queen of Arabian sea and blue backwaters. PM also laid the foundation stone for an institute for Skill Development in Ettumanoor, Kottayam district. The IREP is going to make Kochi a hub of petroleum and petrochemical industry. It is going to bring a novel industrial revolution in the region. Egypt discussed cooperation with French multinational pharmaceutical company Sanofi on the sidelines of French Presidents Emmanuel Macrons first visit to the country. According to a statement by the Egyptian public enterprises ministry, Minister Hisham Tawfik met on Tuesday with representatives from the French company, where he expressed his ministrys aspiration to cooperate with global pharmaceutical companies and benefit from their expertise. Tawfik presented the ministrys plan to reconstruct and develop affiliated Egyptian pharmaceutical companies through a number of measures, including rehabilitating factories to conform with the needs of global production requisites. The talks also included the possibility of cooperation between the two sides to expand to African markets, especially in light of current steps to export medical preparations from Egypts Holdi Pharma to Chad and five other neighboring countries ahead of establishing a factory in Chad. Short link: What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com. Tunisia's president on Tuesday accused the prime minister of seeking power through a secret deal with an Islamist party, the latest sign of tension at the top ahead of elections. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed had gained the backing of the Ennahdha party to stand in the presidential polls, President Beji Caid Essebsi said, quoted by Al Arab newspaper. "Chahed wants to stay in power... Ennahdha has understood his ambition... They have pushed him to create a new party which divides power between them after the 2019 elections," said Essebsi, whose comments were verified by the presidency. Chahed was appointed by Essebsi in 2016 but relations between the pair have strained in recent months, fuelling speculation the prime minister will run in this year's presidential election. For his part, 92-year-old Essebsi indicated he would not seek a second term. "My ambition is not to stay president for life. I am not in favour of a president for life," he said. Essebsi's claim of a private pact by Chahed comes as the premier prepares for elections with a progressive platform -- the Tahia Tounes movement -- described as being in opposition to Ennahdha. Its political stance is similar to that of Essebsi's secularist Nidaa Tounes, which won the 2014 elections and formed a coalition with Ennahdha that lasted four years. Nidaa Tounes has since split and its leader, Essebsi's son Hafedh, has been battling to oust the prime minister for months. Short link: In Venezuela, there has not yet been the key defection of a senior commander with his unit to the democratic opposition. Nor does one seem likely. On the other hand, such a defection did not seem likely in previous cases of democratic revolution until it actually occurred. Senior commanders, after all, are only appointed because their loyalty to the regime is beyond reproach. And indeed, they may well be ultra-loyalists until something changes which causes them to switch loyalties. Trump had already submitted his own development plan; it had been languishing in the citys land-use process for many years. It was now being held up in the citys Department of Environmental Protection, which was scrutinizing the plan way beyond their mandate, making onerous demands of Trump and he had no recourse but to keep supplying the answers to their ridiculous questions. Now it was near the end and we were poised to go to the next step. I was in charge of this project. No votes against: After more than a decade of obstruction, more than a decade of quiet sabotage and claims that they hewed to principled opposition, Republicans want New Yorkers to forget, to think they backed it all along. We do not wish to tar and feather the former news anchor, but we do need to correct the record, because a man who many Americans still look to as a paragon of honesty just botched this one. The governments travel advisory further cited shortages of food, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies throughout much of the country and referred to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nonessential-travel advisory issued last May warning of the breakdown in health care systems. Because of this and other factors, the government said its ability to provide support to U.S. citizens would likely be limited. So far, we have found ten bodies, and most of their private parts and teeth had been removed, Ndugulile told CNN. These murders are linked to witchcraft practices because that is the trend for such crimes, where herbalists ask people to get these human parts for money rituals. This, together with the failure on the part of both the crew to follow the standard operating procedure at the critical stage of the flight, contributed to the loss of situational awareness, said the report, quoted by Reuters. Landing was completed in a sheer desperation after sighting the runway, at very close proximity and very low altitude. We are sorry that this situation has caused such disruption in the lives of so many, Diocese of Covington Bishop Roger Foys wrote in a statement quoted by the River City News. We apologize to anyone who has been offended in any way by either of our statements which were made with good will based on the information we had. We should not have allowed ourselves to be bullied and pressured into making a statement prematurely, and we take full responsibility for it. I especially apologize to Nicholas Sandmann and his family as well as to all CovCath families who have felt abandoned during this ordeal. Nicholas unfortunately has become the face of these allegations based on video clips. This is not fair. It is not just. The $4.6 million fence has been knocked by some critics who feel the boar issue is not really a problem since there havent been any reported cases of African swine fever in Germany yet. Danish officials admit that the animals might still be able to pass through the barrier in some areas. The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible, Whitaker said during a press conference at Justice Department headquarters. Throughout 2018 the desk of Alan Leveritt, publisher of the US weekly newspaper the Arkansas Times, was piling up with letters from the state of Arkansas with an unusual demand: either sign a pledge not to boycott Israel or forfeit all state advertising. It was the outcome of a state law (act 710 of 2017) passed in 2017 by Arkansass Republican-dominated legislature that requires government contractors to pledge in writing not to boycott Israel or see their fees reduced by at least 20 per cent. The paper and its state agency clients simply ignored the letters. But when one of their clients, the University of Arkansas, informed the Arkansas Times that it had to sign the anti-boycott pledge in order to continue running its advertisements, things got more difficult as there was a price to pay. Either succumb to compulsion by the state of Arkansas to take a political position or endure financial losses by refusing to do so and reduce advertisement rates by 20 per cent. The paper opted for the latter option, and with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also sued the state of Arkansas in December 2018 in a bid to overturn the law on free-speech grounds. Two federal courts had already blocked similar laws in Arizona and Kansas citing First Amendment violations under the US Constitution and free-speech rights. The US Supreme Court has long held that political boycotts are protected by the First Amendment. The decision on 23 January by US district judge Brian Miller to throw out the lawsuit was thus unexpected. In his 17-page opinion, Miller wrote that the paper has not demonstrated that a boycott of Israel, as defined by Act 710, is protected by the First Amendment. Leveritt told the Weekly in an email that his paper was going to appeal with the hope of getting the decision overturned. The courts decision puts a lot of pressure on our publication because if we do not sign, it could have a devastating effect on our financial situation, he explained. We are a small, local publication in a relatively poor state and government advertising, mostly related to higher education and health, has always been a significant category. The Arkansas Times, a local publication focused on Arkansas affairs, has never engaged in the boycott of Israel and says it does not intend to do so. Our position is that under the First Amendment, no government can compel us to take a political position one way or another, Leveritt told the Weekly. If the law had required his paper to promise not to boycott Palestinian products and businesses, he would still have fought it, he said. PEN America, the prestigious 92-year-old organisation that defends free expression in the US, described the Arkansas law as deeply troubling. The ruling from the Arkansas district court failed to consider other important federal court rulings around the country that have protected this kind of speech as a core First Amendment right, said Nora Benavidez, director of US Free Expression Programmes at PEN America. Constitutional protections cannot be applied selectively based on ones viewpoint, and this decision sets an alarming precedent for Americans right to freely exercise their political beliefs in ways clearly protected by the First Amendment, she added. The federal court decision is a blow to the ACLU and the boycott, divestment and sanctions of Israel (BDS) movement. Already, 26 states have enacted similar anti-BDS laws or executive orders. While the state of South Carolina was the first to pass such a law in June 2015, the trend picked up following the election of president Donald Trump who took office in 2017. The BDS movement is inspired by and modeled on the anti-apartheid movement against South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s. Efforts to pass a federal anti-BDS bill failed in the previous Congress, but this is now changing. Attempts to pass a modified version of the bill in the newly elected Congress since early January were obstructed because of the partial federal government shutdown that ended last week. On Monday, the Senate overwhelmingly voted by 74 to 19 to advance the anti-BDS bill, called the Strengthening Americas Security in the Middle East Act of 2019. The bill, which includes wording that encourages US states to adopt anti-BDS laws, is expected to pass. Currently, 13 states are considering similar anti-Israel boycott laws. It could make court battles against Americas pro-Israel laws more challenging. If this law stands, then the government has the power to threaten the press with all kinds of financial pressures to make us toe a party line, said Leveritt of the Arkansas Times. We don't do that in America, at least not so far. We expect this kind of religious, right-wing, poorly thought out legislation from our local legislators, he added. I am shocked that is even being given a serious hearing in Congress. *This story was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: All I did was take publicly available information and try to hype it to get it as much attention as possible, because I had a tip, the information was politically significant and that it would come in October, he told ABC News This Week. The President would often watch MSNBC and CNN and instruct staffers to keep his viewing habits under wraps. He also once walked out of a meeting with former House Speaker Paul Ryan to watch TV before wandering back into the Oval Office, according to Sims. "All they do is fight. If one party thinks it's good, the other thinks it's bad. If the President thinks it's good, the party opposed to him thinks it's bad," he said of the nations leaders. "They don't do anything for the people. "Simply put, while it is tempting to retreat to the comfort and security of our own shores, there is still a great deal of work to be done," McConnell (R-Ky.) said. And we know that left untended these conflicts will reverberate in our own cities. Other bills that passed Tuesday will extend the waiting period on gun purchases that have been flagged to 30 days, up from the current three-day limit, and ban bump stock devices that allow for more rapid firepower like the one used in the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. New York currently already bans using the devices, but not their sale or possession. We must avoid shutdowns in the future, because no federal agency should ever be held hostage in this way ever again and theres a legislative way, a bi-partisan way to do this, and the next few weeks will provide the opportunity to get it done, Schumer said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi one; President Donald Trump zero. The first round of many to come in the heavyweight bout goes the Speakers way as Trump takes the hit for the shutdown and his party is suffering along with him, said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "Our government and the men in power decided that if we didn't get all 38 states by 1982, then we were not going to get equality at all," said Arquette. "Why? Because the country wasn't ready in 1982? Well, I hope you're all ready now. Because it's 2019 and we should all be more than ready." Its expected they will grill the agents about inconsistencies in the stories of Jorge and Alex Cifuentes, the Colombian brothers who worked with Chapo before they became two of the governments 13 cooperating witnesses in the case. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) needs $1.2 billion to fund vital core services and life-saving humanitarian aid, the agency's chief Pierre Krahenbuhl said on Tuesday. According to UNRWA's statement, this amount of money is required to keep its "operations at the same level as in 2018" for 5.4 million Palestinian refugees. This call for support comes in light of last year's decision by the administration of US President Donald Trump to cut $300 million of its contribution to UNRWA, causing a financial crisis. As we faced the most severe financial challenge in our proud history, it was both humbling and inspiring to have witnessed the extent and generosity of the response from host and donor governments, from within the United Nations and NGO partners, from civil society and individuals. I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude for this exemplary commitment and solidarity, said Krahenbuhl. UNRWA highlighted a number of challenges that will be facing the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria regions where it provides humanitarian, health and educational services for Palestinian refugees including violence, incursions and a lack of freedom of movement. It also referred to the lack of employment opportunities, increasing levels of food insecurity and psychological trauma, describing them as "alarming and expanding." Concerning Syria, UNRWA referred to other challenges, including "many acute consequences for Palestine refugees in the country and beyond, from displacement to loss of livelihoods, as well as the daily struggle to survive the immense adversity imposed by eight years of war." During the extreme crisis we faced last year, we promised to show maximum resolve and creativity. We lived up to that commitment and are proud of this. At the same time, we remember that the successful campaign to overcome the shortfall came with a cost. Some services were impacted and some staff members lost their jobs, which we deeply regret", stated Krahenbuhl. "Out of respect for the refugee community and UNRWA staff, we will continue to demonstrate absolute determination in mobilising political and financial support for the Agency. We will also remain very honest about how difficult it will be and the fact that UNRWA will continue to face major challenges. We must remain united and show the cohesion that was such an important part of our success last year. Short link: According to the letter sent to the California Public Utilities Commission, the company experienced an outage on a transmission line at 6:15 a.m. on Nov. 8, and a PG&E employee called 911 at approximately 6:30 a.m. to report a fire in the vicinity of a tower near the town of Pulga. Its still very preliminary," a high ranking police source said of the probe. "Well have to look at video. It looks like the woman was holding the baby in her arms and then carrying a stroller. The stroller was found toppled over next to her at the bottom of the stairs." The polar vortex responsible for the bone-chilling weather is reportedly the same Canadian-born cold front that caused temperatures in northern Minnesota to plunge to a record low minus 44, shattering border town International Falls previous record by 8 degrees. An estimated 110 million people will be impacted by the freezing weather, which brings with it serious risks of frostbite and hypothermia to those who are exposed to biting winds and unendurable conditions. Police say the two officers were taking turns pointing a gun with one bullet in it at each other at around 1 a.m. Thursday when Hendren was on duty and Alix wasnt. Twice the gun did not go off, and Hendrens partner, who was at the scene but uncomfortable with what was going on, moved to leave. At that point he heard a shot ring out behind him, police said. Alix had been shot in the chest. Troopers from the Jackson Post, the patrols special response team and aviation unit immediately began to canvas the area where the chopper was last seen. After pinging the cellphone of one of the crew members, officers found the wreckage of a Bell 407 a few hours later near the community of Zelinski, located about 75 miles southeast of Cleveland. It was all about doing the maximum amount of damage and him obtaining some form of infamy, the agent in charge of the investigation told the Associated Press. This report comes as close to understanding the why as were ever going to get. To be honest, I have never felt as terrible as I did today. I have never imagined that I would have to go through this, he tweeted. It was an another reminder that even though I have been here for 5 years working my ass off, I was still considered Other and I have never felt as alone as I did in that station full of people. The city of Houston and the Houston Police Department will have whatever state resources they need to bring swift justice to those involved. I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for the officers injured, and for the continued safety of all law enforcement officers who protect our communities. That includes socialism in all forms, whether 20th-century German National Socialism or todays glossed-over socialism that is condoned and even promoted by those who should know better. The human suffering in todays Cuba and Venezuela are vivid reminders that Socialism does indeed kill. Americans should not tread on the slippery slope of socialism that has always led to misery. The Huawei case has set off a diplomatic spat with the three nations, which has threatened to complicate ties between the U.S. and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China and told Reuters in an interview in December that he would "intervene if I thought it was necessary." This week will be decisive in efforts to form a new government in Lebanon, prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday, adding he was "cautiously optimistic". Rival parties have been negotiating to form a coalition government since a national election in May, fuelling concerns that a crisis is looming for the country's heavily indebted, stagnant economy. "Matters are positive and will become clear within two days... This week is decisive, positively or negatively," Hariri was cited as saying in a statement from his office. On Saturday, the leader of Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said "extraordinary efforts" were being made to form the government, but that two obstacles remained. They are how to include a group of six Sunni lawmakers in the cabinet, and the distribution of government portfolios among the different political parties. Credit ratings agency Moody's last week downgraded Lebanon's sovereign debt, citing the uncertain movement towards forming a government, and Lebanese bonds have suffered in recent weeks. Lebanon is one of the world's most indebted countries and its finance minister has said it is already in an economic crisis that has started to turn into a financial one, and hopes will not become a monetary one. Short link: The design for marriage that we hold to is based upon the design He set forth which is a representation of the bride of Christ joined to the groom (Christ who is God we worship). Given His plan and design for marriage, we dare not veer from His instruction lest we be guilty of altering what he has set forth, read the email signed by Lyle Wise, The Venues owner. Our dispatchers never know what the next call might be, the Lafayette Indiana Police tweeted. They train for many emergency situations, homework help is not one they plan for. We don't recommend 911 for homework help but this dispatcher helped a young boy out and brightened his day. The security guard, identified by TV station ABC 10 only as Tyler, restrained Trujillo as he was trying to get away from detectives. Trujillo, suspected of multiple burglaries in both California and Nevada, had struck an officer after being confronted by authorities at the Best Buy. He was captured following a "short foot pursuit," according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office. The influencers were all featured in a promotional video for the festival. Now, they must explain payments they received from its organizer Billy McFarland as investigators look into what happened to the estimated $26 million that he received from investors in the months leading up to the event. According to police, Minnick, who was also caring for six other infants, was drunk at the time and found an empty wine box in the trash, the Post-Dispatch reported. This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time, and the community will think about this for a long time, Tempe Police Sgt. Ron Elcock said during a press conference on Monday. Debra was found dead in the couples southern Minnesota home, where Death Parde God Hell was reportedly painted on the door and several guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found inside. Duane allegedly answered the door naked, confirmed police had the right house, then returned to his bathtub where he said he was trying to remove some sort of undetectable things from his skin. A 33-year-old officer, who is a 10-year veteran of the force, was struck in the shoulder during the Monday shooting and has since been discharged from the hospital, according Acevedo. A third officer, a 50-year-old sergeant who has been with the Houston Police Department for 27 years, injured his knee and had to undergo surgery. Amato told police his parents had made him enroll in a program for people with internet and sex addiction, then enacted strict rules if he were to live at home. He did not complete the program or obey the rules. When his father kicked him out because he was still in touch with the woman, he left, he told police. "It's better that 100 guilty people go free than one innocent person goes to jail," he said, according to TC Palm. "Our goal is always justice, and there was more than enough reasonable doubt on our part on all those arrests that we would not have left anyone in jail one more minute." Related Palestinian PM willing to quit if president Abbas wishes Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah said on Tuesday he tendered his resignation and that of his unity government to President Mahmoud Abbas, dealing a blow to faltering reconciliation efforts with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers. The government would continue to carry out its duties until a new one was formed, said am official statement issued after a weekly cabinet meeting. Short link: "We got a better picture on how this happened," Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said. "As far as why this happened, that motive is still unclear. We don't know if we will ever have a motive exactly why this happened." I hope that there will be some solace for the families and friends of the victims, and for the community more broadly, said Rachel Giese, editorial director of the Daily Xtra, a Canadian news outlet for the LGBTQ community. However, I dont think this ends the questions about how this was handled by the police, and what will be done to make sure there will be true justice for the victims, for the families, and for the community. Temperatures in the 2,600-person town were in the mid-30s Tuesday, though a light snowstorm forecast for Priceville never came. Chief of Police Rick Williams has since lifted the ban, more or less. The defense rolled out its blink-and-you-missed-it defense case by calling FBI Agent John Roberts and no one else to take the witness stand. As promised, Guzman sat behind the defense table rather than testify under oath in his own defense. The 57-year-old health care worker was dragged into a park and pummeled as she walked to a prayer meeting in Clifton on Jan. 5, police said. A clerical error marked the case closed before Kaliku was questioned about the attack, so no one was looking for the suspect, Linden Beaton, 32, for at least two weeks. She says she has no intention to sue her boss, said the neighbor, who declined to give his name, after speaking to Fortaliza, 53. She says they treat her very good. She says shes still with her sister and will be back in a week. That The Weinstein Companies, as alleged, enticed Canosa to meet with Weinstein through the promise of production deals rather than the promise of crack, does not remove their conduct from the ambit of the (sex trafficking) statute, Engelmayer wrote. Nor does the fact that, as alleged, the companies enabled Weinstein to force sexual acts on Canosa in expensive hotels rather than brothels. Not a penny of public funds should go to the trillion-dollar online titan until it commits to a fair process for Amazon workers in Queens to unionize, the labor leaders demanded. The letters went out just ahead of a planned City Council hearing Wednesday on the financing of the Amazon deal the second of its four scheduled discussions on the controversial agreement. Normans conviction has already taken a heavy toll on him. He spent a lifetime raising himself from a boy filling buckets with water in the South Bronx to being one of the most successful labor leaders in New York Citys history. The reputation that he worked so hard to create is forever tarnished. He lives with the shame of knowing that the unions annuity fund lost money because of an investment he promoted, Seabrook attorney Paul Shechtman writes. Prosecutors say Covlin was aggressive and abusive toward Shele Covlin and killed her because he feared being cut off financially in their divorce. His lawyers say the nasty divorce is not proof of a homicide and that the evidence points to Sheles accidental death. Investigators initially treated it as an accident. Forty families from Cairos Duweika neighborhood have been resettled to El-Asmarat district after a rockslide in the area left them homeless earlier today, according to Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity. The ministry said in a statement that Minister Ghada Wali has instructed the social solidarity directorate in Cairo to give all necessary support and care to the families. There have been no reported injuries or fatalities as a result of the rockslide. Located at El-Muqattam hill in Cairo, Duweika is one of Egypt's most well-known informal housing areas. In 2008, the Duweika area witnessed a rockslide that caused the deaths of 119 people and the injury of dozens more. Short link: She told reporters at the start of the trial on Jan. 17 that Roslyn was more concerned with her image than with grieving her husband. She had to look like she was the star of the show, Carol said. There is a problem with school food and now government needs to respond to the organizing of those impacted, Adams said. Too many of our babies have chronic diseases because of the foods they are fed at school. She knows that Ill be wearing next-to-nothing around a lot of people, he says. Ive been in the modeling industry for 10 years and Ive done many photo shoots in boxers, so Im definitely comfortable in front of a camera with my shirt and pants off. Sales didnt slump, they just didnt grow as they should have, MeToo! founder Ramona Hazan told the Daily News. There are some trends that have emerged in the UK and likely most of the world, namely vegan, gluten-free, healthy, plant-based. Our products literally fit all these trends and they do it in a cool and funky, colorful way on the shelves. They should be selling very well. Although duty calls loud enough for the neighbors to hear, you wish you could sleep late and then lounge on the couch. However, the cuddly Cancer Moon in your 4th House of Security is no match for all the calculating Capricorn planets in your 10th House of Career. Like it or not, there is a pile of work to do and there is no time better than now to get started. But maintaining a practical approach to your responsibilities is tricky today because your mind, when unsupervised, drifts off into your favorite daydreams. Consider yourself warned: if you don't monitor yourself, reality will do it for you. You didnt deserve, nor anybody deserves, to have a noose put around your neck. To have bleach thrown on you. To be called Die f----t, n----r, or whatever they said to you. You are better than that. We are better than that, America is better than that, he said. It starts at home, yo. We have to love each other, regardless of what sexual orientation we are. Because it shows that we are a united front and no racist f--k can come in and do the things that they did to you. Does Mariah Carey really want to be associated with regime that cuts up the body of (a) journalist with a bone saw, beheads people for non-violent drug offenses, tortures women who want to free themselves from the oppressive male guardianship system, makes homosexuality punishable by death, and has created a humanitarian situation in Yemen so severe it has already taken the lives of around 85,000 young Yemeni children? asked Medea Benjamin, one of the organizations co-founders, in a statement. i really dont want to be on this earth anymore, Davidson wrote at the time. im doing my best to stay here for you but i actually dont know how much longer i can last. all ive ever tried to do was help people. just remember i told you so. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi lauded Russia on Tuesday for its contribution to development efforts in Egypt during a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, who arrived in Cairo on Monday. The president praised Russia's contribution to the establishment of the Dabaa nuclear plant, the High Dam and the planned Russian industrial zone in Port Said, according to presidential spokesman Bassam Rady. The president asked Patrushev to convey his greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visiting official conveyed Putins greetings to El-Sisi and expressed his country's appreciation for its relations with Egypt. The meeting discussed consolidating coordination and cooperation on regional issues, challenges in the Middle East, military and security cooperation and the recent developments in the area, especially in Syria and Libya. The two sides underlined the necessity of reaching solutions to these crises in a way that preserves the unity of these countries. Attending the meeting were intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, as well as the Russian ambassador in Cairo. Following his visit to Cairo, Patrushev will head to Abu Dhabi where he will hold meetings with Emirati officials to discuss cooperation between the security councils of Russia and the UAE. Short link: Right behind him is The Weeknd, who has five nods, including Artist of the Year, Fan Choice and Album of the Year for My Dear Melancholy. Alessia Cara is also up for Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Growing Pains." Other nominees include Avril Lavigne, Loud Luxury, Michael Buble and, in the International Album of the Year category, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Maroon 5, Post Malone and Travis Scott. The 2019 Juno Awards, hosted by 12-time Juno winner Sarah McLachlan, will take place Sunday, March 17 in London, Ontario. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Rome, GA (30161) Today Occasional light rain. High 87F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. The Egyptian Ministry of Interior says that police forces have arrested 54 members of the terrorist-designated Muslim Brotherhood group for plotting attacks in Egypt in coordination with the Brotherhoods leadership abroad. The ministry said that intelligence revealed that the leaders of the outlawed group abroad were plotting to sow chaos in the country in January and February to coincide with the anniversary of the 25 January revolution. The suspects plotted to sabotage public roads and terrorise citizens with the aim of disrupting public peace and harming the country's national interests, according to the ministry. The MB leadership abroad formed a group on the internet which included members of the Muslin Brotherhood and anti-state elements inside the country under the name "O Allah, Revolution," holding a number of meetings abroad to plan the execution of their terrorist plot, the statement added. The ministry said that the suspects were found in possession of cash and materials used in riots to block roads and set fires. The ministry said that it is working to identify and arrest the remaining members of the group, which is led by Yasser El-Omda, a fugitive Brotherhood leader currently residing in Turkey. Short link: La Fayette, GA (30728) Today Becoming partly cloudy after some morning light rain. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Calhoun, GA (30701) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain throughout the day. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Localized flooding is possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bol Tinubu, has described Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidentialcandifate o... The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bol Tinubu, has described Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidentialcandifate of the Peoples emocratic Party (PDP) as a latter day democrat who once hobnobbed with Nigerias maximum ruler, Late Gen. Sani Abacha. Tinubu who was responding to the state of the nation address by Atiku on Monday, described Atiku as a supporter of reactionary government and blatant impunity. His previous life of over seventy years was one of skirting democracy and of blatant impunity in attempting to enshrine reactionary government and installing an unjust political economy on the backs of the people, Tinubu said in his statement. Read the full text below:. The PDPs presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku, recently made comments regarding suspension of CJN Onnoghen. Atikus release is entitled State of the nation address. I encourage everyone to read it. In its disregard for the truth and patent misrepresentations, it will go down in political history as a classic of self-incrimination. Atiku thinks the piece exalts him. Instead it evinces his penchant for willful misstatement that make him unfit for the office he now seeks and has always coveted. In the statement, he claims to have dedicated all his life to the defense of democracy. Those of you who know him, and even those who dont, know this is not true. If all of his life has been dedicated to support for democracy, then he is far too young to run for president; however, I must congratulate him for having somehow managed to find or begin a second life. This rebirth as a defender of democracy must have taken place only a few short hours ago. His previous life of over seventy years was one of skirting democracy and of blatant impunity in attempting to enshrine reactionary government and installing an unjust political economy on the backs of the people. In his address, he claims the nation has entered a difficult moment. To my dear and good friend Atiku, I say the difficulty is not so much with the moment but with your memory. When you lorded over Nigeria in tandem with President Obasanjo, there were myriad court orders mandating that your government render to Lagos state the funds due it to improve the lives of its millions of inhabitants. Instead, you gladly and without dispute joined Obasanjo in utter disregard for these unambiguous legal verdicts. In so doing, you demeaned the rule of law. You also readily sacrificed the economic development and welfare of millions of innocent people in Lagos just to gain some illicit political advantage that proved to be fleeting and of no avail to you in the end. You now speak of democracy and the need for executive restraint. But such verbal finery never crossed your lips or traversed your pen when you and Obasanjo improperly removed Senate Presidents more easily than a trendy cad exchanges a pair of shoes or changes the subject of his false affections. Your love for democracy is such that you were recently observed apologising to the PDP for not rigging the Lagos 2003 gubernatorial polls as you did the polls in the other Southwestern states. Instead of repenting for rigging at least five states too many, your expressed regret was that you had not rigged enough; that you rigged one state less than the complete mauling of democracy your party and your principal had mandated. Regarding such a destructive love as this, I am sure democracy and fair elections would rather do without. A few weeks ago in a televised broadcast you even revealed to the people that your official policy envisioned the base enrichment of your friends should you achieve the presidency. I must assume that your lifetime as a defender of democracy began after this long record of unjust deeds and even after your latest statement of intent to mould Nigeria into an oligarchy. If this is not the case and if all these things you have done and said are consistent with your current notion of democracy, then there is but one conclusion. The democracy you now claim to support remains a rather strange breed of democracy, such as to be nigh indistinguishable from the regressive, rentier political economy you designed and foisted on Nigeria as the crafty lieutenant of the bullish Obasanjo. Strange that you would choose to depict the current situation so inaccurately as to stir emotions unduly. You claim that CJN Onnoghen has been removed. However, this is not so. He has been temporarily suspended. You and your advisors should know and recognize the vast legal difference between suspension and removal. Yet you persist in conflating the two in what you say is a pursuit of justice. While true you may be in pursuit of something. It is not justice. If justice was your goal, you would acknowledge that the CJN has only been temporarily suspended not permanently removed. Thus, your recourse to saying that the president violated the constitutional provision regarding the removal of a CJN is inaccurate in that Buhari never intended to remove the CJN. What he has done is to have the CJN temporarily get out of his chair so that the serious matters against him can be heard by someone other than himself. Should the charges show themselves to be wrong or unproven, the CJN will be automatically reinstated as the head of the Nigerian judiciary. However, for Atiku to state that the CJN should remain on seat while credible and grave charges swirl around him is to put the entire workings of the Supreme Court under a heavy cloud. It is ironic that Atiku of all people throw such darts at President Buhari. Buhari actually exercised considerable restraint in this matter. He has reasonably balanced concerns about the integrity of the judiciary with concerns for the individual rights of the accused. Nothing has been taken from the CJN that cannot be restored if the facts warrant such restoration. Thus, President Buhari conditionally suspended the CJN. By doing so, this allows for the case to move forward without the CCT or others fearing the CJN might use his position to unduly interfere with proceedings. If the CJN is exonerated, then he will return to his position. If not exonerated, then a more permanent discipline awaits him. This is an imminently fair and balanced approach, especially given the fact that the constitution and other laws really do not provide clear and unambiguous guidance in how to proceed in a case whether the CJN is the defendant under this unique fact pattern. While Atiku rails against Buhari because of this act of restraint, we can but imagine the tack Chief Obasanjo and Atiku would have taken if they presided over this situation. By now, they would have put CJN Onnoghen in the stocks or shipped him off to that infamous farm in Ota where he would have begun his new career in plucking poultry. It is curious that Atiku would take up the marker of a jurist who has enjoyed the sweet but hidden benefits of several million dollars of mystery money passing through his secret bank accounts, Even when discovered, these accounts held several hundred thousands of dollars in them. Someone in Atikus position would normally be wary of a judge thusly tainted. A politician in Atikus position should more objectively be concerned that the government would have been the source of the hidden funds or that government would use the fact of the clandestine money as leverage against the judge to make sure he did governments bidding for surely this a jurist highly compromised by pecuniary indiscretion. It is almost unnatural that an opposition candidate would champion the soiled cause of such a judge who seems to have sold something in exchange for the money found in his vests secret pockets. Yet, Atiku now cries the anguished cry of a man who thought he had won the lottery only to find he had misread the last number on his claim ticket. Or perhaps these are the tears of a man who thought he had invested in a sure deal only to see the reason for the investment evaporate before his very eyes. Now, Atiku and his cohort seek to turn their personal disappointment into a burning national issue. They seek to manufacture a constitutional crisis where none exists. They said they suspended their campaign because of this matter. Here, they are as illogical as illogic can beget. By suspending their campaign, did that mean they were permanently ending it? Of course not! That would be a boycott or the permanent removal of the campaign. No, they have resumed their campaign after temporarily suspending it. If they know the meaning of suspend in this regard, only malign intent allows them to feign ignorance to the meaning of the word suspend when applied to CJN Onnoghen. There is no need to quake at the solitary incident of the interim suspension of a justice pending the legal resolution of serious criminal claims against him. If this matter is shorn of the political trappings it has acquired, there is no fairer way to handle the matter. Atiku, I gather, would rather leave the man in seat and allow the charges against him to go unattended. Or Atiku would rather that the CJN preside over his own trial. Such is the logical conclusion of Atikus position. It is an odd bravery that would lead Atiku to stake such a position. If Atiku is as oddly courageous as he now depicts, then let him venture a step further. Pray tell, let Atiku tell us what good and precious thing he and the PDP rendered that they cannot even countenance the temporary and conditional suspension of a single jurist until the charges of illegality against the man have been fully resolved in open proceedings conducted by his judicial peers. Atiku claims to be a democrat and defender of democracy, but where was he, his voice and action during Abachas suffocating maximum rule? Was he not a member and cheer-leader of one of the five Abacha parties aptly described then as five leprous fingers of Abacha? Did he even have the courage to visit his mentor, late Major General Shehu Musa Yar Adua, in jail for fear of Abacha stopping him from running for the governorship of Adamawa? A suspected hit-and-run was, on Monday, arraigned before an Ogun Magistrates Court sitting in Isabo for allegedly killing five female s... A suspected hit-and-run was, on Monday, arraigned before an Ogun Magistrates Court sitting in Isabo for allegedly killing five female students in a crash in Abeokuta. The victims reportedly lost their lives when an unmarked Toyota Avensis car crashed into them along the Abiola Way, Olorunsogo, Abeokuta. The police arraigned the suspect before Magistrate Basirat Adebowale on three counts of dangerous driving, causing untimely death and driving without a driving licence. The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges. The police prosecutor, Hammed Moshood, told the court that Shoyoye drove the car in a dangerous manner and caused the untimely death of Rokibat Olorode, 18; Halimo Adeyemi, 18; Ayisat Ajibabi, 19; and Mistura Hammed, 18, all students of the Ogun State Technical College, Olobe, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, as well as one 13-year-old Odunayo Akingbade. The prosecutor added that the offences were contrary to and punishable under sections 5, 6 (1) and 10 (1) of the Federal Highway Act Cap F:13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has condemned the comment by the governments of the United K... The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has condemned the comment by the governments of the United Kingdom, UK, United States, US, and the European Union, EU, over the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari. Oshiomhole said Nigeria wont accept any foreign interference in its politics because judges get dismissed in Europe and the United States without interference. He spoke at the Presidential Villa after the APC Senate caucus and the partys senatorial candidates met with Buhari, yesterday. According to Oshiomhole Nigeria is not a colony. We will not accept any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria. They (judges) have been dismissed across the world when they are found guilty of corruption and the western world cannot, on the one hand when it suits them, describe Nigeria as fantastically corrupt and when a corrupt judicial officer is being charged, people want to interfere. I think we all have to be careful. We must defend the sovereignty of our country. We welcome collaboration, we welcome peer review; we can compare notes. The multi-security taskforce maintaining peace in Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), yesterday, paraded 11 suspects for cattle ... The multi-security taskforce maintaining peace in Plateau State, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), yesterday, paraded 11 suspects for cattle rustling, possession of fire arms as well as drug peddling. The suspect are Timothy Dung, Joel Sunday, James Elisha, Solomon Monday, Chollom Kim John, Jonathan Gwon, Nehemiah Gwom Tsok, Isa Abubakar, Chinedu Egbebuike and Yusuf Sule. The Special Task Force Commander, Major General Augustine Agundu, said Gwom and Tsok were found in possession of locally made AK47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and a Beretta pistol loaded with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition. Agundu explained that the suspects were en route Mararaban Foron junction in Barkin Ladi at the time of their arrest and were suspected to have participated in the January 2 attacks on Nding and Jong villages in the area. He said troops also apprehended Elisha, at Rakwok village in Barkin Ladi in possession of an AK47 rifle loaded with one round of 7.62mm ammunition. The suspect, believed to be a cattle rustler, accidentally shot himself on his left foot while attempting to flee on sighting our troops. Preliminary investigations revealed that Elisha and his gang members have been operating within Barkin Ladi and its environs, he said. The commander also paraded Abubakar, a corps member serving at Ancha community school in Isukwaito Local Government Area of Abia State who was found in a commercial vehicle en-route Jos with 477 sachets of illicit drugs suspected to be Flunitrazepzm. He said preliminary investigation led to the arrest of another drug peddler at Saint Murumba in Jos with 146 sachets of the same drug, adding that opinions sampled in the course of investigation revealed that the drugs were well sought after by youth gangs due to its propensity to aid perpetration of crimes. Agundu also stated that the OPSH special operations team yesterday apprehended one Yusuf Sule who claimed to be a lawyer and member of the Peace Corps with a Beretta pistol and 95 rounds of 9mm ammunition at his residence in Dagwom Du Rayfield. During a visit to Egypt's Al-Azhar Sheikhdom headquarters in Cairo on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron told Al-Azhars Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayyeb that France appreciates the institutions role in combating extremist ideas. Macrons visit to Al-Azhar wraps up his first official trip to Egypt, which started on Sunday with a stop at Aswan, where he visited Abu Simbel Temple. During the visit to Al-Azhar by Macron and his wife Brigitte, El-Tayyeb said that the French president's visit carries special significance given the historical relations between France and Al-Azhar. The grand imam of Al-Azhar the world's oldest institute of Sunni Islamic learning said that studies and visits to France by Al-Azhar scholars have helped them become symbols of thought and culture in Egypt, and that the French schools of thought are still the most influential among the institutions scholars. "These historical relations commit us to helping France defeat terrorism," El-Tayyeb said, affirming that Al-Azhar is committed to confronting those who kill others in the name of religion. El-Tayyeb also said that Al-Azhar is prepared to provide scholarships for French students to study at the institute to help turn France into a hub for spreading moderate Islamic thought in Europe. The grand imam affirmed that the message of Islam is peace, which is always promoted by Al-Azhar. "Al-Azhar is ready to help stop anyone in any part of the world from getting killed in the name of religion," El-Tayyeb told the French president. El-Tayyeb also said that Al-Azhar is continuously working to build bridges of dialogue with the West and major religious institutions such as the Vatican, the World Council of Churches and the Archbishopric of Canterbury, referring to his expected participation in the UAE's Global Conference for Human Fraternity in February next year. The conference is held in cooperation with the Vatican to spread peace among the followers of different religions. Macron said he is glad to be meeting with one of the most important Islamic figures in the world, expressing his desire to increase cooperation with Al-Azhar to promote the values of citizenship, coexistence and stability in French society and confront extremist thoughts that infect young Muslims in France. Macron also encouraged all French imams and preachers to receive training at Al-Azhar University and to ensure respect for the principals of citizenship and stability, stressing the importance of boosting cultural relations between Al-Azhar and France by exchanging scholarships and building academic relations. Meeting with Pope Tawadros II Earlier on Tuesday, Macron visited St Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's Abbasiya district and met with the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II. In a televised press conference at the Cathedral, Pope Tawadros II told Macron that stability and peace will only be achieved through dialogue, pointing out that there is a continuous dialogue to preserve national unity through a number of Islamic and Coptic institutions in the country. The pope explained that Egyptian society is built upon with the foundations of national unity, adding that no one can differentiate between an Egyptian Copt and his Muslim brother when walking the streets of Cairo. On Monday, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his wife received the French president and first lady at Cairo's Ittihadiya Presidential Palace. New agreements During his visit, the French president also witnessed the signing of a number of agreements between the two countries to develop education, social protection, health, transportation, foreign affairs, trade, culture and youth issues in Egypt. The two presidents also held a press conference where they exchanged views on international issues and the human rights situation in Egypt. Macron said that during his meeting with El-Sisi, he stressed that stability and security cannot be separated from human rights. El-Sisi said that the Egyptian people alone can assess the political, economic and social rights they enjoy, and he highlighted Egypt's advancements in healthcare and social housing. The two presidents also took part in the Egyptian-French joint economic forum on Monday evening. Macron's first visit to Egypt comes amid unrest in France as a result of the so-called yellow vest protests, which have now reached 11 weeks of marches against Macron's economic reforms. The visit also marked the start of 'France-Egypt 2019,' which was launched earlier this year by El-Sisi and his French counterpart to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Suez Canal. Egypt and France have strengthened economic and military ties since El-Sisi assumed office in 2014. Egypt's President El-Sisi last 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. Short link: Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taunted Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (C... taunted Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), over the accounts with foreign currencies reportedly traced to him. Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), hastaunted Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), over the accounts with foreign currencies reportedly traced to him. After replacing Onnoghen with Ibrahim Muhammad, Buhari said security agencies traced foreign currencies to him, Speaking with journalists after Buhari held a meeting with senators of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential villa, Abuja, Oshiomhole said defended the presidents action. Oshiomhole said rather than criticise Buhari over the action, people ought to ask if suspended CJN is guilty of the allegations made against him. Now, if a chief justice of the federation admits that he has breached the law; if a chief justice of the federation admits that he has several foreign domiciliary accounts, even though he also admits that by nature of his office, he is not a trader, what is he doing with accounts in British pounds, US dollars and in Euros and to the extent of forgetting that he has those accounts? he asked. If he has such memory failure about the size of his number of accounts as to fail to declare them, you and I know that not even ignorance is an excuse in law. So, where are we being hypocritical? And at a certain level of responsibility, its not even about legal technicalities. Its about the moral weight, the moral burden you carry. So, nobody should make us feel as though we are at the mercy of any other country. The future of Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians and our laws clear. Our laws are meant to be obeyed. Some people say even if it is true, is this the proper timing? What is the best timing to prosecute a crime? Should we suspend criminal justice pending elections? In separate statements, the US and UK had expressed concern over the timing of the suspension of Onnoghen, saying the action could have effect on the credibility of the elections. But Oshiomhole reacted saying: interference is not acceptable because Nigeria is no longer a colony. He said the western world cannot refer to Nigeria as fantastically corrupt on one hand, and on the other, choose to interfere when the country take steps to deal with corrupt individuals. The thing is that Nigeria is not a colony. I think we all have to be careful. We must defend the sovereignty of our country, Oshiomhole said. We welcome collaboration, we welcome peer review, we can compare notes, we welcome people who are interested in sharing experiences with us whenever the need arises, whether its capacity building, making useful suggestions on how we can continue to improve on our electoral process. Those are very valuable contributions that we appreciate. But Nigeria is not a colony. We will not accept any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria. Judges have been dismissed in the United States when they are found guilty of corruption, the Western world cannot on the one hand, when it suits them, describe Nigeria as fantastically corrupt and when a corrupt judicial officer is being charged, people want to interfere. By Fredrick Nwabufo In the time of the pharaohs of Egypt, when African civilisation was at its apogee, dreams were considered an elem... In the time of the pharaohs of Egypt, when African civilisation was at its apogee, dreams were considered an elemental means of communication from the divine. The story of Joseph and an Egyptian king in the Bible assents this. In Igbo cosmology, dreams, nlo, are often not weighed with levity. They are studied through priestly oneirology and interpreted. And even in Pentecostalism dreams have a place. Lately, I have been thinking pensively about the political future of the Igbo in Nigeria. And as it is, there appears to be no forecast of sunshine, but of dark clouds. The late Emeka Ojukwu envisioned APGA to be a melting-pot for all Igbo interests and a political bargaining-asset for the south-east. But today, the party is sequestered to an insignificant corner in the region. Since 2017, APGA has galloped from one scandal to another. The primary elections conducted by the party in 2018 soaked up lots of acrimony, accusations of fraud, extortion, intimidation, imposition and other dirt. And it keeps floundering. Recently, the party endorsed the candidature of President Buhari. Inasmuch as I think the party is well within its rights do so, but I wonder, to what end? Is there a guarantee that there will be support for Igbo presidency in 2023? And is there a pledge to restructuring Nigeria, which the Igbo earnestly demand, by the endorsed candidate? Or is the endorsement a personal arrangee? I would really like to know what informed the partys decision, though I am not a member of the party or any political party. But Ojukwu came to me in my dream last night. He looked mournful, with tears like Kaduna railway tracks lining his face and soiling his heavy beard. And with a belaboured cadence, he uttered, APGA! I woke up. I am not a dream interpreter. But I think the message is clear. Or could it be a function of my mind; worries? In all, I would advise young and progressive Igbo sons and daughters to identify with a political party; a fledgling party, not the APC and the PDP, which have been tainted. They should make the desired party their own and forge it into a strong force by reaching out to their siblings in the south-west, south-south, north, and middle-belt. They should make the desired party their own and forge it into a strong force by reaching out to their siblings in the south-west, south-south, north, and middle-belt. The elders have failed us. But we cannot fail ourselves. These elders fan the flames of ethnicity and religion when they want to extract political profit. But the real ethnicity of the political class is power and their true religion is money. We cannot have a forecast of political sunshine, if we work in isolation of other stakeholders in this entity. The elders know this, but they only enter into negotiations for themselves, their families and side chicks. We cannot fail ourselves. Fredrick is a media personality. Facebook: Fredrick Nwabufo, Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo By Fredrick Nwabufo Controversial Ghanaian marriage Counsellor, Reverend George Lutterodt has made another controversial comment which is causing mixed reac... Controversial Ghanaian marriage Counsellor, Reverend George Lutterodt has made another controversial comment which is causing mixed reaction on social media. Reverend Lutterodt who has always received backlash for some of his comments, was recently hosted by Berla Mundi on a show on GHOne TV, where he spoke sex before marriage or after marriage. During the discussion, he stated that women should buy gifts for the man who broke their virginity. He also added that for a woman to lose her virginity is an experience that will forever be remembered, so they should be grateful to anyone who brings that kind of experience into their lives. The controversial marriage counsellor also claimed that men who cannot take their women to orgasm during s3xual intercourse will go to hell. Any man who cannot lead his woman to orgasm is a candidate for hell. he told Berla Mundi, the host of the show. A former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu says he is ready to face trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N7.6bil... A former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu says he is ready to face trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N7.6billion fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He said this on Monday while fielding questions from newsmen at his country home in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of the state. While speaking on his achievements as governor, Kalu said he has never stolen from the treasury of Abia state, adding that he is ready to face any trial. Kalu, however, expressed concerns over Justice Mohammed Idris decision to adjourn his trail indefinitely. He said: I have so much respect for Justice Mohammed Idris because of the way he handles his court. I feel court must be a place of justice. I dont know why he adjourned my trial indefinitely, but as long as I am healthy I will go to court. I have never run away from trial. I am very prepared for trial. Im very willing to take my trial; theres no commissioner under my administration when I was the governor of the state who said I stole money. There are 19 witnesses and none of them have said I have stolen money. Its only Justice Idris that can explain why my trial was adjourned indefinitely. I have no right to judge him; there are other courts who will judge how correct his final decision will be on my trial. Kalu also insinuated that the court case was being influenced by political enemies, who want to malign him. Justice Idris on Wednesday said he could not continue adjudicating on the trial of Kalu because the Court of Appeal President Zainab Bulkachuwa did not give him a fiat to do so. Gunmen on Monday hijacked a 14-seater commercial bus after killing the driver and two passengers in Rivers state. The incident occur... Gunmen on Monday hijacked a 14-seater commercial bus after killing the driver and two passengers in Rivers state. The incident occurred within Rumuekpe, in Elele-Ndele axis of East-West Road, in Emohua local government area of the state. Our reporter gathered that gunmen were responsible for violent crimes perpetrated along Elele-Ndele in Emohua, and other neighbouring communities along the East-West road. A witness account said that the suspected kidnappers hijacked the commercial bus, which belonged to a popular transport company after sporadic shooting at the vehicle and occupants. The witness said the hoodlums diverted the bus after taking some of the occupants as hostages. When contacted, the spokesman of Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said that the men of the Command are making effort to secure the release of the abducted passengers. He said the bodies of those that died during the incident have been deposited in the mortuary. Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared that Mondays judgement of the Ekiti State Election Tribunal affirming him as the ... Ekiti state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared that Mondays judgement of the Ekiti State Election Tribunal affirming him as the validly elected Governor of the state is a re-affirmation of the wishes of the vast majority of Ekiti people. Fayemi, who hailed the judgement as another proof that the wishes of the people will always prevail, said he is forever grateful to Ekiti people for electing him as governor for a second term and by standing by his government. It is a victory for all Ekiti people. This is democracy at work. This is a reflection of the wishes of our people and I dedicate the victory to our people, Fayemi said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode. The governor also urged his main challenger, the PDP candidate, Prof. Olusola Eleka, to join hands with him and the rest of Ekiti in taking the state to the next level of development and prosperity. It is a great day for democracy. And the judiciary has proven again that it is the last hope of the common man. We shall now continue with the task of rebuilding our state and restoring the core values of our people without any iota of distraction, he said. Dr. Fayemi also urged his supporters to be magnanimous in victory and celebrate in moderation, saying that he remains the governor of all Ekitis regardless of party affiliation. It is a victory for all of us and together we shall restore the states lost glory. Our desire is to bring back peace, progress and prosperity to Ekiti State. The journey has just begun. I call on the PDP candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo, who is an illustrious son of the state, to join us in the efforts to take the state to the next level of development and prosperity, the statement added. President Muhammadu Buhari has urged traditional rulers to caution politicians against utterances that could affect smooth conduct of th... President Muhammadu Buhari has urged traditional rulers to caution politicians against utterances that could affect smooth conduct of this years general elections and by extension the peace and unity of Nigeria. He made the plea on Monday in Abuja at the 10th General Assembly of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), themed: Building a synergy towards free, fair, credible and violent-free 2019 general election the role of traditional rulers. Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the President said being the closest institution to the people, the government believe that the royal fathers enjoy loyalty and respect of their subjects, hence the need to promote causes that would herald greater transformation and socio-economic and political development in Nigeria. He described the traditional institutions as repository of local intelligence, hence the periodic consultation and regular meetings with the government for a better Nigeria. He said: We have had in the past various degrees of violence during previous elections which was outcome irresponsible utterances, hate speech by some desperate politicians apparently designed to provoke or incite violence. That would not be tolerated again. Your positions as traditional rulers accord you considerable influence and respect of your subjects. So I urge you to take up your responsibility of guidance and counselling, and enlighten your subjects on the need to shun animosity, conflict and violence during or after the elections. It is also important that you mobilise them to participate in the electoral process by voting candidates or party of their choice without fear of molestation, intimidation or harassment. Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, who is the Co-chairman of council, expressed worry over the rate of insecurity in Nigeria, which he said, could mar the credibility of the forthcoming elections. At the 9th general assembly, the former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, briefed the council on his effort to provide security for Nigerians. But unfortunately, the case of insecurity assumed worst dimension in last one year. Bandits have had field days in Sokoto and Zamfara states, kidnapping is order of the day, among several other crimes, he said. He however challenged the government to step up security ahead of the election, so it could guarantee safety of voters in and out of polling stations. He also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to harnesses views and suggestions of all stakeholders which are relevant in accordance to law, to ensure free, fair, credible and globally accepted elections by all parties. In his keynote, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, inundated the traditional rulers with the preparations and other efforts made by the commission to ensure credibility of the polls. He however solicited their support to sensitise and enlighten Nigerians at the grassroot to participate and make informed choice of leaders in the forthcoming elections. He also lamented that the commissions greatest fear was insecurity and misuse of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC), which many Nigerians have taken as a major alternative to the National Identity Card. He also lament that the last party primaries for the 2019 elections were the most problematic such that the commission has been taken to the courts 639 times, 186 protests and petitions; and 584 applications for certified true copies of documents. The chairman of the South East governors forum, Chief David Umahi has few days to the general election in the country revealed how he w... The chairman of the South East governors forum, Chief David Umahi has few days to the general election in the country revealed how he was betrayed by the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Ebonyi state, Senator Sunny Ogbuorji. Recall that Umahi and Ogbuorji were good friends since 2015, when both of them united and fought the former governor, Martin Elechi to hand over power to Ebonyi south zone. Umahi while addressing a mammoth crowd at a rally that took place at Agbaji community in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state, stated that the APC Guber candidate lacked the capacity to rule the state, stressing that Ogbuorji has never served anybody and as such cannot be served by another person. He said: Any person that didnt serve can never be served by another. By not serving, he is minus hundred. He has not started. When Ogbuorji betrayed us, I knelt down and raised my two hands up and said, father in the name of Jesus Christ, betrayal will follow this man. And that is what is happening. Everywhere he (Ogbuorji) goes, betrayal will follow him all the days of his life. I command 60 per cent of his followers and they are working for me, and that is the product of betrayal. Earlier in his remark, the former governor of the state, Senator Sam Egwu, also warned members of the APC in Ebonyi to stop provoking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the governor Chief David Umahi into violence. Egwu who is the senator representing Ebonyi North Federal constituency further accused APC of destroying billboards and posters belonging to the candidates of the PDP, which according to him was an action aimed at provoking the state government into fight and violence. He noted that Ebonyi state was known for peace and progress and no one should stir up crisis that would result into killings of innocent people and destruction of properties. He said: Posters will not win election. Go and do your campaign. Go and convince people and stop coursing trouble. PDP are doing campaign and they are peaceful. This is my plea to APC people. Please do your campaign and stop fighting people. Ebonyi state is known for peace. Ebonyi is known for progress.Election is not all about fighting and killing or oppressing people anyhow. And if there are any PDP people that are doing that, I want to appeal that we all shelve our sword. And election should be done the way it should be done. This is our prayer and I believe that God has answered our prayers he stated. The presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the APC-led Federal Government of engineering a needless crisis in ... The presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the APC-led Federal Government of engineering a needless crisis in the country. Atiku who addressed a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, which he described as anti-democratic, must be voted out of power on February 16, for Nigeria to reclaim its lost grounds. Atiku, a former vice president, said the unlawful removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, by Buhari was an action which constituted a flagrant breach of Nigerias constitution and a frontal assault on the nations democracy. He said Nigerians had been brought to a perilous situation under the present government where court orders and constitution were thrown to the wind. Yet again, our dear country is passing through a difficult moment. How we react to this challenge in the following days will determine the fate of our democracy, which has been brought to great peril by this needless crisis engineered by a government that is unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of our constitution, Atiku said. The serial disregard of court orders and consequent violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights of our citizens confirm beyond all doubt that Gen. Buhari and his government would rather obey their own whims and operate by separate rules outside the well-established constitutional order and the rule of law. It scarcely requires emphasis that this behaviour is alien to democratic rule and more in line with that of a military dictator. Without a doubt, the fight against corruption is crucial to good governance and the progress of our country. In this context, the issue of corruption as it relates to the institution of the judiciary is even more crucial. As the last refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not only be above suspicion but must also be seen to be manifestly above board. The issue at stake is not whether the chief justice is guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has been done in accordance with the process specified in our constitution. As a democrat, I must say, without equivocation, that no mission or goal, no matter how noble or well-intended, should be used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our democratic institutions, he said. The former Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said hes ready to face trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged ... The former Governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said hes ready to face trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N7.6 billion fraud levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He stated this on Monday in his country home in Bende local government of Abia state while answering fielding questions from newsmen ahead of President Muhammadu Buharis visit to the state tomorrow. He said hes willing and ever ready to face trial, saying he never stole any money from the state governments treasury during his tenure. I have so much respect for Justice Mohammed Idris because of the way he handles his court. I feel court must be a place of Justice. I dont know why he adjourned my trial indefinitely, but as long as I am healthy I will go to court. I have never run away from trial. I am very prepared for trial, he said. Im very willing to take my trial; theres no commissioner under my administration when I was the governor of the state who said I stole money. There are 19 witnesses and none of them have said I have stolen money. Its only Justice Idris that can explain why my trail was adjourned indefinitely. I have no right to judge him; there are other courts who will judge how correct his final decision will be on my trial, the former governor added. Kalu noted that hes been persecuted by perceived political enemies. A mayor in the western Japanese prefecture of Hyogo is in hot water for calling a senior city official "stupid" and suggesting the official "burn down" a local building that stood in the way of the construction of a new road. "All that has been reported by the media is true. I deeply regret such unforgivable behavior," the apologetic Akashi city Mayor Fusaho Izumi said at a press conference on Tuesday. In the heated exchange in June 2017, a raging Izumi reportedly told the official to burn the building which was home to businesses and residences. He was not, however, literally instructing the official to organize the building to be destroyed by fire, rather he was instructing him to use all means possible to evict the building's tenants and move the project forward. This month, Mark Zuckerberg announced that his pledge for this new year is to host a series of public discussions about the future of technology in society. He added that he intends to try different formats to keep it interesting, and we in Britain would like to suggest such an event for him. Perhaps he could present information in our Parliament to the digital, culture, media and sport select committee that I head something he refused to do in 2018. Or if that doesnt work for him, I would be happy to reconvene the special International Grand Committee, which met at the House of Commons in November and included lawmakers from Britain, Canada, Ireland, France, Latvia, Brazil, Argentina and Singapore. Indeed, we offered Zuckerberg plenty of opportunities to have these discussions last year. These committees met with the intention of discussing the following with him: the Cambridge Analytica Facebook data breach scandal; the Russian governments use of social media platforms to interfere in the politics of democracies around the world; the anti-competitive nature of some of Facebooks business practices; and Facebooks harmful content policies. He didnt want to have these discussions then, but we hope that hes sincere and wants to have them now. Last year, Facebook lashed out instead of opening up. It criticised the investigations of The New York Times into the company, it criticised the investigatory work of my committee, and it claimed that both investigations demonstrated unfair bias against them. It refused to appreciate that its customers have genuine concerns about the way Facebook gathers data from its users and makes it available to other companies through advertising targeting tools or reciprocal sharing agreements. Last November, my committee published documents from the California app developer Six4Three. These documents showed how some small tech companies have suffered thanks to the way Facebook handles its relationships with app developers, while big commercial clients of the company (like Airbnb, Netflix and Lyft) enjoyed privileged access to user data that was denied to most other companies. For example, these documents showed how with just four words Yup, go for it Zuckerberg gave the order to effectively shut down Vine, a competitor video sharing app, by denying it access to Facebook friends data. It is a scandal that Facebook allowed a Russian Internet agency to break election laws by buying advertising to target American voters during the 2016 election season. It is a scandal that they knew about the problems with Cambridge Analytica in late 2015 but informed their users about the data breach only after the whistleblower Chris Wylie brought the whole story to the publics attention. Its a scandal that we still dont know how many other companies managed to acquire Facebook data in a way similar to Cambridge Analyticas. Britain is ready to discuss the future of technology in society with Zuckerberg, whenever hes ready. But we arent going to wait for him. Were having those discussions now. In fact, my goals for the year ahead arent very different from Zuckerbergs. This month, my select committee will produce our final report in our inquiry into disinformation and the many issues we have examined related to Facebook and other social media companies. We also recently began an inquiry into the ethics and practices of addictive and immersive media. I believe we should give tech companies limited liability for harmful and illegal content that has been posted on their sites. If a company has been notified of this content or should have reasonably been able to discover it on its own, then it should be required to take it down promptly or be held responsible for its still being there. This principle has already been established in Germany, where the government requires the tech companies to act against content that is in breach of the countrys hate speech laws. As in industries like banking, telecommunications and broadcasting, we need regulators to oversee the systems that tech companies have in place to gather and manage user data, and act against harmful content. These regulators should have the power to go into tech companies and gain access to otherwise protected information to complete their investigations. If the companies are found to be behaving irresponsibly, then the regulators could act against them. In Britain, we have already established these powers for the data protection regulator, the information commissioner. However, we also need a regulator with similar powers to take enforcement action against poor content management. I have taken a great interest in the debate in the United States relating to political advertising and the Honest Ads Act introduced by Sens Amy Klobuchar, Mark Warner and John McCain. Citizens should have the right to know who is buying political ads online, why they are being targeted with them and which candidates the ads are there to support. Social media companies have said that they will introduce these policies on their platforms, but they should be required to do so by law; we should not just rely on their good will. In Britain, the information commissioner has questioned the legality of Facebooks allowing advertisers to target users based on their political views, and without their direct consent, by including them in the look-alike audiences they make available to campaigns. So much of our lives is organised through social media, and many people use social media platforms as the main source of information about the world around them. We cannot allow this public space to become a complete wild West, with little or no protection for the citizen user. The rights and responsibilities that we enjoy in the real world need to exist and be protected online as well. The longtime head of the worlds Yazidis, a minority whose Iraqi community was ferociously targeted by the Islamic State group, has died in Germany after a long illness, officials said yesterday. Prince Tahseen Said Ali died in the KRH Siloah hospital in Hanover at the age of 85, according to the head of the Iraqi Kurdish regions head of Yazidi affairs, Khairi Buzani. Born in 1933 in Iraqs northwest Sheikhan district, he was appointed head of the Yazidis at age 11 after the death of his father, who was the previous emir. He later moved to Germany, home of the biggest expatriate Yazidi community. He will be buried in the coming days in Iraqi Kurdistan, said Iraqi Yazidi parliamentarian Vian Dakhil. Dakhil said that before dying, Prince Tahseen had appointed his son, Hazem, to succeed him. Iraqi officials, including Finance Minister Fuad Hussein and the Kurdistan regions prime minister Nechirvan Barzani, sent condolences to the princes family on Monday. The Yazidi faith emerged in Iran more than 4,000 years ago and is rooted in Zoroastrianism, over time integrating elements of Islam and Christianity. With no holy book and organised into castes, Yazidis pray to God facing the sun and worship his seven angels -- first and foremost Melek Taus, or Peacock Angel. Of the worlds 1.5 million Yazidis, around 550,000 were living in the remote corners of northern Iraq, where their holiest site Lalish lies and where Prince Tahseen was born. In 2014, the Islamic State group rampaged across northern Iraq and seized the Yazidi bastion of Sinjar, near the border with Syria. IS fighters slaughtered thousands of Yazidi men and boys, then abducted women and girls to be abused as sex slaves. The Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) organised a workshop titled Best Government Practices in Cloud Computing in collaboration with Microsoft and the attendance of more than 100 specialists representing 67 government and semi-government entities in the IT field. Successful enterprise experiences were showcased during the workshop in implementing cloud computing solutions of entities under the umbrella of a government agreement with Microsoft. Conducting such significant workshop comes in line with iGAs continuous efforts that aim at enhancing government processes and services more effectively as well as supporting the migration of the public sector to work through the cloud in coincidence with Kingdoms vision and in order to improve efficiency of this sector, promote greater productivity as well as enable the delivery of advanced services through a national cloud system that saves time and effort; in addition to deliver high-level of security and less operational efficiency. Digital transformation has the power to better protect and serve the needs of citizens by building modern workplaces for government entities, said Shaikh Saif Hilal AlHosni, General Manager for Microsoft Bahrain and Oman. The Government of Bahrain has formerly begun taking great leaps and bounds to succeed in this journey. Through its technologies and cloud solutions, Microsoft supports government efforts to achieve the Kingdoms Economic Vision 2030. Organising this important workshop is a continuation of efforts exerted by the Authority to improve the future of adopting Cloud First Policy on the Kingdom level ensuring the quality of implementing the policy in enterprises, said iGA Acting Director of Government Systems Support and Maintenance Hesham AlHashemi. Chief of the Terror Crime Prosecution Advocate General Chancellor Dr Ahmed Al Hammadi said the High Court of Appeal yesterday issued its verdict in the case of forming a terror group. The defendants were earlier convicted of undergoing training in using weapons and explosives for terror purposes, murder and attempted murder of policemen, importing, possessing and using explosives, fire weapons and ammunition and theft. The court upheld the death sentences of two suspects while commuting the sentences of four female suspects to three years in prison. The Fourth High Criminal Court sentenced on January 31, 2018 two suspects to death, nineteen suspects to life in jail, seventeen suspects to fifteen years in prison, nine suspects to 10 years in prison, eleven suspects to five years in jail, acquitted two suspects, revoked the citizenship of 47 suspects and ruled to confiscate the seized items. Details of the case, according to the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID), show that ten convicts escaped from the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre at Jaw prison on January 1, 2017, which resulted in the death of a policeman from the prisons guard force. Investigation showed the formation of a terrorist organisation which was set up and joined by many suspects, including 12 in Iran, Iraq and one in Germany. Forty-six suspects in Bahrain, including ten who ran away from the prison, planned many terrorist crimes to undermine public order, jeopardise the kingdoms security, undermine national unity and hamper public authorities from exercising their work. Investigations also revealed that the suspects who are at large in Iran and Iraq maintained communication with members of the organisation in the Kingdom inside and outside the prison to recruit other members and provide them with explosives, fire weapons and ammunition after smuggling them into the country. Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa has said that Bahrain is a state built on institutions in which the rule of law prevails and functioning within the law, following the path of reforms and ensuring that justice is done remain primary concerns for the Kingdom. Referring to the case of Hakeem Al Araibi, he said that external interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain is unacceptable. Those raising unfounded doubts about the integrity and independence of the Kingdoms judicial system are not only interfering but also attempting to influence the course of justice. The Interior Minister said that Al Araibi was sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted in absentia for participation in a case of terrorism in 2012, which had involved an arson attack, possession of inflammable bombs and causing damage to public and private property. Those who speak now of Al Araibi having been mistreated and those who question the integrity of Bahrains courts ignore the fact that Al Araibi was released on bail of BD 100 by the courts. The Cabinet yesterday chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa gave directives to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to devise, in co-operation with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), a work plan to support small traders. HRH the Premier stressed that the action plan should be implemented in accordance with a well-thought-out time frame and goals based on the needs and visions of the beneficiaries. Among other things, HRH the Prime Minister gave instructions to intensify the inspection campaigns on markets and commercial outlets, stressing the importance of continuing to follow up on the prices of commodities and consumer goods and to ensure that there is no manipulation or illegal commercial practices that affect the consumers. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry was requested to submit a report on the inspection campaigns. HRH Premier gave directives to develop an action plan to expedite the employment of jobless university graduates, and to rehabilitate and integrate those specialised in academic disciplines that do not match the requirements of the local labour market. The Premiers directives are in line with the governments keenness to pave the way for such category of graduates to contribute to the nation-building process, on the hand, and to keep the unemployment rate at secure natural levels, on the other. Egyptians strength comes from their national unity, Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II told French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to St Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo's Abbasiya district. In a televised press conference at the Cathedral, Pope Tawadros II told Macron that stability and peace will only be achieved through dialogue, pointing out that there is a continuous dialogue to preserve national unity through a number of Islamic and Coptic institutions in the country. The pope said that the West represents the mind of the world, while the east represents its heart, stressing the necessity of dialogue between heart and mind. The west should understand the mindset of the east, he said. The pope explained that Egyptians live with the foundations of national unity, adding that no one can differentiate between an Egyptian Copt and his Muslim brother when walking the streets of Cairo. The French president expressed his appreciation and respect for the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt, saying that the Copts in Egypt and the region represent peace. Macron added that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is courageously leading a cultural and intellectual fight. The French president and the pope agreed on the importance of education, stressing that France is keen on supporting Egypt in this regard. Following their talks, Macron, the French first lady, and Pope Tawadros II toured the Cathedral, which has been the Coptic Orthodox Churchs papal headquarters since late Pope Shenouda III decided to reside there in 1971. The French president is also set to meet with the head of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, and a number of Muslim scholars. This is Macrons first visit to Egypt as head of state. Macron has visited Aswan, held talks with El-Sisi, and seen his country ink MoUs with Egypt in a number of fields over the course of his three-day visit. Search Keywords: Short link: The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Community Perspective Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer. Letters to the editor Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here (Newser) A high-stakes gambler who rained down a hail of gunfire, killing 58 people from his high-rise casino suite in Las Vegas, wanted infamy and mass destruction, the FBI told the AP Tuesday, but took whatever motive might stretch beyond that to his grave. "It wasn't about MGM, Mandalay Bay, or a specific casino or venue," said Aaron Rouse, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Las Vegas office. "It was all about doing the maximum amount of damage and him obtaining some form of infamy." Rouse says the reason for Stephen Paddock's Oct. 1, 2017, rampage remains a mystery after months of study by agents and behavioral specialists. story continues below Paddock's younger brother, Eric Paddock, called him the "king of microaggression"narcissistic, detail-oriented and maybe bored enough with life to plan an attack that would make him famous. His ex-wife told investigators that he grew up with a single mom in a financially unstable home and he felt a need to be self-reliant. He sent his girlfriend Marilou Danley to visit her family in the Philippines two weeks before the attack and wired her $150,000 while she was there. Danley, a former casino worker in Reno, returned to the US after the shooting and told authorities that Paddock had complained that he was sick and that doctors told him he had a "chemical imbalance" and could not cure him. Danley, who is Catholic, told investigators that Paddock often told her, "Your God doesn't love me." (An anonymous donor has offered $62,500 if Paddock's guns are destroyed.) (Newser) Bruce McArthur has pleaded guilty to murdering eight men in Toronto, and prosecutors in court on Tuesday provided grisly details of the crimes. Crown prosecutor Michael Cantlon said McArthur "staged" and photographed some of his victims and held on to some of their possessions, including jewelry and a notebook. The CBC reports Cantlon described six of the killings as sexual in nature. Duct tape, a surgical glove, rope, and zip ties were found in a search of McArthur's bedroom. All but one of the men had a link to the city's Gay Village; they vanished over a 7-year period beginning in 2010, sparking fears of a potential serial killer. story continues below The 67-year-old Toronto landscaper buried the dismembered remains of seven of his victims in planters on a property he worked at; remains of the eighth were found buried in a ravine, reports the AP. The BBC reports McArthur "spoke softly and matter-of-factly" when entering his plea. He'll be sentenced Feb. 4. Each first-degree murder charge mandates a life sentence; the judge will decide if they'll be served consecutively or concurrently. If the latter, he could apply for release at age 91. (More on the case here.) Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi says that Egyptian authorities do not use force against unarmed demonstrators, stressing that protesting is a right guaranteed by law and the constitution. The president made the comments during a joint press conference with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, where the two leaders exchanged viewpoints on the issue of human rights. When asked by a French journalist about whether French-made weapons were used by Egyptian authorities against protesters, Macron said that once in 2013 France had raised concerns about a French-made armoured vehicle being used to crack down on protesters. Macron also said that no new potential military contracts have been discussed in his talks with El-Sisi, with the exception of a possible deal for 12 fighter jets. El-Sisi affirmed that no armoured vehicles have been used to crack down on protests in the country from the period between 2011 till now. "We ask people to protest within the law," El-Sisi said, referring to the country's 2013 protest law. Macron was asked by an Egyptian journalist about the ongoing "yellow vest protests" in France, which have led to the deaths of 11 people since demonstrations started in November. "[The protesters] have all the freedom to express their opinions. This is democracy, and such freedom is guaranteed by the constitution," Macron said, adding that he regrets the deaths of the French citizens during the protests, yet insisting they were not the result of police violence. Yesterday, Macron told reporters on the sidelines of his visit that Egypt's current human rights record is perceived as being more hardline than that of former president Hosni Mubarak, who was overthrown in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. When asked about these statements by an Egyptian journalist, Macron said he would not be an honest friend to Egypt if he did not say what is on his mind. Macron also said that during El-Sisi's visit to Paris in October 2017, the French president had broached the issue of human rights, but that the discussion had gone in "another direction." Macron had said at the time that there are Egyptian bloggers and intellectuals in jail, and that some of the "individual cases" he mentioned to El-Sisi do not "undermine stability." The French president had been heavily criticised in France for not addressing the issue of human rights with Egypt and France's sale of weapons to the Arab country. Macron said at the time that he "would not lecture" the Egyptian president on human rights. In response to Macron's comments, El-Sisi said that Egypt "is not like Europe or the US," and that it has its own special circumstances. El-Sisi asked people not to forget "that the country is located in a troubled region," adding that Egypt had successfully defeated plan to establish a religious state. "I stand today here through an Egyptian will, and if such a will is no longer there, I will not stay [remain in power]," El-Sisi said, adding that 45,000 NGOs are operating in the country, and that Egypt is currently holding a dialogue with civil society regarding amendments to a controversial law that has been described as limiting NGO activities. El-Sisi also highlighted that Egypt is providing proper housing for 250,000 people living in slums despite the country's dire economic situation and its ongoing fight against terrorism. The Egyptian president added that waiting lists at public hospitals have gone up from 10,000 people a year to 10,000 a month. "Given these efforts, is Egypt not implementing human rights standards from a different perspective than the one you see?" he said. "Egypt will not rise up with bloggers Egypt will develop with effort and patience," El-Sisi said. "What should I do with employment? Rising population? How do we solve these problems? Tell me." El-Sisi also said that "bloggers speak a language that is different from the reality in which we live," adding that Egypt has nothing to hide or be ashamed of. "We lead our state with honesty and integrity," he said. "We do not want to confine the issue of human rights in Egypt to freedom of expression, people's opinions are one thing, and the destruction of the state is another," he said. "You should not look at us from a European perspective just like we do not look at you from our Egyptian perspective because that would not be fair." Search Keywords: Short link: (Newser) Donald Trump's longtime friend Roger Stone has pleaded not guilty to charges in the special counsel's Russia investigation. Stone appeared Tuesday for his arraignment at the federal courthouse in Washington after spending the weekend blasting special counsel Robert Mueller's case against him as politically motivated, the AP reports. Stone arrived in a black SUV wearing an all-blue suit and tie. He waved to a small crowd of supporters and protesters, including some yelling, "Lock him up!" He's charged in a seven-count indictment with obstruction, lying to Congress, and witness tampering. Prosecutors say he lied about the contents of his discussions with the Trump campaign involving WikiLeaks and hacked material damaging to Hillary Clinton that the anti-secrecy group released during the 2016 campaign. Stone is also accused of corruptly influencing the testimony of another witness. story continues below The self-proclaimed dirty trickster and longtime confidant of the president was arrested last week during a pre-dawn raid at his Florida home. He has asserted his innocence in a series of TV interviews since his arrest, with the AP noting that being outspoken is an unusual strategy given that most defendants tend to stay quiet as their case proceeds. It's unclear whether Mueller's prosecutors will look to have Stone locked up, and whether Magistrate Deborah Robinson might impose a gag order. (Read more Roger Stone stories.) (Newser) "French Spiderman" Alain Robert was rather nonchalant about his arrest Tuesday for scaling a 710-foot-tall skyscraper in the Philippines. "There isn't any scandal ... Hopefully everything should be OK by tomorrow," the 56-year-old told CNN, noting he was "entertaining people for free" for 1.5 hours. Authorities, however, cited "a security and safety hazard" in apprehending the urban climber at GT International Tower in Makati City and were said to be weighing a charge of trespassing and/or public disturbance, per the Philippine Star. Robert, who holds the world record for the most buildings climbed by one person, aims to scale 200 buildings before retirement. (He was previously barred from climbing in Britain.) (Newser) Grant Amato was reportedly so invested in an online relationship with a Bulgarian woman he'd met on a porn site that his older brother feared he "would kill everybody." Authorities in Florida's Seminole County believe that's essentially what happened Friday, when the bodies of Cody Amato, 31, and his parents, Chad, 59, and Margaret, 61, were discovered in the couple's home in the Orlando suburb of Chuluota. Chad, found on the kitchen floor, had been shot execution-style along with his wife, who was found sprawled over a desk, per the Washington Post and Orlando Sentinel. Cody, found in a storage room, had also been shot with a 9mm handgun recovered from the scene, say police. Traced to a hotel, Grant Amato, 29, denied the killings but said "his family had been blaming him for months for ruining their lives." story continues below Indeed, authorities say Amato stole $200,000 from family members and used it to interact with a woman he met on the "Cam Girls" website. They note things took a turn when his parents kicked him out, finding he'd broken a promise to keep from contacting the woman after dropping out of a treatment program for internet and sex addiction. "He didn't think [the rules] were fair because he felt that the Bulgarian female was his girlfriend and they had a relationship," reads an arrest affidavit. Amato's public defender mentions "some mental health issues," per FOX 35, which notes two recent police reports described Amato as possibly suicidal after he was fired from a nursing job and failed out of graduate school. Charged with three counts of first-degree murder, he's held in Seminole County Jail without bond. (Read more murder stories.) (Newser) Asia Bibi is finally free to leave Pakistan, if she hasn't already. On Tuesday, the country's Supreme Court upheld its own acquittal of Bibia Christian mother first arrested a decade ago on blasphemy charges and sentenced to death in 2010rejecting a challenge to its earlier decision and streamlining the path for Bibi to flee, which many expect her to do, the Guardian reports. Bibi got into a disagreement with farmworkers in 2009 and was accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad, but the Supreme Court ruled in October that the evidence used against her was weak, and that her supposed confession was made under duress. The court's decision to reverse her original conviction was met with nationwide violence prompted by Islamic radicals, and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan apparently gave in to their demands, allowing an appeal to be submitted on the court's decision. story continues below Christians worldwide, including Pope Francis, had lobbied for her release, CNN notes. "The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow," Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said Tuesday as the three-judge committee rejected the appeal, adding that Bibi's accusers should've been jailed for perjury, per the AP. Bibiwho the BBC notes was required to stay in Pakistan while the petition was pendinghas had to remain in hiding since her release last fall, with extremists threatening to kill her even if the Supreme Court kept her acquittal intact. "She deserves to be murdered, according to Sharia," one Islamic radical tells AFP. "If she goes out of Pakistan ... anybody can kill her." Two of Bibi's daughters are said to be in Canada, and it's expected she may seek asylum there; PM Justin Trudeau has previously said his government would be willing to help her out. (Read more Asia Bibi stories.) (Newser) The White House says "all options are on the table" for Venezuelaapparently including the arrival of American troops to its neighbor. The words "Afghanistan -> welcome the talks" and "5,000 troops to Colombia" were seen scribbled on a yellow notepad in the hands of national security adviser John Bolton on Monday, as he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced new sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PdVSA), reports the Hill. Twitter users debated whether the note in full view of reporters was an embarrassing misstep or intended to put pressure on embattled President Nicolas Maduro, whom the administration hopes to oust, per USA Today. Either way, the Hill describes three defense officials as saying there is in fact no plan to send troops to Colombia or to Venezuela. story continues below "We call on the Venezuelan military and security forces to accept the peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power," Bolton told reporters, referencing the administration's backing of Juan Guaido as interim leader. "The [US] president has made it clear that all options are on the table," he added. Mnuchin described PdVSA as a "vehicle for embezzlement" for Maduro's regime, per the Daily Beast, noting the sanctions would only be lifted if Maduro transferred control. Per the AP, Guaido said this would ensure Maduro's government "doesn't continue robbing the people of Venezuela." On the other side of the fence, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argued Tuesday that the latest sanctions were an illegal attempt by the US to confiscate Venezuelan state assets, per Reuters. (More on Venezuela here.) (Newser) A pregnant Lyft driver in her third trimester was brutally murdered by a passenger early Sunday, police in Arizona say. Police say Kristina Howato, 39, was fatally stabbed by 20-year-old Fabian Durazo after she responded to a call for a ride from him in Tempe around 1am, the Arizona Republic reports. Police say after the vehicle arrived, Durazo stabbed Howato inside her 2005 Mercury SUV and continued the attack outside the vehicle. He then stole her vehicle, police say. He was arrested Monday after police spotted the SUV on Interstate 10 around 20 miles east of the California border. Police say they were able to track the vehicle through its GPS technology. story continues below Howato and her unborn baby were pronounced dead in the hospital. She was the mother of two other children, ages 2 and 4. Durazo faces two counts of first-degree murder, one count of theft of means of transportation, one count of armed robbery, and one count of kidnapping, NBC News reports. Police say after his arrest, he admitted killing Howato and stealing her vehicle. "This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time, and the community will think about this for a long time," Tempe Police Sgt. Ron Elcock said Monday. A Lyft spokeswoman says the company is "shocked and deeply saddened." (Read more Lyft stories.) (Newser) When the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery announced that 72-year-old Joseph Walker was to be buried as an "unaccompanied veteran," with nobody present but cemetery workers, the response was overwhelming. Roads around the cemetery were jammed and the service had to start late to accommodate the estimated 2,000 to 5,000 people who showed up to honor the Air Force veteran Monday, CNN reports. The cemetery said it had been unable to contact any relatives of the Vietnam-era vet, who served from 1964 to 1968 and received an honorable discharge. "If you have the opportunity, please come out and attend," the Killeen cemetery said in a Facebook post. "We do NOT leave Veterans behind." story continues below Sen. Ted Cruz and CNN's Jake Tapper were among those spreading word of the funeral. It was officiated by Marc George of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, NPR reports. "Today, we're not strangers; today, we are family," he said. "This is our brother, Joseph Walker." Cemetery staff say the turnout included airmen and veterans from all over Texas. "Its completely overwhelming," Texas General Land Office communications director Karina Erickson tells the Killeen Daily Herald. "It really sends the message that this is Texas, and we dont leave our veterans behind." She says the agency, headed by George P. Bush, changed policies in 2015 to ensure that all veterans are buried with recognition of their service. (In New Mexico, a funeral home paid for a full military funeral for a veteran whose body was unclaimed in a hospital morgue.) (Newser) After an investigation that has lasted more than 20 months, it's almost Mueller Time. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said Monday that special counsel Robert Mueller is nearly ready to wrap up his investigation of alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election, the New York Times reports. "The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible," he said. Whitaker, who was speaking during a press conference after Chinese tech giant Huawei was hit with criminal charges, said he had been fully briefed on the report and would not comment further on an "open and ongoing investigation." A spokeswoman quickly ended the press conference after Whitaker's remarks. story continues below Whitaker's brief remarks were "the most extensive comments on the subject by any senior law enforcement official in recent months," the Washington Post reports. Cases related to the investigationincluding that of Roger Stone, who was indicted last weekwill be in the courts for months to come, though Mueller is expected to eventually hand over cases to US attorneys. NBC reports that when the investigation is finished, Mueller will hand his final report to Whitaker, unless attorney general nominee William P. Barr is confirmed first. Amid fears that the Justice Department will decide not to make Mueller's findings public, GOP Sen. Charles Grassley and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced a bill Monday that would require the special counsel to report findings directly to Congress. (Barr has promised not to interfere with the investigation.) (Newser) One of America's first new nuclear weapons since the Cold War is the product of an arms race for smaller nukes. The W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead, which is now rolling off production lines, was ordered by the Trump administration to counter equally low-yield Russian warheads, the Guardian reports. The National Nuclear Security Administration has confirmed that production of the weapon has begun at its Pantex Plant in Texas, NPR reports. It is expected to deliver the first warheads to the Navy by October. Trump ordered the "battlefield" nuclear weapon as part of last year's nuclear posture review. It is a modification of the much stronger W76-1 deployed on Ohio-class submarines. story continues below Hans Kristensen at the Federation of American Scientists advocacy group estimates that the new weapon will have a yield of 5 to 7 kilotons, compared to 15 for the bomb dropped on Hiroshimaand 100 kilotons for the W76-1. The administration argues that having the low-yield weapon will overcome the disadvantage of having an arsenal full of nukes "too big to use," but critics warn that smaller-scale nuclear weapons make nuclear war more likely. Kristensen tells NPR that the same Trident missiles will be used for both W76 weapons, potentially causing catastrophic confusion. "It's not like the Russians are going to be sitting there saying, 'Well, let's wait to see this one detonate first. Oh, it's a small mushroom cloud! Well, in that case...'" he says. (Trump says the US will expand its nuclear arsenal after pulling out of a treaty with Russia.) (Newser) President Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, has agreed to talk to the House Intelligence Committee behind closed doors on Feb. 8, the AP reports. That's according to California Rep. Adam Schiff, who says Cohen will be appearing voluntarily. The announcement comes after Cohen postponed a separate hearing with the House Oversight and Reform Committee, citing cooperation with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and threats against his family. That hearing would have been open to the public and had been scheduled for Feb. 7, CNN reports. story continues below Schiff says Cohen relayed "legitimate concerns" about his and his family's safety. He says the committee will work with law enforcement to protect him. Cohen is a central figure in Mueller's probe. He also played a pivotal role in buying the silence of a porn actress and a former Playboy Playmate who alleged they had sex with Trump. The president denies the claims. (Cohen will also be talking to a Senate committee.) Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his wife Entissar El-Sisi received French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Cairo's Ittihadiya presidential palace on Monday, before the two presidents started a closed session of talks. The French head of state began a three-day trip to Egypt on Sunday with a first stop at Aswan, where he visited Abu Simbel Temple. During his three-day visit, the two presidents are also set to hold a session of talks with the participation of delegations of officials from the two sides, followed by the signing of a number of agreements and MOUs, El-Sisis spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement. El-Sisi and Macron will also hold a press conference after their talks, according to Rady. Macron's visit also coincides with the start of 'France-Egypt 2019,' which was launched earlier this year by El-Sisi and his French counterpart to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Suez Canal. 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. This is Macrons first official visit to Egypt since assuming office in 2017. Egypt and France have strengthened economic and military ties since El-Sisi assumed office in 2014. Short link: (Newser) The US Department of Justice unsealed a 13-count indictment against Chinese tech giant Huawei on Monday, including against two of its affiliates and its chief financial officer, the AP and Fox News report. The felony charges, which came in the form of two separate indictmentsone a 10-count grand jury indictment in Washington state, the other a three-count indictment from New York prosectorsinclude bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Prosecutors contend that CFO Meng Wanzhou misled banks about the company's dealings in Iran, which allegedly took place despite US sanctions against the latter country. story continues below The company is also accused of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, federal prosecutors say. "China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law," Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement, with FBI Director Christopher Wray adding at a Monday press conference that the company "relied on dishonest business practices that contradict the economic principles that have allowed American companies and the United States to thrive," per CNN Business. CNN notes that the new criminal charges could possibly throw a wrench into efforts by the US and China to bring the ongoing trade war between the two countries to a close. (Read more Huawei stories.) (Newser) Comedian and divisive former television star Roseanne Barr says her sitcom was canceled last year because of backlash against her support for Israel. Barr spoke Monday at an event in Tel Aviv and said she had been "BDS-ed" by television network ABC, the AP reports. BDS refers to a Palestinian-led movement calling for boycott, divestment, and sanctions on Israel. ABC canceled its reboot of Roseanne last May after Barr tweeted racist remarks about former Obama administration adviser Valerie Jarrett. story continues below Barr was in Israel for a four-day visit organized by celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. She railed against Hollywood liberals, defended her support for President Trump, and admitted to trolling her critics online with various fake accounts. Barr said she has "witnessed horrific anti-Semitism and I'm just here to defend the Jewish people." She told the audience that she "went on Twitter for the express purpose of defending Israel," reports the Times of Israel, which notes she has spread numerous false claims on Twitter, including a claim that George Soros was a Nazi who turned in fellow Jews. (Barr was not happy about the debut of spinoff The Conners last fall.) (Newser) A 30-year-old orca died Monday at SeaWorld's Orlando park after a brief illness, company officials say. A cause of death won't be known until a post-mortem examination is conducted, per SeaWorld. Kayla began showing signs of discomfort on Saturday, and veterinarians began treating her based on what they found from a physical exam, the AP reports. Her condition worsened on Sunday and she was given around-the-clock care until her death, park officials say. Kayla was among the last orcas at SeaWorld's Orlando park. story continues below SeaWorld has 20 orcas total left in its parks: five in Orlando, five in San Antonio, and 10 in San Diego.The company announced in 2016 it had stopped its orca breeding program after years of protests by animal rights activists. The animal rights group PETA said its members in Florida planned to hold two protests this week outside SeaWorld's Orlando park to memorialize Kayla. "While we recognize that it's too late to help her, it's not too late to call attention to SeaWorld's other orca prisoners, who must be released into seaside sanctuaries as soon as possible," PETA said in a statement. (Read more orca stories.) (Newser) Deputies in Wisconsin who were dispatched to the parking structure of a Milwaukee County hospital at 3:45am Friday found a horrifying sight: Carlie Beaudin, a 33-year-old nurse practitioner, frozen to the ground and unconscious beneath a vehicle that had crashed into the wall of the Froedtert Hospital garage. She was bleeding from the head and had a weak pulse, and she was ultimately declared dead at the hospital less than an hour later, Fox News reports. Authorities aren't releasing many details, but they said a 27-year-old man was taken into custody in the case after the sheriff's office received a tip later Friday morning about a man who appeared to have been in an "incident," FOX6 reports. story continues below They haven't commented on whether there was any connection between Beaudin and the suspect, but they have classified her death as a homicide and are reviewing surveillance video from the garage. "She was incredibly nurturing," Beaudin's husband tells FOX6. "She ... won a DAISY Award, which is a pretty big deal for nursing. Our family is suffering, and it's a tragedy." He says he woke early Friday: "My dog was restless, because he doesn't sleep well unless we are both in bed." It was around 4am, and though his wife often worked into the wee hours in her job at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital, he tells the Journal Sentinel she never worked that late, and he knew something was wrong. Meanwhile, deputies had been called to the scene for a report of a person trapped under a vehicle. (Another tragic story involving Froedtert.) Sudans President Omar Al-Bashir is set to land in Cairo for a one day visit to meet Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, a statement by the Egyptian presidency said Sunday. In an official statement, presidency spokesman Bassam Rady said Al-Bashirs visit to Egypt comes under the two leaders commitment to bolster bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries. and build on the outcomes of the second session of the Egyptian-Sudanese Higher Committee (ESHC) which convened in October. The two leaders will also discuss regional and international issues of common interest. They are set to hold a press conference at the Presidential Palace after concluding their talks. The Sudanese presidents visit comes as his country continues to plunge into political turmoil with tens of protesters reported dead since rallies erupted mid-December following a governmental decision to raise the price of bread. The demonstrations have called for Al-Bashir's resignation. Short link: He Reluctantly Testified. Now His Home Is Burned and He's Gone KWEKWE-based ammonium nitrate producer, Sable Chemicals has entered into a partnership with a local energy solutions company, Katanga Solar Energy to fund a solar power generation project that is set to produce up to 400 megawatts. In an interview, Sable Chemicals chief executive Mr Bothwell Nyajeka said feasibility studies for the project were now complete and the company was seeking a licence from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulation Authority (Zera). We have already secured land under Zibagwe Rural District Council to establish what we call the Katanga Solar Farm. The solar farm will produce up to 400 megawatts which will be fed on to the national grid, he said. Mr Nyajeka said Kwekwe was strategically positioned for the solar project. Our feasibility studies in terms of radiation have shown that the area is the best for such a project, he said. Mr Nyajeka said the project would initially produce 50 megawatts and production would increase gradually to 400 megawatts when it is complete. What we have done is to apply for a licence for 50 megawatts. This will then improve as we complete the project, he said. Mr Nyajeka said the electricity generation project would help Sable to reduce its electricity bill. He said his company was paying a lot of money electricity to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC). As you might be aware, Sable Chemicals Plant consumes a lot of electricity so the solar energy project will help us reduce our electricity bill as we will be producing for ourselves. GOVERNMENT has urged women who were allegedly raped by some rogue members of security forces to report the abuse to the police. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is also urging Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) providing so-called safe houses for victims to facilitate the reporting of such cases so that due process can take place. Despite a glut of allegations of systematic rape by security forces, only one case has been reported in Chitungwiza and is being investigated. In separate statements yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and police spokesperson Commissioner Charity Charamba urged women to take advantage of the police Victim Friendly Units (VFUs), which are manned by female officers, to open up. The State also guarantees the safety of victims. Rape is a heinous crime, cognisant of this fact, it is the duty of the police to investigate all reported cases of alleged rape, Minister Mutsvangwa said. However, to date, only one case of rape has been reported in Chitungwiza and the police are seized with investigations on the matter. All women who were allegedly raped are encouraged to come forward and report the cases to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Units which can be found at every police station around the country, added Minister Mutsvangwa. She assured the victims that their safety was guaranteed. All women, who were allegedly raped, are encouraged to come forward and report the cases to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit which can be found at every police station around the country. The unit is led by a female Commissioner, hence, all affected women will be treated with empathy, compassion, respect and due care. Their safety will be guaranteed, said Minister Mutsvangwa. She said Government will not condone criminal behaviour by any member of the society. Minister Mutsvangwa urged the rape victims to report timely to the police. Government does not condone and will never tolerate criminal behaviour by any member of society particularly those in positions of trust. Government wishes to underscore that it is critical for rape cases to be reported in a timely manner to the police. While reporting cases to NGOs for counselling services is helpful, the police can only act on alleged cases if victims come forward, Government urges the NGOs to encourage and support women who approach them to report the cases to the Police Victim Friendly Unit, she said. She said in order to ensure the anonymity of victims of the alleged rape cases, the affected women could use the following WhatsApp number, 0712800 197. Commissioner Charamba appealed to NGOs to encourage alleged victims they were housing to report to the police in the interest of justice. In the same vein, we are appealing to Non Governmental and Human Rights Organisations who are allegedly providing shelter to alleged victims to consider the rights of the individuals concerned and encourage them to make official police reports. Preventing them from exercising their right of access to justice (making police reports) is doing them disfavour as the police have a constitutional mandate to investigate all such cases and refer them to court, justice delayed is justice denied. All aggrieved members of the public should come forward and report to the police so that thorough and comprehensive investigations are conducted, said Commissioner Charamba. Meanwhile, the security services have arrested several individuals who have been committing various crimes following the recent riots, including some clad in military uniforms. According to police, one Tranos Muzanenhamo (28) was arrested in Epworth, Harare, after he was found clad in military attire. Investigations are underway to establish where he got the military outfit and ascertain any other offences he might have committed, she said. attempted to have a military identity card produced in his name. In another case, a Harare man was arrested as heattempted to have a military identity card produced in his name. SOUTH Africas ruling African National Congress (ANC) has thrown its weight behind Zimbabwean counterpart, Zanu-PF, and is keen to assist the latter in light of economic challenges and attempts to isolate the country on the international community on the back of pressure by the local opposition and its allies abroad. This was revealed by a delegation from the ANC which arrived in the country on Monday to meet with their Zimbabwean counterparts on a solidarity visit. The meeting had the blessings of other regional liberation movements. The team, led by ANC secretary-general Cde Ace Magashule was yesterday morning briefed about the current situation in the country by Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Obert Mpofu at the party headquarters. Other senior ANC officials in the delegation are Cdes Tony Yengeni, Thoko Didiza and Bongani Nongo, who are all ANC Central Committee members and Cde Justice Phitso, the chief-of-staff in the secretary-generals office. In his address, Cde Magashule applauded President Mnangagwa for giving them the opportunity to interact with their counterparts. This our solidarity visit to Zanu-PF, to Zimbabweans. We undertake this visit because of the present situation we have observed at a distance. And as former liberation movements, I think we have agreed that this is the time to consolidate and strengthen our relationship. In fact, before we left we set down with his Excellency our President, Cyril Ramaphosa, and our various committees to understand (our mandate), he said. You (Cde Mpofu) have indicated that Zimbabwe is faced with this well calculated, well planned activities of insurrection, of ungovernability. We want to understand so that when we look as to what is the way forward we have comprehended. We clearly understand the situation on the ground which is affecting your country and we want to move forward as former liberation movements in addressing your situation. I am sure we are here to engage, listen, retreat, share, experience, learn and to move forward together. In a press briefing later in the evening, Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said the two parties agreed that there was no legitimacy issue surrounding the Presidency in Zimbabwe as the country had held peaceful and credible elections last July. The parties therefore resolved: that the parties acknowledge the peaceful and credible manner in which the July 30, 2018 harmonised elections were conducted and the subsequent deserving endorsement of the election results by the regional and international observer groups including the landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe hence there is no legitimacy issue surrounding the Presidency. That the parties continue working in common purpose towards strengthening their existing excellent relations. That the parties acknowledge that the major challenges confronting Zimbabwe are a result of the illegal sanctions imposed by Britain and her allies over the bilateral dispute between Zimbabwe and the former over the land reform programme. The parties further call upon Sadc and the African Union to advocate for the removal of the sanctions, Cde Moyo said. While receiving the ANC delegation in the morning, Cde Mpofu said the two parties were joined by a very rich revolutionary background which culminated in their people being emancipated from the tentacles of oppression and subjugation over many years. Our long walk to freedom as stated by your founding father Cde Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela still continues. As Zimbabwe we have achieved one milestone in this journey of emancipation by ensuring that we take ownership of the land. This precious resource which is very dear and sentimental to all Africans should not be taken for granted, he said. Cde Magashule said former liberation movements in the region were aware that ANC and Zanu-PF were meeting yesterday since he had informed them. And later on as we move forward, we want to move forward as former liberation movements in addressing your situation. So we are here as friends, as brothers and sisters, as mothers and fathers, comrades, former liberation movements and revolutionaries of yesteryear. We still share and the struggle continues, he said. He said they were going to report back to their country and will return to Zimbabwe at a later stage on the way forward. I am sure we are here to engage and try to understand the situation. Be as open as possible, be frank with us so that we diagnose the situation correctly. Its better to hear from the horses mouth and that is why we are here, Cde Magashule said. Cde Mpofu said Zimbabwe was now in second revolution to achieve economic emancipation and they had deliberately set themselves on a new trajectory to achieve an upper middle income economy by the year 2030. The journey for this economic thrust is also mired and punctuated by anti-establishment forces which are pervasive and will never rest till they achieve the continued suffering of all our people in Africa and all our marginalised friends who still suffer in perpetuity in Palestine, Venezuela, Cuba and Saharawi. In our region we are confronted by forces of regime change being peddled by the United States of America and its allies, Cde Mpofu said. He said as former liberation movements there were under the onslaught from neo-colonialists forces that were financing opposition parties and civil society to foster regime change. This is being manifested through different forms and shapes like through social media, non-governmental organisations, labour movements to the extent of arming our citizens. In the same vein some of these establishment forces are starting to sprout in South Africa namely formations like Tajamuka, Africa Democrats and the Communist Party of Zimbabwe all of which are not legally registered political organisations in Zimbabwe and are bent on fomenting violence and acts of terrorism. We therefore urge comrades, that you cast your cautionary eye on these malcontents bent on the destabilisation of the region, Cde Mpofu said. He said as Zanu-PF, they were bombarded by a plethora of subversive strategies which include illegal sanctions, insurrection and instigation of citizens to conduct violent protests, wanton destruction of property and ensuring that the country becomes ungovernable. We have had loss of lives in the recently ended national elections and the MDC-Alliance sponsored mass stay away which took place in the past weeks. We are assured and still have confidence in you the ANC as our former liberation movement sister party in your continued solidarity and moral support to make the international community realise that the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are not sustainable and only lead to the suffering of the poorest to the poor, he said. Cde Mpofu said the ruling party appreciates the efforts of ANC in ensuring that all former liberation movements stay on the path to economic freedom. The meeting was also attended by Zanu-PF Politburo members and directors at the party headquarters. Herald SIX men who were part of a gang that burnt a Zupco bus and also torched a vehicle belonging to Chegutu East legislator Cde Webster Shamus wife during recent protests that rocked Harare and other cities have been jailed a collective 36 years in jail. Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo on Friday ruled that the criminals deserved a stiff penalty as they faced a serious offence. Mr Makomo said demonstrations, organised by the opposition MDC Alliance and foreign funded civil society organisations, were a right but violating the rights of other citizens was unlawful. Ring leader Emmanuel Chari (25) was sentenced to seven years behind bars but will serve an effective six years after Mr Makomo set aside a year. Chari drove the Zupco bus to a place where it was then set on fire. His accomplices Miston Siriva (30), Charles Bengeza (28), Shylock Chihuri (25), Noleen Dulana (29) and a Rumbidzai Dulana (25) were jailed six years each. When they initially appeared in court they were eight but two of them-Cassim Muzhingi and Benson Bhobho were acquitted due to lack of evidence linking them to the offence. In aggravation, prosecutor Mr George Manokore called for a stiff penalty saying there was a need to deter like-minded people. Your worship, due to the accused persons actions, several people were injured and property was destroyed. There was an attack on the police and they invaded the rights of other innocent citizens. Zimbabwe is a peace loving nation and people cannot live according to the rules of the jungle -survival of the fittest, he said. The magistrate concurred with the State and added that, This is a serious offence and it deserves a sentence which would be deterrent even to the general populace. Though demonstrating is a right, it should not affect other peoples rights. Meanwhile, 71 other alleged protesters are still on trial before the same courts as state witnesses are still testifying. Twenty-two witnesses have been lined up. Sixty of them were arrested in Epworth while 10 others were arrested in Mabvuku and are said to have been among those who looted at Choppies shop. Another suspected mastermind of the violent protests, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leader Peter Mutasa who, is facing charges of subverting a constitutional government or alternatively inciting public violence, was remanded to February 8 with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court. Herald A woman walks past a shared makeup booth in Beijing. (Photo/Chinanews.com) Shared makeup booths, the latest trend to enter Chinas booming sharing economy, are popping up in major Chinese cities at a growing rate. Booths have arrived in shopping malls in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The central city of Wuhan is now home to 15 shared makeup booths. A survey indicated that nearly half of Chinese women believe it is necessary to put on makeup before going to work, and almost 40 percent of working women think cosmetics make them look more professional. Shared makeup booths, like other sectors of the sharing economy, such as shared bikes and shared automobiles, are a result of modern times. I usually carry various cosmetics in my bag and touch up my make up in the restroom, which is inconvenient, said Liu Xiaoqi, a woman from Beijing. She believes that the emergence of shared makeup pods brings significant benefits to women, saying she now often uses them. However, problems always arise with innovation, and shared makeup booths are no exception. Concerns have been raised in regards to hygiene and product quality. For instance, used tissues were found on the table of one booth, and packaging often becomes sticky if items arent closed correctly after use. Most cosmetics make contact with the skin, and I dont want to share them with strangers, said a citizen named Zheng Yanqing. She explains that bacteria exists on the packaging of shared cosmetics, and its not very hygienic to share with strangers. Experts warned that sharing lipstick might spread viruses such as herpes, and contaminated facial cream and eye shadow could easily cause conjunctivitis. One makeup pod operator responded that they would improve conditions and reinforce supervision to optimize user experience. What's Included With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com. Judicial independence is well embedded in Hong Kongs legal system, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng said today. Ms Cheng made the statement in response to media questions about concerns over Hong Kongs judicial independence expressed in a report by the Heritage Foundation. The report ranked Hong Kong as the world's freest economy earlier this month, a title the city has received for 25 consecutive years. However, its rating for Hong Kongs judicial effectiveness was lower compared with last year. Ms Cheng said: Its very important to bear in mind that judicial independence is well engraved and well embedded in Hong Kongs legal system. We are ranked number one in Asia for a number of years in the World Economic Forums the Global Competitiveness Report. The arrangements for the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress to provide certain interpretations on the Basic Law have been in place since 1997 and have been working well for Hong Kong, in the light of the World Banks indicators showing that our ranking on the rule of law has moved from 69.9% in 1996 all the way up to 93.8% in 2017. We are very confident that we will continue to uphold the rule of law and provide a very good system for both businesses as well as natural persons in Hong Kong. Chief Executive Carrie Lam is presented the 2019 Index of Economic Freedom Report by Heritage Foundation Founder Edwin Feulner at Government House. Chief Executive Carrie Lam today met Heritage Foundation Founder Edwin Feulner to receive a copy of the 2019 Index of Economic Freedom report at Government House. The report ranked Hong Kong as the world's freest economy, a title the city has received for 25 consecutive years. Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the Heritage Foundation for affirming Hong Kong's commitment in upholding free market principles. She was pleased the city's overall score remained at 90.2 in the report, making it the only economy to attain an overall score of more than 90. The report recognised 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, she added. Hong Kong has to keep moving forward amid increasingly keen competition between cities in the region, she said, adding it will continue to facilitate free market operation and improve the environment for doing business, including the launch of tax concession measures this financial year. She added Hong Kong will enhance its international competitiveness to consolidate its leading status as an international city and financial centre. However, the report's rating for Hong Kongs judicial effectiveness was lower compared with last year. It said the judiciary is independent, but Beijing reserves the right to make final interpretations of the Basic Law, effectively limiting the power of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal. In disagreeing with this view, the Chief Executive said the arrangement of enabling the Court of Final Appeal to exercise the power of final adjudication over court cases and the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress to exercise the power of final interpretation of the Basic Law is a unique arrangement which realises one country, two systems and a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong. Mrs Lam said the city's independent judicial power and the power of final adjudication are protected by the Basic Law. The fairness and impartiality of the judiciary, which is free from any interference, are beyond doubt, she added. The Government suspended a plan to deduct $200 from payments to able-bodied Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients aged 60 to 64 who refuse to join an employment scheme. Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong made the announcement at todays Legislative Council Welfare Services Panel meeting. These CSSA recipients are required to participate in the Integrated Employment Assistance Programme for Self-reliance. They must make two attempts to find a job and meet social workers at least once every two months to receive job search assistance. Later, Dr Law told reporters the Government will look into the issue after it completes a review of CSSA special grants and supplements by the end of the year. When asked whether the Government would also shelve its policy to change the age eligibility for elderly CSSA, Dr Law reiterated that the decision was made after thorough discussions. The policy decision has been made for more than two years already. The discussion has been thoroughly discussed and options have been considered, and the Government considered the present decision is proper. The only thing that we need to improve is the way that we are going to deliver, and to help those who are needing help to assist them to find jobs. I think that is the reason why we have been making some of the refinements, so to speak, to accommodate the views of the community. (Photo via Qianjiang Evening News) It is a common practice for students to receive an annual assessment from their teachers, but few receive assessments that are as delicately-designed as a class of students from Hangzhou Gongyi Middle School in east Chinas Zhejiang province. Chen Peng, the class adviser of a class of grade 9 students at the school, gave out 48 cards to his 47 students this year. Each card was printed with the science equipment they have encountered or will learn about, such as a globe, microscope, Yutu-2 lunar rover, and Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), the Qianjiang Evening News reported. Though the cards do not address the students by their given names, they do describe the title and character of each student while comparing their personal characters with the unique features of the science equipment. For example, one student received a card with a nuclear reactor on it. According to Chen, the student, just like a real nuclear reactor, contains great power and can be of benefit if all the dangers can be contained. I deliberately added footnotes to each card, hoping that the students will reference their textbooks after learning their assessment. Combined, the 48 cards also cover the basic knowledge needed for the high school entrance examination, Chen said. This was not the first time that the class adviser has come up with some creative ways to do assessments. Last year, Chen added photos of all his students to the periodic table of chemical elements, describing each student as a chemical element to offer his assessment and to help them remember the chemistry knowledge. Credit: Justin ReichBlack Label Society has announced a North American tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band's 1999 debut album, Sonic Brew. The run kicks off April 24 in Denver, and will wrap up May 23 in Los Angeles. For each city, Zakk Wylde and company will play two shows: the first will be Sonic Brew in its entirety, while the second will be a greatest hits set. For ticket info, visit ZakkWylde.com. Along the way, BLS will play a number of festivals, including Welcome to Rockville, Epicenter, and Sonic Temple. All of the shows fall in between Wylde's dates playing in Ozzy Osbourne's backing band on the metal legend's No More Tours 2 trek. In addition to the tour, Black Label Society has announced a "reimagined" version of Sonic Brew, due out May 17. "The original recording back in 1997 was mastered with high volume, alcohol, and dance," says Wylde in a statement. "We went in and worked off the existing performances and focused on the high volume and dance while replacing the booze with viagra and anabolic steroids." Black Label's most recent album is 2018's Grimmest Hits. Here are Black Label Society's 20th anniversary Sonic Brew tour dates: 4/24 -- Denver, CO, The Oriental Theater 4/25 -- Denver, CO, The Oriental Theater 4/27 -- Dallas, TX, Canton Hall 4/28 -- Dallas, TX, Canton Hall 4/30 -- Chicago, IL, Concord Music Hall 5/1 -- Chicago, IL, Concord Music Hall 5/4 -- Jacksonville, FL, Welcome to Rockville 5/6 -- New York, NY, The Bowery Ballroom 5/7 -- New York, NY, The Bowery Ballroom 5/11 -- Rockingham, NC, Epicenter 5/14 -- Toronto, ON, Canada, Opera House 5/15 -- Toronto, ON, Canada, Opera House 5/17 -- Columbus, OH, Sonic Temple 5/18 -- Clarksville, TN, O'Connors 5/22 -- Los Angeles, CA, El Rey Theatre 5/23 -- Los Angeles, CA, El Rey Theatre Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%. By PTI WASHINGTON: Relations between India and China is expected to remain tense this year, despite the efforts of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to improve ties between the two nations, a top American spymaster told lawmakers on Tuesday. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats said though Modi and Xi held an informal summit in April 2018 to defuse tension and normalise relations between the two nation post the 2017 military standoff at Doklam, they did not address border issues. "Misperception of military movements or construction might result in tensions escalating into armed conflict," he warned. "We expect relations between India and China to remain tense, despite efforts on both sides to manage tensions since the border standoff in 2017, elevating the risk of unintentional escalation," Coats told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during a Congressional hearing on World Wide Threat assessment of the US intelligence community. Coats said Chinese leaders will try to extend the country's global economic, political and military reach, while using China's military capabilities and overseas infrastructure and energy investments under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to diminish the US' influence. "However, Beijing is likely to face political pushback from host governments in many locations...," he said. India has been severely critical of the BRI as the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is part of the BRI, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India says it cannot accept a project that ignores its core concern on sovereignty and territorial integrity. India was the only country in the eight-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on June 10 last year which refused to endorse the ambitious BRI for which Beijing has signed pacts with nearly 80 countries and international organisations. Wang Mei, 25 and her bridegroom, Zhang Jinyuan, 31, finally had their wedding on Jan. 13 on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, after the bride traveled over 2,000 km across five mountains, overcoming numerous difficulties, such as altitude sickness and carsickness, for the special day. The couple registered as a married couple last April, but Zhang was summoned back to his post in Yumai, southwest Chinas Tibet Autonomous Region, several days later, before they had a chance to have their wedding. To realize their dream of having a wedding, Wang asked her employer for leave in January to visit her husband. I can meet there since he cant travel home for the Spring Festival, Wang said. She brought many snacks and hotpot condiments with her as well some medicine including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment to give to the comrades of her husband, who works as a captain at a border area protecting an entry point to the nation some 5,000 meters above sea level. Zhang, who was worried about the safety of his wife, contacted her every hour after Wang landed in Lhasa, as he knows the way to the border area is very dangerous. I was a little worried that things would be limited, but my husband and the other soldiers, as well the local residents, tried their best to make it a fabulous wedding ceremony, Wang said. One local resident even lent Wang a sacred Tibet-style wedding dress, and the soldiers decorated their homes with balloons. The wedding on the snow-topped mountain was a happy occasion and everything went smoothly. I totally understand my husbands duty and will support him with all my passion, Wang said. China have thousands of military couples just like us. Im not alone. By PTI UNITED NATIONS: Poignant tales of compassion of Jews finding refuge in India in the midst of the horror of the Holocaust were recounted as the UN commemorated the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust that occurred during the Second World War. It commemorates the genocide that resulted in the death of an estimated 6 million Jews. India's Permanent Mission to the UN co-hosted with B'nai B'rith International a special event 'India: A Distant Haven during the Holocaust' here Monday as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over the centuries-old hatred being "not only still strong", but also "getting worse". India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said the commemoration was an opportunity to recount the moving tales of compassion amid the tragedies of the Holocaust, and to promote the civilizational values that are key to preventing such crimes against humanity from occurring ever again. He told the gathering that there were numerous stories of solace offered in India to those escaping troubling times in Europe. He recounted the legendary story of the Maharaja of Nawanagar, who against all odds, took personal responsibility to provide home to around one thousand Polish children. They travelled all the way to Gujarat in India to escape the ravages of the World War II in their homeland. During the ensuing panel discussion, noted scholar, author and archivist Kenneth Robbins shared how some of the Jewish faith found refuge in India in the midst of horror and gloom of the Holocaust. Stephen Tauber, a Holocaust survivor whose family fled from Austria to India, also shared his family's stories. "While the world was at war, India was engaged in its own struggle for freedom from colonial rule. Yet, even during these difficult times, the people of India welcomed visitors from overseas who were escaping uncertainties in their homelands," Akbaruddin said. He noted that the link between India and people of Jewish faith went back thousands of years in history when the first Jews landed on India's south-western coast nearly two thousand years ago and over the decades have greatly contributed in the fields of entrepreneurship, art, architecture and culture. Akbaruddin pointed out that India had rarely witnessed anti-semitism except during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks when Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed 16s people including six persons at the Chabad House in Mumbai. "As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Genocide Convention this year, we watch with concern that globally the forces of anti-semitism, racial and religious intolerance and xenophobia are posing new challenges to global values," he said. "Examples of compassion and solidarity serve as beacons of hope and inspiration in troubled times. Stories of those who have witnessed horror in unimaginable ways and have triumphed, help in building across borders and generations, confidence and solidarity for the cherished values of pluralism and peaceful co-existence," he added. During the panel discussion, Robbins spoke about minorities' contribution to Indian society and India's history of religious tolerance. He also outlined the movement of Jews to India during different periods of history. Tauber recalled a more personal story of his own family that had left Vienna and travelled to India on an Italian ship. His family worked to maintain its Jewish traditions in a tiny community. In 1941, the family settled permanently in the United States. "Ken is a font of knowledge about India, and particularly the intersections between Indians and Jews. Ken's work epitomises the phrase 'labor of love', " B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel Mariaschin said. Mariaschin thanked Tauber for sharing his story, noting "that you and your family were fortunate to find rescue in India and ultimately a new life here in the United States". President of B'nai B'rith International, oldest Jewish service organization in the world, Charles Kaufman emphasised the UN's role in fighting hatred and violence. By PTI JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be visiting India in February or March, before elections in both the countries, in what would be his second visit to New Delhi coming after just over a year. "A date is being worked out but no confirmed dates are available as yet. Both the sides have exchanged their preferred dates but there is no final decision on it. The visit, however, is likely sometime in February or March," informed sources here told PTI. Netanyahu visited India in January 2018 while Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Tel Aviv in 2017, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to tour the Jewish state. Both the leaders spoke over the phone earlier this month when Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbath visited New Delhi. Ben-Shabbath also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The Israeli prime minister is said to have expressed his desire to visit India again to which Modi is said to have consented, sources said. Netanyahu has taken up many trips abroad recently to strengthen Israel's standing in the international community, something that his supporters have been using to project him as the only leader who can drum up support for Israel. Israel has recently seen major diplomatic breakthroughs with Netanyahu visiting Oman, a country that doesn't have diplomatic ties with Israel, and Chad, an overwhelming Muslim country, restarting diplomatic engagement with the Jewish state. The Israeli leader seems to be trying to convince his people that his country is not isolated in the global community and many more nations would be working with Tel Aviv, irrespective of a breakthrough on the deadlocked peace process with Palestinians. Israel will hold elections for the Knesset (parliament) on April 9. By PTI LAHORE: Pakistan concluding a free trade agreement with India as well as the United States is difficult now and a deal with New Delhi will depend on improvement in political relations, a top adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan has said. The comments of Abdul Razak Dawood, Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Textile and Industry came on Monday in response to questions on the possibility of free trade agreements with the US and India. When asked to comment on the reported statement by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham that the US may offer Pakistan a Free Trade Agreement if Islamabad renders full support and cooperation to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table for a dialogue to end the 17-year brutal war in Afghanistan. "Pakistan is doing a great job. But when we talk about the FTA with the United States it is very difficult as it will take five to seven years," Dawood said. Pakistan's ties with the US remains uneasy over Islamabad's failure to curb terrorist activities from its soil. When asked whether or not the government led by Prime Minister Khan expected improvement in free trade relations with India via the Wagah border, Dawood said, "It depends on the improvement in political relations between Pakistan and India. An FTA with India is not easy at the moment." Pakistan is yet to grant the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. Dawood said in November last year that there no immediate plans to grant MFN status to India. India has already granted the MFN status to all members of the World Trade Organisation, including Pakistan. Dawood's comments on Monday came a day after Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Information of Pakistan, said that the time is not right to hold dialogue as the Indian leaders are preparing for the upcoming general elections. "It is useless to talk to them (India) now unless there is some stability. We will move forward once the new government is formed after the elections. We have delayed our efforts to hold talks with India because we do not expect any big decision from the present Indian leadership," Chaudhry said. The relations between India and Pakistan remains strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists and no bilateral talks taking place between them for more than two years. India has firmly told Pakistan that terrorism and talks cannot go together. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a review petition against its decision to acquit Christian woman Aasia Bibi who was on death row for eight years on charges of blasphemy, in a major setback to hardline Islamists who had demanded her execution. Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, who is now in protective custody, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence but spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. The apex court's decision in October last to overturn her conviction sparked nationwide violent protests and death threats from hardline Islamist groups. The protests subsided when the government allowed the protesters to file a review petition against Bibi's acquittal. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, on Tuesday, dismissed the review petition filed by local prayer leader Qari Muhammad Salaam as the plea failed to point out any flaw in the verdict of the court that acquitted Bibi. During the hearing, Salaam's lawyer said that the matter of Bibi's acquittal is a matter concerning the Muslim clergy and religious scholars should also be called to present their point of view. "How is this a matter of religion?" the chief justice asked. "Has the verdict not been given on merit?" "The verdict was given on the basis of testimonies; does Islam say that one should be punished even if they are found not guilty?" he asked. "Tell us where we failed to take into account testimony or where we misread the testimonies," Justice Khosa asked. Justice Khosa, who was part of the five-member larger bench which acquitted Bibi on October 31, further said that if testimonies of those involved in the case were not judged correctly, the court will review them and if the matter needs to be referred to a larger bench, the decision will be taken. "An FIR lodged five days after an incident is suspect," said Justice Khosa while referring to report lodged in the case and which formed the basis for Bibi's prosecution. He said that testimonies also differed in their account regarding the size and the place of the crowd which had gathered following the blasphemy accusation, the Express Tribune reported. The lawyer countered that late registration of an FIR does not necessarily mean ill intention. "Should we then hand an accused on the basis of such testimonies," questioned the chief justice. He dismissed the review petition, saying the petitioner was not able to point out any mistake in the apex court verdict acquitting Bibi. Security was tightened in Islamabad where the court is located. Paramilitary Rangers were deployed in addition to the regular police to deal with any unsavoury situation. Bibi was arrested in 2009 for allegedly using derogatory words during a quarrel with Muslim women while working on a farm in Nankana Sahib area of Punjab province. The case was filed by Salaam on the complaint of the Muslim women. She was convicted in 2010 by the trial court and her death sentence was maintained by the Lahore High Court in 2014. The apex court overturned her conviction last year, sparking days of violent demonstrations led by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) - a hardline Islamist party. Salmaan filed the review petition in the case on November 1, 2018 at the Lahore registry of the apex court, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. In the petition, it was argued that the apex court's acquittal of Bibi did not meet the standards of jurisprudence as well as Islamic provisions and the "normal principle of justice with reference to application in blasphemy laws". It also challenged the top court's dismissal of the alleged "confession" that Bibi was forced to make by the people of her village and argued that the Supreme Court should have applied the Law of Evidence differently in this case. Bibi's lawyer, who fled to the Netherlands after receiving death threats for defending her, returned home Sunday to represent her in the case. Her case has been deeply divisive in Pakistan where there is strong support for the controversial blasphemy laws. Bibi's case gained prominence when the former governor of Pakistan's Punjab province Salman Taseer was killed in 2011 for supporting her and criticising the blasphemy laws. A month after Taseer was killed, Pakistan's religious minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian who spoke out against the blasphemy law, was shot dead in Islamabad. The blasphemy laws were promulgated by former military dictator Ziaul Haq in 1980s. A person convicted under these laws is given a death sentence. By PTI JONESBOROUGH: Protestors shut down a border road between Ireland and Northern Ireland on Saturday, erecting a concrete wall with mock-military checkpoints to illustrate the violent unrest a hard Brexit could bring to the fragile region. Locals hauled towering concrete barriers into place and installed a customs hut defended by a watchtower manned by men dressed as armed British troops -- evoking haunting memories of the three decades of bloodshed known as "the Troubles". "It's actually to remind some of our younger generation exactly the way things were 25 years ago," said John McNamee, an activist with group Border Communities against Brexit. "This is what it was about and we certainly don't want it back," he said -- dressed as a customs agent which were once a common sight at the border. During the Troubles the area was militarised as republican and unionist paramilitaries and the British military vied for control. ALSO READ | Donald Trump says he wants people to come to the US legally More than 3,600 were killed before the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 ended the conflict and effectively dissolved the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic. After a rally calling on Westminster to avoid the return of a hard border along the 310 mile (500 kilometer) boundary locals smashed down the mock wall using sledgehammers in a jubilant atmosphere. They also took heavy machinery to the watchtowers as the British troops intervened in a dramatic act of "street theatre", designed to illustrate tensions which could return to the region following a hard-won peace. "We're 60 days out from the reality of Brexit with or without a deal," said Border Communities Against Brexit organiser Tom Murray. ALSO READ | Brexit: Queen Elizabeth II urges divided Britons to 'seek common ground' "Without a deal there may be the imposition of a border. This is a visual representation of the potential of the worst case scenario," he said. British parliament is currently in deadlock, unable to pass a withdrawal deal that would rule out the need for border checks. If Britain quits the EU without an accord on 29 March, there are concerns infrastructure will be needed to enforce customs and regulations at the new edge of the trading bloc. "It would be fairly tough on our daily life," explained protestor Aaron Crilly -- whose family is split between the two territories. On Friday Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told Bloomberg TV that border may "involve people in uniform" as well as "cameras, physical infrastructure, possibly a police presence, or an army presence to back it up." By Express News Service CHENNAI: Russias Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, technical consultants and main equipment suppliers for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, has rolled out the ASE International Photo Awards, an international photo awards competition for Indian journalists and photographers. The competition is organised by its Engineering Division, ASE, with the first prize winner bagging a fully paid trip to Russia. Apart from India, the ASE International Photo Awards is open for journalists and photographers from Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, China, the Republic of Belarus and Hungary. ASE currently implements its projects in these countries also. The participants can compete in four nominations. These are energy of the future photos showing the changes of life in nuclear power plant construction regions, neighbourly relations of the nature and nuclear power; peoples photos focusing on the man, his fate and overcoming efforts to change life for the best; cities social photos that reflect challenges facing the contemporary world and simultaneously its beauty and wildlife photos that allow us to see and feel the diversity of the world in its beauty. The works are accepted by e-mail fotoecase@gmail.com by February 10. For more information on the rules, those interested cab check http://ase-ec.ru/en/for-journalists/photo-awards/. By Express News Service MADURAI: In view of the 71st Anniversary of the Martyrdom Day of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 (Wednesday), the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court ordered closure of all liquor shops in the State on Wednesday. A division bench comprising Justices K K Sasidharan and P D Audikesavalu gave the direction while hearing a public interest litigation filed by one V Ratheesh of Vilavancode Taluk in Kanniyakumari, seeking closure of a TASMAC retail shop located in State Highways at Pudukadai village of Kanniyakumari district. During the hearing, the Judges inquired the government pleader whether liquor shops operate on January 30, citing the death anniversary of Gandhi. When the counsel informed the Judges that there is no prohibition on the said date, the Judges suo motu impleaded the Home Secretary and directed to ensure that all liquor shops across the State remain closed on January 30, 2019 in commemoration of the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. By Express News Service CHENNAI: A week after teachers from Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) started their indefinite strike, 97 per cent have returned to work, said Rameswara Murugan, the Director of School Education, speaking to reporters on Tuesday. "Most teachers have returned to work after the public fear that government schools cannot be trusted with. The situation is close to normal now," he said. He further added that temporary appointments will be made to fill the vacancies created by teachers who are still participating in the strike or have been suspended. READ | TN government staff strike: Over a lakh apply for temporary teaching posts "Disciplinary action will not be taken on those who have returned to work. It will be taken only on those who are yet to return," he said, adding that the seats of teachers who are still in the strike, will be treated as vacancies and be given to teachers who are seeking transfer. He emphasised that even elementary school teachers, who were the most active during the strike, have returned to work. The association has a nine-point demand list in which they urged the government to repeal the new pension scheme and revert to the old one, settle 21-month pay arrears according to the new pay commissions guidelines, settle pay anomalies for secondary teachers and regularise the jobs of part-time staff and teachers working at Anganwadis. In addition to these, the association has asked the government to not employ elementary school teachers in Anganwadis. By Express News Service ALAPPUZHA: A tweet on Prophet Muhammad while replying to a friend on the microblogging site was enough to land a 28-year-old Alappuzha native in a Saudi Arabia prison for 10 years and be fined around ` 30 lakh. Now, the family of Vishnu Dev, who was working as an engineer in an oil company in Saudi Arabia, is knocking the doors of rulers to secure the freedom of their son. According to Vishnus father Radhakrishnan Nair, a former Air Force officer, said his son had befriended a London-based Muslim woman on Twitter and the duo used to have discussions on various social issues on the microblogging site. In one of her tweets, the woman said something against Lord Shiva. As a counter argument, Vishnu tweeted against the Prophet and said if he was merciful, why were schools in Yemen bombed. The tweet led to his arrest and sentencing, Nair said. On September 13 last year, a lower court sentenced Vishnu to five years in prison and a fine of 1.5 lakh Saudi Riyal. On January 24, a higher court enhanced Vishnus sentence to 10 years Vishnu was working in Nazzer S Al-Hajri Corporation, a subsidiary of Aramco Oil Company. The family suspects his tweet was sent through Aramcos server and a company officer may have taken a screenshot of the same and complained to the police. Before arresting him, the officers grilled Vishnu on several occasions. While one of the officers said he might be deported for the offence, he was instead arrested and jailed. He was booked under cybercrime pertaining to blasphemy and spreading a message against the Kingdom and Prophet through social media. Though I lodged several complaints with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and various MPs, including Shashi Tharoor, and also several political leaders, nothing proved fruitful, said Nair. China on Tuesday strongly urged the United States to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, including Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang [File Photo: fmprc.gov.cn] The U.S. Justice Department reportedly unsealed criminal charges against Huawei, and continues to seek extradition of Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou from Canada. "China highly concerned about those criminal charges," said spokesperson Geng Shuang. The Chinese government always demands its enterprises conduct economic cooperation on a legal basis, and requires all countries to create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the legitimate operations of Chinese enterprises, said Geng. "For some time, the United States has used its state power to discredit and suppress a specific Chinese enterprise and attempted to interfere in the legitimate operations of enterprise. Those act contained strong political intentions and manipulations," he said. "China will resolutely defend the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises," he added. For Meng's case, Geng said that China has repeatedly stated its "solemn stance on the matter." The United States and Canada arbitrarily misused the bilateral extradition treaty between them to unjustifiably take compulsory measures against a Chinese citizen, which has severely violated the Chinese citizen's safety and legitimate rights and interests, Geng said. "We once again urge the U.S. side to immediately withdraw its arrest warrant for Ms. Meng Wanzhou and stop seeking extradition for her so as to avoid steering on to the wrong course," said the spokesperson. China also urged the Canadian side to treat China's stance seriously, immediately release Meng and protect her legitimate rights, and not be a cat's paw for the United States, he said. By Express News Service KOCHI: Metro Man E Sreedharan, who is also the president of Foundation for Restoration of National Values, New Delhi, on Monday submitted before the Kerala High Court that the devastating mid-August deluge, which claimed more than 470 lives, was a manmade disaster. The petition stated he had approached the government citing the need for a comprehensive technical study of the reasons for the flood happened in August last year. Even three months after sending the letter to the Chief Minister and Kerala Planning Board vice-chairman, no action has been taken. This inaction from the government was due to the fear in the minds of the authorities that their omissions and commissions would be exposed and individuals and the government itself would be held responsible for the tragedy. Sreedharan sought a directive to set up a high-level technical committee consisting of three or four eminent engineers to unravel the factors which led to the unprecedented floods. This would enable the country to be better equipped to deal with similar calamities in the future. The state government is duty-bound to ensure that a similar disaster does not happen in the future. Sreedharan pointed out that red alerts were not taken seriously by the dam authorities. Following a series of droughts, dam authorities were anxious to impound as much water as possible before opening the shutters. The petition further stated that absence of a scientific study also intensified the damage. Lack of coordination was also there between different dam authorities and also the absence of data to compute the combined effect of more than one dam being opened. There was no centralised agency to coordinate releases from different dams. Unauthorised structures within the river regime blocking the natural flow of water was the main reason for Aluva river to overflow. Manmade bunds and inadequate discharge capacity of the gates of the Vembanad Lake caused floodwaters to rise in Kuttanad region. Govt will look into flood relief complaints: CM TPuram: The government will favourably consider the complaints regarding flood relief, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. The government is examining 54,792 appeal applications and they will be disposed of in a time-bound manner, he said. The Chief Minister was replying to a poser by V D Satheesan MLA in the Assembly on Monday. A total of 6,87,843 families were given `10,000 each. Of them, 77,041 received the money after filing appeal petitions. This means the government is adopting a favourable stand towards the eligible people left out from the list, he said. The CM also assured to look into the complaints on compensation for damage caused to houses. Arunkumar Huralimath By Express News Service KARWAR: Here is a unique Shadi Bhagya scheme being offered by a village cooperative society in Yellapur, Uttara Kannada district. Any girl who marries a farmer from Anagodu village gets Rs 1 lakh deposited in her account. This offer is limited to villagers of Anagodu and the members of Anagodu Seva Sahakari Sangha (a cooperative society). The scheme will start from April 1, 2019. N K Bhat, president of the society, said they had come up with this idea to help farmers families socially and economically and also help young farmers who are finding it difficult to get life partners. Why this knotty problem? In Uttara Kannada, girls prefer to marry those working in Bengaluru in the IT sector or having a government job. So, many families are reluctant to give their daughters in marriage to farmers. This novel scheme comes with some conditions. One of the conditions is that at least one family member should be a member of the cooperative society and have a transaction of `3 lakh with the society annually. In Anagodu there are about 300 households and most are members of the society,Bhat said. He said besides Anagodu villagers, farmer families who are attached to the society can also get benefits of the new scheme. The offer applies to all members irrespective of caste.The villagers are mainly dependent on agriculture. They sell their harvest through society and purchase iron, cement, grocery, food for livestock etc from the society. The society has 2,000 plus members from 22 villages in Yellapur taluk. The members and the administrative board have come up with this scheme to also boost business of the society. The scheme will start from April 1, 2019, said a member of the society. Many times we fail to get brides for our sons though they earn well. Most parents dont want their daughters to marry someone with agricultural background. This is another reason many youngsters are giving up farming. Offers like this may help young farmers get brides, said a member of the Havyak community. A SURYA PRAKASH By While the announcement of the Bharat Ratna for Nanaji Deshmukh, Pranab Mukherjee and Bhupen Hazarika by the Narendra Modi government has been well received all over the country, there are some voices of dissent, especially within the Congress, with some accusing the Centre of promoting loyalists. Nothing can be farther from the truth and, as the details that follow will reveal, it is best that Congress members are far more circumspect when the debate is about honouring Indias real heroes. Given Deshmukhs phenomenal contribution to the idea of rural self-reliance and the sacrifices he made to bring about agrarian reform, the real question is why he was not conferred the honour earlier. The same is true of Hazarika, who bridged the cultural gap between the Northeast and other states and made a huge contribution to national integration through his music and art. Former President and Congress veteran Pranab, the most qualified Congress leader for the office of PM, was edged out of the race by accidental PMs more than once due to the insecurities of a single political family. His judicious advice and non-partisan approach were invaluable at critical times for two PMs when he was President. Now for some unpleasant home truths about the Bharat Ratna. As per the rules, the honour is conferred by the President on the recommendation of the PM. It was instituted in 1954. The very next year, PM Jawaharlal Nehrus government gave Nehru the Bharat Ratna in 1955. PM Indira Gandhi too gave herself the Bharat Ratna in 1971. Neither Nehru nor Indira considered Dr B R Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution, or Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the man who created an united India, worthy of the nations highest honour. Rajiv Gandhi too was given the Bharat Ratna soon after his assassination. Dr Ambedkar was conferred the Bharat Ratna by the Janata Dal-led government of V P Singh, which was supported by the BJP. But why was he overlooked until then? Because, according to Dr Subramanian Swamy, Till then no PM dared to overrule Nehru. Patel too was recognised by a non-Congress government in 1991. It was PM Chandra Shekhar who suggested the Sardar be given the Bharat Ratna posthumously and ex-President Venkataraman recalls in his memoirs that he readily agreed to the proposal. Earlier that year, Chandra Shekhar had proposed that Bharat Ratna be conferred on former PM Morarji Desai. He was 96 when he received the honour. The Modi governments decision to honour Hazarika with the Bharat Ratna reminds one of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee governments decision to honour Gopinath Bordoloi, a great patriot. Bordoloi worked closely with Patel to ensure Pakistans claims to parts of Assam were scuttled and this key state in the Northeast remained united with India. But the Congress did not consider him worthy of the honour. He was conferred the award by the Vajpayee government in 1999. Another great Gandhian and patriotJayaprakash Narayanwho led the movement for restoration of democracy in the 1970s after Indira imposed a dictatorship, was conferred the highest civilian honour by the Vajpayee government in 1999. Although the Congress, under Mahatma Gandhis leadership, was at the vanguard of the freedom movement, the party under the leadership of the Nehru-Gandhis became small-minded and spiteful. Between them, Nehru, Indira and Rajiv were in power for 38 years. In addition, Sonia Gandhi as Congress president was the de facto head of government while the Accidental Prime Minister did the de jure functions for 10 years. The family also extracted its political pound of flesh when Narasimha Rao was PM. However, even though many well-meaning citizens suggested that Vajpayee be conferred the Bharat Ratna, the Sonia-Manmohan combine dismissed the idea. Ultimately, Vajpayee was given the honour after the peoples verdict of 2014 reduced the Congress to a rump in Parliament. On the other hand, the Modi government chose eminent Congress leaders of the past and presentPandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Pranabfor this honour. While the Nehru-Gandhis conferred the honour on themselves, they never felt the need to honour some of the greatest Indians. India had to elect non-Congress governments to ensure that these leaders got their due. It is also true that the Nehru-Gandhis never acknowledged the contribution of those belonging to political formations they disliked, although the Congress often harps on its commitment to diversity. Obviously, in the Congress lexicon diversity does not include political/ideological diversity. On the other hand, PM Modi and the BJP have displayed greater maturity and magnanimity. Finally, the Congress has often been accused of using the award to promote its electoral prospects. A case in point is the conferment of the Bharat Ratna on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran in 1988. Rajiv was desperate to win the support of MGRs party and garner votes in the elections the following year. B G Deshmukh, who was cabinet secretary at that time, recalls in his memoirs that many in government as well as outside it viewed this as a political move by the Congress. Also, Deshmukh indicates that there was much opposition to awarding the Bharat Ratna posthumously as this would open the floodgates. But these arguments were overruled obviously due to political reasons. So, in regard to the Bharat Ratna, the best advice for Congress members would be: Please keep your lips sealed! A SURYA PRAKASH Chairman, Prasar Bharati Email: suryamedia@gmail.com By PTI NEW DELHI: A CBI SP transferred within five months of his posting has accused the agency's interim chief M Nageswara Rao of acting out of "malice and prejudice" at the "expense of institutional and public interests". He claimed that the action against him was due to the fact that he had complained about Rao's misconduct to the then CBI director Alok Verma. Seeking review of his transfer from Anti-Corruption Branch here to Ghaziabad training academy, Superintendent of Police T Rajah Balaji has questioned the "mass transfers" done by Rao as "Director in-charge". When sought a reaction, CBI Spokesperson Nitin Wakankar said the representation from Balaji about his transfer has not yet been received in the office of the director. Additional Director Rao was given duties and responsibilities of CBI director after a high-level committee transferred Verma as DG Fire Services on January 10. After assuming duty, Rao ordered mass transfers in the agency from the ranks of joint directors to ASPs. No justifications were given for the exercise. Balaji, who was transferred in a late night order on January 21, said he was given the posting in New Delhi by Verma on humanitarian grounds on August 1, 2018 so that his mother-in-law, a cancer patient undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, can be taken care of. He said this is the fourth time within two years that he has been transferred. He said Minister of Urban Development and Housing Affairs allotted him accommodation in East Kidwai Nagar which is close to AIIMS. "It is a known fact that I had complained about your misconduct to the then Director CBI on March 11, 2017 and subsequently when you had served me with a memo, your misconduct was set out in more explicit terms by me vide letter May 2, 2017, and, now you have abused your official position to service your personal sleepless malice and prejudice against me at the expense of institutional and public interests," Balaji said. Wakankar said appropriate action will be taken once the representation is received. "As and when it is received through proper channel, appropriate action as per rules will be taken. It may further be mentioned that Rajah Balaji has been transferred to Ghaziabad which is the part of the NCR only," he said. In his letter, which is also part of his petition to the Central Administrative Tribunal, Balaji said the post of director cannot be used for any purpose other than institutional and public interests. He said the transfer order does not offer any reasons "It is a known fact in the public domain that the three-member high committee is to meet on January 24, 2019 to select the next director, CBI and as a matter of propriety, it was incumbent and necessary in your capacity as only director-in-charge not to go on a spree of mass transfers of various officers from the level of joint directors to additional superintendents of police, and resort to any necessary transfer only on rational grounds that merit such a course in public interest," he said in his letter dated January 22. The meeting of the high-level committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to select the new CBI chief remained inconclusive on January 24. A new date of the meeting is yet to be decided. Balaji said his transfer order is "plainly irrational" because as director-in-charge, no review or inspection of the branches has been carried out by Rao to deduce why such mass transfers were necessary. Referring to a quote of Shakespeare from his play Henry V "There is some soul of goodness in things evil, 5 Would men observingly distill it out", Balaji said he admits that he does not have the intelligence to 'distill' good out of Rao but he should bear animosity to him not an ailing old woman. "I request you on purely humanitarian grounds in the hope that you can truly make a start to redeem your humanity. It is never late in life to become a good man again. Trust me. Trust the better part of your heart. No More, no less," he wrote to Rao. The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the exit of Verma, who was engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana have accused each other of corruption. Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards - a less significant portfolio. He did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 year age of superannuation. By PTI JAMMU: A high-level team of Pakistani experts inspected the 1000 MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project being built on the Chenab river basin in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district Tuesday under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), officials said. The three-member team, headed by Pakistan's Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mehr Ali Shah, visited the site of the 1,000-MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric project (HEP), they said. The team, which arrived in Jammu on Monday, reached Kishtwar late in the evening, the officials said. The inspection is mandated under the treaty to resolve issues on the various hydro-electric projects. In August last year, India and Pakistan had high-level bilateral talks on the IWT to strengthen the role of the Permanent Indus Commission for matters under the 1960 treaty. ALSO READ: Water crisis brews between India and Pakistan as rivers run dry After the talks, India had invited Pakistani experts to visit the sites of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai projects to address Islamabad's concerns. This tour is an obligation imposed on both the countries by the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 between India and Pakistan and under the treaty, both the commissioners are mandated to inspect sites and works on both the sides of Indus basin in a block of five years, a senior official had said. Since signing the treaty, a total of 118 such tours on both the sides have been undertaken by the commission. The last tours of the commission in Pakistan and India were held in July 2013 and September 2014, respectively. No tour could be held so far in the current five years block which ends in March 2020. This tour will be followed by a visit of Indian Indus Commissioner to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date decided between the two commissioners, the official added. This tour was originally scheduled in October 2018 but later postponed because of the local bodies and panchayat polls in J&K. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, waters flowing in three of Indus tributaries -- the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi -- have been allotted to India; while the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus waters have been allotted to Pakistan. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Spicejet Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) Ajay Singh and seven other directors of the airline in a cheating case, officials said on Tuesday. The FIR was registered at the Greater Kailash police station following court's directions, they said. In his complaint, a south Delhi-based private consultant, Puneet Dewan, alleged that the company used his service but did not pay his fees, a senior police officer said. The officer said the FIR was filed after Dewan approached a Delhi court. Legal action will be taken after a thorough investigation. A Spicejet spokesperson, however, denied the allegations as "false, fraudulent, baseless and concocted". "The complainant has defrauded the company and is now filing frivolous complaints to extract money. He has deliberately concealed facts before the court. The company/directors will take strict action against him under the law," the spokesperson said. By PTI GUWAHATI: Refuting AASU's claims that the BJP had orchestrated the attacks on its members at Nalbari two days back, the saffron party's state unit on Tuesday accused the opposition Congress to be behind the incident. Several All Assam Students' Union (AASU) activists were attacked while they were protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill during Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's visit to Nalbari on January 27. Addressing a press conference here, Assam BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass showed pictures of Congress personnel being present among the AASU protestors on that day. "The Congress was involved in the Ghograpara incident in Nalbari district. We have evidence of Congress being involved in it," he said. Dass claimed that Congress is engaging in such incidents with a malafide intention to spoil AASU's name and ruin its image. "They want to create a rift between the BJP and AASU. The Congress wants to ruin the image of AASU," Dass claimed. Showing pictures to prove his allegations, the BJP state chief identified one Abdul Ali, who is the president of Ghograpara Block Congress, to be among the AASU protestors. Dass also identified five others -- Nalbari Congress vice president Sarat Kalita, general secretary Lutfur Rahman, spokesperson Khanin Lahkar, Nalbari Youth Congress president Gyandeep Kalita, and general secretary Moidul Islam -- among the protestors. "The Congress workers had come with sticks and stones and attacked the AASU activists. The AASU will never protest with sticks. It was Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chandra Mohan Patowary who controlled the situation from getting out of control," he claimed. He urged the district administration and AASU to investigate the incident. BJP workers and AASU activists had allegedly clashed when the students' organisations were protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill during a bike rally taken out by the saffron party workers to escort Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary who had gone to Nalbari for the foundation stone laying of a hospital by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. AASU, however, has alleged that its members were stopped and attacked by the BJP workers with sticks and stones and carried the violence to the police station too. The AASU, which had yesterday staged 'black flag' protests across Assam against the alleged attack, today blocked the National Highways across the state for one hour against the "autocracy of the BJP government" and demanding punishment for the guilty. Thousands of AASU members waving flags and banners staged demonstrations and blocked National Highways across the state. They also blocked NH-37 at Basishtha Chariali in Guwahati. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Assam Assembly and Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has written to Nalbari Superintendent of Police on Tuesday clarifying about the alleged involvement of two Congress workers during the black flag demonstration by AASU and scuffles that allegedly broke out between the student organisation and BJP supporters in Nalbari. On the alleged involvement of Congress workers Gyandeep Kalita and Maidul Ali, Saikia claimed that though they were present at the site of the incident in the morning, subsequently they left the spot and accompanied him to Barpeta where Saikia attended a public meeting. "We came to know about the incident in Barpeta. Ali and Kalita also shared lunch with me in Howli. I finally dropped them off in Nalbari at around 6 pm. In short, both Kalita and Ali were not present in Nalbari at the time the incident occurred, and I can vouch for it," Saikia wrote. He said the allegations leveled against Kalita and Ali by the state president of the BJP is entirely false and motivated. "I have alerted you as to the reality so that you do not proceed against the duo on the basis of flimsy charges," Saikia wrote to the SP. AASUs chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya told reporters that both the state government and the ruling BJP would have to pay dearly for trying to dominate a democratic movement forcefully. Meanwhile, on the citizenship bill, the BJP state chief appealed the public, irrespective of language, religion and ethnicity, not to get emotional but analyse the bill and understand what it is and what will be its impact. "AASU has the right to protest against the bill as they were involved in the Assam movement. But others are creating unrest by talking about Assam's separation from India and creating a French Revolution-like situation," Dass said. "The Citizenship Bill is for the entire country. The Lok Sabha passed it. Now, it is in Rajya Sabha with the Opposition there against it. BJP wants the bill to be an Act which has been amended only to reduce the stay in India for obtaining Indian citizenship to six years from the existing 12 years," he said. The controversial bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do not possess any document. By PTI WASHINGTON: There is a strong possibility of communal violence in India if the ruling BJP stresses on Hindu nationalist themes ahead of the general election in May, America's top spymaster told US lawmakers on Tuesday. The comment on India's upcoming general election is part of the US intelligence community's assessment of worldwide threats in the year 2019 and was presented in the form of a written document to the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence by Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence. "Parliamentary elections in India increase the possibility of communal violence if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stresses Hindu nationalist themes," Coats told members of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Coats and heads of other top American intelligence agencies appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to present their worldwide threat assessment. Prominent among them included CIA Director Gina Haspel, who has just returned from a trip to India, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Robert Ashley. "BJP policies during Modi's first term have deepened communal tensions in some BJP-governed states, and Hindu nationalist state leaders might view a Hindu-nationalist campaign as a signal to incite low-level violence to animate their supporters," Coats said in his written statement. "Increasing communal clashes could alienate Indian Muslims and allow Islamist terrorist groups in India to expand their influence, Coats warned ahead of the general election. The five-year term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ends in May. The entire process of election and formation of the new parliament needs to be completed by May. Coats in his written statement also warn of a strained India-Pakistan relationship at least till May. "We judge that cross-border terrorism, firing across the Line of Control (LoC), divisive national elections in India, and Islamabad's perception of its position with the United States relative to India will contribute to strained India-Pakistan relations at least through May 2019, the deadline for the Indian election, and probably beyond," he said. Despite limited confidence-building measures - such as both countries recommitting in May 2018 to the 2003 ceasefire along the disputed Kashmir border - continued terrorist attacks and cross-border firing in Kashmir have hardened each country's position and reduced their political will to seek rapprochement, he said. "Political maneuvering resulting from the Indian national elections probably will further constrain near-term opportunities for improving ties," it said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha Tuesday demanded a probe into alleged diversion of Rs 31,000 crore of loans by DHFL that the company raised from state-owned banks including SBI and Bank of Baroda, a charge the NBFC termed as mischievous with a mala fide intention. According to a Cobrapost expose, Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) through layers of shell companies allegedly siphoned off Rs 31,000 crore out of total bank loans of Rs 97,000 crore. "If the government fails to order an immediate investigation into the allegations into the aspects including political funding, it would raise a question mark on the intent of the government. Therefore, I demand investigation under court supervision by a special investigative team," Sinha said after the details of Cobrapost were revealed. DHFL in a statement said the company is publicly listed housing finance company and is regulated by the National Housing Bank and the Securities and Exchange Board of India, amongst other regulators. "This mischievous misadventure by Cobrapost appears to have been done with a mala fide intent to cause damage to the goodwill and reputation of DHFL and resulting in erosion in shareholder value," the statement said. The real intent of this exercise appears to be to destabilise the company and the market equilibrium besides hampering to meet the on-going obligations, it said. Sinha also said the exposes raise question mark on the claims of the government of nailing down of lakhs of shell companies. All the agencies including regulators of the government have failed to track nefarious deals, he said. Citing exposes, he alleged that political donations were received by a political party. The exposes alleged that the scam has been pulled off mainly by sanctioning and disbursing astronomical amounts in secured and unsecured loans to dubious shell/pass-through companies, related to DHFL's own primary stakeholders Kapil Wadhawan, Aruna Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan through their proxies and associates, which have in turn passed the money on to companies controlled by the Wadhawans. "The money has been used to buy shares/equity and other private assets in India and abroad, including in countries like the UK, Dubai, Sri Lanka and Mauritius," it said. DHFL is a responsible and law-abiding corporate citizen and all loans are disbursed in the normal course of business in accordance with industry best practices and in compliance with all regulatory norms, the company statement said. "The company's financial statements are submitted to the Stock Exchanges and are in the public domain. DHFL and its group companies are confident of meeting any scrutiny on any aspect of our operations and will pursue these frivolous allegations to its logical conclusion," it added. DHFL has a strong corporate governance regime and has received AAA credit rating from leading credit agencies. The company is fully tax-compliant and its books are audited by global auditors, it added. Senior lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan said, "If the banks had done little due diligence, they would have known that the loans given to DHFL have been virtually siphoned out by shell companies. Therefore, it's absolutely clear that various people in many public sector banks are involved in the scam. " The exposes claimed that by lending to shell/pass-through companies without due diligence, DHFL has ensured that the recovery of such dubious loans is impossible since the companies or their directors themselves do not own any assets. This way the private assets acquired by the Wadhawans and their associates by using the funds from these dubious loans are completely ring-fenced from any recovery process that may be initiated by authorities under the SARFAESI Act or Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of India, it claimed. "Thus, the only losers in the process would be the public sector banks, such as State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda, with an exposure of over Rs 11,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore, respectively, foreign banks and shareholders from among the public or investors of DHFL," it alleged. By PTI NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the cleaning of river Yamuna and directed Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to submit a performance guarantee of Rs 10 crore each within a month. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the state governments to furnish a performance guarantee with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to ensure there was no further lapse in this regard. The tribunal also warned that chief secretary of all the three states would be personally liable for any non-compliance. The green panel made it clear that the amount will be forfeited if the work was not carried out as per the recommendations of the monitoring committee constituted by it and asked the panel to expeditiously submit its final report. It directed that steps be taken by the three states at the earliest for disposal of municipal solid waste, cleaning of drains and ensuring cleaning of garbage. The order came after perusing the interim report filed by the monitoring committee comprising retired expert member B S Sajwan and former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra. The monitoring committee in its action plan submitted has recommended a study to assess the environmental flow of Yamuna river for the stretch between Hathanikund and Okhla. It said the river was "fighting to stay alive" and it would not be possible to rejuvenate it unless minimum environmental flow was provided. With regard to idol immersion, the committee has asked the authorities in the city to look for the possibility of creating artificial ponds and pits in various localities. The NGT had earlier asked the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to consult the members of the monitoring committee appointed by the tribunal for constituting their own full time committees. The tribunal had expressed displeasure that despite its specific order, the status of the compliance was unknown, and said there appeared to failure of the authorities in performing their duties, thus undermining the rule of law. The green panel had said pollution in the Yamuna was of serious concern as it was highly contaminated with industrial effluents and sewage. It had also asked the Haryana pollution control board to conduct a study of water quality and the flow of Yamuna at the point it enters Haryana, and submit the list of industries located in the catchment area. The green panel had noted that almost 67 per cent of the pollutants that enter the Yamuna would be treated by two sewage treatment plants at Delhi Gate and Najafgarh under the first phase of the Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation project. A group of non-Chinese-speaking students from Hong Kong visit a robot laboratory at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in December. [Photo by Kathy Zhang/China Daily] Mainland universities attracting more Hong Kong applicants Students from ethnic groups in Hong Kong are discovering that the path to higher education may lead them to universities on the Chinese mainland. This is a small and developing trend that is likely to grow as these multilingual students find their services in demand in countries taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative. Hong Kong resident Hassan Shahul Hameed Nuaim Abul, 21, who was born in India, dropped out of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to continue his education in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. He wants to be a doctor, but only the best students can pursue a career in medicine in Hong Kong. He was not one of them. Abul, who moved to Hong Kong with his parents when he was 3, made the decision nearly two years ago to go to Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, a city at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The sophomore has never regretted his life-changing decision. He took up an offer from SMU and enrolled in its six-year bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery program. "It was impossible for me to apply for a bachelor's program in medicine in Hong Kong. That's only for the very top students," Abul said. In the city, only the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have faculties of medicine. Competition for enrollment is so fierce that only the top secondary school graduates can gain admission. Data from Hong Kong's Joint University Programs Admissions System show that 269 out of 46,346 applicants were offered places in medicine at the two universities last year. The 269 included the six top scorers in the city's 2018 Diploma of Secondary Education examination. Facing those odds, Abul thought that studying on the mainland was a good option for higher education. After comparing several medical universities in India, Malaysia and Guangzhou, he chose to stay close to home, where there are fewer language barriers and the chance of becoming homesick is not so high. He has enjoyed meeting people in Guangzhou, who are surprised that he speaks Cantonese. "Sometimes, I order food in the canteen in Cantonese," he said. "The language is not a challenge for me." By PTI NEW DELHI: The death toll due to swine flu in the country has soared to 169 this year while 4,571 people have tested positive for the virus, with Rajasthan accounting for over 40 per cent of the cases. According to data issued by the government, Rajasthan recorded 1,911 cases and 75 deaths till Monday followed by Gujarat with 600 cases and 24 deaths. ALSO READ | Former Defence Minister George Fernandes passes away at 88 Delhi reported the third highest number with 532 people being infected with the H1N1 virus. No death has been reported due to the flu in the national capital so far. Punjab has reported 27 deaths and 174 cases, followed by Haryana which recorded eight deaths and 372 cases. Maharashtra has recorded 82 cases and 12 deaths till Monday. ALSO READ | Ex-Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh hospitalised with swine flu With the numbers going up, the health ministry recently held a meeting with the states and asked them to strengthen their surveillance for early detection. It also asked them to keep beds reserved in hospitals to deal with acute cases. The official said states have not made any demand yet regarding drugs, diagnostic kits and other wherewithal to deal with the issue. "There is sufficient stock of swine flu drug Oseltamivir and also there is no scarcity of N95 masks and diagnostic kits. Further, states have been asked to issue advisories to people mentioning the dos and don'ts," a senior health ministry official said. ALSO READ | 80 per cent of reported swine flu cases from three Telangana districts Delhi government also has issued an advisory in view of the rising cases of swine flu. The advisory states that seasonal influenza (H1N1) is a self-limiting viral, airborne disease spread from person-to-person, through large droplets generated by the act of coughing and sneezing, indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface (fomite transmission like telephone, cell phones, computers, door handles, doorbells, pens, toys etc) and close contact, including handshaking, hugging and kissing. The dos and don'ts mention covering nose and mouth with disposable tissue or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing, washing hands with soap and water frequently, avoiding crowding places, maintaining isolation, drinking plenty of liquid and consulting doctor. As per the advisory, one should not touch eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands or hug, kiss and shake hands while greeting or spit in public places, dispose of used napkin or tissue paper in open areas or smoke in public places. Last year, the country reported 14,992 cases and 1,103 deaths due to the flu. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: Posters put up by Bihars Opposition Congress to mobilise public support for an upcoming rally in Patna have depicted party president Rahul Gandhi as Lord Ram, earning strong rebukes from the ruling BJP and JD(U) for such cheap political stunts. Gandhi, who would address the partys Jan Akanksha rally in Patnas Gandhi Maidan on February 3, was shown dressed in the popular image of Lord Ram in the posters, complete with long hair, garlands and a quiver of arrows on his back. Photographs of a galaxy of Congress leaders, including former party chief Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh, also figured in these posters along with those of the local leaders. Text on the posters, addressed to Rahul Gandhi, read: We Ram naam japte rahen, tum banker Ram jiyo re (Let them chant the name of Ram; you live and act as Lord Ram). Significantly, these posters emerged a day after Congresss Bihar in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil likened Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram and the partys political mission to that of Lord Ram building the setu (Adams Bridge) between India and Sri Lanka as narrated in the Ramayana. When Lord Ram started preparing to build the setu, he did not call anyone for help. A bird started bringing leaves in its beak. Sugriv and Bali brought hills. Just like that, we have not asked anyone for help, Gohil had said on Monday as he explained away criminal-turned-MLA Anant Singhs participation in a Congress road show to mobilise support for Gandhis rally. AICC coordinator Shashwat Gautam said the posters displayed the supreme love Congress workers have for the party chief. Congress worker Vijay Kumar Singh, who put up the posters, said he wanted to send the message that it is Gandhi, and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has all the qualities of Lord Ram. Congress is making a desperate attempt to hide its bankruptcy of ideas. They are belittling Hinduism by depicting Rahul Gandhi as Lord Ram, said Bihar minister and BJP leader Pramod Kumar. Congress is engaged in cheap political stunts and taking the help of tainted leaders in its desperation to win votes, said JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar. Congress and RJD leaders also denied the charge that soft Hindutva was being injected through such posters. What is Hindutva in taking Lord Rams name? There is a difference between Hinduism and Hindutva, said RJD vice-president Shivanand Tiwari. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the posters proved that sycophancy remains the supreme conduct of Congressmen. First refute the existence of Shri Ram, then dress Rahul as Shri Ram. Good that you became Shri Ram. Now tell, Congress people, what is your stand on the petition the Centre submitted before the Supreme Court today? asked Patra in a tweet. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A three-member Pakistani team accompanied by their Indian counterparts left for Kashmir on Monday to inspect hydro-power projects the 1000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai on the Chenab River under the Indus Waters Treaty. The Pakistani delegation, which arrived across the Wagah border on Sunday, is led by its Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mehr Ali Shah, while the Indian side is led by Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Saxena. They will return to Delhi on January 31, and the Pakistani team will fly out that evening. Just before leaving Pakistan, Shah described the tour as a positive development. Often described as the most generous water-sharing agreement in the world, the Indus Water Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistans President General Ayub Khan, the countrys first military ruler. Brokered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which later became the World Bank, the treaty gives Pakistan unrestricted access to the waters of the three rivers of the Indus water systemthe Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, while India can use the waters of the three eastern rivers, the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi. Given that the western rivers have a far heavier flow, this means Pakistan gets almost 80 per cent of the waters from the Indus system. The pact also mandates regular inspections of the rivers by members of the Indus Water Commission on each side to check violations. Mayank Singh By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Even as the Rafale fighter jet controversy rages on, it seems there is no infrastructure ready to house the jets once they arrive in India. The first fighter jet is slated to arrive by September. The hangar, approach route and the associated work for two new squadrons of the Rafale jets is being done at Ambala in Punjab and Hashimara in West Bengal. Military Engineering Service (MES) contractors have stopped work as the bill raised against infrastructure work has not been paid yet. The work was being done by MES contractors. Due to the nonpayment of bills, initially, it (work) was slow. But for six months it has stopped, said President of the MES Builders Association of India (BAI) Praveen Mahana. The deadline for this project was March/April 2019, but only 40 per cent related work has been done. There was no reply to queries sent to the MoD spokesperson and the PRO Air Force for comments on the delay in infrastructure associated with Rafale. The MES BAI, which is a registered body, has raised the issue of non-payment for various Armed Forces related projects across the country. The liability till December 2018 was Rs 1,600 crore. This has now risen to around Rs 2,000 crore. Projects such as the Other Than Married Accommodation Housing (OTH), for the soldiers of Northern Command, is also facing delays. Karan Kapoor, Vice President, Northern Region said, Work has either stopped or is on the verge of stopping due to non-payment. According to Kapoor, work in areas such as Leh, Kargil, Thois, Srinagar, Baramulla, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and Udhampur have also been affected. Around Rs 40 crore is needed to clear this liability, he added. A delegation had met Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on October 26, 2018, after which Rs 250 crore was released. Now the liability (as per the association) is around Rs 2,000 crore, said Shiv Kumar Gupta, treasurer of MES BAI. Pending payments The liabilities are across the country. The Chief Engineer, Air Force, Bengaluru needs around Rs 400 crore for the work to be done till March 2019. The other Air Force base related projects facing problems are Bamrauli in Allahabad, Bareilly, Sullur, Hyderabad and Tambaram. Payments have been done for the work at the air bases in Delhi, Chandigarh, Sirsa and Hyderabad. The MES Builders Association of India has been raising the matter with the Ministry of Defence and other ministers. By PTI NEW DELHI: Weeks before the national elections, BJP leaders on Tuesday sought to present the central government's move to return undisputed land in Ayodhya to its original owners, including Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, as a step towards starting "work" on building a Ram temple in the holy city of Uttar Pradesh. With the RSS-led Hindutva organisations pushing for a law to build the temple at the disputed site, a BJP leader said the government's plea in the Supreme Court is an attempt to redress the "deep sense of anguish of Ram devotees and the BJP cadres". The comments came hours after the Centre asked the Supreme Court to allow it to return the "non-disputed" surplus land acquired around the disputed structure in Ayodhya to the Nyas and other original owners. ALSO READ | Centre moves SC seeking nod to return 67-acre land around disputed Ayodhya site to Ram temple trust The leader recalled that the biggest applaud the BJP president Amit Shah's speech in the party's recent convention had received from thousands of delegates was when he reiterated the party's commitment to the temple construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief mention of the emotive issue had also drawn loud cheers, he said. Amid demands for a law, Modi had said that his government would wait for the apex court's decision on the matter but the "delay" in the matter has been causing consternation among the 'sadhus' and the party's core Hindutva supporters. Underlining the significance of the government's petition, the senior government functionary and the party leader said, "We have to be concerned about their sentiments. People who want a Ram temple have always supported us. There has to be political massaging by the government that we care for their emotions." Separately, BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar held a press conference at the party's headquarters here and said the Nyas, a trust which is among the largest original owners of the undisputed land that the government had acquired and has offered to return, wants a Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He indicated that the government's plea in the Supreme Court to return excess land around the disputed site to its original owners could pave the way for construction of the Ram temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a prominent Hindutva face of the party, also hailved the government's move and hoped permission would be granted to start work on the undisputed land. "We welcome this initiative of the Central government. We should get permission to start work on the undisputed piece of land," he said in Allahabad. Underlining that the government is not touching the disputed land in Ayodhya, Javadekar said only 0.313 acre of land is disputed for which the title suit is yet to be decided. "Today the government has taken a very important in-principle decision to return the excess land, which was acquired in 1994, to the original landowners. Out of 67 acres of undisputed land, the landowner for 42 acres is the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. The government wants to return the land to its original owners and they want to build the Ram temple there," Javadekar said. He maintained that the BJP has always said a temple should be built in Ayodhya through a legal route and the government's decision is a legal step. "We are confident that the government will get permission from the court at the earliest," Javadekar said. The BJP has in its manifesto always underscored its commitment to building the temple at the site where once stood the Babri mosque, which was razed by right-wing extremists on December 6, 1992. With the general election round the corner, the party believes its show of intent for building the temple could consolidate its core supporters, whose indifference to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2004 was seen by many political watchers as one of the reasons for the BJP's surprise loss. By PTI Former defence minister George Fernandes passed away at the age of 88, on Tuesday following a prolonged illness, family sources said. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and recently, he contracted swine flu, they said. READ: Want to be reborn as a Vietnamese, George Fernandes once said The socialist leader was India's defence minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and he was the industry minister under the Jan Sangh government, which defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977. #Visuals from outside #GeorgeFernandes's residence in Delhi. He passed away today morning at the age of 88; Social activist & former Samata Party president Jaya Jaitly present at the residence. pic.twitter.com/CF4gMzTDuS ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise, saying he was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology. ALSO READ | George Fernandes and the Emergency in India: Literature speaks the leader's courage during tough times "A visionary railway minister and a great defence minister who made India safe and strong. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy," the PM said. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Fernandes' family and friends. "I'm sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji," he said in a Facebook post. ALSO READ: Rebel leaders like George Fernandes are needed all the time: Advani Pawar condoles demise of 'friend' George Fernandes NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday expressed grief over the demise of his friend George Fernandes and paid rich tributes to him, lauding his fiery oratory and his contributions as Union minister and trade union leader. Naidu calls Fernandes a 'Fighter' Describing socialist leader George Fernandes as a "fighter" for the working class, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday condoled his death. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Ten regional political parties of the Northeast on Tuesday resolved to put up a united fight against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The political parties, most of which are BJP allies, met at a convention in Guwahati. The Janata Dal (United) had also sent a three-member delegation to the convention. The development comes on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged the NDA government would always protect the interests of Assam. His obvious reference was to the controversial Bill which seeks to grant Indian citizenship to the immigrants belonging to six persecuted communities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who migrated to India till December 31, 2014. We oppose the Bill, for we believe, if implemented, it will endanger the lives and identity of indigenous communities of Assam and the Northeast, Mizoram Chief Minister and Mizo National Front (MNF) chief Zoramthanga told reporters. His Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma of National Peoples Party (NPP) said: We held this convention to cohesively oppose the bills passage in Parliament. The convention has unanimously decided that a delegation of all participating political parties from the Northeast along with other parties, which supported the cause, will meet the President and the Prime Minister in the next few days and apprise them of our opposition to the Bill. While the parties are miffed with the BJP, they are in no mood to break away either from National Democratic Alliance or non-Congress North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). When asked about it, Sangma said, It is not right to comment on it now. We will meet again and chalk out our future course of action. Similarly, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told this correspondent on the phone from the state: There is no question of breaking away from the alliance with the BJP. He added: We have to respect the voices of people. We stand by the rest of the Northeast in opposing the Bill. We hope the Centre will be sensitive and will not try to pass it in Rajya Sabha. Rios National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and BJP are the two main constituents of Nagaland government. Earlier, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Assam had severed its ties with the BJP and pulled out of the BJP-led government in the state. Apart from NPP, NDPP, MNF, JD (U) and AGP, the other political parties which attended the convention were United Democratic Party, Peoples Democratic Front, Hill State Peoples Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (all Meghalaya based), Naga Peoples Front (Nagaland), and Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura. Nagaland Cabinet rejects Bill -- In the face of pressure from some organisations in the state, the Nagaland Cabinet has rejected the Citizenship Bill. In an official statement, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and chief secretary Temjen Toy said the Bill had been an issue of much concern in the state and there had been widespread resentment across the Northeast. They said the people of Nagaland expressed their opposition to the Bill in various forms in a democratic manner and the Cabinet took into account the will and desire of all sections of the people. They said the state government had earlier written to the Centre seeking wider consultations to ensure that the rights of indigenous people of the region are fully protected. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Tuesday broke down as he spoke on the demise of his political mentor and former party boss George Fernandes at a condolence meeting at the partys state headquarters. Georgesaheb was not only our leader but also our guardian Whatever I got to learn was under his leadership and his guidance, and today whatever efforts I am making to serve the people have been due to his guidance, said Kumar, his voice choking with emotion and eyes welled up. Fernandes, a towering socialist leader and former Union minister who passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday, was singularly responsible for Nitish Kumars rise in politics and his installation as Bihar chief minister. He was elected to Lok Sabha five times from Bihars Muzaffarpur. The Bihar government announced a two-day state mourning and cancelled all official functions soon after news of Fernandess death came in. Although relations between the two leaders had soured and Fernandes called Kumar an autocrat in 2009, the Bihar CM was unstinting in his praise for his mentor during the condolence meeting. Kumar left for New Delhi to attend Fernandess last rites, which would be performed on Wednesday. Georgesahebs demise has left all of us heartbroken. It was a matter of destiny, and he had been keeping ill for the past several years. So it was, in a way, emancipation for him, said Kumar, fighting back tears and amid long pauses, in an elaborate tribute to his mentor. Kumar, 68, had been associated with Fernandes even before the latter founded Samata Party in 1994 and made it a key ally of BJP. Fernandes served as NDA convener for several years and helped promote Kumar in both national and state politics, recalled JD(U) leaders. Fernandes Fernandes was terribly upset with Kumar and openly called him an autocrat when the latter denied him a JD(U) ticket to contest from Muzaffarpur in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Kumars offer for a Rajya Sabha berth was rebuffed by Fernandes, who said socialists do not go to the Upper House. A defiant Fernandes, then 79, had openly accused Kumar of betrayal and contested the LS polls as an independent candidate from Muzaffarpur only to lose his security deposit. Even though the maverick leader accepted Kumars offer later that year and went to RS, their relations remained on a downward slope since then. In Muzaffarpur, from where Fernandes had won the LS polls in 1977 by a record 300,000 votes despite being in jail, people fondly talked about the Emergency icon. His closes aide in the town, Kamaleshwar Prasad Sinha alias Kamlubabu, 80, wept as he spoke about the Karnataka-born Fernandess love for Muzaffarpur and Bihar. By PTI NEW DELHI: BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said the death of George Fernandes was an "irreparable loss" to Indian politics and asserted that he stood steadfastly to protect the country's democratic values. Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday at his home after prolonged illness. He was 88 Shah was among a host of leaders who visited the bereaved family at their residence in New Delhi's upscale Panchsheel Park to pay their last respects. "The most abiding memories of Fernandes Ji are those of his fierce opposition to the Emergency in 1975. He stood steadfastly to protect India's democratic values. His demise is an irreparable loss for Indian politics. He also fought for democratic values, whether he was in government or opposition," Shah told reporters after visiting his house. "Labourers from railways to airport authorities, all of them had a hope that 'George Ji will raise their voice in Parliament'," Shah said. Earlier, in a series of tweets, Shah said Fernandes' stint in public offices saw him make some defining changes, particularly in the railways. Terming the passing away of Fernandes an end of an era, Shah said may god give his family and followers the strength to endure this loss. Union minister Nitin Gadkari too on Tuesday said former defence minister George Fernandes was a staunch patriot and his icon. In his condolence message, Gadkari said, "George Fernandes dedicated his life to the nation and democracy." A staunch patriot, Fernandes fought for providing justice to workers, he said. "We have lost a big leader. I considered him my icon. I am deeply saddened by his passing away," Gadkari said Azmia Riaz By Express News Service The dictionary might disagree but Chilla is not simply 'a home' for its children, for those who have found their way there, it is home. Established in the year 2000 by Anil A or Chilla Anil as he's been dubbed since, the organisation is a haven for the children of sex workers, HIV orphans and children-in-conflict with the law. Quite simply, the aim is to give the children a life free of stigma and the chance to reconnect with their mothers. Currently, Chilla is home to 17 children and acts as an emergency support system for the children of sex workers in and around Trivandrum. We spoke to Anil about the journey behind creating this 'roosting place' for these children. Excerpts: What is Chilla? Chilla is a programme for children. Initially, we simply wanted to create a safe space for the children of sex workers. It was in the year 2000 that we actively began admitting children and offering them a place to live. These children stay with us and each of them have been admitted to government schools in the area. Our oldest child is doing her final year in B Tech and the youngest is in the 4th standard. There are 17 children in total. What does the programme aim to do for the children? Our first priority for the children is to impart education to them. Once a child is a part of the organisation, we aim to cater to their every need. If one of them is depressed, which is often the case, we make sure that we support them with psychiatric care, make sure that they are happy and free. They are all good students. The younger children often struggle more because they need to adapt to this new way of life. So we take care to make sure that they feel at home right from the beginning. Anil insists that his work is not charity but a political act. (Photo | Nithya Rajkumar Photography) How has the programme been able to stay true to this aim? We had just 5 children when we started out. We try to make sure that we don't admit more than 20 to ensure that they get the maximum care that we can give them. We also received a lot of support from the outside. Initially, we worked with students forums within Kerala and created the institution in close association with them. Later the Children's Welfare Committee (CWC) extended their support and we worked with them along with a series of well-wishers. Could you describe the process through which you reach out to them? The first step for the child once they are within the organisation is to provide them with adequate care and affection. They need to know that there are people in this world who love them. They need a lively and kind atmosphere to take the first step towards changing the course of their lives. Only then will their confidence catch up and we can help them become better people with fully formed personalities. Ours is a community that has managed to make it past stigma and discrimination, it's just a matter of people seeing it. Even in their schools, they do not experience discrimination because teachers realise the need to ensure that they are not treated differently. What they need is to belong and we ensure that they have a support system around them that realises this and acts accordingly. Chilla (Photo | Nithya Rajkumar Photography) What do they struggle with the most? All these children struggle with their identities. A lot of stigma surrounds them from the moment they enter this world. There's very little we can do to change that from the outside. But we make sure that we teach them about who they are and how important their role in this world is. We make sure that they understand their own value. And once they are ready, we hope that the child is able to overcome the stigma on his/her own. We encourage them to learn over time that they played no part in creating this stigma that the people around them view them by. People discriminate, nature doesn't. They need to see this for themselves. What is your aim for these children as they reenter the outside world? After staying with us for a few years, we really see them beginning to realise their own worth and value. Once they have lived with us, if people treat these children in a wrong way because of their past, the child should be able to look at them in the face and say 'You cannot treat me differently because of my background.' This is the confidence that we want to build in them. They are assets and they need to learn this. (This story originally appeared in Edex Live) Yu bought the one-yuan ticket for his train ride. (Photo: People's Daily) As Chinas high-speed rail development takes off, bringing along more business opportunities with it, there is another kind of train service in the nation that offers cheap and spacious transportation for grassroots farmers, facilitating their cross-provincial businesses. One early morning, Yu Zehua, a vegetable grower from Huangmei County, Central Chinas Hubei province, filled two baskets with fresh vegetables harvested from his own fields and carried them with the help of a shoulder pole to a small train station named Xiaochi Kou to catch an early train. A four-carriage slow train, numbered 6025/6026, connects Xiaochi Kou Station with Jiujiang Station in nearby Jiangxi province, a 12-minute trip that costs only 1 yuan ($0.15), which allows vegetable growers like Yu to do business across provinces. According to staff at the station, the train stops at Xiaochi Kou to cater the need of vegetable growers and railway employees who commute between the two provinces. Unlike most of the train tickets available online, these one-yuan tickets must be purchased at the train station. After arriving at Jiujiang Station, Yu heads to a market near the train station where his vegetables can be sold at a good price. By noon, his two baskets are empty. On good days, I can earn 100-200 yuan, Yu said. After a quick bite of lunch, Yu and other vegetable growers will take the only return train to Xiaochi Kou, which departs at 1:25 pm. Beyond the slow train traveling between Xiaochi Kou and Jiujiang, there are several other trains connecting small towns and bigger cities. Because of their cheap fare and spacious compartments, such trains are the most ideal means of transportation for vegetable growers like Yu. A bus ride would cost more and often have no space for baskets. By Express News Service Even with a handful of films in her kitty, Suman Ranganath has taken on a project for the small screen. The actor, who is currently shooting for Totapuri, is also set to judge a dance reality show, Thakadimitha, along with Ravichandran and well-known dancer, Anuradha. The dance show will be aired on Colors Kannada. Its almost after a decade that I am getting back to the small screen. I have previously judged a reality show, but coming back after so many years is exciting, says Suman, who will be now juggling between the sets of Totapuri and her dance reality show. I had a 45-day schedule for Vijayaprasads film of which I have completed around 30 days. I still have a large portions to be shot, she says. Suman is also looking forward to the release of Hemanth M Raos Kavaludari and Dandupalam 4. Meanwhile, the actor tells us that she is in discussion with two directors, and will talk about it when she gets a clear picture. By Express News Service Director Omung Kumars upcoming film, PM Narendra Modi, went on floors in Ahmedabad on Monday. The political biopic stars Vivekananda Oberoi in the role of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Boman Irani and Darshan Kumaar are also part of the cast. A majority of the film will be shot across various locations in Gujarat. We finally begin this journey with the love and blessings of Ganpati Bappa, dad Suresh Oberoi and each and every one of you. Thank you for your love and support, Oberoi tweeted. Last week, producer Sandeep Singhs company, Legend Global Studio, had signed an `177 Crore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government at the Gujarat Global Summit 2019. This MoU is a wonderful association for Legend Global Studio. The infrastructure, road network and ease of location scouting and shooting, makes Gujarat a wonderful place for filmmakers. I think this will mark the beginning of a new era of films shot in Gujarat, said Sandeep Singh. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Flaying the decision of Daggubati Venkateswara Rao to join the YSR Congress, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that after enjoying positions in the Congress he was switching parties for power. During a teleconference with party leaders, Naidu, referring to Venkateswara Raos meeting with YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy along with his son, said that now no parties were left for the family to join as they made rounds of all political parties including the RSS. Daggubati was MLA in the Congress and his wife served as Union minister. Later, they left the Congress and joined the BJP and now the YSRC. It is all for power. Lakshmi Parvathi, too, colluded with the YSRC for power. They used NTR for their selfish interests and defamed him, Naidu said. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the State Credit Seminar 2019-20 and release NABARDs State Focus Paper on Tuesday morning at Hotel Residency Tower here. State minister for Agriculture V S Sunil Kumar will give the keynote address and release a brochure on Farmer Producer Organization (FPO). V K Ramachandran, Vice Chairman, Kerala state planning board and S M N Swamy, Regional director, Reserve Bank of India will deliver a special address. Express News Service KOCHI: The melodious euphony lingers on at the Kerala Kathakali Centre in Fort Kochi as Australian native Eva Woodbrooks fingers move on the raised frets of the sitar. I have been travelling around the world and came to Kerala two months ago. The ambience and culture of Kerala fascinated me enormously. My quest to learn music brought me to the centre, which is popular for teaching and performing art forms, says Eva. Eva has been learning the sitar for almost a week. It was difficult initially and requires training and regular practice to get to a level of perfection, she says. Kerala Kathakali Centre, popularly known as the School of Traditional Arts, celebrated its 25th anniversary on January 26. The artistic centre set up at K B Jacob Road in Fort Kochi was inaugurated by former minister K Babu in 1994. Offering classes in kathakali, Carnatic music, bharatanatyam, kuchipudi, mohiniyattom and chenda, it is the only theatre that runs daily performances with an aim to popularise and encourage the classical arts of Kerala and discover new talents. Kalamandalam Vijayan mastered kathakali chenda, under the guidance of Kalamandalam Balaraman and Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan. The traditional art forms are demonstrated in the traditional style keeping the real essence. The motive behind this initiative is to provide employment to the artist by preserving the art form, he says. Earlier, kathakali performances in temples were not restrained within the time period like it is performed mostly. Hence, it is necessary to conserve the rich cultural heritage and promotion of traditional arts, says the kathakali chenda artist. Apart from the artforms, yoga and meditation are also encouraged. Every morning, we have a regular yoga session followed by meditation. I still remember the first performance hosted for a single spectator. We never compromise on the quality of the performance even for a fewer audience till date. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to perform in foreign countries such as Spain, Egypt, France and Italy, says Suchindran V S, a kathakali music artist. Since its inception, the centre is being run without the aid from the Central Government or the state Tourism Department. By PTI KOCHI: A day after announcing his party would ensure "minimum income guarantee" for the poor if Congress was voted to power at the Centre, party chief Rahul Gandhi Tuesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has provided 'maximum income guarantee' to 15 of his friends. "For the last five years, he has provided a maximum income guarantee to 15 of his friends. We have decided that if Narendra Modi can give maximum income guarantee to 15 rich people, we will give minimum income guarantee to every single citizen," Gandhi said. Like MGNREGA committed right to work, like RTI committed right to information, like Food Security Bill guarantees the right to food, the Congress government is going to guarantee a minimum income to every poor Indian citizen, he told a booth-level party workers meeting here. Attacking the policies of the Modi government, he alleged that the prime minister had done nothing for the farmers and assured that a congress government would ensure their welfare. "We have waived off farm loans in the three states where we won elections (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh). We have committed that in 2019, we will have a government that will make up for all the crimes that Narendra Modi has done against farmers in five years," he said. The Congress President said the Women's Bill would be passed on a priority if the party was voted to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "The first thing we will do when we win the 2019 election is to pass the Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament," he said. He was responding to a suggestion from a party worker on the need for more women candidates. "We want to see women in position of leadership," he added. The bill seeking to reserve 33 per cent of seats in Parliament and legislature has been pending for a long time in view of lack of consensus. Refraining from directly commenting on the sensitive Sabarimala temple issue, wherein the Supreme Court had permitted entry of women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple, he merely said the party respects the traditions of Kerala. "Congress party respects women of Kerala and at the same time respects the traditions of Kerala. We do not agree with the violence carried out by the BJP and CPI(M) in the state," he said. The 69 day annual pilgrimage season in Sabarimala, which ended on January 20, had witnessed widespread protests from devotees and right wing groups. This was over the CPI(M)-led LDF government's decision to implement the September 28 Apex Court verdict, allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine. The Congress President referred to Kerala as not just a state, but an 'idea'. "It is a way of looking at the world that includes compassion, humility, respect. People of Kerala are helping guide the people of India," he said. "Don't think less of yourself. RSS has cadres, CPI(M) has cadres, but India lives in the hearts of Congress workers', he told the gathering. Gandhi alleged that the CPI(M) and BJP work on 'dividing' the people of Kerala and said the real issue of jobs and protection of farmers was put on the back burner. He also flayed the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax. Gandhi told the Congress workers that the party had launched a 'shakti' programme in which all workers could directly talk to the leadership. "Want every single Congress worker to feel 'Ente booth, ente abhimaan, ente party' ("My booth, my pride, my party"). Anna Binoy By Express News Service KOCHI: For Elie Ossipovitch, Gabrielle Weisbuch and Vincent Patrin, India is a gateway of opportunities. And you might ask, what do they love the most about the country? Masala dosa, Elie jokes. Quickly he says, There is a lot going on in the country, its hard to pick one aspect that we love. We love everything about India. The French artists completed the last leg of their all-India tour with their gypsy jazz/ Western classical music performance at the River Bourne Centre in Tripunithura the other day. What these artists have amongst them is completely different from what others do. They have two improvised acts during their sessions. The first act is Western classical music with contemporary dancing. In this, I play the guitar and Gabrielle dances. I play pieces created in the 15th century to the present time. The second act is gypsy jazz. During this, I play the viola de gamba and Vincent plays the guitar, says Elie. Gypsy jazz is a style which was invented by Jean Django Reinhardt in France at the beginning of the 1930s.But, together, what we do is improvise. Eighty per cent of the show is improvised, Vincent chips in. So who improvises? Both of us, say Elie and Vincent together. What is interesting is that their tour in India is the first time the three artists are performing together. We are all artists from Lyon in France. I met Gabrielle at an event three years ago. Since then, we have performed at different stages. Also, Vincent and I used to have a duet band, says Elie. Though they perform together, the artists, who have different stories to tell, are on different journeys themselves. Elies journey with music began at the age of seven when he began learning percussion instruments. Then moved on to heavy metal and finally took up Western classical music. At the age of 19, he moved to India for three years where he taught at schools in Delhi and Bengaluru. It is in India that I first began performing. On returning to France, I began learning viola de gamba, which is a rare instrument, says Elie. Back in India after eight years, Elie feels he has a responsibility. Violo de gamba, developed in the 15th century France, lost its popularity after the fall of the noble class in the country. The instrument was the epitome of the nobility. Since the beginning of the century, efforts are being made to revive the instrument. During this visit to India, I realised there is a scope to try new things with the instrument. For instance, on this visit, I have realised that the viola de gamba has not been played in Carnatic or Hindustani music, he says. Vincent Patrin, on the other hand, was a journalist for 12 years. I began playing the guitar since I was 17. Later I never had the time to play regularly, he says in a thick French accent. Just before leaving for India, he quit his job to follow his love for music. Having played gypsy jazz for 10 years, Vincent hopes to start his own band on his return. Gabrielle Weisbuch began dancing since the age of 17. Though I was involved in gymnastics during my childhood, I was never interested in the competition aspect, she says. She began training ballet, contemporary and tango. When I dance, I want my audience to feel a mixture of all emotions. For this, I have been trying different styles, she says. The session was coordinated by Rajmohan Varma of Tripunithura Sangeetha Sabha in association with Perfect Pitch Music Academy. On Saturday, the group performed at the Cabral Yard under the name The Cagade Trio. They also performed at Hampi, Gokarna and Goa. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad police have rescued as many as 325 children including 11 minor girls during its month-long Operation Smile V in the city. Speaking to media persons on Monday, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said that the city police started Operation Smile - V on January 1 and has so far rescued children from conditions as varied as working in hazardous conditions to begging off of roads. 17 teams have so far rescued 325 children including 11 girls. Of which, 53 have been admitted to rescue homes while 272 have been handed over to their parents. Seven of the rescued children were below 10 years of age, 38 between 11-14 while 280 were between the ages of 14-18 years, explained the Commissioner. Over a 100 rescued children hailed from states other than Telangana from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and even as far as Nepal. During the operation, 14 cases were booked and a fine amount of Rs 6,75,365 imposed against various establishments for engaging in child labour. The rescued children were found making bags, bangles, biscuits, bakery, electrical items, mechanic shops, computer work, fabrications, welding shops, and tiffin centres in various industries. The Darpan Application was used for checking the details of children using the missing-childrens database. In a humane initiative, the city police admitted three of these children in schools as well -- two of which had dropped out due to family issues and were found wandering on the streets. They have been admitted to different schools in Secunderabad and were provided uniform, books by SI Rajini of Trimulgherry, told Anjani Kumar. A 10-year-old boy was working in an electrical shop due to financial problems at his home. He showed interest in joining a school and ASI Rafiuddin of the Golconda police station took the initiative to have him admitted to a school in Tappachabutra. Pinto Deepak By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The eight terror suspects, who were earlier arrested by the National Investigation agency (NIA) on charges of allegedly planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at the Bodh Gaya temple complex at Bihar in January 2018, visited Hyderabad and Chennai among a few other places in South India in order to hatch a conspiracy to target Bodh Gaya and other Buddhist places of worship. The NIA, in its supplementary chargesheet filed before the NIA special court in Patna, mentioned the names of the eight persons who visited the city a few weeks before they had planned the blasts. It also stated that the accused fled Bihar after planting the IEDs and were hiding in various locations in and around Bengaluru. The motive was to attack symbols of Buddhism, in retaliation to the alleged atrocities committed on the Rohingyas in Myanmar, NIA argued. On January 19, three powerful IEDs with 5-10 kg of explosives were planted in the temple. One of them was placed in an area where food was being cooked, which caught fire due to a malfunction and was detected. After the police arrived at the temple, two more unexploded IEDs were discovered. The investigations revealed that the accused chose the cooking area because there were gas cylinders there and they would have exploded if the IED had went off. The second IED was placed at one of the entry gates, meant to target those who would have tried to leave the temple after the first blast. The Mondays chargesheet named six persons - Mohd Adil Sheikh Asadullah, Dilwar Hossain alias Umar, Abdul Karim alias Korim Sheikh, Mustafizur Rahman alias Shaheen, Mohd Jahidul Islam alias Kausar and Arif Hussain alias Ataur. In September 2018, a chargesheet was filed against Paigambar Sheikh, Ahmad Ali and Nur Alam and the court had taken cognizance of the chargesheet on September 28, 2018. The investigation revealed that Jahidul Islam Kausar and Mustafizur Rehman Shaheen are senior members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (Bangladesh). By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) has referred to the Enforcement Directorate 68 cases of money laundering in its liquor vends, which allegedly took place following demonetisation in November 2016. According to an official statement, involvement of high-level officials of the DSIIDC in the alleged money laundering cannot be ruled out. The move came following directions by Delhi Industries Minister Satyendar Jain. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against the delinquent officials for imposition of appropriate penalties, the statement said. A preliminary departmental inquiry shows that 68 shop in-charges of DSIIDC liquor vends were involved in accepting demonetised notes of Rs 500 and Rs1,000 amounting to Rs 1,30,95,000 after November 8, 2016, the day these banknotes were declared illegal. The matter had come to the knowledge of the minister in October last year, and the DSIIDC was repeatedly being directed to refer all such money laundering cases to the ED. Following sustained follow-up by the minister, these cases have now been reported by the DSIIDC to the ED, the statement said. Last month, the Delhi police arrested a West Bengal-based man with fake notes of Rs 2,000 with a face value of Rs 10 lakh. The man was allegedly sent from across the border with the fake notes and he used to filter his notes through Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Delhi, according to the police. According to the apprehended suspects interrogation reports, he was lured into the operation by a resident of Bangladesh. Crackdown Over the last 40 years, China has transformed itself from an agrarian society to the world's second-largest economy thanks to its continuously evolving reform and opening-up policies. As a commitment to the continuation of deepened reform and opening-up, a total of 12 pilot free trade zones (FTZs) have been established in China since 2013, including in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangdong Province, and most recently, Hainan Province. Inside these zones, policies related to foreign investment, trade liberalization and facilitation, the currency market and banking are more relaxed. The China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone is closest to the Treasure Island of China - Taiwan. It was officially launched in 2015 and integrates three areas Xiamen, Fuzhou and Pingtan. The Free Trade Zone covers a total of 118 square kilometers and promotes free-flow of goods, capital and services, while giving full play to Taiwan's advantages. "Over the past three years, we've used the Fujian FTZ as a platform to help boost cross-Strait communication and integrate development between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan," said Dai Bin, Director of Policies and Regulations Bureau of the Administration of Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Dai further explained that the Fujian FTZ established some new models and mechanisms in the process. For instance, the FTZ used its negative list management system to attract investment and cooperation opportunities from Taiwan's emerging and modern service industries. To strengthen cross-Strait economic ties, the FTZ has also utilized the province's shipping service to import and distribute goods from Taiwan. From the sea to the land, the FTZ has also facilitated the transportation of Taiwan's electronic components via China-Europe freight trains to countries in Central Asia and Europe. The Fujian FTZ had a total trade volume of 192.93 billion yuan in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 31.6 percent. To adapt to the increasing import and export volume through Fujian, the Xiamen Area of the Fujian FTZ, which is also an important international seaport on the southeastern coast of China, is developing a smart port model as part of the FTZ's technological innovation. The intelligent port model employs remote control technology on the port's quay cranes. Thanks to this update, quay cranes can now be commanded remotely from a control room. It dramatically enhances the efficiency of crane operations while improving the work environment of operators by reducing safety risks. "By installing new electronic devices onto our original cranes, including scanners, vehicle tracking systems and ship monitoring systems, and by pinpointing trucks, we have realized the semi-automation of moving containers from the sea to the land," said Chen Shulin, a mechanic operator of Xiamen Container Terminal Group. Chen said the smart-port technology has reduced his workload by 70 percent and has vastly improved the working environment. "In my ten years as a crane operator, I never thought I would be operating quay cranes so easily. For the foreseeable future, all ports can use this technology in large-scale application," he added. The Fujian FTZ doesn't only focus on innovation along the coastline. In Fuzhou, 250 kilometers north of Xiamen, a prominent financial innovation feature known as Fuzhou Mawei Fund Town is managing the investment of over 100 billion yuan from around the world to help boost Fujian's real economy. The private equity fund was established in 2017 based on the FTZ's advantages in geography and policymaking. The aim is to serve the real economy by attracting high-quality fund enterprises from around the world to set up investment operations in the Fujian FTZ. Zhang Zhenmin, Vice General Manager of Fuzhou Mawei Fund Town, said some of their fund products were explicitly planned for Belt and Road programs. "The famous Quandt Family from Germany is expected to issue a fund with a total value of over five billion yuan, which will be invested primarily in biomedicine and logistics programs under the BRI [Belt and Road Initiative]," Zhang said. "The town has enjoyed huge profits brought by China's 40 years of reform and opening-up. In the future, we'll continue to utilize the FTZ's geographical and political advantages to be of greater service to the real economy and to contribute our strengths to the country's reform and innovation process." Zhang added. Relying on Fujian FTZ's streamlined customs procedures, Best Logistics Technology, a Chinese logistics supply chain service provider backed by Alibaba, has set up a local subsidiary in Fuzhou to provide logistics and warehousing services for cross-border e-commerce businesses, which have boomed in Fujian in recent years thanks to the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. "Within the FTZ, we use warehousing software to synchronize with the system used by customs, so that customs can monitor our inventory status in real time. Then we use logistics software to distribute our goods to consumers," said Zhao Yuchen, Assistant Manager of Best Logistics (Fuzhou) Co., Ltd. As the core area of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Fujian connects the land with the sea through ship-to-freight-train transportation of goods, boosting exports from Taiwan and Southeast Asia to Europe and Central Asia. According to the Department of Commerce in Fujian Province, over 5.79 billion yuan worth of goods have been transported since the Taiwan-Fujian-Europe freight trains were launched in 2015. "We also import daily consumer goods from countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia. These goods include facial masks from South Korea, biscuits from Japan and powdered milk from Australia, to name a few," Zhao said. The Fujian Pilot Free Trade Zone, along with the other 11 free trade zones in China, works as a testing ground for comprehensive deepening of reform, where measures such as streamlined business registration and easier access to administrative services are tested before being promoted nationwide. China has reiterated on many occasions that the country will open its door even wider to the world. The steady development of free trade zones will bring about new prospects for reform and opening-up at a higher level. By PTI MUMBAI: Crisis-ridden Jet Airways on Tuesday was forced to ground three of its Boeing 737 planes due to non-payment of lease rentals, leading to cancellation of around 20 domestic flights, according to sources. With three more planes taken out of operations, the number of aircraft on ground due to non-payment of lease rentals by the carrier now stands at six in the last two days, the source added. "Jet Airways has defaulted on aircraft lease rentals and it has been forced to ground three more narrow-body Boeing 737 planes," a source in the know of the development told PTI. ALSO READ: Debt respite for Jet Airways? SBI set to swap part of its loans into 15 per cent stake in airline A response from airline, which struggling with cash- crunch since the past many months, is awaited. Due to the fresh grounding of the planes, the airline, which is negotiating with its partner Etihad for an additional cash infusion, has cancelled as many as 19 flights to/from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Port Blair and Bengaluru, the source added. By PTI NEW DELHI: In 1977, he threw Coca-Cola out of India and two-and-a-half decades later, put spokes in the sale of India's second-biggest fuel retailer HPCL to the likes of Reliance Industries and Royal Dutch Shell. That was George Mathew Fernandes, former defence minister in the Vajpayee government who died on Tuesday. A firebrand trade unionist and socialist, Fernandes was the industry minister in the post-Emergency Morarji Desai government in 1977 when he decided to throw Coke as well as IBM out of India over their refusal to follow the provision of what was then the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA). The provision stipulated that foreign companies should dilute their equity stake in their Indian associates to 60 percent. Fernandes wanted Coca-Cola Company to not just transfer 60 percent of the shares of its Indian firm but also the formula for its concentrate to Indian shareholders. The company said it was agreeable to transferring a majority of the shares but not the formula, which it contended was a trade secret. The company exited the Indian market as the government denied a licence to import Coke concentrate. Fernandes then introduced a substitute indigenous drink called '77'. Coca-Cola, however, made a comeback in October 1993 post-liberalization of the Indian market by the PV Narasimha Rao government and has maintained a strong presence ever since. Two-and-a-half decades later in 2002, Fernandes was at the forefront of opposing privatisation of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL). He was the defence minister under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but never shied away from speaking his mind about the disinvestment and even put it in writing that the sell-off policy was "making the rich richer and creating a private monopoly". Fernandes, who was also the NDA convener, was often used by others in the ruling alliance to train guns on the then Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie. After weeks of a political tug of war, Vajpayee reached a compromise that HPCL will be sold off while disinvestment of BPCL was put off to a later date. But Fernandes insisted that state-owned firms be allowed to bid alongside Shell, Saudi Aramco, Reliance, Petronas of Malaysia, Kuwait Petroleum and Essar Oil for HPCL. Shourie was opposed to the idea of allowing firms like state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) to bid for government stake in HPCL, particularly after Indian Oil Corp (IOC) snapped fuel retailer IBP Co Ltd. Those opposed to privatisation of HPCL and BPCL also took refuge under the Nationalisation Act saying the Parliament alone had the powers to privatise firms that were nationalised through a law passed by it. The Supreme Court on September 16, 2003 also ruled that the government should seek Parliament's approval before proceeding with the sale of HPCL and BPCL. With general elections only a few months away, the NDA did not risk going to the Parliament. It is another matter that the NDA in its second stint, last year, sold the government's entire 51.11 percent stake in HPCL to ONGC for Rs 36,915 crore. New Castle, PA (16103) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. High near 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. WALLINGFORD A true crime podcast series examining the disappearance of a local girl debuted Sunday, reigniting interest in the 30-year old case. Sarah DiMeo, of Bristol, is exploring the disappearance of Doreen Jane Vincent, who was 12 years old when she went missing 30 years ago, in the second season of her series "Faded Out", which examines cold cases of missing children. Doreen, who would be 43 years old today, was last seen at her fathers house on Whirlwind Hill Road in June 1988. People are really surprised to hear about Doreens case, DiMeo said Monday, because, as I say in the episode, not a lot of people have heard of Doreen. Mark Hunter Vincent, Doreen's father, and his family had moved to Wallingford just 10 days before his daughters disappearance on June 15, 1988, according to Record-Journal archives. Doreen's stepmother, Sharon Vincent, said at the time that Doreen felt isolated living in Wallingford and missed her friends in Bridgeport. Doreen's mother, Donna Lee, arrived at Mark Vincents house to pick up her daughter three days after her disappearance, which Mark Vincent hadnt reported to the police, she discovered. Mark Vincent said at the time that Doreen had packed a bag and ran off. It was Lee who insisted on calling the police. For the first episode, which was downloaded by 1,200 users by Monday, DiMeo gathered information on Doreens childhood by interviewing Doreen's mother, younger sister and two maternal aunts. DiMeo said the next episode will cover the initial news reports and police investigation. Each episode, as we move along, is going to be chronological, featuring each event of the timeline, she said. The entire series, she expects, will span 20 to 25 episodes released each Sunday. Theres got be a lot of surprises along the way, details of the case people never imagined, she said. DiMeo currently works at an AM radio station and attends the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Farmington, where she was a student of Joe Aguiar, lead radio instructor. Aguiar also co-owns Clovercrest Media Group, a company for independent media creators, which is providing DiMeo with a production team for the new season. He is serving as executive producer and his Clovercrest partner, Jason Pinatte, is serving as technical director. Aguiars wife, Jessica Fritz-Aguiar, is an attorney who helped with research. Aguiar, who grew up in Meriden and lived in Wallingford, said Monday that he found it stunning that nobody has ever heard of this case before. He also said the case seems solvable, and intends to develop and present a theory to police. Theres an amazing amount of bad information that made its way into the newspapers, he said. We feel very strong about what (DiMeo) is doing, he said, and its unsettling that something like this can happen in Wallingford. DiMeo said Tuesday the production team has been in contact with Mark Vincent, but its unclear whether hell speak on the record with them. The Record-Journal was unable to contact Mark Vincent for comment. DiMeo has set up a Patreon page for Faded Out, where contributors can donate funds toward the project and receive exclusive updates through a weekly blog, behind-the-scenes photos and other materials. The website is www.patreon.com/fadedoutpodcast. LTakores@record-journal.com 203-317-2212 Twitter: @LCTakores MERIDEN One person was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation after a fire at a Belvedere Drive home Monday. It was the second fire at 121 Belvedere Drive in three weeks. A Jan. 7 fire left the home uninhabitable because of smoke and fire damage. One person escaped injury, and crews rescued a dog from that fire. On Monday, firefighters responded about 5 p.m. Fire Chief Ken Morgan said clutter inside the home made it difficult for firefighters to initially locate the fire. The fire was brought under control at about 6:30 p.m Morgan said the investigation of the Jan. 7 fire was ongoing and the home had been deemed uninhabitable. The fire marshal responded to the scene, and Eversource Energy cut the homes power. Mutual aid was requested from Wallingford and Berlin. Bryan Lipiner Not long after the curtain closed on the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), China has already started preparations for the second CIIE, which will be held from Nov. 5 to 10 this year in Shanghai, said Vice Minister of Commerce for China, Wang Bingnan, at a recent promotional conference. According to Sun Haicheng, vice director of the China International Import Expo Bureau, the total exhibition area of the second CIIE will be bigger and more guests will be invited. Additionally, new policies will be rolled out by relevant departments to support the latest trends and demands, Sun introduced. Registration for the second CIIE has actually been running since last July. So far, promotional activities have been held in multiple countries including New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, the US, Brazil, Panama and Italy. A total of 100,000 square meters of exhibition space have already been booked. Wang noted that more first-class Chinese enterprises would be invited to the second CIIE to expand trade and help global companies explore the Chinese market. Zhou Lingyan, an employee of the China International Import Expo Bureau, explained that over 500 enterprises from 40 countries and regions have registered for the Business Exhibition sector, 70 of which are Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders. Eighty percent of them participated in the first CIIE and will expand their exhibition area this year. Workers sort out parcels in a delivery company in Haian, Jiangsu province. The approaching Chinese New Year is driving up sales on Chinas e-commerce platforms. The younger generation, who make up the majority of online consumers, are gradually reshaping the Spring Festival market through e-commerce. Apart from traditional Chinese New Year products such as roasted seeds and nuts, smoked bacon and decorations, emerging products such as clothing, electronics, smart home appliances, and health care products are becoming must-buys for the Lunar New Year. Im planning to buy both my parents a big-screen smartphone this year, so that they can chat online, watch videos and play games, said Wang Rui from Beijing. According to statistics from e-commerce giant Alibaba, health management products, such as ECG recorders and smart wireless thermometers, as well as medical services including dental care and physical examinations have seen noticeable growth on e-commerce platforms. Computers and AR/VR equipment rank as the best-selling products on JD.com, one of Chinas major e-commerce platforms. An Alibaba report issued in 2018 noted that 217 percent more online deals for the Lunar New Years Eve dinner, or reunion dinner, were made during last years Spring Festival, and the trend of ordering reunion dinners online has remained this year. I have ordered a reunion dinner package worth about 800 yuan this year. It includes 12 dishes, and its more convenient to cook, said a woman named Deng Jiaqi from the eastern province of Jiangsu, adding that its cheaper than eating out and it also feels better to have a reunion dinner at home. Thanks to the growth of e-commerce platforms selling fresh products, imported fruit, meat, and aquatic goods have become an important element during the Spring Festival. Cherries from Chile, lobsters from Boston, and shrimp from Vietnam have all found their way on to the Chinese dinner table. Analyzer Chen Liteng noted that Spring Festival purchases were becoming more personalized and thought out, which reflects the general trend of consumption upgrading. He said that such development would inject new vitality into Chinas high-quality economic growth. (Photo/Qianjiang Evening News) Chinese women have significantly contributed to James Dysons new title the wealthiest person in the UK. According to Bloomberg, the profits of Dyson Ltd. in Asia accounted for half of its total, and China stands as an important player in this region. The hair styler Dyson Airwrap, released by the company last year, attracted millions of Chinese women, despite its price tag of 3,690 yuan ($548). 71-year-old Dyson, hailed as the Steve Jobs of domestic appliances, invented the vacuum cleaner, G-Force, in the 1980s. The Dual Cyclone technology used was considered the first breakthrough made since the birth of the vacuum cleaner in 1908. Thanks to this invention, Dyson became a billionaire. According to a Dyson report, the companys Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization hit 1.1 billion pounds ($1.42 billion) in 2018, with a sales volume growing 28 percent to 4.4 billion pounds. Ninety-six percent of Dysons sales were made in regions outside of the UK. The company has witnessed a steep rise in sales since it first arrived in China six years ago. Its business expanded over three times in 2014 and 2015 respectively, and sales growth in China stood at 159 percent in 2017. When the Dyson Airwrap debuted on T-mall, an online shopping site under Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, they sold out in just one second. It was also named the best beauty appliance on T-mall last year. Dyson is confident about the potential of the Chinese market, saying the company would establish more flagship stores in China and get closer to consumers through physical shops. Statistics indicated that Dysons vacuum cleaners were bestsellers in China last year, taking up 61 percent of the market share. Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. EAST ROCKHILL The announcement at the beginning of the June 16 Pennridge School Board meeting that the district planned to make mask wearing optional when classes start again in the fall brought applause from some in the audience who had come to argue against mask requirements. Matthew Ruffings, 20, of Norristown, leaves Montgomery County courtroom after testifying he was assaulted by county correctional officers in his jail cell on Feb. 14, 2017. Ruffings told jury, "I was kicked and beaten by all of them. I tried to cover my face. Major League Baseball has apparently decided that there are 42 too many minor league baseball cities and, according to Commissioner Rob Manfred, after the 2020 season, that will change. There will be a new agreement between the majors and the minors signed and a lot of cities will lose their SUPPORT THIS INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM The article youre about to read is from our reporters doing their important work investigating, researching, and writing their stories. We want to provide informative and inspirational stories that connect you to the people, issues and opportunities within our community. Journalism takes a lot of resources. Today, our business model has been interrupted by the pandemic; the vast majority of our advertisers businesses have been impacted. Thats why the Weekly is now turning to you for financial support. Learn more about our new Insiders program here. Thank you. JOIN NOW China's ambassador to the European Union blasted the treatment of Huawei Technologies and other Chinese companies, saying such behavior will hamper the development of 5G mobile technology. Zhang Ming said in the Financial Times on Monday that "someone is sparing no efforts in fabricating a security story about Huawei" and "I do not think that this story has anything to do with security, and the so-called security concerns are not supported by any facts or evidence. "Rather I believe that it is an act of protectionism with a political motive. That indicates a pushback against globalization." Huawei, based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, is a leading global provider of information and communication technology infrastructure and smart devices, and is regarded as a leader in the development of 5G technology. "Such a move is indiscriminately trying to turn a business issue into a political one or even a security one, and that completely violates the principles of free and fair competition," Zhang said. The New York Times reported on Sunday that countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland are all under pressure from the US to bar Huawei from building 5G networks. "Over the past year, the United States has embarked on a stealthy, occasionally threatening, global campaign to prevent Huawei and other Chinese firms from participating in the most dramatic remaking of the plumbing that controls the internet since it sputtered into being, in pieces, 35 years ago," wrote New York Times' veteran national security correspondent David Sanger and his colleagues. Zhang, who took up his current post in 2017 after serving as China's vice-foreign minister from 2013 to 2017, said 5G technology is a product of open global cooperation, and a good thing for the entire world. "The global industrial, supply and value chains are highly intertwined in this area and cannot be artificially and deliberately cut by anyone," he said. To do so would be "very irresponsible", Zhang said, and might bring "serious consequences to global economic and scientific cooperation". Noting that China and the EU have established their comprehensive strategic partnership and both support multilateralism and a rules-based international order, Zhang hopes the EU understands where its interests lie and holds a rational, open and objective attitude. He called on the EU to uphold free and fair competition, ensure multilateral economic and technological cooperation, and resist exclusive and discriminatory policies. "As partners for cooperation, we should strive to promote globalization rather than the tribalization of the global system," Zhang said. When the world shut down just over a year ago, I had no idea what my photo team would work on in the future. I was just over two months into my new job as multimedia editor, and though the future was uncertain, we still had a job to do. The premise is simple, but the effect profound: customers are more likely to shop in stores that have the foods they want and the service to go with it. Through quality-focused initiatives, smaller grocers can gain big store training to help provide a better service for their customers. What compels a customer to take a bus 10 miles across town just to buy a certain rotisserie chicken salad? Apart from really liking this particular chicken salad, customers know that if the store says they have it available, then they do.Such is the case with Honeybee Market , asSouthwest Detroit independent grocer that has grown in popularity and success for a number of reasons, chief among them attractive displays of meat and produce and friendly staff.Of course this kind of consistency and reliability doesn't happen all by itself. "The way we train our employees," store manager Brittany Barrios says, "the way that we open our store and the way that we close our store is the same thing every single day ... Nothing ever changes or looks differently."From checklists to daily walkthroughs by staff, processes are in place to make sure the store is in order. And more than anything, Honeybee management stresses customer service. "That's what our business thrives on," Barrios says. "The word of mouth, and giving people a great customer experience where they're always going to want to come back."Behind the scenes, Honeybee creates a better customer experience by using social media to monitor shopper concerns and engaging with their community through neighborhood meetings. They were also an early adopter of consumer-friendly programs like Double Up Food Bucks , which doubles the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables customers can get with their Bridge Cards.Although Honeybee sets a high bar, there are other stores doing good work in Detroit, like Harbortown Market on East Jefferson and Prince Valley Market on Michigan Avenue. Still, there are widespread concerns in Detroit and other Michigan cities about the quality of food and the level of customer service at urban grocery stores."Everybody wants good quality food and they want good customer service," Rachael Dombrowski, professor of Community Health Education at Wayne State University says. "So if they don't get those two things, they won't go back to the store. It's as simple as that."In order to codify some of the best practices set forth by good grocers, as well as bring a higher level of accountability into the business, The Detroit Food Policy Council and partners including Wayne State are launching the Detroit Healthy Grocer Initiative this winter to help stores meet certain standards. They will focus on availability and quality of healthy food, pricing and affordability, customer service, and community engagement. This initiative follows on the heels of a pilot program that took place in seven Detroit district focus groups among Detroit's 77 independent grocers and three chain supermarkets.This innovative effort to bring accountability to the city's food economy could help improve access to quality food by making shoppers feel welcome and by ensuring they have access to the healthy foods they seek.In Flint, academics and community activists are taking another approach by developing a smartphone app called Flint Eats that will combine academic research with community feedback on the availability of good food and customer service at markets throughout the city.These programs and initiatives are designed to give consumers a voice, but they are also designed to strengthen the business models of existing stores that often anchor the low-income neighborhoods they serve.Flint Eats and the Detroit Healthy Grocer Initiative could create a bridge between grocers and their clientele, who, in some cases, appear to operate at cross-purposes. "[Some grocers] think that people don't want healthy food," according to Dombrowski.This leads grocers to purchase low quality produce that customers don't want to buy. Better communication could help change this dynamic.Detroit's independent grocery stores could also benefit from better training through the program. "One of the things we want to offer to the stores is some training around customer service, around produce rotation," Dombrowski says. "Because you would get that in a large corporate store which would have a whole training program set up. But for an independent or family owned store you wouldn't necessarily have all that training available."The fact that these grocers are independent could offer significant advantages to customers and communities. Owners might be more likely to be on the premises and available to communicate with customers and management. Dombrowski believes that people want to see these businesses remain in their communities."These are the folks who have stayed and have weathered the storm and [customers] don't want to see them close now and only have the suburban or chain stores," she says. "People will continue to shop and support their stores as long as they're making an effort to improve and do better."Some Flint independent grocery stores also struggle to meet the needs of their customers, according to experts."[These are] the same sorts of issues that you see in other communities that have a lot of disinvestment in the food system," says Richard Sadler, assistant professor with Michigan State University's Department of Family Medicine. "The stores are selling rotten meat or there's just a total absence of food products. A disproportionate pushing of the unhealthy food items."This situation led Sadler and others develop the Flint Eats app to help people find healthy food in the city, as well as to put "some pressure on retailers." The app, which isn't yet fully operational, is just one of several initiatives in Flint designed to improve the way residents get their food.Ashley Sanders-Jackson, assistant professor with MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences, has researched public health issues, and she says that the efforts of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve the physical infrastructure of Flint stores by updating refrigeration and food storage capabilities have also helped.But, as in Detroit, there seems to be a mismatch between the perceptions of grocers who Sanders-Jackson says often struggle to survive in the city, and customers who "didnt feel that the store owners were necessarily terribly ethical. They were sort of just passing on bad food."These perceptions affect the bottom line of neighborhood businesses, and they decrease food access when residents with limited choices choose not to return."People did identify customer service in why they didn't want to shop in stores," Sadler says, referring to a study conducted by MSU two years ago. "That's certainly an element in food access because if you dont feel comfortable shopping in a store and you have to bypass it for whatever reason, then it's going to impact your ability to access food."These efforts to improve customer service in Flint and Detroit neighborhood grocery stores are certainly promising, and further analysis will help determine how the initiatives roll out. Eventually, effectiveness will be gauged by the responses from both grocers and shoppers.Whether improving existing stores through customer feedback and better business practices will be enough is an open question. A system of accountability for customer needs is certainly an important step towards healthier cities, both physically and financially."It would make sense to create a financial system that supports these people to continue to be in the communities," says Sanders-Jackson, referring to Flint's grocery stores. "In some ways these stores are providing a public good because they're providing food to people who may not be able to get to other places. And to recognize that, particularly in communities that don't have a lot of other sources of food, I think is important."Photos by Steve Koss [January 29, 2019] CentralSquare Team Building Results In Donation to Local Community A group from CentralSquare's sales team took time for a corporate social responsibility experience to give back to the local community by preparing 160 solar-car kits for donation along with 32 assembled solar cars to Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee. The event took place in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 23, 2019. CentralSquare worked with Impact 4 Good, a company that focuses on team-building programs that give back to community. For this event, CentralSquare selected "Go GREEN Racing." Go GREEN Racing focuses on the importance of youth learning about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM education) and alternative energy. CentralSquare participants engaged in an interactive and competitive program to build solar cars in preparation for a time trial and single-elimination tournament. Along the way, teams prepared 160 solar-car kits for children who will be participating in their schools' hands-on STEM programs. A handwritten "STEM Message of Encouragement" was included with each solar-car kit to motivate and inspire the children. "We're pleased to have partnered with Impact 4 Good during our annual sales kickoff," said CentralSquare CEO Simon Angove. "STEM programs help develop the future generations of talent that will drive innovation in technology leaders like CentralSquare." For over 114 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, serving as one of the original Boys & Girls Club organizations in the country, has provided a safe and engaging place to learn, row and succeed. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of young people by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, pride and belonging. Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee is a comprehensive youth development organization dedicated to five core program foundations: Education & Career Development; Character & Leadership Development; Health & Life (News - Alert) Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. Annually, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee serves over 4,000 youth, ages five to 18. Dan Jernigan, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, thanked the group in person at the event for their time and effort in helping to provide the gifts. Following the event, Dan went on to say, "Thank you for thinking of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and for taking the time to help youth discover new solutions to real world problems with this special STEM project." About CentralSquare Technologies Formed by the merger of Superion, TriTech along with Zuercher, and the public sector and healthcare business of Aptean, CentralSquare Technologies is an industry leader in public safety and public administration software, serving over 7,500 organizations from the largest metropolitan city to counties and towns of every size across North America. Its technology platform provides solutions for public safety, including 911, computer-aided dispatch, records management, mobile, citations, evidence management, and corrections. For public administration agencies, CentralSquare provides software for finance, human capital management, payroll, utility billing, citizen engagement, asset management, regulatory compliance, and community development. For hospitals and clinicians, it provides patient information, compliance, and analytics software. CentralSquare's broad, unified and agile software suite serves 3 in 4 citizens across North America. More information is available at www.CentralSquare.com. About Impact 4 Good For over 13 years, Impact 4 Good has been an innovator in the team-building industry, focused on nationwide and international delivery of community service-based activities. Impact 4 Good is dedicated to providing programs that create significant bonding experiences across corporate teams that raise employee engagement while providing tangible donations to those in need. Impact 4 Good's clients include Fortune 500 companies to start-up organizations. The company has offices in New Jersey and Washington D.C., plus support staff nationwide. For more information visit www.Impact4Good.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005606/en/ [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] [January 29, 2019] Vianet Communications Selects Ciena's Packet and Optical Platforms to Improve Intracity and International Connectivity To meet unpredictable traffic patterns and a surge in bandwidth demand generated from new residential and enterprise customers, Vianet Communications, one of the largest fixed broadband operators in Nepal, has chosen Ciena's (NYSE: CIEN) 6500 Packet-Optical Platform and 5160 Service Aggregation Switch. Through this deployment, Vianet (News - Alert) can achieve the levels of capacity, flexibility, resiliency, and openness required to create a network that can quickly adapt to changing user demands. Key Facts: Vianet has more than 70,000 customers and has been the pioneer in introducing FTTH technology in the ISP arena in Nepal. Voted the most respected ISP in Nepal for four years in a row, Vianet has grown by three times in as many years and is rapidly expanding to new locations in Nepal. To improve intracity connectivity in Kathmandu and provide international connectivity between Nepal and other countries, Vianet is deploying Ciena's industry-leading 6500 platform. The 6500 will also help to streamline operations and optimize footprint, power and capacity. Additionally, Ciena's network management software will enable a greater level of control over Vianet's network, providing end-to-end visibility of its services across all transport, switching and packet elements. This will also make it easier for Vianet to rapidly deploy new services and optimize the use of current network and bandwidth assets. Vianet is also deploying Ciena's 5160 Service Aggregation Switch to efficiently deliver and aggregate large quantiies of packet data while meeting stringent service level agreements. Executive Comments: "As a network provider to Nepal for almost two decades, our customers have come to expect a superior level of service - and it's something we must continue to provide. As we expand our market share, Ciena has made the process of keeping up with changing customer preferences easy, especially with the added software intelligence and visibility of activity of our network." - Prasanna Pokhrel, CEO, Vianet "Operators around the world are looking for adaptive networking solutions to help meet the low latency and highly reliable connectivity rates required to support streaming services, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and other advanced services. Ciena's collaboration with Vianet, our first customer in Nepal, gives them the network it needs to meet consumer demands and remain competitive." - Ryan Perera, Vice President and General Manager, Ciena India About Vianet Communications P. Ltd. Vianet Communications P. Ltd. is one of the leading providers of high speed Internet connectivity and communications solutions for business and individuals in the greater Kathmandu Valley. Established in 1999, Vianet Communications has always remained in the forefront providing reliable and affordable Broadband Internet Services. In 2011 Vianet Communications pioneered in introducing Fiber Optics Internet or commonly known as FTTH (Fiber To The Home) internet service and has been successful in connecting the most number of homes and offices with FTTH in the region. We are solely focused on FTTH services and our engineers constantly strive to bring the best product and service package according to our customer needs. Vianet Communications aims to be the service provider that makes future Broadband dream a reality today. About Ciena Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a networking systems, services and software company. We provide solutions that help our clients create the Adaptive Network in response to the constantly changing demands of their users. By delivering best-in-class networking technology through high-touch consultative relationships, we build the world's most agile networks with automation, openness and scale. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com. Note to Ciena Investors You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, SEC (News - Alert) filings, recent news, financial results, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, forecasts, information and assumptions. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those stated or implied, as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies and can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190129005100/en/ [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\broadband-stimulus's Homepage ] Turkey ends preparations for new trans-border operation in Syria minister Turkey ends preparations for new trans-border operation in Syria minister Ankara has ended all preparations for carrying out a new trans-border operation in Syria, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday. We will carry out all the necessary actions in Manbij and in the east of the Euphrates in due time, Haberturk channel quoted him as saying. Turkey has already carried out two military operations in Syria, Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch. As a result, a security zone between the border cities of Azaz and Jarabulus was created and Afrin was occupied. President Tayyip Erdogan on December 12 announced plans to start an operation on the eastern Euphrates river bank against the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) in the coming days. Ankara regards them as a Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey.Source : RT - Daily news The planned gas pipeline linking Poland to Norway via Denmark is a senseless waste of money that could harm the European energy market, the deputy director general for gas issues at the National Energy Security Fund has told RT. The construction of the Baltic Pipe, a joint project of Polands state-owned Gaz-System and Danish company Energinet, is aimed at cutting Warsaws reliance on Russian natural gas. It is expected to be finished in 2022 when Polands long-term deal with Russian gas major Gazprom expires. The 900km pipeline has the capacity to deliver 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, and is set to stretch through the Baltic Sea, where the Russian Nord Stream already lies. However, the project may not be worth the money that Europe has invested in it, Alexei Grivach of the National Energy Security Fund told RT. He explained that Norway already has a system of gas delivery to Europe, including Germany, the UK, France and Belgium. The countrys gas output is also already at maximum capacity and is decreasing. This means that when the construction of the Baltic Pipe is finished, it will be necessary to lower the volumes of Norwegian gas sent to the markets of North-Western Europe So the beginning of Norwegian gas supplies to Poland means a disruption in the gas balance of the region, Grivach said. Increasing the energy supply from Norway to Poland could also raise costs for other European countries, the energy expert believes. It is just a senseless waste of money in terms of the united [European gas] market, as the European customers will bear all the expenses for this gas pipeline, the analyst warned. He added that Europeans will have to pay for infrastructure that was not actually necessary. As the Baltic Pipe route overlaps with Russias existing Nord Stream pipeline, Poland will have to come to an agreement with Russia's Gazprom, the Financial Times reported, citing an energy analyst from Polityka Insight. The overlap of the two gas pipelines is a matter of security for both projects, Grivach told RT. He noted that the Polish operator will have to coordinate with its Russian counterparts regarding the technical details of the crossover, but such issues can be routinely solved. Also on rt.com European energy policy should be determined by Europe, not the US German FM Warsaw is the biggest buyer of Russian gas in Eastern and Central Europe. In 2017, Gazprom delivered 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Poland, which covered 54 percent of the countrys demand, according to the company. The contract between Gazprom and Polands state-run natural gas company PGNiG expires in 2022. The Polish side has been demanding that the Russian company lower prices for gas, and filed a complaint on the matter with the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce a neutral body that resolves international commercial disputes. The arbitration court ruled in favor of the Polish company, but said that its request regarding a new price formula was too far-reaching. In October last year, Gazprom appealed the arbitrators decision. Also on rt.com Poland's 'sovereignty' means paying more for American liquefied natural gas In an apparent bid by Poland to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, its state gas company signed a 20-year deal to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. American company Venture Global is expected to provide two million tons of LNG annually, or 2.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas after re-gasification, starting from 2022. American LNG is more expensive, however, and the US cannot provide enough for Polands needs. Warsaw is also a vocal opponent of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. Last year, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki asked the White House to sanction the Russia-led project, which is currently under construction. He recently said that Nord Stream 2 contradicts European values, but admitted that it would be difficult to stop two strong states from implementing it. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Former Canadian officials and Chinese community leaders have expressed alarm about the potential impact that the resignation of Canada's ambassador to China could have on Sino-Canadian relations. John McCallum resigned on Friday at the request of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, related to comments the envoy made concerning the extradition case of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou. Meng was taken into custody on Dec 1 at Vancouver International Airport, at the behest of the US government, which is seeking her extradition. She is free on bail in Vancouver. Michael Chan, former Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, told China Daily that it was "shocking" and "unexpected", and that he was "puzzled" by McCallum's departure. "A critical link between Canada and China is broken McCallum is welcome in the Chinese community," Chan said, adding that the situation could have "serious consequences". "I suspect there will be a backlash against the Liberal government, further complicating the Huawei case," he said. "It is also a huge loss to Canadian diplomacy. McCallum is very talented, honest, down-to-earth and immensely popular among all people. No one gains in this mess. Canada is the biggest loser." Ping Tan, a Canadian lawyer and national chair of the National Congress of Chinese Canadians, said McCallum's candid remarks had pointedly highlighted the practical legal and political issues surrounding Meng's case. "The remarks were both factual and accurate, legally and polically, except that he was not supposed to say them publicly as the ambassador to China," Tan said. "However, the broad publication of his remarks has helped us all to better understand and appreciate the true nature of this case and the crux of the eventual resolution of this diplomatic impasse. "I fully agree with McCallum's view that it will be great for Canada if the US drops the extradition request. And I will add that it will be great for Canada-China relations as well, since it is the US which put Canada into this mess in the first place," Tan said. Tan said McCallum noted that Canada is not a party to international sanctions against Iran. That means that the US alleging fraud by Meng to avoid US sanctions against Iran does not constitute a criminal act under Canadian law, hence the Canada-US extradition treaty should not apply. "So, the extradition should be stopped," Tan added. Ouyang Yuansen, an entrepreneur and the former chairman of the Canada Confederation of Fujian Associations, said he is "deeply disappointed" with the ambassador's resignation. "McCallum has made great contributions to strengthen the friendship between Canada and China," Ouyang said. "Currently, the diplomatic rift between the two countries is set to deepen. "Canada has paid a price for arresting Meng at the US' request. We and the Chinese community will keep an eye on the coming extradition deadline on Jan 30. We hope that the prime minister will manage the crisis intelligently, and Canada should have an independent position." McCallum made the remarks at a gathering hosted by the Canada China Guanxi Council CCGC on Jan 22 in Markham, outside Toronto. "Ms Meng actually has quite good arguments on her side," said McCallum. "One is political involvement by comments from Donald Trump in her case; two, there is extraterritoriality applied to her case (meaning questions of US jurisdiction in Canada); three, there is an issue of Iran sanctions involved in her case, and Canada doesn't sign onto the Iran sanctions. "So I think she has strong arguments she can make before a judge, and the judge will decide whether she should be extradited to the United States," McCallum said. Ben-Gurion University and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems sign strategic research collaboration TEL AVIV, Israel...January 29, 2019 - Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and BGN Technologies, the technology transfer company of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), today announced a strategic, multi-year research collaboration, in which Rafael will collaborate with BGU in a variety of fields, including cyber security, smart mobility, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI). The agreement was signed at the Cybertech 2019 conference in Tel Aviv by Netta Cohen, chief executive officer of BGN Technologies, and Dr. Ran Gozali, executive vice president and head of Rafael's R&D and Engineering Division. This partnership follows Rafael's decision to build an R&D center of excellence in Beer-Sheva's high-tech park, which is located adjacent to BGU, to benefit from the University's talents and expertise in these fields. The new center--to be launched later this year--will focus on different aspects of advanced autonomous systems. "Rafael's decision to have a significant presence at the high-tech park adjacent to BGU, together with the partnership signed today, is a clear indication of our researchers' leadership in hardware and data related innovation," Cohen said at the signing ceremony. "We are looking forward to closely working with Rafael, a world leader in advanced defense systems, on a variety of cutting-edge projects in different disciplines." The first two projects will focus on exploring the risk of cyber security breaches in sensors of autonomous cars and how these threats might be mitigated. Autonomous driving requires the use of multiple sensor systems including cameras, radars, and lidar-based systems, all of which can be targets of cyberattacks. AI and machine learning techniques will be used for identifying and mapping the different possible security breaches, and then solutions to protect against these threats will be developed. Dr. Ran Gozali said, "Cyber security is one of the biggest challenges in almost every aspect of modern-day life. This partnership will help support our advanced autonomous solutions, by working with prominent experts in the field, such as the researchers at Ben-Gurion University. We are certain that the collaboration will help maintain the qualitative edge and innovative solutions that are offered by Rafael to its customers." Rafael has had vast experience in the cyber arena over the past 25 years. As a leader in the field, Rafael has implemented cyber defense projects around the world. In Israel, this includes the national Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT), considered one of the world's most advanced, and the cyber defense system for Israel National Central Credit Registry and Israel's Railways Authority. Rafael has also been awarded a cyber defense contract by the Ministry of Defense of Argentina. ### About Rafael Rafael develops and manufactures advanced defense systems for the Israel Defense Forces and the defense establishment, as well as for foreign customers around the world. The company offers its customers a diversified array of innovative solutions at the leading edge of global technology, from underwater systems through naval, ground and air defense systems to cyber and space systems. These include the Iron Dome and the David's Sling Air Defense system, the Trophy Active Protection System for armored vehicles, and many others. Rafael was established in 1948 as Israel's Defense Ministry national research and development laboratory. Rafael's systems are based on vast expertise, technological know-how and a thorough understanding of specific operational requirements. Today, Rafael is one of Israel's largest defense companies, employing 8,000 workers and hundreds of sub-contractors, with a 2017 net profit of $124 million and sales totaling $2.2 billion. Visit Rafael's website. About BGN Technologies BGN Technologies is the technology transfer company of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the third largest university in Israel. BGN Technologies brings technological innovations from the lab to the market and fosters research collaborations and entrepreneurship among researchers and students. To date, BGN Technologies has established over 100 startup companies in the fields of biotech, high-tech and cleantech and has initiated leading technology hubs, incubators and accelerators. Over the past decade, BGN Technologies has focused on creating long-term partnerships with multinational corporations such as Deutsche Telekom, Dell-EMC, PayPal, and Lockheed Martin, securing value and growth for Ben-Gurion University as well as the Negev region. For more information, visit the BGN Technologies website. About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more. This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. TV presenter Piers Morgan clashed live on-air with a Scottish politician who called British World War II Prime Minister Winston Churchill a white supremacist mass murderer on social media on the anniversary of his death. Morgan had invited Ross Greer, who he labeled a thick ginger turd on Twitter, onto his Good Morning Britain show. It followed a war of words between the pair, which was triggered by the Green Party MSPs controversial characterization of Churchill, who most Brits see as a war hero. Greer defended his comments, which he said reflected a rounded view of history. Morgan, however, interjected to accuse the politician of being a Churchill hater, prompting a volley of harsh words between the two men. The Scottish politician called Morgan a snowflake for the way he was conducting the interview. The TV host responded by claiming that Churchill had dragged the country from the abyss, which Greer insisted was a wildly ahistorical viewpoint, adding that it was time to consider other perspectives. Morgans co-host, Susanna Reid, sided with her colleague, arguing that everyone celebrates Churchill as a hero. Greer firmly refuted this assumption, claiming that many people in parts of Britain, as well as India, Ireland and Kenya have no love for the former PM. Greer argued: When a mass famine broke out in India, for which he [Churchill] was significantly to blame, the Bengal famine, he said it was their own fault because they bred like rabbits. Also on rt.com Tw*t Piers Morgan slammed by GOT snowflake actress in mental health spat Its not the first time Morgan has rowed over the British war icon. In October 2018, he clashed with Professor Kehinde Andrews over his claim that Churchill was an imperialist racist. Morgan responded by saying that he wouldnt be made to feel ashamed of his country; claiming that if it hadnt been for Winston Churchill I think we probably wouldnt have had the stomach to take on Hitler. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. Animal rights activists have lambasted SeaWorld, a chain of US amusement parks famous for its circus-style killer whale shows, over the death of a 30-year-old orca, who was apparently killed by a mysterious illness. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has cried foul after a female orca, also known as a killer whale, died in captivity at Sea World in Orlando on Monday. The bus-sized cetacean predator named Kayla began feeling unwell on Saturday, with the park saying in a statement that it displayed "signs of discomfort." The veterinarians scrambled to determine the cause of her mysterious malady, but all was in vain. The condition of the otherwise healthy mammal deteriorated rapidly, resulting in her death at about 12.15 am Monday. Also on rt.com Tilikum, the orca who killed a SeaWorld trainer & inspired Blackfish, dies Up until Kayla drew her last breath, she was surrounded by caregivers working around the clock to sustain her, the park said in a statement, adding that "the entire SeaWorld family is deeply saddened by the loss." The orca that was born in captivity "inspired generations of guests and employees to care and learn more about this amazing species," it said. It is hard to predict what effect Kayla's passing will have on the remaining whales at the park, with SeaWorld saying that it is "possible" that other killer whales will be "socially" affected by it. The amusement park stressed they don't expect any health-related issues. READ MORE: Dirty business: Inside a whale prison for captured orcas & belugas (VIDEO) Life expectancy for killer whales in the wild ranges between 50 and 80 years, akin to a lifespan of an average human. Commenting on her death, Dr. Naomi Rose from the Animal Welfare Institute told the Orlando Sentinel that 30 years is an orca's "prime of life." "That's like literally being a 30-year-old woman," she said. Kayla's premature passing has caught attention of PETA, which alleged that her death, "well shy of her normal life expectancy," was directly linked to the conditions she was forced to live in during all of her life. "After being hauled from park to park, performing tricks in chemically treated waters for a reward of dead fish, miscarrying a calf and losing another, and enduring forced artificial insemination, Kayla's suffering has come to an end," PETA tweeted. The organization, which is the world's largest and arguably fiercest animal rights group, said it would be holding two memorials for Kayla to raise awareness about "other orca prisoners," while calling to release them into sanctuaries "as soon as possible." According to PETA's count, Kayla has become the 42nd orca to die in SeaWorld's tanks. Born in 1988 in SeaWorld San Antonio, she was repeatedly moved to different SeaWorld locations. She was torn away from her mother at the age of 3 and moved to Ohio, and then back to San Antonio, where she had her calf that later died. Kayla lived in an enclosure in Orlando, Florida, for the last 13 years. PETA has long campaigned for the orcas kept in amusement parks to be released, arguing that SeaWorld "prioritized profit" over the animals' well-being and failed to provide adequate care. In 2016, it launched a petition calling for all killer whales to be released to sea sanctuaries and to end their exploitation at shows. The same year, SeaWorld pulled the plug on its controversial breeding program, with the last orca being born in its tank in April 2017. The decision to end the long-running program came on the back of the documentary Blackfish. The 2013 film by Gabriela Cowperthwaite tells the story of a whale handler killed by an orca named Tilikum in 2010. The documentary alleges that whales are stressed up to a breaking point in captivity and during forced breeding. The backlash saw visitor numbers plummeting and SeaWorld rebranding itself as a nature conservation park. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Palestinians ask UN to deploy observer force in West Bank, E. Jerusalem Palestinians ask UN to deploy observer force in West Bank, E. Jerusalem The Palestinians have asked the UN to deploy a permanent international force in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, AP reported. Tuesdays request comes a day after Israel said it was suspending operations of an observer force in the city of Hebron, after 20 years. Palestinian official Saeb Erekat says the UN should guarantee the safety and protection of the people of Palestine until the end of Israels belligerent occupation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said it would not extend the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), saying we will not allow the continuation of an international force that acts against us. TIPH has deployed unarmed civilian observers since 1997. Hundreds of hard-line Israeli settlers guarded by soldiers live in the heart of Hebron, which has over 200,000 Palestinians.Source : RT - Daily news OSCE representatives UN initiative on Donbass is surprising Russian envoy OSCE representatives UN initiative on Donbass is surprising Russian envoy Russian Representative to the Contact Group on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine Boris Gryzlov has described as surprising OSCEs special representative Martin Sajdiks interview with an Austrian newspaper, in which he tried to shift responsibility for resolving Ukraines domestic crisis to the UN. Last week, Sajdik said there was a plan that could help resolve the Donbass crisis, replacing the Minsk agreements, TASS reports. The plan of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe allegedly implies involving the UN in the process through deploying a police mission to Ukraine and creating a EU-sponsored agency on the regions reconstruction. We would hate to think that the OSCE special representative is acknowledging his failure and reluctance to accomplish the tasks set before the Contact Group - the tasks that we have been dealing with for a long time, even managing to achieve some results, the Russian envoy said on Tuesday. Gryzlov said that like the OSCE, Russia is also a mediator in resolving the internal conflict in Ukraine.Source : RT - Daily news N. Korea unlikely to give up nuclear weapons, says US National Intelligence chief N. Korea unlikely to give up nuclear weapons, says US National Intelligence chief Pyongyang is unlikely to give up its nuclear-weapons capabilities despite recent moves indicating that it was open to such actions, US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said on Tuesday. Coats assessment, in testimony before a Senate panel, clashed with President Donald Trumps periodic upbeat assessments of North Koreas commitment to denuclearization since his meeting with Kim Jong-un last June. Coats said North Korea has halted the provocative behavior related to weapons of mass destruction, has not conducted any nuclear missile tests in more than a year, and has dismantled some of its nuclear infrastructure, Reuters reports. We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival, Coats added.Source : RT - Daily news Iran says missiles issue not negotiable, but wont increase their range Iran says missiles issue not negotiable, but wont increase their range Tehran on Tuesday dismissed calls from the US and European states for curbs on its ballistic missiles, but said it had no plans to increase their range. The enemies say Irans missile power should be eliminated, but we have repeatedly said our missile capabilities are not negotiable, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said, according to Tasnim. The secretary of Iran's National Security Council also said Iran would keep working to improve the missiles accuracy. France, which is committed to the nuclear deal with Iran, said last week it was ready to impose further sanctions on Tehran if no progress was made in talks over the weapons program, Reuters said.Source : RT - Daily news Google and other online advertising platforms engage in disturbing privacy violations through the categories they use to target internet users, according to a new filing that reveals just how creepy this data collection can get. Google and other online ad companies use intimate personal information like political beliefs, religion, sexual orientation, and even diseases and disabilities to target users for advertising, according to new evidence filed by digital rights organizations in Poland, Ireland and the UK. Their complaint takes aim at real-time bidding (RTB), online ad auctions in which highly sensitive information about users gleaned from their browsing history is traded by thousands of third-party companies which use these behavioral profiles to target ads. Incontinence, special needs kids, and gay life are just a few of the categories on the Internet Advertising Bureaus list that could infringe on Article 9 of the GDPR, the EU privacy law which bars the use of such sensitive data without explicit consent from users. Since most internet users have no idea these tags are being attached to them, let alone bought and sold by companies theyve never heard of, this kind of invasive profiling clearly runs afoul of the law, the group says. Also on rt.com 'Treason' ad interest tag 'not used often' to target users, Facebook tells RT Googles categories are even more invasive: AIDS & HIV, debt collection & repossession, and drug and alcohol treatment are just a few on a list that runs to 53 pages. Special category personal data like this enjoys special protections in the GDPR. I believe this raises the stakes of our complaint, said Johnny Ryan of no-track browser Brave, one of the complainants. Ad auction companies broadcast an average UK internet users intimate data profile about 164 times per day, according to the New Economics Foundation. Ryan believes if the industry just made some minor changes, excluding sensitive data points that are not actually necessary for ad targeting, it could comply with the GDPR without significantly altering its business model. Hugely detailed and invasive profiles are routinely and casually built and traded as part of todays real-time bidding system, and this practice is treated though its a simple fact of life online. It isnt: and it both needs to and can stop, said Michael Veale of University College London, another complainant. Also on rt.com France hits Google with record 50mn fine over forced consent data collection Poland is the latest country to sign on to the complaint, with digital rights organization Panoptykon joining the digital rights groups from the UK and Ireland which opened the original case against the ad exchanges last fall. In response to a TechCrunch article republishing the category lists, Google released a statement claiming they prohibit advertisers from targeting based on sensitive categories such as race, sexual orientation, health conditions, pregnancy status, etc. They do not explain why multiple categories under each of those headers can be found on their Publisher Verticals list. Guy Verhofstadt, Belgiums staunch pro-EU politician, tried to hail the pan-European cause on Twitter, claiming that multiple identities dont clash in the continent, provoking the ire of Europeans and Catalans in particular. I am from Gent, I am Flemish, I live in Belgium and I am European, Verhofstadt is heard on a video he uploaded to Twitter. There is no contradictions at all! There is no war of identities in Europe! he said. Verhofstadt, a key Brexit negotiator in the European Parliament and an over-the-top EU supporter, wrote that Europeans should feel free to choose multiple identities and be proud of all of them. In a matter of minutes, the Twitterati began dismantling the idyllic world portrayed by Verhofstadt. While some acknowledged they were proud to be European, others, including Catalans, pounded the EU boss for the bold statement he was trying to make. Im Catalonian, I want independence for my country of Catalonia, Im in prison because of my views, you dont give a s**t, one wrote. 1066 persons beaten for their identity. Freedom for Catalonia! one user wrote, attaching what appears to be images of a pro-independent Catalan protest being dispersed by Spanish police. Adding insult to injury, others seemingly vented their anger at the EU bureaucracy, accusing it of hijacking the true European idea. I am English. I am British and I am proud. What you dont understand Guy is that people like me love Europe, Europeans, their culture & their food. We just hate the dying, corrupt, protection racket EU. Got it? a netizen commented. There were some who said the very idea of identity was utter nonsense. EU-bashers were also there to make their point. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro addressed Donald Trump in English to demand that Washington keep its hands off the country, after the US imposed sanctions on its state oil company in recognition of Juan Guaido as president. Donald Trump, do not get involved with Venezuela! Hands off Venezuela! Donald Trump, hands off Venezuela! Maduro said, blaming Washington for the political conflict that is causing tremors in the country. Maduros words came shortly after US imposed sanctions on the countrys state-owned oil company PDVSA in order to help prevent the further diversion of assets by the countrys government. Venezuelas president called Washingtons actions an attempt to steal the company, and promised to take countermeasures to protect the interests of Venezuela. Also on rt.com US announces sanctions against Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA On Saturday, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told local media that Maduro is ready to get in touch with President Trump. The countrys authorities would even meet with the devil to keep the peace in Venezuela, he stated. Washington is backing the National Assembly leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself to be Venezuelas interim president following violent clashes in Caracas. Maduro, who was re-elected in 2018, accuses the US of orchestrating a coup. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! A former Pentagon official and DC think tank hero has decided to block journalists on Twitter, rather than acknowledge the inconvenient fact that Ukraines parliamentary speaker has a well-documented neo-Nazi past. Michael Carpenter, an Atlantic Council senior fellow who served as a foreign policy advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, took a swing at journalist Max Blumenthal on Twitter describing him as a pro-Putin propagandist and a sleeze. Responding to an article that suggested some sort of nefarious Kremlin role in Blumenthals opposition to US military intervention in Syria, Carpenter tweeted out: This explains a lot. Blumenthal came up to me at a recent event in DC with a video camera in hand and kept asking me why I supported Ukraines 'Nazi leadership' (while recording my responses). I dismissed him as a pro-Putin propagandist and walked away. What a sleeze. Tragically, Carpenter wasnt able to savor his magnificent dunk on Blumenthal for very long, as it was soon revealed that he had completely misrepresented what the journalist had actually asked him. As a video of the brief exchange clearly shows, journalist Ben Norton pointed out, Blumenthal queried Carpenter about why far-right Ukrainian parliamentary leader Andriy Parubiy, who co-founded two neo-Nazi groups in his country, was being feted by Congress and the noble DC think tanks that Carpenter associates with. Journalist Aaron Mate made a similar observation about the inaccurate tweet, writing to Carpenter: Dare I say that to fabricate, & not retract, would be a sleeze move. But the Twitter saga doesnt end here. Undeterred by being caught fudging the facts, Carpenter lashed out at Norton: Your pro-Putin & pro-Asad agenda needs to be exposed for what is [sic: it] is virulent propaganda. Its not for me to whitewash anyones past, and Parubiy can answer for himself. But rather than citing an op-ed from a fellow troll, try using a reputable source. Also on rt.com Former Ukrainian neo-Nazi leader speaks at NATO think tank event as it laments rise of right The reputable source provided by Carpenter was none other than StopFake, the rather rough-around-the-edges internet operation that fact checks media reports deemed damaging to Ukraine. Norton responded by providing two mainstream news reports from Britains Channel 4, and the Washington Post which identify Parubiys well-established links to Ukraines neo-Nazi movement. Carpenter, who holds an MA and PhD in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, and was even a Fulbright scholar who studied in Poland, still had one card left to play. Using his award-winning intellect, the celebrated scholarblocked Norton and Mate on Twitter. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Monday that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's sacking of his ambassador to China was an internal Canadian affair after the envoy prompted a furor with comments about the extradition case of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang speaks at the daily news briefing, January 28, 2019. [Photo: cctv.com] "This is an internal affair for Canada. China will not comment," Geng told a daily news briefing in Beijing. "It is self-evident to both the Chinese people and the international community that the extradition case of Meng is by no means a purely judicial case. There are strong political attempt and manipulation behind it," he added. Geng reiterated China's call for Canada to "make the correct choice" and release Meng so she could return to China. Canada's former ambassador to China John McCallum has resigned on Friday at the request of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, abruptly ending his diplomatic career. In a statement, the Canadian prime minister said: "Last night I asked for and accepted John McCallum's resignation as Canada's ambassador to China." McCallum's resignation came a week after his comments on the extradition of Meng Wanzhou at a Chinese language press conference in Toronto that caused controversy in Canada. He said he thought Meng had a good case to fight extradition to the U.S. and listed three examples that he thought could help her. A new app claiming to serve as a bulwark against "disinformation" by adding "trust rankings" to news websites has links to a PR firm that received nearly $15 million to push pro-Saudi spin in US media, Breitbart reports. NewsGuard and its shady advisory board consisting of truth-lovers such as Tom Ridge, the first-ever homeland security chief, and former CIA director Michael Hayden came under scrutiny after Microsoft announced that the app would be built into its mobile browsers. A closer examination of the company's publicly listed investors, however, has revealed new reasons to be suspicious of this self-declared crusader against propaganda. As Breitbart discovered, NewsGuard's third-largest investor, Publicis Groupe, owns a PR firm that has repeatedly airbrushed Saudi Arabia. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Riyadh enlisted Qorvis Group, a Publicis subsidiary, in the hope of countering accusations that the kingdom turned a blind eye to or even promoted terrorism. Between March and September 2002, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia reportedly paid Qorvis $14.7 million to run a PR blitz targeting American media consumers. As part of the campaign, Qorvis employed a litany of dubious tactics, including running pro-Saudi ads under the name of an activist group, Alliance for Peace and Justice. Tellingly, the FBI raided the company's offices in 2004, after Qorvis was suspected of running afoul of foreign lobbying laws. Between 2010 and 2015, Qorvis is believed to have received a staggering $46 million to continue to whitewash the kingdom's image in the United States. The accelerated airbrushing came just as the Saudis launched its devastating war against Yemen. In Fact, Qorvis created an entire website operationrenewalofhope.com to promote the Saudi-led war in Yemen, according to the Intercept. Also on rt.com Perfect accuracy: WikiLeaks hits back at neocon app NewsGuard, which labeled it untrustworthy The firm has also successfully planted Riyadh-friendly stories in major US publications, including a 2016 op-ed by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, which was published by Newsweek. The headline bravely bellowed: "The Saudis are fighting terrorism, don't believe otherwise." All of this is rather extraordinary, considering that NewsGuard bills itself as an app that helps news consumers determine "if a website is trying to get it right or instead has a hidden agenda or knowingly publishes falsehoods or propaganda." Social media users quickly seized on the story, pointing out the multiple levels of irony and humor. "I wondered why their slogan was 'behead those who we say peddle fake news,'" one Twitter user joked. Still, NewsGuard's co-founder Steven Brill has insisted that Qorvis and its parent company have no control over the app. "Publicis has nothing to do with the content or operations of NewsGuard and has a small stake in the company," Brill told Breitbart. If guiding the app is a responsibility reserved solely for the advisory board, NewsGuard likely won't fare much better: One of its board members, Richard Stengel, is a former managing editor of Time magazine and an ex-State Department official who was dubbed the "chief propagandist" of the US government. True to form, Stengel openly admitted during a panel discussion last year that "I'm not against propaganda," and "Every country does it and they have to do it to their own population and I don't necessarily think it's that awful." to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. While crisis-torn Venezuela braces for the impact from the latest US economic sanctions, Venezuelas trading partners are also at great risk. On Monday, the Trump administration announced sanctions against Venezuelas state-owned energy company Petroleos de Venezuela, better known as PDVSA. The fresh restrictions will freeze $7 billion in assets and cause more than $11 billion in lost export revenues throughout the next year. Also on rt.com Venezuela devalues currency to align it with black market AFP citing official One of the countrys biggest trade partners and creditors, China, has already opposed foreign interference in Venezuelas affairs, saying the US will bear responsibility for sweeping sanctions it imposed. China has provided $50 billion in loans to the Latin American country over the past decade. Through loans and outbound direct investments, Beijing has poured funding into Venezuela while many other countries backed off from doing business with the cash-strapped nation. Caracas has been gradually paying off that debt with oil shipments, but has struggled to fulfill its commitments because of falling production. It still owes Beijing about $20 billion. Also on rt.com China lends support for Maduro, blames Washington for making Venezuelans suffer According to sources at Caracas Capital, Venezuela has not paid a sovereign bond since December 2017, and is now in default on 16 sovereign bonds and coupons totaling $1.81 billion. Now, with a new US package of sanctions in place, Chinas multi-billion dollar lending as well as investments and business ties with countries like Russia, India, Turkey and others, are all put at risk. Despite the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, New Delhi and Caracas have been continuing their joint investments in the energy sector. India is one of the largest buyers of Venezuelan crude, with over 400,000 bpd procured by Indian companies. The firms had plans to boost crude purchases from Venezuela in the future. 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. Also on rt.com Hands off Venezuela: Maduro slams Trump in English (VIDEO) Russia has several joint projects with the Latin American country, including in the energy, agricultural and defense sectors, among others. 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. Venezuelas partner in the Middle East, Turkey was also maintaining close ties with Caracas despite the sanctions and international pressure. The sides were working on a deal to ship tons of gold to refine and certify in the Turkish city of Corum this year. Caracas has been exporting its gold to Turkey for safekeeping since the beginning of last year. Statistics show that Turkey imported $900 million in gold about 23.6 tons from Venezuela in the first nine months of 2018. According to Mehmet Ozkan, a former Turkish official who worked on bilateral relations with Venezuela until last year, the main objective was to refine the raw metal and create a capital inflow to Venezuela, likely in the form of services because of US sanctions that prohibit financial institutions from dealing with Venezuela in dollars. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Later on Tuesday, backbench MPs will try to seize control of Brexit as they vote on a set of amendments to alter or even stop the UKs exit from the bloc after PM Theresa May failed to get her deal through parliament. Speaker John Bercow reportedly received 14 amendments to Mays Brexit deal, with half a dozen of them expected to be put to a vote in order to achieve Brexit Plan B. Voting is scheduled to start at 7pm and may go on until around 8.30pm. By that time, itll likely become clear whether Brexit will be paused, possibly indefinitely, or whether the embattled prime minister will be sent back to Brussels for more talks with the EU. Also on rt.com Brexiteers tempt Theresa May with removal of Irish backstop vote will she bite? The amendments can be separated into three main categories: Proposals to prevent a NO-DEAL Brexit One of the most important amendments comes from Labours Yvette Cooper, which requires May to delay Brexit and extend Article 50 if shes unable get parliamentary support for her deal by February 26. Another notable one is much softer and non-binding in nature. Tory MP Caroline Spelman and her Labour counterpart, Jack Dromey, are pushing for the no-deal concept to be rejected in principle. Anti-backstop amendments The two key proposals here are from Tory backbenchers, Andrew Murrison and Graham Brady, chair of the influential 1922 Committee, responsible for hiring and firing Conservative leaders. They call for the contentious Irish backstop to expire by December 2021 or be removed from the Brexit deal altogether. The backstop is a safety net to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland if theres no Brexit trade deal. Indicative vote amendments These are focused on ensuring that MPs get more parliamentary time to discuss the kind of Brexit they want to see agreed. Labour MP Hilary Benn has one amendment explicitly demanding indicative votes on Brexit options, including Norway Plus, a Second referendum, a managed no-deal, or a Labour Brexit. Prominent Tory Remainer, Dominic Grieve, is also calling for six days in February and March to be set aside for debates on motions not selected by the government. Mays spokesman said on Monday that talks on changing the deal to make it satisfactory for the MPs were ongoing. The PM was also willing to give the parliament another opportunity to vote for the Brexit deal as soon as possible. He didnt name the exact date, but the Sky News sources claim it may happen on February 13. The prime ministers original Brexit proposals were thrashed by the parliament on January 15, with the government losing by record 230 votes. The UKs deadline to leave the EU is March 29, unless London and Brussels agree on altering the schedule. May had reportedly been persuading Tory MPs to back the demand for an Irish backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements in the Brexit deal during Tuesdays vote so that she could put pressure on Brussels in case of further negotiations. The EU, however, insists that it has no intention of changing the terms of last years accord with London in any significant way. This Withdrawal Agreement has been agreed with the UK government, is endorsed by leaders, and is not open for renegotiation, the European Commission spokesman told the journalists. Also on rt.com Plan T for Titanic: Theresa Mays attempt to salvage rejected Brexit deal panned as delusional The leader of the ERG, an influential pro-Brexit caucus of lawmakers, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has already announced that his group will vote against any amendments looking to change or eliminate the Irish backstop. Labour has yet to decide which amendments it will back on Tuesday morning, hours before the vote, several sources said. The partys leader, Jeremy Corbyn, will consider his next steps carefully, as polls show that his inconsistent stance on Brexit is costing him public support, especially among young people. Earlier, Labour said it would be eager to support a deal providing for a permanent customs union with the European Union. However, it also wants a national election to be held if no agreement is reached, and the option of a second referendum on quitting the EU left on the table. The most aphoristic comment on Tuesday's vote came from the EUs deputy Brexit negotiator, Sabine Weyand, who insisted that by refusing to support the deal, British MPs were snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Weyand said that the Brexit deal was shaped by London, and the country's parliament should treat it as a win. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Colombia has dismissed speculation regarding a puzzling memo from John Bolton, which mentioned 5,000 US troops being sent to the Latin American nation, affirming that it will rely on politics and diplomacy in the Venezuela crisis. Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes said he is unaware of the importance and reason behind John Boltons memo, noting that his country will only act politically and diplomatically in dealing with Venezuela. Colombia shares a 2,200km land border with Venezuela and has sided with the US in piling pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros government. Recently, Colombia backed Juan Guaido, the opposition leader who proclaimed himself to be the interim president of Venezuela. The tight-lipped remark came in response to news from the White House on Monday, when US National Security Advisor John Bolton was spotted holding up a yellow legal notebook during a press briefing on Venezuela. The first line written on the pad appeared to say: Afghanistan welcome the talks, while the second one read: 5,000 troops to Colombia. The White House was conspicuously reluctant to clarify the meaning of the note, and distributed the same brief comment to multiple news agencies: As the president has said, all options are on the table. During the same briefing, Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that a package of sanctions would be imposed on Venezuelas state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA. According to Bolton, the sweeping restrictions will freeze $7 billion in assets and cause more than $11 billion in lost export revenues during the next year. The US buys a sizeable amount of Venezuelan oil, but Mnuchin said that the sanctions would have a modest effect on American imports. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro reacted angrily to the sanctions, labeling them criminal. Speaking in English, Maduro told US President Donald Trump: Hands off Venezuela! Also on rt.com OpSec fail or unspoken threat? Boltons 5,000 troops notepad line ups ante for Venezuela He also vowed a symmetrical response to US measures in the immediate future, to protect the interests of Venezuela. Adding to the US-led pressure on Maduro to step aside, Spain, France, Germany and the UK on Saturday issued the elected leader an ultimatum, urging him to call for new elections within eight days. First of all, it is interventionism to the highest degree. Secondly, it is arrogant, and, thirdly, it is artificial, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza commented in an interview to RT Spanish. The Bolivarian democracy only requires recognition and support from Venezuelan people, he stated, adding: Other governments are of little interest to us. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Beijing calls on US to withdraw request for Canada to extradite Huawei executive Beijing calls on US to withdraw request for Canada to extradite Huawei executive Chinas Foreign Ministry has called on Washington to withdraw its request for Canada to extradite a Huawei executive to face charges of lying to banks about possible dealings with Iran, AP reported. A ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, complained that Washington has shown disregard for the stern representations from Beijing over the case of Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis chief financial officer. Meng was arrested in Vancouver on December 1, and faces an extradition hearing on Wednesday. We urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant against Miss Meng Wanzhou and stop making such kinds of extradition requests, Geng said.Source : RT - Daily news Its been a decade of lows for commodities after posting seven declines in 11 years, but weve seriously underestimated lithium. Its back with a vengeance in 2019. The commodities market endured yet another annus horribilis, with just four commoditiesnatural gas, uranium, cocoa and wheatrecording any uptick at all. Last years 12 percent slide by the Bloomberg Commodity Index-spurred by 20 percent-plus declines by industrial bellwethers like West Texas Intermediate crude, steel and platinumcame in the wake of two years of modest gains. Viewed against that kind of backdrop, lithiums 50 percent correction that snapped a multi-year winning streak appears less vicious. Its important to remember that prior to the crash, lithium had enjoyed a meteoric rise with prices doubling since the beginning of 2016 and nearly quadrupling over the past decade. The fact that much of the rally coincided with a sharp rise in the value of the US dollar makes it all the more remarkable. Investing in the commodity market can be a roller-coaster ride; what with the incessant boom-and-bust cycles driven by the ebb and flow in infrastructural spending, production ramps/cutbacks and stockpiling/destocking supplies. And just like other financial markets, trader sentiment plays a big role in determining trajectories. Unfortunately, its the latter scenario that took center-stage during last years lithium crash. A furor around anticipated new supply especially from Chinas new hard-rock projects and Chilean brine mines got out whack and derailed the market. Tsunami of Oversupply? The situation was not helped by Wall Street punters sounding the alarm over the dangers of oversupply Shares of major lithium producers and explorers including Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM), Albemarle Corp. (NYSE:ALB) and Orocobre Ltd (ASX:ORE) received a severe hammering in March after Morgan Stanley forecast that Chilean low cost brine producers could add as much as 200kt per year by 2025, while expansion of Chinas and Australias hard-rock mines could pump in another half a million metric tonnes over the timeframe. Thats certainly a massive production ramp-up considering that global production in 2017 totaled just over 200kt. Also on rt.com Once the most hated metal, silver is now in an uptrend In August, Macquarie Research provided the final straw after chiming in with a warning that the market was sleepwalking into a tsunami of oversupply. The report put the final nail in the coffin of the decade-long lithium rally-- Fastmarkets reckons that prices for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China, by far the worlds largest consumer of high-grade lithium carbonate, tumbled 50.31 percent last year to 75,000-83,000 ($10,885-12,046) yuan per tonne from 158,000-160,000 ($22,932-23,222) yuan per tonne the previous year, as demand waned. But maybe the bear camp rushed their fences this time While its undeniable that the carnage managed to exceed even Morgan Stanleys decidedly pessimistic outlook for global lithium prices to drop 45 percent by 2021, the fundamentals suggest that the selloff was greatly overdone and such low prices cannot be justified by simple market forces of supply and demand. According to London-based Benchmark Minerals Intelligence senior analyst Andrew Miller, the disconnect between lithium prices and the demand side of the equation has never been bigger. Reality Check A cross-section of materials experts have raised eyebrows at the negative assessment, criticizing the investment analysts for underestimating the rise in lithium demand and the complex nature of lithium mining and production ramps. According to them, both MS and Macquarie failed to account for just how big the gap between supply forecast and actual production can be. And, they might be spot on. Also on rt.com Fueled by Western sanctions Russia outshines China to become worlds 5th biggest holder of gold Supply expansions in 2018 came in much lower than predicted and the tsunami of oversupply forecast by the likes of Macquarie Research proved to be little more than changing tides in the lithium supply chain. A good case in point is Brisbane-based Orocobre, which has become the poster child for just how challenging new brine mining can be. The companys Salar de Olaroz project in Argentina took seven years to hit its stride but still came up short of production targets. Meanwhile, run-ins with the courts and regulators coupled with mutual accusations of license violations facing Chiles lithium giants SQM and Albemarle at their Atacama brine projects further reinforce this point. The screenshot below from Orocobres investor slide presentation is a sobering reminder to this reality. In terms of feedstock supply, SQM and Albemarle had laid out plans for increased production rates. But as is often the case with brine evaporation, the process has been hindered by seemingly endless production delays. SQM hit technical obstacles at its new brine conversion facilities that delayed its target capacity of 70,000 tpa LCE by end of 2018 while Albemarle continues to struggle to achieve full capacity at La Negra II. The situation has not been much better in Chinathe ultimate lynchpin to the lithium bear thesis. Many Chinese brine producers in the Qinghai region had outlined plans to triple or quadruple capacities over the coming 3-4 years. A visit by Benchmark Minerals to these operations, however, has painted a dire picturethe technical challenges related to high magnesium concentrations in the region are nowhere near being comprehensively overcome. Across Qinghais 10 producers, only an additional 5,000-10,000 tonnes of lithium product found its way to the market, majority of which failed to reach technical grade specifications. This, in effect, means that much of what came online from the region was either reprocessed thus adding to costs or converted to lithium hydroxide in a bid to meet growing demand for nickel-rich cathode technologies. Although tight credit in China forced some lithium buyers to destock and contributed to the glut, the predicted huge oversupply failed to materialize. Around mid-September, analysts at CRU estimated lithium surplus for 2018 at a relatively mild 22,000 tonnes against a demand of 277,000 tonnes.' 2019: A Transition Year So far, there is no clear data or evidence that that the lithium demand narrative is about to slowdown, let alone reverse. On the contrary, certain emerging trends in the industry suggest just the opposite. The biggest near-term driver for lithium demand is the NCM trend. The shift towards cathodes that use huge amounts of lithium hydroxide is already underway, something that is expected to trigger a huge NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) ramp up. Benchmark Minerals estimates that 44 percent of mega-and-giga-factories will use lithium as a raw material by 2028 translating into 534,000 tonnes of additional demand. That projection seems to resonate with Elon Musks ambitious target to build 20 gigafactories across the globe over the next decade. Miller sees 2019 as the tipping point where demand will eventually outstrip supply starting 2020. Meanwhile, Roskill has predicted that the shift to higher-nickel-cathode materials will push many lithium producers to favor production of lithium hydroxide over lithium carbonate thus taking some pressure off the lithium carbonate supply side. The firm has forecast lithium demand to expand by a brisk 21 percent annual clip between 2018 and 2025 with demand expected to grow 13.5 percent in the current year. But, of course, no lithium bull thesis would be complete without the EV angle. Currently, the EV market accounts for about 47 percent of global lithium demand. That, however, is expected to drastically change as EV penetration rates coupled with the ongoing trend of electric vehicles using larger battery packs that yield longer ranges leading to electric mobility gobbling up 83 percent of lithium supply a by 2027. Fastmarkets has predicted EV penetration to hit 15 percent by 2025 from 2 percent currently. EV demand has actually been beating estimates and is constantly being revised upwards to reflect this. The EV explosion is expected to drive a nearly six-fold increase in lithium demand for the forecast period. Key lithium trends to watch in 2019 and beyond Lithium carbonate prices will steady in 2019 before picking up steam starting 2020 Lithium hydroxide prices could soften a little bit after remaining resilient in 2018 China will become less important as a global price trend driver as demand rapidly builds up in other key markets Miller advises investors to keep an eye on new spodumene production, particularly how quickly it can be integrated into the chemical and converter supply chain and turned into either lithium carbonate or hydroxide. A slower ramp is likely to lead to supply constraints and raise prices and vice-versa. This article was originally published on Oilprice.com Metter, GA (30439) Today Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 79F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall possibly over one inch.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. China urges all parties to do things conducive to stability of Venezuela "We hope that all parties will do things conducive to the stable development of Venezuela, and do things that are conducive to the maintenance of the basic norms of international law and international relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular press conference on Monday. He made the remarks in response to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's accusation in a Sunday meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Venezuela that China and Russia blocked the Security Council from adopting a presidential statement. China maintains that all countries should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, such as no interference in each other's internal affairs, Geng said. Speaking at the Security Council emergency meeting, Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, stressed that China is against adding the situation in Venezuela to the agenda of the Security Council. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Second, public safety resources are finite. The $66,000 or so that is spent annually incarcerating a person in their 50s or 60s is money not available to work with the 14- and 15-year olds who are beginning to engage in risky behaviors. It would be far more effective to invest in strengthening the capacity of families, schools, and communities to foster resilience and opportunities for young people that would avoid future incarceration. That ignores the fact that the Senate could have closed the deal, too, by signing off on the bill that had been approved by the House eight months before the Senate approved its bill. If there was language in the House bill that senators didnt like, they could have amended it and returned it to the House for reconsideration. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, pose with the performers of an art troupe from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea for a photo after watching the troupes performance in Beijing on Sunday. [Photo/Xinhua] General secretary says such events help implement consensus of two countries Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, emphasized on Sunday the importance of art and cultural exchanges with the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Xi commended exchanges as an important, unique and traditional component in their bilateral ties as he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, met with a visiting DPRK art troupe led by Ri Su-yong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Workers Party of Korea Central Committee. He called the visit of the DPRK troupe an important cultural exchange for implementing the consensus reached by the two sides, as well as a significant event in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-DPRK diplomatic relationship. It will be a great success in cementing the friendship between the two peoples, he added. Xi recalled the four meetings with Kim Jong-un, chairman of the WPK and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, since 2018. China stands ready to work with the DPRK to implement the consensus reached between the two sides on the development of China-DPRK relations in the new era, so as to better benefit the two peoples and contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity, Xi said. He called for joint efforts in implementing the consensus on strengthening art and cultural exchanges and cooperation in order to consolidate the foundation of goodwill of the people, carry forward traditional friendship and promote the development of respective socialist cultures. Ri, also vice-chairman of the WPK Central Committee and director of the partys International Department, told Xi that the visit and art performance represented Kims deep feelings toward Xi and the DPRK peoples profound friendship with the Chinese people. The DPRK will earnestly implement the consensus reached by Kim and Xi, strengthen friendly cooperation and contribute to writing a new chapter in DPRK-China friendship, Ri added. Xi and Peng watched a performance by the DPRK artists after the meeting. The performance featured songs that are famous and popular in the DPRK and China. The visit of the DPRK troupe was at the invitation of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. As part of cultural exchanges between the two neighbors, a Chinese delegation of literary and art workers visited Pyongyang in November. They engaged in friendly exchanges and a joint performance with their DPRK counterparts that was seen by Kim. How the state would come up with half the cost that Wolf is seeking would be determined during the annual budget process. That begins next week when the governor makes his budget address. He should ask lawmakers to break open their piggy bank. Parole has been approved over a prosecutor's objections for the man accused of having thrown a rock from an interstate overpass in 2014 in central Pennsylvania, critically injuring an Ohio schoolteacher. The Probation and Parole Board lists eight general rules both classes must follow to remain free. They must be supervised by a parole agent and must receive the agents permission to change home addresses or travel outside a specific geographic region. They also must make restitution and have 72 hours to inform the agent about changes to job, training or schooling status, and they cannot break any criminal, driving, drug or alcohol laws and are precluded from owning a firearm. One bill, sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, would amend the constitution to remove restrictions on when and how voters can ask for an absentee ballot. Currently voters need to be infirm or away on a work trip or on a religious holiday to qualify for an absentee ballot. As we work towards the goal of becoming a 1-1 district, this grant provides the district with the opportunity to put more devices in the hands of our students, Superintendent Thomas Parker said in a statement. While acquiring technology is one component, it is equally important to provide our staff with training that allows them to effectively enhance the curriculum and classroom instruction. I think were seeing a lot of mental health needs for our students, Pekarik said. She said the population of students has increased, as has the volume and complexity of cases being handled by psychologists. The school staff are trying to be proactive, she said. 2013: Bethlehem City Council removes the building from the list of properties that the city aims to protect from demolition under a proposed ordinance. Pennsylvania awards Bethlehem a new tax incentive, the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, that includes Martin Tower. Bethlehem continues to be a model of what a city can be in the 21st century progressive, diverse, and economically strong, Reynolds said in a statement. I am asking the people of Bethlehem for their support for another term so we can continue the important progress we have made in the areas of climate action, neighborhood revitalization, open and transparent government, and economic development. The project will also require some zoning relief for the plazas tucked in the rear and front of the center. ArtsQuest officials envision it as a space used for casual visitors, artists, residents and students, as well as for organized programming. That could include an outdoor classroom for pre-school or after-school programs, camps and adult arts classes such as en plein air painting, according to the papers ArtsQuest submitted to the historic commission. The ad was spearheaded by United for Access - a national grass-roots campaign associated with Thinx, a period solutions company - and by Period, the world's largest youth-run nonprofit dedicated to changing the conversation around periods and providing care to those in need. Period was founded in 2014 by two high school students, Nadya Okamoto and Vincent Forand, and has a few hundred chapters across the country. CARACAS, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday visited a military base in the northern state of Carabobo, exhorting the audience, "Traitors never, loyal always," televised images showed. During the visit to Fort Paramacay in Carabobo's capital city Valencia, Maduro, along with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, marched through barracks during an exercise in the latest gesture to display military backing. The military is planning larger exercises on Feb. 10-15 that Maduro said are the "most important in the history of Venezuela." In a video posted on Twitter on Sunday, Juan Guaido, the self-proclaimed interim president, called for a "peaceful" strike on Wednesday and another "big national and international" one on Saturday. Vying to draw soldiers over to his side, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly has published an amnesty law that guarantees impunity for military members who join him. The opposition is in talks with sympathetic military and civilian officials in a bid to force out Maduro, Guaido told The Washington Post on Sunday. Israel on Sunday announced that it joined the United States and Canada in recognizing Guaido as Venezuela's leader, after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to "pick a side" on the leadership of the poverty-stricken country. Over the past days, Britain, Germany, France and Spain said they would recognize Guaido if Maduro will not call new elections within eight days, an ultimatum that Maduro has rejected. "Nobody can give us an ultimatum," said Maduro in an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk that was aired Sunday. Maduro was elected last year with 67.84 percent of the votes, and he was sworn in as president on Jan. 10 for another six-year term. On Jan. 23, 35-year-old Guaido declared himself interim president. U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 23 said the United States recognizes Guaido as Venezuela's "interim president," adding that the United States would continue to use economic and diplomatic power to press for "the restoration of Venezuelan democracy." In response, Maduro on the same day announced he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States. A complaint from a concerned citizen prompted the investigation into Skippack Acupressure in Skippack Township, which resulted in charges filed against three employees last week, according to a state police news release. For months, privately held Synagro has laid out the case to residents and Plainfield Township planners, who must give a recommendation on the project to township supervisors for their approval. But residents and environmental groups have urged township officials to reject the project. Their opposition has centered around potential odors, truck traffic on local roads, potential shipping hazards and overall health concerns of using the converted Class A biosolid pellets as fertilizer on farms. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Supporters of raising the age to buy tobacco to 21, who narrowly failed to persuade the Mankato City Council to pass an ordinance a year ago, will likely have to wait until May for their next opportunity.File photo Washington ; The Trump Administration has accused Chinese telecom giant Huawei of stealing trade secrets and violating US sanctions on Iran, just days before its crucial trade negotiations with the country later this week. The US-China trade talks would take place here on January 30 and 31. However, the White House Monday denied that there was any link between the two. The US Department of Justice in its 13-count indictment charged Huawei and its chief financial officer (CFO) Meng Wanzhou with financial fraud. Meng, the daughter of the company's founder, is currently out on bail in Canada. Her case has sparked a major crisis between Ottawa and Beijing, with Washington in the middle. The indictment also accuses Huawei, its CFO, and other employees to deceive numerous global financial institutions and the US government regarding Huawei's business activities in Iran. "Today we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes Acting Attorney General Matthew G Whitaker said Monday. As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law, he said. Another 10-count indictment in Seattle, charged Huawei Device Co with theft of trade secrets, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of obstruction of justice. According to the indictment, in 2012 Huawei began a concerted effort to steal information about a phone-testing robot dubbed Tappy of Washington based T-Mobile USA. PTI Support Local Journalism The Malibu community needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please help keep us in print by making a contribution. Exton, PA (19341) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Today Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 88F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low near 75F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tomorrow Scattered thunderstorms. High 83F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Phu Trong [File Photo: China Plus] BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday exchanged greetings with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President Nguyen Phu Trong on the coming lunar new year. Xi said the year 2018 marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. During these 10 years, China and Vietnam adhered to carrying forward the Sino-Vietnamese traditional friendship, strengthening exchanges and boosting mutual trust, Xi said. The two countries supported each other, extended a helping hand to each other, enhanced political guidance to the bilateral relationship, and jointly promoted the development of their socialist causes, Xi said. China and Vietnam have deepened pragmatic cooperation in various areas, and realized mutual benefit and win-win, he said. Xi pointed out that the two sides should make a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations with a broader vision, strengthen high-level exchanges, promote development strategies docking, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields. Xi also noted that the two countries should work to increase the sense of well-being and happiness of the two peoples through cooperation, so as to cement and pass down the friendship between China and Vietnam. He said the Spring Festival is a fresh beginning, and he firmly believes that the bilateral relations will achieve new, greater development with joint efforts of both sides. In his message, Trong said that in 2018, the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership achieved fruitful results under the guidance of leaders of both parties and countries, and with the efforts of departments at all levels in the two countries. He expressed willingness to work together with Xi to strengthen guidance to the departments at all levels, build on what has already been achieved in bilateral cooperation, increase high-level visits and exchanges, and consolidate political mutual trust. Trong also pledged to promote cooperation in various fields to gain substantial progress, so as to bring the relations between the two parties and the two countries to a higher level. The Trump administration on Tuesday threatened serious consequences against the government of President Nicolas Maduro for opening a criminal investigation into the countrys U.S.-backed opposition leader, a possible precursor to arrest. And Maduro, defiantly resisting attempts to oust him, brandished his most potent weapon: the military. In a bellicose speech, he announced the creation of popular defense units, armed civilian squads comprising 50,000 fighters instructed to expand the armys reach by putting down anti-government resistance in neighborhoods across Venezuela. Both the criminal investigation and the formation of the defense brigades reflected Maduros decision to dig in and rebuff the mounting domestic and international pressure aimed at toppling him amid abject poverty and famine. The standoff is precarious and fraught with risk for both Maduro and the U.S.-backed opposition. Venezuelan Atty. Gen. Tarek William Saab asked the countrys top court to ban self-declared acting President Juan Guaido from traveling outside the country and to freeze his bank accounts. Guaido, a little known 35-year-old politician, is attempting to unseat Maduro and has received wide international support in his quest. Advertisement Maduro talks during a meeting with Venezuelan diplomats returning from the U.S. on Monday. (AFP/Getty Images) The Supreme Court is stacked with Maduro supporters, so it will probably rubber-stamp Saabs request. Saab said Guaido was being investigated for the unrest related to his declaration as the nations legitimate leader. Guaido said he believes Maduros supporters are preparing to arrest him. President Trumps national security advisor, the hawkish John Bolton, denounced the threats from Maduros illegitimate former government. There will be serious consequences for those who attempt to subvert democracy and harm Guaido, Bolton said on Twitter. Bolton and others in the administration have previously demanded safety for Guaido, opposition activists, and U.S. diplomats who remained in the capital of Caracas despite Maduros deportation order, which he later rescinded. Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators have been arrested in recent days, according to human rights groups, but Guaido has avoided such a fate, in part by limiting his public appearances and measuring his words. After the criminal investigation was announced, Guaido said he was not surprised. This was to be expected from a regime that does not resolve the Venezuelans problems and whose only response is repression and persecution, he said. Self-declared acting President Juan Guaido, center, arrives at the National Assembly in Caracas on Tuesday. (Fernando Llano / Associated Press) Advertisement The move against Guaido came a day after Washington imposed some of its toughest sanctions yet on Venezuela, this time targeting its oil industry, its major source of revenue. Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said the punitive actions would cut Maduros access to about $7 billion in oil sales, which would be put in escrow until Guaidos eventual government could take possession. The administration had resisted oil sanctions out of fear they could disrupt the market, hurt U.S. refineries that process Venezuelan crude and raise gasoline prices in the United States. But officials said they believed they could avoid such damage. The United States will not let Maduro and his cronies continue to loot the assets of the Venezuelan people, Bolton said. Advertisement Maduro reacted defiantly. Dressed in army green with his trademark military beret, Maduro convened his top commanders at the Libertad air base in north-central Venezuela. Under the slogan Loyal always, traitors never, the commanders affirmed their fealty as Maduro essentially declared war. This battle is being decided by the moral superiority and advantage of the Fatherland, by physical superiority and advantage, by legal, constitutional superiority and advantage, Maduro proclaimed. Once again, we will emerge victorious. Advertisement Maduro has blamed the uprising against him on Trump, warning the U.S. president to take your hands off Venezuela. He accused Trump of staging an illegal coup with ultimate designs on Venezuelas oil reserves, the largest in the world. An anti-President Trump mural in Caracas. (Juan Baretto / AFP/Getty Images) The brigades that he announced were reminiscent of shock troops frequently used by autocratic governments to spy on and control dissident populations. The ruling party was already heavily militarized; Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, established four paramilitary branches to exert control and shore up the government. In another effort to make Guaidos rule a fait acompli, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo certified that Guaido has authority to take control of bank accounts that Venezuelas government has in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any other U.S.-insured banks. Advertisement Pompeo said the certification will help Venezuelas legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people. Guaido has been recognized as the nations rightful leader by two dozen nations that contend that the reelection of Maduro was a sham, in part because his strongest opponents were barred from running. Violent street demonstrations erupted last week when Guaido, during a massive opposition rally in Caracas, declared that he had assumed presidential powers and planned to hold fresh elections, ending Maduros dictatorship. The United States, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Paraguay are among the nations to officially acknowledge Guaido as the legitimate interim head of Venezuela, while countries including Russia and China back Maduro. Mexico and Uruguay have not recognized Guaido but are attempting to promote negotiations. Advertisement The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, said that Americans shouldnt travel to Venezuela, warning of unrest, the threat of being arbitrarily arrested and of mass demonstrations occurring with little notice. Opposition leaders have called for anti-government rallies this week. The announcement raises the travel advisory to its highest level, putting Venezuela on a no-travel list that also includes Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan. Special correspondent Mogollon reported from Caracas and Times staff writer Wilkinson from Washington. The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose reelection last May was widely considered rigged, has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and blamed for plunging the oil-rich country into a humanitarian disaster, with 80% of citizens living in poverty. Now the future of his presidency has been thrown into doubt by a wildly popular upstart politician who has declared himself president and has been recognized as such by the United States and more than 20 other countries. Here are some key moments in the evolving crisis: Jan. 5 Juan Guaido, a former student leader from the political party of popular opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, is elected president of the National Assembly, where he has been a congressman since 2015. Advertisement Jan. 10 Maduro is sworn in for a second six-year term. At least 50 countries, including the United States, have refused to recognize his reelection, which he supposedly won with 64% of the vote, even though his approval rating now is 15%. Jan. 11 Guaido tells an energized crowd in the capital, Caracas, that he is preparing to temporarily replace Maduro as president, a move that he says is legal under the constitution but that needs backing from the citizens to make it a reality. He calls for nationwide protests against Maduro on Jan. 23, the anniversary of a mass uprising in 1958 that removed Venezuelan dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez from power. Jan. 21 Maduros security forces squash a rebellion by a small group of soldiers at a military base in Caracas. The government-stacked Supreme Court issues a ruling declaring all laws passed by the National Assembly null and announces it is voiding a decision earlier this month by the congress to declare Maduros presidency unlawful. Jan. 23 Guaido swears himself in as president during a mass protest in Caracas. Speaking before thousands of Venezuelans, he pledges to formally assume the duties of national executive to achieve the end of usurpation, [form] a transitional government and [hold] free elections. The Trump administration grants him more than $20 million in aid and recognizes him as the countrys president, a decision seconded by most large countries in the Western Hemisphere. In response, Maduro announces he is breaking diplomatic ties with the U.S. and orders the expulsion of U.S. diplomats. Jan. 25 Guaido gives his first public speech since declaring himself president, telling supporters at a news conference-turned-political rally that more than liberator, I want to be a public servant for you to transform the country. He asks supporters to distribute copies of a proposed law that promises amnesty to members of the armed forces who rebel against Maduro. Jan. 26 Maduros foreign ministry says that it is suspending the expulsion order for U.S. personnel to leave the country. At the United Nations, efforts by the U.S. to sponsor a statement in support of Venezuelas opposition leader are blocked by China and Russia, Venezuelas main backers. Jan. 27 Maduro and Guaido both appeal to Venezuelas military for support. Maduro tweets that the countrys armed forces are prepared and ready to defend the national sovereignty. Guaido counters: Soldiers, I give you an order: Dont shoot at the Venezuelan people. Do not repress peaceful demonstrations and dont massacre our youths. Jan. 28 The U.S. sanctions Venezuelas oil company, seizing $7 billion in assets. The Palestinian Authority prime minister offered his resignation Tuesday amid escalating tensions over his governments failed efforts to establish a broad governing coalition that could rule both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to accept Rami Hamdallahs resignation, which was offered during a weekly Cabinet meeting in Ramallah, the West Bank seat of government. A special committee appointed by the government is already negotiating the formation of a new Cabinet with various Palestinian political parties, a process that does not include Hamas, the Islamist militia that seized power in Gaza in a bloody 2007 coup. In his statement, Hamdallah who was appointed prime minister in June 2013 made several references to the Trump administrations almost complete withdrawal of aid to Palestinians. Advertisement The resulting financial crisis, he said, has strained Palestinian Authority ministries almost to the breaking point and forced his government to rearrange its priorities and redistribute its limited financial resources. The Palestinian Authority has all but severed ties with the United States since President Trump announced that the U.S. Embassy would move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which Trump recognized as Israels capital. The Palestinian Authority government claims east Jerusalem as the capital of its own future state. Abbas party announced a reunification agreement in October 2017, but its implementation was derailed by Hamas refusal to turn over its weaponry and submit to the authority of the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority government. Hamdallah spearheaded an initiative to integrate Hamas into a single unified government, and his departure is seen as an acknowledgement that the unification effort has failed. Hamas denounced Abbas intentions to form a new government as a move that will only intensify divisions among Palestinians. Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, said the call for the formation of a new government consisting of [Palestinian Liberation Organization] factions will solidify the split between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Our people are in need of a national unity government that would represent all Palestinians. Hazem Qassem, another Hamas spokesman, described the push for a new government as an attempt by Abbas to detach the West Bank from the Gaza Strip, and accused the president of tampering with the Palestinian political scenery. Advertisement Several senior Palestinian political figures are being floated as possible replacements for Hamdallah, a technocrat who had little partisan support. Veteran Palestinian diplomat Saeb Erekat, the chief negotiator for any potential peace process, is the best known on the international stage. Mohammad Shtayyeh, the minister of public works, is also in the running, as is civil affairs minister Hussain Sheikh, who was quoted last week exclaiming, A unity government with Hamas? Over our dead bodies! Pakistans top court on Tuesday upheld its acquittal of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, clearing the last legal hurdle and freeing Aasia Bibi to leave the country in a move that dealt a blow to radical Islamists who had demanded her execution. Following the landmark decision, Bibi will finally be able to join her daughters who earlier fled to Canada, where they have been given asylum. Bibis lawyer, Saiful Malook, who returned to Islamabad after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistans constitution and rule of law. The three-judge Supreme Court panel had insisted on very strict proofs of blasphemy and found none, Malook said, expressing hope that Bibis acquittal will deter false blasphemy allegations in the future. Advertisement From her secret location, Bibi watched the decision reported live on local television, according to a friend who spoke to her as it was being announced. Bibis first thoughts were for her daughters, the friend said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he fears reprisals from radical religious militants. I am really grateful to everybody, now after nine years it is confirmed that I am free and I will be going to hug my daughters, he quoted Bibi as saying. Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa led the panel of judges that dismissed the petition asking the court review its Oct. 31 acquittal of Bibi and send her back to prison and eventual execution. He said in court that Bibis accusers were guilty of perjury and that if the case had not been so sensitive, they should have been jailed for life. The image of Islam we are showing to the world gives me much grief and sorrow, Khosa said. Much of the evidence presented against Bibi was suspicious, and some of it appeared to be fabricated, he said, adding that the cleric who lodged the initial charge of blasphemy gave contradictory statements that were unchallenged in the trial. Following Bibis acquittal, radical religious parties took to the streets to protest, calling for the killing of the judges behind the ruling and for the overthrow of Prime Minister Imran Khans government. They also filed the last-minute appeal for a review of the acquittal. The protests were spearheaded by the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik party, whose single-point agenda is protection of Islam and the prophet Muhammad. Chinas government on Tuesday condemned U.S. indictments against the Chinese tech giant Huawei as deep political motivations and manipulations, as relations between the worlds two largest economies hardened on the eve of crucial trade talks. U.S. officials on Monday announced indictments filed in Brooklyn accusing Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and others of fraud aimed at skirting U.S. sanctions on Iran and in Seattle alleging Huawei tried to steal robot technology used to test cellphones from T-Mobile. The timing, just before Washington trade talks aimed at resolving the bitter U.S.-China trade war, fueled Chinese suspicions that the United States is using legal action as a political lever against China and the company. Huawei is under intense pressure from the United States, which has largely barred use of Huawei technology by government contractors and is pressing allies to ban Huawei technology from 5G networks, arguing it poses a threat to national security. Advertisement China sees itself as the victim of a containment strategy by Washington to frustrate its ambitions to become a global leader in high-tech fields. The indictments against Huawei which sells more smartphones than Apple are perceived by many Chinese officials as a major part of the strategy. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it was highly concerned about the immoral charges against Huawei and Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei. For some time now the U.S. has been using its state power to smear and attack specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. We strongly urge the U.S. to stop its unreasonable bashing of Chinese companies including Huawei, and to treat them fairly and objectively, he said, adding that China was determined to defend its companies. Mengs arrest in Canada last month has provoked a furious, sustained campaign from China to persuade the Canadian government to release her without extraditing her to the U.S. a move that would breach Canadas extradition treaty obligations. Huawei is Chinas most successful high-tech firm and one of its most prominent global champions, raising questions about whether Chinese firms can succeed in global markets if pressed by the U.S. government. The U.S. has banned government use of Huawei technology in 5G networks and demanded allies do the same. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have done so while in Europe, companies such as Orange and BT Group have announced they are excluding Huawei technology from core 5G systems, while Deutsche Telekom has announced it is reconsidering its procurement plans. Canadas government, under intense pressure from the United States, is considering the matter. Vodafone announced last week it was suspending Huaweis participation in its 5G system. Poland, where a Huawei employee was arrested this month on suspicion of spying, is also considering whether to exclude Huawei from 5G networks, as are Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic. The setbacks for Huawei in Europes 5G networks are a massive potential blow to the companys profits and development. Huawei in Poland sacked the employee, Wang Weijing, adding it required all employees to obey the laws of the countries in which it operates. Advertisement Part of the concern surrounding Huawei relates to a provision in Chinese law mandating that all companies cooperate and collaborate with the national government on matters of national intelligence. This raises concerns that if Chinese authorities were to demand sensitive data from Huawei, the firm would have to comply. Companies like Huawei pose a dual threat to both our economic and national security, and the magnitude of these charges make clear just how seriously the FBI takes this threat, said FBI Director Christopher A. Wray at a Monday news conference. Today should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate businesses that violate our laws, obstruct justice, or jeopardize national and economic well-being. Huawei on Tuesday said it was disappointed at the charges and denied it had broken U.S. law. The company denied that it or its subsidiary of affiliates have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments, is not aware of any wrongdoing by Meng and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion, Huawei said in a statement. Advertisement Ren recently denied that he would ever allow his companys technology to be used for spying. I love my country. I support the Communist Party. But I will not do anything to harm the world, Ren told journalists recently at his company headquarters in Shenzhen, southern China. We would rather shut Huawei down than do anything that would damage the interests of our customers to seek our own gains. China repeated its call Tuesday for Washington to drop the indictment against Meng and to stop extradition proceedings. We again urge the U.S. to immediately withdraw its arrest warrant for Meng Wanzhou and to refrain from issuing a formal extradition request, to avoid going further and further down a mistaken path, Geng said. He said Washington and Ottawa had abused their extradition treaty, taking unjustified action that jeopardized Mengs rights. Advertisement Meng is on bail in Canada awaiting an extradition hearing. Brazilian authorities arrested five people Tuesday in connection with a dam collapse that killed at least 65 people and left nearly 300 missing as it plastered part of a small city with reddish-brown mud and iron ore mining waste. The arrests were made in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais, where the collapse happened Friday. They came as rescue crews began a fifth day searching for survivors or bodies, and as some families began burying their dead. Three of the arrested worked for Vale SA, the mining company that owned and operated the waste dam that collapsed, according to the company. In a statement, Vale said it was cooperating with authorities in the investigation. A German company that had inspected the dam said two of its employees were arrested. The Munich-based company Sued declined to specify whether the arrested staff were from its German headquarters or its Brazilian branch. Advertisement In ordering the arrests, Minas Gerais Judge Perla Saliba Brito wrote that the disaster could have been avoided. Its not believable that dams of such magnitude, run by one of the largest mining companies in the world, would break suddenly without any indication of vulnerability, the judge wrote in the decision, according to news portal UOL. Authorities said the five would be detained for 30 days while officials investigated possible criminal responsibility. Friends and family attend the burial of a mine employee killed in the dam collapse. (Andre Penner / Associated Press) Meanwhile Tuesday, at a cemetery in the small Brazilian city of Brumadinho, 15 freshly dug graves awaited the remains of some of those killed. Wailing in grief at the cemetery was the wife of Edgar Carvalho Santos, one of the mining companys workers whose body has been found. He did not deserve this, he did not deserve it! she sobbed. Friends and relatives prevented reporters from approaching the woman. Advertisement One woman told Santos wife that this was not a tragedy, its a crime. It was a sign of the growing anger at Vale over the disaster. The company is one of Brazils largest and a key employer in Brumadinho. Many residents have complained that a siren that should have gone off to warn people to evacuate never sounded. Military police Col. Evandro Borges told reporters the official death toll was 65 but that more bodies had been recovered Tuesday and an updated death toll would be provided later in the day. He said 288 people were still missing, most of them Vale employees. The dam was part of an iron ore production complex. Vale is the worlds largest producer of the ore, which is the raw ingredient for steel. Advertisement Many employees were eating lunch Friday when the dam collapsed, burying a cafeteria and other company buildings. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a gathering and extends Spring Festival greetings to leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 28, 2019. Wang Yang and Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the gathering.(Xinhua/Yan Yan) BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday attended a gathering in Beijing and extended Spring Festival greetings to leaders from non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and personages without party affiliation. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed his hope that they will make new and greater contributions to the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Senior officials Wang Yang and Han Zheng attended the gathering. Gao Yunlong, chairman of the ACFIC, addressed the gathering on behalf of the central committees of non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation. Xi said China has kept its economic growth within a reasonable range during the past year, noting that institutional reforms of the Party and the state have been comprehensively promoted along with other reforms, and China's level of opening-up has seen constant improvement. The year 2018 was the first year since new leaders of non-Communist parties and the ACFIC were elected, Xi said, noting that central committees of non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation have actively offered advice and suggestions and provided important references for the scientific decision-making and effective policy execution of the CPC Central Committee. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi expressed gratitude for their work including the active role played in poverty alleviation. Noting that pursuing progress while ensuring stability was the underlying principle of the current and future work of the Party and the country, Xi urged to pursue progress while ensuring stability in both economic and social development. He called on non-Communist parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation to unite the people in promoting reform and development, adding that they should follow ly the policies and decisions made by the CPC Central Committee while giving full play to their expertise and wisdom. Calling investigation and research the foundation of making correct decisions, Xi said that more investigations and research should be made in addressing prominent issues in the work of the Party and the country, including forestalling and defusing major risks, carrying out targeted poverty alleviation and preventing and controlling pollution. Xi also called on the ACFIC to fulfil the CPC Central Committee's requirements on supporting the growth of private businesses and help to implement policies of promoting the development of medium-sized, small and micro enterprises and private investment. Theres little that can prepare an outsider for the onslaught of food in Singapore. Every stroll through this city shrouded in tropical heat is interrupted by open-air food centers, coffee shops and restaurants vying for your stomachs attention. Seek sanctuary inside an air-conditioned mall and youll be greeted by sprawling subterranean food halls that seem to span the distance between subway stops. Dining out is a way of life in Singapore. One in four residents say they eat out daily, a recent Nielsen survey found. Many choose food centers, which arent your hot dog on a stick-variety mall food courts, but keepers of a proud local cuisine and tradition cobbled by generations of the citys Chinese, Indian and Malay inhabitants. Advertisement The abundance and convenience of food in Singapore can be a shock to the system particularly for someone like me who has lived in a community of tract homes in Santa Clarita, where dining out meant choosing between two equidistant McDonalds. I admit I have a weakness for Big Macs, but its no contest when outside my hotel on a stretch of Killiney Road I can choose between world-class satay, chicken rice, curry laksa, prawn noodles, fish ball soup, dim sum, Indian prata, chicken biryani, beef rendang or Cantonese barbecue all for about the same price as a six-piece Chicken McNugget meal. Straying from my neighborhood has been even more rewarding. There were the piquant chili crab and salted egg yolk prawns at the East Coast Seafood Center that looks out onto the Singapore Strait, where at night, the tankers and cargo ships are anchored so close together they look like a neighboring city. There was the crunchy fried Hainan chicken wing vendor at the Toa Payoh Lorong Food Center, who commands such a loyal following that customers line up long before opening to beat the crowds. David Pierson eats fried chicken wings with his daughter, Ella, at Toa Payoh Lorong Food Center. (Tessa Pierson / For The Times) At Golden Mile Food Center, I took my first bites of Peranakan food, a centuries-old cuisine born out of the intermarrying of Chinese and Malays. The cuisine, which requires meticulous preparation, is slowly fading from fashion along with the few remaining chefs who know the recipes by heart. Youve only scratched the surface, I was told by K.F. Seetoh, an evangelist of Singaporean food culture, founder of the Makansutra food guide and the subject of profiles by R.W. Apple Jr. and Calvin Trillin. Advertisement Over a plate of beet red mee goreng, a local Indian take on stir-fried Chinese noodles, Seetoh spoke about a looming crisis. The storied ranks of Singapores food vendors, known here as hawkers, are aging faster than they can be replaced. Their children, equipped with elite educations and living in one of the most affluent countries in the world, have little interest in working 12-hour shifts in 10-by-10-feet hawker stands in unrelenting heat. Thousands of old heritage hawkers proud, loud, humble, authentic are marching toward a cliff, said Seetoh, who has been keeping a running tab on his Facebook page of the latest dining destinations to close. Theyre going to go down and into the sunset. Behind them are perhaps 10 new hawkers to replace them. Without them, Singapore wouldnt have its frenetic dining scene where unpretentious food reigns and the instinct to eat elbow-to-elbow with strangers forms the basis of community. Advertisement Hawkers typically specialize in one thing, like a Hainanese chicken rice or bak kut teh, a pork rib soup, and rarely charge more than $4 a portion. Their artisans way of cooking set standards high, making it hard to find a bad meal in this island nation. We have professors coming from the U.S. and they go to our canteen here and they say, This is restaurant-type food and you pay two U.S. dollars. You guys are spoiled, said Malone-Lee Lai Choo, an expert on urban development at the National University of Singapore. The takeout spread from Fook Kin on Killiney Road in Singapore. The Cantonese-style barbecue restaurant makes a char siu roast pork, center right, with an unusually generous ratio of char and fat to meat. (Tessa Pierson / For The Times) Hawkers are the descendants of itinerant street food vendors who predate Singapores founding in 1965. After nationhood, they were licensed and housed in pavilions located in or near public housing, where 80% of Singaporeans live today. Advertisement That gave the masses access to cheap, clean and abundant food that helped power Singapores productivity. By taking away the chore of cooking, it enabled both spouses to work. Government statistics show about 65% of Singaporean households with children include two working parents. Thats a rate slightly higher than in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Buying groceries can also cost more than dining out, providing another reason to eschew the kitchen. The Singaporean government has long played a heavy hand in the way its citizens eat. It has to, it says, for the sake of food security in a country of merely 278 square miles and no room for farms. More than 90% of everything Singaporeans consume is imported from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Brazil. After perhaps underselling its appeal, the Singaporean government has jumped on the hawker bandwagon in recent years. It established a hawker incubation program that allowed applicants to lease a stall at half-price for six months to encourage a new generation. And it launched a campaign to include hawker culture into UNESCOs List of Intangible Cultural Heritage alongside things such as Frances gastronomic dining and Italys Neapolitan pizza. Singapores submission is due in March. You see any restaurant food in Crazy Rich Asians? said Seetoh, a proponent of the UNESCO bid. Nada. Its all chili crab and satay. Hawker food is a national icon. Advertisement It remains to be seen whether Singapore can retain its hawkers artisan roots. Its easier today to buy staples like fish balls wholesale than it is to make them from scratch. More food service companies are operating air-conditioned facsimiles of the hawker centers and supplying the vendors there with semi-prepared meals from a central commissary. There are 114 hawker centers in Singapore, each housing 100 to 200 stalls outfitted with sinks and a few burners. One of the older locations, Golden Mile Food Center on Beach Road, was built in 1975 under public housing that sits on former waterfront property long obscured by reclaimed land. On a recent weekday, the centers two-story dining area hummed with the sound of undulating electric fans. Hundreds of diners, mostly workers from nearby office buildings, tucked into orders of clay pot rice, braised duck and lor mee, a popular dish of egg noodles submerged in a thick dark gravy. To one side of the floor, in stall B1-30, stood Charlie Tan, chef and owner of Charlies Peranakan Food. Tan returned to cooking in 2017 after an eight-year hiatus triggered by poor health. Advertisement I was burnt out, said Tan, 62, whose perpetually furrowed brow is befitting of a man who works from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. This isnt ordinary food. Its very complex. It takes proper planning. Consider one of Tans most popular dishes, ayam buah keluak. The recipe relies on buah keluak, a walnut-size seed found in mangrove swamps that has to be soaked for days to remove poisonous toxins. Otherwise you get the runs, Seetoh said. Tan painstakingly empties the flesh of each seed, blending it with minced pork and shrimp before returning it into its casing. Its then simmered in a sauce with chicken and served with rice and a Popsicle stick to scoop out the contents of the buah keluak. Sour, inky and earthy, it is like eating a mixture of Mexican mole and Filipino adobo. Advertisement Tan is one of only a few cooks with Peranakan bloodlines still preparing this kind of food in Singapore. Hes even more of an anomaly because he has a son who wants to take over the business. Joshua Chen, 20, recently finished his two-year compulsory national military service. Now he stands at his fathers side, hoping to absorb the elders exacting techniques, one dish at a time. The passion is there, Tan said of his son, but I dont see the flair yet. david.pierson@latimes.com | Follow me @dhpierson National parks started to return to regular operations, some more quickly than others, after the 35-day partial government shutdown ended. Death Valleys visitor center at Furnace Creek was open and staffed Monday. Rangers will resume leading free guided walks Saturday at the 3.4-million-acre park. Three campgrounds were open Monday, and another two were scheduled to reopen Thursday. A few will remain closed indefinitely until water systems pass inspections. The park never closed during the shutdown but some facilities and services did. The privately owned Oasis at Death Valley and Stovepipe Wells Resort, along with the Death Valley Natural History Assn., made donations to keep the visitor center and other operations going. Advertisement At Joshua Tree, campgrounds, which had been temporarily closed at one point during the shutdown and then reopened on a first-come, first-served basis, were again open for online reservations at Recreation.gov. Yosemites visitor centers reopened but the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in the southern part of the park did not. Snow play areas also remained shut as maintenance issues are addressed, the parks website said. Yosemite had cut off access to the redwood grove because of human waste found along roadways from visitors who used the park during the shutdown. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area reopened its visitor center as well as other areas of the park, including Paramount Ranch, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, Cheeseboro/Palo Comado canyons, and the trail to the mountain ranges high point, Sandstone Peak. The rest of the area remained closed because of damage from the Woolsey fire in November. Some parks Monday asked for patience from the public as they worked to resume operations. Olympic National Park in Washington state, for example, opened its visitor center in Port Angeles on Sunday but the popular Hurricane Ridge Road wasnt expected to reopen until Friday. There is a lot of storm debris, downed tree removal, and safety checks that must be completed, the parks website said. The historic cemetery at Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi remained closed until the park could clear many downed and damaged trees that pose a hazard to visitors. Advertisement Elsewhere, Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington were expected to reopen Tuesday. travel@latimes.com @latimestravel In the city of Huntington Beach there is an excuse for everything. From attempting to sidestep participation in a countywide effort on homelessness to suing the state of California earlier this month over state laws meant to address Californias housing shortage, the city of Huntington Beach has made one thing very clear: Its not our problem. Sadly, this is a self-serving delusion the citizens of Huntington Beach may well come to regret as now, perhaps inevitably, the state is suing the city. While many in H.B. would have you believe theyre being unfairly targeted by the unhinged and overreaching overlords of Sacramento, this reactive attempt to play the victim card is itself little more than just another tired excuse seeking to rationalize the citys lack of action and stubborn unwillingness to act or collaborate on pressing civic issues facing our state and county. I guess this shouldnt be too surprising. Rather than focusing on the modern issues of our time homelessness, housing shortages, impacts of climate change many residents and elected-officials in H.B. bask in a warm, friendly fantasy of nostalgia. They reminisce about a sleepy little beach town, where views of the iconic pier, the golden sands and the gentle sounds of the coastal surf go on and on uninterrupted. Nostalgia is fine and certainly has its place, but when we mistakenly embrace nostalgia to replace proactive leadership, cooperative collaboration and thoughtful action, we are in trouble. As a city of over 200,000 residents, the citizen of Huntington Beach cannot and should not support a policy of avoidance by our local government. Huntington Beach has a responsibility to both its citizens, as well as the surrounding communities, to stop passing the buck. Demonizing the state with repeated claims of overreach is yet another excuse in a virtual avalanche of excuses that takes away from addressing real issues in our community, our county and our state. After all, what good is local control if those in control arent working to solve problems locally? Steve Shepherd is an architect who lives and works in Huntington Beach. Newly elected state Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris said Monday she is trying to negotiate an end to a potentially costly legal battle in Californias housing lawsuit against Huntington Beach and said the city should get more time to comply with state requirements. The Laguna Beach Democrats position put her in disagreement with the approach pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fellow Democrat who said the lawsuit was necessary to address rising housing costs that threaten economic growth and deepen inequality. In the complaint filed Friday in Orange County Superior Court, California accused Huntington Beach of defying a state law that requires cities and counties to set aside sufficient land for housing development and said it has tried to work with the city the past four years. Petrie-Norris called the lawsuit contrary to the thoughtful, deliberate and strategic approach required to solve the housing crisis. She said this wasnt a time for political brinkmanship. She said she spent the weekend going to bat for Huntington Beach, asking the governors office to give the city more time to comply. With nearly all cities and counties in the state 97.6%, based on the states latest report failing to meet their housing goals, it is clear a new approach is needed, she said. I really feel like taking this to court at this stage is an inefficient and unproductive way to solve this problem now, Petrie-Norris said. She said there are other options available to us, though she did not elaborate. State Assemblyman Tyler Diep (R-Westminster) who, like Petrie-Norris, was elected in November and veteran state Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) expressed their support last week for the city against the states legal action. Nathan Click, a spokesman for Newsom, said Monday the governor supports and encourages all efforts to help the city come into compliance with state housing law, and the state will gladly drop its lawsuit once it does so. Our goal has always been for Huntington Beach to amend its housing plan to allow for more housing, Click said in a statement. California has made repeated attempts to work with the city to bring their housing plan into compliance over the last four years and stands ready to do so once more. Huntington Beach City Atty. Michael Gates expressed appreciation for Petrie-Norris efforts toward negotiation and said he will meet with her this week. This is precisely why local control is important and having local officials involved is important, Gates said Monday. If Sacramento is interested in whats going on in cities, they should contact local officials like Cottie Norris and get a lesson of whats going on. Huntington Beach contends it spent the past two months negotiating with the Kennedy Commission, an affordable-housing advocacy group, to try to settle a lawsuit the group filed in 2015 alleging an amendment to the citys development plan for the Beach Boulevard-Edinger Avenue corridor violated state housing law. A resolution in that case, city officials argue, would solve the citys shortfall in state-mandated low-income housing units. The states lawsuit throws a wrench and stops all the progress, said Huntington Beach Mayor Erik Peterson. The legal battle with the Kennedy Commission is continuing, though a state appeals court ruled in favor of the city in 2017 because Huntington Beach is a charter city, exempting it from some state zoning laws. Gates said he will confer with the City Council about the states lawsuit in a closed session next month and vowed to aggressively represent Huntington Beach residents. Huntington Beach put itself in a shortfall toward its state target for low-income housing 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 it uses to identifying 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 the Kennedy Commissions lawsuit. According to the state, its Department of Housing and Community Development began working with the city in 2015 to prepare an amended and legally compliant housing element. The city argued in the Kennedy Commission case it was working to amend its housing element and the groups lawsuit was unnecessary and would soon be moot. But a proposed housing plan was unanimously rejected by the City Council in 2016, with Peterson and others saying the city should prepare to fight the state regarding the mandated amount of low-income housing in the city. After the Housing and Community Development Department 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. Three people were taken to trauma centers after a two-vehicle crash Saturday in Huntington Beach sent a truck under a power pole and a Mercedes-Benz SUV through a wall of an apartment building, the citys fire department reported. Fire crews responded to a report just after 5:30 p.m. of live electrical wires down at the intersection of Edwards Street and Warner Avenue, according to the department. A pickup had hit a power pole and an SUV had struck the building. Southern California Edison was immediately called for assistance. After Edison confirmed the downed lines were not live, the overturned pickup and the power pole were stabilized and firefighters removed the trucks roof to extricate two people from it. One person was removed from the SUV. A truck was overturned under a power pole in Saturdays crash. (Courtesy of Huntington Beach Fire Department) A Mercedes-Benz SUV ended up crashing into an apartment building. (Courtesy of Huntington Beach Fire Department) Building inspectors worked to assess the damage to the apartment building, according to the fire department. No bystanders or residents of the apartment complex were injured, the department reported. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Huntington Beach Police Department. The Southern-fried characters created by playwright Beth Henley have become part of Americas theatrical landscape, but when local playhouses wish to tackle them, they inevitably turn to Henleys second effort the one that earned her the Pulitzer Prize. Crimes of the Heart, focusing on three widely disparate sisters in rural Mississippi in 1974, five years after Hurricane Camille (its an important script element), is enjoying a full-bodied revival at the Costa Mesa Playhouse under the keen direction of Madison Wackerman, who employs enforced silence as an effective dramatic tool. The sisters are Lenny, a 30-year-old spinster whos tasted love just once; Meg, who fled to Hollywood to pursue an unsuccessful singing career; and Babe, in trouble with the law after shooting her husband. Theyre the daughters of a town legend their mother hanged herself along with the family cat and each has that cross to bear in addition to her own. Success doesnt come easily for these three. The Costa Mesa production is a balanced effort, but one sister in particular stands out. Stephanie Noel Garrison brilliantly enacts the plain, lovelorn Lenny from spells of brooding to moments of violent excess. Her agonizing over her perceived futility is frighteningly real. Cindy Cisneros plays Babe in Beth Henleys dark comedy Crimes of the Heart, which runs at the Costa Mesa Playhouse through Feb. 17. (Photo by Kerrin Serna) Cindy Cisneros enriches the role of Babe with her mood swings and attempts to toot her own horn, a saxophone purchased on impulse. Shes especially effective while relating the circumstances of the shooting, a shocking tale in her part of the country. The frisky, self-absorbed Meg, who may have gone Hollywood but seems more at home in Mississippi, is rendered in a lower key by Silvana Gargione. She enjoys a touching reunion scene with an old beau, now married, nicely played by Mark Tillman. The role of Babes lawyer, a determined young man just out of law school, is finely characterized by Joseph Daniels, whose perfection of dress and manner poses a sharp contrast with the others. He also projects his attraction to Babe without making a physical gesture. The family kitchen where the action transpires is impressively designed by Michael Serna, radiating a true lived-in quality. Ryan Linhardts lighting effects convey atmospheric reality. Crimes of the Heart addresses more than the peccadilloes of the rural South. It touches on humanity with the skill of a master playwright in this sterling revival at the Costa Mesa Playhouse. Tom Titus reviews local theater. IF YOU GO What: Crimes of the Heart Where: Costa Mesa Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., through Feb. 17 Cost: $18 to $22 Information: (949) 650-5269; CostaMesaPlayhouse.com An Alabama man was taken into custody earlier this month after he tried to smuggle 40 pounds of marijuana through Hollywood Burbank Airport, authorities say. Dejuan Rashad Dedrick, a 27-year-old from Birmingham, was charged by the Los Angeles County district attorneys office last week with false impersonation of another person, burglary and attempted transportation of marijuana out of the state. Sgt. Derek Green, a spokesman for the Burbank Police Department, said Dedrick allegedly tried to send two suitcases containing marijuana on the morning of Jan. 19 through an outgoing Delta Airlines flight to Birmingham. He added that Burbank police handled the criminal filing for the incident, while the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Police Department was the arresting agency. Dedricks suitcases were flagged as suspicious just prior to departure when the airline crew noticed that, while his luggage was on the flight, he was not. The airline tried to locate Dedrick at the airport, but Green said he was nowhere to be found. The suitcases were removed from the flight and sent through an additional security check, where it was discovered that 40 pounds of marijuana were hidden in the luggage. Its unknown where the marijuana came from or what it wouldve been used for once it got to Alabama. Green said Dedrick returned to the airport the next day to retrieve the luggage and was subsequently taken into custody by airport police. Authorities also found he had used the identity of another person to book his flight. Dedrick is currently being held in lieu of $165,000 bail and also has an extradition hold from Alabama for a narcotics-related warrant. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc San Quentin State Prison inmate Andre Erick Watson was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007. His vocal cords feel weak, he said, his saliva glands hurt and he keeps losing teeth. In May, the 73-year-old signed up to have a new pair of dentures made his third set and it left him with a $255 bill on top of a $5 co-payment for his visit to the medical care unit. With a prison plumbing job where he earns 18 cents an hour, Watson said it will take months to pay off the expenses. I still have no teeth and no money, he said in a phone call this month, as he waits for his new dentures to get made. It is very hard if you dont have outside support. Thousands of California inmates like Watson struggle to cover their healthcare costs in prison every year, and Assemblyman Mark Stone (D-Scotts Valley) says the state should ease some of the burden. He has introduced a bill that would prevent the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from charging a co-pay for self-initiated medical and dental visits that has some inmates choosing between buying soap or visiting the doctor. Advertisement State prison inmates are not charged a co-payment for mental health treatment or in the case of emergencies, and corrections officials waive the fee for roughly 61,000 prisoners who qualify as indigent for having $25 or less in their account for 30 consecutive days. Stones legislation would eliminate it for all of the estimated 131,000 people incarcerated in the state. New amendments added on Monday would eliminate a $3 co-payment for inmates who request medical visits in county or city jails. They are patients with nowhere else to go, so why do we even bother with co-pays? Stone said. We know that when people dont get the medical care that they need when they need it then it becomes a much more significant issue later. The proposal is the latest effort by Stone to remove barriers to healthcare for people in prison. He first introduced it as part of broader legislation from last year that expanded the definition of who could be considered indigent in the state prison system. But a provision to eliminate the $5 co-pay was removed amid debate over how much the state could lose in revenue. The last time state auditors analyzed the co-payment system was in 2000, when they recommended that corrections officials end the program because it had not generated expected revenue, and said the corrections department had not demonstrated it was cost-effective. State corrections officials have since calculated that they collected more than $460,000 last fiscal year from prisoners for medical and dental visits, far less than the nearly $2.5 million in the budget this year for inmate medical and dental care expenses. The department first began requiring inmates to share in the cost of their healthcare in 1994 with the intention of reducing unnecessary medical visits, a model similar to that of health insurers outside of prison. But researchers say inmates dont have the earning power to make the system work. Prisoners earn as little as eight cents an hour in some jobs, requiring them to work 62.5 hours to afford a single medical visit, according to a study by the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching the effect of mass incarceration. The studys authors found that to be the equivalent of someone outside of prison with a minimum wage job spending $656.25 on a healthcare co-payment. Corrections officials say health staff serves patients 24 hours a day, and that wait times vary depending on when patients are brought to the clinic for an appointment. On non-business days, the staff uses a triage system to treat emergencies or urgent cases, assigning all other routine reports to a nurse. Advertisement Some San Quentin and Solano state prison inmates said they often forgo medical or dental care visits in lieu of buying toiletries or cans of soup. The wait times to see a doctor at some prisons make spending that $5 even less worth it, said 62-year-old David Jazz Brown, who has been in prison since 1982 serving a sentence for first-degree murder. If I get sick on Saturday, the medical care unit will probably get [my pass] on Monday and they wont end up seeing me until Wednesday, Brown said. They take your slip, they assign you a nurse and then they make you wait in a waiting area, in a cage, with six to 12 other sick guys and guys can wait up until three or four hours to see the doctor. Watson, who was sentenced in 1997 for second-degree murder, said he hadnt been able to buy personal items in seven months. Leonard Brown, 55, imprisoned since 1990 on kidnapping, rape and robbery charges, said he receives free mental health treatment but prefers to ride out his physical pain. One of the biggest problems with the co-pays is that it was initially put in place from inmates going to see the doctor for frivolous stuff, but it cost them more money because guys will put off going to see the doctor, Leonard Brown said. They should spend money on preventative care, not after your body is breaking down. Advertisement More stories from Jazmine Ulloa jazmine.ulloa@latimes.com Follow @jazmineulloa on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast With a historic law overhauling Californias cash bail system on hold, bail customers on Tuesday filed a class-action lawsuit against more than 20 surety companies and agents in the state, alleging they have conspired to keep premiums high for criminal defendants. The antitrust case, which the plaintiffs attorneys said could be the first of its kind in the country, alleges that the companies worked together since at least 2004 to fix prices and prevent competition in the market, discouraging bail agents from offering discounts or rebates in private meetings and messaging at industry conferences, and retaliating against those who refused. The lawsuit was filed by four public interest groups on behalf of people who, according to the complaint, paid maximum prices for bail bonds as they sought their or someone elses release from jail and later struggled to pay the debt. They are requesting that a judge stop the sureties from engaging in alleged cartel pricing practices and collecting assets on debt, according to the complaint filed in Alameda County. They want the court to order the bail surety businesses, companies that underwrite bonds, to pay damages to alleged victims and correct all alleged misleading statements in print and online materials. Advertisement What makes this case particularly important is that the product being fixed is not a consumer good but someones freedom, said attorney Dean Harvey, who is lead counsel on the case. It is about whether a presumptively innocent person is able to go to their job or not, take care of their children or not. Greg Topo Padilla, president of the Golden State Bail Agents Assn., one of the associations named in the lawsuit, said he had not seen the complaint and could not speak to its allegations. But, he said, We have fought for years to lower bail schedules, which would lower premiums. We have been stopped at every one of these attempts by the Legislature. Jeffrey Clayton, a spokesman for the effort and director of the American Bail Coalition, said he and his organization were reviewing the lawsuit and not prepared to comment. Calls to other bail agents and associations named in the lawsuit were not immediately returned on Tuesday. The lawsuit is the latest volley against a bail industry locked in a fierce battle with California lawmakers and court officials determined to abolish a system that they say has run unchecked for years and preys on the most vulnerable. Gov. Jerry Brown last year signed a law that would prevent courts from using fixed money bail fees in releasing people from jail while their cases are pending, granting greater power to judges and county agencies to decide which defendants pose a risk to public safety. But the effort is now on hold until voters decide its fate in November 2020 elections officials this month certified a statewide referendum backed by a coalition of bail industry associations. Bail companies, which can continue doing business until the election, are gearing up for a campaign fight against a law that could spell extinction for their industry in California. The state holds roughly a quarter of the $2-billion market nationwide and has 3,200 registered bail agents. Advertisement Bail companies and sureties have faced civil cases in the past over allegations of malpractice and fraud, among other things. But attorneys in the suit filed Tuesday say it appears to be the first in the country that seeks to build wider conspiracy charges based on antitrust and consumer laws. Under the current pretrial system, judges must factor in a defendants ability to pay as they set bail according to lists of criminal offenses and fixed fees. If a defendant is unable to post the amount in advance, a nonrefundable fee typically a premium of 10% or less of that amount can be paid to a bail company to front the money. Like other insurance companies in the state, bail sureties submit their maximum premium rates to the California Department of Insurance for approval. In 1998, California voters approved a law that allowed insurers to reduce premium rates for consumers, and a state court ruling in February 2004 confirmed rebating was legal, allowing bail agents to charge less than those premium rates, the class-action lawsuit states. But lawyers for the bail customers allege sureties have kept that premium rate at the maximum of 10% for most criminal defendants by concealing their industrys option to charge lower rates and refraining from offering competitive rebates. Advertisement Since 2004, the complaint alleges, surety representatives have agreed not to compete over premium prices and have directed bail agents not to do so, using bail industry associations as a conduit for enforcing their price-fixing cartel down to the bail agent level. Through blog posts and private meetings, industry-sponsored training courses and conferences, the industry keeps agents in check, the lawsuit claims. The complaint cites a course offered by the Bail Resource Center and Career Academy that teaches the right answer on the test: no rebates. A defendant named Jerry Watson, vice president of AIA Surety, the countrys largest bail surety administrator, has publicly denounced price-cutting as a cancer on the groups website, according to the complaint. Furthermore, the cartel intimidates competitors to toe the line, the lawsuit says. When competitors attempt to compete by offering lower rates or rebating, cartel members brand them as break[ing] the law, despite knowing that to be false, it says. Advertisement At the center of the case is Aladdin Bail Bonds, the largest agency in California and its surety. The lawsuit alleges that Aladdin misleads its customers by asserting on its website that its fees are standard and nonnegotiable as required by law. The plaintiffs attorneys say they began working on the case before California state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 10 to overhaul the cash bail system. Its fate has no bearing on their complaint moving forward, they argue, because even if the states money bail system is eliminated, the law does not assist residents who paid inflated premiums and does not prevent surety companies from continuing to collect on debt. The complaint could include thousands of class members from October 2011 to October 2015 alone, it states, about 180,000 people were released on bail ahead of trial, nearly all of whom relied on commercial surety bonds. Its not just criminal defendants who were affected, Harvey said, but also their relatives who often posted money for the premiums and in some cases lost homes, cars and other assets in an attempt to pay sureties back. Advertisement What I find particularly appalling about the misconduct here is that it targeted the most vulnerable people in society at their moment of greatest duress, Harvey said. More stories from Jazmine Ulloa jazmine.ulloa@latimes.com Advertisement Follow @jazmineulloa on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast When Elizabeth Warren launched her 2012 Senate bid in Massachusetts, some Democrats there worried. Another woman had run two years earlier and failed miserably. But Warren ignored warnings that she would be another Martha Coakley. She beat the incumbent by more than 7 percentage points and became the first woman elected to statewide office in Massachusetts. Now Warren is among a record number of women running for president in 2020. Again, theyre operating in the shadow of failure Hillary Clintons unsuccessful White House bid in 2016 but also the widespread successes of women in the 2018 midterm election. Sen. Kamala Harris of California joins Warren and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the upper tier of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination. Each takes a different tack in navigating the powerful crosscurrents of being a woman in national politics. Gillibrand plays the gender card most emphatically, emphasizing her record on protecting women from sexual assault and her support for female candidates. Explaining why she is running for president, she often begins, As a young mom Advertisement Harris campaign rollout, including Sundays kickoff rally in Oakland, focused more on her connections with the black community and a career in law enforcement that breaks from gender stereotypes. Warren tells her story as the daughter of an economically struggling family, putting class, not gender, at the center of her campaign. There is no uniform approach to how these women will navigate gender in the campaign, said Kelly Dittmar, a scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. 2020 candidates: Whos in and whos on the fence? While Gillibrand sees and discusses politics and policy through a gender lens, Warrens primary focus has been on class. In her rollout, Kamala Harris has already shown that she will embrace and discuss being a black woman in power. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii also has announced a long-shot bid for president, with considerable focus on her status as a military veteran. The field of female candidates may grow if Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a former prosecutor like Harris, decides to run. I love that fact that we have four women running, and that America gets to see what different forms of female leadership look like, Gillibrand said. In the aftermath of Clintons failure, however, some Democrats worry about a stubborn strain of sexism in the electorate. Advertisement I dont know if America has changed enough; hopefully they have, with the #MeToo movement, said Brad Lego, 69, a retired teacher in Sioux City, Iowa, who supports Warren. Women historically have had a harder time winning executive offices than legislative ones. Even with a record number of women running for governor in 2018, just nine of the nations 50 governors are now women. Solo leadership is still tougher for women and people of color, said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who is an expert on women in politics. There is still a little concern about the difficulty of electing women to executive office. That wasnt just Hillary Clinton. But for Democrats in 2020, for the first time in the history of presidential campaigns, being a woman is probably more a political asset than a liability. Women - as voters and candidates became the vanguard of the partys resistance to President Trump, from the 2017 Womens March to the midterm election that drew out female candidates in record numbers. Advertisement The congressional midterm saw the largest gender gap in modern political history, as Democrats won 59% of the female vote, with just 40% voting Republican. Men, by contrast, favored Republicans by a 4-point margin, 51% to 47%, according to exit polls. Clinton tried two very different approaches to gender as a political issue. When she sought the Democratic nomination in 2008, she essentially ran away from the subject. I am not running as a woman, she would say. I am running because I believe I am the best qualified and experienced person. Eight years later, she talked often about the history-making potential of her campaign to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling. Advertisement The current crop of female candidates doesnt follow either of those paths. Gillibrand, at 52 the least known of the three female senators who have gotten into the race, is moving the most deliberately to build her identity as a defender of women. The future of the Democratic Party is with women, an introductory campaign document said. She spotlights her Senate work on combating sexual abuse in the military and other issues related to sexual harassment and assault, and her political work raising money for female candidates through her political action committee, Off the Sidelines. Pictures of children her own and others crowd her campaign website. She describes her rationale for running, offered first in her campaign announcement on Stephen Colberts Late Show, in explicitly gendered terms: As a young mom, Im going to fight for other peoples kids as hard as I would fight for my own. Advertisement The approach risks delivering a message so gender specific that it alienates men. But in the short term, at least, her strategists think that any such risk is worth taking to gain purchase in a crowded field. My lifelong mission is for more women to have a voice and seat at the table with men, so that they can bring a new perspective to the problems facing our country, Gillibrand says. This vision does not exclude anyone, it brings more diverse voices into the conversation. Harris introduction to voters put more of a spotlight on race than gender: She announced her candidacy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, gave her first press briefing at Howard University, the historically black college she attended in the 1980s, and scheduled her first campaign event in South Carolina at a gala for a black sorority she belongs to. During her Oakland rally, Harris spoke bluntly about racism in the criminal justice system and society at large. Im running to fight for an America where no mother or father has to teach their young son that people may stop him, arrest him, chase him or kill him because of his race, Harris said. Advertisement Having advanced in a male-dominated career as a prosecutor, she offered this advice to young women in an interview with Good Morning America: There are going to be many times you are going to be the only one like you in a room. It could be a meeting room, it could be a boardroom. And the thing I want you to remember is this: When you are in that room, we are all in that room with you, cheering you on. Harris tough-on-crime record has drawn skepticism from some on the partys left, but it could appeal to public-safety conscious moms in the suburbs, including white women whose votes for Trump proved pivotal in 2016. Warrens campaign-launch video gave a personal window onto her life story speaking from her kitchen, she talked about her familys struggles, her mothers resilience and her own rise to a law professorship at Harvard. The story spoke more to class struggle than a battle against sexism. At other times, however, she has struck a more explicit note on gender. At an Ankeny, Iowa, campaign event with Democratic women in early January, for example, Warren relished telling how she had been warned against running for Senate after Coakleys failure. Advertisement It was almost as if folks were saying, Hey, we tried that. It didnt work. Come back in a generation or two, women. She also paid tribute to how much women especially those who were newly engaged in politics as voters and candidates had contributed to Democrats 2018 midterm victories. One of the newly engaged women was Liuba Grechen Shirley, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully against GOP Rep. Peter T. King on Long Island, N.Y. She remembers vividly an unexpected phone call of support she got from Warren. Shirley was in the middle of a grueling day juggling the demands of campaigning with the medical needs of a young son who had broken his leg. Warren listened to her woes and offered this tough-love pep talk that spoke to the continued challenges women face in politics: Advertisement We moms, when we run out of milk, we make breakfast with orange juice. janet.hook@latimes.com Twitter: @hookjan "I am calling upon the Taliban to initiate serious talks on return of lasting peace to Afghanistan," President Ghani said in his televised speech after meeting Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghan reconciliation. Khalilzad, who held talks with the Taliban representatives in Qatar's capital Doha last week, visited Kabul and briefed President Ghani on his six-day consecutive talks with the hardliner Taliban outfit on January 27. Media reports suggested that the United States, in the talks with Taliban, had agreed to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and the armed group would announce ceasefire after the White House declares a timetable for pullout of its the troops. Cautiously commnenting the reported agreement in the Doha talks, President Ghani said, "We don't want to see the repetition of the then (President Mohammad) Najibullah's regime collapse and we are aware of the possible risks that threat the country after peace." Najibullah's regime collapsed in 1992 which was followed by factional fighting that lasted for several years. "We should not forget that the victims of the current war are Afghans, so the peace initiative must be at the hand of Afghans. At the same time, none of the Afghans wants the foreign forces to stay in their country for the long term," he noted. "I and the people of Afghanistan want peace but it should be an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process," the president asserted. Afghans want to see end to the ongoing crisis, he said, adding no Afghan likes to witness suicide bomb attacks in mosques, parks or other places that claim the lives of people. The presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan is based on a bilateral agreement recognized by the international community, President Ghani said. However, the president added that the presence of foreign forces would come to zero based on a comprehensive plan. The Taliban has repeatedly rejected the offer to talks with the Afghan government directly, saying no dialogue would be held with the Afghan government in the presence of foreign forces in the country. With more than 2,300 U.S. troops still stationed at the southern border, lawmakers pressed Defense Department officials Tuesday to defend the deployment of active-duty members and asked whether President Trump plans on declaring a national emergency so he can use Pentagon funds for a border wall. The reason was, in the first place, there was a perceived crisis at the border, said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the new chairman of the House Armed Services panel. There really isnt that much evidence of a crisis. In the first hearing of the powerful committee since Democrats took control of the House, Smith, citing bipartisan support, cautioned the president against tapping into military money to supply the $5.7 billion he wants for a border wall. The real big concern is: Where does he find the money? Smith asked. The long-term cost of what hes talking about is much, much larger . We should not be taking money out of DOD, out of military construction well, for a wall or anything else, because we have a readiness challenge. That money needs to be spent there. Advertisement Last Friday, Trump signed bills to temporarily reopen the government after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but only until Feb. 15. As appropriators in Congress begin negotiations, Trump said he might declare a national emergency if Congress doesnt provide taxpayer money for the wall. After all that I have done does anybody really think I wont build the WALL? Trump tweeted Sunday. On Jan. 15, the Pentagon announced it had agreed to keep thousands of troops deployed on the border until Sept. 30, again extending a controversial mission that began last fall. About 2,350 troops are deployed to the border, with roughly 600 in Texas, 650 in Arizona and 1,100 in California, mostly at the San Ysidro port of entry. Trump initially sent about 5,900 active-duty troops to assist the Border Patrol on the southwest border a week before the Nov. 6 midterm election, arguing they were necessary to prevent so-called caravans of migrants from Central America from entering the United States. He used a similar argument for the January extension, with thousands more migrants gathering in Mexico and the government shuttered, reinforcing criticism that the president is using the Pentagon for political purposes. Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, John Rood, the undersecretary of Defense for policy, and Vice Adm. Michael Gilday, the director of operations for the Joint Staff, said the troops continued border deployment is necessary. The militarys presence and support increases the effectiveness of Customs and Border Protections border patrol operations, said Rood, helping the Homeland Security agency stem the tide of illegal immigration, human trafficking and illicit drugs. Before the hearing, when asked by reporters at the Pentagon about the recent buildup of military at the U.S.-Mexico border, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan emphasized that the troops at the border are merely playing a support role to the Homeland Security Department. Advertisement The Pentagon officials estimated that the cost of the active-duty troops deployment is approximately $132 million so far, and about $103 million for the National Guard and reserves, with a projected roughly $550 million price tag for 2019. The Defense Department is planning to increase the border presence by a few thousand troops, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Jamie Davis. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said Congress should better fund the Homeland Security Department rather than continually reaching into DOD. Im astounded by the fact that we continue to act stupid in Congress and fuss over $5.7 billion when it cost $11 billion to shut the government down, he added. Advertisement The Congressional Budget Office said Monday that the five-week shutdown cost the U.S. economy $11 billion. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), the panels ranking member, said, I would prefer he not have to resort to DOD to make up for gaps in Homeland Security funding . But we have to be flexible. An analysis by The Times found that, despite spending tens of millions of dollars on hiring since Trumps January 2017 executive orders to grow the ranks of border agents and immigration officers by 15,000, key Homeland Security agencies are facing steep staffing shortfalls. Lawmakers raised concerns in the hearing that the troops deployment within U.S. borders could strain resources and the militarys preparedness to respond to conflicts abroad. Advertisement There is too much in the world that we need to do, and we dont have the resources to do all of it, Smith said. This is not primary to our mission, and if we start down this road where does it stop? Gilday of the Joint Staff responded that border security and a handful of military commitments abroad are all high priority for the Trump administration. But Gilday emphasized that troops are being quickly rotated in and out at the border, minimizing the impact. The Defense Department officials said they were engaged in planning around the possibility of Trumps declaring a national emergency and tapping into either military construction or Army Corps of Engineers funds, but declined to get into any specifics. Advertisement We have limited authority, Rood said. Depending on what those authorities are, it would define how much money is available . We have not made any decision or formalized what that would be. Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, said a national emergency is not unique and unprecedented. The language is pretty simple, Shanahan said. It basically says, to enhance the capability of the military, military construction funds can be utilized. molly.otoole@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @mollymotoole After pleading not guilty Tuesday to seven felony charges, Roger Stone emerged from the federal courthouse here into the kind of fever dream fracas that he has sought for decades as the countrys most notorious Republican operative. A woman in a long mink coat hoisted a homemade sign that said, We stand with Stone, while protesters waved Russian flags and blasted the Beatles Back in the U.S.S.R. A giant inflatable rat topped by President Trumps distinctive hair loomed across the street. Camera crews and reporters shouted questions and jostled to get close to Stone. Stone threw his arms high into the V-for-victory sign made infamous by his hero, President Nixon, and rushed through the crowd to a black SUV without saying a word. Advertisement His silence didnt last long. Stone soon called the conspiracy website InfoWars to denounce the charges against him as a legal lynching, a typical statement from the Russian investigations most unconventional defendant. No one else charged by special counsel Robert S. Mueller draws a street circus like Stone. But no other suspect has reveled in his image as a dirty trickster known for running his mouth and deriding his opponents. That could soon come to an end. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson is scheduled to hold a hearing on Stones case Friday and could impose a gag order just as she did when she handled Muellers prosecution of Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, the chairman and deputy chairman of Trumps 2016 campaign. Subscribe to the Los Angeles Times to read all of our award-winning journalism Prohibitions on speaking openly about a pending trial are usually intended to prevent prosecutors and defense lawyers from trying the case in the press and influencing a potential jury. Sooner or later, the government will move to gag me, Stone told InfoWars. But if I have a right to remain silent under the Constitution, I have a right to defend myself. Michael Caputo, a longtime associate who also worked for Trumps campaign, laughed when asked to ponder the possibility of Stone staying silent. Advertisement What would that be like? I cant even imagine it, he said. I think it would be difficult. For Stone, he added, Silence is not an option. Stone has barely stopped talking since he was arrested last Friday at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Hours later, after he was released on a $250,000 bond, he made his views clear in an impromptu news conference on the courthouse steps. As I have always said, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, he began. Advertisement Roger Stone speaks to reporters outside federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Friday after being released on a $250,000 bond. (Joshua Prezant / AFP/Getty Images) That night he told Chris Cuomo on CNN that prosecutors were taking his text messages out of context in the indictment against him. And on Sunday he told George Stephanopoulos on ABC that he did not intentionally lie to the House Intelligence Committee, as Mueller charged, blaming instead a failure of memory. The special counsels office declined to say if they will seek a gag order, but former prosecutors and defense lawyers said they expect Jackson to impose one. The chances of her imposing a gag order, in my opinion, are 100%, said Shanlon Wu, who represented Gates when Jackson chastised the defendant for violating a gag order by recording a video message that was played at a fundraiser for his legal defense fund. Advertisement Jackson also scolded Manafort for issuing a public statement when Gates, his co-defendant, cut a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty. Gates ultimately testified against him. Wu said defense attorneys generally dont want their clients talking publicly anyway. I would say that if you took a poll of 10 defense lawyers, all 10 would say its crazy and it will only end up causing problems, he said. You dont have an opportunity to control the message. Steve Levin, another defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor, agreed. Advertisement I could imagine that Mr. Stones own lawyers would be happy with a gag order, he said. You have a defendant making statements that could contradict certain things he said before, and play into prosecutors hands. One of Stones lawyers, Grant Smith, defended Stones decision to speak publicly about his case. Roger speaks for himself, he said. Everybody will tell you that clients are the ones who direct their case. Lawyers give advice. And clients have the ultimate power to make the decision about how to proceed. The 24-page indictment against Stone portrays him as eagerly seeking to contact WikiLeaks, which received hacked emails from Russian operatives as part of Moscows covert effort to boost Trumps candidacy. Advertisement Sometimes he allegedly used Jerome Corsi, a far-right writer, as an intermediary. Corsi told MSNBC on Monday that Stone called him before the Washington Post released the Access Hollywood tape, which captured Trump boasting about sexual assault, on Oct. 7, 2016. Stone said WikiLeaks should start releasing more emails as a distraction, Corsi said, and soon after the organization started publishing messages hacked from the account of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. The allegation involving the Access Hollywood tape was not part of the indictment, and Smith denied that the phone call happened. Roger vehemently denies that, Smith said. And I have seen no evidence whatsoever that is truthful. In an assessment casting doubt on President Trumps goal of a nuclear-disarmed North Korea, U.S. intelligence agencies told Congress on Tuesday that the North is unlikely to entirely dismantle its nuclear arsenal. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, in testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, noted that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed support for ridding the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons and has not recently test-fired a nuclear-capable missile or conducted a nuclear test. Having said that, we currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD [weapons of mass destruction] capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capability because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival, Coats said in an opening statement. This skepticism about North Korea is consistent with the intelligence agencies views over many years and runs counter to Trumps assertion after his 2018 Singapore summit with Kim that North Korea no longer poses a nuclear threat. Plans for a follow-up summit are in the works, but no agenda, venue or date has been announced. In the meantime, U.S. intelligence agencies are observing activity that is inconsistent with full denuclearization, Coats said, without giving details. Advertisement More broadly, the intelligence report on which Coats and the heads of other intelligence agencies based their testimony predicted that security threats to the United States and its allies this year will expand and diversify, driven in part by China and Russia. It says Moscow and Beijing are more aligned than at any other point since the mid-1950s and their global influence is rising. The report also said the Islamic State group remains a terrorist and insurgent threat inside Iraq, where the government faces an increasingly disenchanted public. In Syria, where Trump has ordered a full withdrawal of U.S. troops, the government of Bashar Assad is likely to consolidate control, with Russia and Iran attempting to further entrench themselves in Syria, the report said. Asked for her assessment, CIA director Gina Haspel said of Islamic State: Theyre still dangerous, adding that they still command thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria. The intelligence assessment of Afghanistan, more than 17 years into a conflict that began after the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., projected a continued military stalemate. Without mentioning prospects for a peace deal, which appear to have improved just in recent days, the report said, neither the Afghan government nor the Taliban will be able to gain a strategic military advantage in the Afghan war in the coming year if the U.S. maintains its current levels of support. Trump has ordered a partial pullback of U.S. forces this year, although no firm plan is in place. Coats told the committee that Russia and perhaps other countries are likely to attempt to use social media and other means to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election. We expect our adversaries and strategic competitors to refine their capabilities and add new tactics as they learn from each others experiences, suggesting the threat landscape could look very different in 2020 and future elections, the intelligence report said. The report specifically warned about Russia, which U.S. intelligence agencies determined had interfered in the 2016 election to sway voters toward Trump. Russias social media efforts will continue to focus on aggravating social and racial tensions, undermining trust in authorities, and criticizing perceived anti-Russia politicians, it said. Moscow may employ additional influence toolkits such as spreading disinformation, conducting hack-and-leak operations, or manipulating data in a more targeted fashion to influence U.S. policy, actions, and elections. Advertisement The intelligence assessment, which is provided annually to Congress, made no mention of a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, which Trump has asserted as the basis for his demand that Congress finance a border wall. The report predicted additional U.S.-bound migration from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, with migrants preferring to travel in caravans in hopes of a safer journey. Michael Cohen, President Trumps former fixer turned vocal adversary, has swapped out his attorneys, one of his representatives said Monday, asserting that Cohen wanted new representation as he navigates testifying in various congressional inquiries. Lanny Davis, one of Cohens lawyers who also has served as his media representative, said in a statement that Cohen is bringing on Michael Monico and Barry Spevack two veteran Chicago lawyers from the firm Monico & Spevack to replace Guy Petrillo and Amy Lester, who had represented Cohen as he went through court proceedings in federal court in Manhattan. A person familiar with the matter said Cohen had fallen behind in his bills to Petrillo and Lester, although Davis disputed that this situation led to the change. Thats not the reason, Davis said. When pressed on whether Cohen was up to date in making payments, he added, Im not commenting on his current status in paying his bills. Advertisement Mueller investigation close to being completed, says acting attorney general On Monday, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) said Cohen had agreed to appear voluntarily before the House Intelligence Committee on Feb. 8 for closed-door testimony. He already had been issued a subpoena to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee, also a closed-door session, and is expected to do so Feb. 12, Davis has said. Cohen had been scheduled to appear in public before a third committee the House Oversight Committee that same month but backed out last week, citing threats from Trump and his lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, as well as advice of counsel. Trump has been publicly critical of Cohen for his cooperation with special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, called him a rat and suggested that Cohens father-in-law ought to be investigated. Cohen has pleaded guilty in two criminal cases in federal court in Manhattan one in which he admitted to engineering payments, in violation of campaign finance laws, to women to keep quiet about alleged affairs with Trump, and another in which he admitted to lying to Congress about a possible Trump Tower project in Moscow that he pursued during the heart of Trumps presidential campaign. He was sentenced in December to three years in federal prison. Everything you need to know about whos been charged in the Russia case Cohen has been cooperating with law enforcement, including Mueller, and has aired some of Trumps dirty laundry during court proceedings. He asserted, for example, that Trump directed him in the campaign finance violations, and that he had been living in a personal and mental incarceration since going to work for the real estate mogul. Lawmakers, though, have sought to call him as a witness in their own inquiries, hoping he will be able to reveal even more before he is scheduled to report to prison March 6. Cohens bringing on Monico and Spevack will mark his third adjustment to his legal team. He was first represented by Stephen Ryan who helped him prepare the congressional testimony that Cohen ultimately admitted was deceitful before switching to Petrillo and Lester. Petrillo, a veteran of the federal prosecutors office in Manhattan, was viewed as someone who could help Cohen navigate that offices investigations. Monico is a former federal prosecutor in Illinois, and Spevack is a criminal defense attorney with nearly four decades of experience. In a statement released by Davis, the two said: We look forward to helping Mr. Cohen fulfill what he has told us is his only mission to tell the truth as he knows it and to turn the corner on his past life and taking ownership for his past mistakes by cooperating as best as he can with all governmental authorities in search of the truth. Advertisement Matt Zapotosky writes for the Washington Post. A federal judge in Virginia has delayed Paul Manaforts sentencing on tax and bank fraud convictions until a dispute over his cooperation with the special counsels office is resolved. Manaforts sentencing hearing in federal court in Alexandria had been set for Feb. 8. A new date has not been scheduled. The postponement was sparked by allegations made by prosecutors in Manaforts related case in federal court in the District of Columbia, where the former Trump campaign chairman pleaded guilty to crimes related to his undisclosed lobbying work. The office of Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III said Manafort lied repeatedly to both the FBI and a grand jury after committing to offer truthful information. Manafort, 69, has maintained that he made honest mistakes he did his best to correct. Mueller investigation close to being completed, says acting attorney general Advertisement It appears that resolution of the current dispute in defendants prosecution in the District of Columbia may have some effect on the sentencing decision in this case; it is prudent and appropriate to delay sentencing in this case until the dispute in the D.C. case is resolved, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis said in an order Monday. Manaforts D.C. judge, Amy Berman Jackson, has scheduled a closed-door hearing for Monday to hear detailed evidence of the alleged lies. At a hearing last week, she said some of the governments claims are confusing or lack context, while some of Manaforts responses were conclusory and short on specifics. Much of the substance at issue remains under seal, although an accidentally unredacted filing made by Manaforts attorneys shed some light on the conflict. According to the special counsel, Manafort lied about sharing presidential campaign polling data with Konstantin Kilimnik, an associate the FBI has said has ties to Russian intelligence. Manafort also lied about discussing a Ukrainian peace plan with Kilimnik during the 2016 campaign, prosecutors allege, and about having ongoing contact with administration officials after Trump took office. Finally, prosecutors say Manafort lied about a $125,000 wire transfer in 2017. With illegal hush-money payments, ignorance could be legal bliss for Trump Manafort has said through his attorneys that he simply misremembered details of events that happened several years ago, many of them in the middle of a chaotic presidential campaign he helped lead. In Virginia, a jury found Manafort guilty of eight fraud-related crimes, and he faces decades in prison, although legal experts estimate a sentence of seven to 10 years. In D.C., Manafort pleaded guilty to two conspiracy crimes, capping any potential sentence at 10 years. But Jackson said she would consider Manaforts honesty in deciding whether or not to make her sentence consecutive or concurrent to any punishment he receives in Virginia. As part of his D.C. plea deal, Manafort admitted he was guilty of 10 charges on which his Virginia jury could not agree. Prosecutors have said they could bring back those charges at any time, along with those dismissed in D.C. They could also charge him with fresh crimes of lying to the FBI or obstruction of justice, prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said in court last week. Advertisement Rachel Weiner writes for the Washington Post. Kamala Harris, meeting Iowa voters face-to-face on Monday for the first time since becoming a presidential contender, laid out a progressive pitch centered on sweeping government initiatives on healthcare, climate change and middle-class tax cuts. Appearing at a televised CNN town hall at Drake University in Des Moines, Harris seemed at ease appealing to the Democratic base, including vowing never to vote for President Trumps proposed border wall, which she called a medieval vanity project. But she walked a delicate line in explaining her record as a prosecutor, which has garnered some criticism on the left for contributing to mass incarceration and running counter to progressive values. Ive been consistent my whole career As a prosecutor, my duty was to seek and make sure that the most vulnerable and voiceless among us are protected, and that is why I have personally prosecuted violent crimes, said the first-term U.S. senator from California. Advertisement Though Harris made no apologies for her past work, she conceded the larger shortcomings of the criminal justice system she worked in for years. Do I wish I couldve done more? Absolutely, she said. Largely, her policy positions aligned with progressives wish lists. She said that the country needed Medicare for All, a single-payer system that would massively expand the nations healthcare program for Americans over 65. She acknowledged that proposal would do away with private insurers. Lets eliminate all of that, she said of insurance companies. Lets move on. Her platform also included ambitious and expensive programs such as a Green New Deal, championed by freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which would pump money into clean energy jobs, and Harris own tax cut plan, directed at working low- and middle-income people. When one questioner, a pastor, asked about gun violence and its devastating effect on communities, Harris responded with a forceful call for smart gun laws. She criticized Congress for not passing stricter background check rules after a fellow lawmaker, Gabrielle Giffords, was shot, or after the massacre of children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Somebody should have required all of those members of Congress to go in a room and look at the autopsy photograph of those babies, Harris said. And then you vote your conscience. Advertisement Harris also portrayed herself as an ardent defender of the the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, the Obama-era protection for immigrants who were brought to the country illegally when they were young. The Trump administration has tried to rescind those protections and use them as a bargaining chip in its effort to build a border wall. I stand with you. There are so many of us who do, Harris told a young woman who is a DACA recipient. And we should not be trading on your life for the sake of the political games that this president is playing in trying to vilify young people like you who are doing nothing except being productive and believing in and living the American dream. The answer prompted some of the loudest applause of the night. But the audience was most enthusiastic when talk turned to Trump and which Democrat could beat him. Advertisement Though Harris did not mention Trump by name, she promised to conduct herself as a forceful counterweight to the president. Speaking like a leader means speaking in a way that expresses and indicates some level of interest and concern in people other than oneself, Harris said. And so right there, we will see a great contrast. Fresh off an Oakland mega-rally on Sunday with an adoring hometown crowd, Harris found her Iowa audience of Drake students and likely Democratic caucusgoers largely friendly as well. As the hourlong event progressed, Harris left her seat several times to address questioners, bantering with some of them. When a new mother asked whether Harris supported a national paid family leave policy, the senator answered in the affirmative before turning more personal. Advertisement Congratulations! Whatd you have? she asked. At times, Harris tendency to slip into talking points was on display. Her lament that there are powerful forces trying to sow hate and division appeared in answers to two questions, one about how to address racism and one about the #MeToo movement. Asked about the historic nature of her bid if successful, Harris would be the first woman and first woman of color to be president Harris recited an oft-told quote from her late mother: You may be the first to do many things but make sure youre not the last. To the editor: I was troubled to read the Jan. 21 article, 12 Catalan leaders face trial on charges of sedition and rebellion against Spain. I have tremendous respect for journalists work under difficult circumstances, but I find the article extremely biased on the secessionist side. Most people in Catalonia do not support independence from Spain, and their point of view should also be heard. The secessionist electoral support stood at a peak of 47.5%. When the Catalan parliament declared independence on Oct. 27, 2017, not only was the chamber half empty, but the declaration was made illegally. No sovereign country in the world recognized this declaration, which went against the Spanish Constitution. Furthermore, there was no democratic mandate. The Spanish Constitution does not recognize a right to self-determination or secession for any of its regions, just as the U.S. does not recognize such a right for any of its states. What would Americans think if the Texas House of Representatives declared independence, contravening the U.S. Constitution and disregarding warnings from the U.S. Supreme Court? Advertisement The keys are dialogue among Catalans and consensus within Catalan society to seek common ground, all while respecting Spains constitutional framework. Gabriel Colome, Barcelona The writer is a political science professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: The article on the unnamed physician who travels regularly to Texas to provide much-needed abortions is a powerful show of compassion. The topic of abortion is often characterized by the strident arguments of supporters and opponents, and less often we see the perspective from a point where judgment is suspended. This article explores the topic from a vastly different viewpoint, and in so doing it displays the courage of a doctor who does something that she believes is important. Even though there are people in this world who do not condone her work and who would do her harm, this doctor persists. Her compassion for other women is astounding, no matter if abortion is right or wrong. Crystal Parker, Long Beach Advertisement .. To the editor: I found the story on the California doctor who traveled to Texas to perform abortions deeply disturbing. It wouldnt have hit so hard to me if a friend hadnt lost her younger son four years ago, and her older son cannot have children. After going through the excruciating pain of a son dying from a rare disease, now she hears her older son and his wife are too old to adopt. What to do? How about a baby from Texas? It seems that dozens of people a day abort a fetus at this particular abortion clinic, and the Los Angeles Times is there to report it. How easy is it to solve this intractable problem of some people who are too fertile and others who cant produce one baby? Bonnie Selway, Manhattan Beach .. To the editor: The unnamed physician removes clumps of cells from women in procedures as safe as colonoscopies. Advertisement Words matter. Legally buying and selling chattel until the abolition of slavery meant that a certain kind of person did not belong to the human family. Yellowish-red tissue smaller than her little finger has the same function. Abortion pushes persons in construction out of the human family. That something is legal does not mean its moral. The choice of words in the article obfuscates the facts described. Maria Elena de las Carreras, Northridge .. Advertisement To the editor: This article vividly displays the heroism of doctors who travel extensively to provide abortions in under-served areas. It also gives the public a much-needed perspective on the incremental and insidious chipping away at womens reproductive rights. The sticker on the door of the Dallas clinic says it all: Every day good women have abortions. And thank you for bringing Column One back. Its a great start. Alison Mayersohn, Los Angeles Advertisement Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook My first thought upon hearing about the current measles outbreak in the Pacific Northwest was to wonder if Washington and Oregon are among the 18 states that allow parents to get waivers for their kids mandatory school vaccinations on account of their personal beliefs. The outbreak has sickened at least 35 people so far around Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore. You may recall that California allowed such exemptions until just a few years ago. A serious outbreak at Disneyland in 2014 woke lawmakers to the fact that the personal belief exemption had been allowing childhood immunization rates to decline to dangerous levels. They ended that exemption not long after and vaccination rates quickly started rising to safer levels. Phew. And, yup, turns out that both Washington and Oregon have laws that allow parents to opt out of the vaccination requirement if they have a philosophical or religious objection. Most of the kids sickened had not receive the vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella that is a standard requirement for kids entering public school. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Friday. Advertisement Its an emergency, all right of idiocy perpetrated by a few loud but uninformed voices who have scared parents into thinking that the medicine that will keep their kids safe will instead hurt them. There is no scientific evidence to support this fear, while the evidence grows steadily that allowing people to opt out of vaccinations for no good reason has real harmful consequences. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Health officials link anti-vaxx fears to outbreaks last year in New York and Europe. With vaccination rates dropping in states with lax vaccination laws, there is bound to be another one. Thats a real and even deadly threat not just to kids whose parents oppose vaccinations, but also to kids who for valid medical reasons cant be vaccinated and for babies who are too young to be inoculated. Washington lawmakers have responded appropriately by introducing a bill that would end the personal belief exemption. If they arent doing so already, Oregon legislators should do the same. After 17 years and the deaths of more than 2,400 American troops, U.S. involvement in Afghanistan might finally be coming to a close not with a decisive victory over the Taliban but with a negotiated settlement that could give the Islamist insurgents a role in governing the country again. Still, depending on the details, that could be preferable to continued, open-ended conflict with no guarantee of success. Although nothing has been finally agreed, U.S. and Taliban representatives meeting in Qatar have discussed a framework in which U.S. troops in Afghanistan, now numbering about 14,000, would leave the country along with other foreign forces. In exchange, the Taliban would offer assurances that Afghanistan wouldnt be used as a launching ground for attacks against foreign countries. Those terms might be the beginning, not the end, of a settlement that would also include new political arrangements in Afghanistan. It was the Taliban-controlled governments sheltering of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda that led President George W. Bush to order U.S. troops into Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks after first giving the Taliban the opportunity to deliver to United States authorities all the leaders of Al Qaeda who hide in your land. So there is a necessary symmetry to a demand by the U.S. that the Taliban agree not to harbor terrorists in the future as the price of its rehabilitation in a peace agreement. Talks between the U.S. and the Taliban arent the end of the process, but theyre an important beginning. Advertisement But while the original rationale for the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan was to stop that country from serving as a staging ground for international terrorists, the toppling of the Taliban also led to the merciful end of a puritanical government that for five years had oppressed and marginalized women. A constitution adopted in 2004 restored a measure of civic equality for women, and the Afghan government has promoted equality for women through a National Action Plan for Women of Afghanistan and a Ministry of Womens Affairs. According to a December 2017 report by the Congressional Research Service, Afghan women are performing jobs that were rarely held by women even before the Taliban came to power in 1996. The civil service, for example, is 22% female and there are more than 260 female judges, up from 50 in 2003. These gains are also a legacy of U.S. intervention. Its troubling to think that they could be rolled back if the Taliban regained even a partial share of the political power it once exercised. That is why it is important that the U.S., even as it negotiates directly with the Taliban, also press that group to deal with the Afghan government headed by President Ashraf Ghani, which the Taliban in the past has dismissed as an American puppet. To his credit, Zalmay Khalilzad, the Trump administrations chief negotiator, said that any deal with the Taliban must include an intra-Afghan dialogue and a comprehensive cease-fire. Khalilzad needs to bargain hard to convince the Taliban that it must negotiate in good faith not only with the U.S. but also with its fellow Afghans. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute The Taliban may have reasons of its own to do so. At least some in its leadership may prefer peace and a role in a power-sharing arrangement over continued conflict and the presence of foreign troops. The U.S. could play a part by making clear that, while it is eager to withdraw its remaining military forces, it would be willing to provide economic assistance to Afghanistan in the event of a peace agreement. Hopeful as the talks in Qatar may be, much remains to be done before diplomacy can be said to have triumphed. A successful agreement to end the fighting in Afghanistan will probably require the participation of Pakistan, which in the past has been criticized for sheltering Afghan militants but lately seems to be supportive of a peace process. President Trump may need to control his impatience for a deal and allow his negotiators more time to use the possibility of troop withdrawal as leverage in negotiations. The Afghan government needs to accept that sharing power with some elements of the Taliban is the price of peace, just as the Taliban may need to purge some of its extremist elements. Talks between the U.S. and the Taliban arent the end of the process, but theyre an important beginning. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook * The two-day Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 kicked off in Nay Pyi Taw on January 28 to provide local and international investors with opportunity to explore investment potential in the country. * Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, and his wife Peng Liyuan on January 27 met in Beijing with Ri Su Yong, a senior official from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and watched a performance by DPRK artists. * The Russian-run Hmeimim air base in northwestern Syria on January 27 intercepted three targets over the province of Latakia, the media of the Syrian army and its allies reported. * French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the Egyptian capital Cairo on January 27 evening on a three-day visit to the North African country to discuss bilateral cooperation with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the Egyptian state TV reported. * About 70,000 people took part in the 2nd "Rise for Climate" march on the rainy streets of Brussels on January 27 to pressure the Belgian government and the European Union to increase their efforts to fight climate change. * The central committee of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party recommended on January 27 evening the formation of a national unity government soon. * Pakistan said Sunday it has closed its consulate in Afghanistan's city of Mazar-e-Sharif after a woman tried to take a hand grenade inside the building. * The head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran urged on January 27 the EU to implement their obligations within the framework of the Iranian international nuclear deal, official IRNA news agency reported. * Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrived in Egypt on January 27 on a 24-hour working visit on boosting bilateral ties." * The Afghan army waged an operation and freed 38 people from a Taliban prison in eastern province of Ghazni overnight, authorities said on January 28. * A terrorist has surrendered to the Algerian military authorities in the southern province of Tamanrasset, while two terror-linked suspects were arrested in the eastern province of Constantine, Defense Ministry said in a statement Sunday. * The Saudi Arabian government will spend SAR100 billion (US$27 billion) in 2019 and 2020 as part of its industrial development programme, Aabed Abdullah al-Saadoun, deputy minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources said on January 28. * At the meeting on January 27 with the French Ambassador to Libya Beatrice du Hellen, Libya's Interior Minister Fat'hi Bashagha called for strengthening security cooperation with France. . * Jordan started on January 27 receiving half of its daily needs of natural gas for electricity production from Egypt, an official said Sunday. Jordan used to receive around 250 million cubic feet of gas per day from Egypt in 2004. The volumes were reduced in 2009 and came to complete halt in 2011 after attacks by terrorist groups on the pipeline in Sinai that provided gas to Jordan. * Ten people were killed and two wounded in a shootout on January 27 between two armed groups in the southwestern Mexican state of Guerrero, the state government said. It is good that Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Sheila Kuehl want to look into Sheriff Alex Villanuevas troubling reinstatement of a deputy who had been fired on allegations of domestic violence. On Tuesday the full Board of Supervisors would be wise to adopt their motion, which calls on county lawyers to tell them how to deal with conflicts between the supervisors and the sheriff, all of whom are independently elected officials. But the board should go further, examining Villanuevas views more generally about disciplining sheriffs deputies and his role in it. To understand why that is important, all the supervisors have to do is listen to the sheriffs startling defense of his actions and his statements to an oversight commission about the countys entire structure of employee discipline. They will hear Villanueva make the astounding assertion that deputies should not be fired for domestic violence or perhaps for any misconduct, although he was less clear on that point unless criminal charges have been brought. They will hear him say that law enforcement officers should not be fired for actions unrelated to their employment. They will hear him call county civil service hearings a kangaroo court and assert that fact-finders and decision-makers are directed to make particular rulings or are offered financial incentives to do so. Villanueva has made some serious allegations about the integrity of the county employee discipline system and about his power to override it. Advertisement And then they will understand the scope of the problem they have on their hands. Either they have to overhaul the county civil service system for the second time in several years, or they have to gear up for a series of conflicts with a sheriff who apparently believes he was put in office by voters to ease up on problem deputies. The Barger-Kuehl motion was sparked by Villanuevas rehiring of Caren Carl Mandoyan, a deputy who had been fired following allegations of domestic violence and who later played a key role in Villanuevas successful campaign against incumbent Jim McDonnell. Villanueva told the Civilian Oversight Commission that he rehired Mandoyan after consulting with top Sheriffs Department staff and county lawyers. When commission members learn what he knows about the situation, he told them, theyll see that the decision was a no-brainer. But theres a two-fold problem, and Villanueva appears to be missing at least half of it. The issue is not simply domestic violence and its long and troubled history in law enforcement agencies. Its also the sheriffs belief that he has the right and duty, on his own initiative and with no oversight, to rehire a person whose firing was upheld on appeal. Any other department head who doesnt like a Civil Service Commission decision has to go to court and see if a judge agrees. But if Villanueva is allowed to proceed his way, the county is in danger of replacing its civil service process with an old-school spoils system, in which elections determine not only whos the boss but who gets to wear a deputys badge. Like other civil service systems, L.A. Countys was established to ensure that department chiefs and managers could not retaliate against workers for personal, political or other inappropriate reasons. And in fact, the countys system did have some serious problems but they were the opposite of those that Villanueva claims. The system was too lax on employees especially sheriffs deputies, who ought to meet a higher standard than other departments workers but who nevertheless are protected by a host of procedures that apply only to law enforcement officers. The county was long represented in disciplinary proceedings by poorly trained or insufficiently skilled advocates who failed to competently defend terminations or other discipline decisions. That meant that employees with good lawyers, often provided by their labor unions, could readily win reinstatement at the preliminary stage or when appealing to the full Civil Service Commission, whose members are appointed by labor-friendly supervisors. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute As sheriff, McDonnell said he would terminate deputies for misconduct, only to be forced to take them back when the county failed to adequately defend his decisions in hearings. Advertisement The Board of Supervisors addressed the problem by requiring better training for advocates and hearing officers. Now a few terminations that formerly would have been overturned were upheld including Mandoyans, by a unanimous Civil Service Commission. Villanueva has made some serious allegations about the integrity of the county employee discipline system and about his power to override it. The supervisors motion should seek a full investigation and a public response: Is the county civil service process truly corrupt? Or is the new sheriff simply clueless? Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Heavy snow and powerful wind created blizzard-like conditions across parts of the Midwest on Monday, prompting officials to cancel about 1,000 flights at Chicagos airports and close hundreds of schools. But forecasters warned the most dangerous weather is yet to come: frigidly low temperatures that the region hasnt seen in a quarter century. Snowplow drivers had trouble keeping up with the snow in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where some areas got as much as 15 inches. Chicago-area commuters woke up to heavy snowfall, with more than 5 inches already on the ground. In Michigan, non-essential government offices were closed, including the Capitol. But the snow is only Part 1, and maybe even the easier part because temperatures will plunge over the next three days, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center. Wednesday is expected to be the worst. Wind chills in northern Illinois could fall to negative 55 degrees, which the National Weather Service called possibly life threatening. Minnesota temperatures could hit minus 30 degrees with a wind chill of negative 60. Advertisement Youre talking about frostbite and hypothermia issues very quickly, like in a matter of minutes, maybe seconds, Hurley said. Cold weather advisories are in effect across a broad swath of the central U.S., from North Dakota to Missouri and spanning into Ohio. Temperatures will be as many as 20 degrees below average in parts of the Upper Great Lakes region and Upper Mississippi Valley, according to the National Weather Service. Men use blowers to clear the snow from the skating rink in Millennium Park in Chicago. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) The unusually frigid weather is attributed to a sudden warming far above the North Pole. A sudden blast of warm air from misplaced Moroccan heat last month made the normally super-chilly air temperatures 20 miles above the North Pole rapidly rise. That split the polar vortex into pieces, which then started to wander, according to Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. One of those polar vortex pieces is responsible for the sub-zero temperatures across the Midwest this week. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel urged residents to check on their neighbors and take safety precautions. He said city agencies are making sure homeless people are in shelters or offered space in warming buses. Hundreds of schools were closed across Michigan as road conditions deteriorated, including Eastern Michigan University. The largest public school districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota also were among those closed, including districts in Milwaukee and St. Paul. Minneapolis Public Schools announced there would be no classes through Wednesday. The cold also prompted officials to close some schools in eastern Iowa, and Chicago Public Schools officials said they were monitoring the weather ahead of Wednesdays cold snap. Ice forms on Lake Michigan in Chicago as an arctic blast moves into the Midwest (Antonio Perez / Associated Press) In eastern North Dakota, officials issued travel alerts because of blowing snow. The Minnesota State Patrol was responding to scores of spinouts and crashes Monday in the Twin Cities metro area because of snow-covered and icy roads. Advertisement Even the fabled frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, home to the NFLs Green Bay Packers, wasnt able to withstand the heavy snow and wind that closed hundreds of businesses, schools and government offices in Wisconsin. The stadium said tours, the Packers Hall of Fame and other related businesses were closed Monday. Two suspects are dead after a Monday shooting that wounded five Houston police officers, including four who were hit as they tried to serve a search warrant at a home where drug selling was suspected, the police chief said. About a dozen officers with the Houston Police Departments narcotics unit were attempting to serve the warrant when they forced open the homes front door and immediately faced gunfire from one or two individuals, Police Chief Art Acevedo said. Police targeted the southeast Houston home following a tip that black tar heroin was being sold there, Acevedo said. Once the officers breached the door and the gunfire began from the suspects, one of the suspects actually retreated momentarily to the back of the room and then that suspect came back and again engaged the officers in gunfire, Acevedo said at a Monday evening news conference. Advertisement It was not immediately known how many officers returned fire. Two suspects were found dead after SWAT officers used two robots to go into the home and determine that it was safe to enter after the gunfire stopped. At this time we can confirm 5 officers have been struck and transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, Medical Center and Ben Taub General Hospital. Further updates will be provided as available. #hounews Houston Police (@houstonpolice) January 28, 2019 All the officers were taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston. Four officers were shot, with two being hit in the neck. Those two officers underwent surgery and were in critical but stable condition, Acevedo said. Were hopeful that they will recover, Acevedo said. The other two officers who were shot were in stable condition and were able to walk around, Acevedo said. They were expected to remain hospitalized for at least 24 hours. A fifth officer, who suffered a knee injury, was also in stable condition. Acevedo didnt immediately have additional information about the suspects. The names of the injured officers were not immediately released. Advertisement This has been a tough day for our city, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. Pray for (the injured officers) and pray for their families. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement that the shooting was a solemn reminder of the service and sacrifices made by officers. Lawyers for the family of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man who was shot and killed by police in March 2018, filed a civil rights lawsuit Monday seeking more than $20 million from the city of Sacramento and the two officers at the center of the controversial shooting. The federal lawsuit follows a wrongful-death claim the family filed against the city in September, alleging battery, negligence, false imprisonment and failure to summon medical attention for the 22-year-old Clark. The family was seeking $35 million in punitive damages: at least $20 million for Clarks two children and $15 million for his parents and grandparents. Dale Galipo, the attorney representing Clarks family in the lawsuit, said the city has not issued its finding as to whether Sacramento Police officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet were within policy or whether they will be disciplined. Were hopeful the city will consider reaching an amicable settlement, Galipo said. Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that Mercadal and Robinet fired 20 rounds at Clark, hitting him at least eight times, including several shots to his back. Clark, who was holding only a cellphone, died at his home in the Meadowview neighborhood. The lawsuit claims that the officers violated Clarks constitutional rights and that they were negligent because they failed to identify themselves as police officers and gave no proper warning to Clark about the use of deadly force before firing their guns Plaintiffs have also been deprived of the lifelong love, companionship, comfort, support, society, care and sustenance of [Clark] and will continue to be so deprived for the remainder of their natural lives, according to the 31-page court document. The familys suit says the shooting has caused them emotional distress, including anxiety, grief and fright. The lawsuit also blames the city for not properly training the police officers. A spokesperson for the Sacramento Police Department could not be reached for comment. The shooting occurred on March 18, 2018 when two officers investigating reports of someone breaking into cars chased Clark into a yard, where authorities say he turned and advanced toward the officers while holding what they thought was a firearm. Clarks death sparked a massive outcry in the weeks that followed and intensified simmering tensions between the police and the citys black community. Demonstrations have been held outside the Sacramento County district attorneys office, urging the filing of criminal charges against the police officers. Advertisement Video footage released by the Sacramento Police Department in April showed that officers waited almost five minutes after firing their weapons to approach Clark to deliver medical aid. Officers apparently were concerned that he was armed and playing dead. Galipo said federal civil rights lawsuits are the only way to hold law enforcement officers accountable because few officers are ever criminally charged, which adds to the ongoing frustrations of the community. Its like the kid that misbehaves at school, Galipo said. If theres no repercussion, the conduct continues. In August, Sacramento police unveiled a new foot pursuit policy created by the departments use of force committee, which is made up of community members and police officers. The policy directs officers to consider safety factors for the protection of themselves and the public before deciding to pursue a suspect. Theyre also required to turn on their body cameras and identify themselves, and must provide some details about the chase and suspect. Advertisement ruben.vives@latimes.com For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter. New and soon-to-be parents working for Los Angeles businesses would be guaranteed up to 18 weeks of paid leave at as much as 100% of their usual wages under a new proposal at City Hall. City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and Councilman David Ryu, who introduced the plan Tuesday, argued that it would support family bonding and help businesses retain employees. Paid parental leave is good for families. Its good for business. And its good for Los Angeles, Ryu told reporters, adding, Parents should not have to choose between paying the bills and raising a family. Many details remain to be hammered out by city staffers, including whether small businesses and nonprofit organizations would be exempt from the requirement and whether the city would help offset the costs for companies. But the fledgling proposal could significantly bolster the paid leave that new and soon-to-be parents would be guaranteed in the city. Advertisement California is ahead of much of the country in providing paid leave for new parents, offering eligible employees 60% to 70% of their previous pay for up to six weeks. That time is paid for out of a payroll tax deducted from employee paychecks. But only a fraction of California parents who are eligible end up taking that time off, and poorer workers have been less likely to do so. Martinez said Tuesday that existing state and federal programs often cater to white-collar economies while leaving out the low-wage workers and people of color. California also provides disability benefits for pregnant and postpartum mothers, which can increase the amount of partially paid time off for parents by up to 12 weeks. That brings the time off that many California workers can potentially take to 18 weeks at 60% to 70% of their pay, Ryu said Tuesday. Under the new proposal, L.A. employers would have to make sure that their workers get up to 18 weeks of paid time off around the birth, fostering or adoption of a child, at as much as 100% of their pay. Employers would have to make up the difference between any existing state benefits the workers receive and their normal wages. This would be a huge step forward for working families and help them make meaningful the promise of paid family leave from the state, said Julia Parish, senior staff attorney with the nonprofit Legal Aid at Work, which advocated for a similar ordinance to boost pay during parental leave in San Francisco. Although parents would be eligible for up to 100% of their previous pay, the draft proposal says that the city would cap the total compensation received by eligible workers, limiting the maximum to the annual cost of living for a parent and child in Los Angeles. A Ryu aide estimated the current amount around $65,000, citing an analysis from the California Budget and Policy Center. Employees would be eligible if they worked inside Los Angeles city limits for companies that meet specific requirements, including withholding a percentage of worker earnings for State Disability Insurance Tax payments, Martinez and Ryu said in a policy brief detailing their proposal. The Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., which advocates for San Fernando Valley businesses, called the plan an extremely expensive one-size-fits-all parental leave policy and complained that it places the burden squarely on employers, many of whom will be unable to pay. Advertisement By mandating one particular vision of parental leave 18 weeks of subsidized, fully paid leave this motion leaves employers and their parent employees no financial wiggle room to work out a solution that works for their individual circumstances, the groups legislative affairs director, Elizabeth Hawley, said in a statement Tuesday. Hawley added that the group feared unintended consequences of such a well-intended but potential misguided policy, such as companies moving out of Los Angeles. Beacon Economics founding partner Christopher Thornberg, who has analyzed previous city proposals to boost wages, said that if L.A. leaders want businesses to shoulder new costs, they should offer some sort of cost relief to the company. Backers of paid parental leave counter that studies of existing programs in California and San Francisco have shown benefits for employers, including reduced turnover among workers and improved productivity. Martinez and Ryu suggested that the requirement could be phased in over three years, with the biggest businesses affected first. Advertisement Their motion asks for city attorneys and staffers to report back on options for a Paid Parental Leave Ordinance, analyze its potential effects on small businesses and how the city could mitigate them, and come up with a timeline and framework for implementation and enforcement. Ryu and Martinez said they hoped for a vote on a new law by the end of the year. Mayor Eric Garcetti voiced early support for the idea Tuesday, applauding the two council members for leading the way. Paid leave for parents has gained growing attention among political leaders in California and beyond: Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed expanding the Californias paid parental leave program from six weeks to six months. His current budget proposal calls for a task force to consider how to phase in the expansion, as well as how to increase participation in the program. Advertisement Beyond California, a record number of states have introduced bills in the last legislative session to create programs or expand access to paid parental leave, said Vicki Shabo, vice president for workplace policies and strategies for the National Partnership for Women & Families, which advocates for family leave. And at the federal level, were seeing more and more conversation not only among Democrats, but across party lines, Shabo said. The new proposal is the latest move by Los Angeles leaders aimed at helping workers. L.A. has been boosting its minimum wage to $15 an hour, a decision backed by the council four years ago over the objections of some business groups. Council members have also boosted the number of paid sick days that workers can earn, putting the city requirement at double the state minimum. Times staff writer Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report. Advertisement emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes Border Patrol agents arrested a man in Salton City after they found liquid methamphetamine in his gas tank, authorities said. Rene Elizalde, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, was driving on Highway 86 shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday when he approached Border Patrol authorities at an inspection booth, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. A K-9 alerted agents to the vehicle, a large Ford F-250 pickup, Border Patrol said. After the dog targeted the passenger side of the vehicle, agents inspected the interior of the trucks gas tanks using a fiber-scope camera. Advertisement In one of the gas tanks, agents saw a liquid that did not look like gasoline, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement. A test revealed the tank contained methamphetamine. Authorities determined Elizalde was carrying 75 pounds of liquid methamphetamine, which would sell on the street for nearly $200,000, according to Border Patrol officials. The man, his truck and the drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is investigating. Liquid methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous form of the narcotic and thankfully our agents were able to prevent it from advancing further into the United States, chief patrol agent Gloria Chavez said. Our communities are much safer with these drugs off our streets. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the publics help in finding a man who was caught on video punching two women in downtown Los Angeles. The assault occurred Friday night near 6th and Spring streets, according to LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar. The two women were waiting to buy hot dogs from a street vendor when the man in front of them began arguing with the seller, Aguilar said. One of the women told him to grab his hot dog and go because the line was getting longer, she said, and he took offense to it and punched her. Advertisement A man who was standing a few feet from the women captured the assault on video and shared it with the women while also posting it on his Facebook account. Attention Los Angeles this guy brutally punched two women at a hotdog stand on Jan. 26 in the area of 6th & Spring. Someone knows him, and we would like to be one of those people. If you have any info contact Detective Gonzalez 213-996-1851 (after hours contact 213-486-6606). pic.twitter.com/DN1Og1lToM LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 29, 2019 The video shows a tall, bearded man with a mohawk and a tattoo on his left forearm punching each woman in the face with a closed fist. He punches first one woman and then another woman who steps in to confront him. The man then punches the first woman as she tries to get up from the ground and delivers a roundhouse punch to the second woman, knocking her to the ground as well. The man is then seen fleeing in the video. Aguilar said the women were taken to a nearby hospital. Both suffered concussions, and at least one of the women suffered a broken finger. The women reported the assault the next day. Aguilar said none of the bystanders notified police about the attack, which she says is now being investigated as an assault with a deadly weapon. If people dont call, Aguilar said, the police cant do anything. Advertisement Anyone with information that could help detectives in the case is asked to contact Det. Gonzalez at (213) 996-1851 or after hours at (213) 486-6606. ruben.vives@latimes.com For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter. Nearly 50 victims of human trafficking, including 14 minors, were rescued during a three-day sting operation across California last week, law enforcement officials announced Tuesday. State and federal agencies arrested 339 people, including 156 men on suspicion of solicitation, during the coordinated effort, which involved cyber detectives posing as teenagers. At a downtown Los Angeles news conference, Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Maria Gutierrez urged all parents to monitor their childrens internet use. Predators, she said, operate freely in cyberspace. Advertisement In Los Angeles County, Gutierrez said, sheriffs detectives arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with child pornography after finding several video clips showing the assault of a 6-year-old. When San Bernardino County sheriffs officials arrested a man at a motel in Ontario, she said, the suspect, who responded to a decoy message from law enforcement, had a loaded pistol and meth in his pocket. In his vehicle, officials found seven other firearms, including assault weapons. In Contra Costa County, a 54-year-old man used a social media site to groom and entice what he thought was a 14-year-old boy, she said. The man sent the boy photos of $100 bills and told the child to meet him at a park. When the man arrived, Gutierrez said, he was arrested by members of the task force, including the undercover officer who had posed as the boy online. Police in Fresno rescued two sisters one 17, the other 14 who were sold from one pimp to another for $6,000, Gutierrez said. The first pimp, she added, threatened the sisters with violence and forced them into prostitution. It often takes several positive interactions before trafficking survivors begin to trust authorities, said Kay Buck, chief executive of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking. Some of those key breakthroughs, she said, happened during this operation. A 19-year-old woman forced by two men to prostitute herself in Los Angeles said she could hardly believe her interaction with a sheriffs detective, Buck said. In her words, the detective told me he wanted to help me, not arrest me. Ive never been told that before by police, Buck said. In those simple but powerful words, that detective made the difference in that young womans decision to go to a shelter that evening or instead go back to the streets. The woman, Buck said, chose a shelter. Advertisement Since its creation in 2015, members of the L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task Force have rescued more than 300 victims 220 of whom were minors. The task force has arrested more than 1,500 people, including about 460 men on suspicion of buying sex and more than 320 suspected pimps. The arrests, officials said, have led to the filing of 11 cases in federal court. Last weeks sting operation, which ended Saturday, was a collaborative effort of the L.A. task force and more than 90 other agencies across the state. Federal authorities detained 10 Chinese nationals who were smuggled into the U.S. on a panga-style boat that landed in the Sunset Beach section of Huntington Beach on Monday afternoon, officials said. Two Latino men were also detained, though their role in the incident was not immediately clear, Matthew Rice of the Department of Homeland Security told reporters. Its unclear where the boat traveled from, but it came ashore near Pacific Coast Highway and Anderson Street shortly before 3 p.m. Nine of the Chinese nationals were men and one was a woman. The U.S. Coast Guard determined they were in good health, Rice said. Seal Beach police helped detain several occupants of the boat, said Sgt. Mike Henderson. Advertisement This article will be updated as more information becomes available. Matthew Rice, Homeland Security, gives briefing as 10 Chinese-origin men and women, and 2 Hispanic men take into custody for questioning after their panga boat lands in #Surfside #Orangecounty #HB @LANow pic.twitter.com/VeHrzD4xSX Allen J. Schaben (@alschaben) January 29, 2019 alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek A Los Angeles Police captain alleged in a lawsuit against the department that she was the victim of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment after a deeply humiliating photo of a nude woman was passed around the force that some falsely claimed was her. The lawsuit is the latest in a series of serious allegations made by women in the department describing a crude, sexist culture inside the ranks. Capt. Lillian Carranza, who oversees the commercial crimes division that handles high-profile burglary investigations, claims the LAPD knew the image was repeatedly shared by department personnel along with derogatory comments about her. The picture was shared along with another sexually explicit image of a detective. That detective, Ysabel Villegas, reported her incident to Glendora Police Department last November and has since got a restraining order against a male officer she says was responsible for beginning to circulate her image. In her report, she noted that another LAPD woman was also the subject of sexual photos being circulated. Advertisement In the suit filed Friday, Carranza alleges that LAPD Deputy Chief Debra McCarthy, who oversees internal LAPD investigations, has been aware of that information from the police report since last November and yet the department took no steps to inform (her) of said misconduct specifically targeting her. The chief encourages us to be vocal and transparent, but nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to sexual harassment. You are given a gag order, and then they do nothing to correct it, Carranza, 50, said in an interview. Zero tolerance in the LAPD for such behavior is symbolic. The reality is it is tolerated. Carranza said the department ordered her not to discuss her specific allegations. This is indicative of why it is so hard to recruit and promote women here, she added. The LAPD does not comment ongoing litigation. The lawsuit is latest in a series of scandals related to sexual conduct and harassment in recent months. Assistant Chief Jorge Villegas retired suddenly after an under cover LAPD unit found him and a subordinate involved in sexual activity inside his unmarked police cruiser. Carranza said she asked McCarthy and the department to make clear that the female in the photograph in question was not in fact Plaintiff, but nothing was done to communicate and condemn the sharing of the image, according to the suit. McCarthy could not be reached for comment. Advertisement On Thursday, Carranza replied to the #MeTooMVMT #MeToo hashtag on Twitter, signaling she was a survivor of sexual misconduct. Carranza says it is the latest in a series of derogatory incidents she has suffered as a female LAPD supervisor. In November 2013, a detective supervisor teaching a training class was captured on audio telling Carranza was a very cute little Hispanic lady and she been swapped around a bunch of times. The detective, Frank Lyga, also suggested she could not find her behind with her hands, according to the lawsuit. Carranza claims in the lawsuits that the department knew of the recording of the incident but never informed her until the officer who made the recording approached her with the tape. Advertisement The captain said she has endured years of sexual harassment inside a hostile workplace for women that included, verbal harassment, epithets, derogatory comments, and/or slurs. Last August, Carranza sued the LAPD, alleging she was passed over for promotion when she brought forward evidence of some police divisions under-reporting crime statistics. Then-Chief Charlie Beck denounced the allegation as damn lies. Last April, a jury awarded Officer Linda Allstot $3 million after her now-retired boss at internal affairs retaliated after she reported his sexual harassment by putting her under surveillance using a secret unit within the department. The city settled the case for $1.8 million after the judge cut the award by the jury. Meanwhile, LAPD Officer Daniel Reedy is under investigation by police and prosecutors after Det. Villegas accused him of assault and distributing explicit images of her without her permission. Villegas, who has acknowledged having an extramarital affair with Reedy, was granted an extension of a restraining order against him. Advertisement Villegas is married to Jorge Villegas, the former assistant chief. He is the subject of an internal affairs investigation after sources said undercover officers witnessed him and a female subordinate in what appeared to be sexual activity inside his department-issued car outside a bar. Villegas announced his retirement in October and has declined to comment. richard.winton@latimes.com Twitter: @lacrimes Presenting gifts to 100 patients, VFF President Man, also a member of the Party Central Committee, spoke with them and expressed his sympathies for their difficulties, especially having to stay in hospital for treatment during Tet a time for family reunions. The gift presentation was an activity of the Support Fund for Cancer Patients For a Bright Future that aims to offer aid to cancer patients. The official hailed the funds work over the last seven years to provide more than 24,000 patients with cash and anti-cancer drugs worth some VND 400 billion (US$ 17.35 million) in total. Such assistance has helped assure patients they are not alone in the fight against cancer, he added. He said he hopes the fund will continue developing across the country and boost connections with localities, hospitals and the Vietnam Medical Association. VFF President Man also praised efforts by staff of Bach Mai Hospital during its 108-year history to become a leading healthcare establishment. Los Angeles school officials on Tuesday approved a new teachers contract despite concerns it places the struggling system at increased financial risk, while separately backing a resolution meant to slow down the booming charter school movement that has drained students from L.A. Unified. The sweeping actions by the Board of Education deliver on promises the district made to teachers, who staged a six-day strike earlier this month. The contract both sides agreed on got classrooms open again. But a new analysis by the L.A. County Office of Education raised alarms about whether the district could afford the terms of the deal, with officials saying the district would eventually fall below its required reserves. The county oversight agency stopped short of urging a rejection of the contract, but it warned L.A. Unified that it would have to submit a revised three-year budget plan. Advertisement The school district has been struggling financially due in part to the rise of charter schools, which have expanded greatly in Los Angeles and have reduced enrollment in district-run public schools. During intense negotiations, L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner had agreed to bring forward a resolution calling for a moratorium on new charters in L.A. Unified until a study could be completed on how they affect traditional schools. A moratorium would require action by state officials and so the resolution was non-binding. But district teachers pushed for it and local charter operators forcefully opposed it, with more than 1,000 charter supporters turning out Tuesday to protest outside district headquarters, just west of downtown. As the protest took place outside, board members inside voted unanimously to approve a contract with teachers that will run through June of 2021. As things stand, the school system appears to be unable to meet all of its budget obligations. The contract is not sustainable on an ongoing basis, Debra Duardo, superintendent of the Office of Education, said in a statement. If the district does not take the necessary steps to avoid financial risk, then the county agency would appoint a fiscal advisor with the authority to override district spending decisions. One problem with the contract that the Office of Education cited is its optimistic assumptions about state revenue projections, based on the budget proposal submitted by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The county agency objected to counting dollars that were not yet guaranteed. The state budget has yet to be approved by the Legislature. The county also was concerned about a projection that the districts reserve fund would fall just below legal requirements in three years. The county has expressed such concerns before, and the union, United Teachers Los Angeles, dismissed them as it has before. Advertisement L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner said hes well aware of the districts financial challenges indeed, he had repeatedly called attention to them during contract negotiations. Still, he said, the contract was the right step forward and that all parties had compromised to get to an agreement. Resolving the labor conflict would allow all groups to focus on shared challenges, such as cutting costs, and obtaining more revenue from the state and federal government and from ballot initiatives. We are at a historic moment to start addressing these issues, Beutner said. This contract is not an end. It is a beginning. Board member Nick Melvoin said the district would have to make the contract pencil out: Its up to us, collectively, to make it sustainable. Teachers and their union leaders have long been concerned about the rapid growth of charters even as district enrollment is declining overall because of population trends. Charters are privately operated public schools that compete with L.A. Unified and with each other for students. Most charters are non-union. Advertisement The districts declining enrollment has created financial pressure on L.A. Unified, which has had trouble cutting costs and faces increasing burdens from underfunded programs to provide retirees with pensions and health benefits. L.A. Unified serves about 486,000 students in the schools it operates. L.A. Unified has 225 charters more than in any other school system in the country serving about 112,000 students. There is no limit on how many charters can open, and some have closed because they, too, cannot attract enough students. In the view of some, this constant competition is healthy and likely to lead to better educational options and outcomes. Critics, including the union, insist that more effort and more resources should go toward existing schools, allowing them to remain sources of stability within their communities. On Tuesday, dozens of charter schools pulled students from class to give them the civics lesson of assembling en masse for a rally and for impassioned speeches before the Board of Education. Advertisement The topic that triggered the fiercest response was the resolution, written by board member Richard Vladovic, calling for a state study on how charter schools affect traditional schools, as well as an eight- to 10-month local moratorium while the study is being completed. Among the protesters was Lexi Hopp, an 18-year-old senior at Granada Hills Charter High School. I felt that it was important to be here today because students and families should have the choice of where to go to school, she said. Not every school is perfect. So every school, every family, needs to have their choice of where to send their student, to have the best fit possible for them. Charter school graduate Manuel Vasquez, center, speaks at pro-charter school rally. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP) Advertisement Manuel Vasquez, one of the speakers at the rally, took aim at the deal that was brokered by Beutner, union President Alex Caputo-Pearl and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who was mediating. I dream of a day when three old, privileged, white guys wont bargain away our public school choice, said Vasquez, a staff organizer for the California Charter Schools Assn., who graduated from a local charter school. We want charter schools! protesters chanted, along with parents choice! Some protesters said they had come to oppose a ban on charter schools, although existing charters would not be affected under the moratorium. And the district still must approve new local charters unless state officials act to change the law. Advertisement Her voice breaking with emotion, parent Roxann Nazario told board members that a moratorium would hurt her fifth-grade daughter and other students because the east San Fernando Valley has too few charter options for middle and high school students. She challenged the board to act against low-performing district schools instead. There also were parents who testified strongly in favor of the moratorium. Leaders of the teachers union had pushed hard for the resolution during negotiations, even though it was outside the scope of the formal contract. Initially, the resolution had seemed unlikely to get the four votes needed to pass. Three of the six board members were elected with substantial financial backing from charter school supporters. But board President Monica Garcia, a charter supporter, broke ranks. Advertisement The resolution was part of the package to end the strike, Garcia said after the meeting. And I supported ending the strike, and the superintendent, and the negotiating team, and all partners that brought us back. L.A. Unified board President Monica Garcia affirmed her support for charters at a Tuesday rally, but still voted for a resolution that could slow down their growth. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) She added that a study might have value and that it was important for all parties to come together. Kelly Gonez, who was elected with substantial support from charter school backers, also voted yes. The no vote came from Melvoin. Advertisement Teachers have already approved the new contract, with 81% voting yes, according to preliminary figures. The contract calls for a 3% raise retroactive to July 1, 2017, and an additional 3% raise thats retroactive to July 1, 2018. Teachers gave up about 3.5% of their pay for this year by being on strike. The deal also is supposed to provide full-time nurses at every campus, librarians at every secondary school and additional counselors at high schools. Class sizes would drop slightly next year and even more in subsequent years, provided there is enough revenue. howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume Rosaline chef Ricardo Zarate and his chef de cuisine, James Jung, will open Pikoh in West Los Angeles on Feb. 4. The menu is a hodgepodge: smoked salmon tartine and shakshuka in the morning; chicken tonkatsu sandwiches and burgers at lunch; Shigoku oysters with avocado mousse and filet mignon at dinner. 11940 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 928-9344, pikohla.com Kensho Chef Joseph Geiskopf and business partner David Wynn, co-owners of the Echo Park all-day spot Triniti, will open a tiny, 25-seat place named Kensho on the grounds of the Hollywood restaurant Yamashiro. Kensho will offer a few composed dishes by day and eclectic, Japanese-influenced a la carte tasting menu-style dishes with sake and wine at night; Geiskopf anticipates its debut in the third week of February, with dinner service to begin after March, when he returns from a trip to Japan. Advertisement 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles, @kensho.hollywood L.A. Birria L.A. Birria is a new stand open daily in West Adams, serving tacos with birria de res, or beef-based birria. Tapping a recipe from one of the partners Guadalajara-raised grandmothers, the tented set-up specializes in cheesy tacos dorados fried in the birrias own beef fat, along with comforting cups of consomme for dipping and sipping. West Adams Boulevard, one block west of Crenshaw Boulevard, @l.a_birria Kass Wine Bar + Restaurant Kass Wine Bar + Restaurant will open Jan. 31. Christophe Eme, former chef of the now-closed French fine-dining restaurant Ortolan, is behind the causal La Brea spot, which he says will serve oysters, charcuterie, cheese and dishes including oxtail parmentier and chicken cooked in clay alongside a Loire-heavy wine list. 320 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 413-2299, facebook.com/Kass-Wine-Bar-Restaurant-150108282510463/ Dolans Uyghur Cuisine Advertisement Dolans Uyghur Cuisine is now open in Alhambra. It serves naan filled with lamb, steamed manti with sweet pumpkin and legs of roasted mutton. A whole roasted lamb can be had for $468 with 48 hours notice. Bring friends. 742 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, (626) 782-7555, dolansuyghurcuisine.business.site El Segundo Brewing Co. El Segundo Brewing Co. recently opened a restaurant of its own called the Slice & Pint. Twelve of the brewerys own beers are on draft, with five taps for guests, along with Italian American fare such as meatballs marinara, mozzarella sticks, garlic knots and pizzas. Advertisement 130 W. Grand Ave., El Segundo, (310) 529-3882, thesliceandpint.com Closings The Walker Inn, a cocktail bar hidden within the Normandie Club in Koreatown, will close Feb. 17 after four years. In a statement, 213 Hospitality says the space will be utilized for an expansion of the Normandie Club. Cape Seafood and Provisions, the ambitious Fairfax retail shop specializing in wild caught seafood and shellfish from chef Michael Cimarusti, will have its final day of service Jan. 31. Advertisement food@latimes.com @latimesfood A whos who of young Hollywood (those who werent at Sundance, at least), came out for the screening at the 1923 Los Feliz landmark theater, complete with branded popcorn and snacks, including Miley Cyrus, Rowan Blanchard, Amandla Stenberg, Rainey Qualley, Mamie Gummer, Sydney Sweeney and more. The short film, which stars Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) as a wannabe actress, takes on the theme of the Hollywood-zation of war. Set in a mock Iraqi village constructed for training purposes on a Santa Clarita military base, it centers around a cast of Miu Miu-clad Hollywood actors involved in their own narrative of trying to make it (and make audition tapes), all while acting in high-stakes role-playing exercises with soldiers around fake car bombs and raids. I was really interested in making a film that felt like you were in a foreign land, but was inherently extremely American, said Gates of the project, which can be viewed on miumiu.com. The world is so crazy and I thought it would be interesting if we put a low-stakes story in a high-stakes environment. Gates, who has also modeled for Miu Miu, wrote the story with Shawkat in mind. This is the first job Ive gotten because Im Iraqi, joked the actress, during a Q&A after the screening. How was it for you to watch, because personally, I hate everything I have ever made, came a question from the back of the theater in Cyrus unmistakable drawl. I had a sick feeling in my stomach, but now I feel like a Band-Aid has been ripped off, Gates replied, not forgetting to hat-tip to her patron, who gave her creative control when it came to making Shako Mako, which translates from the Iraqi to mean what is everything, what is nothing, with the only stipulation being that she had to use Miu Miu clothing, in this case the spring 2019 collection. Advertisement Natalie Joos from left, Miley Cyrus and Diplo. (Rob Latour / WWD / REX / Shutterstock) Miuccia Prada and Verde Visconti, these two people have been allowing women to make films without notes since before any of you all cared about female directors, she said of the designer (who did not make the trip to L.A.) and the Prada VIP/special projects director respectively. Miu Miu no longer has a store in the L.A. market (the Rodeo Drive location closed last year), but is looking for a new space, according to a brand representative. The last time it premiered one of the tales in L.A. was in July 2011. We meet people at the very beginning, then they get a lot of exposure from the tales, and after this they have a big opportunity, said producer Max Brun. Jussie Smolletts Los Angeles concert on Saturday is still on. The Empire star and musician was the victim of a possible hate crime in Chicago on Tuesday, but he is still scheduled to perform solo at the Troubadour, the fabled West Hollywood venue, according to the concert booker, Sean Healy Presents. Were going on with the show as far as we know, until we hear anything different, said Paul Kacik, a buyer for Sean Healy Presents, when reached by The Times early Tuesday afternoon. Kacik said details will go out to ticket holders if anything changes. He had not heard otherwise from Smolletts camp. Advertisement Smollett has not commented publicly on the attack, which has been condemned by many of his peers, politicians and fans, but a retweet of a Monday plug for the Troubadour show was among his latest social-media posts. As of Tuesday afternoon, tickets (starting at $20) were still available for Saturdays show. Best known for his work on Foxs musical drama Empire, which he stars in and writes music for, the actor has been a musician for much of his career. F.U.W., a 2017 single, was his critique of the Trump administration and its policies. Smollett released his debut solo album, Sum of My Music, in 2018. Hurt People, a standout track, was inspired by Nelson Mandela, and the accompanying music video was filmed in South Africa. Follow me: @NardineSaad Chicago police are still seeking evidence to help identify the people who attacked Empire star Jussie Smollett early Tuesday morning in that city in what authorities are calling a possible hate crime. We continue to seek any available evidence/video to identify possible offenders in this case, tweeted Chicago Police Department Chief Communications Officer Anthony Guglielmi on Tuesday afternoon, asking for anyone who might have been in the area around the time of the attack to send information via www.cpdtip.com. Thus far we have not found anything to be able [to] put out a description, Guglielmi added. UPDATE: We continue to seek any available evidence/video to identify possible offenders in this case. Anyone who may hv been in area of 300 E North Water St btwn 1-3a should send info to https://t.co/g9Q1Srtgmc. Thus far we have not found anything to be able put out a description pic.twitter.com/wxdA0OOjZz Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 29, 2019 Advertisement Smollett, a highly visible advocate for LGBTQ equality, endured a racially charged and homophobic attack, the Chicago Police Department said in a statement to The Times on Tuesday. Police identified him only as a cast member of the television show Empire. Around 2 a.m., two people approached the 36-year-old actor while he was walking in an affluent area of downtown Chicago and got his attention by yelling racial and homophobic slurs, the statement said. They then hit him in the face and poured an unknown chemical substance on him, police said. At some point during the incident, one of the offenders wrapped a rope around the victims neck, the statement said. The offenders fled the scene. The actor took himself to Northwestern Hospital, where he was listed in good condition, police said. TMZ reported that he was discharged Tuesday morning. The site also said that the assailants recognized Smollett from the Fox series, poured bleach on him and yelled This is MAGA country (a reference to President Trumps slogan Make America Great Again). However, Chicago police could not confirm those details to The Times. TMZ also reported that the FBI had been investigating a racist letter sent to Foxs studios in Chicago. Detectives are investigating the matter and Smollett is fully cooperating with investigators, police said. Authorities said they are working to gather video and potential witnesses. We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our Empire family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment said in a statement to The Times. We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice. The entire studio, network and production stands united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate and especially against one of our own. Advertisement Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon in the Season 2 premiere episode of Empire in 2015. (Chuck Hodes / Fox) Smollett has not yet publicly addressed the attack, which has been condemned by many of his peers, politicians and fans, but the entertainer is still scheduled to perform a solo concert at the Troubadour in West Hollywood on Saturday. On Empire, he plays a gay character, and the actor came out during a 2015 interview with Ellen DeGeneres. On Instagram, Empire creator Lee Daniels posted an emotional and expletive-laden video about the incident and reiterated some of the unconfirmed details linked to the crime. Its taken me a minute to come to social media about this because, Jussie, you are my son, he said in the video. You didnt deserve, nor anybody deserves, to have a noose put around your neck, to have bleach thrown on you, to be called die, or whatever they said to you. You are better than that. We are better than that. America is better than that. Advertisement It starts at home. It starts at home, yo. We have to love each other regardless of what sexual orientation we are because it shows we are united on a united front and no racist ... can come in and do the things that they did to you, Daniels added. Hold your head up, Jussie. Im with you. Empire executive producer and director Danny Strong was also among the many to condemn the attack. On Twitter, the Emmy winner said he was deeply horrified and saddened. He is a kind and profoundly talented soul whom I respect with all my heart. The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live, Strong wrote. [W]hoever did this, do not forget that you are nothing but hate filled cowards while Jussies talent and activism will continue to shine a bright light on to the world for decades to come. Advertisement Im deeply horrified and saddened by the racist and homophobic attacks against @JussieSmollett. He is a kind and profoundly talented soul whom I respect with all my heart. The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live... Danny Strong (@Dannystrong) January 29, 2019 LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD told The Times that it reached out to Fox, which broadcasts Empire, and Smolletts team Tuesday to offer assistance as well as support for him. Our hearts are with Jussie Smollett as he recovers from a hate-motivated and repugnant attack in Chicago, said GLAAD President and Chief Executive Sarah Kate Ellis. Jussie has always used his voice and talent to create a better world, and it is disgusting that anyone, especially someone who has done such good for so many, would be targeted by undeniable hatred. Ellis added that Smolletts experience is not unique and that countless LGBTQ and people of color, as well as those who belong to both communities, are faced with hate-motivated violence on a near daily basis. Advertisement As news of Smolletts attack spread, an outpouring of support sprang up on social media, with Smolletts colleagues, politicians, fans and social justice organizations tweeting their support for him and their disgust for the crime. Heres a sampling of what they had to say: Sending love, healing, and support to @jussiesmollett. We ALL have a responsibility to rise up against the ignorance and hate out there. If you know who did this, REPORT THEM TO THE POLICE. https://t.co/Q0PZdMeDtZ pic.twitter.com/XlkGbvUTIC shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 29, 2019 DEAR GOD! Prayers and justice for Jussie Smollett. kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 29, 2019 Advertisement Truly, Im angry right now. Our entire community suffers when one of us is attacked. Sending love and light to Jussie and all those impacted by the senselessness of hate. Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) January 29, 2019 I cant believe we still live in a country where hate is so severe. My heart, love and healing thoughts go out to @JussieSmollett. Im with you, my friend. Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) January 29, 2019 Advertisement .@JussieSmollett has always been a part of the TIME'S UP family. Our hearts are with him and the Smolletts, and all those who have ever been a target of this kind of despicable hate. TIME'S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) January 29, 2019 I am so angered and saddened. I cannot form the right words. I weep at this monstrous display hatred and racism. All I can say of worth is that we love you deeply @JussieSmollett. This will not stop your light. We wont let it. Candice Patton (@candicepatton) January 29, 2019 Advertisement When a community member is attacked with racially and homophobic charged words, it is a hate crime. Not alleged. Not possible. Not apparent. We demand justice for Jussie Smollett. https://t.co/VAcZSgeLhd ACT UP New York (@actupny) January 29, 2019 Our thoughts are with Jussie Smollett after this horrifying attack. Its a tragic reminder that racism and homophobia are still rampant in the U.S. @HRC applauds the Chicago Police Department for investigating this attack against @JussieSmollett as a possible hate crime. https://t.co/IIsy23e4zH Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 29, 2019 Advertisement This is horrific. What kind of country do we live in. https://t.co/unvzWmo6XD George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 29, 2019 At a loss for words. https://t.co/07mtwLAybL Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) January 29, 2019 This is horrific. Jussie was allegedly attacked by MAGA white supremacists. This increase in hate and violence in our country is no coincidence. Youre in our thoughts Jussie. Enough is enough. #WeLoveJussie https://t.co/edkkE4nfIO Women's March (@womensmarch) January 29, 2019 The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe. To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime I urge you to pay attention. https://t.co/EwXFxl5f2m Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 29, 2019 Advertisement Hate never wins. Praying for my brother @JussieSmollett in his recovery.https://t.co/u4VQsKfUsm Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) January 29, 2019 I love you so much @jussiesmollett. Your spirit is strong. Your resilience is hardwired. My brother you are fortified in healing energy from most high that is already seeing you through. pic.twitter.com/5HirCmaRt9 Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) January 29, 2019 Sending my love and prayers to you @JussieSmollett . This is unacceptable and they will be brought to justice. Matt Bomer (@MattBomer) January 29, 2019 Get better soon @JussieSmollett. This makes me sad and angry. https://t.co/zhdAKu009P Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) January 29, 2019 Advertisement OMG!! THIS is why the LGBTQ community continue to fight to be seen and PROTECTED against hate! We ALL have to take this racist and homophobic act of violence very personally! My arms are around you @jussiesmollett. You are loved! https://t.co/bprDZ3Luah Viola Davis (@violadavis) January 29, 2019 I just hope there is justice in this hateful and targeted act of violence. Sending @jussiesmollett my love and wishing him a speedy recovery. We love you. https://t.co/CReCJi2Hn6 Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 29, 2019 Jussie Smollett was violently attacked by two white men who poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck. He was targeted for being black and for being gay. THIS is why we have to have zero tolerance against homophobia and racism. Jussies life matters. Olivia Munn (@oliviamunn) January 29, 2019 Advertisement Standing with and sending love to @JussieSmollett today... this is a racist hate crime and is disgusting and shameful to our country #WeLoveJussie KATY PERRY (@katyperry) January 29, 2019 So sad and horrified at this #JussieSmollett attack. Jussie you are in our thoughts and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. Hate will not win. Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon) January 29, 2019 Sending love and light to @JussieSmollett. This has to stop. We need our Country back. Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) January 29, 2019 Sending so much luv and healing energy your way @jussiesmollett. we know that youll continue to change the world Fergie (@Fergie) January 29, 2019 Advertisement Just landed in #Rwanda &read of the brutal attack on @JussieSmollett. If anyone in Chicago knows anything or can help the investigation in any way, please come forward. The voices of love, community, inclusion, &protection must outweigh the cowardly voices of hate. Sending LOVE Bellamy Young (@BellamyYoung) January 29, 2019 Dear Lord!!!! WTF?! America wtf?!!! My prayers and support for @JussieSmollett! https://t.co/rej1tmGLIc Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) January 29, 2019 NAACP Statement on Racist and Homophobic Attack on Jussie Smollett https://t.co/Hpl2E6rAXV NAACP (@NAACP) January 29, 2019 Twitter: @NardineSaad John Malkovich will grace the London stage this summer to play an unpleasant yet prominent Hollywood movie tycoon accused of sexual misconduct. On Tuesday, producers announced that the Oscar-nominated actor will play the leading role in David Mamets Bitter Wheat in its London world premiere. The play tells the story of a depraved Hollywood mogul whose sexual transgressions result in a steep demise. In an interview with the BBC, Malkovich said the play started as a reaction to all the news that came out, in particular about Harvey Weinstein but clarified that the leading character, named Barney Fein, is not particularly Harvey Weinstein. Malkovich said the play is a black farce about a very badly behaved movie mogul. The story, he added, is a great deal about [the Hollywood] business. Advertisement Hes not expecting everyone to love the work, he admitted. Of course, it might upset people whove experienced the kind of treatment that the play describes and that we watch. But what can I do about that? he said, adding that he thinks its a terrific piece of writing. In October 2017, the New York Times and the New Yorker published stories describing decades of sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein by dozens of women, many of whom were leading Hollywood actresses. The news echoed across the world and sparked the #MeToo movement. Harvey Weinstein hires Jose Baez, lawyer who won Casey Anthony acquittal, to lead his defense The former movie producer has denied all accusations of non-consensual sex. Mamet will direct Bitter Wheat, which will run at Londons Garrick Theatre from June 7 to Sept. 14. All-Star third baseman Adrian Beltre, who spent the last eight seasons with the Texas Rangers, has listed his Dallas mansion for $3.38 million. The listing arrives roughly three months after the four-time All-Star announced his retirement. He bought the estate in April 2011 a few months after inking a five-year deal with the Rangers worth $80 million. Presenting a dramatic French Country-inspired style, the 2008 home sits behind gates on three-quarters of an acre. Hand-scraped wood floors, beamed ceilings and chandeliers give a formal feel to the living spaces. Advertisement In 8,204 square feet, there are five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The main level holds a formal dining room with paneled walls, a wood-covered office, a two-story living room and a stone-accented kitchen with two ovens and sinks. Other highlights include a movie theater, loft, game room and wet bar with a wine cellar. French doors access a covered wood-and-stone patio with a fireplace out back. Past that, a swimming pool and spa anchor the landscaped yard. Lillie Young of Allie Beth Allman & Assoc. holds the listing. Beltre, 39, spent two decades in the MLB, including stints with Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox and Rangers. In addition to four Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove Awards, he became the fourth third baseman in league history to hit 400 home runs and 1,500 RBIs. The slugger has owned real estate in L.A. County as well. Seven years ago, he dealt his four-acre estate with a 2,500-square-foot batting cage for $17.4 million in Bradbury. jack.flemming@latimes.com | Twitter: @jflem94 It was one of those unexpected moments that provide a telling glimpse of why healthcare costs are so ridiculously high. For weeks, my foot had been killing me the ball of the foot and the tendons up top. Id taken to hobbling around my home and the office. So I scheduled a visit to a podiatrist. Ill call him Dr. Feet. Dr. Feet had no difficulty diagnosing my problem as high arches, which were throwing my tendons out of whack and creating all that pain when I walked. He said a decent pair of insoles probably would fix things. Advertisement Yeah, I could buy a pair of over-the-counter insoles for anywhere from $20 to $60. But Dr. Feet was pretty adamant that this wouldnt be as effective as a pair of custom-made orthotic insoles, which, as it happened, his office could handle. I asked how much that would cost. Hundreds of dollars, Dr. Feet acknowledged, including insurance. Ever the cheapskate, I asked which over-the-counter brands he liked. Dr. Feet opened his drawer and took out a pad containing pictures of insoles made by a single manufacturer, Superfeet. He circled one and said some patients had reported positive results. OK, lets pause for a moment and look at what happened there. After my condition was diagnosed, the doctor immediately launched into a sales pitch for a specialized medical product he could provide that can cost up to $800. The actual manufacturing cost reportedly is below $100. It is, in other words, a major revenue generator thanks to an absurd markup (see: last weeks column on prescription eyewear). Advertisement But look what happened next. I asked about generic alternatives, and the doctor was clearly primed to recommend a specific (and costly) brand, with marketing materials within reach that presumably were provided by the manufacturer. Which is to say, his recommendation appeared to have been influenced by a for-profit companys sales efforts. Did money change hands? Were other perks provided? I have no idea. But it wouldnt be the first time a healthcare professional received special favors from the medical industry for serving as a stealth sales rep. Ive been stewing on this since seeing an editorial in the latest Journal of the American Medical Assn. noting that marketing by healthcare companies rose to almost $10 billion a year by 2016, compared with $2 billion in 1997. Advertisement Of that amount, at least $6 billion is being spent annually on the drug ads you see any time you turn on your TV. During one televised sporting event, two drug commercials ran consecutively, the editorial noted, one for a drug to help individuals fall sleep, followed by one for another drug to help individuals stay awake. Were one of only two countries that allow direct-to-consumer drug marketing, the other being New Zealand. All other developed nations have concluded that ordinary consumers arent in a position to make informed decisions about prescription pharmaceutical products. It also was reported the other day that insulin prices doubled from 2012 to 2016. The cost of living over the same period rose just 6.5%. Advertisement These soaring prices for a century-old drug are due in part to the global insulin market being controlled by just three drug companies, which get away with charging whatever they want. The price hikes are due as well to the companies increasingly costly marketing campaigns, which aim to capitalize on the global diabetes epidemic as a business opportunity. One upshot: Some people with diabetes are now rationing their high-priced insulin, which can result in serious complications and even death. My sore foot is small potatoes by comparison. Advertisement But my experience with Dr. Feet trying to upsell me to high-priced, custom orthotics was indicative of the larger trend of putting the financial squeeze on patients, and of patient interests occasionally taking a back seat to profits. How did that Superfeet pad end up in Dr. Feets exam room? Ellen Harwick, trade marketing manager for the Ferndale, Wash., company, was surprisingly open to discussing Superfeets marketing efforts. She acknowledged to me that the firm reached out directly to healthcare professionals to try to influence their interactions with patients. Harwick said, however, that most of that outreach was to general practitioners and chiropractors, not podiatrists, who she said frequently tackled issues that went beyond the power of over-the-counter insoles to solve. Advertisement Harwick said a likely scenario was that a Superfeet sales rep interacted with the pharmacy at the hospital where Dr. Feet worked, and the pharmacy in turn passed along the marketing materials to Dr. Feet and other specialists as a way to move inventory. All I know is that Superfeet is prominently displayed in the pharmacys foot-care section, which I made a beeline to as soon as I left Dr. Feets office. And when I asked the pharmacist which brand she recommended, she didnt hesitate to say Superfeet. At $50, the companys insoles were twice as expensive as others on display, and I was told I couldnt return them once Id tried them out. Did they work? Not as well as hoped. Advertisement I also ordered two different pairs of arch-support insoles from Amazon. One, made by Waki Home ($19.98), did pretty well. The other, from WalkHero ($14.89), was even better. And for puttering barefoot around the house, I cant say enough about the JERN arch support compression band, which provides enormous relief for just $11.95. Maybe it was just a coincidence that Dr. Feet steered me into purchasing a healthcare product that cost more than double what alternative and, for me, more effective products cost. But if you look at the bigger picture, its hard not to believe that patients are routinely being manipulated for business purposes, and that the healthcare industry is just that. An industry. Advertisement Americas healthcare costs are the highest in the world. Yet our lifespans are shorter and our infant mortality rate is higher than in other developed countries. Something is obviously screwed up. It makes my foot hurt just thinking about it. David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com. With a high-level Chinese delegation coming to Washington on Wednesday for trade talks, many on Wall Street and in Americas corporate board rooms are hoping it will mark a turning point in President Trumps trade war with China. But theres little chance of a quick resolution or an immediate removal of the tariffs that have been hanging over the fragile global economy. For one, Trump in recent days has tempered his earlier optimism for a breakthrough. After previously sending tweets such as talks with China are going very well and big progress being made, Trumps remarks of late have been more measured. And hes spoken positively about the money coming in from the tariffs he imposed last year on Chinese goods. He also has repeated his warning that those tariffs 10% additional taxes on $200 billion of imported Chinese products, including clothing, fish and suitcases will go up to 25% after March 1 if theres no deal by then. Advertisement More significantly, Trumps lowering of expectations for the upcoming two days of talks reflects the reality on the ground. The kinds of structural changes that U.S. negotiators are demanding from China halting intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer, for example simply wouldnt happen overnight. It would take months for Beijing to implement changes in its books and carry them out in the real economy. And until it sees real results, the Trump administration isnt likely to lift tariffs that are in place or give up the option of raising them should China backslide on its commitments. Robert Lighthizer, Trumps top trade negotiator, is seeking specific and verifiable actions, given Chinas vague and unfulfilled promises in the past. Lighthizer is a longtime China skeptic, but some other administration officials who have Trumps ear, notably trade advisor Peter Navarro, are outright China hawks and are pushing for a decoupling of Americas economy from Chinas, convinced Beijing is a big military and economic threat to the United States. Trump also faces political pressure from China hard-liners on both sides of the aisle in Congress. I increasingly worry that the range of [U.S.] demands are such that there will never be a deal, said Nicholas Lardy, a China economy expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Chinese officials have signaled a willingness to make meaningful concessions but will probably want some things in return, such as a U.S. pullback on tariffs. And with a March 1 deadline still more than a month away, its unlikely that Liu He, Chinese President Xi Jinpings right-hand man on the economy who is leading the Chinese delegation, will show all his cards right away. As a result, Claire Reade, a former assistant U.S. trade representative responsible for China and senior counsel at Arnold & Porter, has modest expectations coming out of this weeks negotiations. The best realistic outcome is an announcement that they had very constructive talks, are working very hard, and with all the issues on the table, are exploring solutions to them, she said. Advertisement Liu went to the White House twice last year as Xis emissary and was burned both times. On the day of his first visit, Trump announced steel tariffs, and on the second go-around, the president ended up nixing a deal that Liu had struck with Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. On Monday, just before talks were set to begin, the Justice Department fired a legal broadside at Chinese telecom giant Huawei, alleging that the company engaged in a long-running scheme to deceive banks and the U.S. government about its activities in Iran. The Chinese vice premier will do everything he can to avoid political embarrassment a third time. The face-saving way out is to announce an extension of talks, said David Loevinger, an analyst at TCW Emerging Markets Group in Los Angeles and former Treasury Department official on China. Nonetheless, the renewed senior-level talks, which follow a 90-day cease-fire that Trump and Xi agreed to in Argentina on Dec. 1, have raised hopes among U.S. investors and business leaders that a deal will come together by March 1. Thats a big part of why stock markets have bounced up from their steep declines in December. Advertisement To be sure, both sides have incentives to strike a deal. The global economy is weakening, thanks to a flagging European economy and a sharper-than-expected slowing in China, which is contending with a debt overhang and the trade war. The U.S. economy and job market, while still solidly growing, also looks to be softening this year as the stimulus from the tax cuts wears off and financial conditions have tightened. Trump has frequently said that China badly wants a trade deal because of the hit to its economy and depressed stock market. But Trump has his eyes on volatile U.S. stocks as well, and while Chinas economy grew last year at its slowest pace in nearly three decades, it still expanded at a robust 6.6% rate, according to Chinas official data. Whats more, analysts say the United States doesnt have as much leverage as Trump may think. China isnt as dependent on trade as in the past. Their economy is not existentially threatened because of the United States or the trade friction, Reade said. Just how much ground China is willing to give remains to be seen, and its unclear what will be enough for Trump. He has often talked as if the only thing that matters in economic relations with China, or any other country for that matter, is the trade balance. Advertisement By far, Americas biggest trade shortfall is with China. On exchange of goods, the U.S. trade deficit with China probably exceeded a record $400 billion last year, based on the latest data through October. The Chinese are expected to offer big purchases of U.S. products, particularly agriculture and energy, as well as cuts in Chinese tariffs on imported goods, such as cars. Overall, Chinas average tariff level of 9.9% is nearly three times higher than the U.S. rate of 3.5%. But Lighthizer is pressing for much more than that. What he and many others in government and business want are fundamental changes in the way Beijing operates its economy, specifically an end to policies that unfairly disadvantage U.S. and other foreign players. Chinas subsidies to its domestic companies are a major U.S. sore point. Advertisement Under Xi, the Chinese government has strengthened its support of state-owned firms, even though 40% of these enterprises are losing money and have sucked up a lot of bad debt, Lardy says in his new book, The State Strikes Back: The End of Economic Reform in China. Reformers in China would like to cut back on state-owned firms, but the politics of doing so in a timely manner is going be difficult, Lardy said in an interview. And no one thinks that Xi will give up his signature Made in China 2025 blueprint to build up domestic champions to be global leaders in robotics, avionics, new-energy vehicles and other cutting-edge industries. Another major issue for the U.S. side is Chinas long-running practice of requiring foreign firms to set up joint ventures with Chinese partners in order to do business in China. Currently, foreign car manufacturers operating in China, including Ford and General Motors, have a maximum 50% controlling share, and there are lower ownership caps for other industries. China has announced plans to eliminate or relax such restrictions for auto and other sectors, and analysts say that would allow U.S. firms to operate wholly owned companies in China and thus have greater ability to safeguard their intellectual property, among other things. Advertisement During the upcoming talks in Washington, Beijing is likely to hold up a draft of a revamped foreign investment law. Analysts say that could help level the playing field for foreigners in areas such as government procurement, as well as provide protections so they would not be pressured to hand over technologies and trade secrets to have access to the Chinese market. But even as Beijing is moving on the proposed law, experts wonder whether and when they will yield proven results, if at all. China doesnt have an independent judiciary and there are a host of other political incentives to spur development of domestic firms. Its unclear how the changes will be enforced and monitored. You cant just pass a law, Reade said. You have to see the activity on the ground thats changing, but that takes time. The latest from Washington Advertisement More stories from Don Lee Associate Professor, Dr. Dong Van He, Deputy Director of the hospital cum Head of its Neurosurgery Centre, said that this method has been applied for a long time by developed countries around the world, but it is the first time Vietnam has implemented this technique. The patient is a 36-year-old Hanoian with glioma syndrome. When conducting surgery, the patient was still awake and talked normally with the doctors. "In particular, during the operation, the patient also sang the national anthem with a very relaxed mood to forget the operating time", Dr. He informed. Talking about the preeminence of the method, He said, the surgery to remove 6cm brain tumor of the patient lasted from 10 am to 4 pm. During the awake operation, the surgical staff was capable of knowing which area was the patient's sensitive zone through communication to avoid invading functional areas that may cause injuries. In particular, the awake surgery helps minimise the sequelae for patients during surgery, such as paralysis, movement dysfunction and language disorder. After the surgery, the patient was fully alert and was discharged from hospital after about a week. It is worth noting that the surgical cost is not higher than the classic method, He added. To prepare for the special operation, right from the beginning of 2018, experts from the hospitals Neurosurgery Centre contacted Japanese experts to set up plan, undergo training and find appropriate patients. Recently, the centre has brought five operating rooms into operation, with modern equipment meeting the world standards. It has been recognised as a member of the Asian Congress of Neurological Surgeons, after the association surveyed the centre recently. Fluid-inspired material self-heals before your eyes It's hard to believe that a tiny crack could take down a gigantic metal structure. But sometimes bridges collapse, pipelines rupture and fuselages detach from airplanes due to hard-to-detect corrosion in tiny cracks, scratches and dents. A Northwestern University team has developed a new coating strategy for metal that self-heals within seconds when scratched, scraped or cracked. The novel material could prevent these tiny defects from turning into localized corrosion, which can cause major structures to fail. "Localized corrosion is extremely dangerous," said Jiaxing Huang, who led the research. "It is hard to prevent, hard to predict and hard to detect, but it can lead to catastrophic failure." When damaged by scratches and cracks, Huang's patent-pending system readily flows and reconnects to rapidly heal right before the eyes. (Watch video.) The researchers demonstrated that the material can heal repeatedly -- even after scratching the exact same spot nearly 200 times in a row. The study was published today (Jan. 28) in Research, the first Science Partner Journal recently launched by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in collaboration with the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). Huang is a professor of materials science and engineering in Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering. While a few self-healing coatings already exist, those systems typically work for nanometer- to micron-sized damages. To develop a coating that can heal larger scratches in the millimeter-scale, Huang and his team looked to fluid. "When a boat cuts through water, the water goes right back together," Huang said. "The 'cut' quickly heals because water flows readily. We were inspired to realize that fluids, such as oils, are the ultimate self-healing system." But common oils flows too readily, Huang noted. So he and his team needed to develop a system with contradicting properties: fluidic enough to flow automatically but not so fluidic that it drips off the metal's surface. The team met the challenge by creating a network of lightweight particles -- in this case graphene capsules -- to thicken the oil. The network fixes the oil coating, keeping it from dripping. But when the network is damaged by a crack or scratch, it releases the oil to flow readily and reconnect. Huang said the material can be made with any hollow, lightweight particle -- not just graphene. "The particles essentially immobilize the oil film," Huang said. "So it stays in place." The coating not only sticks, but it sticks well -- even underwater and in harsh chemical environments, such as acid baths. Huang imagines that it could be painted onto bridges and boats that are naturally submerged underwater as well as metal structures near leaked or spilled highly corrosive fluids. The coating can also withstand strong turbulence and stick to sharp corners without budging. When brushed onto a surface from underwater, the coating goes on evenly without trapping tiny bubbles of air or moisture that often lead to pin holes and corrosion. ### "Self-healing microcapsule-thickened oil barrier coatings" was supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR N000141612838). Graduate student Alane Lim and Chenlong Cui, a former member of Huang's research group, served as the paper's co-first authors. This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. As PG&E Corp. prepares to file for bankruptcy, victims of wildfires are getting a preview of how theyre likely to be treated as the utility reorganizes: harshly. PG&E files for bankruptcy. Electricity prices are likely to rise for millions of Californians Ahead of an expected filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, the company is skipping payments it agreed to make to people whose property was destroyed in a 2015 blaze in the Sierra Nevada foothills caused by a tree falling on a power line a fire, known as the Butte fire, that officials have blamed on PG&E subsidiary Pacific Gas & Electric Co. So far, Californias largest investor-owned utility has failed to make payments of about $1.5 million to four families whose properties were destroyed by the Butte fire, and it appears prepared to turn its back on at least seven other settlement agreements worth about $2.5 million, according to plaintiffs lawyer Amanda Riddle. Advertisement PG&E told a judge in a Jan. 23 letter that money is too tight now to commit to honoring the settlements two days before the company said its board approved a $75,000 raise for its senior vice president of gas operations. They have wildfire victims whove been through litigation, went through a mediation, negotiated a settlement, reached an agreement with PG&E and are ready to be paid, Riddle said. And PG&E refuses to pay them. California utility equipment sparked more than 2,000 fires in 3 years The utility has said that bankruptcy is in the best interests of wildfire victims to ensure fair and expeditious resolution of their claims while it faces billions of dollars in liabilities from 2017 and 2018 California wildfires. (Its not guaranteed that PG&E will enter bankruptcy, however: On Monday, the company was fielding last-minute proposals from some of the biggest names in the investment world to keep it solvent, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Whether PG&E was considering those proposals was unclear.) The company has already settled with 2,900 Butte fire victims and has shared its position on remaining settlements with lawyers and mediators to ensure that everyone is fully aware of whats happening, a PG&E spokeswoman said in a statement. Victims of wildfires caused by PG&Es equipment are unsecured creditors, meaning their legal claims in bankruptcy get paid after those of secured lenders such as banks, and even after financial analysts and bankruptcy lawyers, who are expected to charge hundreds of millions of dollars. The victims of the 2015 fire say theyre different because they have agreements in hand, fought for and negotiated over years before PG&E decided to file for bankruptcy, and a date by which they were supposed to be paid. PG&E hasnt cited the Butte fire which burned 70,000 acres and destroyed almost 500 homes as a reason for its needing protection from creditors. Advertisement PG&E hasnt run out of money. So why is it planning to file for bankruptcy? PG&E is backing out of settlements even as California fire investigators exonerated it last week in the most devastating blaze of 2017: the Tubbs fire, which tore through part of the city of Santa Rosa. That exoneration may release the company from more than $9 billion in potential liabilities. Riddle said some of the agreements were reached in December after Novembers Camp fire, which is suspected of having been ignited by PG&E equipment and was the deadliest and most destructive blaze in California history. The conflict over Butte fire settlements is as straightforward as it is unfortunate, Christopher Tayback, a lawyer for PG&E, said in a Jan. 23 letter to Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Allen H. Sumner. Until the company files for bankruptcy, Tayback wrote, PG&E hopes and expects that it will be able to make payments as they come due, including contractual obligations such as settlement agreements. Advertisement However, PG&E faces liquidity problems and is prioritizing payments to deliver gas and electricity, the lawyer added. As a result of all these factors, PG&E cannot commit to pay one potential creditor over any other in the days prior to filing for bankruptcy. Under federal law, PG&Es bankruptcy filing would automatically put on hold thousands of claims by fire victims filed in California courts. In that scenario, the Butte fire cases would be lumped with all other fire victims fighting it out against other unsecured creditors, such as bondholders, to get money from the utility. Mike Danko, a lawyer representing fire victims suing PG&E, said bankruptcy would prolong any recovery for homeowners, who get paid only if they can prove their cases. Even then, victims will get repaid in full for property damage and other claims only if PG&Es assets exceed its liabilities, and if the professional fees and other costs associated with a bankruptcy dont eat those assets up, Danko said. Bankruptcies are unbelievably expensive. PG&E Corp., which owns Californias largest electric utility, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in anticipation of huge legal claims, starting an unpredictable process that could take years to resolve and is likely to result in higher energy bills for the millions of Californians who depend on Pacific Gas & Electric for power. PG&E said a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which allows the company to continue operating while it comes up with a plan to pay its debts, was the only way to deal with billions of dollars in potential liabilities from a series of deadly wildfires, many of which were sparked by the companys power grid infrastructure. Through this process, we will prioritize what matters most to our customers and the communities we serve safety and reliability, interim Chief Executive John R. Simon said in a statement. We believe that this process will make sure that we have sufficient liquidity to serve our customers and support our operations and obligations. Energy experts say PG&Es rates probably will increase when the utility emerges from Chapter 11 protection because bankruptcy inevitably makes it more expensive for a company to borrow money and creates large legal and other bankruptcy-related costs. The utility passes such expenses along to its customers. Advertisement Its almost impossible to see a way out of this that doesnt have some short-term cost increases, Ralph Cavanagh, co-director of the energy program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a recent interview. A bankruptcy judge could also allow PG&E to reduce its eventual payouts to California fire victims. That could include Paradise residents whose homes were destroyed by last years Camp fire, if PG&Es equipment is found to have sparked the blaze. The utility has already started skipping payments to families whose properties were destroyed by the 2015 Butte fire, which was caused by a tree falling on a PG&E power line. PG&E officials say electricity and natural gas service will continue uninterrupted for its 16 million customers in Northern and Central California. The company has lined up at least $5.5 billion from several banks to fund its operations during what it expects to be a two-year bankruptcy process, and it filed a motion Tuesday asking the court to approve that so-called debtor-in-possession agreement. PG&Es bankruptcy could slow Californias fight against climate change Lawmakers watched in dismay as PG&E chose bankruptcy, but there was nothing they could do to stop the company from filing. State Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) said the situation is extremely disappointing and underscores the need for change at PG&E in both its leadership and corporate culture. Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), who chairs the Utilities and Energy Committee, lamented that the effect on fire victims and PG&E ratepayers may be severe. Our goal all along was to protect the most vulnerable, but now the Bankruptcy Court will be managing the future of PG&E and its creditors, including the damages of fire victims for which the utility is deemed responsible, Holden said in a statement. The remains of Edgewood and Sawmill Estates community in the Camp fire-decimated town of Paradise on Dec. 12 in Paradise, Calif. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) PG&E listed $71.4 billion in assets and nearly $51.7 billion in total debts. The firm said it filed requests for authorization to continue paying employee wages and to continue existing customer programs, including energy efficiency and support for low-income ratepayers. It also said it intends to pay its suppliers under normal terms for goods and services provided on or after the date of the bankruptcy filing. Advertisement Financial pressure has been mounting on PG&E since October 2017, when a series of wildfires ravaged Northern California, killing 44 people. State investigators determined that PG&Es equipment sparked or contributed to more than a dozen of those fires, which killed 22 people. The companys crisis only grew with the November 2018 Camp fire, which killed 86 people and destroyed most of the town of Paradise. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has yet to announce a cause for the Camp fire, but PG&Es infrastructure is suspected. The utility companys stock has lost more than 80% of its value since the 2017 fires broke out, and its credit rating has been downgraded to junk status. PG&E has blamed its wildfire costs, in part, on climate change, which scientists say is contributing to bigger and hotter fires in California and across the western United States. The company has also pushed lawmakers to rewrite the states strict liability laws, which allow utilities to be held liable for wildfires sparked by their infrastructure even if they follow all safety rules and arent found negligent. PG&E has estimated its potential wildfire liabilities at $30 billion or more, although that number includes the Tubbs fire, the biggest and deadliest of the 2017 Northern California blazes. Cal Fire announced last week that the Tubbs fire wasnt caused by PG&E, which by some estimates could cut the companys potential liabilities in half. Advertisement Even without Tubbs fire damages on its ledger, PG&Es liabilities could still exceed the companys market value, which was down to about $7 billion on Tuesday. To be clear, we have heard the calls for change and we are determined to take action throughout this process to build the energy system our customers want and deserve, Simon, the companys chief executive, said Tuesday. Critics say PG&E has exaggerated its financial woes and is filing for bankruptcy as a ploy to extract investor-friendly concessions from the Legislature or regulators. Those critics include ratepayer advocacy groups and lawyers for fire victims, whose clients could see court awards reduced by a bankruptcy judge. They also include BlueMountain Capital Management, a hedge fund that holds more than 11 million shares of PG&E stock that could be wiped out. BlueMountain urged PG&Es management not to go through with the bankruptcy filing and said last week it would nominate a full slate of new directors to the companys board. Advertisement Instead of rolling up their sleeves and getting to work, current board members are poised to concede defeat and pass the buck to a bankruptcy judge. There is no imminent financial crisis there is a leadership crisis, BlueMountain said in an open letter to other shareholders, asking them to join the hedge fund in its protests. Heres how local governments are replacing Californias biggest utilities In addition to the likelihood of higher electricity rates and lower payouts for wildfire victims, PG&Es bankruptcy could affect Californias ability to meet its climate change goals. Those goals depend on a rapid transition from fossil fuels to climate-friendly power sources, and state officials have been counting on PG&E to make massive investments in solar and wind farms and other clean energy technologies. Already, PG&E has suggested it could seek to nullify existing contracts to buy power from solar and wind farms, or to slash payments under those deals. That possibility is worrying developers who have contracts with PG&E, and clean energy advocates who fear a chain reaction where lenders are hesitant to finance future projects in California. Advertisement The Florida-based developer NextEra Energy Resources has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to protect its contracts with PG&E. The agency gave NextEra an early victory last week, ruling it has concurrent jurisdiction with the bankruptcy court over those contracts. But PG&E objected on Tuesday, asking the bankruptcy court to declare that federal regulators have no say over the fate of those contracts. The bankruptcy filing could also hurt the states plans to promote electric vehicles, a critical component of efforts to reduce planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions. Officials are counting on PG&E and other big utilities to spend billions of dollars in the coming years building electric vehicle chargers and preparing the power grid for a big boost in electricity demand from car charging. PG&Es bankruptcy makes that even much more difficult to achieve, said Mary Nichols, the powerful regulator who leads the California Air Resources Board. NextEras Desert Sunlight solar farm in Desert Center, Calif., seen on Feb. 9, 2015, generates electricity for PG&E. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Still, its far from clear what will happen next. Some PG&E critics have called for the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom to break the company into smaller pieces or convert it into a public entity. San Francisco has said it will study the possibility of acquiring PG&Es electrical infrastructure in the city. Most utility experts say a government takeover is unlikely because it could saddle state or local agencies with huge liabilities from future fires, without addressing the causes of those fires. Newsom has played his cards close to his vest, saying Tuesday that his administration will continue working to ensure that Californians have access to safe, reliable and affordable service, that victims and employees are treated fairly, and that California continues to make forward progress on our climate change goals. PG&Es bankruptcy filing does not change my focus, which remains protecting the best interests of the people of California, Newsom said in a statement. Advertisement Unlike most companies that enter into bankruptcy protection, PG&E is a regulated monopoly that provides an essential public service. The California Public Utilities Commission will need to approve any reorganization plan that involves raising electricity rates, giving the state some ability to protect the interests of ratepayers. But critics arent happy with how the commission and its president, Michael Picker, have handled PG&Es bankruptcy so far. On Monday, the commission unanimously approved the companys request to take on up to $10 billion in emergency financing, over the objections of consumer watchdog groups that said the agency was needlessly rushing to accommodate PG&Es planned Chapter 11 filing. The raucous meeting, held on short notice, was attended by angry utility customers and labor representatives who chanted shame, shame as the commissioners voted. The commissions own Public Advocates Office said the agencys decision failed to include important safeguards for ratepayers, such as requiring that none of the financing go toward management bonuses or to any other purpose not necessary to keep the lights on. The Utility Reform Network, an independent ratepayer advocacy group based in San Francisco, accused the commission of blindly accepting PG&Es claim that it needed billions in emergency cash to fund its operations. Advertisement Picker defended the commissions decision on Monday, citing a substantial risk that PG&E wont be able to keep providing reliable power and gas service without the emergency funding. He also said PG&E wont be able to pass along any of the costs to ratepayers until the commission reviews how the utility ultimately spends the money. The action does not encourage or enable PG&E to seek bankruptcy. Under federal law that is their choice. This decision just ensures they can take actions necessary to continue providing service in bankruptcy, Picker said. Criminal charges against PG&E possible if utility is found responsible for recent wildfires, prosecutors say Even without the fires, PG&E continues to grapple with the fallout from the 2010 explosion of one of its natural gas pipelines, which killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes in San Bruno. PG&E was fined $1.6 billion by the PUC and $3 million by a federal judge. Just last month, the commission accused PG&E of falsifying pipeline safety records for years after the deadly explosion. Advertisement The company is still on probation after a criminal conviction stemming from the gas explosion. The federal judge overseeing the probation, William Alsup, said this month that he may order PG&E to inspect its entire electric grid and do extensive tree-trimming before this summer, which PG&E says could cost as much as $150 billion. Alsup also suggested he could order PG&E to preemptively shut off electricity in certain areas when strong wind and other weather conditions create a high fire risk. PG&E and the states other big investor-owned utilities, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, rarely use preemptive power shutoffs as a wildfire prevention strategy, but that could change as climate change fuels bigger fires. The last time PG&E filed for bankruptcy, in 2001, fires had nothing to do with it. That bankruptcy was a result of Californias infamous energy crisis, in which a failed deregulation plan allowed Enron Corp. and other energy traders to manipulate markets and send prices skyrocketing. PG&E said it needed relief from $9 billion in debt that it incurred because it couldnt recover its higher costs from ratepayers. Advertisement PG&E emerged from that bankruptcy process with a reorganization plan that saw investors largely made whole. The company was also allowed to boost its regulated profits for years to come. Customers, meanwhile, were saddled with higher rates. sammy.roth@latimes.com Twitter: @Sammy_Roth Ninety years ago, workers hurrying to their jobs on Spring Street witnessed a remarkable sight: a swanky garage that lifted Ford Model As and other Jazz Age roadsters as high as 13 stories to a coveted parking spot. A quarter century later, that same high-rise was converted into offices to serve the needs of a burgeoning title insurance company, only to be abandoned later and left a graffitied, empty shell. Now, the building first known as Hills Garage will get something rare in the world of commercial real estate: a third act as an upmarket Cambria hotel catering to business travelers. The $50-million makeover reflects the ongoing rebirth of Spring Street, the onetime Wall Street of the West, which fell on hard times in the latter decades of the 20th century as white collar businesses departed for gleaming new skyscrapers closer to the Harbor Freeway and on Bunker Hill. Advertisement Today, real estate developers are spending hundreds of millions of dollars improving the blocks south of City Hall with residential, office and hotel projects. Some are being built from the ground up, like the 34-story Perla residential tower at Broadway and 4th Street. Others are renovations of historic structures such as the nearby Hellman Building, a 115-year-old office edifice being converted to luxury apartments and stores. But those arent former parking garages like the 419 S. Spring structure, heralded as a marvel upon its opening in 1928. The Times called it the last word in automobile storage buildings, capable of housing 1,000 vehicles raised and lowered by two immense elevators running at the same speed as passenger elevators of the day. Mechanics were on hand to perform light repairs to customers cars or fill them with local Gilmore-brand gasoline. Attendants sped up and down inside the building on a man lift, a continuously moving vertical conveyor belt with steps and handholds allowing brave souls to jump on and off at will. Space in the former Hills Garage will be converted into swanky hotel rooms. (AkarStudios) The front and top of the building were elaborately ornamented in a Spanish baroque style of architecture called Churrigueresque, a respectable design choice at the time. Most of the ornamentation was chiseled off in the 1950s, however, when the building was converted to offices. Title Insurance & Trust Co., which owned the Art Deco-style office building next door, bought the garage in 1952 and gave it a facelift while turning it into additional office space connected by an upstairs walkway. The venerable title insurance provider was the last of the great fiscal headquarters to leave Spring Street, The Times reported upon its departure in 1977. By that time Spring Street was going to seed the once-ritzy Hotel El Dorado across the street from the insurance buildings was advertising rooms at $6 a day, and another neighbor was providing food stamp and check-cashing services. Offices in the former garage were rented to a series of tenants including the Los Angeles Police Departments Vice Division before the building was shuttered more than a decade ago. Advertisement Cambria Hotel (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles hotel developer PNK Group Investments, which acquired the building in 2007, officially launched work Monday on the makeover to turn the old tower into the 180-room Cambria Hotel Los Angeles. Already, the remnants of its years as an office building are gone and the bones of its origins as a garage are laid bare. A rusty steel tank in the basement awaiting removal still reeks of petroleum. On each upper floor, concrete beams sport the hand-painted numbers attendants used to locate parked cars, and the remains of mechanical oil dispensing pumps stand idle. Near the top are tanks that held water for washing cars. Views across Spring Street from the roof include the 12-story Continental Building, which was the citys first high-rise when completed in 1904 its offices have since been converted to apartments and the former Hotel El Dorado, now a condominium building restored to much of its 1914 neo-Gothic elegance. Advertisement We really feel like this is a premier location, said Janis Cannon, a senior vice president of the hotels brand manager, Choice Hotels International Inc., using a description of Spring Street that wouldve been unthinkable a few years ago. Cannon cited the growth of businesses in the nearby Arts District, including the pending arrivals of Spotify and Warner Music Group, and the cluster of government operations in the Civic Center a few blocks away. The Trust Building, at 433 S. Spring Street, stands to the left of the former parking garage at 419 S. Spring St., which is being converted into a Cambria hotel. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Maryland-based Choice Hotels was chosen by PNK to flag the hotel as a Cambria, one of Choices top-shelf brands, pitched at business travelers. But Choice is also banking on leisure travelers Cannon estimates that as many as 40% of guests will be on holiday. Los Angeles County hosted a record 50 million visitors in 2018 following eight straight years of tourism growth, according to the U.S. Travel Assn. Advertisement Downtown is a fast-growing hospitality market, said hotel sales broker John Strauss of JLL, who is not involved in the Cambria project. The arrival of new brands to the area demonstrates that the downtown hotel market has evolved and will continue to evolve to be an all-encompassing hotel market similar to San Francisco and Manhattan. Downtown Los Angeles hotels reported average occupancy of nearly 80% last year, he said, with upscale rooms renting for about $230 per night. Rates have not been set for the Cambria, which is slated to open in 2020. Another hotel is expected at 4th and Spring streets Amsterdam-based CitizenM Hotels plans to build an 11-story inn with more than 300 rooms on a parking lot at the northwest corner of the intersection. Advertisement The arrival of hotels represents a decisive stage in the comebacks of economically struggling urban neighborhoods, said office landlord Christopher Rising. His firm Rising Realty Partners is renovating the long-vacant former Title Insurance & Trust building next door to the Cambria for reuse as an upscale office building set to open in March. Comebacks typically start with residential developments like the ones that took place around 4th and Main streets in the early 2000s, which converted old offices to apartments, Rising said. Next come new offices for rent as the neighborhood comes back to life. Hotels are last, he said, helping inject the pizzazz people expect to find in a big city by bringing new people and providing locals places to eat, drink and hang out. The best thing about hotels, bars and restaurants is that offices feed off of them, Rising said. Its a very symbiotic relationship. Boeing Co. executives are closing in on one of their most important decisions of the decade: whether to plow an estimated $15 billion into a new jetliner family. The aircraft nicknamed the 797 would feature Boeings first all-new design since the 787 Dreamliners unveiling in 2004, while shoring up its product line against recent Airbus SE advances. The European plane-makers incoming boss, Guillaume Faury, says hes waiting for Boeing to tip its hand before revealing counter moves. That sets up a likely showdown at the Paris Air Show in June. Designed for economical flying on mid-range routes, the Boeing jet would have the potential to transform air travel by spawning a new breed of longer-distance budget carriers think new flights from Chicago to Berlin, or more economical hops from New York to Los Angeles. But the decision on whether to move forward hasnt been easy. A misfire would cannibalize sales of the 787 Dreamliner and endanger the cash bounty that has made Boeing a darling of Wall Street. Advertisement Every single other Boeing jet has been pretty much a guaranteed home run, even if it wasnt clear at the time, said aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia. This is different. Theyve got to be careful with this. Boeings board is expected to review the case for the new program by the end of March, according to people briefed on the matter. For now, the team spearheading the concept, led by former 787 program head Mark Jenks, has been meeting monthly with Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg and Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith. Boeings design features a slightly oval-shaped fuselage that saves weight and fuel by devoting more space to passengers and less to freight in the planes belly. A smaller version would seat 220 travelers, while a larger model would seat up to 270 people, with trip costs that are about 40% lower than todays wide-body aircraft. Airline entrepreneur David Neeleman is impressed by how Boeing designers innovatively turned the fuselage, so you arent carrying all that structure from cargo. They claim theyre going to get the seat-mile costs of a narrow-body and have two aisles, which would be sweet if they can pull it off. With some planes, the technology is the moonshot; with this, its the business case. Richard Aboulafia, aerospace analyst The sales force has been fine-tuning the design with airlines for at least five years, creating a will it or wont it? drama around the decision on whether to make the plane, known internally at Boeing as the NMA, for new, middle-of-market airplane. With some planes, the technology is the moonshot; with this, its the business case, Aboulafia said. The word moonshot is the term Boeing uses for quixotic gambles that it has vowed to avoid after loading the 787 Dreamliner with groundbreaking technology and an unproven production system then losing money on the first 500 or so planes after extensive delays. For Boeing and Airbus, committing to an all-new aircraft is a once-in-a-decade event. Costs are prohibitive, delays are the norm and payoff can take years to materialize. Boeing could easily spend more than $15 billion on the NMA, according to Ken Herbert, analyst with Canaccord Genuity, and Airbus may be forced into a clean-sheet design if sales take off. Advertisement Neeleman, founder of JetBlue Airways and Azul in Brazil, underscores the potential rewards, and risk, for Boeing. The NMA seems tailor-made for the networks he is weaving together between the Americas and Europe with affordable, yet comfortable flights that skip congested hubs. I had a briefing from Boeing and I thought it was great, Neeleman said during a recent visit to Chicago to tout Portugals TAP airline, one of his holdings. Thats noteworthy, coming from an executive who has mostly favored Airbus jets at start-ups such as JetBlue, Azul and Moxy, the code name for his latest U.S. project. Unfortunately for Boeing, Neeleman is also impatient for Airbus to speed up a cheaper alternative. They should be at a lot bigger head start, he said of the Toulouse, France-based aerospace giant. Its a hint of the dynamics that can spoil aircraft bets that sprawl over decades. The sales appeal for a plane family overlapping Boeings largest single-aisle, the 737 Max 10, and smallest wide-body, the 787-8, is just one question mark. Advertisement Another is how much savings the company can reap from a new manufacturing system. Muilenburg is increasingly confident Boeing can shave time and money from development and final assembly through new digital tools that anticipate and track how the plane is built, and then monitor how it is flown. The plane-makers new military training jet hints at the breakthrough it sees for the NMA. For Boeings Super Hornet fighter, factory workers in St. Louis need 1 days to rivet together the two main fuselage sections. On the new T-X trainer, the components are joined in less than an hour, said Leanne Caret, Boeings defense chief. If Boeing hesitates, Airbus will woo its customers with capable, if not cutting-edge, jet upgrades. Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc., for example, need to replace hundreds of the aging Boeing 757 and 767 jetliners that once dominated mid-range flying. The Airbus plane that sparked Neelemans interest is a relatively simple upgrade of the A321LR jet that would be ready by 2023, two years ahead of the NMA. Redesigned fuel tanks would give it the longest range of any Airbus single-aisle jet. Faury, who is slated to become Airbus CEO in April, wont say if a decision on the so-called A321XLR is imminent or even if its the likeliest response. Advertisement We dont feel under pressure to react, even before Boeing has moved, he said earlier this month. Market share for the A321 is very big because theres no real competition, and well keep improving this product to serve the low end of the middle-of-market space. Boeing usually staggers the release of variants within an aircraft family by a year or two. But the manufacturer has mulled certifying the NMA models concurrently to avoid missing the replacement opportunity, according to people familiar with the matter. The 797 will need to be priced somewhere between Airbuss offerings to be competitive. The A321LR goes for about $60 million with all the bells and whistles, while a wide-body A330-800 is typically priced at about $100 million, said George Dimitroff, head of valuations for Flight Ascend Consultancy. I have no doubt there will be demand for the aircraft, Dimitroff said, pointing to new opportunities for low-cost, long-haul service. I think the NMA will take that a step further. Customers, regulators, suppliers and employees are justifiably nervous about Tuesdays bankruptcy filing by Pacific Gas & Electric, Californias biggest utility. Lucrative energy contracts may be canceled, layoffs may occur, and higher electric and gas bills may well be in the offing. Then theres the possible loss of regulatory control by the state as a federal bankruptcy judge becomes the No. 1 guy dictating the companys future. But the bankruptcy presents at least one golden opportunity to come to grips with this perennially lousy company: Fire the board of directors. And by that we mean every last one of them. After the resignations of Geisha Williams as PG&E chief executive and Roger Kimmel as a director, the board has 10 members. It wins slightly better marks than the average board of a big corporation in that all the directors first took office in this century, but once youve said that youve said everything. One has been serving for 14 years, another for 13 years. Advertisement Thats long enough to have overseen the company during what may be the lowest points in its history, including the San Bruno pipeline explosion of 2010, which took eight lives and leveled a residential community. San Bruno led to PG&Es conviction on six felony counts in 2016. Its a measure of the companys scorn for the criminal process that not a single director resigned because of the conviction. (Two retired the following year, but only because they had reached the mandatory retirement age of 72.) Since San Bruno, the performance of PG&E has only gotten worse. It now stands accused of having falsified gas pipeline records after the explosion. Its equipment sparked more than 1,500 fires from 2014 through 2017, according to the Public Utilities Commission, as my colleague Taryn Luna reported this week. A few weeks ago, when I asked state Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), whose district includes San Bruno, if there were any signs that the company had instilled a culture of safety in its workforce Job One after the explosion his curt answer was no. Last week the company avoided blame for the 2017 Tubbs fire in wine country, which killed 22 people, when fire officials concluded the blaze began on private property. But it still faces possible liability for the Camp fire of 2018, which killed 86. State fire authorities havent yet determined the cause of the fire, but potential liability for that blaze and others is what prompted PG&E to file for bankruptcy. Most of the board has been in place, holding on to their seats with what George Orwell compared to prehensile bottoms, during this entire period. But directors are the Teflon saucepans of corporate governance: Nothing ever seems to stick. The current PG&E crew is a good example, since the company it oversees has the worst service record this side of Wells Fargo. The 11 who were in place as of the end of 2017 earned an average stipend of $271,873. They cost shareholders a total of $3.1 million. The companys profiles of its board membership and the individual directors show how negligible a role theyve played in its management. My favorite page in its 2018 proxy statement is the one with charts attesting to the boards ethnic diversity (9.1% African American) and gender diversity (27.3% female). Since the board then had 11 members, those percentages translate into one black director and three women including CEO Williams, who is now gone. For reference, heres the membership, including their year of appointment and current or former day job: Barbara Rambo, 2005, management consultant, ex-BofA executive. Advertisement Rosendo Parra, 2009, ex-Dell executive. Eric D. Mullins, 2016, investment executive. Forrest Miller, 2009, chair of PGEs utility subsidiary. Benito Minicucci, 2018, COO, Alaska Airlines. Advertisement Richard Kelly, 2013, energy executive. Richard Meserve, 2006, ex-chair, Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Fred J. Fowler, 2012, retired natural gas executive. Lewis Chew, 2009, CFO, Dolby Laboratories. Advertisement Anne Shen Smith, 2015, ex-CEO, Southern California Gas. What do these people bring to the table that justifies their appointments? According to their PG&E bios, mostly boilerplate. Two bring the company leadership and business skills (Rambo and Miller), one offers leadership and problem-solving skills (Parra), one offers strategic leadership, management and business skills (Fowler), and one offers energy experience and leadership (Kelly). Chew is said to represent the customer perspective, but hes a commercial customer, not a residential homeowner in, say, San Bruno. Meserve, 73, is being kept around despite passing the retirement age of 72 to help the company decommission its Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. None of them seems to have had a clue about how to get the company to perform its duties safely and operate honestly. Its true that Mullins and Minicucci, elected in 2016 and 2018, are directors of comparatively recent vintage, but since they were brought on by the previous management, they cant claim to be entirely new brooms. Advertisement The board, then, is a $3.1-million asset of supposed gilt-edged management ability that has helped to run PG&E into bankruptcy. Why keep them around? Many ideas for reconstructing PG&E have been swirling about, including breaking it up, selling it to someone else, or even taking it over as a ward of the state. There are pros and cons attached to each of these ideas, but only one that looks to be all pluses: Fire the board. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. A newly published study of the Medicaid expansion in California says that the program substantially reduced in-hospital mortality for patients who gained coverage, put hospitals on a firmer financial footing, and improved access to care, and better care, for millions of residents. Yet Robert VerBruggen of National Review thinks the study shows that we have a system that makes it entirely rational to dump tons of money into a healthcare program that doesnt improve health very much. (H/t Kevin Drum, who unearthed the VerBruggen article.) Something must be off here, and the answer may be that VerBruggen didnt pay much attention to what the papers authors, led by Stanford economist Mark G. Duggan, actually said about what they learned. The expansion led to substantially greater hospital and emergency room use, and a reallocation of care...to private and better-quality hospitals. Duggan, et. al. Advertisement The study shined a spotlight on the results of Californias determined embrace of the Affordable Care Act, which paid for the expansion of Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California) in those states that chose to do so. Medicaid enrollment in California increased to more than 13 million from 8 million, while Medicaid spending rose to $100 billion a year from $40 billion. Virtually all the increase has been covered by the federal government. The paper confirms that much of what the Medicaid expansions designers hoped to achieve has come to pass. Chiefly, their goals were to improve the economics of hospitals and improve access to care for Americas poorest residents. Indeed, Duggan told me, hospitals in California experienced huge economic gains while making people on Medicaid less vulnerable to economic shocks from medical problems. If youre living paycheck to paycheck and you get a severe medical event, it can ruin you financially. Whereas if you have health insurance thats much less true. Before the Affordable Care Act, there were sharp disparities in insurance coverage between 64- and 65-year-olds and also between 20- and 21-year olds, the authors report. Thats because Medicaid or other government programs were available to those over 65 and younger than 21, but not to most people in between. The ACA, chiefly Medicaid expansion, nearly eliminated the disparity at both points, the paper found. Newly enrolled patients have tended to drift toward privately owned and better-quality hospitals for their care. Hospital finances sharply improved for both public and private institutions. The average government hospital received an increase in revenue per bed of nearly 20%, and private hospitals gained 8%. In part, this was because the federal program took over funding from county-level programs, which paid hospitals less and were financially strapped anyway. In other words, money flowed from federal taxpayers to local taxpayers. An obvious conclusion stems from that: The 14 states that have not yet accepted Medicaid expansion, which now will be 90% covered by the federal government, are run by idiots. Theyre turning up their noses at federal funding and sticking their local taxpayers for the bill (if their hospitals are providing decent care) or lousy care (if theyre not). Their taxpayers, moreover, are sending their money to expansion states and getting nothing in return. But what about patient health? The study found that hospital inpatient mortality has declined meaningfully post-ACA. The study looked at mortality for patients with heart conditions and pneumonia, which cant be treated outside a hospital. The actual mortality decline, the authors say, was about 7% of the mean mortality rate, which is insignificant statistically, but substantial, Duggan says. Advertisement The reason that a change can be substantial but not statistically significant is chiefly an artifact of statistical math there simply arent enough 64-year-olds for their numbers to have sufficient statistical power. Studies like Duggans have some other limitations. One is that the paper covered only three years of post-ACA experience, and the health effects of improved insurance are likely to appear over a longer time span. Also, the paper relied on hospital inpatient figures, so non-hospital outcomes arent measured but may be significant. Finally, patients can experience health improvements at many levels. A lot of the ways health could improve wouldnt be captured by mortality alone, Duggan says. Health insurance, for instance, can reduce the amount of pain theyre in or reduce the severity of a condition they have, but that may not show up in mortality. At National Review, VerBruggen doesnt let any such niceties stop him from making broad pronouncements. Sure, hospitals and local budgets did well, he acknowledged, but gains to actual health are harder to find. But it seems he just jumped the gun. Advertisement VerBruggen comes off as another conservative with the knives out for Medicaid, our one public health program specifically aimed at low-income people. He tips his hand by citing the notorious Oregon health study of 2010, which conservatives have misinterpreted for nearly a decade to suggest that Medicaid is worthless. They focus on the studys general conclusions that it found no significant effect on the prevalence or diagnosis of hypertension or high cholesterol levels or on the use of medication for these conditions and that although Medicaid improved the diagnosis of diabetes, it found no significant effect on diabetes markers in the bloodstream. VerBruggen joins the conservative chorus declaring that this proves its a struggle to find health improvements from Medicaid. Thats not what the Oregon study found, however. It noted that Medicaid coverage reduced the rate of depression diagnoses for Medicaid patients, raised the percentage of people reporting improved health over a year earlier, increased the use of many preventive services, and nearly eliminated catastrophic out-of-pocket medical expenditures. The study also noted that it was limited to the first two years of expanded Medicaid, not long enough to judge long-term impacts. Idiots delight: The 14 states colored dark blue are still resisting Medicaid expansion, at the expense of their hospitals and taxpayers. (Kaiser Family Foundation) Advertisement Obviously, lower levels of depression, higher rates of diabetes diagnoses, more preventive care and lower catastrophic health spending are good things. Its always hard to figure out what the anti-Medicaid gang wishes to see. Drum, at Mother Jones, suggests that the problem is that studies like the Stanford paper define health as not dying. That may be because its hard to put ones finger on health benefits that fall short of that clear inflection point, but hes right that its a mistake to think that getting a cavity filled or obtaining an antidepressant prescription or getting a new hip doesnt count. All the evidence points to the conclusion that Medicaid expansion improves the economics of healthcare for patients and providers alike and access to care in ways likely to translate into measurable gains in health over time. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Advertisement Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. In 1989, JoAnn Parks three young children died in a home fire in Bell; Parks escaped without saving them. The fire was thought to be accidental before Parks was arrested and, in 1993, convicted for setting the fires and murdering her children. Sentenced to life without parole, Parks remains in prison even though scientific advances (especially about burn patterns in something called flashover) have raised doubts, and a panel of experts argues that the fire was accidental and that Parks suffered the ultimate tragedy: losing her children then her freedom. In Burned, Edward Humes analyzes the saga, blending the intimate narrative of Parks sad life with the work of the California Innocence Project lawyers striving to overturn the conviction. Its a devastating expose of deep flaws in forensic evidence and the justice system. This story is really compelling and its ambiguous, Humes says. No one has argued that JoAnn Parks was heroic or a model mom, but he adds that the evidence against her has been proven false. This is the 15th book for Humes, who won a Pulitzer Prize reporting on the military for the Orange County Register. Before writing about environmental issues in recent years, he penned numerous books about true crime, such as Mean Justice, set in Kern County. So he has long been skeptical about finding justice in the justice system, especially about the ability of the system to separate real science from junk science, and expert witnesses who have real knowledge from experts who have none. Advertisement Burned investigates how junk science corrupts cases and how the system compounds problems. Humes scope includes the Innocence Project case of Bill Richards, imprisoned for murder because of a bite mark expert. Even after DNA proved Richards innocence and the expert admitted he had no scientific basis for his testimony, Richards languished in prison for eight years. An obstinate San Bernardino County district attorney successfully argued that an opinion could not be proven false so Richards had received a fair trial. He went free only after the California Legislature changed the law so that when expert testimony germane to a conviction proves incorrect, it can be declared false evidence, rendering the trial unfair. That law change empowered other cases, including the Parks one. But Parks story remains in limbo. The book goes up to November, when a judge denied the latest petition for a new trial, saying that even if the Innocence Project had demonstrated there was false evidence about flashover at the original trial, he could not choose between competing scientific experts. Burned grew out of the time you spent at the California Innocence Project. What brought you there? Almost every day theres a story in the news about an exoneration or a claim that someone should be exonerated, but theres very little out there about how these places pick their cases. I wanted to learn how the process works. I went in on an idea hunt, I guess. Here you have these gifted attorneys who will never make a lot of money and work insane hours. Its clear from watching them theyre not looking to game the system but that they believe in those cases that an injustice was committed. The Innocence Project is just inundated with requests from inmates or family members or people convinced that a wrong was done. Its a very small operation. They sort through all that; they use volunteers, students. Some stories are absurd, almost comical; most are sad and desperate. Of their cases, JoAnn Parks was the one that most intrigued me. Beyond the scientific errors involved in arson cases, fingerprints and bite marks, you also explore the impact of cognitive bias on investigations. How big an issue is that? Cognitive bias as a cause of concern in the justice system was relatively new for me, and it hasnt been litigated a great deal. People hear the word bias and assume its where youre prejudiced against a group or political party, and it sounds like a deliberate act of bigotry. Its a normal process of the human brain, a survival mechanism to detect patterns and anticipate events, which is a useful skill. Advertisement But when you have ambiguous patterns in a fire or with fingerprints of poor quality, it can morph into investigators finding what they expect to find, seeing a match that turns out not to exist because of something you already believe to be true. In the Parks case, the initial fire investigator had no information about the people and their history. When other fire investigators had been thoroughly briefed about allegations of child neglect and abuse and a previous fire, they were seeing a different fire scene, finding things that indicated a deliberate fire. Does that mean they were suffering from a form of cognitive bias called expectation bias? Not necessarily, but theres the possibility their findings were influenced by that. Author Edward Humes (Linda Ibbotson) Do changes need to be made to combat cognitive bias and mishandling of forensic evidence? Advertisement The system breaks down when one side controls an entire part of the process. Forensic scientists are almost always an arm of law enforcement, as we see in CSI. Fingerprint examiners and arson scene investigators are being briefed on aspects of the case that have nothing to do with their area of expertise or inquiry, so it becomes clear police really want this to match. Thats why theres been case after case of forensic examiners getting it wrong; they were given information they didnt need and that influenced them. Some have argued that laboratory-based examinations should not be in control of law enforcement. Theres no reason for one side to control all the umpires and pay them and have hiring and firing power. We would need deep and far-reaching change to fix this. I think theres gradation of reform that is possible. There are those who feel that crime scene investigators should be kept in the dark about irrelevant information. If youre just examining the material in front of you, the knowledge about who may have done it or who the authorities want to prove did it doesnt help you make an accurate fingerprint or burn-pattern analysis. And it can influence you. The justice system is in complete denial about this danger. Advertisement In Burned, Edward Humes analyzes the saga, blending the intimate narrative of Parks sad life with the work of the California Innocence Project lawyers striving to overturn the conviction. (Los Angeles Superior Court) Do you think JoAnn Parks is in jail for a crime she didnt commit? I raise questions about the evidence against her, which I think is my duty as a journalist, but I explicitly say, Youre not going to read here that shes innocent. Thats a question I cant answer. Theres no conclusive evidence of innocence. There cant be. The question is: Was there false evidence used against her? Now we know there was. The judge just said it wasnt sufficient to release her, but thats a matter of interpretation. Advertisement Do you think the majority of readers will come away believing theres a person behind bars who shouldnt be? Or is your job really just telling the story and explaining the problems of junk science and cognitive bias? I guess the latter. Theres not great awareness of just how poorly the justice system deals with science, which has become critical in so many cases. And in cases where they find afterward that the scientific ideas and experts were wrong, theres the question of what happens next: In a rational justice system every case with similar evidence would come under scrutiny, but it doesnt work that way. There are people still being prosecuted because of bite mark evidence and people still sitting in prison because of bite mark evidence. Thats appalling. The National Academy of Sciences has confirmed that theres absolutely no science behind these bite mark cases. And we have quite a large number of arson cases, not just high-profile murder cases but ones that will never be reopened, because someone was denied an insurance claim because the fire was suspicious. Thats thousands and thousands of cases where lives were affected by junk science. Theres no systematic mechanism for addressing that mass injustice. Advertisement Is there any effort to remedy this on a national or state level? The Obama administration had initiated a national review of forensic science with an eye toward addressing this problem and creating best practices. That initiative was troubled but making progress. But it was ended by the current president. There are some state-by-state efforts Texas is doing a lot of work and some forensic professionals are advocating reform. Whats the current status of Parks case? Advertisement The judge in Los Angeles Superior Court denied the habeas corpus petition in November. That decision is being appealed. The Innocence Project is raising money to try and re-create in a laboratory the Parks house fire. The idea is to show whether the prosecutions scenario for what happened is even physically possible. Its not cheap to re-create a fire and not the kind of money innocence projects have at their disposal. But its certainly something where Id be interested in seeing the results. Bills were also sent to the owners of businesses and other buildings that Santa Cause decorated this past holiday season. Despite being surprised by the bill, members of the village board agreed to pay the $2,140. Nancy Waspi is a good, hard-working soul, Duncan said. But that wasnt in our budget. The village was billed for decorations at the bath house, the fence and harbor masters hut at the boat launch, the fire station, Barrett Memorial Library, the pavilion at Edgewater Park, the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement building, the recreation center at the Lions Field House and village hall. Each installation was billed at $250, which Waspi said was the lowest-priced sponsorship level for Santa Cause. The village was also billed to replace a timer, an extension cord and lights that were missing at the fire station. Waspi said most buildings require at least three people to get them decked out with holiday lights and other decorations. Waspi said she mentioned at a meeting of the Williams Bay Business Association that the Santa Cause would have to charge property owners for the holiday light installation. Duncan and other village officials were present at the time, she said. DTLAIt may turn out to be nothing, just remarks by a politician in a city replete with remarks by politicians. Then again, Councilman Joe Buscainos brief broadside directed at Los Angeles second-highest elected official may go down as a first, very early strike in what will ultimately be The Homeland Spring programme, held annually by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a significant event which fulfils the homecoming desires of overseas Vietnamese and helps to arouse their love for the country, pride in the countrys achievements and confidence in the countrys future. The 2019 edition of the programme took place on January 26 with the participation of nearly 1,000 exemplary overseas Vietnamese, representing 4.5 million Vietnamese people living in more than 110 countries and territories around the world. At the event, General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that the motherland and the government always hold the overseas Vietnamese very dear, like parents who miss and love their children who are away from home. In recent years, the Party and State have always created favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese to have a stable life in the countries where they are living while still maintaining a close bond with the homeland. Policies have been formulated and fine-tuned to attract talents among overseas Vietnamese and call on Vietnamese people living abroad to invest and do business in Vietnam to help with countrys economic development. The Vietnamese economy is becoming more open and deeply integrated with the series of new free trade agreements being implemented. The wish of having opportunities to get rich in the homeland is the legitimate right of all Vietnamese people living outside the country. According to the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, there are currently 3,000 projects invested in Vietnam by Vietnamese people living abroad. Over the past ten years, remittances each year rose by 10-15% annually. Many overseas Vietnamese have become the bridge between domestic and foreign enterprises, helping to take Vietnamese goods to many countries around the world.Thanks to their knowledge, technology, economic resources and connections with many foreign enterprises, as well as Vietnams incentive policies, enterprises run by overseas Vietnamese have made significant contributions to the domestic economy. However, there are still certain problems facing overseas Vietnamese. Some have yet to correctly understand the situation in Vietnam and the promotion of traditional culture and the Vietnamese language among the younger generation is facing difficulties. The contributions of overseas Vietnamese people are not commensurate with the potential of the Vietnamese community abroad. There is a shortage of forums to bring together Vietnamese businessmen from around the world where they can share their experience on what they can do to help the country. 2018 just ended with significant achievements, thanks to the Partys leadership, the efforts of the entire people and the substantive contributions of overseas Vietnamese. General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed once again that no matter where they are living, overseas Vietnamese people are always an inseparable part of the motherland. Therefore, the policies towards overseas Vietnamese needs to be further fine-tuned in order to enhance the national solidarity bloc, support overseas Vietnamese people to preserve national traditions, and to further bring into play their resources to develop the country. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gestures after receiving the presidential sash during the ceremonial swearing-in for his second presidential term, at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Jan. 10. Reuters The Trump administration imposed sanctions Monday on the state-owned oil company of Venezuela, a potentially critical economic move aimed at increasing pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to cede power to the opposition in the South American nation. Maduro's increasingly isolated government would lose access to one of its most important sources of income and foreign currency along with around $7 billion in assets of Petroleos De Venezuela S.A. under the sanctions announced by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and national security adviser John Bolton. The move follows the unusual decision by the U.S. and other nations last week to recognize the opposition leader of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the interim president of Venezuela instead of Maduro, who was re-elected last year in an election widely seen as fraudulent. The once prosperous nation has been in an economic collapse, with several million citizens fleeing to neighboring countries. ''We have continued to expose the corruption of Maduro and his cronies, and today's action ensures they can no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people,'' Bolton said at a White House news conference. Bolton said he expects Monday's actions against PDVSA _ the acronym for the state-owned oil company _will result in more than $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed that the new sanctions do not target the people of Venezuela and will not affect humanitarian assistance, including medicine and medical devices that are ''desperately needed after years of economic destruction under Maduro's rule.'' Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a vocal critic of Maduro who has called for such sanctions, welcomed the move even before it was announced. ''The Maduro crime family has used PDVSA to buy and keep the support of many military leaders,'' Rubio said. ''The oil belongs to the Venezuelan people, and therefore the money PDVSA earns from its export will now be returned to the people through their legitimate constitutional government.'' The sanctions will not likely affect consumer prices at the gas pump but will hit oil refiners, particularly those on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Venezuelan oil exports to the U.S. have declined steadily over the years, falling particularly sharply over the past decade as its production plummeted amid its long economic and political crisis. The U.S. imported less than 500,000 barrels a day of Venezuelan crude and petroleum products in 2017, down from more than 1.2 million barrels a day in 2008, according to the Energy Information Administration. Still, Venezuela has consistently been the third- or fourth-largest supplier of crude oil to the United States, and any disruption of imports could be costly for refiners. In 2017, the most recent year that data were available, Venezuela accounted for about 6 percent of U.S. crude imports. Valero and Citgo are among the largest importers of Venezuelan crude. Mnuchin said the Treasury Department also took steps Monday to authorize certain transactions and activities with PDVSA. He said Citgo assets in the United States will be allowed to continue to operate _ provided that any funds that would otherwise go to the state-owned oil company be sent to a blocked account in the United States. Venezuela is very reliant on the U.S. for its oil revenue. The country sends 41 percent of its oil exports to the U.S. Critically, U.S. refiners are among the few customers that pay cash to Venezuela for its oil. That's because Venezuela's oil shipments to China and Russia are usually taken as repayment for billions of dollars in debts. (AP) An elementary school student tries out Naver's robotics product displayed at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul By Baek Byung-yeul A Korean version of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off Tuesday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul amid criticism of the government's "window-dressing" move in hastily holding the event. The three-day exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, featured 35 companies that had already displayed their products at the CES. They include large conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Telecom and Naver. President Moon Jae-in also attended the show to see breakthroughs in the country's information and communication technology and manufacturing industries. Business leaders from large conglomerates and small firms as well as high school and university students participated in the show. Visitors enter Samsung Electronics' booth during the Korean version of the Consumer Electronics Show at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul The organizers said the event was designed to promote Korean firms' innovative products and technologies showcased at the CES in Las Vegas from Jan. 8 to 11; but the government has been criticized for planning the show hastily as participating firms complained they were given only about 10 days to prepare for the event. "We were asked to join the event by the organizer last week," a company official said. "I've heard the organizer of the CES has already started to prepare for the 2020 show. Even if it is a copy-and-paste of the CES, we need enough time to prepare." Another industry official said the event was nothing but a window-dressing move by the government, saying Korea already holds the annual World IT Show in Seoul every April. But an official from a small company said it could be an opportunity to promote SMEs' technologies and products before hundreds of industry officials and the media. "Unlike big firms, it is not easy for us to meet with industry and government officials and reporters. We didn't put much effort into participating in the Las Vegas show, so this is a precious chance for us," the official said. Citizens welcome the show Despite criticism from companies that had to hurriedly prepare for the exhibition, citizens showed affirmative responses. "I have heard many Korean companies displayed their innovative products in Las Vegas, so I came here with my children to see them," said a mother of two elementary school students in Seoul. "I am glad I came here because I can't afford to visit the United States only to see the electronics show. Though the DDP show only features Korean companies it is a meaningful experience for me and my children." Seen is SK Telecom's booth installed at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul Seen is SK hynix's M14 chip-manufacturing facility in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. / Courtesy of SK hynix By Jun Ji-hye Production workers at SK hynix are in the hot seat for rejecting the highest-ever bonus offered by the management, demanding Korea's second-largest chipmaker pay more. On Jan. 23, the company said it decided to pay its employees 1,700 percent of their monthly base wage as a special bonus to share the firm's best-ever performance in 2018. It would have been the highest-ever bonus. But on Monday, during a meeting of the production workers' union, they voted down a tentative wage agreement reached between union leaders and management, expressing discontent over the scope of the 2018 bonus. Following the rejection, the wage bargaining with the production workers' union went back to square one, and the payment of the highest-ever bonus, scheduled to be awarded this month or early next month, was postponed. There are two unions at SK hynix one is comprised of production workers, affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of the nation's two major umbrella unions, and the other is comprised of white-collar workers. The white-collar workers' union does not have right of collective bargaining as it has fewer members compared to the production workers' union. "The SK hynix union should count its blessings and stop complaining," said an employee from a Seoul-based company, asking not to be named, Tuesday. "When Samsung decided to pay its employees 500 percent of their monthly base wage as a special bonus, a lot of workers in other companies felt a great sense of deprivation. SK hynix workers were going to receive more than that, but they were not satisfied." Regarding the issue, an official from SK hynix said the amount of the bonus is decided by management, and is not the subject of the wage bargaining as the bargaining only deals with an increase of basic salary and benefits packages of workers. But, according to industry officials, some members of the union expressed complaints, saying the amount of the bonus was at a similar level as last year's 1,600 percent though the memory chip maker's annual operating profit in 2018 reached 20.8 trillion won ($18.6 billion) on sales of 40.4 trillion won, breaking the previous record for the second consecutive year. Such complaints apparently exerted an influence on the results of the vote of the wage bargaining proposal. "The company will continue to work to reach an amicable agreement with the union," the SK hynix official said. Meanwhile, the company decided to pay the bonus to white-collar workers as planned beginning Wednesday. The white-collar workers' union said in a statement, "Both office workers and manual workers were dissatisfied with the amount of the bonus," calling on the company to pay the bonus to office workers after it reaches a final agreement with the manual workers' union. This Dec. 18, 2018, file photo shows company signage on display near the Huawei office building at its research and development center in Dongguan in south China's Guangdong province. A U.S. federal indictment accuses Huawei of stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, in the form of a robot designed to automatically test phones for problems. AP Chinese tech giant Huawei on Tuesday denied committing any of the violations cited in a U.S. indictment accusing the company of stealing technology, violating trade sanctions and lying to banks. The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday that allege the company used extreme efforts to steal trade secrets from American businesses _ including trying to take a piece of a robot from a T-Mobile lab that was used to test smartphones. ''The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments,'' Huawei Technologies Ltd. said in a statement. It said Huawei is ''not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion.'' The company said U.S. prosecutors had rejected a request it made to discuss the investigation following the arrest of its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada in December. It also noted that the allegations in the trade secrets charge were the subject of a U.S. civil lawsuit that already has been settled. The U.S. is seeking to extradite Meng, alleging that Huawei did business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and that she misled U.S. banks into believing the two companies were separate. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker speaks flanked by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, right, during a news conference to announce indictments against China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, several of its subsidiaries and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, at the Justice Department in Washington, U.S., Jan. 28. Reuters The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions. The company is also charged in a separate case with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors are seeking to extradite the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and allege she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She was arrested on Dec. 1 in Canada. The criminal charges in Brooklyn and Seattle come as trade talks between China and the U.S. are scheduled for this week. ''As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August_we need more law enforcement cooperation with China,'' acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said at a news conference with other Cabinet officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. ''China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies_and China should take action.'' U.S. prosecutors charge that Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Huawei had done business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and alleged that Meng misled U.S. banks into believing the two companies were separate, according to the Justice Department. The announcement Monday includes a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. WASHINGTON: The United States and the Taliban have sketched the outlines for an eventual peace accord to end 17 years of war in Afghanistan, a United States special envoy said on Monday, but there was no sign the insurgent group had accepted key US demands. "We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times in an interview in Kabul after six days of talks with the Taliban. "The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals." There was no sign, however, that the Taliban had agreed to US demands such as committing to a ceasefire before the withdrawal of US troops or that it engage in direct talks with the US-backed government in Kabul, analysts said. "While the progress in Doha has been the most significant to date, reaching a final agreement is far from guaranteed, as (these) two major sticking points could still derail the process," Ahmad Majidyar, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, wrote on the Washington think tank`s website. Another US official in Kabul, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described "significant progress" in the talks in Qatar, but said more negotiations were needed on the issue of the timing of the ceasefire, which looms as a sticking point in the next round of talks on Feb. 25. Taliban negotiators want a full withdrawal before a ceasefire, but the Americans want the reverse, the official said. "Of course we don`t seek a permanent military presence in Afghanistan," the official said. "Our goal is to help bring peace in Afghanistan and we would like a future partnership, newly defined with a post-peace government," the official said. "We would like to leave a good legacy." US forces in 2001 toppled the country`s hardline Islamic leaders for harboring the al Qaeda militants responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks that killed about 3,000 people. A senior Trump administration official who also spoke on condition of anonymity said the Taliban would have to agree to talk to the government in Kabul to make a lasting deal. "The president has made clear that his priority is ending the war in Afghanistan with an agreement that ensures the country never again serves as a base for terrorists to attack the US or any other country," the official said. "To achieve such an agreement, the Taliban must engage with other Afghans and all sides must agree to resolve their differences through peaceful means," he added. Taliban officials have repeatedly refused to talk to the Afghan government, which they regard as a US puppet, throwing into question how effective a peace deal could be. The Taliban do want, however, to join an interim government post-deal. NO PLANS YET A State Department spokesman said that while the talks were "positive," no agreement was reached and "a number of issues remain on the table ... including an intra-Afghan dialogue and comprehensive ceasefire." "These are integral to a negotiated political settlement," said the spokesman on condition of anonymity. Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters outside the Pentagon he had been briefed on the talks but had not been asked to plan for a full withdrawal of troops. "It`s encouraging," Shanahan said of the talks. Asked whether he had been tasked with planning a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, he said: "I have not. "Despite the presence of US-led foreign forces training, advising and assisting their Afghan counterparts, the Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan and stage near-daily attacks against the government and its security forces. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said last week that 45,000 members of the country`s security forces had been killed since he took office in 2014. A US official said in December that President Donald Trump was planning to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the latest sign of his thinning patience with America`s longest war and overseas military interventions. Trump last month decided to pull US troops out of Syria as well. Journalists of the Indian Journalists Association (IJA) on Tuesday expressed strong concerns over the EVM hackathon that was held on January 21 in London. The press conference was held in the name of IJA and Foreign Press Association (FPA) in which a man who referred to himself as cyber expert Syed Shuja appeared via Skype and made allegations against the Election Commission and the use of EVMs. While the FPA had disassociated itself with the event later, IJA accused its own president Ashish Ray of not being transparent over why the press conference was organised. IJA said Ray ignored several fundamental questions asked by them and even those relating to whether members of any other political party had been involved in setting up the meeting, and their awareness of the allegations and lack of documentation. They even asked Ray to divulge how much was paid to arrange the 'shambolic event'. Here is the full text of IJA's letter We, the undersigned journalists, would like to make a statement in the public interest, setting out our strong concerns and objections to the press conference held in the name of the Indian Journalists Association (IJA) and Foreign Press Association (FPA) on Monday, January 21, in central London, at which a man calling himself Syed Shuja appeared via Skype link-up to make very serious and entirely unsubstantiated allegations against the Electoral Commission and political parties in India. The FPA has since disassociated itself with the event. The event had been presented as a demonstration of how Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering could and would take place in India. Many of us, as responsible journalists with an open mind, attended. Right up to the moment it started, we did not know the name or credentials of the person who was going to demonstrate on an EVM how it can be hacked. We were convinced by Ashis Ray, the President of the IJA, that the man addressing the press conference was one of the designers of the EVM in India and would hold a demonstration for us, in person, on how to hack it. To our astonishment, it turned out to be a press conference via Skype by a masked man, with nothing to back up his claims about his current location or what had prevented him from attending the London press conference. Since then many questions have been raised, from how the organiser of the event IJA President Ashis Ray first established contact with Shuja, whether any steps had been taken to verify his highly sensational claims that he admitted himself cannot be corroborated, and whether Ray had been transparent with the FPA and members of the IJA or anyone set to attend the meeting. Ray has ignored these fundamental questions, including those relating to whether members of any other political party had been involved in setting up the meeting, and their awareness of the allegations and lack of documentation. Despite promises to the press conference, Shuja has produced no evidence whatsoever to back up his claims. The members of the IJA had asked Ray to divulge how much was paid to arrange this shambolic event, and if the executive committee was aware of it. Some of the committee members including the Secretary have confirmed they were not consulted before the event nor was aware of the amount paid. They themselves raised concerns about Rays running of the organisation on his own terms. Recently he wrote a letter to the new High Commissioner of India to UK, Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam, questioning her for organising the Indian Republic Day celebration on the same day as the IJA annual dinner (it has even been reported in the press). The language of the letter was completely out of line and Ray had no right to send out such a letter to an ambassador, on behalf of the IJA, without prior consultation with the committee. Some of us recently chose to leave the organisation, after Ray raised the possibility of getting a concessionary rate for real estate in New Delhi for IJA members after he supposedly talked to a government minister about this. Many who didnt leave also raised concerns about this. Many of us also had strong concerns about a meeting for Rahul Gandhi during his London visit in 2018, which, in involving business leaders and others, moved far away from the remit of a media body, meant to defend journalists and enable their work. The IJA was set up in 1947 and has till recently been a well-respected and important body with a crucial role in journalism in the UK, India and in that bilateral relationship. A lot of this has been put at risk by the dictatorial and un-transparent way in which Ashis Ray, the current president, has run it. Companies House records show the organisation being put on compulsory strike-off- notice in August 2018, which follows regular delays in filing accounts in a timely manner. Members and former members of IJA call on Ray to resign as President, apologise and offer a full explanation on the Shuja fiasco, failing which we call on members to oust him as president and director. If this does not happen, we will have no alternative but to set up a body that truly works for journalists rather than acting as a vehicle for a personal agenda. This is not a party-political issue but a question of fundamental journalistic principles that have not been lived up to. The current president, who has been conducting IJA affairs without any proper consultation with the Executive Committee or the wider membership and spending the organisations funds on events he chooses to host, has no doubt brought the organisation into serious disrepute. With Brexit and the forthcoming election in India there are many important debates to be had and issues to be investigated, but providing a platform for such serious and unsubstantiated claims merely sullies the discourse and adds to divisions. Signatories (In Alphabetical Order) Shrabani Basu Mandy Clark Rupanjana Dutta Radhika Iyer Poonam Joshi Naresh Kaushik Ruhi Khan Aditi Khanna Vijay Ralleigh Vidya Ram Nabanita Sircar Sanjay Suri Loveena Tandon Ragasudha Vinjamuri Moon hit for wasteful regional development policy The Moon Jae-in administration is being slammed for a costly construction project aimed at lifting the economies of the underdeveloped regions. During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday presided over by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, the government approved a five-year plan for balanced regional development, including 23 projects worth around 24.1 trillion won ($21.5 billion) that will be exempt from feasibility studies. The government will spend 175 trillion won over the next five years on various projects in areas outside Seoul and the metropolitan area to boost provincial economies that have long suffered from a lack of growth and jobs. The announcement has triggered heavy criticism from opposition parties and civic groups. The main opposition Liberty Korea Party called it a scheme to gather public support ahead of the general election and said it will end up burdening taxpayers. Moon has been particularly critical of the past conservative administration of Lee Myung-bak which fixated on large-scale construction such as the Four Rivers Restoration Project, which is now considered one of the biggest failures of his government. The project was also pursued hastily without a proper feasibility study and Lee is still blamed heavily for it. A recent survey showed the Moon administration is swiftly catching up with the amount spent by the Lee administration on projects that were given feasibility study waivers. The Lee administration spent 60 trillion won on 88 projects from 2008 through 2012. In just three years, the Moon administration is already expected to have spent 53 trillion won on such projects. During a press conference at the Sejong Government Complex Tuesday, Hong Nam-ki, minister of economy and finance, said the projects chosen to be exempt from feasibility studies were different from Lee's project to restore the nation's four major rivers. He underlined that they were chosen because they have the potential to create synergy in improving balanced national development and provincial economies and that local governments had placed priority on them. The minister also emphasized that the plan included projects related to the environment, health and transportation that are aimed at improving the peoples' livelihoods. The key projects include the construction of a railway linking Gimcheon and Geoje Island and an international airport in the Saemangeum region. Hong also defied concerns that the projects will place a big burden on fiscal management. Despite efforts to assuage public criticism, many people are not convinced. It is important for the government to implement policies for balanced development of the country. But it needs to listen to the mounting criticisms against the plan. Proper feasibility studies are necessary to block the reckless investment plans pursued by provincial governments and to prevent the waste of taxpayers' money. The government should carefully examine whether all these projects are really useful and will have the desired economic effect. Otherwise, the Moon administration will continue to be criticized for populist projects that will only increase the burden on taxpayers in the long run. RAMALLAH: Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah has tendered his resignation and that of his unity government to President Mahmoud Abbas, he said on Tuesday, dealing a blow to faltering reconciliation efforts with Gaza`s Islamist Hamas rulers. The government will continue to carry out its duties until a new one is formed, he said in a statement issued after a weekly cabinet meeting. There was no immediate comment from Abbas, but his Fatah faction, at a meeting he chaired two days ago, recommended that the government be replaced. A Hamas official condemned the move as an attempt to marginalise and exclude the group from Palestinian politics. Hamdallah, a little-known academic, headed the national unity government formed in 2014 and led the West Bank-based Fatah`s reconciliation efforts with Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007. The two groups signed a reconciliation deal two years ago which set in motion a plan for Abbas`s Palestinian Authority to resume governing in Gaza and take up control of the coastal enclave`s crossing points into Egypt and Israel. But disputes over power-sharing and disagreements over policy towards Israel have hampered the deal`s implementation. LONDON: Iran on Tuesday dismissed calls from the United States and Europe for curbs on its ballistic missiles, but said it had no plans to increase their range. US President Donald Trump pulled out of a nuclear deal with Iran in May and reimposed sanctions, saying the accord did not address the Islamic republic`s ballistic missiles and what he saw as its malign influence on the region. France, which is still committed to the nuclear deal, said last week it was ready to impose further sanctions on Iran if no progress was made in talks over the weapons programme. The enemies say Irans missile power should be eliminated, but we have repeatedly said our missile capabilities are not negotiable, Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. The secretary of Iran`s National Security Council also said Iran would keep working to improve the missiles` accuracy. "Iran has no scientific or operational restriction for increasing the range of its military missiles, but based on its defensive doctrine, it is continuously working on increasing the precision of the missiles, and has no intention to increase their range," Ali Shamkhani, a close aide to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying by state broadcaster IRIB. A United Nations Security Council resolution that accompanied the 2015 nuclear deal called upon Tehran to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons. But Iran said that call did not amount to a binding order and has denied that its missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Washington has also told Tehran to stop developing its satellite-launching technology, saying it was concerned that the same techniques could also be used to launch warheads. Shamkhani said Iran would keep working on the technology "to improve the quality of peoples lives and increase the country`s technological prowess. An Iranian bid to send a satellite into orbit failed this month as its launching rocket did not reach adequate speed in its third stage. Kolkata: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called up West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and expressing serious concern over violence near the venue of BJP president Amit Shah's rally in East Midnapore district. He asked the Chief Minister that those indulging in violence should be brought to book. Shah, earlier in the day, addressed a public rally in East Midnapore district's Kanthi where he launched a scathing attack against the TMC government in West Bengal and alleged that the West Bengal CM's paintings were bought by chit fund owners for crores of rupees. Soon after the rally, vehicles parked near the rally venue were vandalised, triggering a slugfest between both the parties in the state. While BJP leader Rahul Sinha accused the ruling party of instigating the attack in West Bengal, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya warned Mamata Banerjee of serious consequences. Attacking the ruling Trinamool Congress government in the state, Sinha alleged that it is the ruling party who is behind the attack. On the other hand, Vijayvargiya said, "Hum Mamata ji ko chetawani dena chahte hain ki iss prakar BJP ka karyakarta na darne wala hai na jhukne wala hai. Ye Mamata ji ko bahut mehenga padega, ye main kehna chahta hun (We are warning West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, we will not be afraid by these incidents. She will have to pay for it)." TMC leader Madan Mitra, however, counter-attacked BJP saying, "Beginning of the end of BJP as a whole has already started & it has started from Bengal. BJP has hired some hooligans from Jharkhand. They are doing this because they have no other issue." (With inputs from agencies) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two suspected Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (JMB) operatives from Bengals Hooghly district on late Monday night. NIA Kolkata arrested accused Kadar Kazi alias Kadoor, 32 years, from Arambagh Police Station area, district Hooghly, West Bengal. He was wanted in Burdwan blast case and was also declared as a proclaimed offender. His associate Sajjad Ali who was also involved in the activities of JMB has also been arrested in the late night operation yesterday. Both the accused are being produced before NIA special court Kolkata today, said an official release from the NIA. Both the accused have been brought to Kolkata from Hooghly district and will be produced before the NIA Special court on Tuesday in the city. Kazi is a close associate of Burdwan blast mastermind Kausar. According to sources in the NIA, Sajjad Ali was in charge of recruiting people for the JMB and Kader Kazi was an expert in ammunition and explosives. During the Burdwan blast, Kazi had accompanied Kausar to purchase explosives from Kolkata. Both Sajjad Ali and Kader Kazi used to raise funds for this JMB unit. Sleuths suspect that Kader had also played an important role in supporting Kausar in the Bodh Gaya blast. On October 2, 2014, an explosion was reported at Khagragarh in Burdwan district of West Bengal. Two JMB operatives died in the blast while making bombs while a third one was seriously injured. The investigation in the explosion unearthed the JMB unit and sleeper cells active in the state. Several arrests were made by the Bengal Police, however, investigation was later handed over to NIA. Kolkata: With barely months left for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the full bench of Election Commission (EC) will visit West Bengal to check the poll preparedness. The bench, on a two-day visit, will arrive in Kolkata on January 30. The EC bench will hold meetings on January 31 and February 1. On Day 1 of the visit, the Election Commission officials will hold a meeting with all the political parties in the state. The second meeting will be held with all the district Superintend of Police, District Magistrate and DEOs. The third meeting will be held with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and nodal officers from the Bengal Police. On Day 2, the Election Commission will hold meetings with the Excise department, IT department and transport department. Later in the day, the commission will hold a meeting with the West Bengal Chief Secretary and Director General of West Bengal Police. Interestingly, the commission issued a notification a week ago, asking the state governments to transfer those officers related to election purpose who have been serving more than three years in the post. The commission also asked the state to ensure that officers are not posted in their home districts. "The West Bengal government has already taken cognisance of the notification issued by the Election Commission and have started posting the officers as per the notification," said a Bengal government official. PRAYAGRAJ: After the first-ever state cabinet meeting in Prayagraj's Kumbh on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the development 600-kilometre long Ganga Expressway. The world's longest expressway will connect Prayagraj with Western UP, said the Chief Minister at a conference post the state cabinet meeting. It will be built on 6,550 hectares of land and cost approximately Rs 36,000 crore, added Adityanath. It will initially be developed as a four-lane expressway and later expandable to six-lane. The Ganga-Expressway will go through areas including Meerut-Amroha-Bulandshahr-Budaun-Shahjahanpur-Kannauj-Unnao-Raebareli-Pratapgarh and arrive at Prayagraj, he added. The cabinet also decided exempt the Bollywood movie 'Uri' from state GST. "There is a movie on the surgical strikes 'Uri'. The cabinet has decided to exempt it from state GST. This film will install a feeling of nationalism in the youth and the citizens of the country," said the CM. Adityanath also announced the development of Bundelkhand Expressway and beautification drive of Maharshri Valmiki Ashram and Maharshi Bharadwaj Ashram. The UP cabinet met at Prayagraj on Tuesday morning in the backdrop of ongoing Kumbh Mela. For more than five decades, the UP cabinet has been meeting in Lucknow. The last time the state cabinet meeting took place outside Lucknow was in 1962. The then Govind Ballabh Pant-led Congress government met in Nainital, now in Uttarakhand. LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar will not attend the UP cabinet meeting at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Tuesday. The boycott comes a day after Rajbhar accused UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of "misleading" the country on the Ram temple issue. In a first, the state cabinet will meet at Prayagraj on Tuesday in the backdrop of ongoing Kumbh Mela. For more than five decades, the cabinet has been meeting in Lucknow. Adityanath and his council of ministers are expected to take crucial decisions in Tuesday's meet. Referring to the Chief Minister's claim during an interview to a channel that the temple issue can be resolved in 24 hours, Rajbhar told news agency PTI, "BJP which is in power at the centre has not been able to find a solution to Ram temple issue in the past five years...What will the chief minister do in 24 hours." "... The party is in power both at the Centre as well as state..Who has stopped them from building the temple. Adityanath is misleading the country on the issue," he said. Rajbhar is the minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Department of Disabled People development in the UP government. Earlier, Rajbhar had said that February 24 will be the last day of his party's alliance with the BJP which has betrayed the backward communities. "The backward and the deprived sections will support the BSP-SP combine in the coming Lok Sabha elections," he added. In October last year, Rajbhar had threatened to resign from the government before Diwali. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the BJP dispensation at the time, the UP minister had claimed that whenever he talks about the poor, "they bring in the Hindu-Muslim issue". Lucknow: For the first time, Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh cabinet will meet at Prayagraj on Tuesday in the backdrop of ongoing Kumbh Mela. For more than five decades, the UP cabinet has been meeting in Lucknow. The last time the state cabinet meeting took place outside Lucknow was in 1962. The then Govind Ballabh Pant-led Congress government met in Nainital, now in Uttarakhand. In Tuesday's meeting, the cabinet is expected to give nod to crucial decisions ahead of Lok Sabha 2019 elections. The meeting is likely to commence at 10 am at the integrated command and control centre in the Kumbh Mela area. State ministers have already reached Kumbh, sources told Zee Media. At 10:30 am, Adityanath along with his council of ministers will visit Hanuman Mandir, followed by a quick trip to Akbar Fort, Akshayvat and Saraswati Koop. After the meeting, Chief Minister Adityanath along with his team of ministers are likely to take a dip in the holy waters of Sangam - -confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj - around noon. This will be followed by a lunch break. The second half of the day will see the cabinet meet the representatives of various Akharas and tour of Kumbh. Adityanath government's decision to hold cabinet meeting in Kumbh in Prayagraj comes days after reports of both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi taking a holy dip in the ongoing Kumbh Mela in February. Earlier, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh also took a holy dip in the Sangam. BAGHPAT: At a time when inter-caste marriages have been creating tension between communities, the Hindus living in a village in Bahgpat have set a unique example by coming forward and lending a helping hand in the marriage of a Muslim girl from a poor family. According to reports, the Hindus, who reside in large numbers in the Abdulpur village of Baghpat, came to know about the poor condition of a Muslim family living in the same village for years. The family was facing extreme difficulties in getting its 28-year-old daughter Gulafshan getting married to a man called Ayyub who lives in Puja Colony of Loni township in Ghaziabad. The girl's father Babu Khan, son of Jumma Khan, is missing for the past 28 years. Babu Khan left his home in search of a job nearly 28 years ago but never came back. Just two months back, the girl's marriage was fixed with Ayyub. Extremely short of cash and with no help coming, the poor family was worried about the girl's marriage. It is when Gangeshwar Sharma, from a respectable Brahmin family, came forward to help them. Soon, the entire village, especially the Hindu families, decided to help the needy family in whatever ways they could. While some took upon them the responsibility to make necessary arrangements for the marriage and welcoming the bridegroom's family, some others bought gifts for the soon-to-be-married couple. A Brahmin couple agreed to do the 'kanyadan' of the Muslim girl during her wedding. Cleric Maulvi Mohammed Hasim of the Masuri village of Hasanpur, who solemnised the marriage, heaped praise on the Hindu families of the village for their hospitality, the respect they showed towards the bridegroom's family and the affection with which they treated the bride. According to the girl's brother Shakir, the wedding was attended by no less than 150 people and all 'nikah' rituals were performed as per the Islamic traditions. CHENNAI: The Income Tax department is currently conducting raids at more than 70 locations in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The raids were conducted following complaints of tax evasion and unaccounted money. The searches began on Tuesday morning at 72 locations in Chennai and two in Coimbatore. The tax sleuths are at the premises of Saravana stores retail chains and real estate firms GSquare/Lotus Group, sources told Zee News. Tamil Nadu: I-T department conducting raids at 70 locations in Chennai; Visuals from at Saravana Stores at T-Nagar pic.twitter.com/ZsUgBx2eeb ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 Earlier this year, the I-T Department conducted raids at popular cafe and restaurant chains, including Grand Sweets, Hot Breads, Saravana Bhavan and Anjappar group, across Chennai. Residences and offices of the directors of these food-joint chains were also raided by a team of over 100 I-T sleuths. Tax sleuths added that the department is looking into allegations of under-reporting and suppressing their income through several means and hence decided to conduct searches and obtain further evidence. By Choi Sung-jin About a month from now, U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will hold another summit meeting, probably in Vietnam. Not many experts on either side of the Pacific seem to be holding their breath, however. Expectations are not high, especially among conservatives. Many are betting the second Trump-Kim summitry will be no better than the first one in Singapore eight months ago, which they say ended as much ado about nothing. Anti-Trump skeptics in America are concerned about their leader now driven into a corner in the domestic front. Beleaguered by the stalemate over the wall along the border with Mexico and the Russian scandal, Trump may give too much and gain too little in his haste to earn some points abroad, they say. Behind these concerns are one-sided views of what has happened over the past eight months. The U.S. diplomatic establishment thinks North Korea has made little progress in denuclearization except for some cosmetic steps during the period. To most objective watchers, however, Pyongyang has done far more than Washington. To start with, more than 400 days have passed since North Korea tested nuclear devices or launched long-range missiles. The U.S. has also received the remains of the soldiers who died during the Korean War some 70 years ago as well as brought back Americans detained in North Korea. In addition, the communist regime shut down a nuclear testing site and a missile-launching base. What the U.S. did all the while was suspend or scale down joint military drills with South Korea. Critics of Trump, or hawks even within his administration such as national security adviser John Bolton, believe the U.S. should not make any concessions unless and until the North takes an important step toward denuclearization. However, their denuclearization-first demands are little more than going back to the Obama administration's "strategic patience," which confused preconditions with the ultimate goal. These skeptics should carefully reread the joint statement in Singapore, which called for the U.S. and North Korea "to establish a new relationship for peace and prosperity." North Korean leader Kim then promised "to reaffirm firm and steadfast promise about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and make efforts for its complete denuclearization." Bolton and other U.S. hard-liners have either misinterpreted the North's promise for "making efforts" intentionally or tried to change it to "North Korea agreed to abandon nuclear weapons." That sparked Pyongyang's fury, in the form of a comment by its propaganda machine. The (North) Korean Central News Agency, expressing anger about Washington's "distortion of the bilateral agreement's substance," defined what it believes as denuclearization, saying, "The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula means the removal of all elements of nuclear threats targeting the peninsula not only from the two Koreas but their surrounding areas." The first and foremost thing in negotiation is to listen to each other's words as they are, not distorting or interpreting them to one's advantage. Hardcore pessimists have long concluded North Korea will not, and cannot, give up nuclear weapons in exchange for anything, saying it took nearly five decades and lots of money for the impoverished country and even millions of victims of starvation, to develop nuclear weapons. "There are no cases of nuclear powers, recognized or virtual, giving up their hard-won atomic weapons," the skeptics say. A little bit of neutral thinking tells us, however, the North's desperate nuclear armament was not for owning dozens of atomic bombs but for using them as bargaining chips to ensure its security and economic assistance. Without ICBMs, the U.S. has few reasons to worry about its security. Even with ICBMs, Pyongyang cannot make the first attack against the U.S. at the risk of being wiped out. It is where South Korean conservatives' complaints start about the so-called "small deal" between the U.S. and North Korea. For example, North Korea could shut down all long-range missile facilities in return for some easing of U.S. economic sanctions, which exposes only the South to the North's nuclear threats, they think. Most experts here agree, however, that the two Koreas have made a de facto nonaggression agreement through the three rounds of summit between President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un. What all this shows is the foremost concern for North Korea and its young leader is developing the economy now that they have fulfilled the primary purpose of nuclear development programs. Unlike Israel, India and Pakistan, North Korea has no adversaries nearby armed with nuclear weapons and threatening its security. China and Russia have nuclear weapons, but Pyongyang does not mind them. For Pyongyang, the only and most fearful threat comes from the U.S. If Washington fully guarantees the North's security and extends economic aid, Pyongyang has few reasons not to drop its weapons. Also unlike Israel and India, which are developed or emerging economies, the North is one of the poorest countries in the world; Pyongyang is just a giant propaganda city, and the rest of the country is still in economic ruins. Moreover, the U.S. can deploy its strategic assets within the distance of the second strike. Even without the virtual nonaggression accord with North Korea, South Koreans do not have to worry because Washington can fold and unfold its nuclear umbrella according to the progress in the North's denuclearization. It would be correct to think even significant progress in U.S.-North Korea talks cannot offset Trump's defeat in the domestic politics in the next U.S. presidential election. If the nationalistic, isolationist U.S. leader manages to draw North Korea closer to Washington instead of Beijing, however, he will go down in U.S. history as the leader who took the pivotal high ground in its global hegemonic battle against China. President Trump said he is in love with Kim Jong-un. He has yet to show it through his actions, however. The time to do so is coming. Choi Sung-jin is a Korea Times columnist. Contact him at choisj1955@naver.com. With her glamorous roles and arresting performances, actor Raashi Khanna has always impressed the Telugu audience and that is what has fetched her some good roles in other languages too. Raashi made her Telugu debut with 'Oohalu Gusa Gusa Lade' and her recent film in Telugu was 'Srinivasa Kalyanam'. The young actress is on a signing spree nowadays. She was recently seen in two Tamil films which have been blockbusters. Well, she is popular for her glam roles all over. Coming to her latest projects in Telugu, the actor is currently shooting for her upcoming film with Vijay Deverakonda. This film is a Kranthi Madhav directorial which is currently being shot in Kothhagudem. There are a couple more heroines including Aishwarya Rajesh. But Raashi plays the leading lady. The actor is pretty excited about the love story and the fact that she is working next to Deverkonda. The story will see the couple going through a lot of ups and downs in their relationship. This is Raashis first collaboration with Vijay. The actor has also signed a film opposite to Vijay Sethupathi under the direction of Vijay Chandar. This film is going to be a commercial film with village backdrop. Raashi is also is in talks for Simbhu-Venkat Prabhu film and also a couple of other Tamil films. One has to definitely say that Priya Prakash Varrier is definitely a lucky girl. With just one wink, this starlet scaled unexpected heights. This young girl from Kerala is gearing up for the release for her debut film 'Oru Adaar Love' in Malayalam and at the same time, the film is also releasing in Telugu with the title 'Lovers Day'. The actor was in Hyderabad recently for the promotion of the film and she was pretty excited about it. Priya and Roshan, the lead pair of the film took part in the audio release function and actor Allu Arjun was the chief guest at the event. Well, Priya has been receiving many offers from various filmmakers of Telugu film industry. During the recent interview, she said that she will soon announce her Telugu debut film once it is finalised. So according to the latest reports, the actor is roped in to play the leading lady in actor Nanis next film which will be directed by Vikram Kumar and bankrolled by Mythri Movie Makers. The film is expected to go on floors in February and already has technicians like PC Sreeram on board. Priya is making her Bollywood debut with 'Sridevi Bungalow' and the teaser of the film which was unveiled recently has received a mixed response. It is also said that the actor has quoted for Rs 2 crore for a film when producer Dil Raju had approached her. Kolkata: Senior TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya on Tuesday wrote to BJP President Amit Shah over his speech during a public rally in West Bengal's East Midnapore district. She issued a defamation notice to the BJP veteran for his remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In her letter, Bhattacharya, also the West Bengal Trinamool Mahila Congress president, asked Shah to "either prove his statements or withdraw the same and apologise before public' or legal steps will be taken". "I call upon you to either prove your statements and/or forthwith withdraw the same and apologize before the public, as otherwise it would be a constraint on our bar, to rake appropriate legal steps against you for which you would be held responsible," the letter read. WB Trinamool Mahila Congress Pres Chandrima Bhattacharya writes to BJP President Amit Shah over his speech in East Midnapore today. In the letter, Bhattacharya asks him to 'either prove his statements &/or withdraw the same&apologise before public' or legal steps will be taken.' pic.twitter.com/cae0AYmz4R ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019 Shah, earlier in the day, addressed a public rally in East Midnapore district's Kanthi where he launched a scathing attack against the TMC government in West Bengal and alleged that the West Bengal CM's paintings were bought by chit fund owners for crores of rupees. Bhattacharya, who is also the minister of state for health in West Bengal government, accused Shah of trying to malign the TMC supremo's image by "uttering lies". "I have issued a defamation notice against BJP national president Amit Shah for his defamatory and malicious remarks against Mamata Banerjee," she said. "I want to ask him on what basis he had made those comments against our party leader. He has to either give evidence in support of his statements or apologise publicly for his comments. If he doesn't do it we will take legal steps against him," she added. (With inputs from agencies) Mumbai: With the Lok Sabha elections just months away, the BJP on Tuesday started holding division-wise meetings here to assess the ground situation and prepare itself for the polls, a party functionary said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis started conducting the meetings with the party MPs and discussing the situation in their respective constituencies, the BJP leader said. "Most of the meetings held on Tuesday are related to the Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai region. The other segments will be discussed in the subsequent days," the office-bearer of the saffron party said. "The BJP has earlier carried out some surveys about the party's chances of winning the 2019 general elections. Based on it, we have given instructions to our MPs so that they should not lag behind on any front," the leader said. On the possibility of a pre-poll tie-up between the BJP and the Shiv Sena, another party leader said, "The BJP is keen on forging an alliance with the Shiv Sena, but the latter is bargaining hard this time." "The statements made by the Sena leaders time-to-time show that they do not want to join hands with the BJP easily," he said. Maharashtra is the second largest state, next only to Uttar Pradesh, in terms of number of Lok Sabha seats. The Shiv Sena, which has been continually taking potshots at the BJP, had said on Monday that it would be the "big brother" in the alliance, while not making it clear whether it will have a fresh tie-up with the saffron party. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party had said last January that it would go it alone in all future elections. Till 2014, the BJP and the Sena, allies for long, had an understanding where the former contested a larger share of Lok Sabha seats and the latter contested a greater number of Assembly seats in Maharashtra. In the 2014 Assembly polls, which the two parties fought separately, the BJP had won 122 seats against Sena's 63. The Sena later joined the government in the state as a junior partner. NEW DELHI: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to India Dr Ahmed Albanna has credited the 'personal touch' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in bettering ties with his country as one of the reasons behind the extradition of alleged middleman in the multi-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam Christian Michel. "The close relationship, the very very important strategic and the personal touch in the relationship that counts, that sometimes makes things that don't happen in one year to happen in one day," Albanna said. The UAE envoy made these remarks while replying to questions related to the extradition of Christian Michel at a press conference in the national capital. "We do have a very good collaboration and cooperation and we have signed an agreement in terms of giving information, security collaboration and so on," he said. It is to be noted that Christian Michel is the alleged middleman in the Rs 3600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. He was extradited from UAE in December last year. The Government of India (GoI) had sent an extradition request in 2017 to the UAE and after a lengthy legal battle in the country's courts, he was extradited to India on December 4, 2019. New Delhi has also given consular access to the United Kingdom for Michel. Michel is a British national, who has been extradited from a 3rd country UAE to face trial in India. In the last four years, 16 fugitive criminals have been extradited back to India. On India-UAE ties, he said, "Bilateral ties are at its peak. A close relationship, close strategic relationship, the high-level visits in many different sectors--Ministers, CEO. India is a major partner-economic, trading, strategic. We want to keep up with the relationship. We make sure things on right track. We have a special relationship because of the visits of PM Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi" PM Modi visited UAE in August of 2015 followed by the visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in February of 2016. Crown Prince was also the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day in 2017, which was his second visit to India. It was followed again by the visit of PM Modi in 2018 for the sixth World Government Summit in Dubai. UAE has also announced that it will build the first Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. The country has declared 2019 as the 'Year of Tolerance'. Indian population in UAE currently stands at around 3.3 million, making it the largest concentration of Indian nationals outside India. SHILLONG: Ten political parties of northeast along with Janata Dal (United) joined hands on Tuesday to unanimously to oppose Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Ten political parties of northeast and JD(U), including BJP allies, unanimously decide to oppose citizenship bill, said Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, as reported by news agency PTI. The 11 parties also decided to appeal to the Central government to scrap the legislation. The parties will send a delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind seeking a scrapping of the Bill which will "endanger the lives and identity of the indigenous people, said Sangma. The Bill, which seeks to grant citizenship to migrants from six non-Muslim minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8. The parties from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura participated in a two-day convention and unanimously decided to oppose the Bill. The Nagaland Cabinet rejected the citizenship bill, following pressure from various tribal organisations and students bodies, said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Temjen Toy. The @BJP4India is fully committed towards the development and prosperity of Assam. We will always protect the interests of the state. Several initiatives of the Central and Assam Government have contributed towards transforming lives of the citizens of Assam. @BJP4Assam Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 Gratitude to my sisters and brothers of Assam for the strong support to @BJP4Assam in polls to three Tribal Autonomous Councils in the state. I appreciate the local unit of the Party for their constant efforts to serve the people of the state. https://t.co/b9n6VEVIB4 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 With the BJP has been facing heat over the Citizenship Bill in the northeast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday tweeted, The @BJP4India is fully committed towards the development and prosperity of Assam. We will always protect the interests of the state. Several initiatives of the Central and Assam Government have contributed towards transforming lives of the citizens of Assam. @BJP4Assam New Delhi: India on Monday named Sunjay Sudhir, a 1993 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), as its new Ambassador to the Maldives. Sudhir, presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. Sudhir will succeed Akhilesh Mishra in Male. Ties between India and the Indian Ocean atoll nation started improving towards the end of 2018 after remaining strained most of the year over former Maldivian President Abdul Yameen`s policies. Yameen, seen to have been distancing himself from India and leaning towards China, imposed a state of emergency in the Maldives in February last year. The crisis ended in September when Ibrahim Mohammed Solih, the joint opposition candidate, defeated Yameen in the presidential election. Modi attended Solih`s swearing in ceremony on November 17. New Delhi: India on Tuesday received the Award of Excellence for 'Best in Show' at the recently concluded New York Times Travel Show 2019. It is the largest travel show in North America which is held from January 25 to January 27 in New York. The Ministry of Tourism participated as the 'Presenting Partner' in the New York Times Travel Show (NYTTS 2019) organised at the Jacob K Javits Centre with a view to scale up its tourism promotional efforts in the US and to enhance India's visibility and to increase its share of US Outbound travel market. A high-level delegation led by Tourism Ministry Secretary Yogendra Tripathi and a number of stakeholders from India's tourism industry participated in the Show. A number of India centric activities were organised at the show including 'Focus on India' and consumer seminars, Indian cultural performances, Indian culinary demonstration, food tasting, etc. The Tourism Secretary also interacted with a number of leading travel professionals from the US at the trade key note session during the show and sought their continued support in positioning India in the US. India was honoured during the closing bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange. NEW DELHI: Defending the Centre's plea in the Supreme Court to return excess land acquired by it in Ayodhya to their original owners, the BJP on Tuesday clarified that the Centre is not touching the disputed area. Speaking on behalf of the party, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters that it would be up to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas what it does with the land returned to it and the government would not interfere in that. Addressing a press conference on the issue, Javadekar said, ''BJP always maintained that Ram temple be built on Ram Janmabhoomi. Whatever legal measure is required, BJP will try for that. PM had clarified that people want temple but the matter is sub-judice and measures will be taken accordingly. Today's application in the SC is also a legal decision.'' P Javadekar,BJP: BJP always maintained Ram temple be built on Ram janmabhoomi.Whatever legal measure is required,BJP will try for that. PM had clarified that ppl want temple but matter is sub-judice&measures will be taken accordingly. Today's application is also a legal decision. pic.twitter.com/pCC6fCsluE ANI (@ANI) 29 January 2019 Javadekar also attacked the Congress party, saying ''it always tries to block the process.'' ''Kapil Sibal's argument of allotting a date for hearing in the matter only after July 2019 is enough to prove that. They don't believe in Ram. The affidavit submitted by the then Congress government on Ram Setu called it 'imaginary,'' the minister said. The remarks from the Union HRD Minister came after the Centre on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking its permission to return the excess or superfluous land around the disputed Ram Janambhoomi Babri Masjid site to original owners, including the Nyas. In its plea, the government sought modification of 2003 SC order to allow it to return to original owners the 67.390 acre of "non-disputed" acquired land around the disputed Ram Janambhoomi Babri Masjid structure in Ayodhya. The 0.313 acre plot, on which disputed structure stood before it was demolished by the 'kar sevaks' on December 6, 1992, was within the 2.77 acre plot. The government had acquired 67.703 acre, including the 2.77 acre, through a legislation in 1993. The Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (RJN) is the owner of as much as 42 acre of the acquired non-disputed land. The application filed by the BJP-led NDA government on Tuesday claimed that only 0.313 acre land on which the disputed structure stood before the demolition was disputed portion of the land. "The applicant (Centre) is filing this application seeking permission of this court to permit the applicant to fulfil the duty to revert/restore/hand over the excess/superfluous land acquired under the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act, 1993," the plea said. It sought modification of the apex court order of March 31, 2003, by which the Central government was directed to maintain the "status quo" with regard to entire land including the non-disputed acquired plots. The Modi government, in its 33-page application, said that modification would enable it to determine "the exact extent of land required from out of the superfluous/ excess land to ensure that the successful party in the dispute pending regarding the 'disputed land' can have proper access to and enjoyment of rights in the disputed land." Referring to the earlier order of March 31, 2003, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the apex court instead of "confining the order of status quo to the disputed land" had extended the restraining order to adjacent acquired land also. The Centre also referred to the Supreme Court's verdict in the 1994 Ismail Faruqui case, saying the top court had observed that if the Centre wanted to return the acquired land to its original owners then it may do so. "The Constitution Bench of this Court has held that the superfluous area which is other than the disputed area of 0.313 acres shall be reverted/ restored to its original owners," the plea said. The plea has said the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (a trust to promote construction of Ram Temple) had sought a return of excess land acquired in 1991 to original owners. "One party namely Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas whose land measuring approximately 42 acres [which is a part of the superfluous/excess land] was acquired, has moved an application relying on the constitution bench judgment of this court," the plea said. The Centre in its fresh plea has sought modification of the apex court order of 2003 in which it had directed to maintain status quo with regard to the acquired land. "The Applicant is seeking permission of this court to discharge its duty as earmarked in the judgment of the constitution bench by suitably modifying /vacating the order dated 31.3.2003," the plea said. The central government in 1991 had acquired 67 acre land including the disputed site. The Centre has said in its plea that it has no objection in returning the land to its actual owners. "The central government has no objection in principle if the superfluous land is restored to RJB Nyas as well as other owners after determining the extent of land required for proper access to and enjoyment of rights in the disputed area by preparing a plan map,'' it said in its plea. 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. Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad had on Monday disapprove of the slow pace of hearing on the Ayodhya title suit in the Supreme Court and appealed to it for an "expeditious decision" as had been done in the matters related to adultery and Sabarimala temple. Prasad qualified his views with the remark that he spoke as a citizen and not as the Law Minister. His remarks came a day after the Supreme Court Sunday cancelled the January 29 hearing in the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute case as one member of the five-judge Constitution bench would not be available. The Supreme Court had on Sunday cancelled the hearing scheduled for Tuesday in the title dispute case due to non-availability of Justice S A Bobde, one of the five judges of the Constitution bench. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former union minister George Fernandes who breathed his last early on Tuesday morning. The 88-year-old veteran was bed-ridden due to Alzheimer's as well as other health-related issues for nearly a decade. Paying last respects to the former defence minister, PM Modi remembered him as a frank, fearless, forthright and farsighted leader. "George Sahab represented the best of Indias political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away," he tweeted. He added that Fernandes could humble the mightiest of politicians. "When we think of Mr. George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong," he tweeted. When we think of Mr. George Fernandes, we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 29, 2019 "During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace," he added. Other BJP leaders also joined the PM in condoling the former union minister's death. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also remembered him as a stalwart of Indias socialist movement. "Deeply saddened by the passing away of Indias former Defence Minister George Fernandes ji. Today we have lost a stalwart of Indias socialist movement. He devoted his entire life for the welfare and uplift of the poor and marginalised. My heartfelt condolences to his family," he tweeted. George Fernandes ji served the nation in several capacities and held key portfolios like Defence and Railways at different times. He led many labour movements and fought against the injustice towards them. His tenure as Defence Minister was outstanding. May his soul rest in peace Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 29, 2019 BJP leader Subramanian Swamy recalled his relationship with Fernandes and said that he used to meet him every Sunday. "Very sad to hear about George Fernandes demise. He was a very good friend in his later years. Earlier we had ideological differences due to his being socialist and I for market based economy but we were united in opposing TDK and residual Nehru family," he tweeted. The FBI's predawn arrest of self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" and longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone on Friday brings the total number of President Donald Trump's advisers and officials charged by the Mueller probe to six. According to the indictment, which deserves to be read in its entirety, Stone is charged with seven counts of criminal activity, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements, and one count of "witness tampering." Yet none of those charges fully conveys the seriousness of the FBI's allegations against Stone and the threat, if proven true, he and his associates posed to free and fair elections in 2016, and, by extension, America's 242-year-old experiment in democracy. As nearly every American knows by now, special counsel Robert Mueller was appointed in May 2017 by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to "oversee the previously confirmed FBI investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and related matters." All seven of the charges against Stone strike to the core of Russian interference, since they involve his alleged attempts to hide his efforts to gather information regarding hacked emails potentially damaging to the Clinton campaign. U.S. officials have repeatedly stated, and indeed this was the basis for launching the Mueller probe, that Russian intelligence agents were responsible for hacking Hillary Clinton's and other Democrats' email accounts and then giving them to WikiLeaks for public consumption. Moreover, the indictment alleges that Stone sought to obtain information about the hacked emails at the direction of unidentified "senior Trump Campaign officials." The threats by Stone quoted in the indictment as proof of "witness tampering," aimed at an unidentified individual, are perhaps the most shocking. When that individual said in an email that Stone should be "honest" with the FBI, Stone replied, "You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends-run your mouth my lawyers are dying (sic) Rip you to shreds." Stone later wrote to that same individual saying, "Prepare to die (expletive)." We mention all this not out of any partisan instinct or desire to see "collusion" proven once and for all. A blow to the credibility of our democracy, and the presidency any presidency is a blow to our nation as a whole. Some on the left seem to relish the idea that those closest to the president if not the president himself may face similar indictments. While some on the right seem to agree with the president that the Mueller probe is nothing but a "witch hunt" and believe the special counsel long ago overstepped his bounds. This latter view is often accompanied by claims that any threat to our fundamental democratic values or the credibility of our electoral process has been exaggerated for political gain. We disagree. When the president's advisers are being indicted for covering up investigations into foreign interference in a U.S. election and intimidating those who would cooperate with the official assigned to head that investigation, we believe we are in dangerous and uncharted territory. Painting this as politics as usual won't diminish what is clearly a disturbing affront to any sense of democratic fair play and possibly a crime against the spirit and letter of this nation's federal and nonfederal election laws. That a foreign national or agency may have helped one candidate defeat another for our nation's highest office is a matter no American should take lightly, regardless of political affiliation. As more indictments are handed down, Democrats and Republicans alike should have the strength to follow the truth wherever it may lead. The above editorial appeared in the Dallas Morning News. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Vietnam's international economic integration process has achieved positive results during the drastic implementation of the consistent guidelines and policies of the Party and State. For the first time Vietnam has made its presence in the region's leading country group in the process of proactive international economic integration. After joining ASEAN in 1995 and participating in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), Vietnam has continued to negotiate, sign and implement 12 bilateral, multilateral and regional FTAs. Multiple beneficial commitments According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, at the beginning of the integration process, Vietnam mainly participated in the ASEAN-based FTAs with its partners (starting with China in 2004 and followed by the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India). However, in the later stage, Vietnam has developed a clear orientation, moving to actively negotiate FTAs with markets that are profitable and highly enforceable. This trend started with the Vietnam - Japan FTA and then the FTAs with Chile, the ROK, the Eurasian Economic Union and the CPTPP. In addition, negotiations have also been concluded on the EVFTA and it is in the process of preparation for signing. The process of joining FTAs shows that international economic integration through participation in FTAs is a highly correct strategy, opening new opportunities for the nations economic development, expanding export markets, and helping Vietnam to participate more deeply in the global value chain and production network, as well as transforming its economic structure in a positive direction, improving the business environment and competitiveness, taking advantage of investment, technology and management experience, and creating more jobs. New generation FTAs are putting Vietnam ahead of a new playing field with strategic changes to improve economic cooperation and remove previous tariff barriers that hindered trade before. The trend of promoting trade liberalisation for agricultural products through signing and enforcing FTAs, especially new generation ones, will help Vietnam enjoy more preferential tariffs and non-tariffs, while also having the chance to restructure the import-export market in a more balanced way, thereby avoiding excessive dependence on certain markets. With the CPTPP, a series of agricultural products exported by the member countries, including Vietnam, will receive a tax reduction. In the Canadian market, Vietnam has reached a 100% tax abolishment agreement on the export of timber, while Vietnamese rice import tax will also be eliminated as soon as the agreement comes into effect. For the Japanese market, Vietnam enjoys a tariff elimination rate at 78% for agricultural exports, 91% for seafood exports and 97% for wood exports. Chile agreed to abolish taxes on most key Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products as soon as the agreement comes into effect, while Peru will also eliminate taxes on all Vietnamese seafood products. It is expected that after the EVFTA comes into effect, 99% of the import tariff lines will be removed within seven to 10 years. This can be considered the highest commitment level that Vietnam has achieved in the signed FTAs. Notably, many items will enjoy 0% tax rate as soon as this agreement takes effect, such as coffee (currently imposed with the basic tax rate from 0-11.5%), pepper (0-4%) and natural honey (17.3%). The EU is currently the second largest market for Vietnamese exports of key commodities such as coffee, cashew nuts and pepper. For Vietnamese fruit and vegetables, processed vegetables, fruit and juice, the EU pledged to basically eliminate all tariffs as soon as the agreement comes into effect. For milled rice, unmilled rice and fragrant rice, the EU will apply tariff quotas, while broken rice exported to the EU will be taxed according to the roadmap and taxes for products and grain rice will also be brought to 0% within seven years. As soon as the EVFTA comes into effect, roughly 50% of the EU tariff lines for Vietnamese seafood will be removed, and 50% of the remaining tariffs will be abolished within three to seven years under a specific schedule. Exported seafood is entitled to tax rates according to EVFTA commitments, instead of the previous GSP, which is expected to offer more benefits as EVFTA tax rates are applied to the majority of export products while GSP is only for certain products. New opportunities for Vietnamese exports So far, Vietnam has almost completed its opening process to access new markets, with 12 FTAs being signed or in negotiations, as well as ending negotiations on several FTAs. By participating in new generation FTAs such as the CPTPP or EVFTA, the process has opened up multiple opportunities for economic development in general and the agricultural sector in particular. The main export agricultural products of Vietnam to the CPTPP, including timber, wood products and fishery products (mainly shrimp and pangasius), earn the largest export turnover, accounting for a high proportion of the total export turnover of agricultural products. At present, Vietnam's agricultural export activities only focus on several main products and a few key customers within the CPTPP. Participating in the CPTPP is a good opportunity for Vietnam to expand its exports to major markets such as Mexico, Australia and Canada, as well as helping to diversify its agricultural export products. Another greater opportunity for trade expansion is the transnational investment activity associated with science and technology and labour capacity improvement. When signing the CPTPP, some countries without advantages in agriculture are likely to shift their investment to Vietnam. Through receiving foreign investment, in addition to creating more jobs and increasing income, the most important aspect is that Vietnamese agriculture will absorb new science and technology, thus changing the traditional ways of production and improving efficiency. For the EU market, after the EVFTA is signed, Vietnam will become one of the leading countries in exporting agricultural products to the EU. In addition, Vietnam's agricultural products will also enjoy more advantages compared to other countries, because the tax on Vietnamese agricultural products exported to the EU will be only 0% within seven years. The preferential tariffs in the EVFTA will bring new opportunities for Vietnamese seafood exporters, thereby expanding the potential to export their products to other import markets, as well as participating in the global seafood value chain. In the future, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on institutional and policy reforms to create favourable conditions to promote the business and investment environment, while ensuring compliance with the commitments to promote Vietnams advantages and potentials in agriculture. Veteran politician and the former Defence Minister of India George Fernandes died in Delhi on Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 88. It was during his tenure as the Defence Minister that India witnessed the 1999 Kargil War and also conducted the five nuclear tests at Pokhran. Born on June 3, 1930, to a Mangalorean Catholic family, Fernandes was the eldest of six siblings. After completing his Class 10, he decided to quit studying and become a priest. At age 16, he went to St Peter's Seminary in Bangalore to be trained as a Roman Catholic priest. Frustrated at the divisions within the Church, he left within three years. His first tryst with socialism was at age 19 when he joined the socialist trade union movement. Soon, he organised a movement for the rights of workers in the road transport industry, hotels and restaurants in Mangalore, which led to several stints in the prison. This thrust him into the public sphere early on and he successfully contested Bombay Municipal Corporation elections from 1961 and 1968. In 1967, Fernandes contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Bombay South constituency after being offered a ticket by the Samyukta Socialist Party. Against him, stood Congress heavyweight and seasoned politician Sadashiv Kanoji Patil. Fernandes crushed Patil in the polls by a huge margin, which soon earned him the "George the Giantkiller" nickname. In 1974, as the President of the All India Railwaymen's Federation, he organised the mammoth All India Railway strike of 1974, bringing the entire nation to a halt. The 20-day strike by 17 lakh workers is reportedly the largest recorded industrial action in the world. Employees were demanding an eight-hour shift, better pay and improved standard of living. However, Indira Gandhi-led government brutally oppressed the strike at the time and put several persons, including Fernandes, behind the bar. A year later, Gandhi declared the state of Emergency in India, suspending all fundamental rights of citizens. Fernandes, along with few other political leaders, were among the first to oppose the Emergency. Soon, a warrant was issued against his name and he went underground to escape arrest and prosecution. To topple the autocratic government, Fernandes soon hatched the infamous Baroda dynamite plan which aimed to blow up government establishments and areas around the venue of Gandhi's public meetings. On June 10, 1976, Fernandes was finally arrested in Calcutta on charges of smuggling dynamite to blow up government establishments in protest against the imposition of emergency. From behind the bars, Fernandes fought the 1977 Lok Sabha election from Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He swept the poll and was later released after the Janata Party coalition came into power. Fernandes has held several ministerial portfolios including communications, industry, railways, and defence. He's credited to be one of the driving forces behind the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore with Bombay. He also ordered American multinationals IBM and Coca-Cola to leave the country over investment violations. In his later tenures as the Defence Minister from 1998 to 2001 and 2001 to 2004, he oversaw the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan, and the five nuclear tests at the Pokharan range in Rajasthan. New Delhi: Delhi's Patiala House Court on Tuesday summoned journalist Priya Ramani in a criminal defamation case filed by former union minister MJ Akbar. Ramani has to appear before the court on next date of hearing on February 25. The direction has been issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal on Akbar's plea. Akbar had in October last year told the court that an 'immediate damage' was caused to him due to the 'scurrilous', concocted and false allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him. Appearing before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, the former minister recorded his statement to support the defamation complaint filed by him against Ramani on October 15. Ramani has accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago. Akbar, who had resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on October 17, 2018, termed the allegations 'false, fabricated and deeply distressing'. His name cropped up on the social media when he was in Nigeria, as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. Multiple women came out with accounts of alleged sexual harassment by him when he was a journalist. (With inputs from agencies) NEW DELHI/ HYDERABAD: Delhi's Karkardooma Court on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the alleged hate speech made by All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimin (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi in 2014. The court issued the directions while listening to a plea filed against Delhi police's closure report. The complainant, Ajay Gautam - a social worker and a priest had filed an FIR against the Hyderabad MP after reading an online article in which Owaisi had allegedly delivered a speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He later said he found that it was not the first time that the leader had delivered "hate speech and created terror and fear" in the minds of one community. The complainant had sought lodging of an FIR in February 2015, for the alleged offences of promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, criminal conspiracy and intentional insult with intent to provoke with breach of peace under the Indian Penal Code among other things. On Monday, Owaisi asked Dalits, Muslims and Adivasis to come together and reject national parties in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Speaking at a rally of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Sunday in Kalyan in the district, he said it was time for the "deprived" to hit back rather than continue "suffering" as was the case in the past 70 years. The Vanchit Bhaujan Aghadi is an outfit floated by the AIMIM and the Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM). He said Babasaheb Ambedkar had laid down equal rights for all citizens of the country. He took a dig at the Congress and the ruling BJP and claimed the two parties had got elected on the votes of the "deprived" classes but had only meted out injustice to them. With agency inputs PANAJI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi held a closed-door meeting with Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday. While the agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, Rahul termed it as a personal visit. "This morning I visited Goa CM, Manohar Parrikar, to wish him a speedy recovery. It was a personal visit," he tweeted. The meeting comes a day after the Congress chief reiterated the allegations that the Goa CM is in possession of secrets on Rafale fighter jet deal. "30 days since the Goa Audio Tapes on RAFALE were released. No FIR or enquiry ordered. No action against the Minister either! It's obvious that the tapes are authentic & that Goa CM, Parrikar, is in possession of explosive RAFALE secrets, that give him power over the PM," he had tweeted on Monday. Rahul met Parrikar in the CM's chamber in the Goa Assembly premises around noon. Rahul later went to the opposition lobby in the Assembly to meet Congress MLAs and held a short meeting with them before leaving. The House was adjourned earlier in the day after Goa Governor Mridula Sinha's address, which was boycotted by Congress members. When asked about the meeting, Rahul refused to comment saying, "I am getting late." Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, who accompanied Rahul while he met Parrikar, said there was no discussion on the Rafale issue. "It was a courtesy visit to enquire about Parrikar's health. There was no discussion other than enquiring about his health condition," Kavlekar said. Parrikar is suffering from a pancreatic ailment and has been in and out of hospitals across Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since February 2018. Kavlekar added that Rahul had an informal discussion with Congress MLAs in Goa as he would be arriving here next month to address party workers. " "Rahul ji is on a private trip to Goa. I requested him to meet our Congress MLAs, he obliged and met all of them." Rahul along with his mother and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi had arrived in Goa on January 26 for a private visit. NEW DELHI: The Central government on Tuesday moved Supreme Court seeking permission for the release of excess vacant land acquired around the disputed Ayodhya site. The Centre has urged that the surplus land be handed over to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, a trust formed to promote and oversee the construction of a temple in Ayodhya. The Centre told the court that 67-acre-land was acquired after the demolition of the Babri in 1992 out of which only 2.7 acre is disputed and thus the remaining land should be returned to the original owners - Ram Janambhoomi Nyas. Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Narendra Modi government is facing heat for not having fulfilled its promise of constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The apex court had earlier said that status quo be maintained with regard to the acquired 67 acre of land around the disputed site. 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. Meanwhile, the hearing in the Ayodhya title dispute case was scheduled for Tuesday but had to be deferred due to non-availability of Justice SA Bobde who is one of the five judges of the Constitution bench. New Delhi: Noted anti-corruption crusader and social activist Anna Hazare will sit on a strike starting Wednesday over the Centre's failure to appoint the anti-graft ombudsman Lokpal. He will launch the strike at 10 am in his village Ralegan Siddhi. The veteran anti-corruption leader slammed the Modi government for not implementing the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 despite an order of the Supreme Court. This will be Hazare's third hunger strike over the demand of Lokpal in the last eight years. Leading civil society members and groups, he sat on an indefinite hunger strike at the Ramleela ground in the national capital for the first time in April 2011. Hazare asked his followers not to crowd Ralegan Siddhi, where he will be on fast unto death, and hold the hunger strike at their respective places. Rashtriya Kisan Mahapanchayat that has extended support to Hazare, said farmer outfits across the country will join the hunger strike. Organisations of farmers in 15 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, have assured to join the hunger strike and more are expected to do so in the coming days, said core committee member of the Mahapanchayat, Shiv Kumar Kakka. (With inputs from agencies) KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) will evaluate the performance of its MPs, both in and outside Parliament, before considering them for renomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, party sources said on Tuesday. The TMC, which has 34 MPs, lost two of its lawmakers recently -- Soumitra Khan of Bishnupur seat defected to the BJP and Anupam Hazra of Bolpur was expelled for anti-party activities. "Just because a person is a sitting MP, would not ensure that he or she is entitled for a ticket or renomination. The performance of Lok Sabha MPs would be assessed both in the House and outside, especially in their respective constituencies," a senior TMC leader told PTI on the condition of anonymity. "How the person has fared as a public representative and if he/she has been able to take up the issues concerning the masses are very important," the leader said. It is even likely that some of the MPs would not make the cut as they have not fared well. However, a final call on ticket distribution would be taken by our party supremo Mamata Banerjee, he said. On Soumitra Khan joining the BJP, the senior TMC leader said that he has switched over as "he was aware that he won't be getting the party ticket as his performance both as an MP and party leader was very poor". The TMC is also likely to follow the same strategy while deciding on giving tickets in the constituencies where the party had lost the last time. "Obviously those who had lost last time would be given preference but in those seats also, the involvement of the person would be seen before taking a call," said another senior TMC leader, who too did not wish to be identified. When asked about the demand for tickets among aspirants, party leaders said it is normal as the TMC is the ruling party. "You can't satisfy everybody. Those who won't get tickets would be accommodated in the party in some other way," he said. The TMC leadership has time and again sent out stern messages to party workers, asking them to desist from infighting and complacency and work shoulder to shoulder. The party has recently announced that it will contest polls in 13 states apart from West Bengal. Washington: Produced by Bron Studios and Film Rites, Sheridan is adapting the script from Michael Koryta's 2014 novel of the same name, reported Variety. The novel follows a 14-year-old boy who witnesses a brutal murder, is issued a false identity and hidden in a wilderness skills program for troubled teens while the killers are slaughtering anyone who gets in their way in a methodical quest to reach him. While plot details and Jolie's character are still under wraps, the story is set against a wildlife in the Montana wilderness. Producers plan to shoot in May, after Sheridan completes the second season of his Kevin Costner series "Yellowstone." Notably, Jolie was last seen in 'By the Sea,' which she also directed. She's also starring in 'Maleficent II,' which is set to release in May 29, 2020. New Delhi: Vedanta Resources Ltd Monday announced a fresh investment of Rs 8,500 crore to expand its mining and allied operations in South Africa and has committed to invest another Rs 60,000 crore in India in the next three years. "Vedanta Resources Ltd...Whose chairman Anil Agarwal, was part of the...South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa's high-powered delegation for India's 70th Republic Day celebrations, has announced a fresh investment of Rs 8,500 crore ($1.2 billion)...In the land of Nelson Mandela," the company said in a statement. "On the home front, Vedanta has so far invested Rs 2.34 lakh crore (US$33 billion) and has committed to invest another Rs 60,000 crore (US$8 billion) in the next three years," the company said. The South African President acknowledged Vedanta's contribution in South Africa's growth journey. Noting Vedanta Resources' investment of USD 1.6 billion in the Gamsberg Zinc mine in the Northern Cape province, Ramaphosa said this investment by the mining major has triggered a new wave of industrial and economic development in that part of South Africa. Out of the total USD 1.6 billion, about USD 400 million has already been spent. "It was an honour to be part of President Ramaphosa's delegation and to welcome him and his colleagues on the Indian soil as we look to strengthen this relationship further," Vedanta Resources Executive Chairman Anil Agarwal said. The global natural resources player has already invested Rs 3,000 crore (USD 400 million) in South Africa, the company said, adding that its cumulative investment in the African continent currently stands at nearly Rs 30,000 crore (USD 4 billion). "Just as we are committed to being India's premier natural resources company, Vedanta is committed to South Africa in equal measure. Looking forward, we must accelerate South Africa as a mining investment destination," Agarwal said. After acquiring the undeveloped asset from Anglo in 2011, work at Gamsberg began in mid-2016 and the mine started producing finished zinc concentrate in late-2018. The first phase of Gamsberg represents an investment of Rs 3,000 crore by Vedanta in South Africa. The second and third phase of Gamsberg could see more than double that amount, the company said. The company is currently undertaking feasibility study to build a greenfield, state-of-the-art smelter and refinery as part of the Gamsberg project. "If feasible, the construction of a smelter-cum-refinery is likely to entail fresh investment of Rs 6,000 crore (USD 800 million), thus making the Khai-Ma region of Northern Cape an industrial powerhouse," it said. Vedanta, it said, is confident that there is enormous potential for Indian and South African businesses to help meet demand, creating jobs and infrastructure in both countries. New Delhi: S&P Global Ratings Tuesday said corporate activities that are designed to support the government coffers -- such as share buyback -- by PSUs are 'credit negative' for such entities. In the past three months, 10 public sector undertakings (PSUs) have announced or executed buybacks for a cumulative amount of Rs 15,000 crore, which will count toward the government's target of Rs 80,000 crore from disinvestment of state-owned entities. "S&P Global Ratings foresees credit risks at Indian SOEs (state-owned enterprises) from corporate activity designed to support the Indian government's budgetary coffers," the US-based rating agency said in a statement. The impact on the respective companies can vary depending on the size of cash outflow, it added. "Extracting cash from SOEs decreases their financial flexibility in a stress scenario, which -- at least over the short term -- is credit negative at the firm level," S&P said. It said while extraction of existing excess capital in the form of dividends generally has an impact only on the short-term business of SOEs as dividends are discretionary and can be scaled back if future profitability is low. "In contrast, we believe that debt-funded share buybacks, mergers or acquisitions have longer-term implications. Further, reduced government linkages to divested firms may lower the likelihood of government support in a stress scenario," S&P said. The share buybacks announced so far, including the Rs 4,000-crore offering at Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), are manageable within the credit profiles of respective PSUs, it added. "However, the risk of a large and disruptive payout increases as the government runs out of time on its SOE stake sale target for the financial year," S&P said. S&P said Power Finance Corporation (PFC) capitalisation is under pressure due to the government's direction to acquire REC, another SOE that finances the country's power sector. "While we await the final acquisition cost, PFC's leveraged buyout of the government's 52 percent shareholding in REC led us to place the rating on CreditWatch with negative implications," it said. By Sigmar Gabriel BERLIN The recent signing of the Treaty of Aachen invites us to reflect on how the Franco-German partnership's role in Europe has evolved since the two countries first adopted a bilateral friendship pact, the Elysee Treaty, in 1963. At the heart of the Treaty of Aachen is a plan to form a European Defense Union. This is not a new idea. Similar proposals were discussed as far back as 1950, when the United States was being drawn into the Korean War. The U.S. called for West Germany to be brought into the fold of a new European Defense Community. But in 1954, the formation of a defense union under the Pleven Plan and the Treaty of Paris was rejected by the French Parliament, which feared becoming too dependent on the U.S.. Still, during the negotiations over the Elysee Treaty less than a decade later, French President Charles de Gaulle saw an opportunity to push for more Western European independence from the U.S. Hence, the original text of the treaty made no mention of France or Germany's relationship to the U.S., the United Kingdom, NATO, or any other important international agreements. But this omission did not go unnoticed. Bowing to pressure from President John F. Kennedy, the German Bundestag added a preamble calling on France and Germany to cooperate closely with the U.S. and the U.K. This new language frustrated de Gaulle's plans for establishing a Western European counterweight to the U.S., and ultimately led to discord between France and Germany. According to de Gaulle's confidant Alain Peyrefitte, the French president complained that the Germans were "behaving like pigs. They fully subject themselves to U.S. power. They betray the spirit of the Franco-German Treaty. And they betray Europe." Later, de Gaulle would describe Germany's behavior during this episode as his "biggest disappointment." The concept of European "strategic autonomy" was an essential component of Gaullism. Today, it features heavily in debates about European integration, and it is central to French President Emmanuel Macron's own vision for EU reform. France's goal today is the same as it was back in the 1960s, when it first acquired nuclear weapons: to free Germany and the European Union from America's overwhelming influence. In the intervening decades, the seeds of Gaullist mistrust toward the Germans have been covered up by celebrating the Elysee Treaty. That pact had achieved the seemingly unattainable: friendship with the Erbfeind the hereditary enemy just a few years after the two countries had engaged in the most savage war mankind has ever known. As a follow-up to the Elysee Treaty, the Treaty of Aachen can be touted as a symbol of Franco-German friendship. But Germans should not overlook the fact that both agreements enshrine a political strategy that is at odds with Germany's own longstanding approach of balancing the friendship with France alongside strong transatlantic relations with the U.S. and the U.K. This is not to suggest that the two Franco-German friendship agreements are worthless. But by putting too much store in the idealistic notion that "we can do it, together," France and Germany could find that they have achieved a Pyrrhic victory for the European project. After all, there is reason to worry about how the new agreement will be perceived in other European capitals. Any Pole, Italian, Greek, Swiss, or Spanish citizen who reads the text might find it strange that the two European poster children of multilateralism would sign a bilateral deal, excluding everyone else. Whatever happened to the principle of sovereignty and equality among all EU member states? Moreover, France and Germany view the world differently. Whereas integration into the Western liberal order is enshrined in the German constitution (Grundgesetz), French foreign policy is guided by the country's national interests at any given time. The Treaty of Aachen, like its precursor, obscures these different outlooks with a fog of good intentions. The Elysee Treaty symbolized the end of enmity between Germany and France. But with the Treaty of Aachen, the two countries have gone beyond that. Their stated intention now is to prevent the internal splintering of the EU. To be sure, there are deepening divisions over matters of finance and economic policymaking between north and south (and also between France and Germany). Western member states are worried about the rule of law in eastern member states, and those in the northwest want to tackle corruption, organized crime, and weak governance in the southeast. Yet it is precisely on these EU-wide challenges that the Treaty of Aachen lacks specificity. Though the European project no doubt depends on France and Germany, that does not mean that they alone can preserve it. Without an approach that is more sensitive to their European partners, the two countries risk giving the impression that mere obedience to the Franco-German axis is all that is expected or required. But France and Germany have distinct interests. While Germany would fully support a reversal of Brexit in order to preserve the EU's internal balance, France might see in Britain's withdrawal an opportunity to increase its own relative political, economic, and military clout within the bloc. Never mind that a more "French Europe" without the U.K. would be weaker on the world stage. Even with two countries wielding nuclear arsenals, the EU is already considered by other powers to be politically irrelevant. In a world of geopolitical carnivores, we Europeans are the last vegetarians. Without the U.K., we will become vegans, and possibly prey. What really matters, then, is not "strategic autonomy" but the preservation of European sovereignty in a rapidly changing international context. France and Germany must both commit themselves to achieving that objective. The Franco-German friendship is necessary for Europe; but it will not suffice to guarantee our place in the world. Sigmar Gabriel, former German minister of foreign affairs, is a member of the Bundestag. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). Chennai: A student of IIT-Madras allegedly committed suicide in his hostel room on Monday, police said. Gopal Babu, a first year student of M.Tech programme, belonged to Uttar Pradesh. He committed suicide in his room in Brahmaputra hostel, they said. "The institute informed us about the incident on Monday night. The body has been sent for post mortem," a senior officer said. Earlier this month, a woman PhD scholar from IIT-M's metallurgy department allegedly committed suicide in her hostel room. Earlier this month, a student of IIT-Guwahati was found hanging in his hostel room in the campus premises on January 7. The parents of Pannem Pavan Siddardha, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh, called up his friends at IIT-G around 5 pm asking them to connect him to them as Pannem was not picking up his phone. On entering his room, the friends found Pannem hanging from the ceiling fan. They immediately rushed him to the campus hospital where he was declared brought dead, the sources said. Pannem was a final year student of Electronics and Communications B.Tech programme and a boarder of Umium hostel in a single seater room. His body has been kept in the morgue of a nearby hospital and autopsy will be conducted Tuesday after his parents arrive from Andhra Pradesh, they said. New Delhi: Actor Manoj Bajpayee says the team of 'Bhonsle' is trying to release the film between May and July for the Indian audience. The actor, who was just awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution in field of arts, was interacting with the media here on Monday. Talking about the film, he said: "'Bhonsle' will release after 'SonChiriya' around May-June. "I have played the titular role and also co-produced it. It has been appreciated in many international film festivals all over the world. 'Bhonsle' was launched at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. It premiered in the 'A Window on Asian Cinema' section of the 2018 Busan International Film Festival. It was also screened in the non-competitive India Story section at the MAMI Film Festival and the 2018 Dharamshala International Film Festival. Talking about his debut in digital platform, he said: "I am also doing web-series called 'Family Man' for Amazon Prime Videos. It is an unique one, people will have lots of fun watching it." Manoj who hails from a small village of Narkatiaganj, Bihar, said that he had no idea that people from his village will celebrate his becoming a Padma Shri. "I am happy that people from my village are celebrating this occasion by exchanging sweets. I had no the idea that they would be so happy but I am really thankful to them for their love and support. "I hope in future also, I would be able be to give them many more occasion like these to celebrate in my village," he said. 'Bhonsle' revolves around a retired Mumbai cop who befriends a North Indian girl and her brother, when the politicians are trying to get rid of the migrants. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee, Santosh Juvekar and Ipshita Chakraborty Singh in pivotal roles. It is directed by Devashish Makhija and produced by Manoj Bajpayee, Piiyush Singh, Sandiip Kapoor and Saurabh Gupta. PATNA: Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been portrayed as ''Lord Ram'' in some posters put up by Congress workers in Bihar's capital Patna. According to news agency ANI, the posters believed to have been put by local Congress workers show the Gandhi scion dressed as 'Lord Ram'. Bihar: Congress President Rahul Gandhi portrayed as Lord Ram on a poster in Patna. pic.twitter.com/La4ZcL64GY ANI (@ANI) 29 January 2019 Rahul Gandhi has been placed at the centre of the posters. Interestingly, the pictures of all top party leaders, including former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi's sister and newly-appointed party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and many others, have also been included in the posters. In an apparent dig at the ruling BJP, which is known for its 'Hindutva' stand, the posters read ''They (BJP) kept chanting Ram-Ram, You (Rahul) live like Lord Ram.'' The posters also talk about the upcoming Congress rally - Jan Akansha Rally - which is scheduled to be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on February 3. The rally is expected to be addressed by Rahul Gandhi and top party leaders. Last year, in September 2018, when Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to begin his party's campaign for Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, posters portraying him as 'Shiv Bhakt Rahul Gandhi' were seen in the Bhopal. The posters that were put up showed the Congress president offering water to a 'shiva- ling' with a picture of the Mount Kailash (Lord Shiva's abode) in the background. Similarly, in September 2018, a poster put up by some Congress workers depicted Rahul Gandhi as a 'Brahmin'. In the poster featuring Rahul Gandhi, each leader had the name of a caste written on them to show which caste they belonged to. In the poster, 'Brahmin Samuday' was written in the caption below Rahul Gandhi's name to indicate that he belongs to the Brahmin community. Not only Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka too has featured in several posters put up by some disgruntled party workers in Uttar Pradesh. Last year in October, several posters that read 'Priyanka Vadra missing' were put up by several unidentified men in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli. The posters criticised Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her absence from the constituency and asked if she will be back in the town only on the next Eid. Amritsar: Gurudwara Patna Sahib Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Hit was Monday accorded the "religious punishment" of cleaning devotees shoes and washing community kitchen utensils for 12 days in two gurdwaras. Hit was awarded the "punishment" by Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh of Sikhs' highest temporal seat Akal Takht for committing the "blasphemous" act of equating Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with Sikh gurus. The Akal Takth jathedar announced the sentence in presence of Hit, who appeared Monday before him in Amritsar. The jathedar also asked Hit to listen to religious hymns at the two gurudwaras. As per the punishment prescribed for Hit, he would clean devotees shoes, wash kitchen utensils and listen to religious hymns daily for seven days at Gurudwara Patna Sahib. Later he would undergo the same "punishment" at Akal Takth here for five days. Akal Takht head Harpreet Singh had asked Hit to appear before it on January 28. An official said that as per Sikh tenets no human being could be equated with Gurus. Hit had made the comparisons at a religious function in Bihar. Patna: Charges have been framed against former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin and seven others in connection with the murder case of Siwan-based journalist Rajdev Ranjan in Bihar. The next hearing has been scheduled for February 12. The Central Bureau of Investigation had (CBI) last year filed charge sheet against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Shahabuddin in the murder case. Rajdeo was shot down in Siwan as he was returning from office on May 13, 2016. Shahabuddin has, however, claimed to be in jail when the incident took place but later refused to undergo a 'lie-detection' test. He also allegedly gave conflicting versions during interrogation. Shahabuddin has more than 39 criminal cases, including kidnapping and murder, to his name. He was transferred to Tihar jail on February 18 last year. New Delhi: Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav is currently shooting for his upcoming flick titled 'Jaal'. The shooting is extensively undergoing in Gujarat's Vaapi. Actress Shubhi Sharma has been paired opposite Khesari in the film. Though not much is known about the film, it has been reported that for the first time, the actor will be seen in the role of a thief. Actor Manish Chaturvedi, who also plays a key role in the film will be seen as a drug mafia in it. In the meantime, a picture of the actor has been released from the sets, where the film shoot is currently taking place. In the picture, Khesari is seen sporting a very impressive look. Take a look: The film is directed by MI Raj while Madhukar Anand is the music director. Manoj K Kushwaha has penned down the storyline. The film also features Ayaz Khan, Deepak Sinha, Dhama Verma, Neeraj Yadav, Pooja Ganguly, Saina Singh, Mahesh Acharya, Pappu Yadav, Neeraj Yadav, Sonu Pandey in lead roles. As per MI Raj, along with a good storyline, the film will also have good music to entertain the audience. The cinematography is by Nitu Iqbal where fight sequence has been carried out under the direction of Iqbal Hussain. Uday Bhagat is the film promoter. QUETTA: At least five people were killed and around 25 people were wounded when some gunmen blasted their way into a police station in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday while candidates were waiting for a police entrance exam, reports said. Initial reports said that a group of four gunmen detonated a grenade at the entrance of the deputy police inspector`s office in Loralai district in Balochistan - a volatile southern province which has seen a string of militant attacks. The gunmen then opened fire on police and candidates taking an exam to join the force, killing four police and one of the candidates in the attack. Army, Frontier Corps and Police are conducting search operations in the area, reports quoted Ataullah, a senior police officer, as saying. Fahim Otmankhail, a doctor at the district hospital, said five bodies and 25 wounded had been brought in so far. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and which is separate from the Afghan Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Militant violence in Pakistan has fallen sharply from the levels seen a decade ago, but incidents still occur periodically in Balochistan, Pakistan`s largest and poorest province which is at the centre of the strategic China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure development project. Earlier this month, at least four members of the security forces were killed in an attack on a Frontier Corps training base in Loralai. (With Agency Inputs) - MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has promised to reveal secrets about Anas Aremeyaw Anas and the IGP, David Asante-Appeatu - He explained that Anas played a role in Asante-Appeatu's appointment as IGP - According to him, the IGP drove to Labone to thank Anas for his job The Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has stated that he would reveal secrets about the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Appeatu. Mynewsgh.com reports that Agyapong claims the IGP is subservient to investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. For that reason, Agyapong went on, the IGP is incapable of investigating the death of Anas colleague, Ahmed Hussein-Suale. READ ALSO: Anas vetted and appointed IGP - Kennedy Agyapong He went on to say that the IGP drove to Labone to thank Anas for his appointment as head of the police service. I have a lot of people who have information, but they say they will never give it to the police. They said they dont trust the police because Anas controls them. The police can send a letter to the Speaker of Parliament requesting to interrogate me, but theyve never called Anas because he appointed the IGP. He appointed this one; the current IGP was interviewed by him. Im not scared of anybody because this is a life and death matter, Agyapong added. Agyapong also had a few words for the former IGP, John Kudalor. According to him, Kulador failed to properly handle violence that erupted at the residence of President Akufo-Addo. READ ALSO: Kennedy Agyapong promises another huge reward for information on Ahmed's death Ghana News Today: Kidnap Cases Rock Ghana / Pentecost Church Bans Pre-Wedding Shoots| #Yencomgh Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen News It is good for one to praise themselves, after all, if no one is feeling your swag, you can do it all by yourself. Dwarf Ghanaian actor, Yaw Adu Sumsum, is one of the most positive spirits on social media and we are totally here for it. Yaw might not have been kissed by Aphrodite, the god of beauty but he is definitely filled with love and confidence and frankly, that is all that matters. In a recent post, shared on his Instagram page, the actor bathed himself in praises and declared himself the most handsome man as well as the best cook. He then proceeded to show off his cooked meal and anyone can agree that it looked like an array of sumptuousness although, not best fine dinning. READ ALSO: Charly Boy celebrates his wife as she clocks 60 with beautiful photos Watch below: Asides being the most handsome man on the planet and the best cook any lady cook could ask for according to him, Yaw has made quite a name for himself in the industry. Reports claim that he is making a lot of money from acting and has been spoiling himself silly with expensive gifts. From all indications, it also appears that the brilliant actor is single. Well, ladies, it might be the right time to send in those applications. Meanwhile, Ghanaian Yvonne Nelson is one of the beautiful women to have ever graced the big screens. Her beauty is one that attracts many men to her like moths to light. Despite this, the actress still confesses that she needs a man in her life. Yvonne who is the mother of a beautiful baby girl made a statement in reference to her desire in a cooking show in Ghana. She was not the only one in the program, her colleague John Dumelo was also present. Did you know? NAIJ.com (naija.ng) is now-> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Talented Nigerian man with 28 skills says he did not learn from anybody (Amazing Story) on Legit TV Source: Yen News Princess Pokua who is the younger sister of Efia Odos has jumped to the defense of the latter in a latest video. Princess is not enthused with how Ghanaians have been criticizing her sister. According to her, Ghanaians should stop criticizing Efia Odo because they dont know her sister very well. READ ALSO: Omotola Jalade-Ekeindes first daughter Princess graduates from Cyprus University (photos) She quizzed whether the people who have been criticizing her sister get paid for writing negative comments. She added that, if her sister wears a dress without a bra why would somebody spent time to watch her melons. Efia Odo is the one of the most criticized female celebrities in Ghana due to her activities on social media. READ ALSO: Nadia Buari shares video playing with her 4th child The controversial actress has always been in the news for her provocative dress. She was recently trolled by Ghanaians after her rich boyfriend Revloe dumped her. She was again in the news when she and Moesha Boduong rain insults at each other, but the two later settled their differences on live TV. READ ALSO: Lavish birthday party held for Gifty Anti (Video) Ghana News Today: Latest on Hussein-Suale's Murder / High Spate of Ponzi Schemes in Ghana| #Yencomgh: Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place Source: Yen By Choe Chong-dae My enthusiastic interest in the Hungnam Evacuation has led me to write some columns in this paper: "Remembering Hungnam Evacuation" on Jan 26, 2012, and "Hope in Hungnam" on July 9, 2012. "Ode to My Father," a Korean film produced in 2014, depicts Korea's turbulent modern history from the 1950s to the present day. Through the life of an ordinary man who flees from North Korea in December 1950, millions of viewers are now familiar with key events in 20th century Korean history. The film's opening scene portrays the miraculous Hungnam Evacuation, in which U.S. military and Merchant Marine cargo ships delivered approximately 105,000 U.S. and Korean soldiers and 100,000 civilians to safety from the approaching Chinese Communist Army. In December 1950, massive numbers of refugees poured into Hungnam Harbor. Suffering in sub-zero temperatures, they were desperately trying to flee North Korea in hopes of being evacuated to freedom in the South. The U.N. humanitarian operation, led by U.S. organizers, was the largest amphibious evacuation of civilians in the Korean War. Dr. Hyun Bong-hak and Col. Edward H. Forney, USMC, later promoted to Brigadier General, played a crucial role in helping save 100,000 refugees. Hyun (1922-2007), then a 28-year-old, U.S-educated Korean medical doctor, served as translator and civil affairs adviser to Major General Edward M. Almond, commander of X Corps, U.S. Army. Forney (1909-1965), the foremost amphibious expert in the U.S Marine Corps, served as the deputy chief of staff for X Corps, and was the evacuation control officer during the Hungnam Evacuation. Acutely aware of the importance of saving the refugees, Hyun repeatedly asked Forney to help persuade General Almond to evacuate North Korean refugees from Hungnam. Having wisely considered the situation, Forney agreed, telling Hyun, "the word impossible is not in my dictionary," a famous quote by Napoleon. Accordingly, Hyun received encouragement from Forney who masterfully plotted out how the evacuation would be implemented. Together, Hyun and Forney met with Almond numerous times to report the refugees' urgent situation. Finally, Almond approved the plan to evacuate as many refugees as possible. One of the many ships involved in the withdrawal, the SS Meredith Victory, evacuated more than 14,000 refugees. Its voyage started on Dec. 22 and miraculously ended three days later on Christmas Day at Geoje Island, off the southern coast of Korea. Forney's extraordinary dedication to the Hungnam Evacuation, along with his amphibious and logistical expertise, helped save 100,000 refugees. After the Korean War, Forney served at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and returned to Korea in June 1957. With his enthusiastic love for Korea, he served as the senior U.S Marine Corps adviser to the Korea Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959. He helped establish the ROK 1st Marine Division base in Pohang, and in 2010 the Korean Marine Corps honored Forney by naming the main avenue of Pohang, "Forney Road." A monument commemorating his service to the ROK Marine Corps now stands at the entrance of the road. While in Pohang, Forney might have visited Gyeongju to see the ancient Shilla cultural relics and might have met my father, Choe Nam-ju, a pioneer of Korea archeology. I am a good friend with Ned Forney, Col. Forney's grandson, who lives in Seoul and is currently writing a book on Hyun Bong-hak, his grandfather and the Hungnam Evacuation. Brigadier General Forney retired from the Marine Corps in 1959 after 28 years of service. The philanthropic mission of General Forney had a profound impact on my mind and reminds me of the quote by former U.S Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, "There is no better friend, and no worse enemy, than a U.S. Marine." Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and director of the Korean-Swedish Association. Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson has for the first time lauded former president Mahama for some initiatives he rolled out when he was president. Yvonne, known to have severely criticised the Mahama government and campaigning against it, has confessed that Mahama wasnt a bad president after all. She made this known when she appeared as a guest together with John Dumelo on Yvonne Okoros Dinning with cooks and braggart monitored by YEN.com.gh on January 26, 2019, on TV3. READ ALSO: Maame Serwaa makes Ghana proud with her appearance in beautiful BBC documentary According to Yvonne, she expressed utmost shock at visiting the Ridge Hospital which was constructed by the NDC government led by Mahama. She revealed further that seeing the newly constructed Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), also left her in shock and she wondered if she was in Ghana. But I think Mahama too did a great job. He was not bad. I visited the Ridge Hospital and the terminal 3 at the airport and I was very shocked, Yvonne said. READ ALSO: Yvonne Nelson confirms breakup with Jamie Roberts; reveals the kind of man she wants Asked by Okoro how she felt about the current NPP leadership, Yvonne admitted that times are hard, but she was quick to add that ..but like John [Dumelo] said, Rome was not built in a day. The actress further expressed disappointment in the government saying that they had neglected her after coming to power NPP, you think they care about me? they do not care about me. I risked my life and my career for them but no one caresno one even called to ask Yvonne are you safe, should we provide you security after I led the dumsor vigil, she lamented. READ ALSO: People call me names - Yvonne Okoro reveals why she is 'hiding' her boyfriend She had led a strong protest against the former president during the time that dumsor plagued the country. That led many people to discern her political colours that she was affiliated to the NPP. However, Yvonne said she just wanted to be a voice for the voiceless for which reason she led the protest and not necessarily she being NPP. She also revealed her political ambition to serve as an ambassador to a nice country one day. Yvonne also touched on her love life, disclosing that she was no longer dating her British boyfriend, Jamie Roberts. READ ALSO: Pure joy as Nadia Buari plays with her 4th child in latest beautiful video Ghana News Today: Latest on Hussein-Suale's Murder / High Spate of Ponzi Schemes in Ghana| #Yencomgh READ ALSO: My reputation is on the line Ken Agyapong finally cries; promises GH100,000 reward on Ahmeds killers Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen Ghana Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Venice, FL (34285) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 79F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Many young people in South Australia say they would be happy to rent forever, according to a report by news.com.au The 2019 Renters Report by realestate.com.au. examined the attitudes, behaviours and concerns of young Australian renters (aged 18 to 39) across the nation. It found 16% of respondents in South Australia would be happy to rent forever. This was despite 39% of them experiencing rental stress defined as spending more than 30% of their gross household income on the rent. Notably, nearly 40% of young renters in the country were experiencing rent stress, but most of them were not aware of their condition or simply did not care. Debbie Copley, senior property manager at LJ Hooker Kensington/Unley, said young renters tended to prefer stylish, modern properties in the CBD. Generally if they want long-term (properties), they want something with all the bells and whistles air-conditioning, a dishwasher and so on, she said. In addition, proximity to work, university and the night-life was top of mind for these tenants. According to the study, more than 51% of young people in the country chose location over price as their most important consideration when securing a property. They want to live in the now, which is why they are choosing to do the rental thing rather than buy, Copley said. The study also found that young renters often had flatmates in order to afford the rent in their preferred areas. Weve got a couple of properties where a couple of couples are renting together its mostly students or young executive couples, Copley said. Some, especially long-term renters, own other properties and still opt to rent. This way, they become both tenants and landlords. John Carey, head of property management at Harris Real Estate, said that some people bought property as an investment in one location, while renting in areas that are near to town. "You get a bit of rent-vesting where people rent something else and buy something further from the city, Carey said. In addition, there are numerous young professionals, specifically those with accounting backgrounds, who invest their money outside the real estate market. Carey said that Adelaides CBD and inner suburbs were hot spots for young renters. The young market is in the inner city from Brompton all the way around to North Adelaide, Norwood, Rose Park, Unley, Mitcham and Mile End. Its because of the lifestyle and access to the city itself. A lot of people make that lifestyle choice, he said. Ironwood Public Safety Deparment co-interim Director Sgt. Adam Clemens introduces the department's new officer, Mallory Nelsen, to the Ironwood City Commission Monday evening. By LARRY HOLCOMBE [email protected] Ironwood - The Ironwood City Commission at its Monday meeting approved a new ordinance outlining rules about the consumption of alcohol in various city parks. The ordinance was re-written to specify which parks allow the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and which ones will require a permit. Even the parks where consumption is allowed - Curry, Randa Field and Norrie parks - still require a permit for groups of 10 or more. City Manager Scott Erickson said the permits are free and easy to obtain. The ordinance designates a second set of parks as "special permit only" in regards to alcohol use. Parks in this list include: Longyear, Depot/Kuitunen, Downtown Art, Downtown Pocket, Miners Memorial Heritage and Mt. Zion parks, as well as "sidewalk cafes." Permits are issued by the city clerk's office. Erickson said there are leagues that use various parks and they will need an annual permit. People who rent the pavilion at Depot Park will receive a alcohol permit with their rental agreement packet. The commission also approved a pair of longterm plans - the 5-year Park and Recreation Plan and the 6-year Capital Improvement Plan. Community Development Director Tom Bergman said both plans will help city officials set priorities and make budgeting decisions. An updated Park and Recreation plan is a requirement for Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grants. In light of forecasted extreme cold, commissioner Jim Mildren asked if anything has been done to warn water users to safeguard against frozen pipes. City Utilities Manager Bob Tervonen said customers at the end of the city's water mains had been contacted. Erickson said people with unheated basements and crawlspaces need to be aware of the issue and should call the city if they have any questions. Erickson added the number of water main breaks is down significantly because of the recent water and sewer replacement projects. Tervonen said the city used to get 50 to 70 calls of breaks and now its in the range of 20. In other action, the commission: Welcomed new Ironwood Public Safety Department officer Mallory Nelsen. The Gladstone native most recently worked for the Montmorency County Sheriff's Department in downstate Michigan. Approved payments totaling $4,774 to Coleman Engineering for work done in the Phase 4 water and sewer projects. Appointed Gemma Lamb to a three-year term on the Ironwood Board of Review. Agreed to call for bids for annual street crack seal and pavement marking projects. Heard Erickson run through a list of upcoming events including: Friday's "Love Your North Downtown Chocolate Tour" as part of the city's First Friday community initiative, Saturday's Yooperbeiner showshoe race at Wolverine Trails in Ironwood Township to benefit the trails there, and upcoming Snowmobile Olympus races at the fairgrounds in Ironwood on Feb. 9 and Feb. 16-17. Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn declares his candidacy for the leadership of the main opposition Liberty Korean Party (LKP) at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. The LKP will elect its new leader at its Feb. 27 national convention. / Yonhap By Park Ji-won Controversy over former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn's eligibility to be a candidate for the conservative party's leadership race is growing. To counter this, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party's (LKP) Election Commission issued an authoritative statement Tuesday that said the former prime minister and ex-Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon could run for the leadership if the party's acting governing body approved. "We ask the governing body to grant applicants the right to run for leadership of the LKP at the upcoming national convention if they have paid deposits for their election campaigns and submitted their membership application as per party rules," Park Kwan-yong, the commission chief for the national convention said Tuesday. Kim Byoung-joon, leader of the LKP's reform committee, acting as a supreme decision-making body said, "It is not possible to reverse the decision of the Election Commission." The controversy over Hwang's bid may continue as some contenders disagree with the decision. Some including former LKP leader Hong Joon-pyo, who is expected to join the race Wednesday, claimed that Hwang cannot run for leadership as he doesn't have voting rights. "It is nonsense for him to talk about his candidacy as he is not listed in voter lists meaning, he is not eligible to become a candidate," Hong said Monday on Facebook. Other possible contenders such as Reps. Shim Jae-cheol and Kim Jin-tae, said he was not eligible for the leadership because he didn't meet the qualifications as a candidate according to a party rule that says a person must pay membership fees for more than three months to become eligible for an election. Criticism continued over his connection with Park Geun-hye with people saying he should take responsibility for her corruption scandal. Hwang was a key figure in the Park administration, serving as justice minister, prime minister and acting president. "Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is another Park Geun-hye," Rep. Park Jie-won of the minor Party for Democracy and Peace said during a radio interview. "It is wrong for him to run for the leadership without self-reflection and apologizing to the people for the past as he has endless responsibility." WASHINGTON - The Republican leader of the U.S. Senate offered legislation on Tuesday urging the United States to keep troops in Syria and Afghanistan, as President Donald Trump's administration moves toward withdrawals of American forces after years overseas. Saying that Islamic militant groups in the two countries continue to pose a "serious threat" to the United States, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he had introduced an amendment to a broader Middle East security bill urging a "continued commitment" until al Qaeda, Islamic State and other groups are defeated. "We're not the world's policemen, but we are the leader of the free world, and it's incumbent upon the United States to lead, to maintain a global coalition against terror and to stand with our partners," McConnell said in a speech in the Senate. OSLO - Israel's decision to eject observers in Hebron may be a breach of the implementation of the Oslo accords, the Norwegian foreign minister said on Tuesday. "The one-sided Israeli decision can mean that the implementation of an important part of the Oslo accords is discontinued," Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide said in a statement to Reuters. "The situation in Hebron is unstable and characterised by conflict," she said, adding that the end of the observer mission, which Norway has led for the past 22 years, was therefore "worrying". RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday accepted the resignation of his prime minister and Cabinet, taking a new step toward ending a failed attempt at reconciling with the rival Hamas movement. Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah had offered his government's resignation to Abbas. Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said the president had accepted the resignation but asked Hamdallah to stay on in a caretaker capacity. Abbas also began consultations to form a new government. Former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz broke his long silence with the campaign debut of his Israel Resilience Party at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds on Tuesday evening . Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Gantz, who entered the hall to cheers and chants of the next prime minister and revolution, told the audience that aside from my family, nothing is dearer to me than the State of Israel. I love Israel, I am proud of it and committed to it. For me, Israel comes before everything. Citizens of Israel here or at home, I reiterate: I am committed to you alone. Benny Gantz, 2019 (Photo: Motti Kimchi) But I am here tonight because I fear for Israel. The nation is strong, the country is amazing, but an ill wind is blowing. The conflict between left and right is tearing us apart; the clash between religious and secular is dividing us. The tension between Jews and non-Jews is threatening us The political arena is poisoned. In my view, the current leadership is obsessed with itself, not with you or us. Trust me, I am proud of my country but lately more and more people from the left and the right are experiencing a deep embarrassment in light of how the government operates; a strong government unites and does not divide and conquer. Gantz accused the Netanyahu government of encouraging incitement and divisiveness. Instead of serving the people it patronizes the population and is bored by them. It does not see the individual, the high cost of living and the youth who cannot afford housing. No Israeli leader is king; the state is us all. I stand here today, four years after my tenure as chief of staff, and ask for your trust so that I can lead the State of Israel. On the 9th of April I will establish a patriotic, strong, responsible government. Gantz, 2019 Gantz mentioned his 38 years of military service where he said he made hard and brave decisions and led soldiers across enemy lines for the sake of national security. In the difficult and violent Middle East that surrounds us the weak receive no mercy and only the strong win. The retired general called out Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Chief Qassem Suleimani, Hamas military chief Yahya Sinwar and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah saying he will thwart their schemes against the State of Israel wherever necessary. He declared that Israel has no intention of threatening Iranian sovereignty but will not tolerate threats. He also said he would allow humanitarian aid into Gaza but not blackmail funds to murderous groups. Gantz also stressed the importance of deeds over words advocating for less press conferences and a more discreet response to security developments. The event was held in the largest hall at the fairgrounds, apparently to give the impression that the party was worthy of taking the leadership reins of the state. Large flat screens were placed outside to allow those who did not register in advance participate. Gantz pledged that he will lead a government that will unite the people, absent of attacks on the police chief, the chief of staff or the attorney general. There will be no incitement against the institutes of justice, culture and media. Gantz made an effort to focus on the positive, rejecting feelings of bitterness, indifference and hopelessness. He invoked the name of legendary Likud leader and former prime minister Menachem Begin who signed a peace agreement with Egypt and Yitzhak Rabin who made peace with Jordan. He added: Benjamin Netanyahu, also an Israeli patriot, delivered the Bar Ilan speech and signed the Hebron Accords and the Wye Agreement with the arch-terrorist Yasser Arafat. When the crown began chanting against Netanyahu, Gantz intervened and called for the audience to remain respectful and positive. Gantz reiterated his commitment to a strong and democratic Israel. We will strengthen the settlement blocs and never abandon the Golan Heights. The Jordan River will remain the eastern border of Israel and we will not allow the millions of Palestinians living on the other side of the fence to threaten our security and our identity as a Jewish state. United Jerusalem will be built and thrive and forever serve as the capital of the Jewish people and the capital of Israel. (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Regarding the corruption allegations facing the prime minister, Gantz said: Our government will have zero tolerance for any kind of corruption. He thanked Netanyahu for his ten years of service and said that under his leadership, the government will fight for education and against inequality and the high cost of living in Israel, pledging to build thousands of new apartments. He also stated that the plight of the public health services mandated immediate attention and called for the building of more hospitals in the periphery as well as more physician placements. Gantz also pledged his commitment to return home the Israelis being held in Hamas captivity in Gaza. On the matter of religion and state, Gantz said that he will advance civil marriages, a solution to the pluralist factions at the Western Wall and public transportation on Shabbat for cities that choose. He also expressed support for gender equality and LGBT and disabled rights. Gantz and Ya'alon (Photo: AFP) At the conclusion of his speech, Gantz presented his new partner former defense minister and chief of staff Moshe (Bugi) Yaalon: A man of principles, he was my commander in the past and now we are partners. Earlier Tuesday, Yaalon announced that his Telem Party is joining forces with Gantzs Israel Resilience Party. The announcement came shortly before Gantz's speech. (Photo: Motti Kimchi) The joint party will run under the Israel Resilience name and Yaalon will be the number 2 man on the list after Gantz. Yaalon is also expected to receive two reserve spots, numbers 5 and 8, on the list for representatives of his choosing. Analysts familiar with the negotiations said that the current agreement can be revised if other parties join the list later on. Potential partners include Yair Lapids Yesh Atid Party and former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi. The makeup of Yaalons list has yet to be determined but among the names being discussed are those of journalist Yoaz Hendel and former government secretary Zvi Hauser. Yaalon was interviewed at a conference of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) Tuesday evening and seemed to rule out sitting in a future Netanyahu government. Yaalon reiterated that parties should join forces ahead of the February 21 deadline in order to present the electorate with an alternative to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Asked where he places his party on the right-left spectrum, Yaalon responded: Anyone who criticizes Netanyahu is a leftist; even President Rivlin and Benny Begin Surely I too will be called a leftist; it isnt a derogatory term as far as Im concerned. Yaalon was earlier asked about accusations from some on the right accusing Gantz of being a failed military leader, especially for his performance during Operation Protective Edge, he responded that its all populist political spin. He accused the current security cabinet members of causing harm and giving in to Hamas by allowing an influx of Qatari cash into the Gaza Strip. They will teach me about security?! They wont lecture Gantz on security, he said. Labor Party Chairman Avi Gabbay, also present at the INSS conference, expressed congratulations to Yaalon and Gantz on their union and called on them to join him in defeating Netanyahu at the polls. The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday asked the United Nations to deploy a permanent international force in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, after Israel announced it was suspending operations of an observer force that had been in the city of Hebron for more than 20 years. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The U.N. should "guarantee the safety and protection of the people of Palestine" until "the end of Israel's belligerent occupation," said Palestinian official Saeb Erekat. Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 war, and the Palestinian want both to be part of their future state. Saeb Erekat (Photo: AFP) TIPH has deployed unarmed civilian observers from Norway, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey in Hebron since 1997. They report on violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws. Hundreds of Jewish settlers guarded by IDF soldiers live in the heart of the city, which has a population of over 200,000 Palestinians. TIPH said they have yet to get an official request to leave, but the mayor of Hebron warned of dire consequences if they do. TIPH "This will lead to an escalation of settler attacks and violations of Palestinian human rights by the occupation in these areas," said Tayser Abu Sneineh. "It is clear they (Israel) do not want them to be present to document attacks, especially by settlers who are protected by the army." Ishay Fleisher, a spokesman for the Jewish community in Hebron, said the force has finished its job and should go home. "We want a sense of normal life. When you have these foreigners walking around in uniform it's a kind of feeling like they're watching you like you're an animal in a zoo," he said. "TIPH and these kinds of elements actually serve to be the opposite of peacemakers. They become provocateurs." Professor Eugene Kontorovich, the director of international law at the Kohelet Policy Forum, a conservative think tank in Jerusalem, said the Israeli decision was long overdue. Hebron (Photo: AFP) "TIPH was always designed to be a temporary force -- that is what the T stands for, and why the mandate requires an affirmative decision to extend every three months. It was never meant to be a permanent institution, but diplomatic inertia has kept it in place for over two decades," he said. There was no immediate U.N. reaction to the Palestinian plea for a new force. But the U.N. human rights office in Geneva said that Israel, as the occupying power, must protect Palestinian civilians from settler violence in the West Bank, decrying an attack in which a Palestinian father of four was killed over the weekend in an incident still under investigation. Spokesman Rupert Colville said Tuesday that 38-year-old Hamdi Naasan was "shot in the back and killed" in the village of al-Mughayyir near Ramallah. Settlers say they were attacked with stones and knives and the shooting was in response to an attempted kidnapping. Colville said U.N. staffers reported the shooting after up to 30 Israeli settlers, some of them armed, allegedly attacked Palestinian farmers in their fields and used live ammunition to shoot at villagers and their houses. Colville said about 20 villagers were wounded in the course of the day, amid a recent "surge of settler violence" in the West Bank that he said has reached its highest levels since 2015. There have been conflicting accounts of Saturday's incident. The settlers say a Jewish man was stabbed by Palestinians and they fired in the air while chasing away the attackers. The Israeli police and military have launched investigations. The violence came days after Israel charged a Jewish teenager with manslaughter in the death of a Palestinian woman in the West Bank. On Sunday, the world marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Some 50 Holocaust survivors, accompanied by Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Israeli Ambassador to Poland Anna Azari, gathered outside the former concentration camp of Auschwitz in honor of the occasion. Not far from where the ceremony was taking place, scores of neo-Nazis demonstrated against what they described the occupation of Poland by the Jews." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter This protest was led by Piotr Rybak, a nationalist who in 2015 was sentenced to ten months in prison for burning a Jewish effigy at a nationalist rally in the city of Wrocaw. Key opinion leaders in Poland as well as in the rest of Europe, condemned the controversial demonstration, while the local police said that they are investigating the "chain of events." The next day, however, the homes of some Jewish residents in the city of Poznan were vandalized with anti-Semitic slogans, such as "Down with the Jews!" and "Nazi Zone." Holocaust survivors and their relatives carry candles at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp on International Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27, 2019 (Photo: DPA) The wave of anti-Semitism, incited by various neo-Nazi groups, is sweeping not only Poland (although in Poland for historical reasons it causes the most outrage), but in the rest of Eastern and some parts of the Western Europe. Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his remembrance day speech, emphasized the anti-Semitic views exhibited by those on the Left, the Jewish lives are threatened mainly by those on the rightfar-right activists and neo-Nazis. Robert Gregory Bowers killed eight men and three women inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh shared their extreme ideology and so do those who harass Jews in Hungary, eastern Ukraine and areas that once were part of East Germany. Its true that anti-Semitism is taking root in left-wing discourse, being disguised as anti-Zionism. For instance, the American feminist movement has split into two factions because of this issue. Recently in New York the movement held two separate demonstrations. The firstattended by hundreds of peopleled by progressive liberals, while the secondparticipated by very fewwas saturated with anti-J Jewish propaganda presented as anti-Zionism. Anti-Semitic views with the Muslim community are undeniably prevalent, and the same is true for some elements in the British Labor Party, left-wing parties in Ireland, Spain and Italy. The leaders of these parties and left-wing movements, however, are quick to condemn these views. Unlike those on the Right, who proudly display swastikas and chant songs praising Hitler, urging to "settle scores with the Jews." Generally, its safe to say that the less liberal and democratic the West becomes, the more open and receptive it becomes to anti-Semitism. Populist anti-Semitism is spreading, especially among young people, along with the spread of populism itself. Its happening just as fast today as it had in the past. The family of 24-year-old Yehuda Biadga, a mentally ill Ethiopian man who was shot dead by police last week, announced Tuesday they are organizing a demonstration in protest over what they believe was an unlawful killing. The demonstration is expected to be held on Wednesday at 15:00pm near the Azrieli intersection in Tel Aviv. Security personnel at Gilboa Crossing in the Galilee thwarted Tuesday an attempt to smuggle an explosive device. The suspect, a 17-year-old Palestinian man, was arrested and taken in for questioning. The Palestinians are asking the United Nations to deploy a permanent international force in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Tuesdays request comes a day after Israel said it was suspending operations of an observer force in the city of Hebron, after 20 years. Palestinian official Saeb Erekat says the U.N. should guarantee the safety and protection of the people of Palestine until the end of Israels belligerent occupation. Former military chief and political enigma Benny Gantz, seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's toughest rival in the April 9 elections, will set out his goals on Tuesday, in a marker of the center-left opposition's prospects. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Polls predict a Netanyahu reelection, with his right-wing Likud party taking around 30 of the Knesset's 120 seats, and Gantz's Israel Resilience party coming a distant second with around 15. That would line Gantz up to join a future Netanyahu-led coalition governmentunless the ex-general tries to mobilize like-minded factions against the incumbent, now in his fourth term. Benny Gantz embraces a Druze protester against the Nation-State Law during a demonstration outside the former IDF chief's home Much depends on the ideology of Gantz's newly formed party. On this he has so far been silent. His campaign, meanwhile, has stoked his residual popularity from his term as top general with graphic ads claiming hundreds of enemy deaths in two Gaza wars. But mindful of the country's moderates, Gantz's image-makers also cast him in a softer light, releasing a video in which the tall, taciturn 59-year-old says "there is no shame in pursuing peace." At a launch party on Tuesday timed to coincide with the evening TV news, Gantz was due to deliver his first political speech, with voters watching for combustible policy points like Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, frozen since 2014, or the multiple corruption allegations dogging Netanyahu. Tamar Hermann, a scholar with the non-partisan Israel Democracy Institute, predicted Gantz would try to stay "very vague on certain topics: for instance 'yes to peace but Israel's security comes first.'" For Netanyahu to be defeated, Hermann said, Gantz would have to bring together disparate centre-left parties. "Anything can happen, but at the moment the most likely outcome of the election would be a (Netanyahu-led) center-right government," she said. Likud has sought to write Gantz off as a "leftist", casting him as an untested whimsy candidate and no match for Netanyahu, 69, who is also defense minister. Benny Gantz's campaign poster: Israel Before All As the election approaches, and facing possible indictment, Netanyahu has highlighted his handling of national security, publicly acknowledging Israeli air strikes against Iranian targets in Syria. Martin Dempsey, a retired US army general whose tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff mirrored that of Gantz as Israeli armed forces chief between 2011 and 2015, told Reuters that he would bring "an open mind to change" and have the "instincts to build a team to solve the most urgent challenges." "His silence would likely signal to me that he is carefully and deliberately thinking and learning, preparing to express his views with clarity and confidence, so that he knows who and what he wants to be and do when the political winds begin to blow with greater velocity," Dempsey said. National Intelligence Service director Suh Hoon attends a meeting with the National Assembly's intelligence committee, Tuesday. / Yonhap By Kim Bo-eun North Korea and the United States are expected to hold follow-up talks soon to begin drafting a joint statement to be adopted at the second summit between their leaders, according to South Korea's intelligence agency, Tuesday. During a meeting with the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, Suh Hoon, director of the National Intelligence Service, said he expects the countries to engage in security and protocol preparations for the summit, and fine-tune the drafting of a joint statement, according to lawmakers who participated. Regarding North Korea's top official Kim Yong-chol's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington earlier this month, he said there was "a wide range of discussions in a favorable atmosphere." He was quoted as saying both expressed "considerable satisfaction" with the talks. "So denuclearization talks are expected to make progress, considering working-level talks are underway," he added. Working-level talks between North Korea and the U.S. on the former's nuclear disarmament are set to continue, with about a month left until a summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which is expected to be held in late February or early March in Vietnam. Iran will continue supplying high-precision missiles to its proxies in Lebanon and Gaza so they would be able to respond to Israels acts of stupidity with hellfire said the countrys Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani on Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The remarks come in the wake of a massive aerial bombardment launched by Israel Air Force on Iranian targets in Syria last Monday, which came in response to the surface-to-surface rocket launched at Israeli territory by Iranian Quds Force and intercepted by the Iron Dome a day earlier. Shamkhani, a close aide to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also dismissed the success of Israeli military operation meant to expose and destroy the Hezbollah terror tunnels dug along the Israel-Lebanon border. Iran's Fateh-110 missiles "There is no greater shame to the Zionist entity, which claims to have superior intelligence capabilities, than the fact that tunnelshundreds of kilometers longhad been dug under this entitys nose, and the fact that one of their ministers turned an Iranian spy," he said referring to former minister Gonen Segev, who was found guilty of spying on Israel for Iran and will serve 11 years in prison. Speaking at the National Conference on Space Technologies, Shamkhani added that Iran would keep working to improve the accuracy of its missiles arsenal despite the international pressure, but has no plans to increase their range. "Iran has no scientific or operational restriction for increasing the range of its military missiles, but based on its defensive doctrine, it is continuously working on increasing the precision of the missiles, Shamkhani said. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani (Photo: Reuters) A UN Security Council resolution that accompanied the 2015 nuclear deal called upon Tehran to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons. But Iran said that call did not amount to a binding order and has denied that its missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Washington has also told Tehran to stop developing its satellite-launching technology, saying it was concerned that the same techniques could also be used to launch warheads. Hassan Nasrallah Last week, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, warned that the "resistance axis" as the group refers to itself, Iran and Syria might change their reaction to Israeli strikes in Syria, including with a bombardment of Tel Aviv. Nasrallah added that its in the interest of Israeli citizens for the terror group to continue developing precision-guided missiles capabilities. "I want to say something to the people of Israel: Its in your interest to tell Netanyahu to allow Hezbollah to develop accurate missiles. If the missile is accurate, it will hit the military bases in the heart of Tel Aviv, and not your home, the 58-year-old leader said. Burglars broke into a synagogue in the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood of Jerusalem overnight Monday, tearing open the ark that houses the holy Torah scrolls and throwing the contents to the floor. Police are investigating. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "We arrived this morning for prayers and saw the synagogue had been turned completely upside down," said Yisrael Levy, the synagogue's gabbai (warden). "We do not know who broke in, there are no cameras around the synagogue," he said. Kiryat Yovel break-in Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion condemned the vandalism of the synagogue, saying it harked back to times when Jewish religious artifacts were routinely desecrated. "This is a serious incident that brings to mind dark periods for the Jewish people," Lion said. "We cannot let such crimes happen today. I am certain that the Israel Police will quickly get their hands on the criminals." Kiryat Yovel break-in "The heart recoils in horror at the disgraceful sight of Torah scrolls unfurling at the hands of villains inside the synagogue," said Israeli Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. "Every Jew who holds honoring the Torah dear to his heart will spend a day in silent Torah study to (restore) the honor of the Torah that has been desecrated," the rabbbi said. President Reuven Rivlin also condemned the break-in, and expressed his confidence that the perpetrators would soon be caught. . . pic.twitter.com/OFi3lZxOHR () (@ruvirivlin) January 29, 2019 "Difficult and painful images this morning from the Kiryat Yovel synagogue," the president wrote on Twitter. "I am certain that the Israel Police will soon catch the (criminals) and bring them to justice." The burglary was condemned by a series of ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, including Interior Minister Aryeh Deri of Shas, who rushed to the site on Tuesday morning. Israeli military arrested overnight Monday 12 Palestinians suspected being involved in terror activity in the West Bank. The suspects were taken in for further questioning. The US Senate advanced legislation reaffirming support for allies in the Middle East on Monday, including fresh sanctions on Syria and a measure that combats the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel over its policies toward the Palestinians. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Democrats had blocked the package in the Senate during the 35-day partial government shutdown, saying the chamber should first consider legislation to reopen the government. But after Friday's agreement to end the shutdown at least until February 15, most of the Senate's Democrats joined Republicans in favor of taking up the bill. BDS protest (Photo: Hagai Dekel) The measure is still several steps from becoming law, and may never get there. Even if passed by the Senate, it must also be approved by the House of Representatives, where Democrats hold a majority of seats. The legislation includes provisions to impose new sanctions on Syria and guarantee security assistance to Israel and Jordan. Those are seen as efforts to reassure US allies worried about shifts in US policy since President Donald Trump abruptly announced plans last month for a quick withdrawal of US troops in Syria. However, the act also includes the BDS provision, which opponents consider an impingement of free speech. Benjamin Netanyahu and Bernie Sanders (Photo: AFP, Marc Israel Sellem) "While I do not support the BDS movement, we must defend every American's constitutional right to engage in political activity. It is clear to me that this bill would violate Americans' First Amendment rights," said Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and was a "no" vote on Monday. Some Republicans accused Democrats of supporting the BDS movement, which they see as anti-Semitic. Democrats in turn accused Republicans of trying to use the BDS measure to divide moderate and liberal Democrats. The Palestinian ambassador at the United Nations said Monday that the day will come when "obstacles" in the Security Council to full UN membership for Palestine will be removed "but that day is not today." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The main hurdle is the United States, a veto-wielding Security Council member which insists that the only way Palestine can gain full membership in the United Nations is after negotiating a peace deal with Israel. "We disagree with them on that," Ambassador Riyad Mansour told a group of journalists. "We believe that our statehood, and our admission, is an innate right for the Palestinian people ... to exercise it alone. It is not open for negotiation with anyonenor will we ask for permission from anyone." Riyad Mansour, Palestinian envoy to UN Mansour said the legal right for Palestine to be a full member of the United Nations was formalized in the 1947 General Assembly resolution that partitioned British-ruled Palestine into "independent Arab and Jewish states." Israel was accepted as a UN member, he said, and Palestine which "will continue fighting for that right." The Palestinians initially had observer status at the UN, but in 2012 the 193-member General Assembly raised their status to an "observer state," giving Palestine a green light to join international organizations. Earlier this month, Palestine became chair of the largest voting bloc at the UNthe 134-nation Group of 77. Mansour stressed that "negotiation is different than expressions of self-determination." He noted that America's 13 colonies didn't negotiate with England in 1776 when they declared independence, and Israel didn't negotiate its independence declaration in 1948. Since then, Mansour said, "we have negotiated, and we could possibly, if the conditions are right." United Nations Security Council observe a moment of silence for those killed in the Gaza Strip (Photo: AP) But the Palestinians' distrust of US President Donald Trump's administration has escalated because of its pro-Israel stance, and has all but ended prospects of Israeli-Palestinian talks. The Palestinians cut off ties with the administration over a year ago after Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital. And a surge in Israeli settlement construction and planning on land the Palestinians want for their future state has added to tensions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will reject any peace plan the Trump team presents. The long-awaited plan is expected to be released after Israeli elections on April 9. As for the prospect of revived Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, Mansour said if Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees are off the table, and settlements are "more or less off the table, what is there left to negotiate?" He said Israel is violating the 1993 Oslo Accords signed by Israel and the Palestinians which stipulates that Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, borders and other issues are final status issues to be negotiated directly"and not one party to decide unilaterally the fate of any of these issues." With the bolstering of Benjamin Netanyahu's legal defense team and his many declarations in the media, on billboards and in videos, it seems that it has finally sunk in over at the prime minister's residence that there is no more dodging or weaving. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's decision regarding the corruption investigations into the prime minister will apparently be published in the coming weeks, and not after the elections as Netanyahu so desperately wanted. To this end, Netanyahu's inner circle is hunkering down to prepare for a hearing, and are planning for a last ditch effort to diminish the power of the indictment, if it is brought. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Netanyahu's aides, legal advisors and associates are out in full force to replace the image of a corrupt leader dogged by police investigations with a picture of an innocent man brought low by his scheming political rivals. One of the main arguments made by Netanyahu's defense attorneys concerns the purity of the investigation. Sources close to the prime minister claim that police officers did not have the tools to conduct a proper investigation for the a number of reasons. Firstly, they argue that during questioning by the Police Internal Investigations Department, Maj. Gen. Roni Ritman, the former head of the Lahav 433 anti-fraud unit who quit over sexual harassment claims, claimed that he suspected the female officer who made the complaint about him was sent by Netanyahu's associates. And thus, the prime minister's legal team asserted, Ritman "had a conflict of interest and did not want to really dig for the truth." Former Israel Police chief Roni Alsheich at the INSS conference, January 27, 2019 Netanyahu's lawyers also plan to bring up former police commissioner Roni Alsheich at the hearing, to brand him as someone who could not be objective because "he claimed in interviews that someone put private investigators" onto the police officers working the prime minister's cases, which "has not been proven." Moreover, Netanyahu cronies claim, Alsheich admitted that details of the investigations had leaked which raised questions about its reliability. Speaking Sunday at a conference held by the Institute for National Security Studies, Alsheich referred to the criticism that has been leveled against him for the duration of the investigations into Netanyahu. "I think that we (law enforcement officials) have all seen the evidence," he said, and rejected any allegations that the police had trumped up the charges against the prime minister. Alsheich said he had never questioned Netanyahu himself, but did insist that he "read every word of the testimonies of the interviewees." He also flatly rejected any allegations that police officers had leaked details of the case. "Journalists know that the police do not leak, period," he said. "I know where the leaks came from." Regarding Case 4000, the main argument of Netanyahu's camp is that sympathetic coverage is not considered a bribe. The prime minister is suspected of taking bribes and acting in a conflict of interest by promoting regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bezeq telecommunications company and its then-majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch. In return, the prime minister allegedly received favorable coverage on Elovitch's Walla! website. Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Shaul Elovitch According to Netanyahu's camp, police investigators again did not really push to find the truth. And the fact of the matter is, Antitrust Commissioner Michal Halperin one of the most relevant witnesses was not summoned for questioning. Another claim against the validity of the case is that no attempt was made to assess whether the coverage on the Walla! website was really sympathetic to Netanyahu and his family. The prime minister's inner circle also claim that the facts of the case were embellished and that in reality 91% of Bezeq's shares were publically held, and that Bezeq suffered heavy losses in the wholesale reform of the market. As for Case 1000, Netanyahu's associates claim that the police vastly inflated the value of the cigars gifted to the prime minister, to the sum NIS 500,000. According to the alleged gift-giver, Israeli-American producer Arnon Milchan, the cigars were bought in two stores in Herzliya. Furthermore, Netanyahu's associates claim, their own investigation of the cigar supplier showed that during the years in question, the supplier ordered the import of the cigars favored by Netanyahu for just NIS 269,000. Therefore, according to the prime minister's associates, it is inconceivable that all the cigars imported to Israel were purchased by Milchan alone and given solely to Netanyahu. Benjamin Netanyahu and Arnon Milchan Another argument leveled by Netanyahu is that during his stint as minister, Yair Lapid also met with Milchan, accepted cigars from him and even dealt with his request to amend legislation. Therefore, from Netanyahu's point of view, this is selective enforcement that targets him alone. Regarding the state's witnesses, the prime minister's camp claims that agreements reached with them were carried out in contravention of the attorney general's position on other cases and performed in a "wholesale" fashion. Furthermore, Netanyahu's associates claim, key witness Nir Hefetz was brought in by the prosecution even before they reviewed the possible evidence he could provide. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's lawyers on Sunday presented the attorney general with a binder containing 122 leaks allegedly published during the course of the investigations into the prime minister. "This is a clear case of quantity becoming quality until, given the continuous flow of leaks, and in light of the contamination of the investigation, one receives the impression that unacceptable norms have become ingrained in these investigations," wrote Netanyahu's attorneys Navot Tel-Zur and Tal Shapira. Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn waves after declaring his candidacy for the leadership of the main opposition Liberty Korean Party (LKP) at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. The LKP will elect its new leader at its Feb. 27 national convention. / Yonhap By Park Ji-won Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn made public his bid to become the leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), Tuesday, vowing to unify conservative forces for a victory in the general elections next year. Hwang, considered the strongest possible conservative contender for the next presidency, said, if elected as the LKP chief, he will hold the Moon Jae-in administration in check. "I will devote myself to scrapping Moon's flagship policies, such as income-led growth and the nuclear-free strategy, that are plaguing the nation," Hwang said during a press conference held at the LKP's headquarters in Seoul. Hwang also pledged to unify conservatives to attain a victory in the general elections in 2020. "I will make the LKP a strong opposition party," he said. The LKP will hold a national convention Feb. 27 to elect a new leader and other members of its decision-making Supreme Council. Hwang served as prime minister under former President Park Geun-hye, and her loyalists support him. The LKP leadership post has been vacant since previous chairman Hong Joon-pyo stepped down to take responsibility for the party's defeat in the June 2018 local elections. The LKP has been embattled by a corruption scandal involving former President Park, who was impeached in March 2017. Hwang emerged as the most favored LKP presidential hopeful in a recent survey. The Realmeter poll of 2,515 adults nationwide from Jan. 21 to Friday showed that support for Hwang as a prospective presidential candidate increased 3.6 percentage points from the previous month to 17.1 percent. Following Hwang, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon garnered 15.3 percent, up 1.4 percentage points. This is the first time since polling began last year that Hwang has overtaken Lee. The pollster said Hwang received backing from more people in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, LKP supporters and conservatives. Meanwhile, former members of the Unified Progressive Party (UPP) which was disbanded in 2014 when Hwang was serving as justice minister under the Park Geun-hye administration, filed a complaint against Hwang Tuesday over alleged abuse of power and the leaking of confidential information. The complaint said that as the justice minister, he abused his power and pressured the Constitutional Court of Korea to disband the UPP unfairly, infringing on the rights to hold public office and to a fair trial. Yankton, SD (57078) Today Wind increasing. A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds NW at 25 to 35 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low 53F. NNW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Have you been touched by this issue? Is one of your friends or family members among the vanished? Do you think law enforcement has done enough to solve these cases? Share your thoughts here. 7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account. Sanaa (AFP) - Yemen's Huthi rebels on Tuesday released the first prisoner under an agreement with the government brokered last month, the United Nations said. "The special envoy welcomes the unconditional release... of the sick Saudi prisoner," the office of UN envoy Martin Griffiths tweeted. "The special envoy hopes to see more similar humanitarian gestures from the parties." The International Committee of the Red Cross, overseeing the prisoner swap, confirmed the Saudi soldier had been transferred from Sanaa to Riyadh. It posted a video of a man in a stretcher being carried onto a Red Cross jet. The Huthis named the soldier as Musa al-Awaji in a report on their Al-Masirah TV. It said the Saudi was freed "without collateral as a humanitarian gesture". Awaji is the first prisoner to be released under a deal agreed between the Saudi-backed government and rebels at UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden last month. The two parties agreed to exchange 15,000 detainees and have submitted lists of prisoners' names to UN mediators. For nearly four years, Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels have been locked in a war with a regional pro-government alliance led by Riyadh. The conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with millions of people at risk of mass starvation. The war has killed some 10,000 people since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in support of the beleaguered government in March 2015, according to the World Health Organization. Human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. Chicago (AFP) - Millions of Americans braced Tuesday for a dangerous polar vortex which began to settle over a large swath of the United States, threatening to set new records as schools and businesses closed and authorities warned of frostbite. Temperatures in almost a dozen states stretching over 1,200 miles from the Dakotas to Ohio were forecast to be the coldest in a generation, if not on record. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast temperatures between -10 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 to -40 Celsius) by Wednesday, with wind chill making it seem as cold as -65 degrees Fahrenheit in one area of Minnesota. The culprit was a lobe of arctic air broken away from the polar vortex that usually encircles the North Pole. "A record cold air mass will continue into the central and northern US, spreading to the east coast on Tuesday," the NWS said. "Wind chills of -30 to -60 (Fahrenheit) can be expected over portions of the northern Plains and Great Lakes region." Michigan and Wisconsin declared statewide emergencies in advance of the frigid temperatures. Americans were heeding warnings to stay home if possible on Wednesday, when temperatures were expected to be at their coldest. Scores of schools, businesses and government agencies announced closures in multiple states. "People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite in a matter of minutes," warned the NWS. "Areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and the extremities, such as hands and feet." More than 70 warming centers were opened in Chicago, America's third city, where temperatures were forecast to potentially rival or overcome the all-time record of -27 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind chill would make the air feel closer to -40 to -50 degrees in the windy city, officials said. Meanwhile the northeast and parts of the south were contending with a snow storm, which had previously dumped up to a foot of snow (30 centimeters) in the Midwest over the weekend. Story continues "Not only is brutal cold invading the central parts of the country, accumulating snow and freezing roadways all the way into the deep south could make travel dangerous," the NWS said. The snow was expected to make the arctic air feel even colder, the effects of which had already arrived in Canada. The frigid cold blanketing much of the US's northern neighbor, from Manitoba in the western Prairies region to Atlantic Canada, prompted a rare "hazardous" cold warning from Environment Canada. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations plans to convene a second round of talks in March on settling the decades-old conflict in Western Sahara even though no major progress was made during the first round, diplomats said Tuesday. UN envoy Horst Koehler told a closed-door Security Council meeting that he intended to bring Morocco, the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania together to follow up on meetings held in Geneva in December. Koehler, a former German president who took up the peacemaking role in 2017, won "unanimous support" from the council for his cautious step-by-step approach to bring all sides to negotiations, said French Ambassador Francois Delattre after the meeting. "Everybody is looking forward to the next round of talks that we expect in March," German Ambassador Christoph Heusgen told reporters. "What we have to do now is to achieve some progress." The envoy discussed possible confidence-building measures such as demining and allowing families living in Algeria and in Western Sahara camps to be reunited, Heusgen said. The Polisario Front is demanding a referendum on independence for the territory, which Morocco has flatly rejected. Morocco, which annexed the territory after Spain withdrew in 1975, considers Western Sahara to be an integral part of the kingdom. The Polisario fought a war with Morocco from 1975 to 1991, when a ceasefire deal was agreed and a UN peace mission was deployed to monitor the truce. During the talks in December, Morocco and the Polisario dug in their heels and held to their positions, but Koehler nevertheless proclaimed that a peaceful solution was possible. After addressing the council, Koehler briefed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on his plan. "In Western Sahara, we are dealing with a long-standing issue," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. "No one is under any illusion. This will take a lot of work from our side and the parties involved to move this forward." Story continues The Polisario said it had proposed a prisoner exchange and the dispatch of human rights monitors to Western Sahara, but their proposals were met with silence from Morocco. Koehler will hold bilateral meetings with all the players in February to prepare the second round, said South African Ambassador Jerry Matjila, who described the diplomatic push as "very positive." South Africa recognizes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) proclaimed by the Polisario in Western Sahara, as does the African Union. Seized bags of meth are on display at Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, Tuesday. Yonhap Eight Malaysians have been arrested and indicted on charges of attempting to smuggle methamphetamine worth 44 billion won (US$39.4 million) into South Korea, prosecutors here said Tuesday. The Incheon District Prosecutors' Office said the Malaysian suspects were arrested earlier this month in a joint investigation with the customs office and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and were all referred to trial after being indicted. The eight suspects are accused of attempting to smuggle 13.3 kilograms of methamphetamine from Malaysia into South Korea via Incheon International Airport and Gimhae International Airport on five occasions from Dec. 27 last year to Jan. 17, the office said. They wrapped plastic bags each containing 1 to 2 kg of the banned substance on their thighs or abdomens with bandages and tried to pass through the airports. Most of them are accused of acting as drug mules under the direction of a Malaysian drug ring, the office noted. The Incheon prosecution began the investigation last month after being told by the NIS that a large amount of methamphetamine was being smuggled into South Korea from Southeast Asia. Then the Malaysian suspects were successively arrested at the two airports. The 13.3 kg of methamphetamine seized in the investigation could have yielded as many as 440,000 doses. The prosecution plans to expand its investigation to look into the possibility of methamphetamine smuggled from Southeast Asia being already in circulation in the country. Separately from the case, two South Korean nationals have been arrested by prosecutors here on charges of attempting to smuggle 3.4 kg of methamphetamine, concealed in their baggage, from the United States. "Recently, drug transactions are spreading in South Korea mainly through social media. International drug organizations are said to perceive South Korean addicts as offering comparatively high prices for drugs," a prosecution official said. According to the Korea Customs Service, South Korean authorities confiscated 426 kg of drugs in 660 cases last year, compared with 69 kg in 429 cases the year before. Methamphetamine, also known as Philopon, was the most smuggled drug, totaling 222.9 kg, compared with 30.9 kg in 2017. (Yonhap) Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday launched an uphill battle for re-election, five years on from a bloody uprising that brought him to power on a promise to tackle corruption. "This feeling of deep responsibility towards my country... prompted me to decide to run again for the office of President of Ukraine," he told a forum in Kiev ahead of March 31 polls. Poroshenko asked voters for a mandate to "guarantee the process of European and Atlantic integration, to guarantee our independence, to renew the territorial integrity of Ukraine." Addressing roughly 1,000 people at a meeting where he was expected to announce his candidacy, Poroshenko stressed the need for peace with Russia. Poroshenko was elected to the presidency in 2014 after his pro-Russian predecessor Viktor Yanukovych was ousted following a wave of popular protests. The 53-year-old chocolate tycoon promised to pivot the ex-Soviet country of nearly 45 million people towards the West and has sought to push through ambitious reforms. But critics say corruption is still rampant and Poroshenko has done little to rein in fellow oligarchs, although the economy is showing signs of recovery after a recession. Polls put him behind former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who rose to international prominence in 2004 during the anti-corruption Orange Revolution demonstrations and announced she is running last week. In third place is Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian who once played the role of president in a Ukrainian TV series but has no political experience. No candidate has an unassailable lead, with Tymoshenko, Poroshenko and Zelensky polling on roughly 16, 14 and 9 percent respectively. Kiev's relationship with Moscow remains in dire straits. After the 2014 uprising, Moscow annexed Crimea and supported Russian-speaking separatists in Ukraine's east, in a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The U.N. investigator leading the inquiry into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia had not yet approved a request for her to enter the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul and meet Saudi authorities. Agnes Callamard, the U.N. special rapporteur on executions who is on a week-long mission to Turkey, briefly visited the Istanbul neighborhood where the Saudi consulate is located but did not enter the premises. "We just wanted to have a sense of it," she told reporters. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist living in the United States, was killed on Oct. 2 at the Saudi consulate, where he had gone to collect documents for his planned wedding. Speaking outside the building, Callamard said she had requested access to the premises from the Saudi government and to meet Saudi authorities both in Turkey and in the kingdom. "To be fair the request to them has come quite late, so we need to give them a bit more time to process our request," she said. "We are respectfully calling on the authorities to give us access at some stage while we are here." U.S. intelligence agencies believe Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered an operation to kill Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom's de facto ruler, and say his body was dismembered and removed to a location still publicly unknown. Riyadh denies that the prince had any involvement. Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said on Monday that Callamard is investigating what evidence there is pointing to Prince Mohammed's responsibility. He also called for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to share its intercepted recordings of the crime. Callamard met Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MIT) separately on Monday. Turkish officials have not said what evidence they shared with her. She is expected to meet the Istanbul chief prosecutor, who has headed the local investigation, later on Tuesday. She said she could publish her report by late May although the date could change. (Reporting by Bulent Usta; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen, Editing by Dominic Evans, William Maclean) Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Mosul's celebrated museum has not recovered since Islamic State group jihadists ravaged its ancient treasures several years ago, but part of the complex reopened Tuesday to showcase more contemporary art. For the first time since IS overran the Iraqi city in 2014, visitors on Tuesday could wander the grandiose royal reception hall, which forms part of the museum. The building is considered the oldest government complex in Mosul and was recently renovated to host the 29-artist exhibit, titled "Return to Mosul," a member of the organising Al-Ghad Radio station told AFP. The northern Iraqi city served as IS's brutal seat of power for three years, before Iraqi troops recaptured it in 2017. Much of Mosul's east has made a modest recovery, but the west -- home to the Old City and the museum -- remains in ruins. The exhibit was "proof that war didn't kill Mosul and that, on the contrary, it's living a full-on renaissance," said Huda Hani, a 25-year-old visitor on Tuesday. Buttoned up in warm jackets, families walked through the hall to look at the paintings and sculptures, many of which feature themes of home, return, or conflict. The rest of the museum, however, remains closed for security reasons, said its director Zeid Saadallah. "You have to protect what is left," he told AFP. During its bloody reign over Mosul, IS released a video of its jihadists attacking the museum with sledgehammers and pneumatic drills, destroying priceless pre-Islamic artefacts that it considered insulting to religion. The damaged pieces including two imposing "lamassu" statues, Assyrian winged bulls with human faces. IS also blew up the Assyrian city of Nimrud, the ancient city of Hatra, and the centuries-old desert city of Palmyra in neighbouring Syria. But in addition to destroying artefacts, the jihadist group trafficked valuable pieces to finance its activities. In partnership with Google, 3-D printer BQ, and other organisations, Mosul's artists and technicians are looking to print three-dimensional versions of the smashed pieces. And ALIPH, a heritage-focused project led by France the the UAE, has dedicated $480,000 to help in the first phase of the museum's reconstruction. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) Syria state media said Sunday the country's air defense systems intercepted and destroyed three "hostile" targets over a Russian air base in the country's coastal region. There were no more details about the suspected attack or who was behind it, but it comes amid rising violations of a cease-fire in Syria's west negotiated by Turkey and Russia and in place since September. On Sunday, Russia Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on state television that the agreement with Turkey is not fully implemented, leaving the situation there as a matter of concern "first of all, by the Syrian authorities and also Moscow." He didn't address the suspected drone attack. The Britain-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said explosions heard in the region were from air defense systems intercepting suspected attacking drones. The Observatory said such drones had previously targeted the Russian air base in Latakia province the last such attack coming in November, despite the cease-fire deal. The de-escalation deal in Idlib province averted a Syrian government offensive on the armed opposition enclave, which is also home to nearly 3 million people. The agreement created a security zone free of heavy weapons and monitored by Turkish troops to halt fighting. But infighting between the armed groups in Idlib escalated into a major showdown. Earlier this month, members of the al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Arabic for Levant Liberation Committee, took over control of Idlib and the surrounding countryside and forced rival Turkey-backed insurgents to accept an HTS-controlled administration. Last week, Russia complained that al-Qaida-linked group's hold increasingly threatened its air base and urged Turkey to do more to rein in the militants in the enclave. The Syrian government has repeatedly threatened to launch an offensive to recapture Idlib province, while Turkey had complained that Damascus was trying to undermine the deal. Sidharth Kaushal Security, Can they evolve? How to Save the Aircraft Carrier from Becoming Obsolete (Like a Battleship) Key point: It may be then that the carrier is not being rendered obsolete but is evolving (or regressing) into the role that interwar strategists had in mind for ita platform geared towards spotting and perhaps providing fighter cover for a twenty-first century variant of the battleship. One of the great conceits of admirals in the interwar years was their dogmatic embrace of the nostrum that battleships won naval wars. Officers such as those of the Imperial Japanese navy proved particularly susceptible to this dogma, a thought process that found itself manifested in so called super battleships such as the IJN Yamato, which one Japanese commentator ranked alongside the pyramids and the great wall of China as one of historys great white elephants. Indeed, even after British carrier borne aircraft had demonstrated their value against the Italian navy at Taranto and Japans own carrier wing had achieved a spectacular tactical success at Pearl Harbor, Japanese admirals held firm to the view that the sheer firepower of a battleship would be the decisive arm of any navy. (This first appeared several months ago.) This is not to say that Japans admirals of the interwar years were entirely dismissive of carriers. Rather, they saw the carriers proper role as a supporting unitacting as scouts and spotters for naval gunfire and laying smokescreens for big gun battleships as well as protecting them from land- and carrier-based aircraft. While attacking surface vessels was considered as a role, it was auxiliary insofar as Japans naval planners felt that aircraft could augment but not supplement large calibre fire. Where Japans admirals erred was failing to recognize that the carrier in fact illustrated one of their own navys cherished principlesnamely that range mattered more than firepower. While a battleship did deliver more firepower than an aircraft carrier, it could not get within range of a carrier in order to deliver this firepower before being targeted by carrier-based aircraft. Moreover, the anti-aircraft guns placed aboard ships were woefully inadequate for the task of intercepting waves of incoming aircraft. Story continues A series of technological trends, however, have upended this dynamic and raise a question of whether the Japanese model of carrier employment may be coming into its own seventy years after the fact. Firstly, range no longer favors the aircraft carrier in its interactions with surface vessels. Anti-ship cruise missiles such as the hypersonic Russian Zircon could evolve to hold carriers at risk over a distance of over five hundred nautical milesbeyond the reach of carrier-based aircraft. Moreover, cruise missiles are being joined in the category of ranged weapons by tools such as the electromagnetic railgun, which relies on opposing charged electromagnetic rails to fire high-velocity projectiles at a rate of ten rounds per minute over long distances that may, in due time, extend as far as two hundred nautical miles. Moreover the carriers second great advantagethe fact that ship based anti aircraft fire was in its infancy, is also waning. The SM-6 missiles based on board the vertical launch system of a Ticonderoga class destroyer can in principle intercept aircraft at a 240 km range while Chinese and Russian platforms such as the Luzhou and Kirov class destroyers host the S-300 FM missile capable of operating at similar ranges similar punch. Even relatively modest vessels such as frigates now carry increasingly sophisticated air defences. Compounding the issue further, the extended reach of shore based anti aircraft batteries such as the S-400 means that carrier based aircraft might also find itself within the range of shore based batteries if it finds itself confronting an opponent within the four hundred kilometers of a platform such as the S-400, for example. Instead, the idea of a superbattleship such as the Yamato, ludicrous in its own time, may well be coming into its own. Navies have long experimented with the idea of arsenal ships, relatively small platforms capable of holding up to sixty-four vertical launch cells and launching large stocks of cruise missiles for some time now. In principle, however, the number of cells a ship can hold is a function of its size and capacity for power generation. A battleship the size of the Yamato with a length along the waterline of 263 meters could in principle hold substantially more cells carrying mixed loads of offensive missiles and defensive interceptors. Recent reports of the addition by China of a railgun to one of its amphibious landing craft and the nascent interest in ship-based lasers raises the prospect of new additions to this conceptual craft. Finally, the size of such a ship could allow navies to reintroduce naval armor without sacrificing other capabilities. Given that many anti-ship weapons such shore based ballistic missiles rely on high explosive warheads with limited armor-piercing capabilities, such a vessel would be optimal for an A2/AD environment. While the size of such a behemoth might seem to work against it, this very size may aid it in the capacity for power generation at levels needed to support the electromagnetic railgun and, should nascent technology bear fruit, ship based antimissile lasers. Additionally, the sheer number of vertical launch cells such a ship could carry would mean that it would have coverage against missile attacks greater than that which is provided by the guided-missile destroyers accompanying a carrier. Moreover, as the nuclear powered Gerald R. Ford-class carriers have illustrated, generating the power to sustain enormous vessels with on board nuclear reactors such as the A1B which powers the Gerald Ford. If brought to fruition, such a vessel may have the same transformative role that the dreadnought and carrier did in their day. Recommended: Imagine a U.S. Air Force That Never Built the B-52 Bomber Recommended: Russia's Next Big Military Sale - To Mexico? Recommended: Would China Really Invade Taiwan? That being said, mothballing carriers may well be a bit premature. Many of the tools which threaten a carrier are arguably only operable in conjunction with organic air support. Cruise missiles such as the zircon can fly distances of up to five hundred nautical miles but the platforms that host them cannot spot targets over these distances. A ship-based radar such as the U.S. AN/SPY1 typically has a range of one hundred nautical miles while submarines have even shorter range radar. While space-based assets could extend a navys line of sight over the horizon, coordinating these assets with fielded forces in the face of invariable attempts at disruption promises to be a nightmare for most navies. A range of air-based assets, however, can reliably provide a platform with targeting information over long distances and, moreover, can be produced at relatively low costs. Kratos Corporations QX222 drone for example, would have had an operational radius of over fifteen hundred miles, which would be more sufficient than providing reconnaissance and spotting to a modern battleship. Alternatively, light aircraft such as Saabs Sea Gripen can provide the modern equivalent of laying smoke screens by operating in their specialized role as electronic-warfare platforms. Finally, of course, carrier-based fighters can augment ship-based air defenses to provide additional air cover to a battleship fleet. It may be then that the carrier is not being rendered obsolete but is evolving (or regressing) into the role that interwar strategists had in mind for ita platform geared towards spotting and perhaps providing fighter cover for a twenty-first century variant of the battleship. Within this context, the carriers of the future may well be relatively small vessels capable of hosting drones and fighter and electronic-warfare-optimized aircraft but not the heavier strike platforms that the carriers of today sustain. Rather than being the centrepiece of a fleet carriers could well play a role analogous to the destroyers of todaysupporting a nucleus of superbattleships. Purchases such as the Chinese Liaoning, which does not have the STOBAR launch system to carry heavy-strike aircraft but can carry fighter aircraft such as the J-15 and can conceivable carry drones in due time may be more compatible with a twenty-first century combat environment than is sometimes assumed. Instead of larger CATOBAR equipped strike platforms, the carrier of tomorrow may be smaller cheaper STOBAR equipped platforms geared towards providing cover, targeting data and air and ASW support to battleships. The role of carriers, then would become analogous to that of guided missile destroyers, cruiser and submarines at presentnamely a supporting arm of a central strike platform. Within this context carriers would perform the function that interwar tacticians had in mind for them that is, providing fire control and cover for the capital ships of the twenty-first century. Sidharth Kaushal is a research fellow for Seapower at the Royal United Services Institute and has written on various aspects of maritime strategy both for edited volumes and various journals. He is in the process of completing his PhD at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Read full article Brumadinho (Brazil) (AFP) - The death toll from the collapse of a Brazilian dam rose to 84 on Tuesday as mining giant Vale announced that moves to dismantle similar structures would hit production. Brazilian authorities are stepping up their probe of Vale, with five engineers involved in the operating licenses and the last inspection of the dam arrested on prosecutors' orders in the state of Minas Gerais, where the disaster occurred Friday at one of the firm's mines. Flavio Godinho, Civil Defense spokesman in Minas Gerais, said the death toll had increased from 65 to 84, while the number of missing fell from 292 to 276. Shares in Vale -- the world's biggest iron ore miner -- meanwhile ticked up nearly two percent in Sao Paulo, still far from recovering from a 24-percent wipeout suffered on Monday. The company said it will freeze operations around 10 dams in Brazil to dismantle structures such as the one that resulted in the Friday disaster -- a move that will reduce annual iron ore production by 10 percent or 40 million tons. The dam collapse at the Vale mine near the town of Brumadinho occurred three years after a similar disaster at another one of its sights in the same region. That 2015 dam rupture, near Mariana, killed 19 people and caused what was considered the worst environmental catastrophe Brazil had seen. After the latest disaster, credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded Vale's score, and Moody's said it had the company under review for a downgrade. Three US law firms were also making moves toward starting a class-action lawsuit against the miner. Brazilian media speculated that Vale's board and top executives might be replaced. The overwhelming majority of the dead and missing were workers at the mine. Authorities have ordered $3 billion in Vale assets be frozen to pay for fines, compensation and employee salaries to families. "If there has truly been negligence or recklessness by certain people in that company, they will face criminal action," Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao vowed Monday. Story continues - Search for bodies - The search for bodies was ongoing Tuesday, with a team of Israeli soldiers joining Brazilian crews who have been laboriously probing for days the expanse of mud released by the dam. The barrier, which was in the process of being decommissioned, held around 13 million tons of tailings, or sludgy mining waste. Men were digging, often by hand, to depths of up to 15 meters (50 feet) to recover corpses encased in mud. The remains were then bagged and airlifted away by helicopter. The fetid odor of decomposing bodies rose from the brown surface. With a dozen kilometers (eight miles) of mud to carefully scour, the operation has proceeded slowly, barely denting the long list of the missing. Jose Ferreira da Silva, a 55-year-old laborer, was blocked by police as he attempted to enter the zone to look for his 27-year-old son Josue, who worked for a Vale contractor. "We just want to try to do something," he said, tearfully. No survivors have been found since Saturday, only bodies. Corrego do Feijao, the closest village to the mine, has been in mourning since the disaster. Most of its inhabitants work for Vale, and 20 of their number were missing. "I'm living a horror film. These are people I grew up with. I don't know how I'm going to get through this," said Cleyton Candido, who was waiting on news of his missing nephew and several friends. The toxicity of the mineral-laced sludge was not yet known. But an indigenous community downstream complained that fish it relies on for its livelihood were dying. Brazil's authorities feared pollution from the mine waste could reach hydro-electric power plants between early and mid-February. The environmental group WWF said that a forest area "equivalent to 125 football fields" had been lost, and it was still too early to know the full ecological scope of the disaster. - Public anger - The tragedy has turned public opinion against Vale. On Monday, dozens of people staged a protest with mud in front of the company's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Newspaper editorials blasted it -- and the government -- for not learning the lessons of the 2015 Mariana disaster. Minas Gerais prosecutors said they have launched a probe "evaluating the criminal responsibility of the Vale company." The five engineers arrested were part of that investigation. They were to be held for up to 30 days for questioning. Three of the engineers work for Vale and were directly involved in the process of the facility's operating licenses, the prosecutors said. The other two worked for TUEV SUED, a German company that in September carried out the last safety inspection of the collapsed mine. Reuters Lyle J. Goldstein Security, Middle East A welcome and long overdue complete departure of U.S. forces will require facing up to some uncomfortable truths. Peace in Afghanistan? Don't Count On It. For all the newsprint devoted to Syria lately, one would think that this was an American core interest. Yet, that conclusion could not be further from the truth. The United States has had a minimal military presence there with no clear mission. The American deaths that occurred on January 16 are tragic, of course, but should not be used cynically by those hoping to prolong the presence of U.S. troops in the countryone that is unconstitutional and simultaneously violates international law. As for the Islamic State (aka bad dudes in pickup trucks), lets not kid ourselves: the same bad dudes (or their cousins) will still be lurking in Syria for a long time. The presence of a paltry number of Americans around was never going to change that, and may even have encouraged the groups nefarious undertakings. Afghanistan is not so easily dismissed, however. The Taliban had harbored (the Saudi) Osama bin Laden, after all. Immense American resources have been poured into that country for almost two decades. We are told that Afghanistan is still home to the greatest concentration of terrorists anywhere in the world. A national-security expert claimed recently that a presence in Afghanistan . . . completes the web of U.S. surveillance over the whole of the greater Middle East. Geopolitically, Afghanistan is located conveniently close to the soft underbelly of Russia and China, and its neighbor Iran. American casualties have been reduced substantially. So, whats not to like? This is not the place to offer a critique of the feeble bromides above, nor to dissect the presidents latest comments on Afghanistan, including the most recent remark regarding the Soviet War in Afghanistan that drove the press into yet another feeding frenzy on the Russian influence conspiracy theory. As a young student in the 1990s, I spent considerable time on the ground conducting research in Russia and Central Asia on that tragic war and the president was not too far off the mark, actually. My concern is that the vast majority of Americans do not actually realize what is going on in Afghanistan today on a daily basis. For example, the Washington Post published a long and detailed story on January 12 about the air quality in Kabul instead of the war raging in and around Kabul. Of course, its easier to report on air quality or on an anti-corruption campaign in Kabul than to actually leave the capital to find out what is going on in the rest of the country. A good way to discern the facts is to examine two press articles side-by-side about the war in Afghanistan from early January 2019. Story continues The first article by Andrei Serenko was published on January 11 in the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta under the title The Taliban opens a New Years Front in Northern Afghanistan [ ]. This article summarizes fighting that has taken place so far in 2019 in the provinces of Faryab, Balkh, Baghlan and Badghis. As the article illustrates, this fighting is significant in at least two respects. First, the Taliban has traditionally been much stronger in the southern part of the country, so it is noteworthy that the movement has become extremely active in these northern provinces; and second, conventional wisdom over the last decade is that the fighting quiets down over the winter, but that assumption does not comport with these latest reports. Most of the article describes intense fighting in the province of Faryab, but for illustrative purposes, let us focus here on the province of Badghis. The article reports on a combat action initiated by the Taliban on January 4 that seized two block posts, killed or wounded eighteen government troops, killed a local commander [Mullah Hadji Daran], and wherein the Taliban seized for trophies: a heavy mortar, a sniper rifle, as well as several submachine guns and American-made semi-automatic weapons. That action on January 4 apparently caused government units to basically flee leaving equipment and a large amount of ammunition [, , ] from the town of Sar Chalang on January 56. On January 7, the Taliban attacked and seized four block posts near the town of Garchag, inflicting twenty-five casualties on government forces, while suffering six themselves. An RPG destroyed a police armored car, according to this account. A grenade launcher, 5 Kalashnikov rifles, a walkie-talkie and ammunition fell into the hands of the rebels [ , 5 , ]. On the same day, the Taliban is reported to have made attacks near the towns of Tashbalak and Bandsacharn. For a loss of five Taliban insurgents, the rebels were reported to have killed thirteen Afghan Army soldiers and captured three motorcycles, a machine gun, more American-made semi-automatics and additional ammunition. Finally, the article says that the Taliban also laid an ambush on that day near the town of Sacharnalg, in which it is said that eight government commandos were either killed or wounded. Again, most of the fighting described in this Russian analysis discusses actions in other provinces around Afghanistan, but this small sampling is typical of the whole, except that they also repeatedly report on capturing government vehicles, for example a Ranger []-type armored vehicle. For the sake of comparison, let us now briefly examine a New York Times article by Najim Rahim and Mujib Mashal that was published on January 10 under the headline Violence is Growing in Northern Afghanistan, but Neither Side is Gaining Much Ground. The article notes that a Taliban offensive during the winter is unusual, but does not draw any greater analytical conclusions from this break with the customary pattern. Nor does the article note that the north had generally been more quiet and stable than the south. The very first sentence of the article observes that there has been heavy casualties on both sides, but then it says that heavy fighting has failed to shift the battle lines, apparently confusing this conflict with a conventional war in which two opposing armies face off along a single battle front. The article turns even more surreal when these journalists quote at length an Afghan Parliamentarian, Nisar Ahmad Ghoryani, head of the parliaments security and defense commission. He claims that the Taliban might take security outposts at night, but they cant fight face to face during the day. As a military analyst, one is not sure what to do with that assessment, except perhaps urge the Taliban to get more sleep. The Taliban, Ghoryani continues, have suffered heavy casualties, but are still able to fight, because they get enough military and financial support. He blames both Pakistan and interestingly also Russia for supporting the Taliban. The article closes with two propositions that American readers might find reassuring: first, there are new interior and defense ministers in the national government in Kabul, and second, the Islamic State and the Taliban are said to be squaring off against one another in the east of Afghanistan. Even if one is tempted to dismiss some claims in the Russian report as Taliban spin, the common exaggeration that sometimes accompanies battlefield reports or even good old Russian schadenfreude, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the New York Times article either amounts to happy talk or just incompetent journalism. One could go a step further and even wonder if Afghan journalists writing for the New York Times are capable of objectively covering this sad debacle at this late date. They may reasonably feel disconcerted by the prospect of the Taliban defeating government forces, since their jobs and even their lives could be in jeopardy in that scenario. At this point, one may begin to suspect that the American public might not be receiving a complete picture of what is actually going on in Afghanistan. As a counterpoint to the happy talk above from the New York Times, let me briefly suggest five myths that U.S. policymakers must weigh going forward in Afghanistan. I will not even bother with one of the most common mythsthe notion that the war can be won by pressuring Pakistan. That particular idea is so old and worn and apparently unhelpful, we need not consider it seriously here. Myth #1: The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is quite minimal. While the troop numbers have come down considerably, the level of U.S. contractors remains high and this represents a way to disguise the true cost of the war to the American public. Moreover, the immense logistical difficulties of maintaining supply in this exceedingly remote, land-locked country imply that even a small presence of forces in the country still amounts to an expensive and unsustainable burden on the U.S. military. At present, the conflict is costing Americans about $45 billion per year. Myth #2: Air power and high-tech solutions will save the day. The American way of war is to search for high-tech solutions and to confront the enemy from ten thousand feet and above. However, by this time, one would hope that U.S. strategists have finally concluded that good old-fashioned political, ideational and geographical factors are determinate in counterinsurgency wars, rather than technology. The mother of all bombs has proven hardly decisive, but all the PGMs in the world will not defeat the Taliban. And the attempt to build an Afghan Air Force seems like a bad joke concocted by the relevant contractors. Myth #3: Russia and China want us to leave Afghanistan. Both Moscow and Beijing are intensely concerned about Islamic radicalism in Central Asia. For that reason, both have been reasonably supportive of the continuing U.S. presence there. In fact, Robert Kaplan recently argued in the New York Times that the U.S. war in Afghanistan amounted to support for both Chinese and Russian initiatives in Central Asia. To state the obvious, U.S. taxpayers should not be subsidizing the security of rivals. Myth #4: Europeans dont have the stomach to fight in Afghanistan. NATO allies have been rather good lately at shouldering the burden in Afghanistan. This makes sense actually since these countries are directly impacted by the war there. If the war gets worse, more Afghan refugees will flood westward into Europe. That points to the obvious fact that Europeans should lead whatever effort continues in Afghanistan, instead of Americans. Thinking more realistically, however, Europe would also ultimately be better served by a complete reset of Afghanistan policy. Myth #5: Peace talks will end the bloodshed, permitting a graceful U.S. exit. The odds of peace talks yielding a successful outcome are very low. A much higher probability is that the whole edifice of American involvement will come crashing down amidst considerable chaos and violencethink Saigon circa 1975. True, U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad is hard at work negotiating with the Taliban and some kind of agreement could be forthcoming very soon. Still, its worth recalling that the Paris Peace Accords that the U.S. signed with North Vietnam in 1973 had little appreciable impact on the ground other than to provide a fig leaf of honor to allow the full withdrawal of American forces. Within less than two years, the American-sponsored regime in South Vietnam was no more. But is this example so terrible? Today, after all, Ho Chi Minh city (formerly Saigon) is a rather nice place to visit somehow. Moreover, U.S.-Vietnam relations continue to bloom. Indeed, it is not so shocking, because revolutionary regimes tend to mellow in their dotage and the same would likely be true of a Taliban regime if one resulted from a total U.S. withdrawal. In the final analysis, America must have the guts to let the Afghans sort out their internal squabbles on their own. Its going to be ugly, for sure, but Afghanistan itself and the wider global community will likely be better off. Civil wars must be permitted to end. It would be yet another example of extraordinary hubris to assume that Washington can ultimately determine the outcome of Afghanistans civil war. U.S. military sources have said that Moscow is supporting the Taliban, but Moscow has vociferously denied the allegation. I have no special information in this regard, although such is the logic of great-power competition that it could be conceivable today. If we repeatedly call Russia an adversary, then Russia will likely oblige us and actually morph into our true enemy. Indeed, the United States is now providing lethal aid to Ukrainian government forces engaged in combat in and around the Donbass. So, why wouldnt the Kremlin retaliate by supporting Americas foes with lethal aid in Afghanistan? An eye for an eye, right? Revenge, moreover, for Russians still smarting from their humiliation on that same blood-soaked battlefield in the 1980s, cannot be far from the Kremlins calculus. But again, that is all speculation, and I actually believe that Russias attempt to bring the warring parties together in Moscow during the fall of 2018 for peace talks was a sincere effort to end the carnage. Russia has much more to gain from peace and stability in Central Asia than from continued war, spreading radicalism, and terror. Sadly, it is doubtful that any current American leaders could stomach pulling the plug on the slow-motion fiasco that is the war in Afghanistan today. Just look at how difficult it has been for President Trump to try to wind down the comparatively small U.S. military commitment to Syria. Afghanistan now requires the tough love of being required to stand on its own, even if that entails intensified civil strife in the short run. After all, Americans have much more pressing needs than pouring more of its precious blood and treasure into the remotest and most forbidding part of Inner Asia. Lyle J. Goldstein is a research professor in the China Maritime Studies Institute at the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI. In addition to Chinese, he also speaks Russian and he is also an affiliate of the new Russia Maritime Studies Institute at Naval War College. You can reach him at goldstel@usnwc.edu. The opinions in his columns are entirely his own and do not reflect the official assessments of the U.S. Navy or any other agency of the U.S. government. Image: Reuters Read full article Firefighters on Sunday called for the evacuation of some 24,000 people from the Brazilian town hit by a deadly mudslide from a ruptured mining dam as rains added to concerns a second dam could collapse. Pascale Davies reports. Seo Ji-hyun, a prosecutor in Suwon, speaks during a forum at the National Assembly, Tuesday, organized by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to discuss the impact of the #MeToo movement in South Korea. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul A woman who ignited South Korea's #MeToo movement claimed Tuesday victims of sex abuse are not fairly protected here, asking the country's ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and civil society to create a system for the victims. "Sexual violence is like the Holocaust. #MeToo is not an endgame as it's more like a clarion call to something bigger. South Korea saw little progress in terms of correcting relevant harmful social systems. In Korea, people who've shared their own #MeToo stories should be protected properly as these experiences are nothing new and the movement should be understood as a voice for positive change," Seo Ji-hyun, a prosecutor in Seoul, said in a forum organized by DPK at the National Assembly. A year ago, the prosecutor went public in a live television interview, as she defied convention to tell her story. At that time, she said a senior male prosecutor groped her when she was at the funeral of another colleague's father. After she reported the incident, she suffered career setbacks in her workplace as South Korea is still a society where patriarchal and hierarchical values remain deeply ingrained. Seo's interview opened the floodgates and had a significant resounding impact on the lives of women in Korea. "While a year has passed since my interview, I still feel pain and anger. There were moves to hide wrongdoings and I was forced to keep calm to continue raising relevant issues. Media outlets paid little attention to embrace and share the pains and sorrows of the victims, as they tried to highlight such issues to raise controversy rather than addressing the issue," Seo said, adding women in South Korea still fear being subjected to backlash discrimination when they report sexual harassment. "I was very sorry to share my experiences as a prosecutor as my job is to pursue and seek justice. I was forced to remain calm to speak out about this criminal act. Ironically, I was blamed for speaking out on my experience. Our community is responsible for sexual violence as this is organized crime, not a personal matter," the prosecutor told participants during the forum. DPK Rep. Jeong Choon-sook, experts, professors and representatives of civil communities attended the forum. Jeong, who is also the head of the DPK-established sexual harassment prevention committee, said the ruling party will team up with opposition parties and civil communities to pass pending bills to help victims get substantial and detailed support. A recent survey by the Korea Women Workers' Association showed about 70 percent of women who reported various types of workplace harassment suffered damage to their careers. Rather than remain in the shadows, however, Seo said women need to stand up and let their voice be heard by sharing their own stories. Last year, traditional and social media have become dominated by discussions about deeply ingrained gender discrimination in South Korea. President Moon Jae-in recently announced extensions to the statute of limitations for sex crimes and a process that allows victims to report such crimes anonymously. As the Brexit countdown continues it has emerged that government has examined martial law in the event of a no deal Brexit. Stock image. (PA) Brexit planners have considered martial law in the event of a no deal Brexit, reports at the weekend revealed. The Sunday Times reported how senior civil servants are preparing for every eventually, including the possible introduction of martial law, in the event of a no deal Brexit. However, in an interview on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said while martial law is on the statute book, it is not a main focus. However, it has been considered. But what would that mean? A mock checkpoint manned by actors dressed as soldiers and customs officers constructed during an anti-Brexit rally at the Irish border near Carrickcarnan, Co Louth. Campaigners are concerned such scenes could become real if martial law is imposed. What is martial law? Martial law is when regular government, and laws, are suspended most commonly in the event of a natural disaster, major emergency or military coup. Commonly, this includes travel bans, curfews, confiscation of property, no-go areas and the deployment of troops. Often, military personnel are deployed to enforce these measures and help to keep order. Also, any Act of Parliament except the Human Rights Act can be extended for 21 days. Why would it be used? Formally known as the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, in the case of Brexit it would be used due to concerns over civil disobedience. Especially, as the Sunday Times reported, if it would lead to disorder and food and medical shortages. Prime Minister Theresa May is trying to avoid a no deal Brexit but civil servants and trying to consider every eventuality So, who told the Sunday Times? A senior civil servant told the Sunday Times: The overriding theme in all the no-deal planning is civil disobedience and the fear that it will lead to death in the event of food and medical shortages. Has it been used in the UK before? Not exactly. The British government used similar measures during the Irish war of independence and throughout the Troubles before the Good Friday Agreement there was a strong military presence throughout Northern Ireland but thankfully there have been no real instances on mainland Britain. In 2011 there was fury during the London Riots when Downing Street refused to introduce martial law to restore order instead riot police and regular officers restored order. File photo dated 01/04/1974 of police and military checking cars at a border post in Swanlinbar in the Irish Republic, just south of the Ulster border.(PA). Ok, then where has it been used? Story continues It is more commonly used in non-democratic countries. In Egypt martial law has been in place practically since 1967 with the act being renewed by parliament every three years. It has been used in Thailand notably following a military coup in 2006 and again following civil unrest in 2014. In Poland Communist generals introduced martial law in December 1981 to stop the opposition gaining power and popularity, it remained in place until July 22 1983. In November 2018 Ukrainian politicians voted in numbers to introduce martial law in coastal regions and areas bordering Russia in response to growing aggression from Vladimir Putins regime and hostilities in the Crimea. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock told the Andrew Marr Show that martial law was on the statute book but not a focus of cabinet Brexit talks. At present. (PA) What exactly did Matt Hancock say? During Sundays edition of the Andrew Marr Show Mr Hancock was asked if the government was considered martial law and curfews. In response he said: Well I wouldnt put a stress on that. Of course government all the time looks at all of the options in all circumstances. When pressed he went on to say the government was not specifically looking at martial law, adding: Well it remains on the statute book, but it isnt the focus of our attention, no. And what has been said since? Other departments have pointed towards Number 10 in response to martial law and its likely introduction. A Downing Street spokesman said: Respecting the referendum decision means leaving the EU. The Prime Minister has said there will be disruption in the event of no deal, but as a responsible government we are taking the appropriate steps to minimise this disruption and ensure the country is prepared. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) The latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local): 11:55 a.m. The Venezuelan opposition leader who has declared himself the country's rightful president says U.S. sanctions against the state-owned oil company fall in line with requests lawmakers have made to "protect" the nation's assets abroad. Juan Guaido said in an interview with CNN in Spanish on Monday evening that Venezuela's opposition-controlled congress approved a measure in January asking foreign nations to ensure the country's assets aren't "looted" by President Nicolas Maduro. Guaido is the leader of the National Assembly, which is the only branch of Venezuela's government recognized by the U.S. and other nations. Guaido said the measure's only purpose is to ensure that Maduro's government "doesn't continue robbing the people of Venezuela." The United States announced sanctions against Petroleos de Venezuela SA earlier Monday, cutting off a vital source of income for the distressed nation. ___ 11:35 p.m. The Venezuelan opposition leader challenging Nicolas Maduro's claim to the presidency says he has spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview Monday night with CNN in Spanish, Juan Guaido confirmed that he had spoken with Trump "and other presidents in the region." He didn't provide any details on when the conversations took place, nor did he reveal what specifically was discussed. He said only that all his talks with heads of state have focused on resolving Venezuela's humanitarian crisis and restoring democracy. Guaido rejected accusations from Maduro and others that the U.S. is staging a coup, saying Venezuelan citizens are simply exercising their constitutional rights. Guaido is the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly and proclaimed himself Venezuela's interim president before thousands of supporters last week. He has been recognized as the nation's rightful leader by two dozen nations that contend Maduro's re-election last May was not legitimate because his strongest opponents were barred from running. Story continues ___ 11:05 p.m. Colombia's foreign minister says his government doesn't know why U.S. national security adviser John Bolton had "5,000 troops to Colombia" written on a notepad he held during a news conference announcing new Venezuela sanctions. In a brief address Monday evening, Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes said Colombia does not know the "importance and reason" for Bolton's note. He added that Colombia will continue "acting politically and diplomatically" so that democratic order is restored in Venezuela and new elections are held. Colombia shares a 1,370-mile (2,200-kilometer) border with Venezuela and has joined U.S. President Donald Trump in backing Venezuelan congress leader Juan Guaido, who has proclaimed himself interim president in the opposition's confrontation with President Nicolas Maduro. When asked to explain the words in Bolton's notepad, the White House said in an email that "as the President has said, all options are on the table." ___ 8:15 p.m. The Mexican government says it disagrees with a map displayed by the White House that shows Mexico among those countries that support Venezuela's embattled president, Nicolas Maduro. National security adviser John Bolton held a press briefing Monday with a map that showed in red the countries supporting Maduro and in blue those nations supporting the Venezuelan congress leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself Venezuela's interim president. Mexico's ambassador to the U.S. told reporters in Washington that her government isn't taking sides in the crisis. In Ambassador Martha Barcena's words: "We are not against the U.S. regarding the position on Venezuela. We are not siding with Maduro. We are not siding with Guaido. We think a third way of a peaceful solution can be found." ___ 7:55 p.m. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is calling potentially crippling U.S. sanctions against the troubled nation's state-owned oil company "criminal." In remarks televised Monday on state TV, Maduro accuses the United States of robbing Venezuelans of oil riches that rightfully belong to them. In a direct message to President Donald Trump spoken in broken English, Maduro says forcefully: "Hands off Venezuela!" His increasingly isolated government would lose access to one of its most important sources of income and foreign currency along with $7 billion in assets under the U.S. sanctions. The embattled leader is fighting for his political survival as a growing list of nations recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Maduro says he will be announcing a range of measures in response to the U.S. sanctions within the coming hours but has provided no details. ___ 7:40 p.m. The White House is not elaborating on the phrase "5,000 troops to Colombia" that could be seen on a notepad held by national security adviser John Bolton at a news conference announcing new sanctions for Venezuela. Asked to explain the words, the White House said in an email to The Associated Press that "as the President has said, all options are on the table." The statement did not say anything further about the note. The phrase could be seen during a portion of a White House news conference Monday during which Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced sanctions on Venezuela's state oil company. Colombia borders Venezuela and its government has sided with the U.S. in opposing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump and other administration officials have repeatedly said "all options" are under consideration as they seek to pressure Maduro to give up power. But there has not been any announcement of any direct U.S. military involvement in the situation. ___ 7:15 p.m. A legal pad held by U.S. national security adviser John Bolton at a White House news conference on Venezuela contained the phrase "5,000 troops to Colombia." Bolton held the legal pad so the phrase was showing during a portion of Monday's announcement that the U.S. was imposing sanctions on the Venezuelan state-owned oil company. There was no mention during the news conference of any plans regarding troops in Colombia, which borders Venezuela. But an image was captured by a photographer from The Associated Press and other news outlets. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The Pentagon has not announced any plans to send U.S. forces to the South American nation. ___ 5:45 p.m. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is repeating his offer of "good offices" to facilitate dialogue and negotiations between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido (gwah-DOH). U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric says the U.N. chief reiterated the offer during a meeting Monday with a delegation from the Caribbean Community on the situation in Venezuela "and its implications for the region." The delegation was led by Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harris, who is chairman of CARICOM. Barbados' ambassador to the United Nations spoke on behalf of CARICOM leaders at Saturday's meeting of the Security Council on Venezuela and reaffirmed the group's principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states. Elizabeth Thompson said the leaders' view is that Venezuela's political crisis "can only be resolved peacefully through meaningful dialogue and diplomacy." ___ 5:15 p.m. U.S. national security adviser John Bolton says sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company will ensure the government of socialist President Nicholas Maduro can "no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people." Bolton says he expects Monday's actions will block $7 billion in assets and cause more than $11 billion in lost export proceeds during the next year. The U.S. and Venezuela broke relations last week after President Donald Trump recognized opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido (gwah-DOH) as the legitimate Venezuelan president. The embattled Maduro still holds the reins in Venezuela, but the U.S. and allies are using economic and diplomatic pressure to push him out. Maduro is accusing the U.S. of openly leading a coup against him. Bolton and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin briefed reporters at the White House. ___ 4:30 p.m. Sen. Marco Rubio says the U.S. will hit Venezuela's state-owned oil company with sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to step down from office. The Florida Republican and two people briefed on the administration's plans say Treasury will impose penalties as early as Monday on the company known by its acronym PDVSA. The sanctions will include a freeze on any assets the firm may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with it. The two people briefed on the sanctions were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Rubio praised the Trump administration for taking the action, which follows its earlier decision to recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. Matthew Lee in Washington. ___ 3:30 p.m. Canada plans to host an emergency meeting of the 14-nation Lima Group next week to discuss options for the crisis in Venezuela. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday the meeting will be in Ottawa on Feb. 4. The regional group was created in Lima, Peru, in 2017 to try to hope resolve the crisis in Venezuela and nearly all of the nations now have thrown their support behind opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela, deciding that last year's re-election of President Nicolas Maduro was invalid. Canada has been a key presence the effort to have Guaido recognized as president pending new elections. Freeland says Venezuela has been a top foreign policy priority for Canada. ___ 2:50 p.m. A Venezuelan diplomat in Miami says she's abandoned embattled President Nicolas Maduro, throwing her support behind opposition leader Juan Guaido. Consular officer Scarlet Salazar issued a videotaped statement Monday saying she's living up to her constitutional duty as a career diplomat. Opposition lawmaker Guaido last week declared that he had assumed presidential powers and will hold fresh elections to restore democracy. The U.S. and several other countries have recognized him as interim president, though Maduro is recognized by most nations, as well as the country's military leadership. Miami, a stronghold of Venezuelans living in exile. Salazar says she's staying and will continue to perform her consular duties at the Miami office. BRUMADINHO, Brazil (AP) The Latest on the deadly collapse of a dam at a Brazil iron ore mining complex (all times local): 8:25 p.m. Authorities say the death toll from the dam breach at a Brazilian iron ore complex has increased to 84 from 65. Lt. Flavio Godinho of the Minas Gerais state civil defense agency also says the number of missing stood Tuesday night at 276. Searchers are still looking for survivors or bodies in the muck that poured out of the dam last Friday in the small city of Brumadinho, inundating buildings owned by big mining company Vale SA and nearby neighborhoods. Grieving members of victims were burying some of the dead on Tuesday and there was mounting anger directed at Vale, the world's largest miner of iron ore. The ore is the raw ingredient for making steel. __ 5 p.m. Possible ecological damage from a Brazilian iron ore mine dam that burst last week and killed at least 65 people is visible in an indigenous community about 18 kilometers (11 miles) downstream from the dam. The normally greenish Paraopeba River was dark brown on Tuesday after mud flowed out of the dam last Friday. Dead fish, garbage and refuse like plastic sandals were seen floating on its banks by an Associated Press reporting team. Pataxco Indians living there say they had been told by Brazilian environmental workers not to fish, take baths in the river or use river water to water the plants they cultivate for food. Village chief Hayo says: "Now we can't do any of that." He goes by one name. Two Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources officials were taking water samples and talking to members of the tribe. The agents said they did not have authorization to speak with the AP team. ___ 2:30 p.m. Authorities say five workers involved with a Brazilian dam that breached and killed at least 65 people will be detained for 30 days while officials investigate suspicions of criminal responsibility. Federal police from the southeastern state of Minas Gerais where the dam is located did not list possible charges in a statement and said that a judge will eventually decide whether the criminal case moves forward. Story continues Three of the workers are with Brazil's Vale SA, the owner and operator of the dam and the largest global producer of iron ore, the raw ingredient in steel. Two work with Germany's TUEV Sued company, which said in a statement that it had conducted inspections of the dam. The detentions came as the families of mining company workers killed by an inundation of mud and mining waste started to bury the victims. Authorities have said that 279 people are missing and that the death toll from the disaster will rise. ___ 2:15 p.m. At a cemetery in the small Brazilian city of Brumadinho, 15 freshly dug graves await the remains of some of those killed when a nearby iron ore mining dam breached and killed at least 65 people. Wailing in grief at the cemetery was the wife of Edgar Carvalho Santos, one of the mining company's workers whose body has been found. She sobbed that "he did not deserve this, he did not deserve it!" Friends and family members prevented reporters from approaching the woman. One woman told Santos' wife that "this was not a tragedy, it's a crime." Authorities on Tuesday arrested five people in their investigation of the dam's collapse last Friday. Three work for the mining company, Vale SA. Two work for the German TUEV Sued company that had performed inspections of the dam. ____ 1:15 p.m. A German company involved in the inspection of the dam that collapsed in Brazil last week says two of its employees have been arrested in the country. Brazil's Vale SA also says three of its employees were also arrested. The Munich-based TUEV Sued company declined to specify Tuesday whether the arrested staff were from its German headquarters or its Brazilian branch. Vale in a statement provided no details about the company workers who were arrested except to say that it is cooperating with the investigation into the iron ore mine tailings dam breach that killed at least 65 people and left nearly 300 missing. TUEV Sued said Monday that it had conducted a periodic review of dams for Brazilian mining company Vale SA in July 2018 and a regular inspection of dam safety in September last year. The collapse last Friday flooded parts of the small city of Brumadinho with reddish-brown mud and iron ore mining waste. Many more are still missing. ___ 12:50 p.m. Shares of Brazilian mining company Vale are making a muted comeback after they plunged following the collapse of an iron ore mine dam that killed at least 65 people. Vale SA's American depository shares were up 3.5 percent Tuesday to $11.59 a share on the New York Stock Exchange. The company's shares tanked nearly 18 percent on Monday, three days after the dam collapsed in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The breach sent rivers of mud inundating Vale company buildings and nearby neighborhoods in the small city of Brumadinho. Rescuers on Tuesday were spending a fifth day looking for survivors and bodies. Some families began burying dead relatives amid growing outrage directed at Vale. The company is the world's largest producer of iron ore, the raw ingredient for steel. ___ 12:40 p.m. Brazilian authorities issued arrest warrants Tuesday for five people in connection with a dam collapse that killed at least 65 people as it plastered part of a city with reddish-brown mud and iron ore mining waste. The orders were issued in Sao Paulo and in the state of Minas Gerais, where the collapse happened. They came as rescue crews began a fifth day searching for survivors or bodies, and some families began burying their dead. Local media reported the warrants included three employees of Vale, the mining company that owned and operated the waste dam that collapsed. In a statement, Vale said it was collaborating with authorities in the investigation. PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) Kosovo's prime minister has proposed an international conference to complete a final agreement with Serbia to normalize ties between the former foes. Ramush Haradinaj on Monday published a letter he had sent to the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Britain, known as the Quint countries, proposing an international conference to resolve ties with Serbia. Haradinaj said Kosovo would then revoke a 100 percent tariff on Serb and Bosnian goods, imposed last year and which he has said won't be lifted until Belgrade recognizes its sovereignty and stops preventing it from joining international organizations. Bosnia has not recognized Kosovo either. The prime minister said the United States and EU should be the guarantors of the conference results and their application. HEBRON, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he would eject a foreign force set up to help safeguard Palestinians in a flashpoint city in the occupied West Bank, accusing the observers of anti-Israel activity. "We will not allow the continued presence of an international force that acts against us," Netanyahu said in a statement announcing that the Temporary International Presence in Hebron's (TIPH) mandate would not be renewed. The statement did not elaborate on the alleged misconduct of TIPH, which draws staff from Norway, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. The TIPH website says the force works on six-month mandates but did not specify when the current one expires. A force spokesman declined comment. Palestinians denounced the move. "The Israeli government's decision means it has abandoned the implementation of agreements signed under international auspices, and given up its obligations under these agreements," said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose peace talks with Netanyahu stalled in 2014. Conservative Israeli commentators had accused the TIPH of agitating against Jewish settlers who live under heavy Israeli army protection in Hebron, a biblical city with an overwhelmingly Palestinian populace. The TIPH was set up after a settler killed 29 Palestinians at a Hebron shrine holy to both Muslims and Jews in 1994. Since Israel partially withdrew from Hebron in 1998 under interim peace deals with the self-rule Palestinian Authority, the TIPH has "observe(d) and report(ed) on breaches of the agreements (and) violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law," the force's website says. Most world powers consider Israel's settlements in the West Bank, where Palestinians want a state, to be illegal. Israel disputes this, and the rightist Netanyahu has played up his pro-settler credentials as he seeks reelection in an April 9 ballot. "They want to uproot us from here. They will not," he said in separate remarks on Monday at another West Bank settlement. "There's a line of thought that says that the way to achieve peace with the Arabs is to be extirpated from our land. That is the certain path to achieving the opposite of this dream." (Writing by Dan Williams and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Peter Graff) Tehran (AFP) - Iran has "no intention of increasing the range" of its missiles, a senior defence official said Tuesday, amid threats of European as well as US sanctions over its ballistic programme. Iran has voluntarily limited the range of its missiles to 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles), sufficient to reach Israel and Western bases in the Middle East. But Washington and its allies have accused Tehran of pursuing enhanced missile capabilities that also threaten Europe. "Iran has no technological or operational constraints to increasing the range of its military missiles," the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, said. "But while constantly striving to improve accuracy, solely based on its defence doctrine, (it) has no intention of increasing the range of (its) missiles," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying. US President Donald Trump cited Iran's missile programme as one of the reasons why he pulled Washington out of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers last year. European governments have stuck by the nuclear deal but some have demanded a supplementary agreement to tackle Iran's ballistic missile programme and its interventions in regional conflicts. Shamkhani's comments come after France warned on Friday that it was ready to impose new sanctions if talks on a supplementary deal fail to make progress. "We have begun a difficult dialogue with Iran... and, unless progress is made, we are ready to apply sanctions, firmly, and they know it," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. Iran retorted that French arms sales in the Middle East were one of the real sources of instability in the region. - Space programme to continue - Iran's space programme has also come under Western criticism, with Washington charging that an abortive satellite launch earlier this month was cover for a bid for an intercontinental ballistic missile capability. Story continues But Shamkhani, who was addressing the national conference on space technology in Tehran, said Iran could accept no limitations on its satellite launches. "We will vigorously carry on with the development of our space programme," IRNA quoted him as saying. Iran tried unsuccessfully to put a satellite into orbit on January 15, and plans to make a second attempt soon. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of violating UN Security Resolution 2231 of 2015. It calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons". Iran has always denied seeking any nuclear weapons capability but has said repeatedly that it needs its missile programme as a matter of national security. In the 1980-1988 war launched by Saddam Hussein's Iraq, Iranian cities were devastated by Iraqi missiles in a bombing campaign dubbed the "war of the cities". Iranian officials say that Western sanctions have starved its air force of spare parts and replacement aircraft, severely limiting its operational capacity and forcing Iran to rely on its missile programme. The council run by Shamkhani is in charge of drawing up Iranian military and security policy. A former defence minister and adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he was appointed as its secretary by President Hassan Rouhani in 2013. Jerusalem (AFP) - Intel said Tuesday it is expanding its operations in Israel, where government ministers said the US computer chipmaker will invest some 10 billion dollars in a new plant. "Intel today announced it will submit a business plan to the government of Israel for continued investment in the company's Kiryat Gat manufacturing site," a statement from Intel's Israeli representatives said. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said late Monday he was informed by Intel of their decision "to invest another 40 billion shekels, an unprecedented decision expected to bring thousands of jobs to the south." Economy Minister Eli Cohen said Intel had chosen to "build its most advanced plant here in Israel." Last year, Intel had already decided on a $5 billion upgrade to the site in Kiryat Gat, a small city in southern Israel. In 2017, Intel closed a $15 billion deal to buy Israeli autonomous technology firm Mobileye, the country's biggest cross-border high-tech deal ever. The Silicon Valley giant currently employs 11,700 people in Israel in its Kiryat Gat plant and development centres across the country, in addition to 1,170 Mobileye staff. Intel's exports from Israel reached $4 billion in 2018, according to the company. A mourning Louisiana mom says her babies died for nothing after a 21-year-old man allegedly killed her daughter, son and three others in a shooting rampage before he was arrested more than 1,000 miles away in Virginia. The alleged gunman, Dakota Theriot, is also suspected of murdering his parents. When he was finally stopped outside of a relatives Virginia home, he was allegedly spotted with a firearm pointed out of the window, reports the Richmond County, Virginia, Sheriffs Office. The Virginia authorities had been alerted and Theriots grandmother there had gone into hiding after the murders Saturday morning at two locations in Louisiana, according to The Advocate newspaper. Summer Ernest, 20, her brother Tanner Ernest, 17, and the siblings father Billy Ernest, 43, were killed at their home in Walker, at which Theriot had recently been staying. Two children ages 1 and 7 were inside the home but unharmed, authorities said. Then, 30 miles away in Ascension Parish, Theriot allegedly fatally shot and killed his parents, Elizabeth and Keith Theriot, both 50, inside their trailer. Theriot allegedly fled to Virginia in Billy Ernests 2004 gray-over-silver Dodge pickup, authorities said. Dakota Theriot Rhonda Champagne, the mother of Summer and Tanner Ernest, said my babies died for nothing. Their daddy died for nothing. For what?, reports Baton Rouge TV station WBRZ. On a GoFundMe page seeking donations toward funeral expenses, she wrote: I wasnt prepared for this my children taken from me my prayers and thoughts with every life my children touched I pray they were a blessing and I thank everyone who was a blessing to them. By Monday afternoon that campaign had collected more than $11,000 in pledges toward a $25,000 goal. Theriot had been taken in by the Ernest family after his parents recently had kicked him out, authorities said. Billy Ernest The fact that the family took him in and this is the end result, its kind of jarring for all of us, said Lori Steele, a spokeswoman for the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office, reports The Washington Post. Story continues Initially, the sheriffs office characterized Summer as the suspects girlfriend, but her cousin, Paul Hays Jr., disputed this, telling the Post the pair had met only a week earlier and the Ernest family was only offering help to someone in need. To the whole family, he was a stranger, Hays said. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Keith, at left, and Elizabeth Theriot The weapon used in both attacks was a handgun, authorities said at the news conference. Authorities have not revealed a motive, and said their only prior run-in with the suspect had involved a misdemeanor charge for possessing drug paraphernalia. Authorities in Louisiana said Theriot would face charges alleging five counts of murder and one count of vehicle theft. He currently is being held in Virginia as a fugitive from justice with no bond pending extradition back to Louisiana, PEOPLE confirms. It could not be determined if an attorney had been named to represent him. By Park Si-soo A music label chief and her co-investor sister have been accused of molesting K-pop trainees. According to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, two male trainees recently filed a complaint, claiming the female chief of their management agency and her younger sister "groped the bodies of six trainees to the level where they felt sexually ashamed" at a sushi restaurant in Tokyo on Sept. 28, 2018. Among the alleged victims are two minors and one who starred in Mnet's popular talent competition show "Produce 101." Their identities were not revealed. In the complaint, they said the two had "sexually harassed the trainees by taking advantage of their position and power." They said the victims are suffering serious mental distress. They have also filed a separate suit to terminate their contracts with the agency. The two women deny the allegations. Paris (AFP) - France on Tuesday opened the door to repatriating more than a hundred jihadists being held in Syria, in a marked change in stance brought about by the planned withdrawal of US troops from the country. Paris is worried that French prisoners held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) could be released or escape after US President Donald Trump announced plans last month to pull American forces out of Syria. Until now, French officials had insisted the fighters and their wives must be prosecuted and jailed locally, while offering to take back the children of jihadists and place them with relatives in France. "Given the development of the military situation in northeast Syria, the American decisions, and to ensure the security of the French people, we are examining all options to avoid the escape and scattering of these potentially dangerous individuals," the French foreign ministry said in a statement. "If the forces who are guarding the French fighters took the decision to expel them to France they would be immediately placed in the hands of the law," it added. Making clear that the jihadists -- many of whom enlisted with Islamic State -- would face the full weight of the law, the ministry added: "These people voluntarily joined a terrorist organisation which is fighting in the Levant, carried out attacks in France and continues to threaten us." Speaking on the BFM news channel earlier Tuesday, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner linked the decision to the US withdrawal. "The Americans are pulling out of Syria. There are currently people in prison (in a Kurdish-controlled part of Syria), who are being held because the Americans are there and who will be freed," he said. A French security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that 130 people could be repatriated, confirming a figure reported by the BFM news channel, which said the group included men and women. Story continues A second French official, also speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP, said the group included 70 to 80 children being held with their mothers. The French foreign ministry said in its statement that it could "in no way confirm" the figure of 130. - Returnee attack threat - The French government has for years been grappling with what to do with citizens suspected of having fought alongside IS or other extremist groups in Syria or Iraq. Up to 1,700 French nationals are thought to have travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight with the jihadists between 2014 and 2018, according to government figures. Some 300 are believed to have died in combat. By September 2018, around 260 had returned home of their own accord, with nearly 200 prosecuted, according to the justice ministry. "These are French people before being jihadists," Castaner said, while denying the government was softening its position. "It's not a question of being taken back. If they come to France they will be incarcerated," he said. His remarks about the prisoners being French citizens first and foremost drew an indignant response from the far-right National Rally (RN). "Non, @CCastaner!" RN leader Marine Le Pen tweeted. "These are jihadists, they should therefore no longer be French." Valerie Boyer, an MP for the rightwing Republicans, said she was "shocked" by the idea of jihadists being allowed return home. "We're looking after the welfare of the executioners. I'd rather we looked after their victims," she told BFM, calling for those responsible for "the worst crimes possible" to be stripped of their citizenship. Trump shocked America's allies in December by announcing that the US, which heads up a coalition that has been carrying out airstrikes against IS since 2014, would withdraw its 2,000 remaining troops from Syria on the grounds that the jihadists had been "largely defeated". The announcement came as a blow particularly to the Kurdish-led SDF forces which have spearheaded the fight against IS on the ground. The SDF is dominated by the Kurdish YPG militia, which is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, which is threatening to attack the group. France fears that if the Kurdish forces are drawn into battle with Turkey in northeast Syria, the foreign jihadists being held there could escape or be freed. That would pose a significant threat for France, where jihadists have been involved in a number of deadly attacks since 2015, including the Paris attacks of November 2015 in which 130 people were killed. Under another scenario outlined by French officials that Paris is desperate to avoid, the Kurds could seek protection from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who could then use the French prisoners as bargaining chips with Paris. PARIS (Reuters) - France on Tuesday rejected any renegotiation of the EU-UK divorce deal and urged Britain to make credible proposals after British lawmakers passed a motion instructing their government to secure changes to a key element of the deal. The lawmakers told May that, for them to accept the divorce deal, she must negotiate to replace the so-called Northern Irish backstop with an unspecified "alternative arrangement". The backstop is aimed at keeping an open border between EU member Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland after Brexit. It is strongly opposed by many in Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party, who say it risks trapping the UK in a permanent customs union with the European Union. "The withdrawal agreement and the 'backstop' were adopted by the British government and the 27 jointly in November. This agreement cannot be renegotiated. The EU has been clear on this point," the French president's office said in a statement. "If, on the other hand, Britain wants to discuss the future relationship with the EU or open a new process (elections, referendum, etc.) that it has to determine, the EU is open to it, with respect for its interests and values." Macron's office said the French government would push ahead with preparations for a "no-deal" exit. "In any case, it is urgent that the United Kingdom clarify its intentions and make credible proposals," the statement said. (Reporting by Jean-Baptiste Vey; writing by John Irish; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Paris (AFP) - France's data watchdog on Monday announced a fine of 50 million euros ($57 million) for US search giant Google, using the EU's strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for the first time. Google was handed the record fine from the CNIL regulator for failing to provide transparent and easily accessible information on its data consent policies, a statement said. The CNIL said Google made it too difficult for users to understand and manage preferences on how their personal information is used, in particular with regards to targeted advertising. "People expect high standards of transparency and control from us. We're deeply committed to meeting those expectations and the consent requirements of the GDPR," a Google spokesperson said in a statement. "We're studying the decision to determine our next steps." The ruling follows complaints lodged by two advocacy groups last May, shortly after the landmark GDPR directive came into effect. One was filed on behalf of some 10,000 signatories by France's Quadrature du Net group, while the other was by None Of Your Business, created by the Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems. Schrems had accused Google of securing "forced consent" via its Android mobile operating software through the use of pop-up boxes online or on its apps which imply that its services will not be available unless the conditions of use are accepted. "Also, the information provided is not sufficiently clear for the user to understand that the legal basis for targeted advertising is consent, and not Google's legitimate business interests," the CNIL said. "We have found that large corporations such as Google simply 'interpret the law differently' and have often only superficially adapted their products," Schrems said in a statement after the ruling. "It is important that the authorities make it clear that simply claiming to be compliant is not enough." Story continues - 'Special responsibility' - The GDPR is widely considered the biggest shake-up to data privacy regulations since the advent of the web. Even companies which are not based in Europe must follow the tough new rules if they want their sites and services to be available to European users. The CNIL found that despite changes implemented by Google since last year, it was still failing to respect the spirit of the new rules. It noted for example that specifics on how long a person's data is kept and what it is used for are spread across several different web pages. Modifying a user's data preferences also requires clicking through a variety of pages such as "More Options", and often the choices to accept Google's terms are pre-checked by default. "This type of procedure leads the user to give global consent... but the consent is not 'specific' as the GDPR requires," the regulator said. It said the record 50-million-euro fine reflected the seriousness of the failings as well as Google's dominant market position in France via Android. "Each day thousands of French users create a Google account on their smartphones," the CNIL said. "As a result the company has a special responsibility when it comes to respecting their obligations in this domain," it said. It is not the first time the regulator has taken Google to task over its policies. In 2014 it fined the company 150,000 euros -- the maximum possible at the time -- for failing to comply with its privacy guidelines for personal data. And in 2016 it imposed a 100,000-euro penalty over non-compliance with the EU's "right to be forgotten" rule, allowing people to request having references to them removed from search results. Goole has contested the decision, saying it should apply only to its European sites, such as Google.fr, and not the global Google.com domain. Earlier this month the advocate general for the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg sided with Google in the case, though a final ruling has not yet been announced. Washington (AFP) - Foreign ministers from around the world will meet next week in Washington to coordinate the fight against the Islamic State movement after President Donald Trump's controversial decision to pull out of Syria, the State Department said Tuesday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will host a day of meetings on February 6 of the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which the United States assembled in 2014 as the extremists seized vast stretches of Syria and Iraq. "The United States is determined to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in Syria and Iraq after the withdrawal of US forces from Syria takes place, and remains committed to working with the Global Coalition to continue to destroy ISIS remnants and thwart its global ambitions," the State Department said in a statement. "As ISIS is defeated on the battlefield, the coalition will continue its stabilization efforts to facilitate the safe and voluntary return home of those who have been displaced by the violence." Trump, a longstanding skeptic on US foreign involvements, said in December that he was withdrawing the 2,000-strong US force from Syria and declared the defeat of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS or IS. Aides have since walked back the timeline but said that the pullout will happen. The US envoy instrumental in building the coalition, Brett McGurk, resigned in protest over Trump's decision and voiced fears for Syria's future. European nations, which have faced a wave of attacks by sympathizers of the extremist ideology, have voiced concern about Trump's orders, which came just as the movement had lost nearly all of its land in Syria. Turkey has been the most supportive of the US withdrawal and has threatened to smash Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State movement, although the Trump administration has warned Ankara against an attack. The coalition last met at the level of ministers in July in Brussels. Addis Ababa (AFP) - Five people are dead and about 130 missing off the coast of Djibouti after two boats carrying migrants capsized, the UN migration agency said on Tuesday. The incident occurred about 30 minutes after the overloaded boats set off in heavy seas from Godoria on the Horn of Africa nation's northeast coastline, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). "After being alerted by local residents, a team of gendarmerie gathered this afternoon near the reported site of the disaster and discovered two survivors as well as the remains of three women and two men," IOM said in a statement. One survivor estimated there were 130 people on his boat, but was not able to say the number of passengers on the other vessel. "The coast guard was also alerted and launched search and rescue operations. Those operations are still underway with two patrol boats," said the statement. Located across the Bab el-Mandeb strait from war-torn Yemen and next to volatile Somalia and Ethiopia, Djibouti has in recent years become a transit point for migrants heading to find work on the Arabian Peninsula. The region of Obock, from where the boat set off, is unusual in that it sees people passing in both directions: Boatloads of Yemeni refugees fleeing war cross vessels carrying African migrants seeking better opportunities. The IOM runs a centre in Obock helping migrants seeking to flee the conflict in Yemen. In 2017 some 2,900 people, mostly Somalis and Ethiopians, passed through from Yemen, a year that saw about 100,000 migrants head into the troubled country. "The number of new arrivals arriving in Yemen has been continuously increasing since 2012, despite the deepened insecurity and violence following the war that erupted in March 2015. Arrivals peaked in 2016, when over 117,000 arrived in Yemen," the IOM said in its 2018-2020 regional migration response plan. This migration comes despite Yemen being home to one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. UN officials say 80 percent of the population -- 24 million people -- are in need of aid and nearly 10 million are just one step away from famine. Story continues IOM said that most of the journey migrants take to Yemen is by foot, walking across the scorching desert regions of eastern Ethiopia, Djibouti and northern Somalia. Once they arrive in Yemen they face torture, blackmail, sexual abuse or forced labour. The strategic sea crossing has repeatedly proven perilous. Last year, at least 30 migrants from Somalia and Ethiopia believed to be headed for Djibouti drowned when their boat capsized off the coast of Yemen amid reports of gunfire being used against those on board. In August 2017, dozens of migrants from Somalia and Ethiopia died after human traffickers forced them off two Yemen-bound boats and into the sea. Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday launched an uphill battle for re-election, after five years in power marked by confrontation with Russia. Opinion polls put him behind ex-prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who rose to international prominence in 2004 during the anti-corruption Orange Revolution demonstrations and announced her own run last week. "This feeling of deep responsibility towards my country... prompted me to decide to run again for the office of president of Ukraine," Poroshenko told a rally in Kiev ahead of the March 31 poll. Poroshenko asked voters for a mandate to "guarantee the process of European and Atlantic integration, to guarantee our independence, to renew the territorial integrity of Ukraine". During a roughly 40-minute long speech he repeated calls for Ukraine to seek full membership of NATO and the European Union. Poroshenko's years in power have seen Kiev seek closer ties with the West as war rumbles on in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists. Addressing roughly 1,000 people at the gathering of supporters, the Ukrainian president stressed the need for peace with Ukraine's powerful neighbour. But the event at times took a combative tone, with huge screens blazing the slogan "Either Poroshenko or Putin" accompanied by pictures of the Ukrainian and Russian leaders. Poroshenko said earlier this month that Russia would seek to interfere in Ukraine's election to destabilise the situation in the country. Critics accuse him of not doing enough to tackle corruption, but on Tuesday he insisted the worst of the country's economic struggle was behind it, adding: "I hear a lot of harsh criticisms and I take that on board." In third place in opinion polls is Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian who once played the role of president in a Ukrainian TV series but has no political experience. No candidate has an unassailable lead, with Tymoshenko, Poroshenko and Zelensky polling on roughly 16, 14 and nine percent respectively. Story continues Poroshenko was elected in 2014 after his pro-Russian predecessor Viktor Yanukovych was ousted following a wave of popular protests. The 53-year-old chocolate tycoon promised to pivot the ex-Soviet country of nearly 45 million people towards Europe and has sought to push through ambitious reforms. But critics say graft is still rampant and Poroshenko has done little to rein in fellow oligarchs, even if the economy is showing signs of recovery following a recession. - Moscow stand-off - Kiev's relationship with Moscow remains in dire straits. After the 2014 uprising, Moscow annexed Crimea and supported Russian-speaking separatists in the industrial east, in a conflict that according to the United Nations had killed 12,800 to 13,000 people as of the end of last year. The war has been a huge burden for Ukraine's economy, with Poroshenko forced to rely on assistance from the West. In December the International Monetary Fund confirmed it would give Kiev a $4 billion, 14-month loan. Poroshenko's low popularity ratings received a boost after he oversaw the creation of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church independent of Moscow. His standing also increased after Russia seized three of Kiev's navy vessels and two dozen sailors as they tried to pass from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov in November. Russia's Putin accused Poroshenko of provoking the naval crisis in a bid to increase his popularity ahead of the vote. Brussels (AFP) - The European Union on Tuesday urged US internet giants and advertising firms to intensify the fight against disinformation campaigns before EU elections in May, or risk regulation. The European Commission said Google, Facebook, Twitter, Mozilla and advertising groups have made "some progress" toward meeting their pledges to fight fake news by removing bogus accounts and curbing suspect sites. However, "the pace of progress needs to be faster," the EU's security commissioner, Julian King, said just four months before elections for a new European Parliament. "We cannot afford to wake up the day after the elections and find we could and should have done more," King told a press conference in Brussels. The European Commission, the 28-nation union's executive arm, gave its first report on what the internet players have done to meet pledges made late last year in a "code of practice" to fight disinformation. The commission said "additional action is needed to ensure full transparency of political ads" by the start of the election campaign in EU member countries. It also urged platforms to give European researchers access to their data, something King said leading researchers claim Facebook has failed to do. The commission called on the platforms to ensure cooperation with member countries through the Rapid Alert System. Planned for March, the system will allow members to share data and analysis on propaganda campaigns and promote what the bloc says will be objective communications about its values and policies. Mariya Gabriel, the commissioner for digital economy and society, said internet players must intensify their monitoring and reporting while increasing cooperation with fact checkers and researchers. "The time for fine words is over," Gabriel told the press conference. Facebook came under the biggest spotlight in the commission report despite unveiling new tools on Monday to counter online political meddling. Story continues The US tech giant's vice president, former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, said in Brussels that the methods would become available in late March and help "make political advertising on Facebook more transparent". - 'Water pistols' - King welcomed the Facebook announcement but said it "would have been better" had the Silicon Valley firm submitted the details for the progress report. While praising Facebook for removing new fake accounts, he said Facebook must still take down up to 90 million old accounts that the firm estimates still exist. He said Facebook must also extend cooperation with fact-checkers from seven member countries to the entire bloc. The social network has in the past been accused of being used as a platform to spread divisive or misleading information, most notably during the 2016 election that put US President Donald Trump in the White House. Facebook ads have also been at the centre of the FBI investigation over Russia's alleged meddling in that election and suspicions are rife that the Kremlin has interfered in votes across Europe. Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations of hacking and meddling in foreign elections through disinformation over recent years. The commission said Google was helping to make political advertising more transparent but said some tools to help users were limited to only a few member countries. It said trade associations like the World Federation of Advertisers and Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe have raised awareness about the code of practice but noted the absence of corporate signatories. The commission renewed warnings it could take "regulatory" action if the online platforms fail to honour their pledges, which will now be reviewed in monthly reports. Activist group Avaaz said Facebook and others see the code of practice as a "PR stunt" and will not fight the lies and hate it says are destroying European democracies. "Europe is on fire, and social media platforms bring water pistols to fight the flames," Avaaz campaign director Christoph Schott said. "Its now on the EU Commission to do what theyve threatened for a year: Legislate." Analysts warn that populist parties opposed to founding EU democratic values could do well in the May 23-26 elections by playing on anti-immigrant sentiment. Such parties have already done well in national elections, including coming to power in Italy. The trial of accused cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera inched toward the finish line Tuesday morning as the defense team rested its case after calling a single witness to testify. In a lightning round of questioning that clocked in at less than half an hour, defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman quizzed Paul F. Robertson Jr., an FBI special agent, about two interviews Robertson took part in with Colombian narco-trafficker brothers Jorge and Alex Cifuentes. It seemed to be a last-ditch effort to draw the jurys attention to accusations of corruption by United States officials. The defense teams case was almost shockingly brief, in contrast to the case brought by the prosecution, which called 56 witnesses to testify against Guzman over over the past 11 weeks. It was during that testimony, when attorneys cross-examined the governments witnesses, that the El Chapos lawyers mounted their defense against the case against their client, relentlessly calling into question the integrity of the witnesses against him and, when allowed by Judge Brian Cogan, doing their best to paint a picture of corrupt officials in the United States and Mexico railroading their client. Following the defense case, Cogan sent jurors home for the day, a rare respite for the group, which has spent long hours at the Brooklyn federal courthouse for nearly every weekday, Monday through Thursday, since early November. On Wednesday, prosecutors are set to deliver their final arguments against Guzman, which will likely focus on the decades of recollections from witnesses of his alleged involvement in trafficking staggering amounts of drugs into the United States along with numerous murders hes accused of committing along the way as well as the dozens of intercepted phone calls and text messages allegedly showing Guzman taking an active role in the everyday operations of the Sinaloa Cartel. The defense team is set to make its final stand on Thursday, and will likely mount a lengthy, impassioned refutation of the witnesses and evidence that has been introduced since November. Throughout the trial, Guzmans defense has focused on inconsistencies in witness statements, along with a sustained effort to downplay his alleged role in the drug trade, with his attorneys looking to shine a spotlight on his former partner, Ismael El Mayo Zambada Garcia, whom they accuse of being the true leader of the cartel. Story continues Guzman currently faces a 10-count indictment down from the original 17 charges against him including charges of international drug trafficking, drug conspiracy and illegal use of firearms. He faces life in prison if convicted. The questioning of Agent Robertson on Tuesday morning centered on a claim by Jorge Cifuentes, made during a February 2017 debriefing with the FBI, that he had been approached by an American naval-intelligence officer. According to the earlier testimony, that officer showed Cifuentes a thumb drive containing evidence that was being gathered as part of an American-led investigation into Cifuentes and his family, which was deeply involved in cocaine smuggling. The defense team had originally planned to call two witnesses Tuesday, but in an order filed Monday evening, Judge Cogan barred Guzmans attorneys from calling the second witness, another federal agent who had interviewed Jorge Cifuentes. After weeks of speculation about whether El Chapo himself would testify on his own behalf, Guzman announced Monday afternoon he would not be taking the stand. In a brief exchange with Cogan the only time at trial that jurors have heard the accused kingpin speak in person El Chapo relinquished his right to testify. You have the absolute right to testify. Is this your decision? Cogan asked the defendant. Yes, Guzman replied. They counseled me and I agreed. The announcement came shortly after the prosecution rested its case, which ended with the testimony one federal agent who testified about the tunnel Guzmans henchmen dug to break him out of a Mexican prison in 2015, and another who spoke briefly about the difficulty of obtaining physical evidence from Mexican authorities. Also returning to the stand on Monday was Isaias Valdez Rios, nicknamed Memin, who last week walked jurors through a series of horrific kidnappings, tortures and murders he said he saw Guzman commit. Moving away from the violence from last week, prosecutors quizzed Valdez on a series of texts allegedly sent between him and El Chapo, in which the pair discussed smuggling flights between Ecuador, Honduras and Mexico, the latest in a long string of intercepted communications that appear to tie Guzman directly to the most minute details of the international drug conspiracy hes charged with running. In cross-examination, defense attorney Eduardo Balarezo launched into a combative back-and-forth with Valdez, questioning nearly every aspect of the gory tale. Balarezo appeared to be purposefully confusing the witness, misstating the testimony multiple times, including mixing up the number of victims, the names of Valdezs fellow gunmen, and the dates Valdez had given for the incidents. At one point, Balarezo repeatedly referred to the actions of a sicario named Roque, despite the fact that on Thursday, Valdez had clearly ascribed those deeds to a man he called Bocho. Faced with the grim testimony from Valdez, who accused Guzman of twice kidnapping rival cartel members and brutally torturing them before executing them and disposing of the bodies, Guzmans lawyers attempted to find holes in the stories. At times, that meant bringing up things that El Chapo, known for his vanity, was likely not pleased with. For three hours, Chapo Guzman was beating the hell out of these guys? Balarezo asked Valdez in an incredulous voice before motioning to his client and asking him to stand. This 5-foot-6 guy, 60-something years old, was just whacking at these guys with a tree branch? In another exchange, Balarezo called into question an anecdote from Valdez about the witnesss professed involvement in a wild shootout with members of a rival cartel. According to Valdez, when he and his fellow hitmen had approached a gas station on the outskirts of the small Sinaloa town of Burrion, members of the enemy Beltran-Leyva cartel had opened fire, prompting Valdez to run over one gunman with his armored SUV. But in a video still showing the aftermath of the shooting, the vehicle Valdez had identified as his was shown without a speck of blood on the front bumper. Valdez explained that the rival gunman had been kneeling, which he said lead to the lack of blood on the front of the car, but Balarezo seemed unconvinced. If they cant believe you on the little things, how can they believe you on the big things? he asked. The Hague (AFP) - The Dutch parliament on Tuesday passed a controversial bill granting Prime Minister Mark Rutte's cabinet emergency powers to deal with the fallout from a no-deal Brexit. Lawmakers however limited to six months the period during which ministers could amend laws without a parliamentary nod, instead of the year that the government wanted. Foreign Minister Stef Blok said the government agreed to the limitation to the special powers, which will come into effect if Britain crashes out of the EU without a divorce agreement. "It is the last instrument that we will use," Blok said. Blok warned in a parliamentary debate on the emergency measures last week that a no-deal Brexit would have "far-reaching consequences" for the country of 17 million people, which has close trading ties with Britain. The Netherlands has already made major preparations for Brexit, setting aside 100 million euros (US$114 million) for preparations, including the appointment of 900 new customs officers. The Dutch government this week launched an information campaign for businesses including a "muppet" character representing Brexit that blocks trucks and industry. The uncertainty over Brexit continues with just two months to go before Britain's withdrawal day, with embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May saying Tuesday she would seek to reopen the divorce deal she agreed with the EU late last year. Rutte said last week that the EU would not renegotiate the deal, which contains a controversial "backstop" on Northern Ireland that pro-Brexit lawmakers in Britain oppose. Rescuers study debris of an F-15K Slam Eagle fighter jet crashed on a mountainside in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, last April 5. The accident left two on board dead. / Yonhap Air Force claims 'no link' between anti-missile system and plane crash By Lee Min-hyung The crash of an F-15K fighter jet in April last year was due in part to a lack of safety tests for a no-fly zone designated over a region where a U.S. anti-missile defense system had been deployed, a ruling party lawmaker claimed Tuesday. Rep. Kim Byung-kee of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said the F-15K fighter jet crashed because a five-kilometer radius the no-fly zone diminished the scope of the aircraft's flight area. At the time, the Air Force attributed the crash of the nation's top combat jet to pilot error. Two airmen on board died in the accident in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province. They were on their way to an Air Force base in Daegu at the time the accident took place. But the lawmaker claimed they were more vulnerable to the accident, as the leeway in their flight route was reduced due to the air exclusion zone in the mountainous town of Seongju, about 20 kilometers southwest of Chilgok. The government decided to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense system in 2016 in Sangju despite fierce opposition from local citizens there. Kim went on to argue that it was rash for the Air Force to lay the blame on the deceased pilots without looking into detailed causes behind the accident, such as the relevance of the no-fly zone. He said the Air Force should have carried out thorough safety tests regarding the newly established no-fly zone before and after the THAAD deployment. The Air Force flatly denied the argument, saying the case has been blown out of proportion. "Relying on their judgment, pilots can fly countless routes except for restricted areas whose radius is only five kilometers. So saying the reduced route got in the way of their flight path is nothing more than an exaggeration," an Air Force spokesman said. "The Air Force wants to make it clear again that it has not found any links between the accident and the THAAD base while carrying out investigations." Following the crash, speculation over the reason behind it surfaced, such as difficulties in securing parts for the aircraft. Rep. Kim Hak-yong of the Liberty Korea Party supported the claim then, citing data that the grounded not operationally ready for supply (G-NORS) rate for the F-15K has increased steeply in recent years. But after conducting a month-long investigation into the accident, the Air Force said no evidence was found of any structural defects on the aircraft or its parts. The Air Force concluded the investigation by attributing the pilot's confusion as the key reason behind the crash. According to the military, those on board failed to recognize that the aircraft was diving into the mountain while focusing on securing a safe distance from another jet in front. Kananga (DR Congo) (AFP) - Three militia leaders, including a man accused of murdering 39 police officers, surrendered on Tuesday in a show of support for DR Congo's new President Felix Tshisekedi, local officials said Tuesday. All three, who belong to the Kamwina Nsapu (Black Ant) militia which has been accused of a host of bloody atrocities, laid down their weapons along with more than 100 men in the restive central Kasai region, a stronghold of Tshisekedi. The apparently coordinated display of surrender was a boost for Tshisekedi who was sworn in last Thursday and faces numerous challenges at the helm of this vast unstable nation following bitterly disputed elections. The move came just days after 600 other Kasai rebels also laid down their weapons, saying they were ending their uprising as they turned themselves in -- also as a sign of support for Tshisekedi. Lokondo Luakatebua, one of the three who turned themselves in on Tuesday, is accused of leading a 2017 operation that trapped and killed 39 policemen, according to ODL, a local development organisation based in the central Kasai town of Luebo. Another was Mubiayi Dewayi, who stands accused of numerous atrocities including publicly beheading the wife of a former administrator in Luebo territory the same year. Describing the moment Dewayi turned himself in, Luebo administrator Joseph Mutshipayi said the rebel leader "came out of the bush with 60 militiamen." "He gave us four AK 47 rifles and ammunition," he said, adding that they had expressed a desire to work in the army. Separately, another 43 militiamen from a different group also handed in their weapons in Tshikapa, the regional capital. The Kamwina Nasapu uprising began when a tribal chief who opposed the central government in Kinshasa was killed in August 2016, sparking an uprising that raged until October 2017, leaving at least 3,000 people dead as well as two UN experts. The violence also displaced another 1.4 million people. Tensions in the central Kasai region and fighting in the war-torn east had complicated December's disputed election to choose a successor to Joseph Kabila, who ruled the country for 18 years before being replaced by Tshisekedi. Broke English majors, take your places. A homeowner in Alberta, Canada is selling her $1.7 million (CAD) home via essay contest. Alla Wagner is searching for a new owner for her 5,000 square foot home, which, according to a report from CNN, has "three bedrooms, three full baths and two half baths, in addition to a wine cellar, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and a pond." Not bad. Here's how it works: Entrants must write a short letter (maximum 350 words) explaining why they should get the house, then mail or email it to Wagner along with a $25 entry fee. Once Wagner collects roughly 68,000 entry fees enough to cover the house's value she will publish a group of semi-finalist essays on social media so people can vote for their favorites. Then, the 500 entries with the most votes will be whittled down by an "independent panel of judges," who will select three finalists. These three finalists will then be interviewed. One of them will get the house. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. SEE ALSO: Apple wants you to send your best iPhone photos in return for, cough, exposure The contest began on Jan. 5, and Wagner plans to run it until April 5. If there are nearly enough entries by then, she'll extend it another three months. If she's nowhere near her goal, she'll cancel the contest and refund everyone's entry fees. As of Friday, Wagner had collected around 5,000 entries. The contest is getting more attention, though, so 68,000 may not be too far away. If you want a $25 mansion, better get that entry in. Strong winds caused blowing snow that wreaked havoc across the Greater Toronto Area on January 27, 2019. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto) Ontarians woke up Monday morning to a frigid start to the work week, and it looks like these bone-chilling temperatures will continue for at least the next couple of days. Were looking at certainly tomorrow night right through Wednesday night, and probably into Thursday, bitterly cold weather here, Brett Anderson, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather told Yahoo News Canada. Dangerous cold outbreak certainly.the coldest air of the winter, by far. Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for much of Ontario, into southern Quebec. The government agency is also warning Canadians of extreme cold weather stretching from northeastern Alberta all the way to Quebec, with wind chill values as low as -55 C. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Why is it so cold now? Cold weather in January is far from unusual, but these extreme cold temperatures can be blamed on a polar vortex, referring to a circulation of cold air that usually sits in the Arctic region but occasionally makes its way southward. This polar vortex is pushing farther south than normal, bringing the bitterly cold temperatures with it. Its getting shiftedabnormally far south and its actually getting all the way down into northern Ontario it looks like Tuesday into Thursday, Anderson said. That allows the core of the Arctic air to sweep down from the eastern Prairies, Manitoba, directly into Ontario and even western parts of Quebec over the next few days. According to Anderson, temperatures across Ontario are expected to be 10 to 20 C below normal from Tuesday night into Thursday. With wind chill factors, much for the province can expect temperatures sitting at -25 to -35 C Tuesday night, creeping down even chillier to -35 C to -40 C with windchill factors on Wednesday night, according to AccuWeathers predictions. Northeastern areas of Ontario, around the Ottawa region, wont see temperatures as extreme as southern Ontario. The core of the cold is going to be pretty much from southwestern Ontario, Anderson said. Thats where the worst of the wind chill is going to be, from basically Toronto on west and north, but not east. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Snow expectations Although Environment Canada is calling for 15 to 20 cm of snow for the City of Toronto, Anderson believes accumulation amounts will be significantly lower in the Greater Toronto Area this week. Were not expecting much snow in the Toronto area, probably looking at a general two to eight centimetres across much for the Greater Toronto Area with this particular storm, Anderson said. But the AccuWeather meteorologist does anticipate some significant lake effect snow on the horizon for Ontario, with the more westerly wind in mind. Areas like Owen Sound, Hanover up towards Bruce Peninsula, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Midland and other areas north of Barrie are estimated to see 30 to 90 cm of snow, causing miserable blizzard conditions. How to prepare for the cold With temperatures this low below zero, there are some preventative measures that should be taken to manage the deep freeze, starting with trying to limit the amount of time you spend outside and ensuring youre properly dressed in layers, including a hat and mitts. Anderson recommends leaving your faucets dripping a bit in your house because exposed pipes can freeze and rupture. Where the pipes are, perhaps in areas that can get chilly in the house, you may want to run some extra heat, Anderson said. If you have a car, youll definitely want to check your battery as well, especially if its a few years old. It might also be a good time to invest in something to warm your battery to get you out the door on Wednesday morning during the deep freeze. Brussels (AFP) - European leaders moved Wednesday to head off British Prime Minister Theresa May's bid to rewrite the Brexit divorce deal, warning they will not budge. Having thrown out the exit deal May negotiated with the EU, divided British lawmakers voted Tuesday to send her back to get an Irish border "backstop" clause removed. May seized on this as a chance to prevent Britain crashing out of the European Union on March 29 without an agreement, vowing to return to Brussels to demand changes to the text. But even she admits she faces a formidable challenge convincing Brussels to re-open an accord that took 18 excruciating months to conclude, and European leaders are so far united in dismissing any such manoeuvre. "My message to PM @theresa_may: The EU position is clear and consistent. The Withdrawal Agreement is not open for renegotiation," EU Council President Donald Tusk tweeted. "Yesterday, we found out what the UK doesn't want. But we still don't know what the UK does want," he added. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said it was "an extraordinary situation when a prime minister and a government negotiates a deal and then goes back and during the ratification process votes against their own deal". "That's like saying in a negotiation, 'Well either you give me what I want or I'm jumping out of the window'," he told RTE radio. Other frustrated EU officials including Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier insisted the remaining 27 EU members were united and determined not to abandon the backstop clause they believe is key to maintaining peace on the border. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker addressed the European Parliament to push home the message that the withdrawal agreement would not be re-negotiated. And he warned that the British vote had only "increased the risk of a disorderly withdrawal" and of Northern Ireland "slipping back into darker times past". Story continues Echoing earlier warnings from French President Emmanuel Macron and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, German leader Angela Merkel's spokesman said reopening the deal was "not on the agenda". And Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar insisted "renegotiation is not on the table". - Threat of 'no deal' - May's spokesman said she had been aware that "this wasn't going to be an easy process" but that: "What the vote has actually done is set out what parliament requires in order to be able to pass this vote." The "backstop" written into the negotiated deal is seen by EU leaders as an insurance policy against disrupting the Irish peace process. It could legally lock the UK into EU trade rules indefinitely in order to keep the Irish border free-flowing. Guy Verhofstadt, who heads the European Parliament's six-member Brexit steering group, said the backstop clause was "absolutely needed" and there was hardly room to change the deal. Going further, group member Philippe Lamberts was scathing. "Saying you're against the backstop is like saying you're against bad weather. You might not like it, but you can't change it," he said. But a British MEP, Ashley Fox of May's Conservatives, warned that after Tuesday's vote the backstop was more of a threat than an insurance policy. "The backstop will create a hard border, not prevent one," he said, arguing that British lawmakers would never accept the clause and so it would lead to a no deal Brexit and renewed border controls. - 'Throw of the dice' - London stocks rallied and the pound rebounded slightly after suffering heavy losses on fears of Britain leaving the EU without a deal. Carolyn Fairbairn, who heads the Confederation of British Industry lobby group, said: "Renegotiation is a throw of the dice. It must succeed or fail fast." Tuesday night's parliamentary amendment called for the backstop to be replaced with "alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border" -- vague wording that did not pin May to any approach. Also Tuesday, MPs backed a non-binding measure that "rejects the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement". But they threw out another plan seeking to oblige May to request a delay to Brexit if no new deal with the EU emerges by February 26. - Corbyn meeting - May said parliament's approval of the backstop amendment gave her a "mandate" to "seek to obtain legally binding changes to the withdrawal agreement" and promised to give MPs a chance to vote on February 14 on what happens should she fail to win a new agreement. On Wednesday, she met British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn for what her spokesman said were "serious and engaged" talks on the way ahead. Later Wednesday May tweeted that she "stressed to him the importance of the UK being able to do our own trade deals, and emphasised that the only way to avoid No Deal is to vote for a deal". burs-dc/lc/har/klm WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House national security adviser John Bolton raised questions about the United States' intentions in Venezuela after he appeared at a briefing on Monday with a notepad containing the words "5,000 troops to Colombia," which neighbors Venezuela. It was not immediately clear what Bolton's notes meant and whether President Donald Trump's administration was seriously considering sending U.S. troops to Colombia. It was also not clear if disclosure of the notes was intentional, and there was no indication that such a military option would be used any time soon. Asked about a photograph depicting the notes, a White House spokesman said on Monday: "As the President has said, all options are on the table." Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the number of U.S. military personnel in Colombia remained unchanged as part of a pre-existing partnership. A U.S. official, who asked not to be named, said they "have seen nothing to support" Bolton's annotation. Colombias Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo, in a statement late on Monday, said: "We are not aware of the significance or the reason" for Bolton's notes. Colombia has coordinated its policy on Venezuela with the rest of the Lima Group of South and Central American nations and would keep doing so, he added. Bolton held the notepad at a news briefing with reporters to unveil sweeping sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, Washington's latest step to pressure Caracas' socialist President Nicolas Maduro to leave office. Sending U.S. military troops to Colombia would escalate tensions with Venezuela, even as its opposition leader Juan Guaido has said a peaceful transition https://reut.rs/2RXasMo of power is possible. Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim president of Venezuela last week with U.S. backing, told a German broadcaster on Tuesday that he was the countrys only legitimate leader https://reut.rs/2GdLXUv. Separately, he told CNN in an interview aired on Tuesday: "We must use great pressure for a dictator to leave, install a transitional government and have free elections." (Reporting by Steve Holland and Idrees Ali in Washington and Julia Symmes Cobb in Bogota; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Bernadette Baum) A worker on the U.S. side installs concertina wire along the border wall with the United States as seen from Tijuana, Mexico, December 11, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem Robert Merry Politics, Americas But before it falls a house divided against itself generates a tremendous amount of political emotion and angerthe kind that stifles measured civic discourse. America's Culture War Over the Border Wall Is Ripping Congress Apart Who won the government shutdown showdown? Who lost? My answer: who cares? With the media and political classes fixated on the essentially frivolous question of winners and losers, the true meaning of the shutdown drama gets lost. What that thirty-five-day governmental dysfunction tells us is that the country is locked in a crisis of definition, reflected most starkly in the high-tension immigration issue. Although immigration isnt the whole story, it is a proxy for the broader question of what kind of country America will be in ten or twenty years. Thats a question of profound significance, and it has driven a wedge through the American republic like an ax through cordwood. By way of illustration, consider the fate of the thirty-first Congress when it arrived in Washington in December 1849 to begin the process of governing. The first order of business was the election of a House speaker. Seemed simple enough, part of the regular order. But the House couldnt elect a speaker because nobody could get a majority. Without a speaker, the House couldnt organize and committees couldnt meet. Without a functioning House, the Senate couldnt do business. The president couldnt send up his annual message and set the national agenda. Congress couldnt appropriate money. The government froze. By the thirteenth ballot, some argued for abandoning majority rule and allowing a plurality winner. But there was no majority for that either. The problem was that the country was hopelessly split over the definitional issue of slavery. For decades, Northerners, while abhorring that awful institution, had accepted it as part of the Southern way of life. But now, in the wake of James Polks big territorial expansion and fears of greater political clout for the slave empire, that was becoming less and less acceptable in the North. The South bristled at this turn of events. Story continues As the issue took on more and more emotion, both Democrats and Whigs were split along sectional lines, giving the balance of power to the new antislavery Free Soilers. But the stiff-necked Free Soilers refused to put any conventional politician into the speakership. The deadlock continued for three weeks and sixty-three ballots. It was broken only when weary lawmakers finally accepted a plurality solution. The rules were tossed aside so the republic could stay intact. The long agony is over, reported Washingtons Daily Union. But it wasnt over. The definitional slavery issue remained a festering sore upon the body politic for another dozen years. Ultimately, the issue broke the countrys governmental system, which was restored only after a civil war, some 750,000 wartime deaths, and mountains of lingering civic rancor. Today America faces another definitional crisis. Roughly half of Americans want to remake the country through the force of diversity politics, large-scale immigration (both legal and illegal), and the ideology of ethnic, racial, and sexual identity. And roughly half of Americans oppose all that and want to stop the juggernaut of elite power that is pushing the American transformation. Consider, first, immigration. It is often heard from commentators and politicians that both parties want to secure the border but differ only on how to do it. This is untrue. Many in the elites, of both parties, simply arent concerned about border security. If they were, how did they allow into the country the estimated thirteen million illegals now here. The laxity of the elites in addressing this growing crisis has driven a wedge through America, and now that wedge is widening. Or consider this question: What is an appropriate level of immigration and is it reflected, say, in the percentage of foreign-born residents at any given time? In 1970, that number was 4.7 percent; in 1980, 6.2 percent. Now it approaches 14 percentwhich is the highest in our history, with the exception of the period from around 1910 to around 1920, after a large wave of immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe beginning in the 1890s. When it reached that 14 percent number, the country developed a strong concern about assimilation, and the result was legislation curtailing the influx, both in terms of numbers and of the origins of people allowed in. Now were back at that level, and it shouldnt be surprising that a similar civic concern has emerged in the polity. And yet if you ask pro-immigration liberals what they think that percentage number should be, you cant get an answer. There doesnt seem to be any number that raises concerns among these people regarding the challenge of a smooth absorption. The conclusion is unmistakable: part of America wants to transform the country through diversity promulgated in part by mass immigration. And part of America opposes that transformation and hence wants a big immigration curtailment. When you strip away the maneuvering, the legislative clever-speak, and the efforts at finessing the issue, it becomes clear that this isnt just a matter of tinkering with current law. This is definitional. And thats why we had the shutdown. Donald Trump, during his presidential campaign, gave voice, for the first time, to those concerned about the gathering national transformation fostered by the elites of both parties. In doing so, he rendered a border wall the dominant symbol of his more restrictionist immigration stance. Lets leave aside, for purposes of this discussion, the merits of the nettlesome wall issue and get to the more significant underlying realitynamely, that the emotions surrounding the wall debate, in connection with the government shutdown, suggest that this is more than just a matter of degrees that can be adjudicated in a spirit of compromise. Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the wall immoral, which suggested there can be no compromise at all. And Pelosis adamant refusal to discuss the matter confirmed that sentiment. Ultimately, of course, there will be some kind of compromise. But most likely it will be like the Compromises of 1850 on slavery, in the wake of that 1849 government shutdown. Ultimately it couldnt hold because it didnt address the underlying definitional issues. As Lincoln so provocatively said a few years later (quoting scripture), A house divided against itself cannot stand. But before it falls a house divided against itself generates a tremendous amount of political emotion and angerthe kind that stifles measured civic discourse. Consider now the remarkable spectacle of what happened to that group of teenage boys from the Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky while they were standing outside Washingtons Lincoln Memorial waiting for a bus. They were accosted by a group of black adults who berated them in highly disgusting racist language, and then they were put upon by a drum-thumping, chanting American Indian elder whose purpose couldnt be easily discerned but who seemed to be mocking the boys. As everyone now knows, a brief slice of videotape seemed to show the boys manifesting disrespect toward the so-called elder, and all hell broke loose. The savagery of the verbal attacks against the boys was something to behold. Even after reviews of the full videotape revealed that that interpretation was utterly false, many of the attackers refused to walk back their rancor. Some quietly deleted their hostile tweets, though, demonstrating that they lacked the character to acknowledge publicly that they had gotten it wrong. And they had gotten it horrendously wrong. Here were ordinary teenage boys who were viciously attacked verbally by adults, and yet they were immediately cast as the villains. Why? Because they were boys; they were white; they were in DC to join an anti-abortion rally; and they were wearing red MAGA caps, signifying support for the sitting president of the United States, who garnered the support of nearly sixty-three million Americans at the last presidential election. If you want to transform America through an ideological push for diversity, you know your most consequential resistance will come from white men. And if this definitional issue is considered paramount for the health and sanctity of the American republic, then it isnt enough merely to exclude white males, as Jesse Jackson did in 1984 when he created his famous rainbow coalition of blacks, browns, yellows, reds, gays, lesbians, and womenin other words, everybody except those pesky straight white males. No, now the aim has to be to traduce them, marginalize them, and destroy their civic standing so that they cant influence the debates of the day. This is seen in those venomous attacks on the poor Catholic boys of Kentucky. It is seen in the American Psychological Associations new guidelines on how to eradicate traditional masculinity. It is seen in the way colleges have handled allegations of sexual abuse on campusby destroying reputations on the basis of loaded and unfair juridical proceedings. Where does all this lead? Wherever it leads, it cant be good. The writer Andrew Sullivan captured some of this in responding to an outlandish harangue by New York Times columnist Charles Blow, who suggested the MAGA caps had become the new iconography of white supremacy . . . [i]n much the same way that the confederate flag became a white supremacy signalling device. Equating the political symbol of a president who captured 46 percent of the popular vote to the Confederate flag and white supremacy, wrote Sullivan, was not the language of democratic politics. It is the language of civil war. Thats a scary thought. And yet clearly Sullivan is correct. As was said of old, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Robert W. Merry, longtime Washington journalist and publishing executive, is the former editor of The American Conservative and the National Interest. He is the author most recently of President McKinley: Architect of the American Century. Image: Reuters Read full article By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, William Barr, told U.S. lawmakers in comments released on Monday that while he has never spoken about the substance of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation with Trump, he has discussed it in broad terms with Vice President Mike Pence. In written answers to questions posed by Senate Judiciary Committee members, Barr also said he has discussed with Justice Department officials the issue of recusing himself from overseeing Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election. The committee is due to vote on Tuesday on whether to endorse Barr's nomination and send it to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. "The President has not asked me my views about any aspect of the investigation, and he has not asked me about what I would do about anything in the investigation," Barr wrote in response to questions posed by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy. But Barr said that since the spring of 2017, he has discussed a variety of issues with Pence including a "general discussion" of Mueller's probe and "I gave my views on such matters as Bob Mueller's high integrity and various media reports." "In these conversations, I did not provide legal advice, nor, to the best of my recollection, did he provide confidential information," Barr wrote, referring to Pence. The Republican president has called Mueller's investigation a witch hunt, though Barr in his confirmation hearing this month said he would let the special counsel complete the probe and pledged to make as many details of Mueller's findings public as he can, once the work is completed. Barr, nominated after Trump fired Jeff Sessions as attorney general in November, has been criticized by Democrats over a memo he sent to Justice Department and White House officials last year that called Mueller's investigation into whether Trump committed obstruction of justice "fatally misconceived." If confirmed by the Senate, Barr would oversee Mueller's investigation into whether Trump's presidential campaign conspired with Russia. Trump has denied collusion. Russian has denied election interference. Barr said during his hearing and in his written responses does not plan to overhaul Justice Department regulations so Mueller could be fired at will. Under current rules, Mueller can be fired only for misconduct or other wrongdoing. "I would not countenance changing the existing regulations for the purpose of removing Special Counsel Mueller without good cause," Barr wrote to the senators. 'GOOD FAITH' Some Democrats have questioned whether Barr should recuse himself from overseeing Mueller because of his memo. Barr said in his written responses he has discussed recusal issues related to the memo with department officials, but not the White House. "If confirmed, I will consult with the Department's career ethics officials, review the facts, and make a decision regarding my recusal from any matter in good faith," Barr wrote, adding that while he is unfamiliar with protocol for disclosing ethics advice to Congress he would be "as transparent as possible." Democrats have raised concerns about whether Barr will adequately disclose to Congress all the details of Mueller's inquiry, including any decisions not to charge certain people. Barr has signaled some details might remain under wraps. In responses to Democratic Senator Dick Durbin's questions, Barr cited a Justice Department manual that he said "cautions prosecutors to be sensitive to the privacy and reputational interests of uncharged third parties." "It is department policy and practice not to criticize individuals for conduct that does not warrant prosecution," Barr added. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Will Dunham) Photo credit: Ford - Car and Driver From Car and Driver Ken Block's Hoonitruck, the latest tool of mass tire destruction to materialize from the folk hero's dalliance with the Ford Motor Company, is anything but subtle. A 1977 Ford F-150 boasting 914 horsepower and an aluminum body riding atop a custom chassis built by Detroit Speed Engineering, it's the epitome of a purpose-built vehicle. But Ford's contribution extends far beyond the usual logo and photo-op routine with this project. This time, the company was deeply involved with its development, including the statuesque, specifically engineered aluminum intake manifold that resides atop the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. Photo credit: Ford - Car and Driver This was a global effort. First Ford Performance engineers based in the United States ran the performance simulations on the powertrain; then they collaborated with their colleagues in Europe to design the intake and conduct the structural analysis. Ford then called on the knowledge and resources of the Rheinisch-Westfalische Technische Hochschule in Aachen, Germany (RWTH Aachen University), particularly its Digital Additive Production Institute. Five Days of 3D Printing to Make the Intake Manifold Enabled by the properties of additive printing, more commonly referred to as 3D printing, the team constructed an intricate weblike structure that simply couldn't have been created using traditional manufacturing techniques. Ford claims this intake is the largest 3D-printed aluminum part currently used in a functional automobile, and you don't need to be an engineer to realize it just looks cool. Raphael Koch, an advanced materials and processes engineer at Ford of Europe, said, "We are fortunate to have access to incredible technology, but this was one project that pushed us-and our computing power-to the absolute limit." In all, it required five days to print the intake, and the finished product weighs in at a comparatively svelte 13.2 pounds. Check out the video below for a closer look and comments from Ken Block. Story continues ('You Might Also Like',) The longest partial government shutdown in US history finally came to a close after 35 days on Friday, January 25, when the president agreed to (temporarily) fund closed agencies. Now, Congress has just under three weeks to come up with a budget for the entire government, and also specifically for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes funding for border security. As President Trump continues to insist that Congress approve more than $5 billion in funding for a border wall, government agencies that were closed for weeks must begin to contend with the long-term consequences of the shutdown. Time lost during the shutdown was critical for forest managers and firefighters who spend this time of year preparing for wildfire season. NPR reported during the shutdown that firefighters and forest managers had to delay hiring firefighters, carrying out trainings for firefighters, and working on projects that can prevent the spread of wildfires. These circumstances are especially alarming given that, throughout the shutdown, California was still contending with the impact of some of the deadliest and most destructive fires in the states history. Earlier in January, the president responded by threatening to cut FEMA funds to the state. And there are other significant environmental implications. Multiple national parks and forests were trashed by careless visitors during the shutdown, when there were no federal employees caring for or managing the parks. Trash and human feces piled up on public lands as some took advantage of the lack of oversight to drive vehicles off-trail and into areas that are supposed to be protected from damage. Collin OMara, president of the National Wildlife Federation, told Bloomberg that hes heard about other instances of damage, such as to fossils and ancient rock carvings in Colorado and Utah, and poaching of birds in the Everglades, that have yet to be reported. Some of this damage cant be undone. These are natural ecosystems. We cant just go out there and make it better, a Wilderness Society spokesperson told Bloomberg. Story continues Immigrants to the US who are awaiting their day in immigration court will also be impacted by the shutdown in the long run. According to TRAC Immigration, a non-profit research center associated with Syracuse University, immigrants who saw their hearings canceled due to the shutdown may have to wait years before the hearing is rescheduled. Some of the immigrants whose cases have been delayed may already have been waiting a number of years, according to TRAC. As of January 28, more than 67,000 scheduled immigration hearings cases had been canceled because of the shutdown. Further, some are concerned that the shutdown will turn off an emerging workforce from pursuing careers in the federal government. Roy Wright, who formerly worked for FEMA and is currently the president of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, told Bloomberg, One of the really sour pills from this will be that long-term loss of a work force that is not interested in public service. Given that Trump only agreed to temporarily re-open the government, and is threatening another shutdown if hes not happy with the funding bills Congress can come up with, federal employees and others interested in government work have good reason to be concerned. What do you think? Tell us on Twitter @BritandCo. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) A rooftopper admires the night view from a rooftop in downtown Seoul in this October 2016 photo. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun By Ron Bandun I stopped by The Korea Times office recently to visit my editor. In the elevator, I found two foreign guys carrying big bags obviously holding camera gear. On the way down we made small talk about rooftopping in Seoul. They were obviously there for the roof. On another visit later the same week, I ran into another pair boarding the elevator as I got off downstairs. I stayed a moment to confirm that, yes, they went to the top floor. More rooftoppers. It left me curious how they found it, and if they were in communication with the others. I considered going up to talk to them, but decided my presence could alarm them or ruin their fun. So I stayed downstairs while they had their vertical adventure. The roof itself is easily accessible, with no explicit rules against it. It has benches, ashtrays and a small park. The lobby has workers, but they are more for hospitality than security and have no monitors to watch surveillance camera feeds. The Korea Times roof offers spectacular views in all four directions, with great overhead views of Namdaemun and Seoul Station in particular. Seoul Station and Seoullo 7017 are seen from a rooftop in downtown Seoul, in October 2017. / Courtesy of Ron Bandun In September 2017, the Canadian hip-hop artist K-Riz, here for Zandari Festa, was so inspired by the view he started composing on the spot, coming up with the song "You Should Be Here" which actually namedrops The Korea Times. "Currently chilling under Korean skies, thinking the many places music will take you, found clarity on top of The Korea Times." In October 2018, the Canadian punk musician Jenny Woo filmed an Instagram video here of herself dressed up in a hanbok high above the city streets. "It's a reminder to all of us that no matter how many problems we have in life, sometimes if you just change your perspective, you can find a whole new beauty," she said, glancing over her shoulder at Namdaemun Gate. Canadian punk musician Jenny Woo wears a hanbok for a photo shoot on a rooftop in downtown Seoul, October 2018. / Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The growing trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is providing Malaysian exporters with an opportunity to tap into the massive Chinese market, a Malaysia-based business association for China and ASEAN said on Monday. Lim Gait Tong, president of the China-ASEAN Business Association (CABA), said that ASEAN's trade with China has recorded higher growth rate than that with the European Union and the United States. "So, this is an opportunity and the growth trend provides great potential for Malaysian exporters," he was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama. CABA is a business promotion group which coordinates communication between chambers of commerce, industrial associations, trade institutions and enterprises within China and ASEAN, under the framework of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. "There was a good exchange of views on important economic and trade issues between China and ASEAN," he said. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] A mother of three says she is terrified of a neighbor who allegedly stabbed her dog and who, in a Facebook video she took, shouts the N-word repeatedly from his porch and says, The KKK is coming. Five years ago, Dawn McDowell, an employee at Petco, moved into the Hammond, Ind., home she shares with her three children: a daughter, 17, a son (who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy), 14, and a daughter, 11 months. McDowell says that since August 2017, her neighbor Richard Dean Wojtas has harassed her with physical threats and racist taunts. We live behind a radio station, and one night, he started running from his home to the parking lot yelling, I hate you [N-word], you gang bangers, McDowell, 40, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. When he came outside again holding a brown paper bag, I called the police. In October 2017, when she was five months pregnant, McDowell received a hysterical phone call when she was at work, from her eldest daughter. She said, Animal control and the police are here, you have to come home.' McDowell came home to find her 5-year-old pit bull Sasha in Wojtass yard with a knife stuck in her back. I was told that Sasha had gotten into Richards yard and attacked one of his dogs, McDowell tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Richard hit Sasha in the head with a hammer and stabbed her eight times, supposedly to save his dog. Fortunately, Sasha survived. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. McDowell doubted that her dog is capable of aggressive behavior. Sashas only injuries were her stab wounds, and there was no physical evidence that she attacked another dog or even entered Richards yard, she says. But Richard once told me that his dogs were aggressive and one had attacked the other. Wojtas sued McDowell for his medical bills allegedly $707.40 for his dogs wounds and $2,640 for a hand injury he sustained trying to break up the dog fight and she countersued for $2,300, the cost of Sashas surgery. Before their court date in January 2018, McDowell says Wojtas threatened her again. One day, I let out my dogs in my yard, and Richard came out on his porch and loaded his shotgun, McDowell tells Yahoo Lifestyle. He was yelling that he was going to kill my dog, so I took his photo and called the police. Story continues A probable cause affidavit sent to Yahoo Lifestyle by the Hammond Police Department shows that Wojtas was charged with felony intimidation and was issued a no-contact order. Dawn McDowell is in a legal battle with her Indiana next-door neighbor Richard Dean Wojtas, whom accuses of racial harassment. (Screenshot: WGN-TV) In court, a judge ruled that McDowells dog was at fault and ordered her to pay Wojtas $3,482.70, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana. The judge said, Youre not going to like my verdict, but since your dog is a pit bull. she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Over the summer, Wojtas reportedly tried to enter an order to garnish McDowells wages. Later that year, she filed for bankruptcy. In retaliation, she alleges that Wojtas fired his shotgun from his porch, yelled the N-word, and threw peach-colored paint on her red car. The police used their body camera to find a trail of paint leading back to Richards home, McDowell tells Yahoo Lifestyle. She recently filmed a man allegedly Wojtas yelling Kill all the [N-word] and The KKK is coming and posted it on Facebook. A police representative tells Yahoo Lifestyle that Hammond Police detectives are deciding if filing additional charges is an option at this time. Detectives are working closely with the victim to ensure that everything possible is done to stop this criminal behavior. Wojtass lawyer, Shane ODonnell, was not available when called for comment by Yahoo Lifestyle. He told The Times of Northwest Indiana that Wojtas is a law-abiding citizen saying, The neighbors feud began when my clients neighbors dog had attacked him and his dog on his property. ODonnell said Wojtas had a shotgun to protect against McDowells dog. He had every right to be outside and have a legally obtained shotgun, for which he has a valid license for, ODonnell told news outlet. Because [McDowell] doesnt like my client, she called the police and said he threatened her with the gun, which isnt true. McDowell says her children are frightened of Wojtas, but that she doesnt want to be driven out of her neighborhood. Why should I have to leave? Im in a bad financial bind, in bankruptcy, and cant afford a new roof, she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. He is trying to intimidate me. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. While the royals no doubt celebrate every holiday in style, Prince Harry wont be with wife Meghan Markle for Valentines Day (or, at least, for part of it). Today, Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry will be in the Arctic Circle on February 14 to oversee extreme-weather training for the Royal Marines (thats probably the worst V-Day date idea weve ever heard). No word on whether hell make it back to London for a romantic dinner with the pregnant duchess (their first child will be born in late April or early May), but were pretty bummed for Markle that Harry has to spend his first day of ~love~ as a married couple away from her. But what the heck are these exercises, anyway? Turns out, Prince Harry, who also holds the title of Captain General of the Royal Marines, will be in Bardufoss, Norway (200 miles inside the Arctic Circle), on February 14 for Exercise Clockwork, the annual winter training regimen to prep marines, sailors and airmen for extreme weather conditions. This event will mark the 50th anniversary of the Commando Helicopter Force and Joint Helicopter Command deploying to Bardufoss in Norway. Some of the Exercise Clockwork courses include Environmental Flying Qualifications, Cold Weather Survival, Tent Group Commander and Snow & Ice Driving. Yep, were shivering just thinking about these classes. (Frostbitten) fingers crossed Harry gets to warm up by the fire with Megs after the long and grueling Valentines Day hes got planned. You know what they say: Some like itcold. RELATED: Will Meghan Markle Return to Suits? The Series Creator Finally Addressed the Rumors *Warning: Spoilers ahead* Last week on The Bachelor, Colton Underwood came face-to-face with the battle of the beauty queens: Hannah B. versus Caelynn. And tonight, the 26-year-old took his journey to find love international, resulting in deeper connections and a brand-new rivalry. (#Bless) Heres what went down in season 23, episode four of The Bachelor. Bon Voyage! The episode opens on the 15 remaining contestants pretending like there isnt major tension between Hannah B. and Caelynn in the mansion. Right on cue, Chris Harrison greets the women and accidentally calls Hannah B. by Caelynns name. Well played. After Hannah B. takes a subtle jab at her former Miss USA roommate, Harrison tells the women to pack their bags for an international vacay. (Because who doesnt want to endure a 15-hour flight after getting dumped on national television?) First stop: Singapore. Could Colton lose his virginity in Singapore? Maybe, Demi says. Shortly after arriving at their new abode, the first date card arrives, and its addressed to Tayshia. Unlike previous dates this season, which basically consisted of the women wearing athleisure and battling it out in a series of competitions, Underwood is putting Tayshia to the test with a good old-fashioned bungee jump. Im really hoping that today we dont die, he says. Its important to note that Tayshia doesnt seem that nervous about the adventurejust shocked. Underwood, on the other hand, is trying (and failing) to conceal his sweaty palms. Weve got this, Tayshia says before Underwood hesitantly responds, Yeah, we do. Spoiler alert: Everyone survives. After stripping down to their swimsuits, the couple sits down for a picnic on the beach. This includes lying on a blanket, running through the sand and kissing in the ocean like its Bachelor in Paradise all over again. Poor Tia Story continues Later that night, Tayshia reluctantly opens up about a past failure that defines who she is today: Shes a divorcee. She married her first boyfriend, and they stayed together for several years. Although she never thought divorce was an option, she couldnt convince her partner to continue loving her. Underwood reassures Tayshia, saying that he comes from a divorced family, so he would never judge her past. Just then, he gives her the rose. The Demi Show At the hotel, the next date card arrives for Cassie, Courtney, Demi, Elyse, Hannah B., Hannah G., Heather, Katie, Kirpa, Nicole, Onyeka, Sydney and Tracy, which means Caelynn is the lucky recipient of the last one-on-one date. (Take that, Hannah B.) For the group excursion, Underwood takes his 13 dates to explore Singapores colorful street markets, and Demi proves (yet again) that shes never watched the show. While the other women subtly steal Underwoods attention, Demi goes where no contestant has gone before. After jumping into his arms, she demands a piggyback ride while the other women awkwardly tag along. Im so focused on my relationship with him, and Im going to act how I would act if it were just me and him, she says. You do you, Demi. When they stumble upon a leech lady, they learn more about leech therapy before trying it out themselves. Underwood says, Do you guys want to pet my leech? Demi joins in on the fun, along with Hannah B., who is just trying to fit in. The problem? She feels like Underwood is avoiding her, and he totally is. But we have to give her props, because shes trying really, really hard to get his attention. She even eats a big, juicy fish eye when they sit down for a quick bite to eat, so yeah, just let that sink in. Later on, its no surprise that Hannah B. is the first person to steal Underwood away. After assuring him that she has a noble character, he reveals that hes A-OK with dating two people who hate each other. (Wait, what?) Meanwhile, Cassie uses her one-on-one time to address the elephant in the room. Earlier in the day, she and Underwood got their fortunes read and learned they were brother and sister in a past life. Underwood reminds her that it was a past life before pulling her in for a kiss. Thats not a kiss that a sister would give, he says. Barf. Elsewhere, Demi drops a bombshell and tells Underwood that her mom was recently released from federal prison. He handles it like a total pro, and Demi wastes no time bragging to the other women about her successful conversation. Courtney is livid because she has yet to speak to Underwood, despite the fact that shes made zero effort to talk to him. So, Demi does what anyone would do and steals Underwood away for even more one-on-one time. When Underwood returns, he gives the group date rose to Demi, and Courtney is beside herself. Caelynn's Confession For the last date of the episode, Underwood treats Caelynn to a full-blown shopping spree, and we cant help but wonder where all this money came from. (Think designer dresses and couture ball gowns.) Before going to dinner, Caelynn returns to the hotel to drop off her shopping bags show off her new belongings. When she sits down to eat with Underwood, Caelynn reveals that she has to get something off her chest. Four years ago, she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple men, and it forever changed how she approaches relationships. Underwood comforts her before giving her the rose. Prior to the ceremony, Caelynn pulls Hannah B. aside to clear the air. Although theres no way to get around it, they decide to squash the drama so they can focus on the experience. Meanwhile, Demi uses the little time she has to shake things up among the women. When she tells Underwood that Courtney is the cancer of the house, he confronts Courtney, who isnt surprised that Demi threw her under the bus. Demi couldnt care less, saying, This is what cloud nine feels like right now. At the rose ceremony, Underwood hands out roses to everyone but Courtney and Tracy. Demis reaction says it all: Ding dong, the b**** is dead. The Bachelor returns to ABC next Monday, February 4, at 8 p.m. RELATED: 8 Thoughts Everyone Has While Watching The Bachelor Welcome to 2020: Obstacles for Trump and a wide-open Democratic race originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A third of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents oppose President Donald Trump for the partys nomination to a second term and 56 percent of all adults said they wouldnt consider voting for him -- two hurdles in his quest for re-election next year. But a potentially crowded Democratic field shows no sign of a clear front-runner across the aisle in this ABC News/Washington Post poll, and theres deep division on priorities for the election season ranging from the relative importance of electability to key issues. In short, with 21 months to go, 2020 is anyones game. PHOTO: President Donald Trump leaves after speaking about a temporary reopening of the U.S. government while making a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House, Jan. 25, 2019 in Washington. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images) The nomination comes first. Thirty-two percent of Republicans and Republican leaning-independents said theyd like the party to nominate someone other than Trump as the GOP candidate for president in 2020. Among mainline Republicans -- excluding independents who lean toward the party -- 27 percent want someone other than Trump. Opposition to Trump runs as high as 41 percent of women, 42 percent of independents and 49 percent of moderates within the ranks of Republicans and GOP leaners. See PDF for full results, charts and tables. Sixty-five percent of leaned Republicans and 71 percent of mainline Republicans stick with Trump, plenty enough for him to secure the nomination. But the level of potential defections is high enough to raise concerns in his camp. So is the broader finding in which 56 percent of Americans said they definitely wouldnt vote to re-elect Trump. Thats twice as many who said theyd definitely vote for him, 28 percent. A smaller share said theyd consider it, 14 percent. Results are identical among registered voters. Opposition to a second Trump term is significantly higher than former President Barack Obama encountered, peaking at 46 percent in Oct. 2011. Trumps support in his base is more solid, with 70 percent of Republicans who said theyll definitely vote for him, compared with 58 percent of Democrats for Obama in 2011. But Trump falls short when it comes to the often swing-voting independents: Fifty-nine percent said they wouldnt consider him. Forty-seven percent ruled out Obama. Story continues PHOTO: President Donald Trump announces a deal to temporarily reopen the government in the Rose Garden of the White House, Jan. 25, 2019, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP) Trump also suffers among women, which is unsurprising given the wide gender gap in his job approval rating -- just 27 percent among women versus 49 percent among men -- as reported Friday. Nearly two-thirds of women in this survey, produced for ABC News by Langer Research Associates, said they definitely wouldnt vote for him, compared with 48 percent of men. That includes 94 percent of Democratic women, 62 percent of independent women and 18 percent of Republican women. Its 10 percent among Republican men. Other groups ruling out Trump include those without a religious affiliation, 73 percent, 77 percent of nonwhites, 88 percent of Democrats and 92 percent of liberals. Strong backing for Trump is comparatively lower, peaking demographically at 60 percent of evangelical white Protestants and reaching 70 percent only among Republicans and approvers of his work in office. Among the risks to Trump is the third of leaned Republicans who want the party to nominate someone else. Were Trump the candidate, just 12 percent in this group said theyd definitely support him. Forty-three percent would consider it -- and another 43 percent said they would not. Of course, such evaluations are hardly set at this point. In July 2015, 61 percent of registered voters said they would definitely not vote for Trump in the 2016 election, including three in 10 Republicans, a far cry from the final result. An Open Field Uncertainty around a nominee abounds on the other side. Asked in an open-ended question whom theyd support in a primary or caucus today, 43 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have no opinion and no individual prospects crack single-digit mentions. Former Vice President Joe Biden has 9 percent, followed by 8 percent for Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democrat from California who announced her candidacy just before this poll was conducted. Others mentioned include Sen. Bernie Sanders, 4 percent; former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke, 3 percent; Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 2 percent; former first lady Michelle Obama, 2 percent; and Sen. Cory Booker, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Oprah Winfrey at 1 percent each. Also mentioned: former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sen. Sherrod Brown, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, Rep. Joe Kennedy, former Ohio Gov. Dennis Kucinich, Green Party activist Jia Lee, Rep. Bobby Scott, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Sen. Mark Warner. An additional 4 percent came up with an unusual choice for the Democratic nominee -- Donald Trump. The president won 8 percent of Democrats in 2016. This sort of result isnt unique to this race nor this party. In a similar open-ended question asked of Republicans and Republican leaners in April 2011, 45 percent had no opinion. Eventual nominee and now U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney garnered 14 percent, followed by Trump at 6 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at 5 percent. Democratic Priorities Electability matters, but its not paramount to all. Democrats and Democratic leaners split on whether theyd prefer a candidate who is closer to them on the issues or one that seems most likely to defeat Trump in the general election, 47 versus 43 percent. Issue adherence is most favored by men at 55 percent, those making less than $50,000 at 52 percent and those under age 50 at 50 percent. A preference for beating Trump peaks at 52 percent of liberals and those making $50,000 or more. Theres also a lack of consensus within the party on issue priorities -- albeit with some preference for the bread-and-butter issue of health care, which performed well for the Democrats in the midterms. Presented with four potential top issues, 31 percent of leaned Democrats prioritized improving the health care system, compared with 21 percent for reducing economic inequality, 18 percent for reducing racial and gender discrimination and 15 percent who picked combatting global warming. Chart (ABC News) Among the differences across groups, whites are more likely than nonwhites to focus on global warming at 21 versus 8 percent, while its the opposite on reducing discrimination at 13 percent of whites and 23 percent of nonwhites. More older adults prioritize health care, peaking at 40 percent of seniors. Inequality is a more compelling issue among college graduates than non-graduates at 27 versus 17 percent and, perhaps surprisingly, among those with $100,000-plus incomes compared with those who make less at 29 versus 19 percent. Those whod rather have a candidate closer to them on the issues are more apt to prioritize health care at 39 versus 28 percent and less likely to focus on discrimination at 13 versus 21 percent. Methodology This ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted by landline and cellular telephone Jan. 21-24, 2019, in English and Spanish, among a random national sample of 1,001 adults and 893 registered voters. Results have a margin of sampling error of 3.5 points, including the design effect. Partisan divisions are 32-24-37 percent, Democrats-Republicans-independents. The survey was produced for ABC News by Langer Research Associates of New York, N.Y., with sampling and data collection by Abt Associates of Rockville, Md. See details on the surveys methodology here. Readers are welcome to subscribe to the Langer Research Associates email distribution list. Air ambulance helicopter crashes in Ohio killing all 3 on board: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com An air ambulance helicopter crashed in Ohio Tuesday, killing all three crew members on board, according to a company official. The Survival Flight Inc. helicopter was headed to pick up a patient from a hospital in Pomeroy, Ohio, at the time of the crash, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The crew members have been identified as pilot Jennifer Topper, 34; nurse Bradley Haynes, 48; and nurse Rachel Cunningham, 33, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. "We are obviously devastated," said Andy Arthurs, vice president of EMS services for Survival Flight Inc. "Our first concern is for the crew members and their families." PHOTO: Three crew members were killed in an air ambulance helicopter crash near Zeleski, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2019. (Ohio State Highway Patrol) PHOTO: Three crew members were killed in an air ambulance helicopter crash near Zeleski, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2019. (Ohio State Highway Patrol) (MORE: 2 men dead in Ohio plane crash, with engine issues possibly the cause) The crash happened at 6:50 a.m. in a heavily wooded area of Zaleski, Ohio, which is located about 70 miles southeast of Columbus, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman Peter Knudson. The wreckage of the helicopter -- which had taken off from a hospital in Grove City, Ohio -- was found at about 10:15 a.m., according to the highway patrol. No one on the ground was injured, highway patrol officials said. PHOTO: Three crew members were killed in an air ambulance helicopter crash near Zeleski, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2019. (Ohio State Highway Patrol) The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. An investigator from the NTSB will arrive in Ohio on Wednesday, Knudson said. From 2009 through November 2018, there were 75 medevac helicopter accidents, 27 of which were fatal, according to the NTSB. ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this report. Vince Vaughn is just a little bitter at his lack of invite to Liam Hemsworths wedding. The actor, 48, made an appearance at the GDay USA Gala over the weekend to present Hemsworth, 29, with an award. The two recently filmed the movie Arkansas together, which comes out in 2020. On set, Vaughn said he felt they formed a mateship. Unfortunately he doubts how close they actually are after not getting an invite to Hemsworths surprise wedding to Miley Cyrus. RELATED: Why Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth Finally Decided to Get Married After Nearly 10 Years Together I think its a little in doubt because obviously were not that great of a mateship because I wasnt invited to the wedding, Vaughn said. I dont know, it may or may not have happened. I dont know if it happened, there was a wedding, there wasnt a wedding? Cyrus then raised her left hand and showed off her ring finger to the camera, making it look like she was giving him the finger while the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Hemsworth and Cyrus, 26, got married at their Tennessee home on Dec. surrounded by close friends and family. RELATED: Liam Hemsworth Praises Beautiful Wife Miley Cyrus at Gala as Couple Adorably Cozies Up Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus Vaughn continued on, highlight some of Hemsworths most notable roles, including the one where he met his future wife. His first leading role was in 2010, The Last Song, which got him a Teen Choice award, Vaughn said. Thats also where he met Miley, who he might or might not be married to. I wouldnt know personally because I was not invited to this thing, it may not have happened. Im just the guy who gave up his Saturday night to be away from his kids, to come down here and give Liam an award. RELATED: Liam Hemsworth Reveals Wedding to Miley Cyrus Was Spur-of-the-Moment The Last Song He followed that up with a little trilogy of movies called the Hunger Games, but I bet people werent hungry at that wedding if that happened. I bet those two can afford a real nice spread. I bet that was a lot of fun for all their real friends that actually got invited to the wedding, Vaughn continued joking. Story continues Hemsworth then took the stage after Vaughns speech, where he sweetly gave Cyrus a shoutout. The event served as the pairs public debut as a married couple. Thank you to my beautiful wife, Hemsworth said near the end of his speech, prompting the audience to burst into loud applause. You are a sweet, sweet angel. Youre great, youre great, he continued, after which Cyrus could be heard shouting from her seat, More about me! He playfully added, Yeah, Ill tell you later. Harley-Davidson is struggling to roll with President Trumps trade war. Bloomberg reports that the motorcycle giants retail sales figures dropped 10 percent in the final three months of 2018, marking their eighth straight quarterly decline. Harley shares fell 9.5 percent. In recent years, Harley-Davidson has been in a precarious state. Its once-robust customer base is growing older and its not being replaced by younger consumers, who arent as loyal to the brand. Trumps trade war, which began last summer, has indirectly hurt the company due to new tariffs levied by the European Union on imported motorcycles in response. Per a filing to the SEC, Harley said the EU tariffs amounted to additional cost of $2,200 per bike. When the EU tariffs took effect, the Wisconsin-based manufacturer announced that it would be moving some of its production overseas to cope with the added costs. Harleys decision unnerved Trump, who tweeted his disappointment that the company was the first to wave the White Flag. He later threatened to tax the iconic American company like never before if it moved production outside the United States. While Harley-Davidson is scrambling to repair its bottom line in more progressive ways it recently announced its first electric motorcycle the companys chief executive Matt Levatitch said he expected 2019 to be another difficult year. The company plans to ship between 217,000 and 220,000 motorcycles in 2019, and the midpoint of that estimate would mark companys lowest shipment rate since 2010. President Trump could have had his wall. In early 2018, Democrats offered to appropriate funding for a border wall not just some funding, the full $25 billion if the president would agree to provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrants living in the United States as part of President Obamas DACA program. Trump had said previously that he supported a pathway to citizenship for dreamers, but ultimately rejected the deal because it didnt also include restrictions on legal immigration. In other words, the border wall itself wasnt quite bigoted enough for the Trump administration, particularly its chief immigration policy architect, Stephen Miller. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A few months after helping scuttle the deal that would have funded the wall, Miller spearheaded the policy that resulted in the separation of thousands of families at the southern border. Most of those families were not criminals; they were refugees seeking asylum, a right recognized by the United States. According to Team of Vipers, a new tell-all book from former White House staffer Cliff Sims, Miller isnt a fan of the nations legacy of aiding distressed foreign nationals. Excerpts published by The Atlantic on Monday describe an exchange between Sims and Miller when the former approached the latter out of concern that the administration wasnt doing more to help refugees, particularly persecuted Christians. I would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched Americas soil, Miller said, according to the book. Shortly after the excerpts were published, Politico reported that Trump is very pissed off and really hopping mad about the book. Millers gambit to hold out for a more racist bill to overhaul Americas immigration system hasnt panned out very well. Democrats are now in control of the House of Representatives, and it doesnt appear that Trump will be able to secure the $5.7 billion hes demanding, much less $25 billion. Earlier this month, the president proposed a compromise that would have included limited protections for DACA recipients in exchange for wall funding, but it was swiftly rejected by House Democrats. Unable to strike a deal and lacking leverage, Trump on Friday signed a continuing resolution to re-open the government for three weeks. The resolution was nearly identical to the one he refused to sign and which the Senate passed unanimously a little over a month earlier, leading to the longest government shutdown in the nations history. Story continues The continuing resolution re-opened the government, but its unlikely to lead to progress striking a deal. Democrats are steadfast in their refusal to appropriate money toward a wall, and the White House seems just as determined to reject any deal that does not include funding for one. The same day Trump announced he would sign the resolution, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the administrations position clear. In 21 days President @realDonaldTrump is moving forward building the wall with or without Democrats, she wrote. The only outstanding question is whether the Democrats want something or nothing. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The only logical endpoint, politically, is for Trump to declare a national emergency, which would theoretically allow him to cobble together funding already allocated to other government programs. While he was considering doing so earlier this month, it was reported that the White House put together a plan that would pull money from the Army Corps of Engineers that would have been used to provide disaster relief to those in suffering from the aftermath of the hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico in the fall of 2017, as well as those affected by the wildfires that ravaged California last summer. Seeing as there is no actual national emergency, such a declaration would certainly be challenged in court, where it would probably go down in flames. Then again, its possible that Miller and Trump turned down a more-than-reasonable deal to build the wall and waited to press the issue until Democrats took control of the House because theyre strategic geniuses beyond anyone elses comprehension. Either that or theyre so racist they cant think straight. President Trump and Nancy Pelosi have gone through a lot of government stationary hashing out the details of the State of the Union address. The latest and hopefully last piece of correspondence came from the desk of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who on Monday invited the president to deliver the annual address in the House Chamber next Tuesday, February 5th, citing our conversation today. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The State of the Union was originally scheduled to take place in the House Chamber on Tuesday, January 29th, but on January 16th Pelosi essentially uninvited Trump from delivering the address, citing the partial government shutdown. Sadly, given the security concerns and unless the government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union in writing to the Congress on January 29th, she wrote. A day later, Trump responded with a letter of his own canceling a congressional delegation Pelosi had been scheduled to lead through Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan. Im sure you would agree that postponing this public relations event is totally appropriate, he wrote. I also feel that, during this period, it would be better if you were in Washington negotiating with me and joining the Strong Border Security movement to end the Shutdown. The following week, Trump wrote another letter to Pelosi, this one to inform the House Speaker that despite her objection, he planned on delivering the State of the Union from the House Chamber as had been previously scheduled. Unfortunately for the president, it wasnt his decision to make. In order for the State of the Union to take place, Congress must agree to hold a joint session, which means its up to Pelosi. She broke the bad news later the same day. I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the Presidents State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened, she wrote. Trump relented a few hours later. I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over, he tweeted. 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! When Trump signed a continuing resolution to re-open the government last Friday, it cleared the way for the address to be rescheduled. Trump can save the rest of his stationary for love letters to Kim Jong-un. Hours after he was roused from his Florida home in a pre-dawn raid by armed federal agents, Roger Stone, President Trumps longtime friend and former political adviser, appeared on Fox News to announce that the charges against him were thin indeed. But Stones indictment may not be the last word from Special Counsel Robert Mueller. In fact, it may only be the opening move. A small note stamped on Stones indictment suggests that more charges may be forthcoming possibly involving Russian collusion. That note states that there is a related case involving Stone, the 66-year-old self-described dirty trickster who has Nixons face tattooed on his back. That related case is likely a much bigger criminal conspiracy involving a dozen Russian intelligence officers accused of hacking the Clinton campaign. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The earlier indictment of the Russian intelligence officers, filed in July, referenced online conversations that Stone described as a person who was in regular contact with senior members of the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump had in August and September of 2016 with Guccifer 2.0, an online cutout adopted by members of the GRU, Russias military agency. The GRU officers also used the Guccifer 2.0 persona to send documents stolen from the Democratic National Committee in July 2016 to WikiLeaks, identified in the indictment as Organization 1, according to the indictment. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the Special Counsels office, declined Rolling Stones request for comment for this story. Messages left with Stones attorney, Robert Buschel, were not returned. A related case has several possible meanings in the Washington, D.C., courthouse where Stones case will be prosecuted. It could mean that there is another sealed indictment pending against Stone and the GRU officers. Another possibility more likely in Stones case is that the prosecution against different defendants arises from a common wiretap, search warrant, or activities which are a part of the same alleged criminal event or transaction. Judge Amy Berman Jackson is hearing both Stones case and the GRU case (as well as the case of Stones friend and former business partner, Paul Manafort.) Story continues Additional charges that Stone could face related to the GRU indictment may hinge, at least in part, on what he said under oath to the House Intelligence Committee in September 2017. Most of the seven counts Stone currently faces relate to charges of lying before the House Intelligence Committee about his efforts to contact WikiLeaks. The indictment revealed that a senior Trump campaign official was directed by whom, its not clear to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had regarding the Clinton Campaign. While Stones testimony remains secret, a report released by the House Intelligence Committee in March 2018 noted that Stone described his communications with Guccifer 2.0 as innocuous and stated that he denied taking action in response to Guccifer 2.0s messages. Stone has stated that he began communicating with Guccifer 2.0 on August 14th, 2016 after Twitter restored the @Guccifer_2 account following a brief suspension. Delighted you are reinstated. Fuck the State and their MSM lackeys, Stone wrote in a private message. Guccifer 2.0 responded: wow thank u for writing back and thank you for an article about me!!! do u find anything interesting in the docs i posted? Stone and Guccifer 2.0 also exchanged tweets publicly. The Smoking Gun, an online investigative site, was also communicating with Guccifer 2.0. In August 2016, The Smoking Gun asked Guccifer 2.0 whether they were in contact with Stone. why r u asking?, Guccifer 2.0 replied. the fbis tracing me, reading my dm [direct messages] and giving u hints. No? According to his prepared remarks before the House Intelligence Committee later released to the press, Stone testified that his only exchanges with Guccifer 2.0 ran through September 9th, 2016. However, a report prepared by Democrats on the committee noted that on election night 2016, Guccifer 2.0 sent Stone a direct message. Happy? Guccifer 2.0 wrote. We are now more free to communicate. By Jung Min-ho A Korean woman has been fined 1,000 baht ($32) in Bangkok for slapping a security official's face at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday night. According to , the tourist, whose identity is being withheld, hit the female official who was scanning her with a handheld metal detector in the departure zone about 11 p.m. It is unclear what provoked her. It was reported that officers scanned the woman repeatedly after a security scanner beeped as she passed through. The airport management said it filed a complaint with police but did not take further legal action, to protect the national image of Thailand. Prince Harry has special plans for Valentines Day and they arent exactly red hot! Harry, 34, is spending the day with the Royal Marines in the harsh freezing lands of Norway. The prince will leave wife Meghan Markle back in the U.K. as he heads north on February 14 to see how the marines are training in the demanding and hostile environment 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle. In his role as Captain General of the regiment, former army captain Harry will see how Exercise Clockwork the traditional name of the annual winter exercise has trained over 16,000 Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors and airmen since 1969. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the exercise. Despite the distance, Meghan will find a way to make the day special for the couple. As she once revealed on her former lifestyle site, The Tig, Hook, line and sinker, I am such a sucker for Valentines Day. And with their first child on the way, this holiday is bound to be their most romantic yet. Cant get enough of PEOPLEs Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Harry took over the Captain General role from his grandfather Prince Philip, 97, in December 2017, as the Duke of Edinburgh gradually gave up some of his patronages surrounding his official retirement from public life. RELATED: Inside Meghan Markles Busy Week Ahead Including a Day Away with Harry! Harry will fly to the Air Station in Bardufoss, Norway, to meet some of the personnel living and training over six months of the year on the base. He is set to view a variety of outdoor Ground Training Stances, which will demonstrate the equipment and training that is conducted at Clockwork. During the multinational exercise, personnel are taught how to survive, operate and fight in the extreme cold weather and gain experience of operating aircraft in severe cold weather and mountainous environments. The prince is also likely to see some of the specialist aircraft housed in a hangar including Apache helicopters, which he flew on his second tour of Afghanistan in late 2012. Maybe the most dubious item on President Trumps self-professed historic list of accomplishments is the progress he claims to have made with North Korea. Since meeting with Kim Jong-un in Singapore last year, Trump has touted his loving relationship with the dictator while promising that the North Korean nuclear threat is a thing of the past. None of this squares with reality, as we were reminded for the umpteenth time Tuesday morning. Take it from National Intelligence Director Dan Coats: We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities because its leaders ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival. Our assessment is bolstered by our observations of some activity that is inconsistent with full denuclearization. While we assess that sanctions on exports have been effective and largely maintained, North Korea seeks to mitigate the effects of the U.S.-led pressure campaign through diplomatic engagement, counter pressure against the sanctions regime and direct sanctions evasion. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This sounds like a pretty credible assessment. In fact, it sounds about as credible as such an assessment could possibly sound. North Korea is not denuclearizing. They never were, and theyre not going to in the future. Anyone with half a measure of common sense and a vague understanding of the last 30 years of U.S-North Korea relations knew this long before Coats made it the official position of the intelligence community on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the president of the United States possesses neither of these things. Trump will undoubtedly dismiss this assessment and continue to maintain that North Korea is denuclearizing. The findings of the intelligence community mean nothing compared to the novelty love letters Kim has sent to Trump, the most recent coming earlier this year. Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime. PBS News Hour, the president tweeted. I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential! Story continues The president has of course spoken in a similarly deferential tone about Russian President Vladimir Putin, another adversarial autocrat who has been working Trump over like a cheap punching bag. Despite the intelligence communitys assessment that the Kremlin meddled in the 2016 election, Trump publicly sided with Putin after the two met in Helsinki, Finland, last summer. Days earlier Coats, warned that the warning lights are blinking red again regarding Russian interference. On Tuesday, Coats again stressed that Russias efforts to subvert American democracy are still ongoing. The Kremlin is stepping up its campaign to divide Western, political and security institutions, he said. We expect Russia will continue to wage its information war against democracies and to use social media to attempt to divide our societies. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Not only are North Korea and Russia threats to the United States, theyre reportedly working together. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Russian officials made a secret deal with North Korea last fall aimed at resolving deadlocked negotiations with the Trump administration over its nuclear weapons program, according to U.S. officials familiar with the situation. If North Korea dismantled their nuclear program, Russia would provide North Korea with a nuclear power plant. The Russians are very opportunistic when it comes to North Korea, and this is not the first time theyve pursued an energy stake in Korea, Victor Cha, a former White House staff member who the Trump considered appointing ambassador to South Korea last year, told the Post. Previous administrations have not welcomed these Russian overtures, but with Trump, you never know because he doesnt adhere to traditional thinking. Trumps only public statement on Tuesday was a tweet bashing a former White House staffer named Cliff Simms, whose newly published tell-all book portrays the administration in an unflattering light. He pretended to be an insider when in fact he was nothing more than a gofer, wrote the president. He signed a non-disclosure agreement. He is a mess! Trump and Kim are set to rekindle their love affair in late February. Lindsay Lohan is back in her first film in six years. The 32-year-old actress stars as Patricia Sherman, the wife of a European president, in Among the Shadows, which follows private investigator Kristy Wolfe, who hides that she is a werewolf in order to survive. Sherman hires Wolfe (Charlotte Beckett) to find out who is attempting to commit an assassination attempt on her husband. The stakes are a lot higher now, Sherman warns Wolfe. Dont let me down. This is Lohans first film since 2013s The Canyons, in which she portrayed Tara, a girl caught between her controlling boyfriend and an aspiring actor. Since then, the actress has continued working whether its in short videos or in TV. Shes starred in Eastbound & Down, had an appearance in 2 Broke Girls, appeared in the short film Till Human Voices Wake Us and, most notably, in the British TV series Sick Note. Lindsay Lohan in Among the Shadows Now, Lohan also has an MTV reality series, Lindsay Lohans Beach Club, which focuses on the management of her beach club in Mykonos, Greece. (The beach club marks her third business venture in Greece, following the opening of Lohan Nightclub in Athens and Lohan Beach House in Rhodes.) On the new show, its clear Lohan is making a point to distance herself from her past. RELATED VIDEO: Mean Girls Star Jonathan Bennett Reacts to Lindsay Lohans Infamous Mykonos Dancing Video Ive been working for 28 years in Hollywood. I know the ups and downs of being in the spotlight, she said during the premiere of her MTV series earlier this month. People judge me every second. So I disappeared. Now, I want to do things differently. I want to be my own boss. I always love the beauty and serenity I feel when Im here, so I decided to open Lohan Beach House, she said. Mykonos is the place to be. Its a place for everyone its beautiful, its open-minded, and most of all, its safe. Among the Shadows is available On Demand March 5. HBO has ordered a new sketch comedy series from Robin Thede and Issa Rae, which will be the first to feature an almost exclusive cast of black women. The half-hour series A Black Lady Sketch Show will feature narrative sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including Thede, as well as celebrity guests. Thede serves as creator, executive producer, writer and star, with Rae executive producing through her company, Issa Rae Productions. The series is the first gig for Thede since her late-night series, The Rundown With Robin Thede, was canceled after one season by BET. Thede is also developing a sitcom for ABC based on her childhood. Also Read: Laura Dern and Issa Rae Team for HBO Limited Series 'The Dolls' Lauren Ashley Smith, who was the shows head writer, is coming to Thedes new series in the same role, along with being co-executive producer. Dave Becky, Jonathan Berry, Tony Hernandez, Brooke Posch will serve as executive producers, with Deniese Davis, Montrel McKay, and John Skidmore on board as producers. Black Lady Sketch Show will further expand Raes relationship with HBO. She has starred for three seasons on the pay cable networks comedy Insecure, and will star alongside Laura Dern in the limited series The Dolls, which recounts the aftermath of Christmas Eve riots within two small Arkansas towns in 1983 over Cabbage Patch Dolls. Read original story HBO Orders Sketch Comedy Series From Robin Thede and Issa Rae At TheWrap HBO has ordered a new sketch comedy series from Robin Thede and Issa Rae, which will be the first to feature an almost exclusive cast of black women. The half-hour series A Black Lady Sketch Show will feature narrative sketches performed by a core cast of black women, including Thede, as well as celebrity guests. Thede serves as creator, executive producer, writer and star, with Rae executive producing through her company, Issa Rae Productions. The series is the first gig for Thede since her late-night series, The Rundown With Robin Thede, was canceled after one season by BET. Thede is also developing a sitcom for ABC based on her childhood. Also Read: Laura Dern and Issa Rae Team for HBO Limited Series 'The Dolls' Lauren Ashley Smith, who was the shows head writer, is coming to Thedes new series in the same role, along with being co-executive producer. Dave Becky, Jonathan Berry, Tony Hernandez, Brooke Posch will serve as executive producers, with Deniese Davis, Montrel McKay, and John Skidmore on board as producers. Black Lady Sketch Show will further expand Raes relationship with HBO. She has starred for three seasons on the pay cable networks comedy Insecure, and will star alongside Laura Dern in the limited series The Dolls, which recounts the aftermath of Christmas Eve riots within two small Arkansas towns in 1983 over Cabbage Patch Dolls. Read original story HBO Orders Sketch Comedy Series From Robin Thede and Issa Rae At TheWrap Police in Salt Lake City have confirmed that a University of Utah medical resident dedicated to helping underserved people was murdered Sunday by her longtime boyfriend, who then killed himself. The lifeless bodies of Sarah Hawley, 27, and Travis Geddes, 30, were found in the couples Sugar House home. Both died from fatal gunshots. Officers were dispatched to the home at about 8 p.m., when a neighbor called 911 to report a possible domestic incident. Police say Geddes first shot Hawley and then turned the gun on himself. Authorities have described the incident as a domestic-related murder-suicide. Hawleys Facebook page indicates she had been in a relationship with Geddes since 2014. According to her biography on the University of Utahs School of Medicine website, Hawley was a doctor in the family medicine residency program at the University of Utahs School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine. Her bio notes that Hawley fell in love with the school when she realized that the program combined excellent training opportunities in maternal and child healthcare with a set of faculty and residents who are as excited about learning and living in the beautiful mountains of Salt Lake City as she is. In a statement to the Salt Lake Tribune, Kolawole Okuyemi, Hawleys department chairman, said the young doctor made the move to Utah to continue her passion of providing care to women and children in underserved communities. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Okuyemi said that Hawleys adventurous spirit and love of learning will be missed by all those who knew her. Michael Good, Dean of the School of Medicine, told the paper that Dr. Hawley always did a great job of connecting with her patients and understanding where they were coming from. She treated the whole person, and patients were always appreciative of her approach. If you suspect domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Its natural to have some nerves on a Bachelor one-on-one date, but for Caelynn Miller-Keyes, a romantic night out with Colton Underwood in Singapore was also the moment she decided to share a very painful and personal part of her past. After she was raped in college four years ago, my life was flipped upside down, Miller Keyes tells PEOPLE. And even though Ive moved on, it is something I will struggle with forever. She opens up to Underwood about her assault on Mondays episode of The Bachelor. The Miss USA runner-up, 23, was a college sophomore in Virginia when a group of male acquaintances at a party allegedly drugged her wine glass, as well as the drinks of two of her friends. The next thing Miller-Keyes knew, I woke up the next morning and I was completely naked in my bed and I knew that something bad had happened, she says. A girlfriend at the get-together, who had not been drugged, alleged that one of the men had had sex with her while she was lying unconscious in the bed. In addition, before the alleged assault, Miller-Keyes says that a friend alleged that another guy, I was passed out on a couch from the drugs, and in front of his fraternity brothers lifted up my dress, they watched and laughed and took photos and Snapchats. It was horrible, she told Underwood on The Bachelor. RELATED: Bachelor Recap: Pageant Rivals Caelynn and Hannah B. Turn on Each Other, Leaving Colton Confused These situations happen when youre safe, she tells PEOPLE. They dont necessarily happen when youre walking down a dark alley. Its when youre comfortable and when you let your guard down. Miller-Keyes went to a hospital but was initially turned away. They told me they wouldnt do a rape kit unless I filed a police report, she says. At that point, these were friends of mine and I wasnt entirely sure what had happened, so I wasnt positive I wanted to file a police report. But later that night, I did, once I figured out what had really happened. Story continues She continues: The reporting process is a lot more difficult than people realize. I had no idea what to do. I was completely stranded, I was completely alone. I didnt even think it was possible to be turned away from a hospital. Thankfully, I had a good support system and people went to a second hospital with me and I was able to get a rape kit and speak to authorities and go through that process. But its a lot more difficult than it seems. She points to Law & Order: Special Victim Unit, NBCs popular procedural about sex crimes. If you watch SVU on television, it looks so easy, but its not. It takes time, and it takes a lot of nos, and hopefully eventually you can get justice. Sadly, by the second hospital, so much time had passed, the results were inconclusive. As a partial result, only one of the men was expelled from school; the others were not punished. Even though they got away with it, Im happy that I still fought, Miller-Keyes says. I can live with myself and know that at least I tried and I pushed and I went after justice. After the attack, I took the approach of hiding out, she says. It weakens you. It really does. It was the darkest time in my life. Eventually, Miller-Keyes summoned the courage to move forward. To allow that weakness to consume you, it will, she says. So, I decided to change that and channel it into strength. It took me about two years to be able to speak about it. It was a long journey. Despite the fact that Miller-Keyes knew her assailants, she wont reveal their names and says shes forgiven them for the trauma they put her through. Ive detached myself in a way from the perpetrators because I felt like that was the healthiest thing to do. I dont want to have to keep reliving it. I was able to forgive the men. And once youre able to do that, youre able to take that power back. I hope theyve learned from that experience and that they never do it again. Caelynn Miller-Keyes and Colton Underwood Miller-Keyes says deciding when to open up to Underwood was a heavy decision. Its always a tough conversation, she says. In some ways it feels like it was a past life, and in situations like this where Im having to relive it, it feels like it was yesterday. Still, she says Underwoods openness made her comfortable to share her story. As soon as I met Colton, there was this immediate connection and safeness that he created. I truly have never felt so safe and so comfortable in a relationship, she says. I knew that if it progressed and if my feelings continued to progress, its something that he would need to know about. Its an important part of a relationship. He is such a genuine loving and kind person, and I felt that. And thats why I was able to open up in that way. I was really grateful how he handled it. Miller-Keyes is also grateful for the Bachelor crew for respecting her space during the date. The cameras were all kind of pushed back, she says. I couldnt see them. It was just Colton and me. And that was so important. It allowed for that safe space that is so necessary. I felt very comfortable. Now, Miller-Keyes is ready for her story to be heard, and to continue to try to help other women, and men, in the same situation. My focus is on survivors, she says. I want to help other people who are hiding out and feel like their voices are restricted. I really am so much stronger now, in so many ways. The Bachelor airs Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Ambassador Kumar Tuhin joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1991. He assumed charge as Indias Ambassador to Hungary from November 19, 2018. Before arriving in Hungary, he was Indias High Commissioner to Namibia from 2015-2018. Ambassador Kumar Tuhin started his career in the Indian Mission in Hong Kong in 1993, where he served till 1995. Subsequently, he moved to the Indian Embassy in Beijing where he worked as a political officer from 1995 to 1999. Thereafter, he has served in Indias Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva (1999-2002), in the Indian Embassy in Hanoi (2005-2009) and as Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of India in San Francisco (2009-2012). He has also served in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi in various capacities including as Deputy Secretary/Director dealing with China and East Asia matters during 2002-2005. During 2012-2015, he headed the Development Partnership Administration Division in the Ministry dealing with the entire capacity building programs of the Govt of India, including the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme as well as implementation of grant assistance projects in South East Asia, Middle East, Central Asia, Latin America and setting up of Centres of Excellence in IT and the Vocational Training Centres abroad. Ambassador Kumar Tuhin is a mechanical engineer by training and served in the Indian railways services of mechanical engineers for a few years before joining the Indian Foreign Service. Ambassador Kumar Tuhin speaks Hindi (Mother Tongue), English, Chinese and French (limited). He studied Chinese language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong during 1993-1995. He has also attended a leadership programme at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defence University in Washington DC. He has published an article entitled Indias development cooperation through capacity building in a book Indias Approach to Development Cooperation by Routledge, 2016 Kumar Tuhin is married and he has two daughters. 1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here? I reached Hungary on November 19, 2018. Of course, it was a decision of my government to send me here to represent India. 2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere? I consider myself privileged to have served in so many wonderful countries before. I started my career in Hong Kong, and thereafter served in Indian Missions in Beijing, Geneva, Hanoi, San Francisco and Windhoek. Working in embassies is unique since you lead the life of an expatriate while still working in your country! 3. What surprised you most about Hungary? That there is a Hungarian law on names and that you can choose a name only from an approved list. 4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do? Must see the Parliament and the Crown of St Stephens. Must take a dip in one of the spectacular thermal baths here. 5. What is your favourite Hungarian food? Paprikas csirke followed by a Hungarian dessert. 6. What is never missing from your refrigerator? Chaat Masala - the evergreen Indian spice mix to enliven any dish. 7. What is your favourite Hungarian word? Akkor kesobb talalkozunk. The smile that I see on the faces of my Hungarian friends when I say that..... 8. What do you miss the most from home? Indian festivals. It is then that it hits me that I am not in India. 9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue? There is nothing that comes even distant second to my current job. But if I must choose something else, I will settle for photography. It will be fun to play with colours and shapes. 10. What's a job you would definitely never want? Accountant, I would rather spend money myself than keep track of someone elses expenditure. 11. Where did you spend your last vacation? Namibia. The pristine wilderness of that country was mesmerising. Etosha, Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbour, and so many more. 12. Where do you hope to spend your next one? Somewhere in Latin America or Australia, as I have never been on those continents yet. 13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen? I used to play a percussion instrument in my school band. We used to play for hours losing track of time and the world outside. 14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist? Indian Mangoes. What would this life be without those magnificent creations of Mother Nature. 15. Red wine or white? Neither. Still water at room temperature, with a dash of lime if possible. 16. Book or movie? Generally speaking, books. You can imagine your own movie with a book. But some movies with fantastic special effects are just spellbinding. 17. Morning person or night person? Increasingly trying to become a morning person. 18. Buda side or Pest side? Buda side. I live there, hence. 19. What would you say is your personal motto? The verse from Bhagvad Gita, which says that one should continue doing his or her duty without being worried about getting the results. The Hungarian French Institute will host the 9th Francophone Month, a month-long cultural event dedicated to French art, in March, organisers told public news channel M1 on Monday. The event will be kicked off with a Francophone Film Week between February 27 and March 8, featuring 19 films from seven countries, Zoltan Uzsak of the institute said. The film week will be opened with Swim or Sink, a feature film that attracted four million viewers in France last year. The films will be screened in three cinemas in Budapest and then in twelve ones in other Hungarian cities, he said. Partner cinemas in Budapest: Corvin Cinema, Puskin Cinema, Toldi Cinema. French, Belgian, Canadian, Moroccan, Swiss, Romanian and Tunisian movies are also featured in this years Film Days program. This year, a number of French directors and actors can meet the Hungarian audience at the festival: Catherine Deneuve, Guillaume Canet, Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris, Omar Sy, Isabelle Adjani, Vincent Cassel just a few of the biggest names in this years selection. Other events will include shows of French performers, exhibitions and lectures, Uzsak said. Source: Daily News Hungary, MTI/Hungarian French Institute The establishment of the International Investment Banks headquarters in Budapest was the main topic of discussions between Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Nikolay Kosov, the IIBs President, at the prime ministers offices in Budapest. Kosov briefed Orban about the banks activities and future plans, the PMs chief communications officer, Bertalan Havasi, told MTI. He noted that IIB member states unanimously voted to relocate the banks headquarters to Hungary and authorised the bank to sign the relevant accord at a board meeting last December. The establishment of the headquarters in Hungary will strengthen Budapest as a financial centre, he said, adding that currently there are five supranational development banks in the European Union, but none are based in the central European region. The IIBs move to Budapest can be seen as a significant step forward, Havasi said. MTI Photo: Szecsodi Balazs A pro-government analyst points out that tax revenues are increasing fast, which he attributes to the governments economic policy, and most importantly, to tax cuts. In Figyelo, Daniel Deak points out that tax revenues have been on the increase despite the governments tax cuts. In 2018, the state collected 720 billion Forints more in taxes than a year before. All this shows that the government could successfully boost revenue through tax cuts, more efficient public spending and cutting down tax evasion, Deak writes. He concludes by suggesting that if the Left gets back to power, they will introduce tax hikes and austerity again, as they did before 2010. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story President Moon Jae-in pays his last respects to the late former sex slavery victim Kim Bok-dong at her memorial altar set up at Yonsei Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Tuesday. She dedicated herself to seeking a sincere apology from Japan for its wartime atrocities and advocating for women's human rights. / Korea Times photo by Ryu Hyo-jin Funeral procession to pass by Japanese embassy By Kim Jae-heun Kim Bok-dong, a victim of wartime sexual slavery who dedicated her life to testifying against the brutality of Japanese imperialism before and during World War II, and advocating human rights, passed away Monday. She was 93. According to the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance, an organization that represents the victims including Kim, her time of death was 10:41 p.m., Monday, at Yonsei Severance Hospital in Seoul. Her death left the number of surviving victims of sex slavery at 23. "Kim expressed her anger toward the Japanese government until the last, saying how could it have acted as it did," said Yoon Mi-hyang, head of the council, delivering her last words. According to Yoon, Kim had consistently demanded a sincere apology from Japan for its wartime atrocities. "However, when she passed away, she had a peaceful look on her face and greeted all the activists before she left us," Yoon said. Kim also asked the activists to keep supporting schools for ethnic Koreans in Japan, according to Yoon. She donated money for ethnic Korean children in Japan as well as to charities, and only had 1.6 million won left when she died, Yoon said. Kim was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2017 and underwent several operations and different treatments, but the cancer spread to other organs. Kim was the fourth of a family of six girls, and was only 14 when Japanese soldiers took her to a frontline brothel in 1940. The soldiers first told her she would be sent to a military uniform factory in Japan, but later threatened that they would evict her family from their village if she didn't go with them. Kim was forced to have sex with Japanese soldiers in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, before being returned home in 1947. After the sexual slavery issue was first made public in 1991 by another victim Kim Hak-soon, Kim Bok-dong revealed her story to the world in 1992. Since then she has testified about her experiences at various occasions overseas including the United Nations Human Rights Council in 1993. She also met up with other victims and civic groups in the United States, Japan and Europe afterward. In 2012, Kim launched the Butterfly Fund with another ex-comfort woman Gil Won-ok to support wartime rape victims across the world. While fighting cancer last September, she went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building to protest an agreement the previous Park Geun-hye administration had reached with Japan to put an end to wartime sex slavery issues in return for 1 billion yen to compensate the survivors. A memorial altar was set up at the Severance Hospital, and Kim's funeral is scheduled for Friday. Her funeral procession will pass by the Japanese Embassy, where she and other victims have held their weekly Wednesday Rally since 1992 calling for a sincere apology from Tokyo and compensation for the victims. Many people expressed their condolences, from politicians and activists to citizens President Moon Jae-in paid his respects at the memorial altar Tuesday. Before the visit, he wrote on Facebook that she did not remain a victim but led the activities to reveal hidden history. "You dedicated yourself to helping people regain human dignity," he said. "I'll fulfill my duty for the 23 surviving victims." On the 100th anniversary of the death of one of Hungarys greatest poets, a left-liberal columnist and a pro-government commentator trade accusations that the opposite side is fraudulently recruiting Endre Ady to their own camp. Although last October, Magyar Idok published an article by a right-wing literary historian depicting Ady as a party hack of freemasons and radicals, on the centenary of Adys death the government-controlled public media dedicated several of its channels on Sunday to Adys poetry, while Magyar Idok published a eulogy on the heritage of Ady. In Nepszava, Miklos Hargitay finds it revolting that the government side should celebrate Ady. As he sees it, the poet was a staunch opponent of anti-western attitudes and harshly opposed the conservative governments of the early 20thcentury. He was a personal foe of Prime Minister Istvan Tisza, who is now celebrated by the right-wing government, he remarks. He then quotes thirty lines from an article by Ady against nationalism to prove that attempts by the government side to appropriate the great poets legacy are unwarranted. Both PM Orban and Ady cannot be simultaneously right, Hargitay writes and ends his column exclaiming Either Orban, or Ady we must choose. In Magyar Idok, Vilmos Ircsik describes Adys heritage as highly contradictory, and accuses left-liberals of selecting just one side of that legacy to grant themselves legitimacy. On the one hand, he writes, Ady did oppose most successive conservative governments, but he supported the one most fiercely criticized by the opposition because it promised to introduce universal suffrage. The pro-government author also quotes one of Adys last political remarks before he was hit by a fatal stroke: reacting to former Prime Minister Istvan Tiszas assassination, Ady wrote Its horrible! Were done for! The nationalism he condemned, Ircsik continues, was the variety which was hostile to other nations, but otherwise Ady was a fervent patriot, besides being also a seeker after God neither of which qualities, Ircsik remarks, are shared by Hungarys globalist left-liberals. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story MTI Photo: Monus Marton remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. About half of Americans are very concerned about the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons. Yonhap Around half of Americans are very concerned about the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons, a new poll showed Monday as the two nations gear up for another summit aimed at removing that danger. According to the poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 52 percent of those surveyed said they are "very" or "extremely" concerned that North Korea's nuclear program poses a direct threat to the United States. Another 32 percent said they are "moderately" concerned, while 15 percent said they are not very concerned or not concerned at all. The survey was conducted on 1,062 adults from Jan. 16-20 as a senior North Korean official was in Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over the countries' next summit. The White House said after the meetings that Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will hold a second summit near the end of February at a location to be announced in the future. At their first summit, in Singapore in June 2018, Trump and Kim agreed to work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in exchange for security guarantees for Pyongyang. The historic first-ever meeting between leaders of the Korean War foes came after months of heightened tensions over North Korea's sixth nuclear test and multiple tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2017. Trump and Kim also exchanged threats and personal insults. The survey had a margin of error of 4.1 percentage points. (Yonhap) Jake Jarvis can be reached by phone at 304-935-0144, on Twitter at @JakeJarvisWV or by email at jjarvis@statejournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 0 U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va is a member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Business Editor Conor Griffith can be reached by at 304-395-3168 or by email at cgriffith@statejournal.com Morgantown, WV (26505) Today Thunderstorms during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. By Jhoo Dong-chan Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is expected to face punitive measures soon as the financial regulator will start reviewing book rigging cases involving the company today, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) said, Tuesday. The deliberation came after the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) investigated the companies for suspected accounting fraud and decided to levy a large amount of fines. The FSC said it will hold a deliberation committee meeting today to discuss the matter. Industry sources said the FSS already notified the firm about heavy penalties, including hefty fines and placing an external auditor, but an FSS official neither confirmed nor denied it. "I understand discussion about the matter is still underway," the FSS official said. "We will announce punitive measures for KAI after the FSC's decision." Korea Aerospace Industries CEO Kim Jo-won In October 2017, KAI was found to have fabricated its production costs and factory prices between 2013 and 2017. During the period, the nation's sole aerospace firm allegedly falsified its sales performance. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said it inflated its sales to 535.8 billion won with a 46.5 billion won net profit for the five-year period. The Seoul Central District Court also issued an arrest warrant for former KAI head Ha Seong-yong on charges of accounting fraud, breach of trust and embezzlement. KAI has persistently denied the prosecution's investigation result, claiming the firm had only used a different set of accounting standards. It said the firm's accounting methods had been based on payment inflow and outflow with its clients and subcontractors between 2013 and 2017. Since the prosecution started investigating the firm for accounting fraud in 2017, KAI changed its accounting methods based on business completion progress. "The discussion is still underway, but it needs to be looked into intentionality," said a major account firm partner accountant who asked not to be named. "KAI, in fact, depreciated its five-year operating profits. Normally, firms appreciate their earnings when they cook their accounting books. It's not usual. So, the case needs to be studied further." KT&G case Thank you for Reading. As a community service, our obituaries are always free to view. In order to better know our audience, we ask that you register to continuing viewing. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. The Korean government plans to provide more incentives to foreign companies operating in the country. gettyimagesbank South Korea's industry ministry said Tuesday it plans to provide more incentives to overseas companies operating in the country and induce them to carry out more foreign direct investment (FDI). The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Energy, which hosted meetings with officials from foreign companies here, said it is seeking FDI projects that utilize advanced technologies and maximize value creation. The government said it wishes to connect such investment to state-run projects to bolster the country's manufacturing capabilities and revitalize regional economies. South Korea's strong network of free-trade agreements, and its achievements in the field of chemical, material, and machinery industries make the country attractive to foreign firms, the ministry added. Based on such advantages, the ministry said it wishes to host research and development centers for new industries with foreign companies. The ministry said South Korea is especially interested in self-driving automobiles, health care, smart homes, energy efficiency solutions and hydrogen energy technologies. The government said it will allocate 50 billion won (US$44.6 million) to support foreign companies with state-of-the-art technologies and contribute to the creation of jobs in the country. The amount is higher than the 6 billion won set aside in 2018. Foreign companies will also face lower barriers when making investments in regions that critically call for investments from companies. The ministry said it will make efforts to allow foreign companies to set up operations in the local market without facing hurdles due to excessive regulatory complications or lack of rules. Foreign companies have generally expressed concerns over the lack of English-based guidelines, along with obstacles in various materials and resources. The gap between international and local standardizations was also cited as some of the challenges facing foreign firms. The government claimed it will make efforts to solve such issues, and requested that companies continue to make investments here, and invite other overseas firms to launch businesses here. (Yonhap) HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) Two people have died in a two-vehicle wreck involving a sheriff's deputy in Mississippi. Hattiesburg Police Department spokesman Ryan Moore says wreck happened Saturday at an intersection in the town. A Forrest County sheriff's deputy was taken to a hospital with injuries that appeared to be minor. Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict told news outlets Monday that those killed were 66-year-old Charlie Epting Sr. and 80-year-old Annie Everette, both of Hattiesburg. Sheriff's Investigators Phillip Hendricks said the deputy was on duty but was not involved in a chase or emergency when the two vehicles collided. The Mississippi Highway Patrol is helping in the investigation. WASHINGTON, Ind. (WTHI) - Five Washington, Indiana residents are behind bars facing numerous drug charges. They were arrested after the Washington Police Department and a DEA Task Force executed a series of search warrants on Monday morning. While serving the warrants, police said they found four pounds of marijuana, a handgun, almost 200 Alprazolam pills, paraphernalia, and over $7,000 in cash. Police arrested 23-year-old Ethan Emmons, 23-year-old Elizabeth Myers, 24-year-old Jonathan Garcia, 23-year-old Heather Garcia, and 22-year-old Tyeesha Jones. All of them are facing various drug-related charges. Others were arrested, but they did not appear to be local. BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - A local teacher's aide told police she made a mistake after exchanging pictures with a student. The Clay County Prosecutor's Office said it is filing charges against Molly Lumsdon. News 10 started asking authorities about this case a few weeks ago. On Monday, the chief deputy prosecutor said he reviewed the case and is charging it. According to a police report, the investigation started last September. That's when students reported a teacher's aide had sent nude photos of herself to a student. The 17-year-old student told police Lumsdon sent him a photo of her bare chest. Lumsdon told investigators the student said he was 18. She said they showed each other pictures of themselves. The Clay Community School Corporation lists Lumsdon as an instructional assistant for special services. Police asked why Lumsdon didn't tell anyone about getting pictures of a minor. According to the report, she said she erased them and thought she wouldn't have to deal with it. The 17-year-old student told police Lumsdon told him not to say anything about what happened. Police said they obtained a search warrant for Lumsdon's phone. Officers said they found several lewd photos, but no messages between her and the student. News 10 has reached out to the Clay Community School Corporation. We left a message after hours for the superintendent. Tuesday morning, News 10 recieved the following press release. "On September 17, 2018, the Northview High School (NHS) Administration was informed that Molly Lumsdon, a NHS instructional assistant, had sent inappropriate pictures to a NHS student. The administration immediately contacted the Department of Child Services and the Clay County Sheriff's Department. Mrs. Lumsdon was escorted from the school building and informed that she was placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation. After an internal investigation was conducted by the CCS Administration, Mrs. Lumsdon was terminated from her employment with Clay Community Schools on September 19, 2018." - Jeffery D. Fritz, CCS Superintendent We are continuing to follow this developing story and will bring you more information as soon as it becomes available. Some 69,000 people participated in the eleventh weekly protest of yellow vests in France, according to the Interior Ministry. Demonstrators told the World Socialist Web Site that they rejected French President Emmanuel Macrons proposed great national debate and hailed workers struggles against social inequality around the world. Discussions with the yellow vests revealed great interest in finding a way to mobilize broader opposition to Macron and the banks. The major provincial cities saw large protestsparticularly Toulouse and Bordeaux, where the turnout was 10,000 and 6,000, respectively. Clashes with police led to numerous arrests in these cities. There were also confrontations with police in Dijon, Montpellier, Avignon, Nantes, Lyon and Evreux, where two cars were torched and the French central bank building was attacked, according to the police prefecture. For the first time since the beginning of the protests, all of the yellow vests in Marseille marched together, calling for unification of the struggle. Some 4,000 people demonstrated there. Protesters in Marseille intervened to rescue a tourist couple with a baby carriage who were standing nearby and were suddenly attacked with tear gas by the police. Ilyes, who was at the scene, told Sputnik News: We weremarching near the Old Port, singing. Everyone was in good spirits. The riot police were positioned right and left around the protest, across the road from it. Everything was under control when a policeman threw a grenade for no reason. Clashes took place throughout the afternoon. In total, 300 people were arrested across France, including 66 in Paris. There, police claimed that 4,000 people demonstrated. Several marches were plannedone cleared with the police between the Champs-Elysees and Bastille Square, another from Nation Square to Bastille Square, and finally a march in solidarity with yellow vests from faraway territories, going from the Overseas Territory Ministry to Facebooks Paris headquarters. For the first time since the beginning of the protests, the yellow vests called for meetings on Republic Square to continue the protests with a yellow night. Police broke up the event, firing volleys of tear gas. Earlier that afternoon, Jerome Rodrigues, an associate of yellow vest spokesman Eric Drouet who had called one of the protests, was seriously wounded in the eye when a police grenade exploded less than five meters from where he was standing. He was carried away for an emergency operation. In Paris, the WSWS spoke to Quyn, a waitress protesting for social, tax and economic justice in our country, because Macron is favoring the rich, not the poor, the retirees, the handicapped. She added, We are demanding Macrons resignation. Quyn praised the development of international opposition to social inequality and authoritarianism: This movement is developing across the worldfor example, in Burkina Faso there are the red vests; in Belgium, Germany and Canada, sort of everywhere. I think this movement will continue in various forms. It motivates everyone to wake up and struggle against the dictatorships of the major powers that control our epoch. I hope that everyone across the world will wake up. On the Oxfam report pointing to rising social inequality around the world, Quyn said: It is scandalous that small minorities own a majority of the wealth. The economic, social and tax system must make all these CEOs pay where they live, to share the wealth and spread it to workers so they can have a decent salary to live on. She stressed that she supported all the movements against the enslavement of the people, all those who are rising up like the yellow vests against free market capitalism and the oligarchy of the transnational corporations. She continued: We need to rise up nowfor everyone to be aware that we have enough energy to produce enough to give people a different life. We have all that, but because the governments and the leaders hide what we have, we do not have enough to live, but in fact everything belongs to the people, to all the peoples. It is up to them to win this struggle. WSWS reporters also interviewed Rudis, who had traveled from Limoges and works in industrial maintenance: We want a better distribution of wealth, he said, very simply that something be distributed to those who need it. It would be good to change the entire world. Those who are here are nurses, retirees, everyone basically. On the great national debate, Rudis was unambiguously hostile: Its just talk. We arent free to go there, we cant say what we want Anyway, its been many years that it has all just been talk. Rudis called for unifying workers of all countries in struggle against the European Union and austerity. That would be a good idea, he said, a way of rebuilding Europe along lines we have chosen, between the European populations, the European and even world population. If we can, this would be ideal because its not just us. Africa and everyone are suffering. We are in a country that one can say doesnt have so much to complain about, but it would be good for everyone to be able to stand proudly, stop the plundering of Africa and all of that. On the role of the unions and their positions on the yellow vests, Rudis said: The unions are disguised politicians. They make agreements just for their own interests. I work in a factory with 50 workers but two unions. And they dont give a shit about us. The union bureaucrats can sit pretty in the factories. The WSWS also spoke to Stephane, who called for the setting up of citizen-initiated referendums, which will allow the French people to decide on certain questions, propose or abrogate laws hostile to the interests of the people, or even recall an elected official if he acts against the interests of the people. He continued: There are different popular assemblies in various areas of France that are interesting, where people are debating, learning or politically being awakened, because we have been held out of politics for a long time. Stephane stressed that workers will get nothing from the great national debate offered by Macron: Mr. Macrons national debate does not concern the yellow vests. Its a national debate to promote himself. The European elections are coming soon. It is PR. Stephane told the WSWS that he opposes the attempts to put together a yellow vest electoral list for the European elections: Now weve seen that there are some yellow vests trying to get together to advance an electoral list for the European elections. The vast majority of the yellow vests is totally against that We are not partisan, because the yellow vests are a movement representing the people. Latin America Service workers protest strike against the University of Sao Paulo Thirteen thousand service workers who have yet to receive pay for the month of December 2018 are on strike against several campuses of the University of Sao Paulo. Strikers expect other campuses to join the walkout. Management has promised to make up for the lost wages in two payments, in February and May, contingent on the availability of resources. Dissident workers claim that the University is being starved of funds as a step toward its privatization. Brazilian Ford workers strike over layoffs Auto workers at the Taubate Ford plant walked out of the plant last Tuesday in response to the companys layoff of 12 workers. The decision po strike was made in a mass assembly of workers at the plant, last Monday, January 21. The Ford Plant in Taubate produces engines and transmissions and employs 1,300 workers in two shifts. Management claims these layoffs were necessary to adjust for a drop in overseas sales, indicating that more sackings would be forthcoming. The company rescinded the layoffs on Thursday, and the workers returned to work under orders from the Metal Workers Union of Taubate (Sindmetau). However, the timing of the job cuts appears to be a clear provocation and pressure tactic by Ford to obtain concessions from Sindmetau, with which it is in contract negotiations. Negotiations are expected to conclude by mid-February. Mexican teachers in fight over non-payment of wages Teachers in Mexicos Michoacan state are on the third week of the strike over non-payment of wages owed to them. The strikers have combined mass mobilizations with the blocking or rail lines. Despite assurances by state Governor Silvano Aureoles that at least part of the money is on its way, part of an advance of federal funds to the state, the teachers point out that the state has yet to deposit in their accounts their December end-of-year bonus and their wages for the first two-weeks of January. In his weekly Monday press conference, Mexican President Manuel Lopez Obrador denounced the teachers and called on them to end their capricious job action and to end the blockades. He called on public opinion to pressure teachers to return to work. At the same time, he declared that the resolution of the strike had nothing to do with him, since the money is not in the hands of the Michoacan government. Lopez Obrador indicated that a billion pesos (53 million US dollars) was sent to Michoacan, a sum that the CNTE union that represents the teachers declares is woefully short of the teachers demands. The union accuses the state of lack of transparency on how funds are dispersed and demands that the public have access to how the money is allotted. The United States Oklahoma state legislator proposes draconian bill aimed against teacher strikes A member of the Oklahoma state House of Representatives has put forward a bill that would dock teachers wages and revoke their teaching certificates for life should they engage in another similar protest like the nine-day protest in March of 2018. House Bill 2214 would make it illegal to strike or threaten to strike or otherwise close schools or interfere with school operations as a means of resolving differences. The bills author, Republican Todd Russ, sees the bill as closing a loophole that technically allowed teachers to skirt Oklahomas ban on striking. Instead of striking, teachers informed administrators they would be absent, with the result that schools had to be closed by district officials due to insufficient staff. Russ, who is chairman of the House Banking and Financial Services Committee and also serves on the Appropriations and Budget Committee, mentioned the air traffic controllers as an example of how his bill would curb any job actions by teachers. When PATCO, the union representing air traffic controllers, went on strike in 1981, then-President Ronald Reagan fired 11,500 controllers, decertified their union and imposed a lifetime ban barring them from working for the Federal Aviation Administration in their former capacity. California agribusiness firm rescinds wage cut after four-day strike by farm workers Farm workers at The Wonderful Company in the Californias San Joaquin Valley ended their four-day strike and returned to work January 15 after labor contractors agreed to rescind a pay cut. The 1,800 workers launched their walkout when Wonderful cut the piecemeal pay rate of $53 for filling a bin of fruit to $48. According to the United Farm Workers union, the cut translated into a $1-$2 an hour pay cut. Stewart Resnick, the billionaire chairman and president of The Wonderful Company, which is the largest orchard fruit company in the world, had just announced it would pay its workers $15 an hour before the strike broke out. Our dedicated and hard-working employees are our greatest asset, and the reason for our tremendous success as a company, said Resnick. This move firmly positions The Wonderful Company as the employer of choice in Californias Central Valley, and we encourage others in the agriculture industry to follow our lead. The $15 an hour wagea miserly wage given the high cost of living in Californiaonly applied to the 2,000 workers directly hired by Wonderful and did not apply to the 1,800 striking workers who are technically employed by notorious labor contractors who super-exploit farm workers. Resnick is well known in California politics for backing both Democratic and Republican politicians who do his bidding. He is notorious for his profiting by buying water from the government and then jacking up the price and selling it back to the public. Canada Manitoba support service workers vote to strike Workers at Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) Personal Care Home (PCH) in northern Manitoba voted last week in favor of strike action in their fight to win wage parity with other rural care homes in the province. Their union, the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU), has been without a contract since March of last year and has appealed to both federal and provincial governments to increase funding to adequate levels. Currently workers at the long-term care home make 14 percent less than their counterparts in Manitoba but First Nations PCHs across the north are notoriously underfunded. Workers at the NCN Personal Care Home went on strike for the same demands in 2016 but returned to work without gaining wage parity. Several thousand public school teachers and support staff protested outside of Virginias State Assembly building in Richmond Monday to demand improved pay and school funding. Virginia teachers are the latest group of educators to stage walkouts and protests against the bipartisan assault on teachers and public education. According to the Washington Post, school districts in Arlington, Prince William and Henrico counties as well as the city of Richmond were forced to call last minute school closures due to the number of teachers calling off of work and effectively carrying out a one-day strike Monday. As in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona, strikes by teachers and other public employees are illegal in the state of Virginia. The protests in Richmond take place less than a week after the unions shut down the six-day strike by 33,000 teachers in Los Angeles, the second largest school district in the US. In Denver, the unions called off a planned strike on Monday in Denver after school officials appealed to Colorados Democratic Governor Jared Polis to intervene. Teachers are threatening to strike in Oakland, Sacramento and other California cities. Internationally, 700,000 teachers and government workers continue to strike in Tamil Nadu, India, while in France educators are joining Red Pen protests in support of the ongoing Yellow Vests protests. Teachers in Virginia were keenly aware that their struggle and demonstration was an expression of this ongoing class movement of workers, which began in earnest in 2018 with the mass walkouts of West Virginia teachers in the state directly next to them. Get capitalism out of public education! said one teacher to the World Socialist Web Site Teacher Newsletter. WSWS supporters distributed a statement calling on teachers to form rank-and-file school and workplace committees to take the struggle for public education out of the hands of the corporatist trade unions. Langa, a teacher from Chesapeake, said he heard about the strike of 70,000 maquiladora workers in Matamoros, Mexico, from reading the WSWS. I support Matamoros and what they are doing, he said. We are entering a new Gilded Age and it is not only coming to the United States but Mexico, too. These workers have to fight. Ana, a teacher from the southern Virginia city of Danville, said her main concern was the quality of education for students. I want smaller class sizes and the district to be rid of SOLs (standardized testing), which she explained serve as a business model for the state to control funding stipulations and phase out teachers. Janette also explained that the stress of teaching led to co-workers quitting, which hurts kids too, children need stability. Sandra, a college freshman and West Virginia resident who came to support Virginia teachers, told the WSWS she wished more teachers were able to protest freely, the solution lies here. Striking educators in West Virginia, who initiated the strike in opposition to the unions, were sent back to work by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and their state affiliates without achieving any of their key demands for school funding and health benefits. Teachers shouldnt have stopped and settled for less, Sandra said. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is a Democrat and the party has controlled the governorship in the state for 12 of the last 16 years. Since the 2008 financial recession, successive Virginia state governments have cut over $1 billion from public schools. Over 1,000 such positions stood vacant statewide in the 20162017 school year. Despite the state of Virginia having the 12th largest state economy in the country, teachers are paid $8,000 less than the average national teachers salary, or 79 percent of the average private sector workers pay. The march was called by Virginia Educators United, which is closely aligned with the Virginia Education Association and its parent union, the National Education Association. Fresh from overseeing the sellout of the Los Angeles teachersforced to vote on a deal before getting enough time to read itAFT President Randi Weingarten and NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia were both on hand. They have spent much of the last year trying to prevent teacher walkouts from occurring simultaneously and coalescing into a broader national strike. At the rally on the state capitols lawn, union officials made patronizing statements about the bravery of teachers while seeking to politically bind them to Governor Northam and other state Democrats. Weve got a friend in the governors mansion, claimed Virginia Education Association President Jim Livingstone. He repeated the absurd slogan, remember in November, used by union officials to short-circuit the struggles of striking West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona teachers in 2018 during the midterm season. Northam, prior to serving as Virginia governor, was lieutenant governor in the Democratic administration of Terry McAuliffe, responsible for successive budget cuts for both K-12 and higher education during his four years in office. Livingstone and other speakers extolled the Republican-dominated state legislatures decision, announced during the march, which would provide for a minuscule 5 percent pay raise for Virginia educators. Such a gesture, which the conservative Richmond Times-Dispatch noted would represent the largest single-year raise for teachers in about 15 years, would hardly scrape the surface in addressing teachers declining real income and the crisis in Virginias public education system, bled dry after years of budget cuts. The real priorities of Northam and other state politicians were on display in a Sunday article published in the British Guardian. Titled Virginia students learn in trailers while state offers Amazon huge tax breaks, the publication notes that Northams proposed 5 percent pay increase for state educators, totaling $269 million, is dwarfed in comparison to the $750 million in tax breaks offered the web commerce giant for positioning its second headquarters in northern Virginia. Teachers who spoke to the WSWS also noted the favorable political treatment given to the defense industry and other corporate giants in the state. Janette told the WSWS Virginia is one of the leading states in the country for the school-to-prison pipeline. The money they put towards putting kids in jail here is ridiculous compared to the money they give to public education. Tia, a volunteer teachers aide, told reporters that politicians like Northam use education as a platform to get elected but once they get into office, they always fall short. They dont listen to their constituents, money goes into the private industry. Two days of top-level talks between US and Chinese representatives begin in Washington tomorrow that could determine whether the Trump administration goes ahead with increasing tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent after March 1. If it does, it will escalate the US trade war with China to new heights. The discussions, in which the key participants are US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and Chinas chief trade negotiator Vice Premier Liu He, take place amid signs that the two sides are no closer to any agreement on key US demands that China take action to halt its alleged theft of intellectual property and wind back its program for industrial and technological development. In television interviews last week, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross made clear the trade imbalance between the two countries was not the main US concern. The US is demanding that China scrap its program for future economic development by implementing so-called structural changes. Speaking to the business channel CNBC last Thursday, Ross said: Were miles away from getting a resolution. Trade is very complicated and there are lots and lots of issues. He said the issues were not just about additional Chinese purchases of US commodities such as soybeans and LNG but even more importantly, structural reforms that we think are needed in the Chinese economy. And then even more important than that, enforcement mechanisms and penalties for failure to adhere to whatever we agree to. In an interview with Bloomberg, Ross emphasised that the trade imbalance could be adjusted by the reallocation of Chinese imports to take more US goods, but the key issues were the structural changes identified in the report brought down last year by the office of the USTR, under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act which has formed the basis of US action against China. The US accuses China of carrying out forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft, and using market-distorting state subsidies to enhance its position in world markets. These practices are regarded by key sections of the US political, business and national security apparatus as posing an existential threat to American global economic and military dominance. China has countered that technology transfers are not forced, but form part of commercial deals by US companies to gain greater access to Chinese markets. It has said it is prepared to tighten laws against intellectual property theft. It has also indicated that it is willing to pull back somewhat on its Made in China program, at least as far as major state investments are concerned. But Beijing will not abandon its efforts to develop world class production of semi-conductors and other crucial technology, nor carry out major changes in the overall state control of the economy and financial system. As Ross and others have indicated, the sticking point in any agreement as far as the US is concerned will be enforcement and the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that China is complying with its demands. It will not regard changes in Chinese laws or the formal announcement of a shift in government policies as sufficient. The clear implication of the remarks by Ross is that the US will only accept an agreement under which it can monitor and intervene directly in the running of Chinese government policy and its legal system, to ensure that enforcement mechanisms are put in place. In other words, so far as its economic policies and their legal implications are concerned, China must assume the position of a subservient semi-colony in relation to the USa position which the Xi Jinping regime, or any other government, cannot possibly tolerate. Knowing that to be the case, the US is stepping up its economic war against China on all fronts, above all through what has been called the weaponisation of the criminal justice system. Yesterday, US prosecutors filed a series of criminal charges against the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, alleging that it committed bank fraud to evade sanctions against Iran imposed by the USthe basis for the detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canadaand that it had stolen trade secrets from the US firm T-Mobile. The broader context of the US moves against Huawei and its role in the development of 5G mobile phone technology, which will bring about a qualitative development in the internet, was set out in a major article published in the New York Times at the weekend. It recalled that in July 2018, the US initiated a major push against Huawei at a meeting of the Five Eyes intelligence networkthe US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealandat which it was decided to initiate joint action to prevent Huawei building new 5G networks in the West. According to the Times, the US position is that the world is engaged in a new arms raceone that involves technology rather than conventional weaponry, but poses just as much danger to Americas national security. In an age when the most powerful weapons, short of nuclear weapons are cyber-controlled, whichever country dominates 5G will gain an economic and military edge for much of this century. The conviction in the Trump White House it notedand it should be added throughout the US military and intelligence establishmentis that there must be a single winner in this arms race, and the loser must be banished. The article pointed to the preparation of an executive order being drafted by the administration effectively banning all US companies from using Chinese-origin equipment. This goes far beyond the existing bans covering government networks. The bans on Huawei are being initiated on the grounds that, as a Chinese company, it is subject to the dictates of the government and the Chinese militarya claim vigorously denied by the firm. Yesterday the Chinese ambassador to the European Union, Zhang Ming, denounced the slander and discrimination against Huawei and the attempt to fabricate a security story surrounding it and Chinese companies. As the Times article acknowledged: So far, the fear swirling around Huawei is almost entirely theoretical as current and former US officials whisper that classified reports implicate the company in possible Chinese espionage but have produced none publicly. As far back as 2010, the National Security Agency penetrated Huaweis headquarters to try to discover evidence that the company was secretly controlled by the Chinese military, but found none. The connection of the trade talks to the broader drive by the US to take all action it deems necessary to maintain its economic and military supremacy was underscored by Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton, in remarks to the Washington Times last Friday. President Trump has identified overcoming this economic problem as critical, not simply to right the balance economically, to make China play by the rules everybody else plays by, but to prevent an imbalance in political/military power in the future as well. The two aspects are very closely tied together in his mind, Bolton said. Playing by the rulesthe foundation of the administrations position to be advanced at tomorrows trade talksmeans essentially that China must accept the economic supremacy of the US, abandon its program for industrial and technological development and assume the position of an economic semi-colony. Striking taxi drivers in Barcelona last Thursday voted narrowly to accept the new decree proposed by the regional Catalan government to establish stricter regulations for VTC (vehicle for hire) licenses. These are used by ride-hailing companies Uber and Cabify to operate in Spain. Taxi drivers in the Spanish capital, Madrid, have continued striking. Barcelona drivers voted to end their strike by 2,508 to 2,177. They lifted their blockade of the central Gran Via boulevard, after creating major disruptions in the citys traffic during the six-day strike. The strike was joined by taxi drivers in Madrid last Monday and later spread to various Catalan municipalities, including Mataro, Sabadell and Terrassa. Riot police forcibly removed drivers blocking the Castellana Avenue, in Madrids central north-south axis. On Wednesday, at least 11 people were injured as striking drivers clashed with riot police on the M-40 motorway. Protesters burnt tires and garbage containers, as well as blocking access roads around the location where Spains leading tourist fair, Fitur, was being held. One protester was arrested. In total over 26,000 drivers, operating 15,723 taxis, had stopped working and blocked traffic in Spains two largest cities. Many wore yellow vests to emulate those worn by protesters against the Macron government in France. In Spain there are around 67,089 taxi licenses. The drivers are concerned about unfair competition from the ride-hailing companies benefiting from low taxes, cheap labour, unregulated fairs and much cheaper operating licenses. Taxi drivers have demanded various forms of regulation in the sector for several years. The transnational Uber reported $2.45 billion profits in the first three months of 2018 on revenue of $11.33 billion. Cabify has received large investments by BBVA, Spains second largest bank. After nationwide strikes and blockades last July, the Socialist Party (PSOE) central government approved a legal decree giving regional and local governments the power to decide the number of VTC licenses issued within regional and city boundaries, dissipating the struggle by taxi drivers. These new rules gave the ride-hailing companies four years to keep operating before their current licenses are subject to invalidation. Moreover, Cabify and Uber have promised to appeal any limitations on their operations to the Supreme Court. Drivers saw through the bogus deal and continued their struggle. In Catalonia, the government responded by offering to restrict the booking of VTC services to at least 15 minutes prior to the desired collection time, with a clause leaving a further 45-minute extension up to the discretion of municipalities and the Barcelona mayors office. Striking drivers demanded this period be extended to between 12 and 24 hours. Uber and Cabify have threatened to leave the city, and destroy the jobs of close to 3,000 drivers, should the 45-minute extension be implemented. Their drivers staged a two-day strike against the proposal and blocked two lanes of Avenida Diagonal, slowing traffic on the main southwestern exit from the Catalan capital. On January 21, as taxi drivers approached the Catalan Parliament to voice their demands they were blocked by the regional police, the Mossos dEsquadra, resulting in a violent confrontation that left several of the protesters as well as police officers injured. The following day, Barcelona taxi association Elite called for the vote the next day on whether to continue the strike or accept the 15-minute limitation offered by the government. The vote was set for noon on Wednesday at an assembly on Placa Catalunya but was delayed until the late evening. As drivers waited to vote, some of them spoke to WSWS reporters. Many were immigrant workers, mostly from Pakistan and Colombia, but also from other Latin-American countries and Morocco. Hussein and Afzal are from Pakistan. They have one taxi and license between them and work in shifts. Hussein explained, Most of us, I would say 90 percent, are individuals who bought a license that cost about 150,000 and now every month we are paying back the loans. Weve lost about half the work we used to have. At this point we barely have enough to pay our loans. If more VTCs come we wont be able to make payments. Hussein took out a loan six months ago and said that he plans to pay it off in six years. He is worried about his falling income, because for him and his wife, it is a major investment. Many of his colleagues share his fears. If we lose the battle we wont be able to pay our loans and many will have our homes foreclosed. For others the debt will be transferred to their parents So thats why were hereto save our future. Hussein opposed the offer made by the Catalan government. We demanded 24 hours for booking-to-pickup time and they are giving us 15 minutes. Thats basically Uber and Cabify working as a taxi. Afjal added, They say that they leave open the possibility of the city of Barcelona extending this time up to an hour. But we know this wont happen because Uber and Cabify will take this to the courts. Every time weve made a deal it has been a trick. Asked about the role of the Socialist Party (PSOE)-led central government in Madrid and the separatist government in Barcelona regarding the VTC license issue, Hussein replied, I dont see any difference. The Catalan government is treating us the same, or worse! Thats why some people say that the politicians are bought and paid for by these multinational companies. Instead of acting in the interests of the workers here, they are depriving our children of food. Asked what they thought of workers joining across different industries, of immigrants joining native-born workers in Spain as part of a united struggle of the international working class, Hussein responded, I believe that the time has come for all working people to be united and fight against this slavery because if we dont try, if we dont fight, in the end we will all be slaves of the multinational corporations that have all the money. The way things are going, I think that there will be two types of people, the five or six rich people in the world and the rest of us slaves working for them. We wont be able to decide what we do in life. If we dont struggle, we will lose our independence, to those few who want to make slaves of everyone. People may criticize us today, but tomorrow everyone will be out on the streets, because when these multinationals start causing them the same problems as they are causing us, they will understand why we are fighting here. Oriol, a taxi driver of many years, appealed to other sections of the working class and especially young people for support: They want to eliminate the taxis because we are regulated and the VTCs are not. They want to replace us. Tomorrow this can happen to any sector, so we need their support. Juan and Ramon are veteran drivers. Juan expressed his frustration at the unfair competition between taxis and the VTCs. We work with the meter, always charging the same for the same work. They [Uber and Cabify] are able to change their rates according to demand. When theres low demand they lower their rates and take all our clients. When theres high demand they hike it up. Asked about the Catalan governments offer to enforce a 15-minute minimum pre-booking, Ramon said, The one responsible is not the [VTC] customer, or the driver, but rather the company that supports the bad practice and the government that doesnt hold the company responsible. Juan expressed his frustration with the explosion of VTC licenses. They do the same job as us but without the same obligations, which are many, he said. Keep in mind that many young drivers have barely enough to pay their mortgage, and they have to pay the loan they took out to pay their taxi license. Ramon spoke about the different strata in the taxi industry: One is the self-employed driver with no license who drives someone elses taxi, another is the one who has his own taxi, still another is the license owner that hires out his taxi to be driven by others and then there is the owner of many taxis. There are entrepreneurs that own up to a hundred taxi licenses and cars. This kind of person doesnt see things the way a driver with his own car does. We have different interests. A meeting of the Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee on Sunday passed the following resolution. The Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee vehemently condemns the agreement between the Ceylon Workers Congress, the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union, the United Plantation Trade Union Centre, the plantation companies and the government. By limiting increases to estate workers basic daily wage to only 200 rupees, the agreement abandons workers demands for a 500 rupee increase to 1,000 rupees per day. This is a betrayal of our long struggle. Workers do not know the contents of the agreement. It has been prepared in secret by the companies and the government, in discussion with the unions, without workers being consulted or provided any information. This agreement undoubtedly includes plans for speedups and other cuts to conditions, as have previous collective agreements signed by the unions. The estate companies are insisting on the implementation of a system akin to sharecropping, based on intensifying productivity and abolishing even the meagre social rights won by workers in past struggles. The Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee calls on our brothers and sisters in all estates to reject this agreement and unite in a struggle for decent wages and living conditions. The trade unions have once again demonstrated that they defend the profit interests of estate employers, not the rights and interests of the working class. We therefore call for the establishment of action committees independent of the unions, through democratic votes of workers, at all estates, factories and workplaces. Such action committees should organise the struggle for a decent wage, decent housing, free healthcare and proper education for all. The estate companies and the ruling elite will mobilise all of their forces against such a fight. We therefore propose that these action committees discuss an alternative political program, aimed at bringing a workers and peasants government to power to counter the reactionary policies of the bourgeoisie. The Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee believes that estate workers problems can only be achieved through the fight for a socialist program. In such a struggle, plantation workers can rally the support of other workers in Sri Lanka and from the international working class. Thousands of plantation workers in Sri Lankas Central Hills district held strikes and protests yesterday in opposition to a sellout wage deal signed by the trade unions and the plantation companies, with the backing of the national government. Plantation employees, who are one of the poorest sections of the Sri Lankan working class, have conducted a protracted struggle for a 100 percent daily wage increase. The union-brokered agreement mandates pay rises of just 40 percent. The collective agreement was signed at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes office on Monday by the Employers Federation of Ceylon (EFC), representing the plantation companies, and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) leader Arumugam Thondaman and Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union (LJEWU) secretary and state minister Suresh Vadivel. Around 1,000 angry workers from the Montifiore division of Abbotsleigh estate and from the Strathdon, Weli-Oya and Osborn estates walked-out in protest. They gathered in Hatton, the largest town in the Central Hills district, and blocked the Colombo-Hatton highway for several hours. The workers chanted slogans condemning the deal and denouncing union leaders. Workers from the Puliyawatta and Annfield estates near Hatton also went on strike. Employees at estates near Bogawantalwa held protests on Sunday and Monday. Hundreds of workers marched several kilometers to Haputale, a town in Badulla district, to show their opposition. P. Suntharalingam, the president of the Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee, participated in yesterdays Hatton rally. He told the WSWS: Workers must learn the lessons of this betrayal by the trade unions. Not only Thondaman and Vadivel Suresh, but also P. Digambaram, R. Radhakrishnan and Mano Ganeshan [leaders of the National Union of Workers (NUW), the Upcountry Peoples Front (UPF) and the Democratic Peoples Front (DPF)] are responsible for this sellout. This agreement was signed at the prime ministers office. This shows that the government organised this deal. Digambaram, Radhakrishnan and Mano Ganeshan are ministers in the government. All of the unions are supporting the companies and capitalist rule. Workers must break from the trade unions and form action committees in every estate to fight for our rights. The Abbotsleigh action committee was organised by workers after interventions by the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) during last months plantation workers strike. On Sunday, it passed a resolution calling for a rejection of the union agreement and the establishment of action committees at every estate. In discussions on Friday, three unions, the CWC, the LJEWU and the Joint Plantation Trade Union Centre (JPTUC) agreed to wage proposals made by the EFC, with the support of Wickremesinghes government. JPTUC leader Ramanathan praised the deal on Friday as the best possible. On Monday, in a bid to deflect anger among workers, he did not sign the agreement and made bogus criticisms of the fact that it abolishes attendance and productivity allowances. Under the agreement, the basic wage will be increased by 200 rupees to 700 rupees per day ($US3.86). A price share supplement allowance is being raised from 30 to 50 rupees. All together, a worker can only earn a gross wage of 750 rupees a day. Previously, workers who attended their plantation 24 days a month received a 140 rupee attendance allowance and were paid a 60 rupee productivity incentive. The unions have agreed to the scrapping of these two payments. Bonuses for extra kilograms plucked above targets set by estate management will rise from 25 to 40 rupees. This means that to earn more than 750 rupees, workers will be compelled to do even more back-breaking work than they already do. The government has also promised a cash bonanza to the companies, composed of an outright grant of 100 million rupees and a 50 million interest-free loan, supposedly so that they can pay arrears owed to workers since October. The unions, the government and the media have refused to make public all of the clauses contained in the agreement. Throughout last years dispute, the companies insisted that they were facing loses which jeopardised their ability to compete on the world market. The Planters Association has repeatedly demanded that the existing wage system be replaced by a revenue share scheme. Under this system, workers are each allocated a plot of land with around 1,000 tea bushes. The workers only receive income from the plot after company profits and expenses have been deducted. This is aimed at transforming workers into sharecroppers without a guaranteed wage or any rights. In several estates where the scheme was trialled, workers came to oppose it because they could not earn enough money to survive, even when their entire family was toiling on their plot. There is a real danger that the companies and the unions have included clauses in the new agreement enabling the introduction of the revenue share scheme. Even if it does not, the unions have cleared the way for further attacks. All of the unions are responsible for this betrayal. The NUW, the DPF and the UPF, while not direct parties to the agreement, have remained silent on it, signalling their support. They all played a key role in suppressing industrial and political action by plantation workers, in collaboration with the government and the major companies. Workers engaged in determined protests and strikes throughout the last three months of last year. In December, around 100,000 plantation workers launched an indefinite strike. President Maithripala Sirisena, fearful that the struggle would become the focal point of a movement of the working class against his government, made a bogus promise to solve the wage dispute. The unions, including the CWC, responded by calling off the strike and entering backroom discussions to organise a betrayal. The plantation workers struggle is a part of an upsurge of the international working class, including in South Asia. Earlier this month, up to 180 million Indian workers took part in a two-day strike. Around 700,000 teachers and government employees are engaged in an indefinite stoppage in the state of Tamil Nadu. In Bangladesh, thousands of garment workers have held determined protests in the face of police violence. These struggles around the world are increasingly emerging as a rebellion against the unions. The pseudo-left organisations in Sri Lanka, and internationally, are responding by promoting the fraud that workers can advance their interests through the corporatised unions and by placing pressure on governments and companies. The pseudo-left Frontline Socialist Party and the New Democratic Marx-Lenin Party (NDMLP) have joined with several trade unions, including the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union and the Ceylon Plantation Services Union to form a 1000 Movement. Yesterday they held a protest in front of an EFC office reiterating the demand for a 1,000 rupee wage. A leaflet issued by the group called on workers to Pressure the government, the plantations authorities and the trade unions to increase the daily wage. This is a cynical ploy to subordinate workers to the very organisations that are imposing a sellout deal against them. As the SEP alone has explained, what is required is a rebellion against the unions, and the establishment of action committees at every estate. These will be tasked with organising an industrial and political campaign by all plantation workers against the sellout agreement, and for their full demands for a 100 percent wage increase and improved conditions to be met. This poses the need for a break with all of the capitalist parties, the unions and their pseudo-left adjuncts. It raises the necessity for an alternative political perspective, based on the fight for a workers and peasants government that would implement socialist policies, including placing the plantations under public ownership and democratic workers control. The Trump administrations special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, on Monday announced the drafting of a framework for a peace agreement with the Taliban, against which US troops have been fighting for over 17 years. Khalilzad has a long record in the elaboration and implementation of the criminal US policies that have led to the deaths of millions of Afghans over the past four decades, while turning millions more into refugees. In 1979, he served as a close aide to Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser in the Carter administration, in the organization of Operation Cyclone. This was the code name for a covert CIA-orchestrated war, which provided billions of dollars worth of arms and funding to support the mujahideen, a collection of Islamist militias that would ultimately give rise to both the Taliban and Al Qaeda, in an attempt to topple the Soviet-backed government in Kabul and to draw the USSR into what Brzezinski described as its own Vietnam. He continued to work under the Reagan administration to coordinate policy for sustaining this bloody operation. After a brutal civil war in which the Taliban ultimately established its control over most of the country, Khalilzad signed on as a consultant for the energy conglomerate Unocalnow part of Chevronin negotiating with the Taliban on a deal for a trans-Afghanistan gas pipeline. In 1996, he wrote a memo insisting that The Taliban does not practice the anti-US style of fundamentalism practiced by Iran. We should be willing to offer recognition and humanitarian assistance and to promote international economic reconstruction, i.e., promote deals for big oil. In 2001, he was one of the architects of the illegal October 7 US invasion to overthrow the Taliban, carried out in the name of avenging the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington. In the final analysis, the invasion of Afghanistan, like the criminal war on Iraq begun in 2003, was not about terrorism, but rather US military dominance over two major oil- and gas-producing regions on the planet, the Caspian Basin and the Middle East. Khalilzad, a reliable steward of these interests, was named in December 2001 as US envoy to Afghanistan. Serving as an imperialist proconsul, he worked in Kabul to solidify the puppet regime of Hamid Karzai, a former associate of his at Unocal. That Khalilzad is hardly a reliable apostle of peace goes without saying. Whether the talks he has supervised with a senior Taliban delegation in Qatar result in the withdrawal of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistanalong with that of 8,000 troops from a number of other countriesremains to be seen. What is unquestionable, however, is that his announcement signals a shift in US militarist and geostrategic policy that is bound up with the debacle of the more than 17-year-long war on terrorism and the invasion and occupation of Afghanistanby far Americas longest waras well as a shift toward preparation for military confrontation with nuclear-armed China, Russia and other great powers. The outline of the framework discussed in Qatar reportedly involves an 18-month drawdown of US forces in exchange for a guarantee by the Taliban that it will prevent the country from becoming a platform for international terrorist groups, Khalilzad said. Such a demand could with even greater justification be made of Washington, which utilized Al Qaeda-linked militias as proxy forces in its wars for regime change in Libya and Syria, and, according to some accounts, has not been averse to promoting the activities of ISIS in Afghanistan as a counterweight to the Taliban. A senior official cited by the New York Times reported that the US position is that the withdrawal of US troops would take place only after the Taliban entered into talks with the US-backed government in Kabul and agreed to a cease-fire. The Talibans leadership has in the past rejected such negotiations with the US-backed regime, seeing it as a puppet of foreign occupation, a view that is confirmed by Khalilzads holding the talks in Qatar behind the backs of the corrupt cabal in Kabul. What have over 17 years of direct US intervention in Afghanistan wrought? According to conservative estimates, 175,000 have died outright as a result of the war, while with inclusion of indirect deaths, the figure is probably closer to one million. Millions more have been driven from their homes. The war has unfolded as an unending series of atrocities, from the massacre of 800 Taliban prisoners in November 2001, through to the savage escalation in US bombing under the Trump administration, with US warplanes and drones unleashing nearly 6,000 munitions on targets in Afghanistan in the first 10 months of last year alone. The toll has also included the deaths of nearly 2,300 US military personnel along with 1,100 other foreign troops and large numbers of private contractors. The wounded and maimed are at least ten times that number. Many more have been left with PTSD as a result of their service in a dirty colonial war, with the suicide rate among US veterans reaching a level of 20 a day. As for the material cost, the Afghanistan war has drained, by conservative estimates, over $1 trillion from resources to meet the vital social needs of the US population, from jobs and decent living standards to education and health care. The war on terror, initiated with the invasion of Afghanistan, was used as the pretext for a frontal assault on democratic rights, including the passage of the 2001 Patriot Act, the proliferation of unchecked spying, the extraordinary rendition, indefinite detention, torture and military tribunals associated with Guantanamo and CIA black cites, along with the militarization of police agencies and the persecution of Muslims and immigrants. Governments around the world have followed the US example, all of them preparing, like Washington itself, for a confrontation with their most dangerous enemy, the working class. A war launched with the aim of asserting US domination of an oil-rich region in order to reverse US imperialisms decline by military means has achieved nothing of its original aims. The two-headed monstrosity that constitutes the Afghan government, among the most corrupt in the world, is hated and isolated, with the Taliban controlling more territory than at any time since 2001. As for the strategic oil and gas reserves of Central Asia, they have only become increasingly dominated by Russia and China. While there can be little doubt that US imperialism will attempt to continue exerting its influence in Afghanistan, whether by aerial bombardment, the retention of strategic bases like the one at Bagram or the deployment of private mercenaries, the discussions about a troop pullout are bound up with a shift in US strategy toward military confrontation with Russia and China. This was spelled out in the National Security Strategy document unveiled by the Trump administration a little over a year ago, making great power competition and countering so-called revisionist states, i.e., Russia and China, the new axis of US global strategy, supplanting the so-called war on terror. There exists within the US ruling establishment no constituency opposed to the drive toward a new world war. On the contrary, to the extent that opposition exists within the Democratic Party and the military and intelligence apparatus whose views it reflects, it is based upon the wholly reactionary narrative of Trumps supposed collusion with Russia and failure to prosecute with sufficient force the ongoing US wars, particularly in Syria and Afghanistan. Indeed, in an editorial column published Monday by the Washington Post, hostility to Khalilzads negotiations with the Taliban was based on the charge that the war would be ended on the enemys terms, betraying the political order they [US forces] have spent 17 years defending, at enormous cost. That this rotten political order rests solely on foreign bayonets is left unmentioned. The only means of putting an end to US imperialisms endless wars and preventing the outbreak of a global cataclysm lies in the growth of the class struggle in the US and internationally. The conditions are rapidly emerging for the development of a mass political movement of the working class, in opposition to imperialist war and its cause, the capitalist system. The western Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) continues to be mired in an acute opioid epidemic of crisis proportions. A public health emergency was declared two years ago after the number of overdose deaths doubled in a five-year period. Last March, there were 162 fatal overdoses across the provincethe deadliest month on record. The primary reason for the spike in fatal overdoses is the presence of the extremely potent synthetic opioid Fentanyl, a drug one hundred times stronger than heroin. Significant quantities of the drug are manufactured in China and shipped to BC ports from where it is distributed throughout the country. However, the availability of this extremely potent drug has proven particularly deadly due to the unprecedented levels of social inequality, the virtual disappearance of permanent, full-time employment and the growth of widespread poverty in the province. Recent data published by the British Columbia Coroners Service (BCCS) reveals that among those workers who fatally overdosed in the five-year period ending in 2016, three quarters were males between the ages of 25 to 54, 20 percent of whom worked in construction, the provinces second largest industry. An additional 13 percent worked in industries connected to construction, including building maintenance and waste management. The construction sector is notoriously unsafe, with workers suffering high rates of on-the-job injuries and long-term medical conditions. The figures indicate that rather than relying on prescription drugs, many construction workers are risking their lives by turning to cheaper and deadly alternatives like fentanyl and other opioids laced with fentanyl, in order to cope with pain and other ailments. The disproportionate number of overdoses in the building sector is also a significant indication of the many socio-economic hardships confronting workers in an industry notorious for temporary jobs, variable working hours, and often paltry wages. Garth Mullins, member of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, noted, theres a lot of day labor type things and so it can be quite uncertain...you can really be just hanging on there, not making very much and you dont know when your next job is going to come. Precarious work has led many construction workers to struggle under conditions of abject poverty. Temporary labourers make on average $18 an hour, but the living wage in Vancouver is almost $21. The BCCS report found that those who were employed in the year prior to their fatal overdose earned on average a meagre $28,437 a year, much lower than the provincial average of $42,000. A fifth of those victims had worked in the construction industry. The dismantling of business regulations by successive New Democratic Party (NDP) and Liberal provincial governments has allowed dangerous conditions to become a regular feature of the building trades in BC. There were 44 work-related construction deaths in the province in 2017, a 42 percent increase over 2016. Workers continue to face an occupational fatality rate that is three times the provincial average. Injured workers face a maze of bureaucratic hurdles to obtain compensation for injuries suffered through the workers compensation system. In addition, budget cuts and a failure to strictly enforce employer contributions to workers compensation have ensured that when workers do receive awards, they are grossly inadequate. Similarly, cutbacks to Canadas public health care system mean that injured workers often wait months for urgent treatments, or struggle to access specialist services like physiotherapy. The treacherous workplace conditions in construction, and the gutting of healthcare and workers compensation provisions are the direct product of the transformation of the trade unions into nationalist appendages of corporate management and the capitalist state. No longer interested in even partially defending workers interests, including workplace safety and wages, as they partially did in a previous period, they now function as cheap labour contractors and an industrial police force to suppress worker anger with their miserable employment conditions. The vast majority of construction workers in BC have no connection with the unions, which only represent 20 percent of all construction workers. In response to the Fentanyl crisis, NDP government officials have deliberately ignored the dysfunctional economic and social conditions, focusing instead on tougher law and order measures. BC Premier John Horgan said in a public statement that his initial plan was to prosecute the criminal. In the midst of this profound crisis, he has been reluctant to call a public inquiry. Although the NDP touted its appointment of the provinces first mental health minister when it took power with support from the Greens in 2017, nothing has changed for the provinces most impoverished and disadvantaged. Health officials and advocacy groups alike are responding to the epidemic with calls for tepid reforms such as the introduction of more de-stigmatization programs, better access to treatment and recovery, and legal access to life-saving and clean drugs. Although these measures would likely be helpful to some in the short-term, they are grossly inadequate in addressing the bedrock issue of systemic social and economic dislocation arising out of the crisis of capitalism that has produced the acute overdose epidemic. It is no accident that BC has become the hotbed of the opioid crisis. The province also has the highest rates of child and senior poverty in the country and is home to Vancouver, one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, where workers may spend upwards of 50 percent of their gross income on rent and utilities. A quarter of British Columbians say they cannot pay their bills or make their debt payments right now. By contrast, the construction industrywhere residential housing speculation accounts for half of all construction projectshas enjoyed healthy returns over the past half-decade with a cumulative value of $75.1 billion in 2017. This has led to enormous profits for a tiny minority of financiers and speculators, including Canadas major banks. The resulting social disparity can be summed up in the recent statistic that the ten richest BC families wealth is, on average, 5,845 times higher than a typical household in the province. The accumulation of such vast wealth is directly responsible for throwing thousands of people into desperate poverty. The housing boom in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland has forced unprecedented numbers of people, including many low-wage workers, to live in homeless shelters and on the streets. Last May, Vancouvers homeless population reached a new record, surpassing 2,100. The widening gap in income and wealth is not a phenomenon exclusive to British Columbia. Throughout Canada and the globe, it is becoming more and more apparent that the richest 1 percent is amassing great wealth as the vast majority languish in debt and decline. There are now signs that the bull market conditions are changing. Market analysis indicate a recent slowdown in construction activity and this year new housing investment is expected to fall 25 percent from its 2016 peak. Within the context of a contracting economy, it is to be expected that social conditions will only worsen for BC construction workers, and the working class as a whole. The Sunday Times has reported that the Conservative government is planning for the possible imposition of martial law as a result of the deepening crisis over Britains exiting the European Union (EU). The Daily Mirror reported that the EU is anticipating violence on the streets and decades of political instability. The Sunday Times report is based on leaks from the Cabinet Office. It states that top civil servants in Whitehall have been gaming a state of emergency and even the introduction of martial law in the event of disorder after a no-deal Brexit (leaving the EU with no trade deal agreed). Robert MacFarlane, the deputy director of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, is identified as being involved in discussions on the use of powers to deal with national emergencies such as acts of war and terrorismpart of no-deal contingency planning known as Operation Yellowhammer. Top civil servants would use the sweeping powers embodied in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, introduced by the Labour government of Tony Blair. Curfews, bans on travel, confiscation of property and, most drastic, the deployment of the armed forces to quell rioting are among the measures available to ministers under the legislation, the newspaper writes. They can also amend any act of parliament, except the Human Rights Act, for a maximum of 21 days. The pretext for the Civil Contingencies Act was the Blair governments assertion that previous emergency legislation had been proved inadequatein events such as the severe flooding of 2000 and the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001, but also more generally in waging the so-called war on terror after the 9/11 attacks in the US. The Act granted extraordinary new powers, enabling the government to declare a state of emergency without a parliamentary vote, with ministers empowered to introduce emergency regulations under the Royal Prerogative that are virtually unlimited. They include the power to give directions or orders including the destruction of property, prohibiting assemblies, closing down electronic communication, banning travel and outlawing other specified activities. The Defence Council, comprised of ministers, senior civil servants and military leaders, can deploy the armed services, again without prior parliamentary debate or approval. Emergency regulations may be passed protecting or restoring activities of Her Majestys Government, effectively allowing the Defence Council absolutist powerincluding any provision which the person making the regulations is satisfied is appropriate to protect human life, health and safety. A source told the Sunday Times, The overriding theme in all the no-deal planning is civil disobedience and the fear that it will lead to death in the event of food and medical shortages. Responding to statements that the model used for a no-deal scenario is the impact on Iceland of ash clouds caused by a volcanic eruption in 2010, another source told the newspaper, Although there is nothing that can replicate the scale of the chaos threatened by a no-deal Brexit, which will be about a thousand times worse than the volcanic-ash-cloud crisis, this is about the closest example we have in modern British history. The only other thing that would be comparable would be something like a major Europe-wide war. Speaking to the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, Health Secretary Matt Hancock sought to downplay concerns, saying there was no specific plan for martial law, adding: Of course government all the time looks at all the options in all circumstances. It remains on the statute book, but it isnt the focus of our attention. Pro-Brexit Conservatives and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have both previously rubbished such reports of a planned use of the military as part of a Project Fear to secure acceptance of Prime Minister Theresa Mays proposed deal with the EU being debated today in parliament. It is significant, therefore, that details of an EU report into the post-Brexit crisis leaked to the Daily Mirror do not single out a no-deal scenario. As far as European security and intelligence officials are concerned, Britain will descend into political chaos whatever happens in the coming months. The secret EU report is not directly cited, but only alluded to by the Mirror. EU officials are believed to have warned that civil unrest and rioting is almost inevitable, regardless of the outcome of the current political deadlock, the newspaper reports. An EU source states, Analysis of the threat levels in Britain is being shared at the top of the EU as we formulate policy for the years ahead. The assessment is that violence is almost inevitable no matter what. They are worried that if the current deal goes through the right-wing will kick off. If theres no deal everybody will object and kick off. If theres a second referendum, the right will kick off. The right kicking off is causing most concern. This analysis is being kept very quiet for obvious reasons. Confirming that escalating state repression is being considered in all eventualities, the pro-Brexit Sunday Telegraph reported that the Electoral Commission is seeking to give itself new powers of prosecution prior to any second referendum on Brexit. The newspaper states that the new powers would mean the Commission could bring prosecutions directly against political parties and campaign groups. The EU is also predicting the possible break-up of the UK, with independence referendums in Scotland and Northern Ireland within 18 months of Brexit. In a related warning, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said at the Davos summit last week that soldiers may be deployed to the border with Northern Ireland in a no-deal scenario. The return of 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, Varadkar told Bloomberg. A senior UK government source told the Mirror, We are seeing civil disobedience across Europe and a growth of the far-right. Anything which changes the status quo, like Brexit, gives those people the opportunity to foment division. We could see protests and public disorder offences. All such claims that the far-right will be the target of any planned repression should be rejected. There is no doubt that Britains as yet small fascistic right-wing will seek to exploit social unrest and channel anti-EU sentiment in a nationalist and reactionary directionjust as have Frances National Rally (formerly National Front), the Lega in Italy and similar larger formations. However, the power of the state will not be directed against such tendencies, which across Europe are either being embraced or even brought into government, but against the true source of social discontentthe working class. Frances Yellow Vests are routinely slandered as far right extremists by the government of Emmanuel Macron for the crime of opposing his savage austerity measures. But it is thousands of working people who have been arrested, brutalised, maimed and killed by riot police on the streets of France. And it would be no different in the UK. Everywhere a crisis of bourgeois rule is emerging, leading invariably to a sharp turn to authoritarianism and state repressionDonald Trumps threat to declare a state of national emergency in the US, Rodrigo Dutertes slaughter of 20,000 in his so-called war on drugs in the Philippines, Jair Bolsanaros glorification of Brazils military junta. This is the ruling classs response to an explosive growth of social inequality that is rendering impossible the preservation of democracy. The only answer to this danger is the independent political mobilisation of the working class against the ruling elite and its state apparatus. In the UK, this means rejecting any alliance with the pro- and anti-Brexit wings of the capitalist class and forging a unified struggle for a socialist Europe with workers across the continent who face the same threats of social ruin and political repression. Michigan, the home state of Trumps Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, is reeling from more than a decade of de-funding its public schools. This week, researchers at Michigan State University have issued a report showing that Michigans revenue growth for K-12 schools is dead last in the nation. In 2015, schools received only 85 percent of the revenues they had 10 years prior. The reports authors point out, no other state is close to a decline of this magnitude. The researchers estimate Michigan would need roughly $3.6 billion in additional revenue to provide an adequate education for its students, requiring substantial additional funds for students in poverty, non-native English speakers and special education students. Meanwhile, state lawmakers have enacted a series of new accountability measures to take effect for the 2019-20 school year. The DeVos family and their substantial lobbying resources have long played an outsized role in setting the agenda within the Michigan legislature and the governors office. At the end of December in his lame-duck session, Governor Rick Snyder enacted an A-F grading system for the states schools. The measure requires every school to be rated and labeled based on student proficiency, student growth, absenteeism, and graduation rates. The A-F law also includes merit pay for teachers. The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will, for example, implement a method of compensation that focuses on job performance and job accomplishments as the primary fact in determining compensation, to apply to all teachers and administrators hired by the district [to] take effect September 1, 2019. As Snyder implemented statewide A-F grading and merit pay, he also made the decision to drain $180 million out of the School Aid Fund [Constitutionally mandated monies for K-12 education], and transfer it to other non-education programs. For its part, the teachers unions are deeply implicated in these attacks, in line with the mantra of school reform with us, not without us advocated by the American Federation of Teachers. The Michigan Federation of Teachers sits on the foundation-funded Community Education Commission which developed the A-F schools grading system foisted on Detroit schools in the aftermath of the dissolution of the original school district. A-F grading was first implemented in 1999 by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, one of the nations foremost advocates of private and charter schools. More than 10 percent of all students in Florida now attend charter schools, one of the highest percentages in the nation. Testing and privatization go hand in hand. Michigan has also implemented a Read by Third Grade law, set to take effect next school year, which requires the retention of students who do not meet grade-level expectations. Michigan joins about 16 other states in implementing the retention policy. In 2015-16, less than half of Michigan third-graders scored proficient on the M-Step, the states standardized testing systema measure of the terrible growth of poverty in the state. The de-funding of schools and the increase in all forms of measurement and accountability are two sides of the same coin. The big business interests which seek to privatize education and cash in on the education market seek to justify it with self-interested claims that public education is a failure. It has, moreover, been used to degrade the salaries and benefits of teachers who are being forced to compete with each other over various piecemeal performance bonuses, almost all tied to standardized tests. These anti-education measures were vastly accelerated under Obamas federal budget cuts to education and his Hunger Games-style competition for grants, Race to the Top. For example, elementary schools in the DPSCD now subject children to online iReady math and reading tests beginning as early as kindergarten. Both native English speakers and English Language Learners are measured on growth in math and English, and the results comprise 40 percent of their teachers performance evaluation. All of the measurable standards in A-F school grading and other similar schemes indicate neither the potential of students nor the proficiency of teachers. They measure poverty, lack of adequate support staff, poor school infrastructure and not enough supplies. They measure declining health, struggling families and the overarching growth of social inequality. All of the A-F indices are additionally compounded by neighborhood inequality. It is the school districts budget for math and reading specialists, English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, counselors, reduced class sizes, nurses and social workers which play a major role in determining the outcomes mandated by A-F. Consider, for example, the required cataloging of chronic absenteeism, a number which can be used to close a neighborhood school. A student is considered chronically absent after missing 15 or more days, out of 180, from school. According to the Center for Disease Control, 16 percent, or 7 million children were chronically absent from school in 2015-16. Absences increase with poverty across both rural and urban settings. For example, in the hard-hit former coal-mining stronghold of Logan County, West Virginia over 52 percent of children are chronically absent from school. In the mining and quarrying county of Pershing, Nevada over 66 percent of children miss more than 15 days per year. Detroit had a 58 percent absentee rate and Battle Creek, Michigan had more than 50 percent. Overall, Michigan was third worst in the US, with a 30 percent overall chronic absentee rate. Schools across the United States found that having showers, washers and dryers significantly increases student attendance. Many families do not have access to washers and dryers. Even if they do, they may not have money for detergent, electricity may be cut off, or families have to choose between washing clothes, eating, or rent. Children who are dirty, especially older children, may be too embarrassed to come to school. In other words, A-F grading is a subterfuge, not a scientific or objective measure. It claims to assist parents in choosing the best school, meanwhile it creates the conditions to shut down public education. It is one of a broad array of privatization devicesparent triggers, opportunity scholarships, various forms of vouchers and all manner of failing schools designations designed to open the door for mass privatization. The full funding for public education has become a rallying cry among educators from coast to coast as well as internationally. Millions of people are determined that their children receive good, high quality education and support the strikes and struggles of teachers. The $3.6 billion which researchers indicate that Michigan requires to upgrade schools throughout the state could be paid for, without a problem, by the DeVos family [estimated net worth $5.1 billion]. Yet they and the entire financial elite are determined to eliminate public education and any other social right that impinges on their obscene wealth. Capitalism, a system which cannot provide a future for the youth, deserves to perish and be replaced with a society organized for social need, socialism. The two alternatives facing Matamoros striking maquiladora workers are becoming sharper as the federal governments threats to intervene in the strike are being facilitated by figures around the unions and the ruling leftist Movement for National Regeneration (Morena). The Mexican ruling class is nervously discussing the threat to corporate profits posed by the 17-day strike of 70,000 auto parts and electrical workers. The conflict in Matamoros, although it corresponds to the local legal system, is of national consequence. It has been a long time since Mexico experienced a crisis of this magnitude, tweeted the president of the Mexican Employers Federation (Coparmex). Dozens of companies, thousands of jobs, and the countrys reputation are at stake. The government, which defends the interests of the banks and corporations, has responded accordingly by conspiring to end the strike under the guise of federal arbitration. The new government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) is eager to reassure corporations that Mexico can secure a maximum return to finance capital. After the head of the Mexican Senate intervened on Sunday to attempt to shut down the strike, more and more workers are beginning to distrust the federal government. Morena activist Susana Prieto has intervened to tie workers to the capitalist state and continues to support ending the strike plant by plant instead of fighting until all workers have won their demands. Prieto told reporters on Monday: I received a call from [Senator] Mr. Ricardo Monreal and I placed it on speaker. He said: I am calling on behalf of our friend [Mexican President] Andres Manuel ... The maquilas must open on Monday. Since workers trust you, convince them to lift the strike. Faced with this extraordinary admission, Prieto said, That sounds good. I am going to ask for a general consensus with the workers at the 45 plants, if they have faith in the new federal government, and they do have faith, I am going to seek consensus and deliver a response. After enormous backlash to Monreals intervention, Prieto reported that if she would have presented such a plan the workers would have lynched her. On Monday, representatives from the state government in Tamaulipas visited plants and repeated claims that strikes at 13 plants were illegal, threatening workers with mass firings if the strike was not lifted immediately. Later in the day, the Secretary of Labor and Social Wellbeing in Tamaulipas claimed that 90 percent of the workers on strike would like to go to work, but are being held hostage outside of the plants by militant workers and outside agitators. This is a lie. Workers must be warned: threats of a federal operation mean the government is preparing to both bully workers into protracted legal negotiationswhich will inevitably end in a result beneficial to the companiesand carry out a violent police repression of the strike. It is in this context that the actions of Prieto must be understood by all workers. While reassuring strikers of the legality of the strike, Prieto has continued urging workers to place their trust in the same government that is on the side of the ruthless maquiladoras. Contrary to Prietos claim, workers are engaged in a political struggle and must draw the necessary conclusions about their enemiesthe government, the companies, and the unionsand those that continue to appeal to these forces, including Prieto and pseudo-left outfits such as La Izquierda Socialista and La Izquierda Diario. The same is true of American pseudo-left publications Jacobin, which is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Socialist Worker, the publication of the International Socialist Organization (ISO). These pro-imperialist organs have not written a single article on Matamoros. They support the trade union apparatus which has suppressed the class struggle and robbed maquiladora workers of their dues money for decades. It is crucial that workers make the necessary conclusions and continue to draw on their own independent initiative. As of this writing, 17 companies have agreed to grant the workers the demanded 20 percent wage increase and $1,700 bonus. However, workers know that the devil is in the details. Prieto and the union are shoveling workers back to work without having had a chance to study the new contract and guarantee that their demands will be met. Workers at some plants have reported that only employees with certain seniority will be given the bonus, or that their bonus payments will be spread out over several months rather than being paid as a lump sum. Questions of when workers will be paid, if strike pay will be guaranteed, and whether fired workers will be rehired are significant issues. The ruthless maquiladoras are not about to grant workers charity out of kindness. With the backing of the union and the government, the companies will try to claw back any concessions given at the first available opportunity, just as they did when they scrapped their bonuses after the increase in the minimum wage in December. The fact that workers are being sent back plant by plant, instead of standing together with all their social might, weakens the whole strike. The fewer plants that remain on strike, the easier it will be for the government and the companies to carry out a crackdown against the strikers and limit the economic impact of the strike. Matamoros workers have already demonstrated their willingness to sustain and broaden the fight. On Monday morning, a contingent of hundreds of workers arrived at the Candados Universales plant after social media reports spread the word of the arrival of state police. The workers mobilized within minutes to defend the plants and protect their fellow workers from state repression. Hundreds of local residents, including US workers in Brownsville, Texas, have been supporting the strikers by delivering food, water, and other supplies. The Matamoros workers have received dozens of statements of support, including by Texas Amazon worker Michelle Quinones, which have urged them to expand and link up their struggle with other workers around the world. The terms on which the strike is ended must be dictated by the workers themselves. Workers everywhere must urgently draw conclusions from the events in Matamoros and the need for an international struggle, based on a socialist perspective and completely independent from the nationalist and pro-capitalist trade unions. 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. 404 This page could not be found . US officials announced Monday a series of trumped-up criminal charges against Huawei, the worlds largest telecommunications company and second-largest smartphone maker, and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who is currently under house arrest in Canada. Despite American officials invocations of justice and the rule of law, the charges are pretexts to launch a new economic broadside against China, the worlds most populous country and its second-largest economy, aimed at giving an edge to Huaweis American and European competitors in the telecommunications infrastructure sector. The move comes just two days before the US and China are set to begin a new round of trade talks, approximately halfway through a cooling-off period before the Trump administration is set to launch a new round of tariffs targeting Chinese goods. Despite US officials claims that the charges against Huawei and the trade negotiations are unrelated, the timing of the announcement makes it clear that the US will enter the negotiations demanding maximal concessions not just on trade, but on military and national security issues as well. While economic growth in the US remains relatively robust, China is facing a protracted economic slowdown that has been intensified by the Trump administrations economic sanctions. The Trump administration and American state apparatus have made it clear that their targeting of Huawei, one of Chinas most important companies, is the leading edge of a military and economic escalation that the White House has called strategic competition. In a lead article in Sundays edition, the New York Times reported: Over the past year, the United States has embarked on a stealthy, occasionally threatening, global campaign to prevent Huawei and other Chinese firms from participating in the most dramatic remaking of the plumbing that controls the internet since it sputtered into being, in pieces, 35 years ago. The article added: The administration contends that the world is engaged in a new arms raceone that involves technology, rather than conventional weaponry, but poses just as much danger to Americas national security. In an age when the most powerful weapons, short of nuclear arms, are cyber-controlled, whichever country dominates 5G will gain an economic, intelligence and military edge for much of this century. It concluded: In interviews with current and former senior American government officials, intelligence officers and top telecommunications executives, it is clear that the potential of 5G has created a zero-sum calculus in the Trump White Housea conviction that there must be a single winner in this arms race, and the loser must be banished. The article unequivocally spelled out the mercenary economic, military, and geostrategic considerations behind the trumped-up charges against Huawei and Meng. The first set of charges revolves around US accusations that the company violated unilateral US sanctions against doing business with Iran. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen accused Huawei and its chief financial officer of breaking US law and engaging in a fraudulent financial scheme that is detrimental to the security of the United States. The US, she said, would not tolerate a regime that supports terrorism, apparently in reference to China. On the grounds of these flimsy charges, Meng was effectively kidnapped last month in Canada. US officials formally announced Tuesday that the Justice Department planned to file an extradition request against her. In a second set of charges, US officials announced 10 counts against Huawei for attempting to steal plans in 2012 for a robot called Tappy from US cellular carrier T-Mobile. Commenting on the charges, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that Huaweis actions threaten the free and fair global marketplace. He declared that giving Huawei access to US telecommunications markets could give a foreign government the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information, conduct undetected espionage, or exert pressure or control. In fact, it is the US that is using its geopolitical leverage on the world stage to extract economic concessions from China. The entire campaign against Huawei is part of an effort to secure the economic dominance of companies controlled by the United States and its European allies, including the US-based Qualcomm, the Finnish Nokia and the Swedish Ericsson. According to media reports, the White House is on the verge of issuing an executive order that would ban US telecommunications companies from buying key infrastructure from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE. Currently, only US government entities are banned from purchasing such products. The United States is lobbying its allies, including Britain, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, to restrict purchases of telecommunications equipment from Chinese manufacturers. The Financial Times warned of the dramatic deterioration in relations between China and the US since the arrest of Meng. The newspaper observed: Officials across the US government have become significantly more hawkish towards Chinaover everything from human rights, politics and business to national security. The broad and bipartisan shift against engagement with China was summed up in the remarks last week by financier and leading Democratic donor George Soros, who called Chinese President Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of those who believe in the concept of open society. He criticized President Trump for being insufficiently aggressive against China. Soros asserted: Instead of letting ZTE and Huawei off lightly, [the United States] 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." Other commentators have pointed to the domestic considerations involved in escalating tensions with China, a nuclear-armed power. In an article titled A common enemy could heal the US partisan divide, Financial Times columnist Janan Ganesh argued: For the first time since at least the 1980s, Americans face the kind of economic, ideological and military challenge that can make domestic antagonism seem beside the point, if not unconscionable. Like Japans attack on Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 attacks, Ganesh asserted, a conflict with China would serve to unify the country and preserve internal cohesion. In other words, a confrontation that could lead to nuclear war would be beneficial for the American ruling elite, from the standpoint of suppressing internal political and class tensions. Ganesh marveled at the speed with which Mr. Trumps confrontation with China, so shocking in 2017, has found general acceptance, even enthusiasm, not just in Washington but in business. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York announced January 15 on The Colbert Show her intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. With eight declared candidates already, and as many as eight more expected to join the race, the number of Democrats hoping to cash in on President Trumps unpopularity could well set a record. But no matter what mask they don, or what lane they hope to occupy in the race, these Democrats represent the interests of business and finance, and espouse different versions of anti-working-class politics. Gillibrand is no exception. One prominent aspect of her campaign is an emphasis on identity politics. She is the second female senator to join the race, following Elizabeth Warren and preceding Kamala Harris. The video on the front page of her campaign website starts with her name being typed into a Google search bar, cutting to her childrens names on her Wikipedia page, followed by mom being typed into a new search bar, which brings up photos of her family and her cooking in a kitchen for them. Answering host Stephen Colberts question, Gillibrand spoke of wanting to be the president of the United States because she is a young mom, who will fight for other peoples kids as hard as I would fight for my own. After making brief and hollow statements of her support for better public education, healthcare, and jobs, Gillibrand stressed that these issues will be impossible to accomplish without taking on institutional racism and taking on the corruption and greed in Washingtonthe latter, soon highlighted, being something with which she has first-hand experience. Gillibrand, who is married to a financial manager and venture capitalist, was born into a family deeply connected in the big business political establishment. Her grandmother, Polly Noonan, was a confidante of Albanys former Mayor Erastus Corning, who ran one of the most enduring and corrupt Democratic Party machines in the country. Gillibrands father, Doug Rutik, is a well-known conservative lobbyist with strong ties to the Republican Party. Known for beginning politics as an ardent conservative and only shifting to the left in recent times, Gillibrand started her professional career as a lawyer at the David Polk & Wardwell law firm. There, she became a leading defense attorney for tobacco monopoly Philip Morris during the mid-90s civil and criminal trials investigating the companys knowledge of the connection between tobacco smoke and cancer. She played an instrumental role in the major legal work that sought to cover up the companys conscious censorship of incriminating material. In the early 2000s, Gillibrand heard Hillary Clintonwho was First Lady at the timespeak at a Democratic National Committee event, which she claims inspired her to run for office. To this day, Gillibrand proudly states that the 2016 candidate of Wall Street and big business is her greatest role model in politics. In 2006, with the backing of both Clintons, Gillibrand successfully ran a right-wing campaign to win a seat in the House of Representatives for New Yorks 20th Congressional District (Albany and Schenectady counties). She firmly ran against pro-immigration laws and sanctuary cities and advocated for the protection of gun rights, boasting an A rating by the National Rifle Association. She received $23,000 in campaign contributions in 2006 from Philip Morris, and $18,000 for her 2008 reelection. She has also received substantial contributions from major Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase & Company. During her 2012 reelection campaign, she was the third highest recipient of donations from the securities and investment sector, reportedly taking in more than $1.84 million. In 2009, despite public opposition due to her right-wing views on immigration and gun control, Gillibrand was appointed US senator by New York Governor David Paterson to fill the vacancy that was left by Hillary Clinton, who left her Senate post to become Obamas secretary of state. Gillibrand has been in office ever since, winning election in 2012 and reelection in 2018. Gillibrand sits on the powerful Senate Committee on Armed Services, overseeingand therefore playing a hand inUS imperialist military interventions abroad and military research and development at home. She has supported the funding and supplying of Syrian rebels. In 2017, she supported the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, which sought to criminalize individuals for expressing their First Amendment right of participating in political boycotts against the Israeli government and its settlements. At the height of the #MeToo movement in late 2017, Gillibrand was the first to call on Senator Al Franken of Minnesota to resign over sexual misconduct allegations before an Ethics Committee investigation was opened. In a 60 Minutes interview about her stance, she was asked why, as a lawyer who believes in due process, didnt she wait for an investigation to confirm or deny the allegations against Franken. Ignoring the democratic issue of due process, Gillibrand retorted, Its my choice to speak out. Gillibrand then denied the interviewers comment that it feels like to be accused right now is to be convicted, stating, thats not true. Gillibrand also vocally denounced Bill Clinton during this period, saying he should have resigned for the Monica Lewinsky scandal, wholly ignoring the ultra-right politics that underlay the Republican impeachment campaign and the Starr investigation, as well as, of course, Clintons right-wing anti-working-class record in the 1990s. While recently shifting her political positions on immigration, gun reform and gay rights toward the mainstream Democratic Party leftcalling her previous views shamefulGillibrand provided no credible explanation for these changes. Nor did she explain how abandoning right-wing views on social questions made her a more credible candidate for the presidency. The one issue Gillibrand obviously will not shift on is national security. Since her 2020 campaign announcement, Gillibrand frequently asserts the truism that both big-business parties in Washington want strong national security at the border, and a strong military presence abroad: We all want strong military readiness. She states that ICE should be abolished only because of a ruined public image, while it should be replaced by new, fully funded enforcement agencies, in other words, ICE with a new name. These views, which seek to demonstrate her allegiance to the Pentagon and intelligence agencies, are shared by all the Democratic presidential candidates, including Bernie Sanders if he runs. To burnish her left turn, she has adopted, since entering the Senate, a number of liberal positions, such as Medicare-for-all, which are both totally inadequate and have no chance of being implemented by the parties of Wall Street. Her embrace of Hillary Clinton, the candidate of Wall Street and the CIA, and Obama, who presided over the largest transfer of wealth in history from the bottom to the top, demonstrate clearly her adherence to the right-wing policies of the Democrats that are responsible for the accelerated deepening of economic and social inequality, paving the way for the Trump presidency. A New York voter poll conducted by Quinnipiac University following Gillibrands presidential bid announcement found that the senator is at her lowest ratings for job approval and favorability in nearly a decade. Another recent poll by Quinnipiac University showed that the most important issues for voters across the board were the economy, taxes and healthcareissues Gillibrand addresses only with platitudes and conventional boilerplatejobs are good, taxes are bad, healthcare is necessary. These candidates of the ruling class will never offer up any legitimate answers to the masses of exploited Amazon and other low-wage workers, underpaid and underfunded teachers, laid-off autoworkers, and federal workers facing a new round of furloughs and cuts. Gillibrands role, and that of all Democrats, is to confuse and divert workers and young people from the realization that only the revolutionary replacement of capitalism with socialism will put an end to inequality and war. The Democratic presidential primary race is merely an audition to select which among two dozen or so candidates can undertake that task most effectively. NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - Tax season is here, and with a new tax code to tackle and another potential government shutdown on the horizon, experts say getting your taxes filed correctly and on-time this year could be more of a headache than usual. According to tax professionals, taxpayers should not expect any extra time to file this year if the government shuts down again. In fact, they recommend filing earlier than ever this year. "There is no guarantee that we will not see another shutdown, meaning the IRS could potentially be left short-staffed in the middle of tax season for an unknown duration, said Mark Steber, Chief Tax Officer at Jackson Hewitt. There have been many things for taxpayers to be concerned about this year when it comes to taxes. From the largest tax reform in 30 years to a government shutdown lasting over a month, taxpayers who feel uncertain about their taxes this year are not alone. Because of the many unknowns coming with this year's tax season, Jackson Hewitt experts recommend filing before Feb. 15 when the government could potentially shut down again. If you usually send in paper returns, tax professionals also recommend trying to file online this year with a tax preparer, tax software or directly with IRS e-file. If the second shutdown happens, it will likely cause a backlog -- and paper returns are processed slower than ones sent via IRS' online, automated system. It can all seem a little daunting, but luckily, there are a few organizations stepping in to try and help Tennesseans get things done right. The United Way of Metropolitan Nashville launched their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program on Monday, which will operate until April 15. The program provides free, in-person tax preparation services by IRS-certified volunteers to individuals and households that earned $66,000 or less in 2018. The VITA free tax prep program helps thousands of individuals save by keeping their full tax return in their pockets, said Brian Hassett, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. Thanks to our dedicated group of volunteers, VITA partnerships ensure that the hard-working members of our community are able to use their income for essentials like putting food on the table and transportation. Those that qualify for VITA can also file their tax returns online through United Way for free with or without the help of a preparer. The service is offered at 26 locations across Davidson, Williamson, Wilson and Rutherford County. For locations and other information, visit www.UnitedWayFileFree.com. For households that made more than $66,000 last year, free tax help is also available through the AARP Foundation. Don't worry, you don't need to be an AARP member to use the service! We are excited to continue providing a free tax preparation service to Tennesseans, said AARP Tennessee State Director Rebecca Kelly. During 2018 in Tennessee, nearly 400 Tax Aide volunteers prepared and filed 21,700 individual tax returns, totaling $20.8 million in refunds. AARP's Tax-Aide Program operates at 60 different sites across Middle Tennessee, including libraries, senior centers and other convenient places. It launches on Feb. 1 and runs through April 15. For more information, call 1-888-AARPNOW or visit www.AARPfoundation.org/taxhelp. The deadline to file your taxes is April 15 -- even if the federal government is operating on a partial shutdown -- and late filings will incur the same fines and penalties as always. Nearly two dozen dogs are being cared for and treated after they were rescued from deplorable conditions. Nineteen dogs, including seven puppies and at least one pregnant female, were rescued from a trailer on Henry Cooper Road in Lucasville. Linda Patrick, vice president of the Scioto Area Humane Society, received tips about the conditions where the dogs were living. She, along with volunteers and deputies from the Scioto County Sheriff's Office, removed the dogs on Sunday. "It was really bad," Patrick said. "You didn't see any water available. It was frozen in there." Deputies say there was no running water or electric at the trailer. Investigators say there was no food, and some of the dogs didn't have shelter. "The bedding was very inadequate, a dog under a trailer," Patrick said. "There were actually three dogs under a trailer." Michelle Pace, owner of Pace's Grooming, Boarding and Daycare, says most of the dogs have parasites. Deputies say they plan to charge the owner with animal cruelty, but they first have to verify the owner's identity. The dogs were found around an old trailer but they haven't been able to confirm who owns it or who owns the dogs, according to investigators. Patrick is relieved they found the dogs when they did, with more cold weather expected later this week. "With this cold snap coming. if you can take your animals inside, please do for at least two days," Patrick said. The dogs will later be available for adoption. If you would like to donate to help the dogs, you can reach out to the Scioto Area Humane Society. Kokomo, IN (46901) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High around 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The Great Dividing Range, also known as the Eastern Highlands, is the most extensive mountain range in Australia. It is made up of numerous escarpments with a complex geological and ancient history, upland regions, plateaus, and mountain ranges. At over 2,175 miles, it is the earths third longest land-based range. The ranges width varies from 100 miles to 190 miles. The range begins at the northeastern-most tip of Queensland through New South Wales ending at the Grampians National Parks central plains in Victoria. History of the Great Dividing Range The Eastern Highlands was created about 300 million years ago in the Carboniferous era. The folding and faulting processes created the plateaus and mountains which are made up of dolomite, schists, quartzite, sandstones, and limestones. Various Aboriginal clans lived in the Eastern Highlands for thousands of years before the arrival of the British settlers. After the British colonized Australia, the ranges were a huge obstacle to the British settlers. The rugged nature of the highland made exploring the Blue Mountains quite challenging. Therefore they crossed the ranges using the walking trails established by the Aboriginal people. The first expedition group to cross the ridges from Sydney to Bathurst through the Blue Mountains was led by William Wentworth, William Lawson, and Gregory Blaxland. Natural Features of the Great Dividing Range Parts of the Great Dividing Range, which are made up of well-watered and flat land, were developed for pastoral and agricultural uses. These agricultural and pastoral regions include Southern Tablelands, Southern Highlands, and Northern Tablelands in New South Wales and Darling Downs and Atherton Tableland in Queensland. All the Australian mainland alpine regions including Mount Kosciuszko are part of the main range. The high regions in eastern Victoria and New South Wales are referred to as the Australian Alps. The middle part of the highlands has numerous peaks which are surrounded by various smaller canyons, valleys, and mountain range. Some of the principal planes in the Great Dividing Range include Bogong High Plains, Southern Highlands, and South-Eastern Australias High Plain. Some of the ranges and spurs which are part of the Eastern Highlands include Moonbi Range, McPherson Ranges, Liverpool Ranges, Blue Mountains, Bunya Mountains, Barrington Tops, and Dandenong Ranges. Other tablelands and ranges in the Eastern Highlands include the Monaro District, Mount Royal Range, and Liverpool Range. Water Catchments in the Great Dividing Range The valleys in the region have produced water for various important water supply projects and reservoirs in the area including Warragamba Dam, Snowy Mountains Scheme, and Upper Nepean Scheme. Some of the rivers which flow to the eastern side of the Highlands include River Shoalhaven, River Richmond, River May, River Macleay, and River Hunter among others. The ones that flow to the southern parts of the range into Victoria include Rivers Glenelg, Hopkins, Yarra, Thompson, Cann, and Snowy. The rivers that flow north from Victoria to Murray-Darling Basin include Campaspe, Loddon, Ovens, Mitta Mitta, and Goulburn. Namoi, Macintyre, Macdonald, Lachian, Herbert, Flinders and Condamine rivers flow west of the Great Dividing Range. Nickel is a silvery-white metal often used to strengthen alloys, especially stainless steel, in order to withstand corrosive environments and extreme temperatures. The unique properties of nickel were discovered in 1751 by Swedish chemist and mineralogist Baron Axel Fredrik Cronstedt. Alloys of nickel, such as stainless steel, do not result in health problems, although some individuals are sensitive to nickel compounds. Nickel deposits develop when magma with low silica and high magnesium is saturated in sulfur after reacting with rocks in the Earth's crust. Although the compound is the fifth most abundant element on Earth, most nickel is located 1,800 miles below the Earth's surface. Accessible nickel ore is brought closer to the surface in two types of ore deposits: magmatic sulfide deposits, often found in Sudbury, Canada and Norilsk, Russia; or laterite deposits, often found in Indonesia, New Caledonia, and Cuba. The 4 Major Producers of Nickel Indonesia Indonesia is the world's largest producer of nickel, with an annual production of about 400,000 metric tons. In 2014, the nation banned the export of the compound, and production dropped to less than 100,000 metric tons. Consequently, Indonesia lost its spot as the world's largest producer. In 2017, the nation relaxed the ban on low-grade ore in a bid to boost its economy. Mining companies are allowed to export a maximum of 5.2 million tons of ore annually. The Philippines The Philippines has maintained its position as a top nickel ore producer and exporter for approximately a decade. In 2016, the country produced about 347,000 metric tons, but production has since dropped to about 230,000 metric tons. The decline is directly attributed to the closure of 23 mines by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Production is not likely to rise in the immediate future, as the government seeks to curb open-pit mines in the Philippines. Canada Canada is the largest nickel producer outside of Asia. The country produces 210,000 metric tons of nickel annually. In particular, the Sudbury Basin produces an estimated 65,000 metric tons of the compound. Vale Canada, a subsidiary of Brazilian metal and mining company, Vale S.A., which is the largest nickel mining company in the world, and Glencore, are the largest nickel mining companies in Canada. New Caledonia (France) New Caledonia, which is a special collectivity of France, produces the same amount of nickel as Canada. Production has increased for the past half decade, and if this trend continues, New Caledonia is likely to surpass Canada. Historically, New Caledonia has resisted selling nickel ore to China, but in 2016 the government authorized the sale of more than 2 million tons of the ore to China. Trends in Nickel Production Nickel is not as expensive a resource as gold or diamonds, but is a major export for some countries. Production in Australia, Russia, and Brazil dropped in the recent past due to pollution concerns and a drop in global prices of the commodity. However, the rise in consumption of electric vehicles is likely to increase the demand for nickel, which would create a supply deficit that will lead to an increase in price. The US state of South Dakota is located in the countrys Midwestern region. It has a population of approximately 869,666, making South Dakota the 5th least populous state in the country. With an area of 199,729 square km, it is the 17th most extensive US state. Additionally, South Dakota is the 5th least densely populated state in the country. Sioux Falls is the largest city in the state, followed by Rapid City, Abrdeen, Brookings, and Watertown. The Five Biggest Cities in South Dakota 1. Sioux Falls Located in the extreme eastern part of the state, Sioux Falls is South Dakotas biggest city. It had a population of 153,888 individuals in 2010, which ranks as the 143rd most populous city in the country. Sioux Falls serves as the county seat of Minnehaha County, but also extends into Lincoln County. The city is one of the 50 fastest growing cities in the US and experienced a population growth of 22% between 2000 and 2010. The economy of Sioux Falls was initially centered on agriculture-based industries and quarrying. Today, the city has a diversified economy, which includes thriving healthcare, financial services, and retail trade industries. 2. Rapid City South Dakotas second biggest city, Rapid City, had a 2010 population of 67,956 in 2010. It also serves as the county seat of Pennington County. The city is located on the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range, near Rapid Creek, which is a tributary of the Cheyenne River. Given its proximity to the Black Hills, the city has been nicknamed the "Gateway to the Black Hills." Additionally, Rapid City is also referred to as the "City of Presidents" due to the life-size bronze statues of US presidents located in the city's downtown area. A number of tourist attractions are located near Rapid City, within the Black Hills, such as Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park. 3. Aberdeen With a population of 26,091, Aberdeen is South Dakotas third most populous city. It is also the county seat of Brown County. Aberdeen is regarded as a college town, given that Presentation College and Northern State University, two prestigious academic institutions within the state, are located in the city. 4. Brookings Brookings is South Dakotas fourth-largest city, with a population of 22,056 in 2010. The city also serves as the county seat of Brookings County. The states largest institution for higher education, South Dakota State University, is based in Brookings, as well as the South Dakota Art Museum. Several manufacturing and agricultural corporations have headquarters in the city. 5. Watertown Watertown is South Dakotas fifth most populous city, as well as the county seat of Codington County. In 2010, the city had a population of 21,482. The Redlin Art Center is located in Watertown, which contains many original works of art by Terry Redlin, one of the countrys most renowned wildlife artists. The Capital of South Dakota With a population of only 13,646, Pierre is the state capital of South Dakota. It is the eighth largest city in the state and serves as the county seat of Hughes County. Pierre is the countrys second least populated state capital, after Montpelier, Vermont. No country has ever left the European Union (EU). However, the United Kingdom (UK) is in the process of withdrawing from the union since it has triggered Article 50. Previously only member territories have left the EU upon gaining independence. Thus, if the UK succeeds to withdraw from the European Union, it will be the first independent country to have ever left the union. Territories That Have Left The EU The three territories of members of the EU that withdrew include Greenland, Saint Barthelemey, and French Algeria. Greenland became a member of the EU as part of Denmark in 1973. Even at its point of joining the EU, the public did not support the move. Hence, upon attainment of self-rule, 52% of Greenlanders voted against EU membership resulting in its exit in 1982. Saint Barthelemey is a French-speaking Caribbean island. It joined the EU as part of Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France. The membership of Saint Barthelemey ceased upon the cessation of Guadeloupe. French Algeria was a member of the European Union from 1957-1962. Algeria discontinued its membership in 1962 after independence from France. The Process of Leaving the European Union The process of leaving the European Union commences with the invocation of Article 50 which outlines the terms of a countrys withdrawal. The withdrawing country must notify the European Council in writing. On receiving the notice, the council arranges a meeting with the state intending to exit the EU. The meeting engages in discussions regarding the specific arrangements for the withdrawal and a framework for the countrys future relations with the EU. Article 50 stipulates that the European Council members representing the exiting member state shall not be included in the discussions or make decisions affecting it. Upon termination of membership to the EU, a country that wishes to rejoin the union shall follow procedures outlined in Article 49. The United Kingdoms Withdrawal Process The first step towards Brexit was the referendum held on June 23, 2016, under the leadership of David Cameron, who at the time was the British Prime Minister. The referendum would determine whether the UK should leave the EU or not. The votes for leaving the union were the majority at 51.9% versus the 48.1% votes in favor of remaining in the EU. More than 30 million people voted with a turnout of 71.8% during elections. Consequently, British Prime Minister Theresa Mays administration proceeded on to invoke Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon on March 29, 2017. The UK gave written notice to the President of the European Council-Donald Tusk. The treaty grants the EU and UK two years to agree upon the terms of the exit. A legally binding 585-page withdrawal agreement has been drawn setting the conditions for the withdrawal. The two primary areas of focus are the EU monies owed by the UK and the effect of the Brexit on the UK citizens living in EU countries as well as EU citizens residing in the UK. Negotiations of these terms are underway, and the UK is set to leave the EU by April 2019. The Current State of Affairs The United Kingdom is the first and only country that has invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty as of December 2018. No country has left the EU yet. The Bahamas is an archipelagic state situated in the Lucayan archipelago. The state has over seven hundred islets, cays, and islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas is situated to the southwestern side of the US state of Florida, and north of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba. The Bahamas is the eighteenth most populous country in North America with over 422,678 residents. Relationship Between the Bahamas and the US Even though the Bahamas is part of the Americas, it has never been part of the United States. The Bahamas is a commonwealth state that gained its independence from the British in 1973. The Bahamas became part of the British Empire in 1783 after Spain returned the region to the British under the terms of the Paris Treaty. Before Christopher Columbus arrived in the islands, the Bahamas belonged to the Lucayan people. The United States and the Bahamas have a strong bilateral relationship represented by their ambassador in Washington. US citizens traveling to the Bahamas are only required to produce their passports, but people from most other countries must have a visa and passport. Despite their strong cultural, social and economic ties, the Bahamas is not a U.S. state or territory. Geography of the Bahamas The Bahamas has numerous islands. Bimini Island, also referred to as the gateways to the Bahamas, is the closest to the US. Inagua is the easternmost island while Andros is the biggest. Some of the inhabited islands include New Providence, Mayaguana, Ragged Islands, Berry Islands, Crooked Island, Acklins, San Salvador Island, Eleuthera, Rum Cay, Long Island, and Cat Island. All the islands are flat with numerous ridges which are between 49ft and 66ft tall. The tallest mountain in the country is Mount Alvernia. Mount Alvernia is approximately 207ft, and it is situated in the Cat Island. Government of the Bahamas As a Commonwealth state, the Bahamas retained the Queen as the head of state, and she is represented by a Governor-General. The Bahamas has a bicameral government which is made up of a sixteen-member Senate and a thirty-eight member house of Assembly. The Governor General appoints the Senators while the people elect the members of the House of Assembly. Their legal and political system adheres to the traditions of the British and the Westminster system. The Prime Minister has the power to dissolve the House of Assembly and call for a general election before the five-year term is over. Economy of the Bahamas The Bahamas is the third richest nation in the Americas in terms of GDP per capita. Some of the main sectors which account for a huge percentage of their GDP include tourism and financial services. Other than accounting for approximately 60% of the countrys GDP, the tourism industry has employed over 50% of the Bahamian workforce. The offshore international financial services and banking sector account for over 15% of the Bahamian GDP. The third largest sector in the Bahamas, which contributes up to 7% of their GDP, is the agricultural industry. Some of the principal crops grown in the Bahamas include sweet potatoes, limes, lemons, sugar canes, cucumbers, grapefruits, tomatoes, oranges, and onions. 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 Railway police and passengers react at a bullet train as they celebrate the Xiaonian Festival, the 23rd day of the last lunar month preluding the Spring Festival, Jan. 28, 2019. Xiaonian falls on the 23rd or 24th day of the last month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar, marking the start of the countdown to Chinese lunar new year. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuan) 4 1 [ Editor: zyq ] 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. Show Low, AZ (85901) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 93F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. DENVER, Colo. (KCNC) -- Authorities are searching for the vandal who destroyed statues and furniture early Sunday inside Colorados state Capitol building. Firefighters made the startling discovering around 5 a.m. when they responded to a fire alarm. They found three busts and a smaller statue of former legislators broken into pieces. The perpetrator threw some of the busts from the second floor down to the first floor, knocking sculpted heads off torsos. Authorities also found marble pedestals smashed, wooden chairs crushed and glass cabinets shattered. The vandal even smeared blood along a golden railing. Why would they do this? asked Kelly Nelsch, a Colorado native. Jay Gardner, who walked with Nelsch around the Capitol, was also puzzled by the crime. Speaking as a criminal justice major myself, it boggles the mind, Gardner told CBS4s Melissa Garcia. If youre angry at the government or at the Colorado Capitol, there are other ways to go about that rather than breaking in and vandalizing the place, Nelsch said. Ive been going here since I was little with my grandmother and field trips when I was younger. And I think its such a beautiful building I wouldnt think anybody would be able to break into there. A Denver police spokesperson said there were no signs of forced entry. Investigators did not know how the vandal got into the building. Authorities were also working to figure out why the suspect destroyed priceless art. There were busts from both republicans and democrats that were attacked. It was very random. And there was no spray paint, no graffiti, no message left. And no real motive that would say why this crime actually occurred, said Captain Daniel Haley, a spokesperson for the Colorado State Patrol executive security unit. Police had not made an arrest. Investigators, however, believed they had plenty of information, including surveillance video, to lead them to a suspect. ORISKANY, N.Y. -- Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol has announced the first of the 2019 dates that the sheriff's Marine Patrol will be offering the New York State Boater Safety Course. The first class will be on March 23 at the Oneida County Department of Public Works conference room starting at 9 a.m. This class is limited to 20 students and additional classes will be offered at a later date if needed. To sign up for this free, 8-hour class, just call the Oneida County Sheriff's Office at 315-765-2222. In New York state, you must hold a safety certificate if: You were born on or after May 1st 1996 and you will be operating a motorboat. You operate a personal watercraft (PWC) and are at least 14 years of age and older (as of 1/1/2009 you must be 14 years old to operate a PWC alone.) If you are less than 10 years old, you may operate a motorboat (non-PWC) only if someone WHITESBORO, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew Cuomo has released a formal letter to CSX threatening legal action if they don't rebuild the Whitesboro railroad bridge over the Sauquoit Creek. Flooding is reoccurent year after year in the area. Last week an ice jam prevented water to flow under the bridge, so area streets were flooded and several homes were evacuated. The governor announced at a press conference in Whitesboro that he would sue the company if they don't do something to fix the issue, blaming the bridge for the frequent flooding problems. Oneida County Excecutive Anthony Picente released a statement in agreement with the letter saying: I completely agree with Gov. Cuomos action to directly deal with CSX and his call for the company to handle its obligation to the Village of Whitesboro, and I fully support pursuing legal action in order to force compliance. For far too long our pleas for CSX to fix its bridge have fallen on deaf ears and the residents and businesses of Whitesboro have been made to suffer. Oneida County has stepped forward in the past with funding to help assist these flooding victims, and continues to work with the Village of Whitesboro, Town of Whitestown and the State of New York to mitigate these issues, but we can only do so much. Time and time again, the flooding caused by this bridges faulty design has taken a mental, physical and financial toll on our community. I would appreciate a responsible, constructive and immediate response from CSX to the Governors letter. The full text of the letter reads: "James M. Foote, President & CEO CSX Corporate Headquarters 500 Water Street, 15th Floor Jacksonville, FL 32202 Dear Mr. Foote: I write to put CSX on notice that the State intends to pursue legal action against CSX for its failure to rebuild its railroad bridge located in the Village of Whitesboro, County of Oneida, crossing the Sauquoit Creek. CSX's acts and omissions have resulted in a public health and safety hazard caused by conditions on your property, including a faulty bridge design. These conditions have resulted in flooding and property damage, constituting a nuisance that needs to be immediately remedied in order to protect the public's health and safety, as detailed below. The issues with this bridge are not new. Flooding is a common occurrence at this location due to faulty bridge design that results in debris and ice buildup creating an ongoing and significant public health and safety hazard for the local community including, but not limited to, homes and businesses on or near Ellmore Drive, Ellis Avenue, Ablett Avenue and Sauquoit Street and the County-owned sewer pump station. Allowing this hazard to remain on the property results in constant safety risk to New York's residents, damage to homes and properties, cost to property owners whose properties are damaged or destroyed and cost to the state, county, town and village, all of whom continue to respond to ice and debris build up at this location. To date, the State and respective localities have committed millions in taxpayer dollars to actively monitor the bridge, and develop, construct, and implement remediation measures due to the ongoing failure of CSX to replace the aforementioned bridge. The State and respective localities have discussed this issue on numerous occasions with CSX, and CSX has knowledge of the hazard this bridge creates. To date, however, CSX has not confirmed that it will replace this bridge. The chronic nature of the problem makes clear, however, that piecemeal actions will not suffice. The bridge must be replaced. Failure to do so establishes a lack of due care by CSX and any further delay will constitute, at best, reckless and, at worst, intentional misconduct by CSX that will result in continued injury to the state, localities and property owners. This letter supersedes any prior discussions about, or proposals regarding, the underlying facts and circumstances related to this situation. We further instruct you to preserve all documents and information, including emails and electronic documents, relating to this matter. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact my Chief Counsel, Alphonso David at 212-681-7753. Sincerely, Andrew M. Cuomo cc: Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente United States Senator Charles Schumer United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand New York State Senator Joseph Griffo New York State Assemblywomen Marianne Buttenschon Department of Transportation Commissioner Paul Karas" The coldest air in a generation is spilling out across the US thanks to a breakdown in the polar vortex. The icy blast it's sending southward is the biggest visitor from the North Pole since Santa Claus. The gifts it brings, however, are chilling and generally unwelcome. Seventy-five percent of the continental US will dip below freezing at some point this week, leading to record low temperatures across the country. CNN meteorologists Brandon Miller and Judson Jones answer a few pressing questions about this phenomenon. What is a polar vortex? What distinguishes it? The polar vortex, as its scary name suggests, is a circulation of strong, upper-level winds that normally surround the northern pole, moving in a counterclockwise direction -- a polar low-pressure system. These winds tend to keep the bitter cold air locked in the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It's not a single storm. On occasion, this vortex can become distorted and dip much farther south than you would normally find it, allowing cold air to spill southward. How often does this polar vortex distortion occur? The upper-level winds that make up the polar vortex change in intensity from time to time. When those winds decrease significantly, it can allow the vortex to become distorted, and the result is a jet stream that plunges deep into southern latitudes, bringing the cold, dense Arctic air spilling down with it. This oscillation is known as the Arctic Oscillation and it can switch from a positive phase to negative phase a few times per year. This oscillation -- namely the negative phase where the polar winds are weaker -- tends to lead to major cold air outbreaks in one or more regions of the planet. Where on Earth can this happen? The polar vortex can lead to major cold air outbreaks in any portion of the Northern Hemisphere -- North America, Europe and Asia. How dangerous is a polar vortex distortion as compared to a tornado or hurricane? They are completely different types of systems. A cold air outbreak caused by the polar vortex is much more widespread and lasts longer than a single storm. With the widespread drop in temperature, however, you can see significant winter storms develop, especially when the cold air is initially advancing into a previously warm region -- much like the nor'easter during the past week. When did the last one hit a densely populated area? Serious cold snaps happen several times a year, though in different regions of the world and with different degrees of severity. Most notable was the polar vortex in the winter of 2014 when cold arctic air spilled out across North America. It was the first year that the phrase polar vortex was used extensively in the mainstream media. The term took off, especially on Twitter, and meteorologists have been trying to clarify what the name means. If you get caught up in one, what should you do? Again, it's not a 'storm' that you get caught in. But when faced with significant cold temperatures, you should stay inside whenever possible, layer clothing if you must be outside, winterize your home and car, etc. Is it a side effect of global warming and should we expect more events like this? This is a hotly researched topic. In short, yes, it could be. It seems counterintuitive that global warming could cause significant cold snaps like this one, but some research shows that it could. We know that different types of extreme weather can result from the overall warming of the planet, melting of the Arctic Sea ice, etc. This includes extreme distortions of the jet stream, which can cause heat waves in summer and cold snaps in winter. Better Than Meme Stocks? (5 Secrets Revealed) (Ad) Retail traders have poured $1.27 BILLION into meme stocks in just two weeks... Some have made a killing... but most are getting wiped out. Trading legend Bryan Bottarelli just revealed five secrets to make consistent money in the market. Click Here to Claim Your Copy (No Credit Card Required... Limited Time Only) 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. Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in integrated energy, chemicals, and petroleum operations worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as operates a gas-to-liquids plant. The Downstream segment engages in refining crude oil into petroleum products; marketing crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; transporting crude oil and refined products through pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufacturing and marketing commodity petrochemicals, and fuel and lubricant additives, as well as plastics for industrial uses. Chevron Corporation is also involved in the cash management and debt financing activities; insurance operations; real estate activities; and technology businesses. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corporation and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is headquartered in San Ramon, California. Read More 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.. 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. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc operates as an industrial technology company in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Civil Aerospace, Power Systems, Defence, and ITP Aero. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. The Power Systems segment provides high-speed and medium-speed reciprocating engines, and propulsion and power generation systems for the marine, defense, power generation, and industrial markets. The Defence segment offers aero engines for military transport and patrol aircraft applications; and naval engines and submarine nuclear power plants, as well as aftermarket services. The ITP Aero segment engages in the design, research and development, manufacture and casting, assembly, and testing of aeronautical engines and gas turbines. It also provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for regional airlines, as well as business aviation, industrial, and defense applications. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More To Any American Who Owns a Cell Phone (Ad) 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. Click here to see this video before it's removed The following companies are subsidiares of Roche: 454 Life Sciences, Adheron Therapeutics, Adheron Therapeutics Inc., Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ariosa Diagnostics, Ariosa Diagnostics Inc., Arius Research, Ascur Versicherungsvermittlungs GmbH, BINA Technology, Bina Technologies Inc., BioImagene, BioVeris, BioVeris Corporation, Biopharm AG, Boehringer Mannheim, Borean Pharma, Chemical Manufacturing and Trading Company Limited, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Disetronic Holding AG, Dutalys GmbH, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd / Jordan P.S.C., FLLC "Roche Products Limited", FMI Germany GmbH, Flatiron Health, Flatiron Health Inc., ForSight Labs, ForSight VISION4 Inc., Foundation Medicine, Foundation Medicine Inc., Foundation Medicine Securities Corporation, Galenus Mannheim Pharma GmbH, GeneWEAVE, GeneWEAVE Biosciences Inc., Genentech, Genentech Inc., Genentech P.R. Inc., Genentech USA Inc., Genia Technologies, Hoffmann - La Roche Ltd, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, Hoffmann-La Roche Products Limited, I5 Surviving Corp., IGEN International Inc., IGEN LS LLC, IQuum, IQuum Inc., Ignyta, Ignyta Inc., Inflazome, Infogenetik Molekuler Bilgi Hizmetleri Anonim Sirketi, Institut Roche SAS, InterMune, InterMune Holdings Limited, InterMune Inc., InterMune International AG, Jecure Therapeutics Inc., Kapa Biosystems, Kapa Biosystems (Pty) Ltd, Kapa Biosystems Inc., Limited Liability Company Roche Diabetes Care Rus, Limited Liability Company Roche Diagnostics Rus, MTM Laboratories, Marcadia Biotech, Medingo Ltd., Medingo Medical Solutions, Memory Pharmaceuticals, Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp., Mirus, Museum Tinguely AG, N.V. Roche S.A., P.T. Roche Indonesia, PVT Probenverteiltechnik GmbH, Phaor AG, Piramed, Productos Roche (El Salvador) S.A. de C.V., Productos Roche (Honduras) S.A., Productos Roche (Nicaragua) S.A., Productos Roche (Panama) S.A., Productos Roche Dominicana S.R.L., Productos Roche Guatemala (Sociedad Anonima), Productos Roche Interamericana S.A. (PRISA), Productos Roche Quimica Farmaceutica S.A., Productos Roche S.A., Productos Roche S.A. Quimica e Industrial, Productos Roche S.A. de C.V., Produtos Roche Quimicos e Farmaceuticos S.A., Promedior, Rabbit-Air Ltd, RoDiagnostics Egypt for Trading S.A.E, Roche (China) Holding Ltd., Roche (Hellas) S.A., Roche (Hungary) Ltd, Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Roche (Philippines) Inc., Roche (Shanghai) Pharmaceuticals Consulting Co. Ltd, Roche (Shanghai) Pharmaceuticals Trading Co. Ltd., Roche - Moscow Ltd., Roche AB, Roche Algerie SPA, Roche Austria GmbH, Roche Bangladesh Limited, Roche Beteiligungs GmbH, Roche Biomedical Laboratories Inc., Roche Bolivia SRL., Roche Bulgaria EOOD, Roche Cameroun SARL, Roche Capital Market Ltd, Roche Capital Services Ltd., Roche Catalyst Investments Ltd., Roche Chemische Unternehmungen AG, Roche Chile Limitada, Roche Cote dIvoire SARL, Roche DC Japan K. K., Roche DC Mexico S.A. de C.V., Roche Deutschland Holding GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care (Switzerland) Ltd, Roche Diabetes Care Argentina S.A., Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Roche Diabetes Care Australia Pty Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Austria GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care Brasil Ltda., Roche Diabetes Care Deutschland GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care France SAS, Roche Diabetes Care GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care Inc., Roche Diabetes Care India Private Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Italy S.p.A., Roche Diabetes Care Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Middle East FZCO, Roche Diabetes Care Nederland B.V., Roche Diabetes Care Polska sp. z o.o., Roche Diabetes Care South Africa Proprietary Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Spain S.L., Roche Diagnostica Brasil Ltda., Roche Diagnostics (Hellas) S.A., Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited, Roche Diagnostics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Roche Diagnostics (Shanghai) Ltd., Roche Diagnostics (Suzhou) Limited, Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland) Ltd, Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Limited, Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Roche Diagnostics Australia Pty. Limited, Roche Diagnostics Belgium NV, Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Roche Diagnostics Deutschland GmbH, Roche Diagnostics France SAS, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Roche Diagnostics Hematology Inc., Roche Diagnostics India Private Limited, Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Roche Diagnostics K.K., Roche Diagnostics Korea Co. Ltd., Roche Diagnostics Limited, Roche Diagnostics Ltd., Roche Diagnostics Middle East FZCO, Roche Diagnostics NZ Limited, Roche Diagnostics Nederland B.V., Roche Diagnostics Norge A/S, Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc., Roche Diagnostics Oy, Roche Diagnostics Polska Sp. z o.o., Roche Diagnostics Proprietary Limited, Roche Diagnostics S.L., Roche Diagnostics S.p.A., Roche Diagnostics Scandinavia AB, Roche Diagnostics Turkey Anonim Sirketi, Roche Diagnostics a/s, Roche Ecuador S.A., Roche Eesti OU, Roche Egypt LLC, Roche Egypt for Manufacturing and Trading SAE, Roche Farma (Peru) S.A., Roche Farma S.A., Roche Farmaceutica Quimica Lda., Roche Finance Europe B.V., Roche Finance Ltd, Roche Financial Investments Ltd., Roche Financial Management Ltd., Roche Financial Services Ltd., Roche Forum Buonas Ltd, Roche Georgia LLC, Roche Glycart, Roche Glycart Ltd, Roche Health Solutions Inc., Roche Holding (UK) Limited, Roche Holdings Inc., Roche Hong Kong Limited, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen A/S, Roche Innovatis, Roche International Ltd., Roche International Ltd. (Montevideo Branch), Roche Intertrade Limited, Roche Ireland Limited, Roche Kazakhstan LLP, Roche Kenya Limited, Roche Korea Company Ltd., Roche Laboratories Inc., Roche Latvija SIA, Roche Lebanon S.A.R.L., Roche Long Term Foundation, Roche Makedonija DOOEL, Roche Molecular Systems Inc., Roche Myanmar Company Limited, Roche Mustahzarlari Sanayi Anonim Sirketi, Roche Nederland B.V., Roche NimbleGen, Roche Norge A/S, Roche Operations Ltd., Roche Oy, Roche PVT GmbH, Roche Pakistan Limited, Roche Palo Alto LLC, Roche Pars Co. (Ltd.), Roche Pharma (Switzerland) Ltd, Roche Pharma AG, Roche Pharmaceuticals (Israel) Ltd., Roche Pharmaceuticals Middle East FZCO, Roche Pharmholding B.V., Roche Polska Sp. z o.o., Roche Privacy GmbH, Roche Products (India) Private Limited, Roche Products (Ireland) Limited, Roche Products (Mauritius) Ltd, Roche Products (New Zealand) Limited, Roche Products (Proprietary) Limited, Roche Products Ghana Limited, Roche Products Inc., Roche Products Limited, Roche Products Ltd., Roche Products Pty. Limited, Roche Products Saudi Arabia LLC, Roche R&D Center (China) Ltd., Roche Real Estate Services Mannheim GmbH, Roche Registration GmbH, Roche Registration Limited, Roche Romania S.R.L., Roche S.A., Roche S.p.A., Roche SAS, Roche Sequencing Solutions Inc., Roche Services (Asia Pacific) Sdn. Bhd., Roche Services (Europe) Ltd, Roche Services Americas Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Roche Services Holdings Ltd., Roche Servicios S.A., Roche Servicios de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Roche Singapore Pte. Ltd., Roche Singapore Technical Operations Pte. Ltd., Roche Sistemas de Diagnosticos Sociedade Unipessoal Lda., Roche Slovensko S.R.O., Roche TCRC Inc., Roche Thailand Limited, Roche Tunisie SA, Roche Ukraine LLC, Roche Vietnam Company Limited, Roche a/s Medicinalvarer og Kemikalier, Roche d.o.o., Roche d.o.o. farmaceutsko drustvo Roche Ltd. Pharmaceutical Company, Roche farmacevtska druzba d.o.o., Roche mtm laboratories AG, Roche s.r.o., Santaris Pharma, Sapac Corporation Ltd., Seragon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Limited, Signature Diagnostics GmbH, Spark Therapeutics, Spring Bioscience Corp., Stratos Genomics, Syntex Corporation, Syntex Pharm AG, Syntex Pharmaceuticals International Limited, Syntex Puerto Rico Inc., Tanox Inc., Tavero AG, Tensha Therapeutics, Tensha Therapeutics Inc., Therapeutic Human Polyclonals, Therapeutic Human Polyclonals Inc., Trophos, Trophos SA, Tusk Therapeutics, Tusk Therapeutics Limited, UAB Roche Lietuva, Ventana Medical Systems, Ventana Medical Systems Inc., Verum Diagnostica GmbH, Viewics, Viewics Inc., Viewics India Private Limited, mySugr, mySugr GmbH, and mySugr Inc.. 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.. 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 Microsoft in the 80sAmazon in the 90sApple in the 2000sBitcoin in 2016... Any one of these could have made you a millionaire many times over. Today, the Wall Street legend who picked the last investment of the decade The answer will surprise you. Nokia Corporation provides mobile and fixed network solutions worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Mobile Networks, Network Infrastructure, Cloud and Network Services, and Nokia Technologies. It focuses on mobile radio including macro radio, small cells, and cloud native radio solutions for communications service providers and enterprises; and provides network planning and optimization, network implementation, and systems integration, as well as company-wide managed services. The company also offers fixed networking solutions, such as copper and fiber access products, solutions, and services. In addition, it provides network infrastructure and professional services for mobile networks; and managed services for the fixed, mobile, Internet protocol (IP), and optical domains. Further, the company offers network planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance services. Additionally, it provides IP/optical networking solutions, including IP routing and optical transport systems, software, and services; software solutions, such as customer experience management, network operations and management, communications and collaborations, and policy and charging, as well as cloud, IoT, security, and analytics platforms; and submarine networks and radiofrequency systems. Nokia Corporation was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. Read More ITV plc, an integrated producer broadcaster, creates, owns, and distributes content on various platforms worldwide. It operates through Broadcast, and ITV Studios segments. The Broadcast segment broadcasts various contents on its family of free-to-air channels, including ITV, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, ITVBe, ITV Encore, CITV, ITV Breakfast, CITV Breakfast, and various related +1 and HD equivalents; and offers television advertising services. It also delivers content through linear television broadcasting; ITV Hub, an over-the-top service on 28 platforms, including itv.com Website; and pay providers, such as Virgin and Sky, as well as through direct content deals with services comprising Amazon, Apple, and Netflix. In addition, this segment offers online advertising, HD digital channel on pay platform, and ITV Choice subscription services, as well as licenses DTT Multiplex A. The ITV Studios segment creates and produces programs and formats that include drama, entertainment, and factual entertainment for its own channels and other broadcasters, such as the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Sky. It also operates as an unscripted independent producer of content in the United States; and produces content for local broadcasters in Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. In addition, this segment's distribution business licenses finished programs and formats, and third-party content internationally, as well as finances productions. The company also engages in the development of platform, broadband, transactional, and mobile services; operation of Freeview Multiplex A; rights ownership and distribution of television programs and films; and scheduling and commissioning of television programs. ITV plc was founded in 1955 is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares Russell Mid-Cap 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 ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. This Is By Far My #1 Income Stock (Ad) This company owns the bestselling drug in the world, which brought in $19.9 billion in revenue last year. And today, I want to give you the name, the ticker symbol and my full analysis completely free - no strings attached. Click here to get it. Wall Street analysts have given iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 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. GlaxoSmithKline plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. GlaxoSmithKline plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom. Read More Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. provides mission-critical flow control and compression equipment; and associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three segments: Industrials, Energy, and Medical. The Industrials segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services a range of air compression, vacuum, and blower products, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services. Its products are used in process-critical applications, such as the operation of industrial air tools, vacuum packaging of food products, aeration of waste water, and others. This segment sells its products through an integrated network of direct sales representatives and independent distributors under the Gardner Denver, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle, Robuschi, and other brand names. The Energy segment engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and service of a range of displacement and liquid ring vacuum pumps, compressors and integrated systems, and engineered fluid loading and transfer equipment, as well as offers associated aftermarket parts, consumables, and services under the Gardner Denver, Nash, Emco Wheaton, and other brands. It serves customers in upstream, midstream, and downstream energy markets, as well as petrochemical processing, transportation, and general industrial sectors. The Medical segment designs, manufactures, and markets a range of specialized gas, liquid, and precision syringe pumps and compressors for use in oxygen therapy, blood dialysis, patient monitoring, laboratory sterilization and wound treatment, and other applications. This segment sells its products under the Thomas and other brands. Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read More 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. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA provides dialysis care and related dialysis care services in Germany, North America, and internationally. It offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patient's residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure. The company also develops, manufactures, and distributes dialysis products, including polysulfone dialyzers, hemodialysis machines, peritoneal dialysis cyclers, peritoneal dialysis solutions, hemodialysis concentrates, solutions and granulates, bloodlines, renal pharmaceuticals, and systems for water treatment; and non-dialysis products, such as acute cardiopulmonary and apheresis products. In addition, it develops, acquires, and in-licenses renal pharmaceuticals; offers renal medications and supplies to patients at homes or to dialysis clinics; and provides vascular, cardiovascular, endovascular specialty, vascular care ambulatory surgery center, and physician nephrology and cardiology services. The company sells its products to dialysis clinics, hospitals, and specialized treatment clinics directly, as well as through local sales forces, independent distributors, dealers, and sales agents. As of December 31, 2020, it operated 4,092 outpatient dialysis clinics in approximately 150 countries. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Bad Homburg, Germany. Read More 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. The EstAe Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures and markets skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The company offers a range of skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, cleansing devices, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. It also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. The company offers its products under EstAe Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, MAAAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Smashbox, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums FrAdAric Malle, GLAMGLOW, By Kilian, BECCA, Too Faced, RODIN olio lusso, FLIRT!, Kiton, and Tom Ford brands. It also holds license arrangements for Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan New York, DKNY, Michael Kors, Ermenegildo Zegna, Dr. Andrew Weil, TOM FORD BEAUTY, AERIN, and Tory Burch brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer Websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports and on cruise ships; in-flight and duty-free shops; and self-select outlets. It has operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The EstAe Lauder Companies Inc. has a joint development agreement with Atropos Therapeutics Inc. to discover senomodulators. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Read More Wall Street analysts have given SPDR Gold Shares 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 SPDR Gold Shares wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. The following companies are subsidiares of Ecolab: 2208331 Alberta ULC, AO Ecolab, Abednego Environmental Services LLC, Abednego Mexico Holdings LLC, Abednego de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Adam Investment Company Limited, Anios America S.A., Anios Diffusion SAS, Anios Distribution SAS, Anios Manufacturing SAS, Bioquell Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Bioquell Global Logistics (Ireland) Ltd., Bioquell GmbH, Bioquell Holding SAS, Bioquell Inc., Bioquell Limited, Bioquell SAS, Bioquell Technology (Shenzhen) Ltd., Bioquell Technology Canada Ltd., Bioquell UK Limited, Bioxyquell Limited, CALGON EUROPE LIMITED, CALGON LLC, CHAMPIONX GULF LIMITED, CHAMPIONX PNG LTD, CTI Chemicals Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Champion Arabia Ltd., Champion ES Holdings Inc., Champion Technologies (Nig) Limited, Champion Technologies B.V., Champion Technologies Del Ecuador CIA LTDA. CHAMPIONTECH, Champion Technologies Do Brasil Servicos E Produtos Quimicos Ltda., Champion Technologies Limited, Champion Technologies Middle East FZCO, Champion Technologies OOO, Champion Technologies Russia and Caspian B.V., Champion Tecnologias C.C.A., ChampionX (RO) Energy Services S.R.L., ChampionX Argentina S.R.L., ChampionX Associate Investment Company Limited, ChampionX Australia Pty Ltd, ChampionX Canada ULC, ChampionX EG Holdings LLC, ChampionX Egypt Holdings Ltd., ChampionX Egypt Ltd., ChampionX Equatorial Guinea S.A.R.L., ChampionX Europe B.V., ChampionX Europe GmbH, ChampionX Gabon Sarl, ChampionX Guyana Inc., ChampionX Holding Inc., ChampionX Holdings 1 ULC, ChampionX Holdings 2 ULC, ChampionX LA Holding B.V., ChampionX LLC, ChampionX Middle East Holdings Inc., ChampionX NL 1 B.V., ChampionX New Zealand, ChampionX Norge AS, ChampionX Oilfield Solutions Ghana Limited, ChampionX Russia Holding B.V., ChampionX SG 2 Pte Ltd., ChampionX SG 3 PTE. LTD., ChampionX SG 4 Pte. Ltd., ChampionX SG Service Pte. Ltd., ChampionX Services OOO, ChampionX Texas Leasing LLC, ChampionX U.S. 3 Inc., ChampionX U.S. 4 LLC, ChampionX U.S. 5 LLC, ChampionX USA Inc., ChampionX Ultrafab ULC, ChampionX de Colombia Ltda., ChampionX-Element JSC, Chamtech L.L.C., Chemical Innovations NL B.V., Chemstaff Inc., Corexit Environmental Solutions LLC, DERYPOL SA, DMD, E&M Bio-Chemicals LLC, ECOLAB NL 10 B.V., ECOLAB PEST FRANCE SAS, Ecolab (Antigua) Ltd., Ecolab (Aruba) N.V., Ecolab (Barbados) Limited, Ecolab (China) Investment Co. Ltd, Ecolab (Fiji) Pty Limited, Ecolab (GZ) Chemicals Limited, Ecolab (Guam) LLC, Ecolab (Holdings) Limited, Ecolab (Proprietary) Limited, Ecolab (Schweiz) GmbH, Ecolab (St. Lucia) Limited, Ecolab (Taicang) Technology Co. Ltd., Ecolab (Trinidad and Tobago )Unlimited, Ecolab (U.K.) Holdings Limited, Ecolab A.E.B.E., Ecolab AB, Ecolab AP Holdings LLC, Ecolab AT 2 GmbH, Ecolab AU2 Pty Ltd, Ecolab ApS, Ecolab Argentina S.R.L., Ecolab Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Ecolab B.V., Ecolab B.V.B.A./S.P.R.L., Ecolab BM 1 Limited, Ecolab Bahrain S.P.C., Ecolab CDN 2 Co., Ecolab CDN 4 ULC, Ecolab CH 1 GmbH, Ecolab CH 2 GmbH, Ecolab CH 3 GmbH, Ecolab CH 5 GmbH, Ecolab CH 6 GmbH, Ecolab Chemicals Limited, Ecolab Co., Ecolab Colombia S. A., Ecolab DE 1 GmbH, Ecolab Deutschland GmbH, Ecolab EOOD, Ecolab East Africa (Kenya) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Tanzania) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Uganda) Limited, Ecolab Ecuador, Ecolab Engineering GmbH, Ecolab Europe GmbH, Ecolab Export GmbH, Ecolab FR 1 SAS, Ecolab FR 4 SAS, Ecolab Finance Company Designated Activity Company, Ecolab Food Safety & Hygiene Solutions Private Limited, Ecolab G.K., Ecolab Global Business Services LLC, Ecolab GmbH, Ecolab Gulf FZE, Ecolab HK 1 Limited, Ecolab HK 2 Limited, Ecolab Hispano-Portuguesa S.L., Ecolab Holding Italy S.r.l., Ecolab Holdings (Europe) LLC, Ecolab Holdings Inc., Ecolab Holdings Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., Ecolab Hygiene Kft., Ecolab Hygiene d.o.o., Ecolab IE 1 Designated Activity Company, Ecolab Israel Holdings LLC, Ecolab JVZ Limited, Ecolab Korea Ltd., Ecolab LLC, Ecolab LUX & Co Holdings S.C.A., Ecolab LUX 1 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 2 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 3 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 4 Sarl, Ecolab LUX 7 Sarl, Ecolab LUX Sarl, Ecolab Limited, Ecolab Ltd., Ecolab Lux 10 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 11 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 12 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 13 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 14 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 15 Sarl, Ecolab Lux 9 S.a.r.l., Ecolab Lux Partner LLC, Ecolab MT Holdings LLC, Ecolab MT Limited, Ecolab Manufacturing Inc., Ecolab Maroc Societe a Responsabilite Limitee Dassocie Unique, Ecolab NL 11 B.V., Ecolab NL 15 BV, Ecolab NL 16 B.V., Ecolab NL 23 B.V., Ecolab NL 3 BV, Ecolab NL 4 BV, Ecolab Name Holding Limited, Ecolab New Zealand, Ecolab Peru Holdings S.R.L., Ecolab Pest Deutschland GmbH, Ecolab Philippines Inc., Ecolab Production Belgium B.V.B.A., Ecolab Production France SAS, Ecolab Production Italy Srl, Ecolab Production LLC, Ecolab Production Netherlands B.V., Ecolab Production Poland sp. z o.o., Ecolab Pte. Ltd., Ecolab Pty Ltd., Ecolab Quimica Ltda., Ecolab S. de R.L. de C.V., Ecolab S.A., Ecolab S.A. de C.V., Ecolab SAS, Ecolab SIA, Ecolab SNC, Ecolab SRL, Ecolab Sdn Bhd, Ecolab Services Argentina S.R.L., Ecolab Services Poland Sp. z o o, Ecolab Sociedad Anonima, Ecolab Sp. z o o, Ecolab Spain Services S.L.U., Ecolab Temizleme Sistemleri Limited Sirketi, Ecolab U.S. 2 Inc., Ecolab U.S. 4 LLC, Ecolab U.S. 6 LLC, Ecolab U.S. 7 LLC, Ecolab US 1 GP, Ecolab USA Inc., Ecolab Viet Nam Company Limited, Ecolab Water Holding LImited, Ecolab a.s., Ecolab d.o.o., Ecolab s.r.l., Ecolab s.r.o., Ecolab y Compania Colectiva de Responsabilidad Limitada, Ecolab-Importacao E. Exportacao Limitada, Ecolabone B.V., Ecolabtwo B.V., Endoclear Equipamentos Medicos Hospitalares Ltda., Enviroflo Engineering Limited, Gallay Medical & Scientific NZ Pty Ltd, Gallay Medical & Scientific Pty Ltd, GallayTrac Pty. Ltd., Green Harbour Mainland Holdings Ltd, Guangzhou Green Harbour Environmental Operation Ltd., HOUSEMAN LIMITED, HYDROSAN LIMITED, Hicopla SL, Holchem Laboratories Limited, Hydenet SAS, INTERNATIONAL WATER CONSULTANT B.V., Immobiliare R.E.O.P.A. SRL, Imperial Janitorial Supplies Limited, Instrunet Hospital SLU, International Legacy Fabrication LLC, Jianghai Environmental Protection Co. Ltd., KATAYAMA NALCO INC., Kay BVBA, Kay Chemical International Inc., Kilco Chemicals (Ireland) Designated Activity Company, LHS (UK) Limited, Laboratoires Anios, Legacy Fabrication (Oman) Holdings LLC, Legacy Fabrication LLC, Les Produits Chimiques ERPAC Inc., Lobster Ink Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Lobster Ink Ltd. (Mauritius), Lobster Ink US Inc., Lobster International S.A., Lobster Technologies B.V., London & General Packaging Ltd, MOBOTEC AB LLC, Master Chemicals OOO, Merlin Chemicals Limited, Microtek Dominicana S.A., Microtek Italy S.R.L., Microtek Medical B.V., Microtek Medical Europe Limited, Microtek Medical Holdings Inc., Microtek Medical Inc., Microtek Medical Malta Holding Limited, Microtek Medical Malta Limited, Midland Research Laboratories UK Limited, NALCO (SHANGHAI) TRADING CO. LTD., NALCO AB, NALCO ACQUISITION ONE, NALCO ACQUISITION TWO LIMITED, NALCO AFRICA (PTY.) LTD., NALCO ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. LTD., NALCO BELGIUM BVBA, NALCO CHINA HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO COMPANY OOO, NALCO DANMARK APS, NALCO DE MEXICO S. de R. L. de C.V., NALCO DELAWARE COMPANY, NALCO DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, NALCO DEUTSCHLAND MANUFACTURING GMBH UND CO. KG, NALCO DUTCH HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO EGYPT LTD., NALCO EGYPT TRADING, NALCO ENERGY SERVICES (GHANA) LIMITED, NALCO ESPANOLA MANUFACTURING S.L.U., NALCO ESPANOLA S.L., NALCO EUROPE B.V., NALCO FINLAND MANUFACTURING OY, NALCO FINLAND OY, NALCO FRANCE, NALCO FRANCE SNC, NALCO GLOBAL HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO GLOBAL HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO HOLDING B.V., NALCO HOLDING COMPANY, NALCO HOLDINGS G.m.b.H., NALCO HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, NALCO HONG KONG LIMITED, NALCO INDUSTRIAL OUTSOURCING COMPANY, NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (NANJING) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (SUZHOU) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES (THAILAND) CO. LTD., NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES CHILE LIMITADA, NALCO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES MALAYSIA SDN. BHD, NALCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V., NALCO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO INVESTMENTS U.K. LIMITED, NALCO ISRAEL INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LTD, NALCO ITALIANA HOLDINGS S.R.L., NALCO ITALIANA MANUFACTURING S.R.L., NALCO ITALIANA SrL, NALCO KOREA LIMITED, NALCO LIMITED, NALCO LUXEMBOURG HOLDINGS SARL, NALCO MANUFACTURING BETEILIGUNGS GMBH, NALCO MANUFACTURING LTD., NALCO NETHERLANDS BV, NALCO NORTH AFRICA LIMITED, NALCO OSTERREICH Ges m.b.H., NALCO OVERSEAS HOLDING B.V., NALCO PAKISTAN (PRIVATE) LIMITED, NALCO PHILIPPINES INC., NALCO PORTUGUESA (QUIMICA INDUSTRIAL) UNIPESSOAL LDA, NALCO PWS INC., NALCO SAUDI CO. LTD., NALCO SERVICES LTD., NALCO TAIWAN CO. LTD., NALCO TWO INC., NALCO U.S. HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO UNIVERSAL HOLDINGS BV, NALCO VENEZUELA S. C. A., NALCO WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC, NALCO ZAO, NALFLOC LIMITED, NALTECH INC., NANOSPECIALTIES LLC, NLC PROCESS AND WATER SERVICES SARL, Nalco (BN) SDN BHD, Nalco (China) Environmental Solution Co. Ltd., Nalco Anadolu Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Nalco Azerbaijan LLC, Nalco Canada ULC, Nalco Company LLC(1), Nalco Contract Operations LLC, Nalco Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Nalco Gulf Response Corp., Nalco Japan G.K., Nalco Libya, Nalco Middle East FZE, Nalco Polska Sp. z o. o., Nalco Production LLC, Nalco Real Estate GmbH, Nalco Schweiz GmbH, Nalco US 1 LLC, Nalco Wastewater Contract Operations Inc., Nalco Water India Limited, Nalco Water Pretreatment Solutions LLC, Nalco Worldwide Holdings S.a.r.l./B.V., Nuova Farmec S.r.l., ONES WEST AFRICA LLC, Oksa Kimya Sanayi A.S., Oy Ecolab AB, P.T. Champion Kurnia Djaja Technologies, PT Ecolab International Indonesia, PT Ecolab Technologies and Services, PT Nalco Champion Indonesia, Promchimservice Limited Liability Company, Quantum Technical Services LLC, Quimicas Ecolab S.A. de C.V., R P Adam Limited, Shield Holdings Limited, Shield Medicare Limited, Shield Salvage Associates Limited (UK), Soluscope International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Soluscope SAS, The Holchem Group Limited, USF Healthcare SA, and Wabasha Leasing LLC. The BIG CON Screwing Americans (Ad) The rich and powerful are thrilled... Inflation is GREAT for them. Its everyone else wholl get screwed. But according to an ex-Wall Street vet, theres actually a way for YOU to turn the tables just make this one move before July 29th. Click here to see why 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. Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Innovative Medicines and Sandoz. The Innovative Medicines segment offers prescription medicines for patients and healthcare providers. It also provides ophthalmology, neuroscience, immunology, hepatology and dermatology, respiratory, established, and cardiovascular, renal and metabolism medicine products. The Sandoz segment provides active ingredients and finished dosage forms of small molecule pharmaceuticals to third parties across a range of therapeutic areas, as well as finished dosage form anti-infectives. It also provides active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates primarily antibiotics; protein- or other biotechnology-based products, including biosimilars; and biotechnology manufacturing services. Novartis AG has a license and collaboration agreement with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to develop, manufacture, and commercialize inclisiran; an agreement with CureVac to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine candidate CVnCoV; and collaboration with Artios Pharma Limited to create next generation DDR cancer therapies. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Read More Graco Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials worldwide. The company's Industrial segment offers proportioning systems to spray polyurethane foam and polyurea coatings; equipment that pumps, meters, mixes, and dispenses sealant, adhesive, and composite materials; and gel-coat equipment, chop and wet-out systems, resin transfer molding systems, and applicators. It also provides liquid finishing equipment; paint circulating and supply pumps; paint circulating advanced control systems; plural component coating proportioners; spare parts and accessories; and powder finishing products to coat powder finishing on metals under the Gema and SAT brands. The company's Process segment offers pumps to move and dispense chemicals, oil and natural gas, water, wastewater, petroleum, food, lubricants, and other fluids; pressure valves used in the oil and natural gas industry, other industrial processes, and research facilities; and chemical injection pumping solutions for injection of chemicals into producing oil wells and pipelines. It also supplies pumps, hose reels, meters, valves, and accessories for fast oil change facilities, service garages, fleet service centers, automobile dealerships, auto parts stores, truck builders, and heavy equipment service centers; and systems, components, and accessories for the automatic lubrication of bearings, gears, and generators in industrial and commercial equipment, compressors, turbines, and on- and off-road vehicles. The company's Contractor segment offers sprayers to apply paint to walls and other structures; and viscous coatings to roofs, as well as markings on roads, parking lots, athletic fields, and floors. The company sells its products through distributors, original equipment manufacturers, and home center channels; and directly to end-users. The company was incorporated in 1926 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read More Celanese Corporation, a technology and specialty materials company, manufactures and sells high performance engineered polymers in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Engineered Materials, Acetate Tow, and Acetyl Chain segments. The Engineered Materials segment develops, produces, and supplies specialty polymers for automotive and medical applications, as well as for use in industrial products and consumer electronics. It also offers acesulfame potassium, a sweetener for use in various beverages, confections, and dairy products; and food protection ingredients, such as potassium sorbate and sorbic acid for use in foods, beverages, and personal care products. The Acetate Tow segment provides acetate tows and flakes for use in filter products applications. The Acetyl Chain segment produces and supplies acetyl products, including acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomers, acetic anhydride, and acetate esters that are used as starting materials for colorants, paints, adhesives, coatings, and pharmaceuticals; and organic solvents and intermediates for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical products. It also offers vinyl acetate-based emulsions for use in paints and coatings, adhesives, construction, glass fiber, textiles, and paper applications; and ethylene vinyl acetate resins and compounds, as well as low-density polyethylene for use in flexible packaging films, lamination film products, hot melt adhesives, automotive parts, and carpeting applications. In addition, it manufactures ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Celanese Corporation was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Read More 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. Brown & Brown, Inc. markets and sells insurance products and services in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It operates through four segments: Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services. The company offers builders risk, group medical and pharmaceutical, property, commercial auto, homeowners, reinsurance, crop and hail, inland marine, retirement benefit, cyber, disability, risk mitigating warranty products, directors and officers, management liability, errors and omissions, medical stop loss, term life, excess liability, personal auto, umbrella, general liability, prescription drug, workers compensation, and group dental insurance products. It also provides professional liability and related package insurance products for dentistry, legal, eyecare, insurance, financial, physicians, and real estate title professionals, as well as supplementary insurance-related products for weddings, events, medical facilities, and cyber liability; homeowners and personal property policies, residential earthquake, and private passenger automobile and motorcycle coverage; commercial and public entity-related programs; and flood insurance, commercial difference-in-conditions, all-risk commercial property, coastal property programs, lender-placed solutions, sovereign Indian nations, and parcel insurance. In addition, it provides markets and sells excess and surplus commercial insurance products, such as personal lines, homeowners, yachts, jewelry, commercial property and casualty, commercial automobile, garage, restaurant, builder's risk, and inland marine lines; and third-party claims administration and medical utilization management services in the workers' compensation and all-lines liability arenas, as well as Medicare Set-aside, Social Security disability, Medicare benefits advocacy, and claims adjusting services. The company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Read More Orion Engineered Carbons S.A., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells carbon black products in Germany, the United States, South Korea, Brazil, China, South Africa, the rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Specialty Carbon Black and Rubber Carbon Black. The company offers post-treated specialty carbon black grades for coatings and printing applications; high purity carbon black grades for the fiber industry; and various conductive carbon black grades for polymers, coatings, and battery electrodes. It also provides rubber carbon black products for applications in mechanical rubber goods under the PUREX brand, as well as in tires under the ECORAX brand name. The company was formerly known as Orion Engineered Carbons S.A r.l. and changed its name to Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. in July 2014. Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Senningerberg, Luxembourg. Read More WESCO International, Inc. provides business-to-business distribution, logistics, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). The EES segment supplies products and supply chain solutions, including electrical equipment and supplies, wires and cables, lubricants, pipes, valves, fittings, fasteners, cutting tools, power transmission products, and safety products, as well as assemblies and components; and provides various value-added services, such as supplier consolidation, design and technical support, just-in-time supply and electronic commerce, and supply chain management services to the construction, industrial, and original equipment manufacturing markets. The CSS segment provides copper and fiber optic cable and connectivity, access control, video surveillance, intrusion and fire/life safety, cabinets, power, cable management, wireless, professional audio/video, voice and networking switches, and other ancillary products; and value-added supply chain solutions, including inventory management, product packaging and enhancement, and customized supply chain services to the network infrastructure and security markets. The UBS segment supplies electrical transmission and distribution, power plant maintenance, repair and operations supplies, and smart-grid products; arranges materials management and procurement outsourcing services for the power generation, transmission, and distribution industries; and offers conductors, transformers, overhead transmission and distribution hardware, switches, protective devices and underground distribution products, connectors, critical components, and lighting and conduit products for the investor-owned utilities, public power companies, and contractors. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read More Man Who Picked Tesla, Bitcoin Makes Next Pick of the Decade" (Ad) Picking the right investment of the decade can transform your life Today, the Wall Street legend who picked the last investment of the decade months (even years) before his peers will finally reveal his new #1 pick for the 2020s. Its not 5G, artificial intelligence, EVs, or clean energy. The answer will surprise you. Click To See This #1 Pick. 12 hours ago | June 19th | 2021 10:00 PM The 3 secrets you need to know to cope with work stress The day I went to work at the company they welcomed me with a smile. They guided me to my place, showed me my desk, my chair, my computer and even gave me a white mug with my name printed in orange. In the desk drawer I found a dark, heavy and circular object that I immediately made my own, seeking to fulfill the expectations that I believed others had of me. United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and financial services. It operates through three segments: U.S. Domestic Package, International Package, and Supply Chain & Freight. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The Supply Chain & Freight segment provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories; and less-than-truckload and truckload services to customers in North America. This segment also offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 127,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 58,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Barclays: Adler Toy Holding Sarl, Aequor Investments Limited, Alymere Investments Limited, Alynore Investments Limited Partnership, Analog Analytics, Analog Analytics Inc, Analytical Trade Holdings LLC, Analytical Trade Investments LLC, Analytical Trade UK Limited, Archstone Equity Holdings Inc, Ardencroft Investments Limited, B D & B Investments Limited, B.P.B. (Holdings) Limited, BB Client Nominees Limited, BBAIL SAS, BCAP LLC, BIFML PTC Limited, BMBF (No.24) Limited, BMI (No.9) Limited, BNC Brazil Consultoria Empresarial Ltda, BNRI ENG 2013 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG 2014 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG GP LLP, BNRI England 2010 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2011 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2012 Limited Partnership, BNRI Limehouse No.1 Sarl, BNRI PIA Scot GP Limited, BNRI Scots GP LLP, BPB Holdings SA, BVP Galvani Global S.A.U., Barafor Limited, Barclay Leasing Limited, Barclaycard Funding PLC, Barclaycard International Payments Limited, Barclays (Barley) Limited, Barclays Aldersgate Investments Limited, Barclays Alzin Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Asia Limited, Barclays Asset Management Limited, Barclays BR Investments S.a r.l., Barclays BWA Inc., Barclays Bank (Suisse) S.A., Barclays Bank Delaware, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, Barclays Bank Ireland Public Limited Company, Barclays Bank Mexico S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Barclays Bayard Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bedivere Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bordang Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Brasil Assessoria Financeira Ltda., Barclays CCP Funding LLC, Barclays Cantal Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Capital (Cayman) Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Limited, Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Barclays Capital Casa de Bolsa S.A. de C.V., Barclays Capital Derivatives Funding LLC, Barclays Capital Effekten GmbH, Barclays Capital Energy Inc., Barclays Capital Equities Trading GP, Barclays Capital Finance Limited, Barclays Capital Futures (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Barclays Capital Japan Securities Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Capital Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.2) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.3) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees Limited, Barclays Capital Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Capital Real Estate Finance Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Barclays Capital Securities Client Nominee Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Trading Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Claudas Investments Partnership, Barclays Claudas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Barclays Converted Investments (No.2) Limited, Barclays Corporation Limited, Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited, Barclays Directors Limited, Barclays Dryrock Funding LLC, Barclays Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc., Barclays Equity Holdings Limited, Barclays Equity Index Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Europe Client Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Firm Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Executive Schemes Trustees Limited, Barclays Financial LLC, Barclays Financial Planning Nominee Company Limited, Barclays Funds Investments Limited, Barclays Funds and Advisory Japan Limited, Barclays Global Service Centre Private Limited, Barclays Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Group Holdings Limited, Barclays Group Operations Limited, Barclays Group US Inc., Barclays Index Finance Trust, Barclays Industrial Development Limited, Barclays Industrial Investments Limited, Barclays Insurance Guernsey PCC Limited, Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited, Barclays Insurance U.S. Inc., Barclays International Luxembourg Dollar Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Investment Management Limited, Barclays Investment Solutions Limited, Barclays Investments & Loans (India) Limited, Barclays Korea GP Limited, Barclays Lamorak Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Leasing (No.9) Limited, Barclays Leto Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Long Island Limited, Barclays Luxembourg EUR Holdings S.a r.l, Barclays Luxembourg Finance S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg GBP Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Global Funding S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings SSC B, Barclays Marlist Limited, Barclays Mauritius Overseas Holdings Limited, Barclays Mercantile Business Finance Limited, Barclays Merchant Bank (Singapore) Ltd., Barclays Nominees (George Yard) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Manx) Limited, Barclays Oversight Management Inc., Barclays Payment Solutions Inc., Barclays Pelleas Investments Limited Partnership, Barclays Pelleas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Pension Funds Trustees Limited, Barclays Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Private Asset Management (Monaco) S.A.M, Barclays Private Bank, Barclays Private Clients International Limited, Barclays Receivables LLC, Barclays SAMS Limited, Barclays Securities (India) Private Limited, Barclays Securities Japan Limited, Barclays Security Trustee Limited, Barclays Services (Japan) Limited, Barclays Services Corporation, Barclays Services Jersey Limited, Barclays Services LLC, Barclays Services Limited, Barclays Shea Limited, Barclays Singapore Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Switzerland Services SA, Barclays Tenedora De Immuebles SL., Barclays Term Funding Limited Liability Partnership, Barclays UK Investments Limited, Barclays US CCP Funding LLC, Barclays US Funding LLC, Barclays US GPF Inc., Barclays US Investments Inc., Barclays US LLC, Barclays Unquoted Investments Limited, Barclays Unquoted Property Investments Limited, Barclays Wealth Management Jersey Limited, Barclays Wealth Nominees Limited, Barclays Wealth Services Limited, Barclays Wealth Trustees (India) Private Limited, Barclayshare Nominees Limited, Barclaytrust Channel Islands Limited, Barcosec Limited, Barsec Nominees Limited, Blossom Finance General Partnership, Branchcall Computers (Pvt) Limited, Braven Investments No.1 Limited, CP Flower Guaranteeco (UK) Limited, CP Newco 1 Limited, CP Newco2 Limited, CP Newco3 Limited, CP Propco 1 Limited, CP Propco 2 Limited, CP Topco Limited, CPIA Canada Holdings, CPIA England 2008 Limited Partnership, CPIA England 2009 Limited Partnership, CPIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, CPIA Investments No.1 Limited, CPIA Investments No.2 Limited, CRE Diversified Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe LLC, Calthorpe Investments Limited, Capton Investments Limited, Carnegie Holdings Limited, Central Platte Valley Management LLC, Chapelcrest Investments Limited, Charles Schwab Europe, Claudas Investments Limited, Claudas Investments Two Limited, Clydesdale Financial Services Limited, Cobalt Investments Limited, Compania Regional del Sur S.A., Compania Sudamerica S.A., Condor No.1 Limited Partnership, Cornwall Homes Loans Limited, Crescent Crown Land Holding SPV LLC, Crescent Legacy LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential L.P., Crescent Plaza Residential LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential LP LLC, Crescent Real Estate Member LLC, Crescent Resort Development LLC, Crescent TRS Holdings LLC, Crescent Tower Residences GP LLC, Crescent Tower Residences L.P., Curve Investments GP, DBL Texas Holdings LLC, DMW Realty Limited, Desert Mountain Development LLC, Desert Mountain Properties Limited Partnership, Develop Training Group Limited, Dorset Home Loans Limited, Durlacher Nominees Limited, EWRD Summit LLC, Eagle Financial and Leasing Services (UK) Limited, East West Resort Development V L.P. L.L.L.P., East West Resort Development VII LLC, Equity Limited Partnership, Equity Value Investments No.1 Limited, Equity Value Investments No.2 Limited, Erimon Home Loans Ireland Limited, Expobank, FIRSTPLUS Financial Group Limited, Finpart Nominees Limited, First Assurance, Foltus Investments Limited, Full House Holdings Limited, Gallen Investments Limited, Global Dynasty Natural Resource Private, Globe Nominees Limited, Gracechurch Services Corporation, Grays Station LLC, Grupo Financiero Barclays Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hawkins Funding Limited, Heraldglen Limited, Holding Stuttgarter Strae GmbH, Hurley Investments No.1 Limited, Imalivest Mineral Resources LP, Investors In Infrastructure Limited, J.V. Estates Limited, JV Assets Limited, Kirsche Investments Limited, LTDL Holdings LLC, La Torretta Beverages LLC, La Torretta Hospitality LLC, La Torretta Operations LLC, Lagalla Investments LLC, Leonis Investments LLP, Liability Partnership, Long Island Assets Limited, Long Island Holding A LLC, Long Island Holding B Limited, MK Opportunities GP Ltd, MK Opportunities LP, MVWP Investors LLC, Maloney Investments Limited, Marbury Holdings LLC, Menlo Investments Limited, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, Mercantile Leasing Company (No.132) Limited, Meridian (SPV-AMC) Corporation, Mintaka Investments No. 4 Limited, Mira Vista Development LLC, Mira Vista Golf Club L.C., Mountainside Partners LLC, Murray House Investment Management Limited, Naxos Investments Limited, Nile Bank, North Colonnade Investments Limited, Northstar Mountain Properties LLC, Northstar Trailside Townhomes LLC, Northstar Village Townhomes LLC, Northwharf Investments Limited, Northwharf Nominees Limited, OGP Leasing Limited, Oakes Millers Ltd, Ownership Trustee Limited, PIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, Palomino Limited, Pecan Aggregator LP, Pelleas Investments Limited, Pelleas Investments Two Limited, Pippin Island Investments Limited, Preferred Liquidity LLC, Preferred Liquidity Limited Partnership, Procella Investments LLC, Procella Investments No.1 LLC, Procella Investments No.2 LLC, Procella Investments No.3 LLC, Protium Finance I LLC, Protium Master Grantor Trust, Protium Master Mortgage LP, Protium REO I LP, R.C. Grieg Nominees Limited, RVH Limited, RVT CLO Investments LLP, Razzoli Investments Limited, Real Estate Participation Management Limited, Real Estate Participation Services Limited, Relative Value Holdings LLC, Relative Value Investments UK Limited, Relative Value Trading Limited, Roder Investments No. 1 Limited, Roder Investments No. 2 Limited, Ruthenium Investments Limited, SPM GP Limited, Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC, Servicios Barclays S.A. de C.V., Societe Civile Immobiliere 31 Avenue de la Costa, Solution Personal Finance Limited, Southern Peaks Mining LP, Standard Life Aberdeen, Surety Trust Limited, Surrey Funding Corporation, Sussex Purchasing Corporation, Sutton Funding LLC, Swan Lane Investments Limited, TPLL LLC, TPProperty LLC, Tahoe Club Company LLC, Tahoe Club Employee Company, The Logic Group Enterprises Limited, The Logic Group Holdings Limited, Third Energy Holdings Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No. 2 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.1 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.3 Limited, US Secured Investments LLC, Union Center LLC, United Counties Bank, Verain Investments LLC, Walbrook Group Ltd, Wedd Jefferson (Nominees) Limited, Wessex Investments Limited, Westferry Investments Limited, Wilmington Riverfront Receivables LLC, Woolwich Homes Limited, Woolwich Plan Managers Limited, Woolwich Qualifying Employee Share, Woolwich Surveying Services Limited, Woori BC Pegasus Securitization Specialty Co. Limited, and Zeban Nominees Limited. MOUNT VERNON The Knox County Emergency Management Agency has partnered with The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon to open up a warming center inside The Salvation Army on Wednesday and Thursday, for those who need a place to get warm, charge their phones and relax during the predicted arctic blast. The Salvation Army (located at 206 E. Ohio Ave.) will host residents from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Its for individuals just to get out of the cold, Knox County Health Department Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Zach Green said. They can utilize the facilities as needed, charge their phones. But there will not be any food or anything of that nature, its strictly to get out of the awfulness of the weather. An arctic cold front is expected to hit north central Ohio on Tuesday night, bringing with it brutally cold temperatures. The forecasted high in Knox County on Wednesday is -1 degree, with a low of -8. Winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour (with gusts of over 30 miles per hour) will produce wind chill values of 25 to 40 degrees below zero, the National Weather Service predicted, which will cause life-threatening conditions. From Monday: Arctic blast could bring historic lows, life-threatening wind chills to area Wednesday may be the first time since January 1994 that highs remain below zero in many locations, the NWS said in an statement. Low temperatures Wednesday and Thursday morning will be the lowest the region has felt since February 2015 and could break daily records by several degrees. Green, who has worked with the Knox County EMA for three years, said this is the first time in his tenure that the agency has had to open up a public warming center. Food will not be served at The Salvation Army during its open hours this week, Green said. It will simply serve as a warm refuge for those who need it. Green said that, as of now, the building will only be open during the day on Wednesday and Thursday. However, if a large number of power outages occur and additional service is needed, we may move in the direction of a 24-hour shelter. Negative 40 windchill factor is nothing you want to be playing around with, Green said. You want to be proactive and ramp up resources if needed. Green encouraged residents to be aware of the dangers of frostbite and hypothermia in situations like this. According to the NWS warning, the forecasted wind chill temperatures could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Other services offered Gay Street United Methodist Church, located at 18 N. Gay St. in Mount Vernon, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday for those who need a warm place to stay. Food will be served at the church. The Winter Sanctuary, Knox Countys lone emergency homeless shelter, will give its guests additional KAT card money on Wednesday and Thursday so they will be able to travel without trouble. Operations Manager Joe Springer said Tuesday afternoon that he was working on Wednesday night dinner plans for his guests; they will either eat at Gay Street United Methodist or at the shelter (a staff member would prepare the meal). The shelter will open at 4 p.m. Thursday (and may be open at the same time Wednesday depending on dinner plans), as opposed to the regular 6:30 p.m. open time. This will allow guests more time in the shelter, Springer said, which could keep them out of the cold. My main concern is that theyre not stuck outside for a half hour to an hour, Springer said, and that theyre not having to walk around downtown to get where theyre going. Knox Area Transit director Martin McAvoy said the program does not plan on offering additional services Wednesday or Thursday, as door-to-door pick-up will still be an option. He encouraged riders to stay inside until they see their ride, in order to stay warm. Were a door-to-door, curb-to-curb service. Theres not really bus stops, McAvoy said. Most people can be in and out of the weather and can see the buses coming. Representatives from the Fredericktown Community Fire District and Central Ohio Joint Fire District said they had not heard of warming centers being opened in Fredericktown or Centerburg, respectively. They had only heard of The Salvation Armys offering. Larry Stimpert, Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District chief, said his district typically works with the Red Cross to set up a warming center during cold spells, although they have not done so yet. Stimpert recommended that residents use alternate heating sources appropriately, as improper use can result in fires. He also recommended that residents have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. He advised people to check on their neighbors to keep each other safe. Calls to the American Red Cross of Knox County were not returned as of press time. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. FS KKR Capital Corp. is a business development company specializing in investments in debt securities. It seeks to purchase interests in loans through secondary market transactions or directly from the target companies as primary market investments. It also seeks to invest in first lien senior secured loans, second lien secured loans and, to a lesser extent, subordinated loans, or mezzanine loans. In connection with the debt investments, the firm also receives equity interests such as warrants or options as additional consideration. It also seek to purchase minority interests in the form of common or preferred equity in our target companies, either in conjunction with one of the debt investments or through a co-investment with a financial sponsor. Additionally, on an opportunistic basis, the fund may also invest in corporate bonds and similar debt securities. The fund does not seek to invest in start-up companies, turnaround situations, or companies with speculative business plans. It seeks to invest in small and middle-market companies based in United States. The fund seeks to invest in firms with annual revenue between $10 million to $2.5 billion. It seeks to exit from securities by selling them in a privately negotiated over- the- counter market. For any investments that are not able to be sold within the secondary market, the firm seeks to exit such investments through repayment, an initial public offering of equity securities, merger, sale or recapitalization. Read More Finance PhD: Move your money BEFORE June 30th (Ad) The clock just started on the biggest financial event in 20 years. And the next months could decide your wealth in 2021. Heres what to do now. AbbVie Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals in the worldwide. The company offers HUMIRA, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune and intestinal BehAet's diseases; SKYRIZI to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults; RINVOQ, a JAK inhibitor for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients; IMBRUVICA to treat adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), mantle cell lymphoma, waldenstrAm's macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, and chronic graft versus host disease; VENCLEXTA, a BCL-2 inhibitor used to treat adults with CLL or SLL; and MAVYRET to treat patients with chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection. It also provides CREON, a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Synthroid used in the treatment of hypothyroidism; AndroGel for males diagnosed with symptomatic low testosterone; Linzess/Constella to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation; Lupron for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis and central precocious puberty, and patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids; and Botox therapeutic. In addition, the company offers ORILISSA, a nonpeptide small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for women with moderate to severe endometriosis pain; Duopa and Duodopa, a levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel to treat Parkinson's disease; Lumigan/Ganfort, a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension; Ubrelvy to treat migraine with or without aura in adults; Alphagan/ Combigan, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist for the reduction of IOP in patients with OAG; and Restasis, a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant to increase tear production. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in North Chicago, Illinois. Read More Citizens Financial Group, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Citizens Bank, National Association that provides retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. The Consumer Banking segment offers traditional banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, home and education loans, credit cards, business loans, mortgage and home equity lending, and unsecured product finance and personal loans, as well as wealth management and investment services to retail customers and small businesses. This segment also provides indirect auto finance for new and used vehicles through auto dealerships. The Commercial Banking segment offers various financial products and solutions, such as loans and leasing, trade finance, deposit and treasury management, cash management, and foreign exchange and interest rate risk management solutions; and loan syndications, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. It serves government banking, not-for-profit, healthcare, technology, professionals, oil and gas, asset finance, franchise finance, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, private equity, and sponsor finance industries. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. operates approximately 2,700 ATMs and 1,000 branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions, as well as through online, telephone, and mobile banking services; and maintains approximately 130 retail and commercial non-branch offices. The company was formerly known as RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc. and changed its name to Citizens Financial Group, Inc. in April 2014. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1828 and is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. Read More Shutterstock, Inc., a technology company, provides content, and tools and services in North America, Europe, and internationally. It offers image services consisting of photographs, vectors, and illustrations, which is used in visual communications, such as Websites, digital and print marketing materials, corporate communications, books, publications, and others; footage services, including video clips, filmed by industry experts and cinema grade video effects, and HD and 4K formats that are integrated into Websites, social media, marketing campaigns, and cinematic productions; and music services comprising music tracks and sound effects, which are used to complement digital imagery. The company provides its services under the Shutterstock, Bigstock, Offset, Shutterstock Select, Shutterstock Custom, Shutterstock Editorial, Offset, PremiumBeat brand names, as well as Application programming interface, and Editor and Editor Pro tools to enhance workflow and project management needs, and search capabilities. It serves marketing professionals and organizations, media and broadcast companies, and small and medium-sized businesses through online platform. Shutterstock, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Read More AmerisourceBergen Corporation sources and distributes pharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally. Its Pharmaceutical Distribution segment distributes brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, outsourced compounded sterile preparations, and related services to various healthcare providers, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and other alternate site pharmacies, and other customers. It also provides pharmacy management, staffing, and other consulting services; supply management software to retail and institutional healthcare providers; and packaging solutions to various institutional and retail healthcare providers. In addition, this segment distributes plasma and other blood products, injectable pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other specialty products; provides other services primarily to physicians who specialize in various disease states, primarily oncology, as well as to other healthcare providers, including hospitals and dialysis clinics; and offers data analytics, outcomes research, and additional services for biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company's Other segment provides integrated manufacturer services, such as clinical trial support, product post-approval, and commercialization support; offers specialty transportation and logistics services for the biopharmaceutical industry; and sells pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, micro feed ingredients, and various other products to customers in both the companion animal and production animal markets, as well as provides demand-creating sales force services to manufacturers. AmerisourceBergen Corporation was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania. Read More Reedsburg is continuing with long term flood recovery efforts. At the Jan. 23 public safety committee meeting, Reedsburg Emergency Management Director Josh Kowalke said the city will start putting together a list of public damage costs to submit to FEMA. The city will also begin working with a FEMA coordinator in mid-February to see what funds the city could receive for city infrastructure damaged from the 2018 floods. In Reedsburg, fourteen homes are eligible for buyouts through FEMAs mitigation buyout grants. The council approved to submit the pre-application for that process at the Dec. 10 meeting and is scheduled to take up the full application process at the Jan. 28 meeting at city hall. The city is budgeting about $3 million in total payouts. It would only be responsible for 12.5 percent of the costs or $375,000 with FEMA covering 75 percent and the state covering 12.5 percent. Kowalke said he has talked with City Planner/Building Inspector Brian Duvalle and Wisconsin Emergency Management about creating a long term flood recovery committee to determine the goals of moving the city forward during the recovery process. The same process happened in 2008. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Plus, both Doherty and Skenazy see a link between the micromanaged kids and the skyrocketing rates of anxiety in young adults. So many children, Skenazy said, spend their days supervised by adults, being told what to do, how to do it, and when. Giving children more autonomy helps them develop what psychologists call an internal locus of control, a sense that success can be attributed to ones own efforts vs. the whims of fate. If you dont have this, you feel helpless, depressed and anxious because youre not the one in charge of your life, she said. Kids need to practice dealing with challenging situations on their own whether its overcoming the fear of climbing a tree, or working out a disagreement with a friend to develop resilience. When well-intentioned parents swoop in to solve every problem, kids dont become as capable as they might be. Ironically, in trying to keep kids safe from a very, very, very unlikely tragedy, we are pointing them in a direction of something that seems to be ever more common, which is anxiety and depression, Skenazy said. When choosing the next biggest threat to mankind, one might not immediately think of straws. Yet in the last year or so, straws topped the list of villains on the planet to be scorned, banned and eliminated. Campaigns like #TheLastStraw and #StrawsSuck have created enough awareness to get states to look at legislation banning straws. Was it the video of the sea turtle getting a bloody straw removed from its nostril in 2015 that built the momentum or the photos of the beaches and oceanside strewn with single-use plastic? Whatever got the attention of the masses, the global alliance of individuals, organizations and businesses worked hard to create a system shift. With 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, eliminating straws may not make the biggest dent, but they make a dent nonetheless. They became an obvious target by their ubiquitous yet unnecessary presence. These little pieces of plastic, millions of them, are being cleaned up off of beaches worldwide. The question is, do we need them? I am not asking if we want them or if we like using them I am asking if we need them. BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Sudanese presidential envoy Faysal Hassan Ibrahim Ali in Beijing Monday. Faysal updated the situation in Sudan, saying that the situation is fully under control and people's livelihoods had returned to normal. The Sudanese side appreciated China for its assistance to Sudan in maintaining national peace and stability, as well as promoting economic development, Faysal said. "As strategic partners, China and Sudan always understand and support each other," Wang said, adding that China will firmly continue to support Sudan to follow the development path suited to its national conditions, maintain social stability and resolutely oppose external forces interfering in Sudan's internal affairs. "China is willing to continue to provide support and assistance with in its capacity to Sudan," Wang said. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] JUNEAU A 39-year-old Beaver Dam woman, accused in the drug overdose death of a West Bend woman, will have a jury trial in the fall on charges that include first-degree reckless homicide. Jackie L. Meyer is charged with felony first-degree reckless homicide and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated first offense, with a minor child in the vehicle. Both charges carry a repeater enhancement. Meyer had previously been convicted of possession with intent to deliver heroin in Washington County in 2011. If found guilty of both charges, Meyer faces 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Meyers trial was scheduled on Tuesday. She entered a not guilty plea to the charges on June 12. According to the criminal complaint, Karen Jean Sadowski, 40, was found unresponsive in a bedroom in a town of Fox Lake home after saying she wasnt feeling well Aug. 27, 2016. The man who was in the home said Sadowski was visiting with him, and he had attempted to perform CPR on her. She was taken to Beaver Dam Community Hospital, where medical personnel attempted to resuscitate her six times before she was pronounced dead. An autopsy showed both cocaine and heroin in her system. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} What happens when our governor and lieutenant governor listen to Wisconsinites before developing a budget? At four meetings of the Peoples' Budget tour in December 2018, they heard citizens express, their values and vision for our future. This produced the Peoples' Budget outlined by Gov. Tony Evers in his State of the State speech Jan. 22. There were no promises to billionaires to divide and conquer workers so the billionaire bosses could take away workers rights at work, no fake calls from out-of-state billionaire campaign contributors. Just the voice of Wisconsinites. Common Wisconsin citizens' priorities for our state budget included two-thirds funding for our pre-K-12 schools as well as specific assistance for student mental health, children with special needs, low-income and minority students. Health priorities included clean drinking water, eliminating lead water pipes and protecting quality health care coverage. Expanding Medicaid would cover 79,000 additional Wisconsinites and save taxpayers $180 million per year, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Other priorities include fixing our roads and bridges, higher minimum wage and a fair tax schedule. Vos and Fitzgerald want to continue rigging voting districts after the 2020 census, when the lines must be redrawn to account for population changes. But most Republicans across Wisconsin favor an honorable process in which the politicians of both parties must earn their elected positions, rather than cheating. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of Republican voters and those who lean Republican told the Marquette Law School pollsters they favor a nonpartisan commission for drawing new maps, as do 76 percent of independents, and 83 percent of Democrats and those who lean toward Democrats. For decades, a nonpartisan state agency in Iowa has drawn voting districts there after each major census. The result has been near-unanimous votes by both houses of the Iowa Legislature in favor of the neutral agencys maps. Iowas voting districts dont get tied up in court. So the cost to taxpayers is minuscule. Iowa also enjoys more competitive elections. Elizabeth Betty Marie (nee McGaver) Jones, 93, of Baraboo, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at Meadow Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Baraboo. Betty was born Dec. 21, 1925, in Fairchild to Joseph and Myrtle McGaver. Growing up on the family farm, Betty learned the lessons of her generation, how to sew, cook, love and care for your family and all those in need. Lessons she freely passed on to her children and grandchildren. These lessons fostered her independent spirit and served her well as she ventured out into the world. Betty left home after high school to work in Chicago with her best friend Lilas Johnston. Working for Ma Bell prepared her well for her intriguing job during the Korean Conflict as a top-secret telephone operator at the military post at Fort McCoy. It was here she met the future love of her life, Robert E. Jones, a soldier stationed at the post. Moving to Colorado, she became a military wife and mother. The family returned to Wisconsin, eventually settling in Tomah on a small farm, where Betty worked at a VA Hospital as first a lab technician and finally, a psychology technician. Chain-wrapped tires maneuvered through 6 inches of snow to deliver volunteers, braving frigid temperatures, to the top of the east bluff Friday morning at Devils Lake State Park. Ecologists Ben Bomkamp and Kerstyn Perrett sponsored their first in a series of monthly stewardship activities meant to prune back invasive plants, expand the natural prairie and slow down trampling that happens when hikers wander off the trails in search of a better view. Thats where the most unique species and irreplaceable resources in the area are found, so were gonna try and grow that aspect, Bomkamp said. Thatll be done by thinning trees around the edge and just giving more space for sun-loving plants to grow. Through 2019, the two founders of NatureWorks, an ecological management and land stewardship company based in Friendship, will host activities on the fourth Friday or Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. They adopted the East Bluff and East Bluff Woods trails last year to help out and spread awareness of what their company does, Bomkamp said. The challenge is identifying areas that need stimulus but arent so distressed they scare off investors, said Farshad Maltes, director of strategic business development for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Tax breaks are offered on investments in real property, stock and equipment. You have to have great need and also be able to attract investment, he said. The federal government estimated individuals and corporations held $6 trillion in unrealized capital gains in stocks and mutual funds alone in 2017. The pool of potential investment is quite large, Maltes said. Its a great opportunity. Ascertaining how many taxpayers take advantage of that opportunity will take years, as investors are required to keep properties several years before they can enjoy benefits. Its still kind of new, Cannon said. Were trying to figure out the economic impact of it, said Brett Leifbried, an accountant at MBE CPAs in Baraboo. Generally a lot of people just arent aware of it. A traffic stop in Minnesota City Friday led to the seizure of approximately a pound of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of marijuana, as well as two felony charges for a 33-year-old Rollingstone man. According to the Winona County Sheriffs Department, just before noon Saturday, the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics and Gang Task Force executed a search warrant on Jack David Taylors residence with the assistance of county sheriffs deputies. In a sidewalk salt bag in the residence, investigators found a package wrapped in plastic and dryer sheets that contained approximately one pound of methamphetamine. The search of Taylors Rollingstone home came after he was taken into custody on drug charges during a traffic stop in Minnesota City. According to the report, Taylor and his passenger were stopped Friday near the intersection of Bridge and Minnesota streets in Minnesota City for driving after revocation. Inside Taylors vehicle, deputies discovered a bag containing 476.5 grams of a substance that tested positive for marijuana. Taylor had $976 in cash, according to the report. On Monday, Taylor was charged with felony possession possession of meth and marijuana It looks like Winonans may have to resort to entertaining themselves the next couple days as the mercury drops well below zero across the Midwest. Winona Area Public Schools announced Monday it was canceling school for both Tuesday and Wednesday because of the cold. Other local districts have followed suit. When schools are closed, it means all extra curricular activities are canceled or postponed as well. Winona State University, Saint Marys University and Minnesota State College-Southeast shut down their respective campuses at 5 p.m. and will stay closed through Wednesday. Central Lutheran Church closed its child care center at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and all day Wednesday. The church office will be closed Wednesday as well, and there will be no services, no programs and no weekly feast. The weekly feast will resume next week. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The Winona County History Center will be closed Wednesday. A Food for Thought program about Whitewater State Parks 100-year history has been postponed until Feb. 20. The Whitewater 100 exhibit will be open for viewing in the Slaggie Family Lobby when regular history center hours resume. The 20th annual banquet of the Winona/Root River Pheasants Forever Chapter will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Witoka Tavern and Banquet Hall, 27999 County Road 9, Winona. Tickets are $25 for dinner, $50 for the membership and dinner, and $20 for a Ringneck (younger than 18). The menu will consist of smoked pork loin, baby red potatoes with garlic, green beans with almonds, Caesar salad, dessert, coffee and milk. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m. There will be 300 raffle tickets at $10 each for a chance to win $1,000 cash and two $250 cash prizes. All letter recipients will have an opportunity to purchase tickets until the 300 tickets are sold. There will also be a chance to purchase a $10 raffle ticket to win a Ford F-150 truck from Dahl Automotive. For either of these raffles, you do not need to be present to win. One-hundred percent of the money raised at the annual banquet is spent within the tri-county area. The chapter maintains control of all funds raised, and it invests the money into the local community. Employees from Miller Ingenuity recently presented a total of $12,346 to be split among two organizations, Team Vogel vs. Cancer and the Childrens Miracle Network, as part of the companys annual Employee Charitable Giving/Volunteer Campaign. The employee-driven campaign, now in its third year, has raised $34,956 to-date for local and national organizations who are selected through a company-wide survey. Through employee donations, payroll deduction pledges, and a company match, the campaign saw an increase of 15 percent in donations this year with an impressive 70 percent employee participation rate. I continue to be impressed at the passionate effort that our company displays during our annual charitable giving campaign, said Steve Blue, President and CEO of Miller Ingenuity. For the past three years, our employees have worked hard to surpass our goals and participation rates and as a result, are able to contribute toward the success of these important organizations. It is my hope that the success of our program inspires other companies in our community to adopt an employee-driven charitable giving campaign in 2019. LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday won a few weeks to salvage a Brexit deal but headed toward a clash with the European Union by promising to overhaul the divorce agreement she spent a year and a half negotiating with the bloc. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Anti-brexit supporters carry the EU flags as the gather in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. With Britain's House of Commons bitterly divided on the way forward for Britain's departure from the European Union, lawmakers representing various factions are vying to have their say in the Brexit process after they overwhelmingly rejected the government's divorce agreement two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday won a few weeks to salvage a Brexit deal but headed toward a clash with the European Union by promising to overhaul the divorce agreement she spent a year and a half negotiating with the bloc. Trying to break the U.K.'s Brexit deadlock, May got Parliament's backing for a bid to rework an Irish border guarantee in the withdrawal deal a provision May and the EU both approved, and which the bloc insists cannot be changed. "It is now clear that there is a route that can secure a substantial and sustainable majority in this House for leaving the EU with a deal," she said, promising to "obtain legally binding changes to the withdrawal agreement" from the EU. The EU immediately ruled that out, insisting in a statement that the current deal with the U.K. remained the "best and only way" to achieve an orderly Brexit. French President Emmanuel Macron said the agreement "is the best accord possible. It is not re-negotiable." Guy Verhofstadt, the top Brexit official at the European Parliament, said there was "no majority to reopen or dilute" the deal. It was the latest disorienting chapter in a Brexit process that has grown increasingly surreal since Parliament rejected May's divorce deal two weeks ago, leaving Britain lurching toward a cliff-edge no-deal" departure from the bloc on March 29. Anti-brexit supporters wave the British and EU flags in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. With Britain's House of Commons bitterly divided on the way forward for Britain's departure from the European Union, lawmakers representing various factions are vying to have their say in the Brexit process after they overwhelmingly rejected the government's divorce agreement two weeks ago. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) A series of Commons votes Tuesday on next steps submitted by both pro-Brexit and pro-EU legislators ended up sending starkly mixed signals, as lawmakers backed a call to renegotiate the deal, and also approved a rival motion ruling out a no-deal exit. May had urged lawmakers to "send an emphatic message" to the EU, but their response is likely to leave the bloc even more confused about British aims. May believes her agreement can still win Parliament's backing if it is changed to alleviate concerns about the Irish border measure, known as the backstop. The backstop would keep the U.K. in a customs union with the EU in order to remove the need for checks along the border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Britain leaves the bloc. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street after a cabinet meeting at in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Britain's Parliament is set to vote on competing Brexit plans, with Prime Minister Theresa May desperately seeking a mandate from lawmakers to help secure concessions from the European Union.(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The border is crucial to the divorce deal because it will be the only land frontier between the U.K. and the EU after Brexit, and because the free flow of people and goods underpins both the local economy and Northern Ireland's peace process. Opposition to the backstop by pro-Brexit lawmakers who fear it will trap Britain in regulatory lockstep with the EU helped sink May's deal on Jan. 15, when Parliament rejected it in a 432 to 202 vote. On Tuesday, Parliament backed, by 317 votes to 301 votes, a call for the border measure to be replaced by unspecified "alternative arrangements." A pro-remain supporter stands under the EU flag in London, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Britain's Parliament is set to vote on competing Brexit plans, with Prime Minister Theresa May desperately seeking a mandate from lawmakers to help secure concessions from the European Union. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Leading Brexiteers praised the result. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Parliament had sent a "clear, unambiguous" message that the backstop had to be removed. "I hope that our friends in Brussels will listen and that they will make that change," he said. But Green Party legislator Caroline Lucas, who wants a new referendum on Britain's EU membership accused May of chasing "heated-up fantasies that have already been rejected by the EU." Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses the house of Commons Parliament during the debate on Britain's Brexit European Union Withdrawal Act, in London, Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019. Seeking to break the parliamentary deadlock on Britain's Brexit from Europe, Prime Minister Theresa May says she will seek to change the divorce deal between the U.K. and Europe. (Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament via AP) May acknowledged that the EU had "limited appetite" for changing the Brexit deal. But she vowed to go to Brussels and seek "significant and legally binding change" to the backstop. May's office said that might include an end date to ensure it is temporary or an exit clause for Britain. Both those ideas have been repeatedly rejected by the EU. "There can be no change to the backstop," said Ireland's European Affairs Minister, Helen McEntee. "It was negotiated over 18 months with the U.K. and by the U.K." Lawmakers voted on seven Brexit proposals Tuesday, including the border change supported by May and several measures that sought to rule out a "no-deal" Brexit. Graphic explains the various Brexit options.; Much of the business world says a no-deal Brexit would cause economic chaos by eliminating existing EU trade agreements and imposing tariffs, customs checks and other barriers between the U.K. and the EU, its main export market. Most members of Parliament oppose leaving without a deal, but they rejected several proposals that tried to wrest control of the Brexit process from the government and give it to Parliament so lawmakers could stop Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal. Some opposition Labour Party members sided with the government, worried about being seen as obstructing Brexit. Lawmakers approved, by a narrow 318 votes to 310 votes, a motion ruling out a "no-deal" Brexit but not saying how that should be achieved. The vote is not legally binding, but has political force as an expression of the will of Parliament. Tuesday's ambiguous votes won't mark the end of Britain's turmoil over Brexit: There could be a rerun in two weeks. May said if she has not struck a new Brexit deal by Feb. 13, Parliament would get to vote, again, on what should happen next. Robert Hazell, professor of government and the constitution at University College London, said the EU was "pretty resolute in not being willing to reopen the negotiations unless the British government can come back with something more specific." "Tonight's votes only kick the can down the road for another two weeks," he said. Associated Press writers Danica Kirka and Gregory Katz in London, Angela Charlton in Paris and Raf Casert in Brussels contributed. Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit WASHINGTON - Roger Stone, a longtime adviser and confidant of President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges in the Russia investigation after a publicity-filled few days spent slamming the probe as politically motivated. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, stands outside 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) WASHINGTON - Roger Stone, a longtime adviser and confidant of President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges in the Russia investigation after a publicity-filled few days spent slamming the probe as politically motivated. The political operative and self-described dirty trickster faces charges that he lied to lawmakers, engaged in witness tampering and obstructed a congressional investigation into possible co-ordination between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. He was uncharacteristically quiet during Tuesday's brief court appearance, rising to his feet to say, "Yes, Your Honor," as U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson asked if he would agree to the conditions of his release, including restricted travel. Stone attorney Robert Buschel entered the plea on his client's behalf. The voluble Stone, 66, held no press conference as he arrived and departed the courthouse amid dueling chants of "Lock Him Up" and "We Love Roger." He waved and smiled to the small crowd, some holding up glowing photos of him, and he largely ignored a group of protesters carrying signs reading "Dirty traitor." The Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." blared from speakers outside the courthouse. Former campaign adviser for President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, arrives at Federal Court, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Washington. Stone was arrested in the special counsel's Russia investigation and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Although large crowds surrounded him as he was driven away in a black SUV, Stone was more subdued than during the circus-like atmosphere of his Friday court appearance, when he emerged in a blue polo shirt, flashed a Richard Nixon victory sign, predicted his vindication and vowed that he would not "bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself." Stone, who was arrested last week at his Florida home, is the sixth Trump aide charged in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. The indictment does not accuse Stone of co-ordinating with Russia or with WikiLeaks on the release of hacked Democratic emails. But it does allege that he misled lawmakers about his pursuit of those communications and interest in them. The anti-secrecy website published emails in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election that the U.S. says were stolen from Democrats by Russian operatives. Former campaign adviser for President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, is surrounded by protesters and supporters with signs and flags of Russia, and media, as he arrives at federal court in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday that the investigation is "close to being completed," although an exact timetable is unclear. Mueller continues to be interested in hearing from Stone aide Andrew Miller, who is fighting a grand jury subpoena, indicating the special counsel could be pursuing additional criminal charges against Stone or others related to the release of hacked material during the 2016 election by WikiLeaks, its founder, Julian Assange, and the online persona Guccifer 2.0. Paul Kamenar, Miller's attorney, said Mueller's team notified him of their continued interest late Monday. Miller defied the grand jury subpoena last summer and took his challenge of Mueller's authority to a federal appeals court. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has yet to rule in the case. Donald Trump's longtime friend and confidant Roger Stone, leaves Federal Court Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Washington. Stone left the federal courthouse without speaking publicly after entering a not guilty plea to charges filed in the special counsel's Russia investigation. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Mueller's team and lawyers with the U.S. attorney's office for the District of Columbia are jointly prosecuting the case against Stone. They did not push for Stone to be jailed or for Robinson to impose a gag order in the case. He remains free on $250,000 bond. Stone, who has alleged without evidence that the FBI used "Gestapo tactics" in arresting him, has said he did nothing more than exercise his First Amendment rights to drum up interest with voters about the WikiLeaks disclosures. He has also denied discussing the issue with Trump. "That's what I engaged in. It's called politics and they haven't criminalized it, at least not yet," Stone said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." "All I did was take publicly available information and try to hype it to get it as much attention as possible, because I had a tip, the information was politically significant and that it would come in October," he added. Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this report. WASHINGTON - The special counsel's Russia probe is "close to being completed," the acting attorney general said in the first official sign that the investigation may be wrapping up. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker announces an indictment on violations including bank and wire fraud, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, of Chines telecommunications companies including Huawei, at the Justice Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) WASHINGTON - The special counsel's Russia probe is "close to being completed," the acting attorney general said in the first official sign that the investigation may be wrapping up. Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's comments Monday were a departure for the Justice Department, which rarely comments on the state of the investigation into whether President Donald Trump's campaign co-ordinated with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. "The investigation is, I think, close to being completed," Whitaker said Monday at the end of an unrelated news conference in Washington. He said he had been "fully briefed" on the probe. Whitaker did not elaborate or give any timetable for the end of a nearly two-year investigation that has shadowed Trump's presidency. So far, special counsel Robert Mueller has charged 34 people, including several close to the president. But he has yet to accuse anyone close to the Trump campaign of conspiring with the Kremlin to hurt Democrat Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the election. Whitaker, who is seen as a Trump ally, took over the Justice Department and oversight of the Mueller probe after Jeff Sessions resigned as attorney general in November at Trump's request. Whitaker has drawn criticism for not recusing himself from the Russia investigation, even though he has publicly criticized it in the past. A top Justice Department ethics official advised him to step aside out of an "abundance of caution," but Whitaker declined to do so. According to Justice Department regulations, Mueller has to provide a report to the attorney general at the conclusion of his investigation laying out his prosecution decisions. But it's unclear what form the report will take or whether it will be released publicly. And depending on when Mueller wraps up, the report may not go to Whitaker. Trump has nominated William Barr to serve as the next attorney general. His confirmation hearing was held this month and he's awaiting a vote in the Senate. Barr told the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month that he wants to release as much information as possible about Mueller's findings, but he has hedged on specifics. Trump has slammed the Russia investigation as a "witch hunt" and says there was no collusion. 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. Those contacts, according to Mueller's indictments and U.S. intelligence agencies, occurred while the Russian government carried out a multifaceted effort to influence the 2016 presidential campaign and attempt to sway it Trump's way. On Friday, longtime Trump confidante Roger Stone became the sixth Trump associate to be charged by Mueller. The others are Trump's former national security adviser, his campaign chairman, his former personal lawyer and two other campaign aides. Stone faces a Tuesday morning arraignment in federal court, where he is expected to plead not guilty to charges that he lied to lawmakers, engaged in witness tampering and obstructed a congressional investigation into possible co-ordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. Though most defendants facing charges tend to stay quiet for fear of inflaming prosecutors or a judge, Stone has opted for a different tack since his pre-dawn arrest Friday. Stone staged an impromptu news conference outside a Florida courthouse, made the rounds on weekend television interviews and mocked the probe on Instagram, posting a cartoonish image of Mueller holding a "nothingburger" just a hamburger bun with no meat. Also Monday, a judge delayed the sentencing of Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort in Virginia after he was convicted of eight financial crimes last year. The sentencing is being delayed as a judge in Washington decides whether Manafort intentionally lied to investigators. Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. John McCallum, a former Liberal cabinet minister, attended last weeks three-day cabinet retreat in Sherbrooke, Que., in his capacity as ambassador to China. The purpose of his visit was to brief his ministerial chums on Canada-China relations and the Meng Wanzhou extradition affair, which is before a Vancouver court. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. John McCallum, a former Liberal cabinet minister, attended last weeks three-day cabinet retreat in Sherbrooke, Que., in his capacity as ambassador to China. The purpose of his visit was to brief his ministerial chums on Canada-China relations and the Meng Wanzhou extradition affair, which is before a Vancouver court. Ms. Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, is accused by U.S. authorities of bank fraud related to the companys business dealings in Iran. She was arrested at Vancouver International Airport under terms of an extradition treaty between Canada and the U.S. Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press Files Former Canadian ambassador to China John McCallum Mr. McCallum later offered extensive public comments on the case, saying twice that a decision to surrender Ms. Meng to the U.S. would be an unwelcome result. These comments, seeming to express the governments view, were out of line. Under the rule of law, judges are independent. They do not take orders from the authorities. The court is supposed to decide cases, including this extradition bid, according to the law, the evidence and the pleadings. The authorities are not supposed to tell the court what conclusion to reach, as Mr. McCallum appeared to do. Independence of the court from political interference is a delicate point at the moment, because China has been demanding that Canada release Ms. Meng without awaiting the court process. Canada has been refusing on the grounds that Canada respects the rule of law. China has arrested two Canadians and imposed a hasty death sentence against a third, apparently in retaliation for the detention of Ms. Meng. If Mr. McCallum is free to tell the court how to rule, then Canadas talk of the rule of law is poppycock. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed Mr. McCallum on the weekend, which should help to uphold the rule of law and show that Canadas government does not dictate decisions to judges. That gesture did not, however, advance Canadas efforts to resolve the Meng Wanzhou case and win freedom or clemency for the Canadians imprisoned in China. If Mr. McCallum is free to tell the court how to rule, then Canadas talk of the rule of law is poppycock. Canada needs to get its story straight. The government should acknowledge, as Mr. McCallum did, that U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted he might let Ms. Meng go free, despite fraud charges against her, as part of a wider trade deal with China. Canada should also admit that, after the Vancouver court has ruled on the merits of the extradition demand, Justice Minister David Lametti will make the final decision. In these ways, the case is hard to insulate from political factors. Mr. McCallum spoke the honest truth, to a certain extent. He may have been offering China a friendly hint to be patient with the Canadian judicial process because it may yet give them a result they will like. That is a helpful element to include in Canadas explanation of the matter as long as it does not sound like the government is instructing the court. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland should maintain pressure on the Trump administration to help solve the problem it created for Canada when it demanded Ms. Mengs extradition. She should keep lining up governments around the world to support Canadas demand for the release of Chinas Canadian hostages. China is evidently sensitive to the messages of support for Canada it has been receiving. Mr. Trudeau should direct his ministers, MPs and other surrogates to say nothing about the Meng Wanzhou case that could sound like telling the court what to do. Ministers should know that anyway, but Mr. McCallum showed that even an experienced, battle-scarred political veteran could lose sight of his proper role. The right to privacy has become a pressing human rights issue. And rightly so. Big data combined with artificial intelligence and facial recognition software has the capacity to intrude on peoples lives in unprecedented ways, in some cases on a massive scale. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The right to privacy has become a pressing human rights issue. And rightly so. Big data combined with artificial intelligence and facial recognition software has the capacity to intrude on peoples lives in unprecedented ways, in some cases on a massive scale. While much of the discussion has focused on how social media and tech companies use the data they collect about their users, more attention needs to be paid to the wider relationship between violations of privacy and other types of human rights abuses. The reason is simple. Mass invasions of privacy can undermine the rights of millions, if not billions, of people around the world as governments gain a greater capacity to discriminate or worse across gender and sexuality lines, and stifle dissent, including through violence. More about this in a moment. So what can be done to limit the human rights fallout? What we need is a multi-pronged approach that involves civil society, the private sector, foundations and states. Establishing human rights funds First, foundations that support human rights should establish human rights and technology funds. Activists are already harnessing new technologies to monitor and document abuses. Amnesty International is working with a data analysis company to quantify levels of misogyny on Twitter. This type of innovation should be encouraged and resourced. Second, states should negotiate new norms and laws for the digital age. The Montreal Declaration on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence offers a powerful statement on the need for the ethical development of new technologies. Similarly, the UN Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy is leading efforts to develop whats been called a "Draft Legal Instrument on Government-led Surveillance and Privacy." These initiatives, and others like them, should be supported. Third, states must reaffirm the principle of the right to asylum. States that use technology to violate human rights will displace people. Those with a well-founded fear of persecution will need protection. Finally, states that believe in a rules-based international order must redouble efforts to tackle impunity. Human rights abuses occur because those who commit the violations are rarely held to account. This needs to change. Grave consequences Failure to check invasions of privacy enabled by technology will have grave consequences. Here are four examples that illustrate this point. Womens rights: Surveillance technologies are often used to police morality, especially in places where there is no clear distinction between "sin" and law. Take Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Human Rights Watch reported that Saudi courts were using the "vague provisions" in the anti-cybercrime law to "sanction people suspected of committing sexual relations outside marriage, including adultery, extramarital and homosexual sex." Women are paying a disproportionately high price for these intrusions. LGBTQ rights: According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), 72 countries prohibit same-sex relations. Surveillance technologies give governments the ability to "out" individuals. They know where people sleep at night, and with whom. The potential for lives to be destroyed is very great, indeed. Torture: The governments that violate privacy to suppress minorities are often the same governments that will not think twice about using torture to maintain control of their citizens. Syria is a case in point. Extrajudicial executions: If governments can track their citizens movements, it is not difficult to have them assassinated. The Jamal Khashoggi killing is a tragic example of this. The New York Times has reported that the Saudis used the Pegasus spying software to eavesdrop on Khashoggi, thus enabling his murder. Other governments could interpret a lack of any meaningful response as permission to target journalists. This is not a hypothetical concern. According to IFEX, an organization dedicated to protecting free expression, 78 journalists were murdered in 2018, and another 159 were imprisoned. This is not hyperbole. States of all stripes are collecting data on their citizens, and have been for quite some time. This is not going to end any time soon. Quite the opposite. If left unchecked, invasions of privacy enabled by technology could put every other human right at risk, and on a scale that would be truly terrifying. Andrew Thompson is an adjunct assistant professor political science and fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs at the University of Waterloo. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. Churchill's former top administrator has been sentenced to two years in a federal prison for perpetrating a fraud he says grew out of a toxic work environment. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Churchill's former top administrator has been sentenced to two years in a federal prison for perpetrating a fraud he says grew out of a toxic work environment. Albert Meijering, 50, was sentenced Monday as part of a jointly recommended sentence he and Crown attorney Peter Edgett proposed to Court of Queen's Bench Justice Chris Martin. Meijering pleaded guilty to defrauding the Town of Churchill out of $200,000 over the course of about 17 months, starting in 2011. He stole the money via fake invoices and expense claims and was arrested in 2013, after he resigned from his position as chief administrative officer. During his long-delayed court process, he also faked a doctor's note that resulted in a contempt-of-court conviction Monday. "The frauds committed against the people of Churchill are very serious, and the contempt is also a very serious matter. The conduct of the accused can only be described as outrageous," Edgett said in court. Meijering, who represented himself, challenged the Crown's assertion his crimes were motivated by greed and a desire to "enhance his lifestyle" over and above the nearly $100,000 salary he was making as CAO. He gave some of the stolen funds to other people he believed were in need, including buying an SUV for a woman and giving thousands of dollars to at least three people who weren't relatives of his, according to an agreed statement of facts he signed when he pleaded guilty in March 2016. "There was no greed involved. It was psychologically torturous to work for the Town of Churchill. Events took place that would raise the eyebrows of even the most stone (stone-faced) person, in the treatment of people, in how things happened. And it was just a degradation of that relationship, feeling trapped," he said. Meijering repeatedly referenced promises he said were broken during the course of his employment, and suggested the town didn't reimburse him for moving expenses. He was expected to use his personal credit card for business expenses and be reimbursed later, which is how the fraud began. He said he now realizes he should have left the job instead of committing fraud, but he told the judge Monday he found it difficult to admit to the criminal charge of breach of trust and said the stolen money was "nowhere close" to $200,000. "Trust is a two-way street," he said. "They failed to recognize what I had done for them. They failed to do performance reviews and raises as they promised, and they failed in their side of the trust long before I failed in mine. "Im not trying to justify now; I know Im in the wrong." Meijering's replacement as CAO discovered his fraud after he resigned in 2012, when cheques and invoices were found that purported to cover the cost of town construction projects, including installation of the lift station and sewer department inventory. An audit and RCMP investigation revealed Meijering had set up a bank account in which he was depositing the funds. He gave away about $46,000 in cash and goods to other people. The sentencing was initially delayed to give Meijering time to repay the money, which didn't happen, and then was delayed further because of serious medical issues. He suffered an infection that progressed to sepsis and kidney failure, court heard, and he'd been hospitalized within the past month. Last spring, he submitted a letter to the court, written on official letterhead and attributed to his doctor, he later admitted he faked. Martin convicted him of contempt of court, and six months of his prison sentence is devoted to that offence. "The contempt issue causes me great concern because the fact that you were willing to slip to that deception and deceit of the court causes me to call into question a number of the conclusions I had made about your character," Martin said, noting Meijering's lack of a previous criminal record and "favourable" pre-sentence report. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay The end of a federal tax perk is prompting once-in-a-lifetime pay increases for elected officials across the province, with trustees becoming the latest group to vote themselves double-digit raises. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The end of a federal tax perk is prompting once-in-a-lifetime pay increases for elected officials across the province, with trustees becoming the latest group to vote themselves double-digit raises. St. James-Assiniboia School Division trustees recently voted to give themselves pay increases of up to 15 per cent. The school board said the raises are to offset the elimination (on Jan. 1) of a longstanding perk that exempted trustees from paying tax on one-third of their compensation. The increases are 15 per cent for the chairperson (bringing the role's salary to $23,000), 12 per cent for standing committee chairpersons (salary now $19,000), and nine per cent for trustees (salary now $18,000). SASD isn't the only jurisdiction making such a move. Both Winnipeg School Division and Pembina School Division have also issued healthy raises to make up for the loss of the tax exemption. Indemnities went up 14 per cent for Pembina trustees, and about nine per cent for WSD trustees. Elected municipal officials are also losing the exemption. The Rural Municipality of Springfield council recently took the first steps to give its councillors a 20 per cent pay raise. Elsewhere in eastern Manitoba, Brokenhead and both the RM and Town of Lac du Bonnet are in the process of boosting council's compensation. The federal tax perk does not apply to Winnipeg city councillors, who traded away their tax-free exemption several years ago. While the increase passed quietly in the WSD, many people are irate in St. James-Assiniboia. "(School trustees) aren't taking a pay cut. It's just they weren't paying taxes like everyone else does," said Tracey Drexler, a mother with a child in the division's school system. "I pay taxes on my income. Why shouldn't they?" Drexler added the optics are terrible coming at a time when the province is holding the line on education spending and trying to freeze civic employee salaries. "People are horrified," said Drexler, who has been active on social media on the issue. "What other profession gets to vote themselves a raise?" She is organizing "a peaceful protest" for the next school board meeting Feb. 12. "People are horrified. Who has been active on social media on the issue. "What other profession gets to vote themselves a raise?" Tracey Drexler A telephone interview was scheduled Monday with St James board chairwoman Cheryl Smukowich, but she cancelled at the last moment. Is the federal government merely downloading taxes by eliminating the tax deferral? Todd MacKay, prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Association, doesn't think so. "This is a perk that never should have existed and now it's getting fixed," said MacKay. "We're all Canadians. We don't like special exemptions for special people, whether you're the mayor or the plumber." That does not mean that everyone who lost that benefit should immediately get a raise, he said: "It shouldn't be automatic." Rather, elected officials should consult with constituents before deciding. "A lot of people are having tough times. A lot of people haven't had a raise in years. This is a good time to show leadership and restraint rather than just automatically level out your pay," MacKay said. However, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities views it differently. "A lot of people are having tough times. A lot of people haven't had a raise in years. This is a good time to show leadership and restraint rather than just automatically level out your pay." Todd MacKay, prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Association Joe Masi, AMM executive director, recently called ending the tax perk "an arbitrary pay cut." The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has issued a guide to help municipalities respond to the tax changes. In Pembina Trails, which passed its bylaw in 2018 to go into effect this year, trustees will be paid 14 per cent more: chairperson, $27,195; vice-chairperson, $24,974; and trustees $22,789. In Winnipeg School Division, trustees received pay raises of just under 10 per cent. The chairperson's pay rose to $29,500 from $27,000; the vice-chairperson to $27,000 from $24,500; and trustees to $24,000 from $22,000. Alan Campbell, president of the Manitoba School Boards Association, said he is aware of the St. James payment increase and knows other school boards are considering similar moves. He expects more will adjust their indemnities. The MSBA does not have a policy on the issue, and is letting each school board make its own decision. Many are still undecided. The Louis Riel School Division has not made a decision at this time, said a spokeswoman. There are 38 school boards in the province and about 280 trustees. School boards have either five, seven, or nine trustees each. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca MLA Steven Fletcher is calling on the auditor general's office to investigate the provinces purchase of a shuttered Winnipeg arena to facilitate the establishment of a non-profit, privately-run drug-rehabilitation facility. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MLA Steven Fletcher is calling on the auditor general's office to investigate the provinces purchase of a shuttered Winnipeg arena to facilitate the establishment of a non-profit, privately-run drug-rehabilitation facility. Fletcher (CharleswoodSt. JamesAssiniboia) said he made the request to look into the land deal in December. He has been a staunch opponent of the proposed 50-bed Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, saying he and area residents are troubled by several aspects of the land deal and the project. The concerns include: The province took advantage of an existing agreement with city hall, which Fletcher called a "legal loophole," to obtain the property for $1 without the City of Winnipeg having to put the land up for public bids; The province failed to consider other properties it owns that could be better suited for the rehabilitation centre; The province has empty rehab beds in a facility it operates. A year ago, city council approved the $1 sale of the 2.5-acre site of the former Vimy Arena, on the banks of Sturgeon Creek, to Manitoba Housing, which plans to lease the property to the Oake family foundation. The Oakes want to build a $14-million, 50-bed, long-term addictions facility for men in memory of their son, Bruce, who died from a drug overdose at the age of 25 in March 2011. Addicts would be treated at no cost, with all expenses covered by a foundation the family set up in Bruce Oake's name. The land deal is contingent on the property being rezoned from its current park use to facilitate the treatment facility. The rezoning is on the agenda of city councils Thursday meeting, where it will likely be approved. Fletcher, an independent MLA who was kicked out of the PC caucus for opposing the party on a number of issues, said he is disappointed the auditor general has not yet responded to his request. A spokesman confirmed Fletcher had contacted the auditor general, and the MLA would be contacted about his concerns. However, the spokesman did not explain why the auditor general has not yet responded to Fletcher, and did not answer any questions about a possible investigation into the land deal. aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca A local private wine seller is suing a Crown corporation and the regulator for allegedly turning a blind eye to bootlegging operations illicitly shipping wine into Manitoba in an effort to avoid provincial taxes and undercut independent retailers. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A local private wine seller is suing a Crown corporation and the regulator for allegedly turning a blind eye to bootlegging operations illicitly shipping wine into Manitoba in an effort to avoid provincial taxes and undercut independent retailers. The accusations were laid out in a statement of claim filed Friday by lawyer Robert Tapper of Tapper Cuddy LLP on behalf of Banville & Jones Wine Company in the Court of Queens Bench. The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba and the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. are named as defendants in the lawsuit. "If this is allowed to continue it will potentially be a deathblow to independent wine stores," Tapper told the Free Press. Since 1994, the province has permitted licensed, private retailers to sell wine in Manitoba. There are currently six speciality wine stores and two food and wine stores licensed for private sales in Winnipeg. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Banville & Jones Wine Co. on St Mary's Road in Winnipeg. If a private retailer chooses to carry a product thats sold in Liquor Marts, theyre required to sell the product at the same price as MLL. Theyre also allowed to ship in non-listed products through the Crown corporation. Non-listed products can be sold for a price set by the private retailer. However, the province levies taxes on wine when its shipped through MLL. The statement of claim says any other entity selling alcohol in the province is operating illegally and committing the practice known colloquially as bootlegging. Tapper alleges there are commercial operations from other provinces, the U.S. and Europe that increasingly ship wine directly to consumers in Manitoba, such as marketed wine of the month clubs. This allows them to bypass the taxes levied on local private retailers, Tapper said. "The Manitoba levy system increases the price of wine by hundreds of per cent. These companies make their living at the mid- to high-priced bottles of wine. Im not talking about $10 bottles... With high-end product these companies are shipping bottles in at a fraction of the cost," Tapper said MLL did not respond to a request for comment Monday. A spokeswoman for LGCA said the regulator had not yet seen the statement of claim and would not comment on a case before the courts. The lawsuit alleges Banville & Jones Wine has repeatedly sought meetings with MLL, but the companys complaints were ignored. It furthered claimed the MLL and LGCA refused contractually-obligated arbitration and mediation on the issue. Banville & Jones Wine is seeking an injunction against the province to have them investigate and put a stop to the alleged loopholes for out-of-province wine sellers, as well as damages and costs. The crux of the case will come down to whether the court decides sales made by out-of-province wine retailers to local consumers constitute Manitoba contracts, Tapper said. "Theyre advertising in Manitoba electronically, people in Manitoba see these ads, they make purchases with a Manitoba credit card, and the products are shipped to Manitoba. Thats a Manitoba contract," Tapper said. "To me its pretty clear what theyre doing and what theyre intending to do. Theyre moving around the Manitoba taxes." The Crown corporation and regulator have not yet filed a statement of defence and none of the allegations have been proven in court. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe OTTAWA Winnipeg Centre MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette has made history by being the first to speak in Indigenous language in the Commons with live interpretation. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Winnipeg Centre MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette has made history by being the first to speak in Indigenous language in the Commons with live interpretation. "If we dont use (a language) here, why would anyone want to use it?" Ouellette said Monday outside the House of Commons, moments after addressing Parliament in Plains Cree. "I was quite nervous, but I was very excited," he said, later suggesting Winnipegs city council and the Manitoba legislative assembly could consider integrating some of the provinces languages. On Monday morning, Ouellette made some simple comments to make during a debate on a Conservative MPs bid to create a ceremonial Dutch Heritage Day. (The bill would not create a holiday, but would have May 5 commemorate immigrants accomplishments and Canadas role in liberating the Netherlands in the Second World War.) "What might surprise people is the fact that many Indigenous people contributed to this liberation," Ouellette said in Plains Cree, naming two of those soldiers. "Some of these brave soldiers were Indigenous and gave all for the freedom that Dutch people deserve." Two months ago, a multiparty committee determined the Commons should provide interpretation from Indigenous languages into English and French when an MP provides "reasonable" notice to officials. The change came about after Ouellette asked the Speaker in May 2017 to have Indigenous languages recognized. He argued it would help bring back major tongues from the brink of extinction. The Winnipeg Liberal MP said Monday the bill will also help Indigenous languages incorporate new terms. Since 2008, the senators have been able to speak in Inuktitut and have their comments interpreted, typically by giving 48-hours notice. Ouellette requested an interpreter last week, and last Thursday officials called Kevin Lewis, a University of Saskatchewan professor, to do the task. He rearranged some commitments and was flown to Ottawa and compensated for his work. Lewis instructs teachers who plan to do teach Indigenous languages. "Our elders are dying off," he said. Public Services and Procurement Canada did not immediately know how much it cost to pay and accommodate Lewis. A spokesman wrote the governments Translation Bureau is now building a roster of interpreters they can call on in the future. Doing so involves working with MPs "to identify which Indigenous languages services will be requested," wrote Charles Drouin, as well as reaching out to advocates and schools to "develop stronger ties and improve Indigenous languages services." Drouin said Ottawa has about 100 interpreters and translators in 20 different Indigenous languages and dialects out of roughly 90 Indigenous languages grouped into 11 families in Canada. Meanwhile, the directive Ouellette prompted does not clarify what is "reasonable" notice for officials to find interpreters. The federal Liberals are expected to soon table a bill to enshrine protections for Indigenous languages. Last month, they designated $1,500 for every student at on-reserve schools, each year, for learning about traditional language and culture. Ouellette said it will cost money to keep major Indigenous languages alive, after the legacy of residential schools: "If you don't have funding what can you do as a people?" dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca A Supreme Court judge in the Bahamas has an issued an arrest warrant for fashion mogul Peter Nygard for his failure to appear for sentencing on a contempt conviction. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Supreme Court judge in the Bahamas has an issued an arrest warrant for fashion mogul Peter Nygard for his failure to appear for sentencing on a contempt conviction. Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson issued the warrant Monday following a hearing in Nassau, Bahamas, where Nygard, 78, was to have been sentenced for two breaches of a court injunction prohibiting dredging activity at his Lyford Cay property. Jay Prober, Nygards Winnipeg-based lawyer, confirmed the arrest warrant had been issued but explained that an appeal has been filed. Prober said Nygard, who is in Winnipeg, was too ill to travel and the arrest warrant was unnecessary and unfair given his medical condition. "It was totally unnecessary and beyond the courts jurisdiction, as far as were concerned," Prober told the Free Press. "Weve already appealed this and we expect the Court of Appeal will quash the warrant." The court hearing is related to an ongoing dispute between Nygard and an environmental group in Bahamas, Save The Bays, who challenged permits given to Nygard for dredging operations to expand his property there. Photo exhibits submitted as part of the affidavit of Dr. Lynwood Brown in regards to Peter Nygard's health. Nygard has already been convicted and fined $50,000 for an earlier breach of the injunction, issued in July 2013, against any further dredging operations at the property. That fine is being appealed. Nygard has subsequently been convicted for two additional breaches of the injunction. Nygard had failed to appear twice for sentencing on the latest convictions, most recently a week ago. At the time, the court was told Nygard was receiving medical treatment in New York City on the day of the scheduled hearing, Jan. 21, and could not attend. A new hearing was set for Monday, when the court was told that Nygards medical condition prevented him from flying. Evidence presented at Mondays hearing included photographs of Nygard wearing what appeared to be a hospital gown while being attended to by physicians at St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg. The affidavit submitted in court said that after leaving New York City, Nygard arrived in Winnipeg early Friday, when he began suffering dizzy spells, was having difficulty walking and "feeling very faint." His doctor referred him to the emergency ward at St. Boniface. The affidavit from the Nassau-based doctor said Nygard had been fitted with a pacemaker a year ago and that he was concerned that flying at an altitude at or above 30,000 feet could be fatal to Nygard. NEW YORK TIMES FILES Nygard pictured at his Bahamas home in 2000. Prober said Nygard was willing to participate in the court hearing Monday via a video link. Lawyer Frederick Smith, representing Save The Bays, said he had argued in court that Nygards sudden illness was a continuing pattern of his refusal to attend previous sentencing hearings. Smith said the judge issued the arrest warrant after noting that the affidavit stated Nygard had been well enough to travel every day last week. "That seemed to suggest that if he could travel every day last week, he could have travelled," to the Bahamas, following his medical treatment in New York City, Smith said. "Our position is that Mr. Nygard is intentionally not appearing before the court, thats what we submitted." Smith said he wasnt aware that Nygards lawyers had appealed the arrest warrant, adding hes trying to determine how he can have courts in Canada enforce the arrest warrant and have him held in custody in Canada so he can be transported to Nassau for sentencing. Smith said that since both Canada and Bahamas are Commonwealth countries, there is legislation in each country that recognizes the judgments of their respective courts, adding he believes Nygard could be taken into custody while in Winnipeg and then brought to Bahamas. Download Judicial review document aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca The non-partisan agency that runs Manitoba's provincial elections will use technology to speed up the voting process in the future. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The non-partisan agency that runs Manitoba's provincial elections will use technology to speed up the voting process in the future. Voters will still be handed a paper ballot and mark their choice behind a screen, but the system for tracking who has voted will be done more efficiently. Shipra Verma, Manitoba's chief electoral officer, told a legislative committee Monday that the new permanent electronic voters list will help to increase the accuracy and efficiency of the voting process. During advanced voting, the names of those casting ballots will be stricken off the list in real time electronically, she said. A printed label will be generated on the spot to replace handwritten voter information. By election day, a pre-printed voting book will show all those who have already voted at advanced polls, or through absentee or home-bound voting processes. "These modifications would not impact the vote itself. The paper ballot system would still be in place. It would simply allow us to better manage and track voting, reducing errors, increase efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the vote," Verma told the all-party Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs. Following her presentation, the committee approved the new process in a voice vote. There were no dissenters. "These changes are very reasonable and they make sense as technology becomes increasingly important in our lives," said Justice Minister Cliff Cullen. Elections Manitoba successfully tested the new vote-tracking system in last summer's St. Boniface by-election. It will be used in future byelections and in the 2020 general election. Meanwhile, Elections Manitoba spokeswoman Alison Mitchell said the agency continues to update its new permanent voters list. For the first time, there will not be a provincewide enumeration before the next general election. The final voters list from the last general election served as the basis for the new permanent list. Elections Manitoba has been continually updating that list through information sharing agreements with Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Health, Elections Canada and the provincial vital statistics department. Voters will soon be able to go online, with proper ID, and add their name to the list. Mitchell said there will be targeted voter registration efforts in areas of high mobility or high growth. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Amnesty International is turning its focus to allegations of historic and ongoing abuse at northern Manitoba Hydro camps. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Amnesty International is turning its focus to allegations of historic and ongoing abuse at northern Manitoba Hydro camps. In a statement posted to its website Monday, the global human rights advocacy group said it "has every intention of looking more deeply into the concerns raised by MKO (Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak) leadership, York Factory First Nation, and grassroots advocates this year." MANITOBA HYDRO Construction of Keeyask Generating Station in 2018. A Manitoba Clean Environment Commission report published in August detailed decades-old allegations of sexual violence at the hands of Hydro workers and RCMP, who were working in northern Manitoba communities. Last week, RCMP told the Free Press the national police force has investigated nine allegations of sexual assault at the Keeyask generating station construction site near Gillam since 2015, and made four charges. The $8.7-billion Keeyask project that began construction in 2014 is scheduled to be finished by late 2021 or early 2022. Thousands of workers from Manitoba and abroad have worked on Keeyask, which has four Indigenous community partners York Factory, Fox Lake Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation and Tataskweyak Cree Nation. "We believe it is critical that the province of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro make it a real priority to work in collaboration with First Nations to address historic wrongs and prevent further human rights violations," said Jackie Hansen, a gender rights campaigner with Amnesty International Canada. MKO passed a resolution this year to work with Amnesty International to launch a report on Hydro's impact in the North, like a report the non-profit published in 2016 about resource development in British Columbia. The report -- Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Gender, Indigenous Rights and Energy Development in Northeast British Columbia, Canada -- outlined similar concerns as those voiced by Indigenous leaders in Manitoba of late. "Indigenous peoples whose lands and resources provide the basis for the wealth generated in the region, are excluded from a meaningful role in decision making and bear a greater burden, including disproportionately high rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls," the report concluded. During a Hydro-focused rally at the Manitoba legislature Jan. 18, York Factory Chief Leroy Constant said First Nations members involved with Keeyask feel as though their partnership is "very one-sided" with the Crown corporation. "We have all of our members at the table that represent on the board and everything is decided before we get there," he said at the time. Amnesty International made 30 policy recommendations to governments, private industry and the RCMP in B.C. in 2016. They included developing "employee codes of conduct to address potentially harmful impacts on host communities of actions and behaviours undertaken outside of work hours and away from job sites," and requiring "reviews and approvals of resource development projects, and other decision-making and programming processes, be informed by a comprehensive gender-based analysis." jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @_jessbu OTTAWA Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says he doesnt plan to take sides as the federal Liberals start decrying their conservative opponents over transit funding before a fall election. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman says he doesnt plan to take sides as the federal Liberals start decrying their conservative opponents over transit funding before a fall election. "My job is to represent all Winnipeggers, who have very different political views at the federal level," Bowman told the Free Press on Monday, shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with mayors from Canadas largest cities in Ottawa. In public remarks, Trudeau called out "provinces that dont really have quite the same attitude regarding investing in a tangible way in their communities and big cities." While he didnt directly cite conservative governments, many took Trudeaus remarks to reference cost-cutting provinces that have come up short when Ottawa has asked them to share the tab for large, urban projects. In an interview, Bowman would not say whether the Pallister government is among those Trudeau was targeting. The mayor instead said hes focused on Ottawa establishing "dedicated and permanent transit funding" that wont change at the whims of provincial and federal governments. In recent years, both Liberal and Tory governments have set up multi-year funding allocations, most of which materialize only years later. Thats followed by numerous funding ribbon-cutting announcements in the lead-up to an election, for projects that a different government might cancel. Thats why the Federation of Canadian Municipalities big-city mayors caucus asked Monday for permanent transit funding in this springs budget, to allow for longer-term planning. "The changing support levels from other levels of government is making that challenge (of planning transit) greater," he said, citing the Pallister governments decision to cancel the NDPs 50-50 cost-sharing formula with cities. Bowman said hed prefer all three levels work on transit, but Ottawa directly funding municipalities "would be something I would welcome," similar to an existing gas tax that helps municipalities maintain their infrastructure. "The transit system that we have now is our grandma and grandpa's transit system; it hasn't fundamentally changed in my lifetime," said Bowman, 47. He also said he doesnt expect to endorse any party in this falls federal election. "It's not something that's been asked of me, and not something I've given any thought to, to be honest," he said. The FCM big-city mayors caucus also repeated their call last year for Ottawa to speed up the funding earmarked for its national housing strategy, and to create a formal channel for the federal government to meet with mayors, which could be similar to one that exists for the three main Indigenous leaders. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Justice laid out its case Monday against Canada's most famous corporate detainee, unsealing 13 criminal counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction against Chinese tech juggernaut Huawei Technologies and arrested telecom scion Meng Wanzhou. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, center, speaks during an announcement of an indictment on violations including bank and wire fraud, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, of Chinese telecommunications companies including Huawei, at the Justice Department in Washington. At his left is Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, with FBI Director Christopher Wray, at right. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Justice laid out its case Monday against Canada's most famous corporate detainee, unsealing 13 criminal counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction against Chinese tech juggernaut Huawei Technologies and arrested telecom scion Meng Wanzhou. The indictment, based on 23 grand jury allegations, accuses Huawei and Meng the company's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder of misrepresenting their ownership of a Hong Kong-based subsidiary between 2007 and 2017 to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran. The company's U.S. branch is also accused of stealing trade secrets and equipment from cellphone provider T-Mobile USA. And it was unsealed on the very day that the Trump administration announced new high-level trade talks with China, fuelling questions about whether the two are linked questions the White House batted down. Canada's Department of Justice confirmed late Monday that officials had received the formal request from the United States for Meng's extradition. Her case is scheduled to return to B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Meng, who is free on bail in Vancouver after her arrest Dec. 1 at the behest of U.S. authorities, is charged with bank fraud, wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit both. Huawei and its subsidiary Skycom face charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, as well as of violating the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act the sanctions law. Huawei and Huawei USA are also charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice related to the grand jury investigation. The alleged conduct bore the hallmarks not of rogue actors, but of "corporate-sponsored behaviour" that was directed as company policy, acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told a news conference. "These are very serious actions by a company that appears to be using corporate espionage and sanctions violations to not only enhance, potentially, their bottom line, but also to compete in the world economy," Whitaker said. "This is something the United States will not stand for, and we're going to continue to investigate and prosecute these types of cases, because ultimately it undermines the national security and economic security of our country." Whitaker confirmed that the department is proceeding with its extradition efforts against Meng in accordance with the existing timetable, which requires that the formal request be registered with the Canadian courts by Wednesday. Both he and FBI Director Christopher Wray proffered thanks to their Canadian counterparts for their help and, in Whitaker's words, "their steadfast commitment to the rule of law." The indictment alleges that beginning in 2007, Huawei falsely claimed that Skycom was not an affiliate, and denied operating in Iran or violating U.S. sanctions. When news reports in 2013 found that it was, "Huawei employees, and in particular Meng, continued to lie to Huawei's banking partners about Huawei's relationship with Skycom," the department says in a brief on the case. They claimed that Huawei had sold its stake in Skycom a sale the U.S. alleges was "orchestrated ... to appear as an arm's-length transaction between two unrelated parties, when in fact Huawei actually controlled the company that purchased Skycom." Meng, the brief continues, made a presentation in August 2013 to a banking executive in which she "repeatedly lied" about the links between the two. "Both sets of charges expose Huawei's brazen and persistent actions to exploit American companies and financial institutions, and to threaten the free and fair global marketplace," Wray said. Huawei responded by denying that it or its affiliates "have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments." Huawei is "not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng," it said in a statement, "and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion." Meng's arrest at Vancouver International Airport touched off a political furor marked by days of angry anti-Canada rhetoric from China's foreign ministry, culminating Sunday in the firing of John McCallum as Canada's ambassador to China. McCallum, formerly a longtime Liberal MP and cabinet minister, had publicly expressed confidence in Meng's case against any U.S. extradition order. McCallum, who apologized for his original remarks, later seemed to make matters worse by saying publicly that it would be "good for Canada" if the extradition effort were unsuccessful. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Sunday he had asked for and received McCallum's resignation. But McCallum wasn't the only one to raise eyebrows with public remarks. President Donald Trump's own musings fuelled speculation that the U.S. might be planning to use the case as leverage in its trade negotiations with China. "Whatever's good for this country, I would do," Trump said in an interview with Reuters just 10 days after Meng's arrest. "If I think it's good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made, which is a very important thing ... I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary." Less than an hour before the Department of Justice news conference was to begin on Monday, the White House announced that its team of high-level economic advisers would meet a delegation from China on Wednesday for two days of trade talks. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will take part in the discussions, along with the president's economic adviser Larry Kudlow and trade adviser Peter Navarro. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders insisted, however, that the two developments were unrelated. "Those two things are not linked; they're a totally separate process," Sanders said. "The negotiations on the trade front will continue to be ongoing." The meetings are part of what Trump agreed to with Chinese President Xi Jinping during meetings last year in Argentina, where they hatched a plan to spend 90 days talking about what it would take for the two countries to forge a trade alliance. Trump has made levelling the playing field with China, a notoriously difficult and powerful trading partner, a cornerstone of his presidency. With files from The Associated Press WASHINGTON - The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging the company stole trade secrets, misled banks about its business and violated U.S. sanctions. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker, center, with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, left, and FBI Director Christopher Wray speak Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at the Justice Department in Washington. The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, two of its subsidiaries and a top executive, who are accused of misleading banks about the company's business and violating U.S. sanctions.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) WASHINGTON - The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges Monday against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging the company stole trade secrets, misled banks about its business and violated U.S. sanctions. In a statement, Huawei denied committing any of the violations cited in the indictment. The charges were announced just before a crucial two-day round of trade talks between the United States and China are scheduled to begin in Washington. Trade analysts say they could dim prospects for a breakthrough. The sweeping indictments accuse the company of using extreme efforts to steal trade secrets from American businesses including trying to take a piece of a robot from a T-Mobile lab. The executive charged is Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested in Canada last month. The U.S. is seeking to extradite her, alleging she committed fraud by misleading banks about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. David Martin, Meng's lawyer in Canada, didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Meng is out on bail in Vancouver and her case is due back in court Tuesday as she awaits extradition proceedings to begin. Huawei is the world's biggest supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies and has long been seen as a front for spying by the Chinese military or security services. "The company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations of U.S. law set forth in each of the indictments," the company statement said. Huawei is "not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng," it added, "and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion." Prosecutors say Huawei did business in Iran through a Hong Kong company called Skycom and Meng misled U.S. banks into believing the two companies were separate. "As I told high-level Chinese law enforcement officials in August, we need more law enforcement co-operation with China," acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said at a news conference with other Cabinet officials, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. "China should be concerned about criminal activities by Chinese companies and China should take action." The officials provided details from a 10-count grand jury indictment in Seattle, and a separate 13-count case from prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. Among the accusations, prosecutors say Huawei stole trade secrets, including the technology behind a robotic device that T-Mobile used to test smartphones. Beginning in 2012, Huawei hatched a plan to steal information about T-Mobile's robot, named "Tappy," and Huawei engineers secretly took photos of the robot, measured it and tried to steal a piece of it from T-Mobile's lab in Washington state, according to prosecutors. T-Mobile declined to comment. The Huawei case has set off diplomatic spats among the United States, China and Canada. President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China. But Ross said Monday that the indictments are "wholly separate from our trade negotiations with China." The two countries agreed Dec. 1 to negotiate for 90 days in an effort to defuse worsening trade tensions. Trump has postponed a scheduled increase in U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent during the talks. A breakdown in negotiations would likely lead to higher tariffs, a prospect that has rattled financial markets for months. Monday's announcement of criminal charges "is certainly not a propitious sign for U.S.-China trade tensions and could hamper prospects for even a partial deal in the coming weeks," said Eswar Prasad, an economics professor and China expert at Cornell University. There is no allegation Huawei was working at the direction of the Chinese government. In past instances, the U.S. government has singled out Beijing in corporate or digital espionage and has recently charged several Chinese hackers and intelligence officials. The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder at Vancouver's airport, has led to the worst relations between Canada and China since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. China detained two Canadians shortly after Meng's arrest in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release her. A Chinese court also sentenced a third Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. Associated Press writers Christopher Rugaber in Washington, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Tali Arbel in New York contributed to this report. Skipthedishes has a new CEO and only one of its original co-founders left, but the Winnipeg company that is owned by Just Eat plc is poised to take on an increasingly large role in the U.K.-owned company's global operations. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Skipthedishes has a new CEO and only one of its original co-founders left, but the Winnipeg company that is owned by Just Eat plc is poised to take on an increasingly large role in the U.K.-owned company's global operations. Kevin Edwards is the CEO, replacing Chris Simair, brother of the original CEO Josh Simair. SUPPLIED Kevin Edwards - newly appointed CEO of Skipthedishes. Edwards joined the company in 2018 as chief marketing officer after holding the same position with the Movember Foundation. He took over the role only weeks before the parent company CEO, Peter Plumb, stepped down after less than two years on the job. The British press say he was forced out because of investor dissatisfaction over the company's investment in developing its own courier service. They said investors complained that the capital investment Plumb initiated had slowed earnings growth. That technology investment is being driven largely by the work that is happening at the company's Winnipeg operations. Last year the Skipthedishes delivery model that uses independent contract couriers in much the same way as the ride sharing business does, was integrated into Just Eat's Australian operations. A similar process is now underway in Just Eat's U.K. business. Just Eat is facing increased competition in all its markets from players like Uber Eats and believes the Skipthedishes delivery model will ultimately prove most profitable. Just Eat operates in 13 countries (that includes a joint venture in Brazil and Mexico) and uses three different models across the operations, including delivery services employed directly by independent restaurants, third party courier companies and self-employed independent contractors. The last one is the model developed by Skipthedishes. In total, Just Eat has 3,300 total employees, about 2,000 of whom are in Winnipeg. Just Eat paid about $200 million for Skipthedishes in late 2016. Chris Simair said in a statement Monday, "As one of Skip's founders, I'm incredibly proud of what we were all able to build and accomplish in just six short years. Skip is full of incredibly passionate and talented people, I have no doubt they will continue to excel and remain leaders in the global food delivery industry." Its burgeoning Winnipeg workforce now operates out of four locations in the East Exchange with the bulk of those hires taking place during that past two years. In a release by the corporate board last week announcing that its CEO, Peter Plumb, was stepping down, the company said, "We anticipate 2019 will see our Canadian business, Skipthedishes, report its first full year profit, confirming the route to profitability for delivery services." Skip's revenue in 2017 was about $112 million and the operation lost close to $20 million. Through the first half of 2018 revenue had already outstripped the entire 2017 total, however losses were also higher, which is not surprising considering the very rapid growth in its workforce. For the first half of 2018, total revenue for Just Eat was about $622 million. The Canadian operation continues to grow by triple digits. Edwards was travelling out of the country and unavailable for an interview. The company released a statement noting the departure of Simair, who, the statement said, was "instrumental in building Skip from a start-up to becoming the clear and respected market leader of food delivery in Canada. We would like to acknowledge his incredible contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavours." The release officially noted that the Canadian business is an "essential member of the Just Eat family" and that it "will continue to power the group's ambitious delivery expansions globally." Regarding the appointment of Edwards, the company statement said, "This transition marks a new era in Skips journey as we build a leadership team with truly global ambitions and aspirations to lead the world in this exciting category." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca CALGARY - A lack of export pipeline capacity means Canada will not be able to boost shipments to take advantage of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela's national oil company, analysts say. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Feb. 19, 2015 file photo, the sun sets behind an oil well in a field near El Tigre, a town within Venezuela's Hugo Chavez oil belt, formally known as the Orinoco Belt. Analysts say U.S. sanctions against Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA will support higher prices for western Canadian heavy oil but it's unlikely to result in much of an increase in crude from Canada being shipped into the U.S. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Fernando Llano, File CALGARY - A lack of export pipeline capacity means Canada will not be able to boost shipments to take advantage of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela's national oil company, analysts say. The sanctions announced Monday against PDVSA are designed to interrupt the flow of oil money to the government of President Nicolas Maduro, putting pressure on him to step aside and allow opposition leader Juan Guaido to fill in as interim president. Mexico and Iraq are instead most likely to benefit in the race to replace Venezuela heavy crude imported for processing at refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast, analysts at RBC Capital Markets said in a report. "While the general belief is that Canadian heavy barrels should benefit with the demise of Venezuela, the notional degree of market share up for grabs for Canada is not as large as for competing countries," they said. "Until the ongoing pipeline issues are addressed, crude-by-rail is simply not as scalable as increased shipments from Mexico or Iraq. More importantly, Canada does not have much of a footprint at key refiners of Venezuelan crudes." It's unclear how much Venezuelan oil will be diverted because, under the sanctions, U.S. refiners will still be able to buy oil from PDVSA but the proceeds from the transactions will be set aside for the use of a new government in Venezuela. The country sends about 40 per cent of its 1.3 million barrels per day of oil exports to the United States, RBC noted. It added those shipments have fallen to about 505,000 barrels per day from over 900,000 bpd earlier this decade and Venezuela now supplies only 13 U.S. refiners, down from 22 seven years ago. Western Canada is the third-largest supplier behind Mexico and Venezuela to the U.S. Gulf Coast region but it is "plagued by egress and policy challenges," RBC said. If a shortage of heavy crude develops in the U.S. as expected, it will likely increase prices throughout the North American market, including in Canada, said Kevin Birn, vice-president of North American crude oil markets for IHS Markit. "Over the past three or four years, as Venezuelan production has plummeted, we've seen a tightening of the heavy oil market and we think Canadians have benefited in that the price difference between light and heavy globally has tightened," he said. "That said, the local differential (due to market access limits) has muted or covered or eroded the majority of that potential benefit to Canadians." The Alberta government's production curtailment program that began Jan. 1 designed to draw down a glut of trapped oil in Western Canada means there is less oil available to increase exports, he said. Even if that program was halted, there wouldn't be enough capacity on pipeline or rail to greatly increase shipments south, he said. Follow @HealingSlowly on Twitter. VANCOUVER - The clock is ticking for Canada to decide whether to proceed with a high-profile extradition case involving a senior executive of Huawei Technologies, which has touched off furor in diplomatic relations with China. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, right, arrives at a parole office with a member of her private security detail in Vancouver, on Wednesday December 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VANCOUVER - The clock is ticking for Canada to decide whether to proceed with a high-profile extradition case involving a senior executive of Huawei Technologies, which has touched off furor in diplomatic relations with China. A British Columbia court heard Tuesday that the United States has issued a formal extradition request for Meng Wanzhou, the company's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder. Meng was arrested Dec. 1 at Vancouver's airport on a request from U.S. authorities. Canada's Department of Justice now has until March 1 to determine whether to issue an authority to proceed, which authorizes an extradition hearing. If Canada issues that authority, Meng would next appear in court March 6 and hearing dates would be set. B.C. Supreme Court Justice William Ehrcke said proceedings could still take some time. "I have no idea whether we're looking at months or years," he said. "At this point, that's completely unknown. It will become clearer as time progresses." Canada has a treaty with the U.S. that obligates it to co-operate with extradition requests. The treaty requires that the conduct for which extradition is sought be considered criminal in both countries. If an extradition hearing is held and a judge commits Meng for extradition, Justice Minister David Lametti would ultimately determine whether she would be extradited to face charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit both. Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is out on bail and remains under partial house arrest after she was detained Dec. 1 at the behest of American authorities, leaves her home to attend a court appearance regarding her bail conditions, in Vancouver, on Tuesday January 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Lametti acknowledged legal procedures can be complex. "By the time all the individual's rights are exhausted they can take a long time," he added. "I only will have to make a decision at the end of the process, if and only if there is an actual extradition order. I would have the final say in executing that order, yes." The U.S. Department of Justice laid out its case Monday against Meng and Huawei. Both Meng and the company have denied any wrongdoing. The indictment, based on 23 grand jury allegations, accuses Huawei and Meng of misrepresenting their ownership of a Hong Kong-based subsidiary between 2007 and 2017 in an effort to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran. The company's U.S. branch is also accused of stealing trade secrets and equipment from cellphone provider T-Mobile USA. Meng, 46, has been free on bail since Dec. 11, living in one of her two multimillion dollar homes in Vancouver while wearing an electronic tracking device and being monitored by a security company. Meng and her husband provided $7.5 million in cash for the $10-million bail and the rest was covered by four sureties, including three people who put up their homes as a deposit and a fourth who brought a $50,000 certified cheque to the court. On Tuesday, Ehrcke agreed to replace the woman who brought the cheque with a couple who have agreed to put up their home and some money as a surety. The court also heard that Meng has beefed up her defence team. In addition to criminal defence lawyer David Martin, she will also be represented by several other attorneys including Vancouver-based Richard Peck and associates from his firm. Peck is known for acting as an independent prosecutor for Ontario in the dangerous driving and negligence case against former attorney general Michael Bryant in the death of a cyclist, in which Crown prosecutors ultimately withdrew the charges. He later worked as a special prosecutor for B.C. in the death of Robert Dziekanski, a Polish immigrant who died after police stunned him with a Taser in Vancouver's airport. Also joining the team is Toronto-based criminal defence lawyer Scott Fenton. He represented David Del Mastro, who was acquitted of running a scheme to funnel money to the political campaign of his cousin, former Conservative MP Dean Del Mastro. Meng did not comment as she rushed from court Tuesday to a black SUV waiting for her in a parkade. China's foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the U.S. is using its national power to "tarnish the image of and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations." "We once again urge the U.S. side to immediately drop its arrest warrant and formal extradition request for Ms. Meng Wanzhou," it said. "We also urge the Canadian side to take China's solemn position seriously, immediately release Ms. Meng Wanzhou and ensure her lawful and legitimate rights and interests, and stop pulling the chestnuts out of the fire for the U.S." Members of the U.S. Senate intelligence committee were briefed Tuesday about global counterintelligence perils. The Huawei case was mentioned only indirectly, but intelligence officials described China's "ongoing quest" for global superiority. "China's pursuit of intellectual property, sensitive research and development plans and U.S. personal data remains a significant threat to the U.S. government and the private sector," said Dan Coats, the U.S. director of national intelligence. With files from Mia Rabson and Mike Blanchfield in Ottawa and James McCarten in Washington, D.C. TEMPE, Ariz. - A Lyft rider in suburban Phoenix stabbed his pregnant driver, killing the woman and her unborn child before stealing her vehicle and driving nearly 150 miles before being arrested near the California line, authorities said Monday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - This Jan. 31, 2018 file photo shows a Lyft logo on a Lyft driver's car in Pittsburgh. A Lyft rider in suburban Phoenix stabbed his pregnant driver, killing the woman and her unborn child before stealing her vehicle and driving nearly 150 miles before being arrested near the California line, authorities said Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) TEMPE, Ariz. - A Lyft rider in suburban Phoenix stabbed his pregnant driver, killing the woman and her unborn child before stealing her vehicle and driving nearly 150 miles before being arrested near the California line, authorities said Monday. Tempe police said Kristina Howato, 39, was in her third trimester of pregnancy and is survived by two other young children. They say Fabian Durazo, 20, was being held at a La Paz County jail on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of kidnapping and armed robbery, authorities said. It was unclear Monday if Durazo has a lawyer yet who could speak on his behalf. Howato was working early Sunday as a Lyft driver when she received a pickup request in west Tempe, said Sgt. Ron Elcock, a police spokesman. Durazo allegedly attacked Howato when they arrived at an apartment complex about a half-mile away and he fled in her SUV. Police officers responded to the apartment complex about 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a woman screaming in the parking lot. They found Howato suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a hospital where both she and the unborn baby died. Arizona Department of Public Safety officials used GPS tracking to locate the stolen SUV on Interstate 10 near Quartzsite, about 25 miles (40 kilometres) from the Arizona-California line and Durazo was taken into custody Sunday afternoon. Police said they don't believe Durazo and Howato knew each other and a motive for the fatal stabbing remains undetermined. "Throughout our careers as officers, we have incidents that really, really touch our hearts and stay with you throughout your careers," Elcock said at a news conference. "This is definitely one of those incidents that really is going to affect the police department for a long time." A statement from officials with San Francisco-based Lyft said: "We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims." Lyft says it is assisting with the investigation, adding that the passenger's account has been permanently deactivated. (Special) - Many Canadians, it seems, are having a crises of confidence when it comes to their personal finances. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/1/2019 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. (Special) - Many Canadians, it seems, are having a crises of confidence when it comes to their personal finances. A recent study by IG Wealth Management found that nearly half (43 per cent) of Canadians admit they feel anxious when thinking about their finances, and of those 81 per cent are concerned that the money they have or save won't last their lifetimes. The study found that 33 per cent of Canadians have low confidence in their finances and another 31 per cent rate their confidence level at medium. Further, one in three Canadians admits that they have not tried hard enough to manage their finances and one in five admits they actually avoid thinking about their personal finances. Among Canadians with low financial confidence 51 per cent said they haven't tried hard enough to manage their finances, 79 per cent said they feel anxious when they think of their finances, 30 per cent believe they have the ability to manage their money and only 49 per cent say they can enjoy life because of the way they are managing their finances. Conversely, of those Canadians who have high financial confidence 87 per cent say they put effort into managing their finances and regularly review their financial accounts, and 90 per cent believe they can enjoy life because of the way they are managing their money. "The results demonstrate that Canadians' confidence in their financial future is directly proportional to their self-assessed level of effort at managing their finances, "says Sebastien Dallaire, senior vice-president of Ipsos Canada, which conducted the study in October last year. "Data also shows that those who got professional advice are more confident and less anxious." Court Elliott, IG Wealth Management's vice-president of corporate communications, sponsorship and community, believes Canadians' anxiety about their finances could be even higher now than when the survey was conducted because of recent declines in financial markets. "The results show that Canadians need to get back to basics and get professional advice and help," Elliott said in an interview. "There's a lot of financial information out there on the internet, but there is so much that it may be a case of information overload for a lot of people. There's really nothing that can take the place of human contact and face-to-face interaction with a professional." The study, which the company calls the IG financial confidence index, is the first part of an on-going initiative called Empower Your Tomorrow that IG Wealth hopes will enhance financial literacy and education of four main groups of Canadians Indigenous peoples, new Canadians, seniors, and youth. The company has partnered with the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education to produce a financial textbook for high school students and teachers, which it soon plans to make available online. It puts on seminars for new Canadians and Indigenous Canadians in their local communities. It also is partnering with the Alzheimer's Society of Canada to raise money for Alzheimer's awareness, and offers free seminars about the costs and financial impact of caregiving for families of people living with Alzheimer's. "Financial education through existing channels is not working as well as it could," Elliott says. "No one is really doing as great a job as they could. There still are many great opportunities to help improve Canadians' level of financial knowledge. There's still a lot to do." Talbot Boggs is a Toronto-based business communications professional who has worked with national news organizations, magazines and corporations in the finance, retail, manufacturing and other industrial sectors. Copyright 2019 Talbot Boggs In the realm of Canadian film and television, Jennifer Dale is one of those rare actresses who brings glamour to a cultural realm that doesnt especially prize that particular commodity at least not as much as its Hollywood brethren. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/1/2019 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In the realm of Canadian film and television, Jennifer Dale is one of those rare actresses who brings glamour to a cultural realm that doesnt especially prize that particular commodity at least not as much as its Hollywood brethren. But for the past four decades, Dale, the older sister of actress Cynthia Dale, has been lending her classy-cool elegance to everything from the Peter Weller vs. rat movie Of Unknown Origin to Atom Egoyans The Adjuster. Shes been even more busy on the small screen, dating from the John Byner series Bizarre to Night Heat to Made in Canada. She also works on stage, most recently in Winnipeg in February 2015, starring in the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre production of Christopher Durangs Chekhov spoof Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Dale wilfully transcends mere beauty in her new film Into Invisible Light by co-writing the script with Winnipeg director Shelagh Carter (Passionflower). D FILMS Jennifer Dale Speaking on the phone from her home in Toronto, Dale says her belated first feature writing credit hasnt been for lack of trying. "I actually spent many years in various collaborations with different writers and directors attempting to write scripts that I hope might have been produced," she says. "But this project with Shelagh was the first feature where I was able to accomplish that." In the film, Dale plays Helena, a woman haunted by a past failure to embrace her writerly instincts. Finding herself widowed and in her 60s, she takes that challenge at the same time she resumes a long-ago love affair with an old boyfriend (Peter Kelaghan). The story was the result of brainstorming sessions between Dale and Carter, especially when it came to Helena ignoring her own potential. Peter Kelaghan and Dale in Into Invisible Light. "It was Shelagh who hit on this Chekhovian idea, and asked me if I had ever played any Chekhov characters in the theatre (beyond the Durang parody), which I had not," Dale says. "But I had worked in acting classes on the character of Yelana in Uncle Vanya. "I was very attracted to that character because she was somebody who, on the outside of her life, appeared to have it all together, to be attractive. But she was somebody who was completely unfulfilled in her potential," Dale says. "She had more intelligence and hidden depths that she was allowing herself to claim." Dale stops short of suggesting Helena is based on herself. "Certainly, there are autobiographical elements and things that I relate to," Dale says. "Ive never been the kind of actor who could be called chameleonesque. Like many actors, I understand what Im best suited to, that they can bring the most of themselves to. D FILMS Jennifer Dale in a scene from Into Invisible Light. "So this is why we were able to create this for me to play, and I finally realize my capacity for writing," she says. "What a tremendous creative joy for me to be given that chance to do that with Shelagh." Shooting the film in Winnipeg during the fall of 2017 facilitated a reunion for her and Kelaghan, she says. "I worked with Peter when he was on the series Made in Canada," she says. "I did an episode and he reminded me I had played his ex-wife and wed had this kind of raunchy sex scene on his desk in his office. "I had completely forgotten that," Dale says with a laugh. "Peter was devastated. He called it one of the highlights of my career. " Dale is not about to rest on her writing laurels now. "Im at work on something else, and its OK if it takes a while to be produced," she says. "Because the character Im playing is going to be 100 years old." randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing Viewed of Take Five - This is your final free article during this 30 day period.Stay in touch with all of the news from Winchester, Frederick and Clarke. Sign up today for complete digital access to The Winchester Star. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms likely, especially this morning. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 91F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Willmar, MN (56201) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph, becoming NNW and increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Printed colored perovskite solar cells in the form of the KIT logo. (Photo: IMT/KIT) The goal of PRINTPERO is to develop digitally printed, highly efficient and stable solar modules that can be integrated into roofs, facades, and windows. In the project coordinated at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), German and Greek researchers and industrial partners are demonstrating the technological feasibility of solar modules based on perovskite absorbers. They work on prototypes that can be freely designed in size, shape, and color. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research supports the project within the framework program Research for Sustainable Development (FONA). Perovskite semiconductors are currently among the most promising materials for highly efficient and cost-effective next-generation solar modules. Thin-film solar cells based on these perovskites already achieve efficiencies of more than 23 percent in the laboratory. However, the processes currently used in research to manufacture perovskite solar cells cannot be transferred to industrial standards. "One goal of our project is therefore to replace laboratory processes by digital printing processes that run at low temperatures and are suitable for industrial production," explains Dr. Ulrich W. Paetzold, head of the research group "Advanced Optics and Materials for Next Generation Photovoltaics" at KITs Institute for Microstructure Technology (IMT) and KITs Light Technology Institute (LTI) and coordinator of PRINTPERO (short for Printed Perovskite Modules for Building Integrated Photovoltaics). In the PRINTPERO project, researchers and industrial partners from Germany and Greece are cooperating to develop digitally printed solar modules based on perovskite semiconductors that are not only highly efficient and stable, but also meet a wide range of architectural requirements for integration in buildings. They work on prototypes which can be designed in different shapes and colors. To achieve these goals, the participating researchers use the potential of digital inkjet printing. In addition, they develop printable luminescent layers to realize different color impressions and protect solar cells from harmful UV radiation (see photo). Together with the project partners, the Karlsruhe researchers are also working on improving the stability of the perovskite solar cells, connecting several of these cells in series to form large-area solar modules, and encapsulating the modules to protect them from moisture and the resulting decay. PRINTPERO includes the research institutes KIT and the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece as well as the solar industry companies SUNOVATION Produktion GmbH (Aschaffenburg/Germany) and Brite Hellas S.A. (Thessaloniki/Greece). Within the framework program Research for Sustainable Development (FONA), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the three-year German-Greek cooperation project that was launched in 2018. Publication on the subject: Design and Color Flexibility for Inkjet-Printed Perovskite Photovoltaics. Stefan Schlisske, Florian Mathies, Dmitry Busko, Noah Strobel, Tobias Rodlmeier, Bryce S. Richards, Uli Lemmer, Ulrich W. Paetzold, Gerardo Hernandez-Sosa, and Efthymios Klampaftis: ACS Applied Energy Materials. 2018. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acsaem.8b01829 More about the KIT Energy Center: http://www.energie.kit.edu Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,600 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 23,300 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence. A project to clean up mold at Kings Highway Elementary School went more than $1.6 million over budget with the additional costs covered by funds the school administration allocated for utility costs in annual operating budgets. That overrun was uncovered during an internal audit of the school district's spending. Lynn Scully, the town's internal auditor, is expected to present the findings in detail at the Sept. 3 Board of Finance meeting. According to the project review, $2,878,000 was approved for the project, but $4,527,969 was actually spent -- a $1,649,969 difference. The project initially was designed to deal with mold and air quality at the school, but during that process lead was discovered there as well, the audit states. After the lead was found a new vendor was hired to complete the work. A "breakdown" of the $1.6 million increase found $714,233 went for hazmat abatement and $683,132 for arbitration and legal fees. The report found that the funds used to cover the additional spending came from money in the school district's electricity and natural gas accounts. The report points out there was no appropriation request submitted to the town for the overrun and there was inadequate reporting of those costs in the education budgets for several years beginning in fiscal year 2007-8 and ending in fiscal year 2013-14. The audi also found the contract for lead abatement awarded to Abatement Industries Group did not go through the formal bidding process, which is required for projects expected to cost more than $10,000. AIG was paid $673,000, according to the report. "I don't like it. It was a large amount of money," Brian Stern, finance board vice chairman, said of the $1.6 million overrun. "We had to do it. We had to get the school fixed because they found toxic chemicals," he added. "But I think what should have happened was to go the proper route." That route, he said, was for school officials to bring the matter before the finance board "and deal with it there." Stern said the issue leads to other questions, like why other education budget accounts, like the allocation for utilities, appear to have "so much slack in them." He called them "slush funds." He also said that money spent for arbitration was "a large expense for a dispute" apparently with a vendor hired for the project. Stern added that you can't "audit every dime," so the matter comes down to "transparency and trust." "This was a complex, multi-year project, and its proper and timely execution required more funds than originally projected," Board of Education Chairwoman Elaine Whitney said in an email statement when questioned by the Westport News about the audit's criticisms. "The project has been successfully completed and fully paid for, and the Board of Education is putting in place a detailed, publicly available financial tracking instrument for capital projects going forward." Superintendent of Schools Elliot Landon and the school district's business manager Elio Longo did not return calls for comment as of Thursday morning. The object of the review was to identify how much the project went over its initial budget and determine how that overage was funded. Recommendations include having a written policy formulated by the town and school district for proper processes and reporting associated with capital expenditures. It also recommends that additional policy language specific to building construction and improvements be developed by the town that addresses project oversight and approval requirements, as well as accounting and reporting requirements. (WGGB/WSHM) -- School officials with the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools confirm that an eighth grader has died. A GoFundMe page for the students funeral expenses explained the child was found unresponsive after participating in the blackout challenge on social media. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, criticized here and elsewhere when he refused to make a nearly $1 million legal contract public, has reversed course. This reversal, waiving what he had cited as an attorney-client privilege exemption in the states open records law, is the right move and should be the way legislators and the administration operate in Madison every time. Steve Fawcett, Vos legal and policy adviser, said the office decided to waive the exemption in deference to Wisconsins historical perspective of making such documents accessible to the public. At issue is an $840,000 contract that covers work Chicago-based firm Bartlit Beck did for Assembly Republicans to defend them in the long-running lawsuit over legislative district lines that they drew in 2011. Not releasing it to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in late December brought comments like this: If the public is being expected to pay the bill, it has every right to see the agreement, said Bill Lueders, editor of The Progressive magazine and president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. And it sparked editorials like ours, headlined, Assembly Speaker off base to shield public from legal contract. All Aboard WSUs Whistle Stop Tour January 28, 2019 OGDEN, Utah As part of the Transcontinental Railroad Sesquicentennial celebration, Weber State University Special Collections presents the Whistle Stop Tour, a series of lectures and exhibits dedicated to sharing the 150-year history of the railroad coming through Ogden. Held in collaboration with the Weber County Library and Union Station, the Whistle Stop Tour will examine the history of the transcontinental railroad. Lecture topics will include why the railroad came through Ogden, the people who worked on the railroad and the effect the railroad had on Ogden and the surrounding areas. Lectures held in early March will commemorate the railroad reaching Ogden on March 8, 1869. The history of Ogden has long been tied to the railroad, said Sarah Singh, WSU Special Collections curator. The railroad brought jobs, ethnic diversity, tourists and changed the landscape of Ogden in a variety of ways. Even 150 years later, the railroad still impacts Ogden and the surrounding areas. In addition to lectures, the Whistle Stop Tour will include two exhibits. The first one will feature photographs and stories about the impact of the railroad on Ogden. This exhibit will be available throughout February at the Weber County Library Southwest Branch in Roy. The second exhibit will highlight photographs of the Transcontinental Railroad 50th anniversary celebration parade held in Ogden in 1919. This exhibit will be on display March-April at WSUs Stewart Library, and throughout May at Union Station. The Whistle Stop Tour is a part of Weber Reads: The Transcontinental Railroad, presented by the Weber County Libraries. Calendar of events: Rising from the Rails: The Story of the Pullman Porters Feb. 19, 7 p.m. Weber County Library Pleasant Valley Branch (5568 Adams Ave., Ogden) Debra Daniels and Sarah McClellan will share their families experiences working on the railroads as Pullman porters. How Ogden Became the Junction City and Why Salt Lake Never Forgave Us (Weber Historical Society Lecture Series) March 11, 7 p.m. Weber State University Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall Historian and author Val Holley will share stories and insights into the train coming to Ogden and the impact the railroad had on the citys development from 1869 to 1900. How Ogden Became the Junction City and Why Salt Lake Never Forgave Us March 12, 7 p.m. Weber County Library Southwest Branch (2039 W. 4000 S., Roy) Historian and author Val Holley will share stories and insights into the train coming to Ogden and the impact the railroad had on the citys development from 1869 to 1900. Iron Ladies of the American Railroad March 13, 7 p.m. Weber County Library Main Library (2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden) WSU Special Collections Curator Sarah Singh and Union Station Museum and Program Director Holly Andrew will share stories of the hard-working women who entered the world of railroading as clerks, laundresses, engineers and more. Iron Ladies of the American Railroad March 19, 7 p.m. Weber County Library Southwest Branch (2039 W. 4000 S., Roy) WSU Special Collections Curator Sarah Singh and Union Station Museum curator and program director Holly Andrew will share stories of the hard-working women who entered the world of railroading from clerks to laundresses to engineers. The Train Comes to Ogden March 28, 7 p.m. Weber County Library Ogden Valley Branch (131 S. 7400 E., Huntsville) Former Standard-Examiner Columnist Charles Trentelman will discuss the impact of the railroad on Ogdens history and expansion. Building Tracks to New Beginnings: Japanese Railroad Workers in the West April 24, 7 p.m. Weber County Library North Branch (475 E. 2600 N., Ogden) Judge Raymond Uno and Lorraine Crouse, University of Utah photograph curator, will examine the stories of Japanese men who came to the United States to help build the railroad and ended up staying and establishing Japantowns across the West. Chinese Migrants and the Transcontinental Railroad May 7, 6 p.m. Ogden Union Station (2501 Wall Ave., Ogden) Shelley Fishkin, Stanford University English professor, will discuss her research regarding Chinese railroad workers who helped build the transcontinental railroad. Rails and Ales: Hell on Wheels May 10, 7 p.m. Union Grill (315 24th St., Ogden) Sponsored by the Friends of the Stewart Library Dick Kreck, retired Denver Post reporter, will discuss his book Hell on Wheels: Wicked Towns Along the Union Pacific Railroad, which inspired the AMC series Hell on Wheels. Exhibit information: Transcontinental Railroad and Ogden February Weber County Library Southwest Branch (2039 W. 4000 S., Roy) This exhibit will feature photographs and stories that illustrate how the railroad changed Ogden from a small town into a thriving city from 1869-1960s. Spike 50: Golden Spike Parade in 1919 March-April, Weber State University Stewart Library May, Ogden Union Station (2501 Wall Ave., Ogden) This exhibit will feature photographs taken during the 1919 Golden Spike parade in Ogden and will include images from local photographer Charles Maccarthy. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has declared a state of emergency because of snow and impending dangerously cold temperatures. Evers signed the order Monday that directs all state agencies to assist if any emergency response and recovery efforts are needed because of the snowstorm and cold that has hit Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and other Midwestern states. Evers is also activating the Wisconsin National Guard to assist with local emergency responders, if necessary. Many parts of Wisconsin had received up to 7 inches of snow as of Monday morning, with forecasts calling for a foot or more in some areas. The snow was to be followed by temperatures not rising above zero through Thursday, with wind chills as low as 50 below zero. Wisconsin state offices remained open on Monday. Flights canceled More than 1,000 flights were canceled at Chicagos largest airports as a snowstorm crawls through several Midwestern states ahead of frigidly cold weather. Wilmington, DE (19810) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung speaking at the event (Photo: VNA) The event was participated in by officials and staff of the embassy and representative agencies of Vietnam in Laos, representatives of Vietnamese businesses in Laos, overseas Vietnamese in Laos and representatives of overseas Vietnamese people in Thailands Nongkhai and Udon Thani provinces. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung said that in 2018, Vietnam gained impressive achievements in the fields of politics, socio-economic development and national defence and security. Vietnams foreign relations continued to be promoted and achieved good results. Vietnam's role and position continue to be enhanced in the international arena, opening up many opportunities for cooperation for the country; people's lives continued to be improved; security and national defense are maintained and Vietnams sovereignty over the sea and islands continue to be firmly protected, its peaceful environment continues to be maintained for stable development. According to the ambassador, in 2018, a year of Vietnam - Laos friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation continues to develop, upholding the potential and strength of each country, and bringing great practical effectiveness and benefits. The two-way trade revenue reached more than USD1 billion, an increase of 14% compared to 2017. He stressed that the Vietnamese community in Laos had its revolutionary tradition and always maintained solidarity and mutual support. They have established a stable and developed daily life, are well integrated into local society and made practical contributions to the local country and relations between the two countries. The overseas Vietnamese community in Laos has also organized various charitable activities to support calamity victims in both countries. Mr. Hung desired that overseas Vietnamese continue to make more contributions to the homeland and Vietnam - Laos relations. He also affirmed that the embassy and representative agencies of Vietnam in Laos will continue to support the overseas Vietnamese to build a united and strong community, which always looks toward the homeland./. Mary Ann Murphy (extreme left), who is hoping for the federal Liberal nomination for the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding, chats with the public at a small table meet and greet in West Kelowna, Sunday. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Members of the Union of Australian Women protest outside the French consulate, Sydney, on June 1, 1973. Credit:Keith Edward Byron First published in the Sydney Morning Herald on January 21, 1996 Mr Jacques Chirac has announced a definitive end to French nuclear testing in the South Pacific, at the same time promising to play an "active and determined role for disarmament in the world". The French President told his nation in a TV broadcast on Monday that he would begin diplomatic moves to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) banning nuclear trials world-wide, later this year. The tests, concluding with the sixth and largest blast at Fangataufa on Saturday, finished four months short of the original scheduled date. Mr Chirac had predicted eight nuclear trials when the resumption of testing was announced on June 13 last year, but is believed to have curtailed the program under international pressure. The revelation of a tape of Donald Trump bragging about sexually assaulting women landed just after 4pm on October 7, 2016. Less than an hour later, WikiLeaks, an anti-secrecy organisation founded by Australian man Julian Assange, began releasing hacked emails from the account of John Podesta, the chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. The striking simultaneity fulfilled the hope of Trump confidant Roger Stone, according to Jerome Corsi, a conservative author and former Stone associate who was subpoenaed over the summer for questioning by special counsel Robert Mueller. "I had one call from Roger, as I recall it - Roger disputes this - on the day that WikiLeaks did begin in October dropping the final emails on John Podesta, in which Roger was essentially saying: 'We've got this timing issue because the Billy Bush tape is going to be released, and we'd like to have Assange begin releasing emails now'," Corsi told MSNBC on Tuesday. Bush was the Access Hollywood anchor who appeared with Trump in the now infamous clip from 2005, in which the host of The Apprentice describes using his stardom to grope and kiss women. By now, the technique should be grimly familiar. Someone sees something they dislike and decides that it is offensive, preferably to a fashionable minority group. An edited version of the incident is put on social media, taken out of context in order to make the "culprit" safest if it's a member of an unfashionable "privileged" group look as terrible as possible. A few people ask whether this is a fair reflection of reality, whether the vitriol is deserved. It hardly matters. The intimidation has begun, the individual has been named, his reputation is in tatters, and perhaps even the police have turned up to investigate whether a "non-crime hate incident" has taken place. The image that went viral, but didn't tell the whole truth. Credit:Twitter Loading Most victims of this unjust process give in and apologise: whatever the truth of the matter, better a quiet life than fight the many-headed monster of social justice web warriors, ultra-liberal academics and their allies in the media. The effect is censorship by fear. A bullying Left doesn't need to change any minds, just make it too toxic for anyone to disagree with them. But last week, something changed. A group of boys from a Catholic high school in Covington, in the US, looked as if they would be subjected to a textbook example of the above process. A Native American activist, Nathan Phillips, was apparently harassed by the boys, who were wearing Make America Great Again hats at a rally in Washington. An image went viral on the internet of one boy smiling or "smirking" at Mr Phillips, in an "aggressive encounter". Credulous pundits damned the boy as the typical, arrogant racist American male and he was named on social media. He was guilty not because they knew definitively what he had done, but because of what he apparently represented, an almost medieval form of punishment by group association. Beirut: The United Arab Emirates vice-president boasted of the country's "significant progress" on gender equality as he handed out awards for promoting equal opportunity. The only trouble was - all of them went to men. UAE Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, centre, in 2015. Credit:Bloomberg Social media users were quick to mock after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, tweeted the awards announcement late on Sunday with a series of pictures of men. "Great to see Dubai promoting and rewarding the promotion of gender balance, but there is something missing in these photos ... cannot put my finger on it ...." posted one on Twitter. "Sorry which genders are they balancing? We see only one," posted another. Two weeks ago, the Brexit withdrawal deal struck late last year was comprehensively rejected by the House of Commons in an historic defeat for the government. Loading The vote was decisive and I listened, May said on Tuesday. Today we need to send an emphatic message about what we do want. She urged MPs to vote to rule out the backstop, which would see the UK in a customs union with the EU until a new trade deal is signed, to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border [in Ireland]. This would give May the mandate I need to negotiate in Brussels a significant and legally binding change to the Withdrawal Agreement, she said. She said such a change would not be easy and there was limited appetite on the part of the EU, but she believed she could secure it. In the past two years, the EU have made concessions in many areas, May said. If the EU and UK can't agree a new deal, May said, she would come back and make a statement to parliament on February 13. She was not specific on what the alternative arrangements to the backstop might be. Two options proposed by Brexiters include adding a time limit to the backstop, or a clause allowing the UK to unilaterally cancel it. But, two weeks ago, May told Parliament the simple truth was that the EU was not prepared to agree to a unilateral exit mechanism from the backstop, or a time limit. Protesters gathered in London on Tuesday as the UK Parliament was set to vote on competing Brexit plans. Credit:AP Rejecting the backstop altogether means no deal, she said at the time. A third option dubbed the Malthouse plan emerged overnight, put together by a group of Conservative MPs. It would see the UK following all EU rules and regulations, including the customs union and single market, to the end of 2021 or until a new trade deal with the EU can be put into effect. Following that, instead of the backstop, the UK and EU would agree a basic no-tariff trade deal. Loading But the plan has been widely criticised as unlikely to appeal to the EU. The Institute for Governments Jill Rutter described it as unnegotiable, based on ideas that had been rejected time and again by Brussels. A reporter for The Times said officials on both sides of Brexit talks had described it as no plan at all and bonkers. And trade expert David Henig, director of the UK Trade Policy Project at the European Centre for International Political Economy, said it stands no chance of being acceptable to the EU as the interim free trade agreement involved would not help avoid border checks. On Monday, Sabine Weyand, the European Commisisons deputy chief Brexit negotiator, said the EU was not going to reopen the [withdrawal) agreement. She said alternatives to the backstop had been extensively discussed at the negotiating table. The EU were unanimously opposed to a time limit in the backstop, or a time limit on it. And the idea of a technological solution to avoid customs checks at the Irish border had also been carefully examined. Loading We looked at every border on this earth, every border the EU has with a third country - theres simply no way you can do away with checks and controls, she said. The [UK] negotiators have not been able to explain them to us and thats not their fault, its because they dont exist. On Tuesday a spokesman for European Council president Donald Tusk said the Irish backstop was part of the withdrawal agreement and the withdrawal agreement was not open for renegotiation. Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar said the same. But May said those proposing alternatives to the backstop are not indulging in fantasies. Perth multi-millionaire Zhenya Tsvetnenko, in prison facing extradition to the United States over an alleged text message scam, has had his bail application refused due to concerns he is a flight risk. IN 2016, Mr Tsvetnenko was charged by US authorities, accused of fleecing mobile phone users. Credit:Aaron Bunch The 39-year-old Russian-born entrepreneur once the wealthiest person under 40 in WA fronted Perth's Magistrates Court via video-link from Hakea prison on Tuesday. His now estranged wife Lydia was among those in the court room. Mr Tsvetnenko was raised in Perth and became a self-made millionaire after inventing an automatic SMS delivery service. Bourke Street murderer James Gargasoulas should never be released, Crown prosecutors say, as his full criminal history dating back to 2009 is revealed for the first time. Gargasoulas, 29, faced the Supreme Court on Tuesday for a pre-sentence hearing that will help decide whether the killer will one day be eligible for parole, or authorities throw away the key. His criminal history was laid out, with the court hearing that between 2009 and 2014 Gargasoulas faced nearly two dozen violence-related charges including assaulting police, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, driving offences and aggravated burglary. James Gargasoulas pictured outside court on Tuesday. Credit:Jason South On at least two occasions he had escaped from police. Nine years ago, Sophie Horne overdosed on MDMA, the party drug known as ecstasy, at the Hardcore till I die (HTID) dance festival at Homebush and almost died. I bought three white pills from my boyfriend it wasnt the first time I had taken MDMA and I was taking them sparingly when suddenly I couldnt breathe properly, I began profusely sweating, shaking and couldnt walk, the 28-year-old from Baulkham Hills recalls. Sophie Horne now volunteers with DanceWize NSW to help dance festival patrons. Credit:Louise Kennerley She asked her boyfriend and her friends to call an ambulance but they didnt he was scared hed be arrested because hed sold her the drugs and they were too drunk. Eventually she lost consciousness. I really felt I was dying, as if my life force was leaving when all of a sudden I felt a bang in my chest like a cannon going off and my heart started beating again, Ms Horne said. The Treasury maintains that Deripaska won't benefit from the deal. Any dividends he receives will be placed in blocked accounts. He will have voting rights over no more than 35 per cent of shares in En+, his former holding company. VTB will cede its votes to an independent third party. The decision is politically unpopular in Congress, where Democrats argue that the divestments are a sham because the billionaire has handed over stakes to allies and, sometimes, to entities close to the Kremlin. The recipients of his shares include Russian state-owned bank VTB and a foundation created by the businessman. Since the announcement triggered a rise in the share prices of En+ and Rusal, the companies that run the vast aluminum business Deripaska has cobbled together since the 1990s, critics have called it a win for Putin. On Sunday, the US Treasury Department lifted restrictions on En+ Group Plc, UC Rusal Plc and EuroSibEnergo JSC, saying it was satisfied with the way Deripaska (who remains sanctioned) has reduced his holdings in the companies and ceded his voting rights to independent, non-Russian persons. The story of the US sanctions on billionaire Oleg Deripaska contains some hints for other wealthy Russians about how to conduct their international business despite President Vladimir Putin's anti-Western stance. The main takeaway: Don't hold controlling stakes in companies. This means Deripaska really has given up control. Even if his ex-wife, her father and a firm linked to them vote with the billionaire, they still wouldn't have a majority. Half of En+'s board now consists of US and UK citizens vetted by Treasury, and Deripaska only has the right to nominate four out of 12 directors. There wouldn't have been any lessons to draw had the deal's opponents prevailed and the sanctions not been lifted. But two things are now clear: the terms on which a wealthy Russian can expect to have US sanctions on their assets lifted, and how those assets can avoid being sanctioned, even if their owner is. Admittedly, my analysis assumes a consistent US policy. That may be too bold a premise in this era of uncompromising political strife, but it has to be made if one believes the US to be a rules-based society. Russia's rough transition to capitalism created an ownership paradigm in which even public companies are often controlled by a single shareholder. According to a study by Deloitte in 2015, 73 per cent of Russia's 120 top public companies had a majority shareholder; 34 of the 120 were state-controlled. Such concentration of ownership is partly the result of a grossly mismanaged privatisation program, which, in its final phase, handed control of key assets to a small group of bankers in exchange for helping President Boris Yeltsin win re-election in 1996. But, to the same degree, it's the result of a warlike business environment in which tough and quick decisions were a matter of survival. That's often the case in emerging markets with relatively weak institutions; in Indonesia and Brazil, for example, about 70 per cent of public companies have a controlling shareholder. On the other hand, in Canada, only 25 per cent of listed firms have a controlling shareholder; in Britain, less than 10 per cent of companies traded on the London Stock Exchange have owners with 25 per cent or more of the stock. The government's tough line on banning Chinese technology in the high-speed 5G network could force telecommunications companies to spend billions of dollars in retro-fitting as TPG boss David Teoh warned "[on a] Huawei 4G network you cannot connect even a piece of wire to any 5G network". Mr Teoh has spent two years and $100 million creating the country's fourth mobile network but on Tuesday blamed the government's ban on Chinese suppliers for scrapping his plans. TPG Telecom executive chairman and CEO David Teoh. Credit:Daniel Munoz TPG had used Huawei equipment since announcing the launch of the country's fourth network in April 2017, with hopes its small-cell technology could be quickly upgraded to 5G in the future. This plan no longer works under a widespread ban on Huawei, Mr Teoh said, with the government's decision making his long-term strategy "impossible". The Huawei executive at the centre of an international sanctions-busting and trade secrets theft scandal established and oversaw the firms Australian operation while she was allegedly engaged in a global criminal conspiracy. Meng Wanzhou was a director of Huaweis Australian subsidiary between October 2005 and August 2011, according to corporate records. Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou arrives at a parole office. Credit:AP The US Department of Justice alleged on Tuesday that from November 2007 to May 2015, Ms Meng was engaged in a criminal conspiracy aimed at defeating trade sanctions to enable Huawei to covertly operate a business in Iran. The indictment, released by the department on Tuesday morning, comes after the US and Australian governments have spent years warning other nations about the security risks posed by Huaweis ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Pre-filed bill is fourth try in four years to secure cancer coverage for firefighters Up for debate: Live legislation tracker Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics. Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. I said to myself, I dont know whats happening, and I dont know what will happen in this case, said Gomez Perdomo, 55, who arrived as part of a migrant caravan from Honduras in November. After I have spent so much time battling, all the time Ive spent outside my country, to come to this place with a goal and to lose. I have not advanced at all. Instead I seem to have gone backward. Nicknamed the prince, Gantz has been described by those who know him as a mild-mannered pragmatist. His silence has appeared to serve him well, and polls show he is on track to win around 15 of the 120 seats in the Israeli parliament. Thats not close to the 30 that Netanyahu is expected to win. But if Gantz forms a political alliance with other contenders ahead of the vote, he could pose a threat to the prime minister, especially given the legal woes. Saudi Arabia has also not said whether it has indicted or detained two senior Saudi officials who prosecutors linked to the killing, raising doubts about whether the authorities are serious about prosecuting all of those responsible. One of the officials, Saud al-Qahtani, has been seen in recent weeks in the offices of the Saudi royal court, according to two witnesses. Qahtani, one of the crown princes closest advisers, had briefed the team of Saudi agents before they traveled to Istanbul, telling them Khashoggi was a threat to Saudi Arabias national security, according to a Saudi prosecutors statement. Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan Islamabad Jobs 2019 Latest Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan Management Posts Islamabad 2021 Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan Private Limited, Ministry of Industries & Production, Government of Pakistan are requires experienced candidates for the posts of Company Secretary and Internal Auditor. Skills Required Accounting, Audit How to Apply on Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Company Address: Utility Stores Corporation Of Pakistan Pvt Limited Head Office IslamabadTelephone: 051-9245026 Official Website: https://usc.org.pk/ Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. Authorities said Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pa., drove to Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 armed with handguns and a rifle and proceeded to gun down as many people as he could once inside. Hes also charged with shooting police officers who tried to stop him. Gause added that he does not think the North Koreans will relinquish their nuclear program until they normalize relations with the United States and end the decades-long conflict between the two nations. The Russians can do whatever they can to facilitate the situation, but if the United States continues to be adversarial, the North Koreans are going to be very reluctant to take that deal, he said. Monico is a former federal prosecutor in Illinois, and Spevack is a criminal defense attorney with nearly four decades of experience. In a statement released by Davis, the two said: We look forward to helping Mr. Cohen fulfill what he has told us is his only mission to tell the truth as he knows it and to turn the corner on his past life and taking ownership for his past mistakes by cooperating as best as he can with all governmental authorities in search of the truth. Instead, Turkey has demanded that the United States remove the Kurds from the border area and provide air and logistical support for Turkish military actions against terrorists in Syria. Speaking to members of his Justice and Development Party on Friday, Erdogan said, Our patience is not unlimited. We are not going to wait for eternity for the promises given to us to be fulfilled. Officials told lawmakers that Iran was in compliance with the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as some officials had previously said privately. But Iranian leaders are discussing reneging on the deal if they fail to reap the economic benefits it was supposed to bring after international sanctions were lifted, Haspel said. The Trump administration has reimposed U.S. sanctions. Utility Stores Corporation Jobs in Islamabad Latest Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan Management Posts Islamabad 2021 Government of Pakistan Utility Stores Corporation Ministry of Industries & Production required qualified and well educated candidates for the posts of Company Secretary & Chief Internal Auditor in Islamabad. How to Apply on Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Company Address: Head Office Plot No 2039 Sector F-7, G-7 Blue Area Islamabad Telephone: 051-9245026 Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. More than a few policymakers in Brussels watched the British debate with mouths agape, noting that it appeared to reflect little about the political realities in the rest of the 27 E.U. member countries. Many of the ideas debated in the House of Commons have already been considered by both British and E.U. negotiators over months of discussions, then discarded because both sides felt they were unworkable. I am not against them, but we need to ask them whether they are still the same as the past, said Abdul Hamid, 45, a construction laborer and former soldier who migrated to Kabul with his family to escape fighting in his native Parwan province. A lot has changed. People are free and women are working everywhere. If the Taliban dont want to let them, it wont work. I want to tell the rulers that you have caused great pain and agony to the millions of followers of the prophet, said acting party leader Allama Shafiq Ameeni. I urge all Pakistanis and especially order the workers of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan to come out of their homes in protest against this cruel and unjust decision. The Chinese have been clearly portraying this through the state media as a political play, and they will try to use it domestically as another example of American political scheming, said Andrew Collier of Orient Capital Research, a Hong Kong-based financial firm. But behind the scenes, their negotiators will be pedaling furiously, trying to get the trade spat out of the way. SAARC Arbitration Council Job For Personal Secretary Latest SAARC Arbitration Council Secretarial Posts Islamabad 2021 Government of Pakistan SAARC Arbitration Council Islamabad required qualified and well educated candidate for the post of Personal Secretary in Islamabad 2019. How to Apply on SAARC Arbitration Council Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Company Address: Plot No 3-D Street No 67 Sector F-10/3 Islamabad Pakistan Telephone: 051-9266357-8 Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. I think many of them should be called back to testify in public, and I hope that will be true of other congressional committees as well, because behind closed doors, there arose in my mind very clearly questions, serious issues concerning their truthfulness, and that issue pertained particularly to Donald Trump Jr. in a number of his contentions before our committee. Democrats are also divided on the issues that are most important to them and the qualities they most look for in a candidate. Forty-seven percent of Democratic leaners say it is more important that the party nominate someone whose positions on issues are close to their own, compared with 43 percent who say they prioritize finding a candidate most likely to defeat Trump. Oil & Gas Helpers Jobs 2019 in Malaysia Latest Channel Communication Recruiting Agency Posts Malaysia 2021 A well known and reputed oversea company requires the services of experienced, responsible and strong persons for the posts of Oil & Gas Helpers in Malaysia. How to Apply on Channel Communication Recruiting Agency Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. Its where we are in the election cycle, Pope said. 2020 is still a ways away. It is time to take a breather from all the primary focus, much less the exclusive focus on elections, campaigns and politics, and go back to the more fundamental work that the seminar network supports. Many on the right are already lashing out at Warrens proposal. (On Fox News, it was preposterously likened to Venezuelan socialism.) Others have argued that it would be unconstitutional, a dubious claim that relies on a controversial 1895 Supreme Court ruling that, as the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy explains, has been limited to the point of irrelevance by subsequent opinions. But the swift blowback from Warrens critics is not surprising given that a wealth tax is all but certain to be extremely popular. For years, polls have consistently shown that Americans favor raising taxes on the wealthy. A survey this month found that, despite attempts to portray Ocasio-Cortezs idea as radical, nearly 60 percent of Americans support much higher marginal tax rates. Moreover, while inequality has become so extreme that it can sometimes feel paralyzing, a wealth tax is a simple and bold idea that people can mobilize behind. Trump should call their bluff. He should go back to the experts at the Department of Homeland Security and ask them: If Democrats refuse to give you the addition physical barriers you have said are essential to secure the border, what other funding would you need to make up for it? How many extra border agents would you need in the absence of a wall? How many more canine units? How much more for improved coordination with state and local law enforcement in our border communities? How many more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for interior enforcement? How much for underground sensors, radar, unmanned drones and fixed towers with infrared cameras? How much more advanced detection technology at our ports of entry? How many more portable scanners to detect smuggled narcotics, weapons and other dangerous materials? How much for construction of new ports of entry? How many more immigration judges? How much for employment eligibility verification? How much more in humanitarian assistance and medical support for those detained at the border? How many more detention beds and temporary housing units for migrant families? How much more for DNA testing to establish family relationships? How much to set up a new system that will allow Central American minors to apply for asylum in their home countries? The president similarly tried to prop up the steel industry, through global import tariffs. Unlike coal, steel companies arguably didnt need the assistance; theyre producing about as much steel today as they did 30 years ago, just with fewer than half the workers (thanks, again, to productivity gains). In any case, the much larger universe of U.S. firms that purchase steel has suffered as a result of the tariffs, as domestic steel prices have rocketed higher than those elsewhere in the world. ZeroNet was created in 2015 as a way to get around Internet censorship. It does so by building whats known as a peer-to-peer network. Typical websites on the Internet are hosted by a single server somewhere, but sites on ZeroNet are decentralized. ZeroNet websites can be created by installing the networks software on an initial host computer. Then when visitors (or seeders, in peer-to-peer parlance) arrive that a site, if they also have ZeroNet downloaded, they host the website on their own computers. These seeders can remain anonymous if they connect to these sites via the Tor network, which encrypts traffic and hides where its coming from. The routine, extravagant efforts to convert fiction into fact remind me of the work of the great con artist Stephen Glass 20 years ago, when we both worked at the New Republic. Glass partially or wholly fabricated 27 (literally) fantastic articles for the magazine before he was caught. Even more stunning was the web of deceit he employed to cover up his fraud once editor Chuck Lane (now a colleague in The Posts opinions section) began asking questions: fake notes, fake memos, fake business cards, a fake website, fake voice mail and even the use of his brother to pose as a fake source. Schultz knows the stakes and he knows, too, that he is anathema to Democrats. (Neera Tanden, an influential Democratic activist, tweeted that she was so mad , she was willing to forgo the occasional macchiato: If he enters the race, I will start a Starbucks boycott because Im not giving a penny that will end up in the election coffers of a guy who will help Trump win.) Such naysaying is not likely to matter to Schultz because the difference between the average person and the self-made billionaire is that, at a critical moment, he ignored the braying of the herd and listened to his gut. Schultz did that when he took a risk and left Starbucks to form his own coffeehouse operation after his employers had turned down an idea. Two years later, he bought Starbucks and turned it into a behemoth. District Health Officer Dadu Jobs 2019 Latest Health Department Management Posts Dadu 2021 Health Department Government of Sindh required experienced and responsible persons for the posts of Driver, OT Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, Storekeeper, Central Technician, Electrician, Telephone Operator, Malaria Supervisor, Plumber, Pump Operator, Ward Servant, Laboratory Attendant, Sanitary Inspector, Chowkidar, Mali, Pump Driver, Dental Attendant, Naib Qasid, Sweeper, X-Ray Attendant, Attendant, Dai, Aya, OT Attendant, Ward Boy, Gatekeeper, Security Guard, Guard, Porter in Dadu Sindh 2019. How to Apply on Health Department Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. Ambassador Doan Thi Huong speaking at the event (Photo: baoquocte.vn) The event was attended by representatives of Mongolias Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors and spouses of Laos and Cuba and President of the Mongolia - Vietnam Friendship Association. Professor Dashtsevel, President of the Mongolia - Vietnam Friendship Association, highly appreciated the effort of the Vietnamese Embassy and community in Mongolia in contributing to building and strengthening the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mongolia, especially economic and cultural cooperation. He said that Vietnams traditional Tet has many unique features. The organization of Tet for the Vietnamese community not only helps them be more united, but also contributes to promoting and introducing Vietnamese culture to the local people. On this occasion, Professor Dashtsevel sent best New Year wishes to the Government and people of Vietnam. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mongolia Doan Thi Huong reviewed Vietnams socio-economic achievements in 2018 and highlighted the significance of the traditional Tet. Recognizing the positive contributions of the Vietnamese community in Mongolia to the homeland, the ambassador hoped that the Vietnamese community in Mongolia would continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, preservation the national identity and help each other to develop. 2019 celebrates the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Mongolia diplomatic relations, which is a major event. The Vietnamese Embassy will organize "Vietnam Cultural Week in Mongolia" and she suggested that each Vietnamese person in Mongolia contribute their effort to make the event successful. On the occasion, the ambassador wished the Vietnamese community in Mongolia to be happy and prosperous. The Vietnamese community in Mongolia has nearly 500 people, mostly living in Ulan Bator. At the event, the participants enjoyed songs about spring and the homeland performed by Vietnamese students in Mongolia and children of Lao and Cuban ambassadors./. Dutch refuse request to accept 47 rescued migrants: The Netherlands refused an Italian request to take in 47 migrants on a humanitarian ship that is being blocked from Italian ports, saying there was a need to distinguish between genuine refugees and economic migrants. The Sea Watch 3, run by a German humanitarian group and flying a Dutch flag, rescued the migrants off the Libyan coast more than a week ago. Since then it has been buffeted by high winds and 23-foot waves. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said the ship should go either to France, which he has accused of shirking its responsibilities on the migrant issue, or to the Netherlands. The Dutch Security Ministry said it would not take in any in the group until there was a long-term accord on distinguishing refugees from economic migrants. It had been surprisingly hard, not being able to do her job. Not being able to talk with her colleagues or stand in the corner of an exhibit and watch visitors respond to the words she had written. Those things are what drew her to the Smithsonian in the first place, what convinced her to keep commuting an hour and a half each way from the city where her husband works, the only place where the couple could afford a house of their own. A special master appointed by judges from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia created a menu of possible new boundaries, and last week the judges chose a combination of maps that seems to position Democrats for big gains in this falls elections, when all 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot. Davidheiser alleged in the suit that he was fired after repeatedly raising concerns about the companys manufacturing process. He filed his complaint under the federal False Claims Act, which allows whistleblowers to recover a portion of any money the government recovers on behalf of defrauded taxpayers. After the suit was unsealed in May, the state of Virginia and attorneys for the Justice Department intervened, filing a joint complaint against Universal alleging that it falsified documents to cover up problems with the panels. Pathways recently graduated its first class of 18, and Donahue said 17 of those people found jobs within five months. Another class graduates Friday. The program at the jail will be called READY (Resources to Empower And Develop You), and is expected to open in about a month. It will be housed in a modular-style building behind the jail, and every inmate leaving the facility will go through it. Police have long said they are focused on violent crime, so marijuana arrests are not a priority. But officers routinely use pot as reason to search the pockets or car of someone suspected in more serious crimes. Shortly after the war ended in 1945, Mr. Blaichman married Cesia Pomeranc, whom he described as his dearest comrade in the resistance. They came to the United States in 1951, settling in New York, where Mr. Blaichman became a developer of hotels and residential buildings. At the time of his death, he lived on Fifth Avenue. He often remarked, recalled his daughter-in-law, Aviva Blaichman, that at earlier moments of his life, he would never have thought it possible. On Wall Street, however, Mr. Dunlap was long viewed as a hero who could do no wrong. Under his leadership in the 1980s, the cup-maker Lily-Tulip increased its stock price by more than 900 percent, from $1.77 to $18.55, according to Mean Business. He was later credited with tripling the stock price of Scott Paper, which was struggling with $2.5 billion in debt when he was named chief executive in 1994. The student was walking along Fieldhouse Drive near the student union on Sunday, shortly before 5 p.m., when a man approached her and placed his arm around her, U-Md. police said. The man then grabbed her and made her touch him before she ran to safety, they said. In the courtroom Tuesday, prosecutors said the Stone case would be tried jointly by Muellers office and the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia and asked for no change to the terms of Stones release set by a Florida judge Friday. He was released on $250,000 bond, and the judge limited his movement to South Florida, Washington and New York City. Stone also is barred from possessing or applying for a passport. It is far-reaching and is going to change really the way they do business in the context of redaction and the like, Jones said in an interview. And so it could have really a deleterious impact on the operation of offices. Public school enrollment has grown 5 percent in the past decade, while the amount of money the state spends on each student has fallen, according to the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a Richmond think tank. That has forced school systems to disproportionately rely on local dollars. And that has exacerbated inequities: Wealthier communities are able to put money into the schools that their less fortunate counterparts cant match. Last year at Justice High School in Northern Virginia, the chapter of Girl Up, an international club devoted to gender equality, began a campaign to outfit restrooms with menstrual products. A Washington Post story about the effort quoted Jen Golobic, an English teacher at Justice, as saying that students may have avoided asking for sanitary pads from the school clinic because they felt uncomfortable doing so. The news about BuzzFeed and its digital brethren was a shock because of expectations that they would be the innovators and survivors, the Internet-age successors to the legacy operations (print, radio and television) that have dominated the dissemination of news in America for generations. Instead, digital native stars such as BuzzFeed, Vice, Vox, Business Insider, Refinery29 and the Daily Beast, among others, have grown rapidly but have produced little in the way of consistent profits or even any at all. BuzzFeed, with $300 million in revenue last year, acknowledged that it had no profit to show for its dramatic growth. Morey fell in love with the art of illusion as a 5-year-old in Bucks County, Pa., after seeing a magician on TV make a dollar bill appear inside a lemon. At 9, he began performing at birthday parties. I got paid $40 and spent $55 the next day on tricks, he recalls. His first job, after the Wharton School of Business and the London School of Economics, was as a foreign policy adviser to Sen. John Glenn. He later worked as a strategic consultant to presidential campaigns, including those of former Philippine president Corazon Aquino and Barack Obama. He started practicing magic again on the campaign trail, killing time between speeches and, he recalls, astounding the normally unflappable Obama by turning five $1 bills into $100 bills. Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support. Although duct-cleaning operations may insist duct cleaning is essential for your health, the evidence does not support their claims. Companies that perform duct cleaning often advertise health benefits or suggest duct cleaning will lower your power bills by improving your systems efficiency. Some ads even use language like, Studies have shown . . . but no data back up these claims. Even if your ducts are dirty, cleaning them probably wont provide any measurable benefits. In fact, the little independent research performed on duct cleaning indicates that the process stirs up so much dust that it creates a bigger problem than it solves. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Apple is not a stranger to legal battles involving patents. And Samsung may inherit one real soon with the company. According to a report from Israeli news site Globes, Samsung is on the brink of acquiring a photography company by the name of Corephotonics. If the acquisition goes through, Samsung will reportedly pay out upwards of $150 million for the company. Corephotonics is an interesting purchase for Samsung because of the history between the camera company and Apple. Specifically, Corephotonics has sued Apple in the past for a variety of different camera-related patents it believes Apple has infringed. The company sued Apple in 2017, as it relates to the camera in the iPhone 7 Plus and the iPhone 8 Plus. Corephotonics believes Apple has infringed upon patents related to the dual camera technology, such as optical zoom, and others. Corephotonics has spoken with Apple in the past, and said that it has had positive conversations with the company. However, the two have not worked out their differences and Corephotonics lawsuit against Apple is still viable. If it does not get worked out before Samsung finalizes the acquisition of the camera company, then Samsung would inherit the lawsuit. That would mean Samsung and Apple would be back in court, at least for a little while. The acquisition hasnt been approved yet. And Samsungs reported interest in the company stems from the companys work on a 25x camera that can fit within a smartphone. That being said, there is no word on when, or even if, that camera technology might see the light of day in a Samsung-branded smartphone. [via GSM Arena American electric scooter sharing company Lime awaits approval to launch in Rome. A project to introduce electric scooter sharing in Rome has received the approval of the city council but is awaiting the go-ahead from Italy's transport ministry, according to Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica. The sharing scheme would be operated by American company Lime, present in 100 cities worldwide, and could involve electric scooters on Rome's streets within weeks. The transport ministry is currently studying the eco-friendly project and, pending approval, will define whether the scooters can circulate on roads, pavements or bike paths. Lime's general manager in Italy, Marco Pau, told La Repubblica that the Californian-based company would begin with 500 scooters in Rome, increasing the fleet if required. Pau said that last summer Lime launched 400 scooters in Paris - where several eco-sharing mobility groups already exist - and today there are "thousands of green scooters." Lime's plan in Rome involves "covering those missing miles and allowing commuters to reach metro and stations more easily", according to Pau. He also said the company would encourage the use of helmets, whether or not they are mandatory, underlining that Lime would forbid the use of scooters on roads it considers "dangerous." The project would see scooters collected after 21.00 each night by Lime operators, to check for damage in addition to recharging the vehicles, which are fitted with a GPS tracking system. Usage is limited to one person per scooter and users must be aged 18 or over. Rental costs 1 to unlock the scooter followed by a charge of 0.15 per minute, with a maximum speed of around 25km per hour. If it receives the green light, Lime will attempt to succeed in a city where bike-sharing companies have failed in recent years. Photo REUTERS/Paul Hanna Third consecutive year of new brown bear cubs in central Italy. There was good news for the critically endangered Marsican brown bear the rarest sub-species of bear on the planet with the arrival of 11 new cubs in 2018 in the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise (PNALM), a vast national park comprising 50,000 hectares of protected land in central Italy. Park authorities said the arrival of the baby bears was extremely positive and that 2018 was the third consecutive year in which the park welcomed 10 to 12 new cubs. Experts say there are at least four female brown bears in the park with four family units comprising three females with three cubs each and one mother bear with two cubs. Authorities believe the increased production of beech forestry has contributed to the rise in the bear's population which they warn remains critical. There are only about 60 specimens in existence, compared to 100 in 1980. Between 2007 and 2018, 15 females died, including a mother and her cubs that drowned in an inadequately covered mountain well a few months ago. The park's president Antonio Carrara believes the Marsican bear will be able to escape the "real risk of extinction if it is possible to increase, even slightly, the survival of adult females. Unsurprisingly the main threat to the bears' survival is man, with direct and indirect risks including poaching, poisoning, deforestation, cattle grazing and road accidents. Also known as the Apennine brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus), the animal is the largest land creature in the wild in Italy. Decatur, IL (62521) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 66F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. 8 reasons why you should head to the Lake Elsie ice fishing derby In China, where per-capita income is closer to that of Mexico than the United States, household savings rates are often well over 30 percent. One reason for this may be that the Chinese know their economic futures might be extremely volatile, and thus they hold funds in reserve. Maybe you think that Americans, who live in a wealthier nation, shouldnt have to be this way. And youre probably right. But to the extent America is that way, the implication is that the savings rate should be correspondingly higher. For more than a decade Jacob Hacker has been writing about the great risk shift and the increased volatility of household incomes. To the extent these claims are true and they are disputed they bolster the argument for a higher savings rate. Alternatively, you might blame this whole episode on President Donald Trump being mean and erratic, and see talk of low savings rates as irrelevant. That is an attempt at sleight of hand and emotional distraction. Insofar as the president is mean and erratic, it is yet another reason Americans should be saving more. It has been a staple of common-sense morality for centuries that people ought to save for an uncertain future. It would be a shame if such talk is on the verge of becoming politically incorrect because it sounds too much like blaming the victim. Trumps presidency has created many victims. Lets not allow common sense to become yet another of its casualties. Most Americans really ought to be saving more. It shouldnt be controversial to point this out, even if the most obvious illustrations of this national failure also happen to be the most recent victims of Trumps ineptitude. Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of economics at George Mason University and writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. His books include The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream. Also, Henry said, Waco is in the same federal district as Austin, a target-rich environment for patent infringement lawsuits because of its large concentration of high-tech companies. In addition, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright, appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as judge of Wacos federal court, has more than 20 years specializing in IP law and is welcoming IP cases to be filed in his court. Our IP team is already entrenched in Waco, so Judge Albrights arrival creates a tremendous opportunity for our firm to grow our IP practice, and having a Waco office allows us to better serve our existing clients in the region, Henry said. Since Albright took the bench in September, 10 patent cases were filed in Wacos federal court in a single week. That compares to fewer than 10 patent cases that had been filed in Waco in the decades since the courts creation, said Henry, who is one of Wacos few patent attorneys and who has taught patent law and litigation at the Baylor University Law School for 25 years. Besides Henry, who recently was appointed director for the U.S. Patent & Trademark Offices IP Clinic program at Baylor Law School, Pat Souter and Alex Uber will be based in Waco or work regularly from the Waco office, according to a Gray Reed statement. Opinion Policies Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue. Feedback policy If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com). Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com). Column Policy Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions. Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020 Forty-four percent of McLennan County households in 2016 were either in poverty or one emergency away from falling into it, according to a new study by the United Ways of Texas. While much attention has been paid to the 17 percent of households in McLennan County that fall under federal poverty guidelines, the United Way report finds that a much larger population lives in households where financial crisis is the norm. The study shows that 27 percent of families here earn more than the poverty level but not enough to afford basic cost-of-living expenses for Texas. The study calls this population asset-limited, income-constrained, employed, or ALICE. ALICE families struggle daily to meet the basic cost of living expenses, said Barbara Mosacchio, United Way of Waco-McLennan County executive director. They often move in and out of poverty and crisis, and our United Way is committed to joining with our partners to increase financial resiliency for ALICE families and individuals, Mosacchio said. Those identified as ALICE households are typically the ones falling through the cracks in regards to getting services, she said. They are one crisis away from going over that federal poverty line, she said. (CNN) -- The New York State Legislature passed a bill on Monday that will increase the statute of limitations for cases of child sexual abuse. The Child Victims Act will allow child victims to seek prosecution against their abuser until the age of 55 in civil cases, a significant increase from the previous limit of age 23. For criminal cases, victims can seek prosecution until they turn 28. The bill also includes a one-year window during which victims of any age or time limit can come forward to prosecute. "New York has just gone from being one of the worst states in the country to being one of the best," in terms of the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases, said Marci Hamilton, CEO of Child USA and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Hamilton said the bill "represents over 15 years of work by survivors and advocates trying to get around the stiff opposition from the Catholic bishops and the insurance industry" and is a step forward in the national conversation. There are eight other states considering similar legislation. What's the law nationally? Many other states allow victims to sue their abusers for decades after their abuse. Oklahoma, for example, allows victims to come forward until age 45 in both civil and criminal cases. "The fact that New York has stepped up and vastly improved its statute of limitations, it helps to pave the way for other states who haven't yet taken steps to improve their statute of limitations," said Stephen Forrester, director of government relations and administration at the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Forrester stressed the significance of the one-year window in the bill that will allow victims of all ages and time scales to come forward. "That's an aspect that really goes a long way at restoring justice," he said, and it is less common nationally. According to advocacy group Child USA, nine states have no statute of limitations for civil cases, which would allow child sex abuse victims to come forward at any point in their life -- as they will be able to during the one-year window. New York's law will also give victims significantly more time to disclose their histories of abuse. Experts, including Forrester, say their is a need for a long statute of limitations in cases of child sexual abuse because it can take victims years to come forward. "For many different reasons, victims need time to come forward to report their abuse," Forrester said. Victims can often suffer from prolonged or delayed trauma. According to statistics from Child USA, the majority of child sexual abuse victims do not choose to disclose, if they do at all, until the average age of 52. Child USA's Hamilton said that extending the statute of limitation for civil litigation will help expand the public knowledge of how widespread child sexual abuse is. She said it is often during civil cases that experts learn about how patterns of abuse operate. "We have this silent pandemic in this country," she said. "We didn't really understand that this was everywhere." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the last year. Catholic Church opposition Monday's bill passage comes after more than a decade of opposition from the Catholic Church in New York. In a news conference on Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is a Roman Catholic, blamed the church directly for preventing the bill's passage. Speaking about why the bill took years to pass, Cuomo said, "I believe it was the conservatives in the Senate who were threatened by the Catholic Church." The bill passed the Senate unanimously on Monday. In November 2018, Democrats took over the Republican-held Senate. Cuomo also referenced Pope Francis, who has spoken about the Catholic Church's need to confront its history of child sexual abuse. "I don't think I'm against the Catholic Church," Cuomo said, "I think the bishops may have a different position than the Pope, and I'm with the Pope," he said. New York's Catholic Conference previously opposed the bill but dropped its opposition after the bill was amended to allow prosecution of both private and public institutions. Attorney Mitchell Garabedian has prosecuted thousands of clergy abuse cases over the past 25 years, including those stemming from the Boston Globe's investigation of the Archdiocese of Boston. In an interview Monday, Garabedian told CNN this legislation will be hugely significant. "I think there will be a flood of litigation," he said, adding that he has more than 100 cases waiting to be filed. "It's a model for many, many states in the United States for them to follow," Garabedian said. In a statement, he added, "There is now hope for justice, respect and validation for thousands of sexual abuse victims sexually abused in New York." Cuomo's office said he is expected to sign the bill into law soon. Seth Rogen. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images The wheels of production are turning for Jordan Peeles revival of The Twilight Zone, which will start airing on CBS All Access sometime next year. Given the anthology format, Peele has some staffing up to do. So stay tuned here for Twilight casting updates as they come in. Sanaa Lathan will appear in a new take on the classic Twilight episode Rewind. Adam Scott will star in another classic-episode reimagining with Nightmare at 30,000 Feet. Previous announcements have included light story details, but all we know of Kumail Nanjianis role is that it will be in an installment written by Key & Peele scribe Alex Rubens. John Cho, Allison Tolman, and Jacob Tremblay were announced as co-stars for the episode The Wunderkind. No plot details came with the casting news, but Erica Tremblay, the younger sister of Jacob, will also appear in this installment of the All Access series. Steven Yeun will star in an episode called The Traveler, and no other information was included in his casting announcement, which was first reported by Collider. We do know, however, that this is now your future favorite Twilight Zone episode. Greg Kinnear will join Steven Yeun in The Traveler, as Peele continues to strip away your reasons for not subscribing to CBS All Access. The first additions to Twilight Zone in 2019 were Jessica Williams and DeWanda Wise. No episode title or details were shared with the casting news, but they will be joined in their installment by Lucinda Dryzek, Jefferson White, and Jonathan Whitesell. American Horror Story staple Taissa Farmiga and The Oath writer/director Ike Barinholtz will also travel to The Twilight Zone. While the plot of their episode has yet to be revealed, we do know theyll be joined by Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actor Luke Kirby, and The Gifteds Percy Hynes-White for whatever psyche-bending adventure is headed their way. Ginnifer Goodwin has been added to the Twilight repertory company, and will star in an episode titled Point of Origin, which has not previously been announced. There are no further details on her installment, other than that it will co-star James Frain and Zabryna Guevara. Seth Rogen is also starring in an upcoming episode, written by Alex Rubens. We have no other information about the episode, other than that Rogen will probably do at least one thing that is funny during it. Sherry Olson, age 67, of Alexandria, died on Friday, June 11, 2021. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at West Moe Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Malawi is the latest African country to look at legalizing cannabis the plant that produces hemp and marijuana - after similar moves in Lesotho and South Africa. As Malawi's tobacco industry - the countrys biggest foreign exchange earner - has dwindled, farmers are now looking to grow cannabis. Thirty-five-year-old Patrick Mdluli considered himself healthy until he moved two years ago to Mpumalanga province - South Africas coal mining heartland. The area has the worst air quality in the world, according to a recent study by environmental group Greenpeace. The 12 large coal mines in this area make it the worlds hotspot for toxic nitrogen dioxide emissions. Soon, Mdluli said, he began to develop health problems, including tuberculosis and nasal issues. The mines, the dust, pollution - you go to doctors, they tell you the very same thing," he said. "Are you living next to a mine? Yes, I am. Are you living next to a dumping site? Yes, I am. A large coal mine operates, literally, in Mdlulis backyard. The mine has conducted blasts every day, shaking his small home to its foundation, filling the rooms with dust and causing a large crack in the wall. Residents in this impoverished area complain that their walls are crumbling because of the incessant blasts. But the real damage is on the inside, says the head of one of Middelburgs main clinics, Dr. Mohammed Tayob. Tayob has lived in the area his entire life and says the emissions from the mines have made many of his patients sick. In his lifetime, he says, he's seen a flurry of new mine openings in the area as the nation has tried to profit off its vast coal reserves. Children and adults are paying the ultimate price," he told VOA." When we say ultimate price, its the loss of neurocognitive development, childrens infant mortality rate is higher in our area than other areas, adults, heart attacks and respiratory diseases are much higher. So people are paying with their lives, across the board, because of these pollutants in the air. Mpumalanga province, South Africa Although mines are big money, locals say the coal companies have done little to improve the community. Middelburg is poor and many people lack basic services like electricity and running water. Tayob says the government is also failing to enforce environmental laws and crack down on the mines. He blames the coal mining industry and poor governance for the current situation. Corruption scandals are prevalent in South Africa, and often grab headlines. One cannot be faulted in thinking, Is there some level of corruption operating in this area as well, where these big boys are getting away with murder, literally? he said. "Theyre literally getting away with murder. It's just the reality. Id like someone to come up and dispute this fact and challenge me on that. VOA contacted three of the larger mines in the area for comment. None responded to our request. Environmental activist Bafana Hlatshwayo says he and other activists are preparing to lobby decision-makers at an upcoming mining industry gathering in Cape Town. They want the coal industry to shift to a cleaner resource: the regions abundant sunshine. Bringing solar panel production to the area, says Hlatshwayo, would also create jobs. We are not saying we want to close down the mines," he said. "...We must go the renewable energy way, we are saying, people will manufacture solar panels inside South Africa, and they are the ones who are supposed to install the solar panels and they are the ones who are supposed to maintain the solar panels. But that is a faraway dream for people like Mdluli and his neighbors, who complain unemployment is high and all of them - including the children - have health problems. This province, says longtime resident and environmental activist William Jiyane, used to be beautiful. Its endless agony, now, Mpumalanga," he said, standing in a neighbor's yard, and gesturing at a belching mine. "Its not bread and butter anymore. Its endless agony. As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill. Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (right) and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during the latter's visit to Vietnam in November 2017. (Photo: VNA) In his letter, the Vietnamese leader noted with pleasure the fruitful development of the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties and countries. The two sides have maintained high-level exchanges and meetings, while enhancing collaboration across all fields, as well as people-to-people exchanges, contributing to developing the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership sustainably and soundly. For his part, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping said 2018 marked the tenth anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The two countries have persistently promoted their traditional friendship; continuously increased exchanges, mutual trust, and support; and deepened result-oriented cooperation in various spheres. They expressed their hope that in 2019 the year marking the 70th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1950-2020) the two countries will make greater efforts to carry forward these outcomes. The leaders shared the view that the two sides will step up high-level exchanges, consolidate mutual political trust, deepen affiliation across all realms, satisfactorily address existing issues, enhance friendships between people of the two countries, and make new progress in the relations between the two parties and countries. This is towards meeting the aspirations and basic interests of their people, and for peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world at large. Party General Secretary and President Trong wished Chinas leaders and people a happy and wealthy New Year. The Chinese leader wished that Vietnamese people will reap greater achievements in reform and socialism building for the upcoming year of the pig./. The White House says President Donald Trump wants to avert another partial U.S. government shutdown but remains committed to erecting new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, something most Democratic lawmakers still reject. "The president doesn't want to go through another shutdown that's not the goal," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday at a press briefing, where she urged Democrats to "get serious about fixing the problem at the border, including funding for a border wall." White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders addresse White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders addresses reporters during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2019. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders addresses reporters during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2019. Federal agencies have reopened after the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Late last week, Trump signed a stopgap three-week funding bill designed to give congressional negotiators a window to craft a package enhancing border security. The bipartisan conference committee, comprised of appropriators from both legislative chambers, is to begin consultations on Wednesday. But the partisan fault line over border wall funding that sparked the shutdown persists. "Democrats sharply disagree with the president on the need for an expensive and ineffective border wall," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said moments before Sanders spoke. "What I believe is, at any given place along the border, we've got to have some combination of three elements: physical barriers, technology and personnel," Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn said. "So, we need a complement of each of those things in this border security bill that hopefully we'll be voting on in the coming weeks." President Donald Trump speaks as tours the U.S. bo FILE - President Donald Trump speaks as Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, left, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, listen, at the Rio Grande on the southern border with Mexico in McAllen, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. FILE - President Donald Trump speaks as Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, left, and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, listen, at the Rio Grande on the southern border with Mexico in McAllen, Texas, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. Earlier, Trump said he sees less than a 50 percent chance that congressional negotiators will put together a deal acceptable to him. The president told The Wall Street Journal Sunday he doubts he would accept less than the $5.7 billion in wall funding he has been demanding. He also cast doubt on granting permanent legal status to immigrants brought illegally to America as children, calling it a "separate subject to be taken up at a separate time." Meanwhile, conference committee members declined to speculate on what negotiations might produce. "We're going to try to get something that works," Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt told VOA. "It's going to have to be done somewhere other than in public. I'm of the view that we should make it as all-encompassing as we can." Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., left, accompanied by Senate FILE - Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 17, 2016. FILE - Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 17, 2016. At the White House, Sanders echoed Trump's threats to declare a national emergency and order wall construction if Congress fails to provide funding. "If they don't come back with a deal, it means Democrats get virtually nothing," the press secretary said. "That will make the president force him to take executive action that does not give Democrats the things that they want." Such talk is counterproductive, according to Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., FILE - Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., is followed by reporters as he returns to Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 4, 2019. FILE - Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., is followed by reporters as he returns to Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 4, 2019. "When the president injects maximalist partisan demands into the process, negotiations tend to fall apart," Schumer said. "The president should allow the conference committee to proceed with good-faith negotiations. I genuinely hope it will produce something that is good for the country and acceptable to both sides." The Congressional Budget Office estimated the five-week partial shutdown caused a $3 billion loss to the U.S. economy. The funding lapse caused federal services to be curtailed or paused and created a financial hardship for 800,000 federal workers who were either furloughed or worked without pay. Violence like school shootings account for less than 2 percent of all youth homicides, but they "devastate families, schools, and entire communities," writes the federal Centers for Disease Control in a newly published report, and are "unacceptably high." While the leading cause of death for children are accidents mostly car accidents homicide is the second-leading cause of death among U.S. youth age 5 to 18. Among those homicides, violence at school is on the rise, the CDC reports. "The number of school-associated youth homicides remains unacceptably high," writes the CDC's School-Associated Violent Death Surveillance System report. "The findings indicating that the characteristics of many school-associated homicides resemble youth homicides in the broader community suggest the need for prevention beyond the school setting." Eugene police officers stand outside the Cascade M Eugene police officers stand outside the Cascade Middle School in Eugene, Oregon, Jan. 11, 2019, following an officer-involved shooting. Eugene police officers stand outside the Cascade Middle School in Eugene, Oregon, Jan. 11, 2019, following an officer-involved shooting. Firearms used in most homicides Between 1994 and 2016, there were 423 school-related homicides. Of these, 90 percent targeted single victims and most of them were male, the CDC said. That rate remained mostly stable between 1994 and 2016, the CDC said. But multiple-victim violence killed 30 youth in the same time period evenly distributed between males and females. Firearms caused 70.4 percent of youth school-associated homicides. Many perpetrators were younger than 18 years who obtained their weapons from home or a friend or relative. Racial and ethnic-minority adolescents are at higher risk than non-Hispanic white youths. Youth homicide rates are higher in urban areas, too. "The frequent connections with gang activity and interpersonal disputes suggest that school-associated homicides might often be a reflection of broader community-wide risks," the CDC study says. Parkland A Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors take part in the "End of School Year Peace March and Rally" in Chicago, June 15, 2018. Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors take part in the "End of School Year Peace March and Rally" in Chicago, June 15, 2018. Gang influence common motive In single-victim homicides, gang activity (58.2 percent) and disputes (44 percent) were the most common motives for killing another person when the motive was known. In mass violence, retaliation (39 percent) because of "bullying, rivalry between peer groups, or receiving bad grades from a teacher") was the most common motive, followed by gang activity (34.1 percent) and disputes (29.3 percent). The most common relationships between perpetrator and single victim were stranger (27.6 percent), rival gang member (23.8 percent), or fellow student (21.2 percent). Multiple-victim killers were strangers (36.2 percent) or schoolmates (36.2 percent) to their victims. Forty percent of single-victim and 60.5 percent of multiple-victim homicide perpetrators who used firearms were younger than 18. Most violent deaths at school occurred immediately before and after the school day and during lunch. They were more likely to occur at the start of each semester. Nearly half of perpetrators gave some type of warning signal, such as making a threat or leaving a note, before the event. Hundreds of students gather, April 20, 2018, at th Hundreds of students gather, April 20, 2018, at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., to protest gun violence, part of a national high school walkout on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shootings. Hundreds of students gather, April 20, 2018, at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., to protest gun violence, part of a national high school walkout on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shootings. Tracking violence with keywords The School-Associated Violent Death Surveillance System tracks lethal violence in school settings by scanning media online of newspaper and broadcast outlets using keywords "shooting, death, violent, strangulation, beating, attack, stabbing, and died" combined with phrases including "primary or secondary or elementary or junior or high or middle or during or after or grounds or property or playground." The study included youth homicide victims and no adult homicide victim data. The surveillance system partnered with the U.S. departments of Education and Justice. WASHINGTON - A Pennsylvania man was charged on Tuesday with 19 more federal hate crimes and firearms charges for the October massacre of 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday. The new charges against Robert Bowers - who has pleaded not guilty to 44 earlier charges - cover obstructing free exercise of religious beliefs that led to death and injury, committing hate crimes that also resulted in death, and discharging a firearm. Bowers could face the death penalty if convicted of carrying out the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. Bowers, 46, a Pittsburgh resident, was taken into custody after a shootout with police who responded after a gunman stormed Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue during Saturday services on Oct. 27, and yelled, "All Jews must die." He had made many anti-Semitic posts online, including one early on the day of the attack. In another, he slammed U.S. President Donald Trump for doing nothing to stop an "infestation" of the United States by Jews. Federal authorities said Bowers entered the synagogue in the city's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, a heavily Jewish area, armed with multiple firearms, including three Glock .357 handguns and a Colt AR-15 rifle. The superseding indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury brings to 63 the number of charges Bowers faces. GENEVA - The U.N. Childrens Fund is launching its largest-ever appeal for $3.9 billion in life-saving assistance for 73 million people, including 41 million children affected by conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies in 59 countries. Indonesia Tsunami Death Toll Rises to 429 Indonesian disaster management officials say the death toll from Saturday's tsunami that struck parts of the west coast of Java now stands at 429 people.Rescue crews have turned to sniffer dogs and drones to search for any remaining survivors of the tsunami, which devastated communities in between the islands of Sumatra and Java in the Sunda Straits. Over 1,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, including hundreds of homes. Indonesian disaster management officials say the death toll from Saturday's tsunami that struck parts of the west coast of Java now stands at 429 people.Rescue crews have turned to sniffer dogs and drones to search for any remaining survivors of the tsunami, which devastated communities in between the islands of Sumatra and Java in the Sunda Straits. Over 1,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, including hundreds of homes. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The U.N. Childrens Fund says 2019 also marks a year of heightened conflict, with more countries at war than at any time in the past three decades. Among the greatest victims are more than 34 million children affected by conflict or disaster. UNICEF says they are suffering horrific levels of violence, deprivation and trauma with little access to protection and life-saving assistance. About 20 Million Yemeni Citizens Are 'Food Insecure,' Report Says Up to 20 million Yemeni's two-thirds of the country's population are food insecure, primarily because of the war that has ravaged the impoverished country.A joint statement issued Saturday by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF and the World Food Program said the conflict has contributed to the "world's worst humanitarian crisis."The agencies cited an analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a food security survey that helps determine whether to declare Up to 20 million Yemeni's two-thirds of the country's population are food insecure, primarily because of the war that has ravaged the impoverished country.A joint statement issued Saturday by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF and the World Food Program said the conflict has contributed to the "world's worst humanitarian crisis."The agencies cited an analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a food security survey that helps determine whether to declare UNICEF Director of Emergency Operations Manuel Fontaine says 88 percent of this years appeal is for humanitarian crises driven by conflict. He says the single biggest operation is to help Syrian refugees, the largest displacement crisis in the world, and the host communities in five neighboring countries of asylum. EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A Yemeni woman hol EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A Yemeni woman holds a child suffering from malnutrition as they sit on a bed at a treatment centre in a hospital in the third city of Taez in the country's southwest on November 21, 2018. EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / A Yemeni woman holds a child suffering from malnutrition as they sit on a bed at a treatment centre in a hospital in the third city of Taez in the country's southwest on November 21, 2018. The 2nd largest appeal is for Yemen, which over the past year has seen conditions, unfortunately, that were already catastrophic for children get even worse, if that is possible" Fontaine said. "Eight out of 10 children, which is over 11 million, now require humanitarian assistance in Yemen. UNICEFs biggest operations traditionally have been in Africa. But this year the Democratic Republic of Congo places third, followed by Syria and South Sudan. Fontaine says Africa unfortunately is the continent with the biggest gap in funding. He tells VOA African countries are not getting the attention they need, and that has serious consequences for humanitarian operations. UN: Congolese Children Deported From Angola Face Humanitarian Crisis The U.N. Childrens Fund (UNICEF) reports that more than 80,000 children are among 330,000 Congolese migrants expelled by the Angolan government since the start of October. The migrants were sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo's volatile Kasai Province, where ethnic tensions triggered a brutal conflict in 2016.According to UNICEF, the migrant children, many of whom lived most of their lives in Angola, are dealing with dire conditions. The U.N. Childrens Fund (UNICEF) reports that more than 80,000 children are among 330,000 Congolese migrants expelled by the Angolan government since the start of October. The migrants were sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo's volatile Kasai Province, where ethnic tensions triggered a brutal conflict in 2016.According to UNICEF, the migrant children, many of whom lived most of their lives in Angola, are dealing with dire conditions. In a country like Cameroon, which is one of the countries for which we have concerns, particularly in northwest and southwest region at the moment. We had aimed to immunize 61,000 children against measles and because of lack of resources, we could only immunize a bit more than 2,000," Fontaine said. "So, obviously, we are far behind what we need to do. Fontaine says UNICEF has had to drastically cut back services for gender-based violence in Central African Republic because it only has received 36 percent of the money it needs. In all cases, he says funding shortfalls have very direct implications on the lives of children and women. GENEVA - The United Nations is launching a three-year Humanitarian Response Strategy together with the Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan. The $983 million appeal will assist millions of victims of Boko Haram attacks in northeastern Nigeria and hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled to neighboring countries. The bulk of the appeal, $848 million, will assist 6.2 million vulnerable people in Nigeria's north-eastern Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.They have been the hardest hit by the decade-long crisis between Boko Haram and Nigeria's government forces. Boko Haram, which wants to set up its own Islamic State based on Shariah law, reportedly has killed more than 20,000 people and forced more than two million to flee their homes since the insurgency began in 2009. Thousands of Nigerian Refugees Flee to Chad for Safety The U.N. refugee agency says thousands of Nigerian refugees are fleeing to Chad to escape a surge of violence in northeastern Nigerias Borno state.Fierce clashes between government forces and armed militants from the radical Islamic group Boko Haram erupted in late December in Borno states Baga town, near the Chadian border. The U.N. refugee agency reports an estimated 6,000 Nigerian refugees have fled for their lives over the past month, many paddling across Lake Chad to reach safety. The U.N. refugee agency says thousands of Nigerian refugees are fleeing to Chad to escape a surge of violence in northeastern Nigerias Borno state.Fierce clashes between government forces and armed militants from the radical Islamic group Boko Haram erupted in late December in Borno states Baga town, near the Chadian border. The U.N. refugee agency reports an estimated 6,000 Nigerian refugees have fled for their lives over the past month, many paddling across Lake Chad to reach safety. Spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Jens Laerke, says a recent upsurge in violence has displaced more than 80,000 civilians who have sought refuge in crowded camps or in towns in Borno State. "In total," added Laerke, "1.8 million people are internally displaced in the northeast due to this protracted crisis which is characterized by massive abuses against civilians including killings, rape, abduction, child recruitment and burning and pillaging of homes and entire villages." Food aid accounts for nearly one third of the appeal.Money also will be used to provide special treatment for some 370,000 severely, acutely malnourished children, for nutrition, health, water and sanitation projects among others. The U.N. refugee agency and U.N. Development Program are launching Nigeria's Refugee Response Plan.The agencies are appealing for $135 million to assist more than one-quarter million Nigerian refugees displaced by the worsening Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin region. The appeal will assist Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger.Beyond supporting those forced to flee, money also will help the communities hosting the refugees as they themselves are living below the poverty line and are in dire need of aid. ISTANBUL - Turkey claims its military preparations for a cross-border operation into Syria against a Kurdish militia are complete. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar made the announcement Tuesday. "When the time comes, the necessary actions will be taken both in Manbij and east of the Euphrates," Akar said during a visit to a military facility in Turkey's Central Anatolian province of Eskisehir. In the past month, Turkish forces have been massing along the Syrian border for a military strike against the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG. Ankara considers the YPG as terrorists linked to a decades-long Kurdish insurgency in Turkey. Akar's announcement will ramp up pressure on Washington, which is calling for restraint. The YPG was an ally in the U.S. war against the Islamic State. A U.S. military commander, second from right, walk FILE - A U.S. military commander, second from right, walks with Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) at the YPG headquarters that was hit by Turkish airstrikes in Mount Karachok near Malikiya, Syria, April 25, 2017. FILE - A U.S. military commander, second from right, walks with Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) at the YPG headquarters that was hit by Turkish airstrikes in Mount Karachok near Malikiya, Syria, April 25, 2017. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is determined to create a safe zone 250 kilometers long and 32 kilometers deep to protect Turkey's frontier from attack. Erdogan also sees the safe zone as solving another major problem facing Turkey. "We are aiming in the first phase to create safe zones where four million Syrians who now live in our country can return," said the Turkish president Monday to representatives of the Red Crescent and Red Cross in Istanbul. With an eye on looming local elections in March, political observers suggest Erdogan's comments aim to allay rising public discontent over refugees. "There is a huge discontent, and there is probably a racial aspect involved the Syrians haven't fit into the Turkish society as well as an economic dimension," said political analyst Atilla Yesilada of Global Source Partners. A recent opinion poll said 13 percent of Turks cite the presence of Syrian refugees as the biggest problem facing Turkey. Only the economy and unemployment ranked higher. But a Turkish military operation into Syria against the YPG puts Ankara on a collision course with the U.S. While U.S. President Donald Trump is claiming victory over Islamic State and withdrawing U.S. forces in Syria, he says the security of its Kurdish allies needs to be assured. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, left, FILE - Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, left, talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 17, 2018. FILE - Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, left, talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 17, 2018. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underlined the message this month to his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. "[U.S.] Secretary of [State Mike] Pompeo reiterated the commitment of the United States to addressing Turkish security concerns along the Turkey-Syria border, while emphasizing the importance that the United State places on the protection of forces that worked with the United States and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS," read the U.S. readout of a telephone conversation between Pompeo and Cavusolgu. Safe zone sticking points Washington's backing of the YPG has poisoned relations with its Turkish NATO ally. But Erdogan welcomes Trump's decision to pull out of Syria and claims common ground exists on the creation of a safe zone in Syria. Trump proposed to Erdogan a Syrian safe zone to protect Turkey's border and the YPG. However, analysts point out there is still no consensus between the NATO allies on who will control and administer the zone. "Americans won't leave the area without any concrete protection plan or safe haven for the Kurds," said international relations professor Huseyin Bagci of Ankara's Middle East Technical University. "I think the Turkish military operation will not be the case in the foreseeable future. Turkey must talk to the Americans and Russians as both support the Kurds, this is the dilemma facing Ankara." FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, sh FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after their joint news conference following the talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 23, 2019. FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after their joint news conference following the talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 23, 2019. Last week, Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. According to reports, Erdogan failed to secure Russian support for the creation of a Syrian safe zone. Analysts suggest Putin is using the threat of a Turkish strike against the YPG to persuade the militia to make a deal with Damascus. Talks between the YPG and its political wing, the PYD, and the Syrian regime were held this month. Former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen who served widely in the region says Ankara may not be unduly concerned by talks between the Syrian regime and YPG. "Ankara is happy to live with a potential situation of Damascus authority extending to the Turkish frontier replacing the PYD or YPG along the frontier," Selcen said. "It's a second best option for Ankara to a military cross-border operation for the time being." International relations professor Bagci goes further, saying a Damascus deal with the militia maybe the best-case scenario for Ankara, given the Turkish economy is facing recession and growing budget deficit. "If they [Turkey] intervene in northern Syria, how long will it be for? One day, one week, one month, one year? Under these economic conditions, can Turkey afford $30 or $40 million a day? No," Bagci said. WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump's longtime ally Roger Stone pleaded not guilty Tuesday to seven charges linked to the release of damaging hacked emails about Trump's 2016 Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in the midst of the presidential campaign. The 66-year-old Stone, arrested last week at his Florida home in a pre-dawn FBI raid, was arraigned in a federal court in Washington on five counts of lying to Congress about his role in the WikiLeaks release of the emails, and single counts of witness tampering and obstructing a congressional investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Stone has vocally asserted his innocence in recent days but said nothing as he left court. Some onlookers outside court chanted, "Lock him up," and carried signs calling him a "dirty traitor." But supporters nearby said he did nothing wrong and held up photos of him. Unlike most defendants in U.S. criminal cases, Stone since his arrest has made the rounds of television news shows, to belittle the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and special counsel Robert Mueller, who brought the charges against him. One-Time Trump Aide Might Cooperate in Russia Probe Roger Stone, a long-time friend and adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, said Sunday he would consider cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and discuss his conversations with the U.S. Roger Stone, a long-time friend and adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, said Sunday he would consider cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and discuss his conversations with the U.S. On his Instagram account, Stone, a long-time self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" whose hero is Richard Nixon, the disgraced U.S. president from the early 1970s, depicted Mueller in a cartoonish-image as a butler holding a tray with a hamburger roll, but with no meat in between. The charges against Stone do not allege that he coordinated with Russia or with WikiLeaks on the release of the hacked emails, which U.S. authorities say were stolen from Democrats by Russian agents. Stone told ABC news on Sunday that all he "did was take publicly available information and try to hype it" to disparage Clinton in support of Trump's campaign. The charging documents against Stone say that at one point, a senior Trump campaign official "was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information" WikiLeaks had about Clinton, but does not disclose who gave the order to find out information from Stone. Mueller probe Stone's arraignment occurred a half day after Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said on Monday that he thinks Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign will finish soon. "The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible," Whitaker said at a news conference in Washington. Acting US Attorney General: Mueller Probe 'Close to Being Completed' Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday he thinks special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign will finish soon."The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible," Whitaker said at a news conference in Washington.Whitaker has been the acting attorney general since November when Trump Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday he thinks special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign will finish soon."The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible," Whitaker said at a news conference in Washington.Whitaker has been the acting attorney general since November when Trump Whitaker has been the acting attorney general since November when Trump ousted Jeff Sessions from the position. Trump had repeatedly complained about Sessions removing himself from oversight of the Russia probe, and Whitaker declined to recuse himself, despite calls that he should, based on his past criticism of Mueller's investigation. William Barr, a former U.S. attorney general, is awaiting a confirmation vote on his nomination to again take over the Justice Department. During his confirmation hearings, he pledged, without citing specifics, that he would publicly release as much of Mueller's eventual report as possible. So far, Mueller's investigation has resulted in guilty pleas or convictions of five key figures in Trump's orbit, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, campaign aide Rick Gates, foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, one-time national security adviser Michael Flynn and former personal attorney Michael Cohen. Papadopoulos served a short jail term, while Cohen has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to surrender himself in early March. Manafort, Gates and Flynn are awaiting sentencing. ISLAMABAD - Authorities in Pakistan say a suicide militant raid against a police facility Tuesday in southwestern Balochistan province killed at least nine people and injured 21 others. A military statement said three bombers carrying guns assaulted the Deputy Inspector General Police office compound in Loralai at a time when about 800 candidates were present inside for enrollment in the provincial police. One of the assailants blew himself up at the main gate, enabling the other two attackers to storm the crowded complex and take positions in one of the rooms before Pakistani security forces engaged them in a firefight. During the clearance operation remaining two suicide bombers have been shot dead and [the] area has been cleared, the army said. It added that the rest of the candidates were safely evacuated during the operation. The victims were airlifted to Quetta, the provincial capital, about 200 kilometers north of the site of the attack. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. Download File 360p | 8 MB 480p | 12 MB 540p | 16 MB 720p | 37 MB 1080p | 63 MB Original | 56 MB Copy Download Audio Thumbnail Wed, 06/05/2019 - 19:16 Anonymous (no roles) (not verified) Media Duration 00:02:25 Pakistan's Top Court Upholds Acquittal of Christian Woman Accused of Blashpemy Pakistans top court has upheld the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy, finally ending her decade-old legal ordeal.Asia Bibi was freed from prison last October when the Supreme Court overturned her conviction and death sentence, saying charges against her were groundless and listed inconsistencies in witness testimonies.But the woman has since been kept at an undisclosed location under state protection because of death threats from religious fanatics. Pakistans top court has upheld the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy, finally ending her decade-old legal ordeal.Asia Bibi was freed from prison last October when the Supreme Court overturned her conviction and death sentence, saying charges against her were groundless and listed inconsistencies in witness testimonies.But the woman has since been kept at an undisclosed location under state protection because of death threats from religious fanatics. The outlawed extremist Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for staging the deadly raid. This was the second attack this month against a security installation in Balochistan claimed by the militant outfit. On January 1, three gunmen, including a suicide bomber, raided a military installation in another district and killed four security forces. The violence-hit largest Pakistani province, which shares a border with Afghanistan and Iran, has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent months. Balochistan is home to several under-construction China-funded infrastructure projects, and it is a natural resource-rich region. But a low-level Baluch insurgency and the presence of militant groups, including loyalists of Islamic State, pose security challenges for Pakistani authorities. WASHINGTON - It might seem counterintuitive, but the dreaded polar vortex is bringing its icy grip to parts of the U.S. thanks to a sudden blast of warm air in the Arctic. Get used to it. The polar vortex has been wandering more often in recent years. It all started with misplaced Moroccan heat. Last month, the normally super chilly air temperatures 20 miles above the North Pole rapidly rose by about 125 degrees (70 degrees Celsius), thanks to air flowing in from the south. It's called "sudden stratospheric warming." That warmth split the polar vortex, leaving the pieces to wander, said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research, a commercial firm outside Boston. "Where the polar vortex goes, so goes the cold air," Cohen said. By Wednesday morning, one of those pieces will be over the Lower 48 states for the first time in years. The forecast calls for a low of minus 21 degrees (minus 29 Celsius) in Chicago and wind chills flirting with minus 65 degrees (minus 54 Celsius) in parts of Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service. The unusual cold could stick around another eight weeks, Cohen said. "The impacts from this split, we have a ways to go. It's not the end of the movie yet," Cohen said. "I think at a minimum, we're looking at mid-February, possibly through mid-March." Americans were introduced to the polar vortex five years ago. It was in early January 2014 when temperatures dropped to minus 16 degrees (minus 27 Celsius) in Chicago and meteorologists, who used the term for decades, started talking about it on social media. FILE - Pedestrians gather at a bus stop during sno FILE - Pedestrians gather at a bus stop during snowfall along Lexington Avenue, Jan. 21, 2014 in New York. FILE - Pedestrians gather at a bus stop during snowfall along Lexington Avenue, Jan. 21, 2014 in New York. This outbreak may snap some daily records for cold and is likely to be even more brutal than five years ago, especially with added wind chill, said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the private weather firm Weather Underground. When warm air invades the polar region, it can split the vortex or displace it, usually toward Siberia, Cohen said. Recently, there have been more splits, which increase the odds of other places getting ultra-cold, he said. Pieces of the polar vortex have chilled Europe, Siberia and North America this time. (It's not right to call the frigid center of cold air the polar vortex because it is just a piece or a lobe, not the entire vortex, said University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Jason Furtado.) When the forces penning the polar vortex in the Arctic are weak, it wanders, more often to Siberia than Michigan. And it's happening more frequently in the last couple decades, Furtado said. A study a year ago in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society looked at decades of the Arctic system and found the polar vortex has shifted "toward more frequent weak states." When the polar vortex pieces wander, warmth invades the Arctic, Alaska, Greenland and Canada, Masters said. While the Midwest chills, Australia has been broiling to record-breaking heat. The world as a whole on Monday was 0.7 degrees (0.4 degrees Celsius) warmer than the 1979-2000 average, according to the University of Maine's Climate Reanalyzer. Some scientists but by no means most see a connection between human-caused climate change and difference in atmospheric pressure that causes slower moving waves in the air. "It's a complicated story that involves a hefty dose of chaos and an interplay among multiple influences, so extracting a clear signal of the Arctic's role is challenging," said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center. Several recent papers have made the case for the connection, she noted. U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jamie Jasmon st U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jamie Jasmon struggles through snow and below zero temperatures while delivering the mail, Jan. 6, 2014, Springfield, Illinois. U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jamie Jasmon struggles through snow and below zero temperatures while delivering the mail, Jan. 6, 2014, Springfield, Illinois. "This symptom of global warming is counterintuitive for those in the cross-hairs of these extreme cold spells," Francis said in an email. "But these events provide an excellent opportunity to help the public understand some of the 'interesting' ways that climate change will unfold." Others, like Furtado, aren't sold yet on the climate change connection. Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini, who has already felt temperatures that seem like 25 degrees below zero, said there's "a growing body of literature" to support the climate connection. But he says more evidence is needed. "Either way," Gensini said, "it's going to be interesting being in the bullseye of the Midwest cold." DUBLIN - Ireland has alerted the European Commission that it will seek emergency aid in the event of a no-deal Brexit and is considering a range of other ways to help firms cope, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Tuesday. With close trading links with Britain, Ireland's export-focused economy is considered the most vulnerable among the remaining 27 European Union members to the impact of its nearest neighbors departure from the bloc. Ireland's finance department forecast earlier on Tuesday that economic growth could be 4.25 percentage points less than forecast by 2023 in a disorderly Brexit and would disproportionately hit agricultural goods and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Varadkar said last month that Dublin was discussing with the Commission what state aid might be available if Britain leaves the bloc without a deal, and confirmed on Tuesday that it had informed Brussels that such a request would be forthcoming. "The purpose of this aid would be to help cope with the impact on Irish trade, particularly for the beef, dairy and fishing sectors," Varadkar said in the text of a speech to be delivered at the Irish Farmers' Association's annual general meeting. Additional exceptional EU supports available in the case of serious agricultural market disturbance that Baltic states used when the Russian market was closed to them "can be used for us too," Varadkar added. He said the government has been engaging on these issues with EU Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan, a former Irish government minister and member of Varadkar's Fine Gael party. Farmers were told that domestic assistance would also likely be made available, with Varadkar saying his cabinet discussed providing funds for storage, restructuring grants and other state aids at its weekly meeting on Tuesday. "I can assure you that Ireland is seeking every possible assistance," he said. President Muhammadu Buharis campaign train hit Imo state after departing Abia early today as his campaign rally across the south east zone of Nigeria goes on. Buhari who is seeking a second term in office under the rulling All Progressive Party(APC) told people in Owerri to vote across party, religious and tribal lines during the campaign. The presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, at the end of the rally then took to his twitter handle to share with Nigerians, video from the rally depicting huge turn out of crowd during the exercise. Video below: The Pentagon is preparing to send additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, even as some members of Congress question the appropriateness of deploying troops there. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told reporters Tuesday that "several thousand" active U.S. troops likely will be assigned to the border. Shanahan said that the move is in response to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) request related to placing concertina wire. There are currently about 2,300 active troops at the border, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. The number is down from a high of 5,900 at the end of last year. The committee's hearing into President Donald Trump's original decision to send troops to the border came as Congress and the president work to resolve their differences over construction of a wall on the southern border. Trump says he must have $5.7 billion for the wall, while House Democrats have held firm on zero funding for a wall. The two sides have until Feb. 15 to come to an agreement, when short-term funding for much of the U.S. government expires. Members of a U.S Army engineering brigade place Co FILE - Members of a U.S Army engineering brigade place concertina wire near the U.S.-Mexico International bridge in Donna, Texas, Nov. 4, 2018. FILE - Members of a U.S Army engineering brigade place concertina wire near the U.S.-Mexico International bridge in Donna, Texas, Nov. 4, 2018. "To date, the impact of [the troops'] deployment isn't fully understood nor has there been a full justification for why the administration subsequently diverted active duty personnel to the border or details regarding when that deployment will end," Committee Chairman Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat, said in his opening statement. "Moreover, the deployments to the border seem to conflict with the department's stated efforts to rebuild readiness." Vice Admiral Michael Gilday told the committee that the troops have made a difference. Laying concertina wire "hardened those ports of entry," he said, allowing Customs and Border Protection to use its manpower more efficiently. Gilday said the decision to deploy active troops was made by the Department of Defense because they could deploy faster than National Guard reservists and because the Guard was not skilled in laying concertina wire. As far as future readiness is concerned, Gilday said some units have missed or will miss company-level training, but the Defense Department believes they can recoup. The cost of the deployment of active troops has been $132 million since they were first called up last fall until the end of January, while deployment of the National Guard to the border is estimated at $550 million from last April through the end of 2019, Gilday said. Rood told the committee that DHS is tracking three caravans moving toward the U.S.-Mexico border, one estimated at more than 12,000 members. "We have to be more flexible to respond to changing circumstances. I think that is what the president is trying to do," said Congressman Mac Thornberry, a Republican from Texas. "I would prefer not to use the military ... but things change." Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah's government submitted its resignation Tuesday to President Mahmoud Abbas. A Cabinet statement said the members would continue serving until a new government is in place. The move comes two days after the president's Fatah faction recommended the government be replaced. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, rejected the resignation, saying Abbas was trying to exclude it from Palestinian politics. Hamas and the Palestinian Authority signed a reconciliation agreement two years ago, but continuing disputes between the two groups have prevented its implementation. ISLAMABAD - Pakistans top court has upheld the acquittal of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy, finally ending her decade-old legal ordeal. Asia Bibi was freed from prison last October when the Supreme Court overturned her conviction and death sentence, saying charges against her were groundless and listed inconsistencies in witness testimonies. But the woman has since been kept at an undisclosed location under state protection because of death threats from religious fanatics. Freed by Court, Pakistani Christian Woman Still a Prisoner Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of blasphemy, still lives the life of a prisoner, nearly three months after her release from death row, awaiting a final ruling on her fate. She spends her days in seclusion for fear of being targeted by angry mobs clamoring for her death. Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of blasphemy, still lives the life of a prisoner, nearly three months after her release from death row, awaiting a final ruling on her fate. She spends her days in seclusion for fear of being targeted by angry mobs clamoring for her death. Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who was heading the three-judge bench, said before throwing out the review petition Tuesday that the case did not merit a hearing because the complaints lawyer was unable to point out any flaws in the verdict freeing Bibi. Tuesdays court ruling has paved the way for Bibi to leave Pakistan, most likely for Canada, where her children have already been granted asylum. Saiful Mulook (L), lawyer for Asia Bibi, a Pakista Saiful Mulook (L), lawyer for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of capital blasphemy charges, talks on a mobile phone at the premises of the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Jan. 29, 2019. Saiful Mulook (L), lawyer for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian acquitted of capital blasphemy charges, talks on a mobile phone at the premises of the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Jan. 29, 2019. Her attorney, Saiful Malook, said the rejection of the review petition is a victory of justice." "The court vindicated our view that Bibi was innocent and justice has finally been done, he added. The 54-year-old mother of five was arrested in 2009 for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad in a dispute with Muslim female farm co-workers in her native village in Punjab province. Bibi was convicted a year later of blasphemy and sentenced to death. She has maintained her innocence from the outset. Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi, listens to Go FILE - Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi, listens to Governor of Pakistani Punjab Province Salman Taseer, unseen, at a prison in Sheikhupura near Lahore, Nov. 20, 2010. FILE - Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi, listens to Governor of Pakistani Punjab Province Salman Taseer, unseen, at a prison in Sheikhupura near Lahore, Nov. 20, 2010. Insulting Islam or its prophet is punishable by death in under Pakistani laws. The issue is extremely sensitive in the predominantly Muslim nation where even mere rumors have led to the mob lynching of suspected blasphemers. The law is often misused to settle personal feuds, say human rights groups. The October 31 acquittal of Bibi had triggered days of nationwide protests by Islamists, demanding the Supreme Court reverse its ruling. The protesters dispersed only after Prime Minister Imran Khans government assured them the woman would not leave Pakistan until her case was reviewed. Khan, however, had stated at the time that his government would stand by the court ruling if it upheld Bibis acquittal. Authorities have since arrested hundreds of activists and leaders of the radical Tehreek-i-Labaik party, the organizer of the protest rallies. The party warned on Monday it would stage fresh protests if the Supreme Court verdict went in Bibis favor. But the situation remained calm hours after the verdict was announced. Bibi's case had been in the spotlight from the beginning and attacked widespread outrage and support from within and outside Pakistan. Her acquittal is a landmark development in Pakistan where judges, lawyers and witnesses involved in blasphemy-related cases remain under pressure and receive death threats from extremists. The intimidation forces courts to delay such cases for years and suspects, even if wrongly accused, remain in custody in the meantime. A provincial governor and a federal minister are among high-profile figures who were assassinated in Pakistan merely for calling for reforms in blasphemy laws to prevent their misuse. ABUJA, NIGERIA - A legal case against Nigeria's top judge that raised fears of interference in next month's presidential election was adjourned indefinitely on Monday, days after President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the chief justice. The European Union and the United States voiced concerns after Buhari suspended Walter Onnoghen from the position where he would have a key say in resolving any disputes after the Feb. 16 election. "This case has been adjourned sine die (indefinitely), pending the determination of the matter at the court of appeal," said Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The next court of appeal hearing is set for Wednesday. People protest at the secretariat of the Nigerian People protest at the secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association following the suspension of Nigeria's Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, in Abuja, Nigeria, Jan. 28, 2019. People protest at the secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association following the suspension of Nigeria's Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, in Abuja, Nigeria, Jan. 28, 2019. Protestors gathered outside the courthouse in this capital city, some in support of Onnoghen and others who backed his suspension. A replacement judge, Tanko Mohammed, was sworn in on Friday. The Nigerian Bar Association, representing lawyers, said it would begin a two-day boycott of the courts on Tuesday to protest the suspension. The Code of Conduct Tribunal said on Jan. 12 that Onnoghen would face six counts of alleged non-declaration of assets. The allegations were initially made by Dennis Aghanya, who served as Buhari's media aide between 2009 and 2011. Onnoghen's lawyers said the tribunal did not have the authority to try him, and an appeal court ordered last week that the trial be halted while it ruled on that. On Monday, Nigeria's Senate brought a case against the government at the Supreme Court to rule whether the president had acted within the law in suspending the chief justice or whether he had usurped Parliament's powers. Buhari said on Friday his decision to suspend Onnoghen for the duration of the CCT trial was based on a tribunal order dated Jan. 23 the day before the court of appeal halted the proceedings. The charges are yet to be disclosed. The president, in a series of tweets, said security agencies had traced "suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJN's (Chief Justice of Nigeria's) personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law." Onnoghen could not be reached to comment. It is not the first time such claims have been leveled at the judiciary since Buhari, a former military ruler who vowed to crack down on corruption, took office in 2015. The Department of State Services, Nigeria's security agency, in 2016 said it seized $800,000 in cash during raids on judges from the supreme, appeals and high courts. Senior judges were arrested and released. No one was convicted. Nigeria's judiciary has long been the subject of corruption allegations amid claims that judges routinely accept bribes. YANGON - As David Morena lightly powders his nose, he stops for a moment, gazes at his reflection and quickly assesses his stage make-up design one last time. When I first heard Lady Gaga song I suddenly felt so free, said Morena. For years, he was afraid to tell his family he was gay out of fear of being kicked out of the family home. But three years ago Morena decided to come out and to embrace his inner Gaga by performing in drag. This past weekend, pride week kicked off in full force in Myanmars largest city, Yangon. A flurry of rainbow umbrellas dotting Yangon harbor, held by fishermen following a flotilla of partygoers, set sail on Saturday. Followed by the drag olympics featuring a handbag throwing competition, a stiletto sprint and hula hoop contest. WATCH: Pride Week in Yangon Hundreds attended the event and many travelled from across the country. For 19-year-old Zan Bon Paing, wearing rainbow colored eye contacts and gently painted cheeks, he travelled from Lashio, in Shan State to take part in the Yangon celebrations: we never had a chance to celebrate pride in ourselves growing up. Event organizer Hla Myat Tun, from the leading LGBT rights advocacy group, Colours Rainbow, said this event was not just about providing a safe space for the LGBT community to come together and celebrate, but also about inviting general members of the public to come and show their support. People take part in the Stiletto race of the Drag People take part in the Stiletto race of the Drag Olympics at Yangon Pride festival in Yangon, Myanmar, January 27, 2019. People take part in the Stiletto race of the Drag Olympics at Yangon Pride festival in Yangon, Myanmar, January 27, 2019. ?Biggest challenge: police harassment Wigs aside, Hla Myat Tun said theres an urgent need to bring attention to the abuse faced by the LGBT community in Myanmar. The greatest threat is the local level police, said Hla Myat Tun. Police particularly target trans-women too, they see them as a walking purse. Under Section 377 of the Penal Code introduced by the British, same sex relationships are illegal. Yet the more commonly misused law is under Section 35c of the Police Act, permitting authorities to question those who have their faces covered or disguised, who are unable to give a satisfactory account of himself. Although article 377 isn't strictly enforced, without legal reform, the prospect of gaining any legal protection remains elusive. Shin Thant has experienced sexual harassment at the hands of the police first hand. They touched me and harassed me, the 29-year-old said of her experience at a Mandalay police station six years ago. Still we are seeing police use transwomen for extortion. Crowned as Miss Trans Grand Myanmar 2018 winner, Shin Thant said she wants to be the first transgender member of parliament. Opposition or lack of political will? During the 1988 democracy protests, student leader Aung Myo Min faced discrimination for being the first openly gay man in the democracy movement and was eventually forced to stand to the side. It was a struggle within a struggle, he said. Since then he has been the director of the human rights education and advocacy program Equality Myanmar. Aung Myo Min believes there is a lack of political will to abolish the law that criminalizes homosexuality. He said there are many MPs who tell activists they are greatly concerned for the LGBT community and give moral support, but said no one is taking the initiative to lobby within the government. Performers hula hoop at a contest of the Drag Olym Performers hula hoop at a contest of the Drag Olympics at Yangon Pride festival in Yangon, Myanmar, January 27, 2019. Performers hula hoop at a contest of the Drag Olympics at Yangon Pride festival in Yangon, Myanmar, January 27, 2019. ?Without a law change, the mindset of the wider community wont change. There is the Buddhist misinterpretation that to be gay or LGBT is to suffer bad karma, you did something wrong in your past life, that gay is something to be cured, said Aung Myo Min. More visibility and power of identity This years Pride events also questioned how LGBT people are represented on screen. The Myanmar actor who goes by the name of Russel said hes tired of seeing local cinema always poke fun at and discriminate against the LGBT people. This year he hosted the opening night of Pride and called on producers to show the real human experience, to stop talking about LGBT as if they are not human. This festival is also about celebrating everyday heroes of the community, standing proud and fighting for their rights. Although this year was the biggest yet celebration, next year Shin Thant hopes to walk down the main street in Yangon holding the rainbow flag. I really wish more non-LGBT actively participate, because equality means everyone. BETHESDA, MARYLAND - Rosa Gutierrez Lopez was frightened and desperate when immigration authorities told her to buy a plane ticket because she had to leave the U.S. by last December 10. The 40-year-old undocumented immigrant from El Salvador had been living in the United States since 2005, working in restaurants and other jobs in northern Virginia. With three American-born children, she had been granted deferred action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being picked up in 2014 for being in the country illegally. Subsequently, she checked in with ICE each year and her application for deferred action was renewed - in large part, her lawyer says, because her young children are American citizens and one of them suffers from Down Syndrome. In 2017, however, the first year of the Trump administration, Rosa noticed a difference when she reported to ICE for her annual check-in. I was told to report to a different location and the official there began asking me all sorts of questions, questions they had never asked me before, she recalled to VOA, speaking in Spanish. In the end, ICE did not renew her deferred action application, ordered her to leave the country, and attached a monitoring device on her ankle to keep track of her movements. She had her plane ticket in hand when she learned about another possibility. I was at my childrens school, saying goodbye to everyone and then a friend there told me about sanctuary churchesand I was able to come here. Here is the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Maryland, where Gutierrez Lopez has been living on church grounds since mid-December. She is the first publicly known case in the Washington, D.C. area of someone seeking refuge at a church since congregations across the nation mobilized in recent years to resist the Trump administrations stricter immigration enforcement policies. While she lives in sanctuary, her lawyers are filing a motion to petition for asylum because of widespread gang violence in El Salvador. Three of her close relatives have been murdered by gangs in recent years, and Gutierrez Lopez fears she would be targeted as well if she is deported. I believe her, and her children, her American children, would be in grave danger, said Hector Perez Casillas, the immigration lawyer who is handling her case. They would be immediately targeted because they know that: A. shes been here in the United States for so long, B. she has American children and C. one of them is ill, making her an extra vulnerable target. Church Sanctuary Cases Rising Gutierrez Lopez is one of 50 undocumented immigrants publicly known to have sought refuge in 39 churches across the country, according to Church World Service. While the total number of people now in sanctuary is unknown, in large part because those involved want to keep the cases private, the CWS notes there has been an increase since the Trump administration was inaugurated when the number of public cases was 37. More significantly has been the jump in the number of congregations involved in offering sanctuary, from 400 at the start of 2017 to more than 1100 today. Noel Andersen, CWS national grassroots organizer, says the rise is a response to the Trump administrations policy in which even undocumented immigrants without criminal records are arrested and deported. 1100 congregations in over 30 states have offered 1100 congregations in over 30 states have offered to provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants seeking to avoid deportation. 1100 congregations in over 30 states have offered to provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants seeking to avoid deportation. ?Thats why these congregations feel called in this moment, Andersen told VOA. They see that people are being de-humanized and they are responding to their faith call which is to say that we are to treat all people as children of God. While the sanctuary church movement has expanded these past two years to levels unseen since the 1980s when churches were sheltering Central American refugees fleeing wars and massacres in the region, the places of worship offering refuge are just a fraction of the 350,000 religious congregations estimated to exist in the U.S. by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Immigration hardliners play down the impact of the of movement, noting the number of cases are insignificant in light of the 700,000 people who have been ordered deported by an immigration judge, says Steve Camarota, research director at the Center for Immigration Studies. But what concerns Camarota is that the urge to make exceptions leads to what he considers a bankrupt immigration policy. "It's understandable why in any individual case, you might say, Well, couldn't we make an exception for this nice guy, this nice lady.' And I think everyone feels a lot of sympathy for that. But when you do that, you end up with the scale of illegal immigration that we now have." Yet these cases of undocumented immigrants seeking sanctuary do generate widespread publicity and support. In Gutierrez Lopez case, the articles and TV reports since she sought refuge in December have generated an overwhelming response, according to Reverend Abhi Janamanchi, the senior minister at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. So far weve received lots of support, and offers of support even from total strangers, Reverend Janamanchi told VOA. People have come forward to provide the resources that are needed to be a sanctuary community. Its a major commitment, involving scores of volunteers to provide for the needs of someone living in sanctuary. At the Cedar Lane Church, Rev. Janamanchi said they have 150 volunteers providing services ranging from meals, translation and interpreting, companionship and security. Because Gutierrez Lopez cannot leave church grounds without risking detention, her three children who live in northern Virginia visit her on weekends. When she thinks about how her situation is affecting her family, tears fill her eyes. Rosa Gutierrez Lopez, mother of three American-bor Rosa Gutierrez Lopez, mother of three American-born children, sought sanctuary at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in December to avoid deportation. Rosa Gutierrez Lopez, mother of three American-born children, sought sanctuary at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in December to avoid deportation. ?My boy with Down Syndrome doesnt know that Im in this situation. And my boy who is 9, he knows Im in this place but he doesnt understand exactly why, she said, her voice choking with emotion. My daughter who is 11 she does know. She tells me: Mommy, I miss you, I want you to be in our home. But I tell her I cant because if I leave the church, immigration will grab me and deport me. Her life at the Cedar Lane Church is likely to continue for some time and she has been assured by Rev. Janamanchi that his congregation is committed to her "for as long as it takes." An average stay in sanctuary is now about two years before a case resolved, says CWS, compared to six to 12 months just a few years ago. However, Gutierrez Lopez lawyer is optimistic her case will eventually result in her being granted asylum. Its easy to talk about tough immigration, and security for our nation but when you see people that it affects I think that changes the view of most, or any reasonable person, notes Perez Casillas. This mother of three children, who were born here and one who is suffering from Down Syndrome and needs the care you can only get here, and also with the danger she faces if shes removed from this country, I think any reasonable person who sees that will say: that doesnt seem right to me. CAIRO - Demonstrators are gathering in Sudans capital and eastern cities to memorialize those killed in protests against autocratic President Omar al-Bashir, on the anniversary of a 2005 killing of protesters in Port Sudan. Sudan's Bashir Seeks Support Abroad as Protests Heat Up As protests against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir continue, the embattled leader has made visits to Qatar and Egypt in what analysts say is an effort to get diplomatic support to bolster his government. Speaking Sunday in Cairo, President Omar al-Bashir said protesters in Sudan are trying to copy the Arab uprising in 2011 that toppled some leaders in the Middle East.Bashir was visiting Egypt for the second time since the crisis began more than a month ago. As protests against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir continue, the embattled leader has made visits to Qatar and Egypt in what analysts say is an effort to get diplomatic support to bolster his government. Speaking Sunday in Cairo, President Omar al-Bashir said protesters in Sudan are trying to copy the Arab uprising in 2011 that toppled some leaders in the Middle East.Bashir was visiting Egypt for the second time since the crisis began more than a month ago. Tuesdays demonstrations are expected to be larger than recent ones. Sudanese have lately taken to demonstrations that attempt to avoid crackdowns by the police, protesting in local squares and neighborhoods sometimes blocked off with cars or makeshift barricades. The current wave of protests began Dec. 19 in opposition to surging prices and a failing economy that doesnt produce enough jobs for Sudanese, but quickly shifted to calls for an end to al-Bashirs three decades of rule. Egypt's President Hosts Sudan's Embattled Leader Egypt hosted embattled Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Sunday, saying it supports stability in the country undergoing popular demonstrations against al-Bashir's 29-year rule. After meeting with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to discuss deepening relations and improving economic ties, the two leaders gave a joint televised address to underline their continuing cooperation. El-Sissi said he was eager to maintain the close historical ties between the two countries, while al-Bashir said the Egypt hosted embattled Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Sunday, saying it supports stability in the country undergoing popular demonstrations against al-Bashir's 29-year rule. After meeting with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to discuss deepening relations and improving economic ties, the two leaders gave a joint televised address to underline their continuing cooperation. El-Sissi said he was eager to maintain the close historical ties between the two countries, while al-Bashir said the Al-Bashir, who seized power in a military coup, insists that only elections, which he intends to run in, could bring change. NAIROBI - A court in Kenya says four men must stand trial for their alleged role in the 2015 terrorist attack on Garissa University College in the northeastern part of the country. The suspects are accused of belonging to a terror group and committing a terror act. The suspects were in court Tuesday as Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi read the ruling. I have considered the evidence by the prosecution and submission by learned council, and my findings are that the prosecution has made it out of the prima facie case to warrant the court to call upon the first, the second, the third and the fifth accused persons to offer a defense on respective counts they are charged with, other than the fifth accused person on the 156th count, he said. The suspects, Charles Mberesero, Mohamed Ali Abdikar, Hassan Aden Hassan and Sahal Diriye are charged in connection with the April 2, 2015, dawn attack in which more than 150 people, most of them students, were killed. The court acquitted Osman Dagane, a university guard, saying there was no evidence linking him to the attack. Students gather and watch from a distance outside FILE - Students gather and watch from a distance outside the Garissa University College after an attack by gunmen, in Garissa, Kenya, Thursday, April 2, 2015. Gunmen attacked the university early Thursday, shooting indiscriminately in campus hostels. Police and FILE - Students gather and watch from a distance outside the Garissa University College after an attack by gunmen, in Garissa, Kenya, Thursday, April 2, 2015. Gunmen attacked the university early Thursday, shooting indiscriminately in campus hostels. Police and Witnesses say the assailants followed the students to the classes and dormitories before killing them. The armed men were killed after security forces retook the institution. The four suspects were arrested a few weeks later. Twenty-five year-old university graduate Steve Mwangi survived the assault, which Somali militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility. Mwangi said he was pleased with the court decision. I am feeling happy. I am feeling good. At least some people will be punished for the crimes that were committed. Before, we have not seen anybody being punished. Now, at least I feel good some people will be punished, he said. Mwangi lost his sister, who was also a student. Mwangi says every year, he dreads the anniversary of the attack. When [the] 2nd [of] April comes, you just wish it would be over soon. We stop all these reminders we see on TV and social media. I just pray that when a day like that comes, I just pray it ends soon, he said. Prosecutors so far have testimony from 22 witnesses. The defendants are expected in court again on February 13. The town of Garissa is about 200 kilometers from the border with Somalia and has, in recent years, been the site of sporadic gun and grenade attacks blamed on al-Shabab. The group has targeted Kenya in retribution for Kenya sending troops to Somalia. NICOSIA - Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Tuesday five countries had come forward with offers to help end the stand-off over a rescue boat moored off Sicily with 47 migrants on board. The Sea Watch 3, run by a German humanitarian group, rescued the migrants from a rubber boat off the Libyan coast more than a week ago but Italy, which has closed its ports to charity ships, has refused to allow them ashore to request asylum. "I want to thank the friendly countries that have in the last few hours said they are willing to find a shared solution," Conte told reporters in the Cypriot capital Nicosia. He named the countries as Germany, France, Portugal, Malta and Romania. Similar stand-offs in the past have ended with several EU countries offering to each take in a share of migrants stranded on rescue boats. French President Emmanuel Macron, gestures as he p French President Emmanuel Macron, gestures as he poses for a photograph after the recording of his New Year's speech at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Dec. 31, 2018. French President Emmanuel Macron, gestures as he poses for a photograph after the recording of his New Year's speech at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Dec. 31, 2018. 'European framework' French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking alongside Conte at a meeting of southern European countries, called for the ship to dock in the nearest safest harbor as quickly as possible, a clear reference to Italy, and for the migrants to then be shared out. "France has always done it in a European framework. We are ready for it and I want to make it very clear this evening for this ship, and I want it to be very clear for all our Italian friends", he said. However, Conte said he had not given instructions for the migrants to be brought ashore in Sicily. He said that for now his government was ensuring they were looked after properly on the boat. Second standoff The current situation is the second time in a month that Sea Watch 3, which flies a Dutch flag, has been stranded at sea with rescued migrants and no safe port. The last standoff ended after 19 days with the migrants allowed ashore in Malta and an agreement among eight EU countries, including Italy, to subsequently take them in. Italy allowed rescue ships to dock regularly until June of last year, when the new government of the right-wing League and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement took office and cracked down on migrant arrivals, in line with the election promises of League leader Matteo Salvini. Iran appears to be broadening its presence in cyberspace, stealing information that would allow its cyber spies to monitor and track key political and business officials, including some in the United States. A new, U.S. intelligence report released Tuesday warned Iranian cyber actors "are targeting U.S. Government officials, government organizations, and companies to gain intelligence and position themselves for future cyber operations." The latest Worldwide Threat Assessment also said Tehran has been preparing to use such information for a range of possible cyber attacks against the U.S. and its allies, though it did not share specifics. Fears about Iran's growing prowess in cyberspace are not new, but the new assessment from the U.S. intelligence community echoes concerns voiced by private cybersecurity firms, which have pointed out a growing number of attacks by Iranian-linked actors targeting databases that contain personal information. "They are targeting a number of telecommunication and information technology entities and really going after just large amounts of PII [personally identifiable information]," said Cristiana Kittner, a senior analyst with FireEye. "Once in the network, they're looking at phone logs and employee records and airline records," she said. In one attack, Iranian hackers went after visa and passport information, searching through keystroke logs to try to get at the information. "Our assessment is that the PII is being stolen both for general surveillance as well as for specific targets, including high profile people and potentially political individuals and those who have significant roles in strategic affairs related to the country." The main culprit, according to FireEye, is a group known as Advanced Persistent Threat 39, or APT 39. Active since 2014, FireEye maintains the group has been working "in support of Iranian national interests," showing an ability to hits targets across the Middle East and beyond. "APT 39's focus on the widespread theft of personal information sets it apart from other Iranian groups," FireEye said in a report released Tuesday. FILE - A man types into a keyboard during the Def FILE - A man types into a keyboard during the Def Con hacker convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 29, 2017. FILE - A man types into a keyboard during the Def Con hacker convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 29, 2017. Most of the companies that have been targeted by APT 39 are in the Middle East -- Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The group's pursuit of telecommunications and travel industry data have led it further afield. FireEye said companies in Norway, South Korea, Australia and the United States may also have been affected, warning that the group's activity "showcases Iran's potential global operational reach." Much of APT 39's activity aligns with that of the Iranian-based cyber group known as Chafer, which was identified by the cybersecurity Symantec in 2015, and which has also focused on the telecommunications, travel and IT industries. "Chafer has become notably more ambitious," Symantec told VOA in a statement. "Over the past two years, the group moved their attacks up the supply chain in the industries they typically target, and these supply chain attacks may allow Chafer to reach a broader set of victims in each industry they target." Other experts and analysts worry advances by APT 39 and Chafer show that Tehran, already a formidable actor in cyberspace, has further refined its cyber espionage doctrine and will soon find more ways to use cyber spying to gain an advantage, economically and politically. "Iran's leveraging these capabilities in order to identify supplierswhere they're shipping certain things to," said David Kennedy, the chief executive officer at the IT security consulting firm TrustedSec. "They may have the ability to snag individuals or pick them up." "The methods that they use are very effective for going against a lot of different companies," added Kennedy, who previously served with the U.S. National Security Agency and with the Marine Corps electronic warfare unit. European officials, meanwhile, worry that this is just the start, and that Iranian cyber actors are only going to get more ambitious as the U.S. and Western powers increase pressure on Tehran in response to its missile tests and nuclear activity. "Newly imposed sanctions on Iran are likely to push the country to intensify state-sponsored cyberthreat activities in pursuit of its geopolitical and strategic objectives at a regional level," the European digital security agency warned in a report Monday. This past November, the U.S. indicted two Iranian hackers for using the SamSam ransomware to extort millions of dollars from U.S. municipalities, hospitals and other public institutions. And in March of last year, U.S. prosecutors charged nine Iranian hackers with penetrating the computer networks of hundreds of universities and institutions to steal research material. Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the impending impeachment of Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos state. Members of the state assembly on Monday evening asked Ambode to either resign or get sacked over allegations of gross misconduct. There has been an ongoing back and forth between the governor and the state lawmakers following Ambodes failure to present the 2019 budget earlier in the month. Ambode is now being accused of alleged gross misconduct and illegal budgetary spending, because the lawmakers were yet to consider the 2019 budget for the state. This new unfolding drama has sparked the interests of Nigerians on Twitter , they have taken to the platform to drop their opinions. Take a look How will I be able to explain to my kids that an Ambode who controlled the 6th largest economy in Africa & governs a state of over 20 million people was treated like a commoner on the street, told not to contest for re-election which he obeyed & was later impeached? Nwo-Diali PH (@Manlike_ED) January 28, 2019 Before handling a sensitive position like governor, one should have read books like Mafia Manager, The Prince and 48 Laws of Power as a young person in their 20s and 30s. I doubt Ambode ever set his eyes on such books. A Prince will never make the kind of mistakes he made. ThankGod Ukachukwu (@kcnaija) January 28, 2019 https://twitter.com/Stalyf/status/1089963850139545600?s=19 Ambode is being punished by his party to the extreme. His impeachment will ensure he does not get a pension. This is the extent to which Bourdillon is willing to go to punish him Not for any crime but for going against bourdillon Think twice before bowing to any godfather Dolapo Oni (@Dolarpo) January 28, 2019 Ambode can still expose Tinubu on his way out. He surely would have all the tools unless he's not a smart man. Ifeabunike Chukwudi (@Ifeabunike) January 28, 2019 https://twitter.com/SmithVinci/status/1089984865410404352?s=19 https://twitter.com/SKSolaKuti/status/1089985874878701568?s=19 https://twitter.com/Oghene_Kevwe/status/1089956763582021634?s=19 The number of nations supporting Venezuela's opposition leader and self-declared president Juan Guaido is growing, however President Nicolas Maduro still has several keys allies. Here are some of the main players backing the rival leaders. Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed i Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido talks to the media before a session of the Venezuelas National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 29, 2019. Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido talks to the media before a session of the Venezuelas National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 29, 2019. U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognized Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela just minutes after the opposition leader said he was taking over as acting president. The Trump administration has also imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-run oil company, saying it wants to preserve the assets for the Venezuelan people. Several EU nations, including France, Britain, Germany, and Spain have said they would recognize Guaido if Maduro doesn't announce new elections within days. French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he an French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he answers questions during a meeting with local residents as part of the "Great National Debate" in Bourg-de-Peage near Valence, Jan. 24, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he answers questions during a meeting with local residents as part of the "Great National Debate" in Bourg-de-Peage near Valence, Jan. 24, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his support for opposition protestors, saying he "welcomes the courage of the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who march for their freedom." Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downin Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street to attend parliament in London, Jan. 21, 2019. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street to attend parliament in London, Jan. 21, 2019. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said Maduro's election was neither free nor fair, and expressed support for Guaido as national assembly head. The European Union called for new elections in Venezuela, but stopped short of recognizing Guaido as acting president. The bloc called on Maduro's government to respect the opposition leader's "civil rights, freedom and safety." It has previously imposed sanctions on Venezuela and boycotted Maduro's swearing-in. The governments in Latin America are mixed in their support for Venezuela's rival leaders. The leftist-leaning government of Mexico, Cuba and Bolivia are backing Maduro, while several right-leaning governments, including Colombia, Brazil and Argentina are recognizing Guaido. Russia has called Maduro the legitimate president of Venezuela and has called the street protests in Venezuela a Western plot. Russia, along with China, are Venezuela's biggest creditors, having lent money to the Maduro regime to prop up the country's imploding economy. China has also expressed support for Maduro and has said it is opposed to outside interference in Venezuela. FILE - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) FILE - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) talks to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (R) prior to a dinner following a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, July 9, 2018. FILE - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) talks to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (R) prior to a dinner following a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, July 9, 2018. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has backed Maduro, assuring him in a telephone call "We are with you." Turkey has been refining and certifying Venezuelan gold since last year after Maduro switched operations from Switzerland, fearing Venezuelan gold could end up being impounded. Iran's foreign ministry has backed Maduro and condemned "foreign meddling in the country's domestic affairs." Iran considers Venezuela a close ally in the Western hemisphere, in the face of perceived U.S. aggression. When Germany signed a deal last month to help Bolivia exploit its huge lithium reserves, it hailed the venture as a deepening of economic ties with the South American country. But it also gives Germany entry into the new "Great Game," in which big powers like China are jostling across the globe for access to the prized electric battery metal. The signing of the deal in Berlin on Dec. 12 capped two years of intense lobbying by Germany as it sought to persuade President Evo Morales' government that a small German family-run company was a better bet than its Chinese rivals, according to Reuters interviews with German and Bolivian officials. While the substance of the deal has been reported, how China, Bolivia's biggest non-institutional lender and close ideological ally, lost out to Germany has not. China has been quietly cornering the global lithium market, making deals in Asia, Chile and Argentina as it seeks to lock in access to a strategic resource that could power the next energy revolution. China has invested $4.2 billion in South America in the past two years, surpassing the value of similar deals by Japanese and South Korean companies in the same period. Chinese entities now control nearly half of global lithium production and 60 percent of electric battery production capacity. FILE - A view of a portion of an industrial plant FILE - A view of a portion of an industrial plant in Llipi on the salt lake of Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia, Oct. 7, 2018. FILE - A view of a portion of an industrial plant in Llipi on the salt lake of Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia, Oct. 7, 2018. German officials told Reuters they championed the bid by ACI Systems GmbH because they saw an opportunity to lower Germany's reliance on Asian battery makers and help its carmakers catch up with Chinese and U.S. rivals in the race to make electric cars. The German push included a series of visits by German government officials who talked up the benefits of picking a German company. Bolivian officials also toured German battery factories, Bolivia's deputy minister of High Energy Technologies, Luis Alberto Echazu, told Reuters. German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier wrote a letter to Morales, an environmental champion, emphasizing Germany's commitment to environment protection. The lobbying effort was capped by a call last April between Altmaier and Morales, Bolivian, German and ACI officials said, without offering details of what was discussed. German diplomats in La Paz also stressed high-level German government backing for the project, potential loan guarantees and the tantalizing prospect of supply agreements with German automakers, ACI and Bolivian officials told Reuters. ACI's win means Germany now has a foothold in the final frontier of South America's so-called Lithium Triangle: the Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia, one of the world's largest untapped deposits. The triangle comprises lithium deposits in an area that includes parts of Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. FILE - Bolivia's President Evo Morales speaks on t FILE - Bolivia's President Evo Morales speaks on the salt lake of Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia, Oct. 7, 2018. FILE - Bolivia's President Evo Morales speaks on the salt lake of Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia, Oct. 7, 2018. "This partnership secures lithium supplies for us and breaks the Chinese monopoly," Wolfgang Tiefensee, economy minister of the German state of Thuringia, an automotive manufacturing hub, told Reuters during a visit to the Bolivian capital La Paz in October. Some risks The venture in Bolivia is not without risk for ACI. While Uyuni boasts at least 21 million tons of lithium, Morales has made nationalizing natural resources a key policy plank. Bolivian officials assured ACI that foreign investments in the Uyuni would be guaranteed should anything go awry, CEO Wolfgang Schmutz said in an interview. In addition, unlike Chile's sun-drenched Atacama salt flats, snow and rain slow the evaporation process needed to extract lithium from brine in Uyuni, and the landlocked nation will have to use a port in neighboring Chile or Peru to ship the metal out. ACI, a family-run clean tech and machinery supplier, has no experience producing lithium. The company dismisses concerns from some lithium analysts about its ability to deliver, saying its small size gives it more flexibility to bring partners from different fields into the project. Schmutz said the company has preliminary lithium supply deals with major German carmakers, but declined to provide details, citing non-disclosure agreements. FILE - ACI Systems GmbH's President Wolfgang Schmu FILE - ACI Systems GmbH's President Wolfgang Schmutz from Germany, left, and manager of state company of Yacimientos Boliviano de Litio, Juan Carlos Montenegro, pose for photos during a signing ceremony in government palace in La Paz, Bolivia, Oct. 5, 2018. FILE - ACI Systems GmbH's President Wolfgang Schmutz from Germany, left, and manager of state company of Yacimientos Boliviano de Litio, Juan Carlos Montenegro, pose for photos during a signing ceremony in government palace in La Paz, Bolivia, Oct. 5, 2018. None of Germany's top three carmakers BMW, VW or Daimler confirmed any agreement with ACI when contacted by Reuters. BMW said it was in preliminary talks with ACI but had made no decision. VW said ensuring supplies and stable prices for raw materials was important, but noted lithium production in Bolivia was particularly demanding. Daimler board member Ola Kaellenius said: "If it's happening, we're not part of it." ACI said the carmakers that it was in talks with would not be able to confirm anything publicly until final deals were made. The "Great Game" lithium version The global battle for control of lithium has been likened to the "Great Game," the term coined to describe the struggle between Russia and Britain for influence and territory in Central Asia in the 19th century. The Bolivian project includes plans to build a lithium hydroxide plant and a factory for producing electric car batteries in Bolivia. Once completed, the factory will help to fulfill Morales' ambition to break with Bolivia's historic role as a mere exporter of raw materials. FILE - A storage unit is seen at an industrial pla FILE - A storage unit is seen at an industrial plant in Llipi on the salt lake of Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia, Oct. 7, 2018. FILE - A storage unit is seen at an industrial plant in Llipi on the salt lake of Uyuni, Potosi, Bolivia, Oct. 7, 2018. ACI has said it expects the lithium hydroxide plant to have an annual production capacity of 35,000-40,000 tons by the end of 2022, similar in output to plants operated by the world's top lithium producers. Eighty percent of that would be exported to Germany. ACI's willingness to build a battery plant in Bolivia helped to seal the deal, said Echazu, the deputy minister. The Chinese did not want to build a battery plant in Bolivia because they felt it made no economic sense to ship in materials to make the batteries only to re-import the final product to China, he said. China's embassy in La Paz declined to comment on the Uyuni project, but said the potential for future cooperation with Bolivia on lithium was "huge." Bolivia's state-owned lithium producer YLB will own 51 percent of the new joint venture. Control of the project was another key demand of the Bolivians, who have bitter memories of foreign powers meddling in the former Spanish colony to seize its natural resources. Juan Carlos Montenegro, the head of YLB, said geopolitics was a factor for Bolivia in deciding which companies to work with. "We don't want a single country to set the rules, we want balance and other world powers must help create that balance," he said. "So for Bolivia, it's important to have not just economic partners for markets, but geopolitical strategic partners." He stressed, however, that Bolivia had not been predisposed against China in deciding who had made the best offer. "China-Bolivia relations are still good. China is present in every country in the world and impossible to avoid," he said. Chinese authorities and telecom giant Huawei have reacted swiftly to indictments U.S. federal prosecutors announced against the company and its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. Mengs lawyer has argued she is being used as a pawn or hostage in the relationship between the United States and China, while Chinas Foreign Ministry says the case is part of a unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies. On Monday, the U.S. Justice Department charged Meng with conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on Iran for doing business through a subsidiary it denied was connected to the company. The indictment alleges Huawei, Meng and other employees engaged in a conspiracy to deceive numerous financial institutions and the U.S. government regarding Huaweis business activities in Iran. Separately, the company has been accused of stealing technology from telecommunications carrier T-Mobile US. In a statement, Huawei denied all the charges leveled against the company and said it was disappointed with the allegations. The statement also said the company had previously sought to discuss the accusations with the U.S. Justice Department, but that request had been rejected without explanation. US Brings Sweeping Charges China's Huawei Technologies Federal prosecutors on Monday announced criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies, its chief financial officer and several affiliates for alleged financial fraud and theft of U.S. intellectual property.In a 13-count indictment unsealed in federal court in New York, prosecutors charged the Chinese telecom giant, its top financial officer, Meng Wanzhou , and two affiliates with doing business with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions.Huawei said it was disappointed to learn of the charges in Federal prosecutors on Monday announced criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies, its chief financial officer and several affiliates for alleged financial fraud and theft of U.S. intellectual property.In a 13-count indictment unsealed in federal court in New York, prosecutors charged the Chinese telecom giant, its top financial officer, Meng Wanzhou , and two affiliates with doing business with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions.Huawei said it was disappointed to learn of the charges in In comments to Reuters, Mengs lawyer, Reid Weingarten, partner at Steptoe & Johnson, said she should not be a hostage or a pawn in U.S.China relations. Ms. Meng is an ethical and honorable businesswoman who has never spent a second of her life plotting to violate any U.S. law, including the Iranian sanctions," he said in a statement to the news agency. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang called on the United States to stop what he called its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies including Huawei and treat them fairly and objectively. The U.S. has used its state power to discredit and pressure designated Chinese companies, attempting to throttle their ordinary legal operations. Behind all of this there are very strong political intentions and manipulations," Geng said. FILE - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shu FILE - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang gestures as he speaks during a daily briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Beijing, Sept. 4, 2017. FILE - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang gestures as he speaks during a daily briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Beijing, Sept. 4, 2017. Some have argued Washington is using the case to block Huawei out of the race for leadership in next generation wireless technology or 5G. Others, that the case is linked to the trade war or both. U.S. officials have denied there is any connection between the case and the ongoing trade dispute with Beijing, but President Trump previously said he could intervene in Mengs case if it would benefit the United States national security interests or help secure a trade deal with China. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has said the charges are wholly separate from the trade negotiations. Meng is currently being held on bail in Canada awaiting possible extradition to the United States. The unsealing of the indictments against Meng and Huawei are part of that process. Once Canadian authorities receive a formal request they will have another 30 days to review, but the extradition process is typically long. The entire process could take months, if not years, legal analysts note. The deadline for the United States to submit its formal request comes just as Chinese and American officials are to meet this week in Washington. Who is Meng Wanzhou? Meng Wanzhou, the Chief Financial Officer of the Chinese tech giant Huawei, was arrested in Canada last month and is fighting extradition to the United States. We take a look who she is and what is behind her arrest. Who is she? Meng Wanzhou is the 46-year-old daughter of Huawei's billionaire founder, Ren Zhangfe. Also known as Sabrina Meng, she took her last name from her mother. She was born in 1972 in Chengdu. When she was about 10, her family moved south to the city of Shenzhen, which is now Meng Wanzhou, the Chief Financial Officer of the Chinese tech giant Huawei, was arrested in Canada last month and is fighting extradition to the United States. We take a look who she is and what is behind her arrest. Who is she? Meng Wanzhou is the 46-year-old daughter of Huawei's billionaire founder, Ren Zhangfe. Also known as Sabrina Meng, she took her last name from her mother. She was born in 1972 in Chengdu. When she was about 10, her family moved south to the city of Shenzhen, which is now Chinas top trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, arrived Tuesday in Washington, not long after the indictments were unsealed. Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a political science professor at Hong Kong Baptist University said for now China is likely to continue to keep the two issues trade and Huawei - separate. It is unlikely that Liu He would leave the talks and come home empty handed, Cabestan said. That would be even more disastrous for Liu He and for Xi Jinping who has been under attack recently from a number of angles, including his lack of flexibility regarding the trade war, he said. They have to bring back results to China, to convince the domestic audience they are making progress on the trade dispute and that it is not going to derail the economy, he adds. On the tech race front, Huawei is well positioned to be a leader in the contest to roll out 5G technology and says it already has 30 contracts more than any of its competitors. But the allegations against Meng and the company, as well as security concerns that its equipment could be used by Chinas government for espionage, has a growing number of countries banning or considering banning Huawei equipment from their networks. Huawei has brushed off those concerns repeatedly and said it puts its customers interests first. WASHINGTON - Federal prosecutors on Monday announced criminal charges against China's Huawei Technologies, its chief financial officer and several affiliates for alleged financial fraud and theft of U.S. intellectual property. In a 13-count indictment unsealed in federal court in New York, prosecutors charged the Chinese telecom giant, its top financial officer, Meng Wanzhou , and two affiliates with doing business with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Huawei said it was disappointed to learn of the charges in a statement issued Tuesday. The Company denies that it or its subsidiary or affiliate have committed any of the asserted violations, and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng, and believes the U.S. courts will ultimately reach the same conclusion. The indictment alleges that Huawei, the world's largest telecommunications company, CFO Meng and other employees engaged in a conspiracy "to deceive numerous global financial institutions and the U.S. government regarding Huawei's business activities in Iran." As part of the scheme, Huawei operated an Iranian subsidiary, Skycom Tech Co. Ltd., while lying to the U.S. government and financial institutions that Skycom was merely a "business partner," prosecutors said. Meng, who also is the daughter of Huawei's founder and served on the board of Skycom, was arrested by Canadian authorities at the request of the U.S. government in December. Her arrest further strained U.S.-China relations already roiled by an escalating trade war. FILE - Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou (L), who was arrest FILE - Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou (L), who was arrested on an extradition warrant, appears at her B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing in a drawing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Dec. 10, 2018. FILE - Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou (L), who was arrested on an extradition warrant, appears at her B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing in a drawing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Dec. 10, 2018. The U.S. has until Wednesday to file a formal request for Meng's extradition. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker said the U.S. will move ahead with a formal request. "As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law," Whitaker said at a press conference in Washington In a separate, 10-count indictment returned in the western U.S. state of Washington, prosecutors also charged Huawei and its U.S. affiliate, Huawei Device Co. USA, with allegedly stealing trade secrets from U.S. telecom company T-Mobile. The charges grew out of a lawsuit brought by T-Mobile over a smartphone testing technology dubbed "Tappy." Huawei claimed the theft was the work of "rogue" employees, but internal emails obtained by the FBI showed that "the conspiracy to steal secrets from T-Mobile was a company-wide effort involving many engineers and employees within the two charged companies." Company emails also showed that in July 2013, Huawei offered bonuses to employees who stole trade secrets from other companies and provided them to Huawei via an encrypted email address, prosecutors said. The charges against Huawei were announced by Whitaker, FBI director Christopher Wray, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, and other top officials. "These charges lay bare Huawei's alleged blatant disregard for the laws of our country and standard global business practices," Wray said. Companies like Huawei pose a dual threat to both our economic and national security." Chinas Foreign Ministry issued a statement Tuesday urging Washington to end its "unreasonable" pressure on Huawei and other companies, accusing the United States of using "state power" to hinder legitimate business practices, and demanding the U.S. treat Chinese companies "fairly and justly." The indictments come as the Trump administration has stepped up enforcement of sweeping economic sanctions on Iran. Ross said the Trump administration has been tougher on violators of U.S. exports laws than any past administration. "For years, Chinese firms have broken our export laws and undermined sanctions, often using U.S. financial systems to facilitate their illegal activities," Ross said. "This will end. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the Huawei indictments and the U.S.-China trade dispute are unrelated. "It's a totally separate process," she said. The charges against Huawei do not accuse the Chinese government of involvement in the conspiracy. But Democratic Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said no major Chinese company " is independent of the Chinese government and Communist Party." "It has been clear for some time that Huawei poses a threat to our national security, and I applaud the Trump Administration for taking steps to finally hold the company accountable," Warner said in a statement. In December, President Donald Trump said he would intervene in the Justice Departments case against Meng if it helped secure a trade deal with China. But Whitaker said Meng's extradition will play no role in trade talks between U.S. and Chinese officials that are slated to start in Washington on Wednesday. "The U.S. Justice Department does its investigations and its charging decisions independent from the White House and we pursue this when the evidence and the facts cause us to seek an indictment from a grand jury," Whitaker said. President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen will testify next week at a closed hearing of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee after postponing an appearance before another congressional panel, citing threats from Trump. Cohen, who is set to go to prison in March after pleading guilty to crimes including campaign finance violations during Trump's 2016 election campaign, had expressed concern about testifying because of threats against his family from Trump. "Mr. Cohen has relayed to the Committee his legitimate concerns for his own safety as well as that of his family, which have been fueled by improper comments made by the President and his lawyer," Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, the panel's chairman, said in a statement. "These attacks on Mr. Cohens family must stop," Schiff said. Last week, Cohen cited threats from Trump for postponing testimony before an open hearing of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee set for Feb. 7. That hearing has not been rescheduled. Cohen was subpoenaed last week by the Senate Intelligence Committee to appear in mid-February. Cohen will be represented by a new team of lawyers after shaking up his legal team on Monday. Michael Monico and Barry Spevack, partners in the same Chicago criminal defense law firm, will replace Manhattan attorneys Guy Petrillo and Amy Lester, who oversaw his guilty plea and last month's sentencing in New York. In addition to congressional testimony, Monico and Spevack will also represent Cohen as he cooperates with U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election as well as federal and state investigations in New York, Lanny Davis, another Cohen attorney, said in the statement. In December, Cohen was sentenced by a federal judge in Manhattan to three years in prison for crimes including orchestrating hush payments to women in violation of campaign laws before the 2016 election. Cohen 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. 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. BRUSSELS - The European Union has a message for Prime Minister Theresa May as she plots a path out of the Brexit impasse: Britain needs to decide what it really wants but the negotiated divorce deal will not be reopened. With less than nine weeks until Britain is due by law to leave the European Union on March 29, there is no agreement yet in London on how and even whether to leave the world's biggest trading bloc. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downin Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street to attend parliament in London, Jan. 21, 2019. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street to attend parliament in London, Jan. 21, 2019. Parliament defeated May's deal two weeks ago by a huge margin, with many Brexit-supporting rebels in her Conservative Party angry at the Irish "backstop," an insurance policy aimed at preventing a hard border in Ireland if no other solutions can be agreed. Ahead of Tuesday's votes in the British parliament on a way forward, lawmakers in May's party are pushing for her to demand the European Union drop the backstop and replace it with something else. "It is quite a challenge to see how you can construct from a diversity of the opposition a positive majority for the deal," EU deputy chief negotiator Sabine Weyand told a Brussels conference organized by the European Policy Center think-tank. In a note of criticism of May's strategy, she said there appeared to be a lack of "ownership" in Britain of the agreement struck between the two sides in November, and that there was insufficient transparency in the prime minister's moves. "There will be no more negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement," said Weyand, a German senior civil servant at the European Commission, reiterating the EU stance. As the Brexit crisis goes down to the line, however, EU officials indicated there might be wriggle room if May came back with a clear, and viable, request for changes that she and the EU believe will secure a final ratification. European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barn European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, left, speaks with EU Deputy Chief Negotiator Sabine Weyand during a meeting of EU General Affairs, Article 50, ministers in Brussels on Sept. 25, 2017. European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, left, speaks with EU Deputy Chief Negotiator Sabine Weyand during a meeting of EU General Affairs, Article 50, ministers in Brussels on Sept. 25, 2017. Wriggle room? However, Weyand echoed her boss Michel Barnier in saying that Britain could resolve some of the problems caused by opposition to the Irish backstop by changing some of its demands on post-Brexit trade. Referring to an amendment to May's proposed next steps on Brexit put forward by senior Conservative lawmaker Graham Brady, who wants "alternative arrangements" to the backstop, Weyand said that the withdrawal treaty already contained that possibility. "We are open to alternative arrangements" on the Irish border, she said. "The problem with the Brady amendment is that it does not spell out what they are. "The backstop is not a prerequisite for the future relationship," she said. "We are open to alternative proposals." A source in May's office said the government would tell Conservative lawmakers to vote in favor of Brady's amendment if it is selected by the speaker on Tuesday. Britain remaining in a customs union, or even the EU single market, could help reach a final agreement, Weyand said, adding: "We need decisions on the U.K. side on the direction of travel." Weyand said the ratification of the EU-U.K. deal would build the trust necessary to build a new relationship, but ruled out bowing to British calls to set a time limit to the backstop beyond which the insurance policy would lapse. "A time-limit on the backstop defeats the purpose of the backstop because it means that once the backstop expires you stand there with no solution for this border," Weyand said. Ivan Rogers, Britain's former Permanent Representa Ivan Rogers, Britain's former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the European Union, leaves the The Houses of Parliament after giving evidence to a parliamentary sub-committee, in London, Britain Feb. 1, 2017. Ivan Rogers, Britain's former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the European Union, leaves the The Houses of Parliament after giving evidence to a parliamentary sub-committee, in London, Britain Feb. 1, 2017. Impasse Speaking to the same conference, a former British envoy to the EU, Ivan Rogers, said he expected the deadlock to persist in the coming weeks, saying it had always seemed likely that the outcome would remain in doubt until much closer to March 29. Rogers was speaking in a personal capacity, having resigned two years ago after differences with May over the negotiation. The question for May is whether the EU can offer enough to get a variant of her defeated deal through parliament. May wants to use a series of votes on Tuesday to find a consensus that lawmakers in her own party could support, just two weeks since her deal suffered the biggest parliamentary defeat in modern British history. Parliament will vote on proposals made by lawmakers including a delay to Brexit and going back to the EU to demand changes to the Northern Irish backstop. In essence, May is forcing lawmakers to show their cards on what sort of Brexit, if any, they want. Lawmakers in her own party want her to demand a last-minute change to the withdrawal deal to remove the backstop, which they fear could end up trapping the U.K. in a permanent customs union with the EU. NEW YORK - Accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman said in court on Monday that he will not testify in his own defense at his U.S. trial. Guzman announced his decision after prosecutors rested their case against him in federal court in Brooklyn. After excusing the jury, U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan asked Guzman directly whether he understood it was his decision, not that of his lawyers, to testify or not. "Yes, but they counseled me about it and I agree with them," Guzman answered. Had Guzman, 61, testified, it would have provided a fitting climax to an already dramatic trial. However, Guzman's decision was widely expected, as testifying would have exposed him to cross-examination by prosecutors. In this courtroom drawing, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzm FILE - In this courtroom drawing, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, seated center, speaks to his attorney, Eduardo Balarezo, after a judge denied his request to speak directly to the court, Feb. 15, 2018, in New York. FILE - In this courtroom drawing, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, seated center, speaks to his attorney, Eduardo Balarezo, after a judge denied his request to speak directly to the court, Feb. 15, 2018, in New York. Guzman was extradited to the United States in January 2017 to face charges that he trafficked massive quantities of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs into the United States as leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Prosecutors have put more than 50 witnesses on the stand since the trial began in November, many of them former Guzman associates who have pleaded guilty to U.S. charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Their testimony has offered an unprecedented look at the inner workings of the Mexican drug trade. Jeffrey Lichtman, one of Guzman's lawyers, said in his opening argument in November that his client was framed by the cartel's true leader, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, with the help of corrupt government officials. ?Lichtman said on Monday he planned to call two U.S. law enforcement agents, whom he did not name, as defense witnesses on Tuesday morning. Lichtman had said in a court filing on Saturday that he wanted to call the agents to rebut testimony by two of the prosecution's witnesses about their earlier statements to law enforcement. Joaquin Guzman's defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman Joaquin Guzman's defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, speaks to reporters as he leaves Brooklyn Federal Court after opening arguments in the trial of the Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo," Nov. 13, 2018, in New York. Joaquin Guzman's defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, speaks to reporters as he leaves Brooklyn Federal Court after opening arguments in the trial of the Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo," Nov. 13, 2018, in New York. Judge Cogan said prosecutors should expect to begin their closing argument on Wednesday morning. The trial has also featured accusations of corruption against Mexican government officials, the most explosive of which was that former Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto took a $100 million bribe from Guzman. A spokesman for Pena Nieto has denied the allegation. Alejandro Edda, the Mexican actor who plays Guzman in the Netflix television drama "Narcos," made a surprise appearance in the courtroom gallery Monday. Guzman grinned broadly at Edda after his lawyers told him who he was. Edda later told reporters outside the courthouse that the smile "shook" him. Cameroonian authorities arrested opposition leader Maurice Kamto on Monday, his lawyer said, after weekend protests that security forces dispersed with live bullets, wounding six people. Kamto has been mobilizing dissent against President Paul Biya since losing what he says was a fraudulent election in October. Kamto declared himself winner at the time of the poll and has since challenged Biya's win in the African Union court. Protests are rare in Cameroon, outside its troubled Anglophone western region, and tend to be swiftly put down by force and mass arrests. "I can confirm that professor Maurice Kamto was arrested [today]," his lawyer, Agbor Bala, told Reuters by telephone, adding that it was because of the weekend protests in which dozens took part. The treasurer of his Cameroon Renaissance Movement party, Alain Fogue, was also detained, Bala said. FILE - Members of the Cameroonian Gendarmerie patr FILE - Members of the Cameroonian Gendarmerie patrol in the Omar Bongo Square of Cameroon's majority anglophone South West province capital Buea during a rally in support of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, Oct. 3, 2018. FILE - Members of the Cameroonian Gendarmerie patrol in the Omar Bongo Square of Cameroon's majority anglophone South West province capital Buea during a rally in support of Cameroonian President Paul Biya, Oct. 3, 2018. At 85, Biya is the oldest leader in sub-Saharan Africa and most Cameroonians have known only him as president. He holds Cabinet meetings only every few years and spends a lot of his time on private trips to Switzerland. But the opposition has been unable to mount a credible challenge to him. The election cemented his place as one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, but allegations of ballot stuffing and intimidation loomed over his victory, and turnout was low because of a secessionist uprising in the Anglophone regions in which hundreds have died. Biya's camp has denied all allegations of electoral fraud. BBritish Prime Minister Theresa May told Parliament on Tuesday she plans to ask the European Union to change the terms of Britain's Brexit divorce from the continent's 28-member bloc of nations. EU leaders have ruled out renegotiation and the House of Commons two weeks ago rejected her plan to leave the EU on March 29. But she asked parliamentarians for a mandate to renegotiate "alternative arrangements" related to the free flow of people and commerce between Ireland, an EU member, and Northern Ireland, which is part of Britain. "Today we have the chance to show the European Union what it will take to get a deal through this House of Commons, what it will take to move beyond the confusion and division and uncertainty that hangs over us," May said. EU Has Brexit Message for May: Decide What You Want The European Union has a message for Prime Minister Theresa May as she plots a path out of the Brexit impasse: Britain needs to decide what it really wants but the negotiated divorce deal will not be reopened.With less than nine weeks until Britain is due by law to leave the European Union on March 29, there is no agreement yet in London on how and even whether to leave the world's biggest trading bloc. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves The European Union has a message for Prime Minister Theresa May as she plots a path out of the Brexit impasse: Britain needs to decide what it really wants but the negotiated divorce deal will not be reopened.With less than nine weeks until Britain is due by law to leave the European Union on March 29, there is no agreement yet in London on how and even whether to leave the world's biggest trading bloc. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves British lawmakers are voting Tuesday on competing Brexit proposals offered by both pro-Brexit and pro-EU legislators. Without an agreement in place, Britain faces a "no-deal" Brexit departure. Such an outcome, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told a congressional panel in Washington on Tuesday, "would cause economic disruptions that could substantially weaken the [United Kingdom] and Europe." Parliamentarians overwhelmingly rejected May's original Brexit deal with the EU but are uncertain what to propose instead. Business leaders are worried that a no-deal Brexit would lead to economic chaos. FILE - A pro-Brexit protester argues wth anti-Brex A pro-Brexit protester argues wth anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Jan. 28, 2019. A pro-Brexit protester argues wth anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Jan. 28, 2019. "The time has come for words to be matched by deeds," May said. "If you want to tell Brussels what this House will accept, you have to vote for it. If you want to leave with a deal, you have to vote for it. If you want Brexit, you have to vote for Brexit. The odds of success become far longer if this House ties one hand behind my back. So I call on the House to give me the mandate I need to deliver a deal this House can support. Do that and I can work to reopen the withdrawal agreement." British opposition Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn said he believes the British government would have to delay its Brexit departure for three months to allow for more negotiations. The pact defeated two weeks ago took British and EU negotiators 18 months to reach. Since then, May has pledged to go forward with the agreement and seek some changes to earn the necessary support. One proposal would address one of the biggest concerns among those who oppose the agreement. They do not want a so-called backstop provision that would keep Britain in a customs union with the EU in order to keep open the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. May's Conservative Party is now supporting what it calls "alternative arrangements" to overcome the concerns about tying Britain's policies to EU rules. What is not certain is whether those changes would be enough to win over a majority of parliament. There also is the question of whether the European Union would agree to alter the agreement, something its leaders have repeatedly said throughout the debate in Britain they have no intention of doing. Brazil eyes management overhaul for Vale after dam disaster Brazil's government weighed pushing for a management overhaul at iron ore miner Vale SA on Monday as grief over the hundreds feared killed by a dam burst turned into anger, with prosecutors, politicians and victims' families calling for punishment. By Monday night, firefighters in the state of Minas Gerais had confirmed that 65 people were killed by Friday's disaster, when a burst tailings dam sent a torrent of sludge into the miner's offices and the town of Brumadinho. There were still 279 people unaccounted for, and officials said it was unlikely that any would be found alive. Members of a rescue team search for victims after Members of a rescue team search for victims after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed, in Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 28, 2019. Members of a rescue team search for victims after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed, in Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 28, 2019. Brazil's acting president, Hamilton Mourao, told reporters a government task force on the disaster response is looking at whether it could or should change Vale's top management. Public-sector pension funds hold several seats on the board of the mining company, and the government holds a "golden share" giving it power over strategic decisions. "The question of Vale's management is being studied by the crisis group," said Mourao, who is serving as acting president for some 48 hours while President Jair Bolsonaro recovers from surgery. "I'm not sure if the group could make that recommendation." Shares of Vale, the world's largest iron ore and nickel producer, plummeted 24.5 percent on Monday in Sao Paulo, erasing nearly $19 billion in market capitalization. A U.S. law firm filed a shareholder class action lawsuit against the company in New York, seeking to recover investment losses. Igor Lima, a fund manager at Galt Capital in Rio, said the severe threats from the government and prosecutors drove the shares even lower than many analysts had estimated. "This reaction has brought quite a lot of uncertainty about the size of the financial punishment Vale will have to handle," he said. Senator Renan Calheiros, who is in the thick of a Senate leadership race, on Twitter called for Vale's top management to be removed urgently "out of respect for the victims ... and to avoid any destruction of evidence." One of Vale's lawyers, Sergio Bermudes, told newspaper Folha de S. Paulo that management should not leave the company and said that Calheiros was trying to profit politically from the tragedy. Vale's senior executives have apologized for the disaster but have not accepted responsibility, saying the installations met the highest industry standards. Brazil's top prosecutor, Raquel Dodge, said the company should be held strongly responsible and criminally prosecuted. Executives could also be personally held responsible, she said. Repeated Failures The disaster at the Corrego do Feijao mine occurred less than four years after a dam collapsed at a nearby mine run by Samarco Mineracao SA, a joint venture by Vale and BHP Billiton, killing 19 and dumping toxic sludge in a major river. While the 2015 Samarco disaster unleashed about five times more mining waste, Friday's dam break was far deadlier as the wall of mud hit Vale's local offices, including a crowded cafeteria, and tore through a populated area downhill. "The cafeteria was in a risky area," Renato Simao de Oliveiras, 32, said while searching for his twin brother, a Vale employee, at an emergency response station. "Just to save money, even if it meant losing the little guy. ... These businessmen, they only think about themselves." Rescue workers carry away a body they pulled from Rescue workers carry away a body they pulled from the mud after a dam collapsed and flooded Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 28, 2019. Rescue workers carry away a body they pulled from the mud after a dam collapsed and flooded Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 28, 2019. As search efforts continued on Monday, firefighters laid down wood planks to cross a sea of sludge that is hundreds of meters wide in places, to reach a bus in search of bodies inside. Villagers discovered the bus as they tried to rescue a nearby cow stuck in the mud. Longtime resident Ademir Rogerio cried as he surveyed the mud where Vale's facilities once stood on the edge of town. "The world is over for us," he said. "Vale is the top mining company in the world. If this could happen here, imagine what would happen if it were a smaller miner." Nestor Jose de Mury said he lost his nephew and coworkers in the mud. "I've never seen anything like it, it killed everyone," he said. Vale Chief Financial Officer Luciano Siani told journalists on Monday evening that, despite interrupting operations in Brumadinho, the company would continue royalty payments to the municipality. He said Vale royalties made up about 60 percent of the town's 140 million reais in revenue last year. Siani said a donation of 100,000 reais will be made to each family that lost a relative in the disaster and said Vale would step up investments in dam safety. Safety Debate The board of Vale, which has raised its dividends over the last year, suspended all shareholder payouts and executive bonuses late on Sunday, as the disaster put its corporate strategy under scrutiny. Since the disaster, courts have order a freeze on 11.8 billion reais of Vale's assets to cover damages. State and federal authorities have slapped it with 349 million reais of administrative fines. German insurer Allianz SE may have to cover some of the costs of the dam collapse, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. FILE - Vale S.A. CEO Fabio Schvartsman attends a n FILE - Vale S.A. CEO Fabio Schvartsman attends a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 25, 2019. FILE - Vale S.A. CEO Fabio Schvartsman attends a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 25, 2019. "I'm not a mining technician. I followed the technicians' advice and you see what happened. It didn't work," Vale CEO Fabio Schvartsman said in a TV interview. "We are 100 percent within all the standards, and that didn't do it." Many wondered if the state of Minas Gerais, named for the mining industry that has shaped its landscape for centuries, should have higher standards. "There are safe ways of mining," said Joao Vitor Xavier, head of the mining and energy commission in the state assembly. "It's just that it diminishes profit margins, so they prefer to do things the cheaper way and put lives at risk." Reaction to the disaster could threaten the plans of Brazil's newly inaugurated president to relax restrictions on the mining industry, including proposals to open up indigenous reservations and large swaths of the Amazon jungle for mining. An Indigenous man from the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae tribe An Indigenous man from the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae tribe looks at Paraopeba river, after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed, in Sao Joaquim de Bicas near Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 25, 2019. An Indigenous man from the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae tribe looks at Paraopeba river, after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed, in Sao Joaquim de Bicas near Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 25, 2019. Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said in a TV interview on Monday that Brazil should create new regulation for mining dams, replacing wet tailings dams with dry mining methods. Mines and Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque proposed in a Sunday newspaper interview that the law be changed to assign responsibility in cases such as Brumadinho to the people responsible for certifying the safety of mining dams. "Current law does not prevent disasters like the one we saw on Brumadinho," he said. "The model for verifying the state of mining dams will have to be reconsidered. The model isn't good." ($1 = 3.7559 reais) The National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus has said that President Muhammadu Buhari wants to head all three arms of government, so that he could have absolute power. The opposition party national chairman said this during the presidential rally of his party at the Godswill Akpabio international stadium in Akwa Ibom state on Monday. In his address, Secondus said that the president wants to head all arms of government so he could jail anyone he deems fit He also stated that if Buhari fails to reverse the suspension of Walter Onnoghen, Nigerias Chief Justice, something will happen. Read his full address below President Muhammadu Buhari wants to head all the three arms of Government I want to warn that if he fails to reverse suspension of Onnoghen, God will do something. President Buharis desire is to head all the three arms of government and turn a full blown dictator. My message to jubilant party supporters at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on Monday is that President Buharis ambition is to be Chief Justice, Senate President and the Speaker of the House yet he claims to be a converted democrat. The President wants to be everything, so that he can jail whoever he wants, if he fails to reverse the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, something will happen, God will reverse it. The situation in the country at the moment is precarious and the World is aware that All Progressives Congress, APC, and President Buhari want to destroy the country but we can no longer keep quiet. The PDP is Akwa Ibom 100%. I want to warn that anybody trying to play God will be brought down by God. You rig election in Akwa Ibom, you rig your head. BAGHDAD - Before Islamic State militants were dislodged from Iraq in 2017, they stole thousands of ancient artifacts. Most are still missing, and an international team of archaeologists is turning detective to recover as many as possible. In 2014 and 2015, during its occupation of most of the country, the jihadist group raided and wrecked historical sites on what UNESCO called an "industrial" scale, using the loot to fund its operations through a smuggling network extending through the Middle East and beyond. "We're trying to recover a lot of artifacts and need all local and international resources to work. Iraq cannot do this on its own," said Bruno Deslandes, a conservation architect at the U.N. cultural agency. He spoke at a workshop at Baghdad's National Museum convened to coordinate international retrieval efforts. Video that went viral after it was released by Islamic State in 2014 showed militants using bulldozers and drills to tear down murals and statues the 3,000-year-old Assyrian site of Nimrud near Mosul. What they did not destroy they smuggled and traded. Deslandes was the first international expert to access the site in early 2017 while Islamic State was still being driven out. With the battle raging just kilometers away, he and his team had to work quickly to assess damage to the site, using 3D scanning and satellite imagery. Within minutes, they gathered a trove of data he says will be critical in tracking lost items down. "When an artifact has been taken, we can document the footprint left," Deslandes said. "We document this very precisely... so we can recover it... When we have an artifact in Europe or somewhere matching this specification we can... yes!" he added, clapping his hands together for emphasis. 'Tip of the Iceberg' The workshop, which brought together Iraqi and foreign police, customs officials and archeological experts, was the second in two years organized by the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq. Participants in the Antiquities Protection Worksho Participants in the Antiquities Protection Workshop attend a lecture in an effort counter heritage crimes and trafficking of artifacts at the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 23, 2019. Participants in the Antiquities Protection Workshop attend a lecture in an effort counter heritage crimes and trafficking of artifacts at the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 23, 2019. Law enforcement officials said they can help Iraqi police track down the objects using databases of seizures and other information, including smuggling routes. Mariya Polner of the World Customs Organization (WCO) said reports of cultural heritage seizures by customs officials worldwide were "only the tip of the iceberg," and that better coordination between the WCO's 183 members states had helped increase recoveries. In 2017, the WCO said customs officers recovered more than 14,000 items looted worldwide including antiquities, paintings and statues, 48 percent up from the previous year. Eckhard Laufer, a participating police officer from Germany, said many private collectors and some museums often did not question the provenance of artifacts. "It is one of the biggest problems in crime." Deslandes said sites inside Iraq were still at risk. "When a site is liberated, it doesn't mean the looting has finished." WHITE HOUSE - A Tuesday tweet from a U.S. government scientific agency seems relatively innocuous: Winter storms do not prove global warming is not happening. The message from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is devoted to climate science and information, includes a link citing research that severe snowstorms may be even more likely in a warming global climate because higher ocean temperatures appear to create more moisture. Many are viewing Tuesday's post as a rebuttal to President Trumps tweet late Monday noting an approaching deep freeze for the American Midwest and asking What the hell is going on with Global Waming (sic). Please come back fast, we need you. In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In coming days, expected to get even colder. People cant last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Waming? Please come back fast, we need you! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2019 A polar vortex has returned this week to the Midwest bringing extremely low temperatures that could break records. NOAA denies any connection between the presidents comment and its social media posting. We routinely put this story out at these times, the agency said in a statement. Our scientists werent responding to a tweet. A Moorhead, Minnesota elementary school electronic A Moorhead, Minnesota elementary school electronic sign shows to temperature, Jan. 29, 2019. Daytime temperatures in the Fargo ND-Moorhead MN area were near -20F as frigid weather grips the area. A Moorhead, Minnesota elementary school electronic sign shows to temperature, Jan. 29, 2019. Daytime temperatures in the Fargo ND-Moorhead MN area were near -20F as frigid weather grips the area. Most scientists say there is little valid research to counter the prevailing view climate change is real and note research also demonstrates that with global warming there will be more frequently extreme temperatures at both ends of the thermometer. With a forecast of icy roads around the nations capital, one item of unanimous consent throughout the Trump administration Tuesday is non-emergency federal workers just two days back on the job after a record-long shutdown could leave early because of the weather. Employees of Federal offices in the Washington, D.C., area are authorized for early departure, according to a notice from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Employees should depart 2 hours earlier than their normal departure times and may request unscheduled leave to depart prior to their staggered departure times. The notification is intended, in part, to alleviate congestion on streets that could soon become hazardous. The ability of a mere dusting of snow or sheets of ice on roadways and sidewalks to create pandemonium in the U.S. center of power frequently puzzles those who have migrated to this part of the country from harsher winter climates. A January 2016 snowstorm paralyzed the region, although only 2.5 centimeters of snow fell on Washington, D.C. roadways. There were hundreds of traffic accidents and many motorists abandoned their vehicles on highways after untreated roads became impassible with black ice. The mess and lack of preparedness prompted a public apology by the mayor of Washington, D.C. Muriel Bowser was taking no such chances on Tuesday, three years after the so-called Snowzilla (not to be confused with the areas December 2009 Snowpocalypse). Mayor Bowser, on Tuesday announced she had requested an additional $1 million from the citys contingency fund to cover higher costs than anticipated for salt/de-icing as a result of Winter Storm Gia. To prepare for Winter Storm Gia, I have requested $1,000,000 to help @DCDPW cover the higher costs than anticipated for salt/de-icing.#WinterReadyDC pic.twitter.com/tVrPDNZjKD Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 29, 2019 The city also issued a hypothermia alert, which will keep shelters open during daylight hours so the estimated 7,000 homeless people in Washington will have a warm and safe place to stay. A member of Congress from Utah, as government employees began packing up early in the afternoon, on Tuesday threw his own virtual snowball at the threat of another approaching winter storm appearing to panic politicians, bureaucrats and lobbyists inside the Beltway. People in DC love to show how tough they are and call their opponents snowflake, wrote Congressman Ben McAdams on Twitter. Unless the weather forecast includes snowflakes, and then they cancel meetings, leave work early and buy all of the bottled water at the grocery store. Snowflakes. He then tossed a promotional hashtag for a top winter recreational activity in his state that includes the Wasatch Mountain range: #SkiUtah. In 1807, a wealthy 37-year-old scholar was captured in West Africa, in what is now Senegal, and transported to the United States to be sold into slavery. That man, Omar Ibn Said, lived the remainder of his life enslaved in the American South, and his story might have been forgotten if not for the handwritten autobiography he left behind. Written in Arabic and recently acquired by the Library of Congress, "The Life of Omar Ibn Said is not only a rare handwritten personal story of an American slave, but it's also one of the first intimate accounts of the early history of Muslims in the United States. Enslaved African Omar Ibn Said's autobiography, handwritten in Arabic, is now part of the Library of Congress collection. Enslaved African Omar Ibn Said's autobiography, handwritten in Arabic, is now part of the Library of Congress collection. Ibn Said was among the approximately one-third of American slaves who were Muslim. While the exact number of enslaved Muslims is unknown, up to 40 percent of those who were captured and enslaved came from predominantly Muslim parts of West Africa. It challenges this notion of this being a Christian nation," says Zaheer Ali, an oral historian at the Brooklyn Historical Society and project director of the Muslims in Brooklyn project. "It opens us up to understanding that there were non-Christians present at the founding of this nation, and not only at the founding of this nation, but that helped build this nation...It challenges the idea that this was a quote Christian nation from the beginning. America's first Muslims were slaves The subsequent erasure of the black Muslim identity among the enslaved people in the United States was part of a strategy to strip enslaved Africans of their individual identities and reduce them to chattel both legally and in the public imagination. "The black classification was devised to mark enslaved Africans as property. So, if you were black, you were no longer a human being," says Khaled Beydoun, an author and law professor at the University of Arkansas. "If you acknowledge some of these religious identities, then you're in turn acknowledging their humanity." Muslim Yarrow Mamout (Muhammad Yaro) Muslim Yarrow Mamout (Muhammad Yaro) managed to buy his freedom after 44 years of enslavement. As an entrepreneur and homeowner, he continued to practice his faith. (1819 portrait Philadelphia Museum of Art) During the antebellum period in the South, the Muslim identity took on very different identity from the stereotype of an African slave. "When people thought of a Muslim at that time, they thought Arab, they thought Ottoman, they thought Middle Eastern," Beydoun says. "Enslaved Africans did not fit within that racial ethnic caricature or form." This narrow understanding of both Muslims and Africans led to the widespread belief that the two identities could not overlap and helped hasten the erasure of Muslim African slaves from the historical record. In addition, the names of enslaved Muslims were often anglicized, which further obscured them from the history. Writing themselves into history Enslaved Muslims who left behind a written record challenged the idea that enslaved men and women were a brute workforce solely capable of physical labor because they lacked the intellectual capacity that would make them deserving of independence and freedom. These were people who were essentially writing themselves into existence both in terms of leaving a record of their life but also in terms of challenging the racist assumptions about people of African descent," Ali says. What we know about the masses of African Muslim slaves who left no written record can be garnered from the remembrances of their descendants and their names on bills of sale or runaway notices. Rather than writing Biblical verses as their captors thought, some enslaved Muslims wrote Koranic verses that condemned slavery. Rather than writing Biblical verses as their captors thought, some enslaved Muslims wrote Koranic verses that condemned slavery. (Courtesy National Museum of African American History/State Archives of North Carolina ) How long they adhered to Islam is unknown. Some converted to Christianity while others pretended to convert in order to satisfy their captors. But there are signs that some enslaved Muslims held onto the religion of their homelands. Ali points to burial grounds on islands off the southern state of Georgia, where slave tombstones bear Islamic markings, and churches that were built facing the east, the direction Muslims face while praying. And there are descendants who recall seeing their elders using prayer rugs and Islamic prayer beads. These recollections suggest that despite any coercion, some enslaved Muslims held onto their religious practices for life. Leaving their mark While the existence of a sizable number of African Muslim slaves might not be well known to most Americans, they are believed to have left their mark on American culture. Author and scholar Sylviane Diouf has suggested that slave work songs are related to the vocal pattern of Koranic recitation and the call to prayer. Those work songs such as "Levee Camp Holler" a century-old song that originated in Mississippi eventually gave birth to the blues. And Ali says it's possible that the banjo and guitar came from a traditional West African instrument. Perhaps the most lasting legacy of Muslim slaves is the modern movement among some African Americans to embrace what they believe to be the original religion of their people. The movement towards Islam in the African American community in the 20th century was in part understood by its adherents as a reclaiming of a lost heritage, that this was not a new religion," Ali says. "Islam is not new to the United States; it was here before the country was founded; it was present among the people who helped build this country; and it has very much been a part of the thread of Americas story. Beginning with the period of American slavery until today, black Muslims continue to comprise the largest segment of the Muslim community in the United States. KABUL - Afghans are wary of peace talks with Taliban militants, even as the country's president expressed hope that U.S.-led negotiations could successfully end the long-running civil war. U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said Monday there had been agreements in principle toward a framework for peace with the Taliban. The Islamic militant group now controls almost half of Afghanistan and carries out attacks on an almost daily basis, mainly targeting security forces and government officials. Nawid, a 21-year old student, said that after so many years of violence, peace will be meaningless. Nawid lost his brother and was himself wounded in a deadly Taliban suicide attack in the capital, Kabul, earlier this month. Four people were killed and 113 others were wounded in the attack, according to security officials. Khalilzad has held several rounds of negotiations with the Taliban in recent months. The Taliban refuse to meet directly with the Afghan government, which they view as a U.S. puppet. Talk to Kabul, US Envoy Tells Taliban The U.S. special representative for Afghan reconciliation is urging direct talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government as he confirmed details in a draft peace deal aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in the country.Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times in Kabul that the deal framework would have to be "fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," but stressed the Taliban "have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a The U.S. special representative for Afghan reconciliation is urging direct talks between the Taliban and the Kabul government as he confirmed details in a draft peace deal aimed at ending the 17-year conflict in the country.Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times in Kabul that the deal framework would have to be "fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," but stressed the Taliban "have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a Faridoon Khwazoon, a deputy spokesman to Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, said Khalilzad is briefing the government on all the developments in the talks. Right now peace talks are going on with full intensity, said Khwazoon. We are getting closer to the peace talks and we hope to witness direct peace talks between armed Taliban and the government. President Ashraf Ghani, in a televised address Monday, sought to reassure Afghans that no deals would be made without Kabul's awareness and full participation. Our commitment is to provide peace and to prevent any possible disaster, Ghani said. There are values that are not disputable, such as national unity, national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ghani Assures Afghans as US Envoy Reports Progress The Afghan president on Monday assured his people that their rights will not be compromised in the name of peace with the Taliban, days after the U.S. envoy tasked with resolving America's longest war reported significant progress in talks with the insurgents.President Ashraf Ghani's remarks came as U.S. The Afghan president on Monday assured his people that their rights will not be compromised in the name of peace with the Taliban, days after the U.S. envoy tasked with resolving America's longest war reported significant progress in talks with the insurgents.President Ashraf Ghani's remarks came as U.S. That Taliban ruled Afghanistan under a harsh form of Islamic law from 1996 until the U.S.-led invasion following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Women were largely confined to their homes and religious minorities were persecuted. Afghan analyst Shadi Khan Saif says rural Afghans, many of whom have been living under Taliban rule for years, simply want peace. In urban areas, by contrast, Afghans are more concerned about the preservation of their rights and their liberties. In Kabul, there are many who want peace but remain skeptical of the peace process' framework. Sardar Mohammad, a shopkeeper, said a peace agreement between America and the Taliban cannot be beneficial so long as Afghanistan's people are not represented in talks. WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said Monday he thinks special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign will finish soon. "The investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope that we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible," Whitaker said at a news conference in Washington. Whitaker has been the acting attorney general since November when Trump ousted Jeff Sessions from the position. Trump had repeatedly complained about Sessions recusing himself from oversight of the Russia probe, and Whitaker declined to recuse himself despite calls that he should do so based on his past criticism of Mueller's investigation. William Barr is awaiting a confirmation vote on his nomination to take over the Justice Department, and during his confirmation hearings he pledged, without citing specifics, that he would publicly release as much of Mueller's eventual report as possible. So far, Mueller's investigation has resulted in indictments or guilty pleas from 34 people and three companies. Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign adviser, became the latest in the president's orbit to be accused of criminal offenses in the probe. He was arrested last week after a federal grand jury indicted him for making false statements, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Stone is due to appear in federal court on Tuesday. Five other men -- former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, campaign aide Rick Gates, foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, one-time national security adviser Michael Flynn and former personal attorney Michael Cohen -- have also pled guilty or been convicted of various offenses. Papadopoulos served a short jail term, while Cohen has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to surrender himself in early March. Manafort, Gates and Flynn are awaiting sentencing. WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan has recommended a new military service to handle space defense, dubbed the U.S. Space Force, will fall under the U.S. Air Force service branch. Shanahan revealed the organizational plan to reporters Tuesday, adding the new force would have a footprint that was "as small as possible." The option requires congressional approval, which could prove difficult with a Democratic-led House and a Republican-led Senate, but placing the new service within an already established service has bipartisan support in the House. Organizing the Space Force as a separate service within the Department of the Air Force would be similar to the U.S. Marine Corps, which is a separate service structured within the Department of the Navy. The Marine Corps has a top general to guide the military branch, but policy leadership falls under the Secretary of the Navy. It is unclear how President Donald Trump will react to the recommendation. Trump has repeatedly stressed that he wants a Space Force that is "separate, but equal" to the Air Force. U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a meeting of the U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a meeting of the National Space Council at the White House, June 18, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a meeting of the National Space Council at the White House, June 18, 2018. Space Command In the meantime, the Pentagon is creating a U.S. Space Command, a move already directed by Congress, to better focus its defense of space assets. Shanahan said the Pentagon has selected an officer to lead the command, but would not elaborate. "I'm not going to mention the individual's name, but that that is moving its way through the process," he said. The U.S. military is organized into 10 combatant commands based on either geography, such as Indo-Pacific Command and European Command, or unified functions, such a Transportation Command and Cyber Command. This new, 11th combatant command would oversee space defense much like U.S. Cyber Command oversees cyber defense. Space Command is expected to start in mid-2019 with initial operation capability. Officials familiar with Space Force deliberations have raised concerns to VOA that a new military branch could duplicate the work of the new combatant command. They say a separate military service may not be needed once the combatant command is fully operational. "You don't see a Cyber Force in addition to Cyber Command," one official said on condition of anonymity. The latest push to bolster space defense appears to align with the Pentagon's National Defense Strategy, which focuses on countering near-peer competitors Russia and China. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats testif Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Jan. 29, 2019. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Jan. 29, 2019. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats warned Tuesday that China and Russia will continue training and equipping their military space forces while fielding new anti-satellite weapons. "Space has become the new global frontier," Coats said. Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. China is moving quickly to push forward a draft version of its first Foreign Investment Law this week. Among other things, the proposed law bans forced technology transfers, guarantees national treatment for foreign investors and steps up intellectual property right protections all key issues in the ongoing trade dispute with Washington. It also supports a negative-list management for foreign investment. A list unveiled in June last year cut the number of restricted items down to 48 from 63 and removed access restrictions in several sectors, according to state media. Analysts note, however, that the way the law is being rushed through and the vague wording of many of its 39 clauses is casting some serious doubts on authorities ability to enforce the legislation after it is passed. Being rushed through? Lester Ross, who chairs the China Policy Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Beijing, said hes concerned about the drafts expedited review, including a two-day legislative session for the draft bill that begins Tuesday. The meeting comes before the period of solicitation of public comments is set to end in late February. Chinas largely rubber-stamp legislature, the National People's Congress, is working to fast-track the bills passage during its annual meeting in March, which may serve as an olive branch to ease trade tensions with Washington, said Liu Meng-chun of the Chung-Hua Institution of Economic Research (CIER) in Taipei. While acknowledging the drafts consistency with the competitive neutrality principal, which encourages fair competition between domestic and foreign businesses, Ross said the draft has many shortcomings. The problem is that there are many provisions in the law, which do not address the concerns of foreign investors and in addition, the provisions are in some cases so broadly-worded that they actually create a basis for mistreatment of foreign businesses, he said. Additional hurdles For example, article 20 allows the state to take control of foreign investment in the interest of the public. Yet what defines public interest isnt clear. As is the case when article 33 states the need for safety reviews on foreign businesses, which influence or are likely to influence national security. That, Ross said, creates an additional hurdle when the law is intended to reduce hurdles. As a principal, he urges China to keep restrictions on foreign investment to a minimum in accordance with international norms and Chinas own WTO commitments. Walker Wallace, partner at the U.S. international law firm OMelveny & Myers' office in Shanghai, finds the drafts article 39 problematic. As it is currently worded, the article only gives foreign businesses a five-year grace period to reorganize their existing corporate structure mainly joint ventures or wholly foreign-owned enterprises. A problematic deadline Putting the five-year term limit basically puts the gun to the heads of the joint venture parties and says you have five years to try and reopen a deal that was closely negotiated before where people made trade-offs one way or another. And that opens up the possibility for all kinds of mischief, Wallace says. He said China should allow foreign-invested enterprises to retain their existing corporate structures till the end of their current contract so that no shareholders, for example, a Chinese land owner and a foreign hotel company with an agreement longer than five years, use the opportunity to unfairly renegotiate. Another issue, he adds, is the bill fails to spell out the consequences foreign businesses will face if theyre unable to complete such reorganization within the time frame. Wallace also urged China to add provisions to the draft that would allow foreign businesses to be able to freely establish domestic subsidiaries just like their local competitors. It remains to be seen whether foreign companies will be governed by Chinas Company Law after the bill takes effect. If so, the Company Law presents another set of problems, said Ross. For example, he added, foreign businesses will find it unacceptable to set up a Communist Party branch within the companies, as required by article 19. Enforceable assurances? Compared to the 2015 draft, the earlier version of the law, the new bill further opens up the Chinese market to foreign investment through deregulation and institutional reform. But how that will all play out in practice remains to be seen as the laws enforcement will be handled by local governments, CIERs Liu noted. China has often embraced protectionist policies at the local level. If the open-up policy involves sectors that have long been dominated by local government-owned enterprises, it means these government-run companies will now face foreign competition. Given that their performance is tied to local governments fiscal [health], it remains to be seen if local authorities will fully execute the central governments policies, the economist said. In other words, the removal of hidden hurdles for foreign businesses that contradict to the law upon its adoption will be key, he added. Those hurdles include bureaucratic red tape, taxation practices or the level of priorities given to foreign businesses in listing queues, all of which have, in the past, added difficulties to the operation of foreign investment there, observers say. US lawmakers have said they are optimistic that a new bill to impose sanctions on Cambodia will be passed by Congress given the strong support it received last year. The Cambodia Democracy Act was reintroduced by Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL) earlier this month and has received bi-partisan support. It was co-sponsored by Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), chairman of the Houses Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX). The bill aims to apply travel and economic sanctions on individuals who have undermined democracy in Cambodia and violated human rights. Our policy is we want to trade with people on a fair basis, Yoho told VOA Khmer in a phone interview. If they want to be a democracy, they need to act like a democracy and thats one of the reasons we do trade with them. But if they have poor human rights and have suppression of elections, they are not a true democracy and so the pressure will be put on them, and [Prime Minister] Hun Sen will have to decide what he wants to do. The bill, known as HR5754, was first introduced by Yoho last year after authorities launched a crackdown on the former opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, civil society groups, and independent media. It was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives just days before Cambodia held national elections in July, but died at the Senate. We had a lot of bi-partisan support last year and I think youll see the same amount this year, and we have a companion bill in the Senate, said Yoho. Again, this bill came close to passing the last Congress and thats a good indicator that this Congress will. The Senates companion bi-partisan bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), urging the U.S. government to withdraw the Generalized System of Preferences from Cambodia. We think the next change weve always wanted it to be would be in terms of preferential trade privileges that Cambodia now has, Lowenthal told VOA Khmer. And we would like it to be tied to human rights violations, and the lack of free and fair elections, and democracy. Cambodias political situation has deteriorated in the past two years and the bill has provided a renewed hope for some Cambodian-American community activists who want democracy and respect for human rights in their home country. I am very excited because in 2018 the US was busy with their domestic issues and could not pass HR 5754 on time and it had to be reintroduced this Congress, said Meas Chea, a spokesman for CNRP-USA. It was passed by the House of Representatives once, therefore, Im optimistic that the Congress can pass it this 2019 if there is no change in Cambodia. Im excited that the bill has been re-introduced by Congressman Ted Yoho for another round of votes by the Congress, said Saory Pon, a spokesman for CNRP-America. Saory Pon and Chea Meas urged the community to lobby their congressmen to sponsor the bill. The EU has already launched a withdrawal process of Cambodias preferential treatment under the Everything But Arms trade scheme and had asked their member states to give the green light by Tuesday. The Cambodian government should listen to requests from the US and EU because they see that Cambodia has violated democracy and human rights, said Yap Kimtung, president of Cambodian American for Human Rights and Democracy. Therefore, they will impose sanctions. If Hun Sen wants to help Cambodian people, he should correctly practice democracy, otherwise, he will bring misery to the Cambodian people. As a result of the crackdown the opposition leader, Kem Sokha, has been put under house arrest; 118 CNRP officials have been banned from politics for five years, and opposition officials have fled the country and lived in exile overseas. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that the state of the nation address by the former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic party, Atiku Abubakar, was a total disregard for the truth and only goes to show why Atiku should never old office. Read full statement below The PDPs presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku, recently made comments regarding suspension of CJN Onnoghen. Atikus release is entitled State of the nation address. I encourage everyone to read it. In its disregard for the truth and patent misrepresentations, it will go down in political history as a classic of self-incrimination. Atiku thinks the piece exalts him. Instead it evinces his penchant for wilful misstatement that make him unfit for the office he now seeks and has always coveted. In the statement, he claims to have dedicated all his life to the defence of democracy. Those of you who know him, and even those who dont, know this is not true. If all of his life has been dedicated to support for democracy, then he is far too young to run for president; however, I must congratulate him for having somehow managed to find or begin a second life. This rebirth as a defender of democracy must have taken place only a few short hours ago. His previous life of over seventy years was one of skirting democracy and of blatant impunity in attempting to enshrine reactionary government and installing an unjust political economy on the backs of the people. In his address, he claims the nation has entered a difficult moment. To my dear and good friend Atiku, I say the difficulty is not so much with the moment but with your memory. When you lorded over Nigeria in tandem with President Obasanjo, there were myriad court orders mandating that your government render to Lagos state the funds due it to improve the lives of its millions of inhabitants. Instead, you gladly and without dispute joined Obasanjo in utter disregard for these unambiguous legal verdicts. In so doing, you demeaned the rule of law. You also readily sacrificed the economic development and welfare of millions of innocent people in Lagos just to gain some illicit political advantage that proved to be fleeting and of no avail to you in the end. You now speak of democracy and the need for executive restraint. But such verbal finery never crossed your lips or traversed your pen when you and Obasanjo improperly removed Senate Presidents more easily than a trendy cad exchanges a pair of shoes or changes the subject of his false affections. Your love for democracy is such that you were recently observed apologising to the PDP for not rigging the Lagos 2003 gubernatorial polls as you did the polls in the other Southwestern states. When you lorded over Nigeria in tandem with President Obasanjo, there were myriad court orders mandating that your government render to Lagos state the funds due it to improve the lives of its millions of inhabitants. Instead, you gladly and without dispute joined Obasanjo in utter disregard for these unambiguous legal verdicts. In so doing, you demeaned the rule of law Instead of repenting for rigging at least five states too many, your expressed regret was that you had not rigged enough; that you rigged one state less than the complete mauling of democracy your party and your principal had mandated. Regarding such a destructive love as this, I am sure democracy and fair elections would rather do without. A few weeks ago in a televised broadcast you even revealed to the people that your official policy envisioned the base enrichment of your friends should you achieve the presidency. A few weeks ago in a televised broadcast you even revealed to the people that your official policy envisioned the base enrichment of your friends should you achieve the presidency. I must assume that your lifetime as a defender of democracy began after this long record of unjust deeds and even after your latest statement of intent to mould Nigeria into an oligarchy. If this is not the case and if all these things you have done and said are consistent with your current notion of democracy, then there is but one conclusion. The democracy you now claim to support remains a rather strange breed of democracy, such as to be nigh indistinguishable from the regressive, rentier political economy you designed and foisted on Nigeria as the crafty lieutenant of the bullish Obasanjo. You claim that CJN Onnoghen has been removed. However, this is not so. He has been temporarily suspended. You and your advisors should know and recognize the vast legal difference between suspension and removal. Yet you persist in conflating the two in what you say is a pursuit of justice. While true you may be in pursuit of something. It is not justice. Strange that you would choose to depict the current situation so inaccurately as to stir emotions unduly. You claim that CJN Onnoghen has been removed. However, this is not so. He has been temporarily suspended. You and your advisors should know and recognize the vast legal difference between suspension and removal. Yet you persist in conflating the two in what you say is a pursuit of justice. While true you may be in pursuit of something. It is not justice. If justice was your goal, you would acknowledge that the CJN has only been temporarily suspended not permanently removed. Thus, your recourse to saying that the president violated the constitutional provision regarding the removal of a CJN is inaccurate in that Buhari never intended to remove the CJN. What he has done is to have the CJN temporarily get out of his chair so that the serious matters against him can be heard by someone other than himself. Should the charges show themselves to be wrong or unproven, the CJN will be automatically reinstated as the head of the Nigerian judiciary. However, for Atiku to state that the CJN should remain on seat while credible and grave charges swirl around him is to put the entire workings of the Supreme Court under a heavy cloud. It is ironic that Atiku of all people throw such darts at President Buhari. Buhari actually exercised considerable restraint in this matter. He has reasonably balanced concerns about the integrity of the judiciary with concerns for the individual rights of the accused. Nothing has been taken from the CJN that cannot be restored if the facts warrant such restoration. Thus, President Buhari conditionally suspended the CJN. By doing so, this allows for the case to move forward without the CCT or others fearing the CJN might use his position to unduly interfere with proceedings. If the CJN is exonerated, then he will return to his position. If not exonerated, then a more permanent discipline awaits him. This is an imminently fair and balanced approach, especially given the fact that the constitution and other laws really do not provide clear and unambiguous guidance in how to proceed in a case whether the CJN is the defendant under this unique fact pattern. While Atiku rails against Buhari because of this act of restraint, we can but imagine the tack Chief Obasanjo and Atiku would have taken if they presided over this situation. By now, they would have put CJN Onnoghen in the stocks or shipped him off to that infamous farm in Ota where he would have begun his new career in plucking poultry. It is curious that Atiku would take up the marker of a jurist who has enjoyed the sweet but hidden benefits of several million dollars of mystery money passing through his secret bank accounts, Even when discovered, these accounts held several hundred thousands of dollars in them. Someone in Atikus position would normally be wary of a judge thus tainted. A politician in Atikus position should more objectively be concerned that the government would have been the source of the hidden funds or that government would use the fact of the clandestine money as leverage against the judge to make sure he did governments bidding for surely this a jurist highly compromised by pecuniary indiscretion. It is almost unnatural that an opposition candidate would champion the soiled cause of such a judge who seems to have sold something in exchange for the money found in his vests secret pockets. Yet, Atiku now cries the anguished cry of a man who thought he had won the lottery only to find he had misread the last number on his claim ticket. Or perhaps these are the tears of a man who thought he had invested in a sure deal only to see the reason for the investment evaporate before his very eyes. Now, Atiku and his cohort seek to turn their personal disappointment into a burning national issue. They seek to manufacture a constitutional crisis where none exists. They said they suspended their campaign because of this matter. Here, they are as illogical as illogic can beget. By suspending their campaign, did that mean they were permanently ending it? Of course not! That would be a boycott or the permanent removal of the campaign. No, they have resumed their campaign after temporarily suspending it. If they know the meaning of suspend in this regard, only malign intent allows them to feign ignorance to the meaning of the word suspend when applied to CJN Onnoghen. There is no need to quake at the solitary incident of the interim suspension of a justice pending the legal resolution of serious criminal claims against him. If this matter is shorn of the political trappings it has acquired, there is no fairer way to handle the matter. Atiku, I gather, would rather leave the man in seat and allow the charges against him to go unattended. Or Atiku would rather that the CJN preside over his own trial. Such is the logical conclusion of Atikus position. It is an odd bravery that would lead Atiku to stake such a position. If Atiku is as oddly courageous as he now depicts, then let him venture a step further. Pray tell, let Atiku tell us what good and precious thing he and the PDP rendered that they cannot even countenance the temporary and conditional suspension of a single jurist until the charges of illegality against the man have been fully resolved in open proceedings conducted by his judicial peers. Atiku claims to be a democrat and defender of democracy, but where was he, his voice and action during Abachas suffocating maximum rule? Was he not a member and cheer-leader of one of the five Abacha parties aptly described then as five leprous fingers of Abacha? Did he even have the courage to visit his mentor, late Major General Shehu Musa Yar Adua, in jail for fear of Abacha stopping him from running for the governorship of Adamawa? Dare Atiku say what is really upsetting him and what he really is hiding in his attempt to cloak his lifetime of undemocratic reckonings in the swaddling of this much too belated democratic second birth he now claims for himself. *Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Atiku Abubakar: reads his state of the nation address Atikus State of the Nation Address at the Shehu Musa YarAdua Centre on 28 January, 2019. Yet again, our dear country is passing through a difficult moment. How we react to this challenge in the following days will determine the fate of our democracy, which has been brought to great peril by this needless crisis engineered by a government that is unwilling to subject its conducts to the requirements of our constitution. Meanwhile, I commend all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria who have expressed outrage over the unlawful removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, an action, which constitutes a flagrant breach of our constitution and a frontal assault on our democracy. I want to note the universal condemnation of this unlawful act by all Nigerians, as well as the international community. I need to state that this latest action by General Muhammadu Buhari falls squarely within the pattern of executive lawlessness that has now been firmly turned into statecraft by the APC government. The serial disregard of court orders, and consequent violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights of our citizens confirms beyond all doubt that General Buhari and his government would rather obey their own whims and operate by separate rules outside the well-established constitutional order and the rule of law. It scarcely requires emphasis that this behaviour is alien to democratic rule and more in line with that of a military dictator. Without doubt, the fight against corruption is crucial to good governance and the progress of our country. In this context, the issue of corruption as it relates to the institution of the judiciary is even more crucial. As the last refuge of the common man, our judiciary must not only be above suspicion but must also be seen to be manifestly above board. The issue at stake is not whether the Chief Justice is guilty or not, but whether his removal from office has been done in accordance with the process specified in our constitution. As a democrat, I must say, without equivocation, that no mission or goal, no matter how noble or well intended, should be used as a pretext for the subversion of our democracy and our democratic institutions. To create a condition that allows the constitution and the rule of law to become secondary to any other agenda is to pave the way for tyranny. History is replete with odious dictators whose path to dictatorship started with statements of good intentions. We must therefore remain vigilant in defense of our democracy. We are all witnesses to how this government has serially assaulted the National Assembly, a separate arm of government that represents the bastion of our democracy. However, with this attack on the judiciary, General Buhari has set a new precedent in our democracy that has no equivalence in our history, not even in the darkest days of military dictatorship. This cannot be allowed to stand. At this juncture, I must warn the APC government to desist from taking actions that may push us further down the slippery slope towards a major constitutional crisis that could derail the electoral process. General Muhammadu Buhari must remember that he is a beneficiary of a free and fair election. It is therefore a matter of honour for him to allow a political environment and process that gives confidence to everyone. All my life, I have been a democrat and a defender of democracy. Like all men of good conscience and patriots, I believe this present challenge has imposed on us yet again, the duty to rise in peaceful defense of democracy, for which so many have laid down their lives. I also know that the surest weapon against tyranny is the democratic will of the people. Nigerians have consistently demonstrated their preference for democracy, and I am, and will always remain, on the side of the people of Nigeria. I conclude by expressing, once again, my gratitude to the international community for standing by our country in this challenging time. However, the primary responsibility to resist tyranny and protect democracy in Nigeria ultimately lies with Nigerians. It is on this note that I call on all Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the coming general elections to vote in defense of democracy and the rule of law. We must vote out this anti-democratic government and restore our country to the path of true democracy, which is the surest way to ensure progress and prosperity for our people. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless you all. Mixed security forces in the southern Cambodian province of Preah Sihanouk opened fire on protesters on Thursday after they burned tires, threw makeshift Molotov cocktails and blocked roads sparked by a Supreme Court decision to award a land title to several local families. Some 100 soldiers, police and military police arrived in Koki village in Preah Sihanouks Bet Trang commune, opening fire on protesters and critically injuring at least one person, 28-year-old Pov Saroth, a construction worker. The land was awarded to nine families, but the surrounding area is claimed by politically connected tycoons, leading locals to question the true nature of the court decision. Tensions are high in Preah Sihanouk, fueled in part by an influx of Chinese investment and imported Chinese laborers, leading to a spike in land prices. Speaking to VOA Khmer from his hospital bed in Phnom Penh this week, Saroths mother said her son was a bystander to the clashes and was driving his motorbike through the area when he was hit by a bullet in his shoulder. On Ian said Saroth had arrived in Preah Sihanouk to work construction. He is awake. He can eat a bit, but he cant move his legs, she said. He was just passing by on his motorbike to buy lunch, said Lim Pheng, 39, the wife of Saroths boss, who has been tending to the injured laborer at the hospital. Saroth is from a poor family from Battambang province and previously migrated to Thailand for a fruit-picking job. All four of her children are construction workers. She rents a house for $5 per month and cares for her grandchildren while their parents are away working. Ian said she will not file a complaint about the shooting, but asked authorities to help with medical bills. The family has spent $1,000 for treatment so far, with funds provided by well-wishers. Remaining in the hospital is costing them $30 per day. Saroth was left bleeding on the ground for some time before being taken to Preah Sihanouk Provincial Referral Hospital. The severity of the gunshot wound led doctors there to transfer him to Phnom Penh, where he was placed in an intensive care unit awaiting surgery, according to local rights group Licadho. Four people were arrested and released after they agreed to end protests. Excessive Use of Force According to Licadho, the protests were sparked by a Supreme Court decision on 21 November 2017 that awarded 71 hectares of disputed land to nine families, represented by plaintiffs Chay Narin and Kong Vanna. When the heavily armed security forces tried to enter the site in Bet Trang commune, protesters, some holding sticks, burned tires and threw rocks to prevent them. Security forces - including soldiers from Preah Sihanouk provincial sub-operational zone then withdrew, regrouped, and re-entered the village, Licadho said in a statement. This time they fired dozens of shots of live ammunition into the air as well as into the crowd in what was a clearly excessive use of force, Licadho added. Huot Vichet, a spokesman of Preah Sihanouk provincial court, said armed forces only fired in the air. He could not explain why Saroth was injured. The firing was in the air. I didnt know about his case because it was more than 100 protesters. It is just [unconfirmed reports] and I dont know unless I meet him, interview him, or listening to his answers, so I can hypothesize that he was not involved in the case, he said. They first threw gasoline bottles, used slingshots with metal balls, threw stones towards armed forces, twice, he said. If [he] had no intention [to get involved], why did he drive through there? the spokesman asked. But Phay Bun Vannak, deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province, who lead the forces to evict people, said there were more than 300 mixed security forces involved in the crackdown. Before the operation, we met and we agreed to keep it non-violent, he said. But people blocked the road, threw gasoline bottles, used slingshots and threw stones, he said, adding that seven police were injured and police vehicles were damaged. The shots accidentally injured a man, he said, claiming that Saroth was involved in the violence. The families, however, said it was a lie. According to video and photos shared on social media, one arrested man was kicked repeatedly on his back while handcuffed and held faced down on the ground. Houses Destroyed Mean Phorng, one of those at the center of the land dispute that is attributed with catalyzing the violence, said in 2017 he bought a small plot of land in the area, adding that formal land titles were not often issued. Now my stone house and crops are destroyed, he said after the armed forces carried out the raid on Thursday. I want to buy a few tents and then prepare shelter and stay there, he said. I dont know what to do and where to go, he added. If they come again, I cant resist. I dont know the original owner of the land. Sreng Vanly, a coordinator for Licadho in Preah Sihanouk, said it was a complicated issue that was compounded by the presence of powerful tycoons and an informal land titling process. Land disputes have been one of the most contentious social problems in Cambodia over the past two decades. Widespread dispossession has made a serious dent in support for Hun Sens government, which became known in the mid-2000s for its policy of generating income by awarding large tracts of land to wealthy and well-connected investors. Land dispute evictions can be brutal. In March 2018, armed forces shot at protesters over a land dispute with a rubber plantation in Snuol district, Kratie province, and three people suffered injuries from gunfire. In 2012, a 14-year-old girl was fatally shot when soldiers opened fire in a similar land protest. Am Sam Ath, a senior investigator with Licadho, said the courts should open an investigation to discover who fired on protesters on Thursday. There should be a transparent and independent investigation that holds the shooter who injured a villager responsible, he said. If it affects peoples body or lives, authorities should retreat and find other ways later, he added. Cambodia renewed calls on Monday for the arrest of veteran opposition chief Sam Rainsy as it faces the threat of sanctions from the European Union, its biggest garment export market worth billions of euros a year, over human rights concerns. Sam Rainsy's opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017 and 118 CNRP members were banned from politics ahead of the 2018 general election. Long-time Prime Minister Hun Sen won every seat in the July vote. The EU then warned that it would strip Cambodia of its "Everything but Arms" duty-free trading access. Hun Sen this month threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the EU withdraws duty-free trading access. Sam Rainsy has said he will return to Cambodia some time this year from France, where he has lived since fleeing the country in 2015 after a conviction for defamation. Two arrest warrants for Sam Rainsy from 2015 were republished in messaging app Telegram for public officials on Monday, for defamation and using false public documents and incitement to cause social instability. A spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) warned that a third party might kill Sam Rainsy and blame the government if he returns. "If convict Sam Rainsy dares to enter Cambodia, there may be a third party shooting to kill convict Sam Rainsy and put the blame on the royal government of Cambodia," Sok Eysan told Reuters. Sam Rainsy said he wasn't surprised by Hun Sen's move. "He would do anything to deter me from coming back to Cambodia because he is afraid of the people rising up when I come back. But I will not be deterred," he told Reuters. He has said in the past that the convictions are politically motivated. Cambodian businesses and unions urged the EU last week not to withdraw trade preferences, saying such a decision would pose serious economic damage and harm millions of workers and their families, especially rural women. Click here to log in and see all of our other subscription options for the Mesabi Tribune, including online only & auto-renewal subscriptions. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The piggy bank production requires a multiple-step process from clay molding and drying to baking and painting. In the Year of the Pig, piggy banks are a symbol of prosperity. Cute clay piggy banks in all sizes and colors are often part of childhood memories in Vietnam. These piggy banks, which have an inserting slot and no opening, are made to help kids form the habit of thrift and saving. Therefore, the only way to retrieve the money is to smash these piggy banks. Doing so allows the owner of a piggy bank to feel great when he or she enjoys his or her savings. In the photo are gold clay piggy banks which are believed to bring prosperity and luck in the Lunar New Year Molds are used for shaping piggy banks Traditionally, clay piggy banks are taken from molds and then dried under the sun for three or four days Clay piggy banks after being baked for around 10-12 hours The pigs are coated with different layers of colors Next, artisans draw eyes, noses and some patterns on them Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Tourism Nguyen Van Phuc said the welcome ceremony is part of a series of activities this year to popularise Vietnam, its country and people and Thua Thien-Hue in general. Tourists later visited Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An. Last year, Thua Thien-Hue welcomed more than 134,000 tourists and crewmen aboard Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Tui Cruises, Costa Criere, Viking Ocean Cruises, Small Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, introducing them to Hue heritage sites and destinations in the central region. The provincial tourism sector strives to welcome 4.5-4.7 million visitors in 2019, up 8 percent from 2018, 40-45 percent of them are foreigners. The auto import is expected to recover after businesses adapt the Governments requirements. - Photo soha The official made the comment at a conference to review the implementation of the Governments Decree 116 held in Ha Noi last week. Under the decree, which came into effect on January 1, 2018, auto importers were required to obtain vehicle type approval (VTA) certification from authorities in the exporting country. This certification aims to ensure the origin, quality and value of the vehicle and often does not come from a state body but an authorised agency or association. Dung said that after the decree came into effect, the businesses faced difficulties as they struggled to understand its regulations. Their difficulties were eased after the Government directed the ministries of Transport and Industry and Trade to help explain, support and solve difficulties for automobile importers. Up to now, most countries have provided VTA documents for imported cars into Vietnam. In fact, most cars imported from different markets have not yet met any difficulties and problems, said Dung. To continue fine-tuning regulations on Vietnams automobile sector, Dung said relevant sectors needed to promote the supporting industries via policy suggestions, especially for large investors. Dung asked the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with concerned ministries and branches to continue working with automobile manufacturers, assemblers and importers to solve difficulties for enterprises. He also directed relevant sectors to study, revise and supplement the auto checking process for technical safety and environmental protection. Dung also assigned the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with ministries and sectors, to examine the localisation rate (local part supply rate) of imported automobile products into Vietnam from ASEAN countries. In 2018, Vietnam imported more than 81,600 cars at a value of US$1.8 billion, down 16.1 per cent in volume and 19.8 per cent in value compared with the previous year, according to the General Department of Customs. The decrease was said to be due to several barriers from Decree 116. Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic has been linked with a move to Arsenal. (Photo: AFP/Vincenzo Pinto) The Arsenal manager's preference is for loan deals and Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez is also rumoured to be on the Premier League club's radar. "This transfer (window) is not easy and the message is the club is working on different players and the possibility if it can be is good for us," Emery told reporters on Monday, refusing to be drawn on specific names. "We are looking at two different players and the possibility they can come. If they aren't coming to help us like we want, I prefer they don't come." Emery hinted at his reluctance to recruit defensive reinforcements, despite injuries to Sokratis Papastathopoulos (ankle) and Laurent Koscielny (jaw). "We have enough players, centre-backs in the squad. Only we're having a lot of injuries and a lot in this position," the Spaniard said. "If we can bring another player and when all the players want to play, we can have a lot of trouble in the future." Sokratis and Koscielny were injured in Friday's FA Cup loss to Manchester United. Sokratis is expected to be out for "maybe two or three weeks," Emery said, while Koscielny's jaw is bruised, but not broken. The Frenchman will miss Tuesday's Premier League clash with Cardiff, but could be back for Sunday's trip to champions Manchester City. Fifth-placed Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-0 in their most recent Premier League match, a result that will count for little if the Gunners fail to beat relegation-threatened Cardiff. The match at the Emirates will be emotionally charged after the disappearance last week of a plane carrying new Cardiff signing Emiliano Sala. "If you win against Chelsea and you don't win tomorrow, you are losing three very important points," Emery said. "Tomorrow we need to impose and to adapt. I think they're going to play with a big motivation, also and finding a lot of duels against us. "We need tomorrow to be concentrated for the three points like we were against Chelsea." Japan PM Shinzo Abe (C) vowed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and restore diplomatic ties with Pyongyang AFP/Martin BUREAU In a major policy speech to mark the opening of parliament, Shinzo Abe also vowed to push Sino-Japan ties "to a new stage" and pledged a record budget to improve crumbling infrastructure in the world's third-biggest economy. "I will act resolutely, never failing to seize every opportunity to break the shell of mutual distrust, and I myself will directly face Chairman Kim Jong Un next to resolve North Korea's nuclear and missile issues, as well as the abductions issue," Abe said. Abe gave no timeframe for a potential meeting with the North Korean leader but the comments came as Kim has ordered preparation for a second summit with US President Donald Trump, likely towards the end of next month. "I will aim at diplomatic normalisation by settling the unfortunate past," Abe said, using a Japanese diplomatic euphemism referring to harm caused by Japan during its brutal colonisation of the Korean peninsula before and during World War II. The conciliatory message contrasted sharply from a year ago, when Abe used the same parliamentary address to set out a hardline approach, pledging to "compel North Korea to change its policies" and describing Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes as an "unprecedentedly grave and urgent threat." Abe has long campaigned to resolve an emotional row related to North Korean agents' abduction of Japanese nationals during the Cold War era to train Pyongyang's spies. "STABLE PEACE AND PROSPERITY" On China, Abe said ties had "completely returned to a normal path" after he visited President Xi Jinping in Beijing last year. Xi is expected to make his first official visit to Japan in 2019. "I will strongly pursue diplomacy with neighbours for a new era ... in order to make northeast Asia truly a land of stable peace and prosperity," he said. Bilateral ties were harmed in 2012 when Tokyo "nationalised" disputed islands in the East China Sea also claimed by Beijing. Until recently, neither nation had made much effort to improve relations. But Japan's business community has long urged Abe to improve ties with China, Tokyo's largest trade partner as well as the biggest source of foreign tourists, who are collectively becoming a key driver of Japan's chronically fragile economy. Japan believes a successful Xi visit is key to a successful G20, which Japan hosts this year and Tokyo hopes the Chinese leader will attend the 2020 Olympic Games. Abe was cautious about Russia, amid a territorial row over tiny islands to Japan's north that has proved difficult to resolve despite frequent meetings with President Vladimir Putin. Domestically, Abe vowed to press ahead with an upcoming consumption tax hike from the current 8 per cent to 10 per cent from October. He also pledged a whopping seven trillion yen (US$64 billion) on infrastructure spending, as the nation's many roads and bridges become dilapidated and Japan routinely faces serious natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes. January 28, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Most folk outside the United States and until this month, most Americans wont have heard of Michelle Alexander. Shes a civil rights lawyer and academic and has written a book called The New Jim Crow, and a few months ago The New York Times took her on as a regular columnist. Like millions of black and white Americans, shes a devotee of Martin Luther King Jr. And last week, she began her op-ed in the Old Gray Lady of record and one-time conservatism with a long and admiring tribute to the black, Christian, nonviolent civil rights campaigner who, just a year before his 1968 assassination, decided he must speak out about the disaster of the Vietnam war. He had been told to soft-pedal the conflict which had by then cost the lives of 10,000 Americans, but which was still supported by the political establishment. So even though he would be falsely accused of being a communist, he chose to break his silence. So far, so good. But last week, Alexander chose to break her own silence. Not about racism in the US or about second-class citizenship or Trump, but about the Palestinians. Whoops! Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter For not only did she reiterate Kings belief that Israel must return parts of its then newly conquered territories East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza and Golan but she launched into a long, eloquent, rather patronising, self-indulgent but courageous condemnation of Israels outrageous treatment of the Palestinians. Like King, she had been silent on one of the great moral challenges of our time along with the US congress, civil rights activists and students but further silence on Israel and the Palestinians, she decided, would be betrayal. If they had been wise, Israels friends, supporters and lobbyists in America might have held their peace. After the election of Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar to congress both supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel the states comrades-in-arms might have dismissed Alexander as a parvenu, a hitherto respected scholar who had tried to advance her social status by adopting the Palestinian cause in Kings shadow with neither the knowledge nor political support to sustain her. But no. The sky fell. She was vicious in her views, wrong on facts, potentially antisemitic, a strategic threat to Israel itself. Her article was dangerously flawed, an error-ridden rant that ignored Palestinian violence and terrorism. It was a sign of just how shaken Israels friends have become in an America that is breaking the old taboo on US-Israeli relations and Washingtons permanent acquiescence in Israels illegal colonisation of Arab land that even that old artillery-piece Alan Dershowitz was trundled out onto his Harvard battlements to take aim at one of the most biased, poorly informed and historically inaccurate columns about the conflict between Israel and Palestine ever published by a mainstream newspaper. Like one of those magnificent iron cannons which tourists are expected to admire on ancient fortress walls, Dershowitz hurled forth barrage after barrage at Alexander. She condemned the bulldozing of Palestinian homes without mentioning that these are the homes of terrorists who murder Jewish children, women, and men. She bemoaned casualties in Gaza without mentioning that many of these casualties were human shields from behind whom Hamas terrorists fire rockets at Israeli civilians. But this sort of gunfire is now regarded as so inaccurate that Americans especially in the Democratic Party are beginning to ask themselves just what is really going on in Israel and the occupied Palestinians lands. Not once in his own rant did Dershowitz mention the massive Israeli Jewish colonisation project which is stealing land from Arab Palestinians for Jews and Jews only on the West Bank. Is the boycott and divestment campaign against Israel which Alexander supports along with congresswomen Tlaib and Omar really delegitimising Israel, as her critics claim? Or is Israel delegitimising itself by confiscating land which does not belong to it? The real reason for all the battlefield smoke, of course, has less to do with Alexanders robust if occasionally cringe-making assault on Israeli injustice towards Palestinians as it does her scholarly background as a black civil rights worker who might understand what injustice really means, and the dangerous fissures appearing within the Democratic Party over Americas automatic, uncritical, all-appeasing and fearful support for Israel. Its easy to accuse a white American of being an antisemite for breaking the silence over US-Israeli shenanigans; quite another to condemn a black American without giving the impression that such condemnation is not itself racist. And just read what Alexander actually wrote. If the US is to honour Kings message and not merely the man, she insisted, we must condemn Israels actions: unrelenting violations of international law, continued occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, home demolitions and land confiscations. We must cry out at the treatment of Palestinians at checkpoints, the routine searches of their homes and restrictions on their movements. Americans should question the US government funds that have supported multiple hostilities [sic] and thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza, as well as the $38bn the US government has pledged in military support to Israel. There are the usual mistakes, of course. Gaza is technically no longer occupied since Israel closed its settlements there in 2005. But since the Gaza Strip is under economic and military siege, its land and sea borders sealed, its territory at the mercy of Israeli bombs and shells each time Hamas fires its real but inaccurate rockets into Israel often in retaliation for Israeli raids into Gaza itself its nitpicking to claim that this does not constitute a form of occupation. As Alexander added, we must not tolerate Israels refusal even to discuss the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, as prescribed by United Nations resolutions without mentioning that these were unbinding UN General Assembly resolutions and that few Palestinians inside the West Bank and Gaza let alone in the vast Palestinian diaspora really believe that the 1948 refugees and their descendants will return to property inside what is now Israel. The host of critics, in Israel as well as the US, who now assault the latest taboo-breaking liberal American academic probably do realise just how serious Alexanders op-ed could turn out to be. They complain that infinitely worse assaults on human rights have occurred in Syria, Iraq, Chechnya, Kurdistan. True. But Israels role as an American ally changes such equations. The Syrians, the Iraqis, the ocean of Arab dictators and their torturers, the Russians in Ukraine and the Turks in Kurdistan do not claim to represent us, except insofar as they all now trumpet their apocalyptic battle against world terror. But the Israelis say they are just like us, that they represent our values of democracy and freedom, that they are upholding our freedoms, that Israel and America must be inseparable. And then they treat the Palestinians with brutality, deny their nationhood, steal and colonise their lands and expect us to shut up. The very blackmail which has been historically used against US politicians, diplomats, journalists and academics that they are antisemitic if they dare to express their outrage at Israels actions is one of Alexanders targets. The fear engendered by the Canary Mission website, which lists pro-Palestinian students and professors, and local US legislation that can deprive American citizens of their livelihood if they choose to boycott products from a foreign country called Israel, is causing real anger. Thats why attempts to ram through new legislation against boycott movements is being opposed by Bernie Sanders and his colleagues. The silence which Alexander is breaking on the Middle East represents the very threat to American free speech which Sanders whether or not hes a presidential candidate in 2020 has identified. Yet now weve reached another weird precedent in the efforts of Israels supposed friends to silence Alexander. For many of them are now telling her what Martin Luther King would have said if he were alive today. He was a Zionist, they tell her. He would repudiate her views. So a black woman academic must now be told how she should interpret the thoughts and example of her own iconic and inspirational black leader. And if the brave and liberal members of Americas Jewish community who condemn Israel are regularly smeared as self-hating Jews, what does that make Alexander? Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here. The Clark County Medical Society Alliance (CCMSA) is celebrating its 70th year of operation, and is hosting its annual Spring Fashion Show on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel, 3960 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas. Now in its 18th year, the annual Spring Fashion Show is regarded as one of the premier philanthropic events in Las Vegas. Showcasing spring designs from the local favorite fashion store, VASARI located at Tivoli Village, the 2019 Spring Fashion Show will raise valuable funds for our autism community including Sunshine Nevada, UNLV Project FOCUS, and New Vista. Were very excited for this years Spring Fashion Show, said Kim Fonte, this years Spring Fashion CCMSA Co-President along with Sharlin Ahmed and Estela Hansen. This will be CCSMAs 70th year in operation and while this highly anticipated event allows us to further our mission to better the quality of healthcare in Southern Nevada, each year were particularly proud to work towards bridging our autism community with our medical community. Those benefiting from our fund raising are three amazing organizations: Sunshine Nevada, UNLV Project FOCUS, and New Vista, who offer socialization, recreation, upper-education and housing. The CCMSA is a philanthropic organization steadfastly dedicated to its mission of building a healthier Southern Nevada, comprised of the spouses of physician members of the Clark County Medical Society. CCMSA collaborates with community supporters to provide education, outreach, and support for programs and endeavors that directly improve healthcare in Nevada. Our organization has a long history of supporting various health related initiatives throughout Clark County, said Michelle Volker, who is Co-Chairing the event with Ginger Allen. Were honored to continue this tradition by helping to bridge autism awareness/needs with our local medical community and raise funds to help transition families with autism to adulthood. The 2019 Spring Fashion Show will be emceed by News3LVs anchors, Dana and Kim Wagner. Sponsors for the Spring Fashion Show include: HealthCare Partners, Nevada Heart & Vascular, Desert Radiology, West Pac Wealth Partners, Mary Thomas-Berkshire Hathaway, Achievable Behavior Strategies, Welltower, Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Valley Health System, Mercedes Benz of Henderson, Touro University Nevada. Fashion presented by Vasari. Between prix fixe menus, exclusive incentives and interactive, hands-on events, Tivoli Village is the place to celebrate love this Valentines Day. Select from the following festive offerings that each of these Tivoli Village tenants has to offer. SPECIAL EVENTS Hamptons Las Vegas Chef Jay Bogsinske has curated a four course, prix fixe menu that makes for the perfect (and utterly indulgent) Valentines Day date. Enjoy selections including tuna carpaccio, a shaved golden beet & strawberry salad, a 34-day aged filet mignon and a dark chocolate souffle finish. Celebrating Valentines day solo? On February 13th, Hamptons is hosting a Galentines Day celebration, complete with a complimentary champagne toast and 10% off for ladies. Visit hamptonslv.com for reservations. Date: February 13th and 14th, 2019 Time: 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Price: Varies Cork and Thorn Join Cork and Thorn this Valentines Day for dinner and a show! From 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., enjoy a prix fixe menu consisting of four courses including lobster corn chowder soup, shrimp & grits, spinach & crab stuffed salmon, a petit filet mignon and a toffee filled cannoli finish. Guests will also enjoy live jazz featuring Kai and Dirk K, with champagne bottle service available upon request. From 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. that same day, guests can enjoy Bouquets & Beer where patrons get to design a bouquet for their sweetheart while sipping a complimentary, hoppy beverage. Visit corkandthorn.com for reservations. Date: February 14th Time: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Price: Varies Paper Source Everyone knows that homemade trinkets are the key to that special someones heart. Get crafty this valentines day with a DIY event at Paper Source, complete with crafting supplies, refreshments, on-site raffles, in-store discounts, a photobooth and of course, party favors. Nothing says I love you like a well thought out, handmade gift. Call 702.233.8740 to reserve a spot. Date: February 9th and February 10th, 2019 Time: 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Price: Varies Cupids Chocolate, Chilies and Sangria Festival Tivoli Village is partnering up with Lucky Dogs Production to bring you another amazing cocktail-centric event, this time surrounding all things chocolate, chilies and sangria! From 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., you will be able to enjoy unlimited sips of hand crafted sangrias, craft beers as well as unlimited nibbles of chocolate and chilies. There will be on-site food trucks and a full cash bar for those looking to explore other options. This is the perfect post-Valentines day date option for those that may be working on Valentines day, or for those just looking for a unique experience to treat their sweetheart to. Tickets can be purchased here. Date: February 16th, 2019 Time: 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Price: $25 (tier 1, until sold out, then price increases to $50) If The World Understood Sovereignty, It Could End All Our Problems By Caitlin Johnstone January 28, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - My own Australia has of course joined the chorus of US lackeys who are refusing to recognize Venezuelas only legitimate and elected government, recognizing instead the presidency of some guy named Juan who decided to name himself Venezuelas president with the blessing of the United States government. A statement from our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, reads as follows: Australia recognises and supports the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, in assuming the position of interim president, in accordance with the Venezuelan constitution and until elections are held. Australia calls for a transition to democracy in Venezuela as soon as possible. Australia supported the Lima Groups early call for Nicolas Maduro to refrain from assuming the presidency on 10 January, relayed through our non-resident Ambassador to Venezuela. We now urge all parties to work constructively towards a peaceful resolution of the situation, including a return to democracy, respect for the rule of law and upholding of human rights of the Venezuelan people. It was only a matter of time before such a statement was issued. Australia has long served as Washingtons basement gimp, marching to the beat of US foreign policy on all issues no matter how idiotic or dangerous for as far back as I can remember. My country has seamlessly transitioned from British colony to US military/intelligence asset without ever once raising its head toward anything resembling national sovereignty except once briefly in the mid-seventies, which saw a CIA/MI6 coup oust our elected leadership here. This coup was preceded by our then-Prime Ministers discovery that Australian intelligence officers had been operating as proxies of the CIA to overthrow the Allende government in Chile in yet another sovereignty-violating coup, one which has often been compared to what were seeing in Venezuela today. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Well of course Australia has just recognised the illegal US coup in #Venezuela. We have been a US #ClientState since the CIA helped UK overthrow our PM in 1975. #auspol #FreeASSANGE https://t.co/q8oDblXJxu J. (@jaraparilla) January 28, 2019 The US government and its assorted client states have no business whatsoever issuing orders and ultimatums decreeing that a government of a sovereign nation must restructure itself, but here we are. Sovereignty is such an alien concept in a collective reality tunnel that has been shaped by propaganda to view imperialism, American exceptionalism and nonstop interventionism as perfectly normal that we now have the American establishment simultaneously (A) shrieking about Russian clickbait on Facebook as an unforgivable act of war, and (B) using crushing sanctions, CIA covert ops, and an active campaign to delegitimize a nations leadership in order to topple an entire government. This wild discrepancy is justified with the unquestioned assumption that the US has something called moral authority in the world, while Russia and Venezuela lack moral authority, despite the US being responsible for innumerable acts of butchery and destruction which are grossly immoral by any metric. In a recent talk with Foxs Ann Coulter, sniveling war pundit Bill Maher cited the Monroe Doctrine to argue that the US has every right to tell Venezuela what its allowed to do with its own country and its own allies because South America is our backyard. Today, Venezuela this is the front page of the New York Times Venezuela, okay, they have a guy, an opposition leader who finally stood up, and we are backing him, Maher said. And Russia warned us to back off because theyre backing the dictator. This was the Monroe Doctrine! This is our backyard! And Russia is now telling us to back off of what goes on in Venezuela, because they know they can? Because theyre so emboldened? That doesnt bother you? This freaky slave owner talk is so normalized for reasons which are inseparable from the reasons why our world is as messed up as it is. Imagine a world wherein sovereignty was truly understood and honored. What would change? Well, obviously wed no longer see the most powerful nations interceding in the affairs of others, bursting in and treating a weaker country like property because it has resources it wants or a style of government it doesnt. The idea that there are people in the world whose lives you dont get to control would be seen not as some outlandish, fringe notion to be dismissed as wacky crackpottery, but as a self-evident truth which forms the guiding principles of the way different parts of the world interact with each other. But it goes so much further than that, if you think about it. With a solid understanding of sovereignty, perhaps the single most important thing that would change is that people would no longer think its okay to manipulate the thoughts of other people for their own interests. A political/media class would no longer have the permission nor the desire to keep slipping their rapey fingers into our minds and working to control the ways we think, vote and behave, which would enable us to construct a society based on truth and compassion rather than on power-facilitating belief structures placed in our heads by the plutocratic media and plutocracy-serving politicians. In such a society we wouldnt have murder, which is the gravest violation of personal sovereignty, nor would we have rape or assault for the same reason. Its entirely possible that government as we know it would cease to exist and people could design an entirely new way of functioning, though government could also exist in some form that was fully accountable to the people if it turned out that thats what we wanted. Nobody would see anyone else as property, or as a resource to be exploited, or as a pawn to be manipulated, or as part of a world that must be fully dominated and controlled, if we could just as a species evolve a mature relationship with the concept of sovereignty. This AP article shows that this coup attempt in Venezuela has been being planned since Trump entered office. Many of the protests were partially planned outside of Venezuela by the US, other South American rightwing leaders, Trump, and the Lima Group.https://t.co/yzMCagsO1C Boots Riley (@BootsRiley) January 28, 2019 The current US-led coup against Venezuela is a violation not just of the sovereignty of Venezuela, but of the sovereignty of all the nations which have been bullied into pushed along with it by a much more powerful nation and by the power-serving goons in their own governments. The United States government is the very last organization which should be helping a nation topple its government; US interventionism is so consistently disastrous that wanting them to help in Venezuela is dumber than wanting Edward Scissorhands to help change diapers at the local daycare center. Everyone knows this on some level, but the servile relationship the world has with the US empire has normalized complicity in absolutely insane agendas all around the world. One of the most beneficial things anyone can do to help move humanity in a sane direction is to develop a deep, visceral understanding of and respect for the concept of sovereignty. Let this deep understanding inform your life, then let that understanding bleed out into the world. Ill hold up my end, you hold up yours, and with a small stack of miracles we can help carry this whole thing home. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Home Search ICH The Coup in Venezuela Must Be Resisted By Craig Murray January 28, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Venezuela has elections. Juan Guaido has never even been a Presidential candidate. Despite massive CIA opposition funding and interference over years as Big Oil tries to regain control of the Worlds largest oil reserves, Nicolas Maduro was democratically re-elected in 2018 as President of Venezuela. The coup now under way is illegitimate. I opposed Maduros move to replace the elected National Assembly. Sometimes I read back things I wrote in the past and decide I was wrong. Sometimes I think the article was right, but a bit of a potboiler. Occasionally I am proud, and I am proud of my analysis on Venezuela written on 3 August 2017. I believe it is still valid. Hugo Chavez revolutionary politics were founded on two very simple tenets: 1) People ought not to be starving in dreadful slums in the worlds most oil rich state 2) The CIA ought not to control Venezuela Over the years, Chavez racked up real achievements in improving living standards for the poor and in providing health and education facilities. He was widely popular and both he and his successor, Nicolas Maduro, also racked up very genuine election victories. Maduro remains the democratically elected President. But the dream went sour. In particular it fell foul of the tendency of centrally planned economies to fail to get the commodities people want onto shop shelves, and to the corruption that goes with centralisation. The latter was certainly not worse than the right wing corruption it replaced, but that does not diminish its existence. Every revolution will always displace an existing elite who are by definition the best educated and most articulate section of the population, with most access to resources including media and to CIA secret backing, which has continued throughout at an increasing rate. Chavez did not solve this problem in the way Robespierre, Stalin, Trotsky or Mao would have done. He embraced democracy, let them be and largely left their private offshore billions, and thus their power, untouched. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Inevitably the day came when economic and administrative failings cracked the solidity of support from the poor for the revolution. The right then stepped up their opposition with a campaign led by corrupt billionaires, which the western media has failed to acknowledge has been throughout murderously violent. The problem with revolutionary millenarianism is that its failure to achieve utopia is viewed as disaster by its proponents. Maduro ought to have accepted that it is the nature of life that political tides ebb and flow, ceded power to the opposition gains in parliament, maintained the principles of democracy, and waited for the tide to turn back his way taking the risk that the CIA might not give him the chance. Instead he has resorted to a constitutional fix which dilutes democracy, a precedent which will delight the right who in the long term have most to fear from the populace. Given the extreme violence of the opposition, I am less inclined to view arrests as unquestionably a straightforward human rights matter, than are some pro-western alleged human rights groups. But that Maduro has stepped off the democratic path I fear is true. He has, bluntly, gone wrong, however difficult the circumstances. I condemn both the departures from human rights best practice and the attempt to use a part indirectly elected body to subvert the elected parliament. But, even today, Venezuela is still vastly more of a democracy than Saudi Arabia, and a far greater respecter of human rights than Israel in its dreadful repression of the Palestinians. Yet support for Israel and for Saudi Arabia are keystones of the foreign policy of those who today are incessant in their demands that we on the left condemn Venezuela. The BBC has given massively more news coverage to human rights abuse in Venezuela this last month than in a score of much worse countries I could name than a score put together. Human rights abuse should be condemned everywhere. But it only hits the headlines when practised by a country which is on the wrong side of the neo-con agenda. Anybody who believes that a countrys internal democracy is the determining factor in whether the West decides to move for violent regime change in that country, is a complete idiot. Any journalist or politician who makes that claim is more likely to be a complete charlatan than a complete idiot. In recent years, possession of hydrocarbon reserves is very obviously a major factor in western regime change actions. In Latin America over the last century, the presence of internal democracy has been much more likely to lead to external regime change than its absence, as maintenance of US imperialist hegemony has been the defining factor. That combines with oil reserves to make the current move a double whammy. It is disheartening to see the Western democracies so universally supporting the coup in Venezuela. The EU in particular has leapt in to support Donald Trump in the quite ludicrous act of recognising corrupt Big Oil puppet Guaido as President. The change of the EU into full neo-con mode -so starkly represented in its bold support for Francoist violence in Catalonia is what led me to reconcile with Brexit and a Norway style relationship. When I was in the FCO, the rule on recognition was very plain and very openly stated the UK recognised the government which had effective control of the territory, whatever the attributes of that government. This is a very well established principle of international law. There were very rare exceptions involving continuing to support ousted governments. The pre-1939 Polish government in exile was the most obvious example, though once Nazism was defeated Britain moved to recognise the Communist government actually in charge, to the fury of exiled Poles. I was involved in the question of the continued recognition of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone during the period in which he was ousted by military coup. But I can think of no precedent at all for recognising a President who does not have and has never had control of the country and has never been a candidate for President. This idea of the West simply trying to impose a suitably corrupt and biddable leader is really a very startling development. It is astonishing the MSM commentariat and political class appear to see no problem with it. It is a quite extraordinary precedent, and doubtless will lead to many new imperialist adventures. One final thought. The right wing Government of Ecuador has been one of the first and most vocal in doing the Wests bidding. The Ecuadorean government has been colluding with the United States over the efforts to imprison Julian Assange, and at this very time has arranged for FBI and CIA personnel in Quito to take false and malicious statements manufactured by the Ecuador government in collaboration with the CIA, about Julian Assanges activities in the Embassy in London. Ecuadorean government documents had already been produced out of Quito, and shown to MI6 and CIA outlets like the Guardian and New York Times, purporting to show the diplomatic appointment of Julian Assange to Moscow in December 2017. I have believed throughout that these fake documents were most likely produced by Ecuadors new CIA influenced government itself. Today Ecuador, once a key part of the Bolivarian revolution, is simply a puppet of the CIA, voicing support for a US coup in Venezuela and working to produce fake testimony against Assange. I warn you firmly against giving credence to Luke Hardings next scoop which will doubtless shortly emerge from this process. Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and Rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010. https://www.craigmurray.org.uk Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Nicolas Maduro Speaks to Cuneyt Ozdemir of CNN Turkey 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. Peace and joy The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Valdosta, GA (31601) Today Thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon hours. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights has reported at least 20 deaths during the nation-wide anti-government protests in Venezuela, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told the UN Security Council on Saturday UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th January, 2019) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights has reported at least 20 deaths during the nation-wide anti-government protests in Venezuela , Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told the UN Security Council on Saturday. "According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, credible local sources have reported that at least 20 people have died in the unrest," DiCarlo said. "Many more have been reportedly injured and detained in violent incidents." The South Korean government Monday welcomed a "historic" end to the decades-old conflict between Greece and Macedonia over a state name SEOUL, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jan, 2019 ) :The South Korean government Monday welcomed a "historic" end to the decades-old conflict between Greece and Macedonia over a state name. Greece and Macedonia, described as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in the United Nations, reached an agreement in 2018 to rename the latter North Macedonia. Last week, Greek lawmakers ratified the accord, ending all related domestic procedures on both sides. "The South Korean government expects the historic resolution to the country name issue will serve as an important chance not only for the mutually beneficial development of relations between the two nations but also sustainable peace and stability in the Balkan region and Europe," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. It noted that the two sides have settled the longstanding problem peacefully with a spirit of mutual respect and compromise. A ministry official said the government will push for consultations with North Macedonia on forging diplomatic ties. It's one of four states with which Seoul has no formal diplomatic relations. The others are Cuba, Syria and Kosovo. With the name change, a major obstacle to bilateral ties has been cleared and the establishment of diplomatic relations seems possible, according to the official. By Thomas L. Knapp January 28, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - On January 23, the President of Venezuelas National Assembly, Juan Guaido, was sworn in as interim president. In what was presumably a pre-coordinated move, Guaidos administration was quickly recognized by the governments of the United States, Canada, and several countries in Latin America. Guaidos claim rests on a provision in Venezuelas constitution which allows him to assume the office should it become vacant. The Assembly says that it is. Nicolas Maduro, elected to a second term as president in 2018, begs to differ. A number of countries, including Russia and China, continue to recognize his government. All of which seems either remarkably simple or incredibly complicated, depending on who you ask and which side theyre on. From an American whos on neither side, like me, it comes down to two simple facts: Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter First, Venezuelas government does not and never has represented any kind of military threat to the United States. It has never invaded the United States. It has never attacked the United States. It has never threatened to do either, nor does it seem to be well-equipped to do so if it desired to. Secondly, Venezuela is not and never has been either a state or territory of the United States. It achieved independence from Spain in 1821 as part of the Republic of Gran Colombia, and became a completely independent nation in 1830. Taken together, these two facts lead inexorably to one conclusion: How Venezuelans choose to conduct their political affairs never has been and is not now the business of the US government. One need support neither Maduro nor Guaido to reach this conclusion. Its simply not up to Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Marco Rubio, or any other American politician to run Venezuela. Unfortunately, US administrations since the 1950s seem to have lost or mis-filed the above memo. Usually in the name of anti-communism, though in reality mostly for the benefit of American oil companies, the US has continuously intervened to ensure friendly regimes in Caracas. That began to backfire in 1998 with the election of Maduros predecessor and mentor, Hugo Chavez. Chavez cultivated closer relations with communist (Cuba and China) and former communist (Russia) countries, while implementing socialist economic programs. Two decades later, Venezuela is an economic and humanitarian wreck. American politicians blame Chavez/Maduro and socialism for the countrys decline. Maduro and his supporters blame US sanctions and secret support for the opposition. Both sides are right, but on only one of those claims is the US rightfully positioned to act. It should lift all economic sanctions on Venezuela, withdraw diplomatic recognition of any claimant, close its embassy, and leave a note on the door: Work this out yourselves; when you have, let us know if youd like to resume relations. Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida. This article was originally published by " The Garrison Center " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== 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. Peace and joy A Marquette teen arrested for breaking and entering into a motor vehicle has pleaded not guilty to his charges. Jordan Benz, 17, pleaded not guilty Monday at his arraignment in Marquette County District Court. Hes charged with breaking and entering into a vehicle less than $200 and receiving and concealing stolen property less than $200. Benz was arrested with 17-year-old William Overmyer of Marquette. Hes facing charges of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle to steal property under $200, larceny from a vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a taser. Benz and Overmyer were arrested after Marquette City Police Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Blemhuber Avenue after reports of two subjects breaking into vehicles around 3:46 AM. Benz was released from jail on December 30 on a 10 percent bond of $10,000. A pretrial conference is scheduled for March 11. Overmyer is due back in court on February 1. Bergen Community College aims to prepare students for the professional world through a new program designed to improve their fashion senses. Read on for more details. According to North Jersey, the "Move for Success" project was launched at the Bergen Community College campus in Paramus. Aside from teaching students how to dress properly for internship and job interviews, it will also provide them access to free clothing. Possibly the "first of its kind" in the area, "Move for Success" helps students write industry-specific resumes as well. Another key aspect of the program is a "career closet" in the Pitkin Education Center. Housed in Room B-105, the on-campus boutique is filled with donated clothing. All of the garments here are offered for free. Two dressing rooms, a seating area, and gorgeous racks are found inside too. The boutique will be operated by students, which then serves as an additional training. Bergen Community College President B. Kaye Walter and Ridgewood Moving Services (Mahwah) President Cynthia Myer came up with the idea last fall. Walter said Myer was the one who invited her to a meeting attended by New Jersey female chief executives. At the moment, the career closet is made up of professional clothes collected by Myer. Through the Ridgewood Moving Services, she has gathered garments from clients who were "purging" their unwanted stuff. Although the program was already launched on Thursday, final details are still being ironed out. Walter and Myers said that they will continue collecting donations to ensure that the boutique remains fully stocked. Anyone who is willing to give something for the project may drop it off at The X-Change Office located at the Pitkin Education Center at 400 Paramus Road. They could also direct their donations to the Ridgewood Moving Services warehouse at 575 Corporate Drive in Mahwah. Milledgeville, GA (31061) Today Light rain this morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 78F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Showers with the chance of some thunder this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. 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 By Brett Samuels January 28, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2019 Trump's tweet came roughly a half-hour after North Dakota state Rep. Aaron McWilliams (R) appeared on "Fox & Friends." McWilliams is co-sponsoring a measure in North Dakota to support Bible literacy classes. Similar measures have been introduced in Missouri, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia and Florida. USA Today reported that the proposals would require or encourage public schools to offer elective classes on the Bible, with a focus on its historical significance. Critics of the measures have argued that they could violate the constitutional separation between church and state, USA Today reported. Trump has often courted the support of evangelical leaders, with many defending him despite criticism over his rhetoric toward immigrants and on the campaign trail. This article was originally published by " The Hill " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== 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. Peace and joy For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. January 28, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - There isnt a nation in the Western Hemisphere that hasnt at one time or another found itself caught in the far-reaching tentacles of US imperialism. Venezuela is certainly no exception. Washington has been meddling in its internal affairs since the 19th century and it continues to do so to this very day, when the specter of yet another US-backed coup, or even a direct American military intervention, looms larger by the day. A Long History of Meddling During most of the 20th century, US interference in Venezuela was mostly about oil, but that wasnt always the case in earlier times. Washingtons involvement in the 1895 boundary dispute between Venezuela and Britain was a key event in the emergence of the United States as a world power as the Grover Cleveland administration, invoking the Monroe Doctrine prohibition against European colonization of the Americas, successfully sided with Venezuela. The Cleveland administration, which noted that today the United States is practically sovereign on this continent, issued thinly veiled threats of war against Britain, which eventually acquiesced to US demands. Later, during the Dutch-Venezuelan crisis of 1908, the US Navy helped Venezuelan Vice President Juan Vicente Gomez seize power in a coup. Gomez, known as The Catfish, would rule the country either directly or through puppet presidents, until his death in 1935. His regime was one of inconceivably medieval brutality. His enforcers were fond of shackling political prisoners in grillos, leg irons that rendered many victims permanently disabled and those were the lucky ones. The unlucky ones were hanged to death by meathooks through their throats or testicles. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Gomez was fantastically corrupt. He was believed to be worth a staggering $200 million, or more than $3.6 billion today, at the time of his death. However, he endeared himself to Washington and Wall Street by granting highly lucrative concessions to foreign oil companies including Standard Oil (ExxonMobil today) and Royal Dutch Shell. Romulo Betancourt, who served two presidential terms in the mid-20th century and is considered the founding father of modern democratic Venezuela, wrote that Gomez was the instrument of foreign control of the Venezuelan economy, the ally and servant of powerful outside interests. The exploitation of Venezuelas tremendous petroleum resources has been the constant objective of US policy and action toward the South American state for over a century. This meant backing the viciously repressive dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez (1948-1958), whose regime forces subjected political prisoners to tortures every bit as horrific as those committed during the Gomez era. Jimenez was as generous to transnational corporations as he was cruel to his own people. The United States, which cared about the former far more than the latter, counted the despot as a close ally, even awarding him the military Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements and providing his dreaded Directorate of National Security (DSN) with invaluable assistance as it imprisoned, tortured and murdered thousands of innocent Venezuelans. A few years after Venezuela shifted to democracy in 1958, most other South American nations began falling under the iron-fisted rule of US-backed military dictatorships. The military and security forces of these repressive coup regimes were often trained by the United States, at the US Army School of the Americas and elsewhere, in kidnapping, torture, assassination and democracy suppression. As US-backed death squads trained from US-authored torture manuals murdered, tortured and terrorized innocent men, women and children from Central America to Argentina, Venezuelans enjoyed decades of peace and prosperity. However, the US never stopped meddling in Venezuelas affairs, and after the free and fair election of Hugo Chavez in 1998 and the subsequent launch of the Bolivarian Revolution, US meddling would reach levels that would shock the conscience of the world. Bolivarian Backlash The Bolivarian Revolution, a series of economic and social reforms that dramatically reduced poverty and illiteracy while greatly improving health and other living conditions for millions of Venezuelans, drew worldwide acclaim. The reforms, which included nationalizing key components of the nations economy as part of an agenda of socialist uplift, made Chavez a hero to millions of people and the enemy of Venezuelas oligarchs. The exportation of the Bolivarian Revolution, which included forging stronger, more peaceful inter-American relations and even the provision of free home heating oil for hundreds of thousands of needy people in the United States, made Chavez a marked man in Washington. The administration of George W. Bush whom Chavez infamously called the devil in a speech before the United Nations backed a failed military coup against Chavez in 2002. The attempted coup was closely linked to prominent neoconservatives including Elliott Abrams, the disgraced Iran-Contra criminal who played a key role in covering up massacres committed by US-backed death squads in Central America and Otto Reich, a staunch supporter of Cuban exile terrorists who have killed at least hundreds of innocent men, women and children throughout the Americas. Two key coup plotters, Army commander Efrain Vasquez and Gen. Ramirez Poveda, were trained at the US Army School of the Americas. The coup briefly ousted Chavez but loyalist forces and popular support restored his rule 47 hours later. Barack Obama continued Bushs policy of demonizing Chavez, whose government he called authoritarian. This, despite the fact that former president Jimmy Carter, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work at the election-monitoring Carter Center, called Venezuelas election process the best in the world. In 2015, Obama declared Venezuela an extraordinary threat to national security, a bewildering assertion considering the country has never started a war in its history. The United States, on the other hand, has intervened in, attacked, invaded or occupied Latin American and Caribbean nations more than 50 times and, as Obama spoke, the US military was busy bombing seven countries in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. For decades, successive US administrations have also lavished Venezuelas neighbor Colombia which has been condemned for its government and paramilitary death squad massacres and deadly corporate-backed crackdowns on indigenous peoples and workers with billions upon billions of dollars in military and economic aid. With Friends Like These In an act of breathtaking yet typical US hypocrisy, President Donald Trump in July 2017 announced economic sanctions against Nicolas Maduro, who was elected president following the death of Chavez in 2013. While Maduro vowed to continue the Bolivarian Revolution, the Trump administration threatened to attack Venezuela, citing the suffering of its people. Meanwhile, Trump continued previous administrations support for some of the worlds worst human rights violators, including the Islamic fundamentalist monarchy of Saudi Arabia which is waging a war of aggression and starvation in Yemen that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, while severely repressing its own subjects at home as well as brutal dictators in Bahrain, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and elsewhere. While bashing Maduro, Trump has heaped praise upon North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, leader of the worlds most murderous regime, Philippines death squad mayor-turned president Rodrigo Duterte, Chinas president for life Xi Jinping, Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vladimir Putin and other unsavories. Trumps latest moves, recognizing Venezuelas illegitimate would-be presidential usurper Juan Guaido and appointing the neoconservative regime change hawk Elliott Abrams as special envoy, seems designed to sow seeds of subversion and revolt within the countrys government and military. This follows National Security Adviser John Bolton a key neocon architect and cheerleader for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and who has also advocated regime change in Iran, Venezuela and elsewhere calling Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua a troika of tyranny, a hypocritical characterization reminiscent of Bushs axis of evil, and one that utterly ignores the far worse, but far more subservient, regimes backed by the Trump administration. The United States has almost always opposed whether by slaughter, spies or sanctions any government or movement that seeks to freely choose its own political and economic path if it diverges from the corporate capitalist order backed by Washington and Wall Street. It has long sought to crush the boldly defiant Bolivarian Revolution, just as it has crushed countless popular revolutions and movements before. The Maduro regime is far from perfect. But to call Maduro a dictator and to advocate regime change in Caracas while supporting far worse tyrants around the world just because theyre US-friendly is an exercise in the blatant, bloody hypocrisy for which the United States has long been infamous around the planet, especially among its poorer parts and peoples. Brett Wilkins Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The American diplomats have called on other governments to take similar steps to protect Venezuelas patrimony. Washington has given control over the Venezuelan government accounts in U.S. banks to interim President Juan Guaido, the U.S. Department on State said in a statement titled "Protecting Venezuela's Assets for Benefit of Venezuelan People" released Tuesday, Jan 29, 2019. "On January 25, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo certified the authority of Venezuelas interim President Juan Guaido to receive and control certain property in accounts of the Government of Venezuela or Central Bank of Venezuela held by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any other U.S. insured banks," reads the statement. The diplomats added that the move was in line with Section 25B of the Federal Reserve Act. Read alsoRussia's large passenger jet without passengers on board departs to Venezuela This certification, the U.S. State Department says, will help Venezuelas "legitimate government safeguard those assets for the benefit of the Venezuelan people." "We call on other governments to recognize interim President Juan Guaido and take similar steps to protect Venezuelas patrimony from further theft by Maduros corrupt regime," the U.S. diplomats conclude. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused Washington of "publicly setting a course for illegal regime change" by recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman declined to comment when asked whether Russia would send military aid if the U.S. military gets involved in the crisis in Venezuela. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Washington of "publicly setting a course for illegal regime change" by recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president. Russian officials have lashed out at the United States over the upheaval in Venezuela, vowing to support embattled President Nicolas Maduro and sharply criticizing Washington for imposing sanctions on the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. In comments on January 29, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Washington of "publicly setting a course for illegal regime change" by recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president, RFE/RL reported. Read alsoRussia's large passenger jet without passengers on board departs to Venezuela "Together with other responsible members of the world community, we will do everything to support the legal government of President Maduro in standing up for the Venezuelan Constitution," Lavrov said. He did not outline any specific steps in support of Maduro's government. In separate but almost simultaneous comments, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman declined to comment when asked whether Russia would send military aid if the U.S. military gets involved in the crisis in Venezuela. Peskov also said that the U.S. sanctions on PDVSA amount to illegal interference in Venezuela's internal affairs, and that Russia would use all the legal mechanisms at its disposal to protect its interests there in light of the punitive measures. As part of the new measure, advertisers will need to be authorized to purchase political ads, and the company will give people additional information about advertisements related to politics and issues. The social-media giant Facebook has announced that it will prohibit electoral ads bought outside Ukraine from appearing there in the run-up to the country's presidential election this spring. The move is part of the social network's global response to the outcry over false or misleading stories disseminated via its 2 billion users, and is certain to be welcomed by officials in Kyiv, RFE/RL wrote. Ukraine has warned Facebook for years about alleged Moscow-backed disinformation campaigns on its platform, including "fake news" to foment distrust in its pro-Western government and to promote support of Moscow's annexation of Crimea and backing of separatists in the country's east. Read alsoFacebook could face record-setting fine in U.S. for privacy violations media Facebook made the announcement in a January 28 post outlining its efforts to protect elections this year in India, Israel, Nigeria, and Ukraine. It said the measures would be introduced globally before the end of June. Ukrainians will vote for a president in the first of two possible rounds on March 31, with a field of more than two dozen candidates likely to challenge President Petro Poroshenko, who has not officially announced his candidacy. "Protecting the integrity of elections while making sure people can have a voice is a top priority for Facebook," Anika Geisel, from Facebook's public-policy department focused on Europe, wrote of the new policy in a post on protecting European Parliamentary elections that was also published on January 28. As part of the new measure, advertisers will need to be authorized to purchase political ads, and the company will give people additional information about advertisements related to politics and issues. It will create a publicly searchable library of advertisements for up to seven years that will include information on the range of each advertisement's budget, its reach, and demographics of those who viewed the advertisement, including age, gender, and location. It is unclear when the new measure will come into force in Ukraine, which has been targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns via traditional media outlets and social media, especially on Facebook. The government in Kyiv has for years complained of account takedowns and "fake news" as part of what Poroshenko calls "hybrid aggression against our nation." Dmitro Zolotukhin, Ukraine's deputy minister of information policy, told RFE/RL that he met with Facebook officials in Kyiv last week to discuss the new advertising measures and that he was pleased with them. "I have underlined that we have monitored malicious activity on [Facebook]. We think that it's highly possible that [the] Kremlin is the source of this hostile activity," he said. "We are welcoming positive steps of [Facebook] in this area." Western intelligence agencies and disinformation experts have blamed their Russian counterparts for alleged cybermeddling in the U.K. Brexit vote and the U.S. presidential election in 2016, as well as in a French presidential election and national elections in Germany. Those efforts have purportedly included phishing scams, hacks or attempted hacks, and social-media components such as deploying fictitious individuals and organizations to fuel divisive debates. European foreign ministers meet on Thursday this week to discuss Ukraine and other issues. Denmark's foreign minister called on Tuesday for European Union-wide sanctions on Russia over a stand-off with Ukraine in the Sea of Azov. Anders Samuelsen will meet Ukraine's foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, on Tuesday and Wednesday and visit the city of Mariupol by the Sea of Azov, the foreign ministry said in a statement, Reuters said. "I believe the EU needs to react to Russia's aggressive behavior," Samuelsen said in the statement. Read alsoDenmark's FM warns Russia of new EU sanctions over capture of Ukrainian sailors The EU will issue a demarche a formal diplomatic protest note to Moscow as early as this week over Russia's continued detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors captured during the incident in November, diplomat sources told Reuters last week. European foreign ministers meet on Thursday this week to discuss Ukraine and other issues. Tuka said the plan is acceptable, but open to question. Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons George Tuka has said a new plan to resolve the situation in Donbas proposed by Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, is acceptable, but open to question. Read alsoDonbas war update: Ukraine reports five enemy attacks in past day "What was covered by the media on behalf of Mr. Sajdik these are exclusively general statements it is difficult to argue about. I would like to say that I consider such theses acceptable. But at the same time, as our bitter experience shows, the devil is in the detail and we don't know the details, at least our ministry didn't receive a detailed plan," he told 112 Ukraine TV channel. "I'm interested in how the demilitarization of illegal armed groups is supposed to proceed. What are the terms, what are the ways of withdrawing foreign troops from the territory of Donbas? What is meant by the amnesty process? And there are a lot of such questions," Tuka said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, revealed a new plan to resolve the situation in Donbas, involving joint participation of the OSCE and the United Nations. There were no Ukrainian army casualties. Russian-led forces mounted five attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the past 24 hours. Read alsoUkraine army to get 20 new types of weapons in 2019 Defense minister "No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported in the past day. According to intelligence reports, two invaders were killed and another one was wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 29, 2019. The enemy opened fire from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms at the Ukrainian positions near the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Shyrokyne, Krymske, Travneve, and Novotoshkivske. "Since Tuesday midnight, Russian-led forces haven't attacked Ukrainian positions yet," the report said. However, it is unlikely to take place, intelligence experts believe. Russia seeks to meddle in the upcoming Ukraine elections, that's according to the U.S. national intelligence report on this year's global threats. The national intelligence report's section on Russia and its neighbors says Russia is taking steps to influence Ukraine's presidential election in March 2019 and parliamentary elections scheduled for this fall, according to the Voice of America. Speaking at the Senate intelligence committee hearing on January 29, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said: "We also expect Russia will use cyber techniques to influence Ukraine's upcoming presidential election." Hoping to remove Petro Poroshenko from top office in Ukraine and aiming to bring to power a less anti-Russian parliament, the report says, Russia seeks to exploit such issues existing in Ukraine as fragile economy, widespread corruption, cyber vulnerabilities, and public discontent. Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Intel Service: Russia to spend US$350 mln for meddling in Ukraine elections There is no clear favorite in the Ukrainian presidential race, intelligence officials admit. A large number of candidates for presidency, as well as a high level of distrust in political elite and the lack of a clear leader in the race could provide an opportunity for Poroshenko's opponents and less prominent candidates and rookies in politics to address Ukrainian voters, most of whom have not yet made up their mind. Addressing the issue of a possible full-scale attack on Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. intelligence sees this option as operationally feasible but unlikely in 2019. The U.S. intelligence community believes tensions will be mounting in the Azov and Black Seas as both sides will further affirm their sovereign rights and capabilities at sea. Read alsoRussia to interfere in Ukraine elections as part of ongoing hybrid war: Poroshenko Russia will pursue political and economic destabilization of Ukraine to hinder Kyiv's efforts toward EU integration and strengthening ties with NATO. The interception of Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait and capture of their crews back in November 2018 shows Russia's readiness to restrict Ukraine's freedom of navigation in the region and exert political pressure on the country's leadership, especially ahead of the Ukraine elections this year. The report concludes that Russia will try to maintain and, if possible, extend its influence in the countries of the former Soviet Union, which Moscow believes are all in the sphere of such influence. Medvedchuk noted that peace agreements could be reached along the line of Kyiv-Donetsk-Luhansk-Moscow. Chairman of the political Council of "Opposition Platform - For Life" Party Viktor Medvedchuk, known for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, says it is necessary to create a "Donbas Autonomous Region" with such status sealed in the Ukrainian Constitution. Speaking at the first Party Congress, where he expressed support for presidential candidate Yuriy Boyko, Medvedchuk claimed it is only the Opposition Platform which allegedly has an actual plan to achieve peace in the occupied territory, the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper reports. He noted that the campaign program of their candidate provides for the return of "people, not territories", through their consciousness, security guarantees and only then should "Donbas return to Ukraine and Ukraine to Donbas." Read alsoPutin's best friend in Ukraine Medvedchuk doesn't consider Russia aggressor state (Video) Medvedchuk noted that peace agreements could be reached within a Kyiv-Donetsk-Luhansk-Moscow quadrangle. "The concept plan provides for the creation of a Donbas Autonomous Region within Ukraine, with its own parliament, government, and other bodies," he said. Medvedchuk proposed to amend the Constitution of Ukraine accordingly, adding that the move, allegedly, does not contradict the Minsk agreements and the Ukrainian legislation. Read alsoPoroshenko agrees to "cold" peace with Russia "Poroshenko says that the key to the world is in the Kremlin. You know, he's right this is true We don't just know where the key is, we know where the doors are to this key," the politician said. In his address, Medvedchuk criticized the pro-European aspirations of Ukrainian government, noting the need to restore friendship and economic cooperation with Russia. In late July 2018, Medvedchuk announced the move to join the For Life Party led by Vadym Rabinovych and take the lead in "restoring peace" with Russia. Russia must ensure unhindered and free passage through the Kerch Strait to and from the Azov Sea and must halt its harassment of ships on their way to Ukrainian ports, according to the joint statement. Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomas Petricek and his Danish counterpart Anders Samuelsen have called on the European Union to consider targeted measures against Russia if Moscow fails to release captured Ukrainian sailors. The two top diplomats' Tuesday visit to the Ukrainian frontline city of Mariupol "sends a signal of the two countries strong support for Ukraine," reads the joint statement published on the Czech foreign ministry's website. "It provides an opportunity to get a first-hand impression of the human and economic hardship caused by the conflict with Russia-backed armed formations in Eastern Ukraine," the statement reads. Read alsoCalling on Ukraine to compromise with Russian invader "strategically foolish" media The top diplomats note that hardships have only increased in Mariupol and the surrounding areas in the wake of recent Russian actions at the Kerch Strait and in the Sea of Azov. "Denmark and the Czech Republic strongly condemn the Russian actions and call on Russia to immediately release the 24 illegally detained crewmembers of the Ukrainian vessels seized on November 25, 2018. If the crewmembers are not released, the EU should stand ready to look at new, targeted measures against Russia. Russia must ensure unhindered and free passage through the Kerch Strait to and from the Azov Sea and must halt its harassment of ships on their way to Ukrainian ports," the statement by the two ministers says. Calling on Russia to release the sailors, Tomas Petricek said that "[a]ll options of solving this situation are on the table." Read alsoPACE calls on Russia to handle captive Ukraine sailors as per Geneva Conventions: Official document "I will help initiate a frank and serious exchange on this matter in the EU Council, with the other foreign ministers," he said. In turn, Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said his country and the Czech Republic are "united in our strong and unwavering support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity." "We have not forgotten the incident on November 25, where 24 Ukrainian crewmembers were illegally detained by Russia. If Russia will not release the Ukrainian crewmembers, I believe the EU should be ready to look at further targeted sanctions against Russia. That will be discussed when we meet with our EU colleagues on 18 February, where we will also discuss what more we could do to support this region of Ukraine, the minister is quoted as saying. Today, in Eastern Partnership countries, the greatest geopolitical clash of our time is under way. Ryszard Terlecki, deputy speaker of the Polish Sejm, says Warsaw has long supported EU enlargement. At the same time, old integration patterns are not working these days. He recalled Montenegro, which has already become a NATO Ally, while being far from securing EU membership. "Speaking about the challenges for integration processes, we should mention not only the problems of countries aspiring to membership, but also the Union itself," he said, speaking at the XII Europe-Ukraine Forum, Rzeczpospolita reports. "This year will be a special year: this spring, Ukrainians will be electing the president, and parliament in autumn, while the EU will hold elections to the European Parliament. For many months, Europeans will be absorbed in building up own institutions, not their foreign policy." He added that the recent problems, such as Brexit, the migration crisis, and disturbances in European procedures, have given rise to the groups questioning further enlargement. "The current situation in the EU does not indicate there will be any radical changes this year," the official said. Read alsoCalling on Ukraine to compromise with Russian invader "strategically foolish" media In turn, German MEP Rebecca Harms reminded of the provisions of the European treaties, which give membership opportunities to all countries meeting the accession criteria. "There are internal problems in the countries that have signed association agreements with the EU. You can see steps being made both forward and back. But Ukraine's European integration process is at a much more advanced level than it was two or three years ago. I hope that the citizens of Ukraine vote to continue this process. I don't mean a specific candidate, but rather a direction of change. I don't believe Ukrainians can vote against the path they chose at the Maidan," said Rebecca Harms, according to a report by Rzeczpospolita delivered in Polish. Altai Efendiev, Secretary General of the GUAM organization, emphasized that today, in Eastern Partnership countries, the greatest geopolitical clash of our time is under way. Read alsoUkraine to apply for EU membership in 2024 Poroshenko "If the West wants to win this clash, it must be more involved in helping the countries of Eastern Europe," he said. "Adequate commitment is more important than a clear membership perspective. These countries [Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova] have long announced their aspirations, hoping to be further from Russia and closer to the West, but since then, they have only accumulated more problems. Meanwhile, the West keeps distance and sets new conditions." Rzeczpospolita's editor-in-chief Bogusaw Chrabota told the panel that in today's realities, the Polish-Ukrainian tandem could bring hope to other countries in the region, noting the fact that "this is not a matter of EU attractiveness." "This is deep realism," Chrabota said. "This is our chance in the ongoing geopolitical game." The Alliance will continue demanding from Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during his Tuesday meeting with Slovakian foreign minister Miroslav Lajcak, who is also the current Chairmanin-Office of the OSCE, said the Alliance would continue to press Russia on the implementation of Minsk agreements on Donbas settlement. As the two leaders met to discuss regional issues and defense investment, they also discussed the situation in Ukraine, according to NATO press service. Read alsoNATO jets able to confuse Russia's A2/AD systems Stoltenberg The NATO secretary general welcomed Slovakias continued efforts to reduce tensions, build trust and facilitate dialogue, stressing that NATO will continue to press Russia to respect Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and to live up to its Minsk commitments. In his capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office for 2019, Mr. Lajcak also briefed the North Atlantic Council on the priorities for the year ahead. Poroshenko said the topic of war and peace is one of the main at the elections since the Ukrainian people will elect not only the president, but also the supreme commander. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said Ukraine needs a "cold" peace with Russia. "Of course, we need peace with Russia. Cold but peace. People are tired of war. Russian propaganda and its lineshooters in Ukraine tirelessly play on this painful emotion," he said at Kyiv's International Exhibition Center during the Forum titled: "From Kruty to Brussels. We are going our way," according to an UNIAN correspondent. Read alsoUkraine to apply for EU membership in 2024 Poroshenko Poroshenko said the topic of war and peace is one of the main at the elections since the Ukrainian people will elect not only the president, but also the supreme commander. According to him, the enemy came neither for Crimea, nor for Donbas, but for returning the "runaway" [Ukraine] to the "prison of the peoples" as the Russian empire was called by French traveler Astolphe de Custine two hundred years ago. "Peace is the complete restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the unquestioning recognition by Moscow of our right to go our own way. Even if this path is the path away from Moscow," Poroshenko said. "We will continue the line for the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine by political and diplomatic means, ensuring the unity of the pro-Ukrainian coalition, using the tool of sanctions and the mechanism of a UN international mission throughout occupied Donbas," the president added. Poroshenko says Ukraine will undoubtedly become an EU member state. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said Ukraine will apply for EU membership in 2024 and will receive an Action Plan regarding NATO membership. Read alsoPoroshenko will run for president in 2019 "We will apply for membership in the European Union in 2024, and there is no doubt that we will receive it, and we will begin to implement the Action Plan regarding NATO membership," he said at Kyiv's International Exhibition Center during the Forum titled: "From Kruty to Brussels. We are going our way," according to an UNIAN correspondent. As UNIAN reported earlier, President Poroshenko said that the Ukrainian army would be able to act fully in accordance with NATO standards as early as in 2020. The meeting focused on various aspects of the Belarusian-Ukrainian relations, enhancement of trade and economic cooperation. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Ukraine's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) at the Minsk talks on Donbas Yevgenij (Yevhen) Marchuk on January 29, 2019. The meeting focused, among other things, on various aspects of the Belarusian-Ukrainian relations, enhancement of trade and economic cooperation, the Belarusian news agency BelTA reported. Read also"Scolded by Kremlin": Ukraine envoy on militants turning down detainee swap offer According to Lukashenko, bilateral trade reached its peak of $8 billion a few years ago. "This was the best figure. Now we have about $5.5 billion. Of course, it is not our level. We can increase our bilateral trade, and this is our goal," he said. Marchuk, in turn, conveyed greetings to the Belarusian leader from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. "I saw him yesterday. He asked me to tell you that he is satisfied with the progress in Belarusian-Ukrainian cooperation, especially after the forum of regions and other things. The bilateral commission is working with unfailing regularity," he said. The countries maintain good relations at a personal level. "The attitude to Belarus and to you as the president of Belarus is good. You are a very popular person in Ukraine. I am saying this sincerely," Marchuk said. The parties also mentioned plans to complete the demarcation of the common border in 2019. The representative of Ukraine shared his impressions from the visit to Belarus. "I have been taking part in this negotiations process for five years. Apart from this heavy burden, I visited your fantastic library. I stayed for Saturday on purpose. There are not many such libraries in the world. I visited your opera theater, the Museum of Yanka Kupala It was amazing." Desperate Journeys: Spain now main route to Europe for refugees and migrants (Zahra Mackaoui, producer / Bela Szandelszky, camera-editor) Refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea lost their lives at an alarming rate in 2018, as cuts in search and rescue operations reinforced its position as the worlds deadliest sea crossing. The latest Desperate Journeys report, released today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, says six lives were lost on average every day. An estimated 2,275 died or went missing crossing the Mediterranean in 2018, despite a major drop in the number of arrivals reaching European shores. In total, 139,300 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe, the lowest number in five years. Saving lives at sea is not a choice, nor a matter of politics, but an age-old obligation, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. We can put an end to these tragedies by having the courage and vision to look beyond the next boat, and adopt a long-term approach based on regional cooperation, that places human life and dignity at its core. The report describes how shifts in policy by some European States saw numerous incidents where large numbers of people were left stranded at sea for days on end, waiting for permission to dock. NGO boats and their crews faced growing restrictions on their search and rescue operations. On routes from Libya to Europe, one person died at sea for every 14 who arrived in Europe a sharp rise on 2017 levels. Thousands more were returned to Libya where they faced appalling conditions inside detention centres. For many, setting foot in Europe was the final stop of a nightmarish journey on which they had faced torture, rape and sexual assault, and the threat of being kidnapped and held for ransom. States must take urgent action to dismantle smuggling networks and bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice. See also: French village sets an example of how to welcome refugees However, new seeds of hope did emerge in some places. Despite political deadlock on progressing with a regional approach to sea rescue and disembarkation, as called for by UNHCR and IOM last June, several States committed to relocating people rescued on the central Mediterranean a potential foundation for a predictable and lasting solution. Thousands of resettlement places were also pledged by States for evacuating refugees out of Libya. The report also reveals significant changes in the routes being used by refugees and migrants. For the first time in recent years, Spain became the primary entry point to Europe as around 6,800 arrived by land (through the enclaves in Ceuta and Melilla) and a further 58,600 people successfully crossed over the perilous Western Mediterranean. As a result, the death toll for the western Mediterranean nearly quadrupled from 202 in 2017 to 777. Some 23,400 refugees and migrants arrived in Italy in 2018, a fivefold decrease compared to the previous year. Greece received a similar number of sea arrivals, some 32,500 compared to 30,000 in 2017, but saw a near threefold increase in the number of people arriving via its land border with Turkey. Elsewhere in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded some 24,000 arrivals as refugees and migrants transited through the Western Balkans. Cyprus received several boats carrying Syrian refugees from Lebanon while the UK witnessed small numbers crossing from France towards the end of the year. Journalists can find the full report and the related multimedia assets on the media page here. For more information on this topic, please check this page. Newly arrived Nigerian refugees attend a meeting in Dar es salam camp, Chad, January 2019. UNHCR/Aristophane Ngargoune UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the UN Development Programme and other partners, is today launching the 2019 Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP), an appeal for US$135 million to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the worsening Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin region. With more 250,000 children, women and men already uprooted from northeast Nigeria, surging militant attacks are targeting civilians and forcing thousands more to run for their lives each day. Young girls, old women and aid workers continue to bear the brunt of this escalating violence. A recent upsurge in violence in north-east Nigeria has driven more than 80,000 civilians to seek refuge in already crowded camps or in towns in Borno State, where they are surviving in tough living conditions. Nigerian refugees continue to arrive in very remote and impoverished communities in neighbouring countries. An estimated 30,000 have fled the city of Rann over the weekend alone to seek refuge across the Cameroonian border. Thousands have also fled to neighbouring Cameroon and Chad in recent weeks. The hostilities have strained humanitarian operations there and forced aid workers to pull out from some locations. The destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure is widespread. The escalation in the conflict has thwarted peoples intention of returning to their homes. Some refugees that attempted to return to their homes and communities have become displaced multiple times inside Nigeria or have become refugees a second time in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The newly launched aid appeal aims to broaden the humanitarian response towards a longer-term approach - to support those forced to flee and the communities hosting them. Refugee hosting communities are already living below the poverty line and in dire need of aid themselves with their ability to help the displaced being stretched to the limit. The 40 UN agencies and humanitarian organizations that joined the 2019 Nigeria Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP), will cater for the needs of a quarter million Nigerian refugees and 55,000 of their hosts in Niger, Cameroon and Chad. A total of some 2.5 million people are displaced across the Lake Chad region including more than 1.8 million inside Nigeria. A Refugee Response Plan (RRP) is a UNHCR-led, inter-agency planning and coordination tool for large-scale or complex refugee situations. A similar appeal of US$157 million launched in 2018 was only 42 per cent funded, compared to 56 per cent of the US$241 million needed in 2017. The UN and its partners are also seeking $848 million to continue providing food, water, shelter and protection to the most vulnerable people in Nigeria, as part of the 2019-2021 Humanitarian Response Strategy for the country, which is simultaneously launched today in Abuja. For more information on this topic, please contact: | By Frank Lancaster The Maryland Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Restorative Practices has released its Final Report and Collaborative Action Plan. The commission, chaired by Barbara Sugarman Grochal, MAT, MBA, director of School Conflict Resolution Education Programs for the Center for Dispute Resolution (C-DRUM) at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, spent 18 months studying discipline in Maryland public schools. In the 117-page document, the commission reviewed the empirical evidence surrounding school discipline. Based on that evidence, the commission found no support for zero tolerance or exclusionary discipline; it has been widely declared ineffective and its disproportionate application among different groups of students is especially troubling. Alternately, restorative practices, such as proactive and problem-solving circles, mediation, and mindfulness, were found as preferable methods of school discipline. The primary authors of the final report were Grochal, Deborah Eisenberg, JD, professor of law and director of C-DRUM, and Gail Sunderman, PhD, of the Maryland Equity Project at the University of Maryland, College Park. Reflecting its commitment to social justice, Maryland Carey Law was proud to welcome the commission, consisting of 26 policymakers, educators, administrators, conflict resolution and legal experts, and advocacy group representatives, to the school for commission meetings. C-DRUM has been a leader in the school discipline reform movement since its founding in 2003. Mediation clinic students have been visiting area schools for years, first instructing students, teachers, and administrators in conflict-resolution skills and now teaching restorative practices. Grochal, as commission chairwoman, served as the crucial link between C-DRUM, Maryland Carey Law, and the commission, but, she insists, the connection was obvious. She says, We have a law school that shares and really promotes C-DRUMs mission to promote the power of conflict resolution to build a more just society. Now that the commissions report has been submitted, C-DRUM remains committed to advocating for school discipline reform. The center has been honored with a grant from the Charles Crane Family Foundation to fund a training in restorative practices for educational leaders and hold a roundtable for representatives from different school districts to share their work and experiences with restorative practices. The Final Report and Collaborative Action Plan can be found here: School-to-Prison Pipeline Commission Final Report. More information about the commission and Alternative Dispute Resolution at Maryland Carey Law can be found here. First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Herashchenko and Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Tomas Petricek during a meeting discussed the issues of further cooperation, particularly the rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers and humanitarian demining. In a post on her Facebook page, Herashchenko wrote: I told about the issue blocked by the Russian Federation regarding the release of hostages and political prisoners. During the meeting, special attention was paid to the issue of the Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia in the Sea of Azov. Herashchenko stressed that unfortunately, international missions, particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have no access to them so far. Also, the Ukrainian side has no objective information about their state of health. I stressed the economic losses of the ports in Mariupol and Berdiansk due to the blockade of navigation by Russia and the need to introduce a permanent OSCE SMM station in Kerch to monitor the security situation, she wrote. Herashchenko wrote she hopes that Ukraines friends in the EU would support the Azov package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. Since the Czech delegation plans to visit Donbas on Tuesday, the parties paid special attention to security, humanitarian and environmental issues in Donbas, as well as escalation of the situation in the Azov-Black Sea region. The settlement of the situation in Ukraine will be a key topic of discussion in the UN Security Council in the coming months. "It is clear that we will coordinate our stances in order to look for the ways to prevent conflicts. One of the acute issues, in which all our countries are interested, is the situation in Ukraine. We exchanged views on this situation, so the settlement of this conflict will be among the main issues of the UN Security Council for at least the next few months. It could be making a decision on the deployment of a peacekeeping mission to settle the conflict or the appointment of a UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Ukraine," Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz announced at a press conference following the meeting of the ministers of the European countries, who will work together at the UN Security Council in Brussels on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Czaputowicz was the only one European minister, who mentioned the war in Ukraine. The meeting with participation of the ministers of Germany, Poland, France, the UK and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy took place on Monday under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders. The Czech Republic has provided Ukraine with financial assistance in a total amount of EUR 8 million over the recent years. Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek stated this in an interview with Ukrinform. "The Czech Republic is a long-term supporter of Ukraine. Since 2014, Ukraine has received humanitarian aid and development assistance for a total amount of EUR 8 million," he said. According to the minister, Czech development projects are focused mainly on education and healthcare. In particular, Prague renders financial assistance to the educational reform and the universities, which were relocated from Donetsk region. In the field of democratic transformation, Czech partners implement media literacy projects in Ukraine, as well as support human rights activists from occupied Crimea. "Our humanitarian aid is useful to people living near the demarcation line. For example, I know that summer camps for injured children are very successful," the minister said. Ukraine purchased 10.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas from countries in Europe in 2018, which was 24.8% less than in 2017, NJSC Naftogaz's press service has told Ukrinform. "In 2018, supplies of imported gas to Ukraine came exclusively from the European gas market. Compared with 2017, gas imports shrank by 24.8%, from 14.1 billion cubic meters to 10.6 billion cubic meters," the statement says. Both categories of importers reduced natural gas imports - the state-owned Naftogaz from 8.7 billion cubic meters to 7 billion cubic meters (-19.5%) and private companies from 5.4 billion cubic meters to 3.6 billion cubic meters (-33.3%). Sixty-five companies imported natural gas to Ukraine in 2018 (67 companies in 2017). The number of European suppliers from which Naftogaz purchased natural gas in 2018 was 18 companies (13 companies in 2017). Neither of these companies supplied more than 30% of the gas imported by the Ukrainian company. Naftogaz has not been buying natural gas from Gazprom for the fourth consecutive year. In accordance with the terms of the gas supply contract, Naftogaz should purchase at least four billion cubic meters of natural gas from Gazprom, but the Russian company refused to supply the fuel to Ukraine in 2018. The delegation of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine during a visit to the Federal Republic of Germany discussed with German colleagues the joint production of high-tech weapon systems and cooperation in the field of cyber security, the ministrys press service reports. "The parties stated that the priority directions of such cooperation may be the establishment of joint production of high-tech weapon systems, transportation of military cargo, strengthening Ukrainian naval capabilities and cooperation in the field of cyber security," the press service reports. The delegation of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine arrived in Germany on January 28. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the security situation in Ukraine and Europe in view of the growing threat from the Russian Federation and to outline the directions for further cooperation between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Germany in the field of defense sector. Index-Journal Careers PART-TIME POSITION available in our packaging area. Job responsibilities include putting inserts into the newspaper. Must have a positive attitude and be a team player. Applicants must be able to: lift up to 20-lbs; stand for long periods of time; be available to work Sunday thru Friday, late evening to early morning hours; pass drug screen. 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." The mass of brawling brats connected to a Catholic boys school in Kentucky, making a mockery of a Native American ceremony is disgraceful ("3 groups; many videos; many interpretations of DC encounter," Jan. 21). These young men, who think it is cute, to disgrace a religious gathering should be ashamed. How would the Roman Catholic Church react to a group walking in on their midnight Mass making crude gestures, laughing, disrupting a service? The Catholic school in Kentucky should cancel all off-campus trips for the rest of the year. If you can't teach the ignorant respect, then you can punish them for their stupidity. Janice Lawrence, Sand Springs Editor's Note: The Native American group were in Washington, D.C., for the Indigenous Peoples March, not for a religious gathering. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com. Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Late last week, Congress passed and President Trump signed a continuing resolution that will fund the government for three weeks and return federal employees to their jobs, for now. Thousands of federal workers who had been furloughed for more than a month and thousands more who had been on the job but unpaid will finally get back to normal. President Trump didnt get any more funding for the border wall he had demanded, which many interpreted as a victory for Congressional Democrats. We dont see it that way. Restoring the orderly function of the federal government is a victory to the nation. If Trump was the one who blinked, it was a moment of brief maturity in a long showdown where neither side had been acting in the nations best interest. Sadly, another crisis could be just around the corner. In announcing his decision to accept the temporary funding, Trump said he could order another partial shutdown starting Feb. 15 if Congressional Democrats dont agree to his border security funding demands. Alternatively, he could fund his wall through an emergency diversion of funds from other appropriations, a move that would certainly lead to a court battle. What weve seen for cigarettes is that increasing the price has been the most effective way to help people quit and stop people from starting, Bisbee said. Price is something that does matter. E-cigarettes arent the same as traditional tobacco products but still deliver the key addictive ingredient, nicotine, sometimes at higher amounts than in cigarettes. Consumers can purchase extra-strength cartridges for higher concentrations or increase an e-cigarette voltage to get a greater intake. Chemicals make the vapor, and the long-term effects arent known. Adults anecdotally say vapor has helped them quit smoking. But the devices are unregulated; merchants need no special licensing, and they are not approved as certified cessation devices by the FDA. There is a place for these products for adult users, but in the hands of kids is not where it should be. If we are going to stop this population from using tobacco, we cannot be OK with kids using vaping products, Bisbee said. Finally, vanity. Nicotine increases blood pressure and heart rate. Among the many bad results, including increase in blood sugar and less insulin production, is premature aging of skin. A Tulsa elementary school teacher was arrested after a bar fight Saturday night and faces complaints of sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon and threatening police officers. Brian Banfield, 43, was arrested early Sunday at the Cellar Dweller, near Seventh Street and Elwood Avenue in downtown Tulsa. Banfield is a third-grade teacher at Eliot Elementary School. Emma Garrett-Nelson, a spokeswoman for Tulsa Public Schools, declined to comment Monday on Banfields employment status but said the teacher was not currently working in the classroom. Officers who responded to a call found several men restraining Banfield, who made threats to the officers and witnesses, saying he would put a bullet in their heads, police alleged in an arrest report. Witnesses told officers Banfield had grabbed a female bar patrons crotch. When the woman told Banfield to leave her alone, he smashed a glass bottle over her head and threatened to crush her skull, according to the arrest report. He was arrested on single complaints of sexual battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and four complaints of threatening a violent act. He was released from the Tulsa County jail on Sunday after posting $117,000 bond. In 2012, Banfields job was saved thanks to a $42,000 fundraising effort amid a wave of cuts. Michael Dekker 918-581-8469 michael.dekker@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @michaeldekkerTW The videos, about 26 minutes long, depicted the two officers trying to coax the man out of the van, which had a license plate that was registered to another vehicle. After being asked no less than 17 times over the course of about 15 minutes to get out of the vehicle, the man told Parsons and other officers to just shoot me. After Parsons was shot, Chatman was shot in the neck and chest by another officer returning fire. Ericsson, who is a certified emergency medical technician, said he first tended to Chatman before turning his attention to Parsons. Ericsson credited a military challenge coin he had given Parsons earlier with deflecting a bullet that struck the sergeant in the leg. Jurors viewed pictures of a coin that was warped by what Ericsson described as the impact of the .32-caliber bullet. U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said during his opening statement to jurors that the coin maybe saved his life, referring to Parsons. Shores told the jury that Chatman was a felon who did not want to get in trouble with the law again and wanted at all cost to get out of the predicament he created. Gray told reporters out of court that Assistant Public Defender Marny Hill mentioned before the hearing that Green might be interested in entering a blind plea to the judge. However, he said Green apparently ultimately decided not to plea and that his office is therefore ready to proceed with a trial. Greenough on Tuesday set aside the March 1 hearing date to allow both sides to litigate pretrial motions regarding such issues as what evidence can go before the jury. She also said she will hold another hearing March 29 to hopefully finalize a juror questionnaire and discuss potential jury instructions, which she said she wants largely sorted out early because of the nature of the case. Were going to be very efficient with our time, she said, notifying both sides she does not want the trial to take up the whole month of April. Because Green was under 18 at the time of his arrest, he is legally entitled to a sentencing phase in which the state and his attorneys can present aggravating and mitigating evidence. Two recent Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals decisions outline criteria the state must prove before a fact-finder like a jury can designate such a defendant as irreparably corrupt and permanently incorrigible. The standard matches the precedent set by U.S. Supreme Court on sentencing for minors accused of violent crimes. Dear Dr. Fox: My son has serious health problems, so I have had his 4-year-old rescue cat, Tippy, for two months. She never comes out of her room. She is terrified of anyone other than my son, and he had great difficulty getting her into a carrier to bring her to me. She has a combination of dry, hard stools and soft, messy stools. Is there a medication that would calm her enough to help get her to a veterinarian? I worry about what to do if I cant keep her. I wouldnt trust a so-called no kill facility, and it is very doubtful that my son would ever be able to take her back. C.K., St. Louis Dear C.K.: I am sorry to hear about your son and hope all turns out for the best for him. But good for you for taking in this rescued cat. Feral cats, when not properly socialized earlier in life with humans, do come around eventually but not in all instances. As you say, the cat eventually lost her fear of your son but is now afraid of you. Fire marshals are seeking a man who is considered a person of interest in a fire that consumed part of an east Tulsa apartment complex, displacing approximately 60 residents. Arson investigators are seeking information about Roosevelt Tolon and the Jan. 16 fire at Leisure Manor apartments, located in the 6900 block of East 15th Street. Tolon, according to a news release, is considered a person of interest in a fire believed to be an arson. Sixty people were displaced during the fire, according to a previous story. Firefighters responded about 7:30 p.m. that day to the apartment complex. One vacant apartment was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and smoke was filling other units. Firefighters discovered electrical wiring arcing above the engulfed apartment and shut off the power to the building. A maintenance crew was working on the heating and cooling system in that unit earlier that day, and investigators were on scene looking at the electrical system. Investigators have not released the cause or origin of the fire and have yet to confirm whether Tolon was a resident of the apartment complex. Ill be the guy that every time something good happens, youll get a call from me, he said. Kouplen said everyone will need to be involved. A member of the Creek Nation and an adviser to the tribe on economic development, Kouplen said the administration intends to form and utilize minority business councils. As has been the case for some time, though, the biggest obstacle to the states economic growth is workforce development, Kouplen said. While low unemployment is generally considered a good thing, it also indicates a shallow labor pool for expansion. A study released last week by the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce says Oklahoma trails most of the nation in years of education for working-age adults and that only four counties Tulsa, Oklahoma, Payne and Cleveland exceed the national average for people over 25 with at least a bachelors degree. Graduates have to believe they can be successful here, Kouplen said. In the past, Kouplens volunteer activities have included such undertakings as head of the Bixby Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Oklahoma State University-Tulsa trustees and chairman of the OSU Alumni Association. Hes served on numerous boards. Critics of the law said it would require a patient to return to the doctors office to receive a second prescription, which was problematic for those in serious acute pain and who live a considerable distance from the doctors office. But follow-up legislation is expected to clarify the issue that a second physical visit would not be necessary. The cleanup measures are also expected to make certain the law applies to only Schedule 2 drugs and not all opioids, Glinsmann said. The legislation was in part the product of Attorney General Mike Hunters efforts to reduce drug addiction. He has filed suit in Cleveland County against drug makers who he believes have misled doctors about the drugs. A panel issued a series of recommendations that resulted in the bill. Any time change that is as significant as the pill limits bill was, there is going to be resistance, Hunter said. There are going to be people who do not want to change their routine and approaches. He said the bill may need tweaking but that he thinks any changes should come from recommendations from the panel. All I am saying is we need to be deliberative and thoughtful about the changes, Hunter said. We have the opportunities to serve them, Holman said. Its our job at the high school level to make sure that we can help them right here in Tulsa Public Schools, and especially in our building. We want our building site to meet those needs so we can keep our enrollment and keep our kids here. We want walking across the stage with us to be their ultimate goal. She said her team of administrators and teachers has concentrated on creating an environment with an exciting culture and endless innovation. Webster is one of four TPS schools participating in Tulsa Beyond, which seeks to redesign its high schools to better prepare students for a rapidly changing future. So far, the efforts appear to be working. While other schools in the district continue to see declines, Websters enrollment remained level during the past two years, data show. Holman said that when it comes to enrollment, a lack of change is a welcome relief. Sustaining, for us, is good because it means were not going down, she said. I think once the school finally has seen some success and people see were trying innovative strategies so we can close achievement gaps, then were going to attract people. Andrea Eger 918-581-8470 andrea.eger@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @AndreaEger Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The children attend public schools and receive counseling and casework services. Children are placed at the home through parental contract or the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Charles said 20 children currently reside at the home. The program to assist teens buy cars has been in place for about five years. Obviously, these are used cars costing $6,000 and up, depending on how much matching funds are available. This program has really worked well, said Charles. This is about working and saving money. We encourage kids to work through high school. If they earn the $3,000, we agree to match it. We cant afford new cars, but we want them to be able to buy something reliable that will get them through college or help them get started in a job. It has proven popular with the children at the home. Kids at the Sand Springs Home get drivers licenses when they turn 16. Then, they use transportation through the home to get to school and work through high school. If kids leave here and they do not have car, the chance for success is real low, said Charles. We consider transportation to be a real need for these kids. No one was surprised to hear that the Wagoner Court House roofed leaked. The surprising part of Chris Potters talk about repairs was that the roof is so saturated now without any rain falling. Potter, who is the Maintenance Supervisor, presented the roof evaluation and five-year replacement plan to the Wagoner County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Jan. 22. There was a lot to look at in Potters report and the Commissioners decided to table approval of the plan until a later meeting. The one thing everyone could agree on was the leaks need to be fixed. In other business: money was approved to be transferred to the travel account of the County Engineer for upcoming conferences. approved the change to ODOT Revolving Fund for District 1 from motor grader to skid steer. approved camera and port replacement for the Court House parking lot. The cost to replace is $4,000. It is something we need, Potter said. Right now, security cant see the parking area at all. surplus was declared for one 2011 John Deere CX15 Flex Wing Rotary Cutter. With the robotic janitor, a Walmart employee will guide it over its route once to store it in its memory, and after that, getting the robot to go to work each day is just a matter of pushing a button. Walmart is not the only retailer deploying robotic janitors nationally. The Giant Good Store chain on the East Coast is introducing 500 robotic janitors into 172 stores. That chain is already calling its robots Marty and has programmed them to detect and clean spills as well as execute their daily routine. The 920-pound, self-driving robot, officially called Auto-C, relies on sensors to detect people and aisles. Scott Meacham, president of i2E Inc., a nonprofit that assists Oklahoma startups, sees more robots coming. I would suspect youre going to see robotics applied to our core industries in the state, such as in energy and aviation. You already are seeing miniaturized robotics in health care, Meacham said. He pointed out that research centers at Oklahoma State University and oil field services firm Baker Hughes are making strides in the field of robotics here in Oklahoma. Research institutes have well-developed programs, said Meacham. It stimulates younger people in using their imaginations. Robot janitors are not the only technology being tested by Walmart in Oklahoma. Shelf-scanners that can check inventory will be tested in eight Oklahoma stores, while robotic truck unloaders will be tested in 16 Oklahoma stores. Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Save-A-Lot grocery store in west Tulsa that closed in late December is expected to open under new ownership, said Rose Washington, executive director of the Tulsa Economic Development Corp. Investment group Honor Capital, which had operated the store at 4229 Southwest Blvd. for about three years, also is no longer scheduled to operate a proposed full-service grocery store at 1717 N. Peoria Ave., she said. TEDC was awarded a $1.5 million federal grant through the city of Tulsa to build a 15,000- to 17,000-square-foot grocery store in north Tulsa. TEDC had planned to build the facility and lease it to Honor Capital, which was founded in 2014 by a group of former military service members. An ownership group with members from Oklahoma, California and Indiana is now seeking to run the store, an item that could be voted on at a special meeting of the TEDC on Wednesday, Washington said. Honor Capital also closed its Save-A-Lot store in Oklahoma City last year. You are the owner of this article. Gary Greenberg, founder of the Fighting for Children PAC and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul on the Senate floor celebrating the passage of the Child Victims Act. Todays Labour Day is the second to be observed under conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, imposition of a 19-hour curfew as part of the current state of emergency makes for even greater stringency against public activity. This is a long overdue letter of thanks to the Public Health Department of the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development of the THA. We, the residents of Calder Hall Trace, Scarborough, have long enjoyed excellent service from the sanitation workers who operate in our neighbourhood. AT THE recent annual Energy Conference, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley finally acknowledged the need for energy transition and for the greater inclusion of renewables in our local energy mix. Five and a half years late! And this country simply accepted this utterly scandalous irresponsibility. Dont we realise the enormity of his error? CONSPIRACY theorists with too much time on their hands were the ones who created an issue over the arrival of 80 vials of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine that came to the country last week for use by officials at the National Security Ministry. So said Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday at the Covid-19 media conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Anns. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The Senate unanimously passed a bill yesterday which gives the public the right to access a sex offender website providing names, photographs and date of birth of convicted sex offenders. All present in the chamber supported the Sexual Offences Amendment which was passed 28 for, none against. THE legislative road has been paved for the decriminalisation of pepper spray in Trinidad and Tobago. The Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2021 was passed yesterday in the House of Representatives with no objection. 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. 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. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Washington, January 28 Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris has launched her 2020 presidential bid on Sunday with a scathing criticism of President Donald Trumps policies, saying that the US is at an inflection point in the history due to the attack on democracy like never before. Harris, 54, who was elected to the Senate in 2016, announced her run for presidency last week. She has been voted on top of the list of Democratic leaders aspiring to defeat Trump in the November 2020 election. Harris, the second African-American woman elected to the US senate, has drawn comparisons to Barack Obama since early in her political career. We are at an inflection point in the history of our nation. We are here because the American dream and our American democracy are under attack and on the line like never before, she said. When we have leaders who bully and attack a free press and undermine our democratic institutions, thats not our America, she said, without mentioning Trumps name. She criticised the arrogance of power she saw in wealthy bank executives after the foreclosure crisis, and said that Americans needed to be honest about the countrys problems with racism, sexism, anti-semitism and transphobia. She also emphasised unity, praising the amazing spirit of the American people and pledging her desire to be a president, echoing former president Abraham Lincolns famous words, Of the people, by the people, and for all people. Pointing to Trumps xenophobic rhetoric, his policies at the border, and his decision to shut down the government in a failed attempt to get funding for his controversial plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, she said: People are trying to convince us that the villain in our American story is each other. But that is not our story. That is not who we are. We are better than this. Recollecting the fighting spirit of her Indian mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu for studies, Harris told a cheering crowd in her hometown of Oakland, California, that this was not going to be an easy election pitted against an incumbent like Trump. Harris spoke of an America where we welcome refugees and denounced President Trumps plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border as a medieval vanity project. Asserting that she running to fight for an America where the economy works for working, Harris promised education and healthcare for all. Harris was the first African-American and Indian-American attorney of California, before being elected as the US Senator. PTI Im targeted for being Hindu: Tulsi Gabbard Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has hit back at critics who accuse the Democratic presidential hopeful of being a Hindu nationalist, saying questioning her commitment to America while not probing non-Hindu leaders creates a double standard that can only be rooted in religious bigotry Gabbard, the four-term lawmaker said from Hawaii, wrote an op-ed for the Religious News Services on Sunday, describing the campaign against her, supporters and donors as profiling and targeting of Hindu Americans and ascribing to them motives without any basis In the hard-hitting piece, Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to the US Congress, noted that she has been accused of being a Hindu nationalist. Tomorrow will it be Muslim or Jewish Americans? Japanese, Hispanic or African Americans? she asked 4 women Democratic leaders in race Today, The Fellowship cares a lot for the Druze community in Israel a minority group that has the highest percentage of youth who serve in the IDF than any other minority group in Israel. We feel privileged to help a community so committed to Israels security and wellbeing. We fund a variety of programs to help the Druze community. Since 2014, The Fellowship has been funding scholarships for higher education for hundreds of young adults in the community who have finished IDF or community service. Recently, Yael Eckstein attended the distribution ceremony to give as many as 180 young minorities Fellowship-funded scholarships. Yael addressed the group, saying, Its really our privilege to be a part of the process of your success. We know that youll succeed in being a very important and strong part of our state of Israel. Thank you and good luck. rchopra@tribunemail.com Washington, January 29 The US has charged Chinese telecom giant Huawei with a series of crimes, including stealing trade secrets, a move that can escalate hostilities between the worlds biggest economic powers and complicate efforts to negotiate an end to their bruising trade war. The charges were unveiled ahead of the crucial trade talks between American and Chinese officials on January 30 and 31. The charges are likely to raise tensions between China and the US amid a trade war between them. However, the White House on Monday denied that there was any link between the two. The Justice Department on Monday unsealed two cases against Huawei that detail a slew of allegations. One indictment accuses Huawei of trying to steal trade secrets from T-Mobile (TMUS), and of promising bonuses to employees who collected confidential information on competitors. A second indictment claims the company worked to skirt US sanctions on Iran. In its 13-count indictment, the US Justice Department charged Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Meng Wanzhou with financial fraud. Meng was arrested in Canada in December, and the United States is looking to extradite her. Meng, the daughter of the companys founder, is currently out on bail in Canada. Her case has sparked a major crisis between Ottawa and Beijing. The indictment also accuses Huawei, its CFO, and other employees of deceiving numerous global financial institutions and the US government regarding Huaweis business activities in Iran. Today we are announcing that we are bringing criminal charges against telecommunications giant Huawei and its associates for nearly two dozen alleged crimes, Acting Attorney General Matthew G Whitaker said. As I told Chinese officials in August, China must hold its citizens and Chinese companies accountable for complying with the law, he said. Another 10-count indictment in Seattle, charged Huawei Device Co with theft of trade secrets, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of obstruction of justice. According to the indictment, in 2012 Huawei began a concerted effort to steal information about a phone-testing robot dubbed Tappy of Washington based T-Mobile USA. In an effort to build their own robot to test phones, Huawei engineers allegedly violated confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with T-Mobile by secretly taking photos of Tappy, measuring it, and even stealing a piece of it so that they could try to replicate it in China, the indictment said. The indictment alleges that Huawei was offering bonuses to employees who succeeded in stealing confidential information from other companies. Huawei intentionally conspired to steal the intellectual property of an American company in an attempt to undermine the free and fair global marketplace, said FBI Director Wray. To the detriment of American ingenuity, Huawei continually disregarded the laws of the United States in the hopes of gaining an unfair economic advantage. As the volume of these charges prove the FBI will not tolerate corrupt businesses that violate the laws that allow American companies and the United States to thrive, he said. Huawei and its Chief Financial Officer broke the US law and have engaged in a fraudulent financial scheme that is detrimental to the security of the United States, said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. They willfully conducted millions of dollars in transactions that were in direct violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, and such behaviour will not be tolerated, she said. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross alleged that for years, Chinese firms have broken the US export laws and undermined sanctions, often using the US financial systems to facilitate their illegal activities. This will end. The Trump administration continues to be tougher on those who violate our export control laws than any administration in history, Ross said. This indictment shines a bright light on Huaweis flagrant abuse of the lawespecially its efforts to steal valuable intellectual property from T-Mobile to gain unfair advantage in the global marketplace, said First Assistant US Attorney Annette L Hayes of the Western District of Washington. After T-Mobile discovered and interrupted these criminal activities and then threatened to sue, Huawei produced a report falsely claiming that the theft was the work of rogue actors within the company and not a concerted effort by Huawei corporate entities in the US and China, the indictment said. Another grand jury in New York returned an indictment alleging 13 additional crimes committed by Huawei, its CFO, its affiliate in Iran, and one of its subsidiaries here in the US. The criminal activity alleged in the indictment goes back at least 10 years and goes all the way to the top of the company. Beginning in 2007, Huawei employees lied about Huaweis relationship to a company in Iran called Skycom, falsely asserting it was not an affiliate of it. Huawei relied on its global banking relationships for banking services that included processing US-dollar transactions through the United States. US laws generally prohibited the banks from processing transactions related to Iran through the US, it said. Relying on the repeated misrepresentations by Huawei, these banks continued their banking relationships with Huawei. One bank cleared more than USD 100 million worth of Skycom-related transactions through the US between 2010 and 2014, it said. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Islamabad, January 29 Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the acquittal of a Christian woman who spent years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy, dismissing a petition filed by Islamists who have called for her execution. "On merit, this petition is dismissed," Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosar said in court. Asia Bibi, a farm worker, was convicted in 2010 of making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours working in the fields with her objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim. Her conviction was overturned in October, prompting protests from religious hardliners calling for her death and demanding that the government prevent her from leaving the country. She has always denied committing blasphemy. Bibi, who spent eight years on death row, has been in hiding since the Supreme Court freed her in October. Hours before the Supreme Court announced its decision, Shafeeq Ameeni, acting head of the hardline Tehreek-e Labaik movement, which led the protests last year, issued a new warning to the court not to rule in favour of the "blasphemer". Ameeni was not immediately available for comment after the ruling. Bibi's case attracted headlines around the world last year and rights group Amnesty International issued a statement calling for her to be allowed to "reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice". "The authorities must also resist and investigate any attempts to intimidate the Supreme Court. They have a duty to protect against threats of violence to harm religious minorities or the lives of judges or other government officials," Amnesty Internationals South Asia Campaigner, Rimmel Mohydin, said. Reuters rchopra@tribunemail.com Beijing, January 29 The founder of a prominent Chinese civil and human rights website was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday for inciting state subversion, according to human rights organisations. Liu Feiyue created and ran the Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch website, which covers a range of civil and human rights issues, including protests, police abuses, and government corruption--sensitive topics that are scrubbed from most Chinese media sites. The Suizhou Intermediate Peoples Court in central Hubei province sentenced him after he was found guilty of inciting subversion of state power, according to Human Rights Watch. The sentence...once again shows how the Chinese government abuses the judicial system to silence dissidents, Patrick Poon, China researcher at Amnesty International, told AFP. There are serious flaws in the procedure of this case, without due process in line with international standards, he added. Lius sentence came one day after human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang was handed a four-and-a-half-year sentence on similar subversion charges. Wang is one of more than 200 lawyers and activists who were swept up in a 2015 crackdown aimed at courtroom critics of Communist authorities. Chinas first cyber-dissident and founder of human rights website 64 Tianwang, Huang Qi, is also facing charges. Arrested in 2016 for leaking state secrets, Huang has since been held in a detention centre in southwestern Sichuan province and was expected to go on trial earlier this month. Liu was detained around the same time, according to Poon. Prosecuting the editor of a human rights website shows just how frightened the Chinese government is about independent reporting on abuses from inside China, said Yaqiu Wang, China researcher at Human Rights Watch, in a statement on Lius sentence. The court could not be reached for comment. AFP rchopra@tribunemail.com Dubai, January 29 A bomb attack in a market killed seven Yemeni civilians, including a photographer for a UAE television channel, in the government-controlled town of Mokha, medics and military sources said on Tuesday. At least 20 people were wounded in the overnight blast in the Red Sea town, where pro-government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition battling the Huthi rebels are based. The improvised explosive device was planted on a motorcycle parked in the middle of the market, an official in the pro-government forces told AFP. Seven people were killed, the official and a hospital source said. A photographer for Abu Dhabi TV, Ziad al-Sharabi, was among the dead, the official Saba news agency quoted information minister Moammer al-Eryani as saying. A correspondent for the same network, Faisal Al-Zabhani, was among the wounded, he said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but Saba blamed it on the Iran-aligned Huthis. The city of Mokha has enjoyed relative calm since coalition-backed government forces seized it from the rebels in July 2017. Yemens war escalated in March 2015, when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia and the coalition intervened. Since then, the conflict has killed nearly 10,000 people and unleashed the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. UN aid officials say 80 per cent of the population--24 million people--are in need of aid and nearly 10 million are just one step away from famine. AFP harinder@tribunemail.com IT has been decided to hold a session of the Punjab Hindu Conference at Lahore on the 15th and 16th February next during the Holi holidays. There is a general impression that the interests of the Hindus of this Province have not been adequately safeguarded in the scheme put forward by the local authorities in connection with the Reforms Scheme, and it is naturally felt that if these interests are not to be allowed to suffer materially, the community must raise a strong and well-considered protest on the subject. This feeling, which is widespread and keen among the Hindus of the Province, has necessitated the holding of a session of the Punjab Hindu Conference which will focus and voice the communitys feeling, and put forward necessary proposals in that behalf. The organisers of the Conference, therefore, make a strong appeal to the Hindus of the Province to muster strong to make the session a success. editorial@tribune.com Perneet Singh Tribune News Service Mehraj (Bathinda), January 28 Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today vowed not to spare anyone found guilty in the sacrilege or police firing cases, whether a politician or a police officer, irrespective of their position or high office. The CM was here to disburse Rs 97 crore as relief to 18,308 small farmers from Bathinda and Mansa districts against debt from cooperative banks. He lashed out at the Akalis for failing to bring the culprits to book and not accepting the recommendations of the Zora Singh Commission set up by them to probe the incidents. The CM said the SIT probe would reach its logical conclusion soon and he would personally ensure that nobody found responsible for the incident was allowed to go scot-free. On the arrest of a senior former police officer in the case, the CM said it was obvious that the officer in question must have been following orders, and the SIT would identify those who had issued the orders. They would not be spared at any cost, he declared. The Chief Minister lambasted the previous SAD-BJP government for ruining everything, from agriculture to industry and economy, during its 10-year misrule. He claimed that his government had reversed the trend with steel industry getting revived at Mandi Gobindgarh. The Akalis had behaved in a partisan manner to neglect his ancestral village, Mehraj, and Patiala, he said. He announced a grant of Rs 28 crore for the sewerage and drinking water supply at Mehraj. Amarinder claimed that there had been a sharp decline in the number of farm suicides and a drop in drug trade since his government took over. Issue sensitive, dont politicise it: Sukhbir to cong Ferozepur: Anyone who is guilty in the Behbal Kalan firing incident should be punished, but the Congress should refrain from playing politics over this sensitive issue, said SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Addressing party workers here, Sukhbir targeted Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, accusing him of playing cheap politics over the sensitive issue. Sukhbir alleged that Justice Ranjit Singh Commission set up to probe the sacrilege and firing incidents, had also been playing in the hands of the CM. As per the guidelines of the High Court, this commission is unconstitutional and it doesnt have any evidence on the matter, he claimed. Sukhbir refused to comment on the arrest of former SSP Charanjit Sharma. OC Book Badals, says Khaira Ropar, January 28 Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira who recently formed the Punjabi Ekta Party, while alleging that senior SAD leaders Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Badal and former Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini were responsible for firing on protesters after sacrilege incidents, demanded registration of criminal cases against them. Khaira was addressing former AAP leaders and volunteers at Shalapur Chowk near here. He claimed he was getting overwhelming support from workers of AAP, Congress and even SAD. TNS State govt files caveat Chandigarh, January 28 Just about three days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected the plea for a CBI probe into the cases of violence and incidents of sacrilege in the state, the Punjab government has filed a caveat. It means that the state will be heard before the passing of any order in case the parties affected by the judgment file an appeal before a Division Bench of the High Court. An order passed by a Single Judge in appealable by way of Letter Patents Appeal (LPA) before another Bench of the same court. TNS vermaajay1968@gmail.com Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 28 Cash-strapped Punjab is all set to roll out the red carpet for the 17 members of the Finance Commission, who will be on a four-day visit, beginning Tuesday. Unable to pay dearness allowance to its employees and asking its teachers to work at 40 per cent of their salary if they want their services regularised, the state is hiring two choppers to ferry the delegates to and from Amritsar, it is learnt. For the commission members, 21 rooms have been booked for the initial two days in a luxury hotel in Chandigarh. The third day, they will be flown to Amritsar where they will be lodged in a luxury hotel near the plush Basant Avenue. What has raised many an eyebrow is the fact that to date, most commission delegations visiting the state have been put up in state guest houses. According to top Punjab officials, the commission, headed by NK Singh, initially requested for luxury suites/villas in an ultra luxury hotel - Oberoi Sukhvilas - on the outskirts of Chandigarh. But in view of the phenomenal room tariff, ranging from Rs 42,000 to Rs 1.50 lakh, as per the hotel rate card, the government insisted that the delegation be put up in the hotel where deliberations with stakeholders, including members of Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies, are to be held. However, the state government did accept some demands, including the menu for various meals. At the disposal of the commission members will be a posse of cops and several security vehicles. Refusing to go on record, a senior functionary remarked: Salaam thok kar kaam nikalta hai to kya bura hai (If we can get our way by giving in to small demands, its not a bad deal). Moushami Chakravarty, media adviser, Finance Commission, said: Even the field visit is decided by the state government. We have not dictated any terms. editorial@tribune.com GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 28 The state government pumps in efforts to rejuvenate the project of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) worth Rs 545 crore in Amritsar and added a fresh fleet of low floor air-conditioned buses today. To motivate bus culture among the people here, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu announced free ride for first three months. Though the administration is yet to take a final call on the fare, it has been assured that nominal fare will be there, besides special incentives. The free ride privilege would permanently be valid for schoolchildren wearing uniform with valid identity card, whereas college students will get 66 per cent concession. Senior citizens and physically challenged travellers will be charged just 50 per cent fare. A special card can be made for just Rs 25 which would enable people to travel without limit for one day. Sidhu said the volume of buses had been increased. From safety aspect, the screens installed on the 47 bus stands en route would display the arrival of buses. Apart from this, every bus would have cameras, GPS and automatic doors. The 31-km dedicated route of the project, including India Gate to Verka, Verka to Amritsar entry gate and from India Gate to Amritsar entry gate, was made fully operational with a fleet of 97 buses today. The frequency of the buses on every route would not be more than 4 minutes, he said. Those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister OP Soni, Lok Sabha MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu, DC Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, Police Commissioner S Srivastava, MC Commissioner Sonali Giri, PWD XEN JS Sodhi and local MLAs. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Faridkot, January 28 A day after arresting former Moga SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma from Hoshiarpur, five members of the SIT, headed by ADGP Pramod Kumar and IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap, on Monday questioned him for over three hours at Sadar police station here. While the SIT members declined to divulge details of the proceedings, sources revealed that the SIT were mainly tried to zero in on the circumstances that forced the police to open "unwarranted" firing on the protesters at Behbal Kalan. The sources said during questioning, the former SSP narrated the sequence of events at the dharna site and how protesters, armed with bricks and sticks, attacked the police team, including Sharma, his staff and other senior police officers. Earlier, Sharma was produced before the duty judicial magistrate, who sent him to police remand for eight days. Meanwhile, two other police officers, also nominated in this case, Bikramjit Singh and Pardeep Singh, filed application for anticipatory bail in the court of District and Session Judge today. To hear these applications, the court has issued notice to the state for January 30. After the High Court vacated the stay on the proceedings against four police officers on January 25, the SIT had summoned all these officers to appear before it on January 29. Because frigid temperatures on Thursday lead to school being canceled, the Drury Comedy Coffee House featuring Moody McCarthy has been postponed to Thursday, Feb. 7, (doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7). All current ticket holders will have their tickets honored on that night and tickets are still available here Drury students set up for Thursday's performance. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Drury Performing Arts Center will host "Comedy Coffee House" with Moody McCarthy this Thursday. The New York City comedian is being brought to the high school by Drury Performing Arts Management program as part of the Drury After Dark Series. "He is hysterical, and he is very witty," DPAM student Yvonne Koperek said. "It is definitely a clean show and it is very inclusive. He has been on many nighttime shows." McCarthy has performed on "Conan," "Late Show with David Letterman," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "America's Got Talent," "Last Comic Standing IV" and "Star Search." Fellow New York City comedian Mike Speirs will open for McCarthy and Drury student Quintin Demarsico will be the emcee. "He is pretty funny he likes to set up comedic stories," Koperek said. "He definitely builds on puns." Coffee and baked goods will also be available at the event and DPAM has added couples seating this time around. "We did add some couples tables so we have waitstaff tables of four but we decided to add tables of two for people who want more of a date-night feel," Koperek said. She said the show is entirely student driven and the class does everything from interacting with the artists to running the lighting to the advertisement. "We draft press releases and we like to hang up professionally printed posters which we design," Koperek said. "We post a lot on social media. The students control the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram." She added that the class is a great educational experience and really helps guide students through the business and production side of live performance. "It is very eye-opening this completely opened me up to a new arts world that helped me figure out what I wanted to do for schooling and s career," she said. "So it is a really great program." DPAM has produced a variety of shows through the program's existence and Koperek said they are really starting to garner a following. "We are slowly definitely building a crowd of frequent flyers," she said. Koperek urged residents to come to the show to support the students and maybe experience something new. "There will be tasty baked goods and some good coffee. It is just a really intimate vibe and is a real coffee house style show," she said. "I heard some people say they aren't into certain kinds of shows like comedy but when they come to see us they are really entertained. It is just a nice experience to have." The show is Thursday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Only tables can be reserved online. https://moodymccarthydpac. brownpapertickets.com/ editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Ferozepur, January 28 The BSF today seized six packets of heroin weighing 2.9 kg worth Rs 15 crore in the international market. It also recovered a Pakistan-made pistol, a magazine and five rounds during a special search operation carried out near the Gatti Hayat border outpost in this sector. Sandeep Channan, DIG, BSF, Ferozepur Sector, said, The Pakistan smugglers escaped taking advantage of fog. BSF troops carried out a search operation in that area during which the seizure was made. gspannu7@gmail.com New Delhi/Kolkata, January 29 Two Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives, wanted in the 2014 Burdwan blast case, were arrested by the National Investigation Agency in West Bengals Hooghly district, officials said on Tuesday. Kadar Kazi (32) and Sajjad Ali (21) were arrested on Monday night from a three-storeyed under-construction building in the Borodongol More locality under the districts Arambagh police station area, they said. They were wanted in the Burdwan blast case. Kazi was also declared a proclaimed offender while Ali was his associate, an NIA official said. Acting on a tip-off, our officials along with the local police conducted a raid at a place in Hooghlys Arambagh Monday midnight and arrested these two JMB suspects who were under our radar for the Khagragarh explosion case, the official told PTI. The two were on Tuesday produced before a special court in Kolkata that sent them to 14 days NIA custody, he said. Kadar hailed from Nanur in Birbhum district, while Sajjad was a resident of Kandi in Murshidabad district. The two were on the run since the explosion at a house in the Khagragarh locality of Burdwan town on October 2, 2014, killing two persons and injuring another, the official said. The duo had returned to West Bengal a couple of months back. They were well-versed in manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and were hiding in Arambagh, he said. Asked whether the two were planning to carry out any terror activity in the state, the NIA sleuth said it was still unclear. They are being questioned and the agency is testing the documents and materials seized from them, he said. An NIA spokesperson added Ali was an associate of Kazi and was in touch with the other accused of JMB through encrypted communication of protected text/other social media apps, as revealed by him during initial questioning. Incriminating articles like battery, wires, electronic circuit, electronic clocks and watches to be used for the preparation of IEDs were seized from his possession. It was also learnt that the NIA got information about Kadar and Sajjad and their whereabouts after grilling arrested JMB leader Kausar Ali. So far, the agency has filed charge sheet against 30 accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and several sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms and Explosive Acts. During investigation, it was revealed that the two deceased and the injured, believed to be JMB members, and present in a rented house, were engaged in preparation of bombs, arms and ammunition, maintaining hideouts and organising terrorist training camps in pursuance of a larger conspiracy to carry out attacks in different parts of India and in Bangladesh, the NIA said. The JMB is a terrorist organisation operating in Bangladesh. It was banned by the government of Bangladesh in 2005. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 29 Bharatiya Janata Partys troubles over allies are far from over. Even though its frigid ties with the Shiv Sena are beginning to show signs of thaw, it now appears to have problems on another frontits Bihar ally Janata Dal (United). The JD (U), it appears, has strongly objected to the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Billa law to which not only BJPs opposition but also the party's allies from the northeast have vehemently objected. In addition, the JD (U) has also accused the BJP of ignoring allies. The BJP remains adamant: it wants the legislation passed in the Budget Sessionthe last session of the 16th Lok Sabha before general elections are held in April-May this year. The law has already led to BJPs ally the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) walking out of the alliance. The law proposes Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India even if they do not possess any document. It was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, and now awaits Rajya Sabhas noda challenge for the BJP given its lack of numbers in the upper house. Opposition has been protesting the Bill because of its discriminatory nature. Organisations in the northeast meanwhile claim that the Bill could change the already skewed demography of the region. Already uneasy about the BJPs Ram Mandir push, the JD (U) recently said it would oppose the Bill. JD (U)s national general secretary KC Tyagi said its six MPswho are part of the ruling alliancewould vote against the Bill when it comes up for vote in the Upper House. BJP sources in Delhi however claim regional parties were only posturing because of their ideological compulsions, and that, like with the Shiv Sena, differences with the JD (U) would eventually be sorted out in time for general elections As for the Sena, the BJP has offered its sulking ally half of Maharashtras 48 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, the BJP contested 26 and the Sena 22. That however appears not enough to placate its blow-hot-blow-cold Maharashtra allythe Sena now wants to be senior partner in the alliance, therefore having the first claim to the chief ministers position regardless of how many seats it finally wins in the elections. The Sena wants this done as soon as possible, and has also been demanding that the Centre hold Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha elections together. Maharashtras Assembly elections are due months after general elections. Sources say Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis however isnt keen on the ideahe wants to complete his term, which ends in October. Other allies It isnt just the Sena and the JD (U) thats giving the BJP sleepless nights. Already uncomfortable with the Hindu right wings push for a Ram temple in Ayodhya, another BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party, like the JD (U), is uncomfortable with the thought of the central government bringing an ordinance or legislation to facilitate its construction. Both Bihar Chief Minister Nitish KumarJD (U)s national presidentand the LJPs Ram Vilas Paswan have made it clear that their parties would not support any such ordinance. The Centre meanwhile approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday to have the courts March 2003 verdict modified to give back undisputed land in Ayodhya to its previous ownerthe Ram Janambhumi Nyas. BJPs ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad have both welcomed the development. rchopra@tribunemail.com United Nations, January 29 Poignant tales of compassion of Jews finding refuge in India in the midst of the horror of the Holocaust were recounted as the UN commemorated the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust that occurred during the Second World War. It commemorates the genocide that resulted in the death of an estimated 6 million Jews. Indias Permanent Mission to the UN co-hosted with Bnai Brith International a special event India: A Distant Haven during the Holocaust here Monday as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over the centuries-old hatred being not only still strong, but also getting worse. Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said the commemoration was an opportunity to recount the moving tales of compassion amid the tragedies of the Holocaust, and to promote the civilisational values that are key to preventing such crimes against humanity from occurring ever again. He told the gathering that there were numerous stories of solace offered in India to those escaping troubling times in Europe. He recounted the legendary story of the Maharaja of Nawanagar, who against all odds took personal responsibility to provide home to around one thousand Polish children. They travelled all the way to Gujarat in India to escape the ravages of the World War II in their homeland. During the ensuing panel discussion, noted scholar, author and archivist Kenneth Robbins shared how some of the Jewish faith found refuge in India in the midst of horror and gloom of the Holocaust. Stephen Tauber, a Holocaust survivor whose family fled from Austria to India, also shared his familys stories. While the world was at war, India was engaged in its own struggle for freedom from colonial rule. Yet, even during these difficult times, the people of India welcomed visitors from overseas who were escaping uncertainties in their homelands, Akbaruddin said. He noted that the link between India and people of Jewish faith went back thousands of years in history when the first Jews landed on Indias south-western coast nearly two thousand years ago and over the decades had greatly contributed in the fields of entrepreneurship, art, architecture and culture. Akbaruddin pointed out that India had rarely witnessed anti-semitism except during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks when Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed so many people. As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Genocide Convention this year, we watch with concern that globally the forces of anti-semitism, racial and religious intolerance and xenophobia are posing new challenges to global values, he said. Examples of compassion and solidarity serve as beacons of hope and inspiration in troubled times. Stories of those who have witnessed horror in unimaginable ways and have triumphed, help in building across borders and generations, confidence and solidarity for the cherished values of pluralism and peaceful co-existence, he added. During the panel discussion, Robbins spoke about minorities contribution to Indian society, and Indias history of religious tolerance. He also outlined the movement of Jews to India during different periods of history. Tauber recalled a more personal story of his own family that had left Vienna and travelled to India on an Italian ship. His family worked to maintain its Jewish traditions in a tiny community. In 1941, the family settled permanently in the United States. Ken is a font of knowledge about India, and particularly the intersections between Indians and Jews...Kens work epitomises the phrase labour of love, Bnai Brith International CEO Daniel Mariaschin said. Mariaschin thanked Tauber for sharing his story, noting that you and your family were fortunate to find rescue in India and ultimately a new life here in the United States. President of Bnai Brith International, oldest Jewish service organisation in the world, Charles Kaufman, emphasised the UNs role in fighting hatred and violence. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 28 In a scathing attack against the Narendra Modi government, former Finance Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, Yashwant Sinha, today said it would be entirely improper and utterly unconstitutional if the outgoing government chose to present a full Budget as was being widely speculated. Interacting with journalists on issues ranging from the state of the countrys economy to politics at the Indian Womens Press Corps, Sinha said: An outgoing government does not have the authority to present an economic survey, bring a Finance Bill and introduce new services. There is no precedence of an outgoing government doing so. It will be entirely improper and utterly unconstitutional to do that. The government is likely to claim the Constitution does not bar it from presenting a full Budget but convention is equally important. If you can do that why would there be Article 116 (in the Constitution? said Sinha. Speculation is rife that the FMs presentation of interim Budget will go beyond the conventional vote on account sought by a government in an election year. However, according to BJP leaders, there was no such provision as interim Budget in the Constitution of India. A Budget is a Budget. The interim Budget also gives the complete financial statement, very similar to a full Budget, they say, dismissing the criticism. Sinha also accused it of dressing up economic figures despite the country facing an unprecedented agrarian distress, jobless growth and non-performing assets stacking up. He said the government would now claim by tweaking figures that rivers of milk were flowing and that achche din were here. Dont trust govt figures I do not trust the economic figures given out by the government anymore. If we really are the fastest growing economy, you shouldnt be having problems of agrarian distress, jobless growth. You wouldnt have to dress up figures. Yashwant Sinha, Former Union Minister uttara@tribuneindia.com Kolkata/New Delhi, January 29 Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah launched a scathing attack against the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal on Tuesday claiming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's paintings were brought by chit fund owners for crores of rupees. Vowing to uproot the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, he said if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the next government in the state, it would ensure that each and every defrauded investor in chit funds got back their money. Shah said at his rally: "Are you all aware of Mamata Banerjee's qualities? She is a very good painter. Even if someone is a great painter, how much would his paintings cost? (Rs) 10,000, (Rs) 20,000, (Rs) one lakh or (Rs) 10 lakh. But her paintings were brought by chit fund owners for crores of rupees". "So, will the chit fund owners ever be arrested if the person, whose paintings they had brought, is the chief minister?," he asked a public rally at Kanthi in East Midnapore district of West Bengal. Claiming that over 25 lakh people of the state had lost their life's savings due to the chit fund scam, Shah said if the BJP came to power in West Bengal, all the money that was looted would be recovered. "Give us one chance. We will ensure the recovery of the money looted by the chit funds. They (TMC) cannot do it. We will do it," he said. The BJP president said the upcoming Lok Sabha election would be about restoring democracy in the state. "Narendra Modi will be elected as the prime minister again after the Lok Sabha election. But in West Bengal, the polls will be about restoring democracy," he said. "I am sure that in the coming Lok Sabha polls, we (BJP) will ensure the immersion of the TMC government in the state. On the day of (vote) counting, you will witness the fall of the TMC government. The (vote) counting of the Lok Sabha polls will be over by 1 pm and by 2 pm, the government in Bengal will fall," Shah said. "If you want to make Bengal free of cow smugglers and infiltrators, then you have to elect the BJP. Only Narendra Modi and the BJP government can do it," he added. Listing the development projects of the Modi government, Shah alleged that the TMC dispensation in the state was not letting these initiatives reach the people as Banerjee was afraid that it would bolster Modi's popularity. "The West Bengal government has come out of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. When the poor in other states will be able to avail the health insurance benefits under the scheme, those in Bengal will be deprived of it," he said. Banerjee and the TMC government were only changing the names of various development projects initiated by the Modi government and trying to steal the credit of the Centre, Shah alleged. Defamation The TMC was quick to react. The Banerjee-led party dismissed Shah's charges as "baseless" and alleged that the "BJP is trying to malign our party". They later issued a defamation notice to Shah. Senior TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya, minister of state for health in West Bengal government, accused Shah of trying to malign the TMC supremo's image by "uttering lies". "I have issued a defamation notice against BJP national president Amit Shah for his defamatory and malicious remarks against Mamata Banerjee," she said. Clashes There were unconfirmed reported of violence ad arson after the Kanthi rally, with both TMC and BJP accusing the other of vandalism. TMC accused BJP of ransacking their office in Kanthi and claimed clashes broke out when they retaliated. "When our supporters were returning from Amit Shah's rally they were attacked by TMC activists. This is a shame. We condemn it," BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said. The BJP meanwhile, claims TMC vandalised and torched buses in which BJP party workers were travelling in after the rally. Senior TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed that the BJP is trying to disturb peace and stability in the district. "BJP workers attacked our party offices and this led to retaliation by our workers. If our party office is attacked are we going to offer sweets?" he said. Parties sources said three people were wounded in the clashes. However, there is no confirmation from West Bengal police. There is also no information on which party the three who were wounded belonged. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, also a senior BJP leader, is believed to have spoken to Banerjee the phone to voice his concern about the reported large scale violence and arson against people who participated in the rally. Sources said he asked her to take action against those involved. PTI/TNS vermaajay1968@gmail.com Patna, January 28 Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad today disapproved of the slow pace of hearing on the Ayodhya title suit in the Supreme Court, and appealed to it for an expeditious decision as had been done in the matters related to adultery and Sabarimala temple. Prasad qualified his views with the remark that he spoke as a citizen and not as Law Minister. His remarks came a day after the SC cancelled the January 29 hearing in the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute case as one member of the five-judge Constitution Bench would not be available. Prasad cited examples of expeditious decisions on the entry of women into Sabarimala temple in Kerala, the adultery law, social and cultural activists being dubbed urban Naxals and the late-night intervention in the political turmoil in Karnataka that went in favour of the post-poll Congress-JD(S) alliance, and wondered why the apex court could not come out with a mechanism to decide the Ayodhya petition. It is the wish of the people of the country that a Ram temple be built at Ayodhya. Our PM and party president have also made it clear that this will take place within the constitutional framework, Prasad said. It took 60 years for the Allahabad HC to come out with a verdict on the title suit and the appeal against the same has been pending before the Supreme Court for 10 years, Prasad, who was the counsel for one of the petitioners in the High Court, said. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Tribune News Service Lucknow, January 28 The wife of Prashant Natt, main accused in the December 3 murder of police Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh in Bulandshahr, has charged the police of planting the deceased police officers missing mobile phone in her home during a search operation on Republic Day. Syana circle officer Raghvendra Kumar Mishra, during a court-ordered search at Chingrawathi village house of Prashant Natt on January 26, had claimed to have recovered six mobile phones, including Subodhs closed user group (CUG) mobile phone. Prashant Natts wife Sonam alleged the policemen had brought mobile phones with them and planted those in their house. She told a news channel that her husband was being falsely implicated in the case. Two policemen came with a search warrant. They asked for my husbands room, entered it and placed the mobile phones on the dressing table. When I objected that the mobile phones were not ours, they asked me to keep quiet, she alleged. Bulandshahar SSP Prabhakar Chaudhary countered the allegations saying what else could be expected from the family of the accused. The search was carried out on court orders, he claimed. According to the police, Natt, a taxi driver, allegedly shot Subodh Kumar Singh dead. Singhs two mobile phones and a pistol were reported missing after his killing. The police are yet to recover the pistol. The police had registered two cases in the matter one against seven named persons for the alleged cow slaughter and another against 27 named and 60 unnamed persons for the murder of Subodh Kumar Singh and Sumit along with ransacking of the police post and damage to public property. Interestingly, Natt had not been named in the FIR. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 28 Does compulsory recitation of prayers in Hindi and Sanskrit in Kendriya Vidyalayas during morning assembly violate right to religion of non-Hindu students? A two-judge Bench headed by Justice Rohinton F Nariman on Monday referred it to a larger Bench for an authoritative pronouncement. Now Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi will consider setting up an appropriate Bench for the purpose. The matter is likely to go to a Constitution Bench. The Kendriya Vidyalayas are Central Government schools run by the Ministry of Human Resource Development for almost five decades. There are around 1,125 such schools across India with a uniform curriculum and syllabus, making them worlds largest chain of schools. One of the prayers in question is: Asato ma sadgamaya, Tamasoma jyotir gamaya. Mrityormaamritam gamaya, O? shanti shanti shanti?. (From ignorance, lead me to truth; From darkness, lead me to light; From death, lead me to immortality, Om peace, peace, peace.) Acting on a petition filed by Madhya Pradesh resident Veenayak Shah, the Supreme Court had on January 10 last year issued notice to the Centre asking it to spell out its stand. On Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the petition, saying such prayers were universal in nature and not religious. He said one such verse was even on the top courts emblem adoring the walls of each court. But Justice Nariman said the issue involved interpretation of constitutional provisions by a larger Bench. Citing Article 28(1) of the Constitution, the petitioner had submitted that no religious instruction could be provided in an educational institution wholly funded by the state. Now Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has filed a plea in the top court seeking to be made a party to the petition filed by Shah. It has supported the prayer made by the petitioner. Shah said the common prayer was a religious instruction within the meaning of Article 28 and therefore, it should be prohibited. Since the prayer was being enforced, parents and children of minority communities as well as atheists found it constitutionally impermissible, the petitioner said. Alleging that it went against secularism, the petitioner said it created obstacles in developing scientific temperament among students as the idea of God and religious faith was given priority and instilled as a thought-process. As a result, students learnt to develop an inclination towards seeking refuge in the Almighty instead of developing a practical approach towards the obstacles faced in everyday life, Shah had said in his petition, adding: The spirit of enquiry and reform seems to be lost somewhere. Constitutionally impermissible: Petitioner Adams Conservation Commission Endorses Lime Street Solar Array ADAMS, Mass. The Conservation Commission is supporting a proposed Lime Street solar project but continued the hearing to a later date so the company could provide more information about a culvert. "I think this is fantastic and I have no problem," Commissioner Thomas Robinson said at the Jan. 17 public hearing. "Fine no problems." Jon Spicer of Stantec engineering firm spoke on behalf of OYA Solar MA LP, a Toronto-based solar developer that wants to install a ground-mounted solar array at 0 Lime St. on land owned by David Krutiak. The 9.7-acre parcel is located on the so-called Lime Street connector that parallels the rail line and connects to Route 8. Spicer said under the federal Wetlands Protection Act, the project is considered a redevelopment because the 3.3 acres to be developed is already degraded. "Most of which today is degraded exposed soil and gravel. Pretty poor condition overall," Spicer said. "In really simple terms, what the developer will do is come in here and scarify the existing degraded area. They will bring in topsoil, loam, and a native seed mix." Spicer said anything beyond that section will not be touched because the land is bordered by the Hoosic River, a perennial stream, a floodplain, a vegetative wetland, and a Natural Heritage mapped-out area containing rare species. "We have agreed to hold and not disturb anything beyond this line," Spicer said. "We are not proposing any alteration to trees or tree canopies." He said one small concrete pad will be poured for the solar generation equipment. The panels themselves will be placed on decking that will be fastened to the ground. "They don't have concrete foundations they have more of a threaded screw on the end," Spicer said. "They can be mechanically screwed into the earth for easy installation and easy decommissioning at the end of the 25 years life span." The panels will be less than 15 feet high and there will be a security fence around the facility. William Lattrell, an ecologist and wetlands scientist who often helps the commission, was also present at the meeting and said he really had no concerns about the project. He did note that there was an illegally installed culvert from the 1990s that would need to be removed. "The sensible thing to do in my opinion is to remove that culvert and restore that area and bring back the natural flow of the brook," he said. "It resolves the issue of something being put in place without a permit." He said this was a last-minute finding and Stantec was unable to include plans to remove the culvert. Lattrell recommended that the commission continue the hearing until the plans are complete. The commissioners unanimously made this decision and agreed to support the project. Once they see the removal plan, they said there is no reason to not approve it. "We certainly can go on record and say we support this project if you bring us proper culvert removal plans," Commission member David Lipinski said. "We are not going to hold this project up." Chairman James Fassell said there have been violations on the land in the past and the array would certainly be an improvement. "It will decrease our grief because we have had grief over that property for years and it is not beautiful land," Fassell said. 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. RTHK: Ex-Trump aide Stone pleads not guilty Long-time Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges stemming from the ongoing investigation into whether the US president's campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 election. Stone, 66, is charged with lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction in relation to his contacts with WikiLeaks, whose publication of embarrassing Russian-hacked communications from Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign gave a boost to Trump. Stone, a veteran Republican consultant who prides himself on his reputation as a political dirty trickster, entered a not guilty plea to the seven charges during a brief appearance in federal court in Washington. He did not speak to reporters following the arraignment and is to appear in court again on Friday. Following his arrest last week, he said he was the victim of a "politically-motivated investigation" and said he would not testify against Trump because he "would have to bear false witness against him." Stone is the sixth campaign associate of Trump indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 vote. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-01-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. From: Lisa Williams lisawilliams0220@gmail.com Sent: Mon, Dec 26, 2018 10:40 am Subject: Hello Dear, I would be very happy if you can write me through lisawilliams0220@gmail.com for easy communication. Hello Dear, How are you today I hope that everything is OK with you as it is my great pleasure to contact you in having communication with you starting from today, i was just going through the Internet search when i found your email address, I want to make a very new and special friend, so i decided to contact you to see how we can make it work if we can. Please i wish you will have the desire with me so that we can get to know each other better and see what happens in future. My name is Lisa Williams, I am an American presently I live in the UK, I would be very happy if you can write me through for easy communication so that we can know each other, I will give you my pictures and details about me. bye Lisa From: Lisa Williams lisawilliams@techie.com Sent: Thu, Jan 10, 2019 12:04 pm Subject: Little about myself, also tell me about yourself too. . Hi Dear, Let me properly introduce my self by telling you a little about me. My name are : Dr Lisa William Profession : Medical Doctor Country of Origin:United States Province / State: TN - Tennessee Place of Birth: Athens Date of Birth: December 31, 1987 (30 years old) Eye Color: Green Hair Color: Blonde Height: 175 cm - 5 feet and 9 inches Weight: 55 kg - 121 lbs That is all about me, I also want you to tell me about your self so that we can get to know each other before we proceed further I must say i like a relationship with respect love and caring but with that fire to keep it burning. . things have to be intense and at the same time peaceful in the way that one respects the other Individual. I love pleasing and being pleased, I like equal relationship rather than being submissive or dominating. I like men with strong personality, but all in peace, no war, no games. Communication is absolutely essential, to my mind the better a couple communicate, the better the relationship will be. Understanding each other's needs and caring and respecting them. Understanding the other's limits and boundaries. And growing which is so important. I believe and also have the feeling that in today's world, neither race, nationality nor religion will posse a barrier to male/female relationships. Although, we do not know each other too well but I will really like to have you as a friend Currently i am Medical Doctor by profession as i said above, I work with St Elizabeth Health Care in the US but presently i amin UK to support our branchin United Kingdom, I am also a French nationality, my mum is from France why my dad is from US.Who knows ? I can visit you some day if i have vacation and if God almighty permit. I am sending some of my photographs to you and i am also sending the one with my colleagues at the hospital where i work,tell me more about your self and send some few pictures. Yours Lisa From: Lisa Williams lisawilliams@techie.com Sent: Sun, Jan 13, 2019 8:41 am Subject: I want us to meet each other face to face. . Hello Dear I am sending4 more photos to you and I will like to ask you If you will love to meet with me, face to face in Canada ? if yes this is the good news for us. I will be privilege to visit Africa this year. In my department (medical department) we have been selected to attend International conferences which are to take place, firstly in Canada by February and in Africa by February2019 which i will also attend the conference in Canada and Africa, from UK to attend the conference in Canada which i want you to be with me throughout the conference in Canada and Africa. I would like and be happy to attend both conferences with you as my new friend, and i am telling you now so that you can apply and get the approval from the organization for now till next month to enable them send your documents to you if you are selected. This is only on the ground that if it pleases you to attend the conference with me. This conference is a non-Governmental Organization, That has many sponsors all over the world and mostly in Canada. Thepurpose of this Conference is to teach the youths to fight against war/child abuse and many topics That you might love to be part of, It is totally your choice since it will be an opportunity for both of us to meet each other. please let me know if you would like to attend the conference and if you would, I would want you to send to me your full name and contact address to forward them to the Conference Office. I will give you the contacts to the organization secretary in order for you to contact them to know more about your registration. I think that this is the best and the quickest way for you and I to meet. Please send your information to me in your next mail. I will be waiting to hear from you. Thanks and take care of yourself, Byeee Lisa Hope to hear from you soon.Thanks and take care of yourself,ByeeeLisa From: Lisa Williams williams.lisa77@yahoo.com Sent: Sat, Jan 20, 2019 10:37 am Subject: Little about myself, also tell me about yourself too. . Hello Dear Let me properlyintroduce myself by telling you a little about me. My name are : Dr Lisa Williams Profession : Medical Doctor Country of origin: USA Province / State: TN - Tennessee Place of Birth: Athens Date of Birth: December 31, 1984 (34 y. old) Height: 175 cm - 5 feet and 9 inches Weight: 55 kg - 121 lbs That is all about me, I also want you to tell me about your self so that we can get to know more about each other before we proceed further. I must say i like a relationship with respect love and caring but with that fire to keep it burning. . things have to be intense and at the same time peaceful in the way that one respects the other Individual. I love pleasing and being pleased, I like equal relationship rather than being submissive or dominating. I like men with strong personality, but all in peace, no war, no games. Communication is absolutely essential, to my mind the better a couple communicate, the better the relationship will be. Understanding each other's needs and caring and respecting them. Understanding the other's limits and boundaries. And growing which is so important. I believe and also have the feeling that in today's world, neither race, nationality nor religion will posse a barrier to male/female relationships. Although, we do not know each other too well but I will really like to have you as a friend Currently i am Medical Doctor by profession as i said above, I work with St Elizabeth Health Care in US, but i am in UK now to support our branchin United Kingdom, I am also a French nationality, my mum is from France while my dad is from USA. Who knows, i can visit you some day if i have vacation and God almighty permits. I am sending some of my photos to you and i am also sending the one with my colleagues at the hospital where i work, tell me more about your self and send some few pictures too. Lisa YoursLisa From: Lisa Williams williams.lisa77@yahoo.com Sent: Wed, Jan 23, 2019 9:23 am Subject: I want us to meet each other face to face. . Hello Dear, I am sending 5 more photos to you and I would like to ask you if you would love to meet with me, face to face in Canada ? if yes this isgood news for us. I will be privilege to visit Africa this year, In my department (medical department) we have been selected to attend International conferences which are to take place firstly in Canada by February 2019 and in Africa i will attend the conference in Canada and Africa, which i will want you to be with me throughout the conference in Canada and Africa. I would like and be happy to attend both conferences with you as my new friend, am telling you now so that you can apply and get the approval from the organization from now till next month to enable them send your documents to you if you are selected. This is only on the grounds that if it pleases you to attend the conference with me. This conference is a non-Governmental Organization, That has many sponsors all over the World and mostly in Canada. The conference will take care of all your traveling Documents if you are choose.The Term of this Conference is to teach the youths to fight against war/child abuse and many topics that you might love to be part of, It is totally your choice since it will be an opportunity for both of us to meet each other. please let me know if you would like to attend the conference and if you would, I will want you to send to me your full name and contact address to forward them to the Conference Office for them to prepare your invitation letter and traveling documents. I will give you the link and contacts to the organization secretary in order for you to contact them to know more about your invitation as soon as I hear from you. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks and take care of yourself, Lisa YoursLisa From: Lisa Willians lisawilliams@linuxmail.org Sent: Thu, Jan 25, 2019 9:54 am Subject: Little about myself, also tell me about yourself too. Hi Dear, Let me properly introduce my self by telling you a little about me. My name is : Dr. Lisa William Profession : Medical Doctor Country of Origin:United States Province / State: TN - Tennessee Place of Birth: Athens Date of Birth: December 31, 1987 (30 years old) Eye Color: Green Hair Color: Blonde Height: 175 cm - 5 feet and 9 inches Weight: 55 kg - 121 lbs That is all about me, I also want you to tell me about yourself so that we can get to know each other before we proceed further. I must say i like a relationship with respect love and caring but with that fire to keep it burning. . things have to be intense and at the same time peaceful in the way that one respects the other Individual. I love pleasing and being pleased, I like equal relationship rather than being submissive or dominating. I like men with strong personality, but all in peace, no war, no games. Communication is absolutely essential, to my mind the better a couple communicate, the better the relationship will be. Understanding each other's needs and caring and respecting them. Currently i am Medical Doctor by profession as i said above, I work with St Elizabeth Health Care in the US but presently i am here in UK to support our branch here in United Kingdom,I am also a French nationality,My mum is from France why my dad is from US, Who knows, i can visit you some day if i have vacation and if God almighty permit. I am sending some of my photos to you and i am also sending the one with my colleagues at the hospital where i work,tell me more about your self and send some few pictures. Yours Lisa Understanding the other's limits and boundaries. And growing which is so important. I believe and also have the feeling that in today's world, neither race, nationality nor religion will posse a barrier to male/female relationships. Although, we do not know each other too well but I will really like to have you as a friend.Currently i am Medical Doctor by profession as i said above, I work with St Elizabeth Health Care in the US but presently i am here in UK to support our branch here in United Kingdom,I am also a French nationality,My mum is from France why my dad is from US, Who knows, i can visit you some day if i have vacation and if God almighty permit.I am sending some of my photos to you and i am also sending the one with my colleagues at the hospital where i work,tell me more about your self and send some few pictures.YoursLisa From: Lisa Williams lisawilliams@techie.com Sent: Fri, Jan 25, 2019 10:00 am Subject: I AM COMING TO VISIT YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY. Dear Honey, I am sorry for my late response to your mail, i was busy at the hospital. I want to inform you that there is good news because i took my leave from work today because i will be traveling to Africa, Burkina Faso, to sign some documents regarding this conference i will be attending in Canada and in Africa next month. My flight will be leaving 7:10am tomorrow morning to Africa, As soon as i arrive Africa tomorrow evening i will send you my hotel number in Africa so that you can reach me on phone,i will only stay there for 2 days to sign the documents and i will book my flight from there to your place. As soon as i finish signing the papers i will come direct to meet you in your place. I will let you know as soon as i arrive Burkina Faso for you to reach me on phone, I will arrive Burkina Faso by tomorrow evening then i will give you my hotel number in Africa for you to reach me. I want you to call me for us to discuss before I leave for Africa tomorrow, call me on my phone number +447729947716 before I leave UK tomorrow morning, i want us to discuss on phone before leaving UK, I will be with you latest Friday next week. This is my flight details to Africa tomorrow morning : 7:10 am, 26 January Saturday LHR London 9:25 am, 26 January Saturday CDG Paris 11:10 am, 26 January Saturday CDG Paris 5:55 pm, 26 January Saturday OUA Ouagadougou Flight company AIRFRANCE Flight no. AF548 Please I want you to confirm youraddress to me in your next mail so that as soon as I arrive West Africa Burkina Faso tomorrow evening I will know how to book the flight from there to your place. I am traveling with my French passport because my English passport is under renewal at the moment. I will be waiting for your call before flying tomorrow morning to Africa. Yours with love Lisa If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more....